text:
Highlights and Presenters
Wednesday, October 31st, 9am - 4pm @ CPCC's Levine Campus
|Body Worlds
See the human body like never before as Discovery Place presents Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better understand physiology and health, and to gain a new appreciation for what it means to be human. By featuring real human bodies and organs that are specially preserved through a process called Plastination, BODY WORLDS visitors experience the remarkable elegance, complexity and diversity of the body in a way that cannot be shown through models, drawings or photographs. For tickets, visit discoveryplace.org or call 1-800-935-0553.
|Apple Computer
Come see the latest in desktop and lifestyle technologies being offered by Apple Computer. Apple offers a full line of desktop systems, laptops, media devices, accessories, services and more to meet your dynamic lifestyle. Excellent discounts and incentives are available for educators and students. Ask about their sessions for your chance to win an iPod and other great Apple exclusives!
|Sonic Foundry
Sonic Foundry is a technology leader in the emerging rich media communications marketplace, providing enterprise solutions and services that link an information driven world. Sonic Foundry is changing the way organizations communicate via the web and how people around the globe receive vital information needed for work, professional advancement, safety and education.
|Learning Objects, Inc.
See what all the buzz around social learning applications is about! Learning Objects, Inc. applications integrate blogs, wikis, podcasting, and more into your LMS. Our Campus Pack software suite allows you to realize the potential of your learning technology.
|Student Life
Student Life facilitates student learning and development by providing activities and services that enhance positive relationships among students, the College and the community. These relationships are created and nurtured through accessible programs and services, connections to campus and community resources, and co-curricular opportunities that focus on diversity, leadership, service, and personal well-being.
CPCC offers eLearning courses in a variety of convenient formats to meet the needs of our students: television and video-based telecourses, online Internet-based courses, non-credit training courses and more!
|The Futures Institute
The Mission of the Futures Institute is to provide a forum for investigation, education and research focused on socio-economic, technological, and educational trends and developments. The Futures Institute will encourage anticipatory thinking and generate the best possible responses to the many trends, developments, challenges and opportunities emerging in the fast-paced 21st century.
|Healthy Dairy
Geeks, while heavily-caffeinated sugar-laden sodas may give you an initial boost, they also leave you with a crash. There are healthy options for your "geek eats." Get healthy with Healthy Dairy all natural yogurt smoothies. Incredible, satisfying taste that delivers unparalleled health benefits including our unique sweetening ingredient SUSTA. It turns calories into healthy energy.
|Cochran Enterprises
We are a seasoned network of complete marketing, advertising and corporate media recourses, which has worked directly in the product and service arenas from many Fortune 500 Corporations. See our display at THE Geek Fest and drop in at our short informational sessions and learn about how you can build a career around integrating elements from print, multimedia to film/video into a single, seamless voice.
|Conservation Geography: GIS, Computer Mapping, and Activism
Dale Loberger, ESRI
The application of GIS is improving our understanding of how the planet works at all scales. GIS users analyze complex situations, visualize problems, and create geographic plans and solutions. They are also increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and helping people make faster and better decisions that consider all the geographic factors necessary to create a sustainable future. And GIS users are improving the processes of communication and collaboration, helping to better coordinate work across organizations. This presentation will explore many of the ways that Geographic Information Systems are changing our lives and our future. [more]
|"Sustainability Driving Technology"
Dr. John Wear, Jr., Wake Forest University
THE Geek Fest and the Futures Institute present Dr. John Wear, Jr. who will speak at on issues of "Sustainability Driving Technology." Dr. Wear is Director of the Environmental Science and Studies Program; Director of the Catawba College Center for the Environment; Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Wake Forest University. He was named the 2003 N.C. Conservationist of the Year by the Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards Program; a 2002 "Guardian of the Earth" by The Charlotte Observer; and the 2001 Recycler of the Year by the Carolina Recycling Association (the nation's largest recycling organization). [more]
|Becoming an "Everyday Edison" - How to progress from ideas to innovations.
Louis Foreman, founder and Chief Executive of Enventys
Do you have a great idea? How do you harness it, turn it in to reality, and make money from it? This presentation will introduce attendees to steps that they can take BEFORE investing in patents, engineering, etc, to turn ideas into innovations.
Louis Foreman is founder and Chief Executive of Enventys, an integrated product design and engineering firm with offices in Charlotte, NC and Hong Kong. Over the past 20 years Louis has created 5 successful start-ups and has been directly responsible for the creation of over 10 others. A prolific inventor, he is the inventor of 9 registered US Patents, and his firm is responsible for the development and filing of well over 150 more. He is a frequent lecturer and radio / TV guest on the topics of small business creation and product development, and was most recently invited by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to be a featured speaker on the topic of innovation. Most recently, Louis is serving as the Executive Producer and judge for a new inventor's TV show called Everyday Edisons. The show will appear nationally on PBS stations in 2007. [more]
|Emerging Trends in Energy Consumption
THE Geek Fest and the Futures Institute present Dr. Brian Raichle who will speak on emerging trends in industry related to the environment, energy consumption, and renewable resources. This presentation will frame the problem of energy consumption, introduce possible solutions including the growth of renewable resources, and the emerging need for a trained and prepared workforce. Dr. Raichel is an Assistant Professor of Appropriate Technology at Appalachian State University. [more]
|LIVE WEBCASTS: Watch These Sessions From Your Desktop!
If you're unable to attend the event in-person, don't miss out! This year you will be able to enjoy TGF from your home, office, or Internet cafe for FREE. Through our partnership with Sonic Foundry's Mediasite system, key presentations and seminars will be broadcasted live over the Internet.
Break-Out Sessions
|Learn, Share, and Collaborate!
Learning Objects, Inc.
See what all the buzz around social learning applications is about! Learning Objects, Inc. applications integrate blogs, wikis, podcasting, and more into your LMS. Our Campus Pack software suite allows you to realize the potential of your learning technology. Learning Objects develops creative, forward-looking software for education. Attend this session and stop by the company display to see live demonstrations.
|Effective Learning Using Bb Updates Pt I: Course Design and Layout
CPCC Instructional Development and eLearning
Are you taking advantage of the evolution of Blackboard to deliver your course more effectively and make it more intuitive and friendly to your students? - Customizable Course Menus - Tips on "user friendly" colors and banners - Graded Discussion Boards
|Introducing Apple's New OS X Leopard System
Apple Computer
Packed with more than 300 new features, Mac OS X Leopard launches on Friday, October 26. "Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we've ever released," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. Attend this session for a live demonstration of the new system and features.
|Introducing Apple's New OS X Leopard System
Apple Computer
Packed with more than 300 new features, Mac OS X Leopard launches on Friday, October 26. "Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we've ever released," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. Attend this session for a live demonstration of the new system and features.
|Free screening of "Who Killed the Electric Car?"
CPCC Film Club
CPCC's film club will be showing to free documentaries at this year's annual Geek Fest. "Who Killed the Electric Car?," is a powerful and stimulating argument concerning the relationship between the consumer and manufacture in which ultimately leads to the destruction of battery operated vehicles.
|Effective Learning Using Bb Updates Pt II: Learning paths to improve student performance
CPCC Instructional Development and eLearning
Over viewing and measuring student performance in your course (Performance Dashboard); Identifying and alerting students who are not doing satisfactory when time is not yet an issue (Early Warning System); Creating learning paths for individual students (Adaptive Release)
|Video Webcasting With Mediasite
Shane Conant, Sonic Foundry
Mediasite captures your knowledge as it's naturally shared, when and where it happens - in meetings, training, or class - and delivers that critical information over the web to the people who need it. Instantly. It automatically webcasts you and your materials over the internet, where people can then watch in real-time or later on-demand through any web browser.
|One Box to Search Them All
CPCC Libraries
Join us for a discussion and hands-on demonstration of CPCC Libraries new "Meta-Search" tool. This new tool allows users to search multiple library databases AND the library catalog from one search box. Articles, books, and eBooks are now just a few clicks away!
|Free screening of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"
CPCC Film Club
CPCC's film club will be showing to free documentaries at this year's annual Geek Fest. We will be taking a look at global warming on today's environment in Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
Other Attractions, Festivities, Displays, Organizations, Projects, Cooperatives, Fun, Entertainment, Prizes, Randomness and MORE!
|The Human Anatomy Revealed
Body Worlds
See the human body like never before as Discovery Place presents Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better understand physiology and health, and to gain a new appreciation for what it means to be human. By featuring real human bodies and organs that are specially preserved through a process called Plastination, BODY WORLDS visitors experience the remarkable elegance, complexity and diversity of the body in a way that cannot be shown through models, drawings or photographs. For tickets, visit discoveryplace.org or call 1-800-935-0553.
|Apples, iPods, and iMacs -- Oh My!
Apple Computer
Come see the latest in desktop and lifestyle technologies being offered by Apple Computer. Apple offers a full line of desktop systems, laptops, media devices, accessories, services and more to meet your dynamic lifestyle. Excellent discounts and incentives are available for educators and students. Ask about their sessions for your chance to win an iPod and other exclusivves!
|Sculpture Contest with $100 First Prize!
Any CPCC Student or Faculty member is eligible. The art can be in any media but should contain some metal. The entry fee is $5.00 per piece entered into the Contest. It is free for Welding Students. To enter the contest, please contact Ron Banyash at firstname.lastname@example.com or (704)685-2659.
|Animated Digital Hosts
Reallusion + CPCC's Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE)
Representatives will introduce attendees to CrazyTalk software. CrazyTalk allows users to construct their own life-like animated talking characters. These avatars are commonly used as digital hosts on web sites, emails, movies and more.
|Got game? Simulation and Game Design
CPCC Simulation and Game Development
Gaming competitions, student-made large screen digital image projectors, robots, programming, geeking, and more. Stop by and learn about this popular program, compete in games, win prizes! The Simulation and Game Development (A25450) curriculum provides a broad background in simulation and game development with practical applications in creative arts, visual arts, audio/video technology, creative writing, modeling, design, programming and management. Students receive hands-on training in design, 3D modeling, software engineering, database administration and programming for the purpose of creating simulations and games.
|Simulation, Modeling and Visualization Center
CPCC Simulation, Modeling and Visualization Center
The mission of the Simulation, Modeling and Visualization Center is to advance the sciences of simulation, modeling and visualization through promotion, education, training, provision of services, collaboration and product creation, and to use these sciences as alternative learning technologies for the advancement of learning outcomes. The model for the Center follows.
|The Future of Gaming is Here!
Gamer's Edge Cyber Cafe
Gamer's Edge will be on-site with the latest in video game entertainment, games, systems, tournaments, and more. It's going to be a lot of fun! Gamer's Edge is a premiere cyber gaming café and online gaming lounge (Also known as a "Gaming Center") available to people of all ages and skills (Recommended ages 13+). We host custom built PCs with countless games We strive for leadership among the online gaming community. We host events, LAN parties, tournaments, consoles, lock-ins, and advanced gaming for an all new unique gaming experience. Whether it be for competition, solo gaming, cooperative gaming or the social aspect.
|Do U YouTube?
GEEKS, bring your cameras, video devices, and mobile phones! How does THE Geek Fest look through your eyes? We want your media; audio, video, pics, etc. Contribute your media to The Geek Fest Collaborative Video project. The best will be included in the event composite to be posted on YouTube. There will be prizes for the top three contributors.
Geo Geeks
|Experience Online 3D Virtual Worlds
Second Life
The CPCC IT program and Futures Institute will introduce students to new online virtual worlds and experiences through Second Life. "Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by a total of 9,308,493 Residents from around the globe."
|IMAGINON in Virtual Worlds
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
IMAGINON will be on-site highlighting its work with Second Life virtual environments, technology education, innovative resources, and collaborations. At ImaginOn, young people learn in many ways, through all five senses and "from the page to the stage." It is the launching pad for remarkable journeys and endless possibilities.
|Ignite the Wonder in You!
Discovery Place
Discovery Place with the Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theater and the Charlotte Nature Museum are the things to do in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit the Discovery Halls and view our permanent exhibits such as Our Living Planet, the Ocean Pool, the Rainforest, the Life Center, Einstein's Corner, and many more exciting exhibits. Stop by today, there's so much to explore in Uptown Charlotte. Ignite the Wonder in You!
|A Geeky Poker Face
PokerTek, Inc. is a software development and engineering company based in Matthews, North Carolina. The growth of poker over the past two years has been nothing short of phenomenal. The World Poker Tour and other programs have exploded the appetite for poker in the US and abroad. Poker is no longer in decline but is now a strategic part of any gaming venue. Gaming customers are demanding poker as an alternative within casinos. We believe our product creates a great opportunity for operators, and it will be an exciting playing experience for customers.
|Live DJ Demos and Lessons
"With These Hands Mix Academy" will be on-site demonstrating DJ and mixed music skills. Industry professionals from Salt Water Music will teach DJing basics, scratching, mixing and how to use the turntable as an instrument.
|"Bio Bus" Mobile Laboratory
NCCCS BioNetwork
The "Bio Bus" will be on-site from the NCCCS BioNetwork. The NCCCS BioNetwork is a statewide initiative that connects community colleges across North Carolina, providing specialized training, curricula and equipment, to develop a world-class workforce for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.
|Environmentally Geek-Friendly
Charlotte Energy Solutions
Featuring environmentally friendly automotive and household products including a vegetable oil powered car, Segways, solar backpacks, corn-powered grill, solar tea kettle, power assisted toilet, and much more.
|NCJETS @ UNC Charlotte
Founded in 2003, NCJETS is a program geared towards encouraging middle and high school students to explore education and career paths in Engineering, Technology and the Sciences.
|Robotically Sheek
Sheek Geek
SheekGeek is an online source for educational kits. These kits range from robot kits to craft ideas for students, hobbyists, and teachers. Stop by their display for more information.
|Hands-on Animation Studio
John Lemmon Films
JLF is a traditional animation studio producing clay animation, 2D animation and stop motion animation for TV commercials and videos. Clients include Disney, Pacific Bell, Cartoon Network. A portable animation studio will be on-hand for participants to create short stop-motion animation. This animation studio creates clay animated TV commercials for clients including Disney, Pacific Bell and Cartoon Network. John Lemmon will bring a portable animation studio so participants can create stop-motion animation.
|Bot Building
Hope Junction
Hope Junction offers creative enrichment educational programs to motivate teens and pre-teens to consider careers in engineering and the sciences through hands-on building and programming of robots. At the fair, Hope Junction will have kids play with pre-programmed robots and try their hands at building simple mechanisms.
|Healthy Geeks
Healthy Dairy
Geeks, while heavily-caffeinated sugar-laden sodas may give you an initial boost, they also leave you with a crash. There are healthy options for your "geek eats." Get healthy with Healthy Dairy all natural yogurt smoothies. Incredible, satisfying taste that delivers unparalleled health benefits including our unique sweetening ingredient SUSTA. It turns calories into healthy energy. Get your free sample at the fest!
|Amateur Radio
Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Association
CPCC welcomes MARS of Charlotte to THE Geek Fest! MARS will be demonstrating amateur radio technologies around the Levine campus. Visit their display area outside.
|From Disabilities to Opportunities Through Technology
Metrolina Services for the Blind, Inc.
Many educational barriers can be eliminated with a technological environment. Our goal is to provide students with disabilities an optimum opportunity to reach their full potential with equal access to a quality postsecondary education through the use of technology.
|Assistive Technology
North Carolina Assistive Technology Program
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities. Assistive Technology (AT)is any type of equipment that helps people with disabilities or older individuals be more independent at home, school, work, leisure time, or in community life.
|Library Jeopardy
CPCC Libraries
Come see a demonstration of a new learning tool which the library recently bought for use in our library instruction classes. Library Jeopardy was inspired by the popular game show and made possible using this new technology, which lets individual students respond to questions with wireless remotes. We'll be having impromptu sessions throughout the day and prizes will be given to the winner of each session.
|Forensics for Everyone
American Academy of Applied Forensics (AAAF)
General & Digital Forensics - The American Academy of Applied Forensics is located at the North Campus in Huntersville. The primary market for the forensic academy is comprised of professionals already working in law enforcement, civilian investigative fields and the medicolegal professionals. Many classes are open to the general public. The academy has over 45 general and digital forensic classes.
|Student Indie Films and Video
CPCC Videography Program
Independent student films developed by CPCC's Videography program will be displayed throughout the event. They will be bringing films they've produced, great video technologies and equipment, just in time interviews, telecasts and more! Take a moment to come by the videography table for entertainment and program information.
|Engineering Ideas To Reality
CPCC Engineering Technology
The Engineering Technology Programs at CPCC provide 12 different state of the art learning paths to modern work life in the technical field. All the programs provide a well rounded know-how for students to succeed in today's competitive job market. We have most modern equipment to take advanced ideas into the reality. Come by their display for some great emerging technologies and advanced student projects.
|The Hot Geeks -- CPCC Welding
James Turner Institute of Welding Technology
The CPCC welding program will be putting a newer "geeky" spin on a trade with deep roots and great history. This iwll include a robot arm for mechanized welding, a sculpture contest, hands-on metalwork, metal coloring and more! The Welding Technology curriculum provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology, and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industry.
|The Black and Tans - Welding Program 2nd Club
CPCC Welding Technology
Visit the "Black and Tans" organization outside for demonstrations of Thermoplastic Metal Manipulation (modern blacksmithing and metal art) with a Halloween theme.
CPCC Welding Technology
Welding Technology and both welding clubs, the American Welding Society and the Black and Tan Club, present a creative new way to post things on the web. Students from CPCC's Welding Technology program have created an artistic metal and wire web-like structure on which information can be captured and displayed. Check out the world's only spider web geek.
|Weird Science
CPCC Science Department
Come see the demonstrations, experiments, and hands-on activities to inspire the little scientist in all of us. While you are there, take a moment to find out more about related classes and programs available at CPCC.
|Find a Great Job!
CPCC Career Services
Career Services provides many tech-based services to help CPCC Students and Graduates plan their career and find great jobs. Visitors to the Career Command Center can learn about occupation research websites, practice interviewing on webcam, preview our online assessments, see online job postings, and view Flash presentations on several career-related topics such as resume writing, dressing for success, and getting employers to notice you. Employer, Faculty, and Community Services information will also available.
|Speed Geeks
CPCC Transportation Systems Technology
Come see the latest in automotive technologies and motorsports! CPCC has great resources at the "Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology" and the North Campus Transport Technology Center.
|Services, Resources, and Technologies For Students with Disabilities
CPCC Disability Services
Disability Services provides comprehensive and innovative accommodations to assist students with disabilities in meeting their academic and career goals. Disability Services are available to students with a hearing, learning, physical, medical, visual, or psychological/psychiatric disability.
|Sustainable Fuels - Biodiesel
Metrolina Biofuels
Metrolina Biofuels is focused on sustainability, conservation of natural resources and renewable energy including solar power and biofuels. By locally producing and selling biodiesel we help support the economy and contribute to the improvement of air quality in the Charlotte Metro area. Metrolina Biofuels will offer a display introducing biodiesel; the need, the process, the effects and the sustainability. Information will be presented using several monitors featuring video footage, Metrolina Biofuel members for Q&A, short breakout verbal presentations and hand outs. The focus of our presence will be to promote an 'Introduction to Biodiesel' class beginning in January.
|Design For Geeks
CPCC Advertising and Graphic Design
Come see the exciting and creative work of our graphic design students for THE Geek Fest. Examples include t-shirts, posters, flyers, projected images, way-finding signage development, and more.
|Save Room For Lunch!
The Culinary Arts Club
The Culinary Arts Club at CPCC will be offering wraps, drinks and sweet treats for those attending THE Geek Fest, we cannot back up the "latest trends and organic" because our menu is Chicken Caesar wrap and a ham and cheese wrap.
|Chic Geek Accessories
Come by THE Geek Fest Accessories Store and browse through our selection of THE Geek Fest T-shirts and Sleek, Geek Jewelry. Chic Geek Accessories is technology junk that has been recycled, rebooted and enhanced with shiny peripheral components to make funky pendants, earrings, tie tacks, key chains, and more! These items make perfect gifts for the geek who has everything. Prices range from $10 - $35.
|Product Development
Enventys was created to provide a one-stop vertically integrated solution to product development. From ideation to distribution, we can handle all of your needs, no matter what they are. We provide a simple and cost-effective strategy to launching new products or to growing your existing business. Our deep experience in these fields allows for cost-effective execution that delivers results. Louis J. Foreman, the founder of Enventys, will be the keynote speaker at this year's fest.
|eLearning and Online Courses
CPCC Instructional Development / eLearning
Several training sessions will be offered by eLearning on online course development and management. Educators and college faculty are encouraged to attend. Professional Development credit will be awarded to employees. CPCC offers eLearning courses in a variety of convenient formats to meet the needs of our students: television and video-based telecourses, online Internet-based courses, non-credit training courses and more!
|Special Events Management Class
CPCC Business Administration
We've had a unique opportunity to integrate class participation with real world experience through this year's initiatives. The CPCC Business Administration program's "Special Events Management" class is closely involved with TGF and event-related activities. They have helped plan, coordinate preparation, set-up, decoration, volunteers, and provide on-campus information.
|Who, What, When, Where, Why, Geek?
CPCC English Division
Journalism students will be on-site at the event reporting on the day's festivities and geekiness.
|The College Geeks
CPCC Information Technology Services
We are committed to providing the college community with the highest possible quality of service through the implementation, advancement, and support of technology. We provide support of departmental and site-licensed applications, as well as those developed in-house. Training and support of college wide programs, such as CPCC Login, Blackboard/Moodle, and the Student Email System - Gmail is also provided through IT Services. We also provide consultation services to help you determine technology solutions appropriate for your needs.
Please note that this information including times, locations, titles, and descriptions are subject to change. Check the site frequently for updates and also look for an up-to-date schedule at the event.


text:
Editor's note – We have long been fans of Competition Accessories. They are a mail order motorcycle superstore, but not just in it for the money. True their prices are typically the lowest, but they have been in it for the long haul, and consistently give back to the (small) world of motorcycling. Fifty years ago was 1961. So many other retail stores have sprung up since then. Some have come and gone. Some are still here. But there is a reason why Compacc is still around and growing, even in this economy. — Jeff
Competition Accessories is celebrating its 50th Anniversary October 8th with an open house party and sale at their South Carolina Catalog Outlet Superstore and distribution center. The first 200 attendees will receive a free 50th Anniversary commemorative t-shirt and everyone will be treated to free hot dogs and pop during the day. Distribution Center and office tours will be available for those interested. Helmet, apparel and aftermarket accessories manufacturers will be on hand offering new product demos and information for customers. To celebrate the 50th year, many items will be marked up to 50% off for that one day.
There will be Online events that day also. Starting the week of the Celebration, they will conduct an online Charity Auction to benefit Ride for Kids / Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Many vendors have provided generous donations to be auctioned off for charity in addition the Competition Accessories collection of vintage posters and motorcycle collectibles will be offered. Also, the winner of the online customer voting for the most important event in the last 50 years of motorcycling will be announced.
James Conetta, Marketing Director and a 15 year Competition Accessories veteran " It's an honor to work with a company that's been around this long serving Motorcyclists through many industry changes. With the average business lasting maybe 7 years and internet start-ups coming and going every week, it says a lot about our employees, loyal customers and vendors who have supported our longevity and growth."
Online Charity Auction Benefiting Ride For Kids Charity
The Ride for Kids® program supports the efforts of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) to find the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors. Come join thousands of your motorcyclist friends at events around the country to make a difference in children's lives! Visit www.rideforkids.org for more information on the charity or to make a direct donation. ( approx 28,000 kids are living with a primary brain tumor diagnosis )
We are happy to offer some great products for auction. Including a Shoei X-12 Ben Bostrom Helmet with a Ben Bostrom signed shield (retail of $800+) from Shoei Helmets. Plus many other great products from vendors like Chatterbox, Olympia, Firstgear, Bell Helmets, Scorpion Helmets and more. The auction will be run online starting on 10-4-2011 and ending on 10-11-2011. Remember, all net proceeds go to the Charity, so bid early and bid often. Here is your opportunity to help save a child's life.
Online Poll to Decide the most Important Event in the last 50 years of Motorcycling visit our Motorcycle Blog
Competition Accessories
Motorcycle Outlet Superstore
Rock Hill, South Carolina
( click for a Map and Directions )
How we got started!
Warren Bales, then a tuner of Corvair rally cars, decided to branch out into the motorcycle business. Soon his business outgrew the little garage and was moved into the new store on highway 68 just north of Xenia in the mid 60′s. (click here to read more )
{ 0 comments }

subset: commoncrawl


text:
ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
Cosplayer Itsuka > Costume of Sealand (Axis Powers Hetalia)
- Most Recent Photo
- 01-05-2012
- Series
- Axis Powers Hetalia
- Character
- Sealand
- Special Variation:
- playing cards (joker) version
- Year Completed:
- 2011
- Construction Difficulty:
- Very Easy
- Wig styled by
- Hakuku
- Costume worn at:
- Pacific Media Expo 2011
This Costume has been retired
About this Costume
- Construction Details:
More closet cosplay that went a long way, as I made an investment in a really nice, warm jacket and well-fitted leggings (that passed as hipster jeans, LOL). The bandana, devil beanie, devil tail, jacket decals, and hat pin were done by me. I borrowed the maroon shirt from Haku.
- Personal Thoughts:
- I MUST GO. MY HIPSTER PLANET NEEDS ME. Derp, another Hetalia cosplay. It was a last minute decision made on a whim to go to PMX, and we were tied between doing genderbend Adventure Time or something Hetalia-related (because all is Hetalia, yes). We decided to do Hetalia out of laziness and cheapness, plus we went in theme to Jetspectacular's hipster party~ Much crack times were had, and lots of Instagram photos were taken. :)
Add a Comment


text:
Poll Recap: Saddle Up!
- Jan 14, 2014
- Basic
- Topics:
Of the 2,580 respondents, 951 (37%) said that they would ride in a western saddle, while 604 (23%) said their choice is an English all-purpose or jumping saddle.
Photo: Photos.com
If you went outside to ride right now, what kind of saddle would you use? We posed this question to our readers last week TheHorse.com, and more than 2,500 people responded. Here are the results!
Of the 2,580 respondents, 951 (37%) said they would ride in a western saddle, while 604 (23%) said their choice is an English all-purpose or jumping saddle. Another 428 respondents (17%) said they'd ride in a dressage saddle. Another 169 (7%) readers indicated they would use an endurance saddle, and 151 individuals (6%) said they wouldn't use a saddle at all—they prefer to ride bareback. Meanwhile, 110 readers (4%) said they would choose an Australian saddle, and 81 readers (3%) said they'd choose a different type of saddle. The remaining 32 respondents (1%) said they do not ride.
Poll Results
Additionally, more than 200 respondents provided comments about their saddle choice.
Many readers left comments about their preferred choice:
- "After 50 years of riding in all types of saddles, my Klimke dressage is my favorite."
- "We ride either in exercise saddle or bareback. We prefer to feel the horses' movements."
- "My jumping saddle fits both my horse and my riding style best!"
- "I actually like the bareback saddles that have stirrups."
- "Hitch up to the carriage and walk on!"
- "I ride western and English (all-purpose), but would like to try both endurance and australian saddles."
- "I find my dressage saddle provides the comfort and fit for trail riding!"
- "Mine is really more of an aussie/western-cross, but I put it down as aussie on the list. Love it!"
- "Western saddles are just so comfortable and look great on a horse too!"
- "Bareback in the winter helps me keep warm in frigid temps."
- "Love my County all-purpose: custom made for my horse and fits like a dream."
- "I feel a little more secure in the close contact, but the dressage saddle fits the horse best right now."
- "I like western saddles too, but aussies are the most comfortable for me and horse"
- "I don't own anything other than western saddles."
- "I love to ride bareback! It's so fun and free feeling!"
- "I trail ride in a western saddle. It's the safest if my horses decide to spook."
- "I start in an all-purpose and usually end with bareback."
- "My all-purpose saddle works well for trail riding and dressage."
- "Sidesaddle!"
- "I changed to dressage from western about two years ago."
Several readers said that cold winter weather helps determine their saddle choice and riding habits:
- "One that has a built in space suit and central heating!"
- "Freezing cold weather makes bareback inviting."
- "I don't ride when it's this cold and this much snow on the ground."
- "It's really cold and my western saddle will accommodate the extra clothes!"
- "On a cold winter day I prefer to ride western. Most other days I use an all-purpose saddle."
- "In this cold weather I would ride bareback for the heat from the horse."
- "It's way too cold to ride for my horse and me!"
- "No saddles when it's this cold outside"
- "With temps down to 14 in the Northeast, I would ride bareback just for the warmth!"
- "If I ride when it's cold, I prefer to ride bareback...I benefit from my horses body heat!"
- "Saddles can get cold and uncomfortable in the winter."
- "If I went out to ride right now, the saddle had better be heated."
- "Since it's freezing out, probably my big, fleece-lined treeless saddle."
- "Western...it's cold out! The six layers needed to stay warm just won't work with a hunt saddle."
Some people said that they preferred to ride in treeless saddles:
- "I prefer the treeless saddles."
- "Hey—how about the best saddle—treeless!"
- "Treeless Freeform endurance saddle."
- "When the weather is cold, I have a nice synthetic treeless that I use!"
- "I use a dressage treeless (Ansur) fitted for endurance."
- "For me and my mare the best saddle ever is a Torsion Treeless! Hands down!"
- "I use a treeless or go bareback."
- "I use a western sensation saddle (treeless)."
- "Love my Bob Marshall treeless endurance model!"
Find out more about how the forces applied by saddle and rider can affect a horse's performance and welfare at TheHorse.com!
This week, we want to know: Have you ever had a saddle professionally fitted to you and your horse? Vote in the poll and share your comments!
The results of our weekly polls are published in The Horse Health E-Newsletter, which offers news on diseases, veterinary research, health events, and in-depth articles on common equine health conditions and what you can do to recognize, avoid, or treat them. Sign up for our e-newsletters on our homepage and look for a new poll on TheHorse.com.
About the Author
Jennifer Whittle, TheHorse.com Web Producer
Jennifer Whittle, TheHorse.com Web Producer, is a lifelong horse owner who competes with her Appaloosas in Western performance events. She is a University of Kentucky graduate and holds a bachelor's degree in Community Communications and Leadership Development, and master's degree in Career, Technical, and Leadership Education. She currently lives on a small farm in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Related Content
National Forest Trail Bill Approved by House Committee
Shedding Light on Equine Night Vision
Vets Help Horses, People
Moorman's Launches New Web Site
Focus on Discipline: Harness Racing
10 Retired Racehorse Resources on TheHorse.com
Researchers: Sensors Can Help Improve Rider Aids
Trail Horse Hoof Care
Taking Care of the Mature Pony Club Mount
How to Handle Wild Animal Encounters With Your Horse
POLL: Checking for Gastric Ulcers


text:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - State Attorney Angela Corey is firing back at people who she says are airing their opinions about the Marissa Alexander case without knowing all of the facts.
A jury convicted Alexander of aggravated assault for firing what she said was a warning shot during an argument with her estranged husband.
Last month, a judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison based on Florida's "10-20-Life" law.
This week, a commentary appeared in a Kansas City newspaper saying there was no justice when the real victim is the one behind bars.
Corey said that's frustrating to hear.
"All the people that are writing about this case and blogging, they haven't even bothered to check on the facts yet," Corey said. "And so it's disappointing that people want to try cases in the media, but not put all the facts out."
Corey said she can't respond directly to criticism like this and accusations made against her personally because of the code of ethics.
She said it's morally and ethically wrong for people to render opinions on cases where they don't know all of the facts.
Copyright 2012 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Fans of the Bugatti Veyron are quick to say that each and every 250+-mph car is a work of art, regardless of trim level or body style. But Bugatti is not an automaker to pass up an opportunity to spice up its million-dollar cars, so it teamed up with French artist BernarVenet to create what you see here: a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport art car.
The man behind the project: Bernar Venet. Venet's work has graced the halls of the world's biggest and best modern art museums: the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Paris Centre Pompidou, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. His work with sculpture has been inaugurated and commissioned by French dignitaries and politicians like Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy, and he is one of only five modern artists to exhibit work at the famous Chateau de Versailles in France.
Unlike most of Venet's work–sculptures, canvasses, the like–his new project is actually capable of transporting itself. His new canvas is a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, the convertible variant of the infamous Bugatti Veyron, which produces roughly 1000 hp thanks to a quad-turbocharged, 8.0-liter W-16 engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and all-wheel drive. Without any of Venet's upgrades, the car is worth about $2 million.
Venet is an artist who's long been fascinated with the concept of math and science as represented in art, so he wrapped the car's exterior and interior with mathematical symbols and equations. Bugatti says that the equation calculates the power output of the Veyron, although from the photos we're less than convinced. In any event, the caramel brown over deep brown color scheme works well on the curvy hypercar, and we especially like the two tone wheels–reddish brown up front, deep brown out back. Inside, it's a similar two-tone affair: the dashboard is deep brown, which contrasts with the transmission tunnel and seats, which are caramel. Venet emblazoned more equations on the door panels, and the panel between the front seats gets what appears to be his logo, which matches the graphic on the gas cap. Predictably, this work of art is signed, with a logo on the transmission tunnel.
The one-off art car will make its world debut at Art Basel Miami Beach next week.
Source: Bugatti


text:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
I always heard you dipped pretzels in lye before baking. Seems weird since it's poison, but maybe it bakes off or something.
I thought you dipped the pretzel dough in hot water that had baking soda added for a la really short time, remove and then bake the dough in the oven.
That's generally the recommended procedure for home-made soft pretzels. Commercially made hard pretzels are generally brushed with a weak lye solution, either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). BTW, lye is also used in the production of cocoa, chocolate, olives, ice cream (as a thickener), and to rehydrate parched corn.
Lye - there is a food grade lye which is definitely not drain pipe lye.
This is so wrong, it couldn't be farther from the truth. Lye is lye is lye. There is no difference chemically between the lye used for food processing and the lye used for cleaning drains: the difference is SOLELY in the concentration of the lye solution.Lye used in plumbing is simply a strong concentration of either Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide, either in crystal form or a thick gel. It works because the chemical reaction between the metallic alkali and fat or oil (saponification) converts the esters in oil or fat into soap. Lye used in food processing is simply a weak concentration of either Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide.Lye is hazardous, but it is NOT poisonous. Lye is a caustic base and, in high concentration, is highly corrosive and must be handled with care.
I can't believe my German co-worker talked me into this. I am making pretzels right now. We found some commercial Bavarian Pretzel mix online. We also found an outfit willing to ship us Sodium Hydroxide (Natrium Hydroxid) as the label reads in German! I will post pics later when they are finished. So far so good, just waiting for the dough to retard.


text:
twilight1909 wrote:As for SK2, I don't think you could pay me to watch that. As for Copon, I didn't even know who he was until his name was brought up on the boards.
Now I am confused..i thought you were pro-Micheal so are you pro TL, MC or you just don't give a crap??


text:
I've searched, but cannot find an answer on the board. My apologies if I'm asking a dumb question :p
I recently took a quilting class for a victorian table runner, but we did not get far enough to learn how to bind the darn thing. It has curves and inside angles.
I'm assuming it needs to be bound with bias binding, but I do not understand the tutorials I've found online on how to make bias binding.
I would greatly appreciate if you have any links or information.


text:
Article on Noah's Opening Weekend Cites Media Studies Prof. Jeff McCall '76
April 1, 2014
The film Noah opened #1 at the box office last weekend, notes USA Today. "Despite the solid opening and a thumbs-up from three-fourths of the nation's critics, audiences gave the $125 million movie a collective grade of 'C,' according to online pollsters at CinemaScore," reports Scott Bowles.
The piece quotes a critic who calls Noah "a science-fiction movie with some biblical overtones," and there's also analysis from Jeff McCall, professor of communication at DePauw University and author of the book, Viewer Discretion Advised: Taking Control of Mass Media Influences.
"Just because these biblical stories are produced doesn't mean that the religious-minded audience will show up in the theaters," Dr. McCall tells the national newspaper. "Many people in this demographic understandably look at Hollywood with suspicion. These stories can't be 'Hollywoodized' too much."
Bowles adds, "Still, he says, it's telling that studios are broaching a topic that the industry has largely avoided since Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments more than a half-century ago."
According to McCall, "Hollywood needs to broaden its demographic reach and produce movies that family-values audiences can watch comfortably."
You'll find the complete article at USA Today's website.
A former journalist, Jeffrey M. McCall is a 1976 graduate of DePauw. The professor is regularly called upon to discuss media matters in major publications and has been quoted in stories published by more than 100 newspapers, including another USA Today story on March 26.
Source: USA TodayBack


text: K36 See Thru Sight Rail for Tippmann X7/A5 Abbildung ähnlich! This is one of the best sight rail for the Tippmann X7 Paintball Gun. This sight rail mounts directly on the Tippmann X7 without any modifications. It is all aluminum metal with mil-specs weaver rail and easy to install. You can mount anything you want on it, such as, sight, scopes and carry handle.


text: Marin is still at Chelsea? I know it's his first season and all, but he's made like 2 appearances. There's 4 Hazards, Thorgan is with Chelsea as well but out on loan, he's 19 though. There's one who is 17 and is at Lille and the youngest is somewhere in Belgium. I hope they'll all be at Chelsea soon enough and stay for a while, but if Eden is off to Madrid and brings his brothers with him, we need to milk Madrid for all we can. If they're willing to drop 80 on Ronaldo when he's 25, a 23 year old Hazard should fetch a similar fee. 70 million will do.


text:
MSC8002 Research Project Dissertation
|Semester 1, 2013 External Toowoomba
|Units :
|Faculty or Section :
|Faculty of Sciences
|School or Department :
|Maths and Computing
|Version produced :
|21 July 2014
Examiner: Richard Watson
Moderator: Stijn Dekeyser
Pre-requisite: MSC8001
An in-depth project and dissertation on a specialised research topic are necessary to prepare graduates for further research, applications and responsible jobs in Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science. This course, in conjunction with MSC8001, enables students to develop and use research capability and an advanced level of Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science skills.
This course forms the final part of the research training component of the Honours and Masters programs in the Faculty. From the foundation established in MSC8001, students will complete a selected project in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science with the supervision of appropriate staff from the Faculty. The project will consist of review, research into and reporting of a well defined area and its applications.
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- keep abreast of developments in Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science;
- execute and refine a selected research investigation;
- develop higher level Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science skills which include the analysis, synthesis and evaluation of factors involved in the investigation of the research topic;
- complete an extensive research based investigation and to evaluate the results;
- effectively document and communicate the results of the investigation and the methods used in the form of a dissertation.
|Finalise and report on a research project: Report literature survey; Dissertation writing and analysis; Seminar presentation.
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from USQ's Online Bookshop (unless otherwise stated). (https://bookshop.usq.edu.au/bookweb/subject.cgi?year=2013&sem=01&subject1=MSC8002)
Please contact us for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://bookshop.usq.edu.au/contact/)
All materials will be available from the USQStudyDesk course web site at http://usqstudydesk.usq.edu.au/.
Reference materials
Chambers JM, Becker RA et al 1983, Graphical methods for data analysis, Wadsworth, Belmont, Ca.
Highham, NJ 1998, Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences, 2nd edn, Siam, Philadelphia.
Jaeger RM 1990, Statistics: A spectator sport, 2nd edn, Sage, Newbury Park, Ca.
Strunk, W (Jr) 1918, The elements of Style, W P Humphrey.
Tufte, ER 2001, the visual display of quantitative information, 2nd edn, Graphics Press, Cheshire, Conn.
Zobel, J 2004, Writing for computer science, 2nd edn, Springer, London.
Student workload requirements
|Private Study
Assessment details
|Marks out of
|Wtg (%)
|Due Date
|16 Mar 2013
|(see note 1)
|16 Mar 2013
|(see note 2)
|16 Mar 2013
|(see note 3)
|16 Mar 2013
|(see note 4)
|21 Jun 2013
|(see note 5)
- These items submitted during enrolment in MSC8001. Due dates to be advised by the examiner.
- These items submitted during enrolment in MSC8001. Due dates to be advised by the examiner.
- These items submitted during enrolment in MSC8001. Due dates to be advised by the examiner.
- These items submitted during enrolment in MSC8002. Due dates to be advised by the examiner.
- These items submitted during enrolment in MSC8002. Due dates to be advised by the examiner.
Important assessment information
Attendance requirements:
It is the students responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course related activities and administration. It is the students responsibility to maintain regular contact with their Supervisor according to a mutually agreed schedule.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To satisfactorily complete an assessment items, a student must obtain achieve at least 50% of the marks.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 1% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the courses MSC8001 and MSC8002.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks/grades obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
University Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au.
Assessment notes
The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
In accordance with University policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assessment item in extenuating circumstances.
Method used to assess the dissertation: normally three Markers will be assigned by the Examiner, after advice by each Supervisor, to assess each student's dissertation. The Supervisor is normally one of the Markers. The Markers will independently assess the dissertation in the following five aspects: (a) Incorporation of established knowledge; (b) Assimilation of research literature; (c) Implementation of scientific techniques; (d) Technical writing; (e) Innovation. Each of these aspects will be given a mark in the range 0-20; the final mark will be the sum of these five aspect marks. The Examiner will moderate the marks recommended by the Markers and determine a final grade normally as the equally weighted average of the Markers recommendations. Where the Markers cannot reach a consensus, the Examiner may seek advice of extra Markers.
The grade calculated from the assessment items completed in both MSC8001 and MSC8002 will be awarded to both MSC8001 and MSC8002.
Method used to assess the seminar: normally two Markers will be assigned by the Examiner to assess each student's seminar on the following criteria: clarity of verbal communication; clarity of supporting material; organisation of information; answers to questions; impact. The Examiner will moderate the marks recommended by the Markers and determine a final grade normally as the equally weighted average of the Markers recommendations.
The referencing system to be used in this course is supported by the Department. Information on this referencing system and advice on how to use it can be found in the course materials.
Other requirements
Students will require access to e-mail and have internet access to UConnect for this course.
The student will normally lodge two bound copies of their dissertation with the Department: one for the Department and one for their Supervisor. The Department normally pays the cost of these two copies.
Normally a student's work in a project, their seminar and dissertation is expected to be open to public scrutiny. However, a project may generate intellectual property which a student wishes to remain confidential. If this is the case, the student, Supervisor and Examiner will meet or confer to negotiate appropriate work practices consistent with University policies.
Normally, a student and the Supervisor will meet or confer for one hour each week. The Supervisor will: guide direction; provide formative feedback; suggest possibilities; teach methods; advise on balance and emphasis; remind the timelines; recommend marks to the Examiner for the Preliminary proposal, Proposal, Preliminary seminar, and Literature survey; suggest dissertation Markers to the Examiner; coordinate with the Examiner, especially for the seminars; and meet as required with other supervisors.


text:
New Britain police are investigating the drowning death of a 5-month-old girl in a bathtub.
Officers responded to 370 High Street around 8 a.m. on Saturday after someone called 911 to report an unresponsive baby found in a bathtub.
The girl was not breathing and emergency crews performed CPR on the girl while they transported the infant to the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. The girl was pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the girl's death an accidental drowning.
The incident is being investigated by the New Britain Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.


text:
For Pharrell's new song "Happy," off the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, he decided to do something monumental. He decided to make the world's first 24-hour video… for a four-minute song.
The series of clips, which are playing on an all-day loop via 24hoursofhappy.com, follow different characters as they clap, sing and dance along to the song's infectious beat.


text:
Hi all,
I need a new component for my audio set up but I'm not even sure what specific equipment I actually need.
I'd like to be able to run a 2.1 setup with a powered sub and passive speakers and switch between multiple inputs. I'll be connecting a PS3 and an HTPC (with dedicated sound card) to my system.
Currently I have a vacuum tube amplifier the speakers and I want something that will let me select different audio sources (video source switching is strictly necessary, but would be nice).
I've looked at pre/pros but they're generally very expensive since they target the high end of the market. I've looked at receivers, but most don't have pre-outs (which are necessary to use a receiver in conjunction with an amp) and the onese that do have pre-outs are pretty expensive ($400).
I've looked a little bit at simple audio source selectors, but I can't really find one that seems well made and reliable.
Finally, I'd like this to be as cheap possible (hopefully around $100) so long as something really cheap will not have a large negative impact on sound quality.
So what competent do I need to accomplish my goal?


text:
How long can you deal with death and trauma before it starts to affect you?
Editor's Note: This week's First Person Essay is unusual for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it was authored by the news editor of a local daily newspaper, not a PoliceOne Member, Columnist, or Contributor. It's unusual also because this journalist — Gina Smith — absolutely "gets it" in her observations here, and we know how rare that trait seems to be in the mainstream media. The below essay was originally posted on Sequoyah County Times in Sallisaw (Okla.) and is reprinted here by permission of the publisher and author.
By Gina Smith, News Editor, Sequoyah County Times
Special Guest Contributor to PoliceOne
"Whoever battles with monsters had better see that it does not turn him into a monster. And if you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze into you." – Friedrich Nietzche
How long can you deal with death and trauma before it starts to affect you?
How many deaths can you see before it is all you see when you close your eyes? How long before you start looking for ways to numb the pain?
Those are the things I recently wondered about when writing stories about Trooper Josh Davies being arrested for driving under the influence.
I know this man. I have known him for a long time. I was shocked when I heard of his arrest for being intoxicated on the job. He is smarter than that. He is a good man and I've worked closely with him; he is a good officer.
What he is accused of was wrong. If he is convicted of a crime he should be punished for it, but I think there may be a larger picture then the one we are seeing, and if that's the case the finger of blame has other places to be pointed.
Imagine this for a moment.
You're driving down the road. You come upon an accident. There are two vehicles involved. You try to stop the bleeding of the 16-year-old driver who was thrown 53 feet from the car she was driving because she didn't have a seatbelt on. She is scared and so are you. She dies in your arms. Everywhere you turn there is blood.
You can't look away. You have to stay.
You stay while the fire department cuts through metal to try to save the victims in one car. You stay while two people are taken to the hospital; you will have to check on them later. You stay while three more are picked up by the funeral home. You stay when the mangled cars are hauled away.
You speak to witnesses, you take measurements and you form a picture in your mind of exactly what happened so that you can write it all down. Then you drive to the home of a couple you may or may not know and tell them that their baby isn't coming home tonight, all the while thinking of your own daughter safe in her bed.
You can't go home to hug her and try to forget what you have seen because you still have paper work to complete, victims at the hospital to see and another accident to work.
Now imagine doing it over and over and over again.
Trauma leaves a mark.
We ask that law enforcement and medical personnel have a robot mode that they can turn on and off at will. We want them not to feel when they are dealing with trauma but expect them to have hearts of gold when they are dealing with us as individuals. We don't want them to feel anything when they are at an accident scene but want their empathy when we are pulled over for a speeding ticket.
What we are asking of them isn't fair.
On the Thursday evening when this trooper was arrested I began making phone calls to verify facts.
The first thing I learned was that not a single law enforcement person had anything bad to say about this trooper, and they were all shocked when I told them why I was calling. I was an officer's wife and a dispatcher for more than a decade. I can tell you that officers will almost always defend one another outside the circle of blue, but if you are considered part of that law enforcement family, they will tell you honestly how they feel.
During the course of researching the news story a number of things came to light about Trooper Davies that I couldn't put in the news story without identifying the people who gave me the information. I think it is an important part of the bigger picture that could shed some light on a bigger problem.
Those tidbits of knowledge from people who trusted me not to identify them lead me to believe that this trooper knew he had a problem and he asked for help. He didn't get it, instead he was transferred to lake patrol.
I think he was an accident waiting to happen, and after talking with other folks I think some of the higher ups at the Oklahoma Highway Patrol knew it too and I don't think they did anything about it.
Now those same folks are too involved in staying away from the scandal of it all to admit that this could possibly have been prevented.
I know of at least two other troopers in the last decade who developed mental health issues because of the job. The incidents were swept under the rug to protect their own. The current issue came to a head in a very public way and couldn't be kept quiet.
It will likely cost this man his career, but it should also shed light on policies for helping law enforcement deal with mental health issues caused from trauma. Not only for employees themselves — let's face it these are tough men and women who may not always recognize or admit they are having issues; but also for supervisors who can try to identify a problem and help them deal with and face it without fear that they will ultimately lose their job.
How long can you deal with death and trauma before it starts to affect you?
In this case, I'm guessing about eight years.


text:
Submit News
China Continues to Gleefully Hack U.S. as Gov't Efforts Sunk by Partisanship
Jason Mick
March 2, 2012 1:47 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
(Source: Keaitu.com)
Even teenagers can defeat U.S. network security
Will the U.S. government ever step up to the plate and properly defend the nation in cyberspace?
I. Government Has Already Flunked the Cybersecurity Test
That's the pressing question as Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate bicker over a pair of proposals designed to offer some improvements to the nation's overall extremely poor state of cybersecurity.
The U.S. has flunked the "real world" security test. [Image Source: The Evergreen Foundation]
The situation as it stands is dire.
Tech-savvy teens
in the last year have humiliated government IT departments,
shutting down
hacking government websites
, while the government has been unable to find a way to shut down these hackers' homepages, such as "
These days even teens can outwit the U.S. government's internet security.
[Image Source: Financial Times (left); Michael Mayer (right)]
Meanwhile the U.S. is still grappling with the fallout of giving
a low ranking private
in the U.S. Army complete, virtually unrestricted access to the entire body of
U.S. diplomatic cables
and a great deal of military footage.
The soldier -- a teen at the time -- then passed the information on to
, a fame and fortune seeking "leaks" brainchild of ex-Australian college professor Julian Assange who resorted to creative Hollywood editing to make U.S. attacks on armed militants
look like the murder of unarmed civilians
(see the
regarding the unedited "Collateral Murder" video). The loss could well end up
costing lives
, a prospect that allegedly delights
founder who is quoted by a prestigious British journalist (and supported by several other journalists who were at the meeting) as stating that those who cooperate with U.S. forces in the Middle East are traitors to the their people and "
deserve to die
" (Assange denies saying this
calling the journalists liars
Military secrets leaked and subsequently doctored by
have been a massive PR setback for the U.S. military and its allies -- one which may cost lives.
This was just one high profile example in a long string of horrific data losses for the hapless government agencies [
But all of those embarrassments stand secondary to the far more dangerous threat from America's economic superpower rival, China. At a time when there's strong impetus in the U.S. to downsize the federal government and cut programs, the nation is also grappling with the reality of a Chinese government that has no such concerns and is more than willing to reportedly spend billions on its own
cyberoffensive programs
While the U.S. government recently
drafted strict rules
about when it can cyberattack other countries, China seems to have
no such scruples
U.S. agencies have proved woefully incapable of protecting their data against Chinese hackers.
[Image Source: Asia Society]
China has stood accused of conducting massive
intellectual property theft
hacking into financial institutions
, stealing government information, and
U.S. Department of Defense
systems. The problem is that America is unable to retaliate in any meaningful way. The American economies' is predicated on China
manufacturing the goods U.S. companies "design"
, and hence the nation cannot hope to respond with economic sanctions. At the same, time its lack of security competence limits its bloodless
counter-offensive options
II. Defending the Nation? It's Congress's Constitution Duty
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution
, the foundation of the U.S. government, clearly grants Congress the power:
[Image Source: EL Civics]
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and
provide for the common Defence
and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To raise and support armies
, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to
execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and
repel invasions
The U.S. Congress has been
ineffectual in legislating funding
and creating proposals outlining a sensible digital "common Defense" of the nation -- i.e. a "militia" (say, competent contracted security officials) or a digital age army (such as
China has built
In other words, when it comes to their Constitutional responsibility to protect the U.S. against invasions -- including cyberinvasions -- both parties in Congress have failed. Yet the American people remain largely apathetic of these failures and continue to vote for their party of choice, while doing little to voice public discontent over America's
ongoing losses
in the global cyberwar.
III. U.S. Senate, House Can't Agree on What to do
In the Senate U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has proposed a broad bill that would pay for improvements to the government security infrastructure. The bill would authorize the
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) to both crack down on IT incompetence in the various federal agencies. It also would authorize the DHS to crack down at similar
poor practices at U.S. government contractors
, such as Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) whose F-35 Lightning II fighter program was
infiltrated by foreign spies
The bill has strong Democratic support. Other co-sponsors include Sens.
John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV
(D-WV) and
Dianne Feinstein
(D-CA). But the bill also has a degree of bipartisan support as it is co-sponsored by Sens.
Joseph Lieberman
(I-NH) and
Susan Collins
(R-ME). Sen. Collins' mentor is Sen.
Olympia Snowe
(R-ME), who recently announced that
she would not seek reelection
as should could not stand the partisan conflict that has infected Washington D.C.
That conflict threatens to sink the Reid bill, as strong opposition from the Republican majority is overwhelming the minority in the party who support the measure. Senator
Saxby Chambliss, Jr.
[press release], "More government is seldom a solution to any problem."
Sens. Chambliss and former 2008 presidential candidate
John McCain
(R-AZ), along with 6 other high-ranking Senate Republicans have
sponsored an alternate bill
[press release].
the bill as "softer". That bill would not provide any additional funds to U.S. cybersecurity or authorize increased DHS oversight of IT/contractors. Instead, it would step up "information sharing" efforts between the U.S. gov't agencies and contractors regarding threats.
Sen. John McCain opposes the Reid bill to fund cybersecurity. [Image Source: kwout]
Sen. McCain lauded the bill as implement far less regulation than Sen. Reid's proposal. He states, "We believe that ensuring our nation's cybersecurity is critical. We have a bill that would do plenty to meet current challenges."
It should also be noted that Sen. Reid's bill also includes proposals to increase information sharing. Responding to the criticism, he stated, "I look forward to a debate on the Senate floor that will ensure this bill and other proposals get a fair hearing, and which will allow thorough consideration of amendments to improve the legislation."
While the Republicans are in the minority in the U.S. Senate, they do have strong support on the bill from the telecommunication industry, which is wary of increased regulatory powers to the DHS in the Democratic bill.
Industry officials also enjoy a close relationship with the bill's sponsor, Senator McCain. AT&T, Inc. (
) America's second largest mobile carrier and major ISP has provided
free service to Sen. McCain's ranch complex
in Ariz. And Telecoms/ISPs have heavily financed Sen. McCain's Senate and Presidential runs raising millions for him, favors he returned with hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts and tax holidays.
USTelecom President Walter McCormick offered glowing praise for the McCain measure, stating, "We can support the bill introduced today because it pursues those objectives without creating new bureaucracies or regulatory mandates that would erode, rather than enhance, the ability of network providers to provide nimble and effective responses to cyber threats."
The question is whether "information sharing" would do enough to improve the ineffectual cyberdefenses of the U.S. nation against threats from the Chinese and others to
water supply, electric grid
, financial networks, and transportation infrastructure.
The U.S. House of Representatives' efforts are still in their earlier stages, but a bill similar to Sen. McCain's Senate proposal authorizing the Pentagon to conduct two-way sharing of information with ISPs and contractors regarding threats. The bill passed a procedural vote by the House's Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and will be headed to a vote on the House floor sometime later this year.
Congressional cybersecurity efforts have stalled. [Image Source: U.S. Congress]
But the Democratic minority in the Republican-controlled House is expected to be crafting their own counterproposal. Thus partisanship may stall legislative efforts in the House, much as the rancor is currently sinking the Senate bills.
In the last five years similar bills have been proposed and slowly died.
IV. Will Someone Who Cares, Please Step up
Howard Schmidt, the White House cybersecurity policy coordinator, is hopeful that Sen. Reid's measure passes. But amid the partisan rancor he's not counting his digital eggs before they hatch. He instead is pushing government agencies to
reinterpret current authorization bills
and work to promote self-dense of the private sector, aware that Congress may not be able to reach the compromises necessary to defend the nation.
In that way the White House may try to sneak increased cybersecurity regulation "in the back door" via existing programs. But such efforts stand a strong chance of winding up in court, as contractors may sue the federal government if it adopts what they view as unauthorized regulation.
No one seems interested in solving America's cybersecurity problems. [Sen. Collins]
Ultimately at the end of the day all parties involved -- the majority of U.S. businesses and the U.S. government -- are lukewarm on providing strong cybersecurity. That's not to say their half-hearted efforts have come for free. Both the government and private sector pay a lot for cybersecurity.
While an overt attack by China is unlikely -- they are as economically dependent on the U.S. as the U.S. is on China. However, China appears to be instead opting to use its steady cyberattacks on the U.S. for financial
and technological gains
. The nation has made tremendous progress in its
stealth fighter
space programs
, progress many U.S. officials believe was fueled by
stolen U.S. government secrets
But in an era where China is conducting
almost open for-profit cyberwar
against the U.S. and amid a string of embarrassing security breaches to amateur attention-seekers, the efforts are clearly not enough. The problem is that few seem willing to pay the high cost of providing a strong security solution.
At the end of the day, this means that until something changes, the embarrassments for the U.S. government will likely continue. And, China will enjoy a faster path towards its goal of displacing the U.S. as the number one global financial power.
And for skeptics eager to smash that analysis as alarmism,
listen to Sen. McCain
[press release]:
All of us recognize the importance of cybersecurity in the digital world. Time and again, we have heard from experts about the importance of possessing the ability to effectively prevent and respond to cyber threats. We have listened to accounts of cyber espionage originating in countries like China; organized cyber criminals in Russia; and rogue outfits with a domestic presence like 'Anonymous,' who unleash cyber-attacks on those who dare to politically disagree. Our own Government Accountability Office has reported that over the last five years, cyber-attacks against the United States are up 650 percent. The threat is real.
He's certainly right about that.
John McCain [press release]
"So if you want to save the planet, feel free to drive your Hummer. Just avoid the drive thru line at McDonalds." -- Michael Asher
Related Articles
NASA's ISS Control Codes Were Stolen, IT Department Incapable of Patching PCs
March 1, 2012, 6:46 PM
Military PIN Number Stealing Virus Reportedly Hails from China
February 3, 2012, 10:23 AM
Report: Apple's Suppliers Continuously Violate Code of Conduct, Apple Does Nothing to Change It
January 27, 2012, 4:24 AM
China's First Space Station Module Reaches Orbit
September 30, 2011, 1:02 PM
China Brazenly Brags About Internet Attacks on U.S. in Leaked Video
August 23, 2011, 10:03 AM
Latest Headlines
Record surge in atmospheric CO2 increase seen
October 30, 2017, 7:25 AM
Breakthrough technologies of Today and Future
October 29, 2017, 8:50 AM
FM Radio – Most smartphones are ready for it.
October 15, 2017, 7:55 AM
How do you build the next-generation Internet?
October 13, 2017, 5:45 AM
Air France plane engine fails over Atlantic
October 1, 2017, 6:16 AM
DNA surgery on embryos removes disease
September 30, 2017, 5:40 AM
More Headlines
Most Popular Articles
Latest Blog Posts
Google Amazon Feud affects Customers
Elroy Bethell
Dec 6, 2017, 6:55 AM
Amazon Marketplace – Now Features Pet Profiles
Elroy Bethell
Dec 5, 2017, 6:17 AM
Apple iOS 11.2 – Fixes bug in iOS 11
Elroy Bethell
Dec 3, 2017, 7:02 AM
Amazon Alexa – Recognizes Different Voices & Gives Different Reponsesma
Elroy Bethell
Dec 2, 2017, 9:25 AM
Kardiaband – FDA Approved Medical Device for Apple Watch
Elroy Bethell
Nov 30, 2017, 7:45 AM
Samsung Graphene Batteries – Promise 12 Minute Charging
Elroy Bethell
Nov 29, 2017, 7:20 AM
Samsung Galaxy S9 - May Launch with on-screen fingerprint sensor.
Elroy Bethell
Nov 28, 2017, 6:25 AM
Cyber Monday 2017 – Do's and Don'ts
Elroy Bethell
Nov 27, 2017, 7:38 AM
Givenchy VR Googles – Fashion Reality Meets Virtual Reality
Elroy Bethell
Nov 25, 2017, 8:40 AM
Firefox Quantum Browser – Soon to Detect Hacked Websites
Elroy Bethell
Nov 24, 2017, 8:45 AM
Elon Musk Completes World Largest Lithium Ion Battery
Elroy Bethell
Nov 23, 2017, 8:45 AM
Uber hacked – Pays Hackers for Secrecy
Elroy Bethell
Nov 22, 2017, 7:25 AM
German Regulators ban Children's smartwatches
Elroy Bethell
Nov 21, 2017, 7:30 AM
Fake Mobile Apps – Black Friday Shoppers Beware
Elroy Bethell
Nov 20, 2017, 6:54 AM
Quantum Chips and Google
Saimin Nidarson
Nov 12, 2017, 6:45 AM
More Blog Posts
Copyright 2018 DailyTech LLC. -
RSS Feed
About Us
Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information
Kristopher Kubicki


text:
Libušín a Maměnka
Tato ojedinělá památka byla vystavěna v roce 1899 arch. D. Jurkovičem a stavitelem Urbánkem ze Vsetína. Od roku 1995 je soubor staveb na Pustevnách evidován jako Národní kulturní památka. Od tohoto roku se stal vlastníkem areálu stát s právem hospodaření pro Valašské muzeum v přírodě v Rožnově pod Radhoštěm, které začalo s rekonstrukcí objektu Maměnky v roce 1999. Při ní bylo dbáno na to, aby zůstala zachována původní autentičnost stavby, stavební prvky a architektonické články se všemi detaily (zejména dveře, okna, zábradlí, stropy).
The Czech Republic is a cool little landlocked country south of Germany and Poland, with a national addiction to pork and beer. Potatos, cabbage, and dumplings are close behind them, and they also have this great bar food called "utopenec." It means "a drowned man," it's pickled sausage with onions, perfect with some dark wheat bread and beer. The Czech bread is legendary, like a meal all by itself.Czechoslovakia first became a sovereign state in 1918 when it declared independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The state of Czechoslovakia lasted until the "Velvet Divorce" of 1993, which created Slovakia and the Czech Republic.It was occupied by Germany in WWII but escaped major damage, unlike most other European cities. The nation's capital, Prague, retains some of Europe's most beautiful Baroque architecture as well as one of the largest medieval castle complexes still standing. The President of the Czech Republic has his offices in the Prague Castle even today.There was a coup d'etat in 1948 and Czechoslovakia fell under Soviet rule. For fifty years Czechoslovakia was a Socialist state under the USSR, subject to censorship, forced atheism and even the arrest of jazz musicians!In 1989, communist police violently squashed a pro-democracy demonstration and pissed everybody off so bad that a revolution erupted over it, finally ending the Communist rule.The next twenty years saw rapid economic growth and westernization. Today in Prague you can eat at McDonald's or KFC, shop for snowboarding boots and go see a punk rock show.The Czech Republic took over the presidency of the European Union in January 2009. This instantly created lots of political drama because the President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, is a renowned Euroskeptic.We anxiously await the outcome of "President Klaus vs. the Lisbon Treaty", a world heavywieght fight sceduled for spring 2009.Text by Steve Smith.


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:05 PM
Town Square
City promotes downtown vision
Original post made on Mar 15, 2008
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, March 14, 2008, 3:05 PM
a resident of North Whisman
on Mar 15, 2008 at 10:21 am
The city might want to think about the fact that the economy is going into a slide right now and consider belt tightening for a while rather than an armful of expensive new projects.
Build a big new hotel in a bad economy and you end up with a bunch of empty rooms.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 17, 2008 at 12:52 am
Looking another way, start planning the building of a hotel, and in a few years when it is ready the business cycle might be turning the corner...
a resident of another community
on Mar 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The Enomony ig going south, but you got to think about the future, and who knows might be someone out there willing to build, workers working due help the economy. Plan for the future now.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 18, 2008 at 7:09 am
No, thank you. I live in Old Mountain View and think it's a terrible idea to put a hotel at the corner of El Camino and Castro. There is already a humongous amount of traffic on that corner. Plus Castro street would be backed up even worse than it already is. The Old Mountain View area streets (other than Castro) are quiet and charming. To add a hotel would ruin that. A bed and breakfast could be nice alternative. Or would we have a need quaint diner. Us locals that live near the corner of El Camino and Castro would like a nice hot breakfast that serves good coffee that we could walk to.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Mar 18, 2008 at 9:06 am
A bigger downtown hotel would actually be nice for that spot. You don't ruin the charm of the street further down towards the train tracks, and you now have a much more local spot for any MV businesses downtown. Should a developer choose to build another office building in the downtown corridor, having a nicer hotel within walking distance would be a big sell. Granted, Hampton Inn is down the street the other way from Castro street. Also, the city should make sure it doesn't end up like the Pacific Euro hotel on Evelyn.
a resident of Shoreline West
on Mar 18, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I don't think the timing is ever wrong to discuss projects intended to improve downtown, good economy or bad. The corner of Castro and El Camino is a good place for a hotel, or even a mixed use project.
That said, I think the city should direct its efforts at improving San Antonio Shopping Center and the surrounding commercial area. In addition, it should concentrate its efforts towards making the city more pedestrian and bicycle friendly to encourage people to ditch their cars for local trips.
a resident of Blossom Valley
on Mar 19, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I have an idea. How about placing a hotel on the corner across the street from Washington Mutual? The property is vacant from a fire which ocurred last year. It's near Peet's Coffee Shop.
a resident of Castro City
on Mar 19, 2008 at 10:07 pm
MV Resident,
Trying to cross the street at that intersection is crazy enough as it is. A hotel at that location would cause serious traffic and pedestrian issues.
a resident of North Whisman
on Mar 20, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Perhaps the city in their long terms plans might consider building one of those overhead bridges for pedestrians/bicyclists to go across the intersection of Castro and El Camino more safely. Another bridge at the other end of downtown on the corner of Castro and Central would be great as well.
Because of the surrounding residential neighborhood downtown Mountain View can only grow so wide in the future. There is certainly room for downtown to grow longer though. This makes even more sense since the city is considering a free shuttle that could potentially go up and down Castro and bring people to and from their homes, workplaces, restaurants, Caltrain, VTA, etc.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on May 9, 2009 at 10:42 am
Before we decide to pour a bunch of money into the downtown area, let's work on cleaning it up first. The nightclubs (one in particular) are a huge eyesore for the community and extremely upsetting to the downtown residents. They bring in people who do not live here, who host "after bar" parties in the parking lots of downtown until all hours of the night, even weeknights. There have been fights, apparent drunk driving, and many other issues associated with the people who frequent this club. Until the police and the city do a better job of managing this problem, it seems silly to put so much money into projects to bring more people down here.


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 12:00 AM
Town Square
Letter: Safety measures needed on Portola Road
Original post made on Jul 1, 2008
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 12:00 AM
Comments (5)
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Jul 1, 2008 at 4:46 pm
The letter writers are understandably feeling great sorrow over this tragedy, as many in the community are. But I'm not sure what proactive safety measures could be put in place on Portola Road that would change the outcome of a scenario involving drunk and reckless kids getting behind the wheel of a deadly weapon.
Their fate might have been different had luck been smiling on them -- there are few among us who can't remember at least one incident in our youth where only luck saved us from our stupidity. But stop signs and guard rails wouldn't have made a difference to an alcohol-fueled 19-year-old with the kind of judgment that would compel him to drive 80 mph on an unlit, winding road while drunk.
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jul 2, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Well written. I agree 100%
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Jul 3, 2008 at 1:14 am
i recently just moved to Portola Valley, although i've been in the neighborhood my whole life. Since kindergarten, i attended ormandale elementary and then moved on to corte madera middle school. I know the driver well, and he knew those roads better than anyone. Portola valley roads are isolated, ridged, and absolutely predictable. Although i do know this, these roads.. even though i drive them every day, make me uncomfortable. Every day i drive by the site wondering how he could have crashed right there.. of all the streets.. the straight one. A lot happened that night and i believe there is a huge factor the authorities are missing. If you wanna make Portola Valley roads safer, you have to eliminate the terrible drivers and enforce more lights along the road. There are lots of stubborn deer... fearless skunks and sometimes foggy nights.. which i may add makes its almost impossible to see.. i live right off Cervantes and i couldn't find my way home because of the headlights reflecting off the fog and no way to see further up the street. think about it people. Just because one kid was drunk and crashed doesn't mean all the other crashes on that road were similar.. focus on the more universal problems with these roads.
It saddens me to think that people are trying to use this sensitive and tragic incident as an example to try to enforce more protection over these streets.. there are worse areas to focus on.
Portola Valley already focuses on issues that don't even compare to other cities.
My friends from redwood city, also whom knew the people in the accident, drove to Portola Valley to visit me as i sulked around the house... drove down cervantes and headed to ormandale, with my sister and me walking next to the car directing them to take my dog to the park. Five minutes later we are harassed by two cop cars, three policemen, because someone called 911 because they felt "uncomfortable" or "terrified" about the car going through the area. Not everyone is rich, and there just happened to be a young black teenager just about 18 in the front seat, who will never go to Portola Valley again because he felt it was a race issue considering that exact car has come down many times before in which the cops were never called.
This is what really saddens me. Pv should focus more on how the community looks as a whole, i'm embarrassed to say i'm from Portola Valley, this is not how the town should be.
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Jul 5, 2008 at 11:06 am
There are many issues that the Town of Portla Valley does not address: mainly holding those who break the law responsible for their actions. Driving under the influence is against the law. Why do our police officers ignore the houswives who drink every day at their lunches when they DRIVE to pick up their children at our 2 local schools? Why do the parents who allow alcohol to be consumed by minors in their own homes not be held reposnsible when the same kids leave drunk in th emiddle of the night and break in to local businesses? Or vandlaize our schools? Do they relaize that serving or even allowing alcohol to be consumed while they are present in their own homes is against the LAW?
Portola Valley is a very small town with NO bus service which could allow our chidlren to be able to leave and go to the movies, bowling, shopping at Stanford or Hillsdale, go to a after school or summer job, volunteer, etc. We need to get Sam Trans back! Bored kids, not involved in an after school activity are going to look for trouble. This is NOT NEW to any town or neighborhood...so why not look at ways tosolve these problems. Instead of allowing parents to pull out their checkbooks to SAVE their children from each mess they have created, why can't the punishment fit the crime? if alcohol is involved, the kids then need to have to communitys ervice at a rehab...and attend AA meetings. If it is breaking and entering, then they should have to go work at the jails sweeping foors and seeing how other criminals live....and for the parents who constantly drink and drive and who cannot set a good example to your children, then maybe the police need to be watching them a bit more vs. an African American male who happens to have friends in PV....
It saddens me to no end that another life has been taken because this young man CHOSE alcohol before his friendship and his respect to himself and to his friend..Railings, lights, etc. are not going to help anyoen who chooses this lifestyle. But, I am sure this is not his first time drinking and driving and doing something so careless; our small town should have helped him before this accident...
Safe Teens is a great program...but why is this not mentioned in any PV town newlstters; all we hear about is the Town Center and how chickens are being raised here!
Saddened by it all....
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Jul 6, 2008 at 1:10 am
I absolutely agree.. my sister just got her license back after having a dui .. every time i go home not only is it a mission to find a ride and then get there but also usually all the times my parents are willing to pick me up they have consumed some amount of alcohol.. and parents these days.. with the things we teenagers do.. don't sit around drinking cheap wine and apple cider... i never thought i'd see the day where my parents drank more than their kids do. With lunch, dinner, heck, sometimes breakfast.. a nice cool gin n tonic or black Russian is poured down their dried up throats because society is crashing fast and almost every parent assumes that their child is in the middle of the chaos.
I agree that we need more reliable transportation in Portola Valley.
With a reliable ride to the area less teens would be driving drunk at night, trying to get home by curfew, unable to tell their parents" HEY I'M DRUNK"
Of all places know this... if you were raised in PV, it is almost at an instant, that you are to be a "good, well respected" child. You're from PV, com'on .. rich parents.. cute neighborhood.. pleasant ville right in front of your face. Maybe some of you don't see it, but look around... theirs a whole different kind of people roaming the almost empty streets of PV.
I say take it to the public eye.
Anyone wish to start a petition to help keep our roads safe and accommodate those who make poor decisions so they don't hurt others?
Burger chain Shake Shack to open in Palo Alto
By Elena Kadvany | 10 comments | 3,393 views
Eat, Surf, Love
By Laura Stec | 4 comments | 1,152 views
Couples: So You Married Mom or Dad . . .
By Chandrama Anderson | 1 comment | 1,107 views
The Cost of Service
By Aldis Petriceks | 1 comment | 757 views
One-on-one time
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 164 views


text: In closely following this forum, in almost EVERY thread someone bashes Carmelo, often multiple people, and I just can't wrap my mind around why. So many people are avid Lin supporters. Don't get me wrong, I love Lin and appreciate the Linsanity stretch he had in which he carried us, but if you're going to jump on a guy's bandwagon because he led us for a few weeks when Melo and Amare were hurt, why bash and blame Melo for all of our problems when he carried us in crunch time when Lin and Amare were hurt to get us into the playoffs. He bought in and played defense, which is what we all begged of him. He shared the ball, even gave more of an effort on the boards. He was the best player in the league for the last month, when we needed it most to make the playoffs. He made his teammates better and created for them, Novak can't create his own shot and we didn't have a true PG, who do you think got him open shots? Melo's triple-double against Boston was a fantastic and clutch performance. I'm just baffled as to why so many people blame and hate our team's best player, especially at a time where he's shown such commitment. Losing weight, working hard and saying all the right things. "It's my time, no more excuses" If anything we should be rallying around Carmelo at this point, because he seems to be in for quite a season and it's something we should all be excited for.