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The Bruins are in an awkward position as they prepare for the scheduled 6 p.m. first serve. The defending national champions have already lost twice in Pac-12 Conference play and will likely need to sweep their weekend trip (they visit Cal on Sunday) to climb back into the title chase.
With five teams ranked among the top seven in the nation and several others deserving to be ranked, any conference loss will be magnified. Which makes Stanford's situation all the more impressive.
The Cardinal (7-0, 15-2) and Washington remain the lone undefeated teams in conference play with with a handful of matches remaining in a competitive first half.
It's probably just as well that the freshmen class have yet to experience a full conference season. They seem oblivious to the pressures of playing top teams night in and night out anyway.
Leave it to sophomore libero Kyle Gilbert to put Friday's match into perspective.
"I have a lot of friends on that team so it will be great fun," she said following Stanford's 25-18, 25-16, 25-18 victory over No. 6 USC on Wednesday night in Maples Pavilion. "They beat us twice last year so we're out for revenge."
Should the Cardinal, which has won 13 in a row following its early two-match losing streak (to current No. 1 Penn State and No. 8 Hawaii), gain its vengeance, the reward is a visit to No. 2 Washington next Friday night in a showdown.
The Cardinal opened the year ranked sixth nationally and picked to finish second in the Pac-12. Those expectations were based, for the most part, on having 10 returning lettermen, including a pair of All-Americans.
The play of the freshmen class has boosted those expectations a little bit and rightly so. The top rated recruiting class of last year has risen to the challenge.
Not that coach John Dunning had any doubt.
"The right thing to do with this team is to set the expectations as high as possible," he said before the season. "We have expectations every year of striving to win the Pac-12 and the national championship. We want to keep our minds focused on improving throughout the season to see just how good of a team we are."
Stanford continues to win even without the full-time presence of senior setter Karissa Cook and junior outside hitter Rachel Williams, both of whom have been plagued by injuries.
Howard and Burgess have allowed Stanford to remain strong on the front line even without Williams, an All-American with Carly Wopat last year, at full strength.
Ajanaku has complemented Wopat's efforts at middle blocker and Bugg has been nothing short of spectacular in taking up the slack for Cook.
Gilbert is following a solid freshman season with a standout sophomore year. She collected 22 digs in the win over the Women of Troy, just off her season high of 25 against Oregon and the 13th time she's reached double digits.
"I really like doing that," Gilbert said of digging. "Hustling, for me, is the most fun in the world and proving to people I can get to it."
Field hockey
Playing the No. 1 team in the country is always a challenge. But seldom do you get three shots.
That's the position Stanford (9-4, 3-0 NorPac) finds itself in this weekend. Having already played top-ranked Maryland and North Carolina earlier in the season, the Cardinal travels to Amherst, Mass., on Friday for a neutral-site game against No. 1 Syracuse before playing at No. 4 Connecticut on Sunday.
Not that third-year head coach Tara Danielson minds. A feisty, cutting-edge technician and tactician who has guided the Cardinal to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, she intentionally toughened up the schedule to help her players gain experience against elite programs. She brainstormed with assistants Steve Danielson, her husband and a member of the 1996 USA Olympic Field Hockey Team, and Patrick Cota.
"This school has never won an NCAA game, why?" Danielson said. "I started researching for answers. We tried to figure out from a skill component, to physiology, from soup to nuts. We're looking at everything we have control over. How do we improve? One of those things is scheduling. How can they play an NCAA game with the top 16 teams in the country? There's only one way: You have to play the top 16 teams in the country if you plan on winning a game."
So Danielson scheduled the best. This year, Stanford has already faced five top-25 teams, going 2-3. That includes a tough early-season 3-2 loss to defending national champion Maryland in double-overtime, and a 6-2 defeat to North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Now come Syracuse and Connecticut, the lone unbeaten teams in the country. The highest-ranked Stanford has ever defeated was No. 3 Michigan State back on Aug. 31, 2001.
"You start with, `Hey, this is a great opportunity,' " said Danielson, a 1994 graduate of Massachusetts, who trained and competed for the USA Field Hockey Team from 1998 to 2005, and saw action in 89 international contests. "But I would be amiss to just claim it an opportunity. The girls have worked hard enough in the off-season; have honed their skills; and have been focused. So to just look at it as an opportunity would not recognize the team for all their hard work." (by Mark Soltau)
Men's soccer
When Stanford (2-1, 5-5) travels to Oregon State for its Pac-12 match on Friday night, there are two possible accomplishments waiting.
With a win, the Cardinal can match its win total from last year and climb over .500, and it can also match last year's number of conference wins with just over a half of the season left.
It won't be easy. The Beavers (1-2, 6-4-1) are the only Pac-12 team with an unbeaten home record.
Stanford moves to second-place Washington (2-0-1, 7-3-2) for a Sunday showdown. The Huskies own a win over conference leader UCLA.
Zach Batteer earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors after scoring twice in Stanford's 2-0 win over California last week. Adam Jahn leads the Cardinal with 12 points on five goals and two assists.
Cross country
Stanford competes Friday at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational. The meet is expected to be the most competitive regular season meet of the year with 46 men's team and 49 women's teams scheduled to compete.
The women's 6,000-meter race will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the men's 8,000-meter race immediately following at 10:40 a.m.
The No. 7 women's team will have its hands full as six of the top-10 teams in the country are scheduled to compete. This includes conference foes No. 2 Arizona and No. 3 Washington, as once again the Pac-12 is arguably the top league in the nation in 2012.
Other contenders include No. 5 Iowa State, No. 9 Cornell and No. 10 Michigan State. Overall, 20 ranked teams will make the trip to Wisconsin.
The Cardinal women will be led by Kathy Kroeger who is a threat for the individual title. Kroeger already has a meet title to her name this season as she won the Stanford Invitational for the third-straight season.
Other top returners include, Aisling Cuffe, Jessica Tonn and Emilie Amaro, but this race will mark the first major collegiate race for several Cardinal women, including Cayla Hatton who was the runner-up at the Stanford Invitational.
On the men's side the competition is equally formidable. Top-ranked Wisconsin is the host, but six of the top-10 teams, including No. 8 Stanford are set to compete. No. 4 Oklahoma, T-No. 5 Portland, T-No.5 Iona and No. 10 Syracuse will also factor into the race at the front.
In all, 19 ranked teams will compete, although Stanford will be the lone ranked team from the Pac-12.
Individually, it remains to be seen who from the men's team is ready to step up and run at the front of races. Joe Rosa led the Cardinal at the Stanford Invitational, while Benjamin Johnson, Erik Olson and Miles Unterreiner have the most experience in big races.
Thomas Graham and Billy Orman are also scheduled to debut in the Stanford singlet.
This story contains 1379 words.
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Mark: Michelle doesn't diet much
Mark Wright has said his fiancee Michelle Keegan isn't on a strict diet to keep her sleek figure.
The former Coronation Street actress, known for her good looks and toned body, isn't too focused on what the scales say, according to former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark.
He was quoted as telling New magazine: "She doesn't watch her weight. She doesn't diet that much."
Mark also revealed that Michelle - who was voted Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards for six years running - even enjoys the odd late night snack.
"She had a Magnum ice cream at 12 o'clock last night in bed!" he said.
"She just goes to the gym two to three times a week and watches what she eats."

subset: commoncrawl


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ArcSoft Announces ArcSoft Face Salon, an Intelligent Image Enhancement Solution for Portraits, at GSMA Mobile Word Congress 2010
ArcSoft Offers Advanced Visual Enhancement Options
— 2/15/2010 — Barcelona, Spain —
ArcSoft's Face Salon is a synergy solution offering customers the most comprehensive image enhancement, focusing on portraits. It automatically reduces imperfections on the face (such as wrinkles, moles, spots, and freckles) while maintaining the original facial traits for a natural facial appearance. Intelligent makeup tools to enhance facial features are also offered to fine-tune the image.
"Portrait touch up is becoming an increasingly popular and important trend in photo editing," said David Cao, ArcSoft's Vice President and General Manager of Mobile Group. "With Face Salon, users will get an amazing and yet natural photo result directly on their mobile devices."
Facial enhancing features include:
Stop by ArcSoft's booth and experience these technologies in Hall 1, booth G39 at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2009, at Fira de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain. For more information on ArcSoft's embedded technologies, visit www.arcsoft.com/intouch/mwc10fs.
About ArcSoft
ArcSoft, Inc. is an industry leading software developer of multimedia technologies and applications across desktop and embedded platforms. Working closely with major OEM manufacturers, ArcSoft offers a full line of imaging and video solutions that enhance the features, performance, and user experience of mobile phones, digital cameras, optical drives, personal computers, and consumer electronics devices. For further details, visit www.arcsoft.com.
© 2010. All rights reserved. ArcSoft and the ArcSoft logo are registered trademarks of ArcSoft, Inc. ArcSoft Face Salon is a trademark of ArcSoft, Inc. All other products and companies named herein are trademarks of their respective owners.


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Meanwhile, in Montreal...
Cam Charron
January 25 2014 06:28PM
The Montreal Canadiens have had an awful Fenwick Close % for the last while, and, well, it doesn't look like that's going to get any better against Washington. It takes a certain kind of awful to have as many shots as your adversary has goals midway through the second period, but, hey, at least it isn't Randypuck*.
* - Does "Randypuck" refer to Randy Carlyle or Randy Cunneyworth, these days?


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African farmers could soon grow virus-resistant cassava
Researchers in Zurich, Switzerland, have successfully developed a strain of virus-resistant cassava, and now hope to train scientists in Africa to develop the technology in laboratories on the continent.
The study, which demonstrated that researchers can now generate transgenic farmer- and industry-preferred cassava, was published in PLOS One last month (25 September).
Herve Vanderschuren, the study's lead author, and head of the cassava research team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, said the research team had developed a new cassava variety that is resistant to cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak virus, an infection that makes cassava roots unpalatable.
These two major viral diseases reduce cassava production in large areas of Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, cassava is currently the third most important source of calories in the tropics, after rice and maize, and more than 800 million people use cassava as a source of food and income generation in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The new strain is drought tolerant and can grow in a range of agro-ecosystems — including less fertile soils — ensuring that when other crops fail, cassava can still be harvested.
Article continues at ENN affiliate, Science and Development Network
Cassava image via Shutterstock


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Is Ocean City changing? That's a question many have been asking of late, and the obvious answer is yes.
Ocean City is changing and so is Fenwick Island, Berlin, Millville, Salisbury, Ocean Pines and communities across the country. We are always in a state of flux and it has to do with society always in a constant evolution.
Perhaps no place is it most evident than in Ocean City, a true melting pot during the summer season that epitomizes the racial diversity of this area as well as the multitude of cultural norms that seem to be changing by the week. Ocean City is really no different than a big mall — it's a mecca for people watching and usually a reflection of what is the norm in society today.
Rather than turn our noses at the many different segments of society that come to Ocean City, perhaps we should embrace it more, albeit with a cautious eye and a requirement that those bastions of today's culture behave within the boundaries of the law and acceptable standards.
That's why this week's well-rounded discussion on a proposed decency ordinance being championed by Councilman Brent Ashley served a worthwhile purpose. The discussion has largely centered around baggy pants, but it's much more complicated than that. It's about establishing a set of standards to what Ocean City finds is acceptable. It's murky waters to chart to be certain, and the will of the council does not appear to support a law restricting the type of apparel people can wear on the Boardwalk.
Nonetheless, the conversation was revealing and symbolized what many have on their minds of late. Council President Lloyd Martin was perhaps most blunt about it, referring back to the crime wave in June that is largely linked to the senior week crowds.
"We had a week in Ocean City that was a little unruly … hopefully that is not the norm. I haven't seen it as the norm in Ocean City … we will get to the bottom of it. We find out who these people are and why they are here. That is what you do. It is not about how somebody dresses," Martin said. "I want a positive message to be sent out there. I want to show that we are going to address the concerns, do the right thing but not jump to conclusions. We need to do it right …"
Martin is on point and a brainstorming session to reflect on the madness that was this June needs to be balanced with the traditionally family-rich months of July and August and the event-rich September.
What we have observed in Ocean City is reflective of what is happening across this country. People simply do not behave and act in the same manner, and many of us are bothered about how foreign it appears to be. Acceptable behavior is not today what it was five or 10 years ago. Generally, some people seem to enjoy extolling a grim exterior as a means to intimidate. Many people are apt for more aggression during simple confrontations and evidence of that is everywhere around us.
Case in point is last month's shooting in the downtown area that began with a verbal altercation and eventually led to a man pulling a gun and firing multiple shots at other subjects. Last weekend, a couple men questioned a motorist speeding through a parking lot. That motorist then pulled out a machete and threatened them.
These sorts of extreme reactions spotlight what has changed in our culture. Rather than verbal sparring or a fistfight or a shoving match ensuing in these two incidents, a gun was drawn and a knife was pulled out. That sort of excessive reaction is a new phenomenon.
How the city can address that sort of cultural shift is unknown. It's probably impossible, but the process needs to start with identifying what exactly the city can address within its power and then determine how it goes about it.
While we hoped that discussion would take place sooner than later, the fall might actually be the best time, but it needs to be when the entire summer as a whole is fresh on the minds of policy and decision makers and concrete data can be used to facilitate realistic options.


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Shia LaBeouf + Young Albert Einstein – Celebrity Doppelgangers
It's kind of eery how similar Shia LaBeouf looks when next to a young Albert Einstein. We'd suggest a biopic, but we're worried how that would end up for Shia's co-stars. It wouldn't be fair to wish that on anyone.
Shia is known for being a little unhinged and a whole lot full of himself, so much so that we're sure even hearing that he looks like Einstein will set him on a whole new career path or have him financing his own movie on Kickstarter dubbed 'Young Einstein.' Actually, we changed our mind — Mel Brooks, get on that.
As hard as it is to believe, the crazy white-haired theoretical physicist Albert Einstein was once a young man. However, long before he made the equation E = mc² famous, he was a time traveling Shia LaBeouf, who tired of the modern world not taking him seriously and went back and switched places with his scientist counterpart. Hypothetically, of course.


text:
- Boots
- Creepers
- High Heels
- Platform Sandals
- Platform Shoes
- Platform Boots
- - Mens
- - Womens
- Shoes
- Sneakers
- Demonia
- Hades
CLASH-430 Black
Black calf height boot with 3 1/2 inch platform. Comes with detachable chains with skull and cross bone charms, two single buckle straps on the toe, one double row buckle on the front and two mini buckles on the top.
CLASH-430 Black Chain Boots
- 3 1/2 inch platform
- Calf Height Boot
- Detachable chains with skull and cross bones
- By Demonia
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CLASH-430 Black
Reviewer: Beccy
bought these around a year ago and theyve done me good!light and comfortable and easy to walk in. the chains need to be made higher as they slap on the ground and mine have become very worn now. they also had a wider toe than i first thought. overall i loved these boots and wore them everywhere no regrets in buying them!!
2 people found this usefull. Was this review helpful to you?
CLASH-430 Black
Reviewer: Michelle
I love these boots~ I had to buy them and trade in my high-heels because I need to wear orthodic inserts to walk and they didn't fit into any other shoes of mine but these. They're a bit heavy at first but if anything they'll strenghten your legs. I ended up shortening the longest chain because it kept scraping against the ground when I walked and I didn't want it to break. They've lasted me about a year now and the ankle of the boot is incredibly strong (usually they'd have floped by now). Just keep these babies clean and they'll be your best friend (or in my case, my walking lifeline).
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CLASH-430 Black
Reviewer: LollipopStar
These boots are amazing!!! I've had them for a year. There wonderful. There so comfy that you forget your wearing them. And great to dance in. i highly recommend these
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CLASH-430 Black
Reviewer: Joy Fowler
I love these boots! I wasn't sure if I would like them. They're pretty comfortable and they are adorable! What could be better?
2 people found this usefull. Was this review helpful to you?


text:
LYON, France (Reuters) - Former tennis coach Regis de Camaret was sentenced to eight years in prison on Friday for raping two young female players aged 12 and 13, a Lyon court said.
De Camaret, who is now 70, was the coach of former Wimbledon runner-up Nathalie Tauziat and ex-French number two Isabelle Demongeot, who alleged he had raped her.
Some 20 of his former pupils have accused him of rape, attempted rape or fondling between 1977 and 1989.
The statute of limitations had run out on all but two, who accused De Camaret of rape or attempted rape.
Reporting by Catherine Lagrange, writing by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris


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Radio station 1420AM The Breeze (WJUB) has been broadcasting the best in American standards since 2003.
1420AM The Breeze plays "The Great American Songbook" by new performers such as Diana Krall and Michael Bublé, along with the well-known greats who have influenced them like Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Tony Bennett.
Station owners said this is the most exciting new radio format to come along in years. In addition, they air current local and national news, sports, classic radio programs, and commentary. Listen online at 1420thebreeze.comor over the air at 1420AM in the Central Lakeshore area.


text: I am working on a program that creates a Robot using a class. I am trying to create a function that will allow the robot to simulate sleeping for n seconds. I am unsure how to create this function though. I want the function to make the program pause for n seconds and that is all. Also, I'd like to make a function that will allow the robot to do some work that I have predefined as one of five tasks and I know how long each task will take to complete. How can I make a function for that which would complete the task and then output that the robot has completed whatever task was assigned to it? Any help with these two functions would be wonderful.


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With Tuck retired, Lavarnway turns to Epperson
Red Sox catcher waits to see who will become club's new bullpen coach
By Evan Drellich / MLB.com
"He would say, 'I want you to be perfect," Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway told MLB.com on Thursday by phone from Florida. "And then he would say, 'Now is that possible?' And you expect someone to say, 'No, we're human beings. We're not perfect.'
"But he -- without delay -- would be like, 'Yes. And you will be perfect, after I'm done with you."
Bullpen coaches are probably the most underappreciated of any uniformed member of a Major League staff, just because they're well out of the public eye. The only time you're getting a glimpse of one on a telecast is in the late innings when they're watching a couple of relievers frantically warm up.
But there's a reason Tuck was so well liked in Boston, and a reason why the Yankees reportedly attempted to get him back one offseason ago. Tuck, 58, made the decision to retire this week when he was in Florida to work out with Lavarnway, who's still green relative to most big league catchers.
"He texted me one night and said, 'Hey, we're not going to go in tomorrow,'" Lavarnway said. "Last couple Spring Trainings, and obviously when I made my big league time, he's been there. He's been great. He knows the position very well and he notices things that maybe people wouldn't even think about. He's a good teacher and he knows how to communicate the same point in a couple of different ways so you can understand."
Coaching always comes down to communication, and Lavarnway said Tuck knew how to get the message across, even if it took more than one attempt at the same message. While Tuck's teachings were important to any catcher, someone who came to the position late like Lavarnway could have a different perspective than a lifelong backstop.
"There's not a lot of things in particular," Lavarnway said of what made Tuck special. "It's more the way he communicated and the amount of passion he brought on a daily basis and how he really built confidence in the players. He wanted you to be the best every day and he wanted that from each one of us that he worked with."
Lavarnway said his workouts in Florida have been about becoming more efficient all-around, "and as Tuck would have said, being perfect -- in every phase."
In place of Tuck in Florida now is Chad Epperson, who would be entering his fourth season as the franchise's Minor League catching coordinator. If Epperson turns out to be Boston's choice to replace Tuck on the Major League staff, Lavarnway is on board.
Red Sox farm director Ben Crockett said Thursday that nothing was settled regarding Tuck's replacement.
"I have a great relationship with Eppy," Lavarnway said. "I don't want to say who I think they should pick. But I think Eppy is very qualified. Since Tuck retired, Eppy has come down and been working with me one on one. He's been down here for me."
Epperson spent eight years as a manager or coach in the Red Sox's farm system before becoming a catching coordinator. He was a manager from 2004-09 and spent 2002-03 as a hitting coach with the organization.
As for Lavarnway's future, with David Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia both on the roster, he appears to be the odd man out if the team carries only two catchers. Lavarnway has options remaining and therefore could head to Triple-A Pawtucket to start the season, but injuries could always change things.
"There hasn't been a ton of communication about the future," Lavarnway said. "It's just get in the best shape you can and be ready to help us when you're called upon."
Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Two unions have successfully brought Hostess Bakery to its knees, bankruptcy, and closure. The Marxists have achieved the demise of another large corporation.
The 18,500 former Hostess employees can now join the ranks of the unemployed and nonproductive. President Obama will demand more money for unemployment benefits and to subsidize unions, which is nothing less than paying off and bribing his political base.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka blamed Mitt Romney and Bain Capital for the closing of Hostess,
What's happening with Hostess Brands is a microcosm of what's wrong with America, as Bain-style Wall Street vultures make themselves rich by making America poor. Crony capitalism and consistently poor management drove Hostess into the ground, but its workers are paying the price. These workers, who consistently make great products Americans love and have offered multiple concessions, want their company to succeed. They have bravely taken a stand against the corporate race-to-the-bottom. And now they and their communities are suffering the tragedy of a needless layoff. This is wrong. It has to stop. It's wrecking America.
Ben Shapiro explained why Trumka's assertions were invalid and ultimately harmful to the 18,500 Hostess employees and our nation.
None of this is true. Nobody is getting rich off Hostess' bankruptcy. There is no crony capitalism here – Hostess has received no federal or state bailouts. The workers at Hostess may want their company to succeed, but the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union clearly doesn't care about the workers. There is no corporate "race-to the-bottom." There are just companies that can afford certain pay and benefits, and companies that can't. If there were nobody willing to work for the pay and benefits offered, that would be one issue; for the union to willfully press the company into bankruptcy isn't the fault of the company. What's truly wrecking America is Trumka's government-backed union thuggery.
The Teamsters Union was not in agreement with Trumka and understood the looming liquidation of Hostess should the strike continue,
Today, the Teamsters Union announced its recommendation to the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) that a vote of its Hostess members by secret ballot should be held to determine if the workers want to continue their strike of the company and force it into liquidation.
On Wednesday, Nov. 14, Hostess Brands indicated that if it couldn't resume normal operations by 5 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 15 that it would have to begin the liquidation process. Teamster Hostess members and all Hostess employees should know this is not an empty threat or a negotiating tactic, but the certain outcome if members of the BCTGM continue to strike. This is based on conversations with our financial experts, who, because the Teamsters were involved in the legal process, had access to financial information about the company.
Twinkies and Ding Dongs are dead, another once successful American corporation is gone, investors have lost millions, and 18,500 workers have lost their jobs, their healthcare, and their pension funds. Somewhere we can imagine Michele Obama and her Food Police cohorts are cheering. Western Civilization continues its downhill slide into oblivion.


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Are Large Dams Economical?
A study of 245 large dams carried out at Oxford University shows that big hydropower is uneconomic. Actual costs are typically double pre-construction estimates - and have not improved over 70 years.
Researchers at Oxford University have found that planners and policymakers systematically underestimate the costs and time required to implement large dam projects.
The actual costs of large dams were 96% higher than the estimate, on average, and implementation took 44% longer than scheduled. The new report thus explicitly states that large dams are not economical: "We find that even before accounting for negative impacts on human society and environment, the actual construction costs of large dams are too high to yield a positive return."
The study is based on the most comprehensive economic analysis of large dams ever undertaken. "Large dams" refers to dams with a wall height in excess of 15m.
Since 1934, no improvement in economic assessments
The study, which is based on a representative sample of 245 large hydropower dams built in 65 different countries between 1934 and 2007, concludes that cost and time overruns have not improved over time.
"Dam budgets today are as wrong as at any time during the 70 years for which data exist", said Atif Ansar, a co-author of the study. "Dam planners seem to not learn from the past.
"For example, Brazil's" Itaipu dam, built in the 1970s, suffered a +240% cost overrun that impaired the nation's public finances for three decades. Despite producing much-needed electricity, Itaipu will likely never pay back the costs incurred to build it.
"Regardless, Brazil is currently building the controversial Belo Monte hydroelectric project, which has proved non-viable even before opening and awaits a fate like Itaipu's. China, Indonesia, Pakistan and other nations show similar amnesic behaviour regarding the building of dams."
Liars and fools
The study cites two reasons for these immense cost and time overruns: firstly, both experts and laypersons are systematically "too optimistic about the time, costs, and benefits of a decision". Secondly, project promoters deceive the decision-makers and the public with strategic misrepresentations.
Professor Bent Flyvbjerg, also a co-author, commented on the causes of the highly inaccurate budgets for dams: "Experts making forecasts about megaprojects can be usefully grouped into 'fools' or 'liars'.
Continue reading at ENN affiliate, The Ecologist.
Dam image via Shutterstock.


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7:29 AM
Town Square
Pleasanton woman loses $408 through 'in-home' computer-fix visit by scam artist
Original post made on Nov 15, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7:29 AM
Comments (15)
a resident of Oak Hill
on Nov 15, 2012 at 8:16 am
"Someone claiming to be a representative of Microsoft scammed a resident of the 7400 block of Stonedale Drive in a scheme that began with a call warning of a virus, according to police reports."
I got a call from the same "Microsoft" people the other day and am a bit surprised that anyone would fall for the scam. First, they told me that they had remotely detected a virus on my Windows PC (I only use Macs), and then they offered to help remove the virus by directing me to use my web browser to go to their web site. Ha, ha!
I have to admit that the scammers have great customer service, though. I doubt that the real Microsoft corporation will ever become so enthusiastic about the virus problems of their customers that they would try to call up everyone with a virus and offer a fix.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 15, 2012 at 9:27 am
I got that phone call too. It was a guy with a heavy accent (from India I think). He asked questions that I would not answer. He then asked if I knew who Microsoft was, and I said yes. He said he called because I had a virus on my computer. I hung up and he called again but I did not answer.
The caller Id does not show a full phone number but a five digit ID.
Be careful with these people, all they want is access to your financial stuff.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 15, 2012 at 9:39 am
I also received at least two or three calls like this last week. I hung up on them as well. Anyone that thinks that Microsoft is calling them to tell them that they have detected a virus on their computer and wants to fix it remotely for them is very naive.
a resident of Happy Valley
on Nov 15, 2012 at 10:09 am
I rec'd a call from the heavy-accent guy as well. I questioned him, the validity of his questions...he was persistent......then I told him I don't use Microsoft and he hung up. How often must we sign up for "do not call" ??? Very irritating.
a resident of Stoneridge
on Nov 15, 2012 at 10:11 am
Just avoid talking to any one with a heavy accent and you 'll be okay. They just want to be given "stuff".
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 15, 2012 at 10:25 am
Just screen all your phone calls - that's what call display and an answering machine is good for - bonus - allows you to hang up on the annoying solicitors.
a resident of Oak Hill
on Nov 15, 2012 at 10:53 am
Sue said: ". he was persistent......then I told him I don't use Microsoft and he hung up."
Just hanging up on scam calls like that used to be my response. But now - if I'm in a playful mood and have the time - I just like to drag the call out as long as possible in order to waste the scammer's time. Good time to take a coffee break and read a newspaper or take a walk while keeping the scammer on indefinite hold.
a resident of Birdland
on Nov 15, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I received the "Microsoft" caller - Microsoft knows about the scam. MS doesn't call the customer. Caller was Indian as in from India. I also called my mom who might fall for such scams.
I also received repeated calls from a firm saying they were notified of a problem on my computer reported by my virus software. The web site is in Fresno - all callers are in India. I'm on "Do Not Call" at home - didn't stop them. My cell phone from work received multiple calls even though I asked to talk to a supervisor the first time and be removed from the list. I emailed every site I knew about the calling number.
Why is it fishy? They couldn't say which computer or which virus software. They asked to have remote access to my computer!?!?!!! My IT department would have a fit and I don't let people go through our firewall either. I reported it to our IT dept. in case others received a similar call - I never saw a broadcast warning others. The repeated calls were to my work phone - I told them I was IT and they were lying. They were very persistant.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 16, 2012 at 11:39 am
Persistance is the key to all Fraudulant acts ~ If they don't want to take NO for an answer, don't prolong the conversation or just leave your phone off the hook and walk away :) I think that ties up their line ~
a resident of another community
on Nov 16, 2012 at 1:40 pm
I received the same call everyday for about a week. My husband and I just bought a new pc so we new it was a scam. The heavy accent guy could not answer any of our questions just kept saying you have a virus. He didn't like it very much so he stopped calling. I HATE SCAMMERS!!!!!
a resident of Charter Oaks
on Nov 16, 2012 at 9:23 pm
I think Lynn said something super important that we should all consider. She said she called her mother who might haven fallen for this scam. Let's all follow her lead and do the same. We might not be fooled, but these crooks prey on the most vulnerable which definitely includes the elderly.
I'm calling my parents first thing in the AM and am visiting my elderly neighbor tomorrow to warn her too.
Thanks for the post Lynn. And by the way, please accept my apology if you are make and not female.
a resident of Downtown
on Nov 16, 2012 at 10:12 pm
I recieved several calls from a man with a heavy Indian accent, he never mentioned he was from Microsoft but he told me he found a virus on my pc and he wanted to walk me through how to fix it. I don't know how, but he got my cell phone number and he knew my name. very sketchy indeed. I told him to never call me again. Later, an Indian woman called me and told me the same thing and I asked her to never call me as well. It was so scammy I could smell it!
a resident of Apperson Ridge
on Nov 16, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Are people this stupid in town?
sorry had to say this
a resident of Ridgeview Commons
on Apr 28, 2017 at 3:41 am
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?
a resident of Ridgeview Commons
on May 31, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?
Salami, Salami … Baloney
By Tom Cushing | 25 comments | 545 views
Time for new collaboration between city and school district
By Tim Hunt | 2 comments | 446 views


text:
Published: December 27, 2017
See the
current job opportunities for which the County is recruiting. The website is updated daily.
This list represents job openings which Human Resources is either
preparing to recruit for, or anticipates recruiting for. Recruitments
may, however, be cancelled by hiring departments prior to posting, due
to a variety of reasons.
Job openings are also updated weekly on the Job Line,
(707) 565-2803.
Applications can be submitted online. Paper applications and job
announcements are available in the hallway of the Administration
Building at 575 Administration Drive or you may receive them by mail if
you contact HR reception at (707) 565-2331.
Human Resources has developed County
Career Planning which includes valuable information for County
employees on how to navigate through County employment opportunities,
such as how to best complete a job application, present your experience,
and prepare for the exam process. Check
SCORS often to register for upcoming classes!
In addition to maintaining awareness of County opportunities, you are encouraged to also visit
Employment Services & Job Search Resources,
which will give you access to job opportunities available in the cities
within Sonoma County, neighboring counties, and additional job search
sites (such as Craigslist, Monster, and many more).
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Human
Resources Department, Recruitment and Classification Division.
Note to Supervisors and Managers: please ensure your employees who do not have regular access to a computer receive this information.
Recruitment & Classification
Human Resources
Disaster Leave, Local Assistance Center, Benefit Information, and more!


text:
|2008 KART Sprint Regional Series
|Written by Administrator
|Monday, 28 January 2008
Sponsored by Beason Motosports.
March 8-9 KART Sprint Rgnl 1 & 2 (RMax Challenge) Waco, TX
April 19-20 KART Sprint Rgnl 3* (RMax Challenge) JRP Speedway, Tulsa, OK
May 31-Jun 1 KART Sprint Rgnl 4* (RMax Challenge) Lake Garnett, Garnett, KS
Jun 20- 22 KART National Championships Lake Garnett, Garnett, KS
July 26-27 KART Sprint Rgnl 5 (RMax Challenge) Waco, TX
Oct 4-5 KART Sprint Rgnl 6* ('09 RMax Challenge) JRP Speedway, Tulsa, OK
The KART Sprint Regional Series is a Rotax Challenge qualifier for 2008. Rotax drivers must have a valid Rotax license (series #17) and must run 3 out of 4 races to qualify. D2 is the spec tire. Motul is the spec oil.
The KART Sprint Regional Series is also a direct qualifier for the 2008 TAG USA World Championships. 2008 TAG USA rules will be in effect.
* The Apr 19-20, May 31- Jun 1 & Oct 4-5 races combine the KART Mid America Sprint Series and the KART Southern Sprint Series. All you have to do is run 1 race in the KART Mid America Sprint Series or 1 race in the KART Southern Sprint Series and the 3 combined series races and you can be in the points for both series.
$45 Driver Entry
$20 Driver Pass ($25 on the double race weekend March 8 & 9 in Waco)
$15 Spectator Pass ($20 on the doube race weekend March 8 & 9 in Waco)
Fuel sold at track
2008 Classes:
Kid Kart
TAG Cadet
TAG Junior
Jr 1 2-Cycle
Jr Super Sportsman
TAG Senior/Heavy
Yamah Heavy (local option)
Rotax Micro Max - new for 2008 more information coming soon...
Rotax MIni Max
Rotax Junior
Rotax International
Rotax Masters
Rotax DD2
DJ Ortiz - KART Sprint Director
Download the KART Southern Regional Sprint Flier


text:
Event box
Adult Summer Reading Program (ongoing event)
Read six books and get a free book from the Thomas Jefferson booksale. Each finisher will also be entered in a drawing for one of our Summer Reading Prizes. Adults.
- Date:
- Saturday, August 12, 2017 Show more dates
- Time:
- All Day Event
- Campus:
- Thomas Jefferson Library
- Categories:
- Age: Adults


text:
We are starting a new swap with Wall Hangings!
Here is how the Swap works!
June - You make one quilt block of your choice
July - You make one quilt block of your choice
Aug. - You make one quilt block of your choice
Sept - You make one quilt block of your choice
Oct. Construct your quilt blocks into a wall hanging
Oct 31st - All wall hangings that are posted as pics will be entered
into the drawing
If posting a picture is a problem for you let me know and I will help
Nov 1st - I will draw names and addresses and send each quilter
the address they will send their wall hanging to.
Please Post Pics of: Not required but this would be great if you can
Your Fabric you are going to use or thinking of using
Embellishments you are using
Progress pictures would be nice!!
Each month post a pic of the quilt block you made
You can post pictures of the quilt blocks you are thinking of doing also
I would like to see some sharing of ideas and conversation along the way!!
That is the really fun part!!
100% Cotton
Prewashing or not is up to you
Sign up:
Just post on the thread if you are willing to enter a wall hanging.
There will be no end to the sign up.
If anyone wants to catch up and send in a wall hanging by Oct 31st that is fine with me.
Size and Type of Quilt Block:
A wall hanging should be smaller than a lap quilt but larger than a mug rug.
You can use any type of quilt block and any style any colors.
Ebellishments are a fun way to add to your wall hanging if you like
Layout and Quilting Your Wall Hanging:
You can put your top together any way you want to. You can add more blocks
the same size or smaller or anything you like.
Setting design can be as simple as sewing your quilt blocks together or adding
sashing between blocks or you can use your creativity and make up anything
you can dream up.
You can quilt it or tie it or any method you want to use.
If you have anyone else quilt it please remember to give credit where it is due.
I hope you decide to join us and have a lot of fun!!
Please make sure to read the general rules that apply to all swaps here at the Quilting Board: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-20154-1.htm


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News & Events
For the Media
Far East Movement to Headline Clarkson University Springfest April 16
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/far-east-movement.jpg .]
Far East Movement will headline Clarkson University's Springfest on Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in Cheel Arena.
The concert, presented by the Clarkson Union Board (CUB), will also feature special guest Secondhand Serenade, as well as a local opener to be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale at the new Clarkson Student Center Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices are $12 for Clarkson students, $15 for college students, and $20 for all others.
Tickets are also available at the SUNY Potsdam Student Government Association office, the SUNY Canton information desk, Northern Music & Video in Potsdam, Strawberry Fields Music in Potsdam, or online at http://cub.musictoday.com .
For more information, call 315-268-6400, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Far East Movement lineup features Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman, always rocking stylish shades, skinny ties, shiny blazers and fresh kicks. The guys took the Los Angeles club scene global with numerous world tours, song placements on television and film with a #1 hit song (Girls On The Dance Floor) on Los Angeles radio all before they dropped their debut album, Free Wired, in 2010 on Cherrytree/Interscope Records. The subsequent official lead single "Like A G6" is a triple platinum-plus selling song that exploded on radio and sales charts across the world, hitting #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, Digital Song chart and iTunes on multiple weeks.
Secondhand Serenade is an American acoustic rock band, led by vocalist and guitarist John Vesely. Vesely has released three studio albums to date under the name Secondhand Serenade: Awake in 2007, A Twist in My Story in 2008 and Hear Me Now in 2010. The debut album used multitrack recording to create the sound of a band using technology, while the second album took a different path, using a proper band and synthesizers to establish a more accomplished sound.
Far East Movement (also known as FM) has bridged the gap between underground party records, mainstream hip-hop and pop music. They take elements of hip-hop, electro, alternative and dance to create an original pop sound and lifestyle they refer to as 'Free Wired'.
You might already be familiar with Far East Movement's music unknowingly as they have received placements that are as impressive as artists who have already reached superstar status. "Girls On The Dance Floor" was featured in a major scene in the film 'Get Him To The Greek', 'MTV's America's Best Dance Crew' season 4 finale, CBS' 'CSI Miami', and 'FOX's So You Think You Can Dance.'
Their music has also been heard on television hit shows like 'Entourage', 'Gossip Girl', ABC Family's 'Lincoln Heights', 2009 Miss America pageant and in the blockbuster film and video game for "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift."
They were also featured performers at both the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival in 2010. Their tours have taken them to Asia, South America, the United Kingdom, Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Brazil, Netherlands and all over the United States.
Far East Movement grew up together in downtown Los Angeles. They were influenced by the thriving downtown L.A .scene and a wide array of music from fellow West Coast classics like the Pharcyde and Dr Dre, to the dance music of DJ Tiesto and Daft Punk, to LA rockers like Guns N Roses, Linkin Park and Blink 182.
"A big part of our movement is how we stay connected to the fans ourselves," says J-Splif. "They've demanded our songs on radio and at the clubs, so we're always are listening and try to give them what they want. We used to go to a club and watch all night just to see how the crowd would react to certain songs the DJ played and soak it in."
"It's important that we translate to everyone what we're about on this album," Kev Nish added. "The idea is for people to feel free to 'geek out' however they feel comfortable and stay wired with us whether partying at the club or home online."
An early influence came when the group saw Kanye West live and the kind of performance he delivered. "I remember we saw a Kanye show," Prohgress said. "He threw a towel into the audience and people were fighting for it. We wanted to give that type of energy. It's always been about that energy and that lifestyle at our shows."
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in six alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.


text:
With instantly recognisable hits such as 'Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart', 'You Are Everything' and 'Betcha By Golly Wow', The Stylistics are one of the most iconic groups in soul history. The group still features two of the original members (Herbert Murrell and Airrion Love) and is fronted by the brilliant Harold 'Eban' Brown, former singer with Wilbur Hart's Delfonics. The Philadelphia group recorded a remarkable 10 straight top-ten hits during the early 1970s.
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text:
libnode is a C++ implementation of Node.js. Just like Node.js, libnode provides non-blocking I/O, which enables you to develop scalable Web applications in C++. The memory management of libnode is automatic, based on either shared_ptr or bdw-gc. libnode is good to use on embedded devices because its system resource consumption is lower than Node.js.
jmx4py offers a client API for Python similar to the existing Jolokia clients for Perl (jmx4perl), Java, and Javascript. Jolokia is a JMX-HTTP bridge giving an alternative to JSR-160 connectors. It is an agent-based approach with support for many platforms. In addition to basic JMX operations, it enhances JMX remoting with unique features like bulk requests or fine grained security policies. jmx4py builds upon the basic API and offers further features related to monitoring and controlling JVMs via JMX using Python.
The X2Go Client allows you to connect to and control a remote machine running the X2Go Server. You can simulate a complete desktop session or run individual remote applications as if they were running on your local machine. The protocol is secure (via SSH) and very responsive, even over a very slow connection.
TuxBot is an IRC bot written in Lua. It was created to fit the requirements of the #linux channels on irc.oftc.net and irc.esper.net, but it is also used as a helpful bot in some other, non-Linux channels on other networks. The bot is able to link Linux channels on different networks by relaying messages between them. It is also able to kick flooders and to show the title of HTML pages after someone posted a link in a channel. Furthermore, TuxBot works as a raw multi-network IRC client for the console. There are some other features, such as the ability to extend TuxBot's functionality using a simple module system.


text:
Tim Jones: Reaching Adirondack's highest peak is Marcy Madness
Imagine! Some people actually spend March watching basketball instead of getting outside and doing fun things. No wonder they call it "March Madness"! I hereby offer an improved, Active Outdoors version: Marcy Madness.
Back in December, I (foolishly) made public my desire to stand on the summits of the highest peaks of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts in winter. Within days (on a below zero morning!), I'd checked Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts off the list.
On March 10, David Shedd from EasternSlopes.com and I met up with guide Dan Sandberg from the Lake Placid EMS Climbing School (www.emsexploration.com) and attempted to skin up and ski down Mount Marcy (5,344 feet), the highest peak in New York state. Conditions were perfect, but I simply got too weary to safely make the summit and ski back down. So close, but ...
Great trip, but incomplete, so I made arrangements to stay two nights at the Adirondack Loj run by the Adirondack Mountain Club (www.adk.org), and summit Marcy on snowshoes with two of their very experienced guides. Thea Moruzzi is that organization's director of education, and Julia Goren is its summit steward coordinator. Julia has summited Marcy over 350 times, but neither she nor Thea had ever gone up in the winter on snowshoes (though they've both done it on skis).
Technically, it wasn't winter. Spring had "officially" begun 10 days before. But the temp was 20 when we started, the wind was blowing straight out of Canada, every step we took was on snow or ice, and there was more than five feet of snow on Marcy's summit. Argue technicalities all you want, I call that winter.
Climbing Marcy isn't really difficult, just very l-o-n-g. It's 7.4 miles from the Adirondack Loj at Heart Lake to the summit. Over that distance, you gain 3,164 vertical feet, with only two fairly short, fairly steep sections. Then, of course, you have turn around and come back down 7.4 miles and 3,164 feet.
We left the Loj at 7:30 in the morning, and walked the 2.1 miles to Marcy Dam with microspikes on our boots for traction. Regulations dictate skis or snowshoes when the snow is more than eight inches deep, so at Marcy Dam, we donned small MSR Denali snowshoes for the climb up and back down. That's nearly 11 miles on snowshoes.
Climbing steadily with one short snack break and a peek at the view from Indian Falls, we reached the summit just before 1 p.m. The rime ice formations on the open summit were stunningly beautiful, as was the 360-degree view, which included a tiny glimpse of Mount Washington.
After admiring the view and snapping the obligatory hero photos, we settled on a sheltered ledge ("Marcy Beach") out of the wind and enjoyed a hearty bag lunch packed at the Loj. Then, step-by-step, we made our way down, encountering a number of skiers skinning up for turns in the warm afternoon sun. We were back at the Loj by 5:30 p.m., about 10 hours after we left.
So ... Greylock, check; Marcy, check. Both were so worth it that I can't wait for next winter to do the other three. But that's a long time away. It might be fun to do them on bare ground, too ... hmmm. Then there are the second-highest ... hmmm. Life isn't a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!
Choosing guided
Unlike the last attempt on Marcy, skinning and skiing into the unknown, I could have done this snowshoe hike alone. I'd already seen the trails (which are well-marked), the weather was perfect, and the walking was easy. But, I didn't want to go alone for two reasons.
First reason: my wife wouldn't let me. She worries. She's right: solo ups the risk level. For safety, a group of at least three is ideal. If something goes wrong, one person can stay with the injured person, the other can go for help.
Then, there's the simple pleasure of good company. Julia and Thea were perfect guide/companions for a hike like this. They knew the route and what to bring for safety gear; they were willing to go at my pace, and fun to be with.
But best of all, they are both avid local historians and naturalists. Both were on a first-name basis with every animal and plant we saw. When we saw tracks in the snow, they could identify them all. We had a brief glimpse of an American marten (a cousin of the weasel), which are common here. We kept our eyes and ears peeled for boreal chickadees (brown-capped northern cousins of the familiar black-capped chickadee in your back yard), which Julia said sometimes show up here in winter. I've never seen one outside of Canada, and sadly, didn't this time, either.
Don't let the fact that your spouse, friends or family won't go with you keep you from exploring the Adirondacks. Marcy and the other High Peaks offer magnificent climbing, and, from what I've seen, guided is a great way to explore them.
ADK Summit Stewards
The Adirondack Mountain Club's Summit Stewards program puts a trained naturalist/historian on the major summits of the region during the busy summer hiking season -- May through October. They help hikers learn about the history (both human and natural) of the Adirondacks in general and the fragile high-alpine ecosystems specifically.
What a great program! Some mountains elsewhere (Monadnock and some of the high Whites in N.H. for example) have similar programs, but I wish there was a summit steward on every popular peak in the Northeast. For more information, go to www.adk.org and look under "Stewardship." They need volunteers (hint, hint).
Adirondack Loj
The Loj (named by Melvil Dewey (of Dewey Decimal fame) is a comfortable, 38-bed guest house surrounded by the Eastern High Peaks of the Adirondacks. It's much like the AMC's Joe Dodge and Cardigan lodges, with comfortable private rooms and bunk rooms, great meals and the company of like-minded outdoor folks. Highly recommended!
Tim Jones is the executive editor of the online magazine EasternSlopes.com and writes about outdoor sports and travel. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


text:
Marine Park
CityParks Seniors Fitness: Tennis
Thursday, June 19, 2014
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This event repeats every week on Tuesday and Thursday between 4/29/2014 and 6/19/2014.
Please note: This event has already taken place. Please use the Search options on the right to find upcoming events.
The CityParks Seniors Fitness program offers free tennis lessons, yoga instruction, and fitness walking in 14 parks across the city. The program aims to keep neighborhood parks a great place for community activity. Even in moderate amounts, exercise can help us feel better, maintain or lose weight, reduce risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis. No matter how old we are, our bodies always benefit from physical activity. All equipment and instruction is provided free of charge.
Tennis Courts in Marine Park
Directions to this locationLocation Details:
Marine Park - Tennis Courts - Ave S & E. 32 St.
Event Organizer
Contact Number
Contact Email
Related Links
Directions to Marine Park
- Major Habitat Restoration And Trail Development Project Gets Underway This Fall In Marine Park
- More Than 30,000 New Yorkers Celebrate The Outdoors At Tenth Anniversary Of Adventures NYC
- NYC Parks Joins The National Park Service In Announcing New Bicycle And Kayak Rental Concession For Jamaica
- NYRR Open Run: Marine Park
- Nature's Workshop: Jewelry Making
- NYRR Open Run: Marine Park
- NYRR Open Run: Marine Park
- Survival Skills: Fire Making
- Baseball Fields
- Basketball Courts
- Bathrooms
- Bicycling and Greenways
- Bocce Courts
- Cricket Fields
- Dog-friendly Areas
- Eateries
- Fitness Equipment
- Football Fields
- Golf Courses
- Handball Courts
- Hiking Trails
- Kayak/Canoe Launch Sites
- Model Aircraft Fields
- Nature Centers
- Paddleboat Rentals
- Playgrounds
- Skate Parks
- Soccer Fields
- Spray Showers
- Tennis Courts
- Wi-Fi Hot Spots


text:
an amazing likeness
For those of us up north, February is tough running month. The days get longer, but the temps continue to drop overall for most of the month. In New England, a few races start showing up on the calendars and they are usually heavily attended as all the runners want to do something, anything really, outside and off the treadmill. For the Boston Marathon trainers, every race is an opportunity to test their fitness heading into April, and the 10mi, 16mi and 20mi races in Feb are packed as a result.
In a normal (uninjured) Feb, I target 150 miles or so, and try to get back to steady 1.5 - 2 hour weekend runs to lay down base miles.
I've done my best to live the right way. I get up every morning and go to work each day. (for now)
Thanks for starting us off, Milktruck.
In my area, near Toronto, there are a few of the "frosty 5k" or "chilly half" type of events, mostly next month. The big one is "Around the Bay" in Hamilton, a 30k race which is a year older than the Boston Marathon. Tough to get ready for a longer race in this weather.
I will be very happy if I match your 150 miles this month- unfortunately I have no gym membership or treadmill, so its all on the road.
My slow buildup of mileage continues, and I have lost 2lbs somehow, so a positive start to the year.
PBs since age 60: 5k- 24:36, 10k - 47:17. Half Marathon- 1:42:41.
10 miles (unofficial) 1:16:44.
Easy 5 this moring in feels like 16 degrees.
Simon, I have a gym membership, but rarely use it. I'm glad it only cost me $2 per week, it's through work.
I'm glad January's over with! It was a tough month for me with a slight back injury and other things. Still managed 160 miles and - well you can see in my log what I've been up to. Hoping to resume my weekly tempo runs now. This week's went alright. I'll be running a 25K trail race on Feb 10. Although of course I won't be "racing" it, it will be my longest event so far - an accomplishment of itself. My trail running friend will be doing it with me and we are looking forward to having a good time out there.
MTA: Simon - I know where you lost your 2 lbs - I seem to be on an overeating trend - must STOP. I feel like a Big Blob at this point.
Go as long as you can, and then take another step.
I'm definitely in favor of longer days!
I'm starting February on a good note. Today I ran my first 11-miler, and the last 4 were faster than my goal HM pace! Average pace for the entire run was 9:27. With more than 2 months to go, I think that's a good sign. It really didn't feel like more effort than my usual LRs, which is also promising. The pace just seemed to pick up on its own, although I did have to put some effort into maintaining it for the last mile.
My last run in Jan. was a MLR on Wednesday night. I did 8 miles with 10x100s. This is the second time the sprints have come up in my plan but the first time I've tried them. I had to pick my daughter up right by the track where the "official" half marathon group was training, so I decided to run the track and at least talk to the coaches.
The coaches thought I was nuts for running 100s in HM training, and they're right, but also gave me some pointers about my form (I hunch over too much and run my recoveries too fast, oops). But if I think of them more as fartleks and less as 100m repeats, somehow to me that makes sense. I wouldn't sacrifice any other aspect of the plan for them, but if everything else is going well, then why not throw in some actual speed now and then?
So that run was a total of 8 miles, with an average pace of 9:04. So both LRs this week were faster than my McMillan range says they should be. Yes, I should slow down. But maybe, just maybe, I also need a new "A" goal. Time will tell, I guess.
Zelanie, I think I'm in the same boat with paces. I was originally looking at 8:55-9:00 as my goal, even though McMillian says I can do 8:20(based on 5k PR of 23:36). My fitness level is much better now than when I run my last half at 2:01:27. I kind of targeted the 8:55-9:00 mostly to get a sub 2. Then I thought about a 1:55:00 goal at 8:47 pace. My tempo runs have been in the 7:40-8:10 range most of the time. The half I'm running also has a full, and they have pacers, so I think I'm going to run with the 8:35 group, and if I fade a little to the 8:47 group, I'll still have a big PR. In all honesty, the 8:20 goal pace doesn't seem that far fetched right now, I just don't want to go out and blow up. If I can hang with the 8:35 group and feel like I have some gas left, I can always speed up the last mile or two. What do ya think?
Anyone else, please chime in too.
I would say go out with the 8:35 group for the first 5, then see how you feel and reevaluate from there. Hopefully faster, but slower if you need to also.
Of course that's with my grand total of 0 races at that distance.
Anyone else, please chime in too.
When is your race?
I agree - better NOT to go out too fast and blow up. Better to start at a conservative pace and haul ass in the last three miles - if you can.
Regarding pace - I think they have them organized by marathon finish time, like 4:00 and 3:50, that sort of thing rather than mpm pace. So 8:35 mpm = 3:45 marathon pacer(1:52 HM) and 8:47 mpm - 3:50 pacer (1:55 HM)
If my goal was come in strongly under 2 hours, I'd start with the 3:50 pacer and speed up later in the race if I could.
Having potential fading factored into the plan ahead of time and running faster at first to compensate for it would probably diminish my confidence....and lessen my enjoyment.
Run Fastah 2018
I am glad January is gone although it didn't take the -32*C and worse windchills with it. I just can't run outside when it's so cold and I haven't found a solution to the mind-draining boredom of the treadmill yet. I run outside when I can and indoor if I must. (Currently blowing snow warning which is supposed to stick around until lunch, 70 to 80kph winds in the morning, but tomorrow afternoon the wind should drop to only a -31*C windchill. I don't know what my Saturday run will look like.)
I didn't run today but I did register for the half marathon I'm doing this fall. It's going to be interesting to see how fast it fills up. Registration opened at 11 or something like that this morning and I'd guess they are probably well over 300 registered already.
"Don't feel like running today...suck it up and run ...you're an athlete." (John Stanton, founder & owner of The Running Room)
Three half marathons later, I got a number. Half Fanatic #9292. :)
When is your race?
I agree - better NOT to go out too fast and blow up. Better to start at a conservative pace and haul ass in the last three miles - if you can.
Regarding pace - I think they have them organized by marathon finish time, like 4:00 and 3:50, that sort of thing rather than mpm pace. So 8:35 mpm = 3:45 marathon pacer(1:52 HM) and 8:47 mpm - 3:50 pacer (1:55 HM)
If my goal was come in strongly under 2 hours, I'd start with the 3:50 pacer and speed up later in the race if I could.
Having potential fading factored into the plan ahead of time and running faster at first to compensate for it would probably diminish my confidence....and lessen my enjoyment.
Feb 17th, in Birmingham, AL. you are correct, they have marathon pacers for 3:45(8:35 pace) and 4:00(9:10 pace). I feel that 9:10 will be too soft, but there is not a pacer for in between, so I was trying to split the difference. Maybe I should start with the 9:10 pacer and speed up around the half way point? Or maybe just forget the pacers and run by feel? I'm not gonna kid, this is what I'm having the hardest time with, that's why I'm asking.
It's hard to base a plan on a pacer... It might help if there was a way to contact the 4-hr pacer and find out his pacing plan...I say this because when I ran the Skagit HM last fall with my 2-hour goal, I decided to start out with the 4-hour marathon pacer - but was dismayed to find he was running around 8:35 to 8:40 mpm in the first few miles and planned to do that through the halfway point and then slow down! Although I could keep up with him then, I knew it would ruin me in the rest of the run; so I dropped back. My point is you can't count on a pacer to run even splits.
What I did was make myself a chart showing even splits based on my 2-hr finish time - that told me where my time should be at the end of each mile and taped that to the back of my hand. It was nice to have because I'm not good with numbers, especially when running hard. Although I couldn't keep my pace up due to a strong headwind in the last half of the race, at least I knew by the chart how much I had to make up if I wanted to achieve my goal....which I did.
I know I'm rambling....but I thought of something else... I think in general it's smart to "run by feel" and "effort" ...but in a race with a goal time, that feels too vague for me. For me, RACE STRATEGY is all important. I'm not a good enough athlete to execute a strategy, but it helps me to feel mentally prepared and to do the very best I can. I base my strategy on my fitness, how my training has gone, what I know of the course, and what I want for my outcome.
Yeah! Exactly. I like to have a plan and you should have a reasonable idea going into the race of what you are capable of. For a race longer then a 10K I like to have an idea in my head of what splits I need to maintain my goal. I try to stay as close to them as possible for the first half at least, then base the last half on "feel". Your body should be warmed up and you will know if you are capable of speeding up or if you need to hold steady for a few more miles.
Having a goal pace is important for me for sure. I need something like that to focus on and when I hit, say, mile 5 for a half marathon, it's encouraging to have a clear idea of where I am compared to that goal and what I need to do to make it happen.
For my half next weekend I am teetering with my goal. I had it set @ 1:45 before finding out I was preggers, and honestly my training plan hasn't changed much at all...the only thing I deleted were the extended tempo runs. Now, I know those are important for racing distances over a 5K. But...I'm still thinking...PR??? I want something between a 1:50-1:45. That's my superwoman goal. Realistically I will be happy with anything under 2 hours
Feb is going to be a good month for everyone, I can just feel it! The groundhog says early spring and with the temps some of you are running in, I'm sure you are thankful! My race today was in the coldest temps we have had yet this year, 28 at race start! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
I'm still averaging 50 miles a week and Jan was actually my highest mileage month yet! This baby might come out with running shoes and a race bib on
HF and Veg, thanks for the input. It's not rambling at all. I have already planned to talk with the pacers. I would like to just stay between the 3:45 and 4:00 pacers. But I have read others say what you mentioned, about running faster at first, and then cruising the 2nd half. I feel good about being able to hit 1:57-2:00. I hope after I speak with the pacers on their tentative plans, this will help clear up some of my confusion.
I suppose if I list my true goals for this half, that might help too. First and foremost, is I want to break 2 hours. Secondly, I want to beat 1:55:27, this is my plant manager's time, and I just can't let him beat me, hehe, ya know? Third, is my stretch goal, and that would be to go sub 1:50.
Oh, and I have already planned to use marathonpaceband.com. I will print off the time bands for 3:45 and 4:00. This will let me know the mile splits, because I struggle with doing math while running too.


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Texas Trust to Open New Full-Service Branch in Local High School
The $763 million Texas Trust Credit Union in Mansfield will open a full-service branch in DeSoto High School that will employ high school students who will receive on-the-job training and experience in serving members, processing financial transactions and managing the branch.
The branch opening is part of the credit union's partnership – Texas Trust Spirit in Action – with the DeSoto Independent School District that will provide financial services and education to employees, students and their families. In addition to the in-school branch, the school district will receive financial rewards, financial materials for classroom training and financial educational programs for parents and faculty.
Texas Trust CU also will offer a specially designed DeSoto Eagle-branded Spirit Debit Reward card. The school district will receive 15 cents each time a cardholder uses the card to make a purchase.
Since 2011, Texas Trust has donated more than $317,000 to participating school districts from more than the 2.1 million purchases made with the Spirit Debit Reward Card, the credit union said.


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Home Improvement
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The Girls of Mardi Gras
Today is Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday), the last before Lent, the forty day long liturgical season of fasting and prayer. Usually one gives something up during the period, hence the big festivities beforehand. Mardi Gras is one such party, and the Mardi Gras season ends on Fat Tuesday, which is the literal translation from French of Mardi Gras.
Unless you're already in New Orleans or other parts abroad that celebrate Carnival, you've probably missed out on the celebrations. To fill that void, here are some of the other ladies of Mardi Gras.


text: Hi everyone! My 7 year old son played a practice set with an almost nine year old who kept hitting ( or I should say blasting ) balls to his feet. Usually he is capable of hitting nice rallies but in this case he wasn't able to do anything at all! The balls were low and literally at his feet. The parent of that boy commented to me that you need to learn to hit on the rise for those balls. I would greatly appreciate any tips that you might have to teach him this skill as well as any thoughts on how long it takes to master the skill at this age . Thanks in advance!


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Along with Metal
Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto IV
is one of the biggest titles yet for PlayStation 3 – the only difference with MGS4, of course, is that GTA IV isn't a platform exclusive. But
that's not going to stop Sony from treating GTA
IV as one of its very own, and creating a new system bundle around the
highly-anticipated title.
Announced today by both Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
and Australia is an official Grand Theft
Auto IV bundle that will pack the game in along with the 40GB PlayStation 3
model. "We are delighted to offer the millions of PS3 and GTA fans the ultimate
gaming package," said David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment
Unfortunately for those hoping to get the latest
DualShock 3 controller model with the new bundle, Sony indicated that the GTA IV bundle will include the outgoing
SIXAXIS controller only. Such news may be the most disappointing for
Australian gamers, who will have to purchase the DualShock 3 controller separately
for a mindboggling
AUD$99 (USD$92) when it releases this week. Gamers in Europe have yet to
hear of an official launch date for their rumbling controllers.
The Grand Theft Auto
IV PlayStation 3 bundle will retail in Europe at €439 (USD$696) and in
Australia for AUD$749.95 (USD$715).
Gamers also considering paying the premium for the Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition game
package will want an early
sneak-peek of the game from an unknown retailer.


text: Few would argue the need for the U.S. government to protect itself and critical domestic infrastructure from foreign attacks. And fewer still would debate whether our country should use high-tech surveillance to monitor countries like China and Russia that have shown a propensity to attack unprotected U.S. systems when they have the chance.More controversial, however, is the domestic spying efforts closely tied to the terrorism. Namely the National Security Agency (NSA), under the Patriot Act of 2001, was given the right warrantless wiretaps of calls between U.S. and foreign citizens. That alone was controversial enough, but an expose in The New York Times showed that domestic calls between two U.S. citizens were also being intercepted, in what the NSA dubbed an "accident".A special Obama administration task force consisting of U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, NSA, Federal Bureau of Investigations, local law enforcement, and more is looking to reinforce warrantless wiretap. The move is perhaps unsurprising, considering that the council shares many of the same experts that mastermind President George W. Bush's original Patriot Act.The group is proposing new legislation designed at reinforcing the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act, a 1994 law published during the Clinton administration that demanded that telecommunications prepare to begin surveillance of suspects as soon as a court order is issued. Under the proposed changes, telecoms would be mandated to not only prepare for such instances, but also for warrantless wiretapping as spelled out under the Patriot Act. Those telecoms who complied fully would be rewarded with undisclosed incentives, while those who resist or were slow to comply would face fines or other penalties.Albert Gidari Jr., a lawyer who represents telecommunications firms, tells The New York Times that such legislation would be devastating to the civilian telecommunications industry. He states, "The government's answer is 'don't deploy the new services — wait until the government catches up. But that's not how it works. Too many services develop too quickly, and there are just too many players in this now."Previously detailed nuances of the plan call for the government also to gain new warrantless surveillance powers over other communications resources such as email (e.g. Gmail), text messages (including encrypted services, like RIM's), social networks (e.g. Facebook), and internet forums.Multiple issues surround the overarching proposal. One is in the potential economic damage it could cause the free market at a time when it is already struggling to recover.A second issue is perhaps the most critical one. Under current legal precedent, U.S. citizens can only have their Constitutional rights annulled if they are communicating with suspicious foreign citizens. However, to determine what users of foreign services are actually foreign citizens is almost impossible as foreign telecoms and internet firms have no real necessity to comply with U.S. requests for information. Thus U.S. citizens use foreign cell phones, operating on foreign web sites, or using foreign-based email services, may have their Constitutional rights violated even while communicating with other U.S. citizens.There is no clear solution to this problem.


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Q: Massachusetts' initial education reform efforts celebrated a milestone this year with a 20th anniversary. Since those changes were implemented in 1993, additional reforms have occurred and the state is seen as a national leader in education. Yet urban districts continue to struggle. What reforms do you think have worked in Massachusetts and what changes should be made?
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Herald News continues its series of questions and answers from the candidates for the 6th Bristol Representative District seat special election.
Questions posed by the newspaper and the unedited responses from the candidates will appear in the Focus section in the weeks leading up to the special election. David Dennis, Carole Fiola, Bradford Kilby and Gerry Potvin are vying for the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 13 primary. Republican David Steinhof, who does not have a primary, will face the winner of the Democratic Primary in the Sept. 10 general election. This is the final Q&A prior to the primary.
Q: Massachusetts' initial education reform efforts celebrated a milestone this year with a 20th anniversary. Since those changes were implemented in 1993, additional reforms have occurred and the state is seen as a national leader in education. Yet urban districts continue to struggle. What reforms do you think have worked in Massachusetts and what changes should be made?
David Dennis
The Education Reform Act of 1993 had a noble goal, but it failed to account for cost increases in overhead spending school systems have to cope with. The law established a "foundation budget" mandating a minimum dollar amount each district must pay per student based on need. This results in low-income communities spending more per student than affluent ones. In the first few years of the act in action, state aid helped communities like Fall River funded, but in the last decade the system failed.
Our districts are being challenged by increased operating costs such as health care and special services to student. In fact, in Fall River alone nearly 1 in 4 students receives special assistance and our local demographic presents other challenges to our district. The region has to pay approximately $11,123 per student, an amount we receive a great deal of state aide to fund. With increased costs, our schools are funding education with what is left over after providing vital services to our teachers.
Districts should have adequate resources to fund all grade levels equally from early childhood through high school without cost shifting. We need to reform the Education Reform Act to adequately reflect student needs as costs evolve over time. I will call for the Joint Committee on Education to adjust budgeting annually based on all school expenses, not just inflation.
Philosophically, while our schools are improving I believe that we need to be more student and teacher centric. While MCAS may have its supporters we should consider the successes in places like Finland where they take a very different approach to education with great success; as Finnish writer Samuli Paronen wrote, "real winners do not compete."
Carole Fiola
When taken as a whole the 1993 landmark Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) is an indisputable success. Billions of state dollars have been invested into public school systems across the state in return for measureable academic progress (MCAS testing) and teacher and administrative accountability. As a result of MERA, Massachusetts students repeatedly lead the nation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress test subjects of math, reading, science and writing.
Unfortunately despite the efforts of many hard working teachers, there remain achievement gaps within Fall River and other Gateway Cities. In order to close these achievement gaps so that your zip code doesn't determine the quality of your education, I will sponsor and or support legislation specifically designed to improve high school, vocational and college graduation rates students within the region.
In order to accomplish this goal, I propose the following:
(i) Meet with District School Department personnel and the Massachusetts Department of Education to develop guidelines for appropriate class sizes and staffing for grades K – 8 and ensure compliance;
(ii) Revisit the state funding formula to ensure that appropriate state funding is being made available to those cities and towns that are impacted by poverty, immigration and low adult educational attainment levels;
(iii) Look to reduce existing student waiting lists via construction of new or expanded vocational training schools;
(iv) Eliminate the cap on Charter Schools in urban communities to help reduce wait lists for students, reduce class size, foster school choice for parents and improve academic standing;
(v) Work to adopt "college success" as a new educational benchmark for all children and enhance the number of college course offerings to high school students to reduce the overall cost of college.
As your state representative, I will work diligently to improve the educational attainment levels of this region.
Bradford Kilby
Due to growing concerns that Massachusetts public schools were not getting the job done in educating the state's student population, especially in gateway cities, the state passed the Educational Reform Act in 1993. The new law drastically changed district accountability, employment policy and the role of school committees. Under Ed Reform there were some major changes to the Chapter 70 (State Educational Aid) formula. In short, under the reform law there was a commitment by the state to drastically increase aid to local districts. It should be noted that during this period there was strong economic growth in the state which allowed this aid increase to occur. More specifically, during the period from 1993 - 2002 Chapter 70 more than doubled state wide from 2 billion dollars to 5 million dollars. It was up to each and every district to use the increased aid wisely in order to make improvements in line with the state's accountability element.
As a member of the Fall River School Committee during the first decade of Ed Reform I witnessed firsthand how the infusion of these increased funds directly benefited our students in the classroom. Unfortunately, during the second half of Ed Reform, 2003 - 2013, Chapter 70 funding has been cut by 600 million dollars statewide due to the state's difficult economic climate. Rising health care costs and special education costs also prevented districts from hiring new teachers thereby lowering class size which is essential.
In light of the above, as your State Representative, I would work with other legislators in an effort to re-examine the foundation budget which after 20 years is out of date.
Gerald Potvin
The Education Reform Act of 1993 (Act) has been largely successful in many areas of Massachusetts. Those accomplishments, in those districts and towns, should be applauded. However, educating our children is not something that carries with it the old adage of "one size fits all".
Urban areas, low income families, families where English is not their first language, and in situations where families are run and operated 24/7/365 by a single parent carry with it additional hurdles with regards to educating our children. In talking and listening to parents and teachers, I am hearing the same thing; we need a better system tailored to the needs of a unique and diverse student population or we need more money to pay for more support in the areas of ELL and after school educational programs. This is essential to put Fall River on the same playing field as higher income, less diverse communities that historically score higher on MCAS.
Another major point that should be illustrated is that teachers are not the sole educational providers. They are part of a team that consists of teachers, administrators, and more importantly, parents and family members. After raising a child on my own while working full time, I know that there is usually little time to help with homework at the end of the day.
We must still, as parents, find a way to ensure our children are getting the knowledge and meeting standards and our schools and teachers, as educators, can help parents with this. We can find ways to better work in concert versus working independently with little success.
The Act is not working for Fall River. Demographically, we are a diverse population. If we are going to succeed, we need a program more tailored to our unique situation.
David Steinhof
I am a lifelong resident of Fall River and a graduate of Durfee High School. I know the education that I received was second to none and I will do all that I can to make it even better for the next generation. I also believe that improving our public schools is a critical piece to renewing our economy.
The original intent of The Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) was to decrease the disparity in funding levels between rich and poor districts and to increase educational access, while boosting student performance with standards and the MCAS system of tests. While there have been positive changes our urban districts continue to struggle.
The one-size -fits- all centralized model is not working. Fall River and Assonet, unlike wealthier towns like Newton or Wellesley, face unique challenges. In Fall River, our special needs requirements are nearly 30% higher than the state average. Our lunch subsidy program, though federally funded, is double the state average. To improve our schools we must have the flexibility to address our specific issues without the additional pressure of unfunded mandates.
Our public schools need to continue to set high standards while adopting best practices and innovative thinking like our independent charter schools. The challenges of funding need to be revisited as well. We need to focus on specific career building exposure and providing opportunities like our vocational schools while maintaining our Advanced
Placement programs for the students. We need to encourage local businesses to partner with educators and as a community work together to improve our schools.
As your state representative I will be a strong education advocate and introduce legislation that will enable our dedicated local administrators, teachers and school committees to meet state standards while customizing programs to better serve local needs.


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Gather Atlanta's Educational & Networking Event, Aug. 2-4
Gather Atlanta will hold its 4th Annual Educational and Networking Event this weekend at the Hammonds House Museum, Plaza Theatre, Georgia Tech and the High Museum of Art. In furtherance of its mission to encourage, empower and facilitate partnership among Atlanta's disparate arts organizations, Gather Atlanta has created several days of panels, experimental events and networking opportunities for organizations of all sizes and disciplines. The event will start Aug. 2, at the Hammonds House for a private funders at 2 p.m., then a public funders at 4 p.m., followed by Ga. Tech starting at 6 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 3, the event will move to the Plaza Theatre starting at 2 p.m. that includes the screening at 6 p.m.; then on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the High Museum of Art starting at 11 a.m.
All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for some events. For more information or to register, visit www.gatheratlanta.com.
Adamsville Workforce Resource Center Opens To Job Seekers
Fulton County citizens seeking employment now have another convenient resource center. The Adamsville Workforce Development Resource Center is now open to assist job seekers. The office is located inside the Adamsville Regional Health Center at 3700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta. Fulton County Workforce Development Offices help unemployed citizens to sharpen their interview skills, complete online employment applications and update their resumes. Staff members also help to enhance citizens' ability to obtain new employment through training programs to upgrade their job skills. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Clients are required to pre-register for all workshops. For more information about services and workshops, call 404-613-6381. To locate other Fulton County Workforce Development locations, visit www.fultoncountyga.gov/divisions-and-programs/workforce-development.
Dog Wash At AARF Pet Central!
Basic bath includes complete wash with your choice of shampoo, basic brush and dry. Also includes complimentary spritz spray! Basic Bath* – $20, add-ons (nail trim, anal glands, ears) – only $5 each. Call or e-mail to make a reservation. Walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as quickly as possible. All proceeds benefit AARF's foster and adoption program.
AARF Pet Central is located at 6570 James B Rivers Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 678-534-3483. For firstname.lastname@example.com. The event will be held Sunday, Aug. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Additional charges will apply for large dogs and dogs with long or matted fur. Please e-mail or call us if you have questions about charges.
Buckhead Coalition Supports Town Square Concept
Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell supports the idea of a "town square" at Lenox Square, where numerous retail units and people come together daily. Massell talked with Guest Service representative Deeandra Troutman, while Simon Properties, the Coalition's partner, will make sure the new "town square" is attractive and comfortable. The Coalition will install a kiosk to handle free cell-phone charging while patrons wait for spouses who are shopping, as well as offering reference material, such as the Buckhead Guidebook, GA-400, Hospitality Highway maps, and more.
OncCharts.com Announces Agreement With NCCN
New online medical platform, OncCharts.com, provides an innovative online tool for cancer patients. A new agreement with NCCN allows OncCharts.com users to: Access the expert treatment guidelines of the leading 21 cancer centers in the country; view the best hospitals and medical professionals that treat their specific type of cancer; and access the NCCN Guideline for Patients — all with the click of a button. Oncologists created OncCharts.com as an online tool that allows patients access to cases similar to their own at hospitals across the country. The goal is to provide transparency of how different institutions treat similar patients. This allows users to understand their full range of potential cancer treatment options to discuss with their oncologist.
Designed with an easy-to-use interface, the OncCharts.com tool allows users to not only search for similar cases, but also compare them side-by-side, alerting the user of any differences. The user can also connect with patients who had similar cases through a private anonymous messaging forum, and instantly share their progress with friends and loved ones. Overall, patients and survivors will find the OncCharts.com tool to be an invaluable resource in combating their cancer.
Grady Hospital Selected For Effort To Increase Breastfeeding Rates
Grady Memorial Hospital has been selected to participate in Best Fed Beginnings, a first-of-its-kind national effort to significantly improve breastfeeding rates in states where rates are currently the lowest. Although breastfeeding is one of the most effective preventive health measures for infants and mothers, half of US-born babies are given formula within the first week, and by 9 months, only 31% of babies are breastfeeding at all. Best Fed Beginnings seeks to reverse these trends by dramatically increasing the number of US hospitals implementing a proven model for maternity services that better supports a new mother's choice to breastfeed. The National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) is leading the effort through a cooperative funding agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and will be working closely with Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.
Breastfeeding has multiple health benefits for both infants and mothers. Visit http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org for more information.