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If you're reading this, you're probably worried about your risk for cancer. Whether you're just beginning to explore this issue or you're further along in your journey, this page is addressed to you. Thinking about cancer or dealing with cancer risk can be scary or overwhelming, but we believe that receiving information and resources is comforting, empowering, and even lifesaving.
FORCE was founded on the principle that no one should face hereditary cancer alone. As a twelve year survivor of hereditary breast cancer, I know that confronting cancer risk can be a complex, confusing, and highly individual journey. Everyone's path is slightly different because there are no guaranteed prevention, screening, or treatment options. FORCE does not have definitive answers or medical solutions -- unfortunately, no one does at this time -- but we can help you navigate these uncharted waters by equipping you with resources, information, and support.
As you navigate this site, take time to digest the information and determine what it means for you. Feel free to print out pages and share them with your health care team. Check out our page of FORCE programs for more information, support, or resources.
Sue Friedman
Executive Director
Understanding your Risk
Every woman is at some risk for breast and ovarian cancer. However, the exact risk for each person is different because of many factors including age, reproductive history, lifestyle, and genetics. You can learn more about cancer risk assessment and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risks by visiting our pages on these topics.
Although most cancer is not considered to be hereditary, there are families in which the incidence of cancer is very high. The members of these families may carry a change in their DNA that makes them more susceptible to cancer. If these changes (called mutations) are hereditary, they can be passed on to the next generation. To learn more about hereditary cancer risk, we encourage you to visit our hereditary cancer and cancer genetics section.
Genetics Specialists
If you believe that breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, you may want to contact a board-certified cancer genetic counselor, geneticist, or equally-qualified health care provider. These health care professionals can help determine your risk for hereditary cancer. Although they cannot tell you whether you will or won't get cancer, these experts can calculate a statistical range of your risk for certain cancers.
There are several ways to contact a qualified genetics expert. Visit our page on genetic counseling for more information. You can ask general questions of a board-certified genetic counselor by calling our "Ask-A-Counselor" feature on our toll-free helpline at:
866-288-7475, ext 704
If you leave a message, a board-certified genetic counselor will call back within two working days.
The good news is that, although we are all at some risk for cancer, for most of us the risk is lower than we think.
Genetic Testing
You've probably heard about genetic tests to determine whether you carry one of the mutations that increase your risk for breast or ovarian cancer. These are simple tests on blood or other samples, but interpretation of the results and what they mean for your health can be very complex. The best way to learn about the intricacies of genetic testing is by speaking with a specially-trained cancer genetics expert. For more information on genetic testing, visit our page on genetic testing.
Sharing genetic risk information with family members
One of the unique aspects of hereditary cancer is that risk can run in families. Hereditary cancer risk can be passed down from the mother or the father to sons or daughters. If you need information on how to discuss genetic counseling and testing with family members, visit our page on family history.
Genetic information, privacy & discrimination
Perhaps you've heard there are concerns about genetic discrimination by insurance companies or employers. In May, 2008 the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), a federal law prohibiting discrimination by health insurance companies and employers was passed and signed into law. The provisions went into effect in 2009. For more information, please visit our page on privacy and discrimination concerns.
Although issues of genetic discrimination are real, there have been few published cases of genetic discrimination based on BRCA genetic testing. As with all aspects of genetic testing, each individual must weigh the risk and fear of genetic discrimination against the possible benefits of the test.
Exploring your Options
If you have already had genetic counseling and learned that you are at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer, you can find out more about your options for managing your cancer risk in our risk management section.
The general categories for risk management include surveillance, chemoprevention, and surgery. Researchers periodically conduct clinical trials in early detection or prevention for high-risk women. Our clinical trials and research page includes links to studies that are currently being conducted in these areas.
We also have a gallery of post-mastectomy and reconstruction photos that have been submitted by our members.
Finding Support
Wherever you are in the process of determining your cancer risk or risk management options, there is a good chance that you can find others in your situation within our Support and Community sections.
Need More Information?
Can't find the information you are looking? FORCE has a wealth of information and resources. Visit our page of Frequently Asked Questions on topics surrounding hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Please visit our site map, try our search function, and check out our list of FORCE programs. If you still can't find what you are looking for, you can email us at: firstname.lastname@example.com and we can help you find resources in your area.


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Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma is a focal point of our region's health care for the poor.
Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma is a focal point of our region's health care for the poor.
A flurry of cheers went up recently when a private-public partnership among the state, Ochsner Health System and Terrebonne General Medical Center.
But amid the happiness that this vital public institution had been saved from what could have been paralyzing state budget cuts, there were some important questions, and those questions have yet to be answered.
First and most importantly, how will Chabert continue to achieve its primary mission of caring for the poor as it has done for so long as a charity hospital? Clearly, its role will change a bit since it will be part of a private medical system. But its significance to our area is in the population of people who too often have nowhere else to turn for medical care.
Second, how long will the agreement last? Will we have to face another crisis in the next year or two if this agreement ends?
Unfortunately, the answers to those crucial questions were nowhere to be found Thursday when state health officials met with the House Health and Welfare Committee.
"Those are ongoing dialogues," said LSU System Executive Vice President Dr. Frank Opelka.
Clearly, this is a situation that is still evolving. But the state officials overseeing it have to be more open with the public they should be representing.
It seems like some basic information could be released even now without jeopardizing any of the sensitive negotiations among all the various parties.
On the good side of things, there is a new, optimistic tone in the way Opelka and others talk about Chabert and the several other state-run hospitals that are entering similar partnerships.
He spent part of Thursday talking about the state's desire to draw the best and brightest medical students to train here. That is an exciting prospect, particularly for a hospital that faced such an uncertain and cloudy future only several months ago.
However, the people who depend on Chabert must be the primary concern moving forward. The other benefits of having a teaching hospital in our community are ancillary to the cause of caring for those who are unable otherwise to get care.
That is the goal that simply cannot be forgotten or even lessened by the new arrangement.
It remains unclear how that goal will coexist with the new system, but if the two ideals can both thrive, perhaps this could serve as a model going forward.
Losing Chabert would have been unthinkable for Houma-Thibodaux and the surrounding area, but so would keeping it without its primary directive.
Let's hope these issues can be resolved and the public can know what sort of system it has.
Editorials represent the opinions of
the newspaper, not of any individual.

subset: commoncrawl


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Thornton Properties
Please complete all of the required fields below to make a reservation.
Cancellation, Deposit & Booking Policies
Initial Deposit – 50% of Total Due – is payable once the electronic contract has been sent back signed. You will have 5 business days to complete this unless you are booking within 48 hours of your stay. Final Payment – 50% of Total Due – will be processed 15 days prior to your arrival date with credit card on file. Cancellation Policy: If guest cancels less than 15 days prior to occupancy, then all monies guest have paid prior thereto will be forfeited. For cancellations more than 15 days prior to occupancy, all monies will be returned except a $75.00 cancellation fee or 10% of total monies paid (which ever is larger). All cancellations must be in writing and signed by guest.
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"What's for dessert?"
It's not a question only a 5-year-old would ask, although at that age it can be especially important.
Ted gave Sydney an option.
"Finish your hamburger and you can have dessert."
She fingered the half eaten burger. She had already downed several long carrot sticks and a couple of handfuls of chips. She squirmed in the porch seat, the remainder of the burger sat on a paper plate on her knees. The bun was open and the patty was layered with cheese and topped with ketchup.
Ted didn't answer the question about dessert.
She wasn't going to get to weigh her options, or so it looked.
Sydney and her twin sister Alex spotted the Saran-wrapped glass tray when Carol brought it to the table. They didn't ask questions, even though the brown contents got a few curious looks.
"Well, just eat the meat," Ted said, backing off a bit.
Sydney lifted the meat off the bun slowly. She was delaying, waiting for an answer.
"I finished my hotdog!" Alex announced triumphantly. Now she wanted to know what was for dessert. Sydney's ally was now at her side.
Ted went back to his last precondition for dessert.
"It's just a couple of bites," he insisted.
Maybe he hadn't seen the tray of uncut brownies. Maybe he regretted making dessert a condition and felt Sydney should do as she was told, period.
"It's mushroom cake," I announced.
"Yew!" Sydney responded, scrunching her face into the worst possible look. "Yuk!" said Alex, with an even worse face.
"You don't know how good it is until you've tried it," I said.
"I'm not having any," Sydney declared.
Now there was no incentive at all to finish the burger. Alex was of the same mind. This was a Mother's Day cookout that became a welcome back Ted party. As a 40th birthday adventure, he and two of his windsurfing friends had been planning a trip to Cape Hatteras for months. They found a beach house online, spent hours packing their gear into a trailer Ted customized for boards, spars, sails and all the stuff that goes with it. As the day neared, they studied weather forecasts, hoping the cape would live up to its windy reputation.
Ted, the stubble of a gray-flecked beard ringing his face, had returned the night before. He was ready to show us snippets from the hours of video, many made with head cams while they were riding the waves and others, as it turned out, while playing ping pong.
Back at our house, the twins wore T-shirts from the trip, each bearing a comic spouting whale and a phrase about saving the environment. In their shirts and shorts, the girls were cute.
Mushroom cake, however, troubled them.
"And it comes with pickle ice cream," Ted announced.
"No way!" Alex said.
Ted didn't retreat. "It really goes with mushroom cake."
Sydney wasn't paying attention. A tiny spot of ketchup had landed on the spout of her whale. She pointed to it in distress and asked Carol whether it would come out.
"Mom can spray it when you get home—don't worry," she comforted.
Sydney didn't look convinced. Now Alex was checking her green shirt. To her alarm, there were a couple of spots.
Carol assured her it would all come out in the wash. Alex wanted guarantees; she was concerned.
Sydney put down the meat paddy and pulled at her shirt to check for any additional spots. In shock, she realized she was holding the shirt with greasy hands. Now there were lots of spots.
Ted used the incident to emphasize the importance of being careful. Sydney wasn't in the mood for a lesson. She looked at the shirt in horror and then dissolved into tears.
It was time to bring mushroom cake to the rescue. Carol cut it into squares and brought out the ice cream.
"It's vanilla!" Alex declared with sudden interest, and Sydney brightened.
Carol delivered plates of "mushroom cake" and ice cream to the twins.
Sydney started with a few crumbs. She was now smiling.
"It's a brownie," she shouted.
I mocked disappointment, "I thought this was a special day and we would get mushroom cake."
It was a special day. Ted gave Carol a big hug and a hanging plant for the porch. Carol got to be motherly as the twins pulled their T-shirts out from the waist and watched her spray every spot. And then she was mother again as we cleaned up.
It was just another Mother's Day.


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Car Review
2014 Kia Sorento: New vs. Old
Line up the revamped 2014 Kia Sorento with the 2013 version and you might find it difficult to identify the differences, which makes the automaker's assertion that the majority of this midsize crossover SUV's bits and pieces are either new or redesigned that much harder to believe. Kia insists, however, that 80 percent of the 2014 Sorento's parts are exactly that, from a new chassis and a new V6 engine to a new top-of-the-line Sorento SXL trim level that wears a price tag north of $43,000 with all the option boxes checked.
Given the extent of the upgrades, combined with the fact that the previous version of the Sorento wasn't terribly old in the first place, we wondered if the significantly modified 2014 Kia Sorento is an improvement over the older 2011-2013 version. Let's take a closer look.
Fuel Economy:
From 2011 to 2013, the Kia Sorento was originally offered with a choice between a 4-cylinder and a V6 engine. The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder generates 175 horsepower in the standard format. In 2012, Kia added a more fuel-efficient, direct-injected version of the 4-cylinder, which makes 191 hp. The 3.5-liter V6 engine is rated to deliver 276 hp. In the base version of the Sorento, a 6-speed manual transmission feeds power to the front wheels. A 6-speed automatic transmission is available, and required for the optional all-wheel-drive system.
By 2013, there were seven different powertrain combinations for the Kia Sorento. The most fuel-efficient model contained a direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this version could get 21 miles per gallon city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg in combined driving. The least fuel-efficient model had the V6 engine and the all-wheel-drive system, resulting in EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy and 20 mpg combined.
For the 2014 Sorento, Kia makes the direct-injected 4-cylinder engine standard, the 6-speed automatic transmission standard and swaps the previous 3.5-liter V6 for a more powerful 3.3-liter V6. The new V6 engine is standard on all Sorento models except for the LX and is rated to generate 290 hp at 6,400 rpm and 252 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Versions with all-wheel drive now include Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC).
The 2014 Sorento is not as fuel efficient as the 2011-2013 Sorento models, an odd direction for Kia to take at a time when automakers are striving to meet stringent new fuel economy standards. For example, the standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is now rated to get the same fuel economy as last year's V6 model at 20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy and 22 mpg in combined driving. Estimates for the 2014 Sorento with the V6 engine and front-wheel drive also drop, but the all-wheel-drive model matches last year's SUV at 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy and 20 mpg in combined driving. Kia recently came under scrutiny for inflated gas mileage claims, so the new numbers likely reflect a more realistic approach to fuel economy estimates.
While we applaud Kia's simplification of the Sorento's powertrain lineup for 2014, limiting the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine to the base Sorento LX model with front-wheel drive could cost Kia customers if they strongly value fuel economy. Therefore, we think the 2011-2013 Sorento lineup offers buyers greater opportunity to mix and match drivetrains and trim levels to derive greater value at the gas pump.
The 2014 Sorento is offered with a new Blind Spot Monitoring System, a useful technology that, when the turn signal is used to change lanes, alerts the Sorento's driver to the presence of vehicles traveling in adjacent lanes and hidden in the SUV's blind spots. An all-new chassis also debuts on the 2014 Sorento, providing an 18 percent increase in torsional rigidity. The stronger frame is designed to improve ride and handling, but could have safety implications as well.
We say the new chassis could have safety implications because, at the time this article was written, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has performed crash tests on the 2014 Sorento. Previously, the 2011-2013 Sorento models received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. In NHTSA testing, the 2011 Sorento received a 3-star rating for rear seat passenger protection in a side-impact collision, but scored either 4 or 5 stars in all other evaluations. In 2012 and 2013, the Sorento was upgraded from 3 stars to 5 stars for rear seat passenger protection in a side-impact collision.
Though the 2014 Sorento has not been subjected to crash tests at the time this article was published, it is likely to prove to be just as safe as the previous model, thanks to its stiffer platform and the availability of a Blind Spot Monitoring System, which is a significant improvement over the old model. Likely advantage: 2014 Sorento. However, it remains to be seen if the chassis upgrades help the 2014 Sorento pass the new small overlap frontal-impact crash test conducted by the IIHS, which will allow Kia to retain the Sorento's Top Safety Pick rating.
Reliability data for the previous version of the Sorento is not easy to come by. Available information indicates that this SUV provides average levels of quality and returns average reliability, which makes Kia's excellent warranty a consideration which is that much more important.
Every new 2014 Sorento is protected by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance. The same level of protection covers all certified pre-owned (CPO) Sorentos, and they add a 150-point vehicle inspection, a CarFax report and travel breakdown coverage in the event the SUV requires repair on a trip.
Given that new and CPO Sorento models share the same warranty coverage and because owner-reported quality and reliability survey data reflects a merely average performance in this regard, we lean toward recommending a new Sorento over a used Sorento.
Speaking of used Sorentos, at the time this article was written, there are 675 certified pre-owned Sorento models listed on AutoTrader, ranging from a 2011 Sorento LX with almost 38,600 miles and priced at $16,995, to a 2013 Sorento SX AWD with 3,000 miles and a price of almost $35,000. As the research for this article is completed, Kia is offering CPO Sorentos at low interest rates ranging between 1.99 percent for 36 months and 3.99 percent for up to 60 months.
In addition to good deals on CPO Sorentos, Kia dealers are offering better deals on the outgoing 2013 models, from low-interest financing as low as zero percent for 36 months to low-payment leases. Cash-back rebates, loyalty rebates and competitive bonuses are also in effect, amounting to as much as $2,750 depending on the version of the Sorento purchased. Sticker prices range from $23,950 for a 2013 Sorento LX with front-wheel drive to $34,200 for a 2013 Sorento SX AWD.
The least expensive 2014 Sorento LX with front-wheel drive starts at $24,950, $1,000 higher than the 2013 model, while the 2014 Sorento SX jumps to $37,500. Kia also offers a new luxury-themed Sorento SXL model at the top of the lineup, which starts at $40,500 with all-wheel drive and costs $43,105 with every option box checked.
Combine price increases with fuel economy decreases and the updated 2014 Sorento doesn't make a strong value argument compared to 2011-2013 CPO versions, let alone heavily discounted brand-new 2013 Sorentos that dealers are eagerly brooming from inventory. That's why we think the previous Sorento offers better value.
To entice buyers, Kia adds technology upgrades to the 2014 Sorento. Electric steering is standard this year, offering driver-controlled Flex Steer settings of Comfort, Normal and Sport. Most models are equipped with a new 7-inch LCD information screen in the gauge cluster and a larger 8-in color touchscreen for the center control panel, while Sorento AWD models feature new Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) technology. New options include a next-generation UVO infotainment system with eServices technology, a new Blind Spot Monitoring System, a new programmable power rear lift gate, a 115-volt power inverter and ventilated front seats. The luxury-themed Sorento SXL model is equipped with self-leveling Xenon headlights, a heated steering wheel and a heated rear seat, among other features.
While we think the most significant of these new features are the Blind Spot Monitoring System and new UVO eServices technology, there's no denying that the new 2014 Sorento is a more technologically sophisticated vehicle than the SUV it replaces.
AutoTrader's Recommendation:
Certified pre-owned versions of the 2011-2013 Kia Sorento would provide undeniable value to midsize crossover SUV shoppers, if not for their average quality and reliability ratings. For this reason, despite the fact that a CPO Sorento is equipped with an equally impressive warranty, we think consumers would do well to purchase a brand-new version of the Sorento. Try to find a leftover 2013 model while supplies last, or choose the 2014 Sorento for its impressive technology upgrades.


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Shipping Policy
How much will it cost
to have LaTorre's Rabbit & Groundhog Out shipped to me?
We like to keep our customers happy. We don't charge a handling fee like most other companies and we have the lowest fixed shipping rate possible. Our low fixed rate is listed under each individual bottle on our product info page. And as always, free shipping on our 1 gallon concentrate, 2.5 gallon concentrate, and 5 gallon concentrate.
How will my order be
All orders are shipped FedEx. If you place your order prior to 4:PM EST Monday through Friday, your order will be shipped that same day. Any orders placed after 4:PM EST will ship the next day. Orders placed on a Saturday or Sunday will be shipped out on Monday. Your package will ship from our New Jersey manufacturing facility....If you live in a rural area or in the mid west or on the west coast, please allow up to 6 business days for your package to arrive....Feel free to call us for your FedEx tracking number only after 6th business day if your package does not arrive.
IMPORTANT: FedEx does not ship to P.O. boxes. When ordering, please be sure to provide a physical address for FedEx delivery.
Transit Times


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The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:
It's Michelle Obama's fault
The bakers union and the AFL-CIO are blaming the GOP, Mitt Romney and asset management companies like Bain Capital for the closing of Hostess bakeries. These unions failed to mention that Hostess has been in bankruptcy twice, and the contract was imposed by the bankruptcy judge. Who is at fault? Look no further than Michelle Obama, who states that eating foods like Twinkies, HoHos and white bread make people fat. And Michelle wants all Americans to eat healthy.
Not bashing the union
This is for the Hostess union basher, do yourself a favor and find out about what you are talking about. You know nothing about what the unions did to Hostess. The unions didn't pay the bills or write the marketing. The unions are hard-working individuals. Anyone who bashes the union does not understand what a union stands for. It's because of unions that you have workers rights. Do yourself a favor and find out the history of a company before you start spouting off about what a union does to destroy a company.
Would not hire them
The bakers union at Hostess got themselves out of a job. Instead of asking for more money, why couldn't they live on what they have and get a part-time job? Yes, we're all going to miss Hostess, but do they honestly think, the bakers, that they are going to find another job down the road in this economy? If I was an employer and I found out that one of the interviewers were from bakers union, I would not hire them. They would do the same thing. Live within your means. And if you can't live within your means, like the teachers, then get a job at Walmart. They are hiring.
Who is the real idiot?
What disrespect and hate for our president, calling him an idiot, and the people who voted for him. What things to teach the children. Who is the real idiot?
Actress in the ER
Actress Selena Gomez is a prime example of why our medical costs are outrageous. She goes to the emergency room for a staph culture, rather than going to her primary physician. How many people did she jump ahead because she is an actress? She should have gone to her primary.
Feeling like a sucker
It's laughable that District 304 "seeks a small tax levy increase" with their new contract. It averages out to another $340 per year on a Geneva house that is approximately $340,000 in value. My taxes now are $11,000 per year, or about 3.4 percent, with $6,500 of those monies going to District 304. Now, another $340 per year. Congratulations to District 304. I can't wait to sell my house to some other sucker who thinks that the taxes are worth living in such a great place.
• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.


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Eric Hosmer is eager to see what makes San Francisco's waterfront ballpark unique.
"I know absolutely nothing," the Kansas City first baseman said. "I've heard nothing but good things about it, the atmosphere and the energy the crowd brings. I've always wanted to play there."
"I'm sure going for the first time for a World Series game, it should be fun," he said.
Well, wait until he trips over a bullpen mound chasing a foul ball. Or a teammate loses a fly in the mist that wafts above shallow center. Or those swirling winds turn a routine popup into an all-out scramble.
Who knows? Might even get a crazy carom off that odd-shaped brick facade on the right-field...


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joyful wrote: again, one of the things Sam, based on his reputation, was supposed to bring us was the most scientific and up to date conditioning programmes. So do our players just not take any notice, or once again is this part of the Sam illusion?
I think that some of them are beyond his reach tbh - though I do think that some do look improved.
It isn't in them naturally, or after injury, to be able to compete with the various younger, fitter, naturally more athletic players.
If you look at the Newcastle revival - how many players do they have in their team that look suspect physically? None? One?
Pardew and O'Neill consciously avoid older, slower players unless they really are gifted.


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Residents near New River warned of loud explosions
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC (AP) — Officials at Camp Lejeune are warning nearby residents that they might hear periodic explosions as unexploded ordnance is destroyed.
Marine Corps spokesman Nat Fahy says the explosions are scheduled for Thursday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. near the training area of Camp Geiger and its old entrance gate off US 17. There will be explosions on Friday and Saturday during the same time frame near the F-5 range off NC 24 east of Piney Green Road.
Fahey says Marines are blowing up mostly old rifle and rocket grenades or mortar rounds used on the training ranges. The spokesman says many are training or inert rounds, but some could be high-explosive, so they are all being safely detonated before planned construction in the area.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More: continued here


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We create an environment where each student is:
As core beliefs, these are simple statements - but in the context of American secondary education, they're what set us apart.
Being a small school means that Woods is a safe, friendly, and personable place to learn. Yet, we have chosen to be small for reasons beyond the atmosphere and the "feel of the place." In fact, being small has even more to do with our fundamental beliefs in how adolescents learn to use their minds. Real, lasting learning takes place in the context of a relationship - a relationship that extends beyond one class or one year.
Our teachers are ready to engage and ready to challenge young minds. The high school at Woods is not the place for students who want to hide out or scoot by anonymously. It is the place for students who are ready to take an active part in their education.


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Mom to Aimee, born 8/22/11
for 20 months!
My DD started sleeping through the night on her own at 13 weeks. One morning I woke up at 5, ready to feed her, and she slept on and on...9 hours straight, when the longest stretch I'd got was 5 (which, I know, is STTN). I pumped 3 times, I was so engorged. For a glorious 10 weeks, she (mostly) continued, giving me 7-9 hour sleep stretches. I'd wake up, pump the side she'd nursed last, and a bit from the one she's be nursing from at next feed. Between 22 and 23 weeks, it all went downhill, and she's been waking at least once, usually several times a night, since then. She's not a self-soother yet...needs the boob to fall asleep if she's not in the car or stroller, so she was putting a lot of demand...my supply was fine. I don't pump anymore in the morning unless she gives me a rare long stretch. All I know is, her weight is steadily increasing, she has at least 8 wet cloth diapers a day, and poops every two or three days. I offer the breast all the time, and she lets me know when she wants it (sometimes 5 minutes after she last refused, cheeky monkey). Your body will adjust if your LO sleeps through, and then stops sleeping through.
I hope tonight's a longer stretch kind of night...
FTM to Emmeline Talia, June 14, 2012, , trying to (she likes the ergo and the moby), and
feed on demand. even at night, until you know for every fact that baby is satisfied all day and all night.
then worry about sleeping through the night.
feed on demand. even at night, until you know for every fact that baby is satisfied all day and all night.
then worry about sleeping through the night.
Mommy to Baby Sage: 6lb, 19in, born on 5/20/12
love: hotsling AP, bumgenius diapers, ergoBaby
loving fiancée to SAHD
visit us at: mommy & sage
1st time mom over 40 to Alex(andra) b: 7/14/12


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Posted by David Meyer
David Meyer is a Foreign Affairs Officer working on Roma issues in the Office of European Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
The Romani people, one of the largest minority groups in Europe, have made significant contributions to European and American culture and societies. From musicians and dancers in Spain, to human rights lawyers in Budapest, to dedicated educators in Macedonia, the Roma people continue to shape Europe's future. Yet, the Roma are one of the most marginalized groups in Europe, facing challenges to overcome systematic discrimination. On April 8, 2013, U.S. and European human rights activists and scholars came together at Harvard University for a conference entitled "Realizing Roma Rights: Addressing Violence, Discrimination, and Segregation in Europe to celebrate International Roma Day" to discuss how the Roma can reclaim their rights and harness the human potential of a diverse population of more than 10 million people.
Living in Eastern Europe in 2009, I witnessed firsthand the effects of the socio-economic exclusion of the Roma population. These experiences led me to return to the State Department in 2012 to focus on U.S. government efforts to promote Roma inclusion and rights in Europe.
It wasn't until 1971 that April 8 was declared International Roma Day by the 4th Romani World Congress. Since then, there has been a steady revitalization of organizations dedicated to promoting Roma inclusion and an awakening of even some of the most isolated Romani populations to their rights in a free and economically prosperous Europe.
One of the most well-known Romani activists to emerge out of this awakening, Andrzej Mirga, now the Senior Advisor on Roma and Sinti Issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, took the stage. He has become one of the most ardent defenders of Roma rights in Europe and represents, along with his peers, a small but growing cohort of savvy Romani professionals dedicated to the betterment of their people's social and economic situation.
Mr. Mirga noted that since the 1980s, there have been many potential "historic moments" for societal change to better the situation of Roma, but activists have often been disillusioned by the significant gaps that still exist and the slow progress of European initiatives.
To overcome these gaps, the State Department stands with tireless advocates such as Mr. Mirga. As Secretary Kerry said, "The United States reaffirms its determination to meet this challenge, together with European governments, civil society, and through international organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to achieve equality, opportunity, and inclusion for all Roma."
Read more about the State Department's activities on our International Roma Day page on HumanRights.gov.


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It seems like KTLK's (Kuch Toh Log Kahenge's) writers do a better job in winters. Last year, during this time of the year (November, December and January), the focus of the story was the budding romance between Dr Ashutosh and Dr Nidhi in the hospital setting, highlighting the bubbly character of Dr Nidhi (and Rohan), and thus making watching the serial a very gripping and enjoyable experience (at least for me). Though the serial continued to be very interesting during the 2012 summer, but Nidhi's charming face was something that all of us badly missed. But no longer. With the onset of winter, the plot of the story has returned to the hospital backdrop and our very charming and bubbly Dr Nidhi is also back, and this time with a mischievous touch. Further, to make the sequence even more gripping, just as last year, we have two new characters (rather cameos), Aditi (played by Sheena Bajaj) and Dr Dubey (played by Abhay Bhargav).
So as the serial is getting more and more enjoyable, don't forget to watch it Mon-Fri at 11 PM and 12:30 PM (repeat telecast) on SET India. You can also watch full episodes on VideoChaska. Also, keep checking this blog for latest updates on the show.


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Expert Reviews
2008 Saturn Sky
The Saturn Sky is a high-fashion, two-seat roadster designed to compete against the Mazda MX-5 Miata and other roadsters. Like the Miata, the Sky is relatively affordable when compared against the BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, and Honda S2000.
We think the Saturn Sky is well worth a look for anyone who wants a fun, two-seat cruiser that can drop the top and let the sun shine in. It doesn't have the agility of the Miata, but the Sky is a classic sports car with classic sports car running gear: rear-wheel drive, a fully independent suspension, powerful four-wheel disc brakes, high-performance tires, a double overhead-cam engine, and a manual gearbox.
Saturn's roadster is built on GM's worldwide Kappa platform, a rear-wheel-drive architecture shared with the Pontiac Solstice in the U.S. and the Opel GT in Europe. But while the Solstice is rounded and quietly muscular with relatively subtle surface decoration, the Sky is lean, sharp, aggressive and extroverted. Given their mechanical similarity, the two cars look remarkably different with dramatically different styling. The base Sky comes better equipped than the base-level Solstice.
The Sky comes with a choice of engines. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder is a sensible engine, while the Sky Red Line features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boasting 260 horsepower. The Red Line also comes with special front and rear styling, high-performance tires, and a sports suspension.
For 2008, the Saturn Sky comes better equipped. All 2008 models come with StabiliTrak electronic stability control, a limited-slip differential, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power height adjuster for the driver's seat. The standard audio system has been upgraded and includes XM Satellite Radio. Customers can choose top and interior leather colors independent of paint color, instead of having to accept a prescribed factory combination (for an extra cost, of course).
New for 2008 is a torque beam added to manual-transmission models to isolate noise associated with abrupt torque transfer away from the passenger compartment. The system was originally developed specifically for the added power and torque of the Red Line, but was then extended to all models with manual gearboxes late in the 2007 model year.
Another benefit the Sky offers is Saturn's one-price, no-haggle car shopping and one of the best dealer networks in the country.
Model Lineup
Saturn Sky ($25,855); Sky Red Line ($30,115)
Walk AroundThe Saturn Sky looks more aggressive than the mechanically similar Pontiac Solstice. While the Solstice has a traditional Pontiac split grille and a nosepiece that rolls under gracefully, the Sky nosepiece is almost four inches longer and slathered with chrome, part of the latest Saturn design direction and consistent with the front-end design of the Saturn Aura sedan and Saturn Vue crossover.
The Sky nose looks like a boxer leading with his chin, but the overall effect is sporty, with sharp peaks on the tops of the front fenders and big forward-raked air outlets just behind the front wheels. Horizontal creases extend from the top and bottom of those outlets into the doors, the top crease lining up neatly with the cut line for the engine hood opening. We think it is these lines, combined with the way that the Sky's grille splits horizontally (rather than vertically, as on the Solstice) that make the Saturn look longer and flatter than the Solstice, more complex against the Pontiac's simple, more pressed-and-pleated rather than curvy and voluptuous.
The Sky's front lower fascia has unique styling elements, including functional brake cooling inlets and a mesh pattern in the lower grille that's said to improve air flow. Twin headrest nacelles just behind the cockpit (like the Solstice's) lead to a short rear end with small, tasty corner-mounted taillamps.
Given the restrictions imposed by sharing the GM Kappa platform, we think it's a pretty successful execution of a new Saturn design, with only a few niggles, like the tiny Sky badge hung out there in left field instead of centered under the Saturn logo on the decklid where we think it belongs.
The Red Line is in some ways more understated than the base model. It forgoes the horizontal strakes that divide the brake scoops on the base version, and substitutes black headlight bezels for the base model's bright finish. Then it adds some flash back into the mix with polished wheels and bright twin exhaust tips.
The Sky looks pretty cool with the top down, not so cool with the flying-buttress top up. Stowing the top requires popping the decklid with the key fob, which also unlocks the pins that hold down the two fabric extensions that attempt to smooth out the top's visual profile behind the rear window. Then you have to get out of the car, fold the top down into the cargo bay, push it down a couple of times until it is fully nested, then walk around to the back of the car and slam the decklid down with a good amount of force from the center of the lid so that both sides will lock down. This is in contrast to the simplicity of the Miata's top. The Saturn top features an insulating inner layer, but air leaks in between window glass and top seals on both sides of the car.
GM did a masterful job of designing the Sky to take advantage of parts and pieces from GM products around the world, including a set of bucket seats from a Mexican Chevrolet model, driveshaft and differential from the Cadillac CTS, a manual transmission from the Chevrolet Colorado, inner door panels from the Pontiac Solstice, and a glovebox door from the Chevy Cobalt, none of which should be of consequence to a prospective buyer because the designers and engineers have done such a good job of turning all those parts, with appropriate tweaks, into a Saturn Sky.
In short, the Saturn Sky is a very attractive sports car. Like many traditional roadsters before it, the Sky calls for some sympathy and understanding on the part of its owner.
InteriorThe interior of the Sky is its Achilles heel. While the dashboard and instrumentation are done well, the instruments themselves are set in hard-finished plastic with dramatic Piano Black shiny trim. The controls are all reachable and easy to use, but there is a lot of flash and reflection from the chrome rims on every knob and dial, and from shiny black trim.
Storage inside the cabin is limited. The glovebox is small, and there are no door pockets. The storage bin between the seats has an awkward push/twist lock instead of a simple pushbutton, and that bin doesn't hold much either. There are storage pockets on the back side of the seat backs and storage nets on the rear wall, but the seatback latch is buried in the darkness and it's hard to use. In a new twist on cupholders, they are mounted between the seatbacks below the storage bin, which forces you to use your outside hand to set down or retrieve your drink, reaching across your body. Weird, but it works. Better yet, do all your drinking before or after the drive.
The bucket seats are comfortable enough for short runs, and offer good lateral support, but little thigh support for the long haul, and they don't have enough built-in adjustability for tall folks, limited by the short length of the cockpit. The seatback rake adjuster is a wheel, not a lever, and it is in a very tight space between the side of the seat and the door, nearly impossible to use with the doors closed.
Cargo room in the Sky is barely adequate for a single person's weekend getaway, let alone a couple's. There's only 5.4 cubic feet of space under the decklid with the top up, only 2.0 cubic feet with the top stowed, and the shape of the space is interrupted by a huge domed area in the center to accommodate the rear axle assembly, so the space isn't conducive to anything but soft, pliable luggage that can be squished around to fit.
Driving ImpressionsThe handling capability of the Saturn Sky is excellent. We've found the Sky wonderful fun on country roads. Saturn says it will pull 0.9g on the skid pad, world-class for a car in this price class. The steering is accurate and nicely weighted. The ride quality is what you would expect from a short-wheelbase car with big, fat heavy tires and wheels, smooth and pleasant on good pavement, but harsh on railroad tracks and bad pavement. The Sky has a 53/47 front/rear weight balance and four meaty 245/45R18 tires.
The Ecotec engine that comes standard gets the job done but it isn't particularly sporting. The 2.4-liter Ecotec is undersquare (a bigger stroke than bore), with a very high power peak. That means you have to wind it up through the gears to have any fun with the car, and that produces loud, thrashy noises under the hood which we find not much fun to listen to shift after shift. Nor are we particularly fond of the low, blatty exhaust note. The engine, mounted longitudinally in the chassis and leaned over at a 10-degree angle, has electronic throttle control, variable valve timing and most of the other modern conveniences, but it just doesn't make enough power or torque down low where you need it. The clutch actuation was fine, and the fat little short-throw shifters in our test cars were smooth and slick with a little bit of notchiness here and there.
Emissions regulations have forced a slight re-tuning for 2008, which has dropped the engine's power peak from 6600 to 5800 rpm; still, it's not a free-revving unit such as the one found in the Mazda Miata. For 2008, EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg Highway.
The more powerful, more firmly sprung Sky Red Line is much more fun to drive with its 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder. This engine delivers 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the latter over a very flexible range of 2500-5250 rpm. Bore and stroke dimensions for the 2.0-liter are identical, so there's less harshness. And there's no turbo lag. The turbo rolls out its power in a smooth, linear fashion, with strong acceleration performance available over a wide range of engine speeds. We've found this engine far more willing for sporty driving than the 2.4-liter normally aspirated engine in the standard model.
Best of all, the 2.0-liter turbo-motor delivers significantly better highway mileage, rating 28 mpg Highway by the EPA. As with the base engine, premium fuel is recommended for maximum performance (but not required).
One of the attributes we like best about the Sky is its powerful, progressive braking, with very little slop at the top of the pedal before deceleration starts. These are big discs brakes for such a small car, and they work very well and very consistently.
The Saturn Sky is a nice cruiser. It looks cool and sporty and would be a good commuter car. It isn't the best choice for tall drivers, and as with any two-seat roadster, luggage space is at a premium. Buyers benefit from the Saturn dealer network. The Sky Red Line version features a free-revving turbocharged engine we've found more willing for spirited driving.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from Northern California.


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|2011-11-02, 14:35
|Link #21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
|2011-11-02, 14:37
|Link #22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Central Texas
Age: 34
Giriko murdered his wife
Riruka kidnapped a person and held him against his will
|2011-11-02, 14:52
|Link #24
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Online
|2011-11-02, 15:08
|Link #25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Age: 27
I'm just guessing all this though...
|2011-11-02, 15:18
|Link #26
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Central Texas
Age: 34
I know I'm trying to use a bit too much logic for Bleach...but it's still kidnapping and false imprisonment, it's easy enough to recognize fear, which she ignored for a long time and caused severe psychological damage.
She may have been repenting for it before she met Mr. Rapeface, but that's still something pretty major to be overlooked.
|2011-11-02, 15:58
|Link #28
ANEGO Worshiper
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: By the vending machine, drinking tea.
Even a 7 year old child understands something is wrong when they lock someone up and they tell them they want to get out. I highly doubt the guy would have been locked up and wouldn't tell her to let him out almost immediately...God knows how long the guy was in there...
I rather liked Riruka (enough to make her be the only one of the FB I didn't want gone) but now...don't really care what happens to her...actually I'm pissed Rukia didn't end it when she could >_>
|2011-11-02, 17:28
|Link #29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ireland (hello British Bleach fans)
do not insult peole with ADHD!!! people with it can write much better than what kubo came out with today. I'll have you know i won (and still win) alot of awards in school for writing even though i have it. (i dont have ADHD as much as what i had a couple of years ago though )
good artwork,
=_=' "really kubo, really?" < what i thought with the story telling.
|2011-11-02, 19:28
|Link #31
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Slaping Mayuri Kurotsuchi around in Quincy Town :D
|2011-11-02, 22:53
|Link #33
Senior Member
seems like fullbringers all relate to a close one who died and an object that reflects it, like Orihime with her hair pins and her brother's death. Chad with his necklace and his grandfather's death. makes a whole lot of sense to me now! really interesting chapter, wouldve liked to see a little bit of fighting but ill save that pleasure for next week
|2011-11-03, 01:42
|Link #34
Optimus Prime
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Japan/Canada
Age: 34
(Just for the record, ADHD isn't something that just gets better with time unless you are on mediation. At least, that certainly was never the case for my sister or anyone else I know who has it).
|2011-11-03, 05:05
|Link #35
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: I'm Dancing & Yelling GANBATTE KAGURA! YOU GO GET YOUR WOMAN BACK!!!!! SHIPPING THEM HARD
Yuki was an antisocial, sociopath with a huge ego, and now it's easy to understand why he had no compunction killing and unfazed by watching his friends die.
Riruka though I love her, kidnapped a dude and held him hostage simply because she loved him---
Since this part addresses RD's post I am slipping it in here
They are told when to eat, sleep, wash, what wear, when to go to school and when they must "stay inside" by their parents. The people who do this because they "love" them.
They don't think about consequence of their actions.(That's what separates them from adults. If they could grasp shit like that. Then their little asses could get a job,move out , get their own place, and be self-supporting at a young age) They live in the "now" and their only thoughts are of their own happiness at that moment. Even if it means, imprisoning the object of their affections. Even if means destroying whatever, or killing whomever they have to in order to achieve that happiness.
She was a child and it's clear that she didn't do it to be mean. She did it out of love.
She thought that she could make him love her by bringing him "sweets". (does that really sound like she knew the difference between right and wrong to you? ) When she learned the exact opposite occurred and instead of loving her, he feared her. She let him go. So she's not all bad because she never thought about killing him and the thought made her unhappy. Riruka and Jackie are the only ones out of the entire group that are actually redeemable.
Personally..I don't think that the sole purpose of these flashbacks is for their character development alone. I don't believe Kubo wants you to feel empathy for them either. He wants you to understand what makes them tick--yes. Feel sorry for them-NO. However I do not believe that is the sole purpose for giving us insight into their characters. I don't think that he did this just to make you see why they would want to be rid of their powers--. Since nothing good came out of them until they met Ginjou. (Or at least it seems that way) that's part of the reason- yes.(Reminds me of what he said about Mayuri and Noi. Even that bad parts is what makes them the characters they are. So he wants to show their twisted sides as well) I just do not believe that Kubo show us their pasts just because --
Ichigo's powers like Aizen powers, and plans primarily comes from the development of other characters. In flashbacks during the battles and character deaths...
You will probably never meet another soul that loves Kubo and Bleach more than I do and even I wouldn't go that far... One chapter....is all their stories are good for.
Most gang-bangers come from broken in homes and most are starved for love. Sure they rob and steal, sell drugs, and kill people too. But most of them do so because they want to "belong" to a group. Being in a gang gives them a sense of family Recruiters look for that in a youth and then use it to exploit them. Ginjou clearly took advantage of their feelings of isolation and used that to manipulate them. They all had separation issues because of an ability that was feared and could be used to harm others. Because they're weren't like other humans. For the first time in their lives they were able to forge a camaraderie.
The thing I find interesting---Tsukishima's past wasn't shown in retrospect. So I wonder if he's a Shinigami too. What's his role besides mind raping everyone? He's so bad ass, I don't think that he's fodder just yet. I could be wrong, but I dunno....there is more to him than what we've already seen. I feel it!!!
Last edited by Lord of Pandemonium; 2011-11-03 at 05:38. Reason: grammar before I got too lazy to correct it all. I don't get paid for this and I added a few things.
|2011-11-03, 09:26
|Link #36
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Age: 26
Typical Kubo character introduction:
1) New character(NC) appears
2) NC fights: win/lose
3) NC fights again
4) NC flashback
5) NC wins/dies/joins Ichigo/uncertain status like Nel, GJ
But mixing everybody's past together wasn't a good idea ,as at first I thought that a time guy was Riruka's father
|2011-11-03, 12:08
|Link #37
start thinkin bout clones
this chapter should have been when itchigo was introduced to them and introduced their powers. then we might have cared for them. But hell, two of them are already dead, so who cares about their lives as they wont return(but they will) why tells us this now, tell it earlier to make us understand them and try to care for them.
|2011-11-03, 13:08
|Link #38
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Online
Well Im sorry bro^ but, I never really cared for them in the first place. I mean i like Riruka and Tsukishima a lot more than the others but, lets face it; this arc is FAIL. Come on man for real? Fullbring? Lame much? Really though I am interested in Tsuki's FB since the fight with Byakuya started but, the meat and potatoes of this arc should have been around Isshen and Gin. Gin's FB seems kinda lame but, Im more interested in his past as a Shinigami Rep, why he defected and why they want him dead.
|2011-11-03, 16:34
|Link #39
start thinkin bout clones
sometimes you got to know when to take the L and this arc...im taking the L on defending it as it has become undefendable.
|2011-11-03, 17:39
|Link #40
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
|Thread Tools


text:
(2015) Oil
SKU: RT 059 | 30 x 40 (37 x 47 framed)
Professionally framed in a classic wood, intentionally antiqued, gold-hued frame.
Thank you for your interest in Ronald Tinney's work. One of our staff members will be in touch with you shortly with more information.
Ronald J. Tinney was born in 1958 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Ron now lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and is a full-time artist focusing on Coastal Landscapes and Marine scenes in oils. He paints on location "en plein air" year round, studying nature and creating source material for his larger studio paintings.
Ron is a "Signature Member" of the American Society of Marine Artists, a Professional Member of the International Society of Marine Painters, a Juried Member of the Copley Society and a Past President of the Cape Cod Art Association.


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Smaller crowd, but still excitement this time
Send a link to a friend
[January 22, 2013]
(AP) -- Schoolteacher Patricia Cooper gazed out at the many hundreds of thousands of people lining the National Mall, moments after Barack Obama had been sworn in for the second time as president.
"The media kept saying there were going to be so many fewer people," said Cooper, 51, from Upper Marlboro, Md. "But look out there!" she beamed. "We still have a pretty big crowd."
True, the crowd was roughly half that of Obama's momentous inauguration in 2009, and the sense of history, and pure excitement, far less potent. But despite a more sober national mood, there was plenty of enthusiasm
-- even among people who'd been there the first time, like Cooper -- and oh yes, star power, as the capital threw its marathon, once-every-four-years party.
"I was there last time, and I was just so proud to be here again this time," Cooper said. "And the weather was great!"
It was a warmer day indeed, with a noon temperature of 40 degrees. And if the day was balmier, it seemed its whole aura was mellower, too, with not only the president but his whole family looser than four years ago. Malia and Sasha, no longer adorable little girls but rather stylish young women, chatted on the podium, showing how comfortable they'd become after four years in the public spotlight, and Michelle Obama sported a hip new haircut: blunt-cut bangs. Even Chief Justice John Roberts seemed more relaxed; well, he breezed through the oath of office that he had stumbled over four years ago.
Of course, it was lost on no one that the president was renewing his oath at a somber and difficult time for the nation. A still struggling economy. The fiscal crisis. The fight over gun control, in the wake of the horrific shootings in Newtown, Conn. The continued threat of terrorism. A general sense that the country is more polarized than ever.
But for a day, the capital city celebrated. And as always, it was a marathon, with more than 12 hours of public events for the president, beginning with a morning prayer service, through a parade that went past dark, with the president still standing and clapping
-- and the Inaugural Balls, of course.
And though the president went home not long after 10 p.m., Washington was still buzzing. Downtown was gridlocked, as taxis, a hot commodity, tried to navigate closed-off streets. Stevie Wonder was singing at the cavernous Washington Convention Center, where the balls were held, and the Goo Goo Dolls and Ke$sha were performing at separate events elsewhere
-- just a few of the happenings that turned Washington into Celebrity Central for the weekend.
But the biggest celebrities? That would be Barack and Michelle Obama, and their appearances at the Inaugural Balls
-- three of them this year, much pared down from 2009 -- were the most eagerly awaited events of the night.
The Obamas first hit the Commander in Chief ball, held like the others in the vast Washington Convention Center, where the nation also got a first glimpse of
-- The DRESS! Mrs. Obama again chose designer Jason Wu, this time a custom ruby-colored halter dress of chiffon and velvet that accentuated her bare shoulders and arms. And if she looked more ethereal four years ago in a frilly white Wu gown, this time she looked hipper
-- especially with her new, much-discussed bangs. (The hairdo was described earlier by her husband as the most significant event of Inauguration Weekend.)
The first couple -- and the second, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill
-- took a spin on the floor with selected members of the military. And the Obamas danced romantically to "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green, sung here by Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, whispering and laughing as they spun.
Meanwhile, the huge crowd at the downstairs official ball had its own entertainment. First up was Alicia Keys, who, like most of the celebrities on hand, made no secret of her affection for Obama. "Obama's on fire!" she sang, changing the lyrics of her hit song. "He's the president, and he's on fire."
Equally effusive was "Glee" actor Darren Criss, who attended the ball and had performed over the weekend at the Kids' Inaugural Concert. "I think the tagline of this weekend is that if there's anything cooler than electing the first African-American president, it's re-electing him," Criss said in an interview.
The entertainment also included the Mexican band Mana and country singer Brad Paisley, who joked that Americans have a democracy that's the envy of the world, so we celebrate by "getting drunk in a huge convention center." The audience milled around, buying drinks at the cash bar and bemoaning the skimpy snacks
-- until the popular, Grammy-nominated band fun. came on, with lead singer Nate Ruess' energetic vocals inspiring much of the crowd to sing their anthem "We Are Young"
-- even if they weren't.
[to top of second column]
Albert Wilkerson is 74, to be precise, but he was enjoying the evening immensely, he said, despite the noise, the crowds, the cash bar and food that consisted of pretzels and snack mix, $150 tickets notwithstanding.
"I like being here," said Wilkerson, who came from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. "I feel like a true American."
Caitlin Kelly wasn't quite so forgiving. "You diet for weeks to get into a dress, and then they give you pretzels?" asked Kelly, 28, of New York. "I'm gonna get tipsy fast."
It was a three-generation affair for the Sawtelle family, meanwhile, with grandmother Anna Kristina Sawtelle, 76, from Ogunquit, Maine, by way of Sweden, attending the main ball by wheelchair. Sawtelle's extended family traveled from Sweden to see the event, with her 12-year-old U.S.-born grandson
-- a Boy Scout from Troop 698 of Burke, Va. -- serving as volunteer security for the parade.
"I am proud my grandson guarded the president,'" she said.
The Obamas soon came down and repeated their dance with Hudson, to huge cheers from the crowd and too many cellphone photos to count. After one more appearance at the third venue, the Obamas went home. But Stevie Wonder took the stage, his familiar hits
-- "My Cherie Amour," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and more -- luring a few brave souls to dance.
Over at the Harman Center for the Arts, meanwhile, there was a hipper vibe, with a big bash thrown by the Creative Coalition, an arts advocacy organization, featuring a full concert by the rock band the Goo Goo Dolls. There, everyone was up and dancing in their theater seats by the second song. At yet another venue, the 9:30 club, pop singer Ke$ha was performing, and praising Obama's speech. "I really appreciate him addressing equal rights" for gays, said Ke$ha. "It's an issue very close to my heart."
A slew of celebrities had also watched Obama's swearing-in earlier in the day. Katy Perry showed up in a chic orange coat and wide-brimmed hat. She sat next to singer/guitarist John Mayer. Up on the podium, folk icon James Taylor sang "America the Beautiful," and Kelly Clarkson performed "My Country,
'Tis of Thee."
But the biggest attraction? Ask Jada Mason, age 8, from Tulsa, Okla. "I got to see the president
-- AND Beyonce!" she beamed, when asked her favorite moment of the day. (Beyonce sang the national anthem.) Jada's family had taken a road trip from Tulsa in a 12-passenger van
-- nine family members and three generations -- to attend the inauguration. Just try telling their mother, Mattece, that this inauguration was less powerful than Obama's first.
"It was just momentous," said Mason, who is African-American. "More important than the first. Because it was based on his credentials, you know? Not someone giving us a chance because it was time to give us a chance."
Amber M. Whittington feels the same way. "This is a validation of our electing the first black president," she said, explaining why she felt the day was so important. "It wasn't a fluke."
And so, when a little boy started complaining about the cold early in the morning, the 26-year-old volunteer, who was waving people through a gate, knew just what to say.
"You will be very grateful to your parents one day," she told the boy. "This is history. You will realize that soon."
"It's worth it."
Press; By JOCELYN NOVECK]
Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Kimberly Dozier, Josh Lederman and Mesfin Fekadu contributed to this report.
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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User Manual:Finishing Touches
Now this may be a stereotype, but I'm going to guess that around 90% of the people that read this wiki are guys who like to hack aroiund with their linux box as much as watch TV. Their wives and girlfriends probably think it's quaint at best and annoying at worst. This is certainly the case in my house. However there are ways to make your wife love your MythTV box almost as much as you do. I've replaced our digibox/hard drive recorder/dvd player with a mythtv box and have been tweeking a lot of things recently, plus I've just run out of steam with the work I'm doing so I thought I'd share my experiences.
Make it work - right
Make sure the box actually does what you need it to. If the tuner stops working every two days and it can't play half your dvd collection then don't claim it can (to be honest if the tuner doesn't work then fix it or give up). Your wife will not thank you when she sits down to watch the episode of eastenders she recorded only to find that something went awry and it's not there. It also needs to do everything your old system did. It needs to have a remote, it needs to connect to the TV and show pictures at the correct resolution and not make everyone look short and fat or tall and thin. I found that the only way to acheive this was to dump my old CRT telly with its scart input connected to my s-video cable and get a flat screen with a PC connector. This way the MythTV box knows what resolution it's dealing with.
Use parts that you know work on Linux (or whatever operating system you use)
I found this out the hard way. When you have to sit for two weekends in a row and most of the evenings in between learning how to recompile your kernel to get your new remote to work you can guarentee she'll be thinking that this is play time for you. It doesn't get you out of the washing up and it doesn't mean that you're allowed to get away with leaving the leaking guttering.
Make it look good
As nifty as MythTV might be if it looks like it's been botched together, both in hardware and software terms, then noone will be impressed. If the box itseldf looks good then that helps, if not then make sure it's hidden in a cabinet or something. Make sure the user interface looks slick. If I'm honest none of the Myth TV themes quite appealed to me - but with just a little effort you can customise one. I took the blue-abstract theme, went into it's images directory, replaced background.png with a background I downloaded from the web and used gimp to adjust the colour of the widgets ato match and hey-presto a new superslick theme.
But look - it's also a computer
Add a button to your remote that allows you to switch from MythTV to your normal computer functionality. On Linux this is a case of getting LIRC to run a script that swaps between your desktops. If you set ypur desktop background the same as the MythTV theme background then it makes the transition between the two look very professional. Now you need to think about this one a bit. Your wife doesn't want to be doing her online shopping laying on the floor in the middle of the living room. To use your telly as a computer you will need a wireless keyboard and mouse - you don't want the kids tripping over wires trailed along the floor. You also need to make sure the everything is big enough to see. In Ubuntu you can change the default font size so it's something a bit larger and you can add a plugin to firefox to alter the default zoom level. Also make sure it's connected to your network printer or NAS if you have them. How annoying will it be when she needs a computer quick to get directions before she rushes out of the door she quicky switches the TV to computer mode using your special rmote button, whips your wireless keyboard and mouse out and gets hep map up on Google. You have just earnt yourself a massive Brownie point, until she realises she can't print the map off and she has just wasted 3 minutes that she could have spent booting up her laptop - now you're in her bad books.
Get MythWeb up and running
You know she'll like this. Get MythWeb up and running and if you haven't got a static IP then install dynDNS or something similar so that you can access you home system from anyware in the word via the net. Once she has the web address in her i-phone and she can record anything she wants on the go - no more worrying she forgot to record Eastenders before she left. That's got to get you in the good books.
It's not just a TV, it's a media centre
My wife would claim she's not interested in a media centre, but she does boot up her laptop just to put itunes on to have some music on in the background. I think she would want a media centre if she could only be bothered. Copy here mp3 collection onto your MythTV box and stick some music on for her - all with the power of your remote control. You might find she really did want a
It happens to every bit of software, it even used to happen to the firmware in our old hard drive recorder, that's why I went down the Myth route. The inevitable crash. Every now and then we'll press a button on the remote and MythTV will just hang. If you are out in the pub and this happens to your wife then there is an issue; you won't be popular when you get ins melling of drink after your wife has been fighting with your pet project, that stupid PC TV thing. All this can be avoided by what has been dubbed the wife/girlfriend button. This is the button that kills MythTV when it's hung and restarts it. This is pretty straightforward using LIRC on Linux. You may even get bonus points if the restart happens in a few seconds compared to the two minute it took our old recorder to reboot when it crashed.
Well I hope that this little guide has been helpfull to you. Although I've jokingly referred to this as the way to get your wife to love MythTV I think in reality it is the way to get yourself a system thateveryone in your house can be pleased with and everyone who visits can be jealous of.


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Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
In today's world there are so many families that are far apart, either living in different areas or away for business travel. There are also many times when that critical business meeting needs to take place, but you might be half way around the globe. What can you do? Never again will you have to hop on a plane or drive hundreds of miles to see that loved one or critical business partner. Just plug in your webcam and you can have a live video conference any time. Not into video conferencing? Then how about making that video podcast of you and your friends and posting it online. All of this can be accomplished with one easy tool; a webcam. What is a webcam, you ask? It is a peripheral for your computer that takes live video or still images and transfers them across the net, like making a phone call that you can see. This inexpensive tool can save your business or simply create a little comfort in your life.
Logitech International was founded in 1981 in Switzerland and started out manufacturing computer mice. Now it has broadened into a company that helps the consumer "enjoy a better experience with the digital world." According to Logitech, it has "expanded our expertise in product design beyond the computer mouse, with a broad portfolio of interface devices that are the "last inch" between you and your computer or your console game, digital music or home-entertainment system."
Closer Look:
This webcam comes packaged in the traditional Logitech black and green colors, but has a more futuristic look to it. It displays the webcam right in front so you can see it before you make up your mind on purchasing it. The right hand side highlights the features of the cam and the back shows what the webcam's software can do.


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Early literacy is proven to be essential to a child's success in school, and libraries are embracing the call for early literacy by expanding storytimes, which are a key to promoting Kindergarten readiness and emergent literacy. Libraries are increasing the number of storytimes offered by training volunteers and paraprofessionals, as well as youth services librarians, to perform storytime for wider age groups than the traditional preschool storytime. The Storytime Fundamentals workshop has been designed to meet current demands for more storytimes that welcome a wider array of young children.
Workshop attendees will participate in a sample storytime, exchange ideas on themes, songs, and other ways of engaging young listeners, and learn practical methods on making storytime fun and comfortable for a wider audience.
At the conclusion of the workshop, students will take away outlines, hands-on craft ideas, and lists of books and websites that will make them more prepared, comfortable, and confident at performing a storytime at a library, school, daycare center, or other facility that is interested in promoting early literacy.
Workshop Description: This all-day, hands-on workshop will provide practical experience on planning and implementing library storytimes for preschoolers, babies, and toddlers. Through individual and group exercises you will learn how to select books, read to a group, add songs and fingerplays, use movement activities, make crafts and learn other interactive methods that promote kindergarten readiness while making storytime fun. You will complete an outline for storytime, brainstorm strategies on dealing with disruptions, take away a list of helpful websites on storytime, and learn why storytime is important to library programming and early literacy. The instructor will provide sample storytime plans, related bibliographies, a webliography, as well as practical, useful tips that can be applied immediately.
Pre-workshop assignment: Each student should bring a board book to use during one of the exercises; it should be a board book aimed at babies/toddlers ages 0-2.
Preliminary Course Outline
- Storytime Format
- Formats for preschoolers, toddlers, and babies
- Why libraries feature storytimes in their regular programming
- Physical environment of storytime
- Selection of Materials for Storytime
- Types of books, songs, fingerplays, and themes that are popular
- Issues in Storytime: Kindergarten Readiness, Dialogic Reading, and Preparation
- Dealing with disruptions
- Scheduling, publicity, and family literacy
- Storytime "Extras"
- Bilingual storytimes
- Puppets, storytelling, and flannelboards
- Outreach storytimes
Workshop Instructor: Penny Peck


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3D Scanning is the art of capturing real geometry by scanning physical products and getting them into a format to be used for diverse applications such as 3D printing, reverse engineering, inspection, and more.
If you think about it, 3D digitizing and additive manufacturing truly go hand-in-hand. So the partnership Creaform announced with Stratasys this summer is an absolute perfect fit.


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Budget debate stalls on cuts for averting tax increase
A budget meeting that ran more than two hours Wednesday left Erie County legislators exactly where they started at the beginning of the day: with no approved changes to a $1.38 billion budget proposed by County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.
But a majority of votes appeared to coalesce behind a plan to eliminate a proposed county tax hike – despite strong objections from top officials in the Poloncarz administration who characterized the budget cuts as "phony."
That set up a budget battle that will stretch into Tuesday, when legislators meet to make their final changes to the 2013 budget and seek to resolve two vastly different proposals from two groups of legislators.
On the one hand, five Democrats would keep the proposed tax increase but would make $906,998 in spending cuts in order to add a number of items to the budget, including meals for senior citizens, funding for more cultural organizations and a study of potential uses for the county nursing home in Alden when it closes next year.
"If I had maybe 100 calls saying, 'Don't support the property tax increase,' maybe I'd be inclined to do that," said Legislature Chairwoman Betty Jean Grant, D-Buffalo, "but not one person called."
On the other hand, six legislators from four political parties put their support behind a plan to trim $8.5 million from Poloncarz's spending plan in order to eliminate a proposed 3.4 percent county property tax increase. Those cuts would come from several areas that include money for legal settlements, jail overtime, fringe benefits and a social services program that provides temporary help for people who don't qualify for federal welfare programs. The budget package had support Wednesday from members of the Legislature's minority caucus and Legislator Thomas A. Loughran, D-Amherst, who opposes a tax hike.
The two sides deadlocked in a Budget Committee meeting, with neither one able to gain enough votes of the eight-member panel to pass amendments. But if those votes hold until Tuesday, it appears that a slim majority of the 11-member Legislature would back a plan to trim $8.5 million from the budget to avert a tax hike.
That possibility drew a sharp rebuke from Poloncarz, who warned legislators in a letter that the cuts would throw his 2013 budget proposal out of balance.
"The Minority Caucus' amendments are irresponsible and reckless, and will create a significant budget shortfall on day one on Jan. 1, 2013," Poloncarz wrote in a letter to legislators.
Earlier this month, his department heads spent hours explaining to legislators how they drew up their estimates and why they believe that projections for fringe benefits and other spending lines are accurate.
Members of the minority caucus, who drew up the package of cuts, were largely silent during Wednesday's budget meeting but later defended their proposal as based on county data, reports from the county comptroller and suggestions that Poloncarz made when he was comptroller.
"We don't believe they're phony budget cuts," said Legislature Minority Leader John J. Mills, R-Orchard Park, "and we have the data to back it up."
email: email@example.com


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Need a Custom or Prewritten Perl Program?:
I need a program that...:
help me i need a encoding decoding perl script plz
You are going to develop a PERL script that will perform encoding and decoding of plain
text messages. It must exhibit the following behavior:
for decoding or encoding. It will default to encoding the message if no other
command line argument is specified. An optional second command line argument is
to specify the action to be taken (encode or decode the message), -e means encode
the message, -d means decode the message. When given 2 command line
arguments the script should be able to accept them in either order.
the script is to be used and that no command line arguments were given
stating how the script is to be used and that too many command line arguments were
of any letter. You need to check for this and exit giving an error message if
ignore everything else (ie numbers, spaces, punctuation etc.).


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Voting "YES" on Tuesday, Sept. 20, between noon and 8 p.m. will be an important vote for Minuteman's future and for the future students who elect to attend. It will also be the most financially sound cost for our citizens.
Editor's Note: The following was submitted by Ford Spalding, Dover's representative to the Minuteman School Committee and chairman of the school's Building Committee.
The citizens of Dover have been very supportive of our entire Dover school system and their positive votes for Minuteman Vocational Career & Technical High School is no exception. Thank you.
However, with the negative advice from the town of Belmont Selectmen and Finance Committee, the Belmont Town Meeting voted to reject the Minuteman Building Project on May 4. They did so because they have a high school, police building, library, DPW and middle school all in disrepair, and those buildings need replacement and expansion within the next few years. For them, Minuteman High School is a low priority. So under the terms of the Minuteman Regional Agreement, the required 100 percent 16-member approvals lost by Belmont's vote. And only by Belmont's vote. In most towns the votes were unanimous or near-unanimous in support of the Massachusetts School Building Authority-approved Minuteman project.
By Massachusetts General Law, Minuteman has the option of going one more step to secure authorization to proceed with the much-needed Building Project and to preserve the $44 million MSBA grant for the project. The Minuteman School Committee voted to hold a district-wide general election on Tuesday, Sept. 20, between noon and 8 p.m. in all 16 communities. A majority vote by all citizens voting will determine the results for all. In Dover on Sept. 20, the vote will take place in our usual voting location at the Dover Town Hall.
The facts for Dover for the Minuteman building project are basically unchanged since our Town Meeting on May 6, when the voters approved the project approximately 900-15. Dover citizens expressed, at two separate Town Meetings, their strong support for vocational career and technical education and specifically for Minuteman. They expressed their strong support for Minuteman's curriculum and student success. They wanted to preserve the Minuteman option, as a district member, for our students.
We know that a No vote will mean that Dover will be responsible for their share of a 2- to 10-year ongoing renovation project of the current 45-year-old Minuteman building for the same estimated cost of the newly constructed building BUT not with the MSBA $44 million offset. And, Minuteman will lose the grandfathered 40 percent base reimbursement rate.
Voting "YES" on Tuesday, Sept. 20, between noon and 8 p.m. will be an important vote for Minuteman's future and for the future students who elect to attend. It will also be the most financially sound cost for our citizens.
Ford Spalding
Dover, School Committee Representative


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Main Content
Undergraduate Programs
Check out our New Curriculum (Effective 2017)
The Department of Computer Science at Southern Connecticut State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. To accommodate the differing interests of students, as well as the varying needs of academia and industry, two different majors are offered:
- Computer Science Major (General) (ABET-accredited)
- Computer Information Systems Major
The Computer Science Department offers a Minor in Computer Science that consists of 18 credits. The minor may be used for entry into a computer-related career, or to enhance a student's study in another discipline. A variety of course sequences can be constructed to meet the particular interest of the student. Department advisors should be consulted for assistance.


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I was able to meet all of these guys. What wonderful dogs they are!
First is my personal foster. She has been with me just over 2 months now. She is an amazing dog, who is so full of life and energy. She would make a GREAT aglity/working dog. She loves to have something to do--and needs an outlet for her energy. She has an agility trainer willing to offer free lessons for her in Ohio. She is estimated to be about 4-5 years old.
The next sweetheart is Jora. She and her 3 litter mates were dumped in various places in a city with mange. She just came up to me to be petted, and sat patiently waiting. What a love!!
Here is Halle. She was rescued around christmas time, and had a bad leg injury. Several surgeries later you wouldn't even know the past she has had. She gets around almost perfectly! What a sweetheart!
They also took in a litter of 9 four-five week old puppies a few weeks ago. They were found dumped in a cardboard box alongside a highway and taken to a local shelter. They'll be available for adoption once they are fully vetted and ready to go.
More information about the dogs I posted about, and other dogs who are waiting for good homes can be found on their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/nepabullies
They have a ton of amazing dogs, and these are only SOME of the ones I was able to meet yesterday at their 5k Race To Rescue/pit bull awareness walk!
A few dogs I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday
Why buy from a breeder when there are plenty of homeless pups in shelters???
3 posts • Page 1 of 1
- Ilovethepits
- Addicted to PBF
- Posts: 16038
- Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:43 pm
- Location: Sitting on a Gold Mine
Re: A few dogs I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday
All very cute! Love that name Halle Blueberry!!
I will check them out on FB.
I will check them out on FB.
Re: A few dogs I had the pleasure of meeting yesterday
Ilovethepits wrote:All very cute! Love that name Halle Blueberry!!
I will check them out on FB.
I thought it was very creative! Please do check them out They are truely a great rescue group, who is doing a lot of positive for the breed here in my area of PA! I'm very excited to see and spend time with halle at an adoption event this weekend
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If you're lusting after a makeup design that looks as if done by a professional, make sure to skim through the following beauty expert tips. Makeup artists from all over the world train fashionistas to master the art of handling different makeup products and tools with care. There's no need to pay for a course in order to become skilled in the makeup department. You can learn from the best by keeping in mind some of the most impressive names from the industry. These are some of the beauty expert eye makeup tips to experiment with for your ne... Read More


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GRAHAM - One local candidate was eligible to ask for a recount after the Alamance County Board of Elections signed off Friday on official election results.
But Eddie Boswell said he won�t request a recount in the race for the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. He finished fourth, with 30,950 votes, to fellow Democrat Linda Massey�s third, with 31,535 votes. The top three candidates in the race won a seat on the board.
Kathy Holland, the local elections board�s director, said Boswell was legally entitled to request a recount based on the formula used for multi-candidate races.
�I wouldn�t,� Boswell said when asked if he would consider asking for a recount. Boswell was elected to the board in 2008 and ran this year for a second term.
Two supporters of Dan Forest, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, sat through the canvass. The race, involving Forest and Democratic candidate Linda Coleman, ended up as the closest statewide political contest this fall.
In Alamance County, Friday�s official results showed Forest with 37,350 votes, or nearly 57 percent, to Coleman�s 28,500 votes, or 43 percent.
Statewide, the margin is far narrower, within the bounds for a recount. Unofficial statewide results Friday afternoon had Forest with 8,077 votes more than Coleman. Forest initially led by more than 10,000 votes.
The N.C. Board of Elections is scheduled to do a statewide vote canvass Nov. 27.
Following Friday�s local canvass, the county elections board released official results that reflect votes added since unofficial results were released on the night of the Nov. 6 election. The adjusted count includes curbside votes cast that day; absentee votes cast by mail that were postmarked by Nov. 6 but had not arrived, and about 125 votes from the Pleasant Grove precinct that were not retrieved from voting machines that night. It also includes provisional ballots, which are given to people when it is not clear if they are eligible to vote.
About 37 percent of more than 800 provisional ballots were accepted as valid, Holland said.
The adjusted count also reflected the removal of three votes in cases where it was determined people voted twice, Holland said.
Here are official results for local races. Unless otherwise noted, candidates are running for one seat in a two-person race:
N.C. Senate District 24:
-- Rick Gunn (Republican): Official results showed Gunn with 39,496 votes in Alamance County. The district includes part of Randolph County. Official totals were not immediately available there.
-- Brandon Black (Libertarian): Official results showed Black with 12,254 votes in Alamance County.
N.C. House District 63:
--Patty Philipps (Democrat) 14,870
-- Steve Ross (Republican) 19,435
N.C. House District 64
-- Morris McAdoo (Democrat) 12,721
-- Dennis Riddell (Republican) 18,296
Alamance County Board of Commissioners (Top three win)
- Eddie Boswell � 30,950
- Linda Massey � 31,535
- Ann Vaughan � 29,389
- Mark Hopp � 29,976
- Tom Manning � 35,257
- David Smith � 32,816
Alamance County Register of Deeds
- Becky Mock � 31,462
- Hugh Webster � 33,980
District Court Judge, District 15A
- Tom Lambeth (unopposed) � 42,096
District Court Judge, District 15A
- Katie Overby � 33,500
- John Paisley � 19,081
District Court Judge, District 15A
- Jim Roberson (unopposed) 43,416
AlamanceCountyBoard of Education (Top four win)
- Greg Beavers � 29,863
- Jackie Cole � 32,477
- Patsy Simpson � 35,283
- Pamela Thompson � 36,769
- Steve Van Pelt � 33,101
Soil and Water Supervisor
- David Spruill � 26,281
- Roy Stanley � 22,588
Local sales tax
- For � 17,583
- Against � 44,698
Community college bonds
- For � 35,192
- Against � 26,670


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The few who hunt rails develop such a fascination poling through a flooded marsh that they keep returning.
The few who hunt rails develop such a fascination poling through a flooded marsh that they keep returning to find the secretive birds. In recent years, I have had conversations with biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on rails and rail hunting that eventually led to changes in the season dates.
Along the coast, we hunt rails during highest lunar tide stages. Without the high tide to push them out of the grass, they are nearly impossible to find. In fact, the call of a clapper rail during low tide is usually the only indicator that the bird even exists. Their descending-note call sounds condescending, as though they are laughing at you for even trying.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that North Carolina has from zero to 500 rail hunters," migratory game bird coordinator Joe Fuller said. "I would put the estimate a bit higher than that, but there aren't many."
Fuller called over the summer for concurrence on the dates he proposed for this rail season. I had mentioned that opening on the same day as dove season a couple of years ago made marsh hen hunters miss a peak tide by only two days. The USFWS guidelines allow a Sept. 1 opening day, and he also told me the season can be split into two segments.
"Check out the dates I've proposed," he said. "They coincide with the high tides predicted by NOAA."
Fuller picked the same dates I would have picked, opening Sept. 7 and coinciding with the first day of a lunar tide. He also proposed a split season, allowing one more high tide period than in the past.
I went with my Lab, Tinker, on Sept. 9, the day of the highest predicted tide for that lunar period. But the tide did not get as high as I hoped. We bagged only one sora and one clapper.
It was with high anticipation that I greeted fellow marsh hen hunters Basil Watts of Southport and Roy Ziegler of Orangeburg, S.C., on Thursday at my dock. Basil and I got our push-poles ready and Roy uncased his 20-gauge Remington semi-automatic. Our hunts in the past had been barrel-melters, resulting in limits of rails. We hunt turkeys with Roy every spring. He hunts rails with us in the fall.
"I've been waiting for this all year," Roy said. "There's a lot more shooting than when you are deer or turkey hunting."
A northeast wind the day before had pushed the tide even higher. However, the wind had slackened and shifted northward. I mentioned hearing shooting the day before as we pushed along through the grass, searching hard to find a clapper.
"There he goes!" Basil shouted. "Shoot him, Roy."
Roy downed the bird and Tinker retrieved it. It went like that for a couple of hours, the normal time allocated by nature for a rail hunt.
Either the impact of other hunters or the tide not reaching high enough kept rails elusive. A limit of clapper and king rails in combination is 15, plus 25 sora and Virginia rails. Basil doesn't shoot the smaller rails, but Tinker doesn't care how big the bird is that she retrieves.
The end of our hunt came when we could no longer find any birds in the re-emerging grass. Roy bagged only eight clappers.
"With the split season, we will have the biggest tides of the year to hunt in November," Basil said. "We have never been able to hunt those tides before."
"If I expected to get a turkey every time I went hunting, I would have given up a long time ago," Roy said. "If you want to keep poling me through the marsh, the least I can do is come back to try again."
For more outdoors news or to contact Mike Marsh, go to mikemarshoutdoors.com.
The king and clapper, as well as Virginia and sora, rail season runs through Saturday, Sept. 28, then returns for Oct. 5-21. For more information, go to ncwildlife.org.


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All News Releases By Date
EPA: More Work Needed to Clean up Enbridge Oil Spill in Kalamazoo River
Release Date: 10/03/2012
Contact Information: Phillippa Cannon 312-353-6218, Francisco Arcaute 312-886-7613, 312-898-2042 Cell, email@example.com
- For Immediate Release No. 12-OPA086
Enbridge has 10 days to request a conference with EPA to discuss the additional work specified in the proposed order and 30 days to submit written comments. EPA's prior orders directing Enbridge to complete other cleanup and restoration work in the Kalamazoo River system remain in effect.
On July 26, 2010, Enbridge reported that a 30-inch pipeline ruptured near Marshall, Michigan. Heavy rains caused the river to overtop existing dams and carried oil 30 miles downstream before the spill was contained. So far, oil spill response workers have collected over 1.1 million gallons of oil and almost 200,000 cubic yards of oil-contaminated sediment and debris from the Kalamazoo River system.
For more information, go to www.epa.gov/enbridgespill.
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


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Its Nique - I Will Not [Label Submitted]
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Browsing NUI Galway Theses by Author "Annette, Enright"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
The roles of microRNAs in human mesenchymal stem cell adipogenesis Annette, Enright (2012-05-28)The current epidemic of obesity has resulted in a renewed interest in the developmental origins of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is formed from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a process known as adipogenesis. MicroRNAs ...


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"Today the word ecclesia militans (Church militant) is somewhat out of fashion, but in reality we can understand ever better that it is true, that it bears truth in itself. We see how evil wishes to dominate the world and that it is necessary to enter into battle with evil. We see how it does so in so many ways, bloody, with the different forms of violence, but also masked with goodness, and precisely this way, destroying the moral foundations of society."
—Pope Benedict XVI, May 22, 2012, Vatican City
I would like to recommend this website (www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org) to you which our province is in the process of promoting. It has good resources which would be helpful for each of you in living out chastity according to your state in life. Fr. James Brent OP who usually speaks on our vocation weekends is the Director of the Confraternity. Our aspirants are optionally enrolled into this Confraternity during all of our vocation weekends.
Here is a description of it from their website. Taylor Marshall has a post about it which I also would suggest.
Here are the 2 daily prayers to also be said with 15 Hail Mary's:
Here you will find the daily Angelic Warfare prayers with intentions. Those prayers are in audio form here:The Prayer to St. Thomas for Purity
Chosen lily of innocence, pure St. Thomas,
who kept chaste the robe of baptism
and became an angel in the flesh after being girded by two angels,
I implore you to commend me to Jesus, the Spotless Lamb,
and to Mary, the Queen of Virgins.
Gentle protector of my purity, ask them that I,
who wear the holy sign of your victory over the flesh,
may also share your purity,
and after imitating you on earth
may at last come to be crowned with you among the angels. Amen.
The Prayer of St. Thomas for Purity (written by Dominican, St. Thomas Aquinas)
Dear Jesus,
I know that every perfect gift,
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Your providence.
Without You a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, I beg You to defend by Your grace
the chastity and purity of my body and soul.
And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain my chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers,
that I may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service,
offering myself on the most pure altar of Your divinity
all the days of my life. Amen.
Our Next Vocation Weekends at the Dominican House of Studies