text:
The Zune info just keeps pouring and this time we're getting
additional details from Digital Music
News. The publication has seen various presentation materials sent to
Microsoft partners which shed
some more light on the portable media player that everyone seems to be
talking about these days.
According to the materials, Microsoft will initially be
targeting Zune at young adults in the 18-24 age bracket. In targeting this
segment of the market, Microsoft hopes to piggyback on the success of the XBOX,
XBOX 360 and XBOX Live
-- which have been made popular by young adults -- and use its console platform
as a launching pad for Zune. Digital Music News reports:
The Xbox community
itself will be an important starting point for the campaign. Upon launch,
Microsoft will create an impact though a "7 cities in 7 nights" tour,
which will involve big-name artists, key cities, and live performances that
will be exclusively positioned as downloads "on the web and music
store". Throughout, the messaging will be focused on the "device plus
store". Big box retail outlets will offer a nice push. Sources note that
the device will be "overwhelmingly sold at Target, Best Buy, and Walmart," and
nearly 30,000 retail outlets across the US. A Super Bowl spot is also
reportedly in the works.
The Zune
Live feature, which takes advantage of the device's built-in WiFi, is also
key to Microsoft's aim at capturing 20% of the market. Zune Live would be a
community-based system that would allow Zune users and XBOX Live users to stay
in touch and share content. Whether this will lead to some sort of
MySpace-esque ecosystem for the portable media set remains to be seen. Digital Music News reports that WiFi
sharing can take place between up to ten people within close proximity to each
other. Users will be able to stream music from each other, but simply copying
music and heading off into the sunset doesn't appear to be an option:
If a user wants to
purchase shared material, tracks can be bookmarked and later purchased when the
device is synched to the computer. Unclear is whether users can share
unlicensed MP3 content, though they probably will not have that ability.
Meanwhile, interesting community aspects will be embedded into the device,
including features like friends lists.
And now we get to the rough part. Pricing looks to be on the
high side with a 30GB model coming in at the price of a 60GB 5G iPod: $399.
Apple's 30GB 5G iPod is $100 cheaper. Another more interesting downside is that
the device will not feature wireless PC syncing. Wireless PC syncing would be a
big boon for Zune, but Microsoft has perhaps implemented some proprietary WiFi
protocol in the device which would make wireless syncing impossible. USB
connectivity, however, will be available for both PCs and XBOX consoles. The
device will also be incompatible with existing PlaysForSure music services as
Microsoft looks to a one-brand music store strategy similar to iPod + iTunes. All signs point to the recently launched MTV/Microsoft URGE music store.
Microsoft is hoping to launch the new player in three colors
this November in the States with a worldwide launch coming early next year.


text:
Find information on common issues.
Ask questions and find answers from other users.
Suggest a new site feature or improvement.
Check on status of your tickets.
More tags
Preparing for the Future of Computing: The DOE/ASCR Materials Co-Design Center
08 Apr 2015 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Jim Belak
The advent of Advanced / Additive Manufacturing and the Materials Genome Initiative has placed significant emphasis on accelerating the qualification of new materials for use in real applications....
26 Feb 2015 | Tools | Contributor(s): Benjamin P Haley
Run LAMMPS by uploading a data file and command script.
Introductory Parallel CPU Programming
23 Aug 2013 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Mark Bull
Dr Mark Bull
My principal responsibilities in EPCC are in the areas of research and education. My current research interests include the applications and benchmarking of shared memory parallel...
International HPC Summer School 2013
21 Aug 2013 | Workshops
The U.S. National Science Foundation's Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) project, the European Union Seventh Framework Program's Partnership for Advanced Computing in...
Advanced Parallel CPU Programming Part 2: Fundamentals of OmpSs
21 Aug 2013 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Xavier Teruel
Tasking and Synchronization --> Data Sharing Attributes, Dependence Model, Other Tasking Directives Clauses, Taskwait, Synchronization, Outlined Task Syntax;
Memory Regions, Nesting and...
Tutorial 4: Far-From-Equilibrium Quantum Transport
29 Mar 2011 | Courses | Contributor(s): Gerhard Klimeck
These lectures focus on the application of the theories using the nanoelectronic modeling tools NEMO 1- D, NEMO 3-D, and OMEN to realistically extended devices. Topics to be covered are realistic...
Tutorial 4b: Introduction to the NEMO3D Tool - Electronic Structure and Transport in 3D
29 Mar 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Gerhard Klimeck
Electronic Structure and Transport in 3D - Quantum Dots, Nanowires and Ultra-Thin Body Transistors
Emerging Opportunities, Challenges, and Applications in Exascale Computing
10 Mar 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Ananth Grama
The move towards exascale computing platforms (capable of 10^18 floating point operations) poses tremendous challenges, while presenting opportunities for foundational advances in a variety of...
Grid Computing Technologies
21 Feb 2011 | Workshops | Contributor(s): Carol Song
CI Days 2010: Cyberinfrastructure at Purdue
CI Days 2010 Sponsors
TeraGrid: A National Cyberinfrastructrure for Open Research & Education
21 Feb 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Carol Song
Open Science Grid
31 Jan 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Gabriele Garzoglio
Grid Computing Technologies - Panel Discussion
31 Jan 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Carol Song, Cristina Beldica
Cyber Infrastructure Days at Purdue University
31 Jan 2011 | Workshops
Purdue CI Days 2010 showcases technologies to enhance research, teaching and research funding. The program focus is on how just about any faculty member, research staffer, or graduate student can...
Blue Waters: Sustained Petascale Computing
31 Jan 2011 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Cristina Beldica
Senior Project Manager, Blue Waters Sustained-Petascale Computing Project, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign...
Atomistic Modeling and Simulation Tools for Nanoelectronics and their Deployment on nanoHUB.org
16 Dec 2010 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Gerhard Klimeck
At the nanometer scale the concepts of device and material meet and a new device is a new material and vice versa. While atomistic device representations are novel to device physicists, the...
Illinois ECE 498AL: Programming Massively Parallel Processors
11 Aug 2009 | Courses | Contributor(s): Wen-Mei W Hwu
Spring 2009
Virtually all semiconductor market domains, including PCs, game consoles, mobile handsets, servers, supercomputers, and networks, are converging to concurrent platforms. There are two...
Band Structure Lab: First-Time User Guide
15 Jun 2009 | Teaching Materials | Contributor(s): Abhijeet Paul, Benjamin P Haley, Gerhard Klimeck
This document provides useful information about Band Structure Lab. First-time users will find basic ideas about the physics behind the tool such as band formation, the Hamiltonian description,...
The Multicore Era: Crisis or (and?) Opportunity?
27 Mar 2009 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Mithuna Thottethodi
This talk will provide a brief overview of how we got to the multicore era, the implications and challenges for hardware/software developers and users, and some informed speculation on where the...
Porting, Tuning and Performance Analysis Tools
0.0 out of 5 stars
29 Dec 2008 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Mohamed Sayeed
A basic introduction to Porting, Tuning and Performance analysis tools will be presented. I will talk about issues in porting applications to different architectures including writing portable...
MPI for the Next Generation of Supercomputing
05 Dec 2008 | Online Presentations | Contributor(s): Andrew Lumsdaine
Despite premature rumours of its demise, MPI continues to be the de facto standard for high-performance parallel computing. Nonetheless, supercomputing software and the high-end ecosystem continue...

subset: commoncrawl


text: Even the best of Trek you can poke holes in, so I do not see that as incorrect. And almost every story you can do that. Isn't that what red letter media is all about? Or "How it should have ended"? How you approach a story will have a lot to do with whether you like it or not. I approach them positively and then let the story itself speak to me, sometimes it works and sometimes I still don't like it. Case in point: I wanted to like Prometheus, but in the end hated it; not because I wanted too but because I just thought the story sucked.


text:
That is the only thing that comes to mind with the new Gnome release that is being pushed by debian.
Have they all gone nuts with this 'new style' GUI ?
Gnome 2 had pretty much everything anyone needs, yet they ruined it with Gnome 3.
It isn't just Gnome, it is also Unity as well. So very depressing.
That leaves KDE & XFCE...
Did I say UGH yet ?


text:
If there is one verse form the Bible that Christians are likely to be able to recite verbatim, it is John 3:16 which goes:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
You often see the words "John 3:16" scrawled in large letters all over the place, on T-shirts, alleys, bathroom walls, and on bed sheets draped over the railings of the upper decks of stadiums hoping that TV cameras will pan over it. It is a sign that you are a true believer. Some ostentatiously religious athletes like Tim Tebow also inscribe it in the blacking under their eyes, no doubt to inspire them to great things, though in his case it seems to have not helped. (Whatever happened to him, anyway?)
So I was highly amused to come across this quote on the internet and was surprised that I had not heard of it before.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him will believeth in anything." – Hitchens 3:16
I don't know if Christopher Hitchens actually said this or it was ascribed to him. It does look like the kind of thing he would come up with but I can find no record of him actually saying it.


text:
The Gateway Camera Club gathered with about 100 past and present members in Framingham Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the state's largest and oldest clubs dedicated to photography.
As a photographer, Paul Smith describes himself as "an obsessed amateur.''A psychology professor at Brandeis University, Steve Kramer credits teaching "the principles of perception'' with helping him artfully compose his images.
And retired police officer Fran Hines has had his digital photograph of the Magdalen Bridge in Oxford, England, published by the British Broadcasting Corporation.
However different their backgrounds, all three area residents credit the Gateway Camera Club for providing the camaraderie, constructive criticism and technical knowledge to become better photographers.
They gathered with about 100 past and present GCC members Tuesday in Framingham to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the state's largest and oldest clubs dedicated to photography.
"I've been carrying a camera for years and have taken numerous adult education courses,'' said Hines, of Sudbury, who shot his first photos from the deck of the battleship USS New Jersey off the coast of Vietnam. "But I didn't learn a third as much about photography as I did in five years with Gateway.''
The subjects and styles of their photographs reveal their specialized interests.
In his gorgeous "Kauai Sunset,'' Smith used a technique called "high dynamic range'' to merge nine separate shots into one image so the Pacific sky glows with incandescent brilliance
Capturing the reflection of red sandstone mountains on the surface of the flowing Virgin River in Zion National Park, Kramer's "Fire and Flow'' straddles the boundary between realism and abstraction. Utilizing techniques learned at a GCC meeting, Hines used digital technology to give his photo of the Magdalen Bridge the shimmering look of a watercolor painting.
A 10-year member who has served as president since 2009, Smith said the club has never abandoned its original mission "to educate, encourage and expand the photographic knowledge and capabilities of its members.''
"More than anything else, the Gateway Camera Club has been oriented toward education,'' said the Marlborough resident. "It provides the support and know-how to get members to the next level.''
Founded in 1962 by local photographer Art Jacques, the GCC has about 80 active members and meets four times a month, every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., from September to November, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 3 Maple St., Framingham. They revert to holding four meetings a month from January through May, and meet twice monthly in June and July before taking a summer break.
Smith said the first Tuesday meeting is called "Education Night'' and typically focuses on sharing new techniques, generally involving digital photography with a strong emphasis on Adobe Photoshop.
"At Gateway, we were in the forefront of the changeover from film to digital photography. You'd be hard pressed to find many people still shooting slides,'' he said.
The second Tuesday program features a competition with members' digital photos displayed on an overhead projector. An "outside'' judge evaluates members' photos in three categories.
On the third Tuesday of the month, called "Image Study Night,'' members can submit up to three photos to be critiqued by others.
For the month's final meeting, Smith said different "hands on'' programs might involve working with live models, photographing miniature subjects or exploring the possibilities of black lights.
Smith said the club usually holds two annual exhibits of members' photos in the Framingham Library and Morse Institute Library in Natick.
Only half-joking, member Andrea Gardner said, "I've been taking photos my whole life but not too well.''
After buying a digital camera four years ago, the registered nurse from Canton took an experienced photographer's advice and joined the Gateway Camera Club.
"That was one of the most helpful things I've done. I've met lots of people who've shared their knowledge and helped me become a better photographer,' said Gardner. "I go out shooting with other members. You get pointers on how to get better. I've learned things I never would have just by reading books or watching videos.''
Since joining Gateway, Gardner, who enjoys taking portraits of children, has earned numerous ribbons for GCC events and has had her photos accepted for shows by the prestigious Photographic Society of Rhode Island and Greater Lynn Photographic Association.
"There's no better way to improve your photography than by surrounding yourself people who are passionate about the same thing,'' she said. "I couldn't have made the progress I did without the Gateway Camera Club.''
To learn about the Gateway Camera Club or join, visit www.gatewaycameraclub.org.


text:
While admittedly fitting all of the pieces together is definitely a 'work in progress', new SCORE President Roger Norman has announced some additional staff appointments as he continues to prepare to launch his first season at the helm of SCORE at next week's 27th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250.
As new owner of the world's foremost desert racing organization, Norman, who himself is a SCORE Baja 1000 overall champion, will start his legacy in 2013 as SCORE International celebrates its 40th anniversary season. SCORE was founded in 1973 by the late motorsports innovator Mickey Thompson.
Purchasing SCORE International from Sal Fish on Dec. 20 of last year, Norman has been operating at warp-speed as he finalizes his race staff to start the SCORE year.
While several primary personnel were part of the original SCORE, several key new appointments have been made by Norman including Jessica Armstrong-Director of Racer and Event Services and Ramses Perez-Marketing Director.
Both Armstrong and Perez have been working for several weeks after joining previously announced SCORE personnel: Oscar Ramos-Mexican Liaison and Attorney, Mandy Winger-Corporate Administration, Jose Grijalva-Race Director, Jake Velasco and Art Savedra-Co-Tech Directors and Andrew Grimshaw-SCORE Media Production Manager.
Additional new consultants include George Antill-Start/Finish Announcer and Dirt Live anchor/producer, Bill Black, Safety Coordinator, Scott Estrada-Race Ops, Art Verling-Timing and Scoring, Manuel Gonzalez, SCOREgear/SCORE Store and Art Eugenio, Official Photographer.
SCORE also announced that Tampa Digital of Florida, with Mike McKown as coordinating producer, will produce the SCORE races for national television. Negotiations are still underway for where and when the telecasts will be broadcast.
Additionally, SCORE announced that Tempt Media of Escondido, Calif., with Bryan Moore as associate producer, is involved with developing social media content as well as provide content for SCORE television productions.
Diligently helping oversee and direct the integration of all the myriad aspects of the administration side of what is basically a new racing organization is Norman's dedicated wife Elise Norman, SCORE Vice-President.
In addition to Ramos, returning key consultants from the original SCORE include Dominic Clark-Media Director, Charlie Engelbart-Contingency Director, Dr. Jeff T. Grange-Medical Director and Bob Steinberger-Radio Relay Operations.
"The process of identifying the best staff with the best fit in the new SCORE International is an extremely laborious task as is working all the minute pieces of this racing organization that produces the most high-profile desert races in the world," commented Roger Norman. "Elise has been my rock in this process and her keen insight and wisdom has been extremely important. She shares my passion and has helped me select individuals that we are confident share the same vision for SCORE into the future."
"Elise and I have made a commitment to grow our sport with all of the resources we can muster. Having these individuals in place is the foundation upon which we will build the new SCORE."
Born and raised in the high desert town of Ridgecrest, Calif., Armstrong has spent the majority of her life in the desert. After attending an off-road race with friends years ago, she fell in love with the sport and set off to learn as much as possible with the hope of earning her way to a driver seat.
She holds two degrees, a bachelor's in Physical Education, Movement Studies Option, from California State University, Chico and a master's in Public Relations Practice from Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom.
After spending six years in public relations for a Southern California naval base, her final position as the deputy public affairs officer, Armstrong left the federal government in October 2012 to follow her passion for off-road racing and run her company Off-Road Agent full-time. Off-Road Agent focuses on comprehensive and strategic public relations and marketing planning and implementation including brand building and management, publicity, promotions, athlete management, event management, crisis communications, sponsorship acquisition and sponsor relations for off-road motorsports.
Armstrong currently serves as SCORE International's director of Racer and Event Services and resides in Las Vegas.
Ramses Perez, Garden Grove, Calif., has been active in the field of Action and Motorsports for over 10 years, focusing on Brand Marketing, Public Relations, Project Management and Events operations worldwide.
Perez has designed fully integrated Brand and Marketing campaigns for companies such as Monster Energy Drink and Toyo Tires Co, as well as Individual race teams and Action sports companies globally.
In addition, Perez has on-site experience using social media and multiple web-based resources to promote brands, products and events. Perez has a strong background in design having attended the famed Art Center College of Design Pasadena in Southern California.
In nearly 15 years of photographing desert racing, Eugenio, 38 of San Marcos, Calif. has worked with just about everyone in the sport at one time or another. Early on, Jim Ober of Trackside Photographer taught Eugenio what it took to get "The shot" and encouraged him to push the limits, no matter what it took to get it.
In late 2009, Eugenio started GETSOMEphoto as an outlet for a more creative side of his photography, and it took off from there.
In the past few years, GETSOMEphoto has enjoyed working with a diverse group of clients like SCORE, HDRA, BFGoodrich Tires, Ford and Lexus and media outlets such as Motortrend, Car and Driver, Dirt Sports, Race-Dezert.com and Off-Road.com. GETSOME also has worked with several teams, both the desert and short course.
Dr. Grange has been the SCORE Medical Director for the last several years, overseeing the finest and most extensive medical and rescue team in all of motorsports. Based in SoCal, Dr. Grange is a specialist in emergency medicine, working out of Loma Linda University Medical Center where he is an associate professor of emergency medicine. Dr. Grange is also the medical director for California Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
The season opener of the 2013 SCORE Desert Series will be held March 7-10 in Mexico's picturesque fishing village of San Felipe, located 120 miles south of the U.S. border on the East side of the Baja California peninsula along the azure waters of the tranquil Sea of Cortez. The race will herald the new chapter in SCORE history, starting the tenure of Roger Norman as the owner of the world's foremost desert racing organization.
With entries accepted up to race morning, over 225 entries are expected to enter the 254.0-mile race. To date, entries have come from 21 US States and nine countries as competition will be held in 40 Pro and 7 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs in the popular race.
ON THE BAJAscope
In its 40th year as the world's foremost desert racing organization in 2013, the three-race 2013 SCORE Desert Series, with all three massive special events held in Baja California, Mexico, starts with the 27th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Both starting and finishing in Ensenada, the other two events will be the 45th Tecate SCORE Baja 500 (May 31-June 2) and the 46th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 (Nov. 14-17).
Official Sponsors of the SCORE Desert Series are fueled by Monster Energy-Official Energy Drink: Tecate Beer-Official Beer/Official Race Sponsor, BFGoodrich Tires-Official Tire, Amber Racing Services-Official Race Fuels (F&L, VP), Rigid Industries-Official Lights, King Shocks-Official Shock Absorber, Coca-Cola-Official Soft Drink, Wide Open Excursions-Official Tour Company, Crystal Bay Casino-Official Casino, Volaris Airlines-Official Airline, MasterCraft Safety-Official Safety Seats, Fox Car Rental-Official Rent-A-Car, Graham Watchmakers-Official Timekeeper, SatellitePhoneStore.com-Official Satellite Phone Rental Company, Slime-Official Tire Sealant, Symons Ambulance Company-Official Ambulance, Azunia Tequila-Official Tequila, Instant Mexico Auto Insurance-Official Mexican Auto Insurance.
Additional SCORE Sponsors are – Visit Baja California Sur, Proturismo Ensenada, Baja California Secretary of Tourism, COTUCO Mexicali/San Felipe, Blue C Advertising, PCI Race Radios, McKenzie's Performance Products and Advanced Color Graphics.
For more information, visit the official website of the new SCORE Desert Series at www.score-international.com.


text:
Breville Compact Smart Oven
Breville's updated Compact Smart Oven simplifies dozens of cooking tasks, from broiling pork chops to heating a 12" pizza, yet it takes up even less counter space than ever. Simple to use, it has a range of dial-controlled functions and features – and a generous 1800 watts of power.
- Compact size saves counter space.
- Heat setting range from 120°F to 450°F.
- Eight preset functions include toast, bagel, bake, roast, broil, pizza, cookies and reheat.
- Roomy interior accommodates a 12" pizza or four slices of bread.
- Temperature conversion button and frozen-foods defrost button simplify cooking tasks.
- "Smart" internal-sensor technology automatically adjusts power and calculates cooking time.
- Easy-to-read backlit LCD display changes color when cooking is complete.
- Two-hour timer has auto shut off.
- Nonstick baking chamber.
- Pullout crumb tray simplifies cleaning.
- Includes enamel baking pan and enamel broiling rack.
Dimensions & More Info
Oven includes:
- 1 enamel baking pan.
- 1 enamel broiling rack.
Additional information
- Model #BOV650XL
- Stainless-steel construction.
- 16 1/2" x 14 1/4" x 10" high.
- 0.6-cu.-ft. interior.
- 13 lb.
- This product is intended for use in the United States and Canada and is built to United States electrical standards.
- Made in China.
Use & Care
- Must be placed at least 4" from adjacent walls for adequate air circulation.
- Caution should be exercised when using pans and dishes constructed of materials other than metal. If using ceramic or glass pans or dishes, it is important that they are oven safe to prevent cracking.
- Avoid using utensils on the nonstick interior.
- Removable crumb tray, broil rack and baking pan are dishwasher safe.
- Avoid using harsh detergents, abrasive cleansers or scouring pads.
- Clean exterior and interior with damp cloth; do not touch or clean quartz heating elements.
- Glass door may be cleaned with glass cleaner or a damp cloth; stubborn residue may be removed using a soft plastic scouring pad.
Goat Cheese Toast with Honey Recipe
Preheat an oven or toaster oven to 375°F.
Arrange the toasts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Spread the toast slices evenly with the goat cheese and sprinkle with the walnuts, dividing them evenly. Drizzle 1/4 tsp. of the walnut oil over each toast. Bake until the walnuts are toasted and the cheese is warm, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the toasts to plates and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle each toast with honey, then sprinkle with the thyme leaves and serve immediately. Serves 2 to 4.
Adapted from Williams Sonoma Kitchen Garden Cookbook, by Jeanne Kelley (Weldon Owen, 2013).
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3-5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $17.50 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners, and knife storage) please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable, and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Breville Compact Smart Oven
|Delivery Surcharge
|Breville Compact Smart Oven, Model #BOV650XL
|Sugg. Price $270 Our Price $179.95


text:
Maddon sits Myers after defensive lapse costs Rays run
By Bill Chastain and Sam Strong / MLB.com
ST. PETERSBURG -- Considering the blistering offensive numbers Rays outfielder Wil Myers has put up this season, sometimes it is easy to forget he is a 22-year-old rookie.
Adrian Beltre's RBI single in the top of Wednesday's 11th inning reminded everyone Myers is still experiencing many big league moments for the first time. Myers did not charge Beltre's ball hard, allowing Elvis Andrus to score from first base before the Rays eventually won, 4-3, in 12 innings.
"It wasn't a lack of effort," Myers said Thursday. "I just wasn't aware of the situation and who was on base. I just wanted to make sure the ball didn't get by me. I should have charged it with more aggressiveness."
Manager Joe Maddon called the play "unacceptable" and said it provided the right fielder with "a hard lesson to learn."
Myers has since talked with Maddon and several veterans in the Rays clubhouse, and is confident he will react appropriately if presented with a similar situation in the final 11 games of the season.
Maddon did not put Myers in Thursday's lineup, but said the decision had more to do with Texas starter Yu Darvish than with Myers' misstep in right field.
"I wanted him to understand the overriding impact it would have as a teammate and as he moves forward, how he would be viewed," Maddon said. "I want him to be viewed positively, and the thing he did wrong last night is totally controllable on his part. He understands all of that. I would be very surprised if it ever happened again. It was a good conversation."
Odorizzi joins Rays in advance of callup, bullpen role
ST. PETERSBURG -- Jake Odorizzi is expected to be activated by the Rays on Friday, which would begin his fourth tour of duty with the club this season.
The 23-year-old is 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA in five appearances, four of which were starts. The right-hander arrived Thursday to the Rays' clubhouse.
Odorizzi credited his June 18 start against the Red Sox in Boston for helping turn around his season. He allowed one run on five hits without walking anybody in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision.
"After that, everything went a lot better," Odorizzi said. "Confidence went way up, efficiency went up. It's kind of like a re-start to the season. It was awesome from then on out. I was really happy with the way I pitched."
Odorizzi said he was happy to be pitching well, finishing his season at Triple-A Durham with a 9-6 record and 3.33 ERA.
"It's the best time of year to have everything in order," Odorizzi said. "Just looking forward to doing whatever they need me to do up here. So I don't know what my role will be, but whatever it is, I will embrace it and be ready for it."
Rays manager Joe Maddon said Odorizzi will start by working out of the bullpen.
"We'll see how it falls after that," Maddon said. "There's no specific plan yet, no."
Maddon said Odorizzi got better every time he came up with the team.
"I think the big thing that happened there was we got to understand him better," Maddon said. "And then we were able to help him regarding game planning. And I think that's where you saw improvement.
"I like him. I think he has good makeup. Fastball plays, good curveball, good slider. Everything plays. I just think it's a classic example of a guy understanding how to use his stuff more efficiently."
Speculation has suggested Odorizzi could make a start at the expense of struggling Jeremy Hellickson. Asked if Odorizzi could make a start, Maddon replied: "There's a chance, but we have not discussed that yet."
Crain targets weekend return after instructional game
ST. PETERSBURG -- Jesse Crain threw 20 pitches and allowed a home run in an instructional league game Thursday in Sarasota, Fla., which could be the final hurdle before the Rays activate the All-Star reliever.
Although he was not facing Major League hitters, Crain said pitching in a live game was important to his progress as he continues to recover from a right shoulder strain he suffered before being traded to the Rays from the White Sox in July.
"[It was important to] get in a little bit more of a game atmosphere, with guys running the bases ... just kind of to get a little more adrenaline, even though it was smoking hot out there," Crain said. "I just think it was a little bit of a step above a simulated game, as far as getting out there and throwing different pitches and stuff."
Crain is unlikely to appear for the Rays until Saturday at the earliest, but could be activated Friday, depending on how he feels.
"I feel comfortable," Crain said. "I threw strikes with all my pitches, which is the biggest thing to tell if I'm close to being ready or not. Ultimately, it's going to come down to what [the Rays] want to do, also. You want them to feel comfortable with me going into a game.
"Obviously that goes for me, too. I feel like as soon as I get into a game, I have to be a step above where I am. We'll just see how I feel tomorrow, and hopefully all is well and we'll make that next step."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. Sam Strong is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Well...... I'm human (which is more than I can say for some of you) oh don't be so shocked. I'm sarcastic and could be considered witty and funny. I was born on August 29 so I'm a Virgo but I don't follow horoscopes. I'm the girl to go to if you need grammar and pronunciation checked and for spelling....um I just use spell check =P I'm great with comebacks/insults which get me into trouble since I don't mutter them well enough. Someone always manages to hear, sigh. I always let my temper get the best of me but I just manage to keep it to threats with the exception of my older brother. I hope that I could be a good beta-reader and live up to any expectations you might have of me =)


text:
I had completely forgotten that Karen Kwan skated to Close Without Touching in 1996, although the music sounded familiar. I did recall that Karen skated two lovely programs at U.S. Nats in 1996, placing 5th overall. Again thanks for the links.
After seeing both outfits/ programs, it seems to me that Karen's lovely skate as well as her costume were inspirations for Christina's program and costume. They also both have similar lines (long legs, and long expressive arms).
Re overuse of Carmen music, ITA. There are so many more interesting choices. It seems as if skaters/ coaches/ choreographers either don't know enough about music or they just tend to rely too much on the familiar and proven when it comes to music for skating.
I do enjoy V/M's unique interpretation which I agree goes beyond skin deep. Still too much Carmen has been used in figure skating.


text:
Sultry soul vocalist, ex-American Idol competitor, and Academy Award winning Actress[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Jennifer Hudson[/lastfm]will be performing a free streaming Live on Letterman concert from the Ed Sullivan Theater on June 13th at 9 PM ET. You can watch the entire concert, live right here.
The singer released her sophomore album, I Remember Me, this March to critical acclaim. We did our own remembering of Jennifer Hudson and culled together our favorite Ten Songs Covered By Jennifer Hudson from American Idol and beyond. Honestly, we wish we could put all the [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin[/lastfm] songs at number one. Hudson can channel Franklin better than we've ever heard.
10. "Imagine" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]John Lennon[/lastfm])
Jennifer Hudson uses her extra deep voice (would she be classified as a baritone?) to re-imagine John Lennon's "Imagine." It's not her best vocal feat, but Hudson was beginning to show how soulful she could get–even with material not suited for her voice.
9. "Respect" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin)[/lastfm]
When it comes to singing Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson can pretty much do no wrong. And to sing "Respect" in front of the Queen of Soul herself? That takes guts.
8."Will You Be There?" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Michael Jackson[/lastfm])
Many say that Hudson's rendition of "Will You Be There?" was the most poignant part of Michael Jackson's memorial. Do you agree?
7. "I Will Always Love You" (as sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Whitney Houston[/lastfm])
We've heard many different renditions of "I Will Always Love You" and no one can hold a candle to[lastfm link_type="artist_info"] Dolly Parton[/lastfm] or Whitney Houston. Jennifer Hudson doesn't make a bad showing of singing it, however.
6. "Baby, I Love You" (as sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin[/lastfm])
Jennifer, We love you. Especially when you sing a song written by songwriting greats Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector.
5. "I Have Nothing" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Whitney Houston[/lastfm])
One of our favorite performances from Jennifer Hudson's American Idol stint, Hudson would make Houston proud with her emotionally-charged version of this song from The Bodyguard soundtrack.
4. "Circle Of Life" (originally from Disney's The Lion King)
We never thought we'd say we absolutely loved a Disney song, but Hudson just might have converted us.
3. "Something He Can Feel" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin[/lastfm])
We dare you not to get this song stuck in your head after listing to Hudson sing it. She is definitely giving us something we can feel.
2. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (sung in the style of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Patti Labelle[/lastfm])
There are tons of gorgeous versions of this song, but Jennifer Hudson's rendition of Patti Labelle's version is probably one of our favorites. Besides Patti Labelle's of course.
1. "I've Never Loved A Man" (originally sung by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Aretha Franklin[/lastfm])
Any one of the Aretha Franklin songs could have been put in this position, but Jennifer Hudson's version of "I've Never Loved A Man" comes in at number one. Mostly because it's our favorite Aretha Franklin song.
- Don't forget to come back right here, on Monday June 13th at 9 PM ET to watch Jennifer Hudson Live on Letterman presented by AT&T!


text:
University of Phoenix rising
Representatives of The American Legion recently visited the University of Phoenix's home campus in Scottsdale, Ariz., to review the school's performance in key areas such as education quality and fraud prevention.
Steve Gonzalez, assistant director for the Legion's Veterans Employment and Education Division, and Legion Department of Arizona Adjutant Angel Juarez were given a daylong tour of the campus from top officials at the traditionally online school, the nation's largest for-profit education institution with a veteran-heavy enrollment of 288,000.
Gonzalez and Juarez used the visit as an opportunity to discuss with University of Phoenix employees the measures that the school takes to prevent student loan fraud, the programs it has employed to help student veterans obtain degrees and the general quality of education that a student there receives. Employees took the opportunity to showcase a special "try-before-you-buy" level of enrollment that the school offers, where a student can pay a small fee out of pocket for several classes before enrolling officially. The idea is that, if the student can't handle the workload, he or she can drop out without being committed to pay for an entire year of tuition.
"This appears to be a useful feature for all prospective students, especially veterans and current military who might be unsure as to whether they are ready to pursue an education," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he was also surprised to see that not only did the University of Phoenix offer quality online-learning options, but its campuses also have on-site lecture halls and classrooms that feature state-of-the-art education technology.
"The classrooms looked like what you would see at any brick-and-mortar school," Gonzalez said. "The only difference was that they were equipped with teaching tools that seem to be on the cutting edge of what technology can provide."
The University of Phoenix features physical presences in 38 states and Puerto Rico. Students, whether online or traditional, may attend class at one of the local campuses or receive on-site help in person from academic advisers.
"It's good to see a school that is mostly an online-learning institution offer traditional education advising to its students," Gonzalez said. "Their online academic advising appeared to be of a strong quality, but you can never replace the intimacy of face-to-face interaction with someone who is an expert in your area of study."
Juarez said he was particularly pleased to see the way the University of Phoenix treats students who are veterans or current servicemembers. The school offers credit for military training and education, guidance for using military skills in the civilian world and special academic advisers who either have a military background or are familiar with military-speak. Additionally, the individuals in charge of Phoenix's military education programs have service backgrounds.
"I think the biggest revelation here was the effort they are putting into the military services and for veterans," Juarez said.
The American Legion has taken a cautious approach to for-profit institutions of higher education, some of which have been blamed for taking advantage of veteran students using their GI Bill benefits. The Legion has participated in a number of congressional hearings and other meetings to discuss the differences between for-profit schools that provide valuable services and those that appear to be profiteering from veterans who are leaving without marketable career skills after graduation.
"It's important to point out that The American Legion does not see this as a debate over which is better – state-funded or consumer-funded colleges," Gonzalez said. "We treat all colleges the same when it comes to the education of veterans and protection of the value of the GI Bill."
At Scottsdale, Gonzalez took the opportunity to meet with compliance officials from the school who discussed with him the institution's mechanisms to protect against fraudsters who steal identities and take out costly student loans in their victims' names. Phoenix's quality-control department is in place to add an extra layer of protection against such thieves, many of whom target veterans with education benefits, Gonzalez said.
"It's good to see that these measures are in place and being managed with such an attention to detail," Gonzalez said. "What was even better is that Phoenix is working with other institutions of higher learning to help them implement similar fraud-prevention mechanisms."
University of Phoenix officials said they appreciate the Legion and are proud to have a high concentration of active military and veterans among their student body.
"The American Legion's commitment to veterans is unparalleled," said Conwey Casillas, Apollo Education Group vice president. "It's an honor to serve 50,000 veterans, active-duty students and their family members by providing an education that connects the skills and knowledge they already have and need, to a rewarding career after the military."


text:
Mamie Rearden, the Edgefield, S.C., woman recently designated the oldest living American, died Wednesday at 114.
"She was exceptional. She was just a phenomenal woman," said Sara Rearden, one of her four daughters.
Rearden was born Sept. 7, 1898, and spent most of her life on land that had been owned by her father. As a young woman, she earned a teaching certificate from Bettis Academy and taught until she became pregnant with her third child.
That's when she chose to stay home and raise her family, which grew to include 11 children. Ten of her children survive her.
"She managed to make (us) all feel special," Sara said.
She said her mother believed in sharing, so if she had an orange with 11 slices, each child was sure to get a slice.
With 11 children, sometimes things got loud in the house, but Mamie was always calm. She also taught them not to criticize or judge others.
"You don't know why that person was behaving the way they were behaving," she told them. "Treat others like you want to be treated."
Rearden loved to read, do needlework and cook, often canning vegetables she grew in her garden. She was more than happy to share with anyone to stopped by.
As an active member of Springfield Baptist Church in Edgefield, Rearden served as church mother and sang with the choir.
Though she enjoyed good health most of her life, she had a mild stroke in 1979 after her husband of 59 years, Oacy, died. Sara said the only effect from it seemed to be that her sharp eyesight got better.
When she was 65, after her youngest child left home, Rearden got her driver's license and became involved in social work.
"She was very eager to be independent and not rely on other people to do for her," Sara said.
Her family celebrated her birthday every year after she turned 98. Often the parties were held at restaurants around Edgefield or Johnston.
A broken hip sent Rearden to the hospital three weeks ago, where she spent her last days. Sara said she thinks the ordeal just became too much for her mother.
"That takes a lot of energy out of you," she said.
People have asked Sara whether it's easier to deal with her mother's death because she lived so long, but Sara said it has made losing her harder.
"Somehow or another, you lapse into thinking they're always going to be there," she said.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 12 at Springfield Baptist Church on Highway 25 in Edgefield.
Rearden was named the oldest living American after last month's death of a 115-year-old woman in Iowa, The Associated Press reported.


text:
ORLANDO, Fla. - Gunmen forced 10 diners and three employees to the rear of a diner located in the tourist district of Orlando during a robbery.
The robbery happened around 6 a.m. at the Denny's at 11037 International Drive.
Witnesses told WKMG-TV that customers were eating breakfast when gunmen entered the restaurant and made them get on their knees in the back of the building. Patrons were forced to leave their cellphones at their tables, and workers were also ordered to the rear of the restaurant, witnesses said.
No one was injured, and it's not known how much money was taken.
Video from the restaurant showed police tape surrounding the building and detectives interviewing witnesses.
Orange County sheriff's detectives continue to investigate whether the robbery is linked to a recent string of other "takeover" robberies at Central Florida hotels.
Stephanie, who was too afraid to give her last name, told WKMG, "we were just about to get up, some guy runs in with a gun pointing it at us. It took us like 10 seconds to realize that we're getting robbed."
Orange County deputies say one robber was in a black sweatshirt, another in red. Both had their faces covered with a bandana.
"Stay in the room for five minutes, if you get out then we're going to shoot you," recalled Stephanie.
Stephanie said they stole personal items from all of the customers, and snatched a ring right off her friend's hand.
"I could tell they were nervous. They were young, they were young and dumb," she said.
"It's very concerning, because they're getting very brazen about doing this you'd think with this amount of witnesses that it's even more of a gamble," said Orange County Sheriff's Deputy, Granger Prunier.
Deputies are looking through surveillance video now to see if the men are responsible for the series of robberies in our area over the past month or are these copycats.
"It wasn't something that was expected, we just expected to have a nice breakfast, hang out, and go back to work and it didn't turn out like that," said Stephanie.23926898
Copyright 2014 by Graham Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed


text:
It was not Kobe wanting more shots and being jealous of Shaq or Shaq not wanting to give Kobe more shots and being selfish. It wasn't basketball reasons they just really didn't like each other on a personal level at the time.
It was not Kobe wanting more shots and being jealous of Shaq or Shaq not wanting to give Kobe more shots and being selfish. It wasn't basketball reasons they just really didn't like each other on a personal level at the time.
It had more to do with the "Glove" and "Mailman" replacing Rick Fox & Horry's average 6 shot attempt (each) per game....Shaq automatically will receive his average 15 shot attempts by being the #1 unstopple low post-up centers in the league....Kobe had to depend on a 15 shot attempt "Glove" givin him the ball, rather than the "Glove" averaging the majority of his 12 assist per game off of alley-oops to Shaq & Mailman.
Shaq leadership told Kobe in so many ways to stop acting like a BABY....Phil Jax wrote indirectly in his book in so many chapters "some time u have to let MEN settle certain things on their own".
I think our biggest problem under Woodson is not how Amare and Melo can co-exist, because as many have noted, we can work out a system where Amare feeds off Melo's Iso.
I think the biggest problem is that Chandler and Amare have trouble sharing the paint. From what little I saw when they play together, there is very little spacing in the paint with both of them up front, and so we take a ton of jumpshots.
Another problem is that Amare can't defend. And so whenever Chandler is not up there we have a big gaping hole in the paint for penetrations and post ups.
So our choice becomes: do we go with chandler more and give up the offensive power or Amare, or do we go with Amare and jeopardize our defense.
I personally think Amare is completely unsuited for our current team lineup and defensive-oriented system. Not because he's a bad player, on the contrary - he's so dominant up front and needs space to operate and take advantage of his opponent's D.
To conclude, for the remaining games I would alternate between Stat and Tyson depending on the situation.
In the offseason, I'd look into trading Stat for a more jumpshot oriented PF, that can be a better defender, i believe it's possible. Don't forget that we need the capspace too.
Real Talk
And a trade for STAT is not happening and your not got gonna get a star PF back as good as Amare is nobody's gonna take that risk. And let's see what kind of job Woodson can do to get these two guys to gel with more time before we say STAT doesn't fit or anything like that he does fit, a month ago it was Melo who doesn't fit lets finally stop jumping to conclusions and sit back and just see what happens.
Get over it......
Stat's contract, past knee surgery, and all these ailing injuries popin up makes Stat a Knicks 2013-14 season.
If u want Stat back to his super-star status gellin with his teammates do what headcoach Gentry would do if he had Woody's job....train two decent F/C to backup Tyson Chandler & Stat.
Trying to make Stat & Melo play defense consistently is a waste of time and good energy....the two already received their final big contract in the NBA.


text:
Photographer's Note
A scene I noticed one morning while riding my bike through Ayia Marina. I pulled over quickly, as usual, and took a couple of pictures from the quay. It was moments before the crew member finished his work and climbed up.
The boat is Patmos Star, it connects Patmos with Lipsos and Leros three times a week during winter and daily in the summer.
Thank you for visiting
Critiques | Translate
serp2000 (46528) 2013-11-11 8:46
Hi, Ourania,
I like this kind of shot, it is good conceptual photo, a typical journalist support of their articles. Excellent capture of a man at work! TFS!
best wishes,
ikeharel (86464) 2013-11-11 9:07
Kalispera Ourania,
Your swift action provided a nice moment, when the maintenance guy just about to climb back aboard.
Daylight and superb clarity well collected.
Didi (61213) 2013-11-11 9:07
Bonjour Ourania
Une touche intéressante de rouge qui contraste bien avec l'arrière-plan
Le travailleur n'a pas intérêt à louper son mouvement au risque de tomber dans l'eau
Bien amicalement
Nicou (162316) 2013-11-11 9:20
quelle vue de cet homme pendu en train de nettoyer le bâteau je pense un acrobate sueprbe compo et scène.
Belle soirée
dta (87547) 2013-11-11 10:34
Hello Ourania,
Excellent capture of a stunning working scene , with an attractive combination of colors .
Well done .
holmertz (66136) 2013-11-11 11:59
Hello Ourania,
The moment I opened this page I noticed a very good photo. I was not at all surprised to see it was yours :-). There is a perfect balance between blue and white and between the two small areas of letters. The crew member, superbly dressed in red, is also perfectly balanced, in every way. His particiption here, and that of his shadow, is of course the jewel of this crown.
Kind regards,
bukitgolfb301 (47611) 2013-11-11 14:03
Hi dear Ourania, how are you here?
I regret not to corespodense so timely and so often.
You seem to be fine as usual, ya this is also your signitured image indeed. Great prime color contarst in simple compoistion but there sre so much implications.
Great shot as usual.
All the best and have a good day! Takero
subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-11-12 3:28
hello, a very well composed daily life shot here. Like the working man hanging. His red dress is really eyebatching. You composed your shot in such minimal way which is really enjoyable. Great depth and sharpness. Very good one. Tfs.
jhm (169754) 2013-11-12 4:52
Hello Ourania,
I have a lot years control the safety of the workers on the work place done.
This would I never have accepted a man with one hand to the cord ladder, without a specially line with fall arrest device.
Your picture is very well taken
Nice perspective and depth.
Excellent captured, nice composed picture.
Very well done, TFS.
Have a nice day,
Kugart (1778) 2013-11-12 6:28
Hi Ourania ,
A moment caught in time.i suppose someone has to do the dirty work. Nice capture of this man at work on the side of the boat. Good lighting and colours, the bright orange boiler suit reall stands out against the white.
abmdsudi (65331) 2013-11-12 20:46
Hi Ourania
An everyday subject seen thru the eye of an avid photographer! Well featured highlights with some rich and vibrant colors and thanks to your good close up work and attention to detail. The powerful red is enough to glue the eyes combining superbly with blue and white. It's an inevitably impressive graphism effect finely seen and taken. Congrats, tfs :)
Kind regards
Silvio1953 (164649) 2013-11-13 6:44
Ciao Ourania, graziosa scena di vita quotidiana, acrobatico lavoro per l'uomo in rosso, ottima nitidezza, splendida luce e magnifici colori, brava, ciao Silvio
Graal (103038) 2013-11-14 9:46
Hello Ourania,
interesting scene good captured. Fine theme from daily life. Good shot. Nice colors, contrast and composition. Well done photo.
Have a nice evening.
Cricri (135404) 2013-11-14 11:11
Hi Ourania
Vous avez capturer la scène au bon moment, la salopette rouge et son ombre sur le blanc du bateau, belle scène de vie même si cela ne doit pas être des plus facile a faire!!!
Belle soirée
mcmtanyel (37003) 2013-11-14 19:31
Hello Ourania,
A truly precious catch! I like the red uniform against the off white and blue of Patmos Star. The shadow cast by the crew member is noteworthy and so are the reflections of the light reflected off the surface of the water.
mirosu (16313) 2013-12-09 4:23
Hello Ourania,
You have found a very strong subject with excellent positioning of the man in nice light. You´ve placed the main point of interest, the man, to the side of the frame which really does strengthen things and creates excellent balance. The vertical arrangement is very good. Well done.
Photo Information
- Copyright: Ourania Karali (ourania) (51103)
- Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2013-10-23
- Categories: Daily Life
- Exposure: f/10.0, 1/500 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2013-11-11 8:39
- To holmertz: Hello Gert (1)
by ourania, last updated 2013-11-11 12:52


text:
It's the Fourth of July, and summer is in full swing here in the Midwest.
These long, warm days have an effect on our bodies—specifically, on our appetites. Ever notice how Mother Nature has a way of providing seasonal foods that suit our needs at a given time of the year? Think about the vegetables that thrive in the heat: tomatoes, melons, cucumbers. What do they have in common? They're all high in water content. They don't need to be cooked. They're refreshing, and perfect for eating this time of year. (Consider, too, fall vegetables—dark leafy greens, winter squashes, apples—they're more fleshy, heartier, and require more extensive cooking, and they're just what we crave when cooler weather comes.)
With summer produce, I prefer minimal prep and cooking, the better to preserve that seasonally perfect character. One of my favorite summer cooking techniques for farmers' market vegetables is to place them on a sheet of lightly oiled aluminum foil, seal up the packet and then place it on the grill for 15 to 20 minutes.
This is a non-recipe for grilled vegetables—it's more of a technique, really, along the lines of our Modular Cooking idea. I'll share the basic preparation for grilled vegetables in foil and offer different flavor combinations. Quantities don't matter—prepare as many vegetables as you'd like, and consider making more than what you need for tonight's dinner, because the leftover grilled vegetables can be repurposed into summer vegetable soup or pasta salad.
easy grilled vegetables in foil
Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil, about 20 to 24 inches long and lay it horizontally on the counter. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the right half; smear it around with your fingers to coat the foil. Prepare your vegetables in any combination you like and in a large bowl, toss vegetables with a couple tablespoons of olive oil and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Fold the left-hand side of the foil over the right, and crimp the edges all around to seal. Place foil packet on the grill over medium heat; cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil packet to a large plate and let cool a few minutes before opening (watch out for escaping hot steam).
You can add sprigs of strong, woody herbs like rosemary, oregano or thyme atop the veggies before sealing up the foil packet (remove the stems before serving). Soft herbs like parsley and basil are best added after the vegetables have come off the grill, right before serving. You can't go wrong with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan before serving, either.
These vegetables work well for grilling in foil:
- New or fingerling potatoes (cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces and steam them for 6 to 8 minutes before putting in foil)
- Corn, cut off the cob
- Diced or sliced zucchini or summer squash
- Diced or sliced eggplant
- Mushrooms, cleaned and halved
- Onion, diced or thinly sliced
- Garlic, minced
- Red or green bell pepper, diced or sliced
- Large cherry tomatoes
Combinations to try:
- Zucchini + corn + onion + thyme
- Cherry tomatoes + zucchini + onion + Italian seasoning + Parmesan
- Fingerling potatoes + minced garlic + rosemary
- Mushrooms + garlic + Pimenton
- Red bell pepper + onion + garlic + jalapeno (to taste) + cumin + oregano


text:
The Australian share market has closed flat, with some investors booking profits, after a seven-day run of gains.
The ASX200 index still closed nearly one per cent higher for the week and repeatedly reached six year intraday and closing highs.
Investors would be looking for a new catalyst to push through current levels ahead of the August company reporting season, IG market strategist Stan Shamu told AAP.
However it was encouraging the market had not been adversely affected so far by geopolitical events including the MH17 aircraft tragedy and violent conflict in Gaza, he said.
"It is quite evident there is still quite a lot of risk for markets particularly with earnings coming up," he said.
"You tend to find after a long period of gains some investors then have to take some profits off the table and then wait for the results season to see what plays out."
Most sectors traded in the red with gold stocks making the biggest losses and financial stocks bucking the trend to finish higher.
Newcrest Mining, the nation's largest gold miner, closed lower again after a six per cent fall on Thursday when it flagged asset write-downs of up to $2.5 billion.
Newcrest lost eight cents on Friday to close at $10.70.
The big miners were mixed, with BHP losing six cents to $39, Rio Tinto dropping 16 cents to $65.09 and Fortescue up one cent to $4.58.
Commonwealth Bank added 27 cents to $82.28, Westpac was up 15 cents at $34.28, ANZ gained 17 cents to $33.75 and National Australia Bank was 10 cents higher at $34.59.
* At the close on Friday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was 4.3 points, or 0.08 per cent, lower at 5,583.5.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was down 2.6 points, or 0.05 per cent, at 5,574.2.
* The September share price index futures contract was two points lower at 5,530 points, with 23,329 contracts traded.
* The price of gold in Sydney at 1700 AEST was $US1,292.50 per fine ounce, down $US5.90 on Thursday's price of $US1,298.40.
* National turnover was 1.8 billion shares at a value of $5.4 billion.


text:
"Inside the RUFSI: Serving the Commonwealth Through Forensic Science Casework, Research, and Education"
The Virginia Museum of Natural History's 2nd Thursday Science Talks bring real-world field experience led by renowned scientists and researchers to the audience through engaging presentations. Each month's presentation is free to the public and covers a different topic that is relevant to present day life. All presentations are held from 6 to 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
2013-2014 Schedule
September 12, 2013
"Insect evidence from serial killings: The use of museum collections to assist investigators"
Dr. Joe Keiper, Executive Director, VMNH
Serial killings have been documented in world society since ancient times, but the application of entomological evidence found on victims has been used only recently to help reconstruct the timelines of these heinous crimes. Keiper will review his experience and discuss methods used during investigations. Although all are welcome, some of the content of this talk may not be appropriate for children.
October 10, 2013
"Adventures into the (Virtual) Unknown: 3D Laser Scanning and America's Past"
Dr. Bernard Means, Instructor of Anthropology, Virginia Commonwealth University
VMNH Research Associate
November 14, 2013
"Nuts about Squirrels: Insights from North America's Most Familiar Rodents"
Dr. Nancy Moncrief, VMNH curator of mammals.
Dr. Moncrief will describe her past research on eastern gray squirrels and eastern fox squirrels and discuss her plans for future investigations.
December 12, 2013
Dr. Judith Winston, Curator of Marine Biology, VMNH
January 9, 2014
Dr. Paul Marek, Virginia Tech
VMNH Research Associate
February 13, 2014
Dr. Alton Dooley, Curator of Paleontology, VMNH
March 13, 2014
Dr. DorothyBelle Poli, Associate Professor of Biology, Roanoke College
VMNH Research Associate
April 10, 2014
"Inside the RUFSI: Serving the Commonwealth Through Forensic Science Casework, Research, and Education"
Dr. Donna Boyd, Eminent Professor of Anthropological Sciences, Radford University
VMNH Research Associate
Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology are used daily to solve crimes, identify the missing, and resolve cold cases. Boyd will give an insider's view of the Radford University's Forensic Science Institute's efforts to assist federal, state, and local agencies with death investigations as well as its involvement in Forensic Science research and education. Although all are welcome, some of the content of this talk will not be appropriate for children.
May 8, 2014 (*special members only benefit)
Dr. James Beard, Director of Research and Collections/Curator of Earth Sciences, VMNH
VMNH Members are invited to attend a reception following the final presentation on May 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. The reception will be held inside the museum's Harvest Foundation Hall of Ancient Life, and will provide an opportunity for museum members to meet and interact with this season's presenters.


text: The wife and I have never been to a rally of this size before. The biggest and only one was the Alaska State Rally last summer. We have a room in Spokane, but, we're bringing camping gear and will probably stay at the rally site. One beer and we don't drive. Are the bikes inside a perimeter gated area? Could we leave the bikes at the rally site and cab back to the hotel? Are you Lower 48'ers really as much fun as you sound?Thanks!!!


text:
Syracuse Symphony M&T Bank Pops series: Holiday Pops
Ron Spigelman, conductor
Ron Spigelman leads the lively seasonal extravaganza! Join us for one of the best-attended concerts of the year! Bring the whole family for an evening of holiday melodies, including Calvin Custer's Holiday Medley, the popular annual Audience Sing-Along, a generous dash of humor and lots of surprises.
*Family Holiday Pops Matinee on Saturday December 20th at 2:00 p.m.
The Syracuse City Dancers will join the SSO to perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet.
Guest Artists:
Margaret Carlson, soprano; Scott Stevenson, piano; Onondaga County Select High School Chorus


text:
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas State Board of Education has approved new standards for history and social studies classes for public schools despite concerns that they don't focus enough on the contributions of minorities.
The board's vote Tuesday was 9-0. The guidelines will be used to develop standardized tests for students, with the state using their scores to measure how well schools are teaching.
Board member Carolyn Campbell, a Topeka Democrat, said she does not believe the standards go far enough in making sure that schools teach students about the contributions of blacks and other minorities.
However, Campbell said they are an improvement over the previous standards, adopted in 2004.
Supporters of the new guidelines say they emphasize teaching student research skills over memorizing content.


text:
A very wise guy said on Twitter a few hours ago –
The desire to carve up the world into people-like-us (righteous) and people-like-them (unrighteous) is utterly pervasive. Nobody escapes it.
Yes. (Or almost yes. I wonder if it holds for psychopaths? They simply don't care about righteous/unrighteous, so they wouldn't carve up the world that way, would they? For them it's just Self and everything else.) Yes, but – that desire isn't always salient. It's far from always salient. It depends.
It's a bit like that shift I mentioned the other day, about walking the Pebble Beach golf course – from a distance I think of everyone as caricature Plutocrats, because after all – it's Pebble Beach. It costs $500 to play a round on that course. But then someone stops to greet Cooper and talks about his Chocolate at home, and poof goes the caricature Plutocrat. Life is like that. We have little shifts like that all the time. If that guy had stopped to tell me what he thought of Obama, the "people-like-us (righteous) and people-like-them (unrighteous)" carvation would have come into play. If he'd stopped to ask me if I'd found Jesus, it would have come into play more sharply. If he'd stopped to tell me I'm a fucking feminist cunt, it would have come into play more sharply still.
The very wise guy who made the Twitter observation is a dedicated FTB hater, and the very wise tweet came immediately after one citing Richard Carrier, so that was pretty clearly another "you FTBullies are just as horrible as everyone else" snipe. Well it's not quite that simple.


text:
World Vision responds to storms and tornadoes in American South
Editor's note: At World Vision's office in New York, Mindy Mizell is coordinating media efforts concerning our response to the deadly storms and tornadoes in the American South.
URGENT: World Vision is responding to the devastation left by deadly storms in Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Mississippi, as well as the levee break in Missouri. We are working with local partners to distribute first aid kits, hygiene supplies, and other essential products to some of the hardest-hit communities.
An assessment team is also preparing to survey the damage in Alabama and look for ways to partner with churches and other local organizations to help the most vulnerable children and families.
Overnight tornadoes leaves part of Pratt City, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, in ruins April 28, 2011. Photo: REUTERS/Marvin Gentry
Long pattern of severe weather
"Much of the country has been or runs the risk of being severely impacted by weather this year," said Phyllis Freeman, World Vision's emergency response director in the United States.
"World Vision is already responding to recent storms in Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Mississippi as well as the levy break in Missouri," she added.
"Now, the same destructive weather pattern that just tore through Alabama and several Southern states is quickly moving east toward our nation's capital and up through New York. Our teams will remain on high alert as we continue to monitor and assess the situation."
Focusing on vulnerable populations
Our team is especially concerned about the most vulnerable children, their families, and their communities impacted throughout the Southern states. The elderly and disabled are also particularly vulnerable and require special attention from disaster responders.
There is a high number of fatalities and families left homeless, as well as hundreds of thousands now without power.
"The most vulnerable often fall through the cracks during relief efforts because response distributions don't occur in their neighborhoods," said Freeman.
These disastrous tornadoes have produced scenes of destruction all across the South. Photo: REUTERS/Marvin Gentry
Forming local partnerships
World Vision works with local churches and other organizations in domestic disaster areas to identify families with limited means, families left destitute, or people who may have difficulty accessing other assistance.
"Churches are on the frontlines when disasters strike our country," said Freeman. "They know their communities and the needs that exist there."
World Vision's 56,000-square feet North Texas facility includes the domestic disaster response hub of prepositioned response products, such as personal hygiene and cleaning supplies, clothing, shoes, and other relief, recovery, and building materials.
Ways you can respond
Please pray:
- For survivors of these deadly storms, especially those who have been left homeless or otherwise vulnerable.
- That those affected will receive the basic resources they need quickly to recover and rebuild.
- For World Vision staff as we begin our immediate assessment and response in Alabama's hardest-hit areas.
or text 'TORNADO' to '20222' to give a $10 donation


text:
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Revision as of 15:56, May 28, 2009 by Milominderbinder2 (Talk | contribs)
lesson video links, links, and links to related Merit Badges and Boy Scout Awards.
Athletics can be a part of your Troop Physical Fitness Program.
Athletics and one of the original merit badges and is great if you are already in a sport. ◄ Prev - Next ►
| This is the Boy Scout Athletics Merit Badge.
Webelos Scouts can earn the Webelos Athlete Activity Badge.
Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts can earn the Cub Scout Physical Fitness Belt Loop & Pin.
|Athletics requires prior counselor approval for requirement(s) #6b.
|Athletics merit badge
|BSA Advancement ID:
|Requirements revision:
|Latest pamphlet revision:
Athletics requirements
View the change list (history) of these requirements. The text of these requirements may be locked. In that case, they can only be edited by an administrator.
Please note any errors found in the above requirements on this article's Talk Page.
- The BSA Athletics Troop Program Feature offers meeting and activity plans to include Athletics as one of your monthly themes.
Requirement resources
1. First Aid: Sprains - Strains - Bruises (contusions) - Abrasions - Blisters - Dehydration - Heat Reactions
- Your handbook is your primary reference. See First Aid Skills for step-by-step instructions and lesson video links.
- See also: First Aid Merit Badge Pamphlet - First Aid Kit - Emergency Kit - Guide to Safe Scouting - Physical
2a. Physical Exam
3. & 4. Warm-up, cool-down, Take part in one season...
- Lesson Videos: Warm Up - Stretching - Running - Pull-Ups - Push-Ups - Basketball - Baseball - Football - Bench Press - Leg Curls
- Rules, etiquette, equipment, diagram of playing area:
- Baseball - Basketball - Field Hockey - Football - Ice Hockey - Lacrosse - Soccer - Softball - Tennis - Volleyball
- Unauthorized Sports: Boxing, Karate & "Related Martial Arts" (excepting judo, aikido, and tai chi), Parachuting, Motorized events (motorbikes, drag racing, speedboats), Paintball, Hunting, Parasailing, etc.
3a: The Importance of Warm-up and Cool Down
Athletics can be a part of your Troop Physical Fitness Program.
Related awards
Sports and Fitness Awards
|Sports-related awards
See also
|General Merit Badge information


text:
Gosselin: The Mavericks are one to two superstars away from contention with no way to find them
Columnist Rick Gosselin answered questions in a chat on Monday. Here are some highlights.
Will the Mavericks forever be stuck in mediocrity?
The NBA is all about having superstars to compete for championships. The Mavericks are lacking there. Dirk is not the player who won the NBA MVP award in 2007. Good player, but not someone who's going to give you 26 points and 12 rebounds a night. The Mavs don't have the commodities on the roster to trade for a superstar and they won't be drafting high enough to find one. Free agency? What's the attraction? This team isn't an NBA championship contender. And we've discovered the hometown is not enough of a lure to land a blue-chip free agency. Mediocre is not a good place to be in the NBA and that's where the Mavericks are. The Mavs are 1/2 superstars away from contention and I'm not sure where Mark Cuban is going to find them.
I don't like when people say a team like the Mavericks is better off not making the playoffs. Are three spots or so in the draft really worth throwing away a season? Isn't a playoff run the best part of the NBA, NHL, etc.?
If it's a four-game sweep like Oklahoma City last year, I'm in favor of sitting the post-season out. The best way for this team to get better is to start making quality draft picks. The higher you pick, the better your chances. The Mavericks will contend for a playoff spot the rest of the way. Mark Cuban would have it no other way. But if this team isn't good enough. I'm OK with having the higher draft pick.


text:
Don't look now, but Jed's antiquated sexism is showing. Sure, he spends some time trying to rebut this before the fact in a previous chapter in a section called "Politically Correct" but even that reeked of sniggering gesticulation (p. 106-107). Readers might as well re-title that entire section "We Saw What You Did There." Jed basically goes on about how the Political Correctness movement (which actually has nothing to do with these labels) could get people wrongfully labeled as homophobic or sexist for showing disagreement with mainstream mores. Well, okay, we can see that. Disagree with affirmative action and possibly get wrongfully labeled a racist. Display old fashioned traditional sensibilities with women and potentially get called sexist.
Many girls walk around campus braless and, on numerous occasions, to the delight of the boys, they have flashed their bare breasts toward me. No wonder there are so many rapes on college campuses. Those girls walking and jogging around campus with their shorts so short that their buttocks hang out are just asking for it. They might as well have a sign on their back saying, "Rape me, rape me, rape me." (p. 114.)
Then, of course, there's blatant showboating sexism. This, right after making craven veiled claims that his god "may be" condemning women to mastectomies and hysterectomies because of what he observes as today's feminine immorality (p. 113).
Once again, Jed's cherry picking reappears—this time in the reverse direction—he retells the story of Lot, instead of holding Lot on a pedestal, he's attacking the people of Sodom. So now he brings up the rest of the story. "Lot had the same attitude, and he was vexed to the point of offering his own virgin daughters to a gang of sodomites." (p. 118). This is part of the same story which Jed earlier used as an example of the Sodomites telling Lot not judge them; he portrayed the story as part of his illustration on using morals to judge behavior. This is Lot, after all, the only "good man" in all of Sodom and Gomorrah.
After further bad rhetoric and some poorly narrated stories about why he believes homosexuality is bad, Jed moves onto condoms. Here he has managed to cross the threshold from gibbering kook to outright jackass liar. "The AIDS virus is fifty times smaller than the tiniest pores of a latex condom. Using a condom to prevent AIDS is like using a tennis racquet to return B-B pellets." (p. 122). This particular line of gibberish is brought to you not by a real misunderstanding of science done by the Center for Disease Control on the matter, but instead it's a deliberately deceitful bit of propaganda forwarded by evangelists in 3rd world countries like Africa to preach against condoms—worsening the already horrible HIV epidemic in such places. George Smock is a reprehensible asshole for reprinting this lie.
"Most students may not realize that, when they use drugs, they are practicing sorcery. Sorcery comes from the Greek word 'pharmakeia,' which in English would be 'pharmacy' or 'drugs.' Anyone using drugs illicitly is practicing sorcery. " (p. 124.) Firstly, this is a fallacy by etymology—secondly, he's wrong: E. Sorcery comes from L. sors/sortis: fate, oracle. Perhaps he was confused by the meaning of AG. pharmakis or witch. Maybe he should have claimed instead, following etymology, that drug users were practicing witchcraft.