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Celebrating LifeHis father's death and a cancer diagnosis within moments of each other put Bert Holbrook to one of life's ultimate tests, but with his wife Yvonne's help, he is fighting back and embracing each day.
Bert Holbrook and his wife Yvonne live just 10 minutes from Eisenhower Medical Center. The 70-year-olds both enjoyed a very healthy life, played golf and tennis, and rarely had the need for a hospital visit. Then last July, things changed. "I was mentioning to Yvonne just the other day, I wonder how many people in the Coachella Valley realize what a great health care facility they have here. Living so close, we didn't think anything about it. Now, when I drive by, it is almost like I want to say thank you."
Kentucky natives Bert and Yvonne first came to Palm Springs in 1983 when Bert, then an optometrist, was attending a business conference in San Francisco. Many rainy days there sent them searching for sunshine. Bert suggested a quick flight to the desert. A reluctant Yvonne agreed. They spent three days in Palm Springs and were hooked. So enamored were they with the area, a few years later the Holbrooks purchased a condominium in the area so they could spend more time enjoying the Palm Springs lifestyle.
Bert and Yvonne went on with life in Kentucky, making frequent jaunts to Palm Springs for rest and relaxation. Bert was extremely busy with six optometric practices and had no immediate plans for retirement. However, in the mid-1990s he was offered a buyout that changed his mind. "It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and I knew that I should accept their offer. I ran the practices for two years from Palm Springs until I officially retired in 1997." Bert and Yvonne became full-time desert dwellers in Rancho Mirage.
A few years of peaceful desert living would be dramatically altered by loss and health concerns. Soon after the death of Bert's mother, his father's health began failing. "I started having to fly back to Kentucky fairly often to check on my dad. The strange thing was, I had scheduled a colonoscopy three different times at Eisenhower Medical Center and almost every time the appointment came up, word would come from home that dad was ill, and I'd have to fly back." Dutifully, Bert once again went home to make sure his father was okay, neglecting his own health in the process. "I knew something wasn't quite right, and when it happened the fourth time, I told Yvonne we just need to schedule the test in Kentucky. I couldn't put it off any longer."
Bert went in for his colonoscopy procedure under sedation.When he woke up, Yvonne came in and informed Bert that his father had just passed away. Within 30 minutes, the physician delivered the results of Bert's test. They were positive. He had rectal cancer and the tumor was large. "I'll never forget that time — the shock of dad and the cancer. I was really at a loss."
Once back home, Bert consulted a friend whose wife had battled cancer for a recommendation of a physician. He recommended Eisenhower's Douglas Jodoin, MD. "Dr. Jodoin started everything going. He set up all the appointments that I needed with my surgeon, oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. Having been through so much already, it was such a relief to have all this organized for us. It took so much stress off of us." "The blessings I feel that Yvonne and I have had in our lives have become so much more vivid."
Dr. Jodoin assembled the Eisenhower Medical Center team of Michael Last, MD, Luke Dreisbach, MD and Monica Khanna, MD. A pleasant surprise for Bert was that Dr. Last, Section Chief of General Surgery for Eisenhower Medical Center, thought the surgery could be done laparoscopically, avoiding an open surgical procedure and speeding his recovery time, and he could have a muscle-saving operation to preserve intestinal functions — options unavailable to Bert in Kentucky. There he had been told the procedure would include major abdominal surgery with a large incision, which entails longer recovery time, and a colostomy [a surgical opening from the colon to the abdominal wall] for the rest of his life. A shorter hospital stay and an ability to return to normal activities within a few weeks offered Bert some good news in the midst of an emotionally and physically exhausting time. "Bert's tumor was in the mid portion of the rectum, the last six inches of the gastrointestinal tract," says Michael Last, MD. "There isn't a lot of room to operate in that area and in men, the pelvis is smaller, which makes the surgery even more difficult. But I felt confident we could perform the operation without a permanent surgical opening."
The surgery removed the left colon and all but two inches of Bert's rectum, and for six weeks after surgery, he lived with an ileostomy, an opening from the the ileum (a part of the small intestine) to the abdominal wall. "That introduced me to a different world, and needless to say, I am grateful that at this point I will not need to go that route," says Bert. "However, in that time I read a lot of information provided to me by Eisenhower Medical Center about people who go through life with ileostomies and colostomies and how they enjoy a full and productive life. That was one good thing that came out of that experience. So I thought if it did come down to it, I could live a good life either way."
Following surgery, Bert began the slow and difficult process of trying to regulate his bowels to some state of normalcy. "It was a challenge. Dr. Last said it would be three to six months before I would know the outcome and told me to be patient and give it time. I've done that, and Dr. Last was correct. I'm so much better now than I was only a month ago. I'll never be able to thank Dr. Last enough."
Bert recently completed his final 12-week round of chemotherapy. He remembers a time not long ago, when his doctors told him to take one day at a time, and get the best out of each day. Bert's gratitude for life takes him outside to the desert vistas he calls home. "I love gardening," Bert reflects. "I'd rather dig in the dirt these days. I love the flowers and seeing things grow.…I'm just so thankful to be at this stage. I can only tell you how much more appreciative I am of what I see each day. The blessings I feel that Yvonne and I have had in our lives have become so much more vivid.We have been married for 50 years, and her support through this has meant so much to me. Eisenhower is an incredible facility with state-of-the-art treatment. Yvonne and I are so grateful to everyone at Eisenhower for their guidance through this journey. To each of them, we say thank you and God bless you from the bottom of our hearts. To be at this point, compared to last July where there was a feeling that you might be going through each day or month for the last time, it's humbling to say the least. It has affected me in so many ways."
Photos by Andreas Koessler


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"Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker takes her twin daughters Marion and Tabitha to school on April 10, 2012 in New York City, NY. The girls were both clutching new stuffed animals, perhaps gifts from the Easter Bunny?
Babyrazzi.com is a website that focuses on the entertainment and lifestyle needs of today's family.Babyrazzi offers work-safe and family-friendly insight into the latest celebrity gossip, paparazzi photos, and up-to-the minute pop culture news with a targeted focus on celebrity babies, pregnancies, and all things family and relationships. We also offer product review and important product recall information. The INO blog family includes Babyrazzi.com, ImNotObsessed.com, and LadyandtheBlog.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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One 22-month-old girl will be the envy of the neighborhood when she shows up on doorsteps for trick-or-treating this year.
A California man made his daughter an LED-powered costume designed to make the toddler look like a little glow-in-the-dark stick figure. A YouTube video posted on Tuesday that shows the giggling girl running around in the dark with the light suit has amassed nearly four million views in the last two days.
The dad, who goes by the YouTube user name Visual Burrito, wrote in the description that he will make a tutorial to show other parents how to make their little ones glow in the dark.
Check out the video below for 22 seconds of cuteness:


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Shuffle the cards together and cut the deck. Play begins with the first player trying to guess the color of the next card to be drawn. If they get it right they don't drink. If they get it wrong they drink.
Each card represents a drink type:
- 9 is beer
- 10, J, Q, K are one of the liquors
You drink a shot of the drink which the card represents when you guess wrong. So if you drew a Jack and guessed wrong you would drink a shot of whatever liquor was represented by a Jack.
During the game if you draw an ace, no matter whether you predict the correct color or not, you have to take a shot of every drink.
It will get you hammered.


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-- Robert Preidt
TUESDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Some strains of the new
H7N9 bird flu virus that appeared in China this year are resistant
to antiviral drugs, and tests can fail to identify that resistance,
which could help accelerate their spread, a new study finds.
"We'd better get some vaccine seed stocks up and ready. The antiviral option for controlling H7N9 isn't too good," said study corresponding author Robert Webster, of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Researchers analyzed viruses taken from the first person known
to have H7N9 infection and found that 35 percent of them were
resistant to Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), which
are antiviral drugs used to treat H7N9 infections.
However, lab testing of the viruses failed to detect the strains
that were resistant, so using lab tests to monitor the development
of resistance in H7N9 would be useless, according to the authors of
the study, published July 16 in the online journal
Resistant strains of H7N9 can flourish in patients treated with
oseltamivir or zanamivir, inadvertently leading to the spread of
resistant infections, explained Webster.
"If H7N9 does acquire human-to-human transmissibility, what do we have to treat it with until we have a vaccine? Oseltamivir. We would be in big trouble," he said in a journal news release.
H7N9 first appeared in China in early 2013, in some cases
infecting people who had been in contact with poultry or had been
in places where poultry are housed. The virus has since been
detected in poultry at live markets near where human infections
have been reported. As of July 12, the number of H7N9 infections
was 132 and the number of deaths 43.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Infection has more
about the
H7N9 virus.
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services. All rights reserved.


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By Hayden Wright
It's hard for Millennials to catch a break in the media—much has been written about how suspicious, dismissive and critical other generations have been of the post-Gen-X boom. Plenty of older folks have written about why their suspicions, dismissals and criticisms are fully justified.
Related: Lin-Manuel Miranda Tells Hamilton Story on 'Drunk History'
Whether Millennials are a hopeless, screen-addicted, disengaged generation or the most creative and dynamic people you'll ever meet is in the eye of the beholder. Fortunately for us all, Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton has written a brief musical about it and brought Dwayne Johnson aboard.
The 14-minute musical made its debut on The Rock's YouTube page and captures the struggles, foibles, fashion and adorable tendencies of Millennials. It smartly balances fascination with gentle ribbing. It invokes start-ups, Facebook statuses, and other phenomenons of negotiating life as a young person in 2016. "Who needs a phonebook—it's a waste of time!"
"Lin and I had so much fun making Moana that we decided to make a musical," Johnson explains in a featurette. The genesis story is just as charming as the production itself.
Watch the the eclectic, satirical look at the Millennial generation here:
And here's a behind-the-scenes look at how it all happened:


text: Jan26 But that was a long time ago…. Posted on January 26, 2012 by documama But that was a long time ago…. Photo by Bob Packert share this: Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share on google plus Share on Linkedin Pin it on pinterest share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post Print for later Bookmark in Browser Tell a friend Share this:TwitterFacebookGoogleLinkedInTumblr


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Tea Partier Sorry for Racist Obama Email
Orange County, California Tea Party Patriot™ Marilyn Davenport, who last week found herself in hot water after forwarding a picture of President Obama's face superimposed on the body of a chimp in an email to friends, has felt the GOP arm-twisting and decided to apologize:
"To my fellow Americans and to everyone else who has seen this email I forwarded and was offended by my action, I humbly apologize and ask for your forgiveness of my unwise behavior. I say unwise because at the time I received and forwarded the email, I didn't stop to think about the historic implications and other examples of how this could be offensive."
Apparently the "I have friends who are black" card wasn't enough for state GOP honchos.


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Had my first longer than normal ride today. I went from home in Woodinville, near Seattle and over HWY 2 to Leavenworth. Steven's pass was a bit cloudy and foggy, and about 40 degrees at the top. I had the heated grips and seat running. I didn't think I'd need the lower half insulation, but proved I was glad I had it with me. I made it to Leavenworth about 10AM. Had a coffee, and then headed on to Winthrop. The weather on the east side of the mountains was nice, but not too warm for this time of year. The warmest I noted was 72 degrees. As I turned up the valley at Pateros, it began to cloud up again. However the ride up the river towards Winthrop was beautiful. I fueled up in Winthrop at slightly over 220 on the odometer, and also ate a hotdog.
What can I say that hasn't been said about HWY 20, it's stunning. The top of the pass was 43 degrees and cloudy, but all senses were loving it. There was very little traffic and my bike and I took full advantage I got home about 5:30 after 400 miles and I really wanted to keep on going. However, family and kids await. What a great way to take a day off! My bike clicked over 2000 miles total today.


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Graveside services for Oraly Francis "Bud" Muzzy a longtime resident of Dolores will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 27, at Cortez Cemetery.
Bud was born May 27, 1928, in Lamar, Colo., the son of Elbert and Winifred Ethel (MacMaine) Muzzy. He passed away at Vista Grande Inn on Friday, June 20, 2014. Bud was 86 years old.
On Jan. 8, 1948, Bud marred Ethel Mae Smith in Aztec, N.M. This marriage was blessed by eight children, Wesley, Janet, Craig, Susan, Brandee, Aaron, Beverly and Danny. Bud was a logger by trade, a trade that he passed on to several of his children.
Surviving Bud are his children, Wesley Muzzy of Heber, Ariz., Janet Glenn and husband, Danny of Cortez, Craig Muzzy and wife, Laura of Cortez, Susan Sanders of Cortez, and Brandee Muzzy-Perry and husband, Allan of Cortez; and by 18 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren.
Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Ethel Mae Muzzy; two sons, Aaron Muzzy and Danny Muzzy; his daughter, Beverly Muzzy Hughes; a son-in-law, John Sanders; and his siblings, Bert Muzzy, Fred Muzzy and Mary Fowler.
Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home.
For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.


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Regular price: $46.77
The hidden history of Wall Street and the White House comes down to a single, powerful, quintessentially American concept: confidence. Both centers of power, tapping brazen innovations over the past three decades, learned how to manufacture it.
Until August 2007, when that confidence finally began to crumble.
In this gripping and brilliantly reported book, Ron Suskind tells the story of what happened next, as Wall Street struggled to save itself while a man with little experience and soaring rhetoric emerged from obscurity to usher in "a new era of responsibility". It is a story that follows the journey of Barack Obama, who rose as the country fell, and offers the first full portrait of his tumultuous presidency.
Wall Street found that straying from long-standing principles of transparency, accountability, and fair dealing opened a path to stunning profits. Obama's determination to reverse that trend was essential to his ascendance, especially when Wall Street collapsed during the fall of an election year and the two candidates could audition for the presidency by responding to a national crisis. But as he stood on the stage in Grant Park, a shudder went through Barack Obama. He would now have to command Washington, tame New York, and rescue the economy in the first real management job of his life.
The new president surrounded himself with a team of seasoned players - like Rahm Emanuel, Larry Summers, and Tim Geithner - who had served a different president in a different time. As the nation's crises deepened, Obama's deputies often ignored the president's decisions - "to protect him from himself" - while they fought to seize control of a rudderless White House. Bitter disputes - between men and women, policy and politics - ruled the day. The result was an administration that found itself overtaken by events as, year to year, Obama struggled to grow into the world's toughest job and, in desperation, take control of his own administration.
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Ron Suskind introduces readers to an ensemble cast, from the titans of high finance to a new generation of reformers, from petulant congressmen and acerbic lobbyists to a tight circle of White House advisers - and, ultimately, to the president himself, as you've never before seen him. Based on hundreds of interviews and filled with piercing insights and startling disclosures, Confidence Men brings into focus the collusion and conflict between the nation's two capitals - New York and Washington, one of private gain, the other of public purpose - in defining confidence and, thereby, charting America's future.
The narrator sounds like he should be narrating a detective story or The Twilight Zone. That actually is kind of nice, but he neglected to learn how to pronounce key terms such as "tranche" and AXA and keeps confusing "CDSs" [as in credit default swaps--complex and risky derivative insturments] for CDs [as in either certificates of deposit or the things music and/or data are recorded on].
The story is interesting, though not novel.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I do not like James Lurie's narration. He reads as though this is a dark mystery and in addition he was putting me to sleep. This is one that is better read than listened to in my opinion.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Ron Suskind (A Hope in the Unseen, The Way of the World, The Price of Loyalty, The One Percent Doctrine) has produced a wonderful new book titled Confidence Men. Suskin in this book relates how the Obama White House dealt with the economic crisis that overshadowed the administration when coming to office. This is one page turner of a story. Suskind is fair to Bush and critical of Bush when it is appropriate. He is critical of Obama and fair to the President when that is the right thing to do. Most of all, I appreciate his sympathetic tone toward the President. The narrative is unsettling and disconcerting, but Obama comes across as a well meaning if someone inept leader. Wait! This book isn't a bash job on Obama nor is it an apology for him. Suskind just reports what he found. Every tax payer would do well to read this volume to understand how the decision making process came down during that era. It is – well – scary. Based upon hundreds of hours of interviews with over 200 people, this book is well worth the reader's time. Read it and make your own decision. The reading of James Lurie is very good.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After starting this book in hard cover I was delighted to find an audible.com version of it. Unfortunately, although the book is interesting and worth reading, the performance is so horrible that you start to hate the book. I did not think someone could be so dull in their reading of interesting event in our history but this audio version proves me wrong. I almost fell asleep listening to it in the car today. If I had insomnia, this performance would be a great cure but it is not a way to get the content of this otherwise important book.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the best book I have read on the subject of what went on behind the scenes during the first two years of Obama's presidency, what happened with healthcare, the economy and why his popularity flagged. The narration by James Lurie is just superb, I have listened to it four times and always hear something new. It is very informative and entertaining.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a no apologies approach to descriptions of how the administration dealt with the economy when it became clear it would dominate the first few years of the Obama presidency. Obama and his staff members are described, criticized, and praised. If you wonder why certain policy decisions went down the way they did, this will help you to understand.
Obama's economic IQ is low and he's a prideful person who would prefer not to show weakness...especially in front of his staff members. After all he is the President. Unfortunately, his staff didn't have the option of being able to defer the economic decision making until the POTUS had time to get up to speed. As Larry Summers put it to another senior staff member "you realize we're home alone here."
The economic team was poorly organized and suffered from personality conflicts. The roles were not well described, and that delayed policy decisions and made the whole process difficult. Obama sorely needed the skills and experience this team had to offer, but he lacked any real experience of how to lead and or manage these highly qualified specialists. Summers in particular seemed to cause the most friction. He was overbearing, unable to accept responsibility for error and seemed to project an aura of "too bright to fail." Basically, he didn't play well with others.
The banking negotiations were poorly handled. The government was long on leverage, and the bankers knew it. But the government surprised them by not asking for the obvious in return for the money. Same way with the Wall Street crowd. With all the complaining about compensation packages, you would think the Street would have to show some restraint. To the delight of the Street execs, the threat was leveled, but it was all for show. It just didn't have the teeth to stick.
Net net, the book describes how a team of very well intentioned, bright, hard working people try to solve very large, complex and important economic puzzles for the benefit of their country.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Would you listen to Confidence Men again? Why?
This is a book well worth your time. You'll see just how connected at the hip our banks, government and Wall Street really are. Ron Suskind is a Democrat and he writes with his Democrat perspective, but he is for the most part even handed. I think he may be a little kinder, more forgiving and definitely more understanding of these people than I am, but he is fair.
He seems to conclude that the man who ran for president (Barack Obama) just has not delivered. Because he had higher expectations and hopes for Obama in the begining--and more than I ever had--he probably had trouble bringing this book to light.
So, while I don't agree with all of Mr. Suskind's beliefs and premises regarding the size and role of government and philosophy of economics, I appreciate how much he has put before the American people in a good read.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What made the experience of listening to Confidence Men the most enjoyable?
You learn a lot about American Economy and financial matters.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Barack Obama
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
It is imposible to get this information at one sitting. It took me 2 weeks of intensive listenig. Run Suskind is an outstanding political writer. I learned a lot about economy and about the complexity of running this country. I lesten to most of Ron Suskind books ob Audible.com.
Any additional comments?
It was a long and extensive venture into politics and economy of our country
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This book gives plenty of insight into the Obama White House. I pray that he can develop the leadership wisdom to take better advantage of his advisors over the next two years.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What is so disturbing about this book is Suskind's assessment that Obama is no task master and lacks courage and conviction. Further, Obama should have read Sutton's "The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't " prior or forming his team - he would never hired Larry Summers.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful


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Last week while goofing off on twitter taking a break from working very very hard , I got into a conversation with my friend Elle over at Elle's New England Kitchen about the finer aspects of ice cream. (Like it tastes much better when eaten directly from the carton while standing in front of the […]
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WATERBURY, VT -- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has expanded its Café Escapes line of creamy cocoas, chai and mocha beverages for Keurig brewers with two new flavors.
Café Vanilla is described as delicately sweet and light and Café Caramel has a "buttery rich and silky smooth" flavor profile. All Café Escapes beverages are available in both Keurig K-Cups and Vue packs.
"As the busy winter season begins, our consumers are looking for simple ways to carve out a little time for themselves. Café Escapes beverages offer just that break," said T.J. Whalen, vice-president of marketing and sales for Green Mountain's specialty coffee business unit.
To celebrate the new flavors and kick off the brand's new "Anytime Indulgence" graphics, consumers are invited to visit the Café Escapes Facebook page and enter a sweepstakes by sharing a photo of their favorite time of day to indulge. From now through January 9, all consumers who enter will have a chance to win one of 60 indulgent-themed daily prize packs and one of six spa getaway grand prize trips to San Diego or Atlanta.
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Dr. Grace Sun is a world-renowned cosmetic dentist and artistic dental ceramist. She graduated from USC Dental School in 1981 and opened her dental practice two years later with an eagerness to help people. Thirty years later, her pace is just as strong.
Named America's Top Dentist from 2005 – 2012 by her peers in dentistry, Dr. Sun offers a full range of cosmetic dentistry services. They include porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, dental implants, orthodontics, gum contouring, laser dentistry and complete smile makeovers.
We're close to Brentwood at 462 N Doheny Dr. Call us today for your complimentary consultation at 310-274-4200, or click here to email us.
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Dear Members,
Kamanita/Vasitthi happy ever after in NIRVANA LAND...but poor Yawares is still a prisoner in DISNEYLAND!!!
Kamanita And Vasitthi
[By KARL GJELLERUP]
The New Brahma
But when it began to grow almost black, the new
Brahmā flashed into existence, the Hundred‐thousandfold
Brahmā, who illumines and preserves a hundred thousand
And the Brahmā sent forth a joyous summons to
"Sandhyas! Sandhyas! Sandhyas! "
"Wake up, all you beings! All you who have rested
throughout the whole of creationʹs night in the lap of
nothingness! Here, to me! Form the new Brahmā universe;
enjoy the new world day, each one in your place, each
one according to your strength!"
And the beings and the worlds sprang forth from
the darkness of the void, star by star, and the jubilant
shouts of a hundred thousand voices and the sound like
a hundred thousand drums and conch‐horns rang in the
"Hail! The Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā who
calls us to the new universe and the new day! Hail to us
who are called to share the new day with Him, and to
reflect His divine glory in bliss!"
When Kāmanīta saw and heard all this he was
filled with deep compassion.
"These beings and these worlds, these stellar gods,
and the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā himself shout for
joy to welcome the universal day — rejoicing in their own
existence. And why? Because they do not understand it."
And this compassion of his for the world, for the
gods, and for the Supreme God, vanquished in Kamanita
the last remnant of his conceit and self‐concern.
But he now considered:
"During this new day also, perfect Buddhas are
certain to appear who will declare the Ultimate Truth. And
when these deities I see around me now, hear about the
possibility of their liberation and remember that in the
earliest dawn of the universal day they saw a being who
went away, out of the universe, then that memory will be
to their advantage. They will say to themselves — 'Already
one from our midst — one who was a part of ourselves —
has preceded us on that road,' and that will aid their
enlightenment. So I shall help all in helping myself. For in
truth no‐one can help themselves without helping all."
Very soon, some of the stellar gods began to notice
that there was one amongst them who did not shine ever
brighter like the others, but who, on the contrary, steadily
diminished in brilliance.
And they called to him:
"Ho, there, brother! Turn your gaze upon the Great
Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā, that way you will recover
your brilliance and shine like us. For you also, brother, are
called to the bliss of reflecting the glory of the Supreme
When the gods called to him thus, Kāmanīta
neither looked nor listened. And the gods who saw him
grow ever paler were greatly troubled about him. And
they appealed to Mahā‐Brahmā.
"Great Brahmā, Our Light and Preserver, look
upon this poor being who is too weak to shine as we do,
whose brilliance continually decreases and does not
increase! Oh, give him your blessèd attention, illumine
him, revive him! For surely you have also
called him to reflect your divine glory in bliss."
And the Great Brahmā, full of tenderness for all
beings, turned his attention to Kāmanīta to refresh and
strengthen him. But Kāmanīta's light, nevertheless, de‐
creased visibly.
Then the Great Brahmā was more grieved that this
one being would not allow himself to be illumined by him
and did not reflect his glory, than he was glad that a
hundred thousand sunned themselves in his light and
hailed him with shouts of joy. And he withdrew a large
part of his divinely illuminating power from the universe
— power sufficient to set a thousand worlds on fire — and
he directed it on Kāmanīta.
But Kāmanīta's light continued to pale, as though
drawing nearer to complete disappearance.
Mahā‐Brahmā now became a prey to great anxiety.
"This one star withdraws from my influence — so
then I am not omnipotent. I do not know the way he is
going, so I am not omniscient. For he is not expiring as do
the beings who expire in death, to be reborn each accor‐
ding to their actions; not as the worlds go out in the brahmā
night, only to shine forth again. What light illumines his
way, seeing that he disdains mine? Is there then another
light more radiant than mine? And a road which leads in
the opposite direction to mine — a road to untraversed
lands? Shall I myself, perhaps, ever take that road — that
path to the untraversed land?"
And now the minds of the stellar gods also became
filled with great anxiety, great trouble.
"This one withdraws from the power of the Great
Brahmā — so then, is the Great Brahmā not omnipotent?
What light can be lighting his way, seeing that he disdains
that of the Great Brahmā? Is there then another light more
splendid than that which we so blissfully reflect? And a
road that leads in the opposite direction to ours — a road
to an untraversed land? Shall we, perhaps, ever take that
road — the road to the untraversed land?
Then the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā pondered
— "My mind is made up. I shall re‐absorb my illuminating
power, now diffused throughout space, and shall plunge
all these worlds again into the darkness of the brahmā
night. And when I have gathered my light into a single ray
I shall turn it upon that one being in order to rescue him
for this my brahmā world."
And the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā now re‐
absorbed all the illuminating power which he had diffused
throughout space, so that the worlds sank again into the
darkness of the Brahmā night. And gathering his light into
a single ray, he directed it on Kāmanīta.
"Henceforward there must shine at this point," he
willed, "the most radiant star in all my brahmā world."
Then the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā drew
back into himself that ray which had illuminating power
great enough to set a hundred thousand worlds on fire,
and again unleashed his blazing light throughout the
whole of space.
At the point, however, where he had hoped to see
the most radiant of all the stars, only a little, slowly fading
spark was to be seen.
And while in immeasurable space, worlds upon
worlds flashed and shouted as they pressed forward once
again into the new brahmā day, the pilgrim Kāmanīta went
out — out of the sphere of knowledge of gods and humans.
Out, quite as the light of a lamp goes out when it has
consumed the last drop of oil in its wick.
Kāmanīta's pilgrimage was complete.
Thank you so very much for reading my (teenagehood )favorite love story! I know that many of you already got THE PILGRIM KAMANITA book link from Bhikkhu Gavesako..which is a complete story..not edited like mine.
Kamanita 30 : Kamanita/Vasitthi In Nirvana Land
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Don John pounding from the slaughter-painted poop
Megadeth: Rust in Peace (original mix, please)
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.
Cock Sparrer : Shock Troops
In no order:
Quote from: Schultz on July 19, 2012, 12:10:30 PMMegadeth: Rust in Peace (original mix, please)YES! The remaster just completely fails to capture the soul of the original IMO.What do y'all metalheads think of the re-recorded version of "Bonded by Blood"?
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The governor announced his appointment Thursday of Dr. Tim Langford to the board that oversees the Arkansas State schools. Langford practices at Arkansas Urology in Little Rock and is a graduate of Arkansas State.
Langford played football for Arkansas State and was named an all-conference quarterback. He later went to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for medical training and eventually became the hospital's chief urology resident.
Langford had served on the Arkansas Coordinating Board of Higher Education, and he'll step down from that post to join the ASU board.
Langford's term expires Jan. 14, 2019.


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Is it possible to fall more in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Yes, it is! Before the handsome actor made hearts flutter in "500 Days of Summer" and "Inception," he was an adorably nerdy teen excited to play "Jeopardy!"
Well, it was a teen version of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" that pitted the "3rd Rock From the Sun" star against Kirsten Dunst and Benjamin Salisbury ("The Nanny").
[Related: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Returning to TV in Variety Show]
Called "Joey," the young actor got some clues right and some wrong. He incorrectly answered "Celine Dion" for this one: "Her self-titled debut album, which included the hit 'Vision of Love,' reached the top of the charts in 1990." (It's Mariah Carey.)
But for another clue, "Holden Caulfield, the hero of this Salinger novel, hates movies, phones, and his classmate Ernest Morrow," an excited Gordon-Levitt couldn't wait to answer.
"Ooh ooh," he said while host Alex Trebek read the clue. "What is 'Catcher in the Rye?' I'm so excited! That's my favorite book."
[Related: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Stops by 'Sesame Street' for Vocabulary Lesson]
Meanwhile, Dunst didn't fare well on the game show. To the clue "Of Venus, Mars, or Saturn, the planet whose mean distance from the sun is 67,230,000," she replied, "What is Pluto?" (It was multiple choice, Kiki!)
In fact, she didn't get on the board until the end of the first "Jeopardy!" round with her correct response to "This magician was still in high school when he taught a magic course at NYU in 1972." "What is … who is David Copperfield?" she offered. "Wow! Finally!"
[Related: Who's Replacing Alex Trebek on 'Jeopardy!'?]
But her success was short-lived; by the end of the second round, Dunst was at minus $700. Trebek brought her total up to $1,000 so she could play "Final Jeopardy!" All three kids got the last clue wrong, however. Both Gordon-Levitt and Dunst ended up with $0, so Salisbury won with $1. His charity for cystic fibrosis got $15,000. His opponents had to settle for just $10,000. (Watch the full episode here.)


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Jerry Hairston Linked to Matthews Probe
The Sports Illustrated web site SI.com reports that Rangers infielder Jerry Hairston has been linked to the same probe that included Gary Matthews Jr..
According to SI reporters Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim:
Authorities say that physicians writing bogus prescriptions are a vital component of this whole scheme. Without prescriptions, the compound pharmacies obviously would not be taking and filling orders. Already some doctors have caught the eye of investigators. A Queens, N.Y., doctor, Ana Maria Santi, is currently in an Albany County (N.Y.) jail, held without bail on charges of forgery and criminal diversion of prescription medicine, among others. Authorities say that Santi, with her medical license already suspended by the state, took the alias of Abdul Almarashi. She then allegedly signed thousands of prescriptions for internet patients from all over the country.
According to a law enforcement document we've reviewed, in May 2004, a doctor A. Almarashi of Queens prescribed Genotropin (human growth hormone) that was sent from Applied Pharmacy Services — the compound pharmacy raided in Mobile, Ala., last fall — to Rangers infielder Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Genotropin is the substance that was allegedly sent to Matthews via an unnamed "minor league teammate" in Mansfield, Texas, in August 2004. The shipment was from the same lab in Mobile, Alabama.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported today that Hairston angrily denied receiving the human growth hormone (HGH) from the lab. "I have never in my life – never – used steroids or illegal substances. I have never tested positive for anything. I know what goes into my body, and it's all legal. I've never used amphetamines. Nothing."
At the time, MLB did not test for HGH, nor does it now. MLB did not ban HGH use until 2005. HGH use is legal with a prescription, but the law also requires a doctor to do a proper exam before issuing the prescription.
Grant describes Hairston and Matthews as "close friends" who were teammates in Baltimore during 2002-2003.
The probe may lead back to former Orioles first baseman David Segui. Pitcher Jason Grimsley, who named fellow ballplayers when he cooperated with a federal probe last year, said he was referred to a doctor by Segui. Hairston and Matthews were also teammates with Segui during their time with the Orioles.
Segui told ESPN in July 2006 that he was the one who referred Grimsley in 2003 to a Florida doctor who would issue HGH under prescription.
Segui showed ESPN a prescription for HGH from 2003, and said he continues to take HGH today. Segui says that Grimsley told him this past offseason that he planned to take HGH to help his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his elbow. Segui said he suggested that Grimsley see a doctor and have his growth hormone level tested.
According to Matthews' 2004 bio on MLB.com, he "was slowed by a right calf injury in early Sept. and played just one of club's final 27 contests."
Assuming that Matthews suffered the injury in August 2004 and was trying to play through it, this suggests that he might have ordered Genotropin to hasten his recovery from the injury.
I've been doing some reading on-line about Genotropin and HGH in general. When not used for its intended purpose (i.e. stunted growth), the sentiment seems to be that it used mostly to reduce body fat and heal muscle injuries. In massive quantities, it might build increased mass but that wouldn't translate into being a better ballplayer. The best hitters have excellent hand-eye coordination and fast hands. The longer they can wait to watch a pitch, the more time they have to react to its movement. Hand-eye coordination helps hit the ball squarely and drive it.
So I really doubt that Matthews' anomalous 2006 season can be attributed to HGH.
This article is copyright © 2007 Wordsmith Resources and FutureAngels.com. It may not be used elsewhere without the prior expressed written permission of the author.


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Though Oklahoma's 2013 class was loaded at the wide receiver position there has been little doubt that receivers coach Jay Norvell has focused his attention on adding further depth to Oklahoma's core of receivers. With that in mind, Oklahoma recently offered Manvel, Texas three-star receiver Austin Bennett following a performance at the McMurry camp at Sugarland (Texas) Dulles.
NOTE: Make sure to expand the video by selecting the arrows in the lower right-hand corner for full high-definition resolution.
Video By: Eddie Radosevich
The former Arkansas commitment went to the Sooners satellite camp in the Houston area along with teammates Kyrion Parker and 2014 standout Koda Martin.
Earlier this spring Bennett was scheduled to go to Norman but made a late change and elected to visit Texas A&M after the hopes of but on Wednesday he made up for his prior absence and made his way to Norman for an unofficial visit.
During the visit Bennett committed to Norvell and the Oklahoma Sooners.
"Yes sir, (I committed)," Bennett said via Twitter.
Bennett, the nation's No. 61 receiver, and No. 59 player overall in the state of Texas, also held offers from not only the Razorbacks as well as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, SMU, TCU, Tulsa, and West Virginia.
And his head coach, Kirk Martin, couldn't be more excited about his decision for the future.
"Oklahoma is a special place. I am happy for Austin. He deserves it. He's a special kid that will do well there. Coach (Bob) Stoops has built a very family oriented staff much like our high school program. Some programs are in to productions but coach Stoops and his staff are very real down to earth people that take a workmanlike approach. I believe it will be a great fit for Austin," Martin said.
With the Rivals.com Convention currently taking place we'll catch up with a full video interview with Bennett very soon.


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Due to heavy rainfall over the last week, the Delaware River level as measured at Montague, New Jersey, is above 9.5 feet and is predicted to rise to over 10.6 feet by 8 a.m. Friday, or about four to five vertical feet higher than normal for this time of the year.
Due to the dangers of these flows, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Superintendent John J. Donahue has ordered that all individuals are required to wear a proper fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) in good and serviceable condition while on board any vessel on the waters of the Delaware River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This order will remain in effect until the river level recedes below 8 feet.
At higher levels, river conditions include large quantities of floating debris, very swift currents, decreased water temperature and increased hydraulic hazards in rapids and near bridge pilings, as well as increased hazards associated with downed trees and submerged obstacles near the shoreline.
It is highly recommended that only very experienced boaters using proper equipment consider a river trip during this period of high water.


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He was a graduate of Grace James High School and an army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the Clarksville Church of Christ, a Sunday school teacher and worked the audio sound equipment at the church. He was retired from Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department and formally worked for Clarksville Machine Works.
Survivors include his wife, Arelevia West Perry; sons, Joe Willie Perry Jr. and Anthony Erwin Perry; daughters, Sandra K. Perry, Edith Lynn Perry and Arlene D. Baker, all of Clarksville; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Friday, April 12, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Clarksville Church of Christ. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Hardwicke Funeral Home.


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US EPA issuing new Air Quality rules
The Environmental Protection Agency is introducing its most ambitious clean air rules in decades, though it is making some concessions to election-minded Republicans who oppose them.
The EPA, facing backlash from heavy industry, has delayed several of the rules and made adjustments in others. Some industry groups say the rules will cost companies billions of dollars and increase power bills for consumers.
The EPA says money saved on healthcare costs will be greater than the amount polluters will need to invest in retooling plants to meet the new standards.
So far, the major delay in the rules has been President Barack Obama's backtracking in September on smog pollution, which came as a disappointment to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.
Below are important dates for the clean air rules:
Finalized by the EPA in July, this rule aims to slash air pollution that blows downwind from coal-fired power plants in the eastern United States. Two days before it was to take effect, a U.S. federal appeals court delayed the implementation, pending further review, after power generators complained about the deadline. The first phase of regulation had been set to begin on January 1, 2012, and the second two years later.
The EPA and the Department of Transportation in December released a plan to double auto fuel efficiency to 54.5 mile per gallon by 2025. Regulators hope to finalize the proposal by summer following a 60-day comment period. The rules, which have rankled some Republicans in Congress, would start taking effect in 2017. Current standards require automakers to raise efficiency across their fleets from 27 mpg today to 35.4 mpg by 2016.
The EPA finalized rules aimed at slashing mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants in December.The U.S. Midwest power grid operator has said this is the air rule that would close the most coal-fired power plants.
Photo credit: R Greenway, ENN
Article continues: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/11/us-usa-epa-air-idUSTRE80A2FK20120111


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The Angels believe Gary Matthews Jr. can be the anchor of their outfield needs after signing the speedy center fielder to a five-year contract.
"I think he's figured it out," Manager Mike Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "Last year, he was consistent from both sides of the plate, his power played at home and on the road -- it wasn't just a Texas thing, playing in that park -- and being a premium defender, that's a priority for us. ... The bottom line is he'll be productive offensively and a difference-maker in center field."
The Angels made 122 errors last season, the highest total in the American League.
"When you have someone who plays at a high level defensively, it makes the guys around him better," Scioscia said, referring to Garret Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero.
"Gary's range will help G.A. and Vlad. He'll bring the whole outfield play to a higher level. And it makes us a lot better with Figgy being able to concentrate on one position."
Last year's center fielder, Chone Figgins, will become a full-time third baseman next season.
A homecoming for Williams: Pitcher Woody Williams grew up in Houston and always had a wish to play for his hometown team. A former "Astros Buddy," Williams' wish came true Friday when the veteran right-hander signed a two-year contract with the Astros.
With free agents Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens still undecided if they are playing next year, much less with the Astros, the Astros had a void in the starting rotation. Last season with the San Diego Padres, Williams was 12-5 with a 3.65 ERA. In 14 seasons, he is 124-101.
Williams played in high school at Cy-Fair and after attending Alvin Community College, Williams starred at the University of Houston and was an all-region shortstop. Williams has also had success in his career at Minute Maid Park, where he is 9-3 with a 4.42 ERA in 13 starts.
"I still can't believe it's happened," Williams told the Houston Chronicle at a news conference. "I've been a fan my whole life. I grew up in Houston. It's just something that I've always looked forward to but never dreamed it would happen. Now, here I am toward the end of my career, but the timing couldn't have been better."
Ramirez eyes a quick start: Through May of last year, Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez had just nine home runs. But he managed to finish the year with a whopping 38, 24 of which came after June 30.
With that as a backdrop to the 2007 season, Ramirez is looking forward to getting off to a much quicker start.
"Last year, if I had a good April and May, I would have hit 100 home runs," Ramirez told the Chicago Tribune.
It's the fast start, he says, that keys the entire season.
"You get a big monkey off your back if you do that," he said. "I'm looking forward to doing that."
Lee will bolster Astros' lineup: Needing a slugger to hit behind All-Star Lance Berkman, the Houston Astros fulfilled one of their offseason wishes by signing left fielder Carlos Lee to a six-year contract. The deal is the largest in Houston history.
Lee is a two-time All-Star and a career .286 hitter. Last season for Milwaukee and Texas he hit .300 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs.
"All I can say is, I won't disappoint you," Lee told the Houston Chronicle. "Let's go for the championship."
Lee has averaged more than 30 home runs and 100 RBIs over the last four seasons. His bat in the lineup should only benefit Berkman, who was often pitched around last season yet still finished third in voting for the Most Valuable Player.
"Well, most importantly, it gives you a bona fide run producer that can lend support to Lance," Astros catcher Brad Ausmus said.
Said general manager Tim Purpura: "As the last two seasons have gone, the offensive production hasn't been there for us. We actually scored more runs last (season) than we did the prior year. But obviously from a situational point of view, we didn't get done the things we needed to do. So to have somebody like Carlos in the middle of that lineup protecting Berkman was an absolute, No. 1 priority for us."
Estrada, Davis fill needs: The Milwaukee Brewers were looking for a good-hitting catcher, and the Arizona Diamondbacks needed help in their starting rotation. Both teams met their needs over the weekend.
The Brewers acquired Johnny Estrada from the Diamondbacks, along with pitchers Claudio Vargas and Greg Aquino for left-handed starter Doug Davis and Minor Leaguers Dana Eveland and David Krynzel.
Estrada hit .302 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs in 115 games last year for Arizona and will be the starting backstop for the Brewers in 2007.
"Catchers who hit .300 are hard to find," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We still like Damian (Miller), but he was hurt a lot the last two months. We control Estrada's contract for two more years (before free agency), which was important to us."
Melvin also said Estrada has a good arm and handles pitchers well. With Estrada and Miller in the fold, Melvin is happy with the club's catching situation heading into next season.
Davis became a mainstay in the Brewers rotation in late 2003 and has not missed a start since then. He has also surpassed 200 innings pitched in each of his three full seasons with the Brewers.
"His walks were a little up (last season)," general manager Josh Byrnes told the Arizona Republic, "but I think a lot of his stuff and his supporting statistics were indicators that nothing was terribly wrong."
Davis, 31, who throws a fastball, cutter, curveball and a changeup, is arbitration eligible for 2007 and could become a free agent after next season. Byrnes hopes to have talks with Davis about a possible contract extension.
"We'll talk to both of them (Davis and Livan Hernandez) about the possibility of a longer stay here, but we'll see," Byrnes said. "Spending over-market prices is probably not something we're in a hurry to do."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: All of what you have said has gives me hope too. I like Snyder's visual style so that doesn't worry me at all. My worries are about having a story that is intriguing and satisfying and well told. Having Nolan on board gives me hope that we will achieve a good and well told story.


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The Weather
We all complain about the weather. It is a great topic of conversation. Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather is part of what life is about. However, everything has its price. New research indicates that routine weather events such as rain and cooler-than-average days can add up to an annual economic impact of as much as $485 billion in the United States based on 2011 data. Rain, snow, and hot or cold temperatures can all have economic impacts. The study, led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), found that finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and every other sector of the economy is sensitive to changes in the weather. The impacts can be felt in every state.
Weather has often played a large and sometimes direct part in human history much less our daily lifes. Aside from climatic changes that have caused the gradual drift of populations (for example the desertification of the Middle East, and the formation of land bridges during glacial periods), extreme weather events have caused smaller scale population movements and intruded directly in historical events. One such event is the saving of Japan from invasion by the Mongol fleet of Kublai Khan by the Kamikaze winds in 1281. French claims to Florida came to an end in 1565 when a hurricane destroyed the French fleet, allowing Spain to conquer Fort Caroline. More recently, Hurricane Katrina redistributed over one million people from the central Gulf coast elsewhere across the United States.
This new study is the first to apply quantitative economic analysis to estimate the weather sensitivity of the entire U.S. economy. The research could help policymakers determine whether it is worthwhile to invest in enhanced forecasts and other strategies that could better protect economic activity from weather impacts.
The study concludes that the influence of routine weather variations on the economy is as much as 3.4 percent of U.S. gross domestic product.
The study, with co-authors from the University of Colorado Boulder, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Stratus Consulting, is being published in this month's issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
The study drew on 70 years of weather records through 2008 from across the contiguous United States. They focused on variations in temperature (heating-degree days and cooling-degree days that denote temperatures above or below 65 degrees), total precipitation, and deviation from average precipitation. They also studied economic indicators for major economic sectors over 24 years, the period for which detailed state-level data were available and consistent for major economic sectors.
They then conducted a regression analysis, a statistical technique for comparing multiple variables, to examine the impacts of weather on 11 nongovernmental sectors of the economy in every state. The team constructed a computer model in which other key variables—labor, capital, and energy—were held constant based on a five-year average.
The researchers produced an estimated range of $485 billion in potential economic impacts by applying their weather sensitivity findings of 3.4 percent to the 2008 U.S. gross domestic product of $14.4 trillion. As the economy grows, costs of weather variability can be expected to increase accordingly.
The results indicate that the mining and agriculture sectors are particularly sensitive. Routine variations in weather may take a toll on the mining economy of 14 percent each year, perhaps because of changing demand for oil, gas, and coal. Agriculture ranked second at 12 percent, conceivably because of the many crops that are affected by temperature and precipitation.
Other sensitive sectors include manufacturing (8 percent); finance, insurance, and retail (8 percent); and utilities (7 percent). In contrast, wholesale trade (2 percent); retail trade (2 percent); and services (3 percent) were found to be least sensitive.
The study also concluded that the economy of every state is sensitive to the weather. Although the state-level findings were more subject to error than national findings, the study indicated that New York was most sensitive (a 13.5 percent impact on the gross state product ) and Tennessee was least sensitive (2.5 percent).
For further information: https://www2.ucar.edu/news/4810/economic-cost-weather-may-total-485-billion-us
Photo: http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dweather%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dyfp-t-701&w=864&h=556&imgurl=www.torontoforecast.com%2Fimages%2Flightning3.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.torontoforecast.com%2FTorontorecords.html&size=134KB&name=Toronto+Weather+...&p=weather&oid=bbbce197a7405dc84e5c7e53f3636188&fr2=&no=13&tt=27000000&sigr=11ij9ogjj&sigi=11dhqudpe&sigb=12loji7dv&.crumb=dGw/HuVZoqC


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In This edition of the Wiki News Digest:
The New Name Poll - results of last poll
The plebiscite for new names for the wiki has now closed with the following results:
Vault 13 Wiki
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 1
Neutral votes: 0
Fallout Wiki
Votes in favor: 4
Votes against: 6
Neutral votes: 13
Post Apocolyptia
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 14
Neutral votes: 4
Fallout Universe
Votes in favor: 12
Votes against: 11
Neutral votes: 2
Vault Dwellers Survival Guide
Votes in favor: 7
Votes against: 9
Neutral votes: 5
The Wastelands
Votes in favor: 1
Votes against: 16
Neutral votes: 1
Votes in favor: 8
Votes against: 10
Neutral votes: 7
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 14
Neutral votes: 0
Fallout Library
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 6
Neutral votes: 3
Fallout Encyclopedia
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 9
Neutral votes: 6
Votes in favor: 14
Votes against: 6
Neutral votes: 3
Vault Zero
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 2
Neutral votes: 0
Vault Control
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 1
Neutral votes: 1
Vault Archives
Votes in favor: 0
Votes against: 1
Neutral votes: 1
As the 3 most popular options "Fallout Universe", "Geckipedia", and "Nukapedia" move on to the next round. As the de-facto name of this wiki since the temporary name change vote, possibly the "least objectionable" and as the name Wikia uses to market the wiki anyway, Fallout Wiki has also proceeded to the next stage. Head Here if you want to see more on the vote.
The New Name Poll - the new poll
Now we come down to decision time. There's a new poll for the name change, the first question authorizing the Admin Team to take action to secure a name change, and the second a single choice poll on your preferred option. The page itself explains the process, but this time around you can only choose one name, and one name only.
The Name Change poll, Part Deux
Exchanging content with The Vault
In regard to the new name poll, we'd also like to direct your attention to the forum thread Exchanging content with The Vault, where you can have your say about The Vault using our content and vice versa. The Vault has a similar thread running.
New Logo Ideas Requested
Now we're getting into the serious end of changing the name, its time to start coming up with new logos! We're accepting suggestions in the New Poll thread - create one for your favorite option, who knows it might convince someone else to vote for it!
The Name Change poll, Part 2 (again).
Proposal For New Wiki News Digest Logo
As I mentioned in the last digest, I'm looking to change the icon for the digests as I'm unclear about its ownership and think its a good idea in line with all the changes to look at a new one. I've had two suggestions (well one of them was mine) so far. Long way from a vote, but for the arty among you I'm kinda hoping someone will "fix" my idea, as well as come up with another of your own. Please check out this thread to submit your ideas for Vault Boys for the Wiki Digest
From the Rumour Mill
There is a rumour going around that someone has managed to fix up one of the old RobCo poll-bots that have been broken since the split. More news as it breaks.
Bethesda v Interplay
Okay, I know its not really a Wiki News Digest item, but just for those of you who are wondering what's going on... So am I. No news as of yet as to whats happened in court, or the verdict - the only thing we know for certain at this stage is that the trial did indeed start. However stay tuned as on the 23rd Interplay is supposed to make its long delayed earnings guidance: will they risk the SECs ire and delay again, or will they report something interesting, and just how much money do they have now? Find out soon.
Interplay shares have been trading higher this week, often closing at around 10 cents a share, rather than their usual 5 cents or so.
Relics Of The War That Wasn't
Today's relic of the war that wasn't really isn't a relic of the war at all, but he is the whole reason we're all probably here! There was a Turtle by the name of Bert, and Bert the turtle was very alert - well, you probably already know the rest, but if you don't here he is for you now:
Good ol' Bert has been the subject of ridducle on South Park, as well as the inspiration for the name of one of the oldest fallout sites in existence (Duck and Cover of course!). Wikipedia has more for those of you interested in Bert's impact...
Please leave me some suggestions for more relics of the war that wasn't - on my talk page please!
Late Breaking Edit - Moderator Poll
Because I know you all can't get too tired of executing your democratic responsibilities, TwoBearsHighFiving has applied to become a moderator Vote here
Your next Wiki News Digest: is likely to be published at close of polls on Jan 1.
Agent c 02:06, December 19, 2011 (UTC)


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By Hayden Wright
From her close friendship with Drake to her appearance in Beyoncé's Lemonade, Serena Williams and music royalty go together like peanut butter and jelly. Beyoncé deemed us all ready for that jelly when she got Serena to twerk during the "Sorry" movement of her visual album. Now Self has blessed us with an instructional video from one of the greatest female athletes in history.
Related: Adele Surprised Herself by Accidentally Twerking
Williams breaks down the "warm-up," the "transitioner," the "basic shake," the "wind," and finally—the twerk. The tennis great has worked hard to get to the top of her game, but her twerking how-to is 60 seconds of effortless excellence. It's like watching Ina Garten cook a roast chicken or Jane Fonda do a set of leg lifts—just so impossibly simple and masterful that you can't look away.
"Everyone does twerking. "Everyone at some point should do a twerk," she insists. Slay, Serena.


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Environmental groups took aim Wednesday at Plant Vogtle's demand for cooling water and reiterated displeasure over Georgia's response to a 2011 fish kill on the Ogeechee River.
The issues were among the Georgia Water Coalition's annual "Dirty Dozen" list highlighting what its 175-member organizations believe are the worst offenses to Georgia's water.
The Ogeechee River fish kill, which claimed 38,000 fish, has pitted environmental groups against Georgia's Environmental Protection Division over claims that the state agency has been too lax in its handling of a consent order with King America Finishing, a Screven County industry found to be discharging wastewater into the river in violation of its permit.
"This list not only highlights some of the most egregious water pollution problems in our state, but also calls attention to state policies that harm our rivers and waste our tax dollars," said April Ingle, the executive director at Georgia River Network. "The sites on this list are examples of Georgia's failures to protect our water, our fish and wildlife, and our communities."
Also on the list is Plant Vogtle, where the addition of two nuclear reactors will increase Southern Co.'s use of cooling water from the Savannah River.
The issue of water use was evaluated in 2008, when the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board agreed with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy's assertion that the impact of water use needed more study.
Vogtle's two existing reactors withdraw an average of 69 million gallons a day of river water, of which about 43 million gallons a day is dispersed as steam, meaning that only about one-third of the withdrawal is returned to the river.
The new reactors, scheduled to begin operation in 2016 and 2017, would require from 53.6 million gallons daily during normal use up to as much as 83.2 million gallons a day at maximum use, with 50 to 75 percent of that volume potentially dispersed as steam.
Southern Nuclear countered that the new reactors would increase water use from 1 percent of the river's average annual flow to about 2 percent and would not create a significant impact.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ultimately agreed, affirming the site's final permit earlier this year.
Sara Barczak, the high-risk energy choices program director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said the concerns over Vogtle's water use include failure to evaluate water needs during droughts, which have become more frequent, and the impact of additional withdrawals on other users.
"The Savannah is a very stressed river already," she said.
The coalition's list highlighted other issues across the state, including the depletion of the Hazardous Waste Trust Fund, opposition to a proposed $95 million reservoir in Hall County and the $300 million Governor's Water Supply Program, for which money spent so far has been allocated to "reservoir projects of dubious need and to businesses and individuals that were supporters of Gov. Nathan Deal's gubernatorial campaign."


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Play Our Which Girl's Name Is More Popular? Game!
Play Our Which Girl's Name Is More Popular? Game!
While a name lasts a lifetime, this game goes fast if you can't decipher which moniker is more popular. Luckily, you can play as many times as you please. Based on the Social Security Administration's list of the most popular baby names that come from card applications each year, these names were in the latest release.
Try your hand at theTop 100 Girl Names for 2006 by playing this fun game that pits the names against one another.
How does it work? Each time you select the name with the higher "popularity" score based on readers' votes, you get points!
From now until midnight on Feb. 29, play any of our Faceoff games for a chance to win a Nintendo Wii! Your number of entries is based on your daily high score across every Faceoff game that you play, and the winners will be chosen randomly from there; official rules here. So don't delay — decide Which Girl's Name Is More Popular?


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Grab your camera and hit the water because we want to see you be a Trashy Diver!
The Roddenberry Dive Team in partnership with the NAUI Green Diver Initiative, and sponsored by TUSA, Blue Steel Scuba, and Tektite, present the Annual Trashy Diver Contest! We are challenging all outdoor enthusiasts, scuba divers, beach combers and water lovers alike to collect trash from any aquatic environment, above or below the water, and photograph the results. You could win one of our great monthly prizes or amazing Grand Prizes!
Congratulations to our September winners!
"Most Amount of Trash" photo submitted by Alfred Alo from the Philippines
"Most Unique Piece" of Trash photo submitted by Patrick Geers from Curacao
How can you win? It's easy!
Click here for more information and to view the Trashy Diver Contest webpage!


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Sorry it took so long to post this! Well we I was at school and my parents came and got me from school around 12pm and we went home. I got a shower so I would feel refreshed for the trip. We drove down to Florida for about 5 hrs! Then we checked into the Wilderness Lodge. Then we decided to go to Chip and Dales Campfire Thingy. It was really fun. Then it was like 50 degrees really cold don't ask me why but me and my sister decided to go swimming in the pool and we froze our butts off! But then we got in the hot tub so we were warm. Then we didn't bring any towels with us so we had to put on clothes and they were wet. Then we went and explored a little bit but not much. We were really tired and pulled open the sheets and we saw a dead bug it was tiny though and we called to get sheets. It was really funny because I called the front desk to see what was taking so long and I didn't know what to say so I just said when are our sheets getting here and my family just busted out laughing. My mom took over! Then it was soooo awesome because we heard popping outside and the fireworks were going off!!! You know the knew show Wishes! We could see it and hear it from our balcony!!!! After the fireworks we went to sleep ecause we were getting up to go to Magic Kingdom the next morning. We got up and rod ethe boat over to MK and we got there. Then mom realized she had not bought tickets for me and dad adn her. My sis has a annual pass. So me and dad waited while my mom and sis hoped on the monerail back to the T&T center. They did that and we went into the park and decided to hit Tomorrow land and work our way around. Then we did some shopping. We went home and got ready for Mickey Very Merry Chrismtas Party! IT was soooo fun we got like 20 cookies and 10 hot chocolats! WE go the family photo and we watched the parade! We did all the Christmas stuff we even did the Belles Storytime and the guy who played the beast had his fly unzipped it was hillariuous! Oh I forgot!!!! We were there when Wayne Brady was!! It was sooo cool but I wanted to see Clay Aiken sooooooooooooooooooo bad! I love Clay!Hes really hot! lol. But anyways we had a lot of fun. Then we went to the hotel and I went to sleep then we got up and it was MGM time!!!!! We did everything but it was sooo cold! I was freezing to death I wish we would have brought more clothes! I mean we brought a lot of winter clothes and big coats. But we just didn't bring them! Then I burnt my tongue on hot chocolat but I rode the tower and all was well. LOL. Then my mom went shopping for some of our christmas presents. And we left after doing everything. Then my sis decided to go to Epcot and my dad decided to go to sleep in the room and my mom went off to the lobby to sit there and stare at the tree. I went exploring. I even went onto the 7th floor and I wasn't supposed to :twisted: . It was pretty cool. Then I just look at all the floors shops resturants then I decided to go back to the hotel room. Then we all came in and went to sleep. THen went home but it was a very good trip!
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Candace's Christmas Trip
Posted 09 February 2004 - 07:27 PM
Posted 10 February 2004 - 12:53 AM
TheTowerOfTerrorRules said:
Then it was like 50 degrees really cold don't ask me why but me and my sister decided to go swimming in the pool and we froze our butts off!
I've done that before.
Posted 10 February 2004 - 11:55 AM
TheTowerOfTerrorRules said:
Then I burnt my tongue on hot chocolat but I rode the tower and all was well. LOL.
Tower heals all pain :razz:
Thanks for posting your TR!
Share this topic:
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'When China met Africa', a new documentary film produced by Marc Francis & Nick Francis and Miriana Bojic Walter, tells the story of China's entrance into Zambia and the cultural and business relationships surrounding:
A historic gathering of over 50 African heads of state in Beijing reverberates in Zambia where the lives of three characters unfold. Mr Liu is one of thousands of Chinese entrepreneurs who have settled across the continent in search of new opportunities. He has just bought his fourth farm and business is booming.
In northern Zambia, Mr Li, a project manager for a multinational Chinese company is upgrading Zambia's longest road. Pressure to complete the road on time intensifies when funds from the Zambian government start running out.
Meanwhile Zambia's Trade Minister is on route to China to secure millions of dollars of investment.
Through the intimate portrayal of these characters, the expanding footprint of a rising global power is laid bare – pointing to a radically different future, not just for Africa, but also for the world.
Watch the trailer below:Tweet


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Fox News Has Been Ruined By Cooties
Fox News' Alisyn Camerota screwed up a throw on Fox & Friends this morning, causing Steve Doocy and Brien Kilmeade to cross swords when Doocy read Kilmeade's copy. So Kilmeade asked, "Why do we have women on the show?"
Because otherwise you'd have to flirt uncomfortably with Doocy, Brian. And that would just be...awkward.


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 3, 2012, 1:26 PM
Town Square
New rules for healthier school lunches
Original post made on Feb 3, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, February 3, 2012, 1:26 PM
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 3, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Goldman's comment that we are a head of the curve is funny given the hot lunch program at the elementary school are sugared cereal and donuts or danishes for breakfast and pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers for lunch. Who does he think he is fooling? My kids are only allowed to get hot lunch once a week because the food they serve is all junk. I think Mr. Goldman may have on going discussions but he has yet in the 5 years my kids have been at the school to change or encourage change when it comes to what they are serving our children.
a resident of Monta Loma
on Feb 3, 2012 at 2:33 pm
While reduced fat is important to many, schools are often a critical source of calories for children in poor areas - a fact Michele Obama ignores. Inner city teachers have been quoted (on the food network) as saying that many children only get one meal on a regular basis - they need those school lunch calories.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 3, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Don't forget the chocolate milk! The hot lunches offered in the MVWSD elementary schools are junk. There is no reason kids need to be offered chocolate milk every single day. The fruit is often fruit cocktail, sometimes still frozen. I only let my kids eat it once a month or so but there are plenty of kids who eat it every single day.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 3, 2012 at 2:48 pm
The district contracts food service out to the lowest bidder that takes a profit on the backs of the health of kids. What else could we expect from such a system? Hand food service back over to the district like in the 1960s and 1970s. That was great food and I sure didn't turn out obese. That would be a start.
a resident of Willowgate
on Feb 3, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Just FYI, I was in the cafeteria at Landels twice in the last week, and the chocolate milk is not offered anymore, and there were at least three fresh vegetables offered at lunch plus two choices of fruit cocktail.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 3, 2012 at 4:15 pm
My mom made me a breakfast, packed me a lunch, and made a home-cooked dinner every night. That way she had full control over the nutrition of my meals. That used to be the norm.
It takes about 10-15 mins to pack a lunch for a child, there is no excuse not to do so.
If you don't think your child is worth the 15 mins it takes a day to pack a decent lunch, maybe you should rethink your priorities.
There is a lot of chutzpah in criticizing the school for feeding your child poorly when you don't care enough to take the few minutes to feed your child in the way you find acceptable.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 3, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Ahead of the curve?! I ask that the superintendent serve the school food to his family every school day -- board members too.
The food offered to Mountain View kids at school is not a menu that is promoting healthy eating habits. Nearly every family I know does pack snack and lunch -- which is much healthier than what is served in the cafeteria. However, the kids who need good nutrition the most and who may get most of their food at school via the free lunch program need healthier lunches (and breakfasts). One free breakfast lately was -- packaged cinnamon/glazed roll, package of graham crackers and a box of apple juice. Seriously! I watched the most hyperactive kid in my child's class eating this before school started. My calm child would be out of his mind (and chair) all morning if he started the day with that meal.
Why not offer some low-cost simple protein in the mornings and certainly no juice, ever. Other free breakfasts (which are also served at morning recess) include - pancake on a stick with syrup to dip in, a corn dog type thing with a sausage in the middle plus various packaged bars (which might be the healthiest thing offered but still full of sugar).
The lunch/breakfast program has the biggest impact on the low-income kids in our schools. When you look at the nutrition gap comparing students who bring their lunch vs kids who eat school food the low-income kids suffer from one more disadvantage that I feel contributes to exacerbate the achievement gap in the district.
What if the district tried feeding kids VERY healthy free breakfast that includes protein and is low-sugar so low-income kids have a better start to their day. Then, follow up with a very healthy lunch (NO "options" that allow kids to opt out of healthy food).
a resident of Castro City
on Feb 4, 2012 at 6:35 am
Do you want to know why they don't offer healthy food to the poor? Because they won't eat it. They've been raised on a poor diet their whole lives. They are conditioned to it.
One solution would be to have the city crack down on the ILLEGAL food carts that sell fatty pork rinds to kids when they get out of school outside of Castro. (They have no permit to operate out of the stolen shopping cats anyway.) The city could also prohibit the sale of tortillas and pan dulce (lard being the primary ingredient of both) at the local Mexican markets. And then shut down the 7-11s in literally surrounding and strategically located in all the poor neighborhoods.
Bring on the Nanny State!
a resident of Whisman Station
on Feb 4, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Also, depends upon how physically active the child is, our kids go to swimming practice 6 days a week and seem to burn it all off. Look at Michael Phelps diet, 12,000 calories a day. One of my fondest memories from elementary school was going back for thirds on spaghetti one day, you had to eat the vegetables to get seconds.
My daughter complains the portions aren't big enough.
a resident of Blossom Valley
on Feb 5, 2012 at 7:50 am
Keep the budget under control, Rat Meat stew is a very nutritious meal, goat swill for a fine healthy beverage.
a resident of Cuesta Park
on Feb 5, 2012 at 9:20 am
I think the school should pay the kids to eat their food. OMG, it's disgusting. Because it's made on a volume basis, they lack the ability or desire to make it quality food. "The kids will eat it if they're hungry" mentality seems to be in the school cafeteria.
I get up 10 minutes earlier to make my child's lunch so he doesn't have to GAG on the school lunch, and to ensure he's getting a balanced lunch. I make sure he gets up early enough to eat and wake up and not rush off to school half asleep.
Parents are equally responsible to provide a balanced lunch as well as to ensure they get their homework done and help them if they need it!
No matter what changes occur in the school lunches, I won't be letting my son eat there. I just don't think the quality is ever going to be there. Hey, Google gives their employees awesome FREE lunches, a lot better and healthier meals. Sad, parents getting better lunches than their kids.
a resident of Old Mountain View
on Feb 5, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Chocolate milk was still at our school on Friday, as it is every day. The selection of vegetables is usually baby carrots or celery, which is often still frozen.
Like I said before, it is rare that my kids eat it. But there are plenty of students who east it day in and day out. They are often the kids who carry extra weight.
a resident of Rex Manor
on Feb 6, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Until we can provide low-cost, fully nutritious meals that a culturally diverse community can widely agree on, folks will continue to take potshots at the district. Food has to be transported after preparation in some cases. If kids don't eat at school because they don't like the food, their education will certainly suffer after the meal they don't eat. Getting up earlier to prepare what you consider to be a healthier breakfast is great, unless the family can't afford healthier food in the house in the first place. Jackie Spier recently tried a food stamp diet for a week -- $4.76 per person per day. See how far you get with fresh fruits and veggies on that budget. If you can afford school lunch at full price and don't buy it, you actually make it harder for the district to do better. Both our kids either ate the lunch or packed their own through K-8 and are fine and healthy at 25 and 22. Everybody take a deep breath!!!!!!!!!!!
a resident of Whisman Station
on Feb 7, 2012 at 11:41 am
Just a thought, our kids are nuts for fruit smoothies lately so much so that I had to go buy a blender so they don't break the bank buying them from fast food chains all the time. I wonder how much it would cost to substitute smoothies for the chocolate milk. You can use frozen fruit, low-fat milk or yogurt, and even slip some broccoli and carrots in.
a resident of Waverly Park
on Feb 7, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Jackie Speier? Seriously?
She used her food stamp monies to buy Kraft Dinner and canned tuna (which she combined to make tuna casserole - presumably after buying butter and milk required to complete the concoction).
If Kraft Dinner and Chicken of the Sea were the most cost effective way to feed oneself, the landscape of the third world would be littered with empty boxes and cans of the stuff.
People need to educate themselves about nutrition and food.
Clearly, our members of congress have shown themselves to be uninformed on the subject. And the think that the purveyors of the school lunch and going to provide any guidance......
a resident of another community
on Feb 8, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Why not have a central kitchen for the K-12 and for the surround districts. This way they can plan, purchase, prepare and transport to be heated up, cooked or served at the smaller kitchens. Jr High and High Schools the food can be served in a Cafe Style. Healthy Pizza, we can figure out a way to make food good that the kids are willing to eat.
a resident of North Whisman
on Apr 21, 2013 at 8:39 pm
The food at Huff Elementary sucks!! Just because it's $3.25 a meal doesn't mean it has to be crappy. And don't say just because they're kids, they probably don't eat anyways is just downright ignorant. Kids have stomachs and appetites and should deserve a good meal just like anyone else. The fact of the matter is that if the school system stopped serving the kids crap, then no one would have anything to complain about. When was the last time the local school representatives actually inspected the slop that gets delivered from the back of the truck every lunch hour?


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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It took New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick about five minutes to show some frustration with the interest in quarterback Tim Tebow joining the Patriots.
When the Patriots coach held a news conference Tuesday morning to mark the opening of his team's mandatory minicamp, virtually all the questions for the first five minutes were about Tebow.
"He's a talented guy. He's smart, he works hard," Belichick said of Tebow.
Asked how he plans to use him, Belichick responded, "We're going to do what we think is best for our football team. We'll see."
One question after another came about Tebow until, finally, Belichick said, "I think we've talked enough about him. Anything else?"
The questions shifted briefly, but then once again returned to Tebow. After about eight minutes at the podium, Belichick said thank you and walked away without waiting for any more questions, something he rarely does.
The Patriots announced the signing of the former Jets quarterback on Tuesday, six weeks after he was cut by New York and just in time for the start of the three-day Patriots minicamp that runs through Thursday.
Tebow practiced with veteran New England starter Tom Brady and backup Mallett. The newest Patriot wore No. 5, not his familiar 15 — which belongs to Mallett — on his shorts and helmet. The QBs wore red jerseys without numbers.
Two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that Tebow was signed for two years with no guaranteed money. One person says he will make the veteran's minimum salary, $630,000 in 2013, with incentives.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because terms of the deals had not been announced.
ESPN first reported terms of the signing.
With 15 video cameras and more than 40 media members in the audience, Belichick said, "We've been in front of bigger crowds before."
Tebow, 25, is being reunited with Josh McDaniels, the Patriots offensive coordinator who was Denver's head coach when the Broncos traded into the first round to take him with the 25th draft pick in 2010. McDaniels stood next to Tebow on the practice field.
There is no guarantee that Tebow will still be with the Patriots when training camp begins next month, but if the Patriots keep him, he would have time to develop as a quarterback since Brady holds that job. Tebow even could be tried at tight end, where the status of Rob Gronkowski is uncertain after he had his fourth operation on his broken left forearm on May 20 and faces back surgery this month.
Tebow's NFL career appeared to be over when the Jets released him on April 29 and no team rushed to sign him. But Belichick decided to bring in the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who led Florida to two national championships.
"I'm happy for the young man to get another opportunity in the league and things like that. We've already mentioned that it didn't work out here," New York coach Rex Ryan said. "Obviously, Tim had more success in Denver than he did here."
After the NFL draft, in which they selected quarterback Geno Smith from West Virginia, the Jets decided to release Tebow just more than a year after a dressed-up, high-profile press conference that welcomed him to the organization.
New York went 6-10 last season, lost its final three games and finished tied for last place in the AFC East with Buffalo. New England, meanwhile, went 12-4, won the division and advanced to the AFC title game.
"I felt like it was a learning opportunity for me. There was a lot that I'll take from it," Tebow said at the end of the season. "There's a lot that I learned, and there are lot of relationships that I've built, so I know that it happened for a reason."