text:
The Aruba Xtreme Event Day 1 - Amado steals the show!
A beautiful day welcomed all competitors on the registration day of The Aruba Xtreme Event 2013. Warm up sessions for Kite and Windsurfing and try outs for Skate boarders took place during the afternoon with great conditions for the water sports while the skaters and BMX Freestylers got a hang of the special created mini half pipe ramp with support from Salad Skate shop Aruba.
Event photo and filming took place during the warm up sessions, many photographers and videographers were on sight searching for their perfect moment to capture some of the events early actions.
Later in the afternoon the stage and sound system were being set up for the official opening ceremony including a DJ session with DJ NERGY from Curacao. As soon as the press and visitors were gathered the opening cermony could kick of with words from Co organizer Ruben Petrisie followed by a earlier recorded presentation of Aruba's Minister of Sport and welfare, Richard Visser due to comitments abroad he unfortunately could not attend in person. After the video display welcome words were shared by one of Aruba's parlament members Ms Desiree Croes. Finally it was time for DJ NERGY to cheer up the spot and the visitors with some massive sounds while local food and snacks were being served by Enith.
Several TV stations, news paper represantatives and event related sponsors joined the fun
The opening ceremony was by This Event is brought to you by 2 da Max Foundation with its following partners and Sponsors: Aruba's Minister of Sport and Welfare, Purpel Entertainment Group, Polar Beer, Cerd, Monster Energy Drink, Tropicana Resort & Casino, Professional Signs, Insel Air, write here/office systems Aruba, Salad Skate shop, Bang!, Johnson's Enterprises and many others images of the day are visible on our website in the gallery section.
Hourly updates: www.facebook.com/TheArubaXtremeEvent
The Aruba Xtreme Event Management
Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone: 594 9110


text:
A new book, Marine Protected Areas for Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises is released, calling for accelerated efforts to conserve marine mammals by protecting a greater area of the ocean. Currently only 1.3% of the ocean is protected but many new Marine Protected Areas are being created. Erich Hoyt, the book's author and IUCN's cetacean specialist, examines current and future developments in ocean protection.
"At least 300,000 whales and dolphins a year end up dead in fishing nets alone, as so-called by-catch," says Erich Hoyt, author, member of IUCN's Species Survival Commission's Cetacean Specialist Group and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. "Whales in some areas have been found to be emaciated. And scarcely a year since the BP Gulf Oil disaster, it's business as usual in large parts of the Gulf and elsewhere."
The need for greater protection is urgent and the book highlights some positive developments in this respect. "Marine protected areas are steadily getting bigger which is good news for large marine predators with big habitats," says Carl Gustaf Lundin, Director, IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme. "However, most of them are still too small, too few and far between, with too little enforcement to adequately protect whale and other highly mobile marine animal habitats."
"To safeguard critical ocean ecosystems and highly mobile species, we need to set aside more untouched ocean wilderness areas in the high seas," says Patricio Bernal, Coordinator, Western Gray Whale Conservation Project. "Outside of national jurisdiction, the high seas contain only a handful of protected areas. Without effective protection this huge area, which is equivalent to 64% of the ocean's surface, will continue to be heavily exploited in the next few years."
The book is a key resource for cetacean scientists and managers of Marine Protected Areas. Since most of these areas promote whale and dolphin watching and marine ecotourism, the book is also useful for finding some of the best places to spot the 87 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in 125 countries and territories around the world.
The book is published by Earthscan / Taylor & Francis and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
• To download the World Map of all Proposed and Existing Marine Mammal Protected Areas, © Lesley Frampton, Calvin Frampton and Erich Hoyt, click here: http://web.mac.com/erich.hoyt/www.erichhoyt.com/MPA_files/MPAs4Whales_WorldMap_Poster_2011.pdf
Related Links:
IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Superstar 80s
Black Rust Red
Superstar 80s 'Winter Tech Pack' by adidas
Exclusive colourway of the Superstar 80s with all the signature attributes including black leather uppers, 3 stripe branding, rubber outsole and classic shell toe complete with rust lining.
- - Black rust red exclusive colourway
- - Part of the 'Winter Tech Pack'
- - Range: Superstar
Style number 2106005126
- UK Standard Delivery: £3.50 or FREE on full price items. Delivery within 3-5 working days.
- Next Day UK Delivery: £5.00. Order up to 9pm* Mon - Thurs
- Saturday Delivery: £6.00. Order by 5pm Friday*
- Sunday Delivery: £7.00. Order by 5pm Friday*
- Click & Collect: FREE and available within 3 working days to any of our UK and Irish OFFICE / OFFSPRING stores
- CollectPlus£3.50 or FREE on full price items delivery in 2-3 working days to any CollectPlus location
- International Delivery: Cost dependant on country. International Standard Delivery within 2-10 working days. International Express Delivery within 2-5 working days.
* Click here for full delivery details
Not happy with a purchase? No problem. You can return to our warehouse, via Collect+ or to one of our UK stores within 28 days of purchase.
Footwear should be unworn and in its original packaging. Your refund will then be processed back to your original method of payment.Click here for more information on returns.
Click here for full delivery times and cost
|Delivery Options
|Cut off time
|Delivery Times
|Delivery Options, Cost, Cut Off Time & Delivery Times
|Standard Delivery UK & NI YODEL
|£3.50 or FREE on full price products**
|Delivery between 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri
|Standard Delivery UK & NI
Delivery between 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri £3.50
|Next Working Day UK & NI PARCELFORCE
|Order up to 9PM*
|Delivery between 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri
|Next Working Day UK & NI
Order up to 5pm*
Delivery between 8am-8pm, Mon-Fri £5.00
|Saturday & Sunday UK & NI PARCELFORCE
|Order by 5PM Friday*
|Delivery between 8am-8pm, Sat & Sun
|Saturday & Sunday UK & NI
Order up to 5pm*
Delivery between 8am-8pm, Sat & Sun £6.00, £7.00
|Click & Collect Delivery to store
|Available within 3 Working Days*
|Click & Collect
Delivery to store
Available within 3 Working Days*
|International Standard & International Express DPD
|Delivery costs depend on country
|Delivery between 2-10 Working Days*
International Standard & International Express DPD
Delivery cost is dependant on country
Delivery between 2-10 Working Days*
*Click here for full delivery details
**FREE delivery not applicable on sale items and excludes selected shoe laces & shoe care


text:
Nicolas Cage to Join The Expendables
Which is just as good as Clint Eastwood, right?
A few months back, a producer for The Expendables 3 speculated about who they were hoping to cast: Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, a post-prison Wesley Snipes, and Nicolas Cage. (We also speculated on who we were hoping they'd cast.) Well, it seems like they got one of those guys. (No, it's not Clint and no, they didn't bust Snipes out of jail ... yet). Sylvester Stallone wrote in a semi-sensical Facebook post: "We have confirmed Nicolas Cage, a master actor who gives a veneer intellectual group." Considering his recent projects, this will likely be Cage's most smartly chosen movie in years.


text:
Paul this is a critique and not a photo gallery. 12 images is too much for the members to view and comment on. I think the cop might have a point?
The only ones that interest me artistically are numbers 8 & 9. The others are just photos of stuff. 8 & 9 are really quite good.
Thanks for sharing.My favorite is #3 as it conveys a story, the water is still there but a bit of blue sky pierces through the dark sky, giving a sign of hope that the worst if over.Overall I find the skies a bit over done.Cheers,Bernard
I agree with the comments so far... way too many shots to consider - all you'll get is a subjective 'which one is best' rather than an actual critique.That being said I'm going to go along with it. 9 is the one that stood out for me. Though the composition of 11 caught my eye, the houses to the left look a bit blown out...


text:
I have totally been into soups lately making one or two soups per week and this only seems appropriate with the chilly weather that we have been having! With the release of my new eCookbook, Tasty Soups , I could not resist
Of course this pasta e fagioli soup would not be complete without some cheesy garlic bread!
Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Italian Pasta and Bean Soup)
A tasty Italian style bean and pasta soup with Italian sausage and plenty of vegetables.
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, toasted and ground
- 1/4 cup white wine or broth
- 4 cups ham broth or chicken broth or chicken stock
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (2 inch) piece parmesan rind
- 1 cup ditalini pasta (gluten free for gluten free)
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley, chopped (optional)
- Cook the sausage in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat and set aside.
- Add the oil, onions, carrots and celery to the pan and saute until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and fennel seeds and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the wine and deglaze the pan.
- Add the broth, sausage, tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaf and parmesan rind, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. (If you have the time this soup will benefit from being simmered longer.)
- Add the pasta and simmer until it is cooked al-dente, about 6-8 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve garnished with parsley and parmesan.


text: Student Profiles Kelly Rula '07 Kelly Rula '07 Hometown: Dallas, Texas Major: Biochemistry and Environmental Studies Why did you choose to come to Bowdoin? Hailing from the Lone Star State, I had never been east of the Everglades before I applied. But upon visiting the school during a huge blizzard in 2003 and meeting extremely friendly students and professors, I felt like Maine would be a great place to live for four years. The beautiful campus and competitive sailing team didn't hurt either. Why did you choose your major? If all goes as planned, I will graduate in May with a Biochemistry and Environmental Studies coordinate major. I came to Bowdoin intent upon majoring in chemistry but was also interested in biology. Biochemistry allowed me to merge these two fields together. I had been interested in the environment in high school and enjoyed taking interdisciplinary courses focusing on both biochemistry and the environment at Bowdoin. The fluidity of the Environmental Studies major has allowed me to take courses in a variety of fields while still leaving enough space to fulfill my Biochemistry requirements. What has been your favorite course at Bowdoin? While many great classes and professors have crossed my path during my tenure at Bowdoin, three courses in particular stand out. During my first year at Bowdoin, I had the pleasure of taking Professor Beth Stemmler's Advanced Introduction to Chemistry, which was only offered that year. With only seven students in the class, we were able to set a fast pace and engage in really fun lab techniques, giving us a taste of what the Chemistry Department had to offer. Spring semester of my sophomore year, I took Professor Allen Springer's Search for Justice Seminar, in which I studied environmental and humanitarian international law issues and cases. I enjoyed debating about everything from the Kyoto Protocol to the Rwanda Trials and gained valuable knowledge through the peer editing "summit" he held (with snacks!) at the Coastal Studies Center. And last fall, I was able to take Professor Dharni Vasudevan's Environmental Fate of Toxic Chemicals where, for the first time, I could delve into an area of future scientific interest. As a result of this class, I was able to craft my current independent study with Professor Vasudevan. Have you engaged in any independent research while at Bowdoin? Building upon the foundation laid in Professor Vasudevan's Environmental Fate class, I am currently doing an independent study on the bioremediation of toxic chemicals. Bioremediation is a new way of cleaning up contaminated sites by using bacteria to eat/degrade chemicals. I am enjoying the freedom to pursue an area of serious interest that allows me to combine lab technique with in-depth literature research. My two-fold research will culminate in both a research paper comparing chlorinated solvent remediation methods and an experiment involving phenol-degrading bacteria. I especially enjoy being able to pursue this new and exciting area of study while at same time designing my own unique research project. What extracurricular or work experiences have you had at Bowdoin? I have been very involved with the College Democrats; working on Governor Howard Dean's campaign freshman year was a blast! In years past I have dabbled in Masque and Gown productions, the Evergreens environmental group, and the ballet troupe Arabesque. I worked as a dishwasher and later research assistant to a variety of biology labs and currently lay down the law at the school's fitness centers. However, my most time-consuming and worthwhile extracurricular is not found on the immediate Bowdoin campus, but rather on the bodies of water near to the school. As a current captain and four-year member of varsity sailing team, I have had the privilege of spending most weekends traveling to events across New England and exploring all it and its sailing venues have to offer. We sail everywhere from as close as 20 minutes away from Bowdoin to as far as northern Vermont or Rhode Island. When I first joined the team, I had never even raced a small boat but I was excited to learn and willing to commit to the team. The hard work paid off and I have been very involved during my time here. Despite the enormous time commitment, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! Did you study abroad during your time at Bowdoin? Spring semester of my junior year, I took a leave of absence and journeyed to Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. There I volunteered with an NGO training farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques and traveled extensively throughout the two countries, visiting Lake Malawi, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and of course cruising on the obligatory safari. Everything about the experience was memorable. For part of my time there, I lived with an African family who had no running water or constant electricity. And even though I spent weeks traveling alone (to the worry of my parents), I never felt unsafe in Africa. It was nice to have a break from Bowdoin, interact in a completely different and wonderful world, and reflect on past and future accomplishments and goals. What have you done during your summers? Following my first year, I returned home to Dallas, Texas, and worked in the Multiple Sclerosis laboratory at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where I had worked the previous two summers before college. After sophomore year, I journeyed to Washington, D.C., and interned at the National Environmental Trust in an attempt to try my hand at the policy side of the environment. Finally, last summer I attended the University of Texas at Austin, enrolled in Engineering Physics, and re-connected with old friends. Now my parents, who both went to the University of Texas, can die in peace knowing that I was a UT Longhorn for at least one semester. What is your best Bowdoin memory? There have been so many great memories it is hard to even narrow it down to a top 20! A few that stand out as extremely unforgettable include the freshman year dorm-wide snowball fight that culminated in a group of practical strangers (myself included) sprinting down the steps of the Walker Art Building, screaming, yelling, and tackling every person in front of us in the fresh snow. Sophomore year, a group of friends and I built an amazing, life-size igloo on the Brunswick Apartments quad and fit about 20 people in there! We used recycling bins and had avalanche shovels, and worked for around three hours until finally we had an igloo. It was pretty amazing. Apart from the snowy memories, all of the way-too-late-night talks with my friends, the all-nighters resulting in a trip to the Brunswick diner at 5:30 a.m., and the end-of-practice sunsets that make you truly appreciate how special this place is. What are your plans for after graduation? I plan on taking a few years off to figure out what specialty I will pursue for further education, most likely environmental engineering. Next year, I would love to live on the West Coast, engage in top-of-the-line environmental technologies research, and save money to travel extensively around the world. What advice would you give to a prospective student or first-year about the Bowdoin experience? Take advantage of every opportunity you have here! But keep in mind that at the end of the day you really won't remember writing that 20-page government research paper. You will, however, remember all the impromptu punk rock-out sessions and the two-hour-long dinners devoted to catching up with your friends. Never forget how lucky you are to attend school in one of the most beautiful places in the world: Maine. What quirky or fun thing did you wish you knew before you came to Bowdoin? There are five seasons in Maine: summer, fall, winter, spring, and mud. Story posted on November 27, 2006 « Back | More Student Profiles | Go to News Home


text:
On the day we moved to Philly in 1976, my two fellow Syracuse émigrés and I went to a restaurant and ordered Cokes.
"Three coe-ewks," the waitress nodded.
I thought she was calling us "kooks" -- which we certainly were -- but when we asked for directions and she advised us that our destination was "down-y schtreet," we realized our new city was a different universe, linguistically .
Alas, in the same week a venerable Northeast Philly cheese-steakery replaces its slur-ish name "Chink's," and Daily News columnist Helen Ubinas bravely wonders aloud whether it's time to rename the Italian Market, we also hear that the city's distinctive dipthongs are disappearing.
University of Pennsylvania linguistics professor William Labov and two co-authors have found that the Southern-inflected sound of Philadelphia is giving way to a more generically "Northern" accent. The shift is evident when field recordings of rowhousers in the early 1970s are compared with their current counterparts.
The Labov study, published in the academic journal Language, notes that "sound change in progress in Philadelphia has been facilitated by the application of forced alignment and automatic vowel measurement."
Having long thought of the Philadelphia dialect as a mashup of Southern, Cockney and Tastykake Krimpets, I find this research fascinating.
But I can imagine how the waitress who introduced me to Philly-speak might react to a phrase like "forced alignment and automatic vocal measurement."
"Sounds bohw-gis."


text:
Lord ganesha tanjore pendant
24 % off
Sold out
Product ID : 52907
|Product ID
|Product Name
|Lord Ganesha Tanjore Pendant
|Product Description
|Tanjore Painting Is An Important Form Of South Indian Painting From Tanjore In Tamil Nadu.The Art Is Of Early 9th Century, A Period Dominated By The Chola Rulers, Who Encouraged Art And Literature. These Paintings Are Known For Their Elegance, Rich Colours, And Attention To Detail. The Themes For Most Of These Paintings Are From Indian Culture. In Modern Times, These Paintings Have Become A Much Sought After Souvenir During Festive Occasions In South India. Tanjore Painting Jewellery Set Beautiful Craftsmanship ... Fully Hand Made Stuff From Stone Finishing To Perohi !!!Components Are Flat Semi Precious Stone , Gold Painting,Kundan Work, Beads Pearl Perohi In Pcs.
|Joypur Wala
|Other Details
|Shipping In India
|We deliver orders to all pincodes across India via Fedex, Bluedart, DTDC & SpeedPost (remote areas).
|8 Business days. Orders from remote locations might be slightly delayed.
|FREE shipping on all orders across all locations in India.
|Shipping Outside India/ International
|We ship to following countries: Please note that we require minimum order value of USD 0.0 for shipping outside India.
|12-15 business days basis destination country. If 'Custom Stitching' is selected, we need 5-8 days extra.
|Approx. USD 10.0 - First item, and Approx. USD 0.0 - Every additional item. Total shipping charges basis the weight of items in your order will be reflected on 'checkout' page.
|Payments In India
|Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Netbanking
|Cash on Delivery
|Cash Before Delivery. In this mode of payment cash is collected in advance.
|Bank deposit to our Indian bank account.
|Payments Outside India/ International
|Credit Cards
|Bank deposit to our Indian bank account.
|If you are not happy with a product you have received, don't worry. You can always return it back within 7 days without any deductions.
|Send us an email preferably within 48 hours of receiving the product. Our team will reply with the instructions and return shipping address to which you need to send back the product.
|If you wish to replace a damaged product, we will send you a new one. We can also refund the amount to your credit card/bank account or offer you a store credit redeemable towards future purchases.


text:
Wikado Playground's Wind Turbines Give Discarded Parts New Life
April 4, 2012 by Jeff
Filed under Green Energy News
From Earth Techling's Beth Buczynski:
The wind power industry is still in its beginning stages, so few have stopped to think about what we'll do with these giant structures when they're beyond repair. In the Netherlands, a country with a rich history of harnessing the wind's energy, there are already plenty of spent discarded wind turbine blades and towers looking for a second life. While their primary purpose might be all business, Rotterdam-based architectural firm 2012Architecten saw no reason why they couldn't be recycled into something a bit more fun.
"Kinderparadijs Meidoorn," a local children's artistic center, was looking for help revamping a rundown playground, and the architects saw the perfect opportunity to reuse some discarded wind turbine parts. By slicing and dicing the old blades, the team created the Wikado playground, full of mazes, tunnels, towers and slides that just beg to be played on. [Text continues after images.]
Flickr images courtesy of 2012Architecten.
First, 2012Architecten mapped out the existing site and selected the wind turbine elements that were a good fit for reuse in a new playground. Then, after a suitable design was created, five discarded rotor blades were used to create a maze-like space with a panna court in the center, and placed on the existing concrete circle. Four towers go around it, each with a distinctive character. A net hands between the towers. "This is functioning as a climbing structure," write the architects, but will also prevent balls ending up in the garden of the neighbours." Good thinking.
As Treehugger points out, old windmills and modern wind turbines are still very much a part of the Dutch landscape. By using them to rebuild a colorful playground, the designers are able to take a historical piece of the Dutch identity and deftly integrate it into the modern city.
Also on HuffPost:
var coords = [-5, -72];
// display fb-bubble
FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'});


text:
As an invitee speaker at JavaOne, I was already beside myself to attend the geek mecca that conference represents. But imagine my happiness to learn that this conference coincides with Oracle OpenWorld and exceptionally this year, the finals of the America's Cup were also at the same time pitting the hearty, experienced New Zealand/Emirates crew against Larry Ellison's OracleTeamUSA. This video was looping in the elevators at work before the races:
but I had never imagined that I'd actually see the races myself. On Sunday (the first day of the conference but the 12th day of racing), I then read that the first 1000 registrants for the conference would receive free passes for the races and I hustled over to the Moscone Center first thing in the morning to get my wristband. Boy, was I happy to have done that 😀
From my seat high in the east bleachers at Marina Green, I had a commanding view from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz Island and could see the boats until the very last leg towards Pier 33. It was spectacular. Hard to believe that a boat weighing almost 3 tons could go two times faster than the wind (about 46 knots in about 22 knots of wind) and even foil at over 30 knots upwind (interesting article here on wikipedia concerning the physics of that engineering wonder).
It was a real tribute the 3DEXPERIENCE that OracleTeamUSA used to design and build their victorious boat. Even more miraculous was the way that TeamUSA won 8 races in a row including the final race on 25 September which I also was lucky enough to watch where OracleTeamUSA became "MiracleTeamUSA" 😆 See here for a great summary of the races.
I suppose that watching a race like this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Let's just hope Larry keeps the race in San Francisco rather than Hawai so that I might get a shot at seeing the next generation of boats designed with the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform.
Michael Finocchiaro is Senior Director, 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. You can find him on Twitter at @le_fino.


text:
One of the oldest matchmaking services providing Bristol personals to the area. Matchmaker specializes in helping singles in the Bristol personals area find that special someone. Whether you are seeking a serious relationship or marriage; matchmaker.com can help you today. Our Bristol personals service provides the latest in dating services to help you meet Bristol single men and Bristol single women. Create a free singles ad and start dating online, its easy!
BristolJoin Now Free!
Bristol Girls | Bristol Men | Bristol Gay | Bristol Lesbians
More Bristol Links:
Bristol Dating | Bristol Speed Dating | Bristol Chat | Bristol Singles | Bristol Love
Senior Dating | Catholic Dating | Christian Dating | Muslim Dating
Black Singles | Asian Singles | Latin Dating
Specializing in Bristol personals services for the past ten years and helping Bristol singles find that special someone has helped matchmaker become one of the best online destinations. Our cupid matchmaking service allows you to receive email updates when new members that match your preferences join out Bristol dating service. Find the best Bristol classifieds and Bristol personals when joining our online dating service today!


text:
In this Issue:
2017 Reader's Choice Awards.
Discover the best islands, cities, spas, castles, cruises and more. Take a look for yourself.
Get every issue of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine and unlimited access to over 200 top magazines in one app, including back issues. Try Free at Texture.com
About Condé Nast Traveler Magazine:
Your Condé Nast Traveler Magazine brings you the latest news in the world of travel, favorite destination suggestions, and also packs in travel tips and recommendations for a rich and fulfilling experience. The latest Condé Nast Traveler digital magazine issue is now available on the Texture Magazine App for iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and smartphones as well as Windows 8 devices.
Also try other popular digital magazines like Country Living, Midwest Living in our Travel and Regional Magazines section.
About Texture:
Texture allows you to access to over 200 of the world best digital magazines. Get unlimited access to your favorite magazines including back issues anytime, anywhere using our app.


text:
Images of some of the most important biblical manuscripts are now available online in high resolution thanks to a partnership between Google and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of nearly a thousand texts discovered in caves near the Dead Sea in Israel, are now archived online for unlimited exploration.
The IAA is collaborating with Google to upload all of the digitized Scrolls images online, enabling users to explore the manuscripts and their contents in a number of languages and formats. Ultimately, the images will be accompanied by meta-data including transcriptions, translations and detailed bibliography.
The imaging technology used in this project is an innovative MegaVision product that enables the digital imaging of every Scroll fragment in various wavelengths and in the highest resolution possible. This will allow long term monitoring for preservation purposes in a non-invasive and precise manner. The images are equal in quality to the actual physical Imaging a plate in three visible wavelengths in the IAA studio viewing of the Scrolls, thus eliminating the need for their repeated exposure and allowing their preservation for future generations. The technology also helps recover traces of writing that have faded to invisibility over the years, with the help of near-infrared wavelengths.
The scrolls comprise the earliest known surviving copies of a number of important biblical documents, dated between 1700 and 2400 years old. They include parts from all of the Old Testament.
All 930 manuscripts are available on the Dead Sea Scrolls site.


text:
Embark on an epic tour of East Africa
Looking to experience the very best that East Africa has to offer? Look no further than this all-encompassing journey from Zimbabwe to Kenya. From the furious beauty of Victoria Falls to the fragrant delights of Zanzibar's spices, and the peaceful shores of Lake Malawi to the modern culture of Nairobi, this trip features changing landscapes, the chance to meet some truly remote peoples and wildlife galore. Spot elephants in Zimbabwe, see lions in the Serengeti and track gorillas in Uganda. Abundant in natural wonders and colourful cultures, this amazing region is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
With gorilla permits included in the price of the trip, seek out the rare mountain gorilla on a trek through Uganda's steamy forests and spend an unforgettable hour in their presence
Discover the largest ruins in sub-Saharan Africa. A Unesco World Heritage site, the ruined city was first constructed in the 11th century and is thought to be a royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch.
Chill out on the northern beaches of Zanzibar enjoying white sand and sparkling blue sea of the Indian Ocean
Hang with local mamas in Arusha preparing a local Swahili dish before being a guest into their home
Explore the stunning Serengeti and discover animals unlike any you have ever seen while camping within the park
Experience the two sides of Jinja, a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile but also the adventure capital of Uganda
At Usambara Mountains the group will do an easy hike to the beautiful Irente viewpoint.
Camp in the Serengeti National Park itself without fences between you and the animals. Your leader will brief you on the safety measures the group will need to take for the 2 nights spent in the park.
Tracking gorillas in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty strenuous and often humid. But the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough to walk up to 4 hours - up and down hill. A top tip is to pack some gardening gloves to assist in any up-hill climbs.
We use our purpose-built overland vehicles for the duration of this trip. This multi-purpose truck allows for great game viewing with large sliding windows. This means the trucks do not have air-conditioning and conditions can get dusty and hot.
The overland vehicle is large enough to seat up to 22 passengers and carries all the camping equipment needed for the duration of this trip. Therefore the going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads.
This is a participatory camping trip. You will be expected to set up and take down you own tent as well as assist with food preparation and cleaning. This makes it quicker, easier, more fun and will bring the group closer together.
Some passengers on this trip will have been travelling together prior to the start of your trip, so they can help you get into the groove quickly.
As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2018 - 31 December 2018
1.This trip requires a higher non-refundable deposit (AUD1000, USD1000, EUR800, NZD1250, GBP650, CAD1000, ZAR8000, CHF900) in order to secure the included gorilla permit. We also require full passport details at time of booking. Please note that we need to confirm availability of a gorilla permit if you are booking within 45 days of departure. The additional deposit paid at time of booking will be credited to the final balance of your booking.
2. A single supplement is available on all nights of this trip, subject to availability.
3. Optional sunrise balloon rides in the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve are possible on this itinerary. Please see the itinerary above for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
4. This is a combination trip made up of 3 shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Stone Town and Nairobi as some group members leave and new ones join you.
5. The Zanzibar portion of your itinerary may have a few more passengers than the maximum group size of 22 as we have a crossover of trips starting and finishing in Zanzibar.
6. This trip finishes upon arrival in Nairobi on Day 43. Please do not book any flights until after 6:30 pm this evening.
Our Vic Falls to Gorillas trips score an average of 4.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews in the last year.
The trip gave us so much more than expected. Africa is an incredibly diverse and interesting place that is so much more than just the animals. We loved the village walks, the game drives and the gorilla trek.
Review submitted 11 Sep 2017
My trip was planned around seeing the Gorillas and Zanzibar and then just grew. The Gorillas were amazing - completely meeting my expectations
Review submitted 29 Nov 2016


text:
Jeff Wall/Marian Goodman Galley, NYC
Photography is haunted by distortions, or what philosophers and media theorists call "simulacra"–those devils or replicants that blur authentic essence and mere appearance. Pictures in general trigger these anxieties, Plato having bequeathed to Western culture a fear that overidentification with images will dull perception of a spirit that eludes sight. Photography, however, has been especially seductive, seeming to offer unmediated access to how things "really" are. As Martin Jay explains in Downcast Eyes, his marvelous history of antivisual themes in French thought, "Because of the physical imprinting of light waves on the plate of the camera…it might seem as if now the oeil was not trompé in Daguerre's new invention. But doubts nonetheless soon arose." By the 1840s, it was clear that even apparently direct imprinting could not rout the ghost of simulacra. "Yet as late as the Dreyfus Affair," Jay notes, "it was still necessary to warn the naïve viewer against concocted images." Photographs could be retouched or faked through double exposures–as when, in 1899, the newspaper Le Siècle printed composite pictures of enemies in the Dreyfus Affair appearing friendly. Technologies have drastically evolved, of course. Nevertheless, according to new books by Michael Fried and Fred Ritchin, warnings about photography's uncertainties are no less necessary.
Fried's still controversial essay "Art and Objecthood" was published in 1967, when he was in his 20s. In it, he accuses Minimalist art of "theatricality" because it plunks a de-aestheticized object–say, a steel cube–in the viewer's path and proposes that real-time engagement with this object constitutes art. Fried, who has explored the implications of his daring article across the decades, has become J.R. Herbert Boone Professor of Humanities and the History of Art at Johns Hopkins University and written a great deal else, notably a trilogy of studies shifting the emphasis from sculpture and tracing a path through eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French painting, toward the nexus of imperatives and disjunctions that we name modernism. Through it all, he examines the convention that paintings "primordially" are "made to be beheld." This apparent no-brainer exists paradoxically in tandem with another bedrock assumption of modern visuality, "the ontological illusion that the beholder did not exist." From Chardin to Manet and on to Stella and Caro, Fried contends, artists have negotiated between self-conscious or "theatrical" display–playing to the beholder–and meditative or self-sufficient "absorption"–pretending the beholder isn't there. His new book, Why Photography Matters as Art as Never Before, extends the inquiry into art photography as it has developed since the '70s. Trilogy enlarges to quartet, and arguments that have engaged Fried since "Art and Objecthood" are staged anew via large-scale images produced by American and European artists. Like painters, these photographers intend for their work to be displayed on the wall. But they seek in best anti-theatrical style to keep their subjects, and their viewers, at a distance.


text:
All around Chicago, restaurants and bars are in a constant cycle of opening and closing. As the lights go out at a kitchen in Andersonville, a new tavern is putting up signs in the South Loop, and it's all just part of the circle of nightlife. But if you look closely, you'll see a handful of in-the-works hangouts making a few already hot downtown blocks even hotter. Read on for four good guesses as to where the city's foodies and scenesters will be flocking in upcoming months.
This block of River North has been celeb chef Rick Bayless' row for years, but now some other big names have joined the party.
Holding court ...
449 N. Clark St.
Breakfast empanadas and fresh-from-the-fryer churros rule at Bayless' Mexican street food cafe.
Topolobampo & Frontera Grill
445 N. Clark St.
Of Bayless' neighboring dining rooms, Topolo leans more fine-dining while Frontera skews regional, but the accolades are plentiful—and the reservations hard to snag—for both.
Dragon Ranch Moonshine & BBQ
441 N. Clark St.
Expect a bit of an Asian accent and a whole lotta smoked meat at this barbecue eatery from the owners of Rockit, Sunda and The Underground. The "moonshine" in the name refers to the hefty selection of white whiskeys, available straight or mixed into signature cocktails.
Coming soon ...
Bub City & unnamed tiki bar
435 N. Clark St.
Grab your cowboy boots and join RJ and Jerrod Melman (Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman's sons, who also run Paris Club, Hub 51 and RPM Italian, all nearby) at this country western bar, due to open in late September or early October in partnership with the founders of live country music joint Joe's Bar. A basement bar serving classic tiki cocktails courtesy of Paul McGee, the Whistler's much-loved former bartender, will likely be one the most talked-about bar openings of the year.
Hubbard Street's east end has long been dense with restaurants and bars lined up side by side, but within the last year and a half, this block on the street's west side has filled in—and the crowds have followed. A project at 111 W. Hubbard St. is the last puzzle piece to make Hubbard Street's west end one of the tastiest, booziest blocks in River North.
Holding court ...
Hubbard Inn
110 W. Hubbard St.
On a warm day, cocktailers nearly spill out the open windows of this two-level European-inspired tavern, which is decorated to the hilt with globe lights, ornately patterned wallpaper and tchotchkes supposedly inspired by Ernest Hemingway's world travels.
112 W. Hubbard St
Multi-level hangout's dining room is in between a sophisticated ground-floor bar and a breezy rooftop.
Mercer 113
113 W. Hubbard St.
With a hefty seafood-centric menu, this spot may look primed for dinner, but thanks to a DJ booth in the back, the vibe's more clubby than chef-focused, with a seafood-centric menu.
Slurping Turtle
116 W. Hubbard St.
At this noodle shop, chef Takashi Yagihashi's offerings go beyond ramen to include funky Japanese tapas, bincho-grilled meat skewers and sashimi.
Red Violet
121 W. Hubbard St.
This contemporary Chinese restaurant and bar is set to reopen with a new menu later this week.
In the works ...
Unnamed bar/restaurant
111 W. Hubbard St.
Owners (and brothers) Nader, Fadi and Rafid Hindo of Hubbard Partners along with operating partner Jason Freiman (Bangers & Lace, The Anthem, Lumen) have started construction on a bar/restaurant to open in early 2013. Details are under wraps, but Nader said both food and drinks will be central. In other words, "It's not going to be olives and popcorn," Nader said.
Randolph Street has upheld its Restaurant Row nickname for years, but this particular block has doubled in foodie appeal with the recent openings of Nellcote and G.E.B. from "MasterChef" judge Graham Elliot. With a swanky champagne bar debuting soon, it's about to see even more action.
Holding court ...
833 W. Randolph St.
This flour-milling, pizza-baking, pasta-rolling palace skews restaurant-y by day and leans clubbier by night.
841 W. Randolph St.
With a patio facing the same building-enclosed courtyard as opening-soon RM (see below), chef Graham Elliot has called the location of his newest restaurant "one of the coolest blocks in the whole city." The man may be a little biased, but truthfully there isn't anything like it elsewhere in Chicago.
Coming soon ...
RM Champagne Salon
116 N. Green St.
Promise of cheese, chocolate, champagne and a cobblestone alley entrance have plenty of oenophiles ready to pop the cork when this lounge opens in late July. Jason Wagner serves as sommelier while Nate Meads (formerly of Fritz Pastry) tackles the sweets. The entrance is technically around the corner on Green Street, but we think that's close enough.
With chefs Grant Achatz and Homaro Cantu each running two restaurants each on the south side of the street, there's a lot of star power on this single Fulton Market block. A long-awaited Latin-inspired restaurant from a long-time local chef moving in across the street only adds to the appeal.
Holding court ...
945 W. Fulton Market
On a tree branch, rolled up like a cigar or frozen on an anti-griddle—you never know in what form each course might arrive at Cantu's first restaurant.
951 W. Fulton Market
Less pricey than Moto but still a Cantu production., this restaurant serves a six-course "flavor tripping" menu featuring miracle berries, which block your sour taste buds to make familiar foods taste twisted.
953 W. Fulton Market
Last year, it was Paris. Now, it's Sicily. And later this year, it'll be Kyoto. More than a year after opening, tables at Grant Achatz's globe-hopping (and sometimes time-traveling), tickets-only restaurant are still highly coveted.
The Aviary
955 W. Fulton Market
Like the liquid version of Achatz'sAlinea. Avant-garde cocktails arrive in wow-worthy custom glassware and are never as simple as the menu descriptions might lead you to believe.
Coming soon ...
La Sirena Clandestina
954 W. Fulton Market
John Manion's name may not be as recognizable as his celeb chef neighbors across the street, but after a great run at Latin-inspired Mas and hopping around to other restaurants in recent years, chef John Manion poised for a standout project at his own restaurant, slated for an early August opening. He calls his style of contemporary cuisine "Latin local," influenced by his time spent in Brazil and Argentina as well as nearly 20 years cooking in Chicago. But don't mistake it for a traditional Southern American restaurant. "Anybody's Brazilian grandmother that comes in and eats at my restaurant will be befuddled, bewildered and pissed off," he said.
email@example.com | @redeyeeats. Additional reporting by Emily Van Zandt. email@example.com | @redyedrinks


text:
The Wrigley Field Roof is Touring the Streets of Wrigleyville
As I noted last night on Twitter (follow me!), a piece of the roof at Wrigley Field tore off during the blizzard, scattering debris along the streets in the area.
A piece of a structural panel from the roof of Wrigley Field "broke away" during Tuesday evening's blizzard, according to various reports.
Cubs spokesman Peter Chase told the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times that a section of the roof above the press box of the 97-year-old ballpark came loose in the severe winds of the snowstorm and scattered debris.
The panel, which is made of fiber board, broke off the roof, and the Cubs responded by monitoring the situation and working with the city to ensure that there were no public safety-related problems. cubs.com.
There aren't expected to be any future safety issues, either. Who would have thought that a nearly century old structure would not be able to withstand the brute force of a blizzard? Good thing the State of Illinois recognizes that upgrades to the facility are necessary.*
*I am, of course, just kidding.


text:
ADVRHINO Sounds perfect!!!! I think I meet all the criteria, I don't live in Europe (I'm in Australia) I am fanatical motorcyclist with plenty of long distance trips under my belt and drive like Ms Daisy
I speak 3 languages, each as useless as the other for this trip, but with your new skills we can at least say goodbye and "she cooks" to four different nationalities ... the possibilities are endless.
Happy to support your cause, and that of the kiddies (as a veteran child protection worker I think its a tops cause!)
I am sure I can fund raise the required seaclams for this noble enterprise. Like the carbon offset ... it will ease my motorcycling racing guilty conscience.
I am over 30, self sufficient, with ample recreation leave up my sleeve .....
Oh for Pete's sake pick me already and send me and email so we can skype etc and get this 4 wheeled Mary Celeste venture on the road ...
Yours in U turns, flat tyres and exploding dashboard oranges.
Travel Forum 7 years ago


text:
At the turn of this century, at the height of the tech boom, the 'war for talent' was so great that to gain precious IT staff, employers resorted to many gimmicks.
At one Auckland firm, IT staff had scooters to ride on (during office hours), they could 'box' in oversized gloves and rest in large comfy sofas. Fridges packed with beer became common at many organisations, along with casual Fridays and flexible hours, with rising salaries, particularly for contractors.
In the 'tech wreck' of 2001 to 2003 that followed; the toys were put away. IT staff were booted out, and for the lucky survivors, pay rates plateaued.
Deja vu Now, the good times are back, IT projects are on again, work is plentiful and the skill shortages have returned. Project management skills are cited as particularly scarce and contracting is in vogue again.
Other "hot" skills include Java, .Net, technical architecture, business analyst, security, integration/middleware, BI tools, plus some web-based and e-commerce related skills.
Gartner Asia-Pacific vice-president Bob Hayward says CIOs, having a newfound emphasis on growth and innovation rather than cost-cutting, find the "search for talent" is one of their top issues of 2005.
Recently, Computerworld Australia reported major federal government projects are facing escalating costs because IT skills shortages prevent staff recruitment or force up their price.
Hayward tells MIS the same situation applies in New Zealand, perhaps more so as Kiwis typically cross the Tasman for higher wages. He blames the current skills shortage on several years of downturn not attracting many new people into the IT industry. There are also demographic factors.
"Many senior people that entered industry in the 1970s to 1980s are leaving (either retiring or burnt-out and now own vineyards or B&Bs or restaurants) and there are not enough immigrants to fill the gap - especially now that spending on ICT has started to rise again and demand increases."
Jim O'Neil, executive director of the Information Technology Association of New Zealand (ITANZ), agrees local projects are already being delayed. He says this situation will worsen when further government projects take up what little IT staff is available.
"The ICT industry is globally picking up from the very low of 2001 to 2003, and over those three to four years, organisations did not invest. They put things on the back burner and now they have a backlog of work."
"We are suffering much from the past three to five year downturn as fewer people came out of IT courses from the polytechnics as people were getting sacked. The downturn was the first many in IT had experienced. They thought the bubble had burst and they thought they had to start from scratch - elsewhere," he says.
"There are ripples from the US and UK and when it gets to New Zealand, we struggle even more, being a low wage economy as people are rightly tempted to sell their skills on the global market," explains O'Neill.
ITANZ used to work closely with the Immigration Department on IT immigrant issues but following a new skills-based policy last year, the association now helps the Positively Wellington campaign to bring immigrants to the capital.
Shawn Gilhooley, manager, migrant attraction for Positively Wellington, left Silicon Valley 15 years ago for the Kiwi lifestyle, a sentiment echoed by many other Britons and Americans in IT who have moved here.
Positively Wellington attends UK recruitment fairs with Kiwi employment agencies. Last year, the fairs brought a "huge influx" from the UK, but now Americans want to live here because they are "unhappy with US politics".
However, while the British know about New Zealand, its lifestyle and lower wages, the Americans "need to do more homework to avoid disappointment".
Either way, Gilhooley hopes her role helps ease the local situation.
A global concern
Globally, however, Forrester Research reports IT budgets will rise 7 per cent in 2005 as organisations work on project backlogs that accumulated during the past three years.
Gartner also warns of future IT workforce shortages, fuelled by growing demand for IT workers and an "incredibly shrinking workforce" from an ageing population.
Both Gartner and Forrester call on employers to prepare for this.
Gartner advises employers to fix a strategic direction for their organisations, setting out their mission and objectives to ultimately determine current and future human capital objectives.
They should conduct a workforce analysis and look at their skills, gaps in skills and address issues through recruitment, reward and development. Employers should look at training, succession planning and related HR issues; taking a longer term view of up to 10 years, to avoid the overstaffing and layoff issues of recent years.
Similarly, Forrester calls on employers to assess current skill levels and demand, identify gaps, and develop a resource plan to close the gaps.
Closer to home, Gartner's Hayward says beer and pool might work, but the best methods concern "personal interaction, good management, making sure people are engaged, happy and challenged".
While the overseas analysts say pay rates will eventually increase, New Zealand IT recruiters and executives say money is not the only solution.
Robert Walters managing director Richard Manthel says employers must consider future career paths, offer personal development programs and mentoring.
"We are dealing with a generation that wants to get from A-to-B ASAP. The younger generation has different motivation to the baby boomers and companies need to understand this," he says.
Sally Breed, director of Auckland-based IT@Work, says a key factor in recruitment is company culture.
"Everyone wants to work in a fun, dynamic company where people are really motivated and team players and investment in people are high priorities," says Breed.
"They also look for a career path. Career succession is important. New Zealand organisations tend to have a fairly flat structure and in some instances employees do have to leave to progress their careers.
"Flexible hours are a big plus for many people especially with the traffic challenges. Working remotely is also becoming very popular," she adds.
Hudson Recruitment IT&T national practice manager Ben Pearson pleads for flexibility in hiring, such as taking on mature staff and immigrants, whose first language is not English. "That (also) includes taking people with a slightly different technology background but have the right attitude. You can train them," he says.
"We often see good people who don't perfectly match the job description and get declined, but are snapped up elsewhere and add value over the longer term," adds Pearson.
Robert Walters reports some employers are showing such flexibility where the candidates show the right attitude.
"Employers know they can train skills but not attitude," adds Manthel.
The law of supply and demand
But sometimes it is about money. John Keesing, managing associate of Executive Taskforce, says employers should abandon traditional notions of 'permanent' staff and consider contracting.
Skills matter more than job titles, with Keesing claiming there is no skills shortage, it is just the way they are distributed. Skills can be found in the unlikeliest places, he points out.
Recalling the 'pay peanuts get monkeys' saying, Keesing adds firms doing this may now be left with no one. Poor pay makes employers unattractive, he says. It fuels job-hopping and increases costs in HR, training and recruitment expenses.
And while employers may be loath to pay fees to attract people, they might have to.
Keesing demands employers dump the cost-cutting mentality of 15 years ago, address the reality of a talent shortage, realise New Zealand wages are internationally uncompetitive and accept people will take the highest paid job offer.
Consequently, companies need to rethink their remunenation strategies, respond to the basic laws of supply and demand and pay more.
Sally Breed, however, sees upping pay for newcomers as problematic, as everyone else will demand a pay rise. Breed says offering superannuation can help with retention, but IT staff tend to move around.
Signing-on bonuses, common in the US, but new to New Zealand, though won't upset the salary apple cart. Retention packages and paying people a bonus after an agreed period in the company, also help, along with performance-based bonuses.
"Whatever the strategy, it requires a holistic approach to attracting the right people and creating loyalty and commitment in building high-performance teams," says Breed.
In the actual IT workplace, IT executives MIS spoke to are addressing staff retention and recruitment issues, even if they are not throwing money at the problem.
Tony Lester, chief information officer at Land Information New Zealand, says the IT jobs market is at its most active since before Y2K, with the government seeking at least three CIOs and LINZ about to increase its IT department staff from 59 to 66 this year. Government agencies cannot always compete with external agencies, he says, but it is not always about cash, but rather offering challenging work, staff development and training.
"Perhaps government is a bit more positive when it comes to the overall development of the individual and so training and personal development are high on my list of activities for staff.
"I am (also) attempting to adopt an inclusive approach as much as possible to how I would like to see my team culture grow. Individual and team relationships are still the key," says Lester. Wellington-based Public Trust is also increasing IT staffing for infrastructure projects this year. It is not reporting any skills shortage problems, yet. Some employees have been with the organisation for almost 40 years thanks to "an interesting variety of work for staff and keeping up with changes in technology".
"Retaining staff is about providing staff with appropriate challenges for their levels of skill, not setting them up to fail, and showing loyalty to staff through both profitable and non-profitable periods in a company's life," says Public Trust IS manager Cathy Budd.
Auckland City Council faces difficulties in getting good people in highly technical areas, with CIO Ian Rae reporting shortages of business analyst and consultants in particular.
Rae believes providing interesting and challenging work is important, plus a "great workplace and appropriate social environment".
"We have always had a strong focus on offering development opportunities and investment in training," he says.
Fonterra claims few problems in replacing staff, other than a quickening staff turnover forcing the company to speed-up recruitment processes for lower-end roles. The company is also looking at employment branding, employee engagement, recruitment processes, remuneration and benefits, plus orientation and graduate recruitment.
"In some more senior roles the shortage is evident by the simple lack of quality resources applying or available for a specific role. In some cases, it has taken six months to fill roles in senior technical and specialist fields," says HR manager for Fonterra information systems Russell Malone.
Malone adds his own personal view of the problem. "Organisations and government have not invested enough in work training programs over the last couple of decades. The buoyancy of the economy and global mobility are driving demand for resources that exceed supply.
Targeted immigration programs are an important part of the IS industry in New Zealand and Australia but they don't really address the underlying problems of employers wanting people that are ready to 'plug and play'."


text:
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Barry University's Cristina Valladares advanced to the semifinals of the University of Miami's Fall Invite singles tournament Saturday before she fell to the No. 1 seed in the Green Bracket.
Valladares beat No. 4 seed Reka Muller of Auburn, 6-2, 6-4, in the quarterfinals. Her run ended when she lost to No. 1 seed Lina Lileikite, 6-2, 6-2, in the semis. Valladares will play for third place in Sunday's 10 a.m. match against Miami's Brittany Dubins.
Barry's Karina Goia bounced back from a competitive first-set loss to Miami's Stephanie Wagner to blank the Hurricanes player in the second set of a 6-3, 0-6, 6-1 victory for the 'Canes. Goia dropped her ensuing match to Miami's Kelsey Laurente, 6-4, 6-4. Goia will play for seventh place in the Orange bracket.
Elisabeth Abanda of Barry fell to Miami's Clementina Riobueno in an Orange consolation quarterfinals battle, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Abanda later picked up a victory over Purdue's Lynda Xepoleas when the Boilermakers player retired due to injury.
Barry's Kimmy Twelker won by default over Purdue's Nicole Robinson, following a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Mississippi's Erin Stephens in the Orange consolation quarters.
In the Green quarterfinals, Barry's Akemi Maehama fell victim to Dubins, 6-2, 6-0. She then lost to Muller, 6-2, 6-1. Maehama will play Auburn's Jackie Kasler for seventh place Sunday.
In the Orange doubles bracket, Abanda and Twelker lost in a dogfight to Dubins and Wagner, 8-7, in the third place match.
In the Green consolation third place match featuring an all-Buccaneer battle, Valladares and Akemi Maehama won by default over Karina Goia and Isabela Miro.
Maria Reis lost to Miami's Deborah Suarez, 6-4, 6-3. That followed a 6-1, 6-3 setback to Ole Miss' Allie Robbins in the Green consolation quarters.
At the Super Bowl doubles tournament in Fort Myers, Barry's Emma Onila and Linda Fritschken beat Kristina Marova and Hui-I Huang of Embry Riddle, 6-1, 6-1. The Buccaneers duo will play for the title Sunday.


text:
(USA & Canada) Call 1 800 745 8883
(Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK) Call 00800 10 10 11 11
(Japan) Call 0120-086-230 toll free (Japan Only)
(Italy) Call 800 822 005
Questions or comments? Send us an email and we will be happy to assist you
Please enter your email address to receive great offers
Don't miss anything you wanted to see or do when your fourth consecutive night is as good as free. Savings included in the rate.
Stay for 4 Pay for 3
Save 15% on our best available room rates with full pre-payment of your stay upfront. Savings included in the rate.
Upfront Savings
Receive a credit of USD 100 or more to spend on dining, spa services, excursions, and more.
Hotel Credit
Enjoy exclusive rates available only to Leaders Club Members.
Which set of exclusive benefits suits you?
Top Guest-Rated Leading Hotels
The top destinations to visit right now.
Includes everything from exciting cities to gorgeous beaches and romantic countryside escapes.
Where land, sea and sky strike a note of such worldly perfection.
Please select number of guests for each selected room.
All Other Countries
The Legian, occupying one of the best stretches of Seminyak beach, perfectly captures Bali's otherworldly charm.
Special Notice: All Room rates are quoted in US Dollar; however, billing will be in Indonesian Rupiah based on prevailing billing rate on the day of transaction. Following Indonesian law, all payments by credit card are charged in Indonesia Rupiah.
Views of the Indian Ocean complement every meal at The Restaurant, Pool Bar and Ocean Bar, along with signature drinks and healthy Balinese herbal concoctions.
Nestled near the chic dining and shopping areas of Legian and Seminyak, the resort boasts an unrivalled beachfront setting just half hour from the airport.
Enjoy the tropical breeze along the three-tiered pool, watch the spectacular sunset or simply rejuvenate at The Spa.
Studio Suite
One Bedroom Pool Villa
Legian Suite
Seminyak Suite
Two Bedroom Suite
One Bedroom Deluxe Suite
Beach House
Sunset Suite
Kayu Aya Club Villa
Sunrise Club Villa
Joglo Club Villa
Jalan Kayu Aya, Seminyak Beach, Bali 80361, Indonesia
15km S. from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
220 volts AC
Tulamben, on the north-east coast of Bali, is a small fishing village in the Karangasem regency that has become one of the most popular dive sites in Bali. The USAT Liberty Ship wreck just off its shores, makes this a favorite destination for divers. The wreck is an underwater wonderland of marine life: lionfish, scorpion fish, breathtaking colorful corals and sponges, along with other thousands of invertebrates.
In the heart of town, the Bali Museum consists of courtyards and a few buildings with displays of theatrical masks, musical instruments, sculptures and paintings, textiles and archaeological finds. Tel. (+62 36) 122 2680
The zoo is home to hundreds of amazing animals from more than 60 species, including rare and endangered ones, like the Sumatran elephant, the white tiger, the leopard and the Komodo dragon. www.balisafarimarinepark.com.
This sprawling complex perched on the slopes of Mount Agung consists of 22 structures, built between the 14th to 17th centuries, as well as newer additions.
This restaurant offers authentic cooking classes using "bumbu," a combination of spices that is the base of Balinese cuisine. It also hosts a Balinese dance performance twice a week. (+62 81) 774 502; www.balifoods.com.
A magical beachfront venue, KU DE TA is equally suited for a wedding reception, an intimate birthday or a jet-set VIP party. www.kudeta.net.
The architecturally stunning Potato Head Beach club incorporates 18th-century teak shutters, set off against a large lawn and an infinity pool that ends in the Indian Ocean. (+62 361) 473 7979; www.ptthead.com/potato-head-beach-club.
A large, offshore rock, sculpted by the tides of the Indian Ocean, Tanah Lot translates to "land in the sea" and harbors one of the Balinese coasts' seven "sea temples."
(USA & Canada)
Call 1 800 745 8883
(Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK)
Call 00800 10 10 11 11
Call 0120-086-230 toll free (Japan Only)
Call 800 822 005
Select your check-in date
Select your check-out date


text:
10th December 2008, 06:45 PM
For anyone who does not know we have a Post Office, greeting cards and Gift shop. Today my beloved 15 year old Cassie who I have to add is blind and deaf sneaked up to a customers shopping bag while she was choosing her Christmas Cards and pinched 2lb of Best braising steak. I found her having a very delicious early tea.:o


text:
Major Victory for Student Safety and Privacy
- William A. Estrada, Esq. Director of Federal Relations
- 2014 30 Apr
On Monday, April 21, inBloom, the controversial company formed with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create a national database of student-specific data, announced that it is closing its doors. This is a huge victory for student privacy advocates.
Home School Legal Defense Association has long opposed such Orwellian attempts to track students from preschool through graduation from college and entry into the workforce. We believe that a national database would not only threaten the privacy of students, but would also be susceptible to abuse by government officials or corporate representatives and could jeopardize student safety. Detailed national data systems are unnecessary to educate young people.
In Opposition
In September 2013, HSLDA published an article about the new inBloom databases entitled "The Dawning Database: Does the Common Core Lead to National Data Collection?" Our research showed that while the Common Core State Standards Initiative does not in itself create a national database, many backers of the Common Core—as well as the federal government—were working behind the scenes to create a national database of all schoolchildren. inBloom launched with a $100 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and was intended to build and operate this national database.
Supporters of tracking and storing the data of children from preschool through college did not reckon on massive outrage from moms, dads, and teachers across the nation. Few parents want the federal government, big business, and unaccountable education elites far removed from the classroom to collect or have access to this type of information on their children. State governments heeded the many outraged calls from their constituents and began to reject the inBloom database and other nationalized data collection systems. And last week, the work of these dedicated parents came to fruition when inBloom closed its doors.
Not Just Technology
In his statement on inBloom's website, CEO Iwan Streichenberger tried to characterize national database opponents as uninformed Luddites rejecting cool new technology. He said "The use of technology to tailor instruction for individual students is still an emerging concept and inBloom provides a technical solution that has never been seen before. As a result, it has been the subject of mischaracterizations and a lightning rod for misdirected criticism."
But parents are not objecting to new technology—they're objecting to the use of technology to transfer local decision-making ability and control to national policy makers. Parents are tired of educational elites making parenting decisions for them. Parents and teachers should be in the driver's seat when it comes to educating the next generation.
This is a significant victory. But we cannot rest yet. Those who support national student data tracking are not going away. States and the federal government have already whittled away numerous student privacy protections, as we described in "The Dawning Database." This victory is the first step, as we continue to call on state legislatures and Congress to aggressively protect student privacy.
Protect Your Family
If you aren't yet a member of HSLDA, consider joining today! HSLDA's work benefits homeschooolers in the United States and around the world. We invite you to participate in our ministry to the homeschool community. Join now.
Will Estrada has been leading our efforts to defend homeschooling on Capitol Hill since 2006. As the oldest of eight kids, and a homeschool graduate who married a homeschool graduate, he has a passion for protecting homeschool freedom.
Publication date: April 30, 2014


text:
By Mark Shade
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Pennsylvania's elected fiscal watchdog is calling for sweeping changes in the way Penn State University governs itself following the child sexual abuse conviction of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
The university should strip the president of some powers, shrink the school's board of trustees, and make the school more transparent to the public, Auditor General Jack Wagner said on Wednesday in a report offering nonbinding recommendations.
The university's image was tarnished by the Sandusky scandal and criminal charges of cover-up by Penn State leaders, including former President Graham Spanier.
"By its very design, the structure of Penn State's governance vests too much control and power in the position of university president, no matter who held that position in the past or who holds it now," Wagner, a Democrat, said in his report.
Sandusky, 68, is serving 30 to 60 years in a maximum-security prison for molesting 10 boys over a 15-year period, some in the campus football showers.
Spanier, former Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and former Vice President Gary Schultz will face a preliminary hearing next month in Harrisburg on child endangerment, perjury, criminal conspiracy, failure to report suspected child abuse and obstruction charges in connection with the Sandusky case.
"We call for reforming the conflicted and contradictory structure by which the president holds plural roles that compromise reporting relationships and undercut the board's ability to govern as leaders," Wagner said.
Wagner said the Penn State president wields too much authority because he is a voting member of the board of trustees and is a member of "almost every board committee."
The board of trustees, Wagner said, should also be reduced from 32 to 22 members, with one of those members, the Pennsylvania governor, serving as a non-voting member.
The university welcomed Wagner's recommendations but had no other comment, Penn State spokesman David La Torre said.
"The university only just received the report but will conduct a thorough review," La Torre said.
(Editing by Daniel Trotta and Will Dunham)


text:
2013 Maine Restaurant Week wraps up first weekend
Discounted meals offered for 10 days
2013 Maine Restaurant Week wraps up first weekend
Discounted meals offered for 10 days
PORTLAND, Maine —
The first full weekend of Maine Restaurant Week wrapped up Sunday.
The 10-day event started on Friday.
More than 80 restaurants from Eliot to Bangor are participating in this year's event. Most restaurants offer a three-course meal for a fixed price. Some offer the deal for both lunch and dinner.
Chefs at participating restaurants like El Rayo Taqueria in Portland said Restaurant Week is a great way to boost business during a typically slow month.
"It's nice to surprise our regulars with some different menu items, with something new," said El Rayo Kitchen Manager Elena McMahan. "It's also nice to get some people in who haven't tried us."
Restaurant Week runs through March 10. There are also a some culinary events associated.


text:
1-888-810-5043M-F 8AM-7PM EST|Contact Us|About Us|Sign In or Create an Account
Amana HDC12A2 - 1200W C-Max Microwave w/ Digital Control
- Free ShippingxLucky you! This product qualifies for free shipping (contiguous United States only).
Click here to see why.
- Price MatchxFound a better price somewhere else? We'll beat it! Call us at (888) 810-5043 or fill out our price match form.
The Amana C-Max HDC12A2: Amana's C-Max line of heavy-duty compact ovens offers powerful heating performance in a space-saving design. Durable and stackable, C-Max is ideal for hard-use, high-volume operations. C-Max's improved and unique method of energy distribution provides superior even-heating, so your customers will notice your food, not your food's temperature.
- 1200 Watts of power for fast heating.
- Ample .6 cubic foot capacity easily accommodates a standard half-pan.
- Up to 100 programmable menu items simplifies cooking and ensures consistent results.
- 11 power levels for consistent,delicious results for frozen and fresh foods. Food can go from freezer to table in minutes.
- Unique method of energy distribution with top and bottom feed provides superior even-heating.
- Clean Filter reminder indicates when filter needs cleaning.
- Multiple quantity pad calculates the proper cook times for multiple portions.
- Interior ceramic shelf is sealed and recessed to help reduce plate to shelf edge impact and keep spills contained.
- Interlock switch assembly is engineered for maximum durability and long life.
- Durable stainless steel exterior and interior for years of commercial foodservice use.
- View the spec. sheet below for electrical installation information.
- Nationwide service keeps any downtime to an absolute minimum.
- Full 3-year warranty.
|List Price:
|16 3/4"
|13 1/2"
|73 lbs.
Amana has been the industry front-runner and only American-based manufacturer of commercial microwaves for more than 30 years. The brand trusted most by top restaurant professionals, Amana's superior quality line of products helps cut costs in both time and money. With over 96 patents since they engineered the first full line of microwave ovens for commercial use, Amana has positioned themselves to meet whatever future challenges and changes the industry may present.


text:
I received several e-mails and Tweets today about what exactly happened on the DeSean Jackson taunting penalty during Sunday night's game, and why his catch didn't count.
As you may recall, Jackson hauled in a 50-yard pass from Vince Young, but then flipped the ball at Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (video below). Also on the play, Giants defensive tackle Linval Joseph was called for illegal use of hands.
The play was a confusing one because Joseph's penalty was during the play, or a live-ball foul, while Jackson's penalty was after the play, or a dead-ball foul.
The officials announced offsetting penalties, but the catch did not count, and the Eagles returned to their original line of scrimmage, their own 2-yard line.
I reached out to a league spokesman, who referred me to the following rule:
Section 3: Fouls by Both Teams
Double Foul Without Change of Possession
Article 1 If there is a double foul (3-11-2-c) without a change of possession, the penalties are offset and the down is replayed at the previous spot. If it was a scrimmage down, the number of the next down and the necessary line is the same as for the down for which the new one is substituted.
In other words, in the case of offsetting penalties, they just replay the down. There is no differentiation because Jackson's taunting penalty came after the play was over. Had Joseph not been whistled for a penalty, Jackson's catch would have counted and the taunting penalty would have been assessed from the new line of scrimmage.
There's one other rule that a couple of you have sent to me, wondering why it didn't apply here:
Third-and-3 on A30. B2 intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown. When B2 is at the A10, he turns and taunts A1 who is chasing him. A2 clips B5 during B2's run.
Ruling: Touchdown Team B. Kickoff B35. The taunting foul is treated as a dead-ball foul, thus making this a "clean hands score." The fouls offset on the kickoff. (12-3-1-c)
I asked the league spokesman why this rule didn't apply and was told it only applies to a scoring play. Had Jackson scored, the touchdown would have counted.
"If DeSean Jackson would have scored a touchdown, the Eagles would have declined the penalty on the Giants, the touchdown would have counted and the 15-yard penalty against the Eagles for taunting would have been enforced on the kickoff," NFL vice president of football communications Michael Signora wrote in an e-mail. "The difference is purely because penalty enforcement in this situation when a score is involved is different from a non-scoring play."
So, if Jackson wants to taunt the opposing team, he should make sure he scores first.
Overall, the rule doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but the officials did make the correct call.
If your head has not exploded yet, I did Man Up on the defense earlier today.
You can follow me on Twitter or become a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.


text:
Michael NapoleonOakland Athletics
Catcher | Ht: | Wt:
|Athletics | Team signs Napoleon
Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:50:58 -0700
Mychael Urban, of Athletics.MLB.com, reports the Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms with C Michael Napoleon. Napoleon was the Athletics' 19th-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:


text:
Countdown to World War 3, Israeli Cruise Missiles Fired At Syria
A new urgent action report prepared by the Ministry of Defense ( MoD ) for President Putin today states that specialized forces operating th...
A new urgent action report prepared by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) for President Putin today states that specialized forces operating the highly advanced Vityaz air defense system in the Southern Military District detected the launching of two Popeye Turbo SLCM ballistic cruise missiles from an Israeli Dolphin-class submarine patrolling in the Eastern Mediterranean whereupon they were "nearly immediately" destroyed by a US Navy Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyer operating in the same region.
The Vityaz air defense system guarantees the detection of enemy ballistic and long-range cruise missiles at blastoff and is currently being deployed along the entire Russian border; while the Popeye ballistic cruise missile is the type used by Israel during its Dolphin submarine 5 July attack on an arms depot in the Syrian port city of Latakia that targeted a contingent of 50 Russian-made Yakhont P-800 anti-ship missiles; and the Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers are the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar making them some of the most feared warships in the world.
According to this MoD report, these ballistic cruise missile launches took place at 10:16 am Moscow time (0616 GMT) with the Israelis first denying any knowledge, but subsequently stating that they were conducting missile tests in Mediterranean.
As to the exact method the US Navy utilized in destroying these two ballistic cruise missiles this MoD report does not speculate upon, but a review of an Australian Air Force technical report [Technical Report APA-TR-2007-0402] clearly shows it can be done, but only at great expense and using First-World technical skills and 21st Century technology.
With Syrian President Bashar Assad warning that any military strike against his country would spark an uncontrollable regional war and spread "chaos and extremism," this MoD report says, the Israeli motivation for launching these ballistic cruise missiles earlier today remains "highly suspect," a situation made even more dangerous as all International treaties require advanced notification prior to conducting any tests of this type.
This MoD report further states that the launching of these ballistic cruise missiles could have been a test of Russian military capability to detect these types of launches and Kremlin resolve to notify the entire world immediately upon their detection.
In the former the Russian military proved its ability to immediately detect these types of launches, and in the latter the Kremlin, indeed, showed it would not hide from the world any knowledge the West was attacking Syria.
Though not explicitly stated in this MoD report, but speculated upon, Russian defense intelligence experts contributing to it note that Israel may have been attempting to start this war by an unprovoked attack upon Syria that would be blamed on the Americans and whose effect would be the starting of at least a wide-ranging regional war, or at its worst, World War III.
As to why Israel would want to start a major war lies in its "demographic time bomb" of a population that is pitting the Jewish states main factions (Zionist-Haredi-Arab) against each other with mounting fears of civil war growing by the day.
With the Haredi religious movement in Israel bound by three oaths, (1) not to settle in Israel by using force or violence, (2) not to make war with other nations and (3) not to act as if the other nations of the world would persecute Israel; and their booming population numbers, these strictest of Jewish sects have aligned themselves with Israeli Arabs and who both now control over 30% of the population.
To the reason(s) as to why Syria is now the main target of this war lies mainly in the machinations of Saudi Arabia, especially their current intelligence chief Prince Bandar who last month the Libyan Defense Ministry warned delivered Israeli chemical weapons to Syrian terrorists.
Confirmation of chemical weapons being delivered to Syrian rebels by the Saudis were confirmed by Turkey this past May when seven terrorists from the al-Qaeda-linked Al Nusrah Front were captured in antiterrorist operations in Adana, Turkey, and two kilos (4,5 pounds) of sarin gas were found in their apartments.
Further confirmation of Syrian rebels using chemical weapons were detailed by the United Nations whose investigators proved their use against the Syrian army at least 5 times by al-Qaeda-linked terrorists this past year.
Even the latest chemical weapons attack against Syrian civilians has been put squarely at the door of Saudi Arabia, and as we had previously reported on, Syrian rebels in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta admitted to Associated Press journalist Dale Gavlak that they were responsible for the 21 August chemical weapons incident which Western powers have blamed on Bashar Al-Assad's forces, revealing that the casualties were the result of an accident caused by rebels mishandling chemical weapons provided to them by Saudi Arabia.
"From numerous interviews with doctors, Ghouta residents, rebel fighters and their families….many believe that certain rebels received chemical weapons via the Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and were responsible for carrying out the (deadly) gas attack," writes Gavlak.
Even though all of the major US mainstream propaganda media organs are still refusing to tell the American people the truth about what happened in Ghouta, the same cannot be said of the respected Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) organization who when analyzing the Obama regimes evidence for war against Syria against the Associated Press report written by Gavlak, found the latter to be more credible.


text:
A consumer-affairs specialist shows how to get top value for every dollar spent on mortgages, cars and insurance, appliances, food, health costs, and travel, and includes a complete listing of complaint agenciesThis sounds like a good deal but often it just means they pad the repair bill so you get stuck with the full .repair cost anyway. ... Or maybe hea#39;s selling you the car because he hasna#39;t made payments on it for two months and ita#39;s about to beanbsp;...
|John Stossel's Shopping Smart
|John Stossel
|Berkley Publishing Group - 1982-04-01
You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.
Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page.How it works:


text:
Art' otel
Art'otel is a collection of cutting-edge hotels that pay homage to contemporary art by blending unique architectural style with art-inspired interiors. With a powerful combination of world-class art from some of the world's most exciting artists and best-in-class service delivered by a talented team, art'otels offer a hotel experience like no other.
Earn points
You earn 500 Extra points per stay. Always quote your membership number when checking in and points will appear in your account after 3-6 weeks. Points are not earned on special promotional rates and reservations made through Third Party web sites. Tickets or vouchers bought but not used do not generate points. Make your reservation
Note! Hotel reservations made through SAS website is considered as Third party website. In order to earn EuroBonus Extra points, please make your reservation direct with through art'otels.
Spend points
You may not use your EuroBonus points to book award stays at Art'otels.


text:
Big 12 Campus Correspondent
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller once said, "Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again."
Although Feller demonstrated that philosophy years ago, Oklahoma State's Blake Barnes may just be its next-greatest example.
Barnes, a senior right-handed pitcher from Tyler, Texas, has traveled through a wide range of highs and lows throughout his baseball career. His story chronicles why baseball is such a mental sport, and how balancing the ups and downs can lead to success.
Barnes started his collegiate baseball career at Howard College, a traditional junior college powerhouse known for producing talent. . He immediately made an impact by providing solid relief support out of the bullpen for a team that was making waves in the junior college landscape.
Former Howard teammate and current OSU teammate Rick Stover said Barnes was possibly one of the best pitchers out of the bullpen as a freshman.
"He always had a crazy amount of intensity," Stover said. "I always thought that whoever picked him up would get a work horse who is never satisfied with enough success."
The Hawks went an incredible 63-1 en route to a national championship victory, giving Barnes the experience of success, as well as a soaring draft stock.
Barnes took this experience going into the next year with lofty expectations. He had just won a national championship as a freshman and had given himself a name as a high draft prospect.
Barnes expected great things to come out of his sophomore year.
"I had a lot of hype coming into that season," Barnes said. "Baseball America had me somewhere like a first-rounder in the draft."
"But then, I got injured."
Barnes' most promising season of his career was extremely limited with injuries, and ended up dropping him to the 48th round of the draft. One of the highest points in Barnes' life was spent on the bench with an aching arm and the wonder of what could have been.
Although many players would be gratified with just being drafted, it wasn't enough for Barnes. He made a decision to keep at it and get back to where he once was. He hoped to achieve that same level of success by coming to play at Oklahoma State.
"I definitely didn't like where I was picked in the draft," Barnes said. "I thought I could definitely do a lot more with my career if I came here to OSU and learned more with Coach Anderson."
After a mono infection limited his amount of work, Barnes still didn't have the season that he wanted in his first year with the Cowboys. Things completely out of his control limited Barnes' career for the second year in a row. He put up decent numbers and made the second most appearances on the team, but he still wasn't satisfied.
Despite the setbacks in Barnes' career, he still had his believers. Oklahoma State head coach Frank Anderson noticed an attribute of Barnes' game that put him a step or two above his competition.
Anderson said he always knew Barnes had the ability to get back to where he needed to be.
"He's one of the hardest working kids we got," Anderson said. "He's one of the first guys here and one of the last guys to leave. He's a great teammate, he cares about his teammates and he cares about people."
Anderson saw Barnes' exceptional work ethic and let him run with it. Barnes' offseason between his junior and senior year was filled with hard work and determination to become the pitcher that he knew he could be.
To Barnes' surprise, and just as Anderson expected, the success came.
"It's funny, because I literally didn't change a single thing with my mechanics," Barnes said. "One night, I was just sitting around, and I asked God for things to be better. Sure enough, they changed overnight. It kind of scared me, but that's the only reason I'm here in the first place."
Barnes' senior season has been possibly the most effective of his career.
He has appeared in over half of the Cowboys' conference games this season, compiling 24 strikeouts and an impressive 4-1 record. He leads the Big-12 in conference play with a 0.95 ERA, a mark that professional scouts tend to drool over.
Barnes' role in the bullpen has led the Cowboys to a 13-8 record in conference play, putting them in a tie for second coming into a big series with Texas A&M next weekend.
Although Barnes said his contributions to the team are the most important things on his mind, he still has a future to think about with the draft coming up at the beginning of June.
"The draft is a huge guessing game, and I have no idea where I will end up," Barnes said. "The only thing that helps me get through all the nonsense that surrounds the draft is just knowing that it's all in God's hands. The biggest thing I'm looking forward to is just knowing that I'm going to be able to play this game in the future.
Barnes will most likely go through more successes and failures throughout his baseball career, as playing in college is just the beginning. However, knowing that he has experienced these ups and downs can only be a good thing for Barnes, as he will soon take the next step in his career.
With this experience comes knowledge, as well.
Barnes said he just might have a possible backup plan if baseball doesn't work out.
"I definitely love music," Barnes said. "Songwriting is definitely fun, and I've been in and out of a couple of bands. If I could make money doing that, it would be my next choice in life behind baseball."
"Realistically speaking, I'm not a big name in the country music world though, so I could definitely end up coaching too."


text:
Windows 8 is watching you
Microsoft's latest operating system provides the company with information about every program users install.
Playing around with the manufacturers' version of the not-yet-widely released Windows 8, programmer (and hacker) Nadim Kobeissi discovered that the operating system "tells Microsoft about everything you install" and does that "not very securely." Basically, the new Windows has this program called SmartScreen that's designed to protect users but instead gives Windows (and possible hackers) access to a lot of information. Here's the crux of the issue from Kobeissi's blog:
- Windows 8 will, by default, inform Microsoft of every app downloaded and installed by every user. This puts Microsoft in a compromising, omniscient situation where they are capable of retaining information on the application usage of all Windows 8 users, thus posing a serious privacy concern. The user is not informed of this while installing and setting up Windows 8, even though they are given the option to disable SmartScreen (which is enabled by default.)
- Windows 8 appears to send this information to Microsoft to a server that relies on Certificate Authorities for authentication and supports an outdated and insecure method of encrypted communication. It is possible that these insecurities could allow a malicious third party to target a Windows 8 user and learn which applications they are using. This allows them to profile the user and decide how to best exploit their personal selection of applications and their computing habits.
Read more at The Atlantic Wire.


text:
Genesis Chapters 16-33 (Thru the Bible Commentary, Volume 2) : The Scriptures come alive with America's best-loved Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee. Whether you are a new believer or a longtime Bible student, Dr. McGee's Thru the Bible Commentary Series offers sound biblical scholarship and practical, down-to-earth suggestions for applying the principles of Scripture to everyday life. With his familiar, anecdotal style and lively approach, Dr. McGee makes biblical truth understandable and Bible study more enjoyable. This volume concentrates on The Book of Genesis, chapters 16 to 33. 188 pages.
|Religión y Espiritualidad
|Bible - Commentaries
|Religión y Espiritualidad


text:
U.S. regulators should reconsider the 2007 rule change that helped disperse stock trading among more than 50 different platforms and caused complexity that critics say increased malfunctions, Securities and Exchange Commissioner Daniel Gallagher said.
The SEC's Regulation NMS, named for National Market System, mandates that U.S. stocks must trade on the venue that has the best price at any time, helping private trading platforms and upstart exchanges take business from the incumbent public markets, NYSE Euronext and Nasdaq OMX Group Inc.
"It's a prime candidate for a retrospective review," Gallagher told the Security Traders Association market structure conference today.
The commissioner, one of five members of the SEC, also said the agency should re-examine other market-structure rules, including the move to quoting all stocks in 1-cent increments and the self-regulatory role played by exchanges, Gallagher said. SEC Chairman Mary Jo White said yesterday that the exchanges' business models and regulatory roles should be "fully evaluated in light of the evolving market structure and trading practices." She has not publicly endorsed a review of Regulation NMS.
While NYSE Euronext and Nasdaq OMX Group still run the exchanges serving as the home markets for all U.S. stocks, the importance of listing venues has dwindled since Reg NMS took effect in 2007. Shares now change hands on more than 50 trading systems, including 13 public exchanges as well as private venues and internal platforms at brokers.
'Extraordinary' Shift
The rule brought about an "extraordinary" shift in market share for NYSE-listed stocks, pushing transactions onto other venues, the SEC said in its 2010 concept release that solicited public input on the structure of equity markets.
An examination of Reg NMS would be welcomed, said Christopher Concannon, a principal at New York-based trading firm VirtuFinancial Inc. and Nasdaq's former executive vice president for transaction services. He was an SEC attorney in the 1990s.
"It's time for a full review of Reg NMS," he said during an interview at today's event. "A holistic review of Reg NMS would be appreciated by the industry."
Risks stemming from the market's fragmentation were underscored on Aug. 22, when Nasdaq's system for distributing prices broke, prompting a three-hour halt for thousands of companies.
SIP Malfunction
While trading takes place on multiple venues, Nasdaq and NYSE are still responsible for publicly disseminating prices for the stocks they list. Nasdaq's malfunctioning securities information processor, or SIP, prompted the company to freeze transactions everywhere for all its companies.
White called exchange executives to Washington on Sept. 12 to discuss the breakdown and order the industry to collaborate on preventing future technology errors. Improvements under consideration at NYSE and Nasdaq include acting as each other's SIP backups, two people briefed on the matter said last month.
Gallagher also said that the SEC has moved too far toward treating exchanges like any other investment company by punishing them for technology glitches and mishandling market- data duties, he said.
Under federal law, exchanges perform some of the functions of a regulator by policing trading on their marketplaces. Some brokers that run competing trading venues have asked Congress and the commission to remove the exchanges' special status, saying it's an advantage that shields them from legal liability against private claims.
A 'Burden'
Exchanges' self-regulatory duties actually are a "burden" for them, Gallagher said, because SEC enforcement actions show the agency no longer treats them as though they have any special status. The commission should conduct a wholesale review of equity market-structure rules, including the self-regulatory nature of exchanges, Gallagher added.
"What I worry about at the commission now is this trend toward treating these exchanges as investment banks," Gallagher said. "There has been this notion over the last four years that these are for-profit entities, just profit-seeking entities that totally disregard their self-regulatory obligations. I personally don't believe that's true."
Over the past two years, the SEC has levied fines against NYSE Euronext, Nasdaq OMX Group, Direct Edge Holdings LLC and CBOE Holdings Inc. Nasdaq agreed in May to pay $10 million to settle SEC claims that its mishandling of Facebook Inc.'s initial public offering last year was a violation of securities laws.
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


text:
CLEVELAND (AP) — The parents of one of three missing Cleveland women found safe after years of captivity raised their arms in triumph and had a message for communities everywhere: watch your children.
Felix DeJesus (deh-HAY'-zoos) and Nancy Ruiz spoke to reporters after their daughter returned home Wednesday, pumping their fists in the air in celebration as they addressed reporters.
The parents thanked law enforcement and urged people across the country to take responsibility for the children in their neighborhoods. All neighbors should be watchful to protect young people from the kind of abductions that claimed their daughter and two other women.
The parents addressed a crowd of supporters that numbered in the hundreds along the street where Gina DeJesus returned without talking to reporters.