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Helmsley Charitable Trust Makes $1.6 Million in Grants to PARCC and Smarter Balanced Consortia to Engage Leading U.S. Teachers' Unions in the Development of Next-Generation Student Assessments
New York City - January 07, 2014 -
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust today announced two grants totaling more than $1.6 million to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Balanced) to engage the nation's two largest teachers' unions in the development and implementation of Common Core State Standards-aligned end-of-year testing for K-12 students across most of the nation. These grants fund the first formal partnerships between the two common assessment consortia and the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which together represent the majority of the U.S. teaching workforce. In addition, this initiative further deepens the critical participation of teachers in the design and rollout of the new, higher standards that have been designed to improve college and career readiness among American students.
The grant to PARCC, totaling $830,000 over 18 months, will engage hundreds of members of union affiliates across PARCC's 18 states plus the District of Columbia in an effort to increase transparency around critical assessment development activities – including item review for summative assessments as well as the development of diagnostic tools critical to providing educators with timely information to tailor instruction to student needs. The grant also supports teacher-to-teacher training and other communications to the broader audience of union members and will fund the development of teacher-created instructional supports that will clearly demonstrate how the new tests relate to data-driven classroom instruction.
Through a $785,000, 18-month grant, Smarter Balanced will engage approximately 125 Teacher Ambassadors in the 26 states that make up the Smarter Balanced consortium. Teacher Ambassadors will provide turnkey training related to the new assessments to 1250 teachers across the Smarter Balanced states and assist in the development of exemplar lessons and professional learning modules that will meet the Quality Criteria for the Smarter Balanced Digital Library. This grant will also fund 78 additional members of the Smarter Balanced State Network of Educators drawn from all 26 states.
"Teachers play the most critical role in ensuring that our nation's K-12 students will graduate better prepared for college and the workforce," said Rich McKeon, Program Director of Education for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. "We are delighted that PARCC, Smarter Balanced, the NEA and the AFT have committed to this broad-based collaborative effort to greatly expand upon the already significant level of input that teachers have had in developing Common Core-aligned student assessments and the related instructional resources for teachers throughout the 46 states that have adopted the new standards."
"The new standards, properly implemented, represent an unprecedented opportunity for the students in our nation's public school system," said National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel. "In order to fulfill the standards' worthy goals we need to ensure that educators are included in the development and review the assessments to better gauge students' preparation for citizenship, college and for 21st century careers. More importantly, these assessments must support the larger goal of moving to better accountability systems that encompass multiple ways for students to show what they have learned and can do. NEA is committed to working collaboratively on this effort and applauds the Helmsley Charitable Trust for recognizing the importance of engaging educators and their unions in the development of the next-generation assessments."
"The Common Core State Standards will succeed only if teachers have input and ownership in their implementation," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "That is particularly true when it comes to new assessments, which we hope will be much better measures of the kind of critical thinking, problem solving, and application of knowledge that we know are essential to college and career readiness. This is not an endorsement of either consortium's assessments, but it is an important opportunity to bring teacher voice and expertise to the development and rollout of the assessments, which should serve to inform teachers and families and enhance instruction."
"Since states first launched PARCC, hundreds, if not thousands, of K-16 educators have helped design and develop the assessments" said Laura Slover, CEO of PARCC. "We estimate each PARCC item has been reviewed over two dozen times by educators — an unprecedented commitment to high-quality tests. The partnership with AFT and NEA will allow PARCC to further involve teachers in the rigorous quality control processes the consortium uses, as well as engage them in item reviews and the development of instructional supports and tools for their peers. By listening closely to teachers, we're making sure this is a test designed for educators and by educators."
"Engaging teachers in the development of the assessment system is a core principle of Smarter Balanced," said Joe Willhoft, Ph.D., executive director of Smarter Balanced. "Through this grant, teachers will collaborate with their peers to provide professional development about the Common Core and how to use information from the assessments to help all students meet the challenge of college- and career-ready standards."
About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting effective nonprofits in a variety of selected areas. Since 2008, when the Trust began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $1 billion to a wide range of charitable organizations. Through its national Education Program, the Trust views education as a lever to advance both American economic competitiveness and individual social mobility. In K-12, the Trust focuses on ensuring all students graduate high school prepared for college or careers by supporting teacher effectiveness and the adoption and implementation of high academic standards. In postsecondary education, the Trust is primarily interested in increasing the number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates who can participate in high growth sectors of the economy. The Trust also focuses on policy levers that improve postsecondary completion, particularly for underrepresented populations. For more information, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
About PARCC
PARCC is an alliance of states working together to develop common assessments. PARCC's work is funded through a four-year, $186 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Partners include state and local educators as well as over 200 higher education institutions and systems representing hundreds of campuses across the country that will help develop the high school component of the new assessment - and then put it to good use as an indicator of student readiness. PARCC's ultimate goal is to make sure all students graduate from high school college- and career-ready. For more information, visit www.parcconline.org or follow us on Twitter at @PARCCPlace.
About Smarter Balanced
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium brings together states to create a common, innovative assessment system for mathematics and English language arts/literacy that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and helps prepare students for college and careers. The Consortium involves educators, researchers, policymakers, and community groups in a transparent and consensus-driven process to help all students thrive in a knowledge-driven global economy. The Consortium's projects are funded through a four-year, $175 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and the generous contributions of charitable foundations. Membership is open to any interested U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth. For more information, please visit www.smarterbalanced.org.
About WestEd
WestEd, a national nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. WestEd has 16 offices nationwide, from Washington and Boston to Arizona and California. Its corporate headquarters are in San Francisco. More information about WestEd is available at WestEd.org.
About the National Education Association
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
About the American Federation of Teachers
The AFT represents 1.5 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.
CONTACT: Celeste Busser
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YouTube Fails In Explaining Flood Of Takedowns For Let's Play Videos
from the not-how-to-do-this deptLast week, there had been some rumors that YouTube was changing its policies around so-called "let's play" videos, with some arguing that "Google was implementing SOPA" when it came to let's play videos -- and that all videos would have to be previewed first to make sure there was no use of copyright-covered content. That seemed like a clear exaggeration, but over the past few days there have been numerous reports from a variety of different sources about how many of the biggest video game channels on YouTube were suddenly getting inundated with copyright claims, many of which people felt were bogus.
So what's happened? Well, it's not that YouTube "implemented SOPA." Rather it appears to be a combination of pushing out its ContentID "scanning" program to channels that are listed as affiliates to so-called "MCNs" (Multi-channel Networks). MCNs are effectively "collections" of independent YouTube channels, banding together for certain advantages, such as cross-promotion and ad sales across all videos. While most people are familiar with ContentID, as far as I can tell (and despite repeated attempts to speak to multiple people, no one seems interested in explaining the details), it appears that ContentID generally works on newly uploaded videos, whereas going back and scanning existing videos is more targeted. And, it's that back scanning that has been "enabled" here. In other words, if those videos had been uploaded very recently, they might have been hit with the same ContentID claim, but these were "back catalog" videos in many cases, which sort of grandfathered them in. That explains the sudden influx. Going back over all those old videos has turned up a bunch of matches.
Then there's a separate issue: which is that many people claim that the claims are completely bogus. Even though they're on let's play videos, they're not coming from the video game companies, but other third parties. In fact, the big video game companies, like Ubisoft, Capcom and Blizzard say they have no problem with let's play videos and are actually trying to help those impacted in figuring out what to do.
This move is almost certainly a result of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) suing Fullscreen, a big MCN, claiming copyright infringement. There are some generally interesting legal questions about whether or not an MCN is actually liable for any infringement by an independent YouTube producer, but some of these MCNs have grown to be quite large, and the publishers want money. YouTube is likely trying to clean up the videos associated with MCNs in one big move to avoid any future issues.
What that means, however, is that it's likely one of the reasons that people aren't recognizing the names making the copyright claims is that the matches aren't on the game play, but rather the music either in the video games themselves (likely in many cases) or that video makers add to their videos in general. To their credit, it appears that many of the gaming companies are actually helping video creators clear that music.
The whole thing is a bit of a mess, but not as crazy as it first appeared. And it's certainly not a case of "SOPAfying" YouTube videos. It's just extending the ContentID scanning to those channels to try to clean out problems and, hopefully, avoid future lawsuits against those MCNs.
That said, YouTube's communications over this have been dismal and have greatly contributed to the problem. The company has put out the identical statement to everyone who's asked (including us):
We recently enabled Content ID scanning on channels identified as affiliates of MCNs. This has resulted in new copyright claims for some users, based on policies set by the relevant content owners. As ever, channel owners can easily dispute Content ID claims if they believe those claims are invalid.That's... somewhat useless. It doesn't address the reasons or the concerns of the video makers, and has many scared. That is not the best way to explain the situation, and only lends credence to the exaggerated claims that YouTube is helping to kill off let's play videos, when that's not the case at all. It also presupposes an extraordinary level of knowledge that most people don't have of Content ID, copyright, MCNs, licensing, publishing and more. It's basically the opposite of providing the information that video makers actually need -- leaving them freaked out about a massive influx in copyright claims they don't understand. Without a better, more honest and clear explanation, most users are blaming the most obvious party: YouTube.
It appears that YouTube briefed some MCNs on the basics of this change, which is why those rumors came out last week, as the MCNs tried to explain the issue to the affiliates -- but generally did so badly, because this stuff is complicated enough as is, and then you add a game of legal telephone where the people passing on the details don't really understand the issues either. YouTube could have done a much, much, much better job laying out the details of what it was doing and why (and even how that actually should help MCNs by avoiding lawsuits like the NMPA's. But instead, it's got a ton of people freaked out and its communications to those people are almost non-existent other than the cryptic statement which, while accurate, fails to portray the full situation.
Filed Under: contentid, copyright, flagging, licensing, mcn, takedowns, youtube
Companies: google, nmpa, youtube

subset: commoncrawl


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What are they?
Avalanches are large areas of snow which slide down the side of a mountain with tremendous force. They can uproot trees, destroy buildings and kill people. In the last 50 years the number of fatalities due to avalanches has increased noticeably due to the fact that winter sports such as skiing have become much more popular and available. In the USA more than 500 avalanches have been recorded since 1950. The majority of victims are men in their 20s and 30s.
An avalanche consists of three parts. It begins with the "starting zone", which is where the snow cracks as the lower part starts to slide downwards. The second part is called the "track", which is the name of the "road" the avalanche takes as it travels down the mountain. Lastly there is what is called the "runout zone", which is where the avalanche spreads out and comes to a halt.
Where do they occur?
They tend to occur most in the Alpine countries of France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria, but they also occur in other mountainous countries. The USA is ranked fifth in the world for frequency of avalanches. Avalanches tend to occur on slopes that are angled at between 30 and 45 degrees on the north side of mountains. Snow does not often build up on steeper slopes and snow on the south (sunnier) side of mountains is warmed by the sun and therefore melts a little, causing the layers to stick together more efficiently, thus reducing the risk of areas of snow breaking off and causing an avalanche.
Why do they happen?
Many different factors, often in combination, can contribute to causing an avalanche: the weather, the temperature of the air and the snow, how steep the slope is, whether the slope is on the north or south side of the mountain, which way the wind is blowing, what type of land is under the snow itself, and even whether there are many trees on the slope or not! Sometimes it only takes a loud noise to trigger an avalanche. Avalanches often occur as a result of a heavy snowfall, hence one of the riskiest times for avalanches can be the first 24 hours after a snowstorm. Underlying all these causes is, of course, the force of gravity, which simply pulls unstable snow down a mountain.
Sometimes it can be possible to "predict" an avalanche, or at least locate a possible zone for one, but this can be difficult as conditions can change in a very short time. For instance, weather conditions can worsen in the blink of an eye. In frequent avalanche zones the local authorities may even set off an avalanche deliberately (under strictly controlled conditions) in order to avoid a build-up of snow which may threaten a village or tourist zone. In cases like these, explosives may be used to start the avalanche.
How to survive one!
If you have the misfortune to find yourself caught up in an avalanche it is suggested that you try to "swim" through it in an effort to keep yourself near the surface of the snow. If you find yourself buried under the snow, guidelines recommend that you dig away the snow around your head to create a breathing space. They recommend that you do not shout out for help because snow is a good insulator and will muffle the sound of your voice. You are unlikely to be heard and will just tire yourself out with the effort. Above all, it is recommended that you keep calm so that your chances of survival are increased.
Quick Quiz: Read the clues below and write the solutions on a piece of paper. Then take the first letter of each answer and rearrange them to find the hidden word connected with this Talking Point.
1. Avalanches are large areas of snow which slide down the side of a __________ with tremendous force.
2. If you have the misfortune to find yourself caught up in an avalanche it is suggested that you try to "__________" through it.
3. In frequent avalanche zones the local authorities may even set __________ an avalanche deliberately (under strictly controlled conditions) in order to avoid a build-up of snow.
4. Weather conditions can __________ in the blink of an eye.
5. Avalanches tend to occur most in the __________ countries of France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
6. In the last 50 years the __________ of fatalities due to avalanches has increased noticeably.
7. Sometimes it only takes a loud __________ to trigger an avalanche.
For use with Talking Point worksheets
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Movies for Grownups Atlanta Film Festival
AARP offers a look at 4 new films — and interviews with the stars
Hollywood stars Andy Garcia and Ed Begley Jr. will join thousands of AARP members in Atlanta this week for two days of special screenings at the AARP Movies for Grownups Film Festival.
Part of AARP's Life@50+ National Event and Expo Oct. 3-5, the festival features four movies of particular interest to the 50-plus audience, all of them films not yet released.
Anchor Bay Entertainment
At Middleton
Stars: Andy Garcia and Vera Farmiga
Director: Adam Rodgers
Andy Garcia, 57, stars in At Middleton, which opens next year, about a man and a woman (Vera Farmiga) who fall in love while taking their children on a college admissions tour. Garcia will participate in a question-and-answer session after the film, along with the writer and director of the movie, Adam Rodgers.
Ron Joy/New Chapter Productions, Inc.
My Father and the Man in Black
Stars: Johnny Cash and Saul Holiff
Director: Jonathan Holiff
Director Jonathan Holiff, 48, whose movie My Father and the Man in Black also will be featured, will participate in a question-and-answer session after his documentary about music icon Johnny Cash and his troubled manager, Saul Holiff, Jonathan's father.
Merie W. Wallace/Paramount
Stars: Bruce Dern
Director: Alexander Payne
Other screenings at the Movies for Grownups festival include Nebraska, starring Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern, 77, as a cantankerous father who wangles his son into a road trip to claim his sweepstakes prize. The movie, directed by Alexander Payne, is set to open in November and already is getting award buzz.
Jojo Whilden/HBO
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
Stars: Ed Begley Jr., Frank Langella, Christopher Plummer, Danny Glover
Director: Stephen Frears
Also previewing at the festival is Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight, to be shown on HBO on Oct. 5. The story behind Ali's claim of conscientious objector status during the Vietnam War at the height of his boxing career, the movie stars, among others, Ed Begley Jr., who will take questions from the audience after the screening.
AARP Movies for Grownups highlights feature films that speak to an audience that appreciates grownup themes and stars. The annual Movies for Grownups Awards are announced in February and presented at a yearly gala soon after.
Also of Interest
- See more 2013 Movies for Grownups reviews
- Shirley Jones sheds her squeaky clean image
- The dirty truth about men
- AARP Health Law Answers Tool: Get a customized report about how the law can work for you
Visit the AARP home page for great deals and savings tips
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In the U.K., there is a whole series of history books for kids called 'Horrible Histories'. They're written in tongue-and-cheek style, but they're all historically authentic, and they are hugely popular with kids -- so much so that the primary schools now use them. My kids couldn't get enough of the Horrible Histories. They read 'The Vicious Vikings', 'The Vile Victorians', and 'The Terrible Tudors'. My husband and I got a little tired of hearing about all the grisly things that have happened over the ages, courtesy of this series, but we could see how compelling they were and how they got reluctant readers into history. I wonder, has anything similar been done in the States? Surely there is a market for this in America too?
I wonder why she kept calling Benedict Arnold a vampire. Have I missed something?
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Welcome to the site that brings lovers of language together. Discover huge collections of Sayings plus quotes, idioms, expressions, slogans, proverbs and more.
"Never be at a loss for words again!"
There are countless ways to use what you discover here on this site and it is completely up to you on how you choose to use what you find here. The word combinations you discover on this site are perfect for…
The one true language that exists in all cultures, that can be understood by all people is a smile and that is what I hope to achieve with this site, I hope to make you smile.
"A warm Smile is the universal language of kindness."
~William Aurthur Ward
I hope your visit brings a smile to your face, tugs at your heartstrings challenges you to reach your dreams, inspires you to new heights, takes you back to a time long forgotten or you find that perfect saying that moves you.
So to sum it all up, have fun. Use the sayings, quotes, idioms and expressions you uncover on this site anyway you wish. Use them to add impact to your writing, use them to get inspired or for a few good laughs. Keep them for yourself or share them with friends. This site is for you to use in whatever way you like.
I hope you enjoy your visit and I hope you visit often and share us with your friends and family.


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Philadelphia city breaks
Save money when you book a great value flight + hotel package to Philadelphia.
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Book now, change laterFind out more
Save money when you book a great value flight + hotel package to Philadelphia.
Easily explored by foot, with most of the sights situated within a mile of City Hall, this big city has small town charm. Lose yourself amongst the modern skyscrapers, cobblestone streets and thriving financial district on city breaks in Philadelphia.
Sample the famous Philly Cheese Steak at one of the city's eateries or tantalise your taste buds at the Italian Market. Catch an outdoor movie screening in the summer – grab a blanket and something from a food truck as the locals do. If you can, watch a Phillies baseball game at Citizens Bank Park.
Book flight + hotel together and save
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Explore Philadelphia on this hop-on hop-off tour. Visit 20 top attractions including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Betsy Ross House, while touring the city in a fun, fast and scenic way. Choose from a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket to ride on an open-top, double-decker bus, with live commentary from your on-board guide. Hop on the open-top, double-decker bus at any of the 20 stops around Philadelphia and ride the one hour thirty minute loop that stops at many exciting attractions.
Take a day trip to the capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. This historic city played an important part in shaping US history. Visit the 'must see' State Capitol Building and enjoy a free tour of this impressive domed building. Then cross the plaza to explore the State Library. This urban metropolis still retains its warmth and friendliness – combining a hub of family activities with quaint shops and galleries. Take a cruise down the Susquehanna River on a paddle wheeler boat or picnic in Riverfront park.
Plan and book your holiday with British Airways, online or by phone. Enjoy all these great benefits:


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I'm working on a 1995 Toyota T100 AC. The issue I'm having is the evaporator is freezing up. Here are the things that have been done:
The first thing was I took it to an AC shop, there they removed the evaporator coil cleaned it replaced the expansion valve, replaced the dryer and recharged the system. The evaporator still froze up when I got it back. My observation at this point was that the compressor was not cycling. I can keep it from freezing by manually turning the AC on and off, not a good option. I read online that when the temperature gets below 32 the compressor should cycle off to keep the evaporator from freezing up. I took it back the shop. The tech told me that sometime Toyota ACs are finicky if you don't use OEM parts. He said he would replace the expansion valve with a Toyota OEM part. I ask him about the High / Low pressure switch on the coil? He said he tested it with an ohm meter and it tested good. When I got the truck back the evaporator still froze up. I called the Shop back the Tech said he didn't know of anything else to try. At this point I decided to start replacing parts, choosing between the easiest and cheapest first. I replaced the blower fan and the blower motor resistor (didn't help). After some research I found that there is a temperature sensor (thermistor) on the coil. It tells the system when the coil is freezing and to cycle the compressor. I replaced the sensor and still have the same issue. Next I plan to replace the amplifier assembly. It's the next logical thing that controls the compressor operation. Has anyone had a similar issue with their AC?
Evaporator is freezing up
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Over the past 15 years, MedShare has shipped more than 1,100 ocean containers filled with urgently needed medical supplies to 96 countries around the world. Emory Healthcare and Emory University have long served as major allies in helping MedShare accomplish its mission. Through Emory, MedShare has been able to connect with hundreds of volunteers willing to offer their time and expertise. Volunteers sort, inspect and pack unused and unexpired medical supplies, which are then shipped to hospitals and clinics in developing countries. In fact, Emory volunteers have contributed 1,739 hours in the past 18 months alone.
On Saturday, December 20, 2014, nurses from the Wound Ostomy and
Continence Nursing (WOCN) Department at Emory Healthcare went above and beyond a normal volunteer role. MedShare collects a large volume of ostomy supplies, but lacked the medical expertise to organize these items into detailed categories. This is an essential step for shipping supplies abroad. Doctors and nurses in the hospital will directly order the supplies they need from MedShare, ensuring they only get what is useful and necessary. Yet this can't happen unless MedShare's categories are exactly on point. By putting their specialized knowledge to work at MedShare's southeast distribution center, Emory's wound ostomy and continence nurses made this all possible.
Alvaro McRae, MedShare's volunteer program manager, first spoke with Martha Tamblyn, RN, WOCN, about their department volunteering on Emory Cares Day. "She was very open to helping, and having her team involved with developing our ostomy sort was the perfect project," said McRae. Martha then helped MedShare develop the 24 product classifications needed to sort our ostomy supplies.
The WOCN Department volunteer group, including Dorothy Doughty, Rose Murphree, Cynthia Timms and her two sons, were part of a three-hour Saturday session that sorted over 200 pounds of ostomy products at MedShare for the first time in three years, creating a blueprint for future ostomy product sorts. After the session, Dorothy Doughty, director of the WOC Nursing Education Center (WOCNEC), and Rose Murphree, WOCNEC's program director, offered ideas how to make it easier for volunteers without a medical background to assist in future sorts of ostomy products, and how to box these particular supplies to enhance the quality of packaging for our partner hospitals and clinics around the world.
The team has already signed up for another volunteer shift in March to complete the ostomy sort they began in December. The Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing team's skills and expertise will be felt around the world as our partner hospital put these supplies to work treating patients and saving lives.
To volunteer at MedShare, please contact Alvaro McRae, Volunteer Program Manager at firstname.lastname@example.com or Breauna Hagan, Programs Associate, at email@example.com.


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I am very happy with "American Idol's" latest winner, Kris Allen.
The self-titled debut album from this year's "American Idol" is finally here and it is among the best first efforts ever of any of the "Idol" winners.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Season 8 'American Idols' Come To Access Hollywood
First, Kris delivered with his debut single, "Live Like We're Dying." Additional tracks "Before We Come Undone," "The Truth," "Written All Over My Face," and "Red Guitar," are just as, if not more, awesome.
Kris wrote 9 of the 12 tracks on the album and he ends with his popular cover of Kanye West's "Heartless," which he performed on "Idol."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Kris Allen: From Arkansas To 'American Idol'
"Red Guitar," is a particular favorite track of mine. Written solely by Kris, it tells a story not of a guitar, but rather, of someone for which he never thought he could fall.
I didn't know what to expect from Allen, the cute, shy and talented guitar player and singer who graced the "American Idol" stage for all those weeks. Here, he proves himself to be an artist with confidence, presence and purpose.
In the album notes Allen begins with, "Thank you God, for always being the same." Not being a particularly religious person, the sentiment struck me because it is so genuine and I've never heard anyone say that before. Yet another reason to love Kris Allen.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'American Idol's' Final 3: Adam Lambert, Kris Allen & Danny Gokey
This CD has been playing in my car for days. I can't get enough.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Music Video: Kris Allen - 'Live Like We're Dying'
PLAY IT NOW: Kris Allen Living His 'Dream' Of Releasing First Single
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: On The Download - Kris Allen - American Idol - Music - Pop


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Pro-Rated Dividends to be Paid to Constellation and Exelon Shareholders
CHICAGO AND BALTIMORE - Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) and Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) today announced that Constellation's shares will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange and will cease being traded prior to the opening of markets on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The action follows completion of Constellation's merger with Exelon, creating the nation's leading competitive energy provider.
Shareholders of both Constellation and Exelon will receive pro-rated dividends in order to synchronize the two companies' dividends so that Constellation shareholders will receive dividends at Constellation's rate through the day before closing and all Exelon shareholders (including former Constellation shareholders) will receive dividends at Exelon's rate from the closing date and after. As previously declared by Constellation's board of directors, a pro-rated dividend equal to $0.23760 per share of Constellation's common stock will be paid on April 11, 2012, to Constellation shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2012.
The Exelon board of directors previously declared a pro-rated dividend equal to $0.14575 per share of Exelon's common stock, which will be paid on April 11, 2012, to Exelon shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2012. The Exelon dividend declaration also included a second pro-rated dividend equal to $0.37925 per share of Exelon's common stock, which will be paid to all Exelon shareholders of record, including the former Constellation shareholders, at 5:00 p.m. New York time on May 15, 2012. This portion of the dividend will be paid on June 8, 2012. Together, the two pro-rated Exelon dividends total $0.525 per share, ensuring that Exelon shareholders will receive their regular quarterly dividend, although it will be paid in two portions.


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Item #7628
5-12 days. It's no wonder that birds covet the young sunflower greens that emerge in your garden. They know how delectable they are! Packed with vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and protein, the greens from these black oil sunflower seeds (loved by microgreen enthusiasts for their fabulous flavor and tender texture) are a nutritious addition to just about any dish that sprouts from your imagination.
Sunflower greens can be grown indoors at any time of year and are a fun way to get your "green fix" in the dead of winter. Sow in large, shallow containers outdoors, or indoors under grow lights or near a sunny window (see inside of packet for detailed sowing instructions). Containers can be moved as needed for best light exposure and temperature. Harvest when 1"- 2" tall and enjoy! Recipe inside packet for Italian Garden Salad.
This packet yields about 2-3 cups of sunflower greens.
Days to Emerge:
Seed Depth:
Seed Spacing:
When to sow outside: Sow in a container outdoors any time of year when temperatures are between 65°-85°F and soil temperatures are above 45°F.
When to start inside: RECOMMENDED: Sow indoors at any time of year. For a continual crop, sow every ten to fourteen days.
Special sowing instructions: To hasten germination, soak seed in water for 8 to 12 hours before sowing.
Harvesting: When seedlings emerge, the first pair of leaves to show are the cotyledons, which can look very different from the leaves that follow, called "true" leaves. Sunflower greens are ready to harvest 5 to 12 days after sowing when they have cotyledons and are 1"-2" tall. (Most of the shells will drop off the cotyledons on their own, but those that don't fall off can be pulled off manually.) Slow growers may need an extra day or 2. Harvest the tallest seedlings first by cutting just above the soil line. Rinse and use immediately or store in the refrigerator.
Artist: Donna Clement
"The seeds germinated well and there were quite a few seeds in the packet so a good value." - K. Elliott
Item #7628
40.00 grams
What are microgreens and baby greens?
Micro- and baby greens are tiny, tender, flavorful seedlings of vegetables and/or herbs. Microgreens may be…
What is Soil?
Soil is a diverse mix of substances, teeming with life and composed of minerals, decayed plant and animal matter, water, and air. It…More…
Microgreens and sprouts are trending everywhere from cooking shows and magazines to fancy restaurants and food trucks. But here's our secret-you can…More…


text: She let me take the computer home. - How did you get started in computers and programming? May 29, '12 Comments [133] Posted in Musings Sponsored By I like hearing stories about how people got into computers and programming. Perhaps if I blog my story, you'll share yours. I went to school in NE Portland in a small and diverse but relatively poor elementary school. I remember the first time a computer showed up in class. It was fifth grade - I think I was 11 - and the computer was an Apple ][. There was only the one computer. This was the 80s and these were $2600 machines if you got the full 48Kb of RAM. Before I discovered computers I was, in fact, a typewriter nerd. Yes, that existed. I took typing class on old manual (not IBM Selectric) typewriters and I was the kid in class that repaired the typewriters. I remember spending hours trying to figure out what each typewriter needed to fix a stuck key or repair a carriage that wouldn't return. I was also the A/V (Audio/Visual) geek. This basically meant I was the only one in the class (including the teacher, sometimes) who knew how to thread film onto the projector. Clearly I was wired to tinker from the start. I was always taking apart the toaster or the clock radio. I loved going to Goodwill or the local flea market and buying broken stuff and trying to bring it back to live. This continues today. Just this weekend my 4 year old and I bought a small toy walking (broken) robot for $2 at a garage sale and spend the evening taking it apart, cleaning the gears, re setting the mechanism and getting it walking again. Perhaps this is also why I like watches with moving parts and hands and not digital ones. I was analog before I was digital, I suppose. Anyway, when this Apple ][ showed up, I immediately opened it up. I had to see what was inside. This, of course, totally freaked out the teacher but it seemed pretty clear I wasn't going to break it. We had the usual games like Oregon Trail (no color here folks, this was all green screen) and I quickly learned how to get out of these educational games and write things in BASIC. Screenshot: The original Oregon Trail computer game. (Photo credit: The_Pug_Father via Flickr) This was all in 5th grade and this was when it all started. I blogged about my fifth grade teacher in 2004. She and her husband attended my wedding. We stayed in touch until her passing. She - along with my parents - was absolutely instrumental in keeping me out of trouble. I can say that I honestly don't know what I'd be doing if she hadn't done something extraordinary. She let me take the computer home. In clearer terms, she let my parents and I effectively "steal" the computer every Friday night after everyone left as long as we had it back Sunday night and ready for Monday morning. This was massive, in case that's unclear. She played favorites and made a deal. She singled me out because she knew without focus that I would be trouble. They used to joke that I would be voted "most likely to be convicted of a white-collar crime." This was a $2000+ computer in the middle of the 80s - the pride of the school - and they let me take it home. I can't imagine what would have happened had we broken it. Each Friday evening my Dad would back his pickup up to the outside door of her class and we would abscond with the Apple ][. I'd spend the weekend programming, reading the massive spiral notebooks of Apple internals and generally staying away from trouble. A year or so later when it was clear that I had a knack for computers, I came home from school one day and the family car was gone and there was a Commodore 64 left in its place. My Mom and Dad had sold the car and bought a Commodore. When it's 30 years later and you're hanging with your spouse and perhaps watching your kids play you will find yourself thinking about how this crazy journey happened. I am standing on the shoulders not only of computer science giants, but also unsung heroes like my parents and my 5th grade teacher. I look forward to the time when I will make sacrifices for my kids and the children in my life. I hope I make those decisions as unselfishly as did the adults in my life. Thank you Mrs. Hill, for introducing me to computers even though you were breaking a half dozen rules to make it happen. Thanks, Mom and Dad for bringing a computer into our house even when there wasn't money for one. What's your story? Sponsor: I want to thank my friends at DevExpress for sponsoring last week's feed. Take a moment and check out their stuff as they are lovely folks. Touch-enabled apps require developers to re-think design & user experiences. DevExpress tools help you take on these new challenges using your existing skills & today's technologies. About Scott Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author. About Newsletter Sponsored By Hosting By Comments [133] Share on: Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or use the Permalink


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COR Hosts MLK Conference09-Dec-2013 Story Reported by Los Angeles Sentinel
Christ Our Redeemer (COR) A.M.E. Church unites with the Orange County Human Relations Commission for the 4th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Interfaith Conference on Saturday, January 19 at 9 a.m., in the COR edifice at 45 Maxwell Street in Irvine.
'Building the Beloved Community: Access Through Public Education' will feature Orange County religious leaders, educators, community members and government representatives discussing educational challenges and opportunities and the faith community's role in promoting safe schools.
"The Interfaith Conference is a follow-up to the listening session held at COR in December, which allowed residents to share stories of hate and prejudice that had gone unreported. There, it was realized that children are often the recipients of prejudice in the public school system," said COR Pastor Mark E. Whitlock II.
"In the spirit of Dr. King, this year's agenda focuses on addressing inequality and prejudice within the county by involving the interfaith community. The goal is to build common ground to achieve the 'Beloved Community' that Dr. King dreamed we would someday realize together."
On Sunday, January 20, at 5 p.m., Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., and the COR congregation will host the Annual MLK Birthday Concert for Scholarships. The special honoree is the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. "Chip" Murray.
The public is invited to participate in both events.


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'Raw processor benchmark results were in line with other devices with similar specs, and heavy games like Asphalt 8: Airborne played smoothly. '
'The IPS-based LCD screen is sharp, rich, colourful, responsive, bright... and some other good things we can't quite recall right now.'
'Its one-piece uni-body shell feels nice in the hand with its soft matt finish (some colours of the 1520 have a glossy finish).'
'We don't say this often but it feels exactly right with ideally weighted balance in the hand and enough heft to feel sturdy while still being light enough to read when comfortably above your face in bed.'
'Volume in the earpiece gets plenty loud and voices remain clear and easy to understand, even at maximum volume.'
'With beefy chipset, ample amount of RAM, as well as an easy update to Windows Phone 8.1, the smartphone is sufficiently future-proof too - it will not fall behind the update curve for some time to come.
The Samsung ATIV Odyssey is a well-designed, snappy phone that belies its budget nature and is well worth the asking price.
'Beautifully crafted metal and polycarbonate design.'
'Comfortable soft-touch design.'
'Slight muffling of phone call audio.'
'gorgeous screen'
'Nokia phones typically look and feel very good for their price, but the Nokia Lumia 1320 arguably doesn't.'
'Windows Phone is as slick as ever.'
'The Lumia 1320 is a good phone to use as a phone. '
'Sound through the earpiece was harsh and trebly.'
'wide viewing angles'
'Nokia's ClearBlack technology makes the display quite visible when outside, so that's a big plus.'
'The handset is also pretty chunky and will not be to everyone's tastes.'
'Viewing angles are wide and the display has a fast 60Hz refresh rate.'
$300 price tag its wallet-friendly for an unlocked phone
Largest display in a Nokia Lumia phone so far
Good value, Decent performance
4G smartphone on a budget
'We were first suspicious because the glossy display - topped with Gorilla Glass 2 - is reflective, but the display delivered when we had it out in bright sunshine.'
'Windows Phone is a competent and well designed operating system that is let down by a rather meagre app selection. '
Solid, attractive build
The Nokia Lumia 925 is without a doubt the best Windows Phone yet
Slimmer body and straight, grippable sides
$100 on-contract price, Slightly thinner & lighter design
Very good low-light camera performance
Smooth performance, Sharp camera
Good all-around value for the money
Cheap, compact, capable Windows Phone device
Super cheap, Large, expansive screen
Least expensive handset in the Lumia line-up
Likeable design, Great screen quality
Slick OS, Good camera, Attractive design
Offers good performance and specifications
Great design and build quality, feels great in the hand
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,474 products.
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Camrose Castle
Not a lot of people would know or even realise the presence of a castle in the little village of Camrose, and are unlikely to be able to point it out.
We offer short breaks for all seasons and holidays throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a family holiday, relaxing couples getaway or somewhere to celebrate an occasion with friends, we have a break that fits the bill.


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The European Parliament today overwhelming approved a resolution on ACTA calling for transparency and raising concerns about substantive elements in the treaty such as the prospect of three strikes and personal border searches. The final vote was 633 in favour, 13 against, and 16 abstentions. The final approved text raises further issues:
- the European Parliament "deplores the calculated choice of the parties not to negotiate through well-established international bodies, such as WIPO and WTO, which have established frameworks for public information and consultation"
- It says "further ACTA negotiations should include a larger number of developing and emerging countries, with a view to reaching a possible multilateral level of negotiation"
- provides that "any agreement must include the stipulation that the closing-off of an individual's Internet access shall be subject to prior examination by a court"
- warns that "ACTA provisions, notably measures aimed at strengthening powers for cross-border inspection and seizure of goods, should not affect global access to legitimate, affordable and safe medicinal products – including innovative and generic products – on the pretext of combating counterfeiting"
As for next steps, the European Parliament clearly wants action as the resolution also states that it "stresses that, unless Parliament is immediately and fully informed at all stages of the negotiations, it reserves its right to take suitable action, including bringing a case before the Court of Justice in order to safeguard its prerogatives." This marks a major step toward ACTA transparency, highlighting the near-unanimous discomfort with the process and substance of ACTA to date.


text: Lying at the southernmost tip of the Asia land mass, extended by the Malayan peninsula, is a little gem of a bird sanctuary. The Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve is tucked at the far western corner of the Singapore island and accessible within 30 mins from the buzzling city centre. This is a 130 hectares of oasis for migratory birds escaping the harsh winters as far north as the Asian tundra. Here is a tropical paradise of peace and tranquility. Writer and photographer: Chua Chin Leng


text: Some astute players in the Planetside 2 Reddit community discovered a picture in their game folder for a Triple Station Cash event on December 21. John Smedley just confirmed on Twitter that there will indeed be Triple SC on that day. The offer runs from 12:01am PST through 11:59pm PST on Friday, December 21, 2012. It will include every form of Station Cash purchases excluding SMS payments. We'll remind you of this event again later next week!


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Gamification is transforming business and technology. As developers and business leaders master the power of game mechanics like points, badges, levels, challenges and rewards, they are increasing consumer and enterprise engagement in unprecedented ways.
As developers and architects, harnessing the power of gamification can make the difference between good and great user experiences.
In this open-source focused session, Author & Industry Expert Gabe Zichermann will present the key patterns and pitfalls of gamification, providing a technology and strategy-focused session that covers the most critical things you need to know about this trend, including:
Key takeaways will include actionable opportunities and threats to leveraging gamification in software and open source environments.
Gabe Zichermann is an author, highly rated public speaker and entrepreneur. He is the chair of the Gamification Summit and editor of the industry's leading publication, The Gamification Blog. His most recent book, "Game-Based Marketing" (Wiley, 2010) has achieved critical and industry acclaim for its detailed look at innovators who blend the power of games with brand strategy. His next book, "Gamification by Design" (O'Reilly, 2011) looks at the technical and architectural considerations for designers in this burgeoning field. A resident of NYC, Gabe is a board member of StartOut.org, advisor to a number of startups and Facilitator for the Founder Institute in Manhattan. For more information about Gabe and Gamification, visit http://Gamification.Co
Comments on this page are now closed.
Great talk with good energy. Made me think. Areas for improvement: the overuse of sexual innuendo became distracting, really detracting from your message.
Without a doubt, this was one of the most interesting and useful talks that I attended. It covered what gamification is and is not, along with the history of the concept and how it's being used and misused today. Gabe was a fantastic speaker, and I enjoyed listening him present per se almost as much as I enjoyed hearing his take on the topic.
Through the reset of the conference, I heard this talk mentioned as one of the best, and a number of conversations erupted concerning gamification and whatever other topic was at hand. Just great.
Awesome talk! This has got me excited about the application of gamification in a number of areas – anywhere we need better engagement with our customers.
Entertaining and informative!
Funny, inspiring, informative. Everything you want from a talk.
Awesome presentation! The best not-specifically-technical presentation I've ever seen at an OSCON.
Great speaker! Very engaging with good examples, good use of humour.
Enjoyed the talk immensely! Loved the descriptions of the personality types, focus on motivation, and great sense of humor. Could have more concrete examples of how to apply the principles discussed in apps, that's the only reason for 4 stars instead of 5.
Interesting topic, VERY engaging speaker. Thanks!


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Hi, I am looking to create a quote comparison website (data input - company information, accounting details and history) and then be able to produce a quote or selection of quotes. Once the information has been input by the client/prospect a mathematical equation using basic data from several insurance companies will be applied and then give the client/prospect a choice of quotes.
Q, is there a program that will help me quickly create a site as an experiment rather than having to write the code from scratch.
Q, or where would I find a programmer conversant with this particular scripting
My HTML is good, but lacking currently on javascript hence the question


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Recycling in Haverhill, MA
How did Casella become an industry leader in Recycling Service in Haverhill, MA? Casella takes an innovative approach to waste control that has a low impact on the environment and will at the same time, provide quality Recycling Service in Haverhill, MA to customers; changing their views about "traditional" waste programs. Each year Casella renews, processes and recycles enough material waste to fill the Empire State building 5 times. Simply contact Casella now to receive a price quote on our recycling in Haverhill, MA.
The Difference Between Casella and Recycling in Haverhill, MA
The Casella approach to Recycling Service in Haverhill, MA is not only innovative, but plays an important role in renewing the life-cycle of the products and materials. We're not only dedicated to creating a greener tomorrow, but we're dedicated to our service to you and ensuring we meet all your requirements. By investing in new strategies and recycling techniques, Casella can keep bringing Recycling Service in Haverhill, MA that lives up to the Casella name.
For our business professionals, we are prepared and trained to always bring safe and reliable recycling in Haverhill, MA that has a low impact on the environment. If you're looking through a list of recycling in Haverhill, MA, in search of an easy, affordable and stress-free rental experience, you can end your search here, with Casella.
Ready to get started? Simply fill out our online form or call us today at 603-952-4700 to find out more.
With our Recycling Service in Haverhill, MA, every manufactured pound of waste is one less pound that is forced into a steam belt, mill or mine. Casella continues to lead the way with industry innovations in waste control by using our Zero-Sort® recycling. the single bin recycling solution that allows people to dispose of the majority of their waste in one location; waste such as:
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- Dependable, on-time pick up and delivery.
- Safe, environmentally responsible service.


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Submit a Claim Online
Or to speak to a representative, call:800-999-1030
We have a full line of products tailored to meet your needs coupled with programs specifically designed for teachers.
Find out why Horace Mann is right for you.
As a company Founded by Educators for Educators®, we've been providing educators and their families with quality, affordable auto insurance since 1945. Your Horace Mann insurance agent can help explain all of the coverages available to you and work with you to build a policy that best suits your needs.
Student loan forgiveness
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We offer consulting on all areas of asanetwork: Product integration and development, installation, support and training.
Support and Software-Updates are vital to keep systems running.
Looking for individual solutions? We have specialised in networking, power management and mobile computing.
Developer Tools
As a developer you need simulators for testing. Have a look at asanetwork SDK-Tools.
We create products for asanetwork and Lights-Out, a power management solution for Windows Servers.
We're the technical partner of asanetwork gmbh and develop, maintain and support the use of asanetwork.
Our customers and partners are manufacturers of automotive workshop equipment, like test and measurement equipment, technical or commercial software.
asanetwork, what's that?


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Price increases give lift to Clorox in 2nd quarter
Consumer products company Clorox's fiscal second-quarter net income rose 17 percent, bolstered by price hikes.
The results from the maker of Clorox bleach, Brita water filtration products and Pine-Sol cleaners topped Wall Street's expectations. The company also raised its 2013 earnings and revenue forecasts on Monday.
Its shares climbed $1.27, or 1.6 percent, to $80.43 after rising as high as $80.86, which FacSet said was an all-time high.
Clorox Co. earned $123 million, or 93 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31, up from $105 million, or 79 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings of 80 cents per share.
Revenue increased 9 percent to $1.33 billion from $1.22 billion. Wall Street predicted revenue of $1.27 billion.
In the cleaning division, revenue rose 15 percent with its Clorox disinfecting wipes doing well because of the severity of this year's flu season.
Revenue for the household unit climbed 7 percent as sales of Glad products - which include trash bags, wraps and containers - increasing.
The lifestyle segment - which includes dressings and sauces, water filtration and natural personal care - reported an 8 percent rise in revenue with increased shipments of Burt's Bees face products during the holiday period.
Internationally, revenue increased 3 percent on price hikes.
Clorox now expects 2013 earnings of $4.25 to $4.35 per share, up from a prior forecast of $4.20 to $4.30 per share. Revenue is predicted to climb 3 percent to 5 percent. Previously, the company anticipated a 2 percent to 4 percent increase. Based on 2012's $5.47 billion, this implies revenue of about $5.64 billion to $5.75 billion.
Analysts expect full-year earnings of $4.29 per share on revenue of $5.63 million.


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I am an American girl who has seen Tim McGraw live 18 times and as traditional as they come. I do not, however, participate in baby showers. This ceremonial welcoming of a baby rarely treats birth with reverence. I believe women can - and should - birth naturally and breastfeed their babies. The American way of having babies is in crisis. This is an educational blog; exploring birth, breastfeeding, & attachment parenting. I am a Natural Childbirth Educator and this is my voice.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What I Learned From My 3rd Birth
I had wanted to have the 3rd baby at home, but David said no way. Our video is a prized possession of the 2nd birth, so we knew we wanted to video the 3rd too. At 33 weeks, we found out that the hospital we were to give birth at did not allow you to videotape the actual birth. I had been jumping over red flags the entire pregnancy, so that was the last straw. David finally consented that it was time to search for another birth place.
Yadda yadda yadda, that birth place became home. I interview lots of midwives over the phone and narrowed it down. I took David to meet the one I like the best. I think deep down he was really scared to be walking this road with me. After meeting Jenny, though, he was full of confidence. In his words, "That woman could handle anything!"
Ninety percent of the births she attended were water births, so "when in Rome..." We decided to have a water birth.
I was cocky with this birth. I had all this knowledge of birth and my memory of the 2nd birth was that it was pretty easy. So, I didn't prepare. I ate my protein, but I did not practice my pregnancy exercises. We did not practice relaxation even one time before labor began. What a mistake.
You know how everyone always tells you that each labor gets shorter? That's what I was expecting. My 2nd labor was 5 hours, so 5 hours into this labor, and I'm thinking, "Where's the baby?" I really wasn't working hard though, not until the few hours before the birth. (This labor was about 14 hours.)
My water broke about 2 hours before she was born. Right before this, I was sitting on the toilet, totally freaking out in my head, thinking, "What am I doing? If I was in a hospital, I could be having drugs right now? Why didn't I prepare for this birth? I am an idiot!"
Things picked up after my water broke and I went to my glorified kiddy pool set up in the living room. I never recognized the urge to push because I was sitting on her head, propped up on my arms. Very uncomfortable. I was so hot in the water. Looking back, I should have gotten out and birth on land! I screamed my head off when I pushed this baby out. (The mailman came to the door to deliver our mail during this time!) All my cords have been short, and the water was so deep. I had a hard time holding her head up out of the water because my arms were shaking so bad. I wanted to breastfeed immediately to help deliver the placenta, but again, I couldn't because the water was so deep.
Oh yeah, she weighed 8 pounds, Dr. Wolsey! No tears.
So learn from my mistakes: practice and prepare for each birth. I have heard many midwives comment on 3rd births, that they tend to be the hardest. That was true in my case.
I love water for labor, but for birth, this was not the best situation for me. I had intense back labor again and in order for anyone to apply counter-pressure, they either had to be in the water with me or leaning over the very deep edge.
For baby #4, everyone kept telling me to keep my options open, but I knew I didn't want to birth in water again.
The funny thing about the whole story is that baby #3 has been the last to learn to swim and is always the first one out of the pool!
7 comments:
- Jenni and fam said...
So, I can't help but always ask myself this question when I think about this birth....."Is Donna disappointed in the video?" I seriously still wonder how it all turned out. If I had already had a baby and knew something about it, then I probably would have been a MUCH better videographer. So tell me HONESTLY...what do you wish I had or hadn't done for the video? HOLY COW that was 8 years ago wasn't it? TIME FLIES when your having....babies!
Also, I agree with you on the 3rd birth is the hardest. My 3rd birth was the hardest...not the longest but the hardest. But for many reasons which there isn't enough room here to mention the biggest being the nurse took TOO long to check me and I was already at a 9 so she was sure MY midwife wouldn't be able to make it. So another midwife delivered...what a joke... its still upsets me to this day! E-mail me back about the video question and PLEASE tell me the truth!
- September 25, 2008 at 10:28 PM
- Donna Ryan said...
The video is fine of that birth -- as fine as an under-water video can be! I didn't know you had been worried about it all these years!
- September 26, 2008 at 12:19 PM
- Ruth said...
Totally off topic question here, Donna. Oscar is now 4 months old. Can you believe it? I feel like my milk supply isn't what it should be. I have been thinking this for a couple of weeks but it seems to be getting worse. I am working at night but really only miss one feeding and so far I have been able to use pumped breast milk. Otherwise he is breast fed during the day. He is a good eater and is sleeping 10-12 hours per night. When I pump I am now only getting about 4 ounces but he is eating about 6 at each feeding. He also is seeming unsatisified at his feedings and gets a bit frantic.
I was only feeding from one side per feeding and then switching at each feeding but now I have had to do both sides to get him enough.
What can I do to make sure my supply is enough and to make sure I can pump enough for the nights I am at work?
Feel free to email me directly at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Oh, and my natural childbirth was AMAZING! Extremely difficult but extremely rewarding as well.
- September 28, 2008 at 12:31 AM
- Donna Ryan said...
Hi Ruth! I am commenting here instead of an email because I hear questions like this frequently.
A couple of things pop out: only feeding off one breast per feeding has given your body the message that your baby doesn't need as much milk. I'm glad to hear that you are feeding from both now. Keep doing that. It takes some time, but your body will get the message that it needs to make more. I think women get discouraged sometimes, not knowing that they can reverse milk production. You simply have to nurse more often.
Another thing to note: your baby is able to pull more milk from your breast than a pump. So don't worry when you are "only" getting 4 ounces when you pump. That's not all your baby is getting at a nursing.
If your baby has been getting an occasional bottle, that may contribute to a "lazy" nurser. He's having to work harder to get more milk. It's easier to cry because mom or dad will fix a bottle. Don't resort to that. Make him stay on the breast and you WILL make more milk.
Feed your baby at least every 2 hours. Don't go longer than that, even if he's not acting hungry. This will help satisfy him, as well as build up a good milk supply again.
As far as building up a milk supply for your freezer: you can pump after a feeding, although if you do this, the tendency will be to not want your baby to drain the breast because you want to have some left to store. Pick a different time, maybe about an hour after a feeding.
Also, while 10-12 hours of sleep a night is so great for us as parents, it's probably not the best thing for milk supply or baby. I'm assuming he's in a crib? If you can bring him to bed with you and nurse him during the night, this will fill his belly and also increase your milk supply.
Be sure you are getting enough calories. An extra 500 per day. Also, if you have added exercise, this can affect milk supply too, if you are not getting enough calories. Stay hydrated.
Let me know if this helps or if you have any other questions. Great to hear from you!
- September 28, 2008 at 4:56 PM
- Ruth said...
Some great tips. I will start to feed from both sides each time and see if that helps. I have been pumping when I get home from work, around 11:30 or so because he hasn't seemed to need that feeding any more. Would you suggest rather that I wake him up and feed him and find a different time to pump?
I have not given him a bottle except for the times I am not there to feed him. He only gets one when I am not physically with him. This is only a few times a week and again, only for one feeding. I am still breast feeding for all other feeds. He seemed a bit more satisfied today but I pumped more throughout the night last night because I was working an overnight shift and was awake to do so. Would you suggest pumping more to stimulate more milk production?
He currently is on a 3-4 hour schedule but I will also bump that up for the next week or so to get my production back up.
I do know this is reversible. I just need to get my body back where it needs to be.
I also will work on getting more fluids as I think I have let that one slide. I have been exercising more but I know I am taking in more calories than I need.
Thanks for the help!
- September 28, 2008 at 11:40 PM
- Donna Ryan said...
Pumping at 11:30 is probably just fine. Pumping will stimulate more milk production, but if you are with the baby, I would nurse instead of pump. That will actually increase milk production better than a pump. So really, you were only nursing, at best, 5 or 6 times in a 24 hour period. Nursing every 2 hours will just about double your nursing time. That will be great! You'll have a happy baby and a happy mama!
- September 29, 2008 at 1:36 PM
My third was also my most difficult, althout my least stressful. My first was a hospital birth, my second a home birth. I had hoped to have my second born in water, but it went so quickly that my husband was frantically trying to fill up the tub and I never made it in! When baby #3 came along I knew I wanted a more peaceful experience, with dh by my side, so I never bothered with the tub. I do advocate for water birth, and have attended them as a doula/student midwife, but I think I'm probably better off without it myself. The important thing is that we have options and find something that works for each of us!
- June 4, 2010 at 10:51 PM


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Blast at BP refinery sparks fire, rattles homes
WHITING, Ind. (AP) — An explosion at BP oil refinery in northwestern Indiana along Lake Michigan rattled nearby homes and sparked a fire that was later extinguished, but it didn't cause any major injuries or halt production at the facility, a company official said Thursday.
The explosion Wednesday night at the Whiting refinery, which is just east of Chicago, was caused by a fire in a compressor on a processing unit, BP America spokesman Scott Dean said. It happened about 9 p.m. and was extinguished by the plant's fire department within a couple of hours.
One employee was taken to a hospital as a precaution, but was later released, Dean said. Refinery operations were "minimally" affected by the fire, he said.
BP notified the state that more than 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released into the air because of the explosion, according to Indiana Department of Environmental Management spokesman Dan Goldblatt. He said a report is still being prepared, but that nearby monitors showed sulfur dioxide levels remained well below maximum levels allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Sulphur dioxide is commonly caused by cars, diesel trucks and coal power plants and contributes to acid rain.
A Whiting Fire Department spokesman said the blast could be heard clearly several blocks from the plant. However, when fire commanders called plant officials to see whether assistance was needed, they were told only to stand by.
The explosion follows a malfunction at the refinery in March that the company said spilled up to 1,600 gallons of oil into Lake Michigan. Crews spent several days cleaning up oil along the shoreline.
The refinery covers about 1,400 acres along the lake's shoreline.
BP completed work in late 2013 on a $4.2 billion expansion and upgrade of the refinery that will make it a top processor of heavy crude oil extracted from Canada's tar sand deposits.
Wednesday's explosion came on the anniversary of a 1955 blast at the refinery that threw debris onto nearby neighborhoods, killing a 3-year-old boy as he slept and causing fires that burned for eight days, according to the Whiting Public Library's website.
News from The Associated Press, and a taste of the great journalism produced by AP members and customers. Managed 24/7 by these editors: apne.ws/APSocial Read more ›


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For Lower Blood Pressure, Eat Less Sodium
by Donna Quirk, MBA RD LD
LMC Clinical Nutrition Manager
When most of us think about high blood pressure, we think about sodium. Research has shown that decreasing sodium in the diet will lower blood pressure. As a result, experts agree that we should all eat less than 2300 mg (1 teaspoon of salt) per day.
You should eat 1500 mg (2/3 teaspoon of salt) per day if you are 51 years old or older, African-American, or already have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or heart problems.
The average American eats 3400 mg or more per day. We have room for improvement!
To decrease your sodium intake, pay attention to and eat less of the following:
•Processed and Prepared Foods – The majority of the sodium we eat comes from processed and prepared foods like frozen meals, canned soups, pizza, cold cuts and bacon, convenient boxed pasta and rice dinners, and fast food.
•Don't be Fooled – Because of processing, foods that don't taste salty may still have a lot of sodium. Breakfast cereals and baked goods can have 300 – 400 mg of sodium per serving.
Hint: Read food labels and try to avoid products with more that 200 mg of sodium per serving.
•Salt Shaker and Condiments – Salt in recipes, using the salt shaker, and condiments like soy sauce, ketchup, and salad dressings can really add up.
Hint: Leave salt out of recipes and water used to cook pasta, rice, and potatoes. Make homemade salad dressings with oil and vinegars. Start slow and work toward eliminating the salt shaker from the table.
Meeting the sodium recommendations is challenging but the health benefits are well worth it!


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Item #7200
Annual. (Perennial in USDA zones 7-11) Imagine what a sight it was for early explorers and settlers when they first laid eyes on the California hillsides massed with golden-orange flowers fluttering in the breeze. Drought tolerant, the state flower of California is an ideal plant for naturalized, wildflower areas. Deer resistant.
Seedling Image
Full sun
Blooms spring
6"-12" tall
Days to Emerge:
Seed Depth:
Seed Spacing:
Sown at the rate of about 25 seeds per square foot, this packet covers approximately 250 square feet.
When to sow outside: RECOMMENDED. 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost or as soon as soil can be worked; or early to mid-fall for bloom the following spring.
When to start inside: Not recommended; does not transplant well.
Artist: Carolyn Crawford
Item #7200
12.00 grams
If you have a vacant lot, slope, field, or a large bare area you want to "naturalize", here are some suggestions. VARIETIES: Choose either prepared…More…
Why sow flowers in the fall?
You can sow both perennial, and many annual flowers in the fall. Some perennials germinate best when stratified (exposed…
What is Soil?
Soil is a diverse mix of substances, teeming with life and composed of minerals, decayed plant and animal matter, water, and air. It…More…


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The city's hottest, hippest place for artists, young families and entrepreneurs is sitting just west of the Scioto River, disguised as a blighted industrial district in the shadow of the Downtown skyline.
The city's hottest, hippest place for artists, young families and entrepreneurs is sitting just west of the Scioto River, disguised as a blighted industrial district in the shadow of the Downtown skyline.
Artisans working in rehabbed manufacturing buildings can see it. A handful of developers, acres of land in hand, can see it. Even longtime residents, who braved decay and demise for years, can see it.
Can you?
If not, don't worry. It hasn't happened yet.
But pieces finally seem to be in place for Franklinton to become the city's next great redevelopment story, the last core neighborhood in Columbus to experience rebirth.
"I recognize potential when I see it," Mayor Michael Coleman said. "And I recognize, in this case, Franklinton has the potential to be the hottest area of the city in years to come. But it's going to need a little help."
Visions of Franklinton as a rehabbed bohemian live-work enclave have swirled for years, though ideas always struggled to materialize beyond schematics and isolated projects.
Now, though, the neighborhood is pulsing with momentum, as public and private investors build housing, repurpose warehouses, attract creative-class workers and residents and erase an image of danger and hopelessness that has plagued the area for decades.
Running Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 and 28, Urban Scrawl 5 will be as much a celebration of art and music as a coming out party for a neighborhood on the rise.
"There has been a perception that the world had given up on the neighborhood - and it's just not true," said Jim Sweeney, executive director of the Franklinton Development Association. "There have been people for years who believed that this place could come back to its past glory."
Their faith is paying off, Sweeney added.
"We're seeing people come to us and say, 'Gee, we'd like to be involved,'" said Bruce Warner, a Franklinton resident for 50 years and a development association board member. "It's baffling. When I sit down and I look at our financials, it's mind-boggling."
Pockets of growth and redevelopment have peppered the neighborhood since 2004, when a $134 million floodwall was completed around the neighborhood. Before then, federal and city restrictions made it nearly impossible to renovate or erect structures, because Franklinton lies in a floodplain.
After the final floodwall section went up, the city's Home Again program built or rehabbed 16 homes. The development association continued finishing numerous housing units, including 47 this year. Groups like Habitat for Humanity also funded new projects.
"There is a close-knit community of people who live here and who have hung on, just clawing their way, because this is where they want to live," Warner explained. "Now we've got some new folks coming in, which is great."
Other new projects - the type common in thriving urban neighborhoods - have emerged only recently.
Today, ground zero for revitalization lies near the corner of McDowell and West Rich streets in East Franklinton, a district that stretches west from COSI to State Route 315 and south from Scott Street to Dodge Park.
Two years ago, the intersection held empty lots, abandoned factories and three government-subsidized housing projects. Now it's an entirely new block.
The Riverside-Bradley housing project - the site of at least two killings since 2008 - was shuttered in June and is slated for demolition. Of the other two units that rose a block southwest, Sunshine Annex was razed in 2009, and Sunshine Terrace awaits the same fate.
Across the street, at 400 West Rich, studio space for artists and entrepreneurs has arisen from a former manufacturing complex. The new home of Urban Scrawl has attracted 13 renters, and project manager Chris Sherman plans to build space for 60.
Development company Urban Smart Growth, owner of 400 West Rich, also has started work on the nearby B&T Metals site, which will be transformed into apartments and condos, potentially with live-work space for artists. Several blocks away, the development association has bought a former factory with $900,000 from the City of Columbus.
"The positives are starting to outweigh the negatives," said Sherman, who owns a small warehouse a block from 400 West Rich. "In East Franklinton, there's an opportunity for a clean-slate type thing to happen."
If these projects seem too small or isolated to make much difference, consider this.
All four corners of McDowell and West Rich are owned by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, the City of Columbus or Urban Smart Growth. These groups have stacked hands with the development association to hash out ambitious plans for an affordable, mixed-use starting point.
Together the four organizations own 23.5 acres of land in Franklinton. The bulk of that is situated at the foot of the new Main Street bridge, about a mile from the Ohio Statehouse and across the river from Scioto Mile.
"The amenities available here are unmatched anywhere else in the city," Sweeney said.
The idea, Sweeney explained, is to incubate creative energy and allow it to ripple through the rest of the neighborhood. As it does, it will boost property values and instigate more private development, which has struggled for decades.
His vision is contagious, yet hard to see at first glance.
Franklinton's history has been one of pioneers and floods, trial and error, determination and disaster - and it remains a landscape of extremes.
Established businesses like Florentine, an Italian restaurant opened in 1945, share property lines with storefronts that have been shuttered and tagged with graffiti.
Sturdy new homes stand next to ones waterlogged by floods in 1913 and 1959. A few of the oldest still bear mold lines beneath the second-story baseboards.
Kids play in wide, grassy boulevards on streets like West Park Avenue. In other areas wracked by blight, owners peer cautiously from sagging, cluttered porches.
The Franklinton sections of Sullivant Avenue and West Broad Street are among the city's busiest prostitution strips, according to incident reports dating to February. Yet revitalization and other factors have led to a decrease in violent crime, police spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said.
"I can say that Franklinton is on the upswing," he said. "Within the last 10 years, calls for service have declined. I was there [on patrol] 10 years ago, and it had its fair share of violent crime. Through the years, it has decreased."
Rich Corns, who's lived 10 years in Franklinton, says he still sees good and bad.
"You have a lot of rowdy people down here who like to be stupid," he said. "But we've got a lot of hardworking people down here."
Corns has lived for three months on West Park Avenue with his wife and child. His in-laws live down the block.
"In a few years, I think this area is going to be booming and thriving again," he said from his front porch. "It's not going to look like it does now."
Those who live and work in the neighborhood feel that the changing perception is just as powerful as the plans for mixed-use projects and the new houses.
"Franklinton is for people who want to live, work and enjoy life," said Carol Stewart, who came to Franklinton in the 1960s and became one of its most dedicated activists. "I think there's a positive momentum going forth. A lot of the people who are 50 and younger feel positive and feel that Franklinton has a good future."
Sweeney also believes that changing public perception will change the neighborhood - that the cycle of action and education will be key to rebuilding Franklinton.
"Most of the successes we've had to date over here have less to do with physical pace than with the perception of hope and common vision," he said. "In a large part, perception becomes reality."


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I'm inclined to suggest we either fish or cut bait: NR or no NR, because relocating NR to the business goals section is unlikely to change the cause for the "non-closure," which I surmise is to large extent the trepidation that if we take on NR, we may not see the end of it. If we must stake out an NR requirement in the doc, then perhaps we could downgrade the "must" in the current goal to "SHOULD" and maybe even tag a "wherever feasible" safety clause at the end of the statement, lest we over-extend ourselves. While at it, we may also change the word "include" to "support" so it reads like: "The security framework SHOULD support Non-repudiation between transacting parties [wherever feasible]." With the intro paragraph for the six security aspects under D-AR006.1 thru D-AR006.6 removed per previous consensus, I think "support" reads better than "include" does. As for seeing NR as a business function, it may well be true; but it's the security stuff that makes NR tick! Come to think of it, if NR were under D-AC017 now, strong arguments could be made to relocate it back to security: the implementation of NR needs digital signature, which is a security primitive; it also needs a public key infrastructure, which is also a security thing; some implementations may even employ challenge-response procedures to authenticate signers (i.e. to reasonably ensure the signer is not using a stolen private key), which is yet another security gig; ... That is, on the balance, security pertinent issues are very likely to outweigh the non-security ones at the end of the day, so far as NR in web services is concerned. Cheers, Joe Hui Exodus, a Cable & Wireless service =================================================== > -----Original Message----- > Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2002 10:04:27 -0400 > From: Christopher Ferris <firstname.lastname@example.com> > To: wsawg public <firstname.lastname@example.com> > Subject: D-AR006.6 proposal > > > D-AR006.6 reads: > The security framework must include Non-repudiation > between transacting parties. > > This one hasn't been discussed much lately (much of the > discussion around NR was focused on the authentication of > data D-AR006.2.2) but it occured to me that maybe by relocating > this item to the business goals (D-AC017) section, that > we might be able to come to closure on this. > > My understanding of NR is that it is a business function, not a > security function. NR may leverage security mechanisms, but it isn't > part of a security framework (again, IMO). Clearly, NR places > specific requirements on the technologies, policies and processes > that enable it. > > I would propose that we relocate D-AR006.6 under D-AC017 > and rephrase it something like: > > "The Web Services Architecture must support(enable?) > non-repudiation > of both origin and receipt between transacting parties" > > Comments? > > Cheers, > > Chris >Received on Friday, 7 June 2002 22:48:51 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Friday, 17 January 2020 23:05:34 UTC


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Courtesy of NMU Athletics
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Bill Sall has been named the 14th head coach of the Northern Michigan University men's basketball program, Athletic Director Forrest Karr announced on Saturday (May 11). An introductory press conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday (May 13) in the Wildcat Room of the Berry Events Center.
Sall spent 11 seasons as the head coach of Ferris State University from 2002-13. Under his direction, the Bulldogs won four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division titles (2003-04, 2010-11, 2011-12) and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament three times (2004-05, 2005-06, 2010-11), including a pair of regional championship game appearances. His overall record at FSU was 171-145 and 127-85 in GLIAC games.
"Bill has significant experience and is a proven winner at this level," said Karr. "He has accomplished many things on the court while also graduating student-athletes at a high rate."
"My family and I are extremely excited about the opportunity to become the 14th head coach of Northern Michigan," Sall said. "I would like to thank President David Haynes for the opportunity to lead this historic basketball program."
Sall served four seasons (1998-2002) as an assistant coach under Ed Douma at Hillsdale College before being appointed head coach at FSU. The Chargers were 72-41 (.637) during his time in Hillsdale and had two consecutive (2001-02) NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional tournament appearances and one GLIAC South title.
"Bill received strong recommendations from people that I respect," Karr added. "Everyone that I've spoken with says he is an outstanding coach and the kind of coach that any parent would want their son to play for. It's clear that Bill is in coaching for all the right reasons."
"The facilities are great and having the opportunity to talk and meet with Forrest Karr was a huge determining factor," said Sall. "He's person that has a tremendous focus to take the athletic department to a new level. He sold me on what NMU can be with dedicated loyal people that will make the transition easier."
Sall was the top assistant at FSU for three seasons (1995-98). He helped guide the Bulldogs to a 21-12 finish along with a GLIAC Tournament Championship title and a NCAA Division II National Tournament berth during the 1997-98 season. He was an interim head coach for a portion of the 1995-96 season.
"The position reminds me of when I took over Ferris State with an awful lot of tradition after a few down seasons," Sall added. "There's some talent left but we need to understand that there's a long way to go and it's going to take a lot of work. Northern got the right guy for the job but it's going to be baby steps at first. The next month and a half is going to be huge. We need to find the hidden gems that have gotten passed over and we need to hit the ground running to find some guys that can help us out next year."
Sall's coaching career began with Douma at his alma mater Calvin College from 1992-95. The Knights made two NCAA Division III National Tournament appearances, claimed the 1993-94 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship and were 37-17 (.685) overall during his two seasons as an assistant coach.
"Hiring a great coach was the first step in rebuilding our program," Karr said. "Now it's up to all of us to support Bill and help him return Northern to its winning tradition."
Sall was a standout player at Calvin from 1985-90. A two-time (1989-90) MIAA co-Most Valuable Player, Sall currently ranks as the Knights' third-leading all-time scorer with 2,063 points, which included a 70-game double-figure scoring streak. He was a two-time (1989-90) second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches Division III All-American. Sall graduated from Calvin in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in recreation management.


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Once Burned (Night Prince #1) – Jeaniene Frost – Vlad Vlad Vlad!
While Vlad Tepesh lends himself as a fantastic supporting character in the Night Huntress series, his personality has the word "lead" written all over it, and Jeaniene Frost was smart to take advantage of it.
He gets his own storyline that introduces his potential better half, Leila. Though mortal, a freak accident as a child leaves her with the unusual ability to channel electricity into psychic powers. Her powers are attractive to a group of vampires with malicious intentions who need her abilities to reach out to Vlad, the most infamous of them all. His power to wield fire gives him a significant upper hand, but everyone has a weakness and his adversaries may have found his through Leila. However when they meet, you don't need chemistry lessons to know that fire + electricity = one dangerous combo.
On the heels of a Vlad-less Night Huntress book #6, I wasted no time getting to this spin-off to get my fix. Though this series is the Night Prince, the story is told from Laila's POV, so we can't get into his mind quite as much as fans were likely hoping. I didn't mind it much because I actually liked Laila's character. Though tragic and sympathetic, she's not helpless. I look forward to the evolution of her powers over the course of this series. Sparks were certainly flying between her and Vlad, and so far I approve. There appears to be substance to her which I'll take any day over the typical disposable heroine. Her powers at times reminded me of Rogue from X-Men, who also wears gloves to protect those close to her. She is one of my favorite characters and Rogue/Gambit is one of my favorite all-time fictional ships. It's just that while Gambit couldn't handle Rogue's power; Vlad can handle Laila's, allowing them to be more tactile.
Vlad himself is everything I wanted and then some. I feel like Frost wanted to let loose a bit more with him here. He's sexy, hilarious, frustrating, and terrifying all at the same time. I love those types of dynamic characters in literature. However, this book was written making it clear that there would be more to come. Vlad is extremely private and even though he heats up the sheets, it's a taller order to heat up his heart. With centuries of success comes centuries of pain, so I'm glad it may take multiple books for this resolution. I like it when my characters truly earn their happiness, and standalone books rarely cut the mustard or me when it comes to that.
There could have been a bit more development with the story, but the characters carried it enough that I found the read satisfying and refreshing from Cat & Bones's world. It's part one of a trilogy after all. I'm just glad I don't have a long wait for the next one.