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Vacation Packages & Travel Guide
Have you ever tasted authentic Mexican food, or lounged in the Bahamas drinking Caribbean rum? Whether you are in need of a retirement weekend away, or you are going on a solo adventure, rid yourself of distractions and find the holiday you have been waiting for.
All Inclusive Vacation Packages
Enjoy a stress-free vacation where the only numbers you have to worry about are how many sides of lobster or dessert you want to add to your plate! Find all-inclusive holidays and remove the stress of budgeting to maximize your relaxation!
Family Vacation Packages
There are fun activities for everyone, whether you have group surf lessons, dolphin encounters, or even take the Harry Potter Tour in London! From world-famous European cities to the stunning Mexican beaches, your family will leave loaded with full cameras and happy memories.
Honeymoon Packages
Some people dream of hiking through Cinque Terra, Italy with their new spouse, while others fantasize about couples massages, moonlit dinners, and long evenings relaxing in child-free resorts. Find your Caribbean sunset cruise, or your elite chalet in the Alps to experience the perfect honeymoon.
Last Minute Getaways
Looking for a few spontaneous nights away in the midst of your hectic life? See what options are available in closest proximity with best affordability. You might find yourself escaping to a rainforest in West Indies, or weekending in a sophisticated city a few states away!
Vacations & Getaways - Doing it the Right Way!
When it comes to planning a vacation, the last thing you need is a panoply of ads flooding your screen each time you go to a new website. It seems as if every travel agency is vying for your time and the contents of your wallet with thousands of "limited-time-only" offers and "best vacation deals" flashing at you. Instead of sorting through dozens of pages, pop-up ads, and lengthy reviews, we aim to provide an efficient booking service, coupled with brief and helpful summaries of vacation destinations that may be of interest. The world is an enormous place, with a diverse variety of terrains and cultures just ready for you and your family or friends to explore.
Let us help you cut down to the facts. Where should you go? What does the word "vacation" mean to you? Whether you prefer a hammock-lounging holidays on a remote island in Hawaii, or immersing yourself in the culture and vibe of a vast city, or trekking through quaint villages in Europe, we will present concise information to get you started in the process.
We are not affiliated with any travel site, and are not employing some thinly veiled marketing scheme to get you to buy our deals. Our aim is to provide a user-friendly format where guests can sort through different destinations for a holiday to remember. Our site covers details about idyllic holidays in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, as well as major cities in the United States and Europe. Learn about which regions offer all-inclusive vacations, family vacations, and honeymoon deals as well as last-minute getaways for those spur-of-the-moment trip!
With our at-a-glance website, you can peruse images of the world's most glorious vacation destinations at your fingertips, and have access to our useful booking system. Whatever kind of holiday you are searching for, Vacation-Packages.com provide insightful summaries of possible destinations and packages available in your region of choice. Now, bring on that horizon!


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Regular price: $6.96
John Lennon & Yoko Ono at Hawkin's Ranch 12/17/69
Interviewed at legendary rockabilly musician Ronnie Hawkins' ranch outside Toronto, the couple details their new campaign for peace. They discuss a week they spent earlier in the month with camera crews for two British documentaries, a newly released live album, and a benefit concert they had recently played in London. Just two days prior, posters had been put up in twelve cities around the world bearing the enduring, simple message, "WAR IS OVER! IF YOU WANT IT Happy Christmas from John & Yoko."
Easy Rider - Dennis Hopper & Peter Fonda 6/69
Following the release of Easy Rider, at Cannes Film Festival, Hopper and Fonda give their first American interview. Two weeks later, the film would open in theaters across the country to massive critical acclaim, receiving two Academy Award nominations, and eventually becoming the third highest grossing film of 1969.
Jim Morrison 11/6/69
Nearing the release of their fifth album, the Doors were at a difficult junction in their career. Morrison's drug abuse was threatening the band's survival. Promoters were canceling their tour dates following the lead singer's fractious tirade at a concert in Miami intended to kick off a major US tour that had resulted in arrest warrants and charges of indecent exposure. Morrison discusses the band's troubles, and his court date, imminently looming three days after the interview.
Arlo Guthrie 8/69
Though he was only 22 years of age, Guthrie had already released three albums, and had solidified his position as a staple of the East Coast folk scene. "Alice's Restaurant," the title track of his first album was a huge hit, but at 18 minutes long, it could not be released as a single. Earlier that year, however, Guthrie had starred in a film based off the song, which was soon to be released, and would propel the songwriter to mainstream success.
Jane Fonda 5/69
After living in Europe for years with her husband Roger Vadim, Fonda had returned to the states to star in the film They Shoot Horses, Don't They? for which production had just wrapped. Smith meets Fonda at her father's Manhattan townhouse at a turning point in her career, as she is moving to sophisticate her image and will later that year be nominated for an Academy Award.
Hair - James Rado & Gerome Ragni 9/2/69
Rado and Ragni, writers of the iconic musical HAIR, had worked fervently to move their show to Broadway. HAIR had been met with controversy for its anti-establishment themes, and infamous nude scene, but the pair had managed to find a theater, the Biltmore, that would stage the show. They discuss the musical, which has recently become a sensation, and would go down as the ultimate representation of the times.
Famous for a unique blend of stand-up comedy and political speech, Gregory had recently run, unsuccessfully, for President of the United States. He had since returned to comedy, recording the album, Dick Gregory, The Light Side: The Dark Side. He contemplates his career with Smith, days before a performance at Carnegie Hall.

subset: commoncrawl


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UPDATE! The Chicago City Council voted unanimously to pass the the below resolution Tuesday morning.
The Chicago Fire today took part in hearings regarding a historic resolution regarding LGBT athletes to be introduced for passage by the Chicago City Council on Wednesday.
The Fire were represented at Tuesday's hearings by Senior Director of Communications Dan Lobring who brought to light the club's support for Robbie Rogers, participation with Equality Illinois in the 2012 Chicago LGBT Pride Parade and Section 8 Chicago's "Our Diversity, Our Strength" tifo displayed prior to a game against the Houston Dynamo on April 15, 2012.
Sponsored in tandem by Alderman Joe Moore, the City Council's Human Rights Committee and The Last Closet, should Wednesday's resolution pass, Chicago would become the second city after San Francisco to declare its backing for LGBT athletes.
The end goal of the resolution is to ultimately get commissioners of all major North American sports leagues to state publicly their support for LGBT athletes, invite them to come out and pledge to make them safe and accepted.
For more information on Wednesday's resolution, please click here.


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WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A bill extending the payroll tax cut through 2012 cleared Congress Friday and President Obama thanked members for "listening to the voices" of the people.
The measure continues unemployment benefits but cuts back their duration, and it keeps Medicare payments to doctors at their current rate.
The vote in the Senate was 60-36 and in the House 293-132, with some members of both parties opposing it, The Hill reported.
"Today, we took one important step in the short-term, Obama said at a Boeing plant in Everett, Wash.
"Congress did the right thing and voted to make sure that taxes won't go up on middle-class families at the end of this month. They also agreed to extend unemployment insurance for millions of Americans who are out there looking for a job, and I'm going to sign this bill right away."
The president said he wanted "to thank Congress for listening to the voices of the American people."
Obama said passing the bill "is just a start" because the country confronts "a set of economic challenges that existed even before this recession hit."
Presidential spokesman Jay Carney, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, said the president did not call members of Congress to lobby for the bill Friday.
"There was a good vote in the House today," Carney said.
Among Republicans in the House, the vote was 146-91 for the bill. Democrats voted for it 147-41.
The three Republican senators on the 20-member House-Senate conference committee that negotiated the compromise did not sign it. Some Republicans complained privately they were not fully involved in the talks, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The agreement keeps the Social Security payroll-tax withholding for 160 million workers at 4.2 percent -- a 2 percent cut worked out at the beginning of 2011 after the Obama White House negotiated a compromise tax plan with congressional Republicans -- lawmakers said. This lets the average worker earning $50,000 take home an extra $1,000 in pay over the year, lawmakers said.
The cost of the payroll-tax cut will not be offset with spending cuts, a major concession agreed to Monday by House Republicans. But the Social Security Trust Fund will still get the same money it would have received if the payroll-tax cut expired.
The deal calls for $93 billion projected to be lost to the fund to be fully replaced with money from the U.S. Treasury's general fund, lawmakers said.
The plan will increase the federal deficit $89 billion over 10 years, mostly through decreased tax revenue, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said.
The deal renews expiring jobless benefits, but cuts the maximum number of weeks to 73 from 99, lawmakers said. That part of the measure's roughly $30 billion price tag will be picked up by the sale of radio spectrum licenses and the federal worker-benefit changes.
The deal calls for Medicare to continue paying doctors at current rates, avoiding a 27 percent drop in physicians' fees, lawmakers said.
To help offset the $30 billion cost of paying doctors under Medicare, the agreement will reduce payments to hospitals.


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Thomas' frustrations mirror those of A's
Slugger 0-for-10 as Tigers build commanding ALCS lead
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
In this American League Championship Series, with his A's now down 0-3 to the Tigers and on the brink of elimination, Thomas is 0-for-10.
And he's not alone. Nick Swisher, Oakland's second most productive slugger this season, is 0-for-7. No wonder the A's were stifled again -- this time, 3-0 -- by the Tigers.
"I'm very disappointed," said Thomas. "Those guys had a very good plan. Each hitter was off-balanced and had bad swings, a lot of ground balls and popups. But that's Kenny. Kenny's a great pitcher, he's a veteran. He brought his 'A' game once again tonight."
Yes, the pitching-rich Tigers have shut down Oakland's big guys, little guys and all the guys in between. The A's are in a bad way right now, particularly on offense, where they mustered a mere two hits -- both singles -- against Rogers and the Detroit bullpen.
Was it really just a week ago that Thomas belted two homers to pace Oakland's three-game Division Series sweep over the Twins? In that series, Thomas went 5-for-10 and swung the bat like the future Hall of Famer he is.
In this round, he looks as helpless as any Oakland hitter. Thomas had just two true cracks at the dish in this one. Rogers hit him on that 0-2 pitch in the first; Thomas struck out in the fourth; and, much to his shock, what he thought was a foul pop into the right-field stands in the seventh came back into play and landed in the glove of right fielder Magglio Ordonez.
"[Rogers] drilled me the first inning; I know it was on purpose," Thomas said.
How does Thomas know that?
"Kenny's got pinpoint control," Thomas said. "I saw him hit [Alex Rodriguez] last week in the same situation, [with an 0-2 count]. It's one of those things, we play little games in the game. The reason I walked to first base there is because my whole leg went numb. I thought it was pretty funny."
Thomas couldn't find much humor in the rest of his day.
"The second time, he made a [heck] of a strikeout pitch there after throwing a lot of offspeed stuff early in the count," Thomas said. "Got me looking to right field, and got me inside. Third time, I just barely missed the changeup. Ball should have been foul. It came all the way back with the wind. 0-for-2 is 0-for-2."
The Big Hurt has had his share of 0-fers against the Tigers this season. A look at the stats show that Thomas hit .214 against the Tigers in 2006 and produced a mere one RBI, his lowest total against any American League foe.
"They pitched me like this all year long," Thomas said. "I haven't had much success against this club all year long. Like I said, I've got a lot of people over there who know me very well and have seen me do a lot of damage in this league for a long time -- their intent is to stop it."
Not to mention the rest of the Oakland offense, which has an aggregate .216 average for the series while scoring six runs.
"We looked flat," Thomas said. "We just don't look like ourselves after playing so well. They have a lot to do with that. They've shut us down. There's no excuses about it. They've shut us down. That's exactly what they've done. Each hitter just looked out of sync. That's what a good pitching staff will do to you."
The best swing taken by the A's all day came off the bat of Eric Chavez in the second inning, but his drive landed in the deep confines of center field, snugly into the glove of Curtis Granderson.
"He hung it; [Rogers] probably wanted it a little more down," Chavez said.
Did Chavez think it was gone off the crack of the bat?
"Yeah, I thought so," he said.
But the A's have just managed to run into a buzzsaw in Detroit's red-hot arms.
"We put ourselves in a hole," said A's center fielder Mark Kotsay, "and we have to try to dig ourselves out."
In actuality, hitting themselves out of that hole might be the only way.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Blake Shelton: I "Want to Kiss" Adam Levine "So Bad"
He may be happily married to Miranda Lambert, but Blake Shelton has eyes for someone else, too: Maroon 5's Adam Levine!
PHOTOS: The Voice judges, then and now
"All I have to say is, it's true: I have a man crush on Adam," The Voice's Shelton, 35, tells MTV. "It blows me away people can pick up on that just by watching that on television. I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him so bad. I don't care if it's mutual or not."
PHOTOS: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's love story
"Can you honestly tell me that you don't have a little bit of a crush on Adam?" Shelton asked. "He's sexy!"
All kidding aside, the "Honey Bee" singer said he's amused by the attention his friendship with Levine, 32, has received since they became coaches "The Voice" in 2011.
VIDEO: Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera duet on The Voice
"One of my routines during the day, if I'm home, is I wake up, get a cup of coffee, turn on the Weather Channel and I'll look at what people are saying to me on Twitter on my phone," Shelton tells MTV. "It's always something abbot me and Adam, the bromance."
Baby plans on hold for Blake and Miranda
Blake and Miranda settle into marriage


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Zero History (review)
Return to Zero History (review)
I am a fan of [William Gibson], although probably not much more than people in my [demographic]. Although I have read many of Gibson's works, and actively seek them out, I seem to undergo a predictable phase of [amnesia] whenever I begin reading them, which goes through the following phases:
Perhaps one day I will never reach beyond phase 1 or 2, and the magic of Gibson's spell will wear off. But in "Zero History", I went through the stage of confusion with Gibson's bewildering array of characters and my dislike of his portrayal of a hyper-[bourgeois]/[hipster] lifestyle, and found the story buried beneath.
Zero History is, like much of Gibson's work, a [spy novel], not all that much different from the [thriller|thrillers] that are bought at grocery stores. It is not a conventional spy story, involving the attempts of Belgian advertising [entrepreneur] [Hubertus Bigend] to acquire a contract for designing military clothing, which brings him into conflict with a rogue military operative who also wants to get into that business, leading to a [McGuffin] laden chase and fight scene. The plot isn't really that important, as much as what else Gibson is developing with this book.
The problem is, even though I enjoyed the book, and enjoyed Gibson's descriptive and quirk laden twist on the spy genre, I am somewhat befuddled with that Gibson is doing here. How in earnest is he?
Chosen somewhat at random, is a quote from the book:
But here was a small camera shop as well. He went in, bought a Chinese card-reader from a pleasant Persian man in gold-rimmed glasses and a natty cardigan.The characters spend most of their time drifting from one fashionable restaurant or boutique to another, with detailed descriptions of the expensive, trendy clothing/food/electronic equipment they are buying, wearing or using being the main way the book establishes character, mood and setting.
Which Gibson does beautifully. The detail he throws in is evocative and interesting.
But the question (to me) is: is Gibson the [journal] or the [journalist]? Is his tale of rootless international [punk musician|punk musicians], marketing executives and fashion models who are described by the products they buy a subtle and deeply-cutting parody, or does Gibson think that the average educated American reader really thinks the idea of wearing an "anti-marketed" jacket to be the height of accomplishment? Is Gibson parodying "[cool]" consumerism or endorsing it?
Of course, it is possible just to read the book as an intriguing story, but for the type of people who read Gibson's books, the question "What is this about?" will probably pop up. And perhaps, as is often the case, what the reader takes away from the book is more important than what the author intended.


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Ohio cops get body cams through grant
By Spencer Roush
Port Clinton News Herald
LANCASTER, Ohio — Starting this week, Lancaster Police Department patrol officers were outfitted with TASER Axon body cameras, which will record all the officers' interactions with the public using video and sound. The department started testing the body cameras this past summer with a handful of officers. Going forward, all of the city's 40 patrol officers will use them.
"Officers are trained and good about remembering things people say, but they aren't as good as video," Capt. Adam Pillar said. "When you can see somebody's demeanor on the video, you get the raw emotion."
"The cost to put a camera in the cruiser is about $5,000," Pillar said. "These (body cameras) cost us $299, and it was all done with grant money."
Full Story: Ohio police force now wearing body cameras
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Sanders against Social Security cuts
BURLINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday he would rather tax cuts expire next year as scheduled than see Democrats agree to spending cuts to Social Security and other programs relied on by low- and moderate-income Americans.
The left-leaning independent who caucuses with Democrats said he hoped President Barack Obama would travel the country, including to conservative states, to campaign for Democratic budget priorities as Congress negotiates a way to avoid falling off the "fiscal cliff."
Congress is facing a series of deep, automatic cuts in defense and domestic discretionary spending and the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts for all taxpayers, scheduled to begin taking effect in January.
"If we are unable to reach an agreement, is it better to deal with this issue in the next session, rather than accept a bad agreement in this session? Yes, it is," he said.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said later Monday he doubts an agreement will be reached before Jan. 1 to avert the cuts that Congress had approved in an earlier budget agreement.
Sanders said he was prepared to compromise, just not too much, and noted that Democrats won 25 of the 33 Senate races, putting Democrats in a position of strength. After the election, Democrats enhanced their majority in the Senate by two seats and Republicans kept their majority in the House.
"Will there be compromises? Yeah, there will. Should there be? Yeah, there should. But let's be clear. In a democracy, the majority is supposed to rule ... The truth of the matter is that on Election Day we had two very different sets of principles" offered by Obama and by Republican nominee Mitt Romney, Sanders said.
He said Democrats are in a strong position to use the proposals they articulated during this year's campaigns as a starting point in negotiations.
"The principles that the president campaigned on, and that many of us campaigned on, should be the principles under which we begin that discussion," he said.
Sanders spoke nearly a week after cruising to a second Senate term, defeating little-known Republican John MacGovern by a margin of 71 percent to 25 percent.
He also said Monday that he would back an effort in the Senate to change its rule on filibusters, a procedural move that allows legislation to be stalled unless supporters can muster 60 of 100 votes. He said he would support changes even if Republicans were in charge.
"The minority has got to have the ability to make its case to the American people, to offer amendments. So it's not my view that you just run all over the minority. But it is just plain wrong and creates a dysfunctional situation when, in some cases, a handful, in some cases one member of the United States Senate can stop the work of the United States government," he said.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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Detroit Tigers
Manager: Jim Leyland (eighth season).
2012: 88-74, first place (lost to San Francisco in World Series)
He's Here: OF Torii Hunter, C Brayan Pena.
He's Outta Here: OF Brennan Boesch, C Gerald Laird, OF Ryan Raburn, LHP Daniel Schlereth, RHP Jose Valverde, DH Delmon Young.
Projected Lineup: CF Austin Jackson (.300, 16 HRs, 66 RBIs, 10 triples), RF Torii Hunter (.313, 16, 92), 3B Miguel Cabrera (.330, 44, 139 for baseball's first Triple Crown since 1967), 1B Prince Fielder (.313, 30, 108), DH Victor Martinez (missed 2012 season), LF Andy Dirks (.322, 8, 35), SS Jhonny Peralta (.239, 13, 63), C Alex Avila (.243, 9, 48), 2B Omar Infante (.274, 12, 53 with Marlins and Tigers).
Rotation: RH Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64 ERA, MLB-leading 239 Ks), RH Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74, 231 Ks), RH Doug Fister (10-10, 3.45), RH Anibal Sanchez (9-13, 3.86 with Marlins and Tigers), RH Rick Porcello (10-12, 4.59).
Key Relievers: RH Joaquin Benoit (5-3, 3.68, 2 saves), RH Al Alburquerque (0-0, 0.68 in 8 games following elbow surgery), LH Phil Coke (2-3, 4.00), RH Octavio Dotel (5-3, 3.57), RH Brayan Villarreal (3-5, 2.63), LH Drew Smyly (4-3, 3.99 in 23 games, 18 starts).
Hot Spots: The Tigers entered spring training unsure who their fifth starter and closer would be. Porcello eventually beat out Smyly for a spot in the rotation, but the uncertainty in the bullpen lingers. The Tigers appear set to move forward without a specific closer, since hard-throwing Bruce Rondon did not win the job during spring training. Leyland will have to mix and match in the late innings, depending on the situation.
Outlook: After two straight AL Central titles and an American League pennant in 2012, the window of opportunity for the Tigers is very much open. Cabrera, Verlander and Fielder are in their primes, and if Martinez can return strong after a knee injury cost him all of 2012, Detroit's lineup will be even more formidable. Defense and team speed were issues last year, but the Tigers still won the division, and their rotation found a groove during the playoffs. Anything less than another postseason appearance will be a huge disappointment in Detroit, and if the Tigers do make the playoffs again, they have star power to match any team in the game. The Tigers showed their commitment is for the long-term, signing Verlander on Friday to a $180 million, seven-year contract, topping Felix Hernandez for the richest deal for a pitcher in baseball history.
Chicago White Sox
2012: 85-77, second place.
Manager: Robin Ventura (second season).
He's Here: 3B Jeff Keppinger, RHP Matt Lindstrom.
He's Outta Here: C A.J. Pierzynski, 3B Kevin Youkilis, RHP Brett Myers, SS Jose Lopez.
Projected Lineup: CF Alejandro De Aza (.281, 9 HRs, 50 RBIs), 3B Jeff Keppinger (.325, 9 HRs, 40 RBIs with Tampa Bay), RF Alex Rios (.304, 25 HRs, 91 RBIs), DH Adam Dunn (.204, 41 HRs, 96 RBIs), 1B Paul Konerko (.298, 26 HRs, 75 RBIs), LF Dayan Viciedo (.255, 25 HRs, 78 RBIs), SS Alexei Ramirez (.265, 9 HRs, 73 RBIs), C Tyler Flowers (.213, 7 homers, 13 RBIs), 2B Gordon Beckham (.234, 16 homers, 60 RBIs).
Rotation: LH Chris Sale (17-8, 3.05 ERA, 192 innings, 192 strikeouts), RH Jake Peavy (11-12, 3.37 ERA, 219 innings), LH John Danks (3-4, 5.70 ERA, 9 starts), RH Gavin Floyd (12-11, 4.29 ERA), LH Jose Quintana (6-6, 3.76 ERA).
Key relievers: RH Addison Reed (3-2, 4.75 ERA, 29/33 saves), LH Matt Thornton (4-10, 3.46 ERA), RH Jesse Crain (2-3, 2.44 ERA), LH Hector Santiago (4-1, 3.33 ERA), RH Nate Jones (8-0, 2.39 ERA), Lindstrom (1-0, 2.68 ERA with Arizona and Baltimore).
Hot spots: Keppinger figures to solidify the No. 2 spot in the order after the White Sox posted a major league-worst .221 average there. There is a big question mark at catcher with Pierzynski gone — Can Flowers hit? The White Sox know he's solid behind the plate, but it remains to be seen if he can contribute when he's at the plate.
Outlook: The White Sox spent 117 days in first place last season, only to finish three games behind Detroit after a late fade. Now, they believe they are poised to challenge for the division crown. Never mind that they made no splashy acquisitions, that the biggest moves were re-signing Peavy, locking in Sale with a new contract (five years, $32.5 million) and shuffling the front office. They promoted Rick Hahn to general manager and Ken Williams to executive vice president. The roster? Well, it's largely intact, except for the switch at catcher. One reason the White Sox let Pierzynski sign a one-year contract with Texas was because they believe Flowers is ready to take over behind the plate. Another reason is they wanted to re-sign Peavy after he bounced back from three injury-riddled seasons. With Sale and Peavy leading a deep rotation and what looks like a solid bullpen behind them, the White Sox believe they have one of the American League's best staffs. That Danks is beginning the year on the disabled list is a bit of a concern for the White Sox. He made just nine starts last season and had surgery in August to repair a capsule tear and remove debris in his rotator cuff and biceps. On offense, the White Sox could have an imposing lineup after finishing fourth in the AL in runs and third in homers last season, with Konerko, Dunn and Rios. They need Viciedo and Beckham to mature at the plate and are short on left-handed bats.
Kansas City Royals
2012: 72-90, third place.
Manager: Ned Yost (third season).
He's Here: RHP Ervin Santana, RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis, SS Miguel Tejada, C George Kottaras.
He's Outta Here: INF Yuniesky Betancourt, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Jonathan Broxton, RH Jaokim Soria.
Projected Lineup: OF Alex Gordon (.294, 14 HRs, 72 RBIs), SS Alcides Escobar (.293, 5, 52, 35 SBs), 1B Eric Hosmer (.232, 14, 60), DH Billy Butler (.313, 29, 107), C Salvador Perez (.301, 11, 39), 3B Mike Moustakas (.242, 20, 73), OF Jeff Francoeur (.235, 16, 49), OF Lorenzo Cain (.266, 7, 31), 2B Chris Getz (.275, 0, 17).
Rotation: RH James Shields (15-10, 3.52 ERA with Rays), RH Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.16), RH Ervin Santana (9-13, 5.16 with Angels), RHP Wade Davis (3-0, 2.43 ERA with Rays), LH Bruce Chen (11-14, 5.07 ERA).
Key Relievers: RH Greg Holland (7-4, 2.96, 16/20 saves), RH Kelvin Herrera (4-3, 2.35), RH Luke Hochevar (8-16, 5.73), RH Aaron Crow (3-1, 3.48), LH Tim Collins (5-4, 3.36), LH Everett Teaford (1-4, 4.99).
Hot Spots: The Royals solidified their rotation by trading OF Wil Myers, the top-rated position player in the minors, and a package of prospects to Tampa Bay for Shields and Davis. Those two pitchers will be counted upon to anchor a new-look rotation that includes Santana. But what they do may not matter if Hosmer, Moustakas and Francoeur are unable to rebound from erratic performances at the plate last season.
Outlook: General manager Dayton Moore may have said it best: "It's time we start winning baseball games." The Royals haven't had a winning season since 2003, and haven't been to the playoffs since 1985. But they wouldn't have traded Myers for pitching help if they didn't believe the pieces were in place for a breakthrough season. If their rotation can live up to expectations and their bevy of young position players can produce the way Royals brass anticipate — both of them no sure thing — it's possible Kansas City could be playing meaningful baseball late into the season for the first time in a generation.
Cleveland Indians
2012: 68-94, fourth place.
Manager: Terry Francona (first season).
He's Here: OF Michael Bourn, 1B Nick Swisher, OF Drew Stubbs, DH Mark Reynolds, DH Jason Giambi, RHP Brett Myers, INF/OF Ryan Raburn, INF Mike Aviles, LHP Scott Kazmir.
He's Outta There: Manager Manny Acta, OF Shin-Soo Choo, RHP Roberto Hernandez, LHP Tony Sipp, INF/OF Shelley Duncan, INF Jack Hannahan, INF Casey Kotchman, INF Jason Donald, INF Brent Lillibridge, OF Johnny Damon.
Projected Lineup: CF Michael Bourn (.274, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs, 42 steals with Braves), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.270, 16, 68, 35 doubles), 2B Jason Kipnis (.257, 14, 76, 31 SBs), 1B Nick Swisher (.272, 24, 93 with Yankees), C Carlos Santana (.252, 18, 76) LF Michael Brantley (.288, 6, 60), DH Mark Reynolds (.221, 23, 68, 159 strikeouts in 457 at-bats with Baltimore) or Jason Giambi (.225, 1, 8 with Rockies, 429 career HRs), 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.268, 5, 16, 43 games before breaking arm), RF Drew Stubbs (.213, 14, 40, 166 Ks with Reds).
Rotation: RH Justin Masterson (11-15, 4.93 ERA) RH Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.40, led AL in losses, wild pitches), RH Brett Myers (3-8, 3.32 in 70 combined games with Astros, White Sox), RH Zach McAllister (6-8, 4.24), LH Scott Kazmir (3-6, 5.34 in independent league, last pitched in majors in 2011).
Key Relievers: RH Chris Perez (0-4, 3.59, 39/43 saves), RH Vinnie Pestano (3-3, 2.57 ERA, franchise record 37 holds), RH Joe Smith (7-4, 2.96, team-high 72 games).
Hot Spots: Jimenez has been a major disappointment since arriving in a 2011 deadline trade from Colorado. The Indians spent the spring working with him on his mechanics, but the bigger issue could be a lack of confidence that he can again be an ace. The club has been patient, but won't hesitate to make a move with Jimenez if he struggles early in the season. Fortunately, the Indians have young arms in Carlos Carrasco Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber to bring up.
Outlook: Francona took a year off to recuperate following Boston's late-season crash in 2011, a stunning collapse that led to ugly finger-pointing when it ended. His arrival in Cleveland triggered an aggressive offseason by Indians ownership, which spent nearly $120 million on free agents. The Indians should score runs, and their defense should be solid. But it will be up to their pitching staff to help them close the gap on Detroit in the AL Central.
Minnesota Twins
2012: 66-96, fifth place.
Manager: Ron Gardenhire (12th season).
He's Here: RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Vance Worley, RHP Kevin Correia, CF Aaron Hicks.
He's Outta Here: OF Denard Span, OF Ben Revere, RHP Scott Baker, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Carl Pavano, INF Alexi Casilla, RHP Matt Capps.
Projected Lineup: CF Aaron Hicks (.286, 13 HRs, 61 RBIs, 32 SBs in 129 Gs for Double-A New Britain), 2B Brian Dozier (.234, 6, 33, 11 2Bs) or Jamey Carroll (.268, 1, 40, 18 2Bs), C Joe Mauer (.319, 10, 85, .416 OBP), 1B Justin Morneau (.267, 19, 77, 134 Gs), LF Josh Willingham (.260, 35, 110, .524 SLG), 3B Trevor Plouffe (.235, 24, 55), RF Chris Parmelee (.229, 5, 20, 64 Gs), SS Pedro Florimon (.219, 1, 10, 43 Gs).
Rotation: RH Vance Worley (6-9, 4.20 ERA, 107 Ks in 133.0 IP for Phillies), LH Scott Diamond (12-9, 3.54, 31 BBs in 173.0 IP), RH Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 2.29 in 3 starts before having elbow surgery), RH Kevin Correia (12-11, 4.21, 20 HRs for Pirates), RH Liam Hendriks (1-8, 5.59).
Key Relievers: LH Glen Perkins (3-1, 2.56 ERA, 16/20 saves), RH Jared Burton (3-2, 2.18, 5 saves, .186 opponent BA), LH Brian Duensing (4-12, 5.12, 55 appearances, 11 starts).
Hot Spots: Starting rotation and CF. The Twins had the worst rotation in the American League last season, rendering a very productive offense moot. GM Terry Ryan traded Span and Revere for top-flight pitching prospects, but neither will be ready this year. Pelfrey is coming off Tommy John surgery, Diamond will miss the first few weeks while finishing his rehab from a minor arm surgery, World Baseball Classic star Samuel Deduno will start in the minors as well after struggling in spring with a groin injury and Worley, Pelfrey and Correia have all been hit hard this spring. In center field, Hicks has had an outstanding spring as he looks to replace Span and Revere. But he has never taken an at-bat at Triple-A, so the jump will be one to watch.
Outlook: Mauer and Morneau will enter the season healthier than they have been in years, with both looking to build off promising bounce-back years in 2012. But even if they return to their MVP-type production levels, the Twins will be hard-pressed to get back into contention after two years in the AL Central basement thanks to an ace-less rotation full of retreads and arms on the mend.


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The woman who was struck in the parking lot of a McDonald's Restaurant has died from her injuries.
The 79-year-old pedestrian was hit in the parking lot of the McDonald's Restaurant at 369 St. Albert Trail on Feb. 18 around 2:50 p.m.
The St. Albert woman was injured during the collision and was taken to hospital. She succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.
The 70-year-old female driver of the 2000 gold Honda CRV that was involved in the collision has been charged with careless driving under the Traffic Safety Act.
The woman, who is also a St. Albert resident, is to appear in court on Apr. 22.
The names of the pedestrian and driver are not being released.
More to come…


text:
Web Link
Also it is alleged that Obama and McCain reached an agreement regarding eligibility based on birth since McCain was born in the Canal zone.
Original post made by Hillary Fan, Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks, on Jul 7, 2013
Comments (15)
Wotta buncha noise! if this is the level of "info" in the video, don't waste your time: "it is alleged that Obama and McCain reached an agreement"
Hillary and Obama both sponsored and passed a senate bill declaring McCain eligible. An "alleged" agreement between Obama and Jumpin' Johnny? Silly, silly, silly. And dumb. Okay, factually incorrect and used to troll a bad meme.
It's a matter of public record; any tHANKful person can google it - May 1 2008:
"Yesterday, the Senate passed a resolution declaring that McCain is a natural-born citizen. The resolution was passed by unanimous consent. ...the bill was written and submitted by Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and co sponsored by both Democratic presidential candidates, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)." (note it's always Dems that want more candidates running and Americans voting...)
Otherwise, hope ya had a good holiday, HL.
My opinion? That's the best move HC and BO ever made. Who knew McCain would implode so badly and make such wretched choices? America was saved from Jumpin' Johnny ("the economy is fine") McCain, Sarah Half-term-and-quit and we got a great Sec State to boot!
Happy (belated) Fourth, y'all!
Bettina is just another Birther, refusing to believe that 'uppity' fellow who's President has the legitimate claim to the office. On top of that, she worked for Spielberg.
Gimme a break.
He is still on the birther bandwagon? Yet claims to be on the Hillary bandwagon now. Uh-huh, we believe.
If you think it is alright for Obama to steal delegates away from Clinton then you are sadly mistaken. Clinton could run circles around Obama and she had the delegates which he stole from her. Perhaps you don't think that a woman is qualified to be president.
Anna: who are you talking to?
I read the above as our good buddy H wanting to stir the pot with a birther post about Obama, with the side benefit of the rising right attack on Hillary, just to smear her at every chance. They tried like crazy with Benghazi, then everyone asked congress why congress kept cutting security budgets for embassies. End of investigation.
As for "stealing" delegates, not going there. Hillary will get her chance in 2016. She has outlasted her Iraq vote, and redeemed it and more with an outstanding job at State.
to echo Jumping John: I too am 'tHANKful'. In my case, that we have Hillary on the bench for 2016.
When Hillary Clinton finishes her two terms in 2025 she will make Obama look like the bumbling incompetent he is. He has tarnished the Democrat name brand and has made it more difficult for Ms. Clinton's campaign for President. However, she shall prevail in spite of Obama's disastrous legacy he ius leaving behind. And it will take her all of the 8 years to dig our country out of the mess Obama has left behind.
Hillary fan: This disaster belongs to Obama? Congrats, you're one of the few Hillary fans I've met who thinks the Bush Great Recession is Obama's fault.
*** Web Link
*** 800,000 jobs lost the very month that Obama took office (on the 21st of that month.) Obama has added millions of private sector jobs.
*** GDP 'growth' was at a negative 8%. Obama returned it to positive growth rates.
Granted, we should have higher job growth to reduce both the pain of this Bush Great Recession to individual Americans, and lower the deficit, but Obama can't get a jobs bill past the House GOP obstructionists.
They're just too busy with abortion votes (over 30) and ACA repeal votes (similar numbers.) Between golf, scotch, abortion and Obamacare votes, John Boehner doesn't have time for the jobs he promised in 2010.
"He has tarnished the Democrat name brand" by beating the best republican out there by 5 million votes, another landslide. Tarnish on, Mr President! Nice try, HL.
Also, I am what has been referred to above as tHANKful.
tHANKful I haven't ever run into a real Hillary supporter that would ever think of posting the fact-free trash that was posted about Obama: "the bumbling incompetent"? Ha!
Look at Hilary's competition! Just yesterday, another of the Rand family associates was outed as a clearcut racist! "The Southern Avenger" was co-author of Rand Paul's book! Now, who were we calling an incompetent politician? Hillary? Obama? Or is it any number of Hilary's potential 2016 opponents?
"A close aide to Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) who co-wrote the senator's 2011 book spent years working as a pro-secessionist radio pundit and neo-Confederate activist, raising questions about whether Paul will be able to transcend the same fringe-figure associations that dogged his father's political career.
Paul hired Jack Hunter, 39, to help write his book The Tea Party Goes to Washington during his 2010 Senate run. From 1999 to 2012, Hunter was a South Carolina radio shock jock known as the "Southern Avenger." He has weighed in on issues such as racial pride and Hispanic immigration, and stated his support for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. During public appearances, Hunter often wore a mask on which was printed a Confederate flag. Prior to his radio career, while in his 20s, Hunter was a chairman in the League of the South, which "advocates the secession and subsequent independence of the Southern States from this forced union and the formation of a Southern republic."" Web Link
Toasting John Wilkes Booth? Calling MLK Day "the n-word day"? Advocating traitorous secession? Supporting the traitorous confederacy the South, and their criminal rebellion against America? All caused by the need of Southern aristocracy to keep men, women and children in chains for their personal profit?
Rand Paul. Like father, like son. And most of the rest of the republican party that thinks the criminal confederate flag is somehow a good thing, even though it is responsible for the deaths of half a million Americans, and who's primary existence was to perpetuate slavery of human beings.
Human beings that look remarkably similar to the President of these United States of America.
I'm surprised Obama only won by 5 million votes, against this party: Web Link
Viviano is just another grandstander spouting inarticulate, bizarre, ridiculous nonsense. This person is looking for her 13 minutes of fame. Accusing the President of murder?
The Almanac should not be stooping to the level of the National Enquirer as too many other "news" outlets do these days.
I expect it won't be long before we see stories about Martians.
@13th Ave: Benoher is holding his 38th (thirty eighth) vote on ObamaCare, not 30th. What's that definition of insanity, again? Oh, right. So, he's the Jobs guy!
As for the abortion votes, those are more the province of the states, like today with the NC state leg, having failed to sneak drastic anti-constitutional anti-choice abortion language in a bill on Sharia Law (!), decided to hide it in a motorcycle safety law. "The Sharia law language from the Senate bill is not included in this latest House measure, but the motorcycle safety provisions are still in the bill." Read more here: Web Link
They can't do their dirty deeds in the light of day, so good strong women like Wendy Davis, an HRC favorite, have to fight for the constitutionally protected freedoms in bizarre scenarios like the above, or Texas' special sessions, called after the goppers failed to succeed under normal rules.
Then you have this winner - comparing the SFO tragedy with Obamacare. Makes one long for the days when the morons were talking about "legitimate rape".
"State Sen. Andy Sanborn, a potential Republican candidate for governor next year, said he is sorry for comparing Obamacare to the plane crash at the San Francisco airport that killed two people and injured dozens more." Read more: Web Link
Well, not really 'sorry', only sorry he got caught: "If I offended anyone I am sorry" The good ol' boy non-apology apology.
One of Hillary Clinton's likely 2016 opponents just made the strangest statement I've ever heard from an (obviously faux) American patriot. To acknowledge he allows the thought of treason after taking an oath to our country:
"I'm not a fan of secession" Rand Paul, defining his co-author, the one who salutes John Wilkes Booth and wears the traitorous battle flag of America's enemy.
Not a fan? Not a fan not being an American. Okay. This is the guy who says he wouldn't have voted for the Civil Rights Act banning discrimination. This is the guy who votes against food for hungry children.
Hillary 2016. Check.
And since the Republicans are unlikely to find a gopper with either a heart or a brain by then: Hillary 2020.
Back to John Boneher's "accomplishment" tally:
"House GOP: 44 Abortion Bills, 99 Religion Bills, 71 Family Relationship Bills, 36 Marriage Bills, 0 Jobs Bills." Web Link Smaller government, my (well exercised) @##. Benoher wants his big government in my church, my family, my marriage, my bedroom and my v*****.
Awww, the heck with it, they make it so easy: Wendy Davis/Chelsea Clinton 2024
Hillary Fan, looking good - although these polls aren't worth the paper they're printed on, she's happier than the boys are! Web Link
Hillary Clinton: 46
Chris Christie: 40 (for academic purposes only, as one can't imagine CC winning his primary)
Hillary Clinton: 50
Rand Paul: 38
The National Journal has published an article entitled "Do Women Make Better Senators Than Men?"
Web Link
The answer is yes for the reason stated in the article. Now the next question is Do Women Make Better Presidents Than Men? Unfortunately both Men and Women are afraid to find out. Perhaps in 2016 we will finally have an answer and will be pleased with the results.
Another reason that 2016 is Hillary's for the taking Web Link Listen to either local or national Hispanic media, it's obvious that it is far too late for Rinse Prewash to get the Latino vote back in time. When you lose Jorge Ramos, you're toast.
Voter suppression in the southern states will carry the day in 2016. Hilary will not run. Christie will abandon NJ for greener nd fatter pstures and be the next president.
Sun of Wolf to bring Mexican-California cuisine, cocktails to Cal Ave
By Elena Kadvany | 2 comments | 2,240 views
Couples: When Wrong Admit It; When Right; Shut Up
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 872 views
One-on-one time
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 614 views


text:
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED Notice is hereby given that COUNTY OF ST. JOHNS, holder of tax certificate No. 268 issued May 26, 1999, has filed same in my office and has made application for a tax deed to be issued thereon. Said certificate embraces the following described property in the County of St. Johns, State of Florida, to-wit: PARCEL NUMBER 015550-0000 SEC 41 TWP 06 RGE 27 27 PART OF CAIN GRANT LYING E OF RD 13-BEING BOUNDED ON THE NORTH BY THE CENTERLINE OF RUNDOWN CREEK, BOUNDED ON THE WEST BY LANDS DESCRIBED IN DB234/513 & BOUNDED ON THE SOUTH BY THE NORTH LINE OF LANDS DESCRIBED IN OR234/440 DB209/556 & DB234/511 The assessment of the said property under the said certificate issued was in the name of CLARENCE KEMPER ESTATE. Parcel is currently assessed to Clarence Kemper, his heirs & assigns. Unless said certificate shall be redeemed according to law, the property described therein will be sold to the highest bidder at the front door of the St. Johns CountyJudicial Building, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084, on MARCH 21, 2007 at 12:00 o'clock noon. Dated this Feb. 9, 2007. (OFFICIAL SEAL) Cheryl Strickland Clerk of Circuit Court of St. Johns County, Florida In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Clerk of Court at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32095 no later than seven days prior to the sale date. Telephone: (904) 819-3657; 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (V), via Florida Relay Service. L386-7 Feb 14, 21, 28, Mar 7, 2007
Posted from 14-Feb-07 to 7-Mar-07
© 2018. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


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Horses for courses, really.
Horses for courses, really.
Quote........."I can go on line anywhere in the UK. For this I pay £12 per month".
Aye! Snowball, I can do the same with my I-Phone, and get 500Mb of Internet a month for free, but I hardly use it for surfing when I'm out and about.
I'm going to try and get a cheaper contract when this one runs out, as I only use a fraction of the minutes that Im paying for just now, so 500 minutes a month would be OK for me, so that should reduce my payment by quite a lot.
Although AA and RAC fees are relatively the same, if I am able to phone the AA for free using a geographical number, where as any calls to the RAC cost me money, than my business will go to AA. Unfortunately people look at the renewal costs rather than looking at other costs.
RAC now have a "mobile-friendly" number, 0333 2000 999.


text: Recently I've been seeing random words on the forums highlighted in blue and underlined. When I hover over them, an ad pops up. I have adblock plus so these are the only ads I have seen on my computer for a while. Recently I accidentally deactivated all my plugins (which is around when I started noticing it) but I enabled them all and I still have the problem. Someone fix it for me! I'm not the most computer savvy person so don't make fun of me


text:
MELBOURNE, Fla. - A missing child alert has been cancelled for two girls whose parents were believed to have a pact to kill them, according to authorities.
The Florida Department of Children and Families announced Tuesday night Melbourne police confirmed Trieu "Kiah" Co and Chieu "Kristin" Firth had been safely located in California.
Melbourne police will be holding a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Check back for more updates.
The sisters are two and four-years-old. Authorities said the girls were last seen in Melbourne, Florida.
Law enforcement officials said the children are physically well and in the custody of social workers in California. DCF said officials are working to make arrangements to travel to California to assume physical custody of the girls and return them to Florida.
An active TICO (Take Into Custody Order) has been issued for both children, officials said. Upon their return to Florida, the sisters will be placed in protective custody, with an emergency custody hearing to take place.
The missing child alert was issued on Nov. 30th. DCF said the family fled from child protective investigators during an active child abuse investigation.
Melbourne police told Local 6 the family resides in Vietnam, but came to the U.S. to treat their four-year-old for autism. Witnesses told police the suicide pact was a result of the father's frustration with the expense of treatment, authorities said.
According to police, the parents said they would kill themselves and the kids if they ran out of money.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Nikon D300S Exposure
Nikon D300S Exposure
Exposure Modes. As you'd expect from a digital SLR aimed at experienced photographers, the Nikon D300S eschews any hand-holding from Scene modes and the like, restricting its operating modes to the more traditional selection of Programmed Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual. In Shutter Priority and Manual modes, shutter speeds from 1/8,000 to 30 seconds are available in 1/3 EV steps. The Manual mode also adds a Bulb setting for manually timed exposures whose length is limited only by available battery power.
A very nice touch that's common to other Nikon DSLRs is that, while in Program AE mode, you can rotate the Command dial to select different combinations of aperture and shutter speed settings than those normally chosen by the autoexposure system. (That is, if the automatic program would have chosen 1/125 second and f/5.6, you could instead direct the camera to use 1/60 at f/8 or 1/30 at f/11, to get greater depth of field.) Nikon calls this Flexible Program, and photographers familiar with other brands may know it as Program Shift. It's a very handy option for those times when you need some measure of increased control, but still want the camera to do most of the work for you. We personally use this capability more than Aperture- or Shutter-priority metering in our own shooting. The Nikon D300S also allows the step size used for aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation and exposure bracketing to be set to the user's preference of either 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps. If you generally want fine-grained control over shutter speed and aperture, but find yourself occasionally wanting to make quicker adjustments, the camera can be set using Custom Setting f5 to temporarily use a 1EV step size for these variables while the Function button is held down.
An interesting feature when using Manual exposure mode is the electronic analog exposure display visible in the optical viewfinder data readout. This shows the amount the camera thinks an image will be over- or underexposed, based on the settings you have selected, and helps you find the best exposure for the subject.
Exposure Metering. Nikon has one of the most sophisticated and flexible metering systems currently on the market, and in the case of the Nikon D300S, its metering sensor covers a wide area of the frame with a 1,005-pixel RGB array. Like most SLRs, there are three main metering modes on the Nikon D300S: Matrix, Center-weighted, and Spot metering. Where Nikon's system differs is in the capability of these modes. Nikon's matrix metering (the default option on the D300S) is called 3D Color Matrix II, as it takes color as well as distance information from the lens into account.
By default, the Nikon D300S's Center-Weighted metering mode gives a greater weight to an 8mm diameter circle in the center of the frame, although this can be changed with Custom Setting b5 to use either a 6mm, 10mm or 13mm spot, or to average the entire frame. Finally, Spot meters a 3mm diameter circle (about 2% of the frame) centered on the active focus area (Unless using a non-CPU lens or Auto-area AF, in which case the D300S behaves like most DSLRs in only metering the very center of the frame in Spot metering mode.)
An even more unusual feature of the Nikon D300S comes courtesy of Custom Setting b6, which allows fine-tuning of the camera's metering system within a range of +/-1EV in extremely fine 1/6 EV steps. Three values can be set, allowing you to fine-tune Matrix, Center-weighted and Spot metering separately. This means that if you feel the camera to be under- or over-exposing scenes, you should be able to pull it back towards your preferred exposure without needing to dial in exposure compensation for most images. Another similarly useful feature for tuning the D300S to your tastes is Custom Setting c2, which allows the user to select how long the camera's metering system should be powered on during a period of inactivity. This lets you balance battery life against convenience, within a nine-step range from a miserly four seconds to a spendthrift 30 minutes, as well as an option to leave the metering system powered on at all times. Note that when running on A/C power, the metering system remains powered on all the time, for convenience's sake.
It's important to note that 3D Color Matrix Metering II does rely on the use of a Type-G or -D lens. With other CPU lenses, the D300S falls back to Color Matrix Metering II, which doesn't take account of distance information in exposure calculations. Non-CPU lenses can use Color Matrix Metering if the focal length and maximum aperture are manually specified, but otherwise fall back to Center-weighted metering. The 1,005-pixel RGB sensor also serves to ascertain automatic white-balance, and provides assistance for focus tracking when the subject leaves the AF sensor area. Metering range is specified at 0 to 20 EV in Matrix or Center-Weighted, and 2 to 20 EV in Spot metering mode.
Exposure Lock. Ordinarily, the AE-L/AF-L button locks both exposure and autofocus, useful for off-center subjects in tricky lighting. It can be programmed for AE lock, AF lock, AE + AF lock, or no fewer than 19 other functions, via the custom menu. You can also program the button to toggle the lock on and off, rather than requiring the button to be held, and to perform a variety of functions when held while a command dial is turned, although by default the AE-L/AF-L button and command dials serve no function together.
Exposure Compensation. Exposure compensation on the Nikon D300S is adjustable from -5 to +5 exposure equivalents (EV) in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV step increments, and is controllable in Program, Aperture-priority, or Shutter-priority modes. Note that in Manual exposure mode, the EV button doesn't actually vary the exposure - it only biases the electronic analog exposure display that's shown in the optical viewfinder data readout. The Auto Bracketing feature on the Nikon D300S can capture anywhere from two to nine sequential shots of the same subject with varying exposure values. Exposure settings for bracketing can vary from -9 to +9 EV (values are added to the already chosen exposure compensation value), with step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 EV units. Through the Custom Settings menu, you can designate whether the bracketing sequence adjusts the ambient and/or flash exposure, white balance, or Active D-Lighting. When bracketing white balance, note that the shutter is tripped only once and the camera then saves the bracketed exposures from the same source data. When using ADL bracketing, anywhere from two to five frames can be captured. For two frame bracketing, one frame has ADL disabled, and the other has a user-preset strength. For three shots, the camera brackets with ADL Off, Low, and Normal. Four shots adds High, while Extra High is the fifth shot bracketed.
ISO Sensitivity. The Nikon D300S's normal ISO ranges from 200 to 3,200 and can be extended down to ISO 100 (Lo 1), and up to ISO 6,400 (Hi 1). By default, ISO is adjustable in 1/3 EV steps (Lo 1, Lo 0.7, Lo 0.3, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, etc.). Through Custom Setting b1, the D300S can be set to allow sensitivity adjustment in 1/2 EV steps (Lo 1, Lo 0.5, 200, 280, 400, 560, 800, etc.), or in 1EV steps (Lo 1, 200, 400, 800, etc.) Nikon's excellent Auto ISO feature is carried over as well, which allows you to set both the upper ISO limit (from ISO 400 to 6400) as well as the minimum shutter speed (selectable from 1s to 1/4000s) required before ISO is increased automatically.
White Balance. The Nikon D300S offers the usual white balance settings: Auto, six presets consisting of Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, and Shade, a manual mode where white-balance is determined from a white or grey card or copied from an existing image, and a direct color temperature setting (2,500 to 10,000K). The Fluorescent preset has seven sub-settings consisting of Sodium Vapor (2,700K), Warm-white (3,000K), White (3,700K), Cool (4,200K), Day White (5,000K), Daylight (6,500K), and High Temperature Mercury Vapor (7,200K), and the manual setting allows five custom white-balance measurements to be stored.
As with a number of other high-end SLRs these days, all the D300S's white balance presets and manual settings except for the direct color temperature settings are adjustable via a 2D fine-tuning grid display. The Nikon D300S also supports White Balance bracketing, where two to nine frames can be bracketed with Blue and/or Amber white balance bias increments of approximately 5, 10 or 15 mireds.
Active D-Lighting. D-Lighting has proven a popular post-processing feature in Nikon's consumer digital SLRs, as well as some of the company's point & shoot models. It's a quick software process that attempts to overcome underexposed images, and bring detail out of shadows. An improved version of Active D-Lighting appeared in the Nikon D3 and D300, including optimization of image contrast, helping to prevent overprocessing of shadows and flattening of overall image contrast. The Nikon D300S inherits the same Active D-Lighting setup from the D300, featuring Extra-High, High, Normal, Low, and Off settings plus the ability to automatically choose the Active D-Lighting strength on the fly.
D300S Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting
The effect of Active D-Lighting is highly dependent on the particular subject and lighting being shot, but for the most part is fairly subtle. The thumbnails above show its effect on our Outdoor Portrait test, where you can see it opening up the shadows somewhat, while simultaneously holding back the highlights a little. We like that it's generally subtle in its effect, as it's so easy to overdo automatic tonal adjustments like this. (See the Nikon D300S Image Quality tab for more detail on how well Active D-Lighting performs.)
Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction. While other cameras have had lens distortion processing built-in, (notably the Olympus E-1, quite some time ago, and more recently many Panasonic cameras), none until Nikon's D3 and D300 did the processing based on the distortion detected in the image. Past cameras (and most distortion-correction software) simply looked at which lens was mounted and perhaps the focal length if it was a zoom lens, and then applied a pre-set amount of correction; no image analysis actually took place. Nikon's Lateral Chromatic Aberration correction offered a more sophisticated approach, thanks to the power of the camera's EXPEED processor, by actually analyzing each image after capture and fixing the chromatic aberration detected therein before saving the JPEG file. Cameras with high-resolution sensors place a greater demand on lenses, and hence Lateral Chromatic Aberration correction proves a useful feature on the Nikon D300S. There are no settings for this feature; it's always enabled for JPEGs.
Nikon In-Camera CA Correction
200% Crop from Nikon D90,
18-105mm VR lens at 18mm
Converted from RAW,
no CA correction applied
200% Crop from Nikon D90,
18-105mm VR lens at 18mm
Camera JPEG,
Automatic CA correction applied
The crops above are actually taken from our review of the Nikon D90, but the D300S uses the same technology, and the D90 crops above make good examples, because its 18-105mm VR kit lens had quite a bit of CA in the corners at the wide-angle end. The crop at left was taken from an image converted from a RAW file from the D90, enlarged 200% to make the colored fringing caused by the CA more evident. As you can see, there's quite a bit of CA present. The crop at right is from a camera JPEG, shot at the same time under identical conditions. The difference in CA is pretty amazing; the camera did a remarkably good job of eliminating it. (Click on either image to see the full-resolution images as they came from the camera and RAW converter.)
Picture Control. Nikon has standardized its Picture Control system so that camera settings for sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue can be finely adjusted and ported to other Nikon digital SLRs that support the system. The D3 was the first camera compatible with the option, and all Nikon SLRs since, including the D300S follow the standard. The Nikon D300S has four presets called Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome, and up to nine custom presets can be defined, named, saved, and copied. Sharpness can be adjusted in ten steps, along with an Auto setting; contrast, saturation, and hue can be adjusted in seven steps, while brightness is adjustable in three steps. There is also a five-step "Quick Adjust" setting which exaggerates or mutes the combined effect without having to adjust each slider individually. When Monochrome Picture Control is selected, Hue and Saturation are replaced by Filter Effects and Toning respectively. Filter Effects offers Off, Yellow, Orange, Red, and Green settings, while Toning offers B&W, Sepia, Cyanotype, Red, Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Blue, Purple Blue and Red Purple settings, with each of the colored settings offering seven adjustment steps. Of course, the Nikon D300S also offers sRGB and Adobe RGB settings, in a separate Color Space menu.
Noise Reduction. The Nikon D300S offers four levels of high ISO noise reduction: Off, Low, Normal, and High. For Low, Normal, and High settings, noise reduction is performed at ISO 800 and higher. When set to Off, minimal noise reduction is still performed at ISOs of 4,000 (HI 0.3) or above. High ISO noise reduction theoretically is not performed on RAW files (other than the embedded JPEG thumbnail), although there has been some data published by individuals on the Internet that suggests there may in fact be some NR applied in Nikon's NEF files. (We haven't investigated the issue thoroughly enough to take a position on it ourselves, though we are aware of the "median" filter Nikon applies to reduce the visibility of hot-pixels in longer exposures.) The Nikon D300S also offers long-exposure noise reduction for exposures longer than 8 seconds. When set to On, the camera takes a second exposure for the same duration with the shutter closed, and subtracts the "dark frame" from the first, to further reduce hot-pixel and amp noise.
Release Modes. The Nikon D300S's release modes are selected via the lockable release mode dial, which surrounds the button cluster to the left of the camera's prism. Release modes consist of Single Frame (S), Continuous Low-speed (CL), Continuous High-speed (CH), Quiet Shutter-release (Q), Self-timer, and Mirror Up (MUP). The Nikon D300S's Continuous mode is rated by Nikon for up to 7 frames per second with the standard EN-EL3e battery pack, or as much as 8 fps with the optional MB-D10 battery grip and EN-EL4a battery. These figures apply only when shooting in 12-bit Raw, TIFF or JPEG formats; for 14-bit Raw shooting the burst rate drops to about 2.7 fps. The number of shots that can be captured in a Continuous-mode burst before the camera slows down varies, depending on the file type and image size, as well as the amount of fine detail in the scene for compressed filetypes. Nikon says that up to 44 Large/Fine JPEGs or 17-20 12-bit Raw files (depending on compression type) can be captured before the buffer fills, but our tests with a deliberately difficult-to-compress image showed the same capacity of 12-bit RAW files, but a limit of 26 large/Fine JPEGs. (Capacity for 14-bit RAWs was actually a fair bit higher, apparently due to the slower capture speed.) Of course, the number of consecutive shots could also be limited by available memory card space, if your card(s) are nearly full.
Quiet Shutter-release is similar to normal Single Frame mode; however, the camera reduces noise by disabling the beep sound when the camera focuses (the focus beep can also be disabled in the custom menu), and by delaying lowering of the mirror until the shutter button is released, separating the noise of this operation from that of the mirror being raised and the shutter fired. (The result is indeed a quieter shutter sound.) Self-Timer mode opens the shutter a programmable delay (2, 5, 10, or 20 seconds) after the shutter button is pressed. (Note that Self-Timer mode requires placing the bundled DK-5 eyepiece cap over the viewfinder to prevent stray light from affecting the exposure, and that Bulb exposures in Self-Timer mode will have a duration of 1/10th second.) Finally, Mirror Up mode allows the mirror to be locked up with a first press of the shutter button or corded remote release, and fires the shutter on a second press (or automatically, after a delay of 30 seconds), allowing camera shake caused by mirror slap to be reduced when shooting on a tripod. There is also an Exposure Delay option in Custom Setting d10 which delays the exposure one second after the shutter button has been pressed and the mirror raised.
Interval Timer Mode. Another useful feature on the Nikon D300S that first appeared on more expensive models is Interval Timer mode, which facilitates time-lapse photography by taking a series of images at preset intervals.
Nikon D300S Interval Timer Options
Interval Timer mode is accessed,
from the bottom of the shooting menu
|Start time can be set (HH:MM),
or you can choose "Now"
|Interval between shots can be
set from 1 second to 24 hours
|You can set anywhere from 1 - 999
Intervals, and from 1 - 9 shots each
time the camera wakes up
|Once everything is configured,
hit the OK button, and you're
good to go!
As shown above, you can set the starting time for the series, as well as the time interval between shots, the number of shots to be captured after each interval, and the total number of intervals after which capture should cease. You can set hours, minutes, and seconds between each shot, and you can set a start time using 24-hour notation (HH:MM) from 00:00 to 23:59. (Make sure the camera's timezone, date and time are correctly set!) You can also start immediately, using the "Now" option. This is a good way to capture a timeline of slower events, such as clouds passing across the sky, tidal changes, a flower opening, etc. As with the Self-timer mode, the bundled DK-5 eyepiece cap should be placed over the viewfinder to prevent stray light from affecting the exposure. Exposure, flash, Active D-Lighting and white balance bracketing are all possible during interval shooting, and all but the latter will override the shots per interval setting to capture the required number of bracketed exposures. (White balance bracketing will capture only the requested number of exposures, but then process each single exposure differently so as to create the separate WB-bracketed still image files.). Interval capture can be paused and resumed through the camera's menu system, if needed.
Multiple Exposure Mode. The Nikon D300S allows anywhere from two to 10 exposures to be captured separately, and then combined in-camera into a single multiple-exposure image. This function allows effects similar to those that might have been obtained by intentionally winding back and re-exposing an image on a film camera. Up to 30 seconds is allowed between exposures, in addition to the time set in Custom Setting c4, "Monitor Off Delay" if Image Review is enabled - so a maximum of 10 minutes and 30 seconds between exposures is possible if the camera has sufficient battery life remaining. As they're captured, the exposures can either be averaged by setting gain to "On", or the brightness values from each exposure simply added up. The Multiple Exposure mode can be combined with the Interval timer function to automatically capture all the shots of the multiple exposure if desired, and it's also possible to change white balance between exposures. Most other menu options are disabled during Multiple Exposure capture. Sadly, live view can't be used to capture multiple exposures, so there's no way to preview the effect and precisely align subjects by looking at the camera's LCD display.
Retouch Menu. The Nikon D300S has an extensive Retouch menu, which is starting to rival what basic image editing software packages can do on a computer - so much so that some users may not feel the need to use a computer for Nikon D300S image editing at all. Retouch options include adjusting D-Lighting, red-eye correction, image cropping (trim), converting to monochrome, applying Skylight or Warm filter effects, adjusting color balance, image overlay for combining two RAW images into one JPEG, NEF (RAW) processing, resizing to small images (for TV, Web or email), movie trimming, and side-by-side comparison. Phew, that's quite the list!
RAW Processing SubMenu. RAW-format files are pretty common on SLRs these days: They capture all the data as it comes from the sensor, usually without any processing applied. Manipulated on a computer with RAW-processing software, they let you make major white balance adjustments, minor exposure tweaks, and perform noise-reduction processing beyond what the camera can manage on its own. Like many of their other high-end SLRs, the Nikon D300S also lets you do this sort of processing right in the camera, via a sub-menu off the Retouch Menu.
Nikon D300S in-camera RAW processing
|Here's a screenshot showing a
RAW file captured under a very
yellow light source
|Changing to a manual
white balance setting lets us make a
fresh JPEG with good color
As seen in the screen shots above, the Nikon D300S's RAW processing menu gives you a lot of options. You can change the JPEG quality, image size, white balance, exposure compensation (within limits), Picture Control setting, High ISO noise reduction and color space of a file, generating a new JPEG. (The original RAW file itself and any JPEG is left untouched; a new file is created.) This can be pretty handy if you need to make a quick change to white balance or minor exposure tweak in the field, before uploading an image to beat a deadline.
The images above were taken from our standardized test shots. For a collection of more pictorial photos, see our Nikon D300S Photo Gallery .
Not sure which camera to buy? Let your eyes be the ultimate judge! Visit our Comparometer(tm) to compare images from the Nikon D300S with those from other cameras you may be considering. The proof is in the pictures, so let your own eyes decide which you like best!
Buy the Nikon D300S
1 $300 Adorama Gift Certificate
2 $200 Adorama Gift Certificate
3 $100 Adorama Gift Certificate


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Family Room & Den Window Treatments
- Reduce heat gain and block UV rays
- Control light and cut down on glare
- Go cordless for increased child and pet safety
- Motorized shades for hard to reach spots
- Cellulars maintain comfortable temperatures
Family rooms are where we spend much of our time relaxing, entertaining, and gathering together to laugh and play. Depending on your light control and privacy needs, there are a variety of family room window treatments that can provide the functionality you need and the look you want. Consider cordless window treatments to keep this family gathering space safe from the dangers of dangling cords. For windows that are very tall or difficult to reach, you may consider a motorized window treatment that can be remote controlled.
Levolor® Natural Woven Wood Shades
retail $116.42 $78.00 + an extra 20% off
Certified Best for Kids
Products with this label meet or exceed safety recommendations approved by the Window Covering Manufactures Association (WCMA) and have undergone rigorous third-party testing.
Levolor® Panel Track Blinds: Woven Woods
retail $386.56 $259.00 + an extra 20% off
Panel Track Blinds (1)
Clean, uniform appearance. Great for large windows.
Woven Wood Shades (1)
Made with renewable materials. Intriguing, textured look.
Weaves (1)
Features woven fabrics, including linen and grass-like materials
Blackout (1)
Blackout blinds and shades can eliminate glare on TVs and monitors, make sleeping easier or simply used to darken a room.
Cordless (1)
Cordless lift option easily raises and lowers the blind or shade for convenient and safe operation
Privacy (1)
Take a look at our wide selection of privacy window treatments.
Top Down/Bottom Up (1)
Top down bottom up is ultimate privacy and light control option - raise the shade from the bottom, the top, or both
Vertical Blind Alternatives (1)
Unique visual appeal. Ideal for big windows or doors.
- Blackout (1)
- Cordless (1)
- Privacy (1)
- Top Down/Bottom Up (1)
- Vertical Blind Alternatives (1)
- refine
Large Windows (1)
Take a look at our entire selection of window treatments for your large windows
Patio / Sliding Doors (1)
Take a look at our selection of window treatments for patio and sliding doors
Sidelights (1)
Top picks for tight spaces. Maintain your privacy.
- Large Windows (1)
- Patio / Sliding Doors (1)
- Sidelights (1)
- refine
Eco-Friendly (1)
Features products manufactured to the highest standards of environmental responsibility for a no-compromise upgrade.
- Eco-Friendly (1)
- refine
Child Safe (1)
Blindsgalore offers a wide variety of window treatment options that improve child safety.
- Child Safe (1)
- refine
customer reviews for family room den
"Easy, easy, easy"
By Cindy from Clearwater, FL
First, I love this website. Shopping and ordering is very easy and with the free sample feature, you can't go wrong. Second, I ordered this product and it is everything I hoped it would be. It is good quality and made perfectly to my specifications. There was a question about the location of the up/down cords (they couldn't do what I wanted) so I rec'd a phone call from a rep explaining the situation and we resolved it over the phone to my satisfaction. I was pleased they called me for my approval. Third, these blinds were so easy to install. It only took about 20 minutes and they fit perfectly in my window and look beautiful. I highly recommend Blingsgalore and plan on ordering from them again. Easy shopping, easy ordering, easy installation! I have only one tiny criticism of the website, and that is that you cannot search by color. That would greatly help me for my next order as I want a specific color and I've had to slog through lots of products to see if it's available.View this product
"Great purchase"
By from
Looked at these Blinds elsewhere at a higher cost, found them here at lower cost. They are beautiful and very well made.View this product


text:
29.1506 Fidelity and surety insurance.Cite as [A.S.C.A. § 29.1506]
Fidelity and surety insurance includes all guaranteeing of persons holding places of public trust, and of the performance of contracts other than insurance policies. It also includes the execution of all bonds, undertakings and contracts of suretyship.History: 1974, PL 13-58 § 1.


text:
A gala celebration for the Friends of Expo was held December 6, 2012, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. "Cream of the Crop" was the theme of this year's banquet. Hundreds of the volunteer force that assist in hosting the world-class dairy industry event gathered for a relaxing social evening.
Four individuals were honored for their years of support and outstanding service to World Dairy Expo. They were selected from over 500 volunteers who help run the dairy cattle shows, commercial trade show, youth contests, school tours, educational venues and hospitality during the five-day show. The 2012 Friends of Expo honorees include: Robert Fourdraine, Nancy Solberg, Bonnie and Skip Bohse.
Skip and Bonnie Bohse, Nancy Solberg and Robert Fourdraine.
Robert Fourdraine was recognized as a Friend of Expo for his assistance in implementing enhanced cattle health check-in procedures. Fourdraine's education and experience in animal identification and tracking systems has been invaluable to Expo. His support and leadership to assist World Dairy Expo and Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection partners in providing a modern, efficient cattle health check-in process for the world-class event translates into a better, more bio-secure environment for the dairy industry and attendees. Fourdraine is always willing to assist with extra check-in shifts and he provides a friendly, welcoming personality to cattle exhibitors when they arrive at the show.
Nancy Solberg was honored as a Friend of Expo for her many years of service to the dairy cattle show entry process. This Mauston native started working for Expo seasonally between jobs. After moving to nearby Fitchburg for her career, she continued to work for World Dairy Expo as needed. Her hourly workload capacity, careful attention to detail and cross referencing abilities has benefited the cattle entry process for many years. Solberg has assisted throughout the many cattle entry system changes, evolving from paper spreadsheets to the current computer software.
Bonnie Bohse started volunteering after her curiosity sparked a question to a friend about World Dairy Expo. That first question turned into many years of service, most recently as a host for the Virtual Farm Tours and Expo Seminars. Bonnie's husband, Skip, soon joined in to help as well. He utilizes his former high school football whistle blowing skill to assist as a volunteer in directing the tractor and tram to pick up visitors. Bonnie and Skip have both volunteered at World Dairy Expo, both earning their recognition as 2012 Friends of Expo.
World Dairy Expo is recognized as the premier international dairy cattle and trade show held each fall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. If you are interested in becoming one of Expo's volunteers, call 608-224-6455. Volunteer opportunities range from tram drivers to school tours to gift shop sellers. The 2013 World Dairy Expo will be held Tuesday through Saturday, October 1-5. Next year's theme is "Center of the Dairy Universe." Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com for additional information.


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Gallo is ****ing boring...
This thread was created by a Bulls fan...this thread is dirty...why does this guy post here still?
He's been looking forward to this game all season long.
Kelly Tri-puke-a
"Tough times don't last forever, tough people do"
It's horrible that the best city in the world w/ the most knowledgeable fans on the game of basketball have the worst team in the NBA... at least the Nets FIGHT everynight... I'll b at the game tomorrow but I'll prob hit the exit early... I'd rather watch it on TV and save my $4.50 from the MTA.
I went to 2 games last year and they lost both of them LOL.
Another horrid night WOO!...I'll watch some real teams play tonight, Boston and Lakers as I lay in bed.
What an awful start to the 2nd half of the season. The Knicks didn't play defense and they didn't shoot worth a damn. Our rookies looked like crap, I don't know what the Knicks were thinking when they drafted Hill, Jennings is way ahead of him as far as development. I hope the Rox GM Morey didn't see this game because he'd be calling Walsh telling him it's no deal taking Hill to unload Jeffries.
What an embarrasing loss.... I hope Ricky Rubio is walking through those doors sometime soon....
Hill playing 20 minutes today makes you wonder. What is the reason? Development or showcasing?
knicks suck...Mike D has no clue how to make these players try to win and i am a sad knicks fan today.
Trade bum jeffries and lets get Mcgrady and those two max FA's in 2010...we need a future.
"The Knicks are back" - Amare
This coach is toasted, Nate put it to him and sent a message in the all star game slam contest and now trade deadline. Duhon can't guard his shadow and can't hit a side of a barn. Coaches high school basketball veteran says we need some spark, hey coach, that's your job to get a team playing together, your brothers dog house theory screwed up a 7th or 8th spot. Hill looks just terrible, Douglas is 2 years away, this team is so screwed up I can't comprehend it. I know one thing, nobody is wanting a ticket to New York to play for the Knicks, there is nothing here, except Lee and you didn't have the brains to lock him in.
WOW, to bad the trade deadline doesn't include coaches.


text:
QTads is a cross-platform multimedia interpreter for Tads (Text Adventure Development System) games. Both Tads versions in use today (Tads 2 and Tads 3) are supported. It should be easy to port to a range of platforms, including embedded devices. MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound formats are supported.
FrobTADS is a complete rewrite of the Unix console-version of TADS ("Text Adventure Development System"). It uses curses (or ncurses) and provides an interpreter to play games developed with TADS as well as the TADS 2 and 3 development tools. It adds support for a number of relatively recent user interface features including full support for text and background colors, TADS 3 banner windows, and timed input. It's also much more portable and more easily maintainable, as it's built to modern Unix standards.
PYZ is a Z-Machine interpreter for playing interaction fiction files. Text adventure games written by Infocom, such as the Zork series, used a then-revolutionary virtual machine called the Z-Machine, which saved code space on the memory-limited computers of the 1980's. People today are still writing text games, now called interactive fiction, for the Z-Machine platform. PYZ includes a mode in which you can see the instructions being executed, turned on by the --trace option. A test suite, pyztest, tests all the instructions.


text:
It seems that [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Taylor Swift[/lastfm] is turning her brief residency at L.A.'s Staples Center into an all-star event. Earlier this week, she invited [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Justin Bieber[/lastfm] on stage to duet on Bieber's hit Baby. And last night her special guest was [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jason Mraz[/lastfm], joining her for a special rendition of his smash hit I'm Yours.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
After the show, Taylor had this to say via her Twitter account:
And for those of you with a bad case of Bieber fever, take a look at her Baby duet with Justin on the next page.Vodpod videos no longer available.
She tweeted about Justin's appearance as well:
She also continued her tradition while in L.A. of performing the hits of local artists.
First up is her rendition of the classic [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Beach Boys[/lastfm] hit God Only Knows.Vodpod videos no longer available.
Turned out this was a request by gossip guru Perez Hilton.
And finally, her cover of Anaheim born [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Gwen Stefani[/lastfm]'s Sweet Escape.Vodpod videos no longer available.
Taylor's Staples Center shows conclude this Sunday.


text:
A man who ignited a large burn pile on Sunday received second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body when his clothes caught fire, Marion County fire officials said.
Police beat
Man seriously injured when brush fire ignites
A man who ignited a large burn pile on Sunday received second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body when his clothes caught fire, Marion County fire officials said.
The incident occurred in Fort McCoy, 13200 NW 98th St., when the man — whose name was not released Sunday — poured gasoline on a burn pile, according to Marion County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Jessica Greene.
When the middle-aged man lit the fire, his clothes ignited, she said. Someone who was with him at the time of the incident called 911.
The injured man was airlifted to Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville in serious condition.
Navy schedules live ordnance practice
Navy training schedules indicate live bombing will take place for intermittent periods of time at the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. For noise complaints, call 1-800-874-5059.
Volunteer readers sought for Ag Literacy
Volunteer readers are needed for Marion County Farm Bureau's annual Ag Literacy Day, which will be held April 30. More than 175 teachers requested readers for their classes.
For more information or to volunteer, call Christine Damron at 427-3034 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Host families sought for exchange students
The ASSE International Student exchange program is looking for local families to host exchange students 15 to 18 years of age who will be here for the 2013/14 high school year.
For more information, call Joan Soderqvist at 382-4485.
Senior Services plans menu for the week
The following meals will be provided by Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala. Lunches will be delivered by Meals on Wheels; dinners will be provided at Marion Senior Services. For more information, call 620-3501.
Today: Chunky barbecue chicken with wheat bun, Lyonnaise potatoes, Califorina blended vegetables, sugar cookie and low-fat milk.
Tuesday: Macaroni and cheese with turkey ham, green peas, parslied carrots, rye bread, peaches and low-fat milk.
Wednesday: Lemon pepper baked chicken breast, potatoes au gratin, mixed vegetables, rye bread, apple juice, graham crackers and low-fat milk.
Thursday: Pork riblet with barbecue sauce and bun, baked beans, yellow corn, mixed fruit and low-fat milk.
Friday: Chef salad, French dressing, carrot-raisin salad, whole grain bread, mixed fruit and low-fat milk.


text:
December 8, 2012
Incase has taken the popular DSLR Pro Pack and refreshed it with durable cotton canvas construction in a rich Black hue, perfect for the holiday season.
For equipment-intensive photography, the DSLR Pro Pack offers photographers protection, storage and comfortable carrying for heavy loads. Its main storage compartment features fully customizable modular dividers for camera bodies, lenses, flashes and other equipment, with primary access through the back of the pack and a second zipper at the top of the pack for quick access.
An additional storage area features a dedicated notebook compartment that fits up to a 15" MacBook Pro and a slip pocket for an iPad for easy on-location editing. Exterior straps secure a tripod while fully padded shoulder straps and a mesh back panel provide excellent breathability and comfort.
You can purchase the Limited Edition DSLR Pro Pack now HERE for $200.
words by Brian Farmer


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For several of my past bikes, and my present 1150, NGK plugs have always surpassed Bosch for performance and longevity. My local O'Reilly Auto Parts can get them in two days (and they appreciate that I'll pay in advance just to prove that I really want them and I'll be back to pick them up).
I've posted these charts before, but the recent forum upgrade may have nuked 'em, so here ya go.