text:
OAKLAND – Don't think of Josh Hamilton's hot streak as meaningless or too little, too late. Think of it as a good start to 2014.
At least, the Angels are hoping it is.
Hamilton's resurgence continued in the Angels' 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Oakland A's on Wednesday, in which he tied the score in the ninth with a two-run homer and provided the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly.
Hamilton has hit .328 over the past 36 games. That included a 4-for-21 drought over the previous five games, but Hamilton said that was nothing more than a blip.
"I feel good," he said. "I feel like I'm having good at-bats, even when the results aren't there. Having quality at-bats, that's what you want. It's good going into next year."
The impact of Hamilton's September 2013 performance on 2014 will be in the confidence he brings to next season, Manager Mike Scioscia said.
"I think it's really important," Scioscia said. "No matter where guys are in their career or how much talent they have, there is always going to be confidence issues that are going to carry over from week to week, month to month.
"No doubt, the first month of the season, Josh was searching hard for a lot of things, and we've seen a lot of them come together in the last month. I hope it has the impact on Josh, for his confidence, that it should. This guy is a terrific player who really struggled at times early in this season."
Hamilton had been hitless in his first three at-bats Wednesday afternoon, with the Angels trailing, 4-2. When he came to the bat in the ninth, All-Star closer Grant Balfour was on the mound, with Erick Aybar on first.
Balfour threw a fastball by Hamilton. Then he tried to do it again.
Hamilton said he was "fortunate enough to barrel it up," launching it into the right-field seats for his 21st homer.
In the 11th, with runners at the corners and one out, Hamilton was facing left-hander Jerry Blevins, who had struck him out with the bases loaded the night before. Hamilton said he struggles with Blevins' slow breaking balls. Hamilton was behind, 0-2, after he missed the first two, so on the third he just tried to poke it to the outfield, which he did.
"He's been swinging the bat a lot better," said pitcher Jason Vargas, who gave up four runs in six innings. "Everyone knows he's a big part of this team. To see him come around and have big at-bats is huge, especially late in games like that."
Contact the writer: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Faulkner County sheriff's deputies tell the Log-Cabin Democrat that Superintendent David Westenhover was arrested Thursday at the sheriff's criminal investigation division where he went after an arrest warrant was issued Wednesday.
Westenhover declined comment. He faces a felony charge of theft by receiving and a misdemeanor count of hindering apprehension.
Sheriff's Capt. Matt Rice said the arrest warrant for Westenhover was issued after a three-month investigation into the theft of weapons and other property from a residential home.
Rice declined to say what types of weapons were stolen.


text:
Episode 1
Season Five Premiere.
Rent, buy and watch the latest movies and TV shows online
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No subscription, so you only pay when you rent or buy a movie or TV show, from just 99p.
TalkTalk TV Store is available on PC, Mac, mobile, tablets and Chromecast.
A polygamist faces a myriad of challenges in meeting the emotional, romantic and financial needs of his three wives and seven children as they live together in suburban Salt Lake City.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Season Five Premiere.
A Seat at the Table
Bill attempts to stage a 'safety net' meeting for polygamist leaders.
Certain Poor Shepherds
The Henricksons try to put on a unified face during Christmas.
The Oath
Bill searches for ways to overcome anti-polygamist sentiment among officials.
The Special Relationship
Bill makes a deal in the Senate, but faces new obstacles.
Barb capitulates on Bill's marital plans.
Til Death Do Us Part
Bill eyes a wedding as a chance to reseal his commitment to his three wives.
The Noose Tightens
Bill looks to Alby's past in an effort to thwart his ambitions.
The Henrickson family finds itself in lockdown mode.
Where Men and Mountains Meet
Series Finale.
Own forever. Watch on up to 5 devices.
PC, Mac, Chromecast, iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets, Windows phones and tablets, Xbox, smart TVs, set-top boxes and Blu-ray players.
Download on iOS 8+, Android 4.0+ and Windows 8.1+ in app. Includes rentals.
Download this episode and watch on Windows Media Player*
*UK internet connection required to acquire licence Learn more.


text:
Beebe, a Democrat, told reporters Monday that Shoffner should step down immediately.
But Shoffner, also a Democrat, said she doesn't intend to resign.
Federal prosecutors say Shoffner accepted $12,000 a year from a broker who would sometimes deliver cash in a pie box - with a pie. The broker is cooperating with investigators.
Shoffner appeared in federal court Monday after she was arrested this weekend at her home in Newport.
She didn't enter a plea, but her attorney, Chuck Banks, said she would plead not guilty at the appropriate time.
Shoffner was released on her own recognizance. She was also ordered to surrender her passport.


text:
♢ The custom jutsus marked with "✔" are customs taught by other people after the rules were made.
♢ The customs marked with numbers are my own.
♢ The customs marked with "♧" along with numbers are Custom Elements Jutsus.
♤ Ninjutsu ♤
Ninjutsu Techniques
(Atsui-Appu) - Warm up
Rank: N/A
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short
Chakra: N/A
Damage: (Taijutsu +10)(Ninjutsu +5)
Description: The user jogs in place while punching the air, causing their blood to pump faster making them a little faster and stronger. Because of this early warm-up, the user is also more focused causing their reflexes to sharpen. With this blood pumping sensation, chakra also flows easier and faster, letting the user use jutsus faster.
Note: Can only be taught by Axle
Note: lasts 5 turns
Note: can only be used once per battle
Note: must be done at beginning of battle
1. (Ninpō: Akuma Hōka) - Ninja Art: Demonic Fire
Type: Supplementary
Rank: E
Range: Self
Chakra Cost: 5 (-5 per Fire technique)
Damage Points: N/A
Description: This is a basic ninjutsu technique used by a proficient Fire release user, to give her fire techniques a more "unique" shape than the other users of fire techniques, similar to the shape of the "Fire Release: Demon Lanturn" technique, The user's fire techniques have somewhat of a transparent effect to it, allowing the user and others to see through the fire technique but a more of a distorted vision of what's behind the fire, and whenever the user's using a fire technique that consists of small fireballs like for example the "Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Technique" all of the small fireballs attain a demonic head-shaped fireball, this technique doesn't increase or decrease the strength of any fire techniques whatsoever.
Note: Will remain continuously activated once used.
Note: Must have a Primary Fire Release affinity.
Note: Fire techniques are still visible, even with normal eyesight.
(Kumokasumi Saezuru) - Disappearing Chirps
Type: Supplementary
Rank: C
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 10
Damage Points: N/A
Description: The user does the Tiger hand seal. When your opponent attacks you, you disappear into 10 birds flying and chirping away.
You reappear 30 meters away from where you disappeared.
2. (Kagami Genkaku No Jutsu) - Illusion Mirror Technique
Type: Supplementary
Rank: C
Range: Short - Long
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points: N/A
Description: This is a simple ninjutsu technique based on the principle of the clone technique that are used to project an illusionary image of the user and also based on projecting the sound to different areas using chakra, but instead of cloning the user's own image as illusions and the voice of the user, the user projects the voice and the image of a technique that's used by him or his opponent, meaning that if the user shots a fire technique for example the user can project the image and sound of the fire technique somewhere else, cloning the technique's shape and sound causing after images to form of the technique that's replicated anywhere on the battlefield heading for the opponent's direction or stationary depending on the cloned technique, this distracts the opponent due to him not knowing which technique is real and which isn't, this can be used to replicate nearly all techniques that the user uses or the opponent's according to the situation at hand, providing that it's a projected technique that can be shot [lightning/wind/fire/water] or just stationary techniques [Earth, Ninjutsu], due to the images being only illusions it won't cause harm to the opponent, only confuses him.
Note: Can only be used 5 times per battle.
Note: Can only be taught by ~Crow~
Taught to
1. Nakiri
2. The Pervy Sage
3. Onii Chan
(Kyōjin Hachimitsu) - Stiff Honey
Rank: B
Type: Supplementary
Range: Mid - Long
Chakra Cost: 20
Damage Points:N/A
Description: This jutsu is when the user spits out a gooey and sticky thing. It is honey. When it is spit out, the opponent can't move.
(Butai Ryō Giryō) - Elemental Enhancing Skill
Type: Supplementary
Rank: B
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 25
Damage Points: N/A
Description: Elemental chakra can be infused into kunai's to increase their abilities. For instance, infusing a kunai with wind chakra would increase the kunai's cutting power to not only stop an incoming kunai attack, but would slice through the kunai easily along with increasing the speed of said kunai. Infusing a kunai with doton chakra would increase the kunai's force tho this is done by the user using doton to increase the strength of his arm when throwing the kunai. Katon chakra would increase sharpness of the blade by heating it up and allowing it to cut through objects easier. Now you can do the same with pushing a certain type of chakra to your feet to increase speed or sending it to a limb to increase it's ability. What this technique is basically the user will send out chakra throughout his body infusing the chakra in his muscles/limbs to increase their abilities depending on the elemental chakra they used. Tho, they can only use one type of chakra for this.
Earth enhancing skill: If the user sends out Doton chakra throughout their body infusing it with their body, they will gain increased strength by 2X, being able to lift boulders and crack concrete with their fists. User can only use Earth techniques while using this.
Wind enhancing skill: If the user sends out Fuuton chakra throughout their body infusing it with their body, they will gain increased speed by 2X of what they had before. User can only use Wind techniques while using this.
Water enhancing skill: If the user sends out water chakra throughout their body infusing it with their body, they will gain increased stamina. Scientifically, muscles rely on water to work for longer periods of time and this reduces the build up of certain acids that makes your muscles feel as if they're on fire when working out too long. This gives a good performance boost making it harder for the user to tire out. User can only use Water techniques while using this.
Note: Can only use one element enhancing skill once per battle and the enhancing effects only last for 3 turns.
Note: Can only use one element enhancing skill at a time.
Note: Each enhancing skill counts as one of the users 3 jutsu per turn.
(Hōmen Za Kinpaku) - Release The Tension
Rank: B
Range: Short
Chakra: 25
Type: Supplementary
Description: At the start of a battle the user calms his mind to make the chakra in his system flow faster through his body to release the tension from the users body.This allows the user to become faster and stronger due to the faster flow of chakra in his body.The user gains better reflexes and can also react faster to attacks.
Note: Can only be taught by SilverMoon1996
Note: Must be activated at the start of the battle.
Note: Lasts for 8 turns when activated.
(Ninpō: Supiritto Gijutsu) - Ninja Arts: Spirit Arts
Rank: A
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short - Long
Chakra cost: 30
Damage points: 60
Description: The user will concentrate his elemental chakra and will create a spirit of the certain element. This spirit represents some kind of animal with the size from average person to the size of Gamabunta. It is naturaly made from the ceratin element (e.g made of fire, water wind etc.). It has the ability to use techniques from the certain element without any hand seals much more faster than usuall, and it applys the normal elemental weaknesses. However if made of fire the spirit will be extremly vulnerable from water attacks and even 2 ranks lower techniques of the elemental weakness of the spirit, would be able to destroy it. Also the spirit can only perform techniqes that does not require hand seals. *
*Last for 3 turns
*Can only be taught by PowerOfDarkness
*No taijutsu and genjutsu while the spirit is on the field
*Ryuji is the co-creator of this and all spirit arts.
(Bōseki Burēdo Doroppu) - Spinning Blade Drop
Type: Attack
Rank: A
Range: Short
Chakra: 30
Damage: 60
Description: The user tosses his sword in the air and jumps up to grab it and begins an aerial somersault with the sword in front while infusing it with chakra to perform a powerful downward slash from above. (Works best with a large sword)
Note: Can only be taught by Katonpwnz
(Nakkuru's Kyōkudai Kyūkei) - Knuckle's Maximum Break
Rank: S
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: (+10 to Taijutsu , +10 to Ninjutsu)
Description: The user gathers chakra and channels it into every muscle of the body to energize the cells in the muscles by using chakra . By doing so , the user's mitochondria in the cells of his muscles produces ATP at a much faster rate , increasing the user's speed and strength greatly .
-Takes a few seconds to fully activate
-Lasts for 3 turns
-Usable only once per battle
-No Taijutsu or non-elemental Ninjutsu for a turn after it deactivates
-Can only be taught by Rokusho
(Kōfun Jūtai) - The Adrenaline Rush
Rank: S
Type: Supplementary
Range: Self
Chakra cost: 40 (20 every turn)
Damage points: N/A
Description: To activate this technique, the user must focus chakra into the disaster centers in the brain, to forcefully activate the state known as adrenaline rush. The disaster centers in the users brain will react to the chakra as if it was a real disaster situation, the centers will therefore immediately jumpstart the user's body. The disaster center sends a message to the glands just above the user's kidneys, to release a great amount of adrenaline into the user's body. The adrenaline will boost the user's heart rate and his blood flow. The adrenaline also signals the user's liver to flood the body with glucose blood sugar for fuel. But what really makes the users body reach its limit is instant energy, which is released along with the glucose and the adrenaline. Instant energy, (ATP or Adenosine triphosphate) is energy stored in all muscles, which is released in a crisis situation to boost the user's body. All these biochemical reactions happen extremely fast, it takes less than a second for the users body to fully unleash the effects of the technique. These reactions causes the users body to peak and reach it's absolute limit for a short amount of time, but since the effects are chakra caused, and since the user during this technique continuously floods his veins with chakra, the effects lasts longer. The effects are:
Heightened senses: Stronger sense of smell, hearing and thought processing.
Pain reduction: All feelings of pain and numbness are almost nullified.
Faster reaction time: This doesn't make the user faster generally.
Superhuman strength: Adrenaline rush causes the body to peak in performance, a big adrenaline rush can give a regular mother the strength to lift a car easily, it is estimated that a full adrenaline rush gives a boost of strength which equals 400%
• Lasts for 5 turns.
• The user cannot use any elemental ninjutsu while this is active.
• The user cannot use any Genjutsu or clones of any kind when this is active.
• Because of the energy burn the user cannot use A-ranked or above technique for 1 turn after this technique ends, and he cannot use any S-ranked or above for 2 turns after this technique ends.
• Because of the strain this technique puts on the user, he cannot use any Genjutsu for next 5 turns.
• No summoning while this is active.
• Can only be used Once per match.
(Chakra Arashi) - Chakra Storm
Type: Attack
Rank: S
Range: Short - Mid
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: 80
Description: The user makes three hand seals and gathers a large amount of chakra in one specific location within a mid-range of themselves. They then begin vibrating and rotating the mass of chakra an extreme amount. Anything caught in this area will be twisted and pressured an extremely great deal by the swirling vortex of chakra.
Note: When the chakra has been gathered in the set area, the air will shimmer for a few seconds before the vortex begins.
Note: The area that is being effected can have a maximum of a 2 meter diameter.
Note: After using this technique, the user is unable to use any standard ninjutsu for the next two turns.
Note: Can only be used twice per match.
Note: This jutsu doesn't suck the opponent toward the vortex and only affect what comes in direct contact with it.
(Rankyaku Gaichō) - Storm Leg Victorious Bird
Type: Attack
Rank: S
Range: Short - Long
Chakra cost: 40
Damage Points: 80
Description: The user focuses chakra into his leg and compresses it , then the user delivers a kick through the air and releases the compressed chakra in the shape of a bird which follows the trajectory of the kick . However , the user can make it change it's course by performing another hand seal by infusing chakra .
-No ninjutsu the turn after this is used
-Can only be used 3 times per battle
-Can only be taught by Rokusho
(Pa-Fekuto-Shi-Rudo) - Perfect Shield
Type: Attack
Rank: S
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: 80
Description:While the user is in possesion of his sword he holds it with one of his hand and tranfers pure chakra in it and rotates it in a circular motion and a shield of pure chakra is formed which is capable enough of blocking all the elemental jutsu upto A rank(shield is broken completely)
and below (Shiel suffers a little damage but can take on one more attack)
~Need to be taught by gitanshu~
~Can only be used 2 times~
(Ninpō: Ketteiteki Benso) - Ninja Art: Ultimate Defense
Type: Defense
Rank: S
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: 80 (if someone tries to cross it)
Description: After creating 3 shadow clones, one clone releases water chakra, second one releases lightning chakra and the third one releases pure chakra in it to create a shield of hollow sphere around themselves of 10m radius, whose small part is below the earth, so from above the surface it looks like a dome. This shield can block 1 forbidden jutsu completely.
Note: ~User must create atleast 3 shadow clones before using this jutsu.
~Can only be used twice per battle.
~Counts as 3 moves in the user's turn.
~Can only be taught by Enzup.


text:
Dangerous Pool D has DR, Puerto Rico
New double-elimination format should benefit these top contenders
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
'06 result: Advanced to semifinals, lost to Cuba, 3-1
MLB players: 27, the full roster, including as-yet-unsigned free agents Juan Cruz and Alberto Castillo
Key players: Alex Rodriguez, who is changing his Classic allegiance from Team USA; Hanley Ramirez, probably the most athletic multiple threat on the field; Edinson Volquez, who can shut down lineups, especially when pitchers are ahead of the hitters
The D.R.'s roster has undergone quite a turnover from the '06 edition, which posted a second-best Classic record but fell victim to the round-robin format. Even though Miguel Tejada, Albert Pujols, Alfonso Soriano and Vladimir Guerrero are gone, the roster remains packed and is a definite threat for the title.
'06 result: 1-2, third place in Pool C
MLB players: 12, including unsigned free-agent righty Sidney Ponson
- Pool A
- • China
- • Chinese Taipei
- • Japan
- • Korea
- Pool B
- • Australia
- • Cuba
- • Mexico
- • South Africa
• Schedule, TV info »
Shairon Martis, who pitched the '06 Classic's lone no-hitter, against Panama, and Andruw Jones are both gone. Sir Sidney is about the only baseball royalty on this team, which again will have a difficult time getting out of pool play.
'06 result: 0-3, did not advance beyond Round 1
MLB players: 17
Key players: Carlos Lee, getting a jump-start on his comeback from a compound finger fracture; Manuel Corpas, the Rockies' workhorse reliever; Ramiro Mendoza, the former Yankees setup specialist who can still bring it
Lee, who missed the last two months of the season with his injury, will have to carry the offensive load for Panama. Again, Mariano Rivera has chosen to bypass the Classic. Most of the MLB players on the roster are Minor League prospects.
'06 result: 4-2, lost the Round 2 decider to Cuba, 4-3
MLB players: 23, including unsigned free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez
Key players: Rodriguez and Bernie Williams, a tandem of All-Stars hoping to revive their careers; Carlos Delgado, who was handcuffed by injury in the 2006 Classic before delivering a dramatic pinch single; Alexis Rios, potentially Puerto Rico's next national baseball hero
Baseball may have fallen on hard times in Puerto Rico, but this is a packed roster than could reignite a love affair with the game. We didn't even mention Carlos Beltran, Geovany Soto, and lefty relievers Javy Lopez and J.C. Romero. If the Dominicans are looking for a challenge, they've got it.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Duke determined to improve on recent struggles
By Andrew Simon / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Nationals reliever Zach Duke endured his second consecutive rough outing on Saturday, continuing what has been a trying season. The left-hander, filling a long-relief role, has not worked frequently, but when he has, he often has struggled.
"I'm not commanding the ball, working behind in the count, and then throwing the ball down the middle," Duke said. "That's what it all boils down to."
The 30-year-old has tossed 15 innings over nine appearances, surrendering 22 hits and compiling an 8.40 ERA. On Saturday, he gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning.
That appearance came nearly two weeks after Duke's previous one, when he gave up three runs in three innings on April 30 at Atlanta. He admitted that the infrequent work is a factor, but he said it's something he has to overcome.
"It's tough. I haven't done this role before, but at the same time I'm a professional and I should be better than that," Duke said. "I expect more of myself. I can't do that to this team."
The Nationals signed Duke to a one-year, $700,000 Major League deal this offseason after he made eight solid relief appearances for the club last September. The former Pirates starter had gone 15-5 with a 3.51 ERA in 26 starts for Triple-A Syracuse before his recall.
But Duke -- the only lefty in the Nationals' bullpen -- has struggled to get going since his season debut, when the Reds reached him for six runs -- five earned -- in 2 2/3 innings on April 5. Now he's working on drills to try to find a consistent rhythm and release point, as well as stay sharp between outings.
"I'm realistic," Duke said. "I know this game's all about results, and I'm prepared to do the work to get better results."
Zimmerman shows support with pink bat, cleats
WASHINGTON -- Pink bats, shoes, wrist bands and other apparel were commonplace around Major League Baseball on Sunday, and it was no different at Nationals Park. Several Washington players sported various items as part of MLB's celebration of Mother's Day and promotion of breast cancer awareness.
Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman used a pink bat -- as he has done each year since MLB started the tradition in 2006 -- and also wore pink cleats.
Those game-used Louisville Sluggers are auctioned off exclusively on MLB.com to raise money for MLB Charities in support of the fight against breast cancer. Zimmerman also is happy that the effort is tied in with Mother's Day.
"I think moms get overlooked a lot in sports, so it's nice to be able to do that," Zimmerman said.
His mother, Cheryl Zimmerman, has been battling multiple sclerosis since 1995, and he runs the ziMS Foundation to help find a cure for the disease. Despite her condition, Cheryl has continued to play a major role in her son's life, as so many mothers do.
"They teach you a lot of life lessons along the way and make sure you grow up and do things the right way," Zimmerman said. "Still to this day, I'll have some voice mails or text messages if I say some bad words on camera or something like that. Your mom, whether you're 2 or 32, is always going to look out for you and make sure you do things the right way."
Center fielder Denard Span also sported a pink bat and batting gloves on Sunday and was happy to be able to show his appreciation for his mom, Wanda Wilson.
"Mother's Day in Major League Baseball, I think, is done the right way," Span said. "It's fun to sport the pink -- the pink shoes, the pink bats, the batting gloves. I'm pretty sure every man in this locker room, in this game, a mother played a big part in them being here."
Nationals bench striving to find 2012 form
WASHINGTON -- One of the many reasons the Nationals soared to 98 wins and a division title last season was the play of the bench. The team's pinch-hitters ranked first in the Majors with a .288 average, second with a .367 on-base percentage and second with a .786 OPS while also contributing when called upon to fill in as starters.
The results have not been the same this year.
The sample size is small, but Nationals pinch-hitters entered Sunday just 7-for-47. Combined, they ranked 13th in the National League with a .149 average, 15th with a .200 on-base percentage and 14th with a .413 OPS.
"I have no idea why. Same preparation, same everything, same guys," veteran infielder Chad Tracy said. "You can't guide the ball when you hit it. You can hit balls hard, but if they don't fall or find holes, it shows in the numbers. It looks worse than it probably is."
Tracy is 1-for-12 as a pinch-hitter, although he has seen a few well-struck balls turn into outs.
Tracy isn't alone. While Steve Lombardozzi is 5-for-14 with a double and a triple as a pinch-hitter, everyone else -- mainly Roger Bernadina, Tyler Moore and Tracy -- is a combined 2-for-33 with no extra-base hits.
Overall, those four players are batting .169 with one home run in 177 at-bats. But lately, there have been some more chances for playing time, with Jayson Werth now on the disabled list and Bryce Harper also missing a couple of games.
"This whole game's about playing it every day," Tracy said. "The more you play, the better you get, the more your eyes get trained seeing pitches, the little things that start adding up.
"It's a timing game, where once you get in a rhythm and flow, things start to fall in place. Without that, you're drawing from past experience and trying to get as comfortable as you can from those experiences."
Tracy is the veteran of the bunch and has a leadership role among the reserves. He will dispense advice about pitchers and how to approach at-bats, but he said he doesn't need to "hold their hand."
"Now these guys are thinking like managers," Tracy said. "There's not a whole lot they need to be told."
Worth noting
• Harper was back in the lineup on Sunday playing right field, after missing two games following surgery to remove an ingrown toenail on his left foot.
• Lombardozzi got his first start of the season in the outfield on Sunday. He batted second and played left field.
Lombardozzi played 41 games and started 29 in the outfield last season, all in left. This year, he had started six times at second base and twice at third.
Bernadina and Moore had been getting the starts in the outfield with Werth sidelined for most of the past two weeks. Werth is now on the disabled list with a hamstring injury and won't return until Saturday at the earliest.
Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @HitTheCutoff. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Only days
after the death of Osama bin Laden, Kuma Games has announced that it is giving
PC gamers the chance to pull the trigger that
killed the world's most wanted terrorist again and again.
Osama bin
Laden was the founder of the al-Qaeda organization, which launched several
mass-casualty attacks against military and civilian targets including the
September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001. On May 1, 2011 (May 2
according to Pakistan Standard Time), U.S. President Barack Obama announced
that bin Laden had been
killed by a team of 20-25 U.S. Navy SEALS from the Naval
Special Warfare Development Group.
computer game developer Kuma Games is
releasing a PC title called "Kuma\War Episode #107: The Death of Osama bin
Laden," which allows users to experience the pursuit and the killing of
bin Laden firsthand through a virtual shooting game.
As you
might expect, the firsthand shooter in the game is a U.S. Navy SEAL who travels
to Abbottabad, Pakistan to break into bin Laden's mansion. Users must first
kill the guards before coming face-to-face with bin Laden himself in the
historical battle that took place just days ago.
isn't Kuma's first reality computer game. In 2005, Kuma released a game that
allows users to kill Saddam Hussein. In addition, previous "Kuma War"
titles have featured battles in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Kuma may
get some adverse reactions to the bin Laden title, though. Other games, such as
"Medal of Honor," initially received criticism due to its themes
associated with Taliban fighters. Also, "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was
criticized because of its option to assassinate Fidel Castro.
There are
also differing
views of the legality of bin Laden's death in recent blogs and
news reports, as well as people with issues regarding the ethical/spiritual side of
killing the terrorist leader. But overall, many have welcomed the death of bin
response to those who have criticized video games that depict real events, Kuma
has said that the games are not made to mock these world events or demean what
the military has worked hard to accomplish everyday.
Kuma, we are sensitive and respectful of American and coalition soldiers and
the sacrifices they are making every day," said Keith Halper, Kuma CEO.
"We hope that by telling their stories with such a powerful medium that we
enable the American public to gain a better appreciation of the conflicts and
the dangers they face."
Episode #107: The Death of Osama bin Laden" will be released this
I don't see the harm in pulling the virtual trigger at the virtual bin Laden.
Some reports question whether the U.S. military did the right thing by killing
bin Laden when he was allegedly unarmed,
but I'm unquestionably for the U.S. victory that the military has worked to
achieve for years now. Would I go out of my way to play Kuma's bin Laden
killing spree game? Possibly, but only out of curiosity. I'm not against its
release, but I don't need to play it in order to understand or
feel apart of what happened.
What do
you think? Is the game a way of capitalizing on the event, or are critics too


text:
Mark Stroman Will Die Tomorrow
Tomorrow, the state of Texas will kill Mark Stroman by means of lethal injection. Today, a man he tried to murder, Rais Bhuyian, is praying Texas will spare Stroman's life.
Prayer is about all that's left. In the weeks after September 11, 2001, Mark Stroman raged through the convenience stores around Dallas, looking for "Arab" shopkeepers on whom to exact revenge. He found none, if that matters. What he did find was a Pakistani shopkeeper named Waqar Hassan and an Indian named Vasudev Patel. He killed them with a double-barreled shotgun. When he visited a Texaco station manned by Rais Bhuyian, a Bangladeshi Muslim, Stroman shot him in the eye.
Bhuyian cried out for his mother, and felt the sting of "a million bees" before collapsing on the floor, clutching his face to keep his brain in his head. He played dead until Stroman left the store, and ran to a nearby barbershop where he was picked up by an ambulance. Nine years and many surgeries later, he is partially blind, and his face is full of shotgun pellets.
The decision to execute Mark Stroman was an easy one. Texas justice is not known for leniency, and even compared to most murderers, Mark Stroman is eminently killable. After his apprehension in October 2001, he bragged to police about his ill deeds, which he called patriotic, and flashed a glib thumbs-up to reporters in the courtroom where he was tried. He was, by any sane measure, an embarrassment to Texas, humanity, and carbon-based life.
But Rais Bhuyian didn't care about that. Quietly at first, he initiated a campaign to save Stroman's life, petitioning Texas to commute Stroman's sentence to life without parole. On his website, Bhuyian wrote "that by sparing his life, we will give Mr. Stroman a chance to realize, through time and maturity, that hate doesn't bring a peaceful solution to any situation. Perhaps, if given the opportunity, it might generate such a positive influence on him that he may want to become a spokesperson against hate crime."
Nice sentiments, and utterly unlikely to move the heart of the Texas legal apparatus, if it can be said to have one, even though the widows of Stroman's other victims support Bhuyian's cause. Stroman supports it too, naturally enough, and convincingly testifies to his change of heart on the Huffington Post. "I received a message that Rais loves me and that's powerful," he says. "I want to thank him in person for his inspiring act of compassion … If I don't make it, I want Rais to carry on his work teaching people not to be prejudiced."
If he can't get Stroman's sentence commuted, Rias Bhuyian wants at least to meet his attacker in person. This is apparently Bhuyian's legal right, but he may have learned about it too late. Bhuyian has now initiated a lawsuit against Texas, demanding a stay of Stroman's execution until the meeting can take place; Dallas Magazine reports the case was bumped to a federal court, which shall convene Wednesday morning. If they don't grant the stay, Stroman will die at 6 p.m. tomorrow night, Texas time.


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5th Annual Candy Corn Hole Tournament
- Details
- Published on Friday, 20 September 2013 07:54
The 5th Annual Gordon Food Service Candy Corn Hole Tournament presented by Moto Lenz Photos and Gardner's Super Value will take place Monday October 21st. The first sixteen teams to sign up by contacting Nettie at 419-668-5555 are eligible to participate, but do not delay there are only a few spots still available for this popular sport.
Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. and competition will commence promptly at 6:00 p.m. The American Cornhole Association rules and point system will be utilized and the teams in competition will enforce these rules and keep tract of points. Participants are asked to bring their own boards.
Last year's winning team consisting of Bryan Workman and Chris Howard "Corn Stars" have already signed up for this year's tournament hoping to be the first team to defend their title in the 5 year history of this tournament. But 15 teams will do their best to keep this from happening.
Moto Lenz Photos will be providing a Candy Corn Hole Tournament T-shirt to each participant and each member will also receive a jar of candy corn courtesy of Gardner's Super Valu.
This is just one of many off track activities that will take place during the Quick Fuel Technology Halloween Classic presented by Harland Sharp. If you have not receive your Halloween Classic brochure and would like to have one, please contact the office at 419-668-5555. More details about this event can be found on our event page at www.SummitMotorsportsPark.com/hc.


text: heaviest hardest most efficient strokes off both wings......been saying that for years he may never be a top 5 player, but his strokes are technically perfect. this is absolutely no shift in his center of rotation and i believe this is the result of properly loading. even with the world number 1, there is often a slight shift from left to right on his fh.


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So how come so many feminists were angry about the "United Meritocracy of GitHub" rug that they ultimately decided to take it down?
According to Julie Ann Horvath, an engineer at the company who founded the all-female lecture series Passion Projects and defended the company at the time, the problem began on some of the feminist tech talk boards, where women pointed out some painfully obvious questions: If it's really a meritocracy, how come so few of the people at the top are women? Or more broadly, if you believe we've achieved "equality" and that decisions are being made based on merit, how come the industry's leadership — particularly in the tech industry, where the leadership is very young — is so overwhelmingly male?
Some of it, certainly, is the reflection of the stubborn under-representation of women in STEM fields, especially computer science, which Harvey Mudd College President Maria Klawe has taken a leadership role in trying to change, as well as the related problem of the tech "culture," which Horvath herself was tackling with her Passion Projects.
In the meantime, GitHub decided to yank the rug. That was in January. Frankly, I missed it — the story, not the rug.
I caught up this week when Horvath rather noisily exited (or was asked to leave) and started firing at the company she previously had defended.
You can find the play-by-play all over the Internet, this being a tech scandal of sorts.
But Horvath claims she was threatened and intimidated by the wife of one of the founders (using a wife as an agent of intimidation, if that is indeed what happened, is not a feminist act), and also that as a woman she never felt accepted at the company.
Horvath also was having a relationship with a fellow employee, and — this will not come as a shock to feminists of a certain age — he still has his job, while she doesn't have hers. (Or as I often pose to my students and former students: One of you is likely to lose your job. Who do you think it will be?)
Meritocracies actually are more complicated than they first appear. They require a common appreciation of what counts as "merit" and how it should be measured. And that appreciation, we learned painfully, can easily be tinged with all kinds of gendered elements without the person who is making the decisions even realizing it.
Ask them whether they're discriminating, and they'll say you're crazy. Just the merits. And many of the traits we value, and how we value them, also end up being laden with gender overtones.
Too aggressive? When was the last time you heard a young man described that way? Too timid? Say goodnight, Gracie, that girl doesn't stand a chance. Men may have sharp elbows, but the word for such women cannot be printed in a family newspaper.
To find out more about Susan Estrich, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.


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EU-funded tourism projects seen as growth engine for Croatia's less developed areasMar 7, 2014
Workshop in Otočac gathers stakeholders to brainstorm project ideas
Otočac, March 7, 2014 – The potential for tourism to serve as engine for employment and growth in Croatia's less developed areas was at the heart of discussions that took place today during a workshop held to stimulate interest in the use of European Union (EU) funds in Lika-Senj, Karlovac and Sisak-Moslavina Counties. More than sixty participants from public administration, civil society, and the private sector gathered at the Gacko Public Open University in Otočac to brainstorm on how best to use EU funds to promote tourism. The workshop was organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, and is part of a larger project intended to improve socio-economic prospects in Karlovac, Lika-Senj, and Sisak-Moslavina County.
This was the first in a series of sectoral project workshops that UNDP is organizing together with the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds as a part of a broader project "Preparing the ground for EU funds: Creating a pipeline of project ideas for Croatia's less developed areas" (known colloquially as "project hunters"). Initial informational workshops will be followed by project workshops designed to engage citizens in generating, refining and prioritizing project ideas for funding from the European Structural and Investment Funds.
The UNDP team has already collected a large number of project ideas, and a large share of these focus on the development of tourism infrastructure and new tourism products. Successful projects will require good collaboration between the public and private sectors, so the workshops are aimed at engaging all potential stakeholders. Participants in the Otočac workshop agreed on enormous potential for the development of new tourist attractions, the touristic interpretation of Croatian heritage, and the creation of new tourism products. Projects in these areas were seen as a way to contribute to the revival of local traditions, bolster the local economy, and foster more sustainable development initiatives.
In the first phase of the project, three informational workshops were held in Sisak, Gospić, and Karlovac, and gathered several hundred representatives from the public, private and civil sectors who expressed interest in developing their areas with the use of EU funds. Other sectoral workshops will be held in March in order to categorize collected project ideas into appropriate packages that could complement each other to stimulate growth and employment in less-developed areas. In addition to generating a catalogue of at least 51 potential projects, the aim of the project is to build the capacity of local stakeholders to design and formulate credible project ideas for EU funds without outside help.


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Senate Loser's Sad Second Career: Pitching Margarita Mix
Bob Schaffer is a former member of the US House of Representatives, and he was a Republican candidate for the US Senate in 2008. Now he is selling margarita mix on the local news.
From the great state of Colorado, Schaffer began his political career in the Colorado General Assembly at the age of 25. He served 3 terms in the House. But in 2008 he lost his race for the Senate to Mark Udall. And apparently he has no real-world skills, but he does have his wife's homemade margarita mix recipe (hint: it's lime juice).
And so here he is, explaining that he drank away his embarrassing loss, at home, with his wife, and begging a reporter to join him in some afternoon on-the-job tequila. And we're sure his margarita mix will sell great, because nothing says "authentic margarita" like "Republican from Colorado."


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Reactions from Democrats in Georgia ranged from crestfallen to enraged in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to invalidate Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act Tuesday.
Democrats from around the state, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Rep. John Lewis and Party Interim Chairwoman Nikema Williams, decried the 5-4 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder as a serious blow to voting rights and equity around the nation.
The Court struck down a portion of the Act that will effectively end the practice in which some states with a history of racial discrimination must receive clearance from the federal government before changing voting laws.
The change will allow such states to redraw districts without any further oversight from the federal government. The decision comes in the wake of mass claims of voter disenfranchisement from states including Florida, Georgia, Virginia and Ohio. Many said the decision could be disastrous.
"The Supreme Court decision in Shelby County vs. Holder is stunningly disappointing and ignores the clear intent of the United States Congress, which has enacted and repeatedly reauthorized the Voting Rights Act since 1965 by wide bipartisan majorities, reflecting the undeniable will of the people that each vote be counted regardless of whether it is cast by an ethnic minority," said Reed in a statement.
Reed's disappointment followed the tone of many in the Democratic Party as well as organizations like the NAACP, which earlier in the day released statements from top officials declaring their outrage over the verdict.
"This decision is outrageous," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "The Court's majority put politics over decades of precedent and the rights of voters."
Lewis, a civil rights icon and longtime voting rights advocate, joined the dissent. He called the ruling "a dagger into the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most effective pieces of legislation Congress has passed in the last 50 years."
"I disagree with the court that the history of discrimination is somehow irrelevant today," said Lewis. "The record clearly demonstrates numerous attempts to impede voting rights still exist, and it does not matter that those attempts are not as "pervasive, widespread or rampant" as they were in 1965. One instance of discrimination is too much in a democracy."
In a press release, Lewis detailed a case in 2002 in Randolph County, Ga., where the first Black man ever was elected to the school board only to have his district changed by the county legislature to ensure he wasn't elected again.
"As Justice Ginsberg mentioned, it took a Bloody Sunday for Congress to finally decide to fix on-going, institutionalized discrimination that occurred for 100 years after the rights of freed slaves were nullified at the end of the Civil War. I am deeply concerned that Congress will not have the will to fix what the Supreme Court has broken. I call upon the members of this body to do what is right to insure free and fair access to the ballot box in this country."
Rep. Hank Johnson, representing Georgia's Fourth District and based in DeKalb County, took the decision as a call to arms and promised he would begin work immediately on necessary legislation in Congress.
"The Court today engaged in historic overreach, ignoring their own precedents and disregarding evidence of ongoing discrimination at the polls," said Johnson. "A call for strong, swift action by the Congress is now front and center. I will work with all my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to ensure voters have every necessary protection…The Voting Rights Act is as necessary today as it was almost 50 years ago."
In addition to mourning the loss of Section 4 of the Act, many cited the invalidation of Section 5 the decision would force.
"It is unfathomable to me that our High Court would disenfranchise so many citizens," said Williams, the interim leader of the Georgia Democratic Party. "With a stroke of a pen, the Court has essentially invalidated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act."
According to Williams, the necessity of the VRA's fourth and fifth sections was demonstrated in Georgia as recently as the 2012 election.
"The Republican Majority in Georgia drew maps in 2012 that reduced Democratic voting performance," she said. "Georgia is nearly 50 percent Democratic and they diminished our voting strength to 32 percent through gerrymandered maps. However, today's Supreme Court ruling may backfire when Democrats across the state rally. Enough is enough."


text: There were no more than ten Galaxy-class ships seen at any given time during the Dominion War. It's not implausible that the Galaxy-class was already in mass production by the time the Enterprise-D was commissioned. Even if there were a total of twelve or fifteen Galaxy-class ships in service, that would still make them rare in comparison to the rest of the Starfleet, IMO.


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I found out accidentally that the following code is only supported in the c++0x standard...thus giving a gcc option "-std=c++0x" ....compiles it without problems..
The three values in x are ...as expected 1,2 and 3.Code:
int x[3];
x = {1,2};
But when "int x[3];" is replaced by
..the error message "error: cannot convert <brace-enclosed initializer list> to int* in assignment " is displayed.Code:
int *x;
x = new int[3];
Why does it happen?..
also is there a way around this ?..i.e. I want the array dynamically allocated....
also Does the STL define such a container to make something similar possible?(in that case I'd like to assign ..say..3 arbitrary values to three of its elements in a single statement. )


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Hello! I'm Chelsea. The range of fanfiction genres I read and write is ever-expanding, and if I stop procrastinating there should be a fair few stories on this page soon. In the meantime, why not check out my favourites lists to find some excellent stories and authors?
I'm a canon shipper, and I also love rarepairs. Minor characters are my favourites to write! I'm addicted to second person POV, and I can't write plots to save my life.
You can find me on the Beta Boards under the same username - I'm not around much these days but if you drop me a PM I will respond. And if you read my fics, I'd be ever so grateful if you let me know what you think - reviews are love :)
The Broom Cupboard - Fred/you. An angsty sort of romance, and probably the writing I'm most proud of :)
Chocolate Cheesecake - Sirius/Marlene. Again, a romance set in dark and difficult times, but this time with dessert.
Etched in Gold - Cedric/Katie. Short and sweet with that dash of impending doom that I seem to like to add >.<
Chaptered Fics
The Murder of Scorpius Malfoy - written for the Gauntlet, late 2008. I may or may not complete this someday. =/


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Laredo Satellite Facility Will Temporarily Not Accept Empty Ingates
Announcement Number: IM2013-603
Categories: All Intermodal,Domestic Miscellaneous,Domestic Terminals,Premium,Streamline Door to Door
Posted Date: December 5, 2013
Laredo Satellite Facility Will Temporarily Not Accept Empty Ingates
Due to space constraints and safety considerations, Union Pacific has decided to temporarily suspend empty ingates at the Laredo satellite facility.
Effective Friday, December 6th, empty ingates will only be accepted at Port Laredo.
We will continue to provide empty equipment reservations at both Port Laredo and the satellite facility for outgate until the pool of available units at the satellite facility has been depleted to a safe number. Another announcement will be sent out when those levels have been met.
We appreciate your patience and support during this period.
If you have any questions please contact your Union Pacific representative.


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Pair of replays go Boston's way against Seattle
By Steven Petrella / MLB.com
BOSTON --- The Red Sox extended a first-inning rally by challenging a call that Allen Craig was tagged out at third.
With the bases full and two outs, Will Middlebrooks singled to right field, scoring Yoenis Cespedes and Mike Napoli. Craig hesitated as he rounded second, but took off for third. Kyle Seager took a throw from right fielder Chris Denorfia and placed the tag down. Third-base umpire Angel Hernandez called Craig out, and Boston manager John Farrell came out to discuss the call and eventually challenge it.
After a one minute and 49 second review, the call was overturned and the inning continued. Mookie Betts flew out to right a batter later to end it, and the game remained tied at 3.
The Red Sox are now 16-12 on challenges this season, successful on four straight. Entering Sunday, the league average for winning challenges was a shade below 47 percent.
Later in the game, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon challenged an out call on a stolen base attempt by rookie Chris Taylor in the top of the sixth, but replay confirmed the ruling on the final out of the inning.
Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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More than ever, I think it's really important to support local artists, craftsman, and designers during the holiday season. Visiting independent holiday markets and pop-up shops is not only fun, it's a sure fire way to find gifts that are are completely unique, and so much more personally tailored to your loved one's tastes and interests. No big box retailer in the mall, selling mass-produced crap from China, can compete with that!
Some of the very best local holiday markets are happening this weekend, so I've compiled a handy-dandy list of my favorite events to make your shopping a little less stressful, and a little more festive. Fingers crossed, you'll get all those purchases out of the way in one fell swoop, so you can move on to the most enjoyable activities – cooking and spending time with the people you adore!
Skylight One Hanson @ Ashland Pl., Ft. Greene
12/16, 2 – 9; 12/17 + 18, 10 – 5; 12/21 + 22, 2 – 9
If you can't tick everything off your list at this one location, you're officially a glutton for Christmas shopping punishment. If you like feeding all your birds with one seed, and getting the madness over with in one easy rip, head to The Flea immediately. This event is really the best of both worlds, merging the food purveyors from Saturday's Smorgasburg, with the clothing, craft, and vintage treasure vendors of Sunday's BK Flea. Thankfully, they are all co-mingling under one spectacular roof for the winter, at the architectural gem that is Skylight One Hanson, formerly the Williamsburg Savings Bank. It's worth a visit just to see the gorgeous landmark's interior, but with 100+ vendors lining the former teller windows on the ground floor, secret rooms on the upstairs mezzanine, and the original bank vault on the lower level brimming with an impressive food court and seating area, this is as good as local holiday shopping experiences are likely to get.
Best plan of attack? Start your shopping day here with a little coffee, breakfast noshing, and browsing. Do a full lap around to check out all that's on offer, before heading back to your favorite vendors for those all too perfect gifts for you-know-exactly-who. Once you've had your fill, make your way over for the evening festivities at:
149 Kent Ave, between N 5th & N 6th, Williamsburg
12/15 – 12/17, 5 pm – 1 am
This triple threat, grub-shop-party event pops up in a huge warehouse space this weekend only. The 3-day event, designed specially by JDS Architects, is guaranteed to be one happening spot, bursting at the seams with shopping, food, music, film, and art installations. Many of the food vendors are familiar faces from Smorgasburg, but seeing as Brooklyn has no shortage of culinary talent, dozens of other esteemed BK food scene luminaries will also be on hand to sweeten the pot, along side several local wineries and breweries. 60+ artist merchants will be peddling their crafty wares, as a handful of musical acts take to the stage, including DJ James Murphy (DFA/LCD Soundsystem) and The Hold Steady. Admission to TBNB is free, food is modestly priced, while tickets for the live performances can be purchased separately for $10 – $22. For a complete line-up of participating talent, and to purchase tickets, visit: http://bkbazaar.com
While you're shop-crawling around Williamsburg, drop by Artists & Fleas Designer and Vintage Market (70 N 7th Street, every Sat & Sun, 10 am – 7 pm) to visit some of my very favorite artist merchants in the NYC area, housed all in one convenient indoor location, year-round since 2003. Affordable and cool gifts abound here: jewelry galore, chunky knit accessories, funky vintage & modern threads, one-of-a-kind handmade journals, decorative art, and much more.
If making the trip out to Brooklyn just isn't your thing, you're in luck because they're bringing 30+ of their most stylish vendors to the heart of Manhattan for:
The Artists & Fleas Holiday Pop-Up Shop @ Chelsea Market
12/15 – 12/31, 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
Located in a never before seen, 4000 sq. ft. industrial space in Chelsea Market, this pop-up is a perfect destination for all your holiday shopping needs. You'll undoubtedly find a cornucopia of handmade goodies by A&F's cream of the crop. The full-time tenants of Chelsea Market, formerly the Nabisco Biscuit Co. Headquarters, have tons on offer as well – Morroccan home decor, kitchenware, gourmet food products, books, and more. Take a load off and stop for: a coffee at Ninth Street Espresso; a creamy cold treat from Arte Del Gelato or Ronnybrook Farms; a wicked hot chocolate a la Jacques Torres; baked goods from Amy's Bread or Eleni's. Choose from: Thai or Italian; California cuisine or NY farm-to-table; sushi from the seafood market or charcuterie from Dickson's Farmstand; or a soup/salad combo from Hale & Hearty. The options are endless. The building is conveniently nestled directly beneath The High Line, along the picturesque Hudson River waterfront, and at the crossroads of the Meatpacking District, Chelsea, and West Village shopping districts, making it a must stroll destination area.
So, after you've enjoyed the Artists & Fleas pop-up, had a bite in Chelsea Market, taken a jaunt along The High Line and through the fashionable MPD, make your way east a few blocks to round out your shopping adventures with a visit to:
The Union Square Holiday Market
14th Street between Broadway and University Place
11/24 – 12/24; M-F: 11-8; Sat: 10-9; Sun: 10-6
This has been my go-to holiday shopping destination for the last several years running, despite the fact that it can be a claustrophobic zoo, packed with wide-eyed tourists all day long. Nevertheless, I do enjoy meandering through the maze of red & white, candy cane striped tents, browsing and sampling, and intermittenly stopping for a hot chocolate or apple cider to warm up. I confess that this year, the market feels as if it's lost a bit of its magic. Perhaps it's because I've been to it several times before, and there aren't as many new vendors participating. Cool pop-ups have been increasingly the rage throughout 2011, so organizers really have to up-the-ante to keep things interesting, especially for resident shoppers. A lot of this year's fine artists in particular look rather identical to each other, though I do dig the NYC cityscape themed art that seems to adorn every canvas, leather clutch, tote bag, t-shirt, greeting card, or surface that one can manage to print a digital image on.
I do have a few absolute favorite vendors that I consider to be real stand outs, who lure me back again and again to buy items that have become a part of my personal holiday traditions.
My favorite gift vendors are: COPA Soaps' intoxicating essential oil infused, heaven-scented bars of skin softening, shea-buttery magic that smell good enough to eat; Nirvanna Designs' warm and stylish line of crochet/knit hats, gloves, and outerwear, made with high quality wools and lined with super soft fleece; DeLong Ceramics' decorative tiles and hanging ornaments featuring the iconic landmarks of NYC/BK; Edie Art's whimsical, colorful paintings depicting the magic of child's play against the backdrop of NY cityscapes; Shaya's stunning line of simple, geometric, handmade jewelry that artfully mixes elements of sterling silver, gold, and copper.
My favorite food vendors are: Brooklyn Salsa Co.'s line-up of palate-pleasing, kick ass salsas, consciously prepared utilizing a rather unique combination of sophisicated flavor profiles, with local sustainable ingredients, each cleverly named to represent 1 of the 5 boroughs; Spices and Tease's beautiful rainbow of exotic, ethnic spices and nose tantalizing herb/flower/tea blends; No Chewing Allowed's exquisite, melt on your tongue, premium French truffles and steamy hot chocolate.
If you're still craving more shopping after all that, I should probably take your credit card away from you (or ask you to be my sugar daddy). That said, should you be interested in visiting other local holiday markets, in more neighborhoods throughout the city, I suggest you check out Destination Guides' equally comprehensive list.
May you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and have a blast doing so. Wishing you and yours a most happy holiday season and a grand New Year of the Dragon 2012!


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A BILL to amend and reenact section two, article seven, chapter sixty-one of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and to further amend said article by adding thereto a new section, designated section thirteen, all relating to dangerous weapons; "jackrock" defined; and providing a misdemeanor offense for the manufacture, possession, use or distribution of "jackrocks".
§61-7-13. Manufacture, possession, use and distribution of jackrocks prohibited; penalty.


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I have to leave the rallye-site thursday p.m. to go to work and then want to return to the rallye about midnight. Same thing Friday. Problem is I can't wear my rally wristband at work. If I cut it off, aren't my gooses cooked? Or should I just scotch tape it back together and count on the gate person not noticeing? (kidding, Sue)
What's my solution?


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SELF-GRATIFICATION: There seem to be few places where editors won't go these days to push their magazines. Just ask Lucy Danziger, editor in chief of Self, who will be in Cincinnati today — not to visit hometown heavyweight advertiser Procter & Gamble, but instead to be the keynote speaker to kick off the annual Pure Romance 2007 training weekend. For the uninitiated, Pure Romance has a similar business model to Avon or Mary Kay — except that instead of in-home skin care parties, Pure Romance consultants sell sex toys and products with names such as Ex-T-Cee and Mini Nights of Passion. "Self empowers women to take care of themselves, take time for themselves and have a happy and healthy love life. These topics perfectly dovetail with the message of Pure Romance," said Danziger. Some speculated this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Pure Romance and Self, although a spokeswoman at the magazine said no formal plans are in place. So clearly readers shouldn't expect any titillating cover mounts at the moment. Separately, the Condé Nast title is about to raise its rate base for the first time in two years. Starting with the January issue, Self will increase its rate base to 1.45 million from 1.4 million. — Amy Wicks
BARNETT'S NEW BERTH: Ex-Teen People managing editor Amy Barnett is back on the magazine scene, but in a rather unlikely place. She'll be taking on deputy editor in chief duties on a temporary basis at Harper's Bazaar, a Hearst spokeswoman confirmed. Her arrival comes after deputy editor in chief Sarah Bailey returned to London, and acting executive editor Margi Conklin decamped to edit the New York Post's Page Six: The Magazine. After Barnett's removal from the top post at Teen People in 2005, she was given a corporate title, which she held for about a year. Her first book, "Get Yours: The Girlfriends' Guide to Having Everything You Ever Dreamed of and More," will be released next month. — Irin Carmon
RAIDING THEIR CLOSETS: More magazine may have stumbled on a money-saving strategy for fashion shoots. Instead of hiring models, just ask women to wear their own clothes and shoot them. While the thought might terrify some stylists, the title hedged its bets in an upcoming September spread: It invited women from the fashion and beauty worlds to pose. "We love to show women who can really afford the clothes in our fashion pages," said editor in chief Peggy Northrop. Among others, the spread features Dianne Vavra, vice president of public relations at Dior Beauty; jewelry designer Temple St. Clair; Mark global president Claudia Poccia; LVMH perfumes and cosmetics chief executive officer Pamela Baxter, and Estée Lauder worldwide president Thia Breen. Wolfensohn and Co. managing director and Mayor Bloomberg companion Diana Taylor, and "Money Honey" Maria Bartiromo also appear. In addition to raiding their own closets, of course the women had their picks of More's called-in racks. "This is the way women really shop. They look at their style and have pieces they already love, then they add to it," said Northrop. More's September ad pages are up 24.3 percent from last year, bringing its total year-to-date ad gain to 17.8 percent. — I.C.
This story first appeared in the August 9, 2007 issue of WWD. Subscribe Today.
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Sen. Hillary Clinton spent last weekend hobnobbing with the likes of Ronald Perelman during a fund-raising trip to the Hamptons, although she probably had no idea that when she landed at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach on Saturday, she was just steps away from an impromptu campaign fund-raiser. The runway happened to be filled with a group of big spenders — Platinum Card and Centurion members from American Express — who were touring the new Challenger 605 (from Bombardier) and checking out a few Brooks Brothers fashion shows during an event held by Departures magazine. Clinton left the airport with a wave to the crowd — unaware that she just passed up some fat checkbooks. — A.W.


text: So, we have a guy posting to the list who really, really, REALLY wants to talk to someone about a show on History Channel that he says involves Isaac Newton and Bible Prophecy. Martin wrote back noting this is the same channel that airs Ancient Aliens, but the correspondent continues to write asking if someone will give up an hour of their life to watch this so he can discuss it with them. I've seen History Channel's offerings in recent years go from very well cited war documentaries to programming that the Ghost Hunters would laugh at. So, that person–who will kill an hour of their life for this–is not me. However, out of a sense of helpfulness, if anyone reading this blog has seen this show and is willing to talk to someone about it, please help. I'll send the writer a link to this post to let him know I've put out a call.


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The future of the enterprise is very much up for grabs. Just as Salesforce.com proposed the end of software and then became very much a software company, Zuora's CEO Tien Tzuo recently authored a much-referenced article on the end of ERP, despite the fact that Zuora is very much a player in enabling a new hybrid enterprise that needs ERP as much as it needs Zuora's subscription billing software.
What Tzuo does get right is that business models are rapidly changing globally, and those that are more suited to the services world aren't well-suited to using traditional ERP software--which itself is an outmoded term more rooted in old-style 20th century manufacturing than it is in the dozens of industries and lines of business to which "ERP" companies like SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, and Infor now develop and sell on-premises software.
What's really dead or dying is the pure on-premises business, and with it the notion that IT is a purely inside-the-firewall phenomenon. And what's growing rapidly, aided and abetted by pure-play software-as-a-service vendors like Zuora and Salesforce, is the hybrid enterprise. Indeed, the question for many of these pure-play SaaS vendors is whether, in the long run, they'll be able to sustain their growth and market clout without having something to sell to the on-premises world.
While there's no denying the extraordinary growth of companies like Salesforce, the problem of coexistence with the on-premises world has always been the bete noire of many pure-play SaaS vendors. Zuora embraces this coexistence, as its subscription services model is unlikely to become the system of record in most of the large enterprises it's now targeting.
For Salesforce, the extraordinary demand for automating customer interactions in every industry and geography has mitigated the problem, independent of an immediate need for back-office connectivity. But as CRM on-demand and other SaaS models mature, the fact remains that co-existence with on-premises software, not its end, will be the dominant model for some time to come.
What I do grant Tzuo is that the definition of a customer and what the customer's relationship is with the enterprise will never again be the sole purview of an ERP system, if it ever was. Too much is changing in the product and customer lifecycle to think that ERP will evolve at its core to take on these new responsibilities. This is one of the fundamental phenomena that Tzuo refers to in postulating ERP software's end, and I agree wholeheartedly that ERP won't be the software that crosses that chasm.
But while many SaaS companies can look to purebred SaaS-based business models for much of their early growth, this dependence on net-new processes masks an even greater opportunity in hybrid business models. A good example comes from the ability to take the best of the new SaaS customer interaction models and use that data to create a vastly improved and nuanced demand model for the enterprise.
This improved demand signal feeds directly into the very ERP and supply-chain management systems that are supposedly on their deathbeds. While much can be done in the cloud to improve that analysis--just ask Demand Solutions, Kinaxis, and E2Open, among others--the results of those cloud-based analyses will not only add value to existing on-premises systems but will extend their life spans.


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X-rays of the abdomen are important in diagnosing the presence of small bowel obstruction. When obstruction occurs, both fluid and gas collect in the intestine. They produce a characteristic pattern called "air-fluid levels". The air rises above the fluid and there is a flat surface at the "air-fluid" interface.
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Casper the Friendly Ghost for UNICEF
This is a scan of an old comic book. This item is not for sale. But you can find it on ebay. Click below to go to ebay and search!
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CHICAGO - A man in Chicago said he hopes rabid Michael Jackson fans will appreciate, and pay top dollar for, a gift that a passing bird left on his windshield -- a likeness of the King of Pop.
Brandon Tudor placed the scat-covered windshield up for auction on eBay with a starting bid of $500.
Tudor told the Chicago-Sun Times that the gift from above landed on his windshield as he was driving with his girlfriend and daughters. He said upon splattering, everyone in the car saw the resemblance to the singer, even more so once the droppings "hardened."
"Everybody loves it," Tudor said. "There's not one person who's seen it that doesn't agree it looks like Michael Jackson."
According to Tudor, the windshield has been covered in plastic to prevent the treasured image from washing away.
He told the newspaper that for those without the means to afford the real thing, T-shirts, hats, posters and mugs featuring his "King of Plop" image are now available at Cafe Press.
To read the original story, click here.
Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Hot Men at the Oscars 2013
Sexy, Scruffy Stars Heat Up the Oscars
Sexy, Scruffy Stars Heat Up the Oscars
The man of the hour may be Oscar, but we were more concerned with Brad, Ben, George, Eddie, and the rest of the swoon-worthy actors who brought their A-game to the Oscars tonight. Many of these golden boys donned beards, mustaches, or a five-o'clock shadow with their suited-up looks, but we don't mind a little scruff on those sexy faces. See the hottest men of the Academy Awards now!
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Samsung boss says Galaxy S IV will skip MWC, speculation pegs March 22 Unpacked event in the US
0. phoneArena posted on 22 Jan 2013, 02:11
While teasing the public with an eventual announcement of the 8" Galaxy Note at MWC, Samsung's boss JK Shin also let out that we won't be seeing its flagship handset for 2013 announced at the same forum...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
1. tiara6918 (Posts: 2143; Member since: 26 Apr 2012)
I can't wait what samsung will bring for the s4!
10. abdane (Posts: 497; Member since: 07 Oct 2011)
i hope it will be released in june or may like the GSIII, because my birthday is in june, i dont want to wait 3 months to get it :(
11. _Bone_ (Posts: 2155; Member since: 29 Oct 2012)
It will be released in April.
12. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)
Whenever it is released, everyone is talking about it, which is sucking the oxygen out of the room for the likes of RIM, Nokia, HTC, LG, Sony, MS. Even Apple is being impacted.
2. No_Nonsense (unregistered)
It'd have been shocking if it was unveiled at MWC rather than a separate event considering that's one of the most eagerly anticipated devices this year.
6. GALAXY-STORM (Posts: 328; Member since: 13 Oct 2012)
Its true. Its going to be the device that everyone will be looking to beat in all terms.
9. timtimity (Posts: 196; Member since: 13 Aug 2012)
Yes, after last year's London event, I would be surprised if they didn't have an event exclusively for it.
3. RaKithAPeiRiZ (Posts: 1488; Member since: 29 Dec 2011)
another event in London maybe
4. _Bone_ (Posts: 2155; Member since: 29 Oct 2012)
I'm more excited about an improved Nexus 10 at the moment. Hope rumors are true.
5. GALAXY-STORM (Posts: 328; Member since: 13 Oct 2012)
More the delay more the expectations.
7. someones4 (Posts: 625; Member since: 16 Sep 2012)
I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about the s4. They should release it quickly so that our wild fantasies doesn't spin out of control.
8. big.e927 (Posts: 94; Member since: 21 Nov 2012)
The SG4 is sure to kill the competition. Can't lie though, they need to hurry up already cause that Sony Xperia Z is a nighty good looking phone with the specs sheet to match. Samsung, don't make my waiting go to waste..!
13. rickywinataa (Posts: 262; Member since: 05 Apr 2012)
i think samsung should wait a bit, s3 is not really that outdated and note 2 is still considered pretty new. the state they should use is california, it's really fun to see how android bashes iOS after years before, apple tried to bash android
14. btbotimtim (Posts: 264; Member since: 08 Dec 2010)
Samsung's boss is not JK Shin, it is KH Lee.


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Hurricane Katrina has changed everything.
The horrific experiences the victims in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama went through makes everything else seem so petty. Family, health and friends skyrocketed to the top of our minds.
In the media, local and national, all other stories that seemed huge have taken a backseat to Hurricane Katrina.
The Oct. 11 special election to revoke the Russellville City Council's ordinance, which would rezone a part of Section 35, Township 8 North that is off of Marina Road in west Russellville on Lake Dardanelle's shoreline just does not feel very important anymore in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. However, our readers know we support growth especially on Lake Dardanelle. Coming up with a salary plan for city employees, something that has been worked on diligently for months, is not a top priority for coverage right now.
Less than a week ago, the debate within the Pope County Quorum Court about leasing a shooting range in Atkins for law enforcement felt like a top story. In hindsight after this disaster, those arguments seem secondary.
Government officials throughout Pope County should be commended because their priorities are right where they should be right now.
Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson signed a disaster emergency proclamation that entitled the county to aid relief and assistance from the state and federal governments, as well as implemented the county's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
Our leaders are now focused on Hurricane Katrina, as they should be.
In the national media, all of the stories also seem to be about Katrina.
Prior to Katrina, the lead NFL story was how Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and quarterback Donavan McNabb could co-exist without talking. Now, we barely hear about the Philadelphia Eagles and we constantly hear about the New Orleans Saints • as we should • and the questions of where they will play this season and how their families are coping.
President Bush's main focus was the war on terrorism in Iraq, but now he is concentrating on doing what he can to provide Katrina relief. The stories about Iraq on the wire service are few and far between these days.
Regardless of the issue, it seems everything has some sort of connection to Katrina. When Katrina is hopefully a memory years down the road, it is our hope people will look back at this time period and line up their priorities accordingly.
The families who suffered from Katrina continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.


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Joining the Parade!
Just in case the AIA Committee on Architecture for Justice has not yet planned its early November program in San Francisco, one topic of interest might be whether to sign "the pledge." Getting through the crowd of 279 protesting architects at the CAJ hotel site who have signed "the pledge" could be a challenge. Still, this shouldn't take long since none of the recognized architects that I know of who have historically been involved in designing prisons have signed it. Therefore, stopping to say hello to old placard-carrying friends won't take long.
By now, you may be wondering if I'm spending the summer in the hot sun without head cover. But unless you have been too long at the pool-side bar, you should have heard that Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility (www.adpsr.org/prisons) has asked that all socially responsible architects, designers and planners join together and refuse any commissions that would expand the number of prison beds in the US. ADPSR is a viable organization, founded in 1983 to support a nuclear arms freeze and to become a voice for social issues rising from the hearts and throats of the design community. The organization has been at the leading edge on green building issues and regularly raises the bar on ethics, calling on designers and planners to give more regard to their communities than giving them a thought only when they're passing through them on their drives to work.
Should we sign "the pledge?" My guess is that the readers of this periodical earn a reasonable portion of their pocket change from the prison building industry. And we are talking industry. During the decades of the '80s and '90s, the U.S. added an average of 100 new prison beds a day. It truly requires an industry to meet that level of demand. During the time when a million new beds were constructed, the industry innovated, matured and, well, profited. While the conditions of confinement in America's prisons and jails were being vastly improved, voices of caution were also constantly reminding us that we would never build our way out of a social and political crisis.
A Controversial Topic
In mid-June I moderated a debate on "Privatization" at the American Association of Correctional and Forensic Psychology's (www.aa4cfp.org) National Prison Debate in Alexandria, Va. As you might expect, this topic was the most controversial, the most misunderstood and the one around which the least consensus developed. However, from the "left" and the "right" came at least a murmur that maybe we have enough beds and now is the time to be about doing more at the front-end and back-end, and less in the middle of the continuum.
I won't burden you with facts about the U.S. being the most prolific jailer in the world, with more folks under some form of community control than a city the size of Los Angeles, and spending more money per prisoner each year than it takes to send a kid to college with an excess of beer money. Attend any prison conference and you will be reminded of just how big the industry has become. The question for us is are we following the path of the U.S. automakers, producing Hummers and rubber-tired, highway-eligible tanks even as gas prices are doubling and will continue to increase regardless of more and bigger pipelines?
Regardless of which side of the economic equation you come down on, in the end the future of the auto, health care and prison industries will be less about social than fiscal policy. Prison building in America today is a fraction of its former self. Is it because there is less crime? You bet. Then what's sustaining the astronomically high number of incarcerations? Is it longer sentences? Also a safe bet, especially because those sentence lengths are no longer set by judges who have the advantage of hearing all the facts of a complicated case. Instead, they are being determined by overtired, excessively lobbied legislators who have to make relatively snap decisions on 200 pieces of legislation, and then rush home to raise money for their next campaigns.
This is not about architects unplugging prison producing CADD machines to reduce bed counts; this is about red-eyed legislators setting social policy through the way they allocate public funds against perceived priorities. Now, some of the folks I met at the debate had the impression that our industry has a key to the legislative cloakroom and regularly fills re-election coffers with more than spare change, and that is why we have so much legislation passed that requires a bed in return for a buck. But does anyone also want to discuss how hospitals, college dorms, electrical sub-stations or airports get funded?
The design community can change social policy by getting involved with "the process." But first we have to recognize that making sausage is different from eating it. The journalist-author Michael Kinsley once commented that all of us face a choice of remaining on the curb and watching, or joining the parade even if we aren't familiar with the music. The issues surrounding the incarceration rate in America are as complex as calculus, and to suggest that by asking the design community to stop so we can sort out how many beds we really need has as much validity as asking architects to stop designing Wal-Marts until a better employee health insurance package emerges.
A Warning
But we have to start. The current trickle of state-funded prison projects has first to do with the economy and second, I hope, with an honest re-examination of who really needs to go to prison and for how long. The design community can't do a lot to shift economic priorities, but it can do a great deal more to join in the debate about when is enough enough. One such debate is now under way in Congress in the form of The Second Chance Act of 2005 (H.R. 1704). As the title implies, the act would provide federal assistance to systems that can demonstrate how we can have safe communities and lower crime rates, and better prepare offenders to contribute positively to society.
But I warn you. At the same time Congress is addressing mandatory sentencing policies and re-entry programs, individual states will pass at least 50 acts making incarceration the preferred sanction. On this, I agree with Raphael Sperry, President of ADPSR and author of "the pledge:" We will effect no change if we are content to simply watch the parade. A collective voice must be heard that questions the continued use of incarceration as the first and only answer to crime and its consequences.
So, do we sign "the pledge" (which, by the way, can be found at the ADPSR web site)? Or, do we rationalize that if we don't plan and design better prisons, then we'll be back where we were in the '70s when conditions of confinement in America were pretty miserable? And besides, if those who have invested their careers in making conditions not only better but the best in the world stop designing, then someone else will. And that someone just may not have the necessary skills. People get hurt in prison.
In Act II of Julius Caesar, the man himself reminds Calpurnia that, "Cowards die many times before their death, the valiant never taste of death but once." I have always thought that was a slogan for the euthanasia lobby or the battle cry of a deranged drill sergeant, but as I contemplate the genuine urging of "one of us" to thoughtfully consider if what we are doing is really producing a better and safer society, Caesar's comments are haunting.
The story doesn't end there, however, as Jules goes on to say, "Of all the wonders I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear; seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come." I will resist seeing that as a fatalist philosophy suggesting that prisons are what we have and therefore what we have to have. Relative to the movement to stop prison construction, I am going to believe that Caesar was suggesting that we have nothing to fear but the fear of not asking the complete question: Are more prisons the best, and only, answer?
Read the pledge. Enjoy the parade.
Stephen A. Carter, AICP, is principal of Carter Goble Lee LLC in Columbia, S.C.