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Summoning Contract
Summoning Animal: Pandas
Scroll Owner: Scorps
Other Users who have signed contract: Wesobi
Summoning Boss if existing: Myoushu
Other Summoning Animals tied to contract: Shiroi, Kuroi and Ayaui no Maria
Description and Background:
Pandas are very wise and ancient beings, having lived for centuries in seclusion and meditation. Derived from Bears, they long abandoned their predatory instincts and habits, adopting a more peaceful and nature friendly attitude. Although they strive for peace, they are also known as being fierce warriors of great might and power.
Pandas generally move around in a humanoid stance, supporting themselves in their hind legs and using their front paws as hands but can also run and move about in all fours. They all possess great physical strength and are excellent hand to hand fighters, using their strength to compensate their below average speed. As creatures in tune with nature, their elemental affinities varies, but as earthen creatures they generally tend to be more adept with Fire and Earth. The high panda sages have been known to master a wide varieties of special skills and arts only known to the most powerful and lucky chosen ones.
Requires Bio to have Summoning Tattoo:


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There are more than 1200 billionaires in the world. They have absolutely an insane amount of money. It is true that the number of billionaires is increasing. It is also true that six million children die of hunger every year.
Every five seconds one child dies of hunger.
There are more hungry people in the world than the combined populations of USA, Canada, and the European Union. 925 million people do not have enough to eat and 98 percent of them live in developing countries. 578 million in Asia and the Pacific, 239 million in Sub-Saharan Africa, 53 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, 37 million in the Near East and North Africa, 19 million in developed countries.
There is enough food available to feed the entire global population of 7 billion people. But one in seven people go to bed hungry every night. Whereas good progress was made in reducing chronic hunger in the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s, hunger has been slowly rising.
There is a hunger map.
People somewhere starve to death, while we waste our food. Food waste always reminds me of the 'famous' picture of 'a starving Sudanese girl who collapsed on her way to a feeding center while a vulture waited nearby.' Kevin Carter, a free-lance photographer, took the picture in March 1993. He did not help the girl to reach the feeding center. She could have survived.The girl was probably eaten by the vulture. Critics said, 'The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering, might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene.' Kevin Carter got The Pulitzer Prize for this photograph.
The memories haunted him. In his suicide note he wrote "I am haunted by the vivid memories of killings and corpses and anger and pain … of starving or wounded children, of trigger-happy madmen".
Trigger-happy madmen are on the rise. If we reduce arms production just a little bit, we will be able to save big money, and we will be able to provide food, water, shelter, clothes, health, education for everyone. I doubt we will do it. We are just apes with slightly larger brains. We love to kill people. We do not care if people die of hunger. In India, parents adopt new methods to kill their baby girls. They do not feed girls, girls must die.

subset: commoncrawl


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A crystal angel to watch over you; represents September's birthstone.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and represents the values of truth, sincerity and commitment. This lovely crystal angel works equally well as a sun catcher or Christmas ornament. Hang it in your office or dorm room - it's especially beautiful when hanging in the window or in front of a light.Not boxed, instead it comes with a sheer organza gift bag.Recommended for indoor use.Woodstock Crystal Suncatchers - they do for light what our chimes do for sound. Click here for Crystal Suncatcher gift ideas


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6-18-2011 Safeco Field
After surviving yesterday I figured I'd come back for more. I actually didn't have a ticket for this game but yesterday while I was waiting on friends to arrive I was complaining about how I didn't have a ticket to Saturday's game and I also mentioned my charity. If you want to read about my charity all you have to do is click here. Anyway. So as I was complaining a nice guy at the front of the line told me he is a season ticket holder, and he had an extra ticket for tomorrows game. I quickly asked him what he wanted for it and we agreed on $20 dollars. That's a bargain price considering it was a premium game and all the cheap seats were sold out. Without hesitation I took the deal.
Twenty minutes before the gates opened this is the size of the crowd.
Once inside, everyone of course, was crammed onto the party deck. Toss-ups were out of the question so I immediatly left and took my spot at the stairs near the bullpen and patiently waited another 20 minutes to be allowed into the rest of the stadium. The only highlight I have to report is that Brandon League tried to hook up a fan that was calling for a baseball but missed it. I don't know how he missed it. It was thrown right to him. If it weren't for the huge hoards of people trying to inch their way passed everyone in line I would have stepped out of line and made the catch. But instead the guy wiffed it, and the ball ended up hitting some little girl in the side that was in front of me. She, of course, started crying. I'm not sure she was actually hurt or it just caught her off guard. And then all of a sudden some lady standing by said, "You know what? She should get that baseball." I have mixed feelings about these kinds of situations. That's all I'm going to say.
5:10pm. The stairs were opened up and it was a rat race for the best spot in the stadium to catch a baseball. I knew standing on the baselines wasn't going to work for me. Even if a foul ball was hit directly to me it would be hard to catch because so many hands, kids, gloves and whatever else would be going for it. So I wandered the rows for a little while looking for any overlooked baseballs, and then I took a comfy spot behind the manual scoreboard. If anything, I'd be able to glove trick a baseball out of there if someone were to drop a toss-up or boot a catch. And it wasn't long before that happened. A baseball came in and a fan reached out to make the catch and dropped it. Unfortunatly, the baseball landed here.
Sorry for the blurriness. That baseball was nearly impossible to get. But I did have a backup plan to get it. I'd just wait until the scorekeeper came out and I'd ask them for it. I could have tried to get it but I didn't want to risk it falling down underneath the scoreboard. Where the ball is sitting there is a small gap where the baseballs can fit and they fall down onto some walkway.
As I was taking pictures and trying to formulate a plan to get that baseball I looked further down behind the scoreboard and I spotted another baseball. It wasn't there before. Someone must have dropped it. I assembled my glove trick, and then arrogantly asked any other fans if they were going to attempt to get the baseball. Everyone sort of laughed, and I shrugged my shoulders and asked a fan near me if he minded that I tried. He laughed again, and asked, "Will you get kicked out if you jump down there?" It was my turn to laugh…
The baseball was positioned right at the end of that long board laying on the floor. If you didn't read about my glove trick incident at my last game attended, you should. Click here. Today I had a new and improved glove trick. No more of this easily breakable shoe string. I had boidegradable twine! Yes folks. That's right. Twine. It doesn't bind up, he doesn't knot up, and it's strong as an ox!
Once the Phillies came onto the field I tried really hard to get Cliff Lee to toss me a baseball. Unfortunatly, when he did, a crowd of teenaged kids were in front of me and when the baseball came close enough for me to catch it, it was easily deflected off of someones' glove. The ball fell down into the bullpen where a cop scooped it up and tossed it to the nearest kid. Boo! And remember the baseball that was sitting behind the scoreboard? Yeah, it was still there. But now I had competition. A young kid came down to wait on the ball too. Fortunatly for him, he had tickets to be seated in the left field bleachers. I didn't. So as soon as BP ended the security guards began their search to find people without tickets that were sitting in their sections. I had limited time. And then I finally gave up on the ball. The left field seats filled up fast, I was without a ticket, and securiy was extra tight. So I let the kid have the ball. I'm not sure if he got it or not but as I left the area five minutes before the game I saw the scorekeeper behind the scoreboard. Here's a picture of the kid waiting on the ball. Kudos to him for having patience of steel.
And here is a picture of how crowded the 'Pen area got.
The game was awesome though. Even though the Mariners lost 5-1, Dustin Ackley hit his first Major League home run. Which was pretty cool to see. So congratulations to Dustin on his first career jack. I also saw him hit his first Major League hit the day prior.
Game; June 18th 2011 Philadelphia Phillies vs Seattle Mariners
Gameballs; One
Attendance; 35,829
Snagging Baseballs for Puppies has raised; $97.15 this season.
Snagging Baseballs for Relief in Japan has raised; $33.40 this


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Gujarat Board
Haryana Board
Class 10
Class 12
Why is the edge of the nails made sharp?
Edge of nails is made sharp(less area) so that the object experiences more pressure. This makes easier for a person to penetrate the wood with the force of a hammer.
A charged body ____________ an uncharged body towards it.
To draw water from a well,we have to ____________ the rope.
Give two examples each of situations in which you push or pull to change the state of motion of objects.
Objects are pushed or pulled inorder to change it's state of motion.
Examples of push are:
1) We push a door to open it.
2) A football player kicks the ball and pushes it.
Examples of pull are:
1) We pull the desk to change its position.
2) The rope is pulled, to draw a bucket of water from a well.
Give two examples of situations in which applied force causes a change in the shape of an object.
The shape of an object can be changed due to applied force. For example:
1. When force is applied on a lump of dough on a plate.
2. The spring fitted under the seat of a bicycle gets compressed when you sit on the seat.
To move a loaded trolley we have to ____________ it.


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Pacific Southwest, Region 9: Superfund
Serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations
Beckman Instruments (Porterville Plant)
State: California(CA)
County: Tulare
City: Porterville
Congressional District: 21
Other Names:
Bulletin Board
On 10/13/17, this website will no longer be updated. Site information will be migrated to the new web page at: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/beckmaninstruments .
EPA appreciates your patience through this transition. If you have questions, please contact EPA staff listed below.
On this page
Description and History
NPL Listing History
NPL Status: Final
Proposed Date: 10/15/84
Final Date: 06/10/86
Deleted Date:
The Beckman Instruments (Porterville Plant) site covers approximately 50 acres in Porterville, California. The plant itself occupies 12 acres. The company has manufactured printed circuit boards and electronic instrument parts at the facility since 1968. Wastes generated from these operations included solvents, acid solutions, and heavy metals. From 1974 until 1983, these wastes were disposed of in an evaporation pond on site. This pond was the most likely source of groundwater contamination in the area surrounding the Beckman facility. In addition to the pond, three other areas where wastes were dumped include the former enchant tank area, the ammonium persulfate and copper waste discharge area (known as the soil stain area), and the depression area. Liquids from the pond were first detected in 1978 in a leak detection sump underlying the pond. Subsequent groundwater monitoring indicated the presence of elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals. Numerous residences are located near the site. In addition, Porterville College is located just east of the site, and downtown Porterville is located about a quarter of a mile north of the site. A municipal water supply well lies about 500 feet northwest of the facility. Approximately 475 people live within a mile of the plant and were affected by the contaminated groundwater until their homes were connected to municipal water.
Contaminants and Risks
Contaminated Media
- Groundwater
- Soil and Sludges
Contaminants Of Concerns (COC) are VOCs such as trichloroethylene (TCE), Freon-113, and 1,1-dichlorethylene (1,1-DCE). Lead contaminated the soil. People who accidentally ingest or come into direct contact with contaminated groundwater or soil may be at risk.
Who is Involved
This site is being addressed by Federal oversight of the responsible party's actions.
Initial Actions
Immediate Actions: In 1983, the pond liquids, liners, and surface soils were removed and disposed of in an EPA-approved facility. Beckman installed groundwater monitoring wells and provided alternate water supplies to about 300 residences affected by the contamination. Between 1983 and 1985, the company connected over 150 of the affected residences to the Porterville municipal water supply system. In 1985, Beckman installed a groundwater pump and treat system to stop the westward spread of contaminants in the upper aquifer and to begin cleaning the groundwater. These activities helped to slow, and eventually halt, the migration of the contaminant plume. In 1987, an eastern containment and reclamation well field was installed. By January 1990, groundwater cleanup standards were achieved in the upper aquifer.
Cleanup Ongoing
In 1989, the EPA selected a remedy to clean up the soils and lower aquifer areas of the Beckman Instruments site by extracting the contaminated groundwater, treating the groundwater by air stripping to remove the contaminants, releasing the treated groundwater into the aquifer, and excavating the lead-contaminated soil and disposing of it in an EPA-approved facility.
Cleanup Ongoing
The ROD remedy for soil and groundwater was carried out from 1991 to 1999 when cleanup goals were reached in most of the upper aquitard and lower aquifer groundwater. Small, localized areas of the upper aquitard and lower aquifer remained above the cleanup goal for 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) of 6 micrograms/liter. A focused operation of pump and treat system in areas failed to show progress toward achieving the cleanup goal due to the inability to accelerate contaminant removal from the upper aquitard. In September 2003, EPA conducted a five-year review of the site remedy. EPA concluded that these small remaining areas could not be cleaned up with the conventional pump and treat at a reasonable cost.
EPA amended the ROD in September 2005 with monitored natural attenuation, the new cleanup remedy.
Under EPA oversight, Beckman installed four new monitoring wells in August 2006 and began monitoring. In September 2013, EPA conducted the fourth five-year review of the site and determined that the MNA remedy is protective of human health and the environment. Concentrations of 1,1-DCE in the groundwater continue to decline.
Cleanup Results to Date
All construction at the site is complete. The pump and treat system operating at the Beckman Instruments site was effective in reducing the levels of contamination in the groundwater. Cleanup standards for the upper aquifer have been achieved. The soils contaminated with lead have been removed from the site, eliminating the potential for direct exposure to hazardous materials at the site. Cleanup standards for the lower aquifer have not been met and natural attenuation will continue until established drinking water standards are met.
Potentially Responsible Parties
Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) refers to companies that are potentially responsible for generating, transporting, or disposing of the hazardous waste found at the site.
Beckman-Coulter, Inc. is the sole RP for this Site.
Documents and Reports
Public Information Repositories
The public information repositories for the site are at the following locations:
Porterville Public Library
41 West Thurman Avenue
Porterville, CA 93257
The most complete collection of documents is the official EPA site file, maintained at the following location:
Superfund Records Center
Mail Stop SFD-7C
95 Hawthorne Street, Room 403
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 820-4700
Enter main lobby of 75 Hawthorne street, go to 4th floor of South Wing Annex.
EPA Site Manager
Mail Code SFD
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
Mail Code SFD
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Public Information Center
State Contact
PRP Contact
Community Contact
Other Contacts
After Hours (Emergency Response)


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Carly sings praises of second baby
Carly Cole said she will not try to be "the perfect mum" second time round after giving birth to son Harrison.
The wife of Liverpool footballer Joe Cole gave birth last month and said she loves being a mum to two-and-a-half year old Ruby and the new arrival - already known as Harry.
She told Hello! Magazine: "Sometimes I wake up and I still can't quite believe it, that I have these two beautiful children."
Cole, who starred in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in 2008, said she and Joe immediately fell in love with their new baby.
She said: "Joe said when he was born, he took one look at him and thought 'You're going to be able to take care of yourself just fine'. He's so strong as soon as he came out he was trying to lift his little head. I think he's going to be inquisitive, like his big sister and if he's got even half her energy, I'm going to be on the go all the time."
Cole admitted to hiring a sleep expert to help after a string of sleepless nights with Ruby, saying: "With Ruby, I was so desperate to be the perfect mum, I ended up getting so stressed and slipping into bad habits and that wasn't good for any of us.
"I didn't want to admit I was struggling because I thought that would mean I'd failed. But Ruby being up all night was having such a bad effect on me and on mine and Joe's relationship - we were snapping at one another and it was making me so miserable."


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Chapter 20: Politics and the State (1876-1900)
Study Plan
Consider the following questions as a framework to begin your study of Chapter 20:
- What were the most distinctive characteristics of city politics in this period?
- In what ways were state governments the "laboratories of democracy"?
- What were the major insurgent political movements of the time?
- What were the major political issues at the national level?
- How did the courts respond to the tensions of the new industrial society?
- How did the political landscape change after the 1896 elections?
- Read this chapter in your textbook or the eBook.
- Print-out the chapter outline and check items that your instructor covered in class. Then read the text closely to better understand the topic.
- Access the iMaps for this chapter. Use the menus to view only the information you want to see as you study the geography and historical events represented on each map. Then click the Print button and you will receive a blank map worksheet that you can re-label with the labels provided.
- Click the Chrono-Sequencer and match the dates and events.
- Master the key events and terms for this chapter by working through the deck of FlashCards. You
can even shuffle cards from earlier chapters if you're trying to study for a test.
- Take the Multiple Choice and True / False quizzes. You can mail the results to your instructor's Gradebook and keep track of your progress in your student Gradebook.
- Generate a Progress Report and fill out the items that you have completed thus far. This report can also be sent to your Gradebook or to your instructor.
Connect - Topics for Research
Each chapter has a cluster of multimedia materials related to three writing prompts or project suggestions. Here you will find audio and video files, documents, photographs and cartoons.
Access these Digital History materials and select a subject for further study, extra credit, or for a project requirement.
Every item is accompanied by a Media Analysis Worksheet. Worksheets are designed to be filled-out online as you examine the multimedia resources. Email your observations, expressions, and connections to your instructor, or save a copy in your own course portfolio.
Section Menu
Instructors now have an easy way to collect students' online quizzes with the Norton Gradebook without flooding their inboxes with e-mails.
Students can track their online quiz scores by setting up their own Student Gradebook.


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From what I remember the skins and snyder loooooved sanchez, I doubt they want to go with grossman again next year.
Pete must realize tavarius jackson is not the anwser and i am sure would love a reunion.
I think both teams would seriously consider it and are willing to overlook the INT's and say it was not their system.
Carol did not thinkk Sanchez was ready in the first place, he is not paying a dime, as for the skins, do not feel they will.
no team is going to pay high dollor (first or second round pick) for a QB with multiple question marks hanging over his head.
Skins could have a shot in the draft at RG III. I can't see them trading their 1.
OP like this are actually not even helpful speculation!!!
Say we trade Sanchez who is the QB of our team?
Do we draft a new QB well guess what we have another three to four year cycle of finding out whether that player can lead the successfully lead the team.
This isn't FANTASY FOOTBALL where you just plug players in like mindless zombies to do the bidding of their controler masters!!!!
Good Grief!!!
there is no trade market for Mark Sanchez
A first ROFL
Would they trade a high first round pick for a guy who was a bottom five QB this past year, is currently being criticized publically by teammates for myriad reasons, and is owed another $20 million over the next two years? Yeah, that sounds about right.
My guess if the Jets simply put him on the open market and said he's free, if you'll take on his salary there would be NO takers.
Jets want to get rid of Sanchez they'll have to cut him.


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Catch Me If You Can Tickets
Catch Me If You Can is one of the hottest new musicals on Broadway, which is no surprise considering the all-star creative team. The book was written by Terrence McNally (Ragtime, The Full Monty), the score was written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), it was choreographed Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde), and it was directed by Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). As if that weren't enough, the cast is stuffed with today's most talented performers. The charismatic lead character, Frank Abagnale, Jr., is played by Aaron Tveit (Next to Normal, Rent), one of the fastest-rising stars on Broadway. Determined Agent Carl Hanratty is played by Norbert Leo Butz, who originated the role of Fiyero in Wicked and won a Tony for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The cast also includes Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Hairspray) and Tom Wopat (Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun). With all this talent, tickets to Catch Me If You Can are definitely worth the price of admission! With a fascinating story (based on true events), a diverse list of catchy and memorable original songs, and a healthy dose of exciting production numbers, Catch Me If You Can is sure to deliver Broadway fans the satisfying experience of a traditional-style musical with a new twist. Get your Catch Me If You Can tickets today and fly away for fun!Plot Synopsis:
The story of Catch Me If You Can is very similar to that of the 2002 Leonardo DiCaprio/Tom Hanks movie of the same name. From boyhood, Frank Abagnale, Jr. is a fast-talking, smooth operator whose charm seems to always get him just where he wants to be, and he gets a kick out of putting people on ever since posing as his class's substitute French teacher. After pressures at home stemming from his parents' marital problems become too much for him to bear, he braves the world on his own. With a pocketful of forged checks to get him through, he poses as a pilot, a lawyer, and a doctor, always staying one step ahead of persistent FBI Agent Carl Hanratty. The cat-and-mouse game, the unusual relationship between the two leading men, and Frank's eventual relationship with nurse Brenda Strong take Frank on a wild ride through his extraordinary life. Will Frank ever be able to slow down, even for a chance at true love? Get your Catch Me If You Can tickets today and watch the story unfold.Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission Advisory: Although not a classic "family show," appropriate for all ages. Awards: 2011 Tony Awards: 4 nominations, 1 win 2011 Drama Desk Awards: 6 nominations Creative Team: Music/Lyrics Marc Shaiman Book Terrence McNally Lyrics Scott Wittman Cast: US Tour Frank Abagnale, Jr. Stephen Anthony Carl Hanratty Merritt David Janes Brenda Strong Aubrey Mae Davis Paula Abagnale Caitlin Maloney Carol Strong Amy Burgmaier Roger Strong D. Scott Withers Catch Me If You Can News: May 3, 2011 Tony nominations are out, and Catch Me If You Can was nominated for four, including a Best Actor nomination for Norbert Leo Butz. Congrats! April 10, 2011 After being in previews since March 1, Catch Me If You Can officially opened on Broadway!


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As more than 75,000 from around the country took to advocacy website Change.org to sign a petition insisting that a Florida high school remove the name of the man widely credited as the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, one local man is fighting to keep the name. He says he's fighting for history.
D.F. Buddy Harris, a 1977 alumnus of Nathan Bedford Forrest High School in Jacksonville, has started a petition of his own (at http://www.nbfhs.com/) to keep the school named after Forrest.
"It's obviously nothing near what the other folks have gotten, but we're doing what we can," Harris told the Daily World.
He launched his petition a little more than a week ago on a website he maintains for friends and alumni of the school. He says that those calling for a name change ignore the full history of Forrest's life.
"[Forrest] did have initial association with the group, but got out as soon as it started getting…I guess you could say bad. Let's call it that," said Harris. "I don't know if maybe there's some different intent [for changing the school's name]. You can say one thing, but the real agenda is something different. I just don't think it would be a good thing to try and erase history."
The Change.org petition seeking to change the school's name was started by Omotayo "Ty" Richmond, a father and resident of Jacksonville who contends that it's inappropriate for children like his daughter, who may one day attend the school, to take classes at an institution that honors a KKK leader and slave trader.
Richmond said he launched the campaign when he learned that more than half of the students at the high school are African American.
"Jacksonville is where I call home, and it's where I'm raising my daughter," he said. "The KKK is a symbol of racism and I don't think my daughter, or any student, should have to attend a school that honors the Klan's first Grand Wizard. There are many former and current students who agree with me and are signing my petition. This is a community issue, and we're showing that the community is ready for change."
Richmond's petition called for signers to leave comments explaining why they supported the name change and many have. Jacksonville native Vanessa W. wrote:
"There is so much power in a name and, unfortunately, the potency in Nathan B Forrest High School's name is detrimental to our students and community. The Civil War saw the failed division of our strong country, and successful creation of a terrorist group. To celebrate a legacy rooted in separation and hatred is to completely undermine all the values we seek to instill in our young scholars. As a product of Duval County Public Schools and current public school teacher, I challenge governing bodies to create a better future by honoring a less shameful past."
Signatures on Richmond's petition are being delivered via email to Duval County School District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who has said he would "support a name change recommendation if it were brought organically to the [school] board by the community."
The Change.org petition had garnered 77,571 supporters at press time, but most are from outside the Jacksonville area and many aren't even from the state of Florida. That fact has made what may seem like a very one-sided debate a bit more nuanced.
Harris' petition has received significantly fewer signatures – "200 even," by his count – but most have a connection to the high school. And while the numbers are staggeringly in Richmond's favor, the deciding factor may well be whether or not school alumni and students want to see the name changed.
"A lot of the students don't seem to care about the name. It doesn't seem to affect them at all," said Harris. "[Forrest] is just a person the school was named after. Nobody's an angel, but he went on to do better things later in life."
It has been noted that Forrest did leave the Klan, and, in fact, the New York Times recounts his last significant public appearance, on the Fourth of July in Memphis, when he appeared before "the colored people at their celebration, was publicly presented with a bouquet by them as a mark of peace and reconciliation, and made a friendly speech in reply.
"In this he once more took occasion to defend himself and his war record, and to declare that he was a hearty friend of the colored race."
More than honoring or protecting the legacy of Forrest, Harris says that he hopes retaining the high school's name will invite people to learn more about history rather than trying to erase it.
"If [the school] were named Rainbow Unicorn High School then no one would look up the history and learn anything about this," he said. "So maybe it's a good thing the school's name is what it is, so it gives some people the nudge to actually do the research and find out."


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At a meeting at Hopkins Park last week, Claire Elliott, Acterra senior ecologist, held up leaves she collected along the creek bank. Something from nearly every continent was represented there: Algerian ivy; French broom; and Tree of Heaven, a plant native to China.
It is far from heavenly, she said. A fast-growing tree and prolific seed bearer, the trees form dense thickets that prevent other plants from establishing nearby. And the extensive root systems can damage sewers and foundations.
"Why do we care about the ecosystem? Studies show that when we bring native plants back into an area, the biodiversity goes up," Elliott said.
Some imported species are good, she pointed out. Honeybees come from Italy and pollinate many food crops. But tiny native bees and wasps do an amazing job of pollinating crops, she said. Planting native manzanita bushes can attract the bees, which in turn can pollinate blueberry plants, which have the same flower structure as manzanitas, she said.
Elliott held up a few native plants. Some of the leaves were pocked with holes and crescents. The holes represent an important part of a healthy ecosystem. Insects feed on the leaves, and in turn provide needed protein for baby birds. But people like to cultivate non-native plants exactly because they are unpalatable to insects and animals.
"If we have a whole city of unmunchable plants, we won't have the baby birds that rely on the insects," she said.
Former Palo Alto Mayor Peter Drekmeier, a Crescent Park resident, has spearheaded the neighborhood group, which has cleared out mounds of ivy and planted native shrubs and trees, such as elderberry and coast live oak.
Dave Warner, whose home faces the creek, has avidly watered the saplings for more than a year, he said. Walking along winding Palo Alto Avenue last week, he spoke enthusiastically about his new, natural discoveries since a crew of 20 removed ivy along a roughly 50-foot stretch of bank. This spring, dozens of new plant species popped from the soil, he said.
The ivy clearing was aided by last year's Christmas Eve storm, which sent a torrent of water down the creek. When the water subsided, it deposited four inches of silt in the cleared area.
"There were all kinds of flowers — little tiny purple ones," he said.
Other neighbors have been more cautious about the creek restoration project.
"The preference of some people is for green rather than transitional brown," said Bonnie Luntz, whose home faces one of the restoration areas. She's asked the group to remove invasive plants in small patches and fill in with more native plants to maintain a continuity of greenery.
Junko Bryant, Acterra's watershed program coordinator, said the organization has already ordered 1,500 plants to restore bare areas. Native elderberry and California holly-leaved cherry could attract the little native gray fox where ivy once attracted Norway rats and vines strangled whole oak trees, she said. Acterra will supply a crew to water plants while they become established, she said.
This isn't the first time that environmentalists have sought to restore the creek banks. In the 1990s, Bay Area Action (now Acterra) filled 11 dump trucks with garbage taken from the creek, recalled Jerry Hearn. He was involved in a native-plant project near the pedestrian bridge at El Camino Park.
"Fifteen years ago, it was a moonscape. We redid the bank, and it's a beautiful park," he said.
This story contains 627 words.
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text:
iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0: Can't open "Catch-all" tab in domain profile, it returns "Permission Denied".
Download patch for iRedAdmin-Pro-1.4.0: http://iredmail.org/patches/iredadmin/p … hall.patch
Upload or copy this patch to your server which has iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0 running. Let's assume it's /root/catchall.patch.
Change working directory with command "cd", enter root directory of iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0. It could be one of below:
RHEL/CentOS: /var/www/iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0/
Debian/Ubuntu: /usr/share/apache2/iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0/
OpenSuSE: /srv/www/iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0/
FreeBSD: /usr/local/www/iRedAdmin-Pro-LDAP-1.4.0/
Try to patch it with command "patch", with option "--dry-run":
# patch -p3 --dry-run < /root/catchall.patch
patching file libs/ldaplib/user.py
If you get same output message as above command, then it's safe to apply this patch without option "--dry-run":
# patch -p3 < /root/catchall.patch


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Music and the Brain
Music is an art that puts sounds together in a way that people like or find interesting. It may well teach too. Montreal researchers find that music lessons before age seven create stronger connections in the brain. If you started piano lessons in grade one, or played the recorder in kindergarten, thank your parents and teachers. The younger you started music lessons, the stronger the connections in your brain. A study published last month in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that musical training before the age of seven has a significant effect on the development of the brain, showing that those who began early had stronger connections between motor regions – the parts of the brain that help you plan and carry out movements.
The field of music cognition involves the study of many aspects of music, including how it is processed by listeners. Rather than accepting the standard practices of analyzing, composing, and performing music as a given, much research in music cognition seeks instead to uncover the mental processes that underlie these practices.
The ancient Egyptians credited one of their gods, Thoth, with the invention of music, which Osiris in turn used as part of his effort to civilize the world. There may be a lot to that belief.
The new study provides strong evidence that the years between ages six and eight are a "sensitive period" when musical training interacts with normal brain development to produce long-lasting changes in motor abilities and brain structure. "Learning to play an instrument requires coordination between hands and with visual or auditory stimuli," says Penhune. "Practicing an instrument before age seven likely boosts the normal maturation of connections between motor and sensory regions of the brain, creating a framework upon which ongoing training can build."
Penhune and others tested 36 adult musicians on a movement task, and scanned their brains. Half of these musicians began musical training before age seven, while the other half began at a later age, but the two groups had the same number of years of musical training and experience. These two groups were also compared with individuals who had received little or no formal musical training.
When comparing a motor skill between the two groups, musicians who began before age seven showed more accurate timing, even after two days of practice. When comparing brain structure, musicians who started early showed enhanced white matter in the corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibres that connects the left and right motor regions of the brain. Importantly, the researchers found that the younger a musician started, the greater the connectivity.
Interestingly, the brain scans showed no difference between the non-musicians and the musicians who began their training later in life; this suggests that the brain developments under consideration happen early or not at all. Because the study tested musicians on a non-musical motor skill task, it also suggests that the benefits of early music training extend beyond the ability to play an instrument.
"This study is significant in showing that training is more effective at early ages because certain aspects of brain anatomy are more sensitive to changes at those time points," says co-author Dr. Zatorre, researcher at the Montreal Neurological Institute and co-director of the International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research.
But, says Penhune, who is also a member of Concordia's Center for Research in Human Development, "it's important to remember that what we are showing is that early starters have some specific skills and differences in the brain that go along with that. But, these things don't necessarily make them better musicians. Musical performance is about skill, but it is also about communication, enthusiasm, style, and many other things that we don't measure. So, while starting early may help you express your genius, it probably won't make you a genius."
For further information see Development.
Ancient Music Teaching image via Wikipedia.


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holdingoutforjacob wrote:Rosalie is an example of a strong woman in the books who was painted for so long as the "bad guy" and as selfish and mean. My entire point is that the strong female characters all have something "wrong" with them. Leah can't have kids and is heartbroken and angry and alone, Rosalie is mean, Victoria is a bad guy....
The more this discussion goes on, the harder time I having equating "strong women" and Rose, Leah, and Victoria (Victoria??)
I'm not trying to upset you HOFJ, but can you explain to me why you think these women are strong?
--Rose, in human life and as a vampire was/is self-centered, self-serving and cruel at times. What about her is "strong"?
--Leah is still just a child, who is still mourning the loss of who she thought was the love of her life. In a lot of ways, she's reacting the same way Bella did when Edward left--except Bella turned her pain inward and Leah turned hers outward. She has plenty of life to live happily ever after...give her a chance.
--Victoria? Where do you see a strong character in Victoria? She is determined to kill Bella because her beau is gone...does that make her a strong woman, or just someone who wants revenge?
I'm gonna have to agree with amethyst here. I think Bella is the strong one. She has been through hell and back at least 7 times in the saga (Van; James; Edward leaving/Italy; Victoria/newborns; horrendous pregnancy; transformation; fear of annihilation) and she always came through each one with her sanity, calmness, love, caring, etc... in tacked!
Sorry, that's how I feel


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Amnesty International Annual Report 2012 - Guinea
|Amnesty International
|Publication Date
|24 May 2012
|Cite as
|Amnesty International, Amnesty International Annual Report 2012 - Guinea, 24 May 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbe3938c.html [accessed 20 January 2018]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Head of state: Alpha Condé
Head of government: Mohamed Saïd Fofana
Death penalty: retentionist
Population: 10.2 million
Life expectancy: 54.1 years
Under-5 mortality: 141.5 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 39.5 per cent
President Condé's residence was attacked in July. The police and gendarmerie used excessive force; at least three people were killed. Arbitrary arrests as well as torture and other abuses by security forces continued in a climate of impunity. Freedom of expression remained under threat. Sixteen people were sentenced to death. The National Commission for Human Rights was created.
Ahead of parliamentary elections initially scheduled for late 2011, fears of potential instability grew after two gunfire and rocket attacks were mounted in July on President Condé's residence in the capital, Conakry. Army officers as well as civilians were arrested and accused of organizing the attacks. President Condé also blamed Senegal, Gambia and opposition leaders during an interview with a Senegalese radio station. Both countries denied these allegations, and political opponents criticized the President's stance. The independence and impartiality of the National Independent Electoral Commission were questioned after it proposed election dates without consulting the political opposition. No dates were confirmed by the end of the year.
In February, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report on Guinea. Among the concerns highlighted were human rights violations committed with impunity over decades by security and armed forces, and sexual and gender-based violence sometimes linked to traditional practices. The report recommended that Guinea implement the recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review of 2010, including developing close co-operation with the treaty bodies and special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, and allowing it to visit at regular intervals. In a subsequent resolution adopted at its 16th session (A/HRC/RES/16/36), the Council supported the conclusions of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Council reiterated the need for Guinea to pursue efforts to implement the recommendations of the UN Commission of Inquiry, including taking measures to combat impunity.
In March, President Condé created by decree the National Commission for Human Rights. In July, the National Transitional Council adopted a new law relating to the organization and function of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights.
Excessive use of force
The misuse of lethal force by the police and other law enforcement officials continued. In September, live rounds, tear gas and batons were used against protesters on their way to an unauthorized demonstration against the organization of elections. At least three people were killed, including Amadou Boye Barry. In a public statement, the Minister of Communications responded to Amnesty International, stating that two people had died and a judicial inquiry had begun.
Possible prisoners of conscience
Arbitrary arrests and detention by police and army of possible prisoners of conscience were reported. Most were carried out with excessive force.
In April, supporters of the Union of Democratic Forces in Guinea (UFDG), were dispersed by security forces using excessive force at Conakry airport where they were greeting UFDG leader Cellou Dalein Diallo. At least 25 people were injured. Others were arrested, including Alpha Abdoulaye Sow and Abdoulaye Diallo, soldiers in charge of the opposition leader's security. They were sentenced to prison terms for "participating in a prohibited demonstration, acts of vandalism and violence" but were pardoned in August.
In September, more than 300 people opposing the way elections were organized were arrested for participating in a banned demonstration. Some were later released. Over 50 were sentenced to between one month and one year's imprisonment and a further 95 were given suspended prison sentences.
Torture and other ill-treatment
Soldiers and police officers continued to torture and ill-treat detainees and others with impunity.
In February, a man arrested in Mamou for setting up roadblocks was taken to the police station. He was handcuffed to a window with his feet barely touching the ground and left for more than eight hours. He was beaten while handcuffed and suspended in a squatting position with a piece of wood between his knees and elbows.
In April, a supporter of the UFDG was arrested and beaten on the way to the airport at Dixinn by armed forces. He was blindfolded and threatened at a police station in Conakry.
Freedom of expression – journalists
Daniel Loua and Théodore Lamah, journalists from Radio Liberté de Nzérékoré, were arrested in January and accused of "inciting violence and disturbing the peace" after referring to the possible return of former President Camara during a radio broadcast. They were released the following day.
In May, following a story in the newspaper L'indépendant-Le Démocrate concerning salary increases among the armed forces, soldiers attempted to arrest the publisher, Mamadou Dian Diallo, and other journalists. They left the newspaper's offices after mediation by two human rights organizations.
In July, the National Communication Council banned all local and foreign media from reporting the attack on President Condé's residence. The ban was lifted three days later.
Impunity and lack of discipline within the armed forces continued to be of concern.
Families of more than 150 people who were killed, and over 40 women who were publicly raped, when security forces attacked a peaceful opposition rally in September 2009 against former President Camara's military junta, were still awaiting justice. A UN Commission of Inquiry stated that it was reasonable to consider the events as crimes against humanity. Despite the opening of a judicial inquiry in 2010, the perpetrators of the massacre had not been suspended from duty and none had been brought to trial by the end of the year.
Death penalty
Sixteen people were sentenced to death in September, eight in their absence, by a court in Kankan. They had been convicted of "premeditated murder, violent killings, criminal conspiracy and destruction of property" following confrontations between two ethnic groups in which at least 25 people were killed.
The sentences contradicted a statement by President Condé in July during a meeting with foreign diplomats that the death penalty did not exist in Guinea. He said that sentencing people to death was never acceptable, even for those making an attempt on the President's life, as this would not bring him back to life.


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You are here
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Eat More Salad serving spoons by Milk and Honey Luxuries are hand-stamped with healthy mantras.
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Good Spirits
A Secret Santa gift everyone will want, a portion of every bottle of Flipflop wine goes toward Soles4Soul, an international charity providing shoes for those in need.
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Merry Memos
Celebrate a friend's cookie swap or upcoming shower with these quirky Paper Culture personalized invites.
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Green thumbs who don't like to get messy can still have the garden of their dreams with the Culinary Herbs Seed Bomb Kit by Williams-Sonoma. Just toss them into your window box or garden for garnishes like cilantro, parsley, basil, and more.
Originally published in FITNESS magazine, November/December 2012.


text: First off Happy Holidays to everybody and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year (with lots of riding!!)! We are getting ready for the Vancouver Moto Show again this year and there's going to be a lot going on at our booth! Here's the link for the show Jan 17-20th. in Abbotsford, BC: http://vancouvermotorcycleshow.com/ Looks like there are over 140 different exhibitors so far!! We're at booth #420. We will have Giant Loop's New Siskiyou panniers on show (they're not available until mid Feb.) and some other new Giant Loop gear that's all to be shown for the first time in North Amercia!! Teaser pic of the proto panniers: We'll also have the new ZigZag Handlebar bag... Much more news to come and some show specials too!! Thanks for checking it out! Dave


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Rosie to the Rescue: 10 Parenting Rules to Live By
In case you missed it, here is a recent post from "Rosie to the Rescue", my blog for Parents Magazine. Caught up in what type of parent you want to be? Go back to the basics and focus on these 10 parenting rules to live by. Don't miss the rest of the "Rosie to the Rescue" posts, available here.
It's hard to know what type of parents we are going to be before we become them. We all have ideas in our heads of what we certainly won't do, or what we definitely want to try and do! For instance, I had some crazy notion that I was going to be a disciplinarian. I clearly had no idea how hard it was going to be to say "no" to the request for an extra chocolate chip cookie when those sweet little faces look up at me through big gorgeous eyes and say, "Please mama!" We may even find ourselves saying things that our parents did or that we heard at some point, such as, "No, you can't have ice cream again tonight. You had some yesterday." And then I wonder to myself why on earth can't they have ice cream two nights in a row!
I've come to realize that our parenting tactics change, or should change, with each different child. What works for my oldest doesn't necessarily work for my youngest's personality. For example, my first son won't touch an electrical outlet ever again after I told him not to, while my second may try to stick a fork in it while grinning at me as I scream, "NO! NO!" and dive frantically across the room to save him. And my third? Well, let's just hope she doesn't try the fork trick, but only time will tell how much she'll really listen to what I say.
Each kid is different, which means we should parent them differently, at least in some ways. I remember getting on the floor with my first son and coaching him to crawl, obsessively charting his every move and marveling at his superman-like neck or leg strength. But it seems the more kids I have, the less thrilled I am about encouraging them to crawl as early as possible. I marvel, of course, when they do, but I also realize I can no longer place them in the center of the room and expect them to be there when I turn around. So am I obsessively encouraging it these days? No. Gently helping? Maybe!
From my experience, as we parent more children, we are less likely to fall for the far too plentiful judgmental stares, comments or parenting tactics everyone else in the world thinks we should employ, regardless of if we hear it on the street or screaming at us through the TV. The fact is, I'm too tired and too distracted to begin to listen to all that outside noise. Quite frankly, I'm doing my best and would rather shut out all the interference. I don't think that making my own sprinkles (yes it's possible) while whisking up some macrobiotic cupcakes (not sure if that is possible) containing milk I extracted from a goat earlier that afternoon will make me a better parent, but I do think spending quality time with my kids and making sure they know how loved they are is paramount.
With all the talk parents are subject to today that may confuse us or tempt us to redefine our idea of "good parenting," I'd like to remind us all what is really important. There are some fundamentals of parenting that I don't think should ever change, from the first to the twenty-first child (hello Duggar family).
So when in you're in doubt, questioning your tactics or finding it hard to figure out if what you're doing is right, try to tune out the noise and focus on the basics. Here are my 10 parenting rules to live by:
1. Admit when you have made a mistake.
2. Shower your children with love and affection.
3. Give them structure.
4. Believe in boundaries.
5. Love with confidence, because insecurity will devour and distract you.
6. Treat your children as individuals, because they are.
7. Never be afraid to ask for help.
8. Don't listen to judgmental people. Have confidence in your choices, and if you don't, consider making new choices.
9. You can never say "I love you" too many times.
10. Sometimes, it's alright to just leave the dishes dirty.
Tags: mom tips, mommy IQ, parenting, parenting rules
3 Comments
April 15, 2013 - 8:06 pm
amo seu programa, assisto toda semana aqui no brasil.
bjus e gostaria de te conhecer!
July 22, 2013 - 11:48 pm
Rosie to the Rescue: 10 Parenting Rules to Live By | Welcome to Rosie Pope Maternity!
July 26, 2013 - 8:41 pm
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"Everyone here at Family Connections taught me how to work with him. He learned how to socialize with kids," Mederos said recently.
Mederos' younger daughter, now 4, also enrolled in Family Connections, where she learned to speak English and became interested in books.
"I can write a book about how Family Connections helped me and continues to help me," Mederos said.
Many studies have shown that a child's preschool experience can be formative for brain development and a good predictor of future success. But for low-income families, access to preschool is often unattainable.
Family Connections was founded to address the problem. The only tuition-free, parent-participation preschool for low-income families in California, Family Connections has served more than 1,000 children since its founding in 1993 and has 225 children enrolled this year, the most it has ever had, according to staff.
The Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund granted Family Connections $7,500 this year to support its math and science curriculum.
"We are a play-based preschool," Family Connections Executive Director Renee Zimmerman said. "However, we have found that there are lots of ways that you can bring to a play environment early literacy skills, early math and science skills, which have been shown to be a huge predictor of what children are able to do later on in school."
Zimmerman said the money is funding theme-based science kits and also supporting at-home learning programs such as "virtual Pre-K," which provides materials that parents can take home and use with their children.
"It allows the parents to really engage with their children and really learn with their child after they leave the classroom," she said.
Zimmerman said that these families continue to learn even after they graduate from the program. While there remains a large achievement gap between low-income children — and particularly English-language learners — and their peers, Family Connections is working to close it.
"Surveys show the children (who go) through the program are entering ahead of their peers that are English-language learners and low-income," Zimmerman said.
The preschool is as much for parents as it is for children. Each of the three Family Connections locations employs a teacher trained in both early-childhood development and adult education. At the preschools, parents are in charge of different stations for the day so that each parent serves as a teacher. For a portion of each morning, half of the parents attend a parenting class in which they can share experiences and ask questions. They also attend night classes once a month.
In the afternoon at the preschools, Family Connections partners with a private occupational-therapy group to run a speech, language and occupational-therapy program for children who have additional learning issues.
Research and surveys performed by the program show that almost all of the Family Connection parents stay involved in their children's education after leaving the preschool.
Through the program, parents also learn the importance of play to help a child's developing brain grow and learn, along with hands-on techniques such as positive parenting, positive discipline and how to best support their child as he/she nears kindergarten, according to the nonprofit. Parents also learn conflict-resolution skills, which they use with their children as well as in their own relationships.
Mederos now volunteers at the Family Connections preschool. With the nonprofit's support, she became a trained facilitator and leads a support group for parents of children with special needs and parents with maternal depression or other mental health issues.
The program also helped her complete several English-language classes. The Family Connections staff and teachers have encouraged her to go back to school, too. She plans on attending college so she can become either a teacher or a social worker.
"The person that I am now is thanks to Family Connections. I have dreams and I have many things to do," Mederos said.
The Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund is raising funds from the community to support local nonprofit organizations that serve children, families and adults. More information is available on page 26.
This story contains 743 words.
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text:
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Seattle asks more from Ramirez as Walker waits
By Adam Lewis / MLB.com
SEATTLE -- Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez went five innings and didn't give up a run in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers, but manager Lloyd McClendon wasn't particularly enthused with the performance.
Ramirez walked four and had to work out of jams in nearly every inning. He threw 89 pitches, 55 for strikes.
"He still has to show us something," McClendon said. "Ninety pitches in five innings is not what I would consider a great outing. Is it better than his last start? Yes. Is it better than the start before that? Yes. He's taking baby steps. He's getting better. But I'd be lying to you if I said I was really happy with the start."
Meanwhile, top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker gave up one run on one hit and three walks in 6 2/3 innings Saturday night, as the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers beat Nashville, 2-1.
Walker had a no-hitter entering the seventh inning and fanned seven. It was his fourth rehab start with the Rainiers. Walker went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA last season with Seattle, but he has dealt with assorted right-shoulder injuries since the beginning of Spring Training.
Is he ready to replace Ramirez?
"I don't have a timetable for when Taijuan Walker is coming here," McClendon said. "Contrary to popular belief, I don't make that decision to when he's coming here. I've said this time and time again, my job is to take the players that the general manager gives me and help them to perform to the best of their ability. I don't pick the roster. Do I have a say? Yes. But do I dictate when Taijuan Walker is coming here? No."
Smoak, Saunders and Hart working way back
SEATTLE -- Three injured Mariners regulars are nearing a return to the lineup.
Right fielder Michael Saunders, first baseman Justin Smoak and designated hitter Corey Hart could all begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Tacoma by the end of the week, manager Lloyd McClendon said before Sunday's finale against the Rangers.
Saunders (shoulder inflammation) and Smoak (quad strain) both went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, though Smoak's was retroactive to June 10, which means he'll be eligible to return to the Mariners on June 24.
Hart sustained a hamstring strain May 18 in Minnesota and subsequently landed on the 15-day disabled list. He began running and taking batting practice during the Mariners' latest homestand, but will probably require the longest rehab stint of the three.
Hart was hitting just .209 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 37 games after missing all of 2013 because of microfracture surgeries on both knees.
"Obviously, I think Saunders and Smoak will come quicker because they have been playing," McClendon said. "We have to be careful with Corey and make sure we build his at-bats up and he's swinging well and he's running well. They both got to pass the test. Smoak and Corey and Saundo's gotta pass the test swinging the bat before they go out."
Smoak has a .208/.282/.361 slash line with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games. Saunders is faring better, hitting .272 with four homers and 25 RBIs. All could help an offense that entered Sunday ranked 12th in the American League in runs scored.
Morrison gets stitches above eye after smashing bat
SEATTLE -- Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison was contrite and beat up following Sunday's 5-1 win over the Rangers.
Afterward in the clubhouse, he was sporting five stitches above a swollen left eye, which was shades of purple, black, orange and yellow.
With the Mariners trailing, 1-0, in the fifth inning, Morrison popped out to shortstop with runners on first and second for the second out. Upset, Morrison went back into the Safeco Field dugout and smashed his bat against the wall. A piece splintered and came back to hit him above the eye.
"Obviously, I acted like a 3-year-old," Morrison said. "I apologized to my teammates. I'm about to go apologize to Mac [manager Lloyd McClendon]. I can't do that. I didn't want to come out of the game. They saw blood gushing from my eyebrow and took me out. I'm embarrassed. No matter how bad I'm playing, I can't do that."
Backup catcher John Buck replaced Morrison to begin the sixth inning. It marked Buck's first Major League appearance at first base. He's been working before games with infield coach Chris Woodward in case of emergency.
"I don't know if I'm going to take over [Justin] Smoak's spot," Buck joked afterward. "He should be nervous."
Meanwhile, Morrison finished 0-for-3, which dropped his batting average to .135.
"I usually don't snap," he said. "I usually don't play this bad either. But I usually don't snap."
Worth noting
• In his last 11 games, utility man Willie Bloomquist is 14-for-38 (.368 batting average). He played second base Sunday while Robinson Cano got the day at DH.
• The Mariners entered Sunday on a five-game losing streak.
"People don't know how hard it is to win on a nightly basis," McClendon said. "It's hard to win games. You can do everything right and still lose and sometimes you can do everything wrong and still win. The last five games we've been in them, but one thing can cause you to lose a ballgame. We just have to pick up the pieces and get ready for the next game."
Adam Lewis is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The NCAA has spent months investigating Mississippi State's football program for a "potential recruiting irregularity," according to the school, and The Dispatch MSU Sports Blog is reporting that the investigation involves a car purchased for Bulldogs freshman defensive back Will Redmond.
According to The Dispatch, the used car—a Ford Mustang—was purchased from a dealership in Redmond's hometown of Memphis before the player signed with Dan Mullen's program in February of this year.
Earlier reports on Thursday acknowledged a possible tie between the NCAA investigation and the sudden resignation on Sunday night of wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando.
In a statement released by the school at the start of the week, Mirando attributed his departure to "unforeseen personal issues."
Redmond, a four-star safety coming out of high school, chose Mississippi State over Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee and others, according to his bio page on the official Bulldogs athletics website.
Coach Dan Mullen also confirmed the NCAA investigation, but also lashed out against ESPN reporter Joe Schad, who broke the news of the NCAA inquiry.
"I would try to get a little more reliable source than Joe Schad," Mullen said. "I'm supposed to be coaching at State College, I guess, right now, too, according to Joe Schad last year. Wasn't that the case?"


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Color options - a real blue is needed!
Color options - a real blue is needed!
If you were going to add a blue, I would think it would be Carolina Blue (UNC)! ;)
Blue IS very dark. In dim light it looks black. When sunny, it's blue. I kind of like it. I wanted a black car, and my wife wanted anything other than red or white. So from dawn to dusk she got her car, and from dusk to dawn, I got mine.
I have the metallic blue and love the color. It looks great outside in the sunshine, and everyone who's seen it loves the color. Late in the day as the sun is going down it can look black, but that's the only time I've noticed it. It's a little difficult to find a good interior that goes with it. I've seen a couple of other blue ones while at the Service Center, and they had the gray interior. I went with the Tan Napa leather and the obeche wood matte, and I like that better than the gray.
I love the blue they hsve now.
Tan interior with the blue would be my choice too.
Not sure I want a dark car again though. Had a black one once. Ugh. What a PITA!
Gorgeous when clean but I have better things to do with my time than wash my car a couple times a week! Haha!
I have the midnight blue w/gray interior - I love it!
But it is certainly not a "look at me" blue like the Jag.
Love my blue. Very California sea side cool.
Like me.
What's with the JAGUAR license plate?
Duh. It is a Jag.
The blue is not as dark as it comes across on the inter webs and pictures. I would like a slight shade lighter but still very happy. It very rarely looks black.
Blue/grey here as well. I call it tech-cool-blue and is fitting the car very well.
Notice the color on the jag is very much affected by the large soft-box lights used; just look at the various reflections on the body. Will not look that way in a real forest to a real human eye. Maybe ab channels in Lab were made steeper as well; the orange-green contrast is too high in the distant hill past the pond.
I don't understand.
If you wanted black and your wife anything but red or white why not get black?????
AM I missing something?
I have Blue with tan and it is awesome. It is dark, but when it's light out and you see the blue, it is beautiful. Wouldn't want any other color (or car)!
I was a bit disappointed with how dark the blue turned out too. It looks good with the gray interior but wish it had been slightly lighter so you could tell it is blue. On the east coast where it is cloudy more often than not the car looks black which I don't care for.
Ditto with the green. I can't keep the thing clean. I just had it detailed on Wednesday, and had to wash it today. (Friday) I think if I had it to do over I would have gotten the brown. The brown was my runner-up color, having never seen the green in person. I like the color, but I don't love it, and everyone thinks it's black. I wish there was a soft taupe-type color. My Prius was a sand color, and it never needed washing; it never looked dirty. (It was, though!)
Agreed as well. That's the main reason why we did not pick the blue. Too dark.
Sorry @choots.humpr...but arrest-me red is better! Go Pack!
FWIW, I have dark blue and it is very elegant looking. Go Team Tesla, too!
I wanted a sparkling metallic green, but when I saw the Tesla green option, I would have called it olive drab. It was way too dark for me. We went for the multicoat red.
I would also have liked a darker tan or even more classic baseball glove brown leather interior, just my preferences.
We will probably add a BMW i3 to our garage next year, and maybe I can get THAT in a green metallic.
I have the signature red, and my wife and I very happy with color, but I saw the dark blue at service center other week, very elegant and sleek, and almost wanted to buy another Model S, liked it so much. Hopefully the Model X which I have on order will offer the same dark blue as the Model S. So another vote for the dark blue.
I know where you're going.
I like the blue of that Jag. It goes so well with the blue smoke that comes out of the tail-pipe when the rings need to be replaced...
Get a vinyl wrap for a few months, then you'll be able to try it out! Infinite color choice.


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PRINTZ VIDEO: Nike camp | 7-on-7 camp
Ed Printz didn't particularly care for what he witnessed after his son, Eddie Printz, a touted sophomore quarterback at Marietta, Ga., Lassiter, returned from a recruiting trip awhile back.
"People started pulling at Eddie," Printz recalled. "One day he wore a South Carolina shirt and people started giving him a hard time because they thought he liked another school. At the same time, (Gamecock fans) thought they had Eddie locked up."
To Printz, it all seemed a bit over the top.
Soon after, he had an epiphany of sorts and hatched a plan whereby he would attempt to remove his son as much as possible from any part of the recruiting process that didn't involve taking visits, researching schools, touring facilities, spending time with college players and meeting with coaches.
"I thought it was best that he control what he can control, what he can do," Ed Printz said. "That's his studies, his workouts, his training, being a good big brother - things like that. I don't want him getting caught up in things he can't control."
Printz's method doesn't seem particularly unique until it comes to the subject of scholarship offers. That's where he's more than a little unorthodox. While most parents proudly boast about their child's latest offers, that is information he chooses to share with only one other person - Lassister head coach Jep Irwin.
That's right, not even Printz's son knows who, if anyone, has offered.
"My dad wants to keep that hidden - even from me," the younger Printz said. "He doesn't want me to get too big-headed."
The ability to stay grounded appears to be one of Eddie Printz's greatest assets. In fact, it may only be superseded by the 6-foot-3, 209-pound signal caller's immense ability.
"Eddie is very talented," Irwin said. "He's got good height, very good arm strength and he's working hard in the weight room. He's a tremendous competitor who will only get better."
The 16-year-old Printz (whose name officially is Eddie Printz V) didn't just burst onto the scene.
People have known about his talents since before he even got to high school.
"(Current South Carolina quarterbacks coach) G.A. Mangus saw Eddie throw in the seventh grade, and was like, 'Wow, who's that kid?' " the elder Printz said. "He was the ball boy for the varsity, and sometimes before games people would see him throwing and he'd throw it about 50 yards."
By then, Ed Printz already knew his son was gifted.
Several years earlier, in fact, he hired former University of Arizona and Canadian Football League quarterback Ron Veal, who runs the Ron Veal Football Camp, to work with Eddie primarily on his footwork.
He was the ball boy for the (high school) varsity, and sometimes before games people would see him throwing and he'd throw it about 50 yards.
- Eddie Printz's father, Ed Printz, on his son's QB skills in the seventh grade
"Eddie was 8 and a half, or 9, when he came," Veal recalled. "He had big feet, and he was growing rapidly. But he was special. He already was throwing the ball really well at that age. The footwork was a little off, but the ability to throw the football was there."
Veal has worked with Printz ever since. Today, they typically meet up every week or so.
"He's made big strides (each year)," Veal said. "You know, even at age 9, 10 and 11, he was throwing the ball for over 1,000 yards in the leagues he was in."
In 2009, Printz arrived at Lassiter, where he backed up Hutson Mason, the Georgia Sports Writers Association All-Class Player of the Year that fall. As a freshman, Printz played in all of his team's 13 games, and even led the squad to its only touchdown in a playoff loss.
Mason signed with Georgia in 2010 and is now the No. 2 quarterback in Athens. When he departed Lassiter, Printz moved into a starting role. The squad went 5-6 last season, but did reach the playoffs.
Printz completed 205 of 301 pass attempts for 2,252 yards and 22 touchdowns, to go along with eight interceptions. He scored twice via the rush.
"Last year, at the start, his arm was probably his greatest asset," Irwin said. "Now, I think he's really starting to become more of a competitor and a leader by example. When you combine (his arm) with his competitiveness and his work ethic, it's a really good combination. It serves him well. He knows having an arm is only going to get you so far. He's working hard to be more than just a big guy who can throw."
That said, arm strength probably remains Printz's best trait. That was something he displayed at Sunday's Miami Nike Football Training Camp at the University of Miami, where he threw crisp, accurate passes all over the field despite windy conditions.
"He can make all the throws you want him to make," Irwin said. "He can throw the 20-yard comeback, he can throw the 17-yard curl, he can throw it to the wide side of the field. What he needs to work on is throwing while he's moving. He has to become a little more accurate at that."
That weakness has been a point of emphasis with Veal.
"He has the ability to put the ball where it needs to be at any given time," Veal said.
"And in the pocket he's great. He has great pocket presence. He's not bad throwing on the run; he just needs to improve. And he is improving."
Printz is a typical teen in many respects. But, he admitted, he is "constantly thinking about football." Even when he's not playing on Friday night, practicing or competing in a camp, he plays pickup football games with friends. It should be noted, though, that Printz does have some balance in his life.
He carries a 3.7 GPA.
Thus far, Printz has enjoyed many aspects of his recruitment, particularly visiting the different schools. He has been to both Georgia and Miami in 2011.
"At Georgia, I liked it," he said. "They took me around the whole campus. They've got upgrades and everything and that was really nice. At Miami, the campus is beautiful and the weather was amazing. When I go to a college, it's usually one-on-one. I met with (national recruiting coordinator Brennan Carroll) at Miami, and with quarterback coach (Jedd Fisch). I also met with (head coach Al Golden).
"I love the process. I love the experience, to compare schools and see what each is like. It's just awesome."
On Saturday, Printz will visit Tennessee. Next week, he will make a trip to Florida and spend three days in Gainesville with his father.
"It's his weekend away and he gets to meet all these cool coaches," said Ed Printz. "At camps, he'll come over and talk about the guys he met. One time, it was (South Carolina coach) Steve Spurrier. He was like, 'Dad, did you know he played quarterback?' When we got home, I told him to Google his name. I heard him upstairs. He said, 'Dad, did you know he won the Heisman Trophy? Did you know he won a national championship?' "
The plan, as of today, is for the younger Printz to check out every school he's genuinely interested in between now and next July. That month, Ed and Eddie hope to hash things out and pick a school before Eddie begins his senior season.
"He's going to graduate in December," Ed Printz said. "We don't want any distractions. Make your decision and do one official visit to where he's committed."
When exactly will father inform son of who has offered?
"Probably after this season," Ed Printz said. "Because they start junior days in January."
Until then, it will remain a secret.


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A. F. Famili is Research Scientist at the Knowledge Systems Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada.
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text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Sunday, October 10, 2010, 4:54 PM
Town Square
Las Positas College invites community to open house and building dedication
Original post made on Oct 10, 2010
Read the full story here Web Link posted Sunday, October 10, 2010, 4:54 PM
Comments (6)
a resident of Danville
on Oct 11, 2010 at 6:26 am
Here's sad tale of a University wasting California $. UC Berkeley's recent elimination of popular sports programs highlighted endemic problems in the university's management. Chancellor Robert Birgeneau's eight-year fiscal track record is dismal indeed. He would like to blame the politicians in Sacramento, since they stopped giving him every dollar he has asked for, and the state legislators do share some responsibility for the financial crisis. But not in the sense he means.
A competent chancellor would have been on top of identifying inefficiencies in the system and then crafting a plan to fix them. Compentent oversight by the Board of Regents and the legislature would have required him to provide data on problems and on what steps he was taking to solve them. Instead, every year Birgeneau would request a budget increase, the regents would agree to it, and the legislature would provide. The hard questions were avoided by all concerned, and the problems just piled up….until there was no money left.
It's not that Birgeneau was unaware that there were, in fact, waste and inefficiencies in the system. Faculty and staff have raised issues with senior management, but when they failed to see relevant action taken, they stopped. Finally, Birgeneau engaged some expensive ($3 million) consultants, Bain & Company, to tell him what he should have been able to find out from the bright, engaged people in his own organization.
From time to time, a whistleblower would bring some glaring problem to light, but the chancellor's response was to dig in and defend rather than listen and act. Since UC has been exempted from most whistleblower lawsuits, there are ultimately no negative consequences for maintaining inefficiencies.
In short, there is plenty of blame to go around. But you never want a serious crisis to go to waste. An opportunity now exists for the UC president, Board of Regents, and California legislators to jolt UC Berkeley back to life, applying some simple check-and-balance management principles. Increasing the budget is not enough; transforming senior management is necessary. The faculty, students, staff, academic senate, Cal. alumni, and taxpayers await the transformation.
a resident of Las Positas
on Oct 12, 2010 at 4:31 am
Here's an idea: How about spending some of that money on classrooms and teachers so the school can accommodate more students? Right now Las Positas caps the classes at 50 students, many can't get the classes they need, and some of us can't even graduate on time. But, we have a new theater...
a resident of Ironwood
on Oct 12, 2010 at 9:36 am
I am a defender of the Arts in many ways. I think that the new Theater complex at the college is great. I certainly believe that people that are artistic have to have a place to perform and develop their art. Over the years for some reason it is always the arts that takes a back seat and funding is reduced or cut off. Remember that during bad times, it has always been the entertainment industry that has kept us all in better spirits. Also keep in mind that way back in the days of a young Shirley Temple, that it was her smile and movies that saved Fox Studios from Bankruptcy. I remember the days when Chabot College & the City Of Pleasanton Recreation Dept. teamed together to do a summer musical. Dr. Mertes was very involved in that at that time. Please support the Arts in every way you can.
a resident of Golden Eagle
on Apr 14, 2013 at 11:32 pm
just wanted to point out that the comments on here are awful. You might want to clean these up at some point so casual browsers like me can actually have a conversation.updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
a resident of Amador Estates
on Apr 16, 2013 at 11:14 pm
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a resident of San Ramon
on Apr 23, 2013 at 4:55 am
Most of the time I don't make comments on blogs, but I want to mention that this post really forced me to do so. Really nice post! It is extremely helpful for me.
New state housing requirements could affect Pleasanton
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NVIDIA is set to release one more nForce 680i variant that
is slightly cheaper than the nForce 680i SLI. The cut-down nForce 680i will
carry the nForce 680i LT SLI name and target extreme gamers. NVIDIA will
manufacture the nForce 680i LT motherboards for various motherboard
Unlike the heat-pipe endowed nForce 680i SLI motherboards,
nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards will have active cooling. Instead of support
for DDR2-1200 memory, NVIDIA has limited the memory controller to DDR2-800.
Front-side bus speeds up to 1333 MHz remains supported. It is unknown if the nForce 680i-series will be compatible with Intel's upcoming Conroe refresh. The nForce 680i LT SLI will continue to support NVIDIA's SLI multi-GPU technology as well.
NVIDIA cut back networking features as well; nForce 680i LT
SLI motherboards will only have one Gigabit connector instead of two. Last,
nForce 680i LT SLI motherboards will only support eight USB 2.0 ports instead of
Expect nForce 680i LT SLI-based motherboards to launch in early March.


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Local man helped Obama take N.H.
Staff Writer
BENNINGTON -- Derek McDonald was enveloped in his school work and his life during President Barack Obama's first campaign for the presidency. This year, with life having thrown him a few curves, McDonald signed on to help re-elect him.
The 25-year-old 2006 graduate of Mount Anthony Union High School will return to the University of Vermont in January to complete his final semester and earn his degree. He took a leave from school this semester after earning a job in New Hampshire as a field organizer to help Obama win the small swing state.
McDonald supported Obama in 2008, but admittedly, did little to pitch in. "Last time I was kind of involved with school and didn't really think I had the time to do anything. I donated like $10 to the campaign and thought I had contributed my part," he said.
But McDonald's father, Kevin McDonald, soon lost his job, a victim of the quickly souring economy, he said. "My parents told me they could keep paying for school for me, but I thought it would be a hardship on them. So I took some time off. I worked and I supported myself. I realized how difficult it is to actually do that. That really was the first time that it hit me that I wasn't as insulated as maybe I thought I had been from things that were happening outside my little bubble. I really thought that this [the election] was going to affect me," McDonald said.That was motivation enough to begin interning in June in Burlington, doing whatever he could to boost Obama's candidacy. In August, that turned into a job in New Hampshire's Belknap County, a conservative stronghold that went for Sen. John McCain in 2008.
"I guess I just thought a Romney presidency would not be in my best interests. I know there are a lot of people out there struggling, and I was one of them for a little bit. I didn't have a great job. I don't have a great job," McDonald said.
McDonald said the eastern part of the county he oversaw was a world apart from the progressive enclave of Burlington. But he and the volunteers he recruited worked day after day to call potential voters, knock on doors and organize Democrats and independents to rally behind the president.
Some days were harder than others, he said.
"For the most part, I was always cautiously optimistic. It was sometimes really tough to gauge where we were really at, knowing that we were in such a conservative area. It really was not very friendly territory for Democrats. Just in our campaign office we would have people walk by and yelling racist slurs and stuff like that. It was kind of hard, but throughout it all I was pretty confident. Whenever I was feeling down I would just go to Nate Silver's blog on The New York Times and say, 'OK, his forecast is still looking pretty good,'" McDonald said.
"The lows were definitely lower in Belknap County than they were anywhere in Vermont. But I had some great volunteers and I think that's really what helped mollify the effects of being in such a conservative area," he added.
For much of the summer, Obama appeared to be holding a constant lead in polls over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. And then the first debate in Denver turned out to be a debacle. "He wasn't on his game," McDonald said.
"I think his problem was he was too professorial and speaking in paragraphs, which isn't really going to stick with a lot of Americans," McDonald said. "It wasn't the strong debate performance we were looking for."
The next month until election day was spent rallying Obama's supporters and ensuring that Belknap County was part of the vaunted Obama "ground game" that identified likely supporters and got them to the polls. On election day McDonald was at the campaign office by 5 a.m., ready to respond to any problems or irregularities. His trained volunteers were out in the field, tracking and calculating and reporting back.
Obama, as expected, lost in McDonald's territory. But the president performed well enough to help keep New Hampshire in the blue column. "We kept it close enough, as close as we needed to, obviously," he said.
McDonald did not get a chance to meet Obama during the campaign. Many of his volunteers did, however. And he was able to get his father into an event with Vice President Joe Biden. "My dad shook his hand and goes, 'Give 'em Hell, Joe!'" said McDonald, who plans to attend Obama's second inauguration in January.
After celebrations and closing down the office, McDonald has had time to reflect on his work, and about his future. Working on future campaigns is a strong likelihood, he said, or working in government. But as "more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy," McDonald said he does not expect to seek elected office himself.
"The campaign was the most stressful, grueling experience I've had, but it was exhilarating and I'd do it again in a second. Really rewarding work. Meeting a lot of great people. Once I finish up school, I could definitely see myself trying to work on a campaign, or something in politics. I haven't gotten it pegged down exactly yet," he said.
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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Digital Risk's mix of behavior analytics and broad data sourcing have helped it grow quickly over the past year and to be selected as one of Bank Technology News' Top Ten Tech Companies to Watch in 2013. The company has now attracted the attention of MphasiS, a Hewlett Packard (HP) company that on Monday morning announced it is buying the mortgage risk specialist.
MphasiS, a $1 billion company that sells applications, infrastructure services and business process outsourcing to global clients in financial services, insurance, manufacturing and communications, is adding Digital Risk as part of its "hyper specialization" strategy, using Digital Risk's domain expertise in mortgage risk as a competitive differentiator.
The deal should give Digital Risk an opportunity to leverage MphasiS' facilities to further its expansion. The two companies anticipate hiring about 500 people, some of whom may be housed in MphasiS facilities across the country. Digital Risk will maintain its brand and management structure. A spokesperson said that day-to-day operations will remain the same.
The Orlando, Fla.-based Digital Risk has been on a winning streak. Its yearly earnings grew to about $79 million in the past year from $3 million in 2008, and the company has doubled its headcount in the past year.
It also recently released Veritas, a tool that uses borrower, property and local real estate data to analyze how a borrower's behavioral tendencies predict prioritization of mortgage payments vs. other financial obligations. Digital Risk, which says it's gone live with a couple of tier-one bank clients, faces competition in the mortgage risk space from companies such as FICO (FICO), CoreLogic (CLGX), SAS (SAS) and Wolters Kluwer (WKL).