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Why So Many Gay Men Are Serial Liars
How many times have you seen this in someone's personal online profiles: "No liars, flakes, or games please!"
Why do we lie, flake out, or play these mind games with each another? Are we hiding something truthful about ourselves, such as our age, weight, attraction to others, money earned, job, or, sexual orientation? Or, are we trying to keep others from being hurt if they were to hear the clear and honest truth?
Why, in short, do gay men lie or become dishonest so easily? How many times does any one of us have to be lied to or, "get played," before we finally yell, "Stop it!"
"Nearly any adult will tell you that lying is wrong," Jenna McCarthy wrote in "Truth About Lying" on the magazine Real People's website. "But when it comes to avoiding trouble, saving face in front of the boss, or sparing someone's feelings, many people find themselves doing it anyway."
But why do gay men in particular lie so frequently? Why can't we tell someone that, although flattered by his intentions, we're not attracted to someone? Are we really trying to avoid hurting feelings or simply trying to avoid an uncomfortable situation for initiator of the lies?
Feigning interest in someone and then never calling him back is an epidemic in the gay world. So is making a date with someone while having grave doubts that we are really attracted to the other person. Is this pattern of lies all about saving face and trying not to hurt someone's feelings (whose feelings get hurt in the end anyway)?
For an upcoming book project, I have been studying how gay shame affects communication between gay men in social settings. I've found that many gay men have lived secret lives of shame, hiding their true sexual orientation from others based on fear of possible rejection and familial and societal ostracism. Therefore, lying has become something we have become very able to do but, not without its consequences to our own emotional well being and the same for the others with whom we interact.
When you are about to tell a lie, first ask yourself: How would it feel to have to lie or be dishonest with someone who wants something from you whom you are simply not desiring or willing to give? Or, how does it feel to be lied to from someone you trusted or wished to trust?
When was the last time you arranged a meeting only to have the date postponed, even at the last minute, due to work commitments or other priorities? Or when had someone done that to you?
The Internet and cell phones are great conveniences and sources of information. But the digital age has also made it much easier to lie via online chat or text messaging rather than risking the awdkwardness of a direct conversation. Online and text messaging cannot convey emotion or deception as easily as direct interaction, either face to face or on the phone. Have you become proficient in lying or avoiding uncomfortable situations you set up either by going online or through text messaging?
Not that gay men lack face-to-face interaction. Gay men socialize intimately with other gay men frequently in bars, clubs, gyms, and social gatherings where we come in contact with a vast array of people. Now consider how many people you meet in these venues.
What was your communication like? Did you talk more about yourself or listen to what other people had to say? Were you honest and truthful about the information you shared or did you distort or exaggerate?
If you see yourself in the above, you need to ask yourself, "Why do I feel the need to lie or exaggerate when meeting new people?" Perhaps that lying or dishonesty comes from years of not believing in yourself and the feeling that you are enough -- a common occurrence for many gay men based on cruel remarks or societal rebuke.
But the feeling that you are not good enough is very far from the truth when you think that we all have the potential to be special and stand out for who we are if we can pursue a truthful and honest career or life path.
If you can look at your life that way, you will begin to develop a positive view of yourself. Once that happens, you will present that positivity to others in both your communication and actions.
In doing so, your desire to lie or be dishonest will lessen. People will see you as a good person who can be trusted and respected, rather than as a fake, a flake, a liar and a game player whom people will avoid and suspect your true intentions.
So choose: On the Internet, on a smartphone or face to face, think before you speak. Don't make plans you have no intention to keep and try your best to be honest as often as you can. No matter how hot, sexy and attractive you appear, once people get to know the real you, if they don't like what they see, good looks won't carry the day -- at least with people worth knowing.
The famous wit Dorothy Parker put it best, but when she wrote, "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone" she was referring to personal character, not physical presentation. So be beautiful both inside and out and stop with the lies and dishonesty that can make you less attractive to everyone, including yourself.


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Privacy Policy
We are committed to protecting your privacy and we have prepared this Privacy Policy to describe to you our practices regarding the Personal Data we collect from users of our services.
Who are we and how to contact us?
AME Media Group has its head office at: 6561 Superior Avenue, Sarasota FL 34239
If you would like to contact us for any reason, please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we will do our best to answer your questions.
1 What information do we collect from you?
AME collects Personal Data and Anonymous Data from you when you visit our sites or when you send us information or communications. "Personal Data" means data that allows someone to identify you, including, for example, your name, address, telephone and mobile numbers, e-mail address, as well as any information about you that is associated with or linked to, or could be linked to, any of the foregoing data.
"Anonymous Data" means data that is not associated with or linked to your Personal Data; Anonymous Data does not permit the identification of individual persons. We collect Personal Data and Anonymous Data, as described below.
1.1 How we collect Personal Data
We collect Personal Data from you, such as your name, contact details, country of residence, zip code or post code, gender, and/or birth date when you register on one of our sites or when you choose to use the various services we provide on our sites. We also collect other types of Personal Data that you provide to us voluntarily, when, for instance, you make a purchase, respond to surveys and questionnaires, or enter a competition. If you provide us feedback regarding our sites or services via e-mail, we will collect your name and e-mail address in order to send you a reply.
In order to improve our services to you, we may ask you to voluntarily complete confidential surveys. We do not ask you to provide us any personally identifiable data in association with these surveys although we do associate your responses with Personal Data. If you do not wish to participate in a survey, however, simply decline to participate when asked.
1.2 Anonymous Data Collected via Technology
To make our services more useful to you, we use technological means to collect Personal Data from you, including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) you just came from, the URL you go to next, your browser type, and your Internet Protocol (IP) address. We also use cookies or clear GIFs to collect Personal Data from you about your use of our sites or e-mails we send you. You expressly consent to our use of cookies and clear GIFs when you use our services.
An "IP Address" is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you use the Internet. In some cases your IP address stays the same from browser session to browser session; but if you use a consumer Internet access provider, your IP address probably varies from session to session. We track IP addresses solely in conjunction with session cookies to analyze our Web page flow.
"Cookies" are small pieces of information that a Web site sends to your computer's hard drive while you are viewing a Web site. AME uses both session cookies (which expire once you close your Web browser) and persistent cookies (which stay on your computer until you delete them) to provide you with a more personal and interactive experience on our sites. You have the ability to accept or decline cookies. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can disable this function by changing the cookie profile on your computer's Web browser. If you disable your cookies, however, you will not have access to certain features of our sites such as "Remember My Password" or interactive quizzes. We do not store any Personal Data in cookies on your computer (other than the cookie itself).
"Clear GIFs" are clear electronic images that are used to track your movements on our sites. They help us to determine whether content on our sites is effective. We also use clear GIFs in HTML-based e-mails to let us know which e-mails have been opened and acted upon by recipients (including any persons to which the e-mails have been forwarded). Clear GIFs on our sites collect only a limited set of information including a cookie number, time and date of a page view, and a description of the page on which the clear GIF resides. This information helps us assess the effectiveness of certain communications and marketing campaigns.
1.3 Personal Data That We Collect from You About Others
If you decide to invite a friend or family member to join any of our services, we will collect your name and e-mail address as well as your friend's or family member's e-mail address in order to send their e-mail. We will always ask your permission to mention your name when contacting your friend or family member. This information is used once only and is not saved in our database, unless they have entered a competition or other promotion in which case their e-mail address is stored only for that purpose. If you decide to invite a friend or family member to become involved we will collect and save their e-mail address into our database, along with their contact preferences, as we would for anyone who registers on our sites.
2 How will we use the information we collect?
AME uses your Personal Data to provide you with a customized Web experience and to provide services to you. Such services include sending you marketing messages if you have given us permission to do so, processing your answers to quizzes, and sending electronic newsletters and promotional e-mails to you. We also use Personal Data for customer service messages, to notify you about updates to our services and to respond to your requests.
We may create Anonymous Data records from Personal Data by excluding information (such as your name) that makes the data personally identifiable to you. We use this Anonymous Data to perform statistical analyses of users' aggregate behavior so that we may enhance the content of our services and improve site navigation. AME reserves the right to use and disclose Anonymous Data to third parties at its discretion, in aggregate form.
If you elect to receive communications from us we may periodically send you free newsletters and e-mails that directly promote the use of our sites or the purchase of our products or services and may contain advertisements for third parties.
3 Do we share your Personal Data with other companies?
Except as otherwise stated in this Privacy Policy and in our Privacy Notices where you give us your consent, we do not sell, trade, or rent the Personal Data collected from our services to third parties. However, we will share your Personal Data with our third party suppliers who need to process your data in order to fulfill your request, such as to charge your credit card (if authorized by you), fill your order, and deliver promotional e-mails. These third parties are required under contract not to use your Personal Data other than to provide the services requested by AME and to guarantee to our satisfaction that they have sufficient processes in place to ensure the security of your data whilst it is in their care.
You expressly consent to the sharing of your Personal Data with our contractors and third party service providers for the purpose of providing services to you.
If you send a testimonial or comment to us, we may post it on our site or use it in advertising materials. We will attribute your testimonial to you by posting your first and last initial or your first name and last initial next to your testimonial on our site or advertising materials, if provided. Regardless of any choices you make regarding your Personal Data (as described below), AME may disclose Personal Data if it believes in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to (a) comply with relevant laws or to respond to subpoenas or warrants served on us; or (b) protect or defend the rights or property of AME or users of our services.
AME is a company with subsidiaries, joint ventures, or other companies under a common control (collectively, "affiliates"). We may share some or all of your Personal Data with these affiliates, in which case we will require our affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. If an affiliate or another company acquires our company or our assets, that company will possess the Personal Data collected by it and us and will assume the rights and obligations regarding your Personal Data as described in this Privacy Policy and the terms under which you submitted your data.
If you provide AME with your contact details and agree to receive promotional messages, we may share your details with our affiliates or other third-party businesses that offer goods or services that we believe may be of interest to our customers. f you would like to cease receiving these communications, you may unsubscribe by emailing us at firstname.lastname@example.com and updating us on your preferences.
4 Changing your mind about marketing messages and keeping your details-up-to-date
We offer you choices regarding the collection, use, and sharing of your Personal Data. You may proactively make such choices by visiting Edit My Profile. When you register on one of our sites, we will ask you if you want to receive future communications from us. You may indicate consent to receipt of these communications by ticking the box located on the registration form. Should you decide to stop receiving further communications from us, you will have the opportunity to "opt-out" by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the e-mail you receive or by going to My Profile. If at any time you wish to subscribe to any communications from us, login to your account. Despite your indicated e-mail preferences, we may send you notice of any updates to our Terms of Use or Privacy Policy.
Be sure to include your full name and address in your opt-out request, in order to allow us to process your request.
Note that we may retain changed or deleted information in our archives.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Privacy Policy or on this website, only AME and its affiliate companies collect Personal Data through the services provided solely by us; this Privacy Policy applies only to the use and disclosure of Personal Data that we collect while you use our services.
When you click on advertisements or links on AME sites, you will leave that site and go to another site. During this process, a third party (including a third party advertising service that may provide services to an advertiser) may collect Personal Data or Anonymous Data from you, such as the URL you just came from, the URL you go to next, your browser type, and your IP address. Our display of advertisements or links to any other company or site is for your convenience and does not signify our endorsement of such company or site (or the contents of the site). We have no control over, we do not review, and our Privacy Policy does not apply to, these other companies, sites, or content, or to any collection of data after you click on an advertisement of or link to a third party.
6 Where is your information processed and how do we keep your Personal Data secure?
Your Personal Data may be processed both in and outside of your own country. When you submit your details and in whichever country you are situated you agree to the data being transferred to the USA and processed under the terms of laws currently in force. If you are not in agreement please do not add your personal details on any of our sites.
We are committed to protecting the security of your Personal Data. We use a variety of industry-standard security technologies and procedures to help protect your Personal Data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. On most of our sites, we enable the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology We also offer industry-standard secured-server transactions that encrypt your Personal Data when collecting your credit card information for online purchases.
We store Personal Data behind a computer firewall, a barrier designed to prevent outsiders from accessing our servers. We may also require you to enter a password to access your account information. In addition, except as provided elsewhere in this Privacy Policy, AME limits access to Personal Data in electronic databases to those persons (including employees and contractors) in AME's organization who have a business need for such access and those persons are under contract to keep your data secure, but note that AME cannot eliminate all the security risks associated with Personal Data.
7 Access to your Personal Data
You are entitled to see the information held about you and you may ask us to make any necessary changes to ensure that it is accurate and kept up to date. If you wish to see the information we hold about you, please contact us in writing at The Data Protection Compliance Officer, 6561 Superior Avenue, Sarasota FL 34239, and we are entitled to charge a fee of $10 to meet our costs in providing you with details of the information we hold about you. We are also legally obliged to request you to provide us with identification so that we can be certain that you are entitled to receive the requested data.
8 Questions Regarding this Privacy Policy
AME welcomes your comments or questions regarding this Privacy Policy. Please e-mail us at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dispute Resolution
If you believe that AME has not adhered to this Privacy Policy, please contact us by e-mail at:. email@example.com
We will do our best to address your concerns. If you feel that your complaint has been addressed incompletely, we invite you to let us know for further investigation.
9 Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share your Personal Data, we may notify you by sending you an e-mail to the last e-mail address you provided to us, by writing to your last known postal address and/or by prominently posting notice of the changes on our sites. Any material changes to this Privacy Policy will be effective thirty (30) calendar days following our posting of notice of the changes on our sites.
These changes will be effective immediately for new users of our services. Please note that at all times you are responsible for updating your Personal Data to provide us with your most current e-mail and postal address. In the event that the last e-mail or postal address that you have provided us is not valid, or for any reason is not capable of delivering to you the notice described above, our dispatch of the e-mail or letter containing such notice will nonetheless constitute effective notice of the changes described in the notice. In any event, changes to this Privacy Policy may affect our use of Personal Data that you provided us prior to our notification to you of the changes. If you do not wish to permit changes in our use of your Personal Data, you must notify us prior to the effective date of the changes that you wish to deactivate your account with us.

subset: commoncrawl


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The biggest swimwear trade show in the world is making waves this year with the addition of another exhibition hall at the Miami Beach Convention Center, lining up more than 2,500 lines that contribute to a multi-billion dollar industry.
The 31st annual SwimShow organized by the Swimwear Association of Florida, which serves as a platform for designers and manufacturers to showcase their latest trends and styles for buyers, ends today.
"In order for consumers to be able to purchase in stores, this show has to take place," said Judy Stein, SwimShow executive director. "Buyers come in to determine what they want at their stores."
This year was the third time Joanne Snodgrass, owner and designer of the Palm Beach-based resort apparel and accessories line Nouvelle, showcased her collection.
"Every year has been better for me," Snodgrass said. "I get more orders, a wider range of people stopping by. There's people coming in who saw me last year, didn't know me very well, but are now more familiar with my brand."
Snodgrass' swimwear, which she classified as "casual sophisticated," is priced from $80 to $240 and sells at spas, resorts and hotels , she said. Nouvelle's sales jumped 50 percent after last year's trade show, Snodgrass said, pointing out that her three-year-old company is at a "growing stage."
Antonella Carlozzi, president and chief executive of skinForma LLC, was optimistic the show would also help spark sales for her Coconut Creek-based startup, which sells G'skin, a self-adhering, strapless panty for women.
She launched the underwear line online this year and is now seeking to "aggressively" go after retail customers.
Though women's swimwear and accessories are still the most popular at the show, children and men's wear gained "prime positioning" this year, said Stein from SwimShow.
Lines for men and children are "growing significantly," she said, "becoming more of a fashion statement."
Sales for men's swimwear are up 7.9 percent, while women's swimwear increased only 2.1 percent nationwide, according to April 2012 to March 2013 tracking data from retail specialists NPD Group.
Overall, swimwear sales are up 3.1 percent, and sales are at $3.5 billion, according to the New York-based market research firm.
The SwimShow, which kicked off Saturday, overlapped the high-profile Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim organized by IMG Fashion.
SwimShow organizers estimate more than 8,500 people will visit their trade show. This year's exhibition space grew from 250,000 square feet to 400,000 square feet.
"The demand for space at the SwimShow has absolutely skyrocketed, which meant at times we had to turn away new brands that we wanted to include," said Diane Brucks, president of the Swimwear Association of Florida. "This expansion will give more companies a chance to join the show and become one of our members."
The Miami Beach Convention Center is at 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. The show, with nearly 500 booths exhibiting more than 2,500 lines, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
email@example.com, 954-356-4526, Twitter @MiriamValverde


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Notation for growth model with ordina...
Mplus Discussion
Growth Modeling of Longitudinal Data
patrick sturgis
posted on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 6:30 am
Dear Linda/Bengt
I wonder if you could help me with/point me toward an example of notation for a linear growth model where the repeated outcome is ordinal. where the outcome is continuous we have:
Yit = alpha(i) + lambda(i)Beta(i) + epsilon(it)
Is there some simple way of modifying this notation to indicate that Y is ordinal? I suppose one could write Y*it where Y* is the latent continuum underlying Y. But would this not also require a specification of the notation for the model linking Y* to Y? thanks in advance,
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 3:58 pm
You can use the y* approach plus the linking you mention - see Appendix 1 to our UG.
Or, you can express it directly in terms of the observed variables. For example, with a binary u,
log [P(uti = 1 | ii, si , qi, ci, xti) / P(uti = 0 | ii, si , qi, ci, xti)] =
ii + si * (xti – d) + qi * (xti - d)2 + ci * (xti - d)3,
(sorry about the subscripts ti and i) for growth factors i, s, and q. With more than 2 categories you get the logit expression for the ratio of the highest category vs the others, sum of 2 highest vs others, etc as in Appendix 1.
patrick sturgis
posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 5:12 am
Dear Bengt
many thanks for this. I have another query regarding the multinomial regression of class membership on covariates in GMM. what do you see as the key statistical benefits of doing this in a single step, rather than running out a group membership variable and regressing this on to the covariates in a separate model? thanks,
Bengt O. Muthen
posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 4:07 pm
If you take the multi-step approach you commit 2 errors. First, the parameter estimates will be biased because you act as if a person is a member of only one class, whereas in the 1-step approach a person occupies all classes fractionally. Second, the SEs will be biased because in the last step you act as if class membership is known, observed (typically you get underestimated SEs).
posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 8:53 am
Dear Bengt
I am running GMM with ordinal outcome variables (7-point scale) repeatedly measured over 6 time points. I used "categorical" option in Mplus 6.1 and got the probabilities of each category. From the plot option, I got the plots of each category.
But I am not very interested in specific patterns of individual categories. Instead, I want to see the overall pattern by taking into account all categories.
My question is if it would be okay to treat them as continuous even though they are ordinal variables. I read your article (2002)"General growth mixture modeling for randomized preventive interventions" and I think you treated the 6-point-scale ordinal outcome (TOCA-R) variables as continuous. Is it right?
I know this will depend on research question. Thus, I may be okay to treat the variables as continuous, but I am also uncomfortable to treat them in that way because they are not continuous. What would you recommend for my case? Many thanks in advance.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metallica already planned to go big with its new 3D film. IMAX is helping make the debut for "Metallica Through The Never" giant-sized.
The film that mixes concert footage with a dramatic narrative and CGI will open Sept. 27, becoming the first movie to debut on IMAX's chain of super-sized screens. The film will open wide a week later.
"To be at the forefront in this situation where IMAX has never done this is very exciting," Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said. "It's also a bit of a confidence booster. Being in the movie-making business is not necessarily our forte and it's been a very interesting three years. We've learned a lot about a lot of different things. The recognition from IMAX and to be able to have our fans and people that are interested in this film to see it and experience it in the IMAX format is super cool."
Ulrich, in his first interview about the movie, chuckled at the long road the film, directed by Nimrod Antal and released by Picturehouse, has taken to near completion. It remains in post-production where concert and narrative footage are being knitted together with CGI effects to create something the band thinks will be completely different from the average concert film.
"Any filmmaker hopes people like a film," Ulrich said, "but what I can guarantee is that it will be unlike anything that anybody's ever seen before - so at least that's something. And for that I'm pretty excited."
Ulrich, speaking by phone from Cape Town, South Africa, where the pioneering metal band will play this week, didn't want to go too deeply into details about the film. It stars young "Chronicle" actor Dane DeHaan as a member of Metallica's concert tour crew who's sent on a special mission by the band. The movie follows two parallel story lines - DeHaan's scripted narrative and the band's concert - which intertwine throughout.
The band built a stage to film its concert pieces so fans will have the feeling of being inside the performance.
"There's no secret there are parts of Metallica's career that have been quite theatrical, of the different live experiences that we've had," Ulrich said. "And so we thought that we would give some of those theatrical presentations a kind of 2012 upgrade, especially for a bunch of our fans who were very, very young who have only heard about what happened in the `80s and `90s."
That the movie's release slipped into 2013 turns out to be a good thing in retrospect. Even if it's taken a few more checks than the band expected.
"Metallica (has a) tendency to jump and then start asking questions on the way down, then realize that as we get closer to the ground that there's no safety net and realize we should have asked more questions on the way down," Ulrich said. "But that's part of the rush. We jumped and this seemed like a pretty fun undertaking."


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NEW ORLEANS (AP) San Francisco 49ers linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith were limited participants in the team's first full Super Bowl practice in New Orleans because of shoulder injuries.
Wind that topped 20 mph sent the 49ers to the New Orleans Saints' indoor practice facility Wednesday for their 95-minute session.
All 53 San Francisco players were on the field, according to the pool report, including tight end Garrett Celek, who missed practice time last week with a foot injury. He practiced Wednesday without limitation.
Asked for specifics on Smith's injury, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said: ``I don't get into what those guys have. If they want to give that information, that's fine. I always feel uncomfortable saying what a player has.''


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This demo shows how users can use a SignalR service that broadcasts push notifications to edit the DataGrid's data in real time. You can open this page in another browser window and start editing to see this functionality. Changes made in one window are repeated in the other.
You can share the session ID (under the DataGrid) with other users to edit the DataGrid collectively.
Note that all changes are lost if you refresh the page because the SignalR service only broadcasts changes without saving them.


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- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Animal Shelter
Animal Shelter
Welcome to the City of Taylor Animal Shelter home page. Our shelter services the cities of Taylor, Riverview, and Lincoln Park. In 2016, over thirteen hundred dogs and cats have been brought into our shelter and over ninety five percent of these animals either return to their home or are adopted out. If you have any questions or need any type of assistance from the Taylor Animal shelter, please contact us at (734) 287-6550 or email us here.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays
Note: We tentatively hold special "extended hours" Saturdays once a month, on the first Saturday, when the facility is open until 3 p.m.
The Taylor Animal Shelter provides many services, such as animal adoptions, lost and found animals, licensing, animal rescue within the city, and responding to the complaints of residents regarding neglected and loose animals.
Stray or injured animals
If you are in search of a pet, consider adoption from the Taylor Animal Shelter, as many nice pets are available throughout the year. The Shelter can process adoptions until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays until 11 a.m.
The Taylor Animal Shelter will not accept any wildlife brought to the facility. It is against the law to transport wildlife without the proper permit. If you see a wild animal that needs to be sheltered, please call the shelter and Animal Control Officers will be dispatched to pick it up.
Rat Poison can be picked up at the Animal Shelter during normal business hours.


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Become beautiful having Ashley Tisdale's Boots
Almost every person must have a set of very good trainers that fits wise to create for you to every spot in the world. Ladies need to be as wonderful since they can to stay in society and then the primarily thing they're able to depend on is the side as well as a cardiovascular system. Make Boots for Ashley Tisdale property.
aww thanks how sweet
Just wanted to welcome you to the forums, from one Disney fan to another!
Send an Instant Message to annia Using...


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Six high schools will compete Saturday in the first Macomb County Culinary Arts Competition at Anchor Bay High School.
High-school chefs representing Anchor Bay, Dakota, St. Clair Tech, Career Prep Center, Roseville and Warren Woods-Tower will create appetizers, entrees, desserts and more during the competition.
The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free.
Anchor Bay High School is located at 6319 County Line Road, Fair Haven.


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WASHINGTON — Though decades of effort have made toys safer, children still choke on balloons, get strangled by yo-yo water balls and suffer hearing damage from loud playthings, a watchdog group warned Tuesday in its annual toy safety survey.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group's 20th survey noted that the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported the deaths of 16 children in toy-related incidents last year, along with another 210,000 emergency room visits. Choking on small parts, balls and balloons remains a leading cause of death and injury in children younger than 15.
U.S. PIRG researchers say they found toys for sale that violated a federal ban on small parts in toys intended for children younger than 3. Others meant for children under 6 that included small parts lacked required warning labels.
The research group recommended parents use a choke testing tube or a cardboard toilet paper roll to test small toys and parts. If any toy or part fits in the tube, then it is too small for children under 3 or older children who still put things in their mouths, it said.
The group also found that manufacturers continue to market latex balloons to children younger than 8, despite the choking risk. Children that young should never be given balloons to play with, the report recommended.
Tuesday's report singled out yo-yo water balls as a potential strangulation hazard. The liquid-filled balls are attached to stretchy cords that can used to swing them overhead like a lasso. The group said their sale should be banned.
CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said the products have not been recalled, but the government recommends that parents cut off the toy's cord. The commission is to release its own toy safety report on Nov. 30.
No substitute for adult supervision
The U.S. PIRG group also recommended that shoppers avoid buying toys that seem too loud, since children can be even more sensitive to noise than adults. Researchers said they found some noisemaking toys, including toy electric guitars, that appeared to exceed voluntary standards.
"A child's hearing is so critical for development. Even partial hearing loss can result in an impaired ability to speak and acquire language," said Alison Cassady, U.S. PIRG's research director. The group recommends taping over the speakers of excessively loud toys or simply removing their batteries to protect a child's hearing.
Tuesday's report also said that testing revealed that some toys, pacifiers and other products labeled as "phthalate-free" actually contained the chemicals, which are used to soften plastics but are potentially hazardous.
"Obviously, we find that to be very disturbing," said Cassady, adding that her group has petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to investigate its findings. The FTC did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Wolfson said there is no cause for concern, as testing has revealed the chemicals aren't present in sufficient quantities to pose a threat.
Toys sold in the United States are the most regulated and monitored in the world, according to the Toy Industry Association. The trade group said in a statement on its Web site that parents should read packaging before purchasing a toy and that "there is no substitute for adult supervision."
© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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« With Vote Imminent, Texas Math Standards Face More Criticism | Main | Texas Board Member Pans '11th-Hour' Critique of Math Standards »
Call to States: Revolutionize Teacher and Principal Preparation
Reporting From Atlanta
States must recognize that they have some heavy-duty work to do before they can put the Common Core State Standards into practice. But they hold key powers that could prove pivotal in making the necessary changes: the authority to regulate teacher preparation and licensing and the ability to collect and publicize data that show how well those programs are doing.
That was the bracing message delivered today by Gene Wilhoit, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, at a gathering of states that are meeting here to share ideas on how best to implement the common standards.
It was frank talk about the rough spots on the road to implementation. And it's particularly notable because it comes not from a pundit or observer, but from someone who knows intimately the workings of state education agencies and has been a chief himself (Kentucky). Wilhoit is one of the common core's biggest advocates, of course, since his group spearheaded their development (with the National Governors Association). But he is also not shy about pointing out the warts in the system that now has the burden of implementing them.
"If we are honest with ourselves, we know we are not ready to deliver against this promise," he told teams from 27 states. "The vast majority of teachers don't have the skill set" needed to teach to the new expectations. They need support to improve both their pedagogical skills and their content knowledge, he said.
Echoing a point made in an address to the group Wednesday evening by the 2010 National Teacher of the Year, Sarah Brown Wessling, Wilhoit said that states must take care not to impose pedagogical methods on teachers, but to find ways to empower them to attain the necessary mix of skills and content knowledge. One way that states could consider doing that, he said, is by creating networks of particularly skilled teachers that could help guide their peers.
Principal preparation needs particular attention, Wilhoit said, as states begin to examine the best ways to help educators ramp up their skills for the common core. Such programs have been "the ugly stepchild" of educator preparation and do not sufficiently prepare school leaders to walk through classrooms and recognize the kind of teaching that should be taking place to reflect the new standards, he said.
Three key levers can be of use to states as they venture into common-standards implementation, Wilhoit said. One is the power to approve teacher-preparation programs. Too often, he said, state education agencies surrender this power to accrediting organizations "that too often emphasize process over content," but they can take it back in order to ensure that the programs are operating the way they should be, he said.
Another potentially powerful lever for states is their authority over teacher-licensing programs, Wilhoit said. Finally, they can collect and publicize data about such programs that will show how well they are doing their jobs, he said.
"No preparation program that is producing inferior teachers should continue to exist," he said, and high-quality programs "should be out in the sunshine."
Wilhoit acknowledged that weeding out weak programs is an uphill battle, politically. He noted that "many state legislators" would rather continue weak programs than close them down. But he urged state education agencies to engage this fight and exploit the power they have to shape preparation and licensing programs.
Helping only a small portion of teachers improve would fall short of the common standards' promise, he said. The point is to improve teaching and learning "at scale," in state education systems.
"The work depends on impacting all teachers, not just a few," he said. "This is systems work, and we are the system.


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JTmanager necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 62 diseños de 18 diseñadores freelance.
Ivan Amodei - Entertainer/Comedian/Magician
Ivan Amodei is a brilliant magician/comedian and entertainer that has won every award possible for his craft. He entertains mostly corporate clients and celebrities and comedy and magic clubs, and theaters all over the world. We are going to re-design his website and need a icon, unique logo design as a foundation to all the rest of the materials.
Ivan is considered to be the best in his field at his craft.
Want a high-end logo look targeting corporate clients/celebrities and high income clients for personal appearances and shows.
A logo that could be used on materials to sell too (DVDs, Hats, Shirts, etc).
A fun, energetic, dynamic, looking logo, (NOT DARK or gothic like Blaine and Angel) that conveys originality and energy.
We would like to see a text based logo with a unique icon with it. Where they icon could be used and identified separately too. One could play around with the intitials (IA). Something unusual, different and something when someone sees it can say, now that is cool and different.
Imagine a iconic image or graphic that could be projected on a theater curtain before the show begins.
A few uses of that in the same space are http://www.davidblaine.com, his (DB) crissangel.com his use of the (A).
We like http://www.pennandteller.com. It has a unique element of how they used the ampersand sign.
We like http://www.celinedion.com
We like http://www.michaelbuble.com
We like the upper scale feel of Oprah's logo too. See attachment below.
We do NOT want sterotypical magic props used (bunnies, wands, cards, suits to cards, etc.
Currently his old website is http://www.ivanamodei.com. It will be re-designed after a logo is selected.
Masculine colors such as blue, dark blue, black, etc could be used. Logo should be easily understandable as a Black/White version.
We have uploaded some logo idea and as you can see we tend to like/want some sort of line art image too that can become an iconic style to use as well.
Samnple 249.gif is very interesting too.
The duo formosi -big.pnd is also very nice since it gives a feel of invisibility but simplicity and classy at the same time.
Avani logo large.pnd is we really like the stylistic lettering. Does NOT look like a font. But the use of the ribbon to finish off the missing elements in the fonts is creative. The lettering is simple, clean and easy to read.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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I have always advocated the use of royalty free codecs (first Ogg-Theora and then WebM) for the HTML5 <video> tag. The WebM movement has been slowly but surely gaining momentum since its inception. We have already seen almost all the the major desktop browser vendors (Google, Opera Software, Mozilla and Microsoft*) adopt Google's open source and royalty free media format. Desktop media players like Winamp are beginning to embrace WebM. And, perhaps most crucially, chip makers like Intel are working to add WebM support at the hardware level.
One of the biggest challenges for WebM is the intellectual properties issue. It's no secret that the patent system is seriously messed up. Some of the patents granted to the members of MPEG LA, the consortium that owns the patent pool for H.264, are so broad and ambiguous that it's almost impossible to develop a media codec without violating them. Nevertheless, Google has maintained that WebM doesn't infringe any existing patents, and is a clean and reliable royalty free alternative to H.264. A couple of months back, MPEG LA, the entity that stands to loose the most from the success of WebM, called upon its members to submit patents essential to the VP8 video codec specification, presumably in preparation of a patent infringement lawsuit..
With the threat of legal action looming, all the companies involved and interested in the growth of WebM have formed a cross-license initiative. It's essentially a consortium that will freely share all patents related to WebM on a royalty free basis. Google was already working closely with Xiph (maintainers of the Ogg audio format) and Matroska (maintainers of the Matroska video container). Additionally, CCL includes the likes of AMD, LG, Mozilla, Opera Software, Samsung, and Texas instruments. The hope is that with the backing of these corporations, WebM will be able to tackle any legal challenge that it might have to face in the future.
*Internet Explorer 9 can play WebM videos provided that the required codecs have already been installed.


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P0440 OBD-II: Evaporative Emission System
Get diagnosis and repair information for trouble code P0440
What Does OBD-II Fault Code P0440 Mean?
OBD-II Code P0440 is defined as a Evaporative System Malfunction, Large Leak
- Check Engine Light will illuminate
- In most cases, there are no adverse conditions noticed by the driver
- In some cases, there may be a noticeable fuel odor caused by the release of fuel vapors
Common Problems That Trigger the P0440 Code
- Missing fuel cap
- Defective or damaged fuel cap
- Distorted or damaged Fuel Tank Filler Neck
- Torn or punctured Evaporative system hose(s)
- Defective Fuel Tank Sending Unit gasket or seal
- Split or damaged Carbon Canister
- Defective Evaporative Vent Valve and/or Evaporative Purge Valve
- Defective or damaged fuel tank
Common Misdiagnoses
- Fuel cap
- Evaporative Purge Valve
- Evaporative Vent Valve
Get it diagnosed by a professional
Polluting Gases Expelled
- HCs (Hydrocarbons): Unburned droplets of raw fuel that smell, affect breathing, and contribute to smog
The Basics
The evaporative control (EVAP) system captures any raw fuel evaporating from the fuel storage system (e.g. the fuel tank, filler neck, and fuel cap). Under precise operating conditions—dictated by engine temperature, speed, and load—the EVAP system stores and purges these captured fuel vapors back into the combustion process.
Want to Learn More?
The EVAP system is designed not only to capture, store, and purge any raw fuel vapors that leak from areas in the Fuel Storage system, but also to run a series of self-tests that confirm or deny the operational and vapor holding ability of the system. This is an important task because at least 20 percent of vehicle-produced air pollution originates from malfunctioning Vehicle Fuel Storage systems.
There are many ways to "leak test" the EVAP system, but most perform the leak test when the vehicle is sitting (like over night) or during the initial start-up after the vehicle has been sitting over night. The EVAP system's operational performance is also tracked by the Powertrain Computer by reading the change in the oxygen sensor voltages and short term fuel trim whenever the stored vapors are released or "purged" back into the combustion process. These values should indicate that fuel is being added to the system and that the overall mixture is getting richer. The purging process occurs when the vehicle is under acceleration, which is when most vehicles require additional fuel.
P0440 Diagnostic Theory for Shops and Technicians
The P0440 code indicates that there is a large leak in the EVAP system, but this is somewhat misleading. What the code really indicates is that the EVAP system will not create a significant vacuum when it performs its leak test, as monitored by the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor.
Here is how the evaporative leak test is performed by the Powertrain Computer:
- When the leak test is performed, the vehicle must have been sitting for at least four to eight hours so that the engine temperature and outside air temperature are identical. There must also be between 15 and 85 percent fuel in the tank—this is to provide a baseline for the test since gasoline and diesel are volatile fluids that expand and vaporize easily with warm temperatures.
- When the leak test initiates, the Vapor Canister Vent Valve is closed to prevent any fresh air from entering the EVAP system.
- The Purge Valve is opened, which allows the engine to create a vacuum in the EVAP system.
- After a specified time interval—usually about ten seconds—the Purge Valve is shut off and the vacuum level in the system is measured by the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor.
- Finally, a countdown initiates, which measures the rate at which the vacuum decays in the system. If the vacuum decays much faster than the specified rate or if no amount of vacuum is reached on two consecutive tests, then the Powertrain Computer will fail the EVAP system for a gross leak and trigger the P0440 code.
Common Tests for the Evaporative System
- Retrieve the code and write down the freeze frame information to be used as a baseline to test and verify any repair.
- Perform a careful and close visual inspection of all accessible hoses and components in the EVAP system for any signs of damage or degradation.
- Using a scan tool, pay very close attention to the Fuel Tank Pressure readings. Does the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor work properly? If it doesn't, the system will think that no pressure or vacuum is being created when the EVAP monitor is performed when, in fact, there is a pressure/vacuum being created that Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor is unable to read. The Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor is the primary feedback sensor that the Powertrain Computer relies on for the leak test data each time the EVAP monitor is run.
- Inspect and test the fuel cap to determine how well it fits onto the Fuel Tank Filler Neck. Make sure the Fuel Cap Seal isn't dry or cracked. If the cap will not seal or hold vacuum/pressure, then it can trigger the P0440 code.
- Verify that the Purge Valve and the Vent Valve work properly and hold vacuum for a sustained amount of time—at least thirty to sixty seconds. If either one of these valves function improperly, the system will not develop and/or hold the proper amount of vacuum.
- If all the components seem to function properly, then perform another smoke test of the entire EVAP system. This will usually root out any leaks that are hidden behind and/or under components of the vehicle. Pay close attention to the Fuel Tank Filler Neck, the Carbon Canister, and the Fuel Tank itself, especially where the Fuel Pump and Fuel Level Sending unit are located and sealed. Occasionally when a Fuel Pump is replaced, the seal isn't replaced or properly installed. This can cause small leaks in the system. You might have to remove the rear seats to further inspect and pinpoint the source of a Fuel Tank leak.


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Selman Akyol
Stifel Nicolaus
(314) 342-2158
Atlas Pipeline Partners LP (APL) announced 2Q11 results, reporting distributable cash flow (DCF) of $29.9 million versus $26.5 million the prior year and $26.8 million in 1Q11. Recurring adjusted EBITDA totaled $39.8 million compared to $52.8 million the prior year and $38.6 million in 1Q11.
DCF was higher than the previous year partially due to reduced leverage costs associated with the liquidation of its interest in its Elk City system and the related deleveraging. As previously announced, the partnership increased its quarterly distribution per unit (DPU) to $0.47 from $0.40 the prior period as it returns to paying a sustainable distribution.
The partnership is essentially running at 100 percent capacity across its systems and has planned expansions for three processing plants, which will come on line by 2012 to support its customers anticipated volume growth. As a result, we anticipate volumes will continue to increase through 2012. The partnership did note that it is leaving some liquids in the natural gas given the lack of NGL takeaway capacity from West Texas. Subsequent to the quarter end the partnership announced it exercised the accordion feature on its revolver and increased availability to $450 million from $350 million. We view this as necessary in order support its planned capacity additions. Longer term, we view the capacity additions as supporting continued DCF growth.
Paul Forward, CFA
Stifel Nicolaus
(443) 224-1379
We are adjusting estimates for Natural Resource Partners L.P. (NRP – Buy – $28.45) following the partnership's report of 2Q11 EPU (earnings per unit) of $0.48 vs. our estimate of $0.44 and Street consensus of $0.44. NRP's 2Q11 results were driven by stronger coal royalty volumes and average royalty per ton in Northern and Central Appalachia versus our estimates, partially offset by weaker results from the Illinois Basin and the Powder River Basin due to Midwestern region flooding. NRP declared a quarterly distribution of $0.54 per unit in 2Q11 that was unchanged from 1Q11's distribution.
We are maintaining our 2011 EPU estimate of $1.77 versus the Street consensus of $1.73, reflecting the $0.04 EPU beat in 2Q11 that is offset by weaker assumed coal royalty production and lower average royalty per ton in 2H11 on an assumed mix-shift toward thermal coal. For 2011, we estimate distributions of $2.16 per unit (versus Street consensus of $2.17), below our previous estimate of $2.22 per unit. Our $2.16 estimate is even with the $2.16 paid in 2010. Our assumption is that distributions remain at $0.54 through 2011 as NRP continues to invest capital in acquiring coal reserves in the Illinois Basin under its agreement with the Cline Group.
We use a target yield methodology to arrive at our target price of $37/unit, which we obtain by applying a 6.0 percent yield to our forward four quarter DPU (distribution per unit) estimate of $2.19. NRP's peer group of coal-related MLPs trades at an average current yield of 7.9 percent (for PVR, RNO, ARLP and OXF). We assign a lower target yield to NRP due to the partnership's lack of exposure to direct coal mining operating risks.
Amir Arif
Stifel Nicolaus
(202) 778-1975
Penn Virginia Corporation (PVA) reported in-line quarterly production, but lower than expected CFPS/EPS (cash flow per share/earnings per share) primarily due to higher costs. Additionally, the company is lowering midpoint production guidance by almost 5 percent to 48.5-50.5 bcfe (billions of cubic feet equivalent) and increasing midpoint capex (capital expenditures) guidance by about 7 percent to $360-380 million … [W]e are looking for the Eagle Ford to be the driver to turn this name around and, on that front, the results were positive.
The company's average IP (initial production) on its second batch of six wells was 1,169 boe/d (barrels of oil equivalent per day) versus 1,040 boe/d for the first six wells that were previously released. Additionally, the acreage position has been increased from 12,700 to 13,900 net acres at an attractive cost of $4,000/acre. With three rigs running in the Eagle Ford, and with well count expected to increase from 12 to 34 gross wells by year end, the company's Eagle Ford production will increase from 5 mboe/d (thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day) currently to 8 mboe/d, and the company is estimating that its liquids ratio will increase from 24 percent in 2Q to about 40-45 percent at yearend 2011.
Therefore … given the current valuation of 3.2x 2012 EV/EBITDA (enterprise value divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and the fact that the driver to turn the company around (Eagle Ford) is performing well, we maintain our Buy rating and highlight the name for value investors looking for turnaround stories. Our $18 target price reflects a 2012 target EV/EBITDA multiple of 4.0x.
Jason Gammel
Macquarie Equities Research
We are encouraged by Shell's upstream results, and we anticipate similar margin capture over the rest of 2011 (and beyond) as the new mega-projects ramp-up. We think free cash flow generation should reach approximately U.S. $15 billion in 2012, about 11 percent of current market capitalization. Trading on 6.3x 2012E earnings compared to a peer group average of 7.0x, Shell remains one of our most preferred names through 2H11. As the company further demonstrates growth, we believe it will move to a premium valuation.
2Q11 clean net income of U.S. $6.4 billion was 1 percent light on consensus and 6 percent below our estimate. Upstream earnings of U.S. $5.4 billion were essentially in-line with our forecast (and 2 percent ahead of consensus). While 2Q11 production of 3,046 kboepd (kilo barrel of oil equivalent per day) was down 2 percent year-over-year, realizations (both liquids and gas) were better than expected and clean net income of U.S. $1.6bn in the Integrated Gas division was up 111 percent year-over-year. Upstream net income per barrel of U.S. $19.6/boe (barrel of oil equivalent) in 2Q11 was marginally ahead of our estimates, an increase of circa 33 percent on 1Q11.
While this strong upstream result was aided by higher trading contributions, we take encouragement from signs that the major projects in Shell's upstream portfolio are progressing to plan. In particular we note LNG (liquified natural gas) sales volumes of 4.81mt (metric tons) reflecting the successful ramp-up of Qatargas 4 during the quarter.
Given our underlying macro assumptions and expectations for a tightening LNG market in Asia-Pacific, we believe similar margins are sustainable over the remainder of 2011 (and beyond). This strong upstream result is especially stark in contrast to BP's near-term operational issues in the Gulf of Mexico.
We are encouraged by Shell's upstream results, and we anticipate similar margin capture over the rest of 2011 (and beyond) as the new mega-projects ramp-up. We think free cash flow generation should reach about U.S. $15 billion in 2012, about 11 percent of current market capitalization.
Trading on 6.3x 2012E earnings compared to a peer group average of 7.0x, Shell's remains one of our most preferred names through 2H11. As the company further demonstrates growth, we believe it will move to a premium valuation.
Christopher P. Sighinolfi, CFA
(212) 713-2239
Southwest Gas Corp. (SWX) realized adjusted 2Q EPS of $0.03, excluding a $2.6 million increase in COLI (corporate owned life insurance) value, in-line with our $0.03 estimate and above the Street's $0.02 loss-per-share mean estimate. Better than expected NPL (Construction Co., SWX's construction services segment) results offset modestly lower than anticipated utility gross profit to produce the in-line EPS.
On the (recent earnings) call, management noted its favorable dividend outlook given the progress of Arizona (AZ) rate case proceedings, recent credit rating upgrades, declining debt costs, and a low payout ratio.
Settlement hearings began this week on the two settlement proposals before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC). Alternative "A" proposes $54.9 million in rate relief, a 9.75 percent ROE and a partially decoupled rate structure (with weather normalization and lost revenues provisions), while option "B" supports $52.6 million in relief, a 9.5 percent ROE, a fully decoupled rate design and a 5.5-year stay out provision. On the [recent earnings] call, management stated a preference for option "B" given its fully decoupled rate design and expects rates effective January 1, 2012.
On the call, management noted its favorable dividend outlook given the progress of Arizona rate-case proceedings, recent credit rating upgrades, declining debt costs and a low payout ratio. n


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Beginning Saturday, February 16, the hunt stretches across portions of southern and eastern Idaho. The season on Ross's and snow geese runs through March 10 in Areas 2 and 3. The bag limit is 10 per day and 20 in possession.
Area 2 includes Bingham County west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff; Power County north of Interstate 86 and west of the west bank of the Snake River and the American Falls Reservoir bluff. (See map on Page 11 of the Waterfowl Seasons and Rules brochure).
Area 3 includes Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties.
Hunters are reminded that Fort Boise, including Gold Island, and Payette River wildlife management areas and the part of Roswell Marsh Wildlife Habitat Area south of State Highway 18, and the Snake River Islands Unit of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge are closed during the spring light goose season from February 16 through March 10.
In addition, the restrictions on hunting waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, and on the use of electronic calls do not apply during the light goose seasons in Idaho that occur in Areas 2 and 3 from February 16 through March 10.
Only nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be used while hunting waterfowl. For a list of approved shot go to:http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/nontoxic.htm.
For additional information please see the 2012 Waterfowl Seasons and Rules brochure available at all license vendors, Fish and Game offices and online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/rules/?getPage=66.
Hunters need a 2013 hunting license and a state migratory bird permit. Last year's federal duck stamp is still valid for spring 2013 hunting.


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It's December which means it's time to dust off your Christmas CDs to get in the festive spirit – just make sure Cliff Richard is on your playlist.
A recent study by www.vouchercloud.com revealed that the most popular seasonal song in Scotland is the singer's 'Mistletoe and Wine'.
The research also showed that almost half of Britons feel that retailers begin playing Christmas music too early, with two fifths of respondents feeling that they should be put on hold until December.
Chris Johnson, head of operations at vouchercloud.com, said: "There's always going to be a debate in terms of how early is too early; it rolls around each year come November when the music starts being introduced in shops and offices and the decorations start to go up. It's lovely to celebrate, but also to appreciate that not everyone is in the same jolly, festive mood. Try to be sensitive to the Scrooges out there, but don't let their complaints take the shine off your celebrations!"
"We definitely expected one or two songs to be preferred across more than one region, but the list actually varied so much that none doubled up. As a result, it gave us chance to remember some songs that we'd forgotten and get into a debate amongst ourselves over which we felt was the best.
"It's really interesting to see that the songs which made it into the most popular list are the timeless classics. Whilst bands and solo artists try to remake some of our favourites, we always find ourselves sticking with the originals – whether that's because we feel they're better versions, or simply because they remind us of Christmas' gone by.
The most popular Christmas song for the rest of the UK was revealed as:
· East of England – Chris Rea, Driving Home For Christmas 23%
· North West – Mel and Kim, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 22%
· Scotland – Cliff Richard, Mistletoe And Wine 21%
· London – Band Aid, Do They Know It's Christmas 20%
· South East – Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas 20%
· Northern Ireland – Slade, Merry Xmas Everybody 19%
· North East – Boney M, Mary's Boy Child 17%
· Yorkshire and the Humberside – John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 16%
· South West – David Bowie & Bing Crosby, Little Drummer Boy 11%
· Wales – Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews, Baby It's Cold Outside 10%
· East Midlands – Jackson 5, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town 8%
· West Midlands – Wham, Last Christmas 6%


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The Image Markup Tool is an open source software, allowing to annotate images, create TEI files and generate ready-to-publish XHTML files.
The software is fully TEI (Text Encoding Initiative) compliant – File format based on TEI P5 schema. – RelaxNG schema. – Basic export/re-import in DocBook format. – Loading and display of a wide variety of image formats. – Insertion of resizable, movable annotation areas on the image. – Association of a title and text (TEI XML code) with each annotation area. – Configurable categories for sorting annotations into groups. – Configurable colour for each category and configurable display shape for each category. – Display of a list of annotation areas by title, for ease of navigation. – Re-ordering of annotations and categories. – Display/editing of the teiHeader element. – Syntax highlighting for XML editing (in the Annotation Text and teiHeader editing boxes), using the UniSysEdit open-source control. – Switch from @facs to a combination of @facs (for transcriptional annotations) and @corresp (for non-transcriptional annotations) as the attribute used to link annotation divs to their corresponding zones on the image, in line with 2008 changes to TEI P5. etc.
Development and versions
The software is being developped by Martin Holmes and a team at the University of Victoria,
Version 18.104.22.168. released in June 2012.
Marjorie Burghart (EHESS, France) has created some online self-correcting exercises designed to teach students how to read medieval scripts. In the process, she has also created a package of materials and instructions to help others to create similar materials.
- Comptes des chatellenies savoyardes : Exercices de paléographie
- Interactive Album of Mediaeval Palaeography: Collection of Transcription Exercises on Mediaeval Documents


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We're now into our sixth series of the Ubuntu Podcast (@uupc) and we've been asked many (well, some) times why we don't stream video of our recording sessions, especially as we live-stream the audio during the recording sessions. The sad truth is that our (Tony and my) broadband connection just hasn't been able to hack it. We were pleased the audio stream worked; video was but a dream. Then BT ran 'fibre to the cabinet'; specifically, and importantly, fibre to our cabinet (the one that serves our house, anyway). So now we have BT Infinity and 18 times the broadband speed that we had before.
So, this week, we decided to try video, using Google Hangouts On Air.
And here's how it went for episode S06E25 – Night of the Living Ubuntu (I think it went pretty well, as you asked):
(If you wondered why I disappeared at about 13:55, it was because I was quite ill. I started the evening feeling a little queasy but figured it might pass. As the opening music started, I realised it wasn't going to pass. By about 10:00, I'd pretty much stopped listening to the others and just wished they'd shut up so I could read my news item and get it over with. I think I actually managed to hang on for a bit after that but lots of lip-biting and a gulp of water didn't help and I eventually gave up. Ah well, maybe next time.)
We also videoed episode S06E26 (we record two episodes in a single evening). Subscribe to our Ubuntu Podcast YouTube channel to get it when it appears and, of course, find the podcast in its usual place at: podcast.ubuntu-uk.org.


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Okay .. this should be do-able .. but somehow I am struggling to set this up.
Here is my situation. I have a T61 (7661-KD7) to which I have connected an external monitor and a Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse.
All I want to be able to do is this. Open the lid of my T61, power it on .. and then close the lid. So that I can continue to use my laptop .. but use ONLY the external monitor, the wireless keyboard and the wireless mouse. (I do NOT need the lid to be open after I power up the laptop)
Anyone using a similar setup ?
This is rather easy (Windows XP, Vista should be similar if not same procedure)
Click on the Start Menu, then click on RUN.
Type in powercfg.cpl and press OK
After this click on the Advanced TAB.
You should see an option that lists
When I close the lid of my portable computer
Shutdown (Initial setting...)
Set it to "Do Nothing"
You can then power on your notebook with it being completely closed provided you don't need fingerprint authentication.
Hope it helps.
At work I use a slightly different setup, where the notebook is instead placed inside a dock to which an external monitor and a Logitech bluetooth keyboard/mouse set are connected. I use this combination in a double screen mode, using both screens (the notebook screen and the external one).
However, it should be possible to setup the configuration you are looking for, with the help of the advanced power management settings. There (under the advanced power settings) you can create your own schema how the notebook should react when the lid is closed (go to standby or do nothing etc.). Further you have to setup for the screen settings that only the external monitor should be used.
ThinkPad T60/X32/600/770 · IBM IntelliStation · 3x IBM SpaceSaver II
This should have been something so simple ... but am struggling with it. Not sure why this doesn't work for me.
1. Under Advanced Power Options .. i do have "Do Nothing" for the "When I close the lid of my portable computer:
2. And under my Presentation Director .. i do have a Display scheme called 'Monitor Only' with the following settings:
Display Config: External Monitor
Notebook LCD options: all Disabled
External Monitor
Disable Standby and LCD Shutoff Times: Yes
Disable Screen Save: No
All I have is an external Display. But, when I close the lid .. all i see is a 'blank blue screen'
What gives > I am running XP. And my display adapter is the Intel 965 Express Chipset Family.
I would go to the Presentation Directors settings and choose the bottom most option which is to cycle between modes.
Leave the Display Config on the notebook screen, and then FN+F7 your way to the External Display followed by closing your notebook screen once that works.
Are you using DVI? As I know with DVI the notebook's seem to not like it for some reason.
I have a similar but not identical thing I'd like to do. I'd also like to be able to dock the thinkpad and close the lid without it going into standby and use only the external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
However, when it is undocked, I want it to go into standby when I close the lid. I don't see any way to have different "close lid" settings for different profiles. Any ideas? I guess I can try to put it into standby manually when it isn't docked, but I know it is a matter of time before I close the lid and walk away thinking it goes into standby and drain my battery since I've been doing it this way for 10 years.
Were you ever able to figure out. I have the same issue. I want to use my laptop to play movies on my HD tv. I ONLY want it to go into "do nothing" mode when I close the lid when it is connected to the TV or an outside monitor. Any other time I want it to go to sleep. Doesn't seem to be any kind of an option in Windows 7 for now...
my new problem is ,when lid is down the monitor screen freezes but sound continues , so i need to keep lid up to have picture funtion


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Conserving corals by understanding their genes
In reef-building corals variations within genes involved in immunity and response to stress correlate to water temperature and clarity, finds a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Genetics. This information could be used to conserve or rebuild reefs in areas affected by climate change, by changes in extreme weather patterns, increasing sedimentation or altered land use.
A research team led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and in collaboration with Penn State University and the Aix-Marseille University, studied DNA variations (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs) across populations of reef corals found at a range of temperatures and water clarity along the Great Barrier Reef.
SNPs which correlated to water clarity and water temperature preferred by cauliflower coral were found in genes involved in providing immune response, and regulating stress-induced cell-death. This means that coral with a specific version of these genes tended to grow at higher temperatures (or water clarity) and another variant at lower. A similar story was found for staghorn coral - SNP in genes involved in detoxification, immune response, and defense against reactive oxygen damage, were found to be associated with temperature or to water clarity.
Dr Petra Lundgren, from The Australian Institute of Marine Science, explained, "Corals are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Not only is the temperature of the water they live in affected but extreme weather and higher rainfall leads to increased levels of sediment, agricultural runoff, and fresh water on the reef. This work opens up possibilities for us to enhance reef resilience and recovery from impacts of climate change and pollution. For example, if in the future we need to restore coral populations, we can make sure that we use the most robust strains of corals to do so."
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Address behavior, not gun legislation
In the wake of the tragic Newtown, Conn., school shooting, we have heard renewed calls from gun control advocates for more restrictions on Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms. These pleas, some coming from the president of the United States, are filled with the emotion and passion that can only come following a senseless tragedy of the magnitude of Newtown. But we must ensure that any actions we take will actually reduce violence against our children in a meaningful way.
As a former public school teacher and a mother, my heart goes out to the families of those innocent young lives taken much too soon. I can hardly imagine the grief and sorrow they are experiencing, and I pray no parents, brothers or sisters will have to bear this burden in the future. We must take on the reckless excess of violence with actions that will truly help protect our children and grandchildren.
Story Continued Below
Banning guns isn't the answer to preventing violence any more than banning cars would be the answer to preventing people from being killed in car accidents. The cause, not the tool, should be the focus. Gun ownership is a right explicitly protected by the U.S. Constitution, which has been affirmed in the recent Supreme Court ruling, District of Columbia v. Heller. Millions of Americans use guns for sports, recreation, subsistence and defense.
In the hands of law-abiding citizens, guns can save lives. In 2008, a woman in Cape Girardeau, Mo., was almost forced to relive her own nightmare as the man who raped her only days before broke into her home again. After that first terrible night, she fixed her basement window through which the man had entered her home and borrowed a friend's 12-gauge shotgun. After she returned home days later, the man broke in again and she defended her life with the gun. In 2005, a man with a knife entered a Kansas City residence and threatened the homeowner's life. The homeowner had previously filed a restraining order against the knife-wielding man. The homeowner defended his life with a gun.


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November 9, 2012
Sadly, I only got a half dozen or so videos for the Shit Librarians Say contest. We had a *ton* of comments left on the post with suggestions for content for video clips, but not enough people have sent stuff in yet to make it substantial enough. So keep the submissions coming – and if you're not sure what to say, hey–a bunch of your colleagues have some really cute ideas. The videos should be short – 5-15 seconds on average. Doesn't take long, just make sure the audio quality is good please 🙂 We'll see if we can get enough people to spout of ridiculousness to make this video happen!


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Aquatic macroinvertebrates as indicators of flow duration in Pacific Northwest streams
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District have published the final version of
This method assesses a suite of indicators to determine whether a stream is ephemeral, intermittent or perennial. Ephemeral streams are fed primarily by stormwater runoff and flow only for a short time in direct response to precipitation. Intermittent streams flow for a more sustained period of time than ephemeral streams, usually in winter and spring when the stream bed is below the water table, and may also be fed by snowmelt from surrounding uplands. Perennial streams contain water continuously during a year of normal rainfall, and are fed by groundwater supplemented by snowmelt and stormwater runoff.
Xerces reviewed the current literature on using macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream duration in Oregon (read the full report), and provided a recommended aquatic invertebrate taxa list, field methodology, scoring protocol, and field guide to inform the macroinvertebrate scoring portion of the interim version released in 2009. Following extensive field testing, the initial 21 field indicators used in the interim version, which included a suite of macroinvertebrate indicators, were reduced to seven reliable indicators in the final version—three of which relate to aquatic macroinvertebrates.
In 2011 and 2012, Xerces partnered again with the EPA Region 10 Office to develop similar aquatic macroinvertebrate indicators of streamflow duration (read the full report), supporting scientific documentation, and an updated field guide for the Pacific Northwest to support streamflow duration assessment methodologies for Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. It is important to implement a standardized method to accurately determine the duration of streamflow at potential project sites, and Xerces is pleased to have the opportunity to continue to contribute to this important work.
The Xerces Society would like to thank the following individuals who contributed their expertise, including:
• Daren Carlisle, Ecological Synthesis Chief, USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program, Reston, VA
• Larry Eaton, North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC
• Ken Fritz, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH
• Bill Gerth, Faculty Research Assistant, Oregon State University
• Shannon Hubler, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Hillsboro, OR
• Jim Johnson, Odonatist, Vancouver, WA
• Jonathan Kennen, Aquatic Biologist, USGS New Jersey Water Science Center, Trenton, NJ
• Christopher Konrad, Research Hydrologist, USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA
• Judith Li, Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
• Steve Lysne, Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, College of Western Idaho, Nampa, ID
• Dorene MacCoy, Biologist, USGS Water Resources Division, Boise, ID
• Jason Pappani, Water Quality Assessment Coordinator, Idaho DEQ, Boise, ID
• Dennis Paulson, Director Emeritus, Slater Museum of Natural History, Seattle, WA
• Robert Plotnikoff, Senior Aquatic Ecologist, Surface Water Group, Tetra Tech, Inc., Seattle, WA
• Perianne Russell, North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC
• Sean Sullivan, Aquatic Ecologist, Rhithron Associates, Inc., Missoula, MT
• Ian Waite, Aquatic Ecologist/Entomologist, USGS Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR
• Robert Wisseman, Aquatic Biology Associates Inc., Corvallis, OR
Additional information
Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for Oregon
Interim Oregon Streamflow Duration Assessment Method
Clean Water Act Jurisdiction: Waters of the United States , U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Clean Water Act, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Clean Water Act: An Owner's Manual, 2nd edition, River Network
Field Operations Manual for Assessing the Hydrologic Permanence and Ecological Condition of Headwater Streams, Fritz, K.M., Johnson, B.R., and Walters, D.M., 2006. EPA/600/ R-06/126. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Washington DC
Methodology for identification of intermittent and perennial streams and their origins, Version 4.11. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, Raleigh, NC, 2010


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Shopify Plus merchant success
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When you join the Shopify Plus community, you get access to the world's largest group of Launch Engineers, Solutions Engineers, award-winning Partners, and a world class Merchant Success program.
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That's our mandate when you connect with a Shopify Plus Consultant
We'll map out your existing requirements, walk you through the platform's capabilities, and identify new opportunities for growth, expansion, and efficiency. After we've worked through the exploration stage, you can decide if we're the right fit.
Our mandate is simple…
To find out if Shopify Plus is the right fit for your business.
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Our platform is tailored to work the way you need it to
Your team or agency works with a dedicated Shopify Plus Solutions Engineer. Our engineers act as your development concierge - making sure all technical components are in place before moving forward.
Solutions Engineers' main focus is ensuring your customer-facing, internal, and third-party systems work seamlessly.
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Your Launch Engineer oversees the entire setup process
Whether you need help with customer use cases, international storefronts, payment gateways, opening new sales channels, SSL certificates, or customizing your checkout… we're there.
The outcome? Momentum, fresh strategies for growth, and confidence well before the big day arrives.
Working hand-in-hand with your team or third-party agency, we guide…
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Whether your next initiative calls for a comprehensive suite of creative, marketing, and development services or simply adding the right tool to your tech-stack, our Partners bring ideas into reality.View partner directory
Building relationships and learning from other merchants is priceless. That's why Shopify Plus also offers exclusive access to our:
- Shopify Plus Academy
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Jordan EdwardsCEO, Mixology
"Shopify Plus has become so much more than a simple tool to sell online. Their fantastic support—and vast collection of webinars, training videos, and checklists in Shopify Plus Academy—have been incredibly helpful in growing our business."


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Home > News & Events > Wayland Press Release Archives > 2013 News Releases > April 2013 > Wayland honors students during annual luncheon
Wayland honors students during annual luncheon
April 17, 2013
Faculty and staff at Wayland Baptist University recognized the university's honors students at the annual Honors Luncheon. The event included presentations by two members of the Honors Program, Taylor Eaves and Hannah Wells, and keynote speaker Professor Emeritus Christa Smith.
Eaves, a senior chemistry major from Buckeye, Ariz., gave a brief synopsis of his honors project, "Purification and Characterization of 4T1 Breast Cancer Cell Cytotoxins from Rosmarinus officianlis." In his project, which is under the direction of Wayland chemistry professor Dr. Gary Gray and is part of a larger one being undertaken by the School of Math and Science, Eaves was attempting to determine if compounds taken from rosemary could be used in fighting breast cancer. Through the use of thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, he was able to evaluate compounds extracted from powdered rosemary root against standards (carnosic acid and ursolic acid). One compound (Band 8) was found to be effective in killing 4T1 breast cancer cells and based upon its chromographic behavior, Eaves was able to determine that Band 8 likely is carnosic acid. That would suggest that carnosic acid could be used as a cancer treatment.
In a presentation during Spring Research Day later in the afternoon, Eaves explained that the next step will be to determine how the compound is killing the cancer cells.
Hannah Wells, a senior English major from Plainview, gave a brief presentation of her honors project, "In the Midst of Years." The project, which was begun under the direction of Dr. Ashley Faulkner and completed under the direction of School of Language and Literature's dean, Dr. Cindy McClenagan, is a creative writing project made up primarily of her poetry.
Smith, who spent four decades teaching English and foreign languages at Wayland, came to Texas from Germany as an Army bride. After relating the impact of German immigrants on culture and society in the United States, Smith pointed out that every person and every institution has a story to tell. Among others, Smith said, Wayland's stories include past professors such as Dr. Sherman B. Neff, one of her favorite English professors when she was a student at Wayland. She explained that in addition to his expertise in the classroom, he took a great interest in his students' continued success beyond his courses. She also spoke of Dr. Dorothy McCoy, a former mathematics professor who also was passionate about missions and left her estate to the university and her local church as a legacy.
Smith told the students to enjoy their time at Wayland and to understand the legacy they have and the wonderful environment that Wayland represents. She illustrated her point with a final story.
She told of a student of hers from several years back who had been thrilled about completing his time at Wayland and moving on to a larger university.
"A year later," she said, "I bumped into him on the first floor of Gates Hall. I said, 'Xavier, hi, how are you? How's it going?' and he said, 'I am coming back to Wayland.'
" 'That's great. Why?' I asked.
" 'Well, you just called me by my name. I was in what I thought was my dream school for a whole year, and not one person ever called me by my name.'
"Wayland has many great stories to tell, about faculty, administrators, but especially its students. So how about adding your name, your stories, your pride to the list," she concluded.
The luncheon also included recognition of Kathlyn Magallan, who presented the winning design for the honors medallions.
Members of Wayland's honor societies are:
Honors program participants (under the direction of history professor Dr. Niler Pyeatt): David Brosseau, Hannah Wells, Madison Abbott, Lauryn Bruggink, Joshua Tavares, Christopher Woodcook, Taylor Eaves, Brian Adamson, Jessica Kenneson, Carlos Camarena, Sarah Van der Linden, Michael Holubik, Trevor Burrow, Haley Bonner, Laura Garrison, Emileigh Willems, Rachel Laue, Erin Miller, Sara Flinn, Ashley Price and Rachel Peters.
Alpha Chi (a national honor society sponsored by professor of counseling and psychology Dr. Perry Collins): Rebekah Brown, Charles Carr, Lauren Huckabee, Hailey Budnick, Jancee Cotton, Amber Riley, Rachel Laue, Meagan Dixon, Caitlin Walker, Jennifer Coble and Ian Mather.
Alpha Mu Gamma (foreign languages, sponsored by Spanish professor Dr. Joshua Mora): Yanna Elliot, Garrett Phillips, Sarah Johnson, Justin Sproles, Angel Hernandez, Lindsay Inscore, David Brosseau, Christopher Woodcook, Caitlin McCulloch, Maria Carillo, RaeLeigh Hurst, Ginny Staton, Meagan Dixon and Jessica Martinez.
Alpha Psi Omega (theater, sponsored by the dean of the School of Fine Arts, Dr. Marti Runnels): Elizabeth Miller, Kristofer Bransom, Coleman Scroggins and David Brosseau.
Kappa Delta Pi (teacher education, sponsored by education professor Dr. Jo Beth DeSoto): Lauren Huckabee, Katelyn Johnson, Haley Lunsford and Aubrey Pedigo.
Phi Alpha Theta (history, sponsored by associate professor of history Tom Ray): Heather Gerszewski, Lindsay Inscore, Rachel Laue, Claire Jacobsma, Rebekah Brown, Doris Terrell and Michael Holubik.
Psi Chi (psychology, sponsored by Dr. Perry Collins): Emma Taylor, MacKenzie Rice, Meghan Swanson, Ginny Staton, Brenda McCartie and Krista Campbell.
Sigma Beta Delta (business, sponsored by associate professor of business Dr. George Valentine): Ashley Rima, Jessica Salazar, Samantha Garcia, Caitlin Walker, Matthew Molina and Maria Carrillo.
Sigma Tau Delta (English, co-sponsored by Dr. Cindy McClenagan and assistant professor of English Dr. Laura Brandenburg): Brian Spruill, Amanda Page, Victoria Herbert, Jenny Aldred, Rachel Laue, Kelsey Wright, Lindsay Inscore, Leigh Moreno, Becca Davis, Haley Bonner, Elizabeth Miller, Kaylie Young, Hannah Wells, David Brosseau, Heather Gerszewski, Jaclyn Alford, Alexa Taulbee, Rebekah Brown, Caitlin McCullock, Levonne Castillo, Hannah Goble and Lance Williams.


text: Since before I can remember, I've had an affinity for glasses. I mean all shapes and sizes: cat-eyes, aviators, square frames—the list could go on forever. I have always been drawn to circular frames, but as soon as I try them on I'm overcome with disappointment—there's never been a pair that fits my face quite right. But that all changed on a recent trip home to Laguna Beach, California, where I discovered Barton Perreira sunglasses at my favorite local boutique, Aris. These shades were meant to be! Every time I wear them, I'm showered with compliments—so much so that my mom and sister went out and bought the same pair for themselves! The best part? I love how effortlessly chic they look paired with a t-shirt and jeans.


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San Jose Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow visited Mathson Middle School on Wednesday afternoon in San Jose as a part of the Amway Kicks for Kids program. The Amway Kicks for Kids program, in its second year, helps teach local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
The students greeted the Quakes defender with cheers and applause as he took his place in front of the crowd of 150 students who attended the assembly. The students were selected by the teachers based on merit and behavior.
WATCH: Highlights
Morrow stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle has had on his life. The Ohio native told the students how a healthy diet helped him to have the energy to play soccer at a competitive level. He also explained the importance of being active and getting enough rest to perform at your best. Morrow spoke about how he got started in his career and emphasized the importance of education.
After he finished speaking, he participated in a question and answer session where the topics ranged from the importance of keeping good grades, what his favorite school subject was and about the team. Morrow selected three students to join him in front of the other students for a juggling contest.
To conclude the afternoon, Morrow signed autographs and posed for photographs with the students. Earthquakes staff passed out t-shirts and two tickets to the Quakes match against Chivas USA on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7 p.m. to all the children.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create the Amway Kicks for Kids program in 2009. Throughout the 2010 season Earthquakes players will visit 15 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle.