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Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease. A person with alcoholism typically craves alcohol and drinks despite repeated alcohol related problems, such as multiple drunk-driving violations, job loss, or relationship problems. Alcoholism involves a physical dependence on alcohol, but other factors include genetic, psychological, and cultural influences.
Alcoholism is characterized by cravings for alcohol and an inability to stop drinking. It is accompanied by a physical dependence (meaning that the person experiences withdrawal symptoms when not drinking) and an increased tolerance for alcohol (meaning the person needs to drink greater amounts to feel "good"). Before entering recovery, most alcoholics will deny they have a problem. People who abuse alcohol but are not dependent on it may have similar symptoms, but they don't feel the same craving to drink and usually don't experience withdrawal symptoms.
About 18 million people in the United States abuse alcohol, and estimates suggest that more than 70 million Americans have dealt with alcoholism in their family. Alcohol is involved in almost half of all traffic deaths in the U.S.
Symptoms of alcoholism include:
If you have a family history of alcohol abuse, you are more likely to develop the condition than someone without a family history. Other factors that may increase your risk include:
If you have symptoms associated with alcoholism, you should see your doctor. Your doctor can help make a diagnosis and guide you in determining which treatment or combination of therapies will work best. If you suspect that a friend or loved one has alcoholism, you should know that most alcoholics deny they have a problem, and they are often unlikely to seek treatment by themselves. You and other friends and family members may need to convince them to seek help.
Your doctor will take a history and do a physical exam. Questions that he or she may ask include:
Blood tests generally aren't helpful because they only show recent alcohol consumption. Your doctor may order liver function tests to see if there has been damage to your liver from alcohol.
If you drink, do so only in moderation -- no more than 2 drinks per day if you are a man and no more than 1 drink per day if you are a woman.
Early intervention is important, especially with teenagers. To prevent teen drinking, consider the following:
The first and most important step in getting treatment for alcoholism is recognizing that you have a problem. Often, family members and close friends may urge treatment for the person with the addiction.
Treatment and ongoing recovery must address both physical and psychological addiction and may include inpatient treatment and/or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In an inpatient or residential program, the person generally stays in a hospital or center for 28 days, undergoing first detoxification (usually 4 - 7 days) and then individual and group therapy emphasizing abstinence. Talk to a doctor about what is best for you or your loved one.
Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:
For alcohol withdrawal
Benzodiazepines -- tranquilizers used during the first few days of treatment to help you withdraw safely from alcohol. These drugs include:
Anticonvulsants -- may also help with withdrawal symptoms and don't have the potential for abuse (as benzodiazepines do). They include:
To prevent relapse
Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol) -- used in combination with counseling, may lessen the craving for alcohol and help prevent a return to drinking. Taking Revia or Vivitrol blocks receptors in your brain so that you don't get "high" from drinking. It is only used after detoxification -- that is, once you are no longer physically addicted to alcohol.
Acamprosate (Campral) -- may help restore the chemical balance in the brain. It is best used in combination with counseling.
Disulfiram (Antabuse) -- an older medication that discourages drinking by causing nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant physical reactions when alcohol is used.
Because chronic use of alcohol decreases your appetite and keeps your body from absorbing vital nutrients, you may be deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals. Your doctor may tell you to take supplements while you are regaining your health. Beneficial supplements may include vitamin B complex, vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, and zinc. A combination of amino acids -- carnitine, glutamine, and glutathione -- may help reduce cravings, blood sugar fluctuations, and stress related to alcohol use.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) -- Your doctor may prescribe a thiamine supplement during withdrawal. Heavy use of alcohol causes thiamine deficiency, which can lead to a serious brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
People who abuse alcohol are often deficient in vitamin A. Take supplements beyond the recommended daily allowance only under a doctor's supervision. High doses of vitamin A can damage the liver and may causes alcoholic liver disease to develop more quickly in people who drink heavily.
Some members of the alcohol recovery community recommend a heavier, nutritionally oriented approach. This includes intravenous (IV) nutritional therapies along with targeted amino acid supplementation to modulate brain function. Some of these approaches are considered controversial by the mainstream alcoholism treatment community, so make sure you work with a reputable doctor and have every member of your recovery team up to date on the type of therapies you are using.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider. However, you should not use herbs alone to treat alcoholism; counseling and peer groups such as AA are also needed.
Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths, however, may recommend a treatment for alcoholism based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. In homeopathic terms, a person's constitution is his or her physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual. Homeopathy alone should not be used to treat alcoholism, but can be a supportive therapy along with counseling and groups such as AA. The following are a few examples of remedies that an experienced homeopath might consider for symptoms related to alcohol abuse or withdrawal:
Arsenicum album -- for anxiety and compulsiveness, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Nux vomica -- for irritability and compulsiveness with nausea, vomiting, and constipation
Lachesis -- for cravings for alcohol cravings, headaches, and difficulty swallowing
Staphysagria -- for angry individuals who tend to suppress their emotions and may have been abused physically, sexually, or psychologically in the past
Cognitive behavioral therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist is a very effective treatment approach for alcohol addiction. This type of therapy, which is geared toward changing your beliefs and thought process about drinking, can help you cope with stress and control your behavior. Talk to your doctor about finding a qualified cognitive behavioral therapist.
In some cases, acupuncture may be a useful supportive therapy for addiction. Some but not all studies of acupuncture for the treatment of alcohol abuse have shown that it can reduce cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. However, acupuncture alone should not be used to treat alcohol addiction, but in combination with counseling and groups such as AA.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant can seriously damage the baby, causing a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes irreversible physical and mental disabilities. The only safe way to protect against damage to the baby is not to drink during pregnancy or even if you are trying to become pregnant.
Possible complications associated with heavy alcohol use include:
In addition, long-term use of alcohol decreases life expectancy by about 15 years and puts you at significant risk for:
The good news is, however, that even though alcohol abuse is a serious condition with potentially dire consequences, it is treatable. If you or someone you love has a problem, seek the help and advice of a health care professional as early as possible.
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Assanangkornchai S, Srisurapanont M. The treatment of alcohol dependence.Curr Opin Psychiatry.2007 May;20(3):222-7. Review.
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Cooney JL, Cooney NL, Pilkey DT, Kranzler HR, Oncken CA. Effects of nicotine deprivation on urges to drink and smoke in alcoholic smokers.Addiction. 2003;98(7):913-921.
Correale M, Laonigro I, Altomare E, Di Biase M. Alcohol-induced cardiac disease.G Ital Cardiol (Rome).2009;10(1):18-27.
Das UN. Essential Fatty acids - a review.Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2006 Dec;7(6):467-82. Review.
Ferri:Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010, 1st ed.Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier, Inc. 2009.
Ferri M, Amato L, Davoli M. Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programmes for alcohol dependence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jul 19;3:CD005032. Review.
Garland EL, Gaylord SA, Boettiger CA, Howard MO. Mindfulness training modifies cognitive, affective, and physiological mechanisms implicated in alcohol dependence: results of a randomized controlled pilot trial.J Psychoactive Drugs. 2010;42(2):177-92.
Heilig M, Goldman D, Berrettini W, O'Brien CP. Pharmacogenetic approaches to the treatment of alcohol addiction.Nat Rev Neurosci.2011 Oct 20;12(11):670-84.
Hillemacher T, Kahl KG, Heberlein A, Muschler MA, Eberlein C, Frieling H, Bleich S. Appetite- and volume-regulating neuropeptides: Role in treating alcohol dependence. [Review]. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2010;11(10):1097-106.
Kunz S, Schulz M, Lewitzky M, Driessen M, Rau H. Ear acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal in comparison with aromatherapy: a randomized-controlled trial.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007 Mar;31(3):436-42.
Leone MA, Vigna-Taglianti F, Avanzi G, Brambilla R, Faggiano F. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) for treatment of alcohol withdrawal and prevention of relapses.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2010 Feb 17;(2):CD006266.
Liu Q, Lawrence AJ, Liang JH. Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of alcoholism: from ancient to modern.Am J Chin Med.2011;39(1):1-13.
Lukas SE, Penetar D, Berko J, Vicens L, Palmer C, Mallya G, Macklin EA, Lee DY. An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting.Alcohol Clin Exp Res.2005 May;29(5):756-62.
Lyon JE, Khan RA, Gessert CE, Larson PM, Renier CM. Treating alcohol withdrawal with oral baclofen: A randominzed, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.J Hosp Med.2011 Oct;6(8):474-9.
Malik P, Gasser RW, Kemmler G, Moncayo R, Finkenstedt G, Kurz M, Fleischhacker WW. Low bone mineral density and impaired bone metabolism in young alcoholic patients without liver cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study.Alcohol Clin Exp Res.2009;33(2):375-81.
Martinotti G, Andreoli S, Reina D, Di Nicola M, Ortolani I, Tedeschi D, Fanella F, Pozzi G, Iannoni E, D'Iddio S, Prof LJ. Acetyl-l-Carnitine in the treatment of anhedonia, melancholic and negative symptoms in alcohol dependent subjects.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2011;35(4):953-8.
Oh SH, Soh JR, Cha YS. Germinated brown rice extract shows a nutraceutical effect in the recovery of chronic alcohol-related symptoms.J Med Food. 2003;6(2):115-121.
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Overstreet DH, Keung WM, Rezvani AH, Massi M, Lee DY. Herbal remedies for alcoholism: promises and possible pitfalls.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2003;27(2):177-185.
Pilowsky DJ, Keyes KM, Hasin DS. Adverse childhood events and lifetime alcohol dependence.Am J Public Health.2009;99(2):258-63.
Purohit V, Abdelmalek MF, Barve S, Benevenga NJ, Halsted CH, Kaplowitz N, et al. Role of S-adenosylmethionine, folate, and betaine in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease: summary of a symposium.Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jul;86(1):14-24. Review.
Rakel:Textbook of Family Medicine, 7th ed.Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier Inc. 2007.
Rezvani AH, Overstreet DH, Perfumi M, Massi M. Plant derivatives in the treatment of alcohol dependency.Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003;75(3):593-606.
Roerecke M, Rehm J. Ischemic heart disease mortality and morbidity rates in former drinkers: a meta-analysis.Am J Epidemiol.2011 Feb 1;173(3):245-58.
Shebek J, Rindone JP. A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism.J Alt Compl Med. 2000;6:45-48.
Singh AK, Jiang Y, Benlhabib E, Gupta S. Herbal mixtures consisting of puerarin and either polyenylphosphatidylcholine or curcumin provide comprehensive protection against alcohol-related disorders in P rats receiving free choice water and 15% ethanol in pure water.J Med Food. 2007 Sep;10(3):526-42.
Sinha R, Fox HC, Hong KI, Hansen J, Tuit K, Kreek MJ. Effects of adrenal sensitivity, stress- and cue-induced craving, and anxiety on subsequent alcohol relapse and treatment outcomes.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(9):942-52. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.49.
Sukul NC, Ghosh S, Sinhababu SP, Sukul A. Strychnos nux-vomica extract and its ultra-high dilution reduce voluntary ethanol intake in rats.J Altern Complement Med. 2003;7(2):187-193.
Trumpler F, Oez S, Stahli P, Brenner HD, Juni P. Acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal: a randomized controlled trial.Alcohol. 2003;38(4):369-375.
Ventegodt S, Clausen B, Langhorn M, Kromann M, Andersen NJ, Merrick J. Quality of life as medicine III. A qualitative analysis of the effect of a five-day intervention with existential holistic group therapy or a quality of life course as a modern rite of passage.Scientific World J.2004;4:124-133.
Vieten C, Astin JA, Buscemi R, Galloway GP. Development of an acceptance-based coping intervention for alcohol dependence relapse prevention.Subst Abus. 2010;31(2):108-16.
Wedekind D, Herchenhein T, Kirchhainer J, Bandelow B, Falkai P, Engel K, Malchow B, Havemann-Reinecke U. Serotonergic function, substance craving, and psychopathology in detoxified alcohol-addicted males undergoing tryptophan depletion.J Psychiatr Res. 2010;44(16):1163-9.


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I've come a long way on my Spiritual Fitness journey. I've taken their advice and started an 'online blog' and everything. I even took their advice to join social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook in order to connect with a Spiritual Community back home. However, I fear that if I'm too open minded about [Read More…]
God wants me to do *what* with these sandbags?
October 27, 2011 by 8 Comments

subset: commoncrawl


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Special arrangements made for Buffet concert
Designated parking accommodations will be available for the public attending the Jimmy Buffet concert Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Colonial Center.
Surface lots (AD3 and AD4), located behind the Carolina Coliseum and across from the Colonial Life Arena, will be available for parking and tailgating. The price is $20 per parking space before 5 p.m. and $10 per space after 5 p.m.
RV parking will be available in designated lots, as well as at Palmetto Compress at the corner of Devine and Pulaski streets. The price is $20 per parking space.
Tents and gas grills are allowed; however, charcoal grills will not be permitted.
The Discovery Plaza Garage will also be available for parking only and at the same prices as the surface lots.
Posted: 02/19/10 @ 12:00 AM | Updated: 02/19/10 @ 5:10 PM | Permalink


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Mostapha Al-Turk talks about his up-coming fight with Mirko Cro Cop.
Click here for full story
Mostapha Al-Turk talks about his up-coming fight with Mirko Cro Cop.
Click here for full story
good interview, mus is such a modest guy. Good luck Mus!
good luck to al-turk. dont think dana white likes him very much!!
does anyone really believe he can beat cro-cop though? if you do, how do you think he can do it?
Augustus Gloop, Augustus Gloop, a great big greedy nincompoop!!
I think Mustapha has a good chance but as has already been said he needs to close the distance then take the fight to the floor, Hopefully he will land in a dominant position where he can rain down punches.
Standing I think Cro cop takes this all day.
in my opinion i dont think UK HWs can cut it at the top level.
id expect Cro Cop to knock Mus out pretty quickly, saying that cro cop hasnt been the same since Gonzaga nearly took his head off, if he is as shit as he has been in the UFC then anyone has a chance.
even against overeem cro cop was hesitant and make hong man choi look great so if he comes with the same form as his last few i really think mus has a chance, mus will have to try and land a few strikes of his own push cro cop to the cage and get the takedown and from there i believe he can do it but cro cop is the favorite no doubt.
Student of the Art
If mirko fights well mus will end up in hospital, however mirko won't he isn't near 100%
"A boxer is the best predator on land. The Lion, but throw him in the shark tank and he becomes just another meal" Renzo Gracie.


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2015 Audi A3
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2015 Audi A3 Review
USA has ached for a sedan version of the A3 hatchback for years, but it took the rise of sedan-obsessed China to finally make it viable. The Hungarian-built sedan (production will eventually extend to Mexico and China as well) is actually cheaper to build than the A3 Sportback that Audi launched in Europe around two months ago.
The new A3 carries over the hatch's expensive-feeling, high-quality cabin and sticks it inside a four-door body with creases so sharp they'll cut the unwary. All of this sits atop the best iteration of the VW Group's MQB front-drive architecture. The quattro version I drove at the launch in Budapest, with 180 horses of direct-injected, turbo four-cylinder power, is quite possibly the best small sedan in the world. It's clear that the A3 sedan has been painstakingly thought through. With a firm ride and a balance than feels more assured than the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the A3 benefits hugely from the multi-link rear suspension Audi adds to the MQB chassis. Audi has set up the A3's all-wheel drive to act more like rear drive than front drive. It will do proper donuts on a gravel surface. That helps it feel lively when you want action and comfortable when you don't. The engine is a little jewel with 184 lb-ft of torque available from 1250 rpm, tremendous in-gear flexibility, terrific economy, and excellent manners.Inside, the A3 sedan's cabin lives up to every expectation you might have, based on prior experience in modern Audis. The thin elegance of its multimedia screen is something to behold, however, especially in an era when the permanent screens of other premium brands look cheap and irredeemably disjoint the dash design.
As good as it is, this isn't even the best A3 sedan. The 2.0-liter TDI, with 236 lb-ft of torque and the expected boost to fuel efficiency, is even more convincing. In North America, we'll also see the A3 sedan with two flavors of the ubiquitous 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder, including a 296-hp variant for the S3. The only bummer for us is that we won't get the sedan until next year as a 2015 model. It is surprisingly capable when it's pushed (with a 0-62-mph sprint in 7.3 seconds for the 1.8T), and the quattro can be leaned on its tail or its nose midcorner, depending on the driver's mood. Even on its 18-inch tires, it's quiet and comfortable in the hours of mediocrity you cut from your highlight reels. And, apart from a touch more front overhang than a perfectionist would like, it's a clean, tasty looker, too.
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simplehuman™ Retro Trash Can
- Summary
A domed lid, polished-steel pedal and flared handles give this trash can a stylish retro look, but its state-of-the-art features are decidedly 21st-century modern.
- The brushed-stainless-steel exterior has a fingerprint-proof finish to resist smudges and wipe clean easily.
- Patented air-suspension lid closes slowly and silently and can be kept open for longer chores.
- Solid-steel pedal is engineered to withstand more than 20 steps a day for 20 years.
- Bag Tuck® opening keeps the bag neatly out of sight.
- Includes plastic liner pail.
- 8-gallon capacity.
- Use with simplehuman size-G liners or standard 13-gallon trash bags.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 15" x 14" x 27 1/2" high.
- 8-gal. cap.
- Made in Taiwan.
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Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 4-5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
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The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
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For an additional charge of $17.50 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
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At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
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Teen/Adult Summer Reading Week Six: Monster Mash
There has been a publishing trend toward combining classic characters with zombies or other supernatural characters. If you enjoy the original character and don't mind some monster interaction, you may have fun with this week's theme. This week's challenge is to read one of these, or other books that combine classic literature with a little creepy fun.
Classic Literature--Now with 100% More Monster!
Brown, Eric and H.G. Wells. War of the Worlds, Plus Blood, Guts, and Zombies (SF)
Erwin, Sherri and Charlotte Brontë. Jane Slayre (F)
Grahame-Smith, Seth and Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (F)
Grand, Porter and Louisa May Alcott. Little Women and Werewolves (F)
Gray, Sarah and Emily Bronte. Wuthering Bites (F)
Nazarian, Vera and Jane Austen. Mansfield Park and Mummies (F)
Winters, Ben and Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (F)
Winters, Ben and Leo Tolstoy. Android Karenina (F)


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Fresh beats, cool drinks and urban art - Sounds like paradise to me! Now, where does one find such an oasis….
Our friends at Urbane Apartments coordinated an area of R&R for attendees of Michigan's Arts Beats & Eats fest over Labor Day Weekend. Sharpie hopped on board with the great people over at vitaminwater to put this event into action. Transforming one of Urbane Apartments' into, what was known as a "Hydration Gallery," fest-goers were invited into a "chic lounge atmosphere" to cool off, rehydrate with delicious vitaminwater and create works of art with Sharpie Markers on easels that were set up around the lounge, all the while enjoying tunes provided by Livio Radio.
Here are some pictures from the Hydration Gallery. If you missed out, not to worry, it looks like the event was such a success that these Hydration Galleries may just pop up at a fest near you!
One more thing!
A HUGE thanks to Josh Bartlett and Stephen Roginson from Glaceau for the generous supply of vitaminwater! You would not believe how quickly these disappeared. I guess doodling all day can really make one quite thirsty!
Thank you!


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|Image from "A Tramp Abroad" by Mark Twain.
Now then! If you are a writer, chances are you've had to set something else aside that you like doing in order to free up the time necessary to complete a book.
For me, I really enjoy video games and used to play them a bit before writing. Now? Not so much. I also watch less sports and TV in general, go to the movies less, and if I weren't indoors writing on the weekend I'd probably be out hiking.
What about you?


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Due to waning funds and growing caseloads, Utah's Department of Workforce Services temporarily will close the door to new General Assistance (GA) applicants next Wednesday, May 1.
The state-funded GA program provides a monthly payment for up to 12 months to low-income individuals and couples without children who are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to work.
An individual who qualifies can receive $287 per month, a couple $398.
In a recent email to low-income advocates, Deputy Director Geoffrey Landward said that DWS "has reached the point where our allocated general fund dollars for the General Assistance Program are insufficient to meet increasing caseload demand."
How soon GA applications will be reinstated remains to be seen. DWS will revisit that question after the start of the 2014 fiscal year this July, said Nic Dunn, the department's public information officer.
According to Dunn, 75 percent of this year's $5.4 million GA fund already has been distributed to current clients.
State lawmakers allocated $4.8 million to the GA program for the current fiscal year that ends in July, and DWS combined it with about $600,000 in carryover funds from 2012.
"With the remaining chunk, we can maintain service to the people currently in the program," Dunn said. This March, DWS managed 1,072 GA cases up from 965 in January 2012 but not as high as 1,151 in May 2012.
The Legislature has also appropriated $4.8 million to GA for the new fiscal year, Dunn said.
Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, said she vividly remembers appropriation discussions for GA during the 45-day legislative session that ended in mid-March.
"I asked if they needed extra funding, I would have supported that. But [DWS] said no," Robles said, adding that the population served by GA is vulnerable, and the monthly payments help with critical needs.
Some states have eliminated GA benefits altogether, and Robles voiced concerns about the program being used "as a place to find efficiencies."
Utah's low-income and disability advocates voiced strong concerns over the situation. Michael Bulson, a senior attorney with Utah Legal Services, labeled it "a huge hole in the safety net."
"It's going to make a lot of people's lives more difficult and will put more strain on other sources in the community," Bulson said.
People with disabling conditions who cannot work are often trying to acquire Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits a process that can take two or more years. For them, GA benefits provide temporary and minimal relief.
Kyle Walker, client services director for the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, said that GA benefits provide a small cushion that allows many of his clients to undergo the training and counseling needed to re-enter the workforce.
In 2012, his agency served 30,853 individuals who had disabilities ranging from mental illness to amputations, Walker said.
"I'm very concerned about this suspension it will affect our clientele in a negative way," Walker said. "Sometimes GA is everything that stands between someone being homeless or not homeless. And how do you supply vocational training if they're homeless?"
Kerry Steadman, community services manager for Salt Lake County, said that GA benefits are often used to help stabilize the chronically homeless people with disabling conditions who have been continuously homeless for more than a year or have experienced four bouts of homelessness in three years.
"I don't think we'll find this group rise up en masse to protest at the State Capitol," Steadman said. "So those of us who are advocates have to do our part to let people know that this is a hit to a small but important part of our population that as a society we have a responsibility to care for."
Twitter: @catmck


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Brevard, N.C. - Women's Basketball Coach Shannon Reid, in conjunction with the Brevard College Athletic Department, is pleased to announce Lacey Singletary has committed to come to Brevard College and play for the Tornados in the 2011-2012 season.
"We are very excited to welcome Lacey into our basketball family," commented Coach Reid. "Her ability to defend and rebound will allow her to make an immediate impact on our program."
Singletary comes to Brevard College from the Oak Ridge Military Academy in N.C., where she has been completing a post-graduate year while going through rehabilitation for an injury.
Previous to Oak Ridge, Singletary was a standout player at Eastern Alamance High School where she earned All-Conference honors and was on the All-District Third Team. In her senior season with the Eagles, she set the single game blocks record at Eastern Alamance with nine, and averaged nine points, eight rebounds and 4.5 steals per game. She was also an All-Region Honorable Mention performer.
Off the court, Singletary was a standout in the classroom as she was on the A-B Honor Roll and the Gold Wreath Honor Roll.
Singletary is expected to step in and help provide a presence in the post for the Tornados, as the 6-1 athlete can contribute both offensively and defensively.
"Lacey had many schools interested in her and I want to credit my assistant coach, Terrence Baxter for his relentless efforts in the recruiting process," said Coach Reid. "We look forward to Lacey's successful career with the Tornados."


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Walt Disney Co on Monday extended Bob Iger's tenure as its chief executive by 15 months, allowing him to remain both CEO and chairman through June 30, 2016.
Iger, 62, had planned to step down as CEO on April 1, 2015, and assume the single role as executive chairman through the end of his existing contract on June 30, 2016, the company said in a statement.
Since taking over as CEO in 2005, Iger has overseen acquisitions of film studios Pixar and Marvel, two hit makers for Disney, as well as last year's purchase of "Star Wars" creator Lucasfilm. The company also invested in theme parks and expanded the Disney brand into international markets.
Disney has delivered a total shareholder return of 193 percent during Iger's tenure, exceeding the 54 percent from the S&P 500, Orin Smith, Disney's independent lead director, said in a statement.
The terms of Iger's existing contract remain in place, Disney said.
Disney shares rose 1.2 percent to close at $63.93 on the New York Stock earlier on Monday before the news of Iger's extended CEO contract.


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The Girl Without Hands
What he does best is create a palpable sense of dread without pushing, without tilting into melodrama.
What he does best is create a palpable sense of dread without pushing, without tilting into melodrama.
Noisy, silly, and sometimes rather fun. I just wish it weren't such a hot mess.
Roger Ebert on James Ivory's "Howards End".
"The Ballad of Narayama" is a Japanese film of great beauty and elegant artifice, telling a story of startling cruelty. What a space it opens…
An article about Roger Ebert's induction into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame slated for August 19th.
An article about the exciting Chicago Public Library Foundation's Summer Learning Challenge to prevent brain drain, and an appeal to donate to the program.
An article about Roger Ebert's induction into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame slated for August 19th.
Wednesday, July 18, is the 20th anniversary of our marriage. How can I begin to tell you about Chaz? She fills my horizon, she is…
Far flung correspondent Seongyong Cho celebrates one of the best South Korean films from last year, "The World of Us."
PBS' American Masters has a special four-hours for foodies, with docs on James Beard, Jacques Pepin, Alice Waters and Julia Child.
A review of the new NBC series "Midnight, Texas," from the author of "True Blood."
An interview with actor Michael Cera, star of "Person to Person" and "Lemon."
"Killing Them Softly" begins with a George V. Higgins novel set in Boston in 1974 and moves its story to post-Katrina New Orleans in 2008, to allow televised speeches by Barack Obama, John McCain and George W. Bush to run frequently in the background.
The facile point, I think, is that organized crime in America is troubled, just like the rest of the economy with a business slowdown and a growing recession. It's a good thing these crooks are in a lot of bars where the television sets are tuned to C-SPAN.
The plot of "Killing Them Softly" centers on a deadly Catch-22. A genial guy named Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) operates high-stakes poker games for the mob. One night the game is hit by two hooded stick-up men, who make off with a big pile of mob money. This in itself is suspicious, because it looks like an inside job: What outsider, even knowing about the secret game, would be crazy enough to steal from the mob?
Talk about crazy. Some time later, Markie, feeling in a good mood, tells the players that he arranged the job himself, robbing his own game. He finds this revelation so funny that tears run down his cheeks. The job was pulled off by insignificant goombahs Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) and Russell (Ben Mendelsohn), and since the heist happens near the beginning of the film, we know instinctively that Russell and Johnny aren't going to be around at the end.
A high-level mob boss named Mickey (James Gandolfini) arrives in town, hauling his in-flight luggage through the airport like a traveling businessman. He orders the executions of Russell and Johnny by a silky hit man named Jackie (Brad Pitt), who likes to kill softly, as explained by one of the many aging classic songs on the soundtrack. These are the first two of many, many mob-on-mob killings in the film, as the syndicate administers its own version of a bailout.
"Killing Them Softly" continues as a dismal, dreary series of cruel and painful murders, mostly by men who know one another, in a barren city where it's usually night, often rainy and is never identifiable as New Orleans — not even by the restaurants. I recall only one female character in the film, a hooker employed by Mickey, who is the only mobster not exclusively obsessed with crime, money and pecking order. As the body count grows, we meet Driver (Richard Jenkins), a gravel-voiced chief executive who appears often behind the wheel of a car parked in the wastelands beneath bridges.
Here is where the Catch-22 comes in: Now that Markie has claimed credit for knocking off his own game, another one of his games is stuck up. Does it now seem inevitable that he, too, becomes a marked man? Not to me. Who with any common sense would think he was that dumb? There's some of the Higgins brand of humor in a conversation about how badly he should be beaten up.
It seems as if I've been seeing versions of this story since forever. A cast is assembled from various flavors of tough guys, they're placed in a dreary and joyless cityscape, they hold a series of fraught conversations, there is a great deal of suffering and blood, and most of them are required to die by the end. Ideally, the plot also involves romance, humor and suspense, and tense scenes involving exact timing. Not here. All "Killing Them Softly" takes from the limitless universe of film noir is the night and the city.
Here's a good question: How does this mob manage to support itself? "Killing Them Softly" contains not a single crime involving civilians. No heists, hijackings or frauds, and drug deals only among themselves. Like a captive animal struggling to free itself from a trap, they seem reduced to gnawing off their own legs.
The charisma of such actors as Gandolfini, Pitt, Liotta and Jenkins depends largely on their screen presences and our memories of them in better roles. This one, written and directed by Andrew Dominik, for example, recalls Brad Pitt's strong work in the director's earlier "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" (2007).
One particular distraction is the comparison drawn between American politics and crime. Only a brief exchange between Jackie and Driver draws the parallel, and it's so labored that once is more than enough.


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1,500 Google Reviews
Second order from AFP. Just as the first order, on time, on budget, on quality. First Class Operation - Nothing Second Rate.
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Reggie Dunn might be having a quiet year as a receiver, but the senior is still putting his stamp on the record books.
Dunn had a 100-yard kickoff return to put the Utes ahead 7-3 of in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Cal, then added another in the fourth.
The returns were the second and third 100-yard returns for Dunn, who also had one against Iowa State in 2010. Dunn is the first Ute to have two 100-yard returns in a game and is the first with three in a career. Dunn had three kickoff returns for 66 yards in previous games and has nine catches for 62 yards.
He is only the 16th player in NCAA history to score two touchdowns on kick returns in a game. Dunn said he was happiest with his first return because it gave the team a spark.
New spot
Utah offensive coordinator Brian Johnson moved closer to the action for Saturday's game against Cal as he coached from the sidelines and passing game coordinator Aaron Roderick moved up to the press box.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the move was made to create a better connection between Johnson and quarterback Travis Wilson.
"With his leadership abilities and passion for the game having him on the sidelines gave us a spark," Whittingham said of Johnson.
Johnson will continue to call the plays, Whittingham said.
"It is just a reversal of vantage points, there is no difference in the operations," he said.
The last time the Utes made a similar move was in 2009 when Roderick replaced Dave Schramm in the press box and called the last six games.
Johnson, a former quarterback, is in his first year as the Utes' offensive coordinator.
Starting role
Junior Vyncent Jones started in place of Jeremiah Tofaeono at left guard. Tofaeono is out 3-to-4 weeks with an injury. Also missing the game due to injury was linebacker Jacoby Hale.
Get your tickets
The Utes have 575 tickets remaining for Washington State game and 750 tickets remaining for the final home game on Nov. 17 against Arizona.
The tickets were returned by the visiting teams. The Utes have sold out 16 straight games.


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Enter your registration to check prices and reviews, and get your Volkswagen booked in today!
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I was very pleased with this garage and would certainly recommend and use them again. I found them to be honest and competitively priced. They were also polite, friendly and not in the least pushy. Two small problems occurred and not only were these resolved extremely promptly but l also received some money off my bill. I left them thinking l would trust them completely.
We arrived at 08.30 with our Ford c-max for a new clutch we were told it would be ready for 5pm very reasonable price as per quote and a good job done car ready on time will use this garage again thanks guys
Had car to go through Mot as had failed previously, needed two rear tyres changed and rear cluster brake lights shorting and brake pads. Car passed Mot handed over £280. Did this in January, my previous tyre had a small puncture which I had to re inflate every 2 weeks. I went on holiday for 3 weeks in April and noticed the tyre flat. So I pumped it up again and ever since I've had to do it every week now, took it back and the guy who took my money did not seem interested. I have checked the light cluster and that is still not working so obviously my car is legal. Please don't use these guys.
I had the clutch replaced at this garage and this was completed successfully as the car seems fine so far. However, I have also asked for A/C recharge and they were not able to complete the job, they have advised that the EIC condenser has a leak and needs replacement. I have been charged £20 for this job even though my AC still does not work. Was agreed with Sam that he will call me the next day to provide a quote for the condenser replacement, he did not bother to call me back at all. Also they have not re-filled the engine coolant after completing the works, had to buy new coolant on my way home. Not very professional garage overall, had to call several times to get updates for collection time and did not even get response.
What a fantastic service I received from Brooklands Motor Body Shop! Honestly no need to look any further - these guys are amazing. From start to finish this team were so incredibly polite and professional and made me feel very at ease (which I wasn't to begin with as it was my first time having to get body work done to my car and didn't really know what to expect!) The wonderful team here repaired my wing mirror which was dangling from the wire + repaired damage to the driver side door and rear bumper. They very kindly did a little extra paintwork at no charge as well. My car was collected on a Thursday and dropped back a few days later - so incredibly quick! Thanks especially to Aran who was a pleasure to deal with. Will definitely come back here if I ever have a need and will recommend to everyone! 5 stars!
professional attitude would highly recommend car was ready within timeframe give 100% satisfied
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Professional and quick turnaround.
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Marcus is one of the most professional and courteous people i have had dealings with. He did a full examination and discussed the options available. Excellent service in my opinion Al
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Quick and reliable service. I've had problems with my clutch (loads of problems). Their communication and explanation about the issues were clear. I just dropped of the car in the morning and picked up on the afternoon. They fixed the clutch quickly, properly, and even changed the clutch cable but they didn't charge me more than the quoted price. I really recommend this service.
Great service at a great price. Will be going back again as and when I need more work doing
Collected and dropped back my car. Good communication and kept me up to date throughout the day. Would recommend.
havn't used them.. didn't provided prompt response.
The best garage I've ever experienced. Friendly atmosphere, everything was explained. Clutch replecement done within a day!! Quality services and eqiupment. As well as additional jobs done (cool liquid top up and reclear the engine) fee free. I am very impressed and really recommend this garage!. You will not find better garage in all London, so grab you phone and call them now. Thanks, Matti
Good communication, good service, fair price.
All work completed, good job, many thanks, would use again


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Couric, Gibson falsely claim "no member" of Congress offered to take Guantánamo detainees
Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson both falsely claimed that "no member" of Congress wanted detainees from Guantánamo Bay transferred to prisons in their districts. In fact, at least two have made such an offer.
During the May 20 broadcasts of the CBS Evening News and ABC's World News, anchors Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson, respectively, falsely claimed that "no member" of Congress wanted detainees being held at the detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, transferred to prisons in their districts. In fact, as Media Matters for America has noted [1], at least two congressional representatives have offered to hold detainees from Guantánamo Bay at prisons in their districts.
During the broadcast of the CBS Evening News, Couric stated, "The Senate today followed the House in blocking the president from closing the prison camp at Guantánamo Bay because no member wants any of the detainees there sent to his or her home state or district." Similarly, on World News, Gibson said of the detainees: "No member of Congress wants these guys transferred to prisons in their districts." Chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos responded, "That's right."
In a May 9 op-ed [2] in The Washington Post, Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) offered use of the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse and Detention Center in Alexandria, Virginia. In the op-ed, Moran noted that "the '20th hijacker,' Zacarias Moussaoui, who participated in planning the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon, was held and prosecuted in the Alexandria courthouse" and stated that "should President Obama determine that Alexandria needs to play a reasonably limited role in a nationwide effort to bring justice to the Guantanamo detainees and close this unfortunate chapter of American history, I am confident that Alexandrians will stand strong as they always have."
Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) has also said that he is willing to house detainees from Guantánamo Bay at a prison in his district if a maximum security prison were built, according to a January 21 FoxNews.com report [3]:
Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pa., says he'd be willing to house prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in his congressional district if President Obama makes good on a plan to close the U.S. prison there.
Murtha only has a minimum security prison in his district. But he says he'd have no reservations about holding detainees there in a maximum security prison.
"Sure, I'd take 'em," said Murtha, an outspoken critic of the Iraq war. "They're no more dangerous in my district than in Guantanamo."
Murtha added that there was "no reason not to put 'em in prisons in the United States and handle them the way they would handle any other prisoners."
Additionally, as the blog Think Progress noted, during a May 20 speech [4] on the Senate floor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said:
And, yes, we have maximum security prisons in California eminently capable of holding these people as well, and from which people -- trust me -- do not escape. So, I believe that this has really been an exercise in fear-baiting. I hope it's not going to be successful.
On the CBS Evening News, chief White House correspondent Chip Reid aired a portion of Feinstein's floor speech in which she said that the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado -- the so-called "supermax" prison -- "has 490 beds. They are reserved for the worst of the worst." But Reid did not air her assertion that "maximum security prisons in California" are "eminently capable of holding these people as well."
From the May 20 broadcast of ABC's World News with Charles Gibson:
GIBSON: But, George, what's the problem here? We have, as Jake [Tapper, senior White House correspondent] mentioned and Senator Feinstein said on the Senate floor, we have terrorists in U.S. prisons, so why not the guys from Guantánamo?
STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, Charlie, I think this is one of the ultimate NIMBY issues. You're right on that point. On the other hand, the senators have not yet seen a plan. And you've got the FBI director out there saying he's not sure it's going to be safe, either. Senate sources I've talked to today and the administration believe there is a chance they're going to be able to get the Senate to agree to having some detainees come into prisons later this year, once the plan by the president is released. But there is no way they're going to approve release of any prisoners in the United States.
GIBSON: And when you say it's a NIMBY problem, you mean --
STEPHANOPOULOS and GIBSON [in unison]: Not in my back yard.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Absolutely right, Charlie.
GIBSON: No member of Congress wants these guys transferred to prisons in their districts.
STEPHANOPOULOS: That's right.
From the May 20 broadcast of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric:
COURIC: Well, if you're still counting, it happened on Day 121 of the Obama administration, right behind me at the Capitol: the new president's first major legislative defeat. The Senate today followed the House in blocking the president from closing the prison camp at Guantánamo Bay because no member wants any of the detainees there sent to his or her home state or district. The vote in the Senate wasn't even close, 90 to 6.
Chip Reid is at the White House, and Chip, all but six Democrats abandoned the president on this one.
REID: Well, that's right, Katie. Democrats weighed appeals from the president on the one hand against anger from their constituents on the other, and the president lost in a big way.
REID: The prison houses 240 suspected terrorists. If it's closed, many could be transferred to the U.S., including about 20 high-ranking members of Al Qaeda. But the president's supporters say critics are fearmongering.
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): The reality is, we are holding some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world right now in our federal prisons.
REID: Like the Supermax Prison in Colorado, which holds, among others, shoe bomber Richard Reid and Al Qaeda member Zacarias Moussaoui.
FEINSTEIN: It has 490 beds. They are reserved for the worst of the worst.
- Posted In
- National Security & Foreign Policy [5]
- Network/Outlet
- Person
- Charlie Gibson [8], Katie Couric [9]
- Show/Publication
- ABC World News Tonight [10], CBS Evening News [11]


text: It is Saint Patrick's Day- a special day for the world because today everyone is Irish. As someone who also lives on Cape Cod, Massachussets, I can tell you that St. Patrick's Day lasts all week…and in the south of Boston, home of the Irish, the "Southys" celebrate all month. We've all heard [Read More…]


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Arts & Culture
Dreaming in FrenchBy Brian Cullman
In that time, he has published books of his poetry, exhibited paintings and sculptures, produced albums of Madagascan guitar music, designed wine labels for a vineyard near his home in Saint Cyprien, in southwest France, and set up a small and cheerfully primitive recording studio in an old, abandoned schoolhouse outside of Belves.
Some years ago, when I wanted to record in the studio, he offered to let me work there for free if I agreed to dream only in French for the week preceding and the week following the sessions. The contract he presented me was very formal, fourteen pages long, and required multiple signatures.
"What about the week of the sessions?" I asked before signing.
"I don't want to interfere with your process," he shrugged. "Though, if you wish…"
It should be no surprise that Georges Alain's endeavors have gained him more friends than money, although he received a remarkable number of donations when, in 1999, he waged a brief campaign to have coq au vin declared France's national bird.


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Bookmark this site
New projects in Peru and Honduras to benefit thousands of coffee-growing families.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Heifer International is proud to announce that Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR) (NASDAQ: GMCR) has extended its longstanding relationship with the global hunger nonprofit by committing $1.6 million in funding for two new projects in Peru and Honduras. These projects will reach about 2,200 families in Peru and Honduras who currently struggle to feed themselves adequately year round.
The four-year pledge represents a continuation of a partnership that has helped coffee-growing families in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru to achieve healthy, sustainable livelihoods despite extreme seasonal changes. By diversifying the products cultivated on their farms, families are better able to make it through "the thin months" of scarcity in between yearly coffee harvests.
"The new projects will serve as shining examples of what is possible when the nonprofit sector and private sector work hand-in-hand to create sustainable paths out of poverty for populations who would otherwise be left behind," said Marleen New, director of global partnerships and alliances for Heifer. "The projects, with the support of GMCR, will bring new hope and better standards of living to these communities."
"We have worked with Heifer International for years because of their knowledge of the communities where we work, and their proven ability to address issues at the household level," said Rick Peyser, GMCR's Director of Social Advocacy and Supply Chain Community Outreach. "Heifer International has an effective, replicable model that improves food security and nutrition while encouraging collaboration and ownership among members of the community."
The project Vida Café will work with families who grow organic coffee in Western Honduras, improving their diets, giving them greater food security even between harvests, and increasing their income. Heifer International will work with local partner organizations to provide technical and business training and will provide livestock like cows, chickens, goats and beehives, as well as vegetable and fruit tree seedlings. Trainers will also work with families to improve food preparation and hygiene practices, and the project will provide assets like 225 eco-friendly stoves.
Café Selva, the new project in central Peru, will help 1,000 families in the Pichanaki jungle to improve their nutrition and homes, and empower women within the communities. The project will provide guinea pigs, poultry, veterinary kits, backyard gardens, sanitation assets like water tanks, and training to participants. It will also work to increase women's opportunities for participation and leadership in local organizations.
About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR)
As a leader in specialty coffee and coffee makers, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. GMCR supports local and global communities by investing in sustainably-grown coffee and allocating a portion of its pre-tax profits to socially and environmentally responsible initiatives. For more information, please visit www.GMCR.com, www.greenmountaincoffee.com, or www.keurig.com


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Luke Bryan Announces Sixth Annual Farm Tour
Listen to Luke Bryan Radio on iHeartRadio
Luke Bryan continues to help kids from rural families in the Southeast get an education. The country star is getting ready for the sixth edition of his "Farm Tour."
He'll launch the trek with his first "Farm Tour" appearance in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 1st. Over the course of the eight-date run Bryan will also visit Auburn, Alabama and Columbia, South Carolina, along with two college communities in Florida and three in his home state of Georgia.
The special trek supports the "Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship," which provides money for farm kids attending a college in one of the towns on the tour. Tickets for select shows go on sale this Friday. Details are available at LukeBryan.com.
Luke Bryan's Sixth Annual Farm Tour Dates:
October 1 - Knoxville, Tennessee, at Maple Lane Farms
October 2 - Auburn, Alabama, at Ingram Farms
October 3 - Tallahassee, Florida, at Cross Creek Place
October 4 - Gainesville, Florida, at Whitehurst Cattle Farm
October 8 - Statesboro, Georgia, at Perry Field
October 9 - Athens, Georgia, at Meldon Farm
October 10 - Columbia, South Carolina, at Culler Farms
October 11 - Macon, Georgia, at the Midway at Central City Park
Photo: Getty Images


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Was $74.95 NOW $49.95
This is reverently curated volume of Vatican art detailing the 1,206 masterpieces held in the collection of the Holy See. The Vatican owns many of the world's most significant works of religious art and Christian relics, and this slipcased tome catalogs them all, from Raphael's intricate frescoes in the papal apartments to Michelangelo's somber Piet�. The book lets readers step into the halls of the Vatican, collecting each work by location, such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Palaces, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel, where the book carefully details the frescoes of Michelangelo's signature masterwork. Each work is annotated with its date, creator's name, medium, and size, while 180 select works receive a more in-depth analysis from Anja Grebe, noted professor of art history at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. An included DVD allows readers to browse the collection on a computer. 512 pages. 11 1/4" H x 11" W x 2 1/4" D. (9 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Complete Paintings of the Vatican come with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
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(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Vatican Paintings Coffee Table Book
By Baseplate
from Stafford, Virginia, USA
Absolutely fascinating read! The visuals are beyond compare.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Wonderful book
By Moe
from Helena, Motntana
The Vatican, The complete Paintings of the Vatican is an amazing volume listing hundreds of painting, sculptures, tapestries, et al. My wife and I toured the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica last fall. It was so crowded we were not able to spend as much time with the exhibits as we had hoped. However, this book fills in the gaps. We expect to spend many an hour in the pages of this book remembering what we did see, and discovering many other treasures that we missed. I wish we would have had it prior to our trip. Overall the purchase was easy, delivery was prompt, and the book is amazing. Thanks
By Erick
from Nebraska
Beautiful book. have not had time to look at the DVD. I may never get to the Vatican, but, this gives me a taste of the beauty of the art.
Phenomenal collection of artwork
By Martin the radio collector
from Chesapeake VA
Marvelous collection of paintings in the Vatican. A reasonable price for such a publication.
great to look at and read
By V
from San Jose, CA
If you didn't know much about art and its history, you will know a lot more after looking at and reading this book. Beautiful art that has held up through the centuries. Highly recommend this book.V
The Vatican
By Slugger
from Dallas, Texas
I do not know if my wife and I will ever get to visit the Vatican and, for sure, we could not see all the paintings. This is a wonderful dream come true for us!
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ChristianMingle is the premier dating destination for local Christian singles and Christian singles around the globe.
At ChristianMingle, our mission is to inspire real, long-lasting relationships. Your ChristianMingle profile, which takes just minutes to create, paints a total portrait of you - from your interests and goals to the way you approach and practice your faith. Then, when you set your specific search preferences, we can match you with amazing, interesting Christian singles who are compatible on all the important levels. Are you looking for a lifelong partner? If you're Korean, wouldn't it be nice to pass down your family's Janchi Gooksu recipe after your wedding or if you're Japanese, your grandmother's Christmas Cake recipe to future generations. Maybe you just want to share the joys of the Chinese New Year with someone special. If you've just re-entered the dating waters after being away for a while, you might want to go at a gradual pace. It's all up to you – we're here to help make sure you meet your dating goals.
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"'Faith, Family, and Football' is what she said to me on one of our first dates. In that order, these were the things that were most important to her in life. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would meet my best friend and future wife half way across the country, much less on a dating website."
Family is actually the real reason we met. Ironically, each one of our parents, her dad and my mom, both pushed us individually to sign up for ChristianMingle. Alina was watching the San Francisco 49ers football game on TV at home with her dad, like they do for every 49ers game, and one of ChristianMingle's commercials was shown on the TV. Her father, who usually doesn't bring up her dating life, eloquently mentioned to Alina that she should try the website. He implied that she's at the age where she should start to find a man! For a very loving father who initially may not have wanted to give up his only daughter so quickly, I soon entered the pictured and am now making him eat his own words!
While family and football is what brought us together, our faith is what will ultimately make us last. I now have a partner who supports and encourages me to develop a deeper relationship with God. I used to go to church whenever it was convenient for me; I now attend every Sunday in addition to the small groups I'm involved with during the week. We continue to receive God's favor daily as we also just recently purchased our first home. Alina, won't officially move in until after the wedding, but we couldn't be more excited to have a home to start our family in. After recently completing a seventeen-week marriage counseling course, further validating that we are perfect for each other, I'm getting ready to walk down the aisle in a few short months to marry my best friend.


text: It will be 2.4.2. I will talk to Ken and make sure this happens. Josh Butikofer Adaptive Computing Enterprises ############################# Glen Beane wrote: > On Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 1:43 PM, Justin Bronder <jsbronder at brontes3d.com> wrote: >> On 02/11/09 11:31 -0700, Ken Nielson wrote: >>> Glen, >>> >>> That looks to me like another mistake. Those probably should have been >>> marked b1 and b2 for beta. This really is the 2.4.0 release. Is there a >>> remedy for this oversight. Is there a problem in making a change? >> Given that 2.4.1b1 and 2.4.2b2 have already been released, I'd suggest just >> calling this the 2.4.2 release and making note not to repeat the same mistake >> in the future. With portage (and I suspect any other package manager), >> 2.4.1b1 and 2.4.2b2 will appear to be newer releases than 2.4. >> >> Of course, I guess that I'm lucky I only tested the beta releases locally and >> did not add them to the portage tree. > > > I agree with Justin. We should change it to 2.4.2 - it would just be > too confusing now to release 2.4.0. Lets just say 2.4.0 and 2.4.1 > were not production quality releases and are unsupported. > _______________________________________________ > torquedev mailing list > torquedev at supercluster.org > http://www.supercluster.org/mailman/listinfo/torquedev


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Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) is nothing if not a security hawk, and this weekend he decried the NSA's collection of all Americans' phone calling records in a Guardian post entitled, "This Abuse of the Patriot Act Must End." On Thursday last week, he sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder demanding answers by Wednesday.
It also became apparent over the weekend that the National Security Agency's program to collect records of every phone call made in the United States is not for the purpose of data mining. (A Wall Street Journal editorial entitled "Thank You for Data Mining" was not only wrong on the merits, but also misplaced.) Rather, the program seizes data about all of our telephone communications and stores that data so it can aid investigations of any American who comes under suspicion in the future.
Details of this program will continue to emerge–and perhaps new shocks. The self-disclosed leaker–currently holed up in a Hong Kong hotel room waiting to learn his fate–is fascinating to watch as he explains his thinking.
The court order requiring Verizon to turn over records of every call "on an ongoing daily basis" is a general warrant.
The Framers adopted the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution in order to bar general warrants. The Fourth Amendment requires warrants 1) to be based upon probable cause and 2) to particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. The leaked warrant has neither of these qualities.
A warrant like this would never be adopted in an open court system. With arguments and decisions available to the public and appeals going to public courts, common sense and simple shame would foreclose suspicionless data-gathering about every American for the benefit of future potential investigations.
Alas, many people don't believe all that deeply in the Constitution and the rule of law when facile promises of national security are on offer. It is thus worthwhile to discuss whether this is unconstitutional law enforcement and security practice would work. President Obama said last week, "I welcome this debate and I think it's healthy for our democracy."


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For younger women diagnosed with cancer, the treatments necessary to treat their disease can also make them infertile. But an experimental procedure is giving those women a second chance, by freezing ovarian tissue before cancer treatment begins. NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman reports.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Related Reads


text: According to the new issue of The Enquirer, Joe and Teresa Guidice from RH-New Jersey are divorcing after the holidays. Not before, because then, you know, maybe not as parties to get paid to attend and there would be nagging questions asked that would be better answered in an exclusive in a tabloid for $100K. So, after the holidays. Their marriage is a sham anyway. Yes, they are legally married and they go places together, but I think he sees his girlfriends way more than he sees his wife. How can you stay with someone who is just constantly cheating on you with other people and in public? I think Teresa wants the world to think she has a perfect marriage so she can criticize other marriages.


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Junction Ave.
San Jose, CA 95112
Origin: USA, First flight: 17 October, 1974, was one of first three prototypes contracted to replace the aging UH-1H's under the UTTAS program, but was also part of a giant program which has enabled Sikorsky to develop a whole new family of military and commercial helicopters in the 10-ton class. Century has designed the fuselage to directly appeal to modelers interested in a very distinguished and highly honored helicopter during the recent military conflicts.
Century's attention to highly detailed parts enable the most modest modeler to recreate the UH-60 with great scale detail and have a competitive machine. Century's typical kit is fast building and is competitive in the semi-scale class.


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St. Louis right-hander Jason Motte will have season-ending Tommy John surgery next week.
The Cardinals reliever was placed on the disabled list on March 29, and eventually diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow. He had been rehabbing and playing catch in an effort to avoid surgery.
However, he had discomfort during a throwing session and it was decided that Motte would have the ligament replacement surgery.
Swisher sits out another game
Cleveland Indians first baseman Nick Swisher is out of the lineup for the third straight game because of a sore left shoulder.
Swisher, the Indians' biggest offseason acquisition, took batting practice before Friday's game with Minnesota and says he plans to play Saturday. He missed the two-game series with Philadelphia.
The Associated Press


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Emerging Procurement Processes
Chairwoman Velázquez, Ranking Member Chabot and Members of the Committee, I would like to thank the House Committee on Small Business for inviting me here today to discuss how GSA's electronic systems support small businesses.
As Administrator Doan has often said to this committee in the past, GSA has been and will continue to be a good friend to the small business community. I am pleased to report on GSA's emerging procurement methods and their impact on Small Business. My testimony will focus on our electronic systems (e-systems), and our processes, contract vehicles and solutions, and how they have helped GSA strengthen the relationship with this community.
At present, there are many electronic tools available for use by both large and small businesses. GSA has developed electronic systems specifically designed to allow small businesses to participate in GSA acquisition programs since 1995, when e-commerce was in its inception. E-systems allow for faster and easier processes, and can increase accessibility and transparency and minimize costs to small businesses wanting to sell to the government.
Although contracting continues to evolve and increasingly utilizes electronic methods, paper processes still exist and are often used in combination with our e-systems. GSA offers e-systems to help companies obtain GSA contracts, manage GSA procurement transactions, place orders, and publicize business opportunities. GSA provides PC-based tools free of charge to allow small businesses to submit their catalogs and receive and fill online purchase orders. The only costs small businesses incur to fully participate in these e-systems are for their computer equipment, email accounts and telecommunications. Simply put, e-systems help small businesses do business with the federal government and facilitate the connections between agency customers and small businesses.
We see GSA's role as providing a centralized delivery system for federal agencies to obtain commonly used goods and services. In that role, GSA provides an efficient interface for the private sector to have low-cost and effective market entry into the government marketplace. GSA also increasingly turns to more efficient e-systems and processes to lower transactional costs for our customer agencies, thereby ensuring a broad industrial base and maximizing opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. We try to ensure that ordering agencies, when attempting to meet their requirements and small business goals, can do so in an efficient manner through the use of GSA's services and programs.
Perhaps one of the most advantageous programs GSA manages that benefits small business owners has been the Multiple Award Schedules Program. The Multiple Award Schedules Program accounts for about $36 billion in orders annually. Eighty percent of the 17,000 plus contractors in this program are small businesses and they receive about 37 percent of the total dollars spent under this program, well above the government-wide goal of 23 percent. The Schedules Program is advantageous for small businesses because it provides them with training and access to the entire government marketplace.
Description and Success of e-Systems and the Impact on Small Business
GSA continues to increase its reliance on e-systems for procurement and delivery of its services to customer agencies. The e-systems GSA manages, including those listed below, have a profound impact in creating opportunities for small businesses:
GSA Advantage
GSA Advantage!® serves as the online shopping and ordering system that provides access to thousands of contractors and millions of supplies (products) and services. It offers the most comprehensive selection of approved products and services from GSA/VA Schedules, as well as all GSA Global Supply products, which include over 16,000 contracts and over 15 million products online. GSA Advantage!® promotes increased access to the small business community by allowing customers to tailor their searches specifically for products and services provided by disadvantaged, veteran-, service-disabled veteran-, women-owned and other small businesses.
The use of this system is impressive. GSA Advantage!® has recorded over 14,000 new users and has logged over 182,466 shopping sessions, just since the beginning of the 2008 fiscal year. This provides immediate market access to our many GSA contract holders.
Additionally, GSA Advantage!® has been a proven procurement-winning tool for small business. The total amount of sales that went to small business contractors has steadily increased from 49.5 percent in FY 2001 to 76.5 percent in FY 2007. This shows a much faster increase in the amount of sales being made to small businesses than large businesses every year since 2001.
GSA's e-Buy is an electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) / Request for Proposal (RFP) system designed to allow federal buyers to request information, find sources, and prepare and post RFQs/RFPs online for millions of services and products offered through GSA's Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).
Federal buyers can use e-Buy to obtain quotes or proposals for services, large quantity purchases, big ticket items, and purchases with complex requirements. Just through January 2008, there have been over 8,000 closed RFQs in the e-Buy system, with an estimated award value of over $1.1 billion in awards. Customers can use e_Buy to request invitations to bid specifically from disadvantaged, veteran-, service-disabled veteran-, women-owned and other small businesses.
This not only allows agency customers to open their procurements to small businesses, but allows for low-cost competition among those small businesses. This is a great tool for small businesses, taxpayers and agency customers alike.
e-Offer is a tool to submit online contract offers and contract modification requests to FAS. The purpose of e-Offer is to create an interactive, secure electronic environment that simplifies the contracting process from submission of proposal to awards. It enables a seamless transmission of data from the vendor community to the FAS contracting offices.
Our data show that small businesses regularly take advantage of this tool. Over the last five fiscal years, with very little deviation from year to year, small businesses account for about 95 percent of all electronically submitted offers. Small businesses have readily adapted to the e-Offer process; of the 511 awards made through e-Offer, 488 have gone to small businesses. This is evidence that our e-systems have been adopted and are benefiting small businesses.
Schedule Input Program (SIP)
The Schedule Input Program (SIP) was created in 1996 to assist small vendors with using GSA e-commerce systems. The capabilities designed into SIP include all the functions a business requires to interact with GSA Advantage!® and e-Buy. Vendors can load their catalog information to GSA Advantage!®, download purchase orders and provide status back to the customer. It is provided free to vendors and requires only basic computing equipment to use.
GSA also operates a Vendor Support Center (VSC) to assist vendors in resolving any issues that may arise with the SIP tool. The call center operates 5 days a week, 7:30 am-5:30 pm EST. The VSC also provides weekly training webinars with an average attendance of 60 vendors. In addition, many other tools, such as FAQs and user guides, are provided for vendor use at http://vsc.gsa.gov.
GSA is currently planning a redesign of the SIP process that will take advantage of commercial catalog management services that have evolved in the past ten years in the e-commerce world. GSA will only implement a new SIP process if it results in more efficient and effective systems, process and procedures for our vendors. Through industry meetings on this project, GSA has become aware of several small businesses whose capabilities would allow them to meet GSA's requirements for this process, and will develop an acquisition strategy that allows full participation for these small businesses.
Benefits of GSA E-Systems
GSA e-systems and processes promote transparency, accessibility and efficiency, making it easier for all businesses—including small businesses—to do business with the government and also making it easier for customers to find best value, quality small business partners.
GSA is focused on making its processes more transparent to its small business partners. The increase in transparency allows for all businesses, particularly small businesses, to have a greater awareness of contracting opportunities. GSA has been revamping its IT procurement systems to ensure they are more user friendly for our customers and our business partners.
Systems such as e-Buy promote the ability of small businesses to gain access to procurements and an opportunity to participate in the procurement process. With the increased utilization of e-Buy, more opportunities are available and can be more easily reviewed by small businesses. Additionally the GSA Advantage!® system allows easy access to small business information by the federal acquisition community.
The e-Authentication system is a means of enabling accessibility for businesses and citizens. When transacting with federal applications, businesses are often burdened by having to maintain multiple identity credentials. E-Authentication allows these entities to securely identify themselves when accessing federal government applications online. It enables millions of safe, secure, trusted online transactions between government agencies and the citizens and businesses they serve, while reducing the online identity management burden. GSA manages the e-Authentication initiative which will facilitate small businesses being able to use a single identity credential to interface with many small-business-facing systems across the Federal government.
GSA itself operates the e-Authentication program as an e-Gov initiative. More than 20 agencies are participating in the e-Authentication program, which currently supports more than 70 federal online services and continues to grow. In FY 2008, GSA has taken steps to expand the services offered by e-Authentication and therefore expand benefits to federal agencies, businesses and citizens. GSA's programs—which offer standardized, electronic ways to interact with the federal government, whether selling to the government or just interacting with agencies—are particularly helpful to small businesses, since they may have more limited resources for establishing connections to the government and cannot afford to engage with the government using multiple stove-pipe means.
GSA also offers greater accessibility for small businesses to sell to an expanded government marketplace, reaching state and local customers at no additional cost. Through their Multiple Award Schedule contracts, vendors are eligible to sell to state and local governments, in addition to federal agencies, under three specific regulations:
- Section 211 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (Cooperative Purchasing), which provides open use of IT Schedule 70 products and services for purchase from approved vendors for any reason;
- Section 833 of the 2007 Defense Authorization Act, which provides open use of products and services from approved vendors on all Multiple Award Schedules, as long as those products are used for disaster recovery only; and,
- Section 1122 of the Fiscal Year 1994 National Defense Authorization Act, which provides limited purchasing authority to state and local law enforcement to purchase from approved vendors—using specific MAS contracts that offer law enforcement equipment—as long as the equipment is used in the performance of counter-drug activities.
In addition to providing transparency and accessibility, GSA e-systems facilitate greater efficiency in the procurement process for small business through lowering transaction costs and providing greater market access, to name just two ways. Additionally, federal, state, and local government customers have access to GSA e-systems—specifically GSA E-library and GSA Advantage!®—to conduct vendor and market research in order to locate eligible Multiple Award Schedule vendors throughout the country. Offering customers an efficient means to conduct market research gives small businesses the ability to provide additional procurement tools without straining their valuable—and often limited—resources.
Acquisition Solutions for Small Businesses
In addition to electronic tools, GSA provides customers with a wide range of acquisition vehicles, some specifically designed to provide opportunities to the small business community. These include:
- 8(a) STARS (Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services), is a contract vehicle that provides a full range of IT solutions—including application development, computer facilities management services, and information assurance—through small, disadvantaged 8(a) firms.
As an 8(a) set-aside, this contract vehicle provides small businesses which have been historically left out of the procurement process with a chance to compete in the federal marketplace. GSA customers benefit by having access to a portfolio of over 200 industry partners distributed across eight areas of expertise. Federal agencies also receive 8(a) and other small business credits toward their procurement preference goals through the use of these contracts.
- Alliant SB, a small business set-aside GWAC, is designed to provide worldwide information technology solutions to federal agencies, while strengthening federal contracting opportunities for small business concerns. Alliant SB will assist agencies in reaching their small business utilization goals, while providing small businesses with opportunities to win prime contracts in the information technology arena and develop their business skills before moving into unrestricted acquisition environments.
- VETS (Veterans Technology Services), a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business set-aside GWAC, encompasses the functional areas of systems operation and maintenance, and information systems engineering. VETS is designed to provide worldwide information technology solutions to federal agencies, while strengthening federal contracting opportunities for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
- The VETS GWAC assists agencies in meeting their three percent service-disabled veteran-owned small business goals by providing pre-qualified industry partners in one easy-to-use contract vehicle. Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses will, in turn, be provided with opportunities to compete within a smaller group of contract holders, allowing self-marketing opportunities and a chance to develop their businesses before moving into larger acquisition environments.
In closing, we offer superior service, innovation and value to our clients and partners through all of our GSA e-systems and solutions. While we are very proud of the great results that these e-systems advances have produced in terms of helping small businesses do business with the government—maximizing their opportunities and minimizing their costs—we will continue to aggressively seek ways to build upon this successful foundation.