text: 12/01/16 12/22/12 POPSUGAR Celebrity Holiday Best Holiday Gift Ideas 2012 2012 Holiday Gift Guides: Perfect Presents For Everyone on Your List! December 22, 2012 by Brittney Stephens 75 Shares Chat with us on Facebook Messenger. Learn what's trending across POPSUGAR. View in slideshow We're just days away from Christmas, and it's time to get giving! We've got you covered with our collection of 2012 gift guides, including incredible ideas on what to pick up for the girlie-girl, your beauty-obsessed pal, and the yoga lover in your life. We'll help you cross off the names on your gift list from now through the end of the year, so make sure to check back for the best picks across the network. Also, see all of our holiday planning, tips, tricks, and inspiration as we gear up for the most festive month of the year! Shop Brands Guerlain · Deborah Lippmann · Tom Ford Even if your mom isn't gadget-inclined, Geek's got simple, easy-to-use accessories that have such a high technical caliber that dad will be impressed. Video: 3 Books to Give For the Holidays — or Keep For Yourself! With all the iPads and Kindles out there, a traditional book still makes for a thoughtful gift. We have titles the foodie, fashion, or royal fans on your holiday list will enjoy diving into. Watch our video gift guide now for three hot books you should put under the tree. You might just want to buy an extra copy for yourself, too! Head over to LilSugar to check out a dozen of the cutest free gift tags of the season. Head to Savvy for a collection of last-minute gift ideas that are ready for wrapping just in the nick of time. Put the gift card down and send Star Trek fans a smart present worthy of acceptance to the Starfleet Academy. From diamond rings to Enterprise pizza slicers, there's something for Trekkies of every age on Geek. If you're on the hunt for a killer gift that also helps a great cause, look no further: from a chic pair of PJs to a handmade sketchbook (and yes, even baby chicks!), Fab's rounded up 15 perfect presents that will delight your friends and family — and seriously warm your heart. Reward your athletic tot (or sideline-sitting baby) this holiday with one of LilSugar's nine spectacularly sporty gifts! Today's music lover is a bit more tech-savvy, hitting a high note with wireless speakers and all-inclusive song subscriptions. If this sounds like someone you know, then turn up the dial with Geek's gifts that will keep your music addict humming all year long. What do you give a woman who has life figured out (for the most part)? The woman in her 40s would appreciate something elegant, practical, meaningful, or a combination of all three. Head to Savvy to see their sophisticated picks. Stocking-Size Beauty Gift Ideas Anyone Will Love Stockings get a bad rap. Coal, anyone? But on the bright side, stockings allow you to decide how big (or small) of a gift you want to give. Big things come in small packages, right? Watch and see the best beauty stocking stuffers of 2012. On Kirbie: H&M. Resist the temptation to stock up on candy and plastic toys at the local drugstore, and instead peruse 25 of Lil's favorite handmade Etsy finds under $25. Whether you're being generous to your fashionable brother, sporty co-worker, or significant other, Pop has a special gift for every guy. Someone who lives in a small apartment might know all the tricks for maximizing space, but the truth is she probably feels like there's never enough of it. Make her holidays by gifting her space-saving home items that are both practical and affordable — Savvy has a list of gifts that are all under $50! Treat your favorite pup to some serious indulgence this holiday season and splurge on a dog bed that will have him feeling like he's in the lap of luxury — head over to PetSugar to start shopping. You want to buy your mom the perfect holiday gift, but where do you even start? If you're hoping to skip the standard candles and perfume routine, check out these thoughtful, creative gift ideas she's sure to love when you head to Très. Celebrate the gift-giving season by giving one of Pet's animal-themed trinkets that are sure to be cherished for years to come. From Burberry and Oscar de la Renta to Milly, Marni, and Marc, these major labels might be known for their grown-up goods, but their kids' designs are twice as cute (and, lucky for you, usually about half the price!). Head over to LilSugar to check out their favorite designer duds for little ladies. FabSugar has handpicked 12 pieces that are high on luxury yet surprisingly low on the spending scale. Although making it onto Oprah Winfrey's annual list of favorite things is the ultimate seal of approval, not all of us can afford the items that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Thankfully, Savvy has rounded up some of Oprah's favorite things that are under $50. We all have those lucky globe-trotting friends whom we vicariously live through, and while we can't spring to gift them a plane ticket to their next exotic locale, Fab culled some gifts that are sure to please their wanderlust personalities. Shop these amazing gifts for the traveler in your life. If there's one thing people are serious about, it's their morning brew — Yum has rounded up a group of coffee-related gifts that are mostly under $50. If you know someone on your gift list who calls themselves a foodie but is still concerned with calories and healthy living, Fit has a few things to surprise them with in their stocking. Do you have a fashionable friend who always carefully plans out her gym outfits? Then look no further than Fit's stylish gift guide. They've rounded up luxe items made for working out in (or for throwing on afterward). Chocolates and Starbucks cards might be nice, but if you really want to impress your kid's teacher, consider one of the gifts that LilSugar has picked out. From vintage-inspired makeup hues to cocktail recipes and posters, Buzz found Mad Men gifts for any Don Draper or Joan Harris in your life this holiday season. Adulthood probably didn't stop the Pixar-lover in your life from enjoying full-length animated feature films, so GeekSugar has mustered up 13 Pixar-themed gift ideas for grown-up geeks just like us. From toys to room accents and more, LilSugar has found the best one-of-a-kind gifts for your one-of-a-kind kids. If you have a friend or family member who knows her notes, a beautiful bottle of perfume may put you on her "nice" list this holiday season. Check out BellaSugar for the best fragrance gifts to give this year. Buzz has plenty of gifts for fans of The Hunger Games, from essentials like DVD and book sets to cutesy apparel and accessories. Check them out, and may the gift-giving odds be ever in your favor. Savvy knows you've set a budget for holiday shopping, which makes these supercool Etsy creations perfect holiday gifts. Even if you're shopping for someone who seems to have everything, this collection of Etsy finds has something for everyone from your best girlie-girl friend to the macho man in your life. If you're stumped on what to gift a design-savvy friend who seems to have everything, you're in luck — CasaSugar has rounded up 50 stunning objects that look like a million bucks but cost less than $50. Whether it's a girlfriend who's still waiting for her prince charming or a sister who dressed as Belle every Halloween, anyone who's still got a soft spot for Disney princesses will love these gift ideas from TrèsSugar. Fans of FX comedy The League are one devoted bunch, and if you gave them any of Buzz's related gifts, then they might act like they just won the Shiva Bowl. The hardest part of your holiday shopping might just be for the men on your list, whether it's a brother, friend, husband, father, or boyfriend. While you could get him the latest video game release, opt for one of Bella's grooming gifts for the men you love instead. From stocking stuffers to boxed sets, Bella has the best nail gifts for everyone, from the casual polish user to the advanced nail artist. Consider this your ultimate field guide to finding just the right stuff to suit your guy's style, no matter what that may be. Fab has covered all the bases, so all you have to do is man up and shop! Savvy's found several gifts that will "buy" the recipient some time. Check it out to see perfect holiday treats for every busy professional. For those of you with a Downton itch you can't scratch, here is the gift guide for you! These unexpected gifts inspired by the show will give fans a holiday to remember, and will help them prep for the return of the series come the new year. Check out TresSugar's favorite Downton Abbey-inspired holiday gifts now! If you've got a Harry Potter-loving Muggle in your life, then consider your holiday shopping done. Buzz has 50 amazing gifts for fans of the wizarding Harry Potter world, from cute key chains to more high-end items like crystal balls and magic wands. From everyday kitchen-users to the entertainment-minded, Yum has rounded up their favorite cooking and bar gear that's sure to satisfy the urban minimalist in your life. Fab is taking active measures to scout the best gifts at a really reasonable price point — click to see their guide to great gifts under $100. If you're looking for inspiration for the hard-to-shop-for women in your life, look no further than their favorite book! Très is offering up five gift guides based on some of the hottest books of the year. Pop's editors got a head start on planning for 2012 so that you have plenty of time to find the right earrings, stationery, or bag to give. Click through to see 100 top picks for the perfect present! From one-handed bottle openers to daddy-and-me tees, LilSugar has gifts for a new dad that will make his life easier, more stylish, and more fun! Geek is helping you be a gift-giving overachiever this holiday season — monogram some timeless tech accessories for every gadget geek on your shopping list. Just because running isn't a gear-heavy sport, doesn't mean the runner in your life won't appreciate a few gifts to inspire her training, lift her spirits when the going gets hard, and celebrate her big finishes. Fit has some great gift ideas for the runner in your life. For all the cynics out there, there's something to be said for hipster style: it's practical, fun, and often quite stylish. Shop Casa's snazzy gifts for the fixie-bike-riding, plaid-wearing hipster in your life. Whether you're scrambling to find a last-minute hostess gift for Thanksgiving or planning ahead for the rest of the holiday season, TresSugar found a variety of options to suit the entertainer with vintage style. Never ones to shy away from girlie guilty pleasures, the TrèsSugar editors are asking Santa for all things feminine, sparkly, and luxurious. Check out their ultimate girlie holiday wish list now! Do you have a white elephant party coming up, or perhaps you merely have friends with goofy senses of humor? Then let the gag gifting begin. BellaSugar is back with their annual roundup of the best white elephant gifts, and it's better than ever! It's too bad that the best kind of element — the element of surprise — isn't charted on the periodic table. Gift the science geek in your life with GeekSugar's clever (and practical!) presents saluting the natural and physical sciences. Shopping for a sister can be just like shopping for a best friend, and Très is helping you show your sister how important she is this year with its roundup of thoughtful gift ideas. Who says everyone on your gift list needs a present of their own? Sometimes it's a gift for the entire family that gets everyone excited. Shop Lil's roundup of gifts that everyone can enjoy. We all have a friend in our lives who's the hardest working girl we know. To help make her 9-to-5 life easier, Savvy gathered stylish but practical gifts for the career girls. Très is giving you a head start on your holiday shopping by scouring the web for small, affordable gifts that your girlfriends are sure to cherish. No one wants to break the bank when it comes to holiday shopping, which is why Pop put together 100 great gifts that are all under $200. The Perfect Gift Ideas For Your Fashion-Forward Friend! We're all on the hunt for gifts for our loved ones, and today, we've rounded up some great gift ideas for your stylish best friend. Whether it's a pair of simple gold earrings, a statement-making printed scarf, or a covet-worthy colorful clutch, press play to see what we plan on giving our fashionable friends. And while you're at it, treat yourself — we're pretty sure there's something chic in there for you, too! On Allison McNamara: H&M top, Stella & Dot necklace, TOMTOM ring. Every traveling expert needs an arsenal of products to make their journey smoother. If you're stuck on what to get your friend or family member who's been bitten by the travel bug, head to Savvy for some smart travel gift ideas! Dream Gifts For the Person Who Has Everything Shopping for those who always seem to be ahead of the curve, never miss a trend, and seemingly have everything can be the hardest to buy gifts for. On the other hand, the ones without wish lists can be difficult, as well. But with these five dreamy presents, you can be sure you're giving luxurious, unique sets that will make just about anyone happy. For the holidays, give your favorite wannabe Frenchie music by France's 1960s pop princesses, a colorful photo map of Paris for her chic appartement, delicious French delicacies, or books about the French way of life. Check out TresSugar's gift ideas for the Francophile. Step up your gift-giving this year with this season's best present . . . the sexiest man alive. Yes, Buzz is helping you give the Channing Tatum fan a little eye candy and a present they will surely appreciate. CasaSugar rounded up timeless gift options — from elegant trays to polished vases to classic, versatile stationery — that will never go out of style. Click through to shop our favorite gifts for the minimalist on your holiday shopping list! Looking to impress your loved ones with an extraspecial gift this holiday season? Nothing says "you're the bee's knees" like a personalized gift, and on that note, Fab handpicked 12 gifts that are sure to please even the most finicky friend. Even if your wallet is a little on the lighter side this holiday season, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the gift-giving fun. Just head to GeekSugar for cute gadgets and gizmos under $20 that are sure to charm the geeks in your life and, most importantly, won't break the bank. If these gadgets are fit for the most deadly (and dashing) British secret service agent there ever was, then they are certainly worthy of the Bond (or Bond mega-fan) in your life. Check out Geek for gadget gifts handpicked by 007 himself. It's never too early to start getting those gifts together — especially for those hard-to-buy-for newlyweds. Check out Très for a go-to guide for great newlywed gifts. Gone are the days of exclusive use of complementary earbuds packaged with a phone or music player. Give the sound of rich music (or podcasts or streaming video) with Geek's choice of headphones for every kind of listener. From lipsticks to nail colors and perfume sets, fashion designers are putting their coveted names on all things beauty this holiday season. Whether she's a label snob or just into the finer things in life, your giftee will be happy to unwrap one of these designer gifts on BellaSugar. With bold patterns, bright prints, and eye-catching colors, Casa's gorgeous gifts are sure to please the design-savvy bohemian on your holiday shopping list. If there's a special mom-to-be on your shopping list this holiday season, save the baby gifts for next year, and treat her to something that's all about her. Lil has some great gift ideas for pregnant women who'll be celebrating for two. If you've got a Robert Pattinson superfan on your shopping list this year, then rest assured that Buzz has got you covered with a ton of merchandise that will keep Team Edward support alive all year long. For the friend (or cousin, or co-worker, or mother) who loves timeless pieces with modern personality, these gorgeous accents are sure to please. From tortoise-shell details to punchy patterns to classic graphics, Casa curated a colorful collection of the most chic, old-meets-new finds on the market. Head over to Bella to see the best way to gift (and get!) eye shadows, lip colors, and face powders, all packaged in pretty palettes. Bella brings you gifts ideas that even the toughest eco-friendly critics will adore, especially if they have a soft spot for all things beauty. The following options are as do-good as they are feel-good for your mother to the holiday hostess. If you're shopping for an Arrested Development appreciator, Buzz has some cute ideas for the fan who knows there's always money in the banana stand. From a modern version of a traditional card game to a classic doll that does more than you'd ever believe, Lil's got some of the best finds for the 6-year-old in your life. There's always the question of what's appropriate to get the new guy, the crush, or the friend with benefits. But no matter what your man's interests are (and what your relationship status is), Tres has got the gift idea for him! If your shopping list includes a politico friend who still follows the day's news out of Washington DC, then Très has some gift ideas just for you. Geek is hooking you up with a gift guide for the bookworms, lit lovers, and aspiring novelists in your life. This holiday season, teach your kids the importance of charity by giving them an extra-special gift that gives back. From a hand-crocheted baby rattle to a flock of ducks in a needy community, LilSugar found nine ways to do good with your children's gifts this year. We've all got that girlfriend who moves to the beat of her own drum, and Fab has rounded up 14 offbeat, unexpected gifts that are perfect for your bohemian buddy. From the yogi to the runner to the gym rat in your life, FitSugar has 10 gifts under $10 for the fitness fanatic in your life. This holiday season, give the Glee fan in your life gifts that will have them singing for joy. Whether you know a Finn fanatic or a girl who's all about Artie, chances BuzzSugar has gifts ideas for the Glee superfans in your life If you have a fan of the Windsors on your holiday list, TrèsSugar has some fun royal gifts that will make her go barmy! The Best Gift Ideas For the Guy in Your Life! Let's face it — guys can be hard to shop for. Not to fear; we took on the challenge of finding the best gifts out there for that special guy in your life. Whether he's the sophisticated type who appreciates a gorgeous silk bow tie or a soft cashmere beanie, or is the creative kind who's in need of a stylish tome to write down his daily musings, we've rounded up the gifts to please any persona. Watch on to see our picks, and check out our other gift guides to make shopping easy for Mom and friends. On Allison McNamara: Club Monaco top and skirt, House of Lavande earrings. Hair and makeup by Kasia Bohos. Baby it's cold outside, but it's hot, hot, hot inside! Très has sexy gift ideas for your significant other, whether you're married, casually dating, engaged, or "it's complicated." Whether she's an avid vegetable gardener, an aspiring beekeeper, or someone who always has a kitchen DIY project in the works, YumSugar rounded up the best gifts for the homesteader in your life. Fab has put together a stylish "one size fits all" gift guide full of indulgent pieces like statement accessories, chic notebooks, must-have iPad cases, and more. With the final season of Gossip Girl underway, it's the perfect time to give the show's biggest fans the appropriate gear. Whether she's into books, music, or Blair's style, Buzz has a variety of Gossip Girl-related gifts she's sure to love. If you have a vegan food lover in your life, then Fit has the perfect holiday gift list — click to see the best presents for vegans now. Gifts $30 and Under You'll Want to Keep For Yourself If there's one downfall of the holiday season, it's that things can get expensive. Finding a special gift for all the people in your life might make your wallet weep, but with this gift guide, your friends and family will be elated to receive any of these items from the bunch — and everything is $30 or less. While we don't believe in round-the-clock spoiling, treating them to a little something special here and there (especially during the holidays) is a practice that we stand by. Check out Lil's luxe finds for your precious tots — from itty-bitty babes to bigger kids who love to live the good life. Remember when you were younger and you gave "coupons" to your parents for things like a free car wash? Savvy's bringing that back with a grown-up, sophisticated roundup of thoughtful gifts that cost nothing. Since the holidays are all about tradition and nostalgia, it only seems fitting to give retro-inspired gadget gifts to the techies on your shopping list — and Geek has a great roundup of them! This holiday season, give your cat one of these fun scratching posts and give your $1,000 sofa a break. Head to PetSugar for the best scratching posts at every price point. You may have heard of a little app called Camera+, a tool for iPhone and iPad with advanced image editors that make mobile photographers go gaga, and Geek caught up with the app's founder, Lisa Bettany, to get her holiday gift picks. Since the FabSugar editors have been very good this year, they're asking Santa for luxurious Winter coats, delicious scented candles, chic kitchen gadgets, and, of course, dream-ticket shoes and bags. FitSugar rounded up 25 gifts, with selections for the runner, yogi, cyclist, and fitness freak that your wallet will appreciate. Check out these fitness finds under $25. We all want to get more bang for our buck, especially when it comes to buying gifts for our loved ones, and Fab's tracked down 30 finds — an edgy tote bag, a statement necklace, even a crisp coat — that all happen to clock in under a cool $30. If you're meeting the family for the first time this Turkey Day, TresSugar's got some holiday gift ideas to make a great first impression and keep the meetup stress-free. From music-inspired toys that reflect your child's favorite music group to games that bring the whole family to the table, Lil' rounded up the best gifts for the 7-year-old on your list It's easy to pull together essential items for both home kitchen and professional use. YumSugar rounded up some ideas perfect for the aspiring chef. Get ready for some major gadget lust to hit when skimming through the Neiman Marcus's 2012 gadget gifts on Geek. Your sister is one of the most important people on your holiday gift list — not just because she's so special to you, but also because if you get her something she doesn't like, you'll never live it down! Check out Fab's roundup of stylish gifts for your sister. It's always nice to have a small gift for a co-worker or a neighbor (like that cute guy down the hall), and Savvy's collection of $5-or-less Etsy finds is perfect for giving little trinkets this holiday season. We all have that friend who loves luxury, and we wouldn't blame you for being intimidated by the thought of shopping for her. Luckily, there are plenty of sophisticated, even regal, finds for less than $100 to gift her this holiday season, and CasaSugar has rounded them up. Our Ultimate Holiday Wish List — Meet the Whole BellaSugar Team! Now that it's the holiday season, it's time for all six of your beauty editors at BellaSugar to dish on what we'd love to get, as well as give, this year. And the sky's the limit. From nail polish to luxury fragrances, get our expert picks and meet the women behind BellaSugar. On Kirbie: Erin by Erin Fetherston dress. Jessica's gift: Guerlain Liu Eye & Lip Calligraphy Palette ($79) Maria's gift: L'Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet ($50, originally $60) Kaitlyn's gift: Jo Malone Tea Trousseau Gift Set ($695) Annie's gift: Frédéric Malle Coffret Collection for Women ($285) Jaime's gift: Deborah Lippmann She's Always a Woman Nail Polish Set ($25) Kirbie's gift: Tom Ford 4 Piece Lip Color Boxed Gift Set ($192) Guerlain Liu Eye & Lip Calligraphy Palette $79 from Sephora Buy Now See more Guerlain Eye Makeup Jo Malone Tea Trousseau Gift Set $695 from bergdorfgoodman.com Buy Now Frédéric Malle Coffret Collection for Women $285 from barneys.com Buy Now Deborah Lippmann She's Always A Woman Limited Edition Gift Set $25 from Bloomingdale's Buy Now See more Deborah Lippmann Nail Products Tom Ford 4 Piece Lip Color Boxed Gift Set $192 from Bergdorf Goodman Buy Now See more Tom Ford Lip Products FitSugar rounded up some of the best fitness gadgets from this year; from the new to the new and improved, check out 10 fitness gadgets that make a great gift! From handmade jewelry and prints to much-needed accessories and clothing, Fit's got just about every gift your yoga-loving gal (or guy) could wish for. Want to delight the little gamer in your life? Fill her stocking with one of the following 11 just-released video games when you head over to LilSugar. Hey, girl: check out BuzzSugar for the best Ryan Gosling gifts around. Instead of a spa certificate, consider giving luxurious bath accessories that re-create the experience — year-round. Head over to Casa to shop their selection of indulgent bathroom gifts. We all know '90s nostalgia is hot, hot, hot right now, and Buzz is helping you get in on the trend by helping you find a nostalgia-themed gift this holiday season. Who doesn't love a good read? Or at least a beautiful coffee-table book? If you're having trouble picking out gifts for your friends and family, then consider getting them one of the latest and greatest fashion and art tomes from FabSugar. Yum editors divulge what they're hoping to find under the Christmas tree. See what's at the top of their wish lists! From kitchen gadgets that inspire them to cook to big-ticket getaways, see what items the FitSugar editors have on their wish lists this holiday season. Forget the cliché "World's Best Grandpa" t-shirt and ho-hum mugs. This year, Lil is providing great gift ideas for grandparents that are sure to make them smile. Geek has curated the ultimate collection of coffee-table books for geeks, including a retrospective of "the sacred teachings of nerd culture" and a catalog of all 2,500 Star Wars figurines. One of the best things about the holiday season is all the well-priced gift sets. And while there are plenty of palettes, fragrance, and nail sets available, you might want to avoid an awkward gifting mishap (who really wants to be told they could use some acne or antiaging products?), and keep all those amazing skin care sets for yourself. Head to Bella to shop the best skin care finds for the season. From the everyday to a special occasion, each of Fit's vegan cookbook finds will help your favorite vegan get her creative juices flowing. No need to stress over holiday shopping. TrèsSugar has curated a collection of the best 2012 reads to cover everyone on your list. From cheeky cocktail napkins and vintage brooch-inspired soap to a seriously stylish origami set and a macaron-shaped pouch for all your pretty little things, Fab's found 15 quirky, colorful white elephant gifts that you may actually have some trouble giving up. Giving a gift set for the holidays is smart and convenient, since they already come in pretty packages. Whether you're giving to someone who wants voluminous hair, loves long lashes, or just has a thing for unicorns (yes, you read that correctly), here are five gorgeous sets for you to pick up. On Kirbie: Karen Kane dress, Melinda Maria necklace. Geek has some surefire Star Wars gifts for Rebels, Siths, and disciples of the Republic old and new. Whether you're looking for a little extra something to add to an existing gift or are on a tight budget, Fit has 10 fitness- and health-inspired gifts that do not go over the $5 mark. Fab's got all your bases covered when it comes to pretty lingerie gifts, from the most provocative kind of lace teddy to a sweet set of everyone's favorite candy-colored undies. If you want to really wow your kid this holiday season, then splurge on a gift that's guaranteed to induce squeals, screams, and maybe even some jumping up and down. LilSugar is offering up pricey presents that are well worth the splurge. Whether you have a girlfriend, sister, or significant other who's missing her '90s girlhood this holiday season, check out TrèsSugar's nostalgic stocking stuffer guide. She's sure to be visited by the ghost of Christmas past! If the preppy friend — the one who looks effortlessly cool and timeless — on your holiday gift list has got you stumped, look no further than these 16 awesome preppy gifts that Fab picked out for her. Whether it's your techie main squeeze or that geeky gamer brother, GeekSugar's gift guide is chock-full of smart and dashing gadgets, gizmos, and accessories worthy of your favorite fella. RoundupGift GuideHolidayBooksEntertainment VideoVideo


text:
1. Overview. Ethnic groups and minorities. Concepts of territory, geography, security.
2. Islam in country specific case studies. Political movements rooted in Islam. Religion and State in country specific case studies.
3. Security. Terrorism. Border Issues.
4. Language specific themes, for example: Arab Spring: media coverage, History and Present of Russian-Chinese diplomatic collaboration, Mutual perceptions : case studies of Chinese business and China's economic presence in Northern Africa, Role of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Chinese, Russian, Arabic media strategies covering several key political events, Differences and similarities in patterns of civil unrest and political/economic consequences in China, Russia and Arabic speaking countries.
- Subject:
- Chinese
- Department:
- Language & Intercultural Study
- Division:
- Transltn, Interpret & Lang Edu
- Requirements Fulfilled:

subset: commoncrawl


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BIG BEAR LAKE -- Vector control officials sent extra workers to Big Bear Lake on Wednesday to trap and test mosquitoes for the West Nile Virus after a dead squirrel found earlier this month tested positive for the virus.
The gray tree squirrel is the first such animal to test positive for the virus this year in the county. It was collected near the Big Bear Mountain Golf Course on July 9 by the San Bernardino County Mosquito and Vector Control Program.
"We're going to do additional testing and additional surveillance for any sources of breeding and if so, treat them," said Josh Dugas, program manager for the San Bernardino County Vector Control District.
The division does not trap birds or squirrels to test for West Nile.
"If there are indicators of West Nile in certain areas, we shift resources to limit the breeding, which in turns limits the spread of the disease," Dugas said.
The existence of West Nile in the city is not something residents should be "extremely worried about," he said.
"West Nile is here, it's always going to be here," Dugas said. "We've done a great job of limiting the number of human cases each year. People shouldn't panic, but it's a good idea prepared."
Officials found San Bernardino County's first trace of the virus this year in Ontario from a dead bird and a mosquito sample collected on June 27. The mosquitoes were collected from traps near Campus Avenue and Riverside Drive in south Ontario.
Another eight mosquito samples taken from Ontario and Montclair tested positive for the virus in early July.
Vector control officials offer the following tips:
- Drain standing water such as puddles and swimming pools.
- At dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves and other clothing that covers skin.
- Use DEET-based insect repellants.
- Prevent entry of mosquitoes into homes through doors and windows by installing screens and screen doors, and patching up holes in existing screens.
People with questions or to report standing water may call 800-44-ABATE.


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The California Maritime Academy has partnered with Omega Math, an online program that offers remedial and transferrable courses, for students who need to demonstrate proficiency in remedial math and English. Students are encouraged to demonstrate proficiency by passing the online remedial courses prior to the start of the Fall term and/or no later than the start of the students' enrollment in the second year at Cal Maritime. Students who do not complete their remediation in their first year will not be eligible to continue at the California Maritime Academy.
Visit Omega Math to enroll in the Intermediate Algebra course and follow the prompts. The staff at Omega Math will register you in Intermediate Algebra.Once you are enrolled, you may begin the course. Cal State Maritime requires the final be proctored and that you earn at least a 60% or higher on the final. The final exam must be proctored at college testing center or a Sylvan Learning Center. You can take the final at Cal State Maritime. Contact Vivienne McClendon, Lab Building Room 110 - firstname.lastname@example.com to schedule an appointment. To set up a final at another college or Sylvan Learning Center, please read the "Proctor Final Set Up" link inside your Omega Math account.
Visit Omega Math to
Visit the Cal Maritime Office of the Registrar if you have questions, unable to take an online course, or interested in other options to satisfy the remedial coursework, please email the Office of the Registrar: firstname.lastname@example.com
Revised 08/2014 ea


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SAN BERNARDINO - A police detective testified Monday that Froylan Chiprez - the remaining defendant in the 2000 "Dead Presidents" quadruple homicide - was an active and high-ranking gang member at the time.
The prosecution used the testimony of San Bernardino police Detective Marco Granado, a gang expert, to validate that Chiprez was in fact a part of the largest Hispanic criminal street gang in San Bernardino.
"Do you believe Froylan Chiprez was an active gang member and associate of West Side Verdugo and Seventh Street in July 2000?," Deputy District Attorney Denise Yoakum asked the witness.
"Yes, based on the testimony of other people, the totality of the circumstances," Granado said inside a San Bernardino Superior courtroom. "In my experience, an individual who was not a member would not have been able to participate in this magnitude."
Chiprez was a gunman in a shooting that killed four men and wounded two others on July 9, 2000, in the driveway of a Vine Street duplex in San Bernardino, Yoakum said.
The shooting happened because there were power struggles within the San Bernardino street gangs Little Counts and Seventh Street, cliques within the West Side Verdugo, controlled by a prison gang, officials said.
The West Side Verdugo gang originated in San Bernardino and has been about for more than 40 years, Granado said.
There are 1,000 active members in the prominent gang, he added.
Two of the victims were presidents of local street gangs, prompting some law enforcement circles to dub the case "Dead Presidents."
Chiprez is charged with four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and special circumstances for an intentional killing while being active in a street gang, according to court records.
He has denied gang involvement and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Early that morning Chiprez and his crew went to a residence on Vine Street to remove fellow gang members from their positions of power, Yoakum said.
Chiprez and three others opened fire on the victims, Yoakum said.
The suspect's fled the scene and authorities arrested Chiprez on June 21, 2011, in Tijuana. He was extradited to the U.S. in December.
"The participants in this case were all hardcore members, in my opinion," Granado said.
Reach Lori via email or call her at 909-483-9378.


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Saturday around 3:20 a.m., a man entered the Quality Inn on Atlantic Avenue in Woodland, Washington, and confronted the desk clerk at gun point.
The suspect was wearing a tight fitting blue long sleeve shirt, black slacks and a blue winter hat with the ear flaps pulled down over a white hockey style mask.
The suspect made threats that a small black package he had in his hand was a bomb during the robbery.
The suspect fled the scene after taking a small amount of cash from the register and tying up the employee.
A K-9 track was conducted and the suspect was tracked to a location where it is believed he got into a waiting vehicle and left. It is not known if the suspect was alone or had an accomplice.
Anyone who may have information about this robbery or who thinks they might recognize the suspect from the attached security video pictures (through clothing, body language, etc.) is asked to contact the Woodland Police Department at 360-225-6965 or 360-225-8981.


text: The march toward TRINITY WAR begins with part one of 'WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS'! Green Lantern! Green Arrow! Catwoman! Katana! Vibe! Hawkman! Stargirl! They aren't the world's greatest super heroes-they're the most dangerous! But why does a team like the JLA need to exist? What is their ultimate mission? And who is pulling the strings? Plus: Find out why Martian Manhunter is the most dangerous of them all. Period. This issue was released with 54 variant covers, one of each state, Puerto Rico, Washington, USA, and a combo pack. Scott's Comics will be happy to order for you any regular cover variants that we don't have in stock. $3.99 cover price.


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Hello thereWhat do you think to keep yourself fit?Tell me. I want to share my ideas and wanna learn from you guys.Thanks
hell me new there..i think joining jym can make you fit..
sorry me have to say hello not hell sorry again...
Please do.
I go swimming, and I go to the gym (exercises and spinning).
What on earth is spinning? I thought it was something you did with wool, not something you did in the gym. :o I'm intrigued.
I use the gym at work, and have an elliptical at home along with free weights that I bench press laying on an exercise ball.
I also do a lot of walking and chasing after my two young kids.
I actually prefer going outdoors by bike, but it is great exercise.
Thank you for the enlightenment. (It's known as kid-on cycling in our house. :lol:)
There are many things like jogging, healthy diet, relaxation & happiness till some extent.
I'm eating healthy foods like vegetables and fruits.I exercise daily and avoiding stress as much as possible.
Dear now a days i have not done any activity to fit my self because of laziness.
What do you think to loose extra weight? only exercise is enough? what do you people think to take a weight loss pill to loose extra weight?
My fitness routine, which I try to do daily, is to climb 6 flights of 16 steps every day. The last couple really get the old ticker racing
Exercise and a healthy diet.Maybe if the doctor told me to take it, otherwise I would never ever take a weight loss pill.
I do a lot of hiking. As a matter of fact I started a hiking group that now has almost 1800 members. I don't think I am allowed to post a link to it
one should keep a distance from drugs<snip>
Avoiding stress is may be the most important thing for keeping you fit and healthy. I also agree about the fruits and vegetables - I eat mostly raw food. About the sports - I like swimming and walks at the nature.
Keeping mind relax mode and intake oil less food is also one of the way to keep oneself fit. Apart from I prefer walking, doing home work, and involve in extra activities like sports to keep myself fit.
gym + swiming + footbal
makes you super fit
I go for morning walk daily to stay fit myself.


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Our iridescent medium rick rack comes in one beautiful color and is available in 1/2" width. 2-1/2 yard per package. 3 packages per box. Note: For Glitter Accent as an edging; can be glued fused or sewn, wash warm, use no chlorine; will not shrink or curl.
General Shipment Timing GuidelineThis product takes about 4 weeks before we are ready to ship not including ship time to your area from JKM's facility.
(Product Characteristic: Fabric Trim) / (Fabric Content: 60% Metallic 40% Rayon)


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Sebelius in San Antonio: Obamacare Site Will be Fixed by November 30
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius told a forum at Centro Med on San Antonio's south side today that the balky Obamacare web site will be fully functional by November 30th.
Sebelius, who has been facing withering criticism for the problems faced by the site, rejected calls to step down, saying those calls are coming from people who never supported health care reform anyway.
"There clearly have been people who have been ferociously opposed to the expansion of health care," Sebelius told 1200 WOAI news following her presentation.
Sebelius conceded that the web site, healthcare.gov, has not 'lived up to its full potential,' but she said contrary to reports, the city is not broken and can be fixed.
"We have laid out a timetable of between now and the end of November," she said. "We think that's the target for optimal flow through."
She said a top Obama Administration officials, Jeffrey Zients, has been named as 'my management lieutenant' to prioritize how to fix the web site.
But she said 700,000 people have submitted applications for health insurance under Obamacare since the exchanges opened on October 1.
"This is not about a web site," she said. "This is about getting health coverage to people who need it."
Mayor Julian Castro, who accompanied Sebelius to the forum, said more than 300,000 people in San Antonio lack health care coverage.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to make sure those who need health care can get affordable coverage," Castro said.
Sebelius said she is committed to getting the site fixed and the program up and running.
"My job is to get this up and running the way it should have been running on day one," she said.


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Top Activities for Small Meetings in San Diego
With over 11,000 hotel rooms and a 2.6 million-square-foot convention center, San Diego is a major conference destination. But don't let the numbers fool you. A laid-back attitude, weather and aptitude for mixing business and pleasure make this big city the perfect setting for small meetings. Lower costs, flexible schedules and access to more intimate experiences are advantages to executive gatherings, but deciding on activities for small groups in a destination full of major attractions and points of interest can be daunting.
Enter The Event Team, an award-winning destination management company. With over 20 years of experience providing transportation, tours, teambuilding, event production, and entertainment to groups big and small, these are their top 10 recommended activities for small meetings in San Diego:
1. A competitive sailing regatta across the San Diego Bay or a leisurely sail aboard America, the world's most famous racing yacht.
2. Set up an adventure rally, with team members traipsing around, finding clues, answering trivia, and snapping candid photos along the way. Include a philanthropic finale to this activity for small groups by incorporating a bike or bookcase-build for charity.
3. Take an up-close and personal look at exotic wildlife with a behind-the-scenes tour of the World-Famous San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld San Diego.
4. Head to the shores for a day of kayaking in and around La Jolla's sea caves. It's a great activity for small meetings in San Diego that allows participants to enjoy the coastline from a new point of view.
5. Plan a fun workout, San Diego-style, with an outdoor bootcamp, Zumba or yoga class. An array of serene settings and summer-like weather all year make it the perfect activity for small groups.
6. Delight taste buds with a farm-to-table cooking class — a unique teambuilding activity that's informative, yet tasty.
7. Discover San Diego's historical ties to the mafia and bootlegging industry on a walking tour of Little Italy or downtown's Gaslamp District.
8. Take advantage of America's beer capital and sip your way around San Diego with a local brewery tour.
9. Plan an Outrigger canoe adventure in tranquil Mission Bay, a favorite activity for small meetings who are seeking something more active.
10. Take an exhilarating bicycle ride from one of San Diego's best view points, Mt. Soledad, down to the nearby beach.
To make exploring during your small meeting in San Diego even easier, stay at a centrally located hotel that offers unique teambuilding activities both on-site and nearby. Just 10 minutes from the San Diego International Airport in the heart of this Southern California city, Paradise Point's 44-acre island has guestrooms clustered throughout the property's tropical gardens and beaches, allowing small groups to call a corner of the campus their own. Five dining venues, meet-and-sleep executive suites and intimate boardrooms overlook Mission Bay, which is overflowing with opportunities for fun outdoor activities for small meetings.


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Quality and style make up this attractive pocket wall sconce from the Minka Lavery Paradox collection. The strong lines are softened with a Harvard Court bronze finish and etched marble glass. The warmth of two 60 watt bulbs will add comfort to your home.
Part of the Minka Group of lighting companies, Minka Lavery is known for outstanding design, quality and workmanship. Here you will find the latest in modern European inspired lighting designs that will redefine your home's décor. From table lamps and ceiling lights to wall sconces and swing arms, the artisans of Minka Lavery bring a passion for design and quality to every fixture they create.
Our team has over 100 years combined experience with contemporary lighting.
Every EuroStyleLighting.com order is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Pledge.
Shipping and Delivery Information - For item EUX1443 if ordered by 1 pm Pacific Time


text: OverviewBack to top Badia - Organic Whole Flax Seed - 1.5 oz. Item# :112369UPC# :033844000530 Brand:Badia Size/Form:1.50 oz. Ship Weight:0.13 Badia Organic Ground Flax Seed 1.5 oz. (42.5 g) Badia Organic Ground Flax Seed is used as a source of fiber in breads. Flax seed has been widely used in a variety of applications for over 100 years, due to its reputation for cosmetic and health benefits, and as a good source of alpha-linolenic acid. Flax Seed supports cardiovascular health, and is traditional in North American cuisine. The North American continent is extremely far-reaching, enriched by the cultural diversity of this land made up of immigrants from all over the world. Its fast-paced rhythm and the industrial development have highlighted in this region the modality of fast foods, but the famous hamburgers and hot dogs are accompanied by exquisite dishes and a diversity of cuisines that showcase the continent's culinary richness, from East to West and from North to South. In the Northeast, seafood has a leading role. Nothing compares to a Maine lobster or the famous Clam Chowder, prepared with clams, cream, herbs, potatoes, onions, salt and pepper. From Canada, we receive a rich tradition of cured meats, jams and its famous maple syrup that accompanies salted meals as well as pancake towers for breakfast. In the province of Quebec and its biggest city Montreal, a French influence is evidenced by the typical gastronomy known as Poutinee, which is made up of French fries, meat sauce and pieces of cheese. In the Southeast, peanuts, pecans, Georgia peaches and Florida's sweet oranges are famous. Heading to the Gulf Coast, the art of fine cuisine has its most important expressions in New Orleans, where the African and French backgrounds are combined in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It's full of flavors, colors and spices. In the Mid-West region, you can indulge in delicious pies made of fresh fruits, which vary according to the season. Wild Rice and other grains are also distinctive to this region of extensive agriculture. In the South Central area, you find Texas, Kansas and New Mexico, states that are known for the quality and quantity of their cattle. Beef and ribs cooked on the grill are famous, and are complemented by chicken and seasoned with barbecue sauce. In this area, Mexican influences are also important and you'll find an abundance of chili made with beef, onions and red beans. The West Coast is known for its fish and its harvests of a variety of vegetables and fruits. Grapes and wine production is important. Connoisseurs especially enjoy the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California. A dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast is the Garden Goat Cheese Scramble, made with a mixture of whisked eggs, broccoli, zucchini and yellow squash, served hot with black pepper, chopped dill and pieces of goat cheese on top. Food preparations in southern California is highly influenced by both Central American and Asian cuisine. Jose Badia left Spain in 1960, looking for new opportunities in the New World. He first landed in Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba, where he became known for his hardware store, Badia & Garrigo. In 1963, with difficulties facing Cuba, Jose emigrated to Puerto Rico and entered the world of spices. After leaving Puerto Rico in 1967, the Badia family looked for new markets in Miami, the land of Cuban immigrants, building brand loyalty. There, Badia begins to grow with the help of another company, and begins to appear on grocery store shelves. Slowly, Badia becomes more popular and well-known, and it spreads to more grocery stores. By 1998, Badia has expanded worldwide. More than 350 UPC's, placement in 1100 points of sale in the U.S., international markets in three continents, international distribution and a dynamic, high-tech production line with an increase of 28,000 square feet at its new warehouse prove Badia is a great leader in its category. Badia strives to be the strongest ethnic line of spices in the marketplace, with the most competitive prices and an exceptional selection of products for consumers to choose from.


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Message Board
Charles Todd Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Todd has written!
Author Todd's Book Reviews
A Cold Treachery
Bantam, Jan 2005, 25.00, 384 pp. ISBN: 0553803492 In December 1919 in wintry Urksdale, England someone murders five members of the Elcott family, three of them children, in their home. Paul Elcott discovers the grisly remains of his kin, but in his horror he fails to realize that ten year old Josh escaped the brutality. Inspector Greeley assumes the lad is dead as Dr. Jarvis stated that the killings occurred two days ago. Greeley requests help...
A Fearsome Doubt
Bantam, Oct 2002, 24.95, 304 pp. ISBN 0553801805 Seven years ago, Ian Rutledge was the policeman responsible for sending Ben Shaw to the hangman for killing three elderly, bedridden women. Ian left police work to fight in France during World War I, but what he saw in the trenches almost destroyed him. He came back shell-shocked, guilt ridden and broken with his only grip on sanity being his work at Scotland Yard. His belief in himself as a g...
A Test of Wills
Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge, has returned to the force at the end of the First World War. In 1919 England was thankful for the end of war, the return of their men and was beginning to rebuild the society that had been interrupted. But as Rutledge well knows, nothing will be the same and there is a sense of loss in England. Rutledge has returned from the war shell-shocked, numb and with the ever present voice of Hamish MacLeod whispering in h...
The Murder Stone
Bantam, Nov 2003, 24.95, 480 pp. ISBN 0553903484 Although her parents were killed in a traffic accident when she was still a baby Francesca Hatton had a very happy childhood growing up in the River's End estate in the isolated Exe Valley in England. Her five male cousins also lost their parents at a very early age and grew up at River's End where Frances Hatton raised all six grandchildren as one big happy family. That happiness dissipated as...
Todd booklist
Watchers Of Time
Bantam, Nov 2001, 24.95, 339 pp. ISBN: 0553801791 In September 1919 in Osterly, Herbert Baker is near death from congestive heart failure. Instead of demanding the appearance of his Vicar, Herbert asks for Father James to talk to him in private. The kind Father visits Herbert though they are of different religions. Not long afterward, Herbert dies. Father James never seems quite the same after his deathbed visit. A few weeks later, an as...


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Department of Music
Program overview
Several different music degree programs are available:
- Bachelor of Music, major in performance
- Bachelor of Music, major in music education
- Bachelor of Arts, major (or minor) in music
- Bachelor of Special Studies
The B.S.S. degree is an individualized program designed by students in collaboration with faculty members. It may include emphasis in such areas as fine arts management, music therapy, or music theater.
Cornell's Department of Music believes in a well-rounded undergraduate music education with performance as a primary focus. Our department prepares musicians through the applied study of making music, underscored by a curriculum of music theory, history, and literature that develops a cultural context for musical performances.
Performance ensembles
Our vibrant and challenging ensembles are open to both majors and non-majors. Ensembles meet on a semester schedule, and practices are easily scheduled after the One Course At A Time academic day ends at 3 p.m.
Our ensembles are:
- Concert Choir and Chamber Singers
- Chamber Orchestra
- Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Combo
- Steel Drum Ensembles
- Lyric Theatre (opera and music theatre)
Music scholarships
Music scholarships are available to all qualified students, whether or not they decide to major or minor in music.
One Course At A Time
Music courses including music theory, history, literature, topics courses, and Lyric Theatre are offered on the block plan. Meanwhile, studio lessons and performing ensembles are on a semester system that runs contemporaneously with Cornell's One Course At A Time calendar. The meshing of these schedules means that students have opportunities for focused immersion experiences as well as extended periods of practice and ensemble work.
Internships have created exciting experiences for our music students, and the block plan makes scheduling easy. Recent internships include:
- Teaching music in the public schools of England
- Working as an arts administrator at the Cedar Rapids Symphony for three blocks
- Practicing music therapy with emotionally and socially challenged children
Off-campus study
Cornell music students have toured nationally and internationally through performing ensemble courses. Other off-campus opportunities include Wagner and Wagnerism, a research course at Chicago's Newberry Library, which also features attendance at many live events, such as operas, jazz concerts, and lecture-recitals.
Our degree programs seek to prepare students for the professional world of music-related fields. Our alumni are excelling in graduate schools, working as professional performers, and distinguishing themselves as educators, ensemble directors, and managers in fine arts organizations. Students frequently also combine music with other majors as they prepare for law school, business careers, and other endeavors.


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Amy O'Neill, HLUSA
The acronym in this show's title stands for Holy Land USA, an abandoned 18-acre theme park in Waterbury, Connecticut, and the point of departure for the artist's installation. A video playing in the Swiss Institute's lobby takes viewers on a tour of the park's derelict, Bible-inspired attractions, while a series of 24 pyramids in the main gallery rise several feet from the floor, their sides chiseled with cryptic texting shorthand.
|Venue name:
|Swiss Institute
18 Wooster St
New York
|Cross street:
|between Broome and Canal Sts
|Opening hours:
|Wed–Sun noon–6pm
|Subway: A, C, E, J, Z, N, Q, R, 6 to Canal St
To improve this listing email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs.
©1993 Lois Lowry; (P)1993 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group
"A powerful and provocative novel." (The New York Times)
"Lowry is once again in top form...unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers." (Publishers Weekly)
"The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time." (School Library Journal)
"This is a compelling prospect for family listening...[Ron] Rifkin's juxtaposition of the young boy and the old Giver has tremendous effect." (AudioFile)
"This guy's mouth makes some serious noises..."
I would recommend they read the actual book and skip the audio version. The story is okay, but the quality of the audiobook is not.
Rosemary. She was very brave and noble and I like the mystery behind her past.
Many of the sentences trailed off rather than ending strong and clear. He also made noises with his mouth. I assume this happens often with actors, but that stuff is usually edited out.
I guess I could see it. I am not invested enough to guess the cast though.
The background music was HORRIBLE! They blasted you out with tacky synth music for EVERY SINGLE significant moment! It took me out of the moment because I was rolling my eyes.
"Annoying music"
I'm not planning to listen to this again. I've read the book before and like the story very much, but it was interrupted by strange music at inopportune moments. A great book, but not a very good listening experience.
"Great Story but..."
I had read this book as a teenager. I thought I would enjoy it on audio. However, the narration is poor. The whiny voice of Jonas was totally grating and the the narrator did not even bother to read with the inflection when the tone of voice was described with adjectives. Even more annoying, possibly, was the music. I don't even know how I got through this one...if it weren't for my nostalgia, I wouldn't have.
"Five Hours of Ron Rifkin's Over-Active Salivary Glands"
I thought the story was well told (targeting an adolescent audience), thought provoking, and moving. It wasn't earth-shattering, being similar to a lot of dystopian-future stories like this one, but I think Lowry included enough creative flair to make it something uniquely her own. I'm glad there are 3 other books in this quartet. I will likely read them all one day. Or listen to them, as long as they have a different narrator.
Not likely. It took me about 45 minutes of listening to figure out what that sound was, every 3 or 4 sentences, like someone swallowing compulsively. Then I figured out it was Ron Rifkin swallowing compulsively every 3 or 4 sentences. After that, I couldn't hear much else besides that. It's like a crying child in a supermarket. Until you notice it, it's just a noise in the background, but once you hear it, you can't stop hearing it. Really, couldn't a tech savvy producer have edited out all of that extra noise from the final cut?
The musical soundtrack they played constantly through the narration was almost more jarring than Rifkin's constant swallowing. I don't need music to tell me "this is an important part of the story" because I'm listening to the story, have an adult brain, and can figure that out for myself, thank you. Double whammy against whatever producer decided to include the music AND Rifkin's mouth noises. (Unless the intent was to use loud music to cover the noisiest and grossest of Rifkin's sloshing, in which case, I retract the above and say, Kudos!)
"Listen as a family"
The Giver is a great introduction to utopian novels. It was very interesting listening to the book with my 10 and 11 year olds. Their innocence saw the ending in a completly different way then I did. We had some wonderful family discussions about what a perfect world is or should be. As a family we highly recommend this book for its entertainment value and the discussions it will prompt.
Although this is a young adult book, I think it will appeal to any age group and it has lots of layers of thought-provoking debate entwined in a simple story. This reminded me of Orwell's "1984" as it takes place in the future in a watchful society. It is a strange society in which diversity and individualism are not tolerated and everyone lives according to their function in society - perhaps happy - but blissfully unaware of pain and love. You follow the story of Jonas who is a remarkable 11 year-old boy who carries much weight and insight of the community on his shoulders. I definitely recommend this book as it left me haunted and yearning to discuss it with someone else.
"Going to extremes"
This is a great book about going to extremes on many different levels. Like Ender's game and Snow Crash, the youth of today have much to teach us about how to live. This book is simply written with observations about society and the implications of our choices and desires for a perfection. Any age will love this book. My 5th grade little sister recommeded this to me, and I have completed graduate school. I have recommeded this book to my friends of all ages.
Say something about yourself!
"High Hopes Left Me Disappointed"
I had really high hopes for this book. I am a big fan of YA Dystopian novels, and I'd heard this book was really one of the important ones in the genre.
I felt like the beginning of this book was really good, I liked where it was going, it had an interesting setting...but about 3/4 through it felt like the author gave up and just wanted it to end. It left way too many loose ends, and just sort of ended.
I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator, but he did not bother me.
"A blast from the past"
I read this book when I was in elementary school and I got the audiobook to listen to with my niece. I loved this book when I was little and I was hoping that she would to.
In retrospect, I wish I had just given her the book because I felt the narration lacked something. I remember being very moved by the book and I didn't get that feeling from this. It might have been a combination of the Rifkin's narration and the weird musical interludes.
The Giver is best left to hard copy if you truly want to savor this classic story.
"Awesome story, suspenseful, lots to think about!"
My fifth grader and I both loved this story. I couldn't wait until bedtime to listen--we listened in the car on errands, while cooking and folding laundry. Many times we paused it to talk about what we thought would happen next. There is so much to think about and talk about.
Spoiler alert:
Essentially, the story is about a dystopian community in the Earth's future. The lives of the people in the community are strictly controlled in every aspect. This makes everyone equal to each other, makes life stress-free, and gives all an important role. The story is told from the point of view of an eleven-year-old boy. When he turns twelve he is given the role of "receiver", or keeper of the community's memories. He gradually realizes what the community has given up in order to create such an ordered, peaceful, and equal society. It becomes too much to bear, and he has to take individual action.
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Category from old WMC site.
At UN Climate Talks, Highly Trained Women Play Critical Role
Two decades after first joining together to make their voices heard at the Earth Summit in Rio, women environmental leaders continue to make progress at the recent UN conference, though it produced only limited gains on climate change. More »
Women's Response to Chile Earthquake Immediate and Ongoing
Journalist and human rights specialist Maxine Lowy reports that women's advocates have expanded their focus to help women rebuild their communities in southern Chile after the devastating earthquake of 2010. More »
Saving the Earth: What Science Can't Accomplish
As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the author describes how women have worked to break through the seemingly impervious bureaucracy at the UN to finally impress on world leaders that saving the earth depends on guaranteeing women equal rights and status. More »


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Saint Leo, Fla. (April 26, 2008) - The Saint Leo University softball team (35-13, 14-7 SSC) swept the Nova Southeastern University Sharks (43-20, 12-9 SSC) in Sunshine State Conference doubleheader action Saturday afternoon at University Field. The Lions used a five-run, fourth inning to pick up an 8-2 game one victory before utilizing the long ball in game two to complete a three-game sweep of the Sharks in a 6-2 win. The win enabled the Lions to finish tied for second in the SSC.
Ashley Urbanik (Jr., Riverview, Fla.) went seven innings, giving up six hits, two earned runs and striking out four for her 25th victory of the season in game one. Urbanik (25-8) helped herself out at the plate as well going a combined 4-for-6 with her 14th home run of the year and four RBI. Tatiana Casis (Jr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.) went 4-for-7 with two doubles, her 14th home run and drove in two runs.
Game one saw the Sharks jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The Lions struck right back in the bottom half of the inning cutting the Shark lead in half on a sharp single up the middle by Stephanie Discepolo (Jr., Spring Hill, Fla.) bringing home Ally Maddox (Jr., Brandon, Fla.) from second.
Maddox delivered for the Lions again in the bottom of the third, as she ripped a line drive single to right field scoring Amanda Patrick (Fr., Tampa, Fla.) from second base. The Lions broke open the game in the fourth, scoring five runs. Discepolo led off the inning with a solo home run over the centerfield fence to put the Lions up 3-2. After the Lions loaded the bases, Patrick ripped a bases clearing double to increase the lead to four runs. Casis then delivered an RBI double of her own to centerfield extending the Lions lead to 7-2, and she wrapped up the scoring in the sixth with a solo home run.
After NSU grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second game, the Lions roared back with a four spot in the third inning to take control of the game. Agen delivered a run producing single to start the scoring off, and Urbanik closed out the inning by crushing a three-run homer over the center field fence.
In the fifth, Casis doubled to right center field and was brought home on a line drive single by Urbanik. Maddox followed suit with a double to deep right center field to make the score 6-1.
Kiki VonHolt (Sr., New Port Richey, Fla.) took to the circle in the second game, going 7.0 innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on eight hits. She struck out three Sharks in the regular season finale picking up her ninth victory (9-5).
The Lions now await word to see if they will be one of the eight teams selected in the NCAA South Region Tournament. The dates for the South region tournament are May 7-11. Times and Site for the tournament are yet to be determined.


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USC to celebrate WagnerWorldWide 2013 bicentennial
By Frenche` Brewer, firstname.lastname@example.com, 803-777-3691
The 200th anniversary of German composer Richard Wagner's birth will be marked with an international symposium featuring concerts, films and performances Jan. 27-Feb.2, sponsored by the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music.
The academic conference, titled WagnerWorldWide: America, is part of a multi-year global initiative by the University of Bayreuth, and will examine the influence Wagner's life and work have had on music and culture of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
During the six-day conference, more than 30 of world's foremost experts on Wagner are set to present at the symposium. They include: John Deathridge, King's College, London; Thomas Grey, Stanford University; Celia Applegate, Vanderbilt University; Mark Berry, University of London; Christian Thorau, Universität Potsdam, Germany; and Na'ama Sheffi of Sapir College, Israel.
Symposium speakers will examine Wagner's influence on a wide range of topics including environment and nature, gender and sexuality, media and film, history and nationalism, and globalization and marketing in music.
Nicholas Vazsonyi, a USC College of Arts and Sciences foreign language professor, Wagner authority and conference organizer, says the interest in the prolific composer is well founded.
"No other composer, not even Mozart or Beethoven, has had such a far reaching and long lasting impact on music and culture. His music is still heard, everywhere, in high and low culture. The kind of overwhelmingly emotional, and even physical, experience we expect from films today really starts with Wagner," Vazsonyi says.
The WagnerWorldWide: America symposium also is drawing interest from the general public, many who are traveling from around the country to attend the conference and selected musical events.
In conjunction with the scholarly conference, the School of Music will host "The Wagner Project," a week of related events and performances of Wagner's music.
Wagner was above all a composer, so we want to give audiences a chance not just to think about his influence but to listen to his music as well," says Julie Hubbert, USC associate professor of music history, and co-organizer of the event. "We also want to show the influence his music and ideas have had on range of different media."
Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, will give the keynote address Thursday, Jan. 31, which is free and open to the public. The subject of Ross' talk will be "Black Wagner: The Question of Race Revisited." Wagner was a controversial figure during his lifetime, widely known to harbor anti-Semitic views. Some biographers have written that Wagner later in life adopted an Aryanist philosophy.
"I will address the little-discussed relationship between black artists and Wagner at the turn of the last century," Ross says. "In particular, I'll talk about W.E.B. Du Bois' passionate response to the composer and reconstruct the almost entirely forgotten story of Luranah Aldridge, a contralto who nearly sang at Bayreuth in 1896. Such stories will not dislodge the prevailing conception of Wagner as a racist firebrand, but they may complicate the picture."
Richard Wagner bio
Richard Wagner was born in Germany on May 22, 1813. Although he didn't begin his formal music training until he was 18, he went on to become an influential — and controversial — composer. He was also a writer, librettist, philosopher, architect and conductor.
In an 1850 essay titled "Opera and Drama," Wagner completely re-imagined opera not as a vehicle of virtuosic singing but one for psychological drama, a dense interplay of words, musical motives, gestures and actions he called a "Gesamtkunstwerk," or total art work. These music dramas also notably featured material from Teutonic and Icelandic mythology including the "Nibelungenlied" and "Edda" myths. From these he created an epic 18-hour tetralogy or four music dramas called "Der Ring des Nibelungen."
In addition to bringing the massive "Ring" cycle and several other German language operas to the stage, Wagner also revised operatic space by designing and building his own opera house along the lines of a Greek amphitheater, complete with an invisible sunken orchestra pit and deeply recessed stage. His theater in Bayreuth, Germany, still hosts a festival that performs his operas every summer.
Wagner's operatic compositions and aesthetic philosophy have influenced musicians, poets, painters, playwrights, politicians and statesmen since the late 1800's, including Hitler, who made the Bayreuth Festival House and Wagner's operas national symbols of the Third Reich. In the United States, Wagner's music and the iconography of his mythical world permeate everything from cartoons and films to advertisements.
Highlighted events: Wagner Worldwide 2013 conference and Wagner Project
Note: The selected events below are free and will take place in the School of Music recital hall, unless otherwise noted. A complete calendar of events is available online at here.
Jan. 27 --- USC Symphony Orchestra presents works by Richard Wagner, including "The Ride of the Valkyries" and excerpts from "Tristan und Isolde." 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts. Adults $25; senior citizens, USC faculty and staff, $20; students, $8.
Jan. 29 --- Chamber Innovista: The New German School and Its Opponent(s): Wagner Contra Brahms 7:30 p.m. School of Music recital hall. Performances include "Tristan Fantasy" and "Horn Call from the 'Ride of the Valkeries'" performed by USC Horn Choir, Robert Pruzin, conductor. "Wesendonck Lieder, WWV 91" performed by Janet Hopkins, USC mezzo soprano; Lynn Kompass, piano. Tickets are adults $15; senior citizens and students $5. To purchase tickets: 803-777-4280.
Jan. 30 --- An Evening of Silent Film with organist Dennis James, 7:30 p.m. School of Music recital hall. Screening of "Die Nibelungen: Siegfried," directed by Fritz Lang, 1924, with live musical accompaniment.
Jan. 31 ---
Music -10 – 11 a.m. "Wagner's Electrifying Thoughts," David Trippett, Cambridge University, UK; Hans Werner Henze, Wagner, and the "Weight of German Musical Culture," Mark Berry, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.
Eroticism - 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. "Unspeakable Songs: History and Sexuality in Tannhäuser," William Scott, University of Pittsburgh; "Isolde's Multiple Orgasms: Sexology and Wagner's Transfiguration," Susan de Ghizé, University of Texas, Brownsville; "Sexual Adultery and Musical Deafness: Who Can Hear the Orchestra?" Different productions of "Tristan und Isolde," Erling E. Guldbrandsen, University of Oslo, Norway.
Environment I - 2 – 3:15 p.m. Rousseau and "The Ring," Simon Williams, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Environment II - 3:30 – 5 p.m. Space, River and City in Wagner's "Ring," Anno Mungen, Forschungsinstitut für Musiktheater, University of Bayreuth, Germany. The "Ring" as Eco-Parable, Thomas S. Grey, Stanford University; Transforming Wagner: Francesca Zambello's San Francisco "Ring" Cycle; Geoffrey Green, San Francisco State University.
Keynote address - 7:30 – 9 p.m. Alex Ross, music critic, The New York Times and The New Yorker, author, "The Rest is Noise," "Black Wagner: The Question of Race Revisited."
Feb. 1 ---
Cinema/media - 8:30 – 10:15 a.m. "From Photographs & Cylinders to SACD & Blu-Ray: Wagner & Advances in Recording Media," David Breckbill, Doane College, Nebraska; "Wagner on DVD" – Musical Form and the Gaze of "Regietheater," Christian Thorau, Universität Potsdam, Germany; "Wagner's Legacy in the Leitmotivic Film Score," Matthew Bribitzer-Stull, University of Minnesota.
Gender identities - 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. "Wagner Unmanned," Sanna Pederson, University of Oklahoma; "The Brünnhilde Problem: Wagner's German Women," Celia Applegate, Vanderbilt University.
19th-Century nationalism - 1:30 – 3 p.m. "Wagner's Tempestuous God," Katherine Syer, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; "What Does it Mean for Music Drama to be 'National' Art?" "Revisiting the Case of Wagner" Anthony J. Steinhoff, Université de Québec à Montréal; "Wagner and the Kaiserreich," Hermann Grampp, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
Third Reich and Israel - 3:30 – 5 p.m. "Wagner in the Cult of Art in Nazi Germany," David Dennis, Loyola University Chicago; "Bayreuth and the German War Effort, Karl Ritter's 'Stukas' and the Use of Wagner in Nazi Cinema," Hans Vaget, Smith College, Massachusetts; "Wagner in Israel: Between Memory and Liberalism," Na'ama Sheffi, Sapir College, Israel, sponsored by the USC Jewish Studies Program.
"Wagner's Jews," world premiere screening. 7:30-9 p.m. New York filmmaker, Hilan Warshaw, introduces the premiere of his documentary and will answer questions following the screening, sponsored by the USC Jewish Studies Program.
Feb. 2 ---
"Parsifal" - 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. "Space and place in 'Parsifal'," Holly Watkins, Eastman School of Music; "Wagner's 'Parsifal' as Art and Ideology," 1882-1933, William Kinderman, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; "Bayreuth as Bardo: Schlingensief's 'Parsifal'" production, Edward A. Bortnichak and Paula M. Bortnichak, University of Pennsylvania.
Gender -11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. "Rings within Rings: Wedding Bands as Cyclic Structures in Wagner's 'Ring' Cycle," Steven B. Reale, Youngstown State University, Ohio. "Paradoxes of Bildung in 'Die Meistersinger'," Benjamin M. Korstvedt, Clark University, Massachusetts.
Marketing - 2 – 3:15 p.m. "The View from Weimar: (Mis-)Promoting Wagner," James Deaville, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada; "Globalization, Music Publishing and the Domestic Reception of Musikdrama," Matthew Blackmar, California State University, Long Beach.
Pop culture / local culture - 3:30 – 5 p.m. "Wagner, Camillo Sitte, and the Modern Slow Movement," Stephen Thursby, University of South Carolina; "'Diggin' the Ring: An American Folk Opera," Ryan F. Smith, University of South Carolina; "Never Ask the Merry Nibelungs: Wagner in Operetta from Critique to Aspiration," Micaela Baranello, Princeton University.
Feb. 1-2 --- Opera at USC presents: "Das Barbecü," a musical comedy by Warrender and Luigs, directed by Ellen Douglas Schlaefer. 7:30 p.m. Drayton Hall.
Feb. 3 --- Opera at USC presents: "Das Barbecü," a musical comedy by Warrender and Luigs, directed by Ellen Douglas Schlaefer. 3 p.m. Drayton Hall.
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To the editor:
I wish to express my deepest sorrow and dismay over the recent allegations involving our two county commissioners. In addition, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the successes and accomplishments, past and present, of all our county commissioners.
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Blog by: George Thomas and Ron Ledgard
LeBron James will be taking his talents to South Beach again only this time the entire country will watch on Christmas Day.
James and his teammates are scheduled to take on his former team, the Miami Heat in a holiday game as part of the basketball buffet the league puts on every year, according to the Miami Herald.
The national spotlight is something Cavs fans will have to reacquaint themselves. As James developed during his first stint with the Cavs – a seven-year stretch – appearances on national television and the late starts that came with them were the norm not the exception.
Now with James being acknowledged as the best player on the planet, it will be déjà vu all over again. But it's also different from the Cavs perspective given that he has another legitimate all-star in Kyrie Irving playing with him. The national glare will still be bright, but there will be someone else on whom to focus.To read more or comment...
The NFL gets so much right in the realm of public and media relations for the league.
Occasionally, they gets something wrong and when they do so it's normally of gigantic proportions.
Need an example? Allowing Art Modell to move the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore then after agreeing to replace the team now allowing enough start up time.
Now? Ray Rice's alleged suspension for knocking his now-wife out cold. The incident, which happened earlier this year, resulted in a massive two-game suspension for the Baltimore Ravens running back and will ultimately cost him $58,000.To read more or comment...
In action and words, LeBron James through his foundation and the now infamous Sports Illustrated essay, has shown that he's seeing a bigger picture for himself in life.
There are the charitable works, but he wants to have success in the world of entertainment, too. He gets his first shot Oct. 4 when Starz premieres Survivor's Remorse, a six-part comedy series based on the start of his NBA career.
Jessie Usher will play Cam Calloway, the James character in the series, a recent signee to a pro basketball team in Atlanta, Ga.
James and his childhood friend Maverick Carter both serve as executive producers of the series. It may not be James' only foray into the world of entertainment. Comedian Kevin Hart, recently in town to promote a film, told Cleveland.com's Clint O'Connor that he's currently working on writing the script for movie for him and James to star.To read more or comment...
It's as simple as Will Brinson of CBSSports.com writes it in his report about the NFL's best-selling jerseys:
"The Browns didn't just draft a quarterback. They drafted a freaking marketing machine: Johnny Manziel's No. 2 Browns jersey is the NFL Shop's top-selling jersey through the first portion of 2014's fiscal year."
And that's what's scaring a lot of individuals, including this writer, who isn't quite prepared to join in on Manziel Mania. People talk and downplay the hype that LeBron James recently created. However, at least James has accomplished things in his chosen sport.
Four-time MVP, two-time champion, Olympic champion…yada…yada…yada. He earned the hype. And that's the problem with this Manziel thing. The borderline hysteria, powered by ESPN when Manziel played at Texas A&M, hasn't been earned – at least not in the NFL.To read more or comment...
CBS Sports chairman recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter for their July 25th issue of the Hollywood trade magazine. The interview yielded a couple of nuggets.
In a further sign that the maelstrom that surrounds the nickname of the Washington D.C. NFL franchise is coming to a head, McManus said that he won't dictate to his game's announcers whether to use the word "Redskins" which is viewed by many Native American nations to be racist.
"Generally speaking, we do not tell our announcers what to say or not say," he said.. " Up to this point, it has not been a big issue for us. Last year, it was simmering; now it's reaching a hotter level. But we probably will not end up dictating to our announcers whether they say Redskins or don't say Redskins. We leave that up to them and our production team. There are times when something becomes important enough that we talk to them, and between now and the start of football season we'll decide what is the right thing to do."
I suspect a chat will be had between now and then.To read more or comment...
Cable kidsnet Nickelodeon bills it as the awards show where sports meets slime, that green goo that's been a staple of the channel since its inception.
Getting slimed evolved into a badge of honor over the years on the station's Kid's Choice Awards and now its fans can choose the first former or current jock who receives that treatment tonight at 8 as young voters across the land choose who to recognize in categories as "best male athlete" and "best female athlete" among others.To read more or comment...


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Although we are riding in peak tourist season, we've seen minimal traffic so far—just a few early-bird tourists and a handful of contractors' vans taking the shortcut between Grand Lake and Estes Park. Making chit-chat, trying to divert my mind, I say, "Where is everybody?"
"They're still home eating their bacon," Kelly says, her voice modulating between envy and mild contempt.
I am starting to develop a slight crush on her—never mind the happy marriage and two kids she's told me about. That's something else neither science nor logic can explain about gravity but which any cyclist knows: A really great climb peels back your emotional defenses, leaves you vulnerable to whatever feelings drift into your head on the mountain air or bubble up from deep inside.
Back East, where I live and ride, our climbs are often described as "punchy," like a punch in the face. The typical rise involves two to five minutes of lactic-acid hell, and topping out is much more likely to bring relief than enlightenment. On Trail Ridge, we are looking at about two hours of climbing. A lot can happen in that time when you're on a bike headed uphill.
The author had many temporary companions on Trail Ridge Road, but only one permanent one: his head. (David Epperson)
We settle into new rhythms, and I slowly pull away from Kelly. Soon, I am riding alone, each pedal stroke drawing me deeper into the mountain's peculiar energy field. The bacon has been eaten, and there is more traffic now. But as the drivers and their passengers zoom by, we are in competely different worlds, and, except for the bacon part, I prefer mine. They cannot smell the lodgepole needles on the forest floor or feel how the air is both chilly and warming at the same time. To me, gravity is real, a gentle but insistent hand pushing me backward, reminding me that if I stop pedaling, I will stop moving. To them it is an abstraction, just something that makes their rental car's engine whine a little louder.
Then, at 10,500 feet, having ridden alone for some time now, I am forced to deal with my own failings. I suddenly want nothing more than to quit, to turn around and freewheel back to the bottom. How liberating that would feel—that wheee! Who needs to reach the top, anyway?
What's happening is that the climb is bringing to surface a piece of my character I regret and keep buried: a lifelong tendency to bail out at the exact wrong time, whether it's going for a header in high-school soccer, in my work, or in relationships. Too often, I pull back at the exact point when I need to go harder. Riding a bike has been a way of training myself not to give up. Now, here on Trail Ridge Road, I am about to find out how successful I've been. Or not. I pedal on in a fierce, private war.
The road reaches a kind of saddle, flattening for a few hundred precious yards beside the turquoise oblong of Poudre Lake, the high point of the Cache la Poudre River. This water, I realize, is headed for New Orleans; it'll never see the summit. Somehow, this cheers me. If I want to reach the crest, all I need to do is ride on. I should feel terrible up here, as the road climbs higher and the oxygen content drops, but it seems like the higher I climb, the stronger I feel. Even gravity seems to be weakening.
When the road breaks out of the trees, I catch a glimpse of the visitor center on the ridge high above. The cars in the parking lot look like miniatures. Surrounded by peaks, some still dotted with snow, I feel small, too. I pedal through a huge, V-shaped switchback, past the parked sag van of the outfitter that brought me here, Iconic Adventures, and in what feels like no time at all, I'm at the visitor center; in fact, I rode by the lake half an hour ago. The parking lot is stacked full with Winnebagos and Jeeps and an Amish family from Tennessee who'd been driven there in a black van. There are bathrooms, and Coke machines, yellow school buses disgorging teenagers, Harley riders strutting around in leathers, and a big bull elk surveying the whole scene from a nearby slope. I keep going. This is a corral, not a summit.
The road steepens—but it yields ever more easily to me now. I ride another bend and spot the real summit up ahead. There's no pull-off spot, not even a guardrail. It's just a subtle, unmarked hump in the road that few tourists must even notice. When I get there, I will stand and hammer the last few dozen pedal strokes. When I get there, I will see a few other cyclists and we will touch leather palms to celebrate our tired, shared but separate and personal triumphs. When I get there, gravity will, at last, surrender and embrace me. When I get there. When I get there. When I get there.
Photo: David Epperson


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In the last few days, Avril has even remarked that he won't attend the team's first day of training camp on July 26, even threatening to potentially not show at all.
While no one knows what the future holds for sure, it's clear that the Lions wanted to lock up their most productive pass-rusher, while Avril coveted the security of a long-term pact laced with guaranteed money.
But despite a shared disappointment, both sides made calculated business decisions with their own interests in mind (a necessary function of successful business).
The gap separating the two sides was reported to be a small one but was ultimately unbridgeable.
On one side stood Avril, with the understanding that he earned the right to more than an alleged three-year, $30 million offer. How much more isn't clear.
Avril isn't wrong either. Defensive ends with comparable production have secured more lucrative deals. Arizona Cardinals' defensive end Calais Campbell is a great example. He was given a reported five-year deal worth $55 million, despite producing only eight sacks and four forced fumbles in 2011. When you consider Avril had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in the same amount of games, his belief gains merit.
Of course, it's difficult to compare the players, as Avril plays in a defensive system designed to maximize his opportunities for sacks by putting a large emphasis on rushing the passer from the defensive end position.
Still, in a league where every contract you sign could be your last, you can't blame a player for cashing in when he can to provide long-term security for himself and his family (Avril is the father of a young child).
On the other side of the gap stands the Detroit Lions.
The desire to sign Avril long term was present but the financial resources may not have been.
The Lions must be conscious of the fact that key players will need to be re-signed in the near future.
Among those players is safety Louis Delmas, who is still playing out his rookie contract. Delmas is one of the most important players on the defense and will command a significant raise over a base salary that should be a little under $1 million in 2012.
In addition to Delmas, defensive tackles Sammie Hill and Corey Williams both have expiring contracts with Linebackers Justin Durant and DeAndre Levy also set to become unrestricted. Lastly, top cornerback Chris Houston rounds out the key defensive players that may have the option to leave in 2013.
The Lions already are pressed against the cap, so players like Delmas, Houston, Levy and Hill could be difficult to resign as they will have the opportunity to earn raises over their slated 2012 salaries.
Also, it is important to remember that the Lions have to be prepared to pay quarterback Matthew Stafford, who could play himself into a $100-plus million contract if he is able to remain healthy in 2012. Additionally, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh figures to command the largest salary of the team's defense for the foreseeable future.
With all that considered, it is difficult for the Lions to restrict their salary cap flexibility, especially for a position of strength.
If Avril departs next season, the Lions could go to the draft for a replacement while increasing the workload of Willie Young and Lawrence Jackson. However, if Houston or Delmas leave, the team would have to bank on young, mid-to-low-round draft choices to fill the void.
The NFL is a business, and both Avril and the Lions operated with their best interests in mind.