text:
Hi Toby, your latest posts images are classics. The image with the bikini girl in the foreground and you in the background was easy on the eyes, a well composed image. The following image of you being dragged along the beach with your board slightly behind is wonderful. It shows the rest of us your human side, also the next image with the snapped leash. When we see the perfect shots of all your tricks, we see a man with balls of steel. But you also show the 'Toby Wannabes' the other side of the many hours of practice required.
Well done!


text:
Jewish World Review May 16, 2003 / 14 Iyar, 5763
Linda Chavez
Reunited With My Sister, After 50 years
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | The sunlight reflecting off the bay is almost blinding as we approach the airport in Nelson, New Zealand. I am 11,000 miles from home and about to see my sister Pamela for the second time in 50 years. The beauty of the island is breathtaking. Clear azure pools of water shimmer like diamonds surrounded by majestic purple peaks that form a bowl around the bay. But I am almost too excited to notice. As the wheels of our 30-seater commuter plane from Auckland touch down, I search the crowd gathered on the airport rooftop looking for her barely familiar face. The face I remember is of a chubby-cheeked, tow-headed girl of 5 who suddenly disappeared from my life in 1952.
Pamela is my father's daughter from his first marriage to an Australian woman he met while fighting in the South Pacific during World War II. Her mother, Cecily, was an auburn-haired beauty who fell in love with the handsome 6-foot-2-inch airman from New Mexico and followed him back to the States. Exactly when my father met my mother and what role she played in the break-up of his first marriage is a subject not broached in the family. All I know is that Cecily was around during my early childhood, as was Pamela, whom I adored.
There are pictures of us together as little girls. We were like mirror images of each other. She was fair-skinned and blond-haired with curls that dangled into her incredibly blue eyes, while I was dark-haired and brown-eyed, but with the same smile and features. We played together at my grandparents' home, a low adobe structure surrounded by hundreds of rose bushes and hollyhocks constantly abuzz with menacing bees.
Suddenly, Pamela was gone from my life, given up for adoption by her mother, who felt she could not raise a child alone in a strange country. Although I frequently asked what had become of my sister, I learned only that she had gone to live with a nice family in Clovis, N.M. I imagined her living on a farm with chickens and cows and lots of other brothers and sisters. When my father died in 1976, I again asked what had happened to Pamela, but my mother was evasive, and what information she provided proved unreliable. Every once in a while as an adult, I thought of seeking Pamela out; but I had so little information to go on, the task seemed impossible.
Then, one day in 2000, I was reading my e-mail when I came across a note from someone in New Zealand. "I am so sorry to be writing to you at work, but my mother, Cecily Little Chavez is ill," the letter opened. "It would mean a lot to her to hear from you," it said. "She moved back to Australia in 1970 and remarried in 1972. About four years ago, I moved to New Zealand from the United States with my husband -- we are retired and enjoying life in New Zealand."
I couldn't imagine who this person was or why she was writing me, thinking only how odd it was that whoever she was, her mother had the same name as my father's first wife. Then I read on. "I would very much like to be in contact with you. I can be reached at the address listed below. Fond regards from your sister Pamela."
Through the miracle of the Internet I was reunited with a sister I had not seen or heard from in nearly a half century. In the intervening years, I had lost two brothers (sons from my mother's first marriage) and another sister, both grandparents and my father, but now I had my sister back. In the weeks and months that followed, we spent hours each day writing back and forth, filling each other in on the details of our lives. Later that year, Pamela and her husband, Gil, came to visit briefly. But this is our first visit to Pamela, and I am filled with anticipation.
As my husband and I step onto the tarmac, I see Pamela. She is
taller and thinner than me, with hair shades lighter than my own, but
the family resemblance is still there. And I wonder what my father would
think to see his two daughters united once again in his beloved South
Pacific isles.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Researchers and educators will find new ways to fight pests in the future, thanks to nine new USDA Southern Region IPM grants.
These nine projects have just received funding from USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) as a result of a Regional Integrated Pest Management Grants competition managed by the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Center.
In Georgia, that means finding solutions to small hive beetle infestations in beehives. In Texas, funds will go toward furthering IPM adoption in schools.
Of the 36 proposals submitted with requests totaling slightly over $4 million, 9 projects totaling $805,237 received funding. Each of the funded projects addresses pest management issues affecting several states and mentioned in published regional priorities submitted by state IPM coordinators, researchers and extension specialists.
One of those projects will assess how well IPM is reducing human and environmental risk in the region. In the first evaluation project funded by this grant program, Virginia Tech researchers will develop strategies for assessing IPM impact and use those strategies to evaluate the impact of selected IPM programs.
Dr. Keith Delaplane at the University of Georgia will study small hive beetle behavior to find the most effective way to limit their population in beehives. In light of the national initiative to conserve the nation's pollinators, this project will research chemical-free management tactics, including hygienic queens, adult beetle traps, and predatory nematodes.
Texas A&M University researchers Raul Medina and Marvin Harris will experiment with pheromone blends to help manage the pecan casebearer, the most damaging pest to pecans. Another Texas project promises to increase IPM adoption among public school personnel. An "IPM cost calculator," developed in 2004, has already helped maintenance personnel in schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico choose the most effective and least costly methods to reduce insect and rodent infestations. Most of the time, those methods do not involve the use of pesticides. In this year's project, Texas Cooperative Extension specialists will refine the cost instrument to make it even more efficient. A third project will train floriculture and greenhouse employees in both Spanish and English on pesticide alternatives.
At the University of Kentucky, extension specialists plan to create a four-state pest trapping network to monitor common pest populations and alert surrounding states to upcoming threats. Pest alert and forecasting networks have proven to be quite effective and have reduced both the use of unnecessary pesticide applications and crop losses. University of Virginia researchers Chris Bergh, Catharine Mannion, Aijun Zhang and Justin Vitulio will explore ways to effectively use pheromone traps to manage the pink hibiscus mealybug.
The following is a list of projects funded by the Southern Region IPM grant:
—Evaluation of IPM in the Southern Region (Virginia Tech: George Norton)
—Multi-State Evaluation of School IPM Cost-Calculator and Training Model (Texas A&M University: Michael Merchant)
—Developing an IPM Program to Control Small Hive Beetles in Bee Hives (University of Georgia: Keith Delaplane)
—Enhancing IPM Programs Through Deregulation and Release of Genetically Modified Virginia-type Peanuts with Resistance to Sclerotinia Blight (Virginia Tech: Patrick Phipps)
—TALLER MIP (IPM Workshop)-a Bilingual Worker Education Program on Integrated Pest Management for the Southern Nursery and Floriculture Industry (Texas A&M University: Carlos Bogran)
—Development of the Regional Multi-State Insect Trapping Network for Use in Issuing Scouting Alerts and Predicting Potential Field Crop Insect Damage in the Heartland (University of Kentucky: Patricia Lucas)
—Molecular and Pheromone Studies of Acrobasis nuxvorella Neunzig (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Improve Pecan IPM (Texas A&M University: Raul Medina)
—Biotic Factors Associated with the Spread and Suppression of Pink Hibiscus Mealybug (Virginia Tech: J. Christopher Bergh)
—Synergistic Activity in Mixtures of Copper and Garlic-Derived Products to Enhance Control of Bacterial Spot of Peach (University of Georgia: Harald Scherm)
Abstracts and objectives for each of the funded proposals are available at http://www.sripmc.org/pmcprojects/RIPM2007.cfm.
The Southern Region IPM Center is supported by a grant from USDA/CSREES and supports the 13 southern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For more information about the Southern Region IPM Center, visit http://www.sripmc.org.
e-mail: [email protected]


text:
Authority takes steps to improve bridge safety
Last week the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced measures designed to improve safety on the Newport Pell Bridge.
The announcement came in wake of two recently fatal head-on traffic accidents that have prompted people to question the lack of a center lane median on the bridge.
RITBA said it plans to install reflective plastic dividers on the bridge center lane. Bridge authority officials said the plastic dividers would be a temporary improvement, put in place until bridge officials are able to install a more substantial median on the bridge. The reflective plastic dividers would provide additional visibility to the center lane on the bridge and help alert drivers should they stray across the line.
In addition to the plastic dividers, RITBA plans to install speed cameras, ask for an increase in police patrols on the bridge, and launch a public awareness campaign about distracted driving.
We applaud the bridge authority for taking these steps. The bridge is a busy thoroughfare that has millions of cars traversing its span annually. Safety should be the upmost priority.
We hope that the bridge authority will continue with its efforts to install a center median on the bridge later this year. It will go a long way towards making the bridge a safer traffic corridor.
— Jeff McDonough


text:
Hikaru Nakamura
|Photography copyright © 2008, courtesy of chesspatzerblog.
NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
Krasenkow vs Nakamura, 2007 0-1
W So vs Nakamura, 2015 0-1
Gelfand vs Nakamura, 2010 0-1
Rybka vs Nakamura, 2008 0-1
Crafty vs Nakamura, 2007 0-1
G G Sagalchik vs Nakamura, 2003 0-1
Nakamura vs Kramnik, 2012 1-0
Nakamura vs Karjakin, 2004 1-0
Beliavsky vs Nakamura, 2009 0-1
Nakamura vs Robson, 2012 1-0
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: [what is this?]
FIDE World Championship Knockout Tournament (2004)
NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
Corsica Masters (2007)
Torneo Continental Americano (2003)
Cap d'Agde (2008)
Casino de Barcelona (2007)
Gibraltar Chess Festival (2008)
Tradewise Gibraltar (2015)
34th World Open (2006)
Ordix Open (2009)
Tradewise Gibraltar (2016)
Chess.com Speed Chess Championship 2017/18 (2017)
Geneva Chess Masters (2013)
Gibtelecom (2009)
Ordix Open (2008)
World Cup (2015)
Pro Chess League (2018)
GAME COLLECTIONS: [what is this?]
Naka's Nook by fredthebear
Notable Nakamura Games by caracas1970
Fighting Chess with Hikaru Nakamura by kenilworthian
Notable Nakamura Games by iron maiden
Hikaru! by larrewl
Match Nakamura! by amadeus
Nakamura Games by fredthebear
🏆 6th Sinquefield Cup Carlsen vs Nakamura (Aug-27-18) 1-0
Nakamura vs Karjakin (Aug-26-18) 1/2-1/2
M Vachier-Lagrave vs Nakamura (Aug-25-18) 1/2-1/2
Nakamura vs Aronian (Aug-24-18) 1/2-1/2
Nakamura vs Mamedyarov (Aug-22-18) 1/2-1/2
Search Sacrifice Explorer for Hikaru Nakamura
Search Google for Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE player card for Hikaru Nakamura
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text:
NEW YORK—A local investor has paid $4.5 million for 109 Madison Street in Manhattan, a six-story walk-up apartment building that contains 22 apartment units and two retail spaces. Jeremy Curtin, an associate at GFI Realty Services Inc., represented the seller, Harling Chan. Roni Abudi, a managing director at GFI Realty Services Inc., represented the buyer.
Totaling 9,480 sq. ft., 109 Madison Street is located in southeast Chinatown, situated between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. The property is in close proximity to galleries, restaurants and boutiques in the nearby Lower East Side.
"The buyer saw an opportunity to capitalize on the influx of students and young professionals moving into Chinatown," says Roni Abudi. "He looks forward to this property being a long term investment."


text:
Hirschsprung's disease is an area of the colon (large intestine) that has stopped working properly. The colon is not able to push stool through as it should, which can lead to a partial or full blockage. This can lead to serious infections and damage to the colon.
Hirschsprung is present at birth.
The colon is a tube made of muscles that squeeze then relax to help move waste out of the body. The work of the colon is controlled by a number of nerves. In Hirschsprung disease, the nerves that tell the colon to relax are missing in one area. This means that part of the colon can never relax and fully open. Waste movement can get slowed or stopped in the area. It often occurs in the lower part of the colon but can sometimes include the whole colon.
The missing nerves do not develop as the fetus grows. It is not clear why this happens. Some families may have a strong history of hirschsprung disease. In this case, it is probably due to a problem with the genes that have instructions for how the body develops.
Risk Factors
Hirschsprung is more common in boys. Other factors that may increase your child's chance of Hirschsprung include:
- Family members with the disease
- Presence of Down Syndrome
- Presence of other birth defects
Symptoms often show soon after birth. Hirschsprung that is less serious may be noticed until later in life.
Symptoms found in newborns include:
- Failure to have a bowel movement within the first 48 hours of life
- Vomiting after eating
- Swelling of abdomen
Symptoms found in young children include:
- Severe constipation
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
- Growth delay
Symptoms found in teenagers include:
- Severe constipation for most of their lives
- Anemia
Hirschsprung disease is often diagnosed when an infant fails to have a bowel movement within 48 hours of birth. In older children, the doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
To help confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order
Hirschsprung needs to be treated with surgery. The earlier the treatment is done, the better the outcome may be.
The goal of surgery is to remove the part of the colon that does not work properly. Surgical options include:
- Pull-through operation—The inner layer of the affected colon area is removed. The healthy colon above the area is then pulled down through the affected area. It can then be joined to the rectum so that stool can pass through.
- Colostomy or ileostomy—If the bowel is infected, damaged, or if a large area is being removed an ostomy may be needed. A healthy part of the small intestine or colon will be cut just above the damaged area. The healthy intestine will be connected to an opening in the abdomen. Waste can pass through this opening to a bag. An ostomy gives the remaining colon time to rest and heal. A later surgery will be needed to reconnect the intestines.
There are no guidelines to prevent Hirschsprung.
If you have one child with the disease, you could have more children with the disease. Consider going to genetic counseling to better understand the risk.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: Kari Kassir, MD
- Review Date: 06/2016 -
- Update Date: 03/10/2017 -


text:
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text:
Wisconsin Hardwood Creations
DHH designs is owned by David and Jeneice Haessig. David began his career as a woodworker in 1976, building custom furniture. From there he started creating unique sculptural and functional pieces and exhibiting his work at Fine Art and Craft Fairs around the county. David has always used the finest domestic hardwoods and some exotics. Coming up with new ideas and product line is always a challenge that David seems to excel at.
Jeneice met David in 1979 while working at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. They married in 1984. In 1989, Jeneice left the University employment and became a full-time woodworker with David. David taught Jeneice everything she knows today about the feel and working with wood. In May of 1994 they moved their studio from the Madison area to Sarona, WI.
Each piece of wood is handcrafted by just the two of them using their original designs. Each unique wooden piece is highly polished with a natural finish. Their designs are inspired by the trees that surround them and the simplicity and beauty that is so natural in the North Woods of Wisconsin. It has become their home; a place to work and a place to live.


text:
Out of the Woodwork: Grumpy Old Men
When properly trained, curmudgeons have many uses.
By Peter Sieling
Page: 96
From the November 2006 issue #158
Buy this issue now
It's easier to care for exotic pets than grumpy old men. You try to keep them in a safe, climate-controlled environment, but given a chance they'll stray into the woods with a gun or chain saw, drive to the hardware store in a blizzard to buy sandpaper, or climb up on the roof to fix shingles. A grumpy old man will spend four hours and five dollars worth of gas driving from one store to another, trying to save $2 on a $19.95 circular-saw blade. "I remember when you could get one of these for $3.95," he complains, as if it were your and your generation's fault.
From the November 2006 issue #158
Buy this issue now


text:
Hi people! How things going?
This doubt is kinda lame but i just dont figured it out..how can i create a costum .bat file?
I have several .exe apps that run trough command line, so, what i whanted is to create a .bat file that allows me to directly jump towards the app whitout having to open the command prompt and type the dir to it..
Thats one purpose, and the other is..
Have an .exe app that only runs .zip files trough a GUI, whant i whanted was to creat a shortcut of that .zip file so that when i click it it will "fire up" the app without the need of open it manualy and selecting the zip..
Can all this be done with a .bat file?
Cheers to u all!


text:
A proposal to authorize random drug tests for state employees has come back to life, after a last-minute measure to rescue the dying bill before the casket closed on Wednesday.
A House spokesperson confirmed that Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, has made a motion to reconsider the bill. That procedure is a lifeline for measures that have failed to pass their committees. The motion is curious, because Rep. Hukill originally voted against the drug-testing proposal, joining other Republicans in a bi-partisan defeat of the bill in the House Budget Committee.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, the bill (HB 1205) has the support of Gov. Rick Scott but faces some fundamental questions over constitutionality.
Hukill's flip on the measure raises a question around the halls of the Capitol. Who called the audible?
Here's our original blog on the bill's failure this morning, after the break:
Bill to allow random drug tests of state workers dies in Budget committee
A bill that would have allowed random drug tests for state workers died in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, the bill (HB 1205) faced bi-partisan opposition on grounds that it violated the Constitution and would invite more lawsuits for a state already swimming in litigation.
"If I think if something is blatantly unconstitutional, I have a duty to vote against it," said Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West.
Republican Reps. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater and Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, were among Republicans who joined Democrats to vote down the measure.
The bill was a priority of Gov. Rick Scott and is the latest Republican-leadership initiative to fail this year. On Wednesday, several Republican Senators joined Democrats to vote down a massive prison privatization plan.
Critics of the bill called it Constitutionally weak, because the Supreme Court has already ruled that random, suspicionless drug test by the government constitute a violation of the fourth amendment, which covers unreasonable search and seizure.
"Unless it's changed, I won't be able to vote for it" on the House floor, said Rep. Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, who voted for the bill in committee. "I think it's an invasion of privacy."
The bill's failure deals a blow to the unprecedented Republican-led crackdown against drugs and those who use them in Florida.
It comes after last year's measure to require those receiving unemployment benefits to take drug tests in order to qualify. That measure led to a lawsuit still tied up in court.
The same committee did advance a measure that would disqualify those convicted of drug-related felonies from receiving federal temporary cash assistance, unless they complete a rehab program. That measure also faced criticism from Democrats.
"This reminds me of a further attack on the unemployed, on the low-income," said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, who voted against the measure. "I favor rehabilitation…. But we have systems in place."


text:
NEWTOWN, Conn. – The gunman who slaughtered 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school may have snapped because his mother was planning to commit him to a psychiatric facility, according to a lifelong resident of the area who was familiar with the killer's family and several of the victims' families.
Adam Lanza, 20, targeted Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown after killing his mother early Friday because he believed she loved the school "more than she loved him," said Joshua Flashman, 25, who grew up not far from where the shooting took place. Flashman, a U.S. Marine, is the son of a pastor at an area church where many of the victims' families worship.
"From what I've been told, Adam was aware of her petitioning the court for conservatorship and (her) plans to have him committed," Flashman told FoxNews.com. "Adam was apparently very upset about this. He thought she just wanted to send him away. From what I understand, he was really, really angry. I think this could have been it, what set him off."
A senior law enforcement official involved in the investigation confirmed that Lanza's anger at his mother over plans for "his future mental health treatment" is being looked at as a possible motive for the deadly shooting.
Teacher: 'All I heard was pop, pop, pop. It wasn't stopping'
Search for motive in Sandy Hook tragedy
6-year-old Connecticut shooting victim died in arms of teacher's aide, family says
Cerberus to Unload Maker of Gun Used in Sandy Hook Massacre
Rpt.: Fear of being committed may have caused shooting
Victims in Connecticut school shooting
Stop school shootings by letting teachers fire back, say Texas officials
Washington reacts to school shooting
Dr. Manny: Don't jump to hasty conclusions about Newtown shooter
What do we do about violent evil?
Flashman was told Nancy Lanza had begun filing paperwork to get conservatorship over her troubled son, but that could not be confirmed because a court official told FoxNews.com such records are sealed. The move would have been necessary for her to gain the legal right to commit an adult to a hospital or psychiatric facility against his will. A competency hearing had not yet been held.
Adam Lanza attended the Sandy Hook School as a boy, according to Flashman, who said Nancy Lanza had volunteered there for several years. Two law enforcement sources said they believed Nancy Lanza had been volunteering with kindergartners at the school. Most of Lanza's victims were first graders sources believe Nancy Lanza may have worked with last year.
Flashman said Nancy Lanza was also good friends with the school's principal and psychologist—both of whom were killed in the shooting rampage.
"Adam Lanza believed she cared more for the children than she did for him, and the reason he probably thought this [was the fact that] she was petitioning for conservatorship and wanted to have him committed," Flashman said. "I could understand how he might perceive that—that his mom loved him less than she loved the kids, loved the school. But she did love him. But he was a troubled kid and she probably just couldn't take care of him by herself anymore."
The Washington Post reported that the distraught mother had considered moving with her son to Washington state, where she had found a school she thought could help him. Either way, according to Flashman, Nancy Lanza was at her wit's end.
A separate neighborhood source also told FoxNews.com that Nancy Lanza had come to the realization she could no longer handle her son alone. She was caring for him full-time, but told friends she needed help. She was planning to have him involuntarily hospitalized, according to the source, who did not know if she had taken formal steps.
Multiple sources told FoxNews.com Adam Lanza suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and unspecified mental and emotional problems.
Adam Lanza has also been described by those who knew him as highly intelligent, and a spokesman for Western Connecticut State University told The Associated Press he took college classes there when he was 16, earning a 3.26 grade point average and excelling at a computer course.
Alan Diaz, 20, who was friends with Adam Lanza at Newtown High School, said the Lanza he knew was ill-at-ease socially, but not a monster.
"He was a wicked smart kid," Diaz told FoxNews.com by email. "When I first met him, he wouldn't even look at you when you tried to talk to him. Over the year I knew him, he became used to me and my other friends, he eventually could have full conversations with us.
"I've heard him laugh, he has even comforted me once in a hard time I had," Diaz said. "A big part of me wishes I never dropped contact with him after he left high school, felt like I could have done something."
Flashman said nobody will completely understand why Adam did what he did.
"No one can explain Adam Lanza besides God and Adam Lanza, and I don't even think Adam Lanza could explain Adam Lanza, to be honest with you."


text:
Education and Social/Behavioral Science
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of individuals participating as subjects in its research. The ED/SBS IRB office is home to an Institutional Review Board (IRB) charged with reviewing human subjects research. The ED/SBS IRB reviews all human research protocols in accordance with federal regulations, state laws, and local and University policies. The IRB is composed of members from various disciplines within the education, social, and behavioral sciences as well as community members.


text:
Highgrove Latex 3000 Double 4'6" Mattress
The Highgrove Latex 3000 Mattress is a luxury 3000 Pocket Spring foam encapsulated mattress, with a natural latex top layer, with a bamboo fabric covering to help keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Bamboo yarn is a natural antibacterial deodoriser and is softer, stronger and three times more adsorbent than cotton which will ensure you mattress retains its luxurious feel.
Highgrove only use a unique natural latex based product which is manufactured from the sap of tropical rubber trees. Latex is a sustainable product resulting in significantly lower CO2 emissions compared to other traditional mattress manufacturing materials. Latex gives you superb ventilation, excellent elasticity and perfect body support while you sleep. The Highgrove Latex 3000 mattress is also hypoallergenic and anti-fungal and comes with a Highgrove 10 year guarantee. This is a non-turn mattress with a Medium firmness rating.
Standard Double Dimensions:
Length: 190cm / 6'3"
Width: 135cm / 4'6"
|Lead Times
|1-2 Weeks
Highgrove Latex 3000 Double 4'6" Mattress
- Brand: Highgrove Beds
- Product Code: INS300046
- £949.00


text:
Teachers across Alachua County have been concerned about the preliminary evaluations after they received the appraisals Friday.
Kelly Moore has students from all grades pass through her library.
As a media specialist at Littlewood Elementary, she does not prepare students for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Yet students' performance on the statewide assessment still affected her teacher evaluation for the 2011-2012 school year, which determined she "needs improvement."
"Needs improvement is like an F," she said.
Teachers across Alachua County have expressed concern about the preliminary evaluations after they received the appraisals Friday.
Many teachers have taken issue with the use of the value-added model, or VAM, which uses student test scores and accounts for 40 percent of the appraisal.
Teachers and union officials have questioned the validity of using the data the way the data is being used, particularly the way teachers who do not teach FCAT grades are evaluated.
By state law, VAM data has to be used in calculating a teacher's final appraisal. The model is intended to determine whether a teacher added any value or knowledge to a student through a school year.
While teachers are stirring over the topic, district officials are working to revise the methodology before the final numbers are submitted in January.
Karen McCann, president of the Alachua County Education Association, said she has received hundreds of emails and phone calls from distraught teachers.
Many expressed concern about job security, as state law holds that if they are rated unsatisfactory two consecutive years or two out of three years, they may be placed on an annual contract and possibly terminated.
Irby Elementary School's Teacher of the Year Kim Cook took to Facebook to show her displeasure with her unsatisfactory appraisal.
She posted a photo of her holding a sign that reads "Unsatisfactory?" while standing in front of her school's sign, which touts her as Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Dan Boyd said Tuesday that teachers need not worry because the district is working to run the data in other ways that will produce better results for teachers, adding that he felt the initial results were a result of poor planning by the state.
"This is another half-baked scheme out of Tallahassee affecting the teacher profession," he said.
At Tuesday night's board meeting, Boyd publicly offered an apology to teachers for the stress and pledged to find a way to run the data in a way that will improve many evaluations and hurt none.
At Tuesday night's School Board meeting, Cook told the board she was pleased to hear the district's plan to make revisions but questioned why officials didn't see this coming.
"Why couldn't this have been done earlier?" she asked.
A teacher's appraisal is composed of three parts. The principal observes the teacher and assigns a grade that ranges from highly effective to unsatisfactory. This accounts for 40 percent of the overall appraisal.
For the lesson study, a group of teachers devises a lesson and critiques its effectiveness. This counts for 20 percent of the appraisal.
The last component is the value-added model score, which is tied to students' performance on the FCAT. It is 40 percent of the overall evaluation.
Kathy Hebda, deputy chancellor for educator quality for the Florida Department of Education, stood by VAM and said the implementation of the model was designed so that it would improve after the first year.
"There is no state out there that launches a new state evaluation system and it's perfect the first time," she said.
She said, according to data run by the state, teachers across the state had an equal chance of receiving a high or low VAM score.
Districts had the responsibility to address the issue of what to do with teachers who do not teach students who take the FCAT. In Alachua County, officials decided last year to use schools' reading VAM data to factor into the evaluation for teachers of non-FCAT students.
Deputy Superintendent Sandy Hollinger said the district made this decision because of the importance of reading in all other subjects. Now, she said the district is looking at its options for revision.
"What we're looking at is some statistical ways to be in compliance with the law," she said.
She emphasized that the district fully supports accountability, but it does not support the current implementation of the VAM.
McCann echoed Hollinger.
"Yes, we want accountability," she said. "It's just an unfair system."
Contact Joey Flechas at 338-3166 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
By Jill Serjeant
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Mad Men" returns to television on Sunday to find suave advertising executive Don Draper on a beach in Hawaii reading Dante's epic poem "Inferno."
That is about all the detail that Matthew Weiner, creator of the Emmy-winning 1960s-era drama, wants viewers to know ahead of the two-hour premiere of the sixth, penultimate season that he says is packed with more than its usual share of action.
Weiner, who is known for eschewing the plot leaks, trailers and teasers that promote most other TV shows, says the opening scenes capture the overall theme of the new season.
"This season is really an answer to the question (posed to Draper) at the end of last season - 'Are you alone?'," Weiner told Reuters.
"This season is about Don Draper's identity crisis and that of all the show's characters. ... It's not being caused because he is out of touch with society, or because he is old. This is his problem and society has caught up with him. The whole world is in the same state as Don Draper."
The last season of "Mad Men" ended in the spring of 1967 with enigmatic advertising genius Draper (Jon Hamm) newly married to his vivacious aspiring actress wife Megan (played by Jessica Pare), his protégé Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) departed for a rival outfit, and his New York firm on the brink of expanding after a tough financial year.
Just as the United States and much of the Western world was on the brink of big social and political upheaval in the late 1960s, so too are the characters of "Mad Men."
"Mad Men," broadcast in the United States on cable channel AMC, is credited with driving a new era of smart, complex drama on both cable and network television since it first appeared in 2007 and went on to win four Emmy awards for best drama series.
Yet for all its influence in reviving interest in 1960s fashion and design, Weiner says "Mad Men" has never been just a history lesson or even merely a character study but rather a way of using the past to illustrate the present.
"I always use the historical events to illuminate the issues of the characters," said Weiner, who was a philosophy and history major in college. "Don comes first, and Don comes from me and where I am in my life and what I think is going on in the world."
"What I am feeling right now is that the economic and political situation in the year the show is set and right now are very different from each other. But there is a similar sense of identity being adrift," he added, noting current anxiety over job security and advances in technology that sometimes appear to separate rather than unite people.
If that sounds a lot to digest in a TV show, Weiner says he hopes viewers will allow each episode to "marinate" in their minds, rather than watching several episodes in "binge-viewing" sessions.
And for those who thrive on the slow-burning drama that has characterized past "Mad Men" seasons, Weiner promises plenty of action this year as the series begins to draw to a close.
"There are a lot of events and plot and a lot of exciting things that happen based on Don's personality, his impulsiveness. Some of it comes from goodness some of it comes from childishness.
"Some people say it's a soap opera - I don't consider it an insult. If that's the genre, they are really going to enjoy this year. If I was in the audience I would be happy the way the show turns out," he said.
Weiner has long said that he plans to end the story with Season 7, due to be broadcast in 2014.
"I don't know if it's enough (time) for me to finish telling the story but I do not want to overstay my welcome. The longer you do a show the harder it gets ... and I don't want to repeat myself," he said.
The series' unbroken run of Emmy wins was halted in September 2012 when psychological thriller "Homeland" swept the TV industry's most coveted award as best drama series and drama actor and actress.
Weiner said the goal of "Mad Men" had never been to win trophies, but the loss was disappointing for the entire cast and crew just as filming for Season 6 was beginning.
"An award is literally a gift that comes from outside ... But I am a human being and I am always, always sure we are not going to win, and I did not know it would feel that bad (to lose). The fact that we won ever is a shock to me."
(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)


text:
Copyright, 1999, ------ State Historical Society. All rights reserved. Reproduction, storage or transmittal of this work, or any part of it, in any form or by any means, for commercial purposes, is prohibited without prior authorization of the ------ State Historical Society. This work may be used for scholarly and other non-commercial use provided that the ------ State Historical Society is acknowledged as the creator and copyright holder.You are confused, how did the State Historical Society gain copyright ownership to your family photograph? What is more important, how did the State Historical Society become the creator of the works in its collection? Do you have to acknowledge the State Historical Society's claim if you copy the photo? What if you use the photo in a book about your family you intend to sell?
I must note that I did not make up the notice quoted above, I have merely removed the name of the state to avoid getting a nasty letter from the Society's attorney. Interestingly, the same photographs also have this additional notice prominently displayed on the same page:
The ------ Collection is the physical property of the ------ Historical Society, ------. Literary rights, including copyright, may belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns. Please contact the Historical Society for information regarding specific use of this collection.This type of notice appended to historical documents and photographs is not uncommon. Does the fact that the collection is the "physical property" of the Historical Society have any bearing on the issue of copyright ownership? If the copyrights, in fact and if they exist, "belong to the authors or their heirs and assigns" how did the Historical Society gain their "all rights reserved" status?
I am aware of several large collections where the copyright is claimed on documents that did not originate with the claimant. In fact, a copyright claim is personal property. A copyright can be bought and sold, leased and rented, just like any other item of personal property. But it is "personal" to the author or creator of the work. Copyright claims, although assignable, do not arise merely out of possession of the copyrighted work. If this were true, when you purchased a copyrighted book, you would assume some or all of the copyright protection given to the author.
This whole issue is basically out of control in our society. The length of the present copyright interest entirely defeats the whole purpose for establishing copyright protection in the first place, that is, to protect the author but also to ensure innovation and invention. Article One, Section Eight of the United States Constitution states, "The Congress shall have Power ... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." The reason for the provision was to promote progress. How is progress promoted by the length of the current copyright law? How is the "progress of science and the useful arts" promoted by institutions making unsupportable and illegal copyright claims?


text:
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text:
The ZOOM site can't accept any more of your wonderful stuff.
We do want to send out a big ZOOMy thank you to the almost 6 million kids like you who've sent in your ideas, poems, plays, games, recipes, reviews, science experiments and embarrassing moments over the last 13 years!!!! We couldn't have ZOOMed without YOU!
The ZOOM site isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's still full of tons of hands-on activities sent in by kids for kids. Plus, it's still the place to play some of your favorite online games.
So, C'mon and ZOOM!!!
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text:
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text:
|This article documents API changes made in patch 3.2.0.
← API change summaries
Development Tools Edit
- The default UI now contains versions of some popular (I may be biassed) tools for UI developers - /dump, /eventtrace, /framestack, and /reload [1]
Saved Instances Edit
- updated GetSavedInstanceInfo(index) -- added two bools to return: instanceIDMostSig, isRaid[1]
- updated GetInstanceLockTimeRemaining() -- Added Bool isPreviousInstance to return (part of the extend instance stuff) [1]
Quest Difficulty Edit
Functions Edit
- removed GetDifficutlyColor(level) -- Replaced by GetQuestDifficultyColor(level) [3]
- new GetQuestDifficultyColor(level) -- exact replacement for GetDifficutlyColor(level) [3]
Arrays Edit
Not sure of where these arrays live (global? FrameUI? QuestUI?), but this very subtle change broke several addons, so it's being included here
- removed "QuestDifficultyColor" array -- Replaced by "QuestDifficultyColors" array
- new "QuestDifficultyColors"array -- exact replacement for "QuestDifficultyColor" array
Unit Functions Edit
- updated or removed UnitIsPlusMob(unitID) -- (not 100% sure, but believed to have been removed)
Quest Maps Edit
There's support for points of interest on the map associated with quests, the API functions are:
- new QuestMapUpdateQuest(index) -- Is 'index' the normal quest log index? [1]
- new QuestMapGetQuestName(index) [1]
- new QuestMapGetPOIInfoForQuest(questIndex, poiIndex) [1]
Quest API Edit
- undocumented GetAbandonedQuestName()
- undocumented GetAbandonQuestItems()
- undocumented GetQuestLogSpellLink()
Spell Casting Edit
Casting Events Edit
Spell casting events and queries indicate whether enemy spells/channeling can be interrupted:
- new UNIT_SPELLCAST_INTERRUPTIBLE [1]
- new UNIT_SPELLCAST_NOT_INTERRUPTIBLE [1]
Casting Functions Edit
- updated UnitCastingInfo(unit) -- added interrupt result [1]
- updated UnitChannelInfo(unit) -- added interrupt result [1]
Calendar Functions Edit
- updated CalendarGetDayEvent()
- new CalendarGetDayEventSequenceInfo()
Mail functions Edit
- updated GetInboxNumItems() -- added totalItems
Gamemaster Functions Edit
- new GMResponseNeedMoreHelp(text)
Loot Trading/Refunding Edit
- new END_REFUND -- triggered when a returnable item's refund period ends (or maybe would end if action performed?) [1]
- new END_BOUND_TRADEABLE -- Not 100% sure of this is the right event name [1]
- new EndBoundTradeable(someVar) -- inferred from staticPopupDialogs.lua [1]
- new GetSocketItemBoundTradeable() [4]
Other Information Edit
- new GetPlayerInfoByGUID("guid") - Returns basic information about another player from their GUID [1]
- new FillLocalizedClassList(table, boolean)
- new IsXPUserDisabled()
- new CanQueueForWintergrasp()
- updated IsFlyableArea() -- updated to work properly in dalaran (returning 1 in Karsus landing) [5]
Other Useful Events Edit
Combatlog Events Edit
- updated COMBAT_LOG_EVENT
ChatLog Events Edit
- new UPDATE_CHAT_COLOR_NAME_BY_CLASS [4]
Inventory Events Edit
- new EQUIPMENT_SWAP_FINISHED [1]
Unit Events Edit
- new UNIT_DISSIPATES
GameMaster Events Edit
Battlefield Events Edit
- new BATTLEFIELD_MGR_QUEUE_REQUEST_RESPONSE
- new BATTLEFIELD_MGR_QUEUE_INVITE
- new BATTLEFIELD_MGR_ENTRY_INVITE
- new BATTLEFIELD_MGR_EJECT_PENDING
- new BATTLEFIELD_MGR_EJECTED
- new NPC_PVPQUEUE_ANYWHERE
Reputation Events Edit
- new ENABLE_XP_GAIN
- new DISABLE_XP_GAIN


text:
{but why?}
choosing faith when we don't understand
Put your shoes on ... But why?
Time to eat dinner ... But why?
Don't squeeze the dog ... But why?
I must admit, it was cute — at first. But after my two-and-a-half year old nephew's 17th "But why?" my patience shriveled. I snapped. "Why? Because I said so ... THAT'S why!"
Moments later, it dawned on me: I wasn't much different than my nephew when it came to my relationship with God. I had uttered the repeated question to heaven in the midst of life's circumstances:
My friend's mom was diagnosed with cancer ... But why God?
Dear friends have endured 10 unsuccessful years trying to get pregnant ... But why God?
My former pastor was in a terrible accident paralyzing him from the waist down ... But why God?
Sometimes it's hard to understand why God allows certain things. It's difficult to fathom why a loving God allows pain and suffering. Why doesn't He intervene? Why doesn't He do something?
Why ... why ... why?
Honestly, I don't know why. The truth is, we may never know the answers to many of our 'why' questions. A hard reality to swallow; but if we're going to continue on the journey of faith, we have to be okay not knowing.
Yet God doesn't leave us hanging. He offers this comfort: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).
God asks us to lay down our need to understand why. It's not easy, but we can rest in the promise that when we surrender our need to know, His peace "...which surpasses all understanding," will guard us from being jaded by the world's darkness (Philippians 4:7). What a gift!
Feel like you're drowning in unfavorable circumstances? Do not lose hope in God's unwavering goodness and faithfulness. He is in ALL things — the good, the bad, the ugly — even when we don't understand the nitty gritty of it all. Make the choice to trust in His ways, which are higher than ours, remembering that His peace will cover your heart.
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Ali loves living back on the East Coast where she works as a full-time campus minister at her alma mater. She wakes up every day thanking God she's paid to do what she absolutely loves — helping young women discover their unique identity in Christ and live passionately for Him. Ali is the author of Entrusting the Key: From Serial Dating to Joyful Waiting and is working on her second book. For more on Ali, check out www.alismithonline.com.
Check in with Ali at She Seeks this week.
© 2011 by Ali Smith. All rights reserved.
For more devtionals like this one, check out Proverbs 31 Ministries


text: Student Profiles Ben Coquillette '08 Ben Coquillette '08 Major: English Hometown: Cleveland Heights, Ohio Why did you choose to come to Bowdoin? Towards the end of my high school experience, I became really interested in the issue of urban education. Growing up in the shadow of the city of Cleveland, which has really struggled recently with the loss of manufacturing jobs, high rates of poverty, crime, and a low (27%) high school graduation rate, I wanted, as an 18-year old, to be able to do something about it. One of the major authors who has written extensively about how to educate poor teenagers in big cities is Geoff Canada who, coincidentally, graduated from Bowdoin himself back in the '70s. He, in his writing, was always really high on the college and what his four years at Bowdoin meant for his life. Given that account of what a Bowdoin education could do for him, I really wanted that experience for myself. Although I'll be the first to admit Brunswick, Maine, is one of the last places you would think about in terms of studying big cities, I have to say it's worked out pretty well for me. Why did you choose your major? As a freshman, I really wanted to be a sociology major (there is no urban studies department at Bowdoin, and sociology was the closest thing I could find), because of my interest in what was going on around home. I also took a number of classes in the education and psychology departments before I eventually settled on being an English major. I think one of the things I enjoy the most about a liberal arts institution such as Bowdoin is that there really isn't any pressure to find your way to a career path or a set of pre-professional courses while you are here. I chose to be an English major because I liked the course offerings, and wanted the opportunity to read things like Lolita or Uncle Tom's Cabin that, although works of fiction, have had a very real impact on society. What has been a course you especially enjoyed at Bowdoin? Although I didn't do particularly well in it, I have to say my favorite class I've taken at Bowdoin is probably Intro to Literary Theory with Prof. David Collings. It was essentially a crash course in the different ways that academic critics look at literature. So we would spend a week with someone like Karl Marx, and try to interpret the world around us purely through a Marxian lens; focusing on means of production. Then the next week it would be the same project with a structuralist author, or a feminist author, post-colonial theory, or something like that. While it all sounds unnecessarily academic and complicated, I have to say that it really changed the way I look at the world. I think any class that challenges either the way you think about a specific issue, or the way you think in general, is really worthwhile. While Prof. Collings' class is probably the one that left my head spinning the most, I also really enjoyed Criminology and Criminal Justice with Prof. Janet Lohmann in the sociology department and The Arab-Israeli Conflict with Prof. Susan Tananbaum in the history department. Both of those had a lot to do with current political debates here in the United States, and I really liked how they made me think in new ways and see things from a perspective I hadn't really considered before. What professor or professors have especially inspired you during your time at Bowdoin? I've really enjoyed taking classes with professors that have a lot of personal and/or professional experience with the subject they teach. Prof. Barbara Held in the psychology department was really fun to listen to because of her extensive experience and body of written work about clinical psychology. I enjoyed taking a class in African history with Prof. David Gordon, because he has spent a lot of time on the continent and has personal stories that he can relate as part of the material. I also have a lot of respect for Prof. Craig McEwen in the sociology department because of his past experience in different forms of social research. It's always inspiring to me as a student to have professors who are really invested in the subject they teach. Have you engaged in any independent research while at Bowdoin? The last two semesters here I have spent working on various parts of a study of the Section 8 housing voucher program here in Brunswick. While it's not exactly an independent project for me personally (I've worked on it first as a part of a class, and then with three other students and Professor McEwen), it has still provided me with an opportunity to explore an issue with national significance right here in Brunswick. For those of you who aren't familiar with the bureaucracy of federal housing agencies, Section 8 is a national program designed to help low-income families find adequate, affordable housing in the communities in which they live and work. Our research project centered around interviewing families on the waiting list for these vouchers, and determining how well they managed to survive without the assistance. While I will spare you the details here, I would encourage everyone to check out our preliminary report which was presented to Maine's two U.S. Senators back in April. Either search for "Section 8" on the Bowdoin College Web site (it should be the first search result) or click here. Tell your congressman. What extracurricular or work experiences have you had at Bowdoin? I've spent four years here on the varsity Bowdoin sailing and track and field teams. I also ran track in high school, and it was really nice to have the opportunity to continue that at the Division III level. Sailing was something that I had done a bit before coming to Bowdoin, but I was able to pick up competitively when I got here. My other pursuits have involved spending four semesters with a radio show on WBOR, and being a two-time intramural hockey champion. What have you done during your summers? I've spent the last three years teaching sailing at a yacht club on the west side of Cleveland. It's been an opportunity to put my newfound college sailing experience to work, and it pays you to spend your days outside on a boat in the sun. I've also found time to intern at a money-management firm in downtown Cleveland and an injection-molding plastics factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What is your best Bowdoin memory? Like everybody says, it's hard to pick just one. Something that jumps out in my head as an example might be my freshman year, when I got to go to a sailing regatta in Larchmont, New York. College sailing is done almost entirely in small 14-foot dinghies, but in this particular case, members at the Larchmont Yacht Club had donated their big 40-something-foot ones for a weekend. It was a really long drive, but we got to sail in some great wind out on Long Island Sound, within pretty easy view of the New York City skyline, in a really expensive high-performance boat. It was pretty cool. There are at least a million other things I could have picked though. What are your plans for after graduation? My most immediate plan is returning to the CYC sailing program for one final summer as an assistant director. After that I don't have anything figured out. One of the advantages of a liberal arts education is you have a lot of opportunities, the problem is that eventually you do actually have to choose something. What advice would you give to a prospective student or first-year about the Bowdoin experience? I would really encourage anyone who doesn't already play a sport to pick up something like sailing, or rugby, or crew, something they don't normally offer as a high school program. Those teams tend to always be looking for people and it can be a lot of fun. Plus, the upperclassmen on any sports team are really an invaluable resource in terms of helping you balance academic, athletic, and social pressures. You should also try playing intramural hockey at least once, even if you can't skate. In fact, I should say especially if you can't skate, because there will be plenty of other people who can't and it's a whole lot of fun. What quirky or fun thing did you wish you knew before you came to Bowdoin? I really wish I had some idea of what was awaiting me in Bowdoin track and field team meetings. Coach Slovenski is a great track coach, and I have to credit him for teaching me a lot of things, both athletically and personally, but what is singularly outstanding about him is the ridiculous stunts he comes up with to keep us entertained. From the "infractions" to inter-team water fights, jump rope contests, and Nerf wars, I don't think I'm ever going to have another experience exactly like that. Story posted on May 15, 2008 « Back | More Student Profiles | Go to News Home


text:
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Residents still angry over a southern Idaho police officer's fatal shooting of a lunging pet dog launched an effort Tuesday to recall the mayor and other leaders of the tiny city of Filer, days after the officer returned to the force.
Officer Tarek Hassani returned to his regular patrol shift on Saturday, two months after the shooting that another police agency called justified, the Twin Falls Times-News reported (http://bit.ly/1jrM2jV ).
After the shooting, officials in the city of just over 2,500 people held public hearings but decided to keep Hassani on the force. That angered some residents, who accused officials of not doing enough. Petitions to recall Mayor Rick Dunn and all four City Council members were filed Tuesday.
Dunn told The Associated Press that residents have every right to seek a recall. He didn't speculate on whether the attempt to oust him would be successful.
"I think they're going to do their best to make the recall work," he said. "They only needed 20 (signatures) to start the process, and they've gotten that far."
Recall organizers gathered 20 signatures for each city leader's recall petition, a procedural step that triggers an official drive. That gives organizers 75 days to try to get a larger amount of signatures, a required 201 per official. That figure is 20 percent of the number of voters registered in the last city election. If Twin Falls County approves the petitions, the city will hold a recall election.
Hassani was placed on administrative leave shortly after he shot and killed a 7-year-old black Labrador named Hooch on Feb. 8. The officer responded to a call of dogs running loose at a home in Filer when two of the animals began to circle him. Video taken by a police dashboard-mounted camera shows Hooch and another dog barking at the officer and sometimes lunging toward him. Hassani kicked at Hooch before shooting him.
The dog's death launched protests and fiery testimony at Filer City Council meetings, where many residents called for Hassani's firing. An investigation by the Police Department of Nampa, about 150 miles northwest of Filer, found the shooting was justified. But the independent inquiry questioned why the officer didn't stay in his vehicle, call the owner of the dogs or call for backup.
A phone number for Hassani could not be located.
Mark Deaton, a former longtime Filer resident, told the newspaper that he and others were concerned that there was no warning when the officer returned to work.
"What we found out through this whole ordeal is no officers in Idaho get any kind of training in aggressive dog handling," he said.
Filer officials have scheduled an eight-hour training session on how to deal with aggressive dogs for May 3. It will be required for Filer police, and officers from other towns also plan to attend.
Officers have had to escort people off Hassani's property since the shooting, Dunn said. The mayor said he's received death threats but that he didn't take them very seriously.
But it upset him that people across the country were getting a negative perceptive of his town based on the incident, Dunn said.
"I hate to see that," he said. "Filer is a nice town: We have good staff, good people here. Give Filer a little more credit than this."
Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com


text:
This is always the time of year when I'm so busy documenting incredible stories that it's hard to find time to share them, but my giant mug of coffee and I will work to show Jenny and Jerry's gorgeous wedding. I processed this with VSCO 4, which was released today. Don't worry, I don't have nearly enough hipster in me to make any money off your VSCO purchases. But they've been doing some fantastic stuff over there with a killer iPhone app, and I've always like slide film, so I thought I'd give it a try. This was Astia 100F (one of my favorite films), modified with only the stuff from their toolkit.
And thankfully I didn't have to shoot and scan 53 slides of Astia to make this.
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: 53-image "Brenizer method" panorama with the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G (equivalent of 28mm f/0.45 according to Brett's calculator)


text:
|San Jose, Costa Rica
|High School:
|Liceo Laboratorio
JUNIOR (2011): Turned in another solid season for Santa Clara, playing and starting in all but one game ... his 1,593 minutes played ranked sixth on the team ... part of an outstanding Bronco backline which posted nine shutouts ... helped Santa Clara get off to a 6-1-3 start and earn a national ranking of No. 18 ... the Broncos posted wins over Stanford (Aug. 27), No. 14 Cal (Sept. 16) and tied No. 6 UCLA (Sept. 2) ... SCU also won five straight games to close out the season to challenge for the WCC title ... they finished with the league's best overall record, 11-5-4.
SOPHOMORE (2010): Made an immediate impact at Santa Clara helping the Broncos win the 2010 WCC Championship ... started in all but two of the team's final 19 games, missing one with injury ... played 1,612 minutes, which ranked fourth on the team ... was highly praised by head coach Cameron Rast on his play as the Broncos' center defender.
COLLEGE: Attended the International University of the Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2009-10 … played with the exclusive U-21 Barrio Mexico club program … team captain on the U-21 national championship team, claiming the Alto Rendimiento Division title ... decided to transfer to Santa Clara, beginning in the fall quarter of 2010.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Liceo Laboratorio, focusing on science … played with the Municipal Tibas club team … won the Asociación Nacional de Futbol (ANAFA) U-18 championship with Tibas … selected team captain.
PERSONAL: Son of Victor Romero and Carmen Castro … three older siblings, Daniel, Adrian and Claudia … plans to study computer science and engineering at Santa Clara … majoring in Computer Engineering.


text:
This is a guest article by Mike Collins, creator of Wealthyturtle.com. He shares with us how he and his wife decided to become a single-income family, and he offers some useful advice for those struggling with the same decision.
Most new parents will at least consider the idea of living on a single income so one parent can stay home with the kids. But is this a realistic idea or just a pipe dream?
It's a question my wife and I dealt with when we first started to build our family and it wasn't an easy decision. In the end we decided that my wife would quit her job and we would find a way to make it work.
I'm not going to lie to you. It involved a lot of sacrifices and there have been times when we questioned whether or not we made the right decision. But ultimately I'm glad we did things the way we did.
How it happened
First, let me tell you a little about our situation and how we made our decision. Then, I'll give you some tips about making the right choice for you and your family.
Way back in 2004, my wife and I were expecting our first child. Initially we figured both of us would continue to work. The plan was for my mother-in-law to watch the baby a few times a week and then we would find a babysitter to fill in the rest of the time. But my mother-in-law started having health issues and we realized that she wouldn't be able to take care of a baby even for a few days a week.
We considered hiring a babysitter for the entire week, but the cost was just too much. When we ran the numbers and compared child care costs with my wife's salary, we realized she'd only be bringing home a few hundred dollars a month. Most of the time she'd be working to pay a babysitter and that didn't make a lot of sense to us.
Financial impact led to sacrifice
Meanwhile, I could tell my wife really wanted to stay home, and I leaned that way, too. My main concern was the financial impact of living on only one income. At the time she was earning almost as much as I was so losing her salary would effectively cut our income in half. Further complicating matters was the fact that we had just bought our first house. The monthly payment that we made comfortably on two salaries would become a heavy burden on one income.
Related: Learning to Live on One Income (By Choice)
Despite our financial concerns, we decided that my wife would quit her job. The years that followed involved a lot of sacrifices (skipping vacations, me driving a beat up old car with no air conditioning, falling into debt, constant stress about money), but we pulled through it together.
Of course, just because it worked out for us doesn't mean that you should follow our example. If you're thinking about becoming a single-income family to stay home with your kids, there are a few steps you need to take before deciding if it is doable.
Calculate Your Expenses
The first step in determining whether or not you can realistically afford to stay home with your kids is to add up all of your expenses to see exactly how much you'll need to live on. Start by listing fixed expenses such as your mortgage or rent payment, utilities, car payments, student loans, and insurance.
Next, add in other monthly expenses such as food, clothing, gas, and entertainment expenses. You'll also need to add in credit card payments and any other regular debt payments you make.
It's a good idea to leave a decent cushion to cover miscellaneous and unexpected expenses that can and will pop up. And don't forget that a new baby comes home with all sorts of new expenses of his own. Hospital bills can be shocking, and even the cost of diapers often surprises new parents who underestimated the cost of raising kids.
While you're calculating your expenses, you should take a good, hard look at your spending habits. We all have money leaks that slowly drain our budget, and now is a good time to seal them up. Prioritize what matters most to you because choices are inevitable if you want to live on one income. You may have to settle for dining out less or downsizing your vacations for a few years.
Learn More: Travel Rewards Credit Cards — Get More Vacation for Your Money
Figure Out What You'll Save By Not Working
Many people forget this side of the equation, but you might be surprised at how much money you can save by not going to work. No more gas and tolls to get back and forth from work. Less wear and tear on the car means it will last longer, too. And you won't need to spend as much on clothes, dry cleaning, lunches, or your morning coffee for the ride to the office.
And then there are child care costs. If you have a family member who lives nearby and is willing to watch your little one, consider yourself lucky. If not, you'd have to pay a babysitter or nanny to watch your kids while you worked. Obviously rates vary from one region to another, but in my area the going rate for an experienced babysitter is $12 to $15 an hour. For a nine-hour day (don't forget to add in commuting time) a babysitter could cost you between $500 and $700 a week.
Don't Forget the Long-Term Costs
In addition to the affect on your family's monthly balance sheet, the decision to become a stay-at-home parent will also have long-term consequences. You'll have less money to throw into savings and investments. You'll miss out on employer 401(k) contributions and your Social Security benefits may be reduced since you'll have contributed less to your account.
When the time comes when you're ready to re-enter the work force, you may have a hard time. Your skills will likely be a bit rusty and you may find yourself at a disadvantage. And since you've been out of work and obviously not receiving annual salary increases, you'll probably end up earning less than you would if you had continued working.
Resource: 33 Great Work-From-Home Jobs (That are Legitimate)
It's Not Just About Money
In the end, after all your calculations are complete and you've gone over all the numbers again and again…it's not all about the money. While some women can't wait to get back to the work routine after having a baby, others just can't resist the maternal pull and feel an intense need to stay home. And knowing that your kids are being raised at home by a loving parent can give the income-provider a certain peace of mind as well.
What if you are committed to being a stay-at-home parent, but you've run the numbers and you don't think you can afford to do it? It's time to get creative and find a way to make it work!
My wife and I knew that we couldn't afford to pay all of our bills on my salary alone, so we looked for other ways to supplement our income. My wife did some babysitting to earn extra money and also tried direct sales through Party Lite Candles. When that didn't work out, she got her real estate agent's license. Of course just as she got her license the real estate bubble burst, but she did have one successful deal.
Meanwhile, I got a part-time job at Babies'R'Us for a while to make extra money (and take advantage of the company discount). I also started building websites and blogs on the side.
Do It, Too: How to Start Your Own Online Business or Blog
Flash forward a few years and we're a lot more stable than we were back then, though there were certainly some sacrifices along the way. It can be frustrating at times to watch your friends traveling and doing things that you can't afford, but in the end I do feel we made the right decision for our family.
Have you and your spouse thought about keeping one parent at home, or even taken the plunge? How do you feel that decision impacted your family and finances?
Updated January 26, 2017 and originally published January 25, 2017.


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I can't believe I've had this PDF sitting on my hard drive for quite awhile and haven't shared it with you yet! Thanks to fellow curator Gregg Morris for reminding me I had this excellent file:
CSR--Corporate Social Responsibility. What does that have to do with storytelling? Everything! Because it's really about how to effectively build your business reputation with stories.
Read this well done PDF to discover how you can apply storytelling to building your brand and reputation. Just remember -- you've got to walk your talk for this to reallly work.
Go grab the PDF.
Via Dr. Karen Dietz


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University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame (IN): (#05-11-6901)
OCR conducted an investigation of the University of Notre Dame regarding its compliance with the regulatory requirements of Title IX of The Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) with respect to the University's policies and procedures, and their implementation, relating to sexual violence and other forms of sexual harassment. OCR conducted site visits in December 2010, January 2011 and April 2011, where it reviewed the University's policies and procedures and files related to sexual assault and harassment complaints. OCR also interviewed individuals familiar with the University's handling of sexual harassment complaints. OCR obtained an agreement with the University in June 2011 to improve its policies and procedures relating to sexual harassment. In the agreement, the University agreed to 1) revise its policies and procedures to ensure that they provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of sexual harassment and sexual assault complaints; 2) provide training to students and staff on the revised policies and procedures; 3) assess the campus environment to continue to improve the effectiveness of its handling of sexual harassment complaints; and 4) assure that students who file complaints are aware of the options available to them and the resources and services available to them, including counseling services and academic support. OCR will monitor the University's actions in implementing the agreement. Read the Press Release | Read the Resolution Letter PDF (70K) | Read the Resolution Agreement PDF (73K)
Last Modified: 09/12/2012


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Funeral services for Vida Clifton are scheduled at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in the Craddock Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Brad Clifton officiating. Interment will follow in Lone Grove Cemetery.
She was born Nov. 3, 1922, in Dundee, Oklahoma, to Ezra Daniel and Della Mae Throneberry Parker. She passed this life on Jan. 28, 2013, in Ardmore.
She married John Walton Clifton on Sept. 21, 1938, in Lone Grove, Okla. Mrs. Clifton was a volunteer for numerous years at the Carter County Free Fair where she helped with registration. She attended the Lone Grove Assembly of God Church.
She is survived by her three sons, Derle Gene Clifton and his wife, Sharon of Tulsa, Okla., John Clifton Jr. and his wife, Frances of Springer, Okla., and Terry Clifton and his wife, Sandra of Lone Grove, Okla.; three brothers, E.D. Parker of Bristow, Okla., Lloyd Parker and Coy Parker, both of Ft. Worth, Texas; two sisters, Evelyn McRee of Stockton, Calif., and Marvel Morrow of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Debby Phelps and husband, John, Nicole McConnell and husband, Danny, Mark Clifton, Brad Clifton and wife, Lainey, and Amy Miguel and husband, Chris; greatgrandchildren, Kristin, Kylie, Blake, Faith and Rebecca.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Walton Clifton; brothers, Leonard and Ezret Parker; and sisters, Neva Morgan and Jean Gilbert.


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By Isaac Hopkins and Jenny Beth Dyess
According to the United Nations, access to reliable and sufficient sources of energy will be critical to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing poverty and hunger by 2015. Many of the world's poorest people are rural farmers with no connections to power grids or large-scale energy sources. Most of their day-to-day energy currently comes from the burning of wood and charcoal, practices that contribute to air pollution, deforestation, and the loss of precious time and energy collecting firewood.
Today, Nourishing the Planet introduces five sources of renewable energy that are meeting the demands of poor farmers and allowing them to improve their harvests and their lives.
1. Solar Energy: Solar energy is widely harvested in two basic ways. The first is the use of solar panels, which use photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation directly into electrical current. Such installations are efficient and versatile but have high start-up costs. The second is solar heating, which harnesses the heat of direct sunlight to boil water and cook food, activities which often constitute more than 25 percent of a household's energy use.
Solar Energy in Action: The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a non-profit organization that is working in more than 20 countries to install solar energy systems in rural and poor areas. One of their projects is an innovative drip-irrigation system in Benin that is powered by photovoltaics. Farmers are able to grow crops throughout the long dry season, greatly improving their food security, and SELF hopes to provide solar-powered water and lighting for all 44 villages in the district.
Solar Household Energy, Inc. (SHE) provides rural farmers, often women, with solar cookers, called HotPots, and the training to use them effectively. These cookers are less expensive than photovoltaic arrays, and can heat to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to boil beans. Nearly all of Africa, and much of southern Asia and Latin America, are considered prime locations for using the ovens, with plenty of sunshine. One project in Chad decreased household wood usage by up to 40 percent in only two months.
2. Wind Energy: Small-scale wind turbines typically have capacities up to several hundred kilowatts (kW), which in some cases is enough to power an entire village. Wind power can often be used in regions where solar is less effective, and can generate power at night or during storms. This makes wind energy a viable way to generate energy, and an excellent complement to a solar system.
Wind Energy in Action: The organization Practical Action helps provide many forms of renewable energy to poor residents of Asia and Africa, and they have several projects based on wind energy. They have helped villages in Sri Lanka install a wind turbine that provides electricity for the entire community. This has had benefits beyond simple access to power. Villagers pooled their resources to install and manage the turbine, they received technical education from Practical Action and as a result a number of steady jobs are created. Installing a local turbine also means people no longer have to travel long distances and pay large amounts to recharge batteries that they regularly use.
3. Biogas: Biogas can be an excellent source of free, renewable energy for poor farmers. Biogas is mostly methane that is released from any organic matter that is decaying in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be captured from animal manure, vegetable scraps, and even human waste, and used as a clean source of energy. The sludge leftover from biogas can be used as safe organic compost because pathogens that may be harmful to humans have been inactivated by the heat.
Biogas in Action: A project run by the International Fund for Agricultural Development has been changing farmer's lives in rural China. Farmers in Fada, a village in China's Guangxi province, each built their own plants to channel waste from household toilets and nearby shelters for animals into a sealed tank. As the waste ferments, gas is captured and used in cooking. Forests are being protected because pressure for firewood has been reduced, saving 56,000 tons of firewood per year. Over five years, area farmers increased tea production from 400 to 2,500 kilograms a day and average income in the village quadrupled to more than $1 per day.
4. Micro Hydropower: Micro hydroelectric power is different from typical hydroelectric power because it doesn't attempt to significantly interfere with the flow of the river. Typically rated at a maximum capacity of 300 kW hours, the micro hydro systems don't dam rivers, but instead divert a stream of water that flows downhill through a pipeline dropping into the turbine. The turbine then generates electricity which can be stored in batteries and transported to where villagers may need it most.
Micro Hydropower in Action: The Tungu-Kabri micro-hydro power project was the first of its kind in Kenya. Rural families in Kenya use at least one-third of their income on kerosene for lighting and diesel for the milling of grain. With funds from United Nations Development Programme and development assistance from Practical Action East Africa and the Kenyan Ministry of Energy, the village of Mbuiru built a micro hydropower system that generates about 18 kW hours of electricity and benefits about 1,000 people.
5. Biomass Briquettes: Biomass briquettes are made of readily available waste materials, including potato peals, banana peals, dry leaves, and paper that shredded and pounded together into a fuel briquette that burns longer and cleaner than charcoal.
Biomass Briquettes in Action: Charles Onyoni Onyando, a farmer with NEFSALF (Nairobi and Environs Food Security, Agriculture, and Livestock Forum), is helping provide this clean, long-lasting fuel to people in his own community. Charles collects waste from his neighbors and uses a crank-powered shredder to make the briquettes. Each briquette lasts six to seven hours and is enough to cook two kilograms of dried beans. Charles isn't just saving the environment, he's making a profit. To make one 70-80 kilogram bag (100-200 briquettes) costs him about 400 Kenyan shillings (5.34 USD) which he then sells for about twice that much.
The Legacy Foundation is providing training and support for briquette makers all over the world. They have ongoing partnerships with individuals, groups, and institutions in more than 30 countries. They are even selling kits to teach people in the U.S. how to heat their home by making briquettes out of junk mail!
To read more about farmers gaining access to energy in renewable ways, see: Innovation of the Week: Harnessing the Sun's Power to Make the Water Flow and Afterthought for some, daily struggle for others.
Isaac Hopkins and Jenny Beth Dyess are research interns with the Nourishing the Planet project.
To purchase State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet please click HERE. And to watch the one minute book trailer, click HERE.


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Manufacturing and the Internet of Everything.
The Internet of Everything is changing everything. And that includes design, data, production, manufacturing and probably even a few fashion trends.
It also means optimizing operations and cutting costs. When Dundee Precious Metals connected its global mining operations to the Internet of Everything, annual production went up by 400 percent and costs went down by $2.5 million.


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Energy price-reporting agencies including Platts said they ordered independent reviews of their methods after calls by regulators last year to safeguard against market manipulation.
Platts, the unit of McGraw Hill Financial Inc. that was raided last week as part of a European Union probe into oil pricing, said its review will start in June and be completed this year. Argus Media Ltd. and Reed Business Infomation's ICIS said their evaluations would be completed by October. The process, which preceded and is separate from the EU inquiry, will examine whether the agencies comply with their own stated price-assessment methods, the companies said this week.
The appraisals are a response to calls by international regulators for "robust" controls to prevent manipulation and distortion of wholesale prices for commodities from crude oil to gasoline. Auditors will assess whether the agencies have adhered to principles set out last October by the International Organization of Securities Commissions, a Madrid-based group that brings together regulators from more than 100 countries.
"A review by an external auditor as called for by the IOSCO principles will demonstrate to regulators the strength of Platts's internal controls," Dan Tanz, the company's vice president of editorial, said yesterday in an e-mailed statement from London. Platts has a long track record of "strong internal governance," he said.
Office Raids
EU investigators last week raided the offices of Platts as well as oil companies Royal Dutch Shell Plc, BP Plc and Statoil ASA and fuel trader Argos Energies as part of a probe into potential price manipulation in crude oil, refined products and biofuels markets. Traders including Glencore Xstrata Plc, Vitol Group and Gunvor Group Ltd. were asked to give information to the EU, though they aren't being investigated, according to three people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private.
The European investigation marks the third time global pricing benchmarks have drawn regulatory scrutiny in the past year following investigations into bank manipulation of the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, and ISDAFix, the benchmark for the $379 trillion swaps market.
"This is nothing like Libor," Adrian Binks, Argus's chairman and chief executive in London, said in an e-mail May 20. "Price reporting agencies are independent companies that compete with each other. It's really industry's choice to use our quotations. We're not receiving money for the trades. We're not like the banks."
Argus, ICIS
Argus hasn't been visited by the EU or been asked questions as part of the oil probe.
"We've agreed to go through this external audit on a voluntary basis to demonstrate that we're following the best practices as set out by IOSCO," Richard Street, ICIS's head of regulation and compliance, said by phone yesterday from London.
Platts, Argus and ICIS publish benchmark prices for various commodities including crude, oil products, chemicals and natural gas.
Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News, competes with Platts and other companies in providing energy-markets news and information.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Stockton, CA
Rod Crocker
January 20, 1933 - June 17, 2013
Rod Crocker died at 80 as he had lived, enjoying the high life. He suffered a heart attack in a side
walk café, sipping a beer and pontificating over incorrect rigging on a sailboat in the harbor on the Greek Island of Lesvos. Crocker and his beloved wife Barbara, or as he called her, "Puppy," had been enjoying a Greek Island cruise along the Turkish Coast.
Crocker's Homeric odyssey
continued when he was transported by air ambulance from Lesvos to Athens to Stockton, where he died in Hospice House on June 17.
Crocker was born Jan. 20, 1933, in Spokane, Washington. He spent his youth in Yreka,California, and often said, "Eureka! I found it. Yreka! I lost it."
Crocker spent his early adulthood in New Orleans. There he learned to love jazz, oysters, crawfish and Dixie Beer.
After a stint working in a Texas wheat harvest, Crocker enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served honorably in the Korean War as a forward observer calling in fire direction on Pork Chop Hill. He loved the Army and was a lifelong
He also learned in the Army how to wheel and deal. He traded Dutch gin for French cognac and trained his South Korean houseboy, Beck, to make cashew-stuffed squab, which Crocker fed to General Watlington in a bunker just off the front lines.
During the early 60's Crocker lived on his sailboat, Southern Cross, in Florida and the Caribbean for three-and-a-half years, selling marine hardware. His motto: "A man who would go to sea for a pastime would go to hell for pleasure."
Crocker continued his sales career in San Francisco during the 1970s, while buying, renovating and renting apartment buildings.
He met his wife, Barbara,
then a Delta College drama instructor/costumer, at a Jackson, California bar, where he was pledging the gold rush fraternity E Clampus Vitus (the Clampers). A dedicated romantic, Crocker, bought the bar stool she was sitting on, presented it to her and married her in July, 1978. The bar stool remains enshrined in the couple's living room.
Crocker moved to Stockton and continued to invest in real estate. The life of any party, he enjoyed singing at piano bars, hosting dinner parties, traveling the world, betting on the Kentucky Derby and buying vintage cars. He's the only man his friends say they knew who kept a mechanic on retainer. They also say: "We all benefited in countless ways from knowing Rod".
Crocker is survived by his devoted wife Barbara, loving nieces and nephews and a wealth of friends and golfing buddies, who will miss his unique rules for playing the game. But he was a unique fellow, who loved to win but was
generous in his losses. Even his phone message was unusual: "Crocker here. We just stepped out to fetch a tot of Tanqueray. Leave a message at the beep and we won't stir without calling you"
Family and friends are invited to a memorial/celebration for Rod on July 16 (which would have been Rod and Barbara's 35th Anniversary) at 1 pm at the Venetian
Gardens Clubhouse, 1555
Mosaic Way, Stockton 95207.
Burial will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620, on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at
1:30 pm. Anyone may attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stockton
Civic Theatre.


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Courtesy Bo Bice
Bo Bice is tickled pink!
The American Idol runner-up, 36, and his wife Caroline welcomed their fourth child — and first girl! — on Monday, April 23, the singer announced on his official website.
Daughter Merrin Elizabeth Joy weighed 8 lbs., 11 oz.
"Both mom and baby are doing great!" the site reads, along with a sweet snapshot of the proud new papa cradling his baby girl.
Bice and Caroline — who wed in 2005 — are also parents to sons Ean Jacob, 2, Caleb James, 3½, and Aidan Michael, 6½.
— Anya Leon


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from Canada
1,512 posts
So what happened?
453 posts
I have no clue! But the boom page is up!
Go GREEN!
from Canada
1,512 posts
go to the backroom to post spoilers....
from Georgia, US
1,787 posts
I think he was answering "one of my favorite artists", though it wasn't a question. Am I right?
Whistle while you work. Patience is key.
3 posts
So I got all four, and I get the suggestion for what the key is, but I have no idea what to do with it. Any suggestions?
Also, one other question since I haven't been on this website in a while. is the pinpad in the upper-right always like that, or is it somehow related to the final answer of this hunt?
from Georgia, US
1,787 posts
Guys, full 'gentle hint' guide is up. Check it out:
Whistle while you work. Patience is key.


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March kids
Leo Dillon was fascinated by Diane Sorber before he ever laid eyes on her. It was one of her paintings that caught his attention. For he did not know of any other student who had that deft, expressive technique. He was curious and a little jealous. He had a rival, and he knew it.
It was her third grade teacher who showed Peggy Rathmann that reading could be fun. She had spent the first two grades squinting at the blackboard, trying to make out the alphabet with her nearsighted eyes. But her third grade teacher used pictures to tell stories, and when Peggy grew up to be a famous illustrator, she made sure that her big, bold pictures were clearly outlined in black ink so the kids in the back of the class could see them clearly.
Mitsumasa Anno grew up in a traditional, beautiful Japanese village named Tsuwano, far away from any bustling city. Although he and his family lived near the sea, the mountains all around kept Anno from experiencing its vastness until he was older. When he was a child, he drew pictures of things he could see and also imagine: mountains, houses, and ghosts. His parents ran an inn, and the colorful magazines lying about for the guests' enjoyment were a big source of inspiration to him as he developed his love of drawing.
"I want to be a sheep-pig," he said.
"Ha ha!" bleated a big lamb standing next to Ma. "Ha ha ha-a-a-a-a!"
"Be quiet!" said Ma sharply, swinging her head to give the lamb a thumping butt in the side. "That ain't nothing to laugh at."
Pigs may herd sheep and perhaps even fly, but Dick King-Smith won't get on an airplane. He'd much rather travel by sea. The author of Babe, The Gallant Pig does have a dog named Fly after his favorite character in Babe. He says his Fly, a German Shepherd, is "beautiful, affectionate, intelligent, and as mad as a March hare."
"Any memorable children's book will possess drama, vitality, vividness, possibly wit and humor, and its own dignity—that is, a deep respect for the child's quick and devastating perceptions. As for the story itself, it will convey a sense of complete inevitability, a feeling of rightness throughout the whole structure. This can only be attained by the writer's evoking the true aura of childhood through re-experiencing that emotional state he lived in as a child, a state composed of delight in the simplest, most secret, sometimes the oddest things, of sadnesses and fears and terrors one could not or would not explain, of a continuing wonder about much that seems drab and familiar to adults"
--Eleanor Cameron writing in The Green and Burning Tree: On the Writing and Enjoyment of Children's Books, pg. 14
Eleanor Cameron was capable of doing all these things, whether writing science fiction, fantasy or more everyday stories. She was a celebrated children's writer of the 1960s and 1970s and was known for her lyrical style and the honesty with which she told her tales. A mature reader of That Julia Redfern, featuring an aspiring young writer living in the 1910s Berkley, can easily find grown-up themes that are layered into the story and come to fruition in books about an older Julia, such as A Room Made of Windows.
Dr. Seuss is more popular than ever! From Seussical the Musical to Seussville on the Web, the good doctor is everywhere with lots of jokes and fun for everyone. Take this quiz to check your Seussical IQ-sical.
His dad was "an airy optimist with nimble skills." His mom was a crackerjack card player. Both came from old Europe with the great wave of Jewish immigrants in the early part of the 20th century, and both were jim-dandy storytellers.
Sid helped his parents at their neighborhood store in San Diego, California. This was during the Great Depression when no one had much money, but he found that for just a dime he could hang out all day at the traveling vaudeville show. There he met his first magician, a lady sharpshooter, and other amazing performers whose memories would one day be conjured for the Wild West boy-and-his-dog story, Jim Ugly.
Elaine Lobl Konigsburg has always loved reading. As a girl, she discovered the magic of The Secret Garden and learned about life in a middle-class English family from Mary Poppins. These stories became part of her childhood, and, as she relates in her excellent book of essays, TalkTalk: A Children's Author Speaks to Grown-ups, classic stories become a bridge between today's children and earlier generations.
What she was looking for as a child and did not find, was a reflection of her life in a Pennsylvania mill town. In classic books, the mothers were just that. The women in Elaine's neighborhood worked as maids for extra money. In classic tales, there were maids, but they were always on the sidelines, and the classroom rolls were filled with Smith's, Jones', Edwards', and the like. Where were the Ravinsky's, Machotka's, and Spinelli's?
2006 Caldecott Medal-winning artist Chris Raschka took a roundabout road to fame. His travels around the world and varied jobs give him a different perspective from most American artists. And, if fate hadn't taken a hand, this beloved artist might instead be knee-deep in muck as a crocodile farmer!
He drew (and wrote about) pirates and knights, fair ladies and fairy tales. His illustrated books on Robin Hood and King Arthur are still treasured by children today.
At the Start
Howard Pyle (1853 - 1911) grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, surrounded by family and friends. His mother read to him all sorts of marvelous stories, and they had illustrations from the magazines pinned to the walls of their home.