text:
Every day, a steady stream of bikes sails past on Craigslist. How do you pick the one that is right for you from out of the pile? Use our five step bike-buying guide.
1. Set Expectations According To Your Budget
Begin any bike-buying exercise by asking yourself: what am I buying this for and how often do I plan to use it? The answer to that question will dictate how much you should be willing to spend on it. Here is my rough price guide:
- $80 – $150: If you are planning to ride casually, this price range will get you something that is basic but functional, probably department store but possibly vintage. Either way, it will probably be quite heavy.
- $200 – $400: If you plan to ride more often, this is the price point at which you can get good bang for your buck. Some very decent vintage road bikes, as well as modern hybrids or mountain bikes, can be had at this price.
- $500+: This price range will land you something that is new-ish, trendy, specialized, or fully accessorized, made from lighter, quality materials such as high-end steel, aluminium, titanium, or even carbon fibre.
Start your browsing with these price ranges in mind. Look farther out for deals that present higher opportunity costs (time, gas, etc.) for others to check out. Also, consider something that isn't "cool." Late 80s and early 90s mountain bikes are currently out of fashion, and under-appreciated, and make a good value buy—for now.
2. Play the Field Before Settling on One
Arrange to see several bikes in your area over the course of a morning or afternoon. This is your chance to try different styles of bikes and see which you like the best. I have sold a dozen bikes on Craigslist this year, and found last-minute cancellations from buyers doing this somewhat frustrating, but hey—I'm not entitled to a sale. Whoever best meets a customer's needs generally wins.
3. Inspect for Damage and Discrepancies
Inspect the bike in daytime, or at least under bright lights. Given that a simple tune-up will run you about $50, you should expect the bike to be fully tuned up. Also expect the bike to be clean, so that you can run your hands all over it. ("Bring a set of hex keys. And bring a pump if you plan to ride it home," advises a fellow bike fiend who will cycle out 40 miles for a deal, sometimes riding back with a bike around his neck.)
Look for rust spots, dents, and crinkly-looking ripples in the paint, especially around points where the tubes join together, which could be indicative of crash damage. Are the sidewalls of the tires brittle and crumbly? Are the tires starting to crack?
Things that will cost you money to fix and discrepancies between the actual bike and its description in the ad can both serve as leverage points during bargaining. You should be able to knock $10 to $20 off the price for every unaddressed issue you can identify. (Check for the same things as you would on one of your rusty bikes.)
4. Test Ride and Adjustments
It goes without saying that you should take the bike for a spin around the neighbourhood before even considering buying. Ask the seller to adjust the seat and handlebars to your fit. This will also reveal deal-breakers such as stuck stems or seat posts, which hint at past neglect.
Try the brakes. Try all the gear combinations and ensure that they work. Listen for clangs and periodic rubbing sounds. Watch for wobbles in the wheel or bumps in the tires. Try to ride hands-free: the bike should track dead straight when your release the pressure off the handlebars; if it constantly veers to one side, either the fork or the frame itself could be bent. Don't buy bent things!
5. Don't be Afraid to Bargain
Figure out if the seller is a private individual, or a bike flipper. You can tell if it's the latter if they've got several posts that use similar wording. It's not necessarily worse to buy a bike from a flipper – some of them are driven by a passion for cycling and for restoring bikes – as you can ask for additional accessories such as carriers, baskets, and fenders, which they can install for less than it would cost you to do it.
A seller will generally be willing to knock off about 10% to 15% of the price. Leverage the fact that you are trying other bikes in your negotiation. Also, a more expensive or specialized item that has been listed for a while is likely to garner fewer bites from potential buyers, so you might be able to score a deeper discount.
Case in point: I recently drove out 100 miles with a friend to serve as French-to-English translator on a bike deal, because Quebec. His target: a downhill bike that had fetched $3,000 new, which was listed for $1,200. The bike checked out; the seller even threw in some replacement parts he had machined specifically for it. My friend offered him – rather brazenly, I thought – $990. The seller took it on the spot.
Finding the right bike is not very different from other things in life: know what you want, try different things, and attempt to be at least somewhat knowledgeable. You don't need to be a bike tubing nerd to know that bike frame labels like "cromoly" or aluminium generally denote higher quality, whereas stickers stating "1020 steel," "high-tensile steel," or "high-carbon steel" mean that the bike is lower-end. But if you only plan to ride casually and don't need to carry your bikie up and down stairs, that $100 high-tensile steed might be just what you need.
[Image by author]


text:
Marquette beats Wisconsin 60-50
Cadougan scores 18 for Golden Eagles
Junior Cadougan scored 13 of his 18 points in the final 10 minutes and Vander Blue added 17 points to lead Marquette past rival Wisconsin 60-50 on Saturday night.
Marquette, coming off an 82-49 loss at No. 6 Florida on Nov. 29, led the entire game but wasn't able to shake the Badgers until the closing minutes.
No Wisconsin player scored in double digits with Jared Berggren and Ryan Evans each scoring nine points. Davante Gardner scored 10 points off the bench for Marquette (6-2).
Neither team had success with free throws. Marquette missed 10 of 17 and Wisconsin (6-4) missed 14 of 23.
Marquette dominated down low, outscoring the Badgers 36-10 in the paint. The Golden Eagles contested seemingly every inside shot by Wisconsin, which beat the Badgers for the second consecutive year.
Wisconsin pulled within 48-44 on Ryan Evans' jumper with 7:08 to go. Marquette then ran off seven consecutive points to pull away.
Jamil Wilson scored on a turn-around eight-foot shot with 5:41 left to start the decisive run. Cadougan then scored on a driving layup, was fouled and converted the three-point play.
Davante Gardner scored on an offensive rebound to make it 55-44 with 1:32 to go.
Berggren and George Marshall hit a pair of 3-pointers to pull the Badgers within 55-50 with 40 seconds left.
Blue, who scored 15 of his points in the first half, then threw a full-court pass to Cadougan, who sprinted to the basket for the lay-up and the foul, converting the free throw for a 58-50 lead with 39 seconds to go.
The Golden Eagles held a double-digit lead for much of the second half, but Wisconsin ran off 10 consecutive points to pull within 41-38 on Berggren's baseline 3-pointer with 10:25 to go.
Berggren, who came into the game as Wisconsin's leading scorer at 14.9 points, was held scoreless during the first half and managed to get only one shot off and didn't make a basket until making a lay-in with just under 12 minutes left in the game. It was Wisconsin's final basket in the paint.
The Golden Eagles took a 7-0 lead to open the game and never trailed. Wisconsin missed eight of nine 3-pointers in the first half, but stayed in the game because Marquette missed eight of nine free throws.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
New! Virtual try on
This combo's drawing a blank. Try resetting the filter and searching again.
00A Absolute Platinum
00B Max Blonde
00B Ice Blonde
To speak to a colour expert, drop our Schwarzkopf Advisory Service a line on freephone 0800 328 9214 (UK),1800 535 634 (Ireland) or send us the details via the contact form here.
Alternatively you can also email us at email@example.com or ask us on social below.


text:
Fairway wood setup
One of the reasons why players often struggle with their fairway woods is that they treat them too much like irons. By setting the ball towards the centre of your stance, you'll create an angle of attack that is a little too steep. This will have a detrimental affect on both the strike and the flight.
Set up keys
You need to think of your fairway wood more like a driver. With the ball teed up and your driver in hand you should be looking to strike the ball slightly on the 'upswing'. This will deliver the optimum trajectory to maximise your distance. With a fairway wood in hand, you are looking to find a sweeping strike with a shallow angle of attack so the ball should still sit ahead of centre in your stance (not quite as far forward as with the driver).
One other important point to make is that your sternum should be over the centre of your stance at address. If your upper body is leaning forward or back, you will be changing the angle of attack. The next time you practice this area of your game, take time to ensure these fundamentals are spot on, they really should help you strike your fairway woods better. Alternatively, if you are struggling with your woods and want some specific help, please pop into the pro shop and book a lesson.
Click here to book your lesson.


text:
[tweetmeme source="JanineMoon" only_single=false]
No, this isn't a question for only those of you who own a business although if you're successful, you already know. I'm really asking those of you who are 'employees.'
How do your clients see your value?
Whoa…you don't have clients? Or, you don't know?
If you own your career, you always attend to your clients. You always know who they are. You always check in on the value they get. You know that this value is what you provide as a business partner.
How does your manager weigh your value? How do your peers measure it? How do your team mates see it?
How do you know? You ask.
When you own your career, the value you provide is your security. The closer you are to the center of the bull's-eye, the greater your security. You can't hit the target if you don't see it clearly.
To your Manager: What am I doing when I'm most valuable to you and our team?
To your Peers: What do you get from me that makes me a strong partner?
To your Team: What does our team need from me for our project to succeed?
Ask. Start the conversation. Own the process. Learn your value.
When you become responsible for your security, you own your career.
Filed under: careers | 1 Comment »


text: Today's NLM Technical Bulletin offers a tip for those trying to find a specific citation using PubMed searching. Built into its search engine is a "citation sensor" which can "recognize combinations of search terms that are characteristic of citation searching" and match them to citations. By entering the entire title of a citation you are trying to find (or at least six words from that title), the citation sensor is invoked and the desired item is quickly found. It is more effective if the searcher refrains from using Boolean terms and/or tags.


text:
He did that to try to make me go to sleep. I was mad at him because he was fooling around. Day off. He wasn't watching the game.Francona: "We have a close team but there are times when it's best to turn your head."
Speaking of turning your head, on Monday's off-day, Terry Francona and performance-enhancement coach Don Kalkstein went to the top of the CN Tower. Francona walked on the glass floor of the observatory -- 1,815 feet high -- despite his height phobia. "I hated every minute of it. I was stupid for doing it."
Still, he did it. I'll never go up there. Being on the roof of one of the World Trade Center towers was one thing (that was much easier the second and third times), but a transparent floor more than a quarter-mile above the ground?!?!


text:
News & Notes: Game 115
Follow the Herd:
Listen to the Game Live: CLICK HERE!
Bisons Baseball Network: CLICK HERE!
Email the Broadcast Team: CLICK HERE!
Everything about the Herd: CLICK HERE!
Get to a Bisons Game: CLICK HERE!
TODAY'S GAME: This afternoon, the Buffalo Bisons take on the Rochester Red Wings in the final game of a five-game series from Coca-Cola Field (1:05p.m.). With the set tied 2-2, the Herd can earn their second straight series win with a victory today. The Bisons have now won five of their last seven games. Tomorrow, the Bisons welcome in the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a four-game set, August 14-17.
vs. THE WINGS: The Herd is 4-6 against Rochester this season. The teams have split the last eight games after the Red Wings won the first two to open the season. Buffalo hitters have faired well against the Wings as the team has posted a .295 batting average in the first 10 games. In particular, C Robinson Cancel (.429, 6-14), INF Wilson Valdez (.381, 8-21) and INF Andy Green (.368, 7-19) have enjoyed facing Rochester pitching.
NOT SO PETTY: LHP Adam Pettyjohn is coming off his best start of the season. The southpaw threw eight shutout innings on Saturday in Columbus in a 2-1 Bisons win. Pettyjohn struck out seven Clippers and allowed just six hits and no walks. Since joining the Bisons on July 27, the veteran is 2-1 with a 2.65ERA in three appearances. He was 1-6 with a 4.68ERA in his 18 games and six starts with Louisville to start the year.
REY TO BE: INF Argenis Reyes' left no doubt last night in extending his hit streak to 12 games. Reyes went 3-4 on Wednesday and has now averaged .370 (20-54) since the streak began on August 1. The streak is tied for the 3rd longest for a Bisons hitter this year (INF Javier Castillo 16 games, 6/26-7/12).
BIG INNINGS: The Bisons offense has produced a big inning in each of their last three games. The Herd had a 6-run fourth inning in the second game of Monday's double-dip and a 5-run sixth on Tuesday. Last night, a 5-run third propelled the team to a 7-4 win. Buffalo is hitting .292 (126-432) in August.
BISONS BITS: As a team, the Bisons have averaged .370 (17-46) with runners in scoring position so far this series…INF Wilson Valdez has hit .293 (29-99) in his 32 games with the Bisons. C Robinson Cancel has seven hits in his last 11 at-bats (.636) over a three-game stretch.


text:
Derek Fincham of Illicit Cultural Property, has just published a case note in the International Journal of Cultural Property "Rejecting Renvoi for Movable Cultural Property: The Islamic Republic of Iran V. Denyse Berend" 14 Int'l J. Cultural Prop. Issue 01, pp 111-120.
His Abstract:
"In Iran v. Berend, the High Court in London had occasion to revisit one of the most enduring problems of private international law and cultural property. Effective regulation of the illicit market in cultural property is extremely difficult, because many measures aimed at stemming the illicit trade actually contribute to the black market. Courts in both England and the United States have shown that they are prepared to use criminal laws to convict persons involved in the illegal trade in antiquities exported in violation of foreign patrimony laws. As a result, much cultural property policy debate in recent years has focused on the extent to which the criminal law can impact the illicit trade. The extent to which national ownership declarations can be used in civil disputes remains less clear."


text:
Dear Customer,
We would like to take the opportunity to make a statement about the network disruption today, between 12:15 and 12:45.
The cause of the reduction in reachability was a DDoS attack against our network which began at 12:15. This attack was so large that our infrastructure was overloaded for a time and this had an effect on the reachability of our servers and related services.
The measures we took to combat the attack took effect at about 12:45 and the disruption ended at that time.
We regret this incident very much and apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused you.
Best Wishes
HostBlast Team
Monday, April 15, 2013


text: How often should I change my air filter at home? How often to change your air filters can depend on several factors: the type of air filter you are using the overall indoor air quality how many pets are in the home the number of people occupying the home, and the level of air pollution and construction around the home For basic 1"-3" air filters, manufacturers usually direct you to change them every 30-60 days. If you suffer from light to moderate allergies, you could upgrade the air filter or change them more frequently. Or, if you're in a more remote area or less occupied home (like a vacation home) and there are fewer cars around, annually may be quite sufficient. Here are averages that might help you know how often you should change the air filter at home: Vacation home or single occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6-12 months "Average" suburban home without pets: every 90 days Add a dog or cat: every 60 days Add more than one pet or anyone has allergies: 20-45 days Back To Frequently Asked Questions


text:
Hi, Unregistered. | Today's Posts
Discuss water base and discharge screen printing inks and curing methods. Share tips on getting the best results with the different ink manufacturers.
This is a discussion about Double edged coater that was posted in the Water Based Ink Screen Printing section of the forums.
Do NOT Post Self Promotional URLs, Advertisements, Sales Offers or Requests. It is against our Forum Guidelines.
A confirmation email will be sent to this address, so please make sure it is accurate and that your email software is set to allow emails from our domain: t-shirtforums.com (sometimes the confirmation email gets accidently filtered into Yahoo/AOL/Hotmail/Gmail spam folders)


text:
Man walks onto plane with loaded handgun while other stopped over harmless liquids
Steve Watson
Friday, Dec 17th, 2010
TSA agents at a Houston airport failed to stop an Iranian-American with a loaded handgun passing through security and boarding a plane, yet they did stop a woman directly behind him who was carrying liquids in her hand luggage.
Businessman Farid Seif relates his story to ABC News, noting that he only realised he had forgotten to remove a loaded snub nose "baby" Glock pistol from his bag after he had landed at his international destination and unpacked in his hotel room.
"It's just impossible to miss it, you know. I mean, this is not a small gun," Seif told ABC News. "How can you miss it? You cannot miss it."
"They were very embarrassed, you know," Seif said. "And — and they should be, you know. It's — we're talking about total failure."
Seif also told ABC that while his pistol "sailed past" the screener, a woman behind him was stopped for having liquids in her bag.
The incident underscores how the enhanced and invasive TSA security procedures are pure theatre and do nothing to make anyone safer.
While the agents are busy singling out the elderly and the disabled for enhanced screening, groping women's breasts, telling people they are "God", and locking travelers in glass boxes over liquids such as breast milk, other passengers are being allowed to waltz through security with loaded guns and even explosive material.
As the ABC report highlights, the Department of Homeland Security has classified the results of random, covert "red team tests," where undercover agents try to see what they can get past airport security, because the results have been so shockingly bad for the past nine years:
According to one report, undercover TSA agents testing security at a Newark airport terminal on one day in 2006 found that TSA screeners failed to detect concealed bombs and guns 20 out of 22 times. A 2007 government audit leaked to USA Today revealed that undercover agents were successful slipping simulated explosives and bomb parts through Los Angeles's LAX airport in 50 out of 70 attempts, and at Chicago's O'Hare airport agents made 75 attempts and succeeded in getting through undetected 45 times.
Last month, TSA head John Pistole claimed that the recent enhancement of security procedures has come in light of such past failures.
"… unfortunately, [undercover testers] have been very successful over the years. And one of the findings is that we have not been thorough enough. And the concern obviously is, if that's an Abdulmutallab — a Christmas Day bomber — who is doing it rather than an undercover agent, then that can have catastrophic results." Pistole told George Stephanopoulos during an interview on Good Morning America.
Yet, as in depth research has shown, the introduction of naked body scanning x-ray machines will do little to curb such failures, because the machines cannot detect explosive material effectively.
The machines would not have prevented the Christmas Day bomber from boarding Flight 253, according to their designers, and other security experts who have dismissed the devices as "useless".
The TSA has still failed to respond to a FOIA request filed by former Congressman Bob Barr demanding information on the TSA's recent decision to curtail enhanced pat-downs and mothball body scanners so as to avoid negative publicity during the "National Opt Out day" protest last month.
If internal TSA documents prove this was the case,it will serve as concrete proof that Big Sis's security talk is nothing more than hot air. If the scanners were so imperative to keep us safe from terrorists then why would the TSA turn them off, as well as reining in pat downs, in a vain effort to score political points?
So rest assured, while grandma is being molested by the TSA this christmas, it is a distinct possibility that there will be someone floating past and onto your plane armed to the teeth.
Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor at Alex Jones' Infowars.net, and regular contributor to Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham in England.
Stock up for the Holidays with eFoodsDirect and get FREE Shipping!
This article was posted: Friday, December 17, 2010 at 10:05 am


text:
|Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin'
Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, I am once again caught up in that epic struggle between Winter and Spring. The weatherman said this evening that we've had traces of snow on 16 of the last 19 days.
Winter may still be trying to hold on, but we know that Spring will eventually win.
The Iris are putting on a nice show right now. I. histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' is blooming in the front garden. I wondered for several weeks when it would bloom. I checked past bloom day recordd and it seems that this Iris started blooming in early February last year. I'm not surprised because last year's winter and spring featured record high temperatures.
'Katharine Hodgkin' is joined by I. reticulata 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'.
|Iris reticulata 'Lady Beatrix Stanley'
Amongst the Hellebores, the best show right now is from Helleborus niger 'Josef Lemper' also known as the Christmas Rose.
|Helleborus niger 'Josef Lemper'
The Lenten Roses, Helleborus orientalis, are just starting to bloom, though they've had buds since last month.
|Helleborus orientalis
|Helleborus orientalis
I have one last bloom to show for this bloom day.
|Chionodoxa sp.
What's blooming in your garden today? Are the blooms early? Is winter still lingering around?
We welcome everyone to join us for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day whether this is your first time or your 62nd time, whether you have a garden blog or some other kind of blog.
It's easy to join in. Just post on your own blog about what's blooming in your garden right now, outdoors or indoors. You can include pictures, lists, common names, botanical names, whatever you'd like to do to showcase your blooms.
Then leave a comment and put your name and a link back to your bloom day post in the Mr. Linky widget below, so we know where to find your blog and can visit you virtually and read about your bloom day blooms.
"We can have flowers nearly every month of the year." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence


text:
Posted by Editoress on 08/22/13
Team TIBCO is in Belgium this week as they prepare for the Lotto-Belisol Tour. Nearly 200 of the world's best riders are slated to start the UCI 2.2-category race. The Tour offers up four stages from Friday Aug. 23 to Monday Aug. 26. Team TIBCO sends a 6-rider squad including Shelley Olds, Claudia Haeusler, Chantal Blaak, Jasmin Glaesser, Melanie Spath and Lauren Stephens.
Racing opens Friday with a 19.75 kilometre Team Time Trial from Warquignies to Angreau. The rather technical course features cobbled sections, a few climbs and several turns. The remaining three stages are circuit races where fans will have a chance to watch the riders complete several laps.
Stage 2 takes riders through 9 laps totalling 110 kilometres in the town of Angreau. Sunday's Stage 3 Omloop Ni jlen is pan flat for a total of 115 kilometres. The Tour concludes on Monday with the Stage 4 Omloop Geraardsbergen, totalling 87 kilometres. The 29-kilometre circuit is very hilly and includes two ascents up the notorious Kapelmuur climb - a cobbled berg with a gradient up to 20 percent.
Team TIBCO Lotto-Belisol Tour Roster:
Chantal Blaak (Ned)
Jasmin Glaesser (Can)
Claudia Haeusler (Ger)
Shelley Olds (USA)
Melanie Spath (Irl)
Lauren Stephens (USA)
Lotto-Belisol Belgium Tour 2013, Belgium, 4-stage Road Race, 332.5km
Stage 1: Friday 23rd: Warquignies - Angreau (19.75 km) (TTT)
Stage 2: Saturday 24th: Omloop Angreau (110.16 km)
Stage 3: Sunday 25th: Omloop Nijlen (115.12 km)
Stage 4: Monday 26th: Omloop Geraardsbergen (87.47 km)
|Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


text:
Dale is laid off from his job. Julie is working over time.. (Thanks Julie)
Weightloss Challenge – No change - Dale restarting the Challenge Ash Wednesday, Feb 17.
Loved the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Trek to Vancouver -
Passports are in the queue and on target, So far.
Getting a deal on the rental car.
Looking into attractions, itenerary for the week.
Cheesehead Spotlight:
Wisconsinites in the Vancouver [...]


text:
Amman, a Plan
Iraq. The administration gets huffy over the term "civil war." Its proposed alternative, "the War of Iraqi Aggression," hasn't caught on. President Bush meets with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Jordan, calling him "the right guy for Iraq"—immediately after a leaked memo by his national security adviser says exactly the opposite. The Iraq Study Group, meanwhile, takes a study break to pose for Annie Leibovitz in Men's Vogue. Expect to see James Baker cradling Lee Hamilton in his arms on a wind-swept dune while squinting into an Iraqi sunset.
George Allen Got Off Easy
Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejects Rep. Alcee Hastings' bid for intelligence-committee chair, saving herself potential embarrassment. In the other chamber, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb thinks his razor-thin victory was a mandate for attitude. In response to President Bush's question, "How's your boy?" Webb replies, "That's between me and my boy, Mr. President." Bush reminds self to find Webb fils a nice quiet patrolling gig in Ramadi.
He Knows It When He Sees It
Climate. The Supreme Court chambers heat up, as the justices hear arguments for enforcing vehicle-emissions standards. Scalia's rant alone, in which he reminds everyone he's "not a scientist" and therefore doesn't "want to have to deal with global warming," increases the nation's carbon footprint tenfold. Meanwhile, Al Gore promises Jay Leno an "uncut" edition of An Inconvenient Truth will feature "glacier on glacier action." If 2008 doesn't pan out, we hear there's an open spot at The Laugh Factory.
It's Hard Out Here for a Pope
Religion. Pope Benedict XVI visits Turkey to patch up that whole Islam v. Christianity thing. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to see the pope, except for a 20-minute hello at the airport. Benedict backs Turkey's bid for European Union membership, only to see the European Commission swat it down. Conclusion: Popin' ain't easy.
From Russia, With Polonium
Russia. Fallout over the death of poisoned former spy Alexander Litvinenko continues this week, as British officials demand answers from President Putin. A British probe discovers traces of polonium-210 on five planes—three British and two Russian. A shaken (not stirred) Tony Blair suggests he and Putin resolve this like real men, with a winner-take-all round of Texas Hold 'em.
Next Stop, Guinness
Pentagon. While defense secretary nominee Robert Gates opposes a fast exit from Iraq, President Bush opposes a fast exit for Donald Rumsfeld. According to Newsweek, Rumsfeld may stay at the Pentagon until after Dec. 29, in order to break Robert McNamara's record for consecutive days served. Why he wants people drawing McNamara comparisons right now is a mystery.
All I Want for Christmas Is My Enriched Uranium
North Korea. His nation crippled by trade sanctions, Kim Jong-il agrees to resume nuclear talks. Still, the United States twists the knife by banning export of iPods and other luxury goods to North Korea. Now, North Korean refugees will have to flee on foot instead of by Segway.
Party Like It's 1959
Latin America. An ailing Fidel Castro kicks off his celebrity-studded 80th-birthday-party gala by not attending. Luckily, he can still watch it on every channel. A nearly victorious Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won't be able to attend either, citing a previous commitment to eliminate term limits. In Ecuador, economist and outspoken Bush critic Rafael Correa leads the polls; a victory would group him with Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales in opposing U.S. trade policies. Bush speechwriters look up Spanish for "axis of evil."
Off to the Races
2008. After declining to run for a third term in the Senate, Bill Frist throws in the towel, narrowing the shortlist of potential Republican presidential nominees to … everyone else. As Giuliani and McCain continue "testing the waters," Democratic Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack ignores the "No Running" sign and dives right in. Barack Obama announces plans to visit New Hampshire next month as part of an effort to gather support from grass-roots Democrats, party leadership, and Ludacris.
Take the Money and Drive
Business. About 38,000 Ford Motors employees take buyouts after the company posted losses in the billions. The severance checks run as high as $140,000—enough to buy 351 PlayStation 3s, 560 Nintendo Wiis, or a copy of Microsoft Vista.


text:
Technology Buzz Technology – what's hot and what's not?
Whether it's the catwalk at London Fashion Week or the street styles of Harajuku, the fashionistas of Hong Kong SAR are working hard to make sure they are not caught by the fashion police. If you thought it was difficult keeping up with the seasonal changes of the fashion industry, software developers and alike are facing tougher challenges in an industry that evolves at a pace where technology trends could become fads in days, if not weeks.
One way Credit Suisse Equity Derivatives APAC software developers ensure they know what's hot and what's not, is by fostering a culture of knowledge sharing amongst peers through an initiative known as Bootcamp. Credit Suisse hires and grows its own talented software developers, who have both broad and niche interests, that they follow in the technology industry. The Bootcamp coordinators have built out the support network, to help tap into and distribute this knowledge peer-to-peer.
It's common for technology companies, such as the giants and dwarves, in and around Palo Alto, Mountain View and San Francisco to operate similar models. Employees often share their knowledge via informal sessions, community meet-ups and conferences. Bootcamp coordinators focus more on organising video conference seminars across APAC, as well as spontaneous bite-sized talks that take place at a developer's desk. There has been strong engagement from the developers, who are eager to share their knowledge, and positive feedback from those receiving it.
Marcus Lo, a developer with Equity Derivatives APAC, started his first Kaggle competition in 2015 and ranked in the top 10% for a 'Taxi Trajectory Prediction' competition. He kindly shared his passion for data science in a well-received seminar, discussing different aspects of machine learning. This included, preprocessing, feature engineering, feature selection, model training, cross validation, hyper parameter optimization and model ensemble learning.
Manikandan Kumar, a Thoughtworker residing with Credit Suisse, has been exploring Lua and OpenResty to set up RESTful web services within his team. He shared his experience using this powerful, efficient, lightweight and highly embeddable scripting language.
Juntao Zhu, a developer on Fixed Income Front Office projects, discussed his enthusiasm for crypto-currencies, and the potential uses of block-chain technology and smart contracts, outside and inside financial institutions.
Additionally, Equity Derivatives APAC's embedded systems specialist, shared their two cents on vectorization – a data parallelism method that makes uses of low level machine features available on many machines, from exotic to commodity desktop hardware.
The Bootcamp initiative encourages developers to attend technology conferences around the globe. This has helped to keep fresh insights flowing into the firm from the forefront of the industry. Last year, Credit Suisse Application Developer Job Family APAC in collaboration with the Bootcamp initiative, sent developers to Red Dot Ruby Conf, the largest Ruby conference in South East Asia. The Bootcamp coordinators also worked closely with local programming community, Codeaholics, to help host their conference Code Conf Hong Kong at Credit Suisse.
The Bootcamp initiative has been instrumental in driving a positive shift in the culture of the workplace with knowledge distribution being abundant, and vast improvements in communication across team boundaries. Paul Gresham, Chief Information Officer for Equity Derivatives APAC believes Bootcamp's successful model of informal, open sharing of information and ideas is not limited to software development, but can bring significant benefits to all areas interested in excellence and innovation.


text:
She's really my great-aunt Dorothy Jean, youngest sister of my maternal grandmother, and she's 91 years young. Some years ago, she was standing next to a furnace when it exploded and burned off her face. When her brand new skin grew in, it was soft as a baby's and wrinkle-free, so she looked REALLY YOUNG!
She's a "character"; she's what one person on the Internet called "a Renaissance woman," if that's not an oxymoron. I suppose her own family, back in the days, would have regarded her as a black sheep; she's an atheist and, it used to be whispered, a "Pinko," which meant a Communist sympathizer. She also married Uncle Sam, a Jew. Others in her contemporary family might consider her a herione, for doing all sorts of things ladies were not supposed to do, such as fly airplanes and earn several postgraduate degrees in college and get divorced. She worked a long time as a chemist and then went into counselling and wrote a book called, Is Living Killing You? about self-defeating behaviors and how to overcome them. She protested the Vietnam war; I remember her riding to the Pentagon to do this, with Dad, in his car. He went in to work there and she, to protest. Afterward, they both rode home together. She once rafted down the Colorado River with Dad, too.
She and her husband, Sam Eppstein, built their Frank Lloyd Wright house with their own four hands and I remember staying in it, and how different it seemed from any house I'd ever been in...
In World War II, she was a WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilot).
I've just learned that on July 4, the President awarded all the WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal.
Here's part the NPR story:
July 4, 2009Somebody apparently has made a 45-minute video of my great-aunt's life; here is a trailer lasting a minute and a half.
President Obama signed a bill Wednesday granting the Congressional Gold Medal to a group of women most Americans have never heard of: the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP.
These were the first women to fly military aircraft. During World War II, they volunteered for noncombat duty, as test pilots and trainers. They freed up their male counterparts to go to Europe and fight in the war.
But even though they wore uniforms and worked on bases, they were never considered members of the military. Their contribution to the war effort was so controversial, in fact, that all records pertaining to their service were sealed and deemed classified in 1944. That pretty much consigned the WASP to the dustbin of history for decades...
The Life of Dorothy Jean Dodd Eppstein from mel halbach on Vimeo.


text:
09 August 2013 | Influencers | By BioSpectrum Bureau
Aus Pharma Industry Council selects Deborah Rathjen as chair
Dr Deborah Rathjen - The new chair of Australia's Pharmaceuticals Industry Council (PIC)
Singapore: Dr Deborah Rathjen, managing director of Bionomics and chair of AusBiotech, has been elected as the chair of the Pharmaceuticals Industry Council (PIC). Dr Rathjen will hold this position until at least June 2014.
Dr Rathjen said she is delighted to be named the PIC's chair. "The Australian biopharmaceuticals industry faces many serious challenges, such as the constant danger of further price cuts, a declining number of clinical trials conducted in this country, a shortage of incentives to support the growth of Australia's medical biotechnology sector and a complete lack of globally competitive incentives to encourage manufacturing investment in Australia," she said.
She also said, "Even so, with the rise of Asia, we have an incredible opportunity to position Australia as a regional biopharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D hub. Australia boasts some of the world's best scientists and research infrastructure. And we are world renowned for manufacturing medicines and vaccines of the very best quality. To capitalize on this unique opportunity, we need well-designed policies that encourage the full spectrum of activities in this high-value industry, from basic R&D to full scale manufacturing."
Dr Rathjen also paid tribute to her predecessor, Dr Martin Cross, who stepped down from the position in June. She said, "I want to thank Martin for his leadership of the PIC over the past 18 months. He is an exceptional advocate for the industry, and we will miss his enthusiasm and remarkable advocacy skills."
Dr Rathjen said that she looks forward to working with fellow PIC members, the Australian Government and other stakeholders to ensure a positive operating environment for the Australian biopharmaceuticals industry.


text:
The New York Bar Exam assesses whether or not a candidate is competent to practice law in New York. Students that pass the New York Bar Exam receive a portable score that may also qualify them to practice law in other states administering the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).
The UBE was first administered July 2016 in New York and consists of three parts - the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Multistate Essay Examination (MEE), and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). A minimum score of 266 out of 400 possible points is needed to pass.
The first portion of the New York Bar Exam is the Multistate Performance Test, or the MPT. Two 90-minute items are administered, each of which challenge examinees to separate relevant from irrelevant facts and communicate complex legal concepts effectively. The MPT is designed to test students' ability to use fundamental lawyering skills in a realistic situation.
The second portion of the New York Bar Exam is the Multistate Essay Exam, or the MEE. The MEE consists of six 30-minute essays. Students must provide clear, well-organized compositions that demonstrate the ability to understand universal law concepts and communicate ideas effectively.
The third and final portion of the New York Bar Exam is the Multistate Bar Examination, or the MBE. The MBE is administered twice annually; once on the last Wednesday in February and again on the last Wednesday in July.
AdaptiBar prepares students for the MBE portion of the New York Bar Examination. The MBE occurs on one day, which is divided into two, three-hour parts, each consisting of 100 questions. When answering MBE questions, students apply fundamental legal principles instead of local case or statutory law. During the MBE, students analyze fact situations and apply black letter law. Students choose only one correct answer - the best answer - from the four available choices.
The New York Exam is a 2 day exam.
New York requires a jurisdiction specific requirement in addition to all of the components of the UBE. Before being admitted to the practice of law in New York, all applicants shall complete a course on New York law, the content and delivery of which shall be determined by the Board of Bar Examiners.
For more information on the New York Bar Exam, visit the official New York Bar Examination site. To learn more about the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), check out related articles on the AdaptiBar Blog.
Interested in New York Bar Exam pass rates? We've collected the New York Bar Exam statistics dating back to 2002: New York Bar Exam Results


text:
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS or NSA) was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Fort Meade, Maryland. It is responsible for collecting, processing, and disseminating intelligence information from foreign electronic signals for national foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes and to support military operations. NSA/CSS is also tasked with preventing foreign adversaries from gaining access to classified national security information. News reports in December 2005 first revealed that the NSA has been intercepting Americans' phone calls and Internet communications. In addition, EFF obtained whistleblower evidence from a former AT&T technician showing that AT&T is cooperating with the illegal surveillance. The undisputed documents show that AT&T installed a fiberoptic splitter at its facility at 611 Folsom Street in San Francisco that makes copies of all emails web browsing and other Internet traffic to and from AT&T customers and provides those copies to the NSA. This copying likely includes both domestic and international Internet activities of AT&T customers. In response, EFF launched two lawsuits - one against the government for illegal spying, which is still active, and another against the AT&T for assisting in that spying, which was dismissed after Congress gave retroactive immunity to the telecom providers. In 2013, after leaked government documents published in the Guardian and Washington Post, EFF filed a third suit, Unitarian Church v. NSA, which challenges the constitutionality of the NSA's mass domestic phone records collection program.
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Justice
- Department of Transportation
- Department of the Treasury
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Communications Commission
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- Office of the United States Trade Representative
- State Department


text:
Hi I'm pretty knew to programming and I have an assignment which I've been working on but I am stuck
I have to create a 'space invaders' style game, and I've got some basics working. I wanted to add a boss enemy, which appears when all other enemies have been destroyed. It kind of works, only the program spawns a seemingly infinite amount of the boss which then creates a 'wipe' effect across the top of the screen.
Here is my code:
import greenfoot.*; // (World, Actor, GreenfootImage, Greenfoot and MouseInfo) import java.util.List; public class Space extends World { /** * Constructor for objects of class Space. * */ public Space() { // Create a new world with 200x250 cells with a cell size of 3x3 pixels. super(200, 250, 3); //add class with starstreaks addObject(new EmptyBox(),1,1); //add player character addObject(new Player(), 100, 228); //add 4 romulan enemies row 1 for(int i=0; i<4; i++){ addObject(new Romulan(), (25 + 50 * i), 15); } //add 3 klingon enemies row 2 for(int i=0; i<3; i++){ addObject(new Klingon(), (50 + 50 * i), 40); } //add 4 romulan enemies row 3 for(int i=0; i<4; i++){ addObject(new Romulan(), (25 + 50 * i), 65); } //add 3 klingon enemies row 4 for(int i=0; i<3; i++){ addObject(new Klingon(), (50 + 50 * i), 90); } //add 3 shields for(int i=0; i<3; i++){ addObject(new Shield(), (30 + 70 * i), 180); } } [B]public void act(){ List<Enemy> enemies = getObjects(Enemy.class); if(enemies.size()==0 ){ addObject(new Borg(), 100, 30 ); } }[/B] }
I believe the part in bold is the problem, but I dont know why. Klingon and Romulan are subclasses of the Enemy class. The Borg class is it's own seperate class, but with the exact same functions as Enemy. I made it seperate as I figured it would keep respawning if it was a subclass of Enemy.
Any ideas?


text:
It's a brave of anyone to go into the restaurant business at all - let alone in the midst of an economic downturn, in sizeable premises (with up to 100 covers) and in a town which already has its fair share of Italian eateries.
Yet that is just what Salvatore, Michele and Roberto, the team behind Avventura, have decided to do - and they bring to their new venture an impressive track record in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, France and Italy.
Avventura's menu invariably reflects the restaurant's High Street location, but whilst the food on offer is more accessible and down-to-earth than would be found in the Central London and Michelin-starred establishments to which the team are accustomed, the emphasis on quality remains and the passion for authentic Italian cuisine is undiminished.
It is with just such passion that Salvatore tells me of his search for quality seasonal ingredients, paying that little bit extra to guarantee the finest and freshest produce. Where possible he sources his meat, seafood and vegetables from local suppliers but only if they can meet his exacting standards.
Salvatore and Michele, at the pasta-making table!
The freshness of ingredients extends to the pasta - which is not only cooked to order but also freshly made by hand each day on the pasta table at the back of the resturant (if you are so minded, just ask to see the team's impressive array of pasta-making equipment).
Salvatore's passion for authentic Italian cuisine is matched by that Chef Michele Brogi who has previously worked alongside Giorgio Locatelli at Zafferano and most recently in Florence's three-Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri.
The quality of the ingredients and the skill of the team back of house is inevitably reflected in Avventura's pricing . Expect to pay around £8 for a meat-based appetizer and £13 for a fish main - towards the higher end for Worcester Park, but by no means extravagant.
In addition to the appetizing menu of fish, meat, pasta and pizza dishes there is a range of Chef's specialities (squid burger or oven-roasted suckling pig, anyone?), although these dishes do need to be pre-ordered.
When I found out that another Italian eatery was set to open in the old Caffe Piccolo unit, I somewhat sceptically asked how this new venture could hope to succeed where Piccollo had failed and how it could even begin to compete against the might of Pizza Express as well as the two other Italian restaurants in Worcester Park.
The answer, as I found out on my visit last night, is that it won't really try to compete - at least not directly. As Salvatore himself puts it, he will simply allow the quality of the food at Avventura to 'speak for itself' (presumably with an Italian accent), carving a niche by offering high-end but accessible authentic Italian food.
The restaurant is family friendly, but instead of patronising its younger clientele with the the usual nuggets-and-chips options, children up to 12 years of age are able to choose smaller portions of any of their dishes at a discount of 30% on the regular prices.
Avventura is staking a bold claim to the quality end of the Worcester Park restaurant scene and if the great dishes and friendly service I experienced are maintained (the starter of burrata mozzarella was simply exquisite for a warm summer's evening and you simply haven't lived until you have sampled Chef Michele Brogi's buffalo ricotta and basil pesto ravioli) then this will be the most welcome addition to Central Road for many a year.
The Worcester Park Blogger enjoyed...
Starter: Burrata mozzarella with olive oil (served on a bed of aubergine and garnished with anchovies, olives and oven-roasted tomatoes): £4.95
Main: Ravioli of buffalo ricotta & basil pesto with cold tomato sauce: £9.95
Dessert: "Meringata" crispy meringues with wild berries & lemon sorbet: £5.00
Avventura opens on Tuesday 13th July at 82-86 Central Road, Worcester Park. Tel: 020 8335 3355 - http://www.avventura-restaurant.co.uk
The adjoining 'Espesso' cafe is due to open late July/early August.


text:
Get ready for winter28.09.2017
Get ready for winter28.09.2017
Motorcycle adventures don't have to stop when the season comes to an end. Get your bike ready to tackle the elements with a pre-winter check and prep. Kit yourself out in BMW Motorrad thermals and weather proof gear – all designed to make your journey safer and more enjoyable.
Pre-Winter Check
Our comprehensive 23-point check is performed by skilled technicians with industry recognised qualifications. Any repairs are made with original BMW parts and carry a 2-year warranty. Complimentary refreshments are available while you wait.
Functional Clothing
Created with the rider in mind, these pieces are made of anti-bacterial wicking and functional membranes, providing both ventilation and protection while keeping high-exposure areas warm. Special touches in the design complement your BMW rider equipment.
Winter Gloves
Tailored for full functionality and comfort while riding, these Gore-Tex gloves are fitted with additional thermal layers for wind- and water-proofing.
HeatUp Vest
Designed to be worn underneath your motorcycle jacket. Including heating elements strategically positioned in key motorcycle riding cold spots. Combined with a windproof finish this vest is the perfect partner on a winter's morning.
Pro-Rain Suit
This high-visibility suit was designed to fit over regular motorcycle wear to provide an extra layer of protection against wind and water. Anti-slip panels on the buttock area and heat resistant panels along the legs provide additional rider security.
BMW Cleaning Products
Our innovative cleaning technology was developed specifically to remove dirt and grime on bikes while protecting the surface finish. All our products are environmentally friendly.
Removing road salt and dirt is especially important during the winter months. Our cleaning products are specifically manufactured to work with the materials of your bike, to ensure your bike is always ready to ride.
BMW Bike Cover
Whatever the weather. We offer a wide range of branded indoor and outdoor covers, designed to keep your bike dry and safe while it rests.
Battery Charger
The BMW battery charger technology is the only one on the market designed to work through the auxiliary power socket. Designed to support battery health while your bike rests.
End-Of-Season Health Check
Our comprehensive 23-point check is performed by skilled technicians with industry recognised qualifications. Any repairs are made with original BMW parts and carry a 2-year warranty. Complimentary refreshments are available while you wait.


text:
Apple, Samsung in Renewed Settlement Talks, but Deal Elusive
Companies Came Close to an Agreement in February, Court Documents Show
Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. have held a series of private negotiations about their patent disputes since last summer when Apple notched a victory in one case, according to legal documents and people familiar with the matter.
The negotiations included face-to-face meetings in Seoul, South Korea, in December, one document states. The two companies even appeared to come close to a settlement in February before talks cooled off....
To Read the Full Story


text:
For forums, blogs and more please visit our
Developer Tools Community.
By: David Intersimone
Abstract: David I talks about the path for C++Builder to C++11 and the C++Builder 64-bit compiler video
This is a copy of a blog post from David I's Sip from the Firehose blog. Click to blog post title below to see the original blog post and comments.
With C++Builder XE3 and the upcoming release of the C++11 compatible 64-bit compiler for Windows, Embarcadero embraces the C++11 language and delivers the only agile C++ solution for creating native applications for Windows and Mac. This release also paves the way for single-source, multi-device application development with the FireMonkey business application platform.
The Path to C++11
We have had a very rich history with C++. Beginning with Turbo C++ for DOS and 16-bit Windows, and Borland C++ for 16-bit and 32-bit Windows. All along, we have been committed to the C++ language and standards.
In 1997 we recognized the value of the VCL framwork and created standard C++ extensions to work with the Delphi language and VCL. That product was called C++Builder. C++Builder has remained the C++ solution through the CodeGear spin-out from Borland and the Embarcadero acquisition. From this rich pedigree of C++ support through the years, Embarcadero continues to drive our support for the C++ language forward.
An Architecture for the Future
With this release, Embarcadero has created an C++ compiler and toolchain architecture for the future. In addition to continues support for Rapid Application Development with visual designers and expansive component frameworks, C++Builder XE3 includes an updated C++ language compiler with support for the latest standards, including C++11, the latest libraries including DinkumWare STL and Boost, and compatibility with Borland C++ extensions for Property-Method-Events and rich Run Time Type Identification (RTTI).
This new architecture creates an intermediate language out of the compiler front-end to work with a new back-end that is multi-device targeting. Using C++11 and FireMonkey's next-generation CPU/GPU powered application platform for businesses, will enable developers to rapidly build visually engaging and data rich HD and 3D applications with blazing native performance on Windows including Windows 8 and Mac OS X with Retina Display today and also use the same codebase on iOS and Android.
Watch/Download the C++Builder 64-bit Compiler Preview
This short preview video discusses the C++Builder XE3 compiler support for building 64-bit VCL and FireMonkey Windows applications. C++Builder XE3 delivers the best of both worlds - a highly compliant C++11 64-bit Windows toolchain with an agile development solution. Several C++ applications are demoed showing how you can build 64-bit applications and also use the latest C++ features and libraries. Also discussed in the preview video are some of the differences between the C++Builder XE3 32-bit and 64-bit compiler. Watch the video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwwMpBUoR6Y. You can also download the MP4 video file at http://cc.embarcadero.com/item/29197. The preview video is 9 minutes long.
CodeRage 7 C++ conference, December 10-12, 2012
The CodeRage 7 C++ conference starts next Monday, December 10, 2012 at 6am Pacific Standard Time (14:00 UTC). There are 3 days of C++ sessions including my special live, online conversation with Bjarne Stroustrup at 8am PST (16:00 UTC) on Monday. Some of the C++ sessions you won't want to miss are included in my blog post on November 21 - http://blogs.embarcadero.com/davidi/2012/11/21/41993.
Happy C++mas!
During the first 25 days of December leading up to Christmas, I will blog about the upcoming release of the C++Builder 64-bit compiler for Microsoft Windows and C++Builder XE3 support for building VCL and FireMonkey 2 applications.
Could not retrieve comments. Please try again later.
Free 30-day trial! Develop for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, devices and gadgets!
More social media choices:
C++Builder on Google+
@RADtools on Twitter
Server Response from: ETNASC04


text:
"Dad! Be a zombie! Be a zombie, Dad!" So was the shrill and joyous cry of several young children as they coached a parent through a game of zombie-themed chase-and-scream on a recent afternoon at Corte Madera Town Park . Dutifully zombified, the father ambled and shuffled toward whichever of the children was screaming and giggling the loudest, as the pack of them went running onto, under or over a variety of structures designed for just such a game. "Aaaarghhhh! " said Zombie Dad. "Aaaarghhhh! I'm going to eat your braaaaaains, " adding, "Danny, don't go too high on the climbing wall!"
One of the playground's notable features is the racetrack, a miniature two-lane road that runs around the edge of the play yard, replete with railroad crossing signs, traffic signal and yellow stripes. On such a road, kids can bring their pedal cars, Big Wheels and scooters, and race each other like Lightning McQueen and the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. The road makes a complete loop around a tiny wonderland of kid-friendly attractions, from the usual tire swings and tunnel slides and bouncy bridges and monkey bars to such newfangled inventions as a vertical xylophone, rubberized play floors with enormous round dots in bright colors and, of course, that climbing wall.
"This is a great playground," proclaims a twenty-something man with a Giants cap and a bundled-up child whose name is apparently "Boo Boo." "We live in San Rafael, but we come all the way to Corte Madera for this park. Boo Boo likes the wooden motorcycles."Said motorcycles, located not far from the race track, are an evolutionary improvement over those old-fashioned metal animals on springs that many of us older folks grew up with. Also on springs, the motorcycles are brightly painted and clearly irresistible to small children and parents who nickname their kids after cartoon characters.
For some older parents, the coolest part might be the way the park mixes the new with the old. Here and there are iconic elements from playgrounds of the past: a large stone turtle with a quizzically blank face, the plastic lion drinking fountain, a cement dolphin designed for sliding back and forth on.
That turtle, especially, still maintains an immense power to charm, though when being chased by a brain-eating parent, one might want to hide elsewhere. That turtle, evidently, cannot stop the inexorable pursuit of Zombie Dad, or the laughs and tickles that will ensue when he finally finds you.
Corte Madera Town park is at the corner of Pixley and Redwood avenues, Corte Madera. —D.T.
Best Place to Stare at a Ceiling
Gold, aquas and magentas meld majestically in a dreamland of castles, frogs, princesses, moon-jumping cows, fiddle-playing cats and doomed eggs balanced precariously on stone walls. No, this is not a recall of college nights spent on your dorm room floor in a hallucinogenic coma. Decidedly more wholesome, a domed mural titled Celebrate the Joy of Reading has graced the ceiling of the children's section of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library since 2003. Brilliantly hand-painted by local architectural illustrator Robert Eisenberg, the mural is the perfect umbrella for children and parents as they gather for weekly story times. "It was such a cool thing to be able to do," Eisenberg says. "Libraries are wonderful, and it's great when communities put money towards improving them." Eisenberg's Los Angeles high school library had a large mural depicting a golden sun over the countryside, complete with a hidden four-leaf clover that only the luckiest were able to find. The sun mural inspired in him respect for the art, and he was thrilled to be able to bring his mural appreciation to Sonoma County. Using the 500-year-old traditional method employed by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, Eisenberg copied small-scale models onto large pieces of paper, made tiny holes along the lines of the drawings, then tapped along the little holes with bags of charcoal dust. Voila! An old-school version of "overhead projection" is born. Eisenberg then expertly painted over with acrylic paint, the mural painter's first choice. Deciding on which images to incorporate was easy and largely based on stories Eisenberg loved as a child. "Growing up, literature was always important to me," he says. "Once I started reading, the whole world was opened up." Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park. Wiggle Time (ages one to two), Tuesdays at 10:30am; preschool story time, (ages three to five), Wednesdays at 10:30am. Other story times and events vary by month, check www.sonomalibrary.org for details. 707.584.9121.—B.H.
Best Place to Study Newton's Laws
A physical body will remain at rest, or continue to move at a constant velocity, unless an unbalanced net force acts upon it. Surrounded by 40 acres of apple trees, what better spot to study Newton's Laws than at Sebastopol's Twin Hills Apple Ranch. Imagine Sir Isaac sitting under a tree, hit on the noggin by a stray Gravenstein. A light goes on over his bruised head, and he conceives the laws of motion. The net force on a body is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. Say a group of kids take a long, heart-pumping bike ride on the back roads outside town, ending up at the same ranch as Newton. Inside the funky wooden barn, they sell all forms of healthy products including fresh, dried, juiced, jellied and preserved apples; they bake them into pies, cookies and breads—everything a child could desire for a nutritious midday snack. But the 67-year-old ranch also sells illicit treats priced like 1967, and the kids' choice is a tough one: red or black 5 cent licorice, 10 cent fireballs or a 25 cent lollipop? Or maybe they'll really splurge and spend a whole dollar on the big chocolate bars or sour candy necklaces, the cheapest candy in town, stuffed down before their parents know what they're up to. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction . . . Twin Hills Apple Ranch, 1689 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol. 707.823.2815.—S.D.
Best kids' path to rock stardom
The cute young musician throws back his hair, caresses the mic and screams 'I'm on a highway to Hell!" while guitars screech and wail behind him. Sorry, boomers, AC/DC isn't rehearsing for an upcoming reunion tour in this funky wooden warehouse; it's just kids practicing at The Great Burro Studios.
Now in its fifth year, the studio run by Spencer Burrows and his wife Norah offers rock band and funk horn camps to students from 11 to 16, with the goal being to get a band up and running and performing publicly onstage. Burrows says, 'The parents these days are from the generation that grew up with classic rock, maybe who don't play music themselves, but see that there's potential in their kids to play music that they like, rather than take the classical approach."
The spacious studio sports multi-hued green and blue walls, a vivid red circular rug, and the 'wall of fame," a collage of photographs of band participants in action. Although all the usual instruments are available for play in the studio, including seven different brightly colored electric guitars, almost all students provide their own so they can drive their parents crazy practicing at home. When asked if he ever gets tired of hearing the same riff played repeatedly, Burrows laughs. 'There are songs that I can't stand when I hear them on the radio, but when the kids play them, it makes the song a lot more palatable."
The week-long camps start off with the future rock stars choosing a repertoire and learning on-the-job what it takes to be a band, including the fun of choosing a name like Chainsaw Embrace or Walrus Hunt. After days of intense rehearsals, bands play for the public at such local venues as the Last Day Saloon, Chops and area festivals.
From there, 'some bands have gone on to take the reins of their own group," Burrows says. 'It's good for kids who have a lot of extra energy and play instruments to harness that energy and become a band. There are only two rules here. Number one: Respect. That's a blanket for everything. And number two—have fun!"
The Great Burro Studios, 3598 Gravenstein Hwy. S, Ste. B, Sebastopol. 707.829.5668Private lessons also offered.—S.D.


text:
Investors not protesting Wal-Mart. Stock at all-time high.October 10, 2012: 12:58 PM ET
Some Wal-Mart workers have been protesting against the giant retailer's labor practices this week. And several employees from around the country descended on Wal-Mart's headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. Wednesday to stage a rally while executives were holding their annual investor day meeting with analysts.
But Wall Street doesn't seem too concerned by the latest bad press. Wal-Mart (WMT) shares were up more than 3% Wednesday afternoon, hitting an all-time high in the process.
The discount retailer has clearly benefited from an economy that remains sluggish. With consumers pinching pennies, bargain-priced retail chains like Wal-Mart are thriving. Wal-Mart's stock is up 28% in 2012, making it the fourth best performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Shares of top rival Target (TGT) are up nearly 25%. Retailers catering to the most frugal are doing even better, such as Family Dollar (FDO) and Dollar General (DG), have also surged this year.
Traders on StockTwits pointed out that Wal-Mart's Wednesday pop probably was due in part to strong results from Costco (COST), the warehouse retailer that competes with Wal-Mart's Sam's Club. Costco shares were up nearly 4% Wednesday and also hit a new all-time high.
And even though Wal-Mart is often making headlines for the wrong reasons -- remember the Mexico bribery allegations earlier this year? -- investors still seem to think Wal-Mart (and the brick-and-mortar retail sector in general) has more room to run.>
d_ramsden: As $AMZN, $AAPL & $GOOG worry about each other, shouldn't neglect offline world, which is rumbling. See $WMT lately http://stks.co/bBzn
jessefelder: Wal-Mart Same-Day Delivery Service Says to Amazon: Bring It http://t.co/Akx4OqoZ$WMT $AMZN
BrianSozzi: Look, Costco is Not being Killed by Amazon Yet. Mad props to @ashleylutzhttp://t.co/cTBJmAVj @businessInsider $COST $AMZN
These are all great points. We all know that consumers are doing more shopping online. But that clearly hasn't been a death knell for big box retailers that carry a variety of merchandise. Wal-Mart and Costco can coexist with Amazon (AMZN). But specialty retailers like Best Buy (BBY), Barnes and Noble (BKS) and Staples (SPLS) appear to be in trouble.
Other traders pointed out that the growing layaway trend could boost Wal-Mart sales -- particularly with Black Friday and the holidays just around the corner.
firstadopter: Sounds like $WMT going to be SUPER aggressive this year on marketing and lay-away lending this year
sbanjo: So far, Walmart says it has $400 million in holiday layaway, half of what was spent via layaway all of last year – $WMT
Layaway is a term that has negative connotations. But the practice clearly makes sense for many consumers that are watching their cash.
Along those lines, the big move by Wal-Mart into prepaid cards and checking accounts through its Bluebird service with American Express (AXP) earlier this week is yet another sign that the retailer is constantly looking for more ways to capitalize on the fact that consumers are thriftier than ever.
So unless Wal-Mart's fundamentals suddenly start to deteriorate, the stock is likely to continue heading higher -- even if discontent among the greeters and other rank-and-file Wal-Mart employees grows.


text:
Assessing Fertility Potential in Female Cancer Survivors
|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: NCT01143844
Recruitment Status : Active, not recruiting
First Posted : June 14, 2010
Last Update Posted : September 15, 2020
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Hypothesis: Girls and women exposed to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy experience endocrine changes more similar to women in their late reproductive years than to same-age peers. These changes will be more dramatic in women who receive high dose therapy compared to women who receive low dose therapy.
At annual visits over 3-5 years, a combination of physical exam, medical history, menstrual diary keeping, pelvic ultrasound and blood hormones tests will be used to measure "ovarian reserve" , that is the number and quality of the eggs that remain in the ovaries. The study will also try to learn if those who received higher doses of certain chemotherapies are more likely to have changes in these tests sooner than those women who received smaller doses of these same drugs. Additionally a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sample will be collected to look for gene variations that may predict susceptibility to ovarian damage from cancer treatments. Information learned from this study may help researchers to develop guidelines to identify problems with a female cancer survivor's ovaries before irregular menses or other symptoms of ovarian failure occur.
|Condition or disease
|Effects of Chemotherapy
Up to 400 females will participate in this study in one of three cohorts:
- 150 females ages 11-35, with history of exposure to alkylating agent chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
- 150 Unexposed peers, ages 11-35, never exposed to chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- 100 Unexposed females, ages 40-50 never exposed to chemotherapy or radiation therapy
|Study Type :
|Actual Enrollment :
|391 participants
|Observational Model:
|Time Perspective:
|Official Title:
|Assessing Fertility Potential in Female Cancer Survivors
|Actual Study Start Date :
|March 2006
|Estimated Primary Completion Date :
|June 30, 2021
|Estimated Study Completion Date :
|June 30, 2021
Exposed females, ages 11-40
Unexposed females, ages 40-50
Unexposed females, ages 11-35
- Reproductive hormones [ Time Frame: Annually for 3-5 years ]Primary Outcomes for this study will include mean and changes in reproductive hormone measures obtained during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (days 1-4).
- Antral Follicle Counts [ Time Frame: Annually for 3-5 years ]All ovarian follicles and cysts will be measured by transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound. Follicles will be measured in millimeters and grouped according to size: 2-5 mm, 6-9 mm, and >10 mm in diameter.
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA
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:
|11 Years to 50 Years (Child, Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Inclusion Criteria for cancer survivors:
- Previous treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for either cancer or another illness.
- Age between 11-35 years.
- Post-menarchal.
- Presence of a uterus and at least one ovary.
- Ability and willingness to comply with study protocol.
- Have given written informed consent, prior to any study-related procedure, not part of normal medical care, with the understanding that consent may be withdrawn by the patient at any time without prejudice to their future medical care.
Inclusion Criteria for controls:
- Healthy females who have never been treated for cancer.
- Age between 11-35 and 40-50 years.
- Post-menarchal with regular cyclic menses (every 21-35 days)
- Presence of a uterus and at least 1 ovary.
- Ability and willingness to comply with study protocol.
- Have given written informed concent, prior to any study-related procedure, not part of normal medical care, with the understanding that consent may be withdrawn by the patient at any time without prejudice to their future medical care.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current pregnancy.
- Use of hormonal contraception or use of hormone replacement therapy within the previous 4 weeks.
- Lactation within the previous 3 months.
- Chronic illness that would limit ability of participant to comply with study protocol.
- Any known medical condition, other than cancer, which in the judgement of the investigator is known to be associated with premature ovarian failure (such as Turner's Syndrome or Fragile X) or ovulatory dysfunction (such as thyroid disease, adrenal dysfunction, Cushing's syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, and polycystic ovarian syndrome).
- For controls, a history of infertility.
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): NCT01143844
|United States, Pennsylvania
|Penn Reproductive Research Unit, 3701 Market Street, Suite 810
|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
|Penn Medicine at Radnor, 250 King of Prussia Road
|Radnor, Pennsylvania, United States, 19087
|Principal Investigator:
|Clarisa R Gracia, MD, MSCE
|University of Pennsylvania
|Responsible Party:
|University of Pennsylvania
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
UPCC12807 ( Other Identifier: University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center )
|First Posted:
|June 14, 2010 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|September 15, 2020
|Last Verified:
|September 2020
|Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
|Plan to Share IPD:
|Plan Description:
|Data will be shared with Dr. Jill Ginsberg, a co-investigator of the study.
Late effects
radiation therapy
ovarian reserve
premature ovarian failure
early menopause
healthy volunteers
middle age
pediatric survivors
healthy women


text:
Is anyone else here going? Simon?
The PC and Indie Games Show is coming to Birmingham this June!
We're cramming all the best bits from the world of PC and indie gaming into one amazing event.
Expect plenty of hands-on time with brand new PC blockbusters and totally new game experiences in The Leftfield Collection, all curated by a pixellated panel of experts from Eurogamer.net and Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
We also have a full line-up of our famous developer sessions, where top game developers show off never-before-seen content from their latest creations, and there's the chance to get involved in classic game tournaments, board games and loads more!


text:
A sustainable supply of water for Rottweil with ELGEF Plus
electrofusion systems.
Security and reliability of distribution lines and connections in water and gas utilities is an indispensable basis for high performing supply systems. We meet this demand with safe, reliably monitored and controlled systems as well as material-independent connections: Main lines, distribution lines or service lines - our solutions and products cover all applications from the source to the point of use.


text:
Current Publication:
Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Engineering
Winter 2012
2 , Issue
Topical Application of Slow-Release Simvastatin as a Bone Substitute in Bone Defects in the Rat Tibia: A Pilot Study
Heli Rushinek, DMD/Michael Alterman, DMD/Amir Laviv, DMD/Ervin I. Weiss, DMD/ Michael Friedman, PhD/Nardy Casap, DMD, MD
First time users activate
your account.
Subscribers receive full access to the
online version of Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Engineering.
Single back issues of Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Engineering are
available at a price of $40.00 per issue. You will need
to know the volume, issue number, and year of the journal
you wish to purchase.
Nonsubscribers can purchse single articles
from Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Engineering for $25.00 per article.
Home | Subscription
Services | Books
| Journals
| Multimedia
| Events
| Blog
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | About
Us | Contact
Us | Advertising | Help | Sitemap | Catalog


text:
Other beaded dresses
Other beaded dresses
Filtered by
Other 2020/2021 beaded dresses
If you are finding some sparkling beaded dresses, you are told to choose eDressit. Beaded evening dresses, prom gowns, wedding dresses, cocktail dresses are all well designed. Any girl with the dress will turn to be stunning and elegant. Sparkling prom dresses with beads show great personality and fashion sense. There are lots of types you can choose from. Classic A-line dresses make one sassy and elegant. Vintage ball gown types are also the popular dresses in the market. And the most importantly, beaded dresses in mermaid silhouette are very attractive and charming. If you like to be a princess, an elegant girl, mermaid beaded dresses for prom are best choices. Don't miss out.


text:
Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
The debut Lewiston Cocktail Festival went better than expected last Saturday.
"The event was a beaming success for its first year - we sold out of all 650 tickets by 1 p.m. on Saturday, with folks still wanting and asking for them the remainder of the evening," said organizer Melissa Morinello of Sparkle! Marketing & Events. "It was amazing to see Center Street filled with cars, and folks walking from one establishment to another, all on a night where it was about 26 degrees outside."
Just about every Village of Lewiston restaurant participated in the event, which celebrated the origin of the cocktail.
"The establishment owners were thrilled with the turnout and we are looking forward to planning the date for the second annual Lewiston Cocktail Festival," Morinello said.


text:
zippity kids jill upholstered chair
Browse all deals at Babies R Us
See more in Candy & Chocolate
* This offer may contain time-sensitive information and offers. Please check with Babies R Us to confirm actual price & availability.
- Be the first to comment!
Babies R Us
4646 W. Kellogg
Wichita, KS 67209
Babies R Us
8011 E. Kellogg Avenue
Wichita, KS 67207


text:
Marco Rubio thinks immigrants should come to the country the "right way," like his parents who fled Cuba. However, Cubans get free green cards but Mexican immigrants get sent back. Apparently the "right way" doesn't apply to a child from Juarez, whose family fled due to the drug wars.
Barack Obama thinks I should have to pay for health care even when paying for health care would bankrupt my family*. Never mind the fact that he is wealthy and the government still pays for his family's health care. He will never have a child break a leg and wonder if it's best to re-set it and miss a mortgage payment or take the child to urgent care. Apparently "universal health care" is paid for on the back of working class families rather than the shared taxation of an entire nation.
Mitt Romney thinks we should pay for our college education and our health care and pull ourselves up by the proverbial boot straps, but in his case, he gets the nifty trust fund boots and servants who will pull the straps up for him. Apparently hard work and determination are for those whose fathers weren't CEOs of car companies and governors with tons of connections.
I mention this, because I teach immigrant students who are told with a condescending political tone that they need to do things "the right way." They work hard. They believe the myth. It will be my job to make them "college and career ready" regardless of whether their legal status or economic background allow for it.
In a decade or two, when it doesn't work out for them, they will be told that they simply didn't work hard enough. It will be their fault they don't have papers. It will be their fault they don't have health care. It will be their fault they didn't start multi-million dollar business. It will be their fault that they didn't qualify for in-state tuition. They will be told that it wasn't an accident of geography, but of low morals and a bad work ethic.
Because, ultimately, "you should work hard and quit asking for a handout" applies to those in poverty but not to those who make the laws and have things handed to them for free.
*Most progressives I know who celebrate Obamacare are middle class and not working class. They have two incomes equaling $70,000-100,000. They are not living off of $43,000 a year in a district where the family health plan is $2,000 a month. They have not researched it and found out that the cheapest health care is $1,200 a month with a deductible around $4,000. The system is rigged and it's rigged against those who work hard for an ever-decreasing income.


text:
Steroids -- corticosteroids, that is, synthetic versions of the natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands -- are indeed miracle drugs, capable of restoring the health and saving the lives of countless people with a wide spectrum of serious ailments. Prednisone may be the best known, but there are scores of others, some tailor-made to counter specific ailments.
By suppressing the immune response and inflammation, steroids can keep a host of autoimmune diseases and allergic reactions from ravaging the body. They are the cornerstone of treatment for ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, temporal arteritis, psoriasis and even bad cases of poison ivy.
But as with any powerful remedy, corticosteroids come with a downside: side effects that can sometimes be as serious as the ailments they are intended to treat.
Last week I told about a friend with severe asthma who developed a rare complication that forced him to stop using the steroids that for decades had helped him breathe. He was losing his vision to steroid-caused macular degeneration. He found an alternative nondrug therapy, the Buteyko breathing method, that seems to have kept him well and steroid-free for many months.
But most people who depend on steroids are not so fortunate. For them, using the drugs year in and year out is a balancing act between benefit and risk. Knowing what those risks are and how they can be minimized can help people who depend on steroids to be alert to early warning signs of trouble and to take measures to counteract it -- in many cases before any unwanted effects occur. The likelihood of serious side effects depends on how long steroids are used, how they are taken, what type of corticosteroid is prescribed and how high the dose must be to keep the ailment under control. They tend to cause fewer complications when applied to the skin or when inhaled for days or weeks for an allergic reaction or asthma. Injected steroids or oral doses taken for months or years are far more likely to cause serious side effects, as are injected steroids. So, an over-the-counter steroid like hydrocortisone, applied to small areas of skin to relieve a mild case of dermatitis like poison ivy or eczema, is unlikely to have any untoward effects. But when injected repeatedly into a muscle or joint, corticosteroids can cause weakening and degenerative changes that limit their usefulness in treating chronic athletic or overuse injuries. And if steroids are given intravenously, side effects may include insomnia, a metallic taste in the mouth, mood swings, nausea, rapid heartbeat and stomach irritation.
In most people, chronic use of inhaled steroids, considered medically essential to control most cases of asthma, has few if any adverse effects. Children may experience retarded growth, but studies have shown that they eventually catch up and achieve a normal height. The most common side effect, a fungal infection in the mouth called thrush, can be averted by using a spacer with the inhaler and rinsing the mouth with water afterward. When corticosteroids are taken orally for less than three months, they are associated with temporary side effects like depression, an increased appetite, insomnia, mood swings and weight gain (partly from water retention). Steroids taken orally for more than three months can have more profound and sometimes irreversible effects. Serious side effects are more likely when steroids are taken in high doses for a year or longer. In addition to weight gain, side effects may include high blood pressure, deteriorating bones that can result in osteoporosis, diabetes, thinning of the skin, muscle weakness, moon face (caused by increased fat deposits, which may also occur in the stomach, chest and upper back), cataracts, glaucoma, ulcers, easy bruising, increased sweating, acne, arterial deposits that can lead to heart disease and, because of their effect on immunity, delayed healing of wounds and an increased risk of infection that can persist for a year or more after the medication is stopped. Excess weight resulting from steroid use is normally lost within six months to a year after the drug is stopped and appetite returns to normal.
When prescribed a corticosteroid, the most important thing is to follow dosing instructions to the letter.
Use no more than is needed, and never abruptly stop steroids. The drugs suppress the function of your adrenal glands, which need time to recover. When the condition under treatment abates, gradually reduce the steroid dosage as instructed by your doctor. In fact, for as long as a year afterward, you may need a "stress dose" of steroids to boost your immune response during extreme physical stress, as can result from surgery, an accident or a new serious illness.
Keep all immunizations up to date. Make sure to get a flu shot every year and, if on prolonged steroids, consider getting the pneumonia vaccine as well. Contact your doctor without delay at the first sign of what may be a serious infection, like high fever, productive cough, pain when urinating or large boils on the skin.
To minimize damage to the digestive tract, take the medication after meals or with an antacid. Let your doctor know if you develop persistent heartburn or black, tarry stools. To counter steroid-induced insomnia, take the drug early in the day.
An adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D through dairy products and supplements and regular weight-bearing exercise are vital to reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
If you smoke, quit; and limit alcohol to a drink a day, if that. Reduce the risk of falls by using night lights and eliminating obstacles and scatter rugs.
Steroid-induced fluid retention that causes blood pressure to rise abnormally can be minimized by sticking to a low-sodium diet. Avoid salty foods and salted processed foods and snacks. Have regular blood-pressure checks and, if the rise is serious, ask the doctor about taking a diuretic. Periodic checks for a rise in blood sugar are also important.
Reduce your risk of heart disease with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet rich in vegetables and whole grains and regular aerobic exercise.
If you notice any vision problems while taking steroids, see an ophthalmologist without delay. The condition may be temporary, or it could be sight-threatening, as happened to my asthmatic friend.
Rarely, damage to the hip joint called aseptic necrosis can result from long-term use of high doses of steroids. If you develop pain in the groin, a symptom of this condition, call your doctor.
Jane Brody writes about health for The New York Times.
The pros and cons of using steroids
Steroids -- corticosteroids, that is, synthetic versions of the natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands -- are indeed miracle drugs, capable of restoring the health and saving the lives of countless people with a wide spectrum of serious ailments. Prednisone may be the best known, but there are scores of others, some tailor-made to counter specific ailments.


text:
For me this book was not as thrilling as I thought it would be, given the widespread popularity of this series right now. I've seen this book everywhere. Perhaps it is the fact that they were all published posthumously that caused widespread attention, or else it was the catchy titles in English. Some people absolutely love the series, others not so much.
Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander find themselves unlikely partners in solving the mystery of a serial murderer and financial fraud. The story line is intriguing but the book didn't hold my attention consistently. It did pull me in at times, but I was also pushing myself through other parts. Having said that, I did enjoy the characters of Blomkvist and Salander enough to read another book in the series, only to see what adventures they find themselves in next. I saw the movie trailer for this story and I think it might be one of those rare cases where the movie is better than the book.
The book is a translation from Swedish and the title in the original is 'Men Who Hate Women'. Larsson was himself disgusted by sexual violence against women because of a horrific crime he witnessed when he was young. He never forgave himself for not helping the victim whose name was Lisbeth. Violence against women was definitely an underlying theme in this book, especially in the small prefaces to each chapter. Incidentally, Larsson himself had a magazine which suffered financial difficulties, so there is definitely an autobiographical element from the author in a number of ways.
The controversy surrounding Larsson's life and death and the story of his partner's struggle for compensation, makes for more interesting reading than the book itself. Here is a link to the article:
Daily Mail Article


text:
Damn it, Rob! Forget about PS and switch already to the only tool a photographer like you needs: Lightroom.I keep upgrading by inertia: I processed exactly 1 (one) photograph in CS4 (at least a major photograph, and as much I can remember -- which by itself says a lot: if I can't remember, it probably either did not happen or does not really matter). I then upgraded to CS5 as Adobe threatened to shorten the generation you can upgrade from to one: I NEVER EVEN OPENED CS5, and CS6 was there. I upgraded to it and, yes, opened it, but have not processed a single major photograph in it yet. There you go: why would you have to learn from your own mistakes, when you can learn from mine?
Just to clarify: for your type of photography, and frankly, for 95% of photographs, layers are not necessary. In Lightroom, there are several other options that achieve practically the same result.
I am of the belief that only Photoshop allows the use of Layers. I could be totally mistaken,
You are. Most modern image editors have layer options.Why you make such silly, ill informed comments when you've spent so much time here beats me. It's not clever to pretend to live in the past.
Now that's touché, I think!Also shows that one can sometimes be right, even when from a position of simply knowing no better...;-)Rob C
Rob,Adobe used to give away older but fully working versions of PS on magazine front cover disks, at least up to PS7 back in 1999 if I remember correctly. I am also fairly sure that PS7 will run on Vista and there must be sites out there that still have copies of these legitamely free versions you can access.Dave
Adobe used to give away older but fully working versions of PS on magazine front cover disks, at least up to PS7 back in 1999 if I remember correctly.
I'm sure you're wrong.I've never seen a fully working version of Photoshop on any magazine cover disk in the UK.They possibly put the trial versions on for a while back around PS 5/6/7.They also bundled(so not really free) Photoshop LE, a cut down version of PS3, with various products in the late 90s too. This was the precursor to PS Elements and for a long time was a slightly cheaper upgrade route to a full version.The closest thing to a "free version of Photoshop" being offered anywhere has been the recent chaos of openly publishing serial numbers for CS2. This was down to the Adobe shutting down the authentication servers for CS2 leaving CS2 licence holders unable to use new installations of that version, so a serial number that works without authentication was released. Some people took that to mean CS2 was being released for free, which promptly went viral on the net, but it's only meant for existing licence holders.


text:
The Source
Lewis & Clark opens gambling treatment center
February 18, 2013
Lewis & Clark's Graduate School of Education and Counseling now offers a gambling treatment center—the only facility in the city to offer free counseling services on weekends.
Located just a mile south of downtown Portland, Lewis & Clark Problem Gambling Services offers trained counselors available by phone seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help to those affected by gambling. In-person appointments are available Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All services are free for the gambler as well as anyone else affected: family members, friends, partners, or coworkers. Services are available in English, Spanish, and—through April 2013—Korean.
"We recognize that the devastation associated with problem gambling affects us all and that we can all be part of the solution," said program coordinator Rick Berman. "As a graduate training and research center, our interdisciplinary team is charged with developing innovative and effective approaches to treatment, sharing what we learn with others, and training the next generation of problem gambling treatment providers."
To schedule an appointment, call Lewis & Clark Problem Gambling Services at 503-768-6325 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The center is located at 4445 SW Barbur Boulevard.


text:
El Mandado
2950 E Millbrook Rd
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: +1 919 878-1800
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
or use our contact form.
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
El Mandado offers unique, specialty items along with fresh produce purchased from local farms. We offer hard-to-find gourmet items that you will be sure to love!
We are your neighborhood grocery store! Here at El Mandado you will find ethnic products imported from other countries that you will not find elsewhere.
With excellent, high quality products at low prices - El Mandado is the best hispanic grocery store in the Raleigh area. Take advantage of special discounts, our every day low prices and a large selection of fresh, delicious produce. Visit us today to find a variety of ethnic products from Mexico, Central America, South America, The Caribben and Africa.
El Mandado specializes in a full line of Mexican products that will help you create a delicious traditional dish.


text:
Special diets are diets which have been modified in some way to bring about specific healthcare benefits. Dietary supplements (also called nutritional supplements) are substances which are intended to correct nutritional deficiencies.
Some people think that some autistic people have a range of nutritional and metabolic problems. These include low levels of nutrients, high levels of oxidative stress (a chemical state within cells that can increase cellular damage) and difficulties with metabolic processes (such as digestion).
Some people think that these nutritional and metabolic differences may be the cause of some of the core features of autism (such as impaired communication and social difficulties) and related issues (such as challenging behaviours).
They also think that some of these problems can be overcome by following a special diet, taking one or more dietary supplements and /or using detoxification techniques such as chelation.
Eating a healthy and varied diet is important for good health.
Food and drinks provide a range of nutrients and all vitamins and essential minerals are just that – essential for good health. If too little of any of these nutrients is consumed, nutrient deficiencies can occur, which cause ill health. Consuming too much of any of these nutrients can also cause poor health. It is unusual to consume too much via foods, however taking dietary supplements with high levels of nutrients does carry a risk of nutrient overload.
Some diseases (such as cystic fibrosis), some conditions (such as cerebral palsy) and other factors (such as breast-feeding) increase an individual's needs for some nutrients
Some evidence shows that some autistic people may have nutritional and metabolic problems. However, the number of individuals on the autism spectrum who have these problems is not clear. It is also not clear whether these problems or differences are any more common in autistic people than in other individuals. Possibly, these problems cause or worsen symptoms (of autism or related issues). Or maybe they arise because of autism, or they could be completely unrelated to autism. Nobody knows.
Most special diets and dietary supplements provide the same benefits for autistic people as they do to people who are not autistic. Some dietary supplements may make some problems worse for some autistic children and young people.
Many special diets and dietary supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects in the body, so those pose risks.
Please see the section on Special Diets
Please see the section on Dietary Supplements