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http://mmajunkie.com A representative for Randy Couture is emphatic that Alistair Overeem left Xtreme Couture of his own accord, and that his departure is unrelated to a previous non-disclosure agreement between the UFC Hall of Famer and Brock Lesnar.
"There was no contractual issue, but it was a relationship issue," Sam Spira, Couture's lawyer and business partner, today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
On Nov. 7, Overeem announced that he'd joined Xtreme Couture after his departure from longtime team Golden Glory. Ten days later, the former Strikeforce champ flew from Las Vegas to Holland to care for his mother.
Two days after his announcement, Overeem sued Golden Glory in California for breach of contract, and the team on Thursday filed a countersuit in Nevada. Shortly after his departure to Holland, Overeem was ensnared by controversy when he missed a pre-fight drug test for his headlining fight with Brock Lesnar at tonight's UFC 141 event, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. After appearing before the commission via telephone, he was granted a conditional license and is required to undergo additional drug testing.
A recent report suggested Overeem was ousted from Xtreme Couture at Lesnar's behest – the former UFC heavyweight champ presumably fearing Couture could pass on training tips – and suggested Couture might be in breach of an earlier legal agreement.
Couture, however, was halfway around the world at the time while working on the set of the action flick "The Expendables 2." Spira said he contacted Lesnar's camp after Overeem's announcement to assure that Couture wouldn't be assisting the heavyweight.
"I got a very nice response back from them," Spira said. "As far as I know, there was no problem. They never pressured me or anything. They were great. I have no special knowledge as to why Overeem chose not to work out there."
Although Couture and Lesnar did have non-disclosure agreements in place, Spira said they applied to a camp in which Couture helped Lesnar prepare for a fight at UFC 116 against Shane Carwin.
Overeem ultimately split his training camp between Holland and the U.S. According to those within Xtreme Couture, Overeem spent much of his training camp at a private Las Vegas facility run by Vitor Belfort, where his training partners were kept under wraps.
The winner of tonight's UFC 141 headliner is expected to fight current UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos.
And for more on UFC 141, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
(Pictured: Randy Couture)


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Enroll for QuickBooks courses, seminars, and classes.
Sign up for Accounting and Bookkeeping seminars, classes, and courses.
Sign up for Microsoft Excel training seminars, classes, and courses.
Participate in seminars, classes, and courses for Microsoft Access.
Take part in Microsoft PowerPoint training courses, seminars, and classes.
Attend training courses, seminars, and classes for Microsoft Project.
Go to Microsoft Word training classes, courses, and seminars.
Order Software

subset: commoncrawl


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We better talk about war in one place.
US president declared go for war.
No doubt who is going to win, but how long &
how much to pay?
4th May:Bush: Iraq's weapons will be found
30th April:How US soldiers are welcomed: The part Americans did not see.
29th April:Who knows, may be SARS was implanted to achieve something in new frontier?
*********:At last WMD found in IRAQ
29th April:Deadly clash with hundreds of Iraqi protesters.
27th April: are waiting to hear a strong voice
27th April: Confess by Zahid, Part Two:
26th April: Got oil?
24th April: Old Story
17th April: Confess by Zahid
17th April: The photographs tell the story...True Lie
16th April: Exposed: Are These US Marines Looting Liberating Iraqi Gold Or Fixing Saddam's Door.
16th April: Why USA in Iraq
Greatest Progress!!! in 21 Days of US Attack in Iraq


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Catholic Health Heart Surgery Program At Mercy Hospital Rated Among Best in Nation
Home » About Us » News » 2012 News » Catholic Health Heart Surgery Program At Mercy Hospital Rated Among Best in Nation
January 30, 2012
The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, the surgical center of Catholic Health's Cardiovascular Services program, has been awarded a three-star national quality rating by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for the period covering July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
Approximately 14.39% of the 1,044 participating hospitals across the country received a "three-star" rating – the highest award under the STS quality rating system – for heart bypass surgery, also called coronary artery bypass graft surgery or CABG.
"It is important to share quality data to tell the public how we are doing and to compare ourselves to other similar heart surgery programs on a national scale," said Dr. John Bell-Thomson, Chair of Mercy's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department. "Our three-star rating reflects our dedication to exceeding national standards of excellence as well as our commitment to best serve our patients."
The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital also achieved a STS three-star national rating for the period covering January 2010 to December 2010.
Dr. John Bell-Thomson, Chair of Mercy Hospital's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, is pictured here with the heart surgery team preparing for a robotic-assisted cardiac procedure. Catholic Health's Heart Center is the only hospital in the Buffalo area offering minimally invasive cardiac surgery with the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.
As the nation's premier professional society for cardiothoracic surgeons, STS developed a comprehensive system that allows patients to compare the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals nationwide using the largest single-specialty database in the country.
"The STS rating is national validation that our doctors and heart surgery program rank among the very best in the country," said Jason Jankowiak, vice president of Catholic Health Cardiovascular Services. "For patients who need surgery to restore blood flow to the heart caused by a blocked artery, it means that our bypass surgery program meets the highest standards for quality, safety and achieving the best outcomes."
"We continue to attribute our top national rating to the excellent work of our clinical team and the low mortality rates that we have consistently maintained since joining the STS voluntary rating system in 2008," said Julie LaManna, Catholic Health senior director of Cardiac Services.
C.J. Urlaub, President and CEO of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, credits the entire staff for this achievement. "We are very proud of our team of surgeons, nurses and other health care professionals whose hard work and dedication to excellence in patient care have allowed us to earn this prestigious quality rating," he said.
"This national rating is also good news for our Western New York community. Having one of the most highly-rated heart surgery programs in the United States at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo gives Western New York patients peace of mind that the care they receive at Catholic Health is among the best available anywhere."
The STS composite quality rating is based on a combination of 11 National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) processes and outcomes measures. These measures rate the performance of heart surgery programs in four areas: Avoidance of Operative Mortality; Avoidance of Major Morbidity; High Quality Intra-Operative Care; and Appropriate Perioperative Medication Usage.


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FYI/TMI: Simon Fuller To Bid On EMI Assets, Obama Banned From "Sesame Street"
(In an effort to keep you fully informed, and fully entertained, below we present today's FYI and TMI — news you need and news that's, well, sometimes needless….)
Fuller To Bid On EMI Assets
"American Idol" creator Simon Fuller is expected to submit a bid for the businesses Universal Music Group has been ordered to sell following its $1.9 billion purchase of EMI Music, according to a Billboard.biz report. Fuller will reportedly partner with Island Records co-founder Chris Blackwell to submit a bid of $563 million, according to The Independent. Additional companies expected to place bids for UMG's divestments include Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and BMG Rights Management. UMG is expected to begin accepting initial bids in late November.
Obama Campaign's Big Bird Ad A Big No-No
With the presidential election taking place in less than a month, there's one star getting arguably the most attention, and it's not Mitt Romney nor Barack Obama. It's Big Bird. In an effort to block Obama from taking a trip to "Sesame Street," Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind "Sesame Street," has requested that the Obama campaign take down an ad that features Big Bird being portrayed by Romney as a "big, yellow menace to our economy." The ad follows the first presidential debate earlier this month during which Romney said he would cut funding to PBS, the network that airs "Sesame Street." But as consolation to the Obama campaign, even Big Bird knows that everyone makes mistakes.


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Mom Maps
An App Contest For San Francisco
This guest post was written by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who was elected to the position in 2003 and reelected in 2007. Newsom is also running for governor of California in the upcoming 2010 election. In this guest post, Mayor Newsom announces a contest to create apps using city data from DataSF.org,. Last week, we announced a City App Store to highlight and centralize software… Read More


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Give yourself a pat on the back if, after a long decision-making process, you finally have decided to move to a smaller home or apartment that has the updated amenities you've long been dreaming about.
Now that you've decided to move, thinking about what you need to do before moving day can be nerve-wracking. If the thought of deciding what to keep and what to give away or toss is keeping you up at night, anyone who has been through the process can easily empathize.
Once you've chosen a moving company and have started to make hard decisions about what to keep when you sort through all your belongings, you may be counting down the days until the big move with great trepidation.
If that describes your dilemma, take some comfort in knowing that many people are in the same boat. As millions of people grow older, many are downsizing to reflect their changing lifestyles.
And while they are making this transition most people find that moving is one of life's most anxiety producing experiences.
Why de-stressing matters
But be careful. If you constantly feel like you're under pressure, that stressful lifestyle can affect your immune system. Many studies have discovered that a personal stress level is directly linked to well-being and daily health. Stress is simply not healthy. Not only can it lower the immune system response to illness it can increase blood pressure, lower productivity and introduce a menu of other maladies we have all experienced from time to time.
People who have chronic stress have a weaker defense system against pathogens that cause illness, such as the common cold.
To make matters worse, if you become ill from being stressed and overwhelmed by your upcoming moving day, the move will only be more difficult. Try to manage the 'what ifs' and stop stress before it becomes an issue.
Manage your Stress Before it Manages You
How do you cope with the stress of keeping everything going forward and up to date? One word: triage. The more you do the more you know that you can't tackle everything at once. When it comes time to move, that way of life is ever more apparent. Our lives are busy enough without adding the stress of deconstructing our home, packing boxes and reassembling it again in unfamiliar territory.
Triage means prioritization. So make sure the biggest challenges (and usually the most stressful) are taken care of before moving so you can 'move on' to less important concerns.
Tips for moving on
Start planning early. Include family members in the planning process. Give yourself time to sort the details with enough time for the unexpected to come up. It always does.
Get the family ready. Moving is traumatic for adults and children alike. Help them see the benefits of change. It often helps, even at young ages, to involve children or grandchildren in the move. This often helps relieve an anxious mind. It is also worth mentioning that while moving is a change, it does not mean that everything will change.
Reduce! Moving is a great time to reduce and minimize your unneeded stuff. We all have "junk" that needs sorting. Less to pack means less to unpack. Look at moving as an opportunity to get rid of clutter and reduce your stress now and the next time you move.
Checklists work. A big move is a complicated event, with many variables and puzzle pieces to reassemble. Being organized will go a long way to helping you minimize your stress. The more details that are "up in the air", the more stress you will have. A detailed checklist will be of great benefit for keeping your move running smooth and efficiently.
Stay positive. If you realize that stress is just part of moving, you'll have a better chance of reducing stress to manageable levels. Everyone hates moving. Understand that change is a necessary part of life. Stay positive and help turn problems into solutions, and stress into mere bumps in the road.


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Stories Tagged with "james boland"
2014 - 1 story
College of Architecture and Design at NJIT Hosts Masonry Design/Build Competition 2014
April 30, 2014
Every spring semester, second-year architecture students at NJIT's College of Architecture and Design are assigned a studio project to design a masonry building with a specific program. This year, the project was designing a fire station in Boonton, NJ. >>


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Us Weekly announced yesterday that Zooey Deschanel and her hubby Ben Gibbard have separated. The New Girl actress, 31, and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Death Cab for Cutie[/lastfm] frontman, 32, were married for just over two years. A source told Us that the split "was mutual and amicable" and "There was no third party involved."
We all can relate to their situation. Who has gone through life without having to leave someone behind? We made a playlist of the 10 best breakup songs that will help them get through this tough time.
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Bruno Mars [/lastfm]- "Grenade"
In this sad song, Bruno Mars sings about unreciprocated love, and shows the pain of a relationship gone sour.
[metrolyrics artist="bruno mars" song="grenade"]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Beyonce[/lastfm] – "Me, Myself And I "
Beyonce sings about how young and naive she was to think her relationship and love could last. Basically she admits that you can never change a man, and you're in denial if you think you can.
[metrolyrics artist="beyonce knowles" song="me, myself and I"]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Boyz II Men[/lastfm] – "End Of The Road"
This one is a classic. The Boyz sing about how a girl says they'd be together forever, and how the boy hopes that she'll love him again.
[metrolyrics artist="Boyz II Men" song="End of the road"]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]The Black Eyed Peas[/lastfm] – "Shut Up"
The Peas sing about trying to make a relationship work, but it just makes both people go crazy. It focuses on how love gets out of control sometimes, and both parties just stop trying.
[metrolyrics artist="The Black Eyed Peas" song="Shut Up"]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Adele[/lastfm] – "Someone Like You"
Adele beautifully sings about the boy that got away, and how she hopes to find someone like him.
[metrolyrics artist="adele" song="someone like you"][lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Kelly Clarkson[/lastfm] – "Since U Been Gone"
This has to be one of the best breakup songs of all time, and it shows the positive side of moving on. Sometimes your life changes for the better after a relationship ends.
[metrolyrics artist="kelly clarkson" song="since you've been gone"][lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Justin Timberlake[/lastfm] – "Cry Me A River"
This JT hit was dedicated to his ex-girlfriend [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Britney Spears[/lastfm]. She was his everything, but he left her, and now she wants him back and it's too late since the damage has been done.
[metrolyrics artist="justin timberlake" song="cry me a river"][lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Rihanna[/lastfm] – "Rehab" Ft. Justin Timberlake
Rihanna sings about how hard it is to move on after her relationship goes sour, and how she needs time to heal. Justin Timberlake actually wrote the lyrics to this song, so maybe it's really about Britney.
[metrolyrics artist="rihanna" song="rehab"]
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Chris Brown[/lastfm] – "Say Goodbye"
Chris Brown is trying to figure out how to break up with his lover and "Say Goodbye" before he waits too long.
[metrolyrics artist="chris brown " song="say goodbye"]
Alicia Keys – "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart"
Alicia Keys vocalizes her experience of trying to find inner strength after a bad break up, and how hard it is to not think about all the lies over and over again in her head.
[metrolyrics artist="Alicia Keys" song="Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart "]


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At a heavy Class 2A regional tournament, the Bobcats heavyweight earned a spot at the state tournament.
The Ignacio High School wrestling team had five regional tournament placers in Grand Junction, punctuated by heavyweight Josh Gallegos fourth-place finish that will take him to the CHSAA Class 2A Wrestling State Championships next weekend at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
He earned his right to go, IHS head coach Bob Overturf said.
Keith Joosten took fifth at 113.
Taylor Smith took fifth at 120.
Kyle Bailey took sixth at 126.
Javen Webb took sixth at 195.
Im telling you what, that region is tough, Overturf said. And my boys wrestled tough. They wrestled tough. Thats all I can say.


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Most people know her as the wife of famed rapper/actor LL Cool J, but Simone Smith is much more. With the launch of her jewelry line called SIS (Simone I. Smith) Jewelry, this mother of four is also an entrepreneur.
She's also celebrating a very important anniversary.
In 2004, Simone was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called chondorosarcoma. After her stage III diagnosis, the family, especially Mr. Smith himself, stopped everything in order to be with her and to assist her on the road to recovery.
Read more http://newsone.com/2616487/ll-cool-js-wife-celebrates-being-cancer-free/
Also On Atlanta Daily World:
comments – Add Yours


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Boy injured in fall from ski lift at Bousquet
PITTSFIELD -- A 10-year-old boy reportedly was injured at Bousquet Ski Area after he fell 20 feet off a ski lift around 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to authorities.
Pittsfield Police and Fire Department officials said the Framingham boy experienced shoulder and hip pain, and he was found alert and concious when they arrived. He had been wearing a ski helmet at the time and he was taken to Berkshire Medical Center afterward.
Pittsfield Fire Department and Pittsfield Police did not have an update about the boy's condition available later in the day.
Bousquet Ski Area owner Sherry Roberts said she heard from employees that the boy fell off the lift shortly after loading himself because he was inadequately seated.
"He had just loaded himself on the chair; he didn't get himself in place, he slid off, and he [was hanging from the side] before he let go," Roberts said.
Pittsfield Police Officer Darren Derby said the boy fell on his feet first and then his skis popped off.
"It's a mishap," Derby said. "It did not happen that far from the beginning [of the lift]."
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - A 2,200-acre Brevard County brush fire burning near Kennedy Space Center has forced the evacuation of a campground on Merritt Island, officials said.
The KARS Park campground near Hall Road was evacuated Tuesday afternoon because of the blaze, Brevard Fire officials said. At least a dozen Kennedy Space Center employees were evacuated from facilities in the area around the fire.
A lightning strike sparked the fire around 5 p.m. Monday, and it's grown to 2,200 acres, fire officials said. The blaze fire is about 50 percent contained, officials said.
"It was just a lot of lightning late into the night, it was like right in that area, really it was all night long," said camper Angalika Anderson.
The blaze is burning south of the KSC's main facility and visitor complex, but no damage has been reported, and no one has been injured in the fire. Ashes from the fire could be spotted along Courtenay Parkway, which runs north-south outside the space center.
There may be some road closures on Chase Hammock Road and State Road 3 because of the smoke. Homes aren't threatened by the fire at this time, officials said.
The fire is burning in a wildlife refuge area, but officials said animals in the area instinctively know what to do.
"They're taking up shelter where they need to," said Patrick Pearson, district fire management officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Crews from Georgia and North Carolina are assisting in battling the blaze.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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NCUA: Estimated Future Corporate Assessments Less Than $4 Billion
The NCUA reported late Thursday that the highest estimated amount credit unions have yet to pay in corporate assessments has declined by $900 million.
That leaves just between $1.6 billion and $3.9 billion in assessments yet to pay, the NCUA said in a release.
However, the agency said that won't mean a reduction in the estimated 2013 corporate assessment, which still remains between 8 and 11 basis points. The exact amount will be revealed sometime this summer during an NCUA Board meeting.
Through 2012, federally insured credit unions have paid $4.1 billion in annual assessments to cover losses incurred by corporate credit union investments into mortgage backed securities.
The reduction means should the forecast hold true, credit unions have paid more than half of corporate resolution costs.
NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz called the decline good news, and said it "reflects an improving economy and NCUA's continuing efforts to effectively manage losses from the corporate failures to reduce future credit union assessments."
The narrower range of projected remaining assessments reflects the actual performance of the failed corporate credit unions' legacy assets to date and updated projections for the future performance of NCUA Guaranteed Notes.
Factors include changes in housing prices, interest rates, unemployment rates and mortgage prepayments. NCUA uses BlackRock, an independent securities valuation firm, to project the future performance of the legacy assets in NGNs, a key component of this analysis.
NCUA Director of Examination and Insurance Larry Fazio told Credit Union Times the board will set future assessments by taking into consideration a number of factors.
They include projected loss ranges, the effect assessments would have on credit union financial reports, and remaining borrowings to the U.S. Treasury worth $5.1 billion. The Treasury' variable rates are based upon the 1-year Treasury rate, which resets annually, and Fazio said should that rise, it would play into the board's decision.
Additionally, he said once the NGNs end, there will be some value left to the legacy assets that will become available to be monetized.
Total corporate resolution costs are estimated to be between $11.3 billion and $13.6 billion. In addition to the $4.1 billion in assessments, corporate credit union member capital worth $5.6 billion was also used to recover losses.
In a Q&A sheet released by the agency, the NCUA said through 4th quarter 2012, total corporate legacy assets have incurred $6.1 billion in losses. That number now exceeds the $5.6 billion in capital seized from the five failed corporates, "underscoring that those institutions were insolvent."
NCUA released the new projections early, previously saying its semi-annual update on legacy asset performance, corporate resolution costs and the performance of NGNs would be available sometime in April.
Updated figures are available on the NCUA's website.


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BROOKLYN, NY - All-Star games usually are lacking in suspense, strategy, and most of all, defense.
The Sharette Dixon Memorial Classic displayed all of those traits as the New York team got in front of the New Jersey squad early in the third quarter and romped their way to a thirty point victory.
The game was close in the first half, with New York holding a slim 24-23 lead after the first 10 minutes. The game was played in 5 minute sections, where one set of players would play, and after 5 minutes a whole new set replaced them. This is standard in all-star games because it helps equalize the minutes played of all the kids on the roster. New York built up a 10 point lead at halftime, but really broke it open in the third with interior defense and rebounding. Before you knew it, a minor deficit for New Jersey turned into an insurmountable one. The fourth quarter was basically a fast break drill as New York eventually won 131-101.
One thing that was showcased in the game was skill. The talent in the gym was bursting at the seams as most of the best players in the area showed their stuff on the court. Connecticut signee Omar Calhoun started the game with a dunk off the tip, and followed that with a three from the left wing.
Calhoun didn't really slow down when he was on the court, taking advantage of the "defense" and scoring at will. It was pretty easy for Calhoun because that's what he's known for, instant offense, both inside and outside the arch. He was named the game's MVP and finished with a game high 23 points.
This was a game were a lot of kids put points on the boards, so it's hard to say who played the best. Actually, the truth is everybody played well, but some players had more shine than others. Brian Bernardi was one of those who shined, scoring 20 points for New York and showing off his sweet shot from three point range. Bernardi, who is going to SMU, knocked down 4 from deep during the game.
Jermaine Lawrence scored a lot of his points in the second half, mostly off of put-back dunks and follow-ups. During one of his five minute stints, he was all over the boards, grabbing missed shots and going up strong for easy buckets. Lawrence is still relatively raw but will be one of the best juniors in the city. He just has a knack for being around the ball. Lawrence finished with 16 points.
New Jersey did have one bright spot, and that was Kyle Anderson. He showed off why he is considered one of the best players in the country when during one span in the third, he effortlessly knocked down two threes and had a terrific cross over move that finished with a circus lay-up. Anderson finished with a team high 21 points for New Jersey.
Click Here to view this Link.


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... I can't throw this one away, its an $800 microwave.
AJ , Can't open file . Small window shows " File is damaged and cannot be repaired" Can you try again ? Thanks
The 2 red wires that connect from the inverter board to the magnetron, I may have switched connections. Does this make a difference? I see the mag marked F & FA , but the inverter is not marked.
Started by QFMaint
Started by AJ
Started by TechnicianBrian


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Laura Huggins
Thu, 01/09/2014
Aldo Le
Holly Fretwell, Kristen Byrne, Laura Huggins
Tue, 08/29/2017
WATCH: How the American Prairie Reserve has created a private public partnership in eastern Montana to restore 3.5 million acres of native flora and fauna
Laura Huggins
Wed, 07/26/2017
As public land battles simmer, a new private model emerges to pay ranchers to conserve wildlife.
Laura Huggins
Tue, 05/13/2014
En·vi·ro·pre·neur: difficult to pronounce but easy to conceptualize.
Reed Watson, Peter Hill, Shawn Regan, Laura Huggins
Wed, 03/26/2014
Listen as Aaron Flint of "Voices of Montana" talks with Reed Watson, P.J. Hill, Shawn Regan, and Laura Huggins about free market environmentalism.
Laura Huggins
Tue, 02/04/2014
On The John Batchelor Show, Laura Huggins discusses the need to retire the Endangered Species Act for an economic incentive.
Laura Huggins
Thu, 01/02/2014
It is time to move beyond the Nixon approach to the environment. The past 40 years have shown how good political intentions — or, at least, political maneuvering — in the name of environmental protection can create perverse economic incentives to do the opposite.
Laura Huggins
Tue, 12/17/2013
Laura Huggins explains how thinking outside the box and innovating can work for the environment as it does for business. Sometimes big change starts with thinking big and perhaps a little outside the box. Take it from enviropreneur Hank Fischer.
Laura Huggins
Thu, 12/05/2013
Understanding the relationship between economic development, assimilation, and tribal culture is challenging. This issue begins to explore some of the connections.
Laura Huggins
Wed, 10/23/2013
The Endangered Species Act is expensive and ineffective in its reactive approach to conservation. Laura Huggins explores an alternative system of incentives for environmental stewardship prior to regulatory listing.


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Army Reserve opens new training facility
A 37,000-square-foot Army training facility opened its doors to the public for the first time Saturday morning in "true American fashion," spectators said.
More than 130 friends, family and community members gathered alongside 75 American flags waving proudly for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new U.S. Army Reserve center at 3250 Jim Christal Road.
The $12 million facility, officials said, was constructed by GCC McCarthy Joint Venture II, working for the Army Corps of Engineers' Fort Worth District.
The complex broke ground about a year ago and will house the 957th Quartermaster Company. The company, which was established in 2011, will be able to train about 250 soldiers at the new Denton complex for petroleum operation missions.
Army reserves will train at the facility before they deploy and after they return home to transfer back to civilian life, said Sgt. Alexi Velasquez, who was deployed three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan during his 12 years of active duty.
Velasquez described the new facility as a blessing.
"We had been sharing with other companies in an old building in Grand Prairie, so to have this new site as our own to call home is incredible," he said.
Along with the main building, an 8,000-square-foot organizational maintenance shop and a 2,000-square-foot storage building are also on the premises. Officials said there are two military vehicle wash platforms and one high/low loading ramp.
"Everything here is really state-of-the-art, right down to vented areas in our maintenance shop," Velasquez said while conducting a tour of the new buildings.
Spc. William Hill, who has served for seven years, will be working mechanics, and his group will be spending a lot of weekend time inside the maintenance shop.
"It's very nice," Hill said. "What's really neat is how energy-efficient the place is."
Velasquez said the building's energy-efficient design includes motion sensors in the rooms throughout the two-story main center.
"The heat and air conditioner are controlled with sensors, so if no one is utilizing part of the building, then the sensors will notice and shut off," he said.
The complex also has a system that captures rainwater, then uses it for flushing toilets and washing military vehicles, as well as a system of solar panels to heat water for the men's and women's showers.
During the opening ceremonies, officials said the building is currently under review for silver level certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which certifies structures based on sustainable building practices.
"The building itself is efficient, and we now [thanks to the move] are our own efficient company," Velasquez said.
First Sgt. Carol Dosia said officials were just given the keys to the building on Thursday.
"We have really been looking forward to this building — it's not just about us and who we are, but about the community and how much we will be able to be involved if someone needs us," Dosia said.
Dosia said she expects the building to be fully staffed and operational within the next two weeks.
"We have to get our phones connected and things like that, but no more than two, maybe four weeks, and all eight staff members will be here Monday through Friday," Dosia said.
Many have looked forward to being located within the Denton community, where the company has partnerships to help serve veterans.
"With so many coming back home, they need assistance, and our partners within the community will be able to help provide that transition back to civilian life they need," Dosia said. "And we will be able to assist those community partners, if they need anything as well."
Assistance and transition were two of the key elements common among the more than 20 vendors who showed up Saturday.
Leon and Irene Tribble, along with Vee Villanueva, were representing the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
"We contact and help with any employment issues that might arise during the return back to the regular workforce," Leon Tribble said.
The Tribbles, longtime Denton area residents, were not only happy to be part of the opening; they were amazed at how much the men and women walking the halls have done already.
"All these men and women you see in uniform today are the true heart of our country," said Leon Tribble, a 22-year veteran with the Army National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. "They are our heroes."
A similar sentiment was overheard from Capt. Norma Cabanas before lunch was served.
"Today was not just an ordinary ribbon-cutting but the first celebration of our Army's future," she said.
MEGAN GRAY can be reached at and via Twitter at @MGrayNews.


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For many, that was a worthy price to pay for relief. Things have become particularly congested over the past two years, as Equity Residential took over the apartment complexes formerly owned by Page Mill Properties and began renovating the aged buildings. As a result, occupancy has increased from around 70 percent to the mid-90s, according to Marty McKenna, spokesman for Equity.
Palo Alto residents on Edgewood Drive and nearby streets have not only seen their blocks fill up, but drivers have parked blocking their driveways and left trash behind, residents told the council Monday.
Some said crime has been on the rise. Dan Hansen said his car had been broken into. Frank Branson said his home was burglarized in July 2012 and his family no longer feels safe. Burglars, he said, methodically went through the house room by room, ransacking the place.
"Our home was damaged. Personal property was stolen," Branson said. "We felt violated, and it was an emotionally traumatic experience to go through."
Palo Alto planning officials on Monday attributed the parking problem to a large extent on Equity's inability to provide its tenants with adequate parking. Each unit at Equity's properties gets one spot. While Acting Planning Director Aaron Aknin said the company had been charging residents for additional parking spots, McKenna said this is not the case. The number of parking spaces is very limited, he said, and Equity hasn't changed any parking policies.
"Everything is the same," McKenna told the Weekly.
Equity hopes to open two new lots to accommodate the parking demand, he said. The lots would make 88 new spots available, though the company plans to charge residents who wish to use them.
Under Palo Alto's new restriction, parking on selected blocks will be banned between 2 and 5 a.m. The ban affects Edgewood Drive, between Southwood and Jefferson drives; Hamilton Avenue, between Island Drive and Madison Way; parts of Dana Avenue north and south of Newell; and Newell, between Dana and Edgewood. Residents who wish to park on these streets at night would be able to buy nightly $5 permits.
The solution, many agreed, falls far short of what most residents have been clamoring for since late 2011: a residential permit-parking program of the sort that exists in College Terrace. A permit program would limit the time nonresidents can park in this section of Crescent Park. The city has decided not to pursue this solution in Crescent Park at this time because officials are now in the midst of designing a permit-program prototype that any neighborhood could later adopt.
The overnight ban is a temporary measure and, from most perspectives, an imperfect one. But Jane Kershner, an Edgewood Drive resident, spoke for many when she said the streets need immediate help.
"We're looking for some relief now," Kershner said. "We're looking for some help, some support from you to help send the message to the property owners and the City of East Palo Alto."
The council proved sympathetic to the residents' requests. The ban, as adopted, applies to the blocks where at least 70 percent of the residents support the new restriction.
In its discussion, the council characterized the solution as imperfect but necessary. Councilman Larry Klein praised the neighbors for their patience and concluded that it's time to act.
"This isn't only the way to help our residents but to send a message to the owner of apartment buildings and the municipal government of East Palo Alto that we really have to move forward on this. We have to change the status quo," Klein said.
Yet Klein and Councilwoman Liz Kniss also predicted that with the ban, there is a risk that the parking problems will simply move further into the neighborhood. Kniss predicted that many people will be willing to walk the longer distances for free parking.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we're back in a month with people saying, 'We want to be part of this,'" Kniss said.
Council members also acknowledged that their options are somewhat limited because the problems they are dealing with are rooted in a different jurisdiction and stem from policies formed by Equity Residential, which is headquartered in Chicago. Equity bought the roughly 1,800 units from Wells Fargo in 2011, about two years after Page Mill Properties defaulted on its $50 million loan from the bank and lost control of its vast portfolio in the Woodland Park neighborhood.
Councilman Marc Berman pledged to reach out to his counterparts on the East Palo Alto City Council to come up with a more permanent solution.
Vice Mayor Nancy Shepherd proposed the city do a "firm reach-out" to Equity Residential so that "we can stay connected while they pursue their investment in the community."
Glenn Campbell, an East Palo Alto resident and an Equity tenant, encouraged this dialogue even as he opposed the ban, which he said would only serve to punish hard-working people on the other side of the bridge.
"Most of my neighbors — most of whom look nothing like any of us (here) — are good hard-working, blue-collar people, trying hard to raise families in an environment that we created that requires dual incomes just to keep above the water," Campbell said. "They don't have a place to put both of those cars. They are not people who should be bearing the brunt of this. We should be dealing directly with the Equity apartment owners."
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The agency said Friday that net available revenue for July totaled $410.2 million — or 1.9 percent above forecast. The total is $6.4 million, or 1.6 percent, above last year's numbers.
Arkansas' fiscal year began July 1.
The agency says July saw mixed results, with a drop in individual income tax but an increase in corporate income tax and sales tax. The agency says the timing of payday can cause some monthly swings in the state's financial results.
According to the department, sales and use tax collections were "encouraging" at 4.5 percent growth over last year. The agency says the sales tax increase includes "high growth" from motor vehicles.


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DETROIT - The Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) announced Monday that the direct spending for second and third round games of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament hosted by Oakland University at The Palace of Auburn Hills will reach an estimated $1.5 million.
"Our hospitality partners will be working hard to make sure visitors have a pleasant experience while in the metro Detroit region," said Dave Beachnau, DSC Executive Director. "We encourage college basketball fans to sample our top entertainment options while they are here, from our bars and restaurants to our attractions, shopping and museums," said Beachnau.
For more information about where to stay, where to eat and other things to do in metro Detroit go to www.detroitsports.org and click on the Visit Detroit tab.
For information regarding NCAA Tournament games hosted at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday, March 21 or Saturday, March 23, visit www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets or call (248) 377-8471.
Follow your selections using Local 4's online tournament bracket.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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A tale of love and sex and a lot of crazy - it might even look like a freak show to some. But it makes you understand how life is for people unlike us and why they sometimes do the crazy things they do. The movie's characters fall into different categories, each strong-willed and well fleshed out - some love the excitement of the unknown and are the ALWAYS-YES-group, the others are the arty ones who nobody really understands or cares about except for their art that people pretend to understand but they dont, and of-course some are the doubting Mary's who are too scared to get out of their comfort zone and prefer to keep to the dull but well-travelled roads and lastly - some repent their decisions and try to live their desires by meddling in others' lives. Sounds complicated - it's not! It's just a little crazy.
In a nutshell, no one is happy in the movie and almost everyone sleeps with everyone else - and the behaviour is kind of glorified as well. Life's short, isn't it - that's how it's justified.
"I love him. But I am not in love with him."
Translates to "I somehow want to get rid of him but I also want to come out of the mess as the saint".
Sometimes a perfectly happy life you had a moment before is shattered to pieces when you get a new frame of reference - sometimes it's a new shiny car or sometimes it's the person you want to marry. When it's the latter, it's time you really had a good look at the way you think. Cause something is not right!
Look out for the character played by Penelope Cruz. The movie takes a dramatic turn the moment she appears on the screen. And she has portrayed so well that little bit of contempt Europeans always seem to have for Americans.
Barcelona looks so charming in the movie. Perfect setting for a tale of love, crazy or not!
But one thing I fail to understand is why would some parents bring a 3-year-old to watch such a movie. You think he/she's too young to understand the hanky-panky? Well, that's when sometimes **** happens!
Billu Barber
Another remake from Priyadarshan - thank God it's not another Akshay Kumar starrer. This one seems to have pushed all the right buttons for me, because, for once I liked the remake a tad more than the original mallu movie. Of course the credit of the story goes to the one and only Sreenivasan!
The story is focused on a chance meeting of two long lost friends. One, a struggling barber and the other, the equivalent of the mighty Khan. I think the movie had more impact in Hindi as a Bollywood star such as SRK leads such a glamorous life and is world famous compared to his counterpart - Mammooty, in the original movie, who leads a pretty normal life in spite of being a big star. The gap between the common man and a movie star is so much more in Bollywood compared to Mollywood. And that's exactly what the movie is based on!
The village the movie is shot in - Pollachi in TN - comes alive in the big screen. Am glad it was shot amidst all the greenery and misty mountains though the vilage is depicted to be in UP - this is so much more pleasing to the eye for sure!


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ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Defender Neil Bartholomay (Sr./St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) tallied the first of three second-half goals for the Knights as the Carleton College men's soccer team picked up a conference road win at Bethel University, 4-1.
First-year Kevin Doyle (Evanston, Ill/Evanston Township) scored the first goal of the match—and his collegiate career—when he headed home a cornerkick from Will Corcoran (Sr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) in the ninth minute to give Carleton (6-1-2, 2-1 MIAC) the early advantage.
Bethel (4-4, 1-2 MIAC) responded in the 22nd minute when Danny Jaderholm's defelcted shot bounced off the goal post and evened up the scoreboard.
The second half, however, would be a different story, with the Knights building a 9-4 margin in shot attempts.
Corcoran nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 51st minute with his rocket off the crossbar, but Carleton cashed in an opportunity in the 65th minute. Peter Passalino (Fy./Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) collected a clearance and served the ball back into the box, where Devin Tomson-Moylan (Jr./St. Paul, Minn./Central) flicked the ball over to Bartholomay, who kicked it home for his third goal of the week. That tally proved to be the game winner.
Branden McGarrity (So./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) figured in two goals during the last two minutes to put the game out of reach. In the 84th minute, McGarrity beat his defender to the endline, drew the Bethel goalkeeper out and served ball across to Will Schifeling (Eau Claire, Wis./Regis). The junior forward calmly slotted it home with right foot.
McGarrity would notch his fourth goal in as many games when he carried the ball through the Bethel defense to create a breakaway opportunity. One-on-one with keeper, he dribbled to the outside and tapped it in for his 23rd career goal, tying Ken Tape '99 for seventh in school history.
Battling slippery conditions, Keenan Smith (Jr./Madison, Wis./West) recorded six saves for the Knights, who next host the University of Northwestern on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available via Knights Online.


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Whipped: Women Who Keep Their Men In Check
- By Bossip Staff
2 of 10
Women Who Keep Their Men In Check
Men try to pretend they have it all figured out, but the fact is, some can't handle it if their women keep them under wraps. These men try to pretend they've got it together but the women really run them.
J. Lo – She has little Casper all wrapped around her finger as long as she takes him to Disney World every summer.
Angelina Jolie – Word is, when it comes to her kids she doesn't mess around and Brad has to come correct.


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Military Programs
Army ROTC Program
In partnership with Washington University, host of an Army ROTC Detachment, Maryville offers the Army ROTC Basic and Advanced Training courses to qualified, undergraduate, degree seeking, full-time students of Maryville University who desire to earn appointments as commissioned officers in the United States ArmyAs the primary school, Maryville will provide housing in one of the residence halls on campus on a double-occupancy, space-available basis, along with board for a maximum of four years of undergraduate, full-time study. New freshman or transfer students who are enrolled and have been accepted as cadets in the Army ROTC at Washington University, and who have chosen to receive the federal scholarship covering tuition and fees for this course of study, will receive on campus, dormitory housing. The award is not transferable to other on- or off-campus housing, books or other educational expenses.
Recipients are required to complete the FAFSA process, as well as a dorm contract for each year of study. With both the federal stipend for ROTC and Maryville providing room and board, no other Maryville University funding program will be made available.
For more information regarding the Army ROTC Program and funding benefits, visit the Army ROTC Web site.


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Home-field advantage key for NL this year
Current Senior Circuit playoff contenders struggling on road
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
And it's a good thing, because of the teams currently in playoff position in the NL, there's not an especially strong road team in the bunch. Only the Braves have even played .550 ball away from home.
So when Brian Wilson of the reigning World Series champion Giants -- who used home-field advantage in Games 1 and 2 of the 2010 series as quite a springboard -- closed out Tuesday night's All-Star Game, he may have been doing a huge favor to his team or one of its rivals. For the ninth year, the All-Star Game's result determined home field in the Fall Classic.
Thanks to a 5-1 NL win, this year's World Series will begin with pitchers batting and designated hitters either trying out the field or sitting on the bench. It may not be an end-all, be-all, but it's an edge every team would like to have.
"It's a huge advantage for whoever makes it to the World Series," said Phillies and National League pitcher Cliff Lee, who ought to know. Lee was on the losing side in the 2010 World Series, and took the defeat in Game 1 at AT&T Park.
"Anytime you have home-field advantage, you're going to play more games at home, which is big. Hopefully we can keep things where they are and give the Phillies home-field advantage. That's what I'm hoping for."
The Phillies have been baseball's second-best home team, going 34-15 at Citizens Bank Park. They're four games over .500 on the road. Milwaukee, which has the game's best home record at 33-14, is 13 games under .500 away from home.
In total, there are five teams currently in playoff position in the NL: the East-leading Phillies, the Wild Card-leading Braves, the West-leading Giants, and the Cardinals and Brewers, who are tied atop the Central. They're a combined 148-84 at home on the year, a winning percentage that would translate to 103 wins in 162 games. They're under .500 on the road, a combined 113-114.
If the regular season is at all predictive, the NL champion will likely be unusually glad to have last ups in the first game of the World Series.
"It was a nice way to start the series," said Giants and NL manager Bruce Bochy, "and it really benefits you. So that was part of the message, how important it was for us, and how important the game was; do it again for the National League champion. The guys did it, we played well, pitched well and had some big hits. "
Overall, in the short time that the All-Star Game has determined home field in the World Series, the teams with that advantage haven't particularly taken advantage. From 1982-2002, the last year of alternating home field in the World Series, the home team won 17 out of 20 Fall Classics. In the last eight years, with home field decided by the All-Star Game, the home club has gone 4-4.
That's the number that an American League club will likely look at. Besides, there are some very good road teams in the AL, with both the Red Sox and Yankees sporting better road records than any NL team. The Angels, one game out of first place in the AL West, have a better road record than home.
"I'm not disappointed," said Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis. "I kept the philosophy that we had to win on the road anyway. For us, we'll have to go into somebody else's place to play if we're in the World Series."
Still, there's no doubt you're better off in a seven-game series if you have Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 at your own ballpark. Ask the 2010 Giants and Rangers, after San Francisco jumped all over Texas for two convincing wins at home before the series shifted eastward. The series never looked the same after those first two games.
"You can see last year, the Giants, they started at home against Cliff Lee, that's a huge difference," said Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.
Molina also experienced it firsthand in 2004, in the second year of the current setup. St. Louis gutted out a grueling seven-game win in the NL Championship Series against Houston, then started the World Series at Fenway Park less than 48 hours later.
It's not always the determining factor. But it's a lot nicer to have that edge than not to have it.
"I think that will go through my mind later a little more I think," said the Brewers' Prince Fielder, who was All-Star Most Valuable Player, "but right now, I'm enjoying the victory with the kids and seeing them here. As far as the home field advantage, it's great, because ... we play great at home. And if we are fortunate enough to get into the World Series, I think that would obviously it's going to help us a ton."
Now they just have to get there.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Obviously, You're Not a Golfer and follow him on Twitter at @MatthewHLeach. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Research Interests
Production medicine, epidemiology, and microbiology, my current research involves: a) Bovine lameness, metritis, and mastitis. b) Factors affecting reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. c) Estrous synchronization. d) The use of bacteriophages as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for bacterial infections of farm animals.
Ph.D. - 2008 College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Residency - 2005 College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cornell, Ambulatory and Production Medicine
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - 2002 School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania-GO – Brazil
Professional Society Memberships
American Society of Microbiology. 2008
Member of the Lameness Committee of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, 2006 to present.
American Association of Bovine Practitioners, 2006 to present.
American Dairy Science Association, 2002 to present.
Regional Council of Veterinary Medicine, Goiás – Brazil, March 2002 to present.


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After launching their FilmFellas webisodic series in January 2009, which features a revolving cast of influential and emerging filmmakers, Zacuto Films announces the release of five new webisodes to their webisodic fall line-up of shows. Premiering November 4th, FilmFellas Cast 6 "The DP Edition" will represent an eclectic mix of cinematographers from the independent film scene: Robert Primes, ASC (Quantum Leap, Thirty Something), Trent Opaloch (District 9), London Based DP Philip Bloom (If I were Prime Minister) and first time host Jens Bogehegn, Cinematographer and Producer of FilmFellas/critics.
By bringing together cinematographers from all spectrums of the independent film industry, FilmFellas Cast 6 covers cinematography from a unique set of perspectives and diverse points-of-view. "On the one hand," says Steve Weiss, Director of FilmFellas/critics, "you have Bob Primes, ASC, representing the traditional Hollywood film industry. On the other hand, you have Trent Opaloch, mostly a commercial director, but with his runaway hit District 9. Next, you have Philip Bloom, a London based independent cinematographer, who represents the entire indie movement on the Internet." Rounding out the round table discussion is first time host Jens Bogehegn, who brings to the table 27 years of shooting experience in the commercial and corporate arena.
The dynamics of such an award winning cast of major players promises to bring forth lively round table discussions covering such topics as: creative freedom, the art of collaboration, maintaining the vision/direction of the film, the challenging DP/Director relationship, and more. Toward the end of the series, the FilmFellas cast of DPs dive into an intense debate surrounding cutting edge techniques in cinematography and discuss in detail, the emerging "game changers," such as the new breed of DSLR Cameras (Canon 5DMKII and 7D). Trent Opaloch shares his thoughts, "I think I have a new appreciation for some of the new HD capable DSLR cameras out there right now and I'm looking forward to exploring that technology." Zacuto Films will release the first webisode of FilmFellas Cast 6: Cinematography on November 4, 2009.
"Man, sitting with Trent Opaloch, Philip Bloom and Jens Bogehegn made me feel young! If that isn't the bleeding cutting edge of cinematography today, I don't know where it is." ~ Robert Primes ASC
ABOUT ZACUTO FILMS"As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a filmmaker." Wanting to come full circle and get back to their roots of creating original content, In December 2008, film/video veterans Steve Weiss and Jens Bogehegn created their first Webisodic Series: FilmFellas which offers viewers a behind the scenes peek into the minds of influential and emerging filmmakers...where talking film is the family business. In August 2009, Steve Weiss, Director of FilmFellas, and Philip Bloom, a London based Cinematographer, come together as dueling co-hosts to candidly critique web based video content. [ critics ] offering an eclectic mix of personalities, perspectives and laughter. For a complete schedule of Zacuto Films Programming, visit www.zacuto.com.


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Beimel chooses to return home to Pirates
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
Beimel isn't guaranteed a spot on the Major League roster with this deal, but he will arrive in Spring Training expected to solidify a spot in the Bucs' Opening Day bullpen.
"It would probably be like the [D.J.] Carrasco situation last year, where there is every expectation in the world that he's going to make our club," general manager Neal Huntington said of Beimel's chances to stick. "But he still has to go out and perform. Anything we can do to increase the depth of our bullpen is a good situation."
Pittsburgh's bullpen still has some holes, but one of the most glaring had been the absence of an experienced left-handed reliever.
Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson were both added to the 40-man roster this offseason, but neither has any Major League experience. Those two, along with non-roster invitee Justin Thomas, had been the only lefties with a realistic chance of helping the Pirates right out of camp.
With Beimel, 33, now signed, the Bucs have some insurance in case the young left-handers are not ready to step into critical relief roles right away.
A 10-year veteran, Beimel returns to a city that he is plenty familiar with. After growing up in St. Marys, Pa., Beimel pitched for Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The Pirates drafted him in the 18th round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, and Beimel made his Major League debut with the organization in 2001.
Beimel was released after pitching three seasons for the Pirates and has made stops with five other clubs since. He was most recently with the Rockies, who were among the clubs interested in signing the free agent this offseason.
In 71 appearances last year for Colorado, Beimel posted a 3.40 ERA. He held left-handed hitters to a .221 batting average, but the Pirates don't anticipate using him solely to match-up against lefties. Though Beimel allowed right-handers to hit .329 against him in 2010, he's kept them to a .288 average over the course of his career.
"We're not really equipped to have a one-hitter left-handed reliever," Huntington said. "He has the weapons to do OK against right-handed hitters."
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Kiselya Plewe and Kaitlyn Howerton have golfed since they could hold clubs.
The two Dolores High School students were ecstatic when the Dolores School Board of Education agreed to add a girls golf team to the list of sports offered at the high school.
It was really exciting, Plewe said.
Plewe has been golfing in competitions since she was 8 years old. The freshman already has her sights set on a scholarship.
She told the board that if the school didnt offer golf, then she would have to travel and play for the nearest girls golf team, which is in Durango.
A few male students, including Kiselya Plewes brother, that attend DHS already golf for the Montezuma-Cortez High School team, but M-CHS doesnt offer girls golf. The Dolores School Board said they did not plan to offer boys golf.
The board pledged $2,000 to get the team started, which will begin in the spring.
The idea we had is to try to create more athletic opportunities for girls, said Dolores School District Superintendent Scott Cooper. Weve been heavy with the boy sports over the years.
Monica Plewe, a big supporter of the program, said that the sport can be open at any level.
There is no experience necessary, she said. This is a lifelong sport.
Her daughter, Kiselya, said it is a great sport.
Its challenging and fun, she said. You need to be really, really mentally tough and you have to be in good shape, because you walk a lot.
Monica Plewe said she was thankful to Micah Rudosky, the Conquistador Golf Course club professional and M-CHS boys golf coach, for offering the DHS girls team to practice at the Cortez course.
Monica Plewe said about five girls are interested in playing and she hopes for more this spring, because students from other schools in the area can choose to sign up.
For more information on the girls golf team, call DHS and leave a message for Monica Plewe at 882-7288. In addition, Conquistador Golf Course will host a fundraiser tournament for the DHS girls golf team next Saturday. Those that wish to participate in the tournament, can call the golf course pro shop at 565-9208.


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|Topic: It Was the Best Change That Ever Happened to Me
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| Topic: It Was the Best Change That Ever Happened to Me
Posted: 07 September 2012 at 4:11am
American Teen Finds Islam Through Online Test
It Was the Best Change That Ever Happened to Me
(2 votes, average 5.00 out of 5)
By Reading Islam Staff
Sunday, 08 July 2012 00:00
I started reading about the basic principles of the faith, restrictions, what I had to do, and stuff, and I found myself in agreement.
My name is William and I converted to Islam about a year ago.
I was born in Dallas, Texas into a Christian family, and I grew up in a neighborhood that was almost completely white, upper class and upper middle class as well. And it was really sheltered.
My family wasnt exactly what you call ultra-religious as what is the stereotype with many people in Texas. We were just a typical moderately religious Christian family.The only trouble was that I was born with autism. So my social functioning was quite awkward. So I didnt fit into the society around me. Im not saying I was a loner or like a complete outcast, I mean I had my friends but just I wasnt overly popular. I wasnt overly focused on social aspects. I mean at that time I was so young, I only cared about video games more than religion. To me the idea that Im going to heaven just because I believe in Jesus Christ sounded like a very good idea; thats pretty cool, lets play video games for my whole life and then go to heaven, thats all I had to do.
Searching for the Truth
Now the thing was though that even from that young age there were facts of Christianity I rejected, like God is God, He doesnt have to do that. So that was probably my only real criticism at that time but again I really didnt care.
I think the only other time I did have some sort of problem within the religion was when they first brought up the subject of the holy trinity when I was eleven at the time. What they explained was that its three parts separate but one. Now to me that didnt make any sense. OK I thought we have one God not three. To me that was polytheism; to me that was unimaginable, so I just rejected the notion outright.
But then once I started getting to the high school, I started becoming a little bit more concerned with what is really going on in the world. I started getting into politics and then I started really exploring my religion. Now I rejected the notion of being a protestant outright. The problem was that there was no specific Christian sect I agreed with.
I had been exposed to other religions at the time through my mum. Since we have gone through divorce that was quite traumatizing she has been forced to look for alternative spiritual means. So by the time I realized I really need to find my niche to get into. My mum recommended me to take this test online that recommend which religion you belong to or you most closely match up to. So I took it, and I was quite surprised to find out that Islam was number 2 on the list, about 98% percent compatibility. Number 1 was Orthodox Judaism.
Now although I did have interest in Judaism at the time, I really didnt see it that interesting as Islam. For me, Islam was like, to typically say, foreign to me. Im like thinking Oh, it looks quite interesting. So I started looking into Islam. I looked it up on Wikipedia. I started reading about the basic principles of the faith, restrictions, what I had to do, and stuff, and I found myself in agreement. I thought this makes a lot of sense and I agree with this, and it seems very plausible.
I believed that Jesus rather than being the son of God and not even God, he was just a teacher, an important teacher to take from. So the notion of Jesus being a prophet who is basically a teacher of God really wasnt that foreign to me. It was something like I had already believed in.
At that point I decided to pick up a Quran. So I picked it up and I started reading it. I read it like this is amazing. This is something that explains everything that I have been looking for and Im in a total agreement with this, so I want to become a Muslim now.
So I decided to take Shahadah when I got into up here to school. I didnt know a single masjid (mosque) in Dallas. Plus it was just more convenient to take it up here. There was a mosque right by the school. So therefore I can just walk down in my spare time and take Shahadah.
So I told my parents what I decided to, and they didnt have a problem with it. They were in the medical field and therefore they had exposure to Islam they had exposure to other ethnicities and religions as well. So they were quite tolerant people.
The prospect of me becoming engrossed in religion, they liked that idea just because they thought it would help me become more loving and more compassionate with people. At the time I was kind of misanthrope before. So they were more than eager to see me take up a religion.
I first learned the Arabic script from a friend of mine at the mosque. He used to be a teacher so somehow he was able to teach me in an hour what I couldnt teach myself over the summer. So I was able to master it by reading a duaas in a particular book titled (Hisn Al-Muslim) and by doing those multiple times a day I was able to get a reading speed similar to that of English.
I was able to master the Tajweed (Quran recitation) through an IPhone app that has embedded text and the Tajweed, and by listening to it over and over I can get the rhythm and the pronunciation right.
I have to say the main thing that changed about me when I converted to Islam would be that I enjoyed helping people a lot more. I care about people much deeper than I did before. Before, I tended to be somewhat of misanthrope, Im not saying like a people hater but I tended not to trust people. I tended to be more introverted. I was more selfish as well. So since I converted to Islam I just learned to love people and Ive learned to care for them and help them. And I get pleasure out of helping them as well, so for me I think it was the best change that ever happened.
Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
Qur'an 55:13
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|Posted: 08 September 2012 at 5:14pm
You know William, I found reading your story very inspiring especially about how you were living in a white upper class and upper middle class neighborhood. You learning Arabic script and mastering Tajweed tells me you are a person of principle and someone I would like to learn from in the future. I get a good vibe from reading about how you progressed.
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text:
We Got Next: Signs That These Other Celebs Are Probably Hiding A Gut Full Of Baby To Be
Which of these celebs do you think will be the next to put their baby news on blast?
Celebrity Couples Who Might Be Expecting Children Soon
Baby bump fever is running wild in Hollyweird.
From Blue Ivy being born at the beginning of this year, to Amber and Wiz waiting on the arrival of their Taylor Gang tot, to Dutchess Kate Middleton and Prince William's lil royal-oat-to-be and now baby KimYe set to arrive on the scene sometime in the next 7 months….it's becoming a baby-baller fiasco in the world of the rich and famous.
Celebs have gotten into the habit of waiting until the "right time" to share the news of their growing gut full, but there's always semi-obvious signs that kind of give it away to the public before they get the chance to officially announce it.
Let's take a look at a few couples who wouldn't surprise us if they came out next and said they had a mini-me on the way.
Evelyn and Chad
Despite being divorced, these two don't even seem like they ever really broke up. They also had eggs and sperm frozen for one day down the road…plus, Ev's biological clock is ticking and Chad will need a reason for her to have to say in his life
when if he dirty-dogs her again. Baby in 5, 4, 3, 2….
Diddy and Cassie
She's gotta do something to keep his hand out of the cookie jar. Not that a baby is guaranteed to work, though, since he's already got 6 of those and has still never been married. But she's picked up a lil baby fat in all the usual places and even upgraded to the main chick….plus she's never seen slizzard at any of Diddy's bottle poppin bashes. Baby diddy bop is coming soon for sure..if not already present..
Khloe and Lamar
These two have been trying to have a baby together for what seems like forever. Everybody else is having luck, so there's no reason why they can't be next.
Beyonce and Jay-Z
Let's face…Hov isn't getting any younger. Plus, she did a pretty good job of hiding her first pregnancy by kicking her workload into overdrive so much that people stopped assuming they were even trying for a baby. And then….BOOM. Sound familiar?
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
Now that Justin has put a ring on Jessica and her "nice cakes," he's getting goodies on the regular…and you know what that means..
Chris Brown and Rihanna
These two broke up for almost four years, dated other people, dissed each other in public….and STILL got back together. It's clear they can't get enough…they can barely even keep off of each other in public. Baby Chrianna can't be too far off, if not growing already..
Continue Slideshow
Keri Hilson and Serge Ibaka
Keri has been dodging baby rumors left and right since she fell off the music scene a couple of years ago. Plus she's been looking awfully cozy with her baller boo lately… a lil miss Keri baby might be on the way for sure.
More Stories From Bossip


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Larry Brown is the most hyped, over-rated coach in the NBA. His only loyality is to his bank account, just ask the Pistons owner. Brown had a chance to resign, but instead he just said he would return, when EVERYONE knew he was not going to go back and coach the Pistons. So the owner of the Pistons had to pay him a crazy amount of money. Even though he commented how the Knicks was his dream job during his last season and how he was thinking about becoming the Cavs VP during the Playoffs.
He then comes to the Knicks who have a young team and a great deal of draft picks coming. Three young cats came in the last draft and they all saw their minutes go up and down throughout the year. David Lee really played hard but he would go games being deactivated. Now this draft 2006, the Knicks have picks at 20, 29.
Larry Brown basically pulled the sheets over the eyes of the Knicks and he came there and caused serious problems througout the season. Suck it up and coach the f'n team! Instead he would cry to the press about the teams shortcomings. He traded Arriza who to me was a good young player for another PG when they already have Marbury, Robinson and Crawford. That trade made no sense to me!
Larry Brown should go and the Knicks should try to keep as much money as possible. The Knicks need a coach who is good with players and lets the players run! This team can run, but Brown does not let them. Brown micro-manages more than any other Coach in the NBA. He yanks players so quickly so how can a player feel comfortable! He also had how many different starting lineups?
Larry Brown is OVER-RATED and OVER-HYPED!


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Numerous studies and real-life examples have shown that texting while driving is both stupid and dangerous.
But other attention-grabbers are even deadlier than thumb-tapping messages: fantasizing about a hot barista or imagining what your dream job would be. A new study has found that daydreaming is responsible for more traffic fatalities than any other distraction.
The Erie Insurance Group discovered that drivers "lost in thought" were five times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than ones using an electronic gadget.
It found that in fatal crashes attributed to distracted drivers, 62 percent were the result of someone daydreaming compared with 12 percent linked to phone use.
What do you think about this study?


text: Art for Ada. Ada is a foster we found on the side of the road approximately three weeks ago. Unfortunately, no owners were ever found and Ada needs heartworm treatment and a spay, which will come to about $400-$450 for the HW treatment plus the spay. In order to raise the money, I am selling custom pet and character artwork. Ada is a great young dog who is otherwise healthy and well balanced. She deserves to get a new start at life. All my art is traditionally done with various mediums and will be shipped to you. I am open to drawing both pet and characters/fantasy art. I really enjoy both types of art and am open to anything you can come up with. However, I won't do realistic human portraits at this time because I just am not skilled enough at them yet. For $10 donations, you can receive a 9 x 12†inked sketch of your pet done in micron brush pen on bristol paper. EX: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/emla_259/art3.jpg For $20 donation, you will get an inked sketch with some color. These are done with micron pens and derwent watercolor pencils on 9 x 12†bristol. Ex: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/emla_259/artdekka1-1.png For $50, you can get one of your choice of the following: 1) A simple pencil sketch. These are done in primarily HB and ebony pencil on 9 x 12†bristol. Pencil is fantastic for capturing detail and texture. It is simply a classic drawing. ex: Rylie by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART SummerPapillon's deviantART Gallery 2) A simple charcoal sketch. These are done with General's vine charcoal and charcoal pencils on 11 x 14†bristol. Charcoal provides a lot of expressive qualities to a piece as well as being able to maintain realism. Ex: SummerPapillon's deviantART Gallery Or cartoony type: SummerPapillon's deviantART Gallery 3) A small mixed media painting done on 11 x 14†smooth or textured watercolor paper. These fun paintings are done with microns, watercolors, and prismacolor colored pencils. They provide an illustrative quality to these types of drawings. Ex: SummerPapillon's deviantART Gallery SummerPapillon's deviantART Gallery 4) Or a small colored pencil drawing done with prismacolors on either 9 x 12†bristol or colored paper or parchment (your choice, though I recommend the colored backgrounds personally). These pieces are a bit more cartoony yet still very detailed and beautiful. Ex: parchment: Loss of a Hero by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART Medicine Hat by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART colored paper: Nyx by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART bristol: Tosca and Riot by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART For $100, you will receive a detailed charcoal drawing on illustration board. (I need to measure the board but it's bigger than 11 x 14). The difference between this and the $50 charcoal sketches is simply time and detail. These are my most detailed, time consuming, and realistic pieces and are very high quality drawings. unfinished example: http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4879/horsie.png Mom's portrait WIP by ~SummerPapillon on deviantART I will not require any payment up front until the initial sketch is approved by you. Once you are happy with the sketch, I would ask for at least half the payment at that time. The rest being done on completion. I will send out in progress pics as I work. When inquiring, please include what type of piece you are interested in as well as reference photos and any specifics you want. They will be first come first serve, though I will probably keep more simple sketches and colors open than the more complex pieces. I will probably only have 3 or 4 of the harder pieces going at once, however if you're interested still let me know! I will let you know when a spot opens up. If you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to ask me. I take paypal and money order. In the future I am in the process of setting up a website and will be offering my art in the future. However, they will likely be at a slightly higher price than they're being offered now (to include shipping and materials fees). I will also eventually be offering more complex pieces such as human portraiture, watercolors, and paintings on canvas. I will keep you updated. If I forgot anything, let me know. I typed this all up once then my internet went down. I hope I covered it all again lol.


text:
Dean speed, sustain and tone - for an amazing price.
The Dean MLX guitar features a Basswood body, 24 3/4" scale maple neck with 22 frets, Grover tuners, chrome hardware, Zebra pickups, Tune-O-Matic bridge, bolt-on construction, dot inlays, and more!
Basswood Body
24-3/4" Scale & 1-11/16" Nut
Grover Tuners
Chrome Hardware
Zebra Pickups
Tune-O-Matic Bridge
Bolt-on Construction
Maple Neck
Dot Inlays
22 Frets
Crank it up - order today!
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 15 customers
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Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
Wow! I have had the Dean ML for almost nine months now-it has made me a true Dean loyalist! The neck is smooth and slick, the body shape is surprisingly comfortable, and it looks like a killer (which it is!). For a guitarist that wants serious brutality in his sound, he need look no further than the Dean MLX!
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
This guitar is absolutely amazing, truly impressive, regardless of the price tag. It has Grover tuners, Zebra Humbuckers, a well built body, a sleek neck, and it looks great! I can barely let it out of reach! It has a big body, so if you're used to a strat or les paul, this is a huge change, but you knew that already. Looks keep getting better. I would recommend this guitar to anybody, beginner to Pro.
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
I do not know even what to say. This is one of the best guitars ever made, in my opinion. Poor Darrel, from Pantera, was very intuitive about Dean and this intuition was unmistakable. I do not want to offend any other guitar companies, but in my opinion, Dean is one of the best for metal and rock music. So if anybody wants to enjoy a good sound a cool shape and a good feeling, I strongly recommend this guitar to everybody. Play hard!
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
Its the best guitar I have ever played and trust me i have played 'em all there is nothing bad to say about it and you definitely know it when you get it. With its sweet comfy body and screamin pickups that make you squeal like a little pig. Best word of it all GET IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
yea great guitar for people who are looking for something a little better then a krapy Squier or something but dont want to send so much money. good guitar sounds great really crunchy. great for metal. but still good for other stuff. so if your looking for a good guitar at a low price this is perfect. RIP DIMEBAG.
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
I recieved this guitar last night. I knew it would be good but man, it's great. I had planed on putting a dimebucker on it but I'm not sure it will need it. The only problem I have is it takes forever to figure out the knobs, but other than that, its a bad Azz guitar. So, if you wanted a dimebag and youve lacked the $$$, get this, you wont regret it.
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
Well, this is my first DEAN Guitar, I bought it from Music123 arrives 5 days later to my hands...I still have no words to describe...But for sure, for now one Only DEAN, unfortunately in Portugal there are no stores selling this awesome guitar. This is a good guitar ( Price/Money ), probably the best in the market. So I advice anyone to buy this beauty.DIME R.I.P Brother
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
This guitar has more shine.I recommend putting furniture polish on the neck and strings to make your fingers slide better. Overall its a very nice guitar for a cheap price. I also recommend buying the ML case with it because it comes $10 cheaper!
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
I played this beast many times before I bought it, and after Dimebag was shot I made a choice to purchase it. I am SO glad I did.I won't get into the specs and tone and everything, but the guitar has a feel that I am in love with, when I first brought it home my body surged with an amazing rush that can only be described as euphoric!One problem I did have though is there were a few burrs on the bridge, but I fixed that no problem.
Comments about Dean MLX Electric Guitar:
This is the best guitar I have ever owned. I am a big Dimebag Darrell fan and if you want a Dimebag sound without buying a signature guitar, buy this! If you want to bring the dime out in it put a Dimebucker in the bridge and some Ernie ball super slinky or GHS strings on it. Worth more than I bought it for!
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E-mail basics meet new tricks
Integrating e-mail messages with social media is one of the ideas generating the most interest among e-mail marketers right now, but so is a return to basics — old standbys like relevant messaging. E-mail marketers are combining these old and new tricks to stand out in the ever-crowded inbox.
Roberta Borst, director of integrated marketing communications with insurance company, Allstate, said "leveraging e-mail in the social media world," is the next big thing.
"Some marketers are encouraging sharing e-mails, often with compelling offers, with an individual's network," she says.
Embedding video in e-mails, Borst adds, is also growing in interest, though that is still a tricky process: "The emergence of rich video in e-mails will happen when marketers fully understand e-mail clients, their preferences and relevance. Videos in e-mails are also tricky to deliver and sometimes tricky to view depending on the device being used."
Steve Wages, e-mail marketing manager at outdoor apparel retailer Patagonia, says his company would love to put videos in its e-mail messages, but instead settles for animated GIFs "to give a sense of motion," or a picture of a video that links to an actual player. Putting actual video files in the e-mail is still too bulky, he says, and often lands a marketer in the spam filter.
Instead, like a lot of marketers, Patagonia is focusing on relevance. This is something it has struggled with in the past, because each of its e-mails center on a "story" with limited space where customizable information can be inserted.
"There is probably some downside to not having that level of customization in terms of open rates," he said. "We've seen for a long time that relevance is what's driving open and click-through rates."
Patagonia is also moving forward with social networking capabilities. "We've started adding links to Twitter and Facebook," Wages says.
Jenni Fox, e-mail publications manager at Miles Media, a publisher of electronic newsletters for tourism companies, relies heavily on the medium for business and is always looking for ways to extend the reach of e-mail messages. When e-mail service provider Silverpop told her in October about a new product called Share-to-Social that would allow recipients to post the contents of an e-mail message directly to their social network of choice, the timing was perfect.
"We actually had just started to explore social media and what we could do with it," says Fox.
In the next edition of its Visit Florida e-mail, Miles Media included a small line that read, "Share this on: Facebook,
MySpace, Digg, Twitter." The results were not great at first glance — out of 174,000 recipients, 46 clicked on one of the four options. But even that minuscule success rate (.002%) hinted at huge, untapped potential.
"It's a very small number, but many more people are seeing it from there," she says, referring to the Facebook friends and Twitter followers of the 46 people who used the share-to-social option.
Less than a year later, Fox adds, Share-to-Social has become a regular feature of its e-mail campaigns, and for every e-mail message that goes out, the share rate is increasing dramatically.
Extending the reach of e-mail messages is an intriguing idea to nearly all marketers these days, and not just because they are curious about the potential of social media as a marketing tool. As the economic downturn enters its second year, e-mail marketing remains on a significant upswing as marketers seek to do more with less. It's an affordable, highly targeted channel with almost no start-up costs, and it hits consumers where they spend most of their time online: right in the inbox.
"We're seeing many more marketers rallying around the channel as opposed to direct mail and some of the other offline media channels," says David Daniels, an analyst with Forrester Research. "It's one of those tools that for a marketing channel is rather resilient in good times and bad. E-mail is still the number one reason consumers connect to the Internet every day."


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Appeals Court Hears NLRB Recess Appointments Case
What does it mean for the Senate to be in recess? Today, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals was challenged to figure that out.
This stems from President Obama bypassing the Senate in appointing three nominees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Wall Street Journal sets it up:
[I]n January Mr. Obama named three new members of the National Labor Relations Board along with Richard Cordray as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when the Senate wasn't in recess. While Congress was conducting pro forma sessions, Mr. Obama pulled this end run around the Senate's advice and consent power.
In Noel Canning v. NLRB, a Washington state Pepsi bottler claims that the NLRB lacked a three-member quorum when it decided a labor case because the recess appointments were illegitimate. In order for the President to make a recess appointment, the Senate must adjourn, and under Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution neither house of Congress can adjourn for more than three days without the other's permission.
On January 4, the day Mr. Obama packed the NLRB, Congress considered itself to be in session. But the White House claimed the pro forma session didn't count because the Senate wasn't really available to do confirmations except by unanimous consent.
The editorial crushes this argument:
The Senate happens to do much of its business by unanimous consent, including confirmations of executive branch employees and even federal judges, including (then attorney and now Chief Justice) John Roberts's 2003 confirmation to the D.C. Circuit. Mr. Obama himself has signed legislation passed during pro forma sessions, including the Senate's 2011 payroll tax extender and the Airport and Airway Extension Act.
The U.S. Chamber along with the Coalition for a Democratic Workforce filed a brief in Noel Canning v. NLRB and argued before the court that because the recess appointments weren't "legally effective" the NLRB "lacks the statutorily required quorum of at least three members to adjudicate disputes and issue rules."
From a practical standpoint, these constitutionally questionable appointments have weakened the NLRB and created another level of uncertainty for both employers and employees. The Board has issued around 200 decisions and those will have to be revisited if the appointments are ruled invalid. It's best that this question be resolved now rather than wait for more decisions that could later have to be revisited.
Gary Lofland, a Washington-based lawyer with thirty years of expertise handling labor and employment matters, was a member of the legal team representing the Noel Canning Corp., the bottling company who brought the challenge to the recess appointments with the U.S. Chamber's support. Lofland tells us that the uncertainty about the NLRB's authority to issue rulings has a particularly profound and negative effect on small and mid-size corporations. According to Lofland:
Small businesses often face labor disputes that could potentially threaten their ability to continue doing business. They deserve to know whether the body adjudicating their decisions has the authority to do so. They can't afford to wait years to know whether a decision by the board – good or bad – has any legal force.
Hopefully the court will conclude that words mean things, and the President can only use his recess appointment power only when the Senate actually is in recess.
NOTE: Gary Lofland's quote was added as an update to this post.