text: Module 5: Improvement - Developing a Strategy for Diabetes Quality Improvement Diabetes Care Quality Improvement: A Resource Guide for State Action "As rates of diabetes increase across the country, roughly tracking with increases in obesity rates, States are quickly approaching a time when budgets will not be able to withstand the pressure of treating the flood of obesity-related diseases. Consequently, while we search for better and more efficient ways of treating diabetes and helping people manage the diseases that costly procedures can be prevented, we must find more ways to create incentives for people to make healthy lifestyle choices. The State that figures out how to do this, while respecting and protecting individual liberties, will be the model for the Nation."— An Interview with Governor Mike Huckabee, ArkansasModule Overview:A Model for Quality Improvement Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) ModelPDSA Case Study: Wisconsin Collaborative Diabetes Quality Improvement ProjectDeveloping a State Strategy for Improving Diabetes Care QualityIntegrating Quality Improvement Activities Across ConditionsThe Importance of EvaluationSummary and SynthesisResources for Further ReadingKey Ideas in Module 5:Although local contexts differ, standard quality improvement techniques should be a part of any health care quality improvement strategy at the State level.A variety of models can be used to inform State strategies to improve health care. This module focuses on the PDSA model adapted for the State policymaking context.State leaders can use the adapted PDSA model and the tools in this module together State-specific data, information, and action to produce a quality improvement strategy suited to their locale.State leaders can integrate quality improvement efforts for diabetes with other conditions or design more overarching quality improvement strategies that target multiple health care conditions.Quality health care is a goal that all health care professionals and policymakers can achieve, yet many do not know where to begin.The challenge of the health care system is to define what is "quality health care" and lead participants in the health care system to increase quality, reduce mistakes, and attain quality results for every patient every time. Some may view this as impossible. Others can point to the great strides that have been made in manufacturing and other services by applying the principles of quality improvement. And some can point to dramatic improvements in reducing deaths in U.S. hospitals from applying the principles of quality improvement (Gabor, 2004). Additionally, a number of States today can point to gains that they have made in diabetes outcomes for their citizens to confirm that quality improvement in health care is possible.Module 1: Background provided an overview of diabetes and quality improvement. Module 2: Data provided a variety of data sources with State-specific data on diabetes quality of care. Module 3: Information helped State leaders understand how data must be examined to make comparisons and create information for guiding decisions and leading change. Module 4: Action offered a variety of national, Federal, State, and local approaches, resources, and best practices that can inform State quality improvement efforts.This module aims to assist State leaders to develop diabetes quality improvement strategies suited to State contexts. Module 5: Improvement provides models for quality improvement, presents a case study of how one State — Wisconsin — undertook an ambitious quality improvement effort, and discusses how State leaders can begin to develop their own State-specific strategies to improve diabetes care quality.Return to Contents A Model for Quality ImprovementWhile local contexts differ, models of quality improvement give the common elements needed to stimulate change and improvement in any situation. As State leaders embark on new initiatives or revitalize existing ones, quality improvement models can inform those efforts. The key is to find a suitable model for an individual State and its partners, and then pick and choose the components that are most useful for a specific local context. Explained below is a model that may be useful for State leaders developing quality improvement strategies.Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Model A time-tested quality improvement tool still useful today is the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" or the "Plan-Do-Study-Act" model for guiding quality enhancement projects of all types (go to Figure 5.1). The PDSA model conceptualizes the continuing cycle of improvement.W. Edwards Deming popularized the Plan-Do-Check-Act model (an idea of Walter Shewhart, a statistician at the Bell Telephone Laboratories) and focused manufacturers on the need to apply the model constantly to the production process. Deming is credited with General Douglas McArthur for rebuilding Japan after World War II and setting the foundation for Japanese production quality (Tortorella, 1995).Its steps for effective quality improvement include:Plan - Set the goals of the quality improvement cycle— questions, predictions, data to be collected, and the who, what, when, where of the project.Do — Carry out the plan and document problems and unexpected observations.Study — Complete the analysis of the data, compare to predictions, and summarize lessons.Act — Determine changes to be made and decide what will happen in the next cycle (Langley, Nolan, Nolan, et al., 1996).The PDSA cycle usually applies at the point of production, in this case to the front-line of health care at the point of care. The concept also can be applied to the quality improvement role of State leaders. Drawing on insights from State quality improvement activities around diabetes care, State leaders might consider a "Partner-Plan-Do-Study-Act" model. Figure 5.1 The PDSA Quality Improvement Cycle Partner — Decide who are strategic partners of quality improvement and recruit them to the project — champions in health care production, stakeholders (e.g., consumer/patient groups, health care professionals, purchasers, health plans, and topic experts, among others), and key State leaders and agencies (e.g., visible champions, diabetes experts, program planning/evaluation staff and quality improvement experts). Is the group large enough to include key leaders and perspectives, yet small enough to be productive?Plan — The goals of a project will be broad in the context of statewide activities because many partners and processes will need to be involved. What does the group predict are the current obstacles to quality care? How will the goals be put into action? What data need to be collected to prove that the changes are indeed improvements?Do — Test the plan and document problems and unexpected observations as data are collected. Initial plans seldom produce desired results the first time. Pilot test the ideas of the group with front-line health care programs, providers, and consumers. Reconvene the partners and discuss successes and problems.Study — Complete the data analysis, compare the results to predictions, and summarize lessons learned. Do the test results convince the partners that full-scale implementation will be successful? Because the scope of activities may be broad and costs may be involved, the planned action should be based on reasonable data and results.Act — Determine the changes to be made. Implement the changes State- or district-wide. Continually assess those changes through data collection and analysis. Are the changes working? What will happen in the next cycle?The PDSA is one model of quality improvement that has withstood the test of time. There are other tools and methodologies for quality improvement to suit the various stages at which States find themselves. Following are additional resources that States might want to use to facilitate quality improvement wherever they are along the continuum.The Quality Assurance Project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), presents models based on quality improvement on an international scale. These models are useful and easily translated for States (information available at http://www.qaproject.org/resourcesintro.html).The IHI breakthrough series focuses on change at the provider level, but is an important approach that State leaders should understand for developing change agents (information available at http://www.ihi.org/ihi).Numerous tools are also available to further assist quality improvement projects. Quality improvement tools suited for policymakers are available on AHRQ's Quality Tools Web site at: http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/channels/channel.aspx?mode=3&inc=browse.policy_makers.inc. For another quality toolbox, go to Tague (1995). The PDSA model can be applied to the context of State leadership in quality improvement. The actual approaches and actions that States will take will be as varied as the examples that appear in Module 4: Action of this Resource Guide. One State's experience, in particular, can help illustrate how the PDSA model can be applied to an actual quality improvement project.PDSA Case Study: Wisconsin Collaborative Diabetes Quality Improvement ProjectWisconsin's DPCP, part of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, received CDC funding in 1994 and other funding since then. Over time the DPCP developed an ambitious strategy to improve diabetes care quality for clients of managed care organizations. Wisconsin's diabetes quality improvement efforts in many ways mirror the stages of the PDSA model described above.Partner — In 1996, the DPCP formed the Diabetes Advisory Group comprised of over 50 diverse groups and organizations. Wisconsin's health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were key partners in the advisory group.Plan — One of the first plans developed by the Diabetes Advisory Group was the development of Diabetes Mellitus Care Guidelines and supporting documents for use by all health care providers in the State. Released in 1998, these guidelines were endorsed by the Advisory board members, and members promoted the use of the guidelines throughout the health care system blanketing the State with a common message about quality diabetes care. The DPCP used materials from other States and also worked with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to use data to assess the status of diabetes care in the State and adherence to the Diabetes Mellitus Care Guidelines.Do — Out of this successful effort, the Wisconsin Collaborative Diabetes Quality Improvement Project was established in 1999. The goal of the Diabetes Quality Improvement Project is to improve the quality of diabetes care for people who receive services through Wisconsin's HMOs and two other large health systems by: Evaluating implementation of the Wisconsin Essential Diabetes Mellitus Care Guidelines.Sharing data issues, strategies, initiatives and lessons learned.Improving diabetes care through collaborative quality improvement initiatives.Collaborators included university experts, Wisconsin's QIO, the State Medicaid program, and other health care industry partners. The department used a two-pronged approach to convince the HMOs to sign on. First, they leveraged the support of a well-connected spokesperson to discuss the guidelines and the possibility of forming the collaborative. Secondly, they participated in ongoing discussions about quality improvement in the private sector. They presented the collaboration as a potential win-win opportunity. HMOs would get value from the project through access to information, tools and ongoing support as well as receiving good media coverage for their work with the State. The DPCP would reach the 68 percent of the State's population served by the participating HMOs."Being a member of the statewide diabetes collaborative project allowed our plan to access materials, data, and people resources that would otherwise have taken years to develop. Being part of the collaborative group gave us the means to send a coordinated, statewide message consistently and coherently in a variety of formats."— Quality Management Specialist, Prevea Health PlanStudy — Collaborators used the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) comprehensive diabetes care measures to track progress in improving diabetes care. The State's DPCP contracted with the University of Wisconsin to provide confidential analysis and reporting. Each HMO was given a confidential identifying number so it could see how its performance compared with other organizations. The project was careful to use these data results cooperatively, not competitively, with a goal of improving diabetes care in Wisconsin. Participants in the Collaborative continued to discuss issues and strategies such as registry development, data collection, and provider profiles.The quality improvement plan included evaluative efforts to assess improvements in diabetes care. An evaluation of the HEDIS® data showed that the project:Increased eye exams for people with diabetes from 62 to 69 percent.Increased cholesterol screening and control from 72 to 78 percent and 45 to 51 percent, respectively.Increased kidney disease monitoring from 47 to 52 percent.Act — With data collection and reporting in place, the Wisconsin Collaborative Diabetes Quality Improvement Project took further action by focusing its quality improvement efforts. With HbA1c rates already at 90 percent in the State but eye examination rates much lower, the partners determined that the project should establish a statewide Diabetes Eye Care Initiative. In 2001, this project began with the goal of increasing eye examination rates and enhancing communication among specialists and primary care providers related to diabetes eye care.In October 2003, the project released a compendium of the diabetes quality initiatives implemented in the 5 years since the project began. In addition to describing the interventions used, the compendium provided information on barriers, ongoing challenges, and lessons learned. Some of the lessons and strategies used to achieve the encouraging results of the project were:More inclusive quality improvement teams over timeIncreased use of diabetes care teams, champions, and case management servicesMore in-depth barrier analysis and intervention evaluationCommunity collaborationMore advanced information systems for developing, tracking, and feedback on "targeted" interventionsSupport for providers and clinicsAn increased focus on the role of the consumerIncreased use of technology to enhance communication and outreach (Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, 2003).More information on the Wisconsin Collaborative Diabetes Quality Improvement Project, is available at: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/diabetes/hmo.htm.As this case study demonstrates, quality improvement can take many years and iterations before actual change and quality improvement can be documented. However, the reward is that once the partnerships and processes are in place there is the opportunity to see measurable advances in care quality and in health outcomes.Return to Contents Developing a State Strategy for Improving Diabetes Care QualityThe PDSA quality improvement model described above can be combined with previous modules of this Resource Guide to build a strategy for improving diabetes care quality. AHRQ has also developed a companion Workbook that can assist State leaders through a step-by-step process for using the data, information and resources from this Resource Guide to develop the case for diabetes quality improvement in a particular State, examine strategic areas for improvement, and develop a detailed strategy. Described below are tools that can help State leaders develop a State quality improvement strategy. These tools can be used in conjunction with the Workbook exercises. The first tool is the State Diabetes Quality Improvement Worksheet (go to Figure 5.2) that can assist State leaders with assembling the data about their State and diabetes. Another tool is the PDSA checklist that provides the common steps State leaders need to take to build a quality improvement strategy. In working through these tools, State leaders are advised to work closely with State DPCP officials to plan and develop their State's diabetes quality improvement strategy.Building the Case for Diabetes Quality ImprovementOne step in the process of developing a quality improvement strategy is for State leaders to gather information about diabetes in their State. The worksheet below helps State leaders to assemble State specific information on diabetes prevalence, cost and quality of care to assess opportunities for improvement. This worksheet information combined with the inventory of programmatic activities related to diabetes assembled at the end of Module 4: Action allows State leaders to assess the current condition of diabetes care and public policy in their State. Using this information, they can make the case that diabetes quality improvement is important for their State.Putting the PDSA Model to WorkThe adapted PDSA model is a general model intended to capture the most important components of quality improvement; but State leaders may wonder how to put it to use. Provided below is a checklist of PDSA quality improvement steps. This checklist outlines the common steps that State leaders need to take to develop a quality improvement strategy. Using the checklist as a framework, State leaders can fill in the State and local background, data, information, public policy approaches and other resources to develop a strategy suited to their particular context.As State leaders do this, one of the most important factors to bear in mind is the cyclical nature of quality improvement. Improving health care quality is not a one-time activity but must be ongoing. Sustained improvement usually occurs over many years. Thus, the most effective action plans will include not only short-term goals but long-range ones as well.Return to Contents Integrating Quality Improvement Activities Across ConditionsDiabetes is one of several chronic illnesses with demonstrated opportunities for quality of care improvements. Care for asthma, cancer, heart disease, and other common chronic conditions affecting millions of Americans too often falls short of what research has indicated to be the most effective treatments. Diabetes and other chronic conditions combined account for 78 percent of all health care spending and 7 out of 10 deaths.Are there other quality improvement opportunities in my State in addition to diabetes?Each State should view its performance across the broad spectrum of quality improvement measures, such as those contained in the NHQR. The NHQR contains data on many other chronic conditions that could be targets for quality improvement initiatives. Appendix F assembles all of the measures from the NHQR that include State-level estimates.The models, processes, and tools for quality improvement in diabetes care in this Resource Guide can be applied to other disease areas that may also be fruitful targets for quality improvement.State leaders can use this information to help decide how broadly or narrowly to focus their quality improvement efforts. Diabetes may be just one of several costly health care conditions that are appropriate areas to invest in quality improvement efforts in a given State. In addition, there may be advantages to integrating quality improvement efforts across several conditions, such as stretching scarce resources by using economies of scale across programs, minimizing investment costs in infrastructure, and maximizing the effect of systemic changes in health care delivery.Thus, some States may choose to expand on existing diabetes quality improvement efforts while other States may want to establish comprehensive quality improvement efforts that target several diseases at once. For example, several States, including Wisconsin, have expanded their efforts with diabetes to address heart disease since the two are related. On the other hand, Vermont has initiated a broader chronic care initiative to improve the quality of care for all chronic diseases but has chosen diabetes as the first focus area for the initiative. (Go to the Vermont Chronic Care Initiative Web site at http://healthvermont.gov/blueprint.aspx for more information.)Checklist of PDSA Quality Improvement StepsPartnerEstablish or redesign an advisory board or steering committee to identify areas of health care most in need of quality improvement in the State. (The NHQR State-level data across all disease (Appendix F) and the NHDR socioeconomic data might inform these deliberations.)Include the key experts and stakeholders in quality improvement, including State DPCP officials and champions in health care who will carry key messages to the front line of health care.Plan (with Partners)Decide on a set of questions or topic areas related to quality improvement.Develop an appraisal of how the State performs, why, and how the State could improve.Develop goals for quality improvement. (Some of the State-level results described in the Module 4: Action, as well as NHQR data, might inform the process.)Take an inventory of current diabetes quality improvement programs in the State, including DPCP programming, and other local and nongovernmental initiatives. Make a preliminary list of additional actions to take.Identify data needs: Identify measures that address the topic, that have readily available benchmarks, and that relate to action needed. (NHQR data could inform this step.)Develop an inventory of potential data sources for the State or locality that can address the topic and help analyze variation in practice across the State. (This Resource Guide points to some possible data sources for States in Module 2: Data and describes approaches to analyzing data in Module 3: Information.)Determine whether special data collection must be undertaken and how that can be accomplished.Develop a preliminary evaluation plan to inform data collection needs.DoAssemble data.Make initial estimates of measures agreed to by the Partners and compare them to benchmarks. Initial assessments may lead the Committee to revise its original plan. (NHQR benchmarks should inform this step.)Conduct (or commission) analyses to answer the questions raised in the planning stage and to develop information for deciding on actions to be taken.StudyStudy the data and its implications for the quality improvement strategy.Prioritize areas for improvement.Put together the case for taking action.ActRefine the action and evaluation plans with the Partners.Find resources to develop and support the initiative.Implement the action plan.Implement the evaluation plan.Assess whether improvement has occurred based on the evaluation data.Return to Contents The Importance of EvaluationEvaluation is essential to understand whether a quality improvement activity is accomplishing planned goals, whether goals and actions are ultimately improving the health outcomes of the population, and what adjustments are necessary. Evaluation in quality improvement can be done quickly, as often look at longer term, underlying components of the program. One program that can serve as a resource for State leaders in developing an evaluation plan for diabetes quality improvement efforts is the CDC's accountability efforts for State DPCPs.In 1999, the CDC began addressing the need for more systematic State-level programmatic evaluation and accountability in the National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. The CDC devised seven national objectives for diabetes care, including increasing the percentages of people with diabetes receiving HbA1c testing, eye exam, foot exam, and influenza vaccination. In addition, the national objectives include reducing health disparities and establishing linkages to other wellness programs, such as: physical activity or smoking cessation programs for people with diabetes.The CDC asked States to devise their own State objectives for improved diabetes population health in order to address the uniqueness of each State's population. A critical objective that States usually include is to establish measurement procedures to track progress. The CDC focus on evaluation emphasizes the importance of measurement. The State DPCP has become a catalyst for statewide improvements through partnering and accountability on various operational levels.CDC Model for Program Evaluation The CDC employs a model of evaluation that includes four groupings of standards for program evaluation, and six repeating steps in the evaluation process as illustrated in Figure 5.3.The CDC provides 30 standards under the four subgroups of utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy. These standards are guidelines for conducting sound and fair evaluations and may be briefly described as follows:Utility ensures that the evaluation serves the needs of intended users.Feasibility results in evaluations that are realistic and sensible.Propriety ensures ethical integrity in the conduct of the evaluation.Accuracy leads to information that is technically sound.Steps in the Evaluation ProcessThe six steps in the evaluation process may vary as to when they are carried out, though one step usually lays a foundation for the next. Steps will be repeated as results become clear and new issues arise. Each step serves to ensure the effectiveness of the evaluation.Engaging stakeholders is essential to ensure that the evaluation addresses the important elements of the program and that the evaluation is used. Stakeholders include those served by the program, those planning and directing the program, and those involved in program operations.Describing the program serves two functions. First, it lays out in detail the program's goals and strategies so that everyone involved understands them. Second, it provides an opportunity for consensus building around the goals and strategies.Focusing the evaluation design addresses the greatest issues of concern. This step includes identifying the purpose of the evaluation; defining the users and usefulness of the evaluation; listing stakeholders' questions that need to be addressed; establishing methods to ascertain information upon which the evaluation will be based; and developing consensus around particular roles and responsibilities pertaining to the evaluation.Gathering credible evidence contributes to the robustness of the evaluation. Developing credible evidence involves defining appropriate indicators, identifying legitimate sources of information; ensuring the quality of data gathered; and aligning the infrastructure for collecting evidence with the environment (and individuals) from which the information is gathered.Justifying conclusions is important to ensure that the evaluation will be used. When consensus is reached regarding the goals and strategies of the program, when the values of the evaluation are aligned, and when the evidence gathered is credible, then conclusions will naturally be justified. At this point, conclusions and recommendation can be made.Ensuring use and sharing lessons learned includes designing mechanisms for feedback and dissemination of the information gained in the evaluation.Employing an evaluation specialists or, at the least, assembling an evaluation team with a designated leader will help facilitate the process. Issues regarding internal bias and external influences must be addressed to ensure integrity of the analytic work and a trusted evaluation of a program or project.To be effective, however, evaluation strategies must be timely and useful. They should be considered at the beginning of the project and they should have a reasonable deadline for completion. Including an experienced evaluator on the quality improvement team can help ensure that the evaluation will be sound, useful, and timely. The evaluation should feed back to the quality improvement cycle and direct future actions.Other Ideas for State Action to Improve Diabetes CareFor some State leaders, broad statewide quality improvement efforts may seem unattainable or unrealistic, given the scope of their responsibilities or the status of their budgets. There are, however, other activities that help raise awareness of quality improvement and build support over time for larger diabetes quality improvement efforts. Some options include the following:Talk with other organizations and individuals about ways to improve diabetes care in your State (e.g., DPCP staff in the State health department, diabetes advocacy organizations, health care professional organizations for diabetes, as well as providers and health plans).Convene a conference or advisory group of diabetes experts in the State to discuss strategies for quality improvement or work with one that already exists.Hold/participate in a legislative hearing or town-hall meeting on health care quality in the State.Participate in State efforts to raise public awareness about obesity and diabetes.Consider public-private partnerships and public-private collaboratives to address diabetes quality improvement.Examine ways for State employee health programs, the State DPCP, and Medicaid offices to work together to control diabetes and improve care.Help establish a disease management program for diabetes for State employees or Medicaid clients by partnering with private sector organizations for services.Return to ContentsSummary and SynthesisModule 5 has provided a model of quality improvement, a case study of one State's innovative quality improvement strategy and some tools and considerations to help State leaders develop their own quality improvement strategy. This module does not provide States with one approach or answer. Instead, decisions about the kind of quality improvement strategies that a State should pursue are the responsibility of State leaders and their partners, who are positioned to know what is best suited for their State context.There are common elements to quality improvement that can inform the development of State strategies. The PDSA model adapted for the policymaking context is one approach that can assist State leaders. It is also important that State innovators examine the current condition of diabetes care and what diabetes programs are underway. State quality improvement efforts can then build on and fill in the gaps to develop a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to improving care. Because quality improvement occurs over a long time frame, evaluation is crucial to determine what effects the strategy has had and to justify continued efforts and resources over time.Return to ContentsResources for Further ReadingLangley G, Nolan K, Nolan T, Norman C, Provost L. The Improvement Guide: A Practical Approach to Enhancing Organizational Performance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996.Tague NR. The Quality Toolbox. Milwaukee, WI: ASQC Quality Press, 1995.Return to ContentsAssociated Appendix for Use With This ModuleAppendix F: NHQR Quality Measures for All Conditions by StateAppendix F provides quality measures for all conditions and topics in the NHQR. It includes the national estimate and an indicator for whether or not the State estimate (not shown due to space limitation) is statistically greater, lower, or no different from the national average. This resource can help States identify which diseases and their treatments may be in need of attention. Current as of August 2008 Internet Citation: Module 5: Improvement - Developing a Strategy for Diabetes Quality Improvement: Diabetes Care Quality Improvement: A Resource Guide for State Action. August 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/quality-resources/tools/diabguide/diabqguidemod5.html


text:
Yaron Orenstein
I am a PhD student at the
School of Computer Science
Tel Aviv University
My advisor is
Prof. Ron Shamir
, and I am a member of the
Algorithms in Computational Genomics
research group.
School of Computer Science
Schreiber, Room no. 011
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
Research Interests
Motif finding, Motif discovery, Protein binding microarrays, Design of probe sequences, de Bruijn sequences
Y. Orenstein
and D. Ron
Testing Eulerianity and Connectivity in Directed Sparse Graphs
Theoretical Computer Science (2011)
Y. Orenstein
, C. Linhart and R. Shamir
Assessment of algorithms for inferring positional weight matrix motifs of transcription factor binding sites using protein binding microarray data
PLoS ONE (2012)
Matthew T Weirauch, Atina Cote, Raquel Norel, Matti Annala, Yue Zhao, Todd R Riley, Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Thomas Cokelaer,
Anastasia Vedenko, Shaheynoor Talukder, DREAM5 Consortium (including
Y. Orenstein
, C. Linhart, R. Shamir), Harmen J Bussemaker,
Quaid D Morris, Martha L Bulyk, Gustavo Stolovitzky and Timothy R Hughes
Evaluation of methods for modeling transcription factor sequence specificity
Nature Biotechnology (2013)
Y. Orenstein
, E. Mick and R. Shamir
RAP: Accurate and fast motif finding based on protein binding microarray data
Journal of Computational Biology (2013)
Y. Orenstein
and R. Shamir
Design of Shortest Double-Stranded DNA Sequences Covering All K-mers with Applications to Protein Binding Microarrays and Synthetic Enhancers
Bioinformatics (2013)
Y. Orenstein
and R. Shamir
A comparative analysis of transcription factor binding models learned from PBM, HT-SELEX and ChIP data
Nucleic Acids Research (2014)
A. Kedmi, Y. Zehavi, Y. Glick,
Y. Orenstein
, D. Ideses, C. Wachtel, T. Doniger, H. Waldman Ben-Asher,
N. Muster, J. Thompson, S. Anderson, D. Avrahami, J.R. Yates III, R. Shamir, D. Gerber and T. Juven-Gershon
Drosophila TRF2 is a preferential core promoter regulator
Genes and Development (2014)
Fall 2012-2013 - Computational Genmoics
Fall 2012-2013 - Data Structures
Fall 2010-2011 - CS workshop in Bioinformatics
Fall 2010-2011 - Data Structures
Spring 2011 - Data Structures
Fall 2011-2012 - Computational Genomics
Fall 2011-2012 - Data Structures
Spring 2012 - Data Structures

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Movie Trailers Information
Monday, October 21
Movie Trailers - Summers Auditorium
- Participating groups will create a movie trailer representing their theme that needs to be 120 seconds or less.
- Format information / Hints for Success:
- Must set up DVD formatting so that it burns for a Standard DVD Player
- Must use a DVD-R Format
- Can use any standard burning software
- A saved MP4 file needs to be converted to DVD
- Cannot be left as an .avi or quick time file
- "Export as a DVD Compatible File" DOESN'T WORK
- Menu at beginning of disk is helpful
- Prior to turning in, must be able to remove from computer, place in a standard DVD player and have it work
- Entry forms MUST be submitted ONLINE at https://my.uww.edu by 11:59pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011.
- Videos must be turned in to the Homecoming Steering Committee at Career & Leadership Development during hours of operations or at the General Information Meeting, on Monday, October 17th, 2011, 9:15 PM to qualify for judging. You are encouraged to submit your entries earlier. Videos will not be returned!
- Please do not "REVEAL" your video on facebook prior to the video's being judged, this may disqualify your entry into this event.
- Videos must be designed, performed and created by current UW-Whitewater students. There cannot be any still life photos used in the making of the video.
- Students are encouraged to design a video that fits their theme and their organization. Creativity and originality is encouraged.
- Top finishers will be shown during the Homecoming Variety Show and at Homecoming Events. The top video from each division will be played during the Homecoming football game (at discretion of Football Stadium Technical Staff).
- Vulgarity, profanity, promoting of irresponsible use of alcohol, or implying sexual or racial discrimination will be NOT permitted and groups will be disqualified.
- Videos must be playable on a standard DVD player.
- If you do not have access to a recording device, three resources are available for recording movie trailers.
Option 1: Your advisor may check out movie camera equipment through iCIT by visiting https://av-checkouts.uww.edu/. Once reserved, you may pick up and return the equipment on your organization's behalf. Equipment is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis – please plan ahead.
Option 2: You may check out movie camera equipment through Career & Leadership Development by e-mailing Donvontae at email@example.com. Equipment is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis – please plan ahead.
Option 3: Andersen Library also has a Flip Camera, available for check-out through the Resource Desk (http://library.uww.edu/services/equipment/cameras).
- Videos will be judged on the following areas:
- The decision of the judges is FINAL.
|Adherence to theme
|Overall Impression
Questions concerning the Music Video Contest should be directed to Sharyn, the Movie Trailers Coordinator, by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com or leaving a message at Career & Leadership Development, 262-472-1471.


text:
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Jessica Klement, Legislative Director, NARFE
The House of Representatives might pass a continuing resolution today. The Senate could then vote on a CR as early as tomorrow. That means in just a few days your agency could have some budget certainty. At least until the end of December. Jessica Klement is Legislative Director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she shared what she sees from the CR process.
Tags: NARFE , continuing resolution , Congress , In Depth
Jessica Klement, Legislative Director, NARFE
When Congress comes back to work after Labor Day, it will have to figure out how to fund the government to start off fiscal year 2015. Most people think it will be a continuing resolution. But they may wind up needing more than the 12 days they have scheduled now. Jessica Klement is legislative director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she said getting a budget in place will take up a lot of Congress's time -- and may stretch that time to the limit.
Tags: NARFE , continuing resolution , budget , In Depth
1 percent pay raise; 1.9 percent COLA. Go figure!
Despite higher prices at the pump, overall living costs rose only slightly last month. For federal-military-Social Security retirees, that points to a 1.9 percent cost of living adjustment in January.
Tags: Mike Causey , federal workforce , pay and benefits , Your Turn , Andy Medici , COLA , pay
What's ahead for feds in 2015?
NARFE Legislative Director Jessica Klement, and Federal Times Senior Writer Andy Medici will discuss chained CPI, pay raises, and other issues affecting feds.
July 23, 2014
Tags: pay and benefits , federal pay raise , federal retirement , chained CPI , NARFE , Federal Times , Andy Medici , grade creep , Mike Causey , Your Turn
Jessica Klement, Legislative Director, NARFE
The Government Accountability Office is in the middle of an ongoing, multi-year study on the pay system, and taking its findings to Capitol Hill. A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee looked at the General Schedule last week. Jessica Klement is legislative director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. She shared her own ideas of how to reform the General Schedule on In Depth with Francis Rose.
Tags: NARFE , GAO , general schedule
Congress puts pressure on OPM to release final phased retirement rule
Two letters sent from Capitol Hill in call for the Office of Personnel Management to explain why it's taking so long to release final phased retirement regulations, and demand a revised timeline for action. Phased retirement was passed into law two years ago this week.
Tags: OPM , phased retirement , Katherine Archuleta , Bob Leins , Tammy Flanagan , NARFE , Congress , Darrell Issa , For Your Benefit , Brian Deese
Feds interested in phased retirement left playing waiting game
The Office of Personnel Management now says it hopes to have regulations governing phased retirement finalized by October. That can't come soon enough for many federal employees on the cusp of retirement who are caught in the regulatory limbo.
Tags: OPM , workforce , retirement , phased retirement , Janet Benini , Tom Young , Katherine Archuleta , NARFE , Jack Moore
Jessica Klement, Legislative Director, NARFE
The Internal Revenue Service is facing another big budget cut if the total the House of Representatives approved turns out to be the total the agency gets. The House voted for a bill to bring the IRS' 2015 spending limit to below sequestration levels. That's a cut of more than $300 million. Jessica Klement is Legislative Director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. She explained on In Depth with Francis Rose how the IRS' potential 2015 budget would affect its employees and other agencies.
Retirement programs, VA scandal, shrinking workforce
NARFE's Jessica Klement and Andy Medici from the Federal Times discuss a number of issues affecting feds, including proposed changes to the federal retirement program and the scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
June 11, 2014
Tags: pay and benefits , phased retirement , federal retirement , Department of Veterans Affairs , NARFE , Andy Medici , Federal Times , Reemployed annuitants , Mike Causey , Your Turn
Legislative roundtable
Jenny Mattingley hosts a roundtable discussion of legislation on Capitol Hill that impacts federal workers.
June 6, 2014
Tags: workforce , Congress , performance , pay for performance , federal pay raise , Jason Briefel , Professional Managers Association , Greg Stanford , Federal Managers Association , NARFE , Shaw Bransford and Roth , Jenny Mattingley , Fed Talk


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Byrsa Bistro
- Address:
102 E State St.
Kennett Square, PA 19348Neighborhood:
Kennett Square
- Cuisine:
MediterraneanPrice: $30 and under
Byrsa Bistro
- Dining Style: Casual Dining
- Website: http://www.byrsabistro.com/
- Phone: 6104443277x
- Hours of Operation:
Dinner: 7 days/week 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Lunch: Wednesday - Saturday 11:30am - 9:00pm
- Payment Options: AMEX,MasterCard,Visa
- Cuisine: Moroccan, French American, Mediterranean
- Executive Chef: Chef Nick
- Dress Code: Casual Dress
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: BYO Liquor, Cafe, Chef's Table, Farm to Table, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
- Catering: Please contact Ahmed at 610-523-3424.
A word from Byrsa Bistro
Welcome to Byrsa Bistro, House of Gourmet And Western Mediterranean Cuisine. Byrsa Bistro embodies a unique juxtaposition of rural Chester County charm with that of a warm, welcoming and intimate European bistro. The menu features authentic culinary delicacies of western Mediterranean nations like Morocco, Spain, France, Malta and Tunisia. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as a variety of menu selections for all palates and preferences. Specialties include Vegetarian Byrsa, Crispy Skin Duck Breast and zesty Seafood Paella. Byrsa Bistro: fine dining in an upscale yet rustically casual atmosphere. We are BYOB and open 7 days a week!Continued
Foodspotting photosSee all photos
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
- Diners' Choice WinnerMediterranean
Byrsa Bistro - Best Restaurants in Kennett Square ›
Byrsa Bistro reviews from OpenTable diners
67 reviews since May 26, 2014
- Food4.6Service4.5
- Ambiance4.2Noise LevelModerate
neighborhood gem (54)fit for foodies (40)romantic (22)special occasion (16)great for lunch (14)good for groups (9)great for brunch (4)hot spot (3)late-night find (3)vibrant bar scene (2)kid-friendly (2)great for outdoor dining (1)Show More
- CchhDined on 9/20/2014wonderful service, delicious, absolutely would go backSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- JSD1Dined on 9/19/2014Very friendly owner and staff. Good food,service and decor.has been a great addition to Kennett Square dining options.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- YUMMY!!cweaterVIPDined on 9/19/2014My party of four adults were all new to Mediterranean cuisine, but we each LOVED what we ordered: Lamb Shanks, Scallops, Paella and the Mediterranean sampler and fig salad. I appreciated the restaurant's consideration of my wife's food allergy. Although a bit dark overall inside, the tables had adequate light and the happy Friday night crowd was not loud enough to prohibit our party hearing each other's conversation. Conveniently located in Kennett Square, I would highly recommend this restaurant. In addition to delicious food, the wait staff was pleasant, attentive, and efficient. Kudos also to the owner's table side visit.Special Features:
- OpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 9/18/2014Beautiful Presentation, great value, fabulous tastes.Special Features:
- loved it!marzia74Dined on 9/13/2014Byrsa was a great surprise. My husband and I loved it! The food was exellent and the restaurant was very cute. We had the paella and bronzino. Both very good. We will go back for more.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great BYO find!ldrifVIPDined on 9/13/2014We had such a great time and tried a little of everything, from the spiced carrot dip and grape leaves to the cyprus salad, which were all amazing. We then shared the chicken tagine and paella, both of which were incredibly moist and flavorful. They were out of baklava, which was our only disappointment. Everything else was top notch--prices are reasonable, service was friendly, lights are dim, and there is an upbeat, happy vibe to this place. We brought a few bottles of wine to share (there was no corkage fee!) and had a great time. Will definitely be returning!Special Features:
- FwatDined on 9/13/2014Dinner was very good. A few of my party got yjr beet salad. The describition was that the beets were roasted. THey were not. You could see the impressions of a can on the beetas that were served. When we asked the waitress she relpied that they were roasted!Special Features:
- Favorite Local Med RestaurantPappyDaveDined on 9/7/2014Food as always was fantastic. We took another couple here for the first time and they raved about the food, ambiance and service. The Crispy Duck is my favorite however one in out group got the Paella and they said it was the best they have ever had. We keep coming back and it is a BYOB .... no corkage!!!Special Features:
- great place in Kennett SquareOpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 9/5/2014Good food from the Med. Located in the middle of town. Quiet corner for talking and enjoying the group. Would recommend it to couples or small groups.Special Features:
- once again superbWDT1953VIPDined on 8/30/2014one new item on the menu, and the summer menu was already complete. we have eaten here about 15 times since they have opened, every course of every meal has been superb. The attention to detail is obvious. This is clearly the best restaurant in the area, regardless of price.Special Features:
- Good placeQueueDined on 8/30/2014At most restaurants, appetizers are better than the mains; not at Byrsa Bistro. My friend and I had the Mediterranean Sampler appetizer which was just ok. Neither the baba ganoush nor the hummus were very flavorful, although the pita bread was very good. With the bread they served a mostly flavor-free vegetable "pate". The Lamb Shank with Giant White Beans was very tasty, a very autumn type of dish (on the Summer menu). The scallop risotto was excellent. The baklava was OK, and not too sweet. I like that it was BYOB, and that our server asked if we were ready for the main course rather than just bringing it out before we finished the Sampler . Service was friendly but could have been more present after the main course was delivered.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- A Mediterranean Find...CowboyVIPDined on 8/29/2014Quaint place on State St in Kennett Square. Charming, great service and a nice change of pace for a night of dining out.Special Features:
- StaceystaceyVIPDined on 8/25/2014Meal was amazing, great atmosphere and will definitely be back again.Special Features:
- Terry and RusstandrnycDined on 8/24/2014We had a wonderful dining experience! The food and service were top notch. We are from New York and were pleasantly surprised with the NYC restaurant feel in a small quaint town.Special Features:
- Great find!BMT1Dined on 8/2/2014My wife and I are both foodies and enjoy finding new and eclectic restaurants. This definitely fit the bill! It had a wide variety of well crafted dishes with great flavor. The staff were friendly and the owner was very personable. I would not hesitate to go back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- ??????OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 8/1/2014The 6 of us had a very nice meal and the service was great. we had fun going to the Mystery Event and then going to an 8 o'clock dinner right in Kennett. we will definitely return.Special Features:
- Great Food and Great Atmosphere!!!!IssamDined on 7/31/2014Last minute decision to go for lunch and we choose Byrsa Bistro. I was not disappointed. Food , service and atmosphere was perfect as always. I will definitely be back every time i get the chance to!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- BuntzVIPDined on 7/30/2014We ate at a sidewalk table on a nice evening, and, except for the odd motorcycle or truck noise, had a pleasant evening. The food and service were great. Byrsa offers a great variety of Mediterranean dishes, so of which are difficult to find elsewhere in Chester County.Special Features:
- Great Food, Great ServicenogarlicDined on 7/27/2014We had a wonderful experience at Byrsa Bistro. I have a food allergy and they were very accommodating to it. They had quite a few dishes that I was able to order or they would adjust. We both had a delicious, interesting meal. We would definitely go back and recommend to friends.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great Alternative Choice!ExperiencedEaterDined on 7/26/2014This restaurant has marvelous food - great quality, fantastic presentation, very tasty - served fresh and hot! Some may find the menu choices limited (i.e. this is not a '"steak and baked potato" place), and the accommodations a bit snug, but it is a terrific alternative to "routine" restaurants. Peruse the menu on line before dining so you can bring along your favorite suitable adult libation (no bar service) and enjoy the experience!Special Features:
- cozylovefoodDined on 7/25/2014everything were good need few more dishes ??? dessert?? love to introduce this place to all of my friends!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Always amazing!Chardinay91Dined on 7/19/2014This was our 4th visit and the food was amazing as always. The owner is wonderful too. He speaks to everyone in a caring way. The staff try very hard to accommodate any changed to the menu. I highly recommend Byrsa Bistro!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Seafood stewOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 7/19/2014Extremely tasty, the only improvement would be a small bowl to deposit the moule otherwise it is great.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- FELT LIKE HONORED GUESTSMissyVIPDined on 7/19/2014This was the first time we had been to the restaurant. The owner and servers made us feel as if we were special guests in their own home. The food was very good, a little pricey, but since it is a BYOB, we saved on the wine. The place is small. I was say at least on a Saturday night reservations are a must. Every table seemed to be reserved. That speaks for itself.Special Features:
- DelightfulCallieDined on 7/18/2014Delicious food & good service. Menu is Mediterranean with a Tunisian Twist - something different & creative! The owner often greets us & takes time to talk with each patron- very personable.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Forgot how amazing this place is!lisa108Dined on 7/18/2014We revisited brysa bistro after having not been there in over a year. The service and food were wonderful. As a vegan foodie, it is nice to have accommodating and superior chefs in te area. My husband also loved his seafood paella. Ahmed, the owner, has a warmth and personal touch that makes oen feel like part of the immediate family. Will put back in the monthly mix.Special Features:
- Great byob.KidfreeDined on 7/15/2014We had such a nice meal. The food was great! The fig, duck and blue cheese flat bread and the scallop entree were some of the top choices. The service was very good, we were not rushed at all. The brick walls and the old world charm were lovely. A great find.Special Features:
- FANTASTIC!!lovebyobsDined on 7/12/2014Cannot say enough great things about this wonderful restaurant! We were warmly greeted by the owner when we arrived and promptly seated. The server immediately greeted us, opened our white wine and brought a beautiful silver ice bucket. The food is incredible, a great mix of flavors from the appetizers (duck and fig flatbread, spicy carrot and goat cheese spread) to the entrees (lamb shank, scallops with corn risotto) to dessert (wonderful homemade baklavah). Service was impeccable as well. This will be a regular stop for us, without a doubt!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Fabulous Food Again!7seasdinerDined on 7/12/2014After dining at Byrsa for winter, we were excited to try the summer menu. All was wonderful- fabulous choice of salads! Try the fig and duck flatbread, you'll love it.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Rare Moroccan gem in Kennett SquaredlmsDined on 7/5/2014The only Middle Eastern restaurant in the area, Byrsa has a quaint interior, very friendly proficient staff, and good Mediterranean cuisine which would be better if it had more concentrated flavours. It can be a bit bland. The vegetarian melange is very good, chicken is passable (why with potatoes instead of couscous or rice?), and the salmon well cooked although not sauced. Be sure to save room for desert. Unlike most restaurants in the area, Byrsa has great deserts, Bakalava the best of all. Byob.Special Features:
- charmingbarbieDined on 7/1/2014because I love the fish that they serve here, it was absolutely wonderful. perfectly cooked and a pleasure to eat. the staff was the best. they prepared everything as we asked and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this experience.Special Features:
- foodie fanaticsOpenTable Diner Since 2011VIPDined on 6/25/2014this restaurant was such a pleasant find. do note, it is byob and the food deserves a wine complement. the 1/2 salad portions were large and perfect for a first course. the dressings and presentation superb. paella and scallops marvelous and the mushroom soup is not to be missed. would highly recommend.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Top notchOpenTable Diner Since 2007VIPDined on 6/21/2014Our experience was exceptional. We were greeted warmly, seated immediately and fussed over by several employees throughout our meal. Everything was delicious!Special Features:
- Just a great eveninggreat4usDined on 6/21/2014Lucked into a table and were not disappointed. As always the salads were made with only the freshest ingredients and delicious. The main course was special as well, the paella was presented with mussels crammed in so tightly I don't know how they did it. Paella is a signature dish and only gets better. The lamb special paired with rice lentils and peas was such a great combination. Add to that roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower and it made for the perfect meal. The consistency of this bistro is what keeps us coming back...always the freshest and always beautifully executed.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Review of TagineOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 6/18/2014The chicken tagine was a good meal with excellent ingredients, but it did not catch the seasoned, dried fruit snap that comes with a true Moroccan tagine. Perhaps you are avoiding the sweet lightness that we found throughout Morocco. The dish I had tasted American. I was looking forward to the spices and dried fruit melting the vegetables into the chicken. The flatbread appetizer was wonderful and got that sweetness I was looking forward to.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Kennett dining excellenceMemlouiseVIPDined on 6/18/2014There's a reason diners love this bistro. This is Mediterranean fare at its finest - with subtle, well-balanced flavors, good portions, attentive service, all in an atmosphere comfortably suggestive of the cuisine itself. It's worth going out of your way to try this hot spot on Kennett's main drag.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- marywilcoDined on 6/12/2014I love Byrsa Bistro... each dish has a unique flavor and is of the highest quality... it is truly a gemSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Mediterranea of KennettML4oodieVIPDined on 6/7/2014Must have mushroom soup! Whether you get a salad, sandwich, omelet or lamb, you will not be disappointed! Nice presentation and delicious ingredients. Plus it's a BYOB, which is great for dinners or special occasions!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great Place for DinnerMicheleDined on 6/6/2014We went with another couple for dinner. None of us had been to Byrsa Bistro before. The menu had lots of intriguing items on it, and everything we tried was very good. They did not disappoint.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Local favoriteBeckyDined on 6/6/2014We have never had a bad meal, we enjoy both the food and service.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.


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Candy lovers watch out for a recall, Paula Deen is making a comeback and police still want to talk to Jesse Matthew in regards to the disappearance of Hannah Graham. These are your Top Trenders for September 23, 2014.
It's officially Autumn! The Fox Morning Edge's Channing Barker & Clint Boone count down their top 5 favorite things about the new season.
Each year, organizers for Bikes, Blues & BBQ plan rides for bikers to travel throughout Northwest Arkansas.
Bikes, Blues and BBQ kicks off Wednesday, and the set up is well underway on Dickson street.
It's time for The Pulse!
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- The city's new Civil Rights measure, known as Ordinance 119 was scheduled to go into effect last Saturday, but one local group has it on hold. The group "Repeal 119" turned in enough signatures on Saturday to put the Ordinance to a public vote if 4,095 of the 5,720 signatures are valid.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- The quality of health care for our nation's heroes, under scrutiny across the nation this year. Now, veterans in Northwest Arkansas are being asked to provide feedback to help improve their care.
FAYETTEVILLE -- Queasy stomachs beware. A spill of chicken parts caused traffic to slow in Fayetteville Monday afternoon.
Crews are rebuilding part of the brand new barrier on I-49.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS - State law requires all public school students receive a second booster shot on top of the chickenpox vaccine by October 1.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS - The Arkansas Department of Health confirms a case of enterovirus D-68. It's the first confirmed case in the Natural State.
Virginia police are still looking for Hannah Graham, a man who jumped the White House fence will face a judge today, and an unmanned capsule is headed to the ISS. These are your Top Trenders for September 22!
LITTLE ROCK -- If you missed Friday's debate, here are the things you need to know.
The Pulse, September 21, 2014
SPRINGDALE, AR--It's been 3 months since Arkansans for Compassionate Care failed to collect enough signatures to put medical marijuana on this year's ballot.
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY-- A new twist in a controversy over the use of a cross, as the A.S.U. Football team looks for ways to honor fallen friends.
The Pulse, September 20, 2014
FAYETTEVILLE, AR-- Hog fans gear up for game day.
Springdale dispatchers confirm a person is stabbed during a domestic disturbance Saturday night.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR-- City council members shot down an amendment to put ordinance 119 to a public vote. One local group is trying to get rid of the measure completely.
FAYETTEVILLE--With the football season well underway, the fans of Razorback football are out to enjoy their favorite pastime, tailgating. Mark Rodriguez has been tailgating at lot 46 on Razorback Road for almost a decade.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Students statewide may soon be required to pass the U.S. citizenship test. It's all part of an initiative by the Missouri Civics Education Initiative to ensure future generations understand American Government and U.S. History.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-- Supporters respond to gubernatorial debate.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- While Asa Hutchinson and Mike Ross continue as frontrunners in the race for governor, there are two other candidates vying for the seat.
It's time for The Pulse!
FAYETTEVILLE, AR--The University of Arkansas is recognized as a military friendly school.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR--A school garden at Asbell Elementary receives a statewide honor.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -- Miss Arkansas Ashton Campbell stopped by our studios Friday morning and, of course, she Called the Hogs!
The UK will stay in tact, Iggy Azalea is suing her ex and of course, the Iphone 6 is here. These are your Top Trenders for September 19, 2014.
Fenris is a gorgeous, sweet boy!
BEAVER LAKE (Benton County), AR--November elections are right around the corner and in Benton County, residents are voting on $40 ambulance tax. The Beaver Lake Fire Department says that's not enough. It's asking residents to support a tax of $225.
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- An Arkansas family's battle against a nursing home is drawing attention to a little known rule that grants immunity to charities.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- A cross-country trip, in the name of comedy.
SEBASTIAN COUNTY -- Investigators are trying to determine the identity of a body pulled from the Arkansas River Thursday.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -- The click of a mouse could help feed hungry families in Northwest Arkansas.
LOGAN COUNTY, AR -- Authorities in Sebastian and Logan Counties worked together to capture escaped inmate Timothy Buffington after he was spotted near Highway 10.
SEBASTIAN COUNTY, AR -- Authorities in Sebastian and Logan Counties are investigating a possible sighting of an escaped murderer.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -- The NWA Network of Executive Women is hosting its fall event in just a few weeks, and you can help celebrate their 10th anniversary!
ROGERS, AR -- The owner of Pfeffer's Gourmet Catering says he hadn't seen anything like Wednesday's storm in the 18 years he's lived in Northwest Arkansas.
Scotland could split from the UK, Ferguson officer in middle of controversy testifies this week and the House approves Obama's request for military action in Syria. These are your Top Trenders for September 18, 2014.
A new survey shows some alarming numbers about how many parents are not properly using booster seats.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- Saturdayis the last day to gather signatures for the petition to repeal Fayetteville's civil rights ordinance.
Now you can Google research a college, tweet and Facebook questions, take virtual tours and no more paper applications to mail off.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- A group of local students is learning with lasers in the classroom.
It was around mid-December when snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures started to hit the Ozarks, keeping people indoors. Nine months later, there are many new little faces around town.
ROGERS, AR--Storms in Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday, brought damaging winds and hail to the area.
Kids are spending more time on social media than ever. But who are they talking to when online? Lindsay Clein has some tips on how parents can keep kids safe on social media.
SEARCY, AR -- Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom in Utah in 2002. Her captors raped and beat her repeatedly.
LITTLE ROCK, AR - The disability rights group called ADAPT says its third day was its last but its push for awareness is not over.


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I love both pairs of glasses. I just wish you sold them through a retail outlet in the UK. So many people admire my clear bifocals, I am sure there is a market here and they are not available, other than on one or two websites where the choice is very limited and the websites amateur.


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Hi, Let me know if you wan to hit sometime. I am in Vernon Hills. Thanks.
I seem to recall getting crazy spin with those old wood racquets.
I like the Seles pics on your profile. I seriously think she would have had all the records Steffi had were it not for the accident. What a messed up part of tennis history...
Take care Z.
Thank you. So glad to have friends like you.
Played doubles yesterday 5-7,6-1, lost the tiebreaker 6-10. Go figure.
Need to play more tennis to get rid of those gitters.
© 2014 Created by Mark / The Mayor.


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Data Updates
Keeping you up to date on the latest data releases.
October 2014
- 10.26.2012
- Real GDP
Real GDP rose at an annualized rate of 2.0 percent in the third quarter according to the advance estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, improving from a second quarter gain of 1.3 percent and coming in roughly on par with expectations. On a year-over-year basis, real GDP is up 2.3 percent. The acceleration in real GDP growth from the second to third quarter was driven largely by an acceleration in consumption growth and residential investment, and better news on government expenditures. These improvements overcame a slowdown in business fixed investment, a downturn in exports, and a sharper decline in private inventory investment. Real consumption rose 2.0 percent in the third quarter, in line with its four-quarter growth rate and about 0.5 percentage points (pp) higher than its second-quarter growth rate. Interestingly, the improvement in consumption was, in large part, driven by a jump up in durables consumption—increasing 8.5 percent in the third quarter after slipping down 0.2 percent in the second quarter.
Gains were seen across all major durables categories (in other words, it wasn't just autos). Nondurables consumption rose 2.4 percent in the third quarter, moderately above its year-over-year growth rate of 1.6 percent. Notably, services consumption actually decelerated in the third quarter, increasing just 0.8 percent compared with a 2.1 percent gain in the second quarter. The four-quarter growth rate in services consumption has continued to soften relative to its post-recession high-water mark of 2.1 percent in 2011:Q1 and is continuing to edge away from its longer-run growth rate.
Importantly, both exports and imports decreased for the first time since early 2009, with real imports edging down 0.2 percent and real export growth falling 1.6 percent. Elsewhere, nonresidential fixed investment decreased 1.3 percent in the third quarter, as structures investment slipped down 4.4 percent and spending on equipment and software was virtually flat. The change in private inventories did subtract 0.1 percentage point from real GDP growth in the third quarter, but that was entirely due to further losses to farm inventories, which subtracted 0.4 pp from output growth compared to −0.2 pp in the second quarter. Interestingly, real government consumption and investment jumped up 3.7 percent in the third quarter, adding 0.7 pp to real GDP growth (its first addition to output growth since 2010:Q2). There was a large spike in national defense spending (up 13.1 percent) and a modest uptick in nondefense spending (2.9 percent) during the quarter. Also, losses to state and local governments look to be slowing, as the sector decreased just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, relative to a 1.0 percent decline on a year-over-year basis.


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Deal tax disclosure raises more questions
September 7, 2010 — Most investors will only dream about the kind of year Roy and Marie Barnes had in 2006.
Over that year and the next, the former governor and his wife reaped an enormous profit on their investment in Alabama National BanCorporation, which had previously bought out the parent company of a bank Barnes founded. In 2006-2007 they reported a $3.4 million gain on an initial investment of $221,990.
In 2006, they also netted a $22,215 profit from sales of Home Depot stock, and more than doubled their money on a $31,306 call option.
The couple had an adjusted gross income that year of $1.9 million, and gave about 10 percent of it to charity, with First United Methodist Church, which they attend, as the greatest beneficiary.
We know all these details about their business, not necessarily because Barnes or his wife are eager to share the information, but because the Democratic candidate for governor posted his complete tax returns for the past 25 years, with all the schedules and detailed worksheets on his website.
As the Democratic blogger who goes by the nom de plume of Peter Tondee has ably pointed out, the 2006-2007 period was also a very active financial period for Nathan Deal and his wife.
In previous years, the Deals had reported only modest capital gains, a steady income that appears to have come from his partnership in Gainesville Salvage Disposal, and losses every year – reaching a high of $82,040 in 2002 – on their farm.
But in 2006 all this was reversed. They reported $225,381 in capital gains, more than 10 times any previous filing, followed by $62,102 in capital gains in 2007. For the first time, they reported a net loss from their Schedule E (partnerships) of $233,240 (followed by losses of $53,520 in 2007 and $1 in 2008). And for the first and only time in 29 years of filings, they reported a profit from their farm, of $6,424.
Go figure that. Could the farm somehow be related to the other changes in Deal's finances taking place at the same time? What about the very convenient pairing of $287,760 in capital gains in 2006 and 2007, with $286,760 in unprecedented losses from the partnership over the same period?
We can speculate until Election Day on what might have been going on during this turbulent period. Indeed, that's what a lot of people are going to do, after Deal's release last week of his Federal 1040 and Georgia 500 forms dating back to 1981, minus any of the detailed information which enables us to take a more textured look at the Barnes' financial affairs.
What is true about lingerie is also true about stories like these. That which has been partially covered up can be a lot more alluring than that which is totally exposed. The Deal 1040s provide just enough information to raise new questions about his business affairs, without the details that might put the questions to rest, or at least enshroud them in a confusing cloud of numbers.
The Deal campaign said on its website last week that the release of this information, "combined with 17 years of financial disclosure reports, provide Georgia voters with a transparent look at Nathan Deal's income, his assets and his liabilities."
In fact, however, trying to piece together a complete picture from these sources is basically an "apple plus orange equals question mark" process. Some more information might be gleaned, but this is not nearly as transparent a look at the Republican candidate's affairs as it would have been if Deal had done what Barnes had done and disclosed all the relevant information from his tax returns.
Releasing the information on the Thursday night before the Labor Day weekend may have put a softer light on it, from a news cycle point of view, but in the long run that, too, is only likely to stoke curiosity about what wasn't disclosed. Deal has a page-turning press conference Tuesday to talk about his education plans, but it isn't likely that last week's attempt to put the tax issue to bed will turn out to be more than a tease.
Coming soon... Southern Political Report Magazine
All the latest political news, stories, and rumors from around the South


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Starvation is already a problem in Honduras, and this occurrence could aggravate the problem, as java workers will have less money to nourish their loved ones. To fight this disease, the Guatemalan government launched $14 million to aid java gardeners.
Definitely you got the right point. If coffee leaf were affected in Central America due to rust then probably the price of coffee will also be affected. Oh, did they responded already what to do with this epidemic? It must be resolve as soon as possible.
Those who already have a limited income from this venture would definitely not be able to bear the damage. Leaving the industry would be the only option left with them.


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Faculty and students shop the Organic Garden market.
At just before noon on a Friday, eager staff and faculty members line up at the long table in the Student Center as the scent of freshly baked bread wafts gently through the air.
Homemade bread, granola, apple butter, and giant sweet potatoes are the highlights during this week's Organic Garden Market, a new endeavor run by students involved in Randolph College's Food and Justice Club. Each week, they use fresh items from the College's organic garden and other local sources and bake or make homemade items—sometimes staying up almost all night to ensure the items are as fresh as possible.
"We can't bake enough bread," says Danielle Robinson '10, an environmental studies major and member of the Food and Justice Club. "Everything sells out every week within 40 minutes."
The project began as a way to introduce the community to the beauty and taste of food made naturally and without preservatives. The Organic Garden Market has quickly become a staple on Friday afternoons for staff, faculty, and students.
Paula Wallace, associate dean of the college, is a regular. Her favorites are the herbed and other artisan breads. "They are chewy, fragrant, and substantive—and very difficult to make," she said.
"It's always good, and it reminds me of the village open markets in France. It brings back many a good memory."
For Wallace and other community members, supporting the students is a great way to recognize their hard work. "Their passion is evident in persistent hard work, indeed backbreaking work," Wallace said. "When I get a piece of blueberry cake, a loaf of bread, or an heirloom tomato, I know they are getting to see the literal fruits of their labor. They are rewarded, and I enjoy great food!"
Preparing for the Market takes a big commitment. Students begin preparations on Thursday evenings and often do not finish cooking until 3 a.m. They use one of the kitchens in Main Hall to prepare and cook the goods. They bake the bread on stone, and they use ingredients such as local honey instead of sugar. They have also had to learn basic business skills as they have watched the endeavor grow in popularity.
"Bringing the garden produce to the Market for the benefit of the rest of community shows social consciousness on the part of the students and the importance of being useful to one's community today," said Shahriar Abbassi, staff advisor to the students. "These are admirable values lived and precious experiences gained by our students."
For the students, sharing a passion for the simple beauty of organic food is well worth the effort. "I've seen the strong reaction people have not only to the product, but to the process," said Louise Searle '12. "We have students dropping in all the time to see what's going on and how we do it. Cooking and really connecting to our food is something that just doesn't happen like it used to. You can see that people crave it."


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In the garden of beasts [sound recording] : [love, terror, and an American famil
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Adult Fiction E748.D6 L37 2011b
Larson, Erik.
Adult Fiction E748.D6 L37 2011b
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Wasatch Range (South) > Corral Mountain > Climber's Log
Corral Mountain Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
|Cold, cloudy summer day
Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2014
|The Squaw Peak road was in pretty rough shape, but the views were incredible! It was all cloudy and gray at first, but the clouds eventually dispersed. Everything is extremely green with lots of wildflowers and patches of snow. I didn't find any summit register, but there was a Ziploc bag with a weather-worn note, a baby picture and a coin.
I think it took about an hour to drive each way from my home in Provo; plan on two or three hours driving time. The hike and the views were definitely worth it. I look forward to hiking in this area again. The ridge line is awesome.
|Posted Jun 27, 2014 7:08 pm
|via Bartholomew Canyon
Date Climbed: May 19, 2014
|Fun snow climb. Also did 10260 which is 2 bumps south down the ridge.
|Posted May 20, 2014 3:58 pm
|Ski Tour
Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2011
|Took a snowmobile up the Squaw Peak road from the Hobble Creek side to within about 2 miles of Kolob basin overlook. Skinned up to Kolob basin and then up the west ridge to the top of Corral Mountain (I'm assuming the top of the west ridge is the peak ????). Skied south along the ridge to the farest ridge that goes east, then skied down to the Squaw Peak road. Was surprised to see others ski tracks on the top of the mountain.
|Posted Mar 19, 2011 6:44 pm
|Placed a register
Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
|My friend went on from there to do Provo but I'd already done it. He continued down from Provo Peak to his house in Provo. Map and pics at http://www.willhiteweb.com/utah_climbing/corral_mountain/utah_county_hiking_221.htm
|Posted Apr 29, 2010 7:26 pm
|Hiked in the clouds
Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2009
|One of the more foolish times to go hiking. It was 34 degrees at the trailhead, and the cloud ceiling had dropped to just under 9000ft. Oh yeah, and it was the second weekend of deer season. I was lucky not to get shot since visibility was so limited. Probably not one of the brightest things I've done. It took about two and a half hours to the summit. I think I was more excited to get back to the truck without getting shot instead of making it to the top. Unfortunately, no views due to the cloud cover. Two hours down. I'll definitely do this one again. A little routefinding from the terrace to the top of the ridge.
|Posted Oct 28, 2009 4:46 pm


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A monthly conference in which the chief medical residents identify a patient case relating to a medical error, ethical challenge or mortality. After presenting a summary of the case and pertinent events, the chief residents solicit feedback and interactive discussion from faculty and residents, with emphasis placed on practice improvement and application to patient care.
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text: Both Spartans and Wolverines Head to Bowl Games Monday, December 03, 2012 4:56 a.m. EST by Dan Cash Michigan State Spartans quarterback Andrew Maxwell (R) is sacked by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus (57) during the second half of their Capital One Bowl college football game in Orlando, Florida, January 1, 2011. REUTERS/Phelan M. Ebenhack (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL) The Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans are going bowling. The Wolverines are playing South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. The Spartans will face TCU at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Comments


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UNMC study shows shortage of primary care physicians
A new study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center indicates Nebraska needs far more primary care physicians, especially in the rural areas of the state like the panhandle.
Dr. Jim Stimpson, Director of the Center for Health Policy in the UNMC College of Public Health, told KNEB News the number of primary care physicians in the state is thirty percent lower than previously reported by flawed statistics provided by the American Medical Association. Stimpson says the data provided by the Health Profession Tracking Service shows 11 of the state's 93 counties don't have a primary care physician and many counties share a physician with adjacent counties
Stimpson says the tracking service data showed there are 63 primary care physicians for 100,000 residents in the state compared to the AMA's figure of 84. Stimpson says there are currently 1,400 primary care physicians in the state and it is anticipated the state will need 275 more resulting from health care reform in 2014.
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Posts tagged cheesecake
Posts tagged cheesecake
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Pumpkin Cheesecake with Cinnamon-Chai Buttercream Frosting
Finally, I remembered the sugar.
The last time I tried to make this cake, it took until it had been sitting in the fridge for a few hours for me to realize, mid-bloggery, that I had forgotten to put in the sugar. This time, I remembered. As Juliet would say, "wa-lah!" (It's her version of "voila.")
When it comes to a full-on decadent dessert maker, you can't really go wrong with Paula Deen. I did actually lighten things up just a tiny little bit, but mostly I was just focused on making this a worthy dessert for tonight's Thanksgiving table at Dad & Michael's. To that end, I started with a graham cracker crust.
I mixed together graham cracker crumbs, light brown sugar, and cinnamon (more than suggested, as always).
Juliet popped by at this point to see if she could help.
I was letting her stay up a little extra late, and she was very happy about it.
Next I added the melted butter to the graham cracker mix.
Once that was mixed, I pressed it into the bottom of a springform pan.
Then I set that aside to focus on the cheesecake itself.
Three 8-oz packages went into the bowl of my stand mixer. One of them was light cream cheese, just to ease things up a bit. The instruction was to beat until smooth, which was perplexing given that cream cheese is already pretty smooth, but I did my best.
I added the pumpkin and the (light) sour cream.
And then, the once-but-not-this-time-forgotten sugar.
Nathaniel is my new expert nutmeg grater. He loves doing it and has been waiting for me to bake something with nutmeg again so he could show off his mad skillz.
I added the nutmeg, plus some cinnamon (a full heaping teaspoon), cloves, and just shy of half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, which wasn't called for in the recipe but seemed like a good idea. Then the kids took turns cracking the eggs and we added those too: three eggs, plus one extra yolk. The mixer whirred.
The last ingredients to go in were two tablespoons of all purpose flour, and a teaspoon of vanilla.
Once everything was mixed well, I poured it into the pan, over the crust, and wrapped the bottom in tin foil so I could bake it in a water bath, to avoid cracks.
In it went, for an hour. I must have looked at ten different sites describing how to tell when a cheesecake is done, and it still made me nervous trying to guess. I read the descriptions to Dave and we mutually agreed that it was ready.
It looked pretty good!
Enjoy the perfection; it didn't last. When I stretched out the plastic wrap to cover it, some of it grazed the top of the cake, and now it has these weird marks on it. It was too late to smooth it over, I was worried about making things worse, so I just let it be, and put it in the fridge over night. Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, we actually have enough room in the fridge for a cheesecake. (Mixed blessing.)
It chilled overnight, and now it's Thanksgiving day, so this morning, Juliet stopped by in her special Thanksgiving costume.
And then I went to work on the frosting. I took the recipe from the Vanilla Chai Cupcakes I made for Nathaniel's in-class birthday, but halved it since I knew I wasn't going to need to cover a lot of surface area.
I started by beating the butter until smooth, then added in some vanilla and half of the leftover chai spices from the cupcakes.
Then I slowly added the powdered sugar, plus a tablespoon of milk, and kept the mixer going until the frosting took shape.
And then I used my new decorator to go around the edges of the cake. I'm not very good at this yet, but I did my best. (I ran out of frosting with one little "bloop" to go, so I reloaded and added it in last. Tension!
The frosting tastes great, and after we eat the cheesecake tonight, I'll come back and post the results. Fingers crossed.
Update: The cheesecake was a hit, and the frosting turned out to be the perfect complement. It added a sweet lightness to contrast the natural heaviness of the pumpkin, and all the spices went together beautifully. There was less than half of it left tonight and Rosie happily agreed to the idea of leaving her the leftovers. Here it is at the Thanksgiving table. (I snapped this with my iPhone.)
2 notes &
The Pumpkin Cheesecake Debacle
Well, it finally happened. The dizziness got the best of me.
Back in June, on my sister Rosie's birthday, I promised her a pumpkin cheesecake, but she was away all summer and we couldn't work out the details of making it and getting it to her. She's back in Manhattan for a few days before heading back to Oberlin, so we finally figured out the logistics and last night I got to work.
Since it's a birthday present, it needed to be special and particularly indulgent. In search of a recipe, I went right to Paula Deen circa 2007, back when she was still all about the butter.
It started with the crust: graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
See that tiny hand in the bottom right corner? That's Juliet's. She helped.
This is Juliet, helping me with the melted butter. A whole stick of it.
I felt like I needed more butter to keep it all held together, but I figured that if Paula Deen said it was enough butter, it had to be enough. She's not exactly known for holding back on the butter, especially back in 2007.
Juliet and I poured the mixture into a springform pan.
I used the bottom of a measuring cup to push the crumbs into place. Then Juliet went off to watch Thomas the Tank Engine, and I worked on the filling.
The recipe said to beat the cream cheese until smooth, which was a very strange instruction. Cream cheese is already smooth! I beat it anyway.
I added in 3 eggs, one yolk, pumpkin, and sour cream. This is where things went completely wrong, although I didn't know it yet. I added the spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. For good measure, I threw in some pumpkin pie spice too.Things got very messy, but I thought I still had them under control. (I was wrong.)
I got the mixer going, and things started to look better. (Looks can be deceiving.)
Then I added the flour (only a few tablespoons, and vanilla.
Once that was properly mixed, I retrieved the pan with the crust in it.
I poured the mixture in. I thought it smelled good. It probably did.
For some reason, I didn't taste the batter. I wish I had. I usually do.
I put it in the oven and let it bake for an hour. I took it out, let it cool for 15 minutes, then covered it in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. I was done! I texted Rosie to tell her.
Then I sat down to continue my Downton Abbey marathon. And started blogging. It was slow going, as the show is pretty engaging. I usually keep the page with the recipe open as a reference, and after I typed this part,
I added in 3 eggs, one yolk, pumpkin, and sour cream.
I noticed something. Something terrible. The recipe said,
Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices.
I read it again.
Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices.
Notice anything? Probably not. But I did.
I don't remember adding any sugar. I remember putting brown sugar in the crust, but white sugar? In the bowl? With the pumpkin?
I texted Rosie in shame. I told Dave what happened. I grieved for the poor cheesecake and all its wasted ingredients, and its lost potential. I watched more Downton Abbey, which, thematically, included the "salty pudding" episode. I ate some peanut butter in secret shame.
I'm so embarrassed.
Poor Rosie. She was gracious and lovely about it, of course, because she's a wonderful person. She's so wonderful she deserves a f-ing cheesecake! Sadly, she's not getting one this time. I promised her one the next time she comes back from school for a visit.
I should probably give her two.
Should YOU wish to make a pumpkin cheesecake, don't follow my instructions, but do head straight to Paula Deen.
And I will try not to take on more complex baking tasks until my doctor gets back to me about the dizziness.
0 notes &
Cheesecake Brownie Bites
Antonia is a co-worker who likes my baking so much that it inspires me to try making new things, and she needed something decadent. I love a good baking assignment, so I narrowed it down to three choices, and let Nathaniel cast the deciding vote. It took him about three seconds.
This was one of those times when I didn't look for ways to lighten up the recipe. I used all purpose flour, lots of butter, 4 eggs, and more than 2 cups of sugar. I also got to use espresso powder, which always makes feel good, since it was a birthday present.
First things first: two sticks of butter. Pot. Stove.
While that was melting, I got the eggs out. Nathaniel was there for the cracking of the first egg.
(He's not naked, by the way. Pants are on.)
He didn't even crack the egg all the way before he got egg-shy, being fresh from the shower and wanting to avoid having to wash up again, so he handed it off to me and I cracked that one plus three more.
To the eggs I added cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, vanilla, and the espresso powder mixed with a few teaspoons of water.
The directions said to whisk it all together, which was a bit of a challenge as it started to thicken. I think my poor whisk got one of its wiry bits stretched. I'm still hoping it will recover.
After that I added sugar and the melted butter, and used the sturdy spatula to mix everything until well combined.
Then it was time to add the flour. I stirred it in, then set that bowl aside and got out a new one. In went the cream cheese, one egg yolk, and three tablespoons of sugar.
Honestly, once I had it thoroughly mixed I thought it looked a lot like egg salad. Fortunately it didn't smell like egg salad. That would have been disturbing.
Doesn't it look like egg salad?
I dug out my one remaining pastry bag, I even found a tip for it, and stuffed the mixture in.
This recipe has a lot of moving parts. I went back to the brownie batter, armed with a cookie scoop. If I had a smaller one, I think it would have served me better here, but I didn't, so here we are.
I should have been more vigilant about how much ended up in each cup.
Then I went back to the pastry bag. The only tip I had for it was really more of a thin decorating tip than a wide batter trip, so this was when it really stopped looking anything like the pictures in the recipe.
Yeah. Weird.
Then I definitely made the scoops on top of that too big. I should have used a teaspoon.
The muffins took much longer than the recipe said to bake, it said 12 but I think it was more like 20. When they came out it was obvious that I'd overstuffed the muffin cups.
I had enough left to make another batch, though, and this time I used a spoon to put the cream cheese batter in and pushed some of the batter in by hand. They looked better.
A few of them even looked almost good.
And everyone loved them. Antonia got the last two from the batch that went to work with me, and Dave and Nathaniel get the rest. Juliet will opt out because of the chocolate. I like them but I wanted them to look prettier. Pretty, schmetty, though, they got raves. They're small decadent indulgent bites of brownie and cheesecake, what's not to rave about?
By the way: I just added commenting to this blog, so feel free to comment! I'm using Disqus.


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Queen named at Apple Blossom CotillionStaff Report | May 05,2013SPRINGFIELD Shelby Reardon was chosen Saturday night as the 57th queen of the Apple Blossom Cotillion.
Reardon, escorted by Archie Farmer III, was the judges choice after 15 contending couples performed to country music favorites.
This years event was called Cotillion Gone Country.
Also attending Saturday night at Dressel Gymnasium at Riverside Middle School were the future cotillionaires, 42 elementary-school children who performed with the high school couples.
The cotillion is a fundraising event for Springfield Hospital, and it pays for scholarships and educational programs.
A full story about the cotillion will appear in Mondays Rutland Herald.MORE IN This Just InThe Associated Press Full StoryThe Associated Press Full StoryStaff Report Full Story
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" Logitech M35 - Mouse - opto-mechanical - 3 button(s) - wired - serial - OEM "
* Prices may differ from that shown
This mouse works just as one would expect it to. Thats all fine. There are no surprises and from the moment that you plug it in, life is as it should be. However, that is where it ends.
The mouse does have a long lead, allowing the computer to be on the floor or some distance away. But that is not the issue. Really one wants to be some distance from the mouse. The plastic used in its construction harks back to the mice of a decade ago and that is the trouble. Time has moved on. A mouse that has such a smooth plastic surface that it esaily gets hot and sticky to use in summer, shows up any dirt with ease and basically feels clammy all of the time is really now old hat.
The buttons are regular shaped nasty affairs with a veyr audible 'click' from the microswitch and there is no adjustment to its weight. The shape of the mouse itself is not particularly ergonomic and although there are certainly worse out there, that is not much of a recomendation itself.
Forget this one. Logitech make several far better models let alone any other manufacture and its low price is not enough to make up for its unpleasant use. Remember that a mouse is something you are using a fair chunk of the time and your hand deserves something better.
Logitech's Model 35 mouse features an ambidextrous design that is popular for home and office applications. Designed with comfort in mind, the gentle curves of the case cradle the user's hand, while the fingers rest comfortably on the buttons. This three-button mouse appeals to right- and left-handed users, fitting a variety of hand sizes. The third button of the Model 35 provides additional functions, such as AutoScroll. It's fully compatible with current and emerging Windows standards and applications for pointing devices. The Model 35 offers low power consumption and precision opto-mechanical performance.
The Model 35 mouse is designed with the high quality and reliability that have made Logitech the world's leading mouse manufacturer. Built-in durability and exceptional quality ensure high user satisfaction. Logitech's Model 35 mouse is the ideal pointing device for OEMs requiring exceptional style, performance, reliability, and value.