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|October 31, 2012, 09:40 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: April 13, 2009
Location: northern CA
Posts: 582
Shotgun for quail and grouse.
I previously only owned two shotguns, a 16 gtauge Win model 12 and an LC Smith side by side 12 gauge. I sold the model 12 for a hefty profit and the LC smith is a bit much for quail (Full choke w/ 32" barrels). I'm contemplating just picking up an H&R or NEF single shot crack barrel in 20 gauge or 410. I know the .410 ammo costs a little more, but I'm only going to go through a couple boxes of shells a year. Also, there will be a good chance to get some rabbits while I'm out. Is the 20 gauge a significantly better choice? Thanks in advance.
|October 31, 2012, 10:28 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: Washington state
Posts: 13,308
Yes, the 20 gauge is a better choice. Not that a 410 can't kill a quail, the pellets from each will have the same energy, but the 20 gauge just has a lot more pellets and is easier to hit with.
Rather than buying a cheap 410, take a look at used 20 gauge shotguns. I picked up a used Remington 1100 2-3/4" 20 gauge a few years ago for just about nothing. Most people want the 3" 20 gauge magnums, and all those perfectly good 2-3/4" 20 gauges are just sitting around gathering dust. Shells are cheap, and they are a pleasure to shoot.
Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs.
But what do I know?
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|October 31, 2012, 04:52 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: June 23, 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,039
+1 for scorch
I have use of a .410 from brother and use it for squirrels when I want to drive myself crazy. At least in my area, it is very difficult to find .410 ammo in anything but #4 shot. There aren't many pellets in those shells and my .410 being full choke shoots more like a rifle.
Otoh, a nice 2 3/4 load of #8 in 20 guage makes a very nice pattern for old bob white. Scorch is also right about there being quite a few good used 2 3/4 inch 20 guage guns available for reasonable prices.
|November 1, 2012, 10:37 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: June 11, 2007
Posts: 1,651
If you used the 16ga 2 3/4" shells you be pretty close with the 20ga 2 1/2" shell.
Shame you sold the 16ga but I can understand that been offered good price for mine. I also have 20ga model 12 and at time I wish it had 3" chamber so if your only shooting few boxes a year I get the 20ga 3" chamber if they have that.
If your hunting over dogs 410 or 28ga be a good choice.
Semper Fi
Vietnam 1965
VFW Life member
NRA Life Member
|November 1, 2012, 01:10 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: April 13, 2009
Location: northern CA
Posts: 582
It was not the prettiest model 12, some rust and not too good of blue, but it was amatching serial number set with two barrel/forarm assemblies. I paid $300 for it in 1996 and was offered $950. honestly, I mostly used it for hog hunting with slugs before I bought a 30-30.
I looked into 28 gauge, the ammo is expensive!! Also, it looks like most of the loads are identical in velocity and shot load to the 20 gauge so I don't really get what niche it fills?
|November 2, 2012, 03:55 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 29, 2008
Location: now living in alabama
Posts: 2,433
If its a choice between 20 ga and .410 then go with the 20. Using a .410 can be very challenging. Especially with quail. Little buggers are tiny and fast. .410 dosnt carry much shot and spread pattern seems to be tighter ( smaller exit bore).
No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.
|November 2, 2012, 10:40 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: May 18, 2004
Location: Middle California
Posts: 355
For flushing birds I use a double sidexside, 2 triggers, 2 chokes..... 1st improved, 2nd modified. This really helps with flushing birds. I don't often get a 3rd shot kill anyway.
|November 3, 2012, 11:45 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 3,711
My local Wal-Mart has Mossberg model 500 20ga pumps for around $270. 26'' Vent rib Barrel, wood or synthetic stock. Having a quick follow up shot is priceless when a covey of quail flushes.
|November 5, 2012, 08:59 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: February 16, 2011
Posts: 471
Between the 410 and 20 gauge,I would go with the 20 gauge for quail and squirrels. I personally like a 12 gauge w/imp cyl. for quail and mod. choke for squirrels.
|November 6, 2012, 08:48 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2010
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 853
Best luck with squirrels is an open choke 12 or 20. The shot spreads out enough to make the damage minimal, even at close range, but has a good enough pattern to make shots out to about 30 yards on the little guys. Grouse around here get the same treatment, as it's so thick, hitting them with a modified choke takes chunks out of the breast meat with #8s.
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Letters related to Humour (may offend)/page-3/index.phpVisit the Letter to God Store
Gifts and Books Related To | Humour (may offend)/page-3/index.php
Tuesday August 28, 2012
With a little reasoning you can know for yourself the path you need to take, thereafter, it can be trodden step by step until the goal is reached. Whatever be the path, retain this knowledge that attachment causes pain and detachment results in joy. But you cannot easily detach yourself from activity; the mind clings to something or other. Make it cling to God, let it do all things for God and leave the success or failure, the loss and the profit, the elation or the dejection, to God. Then you have the secret of peace and contentment. To get this attitude of surrender and dedication, you must have Faith in God. God, whose play this world is. This world is not an empty dream; it has a purpose and use. It is the means by which one can discover God. See Him in the beauty, the grandeur, the order and the majesty of Nature.
Thursday April 12, 2012
God loves everybody. Love is Gods true form. All of you are sparks of the Divine.
Wednesday April 11, 2012
Just as the end of culture is progress, the end of knowledge is love. Similarly the end of wisdom is freedom.
Inspiration for the day...
Sunday May 1, 2011
Its not lonely at the TOP, if you HELP someone to get there!
RIP Sai Baba
Monday April 25, 2011
Condolences to all Sathya Sai Baba's followers & devotees. May his soul find an even higher plane to dwell... Rest in peace.
Monday March 28, 2011
God bless the families & friends of those who have lost loved ones in Japan. For those 250000 who are now homeless - I pray you find the light within to realize that although at the moment life seems unbelievable, there will be brighter days. God bless all.
Sathya Sai Baba... Please visit : www.sathyasai.org
Tuesday December 14, 2010
"Take one step towards God, He will take a hundred toward you!"
no name sender
Wednesday November 17, 2010
"Anyone can be polite to a King, it takes a great man to be polite to a beggar. "
Thursday November 11, 2010
"All are One, be alike to everyone."
Please visit www.sathyasai.org
Wednesday November 10, 2010
"You proceed from 'death' to 'life' and from 'illness' to 'health' by the buffetings of the world. The world is a very essential part of the curriculum of man; through the agony of dearch is born the infant, wisdom. The pains are worthwhile; they indicate the birth of new life. From Asanthi (restlessness), you get Prasanthi (absolute peace); from Prasanti you get Prakanthi Tbright spiritual illumination); and from Prakanthi, Paramajyothi (supreme divine radiance). It is like the alternating of night and day, this recurrence of joy and grief."
PLEASE VISIT - www.sathyasai.org

subset: commoncrawl


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First annual Oklahoma Slam
The weekend of March 16 has been announced as the date for the first annual Oklahoma Slam.The Oklahoma Slam will be a combination skateboard camp and contest at the Skatepark Off Broadway located at 105 Reynolds and South Broadway in Poteau.At 4 p.m. on March 16, the event begins with skate camp, providing tips and help with contest runs to everyone from beginners to advanced skaters. On hand at the skate camp will be skateboarding legend Bill Danforth and the Short Bus Crew.There will be a contest on Saturday, March 17. Sign-in for competition begins at 8 a.m. and the action starts at 10 a.m. Skaters will be divided up into categories based on age and skill level. The morning will see skaters aged 6 years to 12 years compete in beginner and intermediate divisions followed by skaters aged 13 years to 17 years beginner and intermediate divisions. In the afternoon, the 18 and older intermediate and beginner divisions will compete followed by the Woman's Open and then Open Bowl competitions.Entry fee for the competition is $5 per skater per division.There will be plenty of giveaways and raffles during both days of the event.Sponsor for the event include Vans, Independent, Termite, and a host of local sponsors.For more information, to be a vendor, or to become a sponsor, please call Lisa Fabian at (918) 839-6306.


text: Aisa Job in South Africa - TolaJOB close × Free Register To Apply! No work experience wanted! Only Members Apply! Register free now! Don't have Email Address? Get A FREE Email Address Now!(press button) Enter your Email address: Press the [ ] small box below to choose to get our free youth job alerts on Facebook messenger. Register & Subscribe By clicking button above means you agree to receiving youth job alerts via email and/or Facebook messenger. We will never spam you. close × Like Job Would you like save this job as your favourite? Also we will remind you by e-mail to apply before it closes free :) SubmitClose TolaJOB™ NO SCAMS!No work experience wanted! MENU My Jobs Find JobsPOPULAR Get Help FREE Get Weekly Youth Job Alerts! Other tools Government Tender AlertsFREE Login to apply! LOGIN or REGISTER Find Aisa Job Learnerships! Hot Jobs! 1Close tomorrow 9Close this month Unemployed Post Graduates! (All Areas) Job No work experience wanted! contract. job in << INTERNSHIPS & LEARNERSHIPS >> in All Areas (KwaZulu/Natal). Deadline is Dec 22, 2010! Like This JobAPPLY NOW Unemployed Post Graduates! (All Areas) Job EE No work experience wanted! contract. job in << INTERNSHIPS & LEARNERSHIPS >> in All Areas (Gauteng). Deadline is Dec 22, 2010! Like This JobAPPLY NOW --> FIND A JOBSEE ALL JOBS What do you want? What youth job type? Search all Matriculant & N3 Youth Jobs Tertiary Graduate & Final Year Student Jobs University Bursaries In-Service Training (P1 & P2) Permanent Jobs HIDE CLOSED JOBS! SEARCH Advance Job Search Tool! You may also like. Recommended Content From Google Go To Top Of Page Need Help? CHAT Chat to us on Facebook™ VIDEO How to Apply For Jobs Online? VIDEO How to Get A Free Email Address? VIDEO How to Search And Find Jobs? Contact us on Twitter™ Copyright ©2018 TolaJOB means NuMedia Direct Marketing(Pty)Ltd FIND A JOB SEE MORE DOWN! ▵GO UP close × Follow TolaJOB!Get job updates for unemployed youth via Facebook. close


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Cairo Gossip Login Area
Sun Jul 22 10:00 pm to Mon Jul 23 04:00 am - Gŭ Bar, Nile Maxim Boat, Zamalek, Cairo
Enjoy an oriental night at Gu Bar this Sunday with belly dancer Christina and Hassan El Kholaky. For more information, call 01220000022.
What you can eat if you love weird-looking, shivers-triggering Egyptian food....
Four Seasons Nile Plaza's Graffiti recently brought together the joys of sushi and jazz un...
Cairo Jazz Club welcomes the one and only DJ Feedo for another edition of Say Whaaat?!
Wednesday Night Live at CJC 610 is different this time with the amazing Dina El Wedidi and Cairo's favourite band, Wust El Balad.
The Tap West is bringing one more Rewind night and this time, DJ AKM will be in charge of making you relive some oldies.
Funk and Disco will be mixed by three different DJs this Wednesday at The Tap Maadi, head there and wait for Zahran, Masry, and Gahallah.
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Elle Decor's Top 25 A-List
Posted By Rebecca-NY | May 27, 2010 | 10 Comments | Category: Celebs, Decorating, Designers, Magazines
It's Elle Decor's ignaugural salute to the best and brightest interior designers throughout the country. Some are old and some are new. Check out who they think belong on their newly created Top 25 A-List and see if you agree. Not only do i see a lot that i like here, i've gone through each photograph and selected my favorite thing from each room. Agree? Disagree? Have another designer in mind that you think should be added to the list? Share it with us!
Jeffrey Bilhuber
Favorite part: painted brown back on the bookcases
Muriel Brandolini
Favorite item: leapord print throw pillows
Darryl Carter
Favorite aspect: the white painted beam, ceiling and walls
Eric Cohler
Favorite piece: bright orange coffee table
Robert Corturier
Favorite piece: glass hurricanes
Waldo Fernandez
Favorite part: dark mahogany stained floors
Steven Gambrel
Favorite items: turquoise glasses, white lamp and the trim on the curtains! (i couldn't decide)
Victoria Hagen
Favorite thing: blue and white striped rug
Suzanne Kasler
Favorite item: turquoise box and bright orange tray
Charlotte Moss
Favorite item: full white crisp roman shades
Joe Nahem
Favorite piece: glass and metal chandelier
Thomas O'Brien
Favorite thing: desk chair
Alex Papachristidis
Favorite item: Suzani table cloth
Miles Redd
Favorite item(s): rod iron and leather? x-benches
Katie Ridder
Favorite piece: white hour glass ceramic garden stool
Stephen Sills
Favorite item: mirrored and gilted coffee table
Michael S. Smith
Favorite piece: box pleated canopy
Matthew Patrick Smith
Favorite item: orange mottled wall
William Sofield
Favorite aspect: arched and decoritive ceiling
Robert Stilin
Favorite piece: "Too Good To Be True" artwork
Favorite item(s): pair of mirrors on the back wall
Steven Volpe
Favorite thing: the way the tv is mounted to the silver pole
Kelly Wearstler
Favorite thing: lucite scrolled headboard
Bunny Williams
Favorite piece: white tufted english rolled arm chair
Vincente Wolfe
Favorite piece: antiqued wooden and glass bookcase
- Posted By Rebecca-NY
- 10 Comments on Elle Decor's Top 25 A-List
- Category: Celebs, Decorating, Designers, Magazines
Tags: elle decor, interior design, top 25


text:
Recent comments
Game: Balanced Annihilation
Maybe less hardcore StarCraft game, you're learning to play a real RTS is recommended as some Spring Mod Balanced Annihilation or Zero-K. Although Supreme Commander that sige also the same gameplay.
Balanced Annihilation is very similar and almost equal to Total Annihilation, a very old play games, but very good.
Game: Frogatto & Friends
This game it's very funny, the gameplay it's awesome type "OlSchool" and the history it's funny, but the most in this game is the gameplay, music and graphics.
Game: MegaGlest
This game is excellent, the IA Work perfectly and have diferent modes(Hard, Normal and Easy). The Gameplay the this games is simply and awesome, The Models it's good, but can improve.
And the accion it's Excellent, my favorite is de Persian =].
Thanks, that was fast!
reviews moved to separate rss feed http://lgdb.org/rss_reviews.xml
completely agreed, but thats a hack of work. rating a review is of course not that difficult but calculating the meta rating from all the reviews including the individual ratings of the reviews is overkill.
on the other hand i dont see people going to vote for a review, even rating games is not very common bye the users of this site ^^
Game: Quantum
if a clone is better then its better.


text:
Online News Association Comes Out Against SOPA/PIPA
from the wow dept
[W]e believe SOPA would do little to stem those problems and would actually cause harm to the Internet and to the American public.The letter then highlights multiple problems specifically in the bill (contrary to Smith's claim that no one has identified the specific problems of the bill). ONA notes that under SOPA, overblocking will be quite common:
Indeed, the act -- and its counterpart in the Senate, the PROTECT-IP Act (PIPA) -- would inappropriately shut down websites, disrupt the free flow of legitimate information and limit Americans from fully exercising their First Amendment rights.
Forcing payment services and ad networks to mete out punishment raises a host of concerns. For starters, SOPA stipulates that any payment service or ad network that fails to comply with a notice served by the copyright owner and based on the court order can be sued for damages and held liable. On the other hand, any service that cuts ties with a suspected site after receiving notice of a court order, may not be sued for damages by that site "for any acts reasonably designed to comply" with the order.The group also raises concerns about the anti-circumvention provisions (which aren't limited to foreign players) and how that could cause all sorts of problems for those who provide legitimate tools. Following that, they raise key concerns about the impact on social media sites -- which the letter notes is "one of the most profound cultural developments on the web."
It's not hard to imagine, then, that a service provider, acting with abundance of caution and out of its own self-interest, will simply cut off services to entire sites that have been accused of infringement, even if the court order only applies to portion of the site. Such actions could even extend to other sites owned by the same entity.
This is pretty big. Journalists, as a group, rarely stake out political positions or take official positions on anything political at all. To have them, as a group, come out against SOPA/PIPA shows just what a disaster these bills are. How much longer will the bills' supporters pretend that there isn't widespread opposition? How much longer can Lamar Smith, Bob Goodlatte, Howard Berman and John Conyers ignore the detailed concerns of the American public?


text:
Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Will Ferrell
Episode 12: Zach sits down with Tila Tequila who may become his new best friend and also welcomes another guest on the show who some people may recognize (Jennifer Aniston).
- February 08, 2011
- 14m Views
- Immortal
Between Two FernsWeb Series
Zach GalifianakisActor
Jennifer AnistonActor
Tila TequilaActor
Scott AukermanProducer
Cha-Ching PicturesEditor
Danny JelinekCamera
BoTown SoundSound
Funny Or DieExecutive Producer
Hall of FameChannel
Starring: Zach Galifinakis, Jennifer Aniston, Tila Tequila and Brody Stephens
Director: BJ Porter
Producers: Scott Aukerman, Anna Wenger
Executive Producer: Mike Farah
Editor: Daniel Strange
Camera: Danny Jelinek, Mike Manasewitsch, Jason Whetzell
Sound: BoTown Sound
PA: Liam White
PA: Griffin Pocock
February 08, 2011
CategoryWeb Series Sketch Real Life
(show music plays)
Zach Galifianakis: Hello, welcome to another edition of
Between Two Ferns.
Zach Galifianakis: I'm your host, uh, I'm your host, Zach.
Zach Galifianakis: My guest today is Tila Tequila.
Welcome Tila.
Tila Tequila: Thank you.
Zach Galifianakis: You have 3.6 million friends on Myspace.
Tila Tequila: Yes.
Zach Galifianakis: Who's Darryl?
Tila Tequila: Darryl?
Zach Galifianakis: I'm just kidding along with you.
I'm just kidding.
Tila Tequila: Oh, okay.
Zach Galifianakis: Maybe you and I can be friends,
and we can hang out and stuff.
Tila Tequila: Yeah, absolutely.
Zach Galifianakis: Do you jet-ski?
Tila Tequila: Oh my gosh, I love jet-skiing!
Zach Galifianakis: It's always been my dream to jet-ski
around the world. Maybe we can do that.
Tila Tequila: Yeah, we can totally do that.
Zach Galifianakis: It's been really enlightening, and amazing
to talk to you.
Tila Tequila: Thank you.
Zach Galifianakis: Unfortunately, we have another guest.
Tila Tequila: Oh, well, I had a great time.
Zach Galifianakis: Yeah, will you stick around, though?
Tila: Yeah, absolutely. Thank you.
Zach: Okay, Cool.
Zach Galifianakis: Please welcome my next
guest, Jennifer Aniston.
- Jennifer: Hi.
- Zach: Hi.
Jennifer Aniston: How are you?
Zach Galifianakis: Hello.
Jennifer Aniston: Nice to meet you.
Zach Galifianakis: Nice to meet you.
Jennifer Aniston: Is there another?
Zach Galifianakis: Could you move that over for Tila?
Move the fern over.
Jennifer Aniston: This fern?
Tila Tequila: Yeah. would you mind?
Jennifer Aniston: No, I don't mind.
Tila Tequila: Thank you.
Jennifer Aniston: Don't mind.
Oh God. okay.
Jennifer Aniston: Oh, look, it's a chair.
Tila Tequila: Do you want to sit here?
Zach Galifianakis: Okay.
Tila Tequila: No problem.
Jennifer Aniston: Thank you. Thank you, Tila.
Zach Galifianakis: Thanks Tila.
Jennifer Aniston: Nice to meet you.
Tila Tequila: Oh, good to meet you.
Jennifer Aniston: Thank you.
Zach Galifianakis: So, welcome Jennifer.
Jennifer Aniston: Thanks. Happy to be here.
Zach Galifianakis: Tila, tell Jennifer a little bit about yourself.
Tila Tequila: Oh, well, I sing. I did reality shows.
Actually, I had my own reality show.
Jennifer Aniston: You're in a reality show?
Tila Tequila: Yeah.
Zach Galifianakis: What she would do, is she would have
a lot of people to fight over her,
to maybe get in bed with her.
Jennifer Aniston: How did that go?
Zach Galifianakis: Sound familiar, Jennifer?
Jennifer Aniston: Sorry?
Jennifer Aniston: Sorry?
Zach Galifianakis: So you're greek.
Jennifer Aniston: Mmhmm.
Zach: And, I'm greek.
Jennifer: Yeah.
Jennifer Aniston: I know.
Zach Galifianakis: You changed your last name for show business.
Jennifer Aniston: But you kept it.
You were committed to the---
Zach Galifianakis: No. my name is shortened.
Jennifer Aniston: It was?
Zach Galifianakis: It's Galifianakisburg.
What stuff do you have working on, Jenny?
Jennifer Aniston: Well, this movie that we're supposed
to talk about, which is Just Go
with It, with Adam Sandler.
Tila Tequila: I've also worked with Adam Sandler too on a film.
Zach Galifianakis: Oh really?
Tila Tequila: Yeah.
Zach Galifianakis: What's he like?
Tila Tequila: Really nice, and he's just-- right?
Isn't he really funny? Nice guy--
Jennifer Aniston: Extremely. Yeah, he's one of the nicest.
Zach Galifianakis: Did you guys hang out a lot--
Jennifer Aniston: Yeah
Zach Galifianakis: --Tila?
Tila Tequila: Yeah, absolutely. afterwards, we'd go
hit the trailer, and you know, snack on a bunch of food.
Tila Tequila: You know? He's a lot of fun.
He's a great guy.
Zach Galifianakis: That's a great story.
Tila Tequila: Yeah.
- (Jennifer sighs)
Zach Galifianakis: If you were forced to choose one state
in the us to be struck with a nuclear weapon, one state,
Zach Galifianakis: or else the entire country would be destroyed,
which state would you choose to annihilate?
Jennifer Aniston: I don't...I'm not going to do that.
Zach Galifianakis: Oh, so the whole country is going to
be destroyed by a nuclear weapon.
Jennifer Aniston: I don't think, well, that's not going to happen.
Zach Galifianakis: Tila, who would you?
(Zach and Tila): Rhode Island.
Jennifer Aniston: okay.
Zach Galifianakis: Wait. Hold on.
Zach Galifianakis: Go ahead.
Jennifer Aniston: Oh geesh.
Speed Stick Man: Speed stick. Deodorant
for your b-odorant!
Tila Tequila: That's so cute.
Zach: Tila, you've probably have had a lot of wild adventures--
Tila: oh yeah, absolutely.
Zach Galifianakis: --as far as romance is involved.
Have you ever done anything, like, in a car or anything?
Tila: Oh, the car, airplanes, and this weekend--
Jennifer: You know what--
Jennifer Aniston: I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt--
Zach Galifianakis: I got a blow job once on a motorcycle.
Jennifer Aniston: I'm going to let you guys finish,
because I think this is unfinished business.
Jennifer Aniston: So, why don't I come back?
I'm going to hit the green room.
Zach Galifianakis: Um, sure. we're all up for that.
Jennifer Aniston: Did you get enough questions?
Zach Galifianakis: Well, I have another question, if you don't mind.
Jennifer Aniston: Well--
Zach Galifianakis: No, it's for Tila.
Jennifer Aniston: Yeah, you know what Zach?
(the theme music to Friends
plays over Jen speaking)
Jennifer Aniston: You're fat.
(show music plays)


text:
Guest | April 28, 2012
By Guest • Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 19:16
Authored by Jenny Uechi, originally published at Vancouver Observer. Re-posted with permisison.
U.S. libertarian oil billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch have poured at least half a million dollars into The Fraser Institute over the last few years. In case you haven't been following their trail, here's a bit about them:
If the Koch brothers didn't exist, the left would have to invent them. They're the plutocrats from central casting – oil-and-gas billionaires ready to buy any congressman, fund any lie, fight any law, bust any union, despoil any landscape, or shirk any (tax) burden to push their free-market religion and pump up their profits.
The Koch brothers are the funders of the Americans for Prosperity group that just launched a $6.1 million television ad targeting President Barack Obama in eight states. Based in Witchita, Kansas, they own the second largest privately held company in America. Their father, Fred Koch, was a member of the radical right-wing John Birch Society.
According to The New Yorker, "The Kochs operate oil refineries in Alaska, Texas, and Minnesota, and control some four thousand miles of pipeline. Koch Industries owns Brawny paper towels, Dixie cups, Georgia-Pacific lumber, Stainmaster carpet, and Lycra, among other products. Forbes ranks it as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill, and its consistent profitability has made David and Charles Koch—who, years ago, bought out two other brothers—among the richest men in America. Their combined fortune of thirty-five billion dollars is exceeded only by those of Bill Gates and Warren Buffett."
"Most organisations which benefit from the Kochs' largesse have one thing in common: they help advance an unflinching brand of libertarian conservatism," writes Guy Adams in The Independent. "Some lobby against environmental regulation, or seek to undermine public perception of the threat of climate change, others battle taxes, trade unions and Barack Obama's health care reforms."
So why are the Koch brothers in Canada and why have they selected the Fraser Institute to be the repository of their generosity? A trip to The Fraser Institute's website offers clues, if not answers. Fraser's website and Facebook page boldly promote a conservative political agenda. And although the Fraser Institute claims to be "independent" and "non-partisan", the institute has been a connecting point for many leading conservatives in Canada.
On the front page of the Fraser Institute's website, a bold headline reads: "Canada among the world's biggest spenders on health care."
Other articles include "Electricity prices soar when governments subsidize green energy," and "The BC roots of Albertan conservatism". The institute's research topics are varied, ranging from "aboriginal issues" to energy to urban issues. But reports are completely consistent with a the right-wing, free-market agenda: in the health section, every study in the past several years is a critique of public health care, its long wait lines and high costs. On the energy front, studies call for reduced red tape on Albertan oil sands, and on education, private schools are praised while public schools are strongly criticized.
As a registered charity, the Fraser Institute is only allowed to devote a small part of its resources to political activity, and can never be partisan. Yet the institute has played a significant role in shaping the conservative movement and tone of political discourse in Canada today.
Fraser Institute All-Stars
Some famous figures include Ezra Levant, a Sun media columnist and author of Ethical Oil, who came to intern at the Fraser Institute after a fellowship with the Koch Foundation. Kathryn Marshall, political commentator and former Ethical Oil spokesperson, was also a development associate at the Fraser Institute. Wildrose leader Danielle Smith took on an internship with the Fraser Institute during her twenties that "imbued her with a passion for Ayn Rand and charter schools", according to a recent Walrus article. She became an intern with the encouragement of Tom Flanagan, a Fraser Institute senior fellow and Stephen Harper mentor. Vancouver Sun editorial pages editor and columnist Fazil Milhar is the former regulatory studies director at the Fraser Institute.
The top tier at the Fraser Institute is filled with highly-respected economists and researchers whose names and faces are constantly present in national newspapers.
Fraser Institute's president, Niels Veldhuis, is a respected economist who has written over 200 commentaries in publications such as The Economist, The Wall Street Journal and The Globe and Mail. In March 2011, he co-authored an article in The Financial Post titled, "We need Scott Walker here." Scott Walker is the Wisconsin governor whose campaign was heavily financed by the Koch Industries PAC, and sparked a lengthy and much publicized stand-off against public sector workers last year after trying to remove their collective bargaining rights.
The institute's director of health system performance studies, Nadeem Esmail, writes in National Post, Globe and Mail and the Wall Street Journal on health care policy and reform – his writings repeatedly depict Canada's public health care as a financial sinkhole and urge privatization while warning readers in the U.S. not to emulate Canada's system.
For many, the Fraser Institute is a foot in the door to climb the ranks of conservative organizations in Canada.
A typical case might be someone like Candice Malcolm. She got her start in 2007 as the student programs assistant at the Fraser Institute, then went on to became a Koch Summer fellow, going through a "rigorous" public policy program in Washington, attending seminars at the Cato institute. She went on to work for the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, (which paid blogger Vivian Krause to her first honorarium), then rose to the executive assistant position at Alberta's Wildrose Party. She now works in Ottawa as the Parliament press secretary.
Grooming the next generation
So where exactly does the Fraser Institute find its conservatives? Some, like the Wildrose leader, are recognized for their potential and recruited by the Fraser Institute during university. But in recent years, the institute has been cultivating young minds from an early stage.
For starters, the institute devotes a lot of resources training and recruiting youth. According the Canada Revenue Agency, the Fraser Institute spent $1.6 million in grants and scholarships for the 2010 year and almost $2.1 million the year before that.
One of the institute's most effective tools are its free one-day seminars for youth across BC, which which writer and researcher Donald Gutstein describes as its "initial recruitment tool". High school and post-secondary students participate in discussions on issues such as heath care and First Nations' rights, and listen to high-profile guest speakers including Ezra Levant, journalist (and former George W. Bush economic speechwriter) David Frum, and Danielle Smith. Anyone can participate, even if only to enjoy a free lunch at a swanky hotel.
For participants, the real fun begins as students break off into small groups and begin debating and discussing public policy. Recruiters take down the names of students who express views aligned with those of the Fraser Institute (the left-leaning ones are never contacted again) and get in touch with them for further orientation.
The institute also has a student video contest, and the chosen winners (who receive a $625 - $2,000 prize) are invariably those whose work promotes a right-wing, free-market ideology.
Last year, the Fraser Institute gave first prize to a video entitled "Government During Crisis: Help or Hinderance?" which claimed that government got in the way during crisis situations, and that the "most effective relief came from faith-based organizations" as well as local businesses. In the previous year, the top honours went to a video called "Canadian Health Care: a monopoly on lives" that harshly criticized public health care, while the second prize that year was based on the theme, "The nanny state: is government regulation threatening your personal freedom?", which argued that well-meaning legislation such as the anti-cyber bullying laws disrupted personal freedom.
For educators who want to teach youth to "think objectively" about climate change and other issues, the institute offers free lesson plans online. In the lesson plan for "Understanding Climate Change", students are shown graphs used by climate change scientists to show the correlation between CO2 and temperature, such as the one that Al Gore showed in his 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. In the "answer key," students learn that "correlation is not causation", and are fed the conclusion that there climate change is not, in fact, caused by carbon-generating activities.
There's plenty of tools for latecomers to the program as well: an attractive student internship gives $2,000 to $2,500 a month for a four-month period during which interns take part in seminars and discussions while contributing to the Fraser Institute's work. Preference is given to strong writers and "candidates who are interested in educating students about economics and public policy".
The "Economics for Journalists" course, meanwhile, uses reading material from the Fraser Institute publications to school future "opinion leaders" such as emerging journalists on free market principals. The course includes two "attitude surveys" to identify participants' economic views both before and after the course.
All of these initiatives are deemed "educational", but they are linked to a free-market agenda. Students and participants are armed with knowledge and arguments to debunk and discredit theories around climate change and public welfare as un-scientific or delusional, while actively pushing U.S.-style free market and privatization as the best option for Canada. And many of them have a powerful presence in right-wing-owned media to spread and legitimize their views.
The Left's answer to the Fraser Institute?
By contrast, the progressive movement in Canada doesn't have much of a counterpart to organizations like the Fraser Institute in terms of recruiting and training. In 2010, the progressive Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives think tank had a total revenue of just $1,724,894 – a far cry from the Fraser Institute's $10,834,410.
And people have started taking notice. An April 2011 newsletter from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives notes:
"For years, through its seminar and internship programs,
the Fraser Institute has been identifying and training
young conservative leaders… comprehensive education opportunities,which welcome youth into the movement and provide them with theory, mentorship, networking opportunities and skills development, are remarkably lacking in the world of social justice work."
In response, things are changing: rather than allow leaders for progressive politics develop in an "organic" way, the CCPA's teamed up in 2007 with environmental organization Check Your Head to create Next Up, a youth leadership to help emerging leaders from the progressive movement.
A counter-movement is also growing with progressive organizations such as LeadNow, but will it be enough to produce someone with as much influence or prominence as Danielle Smith or Ezra Levant?
Time will tell.
One thing's for sure: half a million dollars rarely comes without trust, or strings attached.
The Koch brothers know why they fund Fraser. The rest of us can guess.
Why do you think North America's richest oil barons, who are also the effective founders and funders of the Tea Party movement, would donate to a Canadian think tank? Please comment below…
Originally published by Vancouver Observer. Re-posted with permission.
And there's the
And there's the misrepresentation of science in the ISPM(Independent Summary for Policymakers) published by the Fraser Institute. It was issued days after the release of the Summary for Policy Makers by the IPCC, in Febuary 2007.
Economist Ross McKitrick was head of Fraser Intitute at that time
I've been victimized by Fraser Institute Propaganda.
Their school report showed a massive and sudden drop in 'education quality' at my local public school. Many parents up and left the school without even trying to figure out what was in the report or its methodology.
So here's the nitty gritty. Our community was created by the a land donation which stipulated we have a school for Downs Syndrome kids, and a youth drug and alcohol rehab clinic. (Pretty progressive for the 1950's don't you think.)
We've had a large influx into our school of these Downs kids, and they don't write provincial exams.
The Fraser Institute's score mechanism gives not just zero scoring for kids that don't write exams, but negative scores.
This implies to me that conservatives hate (I use that word judiciously) handicapped people, and view them as a burden that is not to be supported.
Meanwhile back in reality multiple private schools have been caught pumping up their student's marks. I just bet that helped with scoring with the Fraser Institute.
I find it interesting that you mention Danielle Smith. She joined the Calgary Board of Education in 1998. It immediately became dysfunctional, complete with name calling and secret note passing… (It was daily news back then.)
"I uncovered what I consider to be a collection some of the most bizarre shenanigans that I have ever seen from Canadian elected officials. My sources largely included articles published by the Calgary Herald and the National Post."


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Why doesn't the SSI output pin SSIWS0 work on my S7G2 MCU?
Latest Updated:10/13/2016
What can't I get the SSIWS0 output to work on my S7G2 device?
The SSIWS0 pin is placed on P404 which is one of the pins associated with the VBAT power domain. Unless the VBAT Input Disable is set, the register comes up with VBTICTLR Enable or Disable randomly, which may set P404 as an input only. The solution is to program the VBTICTLR bits to be Input Disable in the pin configuration setting in the configuration window. You can review the attached PDF of the pin configuration logic to see how the VBAT control register enables or disables the associated pin function.


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Happy Wednesday , that's of course if you are aware it is Wednesday! I have an appalling job keeping track of days when there's no school! Don't you find when the September term starts it makes people think Christmas in a big way? To help keep you organised with cards, we've another fab challenge for August & from now on we're only having one post a month so it will always be at the top & easy to find.
So what is the challenge for August? GIFTS GALORE!
We're sponsored by All Dressed Up who generously gave the team gorgeous images to play & create with!
All Dressed Up are offering 2 digi images to this month's lucky winner.


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Robert Learsch
|Cape Coral, Fla.
|High School:
|Canterbury School
|Biological Engineering
2011-12: Competed in the MIT B boat in the #2 seat at the Foot of the Charles (11/19) … rowed on the MIT freshman two team against Harvard (4/14) and in the #4 seat Penn (4/28).
Off The Water at MIT: Majoring in biological engineering … researched in the Weiss Lab.
High School: A 2011 graduate of The Canterbury School … captain of the crew team … also played baseball and rand cross country … member of the Cape Coral Rowing Club … National Honor Society … Science National Honor Society … Mu Alpha Theta Society … National Merit Scholar … State AP Scholar.
Personal: Son of Suzanne Triechler.


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Ibidi's system contains a relocating grid with a repeating unit size of 500 µm.
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In Science this week: International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium publishes the bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring reference genome, and more.
At his FDA Law Blog, Jeffrey Gibbs discusses FDA's technical assistance for the draft Diagnostic Accuracy and Innovation Act.
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Last week and this week were busy ones in South Walton with lots of events going on.
Florida Public Relations Association held their monthly luncheon at Seascape last Tuesday. Stacey Brady, Rhonda Murray, and Lauren Gall were some who attended.
Stacey Brady, Myra Williams, Jim Bagby, Mike McIntosh, Cynthia Kennedy, Lea Capers, and Ann Kief attended Walton Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours last Thursday night at Travinia at Grand Boulevard.
I saw Jimmy Milam at Wine World on Friday. Always good to see him and get a hug. John Morris and Jackie Cox were there also.
St. Rita's bi-weekly fish fry saw 528 hungry folks come through last Friday. Catherine Dickson, Chick and Cathy Huettel, John Stasko, Tony and Micheline Riggio, Keith and RoseAnn Knight, Tom Roach, Joe Colello, and Sarah Modica were there.
The first-ever Furry Fun Fest benefiting Alaqua Animal Refuge and H.E.A.R.T Animal Rescue was last Saturday at Gulf Place. For a first-time event, I was amazed at the number of people and dogs that turned out. But, it was a beautiful day for it. Kris Johnson, KB and Robby Dalal, RoseAnn Knight, Dwight Ward, Claudia and Brad Droy, Robin and Charles Wiesneth, Marinella Monk, Laurie Hood, Chase Johnson, Julie and Tim Brown, Donna and Ed Macdonald, Tonia Shatzel and Rob Wood, Chris Scott, Janice and Carl Fedkenheur, Linda Quinlan, Robert McCullar, and Dorothy Starbuck were some who came out.
That afternoon I enjoyed seeing Michele Silberman, Carl and Janice Fedkenheur, and Ed and Donna Macdonald at The Vue.
Beth and Bob Coppedge, Dana and Tom Saffel, Didon Comer and Hank White, Karen and Maunsel White, Georgeen Newell and Ken Golden, Brenda and Jim Radtke, Gillian and Gerry Lee, Betsey and Bill Evett, Claudia and Brad Droy, Donna and Ed Macdonald, Sharon Jenkins, Betty and Joe Mustachio attended Paul and Sandy Luchtefeld's annual Mardi Gras party on Saturday.
Richard and Demetria McNeese and Kathy Fly Bridges attended Mob Nite at Fat Clemenza's Saturday night. Richard and D won second place in the costume contest.
Also Saturday night was Artful Night Under the Stars, held at The V @ Seagrove to benefit the Treehouse Montessori School. Billie Gaffrey, and Michelle Uhlfelder were two who attended.
On Sunday were two fundraisers to benefit South Walton residents.
Didon Comer, Susan Benton, Gayle Schoettle, Mike Ragsdale, Kevin Ogle, George Barnes, Beth Coppedge, and Nan Jacobs attended the fundraiser for Chef David Cunningham at The V @ Seagrove Sunday afternoon.
Mark Thompson and Allison Craft attended the benefit for Dave Brown at Pandora's Sunday evening.
Marsha Dowler hosted an open house at her Seaside home Sunday afternoon featuring an exhibition, presentation, and cultural fellowship with the 2014 Artists of Escape To Create, with champagne, wine and desserts.
At the eighth-annual Sherlock Holmes Beach Hounds event Monday night at The Vue on 30A were Bob Dobes, Meg Nelson, Tom and Dana Saffel, Tony and Micheline Riggio, Joe and Betty Mustachio, Jane and Bobby Beene, Arno and Mary Lutz, Jim Radtke, Keith and RoseAnn Knight, Karen and Maunsel White, Lillian and Randy Torrey, Betty Krika, Bonnie McQuiston, Hank White, Cecilia Jones, Nan Ream, Joe and Jan Stanko, and Cindy McConnell.
I saw Stacey Brady, and Renee White at the sheriff's sub-station Tuesday morning for the Sheriff's briefing on spring break.
I want to give a huge shout-out to Peggy Jones for bringing a mini King Cake back from New Orleans to me! It was my first one from New Orleans and it was fab! It came from The Butcher at Cochon's.
Congratulations to Dave Rauschkolb who won at Ebro again.
South Walton got a write up in kentucky.com. Mentioned were The Pearl and Havana Bar & Grill at Rosemary Beach, Sandestin, Grayton Bar & Grill, Vin'tij, and the Solaris yacht.
Santa Rosa Beach and its Coastal Dune Lakes got a write up in The Bradenton Times.
Destin made No. 5 on CNN's list of "19 Beach Photos That'll Make You Drool."
Anniston Star columnist and part-time Seagrove resident Hardy Jackson wrote about Seagrove's Didon Comer in the Star last week.
Mike Ragsdale is off to Ecuador for two weeks.
Jane Burns visited New Zealand.
Randy and Lillian Torrey are headed to Jacksonville.
Stacey and Mike Brady went to St. Augustine to see daughter Caroline perform in a main stage theatrical production.
Ricky Fannin visited Biltmore Estates in Ashland, N.C., then skied the slopes in Maggie Valley.
Jeff and Heidi Ellis took in a baseball game at George M. Steinbrenner Field Tuesday afternoon and watched the New York Yankees farm team play Florida state University.
Laura Cox went to Napa.
Condolences are expressed to Carol Annino in the passing of her mom, and to the family of Sandi Nichols in her passing.
Wish a "happy birthday" Saturday to Shellie Arriaga, Brian Kellenberger, Dale Trice, and Ann Kief.
Sunday to Willee Skibbe.
Monday to Chase Johnson, Bob Dipiero, and Ann Bruni.
And Friday to Brandon Babineaux.
Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Walton Sun. She may be reached at 654-8443 or email email@example.com. Her Party Line column appears weekly in The Sun. Contributions are accepted.


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The News Keeps Breaking Big Tobacco's Way
Tweet Last week, Big Tobacco players Altria, Lorillard, and Reynolds American closed out a 13-year legal battle with a victory. These tobacco companies and others were sued by the city of St. Louis and 37 area hospitals for nearly $455 million in a bid to recover costs from 1993 to 2010 of treating smoking-related illnesses for patients who were unable to pay. The hospitals claimed that the industry had purposely produced an "unreasonably d ... Jump to full article >>


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Jan. 13, 2010
The Schedule
Thursday, Januray 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara vs. Long Beach State (5-9, 1-1)
at UCSB's Thunderdome (6,000)
Series record vs. the 49ers - 40-29
Streak - Won 7
Last time out vs. the 49ers - W, 74-62 (3/7/09)
Broadcast live on AM 990 and streaming live online by clicking here.
Game available via Gametracker
Game streaming live online at BigWest.TV
Saturday, Januray 16, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside (3-12, 0-2)
at UCR's Student Rec Center (3,200)
Series record vs. the Highlanders - 18-11
Streak - Won 4
Last time out vs. the Highlanders - W, 65-59 (3/5/09)
Broadcast live on AM 990 and streaming live online by clicking here.
Game available via Gametracker
Game streaming live online at BigWest.TV
Legends Of The Dome
For years, the Gauchos have been exciting crowds in the Thunderdome. Through the years, legends were made in the 'Dome. Now, five former UCSB standouts are being saluted as "Legends of the Dome." The first legendary women's volleyball star, Roberta Gehlke, was unveiled Oct. 19, 2009. The first men's basketball legend will be unveiled on Jan. 23 before a 7:00 p.m. game against Cal State Fullerton. Three other legends will be introduced this year. The second men's hoops legend will be unveiled prior to UCSB's 4:00 p.m. Feb. 13 game against Long Beach State. Women's basketball legends will be honored on Feb. 11 before a 7:00 p.m. game against UC Riverside, and on Feb. 27 before a 2:00 p.m. Blue-Green Rivalry Series game against Cal Poly.
See The Legends in Person!
To commemorate the "Legends of the Dome" UCSB Athletics recently announced its "Legends Pack" ticket offer. For just $40 fans will receive four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas to the game. Please click here for men's "Legends of the 'Dome" games and please click here for women's "Legends of the 'Dome" games. Should fans wish to purchase one "Legends Pack" ticket offer to see all four games, please call (805) 893-UCSB.
No Tourniquet for Turnovers
UCSB ranks last in the Big West with its 337 total turnovers, averaging 22.5 per game. In fact, that is so high it ranks 307th out of 332 teams in the nation and only two other west coast schools average more - Cal State Northridge with 22.8 per game and St. Mary's with 24.4 per game. Just twice this season has UCSB had fewer turnovers than its opponent - winning both games - and only five times have the Gauchos turned the ball over less than 20 times in a game (going 2-3). Over the Gauchos' past five games the team is averaging 27.2 turnovers per game.
A TO Needed for the TO's
Santa Barbara's 31 turnovers in Saturday's victory at Pacific were the program's most since Dec. 30, 2006 when the Gauchos also had 31 at Cal State Fullerton in a 73-71 win. The last time a UCSB team had more than 31 turnovers in a game was on Nov. 24, 2000 when the Gauchos committed 35 turnovers at USC as part of a 60-56 loss.
The L Word
UCSB's loss to UC Davis last week equaled its Big West loss total from each of the past two seasons. The last time the Gauchos had a defeat this early in conference play was in the 2006-07 season, a year when Santa Barbara finished 10-4 in the Big West. UCSB hasn't had a losing record more than one game into conference play since a 7-8 mark as of Feb. 20, 1991.
Slow Start
UC Santa Barbara's five victories in its first 15 games is the program's toughest start since the 1986-87 season when UCSB went 4-22 overall in Darla Wilson's final season as head coach (The 1988-89 team started 6-10 in Mark French's first season as head coach). Including this year, UCSB has had double-digit losses over an entire season just four times in the past 16 years.
The Opponents
vs. Long Beach State, 1/14
UCSB has won seven straight games against Long Beach State, dating back to Jan. 7, 2006 when the Gauchos lost, 58-52, at The Pyramid. UCSB has not lost to the 49ers at home since Jan. 19, 1991, a stretch of 18 straight wins at the Thunderdome and UCSB holds a 40-3 mark vs. LBSU since the 1991-92 season. Last season the Gauchos had three players in double-digits in the win over LBSU in the final conference match of the season. Long Beach State is tied with the Gauchos with a 2-1 Big West mark after defeating UC Irvine last week. The 49ers are led by Karina Figueroa's 17.6 points per game average, which is second in the Big West.
at UC Riverside, 1/16
UCSB is 18-11 all-time vs. UCR, including four straight victories. The Highlanders' last win over the Gauchos was in the Big West Tournament title game in 2007, which marked five straight wins by UCR over UCSB (including the 2006 Big West tourney title game, too). Riverside has three players averaging double digit points - led by Alyssa Morris' 11.7 points per game - but UCR allows its opponents to shoot 43% and score 70 points per game. UCR has dropped its first two conference games to Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton.
Probable Starters
No. Name Pos Quick Notes
10 Emilie Johnson G Leads BW in steals, min played & FT pct.
12 Ariana Gnekow G Averaging 4.2 rpg & 3.4 ppg in her starts
14 Jordan Franey F Her 4.8 rpg is second on the team
21 Meagan Williams G Avg. 15 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 apg last week
44 Mekia Valentine C Leads BW in blocks, reb and FG pct.
Possible Reserves
0 Bree Richardson G Avg. 9.5 min per game in 11 games
1 Sweets Underwood F Second on team with 75% FT shooting
3 Megan Kritscher F/C Avg. 1.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg in 7 games this year
11 Stefanie Corgel G Played 5 min in first half at Pacific
22 Chris Spencer G Avg. 6.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg in last 4 games
25 Jessie Goble F/C Has seen action in four games this year
32 Margaret Johnson F Held scoreless in 4 of past 6 games
She's Our Valentine
Mekia Valentine ranks third in the nation with her 4.4 blocks per game and has swatted away 62 shots already this season, which is third all-time in UCSB single-season history. Lindsay Taylor's 69 blocks in 2001-02 is the school's top mark. Valentine is close to breaking into the top-10 for career blocks at UCSB. Currently Brandy Richardson (2001-05) is 10th with 74.
Under .500? No Problem
UCSB entered Big West play with a record under .500 for the sixth straight season. In that time Big West play has proved to be the elixir for any woes - UCSB is 68-13 in conference play over that stretch.
Biggest in the Big West
Speaking of UCSB's success in conference play ... Since the 1995-96 season, UCSB is 207-20 (.912) in Big West games.
Watch Out for Williams
After averaging 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.0 steals per game last week, senior Meagan Williams is making an impact across the board. The Sacramento native is third on the team with her 9.5 points per game and ranks second in minutes played (32.7 per game), field goal percentage (48.8%), assists (2.7 per), blocked shots (1.5 per) and steals (1.3 per).
Swat Team
UCSB is averaging 6.7 blocks per game, which ranks the team fifth in the nation. UCSB has blocked 100 shots this season placing them 11th in school single-season history. Currently, the 1981-82 team is 10th with 101 blocks. The Gauchos are on pace for 194 blocks, which would shatter the school's single-season record of 140 (set in 2003-04).
Leading Ladies
Not only do Mekia Valentine and Emilie Johnson lead the Gauchos in every statistical category, the duo rank at the top of the conference in several areas. Valentine leads the Big West with her 4.4 blocks per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and her 60.3% field goal mark (which is 11th in the nation). Johnson paces the conference with her 1.7 steals per game, her 86.4% free throw percentage and her 35.5 minutes per contest. The duo have accounted for 38% of the shots the entire team has attempted and has either led or tied for the team-high in scoring in nine of the Gauchos' 15 games.
The Windex Crew
With a +4.2 rebound margin, UCSB leads the Big West by a healthy margin (Cal Poly's +0.4 is the only other school with a positive rebounding differential). UCSB has equaled or outrebounded its opponent in 11 of the team's 15 games and brings in an average of 39.8 boards per contest. Seven Gauchos average at least 3.5 rebounds per game.
No Advantage at Home
UCSB has dropped five of its seven games at the Thunderdome this season, already surpassing the number of losses from last year when the Gauchos went 13-2 at home. The last UCSB team to drop more than five home games was the 2006-07 squad, which lost nine games at home.
Not Necessarily "Free"
Last season UCSB set a school record by shooting 75.7% from the free throw line. This season the Gauchos' 65.7% from the charity stripe is eighth in the nine-team Big West.
Sure Shot
Valentine's 60.3% field goal clip is 11th in the country and the 6-foot-4 junior from Greensboro, N.C. is on pace to break the school's single-season record. The current top spot is occupied by Kira Anthofer, who shot 59.6% from the field in 1985-86.
The Lindsay Gottlieb File
Lindsay Gottlieb is in her second season as the Gauchos' head coach, and she is just the fourth head coach in UCSB women's basketball history. Last season Gottlieb guided the Gauchos to a 22-10 overall mark (15-1 in the Big West) and the Big West regular-season and tournament championships. Named the Big West Coach of the Year, Gottlieb became the first coach in Gaucho history to win at least 20 games and the Coach of the Year award in her first season - and one of only seven coaches nationwide to do so. Gottlieb led the Gauchos to their 14th consecutive postseason appearance and the team won 20 games for the 12th time in the past 14 years. In her first season at the helm of the program, Gottlieb guided the Gauchos to national prominence, ranking in the top-10 in field goal percentage defense, a top-20 finish in points allowed per game while watching her team set a school record for free throw percentage. No stranger to success, Gottlieb was formerly the associate head coach at Cal, helping the team to a 68-28 (.708) overall mark in her time there. Prior to that, Gottlieb was an assistant at the University of Richmond, where she helped the Spiders to three straight 20-win seasons.
Talk'n Gauchos
UCSB Athletics has a new weekly radio show called Talk'n Gauchos which airs every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. on AM 1490 KIST. The show is broadcast live from State & A Bar and Grill, located on the corner of State Street and Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara. Fans are encouraged to attend the show for free gear and ticket giveaways or to even e-mail a question in to one of the guests and have it read live over the air. The show also airs live online via audio streaming and fans can click here to check out the entire lineup of live audio streaming online.
Listen Up!
All men's and women's basketball games will be broadcast live on AM 1490 and AM 990 again this year, and those games will also be available online, by clicking here.. And, UCSB Athletics is proud to announce that the baseball team will have over 20 games broadcast live on the air and through our website, UCSBgauchos.com.
Single Game Tickets Available
Men's and women's basketball single game tickets are now on sale. You can purchase tickets by calling (805) 893-UCSB, visiting the Ticket Office located inside the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus or to buy online and print at home, click here.
Purchasing Tickets Has Never Been Easier
The Intercollegiate Athletics Ticket Office now has two parking spaces adjacent to the building and is now open on Saturdays, making it easier than ever for fans to purchase tickets. The ICA Ticket Office will be open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays. The two parking spots, designated specifically for the ticket office, are already available during weekday hours, which are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.


text: This new inkjet cartridge is manufactured to the highest standards with high quality inks and components. It is a replacement for and is compatible with the Canon® BCI-8 black cartridge. It does include the cartridge chip. This product is neither manufactured nor approved by Canon® . Reference to the Canon® trademarks, product names and printer model names is made solely for the purpose of compatibility.


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Ice-T Voicing SpongeBob Will Ruin Your Childhood
Mar 24, 2016 9:41 AM EDT
Ice-T returned toThe Tonight Show to voice even more of your favorite childhood cartoons. Host Jimmy Fallon played clips from Peanuts, SpongeBob, Batman and DuckTales, with the rapper providing some colorful voiceover for characters. So if you've eve… Read more


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Kitty Cat Dance
Posted 14 February 2013 - 09:50 AM
Take my hand and we'll go riding through the sunshine from above
Posted 14 February 2013 - 10:15 AM
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Cry Havoc! And let loose the Dobermans of war!
My knitting and crocheting blog.
Life is too short to take seriously, none of us get out of it alive.
Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be.Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.
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Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaugher, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. All violent crimes involve force or threat of force.
Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims.
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O-Ring, 19.16 x 1.78mm EPDM
Part No. ORG-AN016E In Stock Fedex orders placed now will ship on August 20th.
|Volume Pricing
5 : $0.48
10 : $0.47
25+ : $0.45
Koolance EPDM o-ring gasket used in some products. 19.16mm outer diameter, 1.78mm thickness. (See here for product chart.)
|0.00 lb (0.00 kg)
|Max Temperature
Liquid Coolants
Koolance's product warranty does not cover the use of 3rd-party coolants, coolant additives, or corrosion. Koolance LIQ-702 or LIQ-705 coolants are strongly recommended to help avoid issues with mixed metals or biological growth. Additionally, do not use aluminum with bare (unplated) copper or bare (unplated) brass in the same system. Do not use silver with nickel in the same system.


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5G Waveform CandidatesHow Rohde & Schwarz test and measurement solutions can be used to generate and analyze 5G waveform candidates.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the access scheme that is used in today's LTE/LTE-Advanced networks. Two separate waveforms are utilized to gain access to the network: OFDM access (OFDMA) in the downlink and single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in the uplink. Both waveforms benefit from OFDM being a multicarrier transmission technique, but also share its disadvantages such as high sensitivity to frequency and clock offsets, a high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and less spectrum agility.
The sensitivity to frequency and clock offsets makes it necessary to periodically embed synchronization signals and reference signals into the overall signal and requires the device and network to synchronize before communications (exchange of data) can take place. The limited spectrum agility in LTE depends on the transition between consecutive OFDM symbols. The discontinuity (phase transition) between two OFDM symbols during signal generation causes spectral spikes in the frequency domain. This results in high out-of-band emissions and therefore a guard band is typically defined to prevent interference between neighboring channels. OFDM-based signals such as LTE also use a long symbol duration plus a cyclic prefix to avoid intersymbol interference (ISI) due to the expected delay spread of the radio channel.
- Power spectrum of a 20 MHz LTE downlink signal with spectral spikes caused by the OFDM signal generation process
The limitations of OFDM-based waveforms were identified as research topics for future 5G waveforms. One aspect is the requirement for much shorter latency to enable new services and applications like autonomous driving that demands an ultra-low latency and a highly resilient communication link. Another approach is to make the cyclic prefix optional and work with shorter symbol durations. All this has led to several candidate waveforms, such as
- Generalized frequency division multiplex (GFDM)
- Filter bank multicarrier (FBMC)
- Universal filtered multicarrier (UFMC)
- Filtered OFDM (f-OFDM)
The performance of these waveform candidates is currently being analyzed and evaluated. At the same time new multiple access schemes are also being researched, including sparse code multiple access (SCMA), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and resource spread multiple access (RSMA).
However, at this point it has not been decided if any of these waveform candidates or multiple access schemes will be utilized in a future 5G system. It is up to the standardization committees to submit their proposal to the IMT-2020 group within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They will decide if the proposal is accepted as a technology for a 5G mobile communications system that can use the frequency bands identified by the ITU at the World Radio Conferences (WRC). It is expected that this will take place between now and November 2019.
Test solution for 5G waveform signal generation
- R&S®SMW-K114 5G waveform candidates option for R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator.
The R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz is ideal for generating 5G candidate waveforms such as GFDM, FBMC, UFMC and f-OFDM. The flexible graphical user interface (GUI) allows simple and easy changing of waveform parameterization, selection of different pulse shaping filters, filter length and stopband attenuation, and features windowing functionality. Different modulation schemes can be applied. PN sequences can be used to execute hardware-in-the-loop experiments i.e. for component testing (e.g. filter, power amplifier) and verification of 5G mmWave reference designs.
Test solution for 5G waveform signal analysis
- Power spectrum and constellation diagram of a demodulated UFMC signal with R&S®FS-K196 option.
The R&S®FS-K196 5G air interface candidates option is an OFDM analysis software that provides the required functionality to analyze e.g. GFDM or UFMC-based waveforms. The software offers error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements per subcarrier and symbol, constellation diagram, group delay measurement and much more. The R&S®FS-K196 is the right tool for measuring the signal quality of the newly defined 5G waveforms to investigate their performance capabilities.
Products for 5G waveform candidates
R&S®SMW200A Vector Signal Generator
- Full parameterization of 5G waveform candidates GFDM, UFMC, FBMC, f-OFDM
- Unique 2 GHz internal modulation bandwidth with a frequency range of up to 40 GHz
- Generates two independent wideband signals with any type of modulation up to 20 GHz with one instrument
R&S®FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer
- Standalone instrument with frequency support from 2 Hz to 85 GHz (R&S®FSW85)
- 500 MHz built-in signal analysis bandwidth
- 2 GHz signal analysis capabilities in combination with the R&S®RTO1044 oscilloscope
R&S®FS-K196 5G Air Interface Candidates
- Analysis capabilities for GFDM, UFMC and f-OFDM
More About 5G
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- Demystifying 5G – PAPR: Difference for 5G PHY layer concepts vs. LTE
- Demystifying 5G – PAPR: Generating a scrambled payload sequence
- Demystifying 5G – PAPR: Scrambled payload sequences for 5G waveform candidates
- Demystifying 5G – 5G power amplifier characterization
- Demystifying 5G – Full power frequency sweep for 5G PA characterization
- Demystifying 5G – Where 5G waveform candidates lose their advantage
- Demystifying 5G – UFMC signal generation
- Demystifying 5G – UFMC signal demodulation
- Demystifying 5G – waveform candidates
- Demystifying 5G – limitations of LTE
- 5G channel sounding – flexible and ready for use cm- and mm-wave test solution
- Webinar: Internet of Things (IoT) and over-the-top (OTT) applications
- Webinar: Unleashing 5G mm-Waves - a Test & Measurement Perspective
- Video: Unleashing 5G mm-wave frequencies presented at GSMA MWC 2015
- More Information
- Rohde & Schwarz and Fraunhofer HHI realize 5G millimeter-wave channel sounding test solution
- The R&S SMW200A creates digitally modulated signals up to 40 GHz for complex A&D and 5G applications
- Rohde & Schwarz implements unique 2 GHz analysis bandwidth in R&S FSW high end signal analyzer


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Michigan Business Tax Discourages Economic Growth
(Permission to rebroadcast in whole or in part is hereby granted. A courtesy super or CG crediting the Mackinac Center would be appreciated.)
A Michigan businessman shares the story of how the state's business tax and related surcharge have hampered efforts by his company to grow and do business in Michigan, as compared to Indiana, where his company also has operations. A key lawmaker and the Mackinac Center's fiscal policy director agree, and both believe eliminating the MBT and surcharge would help the state prosper.
Click here for more information on how eliminating the Michigan business tax would affect the state.


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Let's start with underwater background. The easiest way to draw it is radial gradient. Set foreground color to lighter blue and background color to darker blue. Select Gradient tool, then select Radial on toolbar, then draw gradient from top-center of image to right-bottom (or left-bottom).
I used wonderful photo by Leandro Stanzani as a reference for my drawing. Locate the photo inside your image...
..and set its layer opacity to 15-25%.
Set foreground color to lighter blue. Switch to Pen tool, create shape of big dolphin body, carefully outlining it from the photo.
In new layer, use Pen tool and make white shape of dolphin's belly. Set layer opacity to 10-20%...
... then Create Clipping Mask (Ctrl-Shift-G or from Layer menu), so that shape of belly is limited by shape of dolphin.
In new layer, use combination of large and small soft brush (black and white) to draw lightlights and shadows.
Set layer mode to Overlay and Create clipping mask again (Ctrl-Shift-G or from Layer menu).
I decided I wanted to have edges a bit mor glowing, so I used small soft white brush to outline the edges (in new layer)...
...then set layer opacity to Overlay and Create clipping mask again.
Zoom in, set foreground color to dark blue, switch to Pen tool, carefully draw shape of mouth.
Switch to Brush tool, with small soft white brush, add some highlight...
... then - you guessed! - set layer mode to Overlay, and Create clipping mask.
... in new layer, with Pen tool, add an eyebrow shape (as always, layer blend mode = Overlay, opacity - to your liking).
Switch to Pen tool. Using the same color as body shape, create shape of a fin.
Create a layer mask (Layer menu - Layer mask - Reveal all). Switch to Brush tool, set color to Black, use black brush to remove unnecessary part of fin.
In new layer, with white and black brush, draw highlights and shadows.
... as always, Create clipping mask...
Set layer blend mode to Overlay, then adjust layer opacity carefully, until the top line of fin is the same lightness as dolphin body.
Small but important detail - use dark blue soft brush to add a shadow (in new layer under layer with fin shape).
Under layer with dolphin body shape, use Pen tool to draw another fin (with dark blue color).
This dolphin is ready! Using the same techniques, create a dolphin child. The instructions are the same, so I'm only show the screenshots...
Create new layer between layers with Dolphin and Dolphin child. Use very large black soft brush to draw shadow that falls on dolphin body. Make sure shadow is inside body shape - use Eraser tool to remove brush outside body.
Set layer blend mode to Overlay or Soft light. Adjust opacity to your liking.
The dolphins are ready! The final detail I added was bubbles, but you should already know how to do them from my previous tutorials :-) Thanks for reading!
← Socotra - making of interweaved lines The (hidden) power of Photoshop brush tool →


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A team of students from the E. Philip Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology is currently leading the race in the Adirondack Cup competition against 17 college teams from across New York and the Northeast. The competition is based on teams managing a mock portfolio of small cap stocks for six months—using skills in technical analysis, growth projections and other financial tools to estimate future returns—to win the Adirondack Cup.
The team is performing well ahead of the Russell 2000 Index, which measures the performance of small cap stocks in the U.S.
The Adirondack Cup competition is sponsored by the Adirondack Research & Management Inc., adviser to the Adirondack Small Cap Mutual Fund (ADKSK). This is the first time RIT's Financial Management Association—a club on campus that manages a "real money" investment portfolio with a market value of more than a $100,000—has been involved.
The team members are Harpreet Singh (group leader), Rashedur Rehman (FMA President), Ujwal Reddy Gondesi (FMA secretary), Pablo Franco (FMA co-portfolio director) and David Park (engineering major). All members are active participants in the student-run FMA club, which provides a forum for business students as well as students from other RIT colleges to collaborate and to learn about financial management and investing.
"The students were given a hypothetical $1,000,000 and had a collection of stock restraints where they had to choose from five different sectors of small cap companies traded on one of the two major U.S. stock exchanges," says Ashok Robin, professor of finance in the Saunders College and adviser to the FMA club. "They do get to change their portfolio after every two months, and right now RIT is leading the competition by 7.88 percent of its nearest rival. That's a lot of money."
According to Singh, a second year graduate student in the Saunders College MBA program, the number boils down to $78,800 more than the team in second position. And while he says it's great to be leading at this point with a huge margin, the team won't know the final results until April 12.
"It feels safe but the financial world is very unpredictable so all this analysis amounts to nothing if the market crashes," Singh notes. "All the assumptions we make are made in a scenario where no unforeseen circumstances occur. RIT has been leading the pack for about a month now, but as they say, it ain't over until the fat lady sings."
William Prentice '99 (finance) is a Saunders College alumnus who is rooting for his alma mater.
"Bill encouraged us to compete in the Adirondack Cup because he realized it was a great learning opportunity for our students and offers them a taste of real-world financial investment while building a strong network of connections among peers, alumni and the Adirondack Small Cap Fund managers," says Robin.
A networking and celebration reception will be held in Albany for all team members and the Adirondack Cup will be awarded based on the highest return on the initial investment. For more information about the Adirondack Cup's weekly results, go to www.adirondackfunds.com.


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Alba outclassed
She really was. Or, more accurately, perhaps it was her designer Jason Wu. This dress seems like it's 2 seasons old and was last worn at some Us Weekly party by Lauren Conrad. That hurts.
And the tights, not feeling the tights.
On the plus side: am all over the lipstick. Fuchsia looks good on the Alba Demon who smiled almost like she meant it. Personality adjustment or were they all snickering about Jessica Biel?
Photos from Wenn.com and Splashnewsonline.com


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The global leader in battery spill containment and environmental health & safety training.
We provide customers with a complete line of safety equipment and other supplies for the battery room. Our product line includes a wide variety of safety and compliance products including spill containment, spill clean-up kits, protective eye wear, tools, hydrogen detectors, battery watering carts, and much more.
Featured Product
Front Access Battery Racks
Aptus, a brand of EnviroGuard, has engineered and developed a front access battery rack that incorporates a spill containment solution. The containment trays can be applied during new installation or as a retrofit solution.
These racks are modular in design and accept all major manufacturers' 10 year batteries. They are IBC 2012 certified and meet UBC Zones 1, 2, 3 and 4.
What's New at EnviroGuard ?


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This post may contain affiliate links.
Here is my Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan for this week. We like to plan monthly because it keeps us from worrying about what is "for dinner" and keeps our budget in line when it comes to dining out. When you menu plan it is important to include a family favorite weekly. We try to plan frugal meals as well to keep within our monthly budgets. A helpful tip is to plan meals from your stockpile! Here is a how to get started Menu Planning Monthly. We believe it helps us to stay on budget and cook from our Stockpile and save more! We are participating with Orgjunkie.com.
Visit my Gluten Free Menu Plan for October
Sunday – "Brinner" – Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Fruit Salad and Scrambled Eggs
Monday- Gluten Free Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza
Tuesday – Gluten Free Potato Bacon Pie
Wednesday – Gluten Free Salami Bagel, Fresh Fruit
Thursday – Gluten Free Seven Layer Dip
Friday – Gluten Free Slow Cooker Squash & Apples
Saturday – Gluten Free Smothered Pork Chops
Other Menu Help:
Be sure to visit our Gluten Free Recipes for more of my favorites. Check out our Gluten Free Resources on the blog too!
Follow Saving Gluten Free on facebook where we post only our Gluten Free posts.
Subscribe to our Gluten Free email updates for FREE!
Ways to save at the store:
Weekly Deals at Kroger
Weekly Deals at Meijer
Weekly Deals at Remke/biggs
Weekly Deals at Walmart
Weekly Deals at Aldi
Weekly Deals at CVS
Weekly Deals at Walgreens
Weekly Deals at Target
Stockpile Time – Items that you should stockpile this week at all of the stores.
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This week's regulatory actions:
CFTC files action to revoke registration of Prestige Capital Advisors
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a notice of intent to revoke the registration of Prestige Capital Advisors, LLC of Charlotte, NC, as a commodity trading advisor (CTA).
The CFTC alleges that Prestige is subject to statutory disqualification from CFTC registration based on an order of default judgment and permanent injunction entered against Prestige in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on Jan. 25, 2013. The order finds that Prestige fraudulently solicited and accepted more than $4.7 million from multiple pool participants for investment in one or more commodity pools that traded among other things, commodities and futures contracts. The order also finds that Prestige misappropriated pool participant funds, posted false trading returns on a website called BarclayHedge (where fund managers could post unverified historical returns for prospective clients to view), sent false trading results to at least one Prestige pool participant, and issued false account statements. As a result, Prestige was ordered to pay approximately $6.9 million in civil monetary penalties and restitution of over $4.1 million.
Federal court enters $2.2 million default judgment order against Global Precious Metals Trading Company for operating a fraudulent off-exchange precious metals scheme
The CFTC obtained a federal court default judgment order against Global Precious Metals Trading Company, LLC (GPMT) of Coral Gables, Fla., and its principal Michael Ghaemi of Miami, Fla., charged with running a fraudulent precious metals scheme and misappropriating customers' funds.
The order, entered by Federal District Judge Ursula Ungaro, requires GPMT and Ghaemi to pay a $1.26 million civil monetary penalty, $736,979 in restitution, and to disgorge $186,860 in ill-gotten gains.The order also imposes permanent trading and registration bans against them and prohibits them from violating the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations, as charged.
The order finds that, from at least July 16, 2011 to August 2012, GPMT and Ghaemi illegally solicited and accepted approximately $800,000 from nine U.S. retail customers to purchase physical precious metals, such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, on a financed basis, and defrauded the customers in connection with the precious metals transactions.
The order also finds that GPMT and Ghaemi defrauded their retail customers by claiming to sell actual physical metals, making loans to customers to purchase those physical metals, and arranging for storage of the physical precious metals, when, in fact, they did not purchase or store precious metals, even as they charged customers interest on their loans and storage fees.


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|Hamilton, New Zealand
|Men's Cross Country/Men's Tennis
|Previous School:
|Hillcrest HS
2013-14: Sizeland was named a first-team All-SAC selection after a stellar sophomore campaign that saw him compile a 14-3 record at No. 2 singles and picked up nine more wins at No. 2 doubles. His season was highlighted by a 13-match singles winning streak that lasted from Feb. 22-Apr. 10.
2012-13: Sizeland was named the Coker College freshman of the year. As the No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles player for the Cobras he finished with records of 15-6 and 15-8. He was also named to the All-Conference third team.
High School: Sizeland was a standout cross country and tennis player at Hillcrest High School. He was the 2011 senior boys cross country champion in 2011 and he was the senior boys tennis champion in 2010 and 2011. He was ranked in the top 10 in his class academically.
Personal: Son of Wilma and Peter Sizeland...he has two sisters Katie and Jacqui.


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WASHINGTON – Scientists point to both scant recent snowfall in parts of the country and this month's whopper of a Northeast blizzard as potential global warming signs.
How can that be?
The answer lies in atmospheric physics. Experts say the warmer atmosphere can hold, and dump, more moisture. Two new studies find there are more big blizzards but less snow overall each year.
One study says the nation has been hit by twice as many extreme snowstorms in the past 50 years than in the previous 60. Another study predicts annual global snowfall will shrink by more than a foot in the next 50 years.


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is always in a weird mood.
We used to be WeirdTV. The only thing that's changed is that we STILL ARE. CHUCK CIRINO is a lumbering behemoth. He shoots -- he scores! He also directs and does effects. JASON BERLIN is a tiny little man who writes and acts all over the place. He lives at www.jasonberlin.com


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Threats to polar bears
The greatest threat: climate change
How does climate change affect polar bears?
- Fewer opportunities to feed
Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt and store energy for the summer and autumn, when food can be scarce. Sea ice now melts earlier in the spring and forms later in the autumn in the bears' southern range, like Hudson Bay and James Bay in Canada. As the bears spend longer periods without food, their health declines. For every week earlier the ice breaks up in Hudson Bay, bears come ashore roughly 10 kg (22 lbs) lighter and in poorer condition.
- Fewer cubs
Unhealthy bears can lead to lower reproduction rates – and local extinction. Scientists have found the main cause of death for cubs to be either lack of food or lack of fat on nursing mothers.
Other current threats
Oil explorationThe oil and gas business is increasingly moving into the Arctic as more accessible reserves in the south dry up.
How does oil exploration affect polar bears?
- Reduced insulation
Contact with oil spills can reduce the insulating effect of the bears' fur. The bear must then use more energy to keep warm, and compensate by increasing its caloric intake—which may be difficult.
- Poisoning
Polar bears can ingest oil through grooming and through eating contaminated prey. The ingested oil can cause liver and kidney damage, and has long-term toxicity. Bears can be poisoned by even a limited amount of oil on their fur.
- Disturbance
Seismic blasting, construction, transportation and operation of oil facilities can negatively affect polar bears.
- Destruction of habitat
If a major oil spill occurs at or near areas with high concentrations of polar bear denning sites, for example Hopen Island in the Barents Sea, it could have population-wide consequences.There is currently no proven effective method for cleaning or controlling an oil spill in icy, arctic waters, where difficult weather conditions are common.
Offshore operations pose the greatest risk, since routine emissions, spills or leaks will be discharged directly into the sea or on the sea ice.
Polar bear populations are expected to come under increased pressure if oil developments in the Arctic go ahead according to industry plans.
Toxic pollution
As top predators, polar bears are exposed to high levels of pollutants through their food.
The popular image is of polar bears living in a pure, frozen wilderness is misleading. The Arctic food chain contains high levels of some toxic chemicals.
How do toxic chemicals affect polar bears?
- Disruption of biological functions
Bears with high levels of some POPs (persistent organic pollutants) have low levels of vitamin A, thyroid hormones, and some antibodies. These are important for a wide range of biological functions, such as growth, reproduction, and the ability to fight off diseases. Females with partially-developed male sexual organs -- Pseudohermaphrodites -- have been observed in 1.5 % of the polar bears sampled on Svalbard in recent years. Scientists believe this could be the result of long-range pollutants.
- Danger to cubs
In some areas, the mother bears' milk contains particularly high concentrations of these chemicals. The milk can actually poison the cubs, leading to lower survival rates.
What's a POP?Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include a wide range of poisonous substances. Most POPs are officially banned, but they are still sometimes used, and they stay in the environment for many years. Because of inadequate screening systems, new chemicals are showing up in the Arctic. The effects of some of these chemicals are still being studied.
POPs found in the Arctic
- heat resistant chemicals, like PCBs
- industrial by-products such as dioxins and furans
- pesticides like DDT, dieldrin and lindane
Potential threats
Is it legal to hunt polar bears?The legality of polar bear hunting varies among the Arctic countries.
The international Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears allows for the taking of polar bears for use by local people using traditional methods and exercising traditional rights. WWF supports the right of indigenous peoples to continue to sustainably harvest local animals.
Is polar bear hunting sustainable?In countries with monitoring programs, hunting quotas are designed to keep the bears' populations stable. But in some countries, the extent of polar bear hunting--and its effect on populations--is unknown.
There are estimated to be 22,000 to 31,000 polar bears worldwide living in 19 populations. The general status of polar bears is currently stable, though there are differences between the populations.
The Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) regularly reviews the countries' monitoring of polar bear size, age and gender distributions. For populations with functioning monitoring programs, the PBSG can estimate the status of the population.
The PBSG urges governments to start monitoring populations whose stability is unknown so that population estimates can be made and trends documented. Only then can the sustainability of hunting be secured.


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Santa Fe Chicken Dip Recipe: {Print Recipe}
2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts (shredded)
1 (10 ounce) can of Ro*tel Original
1 cup mayonnaise
1 large chipotle pepper (packed in adobo)
2 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese
1 (15 ounce) can of black beans
3/4 cup sweet corn
8 ounces Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a food processor (or blender) combine chipotle pepper and mayonnaise. Set aside.
In a large pan over medium heat, place shredded chicken. Add Ro*tel and cook for a minute. Place cream cheese in pan and melt completely. Add chipotle mayonnaise, stir and combine. Turn off heat. Stir in black beans, corn and cheese. Pour into a large baking dish.
Bake, uncovered for 15-16 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Serve with tortilla chips.
Recipe yields about 6 cups.


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International Student Admission
Adams State University welcomes international students. To be considered for admission to ASU, international students need to submit the following:
- 1. Completed Undergraduate International Student Application.
- 2. Submit the application fee ($US):
- Bachelor Degree - $30 (non-refundable).
- Associate Degree - $30 (non-refundable).
- Note: The $30 fee for the bachelor's degree is waived for students completing the ASU Associate Degree program and entering the bachelors program.
- 3. Proof of English proficiency
- 4. Academic transcripts translated into English
A score of 550 or better on the TOEFL exam or successful completion of level 109 in an ESL program will satisfy the English proficiency requirement. College or university level work completed outside the United States will be accepted directly in transfer only if the college or university is accredited by one of the U.S. regional accrediting associations.
If you don't have the Acrobat Reader, you can download here.
For more information regarding international student admission, contact:
Extended Studies - Distance Degrees
Adams State University
208 Edgemont Blvd. Suite 3000
Alamosa, CO 81102
Contact Us


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While everyone loves a good deal, most heavy users out there are worrying about the impending doom of tiered data plans. T-Mobile has just announced its new postpaid and prepaid unlimited plans, advertising unlimited voice, text, and web, but the fine print is just as present as ever. It seems very likely that consumers might run with the good looking prices (without looking at the fine print), only to later find out that their "unlimited" 4G speeds turn very slow soon afterward.
For Postpaid users, the new plans differ depending on voice and data needs. Data plans (for both individual and family plans) start at $10 for 200 MB, and go as high as 10 GB of "high speed" internet. After reaching the data cap, data speed simply slows down for the remainder of the billing month (sometimes even slower than 2G).
Things seem better if you are willing to purchase a phone at full price though. T-Mobile's new prepaid unlimited plan starts at $50, with a data cap set at 100 MB (not a typo…). The $70 plan does offer 5 GB though, which sounds much more reasonable.
It may seem like I am simply bashing on T-Mobile, but such is not really the case. There is no problem with making cheaper options available. These offers are very misleading though, and it looks like T-Mobile has a loose understanding of the word "unlimited" and are flat out trying to avoid the word "tiered," and that is where the problem lies. Signing up for a two-year contract (or purchasing a phone at full retail) is no small deed, and carriers should keep things straight forward about what is being offered.
Aside from the sneaky marketing, these plans will be beneficial to many T-Mobile customers. People have been complaining about carriers forcing customers to have large data plans, one of the reasons being that they may be surrounded by WiFi hotspots all day long. This should actually be very wallet-friendly for some.
Also, our friends at TmoNews grabbed this screenshot from Youtube of T-Mobile's not-yet-aired commercial (which was since taken down), and a perusing of the comments prove that many consumers are pretty angry with T-Mobile over their marketing campaign. Check out the image and the press releases after the break, and let us know your opinions! What do you guys think of these new plans? Are you signing up for one of them?
Postpaid Press ReleaseShow Press Release
New T-Mobile plans feature unlimited data with no overages
BELLEVUE, Wash. – May 23, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced a new suite of family and individual plans that expand on the exceptional value and consumer choice the company provides to make data affordable for families on America's Largest 4G Networkâ"¢.
The plans, available for new and existing customers, offer single-line and multiline options with a range of price points for talk or unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data – with no data overages – offering 200 MB, 2 GB, 5 GB or 10 GB of high-speed data. Each of the plans also includes unlimited nationwide T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling, and unlimited nights and weekends. T-Mobile also continues to offer one of the industry's most affordable entry-level unlimited data plans, starting at just $10 for 200 MB of high-speed data per billing month.
Beating the competition, T-Mobile's $139.99 unlimited family plan with unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited data with 2 GB of high-speed data offers a savings of more than $350 per person, per year on a two-line annual plan, compared with similar smartphones plans from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.1
"Our new rate plans powered by America's Largest 4G Network put us in an excellent position to capitalize on the 80 percent of wireless customers in America who want smartphones," said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. "We're providing customers with the 4G coverage they need, an exciting portfolio of 4G smartphones, and the value and flexibility to meet the diverse desires of their entire family."
T-Mobile's family plans are also more flexible than ever, allowing customers to select different data options and add-a-line features to meet the needs of first-time smartphone consumers, data-hungry young adults and text-centric teens all in one customized package.
The new family and individual plans are available now. To find the T-Mobile plan that best fits their needs, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
1 Based on comparison against comparable post-paid plans for smartphones from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint; pricing does not include taxes and fees or cost of phone. Plan features and limitations may vary. Data as of May 2011. See T-Mobile.com for additional rate plan and pricing information.
T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.
Prepaid Press ReleaseShow Press Release
Unlimited Talk, Text and Web With No Annual Contract
BELLEVUE, Wash. – May 23, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced two new No Annual Contract, unlimited Monthly4G plans starting at $50 per month, bringing more choice and value to customers on America's Largest 4G Networkâ"¢. The new plans make it easier than ever for customers to step up to a rich data experience across T-Mobile's entire portfolio of Androidâ"¢-powered, Windows® Phone and BlackBerry® smartphones without an annual contract.
"Consumers today want more value and simplicity in how they purchase wireless," said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. "And that's exactly what we're delivering with our new Monthly4G plans – providing customers with the nationwide network, great prices and a choice of any of our latest smartphones."
With Monthly4G plans, customers can enjoy unlimited Talk, unlimited Text and unlimited Web service on their smartphone from T-Mobile. Monthly4G plans start at $50 per month for unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited Web with the first 100 MB of data at up to 4G speeds, or $70 per month for unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited Web with the first 5 GB of data at up to 4G speeds*.
In addition to the Monthly4G No Annual Contract plans, which became available May 22,
T-Mobile continues to offer a 1500 Talk and Text plan with 30 MB of data for $30 per month, as well as Pay As You Go plans for as low as 10¢ per minute for voice calls. To find the T-Mobile plan that best fits their needs, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com.
* Monthly4G plans provide access to wireless service for 30 days; capable device required to achieve 4G speeds. After high-speed allotment is used, speeds slowed for remainder of month. T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com.