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RainSoft of Florida
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Phone: (954) 941-9153
RainSoft of Florida, an authorized RainSoft Dealer.
Locate a RainSoft Dealer near you.
To read what people in your area are saying about RainSoft, check out RainSoft Reviews.
How much water does the average person use at home per day?
Estimates vary, but each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day. Are you surprised that the largest use of household water is to flush the toilet, and after that, to take showers and baths? That is why, in these days of water conservation, we are starting to see toilets and showers that use less water than before.
Many local governments now have laws that specify that water faucets, toilets, and showers only allow a certain amount of water flow per minute. Water agencies in some areas, such as here in Atlanta, Georgia, offer rebates if you install a water-efficient toilet. In fact, I just put in two new toilets and received a rebate of $100 for each. Yes, they really do use a lot less water. For your kitchen and bathroom faucets, if you look real close at the head of a faucet, you might see something like "1.0 gpm", which means that the faucet head will allow water to flow at a maximum of 1.0 gallons per minute.
|A full tub is about 36 gallons.
|2 gallons per minute. Old shower heads use as much as 5 gallons per minute.
|Teeth brushing
|<1 gallon, especially if water is turned off while brushing. Newer bath faucets use about 1 gallon per minute, whereas older models use over 2 gallons.
|Hands/face washing
|1 gallon
|Face/leg shaving
|1 gallon
|4 to 10 gallons/load, depending of efficiency of dishwasher
|Dishwashing by hand:
|20 gallons. Newer kitchen faucets use about 2.2 gallons per minutes, whereas older faucets use more.
|Clothes washer
|25 gallons/load for newer washers. Older models use about 40 gallons per load.
|Toilet flush
|3 gallons. Most all new toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush, but many older toilets used about 4 gallons.
|Glasses of water drunk
|8 oz. per glass (did you remember to drink your 8 glasses of water today?)
|Outdoor watering
|5 to 10 gallons per minute
Water Treatment Systems and Air Purification by RainSoft
The Importance of Water Treatment in the Home
The benefits of home water treatment come in many forms. Whether you're a mom bringing your new bundle of joy home, or a family looking for solutions to hard water, home water filtration systems from RainSoft offer your family the perfect solution to any home water concern. And with water conditioning and softening systems from RainSoft, you get the benefit of quality products, most with a limited lifetime warranty, which require little maintenance and are energy efficient.
While most communities' water supplies meet EPA Primary Drinking Water Standards, from source to your tap, water can still pick up impurities and contaminants not controlled by your city's water supplier. Unwanted chemicals, minerals and other pollutants can accumulate as water travels your pipes, leaving you with odors and bad tastes. Identifying these problems can sometimes be easy; noticeable odor, visible particles, metallic or other bad tastes certainly are causes for concern. But other times the problems are not so readily apparent.
The solution to these concerns? Simple: RainSoft. With dedicated laboratory, manufacturing, research and development facilities and thorough third party testing, we strive to produce premium home water filtration systems that are dependable and reliable. From better tasting drinking water, cleaner washing and cooking water and softer, more refreshing bathing water, the advantages of installing RainSoft home water filtration systems can be seen in almost every room in the house.
Visit the RainSoft Interactive House to see all the places in your home that benefit from RainSoft water.


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Applications to the Graduate Program in Security Studies are accepted and processed year-round. Students accepted into the program can begin their courses in the fall, spring or summer terms. A qualitative assessment of each applicant's transcript and other application materials will contribute to any admissions decision for either the MA or the MS degree program.
Juniors and Seniors at UMass Lowell who have a 3.0 GPA or better are eligible to apply for the B.S./M.A. (or B.S./M.S.) program. This program allows for completion of both degrees in five years if desired. As part of the program, two graduate classes may be counted toward both the 120 credit hour for the B.S. degree and the 30 credit hours required for the M.A. or M.S. degree. More information about this program is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.
If transferring from another graduate program, applicants must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5. Transfer students are those who come to UMass Lowell with prior graduate work. They are allowed up to 12 credit hours (with a grade of B or better) from another institution toward the completion of the master's degree at UMass Lowell. Only graduate courses taken from an accredited graduate school in the United States or Canada within a five-year period prior to the date of admission to the degree requirement may be considered for transfer. More information on the university policy is available online.

subset: commoncrawl


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Bombardier has been busy over the past two years, presumably working on something new for the Can-Am Spyder. While not exactly a new idea, the Canadian company has devised a control system for a leaning vehicle…a three-wheeled vehicle shaped like a Spyder according to the patent application that was filed in in July 2009, and published this January (yes, it really takes the USPTO that long just to publish an application, let alone grant a patent). While the technical drawings have little bearing on the final product, it would at least seem logical to conclude that we can expect a leaning Can-Am Spyder in the near future.
For now this technology is just in the application process, and Bombardier hasn't received a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office yet. Likely unable to get past the prior art for other leaning trike designs as a whole, Bombardier's patent focuses on the linkage for the steering mechanism, and how to overcome some of the deficiencies in current designs. Diving into the claims of the patent, Bombardier actually has a pretty clever way of having the Spyder's frame lean and not lean under the right circumstances, which should make for a more refined three-wheeled leaning chassis.


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The author of this letter, signed "Born Again Christian," urges Dr. King to set his ministry more on God rather than participating in civil rights demonstrations.
Digital Archive brought to you
by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Enjoying the Digital Archives? Help us maintain and expand the collection. Donate to The King Center


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The Gottshall Block Challenge
A piece of scrap and an afternoon will challenge and stretch your skills.
by Robert W. Lang
Pages: 54-55
From the April 2011 issue #189
Buy this issue now
Imagine yourself in a shop class of 40 or 50 years ago. The assignment for the day is to lay out and cut the block shown in the photo at right. That's the test; the lessons will come as you work. There is also one condition: All the cuts must be made with a backsaw or a coping saw, and the cleanup is done with a chisel.
Article: For a blow-by-blow description of making this block, visit our blog.
In our store: "Making Antique Furniture Reproductions: Instructions and Measured Drawings for 40 Classic Projects" by Franklin Gottshall.
To buy: "Exercises in Wood-Working," a classic book on using hand tools; companion videos on DVD are also available.
From the April 2011 issue #189
Buy this issue now


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Watchdog: Census Didn't Fiddle With Jobless Rate Ahead of 2012 Election
The U.S. Census Bureau didn't manipulate jobs data in the run up to the 2012 election, a watchdog said Thursday.
The agencyfaced an array of allegations and investigations after the unemployment rate fell from 8.1% in August 2012 to 7.8% in September, the lowest level in more than three-and-half years. The figures came out just ahead of an election pitting incumbent Barack Obama against Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
General Electric CEO Jack Welch helped popularize the idea the data was being manipulated, calling the numbers "unbelievable" in October 2012 when the September figures were released.
"These Chicago guys will do anything," he said on his Twitter account, making an apparent reference to Mr. Obama's re-election headquarters.
A report by Commerce's Inspector General found some questionable quality control but no signs of any foul play. The watchdog launched its investigation after a Census employee complained the bureau's Philadelphia office falsified data used to calculate the nation's unemployment rate.
Inspectors general operate independently within government agencies and are tasked with ferreting out waste and fraud.
"We found no evidence of systematic data falsification in the Philadelphia Regional Office," the report said. "Addressing allegations raised in the media, we found no evidence that the national unemployment rate was manipulated by staff in the Philadelphia Regional Office in the months leading up to the 2012 presidential election."
The report said 78 field representatives from the office would have had to work in concert to report all the unemployed people in their district as employed or out of the labor force to swing the numbers.
Census' data gathering isn't flawless, however, it turns out.
"The Inspector General's findings identify serious shortcomings and highlight an uncomfortable truth: Data quality assurance procedures across the Census Bureau are ripe for abuse," Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif) said. Mr. Issa is chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which last year said it would investigate whether Census fabricated data.
The report noted the inspector general's "key witness" was identified as a repeated falsifier and admitted to making up survey data. The person was terminated in August 2011.
The report also said the bureau's quality assurance process has the potential for conflict of interest and training materials are lacking. Employees accused of falsifying data, meanwhile, are allowed to continue working while their surveys are being examined, creating the potential for repeated falsification.
The watchdog recommended procedural changes to address the shortcomings.


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|Devil's Films
Short review: Devil's Film is known for straight up gonzo fuckfests and insane titles like "65 Guy Creampie" and "Cum in my Mouth and I'll Spit it Back in Yours". They've put their incredible archive of smut flicks to good use and made them all available to us on the internet. You'll find videos in dozens of niches from creampies to interracial to teens.
Content Amount: There are currently 162 DVD's inside the member's area (far from the 500 we were promised on the tour pages). Luckily, they update with new whack-off material every day. Unlike a lot of DVD sites, the movies inside come with both photos and video.


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|MLB Career Stats
|May 12, 2017
|Toros de Tijuana placed 3B Omar Quintanilla on the reserve list.
|March 30, 2017
|Toros de Tijuana activated SS Omar Quintanilla.
|March 30, 2017
|Toros de Tijuana activated SS Omar Quintanilla.
|May 1, 2016
|Toros de Tijuana placed SS Omar Quintanilla on the reserve list.
|December 2, 2015
|Toros de Tijuana signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla.
|June 15, 2015
|Boise Hawks released SS Omar Quintanilla.
|June 14, 2015
|SS Omar Quintanilla assigned to Boise Hawks from Modesto Nuts.
|January 30, 2015
|SS Omar Quintanilla assigned to Albuquerque Isotopes.
|January 27, 2015
|Colorado Rockies signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
|October 1, 2014
|SS Omar Quintanilla elected free agency.
|September 23, 2014
|Las Vegas 51s activated SS Omar Quintanilla from the 7-day disabled list.
|July 17, 2014
|Las Vegas 51s placed SS Omar Quintanilla on the 7-day disabled list.
|May 10, 2014
|New York Mets sent SS Omar Quintanilla outright to Las Vegas 51s.
|May 8, 2014
|New York Mets designated SS Omar Quintanilla for assignment.
|March 30, 2014
|New York Mets selected the contract of SS Omar Quintanilla from Las Vegas 51s.
|January 21, 2014
|New York Mets signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
|January 21, 2014
|SS Omar Quintanilla assigned to Las Vegas 51s.
|December 2, 2013
|SS Omar Quintanilla elected free agency.
|May 30, 2013
|New York Mets selected the contract of SS Omar Quintanilla from Las Vegas 51s.
|April 1, 2013
|Omar Quintanilla assigned to Las Vegas 51s.
|January 4, 2013
|New York Mets signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
|November 30, 2012
|SS Omar Quintanilla elected free agency.
|October 13, 2012
|Baltimore Orioles activated SS Omar Quintanilla.
|July 20, 2012
|New York Mets traded SS Omar Quintanilla to Baltimore Orioles for cash.
|July 17, 2012
|New York Mets designated Omar Quintanilla for assignment.
|May 29, 2012
|New York Mets selected the contract of SS Omar Quintanilla from Buffalo Bisons.
|April 5, 2012
|Omar Quintanilla assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
|January 3, 2012
|New York Mets signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
|September 3, 2011
|SS Omar Quintanilla elected free agency.
|September 1, 2011
|Texas Rangers sent Omar Quintanilla outright to Round Rock Express.
|July 8, 2011
|Texas Rangers purchased Omar Quintanilla from Round Rock Express.
|May 6, 2011
|Omar Quintanilla assigned to Round Rock Express.
|March 3, 2011
|SS Omar Quintanilla assigned to Texas Rangers.
|December 14, 2010
|Round Rock Express signed free agent SS Omar Quintanilla.
|November 6, 2010
|SS Omar Quintanilla elected free agency.
|September 6, 2010
|Tri-City Dust Devils activated SS Omar Quintanilla from the restricted list.
|August 11, 2010
|Tri-City Dust Devils placed SS Omar Quintanilla on the restricted list.
|July 30, 2010
|SS Omar Quintanilla assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
|June 6, 2010
|Omar Quintanilla roster status changed by Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
|May 5, 2010
|Colorado Springs Sky Sox placed 2B Omar Quintanilla on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 4, 2010. left calf strain
|February 12, 2010
|Colorado Rockies invited non-roster 2B Omar Quintanilla to spring training.
|October 28, 2009
|Colorado Rockies sent 2B Omar Quintanilla outright to Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
|October 19, 2009
|Omar Quintanilla roster status changed by Colorado Rockies.
|October 6, 2009
|Colorado Rockies reassigned 2B Omar Quintanilla to the minor leagues.
Omar Quintanilla graduated from Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas in 2000...Attended the University of Texas, where he played three seasons from 2001-2003...Won a national title in 2002, teaming with Huston Street to help the Longhorns beat South Carolina...Had four hits in the title game, a 12-6 win over the Gamecocks...Named the third baseman on the All-College World Series team...Was a Freshman All-America selection by Baseball America in 2001 and the Big 12 Freshman Player of the Year after hitting .367...Was an All-Big 12 selection in 2001 and 2003 and played for Team USA in 2001...Tied for second in the NCAA with 29 doubles in 2003, as the Longhorns also advanced to the College World Series that year.2013
Started the season at Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League before the Mets selected his contract on May 30...Spent the remainder of the season at the major league level...Snapped an 0-35 skid that dated to 2012 with a single on May 31 at Miami...Finished with two hits for his first multi-hit game at Citi Field since June 1, 2012...Hit in eight straight (13-38, .342), to tie his career-long run (June 14-June 30, 2008), May 31-June 11...As part of the streak, had multiple hits in four straight (9-15, .600), May 31-June 4, the longest such streak of his career...Tied his career-best with three hits, July 1 vs. Arizona...Reached base five times...Had three hits three other times, last July 9 at San Francisco...Finished with 20 multi-hit games, sixth most on the team...Drove in a career-high three runs, July 2 vs. Arizona...Tied for third in the NL with 19 walks in July...Had a .358 on-base percentage for the month...Appeared in 92 games, 89 starts, at shortstop for the Mets...Also made an appearance at third base...Is the first Mets player in club history with a surname beginning with "Q"...The Mets are represented by 25 letters...No major leaguer has ever had a last name starting with "X."2012 Traded to Baltimore in exchange for cash considerations on July 20... Started the season with Buffalo (AAA) of the International League before the Mets selected his contract on May 29...Had a season high-tying three hits in his Mets debut on May 29 vs. Philadelphia...Started at shortstop...Had two other games with three hits with Baltimore (July 29 vs. Oakland and August 10 vs. Kansas City)...Became the first Mets player with a surname beginning with "Q"...The Mets are represented by 25 letters...No major leaguer has ever had a last name starting with "X."...Hit his first home run (off Phil Hughes) since August 24, 2008 on June 9 at New York (AL)...Made his Orioles debut as a defensive replacement on July 21 at Cleveland...Made first start for Baltimore, July 23 at Cleveland playing shortstop (1-3 with a double and RBI)...Had a seven-game hitting streak, July 25-July 31 with four multi-hit games (.462, 12-26)...A sacrifice fly on August 29 drove in his 16th run of the year to set a career-high...Hit three home runs in his first 50 at-bats at Camden Yards after hitting three in 592 major league at-bats prior...Went 0-31 to end the season...His last hit was a home run on August 14 vs. Boston. 2011 Spent the first 26 games of the minor league season on the Restricted List while completing a 50-game suspension after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in 2010...Played in 11 games with Texas from July 22-August 25...Played in five games at second base, three games at shortstop and three games at third base...Was outrighted to Round Rock (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League on September 1...Went 6-6 with three runs scored and four RBI at Albuquerque on July 4. 2010 Appeared in 34 games for Colorado Springs (AAA) of the Pacific Coast before his season was cut short by injuries and a suspension...Placed on the Disabled List, April 8-May 2, with a left knee sprain and May 4-June 5, with a left calf strain...Saw action at second base, shortstop and third base...Last game was July 25 before placed on the MLB Restricted List on August 11 for testing positive for a performance- enhancing substance, in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program...Did not play the rest of the season. 2009 Spent the entire season on the Rockies active Major League roster, hitting .172 (10-for-58) with 2 RBI in 58 games...made 5 starts (8/23 at 2B, 8/7-8 at 2B; 5/20, 10/4 at SS)...also started at 2B and batted 8th 5/10 vs. FLA, for first start of '09...played in the field in 44 games (75.2 inn. at 2B, 14.0 inn. at 3B, 41.0 inn. at SS)...made one error at second base and one at shortstop...went 3-for-16 (.188), 3 walks, 11 K's as a pinch-hitter....had just 12 AB's against left-handed pitchers and collected one hit vs. southpaws (.083)...17 AB's in August were his most in any month of the season...went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position, while his first hit in that situation was also with 2 outs (1-for-6 w/RISP, 2 out)...recorded lone multi-hit game (2-for-3) 8/8 vs. CHC...had 2 doubles, both of which were against Arizona (4/21 at ARI, 9/6 vs. ARI)...had 27 strikeouts in 58 AB's...drew 8 walks...did not hit any home runs, and his last HR was a walkoff shot 8/24/08 vs. CIN (12th inning)...was on the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career...recorded first pinch-hit of the season 4/28 vs. SD (began 1-for-5 as PH)...started at 2B and batted 8th 5/10 vs. FLA, first start of '09...had 10 at-bats (2-for-10), no starts in June...went 0- for-5 in 4 games in July...made consecutive starts for first time in '09, 8/7-8...had multi-hit/RBI game 8/8 vs. CHC...started at shortstop in the final game of the regular season, 10/4 at LAD...went 1-for-4 in that games...had just 2 hits in his final 15 at bats of the season. 2008 Spent the majority of the season with the Rockies, earning a call-up on 4/30 and staying with the big league club the rest of the year...played in career-high 81 games and recorded career-best 210 at-bats...also notched career highs in virtually every offensive category including hits (50), doubles (17), RBI (15) and walks (15)...played 40 games at second base (21 starts) and 39 at shortstop (32 starts)...started at shortstop almost exclusively (24 of 25 games) for and extended period (5/24-6/19) while Tulowitzki and Barmes both spent time on the DL; filled in with a .279 avg. (24-for-86) while committing only one error in that span...overall committed only 4 errors in 258 total chances, including just one error as a second base- man (212.2 innings at the position)...17 of his first 46 hits were doubles as he slugged .381 in his first 58 games (.214 slugging pct. with one extra-base hit in final 23 games)...started just 10 games after the A/S break (8-for-46 in 2nd half, .174 avg.)...batted .306 (33-108) at home and .167 (17-102) on the road...went 0-for-5 with one strikeout as a pinch-hitter...hit 2 home runs including Rockies' only walk-off home run of 2008, the 28th game-ending HR in Rox history, in 12th inn. 8/24 vs. CIN; was his 2nd career HR in 427 AB's and snapped personal 0-for-16 streak at the plate with HR...also scored game-winning run 9/2 vs. SF and scored winning run in 2 of the Rockies last 3 walk-off wins of the season...recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on 4/30...made '08 debut as def. replacement at 2B in 8th inn. on 4/30 at SF...started first game of '08 5/2 vs. LAD as second baseman and collected first hit, a double...snapped personal 72- game errorless streak (264 total chances, 161 assists) with an error in the 9th inning at shortstop 5/24...hit first career HR 5/31 at CHC off Ryan Dempster in the 2nd inning; ended 303 at-bat homerless stretch in his career...drove in his 8th run of the year 6/10 vs. SF, setting a new career best in RBI for a season...batted .400 (10-for-25) over first 7 games this season, but then hi t .162 (12-74) over hi s next 24 con- tests...doubled in 4 straight games 6/15-18...had career-best 8-game hitting streak from 6/14-7/2 (11- for-27, .407)...hit safely in 9 straight starts (0-for-2 as PH in that span -- otherwise he would have a 9-game hi t streak)...had career-hi gh 2 doubl es 7/19 vs. PIT...started 3 consecutive games (SS-1, 2B-2) from 7/31-8/2 and went 3-for-11 with 2 RBI in those games...went 0-for-5 as leadoff hitter 8/10 vs. SD as he became the 5th different Rockie to bat leadoff for the club in '08...went hitless in 9 AB's during 8/4-14 homestand (1 start: 8/10 vs. SD as 2B)...delivered 14th last at-bat win (walk-off solo home run) for the Rockies 8/24 in a 4-3, 12-inning win vs. the Reds (5th last at-bat win for the Rockies in the month as well as the team's 5th walk-off win of the year); for Quintanilla, it was only the second home run of his career in 427 career at-bats...for the Rockies, it was their first walk-off homer of the season...at the time Colorado was the only National League club without a walk-off home run and one of only 4 teams in the Majors with- out (also: Blue Jays, Twins Indians)...singled in the 12th inning and scored game-winning run 9/2 vs. SF, as he scored winning run in each of the Rockies last 2 walk-off wins...finished his Triple-A season hitting .329 (24-for-73) with one home run and 8 RBI in 20 games...opened the season with season-high, 6-game hitting streak from 4/3-8; hit .458 (11-for-24) with 2 doubles and an RBI during the stretch. 2007 Spent most of the season with Triple-A Colorado Springs, but was recalled to the Majors on three different occasions: May 1-20, July 13-16, and Sept. 4-end of season...batted .229 (16-for-70) with 5 RBI, four doubles, and 6 runs scored in 27 games for the Rockies...hit .286 (6-for-21) with RISP...hit safely in 12 of 17 starts at .226 (14-for-62)...all 17 starts came at second base where he did not commit an error in 88 total chances...hit safely in 10 of his first 14 games in his first stint for the Rockies...collected his first of two multi-hit games on May 9 at St. Louis...appeared in just one game in his second recall of the season... was recalled a final time on Sept. 4 when roster expanded and appeared in 12 games, going 5-for- 27 (.185) to drop season average from .256 to .229...batted .319 (111-for-348) with three home runs, 43 RBI, 30 doubles, four triples, and 54 runs scored in 98 games for Colorado Springs...hit .313 (31-for-99) vs. lefties and .321 (80-for-249) against right-handers...batted .305 (57-for-187) prior to the All-Star break and .335 (54-for-161) following the break...played the majority of his games at shortstop (48), but also played 27 games at second base...hit .179 (7-for-39) over his first 12 games, but recorded multi-hit contests in nine of 12 games from April 28-June 2 to rise from .208 to .344...batted .500 (21-for-42) during that stretch...tied his career high with five hits (second time) in the Sky Sox's 23-11 win on June 7 vs. Tacoma...went 4-for-5 with two doubles on Aug. 6 at Albuquerque...hit safely in 11 of his final 13 games at .333 (19-for-57). 2006 Spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, but saw time at the Major League level for the second consecutive season...was recalled on June 3, taking roster spot of Jason Smith, who was designated for assignment...batted .176 (6-for-34) with a double, triple and three RBI in 11 games for the Rockies...started nine games, seven at shortstop and two at second base...hit safely in four of his first five games at .250 (5-for-20), but had just one hit over his final 17 at-bats (.059) to drop to .176...was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 17 (retro to July 16) with a right shin contusion, an injury sustained after fouling a ball off his right shin on July 15 at Cincinnati...was activated from the disabled list on Aug. 4 and optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he spent the remainder of the year...overall, Quintanilla batted .276 (85-for-308) with 48 runs, 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 29 RBI in 82 games with the Sky Sox...hit .217 (18-for-83) vs. left-handing pitching and .298 (67-for-225) against right-handers in the PCL...began the season as the Sky Sox's starting shortstop, appearing in 49 games at short, but moved over to second base in early August after the Rockies had acquired Kazuo Matsui, and played 32 games at that position...posted a .982 (7 e/399 tc) fielding percentage between the two positions...hit .298 (39-for-131) from the leadoff spot in the batting order...batted .347 (34-for-98) with 20 runs, nine doubles, two homers and five RBI in the month of May...posted a pair of double-digit hitting streaks, first a team-high, 13-gamer from May 13-30, during which he batted .407 (24-for-54) to rise from .240 to .293, his highest average at any point in the season...also had an 11-game hitting streak from August 8-20...hit safely in 24 of his last 31 games, but hit just .261 (31-for-119) in that stretch to drop from .290 to .276...in four-game series in Omaha from May 13-16, went 10-for-18 (.556)...had season-high three RBI on Aug. 16 at Sacramento and Sept. 4 vs. Sacramento. 2005 Spent the final two months of the season with Colorado after being acquired from the Oakland Athletics in mid-July...entering the year, had never played above the Double-A level...was the Rockies' starting shortstop for the month of August prior to Clint Barmes' return from the disabled list...spent the year with Double-A Midland of the Texas League prior to the trade and played 13 games for Colorado Springs before his promotion...batted .219 with no home runs and 7 RBI over 39 games in his first major league season...started 30 games at shortstop and 3 at second base...team was 18-15 in his starts...ranked T5th on club with 6 sac bunts...had a .992 (1 e/131 tc) fielding percentage at short and did not commit an error in 20 total chances at 2nd base...only error came on Aug. 19 vs. Chicago (NL) after no errors in the field over his first 169.0 innings in the majors...batted .348 (8-for-23) with a triple and RBI in 7 games against San Francisco...was purchased from Colorado Springs on July 31 when infielder Desi Relaford was designated for assignment...made his major league debut on July 31 vs. Philadelphia in a start at shortstop...recorded his first career major league hit with a 5th inning single off Jon Lieber...from July 31-Aug. 31, started at shortstop for 28 of the team's 30 games...hit safely in 6 of his first 7 big league games at .300 (9-for-30)...recorded first extra base hit and RBI in 2nd big league game on Aug. 2 at San Francisco...had 7 multi-hit games, all 2-hit contests...after Clint Barmes was activated on Sept. 2, Quintanilla made just 5 starts and appeared in 10 total games the rest of the season...went more than 2 consecutive games with an at-bat without getting a hit once, going hitless in his final 3 games of the year...began year with Midland RockHounds of the Texas League, hitting .293 with 4 HR and 25 RBI in 78 games prior to the trade...hit all 4 HR in a span of 11 games from April 26-May 8...went 4-for-4 with a HR, double and 5 RBI on April 26 at San Antonio, most hits in any game all year...posted a 13-game hit streak from May 29-June 11 at .391 (18-for-46), raising season average 28 points in that span...beginning May 29, hit .333 (43-for-129) over his final 39 games with Midland to rise from .261 to .293...was assigned to Colorado Springs when acquired by the Rockies, batting .346 with one HR and 7 RBI in 13 games prior to his promotion to the majors...was his first action above Double-A...hit safely in 11 of the 13 games, including each of first 6 contests. 2004 Batted a combined .321 with 13 home runs and 92 RBI in 131 games with Single-A Modesto and Double-A Midland...added 47 walks for a .379 on-base percentage...tied for sixth among all minor leaguers in hits (175) and his batting average was 10th best among minor league shortstops...ranked third in the A's farm system in batting and tied for fifth in RBI...hit .315 at Modesto and .351 at Midland and has hit .315 or better in all four of his minor league stops in two professional seasons...then played for the Arizona Fall League Champion Phoenix Desert Dogs during the winter and hit .374 (34 for 91) with 18 RBI in 25 games...ranked fourth in the AFL in batting...during the regular season, he batted .326 (47 for 144) against left-handed pitchers and .319 (128 for 401) against right-handers...hit all 13 of his home runs against right-handers...average improved to .346 (54 for 156) with runners in scoring position and he was 8 for 20 (.400) with 20 RBI with the bases loaded...appeared exclusively at shortstop on defense and had a .947 fielding percentage (32 errors in 608 total chances)...was also 3 for 17 (.176) in four games at designated hitter...batted in every spot in the order except cleanup...hit .315 with 72 RBI in 108 games with Modesto...tied for sixth in the California League in batting and was the fifth toughest to strike out with one strikeout per 9.31 plate appearances...tied for the Modesto team lead in triples (5)...hit .267 (56 for 210) at home and .357 (86 for 241) on the road...increased his batting average in each of the first four months of the season as he hit .235 in April, .287 in May, .352 in June and .380 in July...had a season high five RBI on May 21 against Bakersfield...had a season high five hits on July 3 at Visalia as part of an 11-game hitting streak from June 20 to July 6 (21 for 50, .420)...then hit .263 in nine games in August before he was promoted to Midland on August 12...hit safely in 21 of his 23 games with the Rockhounds and batted .351 with 20 RBI...had a season best 12-game hitting streak from August 17 to 29 (16 for 46, .348)...was transferred back to Modesto on September 6 and went 2 for 4 in one regular season game...then went 10 for 37 (.270) with six walks and 10 RBI in 10 postseason games to help the A's to the California League Championship. 2003 Began his professional career at Single-A Vancouver and was named to the Northwest League postseason All-Star team as the shortstop...hit .341 in 32 games and led the team with four triples...was promoted to Modesto on Aug. 22 and batted .417 in eight games...finished with a .358 batting average, two home runs and 20 RBI in 40 games overall...added 15 walks for a .414 on-base percentage and had a .491 slugging percentage...appeared exclusively at shortstop on defense and also went 4 for 11 (.364) in three games at designated hitter...hit .232 (13 for 56) in his first 15 games with Vancouver but then put together a 16-game hitting streak from August 4 to 19 (31 for 70, .443)...went 0 for 3 in his final game with the Canadians on August 21 and then hit safely in seven of his eight regular season games with Modesto...had four hits on August 24 against High Desert...went 3 for 9 (.333) with an RBI in two playoff games for Modesto.


text: We are an industrial supply, wholesale and manufacturing company supplying businesses all over the UK with industrial machinery for woodworking, metalworking, upvc and providing Service Engineering and Training for the last 100 years. We manufacturing tungsten carbide tool bits with our Walter Hellitronic CNC and resharpen and regrind blades of all types with our Vollmer CNC machining centre as well as manufacturing bandsaw blades. We also have a trade shop, we are Authorised Stihl Dealers and operate a power tool repair centre.


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Why pro-lifers may be reading too much into the Supreme Court's buffer zone decision
In a unanimous 9-0 ruling released yesterday in the case of McCullen v. Coakley, the Supreme Court struck down a Massachusetts law that created a 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics, designed to keep pro-life advocates at a distance. But although the decision was unanimous, there was a fair amount of disagreement among the justices as to why the law should be struck down.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the opinion of the court, agreed that the Massachusetts law protects valid public interests such as "public safety, patient access to health care, and the unobstructed use of public sidewalks and roadways." But it does so at a significant burden to the First Amendment free speech rights of others, namely the pro-lifers who line the sidewalks in hopes of talking to women before they enter the clinic to obtain an abortion. Roberts concludes that there are other types of laws the state can pass to protect its interests before going so far as to create a burden on free speech. (It seems to follow that such a burden on speech could, however, be considered legitimate in some circumstances had all other options been exhausted.)
What the majority of justices did not find, however, is that the law specifically targeted a certain type of speech (in this case, pro-life views). They believe, Roberts writes, that the law was in fact content neutral, meaning that it wasn't an attempt to silence the speech of abortion opponents just because their views make others uncomfortable. The law's intent was not to discriminate, the justices find, but to protect legitimate interests of the state.
But other justices disagreed, creating the more familiar 5-4 split in the court's opinion even though all nine justices ultimately voted the same way. Samuel Alito, filing a separate opinion, wrote that, "As the Court recognizes, if the Massachusetts law discriminates on the basis of view point, it is unconstitutional ... and I believe the law clearly discriminates on this ground." Justice Antonin Scalia also wrote a much more critical rebuke of the law and its intent (not to mention the thinking of some of his fellow justices).
Not surprisingly, pro-life advocates are celebrating the decision, and perhaps also not surprisingly, they seemingly have latched on to the opinions of Scalia and Alito (that they were being discriminated against) rather than the majority opinion of Roberts (that the law was an overreach toward a legitimate end). The U.S. bishops, who had filed an amicus brief in the case, released a statement from Boston's Cardinal Seán O'Malley calling the law "discriminatory" and saying that it was an attempt by "abortion supporters" to attack the rights of pro-life Americans. No mention is made of the fact that Chief Justice Roberts clearly explained that the law does no such thing, and that wasn't the reason why he and four other justices voted against it. Other statements from pro-life groups took a similar stance of casting the decision as a victory for the rights of pro-life advocates.
The court's decision in this case is an important one, but it is also narrow. Many questions about how this decision can apply in other situations remain unanswered. While some justices seemingly were willing to get into the murky waters of the abortion debate, the majority believed this case had nothing to do with discrimination against people with pro-life views. Though the case has been decided in the favor of pro-life advocates, it isn't exactly the landmark victory that they were hoping for.
Wikimedia image cc by University of Toronto Students for Life


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Thanksgiving Leftovers: 15 Recipes and Tips
Every year, we look forward to Thanksgiving leftovers almost as much as the main meal. We take pleasure in eating pancakes embellished with cranberry sauce, crispy pan-fried stuffing and mashed potatoes, and, of course, turkey sandwiches. Need some inspiration for your leftovers? Whether you're in the mood to eat lighter or want to continue indulging – pie shakes, anyone? – check out our collection of recipes and tips…
Cranberry Sauce
• Recipe: Cranberry Buttermilk Pancakes
• Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Cookie Filling
• Recipe: Baked Apples with Cranberry Sauce
• Strange Pantry Challenge: Leftover Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes
• Recipe: Mashed Potato Puffs
• Recipe: (Leftover) Pie Shake
• How To Pan-Fry Leftover Bread Stuffing
• In Praise Of The Humble Turkey Sandwich
• Recipe: Quick and Easy Turkey Pot Pie
• Using Up Leftover Turkey: Make Panini!
• Turkey Leftovers? Make Salvadoran Pane Con Pavos
The Works
• Recipe: Sweet Potato & Cornbread Hash with Veggie Sausage Gravy
• How To Turn Third Day Leftovers Into Hand Pies
• How To Make a Panade from Leftovers
• Cooking with Leftovers: Bubble and Squeak
What is your favorite way to eat Thanksgiving leftovers?
Related: The Case Against Thanksgiving Leftovers
(Images: See linked posts for full image credits)


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Dude don't attack his religion
It is not truly fair to say all christians are liars now is it, I mean their religion is actualy a good thing it teaches morals and values so please don't rag on others religions.
I wasn't ragging his religion. I was ragging on the behavior of the proponents of ID displayed during that trail. There is a BIG difference. Most Christians are nice people, even those that really want ID taught in public schools. I believe they are wrong, but hell, everyone is wrong about something, even me.
What I was ragging about was the methods used by the people who started the trouble in Dover (the school board members) and the people who used them to try to get ID forced into science class against the will of the science teachers. Their behavior was reprehensible.


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Short Film Edit Tweaks, MUST HAVE COLOUR FINESSE plugin for AE
Budget £20-250 GBP
Experience Level: Intermediate
Estimated Job duration: less than 1 week
I have an image sequence (a TIFF sequence) of a short film to a drive .
I have been told I can then add this image sequence to After Effects or FCPX or whatever you use, combine it with the finished sound design file (is also on the drive)
What I would like to do is open this file make some changes to the cuts (I know what I want) and then export it.
Also. The last person I had look at this was unable to complete it as they said;
The only way to edit this in the form it is in is to reassemble the After Effects project in a version of After Effects that has the Color Finesse plugin and the missing files and then export it as a full-resolution and bitrate clip to edit in an NLE.
This is a tight turn around. I need this finished in a week.
I need someone London based and I would prefer someone who can balance the sound and do the final export.
Thanks, Laura
16 freelancers are bidding on average £257 for this job
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Hi! Im a animator and filmmaker from vienna, austria, with more than 15 years of experience in post-production. heres my webside with a lot of stuff to watch: [login to view URL] Relevant Skills and Experience More
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I found this project very interesting. I do not have any regret to confess that, my profile is new in online. But I can assure you if I got the chance to work in this project I won't let you down. Relevant Skills and More


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Diabetic NH Olympian has health coverage again after Sununu hears of plight, offers jobBy PAUL FEELY
New Hampshire Union Leader
October 31. 2013 9:56PM
Concord native Kris Freeman has found many sources of support over the course of a skiing career that's carried him from the hills of New Hampshire to a spot on the U.S. cross country ski team.
Now, as he trains for the Sochi Olympics in 2014, one of his biggest backers is no farther away than the boss' office.
Freeman, a three-time Olympian who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes before the 2002 Winter Olympics, had been receiving insurance subsidized by the U.S. Olympic Committee. According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, earlier this year Freeman lost his insurance when he was cut from the U.S. cross country team; he had been on COBRA insurance ever since.
Freeman, 33, wears a tubeless insulin pump called the OmniPod that adheres to his skin and delivers insulin so he does not have to inject it. In addition to health care costs, Freeman was also suddenly forced to pay for much of his training and travel expenses leading up to next year's Olympics.
All that changed when he received a job offer from Chris Sununu, Waterville Valley ski resort owner and general manager.
"There was no question for us about helping out a local hero like Kris," said Sununu in an interview with First Tracks, an online ski magazine. "We are proud to have him on board to bring so much experience and knowledge to an already top-notch staff. It's no accident that Waterville Valley Resort is now home to both America's greatest cross-country skier in addition to America's greatest freestyle skier, Hannah Kearney. We're looking forward to seeing them both bring medals from Sochi back to New Hampshire this winter."
After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2000, Kris became a pioneer among diabetic athletes as he continued to race at the highest level while using an insulin pump, which requires constant adjusting to accommodate different climates, altitudes, stresses and Freeman's own fatigue.
"He continues to break new ground for athletes every time he hits the slopes," Sununu said in a statement.
In a statement issued by Waterville Valley Ski Resort, Freeman said, "I began skiing at Waterville Valley when I was four years old. When I grew up, I moved as close to the mountain as I could because it is still my favorite place in the world to ski. I am grateful to Waterville Valley for running such an awesome facility and for all of their support."
Freeman excels in long distances, winning a World Championship in the 30 km, and is the reigning national champion in the 50 km, which he has won three straight years.
NH People Skiing Winter Olympics Concord Waterville Valley Top Section Stories


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BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — The U.N. political chief on Monday urged rebel leaders who overthrew Central African Republic's government to establish law and order, protect civilians from attacks and control fighters under their command.
Jeffrey Feltman told reporters during a visit to the conflict-wracked nation that there must be an immediate end to the killings, looting, sexual violence and other human rights violations that have caused immense suffering and disrupted vital humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Rebel leader Michel Djotodia has declared himself president of a transitional council that plans for elections within 18 months, though critics say his government lacks control over its fighters in the streets. The rebels' ouster of President Francois Bozize in late March came two months after they signed a peace agreement in Libreville, Gabon, that would have let him serve until 2016.
The rebels, who belong to an alliance known as Seleka, have been accused of looting, violence and robberies since helping to overthrow the president.
While Feltman was in the capital, hundreds of rebels gathered in Bangui to press for their demands to be met by the new leader.
Nearly 400 rebels from the Seleka movement gathered near the Renaissance Palace in Bangui to demand that Djotodia pay them bonuses they say they were promised. Another hundred went to the luxury hotel where Djotodia is running the government.
Feltman said the authorities must move quickly to establish security.
He welcomed an announcement by the Economic Community of Central African States that it will increase the peacekeeping force it has in the Central African Republic, but said "more support may be needed."
Feltman also called for "a full return to constitutional order" and a transition in line with the Libreville agreement.
"Winner-take-all politics has caused grave harm in the past," he said. "A peaceful future will require dialogue and compromise between Central Africans."
Feltman said the international community must also remain focused on the Central African Republic, noting that the U.N. humanitarian appeal for the impoverished nations is only 20 percent funded.
"The Central African Republic cannot continue to be the 'forgotten crisis' that emerges briefly on the international radar screen and then slips back into oblivion until the next tragic flare-up," he said.
Feltman spoke following a day of meetings in Bangui with representatives of political parties and civil society. He met with Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye in Douala, Cameroon on Saturday.
Associated Press Writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations


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Katie McQuaid's Scene in Manchester: A new acupuncture experienceBY KATIE McQUAID
May 05. 2013 10:03PM
A CHALKBOARD SIGN outside Manchester Acupuncture Studio last week read, "Side effects may include better mood, more energy, heavier wallet, better sleep, less stress..." It all sounded good to me, so I stopped in.
I have received acupuncture treatments in the past, but Manchester Acupuncture Studio's "community acupuncture" room was a completely different experience. Previously, I was treated on a table in a private room similar to a doctor's office. At Manchester Acupuncture Studio, strangers and I side by side, were stuck with needles.
Despite the group treatment concept, the experience and attention I received at Manchester Acupuncture Studio was private and personal. In an initial consultation with acupuncturist Mary Cole, she noted the issues I was hoping to resolve with acupuncture and then led me into a dimly lit room with about a dozen recliners.
Once I removed my shoes and rolled up my sleeves and pant legs, Cole began placing the new, sterile needles at various points on my arms, legs and ankles.
If you have never had acupuncture, let me assure you that it does not hurt. The needles barely prick the skin, and once they have been placed you don't notice them. At my most recent experience I became extremely relaxed and fell asleep, helped by the white noise machines and soft music in the room.
Cole said I could stay for as long as I wanted to. I told her I had to be somewhere an hour later and she promised to wake me in time. When my time was up, she quickly removed my needles and I was on my way, complete with the "good mood" side effect.
As for the other side effects, my wallet was not heavier when I left, but it was heavier than it would have been at a traditional acupuncture office. In the past I paid $75 a session, but the Manchester Acupuncture Studio offers a sliding scale allowing patients to pay $15 to $35 per treatment.
Patients decide what they can afford, no questions asked. And I was thrilled to find out I could use money from my Health Savings Account to pay for the treatment and the $10 paperwork fee that came with my first appointment.
If I worked downtown or in the Millyard I would definitely spend at least one lunch break a week at MAS. It costs the same as going out to lunch, but makes you feel so much better. (I would also spend another lunch break once a week at the new Waterworks Cafe across the street. For more, keep reading.)
The entrance to Manchester Acupuncture Studio is tucked right behind the Mill Girl statue on Commercial Street, although its assigned parking spots are located on the other side of the building at 400 Bedford St. A second location is scheduled to open in Nashua on June 18. For more information, go to manchesteracupuncturestudio.org.
Killer quiche
Sadly, I was in a rush when I popped in to the new Waterworks Cafe in the Waumbec Mill on Commercial Street. I would have loved to have spent a long, leisurely lunch in the warm, bright cafe that used to be home to Kaleidoscope Children's Museum.
Because I needed to make a quick decision, I skipped looking over the menu and instead chose spinach artichoke quiche from the specials board. The warmed quiche was delicious on top of a small green salad, and I hope to go back to try a cookie dough latte or one of their many other offerings.
Waterworks Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and the space is available for private functions. For more details, go to waterworkscafe.com.
Everyone's going bananas
Besides the guy who lost $2,600 playing a carnival game in Manchester a week ago, everyone else seems to be getting a lot of enjoyment out of Henry Gribbohm's story. My favorite part of his saga is that he was given a giant stuffed banana with dreadlocks as a consolation prize.
My friend Jordan Guagliumi clearly shares my sense of humor. He spent over an hour dressed as a dreadlocked banana on Elm Street last Wednesday.
Guagliumi recently celebrated his 15th anniversary with Manchester Radio Group and knows a little something about promoting a radio station. On Tuesday he decided he would dress up as the banana; by Wednesday morning he had purchased a banana costume through Craigslist, a dreadlocks wig at Spencer's and $50 of bananas from Sam's Club.
While standing on Elm street, he held a banner for one of his company's stations, 95.7 WZID, and handed out bananas to passers-by.
"Because everyone is entitled to a banana. They shouldn't be $2,600," he said.
I love Guagliumi's commitment, both to a joke and to his employer. I can almost guarantee that dressing up as a banana is no where in his job description as Director of Interactive Sales for Saga Communications. He even had to catch a flight to one of his Virginia stations later that day, but that didn't stop him. Guagliumi saw a great opportunity to make some people laugh and promote his company and he jumped on it. I'm just glad he didn't slip on all those peels.
Nh365.Org Event of the Week
This Friday is the Beatlemania concert at Manchester Central High School to benefit the school's music department.
Beatlemania the Stage Show will feature the complete Beatles experience from the Ed Sullivan days right through to the Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road with original costume changes and authentic Beatles instruments.
And the high school music students will be performing live with the Beatlemania musicians during the concert for some of the songs.
I love all Beatles music, and I love a concert that will help support a music program that enrolls 150 students in the marching band, wind ensemble, chorus, orchestra and jazz classes.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets range from $20 to $45. Visit NH365.org for more information about this and other fun things to do around our city and state this week.
If you have an interesting item for Scene in Manchester, write to email@example.com.


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Tianyi Square is located in the downtown commercial street in the mountain south, covers an area of 200,000 square meters, the main building has 22 strong modern European style buildings, with a total construction area of 22 square meters. the central buildings of 3.5 million square meters of the central square and 6000 square meters of landscape water, while total length of 200 meters with a maximum spraying 40 m high musical fountain in Asia and 20 meters high and 60 meters wide on the big screen water screen movie. Tianyi Square is the largest "one stop" shopping and leisure plaza. Ningbo Tianyi Square, the east car street cars, open street west, north along Zhongshan Road, the south line of street drugs, the total area of 19.6 hectares, is the domestic first-class financial leisure, commerce, tourism, restaurants, shopping one of the large city commercial plaza. Square, shopping, leisure, entertainment, culture, tourism in one, known as commercial aircraft, Ningbo, Ningbo city and a beautiful card. Square transparent building views, a pool of clear water, a 3.6 hectares of urban green space, the Tianyi Square is full of modern business atmosphere, but also to provide the public with an elegant environment, leisure and entertainment center.
Zhejiang Province for a China's province, is situated at south the Chinese southeast coast Yangtse Delta the wing, east is near East China Sea, south meets Fujian, west and Jiangxi, Anhui are connected, north with Shanghai, Jiangsu borders on. Within the boundaries biggest rivers Qiantang River, because the river current is winding, calls the river, also calls Zhejiang, the province by river, the abbreviation ?Zhejiang?. Provincial capital Hangzhou. The Zhejiang Province thing and the north and south straight distance is about 450 kilometers, the land territory area 101,800 square kilometers, are the nation 1.06%, is one of Chinese area smallest provinces. Next governs Hangzhou, the Ningbo 2 vice-provincial level cities, Wenzhou, Shaoxing, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Jinhua, Chu chou, Taizhou, Lishui, the Zhoushan 9 locally administered levels, altogether 11 municipalities. Zhejiang Province located at the Chinese southeast coast, is situated between the north latitude 27 ' 12 '' - 31 degrees 31 point and between the longtitude 118 E - 123 degrees, east is close to East China Sea, notogaea Fujian, west and Jiangxi, Anhui are connected, north and Shanghai, Jiangsu is a neighbour. The thing and the north and south straight distance is 450 kilometers, the land territory area 101,800 square kilometers. Within the boundaries biggest rivers Qiantang River, because the river current is winding, also calls Zhejiang, the province by river, Jian Chengwei Zhejiang. The entire province has critical terrain feature landscape more than 800, waters landscape more than 200, biological landscape more than 100, humanities landscape more than 100; Has Xihu, the Fuchunjiang River - Xin'an river, Yandangshan, Moganshan, the Putuo, Mt. Tiantai, Nanxijiang, the shengsi archipelago, Shuanglongdong, the dwelling place of celestial beings, the Xuedou, the Huanjiang - Wuxie, Mt. Jianglang, the dwelling place of celestial beings and so on 14 state-level key scenic spot area, Dongqian Lake, the big Buddhist temple, Fang Yan, Mt. Lanke and so on 42 provincial level scenic spot area; Has Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Chu chou, near the sea 5 state-level historical city, provincial level historical city 12; Has nation key Cultural relic preservation organ 134, provincial level key Cultural relic preservation organ 279; Has state-level nature protection area 7, country forest park 20.


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Baby's on Us
In a live chat, Prudie offers advice on a woman using her friends to raise money for her fertility treatments.
Emily Yoffe, aka Dear Prudence, is on Washingtonpost.com weekly to chat live with readers. An edited transcript of the chat is below. (Sign up here to get Dear Prudence delivered to your inbox each week. Read Prudie's Slate columns here. Send questions to Prudence at firstname.lastname@example.com.)
Emily Yoffe: Good afternoon. I look forward to your questions.
Q. IVF Fundraising Party: I have a friend who is 26 and has been married for 23 months. She and her husband started trying to get pregnant right after they bought their house 20 months ago and did get pregnant but had an ectopic pregnancy and she lost the baby eight months ago. Now she has decided to take the step to do IVF because the stress of not getting pregnant is too much for her to stand. My issue is that she does not have the funds to pursue IVF, so she has fundraising parties. She sells home party items and all of the proceeds are going to her treatments. The first one she hosted herself and I went out of obligation. When you checked out and paid she gave you an item total then asked how much extra you would like to put directly toward her baby fund saying the standard was 20 percent of your item total. She then asked each person who would host a party for her fundraising efforts. When I informed her that I would not be hosting a party for her she got very upset and said I was not a good friend because I would not host and I only gave the minimum 20 percent additional to help her have a baby. Am I being selfish or is an IVF fundraising party as outrageous as it seems to me to be?
A: I wonder if at 26 she's explored all her medical alternatives for getting pregnant. But of course here we are speculating on your friend's medical decisions because she's made this profoundly personal question a matter of public obligation. I love her notion that the "standard" IVF tip for an item you didn't want in the first place is 20 percent. The woman's got chutzpah, I'll give her that. What she doesn't have, however, is the standing to insist that all her friends fund her fertility treatments. Wish her the best but continue to demur about hosting the Petri dish party. At the rate she's going, she should soon find herself fuming over all her selfish, former friends.
Dear Prudence: Desperate Single
Q. Not So Much a Cat Lover: I did not grow up with pets, am not a pet person, and am not used to all that comes with being a pet owner. Moving in with my boyfriend and his 6-year-old cat has been a slight adjustment. But I feel that I have been a good sport this past year of living together. I pet and play with the cat, brush her, give her treats, help feed her. I just really dislike the litter box and don't want to have the responsibility of cleaning it out. I ask my boyfriend to take care of this task. However, he gets a little huffy about my refusal to take turns cleaning out the litter box and often brings it up when we are doing household chores. I explain that I really dislike it, and this is his cat that he adopted four years before even meeting me, so it shouldn't be that much to ask that he continue to clean the litter box on his own. But still, I can tell that it bothers him and he feels the cat responsibilities should be split more evenly between the two of us. He does maintain sole financial responsibility for her. Any advice? Am I in the wrong?
A: He may want to offload her loads on you, but sorry, litter-box scooping is the responsibility of the original owner, especially if the new girlfriend is repelled by these duties. You can laugh and say you sure understand why he must be tired of the daily treasure hunt, but while you've come to enjoy Fifi, this is where you're drawing a line in the sand. Then ignore his huffing. And if his cat lives as long as my last one, he only has 15 more years of scooping ahead of him.
Q. Pedophile Co-worker: I am a team leader in a medium-sized arts organization. I recently discovered via Google that someone I work with closely, though only occasionally (several days a month), appears to have been convicted in the past several years for possessing an extensive quantity of truly disturbing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was placed on probation. He was hired at a time when the organization needed someone to fill his role (which is a part-time substitute position) very urgently, and I am not sure due diligence was done as it would have been in a more formal hiring process. In any case, his ability to do the job, which he does well, is not related to his criminal past. He has little to no contact with minors at work. However, as the parent of three young children, I am revolted by the idea of working closely with this man, who is pleasant and chatty. Adding to the complexity, while his fairly uncommon name, age, and locale match that of the person in the Google search, I am aware that I have no evidence this is the same man. What do I do? Acting coldly toward him is not only potentially unfair, but jeopardizes my team's ability to do our job well, and will raise questions among other team members. Treating him warmly (if he is the same person) repels me. Do I bring this up with my supervisor? HR? On what grounds? And if they are aware of his (possible) past and chose to hire him anyway, how do I manage my own behavior going forward?
A: I'm left wondering what you mean when you say he has "little to no" contact with minors at work. That indicates there is some contact, and your company needs to know if the terms of his probation, if he is still on it, covers being around minors. I also don't know if your organization's policies would prevent having someone on the payroll who was convicted of a felony. It's also true that you haven't been able to confirm your suspicions. All this is sufficient grounds to go to your supervisor and say you stumbled upon this information, it is not substantiated, but you felt the organization should at the least know what you discovered. If they were aware of his past, or if they look into it and conclude his occasional work should continue (taking into account this issue of minors in the workplace), you put aside your personal feelings and act professionally. It should help if you can accept that he was caught and the criminal justice system rendered its judgment.
Q. Bad Time for a Baby: My husband and I have known each other more than four years, and have been married for almost one year. We are going through a rough patch, and have sought the help of a marriage counselor in addition to his personal therapist for anger management issues. While the frequency of our fights has diminished, I don't think we're yet at a comfortable place in the marriage to think about having any children (I brought my 5-year-old daughter into the marriage, so I'm honestly in no hurry right now). My husband, on the other hand, is desperate for children in the immediate future, and thinks that our relationship issues have no impact, because he grew up in a household where fighting was the norm, and thinks that it wouldn't impact our children at all. How do I get through to him that children won't make anything better, and could in fact make things worse?
A: If your husband, who has back-to-back therapists, has concluded that since his parents were at each other's throats, and so are you two, and all that is hunky dory for childrearing, he needs a lot more therapy or maybe a new set of therapists. I know people can change and grow, but from what you're describing I can't understand why you married him. There's nothing you've written that give me any hope he has the slightest understanding of what it takes to raise a child in a healthy home—which has me concerned about his effect on your little girl. If you have a marriage counselor, yet you feel you have to write to me for advice on saying, "You're too emotionally out of control for me to consider having a child with you," then you need to take a hard look at your situation. It would also be a good idea to double up on the birth control.
Q. Racist Child: I am disabled. A paid helper comes every Monday to put out trash and recycling and do other small tasks. Last Monday she brought her 9-year-old daughter. While watching the inaugural festivities, the child said she does not like President Obama "because he doesn't believe in God." When I pointed out that he often invokes God and he and his family regularly attend church, she said, "He doesn't mean it"—she read that on the Internet. She also said he "doesn't look like a Christian" and Michelle Obama is "ugly." Her mother was listening and didn't say anything. Because this was a child, I simply said that you can't tell what a person is thinking by his or her appearance; Christians come in all shapes, sizes, and colors; and you can find support for anything on the Internet. My helper is coming again this afternoon and I feel that I have to say something, if only "I was concerned to hear X say that Obama doesn't look like a Christian." How would you handle this situation?
A: I wish people who had particular political beliefs, or even racist attitudes, would stop invoking religion as the reason or even justification. That said, I think you should say nothing. Your helper comes to do some discrete tasks for you one day a week. As repugnant as you may find her views and that she's inculcating her child with them, it's just not your business. Bring it up and you likely will have a lot of tension in your home on Mondays, or you will have to be looking for a new helper—one whose views may turn out to be just as unpleasant. You responded in a mature, instructive way with this child. Let's hope something you said will bubble around in this girl's brain in the years to come. But right now, just turn the other cheek.
Q. Re: Er, "stumbled upon this information ...": How does one "stumble" across this felony conviction, first off, and if (s)he's that damn curious, (s)he can access the relevant state's case search info and learn for sure before spouting off. ... And, btw, be prepared for it to backfire, horribly.
A: If she was Googling a co-worker's name, which millions of people have done out of curiosity or to refresh one's memory about someone's previous employment, etc., the letter writer might have found an article about the case. I'm not sure that the letter writer, having seen this information is about someone whose unusual name, location, and age matches that of the employee should then herself go on to further investigate. It seems like enough information to say, "This may be nothing, it may be a different person, but I wanted to bring it to the attention of management to check out." If children are coming into the office, I don't see that this is going to backfire horribly on the person who in a low-key way alerts supervisors.
Q. Parents: My parents have supported me all through college and I'm very thankful for that. I am coming near to the end of my collegiate career, which means I'm starting to make plans for what happens after college. I lean strongly towards the Teach for America program, which would be great because I'm majoring in education and that program would provide me with a lot of support through my first couple of years. My dad insists that I wouldn't be able to hack it and that I'm going to stay in my college town and live with my sister until she graduates. Worse, he continually brings up the fact that I'm gay as a reason I wouldn't be able to handle moving to a new city and working in urban schools. How much do I owe him with regard to what I do after college? Is there a way for me to argue this? Every time I bring it up he shuts me down and brings me to tears.
A: I hope you're planning to be financially independent from your parents. And if you make it into Teach for America, you will be earning a salary which will be a huge step toward that goal. I don't see how you argue with someone who has such distorted views about you, your abilities, your independence, and your future. Since you're still in college, look into resources on campus, or referrals, for organizations that support gay youth. Also check in with your college's counseling office. You need help negotiating your separation from your parents and how to handle your father's bullying. (And where's your mother in all this?) Sometimes the best way to convince other people about how wrong they are is to refuse to engage in the discussion.
Q. Food Divide: Because my husband grew up in a country with very different cuisine, he likes much spicier foods than I do. Until we got married, this was never a problem. Recently we've made an effort to cook more at home to save money. Naturally, there has been some give and take regarding what we'll eat. I have a real problem though, with almost anything he makes, as he spices his food at all stages of cooking, so I can't eat any of it without burning my mouth. Not one dish. Granted, I'm glad he's willing to help in the cooking duties, but I need blander food. But, when I tried talking to him about it, he got hurt. Until this, everything was OK, now I'm walking on eggshells around him. To be honest, I really don't think I was mean, I just told him his spice choices were too much for me. Tell me, am I being overly critical?
A: Spicy or not spicy is not a negotiable. If you don't like cilantro, for example, it's not going to work for your cilantro lover to only mix a little of it into your food. He has to understand that the burn that fills him with ecstasy has you looking for a fire extinguisher. He also need to realize he can spice to his palate's delight, he just can't do it with your portion of the meal. That requires some adjustment on his part: Either he prepares his dishes in two pans, or he portions yours out, then seasons his. He's got to recognize this is not a commentary on him or his culture, it's a matter of accepting your more delicate taste buds.
Q. My Son Is ... : I have pretty good evidence that my teenage son is a cross-dresser. I really don't care, and I've tried to hint that I don't, but I'm not sure how to proceed. I'd really like to ask point blank but I think he'd be defensive out of surprise and deny it. I don't want to push him further into the closet (so to speak). Do I ignore it? Buy him a dress, makeup, and lingerie for his (upcoming) birthday? Just slip a dress in his size into his closet and see what he says? I'm really at a loss, but I think ignoring it is a bad idea.
A: I think the better approach is to make sure you son knows he can talk to you about anything and show him by word and deed that you are always on his side. Then it is up to him to tell you. Your son is a teenager, and as you've pointed out, such a point blank question might send him scurrying in the opposite direction. So you give him support, and space, and if this is part of his life you hope that in his own time he will tell you. You do not bring him a catalog from Forever 21 and say, "Michael, I think this purple dress with the sweetheart neckline would look smashing on you."
Q. Re: Food divide compromise: I think your husband needs to compromise with you on the spicy food. But you could offer a compromise: If he chills out on the spices, you'll remain open to trying stuff with more spice—gradually. I grew up in kind of a bland food household and I have been able to increase my tolerance over time and actually really enjoy spicy food. You might never want things as spicy as he did, but keeping an open and willing mind will help both of you—as long as he does, too.
A: Good advice. But it's got to be a process of gradual acclimation, not incendiary punishment.
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By Amanda Becker
(Reuters) - A new labor union is being formed for U.S. college athletes, and football players at Northwestern University in Chicago are looking to get onboard, the College Athletes Players Association (CAPA) announced Tuesday.
An "overwhelming majority" of Northwestern's scholarship football players have notified the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that they are seeking representation with CAPA, the group said in a statement.
The filing of the petitions is a preliminary step that could lead to the student athletes joining what is believed to be the first labor organization of its kind, with backing from the United Steelworkers union (USW).
CAPA's founder and president is Ramogi Huma, a former University of California-Los Angeles football player who previously founded the National College Players Association (NCPA) to advocate for college athletes.
The NCPA backed a first-of-its-kind law in California that required colleges in the state who get more than $10 million annually in sports media revenue to pay for athletes' sports-related medical care, among other student protections.
CAPA's priorities will be to secure similar coverage for current and former college athletes' sports-related medical expenses, minimize the risk of sports-related traumatic brain injury and improve graduation rates, according to the group.
"These athletes generate billions of dollars per year that pay coaches and athletic administrators multimillion-dollar salaries," Huma said in a statement.
"Despite the extraordinary value they bring to their universities, they are too often left to pay sports-related medical expenses during and after their college careers, and can be stripped of their scholarships for any reason including injury," Huma added.
The NLRB is a federal U.S. agency that oversees union representation elections and polices unfair labor practices. If at least 30 percent of workers in a unit file petitions showing interest in union representation, the NLRB will investigate and decide whether the union is appropriate and if any existing labor contracts bar holding an election.
Over the years, the NLRB has vacillated over whether students at private universities have the right to join unions.
In 2000, the board reversed years of precedent and said graduate students at private colleges could seek representation. Then in 2004 the NLRB reverted to its prior stance.
In December, New York University graduate students, as part of a deal with the school, voted for a second time to join an affiliate of the United Auto Workers. Experts say the NLRB will likely take up the issue again in the years to come.
USW President Leo Gerard said: "We are paying CAPA's legal expenses so that CAPA will have the legal help it needs to prove before the National Labor Relations Board that Northwestern football players are covered by the National Labor Relations Act and can assert their rights."
The push by CAPA to represent the Northwestern football players comes amid growing debate about to what extent college athletes should benefit from university sports revenues.
In November, a federal judge said a lawsuit brought by a group of college athletes challenging a National Collegiate Athletic Association rule could move forward. The rule bars student athletes from earning money from their images.
The case seeks to create a system where revenue from broadcasts and videogames goes into a fund that student athletes can access after they are no longer playing.
(Additional reporting by Carlyn Kolker in New York and Dan Levine in San Francisco; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Gunna Dickson)