text:
Depth, versatility keep low-payroll A's rolling
They say your greatest strength can also be your biggest weakness.
So far, that rings true for the 2014 Oakland A's. The team returned home this weekend from a 7-2 road trip, boasting one of the best records in baseball, and promptly won two more against Houston. The starting pitching has been remarkable, allowing three or fewer runs in 15 of its first 17 games. And that's after the rotation lost two top starters to injury before the season started.
This team is built on pitching and depth, a combination that promises to contend all summer.
The funny thing about this very young A's campaign: They're doing it without much help from the bullpen. Relief pitching was supposed to be the team's greatest strength. But you know what they say about that.
Closer Jim Johnson, brought in to replace the departed Grant Balfour, lost his job after three bad outings, despite leading the major leagues with 50 saves last year. Oakland relievers have blown five saves on the season, meaning the A's easily could have opened the year something like 14-1. That's '84 Tigers good.
The good news? The bullpen hasn't been as bad as it seems. Its overall ERA is 2.48, which puts the group right near the top of the American League. So A's manager Bob Melvin isn't worried.
"It'll straighten itself out," said Melvin, before the first game of the homestand against the hapless Houston Astros. "We have too many talented guys. When Jim was taken out of the closer role, it impacted all the guys. They will step up."
Melvin is right. It's the A's way.
The idea that someone will step up and perform lies at the root of the A's astonishing success over the past two seasons. It is a team built to survive injury and departure, made up of young, cost-effective talent. The sum is greater than the parts. And depth is the key. If on-base percentage was the key metric in Moneyball 1.0, depth and versatility represent the new paradigm.
"That's a credit to Billy (Beane) and the front office," said Melvin. "Over the last few years, you didn't hear many teams talking about depth. But that's the way they do it around here. If someone goes down, someone else steps up."
Case in point: Oakland spark plug Coco Crisp pulled a hamstring and had to miss a few games. In stepped Craig Gentry, himself just off the 15-day disabled list, who played a capable center field while batting .357 over a five-game stretch.
In the bullpen, Sean Doolittle stepped in for Johnson, but didn't do much better, blowing a save Tuesday in Anaheim. The team still won, and the A's reliever was rewarded Friday with a five-year extension on his contract. Doolittle was a first baseman as recently as 2011, before the team converted him into a shutdown reliever. Only the A's would see that kind of potential. Last year, he allowed the lowest percentage of inherited runners to score in the major leagues. He's versatile, successful, and he perseveres. That's why Beane & Co. decided to keep him around.
"We like having his flexibility," said Farhan Zaidi, Beane's assistant general manager and director of baseball operations. "That's the kind of player and person we as an organization want to invest in."
I asked Zaidi whether depth was the organization's newest baseball innovation.
"We've had a heightened awareness of it," he said, all the while acknowledging that it wasn't exactly a new idea. "We made it a priority. We wanted to have a game plan for every guy. Who could step in? I think more and more teams are thinking that way. Embracing platoons and defensive versatility has made a difference for us."
The result is a well-rounded roster with interchangeable parts. That can be effective, or destructive. Big leaguers want to be in the lineup every day, especially the highly paid guys. The A's don't have too many big-money prima donnas, but Melvin still has his hands full keeping everyone happy in an ever-changing lineup.
"Bob's ability to juggle lineups and keep players happy has been a huge part of it," said Zaidi. "On the flip side, our players know our success won't be torpedoed by losing one player."
And so it goes. The A's rank 25th of 30 teams in the league in terms of payroll. Combined, the team pays its players $83 million annually. Down in L.A., the Dodgers pay all their players $235 million. But that's OK with the A's. It's a new season, but the same old story. Those other teams can have their big payrolls and fancy stadiums; the A's just win ballgames. They overcome financial deficiencies by outsmarting the opposition.
Turns out your biggest weakness can be your greatest strength.
Al Saracevic is sports editor of The San Francisco Chronicle. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Twitter: @alsaracevic


text:
A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Toki Takeover at the Atlas 6/21
The Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street) has announced a "Toki Takeover" of their Atlas Cafe. Toki Underground (2nd floor 1234 H Street) chef Erik Bruner-Yang will reportedly serve up Cambodian style street food during the takeover.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
What You're Not Doing
But what about journaling, book reports, and imaginative writing?
In Years One through Four, it's not necessary for the student to do original writing. In fact, original writing (which requires not only a mastery of both steps of the writing process, but the ability to find something original to say) is beyond the developmental capability of many students.
There is plenty of time for original writing as the student's mind matures. During the first four years, it is essential that students be allowed instead to concentrate on mastering the process: getting ideas into words, and getting those words down on paper.
Some children may be both anxious and willing to do original writing. This should never be discouraged. However, it should not be required either. Students who are required to write, write, write during elementary school are likely to produce abysmal compositions. Take the time to lay a foundation first; during the middle- and high-school years, the student can then build on it with confidence.
In the Well Trained Mind forums, in response to the common lament of children shutting down when it comes to creative writing, she had this to say,
"[I]t's absolutely NOT necessary for an educated person to write creatively. You either enjoy it, or you don't, and forcing a child who doesn't have a bent for creative writing to do creative assignments can result in a child who loathes ALL kinds of writing."
Here's another favorite nugget from The Three Stages:
It's important to resist the my-child's-writing-more-than-your-child pressure.
Your neighbor's seventh grader may be doing a big research paper, while your seventh grader is still outlining and rewriting. Don't fret. Those research papers have been thrown at that seventh grader without a great deal of preparation. He's probably struggling to figure out exactly what he's doing, making false start after false start, and ending up with a paper which is largely rehashed encyclopedia information. I've taught scores of students who went through classroom programs which had them doing book reports, research papers, and other long assignments as early as third grade. This doesn't improve writing skill; it just produces students who can churn out a certain number of pages, when required.
As someone who's had to read those pages, I can testify that this approach is not, across the board, working.
Finally, someone really gets it.
New from Susan Wise Bauer:
Writing with Ease: Strong Fundamentals
Writing with Ease Workbook 1
Writing with Ease Workbook 2
First Language Lessons 4


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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
It must be my week
Friday, June 26, 2009
Holland Tulips
What is a bulb? What is the nose? So what happens? Is it real? How can it work? he asked, like a 5 year old beaming with questions.
I dont think he's seen fresh tulips. But then again, flowers to him are most probably like cars to me. We acknowledge their existance and practicality, but wouldn't quite be able to tell them apart. They just belong in the same family.
So after reading the instructions he said 'If this needs 5 degrees, then we need to grow it in the fridge. '
True. Maybe I will figure it out by Christmas.
But meanwhile, we tried peeping..but I think this just made my Hubby more curious.
Anyway, we're think this couple are so sweet. Its rare people have such gestures these days- they wanted to congratulate us for our wedding. The poor couple must of hand-held this cute little pot all the way from Holland. Awww. And somemore, I love tulips.
It certainly brightened up my day. ..A reminder that something small goes a long way. Time I spread the happiness.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hair Chronicles : Experiment II
- Baking soda really does clean! The scalp feels uber clean. Fresh. It does such a good job providing-
- You dont use too much! I had a tendancy to somehow use more than a tablespoon or so..and it makes hair rough - as in the 'cant run your fingers through it rough'
- Apple cider does a pur-ree-tee good job. I mix mine with my conditioner. Works well and doesnt have any vinegar smell afterwards. It make the hair ooh so shiny!
- I alternate the baking soda with store bought shampoo because I'm : sometimes lazy to mix the soda mixture, sometimes miss the store bought smell (talk about double standards!!) and because I want to finish it.
I'm gonna continue with this routine. No one has told me I stink (yet!) and I just love how fresh my hair feels after it. Kudos. I've found my ground.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Cake Curse II
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Cake Curse
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Story of One Mango Cheesecake
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wedding Video
Monday, June 15, 2009
A little cupcake surprise
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
House: Painted
Just Kidding.
I think I just gave Hubby a heart attack. That would show him- his absence from site. lol.
I wouldnt have the guts to paint my house other than neutrals. It's still in its concrete colours though and this, is what it really looks like at the moment..
Plain grey. We've still got a bit to go.
Any colour suggestions?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Things I Ought To Learn
Sometimes I wish I had the patience to write down all their recipes so I could share these next time.
This is 'Chai Ban'. Chai Ban is a traditional Hakka dish. My mother-in-law learnt it from my husband's second aunt. [Ok, omit the relationship thing...its a bit confusing to write]. My mum learnt it from her mum. It's a pass down from China.
The outer layer is a mixture of rice flour which I'm yet to master. Then, its hours of labouring making it into bowl like shapes before inserting the fillings. - I've only gone up to the 'make a bowl ' stage.
The fillings are a mixture of vegetables and mince meat. I personally love the salted vegetable and pork filling. Just makes my day!
Here's another one I should really take on. My mum's Pandan Cake. My friends have been perfecting these recently...but I'm one lazy bugger that hasnt learnt anything from my mum except for being her food critique!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Hair Chronicles : Experiment 1
So last week, I started a new experiment. I wanted to see if I could be shampoo free. I'm using baking soda and apple cider vinegar on my hair. Yes. You heard me. I read it here and in some other blogs. It made sense.
Ok, the thought of baking soda and apple cider vinegar didnt really ring a bell.
I'd stink. Be all sour. My hubby wont hug me. My friends wont like me. My parents might disown their hippie daughter - or they might think my hubby was torturing me. Ok..I got a little carried away.
But I tried it. I mean, if I really stunk...I could go back to normal shampoo right?
And guess what? I didnt stink. The bonus was..my hair was all smooth and shiny. Cool huh? I still use conditioner on my ends though cos I have such broom-like hair..but I make sure it doesnt touch my scalp.
So here's how I went hippie:
Baking Soda Mixture
1 tablespoon of Baking Soda - mixed with just enough warm water into a paste.
Wet hair. Massage baking soda paste onto scalp. Rinse as usual.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar - mixed with 1 cup water and pour onto hair (its most probably better off if u had a sprayer..but I didnt) Wash off as usual. Condition ends if you wish.
I've tried this for a few days now. I use the baking soda mixture everytime I shampoo but I've only used the apple cider vinegar once. [they say you dont always need to use this rinse]
So far, no allergies, no stinky head and my Hubby still loves me. Its going all good. I'll keep you updated.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
What I love about Perth
I love it for its clear blue skies and alternating seasons...and that means I can do alot of things outside. Long walks. Bbqs. Beach lazes. Park Strolls.
I love it for their coffee shops and food. It emphasizes the mix of cultures we have, and I love that!
I love how theres an assortment of anything.. [ok, so a candy bar with an assortment of lollies isnt the best illustration..but you get me dont you?]
..I just love Perth.
And to all you nitwits..Garden City is open Sunday 14 June 2009. 10am-5pm. Go shop. Theres sales. Go. Go. For my sake. You heard me. Go!
[geez i should get some commission!]


text:
For the first time, I tried installing BizTalk Server 2006 R2 on Windows Vista. I got the following error:
Error 5009.Registration of BAM performance counters failed. Return code -1.
I did a search on this, and found the following solution:
Run the command "lodctr /r " as administrator. (This rebuilds the performance counter registry.)


text:
Delivery Information
Spend $200 & get free delivery to most of Australia
Click here for all Australian freight rates
- Melbourne 1-2 working days
- Sydney 2-3 working days
- Brisbane 3-4 working days
- Adelaide 4-5 working days
- Perth 5-10 working days
For express service, call 1800 069 295 for a quote.
International deliveries click here We cannot ship to all countries.
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2004 Polleter's Cabernet Sauvignon
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- Cellar 2 - 3 years (2009-2010)
- Closure: Screw Cap
Very deep brick red and deep crimson colour, virtually opaque. Top note of blackcurrant and cedar followed by spice and violets delivering a perfumed lift. On the palate flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice, cedar and truffle, with just a touch of old leather. Fine dry slightly chalky tannins. Aftertaste of leather, truffle and blackcurrant.
Cellar 2-3 years (2009-2010)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%


text:
- This article will focus on clean code practices as they apply to modern React software development.
- Many React developers rely on Jest for a zero-configuration test runner and to produce code coverage reports.
- And don't discount the "rewrite factor" and time spent fixing comments from code reviews.
- The advantage of letting React set your prop defaults, however, is that it produces more efficient code, defaults props in a based lifecycle component, as well as allows your default values to be checked against .
- For example, the following component is ripe for converting to an SFC. – – The clean version clears a lot of the screen clutter of the dirty version.
Clean code is a consistent style of programming that makes your code easier to write, read, and maintain. Discover how to make your React code cleaner using easy-to-follow examples.
Continue reading "Clean Code vs. Dirty Code: React Best Practices"


text:
I have a new website!
You can find me via:
I'm still in the process of organizing it. For some reason all of the posts and images were not transferred, and some posts are there multiple times. But don't worry, as I work on getting that fixed I will still be making new posts!
I look forward to seeing you on the other side :)


text: Hi, I tried looking through the forums, but no luck I assume this question has been asked before. When I try to pair my rezound to my PC via BT, it pairs, but the drivers for the phone fail. I assume I just need to install the BT drivers, but I cannot seem to find them. I have HTC sync installed, but this does not seem to help. Any suggestions This is a Windows 7 PC as well.


text:
Obama appointments raise concern
Senator Barack Obama greets Representative Rahm Emanuel at the Illinois Delegation party at a restaurant in Boston on the eve of the Democratic National Convention 2004. (Tom Williams)
TWO key appointments announced by President-elect Barack Obama ahead of taking office are arousing concern among sections of the people who are looking forward to seeing the back of George W.Bush and have put their hopes on Obama's call for "change".
Obama's choice for White House Chief of Staff, has first appointment after winning office, has delighted some people in Israel, but worried Arab-Americans and Palestinians as much as his pre-election speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), recognising Jerusalem as "the historic capital of Israel". AIPAC, the most vociferous Zionist lobby organisation, is famous for its enthusiastic support of Republican vice-president Dick Cheney, and regarded as well to the right of most American Jewish opinion. But evidently Obama considered it necessary, or was advised, to woo AIPAC. And then, after victory and before the cheers of his supporters had faded, came the chief of staff announcement.
Palestinian-American commentator Ali Abunimah observed wryly:"During the United States election campaign, racists and pro-Israel hardliners tried to make an issue out of President-elect Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein. Such people might take comfort in another middle name, that of Obama's pick for White House Chief of Staff: Rahm Israel Emanuel".
It's not the name that worries people but the background. Rahm Emanuel has been a prominent Democrat and party fundraiser in Obama's home state, Illinois. Born in Chicago, in 1959, he is the son of Benjamin Emanuel, a pediatrician who helped smuggle weapons to the Irgun Zvai Leumi, the Zionist underground organisation which believed in unrestrained terror against Palestinians, and was chiefly responsible for the massacre of villagers at Dir Yassin in April, 1948. Israeli Foreign Minister and would-be premier Tzippi Livneh is the daughter of the Irgun commander who organised the King David Hotel bombing two years earlier.
People are not responsible for their parents' affiliations, and besides there have been good campaigners for a just peace and Palestinian rights who acknowledge that in their youth they were members of the Zionist terror groups. (Uri Avnery in Irgun, the late Maxim Ghilan in the even more extreme Lehi, or Stern gang as the Britishy called it). However, as Ali Abunimah tells us, "Emanuel continued his father's tradition of active support for Israel; during the 1991 Gulf War he volunteered to help maintain Israeli army vehicles near the Lebanon border when southern Lebanon was still occupied by Israeli forces..
"As White House political director in the first Clinton administration, Emanuel orchestrated the famous 1993 signing ceremony of the 'Declaration of Principles' between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Emanuel was elected to Congress representing a north Chicago district in 2002 and he is credited with a key role in delivering a Democratic majority in the 2006 mid-term elections. He has been a prominent supporter of neo-liberal economic policies on free trade and welfare reform.
"One of the most influential politicians and fundraisers in his party, Emanuel accompanied Obama to a meeting of AIPAC's executive board just after the Illinois senator had addressed the pro-Israel lobby's conference last June.
"In Congress, Emanuel has been a consistent and vocal pro-Israel hardliner, sometimes more so than President Bush. In June 2003, for example, he signed a letter criticizing Bush for being insufficiently supportive of Israel. 'We were deeply dismayed to hear your criticism of Israel for fighting acts of terror,' Emanuel, along with 33 other Democrats wrote to Bush. The letter said that Israel's policy of assassinating Palestinian political leaders 'was clearly justified as an application of Israel's right to self-defense' ("Pelosi supports Israel's attacks on Hamas group," San Francisco Chronicle, 14 June 2003).
"In July 2006, Emanuel was one of several members who called for the cancellation of a speech to Congress by visiting Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki because al-Maliki had criticized Israel's bombing of Lebanon. Emanuel called the Lebanese and Palestinian governments 'totalitarian entities with militias and terrorists acting as democracies' in a 19 July 2006 speech supporting a House resolution backing Israel's bombing of both countries that caused thousands of civilian victims".
Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, told Fox News that picking Emanuel is "just another indication that despite the attempts to imply that Obama would somehow appoint the wrong person or listen to the wrong people when it comes to the US-Israel relationship ... that was never true."
Ali Abunimeh wonders whether Obama will disappoint those who had hoped for a more balanced approach than that of the Bush administration.
In the Daily Times , published in Lahore, Pakistan, Khalid Hasan reports on yet another controversial Obama appoitment:
WASHINGTON: Another of President-elect Barack Obama's appointments has been greeted with disbelief by Pakistani-Americans and liberal members of the Indian community because Sonal Shah, the adviser picked up by Obama for his transition team, is known for her links to communal Hindu organisations.
Vishwa Hari Parishad (VHP) and its student wing Bajrang Dal are believed to have been involved in the massacre of over 2,000 Muslims in Gujarat and for the last three months have been carrying out a sustained campaign against Indian Christians in Orissa.
Sonal Shah has been the national coordinator for VHP-America and her father has been associated with the Overseas Friends of the BJP. Further, her organisation IndiCorps works with a VHP-sponsored initiative called the Ekal Vidyalayas – or single-teacher schools with a curriculum steeped in instilling hatred against non-Hindu religious minorities. Ekal Vidyalayas have played a key role in anti-minority violence in the states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. IndiCorps founders also have a close relationship with controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Vijay Prashad, Chairman of South Asian history and director of international studies at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, Sonal Shah's Houston-based parents were "not only in the ecumenical Gujarati Samaj, but also in the far more cruel organisations of the Hindu Right, such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Overseas Friends of the BJP and the Ekal Vidyalaya. Shah's parents, Ramesh and Kokila, not only work as volunteers for these outfits, but they also held positions of authority in them. Their daughter was not far behind. She was an active member of the VHPA, the US branch of the most virulently fascistic outfit within India. The VHP's head, Ashok Singhal, believes that his organisation should 'inculcate a fear psychosis among (India's) Muslim community.' This was Shah's boss. Till 2001, Shah was the National Coordinator of the VHPA." In 2004, the hard Right government in Gujarat honoured Shah with the Pride of Gujarat (Gujarat Garima) award."
Electronic Intifada 5 November 2008
Obama picks pro-Israel hardliner for top post
Ali Abunimah
Yet another controversial Obama appointment
Following Rahm Emmanuel....
Labels: America, South Asia, Zionists


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Friday, May 29, 2009
friday's frontier fact
Sometimes men were shamed by women who could out shoot them. At Fort Boonesborough, two women in particular would dress as men in hats, shirts, and breeches and take positions at the loopholes in times of attack. I'm afraid I would have still been wearing a skirt, melting pewter plates for bullets in the back room. No bravado here.
According to one source, "Kentucky rifles had more personality than any guns ever made; they were loved by the men who used them and were given feminine pet names." I'm not sure if I'd like my husband naming his firearm "Laura" but there you have it. Some did. I suppose it was a high compliment. I've read that some men, given the choice, would have picked their rifles over their wives!
Only 9 more Fridays till The Frontiersman's Daughter is on shelves.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Frontier Living, Edwin Tunis
4 comments:
well nowadays, our men name boats after women...ReplyDelete
i think it could be taken as a compliment.
Unless the name is Sow-faced Sally or something like that.
How about Lovely Laura?
Lisa, You are a funny girl:) I didn't think of the boat angle so maybe a gun is not so bad? Hey, I'm off to visit your blog!ReplyDelete
I wish you'd stop with the shrinking Fridays number until your book is out. My deadline is several Fridays before that and I'm not at The End. Just kidding!! I know how excited you must me and sounds as if everything is coming up roses for you with the first book. Way to go.ReplyDelete
Always good to hear from you, Ann.ReplyDelete
I was wondering when your next deadline was. By the way, I keep seeing your cover for The Believer popping up (we shared the same page in a Christian Retailing ad for May). I think the art team did an incredible job on this particular cover - the way Elizabeth is posed, and then Ethan in the background. I know you are thrilled! Glad we share the same release day:)


text:
Chris Kelly • Claire Silberman • Hon. Alex Sink • Mark Riddle • Heather Grantham Deutsch • Robert J. Abernethy • Justin Braz • Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr. • Joy Dixon • Mitchell Draizin • Caroline Fayard • Donnie Fowler • Cynthia Guerrero • Linda Honold • Gina LaPlaca • Derrick H. Lewis • Nate Loewentheil • Sherry Merfish • Tricia Mueller •Patrick Murphy • David Pepper • Bret Perkins • Pedro Torres-Mackie • Mark Walsh • James Woodson
Chris Kelly, NLC Board Chair, Partner, Kelly Investments
Chris Kelly is a Silicon Valley attorney with a long track record of representing innovative companies and making the Internet a safer place for kids and adults alike. As the first Chief Privacy Officer, General Counsel, and Head of Global Public Policy for Facebook, Chris helped the company grow from its college roots to the ubiquitous communications medium that it is today.
Chris' development of the site's safety and security policies around real world identity and deployment of a highly-trained staff for rule and law enforcement are credited as critical elements in the company's success. At Facebook, Chris worked with Attorneys General in all 50 states to develop safeguards protecting children from sexual predators and represented the company in complex situations involving privacy and intellectual property in the digital age.
Chris left Facebook in 2009 to seek the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of California, garnering 16 percent of the vote in a seven-way race, his first run for statewide office. Since the June 2010 primary, he has become an active angel investor in companies seeking transformational improvements in technology, media, and finance. As a policy advisor for President Clinton in the early 1990s, Chris advanced critical domestic programs, including the successful initiative to put 100,000 new community police officers on America's streets and the formation of AmeriCorps, a network of national service programs that engage Americans to improve education, public safety, health, and the environment.
As an attorney in private practice before his time at Facebook, Chris represented Netscape in the Microsoft antitrust case and Diamond Multimedia in the groundbreaking suit over the MP3 player that furthered personal use rights over digital content. Chris received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, a master's degree from Yale University, and his law degree from Harvard University. Raised in Santa Ana and San Jose, he lives in Atherton with his wife Jennifer, an entrepreneur and former prosecutor, and their son Aidan and daughter August. Chris also serves on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco 49ers Academy, an alternative public middle school in East Palo Alto.
Claire Silberman, NLC Board Vice Chair, Philanthropist
Claire Silberman is a philanthropist and former lawyer who supports many progressive organizations. Claire practiced corporate litigation and banking law until 1997. She occasionally consulted in the financial compliance area of Promontory Financial Group, a consulting firm for global financial services companies, from 2002-2006.
Claire is a "generalist" who has served on several non-profit Boards in addition to the New Leaders Council. She is also currently on the Board of A is For, which advocates for reproductive rights, is on the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors and is a member of the Women Donors Network and Voices for Progress.
Prior Board service includes the Brooklyn Community Foundation; the Voter Participation Canter/Womens Voices Women Vote; The Eagle Academy for Young Men Foundation; the Citizens Union Foundation; StreetWise Partners; the Friends of the High School for Environmental Studies (NYC); the HOPE Program, and The Tank (a performing arts venue for emerging artists in NYC).
Claire holds a BA and JD from Stanford University, and has lived in Brooklyn Heights with her husband and sons (and currently 5 cats) since 1988. She was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.
Hon. Alex Sink, NLC Board Vice Chair, Former Florida Chief Financial Officer
Alex Sink most recently served as a Senior Advisor with Tampa, Florida-based Hyde Park Capital. The firm offers services for investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising.
Sink served as Florida's elected Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from 2007 to 2011. As CFO, she managed over $15 billion in state treasury funds, was responsible for accounting of the state's $70 billion budget, risk management and implemented reforms in contracting and transparency for citizens. Sink served on the board of the Division of Bond Finance and was one of three trustees of the Florida Retirement System, a $120 billion pension fund.
Prior to elected office, Sink had a 26 year career with Bank of America. She retired as President of Florida operations in 2000, managing the state's largest bank with $40 billion in deposits, leading 9,000 employees in over 800 branches. She led teams responsible for large corporate, commercial and small business banking. Sink was a statewide business leader, serving as chair of Leadership Florida, chair of Take Stock in Children, chair of The Nature Conservancy-Florida chapter, vice chair of Florida Taxwatch, executive board member of the Florida Council of 100, chair of the Hillsborough Education Foundation, chair of the United Way of Hillsborough County and vice chair of the board at Wake Forest University.
Her honors include induction in the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award, Associated Industries of Florida Champion of Business Award, Florida Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year and Wake Forest Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2010, she was the Democratic nominee for Florida governor.
Sink earned a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University. She resides in St. Petersburg, Florida. She and her husband, Bill McBride (now deceased), have two children – Bert and Lexi, who are both pursuing post graduate degree programs at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.
Mark Riddle, NLC President
Mark Riddle
Mark serves as the President of the New Leaders Council, the nation's premier progressive leadership training organization for next generation political and business entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, NLC has expanded to 49 chapters in 33 states with 6,000 alumni.
In the private sector, Mark is founder and CEO of Wildcat Digital, a full-service campaign, brand management, and donor advisory firm. Wildcat Digital is in partnership with Nashville based CounterPoint Messaging, a leading Democratic campaign media outfit.
In the media business, Mark has been at the center of many of the biggest electoral battles since 2004. His clients have been Members of Congress, Governors, Attorneys General, State Party organizations, and dozens of state and local elected officials. He served as a lead advisor during the BP Oil spill, working on behalf of the people affected by the disaster. Mark's efforts for his clients were instrumental in the Democrats winning back the Congress in 2006. For his work, Mark was recognized as a "Rising Star" by Campaigns and Elections Magazine.
From 1998 to 2002, Mark worked as the press secretary and political director for NDN in Washington, D.C. Today, Mark continues to support its work as a member of its Board of Directors. Mark also serves on the board of New Leaders Council and the advisory board for Organizer, a political & technology company specializing in voter outreach tools. Mark's work has been featured in every form of news media, and he is a contributor to US News & World Report, Huffington Post, and The New Republic.
Mark is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and resides in Simpsonville, KY.
Download Mark's bio and headshot here.
Heather Grantham Deutsch, NLC Board Treasurer, Chair Emerita of NLC National Programs Committee, Head of Client Relations and Marketing Resources at Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management Inc.
Heather Grantham Deutsch is the Treasurer of the New Leaders Council Board of Directors and Chair Emerita of the NLC National Programs Committee. She was previously a Co-Director of NLC New York City from 2012 to 2015, NLC-NYC Finance Chair from 2015 to 2016, and a NLC-NYC Advisory Board member since 2010. By day, she works in marketing and investor relations for Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management, a boutique asset management firm within the Nomura Group of companies. At Nomura, she manages a portfolio of client relationships and works closely with portfolio management, credit research, sales, and business development teams to create and market high-yield fixed-income investment products for institutional investors worldwide. By night and weekend, she brainstorms ways to connect progressive leaders, build coalitions, and take NLC to the next level and beyond.
Before NLC and Nomura, Heather toiled in private equity and spent her free time posting feminist rants on facebook. At ZM Capital, she managed a comprehensive internal and external branding and communications program, including a fully re-designed visual identity and presentation suite, and business development support for several portfolio companies and two funds. Heather also has experience in communications and development consulting, where she learned to synthesize months of research into a 100-page deck that only two people would ever read.
Prior to working in finance and progressive politics, Heather attended Cornell University, where she walked uphill both ways in the snow. She majored in Government, Sociology, and Fine Arts, wrote a column for the Cornell Daily Sun, and was named one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Cornellians" for her leadership of a student-driven effort to improve Cornell's marketing and communications strategy. In addition to the above, she has served on the New York County Democratic Committee and on the Executive Board of the Ansonia Independent Democratic Club. She lives in Manhattan with one husband and three cats, which she maintains is a perfectly reasonable human to feline ratio.
Robert J. Abernethy, NLC Board Member, President of American Standard Development Company and Self Storage Management Company and Managing Director of Metropolitan Investments, LLC
Robert J. Abernethy is Chairman of American Standard Development Company and Managing Director of Metropolitan Investments, LLC. Robert received a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, certificates in Real Estate and Construction Management from UCLA and was formerly employed by Hughes Aircraft Company.
Robert is a member of the Advisory Council of the School of Advanced International Studies in Washington and Bologna as well as a Trustee of John Hopkins University. He serves as a Vice-Chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States and is on the executive committee of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He is also a member of the Chairman's Forum of the Council on Foreign Relations and the US Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. Robert is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Brookings Institution and serves on the Boards of Directors of the RAND Center for Global Risk & Security and the New Leaders Council. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for The Truman National Security Project.
Previously, Robert served as Commissioner of the California Transportation Commission, the Los Angeles Telecommunications Commission, and the Los Angeles Planning & Zoning Commission and was Director of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Water District. He was a Member of the California State Board of Education and of the California Arts Council. He resides in Manhattan Beach.
Justin Braz, NLC Board Member, Chief of Staff, Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer
Justin Braz is currently the Chief of Staff for New Jersey State Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Gary S. Schaer. His strong interest in local, state, and national politics has augmented a lifelong passion towards fomenting significant social change for working class men and women.
Justin has cultivated an impressive resume of policy and political experience. Before joining Schaer's office, Justin served in numerous capacities including as the Political Coordinator for 1199 Service Employees International Union, representing thousands of healthcare workers throughout New Jersey and as Chief of Staff to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Chairwoman Annette Quijano.
Additionally, he is also Chapter Director and a founding member of the state chapter of the New Leader's Council, a national leadership training institute for progressive political entrepreneurs throughout the state, winning National Chapter of the Year in 2013 and 2014. In his free time, Justin is an avid reader, a racquetball enthusiast and a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. A sports lover as well, depending on the season he can be found following his New York Yankees, Giants or Penn State.
Hon. Hardie Davis, Jr., NLC Board Member, Mayor of Augusta, GA
Hardie Davis' rise to the mayorship of Augusta is a unique story rooted in an abiding faith.
Born to Hardie and Delois Davis, Hardie grew up in Forsyth, Georgia and relocated to Augusta in 1985. His parents instilled within him the values of hard work, respect for his fellow man and service to others.
Hardie holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree from Georgia Tech and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Christian Life School of Theology in Columbus. In college, he began teaching bible study which prepared him to be founder and senior pastor of Abundant Life in Augusta, Georgia.
While a senior in high school, he met Evett Plather of Valdosta. Married 20 years, Hardie and Evett are the proud parents of Benjamin Joshua Davis.
Hardie's career includes 18 years of systems, automation and controls engineering. His public service spans 3 years as state Representative and 5 years as state Senator. A respected leader and public servant, he served as Chairman of the Interstate Cooperation Committee and active member of the Economic Development, Ethics, Finance, and Higher Education Senate Committees.
A distinguished lawmaker while in the state legislature, Hardie has been recognized by numerous organizations and constituent groups, including Georgia Bio, which named him 2010 Legislator of the Year for his work to promote the life sciences industry throughout the state of Georgia. The Georgia Chamber also named him its Business Champion, as listed in the January/February 2013 edition of Profile. After the 2014 legislative session he was named the Policy Maker of the Year by the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education. He was selected to receive this award because of his strong support of and commitment to improving high school graduation rates by focusing on CTAE programs to keep students in school so they can develop the necessary skills to better succeed in life.
On March 6, 2014, he qualified to run for mayor. He was elected on May 20, 2014 as the 84th Mayor of Augusta, Georgia. As the peoples mayor, he is a statesman, spiritual leader, and community builder.
Joy Dixon, NLC Board Member
Joy Dixon is a nonprofit professional with a background in the public health, education, and media sectors. She is often found serving in a myriad of roles both professionally and in the community. Currently, Joy works for the American Cancer Society as a Health Systems Manager. She is responsible for guiding select Federally Qualified Health Centers through policy change and evidence-based quality improvement interventions to increase cancer screening rates and access to care in Northwest Florida and Georgia. She has extensive experience managing county-wide and state-wide advocacy programs related to tobacco prevention, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Joy was a member of the inaugural class of NLC Tallahassee. After serving as Director and later Co-Director for three years, she joined the NLC Tallahassee Advisory Board. Joy is also the Director of COACH Foundation, a Tampa-based nonprofit organization that secures affordable housing for low-income families and provides after school programming in addition to other resources. As a part of the Tallahassee office, Joy manages health equity programs to increase access to healthy foods. She is often found in the community leading community cooking classes and healthy eating workshops.
In her spare time, Joy is an avid traveler and experienced performing artist who is passionate about connecting underserved populations to the arts in their community. She is a member of the Midtown Arts and Entertainment company and performs with several theatres in the Big Bend Florida area. On the rare occasion Joy is home, you can find her either curled up with a book or brainstorming how to expand the reach of New Leaders Council and its alumni.
A Tampa native, Joy Dixon is a graduate of Florida A & M University where she received a Master of Public Health degree.
Mitchell Draizin, President of Longview Capital Advisors
Mitchell Draizin is the Founder and President of Longview Capital Advisors. LVCA serves as an investment and mortgage advisor and banker to New York Metro area based middle market real estate builders and developers. The focus is on "market rate" projects in underserved markets and property types.
Mr. Draizin is actively involved in national, state and local Democratic politics, primarily through fund raising and offering strategic advice for certain elected officials, candidates, the DNC and DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee).
Additionally, Mitch is active with the National Leadership Council at Lambda Legal, the Board of Directors of The Point Foundation, as a Trustee and Advisory Board member of the Truman National Security Project /CNP, as a NY/NJ member of the Board of Directors of Playworks, on the Board of Directors of Thalia Theater of NYC, with the Congressional Award Board, and as a National Advisory Board member with New Leaders Council.
Partnered for almost 4 decades with Philippe Brugere-Trelat, they were married in NYC in 2011.
Caroline Fayard, Attorney, Fayard Law Firm
Caroline Fayard's practice is primarily focused on litigation. She is honored to represent individuals, families, and businesses injured by the wrongdoing and/or negligence of others. Caroline is licensed to practice in Louisiana and New York.
Her legal background includes clerking for U.S. District Court Judge Stanwood R. Duval Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana, working at the prestigious Washington, DC law firm of Williams & Connolly and being appointed a faculty member of College of Law at Loyola University New Orleans.
In 2010, Caroline ran for the special election for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, a race in which she finished second out of eight candidates. The Livingston Parish News editorialized in their endorsement of Caroline, "Imagine a world where the best and brightest step forward into public service to become leaders and problem solvers."
Caroline currently serves as President of Louisiana Appleseed, a non-profit organization that promotes access to justice. She is in-house counsel to the Junior League of New Orleans and former chapter president of Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Gamma chapter. Caroline is a current board member of both Evacuteer.org and the Louisiana Children's Museum.
Caroline's additional public service includes working at the White House, Office of the Social Secretary under President Clinton and in Congress as a congressional page. She also worked in financial services sector for Goldman Sachs investment firm.
Raised in Denham Springs, Louisiana Caroline she was Class Valedictorian and a member of the Navy Junior ROTC at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge. Caroline graduated with honors from both Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School. At Michigan Law, Caroline administered a public interest legal fellowship program on behalf of the law school and won awards for excellence in Torts and Clinical litigation.
Caroline currently resides in New Orleans and attends Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.
Donnie Fowler, CEO, Tech4America
Donnie Fowler is currently CEO of Tech4America and an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. He considers it good fortune that he has been able to occupy space between the tech and public sectors for more than twenty years. He served in the Clinton White House, at Silicon Valley's TechNet, and as a presidential appointee and lawyer at the Federal Communications Commission where he worked on early internet issues. Donnie is also a nationally recognized political campaign strategist with staff roles on eight presidential campaigns, including National Field & Delegates Director for Al Gore. From 2012-2015, Donnie was VP of business development at crime prediction software venture PredPol, Inc., the result of a successful collaboration between the L.A. Police Department and UCLA. He recruited PredPol's largest investor and won a majority of the company's worldwide revenue. A South Carolina native, Donnie lives in San Francisco with his wife Heather and two daughters.
Cynthia Guerrero, NLC Board Member, Principal, California Strategies LLC
Cynthia Guerrero is an indefatigable advocate who has navigated complex public-policy issues as they pertain to the ever evolving world of California's technology sector. As a registered State and Federal Lobbyist, she will bring a broad and diverse range of expertise to CS&A clients, including the telecommunications, technology, education, energy and transportation.
"California Strategies and California Strategies & Advocacy rise to the challenges set forth by our clients and often deliver remarkable results," said California Strategies Founder and Chairman Bob White. "Cynthia Guerrero is an excellent addition to our team and our clients are sure to realize the full impact of her advocacy services and networking abilities here in Sacramento and in Washington DC."
Cynthia Guerrero brings the highest caliber of expertise to California Strategies' clients with unmatched advocacy experience specifically relating to the technology sector. She provides clients with policy and political strategy guidance and works collaboratively with them to achieve goals and overcome any crisis.
"Cynthia Guerrero has proven time and again that it's not just dedication or hard work that leads to her client's success," noted Robert Hoffman, Corporate Vice President of Government Affairs at Motorola Solutions. "Cynthia delivers a high standard of advocacy excellence for her clients because of her vision, integrity and ability to frame the debate in a nuanced way.
Congratulations to Bob White and the growing team of experts at California Strategies who will surely benefit from the addition of Cynthia."
Guerrero, over the years, has strengthened her working relationships with California's Congressional Delegation and often advocates on behalf of client interests in Washington, D.C. This same level of service is demonstrated for clients looking for legislative solutions on the state and local level.
She works tirelessly in Silicon Valley advising world-renowned companies on how to navigate the state and federal government's legislative and regulatory process which often trails innovation. Additionally, Guerrero provides valuable strategic counsel for Tech Startup companies looking to compete in California's competitive technology sector.
Guerrero's political acumen also includes a deep understanding of the banking, finance and investment securities industries making her uniquely qualified to provide clients with keen insight on legislative or regulatory challenges that directly affect the corporate bottom line.
Previously, Guerrero founded CG Consulting Group, Inc., in 2003. There, she dedicated her time ensuring client success by strategically navigating the legislative process and overcoming regulatory hurdles at the federal or state level. Primarily focusing on the technology sector, her 20-year experience in tech policy and finance has distinguished her as one of well-known advisors in the industry.
Prior to returning to her private practice, Guerrero served as the California Director for TechNet, the leading bipartisan political network of CEOs that promotes growth of the innovation economy. Guerrero nurtured long-term relationships between technology leaders and policymakers both on the state and federal levels and on both sides of the aisle promoting advancements in technology.
Before joining TechNet, Cynthia worked with various state legislators, public officials, Members of Congress and the U.S. Senate providing political strategy and campaign services. Her understanding of politics at the different levels of government is one respected by elected officials and colleagues in both Sacramento and on Capitol Hill.
Cynthia worked at the Rand Corporation and in the investment securities industry for top firms such as Credit Suisse First Boston Technology Group, Barclays Global Investors, and Merrill Lynch.
She serves on the Board of Visitors for Pepperdine University, School of Public Policy, and on the Board of Directors for New Leaders Council and Zero Divide.
"It's a privilege to work among my peers at California Strategies & Advocacy. The level of talent and expertise is rare to find in any singular organization. This is a further testament of how California Strategies Chair, Bob White is such a skilled architect of crafting the best teams out of the best people."
Cynthia has her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Pre-Law and a minor in English Literature from Mount St. Mary's University in Los Angeles. She graduated with a Master's degree in Public Policy specializing in Economics and International Relations from Pepperdine University.
Linda Honold, Scholar-Practitioner
Linda Honold is a Scholar-Practitioner with over 25 years' experience developing systems, networks, and organizations. Her expertise is in assessing situations from a macro/systemic viewpoint and working with people of diverse opinions and perspectives to envision, plan for and move into an ideal future. After a decade in corporate organization development work, Honold served two terms as Chair of the Democratic Party. Since 2005 she has worked to strengthen engagement in democracy Wisconsin's progressive ecosystem. She has served as Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin and was the founding Executive Director of Wisconsin Voices.
Ms. Honold has an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a Master of Science in Industrial Relations and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems with a qualitative research emphasis from Fielding Graduate University, where she serves on the Board of Trustees and spent three years as chair. As a scholar-practitioner, Honold weaves research into her work. She is the author of two books and numerous articles on organizational effectiveness. Recent publications include two studies for the Youth Engagement Fund on the engagement and leadership development of young people in the 2016 elections, co-authorship of "Weaving an Impactful Network", a study of redistricting reform in California, Florida, and Ohio, and "Grassroots in New Soil: A Case Study of Year-Round Civic Engagement in Milwaukee Wisconsin".
Gina LaPlaca, Director, State Government Affairs, Verizon New Jersey
Gina LaPlaca is Director - State Government Affairs for Verizon New Jersey, where she represents the company's interests before various entities of New Jersey State Government and provides legal and political advice on public policy initiatives affecting the company. She also is responsible for overseeing public outreach and education in conjunction with Verizon's Communications Lifeline assistance program.
Prior to joining Verizon in 2008, LaPlaca spent three years with the New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office, where she served as Deputy Budget Director/Associate General Counsel. During that time, she provided staff support to several standing reference committees, including Telecommunications & Utilities, Budget, and Appropriations. LaPlaca also worked on many significant legislative initiatives, including the Statewide Cable Franchise law that brought competition and choice to New Jersey's video market; property tax reforms; foreclosure relief legislation; and a variety of ethics/good government measures, most notably the "Clean Elections" pilot program for publicly-financed legislative campaigns.
Previously, LaPlaca served as Deputy Counsel for the Authorities, Utilities, Transportation & Communications Section at the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services.
In addition to her responsibilities at Verizon, LaPlaca sits on the boards of several organizations, including the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County, and New Leaders Council - New Jersey. In 2015, she was named as an "Emerging Leader" by the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce and the Burlington County Times. LaPlaca is also a 2011 graduate of the Lead NJ (formerly "Leadership NJ") program.
LaPlaca received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctorate from the Fordham University School of Law. She is admitted to the bar in New Jersey and New York.
Derrick H. Lewis, NLC Board Finance Chair, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young
Derrick H. Lewis is an energetic and passionate advisor and entrepreneur. Derrick currently is a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young and brings 10 years of experience in entrepreneurial, c-level, operational, human capital, technology, management consulting roles working with diverse organizations in the Public and Private sector.
Derrick has a passion for giving back. Having grown up and experiencing firsthand the lack of resources being provided to the poorest part of the United States, Derrick decided to take the initiative to create The Bronx Foundation, the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to The Bronx, New York. The mission of The Bronx Foundation is to empower residents to achieve their full potential, advance the well-being of The Bronx community, and make The Bronx a global destination. The Foundation leads strategic initiatives focused on four pillars: Economic Security and Education, Health, Food, and Community and Culture Engagement. Racial Justice will be at the core of the Foundations work.
Along with his efforts leading The Bronx Foundation, Derrick is also involved in other philanthropic efforts. He sits on the board of Juma Ventures, the first nonprofit to open and operate a franchise. Juma strives to break the cycle of poverty by paving the way to work, education, and financial capability for youth across America. Derrick also sits on the board of D.R.E.A.M. (Developing Responsible Economically Advanced Model-Citizens) whose mission is to empower underrepresented, urban youth by equipping them with the knowledge to become prudent, financially literate and adept individuals.
Derrick also has a passion for Public Private Partnerships (P3s). He is on the Advisor Board for Concordia, a non-partisan non-profit think-tank whose aim is to identify new avenues of collaboration for governments, businesses, and nonprofits through campaigns, programming, and research. Concordia hosts the Concordia Summit, which convenes the world's most prominent business, government, and nonprofit leaders to promote effective partnerships for impact.
Along with his job at EY and his philanthropic work, Derrick also applies his skills and abilities to advising elected officials. He is Senior Advisor to New York State Assemblyman Michael Blake and also advises other city and state elected officials in economic development, entrepreneurship, job growth, and education. This work allows for him to execute upon his passion for P3s. Derrick also advises state and local elected officials across the country.
Derrick is a graduate of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
Nate Loewentheil, Social Entrepreneur and Activist
Nate Loewentheil hails proudly from Baltimore, MD. He is a social entrepreneur, activist, writer, and nationally recognized public policy expert. Most recently, he served as a Special Assistant to the President at the National Economic Council at the White House, where he led a special Taskforce for Baltimore City and advised President Obama on urban policy, transportation and infrastructure.
Previously, Nate helped launch and later led the Roosevelt Campus Network, a national student organization with more than 125 chapters and 10,000 members around the country. Founded in 2004, Roosevelt recently won the MacArthur Foundation Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. He has founded or been a part of many other organizations that help empower young people in politics, including the Millennial Action Project and the New Leaders Council.
Nate has worked across policy areas and engaged in policy debates at the state and national level. He has written commentary in the The New York Times, Salon, Politico and The Democracy Journal, submitted testimony to Congress on Social Security, and published policy papers on housing and climate change. He is the editor of a book, Thinking Big: Progressive Ideas for a New Era. He holds both a B.A. and J.D. from Yale University.
Sherry Merfish, Philanthropist
Sherry Matusoff Merfish brings to NLC experience gained over a long career in advocacy and fundraising. From 1993-2009, she served as a Majority Council Director for EMILY's List, conceiving, planning, and implementing the Major Donor program in range of states, including her native Texas.
Prior to her time at EMILY's List, Sherry worked as an advocate within the Jewish community by engaging in speaking tours concerning the pernicious Jewish American Princess stereotype, an effort that resulted in widespread press attention and brought about a significant cultural shift. The work of culture change is at the heart of Sherry's efforts, as exemplified by her co-founding with her daughters of NotAlone.us, an organization that asks women to join the conversation around reproductive justice by disclosing their abortion histories. NotAlone.us was inspired by Sherry's own brave disclosure of her abortion in a 2013 New York Times op-ed.
Sherry holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin, a MA in American Studies from the University of Southern California, and a JD from the University of Houston Law Center. She has volunteered her time as a board member and leader of a number of organizations advancing progressive values, including the Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Rice University, the American Jewish Committee, the Houston Area Women's Center, Planned Parenthood, and Annie's List (of which she was a founding board member).
Sherry lives in Houston, Texas, despite an extreme dislike of both mosquitoes and heat. She and her husband, Gerald Merfish, are the proud parents of two daughters, Brett and Beth.
Tricia Mueller, Founding Partner, Groundwork Strategies, LLC
Tricia Mueller has spent her adult life engaged in the political process.
Tricia's experience, contacts, street savviness and instinct for anticipating a course of action have made her one of the most potent professionals in regional politics.
Before becoming a founding partner of Groundwork Strategies, LLC in June of 2016, Tricia was a partner at Cammarano, Layton and Bombardieri (CLB Partners), one of the largest grossing and most effective lobby firms based in Trenton, New Jersey.
Tricia has served for more than 16 years as the Political Director of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, a labor union representing over 40,000 union carpenters and partnering with thousands of union contractors, eventually rising to the position of National Political Director for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in America (UBCJA). She was the youngest person to do so and first female to achieve this distinction. Currently she provides the UBCJA with advisement for building political capital and increasing union activism on a regional and national level.
She has provided strategic and tactical counsel to major political races including serving as State Director for Obama for President in 2008, McGreevy for Governor 2001, and Lautenberg (2002) and Menendez for U.S. Senate (2006), Tricia also served as Coordinated Campaign Director for Governor Jon Corzine (2005) and as Senior Advisor to his re-election efforts in 2009.
The media has repeatedly identified her as one of the best-connected and powerful influencers in New Jersey politics. Ms. Mueller has been highlighted by NJ Monthly as one of the 101 Most Influential People in New Jersey and as one of the Top 40 under 40 in South Jersey Magazine. She has been listed in the top of Politicker NJ's Power List every year since 2013. She has also been highlighted many times as statewide labor leader.
Tricia has been a strong advocate for women's issues and has been the recipient of numerous awards for her work on behalf of women from groups such as Emerge and the NJ Women's Political Caucus.
In 2016, Tricia was appointed to the National Board of Directors for the New Leader's Council, a 501-(c)(3) that works to recruit, train and promote future progressive political entrepreneurs.
Of all her successes, however, Tricia counts becoming mom to her daughter Zoe Luna the greatest and most fulfilling.
Tricia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from The College of New Jersey. Tricia is also a graduate of Augsburg College's Women and Development Latin American Perspectives Program located in Cuernavaca, Mexico; she holds a certificate in Union Organizing from the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and has completed courses towards her Masters in Government Administration from Rutgers University located in New Jersey.
Patrick Murphy, Owner, 3 Clicks Solutions, LLC
Patrick Murphy is a former Western State legislator and Presidential appointee. He maintains an active role in the actions of the US Congress based in Washington, DC.
Mr. Murphy's ever-expanding base of contacts with established and emerging political leaders reinforces his ability to develop successful policy initiatives and execute winning strategies at the state and federal levels.
Mr. Murphy served on the Clinton Presidential Transition as a team leader within the U.S. Treasury Department and was senior staff for the Clinton Economic Summit.
Mr. Murphy was appointed by President Clinton as a Member-at-Large of the Democratic National Committee and served as DNC Vice-Chair.
Mr. Murphy remains a central figure in candidate recruitment and mentoring of rising political leaders at the state and federal levels. His Capitol Hill townhouse is a favored location for state party, gubernatorial, House and Senate member gatherings of Democratic insiders.
A native of Great Falls, Montana, he maintains close ties with the State's political and Congressional delegations. Prior to moving to Washington, DC, Mr. Murphy had an accomplished public service career winning two terms in the Nevada State Legislature and having served on the Nevada Board of Education and the Nevada State Crime Commission.
David Pepper, Chairman, Ohio Democratic Party
David Pepper was unanimously elected Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party on December 17, 2014 and began his term on January 1, 2015.
Knowing that the strength of the Ohio Democratic Party has a direct impact on the outcome of national, state, and local elections, David is committed to creating the most robust party infrastructure possible, supporting and implementing policies that improve Ohioans' lives, and recruiting and assisting the next generation of public servants as they run for office at all levels and helping them make a difference once they get there.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, David is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian. David was first elected to public office in 2001 when he served on the Cincinnati City Council, finishing first out of a field of 26 candidates, and was reelected for a second term in 2003, again leading the pack in votes. David came to the Cincinnati City Council as riots, a severe crime wave and a public safety crisis rocked the city.
Amid this turmoil, David's leadership was key in the successful push to improve police-community relations, and he ultimately served as the Chairman of the Law and Public Safety Committee. David played an instrumental role in negotiating a historic collaborative agreement between the police, the community, and City Hall, which healed long simmering tensions while setting the stage for improved safety. David also played leadership roles in economic reforms, new investments, and progressive policy changes that helped spark a decade-long renaissance that continues in Cincinnati to this day.
In 2006, David was elected to the three-member Hamilton County Commission. He served as the Commission President from 2009-2010. During David's tenure at the County, Hamilton County won 19 National Association of County Awards for outstanding management practices, more than all other Ohio counties combined. David focused particularly on cleaning up the very poorly managed government that he inherited: adding much-needed transparency, championing greater disclosure and higher ethics, eliminating wasteful spending, and rebuilding the County's reserve fund. Independent ratings agencies praised the County's fiscally responsible policies.
David was nominated by Ohio Democrats to run in statewide elections twice. In 2010, David ran for the office of Ohio Auditor campaigning on a platform of increasing efficiency and transparency in government while ending the gerrymandering that has poisoned politics in Columbus and Washington. His platform gained him the endorsements of virtually every major Ohio newspaper. And, in 2014, David ran an intense campaign to unseat the incumbent Attorney General, calling for greatly improved transparency and integrity in that office. Although both years proved to be wave years against Ohio Democrats, David set records (for a non-incumbent) in fundraising for both offices and received praise for running aggressive, substantive campaigns.
David earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Yale University, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School. In 1999, David clerked for the Honorable Nathaniel Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Since 2000, David has also worked in the Cincinnati offices of major law firms Squire Sanders and Blank Rome, focusing his practice on commercial and business litigation, and appellate litigation. David also teaches election and voting rights law as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
David is married to Alana (Swartz) Pepper. Alana grew up in Adams County, graduated from the University of Cincinnati, and earned her Master's Degree in Public Administration at Northern Kentucky University. Alana has spent her career helping those faced with mental illness.
Last May, David and Alana welcomed their first child, Jacob "Jack" Hamilton Pepper, into their family.
Bret Perkins, Vice President of External and Governmental Affairs, Comcast
Bret Perkins is Vice President of External and Government Affairs for Comcast Corporation. In this role, he is responsible for the company's strategic partnerships with national policy advocacy organizations as well as implementing the company's regulatory and legislative initiatives with local governments, managing relationships with state and local intergovernmental associations, and grassroots communications.
Bret joined Comcast in 2001 and has managed local government affairs while the Company grew from operating in 2,500 communities to over 6,000 communities.
Prior to joining Comcast, he served as Vice President of System Services and Assistant to the President at Mercy Health System in Pennsylvania and worked in legislative affairs at Keystone Mercy/AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan and with the North Philadelphia Health System.
In 2008, Bret received the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's Vanguard Award for Young Leadership, one of the cable industry's highest honors for its next generation of leaders.
Bret is a member of the Temple University Board of Trustees and currently serves on the Boards of The Committee of Seventy, the Philadelphia non-partisan political watchdog organization, the Family Online Safety Institute, Older Adult Technology Services (OATS), and the Philadelphia International Airport Advisory Board.
He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University and resides in Philadelphia with his wife and two children.
Pedro Torres-Mackie, Founder & Managing Director, Quotidian Ventures
Pedro Torres-Mackie is the Founder and Managing Director of Quotidian Ventures, and the Co-Chair of the Board at the New York City Foundation for Computer Science Education (CS4All.org). Quotidian is an early-stage Venture Capital firm based in New York City, with a portfolio of 65+ software companies that have achieved over $1.7 Billion in realized exits to date. Pedro has been recognized as part of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Venture Capital, and Crain's New York Business' 40 Under 40.
Outside his work at Quotidian and CS4All, Pedro is a member of the Advisory Board for the Bronx Academy for Software Engineering (BASE), and a member of the Board of Directors at Run for Something and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.
Mark Walsh, CEO, FactSquared
Mark Walsh is the ceo of FactSquared, an AI and Machine Learning startup based in Washington DC. It is angel funded. He was head of Investment and Innovation for the SBA in the Obama Administration. He ran all SBIC, SBIR, Accelerator/Incubator and growth activities, and was appointed to key committees at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of the Treasury Administration.
That was his first government position. Prior, he had a 30+ year career in technology, media, venture capital, and angel investing. He was ceo of a high growth public company, (VerticalNet NASDAQ: VERT) was a senior executive at GE, AOL, and HBO, and has invested in and/or served on the board of a number of high profile public and private companies, including BlackBoard (NASDAQ: BBBB), NutriSystems (NASDAQ: NTRI), half.com (Bought by eBay), IndustryBrains (bought by Marchex-NASDAQ: MCHX), Day Software (bought by Adobe) and many, many others. He also served as the first chief technology advisor to the Democratic Party in 2002 and ran the internet efforts for John Kerry's presidential run in 2004 - and he was the founding CEO of Air America Radio.
He has been ceo and chairman of many startups, including Homesnap and GeniusRocket, and was lead independent director for Thestreet.com, the media company founded by Jim Cramer. He also served as a venture partner for Revolution, Inc. in Washington, D.C., the investment fund started by AOL colleagues Steve Case and Ted Leonsis.
He was the chairman of the board of his college alma mater, Union College in New York, chairman of the Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Maryland, and received his MBA from Harvard. He has served on several prominent not-for profit boards, including the Bipartisan Policy Center (where he was chair), the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Theatre Workshop and many others.
James Woodson, NLC National Diversity Chair
James Woodson is currently the NLC National Diversity Chair. He previously served as National Mentorship Director, and is an alum and former Executive Board member of the NLC-New Jersey Chapter. By day, James is an Organizing Coordinator with California Calls. Specifically, he co-leads the African American Civic Engagement Project, teaching, training, and supporting 12 Black-led groups around the State of California to do integrated voter engagement. James is also assisting coordination of the Million Voters Project, a partnership of six statewide partners to mobilize and turnout 1 million voters by 2018.
Previously, James served as the Director of Clubhouse and Athletic Programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, NJ, where he managed youth development programs for over 300 children. James is also a licensed attorney in the states of New Jersey and New York and proud alum of the Rutgers School of Law in Newark, NJ. Prior to entering law school, James served in a variety of capacities within the Democratic National Committee, the NJ Democratic State Committee, and Obama For America. James was a lead organizer for the NJ Health Care For America Now campaign and served as co-Counsel for the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission in 2012. In addition, James was the Founding Director of the Friendship Development Corporation, where he led the effort to create an outreach center that provides food, clothing, and other services to thousands of low-income families in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
James loves all things entertainment, and in his spare time, writes, produces, and directs all types of creative multimedia projects. He is the co-writer, director, and producer of the Off-Broadway stage play "Love's Gonna Get You."
James currently resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two children.
Visit our Emeritus Board of Directors


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I heard on the news today the my county is the most expensive to live in my entire state. At first I didn't believe it. But after doing a little research it turns out to be true. I found that each State produces a Self-Sufficiency survey, which defines the amount of income necessary to meet basic needs (including taxes) without public subsidies (e.g., public housing, food stamps, Medicaid or child care) and without private/informal assistance (e.g., free babysitting by a relative or friend, food provided by churches or local food banks, or shared housing). The family types for which a Standard is calculated range from one adult with no children, to one adult with one infant, one adult with one preschooler, and so forth, up to two-adult families with three teenagers.
The detailed reports can be found at:
There is a lot of information included in the report. Sure enough looking over the New York state report I live in the county where a family of 5 need to earn the most money to be Self Sufficient. It might be time to move.


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This little brooch is a perfect example of this. The wing is made from such a tiny whisp of fabric and the whole brooch measures a massive 7cm x 7cm so you can see, it doesn't take much!
Consider making these in bulk for craft markets and for gifts. I am happy for you to sell the brooches that you make as long as you give me credit for the pattern in the first place.
Now. What do we need? As you will see from the first photo, the requirements are small so a beginner without much kit can do this.
You will need:
- some scraps of fabric in a couple of co-ordinating colours.
- about five layers of thin ecru cotton fabric
- a thread to compliment your fabrics
- a brooch back
- a water soluble marker
- glue stick
You will also need the things to set your sewing machine up for free motion embroidery. I won't go into details here as each machine is different so go to the manual. If you have some general questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help.
Next comes the line drawing:
You have a couple of options here. Either freehand it (and that is where the water soluble marker comes in) or print the drawing off and adjust the size so that it is 7cm x 7cm and then transfer it to the fabric using your favourite method.
Layer up the fabric with the ecru fabric at the back and your chosen main colour on top....
Pin it all securely. You will notice that the chicken is not cut out. Leave a margin of fabric around the chicken. This makes it much easier to sew and you will cut it away layer. Cut a wing from your accent fabric and cut it out exactly. glue it on with the glue stick.
HOT TIP: an ordinary glue stick is better than anything else for this task. It does the job quickly and cheaply and is far easier to handle on a small area than an iron on alternative.
Embroider the chicken adding all details. Go around twice - it looks better and more substantial.
Cut the chicken out leaving a small border. This does not have to be perfect. Spritz with water to remove the water soluble marker lines.
On the back, attach the brooch back....
I have added a dab of hot glue over the stitches to make it stronger too. This is optional.
Here it is again, all finished! A few minutes work and a very small bite into the rag bag!
Thanks for stopping by and happy sewing!


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Salon Sundays is a new little feature I wanted to do, that showcases way to change a very simple look into another, using makeups and other beauty enhancements.
Today I am showcasing some gifts from a store called Cotton Candy Monster. It is a newly discovered store for me. Not sure how long it has been around. I like it due to the colourful palette used for the products.
Above I am wearing the Valentines Eye Makeup in red, it also comes separately in pink. I have on the Candy Lips in Watermelon/Peach. The Candy Lips come in a 6 pack, with various dual coloured lips.
Above you can see the skin, before I put on the makeup layers. A more mature look here.
Two very different looks, achieved very easily.
Hair - The Stringer Mausoleum - Schlicht in Zeus - Free
Skin - Pumec - Vlada Skin - Free
Eyes - [B][S] - Earth Eyes V3 - Free
Lashes - BC Designs - Eyelashes 1 - L$1
Makeup 1(Eyeshadow) - Cotton Candy Monster - Valentine's Makeup in Red - L$1
Makeup 2(Lips) - Cotton Candy Monster - Candy Lips in Watermelon/Peach - Free


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Kahane Comics
Kikar Shabbat has images from a comic book geared toward the young to teach about the life and ideology of R' Meir Kahane ZT"L.
Some of the parts that were interesting to me:
- R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT"L holding his clenched fist up in the air, supporting R' Kahane. (The comments on the article said that this was documented in a book and that this was Rav Auerbach's known view.)
- R' Mordechai Eliyahu ZT"L giving a Hesped praising him at his funeral.
- R' Meir Yehuda Getz ZT"L (the former rabbi of the Kotel) saying that he had a dream that Mashiah Ben Yosef was murdered in the USA, and he couldn't sleep that night. In the morning, he heard on the news that Rav Kahane was murdered.


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State lawmakers are still waiting for an impact fee bill from Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, though the measure could be introduced later this week.
Scarnati's chief of staff, Drew Crompton, said via email the Republican is hoping to introduce the bill by Friday, and that a co-sponsorship memo was distributed to other senators on Monday.
It's been about two weeks since the Jefferson County Republican unveiled the outline of his plan, which would charge a $10,000 base fee to every Marcellus Shale well, and send the money to local governments and environmental cleanup efforts. (The fee would increase or decrease, based on a calculation based on the well's production and natural gas's market price.)
Katheryn Klaber, the president and executive director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition isn't supporting or opposing Scarnati's plan, only saying the industry group wants a "clear and predictable" fee or tax, if the General Assembly passes one. She explained her parameters as, "to have it be that you know what you get into, and you can plan for that, and do good business planning. Which is the least we as a commonwealth can offer to an industry that's making investments. Is to be able to know what to expect." Klaber said she'll hold out further comment until she sees the actual bill. "Again, I think we have to look at all the pieces of it. I don't believe any of the media – we haven't seen all the pieces of it," she explained during a Capitol event highlighting jobs created by natural gas drilling.
Scarnati has made it clear he'll press for the impact fee to become law before July. House Republican leaders and Governor Corbett aren't overtly opposing the impact fee, but their public reaction to the measure has been lukewarm, at best.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Impact Fee Legislation Still Not Introduced
Posted by wduqnews at 9:30 AM
Labels: Marcellus Shale
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Christopher Walken as The Bruce Dickinson.
I've been putting together a playlist on my iPod of classic tunes from the late 1960s through the mid 1970s. Maybe it's because I've been listening to the music in earphones, or because I re-watched the famous Saturday Night Live skit with Christopher Walken not long ago, but for whatever reason, I suddenly realized just how much damn cowbell there was in that era.
But seriously. Rock and roll was cowbell crazy. No wonder SNL did their skit.
The question, then, is: How did I grow up in that time period and never notice all the cowbell around me? I had some of these records, certainly heard the songs on the radio.
War: "Low Rider."
Edgar Winter Group: "Frankenstein."
Head East: "Never Been Any Reason."
Three Dog Night: "Black and White."
Bachman Turner Overdrive: "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet."
Blood, Sweat & Tears: "Spinning Wheel."
Electric Light Orchestra: "Do Ya."
Electric Light Orchestra: "Evil Woman."


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Not Quite What He Was Hoping For
Safe to say it wasn't quite the reunion that Allen Iverson was looking for when the Nuggets played the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Not only did his new team lose 108-97, Iverson was ejected after his second technical foul with 1:44 remaining in the game. Despite starting off making only two of nine shots, Iverson went on to score 30 and was yet still unable to lead the Nuggets to a win. This was a much needed road win for Philadelphia, who had lost 14 of their last 16 – most of which were with Iverson – and had gone 19 of their last 23 overall. The top scorer for Philly was
Ashton Kutcher Kyle Korver, who added 26 points as the Sixers scored 100 points for the first time in 16 games.
I also want to mention, since I glimpsed it way down in espn.com's "Game Notes" section, that Denver guard Julius Hodge got in for the last minute of the game...his first game back on the floor since he was shot in a drive-by last April.
Read more!


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Copying articles from here without giving any credit to the blogspot is not allowed and stealing headlines is not funny
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Latika lands in Adi's bedroom
In Pyaar Ka Dard Hai, this week, Harish recovers from the surgery and Avantika plans a get together at home. They are all waiting for Aditya to come and are shocked to see him pick Latika in his arms. Later in the night Latika manipulates and sneaks into Adi's room. Rubal is shocked at this sight and asks Aditya and Pankhuri to leave the house as he feels Adi is a threat to Latika.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Saas Bahu competition
In Diya Aur Baati Hum this week, post Swami's revelation there is a Varshik Mahotsav in Hanuman Gali where there is a Saas Bahu competition. So, Sandhya and Bhabho team up against Dhaisa and her Bahu. They eventually win. Here Meena reveals that Dhaisa's bahu is actually pregnant. Next there is a Goad BHARAI rasam for Meena and Dhaisa's bahu. Emily is building huge pressure on Mohit. Sandhya has a hit and miss where she is to find about Mohit and Emily.
Rashi saves Gopi's life
Rashi is expecting that now Gopi will call Rashi back to Modi house. But it doesn't happen so, Rashi is furious and agitated. On the other hand, Dadi plans a Kumbh mela visit with whole family, which makes Gopi nervous and sad as she thinks Rashi will not be coming along with the family as Rashi has declined to come home. But Rashi comes to the entrance of Modi house and leaves for Kumbh mela with the Family. There Gopi tries to talk to Rashi but all efforts goes into vein. Rashi is in her own ego doesn't talk to Gopi. Later there's a threat to Gopi's life as she is drowning and only Rashi will notice. Rest of the family is in the confusion that Gopi never went inside the water. Rashi is now in guilt that she didn't hold her hand. Rashi takes a brave step and jumps in the water to save Gopi. And so she does save Gopi. Later both the sisters accept love for each other and Rashi will say she will try and change her flaws.
Maanvi in hospital
Virat - Maanvi move out of the house and Dadaji asks them to stay in the out house. They start to settle down. Both the sisters and the brothers are pining for each. Jeevika goes to the out to meet Maanvi and Virat snaps her. Viren notices this and he takes Jeevika and asks her to stay away from Maanvi as it might strain Virat and Maanvi's relation. Jeevika agrees but later there is threat on Maanvi's life she saves her and takes her to the hospital. Virat thanks her and asks her to leave. Jeevika can't take this and she faints. Viren gets to know that both Jeevika and Maanvi are in hospital. He clears the hospital dues for Maanvi also, which Virat later goes to return him. Major showdown between the brothers happens. It's Maanvi's birthday and Jeevika brings the whole family together to celebrate her birthday.
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I broke down and bought the new (well, refurbished) Gateway Core i7 desktop. This computer is Fast!
Recovery Disks
At the advice of a colleague (and a note in the box), the first thing I did was create Recovery Disks. It took quite a bit of time, and burned 3 DVDs (there was an option to use 16 CDs as well). While I was doing that, Windows Vista was downloading many updates and installing them.
My next job was installing (free) anti-virus software. I chose AntiVir. Filehippo, by the way, is a great site for free software. I use the Filter feature top right to show only Free software.
BIOS Update
I went to Gateway's support site, and downloaded the latest BIOS update. To get this to work I unzipped the file, started a Command Prompt in Administrator Mode (by right-clicking the Command Prompt icon in the Start menu), and ran flash.bat. Took a few minutes and rebooted the machine. I don't think anything actually got updated, but it all worked, and I'm up to date.
I run Kubuntu Linux most of the time, switching to Windows only for gaming. Hence, I needed to create a dual-boot setup. The machine was setup with a 10 GB recovery partition, and the remaining 740 GB was for Vista, as one big NTFS partition. Vista comes with a built-in Shrink function. This worked fast, but has a limitation: it could only shrink the partition in about half — 370 GB, while I really only wanted 150 GB for Vista. After much searching, and trying defraggers like the built-in Defrag and freeware MyDefrag, shrink still wouldn't let me make the partition any smaller. MyDefrag shows a visual representation of the drive and indicated that some file was sitting at the very end of the drive, blocking the resize. At first I thought this was $MFT — an NTFS system file, that normally cannot be moved. I was wrong, and the file really was $bitmap, also a system file. The only program that I found could move this was Perfect Disk. I tried many others, because I didn't want to get into Trial versions, but none worked. Perfect Disk has a feature to run on bootup, and in that mode can move system files when optimizing free space. This worked flawlessly. After the run, Vista's partition Shrink worked again, bring the size to again half, or about 170 GB. This sufficed for my needs, and I left it at that.
Dual-boot Vista and Kubuntu
I downloaded Kubuntu 9.04 AMD64 version (since I wanted to run in 64-bit mode, and AMD64 means "for AMD CPUs and for AMD/Intel 64 bit CPUs). I inserted the CD and booted the computer. I had to press F10 on startup to get a Boot Menu and select the CD. The Kubuntu install was smooth, although the formatting of the 500 GB partition took a while. In the partition section I chose to use up all free space. After installation completed, I rebooted, and the Grub Boot Loader let me boot into Linux, the Recovery Partition, or into Vista — very nice that this worked out of the box!
After booting Kubuntu a KDM login screen greeted me. I didn't log in though, as I didn't want to get my home directory cluttered with new config files for the old KDE version. Instead, I pressed CTRL-F1 to switch to a console. I went into super user mode, and updated /etc/apt/sources.list to point to the latest KDE 4.3. An apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade (which took some time), I rebooted and logged into a fresh KDE 4.3 install. Everything worked, including high-resolution video. In the system tray I clicked the Hardware manager and enabled the proprietary ATI drivers (FGLRX). After another reboot Compositing, Wobbly windows, etc. all worked.
64-bit Firefox
Next I wanted to install Firefox. The download from Mozilla didn't work — gave me library not found errors (looking for libgtk). I also ran into some ELFCLASS64 errors. Turns out that on 64 bit linux there are three lib directories — /usr/lib32, /usr/lib and /usr/lib64 (symlink to /usr/lib). The Mozilla download was 32 bit, hence looked in /usr/lib32 and didn not find the libraries it needed. After a couple of dead-ends, I learned that I should have just done it the Kubuntu way: apt-get install firefox-3.5! That worked wonderfully.
The standard flash plugin installer worked fine. I tried the 64-bit alpha from Adobe Labs, but it hung the browser, so I went back to the stable version. Flash worked, but no sound! Other sounds in KDE worked, just not in Firefox / Flash movies. Once again internet forums helped, and after I followed the advice to turn the PCM volume in 'alsamixer' up, I had sound.
I'm pretty happy with the setup after 1 day. The Vista partition resizing took the most time and frustration of trial and error. The machine is nice and fast, KDE 4.3 looks great, and just flies on it.


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The mission statement of Guppy is to make parsing simple, fun, and powerful. You give Guppy a grammar definition and an input string, and Guppy gives you an AST whose nodes are named after production rule symbols. Want to write a calculator? Define a simple, 20-line grammar to get started, and test it out with Guppy. Want to make your own extension to the C programming language? Import the "c" grammar (like you would import a library in scripting languages), and write only the parts that make your language different.
Here are a few examples of Guppy as I currently have it. The first example is the beginnings of a "standard library" for Guppy; a collection of rules that can be used without having to define them by hand:
alnum: alpha | digit
alpha: [A-Za-z]
ascii: [\x00-\x7F]
digit: [0-9]
extended: [\x80-\xFF]
lower: [a-z]
space: [\t\n\v\f\r ]
upper: [A-Z]
xdigit: [0-9A-Fa-f]
identifier: (alpha | '_') (alnum | '_')*
number: int | float
dec: [1-9] [0-9]*
hex: '0' [Xx] xdigit*
oct: '0' [0-7]*
float: dec | hex
e: [Ee] ('+'|'-')? [0-9]+
p: [Pp] ('+'|'-')? [0-9]+
suffix: [FLfl]?
[0-9]* '.' [0-9]+ e? suffix
[0-9]+ '.' e? suffix
[0-9]+ e suffix
'0' [Xx] xdigit* '.' xdigit+ p suffix
'0' [Xx] xdigit+ '.' p suffix
'0' [Xx] xdigit+ p suffix
The key features to note here are the use of nested production rules and lexical scope. If a series of rules are listed indented under a parent rule, the names of rules become available to the definition of the actual parent (as in the case of
number: int | float). If the parent rule's definition is empty, it automatically defaults to |-ing its child rules (as in the case of
dec:). Note that in Guppy (unlike other grammar definition languages like Yacc), empty strings must be explicit (as in,
Two more candidate rules to add to Guppy's standard library are:
//C-style string literal
string(start_quote = '"', end_quote = start_quote)
: start_quote char..end_quote
literal: .
hex: '\\' [Xx] xdigit{1,2}
'\\' [0-3][0-7][0-7]
'\\' [0-7][0-7]
'\\' [0-7]
unicode: '\\u' xdigit{4}
backslash: '\\' .
//infix-delimited list with at least one item
list(item, delimiter = ','):
item (delimiter item)*
This introduces functions. In this case, they're just used as templates for common tasks. However, using functions recursively makes it possible to define non-context-free grammars (perhaps even Turing-complete ones). Whether Guppy will ultimately allow that or not, I'm not sure.
Isolated production rules
I've also been thinking about how the traditional notions of lexer and parser can be united under one grammar formalism. I thought about how a formal grammar defines a program that outputs valid strings in a language, rather than defining the steps needed to parse that grammar. Taking that further, if you wanted to write a program to output code in a programming language like C, you'd first emit the start symbol, then apply grammar rules. After that (as in, you'd stop applying rules from the grammar), you'd apply lexical rules to convert things like
IDENTIFIER to complete strings.
What I came up with involves enabling the user to isolate production rules. The syntax is rather ad hoc, but it lets you take a symbol or string and apply production rules wrapped in parenthesis to it by saying
text -> ( rules... ).
expr -> (
expr: add_expr
( expr )
multiply_expr '*' primary_expr
multiply_expr '/' primary_expr
add_expr '+' multiply_expr
add_expr '-' multiply_expr
/* Note that number, and identifier aren't defined
* in this scope, so they are "quasi-terminals".
* Once we expand them using the production rules
* below, there's no turning back. */
) -> (
'': white
) -> (
[0-9]+ '.' [0-9]*
[0-9]* '.' [0-9]+
[\t\n ]
There are a number of things I'm having trouble deciding on or understanding. For one, should ambiguity be allowed? Consider this much easier way of defining expr:
( expr )
expr '*' expr
expr '/' expr
expr '+' expr
expr '-' expr
The issue here isn't just that the order of operations isn't defined. Even if it could be indicated with a hint (as is done in Bison with
%right, etc.), the grammar here just isn't correct. If you say "1+2*3+4", you could follow the
expr '*' expr expansion first, but it would yield an incorrect derivation. Another case is the ambiguity of + versus ++ in languages with that pre/postincrement operator:
'' -> ' '
) -> (
The ambiguity is typically resolved by making the lexer greedy; "+++" means "++ +". However, this grammar allows us to derive "+++" as "+ ++", which is incorrect. Making this grammar unambiguous isn't exactly simple, so requiring the user to do so goes against Guppy's mission statement.
Indentation-based syntax
Another issue is: should Guppy use an indentation-based syntax or not? Should Guppy offer a non-indentation-based alternative? Consider nice and simple code like this:
number: int | float
dec: [1-9] [0-9]*
hex: '0' [Xx] xdigit*
oct: '0' [0-7]*
If we had to do without indentation-based syntax, it might look like this:
number: { (int | float);
int: {
dec: [1-9] [0-9]* ;
hex: '0' [Xx] xdigit* ;
oct: '0' [0-7]* ;
Although indentation-based syntax makes the code look nice, it has a number of drawbacks. One major drawback is that the grammar of Guppy would not be context-free (I think), complicating the matter of defining Guppy in Guppy. Note that indentation can be invoked in Guppy using a recursive function:
node(indent = ''):
indent value '\n'
indent key ':' value? '\n' node(indent [\t ]+)
Again, whether or not this will be allowed, I'm not sure.