text:
18 September 2020
Single Sign-On
Language Skin Object
Contact Us
1775 W. State St. #371
Boise ID 83702 USA
Accord Learning Management System
For eCommerce, Workplace and Distribution Channels
SCORM compliant web based Learning Management System (LMS)
Modular design, built on an enterprise class framework
Track eLearning, classroom training, blended learning - any resource
eCommerce, news articles, social tools, assignment uploads, etc.
Supports all mobile devices. Easy to customize layout templates.
Quickly add portals for distribution channels or franchise networks
Hosted SaaS accounts start at $300/month. Perpetual licenses are also available.
more information »
Accord is one of the most innovative, extensible and cost effective platforms in the LMS industry.
Cost Effective
The Foundation
of our LMS is a free open source portal framework. We can integrate any number of low cost modules - simply select the features you want and we plug them together.
Add the features you need to train your staff, educate your clients and build a community.
Ready to Go
Web 2.0
allow your staff to quickly build a training catalog, enroll learners and create utilization reports all through a web browser. Nothing to install, no Web skills required.
Manage your training at any time from anywhere. We are always available if you need help.
Copyright (c) 2020 Interzoic Media LLC
Privacy Statement
Terms Of Use
Contact Us


text: Hello! My name is Jessica and I'm a self-taught artist/illustrator.I've been drawing and painting since I was very young.My paintings and drawings are conceptual and imaginative and I love color..I hope you enjoy viewing my gallery and thanks for looking! (The profile pic is one I took with my daughter Julia..we love being goofy!) :`)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Men's Stainless Steel Hook Necklace
Browse all deals at T.J. Maxx
See more in Watches
* This offer may contain time-sensitive information and offers. Please check with T.J. Maxx to confirm actual price & availability.
- Be the first to comment!
T.J. Maxx
6910 W Kellogg Dr
Wichita, KS 67209
T.J. Maxx
Eastgate Shopping Ctr
Wichita, KS 67203


text:
A total of seven Tibetans have set fire to themselves in the past week in protest against what they claim is heavy-handed Chinese rule in the Himalayan region
BEIJING - A total of seven Tibetans have set fire to themselves in the past week in protest against what they claim is heavy-handed Chinese rule in the Himalayan region, a human rights group said in a statement issued late on Saturday.
Cousins Tsepo, 20, and Tenzin, 25, set themselves aflame outside a government building in Driru County, north of regional capital Lhasa on Thursday, London-based group Free Tibet said.
Tsepo died on the way to hospital and Tenzin was taken away by officials, Free Tibet said. His whereabouts are unknown.
Last week saw the highest number of self-immolations since the latest wave of anti-China demonstrations began in 2011, the group said. Since March last year, nearly 60 people have set themselves on fire in protest against Beijing. At least half of them have died.
"It has taken two days for information about this latest protest to emerge," Free Tibet director Stephanie Brigden said in a statement.
"Across Tibet, the Chinese state is employing force and intimidation to quell calls for freedom and suppress information about protests."
China has branded the self-immolators "terrorists" and criminals, and has blamed the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama, for inciting them.
Beijing brands the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist, but he denies supporting violence and says he merely seeks greater autonomy for his homeland, which he claims is a victim of Chinese "cultural genocide".
Activists say China tramples on religious freedom and culture in Tibet, which has been ruled with an iron rod since the 1950 takeover. China rejects such criticism, saying its rule ended serfdom and brought development to a backward area.
Source: Reuters
Seven Tibetans burn themselves in anti-Beijing protests


text:
We have here what appears to be a new touchscreen interface for a Mac. Exactly what type of Mac, or when it's due, or whether it's even real, not sure. The leading candidate, however: a touchpad display for the MacBook Pro. Tenterhooks, people, tenterhooks.
The photos appeared on the Internet by way of a Taiwanese Apple site, a site that's struggling to stay online right now. Go figure.
It's a 3×3-cm touchscreen, yes, but for what? Again, nobody really knows, but guesses include an iPod touch nano (perhaps related to the new iPod mentioned yesterday?) and some sort of MacBook Pro dealie, perhaps a new touchpad.
It should be noted that the site where these photos come from does have a record of providing bona fide Apple hardware leaks, so make of that what you will.


text:
"Speaking of the coming year, I have started to give some thought to my future plans. I hesitate to call them resolutions as I never keep those. Rather I can them goals, some more ridiculous than others of course, but I like a variety. The next few months should see me reach the magical sales number called 1000 barring any unforeseen circumstances. I'd love to hit 1500 by the end of 2010 because I like round numbers. The past year had me reaching 5000 hearts in my etsy shop and I hope to gain another 1000 in the new year. I want to see my tatting worn and photoed on someone much more famous than I. I also want to get at least one more instructional needle tatting video up and get the actual Instructables for the last two free patterns I offered up as well. I tried to think of something even more ridiculous than the famous person thing, but the only thing I could come up with is a major magazine or televisions feature of my work."So, let's dissect that shall we. I did indeed hit 1000 sales, but didn't quite make 1500, but the math really didn't bear that happening out anyway. Next, I shattered my shop heart goal by garnering 2400 more. I think that might have more to do with etsy growing than me specifically, but I'll take it. I also did manage two more youtube videos and on a related note the views on my first video broke 50,000 views and the updated version with speaking broke 11,000. That my friends is a lot of people watching my hands. My last goal points were regarding fame and sadly, though there were a few hopeful sales and photo shoots that direction, there have been no major sightings. I remain relatively undiscovered...oh, well, we can't win them all.
So where do I go for next year then? As much as I do still adore the round numbers, they are not really a true gauge of my success, they are just reminders that we live in a base 10 world. Sure, I could ask for the fame thing again, but that is a wild crap shoot. If I made half an effort to make it happen of course, but we all know I am too lazy and much too chicken to go out on many ledges. So I guess I'll stick with practical this year. I will try to make another Instructable and another video. I will continue to design, grow and learn. I will watch kittens and children grow, take care of my family, make a few new friends, babble in my blog and try to be better person.
Thank you to everyone out there who reads this blog, checks the Wunderkammer, buys my lace, follows me on facebook or twitter. Thank you for commenting, consoling, commiserating and for ignoring my nonsense...or pretending to anyway. Thank you for being part of my year and I hope to see you in the new one.


text:
Here is another attempt to lock up records for many year, records that legally are in the public domain. The following announcement was written by the New York City Department of Health:
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is proposing a schedule of when the Board of Health can make birth and death records available and transfer then to the NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). The Municipal Archives is within DORIS. The proposal is to place embargo periods for birth records for 125 years from date of birth and 75 years from date of death. This is similar to the 2011 Model Vital Records Act which imposes a 125 year embargo on birth records, 75 years for death, and 100 years for marriage records. The proposal is also asking for input for a 50 year vs 75 year embargo for death for those involved with family history. In New York City marriage records are under the City Clerk's Office, not the Department of Health, and therefore marriage records are not included in this New York City Department of Health proposal.
Records currently at DORIS (birth records up to 1909 and death records to 1949) are not affected by the proposed rule.
A hearing is scheduled for October 24, 2017
You can submit comments to the NYC Rules website at http://rules.cityofnewyork.us
or email them to firstname.lastname@example.com
The attached notice [at http://bit.ly/2xud1uc] has the address of the hearing and or US Postal address to send written statements.
As 50 percent of all immigrants came through Ellis Island when it was open, most people have an interest in New York City


text:
Latest News
Tokyo Marui releases latest products in this Christmas! (2006-10-23)
As we close in on the Christmas shopping season, Marui has unveiled some new exciting products! We know for sure that their Glock 17 will be released in November in time for Christmas. But two other new offerings may or may not make it in time to be stocking stuffers. These include a new Japanese Type 90 Self Defense force RC tank that has BB firing capabilities, and the more exciting M14 SOCOM CQB, which effectively will be similar to G&G's M14 SOCOM offering. The set retail price for the M14 SOCOM is 45800 yen. Check back with our site frequently for updates on these exciting products!


text:
Are you interested in learning about effective ways in which new media can help address the world's challenges? By focusing on the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the second annual Social Good Summit celebrates the power and potential of new media to effect change.
Every September, the world's leaders come together at the UN General Assembly in New York City for a series of high-level discussions. This year, Mashable, 92nd Street Y and the UN Foundation unite to include YOU in the conversation. The Social Good Summit, on Monday, September 20, will be one of the only major public UN Week events. Beginning a week of many questions, this innovative Summit is all about solutions.
Following the Summit, from Tuesday, September 21 to Friday, September 24, the same partners will host the UN Week Digital Media Lounge, a fully wired base for digital journalists, NGO representatives, and bloggers. The Digital Media Lounge will bring UN week to 92Y with in-person briefings from global leaders from governments, civil society, NGOs, the entertainment world, the private sector, and digital media and technology.
You can get involved and follow the Summit via livestream by RSVPing here. You will receive an email reminder 30 minutes before the Livestream of the event you've registered for so you can be a part of the conversation.
Organized by Mashable, 92Y and in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, the Summit is where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions.
Social Good Summit #socialgood
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485


text:
20 Parts of Your Body You Don't Need
1. VOMERONASAL ORGAN (VNO), or Jacobson's organ: a tiny hole on each side of the nasal bridge that is considered to be connected to nonfunctional chemical receptors. Could be all that is left from our once great ability to detect pheromones.
2. EXTRINSIC EAR MUSCLES: These three muscles most likely made it possible for our ancestors to move their ears independently of their heads, as rabbits and dogs do. We still have them, which is why most people can learn to wiggle their ears.
3. WISDOM TEETH: Early humans had to chew a lot of plants to get enough calories to survive, making another row of molars helpful, but unless you chew a lot of branches, these will eventually come out in a painful procedure. Only about 5 percent of the population has a healthy set of these third molars.
4. NECK RIB: A set of cervical ribs—possibly leftovers from the age of reptiles, still appear in less than 1 percent of the population. They often cause nerve and artery problems.
5. THIRD EYELID: A common ancestor of birds and mammals may have had a membrane for protecting the eye and sweeping out debris. Humans retain only a tiny fold in the inner corner of the eye, exactly there where you always catch a spec of dust or debris.
6. DARWIN'S POINT: A small folded point of skin toward the top of each ear is occasionally found in modern humans. It may be a remnant of a larger shape that helped focus distant sounds.
7. SUBCLAVIUS MUSCLE: This small muscle stretching under the shoulder from the first rib to the collarbone would be useful if humans still walked on all fours. Some people have one, some have none, and a few have two.
8. PALMARIS MUSCLE: This long, narrow muscle runs from the elbow to the wrist and is missing in 11 percent of modern humans. It may once have been important for hanging and climbing. Surgeons harvest it for reconstructive surgery.
9. MALE NIPPLES: Lactiferous ducts form well before testosterone causes sex differentiation in a fetus. Men have mammary tissue that can be stimulated to produce milk. This just makes me angry; I've been spending a fortune on milk all these years! I'll have to test this tomorrow with my Special K.
10. ERECTOR PILI: Bundles of smooth muscle fibers allow animals to puff up their fur for insulation or to intimidate others. Humans retain this ability (goose bumps are the indicator) but have obviously lost most of the fur.
11. APPENDIX: This narrow, muscular tube attached to the large intestine served as a special area to digest cellulose when the human diet consisted more of plant matter than animal protein. It also produces some white blood cells. Annually, more than 300,000 Americans have an appendectomy.
12. BODY HAIR: Brows help keep sweat from the eyes, and male facial hair may play a role in sexual selection, but apparently most of the hair left on the human body serves no function.
13. THIRTEENTH RIB: Our closest cousins, chimpanzees and gorillas, have an extra set of ribs. Most of us have 12, but 8 percent of adults have the extras.
14. PLANTARIS MUSCLE: Often mistaken for a nerve by freshman medical students, the muscle was useful to other primates for grasping with their feet. It has disappeared altogether in 9 percent of the population.
15. MALE UTERUS: A remnant of an undeveloped female reproductive organ hangs off the male prostate gland.
16. FIFTH TOE: Lesser apes use all their toes for grasping or clinging to branches. Humans need mainly the big toe for balance while walking upright, the other four are for holding when you slam them on a coffee table at night!
17. FEMALE VAS DEFERENS: What might become sperm ducts in males become the epoophoron in females, a cluster of useless dead-end tubules near the ovaries.
18. PYRAMIDALIS MUSCLE: More than 20 percent of us lack this tiny, triangular pouch-like muscle that attaches to the pubic bone. It may be a relic from pouched marsupials.
19. COCCYX: These fused vertebrae are all that's left of the tail that most mammals still use for balance and communication. Our hominid ancestors lost the need for a tail before they began walking upright. All they're good for now is give us painful falls on the butt.
20. PARANASAL SINUSES: The nasal sinuses of our early ancestors may have been lined with odor receptors that gave a heightened sense of smell, which aided survival. No one knows why we retain these perhaps troublesome mucus-lined cavities, except to make the head lighter and to warm and moisten the air we breathe.


text:
The preceding post is about how to take away minor negative energies by simply putting some citrus fruit in one's room for three days.
Today, allow me to share with you a simple and natural way to help take away negative energy. This is especially good if you're going to a wake or to the hospital and you don't have a Vajrapani Ruel and/or a Kalachakra pendant.
It's pretty simple.
All you need is a small spray bottle. Fill it up, but not up to the rim, with water. Then place three drops of a citrus fruit juice. You can use either lemon, Philippine calamansi, lime, pomelo or even orange. But I prefer pomelo or even calamansi. Then get a pinch of rock salt or sea salt or Pink Himalayan Salt and put it inside the bottle with water. Shake it well until the salts are dissolved.
If you go to a wake or hospital or to the cemetery spray a little above your head when you leave. That should cleanse you from any negative energy that might have attached to yourself from the yin place that you just visited.
What's nice with this is that you can share this solution with other people.
The citrus fruit juice will spoil, so what I do instead is add a little vodka to help preserved the juice. About 7 drops of vodka will do.
For questions, comments, and suggestions please email email@example.com


text:
Construction Consumer Products Metals & Materials Safety Environment Transportation Chemicals Energy Medical Quality
Light Sport Aircraft Quality Assurance
A new ASTM International standard sets quality requirements for the manufacture, documentation and records retention for light sport aircraft designed to ASTM consensus standards. F2972, Specification for Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer's Quality Assurance System, was developed by Subcommittee F37.70 on Cross Cutting, part of ASTM International Committee F37 on Light Sport Aircraft. F2972 will be used by those seeking civil aviation authority approval in the form of flight certificates, flight permits or similar documentation for aircraft.
Light Sport Aircraft are factory-built and intended primarily for recreational flying. Adam Morrison, co-owner, Streamline Designs LLC, and vice chairman of F37, explains that this type of airplane is less costly than those certificated through traditional venues and can be operated by pilots holding a -Sport Pilot license. "Essentially, LSA and sport pilot licenses lower the cost barriers to personal aviation while still maintaining a strong set of requirements for safety," says Morrison.
"F2972 helps to ensure that manufacturers are producing aircraft that are consistent with the design that was originally tested to show compliance to the standard," says Morrison. "F2972 also requires that manufacturers regularly audit their operations and correct any problems."
Morrison notes that F2972 was created by merging five standards developed earlier by F37. "All five of the resulting standards largely address the same quality assurance issues in a very similar manner," says Morrison. "Since the subject matter is largely common across aircraft types, it made sense to harmonize these into a single standard before continuing with further needed development."
Subcommittee F37.70 welcomes all interested parties to participate in its development of light sport aircraft standards. Manufacturers and worldwide civil aviation authorities are particularly encouraged to become involved.
To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation, or contact ASTM Sales (phone: 877-909-ASTM; email@example.com).
CONTACT Technical Information: Adam J. Morrison, Streamline Designs LLC • Greenwood, Ind. • Phone: 317-888-1026 | ASTM Staff: Christine DeJong • Phone: 610-832-9736 | April 22-23 • Messe Friedrichshafen GmbH, Friedrichshafen, Germany


text:
Randomized, Controlled Study Evaluating CERE-110 in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00876863
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : April 7, 2009
Last Update Posted : May 21, 2020
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits of CERE-110 in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. CERE-110 is an experimental drug that is designed to help nerve cells in the brain function better. CERE-110 uses a virus to transfer a gene that makes Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein that may make nerve cells in the brain healthier and protect them from dying. The virus used in CERE-110 does not cause disease in people. CERE-110 has been carefully studied in laboratory animals and is in the early stages of being tested in people.
Fifty patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease will participate in this study. Half of the study subjects will have CERE-110 injected into the brain during a surgical procedure, while the other half will undergo a "placebo" surgery where no medication will be injected. All study participants will be followed for at least two years after surgery.
|Condition or disease
|Alzheimer's Disease
|Drug: CERE-110: Adeno-Associated Virus injection Surgery Procedure: Placebo Surgery
|Phase 2
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|49 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled (Sham Surgery), Randomized, Multicenter Study Evaluating CERE-110 Gene Delivery in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
|Actual Study Start Date :
|November 2008
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|August 13, 2015
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|August 13, 2015
Experimental: CERE-110
CERE-110: Adeno-Associated Virus Delivery of NGF
Drug: CERE-110: Adeno-Associated Virus injection Surgery
Injecting CERE-110 2.0 X 10^11 vg into brain during surgical procedure.
Sham Comparator: Placebo
Placebo Surgery
Procedure: Placebo Surgery
Placebo Surgery
- Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
- Neuropsychological Test Battery [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
- Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|55 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease
- Approved medications for Alzheimer's disease may be taken if the dose has been stable for 3 months
- A study partner who can attend all study visits
- Good general health
- Medically able to undergo neurosurgery
Exclusion Criteria:
- Significant neurological disease other than Alzheimer's disease
- Significant depression or other psychiatric disorder
- Unstable medical conditions
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00876863
|United States, Alabama
|University of Alabama
|Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
|United States, California
|University of California, Los Angeles
|Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
|University of California, San Diego
|San Diego, California, United States, 92037
|United States, District of Columbia
|Georgetown University
|Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20007
|United States, Georgia
|Emory University
|Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30325
|United States, New York
|Mount Sinai School of Medicine
|New York, New York, United States, 10029
|United States, North Carolina
|Duke University
|Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27710
|United States, Ohio
|Case Western Reserve University
|Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44120
|United States, South Carolina
|Medical University of South Carolina
|North Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29406
|United States, Utah
|University of Utah
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84108
|Study Director:
|Paul S. Aisen, M.D.
|Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS)
|Responsible Party:
|Sangamo Therapeutics
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
NIH Grant 1R01AG030048-01A1
|First Posted:
|April 7, 2009 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|May 21, 2020
|Last Verified:
|January 2017
|Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
|Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
Alzheimer's disease
Memory loss
Cognitive impairment
Nerve growth factor
Neurotrophic factors
Gene therapy
Alzheimer Disease
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurocognitive Disorders
Mental Disorders


text:
2012-10-15: Information Station Column
What's new at the library? Well, have you heard about our NEW Family Storytime?? We are so excited to offer a storytime on Saturday mornings so that parents and all-age children can attend together! We currently are offering Family Storytime from now through Nov. 17 from 10:30-11:30 am each week. All ages are welcome (although it will be most useful for children ages 1-6) and parents are encouraged to attend with children. We do a variety of activities from nursery rhymes, to sharing books, to crafts – geared to a wide range of ages. Just come and enjoy books together with your young ones. Sign up by calling or emailing the library.
Book Review:
Love Anthony is the latest novel by Lisa Genova. You may remember Genova has written Still Alice and Left Neglected, both intriguing novels that showcase Genova's expertise in neuroscience. Love Anthony is much the same in nature – a novel that focuses on autism from the mind of the autistic child. I thought just getting into the mind of the autistic child was fascinating. When we observe autistic children, we often wonder how much they are relating to our world. According to Genova, they are VERY MUCH involved and have strong feelings about how they are treated. I thought that aspect of the novel was riveting – in fact, I could have used more of those thoughts/feelings throughout the novel. The other storylines, family-related issues, were good, but, I didn't think they were as strong as those of her other novels. I think it's worth a read – just maybe not one of my "top-of-the-list" of Genova's novels.


text:
Remain Happy Ever After: A Conversation with the Jayhawks' Mark Olson
Reunited with the Jayhawks after 16 years, Mark Olson couldn't be happier. On the eve of their first tour together since his departure, Olson chats with PopMatters about influences, quitting the band, and the mystery that is life unfolding.
Your words hung high in the rafters
And settled down like rain
Remain happy ever after
Happy ever after
-- "Settled Down Like Rain", Hollywood Town Hall (1992)
Shortly after the tour behind the Jayhawks' 1995 album Tomorrow the Green Grass, co-leader Mark Olson quit the band. He had had enough. Enough of the touring, the studio hassles, the pressure from executives. But, mostly, he had had enough of the disappointment that comes when you craft a heartfelt piece of work which stubbornly refuses to find commercial success. Four excellent records into a decade-plus-long career, and Olson felt like he just couldn't keep this train moving any longer. As he recalls today, "it wasn't a joyous ride, man."
Olson's band would continue on, helmed by his longtime co-conspirator Gary Louris, a gifted pop singer-songwriter and melodious lead guitarist. Under his direction, they would craft two very good, and one great, Jayhawks records before disbanding in the mid-2000s having never achieved the success that most of their listeners believed was owed them. But, even during this frequently rewarding period, most of those same listeners harbored lingering the belief that the band had been irretrievably diminished by the departure of Mark Olson. His humble vocals, cryptic lyrics, and Gram Parsons-conjuring acid-country feel had slipped away with him down to his new home in Joshua Tree, California (literally across the highway from the motel where Parsons took his final hit).
I went down there to meet him and his then-wife Victoria Williams back in 2000, and was struck by the simplicity of his life in the desert. They had a few animals, donkeys and chickens, and a wide and dusty view of endless hilly sand. They also had a home studio, and they recorded spare, ramshackle records right in their living room (most of which would be released under the moniker Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers, to scant public notice, despite the fact that they are simply wonderful folk records). I recall his telling me that they taped some vocals in the bathroom. Special effects, man.
By the mid-2000s, following the demise of the latter-day Jayhawks, Louris and Olson began to collaborate again. Olson's marriage was breaking up, and Louris was looking to try his songs in new settings. (He would also record a beautiful if slightly uneven solo album, Vagabonds, in 2008.) They began to run through the old numbers, try their hand at writing new material as a duo, and even dust off some old tracks that they had been considering for the post-Green Grass album that never was. The result was the simple, folky, and highly welcome 2008 Ready for the Flood, recorded mostly as an acoustic duo, and sounding for all the world like a raft of great but forgotten demos circa 1995.
In reality, just such an animal actually existed: the so-called Mystery Demos, culled from two early '90s sessions, had been floating around the internet since the early 2000s. Now that Gary and Mark were back together, playing, writing, and sounding as good as ever, it seemed time to take a look at that stuff, and think about making it available to the general public. Thanks to the folks at Sony, that's just what we got this past week, as both Hollywood Town Hall, the Jayhawks 1992 masterpiece (among the very best records of the decade says this reviewer), and its tremendous 1995 follow-up Tomorrow The Green Grass have been reissued with all the b-sides included. On top of this, the latter release comes with a second disc comprised of about 40% of the so-called Mystery Demos. It's a treasure trove for fans and neophytes alike. But, good as this was, nothing made fans more happy than when they heard that the Jayhawks were getting back together in the same classic lineup that toured Tomorrow the Green Grass: Louris, Olson, Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg, and Tim O'Reagan. A new album is on the way. The Jayhawks are back.
As the reconstructed band prepared to open a short tour in support of the new material, I caught up with Olson at his hotel in mid-town Toronto. A warm, generous, and thoughtful guy, Olson was plainly brimming with excitement on the eve of his first bona fide tour with the old band in 15 years.
You know, this neighbourhood you're staying in is called Yorkville. It was the Haight-Ashbury of Canada in the '60s, the centre of the folk music scene and hangout for the hip kids. Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bruce Cockburn…
Then they must've torn it all down! I played in a club just last year in Boston where Joan Baez got her start. I forget the name of it but it's still there. It's been in Cambridge all these years. It's just this little tiny place, but that's where it all started, those little cafes.
What about you, that how you guys got started, as folkies?
I mean definitely, all the songs were written with acoustic guitars. And Gary [Louris] and I would work on the songs with two acoustic guitars. So we could sing them that way and they sounded nice -- that's why we ended up putting out the "Mark and Gary record" later on [Ready for the Flood (2008)]: because we enjoyed writing songs that way, and we wanted people to hear how they sounded when we first wrote them. That was part of it. And taking it to the band completely changed them, but they still had those roots.
We definitely sat and listened to so many groups. The Band. Joni Mitchell. Neil Young. And we wanted to try to write songs that were as good as theirs. But, I mean, come on. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"? Very difficult to write a song that good. But we tried. And, now we're down the road a bit and people still want to hear these songs. They've lasted, at least a little bit.
Why, if your songs were that good, didn't you guys ever break?
I don't know. There was a lot of violence in the music [at the time, the early 1990s]. It's the only way I can put it. If you were to put on a lot of records from when we were around, and that were really popular, like when Lollapalooza and all these things were going on, there was a certain amount of violence, glorification of drugs, and self destruction underlying these things, and our songs weren't anything about that. So, you put us up against groups that are drawing thousands and thousands of people, and here come the Jayhawks, and it's like: it didn't really work with those people. That was an overarching youth movement at the time.
Sounds pretty bleak.
I'll put it to you that, ah, it wasn't so much fun, really. It wasn't a joyous ride, man! [Here, Olson laughs. Hard.]
Well, I mean, you did quit after all.
That had to do with: I'd been in the band for quite a while. I'd just got married. I found a house down in Joshua Tree. And, I wanted to try something else with my life. I felt like we'd given it 100% on those two records, and we'd landed where we'd landed. And those guys wanted to go on, and I wanted to stop. And they went on.
You'd been together by then, what, ten years?
It was over ten years. Playing in Minneapolis in the bars. For years and years and years. Drove around in a van to a couple of different cities, New York, Chicago. With no success whatsoever. So we had done that. I had been, from day one, in it 110%. But I just reached a point… you know, that happens to people.


text:
BrigitteLaszlo video.Free chat with BrigitteLaszlo
Free chat with BrigitteLaszlo
I am a lady with class and atitude in everyday life who knows what she want and rather focused on what i like and i want . most would say as i know well how to lure my prey. in bed i'm like a lioness in heat who first likes to tease and dizzy her prey and then to ''eat it up''. but also could i be and like a kitty,cute and tender. it Depend on the chemistry and what u gonna stir in me !


text:
Everyone -
I think that the folks doing field work are really going the extra mile on this effort. Joe and I were talking about it, and we think they deserve some extra recognition. We were thinking of giving people custom titles for the forum for doing field work.
What do you guys think would be a good title? What kind of titles would you want for doing something out in the world? Joe and I are going to go over all the suggestions, and make a decision as to which one or ones would work best.
Send in your suggestions by Wednesday, and we'll pick the best.


text:
Emily Maynard Worried About Brad or Bentley Showing Up on The Bachelorette
Maynard was mostly concerned about a return of Brad or Bentley!
First of all, I can't even begin to say how grateful and blessed I feel to be The Bachelorette. It's still hard for me to wrap my head around the entire idea and I just hope I can do as good of a job as the ladies who have held this honor in the past.
It was a big decision to come back. And to be honest, I didn't know if I wanted to put myself through all of this again. I was in love with Brad and what we had was very real and true, but when things didn't work out with him, I was reminded that sometimes when people grow they grow apart. I never want that to happen to me again and it is scary to try to find love in the same way that it had fallen apart for me not that long ago.
I can't tell you how many times I said no, but I know that God allows us to meet people at the right time and I just hope more than anything that this is the right time for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make it work this time because I've been in this situation before and in a way feel as though I've already had my chance. I'm so lucky to be here again and promise it's going to be a great season!
It's always scary meeting new people for the first time, especially like this! I wasn't sure if I would like any of the guys or if any of the guys would like me, but so many of my fears were calmed after just the first limo. Every guy that stepped out made me feel so comfortable and put the biggest smile on my face as they tried to impress me. As nervous as I was, I remember getting out of the limo to meet Brad not that long ago and it was honestly one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I tried to remember that as I spoke to each of the guys and make it my goal to help them feel as comfortable as possible in this crazy experience.
Can't get enough of The Bachelorette? Read Chris Harrison's blog on EW.com
I definitely felt a connection with a few of the guys and it made me confident that my decision to come back was worth it. So many of the guys stood out to me. Even though he was the last to show up, I think I have to start by acknowledging Kalon. What an entrance! As the helicopter was landing a million thoughts were going through my mind. I remember standing there confused, not knowing what to expect, but I also knew whoever stepped out was obviously trying to make a huge impression … I was extremely nervous that it was Brad or possibly Bentley! I was relieved to see a fresh face.
As extravagant as the helicopter was, Jef showing up on the skateboard was way more impressive in my mind! I immediately loved that he wasn't trying to impress me with some over the top entrance, but was clearly confident enough in himself that he didn't need all of that extra "stuff." He's obviously a free spirit but I was surprised at how soft spoken and sweet he was after talking to him.
Anyone who knows me knows I have an extreme love for shoes, so Tony hit it out of the park with his glass slipper entrance. He did a great job making a memorable impression because as he walked away he made me realize how much I want the fairytale ending and how this time I really hope the glass slipper fits and I find my Prince Charming!
Last but not least, Doug. What a sweetheart! The letter his son wrote to me was one of the sweetest things I have ever received and if anyone can appreciate how hard it is being away from their child, it's me. I'm so grateful that Doug took a chance on love, and I was honored that he saw something in me that made it worth it for him to come. It meant a lot and I wanted him to know that I would take a chance on him too and that's why I gave him the first impression rose.
All in all it was a great night and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have 25 incredible guys vying for my attention. Thanks for watching and most of all, for all of your support! It means the absolute world to me to feel so much love from y'all.


text:
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two Penn State engineering faculty members were recently named fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
The faculty members are Mike Erdman, the Walter L. Robb Director of Engineering Leadership Development, and Soundar Kumara, the Allen E. Pearce/Allen M. Pearce Professor of Industrial Engineering.
Erdman was recognized for his leadership in the research and development of analytical and experimental methods in two-phase flow and heat transfer. He was instrumental in establishing a fundamentally based research program supporting reactor thermal-hydraulics in naval reactors, including leading the development of unique modeling fluid tests and instrumentation, as well as the development of new models and multi-dimensional computer simulation capabilities. His recognition also included his leadership in the engineering profession, including volunteer lectures on psychometrics and on resumes and interviews at both Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Penn State.
Erdman holds a concurrent appointment in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics where he is the instructor of a senior-level design-and-build project management course.
Kumara was recognized for his pioneering work in modeling, analysis and control of intelligent, distributed agent-based manufacturing systems and logistics work. He was also lauded for his unique approach — integrating mathematics, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, advanced computing, statistical physics and operations research to solve problems in complex networks, product design and real-time monitoring of manufacturing and logistics systems.
Kumara has been a member of the Penn State faculty since 1986 and holds appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the College of Information Sciences and Technology.


text:
Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images file
Chinese newlyweds pose for wedding photographs near to the Thames Town Church in Thames Town on November 19, 2010 in Songjiang, China.
SHANGHAI, China -- It can take two or three hours to drive from bustling Shanghai to the sleepy streets of Thames Town, a new housing development built in the style of an English village complete with quaint pubs, red telephone boxes and statues of Harry Potter and James Bond. There's even an Anglican Church, though not a functioning one.
All that's missing are the people.
Thames Town was completed in 2006, cost a billion dollars to build, and was designed as home for 10,000 people. But shops and restaurants are boarded up, their doors chained.
Thames Town is one of the more bizarre examples of the madness of a construction frenzy and real estate bubble that has left the country with an estimated sixty four million empty homes. It was fuelled by easy money and rapidly rising prices.
Some economists see it as the biggest property bubble of all time - entire ghost cities built on speculation.
China reports slowest growth rate in 3 years
"Empty roads, empty buildings, empty neighborhoods, empty cities - all over China," says Gillem Tulloch, Managing Director of Forensic Asia, who has traced the spread of the ghosts using Google Earth.
When I last visited his Hong Kong office, we sat in front of a big computer screen on which he zoomed in on city after city, row upon row of empty apartment blocks, lining deserted roads. All have what look like government buildings, museums and universities - the amenities of modern cities, but few cars or people to be seen.
By China's own estimate, there are twenty new cities being built each year. One recent housing development was designed to look like a village in Austria.
And it isn't just homes that lie empty: In the southern city of Dongguan, the New South China Mall, once touted as the world's largest, has been ninety nine per cent empty since it opened in in 2005 – although gondolas are still at hand to offer visitors a cruise down its Venetian-style canals.
More recently, property prices have started to fall after the government took belated measures to end speculation. In some places, construction has slowed or ground to a halt. Construction equipment companies are struggling and there are reports of construction workers being laid off.
The problem for the Chinese government is that construction is a major component of GDP. Wasteful and mad though it may seem to outsiders, it has helped pump up growth figures, particularly after the 2008 financial crises, when the Chinese government injected into the economy a stimulus worth nearly US$700 billion. Much of that money went straight to those ghost towns.
Local government has come to rely on rising land prices for its funding, and local authorities have run up huge property-related debts. Nobody quite knows how exposed China's banks might be.
This is the background against which today's GDP figures should be seen. A lot of economists think the figures are pretty dodgy, and don't properly reflect the reality on the ground, but it's still a significant slowdown by Chinese standards. And it poses a big dilemma for the government.
More savvy ministers know that property represents a dangerous bubble, and wants prices to fall further. They also know that the Chinese economy needs changing - re-balancing in economist-speak - away from wasteful construction projects and exports and today's domestic demand. That will also do a big favor to the world economy.
But with growth dipping below the psychologically important eight per cent level, and the communist party credibility on the line, there'll be a real temptation to open the financial taps again to boost the growth figures. The main impact of that will be to keep Gillen Tulloch busy as he looks at yet more ghost towns, delaying the day of reckoning for China's economy.
More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Briton charged with fraud over bomb detectors
- China offers bounty for piranhas, dead or alive
- Ex-pats rush to aid Syrian students abroad
- Avalanche kills at least 9 in French Alps
- North Korea mystery woman: A possible new first lady?
Follow World News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook


text:
This vendor-written tech primer has been edited by Network World to eliminate product promotion, but readers should note it will likely favor the submitter's approach.
Although much of the Software Defined Networking discussion to date has been about the data center, software-defined WANs (SDW) also show great promise. In essence, an SDW enables IT teams to manage network services by decoupling the system that makes decisions about where traffic is sent (the control plane) from the underlying systems that forward traffic to the selected destination (the data plane). This can deliver greater simplicity, security and resiliency, which in turn can lead to lower operational expense (OpEx) and capital expense (CapEx).
While high-quality SDW solutions certainly aren't "cure-alls" for the myriad of cost-of-change issues enterprise IT and purchasing teams routinely face these days, they are certainly options with the potential for positive change.
Exactly how can a high-end SDW solution help? Here are a few examples:
* Simplicity. A great deal of IT spending, of course, goes toward getting new things deployed into existing environments. From an OpEx perspective, the main emphasis is usually on day-to-day maintenance, modifications and other related tasks. And any time you make a modification that involves complex firewall rules, VPNs or integrating with other sites with traditional approaches, things can get very costly very quickly. And, risk your networks security.
In contrast, SDN solutions can simplify the tasks of provisioning and maintaining network resources, which not only lowers the cost of network management but also reduces the need to constantly reconfigure networks, a process that's time-consuming and prone to human error. From a CapEx perspective, the cost of scaling -- from buying new hardware to expanding server rooms -- can also be very expensive. Rather than taking this route, SDWs offer IT managers the chance to be more scalable at the software level. So, instead of constantly buying new appliances and expanding server rooms, organizations simply purchase new software licenses.
* Security. Today, a typical approach when integrating two networks is to grant universal access first and then to figure out which connections need to be secured and how and when to do it. This affects both OpEx and CapEx in different ways. From the OpEx point of view, the process of securing the system can be both costly and complicated. IT teams have to get VPN concentrators, figure out all their firewall and access controls, add intrusion detection capabilities, and then monitor and manage all access by various user groups.
In contrast, SDW solutions enable IT teams to build point-to-point tunnels, isolate addresses spaces, and then secure them with certificates. What's being granted is extremely specific, so those teams can more easily protect system security. From a CapEx perspective, typical solutions usually involve buying numerous very specific vertical solutions to address every piece of the environment that might be vulnerable. Instead of requiring all this, SDW solutions approach the issue differently. They permit access only as desired right from the start through certain tunnels that are secured by certificates. This, again, is a much more specific -- and inherently more secure -- approach.
* Resiliency. Another way SDW solutions can help reduce costs on both the OpEx and CapEx fronts is by providing sophisticated traffic management and link-bonding capabilities to make networks far more flexible, responsive and resilient. By using built-in traffic engineering algorithms, for example, IT administrators can prioritize traffic by application, protocol or port. Alternatively, by employing store and forward features, they can assure that all data gets to the proper destinations while the network also optimizes bandwidth utilization and delivers on quality-of-service benchmarks. This, of course, makes for a far more efficient -- and cost-effective -- network that requires less operational and capital outlay.
Advanced SDW approaches might not be able to solve all the critical problems faced by IT and capital-equipment purchasing teams. But they do offer benefits that, in addition to increasing network performance, can mean considerable cost relief for IT teams constantly pressured to "do more with less" and for enterprise purchasing teams constantly pressured to "get more for less." For most organizations, these approaches offer a way to turn network resource management on its head -- something I believe will soon win much wider acceptance.
Jay Friedman is president of Distrix, based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada


text:
HELIOS One is a Poseidon Energy solar plant that generates and provides power to the New Vegas Strip, Freeside, and other settlements in the Mojave Wasteland. It also contains the control system for two space-based weapon platforms, Archimedes I and Archimedes II.
Constructed before the war by Poseidon Energy, HELIOS One is a concentrated solar energy plant consisting of an enormous array of reflectors and the power plant itself (housing steam turbines and all of the machines required to transform the energy into usable electricity). The plant has been damaged extensively since the Great War (including recent incursions between the New California Republic and the remaining Brotherhood of Steel forces in the Mojave). Now, only a third of its reflectors are still fully intact and able to fully rotate. To make matters worse, various issues in the plant itself make the energy transfer inefficient, meaning the plant is operating far under potential. The NCR doesn't possess the scientific knowledge to get the plant in ideal shape, and both the Followers of the Apocalypse and the Brotherhood of Steel are reticent to help for political reasons. Due to its fragility, Caesar has no serious interest in HELIOS One, but his troops perform occasional raids on it to keep the NCR's forces spread out.[1]
A pre-War installation, HELIOS One was hailed as the "Dawn of a Golden Age" by Poseidon Energy. The Brotherhood of Steel discovered the facility and were trying to determine how the plant worked, until the NCR initiated Operation: Sunburst to wrest it from their control. Before the Brotherhood abandoned the facility, they put it in a nearly inactive state and armed the pre-War security system. Despite the NCR's best efforts, they have had no luck in getting the plant to work to its potential or in deactivating the security system.
HELIOS One power plant
At the beginning of the events of Fallout: New Vegas the facility is controlled by the NCR, who have a detachment guarding the facility. At the front entrance is Lt. Haggerty, who must be convinced to allow the Courier in, or the player can lockpick a side door to gain entrance.
Downstairs, the building's hallways circle in on themselves, leading to a pool room, where a unique toolbox that spawns either a sawed-off shotgun or a 10mm pistol can be found on a nearby shelf, as well as an open workshop leading upstairs, to the opposite side of the downstairs area, as well as a door leading further back into the building.
Traveling further back into the building is a "technician," Fantastic, who is working on getting the power plant functioning; the room adjacent to Fantastic's contains a scientist, Ignacio Rivas. A nearby door leads to the mirror yard.
Mirror yard
Behind the main building is the solar collection tower and an array of computer-controlled mirrors. There are also two mirror control terminals in small shacks, and several tents set up by the NCR troopers guarding the facility. The western terminal is guarded by mines, bear traps, and a rigged shotgun, while the eastern terminal is guarded by NCR attack dogs. There are also a number of broken solar panels scattered around, that you can optionally repair/salvage for the Sunshine Boogie quest: you'll find the first near the tents behind the western terminal; walking along the outer row and the fence towards the eastern terminal will produce the next three; the final one is by the tents near the eastern terminal.
Solar collection tower
Inside the solar collection tower, past a small straight path there are three hostile automated turrets and several (level-dependent) security robots, a mix of protectrons, robobrains, Mister Gutsies, and/or sentry bots. Going straight ahead leads to an unlocked door to a small room containing several frag mines (both active and inactive) and an easy locked terminal. The terminal can be hacked to shut off the turrets or get them to fire indiscriminately at all targets (including the security robots). Near the entrance is a water fountain with no radiation. Downstairs is a small room with two pulse grenades on a shelf, and an average safe containing more pulse grenades and pulse mines plus miscellaneous loot.
The level continues through a double-wide door and down a sloping corridor guarded by a leveled security bot. The door at the bottom leads into another narrow corridor, leading to another multi-level room with stairways and catwalks, guarded by a Mister Gutsy.
At the bottom of the catwalks past the Mister Gutsy is a door leading to a corridor that branches left and a shorter one to the right ending at a door. The corridor to the left contains a single protectron in a shielded charging station, past which is a laser tripwired door (disarm with an 85 Repair or 67 Science skill). The room beyond contains four more protectrons also in shielded charging stations. The tripwire releases the shields and activates all five robots. The door to the right in the initial corridor opens into a room contains some desks, skeletons and two Poseidon Energy employee ID cards. Both paths have doors that adjoin the final room; which has an elevator that leads to the observation level of the tower.
HELIOS One observation level
The observation level contains the mainframe computer used to activate the plant and direct its power, plus a broken generator that can provide power to the mainframe and a repair robot called PYTHON. See That Lucky Old Sun for more about repairing and using the mainframe. There is a door at the top level that leads to the observation deck. A desk by the generator has a wooden box with embossed red symbols([!]-[X]-[H]-[A]-[H]-[X]-[@]) on it. It cannot be picked up but may be interacted with.
Observation deck
This is a circular deck all around the top of the solar collection tower. A spiral catwalk leads down from the entrance door. There is a reflector control panel that must be activated to complete the retargeting of the mirrors during That Lucky Old Sun. This location is outside, so the player can fast travel from here, though it is not recommended to do so during the HELIOS One/Archimedes I startup sequence, as this can cause quest glitches.
Notable loot
- D.C. Journal of Internal Medicine upstairs in the main building, lying on a bed in the same room with the Eastern reflector control terminal password (head to the right from main entrance, through the pool room, and right up the stairs).
- Big Book of Science can be acquired from Ignacio Rivas during the That Lucky Old Sun quest if the Courier chooses to distribute the energy to the full region along with a large amount of Followers of the Apocalypse reputation.
- Poseidon Energy employee ID card - in the solar collection tower, on the bottom floor, in the room just prior to the elevator. It is on the floor next to a skeleton in the corner.
Related quests
- If the Archimedes I plant defense system is activated, killing all the NCR troops at the plant, it will cause Caesar's Legion to occupy HELIOS One two days later, and will hold it until the end of the game. One of the Legion recruits will mention that in his opinion they don't even need the plant, they are just holding it to scare the NCR. They still keep Fantastic on hand though, suggesting they want to keep the station operational.
- Even if the Legion takes over the plant, it will still report the player's reputation with the NCR.
- Although the Legion occupies HELIOS One after Archimedes I is activated, no Legion fame is awarded. Nevertheless, Caesar will mention this upon the Courier's first trip to the Fort.
- The ending slides reveal that under certain circumstances the Brotherhood of Steel or NCR will retake it after the events of the main game.
- If the Courier sides with Father Elijah during Dead Money, a special cutscene is shown at the end explaining that Elijah makes wide spread use of holograms along with the lethal effects of the Cloud to kill all living things in the Mojave Wasteland before turning on the NCR, while also mentioning that HELIOS One is returned back to full operational capacity (and presumably Archimedes II as well).
- Above the solar collection tower, a Mark II/IV/VI/VIII turret with a Stealth Boy cloak can be found. It won't attack the Courier and cannot be killed. This is what causes the red tick mark around the tower.
- Being seen attempting to enter the facility without clearance will turn the guards hostile.
- After killing the dogs surrounding the eastern terminal, the soldiers in the area may become hostile, the soldiers outside will not however.
- The hologram map in the Archimedes room is a map of the Capital Wasteland from Fallout 3, with some of the pyramid shapes on the map representing Raven Rock, Vault 101, Megaton, Rivet City, The Mall, and the Citadel.
- Any protectrons deactivated prior to setting off the laser tripwire will reactivate and become immediately hostile. However, this does not prevent them from being deactivated a second time.
- There are two smaller than average lockers located in a hallway near the room where Fantastic can be found.
- God (from Dead Money) is aware of HELIOS One and expresses disbelief that Elijah wanted to harness the power of the sun to use it as a weapon.
- Even if the Courier diverts power to Archimedes II, there is no option to dissuade God.
HELIOS One appears only in Fallout: New Vegas and is mentioned in Dead Money.
Behind the scenes
- In Greek mythology, Helios was the Titan personification for the sun and in Greek (Ἥλιος) the word still translates to "sun."
- This structure appears to be modeled after Solar Two located in the Mojave Desert in California, but the location is more similar to the unrelated Nevada Solar One southwest of Boulder City, Nevada (though Helios One is a bit further north; Nevada Solar One is just southwest of where Novac would be if it existed in our world).
- Playstation 3 Xbox 360 The NCR will be hostile towards the Courier, even if he/she is idolized by them. [verified]
- Xbox 360 Protectrons within the room with the laser tripwire seem to be immune to explosive damage. [verified]
- PC Xbox 360 Disarming the laser trip wire within the room with protectrons with Science skill does not however prevent it from opening the forcefields and letting protectrons out to attack Courier. [verified]
- PC The hostile protectrons in the blue glowing holding containers can be disabled with Robotics Expert while inside the container. Somewhere between the waist and the feet, the cursor will typically change to red and you can "activate" the protectron and receive the option to disable it, as usual with the Robotics Expert perk. [verified]
- Playstation 3 The southwest room with the Mister Gutsy has two filing cabinets occupying the same place next to the sink. [verified]
- Xbox 360 When entering the area with the solar panel, the Courier may be attacked by a few of Old Lady Gibson's dogs (Including Rey, Colmillo, Basura, and Audaz.) and a couple of mole rats. It is also possible to witness Old Lady Gibson appear along with her dogs. Reverting to previous auto save will prevent this, but reverting to a save (not auto) will make this occur. It is also possible to be attacked by just mole rats. It is also possible to obtain the Big Boomer Shotgun, from killing Old Lady Gibson [verified]
- Xbox 360 At HELIOS One, Old Lady Gibson's dogs may spawn at the back door (facing the tower) and become hostile. [verified]
- Xbox 360 Also seen once where dogs were not hostile, but Gibson was sitting in mid-air. Also, upon exiting Helios One there were sounds of metal objects colliding with one another. Upon looking to the ground the cursor displayed info on multiple junk items (such as paint guns and tin cans). However, these items were invisible. [verified]


text:
Help For New Moms
Your New Mom Entourage: Who They Are and How They Can Help
Lucky you — not only do you have a new baby, but you also have a slew of people saying, "What can I do to help?!" These well-intentioned friends and family can be a tremendous asset during your first few weeks of motherhood, but it's important to manage their offers, and what you ask of them, with tact and appreciation. Here, we offer our guide to the integral members of your new "momtourage" and how to accept help from each of them.
- The BFF: While everyone talks about the first few weeks of motherhood being exhausting and overwhelming, the less spoken-about issue that many new mamas face is a feeling of confinement and isolation. There may be nothing more appealing during those first few weeks than having a familiar friend — one who doesn't mind if your house is a mess and your conversation is interrupted by the baby's erratic feeding schedule — around to make you laugh and to update you on your group's gossip (and other current affairs).
- Your Mom: She's been there before, and if you're lucky, then she's the person you can go to for anything and everything. Whether you want a nap, are craving a favorite food, or need an hour or two away from the baby, go ahead: be honest with your mom . . . she gets it.
- Your Dad (or Father-in-Law): If he's like most dads, then he's best put to use with a specific task or project. If there are still any pieces of baby gear or furniture to be put together, art to be hung in the nursery, or prescriptions to be picked up, then this is where dear old Dad can come in handy.
Keep reading for more tips on doling out jobs to family and friends.
- Your Mother-in-Law: These early days of motherhood are likely to set the tone of the dynamic between you, your mother-in-law, and your child. It's a great opportunity to earn some brownie points, as chances are that all she wants is to bond with her new grandbaby. Offer up some alone time, whether you use it to take a shower, a nap, or a walk around the neighborhood. Make her feel good by asking her for advice or for anecdotes about your husband's early childhood.
- Your Casual Friend, Acquaintance, or Neighbor: If they're offering, then they most likely really do want to help. But since this person isn't necessarily your nearest and dearest, be judicious in what you ask for. If they offer up a meal or grocery store run, then take them up on it, and if they ask if you have any special requests, then don't be shy (but do stay within reason). It's actually easier to select or make a meal with some direction as opposed to taking a shot in the dark.
- Your Sibling (or Sibling-in-law): You can be direct with them and ask for specific favors, but don't overwhelm. If they already have a family of their own, then they're likely busy (even busier than they let on). And if they're childless (and/or single), then be cognizant of their own lives and the fact that, while exciting, their new little niece or nephew isn't the only thing on their minds.
- The Long-Distance Friend or Family Member: This one falls more on you than on them. If your own family, in-laws, or close friends are at a distance, then there's probably not much that they can do to actually help with the new baby. While you'll be hard-pressed to find time for lengthy phone calls or email updates, Skype and iChat are valuable tools in making them feel like an involved part of baby's early days.


text:
Stats don't always tell the whole story in a football game. Likewise, a football player's GPA doesn't always measure how much he learned in college, or whether he'll become a liability to a pro organization.
But it could determine if a player can participate in the NFL Combine. Bruce Feldman of CBSSports reports, citing a league source, reports that NFL is considering not inviting players who are academically ineligible in college to the Combine. The idea is being discussed in response to "increased scrutiny on the maturity and commitment of the prospects entering the NFL."
Next, prospects will be required to wear 37 pieces of flair instead of 13.
Piggybacking on what PFT wrote, while the idea seems noble on the surface, there's not much substance to it underneath. College football isn't as much a "farm system" for the pros as it is a weeding out process, but the NFL nevertheless benefits from outsourcing its minor league system.
To suddenly put an extra emphasis on academics in college when football performance matters most to NFL clubs is only going to make things harder. The scouting combine is a money saver for pro organizations and academically ineligible players will be drafted anyways. On top of that, to correlate grades with the maturity needed to be a valuable member of an organization has a Band Aid-head wound type feel to it.
And just imagine the increase in academic fraud to make sure an athlete is eligible for the biggest event that determines his future career. Let's say a prospect makes the grade to be eligible for the combine, but is later found to have committed academic fraud, along with his school, in the process. Does Roger Goodell do anything? Is it even punishable? If so, how? It's certainly not a lesson to be learned by that point in the player's career, or the team for which he plays.
The sweet irony of the idea is that it's supposed to help NFL teams, when in fact it would do nothing of the sort; rather, it would only serve as another PR campaign for college programs so they could point to the number of football players "successful" on and off the field. It would be like the APR except even more meaningless and with the added bonus of being easily falsified.
But, most importantly, requiring players to be academically eligible for the combine won't do what it's supposedly intended to do: reduce bad apples. Players won't strive for greatness in their lives because a minimum academic bar has been set. If anything, they'll strive for that bar and that bar only, and use whatever means necessary, good or bad, to get past the detraction.
NFL clubs do plenty of scouting and due diligence as it is. There's no need to add in a requirement that doesn't matter to teams anyway.


text:
Senior Vice President,
Philip Schiller is Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing reporting to CEO Tim Cook.
Schiller is a member of Apple's executive team.
Since rejoining Apple in April 1997 Schiller has helped the company create the best computers in the world with the Mac, lead the digital music revolution with iPod and iTunes, reinvent mobile phones with iPhone and the App Store, and define the future of mobile computing with iPad.
Schiller has over 25 years of marketing and management experience, including 20 years at Apple in various marketing management positions; as the VP of Product Marketing at Macromedia, Inc. of San Francisco, CA; as the director of Product Marketing at FirePower Systems, Inc. of Menlo Park, CA; as an IT manager at Nolan, Norton & Company of Lexington, MA; and as a programmer and systems analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Schiller graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Boston College in 1982.


text:
I am sitting here crying after what i would say was a horrible ordeal. Ok, maybe 'ordeal' is a bit strong but i will describe it anyway.
My boyfriend appeared as i was having a lie down. All the walking i have been doing lately is making me tired as my body isnt used to it. So i was lying relaxing after a busy and in my opinion successful day out. He arrived and since it is raining suggested that we go out in the car instead. I havent been on a long car journey in years. I know that a lot of agoraphobics can handle car journeys, but not walk much. I seem to be the other way around. I am never in a car. Anyway i had told him that i am up for trying the car now, my confidence has been building lately and felt i was ready to take on the challange.
I tried to explain how it would work, i need someone to be patient and support me, even if it means driving up and down my street just to get used to it. Right from the word go he was angry with me, saying i didnt trust him, he was shouting and this was BEFORE we got in the car.
In the car he shouted at me through clenched teeth telling me i am not trying at all. 'You are a 27 year old girl, it is time to get your life back'. We drove. As he drove he shouted and screamed. I looked out of the window and cried. I got further than i expected but eventually told him to turn back. He drove me home and we made off on the journey again. Again i was ok.... but when reaching my limit told him to turn back. As i write this my head is pounding so im not totally sure what he was shouting about but mostly it was about how im not trying enough, he said i couldnt go back home as we had only been out for 5 minutes. He said i need to keep driving to that point untill it doesnt scare me, and then go further. I totally agree with this....but how can you do it when someone is screaming at you??
Third time we drove there again and when i asked him to turn back instead of go further he lost it. 'So much for ******* progress'. I asked him not to speak to me like a piece of s*** and he told me to stop acting like it.
He dropped me at my house and said he didnt want to come in and sit around with me. His parting words were 'Go on... run along and sit in your bedroom because thats all your life will ever come to'.
So im drained. I wont let that happen to me. I KNOW i am doing well, and even though tonight was horrible i still did good. I am angry that someone could be that way. Im sure its frustrating for him but i dont think thats any excuse. Don't let anyone ruin your successes. I dont think he realised how much damage he could have caused tonight. I could not associate being in a car with fear, being upset and someone shouting at me. Hardly makes me want to run out and do it again. But i wont let that happen. Next time i just wont be with him.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Difficult Drive
I am sitting here crying after what i would say was a horrible ordeal. Ok, maybe 'ordeal' is a bit strong but i will describe it anyway.
Posted by Lynn at 19:06 7 comments
Uh Oh its me talking on video
I decided to make a different update post and this time use video. I just watched it back and i do look horrendous but who cares, we are all friends haha...Hope you can understand my accent. Enjoy x
(Typical its sideways lol)
Posted by Lynn at 13:56 1 comments
Monday, 3 November 2008
On Thursday i had my appointment with the Homeopathic Doctor to see if there is any remedy that may help my situation. It was an interesting hour spent answering the most unexpected questions. As well as the usual questions about my anxiety and agoraphobia i was also asked things like, what do i dream about, do i like animals, what colours do i like?
I now realise that homepathic medicine is prescribed to suit the individuals health AND personality. The women explained that my medicines would be completely different from any other agoraphobic as they are tailor made to suit my needs.
I have since then researched homepathic medicine online and it seems there are some fantastic stories from people who have found their remedies very helpful. I recieved my pills on Saturday with the instructions on how to take them. It is simple enough, i have to take 2 a week. Thats it.
The problem here is my negative thoughts working over time. The women told me i can only take 2 a week because they are so 'potent'. Ok so now the word 'potent' is stuck in my head. If the pills make me anxious, are they so 'potent' that i will be anxious the entire week. I know this is totally irrational but tell my brain that! I have been reassured constantly that their are no side affects from homeppathic remedies, yet my mind wont accept it. I have even recieved an email from the women saying...
No, you will not feel more anxious but should find gradually and subtly you become a little easier in yourself and 'lighter' about life. Take the remedies and just let go... leave them do the work... we will catch up in about 4 weeks to discuss and see the changes.
I am just terrible at taking pills. I know this is due to the terrible reaction i had to my medication when i was 19. I spent a week like a zombie, my eyes were popping out of my head and i was panicking all day. I know this wont happen now but the thoughts are there. Anyway i know i will take my remedy. I actually have a feeling they will do me good. Ok, so its not a cure but if i can feel a little 'lighter' about life then i am all for it. I will let you know how it goes.
Posted by Lynn at 13:46 3 comments
Labels: Homeopathy


text:
As far as home improvement gear goes, furnace filters are admittedly among the least, um… exciting. There's none of the danger and raw efficacy of power tools, none of the visual impact of perfectly mitered crown molding, and certainly none of the reassurance that accompanies big investments like new windows or new roofing.
But there can be big impact even in little things, and finding the right furnace filter can not only save money, but also improve air quality. Originally, filters were designed to protect the moving parts of the furnace itself, but thanks to technological advancements, filters now prevent harmful particles from cycling back into the air that you breathe at home.
Below are five common options, available in all sizes and budgets. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) scale rates the efficiency on a scale of 1-20.
American Air Filter
Disposable fiberglass - this is the option that comes to mind when you think "furnace filter." Created from 1'-thick spun fiberglass, it does little more than prevent larger particles like dust, lint, and debris from gunking up your system. MERV rating: 2-3, cost: $1-2
Pros: Very inexpensive, good for renters and those without allergies or asthma
Cons: Has little to no effect on cleaning the air
Zoro Tools
Disposable pleated - this popular option, made from polyester or cotton paper, can remove some small particles like spores and mites, but needs to be changed frequently to avoid clogging and taxing your HVAC system. MERV rating: 6, cost: $4-5
Pros: Relatively inexpensive, can be made from green materials, blocks some small particles
Cons: Can add more resistance to air flow, making your system more expensive to operate
Disposable electrostatic - contains self-charging electrostatic cotton or paper fibers that attract and trap small particles. MERV rating: 10, cost: $10
Pros: Affordable in standard sizes; good for homes with children, pets, or smokers
Cons: Custom sizes are expensive, high costs if replaced regularly over several years
American Air Filter
Permanent electrostatic - similar to their disposable brethren, these contain self-charging cotton fibers that attract particles. Permanent options have a removable, machine-washable filter that can be removed and reused for six to eight years. MERV rating: 8, cost: $15-20
Pros: Little waste, more effective than pleated; a good option if you use a popular size
Cons: Less effective than electrostatic, custom sizes are expensive
High-efficiency pleated - the grandaddy of furnace filters. These are made from deep 4-5' pleated synthetic cotton, attached to very rigid metal grid to prevent leaks or fluttering. MERV: 14-16, cost: $100
Pros: Used in hospitals, these screen out the smallest of particles. May be very helpful for those with respiratory problems or autoimmune disorders
Cons: Expensive - $100 a year, and can only be installed in special housing due to thick size
For more on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, consider:
Radiant Floor Heating 101
Gas Fireplaces: A Showcase of Design and Innovation
Quick Tip: Ventilation for the Home


text:
My clothing, that is.
It was 9 degrees when I left home this morning. I opted for my thermal base layer, top and bottom. Bluejeans, two pairs of socks in roomy shoes, and the inner layer of my winter ski coat up top. On my head, I wore two balaclavas, the second to keep my chin and ears warm.
I had a somewhat brisk pace on the way to the bus, but I wasn't hammering it. By the time I hit the viaduct apex, my torso was burning up. This is the same upper-body combo that was fine -- no, great at 19 degrees without the increased effort.
If this continues, I may try layering thinner layers. Perhaps my thermal base layer, a hooded sweatshirt and a windbreaker or my ski jacket's outer shell. This should, in theory, be about as warm as my ski coat/base layer combo, but with the ability to vent the outer layer while still having something warmer than just my base layer exposed to the breeze.
As it sits, I rode the last half mile or so of my journey with only my thermal base layer on. I took my coat off on the bus and packed it away, so I was already dry. That configuration is certainly too cold to ride any distance in, but it was better than sweating my arse off.
It's somewhat frustrating to have a setup that you know works really well, and when one variable is out of place the equilibrium is thrown all out of whack. I may have to reserve my ski coat.
The Goat is back in its singletrack form again. The cargo rack is off, the rear fender is back on, and it's looking really, really grimy from the last two days. Some of this is slop from riding it, and some of it is the crusted-on remnants of the briny spray it gets while strapped to the front of the bus on the highway. It'll need a good, thorough cleaning sooner rather than later. I can only hope that we see temperatures above freezing for a bit this afternoon, as I don't really have a good place to clean it off indoors.
Random Tunage:
Dynamix II - Machine Language
New Order - Confusion (Pump Panel Remix) [Blade Soundtrack]
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Might need to tone it down a bit...
My clothing, that is.
3 comments:
snap some pics of "THE GOAT" before and after the cleaning! :) i love those type of shots.
- January 30, 2008 7:54 AM
- Noah said...
We'll see if I have the wherewithal to take the After pictures, as I might get the beatdown for cleaning my bike in our guest shower. Better to beg forgiveness, eh? :P
- January 30, 2008 8:02 AM
- Jon said...
The thing is, I go through three or four different temperature bands on the way to work (in and out of creek drainages, into the urban heat sink, etc.) and I am usually just right for one of them, and too hot for the rest. (I tend to err on the side of warm.)
- January 30, 2008 7:48 PM
Privacy Policy
By leaving a link or e-mail address in my comments (including your blogger profile or website URL), you acknowledge that the published comment and associated links will be available to the public and that they will likely be clicked on.


text:
If you loved the post-apocalyptic prison saga of Incarceron, then you'll be excited to know Catherine Fisher has a new series, publishing monthly. We've got an exclusive excerpt for you: the first six chapters of Fisher's Relic Master Book One.
Here's the blurb for the first book:
Anara is a world mysteriously crumbling to devastation. Nothing is what it seems: Ancient relics emit technologically advanced powers, members of the old Order are hunted by the governing Watch yet revered by the people, and the great energy that connects all seems to also be destroying all. The only hope for the world lies in Galen, a man of the old Order and a Keeper of relics, and his 16-year-old apprentice, Raffi. They know of a secret relic with great power that has been hidden for centuries. As they search for it, they will be hunted, spied on, and tested beyond their limits. For there are monsters – some human, some not – that also want the relic's power and will stop at nothing to get it.
Check out the first six chapters below. You may have to select "full screen" to get the full page:
Relic Master 1 - The Dark
City PDF SamplerClick to view


text:
Pork Roast With Sweet Potatoes
1 (3 lb) boneless pork roast (or cubed lean pork)
2 to 3 large sweet potatoes
1 green bell peppers
1/2 cup apple cider
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste
Put roast or cubed pork in the crock pot. Cut sweet potatoes and green peppers in large pieces and add them. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over all; cook all day on low or about 4 hours on high. Serve with rice. (You may add a cornstarch-water mixture to
thicken the sauce.)
Recipe ByOnline Recipe Guide
Share & Print
0 0 100 0


text:
All News Releases By Date
Media Advisory: EPA Training on Toxics Release Inventory Database for the Media
Release Date: 01/16/2013
Contact Information: Latisha Petteway (News Media Only), email@example.com, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355
WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program will offer training on the release of their 2011 national analysis on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. EST The training will provide a brief overview of the TRI program, discuss highlights of the most recent TRI data on toxic chemical releases and pollution prevention activities, and illustrate how the public can use TRI tools to find out what releases are occurring in the areas in which they live. The webinar is open to credentialed media only. After the webinar concludes, there will be a question and answer session. All participants should call the conference phone line and log on to the website below.
WHO: Malcolm Jackson, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Environmental Information
EPA's Toxics Release Inventory Staff
WHAT: Webinar Training on TRI Database for Credentialed Media
WHEN: Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. EST
WHERE: Credential Media Dial (866) 528-5873, ID number: 88236445
Webinar: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/tri
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


text:
If you want to read my super long-winded essay on the state of the game as I see it, check out the other thread. I'll keep this one short and to the point:
In the beginning, when you're relatively weak, the game is brutally hard. You need BB just to get through the campaigns and beat bosses. First Strike is the best, if not only way to earn lots of tokens, buy and evolve your fighters, buy crates and advance in the game. (Of course you can buy them for real money, that's beside the point)
Once you've done all that and you have multiple maxed Elites, the only real challenge left is a live opponent in the Arena. Those are few and far between and it sucks that the reality is that most of those battles come down to luck because we're all still using First Strike and BB.
Why does a team of maxed Elites need a Boost? Needing a boost implies weakness. Level 30 teams need a boost to compete with maxed Elites. Shame on you for using BB with a team of maxed elites against a team of level 30s. First Strike is for winning fast because you only have 30 minutes to earn as many tokens as possible.
What's more fun, a three round fight or a 10 round fight?
Who doesn't groan or even forfeit right away when your live opponent has 2 or 3 first strikes and you don't have any?
Is it fun, interesting or challenging to be on either side of that scenario?
Wouldn't it be more fun, interesting and challenging without First Strike and BB?
There are 51 fighters. How many do you have? How many do you use?
We don't have to wait for an update to make the game more fun for us.
All we have to do is agree: No First Strike teams in the Arena. (Yep. No Sabreclaw. We can talk about Starling & Dark Archer)
While we're at it, no BB either. (If it's for a quest, use them against AI. You know who the live opponents are by now)
What do you think?


text:
Videos | March 29, 2007
Alien Sunsets
Luke Skywalker gazed upon a double sunset in 'Star Wars.' NASA scientists now believe the universe could be full of planets with sunsets like these.
Transcript:Narrator: The scene is recognized instantly by any Star Wars fan--.
Karl Stapelfeldt, Spitzer Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory: The movie Star Wars has this very famous scene of Luke Skywalker, walking out to contemplate his future around a double sunset in his planetary system, and that's a science fiction visualization of what was thought to be possible.
Narrator: Double sunsets are not only possible— NASA scientists now believe the universe could be full of them. More than half of all stars are twins, outnumbering single stars like our sun.
Stapelfeldt; The suns we knew would be there. The question was--was there a planet to be the place where you could stand and see these sunsets, and the inference is getting stronger now that there must be such planets, based on what Spitzer has found.
Narrator: NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope with its infrared eye can detect clues to locations of planets. It spots dusty disks– material around stars, that's left over when planets are formed.
Geoff Bryden, Spitzer Scientist, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory What we did here differently. We didn't look for stars directly. Instead, we looked for dust. This dust gives off heat that can be detected with the Spitzer Space Telescope.
Stapelfeldt: Those are an indirect indicator. The dust particles, they're an indirect indicator of an asteroid belt and asteroids are the leftovers from the formation of rocky planets like Earth. So by chain of reasoning--say, I see dust particles, therefore, there's an asteroid belt there, therefore, there's a high chance of rocky planets like the Earth being in that system.
Narrator: The astronomers also discovered that not all double star, or binary, systems are friendly places for planets to form. The systems most likely to have them are twins situated far apart from each other, or those found close together.
Bryden: The tight binaries we find are most likely to have orbiting materials, asteroids, comets and we're guessing they're the most likely systems to have planets.
Bryden : This planet Tatooine may be very normal. It seemed very unusual and exotic system. Something different from our own system, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's unusual.
Narrator: So planets like ours with a single sun dipping below the horizon each night, might be even less common in the cosmos than the dual sunset scene in Star Wars.


text: Pauline Bartolone California Catholics Adjust To Outdoor Worship During Pandemic By Pauline Bartolone • Sep 12, 2020 During normal times, the concrete alleyway behind the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento goes mostly unnoticed. Cars and delivery trucks pass through, crows fly over at dusk and homeless people sleep there at night. But since July, when California banned indoor religious services in many counties in order to stop the spread of COVID-19, this alley has been a place of worship. California County Pushes Drugmakers To Pay For Pill Waste By Pauline Bartolone • Jan 3, 2014 The leftover prescription drugs you have around your house are at the center of a battle between small government and big pharmaceutical companies. The immediate aim is to have the pharmaceutical companies take care of disposing of extra drugs. But Alameda County in northern California wants to make manufacturers think about the life cycles of their products — from their creation to what happens when they're no longer needed. To Curb Costs, New California Health Plans Trim Care Choices By Pauline Bartolone • Dec 9, 2013 When Diane Shore got a letter that her health policy would be canceled, the small premium increase for the new plan didn't bother her that much. But the changes in her choices for care really bugged her. "My physicians will no longer be in this network of physicians, or the hospitals," she says. Shore, 62, owned an IT consulting business in the San Francisco Bay Area and retired when she sold it in 2000. She wants to stick with the health care providers that she's had for years, she says, including the surgeon who cared for her when she had breast cancer in 1998. Health Exchange Day One: A View From California By Pauline Bartolone • Oct 1, 2013 Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. PAULINE BARTOLONE, BYLINE: I'm Pauline Bartolone in Sacramento. Calif. Seeks Answers On Questionable Prison Sterilizations By Pauline Bartolone • Sep 20, 2013 Sitting in her San Francisco living room, Kimberly Jeffrey is combing her son Noel's hair. He groans, but she meets his energy with calm — and adoration. Noel's birth was not an easy time. While Jeffrey was pregnant, she served a six-month sentence for petty theft at a state prison. When it came time to deliver Noel through a caesarean-section, Jeffrey was also confronted with the prospect of sterilization. Medical Discount Plan In Nevada Skips Insurers By Pauline Bartolone • Aug 13, 2013 Shelley Toreson, who lives near Reno, Nev., had health insurance for years — but not anymore. Instead, she is part of an unusual Nevada nonprofit that helps connect 12,000 uninsured residents to doctors and hospitals that are willing to accept a lower, negotiated fee for their services. California Weighs Expanded Role For Nurse Practitioners By Pauline Bartolone • May 9, 2013 As states gear up for the Affordable Care Act, they're trying to figure out if there will be enough providers of health care to meet demand from the newly insured. California is one of 15 states expected to consider legislation this year that would give advanced practice nurses more authority to care for patients without a doctor's supervision. Tina Clark is a nurse practitioner at Glide Health Services, a clinic in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, a low-income section of the city.