text:
Apollo Astronaut Charlie Duke Speaks at Monte Sano United Methodist
Sunday, July 22, 2012 3:09 PM
Inappropriate photo? Alert us.
Astronauts Jan Davis, left, and Charlie Duke talk during a reception between services. Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke, the tenth man to walk on the Moon, spoke at Monte Sano United Methodist Church during their annual Lunar Communion Sunday July 22, 2012. (The Huntsville Times/Glenn Baeske)
Related articles
- Moon walker Charlie Duke celebrates "Lunar Communion" at Monte Sano United Methodist Church July 22, 2012, 4:19 PM


text:
Analysts and political watchers are already looking ahead to Aug. 28, when Gov. Chris Christie will take the stage in Tampa and deliver a keynote address at the Republican National Convention.
Many agree that Christie was chosen because he can appeal to independents. And everyone wonders what Christie's next step is.
Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza has a column this morning about Christie's political future, calling Christie the biggest and most recognizable star in the Republican party.
Cillizza notes the speech is a test to see how Christie will play on a national stage.
He also writes that before Christie can think about running for president in 2016 or 2020, he must decide whether he'll run for re-election next year. Cillizza is skeptical Christie can win again, especially if Newark Mayor Cory Booker runs.
New York Times columnist Michael Powell took the opposite tactic in his column today, writing that Christie won't speak about any of the signs New Jersey's economy is lagging, hardly the hard truths that he said he would mention.
He warns that Christie should "dampen expectations," because most keynote speakers are soon forgotten.
The New York Post runs an editorial this morning heaping praise the governor, calling Christie "wildly successful," and the choice of him as keynote speaker "terrific."
The Philadelphia Inquirer calls the speech a "turning point" for Christie, and report he was chosen because of his relationship with Mitt Romney, and his record of fiscal management.
WNYC writes an editorial speculating that Christie's speech will be used to win independent voters, because Christie is more moderate and can paint a picture of a forward-thinking party.
Blogger Justin Krebs explains your keynote speaker is your dance partner, but your vice presidential candidate — the much more conservative Paul Ryan — is the one you take home.
Star-Ledger editorial page editor Tom Moran agrees that Christie appeals to independents in this q-and-a with Capital New York.
More coverage from The Star-Ledger:
• How much will GOP agenda interfere with Gov. Christie's keynote address?
• Former keynote speakers offer tip to Gov. Christie: Be yourself
• Notable convention keynote speakers
• Gov. Christie officially named to give keynote address at GOP convention

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I suspect I've barely scratched the surface of how badly I can predict football games, yet this season's struggles drew my first-ever e-mail from a cat.
It came from 18-year-old Isis, who lives with readers Nancy and Vic Gagnon and a dog, Ninkaasi:
"Mr. Larcom,
"7-13 to 10-10 ... Hmmm getting warmer ...," Isis writes.
"Shall I call you George Larcom or Geoff Castanza? Either way, it doesn't matter, I call you mine! I'll start by letting you know how we began the weekend. My staff, Vic (six different picks from you) and Nancy (seven differences), the annoying, but competent dog, Ninkaasi (nine differences), and myself - Isis the cat - four differences - are you channeling me?
"Evidently, NOT!
"So, how'd we do? Nanc: She grew up with sermons minding Steeler kickoff times to make sure the flocks got home to watch the Steel Curtain ... And she's the youngest of four Nittany Lions ... So it's not a surprise she went 15-5 overall and 6-1 vs. you.
"Vic was brought into the college football frenzy by Nanc, but is a loyal Wolverine. He went 14-6 5-1. Ninkaasi (went) 11-9 and 5-4 ... Not bad for a dog. And how did I do? 14-6 and 4-0 ...
"Here's some advice: Don't pick against us felines - Florida, Iowa, MSU and Rutgers learned not to mess with cats. At least you picked the Nittany Lions - and see, you won that one!
"Sharpening my claws for next week's 'competition.'
"Signed, Isis the Cat ... 18 and still fiesty"
Ouch. Talk about a trampling. I like Isis' advice about not picking against cats, but you notice the all-seeing tabby left out one kitty: The Detroit Lions.
This week's games
Purdue at Michigan
Indiana at Michigan State
Wisconsin at Penn State
Minnesota at Northwestern
Eastern Michigan at Ohio
Georgia Tech at Miami (Fla.)
Connecticut at Virginia
Tennessee at Mississippi State
Louisiana State at Kentucky
Auburn at Arkansas
Texas A&M at Texas Tech
Missouri at Oklahoma
Colorado at Kansas State
Washington at Arizona State
Southern Illinois at Northern Iowa
Minnesota at Chicago
Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets
Miami at Cleveland
Washington at Green Bay
Carolina at Arizona
Question of the week: Along with Michigan, what team has the sweetest uniforms and helmets in college football?
Last week's results
Columnist Geoff Larcom went 10-10 in his football predictions last week. That's nothing to brag about, but he'll take anything after going 7-13 the week before. His picks are in caps.
PENN ST. 27, Iowa 7
OHIO STATE 23, Purdue 7
OKLAHOMA 28, Texas 21
COLORADO 43, Baylor 23
WAKE FOREST 41, Duke 36
MISSOURI 41, Nebraska 6
TENNESSEE 35, Georgia 14
Maryland 28, GEORGIA TECH 26
Virginia Tech 41, CLEMSON 23
Kansas 30, KANSAS ST. 24
Cincinnati 28, RUTGERS 23
Lsu 28, FLORIDA 24
San Diego St. 24, COLORADO ST. 20
S. Illinois 24, YOUNGSTOWN ST. 17
Illinois 31, WISCONSIN 26
WASHINGTON 34, Detroit 3
N.Y. GIANTS 35, N.Y. Jets 24
ARIZONA 34, St. Louis 31I I s
San Diego 41, DENVER 3
Pittsburgh 21, SEATTLE 0
News Staff Reporter Geoff Larcom can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 734-994-6838.


text:
A Newfoundland man is among those unaccounted for at the shattered United Nations headquarters in Haiti.
James W. Coates, originally from Deer Lake, has been working with the UN stabilization mission in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, since September 2008.
He was likely in the five-storey headquarters building when it collapsed during Tuesday's magnitude-7.0 earthquake.
"Everybody's hoping and praying there is still hope that he's still alive," an emotional Novalee Coates-Drover, James' sister.
James one of dozens of UN staff still missing.
Officials reported Friday afternoon that eight UN workers were recovered alive from the rubble, and another 18 bodies were found. Coates was no among them.
"They still understand there's some people alive, but there's not a lot of time left," said Darryl Drover, Novalee's husband.
Coates, 37, works as an information management assistant with the UN. He was communicating with a friend through his computer when the quake hit, his sister explained.
Novalee, who lives in St. John's, said there's been very little information on her brother ever since.
Newfoundland man missing in Haiti
A Newfoundland man is among those unaccounted for at the shattered United Nations headquarters in Haiti.
Organizations: United Nations
Geographic location: Haiti, Newfoundland, Deer Lake Port-au-Prince St. John'sTop of page


text:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Is the branch of computer science that deals with the attempt to create computers that think like humans.
Batch Processing
Means that transaction date is accumulated until a certin point is reached, and then several tranactions are processed all at once.
Business Intelligence System
Are used to analyze and interpret data to enable managers to make informed decisions about how bust to run a business.
Computational Field (Calculated Field)
Is a numeric field that stores the contents of a calculation, which is generated with a formula in the numeric field.
Consistency Check
Compaires the value of data in two or more fields to see if these values are reasonable.
Data Centealization
Ensuring integrity, instead of being in multipal lists that have to be maintained, the information is maintained in only one place.
Data Inconsistency
Each time the information in the list changes, multiple lists must be updated and if not, then inconsistent data results.
Three Steps of Data Staging
Step 1: Extraction of the data from source databases.
Step 2: Tranformation (reformatting) of the data.
Step 3: Storage of the data warehouse.
Data Warehouse
Is a large-scale electronic respository of data that cantains and orgaizes all the data related to an organization in one place.
Database Sdministrator (Database Designer)
An individual trained in the design and building of databases, to assist with the construction of large databases.
Database Managment System (DBMS)
Specially designed application software (such as Oracle Database or Microsoft Access) that interacts with the user, other applications, and the database to capture and analyze data.
Database Query
A queation you ask the database so that it provides you with the records you wish to view.
Decision Suport System (DSS)
Is another type of business intelligence system designed to help managers develop soultions for specific problems.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System
Is a broadbased software that integrates multiple data sources and ties together the various processes of an enterprise to enable information to flow more smoothly.
Expert System
Tried to replicate the decision-making processes of human experts to solve specific problems.
Involves putting it into an electronic file in a format that another application can understand.
External Data Source
Is any source now owned by the company that owns the DSS, such as customer demographic data purchased from third parties, mailing lists, or staistic compiled by the federal government.
Types Of Fields
Text Field, Numeric Field, Computational (Calculated) Field, Date/Time FIeld, Memo Field, Object Field, Hyperlink Field.
Field Constraint
Any property that must be satisfield for an entry to be accepted into the database field.
Foreign Key
The primary key of another table that is included for purposes of establishing relationships with that other table.
Fuzzy Logic
Enable the interjection of exteriential learning into the equation by considering probabilities.
Input Form
Provides a view of the data fields to be filled, with appropriate labes to assist database users in populating the database.
Knowledge-Base System
Provides additional intelligence that supplements the users own intellect an makes the DSS more effective.
Management Information System (MIS)
Provides timely and accurate information that enables managers to make critical business decisions.
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Park to get paved, sheltered
By summer's end, one of South Whidbey's oldest and most unchanging parks will have its gravel parking lots covered with asphalt, shelters built over its picnic tables, new lighting, and possibly the beginnings of some sort of large community building.
These dreams for an updated Dave Mackie Park at Maxwelton Beach started becoming reality Tuesday, nearly seven months after the Port of South Whidbey agreed to put up to $350,000 into improvements at the waterfront recreation area.
Officials from the Port and from the Island County Parks Department agreed during a morning walk-through at the the park that a paving contractor could begin laying asphalt over the two dusty dirt parking lots that have served the facility for decades. Improved lighting, dirt work in the park's bumpy baseball outfield and the construction of two or three small picnic shelters will quickly follow.
Lee McFarland, director of the county's parks department, said the work will be a priority, even though he has 40 other county parks facilities to maintain.
"I'd like to see this get done yesterday," McFarland told Port commissioners and officials, Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton and Maxwelton Community Club member Mike Joselyn during Tuesday's walk-through.
Were it not for the Port's involvement at the park, it is unlikely that much would be happening there this summer. The money for the proposed work comes out of an interlocal agreement between the Port and the county signed in January. Under the agreement, the Port is fronting the cash for improvements on the grounds and building at Dave Mackie Park, while the county's parks department continues to maintain the facility.
Port Commissioner Lynae Slinden said she is pleased the Port can help the parks department, which is strapped for cash like almost every other county department this year. She did, however, express some reticence over building a community hall in the park, a project that came out of requests from some Maxwelton Beach residents at previous Port meetings. She said such a structure may be more than the beach community and South Whidbey need.
"I'm not sure if that's a totally popular item," she said.
Joselyn, who has been one of the hall proponents, said the park does need a building in which to house activities at the beach, activities such as July 4th gatherings, community meetings and picnics after games at the park. During Tuesday's discussion, he did not object to an alternative proposal from McFarland to instead build a large picnic shelter.
McFarland said a shelter would be a better deal and would provide a gathering spot for larger groups than could a hall built on a budget. He also recommended that any new shelter should replace a historic log shelter currently located in the park. That shelter, he said, is in poor repair and recently needed to be stabilized with steel supports.
The improvements to the park will be the first in many years. Other projects that could make it into a comprehensive park improvement plan include repairs to spectator seating behind the baseball diamond, roof repairs on several structures, restroom improvements, and the abandonment of the park's well.
That final item will probably occur shortly after the Maxwelton Beach completes a planned community water system. Joselyn, who is also a member of the water system planning group, said the system is expected to replace the shallow wells that currently serve more than 70 homes and Dave Mackie Park.
Though Island County has not yet gone out for bids on the work in the park, McFarland said he received an $85,000 estimate two years ago for paving the parking lots.
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text:
The plastic reeds of John Douglas Powers' Field of Reeds was so memorizing that you couldn't help but want to reach out and touch it. 2009 ArtPrize patrons would pull pushpins from Eric Daigh's Portraits just to confirm his piece was made of them.
The urge to test an item's surface can be overwhelming; after all, one little touch certainly could not hurt, right?
"Thousands of people will be viewing artwork during ArtPrize, and thousands of little touches will damage a piece," said Janet Teunis, managing director of the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, which will be managing several 2010 ArtPrize locations. "And once one person leaves their uninvited mark on the artwork, many other people unfortunately then follow suit."
However, artist Young Kim was not overly concerned with uninvited marks on his Salt and Earth at 47 Commerce, commenting later that he expected patrons to explore the piece.
"Sometimes viewers are encouraged by the artist to interact with a piece of artwork and even leave their own mark on it, but in this case there would be very specific instructions on what people's participation in the piece should be," Tenuis said.
So as viewers, how do we do know when it is alright to touch a piece of work.
"I think the general rule of thumb to follow is unless there is a sign indicating it's O.K. to touch, don't," said Laurene Grunwald, assistant curator for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which is a new ArtPrize venue this year.
Teunis went a little further, saying a piece outside is usually O.K. to touch since it has been designed to withstand the wind, rain, and the elements, however she wouldn't go so far as to climb on it. But when housed in a facility, that work is usually much more fragile.
"Usually the more tactile and wonderful a surface looks, the more you could damage it by touching it," Teunis said.


text:
M&T Bank Implements Custom Checking Add-ons
M&T Bank is extending new checking account options to their Northeast customer base. Customers can now choose to add any of 5 "Custom Add-ons" to an existing checking account for an monthly fee. M&T isn't the first bank to implement this type of à la carte account line-up (see our review of Union Bank's Banking By Design), and it likely won't be the last. Banks are seeking ways to increase fee revenue from checking accounts without major customer revolt, and many hope an "opt-in" fee structure will be the answer.
What are M&T Bank's Custom Add-ons?
|Monthly cost
|Eligible accounts
|No out of network ATM fees from M&T
|Refund of other banks' ATM fees
|Premium accounts only (MyChoice Plus, MyChoice Premium)
|Free overdraft protection transfers
|Free standard checks & safe deposit box
|Free monthly credit score update
M&T's two premium checking accounts have the added benefit of accessing some of these services for free. MyChoice Plus Checking comes with any 2 of the above services free, and MyChoice Premium customers can choose 4. Of course, these two accounts already levy a relatively hefty monthly service fee ($14.95 and $24.95 respectively), but some customers could meet the minimum balance requirements to waive this fee and receive the add-ons for free.
Are they worth the extra cost?
At essentially $10 per month to waive all ATM fees (those charged by M&T – $3 – as well as the other ATM itself or other bank) the service is really only valuable to those who expect to make around 3 or more out of network withdrawals each month.
Similarly, free overdraft protection transfers (transfers from a savings account to cover an overdraft in lieu of a $30+ NSF fee) would only be worthwhile to those who expect to overdraft on a regular basis. And of course if that is the case, you may need to rethink your banking habits.
Discounts on checks and safe deposit boxes are again only useful to those who heavily use both these services. Even so, the $5 monthly ($60 annual) fee only covers two orders of standard checks per year (50% discount after that) and a safe deposit box valued at $50 per year or less.
Finally, the credit score option would be useful for anyone keeping a close eye on their credit or trying to improve it. A $3 monthly fee is far lower than many other credit score monitoring services.
RiverRatt3 / Flickr source


text:
Utah Officials Delay Marriage Appeal To Supreme Court, While All Counties Now Issue Licenses
Utah officials keep looking for ways to roll back marriage equality in their state, but time is not cooperating with them. The state attorney general's office had originally said it was going to ask the Supreme Court Thursday for a stay of the Dec. 19 federal court ruling allowing same-sex marriages. Now it's pushing back its targeted deadline "for a few days" so it can seek advice from outside lawyers.
The problem for the state is two-fold. First, the appeal to the Supreme Court is a last-ditch effort that doesn't seem likely to succeed. On Christmas Eve, a federal appeals court rejected the state's request to halt the weddings. With two federal rulings against the state, it's hard to see why the Supreme Court would want to intervene, particularly so soon after its marriage equality decision.
In the meantime, complicating the state's effort is the sheer number of newly married couples. Hundreds of weddings are taking place, which the state will have to nullify if it does somehow get the ruling overturned. As a sign that even the most conservative parts of Utah are giving into the inevitable, the four counties that were holding out announced on Thursday that it would begin issuing marriage licenses to any applicants, meaning marriage equality is in effect for the entire state.
It could be spring before the issue is finally resolved. But the longer state officials have to drag out their appeal, the more difficult their task becomes. Time is on the side of marriage equality–even in Utah.
Photo credit: Freedom to Marry
This is what I thought would happen. It couldn't happen to a more deserving State! By the time the State profit… errr, I mean prophets/legal eagles get around to doing something, nobody will be in the least bit phased by Marriage Equality. Karma is indeed a mean mutha!
I can believe this from a state whose majority inhabitants believe in a prophet who found golden plates buried in upstate New York (that's gay).
"With two federal rulings against the state, it's hard to see why the Supreme Court would want to intervene…"
Don't count your chickens before they've hatched. I wouldn't put it past the current Supreme Court to intervene & put a stop to things.
As I understand it, counties that process like 5 applications a day are having to deal with hundreds a day now.
If this goes to the Supreme Court and is upheld it could knock down all similar laws. Poetic Justice if it's UTAH that brings down all anti-gay marriage laws nationwide.
I can't wait until the trial this coming February in Michigan. the state is using the same "evidence" Utah did. the judge seems totally willing to rule against the marriage ban. he turned an adoption case into a gay marriage case.
Utah made over $49,000.00 in marriage licenses in a week due to gays getting married
That couple is cute. Suddenly I feel so lonely.
I hope Louisiana is next, just to piss off the Duck Dynasty Klan.


text:
LOS ANGELES - St. Louis, MO's Wondertouch (www.wondertouch.com), the developer of software for creating high performance particle effects, is now shipping ParticleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X, a mirror release of its 3.0 Windows product.
With an introductory price of $349, ParticleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X affords digital content creation pros working on Apple's operating system all the advantages that Windows users have already been enjoying, including access to ParticleIllusion's library of more than 1,300 preset particle emitters. Effects include smoke, fire, explosions, water effects, sparkles, along with an assortment of colorful effects that can be used in an artistic manor.
The Asylum in Los Angeles was a beta tester of ParticleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X, having started with ParticleIllusion SE, the introductory version of the software on Mac OS X earlier this year.
The studio work on films and trailers, and has put ParticleIllusion to use on "War of the Worlds," "Legion of the Dead," "Frankenstein," and "The Beast of Bray Road."
Jack Tunnicliffe, a VFX artist at Java Post Production in Canada has also served as a beta tester of Version 3 for the Mac and has used it on graphics effects for the enormous Jumbotron video presentation at Taylor Field in Saskatchewan.
Highlights of ParticleIllusion 3.0 for Mac OS X include super emitters, which allow for the automatic creation of emitters, and forces, which allow for the influencing of particles after they are created. The release also includes dozens of interface and productivity improvements over ParticleIllusion SE.
After August 31, the price will be $399.
The company has plans to release "pIllusion AE" later this summer as a plug-in for Adobe's After Effects.
NATICK, MA — Genelec (www.genelecusa.com) has expanded its Smart Active Monitoring (SAM) series with five additions. The new 8340 and 8350 monitors and 7360 and 7370 subwoofers are designed for both a ...
April 25, 2016
FRIEDRICHSDORF, GERMANY — Maxon (www.maxon.net) has released new features for Cineware for Adobe After Effects CC. Version 3.1 increases functionality and improves workflow.
May 3, 2016
ANAHEIM, CA — At the NAMM show currently taking place, Avid and Focusrite announced a commitment to future collaborations, including news set for spring. The companies have a history of working togeth ...
January 22, 2016


text: Joy, The peak of the Leonids is predicted to occur near 11 am Pacific, Noon Mountain, 1pm Central and 2pm Eastern Standard time on Tuesday November 17th. At this particular time the radiant will be 30 degrees high for those in the Pacific time zone, 15 degrees high for those in the Mountain Time Zone, On the horizon for those in the central time zone, and lastly (and unfortunately) 15 degrees below the horizon for those in the Eastern Time Zone. It would not surprise me if the maximum occurred as much as 2 hours early which would place the radiant above the horizon for all 4 time zones. Anybody up to a daylight fireball watch? Bob Lunsford firstname.lastname@example.com wrote: > I was thinking the very same thing since I recall someone last month who > reported a fireball over Los Angeles well before dark. On what day in the > western hemisphere will be the peak you mention? > > Thanks, > > Joy


text:
The Metro Gold Line
Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) in Metropolitan
Los Angeles issued the Request for Proposals for the Foothill Extension Phase
2A light rail Alignment work. The $450-million-plus design-build-finance
project will involve final design, construction and financing of 11.5-miles of
track, utilities, crossings and systems; six stations and multiple bridges; and
a 25-plus-acre light rail maintenance facility. Phase 2A will extend the Metro
Gold Line light rail line from its current terminus in East Pasadena, adding
stations in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.
Washington, D.C., Metro officials will
replace a track switch to improve rail system safety and conduct several
additional projects between the Takoma and Glenmont Metrorail stations, which
will necessitate the closure of five Red Line stations throughout Labor Day
Weekend, (Sept. 3-7). The track switch replacement is work that has been
recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Union Pacific will improve Kansas' transportation
infrastructure by investing more than $11.5 million to improve the rail line
from Topeka, Kan., to Herington, Kan.
Profit margins for a
short-haul rail line along the eastern edge of the county could be as high as
39 percent with the right service and marketing, according to a railroad
consultant hired by the Tulare County, Calif., Association of Governments, the
Visalia Times-Delta reports.
Transportation planners
have narrowed their proposals for expanded Amtrak passenger rail service across
Kansas to two possible routes, according to the Kansas Reporter. Depending on
which route is chosen, if either of them is, transportation department
officials estimate the service will require either $154 million for
infrastructure and equipment costs, plus a potential $3.2-million annual
operating subsidy paid by Kansas taxpayers, or $476 million for infrastructure
and equipment, plus $8 million annually in state support.
RailWorks Corporation promoted
of Robert Rolf to vice president & general manager of the South Division of
its RailWorks Track Systems subsidiary. Rolf, formerly area manager of
RailWorks Track Services, Inc., based in Bridgeton, Mo., is a licensed,
professional engineer with more than 25 years of railroad construction and
maintenance industry experience. He has been active throughout his career in
industry associations, including the Track Functional Group (Committee #5) of
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and
the St. Louis Railway Club.
Smiths Detection won an
additional five-year contract by the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit
Authority to upgrade and maintain the company's PROTECT and FirstView
anti-terrorism detection and software systems. PROTECT and FirstView allow
transit authorities to monitor multiple chemical warfare sensors, distribute
command and control responsibilities among agencies and integrate WMATA's
hundreds of cameras into a manageable system. The upgrade will include expanded
chemical detection libraries and radiological detection capabilities.
Remember Me


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S.I. Quilters Guild
The Staten Island Quilters Guild met Friday at New Dorp Moravian Church. Congratulations were given to member Sue Quadrino, whose handmade Herb quilt was part of the Lancaster Quilt Show this past weekend. A quilt donated by the Prickly Fingers Guild in South Carolina will be raffled and the proceeds donated to a Sandy relief fund. The guild's Chinese Auction will be held at the April 12 meeting; please bring in any fabric, notions or books for the auction. A free-motion class will be held at the May 24 workshop, please bring your machine and materials. A car pool trip is planned to the Brooklyn Museum to see Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts. The 2014 Quilt Show Committee will meet after the April business meeting to discuss committees and choosing a charity to benefit from the quilt raffle. If you have a charity to submit, please come with a short bio to present. Quilts to be entered in the quilt show will be pre-registered and photographed. The Quilts of Valor program has three quilts ready for quilting, please bring any finished blocks to the next meeting. Send articles to Margaret Miller for the Newsletter by the next meeting. The block-of-the-month, Appliquéd Heart, was won by Ann Pisano. The new block-of-the-month, My Mom's Apron, was presented by Ann Nora Conte and is due at the next business meeting. Nancy Biggs demonstrated a unique process for making prairie points. The April workshop will be baby quilts with self-mitering corners. Completed projects were shown by Angela Anderson, Ms. Biggs, Primrose Mcvay and Ms. Quadrino. The next meeting is April 12, all are welcome. For details, call president Fran Cackowski at 718-761-6596.
Grandmothers Club
Grandmothers Club No. 899 met Friday and held a Spring Bonnet Parade contest. Debra Watson won for Most Creative; Marilyn Hartman won for The Funniest, and Camille Matermahan won for The Most Beautiful. Members also discussed the 37th annual fundraiser to be held May 1 at the Staaten, West Brighton; it will be open to the public. Marilyn Iengo and Alana Chanod requested help from members for assistance in collecting donations from merchants. The cost is $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Wine and soda are included in the luncheon. Raffle cards are extra. There will be about 100 raffle prizes including two tables of hand-crocheted items. Please contact Ms. Chanod at 347-423-1190 for reservations or membership information. The club is open to everyone who loves children, not just grandmothers.
Business Toastmasters
The Business Leaders Toastmasters Club hosted the annual Area 13 Evaluation Contest and International Speech Contest Friday at 43 Ramona Ave., Annadale. The contest chair was Area 13 Governor Joan Maurizio; the chief judge was Fran Okeson; the timer/ballot counter was Irene Rosado, and the sergeant-at-arms was Shirley Cowen. The "test speaker" for the Evaluation Contest was Division "A" Governor Darnelle Richardson, whose speech was "You Haven't Lived Until You've Cruised." The winner was Isaak Gelbinovich and the alternate was Orume Hays. Winners of the International Speech Contest were Gelbinovich with his speech, "The Change." The alternate was Naomi D. Jones, with "Are You Your Brother's Keeper?" The other contestants and their speeches were: Anne M. Lautner, "Ghosts: Fact or Fiction"; Jack Freedman "Just Because..."; and Emily Cohen, "Make Your Bed." Gelbinovich will advance to the Division A level of both contests next month in Jersey City. For information about any of the six clubs in Area 13 (Staten Island), contact Mrs. Okeson at 718-984-1339.


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Congress, vote no to Syria strikes
September 2, 2013
We're glad President Obama has asked Congress to decide whether the United States should send its military to Syria for strikes against the government ther....
That's why they call it the "bitter truth", it often doesn't fit what you want to believe in.
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Bitter... Very bitter..... wow, wondering....
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The purpose of USA Inc. is to serve the corporate bottom line not the citizen taxpayer's bottomline. The bottom line of halliburton, Boeing, GE and others is being served very well by our presence in Irag & Afghanistan.
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Lol, the 'bottom line'. Then why are we still in Iraq and Afghanistan spending millions if the bottom line is what we live for? The moral compass is not functioning!
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We live in USA Inc. where we stand for only the bottom line.
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ok, vote no. It's acceptable to cross united nation lines with catastrophic consequences against your own. Where the H.e.L.L. do we live now? What do WE Stand for???
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These are acts against humanity that attacked and killed their OWN Fricken' people folks! and INTENTIONALLY ordered!!! We have the ability and the responsibility to forcibly destroy their ability to carry out this same scenario in the near future. We NEED to protect humanity people and rid the potential of future attacks.
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For whatever pros and cons there may be regarding bombing Syria it is quite clear that they represent no physical threat to us and will not "be in our backyard".
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the gov't goofed when they released info on what we purposed to do, and how much. Israel is mum and just goes ahead and strikes. I was in the same war that john McCain was and the gov't screwed that up beyond all belief! at this point I agree with john . we must do something . if we do as petey recommends, we will wait till they are in our back yard. you can be sure petey will beat it back to Canada quickly. everyone who has ever been in war is against it, but freedom isn't free!!!!!!!!!!
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So Omar, have you volunteered yet?
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If you don't support military strikes, what do you support? Because I can't see how anything else would do anything other than to show Assad and other like-minded dictators that what bare international standards we have really are meaningless and they can use banned weapons with impunity.
Yeah, yeah, we all know that there are some bad people in the resistance. There are a lot of good people too, and they're fighting against a brutal dictator. It doesn't make sense to do nothing and let everyone suffer because there's a minority of Islamist groups that are also fighting Assad.
People keep going back to Afghanistan and Iraq, as if they're the same. They're not. Different countries, totally different situations. And nobody is talking about an actual invasion of Syria anyway. So because you think Iraq didnt work out, we should do nothing while another dictator gasses his own people?
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Teachers at St. Francis Xavier University went on strike Monday. Classes have been cancelled at the university, but buildings on campus remain open. CLAYTON BLAGDON – THE XAVERIAN WEEKLY
ANTIGONISH – Kyle Fraser didn't go to class yesterday and it's not likely that he'll be going today even though he wants to be there.
The New Glasgow native is a third year student at St. Francis Xavier University where Monday teachers began picketing.
The issues behind the strike are a bit blurry to him, he admits, but what is clear is that this is going to impact him and the other students who attend the school.
As opposed to using this time as a vacation break, Fraser said students have been encouraged by teachers to use it as an office week to catch up on reading and prepare for when classes do resume.
"That's what I'm trying to do, because it's so unsure how long it's going to last," he said.
For the sake of keeping his education plans on track, he's hoping that the university and the teachers resolve the issue as soon as possible.
"We don't want to be cramming the material in at the last minute," he said. "It could have a big impact on us."
Although there are many students stressed out with fears that the strike could last a long time and affect their graduation, he said that the teachers did a good job preparing students for the strike beforehand and now that it's on, the student union has stepped up to offer activities to keep students busy on campus.
"They're actually doing a really good job of that," he said. "They're always emailing us and posting links. They're doing a good job of keeping us in the loop."
Another Pictou County native who goes to school at St. FX, Sarah Smith, said it's just not a great time during the semester for a strike to be happening.
"I understand that the union chose to do this through the academic year as it would pressure the university to negotiate and settle quickly, however, that leaves many problems for the students," she said. "Seeing as it is close to midterms, many profs have left new concepts up to students to teach themselves or at least attempt to during the strike. Some courses this is not a big issue, but for some it leaves many students in a tough place with a lot of pressure if this material is on the midterms."
Communications director Cindy MacKenzie said the picketing was happening peacefully on Monday.
"We are saddened by the strike and its impact on students," she said, reiterating the university's position that their offer is fair and reasonable and one that compares to regional and national settlements.
She said the minimal salary increase would be almost seven per cent over four years with an average increase of 16 per cent for the same time period. She said the latest offer had significant improvements to job security and benefits as well.
"The bottom line is that government cuts to post secondary education have put the university into a deficit and that will result to cuts in programs and services and make any settlement difficult," she said.
Meanwhile the St. FX Association of University Teachers say that high quality education of students is a priority for them.
"Although we regret the impact of the labour disruption on students, by exercising our democratic right to strike, the association hopes to avoid the further erosion of the quality of education at St. FX in the long term, and to ensure a fair and equitable settlement for our diverse membership," AUT president Peter McInnis said in a release.
The association represents over 400 members engaged in teaching and research at St. FX. Over one-third is vulnerable due to limited-term contracts with limited or no benefits, the association claims. The AUT reports that members who fall within this vulnerable group make on average $25,000 per year, receive no health benefits, and are only employed on eight-month contracts.
"We cannot accept the broad disparities the administration is trying to impose on us that would compromise the academic mission of this institution by undermining job security for academic staff," said McInnis.


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Comprehension: Ellis Island 5; World War II to Present (upper el/middle)
This factual reading comprehension describes the end of Ellis Island as an immigration station, and its rebirth as American landmark. It is followed by 4 multiple choice questions, 1 essay question and 5 short response questions.
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Members > Middle School/Junior High > Reading > Comprehension > Reading Comprehension > Facts > Reading Comprehensions about History
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Meta-Evaluation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Innovation Programs (3 of 9)
2.0 Program Profile
2.1 Context
As a science-based department a significant portion of departmental spending is for in-house research and over many decades AAFC research and development led to improvements in agricultural inputs, including new crop varieties and livestock genetics, new feeding regimes and production methods.
Government instruments to support innovation may also include tax incentives, regulations, infrastructure, intellectual property rights, patents, standards, trade interventions, knowledge and advisory services, and grants and contributions. AAFC uses mainly programs, including departmental activities and grants and contributions, which are both the focus of this evaluation.
AAFC innovation investments are funded through different funding envelopes (e.g., Vote 1 Operating, Vote 10 Grants and Contributions), and different policy frameworks (e.g., Action Plan, Growing Forward). The aim of the Action Plan programming was to foster transformation towards improved profitability in the sector and to maximize the opportunities available for future growth. The Growing Forward suite of innovation programs established the current innovation continuum (Refer to Annex B, Figure 2) used by the Department to articulate its efforts in promoting innovation. Through Growing Forward, AAFC increased its investment in innovation programming almost threefold compared to its predecessor, the Agricultural Policy Framework.
2.2 Overview of Programs
AAFC has 20 innovation-related programs Footnote 4 that include a mix of Vote 1, 5, and 10, A-base and sunsetting programs. Programs support a variety of innovation activities, from basic and applied research through to commercialization.
Twelve innovation programs were assessed as part of the meta-evaluation and are grouped below by the innovation phase to which they most contribute:
- Discovery Phase
- AAFC in-house Science Research
- Pre-Commercialization / Pre-Adoption /Technology Transfer Phase
- Agri-Foresight
- Agri-Science Clusters
- Developing Innovative Agri-Products
- Promoting Agri-based Investment Opportunities
- Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program
- Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program
- Regulatory Activities
- Commercialization / Adoption Phase
- Agri-Opportunities Program
- ecoAgriculture Biofuels Capital Initiative
- Agri-Processing Initiative
- Agri-Marketing
Initiatives included on AAFC's innovation continuum (See Figure 1) but not assessed included in-house Market and Industry Services and Agri-Environment Services.
Some AAFC initiatives contribute to innovation but have mandates broader than innovation and given that they also contribute to other AAFC strategic outcomes, in particular environmental sustainability and competitiveness, not solely innovation, they have not been included on the innovation continuum. The initiatives include: the Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices (WEBs), Value Chain Roundtables, Slaughter Waste Innovation Program (SWIP), Agricultural Flexibility Fund related initiatives (Science Addressing Market Opportunities and Challenges, Agri-Based Processing, and Profitability Improvement), FCC Venture Capital (Supporting the Innovative capacity of farmers), and Sustainable Agri-Enviro Systems (SAGES).
Annex D includes a description of all AAFC innovation programs while Annex E provides additional information on the programs examined in the evaluation.
2.3 Program Resources
The total annual budget for AAFC innovation programs is approximately $380 million. Table 1 identifies the 2010/11 budget allocations for innovation programs evaluated.
Budget [1]
|Funding Source
Source: AAFC Corporate Management Branch, June 2011.
|G&C Programs
|Agri-Opportunities Program (AOP)
|$34.7 m
|Action Plan
|Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP)
|$36.7 m
|Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP)
|$34.2 m
|Action Plan
|Agri-Science Clusters Program (ASC)
|$14.5 m
|Growing Forward
|Agri-Processing Initiative (API)
|$13.1 m
|CEAP (Agri-Flex) for 2009/10 to 2011/12, Action Plan for 2011/12 to 2013/14
|ecoAgriculture Biofuels Capital Initiative (ecoABC)
|$40.9 m
|Action Plan
|Developing Innovative Agri-Products Program (DIAP)
|$18.0 m
|Growing Forward
|Sub-Total: G&C Programs
|$192.10 m
|Non G&C Programs
|Research Branch - Vote 1 [2]
|$160.72 m
|Regulatory Action Plan (RAP)
|$24.6 m
|Growing Forward
|Agri-Foresight (AF)
|$1.6 m
|Growing Forward
|Promoting Agri-Based Investment Opportunities (PAIO)
|$0.849 m
|Growing Forward
|Sub- Total: Non-G&C Programs
|$187.77 m
|Total: All Programs
|$379.87 m
Figure 1 shows a heat map and how AAFC funding for 2010/11 is distributed along the innovation continuum. The largest amount of funding is directed toward basic and applied research. Other programs with significant funding are CAAP, AOP, and ecoABC. After basic and applied research, most funding for innovation is directed to programs that fall under the pre-commercialization phase.
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The biggest week of LSU's basketball season had a lot to do with how the inside tandem of Johnny O'Bryant and Jordan Mickey performed. The SEC took notice on Monday.
O'Bryant was named the SEC Player of the Week and Mickey the SEC Freshman of the Week after both played pivotal roles in victories over Kentucky and Arkansas.
The 6-foot-9, 256-pound O'Bryant scored 52 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, knocking down 23-of-36 floor shots, and led LSU (14-6, 5-3) in scoring in both wins. His 29 points against the Wildcats last Tuesday were his season high and the second most he has produced in a game.
Mickey has been, arguably, the most pleasant surprise this season for LSU, and he's not so much a secret anymore outside of Baton Rouge.
The talented 6-8 Texan scored 36 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and, most notably, blocked 11 shots in the two wins, spearheading, making a big impact out of the 2-3 zone LSU coach Johnny Jones put in place for both games.
O'Bryant leads LSU in scoring (15.8 points per game) and rebounding (7.5). He is shooting 53.2% (123-of-231) from the floor this season and is second on the team with 21 blocked shots. Mickey is second in scoring (13.5) and rebounds (7.4).
Through 20 games, Mickey leads the SEC with 75 rejections and is on pace to join Shaquille O'Neal as just the second freshman in program history with 100 or more blocks.
The Tigers are back in action at 6 p.m. Thursday (ESPN2) at Georgia (10-10, 4-4).
Another honor for JOB
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Stegeman Coliseum | Athens, Ga.
RECORDS: LSU 14-6, 5-3 SEC; Georgia 10-10, 4-4 SEC
O'Bryant was also voted the Player of the Week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association on Monday.
He is the second LSU player to receive the honor this season,
joining Jarell Martin who was honored on Dec. 30.
Southeastern Louisiana's Nanna Pool Pool was the
women's Player of the Week after recording her sixth double-double of the year,
going 7-for-9 from the floor en route to scoring 21 points with 15 rebounds in
a win over New Orleans.
Two big men highlight Jones' monthly luncheon
A pair of decorated big men from LSU's past will join Jones on Tuesday at his monthly 'Tipoff Luncheon Presented by Hub International' at the L'Auberge Resort in Baton Rouge.
Former LSU and NBA player Stanley Roberts will be on hand to discuss his time with the Tigers, and to also talk about a great story of returning to campus to finish up his college degree, which he received in December 2012.
Rudy Macklin, a native of Louisville, will also give his thoughts on LSU's win against Kentucky and this year's team.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at 12:10 p.m. The buffet cost is $14.95.
- LSU has scored 80 points or more in three consecutive SEC games, the first time that's happened since the 2009 league championship season. That year the Tigers scored 85, 83 and 81 to beat South Carolina, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
- The 87 and 88 points back-to-back represent the first time since the early part of the 2005-06 season the Tigers had scored that many in consecutive games (90 vs. McNeese and 94 against UNO). The last time LSU topped 87 in back-to-back conference games was 2003 against Auburn and Tennessee (Feb. 26-March 1).
- The official NCAA RPI was updated Monday and the Tigers climbed 11 spots to 54. With 10 regular-season games to go, LSU is 6-4 against top-100 teams and has two games remaining against the current top 50: At Kentucky on Feb. 22 and at Florida on March 1.
Randy Rosetta can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 225.610.5507.


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An hour or so later, the five-star linebacker, on his Twitter account, issued apologies to the fanbases at Auburn, Georgia and Alabama for how the past year played out.
He started with the Crimson Tide.
He then focused on Georgia, which never received a commitment from him but was his destination for numerous visits.
Tide Nation I would like to apologize to y'all and I'm sorry for being the brat I was. SORRY! But HEY I'm back HOME and hope yAll accept me!— Reuben Foster (@reubenfoster_FG) February 6, 2013
He finished the three-Tweet mea culpa with a message to Auburn fans.
DAWG Nation I'm sorry for getting y'all hopes up but I hope y'all understand the choice I had to make SORRY!!— Reuben Foster (@reubenfoster_FG) February 6, 2013
Follow @Andrew_Gribble
And TIGER Nation I know you mad but SORRY. But I love y'all you might nt love me but it's ok you hate me it's ok just want to let y'all know— Reuben Foster (@reubenfoster_FG) February 6, 2013


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The Right Wing Can't Admit It's Lost The Marriage War
If you need an example of just how unmoored the right wing is from reality, look no further than the decision of antimarriage activists to petition the Supreme Court to stop marriage in California just two days after the Court gave it the go ahead. Yes, in what has to be a textbook case of denial, marriage opponents somehow thought that the same folks in robes who just lectured them on the dignity of gay and lesbian relationships would suddenly change their minds and agree with them. Of course, that was a short-lived belief. Justice Anthony Kennedy swatted the petition down without a second thought.
If the right wing wants to throw good money after bad, that's their choice. But by pursuing such a quixotic (which is a nice way of saying hair-brained) appeal, they underscore one key fact: they can't admit that they've lost. It's not that they are in denial. In their more lucid moments, they know marriage equality is inevitable.
James Dobson, one of the patriarchs of the religious right, says that the Supreme Court ruling was devastating "even if eventually legally we are able to walk it back a bit." That is hardly a trumpet call to battle victory. Instead it's a monument to qualifiers. Any more hedging and the entire phrase would have to be in air quotes.
But the right wing can't give up. In large part, it's principle, as they genuinely believe marriage equality is immoral. But it's hardly the only issue they consider immoral. In fact, there are two reasons why the right wing can't give up.
The first is that the success the religious right has had with abortion rights. After the huge setback of Roe v. Wade, the right wing has managed to put major restrictions around a woman's right to choose. In states with GOP majorities,legislatures have tightened the restrictions on abortion clinics, with the goal of driving as many as possible out of business. Those successes are a road map for effectively undoing a Supreme Court decision as much as possible. Don't think they aren't mulling that over when it comes to marriage equality.
The second reason is more complicated. A lot of the right wing's identity is tied up in its antigay activities. Without them, what would the right be about? It has nothing to replace them with, at least at present. This is the problem facing the GOP: it has to change if it's going to survive. But religious conservatives have no reason to change for political reasons. They will hang on to the bitter end. That's why the right may recognize marriage equality is inevitable, but they will never stop fighting it every way they can.
Not only are we born with our sexual identity, their much quoted adage that God created marriage between one man and one woman, is becoming ludicrous. In the first place, God did not create marriage, the church did. In the second, many Biblical patriarchs had more than one wife. A third point, is that marriage has meant different things at different times in history. These fossilized ignorant people, mostly men, don't realize that not many care for their pronouncements anymore. They are no longer relevant. They might scream and carry on, but their day is, mercifully, past.
Wow!!! Just… WOW!!! Probably the most succinct article I have ever read on marriage equality vs. the religious christian Taliban extremists. They are certainly no Christians by any stretch of the imagination! They will definitely go down with the ship and I will NOT tell them where the floatation devices are… Nosiree!
It's all about money. Their fight against marriage equality is really about keeping the contributions coming in so they don't have to look for real jobs.
@Taliaferro It appears that you are another one who's bought into the lies of the church and of the right wingers. Marriage was originally a state institution, only sometimes also celebrated by local religious groups. Then throughout the first 1000 years of CE it was a purely social institution, until, as the Dark Ages began, the church became afraid of losing power and money. The Catholic Church only then started doing marriages.
To a thinking person, marriage is any state-sanctioned union. Churches should perhaps be allowed to add their own spin, calling it a religious union; it should not be considered marriage.
The Supreme Court is doing its best to bolster the conservative tide in this Country by allowing Citizens United and undoing the essential provision in Shelby County v. Holder, Voting Rights Act of 1965. Already, despicable cheaters are working their magic in North Carolina and Texas. Virginia and Arizona will be hot on their heels with their own gerrymandering and oppressive tactics. That's how desperate this party is. The Conservatives on the Supreme Court handed them two huge gifts and yet, still, the GOP gets slapped down. I hope this Voting Rights Act dissolution wakes the sleeping giant in oppressed minorities and back-fires right back into their laps. The Church will turn its ugliness towards Muslims and raise money creating fear out of that for a few decades, once they realize that the gay heyday is over. It's all about money with these earthly, worldly charlatans.
@Charles175: I'm wondering, what "evidence are you referring too? And sin is not purely a choice. I don't like this apologetic excuse of "born that way" As if we need the scientific community to justify who we are. Born of not people shouldn't be barred from marrying the same sex.
When Sophie Scholl, leader of the the White Rose resistance movement, was tried and sentenced to death in a kangaroo court by the Nazis in 1943, she famously told the court — "where we stand today, you will stand soon."
The religious right has cast gays and lesbians as social pariahs for decades, but soon, they will be the social pariahs. The roles are reversing. Where we once stood, they will stand soon.
I disagree Erik but only because I truly believe that we're better than that. Whereas the xtian right will do anything to hurt LGBTQ people – that includes passing legislation that would put us in jail or/and mental hospitals JUST for being gay (it was the USA xtian right that backed the Uganda kill the gay bill btw), refuse to pass legislation that will stop discrimination against LGBTQ in the workplace, refuse to pass legislation to stop discrimination in housing, the list goes on ….
For our side? We don't do that. We never have. Whenever gay folks sit down to discuss what needs to be done to make our lives better, I have yet to hear anyone say, "AND BTW… when all is said and done.. Let's make those right wing wankers SUFFER!" It's just not how the majority of us think. All we want is to be treated with respect and allowed to pursue life, liberty, etc. without getting thrashed for being who we are…and that's it. Equal treatment, period. No one is asking for the religious nutjobs to be tossed into mental hospitals and prisons (although, sometimes it seems so VERY clear that some of these people truly are delusional – listen to the pastor from Westboro church in any interview, OMG! He is mentally unwell!) But we just don't do that kind of crap. I think, by in large (and, of course, there are exceptions) folks from our community just aren't interested in hurting other people. I also think the our communities have a very high rate of empathy in terms of how we treat other people suffering emotional pain. Most people in the GLBTQ communities have, in one way or the other, experienced pain solely because of our orientation/identity. Many of us have lost jobs, been physically bashed, gotten bashed and/or kicked out the military, been treated like crap throughout our school careers, etc. Ya… We might make a joke about "they'll get theirs".. but no one really wants to see any of these people suffer. I might sound condescending BUT I truly believe the majority of GLBTQ people are above that crap (along with our straight allies and PFLAG families etc). In terms of philosophy and who practices what … I have noticed for years that the GLBTQ communities are incredibly "Christian" in the way we lives our lives. We love our brothers/sisters as we love ourselves, we don't make judgments on others, we care and share with those in need (Go back to the 1980s AIDS crisis and it was amazing how fast we all came together to help one another), I could go on but .. I think you catch my drift. I just wish the xtian right would wake up… Wake up and stop trying to hurt people from our communities for doing nothing more radical than being WHO WE WERE BORN TO BE. Know what I mean? Take care.
@Taliaferro: A point of information: the Church did not create marriage — the Church didn't even recognize it as a sacrament until the beginning of the thirteenth century. Marriage has always been a community ritual, with clergy optional — and that's something that goes back to the ancient Mediterranean and beyond. The Church is trying to appropriate it.
@Charles175: It's a little deeper than that — remember, to Christians, everyone is a sinner — according to them, we're all "born that way." What happens is that as the evidence for a biological basis for sexual orientation mounts, their "gays chose to spit in God's eye" argument loses a lot of traction. Notice how the emphasis is shifting to "Big Gay, Inc." and a shadowy conspiracy to take over the world. Shades of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
We're still sinners. We're just the sinners that they've chosen to vilify.
@Grinning_Wolf: We don't have to do anything to hurt them. They're doing enough damage to themselves. I think the thrust of Erik's comment is that there is a certain inevitability to the rise of fall of power groups. The "Christian" right is fading, and making themselves very unpopular while they're doing it. Paganism has a take on that: what you send out will come back to you.
The Tedious Right is fading because they foolishly entwined themselves into a political machine. Politics and religion don't potentiate each other. Politics, tainted by religion, is usury. Religion, tainted by politics, is oppression.
To be true, even when others hate us for it, is courageous.
James Dobson is said to be gay, and so he will never give up his attempts to prove that he is not gay.
The Chrisitianists understand, up to a point, that they are losing on this issue. But what they believe is that there will be a "backlash" and that kids will grow up to be conservatives. They believe that if they just keep "educating" people about the evils of homosexuality and that same sex marriage has destroyed marriage, then people will start to restrict it, and eventually reverse it.
IOW, they are following their model with abortion. Yes, they are able to get restrictions on abortion now, 40 years after Roe v. Wade, and yes, many people still think abortion is wrong, but these are two separate issues. They don't realize the gay issue is one way — once people lose their fear of gays, it's gone forever.
I also like the comment above that without gays to hate, the religious right is lost. Sure, they can always hate muslims and abortionists, but that just doesn't have the oomph of hating gays. No one is worried that their precious little boy will become a muslim or an abortionist!
So if you put this all together, the religious right will continue to hate on gays until they have no one to take over when they die off. They will not ever declare a truce in this war, and will fight to the bitter end.
In being objective, I understand why the other side does not want to publicly give up: Take a look at the Prop 8 case alone. That measure has costs (both sides) millions and millions of dollars, in addition to emotionally draining lawyers, supporters, and opponents on both sides. Brian Brown "personally" moved his family to California to "ensure" Prop 8's passage. Five years after a popular vote (which in my opinion should never have taken place because the CA. Sup. Ct. held marriage to be a 'fundamental' right that applies to same-sex couples) which narrowly approved Prop 8 a trial was held in federal District Court in San Francisco (by an openly gay judge – not that that matters because I don't think that is a basis for recusal) who refused to dismiss the case and held a trial on the merits broadly holding Prop 8 unconstitutional; the 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court ruling on narrower grounds; the CA Sup. Ct. issued an opinion holding that proponents of the measure do have standing to appeal in the 9th Circuit; then they lose at the 9th Circuit and the U.S. Sup. Ct. grants cert. only to dismiss the case and vacate the 9th Circuit's holding because it held proponents did not have standing, thus leaving the District Court holding and Injunction intact. Proponents of Prop 8, after spending a great deal of resources, are told they are mere bystanders and have no standing to assert claims in federal court because their alleged injuries are not real and concrete. Further, while a District Court holding is typically limited to jurisdictions (parts of the state) under the Court's control, in this instance the Injunction applies statewide because it orders state officials in their official capacities not to enforce Prop 8 because it found the measure facially unconstitutional. Then at the 11th hour, Proponents try a last minute measure to stop marriages in CA after they resumed a few days after the Prop 8 decision (which no one expected and thanks to the 9th Circuit) because under Rule 45 they are allowed 25-days to file a motion for re-consideration – only to see Justice Kennedy who agreed that they DID have standing deny their emergency application to stop the weddings. This, of course, happened moments after the very fabulous AG Kamala Harris married 2 of the plaintiff's in San Francisco City Hall and tweeted about it just before telling the L.A. County Clerk that marriages must resume "immediately." And Proponents can't even go back to federal court because they are not a party of interest, they are mere bystanders. Can you imagine litigating a case for 5-years and pouring millions of dollars and thousands of hours of intellectual labor only to be told you have no standing? Talk about having all the stars aligned against you. I, for one, am happy to see these results and how the stars aligned because they have been aligned against us for such a long time and still are in most federal and appeals courts in this country. It's like for once our opponents got a flavor of what daily life has been for us in this country for decade after decade. I do not think our opponents are simply in denial that they lost; they are also in denial that the same system (the courts/government) that they have relied on consistently over the years to further their means and objectives has turned on them and given them some of their own medicine. With all this said, I still expect Proponents to try to concoct some type of state court strategy to limit the scope of the injunction. I think it is fair to say that by now they know they will get no dice in federal court. A movie will be made about this. Mark my words.
get real…the right wing can't admit they lost roe v wade and that was 40 years ago in 1973
Roe v. Wade is still an on-going fight. Look at what all the legislatures in the Red States are doing by chipping away the spirit of Roe v. Wade.
@erikwm: Very apt. Our country (and civilization) has been hijacked long enough by superstition and fear.
@Hunter: Any serious church history historian/scholar will say the same thing. Marriage was first and foremost a legally sanctioned attainer which transferred property and gave everybody a chance to throw and attend a party, ONE of which Jesus was invited. And what did he do? The first thing Jesus did was produce the best wine in the house! Now THAT'S the kind of Rabbi/Pastor I would want at my wedding!
Pastor Dak!
Linking abortion in lockstep with LGBT equality is I believe unwise. We can't assume all gay people are either in favour of it or against it, and to do so blurs the focus of our equality agenda.
@Derek Williams: I am not linking abortion with gay equality…not like we use it often. I am just saying the right wing will continue to fight gay marriage forever just as it has roe v wade
The tedious Right constantly links the two, abortion and Equality. It's their way of bolstering their weak, pathetic argument. Thank you, Derek Williams, for pointing out any mention of these two issues in the same breath.
There really is no direct connection between abortion and gay rights. (FWIW I am gay AND pro-choice, but see the two things and apples and oranges.)
Where they DO intersect, however, is that political conservatives and religious fundamentalist conservatives (who are often but not always the same people) want to control ALL sexuality, because if you can control sexuality you basically control everything. It's that powerful a force in both individuals and in society at large.
I truly believe that they WANT sex to have negative consequences, from unwanted pregnancies (why else the opposition to contraception?) to disease and death. They LONG for the days when an unmarried woman being pregnant was a HUGE scandal that came with both shunning and often life-long shame. The long for the days when they could shame and vilify gay people. Because if they can make you AFRAID of sex, ashamed of your sexuality, then controlling YOU is that much easier. I really think it ultimately comes down to control.
The one thing they cannot stand is to be mocked and laughed at, for their dire pronouncements to be met with rolled eyes.
TWhile like the end results, I still don't understand why our enemies had standing in the trial court, but not on appeal. I was really surprised that SCOTUS didn't reverse everything on the basis of BAKER V NELSON. Under basic federal judicial rules, it appears that there still is no substantial Federal question.
Good article, but it's "harebrained" not "hair-brained". : )
This might clarify things about marriage, much info here —


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By Mike Frassinelli
Star-Ledger staff
What's the price of a hole in the ground?
For New Jersey, $95 million.
But that's a lot less than the $271 million bill the federal government originally sent the state for money spent on the since-canceled ARC commuter rail tunnel between Secaucus and New York.
New Jersey and the federal government Friday settled the tab for $95 million, ending a yearlong saga that unfolded after Gov. Chris Christie terminated the $9.8 billion Hudson River tunnel – America's largest public works project.
"We have negotiated a good faith settlement with the Federal (Transit) Administration that puts the interests of New Jersey taxpayers first by substantially reducing the federal government's original demand," Christie said Friday in a statement. He noted the state will not pay any penalties or interest, nor will it have to shell out money for insurance on the project.
"The 5-year payment schedule on a $95 million settlement – which contains not one additional dollar of New Jersey taxpayer money – would be offset by more than $100 million in insurance premium refunds," the governor said.
"This represents a fraction of the federal government's initial claim and won't cost New Jerseyans any additional money, which would otherwise go to infrastructure improvements," he continued. "I want to thank U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and his staff for their good-faith efforts in working with us and putting the interest of New Jersey taxpayers ahead of politics."
After the ARC tunnel was killed, U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both D-N.J., reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce New Jersey's bill to $143 million, with the other $128 million credited to New Jersey for transit-related projects reviewed and approved by the DOT.
To broker the settlement, the DOT slashed New Jersey's tab by another $48 million and agreed not to charge the state penalties and interest.
"The governor's decision to kill the ARC tunnel project will hurt New Jersey in the long-term, but we were happy to work with the Department of Transportation to help reduce the costs of this mistake," Lautenberg said Friday.
"While I remain disappointed that the state abandoned this job-creating project for which we fought so hard to fund, I'm thankful to Secretary LaHood for working to resolve this dispute in a way that best protects our taxpayers," Menendez added.
New Jersey, contending the transit administration was holding the Garden State to a different standard than other states that have canceled public works projects, paid more than $1 million in legal bills to fight the federal bill collectors.
During a town hall meeting in the spring, Christie said of the federal government: "They're going to have to come get it."
They came and got it, but at a greatly reduced amount.
The governor scrapped the planned "Access to the Region's Core" tunnel last October over concerns about potential cost overruns and the lack of connections to other train routes from the isolated station deep under West 34th Street in Manhattan.
He has been receptive to a pair of current proposals to increase rail capacity under the Hudson: Amtrak's proposed Gateway Tunnel from Secaucus to the south side of New York Penn Station and a plan New York City floated to extend its No. 7 subway line – the one that takes riders to see the New York Mets at Citi Field – to Secaucus.
New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel, who famously declared ARC "the tunnel to Macy's basement," said Friday: "I am glad New Jersey does not have to pay the full amount or penalties. However, we still need a new tunnel into New York. I hope the FTA will be able to use the settlement money toward the Gateway project."
LaHood said the $51 million in "new starts" money provided to New Jersey for the ARC project will be recovered in full and can be made available to other communities for public transit projects.
In addition, he said, the federal government will recoup about half the money provided to New Jersey under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"Every commuter stuck in the tunnel or delayed on their way to and from work knows how important this project was to our economy and quality of life," said Assemblyman John Wisniewski, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee. "The governor can brag all he wants, but there is no getting around the fact that New Jersey lost when the governor canceled the tunnel."


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It's not just things that go bump in the night that you need to be afraid of, but also the monsters lurking in your portfolio that can give you the shakes. Just ask investors in Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD ) , because they know what a scary stock the retailer has been. Even at these depressed prices, it holds monstrous potential to haunt you for years to come.
George Romero's zombie hit Dawn of the Dead showed the slack-jawed undead attracted to a mall, perhaps in some primal remembrance of how their lives used to be. That's how the once-venerable retailer must be feeling these days. At a time when Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT ) has been surprising analysts with same-store sales that meet or exceed expectations, Sears Holdings hasn't posted a single quarter with rising comps in the three years since emerging from bankruptcy.
For a discount retailer, that has to be especially painful -- but then again, zombies don't feel pain.
Lampert the Reanimator
Yet painful it has been. Like a modern-day Dr. Frankenstein, Sears Holdings Chairman Eddie Lampert has been trying to cobble together a living being, one rotten corpse at a time, much as Warren Buffett did with ailing textile mill Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A ) (NYSE: BRK-B ) . First, Sears merged with a failed Kmart and then tried to pick up fading home-decor specialist Restoration Hardware.
It's been a long time since the Oracle wannabe displayed any of his "Lampert magic," though. His use of total return swaps has seemingly failed more times than it has worked in Sears Holdings' favor, and the idea that the retailer may have been some kind of asset play with valuable real estate in prime locations has faltered as the commercial market collapsed and credit remains in a deep freeze.
Bring out your dead!
Too often, it seems Lampert has resorted to using share buybacks to prop up earnings, both at Sears Holdings and at his other fiefdom, AutoZone. In both cases, hard-earned capital was squandered on buying up overpriced shares instead of investing in the stores. Over the past year, Sears Holdings has spent more than $1.35 billion buying back some 11.5 million shares, for an average cost of $117 each. Today, the stock trades around $50 a share. The vaunted cash balances that once exceeded $4.4 billion now register at just over $1.5 billion.
Malls have become ghost towns as consumers strive to stretch their dollars as far as they can. When you can save even more money by shopping at Wal-Mart or Costco (Nasdaq: COST ) , why go to Sears? As fellow Fool Richard Gibbons points out, things are going to get worse as even retailers such as Target (NYSE: TGT ) -- a brand slightly more happening than Sears -- suffer from declining comps.
At 27 times next year's earnings, Sears Holdings trades at three times the valuation of midmarket retailers such as Kohl's (NYSE: KSS ) and J.C. Penney, yet it may still induce the kind of chills investors don't need in these markets.
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OK, sports fans, we know LSU vs. Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl promises to be one of the more competitive bowl games of the season, maybe the most competitive among SEC teams. Eight other league programs may want to argue with that.
Help us settle the matter by taking a shot and voting in our poll. Is Alabama going to crush Notre Dame in the bowl game that matters most? How about Mississippi State-Northwestern? Can Louisville hang with Florida in the Sugar?
Vote below and don't hesitate to add your opinion below in the comments section. We always want to know what you think.


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Maplewood –Save Our Reservation, a coalition of concerned citizens focused on protecting the historic South Mountain Reservation, a nature preserve designed by the Olmsted family in the early 20th century, today announced the support of a wide-range of elected leaders and local towns opposed to the construction of a 75-foot high, 810-foot wide dam across the Rahway River in the southern section of the park in Essex County.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has proposed the dam for flood abatement for areas downriver from the parkland. USACE has issued a Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study that includes seven flood risk management alternatives.
Among those who have voiced opposition to the proposed dam, which would destroy over 110 acres of the park, are:
U.S Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. Statement
NJ Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and Assemblyman John McKeon Statement
Essex County Executive DiVincenzo Statement
Township of South Orange Village Resolution
Maplewood Township Resolution (approved by Township Council on 4/1/14, link available 4/15/14)
In addition, nearly 4,000 residents from towns around the reservation have signed an on-line petition opposed to the dam and suggesting alternatives that would cost less, protect towns prone to flooding and preservation the reservations, along with threatened wildlife.
Save Our Reservation finds that the construction of the proposed dam and the associated 110-acre dry detention basin is misguided and would irreparably damage the treasured century-old South Mountain Reservation. The group hopes to provide an alternative perspective and champion a more balanced, equitable approach to flood solutions along the Rahway River watershed.
"The community is alarmed by the proposal to put a 75-foot high dam in South Mountain Reservation, especially because damming only the west branch of the Rahway River is likely to affect too little of the total river flow to prevent the most serious flooding downstream. The damage to the Reservation would be irreparable without solving the flooding problems," said Fred Profeta, chair of the Save Our Reservation organization and the former mayor of Maplewood. "We are asking the US Army Corps of Engineers to engage in a more open process and seek better input from the public about the plans."
"The potential for flooding downstream the Rahway River is a serious issue and should be addressed. However, it can't come at the expense of destroying a natural resource such as South Mountain Reservation and reducing the quality of life for Essex County residents," said Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County executive.
Save Our Reservation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the 880-foot long, 70-foot high proposed dam across the southern section of the South Mountain Reservation.
Petition; Website: http://sornj.org/; Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaveOurReservation
Save Our Reservation Trustees: Fred Profeta, Walter Clarke and Tracey Woods


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Baldwinsville, NY -- The traffic pattern of Baker High School's bus loop will change effective today.
As of today, traffic will enter the loop from the south end, instead of the north end. The bus loop entrance and exit will be opposite of what formally existed, and new stop signs are being installed at the north end of the loop as well as at the corners where the bus loop intersects with the district's main road.
Please note that parking for visitors and staff will no longer be available during school hours in Baker's bus loop. These spaces have been eliminated. However, parking will be permitted in the loop after 3:30 p.m. for evening events. During school hours, visitor and handicapped parking is available in the quad.


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Hilary Mason is chief scientist at Path 101: she's a data scientist, a developer and a professor -- she's also a recent Open Hack NYC panelist and a member of the winning Delicious Cake team.
Hilary describes how she manages the balance between the solitary art of coding and the energy she gets from being actively involved in New York City's thriving technology scene.
Hilary chatted with YDN Theater in Madison Square Park, where she also shared her passions for data structures, collaboration, and dry-ice martinis.


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A dynamic and consistent energy player
Apart from a brief lull, Penn West Energy (NYSE: PWE ) has been consistently outperforming the market for the past two years. With a solid business model and proven reserves, the company converted from an income trust into an exploration and production (E&P) company last month; I imagine in order to better fuel its own promising growth. Penn West has a strong asset base with a diversified portfolio and is well-positioned to create long-term value for shareholders, which is also reflected in its balance sheet. As if that weren't gravy enough, growth is accelerating.
What I see in Penn West
With land holdings totaling an astounding 7 million acres, Penn West has exposure to nearly every major resource play in western Canada. Considering Canada's status as one of the world's largest natural gas producers, Penn West's entitlement to vast portions of this oil-rich region is downright sexy. In addition, the company has a portfolio of properties spread across the western Canada sedimentary basin.
Penn West's larger production base includes natural gas, natural-gas liquids, and conventional oils, making it quite diverse for a relatively small-scale energy company. Spreading the production over a diverse portfolio reduces the risk of an imminent slowdown in growth, which as far as defensive characteristics is a great one. To me, that growth plus diversity is a solid play.
For those who delight in details: Proven and probable reserves consist of approximately 687 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE). Penn has done remarkably well compared to competing companies of comparable market caps, like EnCana Corp. (NYSE: ECA ) and Advantage Oil & Gas (NYSE: AAV ) . My guess is that it's a play that's definitely worth the risk.
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I have just one comment about the article, "Will Obamacare really make health care more affordable?" by Mark Weisbrot (Sunday's Viewpoint): Mr. Weisbrot said it like a true socialist.
Joseph Attisano
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Warren Hills Regional High School presents the "Art Showcase and 'Sing and Swing' Concert" on Wednesday, May 16 in the school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The ensemble group will play a variety of music including pieces from swing, Latin, and funk genres. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to audition for the ensemble in the fall each year to play alto, tenor or baritone sax along with trombones, trumpets, bass, piano, drums, and vibraphone.
The award-winning 20-piece jazz ensemble recently competed at SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase in Bethlehem, Pa. and Music in the Parks at Hershey Park. While at Hershey Park, the ensemble, under the direction of Jason Graf, earned first place for best overall jazz ensemble of the day. They also received an excellent rating at the SteelStacks showcase.
At the concert, vocal accompaniments to the jazz ensemble will be provided by the Warren Hills Regional select choir under the direction of Lauren Voight. The choir will feature several selections including a song from the hit show "Glee" called "Keep Holding On" featuring soloists Courtney Wright and Chris Steele, and the old jazz favorite "Georgia on My Mind."
The choir will also perform an original a capella arrangement of the hit song "21 Guns" recorded by the American rock band Green Day. Ezra Tarlowe, a junior at Warren Hills, composed the arrangement. The song will feature two soloists, Alex Stucy and Chris Steele. As part of the select choir's last set, alumni are invited to the risers to join in singing "Danny Boy" and "Blue Moon." The select choir recently performed at the high school during its annual spring concert.
The evening will commence with students' art on display beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The work of students representing the school's visual arts department will be showcased with coffee-house style music as the backdrop.


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Unfortunately for UMass, it still wasn't enough as La Salle squeezed away a 3-2 overtime victory at Rudd Field.
With the win, the Explorers remained unbeaten at 13-0-1, 5-0 in the A-10 while the Minutewomen (9-3-2, 3-1-1) had their unbeaten string stopped at eight.
The question of whether or not UMass would even score Sunday was settled early when freshman midfielder Moa Mattson made a nice deke in the middle, and sent a through ball to freshman Tori Sousa, who chipped in a shot to give the Minutewomen a somewhat shocking 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. Until them, the only other goal La Salle had given up this season was in a 2-1 overtime win against Dayton Oct. 7. The Explorers won their first 11 matches all by shutouts.
After the Sousa goal, La Salle carried the territorial play the remainder of the half, and it appeared UMass was just trying to survive until the break. The Explorers bench kept shouting, "It's coming, it's coming", and it was. In the 41st minute, freshman midfielder Gabriella Carbone scored on a rebound to tie the match at 1-1.
"We came out of the gate with a lot of emotion with the support of the big crowd," UMass second-year coach Ed Matz said. "But then La Salle started to high pressure us, and we either took too long to make a decision, or hurried our decision."
And when La Salle fabulous freshman Kelsey Haycook (7 shots, 3 on goal; 2 breakaways), scored less than three minutes into the second half, it looked like it was already over for UMass.
But the Minutewomen got a gift when defender Lauren Skesavage's long free kick from the left sideline was accidentally headed in by a La Salle defender for an "own goal" to tie the match at 2-2 in the 79th minute.
It was an extremely physical, foul-filled affair, and La Salle coach Paul Royal had been alternating encouraging words to his team with blasting the officials so regularly and vociferously that he received a yellow card in the 73rd minute. With the card, referee Del Rainho offered a calming chat on the sideline where he tried to convince the coach that his charge of "every time we touch the ball, we get a foul" was something of a stretch of the truth. Royal remained relatively calm for a few minutes, but with the "own goal" came the fear of losing, and the next disliked call sent him over the top. He received the red card in the 84th minute.
In overtime, the Minutewomen didn't hold back.
"And even if I had told them to (play for a tie), they wouldn't have," Matz said. "They're too competitive."
But In the 96th minute, Renee Washington, one of the best players in the conference, headed in a cross from 10 yards out to give LaSalle a school-record 13th win.
Haycook, who has 12 goals and was a three-sport athlete at Point Pleasant, N.J. high school, is a product of the Olympic Development program. She was a 1000-point scorer in basketball who finally decided as a freshman in high school to go with soccer. She said the team wasn't rattled after giving up the first goal.
"We never let down," she said.
La Salle and UMass could meet again in the A-10 tournament.
"They're a very individual (talent) team," Skesavage said. "To beat them, you have to focus on the 1 on 1's. It comes down to that."


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The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Men's Basketball League started the second half of their 2013-2014 season Sunday, Feb. 2. Game one featured Real Deal versus Lights Out. Lights Out was able to keep pace with Real Deal for the first half but Real Deal pulled away at the beginning of the second half finishing with a 50-41 victory. Jamal Berry led Real Deal with a season-high 29 points while also pulling down a game-high 9 rebounds. Ian Brown scored 16 points for Lights Out in the loss. Real Deal remains tied for first at 6-1 while Lights Out drops to 2-5.
The second game pitted Blue Chips versus Shake-n-Bake. Both teams started slow but just as Blue Chips would try to pull away, Shake-n-Bake would mount a comeback effort. In the end, Blue Chips was able to hold on to a 58-53 win. Scott Lowder and Eric Lyght paced Blue Chips with 19 and 17 points respectively. Tom St. John also recorded a game-high 11 rebounds for Blue Chips. Shake-n-Bake was led by Warren Lowe with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Blue Chips remain tied for 1st places with a 6-1 record while Shake-n-Bake falls to 1-6.
The third game was a thriller that took an extra overtime period to decide the winner with Showtime playing Hoop Unit. After being tied at halftime, Hoop Unit took an early second half lead but Showtime mounted a furious comeback to end regulation in a 50-50 tie. Showtime was able to squeak by Hoop Unit with a 54-53 win in overtime. Gregg Carder led Showtime in both points and rebounds with 22 and 9. Jason Holley chipped in 12 points as well for Showtime.
Hoop Unit was led by a two headed scoring attack of Jason Shann and Justin Fiory, each scoring 17 in the loss. Showtime improves to 4-3 on the year while Hoop Unit drops to 2-5.
The Y is the nation's leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
For information on membership or programs, or to request a schedule of classes, call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at 908-889-8880 or visit the Y's website at fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.