text:
Language Services Associates Establishes New Scholarship Fund for Language Scholars at MIIS
October 8, 2010
The Monterey Institute of International Studies and Language Services Associates (LSA), a global language service provider offering a full suite of multicultural solutions, are proud to announce the establishment of The Language Services Associates Scholarship Fund at MIIS. The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to ambitious and worthy students who are otherwise unable to afford to attend the Monterey Institute.
"We have always believed in the mission and core values of the Monterey Institute, which is why many of our independently contracted linguists, as well as select employees and external consultants, are proud MIIS graduates," said Laura K.T. Schriver, President and CEO, LSA. "What most people may not realize is that one-third of Monterey's students are international and are therefore ineligible to receive federal aid. With this new scholarship fund, we hope to give more students the opportunity to pursue a highly sought after Monterey Institute education, which will, in turn, help keep the language service industry competitive."
LSA recently donated $10,000 to The Language Services Associates Scholarship Fund, which was awarded to a second-year Chinese Interpretation and Translation student from Taichung City, Taiwan. Thanks to this financial contribution, the deserving scholar has been able to continue her professional training at MIIS. She is expected to graduate in May, 2011 and is preparing to apply for a summer medical interpreting internship at Stanford University.
The LSA-sponsored fund is open to contributions from anyone. Those interested in donating are encouraged to visit the Giving page. (On the form go to the GIFT INFORMATION section, look for the "Direct Your Gift" drop-down menu and select "Other". In the following "Additional Comments" box, type "The Language Services Associates Scholarship Fund".) Your contribution will provide financial assistance to a student with demonstrated financial need and strong academic credentials.
Language Services Associates delivers innovative language-based solutions, including telephonic interpretation with real-time reporting and video-based interpretation, across a variety of settings and industry segments, including healthcare, government, utilities, insurance and financial services. LSA was founded in 1991 by Laura K. T. Schriver, who still holds the title of president and CEO.
2 Comments
Great news! Its good to know
Great news! Its good to know there are people who value the role played by translators/interpreters, and who are willing to fund the development of those interested in furthering their studies in this field. I hope more institutions and individuals will continue to support those pursuing graduate studies at Monterrey (both US and non-US students).
This is really good news,
This is really good news, it's always nice to hear of more opportunities of scholarships for students.


text:
2 comments
Much as we might love to hate each other, the Twins/White Sox rivalry is a great one. You guys could have won both of the games this week (maybe that's part of the frustration). It is definitely not over. We do love having Thome here, but Ozzie is right. If Morneau hadn't been out so long, Thome would not have gotten so many at bats or would have taken them away from Kubel or Young. Here's to a great fight all the way to the end of the season! But let's have none of that game 163 nonsense. Even if you do win it, your post season opponent has spent that time resting and preparing for the play-offs. A big advantage.
Ozzie was right. Love Thome but it was the right decision. The failure was Williams not getting an impact bat. Not a HR bat, but a consistant bat.
The meltdown has been painful to watch …

subset: commoncrawl


text:
What is the first rule of politics?
"Follow the money," says Mickey, a character in Robert Inman's new book, "The Governor's Lady."
It is a rule that we might overlook in a time when our politics seems to be defined by hard-line ideological differences. In fact, some of us would argue that following the money would be a fruitless diversion if we are searching for the real motivation of today's political activists.
Not Mickey. In Inman's book, she is the mother of the new governor of an unnamed southern state. Mickey has been in politics all her life. She has made and broken the careers of aspiring office holders. Her husband was the two-term governor, and so was her son-in-law. She knows every bathroom in the governor's mansion and which might need a renovation costing several hundred thousand dollars to make presentable.
She gives her "follow the money" advice to her daughter, the new governor, who has been asked to approve a big real estate deal with the state getting valuable water front land in exchange for a tract of isolated mountain land.
The new governor explains to her mother, "But no money is involved."
"Don't be so sure," responds Mickey, the mother. "Money, real money, is quiet. So quiet you have to listen hard to hear it. The noise and politics, it's mostly about what people call 'issues.' Folks at opposite ends of the spectrum yelling at each other. The gun nuts and the tree-huggers here and the bleeding hearts and tree-huggers over here. Smoke and fire, thunder and lightning. But back in the shadows, being quiet, are the people with the big money, people who stand to make a lot more money, depending on who holds office. And they don't really care which bunch it is, gun nuts or tree-huggers. They can do business with either, or anything in between, or both at the same time. Whatever works. They are happy letting the circus go on, the nastier and noisier the better, because that's what gets attention."
"That's incredibly cynical," the new governor says.
Her mother explains, "Don't get me wrong, money people have ideas and opinions, but they rarely let them get in the way of their money. So always, always, follow the money."
Author Robert Inman knows politics. He ran the press office of Alabama Governor Albert Brewer, before moving to North Carolina to watch politics for more than 25 years as news anchor at Charlotte's WBTV.
When I asked, Inman said he agreed with Mickey's comments about the power of money in politics.
The corrupting role of money in politics is a key feature of "The Governor's Lady," as Cooper Lanier, the new governor, must deal with the possibility that the former governor, her husband, current presidential candidate Pickett Lanier had arranged state transactions that lined the pockets of his political and financial supporters.
Inman's inside look at the family of ambitious politicians makes for great story telling for those of us who remember when Lurleen Wallace won election as governor of Alabama as a stand-in for her husband George, when term limits prevented him from running for re-election. And it resonates with the current drama of a possible return of Bill Clinton to the White House as the nation's first "First Husband."
Inman's first book, "Home Fires Burning" in 1987, signaled his gifts as a storyteller and since he left the WBTV newsroom in 1996, Inman has been a full-time and productive writer of novels, plays, and screenplays. The coming together of his experience covering public affairs and his talents as a writer make "The Governor's Lady" a welcome gift for any reader who loves politics.


text:
LA HABRA – In an increasingly global economy, teaching children to be bilingual gives them a competitive advantage as they prepare for adulthood.
That is the argument of the La Habra City School District as officials consider starting a dual-language immersion program for the 2014-15 school year.
"There is a growing movement in districts across the nation to teach children to be bilingual and biliterate," said Rick Snyder, principal of Arbolita Elementary School, who is leading the conversation about a possible program. "In a global economy, it's important."
The district enrolled 5,250 students in kindergarten through eighth grade last school year. Of those, 85 percent are Latino. The schools have 1,877 students who are learning English, with the vast majority speaking Spanish as a first language, according to state figures.
The new program would be open to students who speak English and Spanish.
The district plans to hold a series of informational meetings for parents, the first of which is Oct. 17, to gauge their interest in the Spanish-English program. If the interest is high, the school board likely will vote to approve the program. There is no set date for a school board vote.
The volunteer program would start with two kindergarten classes, which would be taught mostly in Spanish. The program, though, would require a multiyear commitment from parents because each year, more English would be introduced into the classroom.
"In kindergarten, the classes would be 80 percent Spanish and 20 percent English," Snyder said. "The next year would be 70-30, the year after that 60-40, until eventually it's 50-50."
The specifics of the program are still in flux, but Snyder does not expect the program to have a negative impact on other areas of study at the school. There also should not be much of a fiscal burden on the district, he said.
"There is no added cost except obviously for learning materials," he said.
The district, though, wants input from parents to ensure that those who are interested in the program get what they want out of it. In addition to the meetings, the district also is conducting community surveys.
Dual-language programs also run in Anaheim City, Santa Ana and Saddleback Valley unified school districts in Orange County.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3707 or email@example.com


text:
Enjoy Central Virginia Wineries in a whole new light!
This winter take a quick getaway to recharge … plus, learn how Central Virginia Wines compare to wines from around the world! Cedar Spring Inn & Spa will host a series of special Wine Tasting Tutorials, each focused on one wine varietal.
Each Wine Tutorial will begin at 6:00pm on the designated date and will include a tasting of four to five wines of the same varietal from different regions of the world. The wine tastings will be led by Charles McBee, a fourth generation wine importer and wholesaler who traveled Europe and California for thirty years in the pursuit of finding, developing and selling wonderful wines. You will learn the vocabulary of professional wine tasting and a lot about the grape variety and its development in different parts of the world. Share observations and take notes about each wine so you have a record or recollection for the next day of tasting. Charles will provide you with a list of recommended wineries from the Monticello Wine Trail for your self-guided wine tour the following day, where you can experience the Central Virginia interpretation of the chosen varietal.
Each tutorial will be accompanied by an assortment of appropriate food pairings, not quite dinner but a light alternative.
In order to be included in the Wine Tutorial evening event you must specify your interest when you make your room reservations. For on-line reservations state your interest in the Comments Section of the reservation form. RESERVATIONS FOR EACH EVENT MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE. You must make a reservation at the Inn in order to participate.
We look forward to welcoming you to a Cedar Spring Inn Wine Tasting Tutorial.
Chardonnay - Friday, January 6
Merlot - Thursday, January 12
Voignier - Thursday, January 19
Cabernet Franc - Thursday, February 9
Cabernet Sauvignon - Monday, February 13
Merlot - Thursday, February 16
Petit Verdot - Thursday, February 23


text:
So here is the bottom line... the cheaper I can keep this trip, the more my wife will be agreeable to me doing more of them. I'm sure others out there have heard this as well "How much are you spending on this trip just for you??" (And yes, I know, the same can be said from husbands to wives that are going.)
So I am looking at what to do to cut down where ever possible, and now I'm at the food portion. I figure I can bring the following:
- trail mix
- instant oatmeal
- canned tuna
- powdered drink mix
- beef jerky
Any other thoughts? I don't have any kind of jet boil so I will be using hot water for tea from the coffee station I guess.


text:
Christine Your brother does glass blowing?! What and amazing hobby! I wish my sisters did something that interesting! Gutted about your director! I've never heard the phrase "WEEEEEEEEEEEE-OTCH" before! I love it though! I shall use it tomorrow with my friends! Your life sounds bloody more exciting than mine! I don't think I have a life at the moment! It seems to have upped and left! I'm sorry about your friends Racheal and Jordan! It's so frustrating when you and your friends find yourselves not on the same page anymore! Hopefully this section in your friendship will pass and it will go back to normal!
Tiffi I'm sorry about JB and Fred! At least JB is still extremely hot! Your Valentines day sounds it should be good if you don't get asked out! (which you probably will be!) I think I mihgt suggest a single ladies party to my friends! it'll beat just sitting around being bored!
Jennifer The time is right for you to add Brad on Facebook! You had a conversation with him so In my opinion you should strike while the iron is hot! (I love that phrase!) I enjoyed you pointless story actually, but what is Mac and Cheese? I thought that was just food on the Sims?! ADD HIM!! NOW!
Tia J sounds ridiculously cute! **Genny is very jealous all of a sudden** You should carry on flirting with him and stuff because what he decides he wants a girlfriend, who'll be there?!
up-date I have been doing Geography all day!! I am losing my sanity! It's such a relief that it's all over though!
Last night I went baby sitting for down the road and I earned £20 for watching the TV and eating food! The children didn't move either! It was weird though, I was watching the TV and it was cold and I was all on my own (unless you count the sleeping children up-stairs) and I suddenly had this giant urge to have J with me. I just really wanted him there. I don't know what triggered it either! Very strange! I'm really excited to see him tomorrow as well which is also weird!
I don't know if I like him or not! Not that it would matter anyway if I did! I feel very weirded out and I'm not sure if I like it!


text:
Sleep Apnea "Tapped" 96 Percent Success Rate!
A potentially serious medical condition, sleep apnea, the temporary absence or cessation of breathing, increases the risk for cardiovascular disease or stroke. "Comprehensive diagnostics are critically important in determining the crux of the problem and the ideal treatment course for each individual patient," states Neil F. Sachs, DMD, who is the first and only dentist in the Coachella Valley offering the new Tap II® (Thornton Adjustable Positioner). Dr. Sachs, who specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, TMJ (temporomandibular joint or jaw joint) disorder and orofacial pain, says the Tap II is up to 96 percent effective in the treatment of sleep apnea. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Dr. Sachs utilizes the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess the severity of the sleep apnea, and a patient's suitability for a sleep appliance.The Epworth measures degrees of sleepiness by rating the likelihood of dozing off or falling asleep in various situations, using the following scale:
A total score of 10 to 24 indicates a positive sleep apnea diagnosis. A total score of 8 to 10 requires further investigation.
The Tap II The Tap II fits comfortably inside the mouth, and is designed to hold the lower jaw in a more forward, open position and to stop the tongue from blocking the airway. "A customized appliance can effectively treat mild-moderate cases, and has shown great promise in moderate-severe cases," explains Dr. Sachs. "Oral appliances, which are comfortable and easy to use, generally have high patient compliance rates." The device is a viable alternative to the CPAP (Continuous Pressurized Air Pack) mask, which works well, but is unsuitable for people suffering from claustrophobia and has a low patient compliance rate.
Like many others, Dr. Donald Givens suffered from very severe obstructive sleep apnea – which remained undiagnosed for many years. As a person who suffers from claustrophobia, Givens could not tolerate the CPAP device. Dr. Sachs fitted Givens with the Tap II, which yielded favorable results within seven to 10 days. After many years of suffering, Givens finally is enjoying a good night's rest.
"Sleep disorders and snoring require immediate attention, proper diagnostics and treatment tailored to fully address the patient's underlying condition," adds Dr. Sachs. The Tap II costs approximately $1,750 and is covered by many insurance policies, although it is not currently covered by Medicare.


text:
Phils win their fifth game in the row on the road, as they defeat the Reds, 4-3. They regain first place from the Mets.
Behind the pitching of their ace Cole Hamels, and the bullpen trio of Clay Condrey, Ryan Madson and closer Brad Lidge, the Phils were able to outlast the Reds, beating them 4-3. They regain sole control of first place in the National League East as the Mets once again fell to the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
The Phils took a quick 1-0 lead in the second inning as Ryan Howard hits a lead-off home run, his ninth home run of the year. The Reds tied it up at one-all in the fourth, as, with two men out, Jay Bruce hits a solo home run of his own, his twelfth home run of the season. The Phillies regain the lead in the fifth, as, with runners on the corners, and one man out, Jimmy Rollins hits an RBI double, knocking in Pedro Feliz, who had earlier doubled, and had gone to third on Phillies' starter Cole Hamels' single, making it a 2-1 Phils lead, while Hamels, who had just singled, moved over to third. Chase Utley made it a 3-1 Phils' lead as he hits an RBI single, scoring Hamels, while sending Rollins to third. Raul Ibanez then followed him with a sacrifice fly, scoring Rollins, and giving the Phils a 4-1 lead. In the sixth, Jerry Hairston started the inning off by hitting a lead-off home run, his fourth home run of the year, cutting the Phils' lead to 4-2. Three batters later, with a runner on third, and one man out, Ramon Hernandez hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Brandon Phillips, who had earlier tripled, making it a 4-3 Phils' lead. That would be the final score as first Clay Condrey and then Ryan Madson would pitch a pair of scoreless innings, before Brad Lidge would nail down his eighth save of the season, and his third save in a row since blowing the save Friday night, by pitching a scoreless ninth.
Cole Hamels got the win, as he pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. His record is now 2-2 with an ERA of 4.95. Clay Condrey recorded his second hold as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up only a walk. Ryan Madson would record his seventh hold, as he also pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, as he struck out one. Brad Lidge would pitch a scoreless ninth while recording his eighth save of the season, giving up no runs on one hit and a walk, while striking out a batter. Johnny Cueto took the lost as he pitched seven innings, giving up seven runs on four hits, as he struck out four. Arthur Rhodes pitched a scoreless inning, giving up only a walk. Francisco Cordero pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter.
The Phillies had seven hits in the ballgame, with Pedro Feliz leading the way with two hits, a single and a double. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Cole Hamels had the other five hits, with Rollins' hit being a double while Howard's was a solo home run. Besides Howard, Rollins, Utley and Raul Ibanez had the other three RBIs, with Ibanez's being a sacrifice fly. The Phillies have now won five straight games on the road trip, as they regain the lead in the National League East as the Mets lose once again to the Dodgers.
The Phils (21-16, 1st) continue their three-games series with the Reds (20-18, 4th National League Central) with a night game at Great American Ball Park. The game will begin at 7:10 pm Eastern. The Phils will send to the mound Jamie Moyer (3-3, 8.15), who is coming off a very bad outing against the Dodgers on May 13, where he went only four and a third innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out one, in the Phils' 9-2 lost. He is still looking for his 250th career win, as well as his first quality start in about a month. The Reds will counter with Aaron Harang (3-4, 3.44), who is coming off a lost against the Padres on May 15, where he went six and a third innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks, as he struck out six, in the Reds' 5-3 lost. He will be trying to even his record. The Phils will be trying to make it a season high six wins in a row, while attempting to increase their lead over the Mets in the East.


text:
Quiscalus quiscula
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
J Gilbert
Common Grackles are blackbirds that look like they've been slightly stretched. They're taller and longer tailed than a typical blackbird, with a longer, more tapered bill and glossy-iridescent bodies. Grackles walk around lawns and fields on their long legs or gather in noisy groups high in trees, typically evergreens. They eat many crops (notably corn) and nearly anything else as well, including garbage. In flight their long tails trail behind them, sometimes folded down the middle into a shallow V shape.
Common Grackles are large, lanky blackbirds with long legs and long tails. The head is flat and the bill is longer than in most blackbirds, with the hint of a downward curve. In flight, the wings appear short in comparison to the tail. Males are slightly larger than females.
Common Grackles appear black from a distance, but up close their glossy purple heads contrast with bronzy-iridescent bodies. A bright golden eye gives grackles an intent expression. Females are slightly less glossy than males. Young birds are dark brown with a dark eye.
You'll often find Common Grackles in large flocks, flying or foraging on lawns and in agricultural fields. They strut on their long legs, pecking for food rather than scratching. At feeders Common Grackles dominate smaller birds. When resting they sit atop trees or on telephone lines, keeping up a raucous chattering. Flight is direct, with stiff wingbeats.
Common Grackles thrive around agricultural fields, feedlots, city parks, and suburban lawns. They're also common in open habitats including woodland, forest edges, meadows, and marshes.
The best way to separate Common Grackles from blackbirds and cowbirds is by size and shape: Common Grackles are larger, lankier, longer tailed, and longer billed. Common Grackles have a widened tail, often held in a V-shape, even in flight. Great-tailed Grackles of the Southwest and south Texas, and Boat-tailed Grackles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, are even larger, and the males have much larger and more deeply keeled tails.
The "bronzed grackle" race of the Common Grackle, breeding roughly west of the Appalachians and in New England, has the characteristic bronzy back. Birds of the Southeast, from North Carolina to Louisiana, often called the "Florida grackle," are darker green on the back rather than bronzy, and they're purple on the belly. An intermediate race along the Eastern seaboard is sometimes called the purple grackle.
This species often comes to bird feeders. Find out more about what this bird likes to eat and what feeder is best by using the Project FeederWatch Common Feeder Birds bird list.
During migration, set up bird feeders in your yard with a variety of mixed grain and seeds. Spreading grain or seed on the ground helps, as this is where Common Grackles prefer to feed – and if they come to the ground they may let smaller birds continue to use the feeders. Bear in mind that too much grain scattered on the ground can attract rodents, so it's best to sprinkle just as much as the birds are likely to eat at any one time.
Common Grackles are familiar inhabitants of wet, open woodland and marshes as well as in suburbs, parks, and agricultural fields. A good way to find them is to scan large flocks of blackbirds and starlings. The tallest, longest-tailed blackbirds you see will most likely be Common Grackles.
Keep track of the Common Grackles at your feeder with Project FeederWatch
Look for Common Grackle nests and contribute valuable data about them through NestWatch
Report your Common Grackle sightings to eBird
Learn more about bird photography in our Building Skills section. Then contribute your images to the Birdshare flickr site, which helps supply the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's websites with photos, including All About Birds.
Common Grackle from Bent's Life Histories of North American Birds (1958)
Explore sounds and video of Common Grackles from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library archive
Contact the Lab | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site CreditsCopyright © 2015 Cornell University
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. You can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell or give your email address to others.


text:
After first rebuffing dating website SugarDaddie.com's earlier offers to change the name of his city, Sugar Hill, Ga., for a larger sum, Mayor Gary Pirkle has now sent word to the website's creators that he is willing to go by the title Sugar Daddie in exchange for $1 million.
On Thursday, the Gwinnett Daily Post reports that the website sent a representative from its Los Angeles offices to Sugar Hill City Hall. Darren Shuster, the company's representative, said he would take the mayor's counter offer back to company executives.
WXIA reported on Friday that if the company agrees, Sugar Hill would use the money on city projects. No specific projects were listed.
The website had previously approached the Gwinnett County city about naming rights to City Hall, a park, and a golf course, and had offered $7.75 million.
The dating site, known for matching men with money with young women who would like some of it, first approached Sugar Hill with an offer of $3.75 million. Pirkle took the offer with a grain of salt and even said he was even somewhat insulted after hearing the company had offered Sugar Land, Texas, $5 million to change its name.
SugarDaddie.com has also asked the city to erect a statue to Hugh Hefner, or "another public figure that best represents the sugar daddy lifestyle."
Mayor Pirkle said he's open to a statue of a "gold-digger," erected in the site, as long as it's the kind that actually mines for gold. According to one legend that would actually represent a part of the city's lineage. Sugar Hill, which is only 75 years old reportedly got its name from Georgia's gold-mining industry, according to Gwinnett Daily Post.
Pirkle's term expires on December 31 of this year and the city previously built a park bearing his name that opened in 2008.
(Photo: (L) Steve Edwards, Mike Sullivan, Curtis Northrup, Gary Pirkle, Susie Gajewski, Marc Cohen (R))


text:
Astros' Greene fondly recalls time with Cards
Shortstop returns to St. Louis 12 days after trade to Houston
By Steve Overbey / Special to MLB.com
Greene, in his first appearance in St. Louis since being traded on Aug. 9, took a wrong turn in an effort to locate the visitors' locker room for the first time.
"I never had to go past the home clubhouse in the hallway there," Greene said. "A little lost at first. I had no idea exactly where it was."
Greene returned to St. Louis with mixed emotions after spending the first seven years of his career in the Cards' organization. St. Louis' first-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Greene was sent to Houston for cash considerations and a player to be named 12 days ago.
So far, the move has worked well for Greene, a part-time player with the Cardinals who has moved into the starting lineup in Houston.
Greene is hitting .355 with two homers and four RBIs in nine games with the Astros. He carried a .645 slugging percentage into the first game of a three-game series on Tuesday. Greene, who is relishing the chance to play every day, was hitting .218 at the time of the trade.
"It's been an opportunity to get four or five at-bats every day and get some consistent playing time," Greene said. "It's been a big breath of fresh air for me.
I'm excited about the new start."
The Raleigh, N.C., native played a career-high 58 games for the Cards in 2011. He hit 212 with one homer and 11 RBIs.
Greene got a chance to catch up with some of his former teammates Tuesday. He came to St. Louis on Monday to clean out his apartment and take care of some personal business.
The 29-year-old harbors no ill will toward the Cardinals and says he will always look back with pride on his years with the organization.
"I was able to experience two playoffs here, a World Series and I enjoyed everybody, from the players to the front office," Greene said. "It's a great organization. I have no regrets. Now, it's time to move on and I'm excited about the next step in my career."
Greene immediately caught the eye of Houston fans with a 2-for-5 performance in his first start. He hit a home run in a 6-5 win over Milwaukee. He has started six games at shortstop and one at second base.
Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow, who helped draft Greene during his front-office stint with the Cardinals, is not surprised by Greene's success in his first week.
"Sometimes, just a new beginning is all it takes," Luhnow said.
St. Louis manager Mike Matheny says he wishes Greene all the best.
"He's a talented player, I hope things click for him," he said.
DeFrancesco getting his bearings in new role
ST. LOUIS -- Houston interim manager Tony DeFrancesco is down to the bare minimum.
"I've got one pair of slacks and one collared shirt," he said. "That's it."
It has been a whirlwind 72 hours for DeFrancesco, who was named manager of the Astros early Sunday morning.
The 49-year-old met with management and players before Sunday's 8-1 loss to Arizona in his Major League debut. He had another meeting at Minute Maid Park on Monday before the team flew to St. Louis.
For the first time since his managerial appointment, DeFrancesco got to relax a little Monday night and early Tuesday.
It was at that point that he realized it might be time to go shopping.
"I saw a big Macy's downtown," he said.
DeFrancesco said his head is still buzzing. After 26 years as a player, coach and manager, he has finally reached his goal.
"It is an honor to be named manager at the Major League level and the opportunity is right here for me," he said. "I'm as thankful as I can be."
DeFrancesco, who was managing the Astros' Triple-A squad in Oklahoma City, compiled a 1,235-1,088 mark in 17 seasons.
"We're going to keep playing hard, we're going to keep grinding it out," he said. "We've got almost 40 games to go. Let's see if we can turn this thing around."
In a team meeting before Tuesday's contest, DeFrancesco told his club to embrace the spoiler role that it will play over the last few weeks of the season.
"There are some teams that are trying to get into the playoffs and if we can go out there and take two out of three from them and make it hard on them, that's what we're looking forward to the rest of the year," he said.
Houston has nine games remaining with St. Louis counting Tuesday's contest. The Astros will play the Reds and the Pirates six times each.
"We could be a factor in some of the decision-making down the end," DeFrancesco said.
Worth noting
Luhnow says DeFrancesco carries the appearance of a matinee idol.
"The new guy is awesome, look at him," Luhnow said. "He looks like a movie star."
Bud Norris, who will start for Houston on Wednesday, has had the Cardinals' number. He is 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 12 career starts against St. Louis, his top ERA against any opponent. Norris has been struggling lately and has lost his last nine decisions. The Astros are 9-13 in his 22 starts.
Reliever Wilton Lopez has allowed just one run in his last 11 outings with two wins and a save. The right-hander has an 0.82 ERA with 11 strikeouts and one walk in that span.
Steve Overbey is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
9/14/2010 | By REIT.com
As part of our REITs@50 Anniversary celebration, REIT.com sat down with one of the luminaries of the REIT industry, former NAREIT Chair Sam Zell, chairman of Equity Group Investments, to get his thoughts on the past, present and future of REITs.
Zell explained that he felt NAREIT's biggest contribution to the industry was being able to get an industry full of strong personalities to realize they needed a collective voice.
"The real estate industry has historically been a bunch of entrepreneurs who operated without regard to what was going on in the overall country. I think that the improvement and focus of NAREIT, which has brought all of us forward to recognizing the role of Washington, how important it is that we have our interests represented, has been a major, major impact to the real estate industry overall," Zell said.
For Zell, the arrival of the Modern REIT Era and mainstreaming of listed REITs have helped expand the definition of asset classes. According to him, before the early 1990s there was a great deal of dispute as to whether or not real estate was really its own asset class.
"We've seen the creation of the modern REIT distribute equity ownership in real estate through the system as well as internationally," Zell said. "That is something that did not exist before."


text:
My previous predictions had Pein leaving Konoha, and recuperating, and Tobi/Kisama going after the 8 Tails, and Sasuke doing Sasuke BS... because at this point he doesn't matter much.
So now... if one of them shadows turns out to be Naruto... what will take place???
1. Pein will run away with Konan, because he just killed the rest of his bodies for that explosion.
2. Naruto will beat the crap out of them... they will capture Konan, and kill Pein's Yahiko body... Yahiko's memories live on in Pein... but Konan will always be lost to him... so he'll get PO'd and won't be able to do anything about it... because he is alone... with no one to bring him dead bodies...
any other ideas???


text:
Compiled by Michael Ford
Among reports recently taken by the Pope County Sheriff's Office (PCSO):
Jan. 13 - Vicious dog at Mary Lane in Russellville. The complainant said just after getting off the school bus, her daughter was bitten on the hand by their neighbor's dog. The skin was not broken, just red in color. The dog is a 6-to-8-week-old pit bull with a white spot on its chest. A deputy explained the county ordinance to the dog's owner.
Jan. 14 - Harassing communications at Martin Circle in Russellville. The complainant said her mother had been calling her non-stop and harassing her since Christmas. She said the woman is causing her grief about the passing of her father. The suspect and the complainant's father have been divorced for 25 years, and the suspect is not entitled to any of the property that the complainant is the executor of the estate for.
Jan. 15 - Harassing communications at State Highway 359 in London. The complainant said the suspect has been calling her and sending e-mails harassing her for the past year. She said the suspect is upset with her over an old relationship between the complainant and the suspect's husband. The complainant also said the suspect is calling friends and family members of the complainant telling false information.
Jan. 15 - Violation of order of protection at State Highway 333 in London. The complainant said she has been separated from her husband for approximately six months and also has a valid order of protection filed against him. She said on this date she received two telephone calls from him. When she answered the first call, no one would respond, adding she did not answer the second call.
Jan. 16 - Vicious dog at Tucker Mountain Road in Dover. The complainant said she was jogging when a dog bit her right forearm. She advised the dog was a Great Pyrenees whose owner had been previously warned to have his dog put up. The owner was cited for violating the vicious animal ordinance.


text:
Monday, March 25, 2013
New reserve interest rate standards have been uniformly adopted across the various states. This filing serves the purpose of demonstrating our company's compliance with the new standards on a go-forward basis. Effective 1-1-13, the company will be calculating/keeping reserves according to the new standards. Please find attached a letter from our actuarial team, confirming our new approach to reserves at an interest rate of 3.5%. This change in the interest rate shall not affect the policy form itself.
Status: Approved
Effective Date: 1/1/2013
[PDF] This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing. Download a PDF Reader or learn more about PDFs.


text:
Police say 21-year-old Sidney Farver Jr. had driven to a Church's Chicken restaurant, where gunfire was reported at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports (http://is.gd/JTybyR ) Farver was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Pine Bluff police are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.


text:
Wednesday, 27 June 2012 12:42
Waynesville artist supports Haywood Waterways AssociationWritten by Admin
- font size decrease font size increase font size
Artist Rick Hills, a studio owner in Waynesville, is donating 20 percent of the sale of his artwork on display at the Village Green Café in Waynesville to benefiting Haywood Waterways Association. The work will be on display until July 22 and features new mixed media paintings.
Published in Archived Outdoors


text:
Hello, I'm writing a small application that moves lots of files (15.000 to 25.000) from one directory to another (in the same filesystem).
I'm using ext3 as the filesystem, and the application is written in c, I'm using the "rename" function to move each file inside a loop to it's destination.
I would like to know if there is any other faster way to do it and if anyone knows if reiserfs or other filesystems might be faster on moving files.


text:
This is a gorgeous collection, and though it is obviously male-themed, the greens and paler prints make it really versatile. The papers are very detailed but also retain that very clean look that Echo Park is renowned for. There are also matching embellishments to co-ordinate with this kit making it perfect for scrapbookers, card-makers and altered artists alike! My favorite release of CHAW 2012!
Very pleased with product and a embellishments. Perfect colors for my sons "heritage" book. wish I'd ordered the smaller size package as well to use for mats.
This collection is just awesome..very good quality of the paper..the elements and cardstock stickers are just amazing....love it!!


text:
is a huge business and many companies sell the hardware at a loss to
get the software business on the back end. This is how Sony
positioned the PS3 for a long time, though with each successive
update Sony inches closer to profitability with the console.The
future of video games may not center around a console or a PC,
assuming the gaming hoards have access to the internet at speeds to
prevent lag and poor graphics with cloud-based offerings such as
is advertising a Founding
Members program that offers a free year of service to those who
quality. After the first year of service, there member will be able
to buy a second year of service at $4.95 per month on a
month-to-month basis. OnLive states no purchase is necessary for the
free year, but those chosen for the free year will have to put a
credit card on file.The free year is subject to availability
and only a limited number of spots are offered in different regions
of America. At launch OnLive will offer over 20 game titles including
Assassin's Creed 2, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and Tom
Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction from Ubisoft; Mass Effect 2 and
Dragon Age: Origins from Electronic Arts; Batman: Arkham Asylum and
Just Cause 2 from Square Enix; Borderlands, NBA 2K10 and MLB 2K10
from Take Two; Red Faction: Guerilla from THQ; Fear 2: Project Origin
from Warner Bros. Interactive Games.
service will get new games "constantly" according to
was first
demonstrated back at GDC2009. The service promises to stream
high-end games from cloud servers to low end PCs and straight to TVs.
Games that are offered on the service are some of the more
graphically impressive titles that have been launched over the last
few years. OnLive promises that the games can be streamed in up to
720p resolution at 60 fps. However, some early reviews of the service
found issues with lag.
September of 2009, OnLive secured
additional funding to complete the back-end systems needed
to host the games and announced that it was nearing a beta


text:
Check out our Facebook page!
"Like" us to connect with other students, watch videos, see job offers and even get special discounts.
$199Apply Now!
$499Apply Now!
$1490Apply Now!
$1195Apply Now!
$175Apply Now!
$249Apply Now!
Home / TESOL Videos / TESOL Videos - In class+course
This is what one of our TEFL graduates feels he has gained from the course, or a part of it, and how he plans to put into action what he has learned.
I have learnt in this unit about the modal of Auxiliary verbs (usage & how to use it in present, future and past). Also the teaching ideas were very useful to use it in our lessons to make it easier for the students. the second part in this unit was about the passive voice and how the tense of the sentence always remains the same but in the passive voice the tense is indicated by the auxiliary verb \"be\". the third part was about the relative clauses and the last part was about phrasal verb. But the different types for the phrasal verbs should be in video to understand it better as it needs more examples.
|TESOL Phuket - Thailand
|TESOL Cape Town - SA
|TESOL New York City - USA
|TESOL Rome - Italy
|TESOL Paris - France
|TESOL Barcelona - Spain
|TESOL Prague - CZ
|TESOL Zhuhai - China
|TESOL Seville - Spain
|TESOL Florence - Italy
|TEFL Alexandria - Egypt
|TEFL Bangkok - Thailand
|TEFL Buenos Aires - Argentina
|TEFL Bundoran - Ireland
|TEFL Cebu - Philippines
|TEFL Chiang Mai - Thailand
|TEFL Chiapas - Mexico
|TEFL Chongqing - China
|TEFL Corinth - Greece
|TEFL Cusco - Peru
|TEFL Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam
|TEFL Kathmandu - Nepal
|TEFL Koh Kong City - Cambodia
|TEFL La Antigua - Guatemala
|TEFL Leipzig - Germany
|TEFL Loja - Ecuador
|TEFL Manuel Antonio - Costa Rica
|TEFL Shanghai - China
|TEFL Singapore - Singapore
|TEFL Tokyo - Japan
|All In-class Courses
|All Combined Courses
|TESOL Ann Arbor - Michigan
|TESOL Atlanta Georgia - USA
|TESOL Barcelona - Spain
|TESOL Boston Massachusetts
|TESOL Columbus Ohio - USA
|TESOL Las Vegas - Nevada
|TESOL London - England
|TESOL Los Angeles - USA
|TESOL Madison Wisconsin - USA
|TESOL New York City - USA
|TESOL New York City - USA
|TESOL Orange County - California
|TESOL Orlando Florida - USA
|TESOL Paris - France
|TESOL Phoenix Arizona - USA
|TESOL Phuket - Thailand
Chat with our team or leave a message!
James Asher developed a "whole brain" methodology for language teaching, this video explains the theory of "TPR".
So confident are we in the quality and value of our courses, that if you are not fully satisfied with the service or product that you receive, then we will refund your payment with no questions asked. Please note that the refund request must be made within 3 days of submitting your online course payment.
4.47 Average
64 Reviews
I found this course very helpful. It was very clear and fun. It makes studying a lot more enjoyable.
Chat with our team
or leave a message!
For all telephone enquiries from
within the USA or Canada
please call TOLL FREE:1-800-490-0531
For all telephone enquiries from
within the UK
please call 01423 861216.
For all telephone enquiries from
outside the U.S.A, Canada and
the U.K, please call: +44-1423-861216.
For all telephone enquiries from
within Thailand
please call: 088 757 2898.
affiliated with
"Like" us to connect with other students, watch videos, see job offers and even get special discounts.


text:
Millwood: Still looking to compete
After two Minor League stints, veteran now pitching for Rockies
I think the best word to describe my season so far is "crazy." I was with one team, one organization and then I went home. Then, I was with another team, another organization, and I went home again. This is definitely not the way I would have scripted things.
I got a call from the Rockies as I was heading home that second time. It did not come completely out of left field. I knew they had reached out to us at some point, but still I did not know what would come of it.
It was a very pleasant surprise. I was going home to Georgia and living my life. I kind of had come to the point where I was OK with it. But, after the call, I was excited to get back to where I spent 14 years.
When it comes to my motivation now, really, I am just trying to compete. It is about competing and showing people that I can still win at this level. Hopefully, what I do now will lead into another job down the road. We will see what happens.
I don't think my last start was comparable to my earlier starts. I felt that I threw the ball better in my last start. I felt that my stuff was better. It just didn't work out in the end. That was a game we definitely should have won.
Overall, I am glad I am back, and I am glad to be pitching in the big leagues. My focus is on ironing out some mechanical things. I'm trying to continually get better.
Veteran Kevin Milwood has won 160 games during his career. He is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA over four starts with the Rockies. Earlier this year he pitched at the Triple-A level for both the Yankees and the Red Sox.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Living Room Blinds, Shades, & Window Treatments
- Durable treatments for a high traffic area
- Welcome guests with stylish window decor
- Sheer and cellular shades softly filter light
- Go cordless for increased child and pet safety
- Motorized shades for hard to reach spots
Your living room blinds will help create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere for family gatherings and visiting guests while at the same time protecting your furniture from harmful UV rays and reducing the heat gain from direct sunlight. Top down/bottom up is a great living room window treatment option that lets in light from the top while maintaining privacy by keeping the bottom of the shade closed. Wood blinds and shutters can bring the warmth of real wood into your home while providing great light control and privacy. Roman shades can provide vivid color and pattern choices to showcase your unique style.
Blindsgalore® Natural Woven Shades
retail $65.67 $44.00 + an extra 10% off
Blindsgalore® Premium 2" Wood Blinds: Paints, Stains, Specialty Grains
retail $77.61 $52.00 + an extra 10% off
Bali® Natural Shades
retail $105.97 $71.00 + an extra 10% 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.
Blindsgalore® Waterfall Woven Shades
retail $110.45 $74.00 + an extra 10% off
Bali® Natural Drapes
retail $302.98 $203.00 + an extra 10% off
Venetian Blinds (1)
Blindsgalore venetian blinds are easy to clean, long lasting, and provide excellent privacy.
Wood Blinds (1)
Warm, timeless look. Durable, built to last.
Woven Wood Shades (4)
Made with renewable materials. Intriguing, textured look.
- Venetian Blinds (1)
- Wood Blinds (1)
- Woven Wood Shades (4)
- refine
2" Slats (1)
This traditional size is the most popular and fits most window sizes
Blackout (4)
Blackout blinds and shades can eliminate glare on TVs and monitors, make sleeping easier or simply used to darken a room.
Cordless (3)
Cordless lift option easily raises and lowers the blind or shade for convenient and safe operation
Remote Control / Motorized (4)
Take a look at our wide selection of motorized blinds and window treatments
Routeless (1)
Top Down/Bottom Up (2)
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 (4)
- Cordless (3)
- Graber Comparable (2)
- Hunter Douglas Comparable (1)
- Remote Control / Motorized (4)
- Routeless (1)
- Top Down/Bottom Up (2)
- Vertical Blind Alternatives (1)
- refine
Bali (2)
Since 1939, Bali has been providing beautiful, quality window treatments to customers around the world. Choose from a comprehensive selection of Bali blinds and shades.
Blindsgalore (3)
Save money without sacrificing quality. Choose from Blindsgalore's signature line of custom window treatments and coverings.
- Bali (2)
- Blindsgalore (3)
- refine
New Additions (2)
Check out the new additions to Blindsgalore's selection of custom window treatments
Top Seller (3)
- New Additions (2)
- Top Seller (3)
- refine
Horizontal Blinds (1)
Horizontal blinds are any blinds that have horizontal slats that can be rotated open or closed blinds, faux wood blinds and aluminum or mini blinds.
French Doors (2)
Take a look at our wide selection of French Door Window Treatments.
Hard-to-Reach (4)
Take a look at all of our blinds and shades for hard-to-reach windows
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
- French Doors (2)
- Hard-to-Reach (4)
- Large Windows (1)
- Patio / Sliding Doors (1)
- refine
Eco-Friendly (3)
Features products manufactured to the highest standards of environmental responsibility for a no-compromise upgrade.
- Eco-Friendly (3)
- refine
Child Safe (2)
Blindsgalore offers a wide variety of window treatment options that improve child safety.
- Child Safe (2)
- refine
Premium Woods (1)
Check out Levolor's Premium Woods collection of wood blind.
- Premium Woods (1)
- refine
customer reviews for living room
"Great new look!"
By ginger from Hopkinton MA
Our new blinds have added a great new look to our living room and dining area. I thought that having only the blinds on the window would look bareView this product
"Absolutely beautiful"
By Gunny's Mom from Louisiana
I ordered the Cabo (honey nut) blinds with the horizon trim for our two front doors. The blinds are beautifulView this product


text:
Cheyney University's Career Fair Attracts a Crowd
Angelitta Anderson
March 13, 2014
The Spring Career Fair drew a large number of students and company recruiters
Eager Cheyney University (CU) students seeking jobs and internship opportunities met with 35 representatives from businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and political organizations as CU's Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) held its Spring Career Fair on March 12, 2014 in the Marcus Foster Student Center auditorium. The annual event was open to all Cheyney students and alumni. A steady flow of students filled the auditorium throughout the day.
Prospective employers, looking to hire from a wide range of majors, set up small tables adorned with their company's logos, literature, pens and pamphlets. The event was coordinated by CCPD Director Ruth Brice, who provided CU job seekers with a great opportunity to get up-close and personal with potential employers representing industries such as healthcare, education, retail, judicial, business and the armed forces.
"I was pleased that our students were well prepared with resumes and notepads," she remarked. "They collected materials and connected with the company representatives throughout the day."
"I came because I am a graduating senior," said Zakia Royster, "I just wanted to tap into any potential opportunities that might be available to me."
"This is my third year coming to the career fair," declared Karla Hughes, a senior social relations major. "What an amazing opportunity--there are more employers here today than ever before."
"Ms. Brice does an amazing job bringing so many diverse employment opportunities here on campus," said alumnus and Coach of the women's basketball team, Kyle Adams. "I wish more Cheyney students would come out to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity."
Cheyney's CCPD offers both students and alumni a number of resources including resume writing assistance, help with job searches, defining career goals and developing action plans.
For more information or to use CCPD's services call (610) 399-2033 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
One of Neil Young's vintage cars, memorabilia musical instruments and art were damaged during a three-alarm fire in San Carlos, Calif. Tuesday morning, according to the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department and The Associated Press.
The early-morning warehouse fire burned through some of what guitar legend Young had stored there. The fire department assessed they saved about 70 percent of Young's items.
Young's family was also at the scene with a photographer to help document the damage.
Reports were first received at 2:55am for a fire burning at 595 Quarry Rd, according to the Belmont-San Carlos dispatcher. The building is estimated at 10,000-square-feet.
That address is associated with Fable Inc., a manufacturer of architectural metalwork for homes and businesses, according to the manufacturer's website.
The manufacturer describes the warehouse as a 15,000-square-foot space devoted to the production of railings, gates, doors, and balconies.
Bay City News Network contributed to this report.


text:
Topic: [Solved] Managesieve Global filter
I've created a filter in "dovecot.sieve" which moves the Spam messages into a user's "Junk" folder automatically. Works as it should no problem. But if that particular user creates a filter using "managesieve" plugin this process breaks. "Per-user preferences over-rides the global sieve rules" yeah I know that too. My question is,
Is it possible to create a global or default filter in "managesieve" or "sieverules" roundcube plugin for all the users for moving spam into the junk folder.
Imagine this if a new user is created, he logs into his account for the first time, opens the filter options and finds the Spam filter already there to move Spam into Junk folder. Also this can be a nice example for the end user who is "filter impaired". Thanks in advance for the help.


text:
Santana throws off mound for first time
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Johan Santana threw off a regular mound for the first time Thursday and manager Buck Showalter indicated he could be pitching in an extended spring game sooner than expected.
"It is a long process, but there's big hurdles he's clearing every day," Showalter said of Santana, who is coming off his second left shoulder surgery. "I like the fact that he's doing it and is able to come back on his work day, his start day. Getting over those hurdles. He hasn't missed anything yet. You can see in his face how good he feels about it."
Santana said he will throw again Tuesday and three days after that will do the same thing he did Thursday, which included getting up and warming up, stopping and repeating the cycle.
"If we feel good and everything is coming along we are going to start facing hitters and building it up," Santana said of the plan following next week's mound session. "After that's it's just a matter of time. We don't know how long or how many times we are going to do that until we start getting into games and hopefully able to compete."
Santana, signed March 4, will stay in extended spring and work with athletic trainer Chris Correnti and said the biggest thing is his recovery. The 35-year-old, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, could be an option for the Orioles in June and has been working on throwing all of his pitches.
"Put it this way: I feel good," he said. "What that means, time will tell. I feel really good. So does that mean we are going to be on the mound facing hitters soon? I don't know. But I'm optimistic when it's time I will be ready and we will carry that through the season. Not just one game and one time. I want to do it the rest of the season."
Aceves not on roster, will exercise opt-out clause
SARASOTA,Fla. -- Right-handed pitcher Alfredo Aceves will not make the Orioles' roster and will exercise the opt-out clause in his contract to leave the organization, according to an industry source.
The move makes it likely Evan Meek will get the final bullpen spot, assuming there aren't any other trades or waiver-wire pickups. Zach Britton and Josh Stinson, who are both out of options, figure to make the bullpen as well.
Aceves, 31, was signed to a Minor League contract this winter and allowed five earned runs over 10 innings on 11 hits and two walks. He also had six strikeouts. The move would leave the O's with 35 players in camp.
Cruz exits game after being hit by pitch on helmet
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Nelson Cruz took a pitch to his helmet Thursday afternoon by Rays pitcher Alex Cobb and exited the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, but appears to be fine after a CT scan came back clean.
"[We'll] take a look and see how he feels tomorrow, but he feels pretty good," manager Buck Showalter said of Cruz, who was hit by his left ear. "It cracked the helmet.
"It sounded hopefully worse than it was. He seems to be fine, I'm going to talk to him when I get up there...like to say we dodged a bullet, but he didn't. It's a little early, but I think he's going to be fine."
Cruz was able to walk off the field by himself and was fortunate that it was an offspeed pitch from Cobb. He was replaced by Delmon Young and walked to the training room with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells where he was further examined before being taken to a local hospital for a scan, per MLB protocol.
"I don't want to make excuses, but it slipped a little bit," Cobb said. "It was a curveball and just got away from me.
"Not just me, I don't think any pitcher wants to hit a guy in the head. It was a curveball, you know. If anything, any pitch you could hit him with, you'd prefer it to be that. It still stinks to see a guy go down like that. I've heard he's OK, so that's good."
Cruz is 11-for-39 with six doubles and four RBIs this spring.
Reimold to begin season on DL
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Nolan Reimold, who will be officially placed on the 15-day disabled list to start the season, wants to be clear: This is not a new injury or another setback with which the outfielder has to deal. Instead, it's a move that will enable Reimold to get back to playing the field and the Orioles to have a fully healthy 25-man roster come Monday's Opening Day.
"I guess [it's] kind of a mutual decision," said Reimold, who was scratched from Wednesday's lineup and will have his DL stay backdated from there. "It's best for me, best for the team. I think it's best for everybody. From my point of view, it's important for me when I play, to play well and to finish strong rather than go out there and be in pain or uncomfortable early on. I think it's the right decision from everyone's point of view."
Reimold is coming off back-to-back neck surgeries, including a corrective fusion surgery after he was cleared to play too early the first time. He has played in 56 games combined the past two seasons, his last one coming July 13.
"I don't have a problem swinging," he said. "Obviously, I DHed and everything. It's playing the field early on, got pretty uncomfortable. But where I'm at right now, I've progressed very well and I'm far ahead of schedule for anybody who's had this kind of surgery before. But it's not side to side. It's more like extension and the constant grind and pounding that a baseball season would take on you. What we do is make sure I can play the field every day before I come back, just to make sure it's OK. I have to be certain that I can play."
Reimold is well aware of the injury-prone label he's been tagged with by fans and the general criticism that went with the news of him going on the DL.
"I'm more tired about talking about it than anybody," Reimold said. "I'm ready for these neck issues to be over and done with. If I look at it from where I'm at right now, I've progressed a lot from the beginning of Spring Training to now. So I will keep progressing and I'll be 100 percent in the near future."
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
The U.S. government declared the act of jailbreaking legal on July 26, 2010, encouraging hundreds of thousands of iOS users into hacking their devices, safe in the knowledge that their actions would incur no legal repercussions. The ruling certainly had a huge on the jailbreaking community, but the tables could be set to turn once again.
According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), jailbreaking could become illegal again this year, but you can do your bit to prevent it.


text:
Southside (6-12, 1-3 7A/6A-Central) played the Cyclones (8-10, 0-4) close in the first quarter and opened the scoring with a 3-pointer. Andy Campbell answered with a 3-pointer of his own, and Dakota Young came alive and scored seven straight to extend Russellville's lead.
The Rebels broke up Young's scoring spree with a successful trip to the free-throw line, but the Cyclones picked up where they left off when regular play resumed. Young put in his second jumper, and Tony Jones put one off the glass and in to pull Russellville within 12-9 at the sound of the buzzer.
Cyclones head coach Codey Mann has said all season his Cyclones struggle when they go cold shooting. That's exactly what happened in the second period. Southside embarked on a 7-0 scoring run and led 17-12 midway through the quarter.
But RHS didn't stay cold. Jalen Curtis and Tony Jones each had successful looks at the basket, but Southside stayed out front at 19-16 at halftime.
The Cyclones were able to tie the game at 21-21 in the third quarter. Campbell started the comeback with a huge 3-pointer. Curtis fired in a jumper to tie the game. The teams bounced back and forth from there. Southside hit a layup to take the lead, but Kentrel Scott tied the game again, 26-26, with his pair of free throws.
Neither team was going down without a fight. With a 2:08 left in the fourth quarter, the teams had tied or exchanged the lead six times. Campbell hit a timely 3-pointer to give Russellville its first lead of the quarter, 31-30, but Southside grabbed it right back at the free-throw line. Campbell scored on a layup for a 33-32 lead.
In the ensuing race to the finish line, the Rebels pulled down a rebound, but turned it over on a traveling violation — their 18th turnover of the game — which allowed Russellville to work the clock. The Cyclones went up 35-32 when Young went to the line with :52 seconds remaining.
Southside hit a jumper to make it 35-34 with nine seconds on the clock. The Rebels followed it with a 3-pointer on the buzzer to take the game.
Campbell led the Cyclones with 13 points, followed by Young with 11 and Scott and Jones each with four points.
Russellville continues conference play against the Greenwood Bulldogs Tuesday night at Cyclone Stadium.


text:
Power plays in the relationship game
Three decades ago someone came up with a theory on intimate relationships called "the investment model".
This model suggests you only feel happy in your relationship if:
- You're significantly "invested" in it
- The only alternatives available to you are "poor quality"
- You perceive more rewards than costs within the bounds of the love affair
Interestingly, "quality alternatives" doesn't necessarily mean "hotter, younger model". The theory allows for alternatives to range from a different dating partner, to spending time with friends and family, or spending time alone (sound familiar? We touched on this in the last cheating blog...).
But a recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests all this ignores one important factor vital to relationship success: power.
Defined variously as the dominance or control over others, influence over others, or a means to meet survival needs, power might also be seen simply as the opposite of dependence (ie: doormats are walked on for a reason).
Now, is it possible to distribute power equally in a relationship? Or must someone always be more powerful, ultimately?
This is important because our American and Swiss researchers hypothesised that - in view of investment theory - the person with the most power is more likely to be unsatisfied with the relationship.
Sure, a couple might say they power-share. Certainly liberated, egalitarian, latte-sipping types like I might believe they can love on equal footing.
But when you consider the pervasive influence of broader *cough* gendered *cough* social norms, even I am forced to admit imbalance is a probable, though undesirable, reality. I'm certainly not saying this is right. I'm just saying this is the way it is-ish (it's changing, right?).
At least that's what our American and Swiss researchers found. From probes into a pool of 120 college couples, it was concluded males reported significantly higher levels of power than females overall.
This finding appeared to support the authors' hypothesis: more power equals more satisfaction.
However, females reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction and commitment than males.
And, contrary to the hypothesis, possessing a higher level of power was also associated with a lower level of satisfaction.
This was thought to be because the power imbalance deviates from the egalitarian ideal held by many in intimate relationships. It also fits with investment theory; unequal power is perceived as a cost to the relationship, rather than as a benefit to the individual (so there's hope for us yet...).
But where does that leave us? Is power-balance possible, and is it good for long-lasting love? Do most people desire all things to be equal, or are we happier to walk uneven ground than we think?
You tell me – how do you like power to play out in your love life, and in the bedroom...?
** Thank you to the dear reader who pointed out the hypothesis inadvertence. I stand corrected... KF
Katherine Feeney is a journalist with the Nine Network Australia. She is also one of Australia's leading commentators on sex, love, dating and relationships via her popular blog CityKat.
Get the Morning Edition
Sign up for our daily wrap of the news you need to start your day.


text:
Oocyte Transport Protocols and Success Rates
- Feb 19, 2014
- Advanced
- Topics:
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a form of fertilization in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
Photo: Courtesy University of Idaho
The practice of shipping stallions' semen across the country, and even around the world, is a mainstay in today's equine reproduction industry. Collecting and transporting mares' oocytes (egg cells) in a similar fashion, then fertilizing and implanting them into donor mares could save breeders money—and donor mares from having to take long, expensive, and potentially health-compromising trailer rides. Veterinarians are determining whether this technique could be a viable approach for saving time and money.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a form of in vitro fertilization in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. The technique is not commonly used in equine medicine, but Rob Foss, DVM, of Equine Medical Services, Inc., in Colombia Mo., said, "Its use is increasing for mares that are unable to produce embryos any other way and also for stallions whose available sperm numbers are low." But, because only a handful of facilities offer the procedure, horse owners often have to transport their mares great distances at great cost, racking up hefty price tags even before procedures get under way.
At the 2013 American Association of Equine Practitioners' Convention, held Dec. 7-11 in Nashville, Tenn., Foss described a study he and colleagues performed to determine the effect of shipping oocytes on the eventual fertilization rate.
The team incubated two types of oocytes—those recovered from dominant (mature) follicles after inducing ovulation via deslorelin administration (and those from subordinate (immature) follicles—overnight in various media and at varying temperatures to mimic the effects of transport. Then the team performed ICSI using the incubated oocytes and compared the groups' blastocyst (early embryo) production rates.
All oocyte groups produced blastocysts, but the rate of production varied among follicle types and conditions. Oocytes from dominant follicles produced better blastocyst rates, but they were more sensitive to temperature changes and simulated shipment delays. On the other hand, oocytes from immature follicles could be shipped in a commercially available medium since they were less sensitive to a chemical environment, as well as the variables of temperature and time, tha mature follicles are.
Foss reported that the most successful protocols in the study achieved blastocyst production rates that are similar to those reached when performing ICSI on-site.
He noted that the oocyte donor mares used in this study were all 12 years of age or younger; the typical clinical ICSI donors are in their late teens to early and mid-20s, which could affect the study's applicability to real-life donors. Foss said that older mares' blastocyst rates are lower than those of younger mares; production rates among an older population of mares might not be as high.
From a practical standpoint, Foss said more work needs to be done to determine what conditions are best for shipping oocytes. He cautioned that while these methods are producing pregnancies and foals, more work is needed to compare the viability of pregnancies resulting from shipped oocytes to those produced from transfer performed on-site.
About the Author
Christy Corp-Minamiji, DVM
Christy Corp-Minamiji, DVM, practices large animal medicine in Northern California, with particular interests in equine wound management and geriatric equine care. She and her husband have three children, and she writes fiction and creative nonfiction in her spare time.
Related Content
Infectious Disease: EPM (AAEP Convention 2012)
Gastrointestinal Tract (AAEP Convention 2012)
Managing Emergencies (AAEP Convention 2012)
Reproduction (AAEP Convention 2012)
Joint Injections (AAEP Convention 2012)
Equine Dental Care (AAEP Convention 2012)
Stem Cell Therapy (AAEP Convention 2012)
Top Equine Studies of 2012 (AAEP Convention 2012)
Veterinary Ethics (AAEP Convention 2012)
Feeding Orphan Foals (AAEP Convention 2012)


text:
During trading today, both the Consumer/Non-Cyclical sector (XLP) and the S&P500 showed little movement.
Continue Reading Below
The ETF, as a proxy for the sector, tracked closer to the overall market today than over the past month. As trading began today, XLP was up 2.7% over the last thirty trading days, and the S&P 500 climbed 5.9%.
Increasing 7.9% (+43 cents) to close at $5.90, S&W Seed Company (SANW) was a major gainer in the sector. Today, 10,974 shares traded hands. The stock traded in a range of $5.27 to $5.90.
Blyth (BTH) was a major loser in the sector. Its price dropped 7% (-$3.02) to close at $40.30, as 539,728 shares moved. The stock traded in a range of $40.05 to $43.35.
Diamond Foods (DMND) declined 3.6% to close at $19.65, moving below its 50-day moving average of $17.89 and 200-day moving average of $21.63. Ecolab (ECL) rose 2.2% to close at $67.29, crossing its 50-day moving average of $66.15.
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) rose 2.9% to close at $5.03, approaching its 50-day moving average of $5.18. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $6.38. Limoneira Company (ZEP) fell 2.9% to close at $17.27, moving closer to its 50-day moving average of $17.22. Also, the stock moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $14.57.


text:
Traveling can be most interesting or most exhausting experience. However, traveling is always the most enlightening experience one can have. While going to long journey one has to prepare a lot of things. Pack necessary travel gears, clothes and medicines. However, the most essential part of travel is the journey to the destination. There are many variations one prefer but the ultimate goal is to have a delightful experience during the journey. Let us learn about Performance Tuning with SQL Server Execution Plan.
Here is the video available which explains how to begin with SQL Server Execution plans.
Performance Tuning is a Journey
Performance tuning is just like a long journey. The goal of performance tuning is efficient and least resources consuming query execution with accurate results. Just as maps are the most essential aspect of performance tuning the same way, execution plans are essentially maps for SQL Server to reach to the resultset. The goal of the execution plan is to find the most efficient path which translates the least usage of the resources (CPU, memory, IO etc).
Execution Plans are like Maps
When online maps were invented (e.g. Bing, Google, Mapquests etc) initially it was not possible to customize them. They were given a single route to reach the destination. As time evolved now it is possible to give various hints to the maps, for example 'via public transport', 'walking', 'fastest route', 'shortest route', 'avoid highway'. There are places where we manually drag the route and make it appropriate to our needs. The same situation is with SQL Server Execution Plans, if we want to tune the queries, we need to understand the execution plans and execution plans internals. We need to understand the smallest details which relate to execution plan when we our destination is optimal queries.
Understanding Execution Plans
The biggest challenge with maps are figuring out the optimal path. The same way the most common challenge with execution plans is where to start from and which precise route to take. Here is a quick list of the frequently asked questions related to execution plans:
- Should I read the execution plans from bottoms up or top down?
- Is execution plans are left to right or right to left?
- What is the relational between actual execution plan and estimated execution plan?
- When I mouse over operator I see the CPU and IO but not memory, why?
- Sometime I ran the query multiple times and I get different execution plan, why?
- How to cache the query execution plan and data?
- I created an optimal index, but the query is not using it. What should I change – query, index or provide hints?
- What are the tools available which helps quickly to debug performance problems?
- Etc…
Honestly the list is quite a big and humanly impossible to write everything in the words.
SQL Server Performance: Introduction to Query Tuning
My friend Vinod Kumar and I have created for the same a video learning course for beginning performance tuning. We have covered plethora of the subject in the course. Here is the quick list of the same:
- Execution Plan Basics
- Essential Indexing Techniques
- Query Design for Performance
- Performance Tuning Tools
- Tips and Tricks
- Checklist: Performance Tuning
We believe we have covered a lot in this four hour course and we encourage you to go over the video course, if you are interested in Beginning SQL Server Performance Tuning and Query Tuning.
Reference: Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
6 Comments. Leave new
Hi Pinal,
Nice option "Scroll back to Top" at the bottom of our blog.
This traveling example fit well to the subject.
Sometimes you want to go from Warsaw to NY, but there is no connection, so you fly to the Berlin to find another flight. Then you fly to Rom, Paris, Moscow and finally you`re in London. After that you discover some ship to Mexico.
When you finally goes to america (yeah!) you decide to stay where you are becouse another effort will be bigger than is should be ;-)
Nice artcile. The 4 hr video course is not viewable. Do we need to signin to view the video?
I have installed SQL 2012 Enterprise Edition on VM and Restored Database from SQL 2005 Standard Edition. Now, when I execute query on both servers which are having same database. SQL 2012 Enterprise Performance is slower than SQL 2005 Standard Edition.
Even SQL 2012 Enterprise installed on high configuration server.
Can you guide which parameters should be verified?
Excellent..with a single video i got a good idea of a Execution Plan..
Thanks a Lot :)


text:
Become an intelligent enterprise
Watch keynotes from SAPPHIRE NOW by influential speakers on IoT, machine learning, AI, and smarter everything.
SAP S/4HANA is the digital core – the nerve centre – of your entire business. It consolidates internal and external elements into a single, living structure that goes beyond traditional ERP software. In other words, it connects all of your processes, provides you with live information and insights, and seamlessly integrates your enterprise with the digital world at large.
Achieve operational excellence and innovation–company-wide
Provide world-class support for local market requirements, languages, and currencies with solutions from SAP. Our scalable and open architecture optimised for in-memory databases can help you simplify and accelerate your financial operations - enabling you to improve performance and focus on growth and innovation.
Improve product design and assembly with more efficient and transparent processes
Achieve excellence and efficiency in product-related efforts using accelerated plan-to-product solutions from SAP. Our software can help you easily integrate and manage product development - from conception through retirement - and all the steps in between that support design, development, testing, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and maintenance.
Streamline quotes, contracts, prices, commissions, and deliveries
Improve customer insights, sales order commitment, and fulfilment using role-based access to smart dashboards that provide a single, real-time view of all required information. With SAP software for optimised order to cash, you can enhance and sustain sales by responding to queries with accurate, timely information and delivering exceptional customer service.
Gain a competitive edge by making real-time buying decisions.
Manage purchases with greater efficiency and productivity by using a centralised system with role-based smart business dashboards. SAP software that supports streamlined procure-to-pay processes can give you the visibility and insights you need to realise your full purchasing power, enforce strategic vendor choices, and optimise buying patterns.
Deliver real-time service excellence and provide highly profitable services. Evolve into a service organisation and utilise SAP S/4HANA to gain a strong focus on customer information, contractual entitlements, and high performance service business processes such as advanced billing and settlement of efforts on work performed.
In today's digital world, organisations need greater flexibility and the ability to execute without limitations. Learn how SAP S/4HANA can help your organisation address every opportunity in the digital world.
Deploy SAP Leonardo machine learning and predictive capabilities directly in your digital core, providing real-time insights and business context while simultaneously freeing resources from repetitive tasks.
Ensure a successful deployment and drive quick time-to-value with information resources that support the different phases of SAP S/4HANA – from planning and installation to operation and continuous innovation.
Today's economy requires a new generation of interconnected and flexible business systems according to Joshua Greenbaum of Enterprise Applications Consulting. Learn how SAP S/4HANA can help you capture new opportunities and enable the transformation necessary to meet rising customer expectations in the digital world.
Our Digital Business Services organisation and partner ecosystem is committed to your success. They will provide guidance at every stage of your digital transformation, based on your unique business needs and goals, so you can take full advantage of S/4HANA innovations.
Settling for a slow, steady evolution can be a dangerous path in today's fast-paced, dynamic marketplace. SAP S/4HANA delivers a unique combination of innovative technology and simplicity to deliver transformational, new business capabilities. Make in-the-moment decisions, predict challenges, and capture new revenue sources.
SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud is a fully scalable and secure private cloud offering. It provides the full power of SAP HANA in a private, managed cloud environment that is supported by the most knowledgeable resources in the industry – from infrastructure to applications.
Ensure the roles across the business are equipped and enabled to boost productivity and speed the time to implementation and go live. Access the SAP Education Essentials Toolkit and discover the top introductory courses for SAP S/4HANA for technical and business users, the top five ways learning can speed time to value, and a chance to discuss learning with the digital transformation experts.
Become fully competent with SAP S/4HANA from beginning to end – with your own learning path. SAP S/4HANA Learning Journeys help you choose your path based on your role, area of interest, learning needs, and preferred training method.
Join experts and peers from around the world for SAP's MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) covering the fundamentals of SAP S/4HANA. This innovative platform uses gamification to create a flexible, fun, and engaging learning experience.
Our education programs offer simple and effective training options for SAP S/4HANA. Whether you are looking for a classroom experience or the flexibility of online learning, training from SAP Education is sure to activate the power of your SAP S/4HANA implementation.
GDPR (General Data Privacy Regulation) is designed to give European Union citizens control over how their personal data is stored and used. This document highlights what you need to know about GDPR and SAP S/4HANA.
Connect with SAP experts – and get the latest news and views on SAP S/4HANA implementations, upgrades, innovations, and best practices.
Experience key innovations:
Additional information:
Journey to SAP S/4HANA:


text:
Some students at a north Minneapolis high School are objecting to a district remedy for a bureaucratic failure over class credits.
An ongoing investigation by the Minneapolis school district has found some credits were awarded improperly at Broadway High School, and students have been learning in recent weeks that they'll have to make up classes.
Last year, Angel Foreman, 17, took a culinary class at Broadway High. It was a cooking class, but she was also getting credit towards the math she'd need to graduate. She said it seemed odd, but was assured it was fine.
"We did have suspicions of things," she said. "For me, I checked up on mine to see if it was okay. And it said 'Okay, it's legit.'
It turns out the credit wasn't legit. That class was one target of a school district investigation into whether credits were improperly granted for core requirements.
Two school administrators and at least three other employees are on administrative leave. At least one teacher resigned this month in lieu of being fired.
Technically, all credits will still be honored as electives, but Foreman already has enough electives. That means she'll lose 13 credits in core subjects like math and reading.
Foreman also has a four-year-old son (Broadway's students are all pregnant teens and young mothers) and wants to go to college to become a medical assistant, instead of living the stereotype of a teen mom.
"We're supposed to dropout," Foreman said. "We're supposed to end up on welfare; our kids are supposed to be north side hoodrats, or something. And you see us try to rise above that, climb above that, and you pull us down? I just don't understand that."
The district has repeatedly said students are not to blame for the credit crisis, but the students say all decisions to date have had the effect of a punishment. On that point, superintendent Bernadeia Johnson agrees.
"Yeah, I'm the woman who's taking away their credits, and it's frustrating for them, and I understand that completely," Johnson said. "I'm also the woman who's trying to figure out how to give them the resources and tools to get the credits they need."
Johnson said the school is working with each student on individual plans for making up credits, whether that's taking an online course or attending Saturday classes.
Officials are focused on about 19 students who had planned to graduate this spring, students like Angel Foreman. Other students were also affected, but they're not as far along in high school and the district believes they can make up credits and still graduate on time.
Students say Broadway has become a difficult place to be. They say teachers have stopped talking to them, they can't get copies of their own transcripts, and they lament that Broadway moved into the North High building this year. Several services that were on-site last year are gone. That includes daycare for their own children, which is now off-site.
Makayla Johnson, 17, still hopes to graduate this spring but is discouraged.
"I go to class and just sit there, I don't know what to do," she said.
Genny Pongsak, 20, has moved to a new school.
"My way of fighting back was to leave the school," she said. "I didn't feel comfortable going back to that school, I felt like being back at that school, I wasn't going to learn anything Even if I did learn anything, nor if I was to do the work, who knows if I'll get credit for it?"
The students have their supporters, including U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minneapolis, who said Johnson should let the current students graduate, though he admits he has no power over the district.
"It's not the girls' responsibility to make sure the teacher is licensed, so why make the girls be the ones who suffer as a result of an administrative failure? I mean, has any adult had to face the music for this?" he said.
Ellison wrote a letter to Johnson outlining his complaints, to which the district responded.
Johnson said allowing the students to graduate would be unfair to the students because they wouldn't have met the academic standards the diploma represents. State records show zero Broadway students were proficient in math or reading on the state's MCA standardized test last year.
"If I could do something different, I absolutely would," Johnson said. "But if I awarded the credits, then I would be doing the same thing that's already happened, and I can't do that. First of all, it's not ethical, it's not moral, and it's not legal."
Johnson said she's also worried past Broadway graduates have diplomas they don't entirely deserve -- but she has no intention of revoking those diplomas.


text:
Dever runs tight ship for Opening Day
Nationals' senior director of media relations has players' backs
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
The goal is to help the players relax around the media on the big day, which is Thursday afternoon against the Braves. Game time is at 1:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. Dever, who has had similar roles with the Padres and Expos, has dealt with players from Tony Gwynn to Vladimir Guerrero to Ryan Zimmerman.
"Opening Day is special for everyone in baseball," Dever said. "Everybody is undefeated for the moment. It's a great time to showcase what your team is all about. You have a nice crowd every time. Your spirits are up. It's a unique day in baseball. Opening Day baseball has a different flavor than the other sports."
It's important to Dever that new players such as outfielder Jayson Werth, first baseman Adam LaRoche and infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. are comfortable in their new surroundings. There is an education process for the new players. Dever will sometimes go to clubhouse manager Mike Wallace and Rob McDonald, the director of team travel, to seek their counsel on how to deal with the new acquisitions.
For example, the day before the home opener, the players are participating in NatsFest, which starts at 4 p.m. The media relations staff will try to take some of players' duties of that day off their plates. The players have to wake up early the next morning and be at the stadium by 9a.m.
"It's a big day, so you want to really put on a good show," Dever said about Opening Day. "But you have a few of your players who are kind of in a whirlwind, and trying to figure out what's going on in their new home for the 2011 season.
"We are trying to do as much as we can before Opening Day. We are doing a lot of stuff with NatsFest, and trying to take some things off their plates in order to let them concentrate on what's going to happen on Opening Day. That's the first game of the year that actually counts."
Dealing with the players and media isn't the only thing Dever and his three-man staff -- Mike Gazda and Bill Gluvna -- have to deal with. There is always the possibility that the President of the United States will throw out the first pitch. There is no word yet if President Barack Obama will perform that duty for the second year in a row.
While there is a lot of security whenever the President is around, Dever loves the fact that the Nationals are keeping a tradition alive that dates back to the early 20th Century.
"[Having the President] adds a couple of extra layers when it does happen, but it is for all the right reasons and it provides its own pageantry. You are happy to do it," Dever said. "You are always pleased and proud when someone from his office comes to your ballpark. It makes you feel good, it makes you feel special to be his host."
It's obvious that Dever loves his job, not just on Opening Day. In his first year in baseball public relations, he watched the Padres go to the 1998 World Series. Dever also had the pleasure of meeting his wife, Karen, who also worked in the Padres organization.
Dever has the distinction of having been the PR director of the Expos when they played some of their home games in San Juan, P.R., in 2003 and '04. Today, he tries his best to make the players comfortable at Nationals Park and on the road.
"I enjoy every season and the challenges that come with it," Dever said. "The best thing about my job are the people. Baseball has a group of people, who are diverse in culture, nationality and religion. But there is one bond, and that's the game. I've always enjoyed the people that I've met in the game."
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
The Ga. Dept. of Education (DOE) last week released its first Georgia College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) which measures Georgia public schools on a broad set of academic criteria. The new index methodology revealed that the average scores of Fayette's elementary, middle and high schools were significantly higher than the state average and were in the top three school systems in metro Atlanta.
Using a 100-point scale, the CCRPI state average score for elementary schools is 83.4, while the average for middles schools is 81.4 and the high school average is 72.6. The tally for Fayette schools showed elementary schools with an average score of 94.8 while the average score in the county's middle schools was 94.6 and the average high school score was 85.9.
The new CCRPI report measures schools and school districts on a 100-point scale made up of three major areas: "Achievement" (70 points possible), "Progress" (15 points possible) and "Achievement Gap" (15 points possible). The report measures schools based on data from the 2011-12 school year. The next CCRPI report, due this fall, will look at data from the current 2012-2013 school year, according to DOE.
Fayette's top scoring elementary school was Tyrone with a score of 98, followed by Kedron at 97.9. The lowest score for elementary schools was Burch at 84.6.
Rising Starr took the honors among middle schools with a score of 97.7, followed by Bennett's Mill at 97.3 while the low came at Whitewater with a score of 85.8.
And among high schools, McIntosh took top honors with a score of 91.8 compared to the low score of 77.7 at Fayette County High School.
School system spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach said the average score for Fayette's elementary schools at 94.8 is the second highest among the metro counties. The middle school average score of 94.6 was the second highest in the metro area. The high school average score of 85.9 was the third highest of the metro counties, she said.
The CCRPI uses a much broader and more complex set of achievement data to calculate school and system achievement scores than the No Child Left Behind program for which Georgia received a federal waiver.
Generally, the CCRPI has been designed around a comprehensive definition of college and career readiness, meaning that all students graduate from high school with both rigorous content knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge, according to DOE.
The Achievement score (70 percent of the CCRPI) is made up of three indicators, including Content Mastery (40 percent), Post High School/Middle School/Elementary School Readiness (30 percent) and Graduation Rate/Graduation Rate Predictor (30 percent).
• Content Mastery: This section looks at student achievement on standardized tests (CRCT in grades 3-8 and End of Course Tests in grades 9-12) to determine how well a school is doing with instruction.
• Post High School/Middle School/Elementary School Readiness: This section looks at areas that have proven to help students be prepared for the next level of school. Measures of this section include earning two credits in World Language, exceeding standards on state assessments and earning credit in accelerated programs.
• Graduation Rate/Graduation Rate Predictor: This section will look at a school's four-year and five-year graduation rate.
The Progress score (15 percent of the CCRPI) is calculated based on the percentage of a school's students demonstrating typical or high growth via Student Growth Percentiles (SGP).
An SGP describes a student's growth on state tests relative to other students statewide with similar prior achievement.
A student's growth percentile can range from 1 to 99 and every student's SGP may earn points towards the Progress Score.
The Achievement Gap score (15 percent of the CCRPI) assigns points to schools for their progress in closing, or having small achievement gaps, on state tests between schools' lowest 25 percent of achievers and the state average. Comparisons are made between gap size from prior year to current year and schools receive points in this section of the CCRPI for closing the achievement gap.
The online version of the CCRPI report with a breakdown by system and school can be found at the DOE website at ccrpi.gadoe.org/2012.
Elementary CCRPI score
Braelinn 97
Brooks 89.5
Burch 84.6
Cleveland 90.5
Crabapple 97.4
Hood Ave. 92.9
Huddleston 94.4
Inman 93.3
Kedron 97.9
Minter 94.6
N. Fayette 93.2
Oak Grove 94.8
Peeples 97.2
Spring Hill 92.3
Tyrone 98
Average 94.8
Ga. average 83.4
Benn. Mill 97.3
Booth 94.4
Fayette 93.1
Flat Rock 90.5
Rising Starr 97.7
Whitewater 85.8
Average 94.6
Ga. average 81.4
High schools
Fayette 77.7
McIntosh 91.8
Sandy Creek 77.9
Starr's Mill 90.8
Whitewater 85.8
Average 85.9
Ga. average 72.6