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NL East Up For Grabs – Who Wants It?
Filed Under (Command Center, NL East Chatter) by Chris Comando at 6:16 PM on 06-04-2011
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, it's time to take a look at the standings and see how your team is faring. With a third of the season in the books, it's not too early to get excited about a team's hot start – or too worried about a team's struggles. As of June 4, here are the NL East standings:
The NL East is shaping up to be a 3 team race between the Phillies, Marlins, and Braves. Meanwhile, the Mets and Nationals continue to struggle as most had predicted coming into the season.
What will happen between now and the trade deadline? Will the Phillies add a bat? Will the Marlins stay in the race? Will Dan Uggla get off of the interstate? Will the Mets trade Jose Reyes (or go bankrupt)? Will the Nationals ask Jayson Werth for their money back?
Tagged Under : Braves, Dan Uggla, Jayson Werth, Jose Reyes, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Phillies
Bay Robs Mets without A Gun by: Vincent Perricone 5-26-11
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by VinnyP44 at 11:16 AM on 05-26-2011
The date was December 30th, 2009. The NY Mets finally got the guy they wanted throughout the entire off-season. Jason Bay was a Met, and the world was a much better place down in Queens. Fast-foward a year and a half, and that man may go down as the biggest free agent bust in NY Met history. While Bay was hurt last year with a concussion and missed almost half a year, he was given a pass in part to playing in a new, HUGE stadium. His first year was similar to David Wright, who did bat over .300 (.302 in fact) and had 9 HRs and 72 RBIs. We all knew that Wright seemed to be pressing, so we gave him another year to succeed, and did he sure do that, getting back to a David Wright season. So we all thought this was going to be a bounce back year for Bay, who was despretly needed to produce if anyone thought that this Met team could have an above average year. The year could not have started off worse. An oblique injury side-lined Bay for almost the first month, upsetting many Mets fans. Today is May 26, and Jason Bay is batting around .220 with 2HRs, 8RBIs and just 3-10 with runners on third with less then 2 outs. For a man that never really hit that high for average, but always produced the HR ball, he jacked 36 in his previous year with the Red Sox. For a man that was brought here for one reason, and that reason is to solely hit HRs, he is failing miserably. Along with players like Mo Vaughn, George Foster and Frank Viola who were brought in and did not come remotely close to what they did previous years, Jason Bay (if this continues) may go down ahead of those three players. So with 2 years and about $34 Million left on his contract after this year, it is looking more and more like the Mets will decline that 5th year option, giving Bay a total of $80 Million for his below par career here in Flushing.
ALOHA JOSE-To Trade or Not to Trade That is the Question (pt. 2)
Filed Under (NL East Chatter, Uncategorized) by davidw at 11:45 AM on 05-17-2011
To briefly recap, Monday I wrote about the Jose Reyes trade chatter so far this season and rather or not the Mets should or would trade them. The question I raised was if they did shop him around to other teams who might they call and which teams could inquire about obtaining Reyes. I decided to look at the AL first and eliminated a few prospective teams. That left me with four potential suitors for the SS's services. Since the Mets needs, particularly pitching, are somewhat immediate I predominately focused on AAA or AA talent when talking about minor leaguers.
Let's check out the first team.
Baltimore Orioles
Postseason play is a pipe dream in '11 for the O's or is it? A quarter of the way into the season and the baby Birds are nipping at the heels of .500, only 3. 5 games back. It's early but with the Yankees relying on the likes of Freddy Garcia and a retooled Bartolo Colon not to mention the Bosox maddening inconsistency, Baltimore could conceivably make a run. They're an up and coming team that has a lot of talented young arms (something the Mets need) and J.J. Hardy as their SS. Nothing against Hardy but when you have a chance to acquire a premier talent in his prime like Reyes you don't hesitate.
This team is still a year or two away. They also have their own highly touted SS prospect in 18 year old Manny Machado. So do you jettison Machado in a deal for Reyes? Probably not, and the Mets would most likely not be interested since losing Reyes would create a large void on the left side of the diamond that would need to be filled immediately.
Taking a look at the Birds AA/AAA affiliates, other than a couple of intriguing possibilities, there's really not much to choose from on the farm. At AAA top prospect Ryan Adams currently hitting .297 for Norfolk appears to be for real and former first rounder Brandon Snyder is carrying a .462 SLG percentage and appears ready for MLB action soon. AA Bowie slugger Ronnie Welty has some pop and lefty reliever Pedro Viola throws gas but neither could be a centerpiece of a deal. Most importantly, aside from Viola, none of them address New York's primary need-pitching.
For a deal to materialize Orioles GM Andy MacPhail would have to part with one of his young starters: Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, Brad Bergesen or Brian Matusz. If they put a package of say Matusz or Arrieta along with Viola or Welty and Hardy (the Mets will need a SS, and he's more than serviceable) then possibly an ancillary A or low A player it could make an interesting scenario. The wild card would be if the Orioles were willing to part with Matt Wieters. The Mets would definitely ask and the O's would most like say no.
Unless the Orioles centered a deal around one of their young stud major league arms or Wieters the possibility of Reyes in black and orange is nil.
Kansas City Royals
The surprising Royals are looking more like contenders than pretenders at this point. It's only May however and when Bruce Chen is your ace, well you need a lot of things to fall in your favor. A raft of youngsters await the call to arms in Omaha but throwing a pack of untested hurlers into the heat of a pennant race is not usually a recipe for success.
But let's say the Royals find themselves still in the hunt around the All Star break. A move for an established arm and an electrifying shortstop atop a line-up featuring Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler and possibly Mike Moustakas would be tempting for any GM. Tempting enough to part with one of their Grade AAA Prime pitching prospects? If it is, this could be one helluva a trade. Yes, the Royals have young, slick fielding Alcides Escobar at SS but that is exactly why this is a deal that if the pieces fall into place could get done. A caveat would be that Mike Pelfrey continues his recent streak of solid starts or maybe Chris Capuano stays healthy and pitching well.
Let's say the Mets offer Reyes and KC has interest, the Mets obviously would want one of those stud pitchers in the pen down on the Royals farm. The Royals however need a 2 or 3 to shore up their current rotation, someone to provide some veteran savy for their next generation staff. So the Mets package Mike Pelfrey (or Chris Capuano) with Reyes. Now the Mets are solving two of KC's immediate problems and by sending Escobar in return the Royals are providing the Mets with a replacement shortstop who was recently a highly sought after prospect. At 24 he is also still young enough to develop into something more.
At this point the Mets would look into that deep well of AA and AAA Kansas City pitching talent, drop some lines and go fishing.
They'd find:
(L) Mike Montgomery 2.84 ERA at Omaha (L)-Danny Duffy 41K's in 32 IP at Omaha (L)-John Lamb 3.49 ERA at AA and (L)-Jake Odorizzi 3-0 1.97 ERA at high A. (R)-Jeremy Jeffress is pitching well in relief for KC and although (R)-Chris Dwyer is struggling this year at AA, he rung up 113 batters in 102 IP last season.
Lesser known Royal prospects like AAA righty Kevin Pucetas 3-0 1.57 and hard throwing Wil Smith (NWArk) are more examples of the depth within the KC minor league pitching vault. Farmhands RF David Lough, ex-Brewer Lorenzo Cain, C/OF Wil Myers and SS Christian Colon are position players who also fit well with the Mets current needs.
There are so many options here that trade possibilities are endless. Reyes and Pelfrey for Lamb, Pucetas, Lough and Escobar. Reyes and Pelfrey for Myers, Escobar and Dwyer or Odorizzi, Reyes for Myers and Escobar, Reyes for Escobar and Duffy, etc…
Royals GM Dayton Moore would want to lock up Jose long-term before finalizing any deal. The question is would Reyes take his act from the bright lights of the Apple to the "show me" state. Kansas City does have a few things going for it though: great bar-b-que, Blues plus he'd have a lot of fun in the coming years on top of that developing line up. As dynamic as a KC/NYM trade could be, I believe the Royals would have to be in serious contention heading into August for anything to develop. The Mets would also, in effect, have given up on their season. If that scenario develops a trade to the Royals I believe would hinge upon Reyes signing a pre-trade deal with KC.
Would Reyes sign on the dotted line and say yes to the Royals?
In my opinion Reyes is the kind of ballplayer who prefer's a bigger stage to perform on. That's not a criticism of him or the city of Kansas City. It's just that some players live for the bright lights and adulation found in places like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago for example. Jose likes the limelight and he'd be to far away from it here. Reyes in Royal blue? No way, Jose.
(next we'll look at the two other possible American League destinations for Reyes)
Tagged Under : American League, Baltimore Orioles, Jose Reyes, Kansas City Royals, MLB, National League, New York Mets
ALOHA JOSE-To Trade or Not to Trade That is the Question pt. 1
Filed Under (NL East Chatter, Uncategorized) by davidw at 7:46 PM on 05-16-2011
The big buzz right now is Jose Reyes trade talk. Everyone is coming up with ideas, painting doom and gloom scenarios for the Wilpon-owned Mets and generally running off the rails with ludicrous suggestions. The Mets GM Sandy Alderson is considered a very smart baseball man and usually highly intelligent baseball executives don't make dumb decisions.
Would trading Jose Reyes be a bad move? And if not, what team would you trade him to? Who do you ask for? Who would you be offered in return? Should they even be entertaining the idea of trading Reyes at all? These are fundamental questions the Mets braintrust are probably asking themselves.
Trading a 27 year old 3x All-Star off to a career year start who plays a position with few high level players doesn't make a lot of sense. Especially considering that the team in question plays in baseball's #1 market. I mean come on this isn't a Tampa Bay or Kansas City-it's New York freakin' City. If the Mets say they can't afford Reyes they're liars, especially considering $60 million + is coming off the books for 2012. I think the impending Madoff lawsuit is overplayed too. Even if the Wilpon's are sued for $1 billion dollars they'd most likely file a counter claim. The mess would probably be dragged out in the court for years at that point and have no bearing on the team's financial ability to sign Reyes.
But we all know trade speculation can be fun and despite logic there's no guarantee Reyes won't be traded. Recent season-ending injuries to Jenry Meija and Chris Young leave the Metropolitans razor thin in the pitching department. They're best pitching prospects are 2-3 years away. So Alderson could look to stock up on quality arms. I'd have to believe New York would need to be blown away by a deal to push the button. But anything is possible.
I'm going to take a look at the teams in each league who I believe would be most likely to make a move for Reyes. The teams I chose are lacking at SS, have the horses to swap and are in a situation where Reyes could potentially make a significant difference in a team's playoff aspirations. The American League is up first. By my count there are four teams in the junior circuit who would fit the criteria above. A few teams came close to making the cut but for various reasons I don't consider them a serious bidder for Reyes services during the 2011 season. We'll look at these ballclubs briefly.
First up is Minnesota. Despite their obvious SS need I leave the Twins out because they're short on pitchers themselves and can ill afford to trade away any of that AA or AAA talent. Besides first they need to get Liriano straightened out to have any shot at playing in October.
With Reid Brignac far beneath the Mendoza line the Rays definitely have a need at shortstop. But they're not the rent-a- player type of team and their own budget limitations hinder any real chance of locking Reyes up long-term. Tampa Bay definitely have the talent to trade but just not enough dinero for olé Jose.
I almost included the Rangers because they're aggressive, finally had a whiff of postseason success and have high-caliber AA and AAA talent (pitching and otherwise) to center a deal around. But Andrus is locked into SS, is just 22 and has immense upside. If he were to get hurt or the Rangers struggle with injuries as well as mediocre play I believe they'd be more than willing to rent Reyes for a couple of months in the quest for the crown. But for now I don't consider them players in any Reyes trade talks.
That leaves what I see as four American League teams who I believe could pull a trigger on a Reyes deal. I will look at each of these teams. Talk about possible trading chips and trade scenarios. Wrapping it up with what I think the actual chances of a trade between the Mets and that team for Jose Reyes.
(we'll start by looking at those teams in the next blog. Then after we finish the AL we'll check in on possible NL teams vying for Reyes' services.)
Tagged Under : American League, Jenry Meija, Jose Reyes, Minnesota Twins, MLB trades, National League, New York Mets, Sandy Alderson, Tamba Bay Rays, Texas Rangers
Breaking News: David Wright Out for a Couple of Weeks, Maybe Months 5-16-11
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by VinnyP44 at 3:29 PM on 05-16-2011
Mets 3rd baseman David Wright has been told that he has a lower back stress fracture. Though the extent of the injury is not yet known, it is reported that Wright will be out for a couple of weeks at a minimum, and possibly a couple of months if the injury lingers. Wright and the Mets will seek a second opinion.
Mets Win Series Opener in Houston
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by Pete Barrett at 8:30 AM on 05-14-2011
The New York Mets (18-20) won the opening game of the three game series against the Houston Astros (14-24) by a score of 6-4 Friday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Dillon Gee got the start for the Mets and went 5 + innings giving up 4ER. The command of his pitches was not there for Gee last night as he walked four and hit one. The Mets bullpen worked a scoreless four innings, including Frankie Rodriguez 4 out save, his 12th of the year.
Jason Bay got the Mets on the board with a solo shot in the 7th inning. Then in the 8th Fernando Martinez pinch hit for the pitcher, and smoked a two run bomb over the right field fence. Later in the inning David Wright came up with one aboard and hit a two run shot of his own. In the span of 8 batters the Mets came back from down 4 to leading 5-4. The Mets picked up one run in the 9th when Jason Pridie doubled in Justin Turner.
The Mets play Saturday at 4:05 as R.A. Dickey faces off against lefty J.A. Happ.
Braves Avoid Sweep; Salvage Series Finale 6-5 in Ten
Filed Under (Daily Recap) by Pete Barrett at 9:38 PM on 05-12-2011
The Atlanta Braves (21-18) beat the Washington Nationals (18-19) by a score of 6-5 in ten innings on Thursday night at Turner field to avoid the series sweep.
Derek Lowe 6.0IP, 5H, 5ER, 3 BB, 6SO, 2HR,
Jordan Zimmermann 6.1IP, 5H, 3ER, 2BB, 11SO, 1HR
W: Craig Kimbrel (1-1; 2.55)
L: Doug Slaten (0-1; 2.00)
Washington broke first with a two run homer off the bat of Danny Espinosa (4). Braves 3B Chipper Jones got the Braves on the board in the bottom of the third with a blast of his own, his fourth of the year.
Laynce Nix started off the fourth with a double to left field. Adam Laroche singled to right to score Nix. Danny Espinosa was drilled in the back. Pudge Rodriguez hit a double play grounder to 3B Chipper Jones who threw it to Dan Uggla, who got the force at second, but then proceeded to airmail the ball over the head of Braves 1B Freddie Freeman. Laroche scored his second run of the game on Uggla's error. Pudge also hit a solo shot in the 6th.
Martin Prado batted in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and just one out, down 5-1. He battled to a 3-2 count on 10 pitches. He then smashed a high and in fastball over the left centerfield wall for a grand slam tying the score at 5.
In the bottom of the ninth Alex Gonzalez hit a ball high a top the leftfield wall. He believed it was the game winning homerun, and was into his homerun trot until he was about halfway to first when he realized the ball was staying in the park. He tried to turn it on, but Michael Morse, played the carom well and threw Gonzalez out at second.
Prado led off the tenth inning and walked. Nate McClouth then bunted him to second. Washington's Manager Jim Riggleman then walked Chipper Jones intentionally. With men on first and second, Brian McCann drove a single down the right field line to drive in Martin Prado for a 6-5 ten inning win.
The Nationals will head home for a three game weekend series against NL East foes the Florida Marlins. The Braves continue their home stand as they welcome in the NL East defending champs the Philadelphia Phillies for a three game set.
Mets Beat Rockies 9-5; Take Second Consecutive Series
Filed Under (Daily Recap) by Pete Barrett at 7:25 PM on 05-12-2011
The New York Mets (17-20) beat the Colorado Rockies (19-16) by a score of 9-5 .
W: Jon Niese (2-4) 6.1IP, 7H, 5ER, 2BB, 2SO, 2 HR
L: Ubaldo Jimenez (0-3) 3.2IP, 3H, 5ER, 6BB, 3SO, 1HR
After dropping the series opener in Colorado, the Mets took the rubber game today to win their second consecutive series.
Carlos Beltran becomes the 8th Met all-time to homer three times in a game. He hit two run homers in the 1st, 7th and 9th. Willie Harris scored on all three times. Today marked the first time in Beltran's career to hit three homers in a game, he joins Jose Reyes as the only other active Met to accomplish such a feat while playing for the Mets.
On the day Ike Davis was placed on the 15 day DL, Carlos Beltran, with three homers and six RBI's, surpassed him in both homer runs and RBI's to take the team lead with 8HRs and 24 RBI's.
David Wright got the day off, but Jose Reyes went 1 for 5 including a two out RBI single.
Although it was not a save situation Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez came in and pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning.
The Mets now head to Houston for a three game set against the Astros. If the Mets sweep the series they will reach the .500 mark.
Tagged Under : Carlos Beltran, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets
Ike Injury "Hurts" More Than Ankle by: Vincent Perricone 5-12-11
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by VinnyP44 at 11:40 AM on 05-12-2011
While it is only May, today may have taken a turn for the worst. Mets stud 1st baseman Ike Davis was put on the 15 day DL with a bone bruise and ankle sprain. Ok, it is only the 12th of May, but for a team that is struggling to score with runners in scoring position, this is not only a huge blow for the hitters but for the bench and pitching staff as well. Davis leads the team with not only 7 HRs, but has 25 RBIs. With the recent struggles of David Wright and Jason Bay, you are now asking both of these players to not only turn it around, but to turn it around right now. Granted, Wright is your #3 hitter and should be able to turn it around quickly, who here has any belief that Jason Bay will? This is a man who was brought in to do one thing, and one thing only…hit HRs! While he was injured last year, and missed the first couple of weeks this year, Bay has only 7 Hrs the last two seasons. Davis was just put into the 5 hole to give Bay a chance to find his stride in the 6 spot. Now with this injury, your rushing Bay back into the 5 hole. With Beltran hitting very well this year, he is going to be sandwhiched between Wright and Bay in the Clean-up position, as he was for the main part of the season. Also, what does this do for Daniel Murphy? While he was batting around .250, and playing a pretty decent 2nd base, he is now going to be asked to play 1st base. What does this do to his growth? Rather than play 2nd base everyday, he is most certainly going to play 1st for the next few weeks, with Turner getting the bulk at 2nd. For a team that scored runs at a premium as it was, you are now putting you rotation and bullpen in a tough spot. This means more innings and less runs, and for the Mets, I am not sure if that is possible. Already 4 games below .500 and 2 games behined the Nats for 4th place, this is a string of bad things to come in my opinion. Well I guess there is one good thing that comes from this……F-Mart and his .174 career average are being recalled from Buffalo.
Ike Davis to DL
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by Pete Barrett at 10:53 AM on 05-12-2011
Mets first baseman Ike Davis has been placed on the 15 day DL. The Mets called up RF Fernando Martinez to take his spot on the roster. Despite missing 15 games this year for AAA Buffalo, Martinez hit .292 with 3 HR's (two of them in the last two games) before being called up.


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Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - 16:25 PM
Flo Dauner Mtv Unplugged Ii - Update
A Meinl artist since 2002, Flo Dauner currently is the most visible drummer on German TV.
With his band Die Fantastischen Vier, Flo has recently recorded a second MTV unplugged concert making them the first band ever in MTV history that has done an unplugged show twice.
The debut of DIE FANTASTISCHEN VIER – MTV UNPLUGGED II will be aired on MTV today, October 17th, followed by another broadcast on VIVA Television tomorrow, October 18th and on PRO7 on October 25th.
The CD – DVD – BLUE RAY release of DIE FANTASTISCHEN VIER – MTV UNPLUGGED II will be out on October 26th.
In addition, Flo will also be the drummer in the live band of The Voice of Germany casting show which begins airing October 18th on PRO7 and SAT1.
For more information on Flo's cymbals, check out his artist profile here.

subset: commoncrawl


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Let me start by saying, I'm TRULY not asking this question for snark effect. I just don't get it...
For parents who spank, how do you do it? I mean, I guess I'm just soft but I don't understand spanking. I don't understand looking at a KID (a baby in some cases) and hitting them. I've worked in day care... I've taught in public schools... I'm a certified foster parent... and now pregnant with one of my own. I couldn't even bring myself to hit a dog, never mind a child.
When you do it, does it bother you? Do you feel like crap, but just hide it from the child? Or do you think that you are doing the "right thing" by disciplining them? And WHY do you choose that method of discipline?
I was never spanked as a kid and turned out fine. I've never been in major trouble... I finished college and grad school... I've got a great job... so the argument that kids will never learn how to act unless they are spanked just makes no sense to me.
...and please don't take this as someone saying that all spankers are bad people, because I'm not... but when I hear a parent proudly proclaim that they "whoop that ass" it sounds like bullying and I just don't get it.


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NSA surveillance hasn't prevented attacks: Study
(NEWSER) – The NSA's controversial trove of phone metadata "has had no discernible impact on preventing acts of terrorism," a new analysis of 225 terrorism cases from the nonprofit New America Foundation has concluded. Most of the cases it looked at were cracked using old-fashioned investigative tools, like tip-offs from family or community members, or the use of informants, theWashington Post reports. Bulk surveillance had "only the most marginal of impacts," helping to initiate at most 1.8% of cases.


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Thursday, July 16 2009 - 9/11 A/V Galleries
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Click here to watch live VideoCasts when available.
Stay tuned to No Lies Radio for breaking news reports from DC.
719 Architects and Engineers Call for New Investigation of 9/11.
Evidence of Explosives Found in Destruction of All 3 WTC High-Rises.
Thousands of Architects at DC AIA Convention Come Face to Face With 9/11 Truth!!
AE911Truth will be speaking individually to your Congressional Reps and Senators.
AE911truth's booth, with two large LCD screens, showing the dramatic demolitions of the WTC Twin Towers and Building 7, will stand out dramatically – and will present the opportunity to inform thousands of architects about long-evaded truths regarding the destruction of the 3 World Trade Center high-rises on 9/11. For more info and to sign their petition for a new investigation, visit ae911truth.org
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author, who is solely responsible for its content, and do not necessarily reflect those of 911Truth.org. 911Truth.org will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements contained in this article.


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Stevie Nicks Sets Date For 'Vault' Album
Listen to Stevie Nicks Radio on iHeartRadio
Stevie Nicks' new album is on the way. The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman will release 24 Karat Gold - Songs from the Vault on October 7th. The set will also be available as a "Deluxe Photobook" CD, featuring two bonus tracks, while a vinyl version will hit stores on September 29th.
Nicks says most of the material on 24 Karat Gold was originally written between 1969 and 1987, although there are a couple of tracks that only date back to the mid-1990s. She adds that each song has "a soul" and "a purpose," and "represent" her life.
Stevie explains that they're "the memories," that recall "life behind the scenes, the secrets, the broken hearts, the broken hearted and the survivors."
Nicks' 24 Karat Gold's arrival coincides with the launch of Fleetwood Mac's fall tour. The group will launch their trek in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 29th. The road trip will be the band's first with Christine McVie in more than a decade.
Photo: Getty Images


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so that we all see a single version of the truth."


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Where does your money go when you use an MTA crossing? Not where you may think.
Every time you drive across a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bridge, such as the Henry Hudson or Bronx-Whitestone, know that a big chunk of the toll is helping to pay for other people's rides. A whopping 63 percent of the $1.5 billion generated on MTA bridges and tunnels in 2011… Read More →


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Historically, one of the greatest sins in the Christian church has been that of heresy. The theologian Origen was excommunicated when his teachings on the nature of man and God were condemned by the Church. The entire Protestant movement was based in the fact that Martin Luther viewed the Roman Catholic church as heretical, and vice versa. The subsequent divisions within the Church have also been a reflection of this—although some are obviously more apparent and necessary than others.
I once heard a pastor tell how he had been dismissed from his previous church because he was no longer convinced of a pre-tribulation Rapture. To make that clear, this pastor was told he could no longer help shepherd the flock of a body of Christians because he disagreed on a very debatable point in what is the most cryptic and incomprehensible book in all of Scripture.
And so, heresy is one of the greatest sins a believer can commit, but it is also one of the gravest impediments to the Christian journey, both in terms of a personal and intellectual relationship with Christ, as well as in evangelization. So often, we are so concerned about proper theology that we forget that we have tiny little minds. Our relationship with the Son of God is replaced with cute dogmas that we repeat over and over—sometimes from birth, if the situation allows—and we never question them. We attach our ideas to God like a label on a bottle of cheap wine: "Grown in the fertile valley of Old Earth Creationism, this God has already mapped out your days, and will indisputably return to carry his Church to Heaven while he leaves the heretic and the sinner to burn in the fires of tribulation and damnation. Enjoy without questioning."
And while there is certainly room for dissension and disagreement within the Church, to say that our label of God is impeccably correct is to say that our wine is the only wine. And this is where the cry of "Heretic!" can often become heresy.
As Galileo said, the same God that endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect did not intend that we forgo their use. Jesus Christ did not die on the Cross so that we can go to the grave believing—knowing—that Adam and Eve were literal people, and yet folks like Ken Ham and Kent Hovind make a living attacking Christians who would believe otherwise. We line up across the field from each other, load our muskets, and commence to tear and rip at each other like jackals—all in the name of Love.
Can we see the dichotomy here?
To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in Jesus Christ: I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is not to set up impediments for others; we can be firm in our convictions while allowing the difference of belief. Just because one prefers the solemnity and depth of old hymns doesn't give them allowance to judge another for engaging in contemporary worship. Just because a board of elders believes that Christ will return to rapture his people into Heaven before the Tribulation happens doesn't mean they have to banish one who may feel otherwise.
The danger of this is that it turns the Church—which should be a community of vibrant, thinking individuals—into what effectively amounts to a cult. Even God the Father, the most severe member of the Trinity, allows Job and his friends to spend 30-some chapters questioning His nature. And when He finally shows up on the scene? The only thing He says is "You can't understand Me. Ask your questions, but stop expecting answers." The issue isn't that Job is trying to understand God, it's that he assumes himself capable of understanding God.
From the beginning, God has rewarded those who seek. If God cannot guide our intellectual pursuit, wherever that may take us, he would not have given us such a vast scope of reason and imagination. And if that seeking starts carrying one toward the mire of true heresy, it is the duty of the Church to help correct the mistake, bearing in mind that the Church is not your local pastor, priest, or two-bit theologian. It is not the Pope, a Patriarch, or yourself. The Church is the cumulation of human history, subject to God the Father and manifested in a traveling rabbi named Jesus Christ, who, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, founded a demographically and intellectually diverse community he calls his Church. This is the standard to judge by; not the opinion of a man who has nothing more than a seminary degree, a couple years behind the pulpit, and the notion that he has come to grasp Yahweh in all His magnitude and mystery. The intellectual pursuit of a Christian should not be defined by a fear of the Church, but by a love of Christ.
Not that there's anything fatal about being mistaken; even Peter was an unintentional heretic. But the measure you use to judge will be measured to you, and if you're prepared to anathematize a fellow follower of Christ over petty doctrine, you had better hope that you have a perfect bead on the infinite God of the Ages. Because if you don't, you are setting up some unnecessary roadblocks to Heaven. If we judge others based on our personal theology, it's a safe bet to assume that God will judge us on ours.


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|DEP Home
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Designation Program
The mission of the Florida Greenways and Trails System is to create a network of greenways and trails throughout Florida, connecting one end of the state to the other, from Key West to Pensacola. The Florida Greenways and Trails System has its roots in the Florida Canoe Trails System, the Florida Recreational Trails System, and Florida's public parks, forests, refuges, wildlife management areas and water management areas. The Florida Greenways and Trails Designation Program provides for the designation of public lands and waterways and private lands.
What is the purpose of
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Last updated: July 16, 2015
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Alpine• A new drug and alcohol recovery facility may be operating in a residential neighborhood as soon as April much to the chagrin of some residents.
Last month, Alpine city officials approved a special provision allowing the Alpine Recovery Lodge to provide treatment to 12 patients.
The center offers drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation to people who stay at the facility for 30 to 90 days.
Alpine Mayor Hunt Willoughby said federal laws allow the facility to be in a residential area in part because the patients they serve fall under a provision that categorizes them as disabled.
He said many residents have voiced concerns about theft and other crimes that could potentially occur as a result of having a group home facility near their neighborhood.
City code allows for up to four unrelated individuals to be housed in a residential area without rezoning. Treating only four patients wouldn't be profitable for the center, according to Alpine Recovery Lodge owner Amy Rothermel, which is why the business requested the city allow it to house 18 patients. .
The Alpine City Council on Jan. 29 approved a "reasonable accommodation request" for the center to host 12 patients, but expects the facility will be back to ask for more.
Despite public outcry about the group home's location, the city moved forward Tuesday by presenting evidence for why the facility can be housed in a residential area.
Rothermel said at the council meeting that although the center will not hire security guards, that it will be a secured facility with a 24-hour staff. Patients are already "detoxed" before entering the facility and the center's policy prohibits sexual offenders from receiving treatment at the facility, she said.
"We are in the middle of putting in a very detailed security system with alarms on all the doors, and video cameras," Rothermel said, adding that the building is currently undergoing some remodeling and upgrades to get the building up to code.
Willoughby said he feels it is "unfortunate" the city didn't have anything to quell residents' concerns, saying the city's hands are tied by federal law.
Twitter: @CimCity


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With the holidays approaching, you're not the only one that wants to look their best – Just in time for the season's festivities we've given the Sharpie Pen Retractable a makeover and added a few new colors to the collection.
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New Colors!
Hop on over to Sharpie.com to find where to get your set of Fine Point Sharpie Pen Retractables.


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For the last two years about this time, I provided the basic tax depreciation/expense rules that can help salespeople in making new and used equipment sales before year end. Because of some changes, it is timely to revisit these rules.
There are two provisions we need to look at:
Section 179 expense deduction for new and used equipment. The Section 179 deduction for 2013 is $500,000. There is a "phaseout" dollar for dollar after the purchase of $2 million of new and/or used equipment. Thus, if a customer has $2.5 million of purchases in 2013, there will be no Section 179 deduction. This phaseout shows that this deduction is designed for small and midsize businesses.
Bonus depreciation for new equipment. Like last year, the extra additional bonus depreciation is 50% of the purchase price of new equipment. For example, if a customer buys new equipment in 2013 for $600,000, the customer can take an extra $300,000 bonus depreciation deduction in 2013.
Example of combining tax provisions. As the table below shows, the interplay between Section 179, bonus and regular depreciation requires pencil, paper and a calculator. I have provided three scenarios: one showing the purchase of $1,100,000 of new equipment; the second, showing the purchase of $1 million of used equipment; and the third showing the combined purchase of new and used.
The table illustrates these features: a) the $500,000 Section 179 deduction applies to both new and used equipment; b) the Section 179 deduction is reduced dollar for dollar for purchases in excess of $2 million; c) bonus depreciation applies only to new equipment; d) the MACRS "normal" depreciation is computed on the residual basis after reduction for the Section 179 deduction and the 50% bonus depreciation.
The table shows that in these three specific situations: a) 77% of the $1,100,000 purchase price for the new equipment can be written off in 2013; b) 57% of the $1 million of the used equipment; and c) 42% of the combined $2,100,000 of the new and used.
Similarly, assuming a combined 40% federal and state tax, the table shows in 2013 this equates to 31% of the purchase price of $1,100,000 of new equipment being "paid for" by tax savings; 23% of $1 million for used; and 17% for the combined $2,100,000 of new and used. Of course, in all three instances, the purchases will save 40% of the purchase price in reduced taxes. It is a matter of timing. The $500,000 Section 179 deduction and 50% bonus depreciation accelerate the tax savings into 2013, which can improve cash flow sooner rather than later.
JACK SELZER is tax attorney with Seigfreid, Bingham, P.C. The firm also serves as legal counsel to the North American Equipment Dealers Association. Selzer may be contacted at email@example.com. Also see www.seigfreidbingham.com.


text: OverviewBack to top Out Of Africa - Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oil Vanilla - 9 oz. Item# :123038UPC# :811966011234 Brand:Out Of Africa Size/Form:9 oz. Ship Weight:0.57 Click here to read a PDF brochure on this product Out of Africa Skin Saver Vanilla Daily Hydrating Oil with Pure & Unrefined Shea Butter - 9 oz. (266ml) Rehydrate, rejuvenate and protect your skin with Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oil. Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oil contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oil is great for dry or sensitive skin, stretch marks, wrinkles, sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis. Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oil with Pure Unrefined Shea Butter also includes Vitamin E for radiant, healthy, and glowing skin. 100% natural, Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oils contain pure, unrefined shea butter and are infused with avocado, sweet almond and olive oil. Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Body Oils will glide on smoothly and penetrate deeply into your skin without ever feeling greasy or sticky. Naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants A, E, and F, Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Oils provide the ultimate nourishing, hydrating and anti-aging benefits. Your skin will feel incredibly soft and supple with Out of Africa's Skin Saver Daily Hydrating Oils! Discover The Benefits of Shea Butter What sets shea butter apart from other seed oils is its exceptionally large healing fraction. This refers to the percentage of the important nutrients, vitamins, and other valuable phytonutrients that foster healing. Depending on the source, the healing fraction of shea butter ranges from 5 % to 17 %. (The larger the healing fraction, the better). By comparison, the healing fraction of other seeds oils is very small, in the range of 1 %. Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F. Vitamins A and E maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. They are particularly helpful for sun damaged skin and to help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. The Vitamin A in shea butter is important for improving skin conditions, including blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, and dermatitis. Vitamin F acts as a protector and rejuvenator soothing rough dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair. Additionally, premium shea butter has properties that treat skin allergies, insect bites, sunburn and frostbite. Shea butter's unparalleled hydrating property is due to natural moisturizers that are chemically similar to those produced by the body's own sebaceous glands. Shea butter also contains healthy fatty acids. It is high in unsaponifiables (a type of fat) containing between 7-12%. This is one of the properties that make Shea butter so valuable in treating the conditions above. Shea butter easily penetrates the skin and will not clog pores. There is a high level of cinnamic acid which makes Shea butter a natural sunscreen. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in treating arthritis. Shea butter has powerful moisturizing, anti-aging, protecting and healing benefits to the skin. There are many uses of shea butter and it has been clinically shown to provide relief for various skin conditions. Shea butter applications and benefits include the following: Excellent daily skin moisturizer for face and body Dramatically helps prevent and reduce stretch marks during pregnancy and weight gain and loss Restores elasticity to skin and reduces blemishes and wrinkles Anti-aging and anti-free radical agent known to increase circulation to the skin Helps reduces acne and scarring Excellent moisturizer for both eczema and psoriasis Helps soothe skin and diaper rash After sun conditioning Helps softens tough skin on hands and feet Dry, itchy skin and scalp relief Use after shaving to reduce razor irritation and bumps Provides healing benefits to skin wounds and cracks Restores luster to hair What is Shea Butter? Common names: Shea, karité Scientific name: Vitellaria paradoxa (syn/INCI Butryospermum parkii) Shea butter is an all-natural product. It is a creamy-colored fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees (Butyrospermum parkii or "butter seed") that grow wild in the savannah regions of West and East Africa. While shea butter has a wide variety of applications, it is most well known for its exceptional dermatological and cosmetic healing properties. Considered the "Women's Gold" of Africa Shea butter is often referred to as "women's gold" because so many young women are employed in the production of shea butter. In many parts of West Africa, destruction of shea trees is prohibited because the karite nut is such a valuable source of food, medicine and income for the population. How is Shea Butter made? Shea nuts are extracted from the fruit by crushing and boiling. Shea nuts are picked, cracked, grilled and pounded to extract the butter which is then boiled in water until the fresh shea butter rises to the surface. It is then scooped into gourds and left to cool and set. Although these artisanal methods result in smaller output, no chemicals or synthetic agents are needed at any stage. Shea butter may also be extracted by pressing in an expeller type press which cuts 3-5 hours off the extraction time. Again, no chemicals or synthetics are needed. The end product of either method is raw, or unrefined shea butter Is all Shea Butter the same? All shea butter is not the same. Shea butter loses healing properties the longer it sits on the shelf, causing old shea butter to be much less beneficial. Refining techniques vary greatly. Highly processed Shea Butter will not be as effective. Some companies mix shea butter with other ingredients that reduce its benefits. There are some products that contain very little shea butter although "shea butter" may be prominently displayed on the label. Be wary of very inexpensive products that claim to provide the full benefits of shea butter. Why Out of Africa Shea? Life. Enriched. Everyday Out of Africa is making life a little bit better for thousands of people. Discover what makes Out of Africa a great company. Out of Africa is focused on educational enrichment for school-aged children in Benin, West Africa by bringing the skin-enriching properties of their native shea butter to America. Proceeds from all of Out of Africa's natural shea butter products go directly to School Children Unite in an effort to provide children an education. Premium Quality Out of Africa works with women's cooperatives in West Africa to harvest and crush only the richest shea nuts. Out of Africa's shea butter is made by hand in order to maintain maximum healing properties. Out of Africa Shea Butter products contain the highest concentration of pure unrefined shea butter, providing the ultimate in skin hydration and healing. Out of Africa uses 100% natural ingredients; no parabens or sulfates; their products are vegan and eco-friendly. Be aware - there are many distributors of shea butter in various sizes, containers, prices, and types, but not all shea butter products are created equal. Some products contain a significant amount of potentially irritating additives and very little real shea butter. Shea butter should be a creamy color; shea that is pure white is highly refined and may no longer contain maximum healing properties. Shea butter should never be green, extremely hard or greasy. Unrefined Shea Butter For Exceptional Moisturizing and Healing Out Of Africa shea butter products contain 100% pure, unrefined shea butter from West Africa. Unrefined shea butter is superior because it retains all its natural nutrients, especially vitamins A and E. Compared to other natural butters or oils, shea butter contains far more of the vitamins and other valuable phytonutrients essential for healing. Provides exceptional hydration and elasticity, benefits that keep skin looking youthful and healthy. Absorbs quickly into skin without the greasy residue of beeswax or mineral oil-based products. Excellent for treating dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Out of Africa is in partnership with a number of women's cooperatives in Benin, West Africa to harvest the finest shea butter each year by hand selecting shea nuts with the lowest acidity levels to provide the best healing and nourishment your skin deserves. Social Responsibility The job opportunities provided to the local women's cooperatives through Out of Africa's factory in West Africa allows these coops to in turn provide income, health benefits and education to families in the community. Out of Africa further supports the Benin community thru its School Children Unite program. 5¢ to 30¢ from each product sold is contributed to help provide medical care and education to the children in West Africa. The Story of Out of Africa Victor Lulla, a native New Yorker living in Los Angeles, has long nurtured interests in healthy lifestyles, the environment and social responsibility. After briefly considering an early retirement after the sale of his electronics firm in 2002, he instead created California Inside & Out, a manufacturing and distribution company that developed and marketed natural skin and body care products, based in Venice, CA. Gilles Adamon, owner of Natura Sarl, headquartered in Benin, West Africa, attended the 2005 Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA hoping to find a distributor for his shea butter cosmetic products. As luck would have it, Victor was at the Expo looking for an interesting opportunity to help expand his product line. The two men found that they shared not only an interest in natural products, but in social responsibility as well. A friendship ensued and Out of Africa was founded later that year as an exclusive joint venture. The founders agreed that Lulla would purchase state of the art production equipment and raw materials, while Adamon's team, in collaboration with a West African women's cooperative, would supply locally-source pure unrefined shea butter. The company-owned factory in Benin now produces 200,000 bars of soap a month, along with an expanding array of other shea butter products. The products are shipped to California Inside & Out for distribution under the trademarked brand Out of Africa. Shea Butter: Nature's Miracle Moisturizer. Out of Africa's shea butter products nourish the skin with 100% pure unrefined shea butter direct from Benin, West Africa. A natural moisturizer and emollient, shea butter contains antioxidant vitamins A, E and F and beneficial fatty acids that leave skin feeling restored and refreshed. The Out of Africa line includes organic shea butter bar soaps, hand and body washes, body butters, lip balms, lotions, body oils and pure unrefined shea butter tins. The natural scents used in our shea butter products are also available in the Out of Africa line of aroma fragrance reed diffusers. Out of Africa's "Other" Mission Producing premium quality skincare products is only half of Out of Africa's story. Lulla and Adamon's partnership supports several women's cooperatives andhelpsto create jobs in democratic Benin, West Africa. Out of Africa shea butter skincare also sponsors a groundbreaking project in Benin called SCHOOL CHILDREN UNITE. A portion of all sales is being donated to this global leadership initiative. Thank You! Your purchase helps to support education and local enterprise in Benin, West Africa. "A houana ka ka" *, thank you very much. (* Fon is the most widely spoken among more than 50 distinct languages or dialects spoken in Benin.) About Benin Benin is a small country in West Africa that sits on the Gulf of Guinea near the equator. It borders Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. Unlike many other countries in Africa, Benin has never suffered a bloody coup and has remained relatively stable since declaring independence from France in 1960. Benin was one of the first countries to qualify for assistance from the U.S.-based Millennium Challenge Corporation, in 2004, because it has "demonstrated a commitment to political and economic freedom, investments in education and health, control of corruption, and respect for civil liberties and the rule of law".


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Bookmark this site
MALVERN, PA -- USA Technologies Inc. said it has received the largest purchase commitment in its history. USConnect, an alliance of independent vending and foodservice companies throughout the United States, placed the historic order.
USConnect is targeting the adoption of cashless payment and telemetry technologies for the majority of the locations owned or operated by its members by 2018.
The agreement calls for the purchase of 50,000 ePorts by USConnect through its members over the next five years, all of which will utilize USAT's ePort Connect suite of services.
USConnect chief executive and founder Jeff Whitacre said USConnect is the largest connected network of independent vending and foodservice companies in the U.S. Consisting of some 25 members to date, the USConnect consortium manages over 100,000 snack, food, beverage and other vending machines.
"The goal of USConnect is to facilitate, in a leadership role, the modernization of the vending and foodservice industry through cashless payment, wireless telemetry and the value-added capabilities that a connected base of self-serve terminals can provide -- both now and in the future," said Whitacre.


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Stores »
I love this 60's inspired red leopard beret by Patricia Field!
She wore a rasberry beret! haha...had to!
Get ready for fall with this adorable red and brown plaid cap! It has 3 charming wooden buttons & a crocheted brim for a super cute look.
Cute knit beanie from Tulle, comes in black, grey, and blue.
We are a community of shoppers sharing our best finds from across the web.
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Vampire Diaries Secrets and Spoilers
Who's kissing who in the new episodes of the hit show? We've got the scoop!
-Diedre Johnson
Will Elena choose Damon over Stefan? That and other mysteries may be solved on Vampire Diaries when show returns on January 21. BettyConfidential was there when Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder and the show's executive producer and writer Kevin Williamson gathered for the Television Critics Association press tour in L.A.
Getting right to the point, we can reveal that a breathtaking kiss will happen between bad boy vampire Damon (played by Ian) and Nina (a.k.a. Elena). But there's a twist. It's the character of Katherine (who Nina also portrays) who's locking lips with Damon. But will sparks also fly between Damon and Elena? "It's not a love triangle with only two people," Nina joked.
Read The Betty Interview: Vampire Diaries' Zach Roerig
We asked Nina who was the better kisser, Paul or Ian, and she was a little coy, calling both of her leading men "incredible" and "very charismatic." "I can't grade them," she said. "They're different."
But Ian was more forthcoming, declaring, "Of course, it's Damon, who else?"
In real life the actors have become fast friends, hanging out on the set in Atlanta and texting and calling constantly when they're not. "We're always calling each other," Ian told us. "After work, still texting."
Want to know what else the Vampire Diaries crew revealed? Read on.


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Fair play, this is awesome, totally missed the news.
http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/0...ents-this-yearIf you want to win a Cage Warriors title this year, be prepared to work for it; the organization plans to host single-night championship tournaments this year in three different weight classes
"When we heard Conor had been signed, we said, 'Let's liven this up for the fans,'" Boylan today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio
The two semifinal-round fights will kick off the card, and the tournament final will headline that night's event. Events and dates, as well as tournament participants, will be announced shortly.
"We'll do these tourneys to decide who the new champions are," Boylan said. "We're really excited"


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Soft 100% Superwash Wool, machine washable worsted weight yarn, available in 62 lovely shades ranging from soft neutrals to mid tone brights and deep darks.
A luxury yarn developed specifically for babies. A machine washable blend of merino wool and silk that has a wonderful soft handle for your little treasures.
A wonderful soft blend of 50% Merino Wool and 50% Cotton, the introduction of Wool Cotton 4 Ply adds to the verstility of one of our most popular yarns.
This beautiful fine lace weight yarn is made in a blend of the softest baby suri alpaca and the finest merino wool.
Pure wool is a robust, hard wearing yet soft 100% wool yarn.
*Felted Tweed is a blend of merino wool, alpaca and viscose and knits to
a DK weight. The yarn has a beautiful tweed effect perfect for
fairisles, striping and other colour work and the rustic colour palette
makes this yarn a firm favourite with our designers.
*Please note, this is a lightly pre-felted yarn that knits to a lightweight fabric with a felted effect. Please follow care instructions, as the yarn may felt further if washed incorrectly
The perfect blend of lambswool and kid mohair creates a lovely soft yarn which is worked into a beautiful colour palette.
Felted* Tweed Aran is a wonderful, tweedy yarn with a felted look, is a beautiful blend of merino wool, alpaca and viscose.
This wonderful soft roving British yarn is a designer's dream.
Big wool is a very popular yarn with designers and knitters alike.


text: OverviewBack to top Bluebonnet Nutrition - 100% Natural Whey Protein Isolate Powder Natural Chocolate Flavor - 1 lb. Item# :100197UPC# :743715015685 Brand:Bluebonnet Nutrition Size/Form:1 lb. Ship Weight:1.20 Servings:14 Dosage:1 Scoop(s) Flavor:Natural Chocolate Flavor Bluebonnet 100% Natural Whey Protein Isolate Chocolate Flavor (462 g) Bluebonnet's 100% Natural Whey Protein Isolate Powder is one of the purest, undenatured whey protein products on the market containing 26 g of protein/serving with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Whey protein not only has the highest biological value (BV) of any protein, it is also fast-acting, which means that its naturally occurring immunoglobulins and essential amino acids, such as BCAAs and glutamic acid, are easily and readily available to the body for immediate use. Microfiltered Not Treated with rBGH No Sweeteners/Artificial Flavors No Added Sugar/Fat Low Sodium/Cholesterol Amino Acids & Protein PowdersAmino acids are the building blocks of protein, and proteins are the building blocks of life. The human body is constantly assembling, breaking down and using proteins on a daily basis. In fact, 10 to 25% of caloric energy should come from high-quality, complete proteins. However, the role of amino acids is not only limited to the synthesis of proteins. They also function as intermediates in metabolism. There are twenty "standard" amino acids used by cells in protein biosynthesis. Of the 20+ amino acids, 9 are "essential" and are required in the diet since the body cannot produce them. "Nonessential" amino acids, on the other hand, are produced in the body from other amino acids when given an adequate supply of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Yet, even some of these nonessential amino acids are necessary at certain life stages or during certain situations, which is why some are considered "conditionally essential." In general, although both animal and plant foods contain protein, the quality of the protein is what differs. High-quality (complete) protein provides an ample amount of all nine essential amino acids. Animal foods, such as meats, poultry, eggs and milk, are considered high-quality (complete) protein sources versus vegetables, which contain no or low levels of some of the essential amino acids with the exception of soybeans. Egg white albumin is the main protein found in egg white, making up 60-65% of the total protein. Whey is one of the principal proteins that is found in milk and is the protein of choice because of its superior biological value (BV) of 159, as well as being a rich, natural source of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and immunoglobulins. Amino acids are vital for the body's ability to function at an optimal level. Unlike fat and carbohydrates, the human body does not store excess amino acids for later use. Amino acids must be obtained from the diet on a daily basis to meet the needs of the body. In different life styles and at different life stages, human beings have special protein requirements. They are crucial and have wide-ranging roles, including: the repair and maintenance of muscles, organs, nails, hair, skin, ligaments, connective tissues, glands, etc. Because amino acids are considered the building blocks of life, specifically protein, a deficiency in even one of them can have detrimental effects on one's health and well-being. Consumption of high-quality (complete) protein is directly related to the rehabilitation and rate of normal repair of muscle and tissue. Furthermore, the following people can benefit tremendously from protein/amino acid supplementation: Athletes Individuals who lead an active lifestyle Individuals who have undergone trauma from surgery or an accident Individuals who have ill-fitting dentures Nutrition to the Fifth PowerBluebonnet Nutrition was founded in 1991 on the basic principle that they offer the cleanest, purest, most natural nutritional supplements exclusively sold through natural food retailers. With the landscape of nutrition changing rapidly, Bluebonnet Nutrition isn't simply changing with it, they are leading the way. Since the launch of our company in the heart of Sugar Land, Texas, Bluebonnter Nutrition has carefully sowed the seeds of success by our unwavering pledge to the five powers of Bluebonnet Nutrition: NATURE, SCIENCE, QUALITY, TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE – one power for every petal of the Texas state flower from which Bluebonner Nutrition takes their name. The Best the Earth Can OfferBluebonnet Nutrition's first commitment has always been to nature. Not only so they can identify nutrients that are good, pure and wholesome, but also so they can harness nature's power and benefit from its strength. Bluebonnet Nutrition searched the world for locations where climate, temperature and soil converge to grow the finest raw materials. Conducting frequent on-site inspections, Bluebonnet Nutrition's ingredient selections are never based on price, but instead on one simple criterion: Is it the best the Earth has to offer? To preserve nature's freshness, we purchase raw materials in small quantities. And when ingredients enter our warehouse, they are quarantined and sent to Bluebonnet Nutrition's on-site quality assurance laboratory to undergo raw material identification and microbial testing. If a nutrient does not meet Bluebonnet Nutrition's stringent quality standards, it cannot be used in Bluebonnet supplements. Everything Purple Starts Off Green Bluebonnet's dedication to nature does not end with ingredient selection. Bluebonnet Nutrition's is an enterprise-wide effort that encompasses environmentally sound manufacturing practices and operations and green initiatives that support the philosophy of a whole new generation of health-conscious, "green" consumers who believe in reducing our dependency on fossil fuel, sustainability and social responsibility, which involves giving back to our communities, country and world-at-large, Specifically, Bluebonnet Nutrition has implemented conservational practices from instituting a corporate-wide recycling program, to using recyclable paper and corrugated packaging and shippers whenever possible, as well as biodegradable packing materials that dissolve in landfills, to printing their marketing materials with soy-based inks. Plus, Bluebonnet supports efforts and teachings on ecological preservation, which is why Bluebonnet Nutrition contributes to two non-profit organizations, United Plant Savers and American Botanical Council, devoted to sustainability and education. In addition, not only does Bluebonnet Nutrition manufacture in their own environmentally-friendly, state-of-the-art facility, but they use alternative energy sources (e.g., wind and solar) whenever possible to help reduce their carbon footprint. And most importantly, in the spirit of giving back, Bluebonnet embraces its civic responsibilities by contributing to the Houston Buyers Club, whose core mission is to improve the quality of life for people with health-related conditions through nutritional education and affordable nutritional supplements. Innovation is Only NaturalWith over 100 years of collective industry experience in nutritional science, Bluebonnet Nutrition's product development team is not only ensuring that Bluebonnet supplements are safe and efficacious, they're also committed to developing cleaner, more effective formulas. In fact, Bluebonnet has been the first to launch some of the industry's most innovative ingredients, such as ubiquinol, licorice flavonoid oil (Glavonoid™), grape seed extract, vegetarian SOD (GliSODin™) and nucleotides. Setting New StandardsQuality may be the most overused word in the world today. Nonetheless, for nutritional supplements, what could be more important? That is why Bluebonnet Nutrition built their own 100,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art kosher manufacturing and distribution facility with earth-friendly, pharmaceutical-grade systems that are setting new standards for quality assurance. Plus, they have also invested in the arduous process of kosher certifying our products. Since keeping kosher has become synonymous with eating foods that have been manufactured at a higher standard, Bluebonnet products bearing the KOF-K emblem have been carefully supervised with each ingredient tracked to its origin and strict rules imposed on hygienic processes. In addition to applying kosher quality standards to their operation, Bluebonnet Nutrition manufacturing process meets the rigorous model established by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia - even though they don't have to. By the time a Bluebonnet supplement appears on a store shelf, it has been subjected to stringent examinations for potency, purity, uniformity, hardness, disintegration and dissolution. And not just by in-house quality control technicians, but by respected independent laboratories. That is quality that will last even after you have opened the bottle. Just the FactsThere are so few absolute truths in the world today - except when it comes to nutritional supplements. Nutrients are either in the supplement or they are not. Bluebonnet Nutrition makes sure they are. Not only does Bluebonnet Nutrition manufacture 90% of their products in-house, they employ a unique practice called "content uniformity" to ensure a consistent nutrient blend from batch to batch. It is part of Bluebonnet's commitment to the natural products industry, as well as their own principles. Before a Bluebonnet supplement arrives at a natural food store, it is analyzed and evaluated by lab technicians. Through HPLC assay tests, Bluebonnet documents with 100% accuracy that what is on the label is in the bottle. Bluebonnet Nutrition even performs accelerated stability tests to ensure that potency levels will be maintained through the expiration date. Bottomline, on Bluebonnet labels, what you read is always what you get. 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Arts & Culture
The Book ClubBy Jason Diamond
I recently found myself in need of an inexpensive suit that didn't look like I picked it up at a Salvation Army. Like countless other men in the same position, I headed to J.Crew. As I walked over the wide-planked wood floors of the store, I admired the chain's decor: framed copies of jazz albums issued in the 1950s by Columbia and Blue Note, movie posters from the French New Wave, Japanese fashion magazines, and a case full of leather bracelets, flasks, and knives. While one man took my measurements, I cheerily pointed to a copy of Leonard Cohen's book Beautiful Losers, which was nestled atop a display of shirts and quoted the author's best advice: Cohen "never discusses his mistresses or his tailor." The man laughed uncomfortably, then, looking at the book, admitted he wasn't actually a tailor ("I just work here on the weekends") and revealed that the copy of Beautiful Losers, along with the other books scattered around the store, were really just for show.
Long before Abercrombie & Fitch became a fixture in shopping malls across America, it was one of the first places Ernest Hemingway would visit when he came to New York. Fitzgerald and Plimpton favored Brooks Brothers, and Tom Wolfe crafted his trademark around New York tailor Vincent Nicolosi's white suits. Well-dressed writers are far from an anomaly, but recently there's been a twist in this trend: books are becoming the dressings for brands. Read More


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Charleston, South Carolina
If Charleston were to have just two phrases beneath its city seal, they might well be "please" and "thank you." Since 1995, the historic South Carolina seaport has been cited by etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart as the "best-mannered" city in the United States.
It's also one of the country's most ravishing coastal centers. No matter where you stand, the water is close by. Dozens of bridges connect the town, crisscrossing the Cooper, Wando, Folly, and Ashley rivers―to name just a few. With each bridge comes a glimpse of docked shrimp boats, rich marshlands studded with wooden docks, or the famous steeple-lined skyline. Only minutes away, the barrier islands of Kiawah and Seabrook offer a taste of Lowcountry coastal life, and Folly Beach and Sullivans Island top the list of favorite getaways.
These seaside towns boast miles of stunning beaches, so regardless of how many friends and neighbors head to the shore on a given weekend, there's enough shoreline for everyone.
The sea has always figured prominently in the city's long history. By 1861, when the bombardment of Fort Sumter in the harbor ignited the Civil War, the town was nearly two centuries old. Prior to 1800, it was one of the largest cities in North America. Early in the 20th century, Charleston became a cradle of the nascent historic preservation movement. If you seek to understand the city, sign up for the Preservation Society of Charleston's spring homes tour. Many of the finest residences are clustered in the city's old peninsular quarter, which narrows toward the Battery where, as an old chestnut has it, "the Ashley and the Cooper rivers meet to form the Atlantic Ocean." (Bostonians claim that honor for the Mystic and the Charles, but Charlestonians aren't too polite to challenge them.)
For all its antebellum mansions, Charleston isn't merely a languorous, jasmine-scented museum. This city has brought its seafaring tradition into the 21st century, muscling into position as the fourth-largest North American container seaport and a major cruise ship terminal. High-tech jobs abound, as do biotech and medical research facilities. The city also hosts one of the nation's most prestigious performing arts events, the annual, 17-day Spoleto Festival USA. Founded in 1977, Spoleto's opera, classical music, and drama presentations are a counterpart to the "Festival of Two Worlds" held each year in Spoleto, Italy, Charleston's sister city.
With all those resources, do longtime residents welcome newcomers? In the best-mannered city, there's no need to even ask.
What the locals know
"Most people have heard of the Spoleto Festival," says Amy Ballenger-Guest of the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, "but many aren't aware that the area's arts and entertainment spotlight burns year-round, particularly in May prior to Spoleto's opening.
"The North Charleston Arts Festival presents performing arts and visual arts displays in locations throughout the city of North Charleston. And the little-known Piccolo Spoleto Festival highlights local and regional talent with an array of musicals and comedies, plus stagings by avant-garde theatrical groups."
Population: 118,492
Median Home Price: $314,600
For More Info: charlestoncvb.com
Sarasota, Florida
Lots of Northerners head to Florida for the temperate climate. But transplants to Sarasota, located on the Gulf Coast some 60 miles south of Tampa/St. Petersburg, take advantage of the cultural climate, as well. It's unlikely that any other city this size―especially among destination cities for cold-weather refugees―boasts as sophisticated an arts environment.
The city is home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, famed for its Old Masters; the highly respected Sarasota Opera, Florida West Coast Symphony, and Sarasota Ballet of Florida; several theater and choral organizations; and annual festivals dedicated to cinema and blues.
Although many Sarasotans choose to live on the mainland, the barrier islands strung between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico prove equally alluring. St. Armands Key has a self-contained shopping district; Siesta Key claims the whitest-sand beaches in the world. All of them, including exclusive residential Longboat Key, are connected by causeways to each other and to the mainland.
And with so much west-facing shoreland, the nightly sunset-watching ritual remains popular. Whether residents wander to the beaches or just to the edge of the deck on their boat, few can resist trying to catch the flash of green many claim to see just before the sun slips below the horizon.
what the locals know
Dick Pfaff, a Sarasota kayak instructor, likes to paddle the mangrove tunnels of busy Lido Key, across the bay from downtown. "The water is calm, shallow, and warm," says Dick, "and as you paddle, you can observe shorebirds, ospreys, and bald eagles. Heading back toward open water, you'll often see a pod of dolphins glide by as they feed with the incoming tide."
Population: 54,000
Median Home Price: $320,000
For More Info: sarasotafl.org
Fans say that Toronto is what New York would be like if it were run by the Swiss. But clean streets, a low crime rate, and a splendidly efficient system of subways and streetcars are only part of the lure of this Lake Ontario metropolis. Toronto's great achievement has been to remain a city of neighborhoods, and to have seamlessly integrated public, private, and commercial spaces.
Toronto, Ontario
Is Toronto a true coastal city? One look from the top of the CN Tower, the world's tallest freestanding structure, and you'll know the answer is "yes." The views of Lake Ontario are expansive and awe-inspiring, and the nearest large city, Rochester, New York, is miles across the lake and all but invisible. Need further proof? If you keep your boat at a downtown marina or in the nearby Toronto Islands, it's easy to access the St. Lawrence Seaway, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
Like other big cities that grew up along the Lakes, Toronto put its waterfront to work, eventually isolating a drab, utilitarian shoreline from the rest of downtown with elevated expressways. Happily, this central district has been reclaimed and now sparkles with luxury residential high-rises. But the real attraction, for Torontonians who want to be close to the water, is a neighborhood called the Beach, a onetime weekend cottage colony that the city reached eastward to embrace. It's a leafy residential quarter tucked between the shops and bistros of lively Queen Street and the boardwalk that hugs an apron of parkland along Lake Ontario. Six hundred lucky souls also live out on the islands, a 20-minute ferry ride from downtown, but don't count on landing one of those coveted 99-year leases.
Now Canada's largest city, Toronto hosts the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Ontario Museum, one of the world's great troves of fine arts and antiquities. They're all just a short ride from the Beach, on a shiny red streetcar.
what the locals know
Longtime Toronto resident and guidebook author Helen Lovekin looks forward each spring to the opening of the Riverdale Farmers' Market, an urban agricultural oasis tucked into the former site of the Toronto Zoo in the city's compact Victorian Cabbagetown neighborhood. "This is the place to buy the best vegetables, preserves, cheeses, honey, even bread from local bakers," says Helen. "It's all organic, and all produced within 100 kilometers [62 miles] of downtown. Some produce is even grown on site. And kids love to visit the farm animals." The market is open Tuesdays, May through October.
Population: 2.6 million
Median Home Price: $299,000 Canadian; about $250,000 US
For More Info: toronto.ca
New Orleans, Louisiana
Move to a new city and the neighbors might stop over with a plate of cookies or banana bread. But it isn't every day that you're greeted with a hug.
That's the reaction reported by at least one recent arrival in New Orleans. Because many more people have left the city than relocated here since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, locals value and appreciate each and every transplant. And while a lot of the newcomers have family or other connections in the Big Easy, a new brand of urban pioneer is arriving solely to take part in the rebuilding process―what one resident calls "a great time to be here."
The Crescent City, as it's known, is coastal to the core. Because it's bordered by the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, the sounds of foghorns and boat engines saturate the air. So much of New Orleans' history and culture comes from the water that even neighborhoods are defined by their proximity to waterways. You may live in Uptown (up river), West Bank, Lakeshore, or Riverside.
On dry land, time-honored attractions still draw newcomers: music, food, and a unique street culture in an atmosphere that―at least for the time being―resembles a compact collection of neighborhoods, rather than the once and future subtropical metropolis. New Orleans may not have bounced all the way back from Hurricane Katrina, but the comeback has definitely begun.
what the locals know
Native New Orleanian Kim Sunée recommends taking a nap on Thursdays, then staying up late and heading to Vaughan's Lounge (800 Lesseps Street) in the historic Bywater district. The location may require street smarts, but the journey's definitely worth it. At 11 p.m., Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers perform their signature brand of New Orleans Jazz whenever they're in town. Don't head home before the end of the first set―that's when Vaughan's gives away red beans and rice to satisfy any appetite.
Population: 155,000 (485,000 pre-Katrina)
Median Home Price: $215,000
For More Info: neworleansonline.com
When you live next door to the City of Big Shoulders, it helps to have something going on in your town.
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston has enough going for it to avoid being written off as just a Chicago suburb, even though it hugs the same lakeshore 15 miles north of the Loop. With a progressive, racially diverse, and highly educated populace, it's always had admirers, but in recent years the city's become downright hot.
Evanston has 86 parks and six Lake Michigan beaches―more than almost any Chicago-area community its size. Lighthouse Beach, with its historic beacon, is a local favorite, as is Dog Beach, where canines can romp off leash. As a pleasantly strenuous alternative to the fast but ho-hum Purple Line on the "L," a bike and foot path extends from Northwestern University's campus on the lake, all the way into Chicago. Kayakers who prefer calmer, more intimate surroundings than Lake Michigan can paddle the Sanitary Canal, also more appealingly known as the North Shore Channel, a branch of the Chicago River system. Yes, it really is sanitary―so much so that it's not uncommon to surprise a great blue heron around the next bend.
Arts events abound, headed by the annual Fountain Square Arts Festival, featuring open-air sales and displays of paintings, glassware, jewelry, and pottery. South Evanston has an urban feel―funky, locally owned shops and galleries line the blocks along Dempster Street, and the rejuvenated downtown has movie theaters, a flourishing public library, bookstores, and nearly 100 restaurants. One stroll past the lake and the fabulous historic houses and you'll agree that folks in Evanston have plenty of reasons to stay home. If the White Sox and the Cubs ever move north to this burb, there's a good chance no one will ever leave.
what the locals know
Peg Boggs has lived in Evanston for 30 years, and has never found a quieter, more secluded corner than Northwestern University's Shakespeare Garden. Planted nearly a century ago by the Garden Club of Evanston, the greens contain more than 50 types of flowers, trees, shrubs, and herbs mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. "It's hidden behind tall hedges near the Howes Memorial Chapel," says Peg, "a wonderful, private place for quiet contemplation."
Population: 74,360
Median Home Price: $369,900
For More Info: cityofevanston.org
Santa Barbara, California
The Franciscans liked Santa Barbara so much, they stayed.
Of all the missions established along California's El Camino Real during Spanish colonial days, only Mission Santa Barbara has been run by the Franciscan fathers since its founding. The city (sometimes called the American Riviera), has grown a good deal more worldly since 1786, with a campus of the University of California, an international film festival, and an eclectic group of residents ranging from artsy writers, renowned academics, Hollywood refugees―even migrating gray whales.
In a nod to the sea, Santa Barbara still manages to float a modest fishing fleet, which heads out of port for everything from salmon to sea urchins. Nostalgia for fresh West Coast seafood just might have been part of the draw for the late Julia Child, a California native who retired to this coast after spending most of her life on New England's chillier shores.
The setting is incomparable. The four northernmost portions of the Channel Islands National Park dot the Pacific, drawing divers, snorkelers, sea kayakers, and visitors who come to view spring wildflowers and colonies of elephant seals. The Santa Ynez Mountains tower in the distance, and the semiwild Parma Park offers miles of unmarked trails through rugged foothills. (A more formal counterpart is the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, hosting 1,000 native California plant species.) A short drive up the coast, the beaches of Goleta and the unlikely Danish community of Solvang await.
Santa Barbara Harbor is home to about 1,000 pleasure and commercial craft, and the oldest working wooden wharf in the state. Another treasure, perhaps a surprise for anyone who maintains that California's vineyards exist only in Napa and Sonoma counties, is Santa Barbara County's wine region, which ranges to the northwest. More than 21,000 acres are planted in vines, and the county is home to some 100 wineries. (You've probably seen a few of them, in circumstances whimsically bittersweet: The movie Sideways was filmed here.)
what the locals know
Writer, editor, and longtime Santa Barbara resident Joan Tapper likes to introduce newcomers to Casa del Herrero, on East Valley Road. "It was the home of George Fox Steedman, who commissioned noted architect George Washington Smith to re-create an Andalusian farmhouse," says Joan. "The home and gardens―and Steedman's fascinating workshop―are basically unchanged since the place was completed in 1925. Touring it is a treat."
Population: 90,473
Median Home Price: $1 million
For More Info: santabarbaraca.com
Portland, Maine
Portland managed to pull it off. Like so many small American cities in spectacular coastal locations, it reinvented itself in the last decades of the 20th century, turning a drab, decaying downtown into a destination center of boutiques, bistros, and brewpubs. But unlike so many communities, Portland could never be mistaken for a theme park. Its liveliness is a sign of life, not mere window dressing.
When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born here in 1807―and for many years before and since―Portland made its name as a seafaring city. It's still the largest port in New England in terms of tonnage, but by the 1970s its waterfront and adjacent downtown blocks were looking like they had been out in the weather too long. Worse, the commercial heart of the city along Congress Street had begun to feel the sting of suburban malls. There was a port, but was there still much of a Portland?
The revival gathered speed in the early 1980s, working inland from the docks. Before long, old ship chandleries jostled against block after block of restored brick structures housing shops, offices, and―though the statistic is hard to prove―what's said to be the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in the United States. Dozens of galleries enliven the downtown arts district, crowned by the Portland Museum of Art (with a building designed by I.M. Pei & Partners). At the downtown piers, a high-speed ferry transports residents with weekend travel in mind to Bar Harbor or Nova Scotia.
Best of all, though, Portlanders don't turn off the lights at five and go home to the suburbs. The city has recently been rated as the best place in the nation to build a small business, and its neighborhoods are thriving. Residents take special pride in picturesque quarters such as Munjoy Hill, ringed by Eastern Promenade, with its bay and lighthouse views; and in parks such as Deering Oaks, with its Saturday farmers' market, skating pond, and rose garden. Out on Casco Bay, Peaks, Great Diamond, and several smaller islands are part of the city, linked to the mainland by ferries, yet they maintain strong community identities of their own.
Portland is also home to the Fish Exchange (where fishermen unload their daily catch and offer it to chefs, processors, and market owners), and the astounding Browne Trading Company, which supplies fish and caviar to cooks and connoisseurs across the country. You can visit their retail location in the Old Port.
Whatever you do, make sure to crack open a lobster while you're here. The succulent crustaceans play a big role in the state's economic health, and take center stage on most restaurant menus. Just one claw and you'll know why.
what the locals know
According to writer and longtime Portland resident Wayne Curtis, the more interesting bistros and small restaurants are no longer clustered entirely around the city's restored waterfront. "Head out into the neighborhoods," Wayne says. "Check out the West End, Woodford's Corner, and Munjoy Hill, where the Blue Spoon is a local favorite."
Population: 63,000
Median Home Price: $274,900
For More Info: ci.portland.me.us
Seattle, Washington
It's the northernmost major American city, but notable for its mild climate. It's on the opposite side of the country from where the sun rises, but famous for a commodity that gets everyone up in the morning. It's the birthplace of grunge music, but home to the most-hyper-urbane characters in TV sitcom history. In little more than three decades, it's progressed from a recession-plagued city (where someone once quipped that the last one to leave "should turn the lights out") to a symbol of the 21st century's dynamic Pacific Rim economy. And its two most enduring symbols are a sky-piercing tower and an elevated train, souvenirs of yesterday's vision of the future.
The city, of course, is Seattle, where the coffee comes from, where you can ride the Monorail to the Space Needle―both left over from the 1962 World's Fair―and where, despite what you may have heard, it doesn't really rain all the time (the urban area gets only about 38 inches of rain a year, less than many eastern U.S. cities).
Perched in a spectacular location on island-strewn Puget Sound, Seattle has a combined total of 200 miles of shoreline―that's 147 miles of freshwater and 53 miles of salt water. With surroundings like these it's no wonder the city consistently ranks among the nation's top 10.
Once a lumber port and gateway to the Alaska of Gold Rush days, it later prospered as an aerospace capital. Dark days for the industry (and for local titan Boeing in particular) led to that early 1970s remark about turning off the lights, but the bounce back has been tremendous―for Boeing, which moved its front office to Chicago but maintains seven production facilities in and around the city, and for Seattle's economy in general. Among the metro area's stars are Microsoft, Starbucks, Nintendo of America, and Amazon.com, along with retailers such as Costco and Nordstrom and established behemoths such as UPS and Weyerhaeuser.
In the midst all of this highly caffeinated economic activity, Seattle's arts scene thrives. The Seattle Symphony has been a local fixture for more than a century, and the renowned Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet are now at home in spacious McCaw Hall. Minutes away, visitors can explore historic districts, Pike Place Market (which deserves every bit of its legendary status), and the Mariner's Safeco Field, next to the bustling port.
Plan your calendar in advance and―in addition to ball games―you can catch a weeklong boat show in January, the Seattle Maritime Festival in May (including "the country's largest tugboat race on Elliot Bay" and a chowder cook-off), a seafood festival in July, and the Christmas Ship Festival throughout December.
For the truly adventurous, the San Juan Islands, located only 80 miles north, are known as a "kayaker's dream." Home to an orca whale population, bald eagles, sea lions, and, like any good coast, gorgeous sunsets, the islands are close enough for day trips. For more cautious paddlers, guided tours are available.
what the locals know
Sue Sanem, owner of Portage Bay Goods in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, says that the official motto of her neighborhood is "Delibertus Quirkus" (freedom to be peculiar). As you enter Fremont, which describes itself as the "center of the universe," via a drawbridge, the first sight you'll see is a 53-foot rocket that appears poised for takeoff. Nearby, a two-ton ferroconcrete troll lurks under the Aurora Bridge. The area includes microbreweries, a chocolate factory, art galleries, an underground antiques mall, and several vintage clothing shops. On Sundays, there's a flea, craft, and farmers' market.
Population: 573,000
Median Home Price: $429,000
For More Info: seattle.net


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Rho LTW Neck Gaiter
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Merino wool/spandex neck gaiter keeps out snow and traps in body heat.
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BREAKING NEWS: Shooting At Liberty University Dorm
Nov 19, 2013
Lynchburg, VA – Police are investigating a deadly shooting Tuesday morning at Liberty University's off-campus dorm, called the Residential Annex.
ABC 13 learned in a press briefing Tuesday morning that a male student is dead.
Lt. Dave Gearhart with LPD says Lynchburg officers were called to the Annex as backup at 4:07 a.m.
Gearhart says their preliminary investigation reveals that an LU emergency services officer and a male LU student were involved in an altercation.
The LU officer shot and killed the student, according to Gearhart.
Students have been coming and going this morning because Gearhart believes this event is over.
"This appears to be an isolated incident. We're not seeking any more people," Gearhart said.
ABC 13 also spoke to an LU student that lives in Annex 1 just across the street. He says students received no alert of the shooting but he says he did hear something suspicious around 4 a.m.
"I just kept hearing bangs, like 6 or 7 pops. I didn't know what it was," the student said.
Annex 2 is an all-girls dormitory.
Gearhart did not say why a male student was at the dorm so early in the morning.
The student's name has not been released.
We're told officers are notifying next of kin.
The ABC 13 break in occurs about 1:50 into the video
Update: 10:15 a.m.:
Liberty University released a statement Tuesday morning on the shooting at the Residential Annex:
"Liberty University confirms initial reports that there was an altercation between a Liberty University Emergency Services Officer and a male student that led to a shooting last night at a women's-only residential hall (Residential Annex II) that is under investigation by the Lynchburg Police Department. The entire campus, including Annex I & II, are open and operating as normal. This appears to be an isolated incident and there is not any ongoing concern for the safety of students or the community."
Update: 6:01 a.m.
Lynchburg, VA - Liberty University has confirmed there was a shooting at the Residential Annex Tuesday morning.
Officials will not comment on whether the shooting was fatal.
Lynchburg, VA - Police are on the scene of an incident at Liberty University's Residential Annex on Odd Fellows Road.
Our crew on the scene is reporting seeing multiple officers from both Lynchburg Police and Liberty University Police.
We are hearing reports of a shooting.
The Annex is an off-campus dorm.


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Billy Ray Cyrus' wife Tish Cyrus files for divorce
Listen to Billy Ray Cyrus on iHeartRadio
(TMZ) - Billy Ray Cyrus is getting divorced... TMZ has learned.
Billy Ray's wife, Tish Cyrus, is citing "irreconcilable differences" in her filing. Her decision to pull the plug on the marriage comes 3 years after Billy Ray filed for divorce but dropped it in an attempt to work things out.
Billy Ray and Tish have been married for 19 years and have 5 children, including, of course, Miley. There's only one minor child left, Noah Cyrus, who is 13.
Tish is asking for full physical and legal custody, with visitation to Billy Ray.