text:
Yeeeeees, I've been reading your comics and following along for some time now:D... After burrowing thru the archives and following along for the current arc, I felt motivated to chip in with my opinions.
The setting, characters and general storyline are great. The art is simple but clear (though I do have a few tips and tricks that you might find useful, if you'd like), and the characters are interesting. I especially like your rabbit-men.... and find the idea of using a roman culture for them intriguing.
As to the story arcs:
The first story arc was VERY good. An interesting twist having the child unafraid and trusting around the saurian--- and afraid of the rabbit The villain's motivations for denying the existence of humans was a little clunky, but overall not bad.
The second story arc--- where the entire planet is turned into a "no humans allowed" single giant nature preserve-slash-historical site--- I gotta nitpick to death, I'm afraid.
1) I'm afraid you aren't taking into account how much maintenance and care ancient relics, historical landmarks, and sacred buildings require.... or what happens to them when they are neglected. Can you imagine what a few decades of dust, mold, mildew, insects, birds, animals, and invading weeds and plants would do to the Sistine Chapel? The Leaning Tower of Pisa? The Taj Mahal? the White House? Mount Rushmore? It's a daily battle to protect these places even NOW. A century of abandonment would reduce them to rubble.
2) The conflict between the Islamic Jordanians--- called 'palestinians' nowadays--- and the people of Israel is not over land. Pick up a trading card and lay it on the fifty yard line of a football field--- that is the ratio of Jewish land--- Israel--- to the land owned and ruled solely by Islamics. (yes, the Palestinians have a homeland. It's called JORDAN.) The PLO has been OFFERED land, and nationhood, over and over again... and walked away every time... the west bank was recently GIVEN to them, the Jewish families that had been living there for over fifty years thrown out--- and the Palestinians promptly used it as a launching site for mortars and suicide attacks.
It's not about land. The Israelis want to keep their ancient and sacred homeland.
The Palestinians want to push the Israelis into the sea.
No. Simply making the land a "shared memorial" would not end the conflict. Moving everyone to separate planets would only postpone the resumption of hostilities as long as it took the Islamics to get a rocket to fly from one to the other. It is the existence of the Jews that is anathema to them.
3)"City of all religions." Outside of the gratuitous slap to the face this would be for the Jewish people--- who lived there, built that city, tended that land while six empires (Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman, British) rose and fell, who maintained a presence in the Holiest city in both Judaism and Christendom even when their national borders were erased off the map and their people were hounded across the earth.... you cannot legislate unity between theologies that are all mutually exclusive of one another. Especially in light of how many religions teach "kill the infidel...."
Even the most peaceful religions would consider such a compromise of their beliefs for the sake of political niceties morally unacceptable.... and those that WOULD join hands would be the sort of "faiths" you couldn't trust alone with either your daughter or your silverware. (You think a hardnosed zealot is a menace, wait till a compromiser gets ahold of you..)
4) There is a phenomenon in economics known as THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS. Basically put: when property, land, resources, etc. belong to you and you have a right to use them, you tend to care for them. When something is a 'public trust' that 'belongs to everyone' (Another way of saying it belongs to nobody), it falls prey to abuse (if it is used for something) or neglect (if it cannot be used for anything.)
Public trust, public property, public park, public toilet. Little difference in the level of nastiness.
As a national park, at least, people would be allowed to enjoy the beauty and wide open spaces (after all the sacred sites and historical monuments blocking the view crumbled to gravel from neglect, of course). But with a complete ban on humanity, it becomes nothing more than a useless, muddy rock hurtling through space. And how soon after that will people quit caring? Or become angry and resentful of the Elite Few--- politicians, government flunkies, etc-- who are allowed to walk on the surface of the Earth and breathe its air?
When you put something up on a shelf, eventually noone cares if it falls off and goes smash.
5) "RESTORING THE EXTINCT SPECIES." Two words: "Jurassic" and "Park."
If you're going to grow extinct species in jars and let them loose on the planet, where are you going to stop? the Bison? The mammoths? The dinosaurs?
And that brings up another question: what about climate?
Wrap your brain around this: None of the environmental nail-biters even know whether or not the current planetary climate is the ideal one. According to their own timeline, the planet was once a fecund jungle, and at another, a frozen, glacier-covered tundra that would send a penguin diving for his long woolen undies. Even within recorded history the world's climate has dramatically changed, without any human intervention--- from the Medieval Warming Period, when Vikings were farming in Greenland, to the Little Ice Age, when the permafrost crept south and killed their settlements (said little ice age we are still emerging from, btw. It isn't global warming, its' global defrosting.) So, when all the dirty polluting world-destroying Hyoomans are gone.... which way are all Our Scientific Betters going to twist the thermostat? And what will they do when, despite every human on earth being gone, the climate CONTINUES to change in accordance with the cycles of earth, moon, and sun?
6) Criminal organizations and lawless nationalities being in charge of half the earth's security forces.
Wait. What?
Best scenario possible: Fox. Henhouse. No more need be said.
7)The villain's motivation. Unless he's supposed to be barking mad, it makes no internally consistent sense. If he hates how man has "corrupted the earth," I would think that his agenda would be, at most, to use the earth as a weapon against hated humanity (as a source for bioengineered plagues and diseases or ravenous disease carrying pests--- a whole "vengeance of nature" thing.) Instead he's trying to destroy the earth itself..... by covering it with "humans" who have (by his estimation) even less environmental sense than the ones around now.
8)the fact that nobody, except the villain, is objecting to any of this. I don't care how few people were left on Earth--- they're being EVICTED. And just as the neighborhood was improving, too!
Now, all of the above may be a lead-up on your part to making a point: that even when you give the Utopian fanatics everything they want--- a planet earth utterly devoid of humanity, cultures and religions stripped down to PC meaninglessness; tinpots, criminal overlords and despots treated with the same respect and given the same legitimacy as free nations and elected governments; species that died out millennia ago restored and let loose whether they still belong on the earth or not; the treasures of humanity put up on a shelf where they are no use to anyone; and honest law abiding people evicted from their homes----- they still aren't going to be happy.
At least I'm assuming that is the eventual direction you're taking...
Side note: yes, rabbits are unclean to both Jews and Muslims.
To eat.
For that matter, so are birds of prey, any fish without scales, and any mammal that does not chew cud and have cloven hooves. Rabbits and pigs are only notable because they were given as examples. (A rabbit, technically, "chews its cud" (don't ask), but does not have cloven hooves.... a pig has cloven hooves, but does not chew its cud.)
The 'cleanness" or 'uncleanness' of those animals was only relevant per their status as food animals.... pigs primarily became such a big deal because they were such a common food animal among the Gentiles.


text:
Revision history for Perl extension Geo::IP.
1.13 December 24th 2002
- Added float to typemap, required to compile for Perl < 5.8
1.12 December 11th 2002
- Added support for postal codes
- Removed non-portable asprintf code
1.11 November 22nd 2002
- Forget to include typemap and INSTALL in MANIFEST
1.10 November 22nd 2002
- Added support for GeoIP City Edition
- Added more documentation on where to get databases,
and sourceforge.
0.26 July 25th 2002
- Made flags optional to new and open
- Removed www.moinfo.gov.kw from test, domain no longer resolves.
0.20 June 25th 2002
- Brought up to date with latest changes for GeoIP C 0.2.0
0.11 April 27th 2002
- install process works for non-standard GeoIP C library installs
0.10 April 21st 2002
- Fixed DESTROY (Brian Grossman)
- Set PI to more accurate value (Mike Mitchell)
0.09 April 8th 2002
- Fixed bug when no database file specified.
- Fixed bug in t/3_mirror.t test script
0.08 April 7th 2002
- This perl module is now a XS wrapper around the GeoIP C library
for improved performance. Note that the API has changed.
- Removed the geoip-lookup script, since GeoIP C contains a
geoiplookup executable that provides the same functionality
0.07 April 1st 2002
- Removed dependency on Berkeley DB - requires new
Geo-IP data format.
0.06 February 19th 2002
- Added new method, lookup_country_by_name,
performs DNS lookup of IP address for hostnames
- added O_RDWR option to tie DB_File for
compatibility (Allen Smith)
- makes directory '/usr/local/geoip' (Philip Mak)
- added binmode for compatibility (Randy Kobes)
- Mirror when doesn't find country, default to US
- Special handing for "EU" (European Union)
treat as country with coordinates between
Germany and Italy.
0.05 February 15th 2002
- Added new option to Geo::Mirror->new, database_file
- Fixed test problem with t/3_mirror.t
- Added error handling to Makefile.PL for database download
0.04 February 15th 2002
- Added new module, Geo::Mirror
- Added new default file location for database in /usr/local/geoip/Geo-IP.db
- Installation easier, Makefile.PL downloads and extracts database file
- Added geolookup script
- Removed old Net::Geography wrapper
0.03 July 28th 2001
- Geo::IP now generates Berkeley DB file from
data file, to get around differing versions
of Berkeley DB.
- now croaks if db file can not be opened (Nick Craig-Wood)
0.02 July 11th 2001
- renamed to Geo::IP from Net::Geography
- revised docs
- data separated from perl distribution, can
be downloaded from http://geo-ip.com
0.01 June 30th 2001
- original version; created by h2xs 1.19

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Have you ever been denied an online purchase because you don't have the right billing address,
shipping address, or because of competition clauses? You often hear "retailer will not
ship internationally". Are you tired and frustrated of shopping online
only to find out in the end that retailers won't sell or ship to you?
Do you want a way around this?
Here is how it works:
By using this website you agree to WeBuyitForYou's
Terms and Conditions


text:
Cary Memorial Library affirms its commitment to making its services accessible to all users. We have the following available to patrons; please ask for assistance at any public desk.
For people who are blind, have low vision, or have other problems reading:
Large print materials for all ages, including several periodicals for adults
Audio- and eAudio books for all ages
Merlin Full HD Video Magnifier
Aladdin Personal Reader video magnifier
Children's books in Braille
Handheld magnifying glasses
Page magnifier sheets
Blue-tinted reading sheets
Assistive online catalog PC with a 19-inch monitor and large-print keyboard
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
Loud-R handheld personal amplifier
Volume controls on PCs and public telephone
Headphones for use in the library
Assistive listening system in the Large Meeting Room
For people with a motor disability:
Designated handicapped parking spaces
Ramp at the front entrance
Elevator and ramps inside the Library
Wheelchair for use in the library
Accessible restrooms
Assistive online catalogs
Door-to-Door delivery service for those unable to get to the library


text:
Apostles Moms – East
October 20 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am
|Recurring Event (See all)
An event every month that begins at 9:00am on day Third of the month, repeating indefinitely
At Apostles Moms, we discuss topics pertaining to motherhood and encourage one another in our roles as moms and women who want to know more about the biblical call to be spiritual moms.
Meetings take place on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 9:00-10:00am at Uptown East and 3:30-4:30pm at Uptown West.
For more information, contact email Freeman Field at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
National Security
Obama taps vice admiral to lead NSA
President Barack Obama will nominate Vice Admiral Michael Rogers to be the new director of the National Security Agency and the commander of the new Pentagon unit that directs the country's offensive cyberoperations.
The announcement comes just after Obama announced that he will implement changes to the nation's vast surveillance programs.
"This is a critical time for the NSA, and Vice Admiral Rogers would bring extraordinary and unique qualifications to this position as the agency continues its vital mission and implements President Obama's reforms," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement Thursday.
In recent weeks, Obama has said he will rein in a contentious federal program that collects millions of Americans' phone records, halt spying on dozens of foreign leaders, appoint a team of advocates to sometimes appear before the nation's secret surveillance court – which now hears arguments only from the government – and release more classified documents.
Hagel said he is confident that Rogers has "the wisdom to help balance the demands of security, privacy, and liberty in our digital age."
Rogers will succeed General Keith Alexander, who has served as NSA director for nearly nine years and was the first person to lead both the civilian spy agency and its military partner, the U.S. Cyber Command.
Rogers, a trained cryptologist, has a three-decade Navy career and was most recently commander of the Navy's 10th Fleet and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.
His nomination will have to be confirmed by the Senate.


text:
Happy Father's Day! We know that sometimes a lot of the attention is on mom, so here at Coupons.com we'd like to take the time to say thanks to all the great dads out there! Enjoy these five dad quotes that all dads will love because, well, they're absolutely true.
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4. Grade-A Jerk Spotter
5. Old and Wise
Before you shop: Still need to do some last-minute shopping for dad? Check out our Father's Day Deals to help you out.


text:
No. 86,684
In defendant's appeal of a K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1567(a)(3) driving under the influence conviction in which the telephone tipster reporting the defendant's erratic driving identified herself by name and address and described the defendant's car and driving behavior, the record is examined and it is held: (1) The telephone tip was sufficiently reliable to justify the police officer's investigatory stop of defendant's car, (2) the tip was not anonymous, and (3) Florida v. J.L., 529 U.S. 266, 146 L. Ed. 2d 254, 120 S. Ct. 1375 (2000), an anonymous tip case, is distinguishable on its facts and thus not applicable here.
Appeal from Pratt district court; ROBERT J. SCHMISSEUR, judge. Opinion filed October 19, 2001. Affirmed.
Michael S. Holland II, of Holland and Holland, of Russell, argued the cause and was on the brief for appellant.
Ernest H. Richardson, city attorney, argued the cause, and Janice J. Jorns, former city attorney, was on the brief for appellee.
The opinion of the court was delivered by
SIX, J.: Stuart Stover appeals his K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1567(a)(3) driving under the influence (DUI) conviction. The only issue is whether Florida v. J.L., 529 U.S. 266, 146 L. Ed. 2d 254, 120 S. Ct. 1375 (2000), an anonymous tip case, characterizes the informant's tip here as lacking sufficient indicia of reliability to justify the officer's investigatory stop.
We hold that J.L. does not control here. The phone tip relied on to stop Stover was not anonymous. The officer's investigatory stop was justified. Finding no error, we affirm.
Our jurisdiction is under K.S.A. 20-3018(c) (transfer on our own motion).
On June 24, 2000, at 10:16 p.m., the City of Pratt Police Department received a call from Susan Barnes. Barnes reported that someone had been repeatedly driving by her house at 401 N. Jackson in Pratt, honking a car horn, and yelling profanities. She said the driver would either do a u-turn or go around on Main Street and then drive back by her house. Barnes told the dispatcher that she thought the driver was drunk. She described the car as an older model, large, white, four-door car. She said, except for the center light, the three-light taillight on the passenger side was out.
In response to the telephone tip, Officer McGee was notified of the nature and location of the call. He drove to the 100 block of N. Jackson, parked, and turned off his headlights. A large, white, four-door car approached the 400 block of N. Jackson. The car slowed down at the intersection and turned left toward Main Street. Officer McGee did not observe any honking, yelling, cursing, or erratic driving associated with the car.
After running a check on the car's license tag, Officer McGee turned on his emergency lights and stopped the car. He asked Stover for his driver's license and proof of insurance. Officer McGee smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Stover's breath and administered field sobriety tests.
Stover was found guilty of DUI in municipal court. On appeal to the district court, Stover stipulated to Officer McGee's observations in the investigative report and report on the field sobriety tests. Stover's stipulation included the facts that he was driving the car and had: (1) a strong odor of alcohol, (2) slurred and soft speech, (3) bloodshot eyes, and (4) dirty clothes. He filed a motion to suppress all evidence seized after the stop. He argued that under J.L., 529 U.S. 266, Officer McGee performed an illegal stop based upon an uncorroborated telephone tip. After hearing testimony and considering the evidence, the district court denied Stover's motion and found him guilty of DUI. See K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1567(a)(3).
Stover contends that Barnes' call to the dispatcher lacked sufficient indicia of reliability to justify Officer McGee's investigatory stop under J.L., 529 U.S. 266. He argues that the district court erred in failing to grant his motion to suppress. His contention lacks merit.
The question here is whether Officer McGee, acting upon a tip given by Barnes, an identified caller, could reasonably detain Stover's vehicle without personally observing some indicia of intoxication. Our resolution involves a question of law; thus, we have unlimited review. State v. Muck, 262 Kan. 459, 464, 939 P.2d 896 (1997). Barnes' tip accurately described the car, accurately predicted its route and location, and reported that it was behaving in a manner indicative of drunk driving.
Stover states that the issue on appeal is whether J.L. overrules State v. Slater, 267 Kan. 694, 986 P.2d 1038 (1999). He contends that J.L. invalidates our analysis of anonymous tips in Slater. Stover focuses on the "unreasonable dangers" balancing test of Slater. In Slater, we said:
"In determining whether a stop of a motor vehicle violates the defendant's Fourth Amendment rights, a court must balance the rights of the individual to privacy and freedom of movement with the right of the public to be protected from unreasonable dangers; the greater and more immediate the risk to the public revealed by the tip, the less important is the corroboration and reliability of the tip." 267 Kan. 694, Syl. ¶ 6.
Stover extends his argument by observing that J.L. rejected Florida's assertion that there should be a "firearm exception" to the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution for anonymous tips involving guns because of the potential danger to the public. 529 U.S. at 272.
A brief review of J.L. is appropriate. An anonymous caller reported that a young black male, standing at a particular bus stop wearing a plaid shirt, was carrying a gun. Officers went to the bus stop and saw 3 black males, one of whom, the defendant J.L., was wearing a plaid shirt. The officers neither saw a firearm nor observed any unusual movements. One of the officers frisked J.L. and seized a gun from J.L.'s pocket. J.L., who was then almost 16 years old, was charged under Florida law with carrying a concealed firearm without a license and possessing a firearm while under the age of 18.
Justice Ginsburg, writing for the Court, noted that the officers' suspicion that J.L. was carrying a gun arose solely from a call made from an unknown location by an unknown caller. 529 U.S. at 270. The Supreme Court recognized that there are situations in which an anonymous tip, suitably corroborated, exhibits "'sufficient indicia of reliability to provide reasonable suspicion to make the investigatory stop.' [Citation omitted.]" 529 U.S. at 270. However, it found that in J.L.'s case, the tip lacked such reliability. 529 U.S. at 273-74.
The J.L. Court observed that the anonymous call provided no predictive information; thus, the officers were left without means to test the informant's knowledge or credibility. The "unaccountable informant" neither explained how he knew about the gun nor gave a basis for his belief that he had inside information about J.L. 529 U.S. at 271. Florida contended that the tip was reliable because the description of the suspect proved accurate. However, the opinion pointed out that, while such a tip helps officers correctly identify the accused, it does not show that the informant has knowledge of a concealed criminal activity. 529 U.S. at 272.
Other states have distinguished J.L. from situations involving tipsters and alleged drunk drivers. See State v. Eichholtz, 752 N.E. 2d 163, 166-67 (Ind. App. 2001) (informant not anonymous; he identified himself in such manner that he could be held legally responsible if officer's investigation revealed false report; in addition, informant continued to follow Eichholtz car while staying on line with 911 operator until officer pulled Eichholtz over); Jobe v. Commissioner of Public Safety, 609 N.W.2d 919, 921-22 (Minn. App. 2000) (informant gave his name, the location of his car in relation to the other motorist [Jobe], and a description of Jobe's car; although State was unable to locate informant, tip sufficiently reliable under totality of circumstances). See also State v. Boyea, 765 A.2d 862, 867 (Vt. 2000) cert. denied 121 S. Ct. 2524 (2001)("[A]n anonymous report of an erratic or drunk driver on the highway presents a qualitatively different level of danger, and concomitantly greater urgency for prompt action."); State v. Rutzinski, 241 Wis. 2d 729, 748-49, 623 N.W. 2d 516 (2001) (finding that unidentified motorist informant's tip concerning defendant's erratic driving contained an indicia of reliability and that investigative traffic stop justified).
Stover also relies on U.S. v. Lopez-Valdez, 102 F. Supp. 2d 728 (W.D. Tex. 2000), to support his contention that J.L. applies here. However, his reliance is misplaced. The Lopez-Valdez court held that, under J.L., without corroboration of predictive information or the independent observation by agents of suspicious activity, an anonymous caller's information was not sufficiently reliable to justify the intrusion of an immigration stop. 102 F. Supp.2d at 732. Unlike the phone tip here, Lopez-Valdez did not involve an identified caller or a possible drunk driver.
The City correctly notes that here, the tip did not come from an anonymous source. Barnes gave both her name and address to the police dispatcher. She described Stover's car in detail, while observing and describing Stover's driving behavior. On the dispatch tape, she described what was occurring and, as the car came back by her house she said, "Listen to this." As she spoke to the dispatcher, Barnes said the car slowed down in front of her house and the people in the car appeared to look at her. Then, she said they could not see her because she was in the dark. We have found the most favored types of tips are those that are not actually anonymous but occur when a person gives the police a name or identification. Slater, 267 Kan. at 700. Barnes may have been exposed to criminal prosecution if the report had proven to be false. See K.S.A. 21-3818 (falsely reporting a crime).
Officer McGee saw the accurately described car driving toward the caller's location. He also saw the car's broken taillight, as described by Barnes. See K.S.A. 8- 1706 (tail lamps); K.S.A. 8-1708 (stop lamps).
J.L. is distinguishable. The facts here do not involve an anonymous tip; thus, we need not reach Stover's contention that J.L. overrules Slater.


text:
Cisco and Greenplum Partner to Deliver High-Performance Hadoop Infrastructure
Expanding its Big Data portfolio, Cisco announced a fully integrated end-to-end hardware and software infrastructure for enterprise Hadoop deployments in partnership with Greenplum, a division of EMC, that delivers industry-leading performance, scalability, advanced management capabilities and enterprise-class service and support. This solution consists of Cisco UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects, Cisco UCS C-Series rack mount servers and Greenplum MR. Greeplum MR is based on the MapR M5 distribution, a completely re-engineered implementation of the Apache Hadoop stack with 100 percent compatibility. Cisco UCS is the exclusive integrated platform for Greeplum MR that can significantly reduce time-to-value and the operating expenses associated with Hadoop implementations.
Hadoop implementations can present a number of challenges to enterprise environments, many of these arise from the dichotomy between the introduction of innovative new technology and the enterprise-class performance, reliability, and support demanded by mission-critical systems. The collaboration between Cisco and Greenplum is specifically designed to provide a solution to these challenges. The joint solution delivers radically simplified deployment and management, high availability, excellent performance, exceptional scalability, and world-class service and support from long-time collaborators Cisco and EMC.
This solution can also connect, across the same management plane, to other Cisco UCS deployments running enterprise applications, thereby radically simplifying data center management and connectivity.
The configuration starts in a single rack with the ability to extend into multiple racks.
For more information or deal inquiries, please email us at: email@example.com. A joint white paper is available at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns944/wp_greenplum.pdf.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


text:
Learn From Garry Kasparov's Greatest Games
The Brilliant and Instructive Masterpieces of the World's Greatest ChessplayerProduct Code: B0009CZ
Publisher: Cardoza
Author: Eric Schiller
Year of Publication: 2005
Pages: 240
Notation Type: Algebraic (AN)
Book DescriptionBefore his recent retirement, Garry Kasparov held the number one position in chess for nearly twenty years. He is considered the greatest player of all time. Now, beginning and intermediate players, ninety percent of the chess playing audience, can benefit from his wisdom. Packed with diagrams and easy-to-understand pointers showing what Kasparov was thinking during his matches and how you can apply these concepts and strategies to your own games, this great learning tool borrows from the grace and power of Kasparov's greatest games.
Media Mail Eligible
Media Mail® shipping from the US Postal Service is the cost-effective way to ship Books, Software and DVDs. With shipping rates starting at only $5.00, it's the most affordable shipping method available.


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you ship psilocybe or psilocybin mushroom spore syringes to California ,Georgia, or Idaho?
Sorry, No. State restrictions prevent us from doing so. You must also be 18 years old or over to order from us.
How fast do you ship?
We generally ship all orders out within 3-5 business days unless the items you have ordered are on backorder.
What method do you ship and how discreet is the packaging?
We ship all packages USPS in the United States. The packaging is plain with no indication of the contents.
Can I pay extra for faster shipment?
No, we only offer standard shipping rates at the moment. You may however contact us if you think your needs qualify for an exception.
Will you ship spores internationally?
Currently we only ship spores inside of the USA. If you live in another country we are always open to investigating it for you. We plan on setting up shop in Canada very soon.
How do I pay for my order?
At the present time we accept Credit Card, Money Orders, and Cash. All mail orders must be paid in U.S. Cash funds or by Money Order in U.S. funds.
How secure is my privacy if I order?
All records of any orders are destroyed after the order has been processed and sent. We keep no records of your order. We do not collect, resell, or divulge any personal information, including Name, Address, Phone numbers, email addresses or items ordered, to any business or individuals outside of SporeStore.com. We also take all orders through a 128-bit encypted secure server denoted by the yellow padlock on the bottom right side of your screen.


text:
Clintons stay above the fray in mayoral contest
Twelve years after they migrated here from Washington, Bill and Hillary Clinton are widely seen as occupying a station in politics well above New York's intramural rivalries.
So it seems logical that, for now, they'd view the New York City mayoral contest as a sort of inside-the-Belt Parkway affair worth avoiding. Spokesmen for both Clintons say the premier power couple is staying out of the fray, given their simultaneous friendships and alliances with several candidates.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio was campaign manager for Hillary Clinton in her first run for Senate. Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, a much-televised cheerleader in her failed 2008 presidential bid, is married to her longtime close aide Huma Abedin. Records show City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) has reaped many campaign contributions from big-name Hillary donors.
Even businessman John Catsimatidis, running as a Republican, has a Clinton connection. He once raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in a single fundraising dinner.
Analysts seem to agree that the Clintons would see no benefit in making a mayoral primary endorsement, regardless of whether she runs for president again in three years.
"They'll have to work well with the next mayor, not only in terms of 2016," said David Birdsell, dean of the Baruch College School of Public Affairs. "You've got a pretty unsettled field. There's not much that they [the Clintons] can do for themselves politically by making an endorsement."
Only last month, Bill Clinton campaigned for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel. The former president's political loyalty seemed clear: Democrat Greuel, an early Hillary 2008 backer, was facing Democrat Eric Garcetti, an early backer of then-Clinton rival Barack Obama. Garcetti won.
But Harold Ickes, a Clinton White House veteran who was a senior adviser to Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign, calls the Los Angeles endorsement unusual. The Clintons "typically do not get involved in races where it's a Democrat against a Democrat," Ickes said, adding that he expects that to hold true in New York.
Ickes, who advises the 2016-oriented "Ready for Hillary" super PAC, backs de Blasio for mayor. "We met in the first David Dinkins campaign for mayor," Ickes said. "I have a lot of confidence in his ability and his judgment."
Others from what can be loosely labeled the Clinton political community have gone in different directions.
A number of top Clinton contributors and fundraisers have donated to Christine Quinn, who would be the first female and openly gay mayor. Among them: Steven Rattner, Blair Effron, Barbara Lee Diamonstein, her spouse, Carl Spielvogel, David Mixner, Robert Zimmerman, Jeffrey Lynford and Alan Patricof. Causes seem to vary from identity politics (Mixner is a longtime gay rights advocate) to personal affection (Zimmerman met Quinn in the Al Gore 2000 campaign).
Meanwhile, the Weiner campaign has scheduled a "Women for Anthony" fundraiser on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan Thursday, with wife Abedin behind the effort. The host committee lists past Clinton campaign supporters, including philanthropist Elaine Schuster, Samara Barend of upstate New York, educator Jill Iscol and designer Reem Acra. In March, Schuster and husband Gerald contributed $3,150 to Bill Thompson.
Past Clinton campaign operatives have gone different places. Howard Wolfson, who was her campaign spokesman, became a deputy mayor under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Jonathan Prince, who wrote speeches for President Clinton, is Thompson's top strategist. Chung Seto, who raised funds for the 2000 effort, consults for Comptroller John Liu's mayoral campaign.
Former Gov. David A. Paterson said he understands why the Clintons have stayed neutral. "It's the old rule of politics, the one that I faced when I had to pick a senator [to succeed Clinton]: You make one friend and 19 enemies."
"So if I were them, I'd stay far away. Hillary has always loved Christine Quinn but there's de Blasio in 2000 and all that. Bill Clinton has a good relationship with all sides," Paterson said. Weiner, Paterson quipped, "is a political son-in-law. If he'd been a real son-in-law, he could have gotten the endorsement."
Evan Stavisky, a Democratic strategist uninvolved in the mayoral race, said it would make sense for the Clintons to back the Democratic nominee. But "before that, it makes little if any sense," he said.
"Anyone who runs for mayor is likely to be supportive of Hillary Clinton should she run for president. Why wade into a messy Democratic primary -- whether she's going to run or not?"
We're revamping our Comments section. Learn more and share your input.


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A quarter of the forest lost in the last 10,000 years has been destroyed in the last 30 years. Forest loss has a direct link to loss of biodiversity. The current extinction rate of plant and animal species is around 1,000 times faster than it was in pre-human times - and this will increase to 10,000 times faster by 2050.
Scientists predict that the Earth is entering the sixth major extinction event in its history.
Click on the map to enlarge
Until now, world maps have not been sufficiently accurate or consistent to reveal which forest areas remain intact, which have been damaged and to what extent. This has made it difficult to see which forest areas are most in need of protection. Greenpeace has created a new map of the world's forests, based on the most up to date, high-resolution satellite imagery and a consistent set of criteria.
It shows us the remaining large forest areas and lets us compare them directly and accurately with the extent of Earth's original forest cover for the first time. This ground breaking research shows that the world's remaining ancient forests are in crisis and that fewer intact forest landscapes than previously thought are left. To save them, we must act now.
Damage to ancient forests is not just about total deforestation.
It is also about the degradation of forest to a point at which it is no longer a viable habitat for its plant and animal species. In the tropics alone, over 5 million square kilometres of forest have been degraded by destructive logging and a further 3.5 million square kilometres has been totally deforested during the last few decades.
Only intact forest landscapes of several thousands of square kilometres are large enough to sustain healthy populations of many larger forest animals like jaguars, bears, tigers and forest elephants. They are also better able to adapt to the changing global climate.
To preserve these last intact forests and the biodiversity they support, we must protect large, unbroken areas from further industrial exploitation.
The moment a road or pipeline is built the forest and its precious balance of interdependent species begins to be destroyed. These maps are a starting point for monitoring these last large forests landscapes now and in the future and are the baseline for a roadmap to recovery.
World governments can use these maps to identify which forest areas are most in need of protection and to fast track setting up a global network of protected forest areas.
For more detailed maps available as google earth (.kmz) or Arcview (.shp) file downloads, methodology explanation and discussion forum go to www.intactforests.org
To view references for the information on this page, click here.


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February 14, 1926 - January 15, 2013
Wallkill, NY
Peter Paul Piccolo of Wallkill, NY, the former operator of Jerry's Restaurant in Middletown and a lifetime resident of the area, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013, in Newburgh. He was 86.
The son of the late Salvatore and Felicia Stringle Piccolo, he was born February 14, 1926 in Middletown.
He served in the Coast Guard during World War II.
Survivors include his loving family at home; Jerry Futia and his wife, Raquel and their three sons: Jerome, Rocco, and Marco Anthony; niece, Phyllis Ann Gesztesi and husband, Bela of Middletown; niece, Katherine Piccolo and husband, Gerard MacDonald of Clearwater, FL; niece, Marlene Piccolo of Boynton Beach, FL; sister, Jenny Arceri of Middletown and her children; niece, Theresa Futia of Bradenton, FL; niece, Dina Singer of Connecticut; also survived by other nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Mickey Piccolo; two sisters: Arca Barbario and Mary Pannero and his nephew, Fred Futia.
Services will be private. He will be interred with his parents in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Middletown.
Arrangements were made by Wallkill Funeral Home. For directions or condolences please visit wallkillfuneralhome.com


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Schools & Colleges
A-Z Index | Find a Health Care Provider
Contact Us | Maps and Parking
The Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes provides care to the majority of children with diabetes in the state of Colorado and Rocky Mountain region, as well as consultation for adults and children throughout the United States. The physicians of the Barbara Davis Center are faculty members of the Section of Pediatric Endocrinology and Adult Endocrinology and provide inpatient diabetes care at Children's Hospital Colorado. The Pediatric Clinic provides families and patients with an understanding of type I diabetes and encourages their confidence in its day-to-day management.Present evidence strongly suggests that consistent blood sugar control greatly diminishes the chances of long-term eye and kidney complications. The BDC combines research into the immunopathogenesis, prevention and treatment of type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus with a state-of-the-art clinical program that brings to its patients clinical care aimed both at normalizing their daily life and preventing long-term complications of diabetes.
Comprehensive clinical care and continuing patient and family education are key components in the BDC's clinical program to improve both daily care and the long term outcome of their patients.Newly diagnosed patients and their families are given:
Education continues with opportunities for participation in local support groups, special outings and parties arranged by the Guild of the Children's Diabetes Foundation, and attendance at annual summer camps sponsored by the Colorado American Diabetes Association. In addition, the BDC runs a number of special one-day courses each year, including the College Workshop and Grandparents Workshop.
The BDC is one of 10 centers in North America studying the development of autoimmunity and diabetes and the prevention of type 1 diabetes through TrialNet. The BDC is one of a handful of centers in the country offering clinical trials for intervention in newly diagnosed patients through TrialNet and the Immune Tolerance Network.The BDC is one of six centers worldwide for the TEDDY study, which follows children from birth to learn about the environmental and genetic contribution to the development of diabetes. All patients and their relatives are offered the opportunity to participate in clinical and research studies.The BDC actively and intensively collaborates with other investigators and consortia throughout the world using its uniquely combinatorial resources based on active laboratory research in the immunopathogenesis of diabetes, international networks for population and patient based studies and trials for the prevention of diabetes, and state-of-the-art patient care and clinical based trials to advance its mission to both improve both short and long term outcomes for all patients with diabetes and to successfully intervene in the progression and/or development of type 1 diabetes for children and adults worldwide.
Our Faculty:
© The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.


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There's been lots of talk about the problem of NSA spying the last few days, and some partisan braying about it. But the real question is: what do we do now? The reality is that the majority of Congress stands overwhelmingly in favor of these programs, and Presidents of both parties have supported these programs, which makes it highly unlikely that they're going to be stopped completely. What are practical things that can be done to ensure that the privacy impacts of these programs are limited while still giving the government the data it needs to investigate potential terrorist plots?
Realistic policy options fall into two categories: 1.) reduce what data can be collected and 2.) improve transparency.
Reducing the data the NSA can collect
Changing the data the NSA can collect would require Congressional action to modify the relevant statutes in place (principally Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act), and three primary ideas for accomplishing this have come forward:
- Allow the data collection to continue but require a warrant based on probable cause to access any of the records for a U.S. citizen. This approach was introduced as legislation by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), and would raise the legal standard for accessing the collected data.
- Limit data collection to eliminate purely domestic calls. Raised as an alternative to the 2008 FISA Amendments Act, this would limit the collection of data to calls where at least one of the callers was foreign, except in cases where a definitive connection to terrorist activity could result in a warrant to acquire that data.
- Limit data collection to a suspicion-based standard. Instead of doing a dragnet of all calls made, data collection could only occur records based on a reasonable suspicion of terrorist activity — of someone suspected of being a terrorist or spy, someone called by a terrorist suspect, or potentially somewhat broader searches, such as calls made from a building where terrorist activity is suspected of taking place.
Improve transparency of current programs
If none of the options above are taken to limit the data collected, perhaps the least we could expect is a better understanding of what sort of data collection is being done in our name. Here are some of the options available to accomplish this:
- Declassify Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) decisions interpreting Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. Introduced today as a bill in the Senate by a bipartisan group of eight Senators, including Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, this bill would compel the release of these decisions, so the legal logic could be evaluated and debated. President Obama could also choose to do this via executive order.
- Release more details about how these programs work. Can the NSA listen in on calls? If so, when and why? What is the standard for accessing the collected call metadata? How long is the data stored? Has the data ever been accessed for "routine" police work, or is it access limited to solely terrorism/national security related issues? How are the programs audited for potential abuse?
- Permit court challenges towards these programs to move forward. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the government over warrantless wiretapping and data collection, but all have failed to reach the trial phase. This is because the government (under both the Bush and Obama Administrations) have fought these cases on a standing issue. What this means is that the government has alleged that the persons bringing the lawsuit can't prove that their data was collected or their calls listened to, so they can't prove they were harmed by the activity. With no harm, they don't have standing to sue in court. The Verizon allegations — which cover millions of Americans — may make it impossible for the Department of Justice to continue these sorts of claims going forward. If the Administration feels they are on solid legal ground with these programs, they should allow these cases to go to trial and win them definitively.
None of these six ideas provide a definitive firewall between government and your personal data, but they are practical approaches that could work incrementally to improve the current situation. Getting them accomplished, though, will require application of political pressure on politicians in both parties. Calls and e-mails to your Senators and Representatives will help keep the ball moving forward.


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Cobra Bio Cell Silver
Year Introduced: 2014
Type: Single Iron
Head material: Stainless Steel
Home » Golf Equipment » Cobra » Single Iron » Cobra Bio Cell Silver
Features & Benefits
- BiO Cell and E9 Face Technology enable more weight movement that creates a low CG and high MOI, which provides maximum distance and incredible forgiveness.
- Perimeter Undercut Largest creates more face flex at impact for increased ball speed.
- Long and mid irons feature heavy tungsten in the heel and toe for more forgiveness. Short irons feature tungsten centered behind the hitting area for added distance and control.


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Completion Percentage - 57.90%
TA Ratio - 1.4193
has won 9,797 Achievements out of a possible 16,921 (57.90% Completion - 7,124 remaining)
has a Gamerscore of 242,833 out of a possible 429,260 (56.57% Completion - 186,427 remaining)
has a TrueAchievement score of 344,665 out of a possible 826,083 (41.72% Completion - 481,418 remaining)
If all achievements were worth 10 Gamerscore, the Standardized Score would be 141,402 points.
These stats exclude DLC packs without any achievements won.
Copyright © 2019 TrueGaming Network
Ltd, All Rights Reserved
Xbox, Xbox Live, and all other Xbox Live specific terms are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
TrueAchievements is a proud member of the Xbox Community Developer Program
Concept, Design, Programming and Server Stuff by Rich Stone
aka TrueAchievement
Site version: 5.1.3


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Man, where did this week go?
Still recovering from a sinus infection and looking forward to the long weekend :)
So, what are your plans? We will probably just sleep, eat and sleep some more!
If you have a minute, I hope you will click over to the CK Blog. I got to be the guest blogger today sharing a page that is in the same line as my Branches On Our Family Tree article in CK May-June 2010. There's a prize to be won as well, thanks to the generous Crate Paper :)
And here's a page I made for Studio Calico, now that I can share it...
You can check out all the creations by their fab DT right here.
Be safe and enjoy your weekend :)


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Who spends $500 to play a $20 downloadable game? I do, if the game's the spiritual successor to the Panzer Dragoon series. Fresh Crimson Dragon screens and a new trailer out of TGS seal the deal.
I get a little bit crazy when it comes to shooting things of dragon-back while riding through Roger Dean album covers. Crimson Dragon might sport a new name and setting, but it's every bit series creator Yukio Futatsugi's baby, and I want to have his baby.
Crimson Dragon launches on November 22, exclusively for the system I am acquiring for the purpose of playing it.


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Do you like your action heroes gravel-voiced from chain-smoking, battle-worn and gruff? Do you dream of shooting rebellious Russian robots in space? Platinum Games Vanquish, even without its robo-dog, might be your cup of tea.
Shinji Mikami, creator of Resident Evil, God Hand and more, is trying his hand at a third-person shooter with Vanquish, now in development at Platinum Games and full of high-speed, shoot-first thrills and voice actors with sandpaper-like throats. This is that game, due for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in just a couple months.
The game's newest trailer featuring lots of red robots and some of the fastest blows delivered to a giant mechanical Russian threat you've ever seen. Promise!


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Now that spring has sprung and the weather is becoming more suitable for being outdoors, many people's thoughts turn to their gardens.
But as well as providing outdoor spaces for us to enjoy, our gardens, with a bit of planning, can also be havens for wildlife.
Here are the Scottish Wildlife Trust's top tips:
Don't be too tidy - leaving a corner of your garden to grow wild will provide food and habitat for a whole range of insects.
Feed the birds - provide a good quality seed mix to help adult birds before the breeding season.
Leave some long grass – let the grass grow long in damp areas to provide a safe area for frogs, toads and newts.
Give hedgehogs a helping hand – providing food and water (never milk) for hedgehogs will help them to refuel after hibernating over winter.
Install a bird box – now is the best time to put bird boxes up in your garden, just find a north-facing surface protected from driving rain and wind.
Create an insect hotel – tie short lengths of bamboo canes together and string up to attract insects.
Make a pond – old sinks, washing up bowls or buckets sunk into the ground can provide a valuable habitat and source of water for many animals.
Plant wildflowers – wildflowers provide a fantastic source of nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and moths.
Avoid using pesticides – a wildlife-friendly garden should be pesticide free!
Use peat-free compost – make sure that the compost you buy doesn't include peat taken from our wildlife-rich peatlands.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust and People's Postcode Lottery are celebrating the first day of spring on Sunday 20 March with a list of 10 top tips for your garden.
Every year the People's Postcode Lottery supports a variety of activities on the Scottish Wildlife Trust's network of 120 wildlife reserves.
From the urban wildlife garden of Johnston Terrace in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle to the remote wilderness of Ben Mor Coigach in Sutherland, Postcode Lottery players are helping to provide safe havens for wildlife across the country and inspiring people of all ages to connect with nature.
Jonny Hughes, chief executive of the Trust, said: "The Scottish Wildlife Trust has received a staggering £3.8 million from the players of People's Postcode Lottery over the last eight years, helping to support a huge range of activities to safeguard Scotland's wonderful and iconic wildlife.
"From inspiring thousands of children at our Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre to protecting peregrine falcons at the spectacular Falls of Clyde, the generosity of players of People's Postcode Lottery is certainly something to celebrate this spring."
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery said: "The beginning of spring is always a time to look forward to.
"Whether it's hearing birdsong or admiring springtime blossoms, we all love spotting the signs of spring in nature. That's why we want to make it easy for people to do their bit to protect it. We're very proud of what players have enabled the Scottish Wildlife Trust to do for Scotland's wildlife - birds, butterflies, red squirrels and beautiful wildflowers are just a few examples of what players are helping to protect."


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Featuring three of the original 12 members, Sha Na Na will perform their signature brand of vintage rock Saturday, April 4, at 8 p.m. at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
Even if you've never been to a sock hop, Jocko Marcellino promises "You can rock it, you can roll it, you can slop it, you can stroll it" when Sha Na Na cuts loose in Worcester next week.
"We're gonna kick butt," predicted the Bay State-born original drummer of the revival group that brought back '50s rock 'n' roll and pompadours to the Age of Aquarius. "We're gonna put on a real good show that we like to think of as organized frenzy."
Featuring three of the original 12 members, Sha Na Na will perform their signature brand of vintage rock Saturday, April 4, at 8 p.m. at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
From Woodstock to a television variety show, Sha Na Na transformed nostalgia for classic rock into their own theatrical version of the 1950s that influenced plays like "Grease" and sitcoms like "Happy Days."
The current band features Marcellino on drums, vocals and general rabble rousing, vocalist Donny York and pianist and vocalist "Screamin"' Scott Simon from the TV show, "Sha Na Na," which ran 1977 to 1981.
"We'll be wearing the pomps, leather and those good '50s bowling shirts," said Marcellino. "It's a great interactive show. We'll get the audience dancing along, doing the twist and limbo."
Marcellino said the Worcester concert is part of a series of more than 40 events celebrating the 40th anniversary of their founding and appearance at Woodstock which vaulted them into the national limelight.
Though musical tastes have changed over four decades, he said the songs Sha Na Na performs "have become America's folk music."
"What I really like about what we're doing is it's the audience's show. It's all about them," Marcellino said from his home in California. "Sha Na Na has a legendary name and we all try to live up to it."
The current eight-member group, he said, will likely play audience favorites including "At the Hop," popularized by Danny and the Juniors; "Whole Lot of Shaking," originally done by Jerry Lee Lewis and the Comets; the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace"; and Richie Valens' "La Bamba."
In addition to his drumming, Marcellino expects to sing Elvis Presley's hit "Hound Dog Man" and Little Richard's "Lucille."
And he expects the whole group to sing an a capella version of the Five Satins' 1956 smash doo-wop hit "In The Still of The Night."
For Marcellino, it's been a long, strange trip from the South Shore to Max Yasgur's farm and improbable fame as a sort of rock 'n' roll legend.
He was born John Marcellino in Quincy and didn't pick up his nickname until he went to Columbia University to study English and play football. After his kindergarten teacher said he had "musical talent," he started banging on his older brother's drums and has never stopped.
After his family moved to Milton, he split his time as an All-State football guard at Archbishop Williams High School and started bands with names like the Mill-Tones from Milton and The Pilgrims, which played at the popular Surf Nantasket.
In 1968, Marcellino left home to attend Columbia. A year later he was on stage at Woodstock, opening for Jimi Hendrix.
At Columbia, Marcellino said he was "the only drummer on campus who had drums with him" and he began playing with a university harmony group called the Kingsmen who wore blue blazers and white turtlenecks.
As a freshman, he also picked up the nickname "Jocko" for his twisted imitation of TV impresario Ed Sullivan interviewing singer Jack Jones.
Deciding to funkify their image in 1969, the group borrowed retro outfits from a nearby production of "Bye Bye Birdie" and went on stage with slicked hair as The Greasers and played '50s rock hits.
"I guess the audience was taking a break from the revolution," said Marcellino. "They loved us."
Since a West Coast group also called The Kingsmen, famous for their raunchy hit "Louie, Louie," had a prior claim to that name, the group called themselves, Sha Na Na after the refrain in a song by the Silhouettes.
Consisting of Columbia students, they soon played at the famed Filmore East, opening for the Grateful Dead.
In just their eighth gig, Marcellino and Sha Na Na were blind-sided by national fame.
They were invited to play a concert on a 600-acre farm in Bethel, N.Y., that came to be known as the Woodstock Music Festival which became a seminal moment in American music history.
On August 18, they took the stage at 7:30 a.m as the next-to-last act before Hendrix who closed the concert. Sha Na Na performed nine songs, including the "Na Na Theme" twice, "Yakety Yak," "Duke of Earl" and "Teen Angel."
"The stars were aligned for us. We were very visual and played a sort of theatrical rock," Marcellino said. "At that time we had no record deal. We were just thrilled to go on. We were euphoric realizing what a historic thing it was."
When the movie "Woodstock" was made, Sha Na Na's performance was distilled into 90 seconds in the film that earned them national fame and $1 to be shared by all 12 members.
"The was the best 8 cents I ever earned," said Marcellino.
For Sha Na Na, the roller coaster ride began - headlining concerts, a five-year-run on TV and an appearance in the movie "Grease" as "Johnny Casino and the Gamblers."
Over the next decade, Sha Na Na became a top concert act with Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Steely Dan and Jay Leno opening for them.
Looking back on those years, Marcellino recalled "the unbelievable era we lived through."
"We went from the 'Summer of Love' to the war in Vietnam," he said. "It was an intense decade and Woodstock was the exclamation point."
Marcellino has mixed feelings about the contemporary music scene.
"Our medium has changed so much. Back then, it wasn't a corporate thing. The idea was to keep cool and pull it off," he said. "Now it's a download world....But it's not going to stop rock 'n' roll."
Sha Na Na will play the Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.
Tickets are $24-$36, with a 10 percent discount for 15 or more.
Tickets for all shows can be purchased at the Hanover box office, by calling 877-571-SHOW or online at www.thehanovertheatre.org.
To learn more about Sha Na Na, visit www.shanana.com.
The MetroWest Daily News


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|April 24, 2013
|12:20 - 1:10 pm
|Facilitators - Dr. Tamarah Adair (Biology) and Dr. Bryan Gibbon (Biology)
Audience - Faculty
This brown bag lunch FIG will focus on inquiry-based learning in undergraduate teaching labs. Tammy and Bryan are currently in the 3rd year of an HHMI-Science Education Alliance grant which is funding a research based lab for introductory biology. This semester they will walk you through the model used for this lab, describe other examples, explore the assessment of this method of teaching, and help participants develop new ideas for Baylor students interested in scientific research.
Meeting dates will be as follows:
Wednesday, January 30, 12:20 1:10 - Describe the SEA program and the background for inquiry based learning.
Wednesday, February 27, 12:20 1:10 - Other Baylor examples; National examples
Wednesday, March 27, 12:20 1:10 - Does it matter?; give data; educational research opportunities
Wednesday, April 24, 12:20 1:10 - Brainstorming- Why should we do this? Ideas for new courses; roadblocks and solutions..
Details on this FIG are available here: Inquiry-Based Learning in Undergraduate LabsRead More »
|zz (old) Training & Development
|Download this event


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You can begin or end your hike at hundreds of places between the Appalachian Trail's northern and southern ends. Here's what to expect in Pennsylvania.
You can explore many locations along the trail including shelters, A.T. Communities, Trail Clubs, and more!
Comprehensive and accurate A.T. printed hiking maps are available from the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store.
Long, flat and rocky ridges characterize much of this state. The southern part of Pennsylvania offers some of the easiest walking of the entire A.T., but steep descents to rivers and gaps break the ridgelines in the northern two-thirds of the state.
The A.T. passes through game lands managed for hunting, so fall is not the best time to go.All hunters and non-hunters are required to wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined, or a fluorescent orange hat, from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15 (except on Sundays) on state game lands in Pennsylvania (much of the A.T. between the and Delaware Water Gap (roughly the northern 2/3 of the state). For more information about hunting safety along the A.T. visit www.appalachiantrail.org/hunting.Only thru-hikers (defined as those "walking the Appalachian Trail from point of beginning to an exit, which is not the place of beginning) may camp on Pennsylvania Game Commission lands, and these hikers must camp within 200 ft of A.T., at least 500 ft from a stream or spring.In addition, camping regulations vary considerably throughout the state, so be sure to plan ahead for your hike.
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Chickens may be the greatest gift to gardeners. They eat scraps, weeds and insects. They produce manure for our compost piles. They deliver eggs daily, in most cases, and they provide hours of amusement.
Kim Garnier was a novice when she started raising chickens. She had retired and wanted to take another step toward sustainable living. Chickens turned out to be a perfect choice. They help with her garden and, she says, they are more entertaining than most television.
Garnier, a Contra Costa Master Gardener, spoke to Our Garden about the ins and outs of urban chicken farming. (She will repeat the class at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Pittsburg Community Garden, Leland and Loveridge roads in Pittsburg.)
Here are her tips:
Getting started
Making room
Picking chickens
Taking care
Next time
Learn about winter care of fruit trees. This is our penultimate class of the season. For the final class, set for Oct. 24, we'll meet at the new site, Our Garden Two, at Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive. It will be a chance to celebrate the harvest, check out our new garden and see a demo on building a hoop house to keep plants warm during the winter.
The free classes are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Contra Costa Times, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek. Master Gardeners are on hand to answer questions, diagnose sick plants and identify pests. Winter vegetable seedlings and ornamental plants also are available for sale, along with cover crop seeds, fava seeds and inoculant.
— Joan Morris
Like us at Facebook.com/bang.home.garden. For a complete list of classes, go to mercurynews.com/our-community-garden.


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FREEHOLD, N.J. -- A New Jersey man who tossed his 2-year-old daughter into a creek while she was strapped into her car seat apologized Wednesday - but not for murdering the child.
Just before he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, Arthur Morgan III apologized to the child's mother for the deterioration of their friendship.
Given the chance to explain his actions to Judge Anthony Mellaci Jr., Morgan complained that the media published photos that made him look inappropriately angry or happy. He also says he would not have worn designer clothing to court if he knew he would be criticized for it.
Morgan was convicted of killing Tierra Morgan-Glover by throwing her into a creek, strapped into a car seat and weighed down by a tire jack.
Man gets life for tossing daughter into N.J. creek
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Gordon wrote:Hi Destiny, the iPad does not support flash and it's not going to by the look of things.
Read this apple forum Will iPad 2 support flash?
Destiny wrote:So, the bottom line is... why bother creating anything for iDevices since there are just so many restrictions...
So, now the question has to be asked.. How is html5 going to help..
Destiny wrote:Hi... well... one step forward and five steps back... I am trying to find a compromise with video viewing on a PC, Mac and iDevices.... using the same pano tour...
... I still have many more ideas to try out..
mediavets wrote:Two comments - when viewing using Firefox on Windows XP:
1. You seem to be using Qucktime for the video - most Windows users will not have Quicktime installed.
2. I didn't notice any link back from the video to the tour.
Destiny wrote:What format would you suggest on this??? I thought just assumed that QT was a standard player...
Destiny wrote:Well... iPad supports only mp4 and h.264 video but you can use QT to play them...
The link back to tour is up and working now and it goes to 'self'... but I will have to work out a way of getting the ptp link to go to 'self'.... It all still look tatty since its all just a mockup testing ground... ...
mediavets wrote:Are you convinced that this project is worth the effort?
It seems to be taking us far away from the 'spirit' of PT/PTP which is to make virtual tour authoring (for the krpano players) easy via a GUI authoring tool, for those who don't wish to hand code the krpano XML control files.
Destiny wrote:emm.... why so negative...
mediavets wrote:Destiny wrote:emm.... why so negative...
I guess I'm just a grumpy old man.
There are obviously two main categories of potential PT/PTP user.
Those who are willing and able to hack the XML and those who are not.
IF it's Kolor's intention that PTP should be really attractive to those willing and able to hack the XML then I feel they need to provide a krpano licence with PTP and add some features to facilitate such usage - for example, an integrated XML editor, or the ability to integrate a third-party XML editor; the ability to 'preserve' custom code if you later modify and export the tour again; and thorough documentation of how PTPs templates and themes interact when code is generated on export and the structure of the exported code. Altough I' ve written on many occasions that Autopano Tour and now PTP could be perceivd and used as a Rapid Application Development aid for krpano hand coders I'm not aware of many experienced krpano hand coders who've adopted PTP.
On the other hand those who are not willing or able to hack the XML will want many more features to be made available via the GUI. They will not be satisfied with the 'you can always edit the XML' response to requests for additional features in the GUI. I dare say you too would be very happy not to have to hack the XML if the functionality you sought was available via the GUI?
As things stand I feel that PTP is neither one thing nor the other; and I'm not at all sure that PTs current very restricted feature set will prove to be very appealing to anyone.
mediavets wrote:It failed to play the .mp4 fle you use in your example on a PC wihich does not have the QT player installed.
Destiny wrote:Not to worry Andrew, it now opens on any pc and mac..
Destiny wrote:There are in effect two movies.. one for normal pc and mac pano's which is a swf and a second QT movie for iDevices.. I did this to try to avoid the issue of the player...
Gordon wrote:Video works here on WinXp
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Ralf Siegel
Head of LOT-Service
Ralf Siegel, who celebrated his 10th year with LOT at the beginning of 2006. He is head of the LOT-QuantumDesign Service Team.
+49 6151 8806-19
Fax: +49 6151 8806919
Seeking a distributor?
If you are looking to partner with an experienced sales and service company to distribute your systems or components please contact Jürgen Schlütter.
Managing Director
+49 6151 8806-496
Fax: +49 6151 88069496


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SKF saves steel producer more than 525 000 euro per year
The challenge
The plant houses six converters and five continuous slab casting machines. Each caster operates with hundreds of bearings and consumes between 30 and 70 tonnes of grease per year. To help the customer achieve its larger goals, SKF sought to extend service life and cut grease consumption for the plant's thousands of caster bearings.
The SKF solution
The resultsIn the end, the SKF sealed, self-aligning bearing system helped the customer boost availability and productivity by doubling the service life of the conventional open bearing system that it replaced. Along with reduced cooling water cleaning costs, The SKF bearing system helped the plant:
- Reduce annual grease consumption by up to 47 tonnes per caster
- Reduce annual bearing consumption by an average of 40%
- Cut annual operating costs by €105 000 per caster
- Achieve total annual savings of €525 000


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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Nittany Lion 4×400-meter quartet of Aaron Nadolsky (Altoona, Pa.), Brandon Bennett-Green (Elkins Park, Pa.), Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) and Brady Gehret (Altoona, Pa.) have officially earned First Team All-America honors, announced on Monday by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA). Also earning recognition were second-team honorees Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas), Loxsom, and Robby Creese (Mount Airy, Md.).
Nadolsky, Bennett-Green, Loxsom, and Gehret combined to finish second in the 4×400 at last weekend's NCAA Indoor Championships at Boise State University – a program-best finish for the Lions' in the event. The tandem clocked a sizzling 3:05.31 – just off the school-record 3:05.22 – to finish just off Arkansas' winning time of 3:04.92, and upend sprint powerhouse LSU in third in 3:05.80. The finish is the Lions' second-straight All-America effort in the relay, as Nadolsky, Loxsom, and Gehret, along with former Nittany Lion Lionel Williams, placed fifth in the event a year ago. The citation is the third first team finish for both Loxsom, and Gehret, while Nadolsky earns his second-career certificate, and Bennett-Green garners the honor for the first time.
Also earning USTFCCCA recognition was freshman sensation Creese, who placed 11th in the mile run for second team honors. Creese, who was also named USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Track Athlete of the Year last week, was the lone freshman in the mile field. Britton placed 16th overall in the 60-meter hurdles in her first-career appearance at the NCAA Indoor Championships. The junior already had a second-team citation on her resume, after placing ninth in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a sophomore. Loxsom also made the second team individually, taking 15th in the 800-meters.
The Nittany Lions will take a short break prior to the outdoor season, which is slated to begin with the Jim Click Shootout at the University of Arizona on March 31.


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No. 85,342
1. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259(a) provides for judicial review of an alcohol-related driver's license suspension, following an administrative hearing pursuant to K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1002. The petition for review shall be filed within 10 calendar days after the effective date of the order and is subject to the Act for Judicial Review and Civil Enforcement of Agency Actions, K.S.A. 77-601 et. seq.
2. In a driver's license suspension case, it is permissible for a party to petition for reconsideration of a hearing officer's administrative order during the 10 days following the effective date of the order. A motion for reconsideration filed after the 10-day appeal period has elapsed is untimely, and the hearing officer is without jurisdiction to amend the suspension order.
Appeal from Barton District Court; MIKE KEELEY, judge. Opinion filed July 20, 2001. Reversed and remanded with instructions.
Michael S. Holland, II, of Russell, for appellant.
Brian Cox, of Kansas Department of Revenue, of Topeka, for appellee.
Before MARQUARDT, P.J., JOHNSON, J., and JACKSON, S.J.
JOHNSON, J: Michael Scott Johnson appeals the district court's order allowing a Kansas Division of Vehicles hearing officer to reconsider and amend Johnson's driver's license suspension after the statutory deadline to appeal such an administrative order. We reverse and remand with instructions to reinstate the original administrative order.
Following an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), Johnson failed a blood alcohol test. After receiving the law enforcement officer's certification of test failure and suspension of driver's license form, Johnson properly requested and received an administrative hearing on May 19, 1999. That date, the hearing officer issued an administrative order, making findings adverse to Johnson. The order specified Johnson's driver's license was suspended for 30 days and restricted for an additional 330 days (30/330). The document specifically advised Johnson he had 10 days from May 19th to petition for review with the district court.
No appeal was taken from the administrative order. On June 11, 1999, the Director of Vehicles issued a driver's license suspension notice to Johnson, subtitled "ORDER." It indicated the suspension was from May 19 to June 17, 1999, and the restrictions were from June 18, 1999, to May 13, 2000.
On June 25, 1999, the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDR) filed a motion for reconsideration with the hearing examiner. The motion alleged Johnson had a prior DUI diversion in July 1995 and the suspension should have been for 1 year. Johnson objected to the reconsideration. On August 23, 1999, a telephone conference hearing was conducted, and the hearing officer issued an amended order designating a 1-year suspension. The following day, the Director of Vehicles issued a driver's license withdrawal notice indicating a suspension from May 19, 1999, to May 19, 2000.
Johnson effected judicial review of the amended administrative order. In April 2000, the district court issued its memorandum decision, finding in favor of KDR. Johnson timely appeals.
The sole issue raised on appeal is whether the hearing officer had the authority to reconsider the May 19th administrative order. Johnson frames the issue as jurisdictional. Whether the hearing officer had jurisdiction to reconsider the order is a question of law over which this court has unlimited review. See Cypress Media, Inc. v. City of Overland Park, 268 Kan. 407, 414, 997 P.2d 681 (2000). KDR disputes that the issue is jurisdictional but agrees the issue on appeal is legal in nature and subject to de novo review.
The district court found KDR's motion for reconsideration "was nothing more than a motion to correct an illegal disposition," and, therefore, the hearing officer did not lose jurisdiction to correct the illegal suspension. It is unclear how the renaming or recharacterization of KDR's pleading supported the trial court's ruling. KDR also asserts it was merely seeking correction of an illegal order or of a clerical mistake. This is not a criminal case in which jurisdiction exists to correct an illegal sentence at any time. See K.S.A. 22-3504. Even in the criminal arena, the State is barred from subsequently challenging a sentence based on a stipulated but erroneous criminal history. See, e.g. Thompson v. State, 25 Kan. App. 2d 659, 660, 967 P.2d 361 (1998). Here, the 30/330 suspension order was not illegal; it was the statutorily mandated sanction for a first-time offender. KDR wanted to revisit the factual issue of Johnson's driving history.
K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259(a) provides for judicial review of an alcohol-related driver's license suspension, following an administrative hearing pursuant to K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1002. The petition for review shall be filed within 10 calendar days after the effective date of the order. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259(a); K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1002(o). K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259(a) specifically makes the review subject to the Act for Judicial Review and Civil Enforcement of Agency Actions (KJRA), K.S.A. 77-601 et. seq.
There is no provision in K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259 or KJRA specifically authorizing a request for reconsideration. The Kansas Administrative Procedure Act (KAPA) does provide a procedure for the reconsideration of agency decisions prior to judicial review. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 77-529. However, KAPA "applies 'only to the extent that other statutes expressly provide that the provisions of [the] act govern proceedings under those statutes.' K.S.A. 77-503." Reifschneider v. Kansas State Lottery, 266 Kan. 338, 343, 969 P.2d 875 (1998) (Davis, J., concurring). The relevant statutes here do not incorporate the use of KAPA. Therefore, Johnson argues the right to have judicial review precludes KDR's use of a motion for reconsideration. However, the KJRA does discuss the effect of a petition for reconsideration on the time to appeal. K.S.A. 77-613. The implication is that a request for reconsideration is permissible.
Ironically, both parties cite In re Petition of City of Shawnee for Annexation of Land, 236 Kan. 1, 687 P.2d 603 (1984), to support their respective positions. That case is not directly on point because there the administrative reconsideration occurred while the matter was pending on appeal with the district court. The precise holding that disposed of the specific facts in City of Shawnee was:
"[W]hen an administrative board acts in a quasi-judicial capacity, as in the instant case, and enters a final order or judgment, its jurisdiction to reconsider or change such order or judgment ceases from and after the time a valid appeal has been perfected; the jurisdiction of the board remains suspended during the pendency of the appeal." 236 Kan. at 15.
Johnson believes the underlying rationale of City of Shawnee is that "[t]he right of appeal implies a final order which is no longer open for rehearing or reconsideration by the administrative body." 236 Kan. at 14. He avers the specific statutory right to appeal the hearing officer's suspension makes it a final order which is no longer open for agency reconsideration. KJRA indicates permissive reconsideration is not precluded. We find that it is permissible to petition for reconsideration of the administrative order during the 10 days following the effective date of the order.
KDR reads City of Shawnee as granting an administrative agency the right to reconsider its rulings at any time prior to the perfection of an appeal to the district court. Since Johnson did not perfect an appeal of the original administrative order, agency jurisdiction to reconsider the suspension order continued unabated by the time to appeal. KDR opines that jurisdiction continues, absent an appeal, until the delay in seeking reconsideration becomes unreasonable or unduly prejudicial to the licensee.
KDR further argues that, even if the original suspension order is deemed a final order, it has the power to reconsider its actions because its jurisdiction is "continuing in nature." Warburton v. Warkentin, 185 Kan. 468, 476, 345 P.2d 992 (1959). KDR cites several examples of its continuing jurisdiction over drivers' licenses in general and Johnson's driver's license in particular, e.g., reinstatement and return of the license following suspension. The proffered examples are all administrative functions; the suspension proceeding was a quasi-judicial function. It is obvious the legislature did not intend continuing ministerial duties to obviate "'[f]inal agency action'" in quasi-judicial matters. See K.S.A. 77-607(b).
On a broader scale, KDR asserts it has inherent or implied power to reconsider suspension orders, including the right to revisit substantive matters. For authority, KDR cites Pitts v. Kansas Dental Bd., 267 Kan. 775, 987 P.2d 348 (1999). In Pitts, the Kansas Supreme Court held that the mere absence of language in the Kansas Dental Act, K.S.A. 65-1421 et. seq., authorizing reinstatement of a dentist's previously revoked license did not reflect the legislative intent to permanently bar the Dental Board from readmitting such dentists into the profession. 267 Kan. at 777. However, the Dental Board was not relitigating the facts which prompted the original revocation. It is inconceivable our legislature promulgated KAPA, KJRA, and K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-259 with the intention that KDR would retain inherent power to retry driver's license suspension hearings at will.
Further, KDR contends its position is logical because a licensee has the same right to seek reconsideration. KDR suggests it would, as a matter of fundamental fairness, consider a licensee's complaint as to the length of suspension even after the appeal time had run. Although we do not doubt KDR's sense of fair play, the law does not provide a licensee any post-appeal redress in the event KDR does not feel benevolent. "The time for taking an administrative appeal, as prescribed by statute, is jurisdictional, and delay beyond the statutory time is fatal to an appeal." State Bank Commissioner v. Emery, 19 Kan. App. 2d 1063, Syl. 1, 880 P.2d 783 (1994).
KDR does not believe Johnson should be permitted to complain about the corrected suspension order, because neither Johnson nor his attorney apprised the hearing officer of the prior diversion. The hearing is conducted by the Director of the Division of Vehicles or the representative of the Director. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-1002(k). The division is the official repository for all offenses under the motor vehicle drivers' license act. K.S.A. 2000 Supp. 8-253. KDR cites no authority requiring a licensee to self-report his or her driving record to the official custodian of that record.
Both parties proffer other arguments we need not address to reach our decision. We believe, based on a fair reading of City of Shawnee and the procedural provisions of the KJRA, the hearing officer's May 19, 1999, administrative order was a final agency action. As such, KDR had 10 days in which to either request a reconsideration from the hearing officer or to effect judicial review of the order. KDR's motion for reconsideration was untimely and the hearing officer was without jurisdiction to amend the suspension order.
Reversed and remanded with instructions to reinstate the original, May 19, 1999, administrative order.


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November 18, 2006-High Speed Chase
The day seemed to hold a good prospect for a nice sail with a bit of breeze and plenty of sunshine. The race was going to be one long beat up to Reclamation Bay followed by a rendezvous and beach party with the other competitors and several powerboats.
We were certainly ready for the party with our regular crew and plenty of guests and family members plus we had a load of beer and lots of food. We were also ready for the race. I'd spent a busy morning sewing on our tired old jib and it was all patched up. We even had time to clean the boat and test the BBQ. When the crew showed up we had the boat rigged and the motor was running. We had high expectations.
But there was no way we could have expected the day to turn into a high speed chase with all the boats on the edge of control for a five mile reach up the Johor Strait.
Our start in 8 knots of wind was good; we hit the line right on time and going fast and quickly put most of the competition behind us, except for the 30 ft flyer Roo. But we weren't watching Roo, we were focused on Frangipangi Girl, Dave Ross's Swan 53. They were struggling some as the conditions quickly grew light and fluky and we covered them well over to the right side.
Meanwhile Roo went off to the left and that was where the new breeze appeared.
First there was a zephyr that filled Roo's sails and got them moving, but we hardly noticed. Then someone pointed out the big dark patch ahead and Roo was right in the middle of it. We all saw that, and we saw them heel sharply and take off. Well, they're gone but we'll be next we thought and soon we had the breeze; a solid breeze with a big left component. The beat had turned into a reach. We climbed to the high side and eased the sheets and we were off in chase of Roo. We were happy to see Frangipangi Girl still floundering quite a ways back.
Well, the wind built, then held, then built some more. Soon we had 18-20 knots and we were seeing over eight on the speedo. The main was flagging continuously as with every attempt to trim it in the boat simply rounded up. The jib was well out and the lead back to twist it off, and still we were over powered.
Sailing in Singapore
But we were flying!
We kept expecting the gust to pass but instead it just got stronger. Behind us Frangipangi Girl had the wind and was coming on strong.
By now we had a big bow wave and even some spray that reached all the way up to the crew perched on the high side of the steeply canted deck. It was exciting; real sailing now! I knew the crew was loving it, but Judy was worried. So was I. The wind was obviously too much for the patched up jib; way too much.
I considered a change to the three but wasn't the finish just ahead somewhere? We didn't know.
Soon Frangipangi Girl was right on our tail. All I wanted was for the jib to hold and for us to be able to keep Dave and his crew behind long enough to get to the finish line.
They headed up to sail over us and we went up too, keeping ourselves between them and the finish. The inside tell tails on both boats were lifting but the wind was too strong for us to sheet in to close hauled with the big jibs we were both carrying.
Now we were getting really close to the Singapore shoreline just to windward of us and it was flying by. We'd never sailed here before and we didn't know the contours of the bottom. Right then we had 40 feet, but would the depth hold? Judy was urging me to go down. I didn't. Why doesn't somebody go check the chart? Nobody moved.
Frangipangi Girl
Frangipangi girl tried again and I went up even higher to hold them off again. The shore was closer and, the wind was stronger; now 25 knots. There was an air of tension among the afterguard of Wings although the crew probably didn't feel it. They were having too much fun.
Suddenly Frangipangi bore off and easily sailed though our lee. We bore off too and things got a little less tense on Wings.
As Frangipangi passed us both crews hooted and hollered at each other. Even a water balloon or two was tossed, but no hits.
A little bit after that we passed the buoy marking the finish and I called for the jib to come down. Somehow it had stayed together. We broke out the beers and sailed to the rendezvous under main alone. It was a good way to chill out after a hard sail.
The rest of the day was simply fun. We anchored in Reclamation Bay, swam ashore and had a good afternoon of volleyball and BBQ, and later sailed home with the small jib and the stereo playing nice tunes.
All in all it was quite a day.
Click HERE for all the images including several of the crew members and guests.
Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Singapore


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Have you ever envied the person that looks terrific no matter the circumstances? Whether it's 6 a.m., they've just been camping for a week or they're tying up a 14-hour workday, they look neat, fresh and a bit sexy. Frankly, it's a tad annoying but begrudgingly you find it admirable. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the San Telmo. Very carefully scaled – this is not a big chair - with its lumbar-enhanced tufted back and tight seat, the San Telmo has a superb sit. But, like just the right amount of hair gel, the San Telmo looks breezy and relaxed but is never disheveled: no cushion to straighten, no pillow to adjust. For your reception area or your favorite reading nook, the San Telmo is a standout (or, in this case, a sitdown).
We are committed to offering industry-leading quality and selection at a surprising value. Chosen for their consistency, luxurious hand and, importantly, value, WILLEM SMITH leathers have been aniline dyed, and most have received a light topcoat for depth of color and protection against the realities of life.
Certain series have a more pronounced grain while others may be typically smoother, have a glossier finish or even, hold onto your socks, appear to have a sparkly iridescence. Some of our favorites exhibit a degree of what is referred to as a pull-up burst; these wonderful hides celebrate the character marks that make each piece of furniture undeniably unique. Choose your favorite colors, and then contact us to learn about the distinctive characteristics of each collection.
All of the WILLEM SMITH pieces are meant for a lifetime. Below are some straightforward tips to help you easily preserve the beauty of your collection for years to come.
Enjoy. Host yet another three-hour dinner party in your Etesian chairs. Curl up with a long novel in our Francisco. Our uncompromising attention to the construction of each piece assures your WILLEM SMITH collection will endure and endure. Our classic, clean lines and our conscientious provision of the highest quality and most appropriate materials assure your pieces will be simple to maintain.
If you have specific questions on caring for any of your WILLEM SMITH piece, please call us. We would love to hear from you.
Dust can cast a dull pallor, masking the inherent beauty of our carefully selected woods. Frequent dusting not only allows you to pass the white glove test and recoup the wood's sheen, it removes airborne pollutants which could scratch wooden surfaces. An ever so slightly dampened, clean, soft cloth is our tool or choice; it effectively removes and traps dust from becoming airborne again. Periodically, to restore the natural luster, polish wooden furniture with a lint-free cloth, working in the direction of the grains as much as possible.
WILLEM SMITH can partner with you to guide you in understanding the quality, grade and origin of the leather used as you customize your leather pieces. Our high quality leather will provide many years of good service. Maintenance is easy. A wipe of a clean, soft, damp cloth and regular dusting. Over time, leather will develop a patina giving it a distinctive appearance as it matures. To extend the life of leather, we recommend applying a specialist hide solution every year or so.
WILLEM SMITH fabrics are selected not only for their beauty but also taking into consideration the practicality of using your pieces yet keeping them beautiful. Naturally, wipe up any spills and spots as soon as you see them. Using the small attachment for your vacuum cleaner you can quickly keep your upholstered furniture clean and dust free. A steam cleaner can help provide a periodic, deeper clean. As with all valuable pieces of furniture and antiques, avoid placing them in direct sunlight or within two feet of heat sources. Sun and heat can dry out wood and finishes, crack leather and fade upholstered fabric. Of course, water can also damage wood, leather and fabric surfaces. If you have a spill, dry the area thoroughly and promptly. All-purpose cleaning sprays are not appropriate for WILLEM SMITH or other fine furniture.
You've no doubt already measured the space where you will put the piece and compared it to the dimensions on our pages about each product. Now let's make sure you can get it there.
Entryways: height and width of all areas. Take into consideration the space that the door takes up. Are there any fixtures in the way?
Entry Clearance: the distance from the wall, through the doorway to the opposite wall.
Twists and Turns: consider ceiling height (if you need to stand the sofa), lights, fans or other ceiling fixtures, banisters.
Before delivery, remove any frames or artwork from walls to avoid bumps and scratches.
Remove any potential obstacles between the door and your furniture's final placement—plants, chairs, accent tables, etc.
Please confine pets to ensure they won't be underfoot or escape out open doors.
If you live in a building with an elevator, measure the height of the door, as well as the inside space to ensure it's big enough for your furniture to travel in.
Cut out a cardboard template in the size of the new furniture or using masking tape mark off the area on your floor to help you envision how it will fit in your room.
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HVAC Controls and Thermostats
Thermostats and HVAC controls provide control over your temperature, humidity, energy and pressure systems. Design and maintain your own HVAC and refrigeration solutions with our wide selection of thermostats, valves, control switches and dampers. Put in a new low voltage, digital thermostat for a more accurate home temperature control. Improve fluid quality with a steam trap, or install a new gas valve for precision burner control. Energy-efficient thermostats are not only a smart environmental choice but an economical one, as well. Get the HVAC controls and equipment needed to regulate the operation of your systems safely and efficiently.
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French rock legend Johnny Hallyday is on the mend
Issued on: Modified:
This week in France: French rock and roll star Johnny Hallyday's health has stabilised; the man who stole documents from HSBC bank and allowed authorities to trace the names of thousands of people guilty of tax evasion speaks out; the conservative UMP party release a humorous video clip.
Political and social events from France. The programme is recorded under live conditions with interviews conducted outside. Presented by Lanah Kammourieh.