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Photo by Katherine Harris
City Lunch: The Lowry's Short Rib & Chuck Burger
Can a "celebrity" East Coast butcher make a good local burger?
True burger freaks may be the only ones who know it, but our shores are being invaded by über-butcher (and Food Network star; see Meat Men) Pat LaFrieda of North Bergen, New Jersey. LaFrieda created Shake Shack's ground beef mix, which propelled him into a New York City food icon, his name (and custom grinds) showing up on the best menus in the tri-state area.
Turns out national wholesaler US Foods exclusively markets a LaFrieda ground beef in the provinces. It's a mainstay on the menu at Blue Plate Restaurant Co.'s Highland Grill and The Lowry, offered at an ambitious $15 a burger. "I'd been tracking that cat [LaFrieda] in the trades," says Blue Plate co-owner David Burley, who says he can't create a custom grind of LaFrieda's quality at US Foods' price.
LaFrieda's meat is coarsely ground and arrives here fresh, not frozen. As for Lowry's eight-ounce burger, it is intensely beefy and minerally, though leaner than you'd imagine. The croissant bun and field greens are a bit genteel for something this redolent of slaughterhouse. I'd add a slice of cheese, leave the house seasoning off the fries, and ponder the question of whether this particular burger is too New Jersey for hipsters.
2112 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
771 Cleveland Ave. S.,St. Paul


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Diabetes is a horrible disease. This can are a catalyst for heart disease, neuropathy, kidney failure and even loss of sight. If you think you may have diabetes, you need to control it as soon when you. If you're not sure you will to visit the doctor for inspection now. Approximately one in three Americans have symptoms of diabetes and do not even realize it. You wouldn't like to be included ultimately third statistics. See a doctor right now, if you have any reason to believe you may be a diabetic.
Another concern it can is meal groundwork. Exactly how much time, they say, will I have to spend preparing my meals? Again, it is quite simple. Let us look at a sample diet menu for one day during phase 2, when you can have some complex carbohydrates in moderation.
Potassium – Foods such as raisins, dates, peaches, bananas, baked potato, sunflower seeds, and seafood is an vital electrolyte located from inside the muscle cells which works closely with the sodium levels regulating the body's water level. A 2 to 1 ratio to sodium.
It is not absolutely easy to get all of the nutrients we need with our diets, including protein. Often, in order to obtain everything we need, we would must be eating steadily all day long, which is not conducive to dieting to lose weight. But, there are other for you to get the protein we need. Many people are opting also included with some of the protein supplements are actually on the market today, which also offer other vitamins and nutrients, making them even better for all. Protein supplements make great snacks and meal replacements, and would be the ideal meal alternative to those who are far too busy to take it easy and eat suitable meal.
The first thing she had to handle with were the tiny portions.then there was the food itself. While the dinners tasted just okay, the desserts had to be "choked down." "I would have rather opted for Chinese water torture for a method for enactment." Julia says she couldn't bear continuing to eat the same "disgusting" ingredients for weeks at a time. She begged her Jenny Craig counselor to omit desserts from her food plan, in exchange for monetary credit. Julia told her terrible get better tasting, low fat desserts from the shop. Why pay for food she wasn't gonna eat? When the counselor refused, Julia walked out and quit the tools. So much for easy staying on your diet.
To help you in your mission for increase fat loss with calorie reduction, change your diet to lose weight fast by cutting your intake of starch and salt. Salt can increase drinking water retention in your. If you cut your consumption of salty foods, you will decrease water retained in your system and reduce power.
There are all kinds of delicious foods that can be incorporated into a healthy diet that possess protein. Soy is absolutely high in protein, as are many kinds of beans, so enjoy your home-made baked beans once in a long time. Lean red meat is protein-rich, as are turkey white meat and fish. Rice and whole grains are ideal for high protein diets, as well as nuts (make sure they are unsalted). Snacking is fine, in fact it is encouraged for healthy diets, but, make certain that your snacks are diet-friendly. There a number of protein bars regarding the market that are fantastic for high protein weight loss diets, and when consume them, you will get that much-needed chocolate fix that a great number of us love.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Gambling has proliferated in America in recent years, and it's not about to stop. The Illinois Legislature has approved a bill authorizing more casinos as well as slot machines at racetracks. Ohio has four new casinos in the pipeline. Maine voters approved a new one last year. Massachusetts lawmakers plan to consider a gambling expansion this fall.
To critics, this spells trouble: more gambling, more problem gamblers and more of the calamitous social ills that follow. But the fear stems from the assumption that demand inexorably rises to match supply — that each new gambling site increases the number of people who gamble and the amount of money they bet. That, we have learned, is not quite how human beings respond.


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Han Solo Graffiti Art from Prague21 Feb
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Marvel Comic News
- Download Episode 329 of This Week in Marvel February 17, 2018Kick your big Marvel weekend off right with a brand-new episode of This Week in Marvel! In this installment, Tucker yells, Alex invents a reason to go to Hong Kong, and Ryan doesn't like rollercoasters. Then, OLD MAN HAWKEYE writer Ethan Sacks drops by to talk about the future of the series and how he got his start in comics. Download the episode from Marvel […]
- Amazing Spider-Man #800 Will Feature The Red Goblin and Spidey's Final Showdown February 17, 2018After 10 years, Dan Slott's epic run on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is nearing its end in a big way with the "Go Down Swinging" arc, and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #800 will be an appropriately huge issue in more ways than one. Slott and artist Stuart Immonen will unveil what's being touted as the biggest Peter Parker and Norman Osborn story of all time, joined by Humberto R […]
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- DC's Legends of Tomorrow: It's an Adequate Life, Zari Tomaz February 20, 2018DC's Legends of Tomorrow: It's an Adequate Life, Zari Tomaz It took three seasons, but we finally did it. We got the time travel story trope I've been waiting for from day one. We got the Groundhog's Day episode and I couldn't be more excited. Read moreMeg Downey
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Posted by ChiefEddie on 2012-01-23
Fabulous food! Reasonably priced. Great service! Gorgeous view of beach and ocean. We dined here twice this week (mouthwatering Reuben for lunch, succulent macadamia-encrusted grouper for dinner) while listening to live music We'll be back!
Posted by ShaSha on 2010-08-05
We stayed at the hotel, and had lunch here after a long day at the beach, the prices were great, the turkey club was really reasonably priced for the amount of quality food you get. I hope to be back!
Posted by Anonymous on 2010-02-01
Great staff. Excellent view of the ocean. Wonderful hotel on singer island
Posted by M&D on 2008-07-23
High liquor prices on week-end,great view!
Posted by Pete on 2007-12-26
Don't bother with the food in this place, unless you like meidocre meals with stray cats running around in the outside dining. However, for a few drinks this place is great. With the sound of the see and the beach just steps away.


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In the DOM level 1 test elementinuseattributeerr, the attribute seems to be added to the same element twice. This should not lead to an INUSE_ATTRIBUTE_ERR. We should probably create another new element and add the attribute to this second element. Regards, FreekReceived on Wednesday, 31 October 2001 11:05:49 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 20:34:03 UTC


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Maricopa Republican Smith runs stealth campaign for House speaker
When Pinal County Republicans drafted Sen. Steve Smith to run for House speaker next session, they cited reasons why current House Speaker Andy Tobin isn't conservative enough for the job.


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Click here to print the obituary below
In Memory of
L.Roy Chesson
April 14, 1950 - April 3, 2010
L.Roy Chesson, 59, died at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010, in his home.
L.Roy was a native of Vinton and attended St. Joseph Catholic Church. He loved riding horses, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his son Mike Chesson and his wife Shannon of DeQuincy; daughter Charlene Guidry and her husband Eric of Vinton; brother Albert Chesson; sister Jean "Titter" LeBeouf; and grandchildren Kelsey Chesson, Kody Chesson, Hunter Guidry, Drake Guidry, Kolbey Chesson and Gage Guidry.
He is preceded in death by his wife Brenda Chesson; parents Albert and Martha Chesson and his brother Sam Chesson.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, in Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton. The Rev. Susil Fernando will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Monday with a rosary at 7 p.m. and from 8-10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral Service
Tuesday, April 06, 2010 | 10:00 AM
Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton
Vinton, Louisiana
Driving Directions
Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton
Vinton, Louisiana
Driving Directions


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Finance Minister P Chidambaram, on Thursday, announced the Annual Bughet for 2004-05. Here he explains the thinking behind his first UPA Budget.
The general impression is that you have taken a series of small steps in your Budget but there is no big vision. What is your big vision for this Budget?
I am surprised that you should say that. Let's not forget that we are the original reformers and we are eight years older and wiser. This Budget was for reforms.
There is the farmer constituency, a rural constituency, young men and women with very little education and no jobs, no votes, no sanitation, no roads, no primary education for their children, no basic medical care. That constituency is being addressed.
If you want a quote to describe it, I can only quote Joseph Stiglitz, who said, "We must learn to care and reason." We have brought both thought and passion into this Budget.
One of the three major objectives you said in your speech was growth. What is there in the Budget for growth?
If agriculture grows, everything will grow. If agriculture grows, there is more investment, more income, more money to buy things, so everything will grow.
So you are pinning everything on agricultural revival...
But I have not done anything negative to manufacturing.
But you have not done anything positive.
We have been doing positive things for these guys for the last seven or eight years starting from my cutting corporate taxes. What does manufacturing want that we have not done?
But you are expecting a 40 per cent increase in corporate tax revenues. Where is that going to come from?
Now there is a historical growth trend in corporate taxes and in the first quarter corporate taxes have been growing. Add the 2 per cent cess that we have imposed on all taxes, plus a tidy sum from undisputed arrears in tax.
But you have also assumed a 25 per cent increase in income tax collections despite a huge giveaway.
What I have given away is Rs 1,750 crore (Rs 17.5 billion).ĀĀ
But you have a 25 per cent growth in income tax this year over last year.
Well, last year, BE (Budget Estimates) was Rs 44,000 crore (Rs 440 billion) and if you compare BE to BE, which is the right comparison, Rs 50,000 crore (Rs 500 billion) is only a 20 per cent increase and that is consistent with the historical growth trends.
But why don't you take the RE (Revised Estimates) , which is the real base and reflects reality?
That's never done. RE can be because of lax tax administration, or because in the run-up to the election tax has not been collected and so on. You always compare BE to BE and RE to RE.
If one works through the Budget numbers, the assumption for GDP growth is about 13.5 per cent. If you deduct 5 to 5.5 per cent inflation, you are looking once again at close to 8 per cent growth. Agriculture can't give you that, given the high base last year, so aren't you making optimistic assumptions on growth and taxes?
Growth will give me a certain amount of revenue. But I will also get revenue from undisputed arrears. And I will tighten excise.
Did you take over an economy and government finances in good shape or in poor shape?
We took over an economy that was resilient, with very comfortable forex exchange reserves. But we also took over when crude oil prices shot through the roof and the American economy was probably overheating.
What about the state of government finances? Did you have empty coffers?
There is no such thing as empty coffers -- that's just political rhetoric -- money is a flow. But we were also handed over huge defence capital expenditure.
That's the big question. Why have you actually decided to double capital expenditure in defence?
Those are one-time extraordinary demands, contracts have been signed. But except for the post-Kargil year, please look at defence capital expenditure, it has virtually stagnated.
So this no signal to the world that India is becoming a big defence spender?
No, it does not signal anything. On the contrary, we are committed to the peace process.
Coming to the stock markets, it has fallen about 100 points. Are you concerned or not bothered?
I am concerned in the sense that the stock market has not fully absorbed the entire Budget. It is reacting to the securities transaction tax. But we can debate that. I have material to show that many countries have a similar tax at much higher levels.
Can I point to two contradictions. Number one, if you make short-term capital gains on the futures market, you pay 33 per cent. If you make gains on the spot market, you only pay 10 per cent tax. The second contradiction is that if you make a windfall gain on a stock market in two days or one week or whatever, you pay 10 per cent. But on normal income you pay up to 30 per cent. Isn't there an equity issue here?
There is no equity issue here. For futures, they are treating that as a speculative transaction but we are looking into that. That's simply a matter of tax treatment.
Let's look at the fiscal aspect. What are we saying? We are saying we treat all securities transaction alike but we impose a very, very small tax on those transaction -- it's much lower than in most other countries.
But what if the stock market falls, you will actually lose revenue...
That's just an initial reaction. Besides, I have abolished tax on long-term capital gains. The point is that this is a neat, simple tax, completely transparent. Eventually it will pick up. That has been the history of many countries.
How much extra money do you expect from this tax?
It is very difficult to say because six months have gone. We assume another Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion)Āto Rs 600 crore (Rs 6 billion). Nobody can estimate what capital gains we collect, so we can only make an assumption.
Was this really meant to neutralise the "Mauritius effect"?
That's only a part of it. We need to get over this definition of long-term and short-term. What is long-term for one may be short-term for another. What is long-term for one scrip may be short-term for another.
If the markets takes this badly and continue to fall, would you consider lowering 0.15 per cent?
0.15 per cent is rock bottom.
But you are still collecting money from the market...
We think we are going to collect money. Nobody knows what capital gains we collected. We think it is revenue positive or, at best, revenue neutral.
The Left parties are already upset with the increase in foreign direct investment limits in insurance. Is there a possibility of a rollback there?
I had sounded them out before the Budget that this was an idea I was considering. But on insurance we need more capital. I started with 20 per cent, which was defeated, a bill on 26 per cent was cleared, the IRDA recommends 49 per cent, the insurance companies want 49 per cent. I think over time, we will accept the logic of insurance going up to 49 per cent.ĀĀĀ
The real achievement you can see in the numbers is the reduction in the deficit. Is this helped by your debt swap with the states? You are taking back loans from the state and the new money that they are borrowing is not from your Budget. So some of the state debt goes out of Budget.
No, it's a capital receipt for me. I credit it into the NSSF (National Social Security Fund)Āonly twice a year. I am taking a capital receipt. Let us see what the revenues and expenditures are like I may credit the whole amount to NSSF if I don't need it.
You have pleased a lot of people, but the stock markets are still very unhappy with you. Are you willing to talk to them about this securities transaction tax?
I will, but please remember that the idea of this tax was put to me in my meetings in Mumbai.
Do you have a problem with the income tax payers who expected the tax slabs to be spaced out?
It can't be done this year, there would have been a huge revenue loss. You can do that only if you remove all exemptions. The Kelkar committee made certain recommendations.
The Kelkar task force, whose draft report I have only just seen, changes some of these recommendations. I will get the final report on Monday or Tuesday next. So we will examine this and something will happen in next year's Budget, I promise you that.
Will the turnover tax decision affect the overall assessment of your Budget?
No I don't think it's a mistake. I can't look for judgements being made by the stock markets. I must look at everybody's judgement. The stock market is only one part. If they have made a negative judgement, I will do my best to allay their apprehensions.
Are you willing to be flexible and reconsider certain areas like transaction tax -- there may be many others?
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GBD Constructions
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Recipe Details
Tuna Casserole
Number of Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Enjoy this cheesy tuna casserole for lunch, dinner, or bring it to your next BBQ!
|lb whole wheat penne pasta
|1 Tbsp
|all-purpose flour
|1 Tbsp
|nonfat milk
|1 cup
|0.50 tsp
|Parmesan cheese
|1 oz
|6-oz can water-packed white albacore tuna, drained
|1 tsp
Preheat oven to 350°F.2:
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain water.3:
Combine margarine and flour to make a roux. Cook in a medium saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes.4:
To roux, add milk, pepper, and cheese. Cook for 5 minutes, until sauce is smooth.5:
Combine pasta, tuna, and sauce in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with paprika, and bake for 20 minutes.
|Calories 345
|Calories from Fat 55
|Total Fat 6g
|Saturated Fat 2g
|Cholesterol 25mg
|Sodium 295mg
|Potassium n/a
|Carbohydrates 50g
|Dietary Fiber 6g
|Sugars 5g
|Protein 21g
|Vitamin A n/a
|Vitamin C n/a
|Calcium n/a
|Iron n/a
|Folic Acid n/a
|Dietary Exchange 3 Starch 2 Lean Meat 1/2 Fat
Just What the Doctor Ordered Diabetes Cookbook
Joseph D'Amore, MD, & Lisa D'Amore-Miller
Brother-and-sister team Joseph D'Amore - doctor and cook - and Lisa D'Amore-Miller - chef and nutrition expert - have the medical knowledge and cooking expertise to make good food and great health a reality in your life. With these 133 quick, easy, and flavorful recipes, you'll be treating yourself with taste and wholesome nutrition.
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Recent Members
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This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Ashland High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Grizzlies lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Allen Worth Class of 1972
Navy, 20+ Years Served on 6 ships, 4 shore stations, deployed 15 times. Retired as a Chief Petty Officer.
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Marine Corps, 6 Years three tours to Iraq
Brett Goins Class of 2002
Marine Corps, 4 Years I am a Cpl. My job is a communications technition. I have deployed to Iraq 3 times. During my last deployment I reenlisted for another 4 years. OOHRAH
Brian Sundin Class of 1981
Army, 20+ Years Brian is being promoted to COL in the US Army this summer. Although he didn't graduate from Ashland, he did go there his Soph and Jr years, before moving to California
Brian Sundin Class of 1981
Army, 20+ Years Congratulations Colonel Brian! (That is his son, Nick, and his dad.)
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Army, 20+ Years US Army, currently in Korea.
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Air Force, 20+ Years I did 22 years with the Air Force and 2 years (Viet Nam) era with the US Army (14 months in Viet Nam)
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Army, 20+ Years Enlisted - OR Army National Guard in 1980. Commisioned as Transportation Officer 1985. Gulf War Vet 1990-91. Retired as Major with 23+ years from Army Reserve.
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Army, 20+ Years Served 28 years as an infantry officer, retiring in 1990 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Served in Berlin Germany;; 26 months in Vietnam; two years in Iceland and six months in Honduras; numerous other assignments in the US. Airborne, Ranger & Special Forces qualified.
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Army, 2 Years trained as Huey door gunner & crew chief, but ended-up playing baseball for the rest of my time in the Army at Ft. Benning, GA.
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AHS Class of '70 45th Reunion
Hello 1970 Classmates. 2015 is our 45th Reunion. Hope to see you there!


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Credits: 4.00
This course is designed to acquaint students with the field of biotechnology. Topics will include a history of the biopharmaceutical industry, the drug discovery and development processes, medical biotechnology, forensics and bioremediation. Students will learn basic techniques and instrumentation used in biotechnology labs and the fundamentals of recombinant DNA technology. Issues that impact both the industry and the general population such as the regulation of the pharmaceutical industry, stem cell research, GMO's and bioethics will be examined in this course. This course is subject to a course fee.
Last Updated: 01/29/2018


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There seems to be an ever increasing number of ways for us to connect with each other. Just when I think I've got the hang of one method, I read a blog promising me instant success if I'll just take the time to learn another.
The very latest is a Facebook update. You can now allow people to subscribe to any posts on your personal profile that you have chosen to make public. Amy Lynn Andrews explains it far, far better here. I'm not a huge Facebook user so will watch and wait on this one: I tend to only use Facebook to contact people that I know in real life.
Out for a while, but one that I still need to understand far more is Google +. I've signed up, added a few people to circles and am slowly trying to get to grips with it but I'm still not sure what its niche is. I am going to do some more reading, probably looking at the demo and starter guides like this one and this one.
If you have any guidance on using either the new Facebook features or Google Plus, I'd love to hear from you in the comments.


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Earl Grey Oatmeal
I've just spent a week in the US and like I always do I came back so full I felt a little queasy on the plane ride back. I ate some amazing food in New Hampshire, Boston and Maine, which I'll post about later. To recover from my foodscapades I'm on a self imposed diet of oatmeal for breakfast and salads for lunch.
Oatmeal can be pretty tedious and has all the texture of wall paper paste so I'm always on the lookout for ways to liven it up. Infusing earl grey tea bags in the milk before adding the oats imparts the bergamont and black tea essence.
The recipe is from A Better Happier St. Sebastian. I didn't simmer my oatmeal for 20 minutes. I did around 10 minutes instead. I don't like my oatmeal too dry. If you're a big tea lover like me than you will love this oatmeal. Next time I'm going to try a few Chai tea bags for a spicy oatmeal.


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A 1.7 minecraft adventure map as exciting as it is traditional, as inspiring as it is well built, Extraction follows the tale of Lenny. You are Lenny, or you will be by the time you finish this map. As Lenny, you must protect his homeland, a beautiful place featuring farmlands and wonderfully large trees and the occasional intimidating oversized arena which could be used for keeping Cerberus contained when his owner goes away on holiday.
Download Extraction Minecraft Adventure Map for Minecraft 1.7!


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Weather Underground Forecast for Thursday, September 05, 2013. Tropical Depression Seven formed in the eastern Caribbean Sea Wednesday afternoon and is expected to reach tropical storm status Thursday morning just south of Puerto Rico. The official forecast takes the storm between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola Thursday afternoon before tracking east of the Bahamas Friday and Saturday. On its current forecast track, the storm is not a threat to any major landmass. For more information, please see http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/.
Meanwhile, a low pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast will move slowly toward the coast Thursday, ushering moisture into Washington and Oregon. This moisture will translate to rain throughout these states, accompanied by breezy weather, especially over higher elevations.
Tropical moisture in the western Gulf of Mexico will stream toward the Gulf Coast and instigate rain and thunderstorms along the Texas and Louisiana coasts mainly in the afternoon and evening.
A low pressure trough will just pass through the Northeast, but only scattered areas of showers will be possible from New York through Maine. This trough will also bring cooler air into the region.
Elsewhere, scattered showers will be possible in the Northern Plains and Northern Rockies, but will not be widespread in nature.
The Northeast will rise into the 70s, while the Southeast will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s. The Plains will rise into the 90s and 100s, while the Southwest will see similar temperatures. The Northwest will rise into the 70s and 80s.
Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday have ranged from a morning low of 39 degrees at Klamath Falls, Ore. to a high of 108 degrees at Phoenix, Ariz.


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Interview with Scott Schmidt – Part 2
by Al Myers
Al: When did you get started in All-Round Weightlifting? Was there anyone responsible for introducing you to All-Round Weightlifting?
Scott: My first competition was the USAWA Winter Fest 2-15-92. Later that year, on 10-17-92, I was in the US Inlands meet. These were both held in the historic Ambridge Barbell Club.
I was first introduced to the sport in 1990 by Bob Karhan, past USAWA Champion and record holder, from Cleveland, Ohio. We both trained at the Westpark YMCA at t
he time. Since I was already in shape to move heavy iron, Bob encouraged me to try my strength on some new events. The Nationals wereheld in Akron, Ohio that year, but due to my Olympic style training schedule, I did not compete.
I did attend the meet, however and was able to coach Hall of Famer Jim Malloy with his lifts at his first All-Round competition.
Al: I know you have competed several times at the USAWA Nationals. What have been some of your favorite meets?
Scott: I have fond memories of every one of them. They have all provided me with the opportunity to "bring out the beast in me". I love to prepare for an event, then gain the satisfaction of putting up a goal breaking performance. Here's a quick funny story. Good news? At the 2008 Nationals, I was mentally and physically ready to try my first 2000 pound hip lift. Bad news? They didn't bring enough iron to accommodate me! They were able to locate 1800 pounds, and it did go up, at least!
Al: What are your favorite All-Round lifts and why?
Scott: My favorite All-Round lifts are: Overhead pressing and jerking events, gripping lifts, and hip and hand and thigh lifts. I haven't posted a number yet, but I would love to try a back lift on the famous Al machine! The reason I consider these my favorites, is due to years of Olympic style training, I was able to make fast progress with these events. I strive to set the class record at what I am good at. Back in 1996, I was the first man in the USAWA to clean and push press 300 pounds. Made me happy!
Interview will be continued tomorrow.


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How to say base in Romanian beɪs
Would you like to know how to translate base to Romanian? This page provides all possible translations of the word base in the Romanian language.
- bază, cazarmă, fundamentRomanian
Discuss this base Romanian translation with the community:
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
"base." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2018. Web. 24 Feb. 2018. </translate/base/RO>.


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Environmentalists lobbied Congress for years to put millions of dollars into the national Farm Bill to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay. After all, they argued, the biggest source of nutrient and sediment pollution in the Bay today is agriculture.
Finally, those efforts have paid off: Virginia received nearly $7 million this year, the most of any state near the Bay, to assist farmers who want to implement greener land practices.
However, spreading the word that the money has actually arrived from Washington is proving tricky, officials say, especially after so many years of false starts and faded promises.
At the Chesapeake office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, for example, no aid applications had been submitted by local farmers as of late last month.
"A lot of people might not have heard about it or read about it," said Robert Williams, the Chesapeake district conservationist. "It's hard for us to sell it, but we're trying to get the word out."
Since January, a total of $23 million in federal farm aid has been distributed to six states, from New York to Virginia, as part of a $188 million commitment to the Bay through 2012.
Environmentalists and officials describe the funding as the largest cash infusion ever for agricultural conservation in a single watershed - the Chesapeake.
Full story: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/03/farm-bill-offers-millions-help-end-agricultural-pollution


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November 23, 2011
Written by C.N.
Links, Jobs, & Announcements #55
Here are some more announcements, links, and job postings about academic-related jobs, fellowships, and other opportunities for those interested in racial/ethnic/diversity issues. As always, the announcements and links are provided for informational purposes and do not necessarily imply an endorsement of the organization or college involved.
Position: Ethnic Studies, Chinese Diaspora, Univ. of Hawai'i Manoa
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Department of Ethnic Studies, Chinese Diaspora Specialist, Assistant Professor (Pos. #084819).
Duties: Teach courses and conduct research on Chinese immigrant communities in Hawai'i and the United States, and/or other parts of the world. Teach introductory course in ethnic studies and upper division courses in Asian American studies. Advise and
supervise undergraduate students; seek extramural funding; participate actively in local communities. The successful applicant should maintain an active program of research and scholarly publication that integrates innovative theoretical analyses with empirical work, and furthers the University's excellence in Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific studies.
Minimum Qualifications: PhD in Ethnic Studies, related interdisciplinary studies, social sciences field, or history from an accredited college at the time of the appointment, August 1, 2012 (ABD will be considered). ABD candidates must submit a letter from their committee chairs attesting that dissertation and all degree requirements will be completed by the date of hire. Demonstrated ability to teach and conduct research on Chinese diasporic communities, which incorporates theories of race, ethnicity, gender, and class; and strong record of research, teaching, and community service.
Desirable Qualifications: Evidence of research and university-level teaching about Asian American or Pacific Islander Studies; ability to teach courses on immigration, and/or ethnic/race relations; ability to contribute to the College of Social Sciences Public Policy Center; a record of peer-reviewed publications; commitment to innovative educational strategies, and to working with students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
To Apply: Please visit this website:
http://surveys.socialsciences.hawaii.edu/ework/. Include cover letter, curriculum vitae, and writing sample (not to exceed
9000 words). Send three letters of recommendation to: Ibrahim G. Aoudé, Department of Ethnic Studies, University of Hawai"i at Mānoa, George Hall 301, 2560 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Inquiries: Ibrahim G. Aoudé (808) 956-8086, E: email@example.com. Closing Date: Review of applications will begin November 18, 2011 and will continue until position is filled. Applications received by that date will be given priority.
Call for Papers: The American University Meets the Pacific Century
Workshop: The American University Meets the Pacific Century (AUPC)
Date: March 9-10, 2012
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
Deadline: December 1, 2011
Notification: December 15, 2011
Award: Limited funds to support room and board at Workshop and partial travel vouchers will be available.
What to submit: A 1-2 page abstract of a circa 20-25 page paper that you will prepare for discussion at the Workshop.
How to submit: Please submit your materials electronically to Kelley Frazier, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Inquiries: Inquiries about the conference should be directed to: Nancy Abelmann, firstname.lastname@example.com; Soo Ah Kwon, firstname.lastname@example.com; Tim Liao, email@example.com; Adrienne Lo, email@example.com.
Workshop Information
This Workshop will be hosted in association with the American University Meets the Pacific Century Project (AUPC, 2010-), an interdisciplinary team of social scientists who are currently researching the internationalization of the undergraduate student body at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The project is principally interested in the American university as a contact zone in which record levels of international undergraduates, largely from Asia, meet American students whose futures are increasingly impacted by global transformations, the economic and scientific rise of Asia among them.
Participants will present papers (circa 20-25 pages) broadly related to the study abroad of degree-seeking undergraduate students from China and South Korea, relevant developments in those countries, and all aspects of the U.S. as a contact zone.
Below please find a brief synopsis of our own research project; we are,however, open to proposals of all variety.
The American University Meets the Pacific Century Project
Broadly, the AUPC project is examining how the escalating numbers of international undergraduates are transforming the American university. Many American universities, like top-tier universities throughout the world, are increasingly becoming global institutions, no longer held exclusively to national interests.
This larger context occasions several broad research questions. First, a number of scholars, anthropologist Aihwa Ong and geographer Katharyne Mitchell foremost among them, have alerted us to a veritable cultural warfare as Asian elites find their way to North American schooling. They ask whether the liberal democratic ideals of the American university, including multiculturalism's commitment to an integrated national community, are foundationally shaken by international students who pass through the American university to accrue the technical skills for flexible citizenship elsewhere. We are thus interested in what American students assume about these new international students and their place in American higher education.
Second, we ask how this trend is shaping American undergraduates' vision of their futures as global citizens in the broader context of the global economy, and in what some have called "the Pacific Century." With the widely decried slippage in the U.S. global hegemony in scientific and technological fields and the particular attention to the "Rise of China," these questions are particularly pressing. Also of note is that while U.S. international student numbers are up, we are in fact enjoying less of the pie of total global student mobility (slipping from 2001 to 2008 from 25% to 21%; while China grew from under 2% to 6%).
Third, we examine the impact of this internationalization on the racial realities of the American university. As globalization accelerates the mobility of people, ideas, and media, one perhaps unexpected consequence has been the rise of what sociologist Karen Pyke calls "intraethnic othering" or the heightened salience of divisions within what might be considered one
ethnic/racial group. Preliminary work by the AUPC project has already documented the tense relations between those Asian Americans who find that they are becoming the minority of Asians on their campus, and those international undergraduates, who sometimes see themselves as wealthy, cosmopolitan elites with little in common with local Asian Americans.
Finally, we are interested in what has motivated international students to come to the United States and the reality of their study abroad experience. We consider these students' future goals, ones that of course are impacted upon by the study abroad experience itself. With these contexts and processes in mind, we focus on the following research questions:
- What are the motivations and expectations of these Chinese and South Korean international undergraduate students? Are they interested in the liberal and multicultural commitments of the American university? How do their goals change over time as they experience the realities of the American university?
- How do American students understand and respond to this new student body? Do they think of these international students as in any way detrimental to American multiculturalism and liberalism?
- Do Asian American students experience these demographic changes in particular ways? Are they inclined to distance themselves from these newly-arrived Asian students?
- What is the nature and extent of the interactions between domestic students and these international students?
- Do domestic students who aspire to become engineers and business professionals feel threatened by the significant number of students from precisely those countries that represent the greatest scientific and economic challenge to the United States? Are they worried about their professional futures?
- How are university professionals, including faculty, responding to and managing this new student body?
Position: Asian American Studies, UCLA
The UCLA Asian American Studies Center invites applications for a tenured full-time faculty position (Tracking Number 2060-1112-01) beginning July 1, 2012. The selected candidate is expected to be
appointed to the UCLA Alumni and Friends of Japanese American Ancestry Endowed Chair. The rank is to be at the Associate or Full Professor level, with the primary appointment and teaching responsibilities in the Department of Asian American Studies.
Distinguished scholars of Japanese American studies are encouraged to apply, and this position provides an opportunity to strengthen Center and Department commitments to areas such as preservation/archives, community-based documentation in the visual arts, transnational studies, and community-oriented research, education, and activism.
The generosity of alumni and friends led to the establishment of this endowed chair in Japanese American Studies to further the research prominence of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, which was founded in 1969. Currently, the Center's faculty number over fifty members representing nearly every division and school at UCLA, including the Department of Asian American Studies in the College of Letters and Science. The Department of Asian American Studies, established in 2004, oversees dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs.
Applications and nominations should be submitted electronically with1) a letter of application, 2) current curriculum vitae/resumé 3) one representative journal article or book chapter, and 4) names and contact information for three academic referees. Please send all materials to: firstname.lastname@example.com
Although applications will be accepted until the position is filled, all materials should be submitted by December 9, 2011 to be guaranteed full consideration. UCLA offers an attractive salary and benefits package, including a housing assistance program for new faculty members. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Position: Sociology & Puerto Rican/Latino Studies, Univ. of Connecticut
The Sociology Department at the University of Connecticut invites applications for a tenure track position to begin August 23, 2012. The successful candidate will be jointly appointed with the Latino/a Studies program. The successful candidate will pursue rigorous research programs, contribute to graduate and undergraduate teaching, provide service to the university and the profession, and seek external funds to support their scholarly activities. The typical course load is two courses per semester. We prefer candidates for the assistant professor rank, but appointments at the associate professor rank for exceptionally well qualified candidates who can advance the diversity of our teaching and research
mission may be considered.
Minimum Qualifications: Doctorate in sociology; research that focuses on Latino populations in the United States; ability to teach qualitative research methods; and substantive research interests in at least one of the following areas of specialization: health and health care organization; gender and sexuality, labor, family. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
Preferred Qualifications: The ability to contribute to research, teaching and/or public engagement to the diversity and excellence of the learning experience.
To Apply: Applicants please upload their curriculum vitae, a statement describing their research plan and teaching interests,
selected scholarly publications, and three letters of reference via Husky hire www.jobs.uconn.edu. Search 2012289. Applications submitted by January 6, 2012 will be given fullest consideration.
Position: Development Coordinator, Asian American Justice Center
Organization Description
Founded in 1991, the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) works to advance the human and civil rights of Asian Americans, and build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. AAJC is nationally recognized as a leading expert on issues of particular importance to the Asian American community including affirmative action, anti-Asian violence prevention, broadband and telecommunications policy, census, immigration and immigrant rights, media diversity and voting rights.
In 2010, AAJC deepened its alliance with the Asian Law Caucus (ALC), the Asian American Institute (AAI) and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) by coming together as the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice). Under the common name, we hope to build a more powerful and unified voice for Asian Americans who are deeply committed to the cause of civil and human rights. Based in Washington, DC, AAJC has a budget of approximately $5 million and a staff of 18.
Position Description
Title: Development Associate
Location: Washington, DC
Compensation: Competitive salary, depending on level of skills and experience. Full health benefits, flexible spending plan and generous vacation and sick leave.
Summary: The role of the Development Associate is to assist the Director of Development in undertaking a proactive campaign to secure funds to carry out the organization's mission and vision and to implement its strategic and tactical plans. Requirements include: good management, planning and coordinating skills; excellent attention to detail and follow-through; experience in using and maintaining a database.
- Serve as lead coordinator to ensure the success of the organization's primary special event fundraiser, the annual American Courage Awards reception.
- Provide support (planning, correspondence, etc.) required to implement all fundraising events and meetings.
- Create, manage and maintain corporate and law firm partnerships to enhance fundraising and in-kind donations.
- Conduct prospect research on potential funding sources including corporations and law firms.
- Coordinate sponsorship agreements with partner organizations.
- Assist in maintaining the integrity of the department's Raiser's Edge fundraising database through conducting data entry and reporting.
- Produce quality written documents as it relates to primary functional areas, such as: solicitations for the American Courage Awards and acknowledgements.
- Schedule and prepare background materials for meetings for Director of Development and Executive Director with current corporate donors and prospects.
- Contribute to the department's marketing functions by serving as a liaison for annual report production, Web updates and other collateral, as needed.
- Assist the Director of Development in setting organizational income goals. Assist with the preparation of periodic income reports and projections as needed.
- Perform other development tasks and duties as assigned by the Director of Development.
- Supervisory responsibilities: Assist in supervising development intern.
Knowledge, skills and abilities: Must be detail-oriented and extremely organized. Must have excellent interpersonal and writing skills that indicate an ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. Must be able to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently while being thorough and comprehensive. Must have initiative and the ability to exercise good judgment. Flexible, independent team player.
Bachelor's degree and at least one year of development experience. Proficiency in Raiser's Edge strongly preferred. Event planning and experience in the nonprofit sector a plus.
Application deadline: December 2, 2011
Send resume with references, writing sample and a cover letter to:
Hannah Stone, Director of Development, at email@example.com or AAJC; 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1200; Washington, DC 20036.
Internship: Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society – an America as good as its ideals. The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. The Education Fund's campaigns empower and mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the United States.
The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund offer a substantive, fast-paced internship program designed to give undergraduate students interested in civil and human rights, public service, advocacy, journalism and online communications, real-world work experience in the policy arena. The program provides interns the chance to increase their knowledge and awareness of civil and human rights issues, enhance their understanding of coalition politics, and observe the legislative process of our federal government. Interns are fully integrated into staff activities and involved in field operations, development work, web content, and communications work.
Leadership Conference/Education Fund interns work out of our office in downtown Washington, D.C., easily accessible by metro or several bus lines. Internships are for a length of one school semester. Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate your school's schedule, and we require a 24 hour minimum weekly commitment.
- Summer interns: Internship May 30 to Sept. 1; Application Deadline April 15, 2012
- Fall interns: Internship Sept. 1 to Dec. 15; Application Deadline August 5, 2012
- Spring interns: Internship Jan. 15 to May 15; Application Deadline December 4, 2011
Core Intern Responsibilities
- Writing articles for the website
- Tracking legislation and litigation related to key issues
- Monitoring media coverage of policy issues
- Attending steering committee and task force meetings as assigned
- Helping to coordinate grassroots and media events
- Attending congressional hearings and briefings
- Conducting on- and off-line research to support Leadership Conference/Education Fund staff
- Occasional administrative work
Applicants should have strong writing skills, a desire and ability to work with diverse groups of people, ability to work collaboratively, the ability to multitask, and a strong commitment to social justice issues.
The internship is unpaid. Need-based scholarships are available during the summer – applicants interested in financial aid should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and a letter detailing their financial need with their application. Sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers can be withheld by the applicant.
How to Apply
Interested individuals should email a cover letter detailing their interest in The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, resume, and short writing sample (no longer than three pages) to:
Avril Lighty
Intern Coordinator
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Or send by mail to:
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Attn: Avril Lighty
1629 K Street, NW, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
Please note: we are unable to handle phone inquiries.
Call for Papers: Asian American Expressive Culture
Changing Boundaries and Reshaping Itineraries:
An International Conference on Asian American Expressive Culture
Co-sponsored by Chinese American Literature Research Center, and Information Center for Worldwide Asia Research, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China & Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Program, University of California at Berkeley, USA.
The extensive geopolitical realignments and movements of peoples and capital that continue to mark our present moment have significantly reshaped our understanding of the functions and effects of national boundaries, and have turned concepts such as "transnationalism" and "globalization" into staples of academic discussion. In this moment of unsettling boundaries, how then are we to understand or locate Asian American literature (or, more broadly, Asian American Studies), which at least nominally continues to reside under the sign of the U.S. nation-state? How has this unsettling of boundaries contributed, for example, to rethinking the relation between Asian America and Asia?
Have these changed conditions introduced a set of new concerns, themes, or formal strategies for Asian American writers? How does the experience of reading Asian American literature in the U.S. differ from that of reading the literature in Beijing or Manila, Seoul or Singapore? How have scholars and critics of Asian American literature (and other forms of expressive culture) grappled with the theoretical and/or methodological challenges of engaging with these reconfigured national and transnational frameworks?
With this range of pressing questions forming a critical backdrop, the Chinese American Literature Research Center and the Information Center for Worldwide Asia Research at Beijing Foreign Studies University are joining with the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Program at the University of California at Berkeley to invite submissions of original papers on the theme of "changing boundaries" and "unsettling itineraries" to be presented at an international conference on Asian American literature to be held in Beijing from May 25-28, 2012.
Topics for the conference will include but are not limited to the following areas: New directions in Asian American Studies and Asian American criticism Asian American literature or film in a transnational frame Memories without borders in Asian American literature Re-aligning Asian American Studies and Asian Studies Sino-US relations and Chinese American literature Resituating Asian America in relation to East Asia, South Asia, or Southeast Asia
To submit a proposal from China's mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, please send your proposals (300-400 words) and brief biographies (c. 200 words) to Dr. Liu Kuilan at email@example.com; and from North America, Europe, and other countries, please send your proposals to Prof. Elaine Kim at email@example.com by December 15, 2011.
Internships: Center for American Progress
The Center for American Progress is dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action. Building on the achievements of progressive pioneers such as Teddy Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, our work addresses 21st-century challenges such as energy, national security, economic growth and opportunity, immigration, education, and health care. We develop new policy ideas, critique the policy that stems from conservative values, challenge the media to cover the issues that truly matter, and shape the national debate.
One very important goal of American Progress is to inspire and educate the next generation of progressive Americans. American Progress offers full and part-time internships each summer and academic semester. All undergraduate and masters-level students and J.D. and Ph.D. candidates are eligible to apply. Successful applicants will be bright, highly motivated scholars with strong academic records and an interest and aptitude for public policy and/or political communication. Interns will be directly engaged with the Center's policy experts and participate in a variety of activities including research, writing, and web-based projects. They will also assist staff with administrative tasks and help organize the Center's many conferences and events.
American Progress offers a monetary stipend as well as a transportation subsidy for interns. Intern applicants can apply for placement in the following department:
Race Policy / Progress 2050
American Progress is seeking an intern to work with Progress 2050, an American Progress project that develops new ideas for an increasingly diverse America. Its work uses current and future U.S. demographic trends as a foundation for progressive policies that advance racial equity.
The Progress 2050 intern's primary responsibilities will include researching the relationship between race and public policy, census data evaluation, and media tracking. The intern's additional duties include assisting in public and private events, independent research/writing, and day-to-day tasks as assigned.
Candidates must possess excellent oral and written communications skills. He or she must be open to a broad array of assignments and have strong oral and written communications skills. Some qualitative research experience preferred. No specific academic background is required, but the ideal intern ought to have a general understanding of racial and ethnic communities, U.S. history, and key domestic affairs.
Eligibility: All undergraduate and masters-level students and J.D. and Ph.D. candidates as well as recent graduates are eligible to apply. International students must have INS authorization to work in the United States.
Application Process: In order to apply for a Center for American Progress Internship, please submit the following:
- Internship Application
- Cover Letter and Resume
- Writing Sample of approximately 3 pages (your own words, unedited)
- College or University Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
- 2-3 References (please provide both the phone and email contact information, and include a professor or other individual familiar with your work)
Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of the organization will be considered applicants and receive responses from American Progress.
Suggested Deadlines:
Winter/Spring: November 15
Summer: February 1
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December
Winter: January – March
Spring: January – May
*starting dates are flexible
Please send completed application materials via email only to:email@example.com. Before emailing your materials please put your name and the term for which you are applying in the subject line. Ex.: John Doe-Summer 2010. No phone calls, please.
Author Citation
Copyright © 2001- by C.N. Le. Some rights reserved.
Suggested reference: Le, C.N. . "Links, Jobs, & Announcements #55" Asian-Nation: The Landscape of Asian America. <http://www.asian-nation.org/headlines/2011/11/links-jobs-announcements-55/> ().
Short URL: http://www.asian-nation.org/headlines/?p=1806
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text:
"What movie would you like to see this weekend?"
Dawn and Edwin have been friends for more than a year. They met at a coffee house that he always stopped at on his way to work.
This was a routine he's done for years; some things just never change. She was sitting alone at a table sipping a cup of coffee and
reading what he found out later to be a manuscript she was getting ready to submit to her agent. She was going over each line, word for
word to make sure it was perfect.
He felt brave that morning and walked over to her and asked if he could sit down. She looked at him and nodded. They began a
conversation and that's when he found out she was an author. He told her that his ex-wife used to want to write, but he didn't have any
idea if she ever pursued it. He asked for her number and she readily gave it to him. She told him up front that she wasn't interested in
romance, but she was sort of new to the city and it would be nice to have friends. He asked her why she said 'sort of' new to the city.
She told him she was away for quite a while and just returned. A lot of things changed in her absence, including her family and friends;
she felt like she was in an entirely new place than what she remembered.
Just recently he started seeing Dawn on a regular basis. They insisted they weren't 'dating' and labeled themselves as 'movie buddies'.
Each time they went to the movies, he always chose what they saw.
"You choose, Edwin. There are so many good ones to watch, I can't make up my mind."
"You can never make up your mind about anything. Can't you make a decision for once?"
Edwin asked this question with disgust dripping like venom from his mouth. It was true though; she never made decisions. The fear of
doing so came from a bad relationship she was previously in. Her ex never could make up his mind about anything. Then, when she
made a decision—at his request—he would mock her and tell her what a stupid idea it was. She finally stopped making them and left it
up to him. Everyone was right; old habits do die hard.
Dawn was cradling the telephone on her shoulder when spat back, "That's not nice! Why do you talk to me that way? I'm mad and I'm
hanging up now."
Dawn slammed the receiver back on its hook. She didn't like just hanging up on people when she was mad. To avoid being rude, she
simply told them first.
A few moments later, the telephone rang. She let it ring a few times; threatening not to answer it. She knew it would be Edwin. She
gave in.
"Dawn, I'm sorry. You're right; I shouldn't speak to you that way. Forgive me?"
"This time, Edwin; but let's not make it a habit."
Since their 'dating' began, Dawn started to become outspoken and often told him off. Sometimes Edwin didn't know why he took it
from her. He did like her; she has some great qualities he was looking for in a woman, despite her short temper. She was smart,
independent, supportive and certainly pretty. He wouldn't call her a raving beauty, but she is kind looking, meaning she has an amiable
face. What she isn't is clingy—he hates that in women—egotistical, self-serving or anti-social. She is very outgoing; she belongs to a lot
of writer's workshops and critiquing clubs, she hosts events and is avid in leading conferences. She has her fingers in every pie she can
find. Most of all, he liked the fact that he could have his own time; nights out with the guys and time to do whatever he chose and she
didn't make him answer for it.
When she is mad though, watch out. She will certainly tell the person off and explain why she's upset. She gets over it rather quickly
however, and doesn't hold a grudge. The good thing about it is you know where you stand with her.
She is the exact opposite of Karen; another major reason he liked her. His ex-wife was dominating and had to know where he was, who
he was with and when he'd be home and if he was late, he better have a good explanation. It was worse than having a mother. He
couldn't take it anymore and moved out of the house, refusing to see her for any reason after that. He always wondered what it was
about women that they needed to make life so difficult.
"Can we start this conversation over?" he asked.
"What movie do you think you want to see this weekend?"
"I'm not sure; there are several. How about when we meet there, we can look at the titles and decide then?"
"That's not a bad idea. I have a better one; how about I come over tonight and we can look at the movie ads in the newspaper
"Edwin, I know what you're thinking and…"
"I'm not thinking that."
"Don't interrupt me when I'm talking! Now, as I was saying, I know what you're thinking and I'm actually thinking the same thing. How
about I get us some wine, make some supper and see where the evening leads?"
"Your place?"
"It doesn't matter."
The indecision was killing Edwin. When would she ever make a decision about anything? He thought.
"I'll come over to your place. What time?"
"Oh, I don't know; you pick."
He was ready to scream.
Trying not to show his frustration, he asked, "Does seven o'clock sound good?"
"Fine; I'll see you then."
Almost immediately after hanging up, Edwin's phone rang. He thought it was her calling back about something and quickly answered it.
"Did you forget something?"
"No, but I think you did," a female voice just above a whisper answered him.
"Who is this? Dawn, is that you?"
"You should know who this is," the voice said. "I'm hurt you don't remember."
"Who is this?" he repeated. "What do you want?"
"You, and soon I'll have you."
The line went dead. Edwin sat back and shook his head. It had to be Dawn playing a joke on him. Who else could it be? He knows but
a handful of people and can't imagine who would be accusing him of not remembering them. He shook his head again and went back
to work.
Edwin is the store manager of Food Castle, a grocery chain. It isn't much, certainly not award-winning like Dawn's fiction novels, but it
keeps him busy and his rent paid.
After his shift was over, he went home to get ready for his evening with Dawn. He felt tonight would be the night they cross over from
being friends to lovers. He couldn't wait; he's secretly wanted her for some time now.
After showering and shaving, he put on his favorite cologne. He knows Dawn likes it as she's said as much before when they've been
out. He smiled thinking of the evening that lies ahead. He got dressed in loose fitting trousers and a semi-casual shirt.
Just as he headed to the back door to his car, his front doorbell rang. He reverted his direction and went to answer it. When he opened
the door, no one was there. Instead, there was a long, narrow package sitting on his door mat. He picked it up and brought it inside. He
opened it and found six long-stemmed, red roses with baby's breath sitting atop white tissue paper.
"What? Who would send me flowers?" he asked aloud.
It was completely out of character for Dawn. He didn't have any idea where they came from. Instead of mulling over the few
possibilities that existed, he reached for the card.
You should have sent these to me; now you'll have to make up for that. There's still time. All you have to do is meet me tonight at our
usual place.
The note was unsigned and he was completely perplexed. He didn't have any idea what place the person was speaking of, nor did he
care right now. Thinking Dawn was playing a trick on him, he set the box of flowers on the dining room table and left. As soon as he
got in his car, all thoughts of them were gone; only the visualization of what the evening may unfold with Dawn was etched in his mind.
The evening with Dawn went well; actually better than he expected. He arrived at her place to find she set the table with her nice china
and uncorked the wine. They talked for a while about her day and his. His was pretty uneventful so most of the talking was about her.
She heard back from her agent who told her that he was able to sell her manuscript with good terms. She was excited and in a very
jovial mood. They looked in the paper and decided to see an action film on Friday evening. Dawn was the one who actually made the
decision; it completely took Edwin by surprise.
When dinner was ready, he helped her bring it to the table. She made stuffed manicotti, salad and garlic bread. Edwin ate her manicotti
before and had to admit it was the best he ever tasted.
After dinner, they sat on the sofa chatting. The conversation once again revolved around her world. She began to tell him what her
mystery book was about and he was only half listening. Apparently, she could tell that he was not giving her his undivided attention and
became angry.
"Edwin, are you listening to a word I'm saying?"
"I'm sorry, Dawn. I am, but I guess my mind was drifting because I'm tired."
Just as quickly as she became angry, she calmed down.
"I suppose I can understand that."
She nestled closer to him and he put his arms around her. She tilted her head back and he kissed her. It was only the second time he'd
done so, but for some reason it struck a chord of familiarity. He started to get a bit more amorous and gently kneaded her breasts
from the outside of her blouse. She pushed his hand away and stood up.
"I'm sorry, Edwin. I thought I was ready for this, but I guess I'm not."
"I understand."
He didn't, but knew it wouldn't do any good to get upset and make matters worse.
"It's just…well, I guess my ex is still on my mind. I realize it's been many years since I've been with him, but I've not been with anyone
else after him. I'm sorry, Edwin. I guess I need more time for you and I to become more than friends and we're just starting that part
of our relationship."
"I understand," he repeated, standing up. "Let's call it a night and I'll see you on Friday."
"Okay; you're not upset, are you?"
He was and now he would have to go home and take a cold shower, but he wasn't about to start an argument tonight.
"No, Dawn. Everything's fine."
She walked him out and he drove home. Just as he got into bed, the phone rang. He grabbed the one on his nightstand.
"Did you miss me?"
It was the same soft, whispery voice that called him before.
"Who is this?"
He was getting annoyed and his voice reflected it when he said, "Look, I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not into it. You
must have the wrong number."
He hung up the phone before she could say anything further. It rang again.
"What!" he bellowed.
"You shouldn't have done that. That hurt my feelings. Why would you do that, Edwin? Now, it's your turn. I'm going to hang up now
and when we speak next, I expect you to be a bit more pleasant."
She hung up and he sat there for a minute still holding the receiver against his ear. He shook his head as if he was trying to wake up
from a bad dream and hung up the phone.
What the hell is going on? Who can it be? He thought.
Friday afternoon he was getting ready to leave the store to go home and prepare for his date with Dawn. The phone on his desk rang
and he almost didn't answer it; he didn't want to be late.
As soon as he did, he regretted doing so.
"Edwin, I see I caught you before you left."
The voice was never above a whisper and he knew immediately it was her again.
"Who are you and what the hell do you want?"
"Do you really want to know? You may not like what you find out."
"Look, whatever I supposedly did to you, I'm sorry. Get over it and leave me alone."
"Those are some harsh words. You'll have to pay for them."
"Lady, you're really starting to piss me off. Will you just tell me what you want?"
"Meet me tonight and we'll settle it then."
"No, I have plans."
"Break them."
"No. Why would I do that for someone I don't even know?"
"You'll understand everything tonight. Meet me in the parking lot of the mini-mart on Tenth Street at eight p.m. sharp. Don't keep me
waiting, Edwin. Good-bye; I'll see you there."
She hung up before he could tell her he wasn't going to be there.
"No way!" he exclaimed out loud. "I'm not meeting some psycho anywhere."
He drove home, firm in his resolution that he wasn't going. He jumped in the shower and started thinking that maybe he should just go.
He could end whatever it is this whack-job started.
After toweling off, he called Dawn.
"Hello, Edwin. Why are you calling? I thought we were just going to meet."
"I can't make it, Dawn. I'm sorry, but I have to go back in. The night manager is out and I need to fill in."
He hated lying to her, but felt it was necessary to get whoever was stalking him off his back.
"I can't say I'm not disappointed, but I understand. Tell you what—I'll bring you dinner. What time would you like to eat?"
Quickly, he said, "No, that's alright. I appreciate it, but I'll be fine."
"Okay. Call me tomorrow and maybe we can go see that movie over the weekend sometime."
"Thanks for understanding, Dawn. I'll call you in the morning."
Grumbling the entire way, he drove to the mini-mart and parked his car just before eight o'clock. He got out and stood by the driver's
door. He looked around and didn't see anyone. There were a few cars parked in the lot, but none he recognized.
Suddenly, there was a tap on his shoulder. He quickly whipped around to see a homeless man standing there.
"Excuse me. Do you have any change?"
"No, now beat it."
"I'm supposed to give you this. The least you can do is spare a quarter or two."
The man handed him a piece of paper and held his hand out. Edwin turned his back on him and the man shuffled away. He opened
the note.
I see you showed up. That's a good thing. Now, go around to the back.
That was all there was to the note. He hesitated, not knowing what he was getting himself into. What if it was some crazy bitch thinking
I'm someone who broke her heart or some such shit? He wondered.
Sighing, he walked around to the back hoping he wasn't making a mistake. Just out of the reach of the light that was shining down from
above the delivery bays, stood a woman. She watched him walk up.
"I see you can take directions."
Because she was still half whispering, he didn't have any idea who it could be.
"What do you want?"
"Revenge. You shouldn't have left me, Edwin. I warned you about what would happen."
"What? Who are you?"
"Do you remember all the times we would sit out on the front porch and dream about our future?"
He desperately searched his memory. Something was nagging at him, but he couldn't quite grasp what it was.
"You must remember; we had a lot of dreams back then. That is, before you became a mean, good-for nothing husband."
Suddenly, it all came back to him. No! he thought. It can't be. I haven't seen or heard from her since I left.
"I see you finally remember. Yes, dear, it is me."
"Why are you whispering? What the hell is going on?"
"I suppose I can reveal myself to you now. It'll only be a few minutes longer anyway before I get my revenge."
She started walking toward him and he could see something in her hands. As soon as she came into the light, he gasped, stumbled
backward and fell down. She lifted her hand over her head as she came closer. He put his hand up to ward it off. It was too late.
The hammer came down on his head as he uttered one word, "Dawn?"
Movie Buddies
Starr Gardinier Reina


text:
By Daniel Edward Craig, Reknown.
The examples are piling up, and they're guaranteed to make hoteliers and travel industry professionals shudder.
The latest casualty is a small hotel in the UK that refused to refund the deposit of an army veteran who canceled his 50th wedding anniversary celebration after his wife died. The story hit mainstream media and quickly went viral on social media.
Within days the hotel's Facebook page was bombarded by hundreds of scathing comments and over 2,000 one-star reviews. On Twitter the tone was similarly vitriolic, and a spate of nasty reviews cropped up on Google Places and TripAdvisor.
No question, management made a bad judgment call. But the resulting social media witch-hunt was far more disturbing than the initial offense. It's doubtful the hotel will ever fully recover.
So how do you protect your business from a similar fate? Whether it's a rumor about bedbugs or an offensive comment made by an employee, following these guidelines will help you manage, mitigate and avert a social media attack.
1. Train and Empower Staff
Businesses are well aware of the perils of external attacks, but often the real threat comes from within. We have never been more vulnerable to errors and misjudgment on the part of employees.
As an example, in 2012 a major international hotel brand was assailed on social networks after a front desk employee allegedly mocked a disabled U.S. army veteran who requested assistance during a power outage. He got down from his room by throwing his wheelchair and suitcases down three flights of stairs and sliding down on his behind. Then he went straight to the media.
Staff must understand that social media has raised the stakes. The costs of mistreating customers are significantly higher. Employees and managers must be trained and empowered to identify and resolve issues onsite before they escalate to online channels.
That said, we can't allow ourselves to be held hostage to threats and unreasonable demands. Staff need to know how far they should go to appease upset guests and that management will support them if they hold their ground. In any scenario, professionalism, courtesy and a sincere effort to make things right will go a long way to preventing issues from taking flight on social networks.
2. Have a Social Media Policy and Guidelines
Your social media policy should clearly outline guidelines for employee conduct and stress the importance of responsiveness, respect and integrity in all communications. Include a crisis management component that identifies responsibilities and communication channels.
Before boarding a plane to South Africa last month, the PR manager of a major brand posted a tweet about AIDS intended to be funny and ironic but that many found offensive and racist. By the time her plane landed, a virtual mob had assembled on Twitter, demanding that she be fired. (She was.)
If employees represent your business or comment on related topics on personal social profiles or blogs, they should add a disclaimer that says the opinions are their own. They must read content thoroughly, think hard before sharing and commenting, and consider all social communications as public.
3. Keep a Tight Reign on Access
Prevent hacking by creating strong passwords, maintaining different passwords for each social network, and changing them regularly. Limit admin rights to administrators and senior managers.
If an employee resigns or is dismissed, withdraw admin rights promptly. This should help avert the plight of the major international brand whose employee live-tweeted a mass firing of staff (including him) on the company's official feed. A company executive was quoted saying frantically, "How do I shut down Twitter?"
And then there's the U.S. state tourism bureau whose employee posted "F this job" to its official Facebook page, mistaking it for her personal page. The comment quickly went viral.
Administrators and contractors must be fastidious about maintaining separate personal and business accounts and ensuring they're posting the right content to the right account.
4. Monitor and Respond Quickly
Use alerts and monitoring tools to keep track of mentions, and conduct periodic reputation audits by searching your brand name on Google and major social networks. Be on high alert for signs of trouble, especially concerning hot-button issues.
If a crisis hits, it won't wait until Monday morning. Monitor activity on evenings and weekends, and know how to reach your administrator at any time of day. The rapid-fire pace at which news can spread means there's no time for bureaucracy. The longer you allow things to fester, the higher the price you're likely to pay. Act quickly, but weigh options and potential consequences first. If risks are considerable, consult an attorney or public relations firm.
5. Fix the Problem
The days of sweeping issues under the carpet are over. If you're getting complaints about staff or policies, don't wait for things to escalate to fix the problem. If you can't fix it, be transparent with customers and compensate generously when you fail to meet expectations.
If there is content about your business online that is false and damaging, depending on the source you may be able to dispute it, flag it as unhelpful or inappropriate, or ask for it to be removed. Avoid "sanitizing" your Facebook page by deleting negative comments; it may only further provoke. And don't perform multiple searches of the issue (e.g. "ABC Hotel bedbugs") as it will only perpetuate the problem.
When asking for content to be removed, don't be heavy-handed; it may only make things worse. Legal action should be a last resort—it's expensive, there's no guarantee of winning, and it may attract more negative publicity.
To push negative content down and out of sight, generate new content. This may involve asking guests for reviews, creating profiles on major social networks, or generating news that will be covered by high-ranking news sites and blogs. Charitable work can be a strong antidote for bad publicity.
6. Publish a Response
People can be quick to condemn but may change their mind when they hear your side of the story. Publish a statement to explain what happened, how you feel about it, and what you're doing about it. Post it to your website, blog or wherever you're receiving the brunt of criticism, and direct inquiries there. Call on fans, employees and industry partners to help clear up misinformation.
This "zero tolerance" response example is a bit harsh, but it gets to the point in under 140 characters.
7. Know Who You're Dealing With
As a rule, engage detractors and try to appease them. Thank your advocates, report hackers and ignore trolls. Trolls are people who post offensive or off-topic comments intended to provoke a reaction. You may also choose to disregard irrational and malicious people—others will see them for who they are. Make customers the priority.
After you've followed these steps, if it seems that no matter what you say or do it only provokes further hostility, it may be best to go dark on social channels until the storm passes. The good news is social media controversies tend to flicker out as quickly as they flare up.
While these safeguards will help to prevent and mitigate social media attacks, the best way to protect your brand reputation is to be unfailingly respectful and ethical in business practices, to take great care of customers, and to quickly make things right when you drop the ball. Do this, and your reputation will weather any storm.
As for that UK hotel, management has since issued an apology, refunded the veteran's money, and donated to a charity on his behalf. This hasn't appeased everyone, but it has helped to change perceptions and has set them on the road to recovery after a harrowing start to the year.
For help with policy, guidelines and training in social media and reputation management or to book Daniel as a speaker at your next conference, contact Reknown.


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Omnium Gatherum – Beyond
Finland's Omnium Gatherum made a considerable impression on the metal world with their 2002 debut EP, Steal The Light. The following year's full length Spirits And August Light was equally impressive (seriously, if you don't have Spirits or the compilation album, go buy it). Vocalist Antti Filppu decided to depart following the release of Spirits, and the band struggled a bit with their next two releases, Years In Waste and Stuck Here On Snake's Way, as they developed their sound.
Things really began to turn back in the right direction with 2008's The Redshift, which brought a powerful mix of hard-charging, tightly integrated riffs and solos, and a much more confident vocal performance from vocalist Jukka Pelkonen. While The Redshift showed what Omnium Gatherum were capable of, 2011's New World Shadows put them on the map. Shadows was considerably more intricate than its predecessor, with expanded use of synth elements and more complex arrangements. All of this brings us to today, and Omnium Gatherum's latest effort, Beyond. Already in the elite class of melodic death bands, where would the band go next? The answer is a bit surprising.
Rather than march straight into an assault of guitars, instrumental opener "Luoto" takes ample time to develop, with a gentle acoustic melody that builds layers of intensity until Omnium Gatherum's signature melodic leads are finally introduced to carry the song forward. "The New Dynamic" at first seems to share some common traits with songs like "Chameleon Skin" or "Ego", but before long it becomes clear that things have changed a bit. The thundering riffs are still there, but they play more of a supporting role than on previous albums, while the synth and lead elements are given more of a direct role. This is particularly evident during the song's closing structure, which features a delicate interplay of spiraling lead parts. The clean vocals that the band began exploring on Shadows are also re-introduced and expanded.
"In The Rim" continues in the same vein as "The New Dynamic," opening with an onslaught of guitars and synths reminiscent of Natural Born Chaos era Soilwork. Pelkonen's terse shouts which coincide with drum and cymbal hits are a particularly nice touch. As with "The New Dynamic," "In The Rim" turns considerably more atmospheric during its second half, with clean vocals also returning. "Nightwalkers" opens with an ominous synth and acoustic melody before unleashing a burst of furious guitars. The main verses are stripped down with mostly vocals and a simple repeating riff, with the choruses cleverly repeating the opening melody with synth rather than guitars. An interesting shift occurs at the half way point, with a mournful acoustic interlude leading into crushingly heavy death/doom riffs and subterranean roars from Pelkonen before the song finally cycles back, repeating its main melody as it closes.
"The Sonic Sign" is the album's most riff driven song, and the one most traditionally Finnish extreme in its style. The blazing guitars really get your blood boiling, and the blizzard of technical leads and sweeps show off the abilities of founding guitarist Markus Vanhala and new player Joonas Koto. "Who Could Say" has some hints of "Greeneyes," though it's definitely more melodic and atmospheric, with flashes of aggression that finally culminate into burning leads and furious riffs during the song's second half. "The Unknowing" has a bit of family resemblance with "Soul Journeys," and is one of the best songs on the album, with hooks that dig deep into your skull and refuse to let go. "Living In Me" returns to the high-energy blitz of "The Sonic Sign" with a bit of classic thrash influence thrown in for good measure. The song's out of nowhere surprise comes at the 2:33 mark, with a Jerry Cantrell style, blues rock guitar solo. It's frankly a bit of a shock the first time you hear it, but it works. "White Palace" is the album's finale and it's most ambitious song, spanning nearly 11 minutes. In many ways "White Palace" is a summation of what Omnium Gatherum has created with Beyond. It's progressive, in parts very atmospheric, in others aggressive, always melodic.
As with Shadows, mixing and mastering for Beyond were handled by Dan Swanö at Unisound. That album, given the limitations of so much compression sounded quite good, and the same is true here. If you're expecting the kick drum to hit you in the chest or the cymbals to shimmer and reverberate throughout the room, that's just not going to happen – not at DR5 no matter who is behind the controls. Dan's mix does do an an excellent job of balancing the instruments though. The kick drum is at least there if tempered, and new bassist Erkki Silvennoinen's contributions are clear and well defined. The riffs are pushed back a bit in favor of the lead and synth parts, helping to highlight the change from the bands earlier work. There have been no vinyl editions of Omnium Gatherum albums before, but this certainly sounds good enough to be on wax should they choose to go that route. And of course I'd love to hear it with the dynamic range in double digits.
Omnium Gatherum are obviously not content to rest on the laurels of their previous critically acclaimed album and have continued to challenge themselves, with impressive results. Here we see more of their progressive side, though the heaviness that the band became known for still remains. For melodeath fans, this is a must buy, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it on a few "best of 2013" lists around this time next year. If this is a sign of things to come, 2013 is going to be a great year for metal.
Beyond will be officially released in Finland, Germany, Austria, and Sweden on February 22 by Lifeforce Records. Other EU countries will get it on February 25, and North America on March 5. Pre-orders are available on the Omnium Gatherum webshop.