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Those lazy days of summer seem far way. However, if you're a parent, now is the time when you may begin to ask yourself, "What will the kids do when school is out?"
So how did 2011's weather shake out in the grand scheme of things? First off, let's make sure we are all on the same page regarding the difference between weather and climate.
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Doc Neeson, the charismatic frontman for the seminal Australian rock band the Angels, died from brain cancer on Wednesday. He was 67.
Bernard "Doc" Neeson died in his sleep at his family's Sydney home, friend and publicist Catherine Swinton said.
"He has battled with a brain tumor for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning," Neeson's family said in a statement released by Swinton.
Neeson was born into a Roman Catholic family in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Jan. 4, 1947. He migrated with his family to Adelaide, South Australia, at the age of 13.
He was studying to become a teacher when he was drafted into the Australian army in the late 1960s. But he avoided the Vietnam War when the army became aware of his education training. He was sent to Papua New Guinea to teach the Pacific Island Regiment.
Neeson later took advantage of a returned soldiers' scheme to study filmmaking in Adelaide. He met musicians in Adelaide and formed the Moonshine Jug and String Band, which morphed into the Keystone Angels and then the Angels.
The Angels became Australia's highest-paid band by the late 1970s and continued with a string of hits into the 1990s, with Neeson as singer/songwriter.
The Angels' first single, "Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again," released in 1976, became a youth anthem. Audiences around Australia reply with same expletive-laden response to the song's chorus decades later.
Neeson said he heard what he described as "the response" or "the chant" from audiences in London and the Middle East, as well as around Australia.
"In a way, I'm really delighted to hear that because it's Australian audiences making the song their own," Neeson said in an Australian Broadcasting Corp. interview aired last month.
"When the band had first started, we were trying to write songs for Australian audiences and they've made it their own in a way I never would have thought possible," he said.
Neeson is survived by his partner Annie Souter and four children.

subset: commoncrawl


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Review: Pyrat Rum Cask 1623
Posted by Arctic Wolf on October 20, 2012
Pyrat Rum Cask 1623 is, according to the Pyrat Website, the flagship brand for Pyrat Rum. It is constructed from aged Caribbean stocks, some of which are reported to be up to 40 years old. The brand is owned by Patrón Spirits a company created in 1989 by John Paul DeJoria, and Martin Crowley. The company does not own a distillery, rather they act as a third-party company sourcing what they believe to be the best stocks for their products and blending them according to their own formulas. There is always a bit of secrecy surrounding these private blends, but perhaps I can shed a little light on the production of Pyrat Rum.
Pyrat Rum was previously bottled by the Anguilla Rums Company. However there has been a recent change. When I was in Guyana earlier this year, I was given a tour of the Diamond Bottling Plant owned by Demerara Distillers Ltd. (DDL). During this tour, I was told that Pyrat Rum had just installed their own private bottling line within the Diamond plant. Pyrat Rum, I was told, is primarily a Demerara rum blended and bottled in Guyana. (A small portion of this blend is from rum sourced outside of Guyana). I was able to witness the Pyrat Rum bottling line in operation during my tour of the Diamond plant. I was also told that a portion of the Pyrat blend is produced on Demerara Distillers' High Ester Still. This is a functioning John Dore Still which is capable of producing intense flavours within the distillate. If you have sampled any Pyrat Rum you have probably noticed a very different flavour profile.
I was able to acquire a 3/4 full bottle of the Pyrat Rum Cask 1623 from my good friend Lance Surujbally (of Liquorature). I put the rum though the paces of my Review Methodology and here is an excerpt from the resulting review.
"… The flavour of the rum is just as intense as the nose. It is that candied sweet aroma of orange and apricot brandy which dominates the rum. I also taste some nice vanilla accents, some spicy tobacco underneath, and just a little butterscotch. You either like this, or you do not. I have to admit that I am torn …"
You may read the full review here:
Review: Pyrat Rum Cask 1623
Please enjoy the review of this most unusual rum!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


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April 08. 2013 10:54PM
Dubisz quits Hooksett School Board for 'personal reasons'
By BRENDAN CLOGSTON
Union Leader Correspondent
HOOKSETT - Hooksett School Board member Michael Dubisz resigned Monday.
In a letter to addressed the board's chair, Trisha Korkosz, Dubisz indicated that his decision was "final" and related to "personal reasons."
"I do not make this decision lightly," he wrote in the letter to Korkosz. "It pains me to realize that I will not be fulfilling the commitments that I made to the citizens of Hooksett. I apologize to the students, citizens, board members and the Hooksett School District staff. I wish the best for all Hooksett students and citizens."
Dubisz could not be reached for comment.
"I'm very saddened to see him go," said Korkosz. "I learned a great deal from him about education during our tenure together on the Hooksett School Board. I wish him all the best of luck."
Vice Chair David Pearl thanked Dubisz for his service and wished him well.
Dubisz's letter stated that he wished for his resignation to take effect by midnight, April 8.
Dubisz's term was due to expire in 2015.
The board will appoint a replacement.
The issue will be on the agenda for the board's April 16 meeting.
In the meantime, letters of interest for the seat will be solicited.
Jen Leger, who was a candidate for the board seat won by John Lyscars, has notified the board of her interest.
Town Council Chair Jim Sullivan has also expressed interest in the seat.
The Hooksett School Board has become a notably high-profile body in town due to the continuing controversy over overcrowding in Manchester, where most Hooksett students attend high school.
The board has voted to declare the city district to be in be in breach of its contract with the town, mainly due to chronic classroom overcrowding issues.


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Best Boston Globe photos of the year, 2012
Best Boston Globe photos of the year, 2012
WELLESLEY COLLEGE'S DAVIS MUSEUM, WELLESLEY, FEBRUARY 14: I was asked to photograph an installation by artist Radcliffe Bailey. This piece of artwork is a pile of piano keys, called "Windward Coast," with something like 35,000 wooden piano keys. He just throws them on the floor. And there's a mannequin head he sprayed black. I had to go up on a higher ladder in order to get the head. They did a final sweep, and someone walking by with a broom makes it different.
BRAINTREE ARMORY, BRAINTREE, MARCH 26: These Massachusetts National Guard soldiers were returning from Afghanistan. We cover these events routinely, and they still really get to me. What blows me away is the sacrifice, obviously by the soldiers returning, but also by the family members. The emotions are overwhelming. You're trying as a photographer to capture that. As the guys got off the bus, I'm looking the other way. I spotted this family; they were so excited. This little boy, Liam McCarthy, hadn't seen his father in a year. He swung the kid around, hugged him. It was powerful stuff.
BRIMFIELD, MARCH 21: The tornado that happened in June 2011 devastated areas of Central and Western Massachusetts. Brimfield was especially hard hit; there was a swath of destruction remarkable to see. I've been to disasters around the world, but I've never seen anything so extensive in our state. Ten months later, trees were still down like sticks. The concern among firefighting officials was, if a fire started, how would you put it out? You couldn't even get firetrucks through. I saw this one lonely house surrounded by debris. I thought this was a compelling image that gave you an idea of the risk.
TEMPLE EMANUEL, ANDOVER, MARCH 3: From the moment I got the assignment I knew it would be special. I had never heard of a severely autistic child doing a bar mitzvah. It was amazing: On an iPad, 12-year-old Matthew Emmi, who cannot read, write, or speak sentences, recorded names of those who would be called to participate in the service; other people recorded blessings and Torah readings. The kid was restless, but every time he'd press the icons, he'd hear the voices and quiet down. After they let him go, he started rushing around the place. I saw him making a beeline for his dad, and I got ready. That's when I saw him jumping in his dad's arms. It was a sweet moment.
FENWAY PARK, BOSTON, AUGUST 14: This was the first of two nights Bruce Springsteen was playing Fenway. People had set up chairs outside on the street, listening to the concert for free. They had set the stage up in center field; the audience was on the field. I was worried — shooting Springsteen at Fenway, I didn't want the photograph to look like it could have been taken anywhere. You want some of the park in your photograph. All of a sudden, he walks toward the Green Monster with his guitar on his back. The manual scoreboard is obviously the perfect place for him to be. The moment you see that, you know where he was.
ELLIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ROXBURY, SEPTEMBER 6: This is your usual first-day-back-to-school picture. Every year, you're always trying to cover the beginning of school and the end, and you don't know what you're going to get. This time, the mayor was there giving out free backpacks for the kids arriving at school. I usually watch the kids to get their reaction. They were very happy. I was standing right in front of school as the buses were coming. Third-grader Niaysa Hill was just exuberant. She was like "yahoo!" It was cute. I was never that happy going back to school.
Dorchester Bay, Boston, July 24: I had some time between assignments on a hot summer night, and a pretty intense electrical storm was going on. I drove to the boat launching area off Morrissey Boulevard and parked. Using a medium-length telephoto lens, I sat in my car and just kept shooting, hoping to capture a bolt. Shooting lightning without a tripod is a pretty hit-or-miss situation. You keep your finger on the camera's shutter, and as soon as you see any light, hit it, hold it, and hope. One frame, out of probably 800, worked.
HOG COLISEUM, NORTH CONWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, SEPTEMBER 7: The Mud Bowl has been going on for maybe 30 years. It's a beloved upcountry annual sporting tradition. You've got guys jumping in the mud, catching footballs; it's like sports on steroids. The hardest part is keeping mud off your lens. At one point, I had to wipe it off with my shirt. Afterward, the editor called and said they're thinking of running it tomorrow, so I ran into a Dunkin' Donuts covered in mud, ordered coffee, and sent them images. I felt like Pig-Pen — when I left, there was a pile of dirt in the corner.
PASTORAL CENTER, BRAINTREE, OCTOBER 11: After Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley said noon Mass, there was a media availability; it was billed as "the cardinal is tweeting for the first time." My delusion was, this will be a wonderful moment, he'll whip an iPhone out of his robe and start tweeting. Instead it's a guy sitting behind a desk with blank walls and PR people surrounding him. I'm thinking, "How can I save this?" So I stood behind him, extended my arms, and held my camera directly over my head. There is a leap of faith in those photos; they very rarely work out. In photojournalism circles, there is a term: We call those photos "Hail Marys."
HOME SUITES INN, WALTHAM, FEBRUARY 16: The story was about homeless families on vouchers who live in motels. It was a sad situation. All their belongings, boxes of clothing, were piled up. The kids were running around like headless chickens, cooped up in a tiny space. The dad, Peter Braun, had just got a call from a social worker about an apartment. I sat in the corner — that's one technique photographers use when you have to be present while life is evolving. Psychologically, you're not a threat. You hope for tiny slivers of time they forget about you, and I think they did.
SOUTH BOSTON, OCTOBER 2: I was on the way to another assignment at the convention center; this company invented a new device to help paralyzed people walk. I parked on D Street and saw the window washers. He was leaning far over. Seeing that guy up there gives me the creeps; that has to be one of the most dangerous jobs. I walked by and saw how it looked through the old-style street lights. I said "Huh." It's not anything anybody else couldn't have done. The lights added that accent to the picture. You try to make something interesting out of something normal.
EVANS WAY PARK, BOSTON, OCTOBER 3: It was a gray day. I saw them placing these cheesecloths all over the park in the Emerald Necklace. I knew I was going to get a picture. I was directly underneath them; they were up on a short little staging area on wheels, moving around. There were three or four people installing the artwork. It was very quick. They put their hands against that cloth, but I couldn't see their faces — that's what made the picture for me. It's very ghostly. It appears to be black-and-white, but it was shot in color. It was a color photograph that actually showed no color.
TD GARDEN, BOSTON, MARCH 13: I was covering the state girl's high school basketball semifinals. Braintree was playing Andover in the Division 1 game. I was sitting on the floor, on the base line, following the ball. While I was shooting a rebound play, Braintree's Rachel Norton fell hard to the floor and was in obvious pain. There were three or four frames to choose from; this was the most descriptive in depicting the moment. She was ultimately OK and returned to action. Her painful night continued in another way — her team lost to Andover, ending their season.
THE CAPITAL GRILLE, BACK BAY, MARCH 14: A transformer caught fire in the Back Bay and power still was not restored the next morning. I was asked to go see how businesses were faring. As soon as I parked, I saw workers loading racks of meat into a refrigerated truck. They had a huge assembly line. This picture was taken on my iPhone. Later, The Capital Grille donated the meat — 2,500 pounds — to Southwick's Zoo. We shot a tiger chowing down. It was a total treat for them.
Cape Canaveral, Florida, January 27: I was following the Republican primary campaign down in Florida. We were waiting for Mitt Romney to show up. As you're waiting, lots of times before the event starts, you're really desperate, looking for something to photograph. The wire services are always going to get head shots of the candidate. Sometimes, you get the offbeat picture. I was watching these little kids, 5 or 6 years old, putting flags at the bottom of this steel barrier with another flag over it. I blasted away, then they stopped. Romney walked in, gave his speech, and left.
EXXCEL GYMNASTICS AND CLIMBING, NEWTON, JULY 31: Aly Raisman, the Olympic gymnast from Needham, was competing for the gold. This once was her home gymnasium; these girls idolize her. It was 2 in the afternoon; they were telecasting it live. I expected them all to be completely beside themselves, but I was struck by how much they weren't paying attention. Some were checked out, some were competing over who got to wave the flag or wear the hat. These things take priority over an Olympic gymnast they've never met. It was a study of little-girl dynamics more than anything else. I like this picture; they were in their own microcosm.
AFRICAN CARIBBEAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC CENTER AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, FEBRUARY 29: I was in Florida covering Red Sox spring training, and new manager Bobby Valentine was the story. I thought we needed something of him away from the game. We heard he was going to visit an after-school program that offers services to children in Lee County. At one point, team photographer Michael Ivins got Valentine, along with Wally the Green Monster, to pose for a group photo. I stood on a table and used a zoom lens to concentrate on Valentine. When the children raised their arms to make a lively photo, the always-expressive Valentine did the same, and we had our lead photo.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, BACK BAY, FEBRUARY 13: In the past year, there were proposals for cuts to service in the MBTA. It was a very heated topic. They had public meetings. People would listen; some gave constructive feedback. It got very emotional; this was a vital part of everyday life. These particular people were reacting to a projected slide that showed proposed changes. The mood was frustration; people didn't understand why the MBTA couldn't figure out a solution. I did have pictures of the people speaking, but this story was very much about the public--the editors felt the people were the story.
ST. CECILIA CHURCH, BOSTON, FEBRUARY 1: Kevin White, the former mayor of Boston, died. He obviously was a man of huge power; it was a big day for the city. I was positioned at the church; we weren't allowed inside. My mission was to shoot the procession, family, and dignitaries arriving. There was a riser set up; I rarely like where they want you to be. I like to stalk the perimeter. I saw this woman and boy go out in the street. The way the mother is bending over, it told the story. There is anticipation and reverence and solemnness. When I found out they were [White's niece Beth Casey and her son Tommy], I thought, "That's even better."
ST. JOHNSBURY ACADEMY, ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT, MARCH 27: This was an unusually horrific story. A beloved teacher at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont was brutally murdered. The story rocked the whole town. The students and faculty had arranged a candlelight vigil. It was happening at dusk. The students were all crowded around the entrance, people were singing, prayers were being said. It was getting darker, so logistically, as a photographer, you're starting to freak out. There were two sisters [Jordan and Katrina Dekett], the way they were holding each other, I found really gripping. You really got the sense of horror. That one clearly transmitted the sense of what happened up there.
CASTLE ISLAND, SOUTH BOSTON, JULY 17: I was assigned to do a photo essay on the "new" South Boston. Because Castle Island is one of the most iconic parts, I headed down there and went out on the dock. It was 98 degrees. There was a group of kids and within minutes, I knew I had one shot--these kids jumping in. I crouched down and waited. I made three frames; the first was too soon, the third too late, the second was exactly right. I have a propensity to shoot people from the back. When they're truly unaware of the photographer, their body language does all the talking.


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For more information on the Bojangles' Junior 49ers Club, contact Jenni Martin
at 704.687.0406 or at email@example.com.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to NCAA regulations, you must be 13 years of age or younger in order to participate in the Junior 49ers Club.
Click on the images below to learn more exciting information!
We know that Norm loves all Niner fans, but his favorite fans are the kids! That is why Norm and his good friends at Bojangles' have created the Bojangles' Junior 49er Club. This is a special club for youth in the 8th grade and under who want to help him cheer on the Niners. The cost to join is only $25 and $15 for each additional child. So join today and help Norm cheer all of our teams on to victory!
-Official Junior 49er Club Membership Card, lanyard and pillow case.
For more updates, join the Junior 49er Club on Facebook!


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Willard Dirks was born April 29, 1929 near Halstead, Kansas to Gerhard and Carrie (Unruh) Dirks. In the early morning hours of Friday, October 26, 2012, he peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas. Dad was 91 years old.
Willard Dirks was born April 29, 1929 near Halstead, Kansas to Gerhard and Carrie (Unruh) Dirks. In the early morning hours of Friday, October 26, 2012, he peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family, at Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas. Dad was 91 years old.
Dad was raised on a farm southwest of Greensburg, Kansas. When he was 16, Dad lost his father. Two years later, his mother also passed away. This left Dad with the responsibility of providing for two older sisters, Edna and Lucille, and a younger brother, Gerhard. One of Dad's favorite stories was telling us how he met our mother, Aimee Ann Heer, at a wedding in Fairvew, Oklahoma. On March 27, 1949, they were married at her parent's home south of Longdale, Oklahoma. Dad and Mom raised their family in rural Kiowa County. Dad was a lifetime farmer and stockman, retiring nine years ago. He enjoyed fishing and camping and we as children remember many wonderful family trips. Dad was a kind, patient husband and father.
Dad and Mom attended revival meetings and realizing their need of salvation, were converted and then baptized by Minister Glenn Litwiller at Greensburg, April 23, 1950. Dad was an avid Bible scholar, always ready to visit with people about the Word. Daily family devotions were very important to Dad. In later years, Dad faced challenges in his spiritual life. As the sands of time were running out, the Lord graciously opened up an understanding of his lost condition. He cried out to God and we believe he found forgiveness. Our hearts rejoiced as we witnessed the change in his spirit.
The loving care provided by the staff of Bethel Home will long be appreciated by our family. We truly believe it was this love which helped to soften the heart of our dear Dad.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and six sisters. Those remaining with fond memories are his wife, Aimee; two sons, Mark and wife Audrey; Lee and wife Karen; one daughter, Gina and husband Doug Ensz; all of Greensburg, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, Stephanie and husband Rollin Boese, Brady and wife Whitney, Patrick, and Colby Dirks; Meredithe, Alexandra, Gabriel and Marigold Dirks; Adam and wife Shirlee, Katie and Mariah Ensz; and two great grandsons, Levi and Hugo Boese.
Funeral service were held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Greensburg on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. with Minister Rod Nace presiding. Burial followed at Bethel Memorial Gardens, Greensburg. Visitation was at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Saturday, October 27 and at Bethel Mennonite Church on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Memorials are suggested to Gospel Tract and Bible Society or Bethel Home in care of Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma - PO Box 421 - Montezuma, KS 67867. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.
The Angels Sang
The angels sang this morning,
Sang of the Savior's marvelous grace,
Sang as they witnessed a tired, weary soul,
Nearing the end of his long, weary race.
The angels sang this morning,
When through the deep shadows, to Heaven there came,
The voice of a child, sinsick, undone,
Crying for mercy, pleading God's Name.
The angels sang this morning,
Sang as the Tempter was made to depart,
Sang as forgiveness flowed through Heaven's door,
And peace, blessed peace, filled the depth of a heart.
The angels sang this morning,
Gathered in praise 'round the pearly, white throne,
The angels sang this morning, Dad,
And then . . . they carried you Home!


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"'Wolfs of Wall' street may use vacant CCF as a prison set location in movie
Is Leonard DiCaprio going to prison?
If so, will he do his time in Taft?
It's possible.
It's showbiz, too.
Taft's vacant community correctional facility may serve as a set for "The Wolf of Wall Street," a movie now in production starring DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese.
The city has been trying desperately for more than a year now to find inmates to place in the facility but it has remained empty.
Now Hollywood may give the city an inmate, even if it is a fictional one.
Chief of Police Ed Whiting said Tuesday afternoon the city has been contacted by the production team to see if the CCF would be suitable and available for use as a movie location.
It's available, so the only question now is iis it suitable?
"The Wolf of Wall Street" is crime drama with DiCaprio playing a stockbroker who finds himself involved in a "large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration, according to the website imdb.com.


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LONDON (AP) — If there's one name that represents red carpet glamour, it's probably Valentino.
Over half a century, the legendary designer has created exquisite, classic gowns for the world's most glamorous women, from Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren to Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Now a new London exhibition is bringing together more than 130 of his handcrafted designs, showcasing the intricate detailing that has gone into couture dresses and outfits only a few women in the world could afford.
"Valentino: Master of Couture" shows some of the world's most recognizable gowns: The high-necked, short wedding dress from Valentino's 1968 White Collection that Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis, and the black velvet gown with white ribbons worn by Julia Roberts to the Oscars in 2001, when she won best actress.
"When people come here for the first time, I think they'll have beautiful things to see," the designer told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday.
He said even though he knew all the dresses by heart, it was so refreshing to see them all displayed together.
"To me they don't look so old, you understand, because many, many of them they look like I've finished them last evening," he said.
Valentino is so well-known that his name stands on its own. Born Valentino Garavani, he is now 80 and retired four years ago from the fashion house he founded in 1960.
The exhibition at Somerset House focuses on haute couture — luxurious hand-embroidered, sewn and even painted gowns that each took hundreds of hours of painstaking work to create. Highlights include an elaborate, pearl-encrusted wedding dress worn in 1995 by Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, which took 25 seamstresses and four months to complete.
Visitors will also see original sketches by Valentino, as well as videos showing the techniques that his seamstresses used in creating the garments.
The exhibition opens Thursday and runs through March.
Sylvia Hui can be reached at http://twitter.com/sylviahui


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I came across an article on setting limits for your children in the parenting section of a recent edition of the Work & Family Life newsletter. The article was written by Dr. Ron Taffel and was adapted from his book "Childhood Unbound – Saving Our Kids' Best Selves: Confident Parenting in a World of Change." Dr. Taffel gives 5 suggestions of effective limits to set for children without causing a child rebellion.
The first suggestion is for curbing freedom of speech at home. Some parents let their children say whatever comes to mind and some are very proud when their grade school child can negotiate a later bedtime or different clothing. But a child's freedom of speech must have bounds, especially toward his or her parents.
The second area is for respect and empathy. Dr. Taffel writes that demanding a degree of respect from kids of all ages protects your child's emotional well-being…learning that you have feelings and that certain lines are not to be crossed gives children a blueprint of interpersonal wisdom." Both kids and adults can tell when kids cross the respect line; the key is to name what has just been said as wrong or unacceptable. For example, saying to your child "Calling me a name like that may get a laugh on TV, but it is completely unacceptable here."
Third is to just say yes to setting a limit. Although we have all heard that consequences should be compassionate and fit the crime, it also must be enforceable. When determining a consequence, stop and decide who it will hurt more, you or your child. Take a few breaths, walk away and reflect. Dr. Taffel suggests you reduce your immediate threat by half before it leaves your lips and to not be afraid to replace an impulsive consequence with an enforceable one.
Forth is to use limits and consequences to teach. Consequences also give us an avenue to teach our children. After the transgression, come back to the child and briefly review what happened, about what was out of line, and then ask: How can we do it differently next time? Kids can come up with some great solutions.
And finally, reward genuine effort by your children. Focus on what they are doing right and this feedback will help show children that you are actively engaged and that you can and do see when they are doing something right. Praise them for their efforts and only when you mean it. Dr. Taffel says to always remember: praise small, praise quick, praise genuinely.


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I'll list the traits I can think of.
His most general trait is that he's a heckler.
He also is a magician-he can drag his hole around, drop in it and then appear behind the antagonist.
Then - he is a specific kind of heckler-mostly calm and cool when in control of the situation-but when he sometimes is not in control, he becomes really irritable and his pride is sorely wounded which just makes him lose even more control.
He's sarcastic.
Bugs and his Warner Bros. cohorts were a revolution in cartoon personalities and are still leagues ahead of any other cartoon characters in terms of mere richness of personality alone.
Bugs is a few revolutions in one:
The first heckler cartoon I can think of-(if anyone else knows of one before this let me know!) is Porky's Duck Hunt made by Tex Avery in 1937.
Tex Avery loved hunting cartoons-he made a zillion of them. In most of them the befuddled hunter is pitted against many ducks or rabbits of creatures of the wild. In this cartoon Tex' idea was to have Porky outwitted by a flock of ducks. One of his animators, Bob Clampett, suggested they boil it down to 1 duck and make the duck have fun outwitting Porky and be completely unfazed by the threat of the hunter's gun. This gave the animators a chance to spend time seeing what they could do with the new duck character.
(This calm character was inspired by a hunting trip that Rudy Ising once described to the crew at the Looney Tunes factory in the early 30s. He kept acting out scenes of him trying to shoot this rabbit, and the rabbit kept disappearing behind bushes and then sneaking up behind Rudy and completely outwitting him. Clampett and the other cartoonists drew gag cartoons depicting Rudy versus the wacky wabbit.)
Avery's unit tried a couple different takes with the new duck character. Daffy is calm in some of the scenes and he becomes loony at the end of the cartoon in a crazy scene animated by Clampett of the duck spinning and flipping and yelling Woo Woo, Woo Woo!
Shortly after Daffy's Duck Hunt, Bob Clampett was promoted to director of his own unit and took some of the Termite Terrace animators with him-including a young Chuck Jones. This unit carried on the crazy stuff from Tex' unit and took it even further. It also took the personality stuff a lot further while it was at it.
Avery's style was always sarcasm, parody, wacky gags and high concept story premises. Clampett's cartoons were more varied in theme and concentrated more on the performances of the characters. There were really wacky gags too, but they seem even wackier because the characters were richer and the characters, rather than the the director motivated the gags.
In his first cartoon, Get Rich Quick Porky, Clampett experiments with the calmer type heckler character-this time a gopher who looks and acts a lot like the early 40s Bugs Bunny.
He does magic tricks from halfway out of his own hole.
The gopher does wacky show off spins into his hole
More to come...! The first Bugs Bunny cartoon!
A lot of this historical information I got directly from classic animators but another great resource was Mike Barrier's Funnyworld magazine in the 1970s. It was the first magazine and animation history source to really seriously look at cartoons other than Disney's. Mike and his partner Milt Grey interviewed dozens of old time animators and shared much of their new-found knowledge with rabid cartoon fans like me.
Here's a great interview with Bob Clampett:
Barrier has more interviews on his site:


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A bill to allow Tennesseans with handgun carry permits to store loaded firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked cleared its final legislative committee Wednesday before a full House vote.
A bill to allow Tennesseans with handgun carry permits to store loaded firearms in their vehicles no matter where they are parked cleared its final legislative committee Wednesday before a full House vote.
The House Civil Justice Committee approved the measure on a voice vote and the full House could vote on the bill next week.
Contacted by The Oak Ridger, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White and Roane County Sheriff Jack Stockton each said they have no problem with law-abiding citizens storing their firearms in their vehicles, though Stockton did note one or two broader concerns.
"I don't see a problem with it," White said. "If they have a permit, they ought to be able to carry it."
Stockton apparently agreed, also saying, "If a law-abiding citizen wants to lock it in the glove box, I don't have problem with it."
White said if a citizen goes to all the trouble of getting a handgun permit, the citizen should be able to carry it.
"They don't want their privilege pulled because they've done something wrong," the Anderson County sheriff remarked.
"It's the outlaws who have guns (that are at issue) and they shouldn't have them to begin with," White said. "We have enough laws and we need to enforce the ones we have."
But the Roane County sheriff added, "I have mixed feelings. I don't think they should be allowed on school grounds."
Stockton said law enforcement officers have to go to the principal of a school when they come onto school property to let them know they are there — and armed. He said someone leaving a handgun in the car wouldn't have to do that.
He then added another concern: "If something happens and we respond, and everyone goes out and gets their gun, who's our shooter? I have all kinds of issues with that."
Current law allows non-student adults to store guns in vehicles parked in school or college parking lots. The bill would extend that ability to the state's nearly 400,000 handgun carry permit holders.
Stockton used the same type scenario about a "robbery in progress" and law enforcement officers responding.
"What if citizens pull out guns, then who's the robber? Who's the bad guy?" he said. "The right thing to do if that happened is to lay the gun down when police arrive. It might be hard for an officer to make a split-second decision. It could hinder us doing our job."
Beverly Majors can be contacted at (865) 220-5514.


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West Texas Intermediate crude capped the longest rally in nine months as fewer Americans filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance payments last week and the market breached key technical resistance.
Prices surged 2.4 percent as the Labor Department said applications for jobless benefits decreased to the lowest level since March 9. The gain accelerated after WTI broke through a Fibonacci level. The Obama administration said it has seen some evidence that the Syrian government has used the deadly chemical sarin in the country's civil war. Brent oil's premium to WTI narrowed to less than $10 for the first time since January 2012.
"The weekly jobless claims report is a big positive for the market and for the energy-demand outlook," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York-based hedge fund that focuses on energy. "Syria is a geopolitical risk looming before us, and it's helping raise the price a bit too."
WTI for June delivery rose $2.21 to $93.64 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest settlement since April 10. Prices increased 8 percent in the past six days, the longest consecutive winning streak since July. The volume of all futures traded was 3.7 percent above the 100-day average for the time of day at 3:16 p.m.
Brent for June settlement climbed $1.68, or 1.7 percent, to $103.41 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Volume was 29 percent above the 100-day average.
WTI-Brent Spread
The European benchmark crude's premium to WTI narrowed to $9.77 a barrel, the least since Jan. 3, 2012. It was $10.37 yesterday.
Jobless claims fell to 339,000 last week, below the lowest estimate of 340,000 in a Bloomberg survey of 49 economists. The Labor Department revised the previous week's figure up to 355,000 from an initially reported 352,000.
"There's been concern about the U.S. economy, but the jobless claims number makes the picture a little bit better," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. "Economic news is bullish today."
The U.S., the world's biggest oil consumer, accounted for 21 percent of global demand in 2011, according to BP Plc's Statistical Review of World Energy.
Economic Indicators
"We did get a little bit of a bounce off the drop in jobless claims," said Gene McGillian, an analyst and broker at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "The market is basically following economic indicators for direction."
The jobless number also sent U.S. stocks higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose as much as 0.9 percent, heading for a fifth daily advance. The S&P's GSCI Index of 24 commodities jumped up to 1.8 percent, led by metals, wheat and energy.
Futures broke through technical resistance at $91.14 a barrel yesterday, said Bob Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities USA Inc. in New York. That's the front-month's 50 percent retracement level on a Fibonacci study tracking the rise to $98.24 on Jan. 30 from a low of $84.05 on Nov. 7. Prices then broke the 61.8 percent retracement level of $92.82.
"You have both the broad risk-on trade in the markets, along with technical factors at work with crude," Yawger said. "From a technical standpoint, we should be higher."
Chemical Weapons
The evidence that Syrian government forces have used the deadly chemicals is "not sufficient" to take action, Miguel E. Rodriguez, President Barack Obama's legislative liaison to Congress, wrote in a letter to lawmakers dated today.
Israel shot down an unmanned Hezbollah aircraft that was approaching its Mediterranean coast, the second drone launched by the militant Lebanese group in less than a year, the Israeli army said in a statement. Hezbollah denied in an e-mailed statement that it sent a drone to Israel.
U.S. gasoline inventories fell 3.93 million barrels last week to 217.8 million, the biggest drop in a year, the Energy Information Administration, the Department of Energy's statistical arm, said yesterday. Demand for gasoline jumped 4.4 percent to 8.75 million barrels a day, the most since November.
Gasoline for May delivery surged 6.44 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $2.8118 a gallon on the Nymex.
Futures' advance was "supported by a renewed focus on Wednesday's DOE report," Tim Evans, an energy analyst at Citi Futures Perspective in New York, said in an e-mail.
Implied volatility for at-the-money WTI options expiring in June was 20.8 percent, compared with yesterday's 21.5 percent.
Electronic trading volume on the Nymex was 489,265 contracts as of 3:19 p.m. It totaled 497,695 contracts yesterday, 14 percent below the three-month average. Open interest was 1.73 million contracts.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Drumheller boomed as long as coal was being dug out of the ground, but when that industry collapsed, the Alberta town was able to thrive thanks to another valuable underground resource - dinosaur bones.
Our continued fascination with the giant creatures that ruled the Earth millions of years ago fuels a steady parade of visitors to Alberta's Badlands.
The two biggest draws for dinosaur lovers is the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and nearby Dinosaur Provincial Park which provides bones and fossils that make up a large percentage of the museum's collection.
Visitors to Drumheller will immediately observe dinosaur kitsch everywhere they turn. It seems that every other street corner sports a garishly-painted dinosaur that undoubtedly makes visiting paleontologists cringe at its inaccuracy. They were supposedly salvaged from a dinosaur theme park that went bankrupt years ago.
Lamp posts sport dinosaur decorations, a local supermarket has a dinosaur head bursting out of the wall into the parking lot and then there's the World's Largest Dinosaur, a towering Tyrannosaurus Rex of the giant-roadside-attraction school of architecture that is attached to the visitor information centre.
For $3, you can pay for the privilege of climbing up the dinosaur to gaze out of his mouth to view the town and the Badlands beyond. It's not quite the vista you'd get from the Empire State Building, but it's hard to resist.
With so much exposure to dinosaur iconography, you have no choice but to visit the Royal Tyrell, but, chances are, if you've come to Drumheller that's what you're there for. It is arguably one of the world's great dinosaur museums. In case you're wondering, the museum's Royal designation was obtained in 1990 when Queen Elizabeth II visited. The museum gets its name from geologist Joseph Burr Tyrrell who discovered the first dinosaur fossils in the region.
If you are a die-hard dinosaur fan, you could easily spend an entire day exploring the museum's collection, but even the most casual visitor will spend several hours touring the building's many displays.
To enhance your understanding of what you see in the museum, you can sign up for a short, 90-minute hike into the surrounding countryside to learn about how the fossils are extracted from the ground and even look for them yourself.
One thing to be aware of is that Alberta has some of the strictist fossil-collecting laws in the world. If you're from outside Alberta, forget about it. The fossils belong to Alberta and you can be heavily fined or imprisoned if you take home a souvenir. Albertans are allowed to keep fossils collected from the surface that are found on private land, but the specimen remains the property of the province and the individual who found it is considered to be its guardian.
If you enjoy hiking in the Badlands around the Tyrrell and want more time to admire its otherworldly scenery, then it's time to hit the road and head out for a visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park.
The park is a 176-kilometre drive from Drumheller and could be visited as a day trip or you can stay longer by camping in the park or staying in one of several hotels in nearby Brooks. Even if you don't have camping gear, you can "glamp" in walled tents available in the park with advance reservation.
During my visit, instead of driving the direct highway route, we took the back roads to soak in a bit of the scenery. We were rewarded with the nice view of Dorothy's grain elevator, one of those rapidly disappearing cathedrals of the prairies as well as a solitary pronghorn antelope which took the time to pose for photographs.
One thing to be wary of if using a GPS to navigate to the park is that some devices direct travellers to Steveville, a town on the far northwest side of the park where there are few facilities.
The park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, despite this honour, is actually a provincial park and not a national one. Another misconception is that it is administered by the Royal Tyrell Museum. It is not, although its scientists do conduct research there. The museum also maintains some of the fossils in the park's impressive visitor centre which itself was once a field station of the Tyrell which scientists once used as a base of operations.
If you'd like to live the experience of a field researcher, the park offers one, two and three-day programs where you can work with Royal Tyrell researchers to excavate a real bone bed.
For those who are not as adventurous, the park has a wide variety of other tours of varying durations and difficulties that take you into the heart of the park's desert landscape.
On any of these tours you will soon learn why this place is so rich with fossils. The standing joke is you can't throw a stone without hitting a dinosaur bone and the stone you throw just may be one of those bones. It's not far from the truth. At first, I couldn't see any fossils as a I roamed around the sandy scenery but within 20 minutes of instruction from our expert guide, I was seeing them everywhere.
Even if you don't have the slightest interest in sauropods, Dinosaur Provincial Park is worth a visit just for the scenery. It's a glacier-cut valley of desert sand and rock, with hoodoos and hills striated with reds, browns and blacks layered over eons of geologic time. The shapes and colours make it a photographer's delight, especially at sunrise and sunset as the shadows and colours change from moment to moment. The park even offers a tour for photographers.
The black layers visible in the valley walls are a reminder of the coal that once dominated the area's economy before the dinosaurs made it famous.
That history is worth exploring once you've overdosed on fossils and the best place to do it is in Drumheller's Atlas Mine, a national historic site that was the region's last working mine until it shut down in 1979.
Despite the national historic designation, the mine is not administered by Parks Canada, but is instead operated by a volunteer, non-profit historical society which does a tremendous job.
I was impressed by their enthusiasm for the site's history and their ability to explain it to visitors and to bring the place to life. A visit starts with a trip via coal train to the wash room where miners would suit up before their descent into the mines. You are equipped with a helmet and light and head up to the tipple where coal rocks were sorted and loaded into trains then up the mine opening.
Unfortunately, the mine has been sealed so you cannot go too far into the ground, but the seal is not very deep and the historic society hopes it will be excavated some day so that visitors could see more of the vast network of mine shafts that lay just beyond the fallen rock.
It may not be profitable to mine coal any more, but the site is a reminder that the same geologic forces that made mining possible is the reason Drumheller is rich with fossils and a place that will continue to attract visitors.
On the Web:
Atlas Coal Mine
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Drumheller tourist information
Travel assistance for the author was made possible with Travel Alberta and the Canadian Tourism Commission.


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July 15. 2013 9:18PM
Brother of Sunapee drowning victim, 3: 'There one second, gone the next'
By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent
SUNAPEE — The family of 3-year-old Sidney Joy Allen was at their Hubbardston, Mass., church Monday, mourning their little girl, who drowned Sunday.
"She was Sidney Joy to everyone; she brought a smile to everyone's face," Ben Allen said of his sister, the day after she was found unconscious near the Perkins Pond shore.
Police said they arrived at 58 Mary's Road about noon Sunday after a 911 call about a possible drowning. They found Brian Allen holding his daughter in his arms and performing CPR on her, Police Chief David Cahill said.
Rescue crews continued resuscitation efforts, but the girl was pronounced dead at New London Hospital a short time later.
Ben Allen said his mother and father always rented the Mary's Road cottage at this time of year; he and his five sisters always had fun in the cottage's yard and shoreline, he said.
The family had just arrived for their vacation Sunday. Ben Allen said the four older girls and his parents were setting up the front yard chairs for water views. Sidney was with them, they thought.
The family "had just got there, you know, setting up for the week," he said.
Ben Allen said his parents had been watching the children, but somehow, Sidney wandered off.
"He noticed she was gone, and he started calling for her," Allen said of his father. "It all happened fast; she was there one second and she was gone the next."
The cottage has a dock extending into the lake. Ben Allen said his father found Sidney in shallow water alongside the dock.
Police weren't sure how deep the water was where she was found.
"He tried to save her," Ben Allen said.
Sunapee police and the state Medical Examiner's Office described the death as accidental.
The family was in Massachusetts Monday, making funeral arrangements.
"We're trying to deal with it; it's very hard to understand. It's really hard to believe she's gone," Ben Allen said.
"She was the most happy, wonderful girl in the world. Her middle name was Joy, and that's what she was to us, Joy."


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Feb. 2
600 block of W. First
SPD Ptl. William Basore took a report from a man who said he looked outside his home and saw a man messing with the tires on his vehicle. He told the man to stop and the man ran to an apartment complex near his home. He went outside and found three of his four tires flat.
Feb. 5
600 block of W. First
SPD Ptl. Jessica McSwain took a report from a man who said another man stole his debit card and security card from under his mattress. He said the man then used his social security number to change the PIN number on his debit card and withdraw money from the ATM. The man was caught on surveillance footage making the withdraw from the bank.


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Baseball > Bats > [x] Baseball Bats > [x] Green > [x] Maple
Louisville Slugger Maple S345 Fungo Baseball Bats [E126411]
Understanding the differences between baseball bats, and choosing the right baseball bat, can be a foreboding task for those new or not so new to baseball. Being informed before purchasing or borrowing a baseball bat is your best defense against making a poor choice, and wasting your money on a bat that is not properly serving your or your child. The aim of this page is to help you to make an informed, and therefore best, possible decision.
- What are the different kinds of baseball bats?
- What are some differences between ash and maple bats?
- What are some differences between wood and aluminum baseball bats?
- How do I know which baseball bat is best for me, or my child?
- How do I fit my child into a baseball bat?
- How do I know when my child is ready to move up a size?
- What age can my child begin using a wood baseball bat?
- What do the negative numbers printed on a baseball bat mean?
- How do I take care of my baseball bat?
- What side of the bat should I hit the ball on?
- Can I bat any baseball?
- What is "cupping"?
- What is the "sweet spot" on a baseball bat, and where is it?
- Did we answer everything?
What are the different kinds of baseball bats?
Bats are typically made from wood (ash, maple, bamboo), aluminum, or a composite of various alloys and materials.
Ash - Most wood baseball bats are made from northern white ash. Ash is best known for its hardness, durability, and overall "feel". For a long time, white ash has been the favorite for crafting great baseball bats.
Maple - A very dense wood that has gained notoriety in the baseball bat industry in the last decade. For a long time it was not considered an ideal wood for making baseball bats because of its high moisture content. Current drying technologies are making maple light enough to craft a great-performing, durable baseball bat. Industry experts recommend rock or sugar maple bats.
Bamboo - A woody grass substance that grows in tropical regions. The hollow stem is used to make baseball bats.
Aluminum bats have been around since the 1970s. Only in recent years has there arisen a debate over their safety. While bat speed is best achieved with lightweight aluminum bats, balls come off them faster, creating a "trampoline" effect, resulting in more player injuries. That led to the thinking that wood bats are safer for kids. For this reason, wood bats are making somewhat of a comeback. In response to the concern, tougher regulations on metal bats, coupled with ongoing technology, have resulted in safer aluminum bats without compromising performance. It really comes down to preference between the coaches, the parents, and eventually the players themselves.
Some pros of aluminum baseball bats:
- Durable
- Lightweight, easier to swing
- Larger sweet spot
- Great for kids and amateur players
- Confidence-building
- Available in a variety of lengths and weights
Aluminum bats can be more unsafe due to the speed at which they can be swung, and the speed at which balls come off the bat.
Composite Bats
These baseball bats have been around for awhile, but only recently have they begun to earn more respect. For years graphite bats were thought of as being strong, but didn't hold up as well as aluminum. In the late 1990s, companies began to introduce carbon fiber composite bats. While they were durable, they didn't perform well. Things changed around the turn of the new century, and by 2001 the Louisville Slugger Genesis slow-pitch composite softball bat had become one of the top performing bats, rendering itself tough competition to aluminum. The only problem was durability. Today, there are a number of all-composite bats to choose from, mostly slow-pitch bats. For serious softball players, composite bats are the standard. There are a few composite models of baseball bats, but kids, and college-age players are preferring aluminum.
What are some differences between ash and maple bats?
Generally, baseball bats made from white ash and maple have both earned great reputations, and both are approved for professional use. White ash is the more traditional type of wood used to make bats. Ash bats are durable, and are generally more sought after than maple for their overall feel and strength. Ash bats are typically less expensive than maple bats, and are great for hitting off the end. Maple bats are noted for being very strong and long-lasting. Expect to play a little more for a great-performing maple bat. Some say that maple bats are great for driving the ball.
The advantage of a bamboo baseball bat is that it's very lightweight and durable, and environmentally-friendly. They're great for use by amateurs. The disadvantages are that they don't have the same feel (or "pop") as a maple or ash bat, are not made from single pieces like wood bats, and are not approved for use by the pros.
What are some differences between wood and aluminum baseball bats?
Wood bats are heavier than aluminum, and have smaller "sweet spots". It's thought that practicing with a wood bat will strengthen the arm and improve the swing, making it easier to transition from a lightweight aluminum bat to a wooden bat. Because aluminum bats are lighter, they're easier for kids to swing. They have a larger sweet spot, making it easier for little leaguers to hit the ball "dead center" which is confidence-building for them.
How do I know which baseball bat is best for me, or my child?
Comfort is the key to choosing the right bat. How does it feel when you're swinging it? Before you buy, borrow a few bats, mix up the makes and models, and take them down to the batter's box. A general rule: lighter bats create more speed, heavier bats generate more force. Experts agree that a great swing comes down to one thing: the mechanics of the bat. Tip: thicker-handled bats are great for line drivers; thinner-handled bats for power hitters.
One thing is for sure, there is a lot of physics involved in hitting the ball. So there's been lots of technology put into designing bats. Great hitting involves a couple of things: contacting the ball squarely, and bat speed. Combining these two elements will drive the ball farther and faster. The right bat will support these elements. It will be one you can control well, and are comfortable swinging. Lighter weights, particularly when it comes to a linear swing, can achieve that.
How do I fit my child into a baseball bat?
Swinging success and enjoyment play huge roles in matching your child to the right baseball bat. Proper training, coupled with correct sizing, will accomplish that. Parents or coaches may train the child, but overlook the length or weight of the bat. When the child has difficulty mastering the swing, the bat becomes an obstacle to their success. Baseball becomes a frustrating experience for the child, the parents, and coaches. In other words, it isn't enough to train them how to swing. Getting the correct size will make all the difference.
Older, more experienced players can usually pick a favorite bat by what feels right. For the younger players who rely on their parents to choose the right bat, it is necessary that parents know a thing or two, in order to make the right choice.
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right bat for your child: materials, length, weight, barrel sizes, and models for various abilities. Check the recommendations of the bat's company for correct sizing, or follow the general guidelines. Make sure you have a bat with the correct length-to-weight ratio, which will be the negative number printed on the bat.
When you've found the correct-sized bat, have the child hold it out in front of them with one hand. The child should be able to hold it securely for 20 to 30 seconds. Next, have them swing the bat. If they can do so comfortably and smoothly, then you may have a good match.
If the store will allow, borrow a few bats. Or borrow teammates' bats. Take them down to the batter's cage and try them out. Let your player swing a few until you land the one that feels right.
The right baseball bat really comes down to how well the batter comes close to hitting the sweet spot. This can be best achieved with a lighter bat to maintain bat speed. Tip: if the bat's too long, the weight will be too far out from the hands, making it more difficult to swing than a short bat. Shoot for the lightest bat for the correct length, which might mean a little pricier high tech alloy as opposed to less expensive aluminum, which will tend to run a little heavier due to thicker walls.
How do I know when my child is ready to move up a size?
Moving up to a larger baseball bat kind of comes down to the child, how the swing feels, and common sense. About every couple of years, check your child's measurements to be sure they're still within range of correct bat sizes using regulation guidelines. If they're out of range, it's time to move up. By about age 11 or 12, a child may be moving up to the youth bat. The barrel will be a little bigger, about 2-1/2 inches compared to 2-1/4 inches. The length-to-weight ratio will go up from about a -8 to a -5, preparing them for a smooth transition to a professional series bat a couple years later. By about age 14, the child should be swinging a pro series baseball bat.
What age can my child begin using a wood baseball bat?
Children can use a wood bat at any age, provided they are old enough to swing a bat. Now that wood bats are making a comeback in amateur baseball, they can be used at any level provided they are a proper fit. Regardless of what performance bat a child prefers, whether aluminum, wood, composite or alloy, baseball pros agree the best way to train their swing is to have them consistently practice with a wood bat.
Charts for Determining Baseball Bat Length
|Bat Length
|5-7 years
|24" - 26"
|8-9 years
|26" - 28"
|10 years
|28" - 29"
|11-12 years
|30" - 31"
|13-14 years
|31" - 32"
|15-16 years
|32" - 33"
|17+ years
|6'1" +
|under 60 lbs
|61 - 70 lbs
|71 - 80 lbs
|81 - 90 lbs
|91 - 100 lbs
|101 - 110 lbs
|111 - 120 lbs
|121 - 130 lbs
|131 - 140 lbs
|141 - 150 lbs
|151 - 160 lbs
|161 - 170 lbs
|171 - 180 lbs
|over 180 lbs
What do the negative numbers printed on a baseball bat mean?
These numbers refer to the length-to-weight ratio, or differential. This is determined by subtracting the length of the bat in inches, from the weight of the bat in ounces. For example, if the bat weighs 18 ounces, and it is 30 inches long, the number appearing on the bat would be -12.
How do I take care of my baseball bat?
There are a few basic things to remember when caring for your baseball bat.
- Store your baseball bat indoors, at about room temperature. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can affect the performance of your bat. An ideal temperature is 60 degrees F.
- Store in a vertical position.
- Limit the use of your bat to hitting baseballs! Obvious as this may seem, we all remember times when we have used an old baseball bat for anything from hitting a piñata, to keeping it next to our beds for security. Using your bat on anything other than baseballs can harm your bat too!
- Routinely check your bat for damages. Most warranties offer one year of protection.
- Limit your bat's use to official leather-bound regulation baseballs and softballs.
- Don't bat water-logged balls.
- Rotate your bat a quarter-inch after each swing. Known as the DeMarini Rotation Index, rotating your bat evens out the hit load to the barrel, saving the bat over the long run.
What side of the bat should I hit the ball on?
When you're holding a wooden bat, make sure the trademark is facing up so that you know you're hitting with the strongest part, keeping the bat from breaking or splintering. You can also turn the bat opposite, with the label facing down. Just make sure the label isn't on the side.
No. For the protection of your wood bat, it's best to limit your swing to only official regulation leather-bound baseballs and softballs.
What is "cupping"?
Cupping is the indentation made at the top of the bat in order to reduce its weight.
What is the "sweet spot" on a baseball bat, and where is it?
This can mean many things on a baseball bat. To a player, the sweet spot refers to the place on the fat end of the bat, or the barrel, where contact is made for the best hit possible. Some experts define the sweet spot as the "center of percussion" on the barrel where you want to hit the ball. It sits about 4-7 inches from the barrel end of a 30-inch little league baseball bat. Technically, hitting dead center on the sweet spot results in the smallest vibration of the baseball bat for a more comfortable-feeling hit, resulting in the most energy used to propel the ball forward.
If you're new to baseball, choosing the right baseball bat isn't always easy. The key to finding the best possible match for yourself, or your child, is making an informed decision. By now, you should have enough general information to make the right choice.
In case we missed something, call Epic Sports (1-888-269-2440) or send us an e-mail for more answers to frequently asked questions about baseball bats. And don't forget to check out our complete line of baseball bats!


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Taking medicine is very, very important in reaching the goal of asthma control. There are a wide variety of medicines available to help you be well. Learn about those medicines that help you control asthma.
This video is an excerpt from the DVD Living With Asthma: A Guide to Controlling Your Asthma produced by St. Louis Children's Hospital.


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April 05. 2013 11:06PM
NH rated A+ for launching a business
By DAVE SOLOMON
New Hampshire Union Leader
New Hampshire is one of the best states in the nation when it comes to launching a new business, according to the annual survey of small business owners by Thumbtack.com, a national online business directory that matches up consumers with service providers who then bid for the job.
The state scored an A-plus and ranked third overall for its friendliness for small businesses. Only four states in the country earned the A-plus rating, and New Hampshire had the highest grade in New England. The A-plus for the state was a step up over last year's "A" grade.
Last year, New Hampshire ranked fifth in the nation for ease in starting a business; this year, it rose to second place, behind Idaho. New Hampshire also ranked third for the overall business-friendliness of its tax code and the ease of understanding and filing taxes.
The 2013 study, the second conducted by the Kauffman Foundation for Thumbtack, draws upon data from more than 7,000 small-business owners nationwide who responded to the survey.
The survey takes into account things like the ease of starting a business, the ease of hiring and the nature of zoning regulations. In those three categories, New Hampshire was ranked "A" or A-plus. The lowest score New Hampshire received was a "B" for training and networking programs.
"This is a very respectable report card for New Hampshire," said Jeffrey Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. "The high marks reflect the state's commitment to maintaining an environment that encourages businesses and their employees to succeed."
Utah was the top-rated state, and Austin, Texas, was the top-rated city. At the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island and Newark, N.J., were the lowest rated state and city.
The ease of obtaining health insurance was an important factor in the national results. One-third of small-business owners nationally rated obtaining and keeping health insurance as "very difficult," versus only 6 percent who rated it "very easy."


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Guardian Angels? No, no, absolutely not.
Guardian Angels? No, no, absolutely not. From aromatic claw tip to beak, turkey vultures are aerial opportunists. Still, if they do not exactly look out for us, they benefit us in that they help keep order in our part of the world.
When next you see a turkey vulture, do not cringe, or turn away. Be glad.


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February 19, 2013
Did I Already Talk about That?
I confess that I'm not as organized as I should be, and just because I didn't mark it as published does not mean it wasn't. So I spent some time going through older blog posts to try to see if I'd talked about the idea previously but didn't spot it. However since I've been blogging on Olive Tree Genealogy blog for 10 years and I've written 1,938 posts, I admit I don't recall every single post I've published!
That brings me to something that I'm sure affects other bloggers too - how do you keep track of what you've written? How can I be sure that if I start to write a post about what attributes a good genealogist has, that I haven't already written about it years ago.
I realize it is always okay to revisit an old blog post and ramp it up with new ideas or a new take on it. But with my luck I'd write a post listing the qualities that I believe a good genealogist needs, only to find that I wrote an almost identical piece in 2004 or 2005 or some other year.
Then came the conundrum - should I write the blog post anyway and hope I wasn't repeating myself? I really can't go through almost 2000 posts to see if I can spot it - ugh! Do I forget about the topic? What would you do?
And how do other bloggers handle this problem of possible duplication of posts? Ten years is a long time to try to think back and remember anything, let alone one blog post!
I'm curious as to how others handle this, and what readers would think if they read a blog post and remembered reading a similar one previously.
I can't decide whether to write a post about what attributes I think a good genealogist needs or just let it go in case I've talked about it before.
13 comments:
- Julie @ Anglers Rest said...
I don't think it matters to repeat. New readers often don't trawl through old posts. So refreshing the thread/ new post is often a good way to get a new perspective, with new readers & former ones.
- Randy Seaver said...
I use the search box on Blogger (upper left corner of your page) to find keywords on similar topics.
I've duplicated posts without knowing it...I figure whoever reads it in 2013 will not recall I wrote about it in 2011.
- Linda Huesca Tully said...
I agree with Julie. You will always have new readers who may not have seen the older posts, even if you do happen to repeat some of them. You may also end up adding things you hadn't thought of before.
I keep an editorial calendar in Excel, complete with story ideas, due dates and the actual publish dates. My own blog has nowhere near what you have in terms of longevity and number of posts. Still, I think the editorial calendar helps keep me organized in the ways you spoke of in your post.
- bgwiehle said...
Repeating a blog topic is not a problem. However, it is helpful for both writer and readers to know that there is a purpose to the revisit - an opinion has changed, new resources found, a different angle posed by different circumstances. As an author, you may also want to check other blogs to ensure the vague feeling of having covered the topic isn't caused by having read someone else's work and subconsciously appropriating their ideas.
- Celia Lewis said...
I agree - I'm not going to search to see if you already wrote a similar post, Lorine!! I'm here to read THIS post! Don't need to worry about it, imho... :)
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
Julie I like your idea that even if I am repeating myself, readers can offer new insights! Thanks for posting
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
Randy, yes the search on Blogger is great but I couldn't think of any keywords except "Good genealogist" !
Got a few hits but not the blog post I was worried I'd already written. However I thumped myself on the head when I read your last comment about someone reading it in 2013 isn't going ot remember they read a similar one in 2011.
You are so right!! I was being pretty conceited to think readers have my early blog posts memorized LOL!!
Thank you for those words of wisdom because now I truly feel better about writing a post and not worrying if I already said that
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
Linda, I love the idea of an editorial calender. But I' m not very good at keeping one. In fact I suck at it.
I have best intentions but I simply don't go in and mark when a post is published. I don't think I'll ever get better at it either.
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
bgwiehle - good points but that's for another post on another day. For today's post, I tried to make it clear that a) if I'm revisiting a blog post I say I am and I revamp and revise it. That wasn't the case today. I simply didn't know if I'd already posted the topic
b) The topic I thought of for today was in my idea book but not noted as "done" So I thought of it but didn't know if I published it or not as I'm not always organized about ticking my ideas off when I write.
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
Thanks Celia - you always make me feel more reassured about things!
- Sierra said...
I just tackled this same issue this week. I was brain storming and not sure of what I have already covered. My blog only has a little over 100 posts so I went back and created categories and tags in each blog post. This way in the future I can search my own blog more effectively.
You have MANY more posts but you could start using tags now for the future.
- Lorine McGinnis Schulze said...
Sierra, I've been using keywords and tags on my blog posts for 10 years now.
You're right they ARE a good idea. but the problem is for a post about characteristics of a genealogist, I had no idea what tags I might have used.
It's not exactly a niche topic like "census records" "digital preservation" "immigration" "conferences" .... see what I mean?
- Zoe Smith said...
My mother always said, "Better to know twice as not at all". I now agree!!


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Use and Care
It's all here: recipes, manuals, events, air and water filters, and answers to the most common (and uncommon) questions fielded by our Customer Care team. We'll help you enjoy decades of dependable service from your appliances, and countless moments worth savoring in your home.
Learn More about Mode Simple
With MODE SIMPLE from Wolf, you'll learn how the different combinations of heat and airflow in each oven mode help you achieve delicious results every time - with any dish. Watch videos, find Wolf-tested recipes, and get tips for success from our chefs.
Convection Steam Oven EbookIt's amazing, what that magical mix of steam and convection heat can do – slow cook a roast, bake crisp crusted bread and rolls, cook vegetables more nutritiously and deliciously, bring leftovers back to life. With this free downloadable book, you'll get the tips and techniques you need to master what may be the world's most versatile oven.
Use and Care Tips and Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
How to order product parts
Learn how to order parts based on the type of part needed
How to season a griddle
Learn the best way to season a griddle for best results
What to do if an ice maker does not make ice
Steps to resolve an ice maker that does not work
No lights in refrigerator or freezer
Steps to restore lighting in a Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero with "Vacuum Condenser" flashing
How to resolve and reset "Vacuum Condenser" message
Water Leaking Under a Sub-Zero
Steps to take if water leaks underneath a Sub-Zero
Classes and Events
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M SERIES OVEN EBOOKMaster the modes in your M series oven, and you'll be able to prepare any delicious dish you can imagine, from prime rib to stone hearth-style pizza. This exciting book gives you tips, techniques and dozens of great recipes – and you can download it in time for dinner, absolutely free.
Recipes that deliverThe world has no shortage of great recipes, but when you need one that's made to bring out the best in your Wolf appliances, we're here for you, with dozens of recipes conceived and prepared in the Wolf kitchens (and consumed with gusto by our own employees). Sticky buns for a crowd made easy with Convection. Slow-roasted ribs in your oven. Beef tenderloin sliders on the griddle. It's all waiting for you to enjoy.
Filters and Cleaning Accessories
Here you will find select accessories to keep your Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances performing their best: water and air purification filters, coffee system care kits and more. For additional sales accessories, contact your local dealer.
The delicious advantages of dual convection
Three trays of perfectly browned chocolate chip cookies, baked in one easy batch. Could an ordinary oven do it? Not likely, unless you hover like a mother hen, adjusting the trays this way and that. But that's just one of the culinary feats you can master with the dual convection system in every Wolf electric oven, and our Chef Coleman shows you how it's done. The even heating, the browning, the irresistible combination of crunchy and gooey – the secret to the perfect cookie has been revealed.
Manuals and MoreIt's here when you need it: a complete library of use and care guides, installation guides and design specifications for current and earlier models of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products.
Factory Certified Parts
Authentic Hardware
A Factory Certified Parts provider carries only genuine Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove parts for your appliances.
Parts For The Life Of Your Product
All Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products are designed and tested to last for decades. We make sure that most replacement parts will be available for at least 15 years, and many for much longer.
An Extra Year Of Full Warranty
Factory Certified parts are designed and tested to ensure optimum performance and are all covered by a comprehensive one-year replacement warranty.
Factory Certified Service
Experienced Servicers
Our technicians are independent professionals; handpicked, rigorously screened, and trained by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove. Their demanding performance standards cover product maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and customer relations. This includes our commitment to providing white-glove service while in your home.
Competitive Rates And Authentic Hardware
Factory Certified servicers provide true worry-free service at fair, competitive rates. They only use genuine Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove parts for your appliances and have many of them on hand for a faster resolution to your appliance needs. These parts are designed and tested to ensure optimum performance and are all covered by a comprehensive one-year replacement warranty.
Service You And Your Appliances Deserve
As specialists in Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove equipment, we appreciate the fine homes and busy lives of our customers and go out of our way to minimize disruption to your household and your schedule.
Your servicer will make sure to thoroughly explain the problem before servicing your appliance. For every service call, it is our goal to provide results that ensure your satisfaction
Whether you're shopping for appliances or have questions about those you already own, we've got the resources you need. Talk directly to a customer care expert at the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove service center, or connect with an appliance consultant at an official showroom near you. Get quick answers online, or reach a certified service provider or installer. And much more.
Call us at (800) 222-7820


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Few words in the English language set off alarm bells like the word "audit." The good news is there are ways to reduce the likelihood the Internal Revenue Service will tag you for an audit. Nevertheless, if a letter from the IRS does appear in your mailbox, don't panic.
Statistically, the IRS only audits about one percent of taxpayers with incomes under $200,000, according to the tax experts at the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants. There are red flags that can raise the likelihood you'll be audited, however.
Here is another helpful tip to protect yourself against an audit:
Do submit consistent information. If you get a W-2, you probably won't have to worry about income statements that don't match. But if you get 1099s, get paid in cash or have additional income from other sources, make sure that the amount you declare matches what the IRS has received from other sources.
Other inconsistencies can also attract attention. For example, if your last name isn't consistent throughout your paperwork or if you transpose a couple of numbers in a Social Security number, you may get flagged.


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The Winter Festival, the first of its kind at the Kent County Public Lbrary, will allow children to ring in the new year with plenty of games, crafts and activities they can enjoy with their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.
While New Year's Eve often means popping open champagne, waiting for the ball to drop and a kiss at midnight, the little ones with early bedtimes often miss out on the big to-do at 12 a.m.
That's why the Friends at Kent County Public Library decided to put on a New Year's celebration that the whole family can enjoy together. The Winter Festival, the first of its kind at the library, will allow children to ring in the new year with plenty of games, crafts and activities they can enjoy with their parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.
To celebrate the inaugural event, the library aimed for big. And big it will be with the theme, "Under the Big Top." From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, the library will morph into a circus, complete with mimes, jugglers, magicians and plenty of games to keep the kids busy all morning long.
Also joining in on the fun will be the Polytech cheer squad and the Magnolia Fire Company who will help guests count down to noon, when the balloons — that's correct, a monstrous 600 balloons — will drop from the ceiling.
"We're really excited," said Library Director Hilary Welliver. "It's the first time we've tried this. We are here for the community and want to provide a place for the community to spend their time, and this is one way to show it."
For $5 a person, guests will be treated to a morning of fun and, of course, quality time with their family, Welliver said.
"New Year's is not a fun holiday for kids," she said. "Parents can go out later, and still know they were able to do something with their kids. Everyone goes home happy.
"We also wanted it to be family-affordable," she added. "We wanted to make certain everyone could come and have three hours of fun."
All are welcome, Welliver said. The library staff encourages community members to invite their friends and family from across the state.
"We want to spread the word about our library and show people how many choices they have when it comes to their libraries in Delaware," she said.
And thanks to a generous donor, who remained anonymous, all of the children from the Elizabeth W. Murphey School and Shepherd's Place in Dover will be able to attend the event for free.
"We are so touched to see all of the generous people that have been offering to help," Welliver said. "There have been so many people who have come forward — service organizations, schools, the fire company — willing to participate. It's been a wonderful experience, very heartwarming."
WHAT Winter Festival
WHERE Kent County Public Library, 497 S. Red Haven Lane, Dover
WHEN 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Dec. 31
COST $5 per person. Tickets must be purchased by 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28.
INFO Call (302) 698-6440


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Acute cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It is usually caused by an infection. There are 2 types are of acute cystitis:
- Uncomplicated—occurs in premenopausal, nonpregnant women, and in those with no other underlying conditions
- Complicated—occurs with underlying conditions; most cases of acute cystitis in men are considered complicated
Acute cystitis is most often caused by bacteria. Bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder. The urethra is a tube that allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside. Bacteria may come from the lower intestines, the rectal area, or skin. Occasionally, acute cystitis can be the result of medications or trauma.
Risk Factors
Acute cystitis is more common in women. Other factors that may increase your risk of uncomplicated cystitis include:
- History of acute cystitis
- Sexual activity
- Barrier methods of birth control—use of diaphragm or condoms coated with spermicide
Factors that increase your risk of complicated cystitis include:
- Using a urinary catheter
- History of childhood urinary tract infection
- Compromised immune system
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes, type 1 or type 2
- Abnormalities of urinary system, such as kidney stones or kidney transplant
- Enlarged prostate
- Birth control devices—use of diaphragm or with spermicide
- Trouble emptying your bladder
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Passing only small amounts of urine
- Pain in your abdomen, pelvic area, or lower back
- Burning sensation during urination
- Leaking urine
- Increased need to get up at night to urinate
- Cloudy, bad-smelling urine
- Blood in your urine
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Urine will be tested and cultured for the presence of bacteria.
If complicated cystitis is suspected, additional tests may be necessary. These may include imaging studies to examine the bladder.
Acute cystitis is treated with antibiotics. It is important to take all antibiotics as advised. Finish all your antibiotics even if you are feeling better.
Your doctor may also prescribe medication to reduce pain and bladder spasms.
Here are some steps you can take to keep bacteria out of your urinary tract:
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Include cranberry juice in your diet. Some studies support the use of cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infections.
- Urinate when you have the urge. Do not resist it.
- Empty your bladder before and after sexual intercourse.
- Wash your genitals daily.
- If you're a woman, always wipe from the front to the back after having a bowel movement.
- Avoid using douches and feminine hygiene sprays.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrienne Carmack, MD
- Review Date: 03/2017 -
- Update Date: 05/30/2014 -


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NEW YORK (AP) — With Ariana Grande hitting it big in the music world this summer, her time as a star on children's television is about to become history.
Nickelodeon announced Monday that "Sam & Cat," which at times was the network's most popular series after debuting just last summer, will air its last original episode Thursday.
Grande, whose single "Problems" has sold 2.3 million tracks, co-starred on the series with another longtime Nickelodeon personality, Jennette McCurdy.
"We are very proud of the show and its very talented cast, and we wish them all the best," Nickelodeon said.
It's unusual for a network to end a highly rated series so quickly. After an initial order of 20 episodes, Nick doubled it to 40. But the series shut down production this spring, four episodes short of a full order amid published reports of turmoil on the set and a falling out between Grande and McCurdy.
Representatives for the actresses did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Nickelodeon would not comment on why production was cut short. Its executives said that both stars had reached 21 and were anxious to move on in their careers.
While Grande's musical career was taking off, some racy pictures of McCurdy surfaced online.
The creator of "Sam & Cat," Dan Schneider, is making a new series for Nick, titled "Henry Danger." It's scheduled to premiere in the fall.