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|December 6, 2012, 12:54 AM
Join Date: February 12, 2001
Location: DFW Area
Posts: 21,131
A compilation of corrosion preventive tests...
One of the most thought-provoking results I noted from looking at all these tests is that the results are, at least in some respects, surprisingly inconsistent.
While some products seem to do well at least fairly consistently in nearly all the tests, others seem to perform dramatically differently from one test to another.
No matter your favorite, you can probably find at least one test where it doesn't do well. That's part of why I put this post together. In my opinion, the best way to get a good feel for what works and what doesn't is to look for consistent trends across the tests, as opposed to picking a few tests and basing your conclusions only on them.
I've tried to give some brief summaries, but it's important to understand that the tests are not all conducted using the same techniques, nor do they all test the same products. So please don't assume that my summaries tell the whole story.
I don't want to take too much away from the links themselves by oversummarizing, but I know some people want to cut to the chase. For them, I will note that EEZOX, Corrosion X, Boeshield T9 and Breakfree CLP all seem to do well with pretty good consistency.
Before listing the tests, the final point I need to make is that these tests do not evaluate the lubrication properties of the products, in fact, not all of the products listed are even marketed as lubricants.
Tests are separated from each other by a line of asterisks like the one below.
Indented text is quoted from the links.Non-indented text is my commentary.
Test results begin below:
This test checks for lubricating properties and corrosion preventive properties. An excellent test, well thought-out and one that tests a large number of products.
WD-40 Specialist came in first for best corrosion preventive with Hornady One Shot and Frog Lube taking 2nd and third. Unfortunately the overall results of the corrosion test weren't presented in such a way as to allow ranking all of the products. Only the top performers were called out along with a few comments about some of the others. Interestingly enough, Eezox did not perform well at all which is surprising given its performance in other tests referenced in this thread.
Hornady One Shot took top honors in the lubricating tests, with Frog Lube taking second and Rand CLP coming in third. BreakFree CLP came in 6th out of the nearly 50 products tested.
This tester applied the products and then wiped them off to duplicate the way products would actually be used in practice.
He ranked Breakfree CLP as #1 with RemOil as #2.
For "long term storage", obviously a thick layer of something (about anything, cosmoline, whatever) will protect well, but the trick here is for guns you really use & handle, you want protection without goop or a thick film.************************************
This tester only compared 3 products and ranked them in the following order, Breakfree CLP #1, Ballistol, Militec.
Overall Breakfree really came out as a far superior general protectant to ballistol and Militec, which was particularly dismal.************************************
The following link actually contains 3 separate tests. The first found Corrosion X and EEZOX best with Breakfree CLP in third place.
The second test, with a different mix of products found Breakfree CLP to be the best of that mix, which, by the way, also included a commonly recommended motor oil that fared very poorly.
The third test, a long term exposure test found EEZOX and Breakfree CLP to be the best in that order.
Test 1: Use Eezox or Corrosion-X to coat your firearms. Eezox has the advantage that it goes on wet, but protects dry. Corrosion-X works nearly as well, is easy to apply, and is widely available. BreakFree works very well but starts to fade after repeated extreme exposure. However, we still like BreakFree because it penetrates into recesses better than almost anything else, and it is a very effective lubricant, not just a rust preventitive.
Test 2: In Test B all but the Break-Free developed a lot of rust. I really thought that Break-Free would be a marginal performer, and personally thought that strike hold and Slip 2000 would be the best, but I was wrong.
Test 3: Here is another photo of a test performed in 2004 by Jeff Johnson. As you can see, Eezox and BreakFree CLP performed the best, among the items tested.************************************
This test involved 13 products tested in two different ways.
The first test ranked the top finishers as Breakfree CLP, Breakfree LP, EEZOX and Sheath, in that order.
The second test (repeated exposure) listed EEZOX and Breakfree CLP as Best and Breakfree LP as Excellent.
After noting my finding on the second test, I decided to see how long it would take to get Eezox and Break Free CLP treated metal to start to rust. I continued to mist the nails twice a day with the salt solution. Amazingly, after one full week, the Eezox nail was still bright and shiny, while the CLP started to show a mere trace of rust freckling. Clearly, Eezox was the winner of my tests, followed closely by CLP.************************************
This 33 product test found EEZOX best with Tri-Flow, PL-10 and Corrosion X as the next 3 in line in no particular order. Breakfree CLP was (by my eyeball--definitely a subjective analysis) in a 3 way tie for 7th place with FP10, Boeshield and Weaponshield Oil.
This test found Shooters Choice Rust Prevent and Boeshield T9 tied for first place with nothing else finishing even close.
You'll have to evaluate this one yourself, there's no attempt made to rank the products or even to present the results in a way that lends itself to easily putting them in order. Boeshield T9, Cosmoline, RIG and WD-40 all performed well.
This test is oriented towards black-powder use and tested some natural products, including beeswax. The top performers were EEZOX, Ballistol and a product called Lehigh Valley Lube (now apparently Shenandoah Valley Lube.)
The tester made the observation that corrosion preventers work best when the surface is carefully cleaned first.
It's hard to evaluate this one due to the photography and limited commentary by the tester, but I included it anyway.
The main takeaway from this test is that if you plan to leave your guns outside for 2 weeks, the results won't be pretty regardless of the product you use for protection.
Renaissance wax appears to be the winner with Break Free and Miltec tied for second place.************************************
And a video test for those getting bored with reading...
Interestingly enough, the motor oil did pretty well in this test, with Breakfree CLP the clear winner.
This test is interesting because it includes ATF as well as motor oil. The tester also tests some blended products he apparently made himself using ALOX as an ingredient. Those blends worked very well. The results are unusual in that EEZOX did not test well--surprising the tester. A product called Brownells Polar Active #2, did better than any of the other products--bested only by the ALOX blends.
Did you know that there is a TEXAS State Rifle Association?
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text: does anyone know who hewitt's new clothing sponsor is? doesn't look like yonex gear! too bad because for many years hewitt has been the face for yonex's clothing line (well for me anyway). so if i am right and it isn't yonex that means the wawrinka is the only pro wearing yonex clothes, right (since nalby switched over to topper last year)?

subset: commoncrawl


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Iron and Life and Volcanic Ash
In 2010, there was a large volcanic eruption spewing tons of ash into the atmosphere and into the sea. The ash caused major flight delays as well as posing potential health hazards. Nevertheless, the Icelandic volcano's ash plume resulted in the oceans absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than usual, say scientists. In about a third of the global ocean, the abundance of life is limited by a lack of biologically available iron. The supply of iron to a region that is depleted in this important nutrient can stimulate algal productivity, and can result in a temporary boom in biological activity. For much of the surface ocean, the wind-borne transport of iron-rich dust and the upwelling of nutrient-filled water are the normal major sources of iron.
The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull were relatively small for volcanic eruptions. The eruption was declared officially over in October 2010, when snow on the glacier did not melt. From April 14–20, ash covered large areas of northern Europe when the volcano erupted.
Though satellite observations and modeling work suggest that volcanic ash could seed life in such a way, there have been only a limited number of direct observations of the effects of ash deposition on surface ocean waters. Thanks to a bit of slucky scheduling, Achterberg et al. conducted a series of research cruises in the Iceland Basin region of the North Atlantic Ocean both during and after the month-long eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the spring of 2010.
Three cruises allowed the authors to undertake measurements of surface ocean iron concentration before, during, and after the eruption in a region directly affected by the towering ash plume. Beneath the plume, the authors found peak dissolved iron concentrations up to 10.2 nanomolar, compared to 0.23 to 0.45 nanomolar detected before ash deposition.
The types of minerals present in volcanic ash are dependent on the chemistry of the magma from which it was erupted. Considering that the most abundant elements found in magma are silica and oxygen, the various types of magma (and therefore ash) produced during volcanic eruptions are most commonly explained in terms of their silica content. Low energy eruptions of basalt produce a characteristically dark colored ash containing ~45 - 55% silica that is generally rich in iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg).
Using a model of the ash plume trajectory and ash deposition rates, along with measurements of iron dissolution, the authors calculated that up to 570,000 square kilometers (220,000 square miles) of North Atlantic waters could have been seeded with at least 0.2 nanomolar of iron. In controlled biological incubation experiments, the authors added volcanic ash collected under the plume to sea water, and find that iron leached from the ash could drive an increase in biological productivity and a draw-down of nutrient levels.
In the oceans south of Iceland there isn't usually enough iron for phytoplankton to bloom for more than a few weeks before it runs out. This latest study reveals that the volcanic ash column supplied enough iron that the phytoplankton were able to bloom for longer, and absorb more CO2 than they would typically have been able to.
'In normal years the iron levels are very low in the Iceland basin as the system runs out of this nutrient during the annual spring bloom. But in 2010 the iron supply was so high that demands were met. But then the phytoplankton stripped the nitrogen out of the surface waters so they became limited by that instead,' says Achterberg.
The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found even with the added iron from the volcano and the longer blooming period, the phytoplankton were only able to absorb about 15-20 per cent more CO2 than in other years before the nitrogen in the water ran out.
For further information see Article or Ash.
Eruption image via Wikipedia.


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I get the impression that San Jose State didn't really think through the implications of these badges.
They just need to announce "price rollbacks!" on faculty salaries, and the image will be complete.
I get the impression that San Jose State didn't really think through the implications of these badges.
They just need to announce "price rollbacks!" on faculty salaries, and the image will be complete.
carlie says
But is it someone who is a faculty and greets people, or someone who greets faculty?
richardelguru says
Or, for the Glaswegians out there, 'a sobbing faculty'?
'Ach! Dinna Greet!' as my granny used to say.
Acolyte of Sagan says
I'd be less concerned about the wording and more concerned about the 'aciiiid' smiley faces. Is it a university or an acid-house rave club?
Gregory in Seattle says
Because nothing says "We treat our roles as university educators seriously" quite like foil stars and glittery happy face stickers.
docfreeride says
Full disclosure: the stickers are an after-market addition (if you will). Experience suggests that they put nervous graduates at ease and make it easier for them to recall (in their state of sleep deprivation) which of the academic-gown-wearing faculty people it was that had a map about which college was lining up where.
Josh, Official SpokesGay says
Were I expected to wear such a badge in a professional capacity I'd feel insulted and infantilized. No thank you. Not a 2nd grade teacher.
ChasCPeterson says
in case you don't want to be an asshole about it, read comment #5 and this over here.
Jadehawk says
The only things I remember about SJSU is gigantic cockroaches, crappy drinks, and a rather impressive industrial arts (esp. glass blowing) setup.
This has absolutely nothing to do with this thread, but I haven't slept since yesterday morning, and I felt like sharing.
Not a funny anecdote: the previous university president once called our university the Wall Mart of colleges. He went on to try to explain that it wasn't meant to be negative, but there was a fairly significant blow-up over it here locally.
We joked on and off about getting vests and badges to teach.
Doug Hudson says
I think this badge (and the on in Chas' link) are cute. Maybe the people up on stage shouldn't be wearing smiley faces (maybe), but for greeters/conductors, why not? Lighten things up a bit. I mean, it's commencement, it's grim enough already.
But then, I would have skipped my commencement if I hadn't been required to attend to graduate, so I may not be the best person to judge.
Jadehawk says
required to attend to graduate
Moggie says
You know, the Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear.
Josh, Official SpokesGay says
Chas giving advice on not being an asshole? Rich.
It's not a big deal, it's just an aesthetic I dislike. No one needs to "lighten up." We get to have opinions about things, just like you! No one needs to care whether I like it; it's not my event.
Doug Hudson says
Jadehawk @11, Yep, I was required to attend graduation as a pre-requisite for graduating. Still is a requirement, actually, check out the very bottom. Not an onerous requirement, but funny.
Josh @13, my apologies for belittling your opinion. I meant "lighten up the event with a little humor", not "people (i.e. Josh) need to lighten up", but I phrased it very poorly.
Doug Hudson says
Gah, I screwed up the link again: http://undergraduatecatalog.richmond.edu/requirements/
carlie says
Now the star-badged greeters had badges with stars,
but the plain badged greeters had none upon thars.
No stars on their badges; no stars upon thars.
Now those stars weren't so big, they were really quite small.
You would think such a thing wouldn't matter matter at all.
carlie says
David Marjanović says
That is truly bizarre.
Over here, universities don't even have commencement ceremonies. Or, like, any ceremonies other than the optional graduation ceremony (the legally binding part is where you get sent your degree by mail after you've signed the oath saying you'll be a scientist).
What is a greeter?


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Helps cleanse the bowel. Psyllium's water-absorbing properties help sweep waste out of your colon.*
3 grams of healthy fiber per teaspoon. Psyllium husks are about 50-55% soluble fiber (2 grams) with the remainder insoluble fiber (1 gram). The soluble fiber portion absorbs water and provides the majority of its beneficial actions. Use every day to help maintain regularity.*
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At some point, Stat has to contribute for the Knicks. I know he isnt close to 100 percent but that interior defense when he is out there is horrible. His offense seems to be slowly improving at least.
The other thing they need is an Oakley enforcer type for Melo and the team in general. Youre down 16 and ****ing Nate Robinson is doing discount double check. That shouldnt fly. Only player with any psychical nature to his game is Kurt Thomas who may get cut for Kenyon Martin of all people.
I watch these games and see the season taking a wear on Jason Kidd and Carmelo as the only consistent scorer. They need Shumpert back at an immediate high level. Brooklyn and Boston are coming up on them very quickly.


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Your Age:
Book Title:
The Bippolo seed and other Lost stories
Why did you decide to read this book? Did a friend suggest it? Did it have an interesting cover?:
I decided to read this book because I had seen it before at the library.
What is the story about?/What happened in the story?:
This is a collection of stories by Dr. Seuss. The story that is the title has a duck and a cat and a seed in it. And the duck wants one weeks worth of duck food and there is a seed that he finds in a box that is lying in the grass.
Why did you like this story? or Why did you not like this story?:
I like this book because I like most of the stories in it. My favorite story is the second story: The Rabbit, the Bear, and the Zinniga-Zanniga.
Other thoughts or feelings about this story? Anything else to add?:
I like this book and I think you would like it too.
Rate Your Read:
(1 vote)


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Lee's Kritter Keeper with Lid
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Webcast Video Archive
Item 1. Call to Order - Chair Arreguin called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. Pam Wyche called roll.
Commissioners Present: Arreguin, Blake, Chong, Harrison, Kavanagh, Overman, Stephens, Webster, Walden
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Kelekian, Kelly, Wyche
Commissioners Present: Arreguin, Blake, Chong, Harrison, Kavanagh, Overman, Stephens, Webster, Walden
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Kelekian, Kelly, Wyche
Item 2. Approval of the Agenda. M/S/C (Harrison/Walden) APPROVE AS WRITTEN. Voice vote. Passed: 9-0-0-0.
Item 3. Public Forum. There were two speakers. (1) Mei-oy Gee, concerning the annual rate for interest paid to tenants on security deposit held by owner; (2) Frances McIntosh concerning Section 8 housing crisis.
Item 4. Minutes of December 18, 2006 regular meeting minutes. M/S/C (Overman/Webster) APPROVE REVISED COPY DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING, WHICH HAD THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: Item 4.a. The Executive Director, Jay, Kelekian, introduced the newly elected Boardmembers Lisa Stephens, Dave Blake, Pam Webster, Howard Chong and Chris Kavanagh and Item 4.d. last sentence…Chair Arreguin closed the nominations and called for a voice vote. Voice vote. Passed: 9-0-0-0.
Item 5. a. Appeal T-4733/RWN-1438 - 1929 Ashby Avenue. (Continued from December 18, 2006 meeting). (Stephens/Overman) TO HOLD OVER UNTIL NEXT MEETING TO ALLOW BOARD TO REVIEW THE ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT. Roll call vote. Passed 9-0-0-0.
Item 5.b. Appeal T-4755/C-254 - 1455 Spruce Street, #1. M/S (Overman/Webster) TO MOVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON BOTH ISSUES, THE RENT CEILING AMOUNT AND THE COMMON GROUND AREA. Commissioner Blake requested the two issues be bifurcated and Commissioner Overman agreed.
M/S/C (Overman/Webster) TO MOVE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THE RENT CEILING ISSUE, THAT $1700 IS THE BASE RENT AS ORIGINALLY AGREED BY THE PARTIES. Roll call. Yes: Arreguin, Blake, Chong, Harrison, Overman, Stephens, Webster; No: Kavanagh, Walden. Passed: 7-2-0-0.
M/S (Overman/Webster) TO MOVE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON THE ISSUE OF THE COMMON GROUND. (This motion was eventually withdrawn by the maker and seconder.)
Substitute motion (Blake/Stephens) TO REMAND THE COMMON GROUND ISSUE TO THE HEARING EXAMINER TO DETERMINE IF CLOSING THE ACCESS TO THE SEPARATE PROPERTY, CURRENTLY BEING USED BY THE TENANT, WOULD AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE EXISTING LEASEHOLD.
M/S/C (Chong/Webster) TO TABLE THE ISSUE CONCERNING THE COMMON GROUND AREA UNTIL THE FEBRUARY MEETING TO GIVE THE PARTIES A CHANCE TO DISCUSS A SETTLEMENT. Roll call vote. Yes: Arreguin, Chong, Kavanagh, Overman, Webster; No: Blake, Harrison, Stephens, Walden. Passed: 5-4-0-0.
Item 6.a.(1) Approval of the proposed revised Board meeting schedule for 2007. M/S/C (Chong/Harrison) MOVE TO ADOPT THE REVISED 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE AS PROPOSED. Voice vote. Passed: 8-0-0-1. Absent: Arreguin.
Item 6.a.(2) Discussion and possible action in selecting committees and adhoc committees for 2007. M/S/C (Chong/Overman) TO ACCEPT CHAIR ARREGUIN'S WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION TO CONTINUE WITH THE CURRENT STANDING COMMITTEES, WHICH ARE BUDGET/PERSONNEL, OUTREACH, EVICTION, IRA/AGA, AND 4 X 4, AND REENACT THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE SOFT STORY ORDINANCE AND NOT THE CONDO CONVERSION ORDINANCE AD HOC COMMITTEE. A friendly amendment was made by Commissioner Overman and accepted, TO CHANGE THE WORD "SUBCOMMITTEE" IN THE WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION TO "COMMITTEE." Another friendly amendment was made by Commissioner Stephens and accepted, TO RENAME THE IRA/AGA COMMITTEE TO THE IRA/AGA AND HABITABILITY COMMITTEE. Commissioner Chong amended his motion further with Commissioner Overman's acceptance, TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE EVICTION COMMITTEE TO THE EVICTION/SECTION 8 COMMITTEE. Roll call vote. Yes: Blake, Chong, Harrison, Kavanagh, Overman, Stephens, Walden, Webster; No: Arreguin; Abstain: None; Absent: None. Passed: 8-1-0-0.
Item 7.a. Information and Announcements
(1) Press Release: National Organization on Disability (NOD) Announcing Top Cities in Disability Friendliness, Outreach. The Executive Director was pleased to read the announcement by the NOD that the City of Berkeley and Chicago will share $35,000 Accessible American Awards for 2006.
(2) Email announcing the 2007 Housing California Annual Conference, Building Homes, Building Hope, on April 23 - 25 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Executive Director reminded Boardmembers of the upcoming conference.
Item 7.b. Announcements of upcoming Committee/Board Meetings. Boardmembers agreed to wait to schedule committee meetings until Boardmembers have submitted their preferences to the Chair and he has had a chance to review and appoint Commissioners to selected committees.
(1) Budget and Personnel
(2) Outreach
(3) IRA/AGA and Habitability
(4) Eviction/Section 8
(5) 4x4 City Council/RSB Housing Committee
(6) Ad Hoc Committee on Soft Story Ordinance
(7) Future Special Meetings
Item 7.c. Discussion of items for possible placement on future agenda.
(1) Determine if areas outside a property should be considered part of the leasehold;
(2) Determine if Chair's order of voting should come last;
(3) staff report on Section 8 status, including a response to the concerns expressed at public forum by Frances McIntosh;
(4) staff report on fixed security deposit rate in response to the concerns expressed by public forum speaker Mei-oy Gee;
(5) staff report on mold issues and the process by which they are addressed during hearing proceedings and Board discussion on ways to improve that process.
Item 8. Adjournment M/S/C (Stephens/Chong) Chair Arreguin adjourned at 9:56 p.m.


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CO2 and Other Greenhouse Gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important of many human-generated "greenhouse gasesâ€â€"gases that are contributing to a gradual warming of the planet. These gases, many of which have always existed in the atmosphere, contribute to a balance of heat flows that has given us a relatively stable climate. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, however, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has grown from its historical average of 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 380 ppm and counting.
The atmosphere helps keep a balance between visible light and other high-energy radiation arriving at our planet from the sun and much-lower-energy heat radiating outward from the Earth's surface. The atmosphere reflects some of this radiation, absorbs some, and allows some to pass through. Exactly how much radiation of each type is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted depends on what's in the atmosphere.
What defines CO2 and certain other gases as greenhouse gases is that they let in more heat than they let out—absorbing and reflecting back more low-energy radiation from the Earth than they do high-energy radiation from the sun—warming the planet. Greenhouse gases absorb infrared (low-energy) radiation because of their ability to vibrate at correspondingly low energy levels. They tend to be molecules composed of three or more atoms—gases that exist as individual atoms, like helium, or in pairs, like oxygen or nitrogen, can't absorb as much low-energy radiation.
CO2 is the greenhouse gas that gets the most attention because it's relatively abundant and its balance in the atmosphere is a direct result of human activities. Water vapor is even more common but it doesn't remain the atmosphere very long and human activities don't have nearly as much effect—at least not directly—on how much is released. Methane, nitrous oxide, and many other greenhouse gases are much more powerful than CO2 on a per-pound basis. Over a 100-year period, one pound of methane is estimated to have as much impact as 25 pounds of CO2. For nitrous oxide the factor is 298 tons, and for sulfur hexafluoride it's 22,800!
Several similar metrics are used to describe emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases: pounds of carbon, of carbon dioxide, or of carbon dioxide equivalent. The most common thing to measure is the mass of carbon dioxide, in pounds in the U.S., and in kilograms or metric tons internationally. Until recently, U.S. government documents tended to express these metrics using just the carbon part of carbon dioxide. The carbon atom represents 27.3% (12/44) of the mass of a CO2 molecule, so those measurements are smaller by that amount. Greenhouse gases are measured collectively in units of CO2-equivalent, or CO2e, so the impact of one ton of methane emissions would be documented as 25 tons of CO2e.


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Here's to the Freak Show: A Video Mixtape of 2013's Trash TV
[There was a video here]
People eat, fuck, say, and do weird shit and I live for watching them do all of it (and more) on TV. Above is a megamix of some of my favorite ridiculous, disgusting, hilarious, shady, inane, nonsensical, and Vera Farmiga-freaking moments of the year in television. I hope you enjoy it as much as the Basketball Wives enjoy saying, "It could go real right or real wrong." I hope you enjoy it as much as that impish little 2-year-old that says, "Wheeee!" loves coffee. (She is, to me, the mascot of not only this video and my TV coverage but 2013 as a whole.)
Many (but not all) of the clips above came from Television Without Pretty posts this year. Here is a list of all of the sources (when previously posted):
Here's Jenna Jameson's Messy, Slurred Good Day New York Segment
Troll Doll-Loving Woman Talks and Flirts Like a Troll Doll
This Woman Didn't Wake Up Chinese, But She Sounds Like It (She Thinks)
Toddlers & Tiaras Went Bollywood and Everything Was Insane
"I Feel Like Poop": Here Are Highlights from Lifetime's Anna Nicole
Here Are Highlights From Lifetime's Ridiculous Jodi Arias Movie
Oh God Richard Simmons What Are You Doing?
Does Tanning Make People Dumb, Or Do Dumb People Tan?
Real Housewife Brags That She Is "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" in Her New "Single"
Here's Jennifer Tilly Acting Insane on Watch What Happens Live
Carrot Top: "I'm Sorry That I Look Good"
"It Sucks Being Pretty," Explains Reality TV's Samantha Brick
Crazy Cat People Have Nothing on Crazy Squirrel People
Small Child Drinks Coffee Every Morning, Is Probably Always High
Here's a Good Ramble About Whale Sharks by Tara Reid
Beyoncé Has Never Been Less Convincing About the Veracity of Her Pregnancy Than She Was in Her Own Movie
Mariah Carey Said "Shit" on GMA, and Her Dress Broke
Here Are Druggy Highlights of Gina Gershon's Donatella Versace Biopic
"I Know What It's Like To Have To Sing Through Tears": The Wonderful Weirdness of Mariah Carey from Last Night's American Idol
Watch Vera Farmiga's Most Hysterical Freak Outs on Bates Motel
This Is the Best-Ever Impression of Little Edie Bouvier Beale
Ke$ha Pisses Into a Bottle and Drinks It On Camera
"Butter and Sugar Makes Everything Taste Better": Cooking With Honey Boo Boo and Mama Is as Gross as You'd Suspect
Here Is a Woman Who Has Eaten More Than 50 Rubber Tires
Vietnamese Centipede-Eating Is The Grossest Thing I've Seen on TLC
Here Is a Woman Who Stings Herself With Bees, Making Her Sex "Great"
Here Is a Woman Who Says That Thinking About Popeyes Chicken Helps Her Achieve Orgasm
Here Is a Man Who Has Sexual Relationships With Balloons
Here Is a Man Who Is in a Relationship With 15 Inflatable Animals
Here Is a Woman Marrying a Ferris Wheel
Here Is a Woman Who Eats Cat Hair Right Off Her Cat
Multi-Millionaire Feeds Loved Ones Cat Food in the Name of Frugality
Here Are the Best Dumb Things Ryan Lochte Said on His Reality Show
Here's How Male Strippers Achieve and Maintain Their Stage Boners
The Plight of the Instagram Celebrity
Patti LaBelle Does Not Give a Fuck
Watch Oprah Winfrey and Tina Turner Out-Weird Each Other
Oprah Winfrey Freaks Out Over Hugh Jackman's Abs, In General
Watch Oprah Kiss "Preeminent Mistress of the Universe" Beyoncé's Ass for Nearly Four Minutes
Sober Lindsay Lohan Gives Dry Interview to Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Probes Jason Collins' Sexuality, Asks If He Played With Dolls
Cissy Houston: I Wouldn't Have Liked If Whitney Were Gay, "Not At All"
Michelle Shocked on Supposedly Anti-Gay Rant: "I Didn't Know What I Was Talking About"
Here's a Supercut of Taylor Swift Dancing and Reacting at the VMAs
"What Is Hip-Hop?" Toddlers & Tiaras Investigates
The AMAs Was Mostly Just White People Being Weird About Race
Mariah Carey Throws a Drag-Queen-Sized Amount of Shade at Nicki Minaj
Here Is SharkNado's Iconic Shark-Versus-Chainsaw Scene
Bearded Lady Confessional: AMC's Touchy Feely Freaks
Jennifer Lawrence Would Like To Welcome You To the 2013 Gawker Golden Globes Liveblog


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Bucs out to control the bases this season
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Seven decades after Ralph Kiner, of the Pirates of course, said that "Home run hitters drive Cadillacs, singles hitters drive Fords," it might be time for a postscript to that iconic assessment:
"Yes, but those who do all the little things drive off with the loot."
We do not yet know whether a Giants revolution is brewing in baseball. What we do know is that in 2012, San Francisco became the first team in 30 years to win a World Series after finishing dead last among Major League teams in home runs. The previous team to accomplish that were the 1982 Cardinals, managed by someone always held up as a mentor by Clint Hurdle -- Whitey Herzog.
The Giants did so by making productive outs, by never missing the cutoff man, by making opponents earn what little they could get at bat, by being fundamentally sound in the field. Herzog's Cardinals had added rampant basestealing to that blueprint.
Hurdle's Pirates seem to be turning over a new leaf, by turning back the clock.
The manager saw the Bucs hit the cover off the ball last season, and it wasn't enough. With 170 homers, they were fourth in the National League, matching their best showing since being third in 1982.
On the downside, the 2012 Bucs had difficulty manufacturing runs, as they lived and died by the long ball. Situational hitting has been a major Spring Training theme, and the Bucs have had a run-scoring out in each of their first three exhibitions, plus a perfect hit-and-run single by Jordy Mercer set up the first run of Monday's games here against the Twins.
More importantly, last Spring Training Hurdle had endorsed a tolerant attitude toward both sides of the running game -- have pitchers just focus on hitters, without whose help those steals don't turn into runs; have his own runners go aggressively, without fear of repercussions should they get thrown out -- and that misfired badly.
Time for a new order.
Pirates players with the speed have crammed on the technique of successful basestealers. Pirates pitchers are minding the mandate to control the running game 24/7, even in practice.
That explains why you might spot James McDonald holding onto the ball for different intervals when simply playing catch in the outfield. He's practicing one of the ways to disrupt the timing of runners taking their leads off of first base.
"Even in drills, I'm hold-hold-hold just so I can feel comfortable doing it when I get on the mound, so it doesn't feel awkward," McDonald said. "Trying to find a comfort zone, so I'll do it whenever, wherever. When I'm playing catch or in PFP [pitchers' fielding practice], I might hold-hold-hold, and vary the times so I feel comfortable doing it. Doling that will help me and everyone on the team."
McDonald was relatively tough to steal on last season, as thieves were successful on 12 of 16 attempts. Compare that to A.J. Burnett, against whom they were technically 38-for-40 -- but the two caught-stealings were actually pickoffs at first by him.
"He sets the bar extremely high for himself, and wants more for the team. We'll address with him controlling the running game," said Hurdle, indicating no one is exempt.
"We've got to do a better job. It's not just about being quicker to the plate," Hurdle added. "It's about varying tempos, paying attention to runners, and understanding why it's important and actually going out and executing that. It will be a focus for us this year."
Having their attention diverted from the hitter could be a tough sell for pitchers. Their bottom line is drawn by what happens in the batter's box.
As McDonald said, "Controlling the running game is big, but there comes a point where you just gotta make pitches. You'll get in a situation where, 'All right, I need to make this pitch, and I should focus on that.'"
Hurdle wants his pitchers to accept that sometimes that won't be enough.
"We won't always be able to make that wipeout pitch," said Hurdle, meaning the clutch pitch that kills a rally. "We've seen the last two seasons, especially in the second half. We weren't making the same pitches and runners complicate the deal. We'll still sellout to the pitch when we feel it's appropriate, but [minding the runner] is part of the package. It's never all on the catcher."
The new catcher, Russell Martin, raised his eyebrows and frowned when informed opponent runners last season were successful on 154 of 173 steal attempts against the Bucs.
"That's not good. Not very good at all," Martin said, then quickly added, "I honestly don't care what happened last year. But if it's something that needs to be worked on, as a team, to make us better, then we need to work on it. If we keep guys from getting extra bases, it'll help us win games.
"We always try to blame somebody, but it's done as a team. The pitchers hold runners, vary their times, work quicker to the plate, mix in slide-steps once in a while -- if they do that, catchers will have a better chance of throwing guys out, consistently. Now, it does help to have a catcher who can catch and throw well, but if you work on both ends, your chances are even better. So if we can work as a team, it improves your odds."
They've worked on it as a team, and it's working. Minuscule sample size: Pirates catchers have erased two of four runners (not counting Martin's pickoff at first of Atlanta's Blake DeWitt on Sunday), and their own runners have swiped three of the five steals they have attempted.
"Exhibition games are the best time to tinker with things, to try and contain that running game," Martin said. "Just working on stuff is sometimes harder than just going out there and potting things in practice."
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The other Thomas is one or two years older than me and studied at the technical University of Vienna. I never met him in person.
Or are there just lots of free software folks floating around in Austria?
Seems to be so... But AFAIK there are only two Thomas Klausners


text: Rector Creek Vineyard is located north of Yountville along the Silverado Trail. A unique climate, combined with Rector Creek's rocky alluvial soils, creates excellent growing conditions for the vines. The 39-acre site is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The wines from this vineyard exhibit abundant dark red fruit characteristics including black raspberry, with hints of strawberry.


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The two most recent Super Bowl champions will meet on Football Night in America when the streaking Green Bay Packers visit the slumping New York Giants on Sunday night.
"Both teams this weekend, the last two Super Bowl winners, play," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Each is in the lead in their division. So it's got a tremendous and exciting format."
Green Bay enters Sunday's game having won five straight games, tied with Denver for the longest current streak in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers kept things rolling last Sunday with two touchdown passes, including the game-winner to Randall Cobb late in the fourth quarter as the Green Bay took a 24-20 win over the Detroit Lions in an NFC North battle at Ford Field.
Rodgers passed for 236 yards and an interception on 19-of-27 attempts with Cobb and Jermichael Finley each catching a score for the 7-3 Packers, who are now tied atop the NFC North with Chicago.
"We just had to have this win," said Rodgers. "We knew it was a struggle and we didn't play our best on offense. But when we needed it, everyone came through and this is a big one."
James Starks had 25 carries for 74 yards against Detroit while embattled placekicker Mason Crosby missed two field goals, but did make one late for Green Bay, which is 2-0 in division play this season and has won 24 of their last 28 regular-season games overall, the best record in the NFL over that span.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Giants, meanwhile, are coming off their bye week, a welcome respite considering their traditional struggles in November.
November Rain isn't just a painfully long power ballad by Guns N' Roses. It also describes the mood around the G-Men when the calendar flips from Halloween to Turkey Month.
The Giants and title-tested quarterback Eli Manning just can't seem to figure out things in the month and continued their now annual funk in Cincinnati back on Nov. 11 falling to Andy Dalton and the Bengals, 31-13.
Manning threw two interceptions and lost a fumble for the NFC East-leading Big Blue, which took a two-game losing streak into the break.
"I don't have anything I can say I was pleased with," said an angered Coughlin. "We need to play better.
Manning finished with just 215 yards on 29-of-46 attempts and did not throw a touchdown pass for a third straight game in Cincy -- his longest drought since his rookie season in 2004.
"I have to start playing better," Manning said. "We can fix it."
Some have speculated that Manning is fighting through a tired arm, something he denied
"I don't think so. I don't feel like it's tired," the veteran said.
This will mark the third straight year that the Packers and Giants have faced off in the regular season, the first time that has happened since 1985-87.
Two of the most venerable franchises in professional football history, the Packers and Giants have combined for 21 championships. Green Bay ranks No. 1 among all NFL franchises with 13 titles, while the Giants check in at No. 3 with eight championships.
Green Bay has won the last three regular-season meetings but the Giants stunned the Packers in a NFC Divisional playoff contest last season at Lambeau Field, a dominating 37-20 New York triumph.
"I think you learn that it's all about playing the right way at the right time and we didn't play our best football and they did," Rodgers said of last season's playoff loss. "They were the better team and they won, and that's why they moved on."
Overall the Pack holds a 31-24-2 edge in the all-time series, which includes a 4-3 postseason record.
It's hardly time to panic in East Rutherford. The Giants have overcome far too much in the past few years to let a couple of midseason losses deter them from their ultimate goal, another Super Bowl berth.
New York is still atop what's shaping up as a very poor NFC East. All of that could change quickly, however, if New York can't figure out its November issues. The Giants are now 13-21 in the month under Coughlin.
"We done been here before," Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul told the New York Daily News. "I hate hearing it, but we have."
The rest may help Manning, who said he feels a little more pop in his arm.
"I think you just try and get rest and come back fresh," Manning said. "Obviously, I think having a week off just to get your mind off of football a little bit, then you come back and you're just excited, re-energized, have a great week of preparation."
Manning, who is 0-3 against the Packers in the regular season but beat them twice in the playoffs, both en route to Giants' Super Bowl wins, will be facing a banged-up Green bay defense without playmakers Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews.
"They're obviously two of our best players on defense and two of the better players on our whole football team, but that's the game of football," McCarthy said. "That's why it takes a team. They're both playmakers, impact players, and it's important for us to try and create other opportunities for the other guys on our defense."
Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, could be in the midst of a repeat performance. The Packers' leader has already thrown 27 touchdown passes versus six interceptions and sports an NFL-leading 107.3 passer rating despite being without his top receiver, Greg Jennings, for most of the season.
"I feel Aaron is having a very good season," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's what makes us go on offense."
Cobb has also really stepped up as a playmaker with six touchdown receptions over his last four games.
Green Bay remains the most talented team in football as evidenced by its strong play despite suffering significant injuries on both sides of the football but the bye week came at the right time for Manning, who was able too recharge his battery.
"It's a six-game schedule now," said Coughlin. "We're excited about it. We're excited to be back on the field. Hopefully they're well-rested and ready to go."
Perhaps more importantly for the Giants, Sunday's encounter is the last before the calendar turns to December.
"I hate the fact we keep putting ourselves in these situations," defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. "I guess we have to play with our backs against the wall. That's what it seems like and I don't know why it has to be that way."
Well the backs are against the wall so it's time to get it done.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Giants 21, Packers 20


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by Portfolio Grader | October 7, 2013 4:30 pm
The grades of three Mortgage stocks are better this week, according to the Portfolio Grader[1] database. Every one of these stocks has an "A" ("strong buy") or "B" overall ("buy") rating.
Radian Group (NYSE:RDN[2]) is making progress this week as its rating of C ("hold") from last week increases to a B ("buy") rating this week. Radian Group provides credit-related insurance coverage and financial services to mortgage lenders and other financial institutions. In Portfolio Grader's specific subcategory of Earnings Revisions, RDN also gets an A. For more information, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of RDN stock[3].
This week, Home Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:HBCP[4]) pushes up from a C to a B rating. Home Bancorp is a federally chartered mutual savings bank. For more information, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of HBCP stock[5].
WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:WSFS[6]) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a C last week to a B. WSFS Financial is a savings and loan holding company, which provides residential and commercial real estate, commercial and consumer lending services, as well as retail deposit and cash management services. For more information, get Portfolio Grader's complete analysis of WSFS stock[7].
Louis Navellier's proprietary Portfolio Grader[8] stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being "strong buy," and F being "strong sell." Explore the tool here[9].
Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2013/10/3-mortgage-stocks-to-buy-now-rdn-hbcp-wsfs-22/
Short URL: http://invstplc.com/1fw09CD
Copyright ©2018 InvestorPlace Media, LLC. All rights reserved. 700 Indian Springs Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601.


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The Vampire Diaries has a knack for raising the stakes — pardon the pun — each week, but fans have long learned to expect extra twists, turns and gasp-inducing reveals during milestone episodes, like premieres or finales. The very special 100th episode was of course no exception. The much-hyped hour was filled with returns, reunions, romance and well just all around goodness. It was as much as a celebration for the cast and crew, as it was for fans who have followed the series for more than 5 seasons now.
But this isn't our review. It's yours. We already asked you to weigh in on your favorite moments from the previous 99 episodes, now it's time for you to tell us what you loved or didn't love from the 100th. Check out the questions below and then leave your responses in the comments.
Which character were you most excited to see again?
Which reunion was best?
What was your favorite twist?
What was your favorite romantic moment?
Which moment made you tear up?
Which character owned the episode?
Was there anything that could have made this episode even better? If so, what is it?
Which scene will you be re-watching on repeat?
What was your favorite line?
Sound off in the comments!
Read More:
'The Vampire Diaries:' Best Twists, Hook-Ups, Deaths and More (As Ranked by Fans!)
'The Vampire Diaries:' Best Twist? Hook-Up? Nominate Your Favorites!
People's Choice Awards 2014: Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev Seal Favorite On-Screen Chemistry Win With a Kiss
For the latest pop culture news and voting, make sure to sign up for the People's Choice newsletter!


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Tim Seelig and Cathedral of Hope put a queer twist on that old-time religion with the 'Gay'ther Homecoming, a celebration of hymns and homos
M.M. ADJARIAN | Contributing Writer email@example.com
Cathedral of Hope,
5910 Cedar Springs Road.
Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. $15.
Leave it to Tim Seelig to find a way to queer-up the straightest event.
The original Gaither Homecoming was started in 1991 in Nashville by gospel singer and impresario Bill Gaither.
"It's a huge industry of straight gospel singers — I mean hundreds of millions of dollars," says Seelig.
And that industry has not been gay-friendly. According to Seelig, too many talented LGBT gospel singers have been excluded from performing at events like the Gaither Homecoming. Many are not even allowed to sing in their own churches.
But there is no want of LGBT gospel music fans out there. So on Saturday, Art for Peace & Justice (which Seelig directs) and the Cathedral of Hope will present the first annual "Gay"ther Homecoming, a gala evening of Christian music and song. Proceeds will benefit the Interfaith Peace Chapel at the COH.
The show, the first of its kind in the nation, will feature 49 singers and six instrumentalists from across the country, singing solos and then joining each other — and the audience — to sing hymns and gospel songs.
"The audience will know every single song performed," says Seelig. "They will sing along, tap their feet, clap, and utter many 'amens.' I have no doubt there will be tears."
"The initial idea [for the event] came from a staff member at the cathedral and was simply [intended] to host a celebration of LGBT musicians and their friends during gay Pride," says Seelig. "It is not meant as a spoof or parody of the Gaither Homecoming industry; we just felt that by giving it that name, people would immediately know what to expect with very little explanation."
It is, though, meant to be empowering for gay people of faith.
"Over the years, I have come in contact with literally hundreds of musicians who cut their teeth in the church but were completely cast aside once they came out," he observes. "There is no room for them at the table of main-line religion. Period."
Seelig faced similar discrimination when he came out in the 1980s, but has since achieved international acclaim as a singer, educator and chorale conductor. He's also brought to Dallas, through A4P&J, speakers such as Maya Angelou and recently a performance of Terence McNally's Corpus Christi.
His latest project has two aims. The first is to offer LGBT gospel musicians a welcoming space where they can let their talents shine. And the second is "to bring the audience to a place full of wonderful memories of their own journey with religion and, more specifically, the music of their youth."
Among those slated to perform at the "Gay"ther Homecoming are LGBT gospel luminaries as Ray Boltz, Marsha Stevens, Mark Hayes, Susie Brenner and Pattie Clawson Berry. Local artists joining the line-up include Gary Floyd, Amy Stevenson, Danny Ray, Lonnie Parks and Shelly-Torres West, along with three LGBT gospel groups: Redeemed, Out 4 Joy and Voices of Hope. The show will be filmed for future DVD release.
"Our hope is that this will be something that LGBT people all over will purchase and enjoy," says Seelig. "There are so many people all over the world who feel disenfranchised. This is just one way that the Cathedral of Hope and Art for Peace & Justice can help them know they are not forgotten."
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition September 17, 2010.


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In this recorded workshop, Gary Christen delved into how Nova ChartWheels operates and showed the underlying methods that make this modern tool so powerful.
Designed by Gary Christen and programmed by Ray White, ChartWheels is a revolutionary professional astrology program that illustrates many of Symmetrical Astrology's techniques This focused rather than encyclopedic program includes a range of tools from an extremely competent dial implementation to a modern Armillary Sphere and the techniques it offers are integrated in ways not duplicated by any other program on the market. ChartWheels is the tool to have if you are studying Symmetrical Astrology!
Workshop topics:
- Use of extensive dial displays and tools
- Creation of sensitive points
- Labeling and saving work
- Integrating Solar Arcs, progressions, and transits with planetary pictures
- Integrating multiple coordinate systems with harmonics and returns in unique ways
- Using live tables and lists to correlate openings, Solar Arcs, Midpoints, Differences, etc., with working dates in the lifetime
- File integration with an extensive drag and drop file manager
- Use of tabs and switches and secret speed techniques
- Using ChartWheels in Symmetrical, Uranian and Cosmobiology
- Working with the Polar Azimuthal Equidistant Projection – the visual horoscope of the future
- Saving charts and tables to high definition files for use in quality publications and other visual media
- Recording your sessions to compact MP3 files
- Making movies of your screen in real time with voice using a single click of the mouse.
- Using the contact manager
- Making appointment calendars integrated with your personal transits or designed for your clients
Obviously, you will not master all the material Gary will demonstrate but this workshop will give you a true sense of how to navigate the amazing ChartWheels program. Students who sign up with have a chance to ask questions through a class site.


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PORTLAND, Ore. — The Port of Portland has endured a triple play of labor problems this year, and it's now preparing for its first longshore union strike in decades.
Marine terminal security guards represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union plan to strike Sunday because contract talks that began in June 2011 have failed to yield an agreement. The longshoremen who load and unload ships are expected to honor the picket line, effectively closing three terminals.
State mediator Robert Nightingale joins talks Saturday in a final effort to avoid a work stoppage that would disrupt the flow of shipping containers, auto imports and other cargo.
The strike possibility has led some businesses to use ports on Puget Sound, and shipping lines were evaluating whether to bypass the city. When ships are diverted and cargo rerouted, that adds costs, and potentially harmful delays for imports or exports of perishable or seasonal items.
The long-range concern is some shippers might permanently skip the port because of the labor issues. Portland's Terminal 6 is by far the smallest of the West Coast's six container-shipping ports, and it's already at a disadvantage with other Pacific ports because it's about 100 miles from the ocean.
"As long as it's a temporary disruption and we don't lose any shippers, or we don't lose any manufacturing expansions as a result of their fear that they can't move their goods, we'll be OK," state economist Mark McMullen said. "As long as it's short term, it should just be a disruption and not a disaster."
The sides agree on most aspects of a contract, but workers want an assurance their jobs won't disappear if terminal operators or carriers want to hire their own, lower-cost security personnel. Port officials believe companies would be more likely to do business in Portland if they're not handcuffed to job guarantees.
"They'd probably call it a job guarantee; we characterize it as an outsourcing problem," union spokesman Craig Merrilees said.
The pending strike is just one of three separate labor conflicts at the Port of Portland.
The first began this summer when the ILWU and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers clashed over which union should have the job of plugging and unplugging refrigerated shipping containers. The National Labor Relations Board and a federal judge concluded that longshoremen engaged in slowdown tactics during the dispute, causing truck traffic to be backed up for more than a mile.
Two major shipping lines that use Terminal 6 — Germany's Hapag-Lloyd AG and South Korea's Hanjin — briefly diverted ships during the tension. Though the National Labor Relations Board eventually concluded the work belongs to the electrical workers, the longshore union continues to fight for the jobs.
Separately, in a standoff that involves several ports, the union contract between longshoremen and companies that operate grain terminals on Columbia River and Puget Sound expired Sept. 30. The companies have made what they say is their last offer, and are awaiting a response.
A strike or lockout would disrupt trans-Pacific grain shipments, affecting U.S. farmers export wheat, corn and soybeans to Asia.
But the current focus is on 25 security guards from Local 28, and how longshoremen would respond to their walkout.
In a failed attempt to win in emergency injunction preventing a strike, port lawyers said this week that, in 2011, marine cargo at Portland Harbor generated $6.2 billion in total economic activity in the region and supported about 18,000 jobs. They warned that farmers wouldn't be able to export perishable products during a strike and mills that depend on steel scrap might have to close.
"The port believes that a strike would have a great negative impact on our local economy, and we're going to continue all efforts to avoid that strike, including mediation, arbitration and all the routes we have," said Kama Simonds, a port spokesman.
Merrilees said the union is also anxious to get a deal done, but the guards feel the port's offer "is the beginning of a race to the bottom."
"The port is a source of good-paying, blue-collar jobs that are increasingly hard to find," he said. "The port should be standing up and advocating for those jobs."


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Hellfest Festival 2015
@ Clisson, France
19th-21st June 2015
Review by Anna Dumpe and Kirsty Birkett-Stubbs
Photos by Gavin Lowery and Ritchie Birnie
Break out the balloons – it's birthday time! No, not just mine (although thank you very much), but Hellfest's big 1-0, the crossing point into double figures, the decade marker. It's practically an institution now, not just in France, not just in Europe but across the world with folks coming from every which place to rock n revel. Hellfest is just about the best damn festival out there, so you KNOW this is going to be special.


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© 2009 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Brewers cut Colome to open roster spot
Team plans to promote another pitcher Monday
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers released reliever Jesus Colome on Sunday to free a 40-man roster spot for an additional September callup to come Monday, assistant general manager Gord Ash said. Colome spent 17 days on the disabled list with a right forearm strain before he was activated Friday and had not pitched since then. He would have been a free agent at season's end. "Nothing out of the ordinary, other than we needed the space," Ash said. "[Colome] just wasn't consistent enough." The Brewers signed Colome in July after he was released by the Nationals, and he struck out 11 batters in four scoreless appearances for Triple-A Nashville before a promotion to Milwaukee. In five games with the Brewers, he was charged with four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings for a 5.68 ERA. The corresponding callup will be a pitcher, Ash said. He didn't name that pitcher, but candidates include Triple-A Nashville right-handers John Axford (26 years old, 9-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 45 appearances at three Minor League stops this season) and Dave Johnson (27 years old, 3-1 with a 3.72 ERA and five saves in 47 relief appearances at Nashville). Both Axford and Johnson would need to be added to the 40-man roster this winter anyway, to avoid being exposed to December's Rule 5 Draft. Ditto for Double-A right-hander Josh Butler, a rising prospect who is slated to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. But the Brewers might not want to rob Huntsville of one of its best pitchers ahead of the Southern League playoffs. Nashville, meanwhile, was eliminated from postseason contention on Saturday night and plays its season finale on Monday afternoon.
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Please read and give me your thoughts.......I know it's long, but it's damn near proper English and worth the read...:o
The two most dangerous Hokage out of the bunch. The tactical geniuses.
Senju's are revered for their strong life force, physical energy and immense chakra. They have more raw power over all, possibly even strength as well.
Hashirama's chakra was the strongest out of them all. So full of life energy that he could photosynthesise plants that he birthed by combining Earth and Water elements of his chakra, on a scale so large, he created forests in an instant. His wounds would heal themselves due to that chakra he possessed. He had a god given ability of supressing the Bijuu with his chakra and controlling them like pets.
Yes, Hashirama has a lot of power and strength. But power and strength alone do not insure victory.
We have already seen an example of that in part 1, old Hiruzen, beaten, humiliated, out of chakra, out of strength and out of stamina, still managed to put the Senju brothers and Orochimaru's arms away with his quick thinking and vast knowledge of jutsu. He performed 2 Forbidden jutsus that day, Kage Bunshin and Shiki Fuujin. He was known for possessing a 1000 and performing them efficiently and masterfully! Old age and depleted chakra reserves were his weaknesses that day. Now, he has none, except for the fact that he is under his own students spell.
Minato.....honesty.....I don't even know where to start, let's just review the Kyuubi incident...
Countered a full Tailed Beast Bomb by the Ninetails with a space time barrier, the likes of which has never been shown in anyone else's arsenal, ever!
Survived being warped by the Kamui.(Which no one has ever done)
Defeated the Kamui and Obito in under 10 seconds and relinquished the Ninetails from his control, further injuring him after fully landing a Rasengan, with a kunai stab and a contract seal in the same move.
Made Obito literally run away after getting praised by him as a true Hokage who deserved his moniker as the Yellow Flash.
Dropped Gamabunta on the Kyuubi and immediately warped himself along with him and his Bijuu Dama to a safe distance away from the village.
Warped his wife and his son to the Kyuubi, put up a full physical barrier to keep outsiders out.
Performed Shiki Fuujin, took away the Yin half of the Kyuubi, poured his own chakra and Kushina's inside Naruto, which would be activated at certain critical moments in Naruto's life.
Sealed Yang half of the Kyuubi in Naruto with the Four Element seal.
Seriously........ I mean, if that's not the most dangerous Hokage ever, then, you're on drugs. I am a Hiruzen fan myself, not that fond of Minato, but his ability, it scares me!
The Senju Hokage have great strength and power, they are the brawn, and they will definitely get the job done with sheer force.
Minato and Hiruzen, their efficiency with jutsu, vast knowledge, and godly intellect will stomp all, guaranteed!
Brains will always overcome brawn.
I know what you all will say, "Madara called Hashirama the strongest shinobi!" "Kabuto said Hashirama's power was considered as just a legend."
People, please......you can't jump to conclusions every time a character in the manga says something(It is not Kishi saying it himself). You must analyse the manga yourself, with your eyes and brain, don't depend on the manga to give you the answers, learn to think!
What Madara said can be rendered useless by this simple example from the manga itself:
When Naruto mastered Sage Mode, Fukasaku said he had surpassed all those who came before him! Let's see, that includes all the Hokage and the Sannin. Is that true?
When Naruto tamed the Ninetails and activated Kyuubi mode, Yamato said he wasn't on the Fourth's level yet.
You people think that Kishi keeps contradicting himself, but Kishi isn't the one saying these words, his characters are!
What each character states is a reflection of that characters own experience.
So when Madara said Hashirama was the strongest, he was speaking from his own experience. Madara hasn't fought any of Konoha's true Hokage's except for Hashirama. So how can you take his opinion for fact and say Kishi contradicted himself? You guys just aren't thinking it through!
Kabuto said Hashirama's power was like a fairy tale, this I agree with, his power was greater than any of the Hokage's. Like I said, he created entire forests, bend the Bijuu to his will. He had great power!
But power doesn't always win the game, Minato is the greatest tactician in the NV, his tactical genius can overcome power of any level! I stand by that statement.
Again, please learn to assess the manga yourself, Kishi has not contradicted himself even once.


text:
just like every other day...
just like every other day...
Original litter
Original owner
2012 Ural Gear Up
Except come mid May to mid august I don't have to go to work. What's a fellow to do?
It's National Nature Photography Day.
That's my "work"
Live fully. Laugh deeply. Love widely.
BMW MOA Ambassador / FOM / Roving Forum Moderator/
Selected Friends of Wile E Coyote/ A Million BMW sMiles
it's National Ride to Work Day and National Nature Photography Day. So if you've got nothing to do, go for a long ride and take lots of photos of nature. Unfortunately, I've got to work and take my six-year old to and from day care. That means taking the car and not the bike.
Jeff in W.C.
1988 R100 RT (the other woman)
"I got my motorcycle jacket but I'm walking all the time." Joe Strummer
Rode to work today in the rain. Would have even if it wasn't RTW day.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Ed Miller, Calgary, AB
I can't wait to retire and have a fixed income. The one I have now is always broke.
ride what you've got; enjoy the ride!
Reid - Stone Ridge, NY - BMWMOA #69187 - Turbo Fluffy Motoclub - IBA #50182
Only saw a couple of bikes today. Seems there was a "threat" of rain, amounted to a 15 minute squall. Enough to keep 99% of bikers parked in the garage, I guess.
Original litter
Original owner
2012 Ural Gear Up
I couldn't ride to work since I am retired. However, I did ride to the Wellness center to exercise, rode to pick up breakfast and rode to the store.
'You can say what you want about the South, but I almost never hear of anyone wanting to retire to the North.
I rode to someone else's work Monday morning, to the local dealer to have a new rear tire mounted on my bike. I don't ride to work because I am retired. I am working at home for SWMBO, my latest assignment painting the small bedroom...
My fleet: 2015 R1200GS, 2017 Toyota Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid)
I rode to my dealer this morning (fuel pump recall)
Does that count??
Of course it counts!
Just because I'm no longer paid to live in Kansas doesn't mean I don't work. Just that now it's my choice what "work" I do.
Live fully. Laugh deeply. Love widely.
BMW MOA Ambassador / FOM / Roving Forum Moderator/
Selected Friends of Wile E Coyote/ A Million BMW sMiles


text: Fusion Enterprise encounters some Vulcans who have embraced emotion rather than rejected it. There is an entire ship of these Vulcans but the only ones we get to meet are Captain Tavin who likes food, Kov who is friendly and naïve and surprised to learn that the Enteprise has so many female crewmembers, and Tolaris who is creepy and has anger management issues. At first it seemed Tolaris was only trying to befriend T'Pol who was acting quite cold and distant towards these emotion embracing Vulcans. But he was also being clingy and kinda manipulative and quite frankly Kov's surprise and wonderment at so many females on the ship makes me wonder just how many do the emotion embracing Vulcans have on theirs and is that why Tolaris is so eager to befriend T'Pol and try to tempt her to their way of thinking. Of course it wasn't til the scene aboard the emotion embracing Vulcans ship after T'Pol had attempted dreaming and been very disturbed by it and didn't want to speak about it that Tolaris really tripped alarms. The way he follows her about when she is obviously trying to put distance between them, badgers her to tell him about her dream and gets angry when she is reluctant. Then she agrees to a mind meld with him, finds it a horrible experience only he wont stop when she tells him to. It's a good job we had Kov with his innocence and friendliness to offset Tolaris otherwise I would have been shouting for Enterprise to blast the emotion embracing Vulcans ship into oblivion. I really like Kov and his friendship with Trip and how his relationship with his father played out. Its good that he took Trip's advice and avoided the emotion of regret. I also liked Archer who showed himself capable of being friendly and diplomatic and also protective of his crew and I was cheering when he told Tolaris where to go even though he did get thrown across a room, his own room at that. Its unfortunate that Archer tends to get beaten up easy as I would have liked to see Tolaris get thrown into a wall. Repeatedly. Til blood gushed forth form his head. I may have overused the phrase emotion embracing Vulcans but its not a phrase that gets used very much in Trek so I might as well make the most of it. I hereby award this episode five stars despite the creepiness.


text:
Danville remained undefeated in 4AA play Tuesday night as they defeated Magazine 58-29.
The Lady Little Johns (12-4, 5-0 4AA) held a 1-point lead, 11-10, as the first period came to an end. In the second quarter, Danville outscored the Lady Rattlers 15-2 to lead 26-12 at the break,
In the third period, the Lady Little Johns pulled away to take control of the game as they put 15 points on the board and held Magazine to seven to lead 41-19 entering the fourth.
Jenny Redfern and Jessica Harris led Danville with 10 points. Anna Garze, Rachel Hunt and Sam Rial each had nine.
Cydney Sikes led Magazine with 12 points.
Sr. boys
Danville 67, Magazine 51
Danville scored 24 points in the first period en route to 67-51 4AA win over Magazine on Tuesday night.
Leading 24-15 as the first quarter came to a close, the Little Johns (7-4, 3-2 4AA) outscored the Rattlers 18-9 in the second to lead 42-24 at the break.
In the third Danville extended its lead as it scored 18 more points while holding Magazine to six. The Little Johns led 60-30 entering the fourth period and invoking the 30-point sportsmanship rule.
T.J. May led Danville with 18 points, and Trent Davis had 13.
Douglas Wilkes led Magazine with 21 points, and D.J. Krigbohm had 15.
Jr. boys
Conway Blue 44,
RJHS East 39
Despite holding a 22-21 lead at halftime, the Russellville East Whirlwinds fell short against Conway Blue on Monday night 44-39.
Cole Smith led RJHS East with 13 points. Blake Robinson had 11 points, and Antonio Rivas had nine.
Jr. girls
RJHS East 47,
Conway Blue 33
Russellville East picked up an impressive win over Conway Blue on Monday night as they won 47-33.
The East Lady Whirlwinds led 10-7 after one, but were outscored 13-9 in the second to trail 20-19 at the break.
In the third, RJHS East rallied to take a 34-26 lead into the fourth.
Ashley Reiger led RJHS East with 15 points. Cyia Oliver had 10 points, and Teryn Laseter had eight.
In the eighth-grade girls game, RJHS East fell to Conway blue by a score of 28-9.
Fort Smith Tournament
Russellville East went 1-of-3 last week in the Fort Smith Tournament.
Kimmons 40,
RJHS East 27
The first period was RJHS East's Achilles heel last Friday as they fell 40-27 in the Fort Smith Tournament.
Kimmons jumped out early against the Lady East Whirlwinds as they led 20-8 after one. In the second, RJHS East regained its composure and outscored Kimmons 7-3, but trailed 23-15 at the break.
In the third the East Lady Whirlwinds added 10 points to their total while holding Kimmons to seven points to trail 30-25 entering the fourth.
"We couldn't handle the press (defense) in the first quarter," RJHS East coach Nina Chiolino said.
Jamie Long and Reiger each had eight points to lead the East Lady Whirlwinds. Laura Brown had six, and Oliver had five.
RJHS East 45, Chaffin 15
RJHS East rolled in its second game of the Fort Smith Tournament last Friday as it defeated Chaffin 45-15.
The East Lady Whirlwinds outscored Chaffin 8-3 in the first. In the second, RJHS East added to their lead as they outscored Chaffin 17-5 to lead 25-8 at the break.
In the third, the East Lady Whirlwinds outscored Chaffin 5-3 to lead 30-11 entering the fourth.
"We had everything going defensively," Chiolino said. "We did a really good job of forcing Chaffin into some bad shots."
Long led RJHS East with a career-high 20 points. Oliver had eight, and Reiger had seven. Emily Jacobson had four, and Laseter had three. Megan Peevey had two, and Brown had one.
Southwest 38,
RJHS East 33
RJHS East took an early lead but couldn't hang on last Saturday as it fell 38-33 to Southwest in the finale of the Fort Smith Tournament.
The East Lady Whirlwinds led 6-4 after one. In the second Southwest outscored RJHS East 14-11 to lead 18-16 at the break.
Both teams swapped shots in the third as each scored six points to allow Southwest to retain the lead 24-22 heading into the fourth.
Long again had a big game for RJHS East as she tallied 16 points and was named the tournament MVP. Laseter had seven points, and Oliver had five. Peevey had three, and Brown had two.
Seventh-grade girls
RMS East 31,
Conway Carl Stuart 12
RMS East defeated Conway Carl Stuart 31-12 Tuesday night.
Susan Taylor led RMS East with nine points followed by Shakayla Rowser with eight points. Taylor led RMS East with eight boards. Rowser and Lindsey Glover both each had five rebounds.
In the 'B' game, Conway Carl Stuart defeated RMS East 4-3.
The leading scorer for RMS East was Alyson Frost with three points. The leading rebounder for the East Lady Gales was Dawn Thomen with seven.
RMS West 29, Conway Bob Courtway 22
RMS West returned from Christmas break with an itch to continue its winning ways. That is just what it did Tuesday night as it defeated Conway Bob Courtway 29-22 to improve to 9-0.
Sarah Prochazka led the West Lady Gales with 11 points and five steals. She handled pressure well by attacking the lane and handling the ball very well, according to RMS West coach Valerie Fetters. Tinisha Broadnax had six points and three steals. Kaylah Grubb had four points "and did a great job stepping up off the bench when we needed her," Fetter said. Bailey Stokes, Fynisha Oliver, Abbie Nicholson and Libby Croom each had two points.
"This was our first game back since Christmas break," Fetters said. "The girls really did a great job of stepping up and playing well, even though we have had quite a bit of time off."
In the 'B' game RMS West defeated Conway Bob Courtway 10-9.
Kayla Grubb led with seven points and four steals.
"[Kayla] did an excellent job handling the ball against tough defensive pressure," Fetters said.
Abbie Darnell had two points and two steals. Libby Croom had one point and five rebounds.
RMS West 17,
Pottsville 15
The West Lady Gales remain undefeated after they beat Pottsville 17-15 Thursday night.
"Our defense has really improved," Fetters said. "That is what helped usto win this game."
Broadnax led RMS West with seven points. Prochazka had six points, and Bailey Stokes and Fynisha Oliver had two points each. Croom had five rebounds.
Seventh-grade boys
RMS West 32,
Conway Bob Courtway 27
The RMS West Gales improved to 8-1 with a 32-27 win over Conway Bob Courtway Tuesday night.
Andrew Dixon and Lane Reves each had 10 points to lead RMS West. Cody Jones had four points, and Jordan Barrett and Chris Washington each had three. Grey Harris ended the night with two points.
In the 'B' game, Conway Bob Courtway defeated RMS West 20-11.
Michael Newton lead RMS West with three points. Ben Jordan, Ricky Collins, Josh Ford and Braden Henderson each had two points in the loss.


text:
Insiders close to the Hornets franchise deny any rumors that they are shopping their superstar point gaurd chris Paul. That being said the small market hornets have a ridiculous payroll and need to cut salary for the upcoming season. Also when dealing arguably the best player your team has ever had, if your name isn't Rob Babcock you will probably hold your cards close and deny deny deny any such rumors.
There would undoubtedly be many suiters for the services of Paul but the raps could put together a package of expiring contracts, young assets and draft picks which could be attractive. Here's the proposal....
To the Hornets
Andrea Bargnani
Jarett Jack
Demar Derozan
Marcus Banks
Reggie Evans
Marco Bellinelli
2010 13th overall pick
2012 unprotected 1st round pick
To the Raptors
Chris Paul
James Posey
Emeka Okafor
The hornets are able to obtain 3 nice young assets in Bargs, Jack and DD. Also they will receive around eleven million in expiring deals while getting out of the horrible Okefor contract and rid themselves of Posey one year early. Add in the 2 first round picks and that may just be the icing on the cake.
Is there any way this deal or a similar transaction could be done before the draft? I think this would be a hell of an attempt to keep bosh around and it's one of those rare deals where both teams could be winners.


text:
Gonzalez: Improving by slowing down
A's left-hander now taking his time, not rushing pitches
Over the years, I have made some great strides as a pitcher. I believe one of the keys to my improvement has been simple: Slow things down.
I believe I am a pretty high-energy guy to begin with. The best thing I can do is to harness that energy and direct it. It is about taking it one pitch at a time, not overthinking things and really becoming a pitcher.
Early in my career I was a thrower. I just grabbed the ball and threw it, and tried to get the game over with. Now, I know the situations better than ever.
A big part of that is my maturation. I was bouncing around from team to team. I wasn't able to get a feel for anything. I wasn't able to have a solid foundation until Oakland gave me that. So, I try and do my best to represent them and to get better. I didn't want to be the guy who came up here and passed the time. I will spend all day talking to people who can make me better.
Ron Romanick, Curt Young and my teammate Dallas Braden are some of the people that have helped me. They have really shaped me and molded me.
A lot of work involved my mechanics. I had to slow down and not be so violent, and avoid moving side to side so much. From there, it was focusing on the mental part of it -- really learning the game. A lot of that comes from watching teammates, like Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson and Dallas. I take something from each of them, but Dallas is really a go-to guy for me.
Dallas is special. Just spend 10 seconds with him and you quickly realize what a unique guy he is. He is a lot of show, and he is funny, but when it comes down to it, he really does his homework. He spends several hours a day reading up on and studying opposing hitters. He knows what they do, what they like and what they don't like.
Think of it like going to school. If you could get all the answers before taking the test, you would want that advantage. That is how I feel about my time with Dallas. It's like I sit in class and copy his answers to the test. Watching him pitch is exciting for me.
Another key to improvement comes from the play around you. You have to have that good defense and good catching, and I feel like we have that in Oakland along with a strong pitching coach and great teammates.
A's left-hander Gio Gonzalez won 16 games and made the American League All-Star team in 2011. A former first-round pick, Gonzalez has won 31 games over the last two seasons.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 9, 2013, 9:56 AM
Town Square
Starbucks employee files sexual-harassment suit
Original post made on Aug 9, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 9, 2013, 9:56 AM
Comments (16)
a resident of Downtown North
on Aug 9, 2013 at 10:03 am
Since when is it OK for the media to publish the name of a sexual assault victim?
a resident of Community Center
on Aug 9, 2013 at 10:49 am
This is not right to publish victims name!
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Aug 9, 2013 at 11:17 am
Sexual harassement suits happen all the time. How come only a few ever get attention for the Weekly?
If all of the allegations are true--it's not going to stop many people from frequently Starbucks for coffee.
a resident of Mountain View
on Aug 9, 2013 at 11:41 am
Innocent until proven guilty!
a resident of Downtown North
on Aug 9, 2013 at 12:59 pm
I can't believe the Weekly/Palo Alto Online is now identifying sexual assault victims? How far have you fallen? This decision of yours will discourage other victims from coming forward. You should think about the consequences of your decisions. I saw that the Daily Post didn't identify the victim in their story this morning. The Weekly/Palo Alto Online should be ashamed!
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Aug 9, 2013 at 1:21 pm
I'm shocked you chose to publish the name of the victim and the accused in a civil suit. This is not a criminal preceding as far as I can tell. We're innocent until proven guilty in this country. The Weekly should be careful with Civil suits especially. Anyone can file a civil suit alleging anything.
I could file a civil suit tomorrow saying the Weekly's publisher assaulted me. Would you publish names then? Come on where are your ethics.
[Portion removed.]
online staff of Palo Alto Online
on Aug 9, 2013 at 2:45 pm
Town Square Moderator is a registered user.
While the plaintiff's name is publicly available in court documents, Palo Alto Online staff has decided to remove it from this post. Thank you for your comments.
a resident of Barron Park
on Aug 9, 2013 at 2:54 pm
I'm glad you came to your senses this afternoon and removed the victim's name from your story. But what ever possessed you to think that it was a good idea to publish the name of a sex assault victim. You obviously learned about this lawsuit from reading the Daily Post today, but they had the good sense not to publish her name. Palo Alto Online needs to brush up on its journalism ethics.
a resident of Menlo Park
on Aug 9, 2013 at 3:14 pm
So you all think it's fair to name store manager Ted De la Cruz and not name the plaintiff in this civil suit?
I say name them both, or neither, but not just one.
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Aug 9, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Seriously - you don't make the rules. Many years ago, the media chose not to name the alleged adult victims of sex crimes. Now you're suddenly complaining about that?
a resident of Mountain View
on Aug 9, 2013 at 4:06 pm
[Post removed.]
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Aug 9, 2013 at 4:55 pm
Both names need to be removed, not just the alleged victim. Innocent until proven guilty.
a resident of Midtown
on Aug 9, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Since when does the media publish the name of the victim but NOT the name of the perp???
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Aug 9, 2013 at 9:30 pm
What do you expect from a conservative paper that supports banning the homeless from Palo Alto? Compassion?
a resident of Barron Park
on Aug 9, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Sounds like the victim wants exposure because it's against Starbucks. I agree with the previous comments...all names should be removed to protect the innocent until proven guilty. There are two sides to the story. I've lost respect for Palo Alto Online. You should read the article from the Daily Post as no names were mentioned.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Aug 10, 2013 at 4:53 pm
This kind of crap goes on in so many ways for people at work.
There is not much you can do about it as a victim except bear it, complain about it or sue Companies say they support their employees, but I think quite honestly they don't know what to do, people tend to do this stuff on their own, so sometimes companies even leverage it.
As a perpetrator you get support from the company and other managers, in fact other workers are brought in sometimes to assist in harassment.
No wonder we don't do much to discourage bullying in schools, after all school is supposed to prepare people for working.
It's three years later and finally this person is doing something about it, better late than never. We should be trying to encourage the best behavior in people, and those who don't get it are the ones who should be in the unemployment line.
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text:
Onsite Coverage: The Rise of the Non-Bank
PHOENIX — Too many fees, too little trust. That's how a large segment of consumers see traditional financial institutions, said Lewis Goodwin, CEO of Provo, Utah's Green Dot Bank, a subsidiary of Green Dot, the pre-paid card company.
And in that market is huge opportunity, Goodwin told a Tuesday afternoon session on emerging growth strategies at the BAI Payments Connect conference.
"We don't charge overdraft fees. We don't have penalties. We help a vulnerable group. Sixty million Americans are our potential market," he said.
"A lot of places don't take cash. You need a card," Goodwin added. "We are making banking more inclusive."
Also from BAI Payments Connect:
- 5 Facts You Don't Know
- Underbanked, Unbanked and Fraud
- Old Fraud Targets Still New Favorites
- Now Up: Cross-Channel Fraud
- Digital Wallet Update: Try Something, Anything
- On Mobile: Go Big or Go Home
But because many of these consumers have had unpleasant relationships with banks, they have no qualms about doing business with a non-bank, said Goodwin. "What you did in the past doesn't matter to us." Customers aren't excluded for a history of bounced checks or similar failings.
Goodwin cited polling data that claimed Americans view banking as among the least-innovative industries. Another poll found 65% of us are "open" to a mobile-centric banking relationship that does not involve branches. "Mobile banking," he added, "has to offer everything a branch offers except safe deposit boxes."
On the same panel, Paul Tomasofky, who runs Two Sparrows Consulting in north Jersey, predicted: "Traditional branch banking will decline. Consolidation of financial institutions will continue."
Bottom line: We have entered an era of new-style banking where what worked before no longer matters.


text:
Cubs non-tender Stewart, pair of right-handers
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
The Cubs tendered contracts to right-handed pitchers Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija, left-handed pitcher James Russell, and infielder Luis Valbuena. Garza, Samardzija, Russell, Valbuena and Stewart were arbitration-eligible.
In addition, 14 players from the Cubs' 40-man roster were tendered 2013 contracts on Friday. Besides Stewart, the Cubs also non-tendered right-handed pitchers Zach Putnam and Jaye Chapman. Putnam and Chapman were not eligible for arbitration.
Putnam was claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Nov. 2. He was 12-for-17 in save situations for Triple-A Colorado Springs, striking out 49 over 60 2/3 innings. Chapman was acquired from the Braves in the Paul Maholm deal. He compiled a 3.52 ERA in 40 games for Triple-A Gwinnett, striking out 60 and walking 29 over 53 2/3 innings. He appeared in eight games with Triple-A Iowa after the trade, and was promoted to the Cubs in September. In 14 games with the big league team, he struck out 12 and walked 10 over 12 innings, giving up five earned runs in 14 games for a 3.75 ERA.
The Cubs also announced pitcher Casey Coleman, who was designated for assignment earlier this week to make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Scott Feldman, has cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Iowa.
With the moves, the Cubs' 40-man roster now stands at 37.
Earlier Friday, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said he hoped the players who were non-tendered would return to the team.
"We do have some hard decisions to make, but we don't want to lose any of the guys we may cut loose," Hoyer said. "If we do have to take them off the roster, I hope we can work out deals to keep them."
The deadline to tender an arbitration-eligible player was 10:59 p.m. CT Friday. Players who are non-tendered become free agents. The Cubs needed to make the moves to open up roster space.
Stewart, 27, was limited to 55 games last season because of problems with his left wrist, which eventually required surgery. Acquired last Dec. 8 from the Rockies for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu, he made $2.237 million in 2012. Stewart, who batted .201 before he was shut down, started doing light baseball activities this week.
The Cubs do have some third-base prospects in the system -- including Junior Lake, who was ranked among the batting leaders in the Dominican Winter League; plus Josh Vitters, who batted .121 in 36 games with the big league team. Neither was expected to be ready for 2013. That said, the free-agent market for third basemen isn't very deep.
Now, it will be up to Hoyer to reach contract agreements and avoid arbitration with Garza, Samardzija, Russell and Valbuena. The deadline to exchange salary figures is Jan. 18, and arbitration hearings are held in February.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Pumpkin Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping Recipe
Healthy and delicious recipes from Serious Eats
On Mondays, Kristen Swensson of Cheap, Healthy, Good swings by these parts to share a healthy, delicious, and budget-conscious recipe with us. Today, a recipe perfect for pumpkin season.
On occasion, to make a low-calorie recipe palatable, it becomes necessary to increase the calories. It can't be helped. Food needs flavor, see, and all too often, homemade diet goods lack that key element.
Case in point: the original incarnation of these pumpkin muffins. The recipe, lifted from a website called Half My Size, clocked in at a glorious 128 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving. Sadly, you could tell. A half-cocked smattering of pralines gave each muffin some oomph, but couldn't compensate for the ... well, for the nothing. There wasn't really a whole lot going on.
Still, with a few alterations, I thought the dish could be saved. So, I doubled the spice, increased the brown sugar by a few tablespoons, and switched out the praline topping for a straight-up streusel. It added about 40 calories and 1 gram of fat per muffin, but the difference in taste was massive. Warm, moist, sweet, and a little chewy, they had quite suddenly become acceptable breakfast muffins - something I would serve to guests, or even my sister (a.k.a. The Pickiest Person Alive). If and when I make them again, I'll probably add a cup of chopped apples to the batter, just to mess around with the texture.
Just one note if you'd like to try 'em yourself: oat bran is the second listed ingredient. I tend not to have any hanging around the house, but a little research showed that mulching some rolled oats in a food processor creates a suitable stand-in. (2/3 cup rolled oats makes 1/2 cups oat bran substitute). It worked beautifully, so fear not.
- Yield:12 muffins
- For the muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup oat bran
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup mashed pumpkin
- 1 cup skim milk
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- For the topping:
- 8 pecan halves, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine the flour, oat bran, brown sugar, and baking powder; stir to mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the dry ingredients are just moistened.
In a small separate bowl, combine the pecan halves, butter, and remaining brown sugar and whole wheat flour. Mash with fork until crumbly.
Grease muffin tin or line with 12 paper liners. Fill each liner 3/4 full with batter. Sprinkle topping evenly on muffins. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.


text: I cannot get power to the gps through the cradle mount for the Garmin 660 I am installing on my 2005 R1200RT. I am using the BMW "repair" plug and, while I am getting power there, it doesn't show power to any of the pins on the cradle when tested. Any suggestions?