text:
From encouraging and protecting healthy digestion & elimination to reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system, probiotics play many essential roles in our overall health.
With the growing interest in healthy living and integrative medicine, the use of beneficial bacteria has become a popular topic. And as research continues to reveal the multiple health benefits of probiotics, many healthcare professionals have begun recommending them for their patients.
What Are Probiotics?
The word probiotics literally means "for life" (from the Latin pro, meaning "for" and the Greek biota, meaning "life").
The official definition of probiotics, adopted in 2002 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO), is "Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host." In simpler terms, probiotics are "good" bacteria.
The Bacterial Balancing Act
Before we can discuss the benefits of probiotics, it's important to understand how bacteria work in our bodies. Here are some interesting facts about bacteria:
• Bacteria can be found pretty much everywhere.
• In humans, these microscopic organisms live on the skin and in mucosa.
• An estimated 500 to 1,000 different species of bacteria inhabit the gut and a similar number live on the skin.
• The bacterial population in humans is so large that bacterial cells outnumber human cells by 10 to 1.
• The vast majority of bacteria in humans can be found in the large intestine.
• Approximately 100 trillion of these microorganisms live in a normal, healthy bowel.
Over the years, bacteria have gotten a lot of negative press. Most people associate bacteria with the four Ds: dirt, disease, death and decay. While it's true that some bacteria do cause diseases and even death, the majority of bacteria are actually beneficial to your health.
In reality, only about 10% of bacteria are "bad." The other 90% are "good" bacteria that aid in food digestion, regulate proper immune function, and defend against disease-causing pathogens.
In order to keep a body healthy, bacteria must maintain a delicate balancing act. It's the biological version of the classic struggle of good vs. evil. As long as the good bacteria predominate, they can effectively fight off the "evil" or bad bacteria.
However, when the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disrupted, the good bacteria can no longer flourish in needed numbers and proper balances. It is then that harmful toxin-producing bacteria begin to take over.
Antibiotics: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
When it comes to disrupting the body's bacterial balance, one of the biggest culprits is antibiotics. The purpose of antibiotics is to destroy disease-causing bacteria. The problem is that antibiotics can't distinguish good bacteria from bad, so they kill both.
Antibiotics are what you might call a necessary evil. To be sure, they are an important tool for fighting serious disease and can save lives. But they can also cause troublesome side effects like antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). And if the good bacteria are not replenished quickly, antibiotics can leave you open to other illnesses.
An article in The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness gives a good description of the relationship between probiotics and antibiotics:
"A person taking antibiotics is equivalent to pouring bleach into a fish tank to kill an overgrowth of algae. The bleach not only kills the algae but everything else that is present in that environment…. It is necessary for people taking antibiotics to alternate with probiotics, because antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria along with the bacteria causing the illness."(1)
Even if you don't often take antibiotics, you are still likely to be getting them through your food and water. Giving antiobiotics to food-animals like cows, swine, chickens and fish – so they will gain more weight faster as well as to prevent infection – is a common practice. Scientists are also discovering significant levels of antibiotics in our water supplies from a variety of sources.
So your body is probably getting a lot more antibiotics than you realize.
To further support the use of probiotics when taking an antibiotic, a meta-analysis study of probiotic therapy to reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific meeting in October 2011. Twenty-two studies were analyzed, which included a total of 3,096 patients. The treatment periods ranged from five days to three weeks, with the average being 1.5 weeks. According to lead authors Rabin Rahmani, MD and Steven Shamah, MD:
"Overall in 22 studies, probiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the odds ratio of developing AAD by approximately 60%. This analysis clearly demonstrates that probiotics offer protective benefit in the prevention of these diseases."
"These findings suggest that all patients who are at high-risk for these infections demonstrated by recent antibiotic usage, old age, recent hospitalization, low albumin, and immunosuppression should be considered for probiotic therapy."(2)
History of Probiotics
The concept behind probiotics was first introduced in the early 20th century, when Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff, known as the "father of probiotics," proposed in The Prolongation of Life: Optimistic Studies that ingesting microorganisms could have substantial health benefits for humans. In his milestone book, Dr. Metchnikoff documented what he believed to be a direct link between human longevity and the necessity of maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial microorganisms within the body.
Although researchers continued to carry on Dr. Metchnikoff's work, it moved along slowly until the tail end of the 20th century. That's when we began to see a dramatic increase in probiotic research. A 2003 article in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews stated: "A Medline search of the term probiotics illustrates the significant increase in research undertaken in this area during the past 5 years: Over 1,000 publications cited, compared to 85 for the previous 25 years."(3)
The U.S. has been slow to jump on the probiotics bandwagon.
Europeans consume a lot of probiotics because they traditionally eat foods like yogurt and sauerkraut that are fermented with bacteria. Likewise, Southeast Asians eat a lot of foods high in probiotics such as kimchi and miso soup. And beverages laced with probiotics have become big business in Japan. Despite getting a slow start, though, the U.S. consumer market for probiotics is now growing rapidly.
Additional Benefits of Probiotics
Western medicine has a reputation of being reticent when it comes to recognizing the benefits of supplements and other natural therapies, but in the case of probiotics, many highly respected medical authorities are acknowledging their positive effects.
According to the Mayo Clinic, "Although more research is needed, there's encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:
• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
• Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent and treat eczema in children
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu"(4)
The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide states, "Since the mid-1990s, clinical studies have established that probiotic therapy can help treat several gastrointestinal ills, delay the development of allergies in children, and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women."(5)
The ME/CFS – Probiotic Connection
A highlight of the American College of Gastroenterology's 2011 Scientific Meeting was a report on the significant benefits of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 "as an anti-inflammatory agent" in a trial including patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis.
B infantis, a primary inhabitant of the digestive tract of newborn infants, is considered essential for good health in both infants and adults.
The double-blind, placebo controlled study included healthy volunteers, and 27 patients with psoriasis, 24 with ulcerative colitis, and 50 with chronic fatigue syndrome. The results of the eight-week study indicated that:
• Plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, were significantly increased in healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients, but not in placebo treated patients.
• Plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly reduced in all patient groups that received B. infantis.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were also significantly reduced in psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and chronic fatigue patients at the end of treatment with B infantis compared to placebo treated patients. [Elevated CRP in the blood is a key indicator of acute or chronic inflammation associated with a wide range of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.]
"The human immunological response to B infantis further supports the hypothesis that manipulation of the microbiota with specific therapeutic microbes can have a significant effect on host inflammatory processes," says Eamonn M M Quigley, MD, FACG, who presented the findings.(6)
Lyme Disease and Probiotics
Because Lyme disease is primarily treated with antibiotics, probiotics are recommended by most Lyme experts. The University of Maryland Medical Center says, "Probiotics, or "friendly" bacteria, help maintain intestinal health. If you take antibiotics to treat Lyme disease, the antibiotics will kill the "good" bacteria along with the bad. That can cause diarrhea or yeast infections. Taking probiotics may reduce these side effects."
Monostrain vs. Multispecies Probiotics
Many studies looking at the effect of probiotics on various conditions have reported positive results. While some have failed to find significant benefits, a number of scientists now theorize that this is because most of the past probiotic research had focused on studying one probiotic strain at a time. Since the human gut contains several hundred different microbe species, they feel it may be more beneficial for the body to consume multiple probiotic strains and species.
Emerging research seems to be backing up their theory. A 2004 literature review found that:
• Multispecies probiotics were superior to both monostrain and multistrain probiotics for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children.
• Growth performance and particularly mortality in chickens could be improved with multistrain probiotics.
• Mice were better protected against S. Typhimurium (a Salmonella food poisoning, most often from raw eggs) infection with a multistrain probiotic.
• A multispecies probiotic provided the best clearance of E. coli O157:H7 from lambs.
• Rats challenged with S. Enteritidis (another commonly infective Salmonella species) showed best post-challenge weight gains when treated with a multispecies probiotic.(7)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A 2008 study investigated the effect of a multistrain probiotic supplement on symptoms of IBS. The results showed a significantly greater improvement in the Symptom Severity Score of IBS and in scores for quality of life, days with pain, and satisfaction with bowel habit over the 8-week intervention period in the volunteers receiving the probiotic preparation.(8)
The Future of Probiotics
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has designated probiotics as a high-priority topic for upcoming clinical research projects. Recent and future studies include:
• Prevention and treatment of diarrhea in infants.
• Potential benefits for adults and children with irritable bowel syndrome and for people with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (a complication of liver disease).
• Treatment of an antibiotic-resistant type of bacteria.
• Yogurt beverages as a way of giving high doses of probiotics to young children.
• Gastrointestinal disorders in infants and children, including necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• Treating and preventing antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
• Enhancing the effects of flu vaccine.
NCCAM is also supporting laboratory studies that explore possible mechanisms of action for probiotics, providing a foundation for clinical research. For example, recent studies have found evidence that:
• A strain of Lactobacillus reuteri might slow the growth of certain tumors.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus (a widely used and studied probiotic) might enhance the effects of a vaccine against rotavirus infection – the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in infants and children worldwide.
Probiotics provide the beneficial bacteria our bodies need to maintain healthy digestion and to counteract some of the side effects of antibiotics. There is also growing evidence that they may provide significant benefits for a number of other health issues, such as helping to reduce inflammation and enhancing proper immune system function.
1. Biradar SS, Bahagvati ST, Shegunshi B. "Probiotics And Antibiotics: A Brief Overview." The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. 2005 Volume 2 Number 1.
2. American College of Gastroenterology news release, Oct 31, 2011; ACG 2011 Scientific Meeting Poster P650 abstract.
3. Gregor R, et al. "Potential Uses of Probiotics in Clinical Practice." Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003 October; 16(4): 658–672.
4. Zeratsky, K. (2011, September 15). "Is it important to include probiotics and prebiotics in a healthy diet?" Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389
5. Komaroff, A. (2005, September). "Health benefits of taking probiotics." The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, Retrieved from www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update0905c.shtml
6. American College of Gastroenterology news release, Oct 31, 2011; ACG 2011 Scientific Meeting Poster P283 abstract.
7. Timmerman HM, et al. (November 2004). "Monostrain, multistrain and multispecies probiotics – A comparison of functionality and efficacy." Int. J. Food Microbiol. 96 (3): 219–33.
8. Williams E, Stimpson J, Wang D et al. (September 2008). Full text: "Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind placebo-controlled study". Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 29 (1): 97–103.
* Supplement research writer Karen Lee Richards is the Lead Expert specializing in Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, for HealthCentral's ChronicPainConnection. Karen is co-founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association and was Executive Editor of Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine for four years.
Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is general information and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any illness, condition or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.


text:
When you go large game hunting with your buddies, and one of your buddies brings the new guy. Turns out that this new guy is a total ass clown who thinks its a good idea to shoot at everything that moves, thus ruining your hunting trip by scaring away all large game within a 50 mile radius.
An over-zealous hunter; ei. Ted Nugent
An over-zealous hunter; ei. Ted Nugent
"I had that buck in my sights but before I could pull the trigger, that newbie went on to pull a Nuge! He started shooting at squirrels! I mean fucking squirrels! I didn't see another buck the rest of the trip. What a douche!"
by grisslebone February 18, 2009

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Two Gators earned trips to the finals Thursday at the first day of the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
ATHENS, Ga. — Two Gators earned trips to the finals Thursday at the first day of the NCAA East Preliminary Round at North Carolina A&T State University.
Florence Ngetich finished fourth in the women's 10,000 meters with a time of 33 minutes, 28.10 seconds to advance to the finals in Eugene, Ore. Lorraine Graham will join her, finishing fifth overall in the women's long jump leaping 6.17 meters.
Twelve Gators advanced out of their preliminary rounds Thursday, including eight women and four men.
For the men, Arman Hall, Hugh Graham and Najee Glass won their heats of the men's 400 meters to automatically qualify for Friday's quarters. Hall was just .01 off his collegiate best with a time of 45.58 seconds.
On the women's team, Robin Reynolds, Ebony Eutsey and Lanie Whittaker who all earned automatic qualifying times of 52.58, 52.61 and 52.66 to advance. All three Gators are also slated to run together as part of Florida's 4x400-meter relay.
WOMEN'S GOLF: Senior Mia Piccio was the lowest Gator for the second time this week after a third-round, 3-over 75, her second-straight 75 at this championship. However, the No. 9 Gators were not able to sustain momentum on the third day of the NCAA Women's Golf Championship to combine for a 17-over 305 at the UGA Golf Course. The third round is UF's highest round of the week and brings them to 38-over 902 for the tournament.
Southern California still holds the top spot in the team standings at 19-under 845, while the Trojans' own Annie Park is also leading the individual leaderboard at 9-under 207.
For Piccio, it looked like she would card UF's first under-par round of the week as she was 1-under with four holes to go, but the senior played the final holes four-over for the 75. After bogeying the 15th and 17th holes, Piccio double-bogeyed the par-three 16th, but did end on a good note with a birdie at the par-five 18th hole. Piccio will go into today's final round at 7-over as the Gators' highest-placed player.
"We're just making too many silly mistakes," Florida head coach Emily Bastel said. "We were doing a lot of things right, but we're beating ourselves with silly mistakes that are easily correctable. If we can fix that, we'll be ahead of the game because we've been doing a lot of the difficult things well."
Freshman Ursa Orehek tied Piccio for the low Gator round on Thursday with a 3-over 75.
WOMEN'S TENNIS: At Urbana, Ill., Florida's Lauren Embree and Sofie Oyen defeated Stanford's Stacey Tan and Ellen Tsay 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the first round of the NCAA Doubles Championships held at the at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex at the Atkins Tennis Center on a cold and windy afternoon.
"I think we played well," Embree said. "Sofie played great. The weather conditions were again pretty tough. It was very windy and cold so you just had to try and make balls and stay mentally tough out there."
Embree and Oyen advance to the round of 16 where they face Alabama's No. 7-ranked Aleza Guarachi and Mary Anne Macfarlane today.
During the regular season dual match, Embree teamed with freshman Brianna Morgan against Guarachi and Macfarlane and dropped a tough 9-8 (9) eight-game pro-set decision.
MEN'S TENNIS: At Champaign, Ill., junior Stephane Piro and senior Bob van Overbeek pulled out a three-set win over Pepperdine's Francis Alcantara and Finn Tearney in the first round of the NCAA Doubles Championship. The Gator duo advances to today's Round of 16.
Piro and van Overbeek were able to take the first set in a tiebreak, 7-6 (1), but then dropped the second set 4-6. In the final deciding set, the Florida pair came out on top 6-4.
The other Florida duo in the doubles competition, senior Billy Federhofer and freshman Gordon Watson, fell to Texas' Chris Camillone and David Holiner, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.—


text:
SHAD® Top Case Mount
A stylish look, and high capacity makes this the top of the line storage solution.
*Required for the SHAD® SH50 Top Case. Search by your exact model to be sure of Required Parts for your unit. Contact your dealer if uncertain.
The SHAD® SH50 Top Case (ABA-0SS56-22-21) also fits these units. Search by model to be sure of Required Parts for your unit.
When finished building your cart, click on 'View Cart'.Continue Shopping
|In Stock
|Yamaha Motor Canada currently has this item in ample quantity within its warehouse and/or within our dealer network. Expect it to ship within 3-7 business days.
|Limited Availability
|Quantity of this item is limited or currently not in our warehouse but should be available within our national dealer network. You may experience delays of 3-14 business days.
|Special Order
|This item is not in stock but we'll do our best to get it for you! Expect delivery in 1-8 weeks.


text:
No sooner has Google built its first autonomous car, and been granted its autonomous vehicle driving license in the State of California, than the Silicon Valley company has begun paving the way for autonomous two-wheeled transportation.
Writing an email to the State of California to do away with legal wording that restricts autonomous vehicle licenses just to cars, Google's Ron Medford hopes to allow driverless/riderless trucks and motorcycles on city streets, provided they prove the same safety standards as with Google's autonomous car program.
"It is certainly possible that future testing could include motorcycles or larger commercial vehicles," said Medford in his email. "If some innovator can demonstrate that testing autonomous technology on such vehicles is safe, then they should be allowed to test."


text:
Bruce Willis Will Reappear in Sin City 2
As Detective Hartigan.
"Bruce is back, you'll be seeing him," Robert Rodriguez confirmed to MTV. Willis will return as Detective John Hartigan, a staple of 2005's original Sin City. Rodriguez also fleshed out Joseph Gordon-Levitt's newly announced role, saying he'll play "a very cocky gambler who comes in and tries to beat the biggest villain in Sin City at his own game." And the "dame" in that Dame to Kill For subtitle — the one that's been rumored to be Angelina Jolie forever – hasn't been cast yet.


text:
Re: LED candles?jan.stevens May 13, 2012 4:38 PM (in response to gmajay)
Hi gmajay, We don't allow flamed candles either because of the fire hazard. So I did buy the little battery faux candles. My guests tried to light them with matches. So, I have them put away and don't offer candles at all .......
Re: LED candles?carol May 13, 2012 11:02 PM (in response to gmajay)
I just came back from one of the nicest restaurants in our town and guess what -- they use the LED candles. I see no reason not to provide them. I picked up a set of a few dozen of them at Sam's club and use them all over my own home, and I'll be bringing them to my rental next week.
Re: LED candles?gmajay May 14, 2012 7:29 AM (in response to carol)
Thanks, carol--You got them at Sam's Club. That's a good tip!
Re: LED candles?carol May 15, 2012 11:14 PM (in response to gmajay)
The LED candle package has Christmas trees on it, so it's possible it is available only when Sam's puts out its Christmas goods.
It was a pack of 24 and it came with 24 extra batteries.
Re: LED candles?crescentbeach4u May 14, 2012 7:43 AM (in response to gmajay)
I use them and really am amazed of how real they look. My wife is not too happy as they obviously do not provide any smell. We mostly set them out on the balcony and remind guest that they do have to turn on the switch to ON or TIMER at the bottom of the candles. They get five stars from me!
Re: LED candles?thaxterlane May 14, 2012 9:33 AM (in response to gmajay)
Here's an option for those that want candle light without the risk of tapers in candle holders:
I've purchased large decorative mason jars (they come in many shapes and sizes), placed a layer of sand in the bottom, and nestled a tea candle in the sand.
The jar and sand eliminates much of the risk, and tea candles burn out relatively quickly.
I supply a bbq stick lighter to light the candles in the jars. Tea candles may be purchased in bulk for a reasonable price.
My guests love to use these inside and out. They are particularly well suited to a beach house.
I can't claim this as an original idea, I was inspired by a pottery barn catalogue several years ago and I now see mason jar candle holders used as centerpieces at celebrations.
Re: LED candles?sophie May 14, 2012 10:22 AM (in response to dbmeyer)
I at one point put the led candles/air fresheners in my houses. The first person who used them burned up the entire batteries by turning them on and leaving them on. I don't use them now because of the expense because most people will run them till they are dead. I do supply little jarred candles for the bedside and a large yankee candle in the kitchen.
Re: LED candles?gmajay May 14, 2012 1:01 PM (in response to sophie)
Hi All, I'm thinking that maybe Thaxterlane's idea is the best option after considering all the responses so far. Definitely an affordable idea with Mason jars, sand and tea candles. Also kind of "beachy" since our VR is on Cape Cod. I, too, am concerned about the number of batteries I will have to buy to keep fueling the LEDs.
Re: LED candles?thaxterlane May 14, 2012 1:15 PM (in response to gmajay)
Adding to my earlier post:
Make certain to purchase wide-mouth jars for ease of inserting and removing tea lights. A pair of tongs can be helpful as well, in case you can't ease your hand into the mouth to get a good grip on the tea light.
I believe my jars are referred to as a "marquis" shape. They stand approx 5'' tall and are embossed with a decorative pattern.
A set of six allows guests to use them in many different ways on indoor and outdoor tables.
They are very festive!
Re: LED candles?gmajay May 14, 2012 1:46 PM (in response to thaxterlane)
OK, thax, I just googled and found 2 sizes on the marquis mason jars.. Do you use the 1 liter or the 2 cup size. Just wondering if the 2 cuper would be large enough.
Re: LED candles?gmajay May 14, 2012 2:03 PM (in response to gmajay)
OK, now I'm getting creative. I wondering if a 16 ounce coffee mug with sand and tea candle might work just as well as a Mason jar and be a little easier to get the hand into.
Here's a link of one that looks nice at Crate and Barrel. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/coffee-mugs-teacups/caf%C3%A9-16-oz.-mug/s298239
It would be nice to have the handle for carrying around. What do you think?
Re: LED candles?thaxterlane May 15, 2012 11:59 PM (in response to gmajay)
Missed this note in the flurry of activity on this thread. The mugs are a nice idea!
I think the mugs would work as well as the jars except if tipped or knocked down, the jar is likely to retain the candle and most of the sand due to the smaller mouth (although the style is labeled wide mouth, the mouth is much narrower than the body of the jar). The open top of the mug will allow the candle and sand to spill out. But, the person knocking it over will notice and take care of it. If the candle is left unattended in the mug it should be just as safe as the candle in the jar. Neither can get out of their container without help! Tapers, in my experience, fall totally unaided from candle holders.
The mugs are more elegant than the mason jars, which is very appealing. I think they'll be fine.
Re: LED candles?gmajay May 16, 2012 10:43 AM (in response to thaxterlane)
After thinking about it, I decided also that the mugs wouldn't be as safe. I am about to order some of the liter size marquiz jars online so that they arrive when I'm back at my VR. I hate spending all my time there in the stores shopping, even though I do try to support the local economy as much as possible.
Re: LED candles?thaxterlane May 14, 2012 2:06 PM (in response to gmajay)
I have the 1 liter size. I purchased the large jars for stability. The sand adds to the stability.
The smaller jars would work as candle holders, but I don't think they would be quite as safe as the larger, heavier jars.
With the large jar, you can pour 1 or 2 inches of sand in the bottom and still have the candle encompassed by the jar.
I've also placed beach shells, pebbles, sea glass, and other found objects (non flammable, of course) in the sand.
Re: LED candles?msdebj May 14, 2012 2:08 PM (in response to gmajay)
I've used mason jars in this manner for decades (I used to cater parties, & it's simple and inexpensive) You can normally find canning jars ( Mason or Kerr type) at any hardware or grocery store for under $10 for a case.
Pints or quarts both work. Thax is right - try to get the wide mouth versions-- use tongs to place the tea lights into the sand. And you can add decorative things like ribbon or seashells, etc by hot gluing it to the outside rim of the jar, if you want. They are very pretty, and act much like old hurricane shades so popular in the 60s. .I've even hung them with wire from branches, etc. in the back yard.
Even if the jars get tipped over the sand will put the candle out.
Re: LED candles?msdebj May 14, 2012 2:14 PM (in response to msdebj)
And,, sorry to carry on so, I just love this type of stuff,,,, you can make handles for the jars by purchasing regular old florist wire at any craft store. Just twist tthe wire aroud the lip of the top screw rings of the jar and make a 'handle" out of a doubled length of wire. Just don't use jute or any thing flammable as a handle -- stick with wire.
Happy lighting!
Re: LED candles?amyg May 18, 2012 2:47 PM (in response to gmajay)
I love the mason jar idea...very unique and pretty sounding!
Since we do not permit candles in our cabins (we had someone singe a deer mount over our fireplace after they put candles on the mantle and crisped the poor guy's fur and smoked up the wall around him) I am now a flameless candle convert. I have candle sconces, lanterns and freestanding pillar candles at all of our cabins. Guests absolutely love them.
The only downside is you have to be on top of the batteries. I like the ones with timers so I can set them to come on for 4-5-6 hours a day. That will make your batteries go much further than if you just let the guests turn them on at their convenience. Plus it's nice when your guests arrive at night and the candles are already on for them. Look for flameless candles that are rated for at least 1,000 hours. If you set your timer to go 5 hours a day, that means your batteries should last 6 months.
I highly recommend QVC for a good source for flameless candles, especially the sconces. Their candles are more expensive than those at Costco and Sam's Club but I've had really good luck with all my purchases. The "Candle Impressions" brand (made in Canada but also sold on QVC) have a more realistic flicker than many other brands. Here's a link to their home page:
And here's a link to QVC's page with dozens of flameless candles. FYI, I do not recommend the Luminara candles with the beautiful and very realistic faux flame. They last only 300 hours on 2D cells. Plus they have a moving flame and curious guests may play with the flame and break it.
Hope this helps!


text:
Why Climb with us on our Alaska 12 Day Mountaineering Course?
- One of the world's finest and most longstanding Guide Staffs.
- Learn to climb in the Alaska Mountain Range in the shadow of Denali
- Famed bush flight into the glacier – (same spectacular glacier flight as Denali climbers)
- Chance to summit multiple peaks in Alaska Range after intensive skill based training
- Intensive glacier training, developing mountaineering skills
- 11 nights on the mountain
- Full days of instruction in the field with highly skilled professional teachers on superb glaciated terrain
- 5:1 or 4:1 climbers per team maximum size
- Small group sizes
- Full gear check and gear explanation before climb
- Glacier price included in flight
- Alpine Ascents International has been leading mountaineering courses for over 20 years
- Each climber gets an evaluation from the guide
- Gear rental available for all Alpine Ascents climbers
- Each climber receives t-shirt or logo item
- Completes prerequisite for many advanced Alpine Ascents climbs
Program was excellent. Awesome location. Inspiring scenery. Guides generated good camaraderie. We learned quite a few skills, learned useful tricks of the trade and were challenged. Would recommend highly to others!


text:
It's a toss-up between the lower level of the Chelsea Market Passage (pictured) and the 10th Avenue Square. But on days like today, we love to eat lunch and take a break on the High Line.
Did you know that Friends of the High Line Members get discountsat select food shops and restaurants? Check out Chelsea Market and stop by L'Arte del Gelato for a cold treat, Lucy's Whey for local cheese selections, Amy's Bread for a yummy sourdough sandwich, or The Lobster Place for fresh sushi to-go. If you can't make it to Chelsea Market, try an organic salad from The Simple Kitchen on West 17th Street or a tasty sweet from Three Tarts on 9th Avenue.
With budding flowers and fresh green grass, spring has sprung on the High Line! Come up and enjoy the sunshine with an afternoon treat.


text:
Your browser does not support iframes.
Bedford County Public Schools officials are working to increase security at Forest Elementary School following reports of an intruder who entered the school Sept. 19.
According to school officials, an African-American man, bald and apparently in his 20s, went to the school and requested to have lunch with a first grade student.
Criminology is rapidly becoming one of the most popular majors at Lynchburg College, and two of the four professors teaching it live in the Thaxton area.
Bedford County Public Schools has released a proposed redistricting plan for students in the Staunton River attendance zone affected by the closing of Body Camp Elementary for the 2015-2016 school year.
YOVASO, an organization that has been in Bedford County high schools, is moving to the middle school level. YOVASO stands for Youth of Virginia Speak Out. Its purpose is to get teens involved promoting traffic safety to their school mates.
A large YOVASO event for middle schoolers was held at Jefferson Forest High School, Friday, with JFHS YOVASO members serving as youth leaders for the middle school students. They led sessions on peer leadership and successful youth traffic safety programs.
Bedford County Public Schools has entered the world of social media.
At the request of the school board last month, Ryan Edwards, spokesman for the school division, has set up Facebook and Twitter accounts for the school system, providing additional ways for the school system to communicate with parents and the community.
Edwards said it's just one more way to keep people informed "about the great happenings going on in our schools."
The Bedford County School Board voted to delay making a decision on whether to close Thaxton Elementary School Thursday. A vote could come by the end of this year, after staff has a chance to craft a plan for where students from that school would be redistricted to attend.
The Bedford County School Board voted to delay making a decision on whether to close Thaxton Elementary School Thursday. A vote could come by the end of this year, after staff has a chance to craft a plan for where students from that school would be be redistricted to attend.
The board, at Thursday's special called meeting held at Bedford Science and Technology Center, did apparently rule out closing Bedford Primary School. The decision now apparently hinges on if, and when, Thaxton Elementary would be closed.
Bedford County students posted significant gains on mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) tests during the 2013-2014 school year.
The new tests were first introduced three years ago and students across the state are making gains, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) reported last week.
Brenda Nelms apparently believed Body Camp Principal Scott Graham hadn't gotten wet enough. So she slipped out of her own chair—where she sat as students passed by pouring cups of water on the school's staff and teachers— filled a blue bucket of her own with ice cold water and poured it over Graham's head.
A public hearing, held last week at Liberty High School's auditorium on the question of whether to close Bedford Primary School or Thaxton Elementary School, was a polite affair. The crowd only filled the front of the auditorium and nearly all the speakers spoke on behalf of Thaxton.
"We understand what a very difficult decision you have ahead of you," commented Sarah Mayhew.
Copyright © 2018
The Bedford Bulletin is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Bedford County and Bedford, VA and the surrounding area.


text: The goal of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's "Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories" (HCI-PSAR) is to make better known and more accessible the largely hidden collections at small archival repositories in the five-county Philadelphia region. These include volunteer-run historical institutions, museums, fraternal and ethnic organizations, community groups, churches, clubs, and other non-profit organizations with important archival collections. The project is funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This blog will document the adventures and experiences of Project Surveyors as they visit historical societies, museums, historic sites, and other small archival repositories in the five-county Philadelphia area.


text:
Anaïs Mitchell- Hadestown
Anaïs Mitchell's album Hadestown is proof that music still has the power to surprise and delight. For starters, the guest list includes some pretty well-known names, including a certain Little Folksinger and a guy best known as Bon Iver. And it's an honest-to-god album, the kind whose songs tell a story from beginning to end—specifically, the ancient Greek myth of the poet Orpheus and his doomed quest to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. In Mitchell's hands, the familiar saga is reimagined as unfolding in a version of the U.S. that simultaneously evokes our Depression-era past, the current financial disaster (though it was written before the stock market collapse), and a post-apocalyptic future. It's a land where people hide behind walls in a misguided attempt to preserve their "freedom" and protect their riches.
Featuring ambitious orchestral arrangements by Mtchell's longtime collaborator, Michael Chorney (The Brightness, Hymns for the Exiled), and lush production by multi-instrumentalist Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird, Jenny Scheinman), Hadestown captures on record the infectious dramatic energy of what began as a live "folk opera" that the Vermont-based singer/songwriter created in collaboration with Chorney and theatrical director Ben t. Matchstick (Bread & Puppet Theater). After loading the sets and the 22-member cast of Vermont performers into a former circus bus and touring New England during "full-on winter," it was time to rework a few songs.
Next, Mitchell called upon a few fellow musicians to lend their voices to a recorded version—not a cast album, but a stand-alone, self-contained song cycle. The result is a veritable Who's Who of modern indie folk/rock: Justin Vernon of Bon Iver plays Orpheus; Greg Brown is Hades, Lord of the Underworld ("king of the kingdom of dirt"); and Ani DiFranco plays Hades' strong-willed, subversive wife, Persephone. Also on hand in smaller roles are the Haden Triplets (Petra, Rachel, and Tanya) as the Greek-chorus-like Fates and Ben Knox Miller of The Low Anthem as the messenger Hermes. Mitchell herself sings the part of Eurydice, the character whose (metaphoric) death propels Orpheus into "Hadestown."
"It's beyond belief, hearing these songs come out the mouths of some of my heroes," Mitchell says. "It's especially great because I've always thought of myself as a writer first and a singer/performer second. And songs are out there, they're on the wind, they don't belong to any of us. I love that about them. I'm so grateful to the singers for telling this story like they did." Many of the songs were written or rewritten with the specific singers in mind.
"People often ask why I wanted to retell this particular myth," says Mitchell. "The truth is, the first few songs just came out of nowhere. It wasn't an academic idea or anything; the songs led to the myth, not the other way around. But once I got going I recognized in the Orpheus character something a lot of artists feel: his heartbreaking optimism. In the underworld, the rules are the rules, you don't get a dead person back—but Orpheus believes if he can just sing/play/write something beautiful enough, maybe he can do the impossible, move the heart of stone, get through to someone. I've felt that feeling...."
The bulk of the recording was done with producer Todd Sickafoose at Brooklyn Recording studio in New York, but the lead vocals were completed all over the United States, from New Orleans to Eau Claire, WI, to Los Angeles.
From its opening notes, Hadestown is packed with irresistible melodies and the kind of plainspoken poetry that is a hallmark of Mitchell's songwriting. It's a love story set at a time "when the chips are down"—an epic tale on a personal scale, a saga both ancient and new, mythical and all too real.
All of this wonderful music is offered in beautiful limited edition packaging.
Released: March 9, 2010
1. Wedding Song
2. Epic (Part I)
3. Way Down Hadestown
4. Songbird Intro
5. Hey, Little Songbird
6. Gone, I'm Gone
7. When the Chips are Down
8. Wait for Me
9. Why We Build the Wall
10. Our Lady of the Underground
11. Flowers (Eurydice's Song)
12. Nothing Changes
13. If It's True
14. Papers (Hades Finds Out)
15. How Long?
16. Epic (Part II)
17. Lover's Desire
18. His Kiss the Riot
19. Doubt Comes In
20. I Raise My Cup To Him


text:
PolyMax Board 1/16" x 48" x 96"
Bright, white and indestructible! Easy to apply to walls, ceilings or anywhere a weatherproof, durable surface is needed. Ideal for: Dairy Farms, Hog Farms, Poultry Farms, Milking Parlors, Kennels, Zoos, Stall Dividers, Horse Barns Stalls & Arenas, Hockey Rinks, Car Washes, Manufacturing Facilities, Food Processing Plants, Marinas, Workshops, Storage Facilities, and so much more...
• 100% high density polyethylene (HDPE) boards are easy to install, easy to clean, and virtually maintenance free.
*May contain black specks or color drift.
Please Note: This thickness is not recommended for wall, floor or ceiling applications.


text:
We feed people in need.
Hunger does not discriminate. It exists everywhere. And it only exists because we allow it.
We can solve hunger.
But charity cannot fight this fight alone.
Sign up to be a champion for the cause.
We need you to be
the voice of those
less fortunate.


text:
Support America's National Ballet Company® DONATE
New York, New York
Joined ABT 2013
Born in New York City, Catherine Hurlin began her dance training at Scarsdale Ballet Studio and Westchester Dance Academy. At the 2007 Youth American Grand Prix New York City Finals she was awarded the Hope Award. The following year she received a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre under the direction of Franco De Vita. She was awarded the first Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship in 2010 and was a Northern Trust Scholar in 2011. She attended ABT's Summer Intensive as a National Training Scholar in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Hurlin's repertoire with the ABT Studio Company includes Flames of Paris, George Balanchine's Tarantella, the Dying Swan in Alexei Ratmansky's Le Carnaval des Animaux, Raymond Luken's Verdi and Paul Taylor's Airs. As a student she performed with American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in George Balanchine's Mozartiana, The Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire. She created the role of Young Clara in Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker.
Hurlin performed as "Clara" in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall for three years. She has also performed in gala benefits for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and Dancers Responding to AIDS.
Hurlin joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in November 2013 and became a member of the corps de ballet in June 2014.
Ms. Hurlin's performances with American Ballet Theatre are sponsored by The Georgia Hiden Charitable Foundation.
Photo: Jade Young
* created roleFeatured Role*


text:
Embrace a healthier lifestyle and gain control of your commute, while saving money on tax and national insuranceSHOP NOW
Protect yourself, your bike & accessories, we can help you with three transparent insurance policies packed with extensive benefits.GET A QUOTE
We've created Wiggle legal to assist you back on your bike as fast as possible should an accident happen!RAISE A CLAIM
The Tufo S33 Pro is a all-round training tubular that features a fine tread pattern which contributes to a low rolling resistance and a good quality ride.
|Weight (g):
|Tyre Bead:
|Road training
|Tyre TPI:
|Wheel Size:
|700c (622)
This tub is also available in three colours.
These tubular tyres are designed for tubular rims, these are glued on using tubular cement or tubular tape. They are the preferred choice for serious riders and professionals when all that matters is performance. A tubular is a sealed unit with an inner tube sewn into the tyres casing, this means the tubular is perfectly round in profile and offers a better feel when cornering. Vittoria have introduced open tubulars which are the same design as their tubular tyres but with a bead for use on a clincher rim, these will offer the closest feel of a tubular but the ease of repair associated with a clincher. Sizing is subtly different to clincher wheels and can be a bit confusing as most manufacturers still quote the old imperial sizes. However there are only 2 real sizes: 26" is the same as 650c, then 27", 28" and 700c are all the same size. We spotted this useful article on Bike Radar which explains briefly the benefits and how to fit tubular tyres.
Tufo was founded in 1991, based on more than 25 years of experience in rubber tyre industry and was founded by Mr Miloslav Klabal. The basic philosophy of the company is specialisation in the development and production of tubular tyres – the best option for cycling. From the very beginning Tufo has worked hand-hand with many world champions and elite riders from all cycling disciplines. This cooperation makes the transition of theoretical knowledge from development and research into new products much easier. The top priority from Tufo is the quality of their products, therefore all the production is under direct and everyday control in the Tufo plant in the Czech republic. Most of the production is accomplished by skilled handwork making it possible to concentrate on details which is very important to achieving maximum quality.
The delivery options available for shipping this product along with the contents of your basket to United Kingdom are:
Wiggle ships to over 100 countries. To see what delivery options are available for other destinations you can update your delivery destination via the International Options feature at the top right of the website.
Goods are shipped from the UK. Does not include delivery charges, local taxes or import duties, if applicable.
More information on International delivery options
We will happily refund any item purchased on Wiggle if returned to us within 365 days; excluding Wiggle gift vouchers, nutrition and customised products, except when faulty.
Please note: Bikes and other bulky items cannot be returned using our local returns service (where applicable). Please contact us and we can arrange to collect these from you using our discounted courier rates. There is a fee for all collections, except for faulty products.Returned goods must be unused and supplied with their original packaging, unless the goods are faulty. Wiggle will pay the return postage costs for any faulty items.
Only 4 products can be compared at once. Adding this product will remove the product you added to the list first.
Do you want to continue?


text:
Lucy Liu
Celebrities Home / Entertainment Home
There aren't too many Asian actors that make it big in Hollywood, especially if they're not jumping around like some kung fu master, so consider Lucy Liu fortunate for having both the good looks and the amazing talent needed to break through in the business alongside so many young blonde stars who don't necessarily have the same natural talent. Lucy is an exotic beauty, displaying her amazing Chinese-American heritage with one of the hottest faces in Hollywood, and a knock out figure to die for. And to think she's pushing 40. Born in Queens, New York in 1968, Lucy grew up like many other immigrant families in the area, but her parents taught Lucy and her other siblings to speak both English and Mandarin. After graduating from high school, Lucy attended New York University for one year before deciding to leave for the University of Michigan, where she studied singing, acting, and dancing, and received a degree in Asian languages.
After finishing school in Ann Arbor, Lucy moved to Los Angeles to try her hand at an acting career, and before long, she was landing small roles in popular television series like "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Home Improvement," "The X-Files" and "NYPD Blue." It wasn't until 1998, though, that Lucy finally made her big break on one of the hottest new television series on the air, "Ally McBeal." While Lucy originally auditioned for the role that Portia de Rossi eventually received, creator David E. Kelly promised to write a character specifically for her. One year later, Lucy was stealing nearly every scene with her character Ling Woo, and she was awarded for her performance with an Emmy nomination in 1999. Although she didn't win a golden statue, Lucy quickly became the talk of the town and was working with all of the big names, including Mel Gibson ("Payback"), Clint Eastwood ("True Crime") and Antonio Banderas ("Play It to the Bone").
Since then, Lucy's career has dramatically slowed down, but she continues to blossom as an actress we all love to watch. After a rough past few years that yielded a series of ineffective big-budget movies, Lucy looks ready to try it all again with an impressive upcoming schedule. With the recent Hong Kong explosion and massive importing of big Asian stars like Stephen Chow and Zhang Ziyi, Lucy should have no trouble climbing her way to the top.
Lucy Liu on the Web
Lucy Liu at Maxim
Lucy Liu is a hardass to the core, and she always makes it look good. Head over to Maxim to take a look at the gorgeous 'Kill Bill' star.
Lucy Liu
Delightful pics of one of our favorite Asian hotties!
Yahoo! Movies
A fairly decent actor page on the Chinese-American with a great selection of red carpet photos.
An online database of Lucy's TV and film work.
TV Guide: Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu Videos, Interviews and More on TV Guide's Online Video Guide
Lucy Liu Online
The closest thing to an official webpage, this site offers fans updated news, pictures, and some cool extras.
Maxim Online
As the September 2002 Girl of Maxim, Lucy looks amazing in her photo shoot.
Bonkable Beauties
Still one of our favorite celebrity resources, this site includes tons of quotes, pictures, and few things you won't find anywhere else.
Slice of the Day
The boys over at Slice offer up ten sexy galleries of Lucy.
Superior Pics
A small gallery site with some great shots of Lucy.
Lucy Liu on the Screen
Lucy got her big start in the David E. Kelly comedy "Ally McBeal" before moving on to small roles in films like "Payback," "Play It to the Bone," and "Shanghai Noon." Over the past five years, Lucy hasn't be very active in Hollywood features, but has appeared in a few big films, namely both "Charlie's Angels" and "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," and the Tarantino masterpiece "Kill Bill: Volume One."
Lucy Says
On men:
"Everything I buy is vintage and smells funny. Maybe that's why I don't have a boyfriend."
On producing:
"Producing is like pushing Jello up a hill on a hot day."
On alcohol:
"In college I once woke up in someone else's dorm room, wearing someone else's clothing, with no recollection of anything that had happened the night before. I had completely blacked out. Tequila and I just don't mix."
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.


text:
Student Teaching: Exploratory Spanish 3 Years Teaching High School Spanish
Yet to be added
Sigma Delta Pi, PBIS Staff member of the Month.
Eastern IL University. B.A. Spanish and Education Concordia University, M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
Yet to be added
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool, Staff
Social Studies - History, World History, World Language, Spanish, Arts & Music, Art History, Accounting, Education, Educational Administration & Policy, Foreign Languages, For All Subject Areas, Basic Reading, Basic Math, Employment, ESL / ELL / EFL, Study Skills


text:
LINZ, Austria (AP) — Forget minimalist.
It's a term Philip Glass never liked as a term for his musical style, and the rich complexity of "The Lost," his newest opera, proves those who insist on using it just plain wrong.
Written for the new Linz opera house, where it world-premiered Friday, "The Lost"— "Spuren der Verirrten" in the original German — is a strangely reassuring confirmation that although mankind has gone astray we are all in the same boat; that while all we do has no sense, that rule applies to all of us.
Life; death; fame; fortune; joy; tears. All human striving in vain. It's a story that has been told many times, in word, music, song and dance. "The Lost" combines all those threads and then some with magnificent result in what in some ways combines Samuel Becket's "Waiting for Godot," and Fritz Lang's "Metropolis."
Don't look for named characters. That would be too personal. Instead we have singer "A'' interacting with "B'' and so on. The fact that "A'' and "B'' are lost is clear from the very start, even as they mark the way they came.
Hansel and Gretel did that too. In vain.
Two hours later, pause included, more than a hundred people crowd the cavernously deep stage and spill into the pit where they make a show of playing imaginary instruments. The orchestra has moved onto stage. They wear funny hats and conductor Dennis Russell Davies sports a paper crown.
The music soars to a crescendo. Drums pound. All of humanity is lost, and all around is chaos. "Where are we?" they sing on the sinister, red-lit stage, knowing there will be no answer.
But a lot happens before that sonorous end, as one tableau follows the other depicting vignettes of the banality of being.
An old couple sit, both soaking their feet. "Whatever happens I will never desert you," sings one. "We've come through tougher times than these," intones the other; "Even when you sweated in fear, it smelled good" — exchanges that make clear in their triteness that it is the audience — all of us — who are on stage.
Another couple are fighting, "Die, die," screams one before changing tack in mid-breath to suddenly sing "Let's get along again, neighbor. Peace."
Bizarre shapes populate the action. An armless man moves wormlike across the stage as his partner berates him for failing life's tests. They both die.
Another character — "The Third" — takes on the role of the Greek chorus loudly proclaiming the futility of it all, while "The Spectator" wonders where all the exertion is leading.
Adding to the on-stage edginess is nervous ballet choreography. The dancers jerk and move rapidly but without a sense of the purpose that a life lived well should have. The motions are mechanical. Life is mechanical.
A visual feast, compliments of director David Pountney, choreographer Amir Hosseinpour, and Anne Marie Legenstein, who created the bewildering array of delightfully bizarre costumes. Fabrice Kebour's lighting — cold and dreary blues, alternating with jarring brightness — were also effective.
But none of it would work without Glass's music.
Menacingly buzzing strings, roaring brass instruments and a crashing synthesizer alternate with poignantly melodic lines. Glass is boldly symphonic in one moment, softly insistent the next, weaving a harmonic tapestry that becomes part of the visual fabric on stage.
One of the world's greatest living composers, Glass shows in "The Lost" that he truly is a man for all musical seasons and his wonderful sounds are brought alive by Davis, the conductor, who leads Bruckner Orchestra with the authority and vigor that this music demands.
The soloists — from "A'' to "K'' also did well, in roles that were less challenging vocally and more dramatically.
Ahead of the performance, Austrian dramatist Peter Handke, on whose play the opera is based, praised Glass's work as "faithful" to his own while Glass described his effort as an attempt at "Gesamtkunst" — the term coined by Richard Wagner meaning "Total Art."
"I call it earth, air, fire and water," he said in comments to The Associated Press of the totality of art forms that went into "The Lost." ''Movement, text, image and music — those are the elements we worked with."
While not speaking German, Glass said working to Rainer Mennicken's libretto in that language was no problem because "I knew the grammar and I just plugged in the words. Beyond that, he also is drawn to Austria "because the musicians are so good."
"I used to think that the American orchestras would be my true home," he said. "But I found out that there is another element, another layer of music that you get in a Central European orchestra— a depth of sound" that most American ensembles do not have.


text:
Online applications for National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Stipends are being accepted through September 30, 2010 for projects beginning May 2011. NEH will accept applications for Summer Stipends electronically at www.grants.gov. Successful applicants receive an outright award of $6,000 for two consecutive months of full-time research and writing. http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/stipends.html
Augustana's Grants Website: http://www.augustana.edu/x10017.xml


text:
Flagstaff is located in the state of Arizona.
Flagstaff, Arizona has a population of approximately 70,320.
Flagstaff, AZ has a median household income of
The median household income for the surrounding county is $48,540
compared to a national median of $53,482.
The median age of people living in Flagstaff is
25.9 years.
The average high temperature is 81.6
degrees in July, with an average low temperature in January of 13.8 degrees.
Flagstaff has an average rainfall of approximately 20.4 inches
per year, with 72.7 inches of snow per year.
419 N. San Francisco St.
Flagstaff, AZ
(928) 699-1411
Realtors & Staff


text:
DETROIT (Reuters) - Lawyers representing Detroit unions, retirees and creditors tussled with city attorneys on Tuesday in bankruptcy court, seeking to derail the city's claim of bankruptcy with an assertion that Michigan's constitution protects retiree pension benefits from being slashed.
The lawyer representing Detroit's largest public union also said that Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy is unconstitutional because it impairs states' rights to manage their own finances.
"States are ceding accountability for their own financial management," said attorney Sharon Levine, representing Council 25 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "By turning it over to the federal government and hiding behind the bankruptcy process, we lose that accountability, which is a cornerstone of the state constitution."
Levine said it should be left to the states to restructure municipal debt because Chapter 9 unfairly requires a municipality to settle debts in federal bankruptcy court without full consent from all its creditors.
Bruce Bennett, an attorney with Jones Day that represents Detroit, said during Tuesday's proceeding that the bankruptcy is legal and is needed to readjust the city's crippling debt. He said the city spends up to 65 cents of every tax dollar to pay its liabilities.
Bennett added that eventually the city will not be able to sustain itself if it cannot restructure its debt through bankruptcy.
"Ultimately, debts of all kinds will not be paid, and no provision of any constitution will change this," Bennett said.
Tuesday marked the start of a two-day hearing that will address the thorny legal issues surrounding Detroit's July 18 bankruptcy filing, the biggest in U.S. history. On Wednesday, a lawyer from the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to testify in support of an argument, filed previously with federal bankruptcy court Judge Steven Rhodes, that Chapter 9 should withstand constitutional review.
Lawyers representing the objectors also contend that Michigan's constitution protects public pensions from being cut. But Rhodes questioned whether the city's eligibility for bankruptcy should hinge on a plan of action it might take at a later date.
Attorney Claude Montgomery, representing a committee of Detroit retirees, said Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr already indicated in a June proposal to creditors that he plans to slash pension benefits to help deal with Detroit's $11.9 billion in unsecured debt and other obligations. Orr deemed some of the city's outstanding bonds, along with the city's pension and retiree health care obligations, as unsecured debt that would be paid at just pennies on the dollar.
"The only way that the emergency manager in his own mind can do that is to have access to the bankruptcy court because he believes bankruptcy law will trump the state constitution," Montgomery said, suggesting the city could reapply for bankruptcy protection with stipulations that protect pensions.
Bennett asserted that federal law does supercede the clause in the state constitution that state pensions cannot be reduced.
"Federal law here is supreme," Bennet said. "Period. End of story."
Rhodes also raised the question of whether the state constitution prevents the bankruptcy court from impairing pension benefits.
"The law prohibits the city from doing it, but the question is whether it prohibits bankruptcy court from doing it," Rhodes said.
Arguments objecting to the underlying facts in the case, such as whether the city negotiated with creditors in good faith, will be heard next week as part of a trial to determine the city's eligibility to receive bankruptcy protection.
(Reporting by Joseph Lichterman; Editing by Dan Grebler and Ken Wills)


text:
cityfos.com - Local Business Search
Local Business Search
Business Name or Keywords
City, or Zip Code
Find Businesses & Services
B P Amoco
in Indianapolis, Indiana
(317) 299-6872
6050 West 71st Street
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Business Information:
Business Sector:
Residential, Commercial
Related Categories:
Gas Stations
Found any discrepancies in your company profile?
Request to update the information
Expand Map
Find a Business
Browse by Location
Alphabetical List
Find a School
Browse by Location
Find a City Profile
Zip Codes
Metropolitan Areas
Let Us Help You
Advertise with Us
My Cityfos
About Us
Contact Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Copyright (c) 2006 - 2017
Data supplied by a variety of government and public sources (e.g., Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Cityfos.com does not guarantee the accuracy of any information on our site. Use at your own risk.


text:
2011 Education Annual Minutes
Minutes (Draft)
GODORT Education Committee
ALA 2011 Annual Conference
Sunday, June 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
LOEWS LaFourche
Linda Spiro, Education Chair
Stephanie Braunstein, FDTF Chair
Lori Lester Gwinett, Recorder
Education Committee Members Present: Mary Axford, Lori Lester Gwinett, Lynda Kellam, Jesse Silva, Linda Spiro
Federal Documents Task Force Members Present: Stephanie Braunstein, Tim Dodge, Justin Joque, Antoinette Satterfield, Lori Smith
GODORT Members and Guests Present: Kathy Bayer, Brandon Burnette, Susan Bucks, Hui Hua Chua, Chelsea Dinsmore, Rebekah Eppley, Sarah Erekson, Jennie Gerke, Laura Hayer, Sandy Himel, Will Hires, Rebecca Hyde, Patricia Kenly, Shari Laster, Sandra McAninch, Kevin McClure, Barbara Miller, Victoria Mitchell, Cathryn Morse, Sarah Naper, Justin Otto, Ramesh Parikh, Hallie Pritchett, Mary Prophet, Barbie Selby, Ellen Simmons, Melanie Sims, Diane Smith, John Stevenson, Vicki Tate, Jill Vassilakos-Long, Stephen Woods, Yvonne Wilson
I. Welcome and Introductions - Initial Joint Meeting with Federal Documents Task Force
A. Stephanie Braunstein and Linda Spiro welcomed committee members and guests.
B. Attendance sheets
II. Andrew W. Hait, Survey Statistician/Economist, U.S. Census Bureau - "Economic Programs under the Hood—Tips and Tricks for Working with Economic Census Data." Dr. Tai Istre, State Data Resource Officer, Louisiana - "Finding Needles in a Haystack—Accessing Census Data and Products." (1.5 hours)
Regroup for 30 min. separate business meetings
III. Approval of Education Committee Agenda Approved online.
IV. Approval of Minutes from Midwinter 2011 meeting (2011 Education Midwinter Minutes (draft)) Approved online.
V. Outreach Update - Kathryn Brazee Bayer, Outreach Librarian, GPO Education and Outreach
VI. Liaison Reports--Only report on items needing action from Education or of significant interest to Education.
A. FDTF (Lori Lester Gwinett) - No action items.
B. SLDTF (Robbie Sittel) - No report.
C. IDTF (Alex Simmons) - No report.
D. Education Assembly - (Dorothy Ormes)(Linda Spiro substituting) - The assembly is focusing on diversity. In addition to reports from the various committees (no action items), Dr. Clara Chu spoke and stressed there is a difference between diversity and inclusion. Are people of various ethnicities having equal opportunities and thriving at your institution? Is there a climate where difficult issues can be discussed?
E. Literacy Assembly (Aimée Quinn) - No report.
VII. Old Business
A. Online programming for GODORT – Steering I approved a charge for online programming for GODORT and plans to initiate the process with a free one-hour webinar in the spring. Details will be worked out by the E-Learning Interest Group consisting of the chairs of Education, GITCO, Publications, two members at large selected by the interest group chair, the GODORT Web Administrator, Treasurer, Chair, and Chair-elect.
B. Competencies for Government Information Specialists - Steering I indicated it was not necessary for them to vote on approving the competencies. The committee can remove the draft label.
VIII. New business
A. Members discussed various ways of implementing online-only for Midwinter meetings including an offer by Lynda Kellam to use her software program.
B. By online voting of the entire committee members approved Lynda Kellam as Education Committee webmaster.
C. Linda Spiro welcomed Jesse Silva as the new Education Committee Chair.
IX. Adjourn Lynda Kellam moved to adjourn. Jesse Silva seconded. The meeting adjourned at 3:43 p.m.


text:
{{search.results.count}} results {{searchFilter()}} {{searchQuery()}}
{{search.results.count}} results {{searchFilter()}} {{searchQuery()}}
Enter a search term such as "mobile analytics" or browse our content using the filters above.
That's not only a poor Scrabble score but we also couldn't find any results matching
Check your spelling or try broadening your search.
This service is currently undergoing maintenance.
Please try again later.
QR codes are now a common feature in marketing campaigns, though many people are often sceptical about their value.
This scepticism is often justified as, though we have seen some creative examples, QR codes are often used very badly.
Also, while it is easy to find creative examples, brands and marketers aren't always forthcoming about revealing the stats around campaigns.
So here are six examples where we have some stats, and where QR codes have been used effectively...
German retailer MyToy.de built QR codes using Lego bricks to drive customers to their online store.
Users were then able to buy the bricks used to make the QR code.
While it is a very creative use of QR codes, the execution wasn't perfect as it linked to a desktop site.
But it was still a huge success, as 49% of visitors to MyToy.de came via the QR codes while the campaign was live, and twice as many brick boxes were sold for the Lego models included in the QR adverts.
Last year Heinz put QR codes on ketchup bottles in US restaurants to promote its new environmentally friendly packaging.
It linked to a mobile site where users could win prizes by answering a green knowledge trivia question.
Heinz reported that more than 1m consumers scanned the codes.
This is another example of a retailer being creative with QR codes but also achieving excellent engagement.
Emart, South Korea's largest retailer, created a shadow QR code that only became visible when the sun was at the correct angle in the sky between midday and 1pm.
It was all to promote a 'sunny sale' mobile site that gave access to special offers, coupons and a download for the e-commerce app.
As a result of the campaign Emart sold more than 12,000 coupons, membership increased 58% on the previous month and sales increased 25% during lunchtime.
However it's important to bear in mind that the use of QR codes is far more common in South Korea.
And, unlike the UK, they get sunshine.
Dow Chemicals
Perhaps not a company you would expect to experiment with digital consumer technology, Dow Chemicals placed a QR code in a range of print ads last September.
The 'Dow Chemicals Solutionism' campaign linked to mobile video content providing information about the advertised products.
Users could also view social content and blogs related to the adverts.
By the end of the year the codes had been scanned more than 20,000 times.
Transport for London
TfL currently uses QR codes on posters at tube stations to promote its real-time mobile bus timetables.
Using QR codes on the underground seems a daft idea, but the results are encouraging.
Thanks to mobile web consultant Terence Eden, we can see that the codes have been scanned 16,000 times in the past five months.
In March the codes were scanned more than 5,000 times, peaking at 259 scans on April 3, so usage appears to be increasing over time.
There were initially 400 posters put up at tube stops around London, so the number of scans may seem fairly low.
However, as Eden points out, you need to benchmark that against how many people you would expect to ring a phone number or go to a website published on the same poster.
During New York Fashion Week L'Oreal put QR codes in taxis that linked to how-to videos featuring Yves Saint Laurent and Lancôme beauty products.
Viewers could also buy the products from the website.
While a moving taxi isn't perhaps the most convenient place to try and get 3G access, L'Oreal was guaranteed a captive audience and drew attention to the codes using calls to action within the cab.
L'Oreal reported a 7% overall purchase conversion rate from the QR codes, while downloads of the app increased by approximately 80% during the five day campaign.
Comments (7)
Really good to see some creative QR codes, their are so many bad ones created that sway people to think that they are useless.
Great post, I actually participated in the Heinz campaign when I noticed it on the table @ Chilis.
Another great way to use them, is to have the QR Code be linked to an SMS Opt In list. Then, you can easily provide the link to the mobile website or e-store you desire in the text message. This way, the customer is opted in & you can send them more news, offers, & updates.
Transport for London case: 16000 scans of a QR code don't mean a thing unless we put in place the cost and the benefit of this activity.
I don't agree that there is a point of comparing an activity to a similar activity but it is important to compare the cost and results of an activity to other solutions available (eg. compare QR codes on a poster that result into people visiting a website to other ways of driving people to a website, lets say AdWords).
I disagree that the 16,000 scans don't mean a thing. The cost of adding the qr code was virtually nothing so any additional traffic should be seen as a success. The point was just to make it easier for the user to get to the website by using the qr code rather than typing it in on the phone
Good examples of uses of QR codes. So many are not used to the best extent they could be.. and then others are amazing how well they are thought out.
Very interesting applications of QR Code. I think QR Code popularity will be rising very quickly. It is almost default standard.
http://www.pageqrcode.com - Add QR Code to your website
Great post on good QR Code use. The only issue is duplication. These were great uses but cannot be duplicated.
There are two issues with QR Codes.
1. Proper use - this is all dependant upon the company using the QR Code for marketing and advertising. The QR Code can be an innovative as one wants but if the destination of the scan is not offering anything of any value it ruins both the QR Code experience as well as a company's reputation.
2. The ugly duckling - Companies must start using unique QR Codes that can become part of the design rather than be treated as an invasion to one.


text:
Courses Offered | Politics and Education | Education Policy & Social AnalysisSkip to content Skip to main navigation
All Courses
Please check the Class Schedule or contact the program for specific course availability for each semester.
Course List
EDPP 4040 American Politics and Education
Introduction to the basic analytical categories of political science as they apply to the politics of education, including the influence of federal, state, and local governments in school policy-making, decentralization, school finance, and desegregation.
EDPP 4042 Comparative Politics and Education
The politics of education in settings outside the U.S. topics, including the role of education in political development, political socialization, and student politics.
EDPP 5041 Politics of Centralization and Decentralization
Analyzes the political underpinnings and consequences of centralization versus decentralization at various levels of governance with special but not exclusive attention to educational decision-making.
EDPP 5042 Urban Politics and Education
Politics in the nation's largest cities with a particular focus on educational politics and policy.
EDPP 5045 Race, Ethnicity, and U.S. Educational Policy
Examination of the impact of race and ethnicity on the formation and implementation of policies such as desegregation, affirmative action, bilingual education, and choice.
EDPP 5640 Colloquium on the Politics of Education
Continuous participation required of doctoral students until their dissertation proposals are accepted. A critical review of important works in politics and education, discussions with invited guests, presentations of work in progress.
EDPP 5642 Colloquium in Political Economy and Education
Political and economic perspectives on contemporary problems of public policy and education.
EDPP 6540 Seminar in Politics of Education
Permission required. Selected topics in the politics of education.
EDPP 6900 Research and Independent Study in Politics and Education
Permission required.
EDPP 6940 Studies in Politics and Education
Permission required. Independent study.
EDPP 7503 Dissertation seminar
Permission required. Development of doctoral dissertation proposals.
EDPP 8900 Dissertation Advisement in Politics and Education
Individual advisement on doctoral dissertations. Fee to equal 3 points at current tuition rate for each term. For requirements, see section in catalog on Continuous Registration for Ed.D./Ph.D. degrees.


text:
Nous utilisons nos propres cookies et des cookies de tiers pour améliorer votre expérience ainsi que nos services. Si vous poursuivez la navigation, nous considérons que vous acceptez leur utilisation. Vous pouvez obtenir de plus amples informations sur notre Politique relative aux cookies.
Zone de réservations
Description of company
Marriott Rewards®
Marriott Rewards® offers a diverse array of hotel brands with more than 4,000 hotels located in 75 countries worldwide.
To earn Avios you must also be a member of Marriott Rewards®, Marriott's loyalty program. When enrolling with Marriott Rewards®, you must set your earning preference as "Miles/other programmes" and select "Iberia" as your airline of choice. Finally you will then need to add your Iberia Plus membership number to your profile .When securing your reservation or checking in at a Marriott® property you need to quote your Marriott Rewards® membership number to receive your Avios for your stay.
Our more than 40 million members get the most out of every moment with free nights and flights, customized hotel stays, and easy online planning tools. We're honored to have been voted Best Hotel Rewards Program in magazines from Inside Flyer to BusinessWeek. With more choices than ever before, regardless of your reason for travel, thousands of hotels and resorts are ready to welcome you.
The brands included are: JW Marriott®, EDITION®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, AC Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott® Hotels and Resorts, Hotels Gaylord®, Courtyard by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, Residence Inn by Marriott®, TownePlace Suites by Marriott®, Marriott Vacation Club®, and Marriott Executive Apartments®.
More information www.MarriottRewards.com
JW Marriott®
At Marriott's most elegant and luxurious brand, little touches add up to exceptional experiences. JW Marriott ® luxury hotels and resorts provide business and leisure travelers with simple elegance, an inviting atmosphere, and a deluxe level of comfort and personal service on their terms.
This is the latest edition of luxury boutique hotels and the perfect combination of energetic atmosphere, attitude and style. Each property is distinctive and designed by award-winning hotelier Ian Schrager. Each EDITION ® hotel is located in one of the world's most attractive destinations.
Delta Hotels and Resorts
One of North America's leading four-star brands, Delta Hotels and Resorts offers precisely what you need in places you want to go, from gateway cities to spectacular resort destinations. Whether you're traveling for business or play, comfortably familiar rooms, free Wi-Fi and convenient dining are always included
Autograph Collection®
The Autograph Collection® is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Each destination has been selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional.
Renaissance Hotels®
Travel should be inspiring. At Renaissance Hotels worldwide, you'll find inspiration at every location. Choose from one of our historic icons, chic boutiques or luxurious resorts. Each offers its own personality, local flavor, distinctive style and charm. All will stimulate your appetite for discovery.
Marriott Hotels & Resorts®
Our Flagship brand of quality-tier, full-service hotels & resorts provides consistent, dependable, and genuinely caring experiences to guests on their terms. Features include fully equipped fitness centers, gift shops, swimming pools, Concierge levels, business centers, and meeting facilities.
Marriott Vacation Club®
Marriott Vacation Club owners enjoy access to resorts, destinations, and vacation experiences for the entire family. Options include spacious vacation villas, adventure and specialty travel, more than 3,000 welcoming Marriott hotels, and more than 2,500 affiliated resorts in 75 countries worldwide.
Gaylord Hotels ®
Gaylord Hotels ®, a world-renowned leader in resort experiences, offers guests breathtaking vacation and convention options. From the scenic banks of the Potomac in Washington, D.C. to the lively heart of Music City in Nashville, Gaylord Hotels ® celebrate the heritage of their destinations. Fueled by the brands hallmark "Everything in one place" concept, each Gaylord Hotels ® resort blends magnificent settings, luxurious rooms and world-class entertainment to delight every guest with a truly enchanting getaway. .
AC Hotels
An upper moderate tier lifestyle hotel brand, targeting the design conscious, younger traveler looking for a cosmopolitan hotel stay in a great city location. With stylish, urban hotels, the brand appeals to both business and leisure travelers who seek to experience the culture of the city.
Courtyard by Marriott®
Courtyard gives you a place where your travel needs meet staying your way, with the quality you love in convenient locations throughout the world. We offer spacious rooms, plush bedding and high-tech amenities, plus a redesigned lobby, and breakfast, dinner, and cocktails at the Bistro in select locations.
Residence Inn by Marriott ®
Designed to provide extended stay travelers with everything they need to thrive on long stays, Residence Inn offers spacious suites with room to eat, work, and dream. Plus guests will enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, evening socials and grocery delivery service.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott ®
Discover an all-suite hotel infused with stylish spaces and inspiring design. Work the way you want with modern amenities and refreshingly designed spaces at nearly 300 locations. Style and space. Beautifully priced.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®
Provides everything you need to work productively, maximize down time, eat well and sleep soundly, and keep your stay going smoothly, all at an exceptional value. You can once again believe in the value of a comfortable, affordable and reliable business hotel. Welcome to a productive stay.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott®
TownePlace Suites are built for the extended stay traveler who appreciates value in a relaxed and productive environment. Guests have come to know us by our modern spacious suites with full kitchens, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast and friendly staff who deliver a warm "hello" when you walk through the door.
Protea Hotels
Protea Hotels comprises a full and diverse range of outstanding hotels and resorts offering superior appointments, personalized service and individuality of character.
Moxy Hotels
Moxy is all the style and soul youll find at a boutique hotel, but way more affordable. Seriously. Where we really splurge is on modern residential design, high-speed Wi-Fi, a buzzing living space where things are always happening. Its just like home, but with a bartender.
Marriott Executive Apartments®
Stylish apartment living and premier hotel services deliver the upscale residential experience desired by global business travelers for stays of 30+ nights. With spacious floor plans, gourmet kitchens, housekeeping, and grocery delivery, our guests truly live while staying with us.
Marriott Rewards®
Earning Table
|Relevant Participating Hotel Brand
|JW Marriott
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on qualifying charges
|Autograph Collection® Hotels
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on qualifying charges
|Renaissance® Hotels
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on qualifying charges
|Marriott® Hotels & Resorts
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on qualifying charges
|Marriott Vacation Club®
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on qualifying charges
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|Gaylord Hotels®
|2 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|AC Hotels by MarriottSM
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|Courtyard by Marriott®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|SpringHill Suites by Marriott®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|Residence Inn by Marriott®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|TownePlace Suites by Marriott®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
|Marriott Executive Apartments®
|1 Avios per 1$ USD spent on room rate only
Charges which do not qualify for Avios include taxes applied to the room rate, paid outs, purchase of Marriott gift certificates, charges for Partner contracting services, and catering or banquet functions charged to the guest room account.
Avios accrual is limited to individual travel. If a Joint Member attends a convention or group meeting and individually pays Partner directly for the room, the Joint Member will be eligible to receive Avios for the stay. However, contract rooms, rooms reserved by corporations on an ongoing basis, master-billed rooms, and rooms booked at the Marriott associate rates are not eligible to earn Avios. Avios earned from room contracts or military rates at certain overseas locations are subject to local restrictions and may be ineligible for credit. Wholesale packages and series tours booked through a travel agent are not eligible for Avios.
Meetings and Events
Qualified events have at least 10 room nights on a single night or are catered only events. JW Marriott®, EDITIONSM, Autograph Collection®, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott® Hotels and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard by Marriot®, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott®, SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, and Marriott Vacation Club® locations worldwide participate.
Exchange Marriott Reward Points for Avios
|Marriott Rewards Points
|Amount of Avios
|10,000 Marriott Rewards Points
|2,000 Avios
|20,000 Marriott Rewards Points
|5,000 Avios
|30,000 Marriott Rewards Points
|10,000 Avios
|70,000 Marriott Rewards Points
|25,000 Avios
|125,000 Marriott Rewards Points
|50,000 Avios
For more information please click here www.Marriottrewards.com y www.marriottrewards.es


text:
Main Site - :: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? ::
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
alright, alright...here's the story..
first off...holy crap william..that's an insane spider..and no, this one was slightly less colorful and flashy and all full of themselves..i would piss myself if i saw the one in your picture, then i would take it's picture lol
Quote from: keeta on January 10, 2013, 03:02:43 AMalright, alright...here's the story..why did you not make video and put this on youtube?
Woo-Hoo! Keeta owes me $10!


text:
"Promised Land" clashes with pro-fracking ad
Bloomberg News
Before many Pennsylvania movie-goers settle in for Matt Damon's film about the fight over natural gas drilling, they will see a message from the energy industry offering "straightforward facts" about hydraulic fracturing.
The unorthodox, on-screen pre-buttal of "Promised Land," which opens nationwide Friday, is part of an industry campaign aimed at heading off criticism about the process, also called fracking. Instead of direct attacks, which the industry used against the documentary "Gasland," they are trying to paint Damon's movie as derivative, condescending and cliched.
Taken together the industry campaigns -- at Pennsylvania movie theaters, on a website and using social media -- underscore efforts to combat negative perceptions about the practice, deal with persistent questions about the risks of pollution and head- off calls for more oversight and regulation.
"The oil and gas industry is at the bottom in terms of public respect, and this movie is not going to help it," John Hanger, the former top environmental regulator in Pennsylvania, said in an interview. "It describes the oil and gas industry as fundamentally dishonest, and willing to do anything to win."
The film directed by Gus Van Sant pits Damon as an out-of- town gas-company land man facing off against an environmentalist played by John Krasinski in the fictional town of McKinley. The industry uses cash bribes, hard sells and Machiavellian maneuvers to get its way.
"Fracking is a great premise for real drama," James Schamus, the head of Focus Features, a unit of Comcast's NBCUniversal Media that produced and distributed the film, said in an interview. "It represents Americans deeply conflicted about how to deal with these issues."
The energy industry's public relations pushback against the film echoes the fictional stealth "propaganda campaign" depicted in the film, he said.
The on-screen ad being showed in 75 percent of Pennsylvania theaters lasts 16 seconds and refers the audience to an industry-sponsored website, www.learnaboutshale.org, for "a community conversation on natural gas." It's sponsored by the Pittsburgh-based Marcellus Shale Coalition industry group.
Chris Tucker, a spokesman for the Washington-based drillers' group Energy in Depth, said it's being deliberately restrained, as it doesn't want to pick a fight with Damon or offer a detailed critique of a work of fiction. That contrasts with its attempts to rebut Josh Fox's Oscar-nominated 2010 documentary "Gasland," which showed a homeowner living near a fracking site setting fire to water from his kitchen tap.
"'Gasland' lends itself to rebuttal and correction in a way that 'Promised Land' does not," Tucker said in an interview. At an industry conference in November, Tucker said the "Promised Land" script showed Damon defending fracking for two-thirds of the movie, "and he does a pretty good job of it."
Tucker's group created a site featuring local landowners, RealPromisedLand.org. "On this site, you won't find any actors, scripts or manufactured storylines," Energy in Depth said on the site, which doesn't specifically mention the movie or Damon. "What you will find here is real people, with real stories, about how development has impacted them and their families.
"These aren't stories you're likely to see out at the movies," it said. "But we think they're pretty remarkable, just the same."
Proponents of the drilling practice in Armstrong County, Pa. -- where the movie was filmed -- expressed disappointment with the movie's tone on Facebook.
Mike Knapp, vice president for land at MDS Energy Development, which is based in the western Pennsylvania county, said the movie sets up a false dichotomy.
Knapp, who helped organize the Facebook group, said he has been a land man, just like Damon's character, but he is from the area and not an out-of-state interloper. "One of the things that really aggravates me is that they seem to have a very condescending view" by portraying some local farmers as greedy or unsophisticated, he said. "It's a movie, and everybody is going to get crazy about it."
Fracking and horizontal drilling has opened up deep rock formations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Colorado to drilling and production, boosting local economies and spurring manufacturing growth because of lower gas prices.
Critics of fracking, in which millions of gallons of water are mixed with sand and chemicals to blast apart underground rock formations and free trapped gas, praised the film as an important representation of the conflicts now tearing through many rural communities.
"It's a very good way to introduce fracking to all of America, because it will not be too much, too soon," Rebecca Roter, who lives in northeastern Pennsylvania and is fighting local drilling and pipeline construction, said in an interview. "It captures the costs of this industry."
The film shows the gas industry manipulating those who hold power in the fictional town, which is frequently the case in real life, said Chris Csikszentmihalyi, who started the Landman Report Card website. The site lets residents rate and comment on the person who negotiated their lease for the rights to underground natural gas.
"Industry has the ability to do whatever it wants in these rural communities," he said.
Krasinski and Damon wrote "Promised Land" together. In fact sheets provided by the studio they have said they weren't writing an anti-fracking film; in fact, it began as a story about wind power.
Damon plays Steve Butler, the company representative who sets up leases with landowners to drill on or near their property. In the film's opening scenes, Butler is portrayed as a man who signs bargain-basement leases and dismisses reverence for rural America as "delusional" and "self-mythologizing."
He and his partner are persuading residents of McKinley to sign leases with their company. Then Krasinski's character, Dustin Noble, turns up with photos of dead cattle, which he said were poisoned from gas drilling at his family farm in Nebraska.
With a town-wide vote on gas drilling looming, the two men tussle for the support, and affections, of local residents.
The movie was shot in and around the town of Worthington, about 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The state of Pennsylvania, which has been pushing gas drilling, gave the production company $4 million in tax credits, an investment deemed worthwhile because of the jobs and spending the movie brought to the area, said Steve Katz, a state spokesman. Hundreds of local residents auditioned to play one of 500 extras, according to the film's producers.
Hanger, who calls himself a realist about costs and benefits of gas drilling, said the movie undercuts the advantages of the process at every turn. It shows Butler to be a shifty character from the start, and the gas company willing to bribe and cheat to prevail, he said.
"This movie could have challenged everybody, and forced everyone to face questions," Hanger said. Fracking "offers dramatic, powerful material and requires better."
Supporters of the practice will have their own film in the coming days, as Phelim McAleer is set to release on Monday his "Fracknation," which questions the critics of the practice. McAleer paid for space on a billboard in upstate New York, which says, "Matt Damon: the water has been on fire since 1669."
"The movie is OK, but it's the politics and dishonesty I can't stand," McAleer said in an interview.


text:
Canadian Photographer Jeff Friesen uses the iconic Legos to build dioramas that he later photographs. In the series 50 States of Legos, Friesen satirizes each state in the United States using the toy's characters, blocks, and accessories. Scenes are set against colorful backdrops like mountains, beaches, and grassy lands. Some include aliens, cowboys,and even historic figures like George Washington.
Each state has their own legacy or a reputation for something. Friesen plays on these associations and includes witty captions that accompany them. I live in Maryland, for instance, where eating crabs is a cherished pastime. Friesen pokes fun at this, turning crabs against a couple trying to boil a crab. Other places receive the same, if not more over-the-top treatment. Alaska features a Yet fishing with an Eskimo. A cowboy in New Mexico is prodded by an alien. There is a dragon in the mines of West Virginia. Friesen's series is a light-hearted look at the states, which are made even more amusing the more time you spend with them and their details. (Via Honestly WTF)