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Testimony on HCFA Y2K Progress by Gary Christoph, Ph.D.
Chief Information OfficerHealth Care Financing Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Before the House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Management,
Information, & Technology and the House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Technology
September 27, 1999
Chairman Horn, Chairwoman Morella, Congressman Turner, Congressman Barcia,
distinguished Subcommittee members thank you for inviting me here today to discuss the
Health Care Financing Administration=s (HCFA)
progress in meeting the Year 2000 (Y2K) challenge. I am happy to report today that HCFA
continues to make solid progress.
Y2K remains our Agency=s top priority, and we
are on track to meeting the Year 2000 challenge successfully. We have continued our
aggressive Year 2000 activities since we last came before the Government Management,
Information, & Technology Subcommittee this past April. Our success is due in large
part to the leadership of these Committees and Congress, as well as to the commitment and
dedication of our Administrator, Nancy-Ann DeParle. Clearly, we would not be where we are
today without the help and resources you have provided.
My testimony today will focus on two main issues. First, where we are in our Year 2000
effort and second, where we see the greatest risk to our programs, which comes from areas
outside our direct control, namely the uncertain readiness of Medicare providers.
Medicare Systems Readiness
As we reported last April, all of HCFA=s
internal systems were renovated, fully tested, certified compliant, and implemented by the
government-wide Year 2000 goal of March 31, 1999. This includes the systems that manage
the eligibility, enrollment, and premium information of Medicare beneficiaries, and those
that make payments to managed care organizations that contract with HCFA. In addition, all
of the external claims processing systems, those operated by private insurance contractors
that process Medicare fee-for service claims and pay bills, have been fully-tested,
including future-date tested, and certified as compliant. All of these systems are in
production and are processing and paying Medicare claims today. Our independent
verification and validation (IV&V) contractor, with oversight from the Department=s Inspector General, has verified the readiness of
these external systems. Last April, you urged us and the GAO to work together to achieve
our common goal of having Medicare continue to function with minimal disruption because of
Year 2000 issues. We have taken your advice to heart and have worked diligently with the
GAO to assure that Medicare=s core business
activities will continue to operate effectively into the new millennium. We appreciate the
General Accounting Office=s (GAO) continuing
oversight of our efforts; they have provided us with valuable independent perspective.
The GAO has highlighted several areas where we could improve our efforts and we are
on each of them. For example, we are using software tools to improve our test
coverage and execution. We have imposed a moratorium on system changes through March 31,
2000. We have begun monitoring provider testing of electronic claims submissions. We have
increased our efforts to determine the readiness status of Medicare managed care
organizations (MCOs). We are successfully managing contractor and data center transitions.
And we continue to pay close attention to Medicare contractor and MCO business continuity
and contingency plans.
We have developed and implemented a process for performing Year 2000 renovations,
certification testing, and validation which ensures our work is of the highest quality and
that our systems will be Year 2000-ready by January 1, 2000. Our IV&V contractor,
AverStar, has characterized some of the steps we have developed as Abest practices@
that they have recommended to their other Year 2000 customers.
We have closely followed and even exceeded the GAO=s
recommendations in the design and performance of our testing regimen. These activities
have included:
We are now completing recertification testing to re-verify that our systems are working
and that software changes made this past summer to fulfill legislative mandates and
improve program operations have not affected previously achieved Year 2000 compliance.
This recertification testing is being done on all of our external systems and those
internal systems that have undergone any significant change. We will complete our
recertifications by November. These extensive tests will provide further assurance that
all of our systems will function in the new millennium so that there will be no disruption
in payments to providers.
on the advice of the GAO and using what we learned in our first round of testing
and recertification, our recertification testing surpasses our previous tests in both its
sophistication and scope. I am convinced that our systems will be ready for the millennium
and, frankly, believe that our testing has put our systems in better shape than ever
before. Our IV&V contractor is working closely with us on our recertification effort.
We are taking steps to quickly address any concerns highlighted by their evaluations.
Their independent reviews are central to our recertification effort and provide us with a
key Year 2000 management tool to help us better target our resources in the limited time
Contingency and Day One Planning
Risk mitigation is essential to our Year 2000 contingency planning effort, which we
have largely based on the GAO published guidance on contingency planning. While we believe
the risk of Year 2000 failures of our systems is low, we are working diligently to prepare
for any potential failures. Following the GAO=s
recommendations, we assembled our own handbook on contingency planning and made it
available to our contractors, states, managed care organizations, and the provider
community. This handbook goes beyond the GAO=s
recommendation for the level of detail necessary for successful contingency planning. We
and our claims processing contractors have adhered to our more stringent standards, and we
have urged states and Medicare MCOs to follow them as well.
We are now in the validation phase of our own internal contingency planning process.
Each contingency plan has a designated Emergency Response Team responsible for executing
the various plans, if necessary. During the validation phase, these teams are running
practice exercises and rehearsing plans in a simulated environment.
We have required that our claims processing contractors have appropriate and validated
contingency plans in place. We are carefully reviewing these contingency plans on-site at
the contractors and have invited the GAO to accompany us on these visits. And we continue
to assist our partners, including managed care organizations, state Medicaid plans, and
the health care provider community at large, as they develop and validate their own
contingency plans.
As part of our overall preparedness strategy, we have in place our new command and
control structure to proactively assess the status of all of our systems and partners
during the millennium transition, and, as necessary, guide our reaction and management of
any unforseen Year 2000 events. This new structure permits us to track the status of our
health care programs; organizes our decision-making processes for identifying and
resolving problems so as to better recognize trigger events; and reports on the status of
all of our programs, including mission-critical system operations and business continuity
While these Day One and contingency plans are important risk mitigation efforts, we
have already passed significant Year 2000 milestones which provide real-time evidence that
our remediation efforts have been successful and that our systems can function in an
actual Year 2000 environment. In August, we successfully received and processed
enrollments from the Social Security Administration for beneficiaries who will be newly
entitled to Medicare on January 1, 2000.
We now see our greatest risk to the program as the uncertainties in the readiness of
our partners, namely, our Medicare providers. As the GAO has noted, virtually all of the
surveys of provider readiness have fairly low response rates, and the anonymous responses
are self-reported data, which may be overly optimistic. While we suspect that larger
organizations are in better shape, we are concerned about the readiness of individual
providers in rural and inner-city institutions. Accordingly, our biggest risk mitigation
effort is an unprecedented outreach campaign to health care providers and their trade
associations to raise awareness of the need to make Year 2000 systems changes. We continue
to have serious, ongoing concerns about the ability of some Medicare providers to
successfully meet this challenge. To address these concerns and to encourage providers to
renovate and test their systems, we have engaged in an unprecedented series of outreach
activities, including:
Despite these unprecedented efforts, we remain deeply concerned that many providers
still do not appear to be doing all that they must to prepare for the Year 2000. As the
millennium deadline approaches, we are, therefore, refining and re-targeting our outreach
toward those provider groups we and others have identified as needing the most attention.
And we are interested in working with the Congress and pursuing any ideas you might have
as to how best to reach these providers.
As part of this re-targeted effort, we are placing special emphasis on reaching out to
the larger billing companies and clearinghouses that many of our provider partners use to
submit Medicare claims to our claims processing contractors. We want to encourage these
larger companies to test their ability to submit Year 2000-compliant claims to their
contractors to ensure through testing that their remediation efforts have been successful.
Last Wednesday, here in Washington, we co-sponsored an all-day summit specifically
designed for billing clearinghouses, third-party billing services, practice management
companies, software vendors, and other claims processors. The summit provided information
on the mission critical steps these partners need to take to continue processing claims
successfully in the new millennium, as well as up-to-date information on best practices
from individuals in the field, including claims processing contractors, billing service
providers, and others.
Also, as part of our outreach strategy, we continue to strongly encourage health care
providers to test future-dated claims with our claims processing contractors. Such testing
will assist them in determining whether they can successfully generate and submit
future-dated claims to our contractors. Too few providers are taking advantage of the
opportunity to submit test claims to our contractors. This typifies our concern: If
submitters have not tested with us, it is likely they have not tested with other payers.
If providers do not test, then they really do not know whether their claim submission will
work. We are redoubling our efforts to encourage all of our partners and their billing
agents to test their systems and ensure they will function in the new millennium.
Managed Care
We have been working diligently to address the Year 2000 readiness of Medicare managed
care organizations (MCOs) as well. While our own internal systems for paying MCOs are
compliant, we remain concerned about some MCOs=
preparation for the Year 2000. We required all Medicare MCOs to certify to us that their
systems will perform into the new millennium. We also required the Medicare MCOs to
provide us with their contingency plans and we are reviewing those plans. Approximately
two-thirds of the plans we have reviewed needed improvement. Our review of the contingency
plans for national chains indicates that 50 percent are reasonable or in need of minor
improvement, while the other 50 percent need major improvement.
We have required those MCOs whose plans need improvement to resubmit revised
contingency plans to us. To assist MCOs in improving their plans, HCFA hosted three
technical assistance workshops in Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta to provide guidance on
contingency planning principles, as well as to respond to particular concerns. Through
these workshops and other communications, we have endeavored to assist those MCOs with
less-than-adequate plans in revising and strengthening their plans. And we will continue
to monitor the progress of MCOs, paying particular attention to MCOs= contingency plan testing, for the remainder of the
We also have been working closely with our nation=s
Governors and state Medicaid Directors to ensure that state Medicaid agencies are ready
for the Year 2000. We have undertaken an extensive effort to assess the Year 2000
readiness of state Medicaid agencies as well as provide technical assistance on compliance
protocols, testing, contingency planning strategies, and best practice information. We
have taken the extra step of hiring expert consultants who, through site visits, are
assessing states= progress against their own
goals and standards in becoming Year 2000 compliant, as well as providing detailed
feedback and technical support. We have conducted site visits to every state and the
District of Columbia and are continuing to assist those that are having particular
difficulties, including providing technical support in developing and evaluating their
contingency plans where needed. Based on observations obtained through our site visits,
states have made substantial progress.
We have made remarkable progress is preparing our systems, the ones over which we have
authority and can exert control, for the new millennium. We are continuing to test our
systems and refine our contingency plans. We continue to rely on IV&V and to work with
the GAO to continually improve our effectiveness and readiness. We remain concerned,
however, about the progress of some Medicare providers in successfully meeting this
challenge. We are committed to continuing our unprecedented efforts to reach out to these
partners, share information, and provide technical assistance. We appreciate the support
and attention of Congress and the GAO in this important endeavor. Again, I thank you for
your attention to this essential issue, and I am happy to answer any questions you may


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Gas City 2 (Updated 08/24/2009)
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Y'know why I just can't bring myself to give a damn about Naruto, DBZ, Fullmetal Alchemist, and all of those other "shounen" series?
I think these series have to get you when you're in a certain frame of mind. You have to be in your early days of fandom, where you're looking for something to grasp onto– some sort of epic, grandiose, all-encompassing storyline that every intellectual and emotional aspect of your psyche can latch its tentacles upon and dissect, consume, and absorb into your very soul.
The first story you come across that hits all of these buttons is gonna be the one that you (for the most part) always stand by. You'll forgive (almost) any plot contrivance, shark jumping, or any other shit and blow it off as "that's just the way this shit plays things out." And as you grow more experienced in fandom, your tolerance of other similar series starts to wane to the point where most of us old-timers bitterly rant and rave about how Bleach and One Piece are shitty. All the while, we're cuddling with our precious irrational obsession, doing our best to ignore the fact that this so-called glimmering jewel in the wastelands is no different from the very things we're bashing.
For most of y'all whose primary fandom is anime, you probably have a similar soft spot for a particular anime. The catch with me is that I passed that phase long before I became an anime fan. My "stereotypical shounen series" was X-Men.
It all came down to that melodrama shit. When I was a middle school brat, I loved that kind of stuff. It was all people falling in love and dying and falling in love while dying and crying and stuff blowing up and getting blasted and punched while someone cried. That's what X-Men was all about (and still is to this day). But it also had engrossing, contradictory, rules and jargon filled mythos that required the sort of encyclopedic knowledge that powers a young fanboy.
It basically had everything that the likes of Naruto and DBZ have. DB has its arcane power level systems, strange rules about evolving and "going Super Saiyan." Naruto has its jutsus and politics between ninja clans and crying about Sasuke and all that shit. X-Men has all of that and more. You have the pseudo-political shit with mutants being a metaphor for everything from racial minorities to homosexuals. Mutant powers let every character have their own distinct martial style while still having everyone fall under the same "umbrella" the way Naruto has its ninjas and Bleach has its soul reapers. You even have the whole "school" element since most of the X-Men's history has revolved around Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Kitty Pryde? She was doing the "audience cipher" thing years before your typical blank slate action lead like Ichigo or Naruto.
So I was getting all of this shit into my system well before I became an anime fan. I'd already gone through that phase where this sort of minutiae-driven storytelling was my primary interest. By the time I got into anime and started seeing these shounen series, it was all "been there seen that." These shounen series weren't new to me the way the likes of Ninja Scroll, Ranma 1/2, and the like were new. They were playing off the same vibes as the stuff I'd been reading for years.
And I think that's one reason why you won't see a lot of old school western fans give a damn about your typical Shounen Jump stuff. A lot of us got our start in comics and when we want that sort of fix we look back on X-Men and the like rather than fondly remembering something like DBZ. Least I know that's the case with me.
8 Responses to "X-Men was my Naruto"
I think I was lucky to grow up in the 90's when Anime was starting to become popular with Sailor Moon, DBZ and Pokemon at the same time I was watching X-Men, Spider-Man and the littany of Saturday Morning Cartoons like Savage Dragon, G. I. Joe and Thundercats also reading every issue of a comic book that strayed my way on my small 3rd World island. I played with Gundams, Evangelions, GI Joes and Dinosaurs.
I understand the appeal of Shonen but I really can't get into them anymore because the formula is all too transparent. You are right in the fact that it seems to appeal to people who are new comers and haven't experienced that sort of 200+ episode story before.
I think I was unlucky to grow up in the 00's when Anime had already become popular with One Piece, Naruto and Bleach at the same time I was watching Spongebob, Fairly Odd Parnets and the littany of Saturday Morning Cartoons like, well, shit I don't even remember anymore also reading every issue of a, uh, nothing. I played with my piano.
I understand the appeal of Shonen but I really can get into them because the formula is all too cool. You are right in the fact that it seems to appeal to people who are new comers and haven't experienced that sort of 200+ episode story before.
inb4 'gtfo newfag'
Aw, c'mon. You can't say that One Piece is as shitty as Bleach without providing any specifics. I never fell for Dragonball Z as a youngster and Naruto is terrible, but throwing One Piece in with them is just unfair. 80% of the Japanese audience of One Piece is over 18.
So if you're going to say One Piece is shit, at least put it in with shit like Gantz and what Berserk has become. Sure it's formulaic and melodramatic, but in the same sentence as Bleach? That's cruel.
[…] but I'd spend several hours every night reading stuff. Said reading material would either be comic books or science books. One particular science book that I remember reading numerous times was a book on […]
Oh the 90s and its awesome cartoons. X-Men was definitely a Saturday favorite, I even remember watching that special that aired on prime time on Fox with some weird alien thing, or the Dark Phoenix Saga or something, memory is hazy. Anyway, good memories. The Gargoyle cartoon also comes to mind. However, I still don't mind the long shounen formula even to this day, I'm good as guilty as enjoying modern shonen shows just as much as I had X-men, spider-man, superman, etc. Apparently my tolerance for formulaic nonsense hasn't reached your levels just quite yet after 15+ years.
[…] Problem is, when I reached for those super hero comics, my first instinct was to reach for X-Men. […]


text:
Council is not impressed with the closure of The Western Star's Deer Lake office and the town plans to make its concerns known to the media company.
Announced last week, the Main Street editorial office will close at the end of this month, with the local reporter being moved to Corner Brook. The Western Star's managing editor Troy Turner said coverage plans for the area have not changed at all, and that the decision was not made lightly. Deer Lake, along with other areas serviced by the local office, will be covered the same with the help of new technology.
Mayor Dean Ball seemed to have the strongest feelings about the move.
"It's obvious The Western Star does not see any value in Deer Lake, or they would keep an office and a reporter in Deer Lake," said Ball.
Coun. Jean Young said during Monday's public meeting that she wanted to see a letter sent to the paper in the next week with concerns about coverage for the area as a result of the move.
Coun. Elmo Bingle said the newspaper simply made a business decision, and added that there are other businesses that have closed their doors for simple economics.
Residents can still reach reporter Paul Hutchings at 636-3534 or Turner at 637-4667.
*** Edited Feb. 26 ***


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ANN ARBOR -- When Jordan Morgan first walked through the doors of the old Crisler Arena as a Michigan basketball player, Zack Novak had to do a double take.
Novak, who was entering his first year as John Beilein's team captain in 2009, had known Morgan for some time -- as the 6-foot-8 forward committed to the program out of University of Detroit Jesuit High School in 2007.
The player Novak remembered seeing in high school was a decent-sized kid who had potential to turn into a solid Big Ten contributor.
The player he saw that day, though, looked miles away from being ready to contribute in a men's league pickup game, let alone a Division I practice.
"Chubby would have been a nice way of putting it," Novak recalls.
Morgan wasn't just out of shape during his early days as a freshman, according to Beilein. He was barely considered an athlete.
The word "project" was too soft at that point.
Because, well, even projects can finish a simple wind sprint.
"He could not make a 30-second sprint when he got here, not one," Beilein says. "He couldn't do one, let alone three, which all of our guys can do."
As time has worn on throughout Morgan's five-year journey in Ann Arbor, a 30-second sprint hasn't been the only obstacle standing between the Wolverines' lone current senior and success.
But as history has shown -- time and time again -- it takes a lot more than a conditioning drill to get Jordan Morgan to quit.
A hell of a lot more.
'I'd have laughed in your face'
Few if any players in Michigan basketball history will leave with more bragging rights than Morgan.
He's been a part of 113 victories during his college career, ranking him No. 3 on the program's all-time list. Only Loy Vaught and Mike Griffin (127) have stood in more victorious locker rooms.
He will leave with four NCAA tournament appearances, something no senior has boasted since 1996.
He has a winning record against rival Michigan State, played in the national championship game, started 112 games and has served as a team captain.
Then there are the title rings.
"I've got a few of those now, man," Morgan said smiling last week after the Wolverines earned their second Big Ten title in three seasons.
When it comes to winning, few have done it more around these parts.
"There aren't many programs who can say they've had a better run over the past three years (than Michigan), and Jordan has his mark all over that," said former Michigan captain Josh Bartelstein, who is still close friends with Morgan to this day. "But if you'd have told me or coach Beilein or anyone that we'd be saying this four years ago?
"I'd have laughed in your face."
Morgan's battle with conditioning wasn't the only obstacle standing in his way.
He was forced to redshirt his freshman year due to injury, further complicating his situation and leaving most to wonder if he'd ever play quality minutes for the program.
But the physical part of the game was only half the battle.
"When he first got here, his attitude wasn't great, he didn't understand how to go about his business, he didn't understand how to be a great teammate, he was kind of a 'me' person," Bartelstein says. "His injuries might have been the biggest blessing for him. That freshman year was a rough year, we weren't good. Jordan was hurt the whole time, so he was able to just sit back and watch.
"And not just watch how the team was playing, but how people interact and how you become a leader and a teammate and it allowed him to figure out what it took to be a part of the team."
Once Morgan figured out how to prepare -- both physically and mentally -- he began to flourish.
No longer struggling to get up and down the floor, he pushed his way past Blake McLimans into a starting role during a 2010-11 preseason European tour, and when the year began, he was a new man.
"All of a sudden, J-Mo came in and he looked like an NFL tight end," Novak says.
Now a chiseled 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, Morgan developed a chemistry with former point guard Darius Morris, shocking everyone with a turnaround season -- still his most productive to date at 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
The following year, Morgan's offense dropped off as Michigan transitioned into the Trey Burke era. Burke was a smaller point guard who could create his own shot better than Morris could. Meaning those over-the-top ball-screen buckets Morgan received from Morris turned into shots for Burke or passes to other shooters on the perimeter.
Either way, Morgan remained consistent. Playing, basically, as the team's only big man, Morgan banged in the paint all season long to help the Wolverines secure their first Big Ten title since 1986.
The following year, Morgan continued to show comfort with his evolving role. He wasn't scoring nearly as much, but he was defending. Morgan became Beilein's defensive anchor as a junior, helping Michigan rumble to a 19-1 start and a No. 1 national ranking.
But this game has never been easy for Morgan. The next setback was on its way.
'It's been a long year'
When asked to reflect on the journey he's gone through as a player, Morgan finds it hard to lump everything together.
Each year has had its own individual challenges for Morgan as a player, and the past 12 months might have taken the cake.
"It's been a long year, man," Morgan says. "There's been a lot of stuff."
Most of that "stuff" began Jan. 27, 2013. During the first half of a league game at Illinois, Morgan went up to catch a pass, and came down with one of the more horrific images of the season.
His right ankle bent in a way ankles aren't supposed to bend. A severe high-ankle sprain, an injury that can take months to recover from, was suddenly staring Morgan in the face right in the middle of his team's most successful season in years.
Michigan had finally reached No. 1 in the country, and Morgan's prize was a pair of crutches.
Morgan eventually returned to the floor, but the ankle was clearly an issue. As the regular season turned into the postseason, Morgan's decline only worsened -- perhaps bottoming out after a crushing missed layup at the buzzer against Indiana, a loss that cost the Wolverines another Big Ten title.
Two weeks later, Michigan was riding high in the NCAA tournament. But Morgan was riding the bench -- not playing a single minute as Mitch McGary starred in a 25-point thrashing of VCU.
"It was hurting him. He was one of my better friends, and I could just see it on his face," Bartelstein said. "After we beat VCU to go to the Sweet 16, it was a pretty happy bus ride. Jordan was trying to fake it as much as he could, but you could see it was hurting him.
"And it's crazy, because people forget that Jordan was first-team (All-Big Ten) defense last year. And then, like, two weeks later he wasn't playing. That's how quick it happened."
After the game, Morgan took some personal time and spent a day with his family -- away from basketball and everything else that seemed to bring anguish for him, but joy for everyone else.
Bartelstein did his best to encourage him, telling him the team was going to need him at some point down the road if this run was going to happen. But he still wasn't sure if Morgan would respond.
Until he did.
"He came back a different person. His attitude flipped. He was working with Mitch, bringing him along, helping him, doing whatever he could," said Bartelstein, who was proven right in the Final Four when Morgan's clutch charge sealed a Wolverine win. "And that's not easy. He had a lot of success before that. Double-doubles, awards. Jordan's a sensitive guy, no question, but for him to do what he did and help Mitch -- it was so huge for us.
"In that moment, I had more respect for him than I ever have before. And I love him like a brother. Jordan becoming a captain started the day he came back after we beat VCU. You could just see it. He knew what his job was -- to lead -- and from there on he's just rolled with it."
'It would have been really hard for me to turn my back on this place'
Jordan Morgan did not have to come back to Michigan for his fifth season.
After receiving his undergraduate degree in industrial and operations engineering last April, Morgan could have left.
And he thought about it.
McGary was coming back, and Morgan's current roommate -- Jon Horford -- was continuing to improve his game at the center position as well. He closed his fourth year on campus at the bottom of the depth chart, seemingly back to square one -- back to the days when he could barely get through practice.
He could have gone to another school as a graduate transfer to finish out his basketball career with more guaranteed playing time. Or, he could have simply just moved on with his life and began a career in the real world. He seriously considered leaving. "There were options," he said.
But in the end, one thing kept coming back into his head.
"The love for Michigan, it would have been really hard for me to turn my back on this place," Morgan said last week. "And my confidence in myself, knowing how hard I would work to be better and knowing how hard I'd work to be a part of any success we'd have moving forward."
Morgan had two choices, really. The easy way or the hard way.
He did what he's always done: He went with the latter.
Morgan returned to Michigan as a fifth-year senior and a captain, but had no promises of playing time. McGary was still the team's star big man, but Morgan was fine with that. For him, it wasn't about minutes anymore, it was about winning.
Together with Horford, Morgan has more than picked up the slack after McGary was lost for the year with back surgery in December. His stats aren't eye-popping, but in every big moment during Michigan's Big Ten run this season -- Morgan seemed to find a way to leave his mark.
Whether it was drawing a charge late against Minnesota, or pulling down rebounds against four Purdue jerseys in overtime or grabbing eight rebounds in a road win at Wisconsin, Morgan's done his part on the floor.
He's also done his part in the locker room as well. Beilein remarked earlier this season that this team has been drama free from the outset. Numerous players have said this is the closest team they've ever been a part of.
That's all happening with Morgan keeping the peace, and setting the table.
"To see him out there smiling like the old Jordan. I can't remember the last time I saw that," Bartelstein said. "It's been great. He's one of my best friends, I talk with him all the time, and I know he's just having so much fun with this team.
"And it's been special to see, I can't think of a better way for him to go out."
Two years ago, Michigan bid farewell to the two players most fans consider to be the foundation of Beilein's rebuilding project: Novak and Stu Douglass.
On Saturday against Indiana, Crisler Center will say goodbye to Morgan.
And while his legacy at Michigan won't feature the statistics or big shots or explosive on-court moments Novak and Douglass had, it will feature a similar trait.
If Novak and Douglass got the ball rolling on the culture change Beilein implemented at Michigan, Morgan has been the guy who has kept it spinning.
"Coaches can do all they want to, but you need a voice inside the locker room," Novak said. "And everybody knows J-Mo's that guy. And he'll go out Sunday and he'll leave with a win, and it'll be on to the next guy. And someone else will step up and do that.
"He's helped the program take that next step. (Leadership) has been passed on to the next generation and it'll go on to the next one. Great programs do that. Over and over and over again. And I think we're there, we're headed in that right direction."
The game has always seemed to be on a quest to find the one true blow that will keep Morgan down. The one final push that might make him send up the white flag. Injuries, missed layups, lost playing time -- that 30-second wind sprint five years ago.
Basketball has never come easy for Jordan Morgan, but it's yet to get the best of him.
And when it's all over, and Morgan returns to Ann Arbor for some sort of reunion in 20 years, his legacy will be crystal clear.
He's a winner.
Does anything else really matter?
-- Download the Michigan football on MLive app for iPhone and Android
-- Download the Michigan basketball on MLive app for iPhone and Android
-- Follow Nick Baumgardner on Twitter
-- Like MLive's Michigan Wolverines Facebook


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Car shipping to Australia does not have to be difficult. You will need to make sure that you take the proper precautions and follow the correct steps to make sure you don't get caught up in the red tape with the government of Australia. We are fortunate to have many Australian clients and have had the privilege of shipping many cars to Australia from the US for them (many have shipped multiple times with us!).
We set up the information on this page mainly for those who are exporting their vehicles from the United States to destinations in AU. To make the entire process easier be sure to gather as much specific information as possible. You will want to have the exact year, make and model of the vehicle. Please be sure to include any modifications that have been done to the vehicle. This includes anything that may have made the vehicle taller, wider, longer or heavier. We will also need to know if the vehicle is in running condition and if there is a lienholder or a loan on the vehicle. Be sure to have as much specific information about where the vehicle is currently located and the desired destination port.
The cost for car shipping to Australia can vary greatly depending on this information so take your time and gather as much accurate info as possible before inquiring about your overseas shipment.
The folks who accept or deny the approval for your vehicle to be imported is the Australian Government's Department of Infrastructure and Transport. Be sure to read through their information especially the sections on Temporary Vehicle Import, Special Vehicle Import and Permanent Vehicle Import.
Australian Car Shippers
There is a ton of information on this site. General information on importing a car into Australia can be found here http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/ with more specific information about individuals importing vehicles here https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/import_options/index.aspx.
These regulations are subject to change so be sure to go over the requirements with your international shipping coordinator here at Ship Your Car Now. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Click on the link at the top of the page to get started or feel free to call us any time.
Automotive Industry in Australia


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|Product Description
Expandable - Double Action Hook Tether
Harness Retractable tether with 2 double action hooks.
Wichard safety tethers conform to most of the current European standards for marine safety (nov. 1",96:BSI, DIN, and the US ORC). Award winning double action hook provides the ultimate in security and peace of mind when working on deck.
Part Number: 7005


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One world-wide desire? A good job
By Greg Pellegrino - June 09, 2010
That's what Gallup concluded in 2007, based on data it collected in its World Poll, an ongoing effort to learn what's on the minds of six billion people around the globe.
It's a startling discovery. Imagine: from Cleveland to Kandahar, from Shenzhen to Montevideo, stop random people on the street to ask what they desire most in life, and most of them will give the same answer. More than love, or money, or food, or safety, people want well-paid, satisfying work. That simple wish drives much of what people do and, increasingly, where they choose to live.
Demand for good jobs lies at the heart of "Employment, Migration and Talent," one of the discussion sessions at the World Economic Forum's Global Redesign Summit, an international forum that was held in Qatar. A forum for policy experts and leaders from governments and international organizations, the Global Redesign Initiative drew attendees from nearly 60 countries. They came together to discuss how governments can better cooperate in areas such as finance, trade, employment, the environment, humanitarian assistance and security.
One thing the leaders at this summit understood very well is the connection between desirable jobs and economic growth. When people emigrate to find better work, they create a problem for the places they leave behind. In the 21st Century, talent is a nation's most critical resource. Gifted, educated workers who seek opportunities abroad leave their home countries poorer, just as surely as if they had depleted the oil wells or worn out the soil.
Consider, for example, what's happening with women. In much of the world, they're becoming educated at greater rates than men, making them especially important to the prosperity of their nations. But according to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), in every region of the world except North America, women with post-secondary educations are emigrating in greater numbers than men. Countries throughout the world are losing sorely-needed talent at an alarming rate.
It is possible stop this brain drain. Public policy must make it easier for talented people to secure jobs they want. For many countries, that means creating or attracting enough desirable employment to persuade skilled, educated workers to stay at home. And for nations blessed with fine educational systems, it might also mean hanging on to the brilliant students from abroad who come to earn university degrees. "I think any foreign student who gets a Ph.D. in our country—in any subject—should be offered citizenship," wrote Thomas Friedman in the New York Times several years ago. "The idea that we actually make it difficult for them to stay is crazy."
Talented people want good jobs. A thriving economy demands talented people. To hold onto their most valuable resource, governments must expand opportunities for talented people to find well-paid, satisfying work.
Greg Pellegrino is the DTT Global Industry Leader for the Public Sector industry and leads the Federal Government Services practice for Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP in the United States. Greg leads DTT's industry focus in helping government leaders address critical issues impacting performance, accountability, and economic competitiveness.


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A plan to bring a Whole Foods supermarket, 72 townhomes and a retail development to an area just off Route 46 has drawn the ire of township residents who say it'll bring too much traffic and other headaches, such as water problems and lower property values.
"It's a total disaster on every level," Litwinsky said. "We don't need another grocery store."
But architect David Minno, representing applicant RD Reality, said at a Jan. 8 public hearing that the proposed Waterview Plaza development plan would help Parsippany turn around its office vacancy rate and cut taxes, according to Parsippany Patch.
The 26-acre site by the Intervale Road-Route 46 west intersection is currently zoned for commercial offices, but RD Realty is applying via the planning board to create an overlay zone, which would also allow for residential properties.
Hundreds of people packed the most recent planning board meeting at the Parsippany High School auditorium, during which Minno detailed changes to the plan.
Lawyer Joseph O'Neil of Garofolo & O'Neil, which is representing RD Realty, described those changes in an email to NJ.com ahead of the meeting. They include moving access to the development from Intervale Road to Waterview Boulevard; increasing the distance between the complex to the properties on Forest Drive to 75 feet from 50; reducing the number of residences per acre; adding a pedestrian walkway to the shopping center; and lowering the residential building height from 40 feet to 30.Planning board member Joseph de Peirro, a Parsippany councilman, declined to share his feelings on the proposal until RD Realty finishes its testimony at a Feb. 11 public hearing at the high school.
But de Peirro said he had to correct Minno on how to measure setbacks because Minno's figures appeared inaccurate.
"I just made sure the numbers were being presented properly," the planning board member said.
de Peirro said the crowd at the Jan. 8 meeting was decidedly against the development.
"A number of the people don't want it there," he said.
Count Scott Hoffman among them. Hoffman lives near Litwinsky on Forest Drive, which would be directly behind the development.
Hoffman said the addition of town homes "strips away equity, strips away what makes Parsippany a great place to live."
He also said traffic on Intervale Road and Route 46 would get much worse and that he didn't believe Intervale School could handle many more students. Hoffman added that in recent summers the township put area residents under water restrictions, which would only get worse with the addition of a supermarket, offices and more homes.
"There were just so many points brought up as to why the community doesn't want this," Hoffman said. "There's not a lot of green area left in Parsippany. Obviously, we'd prefer to see nothing there."
Representatives of RD Reality have not yet returned calls placed Monday and Tuesday seeking comment.
See here for a map of the proposed development.


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This deal has ended.
The Louisville 12pc Comforter Set (pictured), Abbey Road 12pc Comforter Set, and the Angelica 12pc Comforter Set, originally $340-$400, are now $84.97 for Full or Queen and $99.97 for King or Cal King. Avoid the $9.95 shipping charge by increasing your order to $99 or more with some sale & clearance handbags & accessories. Sales tax is charged in most states.No longer available


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Thursday: Tigers at White Sox
As expected, Magglio Ordonez is back in the starting lineup today against John Danks, whom he has pounded for a 14-for-23 performance over his career. So is Gerald Laird, who's 3-for-4 off Danks.
- Jackson, CF
- Damon, DH
- Ordonez, RF
- Cabrera, 1B
- Boesch, LF
- Guillen, 2B
- Inge, 3B
- Laird, C
- Worth, SS
- Juan Pierre, LF
- Omar Vizquel, 3B
- Alex Rios, CF
- Paul Konerko, DH
- Carlos Quentin, RF
- Mark Kotsay, 1B
- A.J. Pierzynski, C
- Alexei Ramirez, SS
- Gordon Beckham, 2B
1 Comment
Am I missing something?
There is talk of benching Pagan when Beltran returns.
Pagan is the only met hitting .300, has done a good job on the field and has carried the team on many occassions with timely hitting and good play. What have Francouer and Bay done that compares to that? Hey Manuel, think it through will you!!!


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Aloha Pacific to Open Las Vegas Branch, Merges With Ailing CU
On two fronts, the $725 million Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union of Honolulu is expanding. It's buying a branch from the troubled Silver State Schools CU in Las Vegas and merging with a small, faith-based CU.
The Nevada branch, set to open Nov. 1, represents the first out-of-state facility operated by an Hawaiian CU, said Aloha Pacific.
Terms of its lease purchase from Silver State on a West Las Vegas facility were not disclosed.
Aloha Pacific said the Las Vegas entry is part of a growth strategy to reach an estimated 140,000 former island residents, retirees and tourists.
For its part, the ailing Silver State, Nevada's largest credit union, has been in retrenchment for the last two years, closing branches, reducing assets and last February borrowing $22 million from its private insurer, American Share Insurance Inc.
Regarding the Hawaii merger, Aloha Pacific said it has taken over the struggling $1.8 million Word of Life FCU of Honolulu.
Word of Life founded in 2002 with one branch and 1,000 members serves the Word Of Life Church and Christian Center. Aloha Pacific said it has closed the branch and the CU's employees have taken jobs with Aloha Pacific.
Word of Life is the third merger in three years for Aloha Pacific "and represents a wonderful opportunity for both credit unions," said Wallace Y. Watanabe, president/CEO.
The Aloha Pacific CEO told a Honolulu newspaper his CU would be satisfied "to get 10% of the 140,000 Hawaiians in Las Vegas" as it competes with both large Nevada and Hawaii banks.
Aloha Pacific said despite the Nevada recession, it does expect to offer commercial, mortgage and home equity loans.


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Previous | Session 112 | Next
C. Winrich, S. Holt, J. Philips, S. Laprise, L. Simons (Babson College)
We present a three-tiered interdisciplinary program designed for business students at Babson College. At the foundation level, we introduce fundamental ideas in physical and biological science as they relate to a particular theme. In the intermediate tier, we discuss the technologies that arise from the broad understanding of science developed at the previous level, and their impact on society. In the optional advanced tier, we further explore the relationship between science and society. At all levels, the broader impact of technological and scientific progress is explored through discussion of current events, works of art, and popular culture.
Previous | Session 112 | Next
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.


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Greetings, Samurottspride!
Welcome to The Hunger Games Wiki! Thanks for your edit to the User:Samurottspride page. I hope you enjoy it here and decide to stay.
Before editing, be sure to read the wiki's policies. Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~) to automatically produce your name and the current date. Be sure to verify your e-mail address in your preferences. If you have any questions, check out the Community portal or ask me on my talk page. Again, welcome! Rainbow Shifter (talk) 16:31, May 28, 2013 (UTC)


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Silver Spring Township police say the person in these photos stole a purse and used a credit card to make at least $730 in purchases.
Police said the suspect tried to use the card to buy more gift cards at the Giant in Silver Spring Township but by then the card had been declined.
Police said the suspect was a passenger in a silver car, possibly a Hyundai Elantra. The victim is from the Mechanicsburg area.
Police ask anyone with information to call (717) 697-0607 or (717) 238-9676.


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Browse By Person: Yu, Yi
|Up a level
Group by: Item Type | Date
Number of items: 6.
Li, Z.X., Sun, Z.H., Gao, L., Chan, Tommy H.T., & Yu, Yi (2007) Concurrent multi-scale modeling of structures and damage analyses. Journal of Southeast University (Natural Science Edition), 37(2), pp. 251-260.
Yu, Yi, Ma, Lin, Gu, YuanTong, & Zhou, Yifan (2008) Confidence interval of lifetime distribution using bootstrap method. In The Third World Congress on Engineering Asset Management and Intelligent Maintenance Systems Conference, 27-30 October 2008, Beijing, China.
Yu, Yi, Ma, Lin, Sun, Yong, & Gu, YuanTong (2010) Remaining useful life prediction using elliptical basis function network and Markov Chain. In Ardil, Cemal (Ed.) World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Venice, pp. 800-804.
Yu, Yi, Sun, Yong, & Gu, YuanTong (2011) Handling incomplete data in survival analysis with multiple covariates. In The 5th World Congress on Engineering Asset Management (WCEAM 2010), 25-27 October 2010, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Qld.
Yu, Yi, Ma, Lin, Sun, Yong, & Gu, YuanTong (2011) Survival analysis using neural network hazard model with incomplete covariate data. In Huang, Hong-Zhong, Zuo, Ming J., Jia, Xisheng, & Liu, Yu (Eds.) The Proceedings of 2011 International Conference on Quality, Reliability, Risk, Maintenance, and Safety Engineering, IEEE - CD Rom, China, Xi'an, pp. 239-242.
Yu, Yi (2012) Intelligent reliability analysis with incomplete covariates. PhD thesis, Queensland University of Technology.


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The Portland Thorns' confidence, coach Paul Riley insists, hasn't wavered. Conversations between players have been upbeat, practices have produced competitive moments and film sessions have generated constructive lessons.
But the Thorns have had trouble translating positive vibes into on-field results in recent weeks, and they enter Sunday's match against FC Kansas City at Providence Park on a four-match winless streak. The Thorns played to draws against Chicago on July 4 and this past Wednesday after losing two games the week before.
Such struggles have Portland sitting in a tie for fifth place in the NWSL standings, meaning the defending championships are on the outside of the four-team playoff picture with eight games remaining. With a win Sunday, though, the Thorns could vault into third place in the jumbled standings.
So two-thirds of the way through a season that began with hefty expectations, the Thorns still have plenty of optimism. They just don't have much time.
"Everyone knows we're in the playoffs now," Riley said Saturday. "Every game is a playoff for us."
With opportunities to make up ground in the playoff race dwindling, Portland's next challenge comes in the form of a potent Kansas City team that's riding a seven-match winning streak. The Thorns beat Kansas City, 3-1, at Providence Park in April, but the teams have streamed in opposite directions lately.
Kansas City hasn't lost since May 14, while Portland hasn't won since June 21 and has struggled in front of its home crowd. But Riley said he welcomes the heightened competition because Kansas City won't sit back and play for a draw the way Chicago did.
Plus, the first-year coach knows his group will be energized.
"We've got to get the points at home," Riley said. "I can't imagine us not being hungry at this point. We're at the point of no return."
Motivation isn't of concern to Riley, but his team's chemistry seems to be. The Thorns have been plugging in new pieces to their roster all season, and players have often discussed the importance of gelling their collection of worldwide stars.
Forward Alex Morgan missed time in Portland to train with the United States national team, midfielder Tobin Heath spent several months competing in France and midfielder Veronica Boquete arrived midway through the season from her native Spain.
Still, the Thorns' full roster has been together in Portland for about two weeks without yielding a victory.
"It's hard when everybody's coming in because you always need time," Boquete said. "But it's true that we've already had that time, and the results still don't come."
Though Boquete's been frustrated with her team's results of late, she's not overly concerned. Portland's roster includes accomplished players who have competed in World Cups and won NCAA championships.
So Boquete believes the Thorns' veterans will avoid faltering down the stretch of the season as matches become more significant.
"This team has too much experience," Boquete said. "Good players like these situations. It's a challenge. You have to figure out how to get it done."
The Thorns have been persistent in trying to cure to their struggles. They've spent extra time watching film in hopes of jolting an offense that hasn't scored more than two goals in a game during their four-match winless streak. They've had team-wide talks to attempt to rectify their late-game issues after letting up three second-half goals to Chicago over two matches.
Talking, though, is getting old, Riley said. He's glad his team has been positive and focused and he expects the Thorns to "scrap for everything" in the season's final weeks. But starting with Sunday's tilt against Kansas City, effort and attitude won't cut it.
"There's great symmetry in the locker room, and we've had some great conversations with the group, but we just need points, man," Riley said. "Conversations are one thing, points are the other thing."
-- Aaron Kasinitz | @AaronKazreports


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News Stories for the Week
Galveston College will host Charlie Thomas and his family along with City dignitaries and citizens during the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.
In the spring of 2009 Galveston College President Dr. W. Myles Shelton and members of the Board of Regents participated with the Galveston Recovery Committee after the devastation of Hurricane Ike. They heard the other participants express a desire to strengthen our citizens and graduates with career training in vocations that would enhance the local workforce. The Galveston College Regents and President promised to take action.
The Grand Opening of the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center is planned for Tuesday September 17, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the 7626 Broadway Boulevard location. Local citizens are invited to attend the ribbon cutting by the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and a short presentation followed by an open house that will feature students in programs of Welding, Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Electrical and Electronics Technology, Cosmetology, Medical Office Administration and others.
The grand opening ceremony will include remarks and a proclamation from Mayor Lewis Rosen. Galveston Chamber of Commerce Honor Guard members will conduct a ribbon cutting following remarks by hosts and special guests. Faculty and staff of Galveston College programs will be on hand to answer questions and guide guests through the facility.
Get the most out of your camera! Improve your pictures with the technical and artistic basics of photography. You'll learn the basics, take photos, and critique them in a friendly and collaborative environment. Topics include camera settings, basic composition and different types of photography. Try a little of everything and then concentrate on your area of interest. This class is for novice and intermediate photographers. *Bring your digital SLR camera with a flash and interchangeable lenses. Classes meet on Mondays from September 30 through November 4, 7-8:30 pm. Class cost is $89. For more information call Continuing Education at 409-944-1344.
Have fun while exploring acrylic painting through exciting applications and fast paced techniques! Learn the basics of design and create bright, quick, and meaningful impressions. This class is perfect for beginners and even for advanced painters who want to loosen up and paint! This six week class will be held on Tuesdays September 24 through October 29, from 5 to 9 pm. Cos is $90. For more information call Continuing Education at 409-944-1344.
Registration for the Fall Second Start term is now in progress. Registration hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Fall Second Start classes begin Monday, October 7 and end Wednesday, December 12. Courses offered include Integrated Reading and Writing III, Basic Mathematics, Introductory Algebra, Composition I, World Literature I, Environmental Science II (Hybrid), Federal Government, United States History I, Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Sociology/Political Philosophy, General Psychology, and Public Speaking (Hybrid). For more information contact the Counseling Center at 409-944-1220.
If conversational Spanish is your goal, we have the solution! Our beginner class will boost your confidence, and have you ready to proceed with more advanced courses. If you are going on a trip, or just want to feel more confident in communication, this is the class for you! Textbook provided as part of course cost. This class meets Mondays, September 30 to November 4, from 6 to 8 pm. The cost is $79.


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REHOVOT, Israel - The trip ended just like it started -- at a sprint.
Gov. Jon Corzine's five-day trade mission to Israel wrapped up yesterday with a flurry of tours, meetings and a test-drive so quick he never left the parking lot. The final day's hectic schedule only continued the pace of a trip that had the governor rushing from the holy sites of Jerusalem to the edge of the Gaza border to the buzzing hub of Tel Aviv.
"We weren't coming here on vacation," Corzine said. "You can have these kinds of experiences most anyplace if you work at it. It certainly creates a stir here."
Now, the key will be translating the momentum into money.
Shortly before the trade mission, a New Jersey Business & Industry Association survey showed companies give low marks to the state's business climate, and Corzine critics doubted his Israel visit would provide a boost. Soon after he arrived, the drugmaker Hoffmann-La Roche announced it was changing its name and moving its headquarters to California, dealing a blow to New Jersey's reputation as the world's "medicine chest."
Corzine said the Israelis were very interested in New Jersey.
"I didn't hear anybody tell me that they thought New Jersey was a bad place to do business. I actually heard the opposite," Corzine said. "So we need to capture the opportunity, and that I have urgency about."
Some of the follow-up will start immediately, particularly on "four or five" projects Corzine said he takes "a personal interest in" and that require quick decisions.
Others, like green technology initiatives, will be delegated to the Department of Environmental Protection. And the state needs to "seriously look" at hiring a business representative to be based in Israel permanently, Corzine said.
That idea arose after several groups who met with the governor asked why New Jersey, unlike other states, does not have a trade office here as a point of contact.
Alternative energies and biotechnology received top billing during the trade mission.
Corzine tried out one green experiment for himself yesterday when he drove a prototype electric car outside his hotel in Tel Aviv. Making a point of buckling his seat belt he wasn't wearing one during the car crash that prompted him to postpone the Israel visit last year the governor accelerated down the pavement and pronounced the technology "pretty amazing."
The car's developer, Better Place Project CEO Shai Agassi, said 50 of the lithium-ion battery vehicles will be introduced in the Israeli market this year, and mass production could begin by 2011. Corzine called it an "idea that's going to take sheer will" to gain traction in the United States.
The theme of weaning American drivers off oil surfaced during a tour of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. Igor Lubomirsky, a professor devising a cleaner fuel, warned his New Jersey visitors that if U.S. gas prices ever climb to $11 a gallon, the cultural ripple effects will wreak havoc.
"It will become economically unviable to drive your car," Lubomirsky said. "You will start abandoning suburbs, trying to congest back to the cities."
Corzine said it was clear "the next sea change of broad-based business development" will be in the green technology sector, and New Jersey needs to jump in.
He said his trip's success can be measured over time. There are now 72 Israeli companies with operations in New Jersey. "Take a look in two years and maybe we have 90 companies, 100 jobs next to that and then you've done something," Corzine said.
While the official mission concluded yesterday, Corzine will spend another two days in Israel with girlfriend Sharon Elghanayan before returning Saturday.
The governor, a multimillionaire, paid for his own trip expenses and Elghanayan's. Chief of staff Bradley Abelow covered his own costs, and the state paid for Corzine's trooper security detail and two staffers.
Claire Heininger may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or (609) 989-0273.


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Kira Wampler had previously been chief marketing officer for ridesharing app Lyft.
Four steps to improve customer service for online retailers
Start with hello, as a retailer would in a physical store, and keep communicating clearly even beyond delivery.
While a growing number of shoppers are choosing the Internet over the mall, their desire for quality products, fair prices, and good customer service remains unchanged. In order to capitalize on the inherent value of customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty, online sellers must be proactive in their approach in applying tried-and-true retail service fundamentals to the modern marketplace.
Study after study confirms that customer service is a key factor for generating online retail sales and achieving a high rate of return business. In order to keep pace with the competition, it's essential to make customer care a focus of priority. By taking a comprehensive approach to cultivating a more advantageous service experience, you can improve conversion rates, boost repeat patronage, and discover new ways to dynamically grow your business.
1. Start With a Hello
Just about every successful retailer with a physical location makes it a priority to present a welcoming environment for their shoppers, and to make sure visitors are greeted upon entrance; yet it is a practice that's rarely used online. It should be your focus to make sure your shoppers feel welcome when they arrive on your web site, and an effective greeting lets them know that their business is appreciated and that there's someone present to attend to their needs.
Focus on cultivating a welcome experience on your web site that sends the message that you are open for business and eager to help. One strategy to consider is preparing an automated pop-up message that offers greetings, informs shoppers of promotions, and presents a set of options for accessing support. By taking the initiative to make contact with visitors you effectively break the ice, making them more likely to reach out for assistance in the event they require it.
- Rather than place a tiny help button in the top corner of your web page, make your customer service features a visual, central element of your design.
- Greet your visitors with active language and compelling imagery. Invite them to "shop now," or to "learn more" about the products you are featuring.
- Present an on-page search option to help customers quickly and intuitively access the product information or logistical details they require.
2. Get on the "Sales Floor"
There comes a point when a customer either finds what they are looking for and heads for the checkout, or (for one reason of another) lingers and heads for the door. This is a critical moment where revenues are won and lost, making it optimal to develop a system that monitors your web site for such instances. By pinpointing when customer interaction is optimal through tracking and analysis, you can reduce your bounce rate and cart abandonment, making proactive contact in an effort to address needs and lend support.
A real-time customer service representative is effective in mirroring the personalized attention shoppers receive on the sales floor of a physical location. Study your visitor's experiences and tendencies to learn how and when to approach with the product guidance or logistical support to help usher them through moments of uncertainty and toward final conversion.
- Include a picture and name of your live online representatives to establish a personal connection that relays trust and accountability.
- Give customers options on how they wish to receive support. A sizable percentage of individuals prefer to communicate by email as opposed to a live connection, while a mobile shopper may require a phone call when their hands are occupied.
- Utilize real-time promotions and incentives. A well-timed offer for free shipping or additional discounts might provide the nudge necessary to complete a sale, while at the same time leaving a positive impression that promotes loyalty.
3. Harbor a Service-Oriented Culture
To create a successful brand, it's essential to put your finger on the essence of what your business is all about, and ensure that your image is consistently supported through design elements, marketing strategies, and the contact you have with your customers. Create a code of communications cut from the core of your brand mission that emanates throughout your organization.
By providing well-defined protocols for customer interaction and maintaining high standards of product knowledge, company representatives are better prepared to communicate your message effectively. Every point of contact is an opportunity to prove your dedication to customer satisfaction, and display a human element the public is ready to buy into.
- Hire knowledge, cheerful, and responsible representatives who are capable of maximizing the benefits of direct client interaction.
- Monitor and grade customer service communications in order to maintain standards, motivate, and make improvements.
- Challenge yourself to do better, setting lofty, yet attainable goals for answering a higher percentage of live calls, reducing waiting times, providing fast responses to emails, and resolving complaints on first contact.
4. Go the Distance
For many online stores, the real challenges for winning loyalty start after the purchase is completed. In theory, the hard part is over; however the following sequence of actions are rife with pratfalls and pitfalls that can quickly turn into relationship killers. Strive to stay a step ahead by placing an emphasis on continuing support, clearly communicating information to buyers that guides the experience from purchase through order fulfillment, shipping, and delivery.
Supply the technical proficiency to deliver up-to-date information from representatives as instantaneously as possible, and give the customer the power to efficiently rectify issues on their own. Amazon.com is a top online retailer that's earned a sterling customer service rating by offering features like single-click tracking, pre-printed return labels, and flexible policies.
When one door closes, another opens, so send a communication following a completed transaction to plant the seed for your next sale. Thank customers for their patronage and let them have a voice in shaping their future experiences by participating in an online survey. As an incentive for their feedback, give customers a reason to shop with you again through a customized offer or membership in a loyalty program.
- Employ an automated system to supply fast and efficient answers relating to shipping and delivery statuses.
- Structure your logistics chain to triggers alerts when there is a potential issue with an order, preemptively reaching out to customers to keep them informed.
- Give latitude to your representatives when resolving issues, whether it means waiving shipping costs or bending return policies, in order to increase customer retention and loyalty.


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April Girls Time Out at Red Roof Spa on April 24th
Paris Regional Medical Center presents "Girls Time Out" for April. This month Girls Time Out will be held at the Red Roof Spa located at 3051 Lamar Avenue on Thursday April 24th at 5:30pm. Refreshments will be provided along with a free skin cancer screening and a tour of the Red Roof Spa. The feature speakers will be the father/daughter team of Shika Prakash who created Operation Save Your Skin, and Chris Prakash of the Paris Regional Cancer Center.
Call today to register for this fun night out with the girls. 903-737-1438.
Girls Time Out – Choices for Living Healthy.


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Van Halen A.F.U. (Naturally Wired) Lyrics
Last updated: 05/27/2002 09:06:39 PM
(Words by Van Halen)
90 days on the road is what I need
When my axe cuts me deep, I let it bleed
On the stage, off my strings, down my face
And all over me. Yeah!
Pumpin' up for the show
Feelin' like somethin's gonna blow
S'got me all fired up
Yes I'm all fired up
Through the ice into the fire
Blowin' steam
North n' South, East n' West, right n' left
I'm always extreme
Don't like the middle squeezin' me
I don't like nothin' in between
Yes, I'm all fired up
Got me all fired up
When the rest have packed it up
I'm alive, I'm electric, inspired
I, I'm naturally wired
Wired! naturally wired, oh
(Guitar Solo)
(Oo-I, I, I, I)
Oh yeah!
I, I, I, I'm naturally wired!
Naturally wired
Naturally wired
Naturally wired
Naturally wired


text:
Rated 3.9 out of 5 by 300 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by mike Excellent Hotel-great location The hotel accommodations were great and the staff were extremely friendly and attentive. February 20, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by DeVon27 Magical Experience I proposed to my now fiancé at Kenichi, the sushi restaurant, on the south end corner beneath the W. Pressed for time and desparate for making my fiancé's night memorable, I had the fortuity of running into the concierge manager (I'll call him 'O'). Had O not told me his job title I would've believed him to be an ordinary member of staff. But that's the thing about the W's staff, they are anything but ordinary and go out of their way to please. Fast forwarding to my encounter with O, combining my ideas and some of O's flare made for what will be remembered as one of the most magical night she's ever experienced (my fiance's words). Rose petals, chocolate covered strawberries, two bottles of Welch's sparkling cider on ice (sorry we don't enjoy alcohol) and a spectacular view of the Dallas skyline. The night was fantastic, the King bed was comfortable and the rainfall shower head made for moments will never be forgotten. Thank you so much O for all that you did for me. And thank you to whomever was responsible for hiring you. Keep up the good work. February 18, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by xtineh Great weekend getaway We stayed at the W last weekend with our children. Service was excellent with hotel staff. The hotel is beautiful, and in a prime location for visiting Dallas. The room was beautifully appointed, and very comfortable for our family. We had a slightly disappointing experience at the restaurant for breakfast one of the days, but this was quickly and professionally addressed by the restaurant manager. February 18, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by Jesi I won't stay here again My husband and I were very disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this hotel is very nice and has a terrific view. But, the room was very ordinary and the layout was pretty bad. We kept having to move things around and we only had 1 overnight bag. The bathroom was tiny tiny and there was NO HOT WATER in the morning. This ruined the whole stay for me. We were on the 7th floor. Really I wouldn't spend this kind of money for this kind of room ever again. February 18, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Grant45 Great first experience! This was my first time staying at the W Dallas and all of my expectation were met and exceeded! Customer service was exceptional. I will be returning in the future! February 11, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Eckroat Great location and staff The hotel is in a great location to museums and restaurants. The staff was great! Always available and willing to help!!! The room was a little uncomfortable as it felt like an office. No art on the wall and not enough counter space in the bathroom. February 11, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Bruno Top Notch Everything met or exceeded my expectations. Thank you. February 11, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Wimbles59 Attention to details!! I loved our stay at The W in Dallas. We had adjoining rooms and were spoiled by staff from the minute we arrived. The "whatever whenever" option was a nice touch. We got a ride to dinner courtesy of Acura. Awesome! And breakfast at Cooks Hall was yummy! Polite staff and helpful valet and concierge. Breakfast coffee delivered to room was hot and strong!! Will definitely recommend and hope to repeat this stay with my mom and sisters every year! February 7, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Michael10 Offline... The hotel is nice and so is the staff. However, the wireless and the cable internet was not working. In addition, the TV had problems as well. February 7, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by creativesort W is for Wonderful Had an excellent experience at this hotel! The staff was stellar, the room was fab and the Bliss Spa toiletries were perfect!! The interior furnishings and overall design was aesthetically pleasing, textural and very hip and cool! February 4, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by MarkR It was fine. Not what I was expecting It was nice. I was hoping for more of a Starwood experience. More comfortable bed, free wifi IN the room. I had to purchase 3G for my Ipad since it wasn't available in the room. Dissappointed in that. Room was nice. Weird that the bathroom wasn't a separate room. Not always appropriate. February 4, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Marian W Hotel Dallas I have stayed at a lot of hotels but I have NEVER had customer service like I received at the W Hotel in Dallas. I came down with a terrible cold on my trip. The staff was very pampering. I had a surprise knock on my door. The staff had sent up hot tea and honey with a hand written note "hope you feel better." They were awesome! February 4, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Jilld3 Wow! Special touches make for a great stay. My husband and I spent a Saturday night here after a company party. The corner room had great views and the balcony was very nice. The Heavenly Bed was of course "heavenly" and the big tub and shower were fantastic. But the most amazing part was the service--namely Orlando. My husband had contacted him before to ask for little touches for our romantic one-night get away and Orlando executed it perfectly...so thoughtful and attentive to detail. I would definitely recommend this hotel. February 4, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by traveler Good Overall Impression but! Since my room was not ready upon arrival, I went to the spa. The staff was wonderful however the tolet area did not have tissue holders so the roll sat on the floor, the upholstery was very dirty and in need of cleaning. The experience of the services although outstandig were dimished by the conditions. The room I stayed in had a spectacular view but was very dark, lighting was ineffective and the door did not lock unless you really pulled it upon exit. February 4, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by jdcbr Problem with HVAC Why does the air handling system blow DIRECTLY onto the head of the beds in every room. I left my stay sick as a dog, and I attribute it to the constent wind on my head all night. Many at the meeting I attended complained of the same thing. Otherwise - everything was great. February 3, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by ThunderFan NBA Perfect location for NBA and it's so centrally located for shopping January 20, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by TravelerEL Room layout & amenities The most important things- comfort, cleanliness and quiet were excellent. The hotel, however, should provide complimentary coffee service in the rooms (even the less expensive chains do so!) The room/ bathroom layout could be problematic for multiple travelers in a single room. The tub/shower & sink iare in an open alcove with the bedroom, providing little privacy and minimal noise control. January 20, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by mary1234 #1 Customer Service Everyone at this hotel from the time you valet your car until check out is top notch. Customer service is superior even to more expensive hotels I have stayed at in Dallas. Why pay more for less, right! Great value and great rooms! January 14, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by LPThree Very comfortable atmosphere and service was great The Dallas weather was very cold the night we stayed so my wife and I wanted to stay in and eat at the hotel. The restaurant choices are limited but the bar restaurant off the lobby had great food and an interesting food/drink menu. All together, enjoyed the experience. January 11, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by Dena My experience at The W Hello. I've decided to take the time to let you know about my experience at The W, as a 1st time guest. (I don't usually do this) but I was very surprised! I really thought I was going to get a breath taking experienced since its a luxury hotel, & I've decided to treat my self. 1st thing the toilet flush Handel was broke! 2nd thing the shower water was too cold & was not getting hot! 3rd thing the fridge & the cabinet that the fridge is in, was scratched, there was dents and the painting was pealing off (bad look). The best part of my experience is the customer service that ive received from the valet crew. I honestly will not recommend The W to anyone of my family or friends. I'm very unsatisfied & disappointed! Thank you for your time. December 23, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by TravelingMan Well appointed Hotel Another nice W hotel in a major city. I used my suite upgrade and enjoyed having two very big rooms to enjoy for a few days. Close enough to some attractions downtown as well. Good bars on the first floor, great food. The pool looked incredible, I just didn't have time to enjoy it. December 20, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by Verified Reviewer NOT what I expected Our stay was one disappointment after the next. The service and deliver was poor and not what I expected for the premium price tag we paid. December 19, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by JohnnyW very good place to stay downtown Dallas Staff needs to be reminded about Platinum Guest recognition. received later additional invoices for Internet, although it is complementary for Platinum Guests. It was corrected when I contacted staff, but it staff should know and settle invoices at chef-out, not sending later incorrect additions. December 19, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by Carmeli This hotel was WOW Excellent location, fabulous ammenities, great staff. December 19, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by kim9 Great Service Troy was great! I cant remember names specific but the entire staff was GREAT! December 17, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Bodina W dallas Excellent.. from the time we arrived to the time we left. Did wish for indoor heated pool but got over it as the fitness center was excellent. December 17, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Reith Best Customer Service in a LONG time!! Thank you!! I stayed at the W Dallas Victory this week and originally was supposed to be in town 3 nights for business but shortly after I arrived realized I had to leave town the next day. After my first night stay I woke in the morning and called the front desk letting them know I needed to leave that day and they were beyond helpful and did not give me any grief. I simply went to the desk, told them I needed to leave ASAP, they printed my folio and did not even attempt to charge me for the additional 2 nights (even though I was less than 24 hours cancelling). On my way to the airport I realized I had a very important fedex package that was being sent to the hotel for arrival next day and I would then be in San Francisco. I called the desk and explained the situation to Angelina and she said no problem I will just send it overnight to your San Fran address with nothing to worry about. Of course, when you have something that important you tend to worry but first thing today (the day the package arrived in Dallas) I received an email from Chris saying he sent it overnight fedex to my San Fran address and provided me with a tracking number and a 'have a nice day'. This is BY FAR some of the best customer service I have recieved in a long time and I can honestly say it goes a long way. I never write reviews but given the over the top service and support everyone at the W Dallas Victory provided me I had to say something. Thank you all for your tremendous support and especially Angelina and Chris (hope I have the names right). I will be back! A very happy loyal customer :-) December 6, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Bella75 This W never disappoints Another wonderful stay at the W Dallas. There was a difficult moment at check-in and Brutus (yes, Brutus) solved it for us. What an asset he is to this hotel! December 4, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by Traveler10001 Visibly dirty couch The couch was "visibly" dirty with some stains that I don't even want to think about what they were. While I never sit on the couch, I usually place my luggage on them. The staff should at least try to clean or cover them. Its just gross to see such stains. December 4, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by nomo dirty underwear under clean towels etc. Three years ago I asked my wife to marry me in our room at the W. Two kids later we get one night out since then and we go back. The room was dark because only one light worked. We could not get the TV to work so we call the front desk. When someone finally came he had to move the TV desk because it wasn't plugged in. I woke up pouring sweat and the thermostat was on 67, no air conditioning! The next morning I grab a towel after showering and there was a dirty pair of panties under the towel. At check out I told the front desk about these things and she asked if we could tell the managerzabout it. After waiting 10 minutes I was told she was breast pumping and I needed to leave my phone number. Guess what. No one ever called or email ed. The first stay was great, but they made sure the second time would be our last. November 28, 2012


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Joel Hollander readily admits he is a fortunate man.
"I have a lot to make me happy, that's true," says the former president of CBS Radio. "But there are some things in my life that, well, haven't been good."
He and his wife Susan and two adult children live in a Boonton home only a British banking baron would not call a mansion. It is well appointed with marble and tapestries. He recently became a partner in the purchase of a minor league baseball team.
"A small investment," he says. Something to do while he looks for another job; he left CBS last year, just days before his friend Don Imus stupidly insulted the Rutgers womens basketball team and was fired by Hollander's successor.
All this still cannot erase the agonizing memory of the April morning in 1993 when he entered his infant daughter's room and found Carly Jenna lying under the covers. Her face was blue. He touched it. Her skin was cold. She was 4 months old.
He cried out for his wife, who was preparing to breast-feed her third child.
"As soon as I saw her, I knew she was dead," she says. "I also knew why. I thought it immediately. It's SIDS."
SIDS -- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A so far inexplicable condition that kills nearly 4,000 apparently healthy babies a year and leaves families wracked by grief and guilt. And, often, wrecked as well, because marriages often don't survive SIDS.
"There's always the guilt, the doubts," says Susan. "Always the people who wonder what really happened. Did the baby suffocate? What did you do -- or not do?"
And there's the inescapable fact of a baby's death -- unanticipated, unexplained, difficult, if not impossible, to accept.
"You wake up one day and it's just another morning," says Joel Hollander. "A few hours later, youre in a funeral home making arrangements."
Hollander was then general manager of radio station WFAN. When Imus found out, he mentioned it on the air. Listeners sent in $90,000, a way of showing sympathy.
"We didn't expect it, we didn't try to raise money," says Susan.
They donated the money to a now-defunct organization they found on the Internet. However, they say they were unhappy with how the group used the funds.
"We couldn't find the kind of organization we thought was necessary,: says Joel. The couple wanted to provide money not only for research into the causes of, and a possible cure for, SIDS but also for programs that would teach parents how to avoid risks of the condition -- children sleeping on their stomachs, among them.
"We also wanted to help parents and siblings deal with the effects of the death of an infant in their family," says Susan.
So, in 1994, they began the CJ (for Carly Jenna) SIDS FOUNDATION. So far, it has raised $50 million and is run out of Hackensack University Medical Center. Much of the money has come through radiothons -- marathon fundraising sessions on radio -- conducted by Imus, who also raises money for Tomorrow's Children, a center for kids with cancer, and the Imus Ranch, another charity aimed at helping children.
The number of SIDS deaths has declined in the last 10 years, probably because of instructions given to new parents about reducing risk factors. And, little more than a year ago, the Journal of the American Medical Association published research linking SIDS to serotonin, a naturally occurring substance that aids in regulating breathing.
Researchers found serotonin acts to rouse sleeping infants who, for whatever reason, have stopped breathing. They also have found that children who die from SIDS have abnormal serotonin levels.
"We know serotonin is involved," says Susan. "We just don't know how."
So now the Hollanders embarked on an expanded fundraising effort -- a $12 million campaign to create a center without walls to allow SIDS researchers from varying institutions to work together to find the cause of the serotonin defect and find treatments to prevent the fatal condition.
Participating researchers now work for Children's Hospital Boston, San Diego Children's Hospital, and medical schools at Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth and Columbia.
"We want to do this to honor Carly Jenna and all children who have died from SIDS," says Susan.
Says her husband: "What we want is, in our lifetimes, to write out the last check, reduce the balance to zero, lock up the office and go out of business."


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Brian Anderson, of Byron, died Wednesday. He is the second teen who has died in the accident. Matthew VanKuren, 16, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Five teenagers were in a 2003 Pontiac Aztec on Friday headed south on County Line Road, just south of Demond Road, at a high rate of speed, police said. After running a stop sign at an elevated railroad crossing, the vehicle went airborne. The driver, 16, was unable to maintain control and the vehicle flipped over after striking a tree.
Anderson, VanKuren and a 14-year-old Byron boy were ejected from the vehicle. A 16-year-old, the driver, and an 18-year-old passenger, both from Gaines, were injured in the crash but not ejected from the vehicle.
The 14-year-old remains in critical condition, according to police.
Police say speed and marijuana use appear to be factors in the crash.


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Author: William Shakespeare
Director: Robert Icke
Reviewer: Ann Bawtree
The academic approach to Shakespeare maintains that his plays cannot be enjoyed to the fullunless the text is well studied, learnt, worked over and thoroughly pulled to pieces first. There is still many a playgoer who would not dream of attending a production without at least reading through the script beforehand. However a large part of the general population will happily go to see "Romeo and Juliet" knowing little more than that the play is a story of young love that does not end happily ever after. How to cater for this majority?
One way would be to speak the lines with slow and careful articulation, labouring to make every syllable audible, in which case the play would take about five hours and, in the comfortable seats of the Nuffield, most of the audience would be asleep. The other way is to allow the torrents of speech to flow, as did the Headlong Theatre Company, and let the actions speak the plot.
Fortunately the cast's acting is very good and the characters are painted loud and clear. In the first half it is hard to find sympathy for the silly boys who pick fights over nothing, just as we unfortunately read of in the papers to this day. Romeo is a callow youth, at first head over heels in love with one young woman and next day falling for what can only be described as a slip of a girl and planning to abduct her from her father's house. In this century he would be up before the courts, but in earlier days when life was short you had to grow up quickly and grab what came your way.
The set, by Helen Goddard, is sparse but adaptable. At the back of the stage two side staircases lead up to a platform in a heavy frame. Some scenes take place up there, almost simultaneously with those on the main stage. When not in use it becomes a huge digital clock marking the passage of time. This is sometimes broken into by flashback scenes, heralded by loud explosions and brilliant lights, the purpose of which remained largely a mystery. Something subtle was going on there. Possibly some explanatory note in the programme would have helped, but if something needs explaining maybe it should not be done.
In the second half it is easier to get a grip on the characters. Romeo (Daniel Boyd) turns out to be a young man of some honour and is believable as Juliet's soul mate. Juliet (Catrin Stewart) captures the characteristics of a very young girl caught between adolescence and adulthood, and can change from delightful young woman to spoilt child in an instant and still make us love her. She suffers from a despotic father, Capulet, played by Keith Bartlett, whose apoplectic rage at his daughter's disobedience makes one fear for his blood pressure. He so misunderstands her as to be completely taken in by her later apparent complicity. His wife, Caroline Faber, is so frightened of him she cannot be a proper mother to Juliet while the excellent Brigid Zengeni as the Nurse portrays the often emotionally precarious relationship of a childminder and her charge. These portrayals of character are what make Shakespeare so relevant to life in any century, more so than any change to modern dress or use of rock music.


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They symbolize a team united and in the sport of rowing, there's nothing more important. No matter how great an athlete might be, she succeeds only if the team pulls together.
Rowing also takes "a lot of patience combined with a little aggression," says Ashley Price, 17, a Grant High School student and one of nearly 1,000 athletes of all ages who competed in the 2009 Portland Fall Classic regatta on Sunday.
Price and her twin, Victoria, row for the Rose City Rowing Club, which includes about 120 athletes from Portland-area high schools. On Sunday the twins were part of an all-female junior varsity team rowing boat No. 131.
It turns out rowing is becoming increasingly popular among high school girls.
"It's not like swimming or gymnastics, where you practically have to start in the womb to become really good at it. You can start in high school and get good," said Kate Johnson, a Portland native who earned a silver medal in rowing at the 2004 Olympics and came home to help promote the regatta.
It also helps that women's rowing became an official NCAA sport a dozen years ago and there are an abundant number of college scholarships looking for qualified applicants.The nine rowers on boat No. 131 range in age from 15 to 18. Ask how many are hoping to get an athletic scholarship and five raise their hands enthusiastically. The other four say they might also be interested.
The team members all agree, however, that there's no sport more fun or that makes you feel more like a part of a family.
These teens have been "officially" a team for little more than two weeks. The least experienced has rowed for a couple of months; the most experienced have four years at the oars.
There's serious practice involved -- two hours daily, six or seven days a week. Unlike other sports, rowers compete year-round, which means they're out in all kinds of weather. Except maybe lightning.
Sunday's regatta followed a 5,000-kilometer course that started on the northeast side of Ross Island and continued to the Steel Bridge. The Willamette River was as dark gray as the skies.
About an hour before their race, the young women on boat No. 131 gathered in the Rose City Rowing Club boathouse for tips from their coach.
"Launching is going to be chaotic. It's starting to rain a little bit," coach Daniel Ellis said.
But Larkin Parker, 15, a St. Mary's Academy student, was confident they were prepared.
"We've bonded really well and everybody's pumped for this one," said Parker, the coxswain (pronounced cox-n), responsible for everything from the hair ribbons to keeping the rowers in rhythm on the water.
It's typical for the rowers to move at a pace of 28 strokes per minute, but Parker said the team needed to "kick it" to 30 at the Burnside Bridge.
When another team member said 20 minutes ought to be a pretty good time for their race, Parker disagreed. No, she said, shoot for 19 minutes.
About a half-hour before the race's start, the eight rowers lifted the 200-pound, 64-foot boat and carried it down a slick ramp to the river. Young men from the Rose City club carried their oars. It wasn't chivalry -- the women carry the guys' oars when it's their turn.
If you've never watched a rowing race, here's something to know: It's not like watching runners competing head to head or horses or NASCAR. Most of the cheering comes when the boats go in and come out of the water. Not at the start or finish.
But here's what counts: Boat No. 131 finished Sunday in 19 minutes and 35 seconds. The junior varsity women were faster than even Parker had hoped, clocking 30 strokes a minute and kicking it to 32 at the end.
"We had a great race," she said after they finished third in their group. "The girls were totally focused."


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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Police identified Devon Warne, 21, of Holland, as the bicyclist who was struck by a car late Monday, Oct. 29, and killed.
He died at the scene of the crash on 112th Avenue, north of New Holland Street, in Olive Township.
Rachel Bekkering, 27, of Zeeland, told police said she did not see the bicyclist, who was in the roadway, because of the headlights from an oncoming vehicle. Her vehicle struck the bicyclist from behind, Ottawa County sheriff's deputies said.
E-mail John Agar: email@example.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/grpressagar