text:
When Benny "The Bull" Sinakin, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound teenage boxer, steps into the ring, he wears gold trunks with a Star of David on the left leg, following in the tradition of renowned Jewish fighter Max Baer.
Benny "The Bull" Sinakin had already taken some verbal jabs by the time he stepped into the ring for the Philadelphia Golden Gloves 15-16 heavyweight championship bout.
During the weigh-in on March 30, his opponent told Sinakin to bring a pillow into the ring to help cushion the fall when he knocked him out.
"I thought, this guy better be great the way he's talking, because if not, I'm going to teach him a lesson," Sinakin said of his opponent, Chad Johnson.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound teenage boxer had little reason to cower. When Sinakin stepped into the ring, he was wearing gold trunks with a Star of David emblem on the left leg, following the tradition started by Max Baer, the Jewish fighter who knocked out German heavyweight Max Schmeling in 1933 at Yankee Stadium.
He sees the star, also sometimes described as a shield, as protection.
"The star means a lot to me because when I go in there, I'm not just fighting for me, I'm fighting for my name. I'm fighting for the people I represent," said Sinakin, a sophomore at The Academy at Palumbo, a magnet school in South Philadelphia where the young amateur fighter lives with his family.
The people he represents, aside from the wider Jewish community, he said, are his father, Lincoln Sinakin, and his older brother, Demetrie Sinakin, 19, a boxer who also fought for the city championship and is known as the "Jewish Brown Bomber." (Their mother was born on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent and both sons have her dark complexion.)
The three-round fight at Kensington's Front Street Gym ended with the judges ruling that Sinakin had won each round, meaning that he advanced to the regional championship in May. As always, his father, Lincoln, whom he credits with first getting him interested in the sport, was in the audience.
"It makes me very proud because I feel, of all the sports, it's the most difficult. It's the biggest character builder of all sports," said his father, a retired owner of a retail clothing business who flirted with boxing as a teenager and has loved the sport ever since.
Over the years, the elder Sinakin, 67, has become an amateur boxing historian, even designating a room of his house as his own "boxing hall of fame." The walls are lined with plaques of the 100 greatest boxers. Each boxer's picture and biography is framed in black, with the exception of three — Benny Leonard, Benny Bass and Philadelphia's Lew Tendler — Jewish fighters whose plaques are framed in blue, like the Israeli flag.
"The thing that people don't realize is that of all the sports in America, the Jews have been the most successful by a long shot at boxing," he said.
Sinakin said he and his two sons would watch old matches on ESPN Classic together and the father would talk about strategy, greatest matches and best fighters. Then one day his older son asked him how he knew so much about the sport, he recalled. He told him he had trained for six months and fought once in 1962. The match ended in a draw and he then dropped out of school and started a job taking inventory at drug stores along the East Coast.
After hearing his father's story and passion for the sport, Demetrie, the older brother, said he wanted to start fighting.
Sinakin said he asked his two sons to wait until they turned 13 — neither had a Bar Mitzvah but they were, in his words, then Jewish adults capable of making their own decisions.
Was he worried about them getting injured? Not really. To him, boxing isn't some crude sport where the thrill comes from watching fighters take blows to the head, he said. The sport requires concentration on tactics and has a rich history and demands a relentless work ethic, he said.
He sees football as the more dangerous sport; only there, the blows to the head are less overt. In amateur boxing, the fighters wear protective headgear, and a match is immediately stopped at the first sign of injury.
"People have become less enchanted with the violence, but if you do it, it doesn't feel like a violent sport. It feels like a scientific sport," Sinakin said.
For his part, Benny Sinakin said the best way to prevent injury is hard work. He spends four or five days each week at a gym in South Philadelphia, training with Andre Horne, a former professional heavyweight fighter.
"If you're not committed, you're most likely going to get caught in the ring. And if you get caught, you're going to have to keep thinking about it and thinking about it," said the young fighter.
The teenager's ultimate goal? Rio de Janeiro, for the 2016 Olympics.


text: Today, we have a new Blog Category today: Idiot Clergywoman of The Day. Although, I suspect this may turn out to be a very, very lonely section for quite some time to come. Umm… that's probably because the other 99.999 percent of Pastors, Priests, Nuns, Deacons, Rabbis, Imams, etc. are - you know – followers of a certain credo, shall we say? Like the one that is peace-loving, forgiving, tolerant, and above all – generous. I like to believe that they are not cheap, vindictive, PMS'ing hypocirites like our sister above.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Template:U Oneiric/Introduction
- Also see info about the most recent LTS version, Precise Pangolin (12.04 LTS).
- On October 14, 2011, Ubuntu 11.10 was released.
- It is codenamed Oneiric Ocelot and is the successor to Natty Narwhal 11.04 (Natty+1).
- Oneiric Ocelot is not an LTS (Long Term Support) release and is no longer supported with security updates (as of April 2013). It is recommended to upgrade to the current version of Ubuntu.


text:
Product Reference: 45752
Designed to add a touch of character to your phone - the HTC Desire 816 official translucent hard shell case not only keeps your phone protected from damage, but also makes sure that it looks fantastic by not hiding the beautiful styling of the HTC Desire 816.
Tough construction protects against scratches and scrapes
Manufactured from a toughened injection moulded plastic, the hard case provides superb protection against cosmetic scratches and scuffs, as well as impact damage from knocks and drops.
Clip-on design for easy attachment and removal
Once applied, both the back and corners of the Desire 816 are fully protected, so your phone will be safe from scratches and minor impacts around the most vulnerable areas. The clips grip nicely to the back of your phone so you can be sure of a tight, slim fit that is compatible with the use of the included screen protector to provide comprehensive coverage.
Made specifically for HTC Desire 816
Designed specifically for the HTC Desire 816, this case offers a perfect fit as well as cut-outs for all the ports, buttons and camera.
Screen protector
Includes a screen protector, designed to ensure your smartphone display is as good as the day you purchased it - safe from scratches and other irritating marks that could reduce the visibility of your screen and spoil the overall look of your HTC Desire 816.
Microfibre cloth
Keep your display clear from fingerprints with the small microfibre cloth that is included. Simply wipe away your problems with the extremely portable cloth, that can be easily stored away in your pocket or handbag.


text:
***Announcement: It would mean so much if you supported...
What do you mean?
- by symmonebeasley
- Rating:
- Published: 23 Nov 2015
- Updated: 9 Feb 2016
- Status: In Progress
Meet Skylar. She's a normal teenage girl who has everything that she could ever ask for. A loving family, an adorable loving boyfriend who is on the the football team, and is being nominated for Homecoming Queen. But what happens when a boy moves in next door & starts to develop feelings for her. Will she fall for him or will they stay just friends? (Justin is not famous yet)
Join MovellasFind out what all the buzz is about. Join now to start sharing your creativity and passion
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text:
If this was a movie, you would never believe it. This is how you wish all stories in life would end and when one actually does, it leaves a big smile on your face with some drops of water running down those cheeks. This is just beautiful to watch whether you're a basketball fan or not.
Follow Me
- Animals
- Empathy
- Family
- Love
- Marriage
- MultiPost Test Category 1
- MultiPost Test Category 3
- Sports
- Tears of Joy
- Tears of Sadness


text:
Thin, light tablet with up to 10-hour battery life1
At less than 1.5 pounds and just 8.9 mm thick, Surface 2 lets you carry less while you do more. It runs Windows RT 8.1 and comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office 2013 RT, so you get Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote—right out of the box. Surface 2 ups the ante with a more powerful, always-on processor, so it's ready to go when you need it. With an up to 10-hour battery that keeps you charged through the day, Surface 2 is powerful, yet ultra-thin and lightweight.
Microsoft Office
Surface 2 pushes the boundaries of what a tablet can do. Go beyond fun and be truly productive with Office 2013 RT 4. With touch-optimized versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, Surface 2 can go from plaything to workhorse in a snap. With 200GB of OneDrive2 storage included for 2 years, you can keep your pictures and movies with you wherever you go.
Tons of Ports
Bring your entire media collection with you wherever you go. A microSDXC card reader lets you add up to 64GB of extra storage. Show off everything on the big screen using the video out port. A full-size USB 3.0 port and Bluetooth 4.0 provide clutter-free connections with wireless mice and headsets.
Click-in Keyboards
When you need to work faster, take Surface from tablet to laptop in a snap. Surface Covers 6 click in to Surface in an instant, and offer the speed and comfort of a regular keyboard in a super-thin, lightweight design. When closed, the Covers turn off your display and protects it from scratches when you're on the move. Surface Covers come in a variety of bright, bold hues, so you can choose the one that fits your style.
Built-in dual-position Kickstand
The integrated Kickstand provides uncompromised support and flexibility. Surface 2 has two Kickstand positions, so you can see the screen whether you're working at a desk or with Surface 2 in your lap. Whether you're creating a presentation, watching a movie, or recording video, Surface stands on its own.
Faster Processor
Surface 2 runs on the NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, making it one of the fastest tablets on the market. Thin, light, and with up to 10 hours of battery life you can power through your day wherever you are.
ClearType HD Display (1080p)
Surface 2 has an optically bonded ClearType HD display that is strikingly sharp with a wide viewing angle. The wide screen is perfect for watching 1080p HD video, and optimized for multi-tasking with side-by-side apps. Auto-adjusting screen intensity gives you the clearest picture possible, whether you're indoors or out.
Front and rear-facing 1080p video cameras
Surface 2 includes a 3.5 megapixel camera on the front and a 5 megapixel camera on the back for crisp, clear images and photos. Want to shoot video or record a meeting? Skype with people around the world? The cameras record video in stunning 1080p quality with Surface 2.
Windows RT 8.1
Surface 2 works brilliantly with Windows RT 8.1. The Start screen keeps you constantly updated with apps that constantly bring you fresh information, and now you can resize the live tiles to fit your needs. Load the apps that you love the most and discover new apps7 in the Windows Store.
Now included with Surface 2
200GB storage for two years2
When you put a file on OneDrive, it's with you on all your internet-enabled devices. Get free Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in your browser with OneDrive and free Office Web Apps. To activate your free 200GB of OneDrive storage, just use the code included in your Surface or Surface Pro 2 packaging.
Unlimited minutes & Wi-Fi for one year3
Get calling to landlines in over 60 destinations worldwide and Skype Wi-Fi which allows you to connect to over 2 million hotspot locations around the world. Make video calls with your 1080p full HD Surface display and front- and rear-facing cameras. To activate your free Skype experience, just use the code included in your Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 packaging.
Tech specs
Surface 2
Surface Pro 2
Windows RT 8.1, Microsoft Office 2013 RT
Windows 8.1 Pro
Dimensions: 10.81 x 6.81 x 0.35 in
Weight: 1.49 lbs
Casing: VaporMg
Color: Magnesium
Physical buttons: Volume, Power
Dimensions: 10.81 x 6.81 x 0.53 in
Weight: 2 lbs
Casing: VaporMg
Color: Dark Titanium
Physical buttons: Volume, Power
32GB or 64GB 5
Screen: 10.6 inch ClearType Full HD Display
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (widescreen)
Touch: 5-point multi-touch
Durable display
Screen: 10.6 inch ClearType Full HD Display
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (widescreen)
Touch: 10-point multi-touch
Durable display
CPU & Wireless
NVIDIA Tegra 4
Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology
AT&T 4G LTE (optional)9
4th generation Intel Core™ i5 Processor
TPM Chip for enterprise security
Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours1
7-15 days idle life
Charges in 2-4 hours with included power supply
7-15 days idle life
Charges in 2-4 hours with included power supply
Cameras, Video & Audio
Two video cameras on front and back
3.5 megapixel front-facing camera
5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera
Two microphones
Dual stereo speakers with Dolby audio and virtualized surround sound
Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing
Stereo speakers
Full-size USB 3.0
microSDXC card reader
MicroSIM card slot (optional)
Headphone jack
HD video out port
Cover port
Full-size USB 3.0
microSD card reader
Headphone jack
Mini DisplayPort
Cover port
Ambient light sensor
Ambient light sensor
1-year limited hardware warranty
1-year limited hardware warranty
Surface Pen
Surface pen not compatible
LTE Compatibility
4G LTE available option
Not available
How do I activate my Surface and sign up for a plan?
1. Follow the Setup process. When you get to the "Get Online" screen, choose "Wi-Fi". You'll set up Mobile Broadband AFTER you set up Wi-Fi.
2. Once your Wi-Fi setup is complete, click the "Network Connections" link to launch the AT&T AllAccess app, or you can just launch the AT&T AllAccess app by itself. Once you're in the app, just click the "Activate" link. That will take you to the AT&T website where you can set up a new data plan or associate your Surface to your existing AT&T data plan.
I'm going to travel to a different country; do I need to change any settings on my device?
Check with your mobile broadband operator to learn about international data plan options. You may also be able to purchase a prepaid SIM or mobile broadband data plan from a local operator upon arrival in the country you're travelling to.
If you do neither of these, then you may want to change some settings on your Surface.
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap or click Settings. Tap or click the wireless network icon, and under Mobile broadband, tap or click the network you want to use. If Roam automatically is checked, be sure to clear it. Then tap or click Connect.
You can also simply turn off mobile broadband, and only use a Wi-Fi connection when it is available.
Microsoft Complete for Surface
We've got your back.
Get extended service and accident protection for your device—plus unlimited software support and training from Answer Desk—for two full years.8 Add Complete within 45 days of your purchase to get it all, not to mention valuable extras like PC Tune-Up, Virus Removal and Protection, and personal in-store training at no extra cost.
Extended service plan and accidental damage coverage
Complete covers your device from hardware defects or malfunctions for two full years. Accidents happen, and that's okay. With Complete, you get two years of accidental damage protection—even from drops and spills, each subject to a $49 deductible.
Microsoft expertise
No one knows the software on your device better than Microsoft. Enjoy personalized Answer Desk support sessions with a Microsoft expert, specifically tailored to your needs. There's no need to leave the comfort of your own home or office to get your questions answered. Complete puts you in touch with Answer Desk experts right where you are.
Personal training and data recovery
Need to learn the basics of PowerPoint? Or how to sync multiple devices using Windows 8.1? No problem. Complete includes as many in-store personal Answer Desk training sessions as you want. Complete includes other valuable Answer Desk services to keep your device running at its best. It comes with Advanced PC Tune-Up and Virus Removal and Protection. You can also take advantage of in-store technical services, including in-store data recovery.


text:
Getaway to the Star City of the South
Don't let fall pass you by. Take a break and visit the Roanoke Valley in Virginia. Have a fun-filled, affordable, three-day fall getaway.
Day 1:
Begin downtown at the historic Roanoke Farmers Market and check out the fall arts and crafts or venture to Center in the Square for an afternoon of museum hopping: The Science Museum of Western Virginia, Hopkins Planetarium, and the History Museum of Western Virginia.
At some point, lunch is in order. The Roanoke Market Building is home to a variety of restaurants and you're sure to find something you'll love.
It just so happens that the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau offers great information for touring AND you can take in the railroad history right there, too, at the O. Winston Link Museum.
The Taubman Museum of Art has a wonderful Interactive gallery along with a museum store and café - perfect for an afternoon coffee break.
Stroll down Market Street over to Campbell and dinner at a local favorite - Macado's, where you can choose from a variety of overstuffed sandwiches with fun names like Betty Boop and Custer's Last Stand.
Check into Comfort Inn Airport, MainStay Suites, or Best Western PLUS Inn at Valley View for a relaxing evening.
Day 2:
Gear up, grab a camera and snacks, fill up your tank and head out on the Blue Ridge Parkway - "America's Favorite Drive".
You'll love the vibrant colors of the fall foliage, as well as the peace and quiet at milepost 176.1. It's where you'll find Mabry Mill, a historic water-powered grist mill/sawmill built in 1910 and is easily the most photographed site on the Parkway.
Enjoy a self-guided tour and lunch at the Mabry Mill Restaurant, where you can try a plate of cornmeal cakes with Southern barbecue, topped off with apple dumplings. Stop in their gift shop for handmade gifts and regional crafts before continuing on.
Travel north to Mill Mountain Zoo, home to 35 species and the miniature Zoo Choo. Walk over to the Mill Mountain Discovery Center where you'll meet a Naturalist with hands-on exhibits.
Trek to the Roanoke Star - a 100-foot tall lighted beacon - and take in the fall views of the Roanoke Valley before hopping back onto the Parkway.
Take 581/220 north for a stop at the Roanoker Restaurant. There's a piece of homemade history in every bite. Try the grilled pork tenderloin with fried apples. For dessert, the butterscotch cream pie.
Now that your day is complete, get back to your room and off your feet. Still one day to go!
Day 3:
Head to downtown Salem for a hometown atmosphere. The local shops yield delightful hidden treasures!
Grab a bowl of homemade chicken chili and a Salem salad at Mac and Bob's, and don't miss Mitchell's Mud Pie.
Jump back onto Main Street and head down 460 to the Dixie Caverns and Pottery for a walk and souvenirs before making your way back home.
This fall getaway was submitted by Comfort Inn Airport. See www.VisitRoanokeVA.com for more great travel ideas in the Roanoke Valley.


text:
CLAREMONT - A Too Toxic To Trash hazardous waste and e-waste event will take place Feb. 2 at the Claremont Corporate Yard.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the yard, 1616 Monte Vista Ave.
Household batteries and car batteries, paint, pesticides or herbicides, motor oil, computer monitors, televisions, printers, cell phones, computer CPUs and more are acceptable to bring.
Business waste, trash, tires, explosives, ammunition, controlled substances, refrigerators, washing machines, stoves and radioactive materials will not be accepted, according to a news release.
Items should be transported in a sturdy box, preferably in its original labeled containers, with no mixing of items and a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per trip.
For more information, contact the city's Community & Human Services division at 909-399-5431, 800-238-0172 www.CleanLA.com, www.lacsd.org or head to www.ci.claremont.ca.us/download.cfm?ID=28272
email@example.com 909-483-8549 or http://www.insidesocal.com/claremontnow/ or on Twitter at @ClaremontNow


text:
Frst off, add your new account to the sudoers group:
A. Open a Root Terminal and type visudo (to access and edit the list)
B. Using the up/down arrows, navigate to the bottom of the sudoers file that is now displayed in the terminal
C. Just under the line that looks like the following:
D. Add the following (replacing user with your actual username):root ALL=(ALL) ALL
E. Now press Ctrl+X and press Y when promted to saveuser ALL=(ALL) ALL
Now Open up a new shell and type;
Enter YOUR password.sudo start-network
now type;
This will list all you active network connections.
Look for the line;
It should be populated with an IP address (should start off with 192 if your connected to a router or if your on a LAN)inet addr:***.***.***.***
Try a simple Ping to Google. You should get some response and you will be able to browse the Internet.


text: OverviewBack to top Grampa's Garden - Sleepy Time Pillow Purple Baroque Satin Fabric - Item# :71141UPC# :6303101234813 Brand:Grampa's Garden At the end of a hectic day when your mind is racing and you can't sleep, breathe in the aroma of our soothing lavender pillow or place over your eyes to release the anxiety of the day. Keep one in your freezer to help you cool off and relax anytime. Includes 1/4 oz. Lavender essential oil for re-scenting pillow and enhancing the aromatherapy benefits. Pillow is filled with soothing lavender flowers and flax seeds. 3" x 8".Available Colors: Plum Fairy Frost, Purple Fairy Frost, Mist Frost Fairy, Purple Baroque Satin, Hunter Baroque Satin, Star Swirl.


text:
The Art of Potential
Kristin has retired from doing this show, but you can still download the podcasts! On Art of Potential, all things career related are fair game including getting educated, getting hired, and get inspired. We will be talking with the experts who can show you the way to making your dreams a reality.


text:
LISTEN: G-Unit unveils new song 'They Talked About Jesus'
Listen to G-Unit on iHeartRadio
Rap group G-Unit is showing off their latest collaboration.
Titled "They Talked About Jesus," the new track hit airwaves on Monday. It marks their first original track since reuniting, however, they have released a number of remixes in the past weeks.
In their newest song, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks show off their skills without the help of the group's most popular member, 50 Cent. G-Unit is planning to release a new compilation album this November.


text:
Are there any proven health benefits of green tea?
Are there any proven health benefits of green tea?
How you expect to run with the wolves come night when you spend all day sparring with the puppies
Appetite Suppressant - Anti Oxidant - Raises Metabolism - Gives a kick ( bit like Coffee)
Definitely good stuff.
Alternatively... follow the link provided by the person above ^^^
I love it. If I have a whole pot I feel buzzing and like I sweated all the badness out.
Green Tea contains caffeine and should not be abused.
Drinking to much Green Tea can cause nerves to be over-stimulated, promote insomnia and make one anxious and irritable.
thanks folks for your post. i was really curious about this one
Slowly but surely green tea has begun gaining huge popularity in the West. Its natural aroma and widely acclaimed health benefits make green tea appealing to both tea lovers and non-tea drinkers.
green tea? i heard that Mega T company is giving back money if you did used this supplement. just saw it at megatsettlement.com
what's wrong???


text:
Just a Thought...Celebrities and Cookbooks
Cookbooks are wildly popular here and have been for years. I find I sometimes have to watch the food channel to see who is who and who cooks what so I can assist those seeking the cookbook written by the woman with the southern accent, or the one who cooks Italian and has that husband on the show sometimes.
I was thinking about this recently, remembering the days when cookbook meant Betty Crocker, Fannie Farmer, or Julia Child. Then there were the less personal titles like "The Better Homes and Garden Cookbook", "The Joy of Cooking", and the Sunset series. There came the appliance-specific books like "Slow Cooker Recipes for Two", and "Cooking with Convection". There are food or ingredient-specific books and the restaurant/chef cookbooks such as: Leone's Italian Cookbook, Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook, Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen, and Alice Water's Chez Panisse. And finally, there's that new crop of celebrity chefs made popular by the food network including Paula Dean, Rachel Ray, Ina Garten, Tyler Florence, and a host of others.
Is it just me or does it seem that the focus is off the food and onto the celebrity chef? Is it the making of entire networks devoted to food? or has it always been that way for foodies who want to know not just the what, but the why and the who?


text:
Steve DeBry will be chairman of the Salt Lake County Council in 2013.
The South Jordan Republican was selected by the council's 5-4 GOP majority to succeed David Wilde. His ascent was expected because he was Wilde's vice chairman last year.
A deputy chief in the Millcreek precinct of the Unified Police Department, DeBry has represented District 5 in the southwest valley since January 2010.
At that time, council members unanimously picked him from among three candidates to replace Jeff Allen, who resigned two months earlier citing family reasons. In November 2010, DeBry secured a full term on the council with an easy election victory over Democrat Tyler Andrus.
DeBry's vice chairman will be Republican Michael Jensen, the Unified Fire Authority chief who was sworn in Monday to a fourth term representing District 2 in the northwest valley.
The Democrats also turned to a three-term councilman, at-large representative Jim Bradley, to be minority leader. He and Jensen have been part of the council since 2001.
McAdams appointments
New Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams appointed two women to high-level administration positions Wednesday.
He picked Lori Bays, a former state official currently serving as a health and human services agency executive in San Diego County, to be director of human services. In Utah, Bays had been director of the state's Office of Public Guardian. She will relocate to Utah in mid-February to fill the post previously held by Jean Nielsen, said McAdams' spokeswoman Michelle Schmitt.
For his director of administrative services, McAdams selected Jill E. Carter. She has operated her own private sector human resource management company for 25 years and worked for the state before that, Schmitt added. Carter's predecessor, April Townsend, transferred into the County Library System.
Mike Gorrell


text:
Ogden • It was Jan. 4, and Ogden Police Sgt. Steve Zaccardi had just dropped off a wounded Agent Shawn Grogan at McKay-Dee Hospital. Grogan had been shot in the face while executing a search warrant.
Zaccardi thought the suspect who shot Grogan was either shot and killed by officers, or holed up in the home at 3268 Jackson Ave.
"I went to the car and came back in, and the nurse ran by me and said, 'I've got four more coming in,' " he testified in 2nd District Court on Wednesday. "It was like this panic in the ER."
Zaccardi testified that he knew the others were likely agents from the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force executing the same search warrant, but he blocked it from his mind.
Until he saw Agent Kasey Burrell wheeled past him in a wheelchair, his head covered in blood.
Then, Officer Michael Rounkles came around the corner in a stretcher, offering Zaccardi a thumbs up as he went past.
Sgt. Nathan Hutchinson then walked past Zaccardi, telling him he had also been shot. Also wounded that night was Roy Officer Jason VanderWarf.
Killed in the shootout was 30-year-old Agent Jared Francom.
"For the first time in my career, I had this moment of panic, where I didn't know what to do," Zaccardi said.
Zaccardi was one of four people who testified Wednesday during the preliminary hearing for shootout suspect Matthew David Stewart. The hearing is scheduled to last through Friday and will determine if Stewart will stand trial.
Stewart, 38, is charged with aggravated murder and eight other felony counts relating to the shooting and marijuana cultivation. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
In an opening statement, Deputy Weber County Attorney Gary Heward told Judge Noel Hyde that all of the bullets recovered from Francom's body were 9mm, the type of weapon Stewart was shooting that night. Police were carrying .40-caliber pistols, Heward said.
Investigators became aware in September 2011 through their telephone tip line that Stewart had allegedly maintained a marijuana cultivation for about seven years. On three occasions, officers went to the home for a "knock-and-talk" a tactic used to speak with homeowners but were never able to contact anyone, Heward said.
But while looking into the windows of the home, the officers spotted equipment they believed could be used for growing pot and they obtained a search warrant, he said.
Three law enforcement personnel who executed the warrant that night all testified Wednesday that they yelled, "Police! Search warrant!" before entering Stewart's home and while inside the house. They all said they were wearing some form of police identifier, whether it was a jacket with the word "police" written in bold, a bullet-proof vest with "police" printed on it, or a fleece vest with police insignia embroidered on the chest.
It was unclear Wednesday whether all of the agents who entered the home were wearing bullet-proof vests, though when Grogan testified about his clothing that night, he made no mention of a protective vest. All three said they were wearing jeans.
Grogan testified that when he stood in the hallway of the home, he saw an arm and a gun coming around the bedroom door. The shooter said nothing before he began firing, one of the first shots striking Grogan in the left cheek. Grogan said the shot resulted in the loss of teeth, a severed tongue and pieces of jaw being blown out.
Grogan was able to return fire, he testified, but his gun was soon empty and he was still inside the home. Eventually, he was able to retreat to a bathroom for a few moments, then escape to the side door through which the agents had entered moments before.
Francom also began firing to pin Stewart inside the bedroom, until Francom ran out of ammunition.
Stewart then shot Francom repeatedly, as well as other officers moving toward the bedroom, until there was a pile of officers just outside the room, Heward said.
Agent Derek Draper testified Wednesday that he was nearly shot in the hallway he felt the bullets brush past his hair but was able to retreat back outside. There, he found Rounkles, a uniformed Ogden police officer carrying a shotgun, and they went back towards the home.
Rounkles went inside while Draper waited outside. After a few moments passed, Draper testified that he found Rounkles in the south doorway, lying in a stairwell, with blood coming from his mouth. Draper helped him outside, and when he returned to the doorway, he heard a "gun battle" inside, and found Burrell lying in the stairwell, also covered in blood.
"I thought he was dead," Draper testified.
Draper dragged Burrell out of the home, and when he returned to the same doorway, another officer lay in the stairwell: Francom.
Draper pulled Francom from the home, and other officers assisted him in pulling Burrell and Francom into the street. Rounkles was taken by a patrol vehicle to the hospital.
While in the street, Draper testified that he looked towards the house and saw a silhouette standing in the front doorway beginning to take aim, then firing towards the injured men in the street.
Draper said he felt the bullets ricochet around him, but he was never struck.
"I thought I was going to get shot right there," he said. "I'm just waiting, and then the shots stopped."
Utah Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Edward Leis testified that Francom was shot six times: in the left chest, right abdomen, right upper back into his spine, in the right shoulder, left arm and left thigh. The shot to Francom's spine was likely the most lethal wound, Leis testified, as the injury would have paralyzed the officer.
Two other wounds the shot to his left thigh which damaged his femur, and the shot in the abdomen which damaged his internal organs were also likely fatal, Leis said.
Some of the bullets passed through Francom's body and were not recovered, and Leis said he could not speculate based on the wounds what caliber they were. He also could not determine the order in which the bullets struck the agent, but said that based on hemorrhaging in the body, Francom was alive when he sustained all six wounds.
Wednesday's hearing marks the first time that details of the raid have been aired in a courtroom. For Erna Stewart, Matthew Stewart's sister-in-law, the evidence was at times frustrating because it was all against her brother-in-law, and his side of the story has not been told.
"It is very frustrating," she said. "But patience is a virtue. We've been waiting 10 months, we can wait a few more days."
Francom's family declined to comment Wednesday.
The five injured officers are among about a dozen people who have been subpoenaed to testify this week.
At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must show there is enough evidence for a case to proceed. The burden of proof is substantially lighter than it would be at trial, and Hyde is required to view the evidence in a light most favorable to the state.
During a February interview at the Weber County jail, Stewart told The Salt Lake Tribune that he thought a group of men had broken into his home to rob and to murder him. He said he believed two bullets struck him during the shootout, and that one bullet seemed to have struck his right hip and then entered his abdomen.
Stewart's defense team on Wednesday questioned whether a person would be able to understand the hollering of "Police! Search Warrant!" if the officers were not yelling in unison. They also had questions about whether agents in the strike force who often grow beards or wear a longer hairstyle than a traditional officer because of undercover assignments would be easily identifiable as law enforcement in the dark.
Stewart's family, and a handful of supporters from the community, have argued police were too aggressive in investigating him, and that Stewart is a victim of the drug war.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Twitter: @jm_miller


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The pending reappointment of Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve is the non-story of the Century, and I find this terrifying. Propaganda of his alleged "success" has been crammed in every orifice of the American people by the rich and shameless (yet relatively few believe it). This is truly the time for action, unless you really enjoy Tea-partying 'til you puke. I'm asking every American to demand that their Senators stand up and oppose the nomination. Our future depends on it.
So much for that "Of the people, by the people, for the people" crap…
Explain this to me: 21% of adult Americans favor the re-appointment of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, yet only four Senators have had the intestinal fortitude to step up and say they oppose him. An alarming 39% of Americans aren't sure. This I cannot fathom; it's as pathetic as being "on the fence" about slavery or child-pornography. Let's review the mind-boggling difference between what Bernanke did and what he was supposed to do.
Here is the Federal Reserve's Mission Statement, presented in its entirety:
These four simple sentences comprise Ben Bernanke's job description. There's not anything in there about monitoring men's underwear sales to divine economic conditions (which seriously, is what Greenspan did). Worse yet, the Fed is trying to leverage its own criminally negligent failures into a coup to seize even more power and control. But hey, if four sentences is too much for you, the so-called congressional mandate for the Fed can be boiled down to five words:
Stable Prices and Maximum Employment
The Federal Reserve failed to follow very simple instructions. There is no other way to see it. It wasn't circumstances beyond their control, it was the very circumstances that they were supposed to control that caused the meltdown. They sat on their hands while housing prices soared on easy money and created the biggest asset bubble the world has ever seen. No money down, subprime, ARM, 125% loan-to-value, and interest-only mortgages were "all-good" with Ben and Al. The fact that these were credit-driven, unstable, and unsustainable prices was lost on them.
Bernanke ignored both reality and his job instructions for as long as possible. The fallout from that failure looks like this:
It is important to note that this is the polished-up "official" government numbers. Anyone on this side of the rainbow already knows, the reality is much worse. In fact the smart guys at Trim Tabs assert that the BLS missed the November jobs report by over 200,000.
A Vicious Cycle continues…
Thanks to Bernanke incompetence, price instability has reached biblical proportions. For example, Oil has traded everywhere between $32.40 and $147 per barrel in the last 18 months. How's that for price stability? I can sight so many examples of price instability that, rather than list them all, I made this nice collage:
And if this isn't enough to convince you how horrendous a job Bernanke has done, there's always this:
(Image from http://www.babylontoday.com/)
Bernanke "saved" Wall St. with US taxpayer money who have borrowed more than $6000 for every man, woman and child in the country in the last twelve months alone. Yet to this day, he refuses to divulge exactly what is on the Fed's balance sheet. The idea that any nation can borrow its way to prosperity is utterly insane, yet here we are, trying to drink ourselves sober, and sticking our kids with the bill. To call the architect of such a plan a "hero" is an insult to our intelligence.
America should be discussing prison terms for Bernanke and his accomplices (who incidentally will be getting record bonuses this Christmas), not reappointment, and anyone who says he's done a good job is either a liar or a fool. He's an arsonist masquerading as a fire fighter and there is no other way to see it. This story should be front and center in America. Instead it's being treated like a non-event, a forgone conclusion. And the few Senators who have stood up against the generational-rape of America are being labeled cranks.
Let your Senator know that if he doesn't stand up right now, his punk-ass is gone! Link to list at Senate.gov
(this is the official end of the post)
Bonus material (how I really feel):
I am an American, first and foremost. The principles our Country was founded on are more important to me than my own comfort, even my own life. Anyone willing to compromise those principles is destined to be enslaved, and of no use to me.
"Change you can believe in" has been cancelled, we now return to another episode of "Crooks playing musical chairs"
Pick a Conspiracy Theory….
Any shit-for-brains conspiracy theory you want, and you'll find those whack-jobs have far more evidence than Bernanke supporters. I find Bernanke supporters every bit as loathsome as Holocaust deniers. People willing to stick their heads in their asses, so they can live with themselves.
I'm making a list and checking it twice…..
It's time to do the right thing. I expect every American to make their voice heard loud and clear about Bernanke's reappointment. This goes a hundred-fold for those in the public eye (TV personalities, writers, and yes, even bloggers). Those who fail to take a clear stand are cowards in my eyes and will be treated with the disrespect cowards deserve.
I saw enough of The Da Vinci Code to know that things are not always what they seem. It has become clear to me that the works of the great M. C. Escher are not impossible designs; They're Economic Models….check it out:
This one's a model for sustained economic growth:
I call this one Deficit Financing:


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As of 2012 Verizon has a reported 1.2mb attachment size limit on MMS from ANY phone for MMS. And for what it is worth I just got off the phone with Verizon technical support and they confirmed there is NO way you can send a 300 + MB file through MMS on their network.
AT&T support site shows that they have a max attachment size of 600kb from ANY phone for MMS. http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=34458&cv=820#fbid=bx5PpLorFrt
1.why would you even be on this site if you didn't know anything about iPhone? I mean there are other trolls here that talk crap about iPhones but they all have had them.
2. If your going to use the "or whatever it's called" maybe next time get it wrong.
3. Think it's funny that you put that in there but yet you seem to know exact numbers that both carriers allow or mms.
4. Lastly you seem to know enough about iMessage to know how it works.
Hahaha, really just giving you a hard time is all. But come on resorting to the ol "or whatever it's called" as to try and say its not important enough for you to for sure know its name. Lmao
2) can you direct me to the application on the original wifi iPad? The only application my iPad shows is "Messages", that it? Reason I ask is in settings it refers to iMessage, but there is no iMessage application so didn't want to ASSume that it was the same.
3) It's called Google and research. Maybe you should try it sometimes.
4)Since I have an iPad and HAD an iPhone, yes I am somewhat familiar with it.
That's why I was asking. Not to get a smartass response but a definitive response, which yours is not.
If you wanted to be informative you would give the file SIZE that the iPhone records a 2 minute HD video in and then the file SIZE and resolution the recipient receives it in. From some quick research it appears that the iPhone will compress/change the video format to whatever will allow it to comply with the carrier .plist settings, whereas the S3 keeps it in its native format. As it is I will swing by the local Verizon store today and record one and beam it via NFC.....oh wait, that's right the iPhone still doesn't have NFC capability. Guess I will send it via MMS since that's "guaranteed" to work.
Once I get it on my phone I will check that it maintained its HD resolution.
You tell me to google search and yet you play as if your dumb on the name of "iMessage" haha. Give me a break. Go play with you droid and go NFC some stuff. Cause I would get the majority of the population here could care less.
Also next time you want a "definitive" answer and not sarcastic ones like I gave maybe try not making snide comment pretending like you have no clue what iMessage is. I mean when you go to settings the icon to click for iMessage I believe is the same icon for the messages app.
So while your out there still perplexed about mms sizes (why you would want to send a compressed down long video is beyond me rather than email the full version) I will go ahead and move on lol.
But for real man I was just busting your balls but guess you took it like an attack.
I'll grant that the NFC could be taken as a cheap shot, but if the 5 had it and a slightly wider screen I would buy one of them also when I buy the upcoming RAZR MAXX HD. I have $1800 set aside currently for phone purchases.
Sorry if it seemed like an attack, but it does get tiresome when someone apparently is touting a "feature" that they really are not willing to or can't go into specifics on, possibly because they don't know...only that it "just works".
It was just as I suspected, the original commentor failed to give the full story, implying that it would send the video in its native format. Not!
While I was there I went ahead and picked up a black 32GB one to play with.
So, still like the larger S3 screen better for reading. Hard getting used to such a small screen again. Maps at the local store showed part of the location, the rest was just grid lines. Can you put direct dial shortcuts on the screen of this thing. Haven't found how yet. Also haven't figured out how to get it to display my upcoming events on the screen where the app icons would be, nor display a nice digital clock that shows the current weather conditions.


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Delia - from Houston, TX
The project you are admiring is called Rose Romance Cake. The sugar is Wilton White Sparkling Sugar, available at craft and hobby stores or online at www.wilton.com. It is applied to the fondant in this project using Piping Gel. Thin the piping gel with a small amount of water and brush onto the fondant-covered cakes. Immediately sprinkle cakes with the Sparkling Sugar.


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Coloring page featuring a girl holding a pumpkin on a farm.
Coloring page featuring the word "Fall" in a fun autumn theme.
All Kids Network is dedicated to providing fun and educational activities for parents and teachers to do with their kids. We have hundreds of kids craft ideas, kids worksheets, printable activities for kids and more.
© 2006-2017 All Kids Network, LLC All Rights Reserved. | Last Built Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:52:16 GMT


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Santiago De Compostela Travel Guide
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral © ReservasdeCoches
The small city of Santiago de Compostela is a big destination for the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims that trek there every year along The Way of St James. Santiago de Compostela is located in the northwestern corner of Spain in the autonomous community of Galicia and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. While it represents the culmination of many a spiritual journey, the town has a lot more to offer than just an end point for pilgrims. The spectacular and awe-inspiring Roman Catholic cathedral, and burial place of St James, in the centre of town is a showstopper. Other sights of interest throughout the small Galician town include the Cathedral Museum, Pilgrimage Museum, Museum of Galician People, Galician Centre of Contemporary Art, the Praza do Obradoiro, the Rajoy Palace and Praza de Quintana (Quintana Square).
The cathedral's history is particularly interesting, having passed from Christian to Moorish and back to Christian occupation between 1060 and 1211; however, the grave of St James, beneath the cathedral, remained untouched throughout this period. The Cathedral Museum provides visitors with interesting stories about the cathedral and cloisters, and the Pilgrimage Museum provides a fascinating account of the history of the Way of St James as well as maps of the various routes available.
The Museum of Galician People is situated just beyond the city's walls and displays a selection of traditional crafts and folklore items. Visitors to the Galician Centre of Contemporary Art will be impressed with the selection of pieces by Galician artists and a selection of temporary or travelling exhibitions. Praza de Obradoiro and Quintana Square (Praza de Quintana) are located beside the cathedral, and offer numerous photo opportunities. The Rajoy Palace is a neo-classical four-storey building located on Praza de Obradoiro, the ground floor consists of elegant arched walkways while the upper floors are used as the parliament buildings for the Galician Regional Government.
Santiago de Compostela is a city that needs to be walked and the easiest way to get around Santiago de Compostela is on foot. As thousands of pilgrims make their way to the central cathedral, thousands more walk through the city getting to know its streets and quaint alleyways lined with family owned and run shops, boutiques and delicatessens. Some of the best areas to walk, people watch and shop in Santiago de Compostela are Zona Vella (the Old District), for exquisite ceramic souvenirs, Zona Nova (the New District), for clothes and other brand name items, and Area Central in Fontinas for more fashion shops and grocery stores. The city has a cheap and efficient bus service and taxis are also available, but they are expensive and not really necessary.
Eating out in Santiago de Compostela is a gastronomic dream. Galician food is very different from the usual paellas and pasta dishes that you find throughout the rest of Spain. Most Galician delicacies and favourites are influenced by the region's long coastline. Galician restaurants serve a lot of fish, shellfish and crustaceans, with vegetables on the side. The regional dish of Galicia is a dish called pulpo - cooked octopus served on a bed of boiled potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of Spanish paprika. Galicia also has a fair amount of well-known wines, but visitors to Santiago de Compostela will find that some of the best wines in the region are made and bottled individually by farmers. Orujo de Galicia is a fiery spirit mixed with cherries, sherry and sugar and then set on fire and downed by revellers and unwitting tourists. Visitors to Santiago de Compostela will find plenty of restaurants and tapas bars in the Old Quarter.
Santiago de Compostela is ideal for visitors to Spain who want to experience something different. It may not be off the beaten track - in fact it is the culmination of thousands of well-trodden paths - yet the town has retained an aura of spirituality and mystique that can only enrich a Spanish tourist experience.
Become our Santiago De Compostela Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Santiago De Compostela travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Santiago De Compostela or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.


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Discussion in 'Off-topic Zone' started by CATCH17, Dec 12, 2012.
Just wondering if you noticed any benefits from this stuff?
Someone watching Doomsday Preppers?
Drink both of them often. Bolthouse Farms makes a drink called Green Goodness that has both of them in it. It's delicious. As to the health benefits, there are none that I can speak of but again I do not take them religiously. They are however classified as superfoods that are supposed to be incredibly good for your body.
I've been curious about getting into them more consistently too. Let me know if you hear anything good/bad or how your experience with them goes.
Yeah.. Im kinda peaking around but I haven't found anything I have to have.
I already take a bunch of other supps plus I eat a bunch of fruit and veggies so I really don't know if it's going to put me on another level of health or not.
Some day we're all gonna by lyin around in hospitals at 108 years dying of nothing.
Fruits and veggies die pretty quickly. Nutrition is the realm of quackery and has been for ages. Particular foods have always been identified as having some magical properties. The industry is also dominated by plenty of 'marketing'. Your pretty much throwing money away.
What exactly are your goals anyways? To be healthy? If that is the case, you know what really repairs the body? Good sleep, being active, not over-loading your body with food, reducing stress and getting some sun.
Your statement is rather misguided and oversimplified. Spirulina's magical property is that it contains all 20 essential amino acids, along with an array of organic and inorganic precursors, so that someone who has an inefficient diet can help meet these dietary needs for proper metabolic function without buying other food and/or supplements that only contain a few of these benefits. So, in reality, you are not throwing your money away. You're actually becoming a smarter shopper. Now, is one going to reach a healthy caloric intake by just eating spirulina all day? No. But that's why its supplemental rather than fundamental.
Mmmm, Green Goodness.... Looks kinda green and a little nasty, but boy does it taste great.
Thanks. Im pretty in tune with health and my body. My goal is just to become the super me. 1 day at a time. Process. blah
You know what is packed with all the necessary amino acids? Milk and Meat.. must be magical too, oh yeah and a hell of a lot cheaper when it comes to bang for your buck...
Jason Garrett process or normal process?


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You are here: Home Pay Your Bill Online Patients & Visitors What to Bring to the Hospital
ARMC will provide basic care items will for patients who need them. We want you to be comfortable. You are welcome to bring your own personal items, including:
For your safety and ours, please do not bring any electrical appliances or devices.
If your hospital stay is scheduled, plan to leave valuables at home. If you arrived in an emergency, it is best to have a friend or family member hold cash, jewelry, credit cards and any other valuables. If help from friends or family is not available, tell the nurse. A Security staff member will respond to help you and secure your valuables in the hospital safe.
When you wish to retrieve valuables stored in the hospital safe, please ask your nurse to call Security. The Security officer will retrieve your items once your identification is confirmed.
Please take care keeping track of eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids and prosthetics. Patients sometimes wrap these items in paper or napkins and leave them on tables or meal trays. This can lead to their being thrown away during cleaning.
You are responsible for any valuables and personal items you bring to the hospital. ARMC cannot be held responsible for loss.


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:: WI- Creative Writing & Literature
Fall 2012
@Kapiolani CC
|Credit Hours:
Normie R Salvador
|Instructional Mode:
|08/20/2012 - 12/14/2012
|Course Prerequisites:
A grade of "C" or higher in ENG 100, ENG 160 or ESL 100.
Additional WI prerequisites are:
ENG 100, ENG 160 or ESL 100 with a grade of "C" or higher.
|Course Description:
|ENG 273C introduces students to the basic principles and practices of the literary arts explored through the composition of short fiction and poetry.
|Books may be purchased at the Kapiolani CC bookstore or ordered online at http://www.bookstore.hawaii.edu/uhkcc/home.aspx. If you do not have access to the Internet or unable to travel to the bookstore, you may also order by phone at 1-800-UHBOOKS
|Technical Requirements:
|The Internet allows students to take a course at home using a personal computer. Depending on the online course, students may be required to log in at a specific day and time or at anytime. Students taking an online course should always contact their instructor after registration or prior to the first day of class to get detailed information regarding the course.
It is also required that you obtain a UH Email account. Please go to the following URL for more information: http://www.hawaii.edu/askus/563
For more information about Laulima please go to:
|Additional Notes:
|This ENG 273C class section (CRN 31534) is Writing Intensive and is conducted on the Internet. For additional information please contact the instructor via email (firstname.lastname@example.com).
Please check your MyUH portal account regularly for announcements about class cancellations, UH system announcements, and/or email.
Thinking about taking an online class?
Go to http://www.hawaii.edu/dl
|Monday, April 30, 2012 12:44:21


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Quinton Mayne
Quinton Mayne is Assistant Professor of Public Policy in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He received his Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University. His dissertation, entitled The Satisfied Citizen: Participation, Influence, and Public Perceptions of Democratic Performance, won the American Political Science Association's 2011 Ernst B. Haas Best Dissertation Award in European Politics as well as the 2011 Best Dissertation Award in Urban Politics. Mayne's research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of comparative and urban politics. He is particularly interested in how the design and reform of democratic political institutions affects how citizens think and act politically.
For a complete list of faculty citations from 2001 – present, please visit the Harvard Kennedy School Research Report Online.


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Men's Nike Air Tech Challenge Huarache Tennis Shoes
Product Details
Harken back to the days when Andre "The Punisher" Agassi was rockin' the flowing locks and allover tribal print was all the rage. It was 1992 and Agassi emerged onto the global tennis stage as the winner of that year's Wimbledon. He was rockin' the Air Tech Challenge Huaraches. When this retired legend teamed back up with Nike, we all knew they had to bring back some court classics.
It's not just about the retro style, these sneakers also have plenty of performance for on-court success. A visible Air-Sole unit in the heel absorbs shock for protection you need, while the lightweight polyurethane midsole cushions without extra bulk. A herringbone traction pattern keeps you from slippin' and slidin' and adds durability for a shoe that lasts.
- UPPER: Synthetic leather and textile
- MIDSOLE: Polyurethane, Air-Sole unit
- OUTSOLE: Rubber with herringbone traction pattern


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Diane - from Fall River, MA
The buttercream icing recipe on this website is medium consistency icing – perfect for stars, shells and many other decorations. For icing cakes, we recommend thin consistency icing. Simply stir in additional liquid. Our recipe uses milk, but you can also use water or light corn syrup. Leaves and stringwork are also made with thin consistency icing; for these, we recommend adding the corn syrup, which adds elasticity to the icing. If you need stiff icing (for roses), stir in additional sifted confectioners' sugar.


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Genealogy & History Society program on free sources
The Genealogy & History Society of Levy County will meet at 2 p.m. at the Levy County Quilt Museum. This month's program will be on sources for free online genealogy presented by Bonnie Hill, a member of the society. All members are encouraged to attend and visitors are welcome.
Amvets BBQ and karaoke
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What sort of fighters are you talking about here? what level? UFC level, domestic?
There is no doubt that in the UFC or highest tier there is a problem, i'm not debating that. My argument is that the domestic guys simply do not have the money to afford this (on the whole). Yes, there will be a few that will but were talking such a small %age compared to how many actually compete.
My point is not void about them having jobs! as I said that there is a chance that if they did have a job then it is possible.
When you say this:
Im no expert but I know this much Peds are rife in uk mma
How do you know? Do you really know that much to know who around the country is taking PED's?. Maybe rife in your gym, town etc but that's not the overall picture.
You make out that it's an "epidemic". Message me names of people that you think are or PED's then?


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Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Opinion: Calcium Lactate, Lactic Acid
The GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Database allows access to opinions and conclusions from 115 SCOGS reports published between 1972-1980 on the safety of over 370 Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food substances. The GRAS ingredient reviews were conducted by the Select Committee in response to a 1969 White House directive by President Richard M. Nixon.
Calcium Lactate, L(+)-Calcium lactate, Lactic acid, D(-)-Lactic acid, L(+)-Lactic acid
|GRAS Substance
|ID Code
21 CFR Section
|Calcium Lactate
|L(+)-Calcium lactate
|D(-)-Lactic acid
|Lactic acid
|L(+)-lactic acid
SCOGS Opinion:
Lactic acid is produced in varying amounts by most living tissues as a normal metabolic intermediate. The lactate turnover rate in man has been estimated to be of the order of 2g per kg per day.
An additional load of up to 1 mg per kg per day of lactic acid as the free acid or as calcium lactate contained in commercially prepared food commodities would not appreciably modify the normal metabolic processes. None of the limited toxicity data available raises any suspicion of adverse effects in adults at doses orders of magnitude above the estimated levels of human consumption. There is no indication that the per capita intake of lactate from processed foods will be substantially increased in the foreseeable future.
There is no evidence of potential toxicity of the L-isomer for individuals of any age. However, premature infants fed formulas acidified with DL-lactic acid (or, in one instance, D(-) lactic acid), have reported to develop metabolic acidosis and growth retardation. Results of studies of full-term infants are conflicting and difficult to interpret. Resolution of this conflict is needed even though, as far as the Select Committee is aware, lactic acid acidification of infant formulas is not currently being practiced in the United States except in products designed for special dietary or therapeutic purposes which are not being evaluated in this report.
In the light of these considerations, the Select Committee concludes that:
There is no evidence in the available information on L(+)-calcium lactate that demonstrates or suggests reasonable ground to suspect a hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future.
There is no evidence in the available information on either of the isomers of lactic acid, their calcium salts, and their racemates that demonstrates or suggests reasonable ground to suspect a hazard to individuals beyond infancy when they are used at levels that are now current or thar might reasonably be expected in the future.
The evidence on D(-)-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid and their calcium salts is insufficient to determine that the adverse effects reported would not be deleterious to infants should they be used in infant formulas. Lactic acid acidification of generally available infant formulas is not now being practiced in the United States.
*Complete reports containing details of the safety studies that formed the basis of the opinions and conclusions and are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 605-6000.


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The Career Development Center staff provides assistance regarding career exploration and development tailored to your specific professional needs. We can help during every step of the career-decision making process, whether it is learning about majors and career options or finding the right internship or career position. We are your best resource for job outlook, salary and employment trend information and are equipped to provide you professional career advice.
Start by registering on CareerLINK, your portal to career services, jobs, and internships.
For direct access to Single Sign On: http://sso.csulb.edu
Tip: Use Campus ID and Password, as you would for MyCSULB and BeachBoard.
You may believe that choosing a major will define your career path, many studies support that this is often not the case. For instance, a study conducted by the College Placement Council found that many college graduates are successfully employed in fields that are not directly related to their academic major. While technical careers like Engineering and Nursing require a specific undergraduate major, most careers are easily accessible to individuals with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. Begin exploring different career possibilities available from the 90 majors options offered by CSULB.
Your portal to career services, jobs, and internships
The key to the career decision-making process is making well thought out decisions through careful career planning.
Knowing your skills, values and life focus along with your career and major options will get you #onestepcloser to a career that you will find satisfying.
Visit CareerLINK to access information on career workshops, employer information sessions and career counseling availability.
Your portal to career services, jobs, and internships
Conducting a job search is a process that many can find time consuming and overwhelming. It is essential to remember that searching for a job requires your active participation.
The Career Development Center offers online resources that outline how to prepare for a job interview, how to network and how to handle salary and job negotiations; as well as in-person preparation with drop-in counseling and individual career counseling appointments. Get #onestepcloser to a job today!
Your portal to career services, jobs, and internships
For many employers, good grades and the right college major are just not enough. They seek employees who have paid their dues in the working world. Some of the most important benefits to students include: gain career-related work experience, develop your professional skills and preferences, evaluate a career without committing yourself long-term, expand your professional network, and exposure to workplace situations not typically found in classroom experiences.
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Graduate and professional schools offer an opportunity for you to undertake advanced study in areas of interest and/or to accomplish a career goal. There are some professions that require an advanced degree such as law, medicine, and postsecondary teaching. However, if you are uncertain as to your career goal, careful thought and consideration should be given before applying to a program. Making an informed decision about pursuing a graduate or professional degree requires an in-depth self-analysis, research of schools, and development of a plan. It is recommended that the planning and preparation begin approximately 18 months before expected entrance. This would include the self-analysis, the research of graduate programs, and a plan of action.
Your portal to career services, jobs, and internships


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From last 3 days i am trying to post my question here but I dont know why its not posting. I am facing problem while dual booting windows 7 sp1 professional and backtrack 4 r2. Ubiquity installer doesnt shows my windows partition and it treats my whole hard disk as one. While i have created 3 partitions on the drive and also save some unsused space for installation ob bt. But whenever i try to install backtrack always says that it will used 100% disk space and there are no partition what so every.
I tried to search forums also, but I only get to the point that may be I have to disable ahci mode or native mode. When i try to do it from my bios i didn't get any option and my vendor says that you cant do that. My laptop is HP g42.
Please help me in resolving this problem.
And I request moderators that please let this post through or if am asking any thing wrong please message me so that I can ask the right question.


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San Marcos, CA 92078
Phone: (760) 290-2200
Fax: (760) 736-8275


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Palm Garden Lodge
Palm Garden Lodge offers inexpensive accommodation in attractively-decorated rooms in Siem Reap. We have a range of private guest rooms featuring traditional Khmer-style furniture and equipped with shared or en-suite bathrooms, fans and air conditioning and wireless internet access. Breakfast is included in the rates.
We are situated a 5-minute walk from Old Market, Pub Street, the Night Market, the Siem Reap River and Artisan D' Angkor.
Facilities include a restaurant, a shady garden terrace, cable television, free bicycle hire and free tea and coffee. We also offer a free pick-up service; please be wary of taxi, tuk tuk or bus drivers who may try to take you to a different hostel.
Driving Directions / How to find us:
*La Pax Hotel street , Svaydan kum, Siem Reap
**Making your reservation with us, you can enjoy free transportation from International airport, Boat Station, and Siem Reap Bus Station. To receive this free service just confirm about your arrival time, and flight number.
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hotel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- Airport Transfers
- Bar
- Free Breakfast
- Business Centre
- Cable TV
- Ceiling Fan
- Child Friendly
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Currency Exchange
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- House Keeping
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Pet Friendly
- Reading Light
- Restaurant
- Safe Deposit Box
- Tours/Travel Desk
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Hotel InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Basic Room: FAN
Standard Room: AC
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
La Pax Hotel Street, Tapoul Village, Svaydan kum, Siem Reap. 15 minutes walking to Old Market, Pub Street
Located Near
La Pax Hotel Street, 10 minutes to Central Market, 15 minutes walking to Old Market, Pub Street, Night Market, Siem Reap River and Artisan D' Angkor.


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Went on eBay today, and when I was about to pay I seen something odd… The logo changed, I checked the URL and everything was good, whats odd, is the new logo sucks and looks like they forgot to import the correct font into Photoshop.
I googled for eBay news and found out they are doing a total revamp of the site.
Heres some links for you:
What are your thoughts?
I'm getting fresh feeling from the new one– good job, imho.
Loveing the Clean Look!
It's not changed for me in the UK yet?
Armin wasn't a big fan of it either over on brand new. Pretty thorough write up if you want to know more
For some reason the home page reminds me of just a generic web store. I stopped using eBay 10 years ago, Amazon is better now anyway.
my ebay in the UK looks same as normal.
harrykirkby said
It's not changed for me in the UK yet?
UBL said
my ebay in the UK looks same as normal.
Try clearing your cache, I'm in the UK and I'm seeing the new logo.
Pinterest had a great impact on how portfolios are shown today.
i think it is brilliant


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The LSU basketball team's roster got thinner Tuesday.
The program announced that guards Anthony Hickey and Malik Morgan and forward Shane Hammink will not return next season as the Tigers tried to get under the NCAA's scholarship limit. All three have been granted full releases as they try to find their next landing spots, an LSU spokesman said.
The losses of rising juniors Hammink and Morgan are not entirely surprising, but the departure of Hickey — a three-year starter — raised eyebrows.
Anthony Hickey Sr., the guard's father, told The Advocate that his son was informed last week that the program does not intend to renew his scholarship. The rising senior had his run-ins with coach Johnny Jones in the past two seasons, largely over missed classes and study hall periods.
But on the floor, Hickey remained a stable presence running the Tigers offense, averaging 9.4 points and 3.8 assists in his career along with leading the SEC in steals during his junior season in Baton Rouge.
"He just got in last night," Anthony Hickey Sr. said of his son. "We're just going to take the next couple days to weigh our options and talk to some places."
LSU wrapped up its spring semester Friday, but a source with knowledge of the situation said academics likely weren't a root cause of the moves.
Still, the normally measured Jones issued a blunt assessment April 1 — the day junior forward Johnny O'Bryant III declared for the NBA draft — about whether Hickey would assume a leadership role next season.
"Not sure," Jones said. "We'll have to see. You know, that's possible, hopefully. Maybe another year. He's a senior, and it may be something that could possibly happen. But it's been tough for three years for him to assume that role. So it's tough to assume it will happen that way."
Nothing under SEC bylaws prevents Hickey, the former Mr. Basketball from Kentucky, from seeking to join another program in the conference. The NCAA's transfer rules provide a potential path to playing right away under a little-known "run-off" waiver created two years ago.
Hickey would need to provide documentation that he didn't have the option to return to LSU, while his new school would need to sign off that he is in good academic standing. The linchpin is whether LSU would provide its own statement saying it supports the request.
Hickey's steal numbers were down last season, a product of taking fewer risks in passing lanes, but the junior's 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio during SEC play led the conference.
"There's nothing else really left to say," Hickey Sr. said. "I love LSU, but three years of my son's life he was 10 hours away and we supported their decisions, and then this happens."
The move leaves the Tigers potentially relying heavily on newcomers next season, particularly Odessa (Texas) College transfer Josh Gray, a Lake Charles native who started his career at Texas Tech but averaged 33.8 points per game last season.
UNC-Asheville transfer Keith Hornsby also will be eligible, and the Tigers get the services of three-star point guard Jalyn Patterson from Florida's Montverde Academy. Rising sophomore guard Tim Quarterman is also slated to return, but multiple sources told The Advocate recently that he was convinced to stay in the fold after meetings with Jones.
Morgan's choice to leave isn't surprising, given he mulled transferring to Tulane last season, sources told The Advocate, but was coaxed into staying. A torn patellar tendon Feb. 8 against Auburn sidelined him for the rest of the season; Jones said last month the rising junior wasn't expected to be healthy until December.
Mike Krajcer, Morgan's coach in high school at John Curtis, said the potential to transfer and obtain a medical redshirt — leaving the guard two years of eligibility — was a way for the former all-state product to get a fresh start.
"I don't think it was a surprise considering the way Malik was used this year," Krajcer said. "I don't think he got a fair shake in allowing his ability to shine."
Morgan, who averaged 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in his career, saw his minutes dip slightly during his sophomore season after starting 14 games as a freshman on a threadbare roster with only 11 scholarship players. This season, he was used in spot duty; he was LSU's best rebounding guard off the bench and added athleticism to its press.
Krajcer said there was frustration because Morgan, whose on-ball defense as a freshman was a sore spot, wasn't allowed to play through rough patches.
"He's going to do what's best for the team," Krjacer said. "But there were times where he was not allowed to perform and play, while kids weren't pulled for the same mistakes."
As far as interest, Krajcer said he thinks "four or five" programs may reach out, adding he was "sure Tulane will be interested." The Green Wave women's program signed Kolby Morgan, the guard's younger sister, in November.
Hammink averaged 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds. For the past couple of weeks, the swingman's name percolated as one of the chief candidates who might try to find a home elsewhere.
Geert Hammink, the swingman's father and a former forward at LSU, did not respond to requests seeking comment about his son's intentions.
The departures leave LSU two under the NCAA-mandated limit of 13 scholarships, which they can fill during the signing period that runs until May 21.


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Erin & Jason
November 4
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
From the photographer:
"Magical is the best way to describe the day. Jason and Erin vowed to be together at the magnificent Boone Hall Plantation in front of their family and friends. Two people so devoutly in love, and two families so excited for their union. You couldn't help but smile as Erin walked down the aisle. She shared silent moments with her Dad, and you noticed the moment when her smile turned into a kiss and a tear goodbye as her Dad gave her away. The reception started with more enthusiasm from guests than ever seen before. Friends joined them on the dance floor all night long. They danced, smiled, laughed and hugged until the music stopped. As Jason and Erin made their exit through sparklers, they stopped, shared a kiss and turned to their parents to thank them, which was a perfect ending to a perfect night."


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You don't need a driver license to pilot a bicycle in Salt Lake City but if you don't follow the rules of the road, you can get a ticket for a moving violation as if you were driving a car.
Salt Lake City resident Art O'Connor found that out the hard way in March. He "rolled through" a stop sign, and a police officer issued him a $40 citation. In addition, O'Connor said, the officer cited him for not having his bicycle registered.
The incident occurred as O'Connor was traveling south on 1700 East near 2100 South. A car going in the opposite direction was stopped at the intersection as O'Connor slowed but didn't make a full stop. When the car moved through the intersection, so did O'Connor.
"I tried to explain to the cop that I was being safe," O'Connor said, "but he didn't want to hear it."
Ellen Gibson was riding her bicycle along the bike route on Wasatch Drive earlier this month when she came to a four-way stop. She slowed to almost stopping and checked to see if there was any traffic at the intersection. There were no cars around, she said, and she proceeded through the intersection. She, too, got a $40 citation.
"If I had been given a warning and talked to, maybe I would have learned something. But now I'm just upset," she said. "What annoys me the most is Mayor [Ralph] Becker saying all this bike-friendly crap. What I've learned is to look for policemen."
It's part of the challenge of making Salt Lake City streets safer for bicycles, cars and pedestrians, said City Hall spokesman Art Raymond.
"Bicycle infrastructure, like bike lanes, helps," he said. "But enforcement has to play a role."
Many bicyclists follow the rules of the road, Raymond said, but some do not.
"The heart of [Becker's] 'The Year of the Bike' initiative," Raymond added, "is to address this very issue: safe biking and following the rules of the road."
Although information from the Salt Lake City Police Department shows 2012 had the lowest number of bike-related citations in five years, law enforcement is not kidding around when it comes to bicycle safety, said Sgt. Lisa Pascadlo. Cyclists will be held to the same standards as motorists when it comes to the rules of the road. Both are vehicles, under Utah law.
"When you are on a bicycle, you are no different than when you are in a car, except you are more exposed to danger," she said. "Bicyclists want to ride the road but, in some cases, want to be treated differently, especially on red lights and stop signs."
When police see a law is being broken, they are required to act, Pascadlo explained. But officers do have some discretion. They can issue a citation or an "educational warning."
O'Connor agreed that cyclists should follow the rules of the road, but he would like to see "even enforcement" of bicycles with motorized vehicles.
That sentiment is echoed by Dave Iltis, editor of Cycling Utah and former chairman of the now-defunct Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee.
"If you are driving your car and doing the speed limit," he said, "everyone will pass you."
But Iltis agreed that cyclists should follow the law for their own safety and to enhance interaction between motorists and bicyclists some of whom are ignorant of the rules of the road.
"There needs to be a lot more education [about cycling] in our school system and driver-education programs," he said. "The consequence of a cyclist not obeying traffic laws falls on the cyclist they are the ones who could get hurt."


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A quirky song urging the birthday person to do what they please, no matter how weird it is or where they end up!
Listen up yo, 'cuz now it's time for the hip-hop sound of a birthday rhyme! A perfect way to say, "Rappy Birthday!"
Birthday boy in da house! Check out these mad birthday wishes with bangin' beats and raw man-sta rap lyrics!
It's sweet beats and sweeter eats in this hip-hop ode to birthday treats! Birthday girl needs some sugar!
Everyone loves expensive presents, but a dancing hot dog with your friend's face on it is more fun. Cheaper too, so it's win-wi...
There's no greater birthday fun than whacking a piñata -- and anything else standing in the way of your good time!
Send some valuable birthday advice: If your doctor tells you to cut down on the partying, find another doctor!
Give that far out birthday chick a hilariously boogielicious treat by making her the queen of the roller disco!


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Return to Top
Collection Description
For students of American Agricultural policy and legislation and the history of political movements and party maneuvers, the Charles W. "Charlie" Stenholm papers will serve as a unique information resource. Other research topics supported by the Stenholm papers include balanced budget debates and amendments, President Clinton's impeachment (Stenholm voted for three of the four articles of impeachment), early energy programs (oil and gas pricing, oil for food), and healthcare (Medicaid, managed care reform, prescription drugs). For people wondering about the day-to-day operations of a Congressional office, the papers include constituent correspondence, visitor logs, financial statements and vouchers, and legislative folders.


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One of Halle Berry's Crazy Emails Revealed!
"You were only good for one thing… Thanks for the donation."
-PJ Gach
Looks like things are heating up in the custody battle between Halle Berry and her ex-model Gabriel Aubry.
Radaronline exclusively learned that about the contents of one of the many incendiary emails that Halle sent to Gabriel. In it, the actress wrote to the father of her child, Nahla. "You were only good for one thing… Thanks for the donation."
Read Meet The Dress Barn Style Squad
In the Radaronline article, the model's friends and a few un-named sources give their side of the battle.
Visit Radaronline to read the rest of the scoop.
PJ Gach is the Senior Editor: Style + Beauty at BettyConfidential.


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It's been almost a year since Los Angeles airport officials selected the property management group that will oversee dozens of new shops and restaurants at LAX's expanded Tom Bradley International Terminal.
But Westfield Concession Management has kept the retailers' names under wraps while crews work on the massive structure taking shape at Los Angeles International Airport - until Wednesday.
That's when company officials, with LAX and L.A. city leaders, unveiled what's to come during a morning media event where attendees walked down a red carpet leading into the airport's Flight Path Learning Center on Imperial Highway.
Music played in the background as baristas at an espresso bar run by LAMill Coffee - one of the new Bradley Terminal vendors - handed out lattes to guests, who could peruse renderings of the terminal's spacious interior. And nearby was a banner announcing the names of dozens of incoming tenants, serving as a backdrop for photos.
The new retailers, many of them upscale, include Michael Kors, Fred Segal, Coach, Emporio Armani and Bvlgari.
And in terms of food, travelers will get to choose from among a variety of new sit-down, casual and "grab and go" dining options - including some L.A. favorites. Restaurants leasing space at the expanded terminal - the first phase should open next spring - include Umami Burger, Border Grill, 800 Degrees, Larder at Tavern, Chaya Sushi, Short Cake, James Beach and Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar. A Starbucks Evenings - one of the first to open in the country - will offer coffee during the day and wine and beer in the evening.
In all, the Bradley Terminal will boast about 60 new shops and restaurants - 22 of them L.A. brands, and 42 of them new to LAX - once the $1.5 billion expansion effort is complete, airport officials said.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa praised the changes in the works at the airport, which hasn't experienced a major face-lift since the Bradley Terminal was built for the 1984 Olympics. The expanded terminal will cover 2 million square feet - double the size of the existing one.
"LAX, when it comes to airports, these are some of the most recognized letters not just in the country, but the world," Villaraigosa said. "But let's be honest, (it is) an icon with some rough edges."
The influx of new retailers, particularly the restaurants, should offer travelers a memorable experience. "We wanted an airport that was true to the spirit of L.A., true to the style of L.A.," the mayor added.
Westfield's Peter Lowy, co-chief executive officer, said known L.A. brands such as Fred Segal boutique and the celebrity hot spot Kitson - along with the local eateries in the lineup - will help visitors capture the "flavor of the city."
Lowy played a video that showcased the terminal's sleek and spacious interior, which will include various dining terraces and lounges and stores with glass facades.
Afterward, a collection of chefs who will soon open shop inside the terminal posed together for a photo.
And then it was time for the food.
Servers circulated through the museum carrying trays loaded with drinks, parfaits, nuggets of french toast, bites of salmon topped with caviar and more.
Officials said the Bradley terminal expansion project - the largest public works project in the city's history - is part of a $4.1 billion LAX modernization program. The Bradley Terminal project alone is expected to support nearly 4,000 construction-related jobs and 1,700 permanent concession-related jobs.
Its first phase includes a Great Hall and boarding gates on the west side of the terminal, while the second phase - expected to be complete by 2014 - includes new east-side terminal gates, a new federal screening area and upgraded customs arrival area.
Westfield also has been awarded management contracts for LAX Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 6, along with the Theme Building.
Follow Kristin Agostoni on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kagostoni
Find out more
The lineup of restaurants unveiled Wednesday for the Tom Bradley Terminal includes:
ink.sack by Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio, Border Grill by "Top Chef Masters" duo Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, Umami Burger, LAMill Coffee boutique, Larder at Tavern, 800 Degrees, III Forks, Chaya sushi, Lucky Fish, Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar, Vino Volo, Short Cake, Vanilla Bake Shop, James Beach, Starbucks Evenings, Cantina Laredo, Marmalade Cafe, Pinkberry, Starbucks Coffee, Drink.LA, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Scoreboard LA, Panda Express, 7-Eleven, See's Candies and The Bead Factory.
Other incoming shops and retailers include:
Bvlgari, Michael Kors, Emporio Armani, Fred Segal, Kitson, Coach, Porsche Design, Tumi, Victoria's Secret, Hugo Boss, iStore Boutique, Bliss, Sanrio Surprises, The Bead Factory, Virgin Mobile/Boost Mobile and Xpress Spa.


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Somebody called Charlotte Allen wrote a column in the LA Times recently that has succeeded in what one assumes was its primary intention of pissing off atheists everywhere. It has gone massive in the Godless blogosphere over the past couple of days. I might as well join in the fun. Allen's argument isn't particularly original or well thought-out, but it is forcefully expressed - so forcefully that it can be held up as a kind of reductio ad absurdum of the case against the so-called New Atheists. Sam Harris dismissed it as "one of the most embarrassingly stupid attacks on the "new atheists" to be published in a major newspaper".
Allen claims that atheists are "crashing bores" who are always whining about being "oppressed", thus demonstrating "boo-hoo victimhood". They are obsessed with "the minutiae of Christian doctrine"; their blogs focus on an "obsessively tiny range of topics around which atheists circle like water in a drain". Atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett are constantly going on about how clever they are and, by comparison, how stupid religious believers are for believing stupid things. And they sound so angry, probably because they had bad experiences in childhood.
"The vitriol is extraordinary", she writes, ironically for someone who begins her column with the words "I can't stand atheists".
Whatever the deficiencies of her general argument, Allen does at least identify a striking duality in the case made by atheists. Here is what she writes:
And then there's the question of why atheists are so intent on trying to prove that God not only doesn't exist but is evil to boot. Dawkins, writing in "The God Delusion," accuses the deity of being a "petty, unjust, unforgiving control freak" as well as a "misogynistic, homophobic, racist ... bully." If there is no God -- and you'd be way beyond stupid to think differently -- why does it matter whether he's good or evil?
The case for atheism does indeed seem to consist (usually, at least) of two logically quite separate propositions:
1) There is no God
2) Religion is a bad thing
The first is a question of fact, or of something very like fact. Either there is a God, in the sense of a Supreme Being who ordains the universe, or there is not. The existence or otherwise of the deity may be inferred from the nature of the universe, or it may be known more directly (for example, by God, or gods, speaking to individuals - though this itself raises severe problems of proof). Either way, though, there is some objective sense in which "Is there a God?" is a question that in principle has an answer, even if it is impossible, in this world at least, to resolve.
But atheists, at least the celebrity atheists and a high proportion of those committed to atheism, aren't satisfied with that. They want to go further, to argue that religion has harmful consequences. It encourages ignorance and laziness, for example. It is responsible for wars and acts of terrorism. It leads to damaging guilt about sex. It wastes time and intellectual energy that might be spent on more useful thoughts. It is a tool of the powerful to oppress the masses (this is usually a left-wing critique). Christopher Hitchens' God Is Not Great is largely taken up with arguments of this kind - which, given the state of the world today, is hardly surprising.
That is the short answer to Allen's question. Even if God does not exist, it matters a great deal what sort of personality is ascribed to him, because God represents for believers an ideal to strive towards. The double argument of the atheists ("there is no God" + "God is not Great") is only the mirror image of the equally mashed-up argument of believers, which is in turn concealed by the double-meaning of the very word "believe". To "believe in God" means, almost invariably, both to believe that God exists (as one might "believe in" Bigfoot) and to believe that religion is morally virtuous and worthwhile (as one might "believe in" the Labour party). Whether or not God exists, religion undoubtedly does. Asserting the non-existence of God, then, is one plank (and not an essential one) of the broader and more pressing argument against religion.
It is of course possible to be an atheist yet hold to the view that religion is useful and beneficial to society. One might look at the great works of music and architecture that belief has inspired, to the example of religiously-motivated charity workers, or to the role that religion has undoubtedly played in maintaining social cohesion. Thinkers from Seneca onwards have argued that the social utility of religion is what matters, not whether it is true. Or one can ruefully say, considering the beauty of religious myths, or the idea of a loving God welcoming his children into an eternity of bliss, "if only it were true, if only I could believe it". But such thoughts are most unlikely to propel one towards a position of campaigning atheism. So it is only to be expected that people who make a big deal of their lack of belief should also point out the downside of religious belief.
There ought, logically, to be a fourth belief-position: that God exists, but is a complete bastard. There would seem to be abundant evidence for such a belief. If you take, as many do, the Bible seriously as a source for information about God, you don't have far to look for examples of divine bad behaviour: cruelty, murderousness, capriciousness, hypocrisy, lying, genocidal tendencies, racism (to say nothing of misogyny and homophobia), above all perhaps a bullying sense of entitlement. And not just in the Old Testament, either. The God of the philosophers isn't much better: he created, or appears to have created, a world of pain and suffering, in which the weak go to the wall and the evil prosper, in which nature is red in tooth and claw and the lives of most people throughout history have been nasty, brutish and short. Believers can sing hymns all they like about the mercy, compassion, greatness and fundamental goodness of God - but isn't that so much whistling in the dark? Even if there is a God, why should we fondly imagine that he cares about us?
Needless to say, many believers recognise these points. Even Charlotte Allen, who writes, "atheists don't seem to realize that even for believers, faith is never easy in this world of injustice, pain and delusion. Even for believers, God exists just beyond the scrim of the senses". To theists of her persuasion, the struggle to reconcile belief in a loving God with the overwhelming evidence to the contrary is something of point of honour: it shows how serious and intellectually committed they are, how they want to engage with deep questions. It is almost heroic. The persistent complaint from believers and their supporters (such as Terry Eagleton) is that atheists (or at least atheist arguments) are necessarily shallow because they can't be bothered to spend time trying to "get it". Being religious, for these sophisticates, is a perennial struggle to continue placing trust in an infinitely wise God despite, perhaps even because of, the weakness of the case. They like to see themselves as being more subtle thinkers than non-believers, who are stuck in a literal-minded world where straightforward questions might lead to straightforward answers. This position, of course, is every bit as "arrogant" as the mocking tone sometimes affected by atheists when ridiculing religion.
For their part, most atheists seem just as committed as believers to a view of God which, by definition, elides his existence with his supposed goodness. Take, for example, David Attenborough's reply to religious correspondents who chide him for not crediting God with creating all the wonderful animals he has spent a lifetime filming:
They always mean beautiful things like hummingbirds. I always reply by saying that I think of a little child in east Africa with a worm burrowing through his eyeball. The worm cannot live in any other way, except by burrowing through eyeballs. I find that hard to reconcile with the notion of a divine and benevolent creator.
Attenborough seems to be saying that the cruelty of the natural world, or at least its amorality, is an argument against the existence of God. But it's clearly not an argument against a Supreme Being. A wholly objective God would be as interested in the welfare of the worm, who does after all have to survive in the world, as in the child. It is merely an argument against an idea of God who wishes to make the world as nice as possible for human beings. Yet believers will not be satisfied with such a refutation. They will want to say that in the great cosmic scheme of things God has his purposes, that the world as a whole demonstrates the goodness of God.
For believers, goodness is one of God's essential attributes. If you say that there is a creator or a supreme being who is not essentially good, then you are not merely denying a particular property of God, you are denying God's existence as firmly as if you were to say that the origin of the universe needed no outside intervention. God, in other words, cannot simply be defined as a Supreme Being, or as a Creator. God is a good Supreme Being, a good creator. By the same token, to deny the existence of God is to deny goodness itself. Nonsense, of course, but nonsense encoded in the DNA of language itself.