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© 2009 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Scioscia says Escobar is likely done
Angels skipper preparing to finish season without righty
By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said on Wednesday that injured right-hander Kelvim Escobar is unlikely to return this season after battling through shoulder problems that have plagued him for the past two seasons. Escobar suffered a setback stemming from his only start this season when his right shoulder became inflamed after allowing two runs over five innings against the Tigers on June 6. It was just the latest setback for Escobar, who missed the entire 2008 season while recovering from a torn labrum and the resulting surgery. Escobar hasn't seen any progress in his shoulder since it became inflamed, so Scioscia knows it's a long shot that the righty will return to the team this season. "At this point, it doesn't seem that way," Scioscia said of the possibility of Escobar returning. "But obviously he's still rehabbing." Scioscia hoped before the season that the 33-year-old right-hander would be a key contributor to the starting rotation after winning 18 games with a 3.40 ERA two seasons ago. Without Escobar, Scioscia will have to lean on several young starters down the stretch. For now, Escobar will continue to meet with team doctors in case his shoulder begins to respond, although it seems unlikely in Scioscia's eyes. "The medical department and Dr. [Lewis] Yocum keep tabs, but with Kelvim, each passing day means there's less and less chance he'll return," Scioscia said. "His shoulder isn't responding, and there's not really new news there."
Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The Thomas Crown Affair [1999] (DVD)
John McTiernan
Thrill-seeking billionaire Thomas Crown (Brosnan) loves nothing more than courting disaster - and winning! So when his world becomes too stiflingly "safe," he pulls off his boldest stunt ever: stealing a priceless painting - in broad daylight - from one of Manhattan's most heavily-guarded museums. But his post-heist excitement soon pales beside an even greater challenge: Catherine Banning (Russo). A beautiful insurance investigator hired to retrieve the artwork, Catherine's every bit as intelligent, cunning and hungry for adventure as he is. And just when Thomas realizes he's finally met his match, she skillfully leads him into a daring game of cat and mouse that's more intoxicating - and dangerous - than anything either of them has ever experienced before!
Product Details
- Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary
- Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85.1
- Number of Discs: 1
- Rating: R
- Label: MGM Studios
- Run Time: 113 minutes
- Catalogue #: 907452
Special Features
- Feature-Length Audio Commentary by John McTiernan
- Collectible Booklet
- Theatrical Trailers from 1968 and 1999 Films

subset: commoncrawl


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BTW, I didn't have any shortening so I substituted margarine and it seemed to work fine. I also added a tiny bit more water too because it was so dry that I couldn't get it to stick together at all. That is with KABF.I will definitely make this again. It's great because it's so quick.
....come on Colonel, please step up to the podium!
The margarine was Parkay sticks. I have no idea what the vegetable oil percentage is, or whether it has lecithin.
Parkay: Sticks 65% Vegetable Oil Spread, 16 OzLiquid Soybean Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Whey, Salt, Vegetable Mono- And Diglycerides And Soy Lecithin (Emulsifiers), Potassium Sorbate And Sodium Benzoate (To Preserve Freshness), Artificial Flavor, Phosphoric Acid (Acidulant), Vitamin A Palmitate, Colored With Beta Carotene (Source Of Vitamin A). Contains: Milk, Soy
Thanks a bunch Colonel, VERY helpful. Here's the breakdown:This is a spread not a true margarine. According to USDA regulations, butter and margarine must contain at least 80% fat. Therefore interchangeable in recipes. The USDA does not specify how much fat should be in the spreads category, so the fat content varies between brands.Only true margarine is acceptable for baking, margarine spread are not due to the high water content.Changing to "margarine spread" has added a lot of dough conditioners/enhancers and the hydration was changed up a bit.
Changing to "margarine spread" has added a lot of dough conditioners/enhancers and the hydration was changed up a bit.
The Parkay may have upped the hydration, but I still had to add a little more water than the original recipe called for. Before I did, I couldn't get any cohesion at all. Then next time, and only other time I made this, I upped the hydration a little more and it didn't turn out nearly as well. I think the key is to keep hydration as low as possible...just above where it won't stick together.
I think the key is to keep hydration as low as possible...just above where it won't stick together.
If you look, it will be very difficult to find a true margarine (80%Vegetable Oil).
Opps, maybe I should clarify.Parky, is no longer "margarine" it is a "spread stick" (65% Vegetable Oil Spread). It has been for quite a while now. If you look, it will be very difficult to find a true margarine (80%Vegetable Oil).Does the small amount of enhancing ingredients matter..in my experience, yes. I intentionally use it in small amounts to manipulate recipes all the time. Even the small amount of lecithin in Pam spray that I used to coat my bowl to allow dough to double, improves the texture of my yeast doughs. It tightens and softens the crumb. It's one of my "secrets" so to speak.Hopefully I understood your question correctly. If not please let me know.
Thank you for your info on your use of the "enhancers" and the secret tip about the lecithin in Pam spray, Lydia,going to try that one.You caused me to take a look at the soft "margarine" I've been using for YEARS. It is Shedd's spread "Country Crock" and is only 53% veg. oil! I guess that means there is a boatload of WATER in that stuff... Is there something else that I could be using that will have more/better flavor? I do use butter quite a lot but like having the soft tub-o-whatever it is as an option too.Thanks!
Are you asking "in general" for baking or for the "cracker style" specifically?


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Report: Giants re-sign Uribe
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Giants have re-signed infielder Juan Uribe, pending a physical.
The deal is expected to be a one-year deal with a club option for 2011.
Uribe was one of the bright spots of the Giants offense last season not named Sandoval.
He had 16 HR, 55 RBI and hit .289 in 398 ABs last season.
He'll likely fill the infield utility role next season and adds to the Giants flexibility. Uribe played equally at 2B, SS and 3B last season. With the addition of DeRosa, who can play all the infield positions, plus outfield, it gives manager Bruce Bochy a lot of options. Add to that is the fact the Pablo Sandoval can play 1B and 3B as well as catcher. And Eugenio Velez can play the middle infield as well as the outfield.
This flexibility leaves the Giants a lot of options if they're looking to add another bat to the lineup.


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St. Louis Rams @STLouisRams
In case you missed it, the #Rams agreed to terms with OT Jake Long late last night.
St. Louis Rams @STLouisRams
In case you missed it, the #Rams agreed to terms with OT Jake Long late last night.
Sign him. 53 man roster of QBs
@ProFootballWkly: RT @TennesseeTitans: #Titans release quarterback Matt Hasselbeck http://t.co/T57mNKORCD
@RavensInsider: Ravens among those interested in safety michael huff as well as dallas cowboys green bay packers and tennessee titans per a league source
@RavensInsider: Compensatory selections to be announced later today by the NFL
@JennyVrentas: Confirmed @mortreport's report that Giants are among teams interested in Hasselbeck. But they're not expected to be able to afford him. #nyg
Guess who else is interested?
Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora
With Hasselbeck out in Tenn, Jason Campbell fits what they're looking for in a back-up, will inquire. CHI, NYJ, and CLE already in the mix
@AdamSchefter: Most surprising development of compensatory picks: San Diego not awarded ANY pick for losing WR Vincent Jackson to Bucs.
@AdamSchefter: RT @ProFootballWkly: #Texans, #Chiefs, #Titans get 3rd-round compensatory picks. #Ravens, #49ers, #Lions, #Falcons with 4th-rounders.
@ProFootballWkly: Full list and breakdown RT @RLiuNFL: 32 compensatory picks in 2013 @nfl Draft awarded to 16 teams http://t.co/j9mrvsnoYi


text: Feeling safe and employment matter most to people with a learning disability NewsBodyTextPeople with a learning disability voted that feeling safe and being able to get a job were their top priorities at an event at Leeds Civic Hall last week (18 June).The Take 2 event marked the start of Learning Disability Week in Leeds, and was organised by Leeds City Council in partnership with Mencap and Tenfold, the learning disability forum in the city.Take 2 was attended by over 100 people, including councillors and council officers, and representatives from other public services including police, fire and health. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Ann Castle, presided over the event in the council chamber. In the spirit of democracy she invited co-chair Susan Hanley, who has a learning disability, to swap seats with her so that Susan could find out what it was like to be Lord Mayor for a morning.Approximately 70 people with a learning disability took over councillors' seats in the chamber, where meetings of full council take place. They took part in speeches and a mock election to decide which issues were of the most concern to them. Councillors then responded to some of the issues raised and answered questions.The majority of votes were about the issue of feeling safe, which was particularly appropriate as Mencap's focus for Learning Disability Week 2012 was disability hate crime and the need for the police to be able to carry on the good work they are doing in this area. Employment came out as the other top priority with only one in 10 people with a learning disability in work. It was clear that people are concerned that the economic downturn is making it even harder for them to get jobs.Talking about the event, Susan Hanley said:"It was a big honour to be allowed to use the council chamber for this event, which helped us to raise important issues with people who can do something about them. It was wonderful when the Lord Mayor asked me to sit in her chair!"Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Ann Castle, said:"The people here today raised some very serious issues, but there was also an air of celebration at being given the chance to speak in the heart of democracy in Leeds."Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for adult health and social care said:"The Take 2 event was a great success, giving people with a learning disability a better understanding of how power in the city works. I hope that it will give them the confidence to speak out about their issues and concerns, safe in the knowledge that their voices will be heard."It was very clear from the event what a big issue feeling safe is for people. We have recently launched the Safe Place scheme in Leeds, which aims to provide extra security for learning disabled people so that they can live and enjoy their lives to the full, safe in the knowledge that assistance is close by if they need it."I would encourage local businesses to register to be part of this excellent scheme so that we can work together to build up a strong network of safe places for vulnerable adults in Leeds."The Leeds Safe Places scheme was also launched during Learning Disability Week. The scheme aims to help people with a learning disability to deal with any problems they encounter whilst out and about in the community.Led by adult social care services in Leeds in partnership with third sector organisations, West Yorkshire Police, and Leeds and York NHS Partnership Foundation Trust, the scheme will provide a network of safe places that people with a learning disability can go to if they are lost or are faced with dealing with any difficulties whilst they are out and about in the city.The council are looking for a wide variety of businesses, places of interest and community venues, such as shops, sports centres, libraries and cafes to join the scheme. Following their training they will be issued with the nationally recognisable Safe Places sticker, which they can display in their window.For more information about the Safe Places scheme in Leeds please phone Leeds 214 3446 or email firstname.lastname@example.com media enquiries, please contact;Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Power Week: Smaller EV Power Module, SiC Rectifiers & Battery Monitors
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Infineon has developed a new power module for automotive inverters that has a 30% smaller form factor than the company's HybridPACK 2, with the same performance. The HybridPACK Drive is a six-pack module (750V/660A) optimized for hybrid and electric vehicles with power levels in the range of 50 to 100 kW (see image below).
The module contains 24 IGBTs and 24 diodes and has multifunction tabs and press-fit pins that allow faster installation. Stray inductance has been reduced from 14 nH to 10 nH.
In product news, Cree has added two 650-V SiC rectifiers to its Z-Rec Schottky diode family. The C5D50065D provides 50 A continuous forward current and up to 2,000 A of non-repetitive surge capability at 25°C, while the CVFD20065A provides 20 A of forward current capability with a nominal voltage drop of only 1.35 V at 25°C
International Rectifier has announced second-generation IRAM integrated power modules for appliance motor drive applications. The 600 V IRAM256-1067A, IRAM256-1567A, and IRAM256-2067A have current ratings of 10, 15, and 20 A, respectively.
Littelfuse has expanded its power-control semiconductor portfolio. Additions include half-bridge-circuit IGBT modules in industry-standard S, D, and WD packages with ratings up to 1,200 V and 600 A, as well as rectifier diode modules in S and A packages with ratings up to 1,800 V and 200 A.
Texas Instruments has introduced scalable battery monitors that protect and control multi-cell batteries when charging or operating in harsh environment conditions. The bq76920 supports 3 to 5 series cells or typical 18 V packs; the bq76930 manages up to 10 series cells or 36 V packs; and the bq76940 monitors up to 15 cells or typical 48 V batteries.
A galvanically isolated USB µModule transceiver from Linear Technology combines USB data communications and USB power. The LTM2884 provides 2,500 V RMS of isolation and common-mode transient rejection of >30 kV/µs. The company also introduced the LT8620 2A synchronous step-down switching regulator that accepts an input voltage range of 3.4 to 65 V and consumes 2.5 µA of quiescent current.
Ericsson has introduced a new high-power-density, quarter-brick power module based on its Hybrid Regulated Ratio (HRR) topology. The PKM4613NH offers up to 600 W across a voltage range of 36 to 75 V and operating temperature of -30°C to +90°C.
Advanced Power Electronics has announced a general-purpose power MOSFET for DC/DC converters and load switching. The TO-220-packaged AP100T03GP-HF-3 has an on-resistance of 2.1 mΩ, a drain-source breakdown voltage of 30 V, and a continuous drain current of 215 A.
A series of smart power modules from Fairchild Semiconductor is intended for driving small-power motors under 100 W. The PQFN-packaged FSB70250, FSB70325, and FSB70625 integrate an optimized gate driver for the built-in MOSFETs to minimize EMI and losses, and provide protection features including under-voltage lockouts, thermal monitoring, fault reporting, and interlock function.
Finally, Vicor has launched a series of high-density DC/DC brick converters that claim to provide 51% greater power density than competing products at up to 94% efficiency. The isolated HD Brick series includes a 48.6 x 46.5 x 16 mm 320 W unit with a nominal 28 V input and 28 V output, plus a 57 x 46.5 x 16 mm 400 W device with a nominal 300 V input and 12 V output.


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Smartphones, Lost Portfolios, and Toilets
Years ago, shortly before graduating from college, I was heading to an interview for a photo editor position with what I thought was the key to my future: a dynamite portfolio. In those days, putting together a photo portfolio was time-consuming and costly. It may be difficult for the digital generation to appreciate that. Back in those days, there was no digital. A portfolio consisted of a leather binder with a dozen or so meticulously printed 8×10 black and white shots (yeah, I'm really dating myself now) that would hopefully wow the interviewer and land me the job. Before getting into my car, I had placed the portfolio on the roof of my car while searching for my car keys. I found my keys, got into the car, and drove off, confident in my sport jacket and tie that I would soon land a great job. Only one problem: I had not retrieved the portfolio from the roof of the car.
To make a long story short, I arrived at the interview; unfortunately, my portfolio did not arrive with me. Try explaining that to the interviewer. "Well, it was here when I last checked. No, seriously. It's actually a pretty good portfolio. Really, you'd like it…if I could only show it to you."
On my way home from a very short interview, I found my portfolio a block away from where I started. To be sure, it had that distressed look, having been run over by a dozen or so vehicles (the tread marks clued me in on that). And I think it must have been garbage day because the top cover of the binder had been torn away by something much heavier than a car. C'est la vie. Back to the dark room…and the job classifieds.
Things are much different today, sort of. In that same situation today, sans "hardcopy" portfolio, I could still have shown my photos by using my smartphone to access my Mozy Sync folder and then I could have forwarded my portfolio to the person giving the interview, impressing him with not only my dynamite portfolio but the convenience of Mozy Sync and the power of the Mozy mobile app as well. Of course, that assumes that I actually still had my smartphone.
As much as things change, in some ways they still remain the same. Take for example leaving my portfolio on the roof of my car. Would you believe that leaving your smartphone on the roof of your car and then driving off is one of the more common ways of losing your phone? If you don't believe it, then you haven't lost your smartphone that way…yet.
In a recent article published by Consumer Reports, "Setting your phone on the roof or hood of the car while you strap your kid into the car seat, load the groceries, or take off your jacket is a common mistake. You might not notice the phone is gone until you reached your next destination, and if you remember before then, you might find your phone sitting damaged on the road or in a parking lot."
According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center, a projected 3.1 million smartphones were stolen last year. But those 3.1 million smartphones are just the ones that were stolen. According to a Mozy study, thieves aren't to blame for most smartphones that end up missing; it's the owners of the smartphones who are to blame. They're losing their phones. That's right: 70 percent of people who carry around portable devices have lost a data storage device. But losing the device really isn't the worst of the problem.
Although the average cost of a lost item is $220.15, it's not just the value of the item itself that has an impact. Of those who have lost a portable device, 57 percent said that they were more upset about losing the data on the device than losing the device itself. In fact, the Mozy study found that so strong is the desire to hang on to our smartphones—and the pictures, contacts, and messages on them—that 93 percent of people who have dropped one down a toilet have attempted to retrieve it. Eww.
So, where are the most likely places that you will lose your smartphone? Based on the findings of the Consumer Reports National Research Center, here is where you should make every effort to keep a firm grip on your phone:
- Public transportation
- Airports and airplanes
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail establishments
- School property
- Amusement parks
- Hood or roof of a car
- Public bathrooms
As I reflect on that interview of so many years ago and consider the fact that far too many smartphones are lost in public bathrooms, I can't help but smile knowing that I would never have lost my portfolio in a toilet. It was way too big to fall in.


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What are the job responsibilities of a Car Dispatcher ? What does an individual in this position get paid in New Jersey?
Here is the position summary for Car Dispatcher as found in BLR's Salary Finder:
Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight train. Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within yard of railroad, industrial plant, or similar location. Yardmasters coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains, yard switching, and review train schedules and switching orders.
In New Jersey, the midpoint of salaries reported for the position (50th percentile) is $47,323. The 75th percentile (the rate below which 75% of salary data falls) is $62,272. The 25th percentile (the rate below which 25% of the data falls) is $41,168.
Get full salary data for Car Dispatcher , including data for your industry, geographic region or metro area and employer size. Get full access to your detailed salary information now!
How much should you pay a Car Dispatcher ?
Compensation.BLR.com, a leading provider of compensation data, scores this job as nonexempt (entitled to overtime). According to Compensation.BLR.com's rate ranges, grade 11 has a minimum of $35,061. The midpoint is $46,742, and the maximum is $58,422.
How much should an employer be paying a Car Dispatcher in New Jersey? It depends on many factors, but the most important are the experience and skills of the employee or applicant. Answer these questions: How much experience does he or she have? How highly skilled is he or she? Then, use the table below. Interpolate as necessary.


text: Guitar neck is an object that can display chords on a guitar neck. It generates HTML elements inside a div element with a given identifier to show a guitar neck with a given width, height, and number of guitar chords. The object can optionally use graphic images to display the guitar neck, and can display left or right chords.


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Movie Review
Bullet to the Head
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language, nudity and drug use. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
Publication date: Feb. 1, 2013
Review by Tyler Hanley
Released: (2013)
And while Stallone's "The Expendables" (2010) served up some cheeky charm, the shtick has, frankly, grown old. It's borderline depressing, like watching a former high school football star with a paunchy gut and bum knees showcase skills that have long since waned. Willis has seen several recent actioners go straight to DVD, and Schwarzenegger's "The Last Stand" fell flat. Now it's Stallone's turn.
The title itself should deter viewers who favor smart cinema over mindless mayhem. Based on the French graphic novel "Du Plomb Dans La Tete" and set in New Orleans, the story (as it were) revolves around hired killer James Bonomo (Stallone) and his unlikely alliance with Washington, D.C., cop Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang of "Fast Five").
Kwon heads to The Big Easy to investigate the murder of his ex-partner; meanwhile, Bonomo is seeking his own answers following the brazen killing of his hitman cohort. When the two realize the deaths are linked, they grudgingly join forces to track down those responsible. They unearth a conspiracy that involves a real-estate mogul (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a socialite (Christian Slater) and a violent mercenary (Jason Momoa). Even Bonomo's tattoo-artist daughter (Sarah Shahi) is along for the bumpy ride.
Although Stallone lumbers his way through the film and appears half-asleep half the time, the man still has charisma and is occasionally sharp despite dull material. Kang struggles, his weak character made more so by an amateur performance. And while the odd-couple dynamic has its moments, they are few and far between. Shahi and Momoa are solid, but their characters are one-dimensional.
Director Walter Hill hasn't helmed a feature since 2002's "Undisputed," and it shows. Novice filmmaking techniques such as use of voiceover, flashbacks and erratic transitions become distracting and seem beneath the standards of a director with a decent resume ("The Warriors" and "48 Hrs.," among others). The cheesy hard-rock soundtrack screams "bad '80s action movie," and perhaps that was the goal all along.
But bad '80s action movies belong in the '80s. It's 2013, and the movie-going public deserves better than a "Bullet to the Head."


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Two Spirit is a name given to women, and also men, in Native America who are considered born with two spirits- male and female. In America, butches are those women, those heroes of the feminist movement, of women everywhere who look for the strength and heart of a two spirt woman.
©2012 Rayna Gangi (P)2013 Rayna Gangi
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Homeless Bank Robber Passes Out Stolen Money on Bus
Elmer McGuirt entered a Tampa-area Wachovia branch yesterday afternoon with a threatening note, and walked out with a bag of the bank's money.
Being homeless, McGuirt did not bring his own getaway car; rather, he availed himself of the services of the Tampa public transportation system. After boarding a bus, Mcguirt (no doubt elated by his recent adventure) "began handing out the money to other passengers, while keeping some for himself - stuffed in his pants."
Alas, all good things must come to an end. The bus driver pulled over, the police arrived, and McGuirt was arrested for his manic redistribution of other people's funds. The money was removed from his pants. Yet...is a bit of magic still in the air? Around Tampa's dark clouds, it seems, floated the merest hint of a silver lining.
Deputies were also able to get some money back from the remaining passengers.


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Prosecutors in Jerry Sandusky's child sex-abuse trial dropped one of the 52 counts against him Monday because the statute he was charged under did not apply at the time of the alleged illegal contact. The charge relates to an accuser identified by prosecutors as Victim 7.
During testimony, the man said the offense happened in 1995 or 1996, but the unlawful contact with a minor statute didn't apply until 1997, prosecutors told the judge overseeing the case. Three charges related to the man are still in effect, including attempted indecent assault.
Prosecutors also said they planned to call one more witness Monday before resting their case. The defense would then begin presenting its own witnesses although it remains unclear if Sandusky himself would testify.
Sandusky now is charged with 51 counts accusing him of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year span. He denies any wrongdoing.
Prosecutors presented 20 witnesses in the first four days of testimony last week, including eight boys who said Sandusky abused them.
The gripping, sometimes graphic testimony included details about gifts and trips to Penn State games that prosecutors sought to tie to escalating physical contact that started out as harmless affection and morphed into forced sex acts.
Defense attorneys have already gotten approval to argue that letters and other acts of alleged grooming by Sandusky are evidence of a personality disorder.
Jurors have already heard Sandusky deny the abuse allegations, in the form of an audio recording of a stilted television interview Sandusky conducted shortly after his November arrest.
The defense has sought to show how the stories of accusers have changed over time, that they were prodded and coached by investigators and prosecutors, that some are motivated to lie by the hopes of a civil lawsuit jackpot, and to paint Sandusky's interactions with children as misunderstood and part of a lifelong effort to help, not victimize, them.
In a recent court filing, Sandusky's lawyers have asked the judge to allow them to put before jurors the out-of-court statements made by former Penn State president Graham Spanier and Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, two university administrators who are fighting criminal charges they lied to the Sandusky grand jury and did not properly report suspected child abuse.
If permitted, that could help Sandusky undercut the credibility of a witness who says he saw Sandusky sexually abusing a yet-unidentified boy in a team shower more than a decade ago. The judge has not ruled on the request.
During cross-examination, Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola pressed the accusers for dates and locations, details of their involvement with the kids' charity Sandusky founded, arrests or drug problems, contacts they had with Sandusky in the years since the alleged abuse ended and the terms of representation deals with civil lawyers. At least six said they told incorrect or incomplete stories in early contacts with police, and three testified that some of the details only came back to them in recent years.
During jury selection Sandusky's lawyers asked potential jurors about ties to a list of people who might be witnesses, including members of coach Joe Paterno's family and Dottie Sandusky. It is unclear, however, which of them will take the stand.
Source: Fox News


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Few memories are as distinct in my mind as the '69 Cubs. A good season with a heartbreaking finish.
Part of that '69 team was Ron Santo, third base.
He played that position well, tenacious defense and hit with power. I can remember him running down the third base line after a win and jumping, clicking his heels.
He later became part of the WGN radio broadcast team.
As long as I have known him, either as a player or a broadcaster, I cannot recall him ever having a bad thing to say about anyone.
Great guy.


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Thatcherism and the Republican future
At present, the Republican party seems to have lost its way. There is no clear policy view and different voices on the right wing have differing priorities. The Republicans have failed to achieve a majority of the popular vote in five of the past six presidential elections, and Romney lost in November 2012 in part because, as former governor of Florida Jeb Bush has said, the Republican party is seen these days as a 'white men's country club.' It has lost contact with the changing demographics and racial makeup of the country because it does not convey a message that attracts and holds the majority of the young, the non-whites, the urban dwellers, and those who see their jobs being lost and their incomes stagnant while the people at the very top of the financial pile are receiving salaries, bonuses and other compensation that are constantly opening up an ever widening gap. In sum, it can be argued that Obama didn't win the last election as much as the Republicans lost it.
In addition to being able to find a message that will attract and hold a majority, the Republican party needs to identify a leader with character and charisma who can inspire people. Conservatives look back to the halcyon days of the Reagan presidency when, under his avuncular style, the president saw very clearly what he wanted to do and held to the view that freedom and personal liberty were intimately involved with releasing the energies of free enterprise.
In USA, Margaret Thatcher's performance is seen in much more positive - that is, less divisive - terms than in UK, just as Kennedy was seen in UK in a much more positive light than he was regarded in USA. Thatcher's positions strike many chords among American conservatives: Her clarity of thought and determination, her commitment to private enterprise, her leadership in the Cold War and toughness over the Falkland Islands, her early recognition that business could be done with Gorbachev, her strong support of presidents Reagan and Bush, and her declared objective that "I came to office with one deliberate intent, to change Britain from a dependent to a self-reliant society, from a give-it-to-me to a do-it-yourself nation." This last sentiment is fully in accord with the independence of the American spirit.
Of course, the political systems of the two countries are very different. Politically, the UK is a center-left country whereas USA is center-right. The prime minister in UK is also the leader of the political party that has its hands firmly on the levers of control in Parliament, a situation with Congress that a US president would dearly love to have but is denied by the Constitution. Margaret Thatcher stepped into the UK political fray when the country was in the dumps and the British Conservative party was in disarray. The present state of the US domestic economy is not that of the UK in 1979, but the Republican party is flopping around and seeking rejuvenation. Thus, it is just possible that being reminded of her example of clear-eyed leadership could become a rallying cry for the currently disordered and confused right wing in USA to reorganize and reenergize itself in time for the next presidential election in 2016.
But it would be a misinterpretation of the Thatcher legacy to expect that moving sharply to the right would be successful. Her own sharp right policies and her personal style became very divisive in the country at large and in the end her true heir was not the Conservative party, which since her downfall in 1990 has never won a clear popular majority, but the Labor party of Tony Blair which was pulled closer to the center of British politics.
Obama cannot run again and at present the likely Democrat front runner is Hillary Clinton. But the Republican field is as yet wide open - whether a Thatcher clone would be the solution and, if so, whether such a person will emerge remain to be seen.
Derek Boothby is a resident of Manchester and a former arms control official with the United Nations.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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The Average Person's Guide to Investing in 2011
The stock market is positively sizzling today, as Wall Street's optimism pushed the Dow to a two-year high. Sounds tempting, eh? Before you wade in with your wallet, consider this short list of "Do's" and "Don'ts." Consider it now!
- DON'T assume that massive valuations of internet companies mean that you need to rush into tech stocks.
- DON'T assume that good housing data means you need to rush into housing stocks. We've got a few extra houses laying around already.
- DON'T buy stocks based on one day's good news. Oh, "Bank of America Corp. shot up 5.3 percent to $14.05 after the bank settled a dispute with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac"? What goes up will never go back down, that's for sure.
- DON'T assume your "financial planner" is a good arbiter of risk.
- DON'T ever pick stocks based on what some experts say in a widely-read publication for the general public (that includes this one). That advice is outdated as soon as it gets published. If not just total bullshit.
- DON'T have any faith in your own ability to beat the market. The market is much swifter than you.
- DON'T invest based on headline-grabbing M&A news. Most M&A's don't really pan out, anyhow. If you're not an insider, you're dumb money. Deals are driven, more than anything, by how much they'll help the company insiders who are in the position to make deals in the first place.
- DON'T pick mutual funds based on how well they've done in the past. Remember: reversion to the mean.
- As a matter of fact, DON'T buy managed mutual funds at all.
But what to do?
- DO buy low-cost index funds, like these from Vanguard. DO diversify. DO reinvest your dividends. DO leave them alone. DO forget they even exist. DO keep adding whatever little bit of money you can to them, on a regular basis. DO keep doing this in 2011, and 2012, and the next 20 or 30 years beyond. DO NOT FUCKING TRADE THEM OR CASH THEM OUT UNLESS YOU ARE FACING ABSOLUTE DESTITUTION.
When it's time to retire, take a look at your index funds. They have increased in value by quite a lot, with absolutely no knowledge necessary on your part. You can't beat the market. But you don't have to!
[Photo: Shutterstock]


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Enjoy breathtaking views of your private beach throughout your four-story home in the exclusive gated community, Ocean Place Estates, within the highly sought out town of Highland Beach. This home features a private pool and spa, classically elegant home theater, traditional library, marble floors throughout open and spacious floor plans, and two garages housing a total of 6 cars.
- List Price
- $7,550,000
- Property Type
- Bedrooms
- 5
- AC Square Feet
- 8,935
- Garage Spaces
- 6
- Year Built
- 1999
- Taxes
- $97,801
- Tax Year
- 2016
- New Construction
- No
Here is the estimated breakdown for this property's mortgage and tax payments. Feel free to adjust any of the values.
Results received from this calculator are designed for comparative purposes only, and accuracy is not guaranteed.
Listing courtesy of MerrickDamon Real Estate
DISCLAIMER: The written and verbal information provided including but not limited to prices, measurements, square footages, lot sizes, calculations and statistics have been obtained and conveyed from third parties such as the applicable Multiple Listing Service Internet Data Exchange ("IDX"), public records as well as other sources. All information including that produced by the Sellers or Listing Company are subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice and should be independently verified by any prospect for the purchase of a Property. The Sellers and Listing Company expressly disclaim any warranty or representation regarding all information. Prospective purchasers' use of this or any written and verbal information is acknowledgement of this disclaimer and that Prospects shall perform their own due diligence. Prospective purchasers shall not rely on any written or verbal information provided when entering into a contract for sale and purchase. Some affiliations may not be applicable to certain geographic areas. This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed. The information provided is for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties for purchasing. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold or may no longer be available. Please contact Premier Estate Properties directly for additional information pertaining to the status and availability of properties displayed on this website.


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Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez wasted no time figuring out how he'd fit both B.J. and Justin Upton into his lineup after general manager Frank Wren recently raised the possibility of acquiring the latter. "As soon as Frank mentioned this about six, seven days ago," Gonzalez said in a telephone interview.
Atlanta, of course, signed B.J. to a five-year free-agent deal back in November, and it added Justin Upton in a seven-player trade with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, making Gonzalez the first professional manager to have the luxury of filling out a batting order with both brothers. B.J., the 28-year-old former No. 2 overall pick who has averaged 19 homers, 36 steals and a .768 OPS over his six full seasons, and Justin, the 25-year-old former No. 1 overall pick who has averaged 23 homers, 19 steals and a .846 OPS in his four full seasons, figure to help give the Braves an excellent chance at returning to the postseason.
Though acknowledging that a lot could change between Jan. 24 and Opening Day on April 1, Gonzalez outlined a lineup with Justin Upton batting third and B.J. Upton batting fifth, righthanded bookends around lefty-swinging Brian McCann (presuming, of course, that the catcher is fully healed from offseason shoulder surgery by then):
SS Andrelton Simmons
RF Jason Heyward
LF Justin Upton
C Brian McCann
CF B.J. Upton
1B Freddie Freeman or 2B Dan Uggla
2B Dan Uggla or 1B Freddie Freeman
3B Chris Johnson or Juan Francisco
For the first time in almost 20 years, that lineup does not include Chipper Jones, the future Hall of Fame third baseman who returned after last season. Gonzalez, though, gave Justin Upton one of the best compliments a hitter in Atlanta can receive.
"He was the guy we were missing for Chipper Jones," Gonzalez said. "We're going to miss that presence of the old No. 10 in the lineup, but now we have him."
They'll have him for at least the next three years. Justin is due $38.5 million in that time and B.J. is under contract for five years and $75.25 million. They will join 23-year-old Jason Heyward, a former Rookie of the Year runner-up who won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, to form one of the majors' best outfields. "To have [those three] for the next three-to-five years in the same outfield -- boy, that's exciting," said Gonzalez.
Both Uptons have had their bouts with inconsistency in their young careers, but Gonzalez knows better than most how good they can be. When he was managing the Marlins in 2009, B.J. Upton, then a centerfielder with the Rays, went 9-for-25 (.360) with five extra-base hits, six RBIs and three stolen bases in six games against the Marlins; Justin Upton, then a rightfielder with the Diamondbacks who'll move to leftfield with Atlanta, went 13-for-35 (.371) with two triples, three home runs, 10 RBIs and two stolen bases in his eight games against Gonzalez's team that year and .375 in five games against his Braves in 2012.
"I remember those guys being involved in a lot of rallies," Gonzalez said. "I saw B.J. either hit a double or hit a home run or make a great catch from the outfield to save a rally. With Justin Upton, you felt uncomfortable when he came up to the plate in certain situations."
Now, Gonzalez can feel perfectly comfortable with the knowledge that every time an Upton is at the plate, it will be for his team.-- By Joe Lemire


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He was born Jan. 18, 1938, in Merced, Calif. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and was married to Terri Garrison.
Memorial viewing and visitation will be conducted from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Lemley Chapel.
Arrangements are by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.


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I was working with the microsoft shadow volume demo and I was trying to modify the alpha blending states so that i could load a png with a transparent background. I am trying to texture it onto a 3D model. It works fine but the moment I turn the lights on, the transparent background starts to become visible.
My blending states are like this
I am using the microsoft shadow volume demo and did not write the lighting shader myself but I believe it is per pixel lighting. I have attached the shader.Code:
pd3dDevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_ALPHABLENDENABLE, TRUE);
pd3dDevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_BLENDOP, D3DBLENDOP_ADD);
pd3dDevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_SRCBLEND, D3DBLEND_ONE);
Could someone please let me know how I can maintain the transparency of the png when the lights are turned on ?
Also, does anyone know if theres a way to ignore black pixels or to conduct a color key without using the LoadTextureFromFile method ?
Any help is appreciated.
Thank You.


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If you do forget your logins,
just write the US Gov. They have it nice and secure on their db's.
From today it is possible to register or renew .co.uk domain names in annual blocks of up to 10 years at a time, following policy changes at .uk registry manager Nominet. Punters will also be able to register domains for just one year. Previously, UK businesses could only register their names for an initial period of two years …
just write the US Gov. They have it nice and secure on their db's.
10 year renewals sound like a good idea but can be very dangerous - in ten years the email address used to register the name may no longer be in use, the person responsible has left the company....reminders get missed, registration expires and egg on face when website disappears!
If your company IT department doesn't know what domains it owns, and put them through WHOIS once a year or so to check registration dates and ownership information, you're ALWAYS going to have had problems. At least now you'll get 1/5th of the problems you would have before.
If companies want to argue that a domain is their intellectual property, they should damn well look after it and not "forget" that they are leasing it in 2-year (or, now, 10-year) terms.
Yeah it could be risky !!!
Or you could set up a default email account for stuff like this. registrations@ for example.
Have it as a distribution list so more than one person in the department receives the email. Crisis averted.
Or put old employees email onto your catch-all rather than having latent accounts hanging around and accepting email YEARS after they'd left?
Very good idea to pin renewal address for domains to an email system not dependant upon continuation of these domains, and which you are likely to keep long term for purposes other than just domain registration. Otherwise if your DNS registration goes down you then can't authenticate in order to recover it during the late renewal recovery period.
they could enable some privacy for the WHOIS records on .co.uk domains. Just like the rest of the world does.
Quite why the hell they think that anyone and everyone worldwide has the right to know where I live just because I'm a UK resident who owns a .co.uk has always baffled me. It's not like the authorities couldn't get the info if they needed it from the registrar.
This is something that <u>really</u> irritates me too.
Because a .co.uk was always intended for *CO*mpanies?
If you're a company, I believe you have a requirement to publish that information in other places (e.g. shops, offices, etc.). Not only that, you have to be on companies house anyway, and your website must contain valid contact details and your company number - how do I know? I stung a company that tried to screw me over and made them pay to replace all their stationery, website, and put up signage because they were never compliant with the law that says they need to do it. And seeing as all .co.uk's are supposed to be UK companies, it's really no big deal.
What you probably want is a .me.uk or an .org.uk (both of which allow you to do this on your WHOIS record:
Registrant type:
UK Individual
Registrant's address:
The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their
address omitted from the WHOIS service.
That said, the .co.uk's that I do own, are registered C/O my domain host (who just happens to be a major UK ISP too, and I've never ASKED them to do that), who has my full contact details. So although people can't get my address directly from a WHOIS, they can still find me if necessary.
But why not blame others for your wilful disregard of domain-naming policies instead?
Nominet registration for individuals has an opt-out for personal data.
Not so for .eu
If you are an individual and register a .co.uk as such then of course you can opt out of having your address showing in the WHOIS. You've been able to do this for ages. What you cannot do, for obvious reasons, is pretend to be an individual when you are in fact a business, and then hide your address details. Nominet are pretty hot on this and will suspend and even cancel your registration if they think this is what you are doing.
If you are any kind of company you should be registering your domain with the company type set correctly (you registrar should provide options to do this). You cannot then opt out of the WHOIS.
Not so for .eu, really? http://www.eurid.eu/en/faq#privatecontact_visible
"Quite why the hell they think that anyone and everyone worldwide has the right to know where I live just because I'm a UK resident who owns a .co.uk"
Would you want to deal with a commercial organisation that conceals its address? Neither would I.
If its not on their website, i dont want to deal with them.
Who has time to pi$$ around doing a whois check to find out where they are based. And I've never done a whois check to see if the company in question has matching address on their website and on their domain registration.
We will just have to find long-life post-it stickers.
For 10 years it's probably advisable to use a bit of sellotape* to stick the post-it to the side of your monitor.
*Other sticky tapes are available.
Sellotape won't last 10 years on a monitor. Blu-Tac will. I've got a bit of paper Blu-Taced on my wall dated 11 Sep 2008 that shows no sign of moving. Shame the ink isn't as durable.


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You really have to be the type of person to believe in the Kony, Osama, Saddam, 9/11, WW1, WW2 hype if you think D'Antoni is just the problem at this point and I don't even like D'Antoni as the Knicks coach.
Melo has been HORRIBLE all season.
Finally, MELO, get this bum fired.What took so long for these guys to realize this guy can't coach, why the in the hell, is LIN out shooting our to best players, every game.I'm tired of the sh**.
This "Do Whatever You Want" tactic by D'Antoni only works for Point Guards, but I don't think it works for a player like Carmelo. D'Antoni NEEDS to cement the idea into Melo that he doesn't always have to take those hard shots but D'Antoni also needs to be a COACH and have plays for when Melo does have the ball. It can't just be Lin making plays, Melo is a ****ING SUPERSTAR making money I can't even imagine.
Then there's defense, rebounding, and free throws. lol
I'm actually to the point where I cheer when the Knicks make their freethrows.
D'antoni isn't going to be fired with most of the season already over. The Knicks will drop a least 20 games under .500 before the end of the season, Anthony will demand a trade in the offseason and the Knicks will be back to where they were during Isiah's tenure with them. As painful as it is, those are the consequences of being a fan of a cursed organization such as the Knicks.
Humility is a virtue and pride is a vice.
Melo doesn't move when he doesn't have the ball, Fields cuts to the basketball more often than Melo.
Melo has the body and athleticism to cut to the basketball but he just stands and waits for the ball. No footwork at all.
,DAntoni probably is the one who wont be offered a contract extension
here comes the bull****t....
even though Linsanity never happened unless the former undrafted point
guard wasnt running the DAntonis attack that gives the point guard all the
freedom and decision-making. BULL****T! BULL****T! BULL****T!
What attack system is Berman talking about....giving Dantoni credit for Jeremy Lin's
talent and friendship with his teammates is wrong wrong wrong.
MDA's system is spread the floor (which means back away from the paint, keep your man drawn away from the middle), run the high PnR, PG make a play.
Melo is breaking the offense when he posts up, and there's no movement off of his posts..because it's not the offense.
If a play or two were called for Melo to post up, that would be a different story.
This is MDA's system. Landry's cuts aren't even scripted, there's no down screens, back screens, or double screens. It's just a heady player making moves. You can't expect everyone to operate like that naturally.
Ray Allen, KD, and Kevin Martin get a variety of screens, rescreens, and baseline curls. KD and Kevin Martin were tops in the league in free throw attempts last year. Kevin Martin almost led the league in 3s made and free throws made.
That's utilizing the talents of a player.
The funny thing about all of the Melo hate is that it's coming off of him trying to do what the coach wants. To begin the season he was running point forward, and doing a terrible job at it. We get Lin -- now he's running the spread out, PnR oriented attack...failing cause it does NOTHING to incorporate his skill set.
He and Amar'e finally ran some 2-man game last night and it worked the few times they tried. Then the team went back to "everyone spread it out, and watch, and wait."
George Karl's coaching philosophy is based on leading the league in points in the paint, and free throws attempted. Melo thrived on the offensive end in that system.
Why is he standing on the perimeter for us, like Gallo did?
His nickname was "beats on the block" for a reason. Can we utilize his talents....please? He's not a jump shooter, he's a rhythm shooter. Perimeter play is not his forte.
Once again....why is he constantly out there? It's the supplemental part of his game, not the primary aspect of it.
Last time....why is he out there?!?!?
Guess if I was simple in the mind...everything would be fine.
You don't go from greatness to mediocrity when you're in your prime for no reason. Yeah I totally blame coach for 'Melos slump. When you have a Ferrari don't use it a station wagon. Coach is clueless in all areas of the game right now.
Melo has been struggling. We've seen him play way better in this system.
With that said this team has been a wreck. Chandler is the only one out there now that is consistently playing good. I miss Jeffries.
Sig made by Sons of Thunder
Berman's article is trying to put Dantoni's incompetence of being Fired on Melo's shoulders....
the Knicks shouldve fired Dantoni the season he DNP Marbury $21M. or DNP players
forcing Walsh to trade first round draft picks to get his 2010 plan under way.
Our star players Tyson, Stat, and Melo has been showing us all season how unorganize
and incompetent the Knicks headcoach has been...
Melo is not handling the difficult times very well, but he is right to be pissed at the coach.
Melo was brought here to be a focal point, a scorer, a threat to the other team they are playing.
It's wrong for him to sulk and let his game fall off, but it's the coaches fault.
We have seen Melo score, pass the ball, even defend the likes of LeBron.
Melo I'm sure now realizes what a quality coach Karl was, even though they did not get along always. D'antoni os a fake and Melo, Stat, etc, know it. They are too talented to not know it.
Does anyone really think if Karl, Popavich, Doc Rivers, Doug Collins, etc. coached this team they would have a losing record?


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It is no secret that for the most part of it's existence. the Raptors have been bad. Many things have contributed to their failure but their record would have been much better if the following was not a consistent problem Year after year I notice that at-least half their losses is due to their in-ability to Cross the Finish Line ahead of the opponent after being in the lead for the most part.
I don't know if it's just me or an actual fact but other teams don't seem to have this problem as consistently as the Raptors even with ex-Raptors in their teams.
If you agree, what do you think the reason is?


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Date: Tuesday March 14, 2000
Place: The Alamodome, San Antonio
Score: San Antonio Spurs 94, Atlanta Hawks 79
Forget about turnarounds in one game or a season for unexpected victories or championships. Sean Elliott's return to a playing career still resonates as the most dramatic comeback in Spurs history.
Less than seven months after receiving a kidney transplant, the two-time All-Star forward made history by rejoining the Spurs lineup as the first athlete in any major sport to return after that medical procedure.
Diagnosed in 1993, Elliott began treatments with medication but still became an All- Star in 1993 and 1996.
During the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, Elliott was told to prepare for a transplant and keep it secret. He started all 50 games and 17 more in the playoffs, averaging 30.2 minutes per game as the Spurs won their first title.
"I had a responsibility to those guys on the team, to the people who come to watch the games and to the coaching staff not to bring my problems to the court," Elliott told NBA.com.
After the season, Elliott made the stunning announcement he had been playing despite focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and would require a transplant because his kidneys could not filter waste from his blood. The surgery was performed on Aug. 16, 1999, as Elliott received the kidney from his older brother, Noel.
He later required additional surgery to repair leakage and endured a bout with pneumonia less than four months after his first surgery. Amazingly, Elliott played at a high level for the Spurs during their first title run and even hit an off-balance 3-pointer – always to be known in Spurs Nation as "The Memorial Day Miracle" – to spark the Spurs' four-game playoff sweep over Portland in the Western Conference finals.
Elliott had suffered with the kidney ailment for more than seven seasons and would have required a lifetime of dialysis if the transplant had not been performed.
At 32, some might have wondered why Elliott wanted to return to the lineup. But he was determined to come back to serve as an inspiration for others.
"By going out and playing, I can wipe away a lot of misconceptions people have," Elliott told the Austin American-Statesman before his return to the lineup. "I'm not coming back just for me, but for people who had transplants like this, to give them hope.
"Maybe I'll be the guru, the Dalai Lama of kidney transplants."
Elliott had thrills for the 26,708 fans at the Alamodome who greeted him with a 32-second standing ovation when he was introduced a surprise starter in his first game back against Atlanta.
He played 12 minutes, notching two points, a rebound, an assist and a hard fall when he was knocked down by Atlanta center Dikembe Mutombo on a drive to the basket. After missing his first two shots, Elliott produced an emotional standing ovation with a drive down the lane that ended with a rim-rattling dunk five minutes into the second half.
"I felt back before that," Elliott told reporters after the game. "But that definitely helped."
The slam was a dramatic symbol of his recovery.
"Who thought Noel Elliott's kidney could dunk like that?" Express-News columnist Buck Harvey wrote at the time.
Elliott's place in the annals of Spurs Nation was secure before the comeback. But after it, he became an iconic figure in the history of the franchise.
"A lot of guys in my position would do the same thing," Elliott told the Newark Star-Ledger. "The competitor in you wants to meet the challenge and not let something beat you. And along the way, if you can make a statement to yourself and to other people that you can overcome adversity, it's worth it."
Elliott joked before the game that he expected his return to be like "a circus" because of all the attention it generated. His parents, Robert and Odiemae, his brothers, other relatives, friends, his doctors and fans were there.
When he returned, he said he felt no pain from the surgery, taking medication twice a day. The reason he could play is that the new kidney was inserted behind his pelvic bone in an area that provided a much stronger natural shield than his abdomen would afford. He also signed a waiver of responsibility for the Spurs.
The Spurs won his first game as David Robinson took over down the stretch with a game-high 26 points. But Elliott's comeback was the story that brought reporters flocking from across the country to the Alamodome for the game.
When he walked off the court after his first game, Elliott immediately hugged his brother.
"There's just no way to thank him," Sean said. "I guess you can say that's what brothers are for. We've always been close, but this has brought us even closer than ever. I love him."
They said it, part I: "Playing against him in that series, you never knew there was anything wrong," Portland guard Jimmy Jackson to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Elliott's kidney condition during the 1999 playoffs.
They said it, part II: "It was an incredible up and a down. After we won, we were at the top of the world. The next week, I'm in the hospital, standing by his bed, praying with him. That's a tough situation. It puts things back in perspective. Your life is pretty important compared to some of the other things," Robinson to reporters about Elliott's diagnosis.
They said it, part III: "You'll look back at this 20 years from now and it will be no big deal. Somebody has to go first," Elliott to the Austin American-Statesman about his return to the lineup.
They said it, part IV: "He's worked very hard and has earned and deserves this opportunity. He's ready to go. Sean's doing something that's pretty heroic and pretty amazing," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich on Elliott's comeback.
They said it, part V: "We're moving into uncharted waters in terms of professional basketball, but it's not that difficult a decision. It's not something I lose sleep over. Probably if he were a football player, I might be less encouraging for him," Dr. Francis Wright, the surgeon who performed the transplant, to reporters before Elliott's return.
They said it, part VI: "If you can get closer, I guess we did. You can probably say that. I've got one of his organs inside of me," Elliott, to reporters about the bond he felt with his older brother.
They said it, part VII: "I might be the only non-salaried NBA player, or part of me anyway. I might have to take that up with Sean to see if I can get some royalties," Noel Elliott, who jokingly told the New Orleans Times-Picayune he felt a part of him finally was playing in the NBA.
They said it, part VIII: "It was a monumental event. It was an incredible testament to his courage. People have always questioned his toughness. I don't think anyone will question that again," Robinson, to the Express-News about Elliott's comeback.
They said it, part IX: "People throw out 'hero' so loosely. Without my brother, I'm not able to be the first NBA player to come back. I'm not able to continue my career. I don't know what happens to me." – Elliott, to reporters at his 2010 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame induction in Phoenix.
THE UPSHOT: Before the game, the National Kidney Foundation announced that Elliott would serve as its spokesman for its 2000 U.S. Transplant Games. … Elliott returned to play the final 19 games of the 1999-2000 season as the Spurs finished 12-7. He averaged 10 points per game as a starter in all four playoff games as the Spurs were upset in the first round of the playoffs – largely because of Tim Duncan's season-ending knee injury … Elliott finished his 12-season playing career after his retirement in 2001. After working for NBC and ABC/ESPN, he returned to the Spurs for the 2004-05 season and has since been the color commentator on their television broadcasts since then … His number 32 jersey was retired and hung in the rafters of the AT&T Center on March 6, 2005.


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Junior Great Books Program
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Located in Children's Library
Junior Great Books book clubs meet two times a month to help students in grades 1-12
increase their reading comprehension skills. Morning sessions for grades 1-7 afternoon
sessions for grades 8-12. Program runs from September-December. Students MUST read the assigned story at home to be prepared to discuss the assigned story at each book club meeting. Summer Reading Program 2013 at the Main Library will consist of Junior Great Books book clubs.
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Deadly Boat Accident in Chesapeake Bay
Maryland Natural Resources Police received a report of a vessel taking on...
Bay Harbor Boatyard, a family run facility on Rockhold Creek off of Herring Bay, has been certified as the newest Maryland Clean Marina.
"We really wanted to make our place the best it could be, so we decided to go for the Clean Marina Award," said Co-owner Denise Klein. "The improvements are noticeable as soon as you walk in."
"Our customers are on board too, which is great," said Co-owner George Klein.
To meet award criteria, the Kleins worked with on-site contractors to remove old items stored in the yard, and established stormwater pollution prevention plans and regulations. The marina also maintains a spill response kit and recycles used shrink-wrap.
"This is an excellent example of a facility being brought up to modern standards by dedicated owners," said Program Coordinator Donna Morrow. "We really enjoy working with enthusiastic marina owners who want to help protect our waterways. We encourage others to participate too."
Bay Harbor Boatyard is known for its wooden boat restoration skills and also houses a marine transport trucking company.
This is the 123rd certified Maryland Clean Marina. There are a total of 148 certified facilities in the State, including 25 smaller Clean Marina partners. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources oversees the Clean Marina Initiative, a voluntary program that promotes and celebrates efforts of marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs to reduce their pollution.
Each of the 148 certified facilities has adopted a significant portion of recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and passed a rigorous site inspection. Certifications are good for three years, at which time DNR staff re-inspects the properties. Marinas and boatyards of any size can participate.
More information and free program materials are available by calling 410-260-8773 or visiting dnr.maryland.gov/boating/cleanmarina.


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OCEAN CITY – Tempers may have started to flare, but town officials are trying to keep their cool and assure the taxi industry that any changes made to the town's cab service is in the name of improvement and not a hostile takeover.
Since City Manger Dennis Dare's mere mention of the idea to create a taxi franchise in the town of Ocean City two weeks ago, there has been a growing number of opinions and perhaps conspiracy theories brewing from those who work in the taxi industry, ranging from irate to merely calling for more information.
"This is more than just an idea, they are already talking behind everyone's backs and formulating their own opinions, and they are going to come out with a recommendation and shove it down our throats," said Classic Taxi owner Christy Freeman. "We've had the toughest economy ever and a terrible summer, and now they want to increase revenue for the town by isolating the taxi business. I don't see them trying to increase the business license fees for the Boardwalk merchants."
Freeman, as well as others in the industry, allege cab companies are being victimized by the town's apparent desire to create a taxi franchise, which could resemble a medallion system used in smaller municipalities and the largest of cities. It would essentially put a cap on the number of taxis allowed on the road. Each medallion would be available for an annual fee, and town officials, such as Councilman Doug Cymek, say that these medallions would hold value and would increase in value after point of purchase.
"Just based on the principles of supply and demand, the medallion system would hold value for the cab companies who have one," said Cymek, "but it's a little early to really be talking about a direction that we are going to go with this idea, because as of right now, there is no defined direction."
Cymek said that in mid-January, the Police Commission will hold a meeting, which might be closed to the media and the public, to develop Dare's idea for a taxi franchise to a level where they can then invite cab company owners to the table and come up with an official recommendation to be taken before the Mayor and City Council sometime in February.
"This will be done very fairly, and it is not our intent to put anyone out of business," said Cymek. "There are portions of this system that need to be revamped, and we want to address that properly and efficiently. We realize that this will stir up some controversy because people may worry that we are tampering with their livelihoods, but in reality, we are trying to make the service better for the users and the companies."
Wayne White, who has owned City Cab since 2007 and had owned White's Taxi from 1993-2000, said that it's too early to tell the town's direction but he conceded that some changes needs to be made.
"First of all, there's too many cabs on the road and it's hard for any of us to make any real money out there, but it's too early for me to say how I feel about the town's desire to create a medallion system or a franchise per say, because they haven't really said exactly what they want to do yet," White said.
Some in the industry argue that there is already a medallion system of sorts in place, pointing to the $150 per year sticker that is issued by the Ocean City Police Department to each permitted taxi that is on the road.
One independent cab driver, who asked to remain anonymous, said that a medallion system, like ones used in large cities like New York for instance, would be detrimental to the transient market here in the resort.
"If they put a cap on how many cabs can operate in Ocean City, it will kill open enterprise, and it will turn the cab industry into a closed shop," he said. "It will take out all the smaller companies and those medallions will end up being like Washington Redskins' season tickets: someone's got to die before the next person in line can get one."
Dare disagrees with this notion, pointing out that too many cabs on the road essentially over-saturates the market.
"This is not any sort of original idea that I brought forward, as they do this in a number of major cities and town's of our size," said Dare. "We are trying to investigate and research ways to improve the service that we provide for people in Ocean City, so we will start by creating a proposal, and then we will invite some people in the industry to the table to start the conversation."
Freeman worries, however, that the costs to do business in Ocean City, especially in the taxi industry, may not be able to shoulder any increase in operational cost: medallions or no medallions.
"I'm at a point now where if they asked me to raise my costs in the dead of winter, I don't know if I could survive," she said. "We've put some money aside to pay for the renewal of our licenses and permits at the end of March, but I doubt that a lot of companies out there after the summer that we had, will be able to even shoulder an additional $1,000 per car for a medallion or whatever. So, to be honest, I think that this change is going to put people out of business even if they say they aren't trying to."


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Yesterday was my birthday.
Saturday, January 15 was Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, which we now celebrate today as a federal holiday. I'd like to honor Dr. King and share with you some of his more personal observations and advice on how to have a better life.
From September, 1957 to December, 1958, Dr. Martin Luther King wrote a monthly column for Ebony Magazine entitled "Advice for Living." Readers would ask questions and Dr. King would respond. Today, I'd like to share with you some of his advice.
First, Dr. King on pre-marital sex:
Question: I was raised in a Christian environment. My father placed great stress on premarital virginity. I am 29. Of late, I have begun to doubt the validity of his teaching…Is he right?
MLK: I think you should hold firm to the principle of premarital virginity. The problems created by premarital sex relationships are far greater than the problems created by premarital virginity. The suspicion, fears, and guilt feelings generated by premarital sex relations are contributing factors to the present breakdown of the family. Real men still respect purity and virginity with women. If a man breaks a relationship with you because you would not allow him to participate in the sexual act, you can be assured that he did not love you from the beginning.
Dr. King on parenting:
Question: Young parents nowadays cater to every whim and wish of their children. I was in a home the other day where a 3 year old child read the riot act to his mother. The mother took it with a sheepish smile. This, I am told, is permissiveness. It seems to me that what modern children need is a large dose of parental permissiveness applied to their backsides. Do you agree?
MLK: It is quite true that many modern parents go too far in allowing their children to express themselves with hardly a modicum of discipline. Many parents justify this by arguing that the children must have freedom. But freedom can very easily run wild if not tempered with discipline and responsibility. This almost "lunatic fringe" of modern child care has been responsible for most strange and fantastic methods of child rearing in many American homes. The child is permitted to almost terrorize the home for fear of having its individuality repressed. Somewhere along the way every child must be trained into the obligations of cooperative living. He must be made aware that he is a member of a group and that group life implies duties and restraints. Social life is possible only if there exists a balance between liberty and discipline. The child must realize that there are rules of the game which he did not make and that he cannot break with impunity. In order to get all of these things over to the child, it is often necessary to subject the child to disciplinary measures.
Dr. King on romantic love:
Question: I am in love with a young woman who is obviously unsuitable for me. On the other hand, I know another girl who wants to marry. I think the latter girl would be perfect for me, but I don't love her. We have the same background, the same tastes and we enjoy the same things. Should I marry her? Isn't romantic love, which is at best transitory, a slippery thing to bet your future on?
MLK: I would not say that romantic love is merely transitory. Romantic love, at its best, is an enduring love which grows with the years. I do agree, however, that it is quite risky to base a marriage purely on so-called romantic love without taking other basic factors into account. For it may be possible that what we feel as real romantic love is at bottom a passing fantasy or a temporary infatuation with no real substance. Many marriages have broken up for this very reason. Persons marry on the basis of a temporary emotional feeling, and when the slightest conflict arises, the marriage breaks up because it is not planted on a solid foundation. I think it would be far better for you to at least pursue the relationship with the young lady who has the same background and similar interests as you have. If you continue to associate with her, it is altogether probable that you will grow to love her. At least with a similar background and similar interests, you have something basic and solid to build on. In the case of the first young lady that you mentioned, you may simply have a feeling that may pass away with the wind.
Dr. King on staying married despite extra-marital affairs:
Question: My husband is having an affair with a woman in our housing project. He promised to stop, but he is still seeing her. We have children and I don't believe in divorce, but I cannot and will not share him. What must I do?
MLK: Your unwillingness to share your husband is perfectly natural and normal. No person wants to share his or her mate with another. But your problem is a very delicate one, and needs to be handled with wisdom and patience. First I would suggest that you attempt to get your husband to go with you to talk with your clergyman or a marriage counselor. I am sure that they could be helpful in solving your problem. In the meantime, since the other person is so near you might study her and see what she does for your husband that you might not be doing. Do you spend too much time with the children and the house and not pay attention to him? Are you careful with your grooming? Do you nag? Do you make him feel important…like somebody? This process of introspection might help you to hit upon the things that are responsible for your husband's other affair. Certainly, I would not suggest a divorce at this point. I strongly would urge you to exhaust every possible resource in your power and seek to rectify the situation before making any drastic changes.
Dr. King on interracial marriage:
Question: I'm in love with a white man whom I've known for two years. We met at the company where we work. I want to marry him, although both of our parents object. I know that he loves me, too. Should we go ahead and get married anyway?
MLK: The decision as to whether you should marry a white man whom you have known for two years is a decision that you and your friend must make together. Properly speaking, races do not marry, individuals marry. There is nothing morally wrong with an interracial marriage. There are many other things, however, that must be taken under consideration in any interracial marriage. The traditions of our society have been so set and crystallized that many social obstacles stand in the way of persons involved in an interracial marriage. If persons entering such a marriage are thoroughly aware of these obstacles and feel that they have the power and stability to stand up amid them, then there is no reason why these persons should not be married. Studies reveal that interracial couples who have come together with a thorough understanding of conditions that exist, have married and lived together very happily.
Dr. Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King's niece, a civil rights advocate not only for minorities, but also for the rights of the unborn, has said that her uncle was a social conservative who believed in family, personal responsibility, marriage and sexual abstinence for the young.
Martin Luther King's lifelong support for Planned Parenthood has always bothered me and always will, but I would like to celebrate the man who encouraged so many of us to dream of a better world.


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Review Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2016
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Although some areas of the county have water standing in pastures and roads pitted with potholes from the recent downpours, the amount of rain that fell in Marion County in June was less than normal.
Although some areas of the county have water standing in pastures and roads pitted with potholes from the recent downpours, the amount of rain that fell in Marion County in June was less than normal.
According to David Holmes of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences office in Marion County, which is headquartered in Ocala, the county had 6.38 inches of rain in June. The June average between 2000 and 2009 was 7.05 inches.
Consistent rains, such as those seen this week, not only alter human activities, they also alter how insects, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals live, roam, eat and sleep.
The most common farms animals in the county — horses and cattle — are relatively unaffected by heavy rains and often can take refuge in barns or open structures with roofs.
"Horses are a little bit different in that they have an opportunity for shelter," Holmes said. "If they are used to being out in the rain, it really doesn't bother them. They put their head down and do just fine. Hurricane Andrew showed us horses do better out in the open pasture than inside. Chances are far greater that they are in danger if they are in a barn."
Cattle tend to be the same way, and they often can be seen on farms and ranches soaking wet and apparently unfazed.
Mammals have their own internal radar and sensing when a storm is coming helps them take action, such as chowing down ahead of nasty weather.
"Barometer pressure drops when a storm is coming," said Scott Mitchell, Director of the Environmental Center and Museum at Silver River State Park. "With mammals being sensitive to barometer pressure, when it drops it triggers a feeding movement."
Mammals such as raccoons and armadillos will feed more than usual prior to a storm, and during bad weather will hunker down and not roam for food. Afterwards, they typically don't have to roam as far nor work as hard to get their food.
"The rain makes it easier to dig, and it also tends to bring earthworms up to the surface so it is easier for both to find food," said Bill Kern, associate professor of Entomology at the UF Research and Education Center in Gainesville.
For wild hogs, soggy ground makes it easier for them to roam.
"Wild hogs will be a little bit more wide ranging because they like wet, soggy ground; makes it easy for them to move," Mitchell said.
The ubiquitous deer seen in the area often disappear during rains.
"White tail deer are vagabonds. They are all over the place: swamp, sand hills, the dry woods, hammocks. During rain days deer are bedding down. Afterwards, deer will avoid wetter areas because of plentiful water around them," Mitchell said.
Most insects also know when rain is coming and are good at finding shelter, like fire ants that dig deeper into the ground. But some are vulnerable, such as chinch bugs, which can die if hit by a large enough rain drop.
Several days after periods of heavy rain are when one of the most annoying insects to humans is multiplying.
"Anywhere from four to 10 days after the rain, mosquitoes hatch eggs," Holmes said. "When the eggs get wet, it helps the egg develop. A mechanism in the eggs knows the water is there."
An increase in the spade toad population will also occur following frequent rainfall.
"They are known for explosive breeding," Kern said. "Adults spend most of their lives underground and only emerge after unusually heavy rains. When they emerge, they lay eggs in standing water. They have a fairly short tadpole stage and quickly develop into froglets."
Frogs that live above ground will congregate to residential areas with standing water in order to lay eggs. Moving away from ponds protects the eggs from being eaten by fish.
Ahead of incoming storms, fish also become very active, looking for food. During an active storm, fish tend to gather in a small area to wait out the chaos.
According to the National Weather Service, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon today, with a high near 92 and southeast winds 5 to 13 mph. The showers and thunderstorms may continue into early evening.
On Saturday, expect a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m., dropping to 30 percent in the evening, with a low around 74.
Sunday should be sunny, with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 92, with an evening low around 73 degrees and a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.


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Almonds May Lower Risks of Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease
There are estimated to be 20 million people in the United States with either prediabetes or type 2 diabetes by the year 2020. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of heart disease, and half of all people with diabetes die from cardiovascular complications. A previous study has found the vitamin B1 to be an effective treatment for this affliction. Now, a new study from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey suggests that an almond-enriched diet can improve insulin sensitivity and lower LDL-cholesterol levels for people with prediabetes.
The study was published earlier this year in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. It linked the effects consuming almonds to the progressions of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes, aka adult-onset diabetes, is a condition in which the body's cells are unable to properly use insulin. Prediabetes is a condition that is a precursor for the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The test group consisted of 65 people with prediabetes, having an average age of 53.5 years. They were split into two groups, one of which consumed an almond-enriched diet. After 16 weeks, the group that ate almonds showed much improved levels of LDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity, lowering their risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
"We have made great strides in chronic disease research from evidence of effective treatment to evidence of effective prevention" said Dr. Michelle Wien, Assistant Research Professor in Nutrition at Loma Linda University's School of Public Health and Principal Investigator for this study. "It is promising for those with risk factors for chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, that dietary changes may help to improve factors that play a potential role in the disease development."
According to the study, consuming a diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association for 16 weeks in which 20% of the total calories come from almonds can improve LDL-cholesterol levels and measures of insulin sensitivity for people with prediabetes. These findings build on existing research which suggests that almonds are healthy for the heart. They are nutritious, aid in disease management, and lower the risk of certain chronic diseases.
Link to published study: http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/3/189


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Is This Weezy's New Boo? Meet Instagram Star Dana Lee
- By Bossip Staff
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Lil Wayne's Alleged New Girlfriend Dana Lee
Things sure got interesting recently when the above pic of caked out model Dana Lee posted a pic of her and Weezy F Baby making kissy faces on Twitter. The rumor mill exploded with speculation that they were together. Well we did some digging and saw this pic from early last month, too.
And it totally looks like there might be something there.
Regardless, she's an undeniable banger. We grabbed a few of her amazing Instagram pics and though you should see her minus any photoshops or touch ups. Trust us. You want to see these.


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By Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute
Proponents of Prop. 121, the "top two" Arizona ballot initiative, contend it will lead to the weakening of the two major political parties. But the opposite is true. In fact, it would strengthen them while killing third parties, all to the detriment of voter choices.
Prop. 121 would create an open primary in which all candidates—Republicans, Democrats, independents, and third parties—would run. Only the top two would go on to the general election, and no other candidates would be permitted to appear on the ballot.
In California, this has led to multiple general elections featuring two candidates from the same political party. To Prop. 121's backers, this is nirvana: the surviving candidates supposedly would have to appeal to independents and voters from the other party. To us, two candidates from the same party looks like no choice at all.
Nor would this necessarily produce two Republicans in Republican-leaning districts or vice-versa. To the contrary, the more candidates who run in a primary from the same political party, the more they will split their party's vote—improving the chances that the other party's candidates will move on to the general election.
This year in Congressional District 9, which has a slight Republican registration edge, there were fewer Democrats than Republicans running in the primary, so that under Prop. 121 the top two candidates moving to the general election would have been two liberal Democrats, Kyrsten Sinema and David Schapira, rather than Sinema and her Republican opponent, Vernon Parker. Which scenario offers a real choice? To ask that question is to answer it.
The only way to prevent a multiplicity of candidates from one party splitting the primary vote is to pressure candidates not to run; and the only entity that can do that is strong political parties. Thus Prop. 121 would lead to stronger political bosses and fewer electoral choices.
As for third parties, this measure's impact is even clearer: it would make them extinct. Except in the rarest circumstances, neither Greens nor Libertarians—or even Independents—ever would appear on a general election ballot.
Though Prop. 121 calls itself the "Open Elections" initiative, it is anything but. Good thing for its backers there's not a law requiring truth in political advertising.
Clint Bolick is director of the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.
Learn More:
Arizona Week: Clint Bolick debates Paul Johnson on Prop. 121 (video)
Goldwater Institute: Prop 121's Dirty Little Secret


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Please Don't Kick it Away
I credit the Barron Park and Green Acres communities for accomplishing a great deal in pushing back against a hastily put-together, though well-intentioned, project that didn't show an awareness of the deep suspicion of city hall and seething resentment over traffic impacts of the Arastradero makeover. Thanks to our efforts, the city was forced to acknowledge that we have a major traffic safety problem that has to be dealt with even if the Maybell/Clemo property reverts to apricot orchard. Public opinion around the city swung to sympathy and support for a neighborhood seen as fighting a process of land-use change that leaves citizens feeling powerless. Here was a neighborhood that wasn't going to take it lying down. And (here I differ from the strong majority of BPA membership) we got concession after concession as PAHC and the City Council fought to keep the project alive and show the neighbors that it truly was trying to come up with a project that would be a point of pride for Barron Park, not dismay.
Do members know that there will be 7 two-story homes on Maybell, with varied set-backs of 18–22 feet so there won't be a monotonous sameness, and the fronts of the buildings are to have distinctive elements so they look like anything but the generic rows of townhouses that we see elsewhere. There'll be no driveways onto Maybell. There will be 5 three-story homes on Clemo, the upper portions concealed by existing oak trees. Traffic will be restricted from accessing Maybell except through the adjacent apartment house complex parking lot. An amount of $200,000 is provided for addressing safety concerns on Maybell--work to be completed before actual construction begins. And, of course, the main goal and public benefit for this project would be the 60 units of affordable housing for seniors with limited income, with attractive landscaping inside the complex.
Would a commercial developer would have to put up with these restrictions if they bought the property and built it out to current zoning limits. No. They would probably build the maximum allowed, between 34–46 family living units, exact number to be determined by what will generate greatest profit. And of course there would be no affordable housing for seniors.
I checked on how much PAHC paid and whether they overpaid. My understanding is that several developers submitted bids in the $16M area. PAHC came in a bit under that but the offer was successful because PAHC could close in 2012, which had tax advantages for the seller, and there were some other tax consequences in the seller's favor. My takeaway: if PAHC hadn't bought that land we'd soon be watching the bulldozers preparing ground for a large project that, by right of ownership, the developer could get permits for without Planning and Transportation Committee or City Council review. Citizen input? Are you kidding?
With public sympathy, City Council awareness, community engagement and the energy of Barron Park and Green Acres residents we have given Barron Park a chance to have an attractive, neighborhood-friendly element on Maybell for 50 years and beyond. People worried about the impact on home values (yes, there are some) should set their minds at ease. The commercial developer doing the single-family homes is not going to produce inferior houses because they'll be doing what they can to coax top-dollar out of discriminating buyers.
Or we can demand that the city rescind the rezoning and take our chances on Plan B.
I live a block off Maybell. When I look up Able toward the property in question I see the 8-story Tan Apartments looming over all. Having tastefully done 2-story single family homes on lot sizes that match the area to within 2 ft (48' vs 50') break up that view will be a pleasure, even with the 4-story senior apartments visible above the 2-story rooftops. The property along Maybell is currently zoned R-2, so Plan B would probably involve 4-5 duplexes along that same stretch. The rest of the property is zoned R-15, multi-family housing.
On traffic, I am as involved as anyone else I know of in this community in trying to make Maybell safe for student bicyclists and look forward to seeing the neighborhood actively engage with the city in pushing for solutions that put student safety as the number one priority. That's another discussion. Suffice it to say that I believe we will have more, not less traffic to deal with if the project does not go through. I live right here, this is my neighborhood and as a retired teacher I know how important it is that kids be safe on the streets. By and large Palo Alto kids are responsible cyclists, motorists are accommodating, and parents are doing their darnedest. But it shouldn't be so hard to avoid getting hurt. We want more students cyclists, not fewer, on Maybell so parents won't feel they have to drive their students to school.
Congratulations, Barron Park and Green Acres for what you've accomplished. Please don't kick it away.