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Pacific Southwest, Region 9: Superfund
Serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations
Middlefield-Ellis-Whisman (MEW) Study Area
State: California(CA)
County: Santa Clara
City: Mountain View
Congressional District: 12
Other Names: Please also see Site Overviews for Raytheon, Intel Corp - Mtn View, and Fairchild Semiconductor - Mtn View
Bulletin Board
EPA announces the 30-day comment period (August 9 – September 8, 2017) for a proposed Settlement Agreement, whereby Warmington Fairchild LLC agrees to perform certain response action activities at the property located at 277 Fairchild Dr and 228/236 Evandale Ave in Mountain View, CA. Click here for the Federal Register Notice and the Proposed Settlement Agreement.
EPA has developed a Communication Plan for the groundwater cleanup Pilot Test Work in former facility-specific source areas in the MEW Superfund Area.
Click here to read about the plan
On this page
Description and History
NPL Listing History
NPL Status: Part of another site
Proposed Date:
Final Date:
Deleted Date:
The Middlefield-Ellis-Whisman (MEW) Superfund Study Area (or MEW Site) is comprised of three National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund sites: Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. – Mountain View Superfund site; Raytheon Company Superfund site; and Intel Corp. – Mountain View Superfund site; several other facilities; and portions of the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field Superfund site. The "MEW Superfund Study Area" itself is not listed on the National Priorities List (NPL).
- The MEW Site was home to several manufacturing and industrial facilities, including semiconductor and other electronics manufacturing facilities and metal finishing facilities. While in operation, these former facilities required the storage, handling, and use of a variety of chemicals, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The primary chemicals of concern at the MEW Site are trichloroethene (TCE) and its degradation products: cis-1,2-dichloroethene and vinyl chloride. During operations, some of the chemicals leaked or were otherwise released to the ground, impacting soil and groundwater. In 1981 and 1982, investigations in the area of these facilities indicated that significant levels of contaminants had been released to the soil and groundwater.
Contaminants and Risks
Contaminated Media
- Groundwater
- Air
The primary contaminants of concern are trichloroethene (TCE) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater and the potential migration to indoor air (vapor intrusion pathway). The soil has been cleaned up to meet the soil cleanup standards.
Who is Involved
The MEW Site is being addressed through EPA and potentially responsible parties' actions.
Investigation and Cleanup Activities
The contamination addressed in the MEW Record of Decision is both facility-specific and regional. Each individual MEW Company is responsible for investigation, cleanup, and source control for soil and groundwater contamination at their individual facility-specific properties south of U.S. Highway 101. Contaminated groundwater that has bypassed the source control areas and has mixed together with other contaminated groundwater from other source areas is considered part of the regional groundwater contamination plume, or the "regional plume."
The MEW Regional Groundwater Remediation Program systems south and north of U.S. Highway 101 (South and North of 101) are designed to contain and clean up contaminated groundwater where the contaminated plume has mixed together with other contaminated groundwater and where the source of contamination has not been identified. The Navy and NASA both operate groundwater extraction and treatment systems to contain and clean up contaminated groundwater at their areas of responsibility on Moffett Field, in addition to the MEW regional groundwater system operating North of 101 on Moffett Field.
It is important to note that groundwater currently is not used for drinking water or other potable uses. Groundwater in the area is, however, a potential future source of drinking water and therefore groundwater cleanup standards have been established.
Remedy Selected
EPA's Soil and Groundwater Remedy - 1989 In June 1989, EPA issued a Record of Decision selecting the soil and groundwater cleanup remedy for the MEW Study Area. The soil remedy includes: excavation, with treatment by aeration; and soil vapor extraction with treatment by vapor-phase granular activated carbon. The groundwater remedy includes: slurry walls (barriers beneath the surface) to contain contaminants; and extraction and treatment systems to contain and clean up groundwater contamination using granular activated carbon and/or air-stripping systems.
Because the groundwater contamination at the MEW Site migrates northward and has mixed with contamination from sources at the NAS Moffett Field Superfund site, the groundwater remedy selected in the MEW Record of Decision also applies to the commingled regional groundwater contamination area on former NAS Moffett Field (the West-Side Aquifers), but not the entire former NAS Moffett Field facility.
Intel, Fairchild, and Raytheon implemented groundwater and soil source control measures in the 1980s, before the soil and groundwater remedy was selected. Based on extensive soil and groundwater investigations and studies at the MEW Site, the MEW Companies implemented soil and groundwater cleanup programs that included soil excavation and treatment, installation of four slurry walls, soil vapor extraction and treatment systems, and groundwater extraction and treatment systems.
In the mid-1990s, Fairchild Semiconductor, Raytheon, Intel, and other MEW Companies (SMI, Vishay/SUMCO, NEC Electronics) implemented the soil remedy by excavation and aeration and soil vapor extraction (SVE). They also began operating or continued to operate the groundwater extraction and treatment systems to control source areas and remove VOCs from the aquifers. The soil cleanup was completed in 2001.
In accordance with the Consent Decree and 106 Order, each of the MEW Companies operates and maintains individual facility-specific groundwater source control measures (i.e., extraction wells, slurry walls, treatment systems, etc.) to contain and clean up contamination source areas in each area for which the MEW Company is responsible.
The MEW Regional Program South of 101 began operation in January 1998; North of 101 began operation in October 1998. The South of 101 and North of 101 are two separate groundwater extraction systems; however, they are designed to operate in unison to remediate and capture the regional plume. The Navy's West-Side Aquifers Treatment System (WATS) began operation in November 1998, and NASA's groundwater extraction and treatment system began operation in September 2001.
EPA's First Five-Year Review (2004)
The existing soil and groundwater remedy at the MEW Site does not address risks from long-term exposure through the vapor intrusion pathway. Since the issuance of EPA's 1989 Record of Decision, new information has been developed regarding the toxicity of TCE and potential vapor intrusion into buildings overlying shallow groundwater contamination. In 2003, as part of EPA's First Five-Year Review of the MEW Superfund Study Area, EPA began evaluating whether VOCs in shallow groundwater are potentially migrating upward through the soils and cracks in the floors or through plumbing conduits and other preferential pathways, and impacting indoor air.
EPA's First Five-Year Review determined that for the groundwater remedy to remain protective in the long-term, the following actions need to be taken: long-term protectiveness should continue to be verified by monitoring the extent of groundwater contamination along the estimated groundwater contamination plume boundaries. This evaluation should be accomplished through routine annual groundwater sampling events. Current data indicate that the remedy is functioning as required to meet the remedial action objectives; however, EPA recommends optimization of both the regional and facility-specific systems to enhance plume capture, evaluation of applicable technologies to potentially expedite contaminant mass removal and cleanup time, and evaluation of the potential need for institutional controls.
Current actions
Intel has mplemented an in-situ bioremediation pilot test at its former facility at 365 East Middlefield Road in Mountain View to try to reduce VOC concentrations in the "hot spot" areas in a shorter period of time.
The MEW Companies, Navy and NASA have prepared a work plan to evaluate other alternate groundwater cleanup technologies to address the MEW Site-wide groundwater contamination.
In 2010, after amending the MEW Record of Decision, EPA selected a remedy that addressed potential long-term exposure of TCE, and other VOCs at unacceptable levels, through the vapor intrusion pathway, For more information, please access the 2010 Record of Decision Amendment for the Vapor Intrusion Pathway document either by clicking here or finding it in the Records of Decision subsection of the Documents and Reports section below.
EPA's Final Third Five-Year Review report for the MEW Site is available to view [Click here].
Cleanup Results to Date
Under EPA's direction and oversight, the MEW Companies implemented the soil and groundwater cleanup programs that have included soil excavation and treatment, installation of four slurry walls, soil vapor extraction and treatment systems, and groundwater extraction and treatment systems. The soil cleanup by soil vapor extraction and excavation and aeration has been completed at all the former MEW facilities.
- Groundwater cleanup will continue to operate for many decades in order to meet the TCE groundwater cleanup standard of 5 parts per billion. The groundwater remedy has removed over 100,000 pounds of contaminants, and has reduced contaminant concentrations throughout the multiple aquifer zones. The groundwater is not being used as a potable water supply, and there are no direct exposure pathways to the contaminated groundwater while groundwater cleanup continues.
Potentially Responsible Parties
Potentially responsible parties (PRPs) refers to companies that are potentially responsible for generating, transporting, or disposing of the hazardous waste found at the site.
Under EPA's direction and regulatory oversight, the following individual companies are responsible for investigating and cleaning up the soil and groundwater at the MEW Site. These companies are collectively referred to as the MEW Companies:
- Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
- Intel Corporation
- Raytheon Company
- Schlumberger Technology Corp. (Schlumberger)
- Renesas Electronics America Inc (formerly NEC Electronics America, Inc.)
- SMI Holding LLC (SMI)
- Vishay General Semiconductor (Vishay)
- SUMCO Phoenix Corporation (SUMCO)
- National Semiconductor Corporation
- Tracor X-Ray
- Union Carbide
National Semiconductor Corporation, Tracor X-Ray, and Union Carbide are not involved with the active investigation and cleanup of the MEW Site.
In accordance with a Consent Decree and Unilateral Administrative Order, each of the MEW Companies operates and maintains individual facility-specific groundwater source control measures (i.e., groundwater extraction wells and treatment systems, slurry walls, etc.) to contain and clean up contamination source areas in each area for which the MEW Company is responsible. Additionally, both the Navy and NASA operate individual groundwater extraction and treatment systems. Ongoing groundwater cleanup activities at the MEW Site are performed according to specifications in the individual facility-specific and Regional Program design, construction, operations and maintenance, and monitoring documents.
Documents and Reports
Community Involvement
Public Meetings: For construction status and field monitoring updates on the 277 Fairchild residential development project, please click here to see Warmington Residential's informational website.
On Saturday, February 11, 2017, EPA conducted a neighborhood meeting at the Middlefield Meadows Community Room at 114 Flynn Ave., Mountain View, CA. The purpose of the meeting was to give an update on recent TCE sampling results on development properties within the MEW Superfund Area.
A community advisory group, the MEW Community Advisory Board, meets regularly to learn about and discuss MEW investigations and cleanup issues.
EPA has awarded a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) to the Pacific Studies Center. The TAG provides money for activities that help the community understand technical information at the MEW Site. Please contact Lenny Siegel, TAG Administrator, at 650-961-8918 or firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
Public Information Repositories
The public information repositories for the site are at the following locations:
Mountain View Public Library,
585 Franklin Street,
Mountain View, CA 94041
Monday-Thursday: 10 am to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm
The most complete collection of documents is the official EPA site file, maintained at the following location:
Superfund Records Center
Mail Stop SFD-7C
95 Hawthorne Street, Room 403
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 820-4700
Enter main lobby of 75 Hawthorne street, go to 4th floor of South Wing Annex.
EPA Site Manager
Mail Code SFD
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
Mail Code SFD
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA Public Information Center
State Contact
PRP Contact
Community Contact
a Project of the Pacific Studies Center,
278A Hope Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
Other Contacts
After Hours (Emergency Response)


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SAN DIEGO, April 29 (UPI) -- Teen girls happy with the size and shape of their bodies report higher levels of self-esteem, U.S. researchers said.
Kerri Boutelle, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, said the study involved 103 overweight adolescents surveyed between 2004 and 2006. The girls were assessed for body satisfaction, weight-control behavior, importance placed on thinness, self-esteem, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, among other factors.
"We found that girls with high body satisfaction had a lower likelihood of unhealthy weight-control behaviors like fasting, skipping meals or vomiting," Boutelle said in a statement.
Boutelle added that the positive relationship shown in this study between a girl's happiness with her body and her behavioral and psychological well-being suggested that improving body satisfaction could be a key component of interventions for overweight youth.
The study, scheduled to be published in the June edition of the Journal of Adolescent Health, found overweight teens who were satisfied with their bodies are less depressed and less prone to unhealthy behaviors than girls unhappy with their bodies.
"A focus on enhancing self-image while providing motivation and skills to engage in [effective] weight-control behaviors may help protect young girls from feelings of depression, anxiety or anger sometimes [associated] with being overweight," Boutelle added.

subset: commoncrawl


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DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. - A would-be robber picked the wrong Dearborn Heights store to try to rip off.
Mike Roy owns a gas and service station on Ford Road near Telegraph Road. He's been in business for 30 years.
--Mike Roy
In an interview with Local 4, Roy said he was preparing $3,000 for a bank deposit in his office last Monday when a man walked in.
"The character comes in and he asks me something about if I'm hiring and I said, 'No, not at this time,'" Roy said. "I turned back and he just leaned over me and said, 'Well I'll just take these,' and takes two handfuls of bills."
Roy said he thought it was a joke.
"But then I just yelled out, 'Hey, he's robbing me,'" he said.
But the man didn't get very far.
Roy, a customer and a station employees went after the man, tackling him and holding him down until police arrived.
"Boy, we are quite lucky. Had he got the car started, pulled out onto Ford Road, had there been traffic coming, it could have wiped four or five of us out," Roy said.
--The would-be robber is caught right outside the service station
The whole incident was caught on Roy's security cameras.
The suspect is due in court later this week.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Debate day: Biden vs. Ryan. Who is ready?
It's here. The long-awaited debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.
We want to know what you think about how they did. Like last week, please weigh in and let us know.
I for one am just counting on the moderator doing a better job. Regardless of what side you are on, the debates are well watched and carry some weight.
Happy debate day!


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By Ben Golliver
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan hit a buzzer-beater to defeat the Magic 97-95 at the Amway Center in Orlando on Thursday night.
With 4.3 seconds remaining and the game tied at 95, Alan Anderson inbounded the ball from the right sideline to Jose Calderon, who in turn swung the ball to DeRozan as he raced off a high screen towards the open left side of the court. Seeing the play develop, both Arron Afflalo and Glen Davis tracked DeRozan into the left corner, where he was launched an off-balance, step-back, fade-away jumper over Davis with one second remaining on the clock. The try swished through perfectly just after the buzzer sounded, giving the Raptors a dramatic road win.
The National Post noted that DeRozan's basket was the first buzzer-beater for the Raptors in more than six years.
DeRozan finished with a game-high 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds on 10-for-17 shooting in 43 minutes. Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Magic with a team-high 19 points and 14 rebounds.
With the win, Toronto improved to 16-27. With the loss, Orlando fell to 14-28.Video via YouTube user BeastTV123


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Rachel Baker Awarded 2011 Lancaster Award in Art History
The Bob Lancaster Award: This award is given in the spring semester to the outstanding graduating majors in studio art and art history. It was established in memory of the late Robert L. Lancaster, sculptor and chair of the Art Department in the Sarofim School of Fine Arts. Selection of the recipients of the award is made for studio art on the basis of a portfolio and general performances as judged by the studio art faculty, and for art history on the basis of general performance and special projects as judged by the art history faculty. As a merit-based award, it is given only to those students who have met the departmental standards and, therefore, may not be awarded in some years.
Honors Convocation presentation by Dr. Patrick Hajovsky, Assistant Professor of Art History:
"Rachel Baker exemplifies the kind of interdisciplinary study that is achievable through a liberal arts education. She is a double major in art history and biology, and is planning to enter a medical program in Texas. I hear she has more than one option for graduate studies. She wants to work as a doctor and hopes to find an international organization with which she can fulfill her personal career goals and passion for learning about different cultural perspectives of medicine. She added the art history to her major, I think, because of her love for visual cultural expression.
I have known Rachel as long as I have been here. She joined my two pre-Columbian surveys as a First Year Student. These classes cover a wide range of unfamiliar objects and cultures, and she always excelled with inventive and intuitive interpretations of objects. Last year Rachel took my Art of Spain class, in which she produced an enlightening comparative analysis of medieval Islamic and Christian images of the female body. Her capstone project, which she completed last semester, similarly focused on representations of women, but in the modern work of Paula Modherson-Becker.
I present to Rachel the "Art Pin", which is a gold replica of the door plate from the Glassell School of Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The door plate was designed by Charles Rennie Macintosh, who was a pioneer of 20th-century architecture, emphasizing the role of function and simple geometric manipulation of space in architecture and design."


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OCEAN CITY — Ocean City Police this week formally charged a Salisbury resident and former priest with child sex abuse after an investigation into an alleged incident in the resort dating back over 30 years.
Police last month concluded a child sexual assault investigation stemming from an alleged incident in August 1981. As a result of the investigation, OCPD detectives have charged Bruno Michael Tucci, 70, of Salisbury, with a fourth-degree sex offense and child abuse by a custodian.
Tucci is believed to have brought a child into an Ocean City motel room in August 1981. While in the motel, the alleged illegal sexual acts occurred. Tucci is a former priest in Allentown, Pa. from 1971 until 2007. The OCPD is asking anyone with information about Tucci to contact Detective Brett Case at 410-723-6632.
Grinches Nabbed
POCOMOKE — Three Virginia men were arrested on burglary and theft charges just days before Christmas after a failed attempt to swipe presents from a residence in Pocomoke.
Around 10 a.m. on Dec. 21, a Worcester County resident returned to his home in Pocomoke to find an unfamiliar vehicle in his backyard and the back door of the house standing open and immediately contacted the authorities. Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff's Officer immediately responded, as did the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.
The first deputies on the scene determined the suspects were no longer in the residence and had just recently fled the scene when the victim returned home. Worcester County Sheriff's deputies, with assistance from the Pocomoke Police Department, the Maryland State Police and Maryland Natural Resources Police quickly formed a perimeter and began a search for the suspects while the WCBI detectives began to process the scene.
It was determined the suspects had kicked in the back door to the home. The entire house was ransacked and the suspects took firearms, computers, televisions, and jewelry. Many of the items taken were to be given as Christmas presents. Detectives later discovered the stolen property in the trunk of the vehicle still parked in the victim's backyard.
Two suspects, identified as Shaquille Gaskins, 19, of Belle Haven, Va., and Antwan Dawson, 23, of Eastville, Va., were subsequently apprehended, while a third suspect, identified as Antonio Austin, 26, of Onley, Va., was able to flee the scene and return to Virginia. Dawson and Gaskins were both charged with first- and third-degree burglary, theft from $10,000 to under $100,000 and malicious destruction of property. Both were remanded to the Worcester County Jail on $6,000 bonds. An arrest warrant was obtained for Austin, who was quickly apprehended by police in Virginia. Austin is being held in Virginia pending extradition to Worcester County.
Speeding With Dope
BERLIN — A New Jersey man was arrested on marijuana distribution charges after getting pulled over for speeding in Berlin last Sunday.
Around 2:30 p.m. last Sunday, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle for excessive speeding on southbound Route 113 near Route 575. While approaching the vehicle, the trooper detected a strong odor of raw marijuana. A subsequent probable cause search revealed nearly 239 grams of marijuana along with over $10,000 in cash in a white and red duffle bag located in the trunk of the vehicle.
The front right passenger, identified as William J. Schooley, Jr., 29, of Williamstown, N.J., claimed sole ownership of the marijuana and the cash. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia.
Probation For Loaded Gun
BERLIN — A North Carolina man arrested in August after a loaded handgun was found in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop pleaded guilty last week and was placed on probation and fined $500.
Shortly before 10 p.m. on Aug. 23, a Berlin Police officer on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on Route 50 at Old Ocean City Blvd. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded Ruger .38 semi-automatic handgun hidden under the front seat. The investigation revealed the vehicle's operator, Eric G. Clayton, 24, of Creedmoor, N.C., did not possess a concealed carry handgun permit. Clayton was arrested and charged with handgun violations.
Suspect Grabs Cop's Gun
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on first-degree assault and other serious charges last week after first threatening to shoot a group of victims at their home and later attempting to disarm a police officer arresting him.
Shortly before 7 p.m. on Dec. 26, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Oak Hill Ave. for a reported assault with a firearm. The investigation revealed the victims arrived at the residence to pick up an item and knocked on the door. Moments later, the victims were confronted by a suspect, later identified as Daryl James Sinclair, 34, of Salisbury, who allegedly displayed a handgun and threatened to shoot them.
The victims left the area and notified police, who responded and took Sinclair into custody. While in custody, Sinclair allegedly resisted arrest and grabbed an officer's holstered weapon and attempted to disarm him. Sinclair then fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later. Sinclair was taken to PRMC for treatment of facial injuries and was released. He has been charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, wearing or carrying a firearm, obstructing and hindering, attempting to disarm a police officer and other charges.
Assault Suspect Sought
SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a sexual assault on Christmas morning.
Shortly after midnight on Dec. 25, Salisbury Police responded to the area of North Blvd. for a reported sexual assault. The investigation revealed the victim was walking in the area of Route 13 and North Blvd. when she was approached by an unknown male suspect. The victim and the suspect struck up a conversation and began walking together in the area of North Blvd. and Smith Street.
At that point, the suspect grabbed the victim, pulled her into a side yard of a residence and sexually assaulted her. During the incident, the victim struggled with the suspect and may have caused an injury to his face. The suspect is described as a dark-skinned African-American male, roughly 5'8" tall and 180 pounds with a goatee and wearing dark clothes with a possible abrasion on his face. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers will pay up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.
Attempted Hammer Assault
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges last week after allegedly threatening his stepson with a hammer.
Around 1:50 p.m. last Thursday, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Church Street for a reported assault. The investigation revealed a suspect, later identified as Calvin Lee Johnson, 69, of Salisbury, got into a verbal argument with his stepson and during the argument attempted to strike the victim with a hammer. Johnson was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and the use of dangerous weapon with intent to injure.


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Republicans Ready to Play Games With America's Economy: Default, Shutdown Not a Viable Solution to Our Fiscal Challenges
Recently, a growing number of Republicans have been threatening to either hold the debt ceiling hostage during fiscal negotiations or force a government shutdown by refusing to fund regular agency appropriations. Instead of attempting to make either of these reckless moves, which are sure to wreak havoc on our economy for the sake of scoring political points, Republicans should immediately work with President Obama to ensure the continued recovery of our economy. As seen in 2011, treating the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip would be dangerous, sowing uncertainty and tempting another downgrade of our credit. And as was the case in 1995 and 1996, a government shutdown would bring turmoil to all sectors of the economy. Republicans should not bet the fiscal stability and economic wellbeing of our country in their attempt to gain political points.
According to POLITICO:
"The idea of allowing the country to default by refusing to increase the debt limit is getting more widespread and serious traction among House Republicans than people realize, though GOP leaders think shutting down the government is the much more likely outcome of the spending fights this winter. … GOP officials said more than half of their members are prepared to allow default unless Obama agrees to dramatic cuts he has repeatedly said he opposes. Many more members, including some party leaders, are prepared to shut down the government to make their point. House Speaker John Boehner 'may need a shutdown just to get it out of their system,' said a top GOP leadership adviser. 'We might need to do that for member-management purposes — so they have an endgame and can show their constituents they're fighting.'"
Some Republican lawmakers seem to think default is an acceptable position to take during their negotiations with President Obama:
"'For too long, the pitch was, we'll deal with it next time,' said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a conservative from Utah. He said GOP lawmakers are prepared to shut things down or even default if Obama doesn't bend on spending. 'No one wants to default, but we are not going to continue to give the president a limitless credit card.'" [POLITICO, 1/14]
This action would have a devastating effect on our economy, as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in a letter to Speaker John Boehner yesterday:
"Even a temporary default with a brief interruption in payments that Congress subsequently restores would be terribly damaging, calling into question the willingness of Congress to uphold America's longstanding commitment to meet the obligations of the nation in full and on time."
"It must be understood that the nation's creditworthiness is not a bargaining chip or a hostage that can be taken to advance any political agenda; it is an essential underpinning of our strength as a nation. Threatening to undermine our creditworthiness is no less irresponsible than threatening to undermine the rule of law, and no more legitimate than any other common demand for ransom."
Additionally, a growing number of Republicans say they would be willing to shut down the government if they don't get their way during discussions to solve our fiscal situation:
"'I think it is possible that we would shut down the government to make sure President Obama understands that we're serious,' House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state told us." [POLITICO, 1/14]
"We are going to look at all of these options. There is the option of government shut down. There is an option of raising the debt ceiling in short term increments," Blackburn told MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing. [MSNBC, 1/14]
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on Sunday's Meet the Press: What's important about the top Republican senator's appearance on NBC's Meet the Press wasn't what he said but what he wouldn't say. After a back and forth with host David Gregory on whether he would rule using a shutdown as leverage, McConnell had only this to say: 'As the leader of the Republicans, what I'm telling you is we elected the president to be president. It's time for him to step up to the plate and lead us in the direction of reducing our excessive spending.' In other words, he wouldn't rule it out." [National Journal, 1/7]
"Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a Jan. 4 op-ed in the Houston Chronicle: 'The coming deadlines will be the next flash points in our ongoing fight to bring fiscal sanity to Washington. It may be necessary to partially shut down the government in order to secure the long-term fiscal well-being of our country, rather than plod along the path of Greece, Italy, and Spain. President Obama needs to take note of this reality and put forward a plan to avoid it immediately.'" [National Journal, 1/7]
"Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in a Jan. 3 Dallas Morning News interview: 'He laughed, literally, at President Obama's recent suggestion that there won't be a debate over whether to raise the government's debt limit and openly called it a good idea to force a partial federal shutdown to cut the flow of red ink. 'The federal government will hit its credit limit in roughly two months, and Obama argues that default to any degree is unthinkable, especially because it entails spending that Congress has already authorized… I'm sure he would like not to discuss it,' Cruz said. But he said a partial government shutdown would be useful, arguing that the one in 1995 set the table for 'the greatest degree of fiscal responsibility we have seen from Congress in modern times.' " [National Journal, 1/7]
"Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Jan. 2: 'We Republicans need to be willing to tolerate a temporary, partial government shutdown. We absolutely have to have this fight over the debt limit.'" [National Journal, 1/7]
Instead of using the debt ceiling or a shutdown as leverage, Congress must work towards a long-term solution to restore our fiscal stability. A bipartisan fiscal plan must include a balance of spending cuts and new revenues, while avoiding the negative impact of such self inflicted crises. Democrats continue to be willing to work towards a responsible, balanced and bipartisan solution.
Click here to read in pdf.


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I noticed these on my lilly plants. Does anyone know what they are please? Thank you.
I tried to grow lilies in my garden and was infested with these. I think they are the larvae of the Lily Beetle. They disguise themselves in their own faeces . The larvae actually grow into stunningly beautiful red beetles (you may see some of these on your plants as they are very brightly coloured).
Thank you for your reply. I have now looked up Lily beetles and I think that is what they are. Taking another closer look I can see some red colour. They are already all over my lilies so I will leave them there and watch them grow into adult beetles
The only problem with lily beetle larvae is that they will cause a lot of damage to the plants. When the larvae are fully grown, they will burrow into the soil and turn into pupae. They will later hatch into the bright red beetles I mentioned before. So, do not worry if they seem to 'disappear', they are just pupating.


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Because of what happened in Eden
When humanity toppled from grace
Every man, every woman, each baby
Bears the sins of the whole human race
Now, I know there are men who are wicked
And some women have evil within
But I cannot see damning a baby
Cos it's born with original sin…
But they tell me we all need forgiveness
For an act which we cannot atone
It's a sin that we all share the blame for
But the cure is in Jesus alone
Every man, every woman, each baby
Bears a sin that we never incurred
And for which we'll be tortured forever
Which is just (taking God at His word).
But we don't have to make restitution
And there's nothing we need to repay
When you speak of forgiveness with Jesus
Debts are paid in a whole different way
So a lifetime of sin doesn't matter
Even babies are going to Hell
Now, they tell me this view is consistent…
It's consistently evil, as well
And we pray to the Lord for forgiveness
And pretend that it's more than mere wind
Cos it's just His opinion that matters
Not the people against whom we've sinned
And our notions of morals are useless
Only God has the absolute view
But since God's fine with torturing babies
Humanity's values will do.
So a commenter is practicing apologetics on another post here, but as far as I can tell, it's a festival of own goals, continuing to cede the high ground. Today's verse is mostly in response to a brief statement, "It is not the (finite number of) sinful acts that God will judge but the sinfulness of our human nature that keeps us separated from Him."
In context, this was a response to the notion of infinite punishment for finite crimes. Think about it, though–as evil as we might be in a lifetime, that's irrelevant; it's the mere fact of being human that makes us damnable. So, yeah, babies.
And the commenter doubles down a bit later, clarifying that it is "man's sinful condition resulting from the fall that predisposes us towards sin, preventing us from living up to His standards." To be clear, then, we are deemed worthy of Hell because of something someone else did. Now, I had an ancestor who was an outlaw (if family historians are to be believed); to assert that, say, my daughter should be punished for this ancestor's crimes would be utter silliness. Even if he killed people (he is alleged to have), to put her in jail for one day for his crimes would be unjust. But it is clear, in this apologetics exercise, that the fall justifies infinite torture for thousands of generations of descendants.
To call these things just is to strip the word of any meaning.


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This is only based on rumors that I've read on RealGM, but I think that there is possibility that MKG and Barnes might drop in the draft. It's been rumored that Cleveland is thinking long and hard about drafting Waiter at the 4th spot. This could only mean that Cleveland isn't successful in swapping picks with Charlotte, so the Bobcats will keep the second pick. Also, it's been rumored that Sacremento is leaning towards picking Drummond Over Barnes. With all this taken into consideration along with the assumption that Charlotte will draft Thomas Robinson and the assumption that no draft trade happens involving the top 8, it's possible that the following mock draft might happen:
New Orleans: Anthony Davis (Obvious #1 pick)
Charlotte: Thomas Robinson (The need a solid athletic big to score and get rebounds)
Washington: Bradley Beal (The only starting position they need to fill is SG and Beal is the best SG in the draft)
Cleveland: Dion Waiter (Cavs seem to really want a SG. AP did retire yesterday)
Sacramento: Andre Drummond (Sacramento is very high on Drummond probably to put him next to Cousins)
Portland: Damian Lillard (Portland needs a PG since Felton has failed to impress last season)
Golden State: MKG/Barnes (GS needs a SF just like us)
Toronto: Barnes/MKG (We desperately need a starting SF)
Not saying that this will happen, but it's definitely a possibility.


text:
Ice-T and Coco have shared new pics of their newborn daughter, Chanel Nicole, including a sweet family selfie taken minutes after the child's birth.
The 36-year-old model cuddles the sleeping child on her bare breast, covered in a white blanket, as her husband, 57, is seen next to them, grinning from ear to ear.
Ice-T and Coco announced the birth of their little girl, who arrived early, on Saturday and shared a first photo of the child. She was born at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey.
"Thanks so much for all the warm wishes today," Coco wrote on Instagram. "I'm doing great! I had the best delivery! I pushed Chanel out in 3 tries! This was taken not 5 minutes after delivery, called skin to skin contact..better for a more bonding experience."
This is the first child for Coco. Ice-T has two children from previous relationships and is also a grandfather.
PHOTOS: Ice-T and Coco in costume
Coco also promoted Chanel's new Instagram page. She and Ice-T have also launched a Twitter account for the newborn. The couple also maintains a Twitter page for their two English bulldogs, Spartacus and Maximus.
Over the past day, several photos of Chanel have been posted on both social media accounts. As of Sunday morning, Ice-T and Coco's baby had more than 13,000 followers on Twitter and more than 33,200 on Instagram.
In another Instagram picture posted on Chanel's page, Ice-T is seen sitting and holding the tiny newborn with one arm and smiling.
"Moments after I was born and all ready in dads arms chillin!" the caption read.
Another Instagram photo is a close-up of baby Chanel sleeping.
"I got daddy's dimple...." the caption read.
Coco is also seen holding Chanel, while wearing a Chanel necklace, in a photo posted on the baby's Twitter page.


text: A little background. I have worked on teams ranging in size from 1 person (just me), to 5,000 in a single org. I've held positions ranging from entry level software developer, to lead developer, all the way to project manager. For most of the successful larger teams I've worked on, the process is pretty much as you described. The difference is subtle and has to do with the way QA is viewed in the organization. Three primary branches are created in the repo, called dev, test and stable. First the team as a whole develops the acceptance criteria for the product they are creating and writes those criteria into tests that can verify as much functionality as possible at compile time, these are called unit tests. Once the tests are in place, they form the basis of the dev and test branches. The software team then develops source code which will pass the compile time testing (or possibly new tests if it's found out the acceptance criteria were incorrectly specified), then a patch is submitted to the QA branch. No matter how many people you have, a QA department should handle testing the code for anything beyond the initial "compile & pray" stage and provide detailed feedback to the developer(s) (although generally it will be the team lead) responsible for the source code. If your organization is just starting out, then your entire QA department may in fact be just one guy or gal, may even be you yourself but you should treat it mentally as a separate job. QA's ONLY job is to test against the documented acceptance criteria, and either accept or reject it. If you are good at writing your own software tests (this includes unit testing but also other tests like client/server dummies), then you will generally find your rejections are limited to criteria that cannot be easily automated. (In my experience those failures are generally against subjective criteria.) Even though QA can be a completely separate department not affiliated with the dev department; I did once work for a company where the QA department was comprised primarily of the software development team leads and in my opinion this was the most effective setup, since if it doesn't work, you're gonna hear about it directly from your boss. After QA deems that your team's code is fully functional and passes all acceptance criteria, a patch is then made and applied from the test branch to the stable branch. Since QA are the gatekeepers here it's their job to make sure that this part of the process works. Since it's an aggregate step instead of a per developer step, it's generally successful, and the QA folks are expected to throw the dev grunts a pizza party each time this happens :) Now there are numerous exceptions to this, but most of the truly successful organizations I've worked for use this or some variant. For instance exceptionally large software products, may not have a 1 to 1 mapping between dev & qa. Instead they isolate the functionality of the product into various domains, each with their own dev teams. Then there are aggregate QA teams that handle input from multiple dev teams. Hopefully with a final master QA team that includes beta testers. Honestly though, projects of that size and scope will generally be enterprise projects that touch on more than just software. In this case the project will hopefully have a project manager co-ordinating everything and facilitating communication across the vastness of the project. Sincerely, Dale On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 2:29 AM, justin <justin at justinhileman.info> wrote: > We use this: > > http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/ > > This also works really well: > > http://scottchacon.com/2011/08/31/github-flow.html > > My team actually uses a bit of a hybrid between the two. We're working > toward decoupling features from release dates, and as we do that, we > end up moving more toward the "github flow" than gitflow. > > Our current flow goes something like this: > > * We have one 'production' branch that contains the codebase which is > currently live on our server. > > * We have a second 'develop' branch which contains the code currently > in QA to go live with the next release. > > * We have any number of 'feature' branches which are currently under > development. Right now that number is 40, but that's lower than usual > because we cut a release branch this morning and merged down ~45 > feature branches. > > > We also might have: > > * Zero or one 'release/x.y.z' branches. These are a snapshot of > develop which undergoes a full manual regression test by our QA team. > A release branch is cut every two weeks, and will become our next > tagged release and 'production' branch — if and when it has no > blocking bugs left. > > * Zero or one 'hotfix/x.y.z' branches. These branches are very short > lived, and only exist as a place to write and test critical bugfixes > before merging them into production and deploying. > > > > We have matching continuous integration servers for the 'production', > 'development' and 'release' branches. Every commit against them is > automatically deployed and tested — and results in either a "1-up" or > a "Mario died" noise on my computer :) > > We also have a handful of staging servers (currently between 3 and 5?) > which are used to manually test code before it goes out. > > * The primary staging server is automatically deployed from 'develop' > on a given cycle, unless there happens to be an open 'release/x.y.z' > branch, in which case it will auto-deploy the release branch instead. > > * Secondary, tertiary, etc staging servers are available for > developers, QA, and other employees to deploy and test arbitrary code > on. > > Right now, the additional staging servers are a static set, but one of > the sysadmins is working on setting up an automated EC2 pool of > staging servers, which can be deployed as needed to test features or > integration. > > > This is working out quite well for us, but it would be quite a bit to > set up all at once :) > > > -- justin > > > On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 6:34 PM, Wade Preston Shearer > <wadeshearer.lists at me.com> wrote: >> I am considering ways to improve our testing, staging, and deployment processes. We have multiple sites being worked on by multiple developers. I would like to hear how others (especially large teams) are doing it. >> >> >> Our current process works like this: >> >> 1. developer writes code, tests, and then commits to trunk >> >> 2. developer submits a push request to the "push-guy" >> >> 3. push-guy updates beta server (working copy of trunk) with files in request and returns note to developer >> >> 4. developer checks code on beta server and returns note of success >> >> 5. push-guy rsyncs files to staging server and returns note to developer >> >> 6. developer checks code on staging server and returns note of success >> >> 7. push-guy rysncs files to production cluster and returns note to developer >> >> 8. developer checks code on production server(s) and returns note of success >> >> >> This works well for a single developer, but once you have multiple developers submitting requests, testing, and verifying, it gets really hard to manage. And, it gets especially difficult when you have certain files that are found buggy and shouldn't be pushed with the rest of the updates. >> >> To help clarify things and provide ways to roll back easier, we have been considering implementing a beta branch and a stable tag. This would allow us to be okay with trunk being unstable and only merge over files that should be deployed. The beta server would be a working copy of the beta branch and the staging server wold be a working copy of the stable branch. We would then rsync from staging to the production cluster. >> >> This doesn't help much with management of things though (submission of items for deployments, testing, verifying that it's been peer-reviewed, tested, etc.) and merging adds a lot of extra steps (merge, commit, merge, commit). >> >> What are you doing? What systems have you heard of large teams using? >> >> >> >> >> /* >> PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net >> Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug >> Don't fear the penguin. >> */ >> > > > > -- > http://justinhileman.com > > /* > PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net > Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug > Don't fear the penguin. > */


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Sarah Lawrence College
10708 Bronxville
914 337 0700
Sarah Lawrence College was founded on the belief that even the best of traditional colleges define education too narrowly. Our history has been consistent with that vision. And so we have sought to integrate elements in education that are elsewhere conceived of as mutually exclusive: reason and imagination, subject matter and personal experience, intellectual play and the disciplined pursuit of ideas, an established curriculum and the individual's need to shape his or her own education. In so doing, we offer an opportunity for genuine learning that begins with the experience of each student, with people who come to college with a series of urgent questions that come out of their backgrounds, needs, values, and goals. We make it possible for students to link their personal concerns to the great traditions of knowledge and we regard that link as the element that brings life and vitality to the process of education.
The educational aims and objectives of the college are realized through practices which center upon the growth of the individual and the crucial role played in this growth by the relationship between student and teacher. We believe this humanistic stance to be important in a time of increasing depersonalization and specialization. These practices are translated into a set of characteristics which, taken together, mark the college as distinctive. Some of these specific characteristics are:
- We have no system of faculty rank. Each teacher is simply a teacher. In addition, we are one of the few colleges that does not use graduate assistants as teachers.
- There are no departmental syllabi, standard textbooks or fixed teaching procedures. This leads to a joint student/teacher learning experience centered upon personal and scholarly interests and enthusiasm.
- In our philosophy and practice, we reward good teaching. We provide freedom from the "publish or perish" syndrome, which enables our teachers to devote full attention to teaching and to their own scholarly interests. Free of the pressure to publish on schedule, they pace themselves and publish books which reflect complete and mature scholarship.
- We employ a teaching mode patterned after the Oxford/Cambridge system of seminars and tutorials. Most of the student's work involves studying in this format, with heavy emphasis placed upon the student's responsibility for his or her own performance and success.
- Every student is assigned a faculty don (derived from the Oxford terminology), who is the student's academic and personal advisor. In the freshman year, students meet with their dons weekly. For upperclassmen, donning sessions are scheduled as needed.
- We encourage students to build their own concentrations, selecting courses tailored to their interests and abilities, as well as to their career goals, such as entrance to medical or other graduate schools. The sequence and distribution of courses are planned for each student's program by the student and by his or her don.
- We have never used grades as a competitive device to motivate students. This helps place responsibility for students' work upon themselves. Students do receive a continuing evaluation of their work through the tutorial process and written evaluations from their teachers.
- We provide a three-course educational program for all students. In special cases, students may take four courses and, in the senior year, may elect to do a consolidated Senior Thesis under the guidance of teachers in several areas of study.
The ultimate aim of this highly individualized and humane approach to education is to help students take intellectual risks, to discover and enjoy their innate creativity through the discipline that leads to skill, to explore issues within a framework of humanistic values, to blend intellectual rigor with passionate human concerns, and to approach all learning with joy and urgency. We are concerned, above all, with endowing students with the efficacy and the will to make a difference in their own and others' lives.


text:
Adding stones to quilts and tote bags. What type of a tool do you use for this?
Welcome to the Quilting Board!
Adding stones to quilts and tote bags. What type of a tool do you use for this?
Okay, so I am not a blingy girl, but I didn't know why anyone would want to add rocks to their backs. There had to be better things to use to make them heavier.
Sorry on drugs. :(
Bejewler hot fix tool
Are you talking like the hot fix crystals or actual rocks
Oh I thought you were talking about putting rocks in the bags! DUH!
Funny thread this one!!
Yes, I was puzzled too! Why would you want to weigh down a bag with rocks! lol
i use beads or sew-on-bling. i don't trust the melt-on "jewels". i also have a bedazzler.
I've used Aileen's Jewel It to encase actual small polished rocks. Glue them on and put a thin layer of glue over them.
Bedazzler is the only way to go!!
Our of my realm ... sorry ... but good luck!


text:
user experience, and to be able to place an order on our website, you must have
All sales final on clearance items.
With water-friendly synthetic uppers and stain resistant materials, the men's ABEO B.I.O.system® Dawson H2O sandal with neutral support is perfect for water activities. The soft, waterproof leather uppers give moderate coverage of the foot, while the custom EVA insole is shaped to your specific foot type based on our revolution 3-D Fit Foot Scan Technology. The channeled rubber outsole provides grip and traction.
A neutral footbed provides enhanced arch support and is designed to match most foot types, providing all-day comfort, support, and stability. Neutral Footbed


text: Am I the only one who doesn't want to use a racquet that everyone else is using? When I go to the pub courts, I see the black and yellow of about 50 APDs, and I think to myslef, "There's no way I'm going to use what all these clowns are using." I desperately don't want to be lumped in with the masses! Am I the only one this crazy? Lol -Chris


text:
DETROIT - Despite operating their entire normal fleet Friday, SMART says some of its busses will be delayed because of the weather and roads conditions.
SMART Connector customers with a scheduled trip should verify their trip by calling Customer Service at (866) 962-5515.
SMART says customers should dress appropriately for the weather. Be sure to stand at a safe place near the bus stop, but away from the street until the bus has come to a complete stop.
SMART is asking everyone – customers and other cars on the road – to be patient with our drivers as they are doing their best to make sure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
SMART is southeast Michigan's only regional transit system, serving Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Recognized nationally as an innovator in community-based service for its unique partnerships with 75 communities, SMART serves more than 11 million riders annually.
For information or service updates visit smartbus.org or call customer information at 866-962-5515.
Weather links to use:
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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DETROIT Damien Brunner ended his 15-game scoring drought, and Jimmy Howard made a late save to help the Detroit Red Wings hold off the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday.
Justin Abdelkader scored late in the first period, Danny Cleary put Detroit ahead by two at 6:28 of the second and Brunner had a one-timer a few minutes later.
The Red Wings, coming off a 7-1 loss to Chicago, allowed a 3-0 lead to turn into a one-goal game.
Colorado avoided a shutout with a power-play goal at 14:08 of the third period when Jamie McGinn's backhander from between the circles sailed over a sprawling Howard. Avalanche forward Cody McLeod checked Detroit defenseman Brendan Smith into Howard, who couldn't get off the ice in time to get in a position to stop McGinn's shot.
Colorado pulled goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who had replaced Semyon Varlamov, and the extra skater paid off. Matt Duchene scored to make it 3-2 with 1:18 left, but Howard's glove save with 7 seconds left prevented PA Parenteau from sending it to overtime.
Howard finished with 22 saves for Detroit, which had lost two in a row.
The Avs are tied with Florida for the fewest points in the NHL and have lost nine of their last 11.
Varlamov, coming off a 1-0 shutout win over Nashville, gave up two goals on four shots in the pivotal second period and didn't play in the third period after making 10 saves. Giguere stopped each of the seven shots he faced.
Against the Blackhawks on Sunday, Howard gave up four goals on 14 shots.
Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg missed his second consecutive game with a groin injury and is day-to-day.
Abdelkader hit a hip-high rebound out of the air and into the net to put the Red Wings up 1-0 with 4:03 left in the first period. It was his seventh point in eight games but his first since his first three-goal, four-point game March 22 against Anaheim.
Cleary scored on a power play from the front of the crease off a behind-the-net pass from Johan Franzen, who also assisted on the first goal.
Brunner's 11th goal was his first since Feb. 24, when he had two goals and four points against Vancouver. The 27-year-old, first-year player is too old to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, but he has been a key player for the rebuilding Red Wings.


text:
Witchery: A Ghosts of Albion Novel
by Christopher Golden & Amber Benson
Review by Gayle Surrette
Del Rey Paperback ISBN/ITEM#: 0345471318
Date: 26 September, 2006 List Price $14.95 Amazon US / Amazon UK / Show Official Info /
Tamara has her own problems. She's trying very hard to get along with Sophia Winchell since soon she'll be her sister-in-law. Then there is her attraction to John Haversham -- even though she knows he's a rogue and a spy and has told her that there can be no relationship between them. Besides, William dislikes John and never lets an opportunity pass to tell Tamara how he feels about him.
Into this tension comes, Serena, a sprite who has fought along side them in the past. Serena bears a tale of fairy girls disappearing and that no one knows where they are and some have died. She begs for the help of the Protectors of Albion. Tamara immediately agrees to go to Cornwall with Serena. William refuses as he's on the trail of a spell that might work on the demon and he must go to New Orleans.
Tamara set off with Farris, Bodicea, and Serena. When she arrives in Camelford she learns that someone or something is also taking human girls. The fairies refuse her help. Bodicea sets out to find out what she can from the ghosts in the area only to find there are very few.
The plot thickens as we learn that Sophia has been spending a lot of time with the Swifts' father and the demon. She's planted some books for William to find to help him in his task on the advice of his 'father'. And William's trip to New Orleans just might have been intended to be the last trip he'd ever take. Bodicea learns that the ghosts of King Arthur's knight refight their final battle against the forces of Mordred each night in the wood near Camelford. Tamara learns that Witches still exist in Albion and they are looking for Mordred.
We move from one thread to another and with each round the questions grow in number and the tension rises. All the clues are there and finally with the revelation of the various traps and plans we learn what's going on. But will our protagonists be able to survive. That's what you'll have to read the book to find out.
In many ways this is not as darkly horrible as Ghosts of Albion: Accursed. However, don't let that lead you into believing that this is all sweetness and light. No, the danger is real to our characters and at any time one of them could die. The confines of the universe don't guarantee that everyone survives. The tension is in knowing that no one is truly safe.
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© 2002-2018SFRevu


text:
I am trying to make a program where you'll have to enter a password for going further, when loading windows.
How would I have to do that?
I know how to make it ask for a password and check it, however I dont know how to stop everything so only the program is being "online".
Please help me,


text:
Thursday 4th July 2013
- Friday 5th July 2013
First House
Second House
£25.00 - £40.00
Vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. A longtime disciple of Dinah Washington and other legendary jazz singers of the '40s and '50s, Schuur has built a stellar career by embracing not only the jazz of her parents' generation, but also the pop music of her own youth during the late 1950s and '60s. In a recording career that spans nearly three decades – and includes two Grammy Awards and three Grammy nominations – Schuur's music has explored nearly every corner of the 20th century American musical landscape.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, vocalist Diane Schuur has earned respect and garnered praise from such legendary musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and B.B. King.
Known for her three-and-a-half octave vocal range, vocalist/pianist Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. A longtime disciple of Dinah Washington and other legendary jazz singers of the '40s and '50s, Schuur has built a stellar career by embracing not only the jazz of her parents' generation, but also the pop music of her own youth during the late 1950s and '60s. In a recording career that spans nearly three decades – and includes two Grammy Awards and three Grammy nominations – Schuur's music has explored nearly every corner of the 20th century American musical landscape.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, in December 1953, Schuur was blind from birth. She grew up in nearby Auburn, Washington, where her father was a police captain. Nicknamed Deedles at a young age, Schuur discovered the world of jazz via her father, a piano player, and her mother, who kept a formidable collection of Duke Ellington and Dinah Washington records in the house.
She was still a toddler when she learned to sing the Dinah Washington signature song, "What a Difference a Day Makes." Armed with the rare gift of perfect pitch, Schuur taught herself piano by ear and developed a rich, resonant vocal style early on, as evidenced in a recording of her first public performance at a Holiday Inn in Tacoma when she was ten years old. She received formal piano training at the Washington State School for the Blind, which she attended until age 11. By her early teens, she had amassed her own collection of Washington's records and looked to the legendary vocalist as her primary inspiration.
Schuur made her first record in 1971, a country single entitled "Dear Mommy and Daddy," produced by Jimmy Wakely. After high school, she focused on jazz and gigged around the northwest. In 1975, an informal audition with trumpeter Doc Severinson (then the leader of the Tonight Show band) led to a gig with Tonight Show drummer Ed Shaughnessy's group at the Monterey Jazz Festival. She sang a gospel suite with Shaughnessy's band in front of a festival audience that included jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, who in turn invited her to participate in a talent showcase at the White House. A subsequent return performance at the White House led to a record deal with GRP, which released Schuur's debut album, Deedles, in 1984.
Over the next 13 years, Schuur recorded 11 albums on GRP, including two Grammy winners: Timeless (1986) and Diane Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra (1987). The recording with the Basie Orchestra spent 33 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard jazz charts. In 1991, Pure Schuur made the number-one slot on the Contemporary Jazz charts, and Heart To Heart – a 1994 collaborative recording with B.B. King – entered the Billboard charts at No. 1.
After one album on Atlantic records in 1999 – Music is My Life, produced by Ahmet Ertegun – Schuur joined the Concord label with the 2000 release of Friends For Schuur. The move to Concord marked the beginning of a series of highly successful collaborative projects: Swingin' For Schuur (2001), a set of finely crafted duets with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson; Midnight (2003), Schuur's unique interpretations of thirteen songs (mostly new material) written or co-written by Barry Manilow; and Schuur Fire (2005), a decidedly Latin-flavored album featuring the Caribbean Jazz Project.
Some Other Time, Schuur's February 2008 Concord release, is a recording of songs by jazz artists whom she first discovered via her parents during her childhood and adolescent years. The album features songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn, Rogers and Hammerstein and more. The set also includes a surprisingly mature-sounding rendition of "September in the Rain," recorded at the Holiday Inn in Tacoma in 1964 when Schuur was only ten years old.
Some Other Time is, among other things, Schuur's celebration of the music of her parents' generation, and a tribute to her late mother on the fortieth anniversary of her death at the young age of 31. "This is a celebration of the music she introduced to me when I was growing up," says Schuur. "After enough time goes by, everything your parents ever told you, everything they ever tried to teach you, starts to make sense. You find out how they grew up and how they looked at the world in the context of their generation and their times."
Long regarded – and sometimes criticized – as an artist who has walked a tightrope between jazz and pop, Schuur sees Some Other Time as an unwavering statement about her commitment to the jazz tradition and its influence on her artistic sensibilities. "This album really is about coming back to the basics of my jazz roots," she says. "Not that I really completely left them, but there were a few detours along the way."
Support: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars
+ support tonight: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars with Special Guest vocalists Emma Smith (Mon) and Natalie Williams (Tues)
Monday's band line up: Alex Garnett (tenor sax), James Pearson (piano), Sam Burgess (bass) and Ed Richardson (drums).
Tuesday's band line up: is Alex Garnett (tenor sax), James Pearson (piano), Sam Burgess (bass) and Chris Higginbottom
The Ronnie Scott's All Stars are comprised of some of the greatest talents on the U.K scene, including some of our most regular performers James Pearson (piano), Sam Burgess (bass) and Pedro Segundo (drums)
James Pearson:-
Musical Director at Ronnie Scott's and the owner of a ferocious piano technique coupled with a sense of musicality rarely heard, James Pearson is one of the most exciting musicians to have emerged from the U.K in the last 25 years. After working with him, the late jazz legend Sir John Dankworth declared: "James Pearson is an exceptionally gifted artist. His masterful playing makes him head and shoulders above the rest of his contemporaries. He shows signs of true greatness".
Sam Burgess:-
Double Bass Despite only being in his early 30's, already Sam is a stalwart of the UK jazz scene. As well as appearing on numerous film soundtracks such as 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'Hannibal'. Sam's thumping, pounding, relentlessly driving bass lines have been heard accompanying the likes of Bob James, Billy Kilson, Gary Novak, Joe Lock, Dave Kekowski, Guy Barker, Dave O'Higgins, Pete King, Gareth Williams, Claire Martin, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, John Horler, Gwyneth Herbert, John Dankworth, The BBC Big Band and Robbie Williams.
Pedro Segundo:-
At 22 years old Pedro Segundo, Portuguese drummer joins the James Pearson Trio at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.
Born and raised in Lisbon, picked up the drums seriously at the age of eight starting studying classical percussion a year later. In June 2011 he graduates from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Timpani and Classical Percussion. His musical ability combines a blend of styles creating a unique sound on the drum set. He has played regularly with Dennis Rollins, Femi Temowo, Mário Franco, Cleveland Watkiss and many other artists touring in festivals all around the globe.
Other regular performers include:
Dave Ohm (drums), Natalie Williams (vocals), Alex Garnett (sax), Nigel Price (guitar), Steve Rushton (drums), Polly Gibbons (vocals), Alistair White (trombone), Gary Baldwin (hammond), Al Cherry (guitar), Matt Home (drums), Alan Barnes (sax), Ralph Salmins (drums), Arnie Somogyi (bass), Mark Smith (bass), James Nisbet (guitar), Pete Long (sax), Gerard Presencer (Trumpet), Dave O'Higgins (sax), Alec Dankworth (bass), Steve Fishwick (trumpet) and others...
To find out more, please go to:
Tell us what you think of Diane Schuur, Support: The Ronnie Scotts All Stars below..


text: so yea, my friend is a professional stringer. He and his brother are both invited frequently to string at major tournaments. i was hanging around his shop the other day and we just started talking. i brought up the pj stuff and we were discussing strings and such when he showed me jill craybas' racquet. it was pretty cool but when i gave it back to him after a looksy, he disappeared to the back and brought out... DUN DUN DUNNNNNN Roddick's Weapon of choice given to him and his brother a while back !!!! here are some pics... He uses the old butt cap. it says 4 and 1/2 but it feels more like a 4 and 7/8 JCS sticker at the throat. next post..


text:
Total international sales were evenly split between non-resident foreigners and recent immigrants.
The survey asked Realtors to report their international business activity within the U.S. for the 12 months ending March 2012.
"Today's advantageous market conditions have drawn more and more foreign buyers to the U.S. in recent years, signaling how desirable and profitable owning property in this country can be," said NAR President Moe Veissi, a broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc. in Miami, Fla.
"Low housing prices, a good inventory condition and increased buying power with today's exchange rates help attract international clients," he said. "Foreign buyers also have the advantage of working with Realtors who specialize in serving international clientele. They have a truly global perspective; they know what hurdles foreign buyers face when purchasing property in the U.S., and have the expertise and knowledge that comes from working with clients from different cultures and real estate practices."
International buyers bought homes throughout the country, but four states accounted for 51% of the purchases -- Florida, California, Texas and Arizona. Florida has been the fastest growing destination of choice, accounting for 26% of foreign purchases. California was second with 11% and Texas and Arizona accounted for 7%.
Proximity to the home country, the presence of relatives and friends, the convenience of air transportation, and climate and location are all important considerations to prospective foreign buyers.
Locations on the East Coast generally attract European buyers, while Asian buyers tend to purchase on the West Coast, particularly California. Florida attracts a diverse set of international buyers including South Americans, Europeans and Canadians. Meanwhile, Texas remains popular among Mexican buyers.
Within markets in an individual state, it is not unusual to find concentrations of people grouped by nationality.
"Foreign buyers recognize that owning a home in the U.S. has many benefits, both financial and social," said Veissi. "Many purchase property as an investment, vacation home or to diversify their portfolio."
"In addition," he pointed out, "many recent immigrants view homeownership as an important accomplishment. They believe that being a homeowner is one of many ways they become established in the U.S. and attain stability, security and a sense of community."
International buyers came from all over the globe, but Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Mexico, India and the United Kingdom accounted for 55% of all international transactions, according to the survey. Canada and China remain the fastest-growing home countries. Canada accounted for 24% of international sales while China accounted for 11%, up from 9% in 2011. Mexico was third with 8% of sales, and India and the U.K. both accounted for 6%.
A total of 45% of international purchases were under $250,000. In addition, there appears to be a gradual increasing trend toward purchases in the $250,000 to $500,000 price range. In 2012 this range accounted for 30% of purchases, up from 28% in 2011. The average price paid by an international buyer was $400,000 compared to the overall U.S. average of $212,000.
Several reasons account for why the average international home price is higher than the average overall price. The international client is typically wealthier than the domestic buyer and is looking for a property in a specialized niche, for example, a larger property suitable for multi-generational living, or a property that establishes the individual's presence and standing in the community.
Many homes purchased by foreign buyers are used as a primary residence. Vacation and rental use are also major reasons for a purchase. More than half -- 66% -- of survey respondents reported international buyers purchased detached single-family homes. About half of international buyers, 52%, preferred to buy in a suburban area and about a quarter, 23%, bought in a central city/urban area.
Some 62% of international purchases were all cash, which has increased since 2007. International buyers still experience many financing challenges when purchasing a home in the U.S. In fact, among transactions that failed, Realtors reported that in 26% of the cases financing issues were the problem. The difficulties facing foreign buyers in trying to obtain a mortgage include lack of U.S.-based credit history and hurdles in meeting mortgage requirements.
Other reasons for not purchasing properties were cost/taxes/insurance and immigration laws.
Some 27% of Realtors reported having worked with international clients this year. Of these, 52% of Realtors reported that international transactions accounted for one to 10% of their total transactions, while 27% reported that they made up more than 10% of total transactions.
Realtor specialization on the buyer's side of the market -- such as foreign language capabilities, cultural affinity or orientation with the prospective purchaser and experience in explaining the U.S. real estate -- appear to be important in working with foreign buyers.
This story contains 822 words.
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Memorial for ski tragedy teenager
Hundreds of people turned out at a memorial service for a teenage girl who died after falling from a ski lift during a school trip to the Italian Alps.
Poonam Bhattal, 13, fell 20ft on to the piste in the resort of Claviere last year.
The schoolgirl, who was described as ''a beautiful person", was having ski lessons with classmates from the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy in Hayes, Middlesex, when she boarded the chairlift on the morning of February 22.
To mark the first anniversary of the death, her family have participated in prayers which started last Monday at their home in Berkshire.
The prayers were completed in a memorial service today at Guru Nanak Sikh Academy.
The congregation heard extracts from Poonam's exercise book, and the last words written by her in the book were: "To be happy with your family and your life is the most important."
In a speech to the congregation, Poonam's mother said: "Poonam was one of God's children and on loan to us from God. She served her purpose on this earth well and God decided he needed her back to serve an even higher purpose.
"We feel honoured that we had the privilege of being Poonam's proud parents. We miss our Poonam so much and will always have her in our thoughts and hearts."
Ahead of the memorial, Poonam's parents said: "The service will be an opportunity to share the good memories we have had of our time with Poonam.
"We will hold on tightly to our memories forever in our hearts. We wish this to be a celebration of Poonam's life."
They added: "Poonam was a beautiful person, a little cheeky at times, but never failing to smile and making us and others smile with her.
"Even today when we watch the home videos she turns our pain and tears of sorrow into laughter with her antics and makes us feel grateful for the time we did spend with her.
"We will all cherish those precious 13 years we spent with our Poonam in our hearts forever.
"Our brightest star in the sky, Poonam our angel will live in our heart forever."
A fund has been set up in Poonam's name, and all money raised will be divided between a memorial plaque and special garden that will be created at the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy and the the school's own charity where they support the development of schools for deprived children in India.
Claviere is a ski resort in the province of Turin which crosses the French border.


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Racing Regulators Examine Cobalt Studies
- Aug 5, 2014
- Topics:
Before making a formal recommendation of a regulatory testing limit, North American racing regulators have decided to consider the results of two scientific research studies commissioned to help detect the deliberate administration of cobalt in racehorses.
The Association of Racing Commissioners International said that a proposed threshold was presented at the group's model rules meeting last week. That threshold was later withdrawn by members of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), pending further discussion by the RMTC board of directors.
That threshold—which is based on an analysis of an RMTC-coordinated project that is funded by the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council and conducted by Heather Knych, DVM, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine—was advanced with the support of 8 of the 14 members of the RMTC Scientific Advisory Committee.
A second research project, funded by the United States Trotting Association (USTA), is near completion, according to USTA chairman Ivan Axelrod. That project is being conducted by George Maylin, DVM, PhD, at the New York Drug Testing and Research Program at Morrisville State College in New York. He is assisted by Karyn Malinowski, PhD, and Kenneth McKeever, MS, PhD, FACSM, the director and associate director, respectively, of the Rutgers University Equine Science Center in New Jersey.
All horses have some degree of cobalt in their system as a result of diet and environmental factors. However, excessive amounts could indicate a deliberate administration, above and beyond what would be considered appropriate or normal for vitamin or mineral supplements.
Racing regulators are concerned that cobalt treatments might be given to racehorses with an intent to affect performance by inducing red blood cell production, a similar effect as when the prohibited product erythropoietin (or EPO) is administered. They hope to better understand if an equine welfare threat exists with regard to cobalt administration.
Originally published on BloodHorse.com.
About the Author
The Blood-Horse Staff
The Blood-Horse is the leading weekly publication devoted to international Thoroughbred racing and breeding. Since 1916, the staff of The Blood-Horse has served the Thoroughbred community with the highest standards of journalistic excellence to provide comprehensive and timely editorial coverage and analysis.
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