text:
In Short -
The Situation: Japan's new patent opposition system was introduced in 2015, and it runs concurrently with the country's previously existing patent invalidation system.
The Result: According to a recently...more
It is often desirable to obtain patent protection for inventions both in Europe and the United States. As a result, competitors frequently look to Europe and the US as important jurisdictions for challenging the validity of a...more
There is no opposition procedure in the Australian design registration system, but the decision published in Alfred Kärcher GmbH v Jinping Zhu [2016] ADO 3 was the culmination of a process that sounded surprisingly like one....more
European Patent Office oppositions are a very powerful way of litigating newly granted patents. In reality these are pan-European revocation proceedings, with profound strategic significance for life sciences companies – this...more
The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that from 1 July 2016, post-grant oppositions will be reformed so that they become significantly faster and more efficient. The effect of these changes is that in straightforward...more
In This Issue:
- En Banc Federal Circuit Abandons "Strong" Presumption That a Limitation Is Not Subject to 35 U.S.C. § 112, Paragraph 6
- Supreme Court Rejects Belief of Invalidity Defense for Inducement in...more
The 2014 revision of the Japanese Patent Act created an Opposition System to provide a simpler procedure for third parties to challenge patent validity and amended the scope of the existing Invalidation Trial System. This...more
Many Australian companies will be familiar with the pre-grant patent oppositions that are available under Australian law. Similarly, many Australian companies will be familiar with post-grant patent oppositions before the...more
I continue my series of articles on the topic of New Zealand Patent Oppositions. This article discusses the limited scope of evidence in reply and the pitfalls of exceeding that scope....more
The new Regulations to the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 that came into force on 15 April 2013 aim to reduce delay in opposition proceedings....more
We continue in our series of articles on patent opposition in New Zealand. In our previous article, NZ Patent Oppositions – Why do I need expert evidence?, we discussed the crucial role that evidence plays in patent...more
In our continuing series of articles on New Zealand patent oppositions, we look at the topic of expert evidence and why it is critical to establishing obviousness....more
Good US practice will put your clients' Australian applications on a strong footing, but this article highlights five points of Australian patent practice that will help you sound like an Aussie....more
In our continuing series of articles on New Zealand patent oppositions, we summarise the procedure. In our earlier article NZ Patent Oppositions – when can I file?, two different types of oppositions are described and the...more
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text: Above class open to undergraduates only Above class meets with GNDR-G205 This is not a course about "naked people", as BC Magazine once described an earlier version. Instead it is a course that combines conventional historical topics with unconventional themes. "Gender and Sexuality in American History" examines how gender (the ways in which various societies define what it means to be a "man" or a "woman") and changing attitudes toward sexual behaviors influenced selected issues and events in American history. We will consider the European "discovery" of America, the industrial revolution, race relations in the "Old" and "New" South, the Spanish American War and Cold War. We'll examine the relevance of issues that we often think of as "private" to political and economic history. We'll focus on sources such as visual images, songs, novels, and films in order to understand how Americans themselves viewed the relationship between gender and sexuality, on one hand, and political, social and economic events, on the other. You will be required to attend twice-weekly lectures, to attend and participate actively in weekly discussion sections, and to complete assigned reading (averaging about 100 pages a week), and in some cases, viewing. Written work will consist of very brief weekly essays, two midterms (you will have a choice of in-class and take- home versions), and a final examination; all will be in essay format. All assignments will require you to connect issues and concepts presented in lectures to readings, illustrations, and films.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Zimbabwean police raid news agency, seize equipment
|Committee to Protect Journalists
|Publication Date
|3 October 2012
|Cite as
|Committee to Protect Journalists, Zimbabwean police raid news agency, seize equipment, 3 October 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5073cc92c.html [accessed 24 January 2018]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Nairobi, October 3, 2012 – The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a police raid on a news production company in Belgravia, a suburb north of the capital, on September 26 in which several journalists were detained and equipment confiscated.
Officials detained at least 10 journalists from the African Open Media Initiative (Afromedia) and released them without charge the next day, according to the Zimbabwean Union of Journalists (ZUJ). Sifelani Tsiko, editor of the outlet, and two other journalists have been forced to report regularly to the police for questioning, but no charges have been filed against them, Afromedia owner Crispen Sachikonye told CPJ.
Local journalists told CPJ that the officers had confiscated several computers, including video editing equipment. Afromedia, which produces content for the African Television Network (ATV), a U.K.-based broadcaster, has had only limited capabilities since the raid. On its Facebook page, ATV described the programming as focused largely on local and social issues. The network does not broadcast in Zimbabwe.
Local journalists told CPJ that officials from the Broadcasting, Telecommunications, and Revenue Authority were investigating possible importation violations. Foster Dongozi, then ZUJ's secretary-general, said he believes the raid is a sign that more media houses will face problems as the country approaches next year's general elections, according to news reports.
The Broadcast Authority of Zimbabwe has not licensed a single private broadcaster although it is mandated to do so, according to CPJ research.
"Zimbabwean authorities have a long record of stifling independent broadcast media using any regulatory means available," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. "We call on the police to return the outlet's equipment immediately and allow journalists to work freely."


text:
Hector Sanchez out; Eli Whiteside in for San Francisco Giants
OK, pop quiz time.
How many members of the San Francisco Giants' active roster for the 2010 World Series are on the team's current 25-man active roster?
(Play Jeopardy music here).
Did you say 11? If so, you're right.
Here's the championship eleven
- Tim Lincecum
- Matt Cain
- Madison Bumgarner
- Sergio Romo
- Jeremy Affeldt
- Javier Lopez
- Santiago Casilla
- Buster Posey
- Pablo Sandoval
- Nate Schierholtz
… and ….
- Eli Whiteside.
Whiteside took the number from 10 to 11 on Wednesday when he was called up from Triple-A Fresno to replace Hector Sanchez on the roster.
Sanchez was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a sprained knee.
Even with the Giants assertions Tuesday that Sanchez's injury was not serious, it did not come as a big surprise that Sanchez is headed to the DL.
It was reported that Sanchez was examined for mild discomfort in the knee on Friday. So Tuesday's incident was clearly an aggravation of a previous condition for Sanchez.
The Giants clearly decided he needed more time to get healthy, and they didn't want to use Pablo Sandoval as anything more than an emergency catcher.
Sanchez will remain with the Giants on the road trip, expects to resume baseball activities in a week at the latest and should be ready to go when his 15 days are up. That would set his activation for Aug. 2, when the Giants play the Mets to finish a 10-game homestand.
If that's the case, we can expect Whiteside to make two, maybe three starts, during Sanchez's stint on the DL. That's fewer than the number of starts Sanchez would be expected to make over the same time if he were healthy. The Giants play 14 games over the next 15 days, with the lone day off coming July 26 during that 10-game homestand.
The beneficiary of playing time over the next two weeks is Brandon Belt. Belt has been sitting a couple of days each week when Sanchez has been starting, with Posey playing at first base.
It would seem that manager Bruce Bochy is less likely to use the same alignment with Whiteside, choosing instead to play Posey more behind the plate and giving him full days off when Whiteside catches.
However, Bochy could decide against lefties to start Joaquin Arias at 3B and Sandoval at 1B. But that would mean starting Brandon Crawford at SS.
Belt gets the start at 1B Wednesday against lefty Mike Minor.
Hopefully, this will provide Belt a chance to get hot again.
And maybe, just maybe, someone will take the opportunity to point out to Bochy that Belt has a slash line of .300/.379/.660 against lefties this season compared to .228/.348/.315 against righties.


text:
Here is the second entry in a new young-adult series by New York Times best seller David Weber and the prequel to the hugely popular Honor Harrington adult science-fiction saga.
Fire in the forest – and a cry for help from a trapped and desperate alien mother! Unfortunately, this is one cry no human can hear. Stephanie Harrington, precocious 14-year-old Provisional Forest Ranger on the planet Sphinx, knows something is wrong from the uneasy emotion that is flooding into her from her treecat friend, Climbs Quickly. But though Stephanie's alien comrade shares a tight bond with his two-legs, whom he knows as Death Fang's Bane, he cannot communicate directly to her the anguished call from one of his people. Still, their strong and direct bond of feeling may be enough. Stephanie and fellow ranger Karl Zivonik respond to Climbs Quickly's rising waves of distress.
Fire season on the pioneer world of Sphinx has begun. But there are those who want to use the natural cycle of the planet for personal gain – and to get rid of the one obstacle that stands in the way of acquiring even greater land and power on Spinx: the native treecats.
Now it's up to Stephanie and Climbs Quickly, along with their friends, family, and allies, to prevent disaster and injustice from befalling a treecat clan. But in the process, Stephanie must be certain to preserve the greatest secret all. It is the knowledge that the treecats of Sphinx are not merely pets or servants, but are highly intelligent in their own right – that they are a species fully deserving of rights, respect, and freedom. And keeping the secret that will allow the treecats time to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with humankind all begins with the friendship of a girl and her treecat.
©2012 Words of Weber, Inc. & Obsidian Tiger, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
"alien space cats 2"
I enjoyed this bbok despite being a teen read book and I would read it again.
It's a book follow up to A beautiful freindship which was the first book and the thrid book is due out soon!
Hvam performs this book well as well as the first book.
Tag line for this if it was a film would have to be Tree Cats! See this film. Like you'd need anything else.
Read A beautiful friendship first. (I can't wait to read the third one)
"More treecats!!"
The second book in this new YA series, Fire Kingdom is an enjoyable story. I like David Weber's Honorverse, but don't like listening to most of them. Too many meetings to explain strategy and too much description of military technology. This series has the human interest that I enjoy in DW's books, and I don't have to skip over page after page of uninteresting detail. A fun story, with lots more information about treecats, the most interesting characters in DW's books!
"Fire Season Book 2"
I like the series with the cats which is a new twist in this genre. Too short but it is aimed at young adults. I hope to see more in this series. Not a bad listen at all and a nice other world series. One for the whole family to enjoy on a road trip!
"Tree cats, scientist and fire season"
This is a book for young people and provides background information on the first person in the Harrington family to be adopted by a tree cat. The book provides information on fire fighting and control that is of general interest and also provides information on environmental problems and conservation of both plants and animals. As Stephanie Harrington is turning 15 she is trying to get her driver's license (of course, this is a flying car) and dealing with the issues of being a very smart teenager. Like many current books it also deals with the problem of bullying. It covers these topic in a interesting and suspenseful story with the rescue of a tree cat clan and people from a fire. Makes for a pleasant and interesting reading. Khristine Hvam does a great job reading the book.
"No particular substance"
I agree to everything ShySusan said, and more....
After finishing the book, I understood 1 thing, this book has no particular substance.
Unlike the first book ,this one is a bit of the board, it doesn't tell us anything new about HH Universe.The plot of this book is completely secondary, if it was a TV show I would call it a FILLER episode.There are side stories in the HH universe which have more substance to them.
The feeling of David Weber taking a vacation, and forgetting to dispense some nourishing information, never leaves you all the way through the story.
So, it's about a 15 year old girl who fights forest fires and finding out that she likes boys, nothing more.
If you are HH universe fan ,you may like it, but if you don't spend your credit you won't miss much.Perhaps when the next book comes out, you may want to read them together then .
"Honorverse completists, yes. Others, maybe."
I hesitated over what rating to give this. I don't want to give it a bad rating, but I didn't really feel like it deserved 4 stars. I guess if I could have, I would have given it 3.5 stars.
This book is aimed at "young adults" (read: teenagers). I am not a teenager. I'm in my 60s. There are some young adult books and series that I practically adore. One of my favorites, which I wish Audible would get, is the Thief of Eddis series by Megan Whalen Turner. But there are other young adult books that don't really intersect my interests. This book sort of wavered around that border.
For example, part of the dramatic tension of the story revolved around how to deal with another teenager who is rude and conceited. (Yawn) I recognize that this is going to matter a lot more to teens than to me. Luckily, much of the story revolved around problems I could get more excited about, i.e. forest fires. (I don't think I'm giving away too much here since the title of the book is.....just saying.)
Another problem: Just how much of this book did David Weber write? I have heard of book collaborations where both authors worked on every page together. I have also heard of pseudo-collaborations where the big name author gave the little name author a basic plot outline and then walked away, but still got top billing because he was the BIG NAME. I think I detect a lot more Jane Lindskold than David Weber in this book. That isn't horrible because she isn't a horrible writer. But she isn't David Weber either. And face it, I could be wrong. It does happen from time to time.
Bottom line: Do I feel like I wasted my credit? No. Will I buy the next book in this series? Uh....probably.
"Action-oriented young adult SF story"
"Fire Season" continues the tale of Stephanie and "her" treecat. It's a fun read, with a "talented loner teen discovers how to make friends" motif, nested in an action-oriented plot about fire and friendship and what it really means to be a person.
I suspect that, if I had been reading the printed page, I might have skimmed through pieces of the prose but Khristine Hyam's performance kept my full attention. She brought the book to life for me.
If this was the second episode in a syfi channel tv series, I'd be looking forward to the rest of the season.
As a novel, it falls a little short, ending rather than finishing. The action scenes are very well done but some of the adult characters seem to have wandered in from Central Casting.
A fun listen but a little light.
"There may be flames but not from me turning pages."
mox-nix the one the other it really dose not matter
Recusing the sciencetists from the swamp.
the adoption scene in the midst of the flames.
A friendship formed in thunder and lighting but can it stand the flames of the fire.
I like David's work I am still on the fence about this series though. I will admit though I am above his target audience though.
"Engaging and entertaining"
This is a great sequel to the first book in the story. It shows how the main characters grow and mature in a realistic and engaging way. The two perspectives of the humans and the tree cats continue to enhance the tension and excitement in the story. I can't wait to read/listen to the last book!!!
This is a great YA series. While this continues the tale of Stephanie and her treecat it also tracks the teen issues of growing up, finding boys, and resisting peer pressure. It is well all around.
"Excellent for youth and adult!"
This is a super series, well-written as all his books are, but this is better paced in a lot of ways and steers clear of some of the darker themes that distract me from the Honor Harrington series. In any case, I spend a lot less time worrying that he'll kill off secondary characters that I like.
Of course, given the target audience, there's less depth and complexity to the story, but it's a fun ride and an easy listen. I recommend!
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text:
A little later than usual, but 1985FM is podcasting this week about the Xbox One. Vasilis and Randy have spent the better part of a week with their consoles, and go over the media features, Kinect 2.0, and obviously, the games; Forza 5, Ryse, Dead Rising 3, and Killer Instinct. Also on the show, iBuyPower's new Steam Machine, Micro-transactions, Playroom's seedy underbelly, and Atlus' Persona lineup.
Whoever purchases an XBOX ONE, I feel bad for you because you're purchasing a dying brand that a company such as Microsoft has ZERO interest in. The only reason why they even HAD there little run back in 2006 was because they BOUGHT there way into the scene with $$$$$
To be honest, not really feeling it for the PS4 right now. Being a gamer into the single player, non-FPS experience, and all that's being talked about is gaming with social elements.
it great that PS+ isn't required for everything you can do on the console, but its insulting to the consumer that it lacks much of the media functionality and accessibility as the PS3. That you need its day one patch to play move BR or that MP3 playback is coming "later".


text:
In Not Fade Away, we take a look at the legacy of some of the greatest albums of the past few decades – some iconic, some lesser known – as they celebrate significant anniversaries. Here, we look at Keith Richards' solo debut, 1988's 'Talk Is Cheap.'
It was the album that could have ended the Rolling Stones. Instead, it may have given them a new lease on life, albeit through some pretty tough (and harshly worded) love.
By 1988, the Stones' "World War III" was in full effect. After the band decided against touring for 1983's Undercover (read more: Not Fade Away: 'Undercover' Leads To The Rolling Stones' 'World War III'), frontman Mick Jagger went on to start his solo career, enraging Richards.
But it was on the next Stones album, 1986's Dirty Work, where the seeds of Talk Is Cheap took root. Talk coproducer Steve Jordan was hired to work with the Stones on the Dirty Work sessions in Paris, and that's when he first worked with the legendary guitarist.
As Jordan tells Radio.com, he was in the City Of Lights working with the Duran Duran side project Arcadia at the same time the Stones were there recording their album. "The Duran Duran/Arcadia crew knew the Stones crew, and the crews were gonna hang out," Jordan relates. "I said [to someone from the Stones' crew], 'Tell Charlie [Watts] I said hello.' Charlie invited me down [to their sessions]. So I went over to the studio, and it was the first time I'd ever seen them play live. I felt like I was walking in on a private concert. I was so moved."
But having the entire band in the studio at one time on that album was the exception rather than the rule during that era. "Mick would come in every other night, and then other nights I'd get a call from [Stones piano player/road manager] Ian Stewart to come down," where he'd add percussion and some backing vocals.
In Richards' book Life, he writes that Jordan "encouraged me; he heard something in my voice." When asked about that quote, Jordan says that when he heard Richards singing Dirty Work's ballad "Sleep Tonight," he knew he wanted to work with him again.
"I had never heard him sing like that, it was so eerie and unique sounding, it was wild. I had no idea that we were even gonna be friends after that week [working on the album]. But I thought, 'If I ever get a chance to work with him in the future, I would encourage him to try to cultivate that.…' And then it happened!"
Richards first invited Jordan to work with him on Aretha Franklin's cover of the Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" for a movie soundtrack. Then, they put together a band to back Chuck Berry for the concert film/documentary Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll!
After that, they hit the studio for what would become Talk Is Cheap.
The album saw Richards fronting a new band on several tracks: the X-Pensive Winos featured Jordan on drums (and sometimes bass), Charley Drayton on bass (and sometimes drums), Waddy Wachtel on guitar, and Ivan Neville (son of Aaron) on keyboards.
And the lyrics? Well, to call them "thinly veiled" barbs against Jagger would be accurate. Richards made fun of his bandmate's singing ("You lost the feeling/not so appealing") and his social life ("Why do you think you got no friends/you drove them all around the bend"). Worse, he mocked a plagiarism lawsuit Jagger was fighting over his solo song "Just Another Night" ("How you gonna keep your wealth?/Can't even defend yourself!") and his solo career in general ("Now you wanna throw the dice/You already crapped out twice," a reference to Jagger's two solo albums). And those lyrics are all from one song: "You Don't Move Me."
It didn't take too much imagination to figure that many of the other songs, including "Take It So Hard" and "I Could Have Stood You Up," were also aimed at his bandmate.
Free of Jagger, Richards seemed to be enjoying calling the shots. He had his new band, but he also worked with a lot of other musicians: "I Could Have Stood You Up" featured the players from Hail! Hail! Rock And Roll, plus former Stone Mick Taylor. Opener "Big Enough" used funk legends Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell and Maceo Parker. And "How I Wish" and "Whip It Up" featured Patti Scialfa of the E Street Band. Bruce Springsteen even picked Scialfa up from the studio after her session; however, while Jordan notes that "It was a fun meeting," he says they "had no intention of having anybody work on [those songs] but Patti. It wasn't 'Oh, maybe we'll have Bruce play on something.'"
The album was a lot more fun than anything Richards had done since Tattoo You, and maybe even Some Girls. Rolling Stone's David Fricke gave it four stars, calling it a "masterpiece of underachievement."
Richards and the Winos hit the road for Richards' first tour since Tattoo You. And being the frontman led Richards to a rather surprising revelation. As he wrote in Life, "It made me far more sympathetic to some of Mick's more loony things." He doesn't say much more than that.
But perhaps that sympathy–or empathy–was what was needed to mend fences between the two artists, or at least to begin that process. Richards was ready to record another album with the Winos (they would, in fact, go on to record Main Offender in 1992) but, as he notes in Life, "There was a phone call. There was some shuttle diplomacy." By early 1989, Jagger and Richards had met in Barbados to discuss the band's future. And by the summer, they'd released their comeback album, Steel Wheels.
One of the singles from that album–the gorgeous ballad "Almost Hear You Sigh"–actually began during the Talk Is Cheap sessions (and Steve Jordan even got a cowriting credit with Jagger and Richards).
About Richards' ability to write and sing ballads, Jordan says that "he has that in him. It's conversational the way he sings [ballads], he has so much soul. That's a great talent. You want to communicate (as a singer), and he does that."
Richards's canon of ballads since that point includes several highlights from the Stones' more recent period including "Thru and Thru," "The Worst," "Thief In The Night," "This Place Is Empty" and "Losing My Touch." Jordan notes that "I understand that many fans wait to hear what the 'Keith songs' are on Stones albums."
Steel Wheels led to the Stones' biggest tour to date. It was the beginning of the second half of their career, which has seen three more albums and an insane amount of touring, leading up to this year's "50 & Counting" shows. (Read more: The Rolling Stones Wrap U.S. '50 & Counting' Tour In D.C.)
The Stones played two new songs during this tour, and one of them, "One More Shot," was written by Richards for a potential solo album, according to the band's Rolling Stone cover story earlier this year.
As it turns out, Richards is collaborating on that album with Jordan. "We're working on it now, it's really pretty amazing," Jordan says, before adjusting that statement. "It's weird to say something you're working on is amazing. I think he's amazing on it, is really what I mean to say. That's basically it."
Jordan says that it isn't an X-Pensive Winos album; rather it's mainly the Richards/Jordan team.
And he verifies that there's a Keith solo version of "One More Shot."
"We cut it, and it's great," Jordan says. "Again, that sounds weird. What I mean to say is we really had a great time doing it. Keith was looking for a new song to bring in [to the Stones], so he asked me if I minded if he brought it in, and I said, 'No.' So he brought it in and they liked it, and they ended up recording it. We gave them our version to listen to. We have a version, it's done. It has a different flavor, an additional vocal, Meegan [Voss, Jordan's wife] singing this counterpoint thing. It's a little different, Keith is playing all of the guitars and the bass. That's all I can say, I can't say much more."
The song served as something of an anthem for the Stones on what may well have been their last tour, but it may also double for Richards' other band, should he decide to hit the road once again with the X-Pensive Winos.
— Brian Ives, Radio.com


text:
Marvel superheroes, diminutive ninjas and World War Two-era fighter pilots have taken the spotlight on the Xbox 360 this Fall. A sequel to 'Heroes of the Pacific,' Ubisoft's 'Heroes Over Europe' was developed by Transmission Games and goes well beyond in-flight maneuvers.
The game carries on the World War Two flight combat theme as you fly with the British RAF across environments such as the French Alps, London and Berlin. Four online modes support up to 16 players, and while the controls don't always hold up to the intense dogfights the presentation makes this something for enthusiasts of flight shooting games to consider.
From heroes to superheroes, 'Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Two' from Activision allows you to assemble four-character teams in a one to four player scenario while brandishing your character's unique powers in battle or fusing the abilities of two different characters.
The environments get ultra-busy, making some of the action a blur, and while the 'pick your side' storyline is a bit simplistic the large collection of heroes and villains to choose from is impressive.
Finally, cartoon-like adventure and tiny warriors take the form of 'Mini Ninjas' from IO Interactive where pint-sized characters gets some quick training on the way out the door to save the world from an evil Samurai Warlord.
It smacks of the 'Lord of the Rings' plot set in Japan and, is simple enough for a 10-year-old to master; yet, it's endearing and still immersive enough for gamers of all shapes and sizes looking for something light.


text:
All-Stars on the rise in Pittsburgh
Fresh faces ready to debut at Midsummer Classic
By /
Familiar names dot the All-Star landscape, as usual. But what strikes you about the rosters for this Midsummer Classic is the presence of a number of players who not that long ago were merely aspiring All-Stars.
With Sunday's announcement of the results of the All-Star voting it is official: A new generation of All-Stars is upon us, and not just in bits and pieces.
One name above all others ought to be brought immediately forward. That would be the name of Joe Mauer, catcher of the Minnesota Twins. Mauer is 23 years old, but he is already an accomplished defensive catcher, successfully handling some of the best pitching talent in baseball.
But even that is not the story. Mauer came into Sunday hitting .392. Catchers don't hit .392, and for all practical purposes, nobody else does either in the contemporary game, even over three months. But Joe Mauer does. Mauer has not received enough recognition for these accomplishments, possibly because he plays for a small-market team, a team that struggled early in the season and has not been much noticed until recently. Even an All-Star berth may not be enough recognition for what Mauer has done, but it's certainly a start.
But he is just the beginning. In the National League, for instance, you have another catcher, Brian McCann of the Braves, playing in his first full season in the Majors. McCann is 22, but he is already a receiver with poise, maturity and skill, along with hitting prowess.
The Phillies have two stars on the rise in the right side of their infield, first baseman Ryan Howard, 26, a slugger of immense potential, and second baseman Chase Utley, 27, a player of significant versatility and talent.
The Mets have the whole left side of their infield represented and justifiably so. In a breakout season for this club, the eye-popping combination of ability and promise on the left side between David Wright, 23, at third, and Jose Reyes, 23, at shortstop has played a major role. Wright is already a proven run producer, for whom Mets fans chant: "MVP, MVP!" Reyes, a speedster and a sparkplug, has dazzling promise.
Second baseman Dan Uggla, 26, represents a team, the Florida Marlins, which all by itself is a new generation. Uggla was hitting .309 coming into Sunday, and he is fully representative of a young Marlins team that has tons of future potential, but is already beginning to turn that potential into production. His teammate on the Marlins and now on the National League All-Stars, third baseman Miguel Cabrera, is one Marlin whose ability was already widely recognized. But Cabrera is also only 23.
The Pirates have two representatives on the rise as well. Jason Bay, 27, is a truly multitalented outfielder, and also representative of the growing Canadian presence in the game. Third baseman Freddy Sanchez, 28, has not had much recognition before this season, but inside baseball he has already gained wide acknowledgement as a skilled and versatile player.
Outfielder Matt Holliday, 26, is one of the main reasons for the Rockies' return to respectability. Through Saturday, he was hitting .348 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs.
And on the mound, the NL will have the Diamondbacks' Brandon Webb, 27. Webb's sinking fastball has been a sure-thing out producer for most of the season. Derrick Turnbow, 28, is new to the spotlight, coming out of obscurity to record 39 saves for the Brewers last season, with a 1.74 ERA. He is not been quite as untouchable this season, but his fastball reaches the high '90s and he is fully deserving of an All-Star spot.
The Cubs' Carlos Zambrano has already made his mark, but he is only 25 and, in another season of disappointment on the North Side, his pitching has been a bright spot.
The American League also has no shortage of Stars in their formative years. Bobby Jenks, 25, is a flamethrower, who has been solid taking on the heavy-duty role of closing for the defending World Series champion White Sox.
No closer under the big tent has been more reliable, or done better statistical work than Jonathan Papelbon, 25, of the Red Sox. Through Saturday, Papelbon had a microscopic ERA of 0.45, with 24 saves in 26 save opportunities.
Scott Kazmir, 22, is one mistake the Mets made. He was traded to Tampa Bay. Kazmir is an emerging star on the mound, with a 9-5 record for a losing team, more strikeouts than innings pitched and the promise of even better things ahead.
At second base, the Mariners' Jose Lopez, 22, has been a key to his team's recent resurgence. He had 57 RBIs in his first 79 games this season, leading all AL second basemen.
In the outfield, Toronto Vernon Wells, 27, should be an established star with his skills and his numbers, but he has not received the recognition he has deserved. This All-Star berth will help in that regard, and if the Blue Jays remain in contention in the AL East, as they should, his status should rise to meet his ability.
Cleveland's Grady Sizemore, 23, is another multi-talented performer. He is rated, by no less an authority than White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, as one of the two best young players in the American League, along with, of course, Joe Mauer.
Two more young AL stars would have been on display in the Midsummer Classic, but are injured. Toronto outfielder Alex Rios, 25, was having a breakthrough season, and Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano, 23, was doing the same in New York.
The presence of all this young, substantial, emerging talent makes the appeal of the 2006 All-Star Game all that much greater. Beyond that, it also says something very encouraging about the future of the sport itself.
Mike Bauman is a national columnist for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Absolutely beautiful. It made me cry!
Wonderful characters. I love it when people take characters and give them a back story. And I thought that the mother narrating was a brilliant idea: It made everything so much more...poignant, I suppose.
Oh look, i'm crying
What an amazing story!! I love the way you have created the character from nothing into a masterpeice. The writing style is just beautiful and this story is truly wonderful. JKR would be proud:)
Ahh! This is so wonderful!
This was excellent! I really enjoyed this and the depth you've given Theo! It brings to light a lot things that weren't in the books about him, but I do have one question. Did Theo really die in the Battle, or is my memory failing me?
All in all, great story!
Hi Chante. It is so amazed that you made my tears flow (no, really; I cried) for a character who was not fleshed out in the books, a character that we know so little about...
Your story moved me. Great job! The best second-viewpoint story I have read on Mugglenet.
This story... blew my mind. It was so beautiful, and it made my heart ache for poor Theo. I think he's a very interesting character to work with, because we know so little about him, and you took advantage of that. You took it and ran with it, and the result was mind-blowingly beautiful. The was it was written was excellent, and I cried at the end. It was just so powerful; it was breath-taking and brilliant. I loved every second of it. I really look forward to reading more from you :)
First, I'll start with the most obvious point: the use of second person. Generally, I am not a fan of second person. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Here, I thought that the use of second person was unnecessary. I don't think it detracted from the story too much—I still enjoyed the fic—but I would prefer if you had used first or third person. I think part of the reason why you used it was to establish an immediate closeness between Theodore and the reader. However, I think that this cheapens the story. The writing is definitely strong enough on its own that second person seemed redundant. I would have felt the same intimacy with Theo with or without the point of view.
Furthermore, I think that this particular fic was too long for second person as well. And I'll admit that scrolling down and realizing how long it was made me gulp. Fortunately, it's a very absorbing read so it went by fairly quickly. Plus, I'm not quite sure how this would work broken up into chapters. I think that the flashbacks and jumping back and forth in time would have made it difficult to split up.
While the beginning pulled me in because of the immediate action, I do have a little problem with the beginning. At first, Theo's character seems inconsistent. He talks about how he doesn't join groups, but then we jump into the fact that he joined the Death Eaters. I didn't like that the circumstances weren't explained until much later, because when I first read that it took me out of the story. Foreshadowing that it would be explained would have been nice here, such as a line like, "He had no choice but to join the Death Eaters".
The dynamic with his father was interesting and definitely added depth to his character. I really love that his characterization is far from black and white. He's ambivalent about everything—right and wrong, good and evil, who he is and who he is not. He's not even sure if he wants to please his father or if he is simply afraid of him. To further comment on characterization, I love that you continually established his personal qualities throughout. Even if it was just a little line or two, I think the consistency gave me a clear picture of Theodore Nott.
I also liked the going back and forth in time. It kept me interested in the story by creating unresolved tension through leaving the point of view of the battle and not knowing what happens next. However, at first I was confused by the italicized and non-italicized text. The italicized is flashback, but doesn't always read like it because of use of "you". Also, the non-italicized appeared to jump around a little too. Then again, maybe I was just slow on the uptake.
I also loved the scene where he is given the Dark Mark—it is tense and explains the reasoning behind Theodore being a part of the Death Eaters.
The writing of this piece was well done, and there were some memorable one-liners. I think my favorite was:
"Everyone wears masks, Theodore," she says. "What matters is who we are when we take them off."
I think that it works so well because it is both profound and simple.
Speaking of that particular line, I loved the masks motif. It was both interesting and introspective. It was a great way of explaining Theo's character without having to say "Theo feels like many different people at the same time" over and over again.
I think that these lines also work in establishing Theo's character really well. It's clean and simple but still deep:
And you, Theodore, wear the most convincing mask at all. You wore one that changed to reflect back whatever anymore wanted to see. For your classmates, it was a powerful, pureblood Slytherin, so much cleverer than the rest. For Lisa, it was something better than what you really were. And for your father, you wore the mask of a Death Eater.
Continuing, I thought that the pay off of revealing the mother's death was very good. Throughout the story I was kept on edge wondering what happened to the mother. Although it was easy to guess, the scene was so dramatic and poignant that the wait was worth it.
These lines really established my sympathy for Theo too:
Your world has ended three times, once when your mother died, once when Lisa Turpin fell, and now you are dying again—one last time. And each time it has ended with a flash of green. You see it now; it blinds you.
My heart definitely went out to him here.
I'm not quite sure what I think of the parallel to Lily/Severus, which is very apparent. The "mudblood" line seemed to walk right out of the books and into the story. While the story was absorbing and well-written and the character of Theo established beautifully, I think I would have liked the plot to be more original.
So, all in all I did enjoy it with some small qualms. It was a great "character study" of sorts, for sure! Keep up the good work :)
Greetings. :) I've just read this for SBBC, and want you to know I thought it was stunning and painful and brilliant and gorgeous. I will not get into everything, as I've just left my discussion in SBBC, but I loved this story. And that is saying something, as D/A is really not my thing. I will search out more of your work in the near future. Great job! ~Lori
So I've been meaning to read this for a while, ever since What Lies Behind was nominated for a QSQ and ever since I read (and beta'd) Say. I'm not normally into stories featuring Slytherins, particularly minor Slytherins who have virtually no characterisation in canon, because what it normally creates is an almost-OC, and most OCs are just Mary-Sues/Gary-Stus. Your Theodore Nott was NOT like that (sorry, I couldn't resist the pun :P) and I really enjoyed reading the backstory you created for him. I shall go through this section by section, since this is a rather long oneshot, although it didn't drag or anything.
The use of second person in this story was very effective. I've become a big fan of second person lately; it gives me a personal insight into the main character's mind, yet it doesn't feel too personal, which first person can sometimes do, or too detached, like third person often feels. So yes, good choice of POV — it really worked here.
I love how you began this. The battle of Hogwarts — I felt like screaming at Pansy when she said she wanted to go, and when the Slytherins "evacuated" and then some of them returned to fight on Voldemort's side. You displayed Theo's uncertainty of loyalty here very well, especially by the references to how things were before the battle started in Hogwarts. The use of description in this first section is very well done, as is the comparison of life, of right and wrong, and of chess. I loved the chess reference especially because wizard chess is definitely a big thing in Potterverse, so it makes sense to have linked them.
As I read on to the next section, I have to say, your transition into flashback was very, very smoothly done.
Perhaps it is true what they say about your life flashing before your eyes before you die, because as you walk down the hall, you remember things you swore you never would.
The use of this paragraph was a very good idea, because then it made the flashback fit into the story well, and not seem sudden or anything. I love how the entire premise of the story is this thing of life flashing before your eyes when you know you might die — it's so simple yet very original too, and I applaud you for that.
The first flashback is intriguing. Firstly, it made me understand partly why you wrote this in second person — a two-year-old's first person POV must be really difficult to write, pretty much impossible since a two-year-old doesn't have very developed thinking. Yet the way you painted his father here, Theo's, already made me feel sorry for him. His father is horrible — all two-year-olds cry! Your portrayal of him as a not-quite-so-faithful Death Eater was really accurate, particularly because we only get a glimpse of how the Death Eaters gave up on Voldemort in the books. I think you wrote this part very well, and the mentions of the perfume and flowers make me think that the person holding Theo at the end of the section is his mum.
The next segment, when you went back to present (and again, the transition here was immaculately done) was intriguing and thought-provoking. I suppose to Death Eaters, jobs are meaningless, and you really brought that out here, especially in this line: your father wanted you to be nothing more than a Death Eater, wanted nothing more than for you to be a betrayer, torturer, murderer.
Those words really rang true for me — you emphasised the fact that at the end of the day, that's what Death Eaters are, and the bluntness with which it is put gives the story a raw, real feel. As well as that, I wasn't altogether surprised to see that Theo was named after his father — after all, he sounds like one of those guys who would do that.
The next flashback, at the end of Theo's fourth year, was well-written, but I did think that there was an abrupt jump from Theo being two to being... fifteen? I thought it was rather sudden, and it might have been better to have another section in between here, because it made me wonder what went on in those thirteen years. That said, I do think that this point, Voldemort returning, was an important point of Theodore Nott Senior's life, so I'm glad you did touch on that.
I liked the next section, about running away. It seems like a reasonable thing to do, given Theo's circumstances, although as a reader, at this point, I didn't know exactly what his family circumstances are. I'm guessing his mum is dead, or has ran away from his dad. I shall see as I read on.
I'll admit it — I squee'd when I read that Theo was disappointed at Voldemort's appearance, and that he thought Voldemort was worth mocking. This, I think, is a very realistic view of Voldemort, and the incredulity in this part was very well-conveyed, especially considering it's in second person. I felt really sorry for Theo when he had to bow to Voldemort — it must have been difficult, considering he wanted to laugh at him just before. And then he swore his allegiance to Voldemort, and I really did feel for him there. I have always wondered how much it would hurt to have the Dark Mark burned onto your skin, and I think your use of description here showed this very well, while keeping Theo perfectly in character. I particularly liked the last sentence of this bit: And you are a slave.
I liked how you focused on the romance aspect of his life next. The fact that he obeyed pretty much every rule in the pureblood/Death Eater book was very, very good of him, particularly the pureblood girl rule — that must have been difficult. I liked how you moved on to the flashback again, starting with a game of chess — again, I'm loving the chess references here. And the girl was a Ravenclaw? Wow. This pairing, Lisa/Theo, is pretty unique. I'm a big fan of rarepairs, so I loved how you took two characters who are barely mentioned in the books and hardly characterised (definitely not, in the case of Lisa Turpin) and made them fully fleshed out characters in their own right, and then created a rarepair which I know I'll love.
I loved how chess kind of bonded them together — that was really rather sweet, and romantic, but in a more unconventional way, which I really liked. And then when Lisa asks Theo the question I've been wondering... And I think I was right, considering Lisa's comments about Thestrals. I loved how in character and Slytherin Theo remains throughout — the Mudblood comment is definitely Slythish, and by doing so, you stayed true to canon.
I do think it was a bit confusing, how you seemed to go back and forth in time, because I had to reread it. I think that's just me, though, because I find it difficult to comprehend things since I am a bit sow sometimes.
I liked you portrayal of Draco here as well. It was in character and he stayed as selfish as he was in Potterverse, which I appreciated. And wow, I loved the elf's dialogue too! That sounded like it was straight out of the book, so kudos to you for that.
And then the interaction between Lisa and Theo is so very believable. You've done a great job developing them as characters, so much so that I'm starting to think this is all canon. The same goes for Theo's mum — she's a perfect and solid OC, and I applaud you for making her so likeable, despite me only having a small glimpse of her in this story, in that flashback.
The whole premise of masks, too, was expertly interweaved into the story, and I thought it was a great, simple concept which you wrote incredibly well here. And then the confrontation between Theo and his dad... wow. Him wanting to protect Lisa, his hatred of his dad, all that was painted so believably, and I thought it was very emotional. And the flashback was amazing — it really explained Theo's hatred of his dad, and why he missed his mum so much. I also loved the action scene that came after, and the little taste of romance I got as well. Very well done there.
And the last segment just blew me away! I loved how this was actually written entirely from Theo's mum's POV — that was ingenious, I tell you.
I did notice a few grammar errors here and there. They were nothing major, and in no way detracted how lovely this story was, but perhaps another read-through would iron those errors out? Also, there are a few Americanisms in this story, like "pants" being used instead of "trousers" (because "pants" in British English is underpants) so maybe you might want to find a Britpicker. As I say, though, they are only minor things, and overall, this story was stellar. Well done.
That was one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read on MNFF. I love how you've taken a character we know almost nothing about, yet make it sound crebible, as if Rowling could actually have meant for this to happen but just not revealed it. When it started in second person, I feared you could have ruined it, but you've pulled it off to perfection.
Definitely one of THE best fics I've ever read. This was so beautiful and dramatic, and I just love a happy ending. :) Well done!
Wow. I can barely type through the tears. That was stunning. Thank you.
Oh dear god I'm crying. Again. 4th time now.
Author's Response: Thank you for loving this story so much. Four times. Wow. I am very flattered.
ahhhhh! i love this!!!
Author's Response: Thank you!
I've always loved the name Theo... Maybe coz it sounded exotic and smart, and rhymed with Cleo - I dunno why.
But I'd always wondered if Theo Nott was NOT was he seemed to others - just another death-eater-wannabe... Harry, dear li'l Harry and Ron were convinced all Slytherins were up to no good ever, and here is a contradiction...
Wish I could be Lisa Turpin... Almost fits me - brown, messy hair, and glasses... though as much as I try, I cannot levitate a hair pin!
Author's Response: Yes, Slytherins do tend to carry a horrible stigma, thanks to Harry and Ron. But I've made it one of my missions and life to prove that wrong. Theo is one of those I use to prove it. I'm glad you liked the story so well and liked Lisa Turpin. Thanks for the review!
Oh, man, that was gorgeous. I love the emotional depth you put into this piece. I started crying and couldn't stop. Now, I have to go back and find out why.
I suppose I should start by saying that I'm a sucker for this kind of story, with a morally ambiguous main character. It's one of the reasons I like Snape so much, and Slytherins in general. You just know there's more to them than meets the eye: kids don't just "go bad" at age eleven. On the other hand, I don't normally like romance, and in particular, I dislike it when romance is the reason less than good people choose to do good things. But in your case, it was less Lisa and more Theodore's mom who inspired him. Well, it was actually both of them, but it was the maternal love that meant more to me. I really liked how you managed to have Lisa reflect the mother in a lot of ways.
One of the things that worked really well for me was your use of repetition. The constant question, "Do you remember, Theodore?" and the refrain for Lisa "She is so very, very smart," gave the whole piece a kind of poetic cadence, drawing me deeper and deeper into the story. I liked the structure, too -- the way you alternated between regular typeset and italics. It worked really well to have not only the alternation between the past and the present but also a visual cue that the alternation was happening. And your point of view . . . it was absolutely spot on. There were times, near the very beginning, where I doubted it, where I wondered why you were writing in second person. It didn't seem to fit. But then, when it turned out to actually be in first person, through the voice of the mother, it was so powerful. It was like a light went on in my head, and I could just think, "Wow, she was really there the whole time." This, too, worked with the poetics and the italics, making a kind of ghostly atmosphere. It gave me shivers when I realized she was the narrator. Now, I want to read it again, knowing she's back there. That's the hallmark of a great piece of writing: that you can read it again and again and always get something new out of it.
As you know, I liked the fluidity of time. I also liked your use of setting and characterisation. I loved the line about masks, and Theodore's constant struggle to stay that mirror . . . until he realizes it's not serving him.
The only real problem I had was that your grammar failed you at times -- grammar and spelling, actually. For example, on at least two occasions, you used the possessive "father's" when you meant the plural: "Most father's threw their sons a party . . . " should be "Most fathers . . ." Shortly after that, you have the sentences: "For someone who never wanted to live up to anyone's expectations, you did, Theodore. You lived up to everyone of them." I think you meant "You lived up to every one of them" (i.e. every expectation, not all the people). Then, later, you write "She had only ever been what was expected of you." She had been what was expected of you? Finally, about three fourths through the story, you use the expression "put much stalk in" and it should be "put much stock in."
Your story was still beautiful and moving; it still made me cry, but the technical problems did get in the way, making the story seem not as polished as it could be. The mistakes at time did pull me out of the wonderful dream you were weaving. Luckily, those things are also the easiest to fix -- both in editing and when writing new stories. It's the emotion, the character, the plot, the conflict, the tension . . . this is what is hard about writing, and you absolutely nailed it. Brava!
Author's Response: First thank you so much for a long detailed review.
I'm glad you share my love for the morally ambiguous characters. I, too, love Snape and Slytherins, and that's probably one of the reasons (though I didn't really put it into those terms til now. Thank you for how you put that). I don't really see Lisa as the one who changed him. As you said it was more Theo's mum. I think Theo was already on the verge, but Lisa was the catalyst in his life that made him choose. Made him realize he actually HAD to choose. But she wasn't the one reason, no more than she was the only reason. A person changing is much more complicated than that.I'm glad that you liked the repetition and such. People keep pointing little things like that out to me, and it makes me wonder if I planned it to have the effect it did. When I look back though, I don't think I actually intended for this story to have all the layers of depth it does. To me, it was just the way the story had to be written. Perhaps that's why I'm so proud of this story, because it really too me by surprise.
I apologize for the grammar issues. You'll be happy to know I sent it to a beta to have it cleaned up and I will get around to make those changes as soon as I can.Thank you again for the review and for all your compliments. I really appreciate it.
I love love love love love love this story. The emotions, the reasons, the fear, the pain, it's all so real the way you write it. When the last line came I was praying it wasn't over. :D
Author's Response: Thank you so much!
Wow. This is utterly amazing. You completely capture the emotions of the characters and the climate of the war around them. I imagine many of the young Slytherins were facing this, pressure from parents, from social expectations. I cried reading the end of this. It was great. I love this beyond belief. Bloody brilliant.
Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the stories. I really don't think as many of the Slytherins faced this problem as you might. Not all of them had Death Eaters as parents, though that seems to be the stereotype. But Death Eater parents or not, I can't imagine that being Slytherin at this time was easy. I'm not sure whether to apologize for making you cry. I know when writing a story that is very sad, it's a compliment that I manage to bring tears, and yet, I don't like making people cry. But thank you for loving the story, and thank you for the review.
OMG!!! This is one of the first stories I read after joining and it is definitely my fave so far!!! Your use of the second person works really well, and it made me think much more about Theodore Nott - I never really noticed him in the book! :)
Author's Response: Yes, Theodore Nott is sadly overlooked. But then, he was only in about two sentences, and we knew very little. However, Theodore Nott is a character I adore. I'm glad you liked the story so well. Thank you for the review!
Wow! This was incredible! I am so glad i clicked the link to read this story. Everything about it was beautiful, and by the end I definitely had tears. Thank you for an amazing story!
Author's Response: Thank you so much!


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The Palo Alto History Museum, a nonprofit group raising money to launch the museum, asked the City Council's Finance Committee for permission to sublease part of the building at 300 Homer Ave. to a for-profit organization. The move is driven by the project's financial needs. The group needs to raise more than $6 million and has already acquired about $4.5 million, board members told the committee.
The group hopes to get another $800,000 or so through the "Federal Historic Tax Credit" program, which provides tax credits to private entities as an incentive to rehabilitate historic structures. This would leave another $800,000 that the group would raise by other means, a goal that members said they believe they can accomplish in the next nine or 10 months.
But the federal program comes with a bundle of strings attached, including a requirement that the project generate profits and bring a 3 percent return on investment. To meet this requirement and to give itself some financial breathing space, the group urged the committee to back away from the city's current position, which calls for the building to be occupied solely by nonprofit organizations.
The committee's four members deferred the decision on allowing for-profit businesses to lease space, though they unanimously supported the Palo Alto History Museum's proposal to pursue the tax-credit program.
Margaret Feuer, a board member of the Palo Alto History Museum, highlighted the group's recent fundraising efforts but noted that times are tough for nonprofits. The group has already received about $560,000 in grants, Feuer said. But having no building and, hence, no programs, makes acquiring funds particularly difficult, she said.
"We all know nonprofits face funding challenges," Feuer said. "This is really the reason we ask you to allow us to rent to a for-profit entity. That would give us a cushion to fall back on."
If the group were to succeed in launching the museum, it would complete a job nearly a decade in the making. The city bought the Roth in 2000 and sought proposals from local nonprofits to occupy it. The Palo Alto History Museum proposed in 2003 to restore and preserve the dilapidated structure, and the council accepted the proposal. Since then, the council extended its option agreement with the group several times and approved $150,000 to repair leaks and drainage problems in the building.
Last year, the museum group's latest contract expired, and the city extended it until the end of 2013. As a condition, the group had to submit a business plan within the first six months of the year. By presenting its plan Tuesday night, the group met its condition.
Council members, for their part, reasserted their commitment to the project, though they stopped short of approving the museum group's entire request.
"I want the History Museum to succeed, and I want it to go forward," Vice Mayor Greg Scharff said. "I think it will be a great thing for Palo Alto."
But Scharff and other council members voiced major concerns about the proposal on corporate renters. One major issue is zoning. The site is zoned "public facility," which does not allow most for-profit office uses. Senior Assistant City Attorney Cara Silver said some uses, including cafes and restaurants, could be developed at the site through a conditional-use permit. But corporate offices of the sort envisioned by the group would likely require a zone change, Silver said.
The committee agreed to delay its decision to give city staff and the museum group's consultant more time to analyze the zoning issues.
Despite the unresolved financing issues, the complicated project has seen a recent surge of momentum. The Historic Resources Board and the Planning and Transportation Commission both voted to support the museum, which would include gallery space, staff offices, a community meeting room, a gift shop, a café, an archive-storage space, and offices for future subtenants.
Local resident Crystal Gamage attended Tuesday's meeting and urged the committee to support the Palo Alto History Museum.
"It's an important step for the city, and it will reflect on our history," Gamage said. "You want the best museum possible."
Gail Wooley, former mayor and current vice president of the Palo Alto History Museum, said that while the process of getting a historical tax credit is complex, it's "worth the effort" for the city. She noted that while the city hasn't pursued this financing mechanism in the past, many local developers, including Charles "Chop" Keenan and Roxy Rapp, have gone through this process as they rehabilitated historic buildings downtown.
"It's an opportunity to make a public-private partnership, which makes it possible to bring in private money for a public benefit," Wooley said.
Do you favor allowing private tenants to occupy the Roth Building? Share your opinion on Town Square, the community discussion forum on Palo Alto Online.
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>Racing>Rockenmamaof5's NJ Ultra Festival 50 mile race report (warning LONG)
When I signed up for this race I really had no goals other than finish. I did this race (different course though) last year however I DNF'D at a little over 32 miles. I had been hit by a car in January which totally derailed my training. But I'm stubborn and had already signed up for it so I was going to do my damndest to finish it. Needless to say I had unfinished business. Well it wasn't long after I signed up that due to circumstances beyond the RD control they had to move the Festival to a different location. When I found that out I wasn't all that happy about it. I was even a little worried that the Festival wasn't going to even go on, though I should have never worried since the RD"S are very professional and top notch!Flash forward to day before the race. I had several friends that were running there as well but in different events, 1 of which I met at the same event last year (Sara aka Ojo) and the other Dari (aka chilidogbeagle) who was doing her very first Ultra. They had both traveled from up north together. This was the first ultra that I actually got a hotel room for and had planned on staying until Sunday afternoon. Anyway we met up at the hotel and had a great time chatting before heading to bib pickup and dinner afterwards. Sara's prerace dinner of choice is Pizza, something I've never had before a race and wasn't so sure it was a good idea. Despite my worries I ended up eating all but one slice of a pepperoni personal pan pizza (more pizza than I've EVER eaten at once) After dinner we headed back to the hotel where we went and had a drink (well Dari and I ) before heading up to our rooms to get ready and head to bed.3:30 am. I wake up despite not planning on getting up until 5. My body was so amped up it didn't feel the need for sleep so I just went with it instead of trying to get more rest. Around 6 I headed to the fair grounds which were about 30 minutes away. Drive went smooth. I grabbed a bagel from DD and ate about half of it before the race. A few minutes before 7 I go out and listen along with the 100 milers to the RD (Formerly known and probably still known as Hasher Rick) give out his short and simple pre race speech, which basically consisted of how the course was marked and a few other things. I absolutely LOVE the way this guy and his wife run their races btw.
7:15 and Rick yes go. I headed out and it wasn't long before I found myself in my groove. My heart rate was a bit higher than what I would have liked but that was probably due to the fact that I wasn't going as slow enough to have the lower heart rate. I decided then to not worry about it. I would just go by feel. The first close to a mile is on pavement in the fair grounds. Once you get out you make a right and turn immedietly to the right and run until you hit a fence, touch it turn around and head back. Now this side wasn't too bad. A few mud spots but nothing I hadn't expected. Once you get back to the road that you turned on, you cross it and go out until you hit the aid station and then turn around. Now this out and back held a few surprises. I knew we had one bridge crossing but I had no clue about the gap that was in the middle of the path that they put ramps up and down over it so that we were able to cross it. BTW LOVED this little "obstacle" They had photographers there to take pictures and the guy before me jumped way up in the air air. A great shot. I told the woman that there was no way I could do what he did but I would give it my best shot. I think I did pretty good however the camera didn't quite get it. Oh well can't expect perfection!
Another nice little obstacle (besides the mud) was one of the "stream" crossings. If you weren't careful you might find your feet nice muddy and wet. Well I managed to get my feet wet. Not hard to do when you are trying to find the right rocks to step on. Despite having soggy feet, it never really interfered with my race however I every time I hit that spot (10 times) I still did my best to not get my feet wet. Anyway to move things along I hit the aid spot filled up my water and turned back around so that I could do a replay of all the little "obstacles" Once I got back to the road you go to the right and are immediately hit with an uphill which I walked up for all but the last loop. Once you get up the hill it's not long before you vere to the right and go up a grassy incline then turn left and follow along the road then making another left back into the fairgrounds. I loved the last mile BTW. Had some nice up's and downs on nice even ground. Not long you take a right and it's the last stretch before heading into the Richards Building, crossing the line marking your first loop. I had parked my vehicle so that I would pass it each loop. I had put up a table and had all my goodies, drinks, change of clothes, first aid etc for easy access. I grabbed a water, had some of a protein drink and headed in to close my first loop.Now before the race I had found 10 mile splits of 11 minute mile average pace. It was above my B goal of 9:30. It was close enough to my A goal of sub 9. 1:50 was what I was aiming for each 10 miles. Well my first 10 mile split was 1:37:27 2nd loopImmediately after finishing my first loop I headed to the bathrooms. I have the bladder the size of a pea and knew that I would probably be stopping there after each loop (which I did except for one where I ended up finding some bushes ) Now the nice thing about all these out and backs is that you get to see all the other people from the other events. I actually got to see and say hi too Sara and Dari once every single loop (well except for my last loop) It was really nice seeing their smiling faces and seeing how well they were doing. This loop went pretty much as well as the first loop Time for my 2nd loop was 1:39: 49 . Still well under my goal of 1:50 3rd loop was pretty much the same as the other 2 except that I stayed at the aid station a little longer. I also had periods of time where I had gas bubbles that were down in my pelvis area and it hurt to run so I'd have to stop and walk until the gas bubble moved. I was afraid at that point that my race was going to go downhill. I finished that loop in 1:44:23 4th loop was probably my roughest of all of them. I found myself thinking I had gone out way too fast and that I was going to crash and burn. However I thought even if I had to walk the last loop I would still get in by my goal of 9:30. I hadn't used the restroom after the 3rd loops and I found myself having to find some sort of place to do my business. There were enough people out there that you were never alone, fortunately for me I have no problem, just as long as they don't get an eyeful of everything. The warm temps were starting to get to me so I started upping my salt caps to 2 every 30 minutes or so. I finished this loop in 1:53:04 Finally my last loop. I couldn't believe how well my body was holding up. Other than being tired I was actually feeling pretty good. The gas bubbles I had earlier were gone. My hydration and electrolite balance was good. My Garmin died a little under 46 miles in. I didn't like the fact that I had no back up. Not that I needed to know my pace but I really wanted to keep tabs on the time. I had to be in under 4, or at least that's what was in my head for the past week. For some odd reason I thought the race started at 7:00 not 7:15 and my mind never registered the 15 minute difference until well after the race. I found myself leap frogging with a few of the male's that were running the 100 miles. I did find myself asking a few people what time it was so that I could do the math to make sure I was going to be coming in under 9 hours. This time when I passed my car on the way in I didn't even bother stopping. I was hauling ass (wish my Garmin was working cause I know I was going pretty fast considering I was almost at 50 miles) and as I crossed the finish matt I said tell me I'm under 9 hours to Rick. He looked at the results and replied 8:43.23, 3rd place, looks like you get to go shopping. Well it turns out that they had LOTS of stuff to choose from for the top 3 of each event along with the top 1 of each age group I believe. I ended up going with a case of beer and a nice mug to go with it. Oh and my time for my last loop was 1:48:40This is a TOP NOTCH event and would recommend it to anyone looking to do an Ultra in this area and this time of year. I can't wait for next year!!If you made it this far through my novel THANK YOU!! I'm not one for words however I find myself having far too many when it comes to race reports, ESPECIALLY on one's that I had a great time at!
Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson
old woman w/hobby
A great "story" and I love the pictures! Congratulations Rocken!
Just run.
Interval Junkie --Nobby
Incredible feat. Too bad about the garmin. 3rd? Wow. Congratulations.
2016 Goals: Lose the 10lbs I gained for not having goals
On On
Great job Pam, I love seeing you every time we get together. Your attitude is first class all the way.
You ran a great race and I look forward to hanging out with you again in the future.
NJ Trail Series NJ Trail Series on Facebook NY NJ Runners Group @rickmcnulty
Dad, Runner, Programmer
Congrats on 3rd! I enjoyed reading your race report. I live in NJ and am doing my first 50 mile ultra at the Dirty German in a couple months. Perhaps next year I will try this one.
2015 Goal:For now, keep running!
Great report!!!! Congratulations!!!!
I'm at work right now but am sending myself an email so I can check out the pictures when I get home tonight. I may consider that for an Ultra next year (though dont hold me to that, I've said I was going to do one every year for the past 3 years and still havent done one).
Congrats again.
Congratulations on a great race and on placing! Loved the report & pictures! So happy that you, Sara, and Dari were able to meet up and share the memories!
Nice work and great write up! I second that HasherRick runs a great race. I didn't make it to this one but I ran his winter marathon and had a blast. I'll be back for more, so maybe we'll meet one day :-)
HTFU? Why not!
USATF Coach
Empire Tri Club Coach
A great "story" and I love the pictures! Congratulations Rocken!
Thanks Tea! Now you need to write up your RR! Congrats again!
Incredible feat. Too bad about the garmin. 3rd? Wow. Congratulations.
Thanks stadjak!
Great job Pam, I love seeing you every time we get together. Your attitude is first class all the way.
You ran a great race and I look forward to hanging out with you again in the future.
Thanks Rick!
I've enjoyed every race I've done that you put on EVEN run with the devil (though I think my quads hated you for a week afterwards) Looking forward to the next race of yours that I'm able to get out too!
Congrats on 3rd! I enjoyed reading your race report. I live in NJ and am doing my first 50 mile ultra at the Dirty German in a couple months. Perhaps next year I will try this one.
Good luck @ the Dirty German! You really should look into doing this next year or some of the other races that NJ trails puts on!
Great report!!!! Congratulations!!!!
I'm at work right now but am sending myself an email so I can check out the pictures when I get home tonight. I may consider that for an Ultra next year (though dont hold me to that, I've said I was going to do one every year for the past 3 years and still havent done one).
Congrats again.
Thanks Jeff!
YOU really should do this next year!! It's a blast!
Congratulations on a great race and on placing! Loved the report & pictures! So happy that you, Sara, and Dari were able to meet up and share the memories!
THanks Michelle! Wish you could have been there as well though you will be having your own party next weekend I believe? Hope you enjoy your pacing duties!
Nice work and great write up! I second that HasherRick runs a great race. I didn't make it to this one but I ran his winter marathon and had a blast. I'll be back for more, so maybe we'll meet one day :-)
Thanks Dave! I'm sure that we will !


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Project continues to draw heavy opposition
BENNINGTON -- A proposed $5.5 million housing project off Silver Street continues to draw heavy public opposition, mainly from residents in that neighborhood, but also local landlords and politicians.
A group of about 70 people showed up at the Select Board meeting Monday, ahead of a Development Review Board meeting where details about the project will be heard. That meeting is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 130 River St., third floor of the Bennington Fire Facility.
The project is being headed up by Shires Housing, a non-profit housing corporation which wants to build 24-rental units on the undeveloped portion of the Appleridge Condominiums. Shires Housing, formerly known as the Regional Affordable Housing Corporation has built units off North Branch Street and refurbished many other existing structures.
The board is involved in the discussion because for Shires Housing to receive a $700,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the town must act as the recipient. The board has agreed to do this, but it can opt to reject the grant should it be awarded.
Shires Housing intends to sell tax credits to make up the rest of the project cost.
To be built, the project, dubbed "Monument View Apartments," would need approval from the Development Review Board, which already approved the site years ago for development by Applejack Real Estate, the current owner of the property. Applejack sought to develop the area into condominiums but only a few were built.
Introducing many of the people who spoke against the project Monday was David Fredrickson, who repeated many points he raised in a guest column printed in the Banner and accused Shires Housing Director John Broderick of blackmailing him.
According to Fredrickson, Planning Director Dan Monks suggested he speak with Broderick about the project in much the same way that had been done with Applejack Real Estate in 2006.
"He said he would be willing to make an written agreement regarding fences, lighting, et cetera, if I would not actively oppose the project," said Fredrickson. "I kind of paused and said, 'That sounds like blackmail.'"
In an interview, Broderick said that was not how he remembered the conversation. "I recall asking if there was anything we could do to get him not to oppose the development, but it was not blackmail," said Broderick.
Fredrickson said that according to a statement release by board Chairman Greg Van Houten, the board can reject the grant if the project creates "burdensome" conditions. He said the project will unfairly compete with local landlords, increase the tax burden on the schools, harm property values, and increase traffic.
Ken Swierad, chairman of the Bennington School Board, said the schools in the district are full. He said the state is projected to raise the local school tax rate by eight cents, and given that the last budget failed twice there is little room for expansion.
"I don't think it's a good thing for the community to attract another group of people who are going to be a cost," he said.
He said he feels there are people in the community who do not wish to work, or can not pass drug tests to get jobs.
House Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington 2-2, took issue with a number of procedural issues the board had undertaken. She criticized Van Houten for signing his name on the released statement as "Board Chairman," saying it made it look like the statement was from the full board. She asked a number of questions of board members along the lines of if they supported the project given the community backlash.
Two board members oppose the project, John McFadden and Justin Corcoran. McFadden said he found the release insulting, while board member Thomas Jacobs said he was opposed it because he did not think it was strongly worded enough.
The one person who spoke in favor of the project was Amelia Silver, who is on the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board but recused herself when the application was heard. "These are not the low-income housing units you are all thinking about," she said, saying that the people living in these types of places are in the workforce, or elderly. "I probably couldn't afford to live in some of these units."
The meeting had to be adjourned for five minutes because Silver and Morrissey got into an argument. When Silver got up to speak, Morrissey announced that Silver is on the VHCB and took issue with her speaking. Silver began to talk and said Morrissey had told the VHCB that her "husband" David Silver, is on the Shires Housing Board. She then explained her recusal.
David Silver and Amelia Silver are divorced.
Morrissey denied saying anything, and Silver said it had been something she was told from a person she had little reason to doubt.
The meeting was fairly calm after that, with many opponents of the project generating applause.
A few who spoke said they were not in favor of the condominium project to begin with, and said the town had caught "Appleman fever" in 2006, letting the owner of Applejack Real Estate move ahead with a number of projects that were never realized.
Many said they were in favor of Shires Housing's rehabilitation projects, but that this proposed development would drastically change the character of the neighborhood.
"There was a tremendous amount of frustration expressed about a huge range of issues including plant closures, stores that are closing, property taxes, heroin addiction, all over a housing development," said Broderick in an interview. "While there are serious concerns, tonight seemed like a vent session about a lot of important issue."
He said Shires Housing is committed to "being part of the solution and finding a way to improve our community and strengthen our housing stock."
Contact Keith Whitcomb Jr. at firstname.lastname@example.com or follow him on Twitter @KWhitcombjr.
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Please note that we are not part of the Randolph County government system.
Randolph County was formed in 1779 from Guilford. It was named in honor of Peyton Randolph of Virginia, who was president of the Continental Congress. It is in the central section of the State and shares boundaries with Guilford, Alamance, Chatham, Moore, Montgomery, and Davidson counties. The act establishing the county authorized the first court and all subsequent courts to be held at the home of Abraham Reese unless otherwise decided upon by the justices of the peace, until a courthouse could be built. Commissioners were named in 1783 to select a site for the county seat. In 1788 a town was established at the courthouse on the land of Thomas Dauggan. This town was named Johnstonville in honor of Samuel Johnston.
In 1796 Asheborough was established as the county seat on the land of Jesse Henley. In 1819 a new courthouse was authorized to be built in Asheborough. Asheboro (607410E 3952092N) is the county seat. Other towns are Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity. Randolph County has 20 townships or subdivisions, and it is also a part of the Piedmont Triad, the largest metropolitan area located entirely within North Carolina.
There are a number of National Register of Historic Places properties in Randolph County. In addition, the county government and its preservation commission have a list of county historic sites as does the local tourism authority.
Randolph County is home to the North Carolina Zoo, which has the goal of becoming the world's largest natural habitat zoo; the Uwharrie National Forest; the Richard Petty Museum (home of NASCAR's all-time career victory leader); the Seagrove area potteries, which enjoy an international reputation for exceptional hand-thrown pottery; and other places to enjoy while in the area (see page on Local Interest).
The North Carolina Digital Heritage Center has a number of Randolph County histories online.


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For a little change of pace, I thought I'd share with you video that we took from the recent "Dr. Laura Cruise." 500 of my listeners joined me and my staff for four nights, cruising from Vancouver to San Diego. We worked out, we ate, we danced, and then we danced some more. See for yourself:
Or watch other videos at youtube.com/DrLaura.


text: Why are so many, so panicked that Disney will rap all over the Franchise? The Prequel Trilogy, had alot of issues, so, not a major loss there, taking the Franchise out ofthose hands. Star Wars Movie have always been pretty Disney Friendly, they've done alright by Pixar and Marvel CMU. What exactly is the specific fear of Disney owning Star Wars?