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Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI
I'm not built for a game like Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI. I doubt many of us are. These days, your average game is basically an interactive screensaver you watch and pay forty quid for. It's all down to publishers demanding their investments to have as broad an appeal as possible, so developers have to make games so gentle and friendly it's like these patronisingly gentle creations are holding your hand and walking you into the first day of gaming nursery school.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is not like this. If anything, it probably hates you.
Whilst releasing the game on the same day as the ultra-intuitive, friendly, massively-hyped and universally-popular strategy behemoth Spore is something that I would say constitutes as a 'bad idea' on Koei's part, there's got to be at least a little room in the world for a proper, complicated, turn-based strategy title. At least, I would hope so. Games like this have just got to take a little pride on a devout PC owners gaming mantelpiece. It's the life and soul of the platform.
If it's not been made quite lucid enough, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is a game packed full of so many minutiae that the tutorial seems to be an entire campaign, and the extensive, exhaustive campaigns themselves could probably be a game in their own right. At a rough guesstimate, expect to spend at least ten hours on each of the eight included in the main game, or the eight bonus predetermined campaigns thrown in for good measure. It's safe to say this one could keep you company until Christmas.
This hefty wodge of gameplay is stitched together without much plot progression. Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is - like every game in the series - based on a fourteenth century Chinese text, in itself inspired from the period in history where a splintered China underwent reunification. The game chronicles the year 184 to 251, so it pretty much spans the entire history of the book. You're provided with various text-based cut-scenes and the occasional bit of plot, but the overall impression you'll be getting is that you're not so much playing something with a story as you are quietly tip-toeing around a narrative that feels no need to explain or expand on the original book Koei are creatively borrowing from. Whilst this might be alright for a Japanese audience spoon-fed on the source material in their years of formal education, it's still a series remarkably unfriendly to us thickies in the West who have no idea what's going on.
It's probably quite indicative of the game as a whole that you need to read a good chunk of Wikipedia to really get a handle on what's going on. Nothing in this is ever given up easily.
And that's where Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI begins, really. To play the game there's ultimately no way of avoiding the sizable investment of your precious, finite time into understanding the many complexities being demanded of you. This is a strategy game that includes so much detail it wouldn't be surprising if there was a kitchen sink button hidden within all the menus. To simply get far in the campaign you've got to be completely aware of city building, morale, food, finances, social order, training, military strategy, justice, army management, officer recruitment, traps, lying, truce-building, rumour-mongering, general deceit and trade. A weak link in your management can really set the whole thing crumbling, or leave you waiting for turns to get back into the right routine. Mistakes cost, but with so much to work with it's almost always too hard to get by without forgetting something.
It doesn't help that this is my first entry into the series, and if you're a strict PC gamer it's your first chance to play since Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI got released to an American audience in 2000. For fresh players, unravelling the game feels like working with a Gordian knot. The impossibly uphill challenge is going to distance players there and then; I'd imagine there's people who will just stop at the tutorial and try to exchange the game for something simple and explosive like Command & Conquer 3. Part of me certainly wanted to, except I had to plod on for the sake of this review.
Eventually, I found that meticulous planning and managing your resources like the Chancellor of the Exchequer is the key to ultimate success. This is, obviously, easier said than done. The game is like a mental checklist of things you have to remember to carry out: a shopping list for empire management in the Han Dynasty. Does this make it a bad game? No. Deep down it's a good experience, and a great game if you really start to feel at home in its strategic confines. But the crux of the problem is that the game makes no attempt to make you feel welcome, because to do so would force it to dumb down, essentially turning itself into something completely different that would miss out on everything that made it so compelling once you hit a certain point in the first place. It puts itself into a difficult category where you're forced to invest yourself into a title that you're not entirely sure will be rewarding. Ultimately, what's to stop you from just putting the thing down and loading up something like Sim City 4, Spore, Dawn of War or Supreme Commander? Do the cel-shaded graphics ease the pain? No, but then they don't make anything worse. The game looks and sounds nice, but not spectacular. Occasionally you're plonked into some more graphically intensive watercolour-esque duel battles and diplomacy challenges, but really you're going to spend your time chugging away at the map, plodding away at desperately trying to manage everything before your heart collapses from the stress. Perhaps the best part of the presentation is how the art style makes the seasons distinctive, which is a nice touch considering you're going to be going through them many, many times. Really, the only thing that's going to keep you suckling the teats of Koei's war opus is a thirst for the moments when the game comes together and for a few minutes you experience pure bliss.
Because when you finally do get to grips with the fact you're trying to keep an entire encyclopaedia of information in your head, the game turns a new leaf. Suddenly it's captivating, almost serene. If you approach the game like it's something to study you'll likely end up floundering because I've found it's only by reaching a Zen-like status of divine experimental realisation that it becomes truly addictive.
That's all well and good, but it still doesn't help the fact that it's overly gruelling. It's pretty much impossible to wholeheartedly recommend something so distant and alien from your average game. It's like Koei's developers had their fingers stuffed in their ears whilst singing at their top of their voice for the last ten years, so nobody managed to tell them that games these days are supposed to be friendly. It's in this that Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI's triumphs, going against the grain and sticking in the mind of long-time gamers, but it's also the most difficult hurdle as even basic enjoyment of the game takes time.
Coincidentally, any fans of the PS2 version might consider picking up the PC port. Playing with a mouse and keyboard is easily superior for a game of this ilk, there have been various gameplay refinements to make the whole experience a little smoother and those previously mentioned bonus campaigns will keep you busy for a good while.
Ultimately, I return back to the concept of the novel. Forgetting the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI is based on, its closest literary companion is probably something written by Tolstoy: long, difficult and hard to get into. But perseverance is rewarded and the game is ultimately unique. It's blatantly not for everyone, and you need to be conditioned to even begin to enjoy it, but there's certainly something deep and rewarding underneath all the layers of trifling bureaucracy.
Latest News
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- ZombiU PS4 and Xbox One port reportedly in the works
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Still Haven't Found The Perfect Valentine's Day Outfit? Look No More!
This Matthew Williamson wrap dress glitters in gold! These ulta pretty chartreuse earrings by Marc by Marc Jacobs, black bow clutch, and skinny gold bracelet go well with the foiled frock. The silver pumps add a nice contrast and elongate the leg. These colors work beautifully with brown skin and you'll be sure to stand out!

subset: commoncrawl


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Most people would love to lose weight without diet or exercise but you need to understand how this is possible.
No more starving yourself! In order to lose weight you need to burn current fat store and to do this you need to block carbohydrates. Garcinia Cambogia can block carbohydrates in the liver before it's turned into energy. This is vital because it's this process that forces the body to to use fat cells already in the body to supply energy.
If you were to workout for 3 months on a day-to-day basis combined with low sugar there is still no guarantees that you will lose weight because your diet is poor or your burning energy from only the foods you just ate or snacked on.
Why garcinia supplements are so popular is the fact that just 2 capsules a day at the 1000mg dosage has been proven to shed pounds without changing anything in your diet. Garcinia cambogia is the most popular fat loss supplement around and for good reason. It's been around for a year now and it has actually helped lots of people to shed weight and acquire their dream body.
It's current clinical studies that have found that the garcinia fruit contains a key weight loss ingredient called HCA (hydroxycitric acid).
The results were outstanding. All the participants lost weight to some degree. These people who participated in the study were ordinary folks just like you and me, which make the study more realistic. They were a over weight but in basically good health.
They were asked to not to transform anything in their normal diet or exercise routines. The participants were in the age array of 18 and 65 plus both sexes and not just overweight women. Interesting thing to keep in mind is that guy typically lost additional weight in comparison to females.
This does not imply that garcinia is only meant for men, fact is men have a higher metabolism than women. Also men do have more muscular tissue which when used burns many more calories easier which helps burn fat cells.Just how does Garcinia Cambogia actually work?
I have checked out all the scientific lingo there is concerning this new fat loss supplement. Garcinia cambogia has multiple impacts on your health. It regulates your hunger, and you will really feel fuller much faster. If you don't alter your diet you will be shedding weight since you will be eating much less.
Which garcinia cambogia really works?
First you have to take garcinia properly. By consuming much less food everyday your body turns to current fat stores for energy. One of the most crucial steps is taking the supplements 1 hour before meals so it can be in the system when you eat so it can respond to incoming fat and calories.
Now that your are taking your supplements properly you'll be blocking incoming carbs so your body will not be storing sugar then it needs to get it from somewhere else.
It faucets into reserves once more thus speeding up the weight loss procedure. Many of us deal with sadness and we often over eat just to really feel much better. This is typically created by a hormone problem. The offender is called serotonin. Garcinia provides protection for this as well. It will control your serotonin level so you won't really feel the demand that you simply need to eat something.Not every Garcinia Cambogia is the same! Beware which one you Buy.
There's no doubt that Garcinia Cambogia Extract is one of the most prominent weight loss supplement around these days. Due to the fact that it's so well-liked everyone is selling it trying to make a quick buck on this increasing fad. Like in all sectors there are a couple of scammer however this isn't really the primary problem. There are two types of garcinia supplements, pure or 100 % organic and generic brands.
What to Look For
Potassium in Garcinia
Exactly what's the distinction between Pure Garcinia Cambogia and the standard types?
Basically the 100 % all-natural or pure contains the HCA and a good brand will include some key minerals to help the garcinia work. Stay away from products that could consist of additives and fillers.You will want to buy 50-60% HCA. Anything stronger is to toxic and anything less won't be as effective .Should also contain, Potassium, Calcium and Chromium.
You can't always select a brand because of price either, cheap quality comes at a cheap price!! Considering that they are much less powerful also.Dr. Oz indicated that the correct Garcinia to buy is a pure 100% organic product with at least 50% HCA.
As I discussed in the study they have utilized pure garcinia cambogia and all the participants lost weight to some degree. An essential factor to mention is that they managed to lose weight without negative side effects. I do count on Dr. Oz's recommendation and you should too.


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MONTGOMERY - Madison County area bands and units will be well represented in Gov.-elect Robert Bentley's inaugural parade Monday, though they'll be at the end of the 92-piece procession that ends with his swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol.
The parade up historic Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery and in front of the reviewing stand at the Capitol will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon.
Since Bentley is an alumnus of the University of Alabama, the school's "Million Dollar Band" is leading off. Bentley and his family will follow.
Trailing Bentley will be Lt. Gov.-elect Kay Ivey and the Auburn University Marching Band, since Ivey is an Auburn alumnae. From there, other elected officials and bands will follow the procession.
Madison County's first entry in the parade is at No. 76 - the Veterans Group, Semper Fi Wounded Warriors Task Force. This community service group, formed in 2006, is made up of active, reserve and retired Marines who work with veterans in their community and the North Alabama region.
Next, at No. 77, will be the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band, which will play the school's fight song, along with four other tunes.
Huntsville's Johnson and Lee high schools will be No. 84 and 85.
The Jaguar Marching Band will play "The Mighty Sounds of the South" and six other songs. The Lee Band will play "Outstanding", "California" and "OMG."
The Albertville Marching Band will follow Lee, playing "Celebration" by Kool & and The Gang and a combination of the Grand Ole Flag and Yankee Doodle.
No. 88 will be the Arab High School band, which will play the "Grand Ole Flag."
At No. 90, the Troy University Band will be the final band in the parade.
But the final unit will be the Mobile County Sheriff's Posse.
Following the parade, Bentley will be sworn in as Alabama's 53rd governor by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb.
Following the ceremony, there will be a public celebration at the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Stadium on the banks of the Alabama River.
The public will be treated to a free sampling of Alabama-produced food. Music will be provide by The Flashbacks, a band from Athens that was recently inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
The inaugural ball will be by invitation only from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery.


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John Dangelo
Salineville – John Anthony Dangelo, 90, passed away at his home early Saturday morning, June 8, 2013.
Born June 22, 1922 in Summitville, he was a son of the late Patsy and Angeline (Carlone) Dangelo.
A life-long area resident, he worked as a mill operator at Summitville Tile for more than 40 years.
John proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WW II and was a member of American Legion John Adams Post 442. He was a member of St. John Catholic Church and a former member of Lisbon Eagles. He enjoyed hunting and farming.
Survivors include his wife Audrey Ellen (Dailey) Dangelo whom he married May 15, 1948; 3 children: John A. (Becky) Dangelo of Mt. Vernon, Barbara Anne (Larry) Hogue of Highlandtown, and Dennis J. (Roseanne) Dangelo of Salineville; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: Ralph Dangelo of Salineville, Pete (Ellie) Dangelo of Summitville, and Jim (Darlene) Dangelo of Salineville as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Diana Marie Dangelo; brothers Mike, Joe, and Paul Dangelo as well as sisters Ann and Helen Dangelo and Dorothy DeMatteo.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by the Rev. James Lang at 10:30 AM Tuesday at St. John Catholic Church. Burial with military honors provided by the Salineville American Legion Post 442 will be in Columbiana County Memorial Park. Calling hours are 5 to 8 PM Monday at the Weber Funeral Home.
View this obituary and leave condolences at www.weberfh.com.


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Motorcycle Technician
Motorcycle Technician
What will I learn in this program?
The motorcycle technician program will enable the aficionado and those seeking employment to acquire the theoretical and hands-on skills necessary to work on all types of motorcycles. No matter what type of motorcycle, this program prepares individuals in a comprehensive study of all pertinent systems and functions. All important in a technician training program is the opportunity to experience many types of conditions and actual repair/maintenance strategies. Having your own motorcycle is encouraged but by no means required. What is required though is recognition of the passion and love of motorcycles.
The requirements for the Motorcycle Technician degree are the completion of 34 units of technical training plus CCSF general education coursework completion. For more information on requirements, go to Program Curriculum. This will be changing within the year 2010. Please go to the Automotive/Motorcycle website for the latest updated information.
What kind of jobs can I get once I complete the program? How much will they pay? What "demand" is expected for these jobs?
Average Annual Salary
Expected Regional Demand
Motorcycle Technician
$30-60,000 (depending on skill levels and previous work experience)
Average Growth
It is possible to find work in motorcycle dealerships and independent shops. For those of entrepreneurial nature, you can start your own business. The San Francisco Bay Area is renowned for its large motorcycle aficionado enthusiast community and this community is entering our programs for careers and or personal development.
San Francisco and the Bay Area has one of the largest population of motorcycle enthusiasts and an eclectic job market to match. There are many independent shops and entrepreneurial opportunities available for job seekers.
Does this program have any special enrollment requirements?
All students must complete the Motorcycle 80 introduction course pre-requisite upon enrollment.
Does this program have any special costs?
Contact individual instructors for tool and textbook requirements. All students are required to purchase a basic tool set in order to complete class objectives on their own motorcycles in the shop.
How long will it take to complete this program?
Time to Complete*
Motorcycle Technician AA/Certificate
2 Years
*Based on full-time attendance or 12 units per semester
How do I get more information on this program?
Department website: http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Automotive_Technology/
Department location:
Evans Campus
1400 Evans Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
Program coordinator info:
Ben Macri, Department Chair
Department of Automotive and Trade Skills
(415) 550-4409
Or contact our counselor, Carlos Webster at (415) 550-4402


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1) The 2004 poverty rate in the US was 12.7%, an increase from 12.5% the previous year The US Census Bureau has more information on poverty at their web site. 12.7% isn't just a nominal percentage, it's millions of people - adults and children.
2) In many areas of the country, working full-time at the minimum wage still isn't enough to support a family. Use the calculator here to determine how much a family of four needs to live a decent life, and compare that to the income from a two-worker minimum wage family. If a two-parent household worked full-time, all year at minimum wage they would make $21,424 ($5.15/hr * 2080 hours/yr * 2). In Cincinnati, a livable family budget is about $45,000/yr; in Boston it's close to $65,000/yr; in Los Angeles it's $48,000/yr. In rural Arkansas it's $32,000/yr.
3) Big companies that rely on lower wage jobs – services, fast-food, etc – could most likely afford a labor rate increase. For example, in 2005 McDonald's had $2.6 billion in net profit. Only 17% of small businesses say that raising the minimum wage would have a negative impact on them (June 2006 issue of Fortune Small Business, not yet online – but taken from here).
4) 83% of the population favor an increase in the minimum wage.
5) Fair wages are moral, and the Catholic church has advocated them for a while now. For example, from the encyclical Mater et Magistra published in 1961 by Pope John XXIII:
We therefore consider it Our duty to reaffirm that the remuneration of work is not something that can be left to the laws of the marketplace; nor should it be a decision left to the will of the more powerful. It must be determined in accordance with justice and equity; which means that workers must be paid a wage which allows them to live a truly human life and to fulfill their family obligations in a worthy manner.


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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A wise woman told me, when my boys were little, that the most indelible mothering I would do would be the example I set them -- what they observed me doing when I didn't even know they were watching.
That is something most of us understand -- and keep forgetting.
Professor and Pastor Michael Brooks, contributing this week's "Reflections" to LifePoints, below, said that two of his Judson College students in his public speaking class reminded him that the loudest sermon most folks ever hear are the actions they see Christians do.
What You Are Speaks So Loudly
MARION, Alabama -- Public speaking students have opportunity to select their own topics for classroom speeches and I've heard some unusual ones over the years. One student delivered a persuasion speech about why we should remove all squirrels from the Judson College campus. Another delivered an information speech on how to kill zombies. Still another brought her rooster to class and talked about having "Othello" as a pet.
Two students gave persuasion speeches on proper tipping. Both had been servers in a restaurant and spoke pretty passionately about the practice of tipping hard-working servers. Though these students were in different classes and from different class years, they agreed that one meal per week had the worst tipping. Might the reader hazard a guess as to which meal that would be? The correct answer is Sunday lunch. Ouch.
These students suggested we Christians are tight-wads on Sunday--at least at lunch if not also in morning church!
But living a kingdom ethic in our world is a significant part of our identity as God's people. The gospels and the epistles talk a lot about this lifestyle--a life filled with goodness, mercy, generosity, service and integrity.
We evangelicals know the truth of Paul's word in Ephesians 2:8. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," he wrote. We know that nothing is good enough in our lives to earn salvation. We can't be that good! But the apostle proceeded in v. 10 to write, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Though good works don't save us, the Christian life is to be filled with good works. And it's these good works that make our faith appealing to those without faith. The old adage is true: "What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say."
English pastor and medical doctor David Livingstone felt the call to Africa in the mid-19th century, and after the passage of time his whereabouts was lost to the world. The New York Herald sent reporter Henry Stanley to find him. Stanley retraced the missionary's trail and found him after some months in Tanzania in 1869. His greeting is familiar to most. "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" he asked as he approached the first Caucasian he'd seen in many months.
When Stanley left for Africa, he was not a Christian. When he returned after meeting Livingstone, he was a believer. Friends asked him what Livingstone had said that brought about his conversion.
"It wasn't so much what he said," Stanley replied, "it was what he was."
The kingdom ethic we embrace every day is the finest witness we can have.
"Reflections" is a devotional column from an evangelical perspective written by Michael J. Brooks, bi-vocational pastor, associate professor of Public Speaking & Journalism and assistant to the president for Public Relations at Judson College, a Baptist college in Marion. email@example.com.
"LifePoints" is a regular feature from faith leaders in Huntsville and North Alabama for The Huntsville Times and AL.com. Nominate writers for this column by contacting religion reporter Kay Campbell at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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To help avoid unused blocks of time, users should plan their experiments carefully and inform the staff of any unnecessary time as soon as possible. Center personnel may make exceptions to the below policies on a case-by-case basis.
Cancelled Time: Users who cancel their reserved time less than 24 hours in advance are subject to a cancellation fee equal to the amount of remaining reserved time up to 24 hours, unless they find another user for the reserved time.
Unused Time: In the event that a user does not cancel their reservation and only uses a portion of their reserved time, they can be charged for the entirety of their reservation, unless they find another user for the unused reserved time.


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GARDENDALE, Alabama --- The Gardendale City Council passed an ordinance tonight authorizing the issuance, execution, sale and delivery of a $2.85 million general obligation warrant.
The city will loan the money to a developer wanting to bring a Publix supermarket and a T.J. Maxx to Gardendale.
The action taken tonight does not finalize the loan. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, regarding the transaction.
City officials have previously announced that ground will be broken on the much-anticipated Publix project in December.
Headline revised at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.


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Arianna Huffington and Rob Johnson are organizing a big bank boycott. They want depositors to take their money out of Too-Big-To-Fail banks and put them in smaller, high quality banks.
from Rolfe Winkler:
Big banks get reprieve from FDIC
Due to new accounting rules -- FAS 166 and 167 -- banks have to bring certain off balance sheet assets back onto their balance sheets starting next year. More assets, same capital = lower capital ratios. (More in this column about the individual impact on the large banks).
Let the Fed regulate
By John M. Berry
John M. Berry, who has covered the economy for four decades for the Washington Post and other publications, is a guest columnist.
Barofsky audit a Fed, not Geithner, problem
Sure, Timothy Geithner led the negotiations with AIG counterparties when he headed the New York Fed last year, but TARP special inspector Neil Barofsky's audit is damning where it really hurts the Fed. It raises the question of whether the central bank is a tough enough regulator at a time when Senator Christopher Dodd is calling for the Fed to be stripped of such power over big banks.
from Rolfe Winkler:
It's good to be in finance
From WSJ: Wall Street on track to award record pay
Major U.S. banks and securities firms are on pace to pay their employees about $140 billion this year -- a record high that shows compensation is rebounding despite regulatory scrutiny of Wall Street's pay culture.
The commitments committee
The bursting of the dot-com bubble pales in comparision to the financial crisis. In retrospect, it seems a comic-book lesson about the all-too-obvious consequences of irrational exuberance: What were they thinking?
China might keep the weakest bank all to itself
Faced with a backlash against foreign investors, Beijing may
be tempted to offer shares in the last of its big four banks to
a domestic audience.
The other GSE problem
It's hard to keep all the U.S. housing agencies straight. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are still basket cases relying on government support, while the Federal Housing Administration and its partner, Ginnie Mae, are setting off alarm bells with their more aggressive efforts to support overstretched homeowners.
Treasury line of credit should be Bair's last option
With the FDIC's staring at an incredibly shrinking deposit insurance fund, it's no wonder that Sheila Bair is out about talking about the regulators looking at options to replenish it. That includes tapping the $500 billion line of credit the agency has with the U.S. Treasury put in place for a rainy days.
Push comes to shove in EU-Dutch bank spat
Push is coming to shove in a stand-off between the European Commission and the Dutch government over the future of state-rescued banks. The outcome has implications for the whole of Europe.


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Ravens, 49ers show NFL is still a big man's game
New Orleans - Before one of the San Francisco 49ers' two convincing victories over the Green Bay Packers, Brad Seely paused to take a closer look at the opponent during warm-ups.
Seely, one of the most respected special-teams coaches in the business, won three Super Bowl rings with New England. He also serves as the 49ers' assistant head coach.
"You look at the (Green Bay) defense, their guys don't look like our defense," Seely recalled thinking to himself. "Their linemen. . . it's, like, 'OK, those guys aren't going to match up very good with our offensive line. They don't have the same look.'"
Seely, an NFL assistant for 24 years, won't see the Baltimore Ravens until late Sunday afternoon in the 47th Super Bowl.
He has, however, spent the last two weeks studying them on tape.
"Baltimore does have the same look," said Seely. "They got the big team we got."
It'll be mass against mass at the Superdome, a clash of the big uglies in a throwback game that the Super Bowl hasn't witnessed in almost a decade.
"They're similar in a lot of ways to us as a football team because they want to play the game the way it's meant to be played," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said. "They're a physical bunch and they're very well-coached."
Meanwhile, Green Bay, a team that has lost its way when it comes to the critical element of size, will continue plotting its future.
Each year, National Football League staffers perform all forms of calculations on the 53-man rosters that line up for each team on opening day. When it comes to figuring average height and weight, the league is at the mercy of the teams, and even at the pro level there are some club officials who inflate the numbers or simply regard them as unimportant.
Be that as it may, Baltimore ranked as the heaviest team in the NFL in early September with an average weight of 252.8 pounds per man.
When the Packers won the championship two years ago, they ranked 10th at 250.43 pounds. This season, they had shrunk 7½ pounds per player to 242.9 and a 27th-place finish.
"Size and strength is one way to potentially get over the edge," said Bob Rogucki, the Ravens' strength coach since 2008. "If you're undersized, you can't play. Being undersized is not what we're looking for."
The Ravens' love for size is evident in every position group other than tight end, which is just average.
At wide receiver, Anquan Boldin checks in at 225 pounds and the other top three all stand at least 6 feet 1 inch tall and weigh 200-plus.
"There's no doubt we want big men," Ravens wide receivers coach Jim Hostler said. "That's the NFL. Receivers are getting bigger and DBs are getting bigger."
In the offensive line, the Ravens blot out the sun. From left to right, it's Bryant McKinnie (6-8, 354), Kelechi Osemele (6-5½, 325), Matt Birk (6-4½, 305), Marshal Yanda (6-4, 315) and Michael Oher (6-4½, 315). The top backups are tackle Ramon Harewood (6-6, 334) and guard Bobby Williams (6-4, 345).
"They're bigger than us," said an impressed Mike Solari, the coach of the 49ers' massive O-line.
The quarterback, Joe Flacco (6-6, 245), is about as big as they come.
"There's a certain style of football that's played best in the cold," Ravens linebackers coach Ted Monachino said. "Having a big quarterback with big, strong hands helps in weather like that."
Running back Ray Rice (5-8, 212) is short but not so small at all. Backup Bernard Pierce (6-0½, 218) plays extensively and fullback Vonta Leach (6-0, 260) is a classic thumper.
On the defensive line, three monsters - Haloti Ngata (6-4, 345), Ma'ake Kemoeatu (6-4½, 345) and Terrence Cody (6-3½, 341) - rotate at two inside positions. Arthur Jones (6-3, 315) and Pernell McPhee (6-2½, 280) split the five-technique end post in the base 3-4 front.
"Baltimore has always had these big bodies up front to keep blockers off the linebackers," an executive in personnel said. "Kemoeatu is what they're looking for. Some teams just like those big bodies in there."
Forget the program weights at outside linebacker. Monachino said starters Terrell Suggs (6-3½) is 275 and Paul Kruger (6-4½) is 269, and that backup Courtney Upshaw (6-1½) also is 275.
"The No. 1 thing for our defense is to set the edge," said Monachino. "When you have guys that are 275 - big, strong, physical football players - you have a chance to do that.
"Size is a really big thing for us. We love our big football players."
Strong safety Bernard Pollard (6-1½, 223) is the physical enforcer for a defensive backfield that includes free safety Ed Reed (5-11, 205) and cornerbacks Cary Williams (6-1, 195), Corey Graham (6-0, 200), Jimmy Smith (6-2½, 205) and Chykie Brown (5-11½, 195).
"It's a big man's game," said Teryl Austin, who coaches the Ravens' secondary. "You start getting too many small guys and you start getting kicked around and beat. We want good football players, but we want big good football players."
In 1996, Ozzie Newsome faced a serious decision between running back Lawrence Phillips and tackle Jonathan Ogden with the fourth pick in the draft. Not only was it the Ravens' first choice as a franchise, it was Newsome's first running a draft.
His selection was Ogden (6-8, 318), a big man in any era but a certifiable giant back then.
"It goes back to when we were all under Bill Belichick in Cleveland," said Phil Savage, who went on to become director of college scouting under Newsome for nine years and later Browns GM. "We were definitely a size team. The scouting philosophy was size and speed. We had the height-weight-speed charts, and they (the Ravens) still do to this day."
In San Francisco, Baalke made it indelibly clear what kind of team he wanted in 2010 with the top two choices of his first draft. After trading up to land right tackle Anthony Davis (6-5½, 336) at No. 11, he picked left guard Mike Iupati (6-5, 336) at No. 17.
"You have to have the size," Solari said. "We do want to pound you."
The 49ers, who ranked 26th in opening-day average weight, have big wide receivers, the jumbo O-line, large quarterbacks and a big fullback.
Their D-line isn't unduly heavy but there is the desired height.
Outside linebackers Aldon Smith (6-4, 262) and Ahmad Brooks (6-3, 264) are imposing, inside linebackers NaVorro Bowman (6-0½, 242) and Patrick Willis (6-1, 240) are so good their size doesn't matter, two of the top three cornerbacks stand 6-0½ and the safeties are ordinary size.
Baalke's first scouting job was with the New York Jets and Bill Parcells, a strong proponent of size requirement.
"Bigger, stronger, faster probably goes back to his training with Bill Parcells," said Seely. "Our team looks more like an old NFC East team, like the Giants did."
The 49ers also have been almost unscathed by injuries two straight years.
"(Mark) Uyeyama does a fantastic job with the strength program," said Seely, referring to the team's strength coordinator. "Our guys are strong. I think sometimes that reflects in less injuries. You've got to have your players on the field."
The Packers have been besieged by injuries for three straight seasons, which corresponds to Mark Lovat's three seasons as head of their strength department.
At the same time, the Packers have become more of a finesse team with each passing year. Whether it's intentional or not, the Packers have become shorter and lighter with size exceptions dotting their roster.
GM Ted Thompson drafted a 6-2 tight end (D.J. Williams), a 5-10½ inside linebacker (D.J. Smith), a 6-2½ defensive end (Jerel Worthy) and a 6-0½ inside pass rusher (Mike Daniels).
Coach Mike McCarthy simply doesn't want a bulky, block-first tight end. Just 6-4, Marshall Newhouse is one of the shortest left tackles in the league, and if Don Barclay remains at tackle he's 6-4, too.
The D-line has been pygmy-sized for too many years. The Packers keep talking about giving Dom Capers some base ends with length but there still isn't one on the roster taller than 6-3.
Compared to what the Ravens and 49ers set the edge with, Erik Walden (6-2, 245) and Dezman Moses (6-2, 252) are really small. Even the great Clay Matthews (6-3, 255) is becoming a tad undersized for the way power is being emphasized at his position.
At cornerback, the top three players are lean athletes weighing between 184 and 192. Safety Morgan Burnett (6-1½, 209) is ideal size but Jerron McMillian (5-11, 207) and especially M.D. Jennings (6-0, 195) certainly aren't.
It remains to be seen if the Packers wish to venture forward with Evan Dietrich-Smith (6-2½, 308) at center. If so, they know better than anyone that there will be Sundays when size catches up to him.
As wonderfully reckless as DuJuan Harris was down the stretch, he's still a 5-7 back.
There is no one way to win in the NFL. Teams form their rosters around climate, playing surface, divisional opponents and other factors.
Still, a good big man usually will defeat a good little man.
After watching this Super Bowl, it will be fascinating to see how the Packers will proceed putting together a team that must overcome bigger and more powerful opponents such as the Niners and Ravens.
Send email to firstname.lastname@example.com


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MAPping the world through art An unprecedented cross-cultural and cross-border project
This Global Art Initiative amplifies exposure and access to contemporary art from three culturally dynamic regions: South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. MAP exhibitions, customized education programs, artist projects, and online materials help focus attention on vibrant artistic practices in each region and foster lasting relationships among artists, institutions, scholars, and visitors.
For the first time in Europe, "Under the Same Sun: Art from Latin America Today" showing at the South London Gallery(SLG) from 10 June to 4 September 2016.
Offering incredible insight into contemporary art practice from a range of artists from over 13 countries, Under the Same Sun examines a diversity of creative responses by artists to complex, shared realities. The exhibition focuses on work made by artists born after 1968, in addition to several early pioneers who were active internationally in the 1960s and '70s, many of whom have been influenced by shared colonial and modern histories, repressive governments, economic crises, social inequality, and concurrent periods of regional economic wealth, development, and progress.
Following two year's research, the exhibition has been organized by Pablo León de la Barra, Guggenheim UBS MAP Curator, Latin America, in collaboration with the team at the South London Gallery. Under the Same Sun will be the first to be housed in both the SLG's main site and the ground floor of its new building, a neighbouring former Fire Station currently under restoration. Due to open in 2018, the Fire Station will be a major new cultural offer for contemporary art in London. The exhibition premiered at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in June 2014 and was then shown at Museo Jumex, Mexico City's newest museum of contemporary art, from November 2015 to February 2016. This is its only showing outside of the Americas.
Guggenheim honors art from Middle East and North Africa with the exhibition "But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa"
The exhibition, which represents the third phase of the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative, is organized by curator Sara Raza and opened April 29 at the Guggenheim Museum in New York . It will then travel to Pera Museum in Istanbul in 2017.
The exhibition underscores an important central question: How is the designation "Middle East" defined and understood both regionally and internationally? But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise considers the impact of historical colonization and present-day globalization, and examines how the region is marked by its intertwined histories and its social, religious, cultural, and creative traditions.
The exhibition includes installation, painting, photography, sculpture, video, and work on paper, and examines a range of topics emerging from Raza's curatorial investigations pertaining to themes of origin, migration, the expression of ideology through architecture, and the excavation of buried meaning.
As with all phases of the MAP initiative, But a Storm Is Blowing from Paradise features artworks that have been recently acquired for the Guggenheim's permanent collection under the auspices of the Guggenheim UBS MAP Purchase Fund. Curatorial research for the exhibition was developed with an eye toward building on the Guggenheim's distinguished history of internationalism, as well as providing new scholarship on visual culture from the Middle East and North Africa and its diaspora.


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Officials in Ouray County, Colo. are spending today planning and setting up for a possible recovery of a Gadsden plane that went down Saturday with five passengers on board.
Officials with the county's Emergency Management Agency said Beegles Aircraft Services of Greeley, Colo. is at the site of the crash today, along with a separate dive team brought in for the extraction of the plane.
Ouray County spokeswoman Marti Whitmore said officials are expected to meet this afternoon with the dive team and workers with Beegles in order to coordinate tomorrow's work. Authorities hope Thursday to begin the process of pulling the Socata TBM700 fixed-wing, single engine plane from the water at Ridgway State Park, which remains closed.
Authorities said in a news conference Monday that the 1996 model plane is upside down under 60 feet of water at the bottom of the reservoir and that there is significant damage to the bottom of the fuselage as well as the tail of the plane. The plane is also lodged in heavy silt. Underwater cameras confirmed that the bodies of all five passengers remain inside.
Because of the depth of the plane, the altitude and the weather, officials say recovering the plane and its passengers will be tricky.
Though no official word has come about the victims, social media posts and tributes identified the victims as pilot Jimmy Hill and passengers Katrina Barksdale, her two sons Kobe and Xander, and a cousin, Seth McDuffie.
A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday the pilot of the plane reported being in a spin before losing communications.
A message sent out today by Ouray County officials stated, "We are working with the dive and recovery team on what role weather will play or whether that will be an issue of concern tomorrow."
Whitmore said weather today in the park is overcast and windy. The National Weather Service forecast for the area over the next 24 hours calls for rain and show showers tomorrow, with highs near 50 and wind from 5 to 15 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent.


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"Thank goodness no muscle, ligament, or tendon damage. Brantley is a key to Tribe's success this year. He came on strong last year at the plate and seems to have jumped out of the gate making great swings in 2013. Heal completely and keep on going."
To respond to tim2naples' comment, go here.
For more comments of the day, go to blog.cleveland.com/comments-of-the-day.


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What is in this article?:
- Midwest, Southwest growers visiting Georgia agricultural operations
- Looking at yarn manufacturing
• The exchange is designed to provide the program's participants with: 1) a better understanding of production issues faced by their peers in another geographic region and 2) an opportunity to observe agronomic practices, technology utilization, cropping patterns, marketing plans and operational structure.
More About:
Looking at yarn manufacturing
The participants' tour begins today, Nov. 11, with a look at yarn manufacturing at Swift Spinning in Columbus, cotton grading at the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service facility in Macon and an overview of Georgia cotton production at the Georgia Cotton Commission's office in Perry.
The next day's activities will include: a visit to the Georgia Peanut Commission in Tifton for an overview of Georgia peanut production; an update on agricultural aircraft manufacturing at Thrush Aircraft in Albany; a presentation on peanut oil processing at the Golden Peanut Co. in Dawson; a tour of peanut shelling operations at McCleskey Mills in Smithville and a look at cotton production and harvesting at RCL Farms in Bronwood.
On Nov. 13, the group will see vegetable processing at Taylor Farms in Tifton; hear about cottonseed oil processing at Southern Cotton Oil Co. in Valdosta; learn about permanent bale identification, cotton flow and warehousing at Funston Gin Warehouse in Funston; and see pecan production and processing at Harrell Nut Co. in Camilla.
The tour concludes on Nov. 14 with a presentation on agricultural inputs for southern crops at the R.W. Griffin Co. in Douglas and an update on cotton ginning technology at Southeastern Gin Co. in Surrency.
More from Southeast Farm Press
Southeast winter weather to vary widely
Growers should like two new high oleic peanut varieties
U.S. farm export interests pushing for changes in China's biotech policies
High winds knock down Kentucky corn: Here are some harvest tips


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'Thor 2' confirmed for July 26, 2013
I am genuinely sorry to hear that Kenneth Branagh will not be returning for the sequel to "Thor" that Marvel Studios is now set to release in the summer of 2013.
I don't think anyone's more surprised by that than I am. Branagh always made me nervous as a choice for the film, but in the end, I think the decision to hire him paid off in a movie that had its own personality, that didn't feel like "just another cookie-cutter blockbuster." At least, not to me. I think the film's got a great sense of fun, but more than that, it took an absurd world seriously in just the right way, and as a result, they not only successfully introduced one of the Avengers, they also earned themselves a franchise, albeit one that comes with many questions attached.
HitFix has learned that Marvel has set a July 26, 2013 date for "Thor 2," or whatever they eventually call it, and according to Michael Fleming, the director's job is now wide open. Considering "Iron Man 3" is set for a May 3, 2013 release, it sounds like they'll be double-stacking the summer the way they are with "Thor" and "Captain America" this year. We've already started hearing rumbles about the direction they're going with the next Iron Man adventure, treating it more like a stand-alone James Bond adventure, unconnected to any larger narrative except in the most cursory of ways. I think it's important after they've made "The Avengers" to still keep the larger Marvel Universe alive, but to also feel free to stop worry so much about the connective tissue and start focusing more on making every issue of every comic as good as it can be.
Chris Hemsworth is starting to find his schedule a little bit crowded. Yesterday, Sony picked up a new action pitch called "Shadow Runner" based on the true-life exploits of a special-ops team tasked with impossible jobs. You know… missions… that seem impossible… now, if only there was a title for something like that. He's also set for "Snow White and the Huntsman," which should start shooting the moment he's done with "The Avengers."
My first big question about a second Thor film is will they be able to get Natalie Portman back? Jane Foster is a big part of the mythology established by the first film, and while I think their love story was rushed in places and more obligatory than earned, there was some real heat between Portman and Hemsworth onscreen. Portman credibly sold the notion of a girl who realizes just how awesome it would be to have a boyfriend who also happens to be a Thunder God, and she managed to convey it with a couple of extra-randy smiles. If they do get her back, I think it would be fun to see how they could build on that chemistry, and I hope Oscar-winner Portman doesn't get too snooty or too expensive to play superheroes again.
I'm also curious to see if Loki appears in the next film at all. That will depend, of course, on the outcome of "The Avengers," where we're going to see the God Of Mischief hard at work. Early rumors have The Enchantress as the villain of the next film, and I hope Marvel starts to build out deeper rogue's galleries for all of their heroes. It's important for the overall longevity of these films.
As Marvel starts looking for a new director, I hope they at least have a conversation with Matthew Vaughn, who was attached to "Thor" at one point in its development. After his work this summer on "X-Men: First Class," where he had to basically sprint through the entire process, I'd love to see what he could do with a little more time and with a character we know he already loves.
Whoever ends up doing it, this is just the start of the Marvel news. Word is, we'll be hearing more about the short film series they're considering soon, and HitFix has also learned that Marvel may soon be announcing other new features in the coming weeks, most likely before Comic-Con. What those films are and what announcements they'll be making remains to be seen, but it is an exciting time for the company, and for fans of the world they've been building.


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Sixteen years old Laura Dekker circumnavigated the world by herself
Posted on Feb 14 2012
When on Saturday she put her feet on the ground of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin from her sailing boat Grumpy, sixteen years old Laura Dekker has officially become the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world.
In the August 2010 she went to her trip around the world, but now her adventure finished.
As much as the journey on a twelve meter long sailing boat with two masts was a challenge, much harder was to obtain all permissions necessary for this venture.
In 2009, Laura announced her intention to sail the world in an interview given to the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper after which the Dutch child welfare authorities took legal action against Laura and her father, Dick Dekker, to forbid Laura making the voyage. In the first moment, girl's mother Babs Muller who separated with Laura's father Dick several years ago and left him a guardianship over Laura, agreed with the social welfare authorities. During the process initiated by the Dutch familiar court changed her mind, which significantly influenced on the court decision. On the court decision also influenced the history of Laura's sailing on the sea, which in fact was crucial for issuing permission. After that, there was no legal obstacle for Laura any more to go for a trip in August 2010.
Laura was born in a sailing boat on which her parents were sailing around the world during seven years. Her early childhood was marked with sailing and sea as she spent her first 4 years of live on the boat, sailing with her parents. A gift for her 6th birthday was her own sailing boat - class Optimist which she soon managed to sail. For her 10th birthday she had a new, bigger boat which she called Grumpy and with which she was going to journeys lasting several weeks, completely alone. So, ten years old girls solely sailed routes between Wadden Sea and Northern Sea and then passage between Netherlands and Great Britain. During her last journey, for the first time she experienced problems with authorities as after she sailed into the British port, police and port authorities could hardly believed that a ten years old girl managed to sail such a big sailing boat. Then they called her father to come and collect her to the way home.
All that is far from circumnavigating the world, so Laura had to prepare in a particular way.
A journey starting point was in Portugal whilst the final point was at Caribbean islands, where Laura arrived after circumnavigated the world. Her parents monitored her along a predetermined path by a particular Iridium Locating System whilst on every harder part of the journey she was met by groups of local sailors which helped her to overcome paths in, for her unknown seas. Extremely hard was passing Panama Canal, where she was helped by her colleagues-sailors from Panama.
– I am happy, I proved that I can do that, said Laura at the end of her journey. So, with 16 yrs. she was officially proclaimed the youngest sailor who circumnavigated the world solely by herself, whilst her record in the book of world records will be the last. Guinness World Records decided to stop recognising records for "youngest" sailors to avoid any other young sailor decide to break Laura's record.


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What: Trump Plaza Beach Bar
Where: Trump Plaza Casino Hotel
When: May 18 through September 15
The Skinny: New this year, "Breakfast on the Beach" will be served weekends from Memorial Day through June, and then seven days a week in July and August beginning at 7 a.m. "Breakfast on the Beach" will also feature a kids menu.
The 21,500 sq ft. facility is a restaurant by day, featuring Caribbean Chicken Salad, Jersey Shore Crab Cakes, and the Beach Bar Cheeseburger for lunch or dinner. The Trump Plaza Beach Bar also features a light fare menu with Nachos Grande, Bang Bang Shrimp, Steamers and more.
At night it's party time with live bands and DJ's under the Atlantic City sky.
If you're on the beach looking for an adult beverage in the afternoon, the Trump Plaza Beach Bar will offer drink specials from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week. Monday: Bacardi and Bud Lime; Tuesday: Ketel One and Corona; Wednesday: Absolut and Coors Light; Thursday: Malibu and Dos Equis; Friday: Pinnacle and Miller Lite; Saturday: Captain Morgan and Twisted Tea; Sunday: Frozen Drinks and Bud/Land Shark Draft.


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No Refugee-Bashing in My Name!
The refugee crisis is global and requires a global response. Blaming refugee for acts of terror are wrong.
Take Action Now
January 20, 2016
Six Tunisian men, who were tortured and ill-treated since they were convicted of "sodomy", were released on bail on 7 January. The men have been threatened, and fear that their lives are in danger....
January 20, 2016
Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was executed on 2 January. His family were not informed, and his body has not been returned to them. He had been sentenced to death after a deeply flawed trial at the counter-te...
January 19, 2016
Community leader Milagro Sala has been detained since 16 January for peacefully protesting in Belgrano Plaza in San Salvador de Jujuy, a city in northwest Argentina.
January 19, 2016
Moroccan journalist Hicham Mansouri was released on 17 January after serving a 10-month prison term on trumped-up charges. He now faces up to five years in prison on separate charges.


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Rumson broke to an early lead and cruised, receiving five goals and one assist from Colin Shea as it handed Southern Regional its first loss of the season with a 14-5 victory in the championship game of the Shore Conference Tournament yesterday at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.
Michael Clarke recorded two goals and three assists, Chris Hubler and Dominic Padula each had two goals and two assists, Michael Villane added two goals and one assist and Dylan Rotchford made 10 saves for Rumson (14-2), which led after the first quarter, 6-2, and at the half, 11-3.
Brendan Mullen scored three goals for Southern (14-1), No. 17 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.


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PSV Eindhoven stunned Ajax with a second-half goal blitz as they routed the defending champions 4-0 on Sunday to climb to the top of the Eredivisie standings.
After a goalless opening period, PSV ran riot during a 15-minute spell after the break when they scored four times without reply to end a run of six competitive matches without a win in emphatic fashion.
Tim Matavz opened the floodgates in the 53rd minute following a mistake by Ajax keeper Kenneth Vermeer and then Jetro Willems (61), Oscar Hiljemark (64) and Park Ji-sung (68) struck in rapid succession to finish off the visitors, who also lost by four goals to nil to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.


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How to use sequins to make beautiful crafts, DIY Decor, and homemade gifts. Some of the gorgeous things to make with sequins are monograms, artwork, candles, vase fillers, garland, throw pillow, hair accessories, belt, camera strap and jewelry. Sequin crafts are so popular because they are inexpensive and make adorable things. So why not add some sparkle to your life?
Sequin CraftsSequin Camera Strap {Accessories} ~ This sequin camera strap is fabulous! Easy to create even if you are a non-sewer because this tutorial is no-sew! Makes a great gift too, perfect for the girly girl photography enthusiast! DIY Sequin Tote {Accessories} ~ Learn how to take an inexpensive canvas tote and turn it into a stylish, glam tote! Super easy to do by following this great tutorial! Perfect as a run around town tote! 3. DIY Sequin Heart Hairbow ~ The gold sequin heart took this plain felt bow from drab to fab! Youll love how simple it is to make it too. If you arent a heart kinda gal simply make another shape. Gold Sequin Hair Bow {Hair Accessories} ~ Here is a super easy project that will leave your hair looking super fab! This stylish little bow is made from trendy gold sequins, but if gold isnt your thing your local craft store will most likely have this sequin ribbon in a few color choices! Sequin Bottle Cap Necklace ~ A fun summer project for children using bottle caps, sequins and mod podge. Sequin Cuff Bracelet ~ Anything with sparkle is so stylish right now and this cuff bracelet is no exception! Follow this great tutorial to make one of your very own! Safety Pin and Sequin Bracelet DIY {Bracelets} ~ This bracelet is gold and sparkle and oh so stylish! Best of all its easily made from safety pins, sequins and a gold chain! Follow the great tutorial to learn how to make one of your very own! How to Make Sequin Heart Patches ~ Dress up a plain long sleeve t-shirt with these easy heart patches. If hearts aren't your thing you can make other shapes. You can use them as pins also. DIY Sequin Pocket Tee {Tops} ~ This tutorial adds a little bit of glam to an ordinary tee! All you need is a tee shirt, some sequin elastic from your local craft store needle and tread. Simple afternoon project with fabulous, trendy results! 10. Sequin Sash Belt ~ This Sequin Sash belt is gorgeous! It would be a lovely addition to a spring dress or pretty blouse. You can sew your own embellished belt with just two items, sequin trim and fabric.
Sequin Home Decor11. DIY Sequin Vase {Vases} ~ What girl doesnt love a little bling? Well, this is a girly vase idea you can easily make yourself! Using a vase you might already have, some sequins, and mod podge you will be able to create a fabulous centerpiece! DIY Sequin Candles ~ Turn a plain candle from drab to fab with this tutorial. Simply glue loose sequins to a candle. It's that easy! Sequin Initial ~ Everyone loves a little glam in a room, especially when it's a monogram! Make it in under 5 minutes with a few supplies. 14. Sequin Wall Art ~ Creating sequin wall art is a fantastic {and easy} way to update a wall and add a splash of pizzazz! DIY Sequin Pillow ~ Throw pillows make great accent pieces, why not make them sparkle? Upcycle a sequin dress into a gorgeous pillow. 16. DIY Sequin Cocktail Glass Collars ~ Add some sparkly to your cocktail glasses with this simple tutorial. Sequin Napkin Ring DIY {Napkin Rings} ~ Here is a post featuring a great tutorial creating sequin napkin rings! Great for a fancy event or just to add a little glam to dinner tonight! Easy and inexpensive to make! DIY Sequin Garland ~ Add some glitz to your next festive occasion. Simply hand sew the sequins at various intervals.
More Craft Tutorials:
- 12 Cool DIY Zipper Jewelry Tutorials
- 18 Beautiful Things to Make with Thumb Tacks
- 24 Fun Things to Make with Buttons
Creating Memories that Endure,
LaurieFor more free tutorials, craft, holiday, printables and DIY projects sign up for Tip Junkie's email with new How-To projects daily!


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Q. What does your dance studio offer to students?
A. We teach ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. We have yoga classes here. We also have tone and stretch classes – a relaxation type of class.
Q. What ages do you teach?
A. We start out at 2 1/2 years old and go up to adults.
Q. What is your dancing background?
A. I started taking dance lessons when I was 12. I practiced all the time and it was something I enjoyed doing. I went to Lansing Community College and took dance up there. Then I had a change of careers. I went into the Army. When I came back I started having a family and I always wanted to teach dancing. This building became open, and it was a big enough space for me to teach a small group of kids.
Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
A. I enjoy watching the kids' progress in class from the start of the first day – some of those kids who were too scared to even go across the floor. It's just great to watch them learn.
On The Job with Veronica Duncan
Age: 37
Residence: Springport
Position and workplace: Owner of Twirlz Dance Studio, 134 E. Main St., Springport
Length of employment: Five years
Family: Married to husband Noble for 10 years. Five children: Noah, 14; Emily, 12; Verina, 6; Elwyn, 4; and Giselle, 1 1/2.
Q. What has been your most memorable moment as a dance teacher?
A. When my dance teacher, Connie Wolin – she used to run Connie's School of Dance – came to one of my recitals. She was very gracious and she complimented me. I thanked her on stage because she was really a mentor to me. That was a couple of years ago.
Q. What has been your most embarrassing moment on the job?
A. The first time I had to go on stage and actually rearrange the kids it was kind of embarrassing for me because the recital day is their day, not mine. I don't like to go out on stage. I'm kind of like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain. I try to stay back there and make sure the music is on and they go where they're supposed to go.
Q. If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?
A. I would like everybody in Springport to realize there are opportunities in dance for them. And it's not just dance, it's considered a sport and it's something that they can work hard at and be good at.
Q. How do you like to spend your free time?
A. Dance, scrapbooking, taking pictures and taking care of my kids.
Q. What are your future plans for the dance studio?
A. I plan on staying the same. My goal is to stay in business, with things being so tough (economically). I'd also like to landscape around the building so it has more curb appeal.


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Syracuse, NY -- The owner of Towne Center's $6 million offer to buy the P&C Foods' Fayetteville store from its bankrupt owner includes vows to work with another supermarket chain operator, including Price Chopper, to run that store.
Syracuse-based The Penn Traffic Co.'s bankruptcy advisers received the letter Dec. 17 from Joseph B. Gerardi, executive vice president and legal counsel for COR, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del., where Penn Traffic's case is being heard. It is the third bankruptcy filing for Penn Traffic in 10 years, and in this filing, the company says it wants to sell all of its assets.
Those assets include 79 supermarkets, including the P&C Foods chain, and workers in three grocery warehouses, including two in Syracuse. Penn Traffic employs 4,700 people.
The $6 million offer for Penn Traffic's P&C store in Towne Center was included in a motion COR filed in bankruptcy court last week seeking to block an attempt by Price Chopper to buy 22 key P&C supermarkets, including the Fayetteville store and 12 others in Central New York, for $54 million. Price Chopper's offer was filed in court Dec. 16, the day before COR submitted its offer to buy the Towne Center at Fayetteville P&C Fresh market.
In the letter, Gerardi notes the $6 million offer is more than the per-store offer Price Chopper made in its bid for 22 stores. If each of those stores were valued at $6 million, Price Chopper's offer would have calculated to $132 million.
"As part of any contract to purchase the Fayetteville property, we would agree to utilize best efforts to enter into a lease with Price Chopper or any other successful bidder, if the property is sold as a part of a competing bulk and/or private sale, for the operation of a store," Gerardi wrote in the letter, which is in court documents.
Gerardi included with the letter a site plan of the upscale Towne Center and how Price Chopper fits into the development.
COR followed up on that unanswered Dec. 17 offer with a motion filed New Year's Eve asking Judge Peter J. Walsh to reject Price Chopper's $54 million offer and instead sell all of Penn Traffic's stores in a court-supervised auction.
COR contends the company is worth more to its creditors being sold piecemeal, rather than allowing one company to cherry-pick the best of the crop.
The developer wants the judge to waive Price Chopper's higher offer of $54 million and accept the only other official court-filed offer so far on Penn Traffic's assets. That so-called "stalking horse" offer of $36.5 million was bid by a team of firms specializing in the liquidation and-or reorganization of distressed major retailers. That team is representing a still-undisclosed bidder, which Penn Traffic told the court could be a Penn Traffic insider. Sources say it is C&S Wholesale Foods, which bought Penn Traffic's lucrative wholesale grocery sales-and-distribution business in December 2008.
COR told the court -- and notified that bidder -- it would work with that bidder to acquire the Fayetteville store for $6 million, proof, COR contends, that Penn Traffic's assets are worth more if all the properties are put up for bid.
A hearing on COR's motion is scheduled for Friday in the Wilmington court.
This afternoon, more objections to Price Chopper's 22-store offer started landing in bankruptcy court files.
The Pension Fund Guaranty Corp., which oversees some of Penn Traffic's retirement plans, filed motions against bid procedures and the bidders who have stepped up so far.
"PBGC requests that the bid procedures require that each bid state whether it includes pension plan assumption, and if it does, of which plan," the Pension Board Guaranty said in its filing. "Further, the proposed bidding procedures fail to provide that in determining the successful bid to be submitted to the court for approval, (Penn Traffic) will give credit for the value of the liabilities under the pension plan that any bidder agrees to assume. PBGC requests that (Penn Traffic) provide to PBGC copies of all bids received..."
The United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 1 followed up on its save-our-stores rally Thursday with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. This afternoon, the union filed motions against the sale, noting, allowing more bidders to step forward on all of Penn Traffic's properties would be in the best interest of Penn Traffic creditors, employees, retirees and shoppers.
"Common business sense suggests that, if Price Chopper is pressing for a rapid sale process and does not want to allow competitive bids for the relevant stores, more time and a more open process would result inhigher and better bids than Price Chopper's offering," the union contends in its motions.
ABC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning of East Syracuse, one of Penn Traffic's largest unsecured creditors, filed a so-called "limited objection motion" with the court over Price Chopper's bid for 22 P&C stores.
ABC Refrigeration, which is owed more than $683,690 by Penn Traffic, said it isn't objecting to the sale to Price Chopper. The company told the court it wants to make sure it is paid for labor and construction services renedered to Syracuse-area P&C stores. The company has already filed with the court mechanic's liens against Penn Traffic.
Get news and video updates and other Penn Traffic info as soon as it is posted. Subscribe to the Penn Traffic updates newsletter and you'll be the first to know when something is posted. Send an e-mail to:


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AUSTIN - Regulating livestock methane emissions is like regulating humans for exhaling. Seems crazy, right? Well it could happen if some groups have their way.
Everyone agrees we need a clean environment. Unfortunately, some believe taxing our nation's farmers and ranchers without a scientific basis will help achieve this goal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is exploring the idea of making revisions to the Clean Air Act, which would include imposing regulation on agricultural producers that would strangle our nation's food supply. We're working right now to become independent from foreign oil; let us not pass regulation that will make us dependent on foreign food.
Taxing our producers for gases that naturally occur on farming operations would eat away their ability to provide the safest and most abundant food supply in the world. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says if this type of regulation were put in place, it would affect dairy operations with more than 25 cows, beef cattle ranches with more than 50 cattle, swine raisers with more than 200 hogs and farms with more than 500 acres of corn. The farmers and ranchers of our nation who produce our food would face costly permitting that would put them at a tremendous financial disadvantage.
The ridiculous thing is that some groups are using this opportunity to regulate agriculture operations to press their agendas. The United Nations said one of the best ways to control global warming and greenhouse gases is to stop eating meat. What it fails to mention is that if we stop eating meat other production will be needed to fill the gap in food loss. With all due respect to the United Nations, creating a new problem is not a solution.
In a free-market economy, why discourage business because of Mother Nature's by-products?
If EPA adopts this regulation, food production will decrease and higher food costs will be passed along to the American consumer. We all need to eat, and we need to support the men and women who grow our food.
Internationally, our competitors face less regulation and do not meet the standards we have here in America. Because 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside the U.S., we must produce the best quality goods at a reasonable price to be competitive in the world market. Additional taxes on agriculture producers give our competition greater advantages, produce questionable benefits for the environment and create hardship for Americans. But, we can stop this disaster before it occurs.
The solution is simple. We need a common sense approach that utilizes incentives coupled with consumer demand that encourage initiatives like clean coal energy and energy efficient appliances.
As the managers of 96 million acres of pastureland and forestland, which, by the way, sequesters carbon dioxide, Texas farmers and ranchers constantly invest in science and research to become better stewards of our natural resources. Many sectors of the agriculture industry are currently implementing new technologies to promote human health and enhance our natural resources.
In Texas, the USDA and farmers and ranchers have contributed more than $1 billion during the past few years for conservation through environmental programs, and the Texas Department of Agriculture is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to reduce emissions from engines by investing to upgrade old farm equipment.
We must all work together for a greener and cleaner environment, but we cannot strangle our economy and the ones who have provided our food since this country began.
You can contact the EPA now and request the agency not act prematurely to pass regulations without fully exploring the issue with sound science and understanding the economic impact. New authorities to regulate should not always mean new regulation.
Todd Staples is Texas agriculture commissioner.
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This is a picture of my kids in the foreground of the Assateague, VA lighthouse. The lighthouse just go a "facelift" this summer. They had been saving for years to refurbish the lighthouse and, finally, this summer were able to hire professional painters to repaint it and put it back to its original glory. I figured you would like this one on National Lighthouse Day.
The Assateague, VA Lighthouse
By: c_hagquistSubscribe Channel: Events Location: Assateague, VA (Chincoteague, VA)
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The League thanks Department Director Robert Lehner, Elk Grove Police Chief, for his service on the General Resolutions Committee at this year's Annual Conference. The League supported three resolutions, related to the collection of fines and forfeitures on criminal and traffic violations, Internet crimes against children, and promoting disaster resilient cities.
The League Police Chiefs Department works closely with the California Police Chiefs Association to:
Please visit the California Police Chiefs Association online at www.californiapolicechiefs.org/.
The Police Chiefs Department Officers serve a one year term in their respective position with their terms concluding in March.
President – David Bejarano, Chief, Chula Vista Police Department
1st Vice President – Ken Corney, Chief, Ventura Police Department
2nd Vice President – Sylvia Moir, Chief, El Cerrito Police Department
Past President – Christopher Boyd, Chief, Citrus Heights Police Department
Department Director – Dan DeSmidt, Chief, Belmont Police Department
Appointed by the department president, each department has at least one representative on each of the League's standing eight committees that can provide technical information to the committee as a whole to ensure that the department has a voice in the decision-making process, and make recommendations to the board of directors on legislative and policy issues.
Visit the League's Policy Development webpage to view upcoming meeting information, listed committees, and meeting agendas.
Note: The 2012 term has now concluded. Appointments are available for police department leadership through the Presidential Appointment process. For more information, please see How to Join a Policy Committee or contact Meg Desmond.
Tim Cromartie
Legislative Representative
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Got to root for Beilein
When West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez left to become the head football coach at the University of Michigan, there was a sense of betrayal in the Mountain State.
After all, Rodriguez was a West Virginia native, a WVU graduate and a former Mountaineer football player.
Plus, when the University of Alabama had approached him the previous year, WVU supporters raised private funds to increase the salaries of the football staff in an effort to keep Rodriguez in Morgantown.
But, following West Virginia's stunning 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh in the 2007 regular season finale that prevented the Mountaineers from playing for the BCS national championship, Rodriguez left, quickly turning his name to mud in his native state, where many felt betrayed. Without rehashing all the details, let's just say it was a messy divorce.
Contrast that with the departure of WVU basketball coach John Beilein eight months earlier. Beilein also left for Michigan, after leading the Mountaineers to the National Invitational Tournament championship.
While WVU fans were disappointed to lose a coach who had taken their program to the Elite Eight and the Sweet 16, they didn't criticize Beilein for making the move. Plus, he did it in as classy a manner as possible, first telling his WVU players, then meeting with the Mountain State press.
By the way, WVU's loss in the Elite Eight in the 2005 NCAA Tournament came in overtime against Louisville, coached by Rick Pitino.
Tonight, Beilein and Pitino will meet again, this time with the stakes as high as they can be -a national championship.
Pitino, who took over the Louisville program in 2001, already has a national championship on his resume as he led Kentucky to the national title in 1996. He is the only coach to lead three different schools-Providence, Kentucky and Louisville-to the Final Four. He also joins some elite company -Dean Smith, Jim Boeheim and Mike Krzyzewski -as the only coaches ever to take teams to the Final Four in four separate decades.
Beilein, who played college basketball at Wheeling College (where he was a team captain), is the only active coach who has led a school to 20-win seasons at four different levels of college basketball -junior college, NAIA, Division II and Division I.
He is a builder of programs, with a history of taking over less than stellar teams and turning them into winners.
Those of us who got to know Beilein admired the way he handled himself. He was always classy, if not always upbeat. A pro's pro. Always saying the right thing for the right reason at the right time. A professor as much as a coach. Someone you could admire.
It's not often I root for the University of Michigan. But I would love to see John Beilein win a national title. So, for one night, I'm a Wolverine fan.
Contact Dave Poe at email@example.com


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What are you thoughts on....kinda long
I have a friend who (is living with us and her 2 kids). She is on disability and food stamps (no CS yet) her kids are teens. My friends parents who are disabled (dad stroke, mom almost blind) moved out to Colorado (from FL) to live NEAR their "more well off and favorite daughter". Well things did not work out the way they had planned as their daughter did not have time to help take care of them and they can't stand the cold. So the well off daughter has paid for an airplane ticket for my friend to fly out there and pick up the parents and drive back here for them to live together again. The parents between both of them make over 3000 a month.
So my friend who cannot work because of RA and bone on bone spine was told that even though she would be responsible for all the chores, taking them to the dr, going to the store, and anything else that might come up she has to pay 1/2 of everything.
She makes just over 800 a month on disability. That is why she is living with us, she cannot afford to live on her own with her kids.
Now while I am a firm believer in if your healthy, abled bodied, you work a minimum wage job yada yada yada if your gonna live with your parents I think you should help out with chores and stuff and help with the bills etc.
She wants to try to get a car of her own, because she isn't sure if her parents will let her use the car outside of their needs.
She is greatful beyond words that her parents are moving back, and she will finally have her own place so to speak.
Her half of the bills would come to around 600 a month. (including cable that she DOES NOT want, but dad has to have). that leaves her a little over 200 a month to buy the things she and her kids need plus meds and dr visits and her cell phone.
Not to mention when they move back in she has to buy beds for her and the kids, dressers and linens.
Not a rant or bitching just saying what is going on and wanting thoughts on the situation.
I don't know whether to believe her or not about all the things her mother is saying she is going to have to do. I just can't see a parent being so demanding, blind, uncaring I could go on (oh I know there are some out there). Either her mother is really just a hateful spiteful bitch or she really is clueless about what kind of money she gets every month.
She told me some more today after she talked to her mother, now she is twisting it around that they are moving back to help HER because she is a lazy ass and got herself into this mess and can't dig her own self out. Sorry not much you can do with less than 900 a month. She is already making herself sick over it, I almost told her not to do it and stay with us. I am already at my wits end. We are on week 2 of the flu running thru the house. DH has it now. I am tired, no scratch that, I am exhausted!!! I cant take it anymore but I hate the thought of her mother treating her like that and her already being ready to kill her, or her having to go to Lakeview (mental health) because she can't take the stress. I don't know how much to believe, if she is saying it to get attention, for me to feel pity for her or what. arrgghhhh
She doesn't have to live with them. The parents can afford a care giver so let them pay their own. That is taking advantage of people by them doing that. It would be different if your friend wasnt disabled.


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Welcome to Memory Alpha, Trekguy1! I've noticed that you've already made some contributions to our database – thanks for your edit to the "File:Defiant class brig 5.jpg" page! We all hope that you'll enjoy our activities here and decide to join our community.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in our Ten Forward community page. Thanks, and once again, welcome to Memory Alpha! -- Archduk3 (Talk) 2011-07-11T23:05:03
- The above named user is the most currently available administrator to contribute to Memory Alpha; their signature was automatically added by User:Wikia. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, you may contact that user through their talk page.
Images Edit
Please take a moment to read the image use policy. All images uploaded to MA need a proper image licensing template as well as citations. Images without an image licensing template or citation will be removed from articles and are subject to deletion. - Archduk3 23:14, July 11, 2011 (UTC)
As I said on my talk page in response to your post, upload any further images to the same file name, not different ones. Also, again, images must have the requirements listed above to be in articles. If you need help with this, ask, don't just ignore it and continue. - Archduk3 23:39, July 11, 2011 (UTC)
Posting email received from user:
- i am sorry that i didnt do the edit right but this is my first time edting ever and i just wanted to help you and other trek fans with the information that you or they didnt know about like the defiant class brig or the ready room so i dont screw anything else up i will give you all my info i got and you guys can edit it cause you have the right again i am sorry i didnt know the rules and being new i didnt know you were deleting while i was working hope to see new pics and more info in the future.-trekguy1 aka steven
First, please keep all communication on site, especially if the instructions are "read and respond on your talk page." Second, use punctuation. Third, no one here wants to have to follow another user around and clean up after them, but everyone here is willing to help you get to a point where we don't have to, but you need to respond to your talk page and read the policies if you are requested to do so. That said, images are the worst place to start contributing, since they require information and formatting to be used that most new users won't know about. Do not take talk page posts as an indication that people are angry at you, just that you're doing something wrong and we would like you to learn how to do it correctly. - Archduk3 22:53, July 12, 2011 (UTC)


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Berlin Raceway changed its Late Model tire rule last year in an effort to cut expenses for drivers and provide more competitive racing for the fans.
When those changes failed to produce the desired results, the track hosted an extensive test in September in which four brands of tires were tested.
The results are in, and come to find out, the tire package Berlin offered in 2006 proved to be best after all.
"We are going back to four new tires every week, and we will be using the same compound we had in 2006," said Mike Strevel, Berlin's director of race operations. "We had a tire test in late September with different Hoosier tires, and we timed and we checked, and you know what, the ones we had in 2006 are the way to go."
Berlin will host a pair of test-and-tunes, beginning with Saturday's session from 1-5 p.m., followed by Wednesday's run 5-9 p.m. practice.
The season opener is slated for April 12.
Drivers were allowed only two new tires each week last year, and they raced on a harder compound. The field featured 24 cars in early April but had dwindled to 12 on Aug. 11 due to a rash of accidents, forcing officials to reconsider the tire rule.
"We had some big accidents last year, and what it boils down to is that perception is reality," said Bob Marz, who heads the Berlin pit steward staff. "They were blaming it on the tires because you had two hard tires and two used tires from the previous week. They didn't feel like they had the grip and stopping power that they had before, so they feel that some of the accidents they were in were because they didn't have the maneuverability."
Drivers overall are pleased with the change, and count Tom Thomas of Grandville among them.
Thomas is the two-time defending track champion, having taken top honors with both tire packages. However, he said he preferred the 2006 rules.
"I'm all for four new tires," Thomas said. "We have elite cars as far as local racing goes, and they belong on four new tires every week, and they belong on four good tires a week.
"They are putting us on some pretty good rubber this year, and I'm excited about it. We've done well on them in the past."
The track will offer Super Stocks, Sportsman and 4-Cylinder racing in addition to Late Models this season. The track will offer 15 Late Model dates, down from 21 a year ago.
"The season champion will win $7,500, which is down from $10,000 last year, but we are racing six less times," Strevel said.
"Our purse money is back up to $1,600 to win each night after we dropped it to $1,200 last year."
Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday. General admission is free, and pit passes are $20.


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Pregnancy is a funny thing. I would hazard a guess that it's pretty much the only time in the average woman's life that she actually wants to gain loads of weight in a relatively short time span and develop a huge belly bump.
I don't know about you, but one of the first thing I thought after peeing on that pregnancy test (besides "OMG! I cannot believe it!") was, "I cannot wait for the baby to be big enough to have a real baby bump."
Recently, I've become very paranoid that my nearly 27-week old bump is too small. Why? That's because people keep telling me I don't look six months pregnant! I can't tell you how paranoia-inducing this can be for a pregnant woman, despite the fact that the baby measured on track at my 8-week and 20-week ultrasounds and I've gained a healthy amount of weight. Suddenly, I was swarmed by thoughts of, "Is my baby not growing anymore? Is my baby growing too slowly? Is something wrong with my body?"
I know that people mean well – they think that women want to hear they look tiny, even when they are pregnant. And maybe some women would relish being told they are small at six months. I, however, would much rather hear, "You look HUGE! You look like you are going to POP!" because I would take that to mean that I have a big, healthy baby. On the other hand, I would imagine that some women would take terrible offense to these comments.
All in all – I guess the bottom line is that it's probably unwise to comment on a momma's size because she could be insulted either way. I hate to be a Sensitive Sally, but it's true!
Instead of "You're so small," here are other things that I would appreciate hearing:
- "You look beautiful!"
- "You have a pregnancy glow!"
- "You and the baby sure look healthy!"
- "You seem so happy!"


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National news:
Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for public corruption. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
Utah will appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court over last month's ruling by a regional appeals court that found in favor of gay marriage in the conservative state. (Reuters)
Staunch House conservatives are quashing calls for President Obama's impeachment. (The Hill)
For President Obama, the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border is increasingly becoming a political liability, giving Republicans a fresh opportunity to question his administration's competence and complicating the debate over the nation's fractured immigration laws. (Associated Press)
The U.S. Senate today confirmed San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Reuters)
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber will be charged with vandalism in connection with the egging of his neighbor's home in California. (BBC News)
Santa Cruz, Calif., police have charged a "high-priced outcall prostitute" with manslaughter in the heroin overdose death of a Google executive on his yacht. (USA Today)
The tornado that carved a destructive path in upstate New York on Tuesday night was the second deadliest in the state since at least 1950. (NBC News)
The New England Patriots say they'll turn over hundreds of pages of medical and other records to lawyers for former tight end Aaron Hernandez, but object to producing scouting reports and a psychological profile. (Associated Press)
A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Annenberg poll shows 54 percent of voters say they've heard enough from Sarah Palin and would prefer she be less outspoken in political debates. (NBC News)
International news:
Israeli air strikes shook Gaza every few minutes today, and militants kept up rocket fire at Israel's heartland in intensifying warfare that Palestinian officials said has killed at least 47 people in the Hamas-dominated enclave. (Reuters)
Russia charged a female Ukrainian pilot who served in Iraq with complicity in the killing of two Russian reporters by mortar fire last month in eastern Ukraine. (Bloomberg Businessweek)
Iraqi officials discovered 50 bodies, many of them blindfolded and with their hands bound, in an agricultural area outside a city south of Baghdad today, raising concerns over a possible sectarian killing amid the battle against a Sunni insurgency. (Associated Press)
News today that Germany is investigating new allegations the U.S. bought secrets from a German official - the second such probe to become public in a week - delivered another blow to U.S.-German relations over what is now a year-old scandal of American spying on an ally. (McClatchy News)
Jakarta Gov. Joko Widodo, who entered national politics just two years ago, has claimed victory citing early results in the presidential election in Indonesia, but his main rival, former Gen. Prabowo Subianto, is refusing to concede. (NPR News)
A prominent writer who has angered China by advocating Tibetan rights said she and her husband were placed under house arrest during Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Beijing. (Reuters)
Typhoon Neoguri has hit Japan's southern islands with gusts of up to 110 mph before weakening and heading on to the mainland. (The Guardian)


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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - A 60-year-old pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries after trying to cross University Drive late Saturday, police said.
The victim, Daniel Rutherford, described as a transient, attempted to cross the roadway in front of the La Quinta Inn at Julia Street and was struck by an eastbound vehicle. He is not expected to survive his injuries, police said.
The vehicle involved was driven by a 19 year old female, who has not been charged. The accident was reported at 11:11 p.m. The case remains under investigation.


text: I work very close to the Sheridan Dr. location and to be honest, this restaurant is about the only thing I look forward to going to work for. I tried Palumbo's due to how close it was to my work one evening and now I order from here just about every time I work night. The subs are outstanding, they... More