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Feminism | Posted by Molly W on 08/8/2012
Chick-Fil-A: Not For Feminists, Either
If you're like me, your Facebook newsfeed, your Twitter stream and your local news is surprisingly loaded with stories about fast food purveyor, Chik-fil-a. All kinds of opinions about Christianity, the definition of "family" or corporate executives using their millions to support anti-gay marriage organizations have sprouted into an extremely spirited debate.
As a gay lady myself though, all of this hubbub isn't surprising. It was an open secret of sorts that the organization wasn't exactly a friend of the LGBT community – they are closed on Sundays in observance of the Christian sabbath, which is uncommon now in most places. Rather, the news of a lawsuit against the company from a former employee alleging gender discrimination is what has me particularly irked.
Brenda Honeycutt's suit for wrongful termination states …


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November 16, 2006
Dear FOS11 Member,
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB) opened its doors in the spring of 2006 under the directorship of FOS11 Advisory Board member David Schonfeld, MD, Director. One of the goals of this organization is to provide information and assistance to schools on how to better deal with children who have suffered through trauma and/or loss in their lives. Children of September 11 works closely with the NCSCB in all its efforts so that children who have been affected by events such as 9/11 have the support they need as they grow and develop in the shadow of the difficulties or crises of their past.
In an effort to gather as much information as possible as to how schools can better support their students, the NCSCB is reaching out to families who have had experiences with trauma and loss. They have developed a short survey for families to complete which addresses how effective (or ineffective) your school was dealing with the emotional impact of trauma, ours being 9/11.
Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey. Although it remains a very new organization, the NCSCB has the potential to effect real change for the better for our children. They are already recognized on a national level and were invited to present at the White House conference on school violence held in October. They can turn our information and experiences into efforts which will create a better, more understanding environment for our children in school.
The survey can be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=30862557807. To learn more about NCSCB visit our website at http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/s/school-crisis/.
Thank you for your help in this effort.
MaryEllen SalamoneFOS11 Advisory Board Member and COS11 Founder

subset: commoncrawl


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'Swearing toddler' can stay with mom: Judge
(NEWSER) – A toddler who attracted national attention for his swearing in an online video will stay with his mom—at 17, also a minor—after both were placed in custody. The two will be cared for in the same foster home, CNN reports, following an Omaha juvenile court judge's ruling. Meanwhile, the city's police union is explaining its decision to post the video, which it titled "Thug Cycle," online. The ACLU was among those criticizing the Omaha Police Officers Association for what it called "racially charged language."


text: Reeva Steenkamp was brutally murdered, but her father has come out saying that if Oscar Pistorius is telling the truth about his version of events that he will forgive the Olympic athlete. I don't know how he can say this. I don't know if he is starting to believe the story or is just a better person than me, but first of all, he should not even be talking about forgiveness. I wouldn't be. His daughter has been buried less than week and he is already willing to forgive. I don't think it will matter because I am hoping he will be convinced Reeva's boyfriend is lying, but I have to say I was shocked that he was talking about forgiveness so soon.


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Find out everything about upcoming events, shows, festivals and entertainment in Reno & Lake Tahoe. Our calendar keeps you informed & up-to-date on all Reno & Lake Tahoe entertainment!
The Midnight Riders started their reign of Northern Nevada in 1995 when the owners of a Reno Night Club called upon Billy James to form a "house band" for their club. The result was the very energetic, crowd pleasing band that has been treating audiences to their unique brand of performances all over Nevada. To quote one writer at Fun & Gaming magazine in Reno, "they have what it takes to stand out." They are five talented, young, personable (and cute) performers who are quickly earning a reputation as a high-quality band. During performances, Midnight Riders like to include the audience into their act. "I love the way they interact with everyone in the room," said one fan, "they are having fun and you feel included in the good times."
The show consists of songs from all over the spectrum. From one song to the next you don't know what style or brand of music you will hear. The band can be as versatile as the audiences they perform in front of. To quote another writer from Fun & Gaming, "Just as you might assume from their youthful experience, the Midnight Riders combine country and rock hits from yesterday…and just yesterday." In one evening you can be assured to hear literally everything from A to Z. One moment you can hear a soulful rendition of a Merle Haggard classic such as "That's The Way Love Goes" then they can turn around and rock the house with the latest Nickelback hit such as "You Remind Me."
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
3800 S. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89502


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Sign injures two at Avon Lake football game
(Avon Lake) Firefighters report two adult men were injured after a large sign crashed into them at the Avon Lake football game Friday night. Avon Lake was playing North Canton Hoover.
The injured men were taken to the Avon Cleveland Clinic facility for evaluation. One man had a minor leg injury, the other had a head injury.
Witnesses say high winds caused the sign to come loose and fall on the men. The sign was about 8 foot by 10 foot. It was a stand-up sign located by the flag pole in the marching band area. The sign was removed after the incident.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone.Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright 2013 Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


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I haven't cried hard in a while, but when I saw my eighteen year-old daughter wave a shy goodbye as she left my sight at the airport last night, I couldn't stop. After seven months of her being home for a "gap year" between high school and college, she was taking off for a two-month trip to Europe - a giant leap out of my protective arms and into adulthood. I'd felt pangs of impending loss all week, but the tears flowed while standing there as she actually walked away from me.Had I done eno … [Read more...]
The Mom I Wanted to Be
February 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment


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|Home > Guides > Core Developers Guide > Configuration Files > Reloading configuration
Struts allows for dynamic reloading of xml configuration file (ie, reloading actions.xml).
This allows you to reconfigure your action mapping during development. There may be a slight performance penalty, so this is not recommended for production use.
In order to enable this feature, add the following to your struts.properties file:


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Bookmark this site
BRISTOL, PA -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 15 assigned patent No. 8,353,758 to AMI Entertainment Network. The patent covers an "amusement device having electronic game and jukebox functionalities."
The USPTO's abstract described the patent as covering an amusement device with a display, and including a touchscreen, an audio output and input component, where a common controller is configured to select and play at least one electronic game and to select and retrieve for playing a music data set from a plurality of music data sets. The patent also covers optional simultaneous music and gameplay, along with cross-promotional rewards between the music and game functionalities, and the possibility of music content driving game content.
The inventors of record are James Stelzer, Colin Higbie, Nathan Weyer and William Layne IV. The full patent may be found here.


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November 20, 2012
By Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
Good managers know very well how expensive employee turnover can be and work diligently to keep those costs at a minimum. It is a fact that not every employee can be retained no matter how fairly they are treated, and some are actually welcome to leave.
Below are ten reasons employees resign, along with suggestions for retaining those valuable players that are hard or impossible to replace:


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Above & Beyond announce ABGT100 at Madison Square Garden
Listen to Above & Beyond on iHeartRadio
Above & Beyond is celebrating the 100th episode of their Group Therapy radio show in a very big way. The trio will take over the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City for one night on Saturday, October 18th.
This will be Above & Beyond's biggest headlining show in the U.S. and the guys will become the first British DJs to headline the legendary venue.
Based on their sold out ABGT050 show at London's Alexandra Palace (which has a 10,000 capacity), their show at MSG will be one that fans won't want to miss.
In a press release, Jono, Tony, and Paavo say, "To be able to bring this radio show to one of our favorite cities and one of the world's most iconic venues is really a dream come true for us."
Fans can register for pre-sale (whiches starts April 30th at noon EDT) now on the official website. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public on May 1st at noon EDT.
The guys have shared an official ABGT100 launch video, which contains Above & Beyond's new single "Sticky Fingers" featuring Alex Vargas. Check it out below:


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Project DescriptionNew York–based Andre Kikoski Architect's design for this restaurant references Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim but also manages to stand apart as a striking contemporary space. The project features sculptural forms that create a flared ceiling, cascading walls that lead down to comfortable banquettes, and a curved bar and communal table.
Jury: "This project is sensitively handled and respectful of the essence of the original architecture. … The design approach was controlled, but playful, and complements the nuance of the museum's overall movement and dynamic."
Client: "Our main goals were to create a contemporary restaurant that would fit in well with the design of our 1959 Wright building, and that would change the food experience from a quick sandwich to an elegant lunch or dinner for visitors. In contemporary materials, Andre Kikoski references the geometric shapes, the subtle use of daylight, and the shades of white in the Wright." —David van der Leer, Curator, BMW Guggenheim Lab


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Black belt crowned Miss USA
(NEWSER) – Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez, a fourth-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo, was crowned Miss USA 2014 last night. The 24-year-old from Las Vegas beat out 50 other contestants from all the states and the District of Columbia for the title of 63rd Miss USA. First runner-up was Miss North Dakota Audra Mari. Erin Brady, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, the 2013 winner, gave up her crown to Sanchez after a three-hour telecast from the Baton Rouge Civic Center in Louisiana.// ]]>
Read the full story on Newser.com


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Friday, March 12 2010 - First Responders/Health Effects
New York Agrees World Trade Center 9/11 Dust Payout
March 12, 2010
New York City officials have agreed to pay up to 657.5m US dollars (437m sterling) to thousands of rescue and clean-up workers after 9/11.
The settlement would compensate more than 10,000 plaintiffs who say they were made sick by dust at the Ground Zero site of the attacks.
At least 95% of the plaintiffs must approve the deal for it to take effect.
The money would come from a federally financed insurance fund of almost $1bn that the city controls.
The toxic cloud from the collapsed World Trade Center towers contained particles of asbestos, lead, glass and cement.
A claims adjudicator, chosen by the lawyers involved in the case, would decide on the validity of each plaintiff's claim and how much compensation they were entitled to.
Respiratory illnesses
The agreement follows a long battle in the courts, but must still be approved
by a judge and agreed to by the claimants.
In a statement, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the settlement "a fair and reasonable resolution to a complex set of circumstances".
Some workers are expected to receive payments of only a few thousand dollars, while others could be in line to get more than $1m, depending on their injuries.
'Fund depleted'
The BBC's Adam Brookes, in Washington, says the agreement means that the long-running legal battle spawned by the 9/11 attacks may now be drawing to a close.
After the twin towers fell on 11 September 2001, rescuers spent weeks amid the smouldering wreckage and choking dust in Lower Manhattan, but few were adequately insured for such work.
The government set up a special insurance company to handle claims if any of them ended up injured or sick.
The claims came flooding in, many for cancer and respiratory illness caused by dust.
By early 2008, according to government documents, nearly 10,000 law suits had been filed against the insurance company.
But only six claims were paid out.
Lawyers for the city had claimed it did its best to provide respiratory equipment for workers, and challenged some claims as being based on flimsy medical evidence.
Marc Bern, a senior partner with the law firm which negotiated the deal, said: "We are gratified that these heroic men and women who performed their duties without consideration of the health implications will finally receive just compensation for their pain and suffering."
It is thought that the long courts battle has depleted the $1bn fund created by Congress to help insure the city, with the legal bill so far running to more than $200m.
March 12, 2010
More than 10,000 rescue workers affected by dust after 9/11 are eligible for compensation.
New York City is to pay up to $657.5m (£437m) in compensation to rescue and recovery workers affected by dust after the 9/11 attacks.
The settlement would give compensation to more than 10,000 plaintiffs, who say that they became ill because of dust from the destroyed World Trade Centre towers.
Before it can take effect, at least 95 per cent of these plaintiffs must approve the deal. It must also be approved by a judge.
It was announced yesterday evening by the World Trade Centre Captive Insurance Company, a special body established to handle the legal claims of those injured in the clear-up operation.
Most of the money would come from a $1bn (£664m) grant from the federal emergency management agency.
New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, said that it was "a fair and reasonable resolution to a complex set of circumstances".
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Planning to visit Savannah? Keep your mind sharp and your blood flowing with these great activities which provide a first-hand look at Savannah's eclectic history, breathtaking architecture, and vibrant culture.
Savannah Walking Tours with Savannah Dan
A Savannah exclusive, the unique character, Savannah Dan, can often be found leading captivated groups of tourists through Savannah's picturesque squares all summer long. The original Southern gentleman will charm you with his sharp, intelligent wit and extensive knowledge of everything local as you stroll through Savannah's historic downtown.
Don't feel like walking? Savannah Dan also offers a horse-drawn carriage tour! Arrange to be picked up at your lodging before embarking on this first-class excursion.
Walking tours are available Monday through Saturday during the June, July, and August months at 10AM and 2PM. Tours begin at Johnson Square.
Horse-drawn tours are available by making a reservation twenty-four hours in advance. Accommodations allow four adults maximum.
Savannah Bike Tours
Take a relaxing, guided bicycle ride through historic downtown Savannah! Visit some of Savannah's top tourist spots while avoiding the crowds at places like Forsyth Park, Factor's Walk/River Street, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Guided tours are available every day led by Savannah Bike Tours' knowledgeable owner/operator.
For a personalized experience, couples and groups can take a private tour catered to their interests.
Reservations are required for Savannah Bike Tours, and are strongly recommended to be made at least two days in advance.
Oglethorpe Trolley Tours
With stops at many of the most popular locations of Savannah's historic district, the Oglethorpe Trolley Tour invites you to truly experience Savannah's Southern hospitality. Perhaps the fastest way to traverse the downtown while gaining valuable insight on the area, all while enjoying a relaxing shaded ride through the city. Oglethorpe Trolley Tours provide ninety minutes of narration with tours beginning every twenty minutes.
One or two-day passes are available with unlimited hop on/hop off. Tickets can be purchased online or at the circular, blue and yellow building on West Boundary Street, where the tour initially begins. Tours run until 5:30PM.
Savannah's Squares and Parks
Self-guided tours have long been a favorite of Savannah tourists wanting to fixate their eyes on the historic downtown district, which features Savannah's unique squares and parks. Walk, bike, or drive between the twenty-two distinct squares and submerse yourself in the rich history of the city. Three lush parks also grace the area, offering a more contemporary look at the history of Savannah. Notable squares and parks include:
Calhoun Square
For a true look into Savannah history, visit Calhoun Square: the only square where all of the original historic buildings still remain intact. Notable buildings include the Massie School (now the Massie Heritage Center), the Low, Mercer, and Green-Meldrim Houses, and the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church.
Forsyth Park
This thirty-acre park's crowd drawing feature is an elaborate two-tier cast iron fountain, an homage to the Parisian fountain found at Place de la Concorde. On the grounds, you can also be find the Fragrant Garden for the Blind and various historical monuments.
Enjoy your time in and around Savannah! We do hope you'll make your stay a great one, and visit us at the Dresser Palmer House – true Southern hospitality and gourmet breakfast.
Tags: Savannah Parks, Savannah Tours


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Mr Hodges wondered if Miliband would 'stand by' this statement.
"I think the great question about a show like this is how we would be behave," said Hodges.
Plutina wondered at that, for Hodges was not often sober, and excess of liquor was an accustomed part in all his pleasures.
The old man had a reputation almost as notorious as that of Hodges himself.
And in the rear of these two, as if eager for their departure, was Hodges, chief of construction.
Hodges shook his head in dissent, and, by a gesture, bade her come to him.
For an instant she hoped that it was Mrs. Hodges or her husband who had come home.
Not for an instant did the old man doubt that Hodges had done the deed.
The Hodges home was in a lonely place, the nearest neighbours being Negroes, nearly half a mile distant.
Hodges chuckled, well content over the impression he had made.


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Message Board
Patricia Sprinkle Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Sprinkle has written!
Author Sprinkle's Book Reviews
When Will the Dead Lady Sing?
Signet, June 2004, 5.99, 272 pp. ISBN 045121223 In the town of Hopemore, Georgia, MacLaren's day gets off to an unusual start when she sees a buffalo munching on the grass in the yard of her new house. By the time she finds the courage to go outside and get the animal away from her rose bushes, she has the second shock of the morning. Her college boyfriend Burlin Bullock, the one her husband Joe Ridley doesn't know about, is explaining to her t...
Who Invited the Dead Man?
Signet, July 2002, 5.99, 272 pp. ISBN 045120659 Judge MacLaren Yarbrough has her hands full running Yarbrough's Feed, Seed, and Nursery, managing her magisterial duties, keeping care of her home and taking care of her husband Joe Riddley. Joe is recovering from a head injury and has to relearn how to care for himself as well as read and write. His memory is cloudy and he is prone to violent episodes. To show their support for Joe, two hundre...
Who Killed the Queen of Clubs?
Signet, Mar 2005, 5.99, 272 pp. ISBN: 0451214501 Edith Burkett struggles with grief as her spouse, the town pharmacist, committed suicide and her father suffered a debilitating stroke that has forced his placement in a nursing home. Making matters even more difficult for the shell shocked Edie is that her husband squandered their money on drugs for personal use as he was an addict. Edie sold their home and now works to earn money to support her...
Who Left That Body in the Rain?
Signet, Dec 2002, 5.99, 304 pp. ISBN 0451207580 The quiet town of Hopemore, Georgia is the home of local Court magistrate Judge MacLaren Yarbrough, part owner of Yarbrough's Feed, Seed and Nursery. She counts her blessings especially when it comes to her husband Joe Riddley who is recovering nicely from a head wound that almost killed him. Her next door neighbor Maynard is getting married soon and he has bought himself a BMW, one that he intend...


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Bloody-Disgusting.com reviews LucasWednesday, August 1st, 2012
Lucas was recently reviewed by Bloody-Disgusting.com and they loved it, giving it a 4.5 out of 5! Below is an excerpt from the book, but be sure to CLICK HERE to read it in full over at their site.
The level of imagination and skill that went into Lucas is not only impressive, but enough to put David Murdoch at the forefront of all horror graphic novel collectors' minds. The book started off as a crossbreed art-book that amassed the work of numerous illustrators to tell one horrific tale of terror. "Lucas" quickly transformed into a short horror narrative that's more novel than graphic. Murdoch boldly takes on the roles of creator, writer, illustrator, and colourist for "Lucas". Finding a home with Arcana Studio, Murdoch's story is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets Dexter. Only, this killer of killers is just as terrifying and psychotic as the family of cannibalistic sadists he destroys.
Honestly, the above is just the tip of the iceberg, so be sure to head over to the Bloody-Disgusting site BY CLICKING HERE.
Below are some other details on the book…
ARCANA SITE LINK: http://www.arcana.com/view_issue.php?id=391
COMIXOLOGY LINK: http://www.comixology.com/Lucas/digital-comic/ICO002906
DESCRIPTION: A bold, stark example of terror in the homeland, Lucas tells the tale of a family of cannibals who've made a smorgasbord of any poor souls unfortunate enough to darken their door… until Lucas comes along to give them a true education in horror. In the backwoods farmland of Rural-Nowhere USA, dawn breaks. It's coloring everything warmly. Red and gold and orange. A clutch of dried and dead trees frame a pile of bodies. Lucas stands over them.


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So I assume that comments count towards the file total size. So also I assume comments affect the download speed of the file, however negligible that may be. But the browser does not read the comments. So they do not affect the processing time. Is that all correct? Sort of like if a tree falls in a forest and nowbody is there to hear it does it make a sound?
I am using this php file and it has a tremendous amount of comments - more than the code it self. So I figured I would just keep the original and strip them all out of the file I'm using. But if somehow comments don't affect speed at all I can leave them in the original.
To be technically correct, I'd have to say that comments add to the processing time, if only for the compiler to parse several extra tokens. However, as a practical matter, that extra processing time is very likely to be astronomically small. If in doubt, benchmarking will definitively answer this question. You can create both versions of the file -- one with comments and one without -- and measure which one runs faster, and by how much.
Which tool online or otherwise do I use to benchmark it?
For JS, Benchmark.js (which is the library behind jsperf.com). For PHP, I think people usually just measure with microtime(true).
How do I use microtime(true)?
$start = microtime(true);
In here, put the code you want to test.
To ensure you capture the parsing time,
you may want to bring the test code in with include/require/eval.
$stop = microtime(true);
All data counts, even white spaces. a file with 10 \'s is bigger than a file with none. As far as d/l time a commented character weighs just as much as one character of code, so no comment size is NOT 'negligible'.
I don't remember if comments are parsed out or simply skipped either way as they are not instructions they don't present a processing load.
That being said, and I am saying this tho I am particularly lazy and stingy with my comments, commenting your code is GOOD PRACTICE. Have you ever written a brilliant piece of elegant code and gone back to it 2 years later ? What if you have to work with a team? trust me comments are quite worth their weight.
Think about it. You could 'streamline' code and probably even type quicker by not thinking of meaningful variable names. Instead of: namesOfPeeps=new array('ray', 'veronica', 'havoc', 'bushy', 'eric', 'paul') you could simply code: a=new array('ray', 'veronica', 'havoc', 'bushy', 'eric', 'paul') and save 11 characters, plus the typing time, plus the time of coming up with a meaningful name for your variable. But trust me, in any piece of code with more than four variables this will not be worth the hours of debugging time, the difficulty it will present when revisiting and revising this code for later use , and the fact that the code will be difficult to share with colleagues.
Really if you have streamed line your code so that the only things that bares reviewing is your commenting habits , you have earned a break and probably don't need to streamline any further at all. Other wise it best to focus on real bottle necks like redundancy, inefficient functions, server requests, heck even image sizes.
BTWsome people keep a production version ( commented, formatted and easy to read) of their code and a work version (uncommented, minimized, all superfluous white space characters deleted , and completely unreadable by humans). That's an option, if you dont mind the extra logistics.


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Practical Solutions, a Redlands-based organizing firm, offers advice for successful organization.
There are daily assignments in January - which is Get Organized Month - for organizing one's entire home, and there are workshops and hands-on organizing help.
Cathy Bates, the owner of Practical Solutions Organizing, said "after the holidays most people find they have let their house go, just like they have let healthy eating go. They are ready to get both under control."
The first part of the program, brought back by popular demand from last year, is a step-by-step guide to organizing an entire home, in the form of daily assignments.
People who sign up for Practical Solutions' free newsletter at www.psorganizing.com or "like" it on Facebook will receive an assignment each day in January to organize something in the home.
"If you follow the steps, by the end of January your entire home will be organized," Bates said in a press release.
For more information contact Practical Solutions at firstname.lastname@example.com or 909-810-3719.


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Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground Music & Food Festival returns to Charleston for the 3rd year
Listen to the Zac Brown Band on iHeartRadio
Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground Music & Food Festival is returning to Charleston, South Carolina for the third year in a row. The 2013 festival will feature performances by Willie Nelson, Band of Horses, The Head and the Heart and takes place October 19th and 20th at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island in Berkeley County.
Charleston City Paper readers voted The Southern Ground Music & Food Festival Best Music Concert in 2011 and 2012, and 2013 is shaping up to be another fantastic event.
Also slated to perform: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Dawes, and Kacey Musgraves. More artists to be revealed as the date draws near.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 11th at 10am ET. Get tickets at Blackbaud Stadium box office, by phone at 877-4-
For more info. and lineup updates, head to www.southerngroundfestival.com.
Check out the recap from 2012:


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First reading of North Charleston 'edging' ordinance passes
From our News Partners at WCBD-TV:
The city of North Charleston is one step closer to requiring all residents to edge their yards.
The ordinance passed the first reading by a vote of 8-2. The ordinance would require property owners to edge their yards, cleaning up the bushes, weeds and grass that grows along the sidewalks.
Councilman Bob King sponsored the possible law after neighbors complained of unkempt sidewalks.
"[Neighbors] had problems walking in the area with the sidewalks all covered up with sand, bushes and all of that stuff," King said.
The ordinance, however, did not pass without questions from some council members. Some were concerned that the ordinance would require too much work, especially for senior citizens .
"The edging is what the constituency that I have is having a problem with," Councilman Todd Olds said. "They don't have a problem cutting the grass. But it's the additional labor-intensive work that they see is that they are going to have to do at their age."
Olds said most of the residents in his area average 60-years-old. Mayor Keith Summey assured everyone in the sparsely attended meeting that those who may be physically unable to edge their yards will not be fined for failing to follow the ordinance.
"If it is a legitimate case where the person is not able to do it, that they will not be cited or fined for it and we'll take care of it for them," Mayor Summey said .
If the bill becomes law and residents are found in violation of the bill, they will have 15 days to edge their yards. If not, they will face fines close to $1000. The bill still has to pass one, final reading before it becomes law.
Image courtesy of WCBD-TV.


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NWL notes: Ems' Renfroe has the tools
Padres' first-rounder flashing same skills he showed at MSU
By Patrick Brown / Special to MiLB.com | July 19, 2013 6:00 AM ET
All baseball players, at any level, hope to possess the coveted five traits: speed, arm strength, hitting for average, hitting for power and good fielding. It's rare to find a prospect who has the potential to fill all five of those buckets, let alone one who already possesses them.
Eugene outfielder Hunter Renfroe just might be that find.
Renfroe, who was drafted No. 13 overall by the Padres this year, has wasted little time out of the gate since signing his professional contract July 9. The Emeralds outfielder, who earlier this year helped Mississippi State reach the College World Series, has hit .313 with two home runs and three RBIs in eight games.
His addition has provided an offensive spark to a club that already has some pop in its lineup.
"Between Renfroe and Edwin Moreno, when you put two bats in the lineup like that, it really puts a spark into your offense," said Emeralds manager Jim Gabella. "We've really been playing some good baseball lately."
Renfroe is no stranger to high expectations. He admittedly faced a lot of pressure throughout his collegiate career but handled it in stride and finished the 2013 season hitting .345 with 16 home runs and 65 RBIs in 66 games for MSU.
Now it's simply a matter of keeping his swagger -- he isn't trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to consistency.
"I get to the ballpark a few hours before the game, take [batting practice] and fielding, it's just like I did in college ball," Renfroe said. "I'm here trying to do the best that I can and perform at the highest level possible."
He's opened some eyes with his quick adaption to professional baseball and is already showing that he can be the five-tool player that every club is looking for.
"Usually when you talk about a guy being a baseball player, he knows how to play the game and plays hard, but still kind of lacks all the tools," Gabella said. "We've got a guy who knows how to play the game, plays it hard and has all five tools to play the game, so we're really lucky."
The biggest prep, of course, was college, which vastly improved Renfroe's Draft stock. He had been drafted by the Red Sox in the 31st round of the 2010 Draft but opted instead to go to college. It was there he studied Kinesiology and honed his skills to become one of the top prospects in the Draft.
"I would recommend to anybody to go to college first," Renfroe said. "It helps you in so many ways. There is so much I learned in college that is helping me tremendously here."
The 21-year-old, who was a Braves fan growing up, is quickly realizing his dream in the Padres organization.
"Anytime anyone asked me what I wanted to do, I said I wanted to be the next Chipper Jones and play professional baseball at the highest level," Renfroe said. "I'm really looking forward to living up to it, and keeping my journey going."
At the rate he's going, it doesn't look like he'll be sticking around Eugene for long. No matter, for the time being, Gabella will be using him as much as he can.
"I haven't talked to the front office about what their plans are, so we'll just go about our business with him in the lineup every single day," he said. "When they take him, that's the best thing for the organization, the best thing for Hunter, and we'll deal with that when it happens."
In brief
Playoff bound: The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes clinched the South Division's first-half title with a 4-3 win over Eugene on Wednesday. It is the Volcanoes' first playoff berth since 2009, when they won the league title. In the North Division, Everett is maintaining a three-game lead over the two-time defending champion Vancouver Canadians with just a few games remaining before the break.
Who's hot, who's not: Vancouver RHP Eric Brown is 1-0 with 15 strikeouts in his last 12 innings, having only allowed two earned runs over that span. … Everett OF Reggie Lawson is 6-for-13 with six RBIs in his last four games. … Hillsboro RHP Ross Gerdeman has allowed nine earned runs and 11 hits in his last 10 innings, though he has struck out nine over that span … Boise 2B Jordan Hankins has not recorded an RBI in his last 30 at-bats but is hitting .300 over that span.
He said it: "Whether it's next year or two years from now, I don't care how long it takes. Even if it only happens for a couple months, I want to try and get there." Tri-City SS Alec Mehrten to the Tri-City Herald about eventually making it up to the Colorado Rockies.
Patrick Brown is a contributor to MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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Light, patent No. D680,251, invented by Wayne Stewart of Springville.
Fifth-wheel trailer hitch with locking mechanism, patent No. 8,419,038, invented by Darrel J. Burns of Park City and Brigitte Paula Strecker Burns of Park City.
Architectural panels with organic photovoltaic interlayers and methods of forming the same, patent No. 8,418,418, invented by John E. C. Willham of Sandy and M. Hoyt Brewster of Salt Lake City, assigned to 3form Inc. of Salt Lake City.
Central cutting region of a drilling head assembly, patent No. 8,418,784, invented by David R. Hall of Provo and Thomas Morris of Spanish Fork.
System and method for secure transactions manageable by a transaction account provider, patent No. 8,418,918, invented by Peter D. Saunders of Salt Lake City and Brian T. Barnes of South Jordan, assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Co. Inc. of New York, N.Y.
Apparatus and method for calibration of projected target point within an image, patent No. 8,418,924, invented by Paul J. Hepworth of Riverton, Mario Miyojim of West Valley and Morgan Taylor of Lehi, assigned to The Code Corp. of Bluffdale.
Gas generating system, patent No. 8,419,057, invented by Bruce A. Stevens of Oakland, Mich., Donald B. Patterson of Smithfield, Robert M. Krupp of Rochester, Mich. and David M. McCormick of St. Clair Shores, Mich., assigned to TK Holdings Inc. of Armada, Mich.
Light boxes with uniform light distribution, patent No. 8,419,236, invented by Kevin L. Fisher of Erda, Mark Howard Raissen of Costa Mesa, Calif., Esteban D. Hernandez of West Jordan, Guillaume Martin of Rochetoirin, France, Michael Damen of Rochetoirin, France and Brian Hillstrom of Loretto, Minn., assigned to 3form Inc. of Salt Lake City.
System for forming a composition with an optimized filler, patent No. 8,419,405, invented by Jack Raymond Prince of West Bountiful and Jared L. Sommer of North Salt Lake City, assigned to Revolutionary Plastics LLC of Las Vegas, Nev.
Carrier assembly with caps for medical connectors, patent No. 8,419,713, invented by Donald D. Solomon of North Salt Lake and James Paul Kennedy of Salt Lake City, assigned to The University of Utah Research Foundation of Salt Lake City.
Adjustable ferromagnetic coated conductor thermal surgical tool, patent No. 8,419,724, invented by Kim Manwaring of Phoenix, Ariz., David McNally of Salt Lake City and William J. Biter of Kennett Square, Pa., assigned to Domain Surgical Inc. of Salt Lake City.
Spinal facet implants with mating articulating bearing surface and methods of use, patent No. 8,419,770, invented by Alan Chervitz of Palm Harbor, Fla., Daniel J. Triplett of Providence, T. Wade Fallin of Hyde Park and Robert W. Hoy of Paradise, assigned to GMEDelaware 2 LLC of Audubon, Pa.
Method and system for removing organic compounds in a closed loop system, patent No. 8,419,858, invented by Frederick J. Haydock of Murray, assigned to Haydock Intellectual Properties LLC of Murray.
Methods and systems for producing hydrogen and system for producing power, patent No. 8,420,267, invented by Ighor K. Uzhinsky of Springfield, Va.., Fernando Aguirre of North Ogden and Anthony G. Castrogiovanni of Manorville, N.Y., assigned to Alliant Techsystems Inc. of Arlington, Va.
Methods to manufacture 1,3-dioxolane nucleosides, patent No. 8,420,354, invented by Marcos Sznaidman of Durham, N.C., George R. Painter of Chapel Hill, N.C., Merrick R. Almond of Apex, N.C., Darryl G. Cleary of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Amir Pesyan of Salt Lake City, assigned to Emory University of Atlanta, Ga.
Downhole torodial generator with central passage, patent No. 8,421,287, invented by David R. Hall of Provo and Scott S. Dahlgren of Alpine.
MEMS devices and systems actuated by an energy field, patent No. 8,421,305, invented by Ian R. Harvey of Kaysville, Taylor M. Meacham of Salt Lake City, Ronald W. Boutte of Layton, Brian Baker of Salt Lake City and Iain E. Harvey of Kaysville, assigned to The University of Utah Research Foundation of Salt Lake City.
Apparatus and method for selectively heating a deposit in fatty tissue in a body, patent No. 8,423,152, invented by Paul F. Turner of Bountiful and Mark Hagmann of Salt Lake City, assigned to BSD Medical Corp. of Salt Lake City.
Prepaid transaction card activation system and method, patent No. 8,423,464, invented by Nicole Milne Vollmer of Murray, Lance Lewis of Farmington and Elizabeth Gwen Webb of South Jordan, assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Co. Inc. of New York, N.Y.
Systems and methods for managing multiple accounts on a RF transaction device using secondary identification indicia, patent No. 8,423,475, invented by Fred Bishop of Glendale, Ariz. and Peter D. Saunders of Salt Lake City, assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Co. Inc. of New York, N.Y.
Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactions, patent No. 8,423,476, invented by Fred A. Bishop of Glendale, Ariz. and Peter D. Saunders of Salt Lake City, assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Co. Inc. of New York, N.Y.
Deterministic user authentication service for communication network, patent No. 8,424,055, invented by Michael E. See of Chapel Hill, N.C., John W. Bailey of Agoura Hills, Calif., Charles L. Panza of Park City, Yuri Pikover of Malibu, Calif., Geoffrey C. Stone of Minneapolis, Minn., Michele Wright Goodwin of Westlake Village, Calif. and Robert Leon Sangroniz of Sandy, assigned to Alcatel Lucent of Paris, France.
Everett Robinson, an attorney registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, compiles this list weekly for The Salt Lake Tribune. Robinson can be reached at 801-649-5858. For more patents, see the Money page at sltrib.com, go to Sections on the left-hand side and click Patents.


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2 dead after shooting at Naval Station Norfolk
From our News Partners at WCBD-TV:
NORFOLK, Va. - A deadly shooting is under investigation at Naval Station Norfolk.
Base spokeswoman Terri Davis says it happened around 11:20 Monday night at Pier 1 on the base. She would not describe the circumstances surrounding the shooting but says the scene is secure.
Davis says the two people killed were a sailor and a civilian. No other injuries have been reported.
The base was put on lock down briefly, but that has since been lifted.
No one has been taken into custody and authorities are not looking for a shooter.
Photo Credit: Christian Carollo Shutterstock


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ONTARIO - Despite the support from the community, including a council member, the Ontario-Montclair School District did not make a decision to rename Linda Vista Preschool in honor of a prominonent businessman.
The Ontario-Montclair School District Board of directors discussed the procedures for renaming school facilities at its meeting Thursday night. Some board members scrutinized the suggestion to rename the site to the Alex Espinoza Family Center.
Instead, board member Maureen Mendoza requested that at its next meeting the district compare current policy with other policies in place for renaming facilities and discuss it at a future meeting. "I'm not sure why we are renaming any school at this point," Mendoza said. "Do we really want to rename a school at OMSD?"
Board member Kris Brake echoed her sentiments adding that she was concerned with the financial costs associated to any changes.
"We have more pressing manners to attend to," she said. "I just don't see the benefit of doing this."
Board member Steve Garcia first made the request at the Jan. 17 meeting and asked that it be placed on the agenda for the February meeting.
Ontario resident, Alex Espinoza, owns a real estate company and has backed community events such Esperanza Scholarship Foundation and the Ontario Leadership Alliance.


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Bookmark this site
CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association has declared September "National Coffee Service Month," and has prepared a variety of promotional materials that operators can use to celebrate the occasion with their clients.
Howard Chapman, Royal Cup (Birmingham, AL), who chairs NAMA's Coffee Committee, observed that "September is the perfect month to celebrate office coffee." The program builds on existing efforts, including National Coffee Week and National Coffee Day, which also take place in September.
"From small customer appreciation events to fundraising, we encourage operators to leverage the opportunities that are possible by working together as a group of business owners to build awareness of coffee service and ultimately drive sales," Chapman explained.
NAMA has sent its members a National Coffee Service Month toolkit that offers ideas and suggestions for implementing a marketing campaign tailored to the operator's market area and client base. The kit is available in electronic form at the association's members-only website.
Information on NAMA services and benefits, and on the upcoming Coffee, Tea and Water conference in New Orleans, may be found at vending.org and namacoffeeservice.org.


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Preliminary work is underway this week on a new power cable to the mainland as Maritime Electric looks to deal with growing demand for electricity.
Despite uncertainty about funding for the new cable, Maritime Electric spokeswoman Griffin said it is critical infrastructure for P.E.I. and with growing demand for electricity, including as a heat source, it would irresponsible not to plan to have it in place for 2016.
"I think we can't afford not to start it."
Divers from Marenco Engineering left Borden-Carleton Monday morning to do preliminary work in the Northumberland Strait ahead of a surveying crew in June.
While they are in the strait, the divers will use a jet probe with a high-pressure pump that shoots water out of the end to push away anything on top of the bedrock.
That work will help determine a path for the survey crew.
Wally MacDonald, president of Marenco Engineering, said the preliminary work will look at the depth of bedrock on the strait's floor.
"We'd like to find a route where we can bury the cable three or four feet and to do that you want to avoid bedrock."
MacDonald, who has been involved in work on the existing cables over the years, said they are in good shape and the key to the type P.E.I. has been using is to make sure they don't get overloaded.
"The cables have had a couple of problems but they've been isolated and we think there still may be a fair bit of life left in them."
The two options for a new cable include running it undersea from Borden-Carleton to Cape Tormentine or through the Confederation Bridge.
P.E.I. gets power from the mainland through two 100-megawatt cables that run west of the Confederation Bridge from Murray Corner, N.B. to Fernwood.
Last year the provincial government issued a request for proposals to get updated costs for the entire project, which had previously been estimated to cost about $90 million.
The request for proposals sought estimates on a single cable with a 180-megawatt capacity or two separate cables.
There are three stages to the project that will see exploratory work done this spring and environmental impact assessment and permit applications completed in 2014-2015.
If approved, the construction and installation of a new line will be finished in 2016.
Griffin said it takes a lot of time to install a new cable so it's important to get the preliminary work started now to determine what option the utility will recommend and Maritime Electric is trying to decide which option is best.
"The preliminary work stage is really, really important at this point and we'll know by the end of the summer what we're going to be recommending."
The original cables were installed in 1977 and while problems with them have been rare, there was a major interruption in 1997 when a ship's anchor severed one of them.
Maritime Electric also had to deal with insulating oil leaking out of one of the cables in 2012.
Who will pay for the new cable has been an ongoing issue for years with the provincial government saying it was waiting for the federal government to help share the costs.
It has become a more pressing concern in recent years, including this winter as Maritime Electric saw power interruptions to certain businesses to prevent a blackout across the province.
Griffin said Maritime Electric is partnering with the provincial government in the exploratory stage and she expected to have a better of the idea of the total cost for that stage later in the summer.
A crew of four divers from Marenco Engineering load a fishing boat with gear as Maritime Electric begins preliminary work looking at options for routes a new underwater power cable could take.
©Guardian photo by Heather Taweel


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- Admissions
- Academics
- Campus Life
- Athletics
- Cost & Aid
- News & Events
- About Plattsburgh
College policies require that all students maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in "good academic standing."
At the end of each Fall and Spring semester, our College reviews all students' academic records based on their cumulative GPAs.
If your cumulative GA is below 2.0, you will fall under "academic progress review" and are subject to academic dismissal from the College.
If you are under review, you will be notified by an e-mail to your Plattsburgh webmail account. This e-mail will come from the Provost/Vice-President for Academic Affairs.
If you receive an e-mail regarding academic progress, you should appeal immediately. You must follow the directions provided and adhere to the deadlines in the e-mail.
If your request to continue is approved, you will be allowed to enroll at Plattsburgh for the upcoming semester on academic probation.
If your request is denied, you will not be allowed to enroll at Plattsburgh for the upcoming semester. In order to keep your F-1 or J-1 status, you must have already made plans to transfer to another institution to continue your studies.
Once your dismissal is official and you have not transferred to another institution, your SEVIS record will be terminated. You must make plans to leave the U.S. as soon as possible.
There is a very good chance that a student will at some point need to withdraw or take a personal, non-medical leave of absence from SUNY Plattsburgh. Examples of personal, non-medical withdrawals and leaves of absence might be:
It is not possible to request a personal, non-medical withdrawal during the last ten calendar days of the semester.
Please note that the procedures laid out below are only for personal, non-medical withdrawals/leaves of absence. For medical/psychological withdrawals, contact the Center for Student Health & Psychological Services (518) 564-2187.
If you are transferring to another school, your SEVIS record will be officially transferred on the agreed release date. Please see the School Transfer website pages for the school transfer process.
If you are withdrawing completely from SUNY Plattsburgh and returning to your home country, your SEVIS record will be terminated.
When you are ready to return from a personal, non-medical withdrawal/leave of absence, please contact International Admissions and the International Student Advisor. You will receive advisement on readmission and immigration procedures for your return.
If you have any questions about international education, admission, or financial aid at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Global Education Office
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 210
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA
Phone: 1-518-564-3287
Fax: 1-518-564-3292
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Facebook: SUNY Plattsburgh International Students


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Philosophy and religious studies courses at Mount Saint Mary
College in Newburgh, NY not only provide a set of values and
principles to live by, but can help one hear his life's
Graduating senior Paul Richmond noted that philosophy and
religious studies at the Mount "helped me tremendously in my
vocation to become a priest."
Richmond, of Kingston, NY, was involved with campus ministry,
directed by Fr. Francis Amodio, O.Carm., which also strengthened
his choice of vocation.
"Through community, prayer, retreats, and service," said
Richmond, "I gained discernment."
As an altar server for masses, helping with campus ministry
events and working with the poor at Newburgh Ministries, provided
rich opportunities that confirmed the call on Richmond's life.
He served as the sacristan, responsible for gathering and
preparing all the materials necessary for mass in Founders Chapel
and the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary in the Dominican Center,
both on the Mount campus.
"As head altar server for campus ministry, I served mass,
trained altar servers, and helped the chaplain with his duties in
the chapel and office," said Richmond, a media studies/production
The Dominican heritage at Mount Saint Mary College also "shaped
my vocation through its various teachings and always seeking out
the truth in life," noted Richmond.
The tradition of the Dominican Order includes the search for
"veritas" (truth) in all disciplines and "disputatio" (respectful
Religious studies curriculum at the Mount provides a
multi-faceted, worldwide introduction to the religious patterns of
Courses in philosophy cover the insights and theories of major
Western and Eastern philosophers, helping students master the basic
skills of philosophical thought and an "examined life."
Richmond said professor Ed Teall's philosophy classes "taught me
to always ask the question 'why' until you find an answer, and to
never let anything get in your way from reaching a goal and having
success in your life."
A course on the New Testament, taught by Fr. Amodio, helped
Richmond understand "the truth of my faith and define different
aspects of my life with regard to my religious vocation."
Mount Saint Mary College is Dominican in heritage, with a
Franciscan friar, Fr. Kevin Mackin, OFM, as president, and a
Carmelite friar as chaplain and campus ministry director. Richmond
said he found himself "in the middle of a crossroads of these three
religious orders. I began asking questions about each, and their
unique spirituality."
Richmond will join the formation program of the Order of
Carmelites, Providence of St. Elias in Middletown, NY, following
graduation in May. He will study philosophy and theology at Seton
Hall University in New Jersey in the fall.
"The formation process – which includes the stages of
pre-novitiate study, novitiate life as a brother in community,
simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience; solemn vows which
are permanent to death, the sacrament of holy orders for ordination
as a deacon, and then ordination to the priesthood -- takes about
eight years of study and pastoral work," said Richmond.
When Richmond arrived on the Mount campus, he "immediately fell
in love" with the spectacular views of the Hudson River.
"The selling point for me was the small class sizes," he noted,
adding that faculty members "really seem to care."
His favorite memory of the Mount is "hanging out with friends I
love in the campus ministry office, where we shared many laughs,
and some tears," said Richmond.
"Although we came as strangers, we're leaving as a family," he
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text:
IT and LOB Win When Your Business Adopts Flexible Social Cloud Collaboration Tools
In today's dynamic and competitive global environment, organizations are facing a multitude of complex challenges.
- How do you reach new markets and retain existing customers while reducing costs?
- How can you speed time to market and deliver differentiated products without exceeding your budget?
- How do you stay current with changing technologies and the mobile capabilities your employees demand and need for success?
- How do you connect your geographically dispersed employees and work closely with external partners and suppliers?
Sometimes trying to solve these problems can put IT and LOB at odds. LOB wants something they can implement quickly and easily; IT needs to ensure the organization's network and data are protected. How can you enable line of business to solve their specific business problems using cloud based, flexible collaboration and social business tools, while ensuring IT feels confident that security and reliability objectives are met?
In this webinar, you will learn how social cloud technologies like real-time online document editing, community based blogs and wikis, and file sharing can meet the needs of both IT and LOB and how incorporating these technologies into your business processes can help you cut costs, improve communication and make your workforce more productive.


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Baton Rouge, La. • No. 2 LSU scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat BYU 6-5 in college baseball Thursday.
Jaycob Brugman was 2 for 4 with a three-run homer in the third inning and an RBI double in the eighth, which gave BYU a 5-4 lead.
"I tweaked the lineup a bit, moving Brugman to the four-hole, where he did a great job," BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. "Give LSU credit, they stepped up when they needed to, but the way we were playing tonight we could have beaten anyone in the country."
Women's basketball
BYU 79, Portland 64 • In Provo, Haley Steed scored a season-high 23 and Jennifer Hamson tied her career high of 23 points in a West Coast Conference game.
Steed was 4 for 4 from 3-point range and 6 for 6 from the field in the second half. She also had nine assists. The Cougars are 19-7 and 10-3 in conference play.
Carroll 52, Westminster 43 • In Helena, Mont., the Saints snapped the third-ranked Griffins' 16-game winning streak and school-record 22-game Frontier Conference winning streak. The Griffins (24-3) failed to make a 3-pointer for the first time in 162 games, finishing 0 for 12.
Idaho State 68, Weber State 37 • In Pocatello, Idaho, the Wilcats tied a Big Sky Conference record with their 44th straight loss. Weber State is 0-25 and hasn't won since December 2011.
LSU 10, BYU 6 • The Cougars scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4, but the No. 11 Tigers hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh during the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.
Megan Arnold hit a home run in the sixth inning, and four BYU players had two hits. LSU (11-1) hit three home runs, including the grand slam.
Oklahoma State 3, BYU 2 • Tori Almond allowed five hits while striking out five in six innings, but a late Cougars rally fell short during the Mary Nutter Classic.
Gordy Bravo had an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning for BYU (4-8).
Men's golf
Kahuku, Hawaii • Zach Blair shot an even-par 72 to move into a three-way tie for third place, helping BYU overtake No. 5 New Mexico for second place after Day 2 of the John Burns Intercollegiate.
Cal's Joel Stalter leads the tournament at 7 under, followed by teammate Max Horna at 5 under. Blair is at 2 under, teammate Justin Keiley (even par) is tied for sixth after shooting 1 over and freshman Joe Parkinson (plus 3) climbed from 38th to a tie for ninth after shooting a 1-under 71.
No. 1 Cal is at 10 under, followed by BYU (plus 6) and New Mexico (plus 11). Utah (plus 51) is in 15th place.


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Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a condition in which the tissue on one side of the face is underdeveloped, affecting primarily the aural (ear), oral (mouth), and mandibular (jaw) areas. Sometimes, both sides of the face can be affected and may involve the skull, as well as the face.
Hemifacial microsomia is also known as Goldenhar syndrome, brachial arch syndrome, facio-auriculo-vertebral syndrome (FAV), oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAV), or lateral facial dysplasia.
The deformity in hemifacial microsomia varies greatly in the degree of severity and in the area of the face involved. The disorder varies from mild to severe. In the more severe cases, the following structures are underdeveloped:
In the milder forms, only some of the structures are affected and to a lesser degree.
Hemifacial microsomia usually occurs sporadically (occurs by chance), but is thought to be inherited in some families. This is because of the many familial (cases occurring more than once in a family) cases reported. The following patterns of inheritance have been observed:
Observations made from families who have one child with hemifacial microsomia show that the overall chance for another child to be born with hemifacial microsomia is about 2 to 3 percent. Parents and other family members should have a thorough evaluation to help give more definite recurrence information. In addition, hemifacial microsomia is sometimes found in children with various types of chromosome abnormalities. Chromosomes are the structures in our cells that carry our genes. Genes determine traits such as blood type and eye color. Chromosome abnormalities are usually sporadic (occur by chance).
One of the most obvious problems in hemifacial microsomia is the underdevelopment of the upper and lower jaws on the affected side. It may appear that your child's mouth slants upward toward the involved side. Often the forehead and cheek are flattened on the affected side with one orbit (eye socket) smaller than normal.
Other areas of your child's face that may be affected by hemifacial microsomia include the following:
HFM is typically diagnosed after a comprehensive medical history and physical examination by a geneticist. There is not a blood test to diagnose HFM. Because the spectrum of severity is so wide, the diagnosis should come from an experienced geneticist skilled in diagnosing craniofacial anomalies. CT scans and x-rays of the face may also be ordered for accurate diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of hemifacial microsomia include:
Specific treatment for HFM is extremely variable because there are so many differences in the types of HFM. Any child with suspected HFM should be evaluated by a craniofacial anomalies team. Each of the specialists will have a proposed treatment plan depending on the severity of your child's specific physical findings.
After a diagnostic evaluation and meeting with a craniofacial team, the following treatment options may be discussed:
Because hemifacial microsomia involves so many areas of the body, many specialists are required, including the following:


text: Man there are a lot of good sandbars in town (KDH/NH), you just need to drive a little bit and check some public accesses like you stated; the piers, eh, they are alright nothing to write home to mom about and usually packed with 10 guys trying to get the same ankle-slapping wave. I'd advise pulling in a few and have a look, I'm sure you will find a good bar with a little bit of searching and minimal people. As for Hatteras, I haven't been down in a while so can't say anything for certain. Check the websites given by the other people that might know a little more. I'd imagine the NPS site will have the most up-to-date info. Happy Hunting


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Flushing's Hunan Kitchen of Grand Sichuan Features Lamb with Cumin and Cilantro
Spicy, herbal and earthy can all be used to describe this melt-in-your-mouth dish, available at this Queens Main Street establishment.
Lamb with Cumin and Cilantro at Hunan Kitchen of Grand Sichuan in Flushing, New York. I count myself lucky that my home in Southern Westchester means that a trip to Flushing's Main Street takes all of 20 minutes. Lately, I've been haunting this modest, Chairman Mao-themed spot for this poetic dish in which the slight gaminess of tender, juicy lamb slices is perfectly set off by mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns; earthy cumin; and the fresh, herbal snap of cilantro leaves. Once you eat this, you will return to Flushing.


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How to use ei to marshal binary terms in port programs
Serge Aleynikov <saleyn at gmail.com>
The purpose of this tutorial is to illustrate how to use ei interface library (C API) for dealing with the Erlang binary term format used in marshaling data between an Erlang node and external port programs.
The reader is also encouraged to read another how to guide by Pete Kazmer that focuses on using OTP framework for building Erlang systems that interface with external programs.
ei offers a simple and convenient interface that makes it possible to communicate with Erlang from virtually any language that can call native C functions.
At the time of this writing there are two foreign function interface (FFI) models available in Erlang:
* In-process port driver. * Out-of-process port program.
The first one is obviously much faster, but is more complicated and has more dangerous impact on stability of the virtual machine - a sloppy implementation can easily crash the emulator. The second approach is slower but offers a guaranteed isolation of port program's crashes from bringing down the emulator. The decision of which interface to use is case-by-case specific, however, unless you are implementing high-performance low-latency components, you will find second approach being adequate in many cases.
In this tutorial we'll illustrate the simplicity of the second approach to build a port program in C.
The earlier releases of Erlang/OTP came with erl_interface library that later evolved into ei (Erlang Interface). The difference between ei and erl_interface is that, in contrast to erl_interface, ei uses external binary term format directly when sending and receiving terms in communications with an Erlang node, and it can use a given memory buffer without involving dynamic memory. While ei seems to be the preferred method of encoding/decoding terms, most of the help documents provided with Erlang describing how to build port programs still use erl_interface function calls or raw byte-coding methods as examples.
This tutorial demonstrates the use of ei's encoding and decoding functions for marshaling data between an Erlang process and a C program.
In order to focus this tutorial on ei rather than on details of OTP, we'll use only basic Erlang functionality in building the interface process communicating with the C program. The example described in this tutorial will show how to implement functions add(X, Y), multiply(X, Y) and divide(X, Y) that can be called from Erlang and executed in C.
Marshaling Protocol
First, we need to define the data marshaling contract between Erlang and C that will request from C to execute functions and receive the result back.
The objective of the port program is to be able to implement the following API:
Erlang -> C C -> Erlang =========== =========== {add, X, Y} -> {ok, Result::integer()} | {error, Reason::atom()} {multiply, X, Y} -> {ok, Result::integer()} | {error, Reason::atom()} {divide, A, B} -> {ok, Result::float()} | {error, Reason::atom()} X = integer() Y = integer() A = integer() | float() B = integer() | float()
Where the add, multiply, and divide instructions perform the corresponding action on the C-side given two arguments.
Erlang side
Let's start with writing an Erlang module responsible for marshaling data to and from the C port program. The module will use erlang:port_command/2 function for asynchronously sending data to the port. Note that the data is encoded to the external binary term format using erlang:term_to_binary/1.
-module(port). % API -export([start/0, start/1, stop/0, add/2, multiply/2, divide/2]). % Internal exports -export([init/1]). start() -> start("./cport"). start(ExtPrg) -> spawn_link(?MODULE, init, [ExtPrg]). stop() -> ?MODULE ! stop. add(X, Y) -> call_port({add, X, Y}). multiply(X, Y) -> call_port({multiply, X, Y}). divide(X, Y) -> call_port({divide, X, Y}). call_port(Msg) -> ?MODULE ! {call, self(), Msg}, receive Result -> Result end. init(ExtPrg) -> register(?MODULE, self()), process_flag(trap_exit, true), Port = open_port({spawn, ExtPrg}, [{packet, 2}, binary, exit_status]), loop(Port). loop(Port) -> receive {call, Caller, Msg} -> io:format("Calling port with ~p~n", [Msg]), erlang:port_command(Port, term_to_binary(Msg)), receive {Port, {data, Data}} -> Caller ! binary_to_term(Data); {Port, {exit_status, Status}} when Status > 128 -> io:format("Port terminated with signal: ~p~n", [Status-128]), exit({port_terminated, Status}); {Port, {exit_status, Status}} -> io:format("Port terminated with status: ~p~n", [Status]), exit({port_terminated, Status}); {'EXIT', Port, Reason} -> exit(Reason) end, loop(Port); stop -> erlang:port_close(Port), exit(normal) end.
Data Types
Though in this example we didn't use ei_get_type() function, this function is quite useful when there's a need to determine the type of the next encoded term in the buffer. A question that gets frequently asked is which include file erl_interface.h or ei.h lists the macros that can be used to represent types returned by the ei_get_type() call? These macros are defined in the ei.h header:
#define ERL_SMALL_INTEGER_EXT 'a' #define ERL_INTEGER_EXT 'b' #define ERL_FLOAT_EXT 'c' #define ERL_ATOM_EXT 'd' #define ERL_REFERENCE_EXT 'e' #define ERL_NEW_REFERENCE_EXT 'r' #define ERL_PORT_EXT 'f' #define ERL_PID_EXT 'g' #define ERL_SMALL_TUPLE_EXT 'h' #define ERL_LARGE_TUPLE_EXT 'i' #define ERL_NIL_EXT 'j' #define ERL_STRING_EXT 'k' #define ERL_LIST_EXT 'l' #define ERL_BINARY_EXT 'm' #define ERL_SMALL_BIG_EXT 'n' #define ERL_LARGE_BIG_EXT 'o' #define ERL_NEW_FUN_EXT 'p' #define ERL_FUN_EXT 'u'
The following makefile can be used to build the sample port program and the corresponding Erlang module:
$ cat Makefile ERL_LIB=/usr/local/lib/erlang/lib/erl_interface-3.5.5 CFLAGS=-Wall -I/usr/local/include -I$(ERL_LIB)/include LDFLAGS=-L. -L$(ERL_LIB)/lib all: cport port.beam cport: cport.o gcc $(LDFLAGS) $< -lerl_interface -lei -lpthread -o $@ %.o: %.c gcc -g $(CFLAGS) -o $@ -c $< %.beam: %.erl erlc $< clean: rm port.beam cport cport.o
Running example
Running make with the Makefile above will create two files:
cport port.beam
Now, let's start the emulator, and verify that everything works:
$ erl Erlang (BEAM) emulator version 5.5 [source] [async-threads:0] [hipe] [kernel-poll:false] Eshell V5.5 (abort with ^G) 1> port:start(). <0.35.0> 2> port:add(10,5). Calling port with {add,10,5} {ok,15} 3> port:multiply(3,6). Calling port with {multiply,3,6} {ok,18} 4> port:divide(10,5). Calling port with {divide,10,5} {ok,2.00000} 5> port:divide(10,0). Calling port with {divide,10,0} {error,division_by_zero} 6> port:stop(). stop 7>
As was illustrated in this tutorial ei provides a set of functions for convenient encoding and decoding of the erlang binary term format that can be used in other languages for interfacing with Erlang.


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Sometimes when I'm really stressed out, I just need to play a game on the computer for a half an hour and let my mind be engaged in something else. I really like to pick games that are also engaging my brain.
With that said today I'm bringing you Blox Forever, a game that will challenge your brain with block puzzles. When you arrive at the site a short advertisement will play, and then the game will load. The game has music and my roommate finds it annoying so I played with the sound off.
To get started click Play Game! Get ready to puzzle your way through ten challenging levels. Each level that introduces a new concept will have instructions before hand. The levels get progressively more difficult as you beat them.
The game is easy to navigate, you just use your mouse to move the blox and make matches by pairing them in like colors. As you progress there will be match threes, blocks that don't match, and lava! I'm currently stuck on level 7 but I'm working my way through it.
How will you do? Go challenge your brain today!
Tags: brain, flash games, free flash games, Free Games, puzzle


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Built on the same principles as the original, Mirra 2 from Herman Miller is designed to move with a user's body. Its Butterfly Back, passive PostureFit system and independently adjustable lumbar support provide intelligent, dynamic support. A redesigned seat frame allows for the removal of foam under the front of the seat, further increasing breathability and comfort, while Harmonic™ tilt provides a smooth and balanced feel as people move from one posture to another, regardless of size.


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Meeting Notes 2009 11 03
From Noisebridge
[edit] Crew
Moderator: TBD
Note-Taker: TBD
Attendee Count: XX
Officers: XX
[edit] Agenda Items
[edit] Announcements
[edit] Introduction and Names
[edit] What Noisebridge is about
[edit] Treasurer's Report
[edit] Very brief primer on Noisebridge consensus process
[edit] What's Going On at Noisebridge
One short sentence about each of the following:
- Circuit Hacking Mondays (7PM, 2169)
- Python Mondays (6:30 PM, 2169)
- Security group - Thursdays 8PM except when 5MoF happens
- German is picked up again on Mondays?
- Material Fabrication Sessions aka Shop Class -- focusing on building stuff for the space at this time (Fri 8pm)
Need to schedule:
- New First Aid / CPR class from Michael (one time, approximately four hours)
- Hackers and the Law presentation
[edit] Project Updates
- Board elections. I (Rachel) am not going to make it to the meeting this week but I'll be talking about this during the upcoming week and at the next meeting. The board proposes a process that Andy described here: https://www.noisebridge.net/pipermail/board/2009-October/000629.html. If you don't like that for some reason, come up with a proposal of your own and we can compare (please don't just say, this is bad, without suggesting an alternative).
[edit] 2169 Mission
- Electrical
- Library -- Johnm still plans to work on shelves, must fix radial arm saw first.
- Network
- Shop Work-bench -- Johnm still working on it...hopes to be done this weekend (7th/8th)
- Hack shelf
[edit] Consensus items
- Membership Binder
[edit] Discussion Items
Non-excellent behavior and you. (e.g. smoking pot on the fire escape, breaking shit for the sake of breaking shit, sleeping at Noisebridge, failing to clean up, being drunk and disorderly, partying, talking to people well past their level of interest.)


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A Concrete Solution to Freeway Repair: D7 Road Tests an Innovative Precast Panel Strategy
Click on photos to enlarge and read captions.
On an unseasonably warm day in March, about 40 people — Caltrans staff and contractors — and numerous construction vehicles were gathered on a coned-off section of westbound I-210 just east of SR-2 for a pavement demo. But this wasn't just any pavement demo. Three broken concrete slabs were about to be repaired using an innovative new strategy developed by Caltrans Maintenance staff and an enterprising small business contractor. Up to this point, only a small group of people had ever seen this done. An even smaller group understood how it worked. That was about to change.
More on the demo in a minute. First, some background. There are two basic methods to replace broken concrete freeway slabs: cast-in-place (usually using rapid-strength concrete) and precast concrete panels. As the name suggests, with cast-in-place repairs, the broken slab is removed and concrete is pumped into the roadway cavity. With precast concrete, the panels are cast and cured at a fabrication facility and then placed at the repair location.
District Materials Engineer Kirsten Stahl has been advocating for the use of precast panels as an emergency maintenance strategy since 2001.
"When a slab breaks up on a high-traffic freeway, we need to be able to fix it fast," said Stahl, who provided invaluable support in developing base specifications for the panel design used in the I-210 demo. "If we have these panels stored at a maintenance yard nearby, we can drop them in and open to traffic an hour later."
Precast panel repairs initially are more expensive than cast-in-place, but they're also more durable, which means they're cheaper in the long run and require fewer maintenance closures. The dicey part of working with precast panels is the installation. Grinding and leveling the panels can be difficult and time-consuming. But that's changing, thanks to Maintenance Design Manager Debbie Wong,* Maintenance Area Superintendent Ed Toledo, Baltazar Siqueiros of Baltazar Construction, and Stahl. Working together, they've developed a better way to install precast concrete panels.
The Wong/Toledo/Siqueiros/Stahl strategy was inspired by slow, tedious slab replacements in Toledo's area, requiring lengthy closures and sometimes resulting in failed panels. The key to the new strategy is a clever piece of hardware, a leveling lift, that Siqueiros developed. The leveling lift allows panels to be installed quickly and relatively easily without extensive grinding. Essentially, it allows the panel to be raised up and down using a screw-like mechanism.
Wong made some modifications to the hardware and panel design, and then, after getting approval from Deputy District Director of Maintenance Dan Freeman, it was time to road test it. The first batch of panels using the new system was installed on westbound I-210 during a miserable weekend in November 2012.
"It was cold and raining — probably the worst possible conditions for a test run," said Wong. "But we figured if we could make it work here, it would work anywhere."
And it did work — quite well, in fact. Despite some equipment issues, the hardware functioned as intended and the work proceeded quickly. Wong said crews installing panels without a leveling lift can typically complete 124 feet of repairs in a night. With the leveling lift, they can do 500 feet.
With the first successful installation under their belts, crews installed another 40 panels in eight hours on northbound I-5 near Lake Hughes Drive and 40 more on I-210 near Lake Avenue. Which brings us to the I-210 demo project in March. With the strategy working so well, it was time for show and tell. Wong invited contractors and Caltrans staff (including folks from District 12) out to I-210 to see exactly how to install a precast panel with a leveling lift. Up to this point, only Baltazar Construction knew how to do it; other contractors needed to learn the technique.
So how, exactly, does it work? With apologies to engineers and the technically inclined, here's How to Install Precast Concrete Panels with Leveling Lifts in Six EZ Steps:
Step 1: Mark and measure the precast panel layout. Cut the damaged slab into chunks, which will then be lifted out of the roadbed. In the video below, this process looks like removing big, concrete brownies from a pan.
Step 2: Grind the roadbed so it's a bit deeper than the thickness of the panel, which in this case, was 8.5 inches. Clean up debris.
Step 3: Lay thick plastic sheeting in the cavity, kiddie-pool style. This will keep the grout from oozing into places where grout shouldn't ooze.
Step 4: Using a crane, place the concrete panel in the excavation (the hole in the roadway). The panels and excavation can be trimmed to fit before placing them, if necessary.
Step 5: Level the panel so it's even with neighboring slabs by adjusting the leveling screws in the corners. This is sort of like leveling a tripod by adjusting the height of the legs.
Step 6: Pump rapid-setting, self-leveling grout under the panel and — ta-da! — open to traffic. The dowel bars that fit into the dowel joints connecting the panels can be installed up to 48 hours later, if necessary.
The steps listed above are, of course, an oversimplification, but installing concrete panels using this method is considerably simpler than the standard method.
"Since we can cut the excavation to fit the panel, level the panel with screws, and grout it to achieve the necessary depth, we don't need surveys," said Wong. "It's a huge time savings. We can close the lane, install the panel and reopen to traffic all within three hours."
Not only do the panels install quickly and thereby minimize closures and exposure of crews to live traffic, they can also be removed and reused somewhere else. Additionally, they can be installed in any weather and they last a long time.
"We know we won't have to go back out and replace them in year or two," said Toledo. "These panels can last 50 years. They've got a much longer life-cycle than any cast-in-place solution."
After the demo on I-210, a second demo was performed in District 8 a week later, followed by installation of another 28 panels on northbound I-405 near LAX.
Panels continue to be placed using the leveling lift system while the team perfects the process. (A patent is pending.) Leveling lift installation is not yet widely used by Caltrans, but if the panels that have been installed so far hold up well, it could be. It could be because innovative, committed Caltrans employees working with an excellent contractor knew they could improve upon a standard practice, and then they put in the time an effort to actually do it. There are now hundreds of panels on District 7 freeways testifying to their ingenuity, and by the looks of it, many more to come.
*Debbie Wong is currently District Claims Engineer, but still assists Maintenance with special projects.


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Philip Pullman
Photo: © George Reszeter and the Oxford Times
About the Author
"Stories are the most important thing in the world. Without stories, we wouldn't be human beings at all."—Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman is the acclaimed author of the His Dark Materials trilogy: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. His other books for children and young adults include Count Karlstein and a trilogy of Victorian thrillers featuring Sally Lockhart. The Golden Compass, the first of Pullman's His Dark Materials triology, won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Fiction Prize.
I started telling stories as soon as I knew what stories were. I was fascinated by them: that something could happen and be connected to another thing, and that someone could put the two things together and show how the first thing caused the second thing, which then caused a third thing. I loved it. I love it still.
I grew up at a time when TV wasn't as important as it is now. In fact, part of my childhood was spent in Australia at a time when that country didn't even have TV so a lot of my early experiences with stories came from the radio, which is a wonderful medium. I remember listening to gangster serials, and cowboy serials, and best of all: "Faster than a speeding bullet—more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's SUPERMAN!"
Superman on the radio was exciting enough, but when I first saw a Superman comic, it changed my life. Soon afterward I discovered Batman, too, whom I loved even more. I had to argue with my parents about them, though, because they weren't "proper" reading. I suppose what persuaded them to let me carry on reading comics was the fact that I was also reading books just as greedily, and that I was good at spelling; so obviously the comics weren't harming me too much.
My favorite stories for a long time were ghost stories. I used to enjoy frightening myself and my friends with the tales I read, and making up stories about a tree in the woods we used to call the Hanging Tree, creeping past it in the dark and shivering as we looked at the bare, sinister outline against the sky. I still enjoy ghost stories, even though I don't think I believe in ghosts anymore.
I was sure that I was going to write stories myself when I grew up. It's important to put it like that: not "I am a writer," but rather "I write stories." If you put the emphasis on yourself rather than your work, you're in danger of thinking that you're the most important thing. But you're not. The story is what matters, and you're only the servant, and your job is to get it out on time and in good order.
The most valuable thing I've learned about writing is to keep going, even when it's not coming easily. You sometimes hear people talk about something called "writer's block." Did you ever hear a plumber talk about plumber's block? Do doctors get doctor's block? Of course they don't. They work even when they don't want to. There are times when writing is very hard, too, when you can't think what to put next, and when staring at the empty page is miserable toil. Tough. Your job is to sit there and make things up, so do it.
As well as keeping going, there are many other things I've learned about this craft, and some of them came to me when I was teaching. What I enjoyed most in that difficult and valuable profession was telling stories, telling folk tales and ghost stories and Greek myths, over and over, until I knew them as well as I knew my own life.
And in doing so, I learned some of the laws of a story. Not rules – rules can be changed. "Smoking Permitted Here" can become "No Smoking" overnight, if people decide smoking is a bad thing. But laws such as the law of gravity can't be changed: Gravity is there whether we approve of it or not. And so are the laws of a story. A story that is unresolved will not satisfy—that's a law. If a scene does not advance the story, it will get in the way—that's another law. You must know exactly where your story begins—that's a third. And so on.
One strange thing about stories is that you sometimes know how long they're going to be, even before you've begun thinking about them. With His Dark Materials, the trilogy of which the first part is The Golden Compass, I knew from the very start—even before I had a main character in mind, and long before I knew what might happen to her—that this story would be 1,200 pages long. That was the size of it. I knew, too, that I was going to enter a world I hadn't known before: a world of fantasy. Previously, all of my books had been realistic. When I began writing it, I discovered a kind of freedom and excitement I'd never quite felt before. And that is one of the joys of writing: You constantly encounter new experiences.
I live in Oxford now, and I do my writing in a shed at the bottom of the garden. If the young boy I used to be could have looked ahead in time and seen the man I am today, writing stories in his shed, would he have been pleased? I wonder. Would that child who loved Batman comics and ghost stories approve of the novels I earn my living with now? I hope so. I hope he's still with me. I'm writing them for him.
—Winner of the Carnegie Medal
—An American Booksellers Book of the Year (ABBY) Award Winner
"As always, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterizations and seamless plotting, maintaining a crackling pace to create scene upon scene of almost unbearable tension. This glittering gem will leave readers of all ages eagerly awaiting the next installment of Lyra's adventures."—Starred, Publishers Weekly
—An ALA Best Books for Young Adults
"More than fulfilling the promise of The Golden Compass, this second volume starts off at a heart-thumping pace and never slows down. . . . The grandly exuberant storytelling is sure to enthrall."—Starred, Publishers Weekly
"The intricacy of the plot is staggering. . . . There is no doubt that the work is stunningly ambitious, original, and fascinating."—Starred, The Horn Book Magazine
"The character development as well as the relentless pace . . . make this a resoundingly successful sequel. . . . It will leave readers desperate for the next installment."—Starred, Booklist
—A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
"Pullman has created the last great fantasy masterpiece of the twentieth century."—The Cincinnati Enquirer
"Absorbing. . . . Like Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling, [Pullman] invents a world filled with strange divinations and wordplays."—Newsweek
"A literary masterpiece . . . [that] caps the most magnificent fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings and puts Harry Potter to shame. . . . A page-turning story that builds to a powerful finish."—Oregonian
"Impossible to put down, so firmly and relentlessly does Pullman draw you into his tale. . . . [A] gripping saga pitting the magnetic young Lyra Belacqua and her friend Will Parry against the forces of both Heaven and Hell."—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Phillip Pullman's tale is fast and clever."—The New York Times Book Review
"In this deliciously gothic thriller there are enough demon huntsmen, evil guardians, and brooding castles to please even the most desensitized reader."—Starred, School Library Journal
"A welcome diversion . . . [that is] dashing, sparkling, and wildly over the top."—Starred, Publishers Weekly


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Fundraiser Needs the Jackson from your pocket
// March 16th, 2010 // Comments Off on Fundraiser Needs the Jackson from your pocket // Uncategorized
Auction Party at Southern Yacht Club Friday, March 19th @ 6:30pm
This is open to the public!
Time is running out! Making preparations to cross the lake this weekend. As it stands, of the five kiteboarders in addition to myself crossing the lake. Two kiteboardering participants have had to drop out to conflicts and injuries. I do have to give a hand to Mark, a kiteboarding participant from Miami who raised over $1,000 for the LLS.
Donate TODAY! KiteboarderCrossing.com
This weekend, the weather has the potential to provide the right conditions:
High pressure will build in behind this front on Thursday and remain over the region through Friday. This high will shift toward the eastern Seaboard Saturday…as a low pressure system forms in the plains. As the low tracks to the east…a cold front will sweep through the coastal waters Saturday night.
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Lake waters choppy. Slight chance of showers.
Saturday Night
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots after Midnight. Lake waters choppy to rough. Chance of showers and thunderstorms.


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Bookmark this site
PIERRE, SD -- Now that South Dakota's smoking ban has slashed the state's video lottery revenues to $95 million, the lowest level since 1995, lawmakers here said they may allow operators to expand their on-location footprint from 10 gaming terminals to 14.
However, at least four of the 14 machines would be required to feature slot-type line games, a new gameplay option that was only legalized for the state's VLT sector last year.
The VLT expansion measure, Senate Bill 175, passed the state Senate's Committee on State Affairs on Feb. 8 by a 7-2 vote, then passed the full Senate 24-6. The bill is now awaiting action in the House.
A spokesperson for the South Dakota Association of Video Lottery Establishments said approximately 450 of the state's 1,400 VLT locations already have 10 machines and could make the upgrade.
According to the Music and Vending Association of South Dakota, a trade association for amusement vendors, VLT operators were hoping the state would also increase VLT bet limits. However, a proposal to boost maximum bets from $2 to $5 was rejected by the state Senate.
Since South Dakota's smoking ban took effect in late 2010, VLT revenues fell more than 17%, said state budget director Jason Dilges. In some counties, operators reported revenue plummeting as much as 35%. | SEE STORY


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I attended Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Ga., once. It was at the invitation of a former high school classmate, Johnny Flakes III. His father, Rev. J.H. Flakes Jr., was preaching that day. I still remember the sermon –What will be your report? I hear Rev. Flakes's stirring voice as I type out those [Read More…]
What will be your report?
November 27, 2011 by 2 Comments


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Here are your top 5 most viewed links from It's a Party!
Scrappy Wristlet Clutch
So cute and what a great way to use up scraps of fabric!
Quilling Woman
This is amazing!!
Upcycled Wine Bottles
I love what Poppy did with these bottles! So elegant!
Reese's PB Cup Cookies
One word: YUM!
(What a beautiful photo!)
Curtain Rings to Napkin Rings
What a clever idea! I need to dig out all those old curtain rings that are buried somewhere in the bathroom cabinet!
Thank you to everyone who linked up. I can't wait to see what you come up with next week!
If you were featured, be sure to grab a button from the sidebar.
Have a great weekend. We're on our way out the door to the ballpark. Play Ball!!