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Someone's Leaving One Direction, Tim McGraw Has a Secret 'Son,' Suri Cruise Was Cloned + More In This Week's Tabloids
We read In Touch, Life & Style, Us Weekly, the National Enquirer and Star this week — so you didn't have to. Feel free to thank us later.
This week we found out Kim Kardashian is pregnant and alone (again), someone is leaving One Direction, Miley Cyrus was jilted, Snooki lost a bunch of weight and has smaller hair (possibly related), Suri Cruise has a double, Jennifer Lawrence has an awesome life and all kinds of other really real stuff you'd have to read to believe.
In Touch
We've heard it before, but apparently it turns pages because Kim Kardashian is once again pregnant and alone. The poor dear has seen her plan backfire on her -- Kanye has allegedly walked out and she's panicking as she considers the millions she has lost and having to raise her baby by herself. Because, as we all know, if the Kardashians are anything, they're poor and totally alone.
Between Sean Lowe and AshLee Frazier of 'The Bachelor,' no one knows who's really lying. Also, no one knows who's really caring, but they're still on the cover of the magazine so obviously someone does. In any event, AshLee says she's so over him. And we can relate.
There's no way you'll believe this, but someone is leaving One Direction. It's the one guy with the hair that looks like the other guy who dresses like that one guy you know from that other band who looks like the guy in that one group from that one show. So insiders say they'll definitely have a hard time replacing him.
We know it's so crazy, but Suri Cruise has a secret double. We always thought she did her own stunts when we saw her actually walking instead of being carried, but apparently she leaves that crap to her stunt double. She's no dummy. Why risk an injury when you can leave the hard stuff to the pros?
Life & Style
In a cheating scandal, Miley Cyrus has been jilted by her fiancé. Sadly, just weeks before their wedding, Miley found out about Liam's night with January Jones. As most couples do, Cyrus and Hemsworth were discussing their finances and he took her command to "make ends meet in January" really really wrong.
Sean Lowe, the newest lucky-in-love star of 'The Bachelor,' will be having a $1 million wedding. On TV. Of course, with all this talk of his virginity, it's the honeymoon that we really want to see. And if it gets some sponsors, we're sure it'll get some airtime somewhere.
We can't believe that Kim Kardashian was so cruel and attacked her sister Khloe. And we really can't believe that she didn't tape the whole thing and upload it to the internet so we could all pay money to watch it. Maybe we can look forward to a pay-per-view UFC celebrity sibling grudge match sometime soon.
Jennifer Lawrence is part of her own shocker, because there's a pic that everyone is talking about. It's Jennifer Lawrence. Everyone loves her, no matter what she does. Liberal use of the word "shocker" seems to be in play here.
Us Weekly
Snooki describes to Us Weekly her extreme body makeover and how she lost 42 pounds. We aren't dieticians, trainers or medical experts, but we're guessing removing three or four of those Bump-its from her hair took off at least 30 of them.
Anne Hathaway threw a diva fit over her Oscar dress. Definitions of the phrase "diva fit" can differ, so if you need a translation, the best we could come up with is that it means finding out that a cast member in the movie you're nominated for is wearing a very similar dress and then quickly deciding to wear a different dress so you don't get accused of copying your castmate's style and then keeping quiet about it while all of Hollywood and the blogosphere makes a huge deal out of it even though you're not.
Or something.
There is a 'Real Housewives' shocker that made Adrienne Maloof quit. The shocker being that no one on 'Real Housewives' is even a wife any more, and yet there's still an entire franchise. But we get it, mostly because 'Real House Divorcees' just doesn't have the same ring to it. We do think 'Real House Cougars' could be a good show, but only if it involved actual cougars and not just sad women desperate for attention.
Sarah Jessica Parker says her feet are deformed after years of wearing high heels. Experts have always warned against women emulating the unrealistic shape of a Barbie doll and now SJP's feet are a testament to that danger. And no, we won't make any horseshoe jokes here because they're tired and obvious and you're better than that.
National Enquirer
Little Suri Cruise is in the midst of a kidnap shocker, because an FBI insider told the National Enquirer all about how Tom and Katie have spent $12 million to protect their daughter. Apparently, that's all it costs to have an exact clone made of your kid for photo ops. Also included when you purchase a clone: a panic room, armed bodyguards and bombproof vehicles.
Wouldn't it just be cheaper to just put her in one of those giant plastic balls hamsters roll around in?
Meanwhile, Tim McGraw has a secret "son." We really don't know what the difference is between a son and a "son," but we're assuming that's what the secret is. Maybe it's a zombie child he's been keeping alive 'Walking Dead'-style. Or maybe it's a sock puppet that he thinks is his kid. Or it's kind of a Chaz Bono sitch. Only time will tell.
John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack, is the next prince of Camelot. Everyone is very eager to point out that this is rather different from being the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Because when you're the prince of Kennedy's Camelot, yours are the kids who are up to no good and making trouble in the neighborhood. Oh, and the dance moves are a lot better in Bel Air.
Cher is caught up in a heroin nightmare. And, as if that weren't enough, she's got a rehab bombshell she's been hiding from fans. Maybe "bombshell" is what the kids are calling an eight ball these days. In which case, unburdening herself and finding some takers won't be that hard at all.
A pregnant Kim Kardashian is living yet another nightmare in this tabloid week, because she's apparently experienced a 65-pound weight gain. Sources say all of those pounds were put on during an unexpected photoshopping incident. Which does bode well for the previously "pregnant and alone" reality star, because Photoshop pounds are the easiest to lose.
Jennifer Lawrence is leading a wild, secret life that involves drugs, booze and strip clubs – oh my. We look forward to her self-help book that will tell us where she finds the time, because she's way busier than we are and if she can find time to do all that awesome stuff, we have hope for ourselves. We're also planning to name our next garage band "Drugs, Booze and Strip Clubs."
Star magazine has pictures of Adrienne Maloof – of 'Real Housewives' fame – before her plastic surgery. You heard it here first: She's Jimmy Hoffa and she's been secretly walking among us this whole time.
LeAnn Rimes has had a shocking relapse. Star's sleuthing and surreptitious photography skills have revealed she's back to leaving the house without full-glam makeup on. It's like she doesn't even care any more. It's a clearly a cry for help, you guys. Someone get this woman a tube of mascara and an emergency stick of concealer.


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March 12, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Schedule
Monday, March 12, 7 p.m.
No. 4 UCSB vs. No. 6 Penn State
Robertson Gymnasium
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m.
No. 4 UCSB vs. Cal Baptist
Robertson Gymnasium
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Against Penn State
Last Meeting: 3/8/01 at Long Beach State (Beach Bash)
Result: UCSB 3, PSU 0 (30-26, 30-23, 30-22)
2007 Series: First meeting
2006 Series: Did not meet
All-Time Series Record: UCSB leads 7-4
Last PSU Win: 4/3/87 at UCSB (Santa Barbara Classic)
Result: PSU 3, UCSB 1 (5-15, 15-3, 15-5, 15-11)
Current Streak: UCSB three wins
Against Cal Baptist:
Last Meeting: 2/24/06 at UCSB
Result: UCSB 3, CBU 1 (30-24, 30-21, 27-30, 38-36)
2007 Series: First meeting
2006 Series: UCSB led 1-0
All-Time Series Record: CBU leads 3-2
Last CBU Win: 3/23/04 at UCSB
Result: CBU 3, UCSB 0 (30-19, 30-27, 30-24)
Current Streak: UCSB one win
BYU Sweeps UCSB for Second Straight Night
UCSB was defeated in three games by BYU Saturday, the second consecutive night that the Gauchos suffered a sweep at the hands of the Cougars. Scores of the match were 30-28, 30-28, and 30-26. UCSB lost its fifth straight MPSF match, while BYU won its fifth contest in a row. The first two games were fairly even, but the Cougars hit an impressive .714 in the third to put away the match. Overall, BYU hit at a .495 clip, while Santa Barbara swung at .364 for the match. UCSB was paced by opposite Evan Patak and middle Theo Brunner, who each contributed 13 kills. Patak and outside Bryan Berman combined for seven of UCSB's nine service aces, with Berman laying down four and Patak three. Brunner and setter Bart Kowalski each posted four blocks, while libero Ben Brockman had a team-best five digs on defense. Robby Stowell, the MPSF Player of the Week, recorded 19 kills and seven digs, both match-highs. Yosleyder Cala, the AVCA National Player of the Week, collected 12 kills and Ivan Perez followed with 11 and hit .667. Rodnei Santos hit .700 with eight kills and just one error in 10 attacks. The Cougars out-blocked the Gauchos 8.0 to 6.5 as Russell Holmes had five and Perez, Stowell, and Yamil Perez each had three.
BYU Opens Two-Match Series with Sweep Over UCSB
It was a showdown between the top-two offensive squads in the MPSF and BYU came out on top, defeating UCSB in three games Friday at Robertson Gymnasium. Scores of the match went 36-34, 30-23, and 30-26. Entering the match, UCSB led the MPSF in attack percentage at .360 and was followed closely by BYU at .355. However, the Gauchos struggled offensively, hitting .277 to the Cougars' .395. Santa Barbara got a match-co-high 12 kills out of Theo Brunner, who hit .647 for the match. Bryan Berman followed with 10 kills and a team-high four digs. He and David Kennedy each posted four blocks. Starting setter Bart Kowalski had 25 assists, while Max Klineman, who came in to the match in relief of Kowalski multiple times, had 17. For BYU, both Yosleyder Cala and Robby Stowell racked up 12 kills. Stowell and Ivan Perez each had seven digs, while Rodnei Santos tallied six blocks. Setter Yamil Perez ended up with 47 helpers.
Nittany Picking
Penn State, out of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA), enters the week with an 11-2 overall record and is a perfect 6-0 in EIVA play. The Nittany Lions have won their last 10 matches, including 3-0 sweeps over Mercyhurst and Rutgers-Newark last week. Their two losses came early on in the season against IPFW on Jan. 13 and BYU on Jan. 26, both in three games. In Friday's win over Mercyhurst, Max Holt tied a school record with six aces as the Lions have put down 10 or more aces in three of their last five matches. Alex Gutor leads PSU offensively with 191 kills and a .327 attack percentage. Ryan Walthall is averaging a team-high 2.67 digs per game and setter Luke Murray is averaging 13.11 assists per game. As a team, the Nittany Lions lead opponents in virtually every stat category. Most noticeable is that PSU is out-hitting its foes .339 to .212. Following its match against UCSB, Penn State remains in California to take on UC Irvine (3/14), Cal Baptist (3/16), and Long Beach State (3/17).
No. 1 Cal Baptist
Cal Baptist, ranked first nationally among NAIA teams, is the three-time defending national champion in the NAIA. The Lancers are 15-7 entering this week and are coming off a 2-1 performance last week with 3-1 wins over Quincy and Lewis and a five-game loss vs. Loyola-Chicago. CBU surprised many when it swept BYU, the NCAA's top-ranked team at the time, back on Feb. 13. CBU is 8-1 at home, but just 3-5 on the road this season. The Lancers have been tough at the net and at the service line, out-blocking opponents 207.5 to 162.0 and racking up 122 aces to opponents' 77. Shamsu Awudu is averaging a team-best 5.20 kills per game, while Donald Baliaba has 30 aces. Romain Vetter and Urs Gunthor are both averaging over a block per game at 1.32 and 1.19, respectively. Corey Spence is the team leader in digs at 1.83 per game, followed by Awudu at 1.61. Eric Plunkett, the Lancers' primary setter, averages 11.75 helpers a game.
Preston Joins Half-Grand Club
With a 3-0 sweep at IPFW March 3, UCSB head coach Ken Preston collected his 500th career victory. Preston holds an overall record of 500-360 since taking over the reigns in 1979. Preston has 18 winning seasons under his belt, including eight campaigns with 20 or more victories. He is UCSB's second active coach to eclipse the 500-win plateau at the school. Hall of Famer Kathy Gregory, who just completed her 32nd year as head coach of the women's volleyball program, picked up her 500th career win in 1995. Women's basketball coach Mark French has 500+ career wins, but not all have come at UCSB.
Poll Position
Here's a week-by-week look at where UCSB has stood in the AVCA Coaches Poll this season:
March 12 - 4th; March 5 - 4th; Feb. 26 - 4th; Feb. 19 - 3rd; Feb. 12 - T 3rd; Feb. 5 - 4th; Jan. 29 - 3rd; Jan. 22 - 4th; Jan. 15 - 6th; Jan. 8 - 6th; Preseason - 6th.
The Gauchos have been ranked second, their highest-ever, on two occasions in the AVCA poll, most recently on Jan. 23, 2001.
On the National Front
Gauchos among the national statistics leaders (all matches):
Theo Brunner: 4th in hitting (.527)
David Kennedy: 16th in hitting (.427)
Bart Kowalski: 10th in assists per game (12.93)
Evan Patak: 1st in aces per game (1.083); 2nd in points per game (7.08); 3rd in kills per game (5.62)
UCSB: 4th in hitting (.358)
In the MPSF
Gauchos among the MPSF statistics leaders (MPSF matches only):
Bryan Berman: 6th in aces per game (0.33)
Ben Brockman: 9th in digs per game (2.04)
Theo Brunner: 2nd in hitting (.509)
David Kennedy: 6th in hitting (.440)
Bart Kowalski 5th in assists per game (12.70)
Evan Patak: 1st in aces per game (1.14); 1st in points per game (7.29); 2nd in kills per game (5.73)
UCSB: 1st in aces per game (1.97); 2nd in hitting (.356); 3rd in kills per game (16.00); 3rd in assists per game (15.08); 10th in digs per game (8.84); 11th in blocks per game (2.57)
Double-Double With Cheese
Three Gauchos have recorded a total of five double-doubles this season:
Evan Patak (2): 32 kills, 17 digs at Hawai'i (2/8); 40 kills, 13 digs at Pacific (1/12)
Aaron Richman (2): 10 kills, 10 digs at UCLA (2/23); 14 kills, 10 digs vs. Cal State Northridge (1/6)
Armen Zakarian (1): 11 kills, 10 digs vs. Cal State Northridge (1/6)
Grand Attendance
For the Pepperdine match on Feb. 3, UCSB's Robertson Gymnasium hosted 1,068 fans. It was the highest attendance figure since 1,422 packed in on Jan. 27, 2001 vs. Stanford. The attendance record for a UCSB match is 4,310 against UCLA on April 22, 1983 in the Thunderdome. The Robertson Gymnasium record is 2,935 vs. UCLA on April 12, 1997.
UCSB Grabs Four During Early Signing Period
Ben Douglas (Mountain View, Calif.), Jeff Menzel (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Blaine Nielsen (Corona del Mar, Calif.), and Jake Scalise (San Marcos, Calif.) have committed to play for the Gauchos in 2008. Douglas is a 6'6" outside hitter from Mountain View High School. A member of the Spartans' varsity team since he was a freshman, Douglas is in his fourth year with the Bay to Bay Volleyball Club. Menzel is a local standout from San Marcos High School. The 6'5" opposite/outside hitter is a two-time All-CIF honoree and a 2006 All-Channel League First Team member. A versatile athlete, Menzel is also a first team all-league basketball player and a wide receiver on the Royals' football team. Nielsen is a 6'4" outside hitter out of Corona del Mar High School. A 2006 All-Pacific Coast League selection, Nielsen captained the Sea Kings to a league title and a second place finish in CIF Division II. In 2005, Corona del Mar won the CIF crown. At the club level, Nielsen captained Balboa Bay to Junior Olympics bronze medals in 2005 and 2006. Scalise is a 6'2" outside hitter from Mission Hills High School of the Division II Valley League. An all-league first team and San Diego County all-section pick, Scalise was also tabbed Mission Hills' MVP.

subset: commoncrawl


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Athlete relies on family, nutrition
Staff writer
Kevin Nickel runs because it is part of who he is. A Goessel High School and Tabor College alumnus, he is successful in half iron-man and triathlon competitions because of family support and good health habits.
"Because of my work, I need to portray a healthy lifestyle," Nickel said. "My nature is to want to be the best at what I do, and I enjoy the competition."
Nickel is director of sports performance programs at The Summit in Hutchinson. As part of the Pinnacle Sports/Orthopedics team, he is a speed, strength, and agility trainer working with middle school and high school athletes daily, and sidelining as an adult personal trainer.
Away from work, Nickel runs, bikes, and swims 10 to 15 hours a week to stay in shape for biweekly triathlon events in which he competes.
"Since we now have a 4-year-old and an 11-month old, I've had to tweak my training schedules just a bit," Nickel said. "My family is my greatest support team. I do more speed and interval training now instead of long distance runs, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I like to work out at times and places they can all be with me."
Nickel said a lot of his training takes place indoors, at places where his children can bring their toys along and play within his sight as he works out.
On weekends when he is not competing, the family attends a rural Goessel church and visits parents, parents-in-law, and other relatives in rural Marion County. Nickel often makes weekends "home" into training sessions while family members enjoy visiting with each other.
"I just love running on the quiet country roads out here," Nickel said. "There are some places with excellent hills and just long quiet stretches for a good workout."
Nickel — who is ranked as one of the top Kansans in his sport, according to his father-in-law, Delbert Peters, has had a successful spring of iron-man competition. He was third in his age group April 7 in Galveston, Texas, which qualified him for World 70.3 Championships in Vegas.
In April, he won first (sixth time in a row) at the Spring Migration event in Emporia, and on May 5 he was a three-peat champion in the elite amateur division of the TriZou competition in Missouri.
Nickel placed sixth May 19 at the Kansas 5150 at Clinton Lake near Lawrence, and fifth on June 9 at the Kansas 70.3, also in Lawrence — even after a disastrous spill when a biker went down in front of him and he could not avoid a collision.
Despite the ever-present potential for serious injury, Nickel said he enjoys the thrill of competition and has experience in injury recovery.
"I compete as an elite amateur because it gives my sponsors exposure. I like to keep them happy because they cover all my expenses," he said.
Nickel said the dream of becoming an Olympian in his sport was not high on his priority list.
"I know my abilities," he said. "I am not one of those fast thoroughbred runners. I am more a strength-based runner, and my body is suited to half iron-man and full iron-man competitions."
Still, Nickel's priority in life remains rooted in his family, and he selects races that his family can attend with him.
"My wife and kids are great," he said. "They run along with the stroller, ringing cowbells and cheering very loudly for me. I couldn't do it without them."
Nickel's wife, Yvette, once an athlete in her own right (an NAIA national 400-meter track champion) is a stay-at-home mom. In additional to leading a vocal cheering squad for him, she helps Nickel keep the details of his life in order.
"She would say I forget my cap, goggles, everything without her to remind me," he said. "But I count on her for that. I could not be successful without her. When I am ready to go race, I am very focused on the course and my body. I just don't worry about the other details."
A typical 70.3-mile half iron-man course includes 56 miles of running, 13.1 miles bicycling, and 1.2 miles of swimming.
"Strength comes not only from training but also from maintaining a well-balanced, lifestyle," he said. "I don't remember the last time I even wanted a soda. It's just not part of my life."
Nickel avoids using supplements or energy drinks, preferring instead to keep things as natural as possible.
"I believe in whole grains and a good balance of things," he said. " I really enjoy eating fruits and vegetables."
Last modified June 20, 2013


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Tiny tidbits from Week 8 of the NFL season.
• We're of two minds on next week's Patriots-Colts game, for which, we apologize, we are already contributing to the endless hype you're going to be sick of by Wednesday. On one hand, it might be pleasant to see the Patriots put in their place a bit after yesterday's Exhibit R in their quest for Spurrier Hell status. On the other hand, a Patriots win might lead to column by Gregg Easterbook about how the planet is about to burst into a plume of dust. It's a tough call.
• That Vince Young ... he just finds a way to win! He was unbelievable in yet another win yesterday! Really!
• Not to go all woulda-shoulda on you here, but if the Bills had not suffered those dramatic collapses against Denver and Dallas, they'd be 5-2 right now. And there's no reason they shouldn't win their next two as well. The Jets, on the other hand, are looking at 1-10 going into Dolphins Stadium on December 2. That'll be exciting.
• Man, we could listen to Tiki Barber talk about the 6-2 Giants all day.
• Lord a heavens, the Rams are horrible. Considering this whole Patriots "dynasty" thing began with the 2002 Super Bowl, it might be kind of fun to replay that game, just to see what happens. We're guessing 73-0.
• God, do we have to keep saying this, Coach Smith: BRING. IN. ORTON!


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Wynonna Judd Confirms Dates for 2012 Rockin' Christmas Tour
Christmas is still months away, but Wynonna Judd is already decking the halls in her mind. The iconic country singer recently confirmed dates for her holiday-themed Wynonna's Rockin' Christmas Tour. Traveling alongside her band the Big Noise, Judd will blend her classic country hits with popular holiday songs to bring Christmas cheer to her fans this winter.
And there's a good reason why Judd wanted to call her Christmas special a "rockin'" tour. "Expect this Christmas tour to be different than the previous years," she hinted in a statement. "We'll still have the classics, but this year I'm ready to rock."
Judd plans to apply her signature country singing style to old favorite like 'White Christmas' and 'Winter Wonderland,' plus, in her words, other rockers.
In between booking the Christmas tour and playing several shows this summer, the newlywed singer is working on recording her 8th studio album. So far, mum's the word on what her newest record will be called or when it will hit the airwaves. In the meantime, Judd fans will have to get their fill with anticipation of rockin' around the Christmas tree this winter.
2012 Wynonna's Rockin' Christmas Tour Dates:
12/6 – Newark, Ohio | Midland Theatre
12/8 – Riverside, Iowa | Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
12/9 – Riverside, Iowa | Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
12/14 – St. Michael, N.D. | Spirit Lake Casino
12/15 – Larchwood, Iowa | Grand Falls Casino Resort
12/16 – Fayetteville, Ark. | Walton Arts Center
12/18 – Ft. Worth, Texas | Bass Performance Hall (symphony show)
12/21 – St. Petersburg, Fla. | Mahaffey Theatre
12/22 – Sarasota, Fla. | Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall


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Forms Jobs
Cold Case Report Number 0451311
Date of Incident/Death: 10-29-2004
Winston-Salem Police Officers were dispatched to 2401 N. Liberty Street in regards to a local business man locating a deceased person lying in the parking lot near the dumpsters at this location. The deceased body was identified as Mr. James Thomas Little. Mr. Little was found to have suffered several apparent gunshot wounds. Mr. Little's vehicle (a red pick-up truck) was not located at the crime scene but was later located on 27th Street under the US Highway 52 overpass.
Mr. Little had worked for the City of Winston-Salem as a Senior Meter Reader and was well liked by co-workers. Mr. Little frequented the local clubs located on N. Liberty Street approximately three days a week after his work day. Many of the club owners were familiar with Mr. Little and referred to him as "J.T.".
In the early morning hours of 10/29/2004, Mr. Little was last seen alive on N. Liberty Street at the local clubs.
This case has been aired on Crimestoppers and some evidence has been sent to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Laboratory for testing as recently as 2008.
Crimestoppers has offered up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this homicide.
Anyone with information regarding this homicide is requested to contact the Cold Case Homicide Unit by email email@example.com or by calling the 'TIPS' line at (336)726-2039.
View Cold Case List - Solved Cases
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fill out TIPS Form
Receive E-Mail Notification When New Information is Posted on this PageAs a member, enjoy the benefits of MyCityofWS, including your choice of newsletters, and notifications about events and site updates. Login and Manage Your Subscriptions Now.


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New Short Story - The Chair
by, 07-01-2018 at 03:02 PM (5717 Views)
Hi everyone, wanted to let you know that I've got my first short story available (it will be tonight) to read over on Patreon for those who want to have a read and help support my writing. It's called The Chair and is part of a new series of short stories called Academy that I'm working on to fill in some back stories of characters that appear in my novel (and future novels).
Check out my website too where there is some more information about my writing, and where I'll post more information on my writing and other stories and novels news.0 Thanks, 0 Likes, 0 Dislikes


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(Reuters) - Johnny Manziel has found instant popularity since being drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns, but will have to wait until August to find out if he has the starting quarterback job.
The charismatic Manziel, whose No. 2 jersey has become the National Football League's top seller, is in competition with journeyman Brian Hoyer for the critical assignment.
Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters at team headquarters on Monday that a starting quarterback would be named by the third week of the preseason if not before.
Pettine said he would meet on Tuesday with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to decide how to split first-team reps in training camp between former Texas A&M star Manziel and Hoyer.
Hoyer, who has started four games in his NFL career since being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots in 2009, went 3-0 as a starter for Cleveland last season.
"(A decision) could be sooner, and that's something we're going to discuss in that meeting," Pettine said, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
"I just don't have a date. I don't know if I'll set a date and kind of paint ourselves into a date, but it will be sooner than the third preseason game."
The Browns play their third preseason game on Aug. 23 against the St. Louis Rams.
The NFL announced on Monday that more Manziel Browns jerseys were sold on NFLShop.com during the first fiscal quarter of the year than any other player jersey.
Pettine also said the Browns had no intention of cutting ties with the team's primary receiving target - troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon.
Gordon had been facing a potential lengthy suspension for doping violations before he was arrested on DWI charges earlier this month.
"Josh is a Cleveland Brown. We want to do what's best for him. We have a player that potentially needs help. Whether it's him or whether it's anybody else that wears the uniform, if we can help, we'll help," the coach told cleveland.com.
"I don't think that cutting him (is) necessarily the best option here. It might be the worst option for both - for us and for him."
Gordon's suspension-appeal hearing is expected to take place later this month. Gordon is facing an indefinite ban for violating the league's substance abuse policy for a third time.
If he loses his appeal, he will have to wait a year before applying for re-instatement with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
"We're expecting him to report on Friday and be on the field," Pettine said of Gordon.
Reporting by Larry Fine in Winchester, Kentucky; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes


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Telluride Ski Resort - offers a genuine mountain experience for all levels of skiers and snowboarders thanks to a mix of quality terrain at all points on the mountain.
A Travelplan consultant can assist you package your accommodation with flights, lifts & transfers for even greater savings on your holiday to Telluride Colorado.
Telluride is an old Victorian mining town set in a spectacular box canyon walled by 4000m plus peaks gives Telluride a spectacular location. Telluride Ski Resort offers an unmatched mountain experience for all levels of skiers and snowboarders thanks to some of the most spectacular terrain and scenery in North America.
From refined groomed runs to big mountain areas, there truly is something for everyone. Beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders can ride to the highest peaks and enjoy terrain and views typically reserved for the experts.
Year after year guests discovery and fall in love with Telluride, here are just a few reasons why;
Telluride is a small town with a big personality that offers an escape from the real world and the pressures of every day life. The town itself is just 8 blocks and there are no stop signs or traffic lights. Stay in downtown Telluride or the ski in ski out mountain village located at 2907m.
Telluride - 8km
Approx 15 minutes
Montrose - 107km
1 1/2 hours
Currently displaying deals for Telluride. (Remove this filter.)
Hold the Control key to select multiple options.
We stayed in unit 1 which was recently renovated so was beautiful.
Cimmaron Lodge is not new but they have recently done a lot of work on the building and if the unit has been renovated then it is perfect. Its location is right at lift 7.
You need to be able to ski blue runs to ski home so no good for beginner skiers.
We loved it however.
After an 8 year break, with the excellent advice and assistance from Travelplan, our family of 4 returned to Telluride.
Staying at Mountain Lodge, which simply has to be the best "bang for your buck" ski in-ski out property in Telluride, we had a blast from start to finish. It was dumping snow the day we arrived and this kept up for 2 more days - followed by another 4 perfect "bluebird" days on the mountain.
We didn't want to leave, even though Beaver Creek and more powder snow was waiting for us.
And then there's the town of Telluride itself. It won't be another 8 years !!
We drove from Aspen to Telluride in January. Magnificent scenery over the McClure Pass. Took about 4 hours. Last bit a little hairy ascending into Telluride! I would recommend it though.
Lumiere is a fantastic Hotel. The best beds ever and an incredible steam shower!!
Ski in and out. "Black Tie" ski hire provided in room service and equipment first class. Nothing too much trouble.
The ski valet boys had gear ready on snow every morning. Felt like movie stars!
Well done Travelplan (as usual)
There are various ways to request a quote for your upcoming holiday with Travelplan Ski.
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We encourage you to come take a tour of our facilities to see how we are helping our neighbors and learn how you can best assist our programs. Please email us to arrange a tour for you or your group.
We are on 23rd Street SE, just off of East Main. It's right across the street from the golf course and behind the veterinary clinic, just up the hill.
Please make sure you have an appointment to get food or take a tour before you come, so that we can be ready for you.
Our address is:
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Puyallup, WA 98371


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Analysis: Apple Widens Tablet Market Gap With iPad 2, But Will Wireless Benefit?
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 - Apple's initial iPad 2 sales and projections for 2011 say while that Apple probably will not face much competition in tablet sales, the competition for wireless data plans for the device are heating up. Apple sold over 15 million of the original iPad, and brisk resales of used iPads on eBay, Gazelle, and other resale sites indicate that the original model is still quite popular. Analyst Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital Markets sees upgrades from the original iPad comprising only a fifth of iPad 2 over the next 12 months. That means that the remaining 80 percent of iPad 2 purchasers will likely be new to the tablet platform. Abramsky projects Jobs and Company will sell 28 million of its new model touchscreen tablet by the end of the calendar year. Keep Reading


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The Far Side of the Bakery
Thanks to Susan S., Beth M., Kimmi D., Bianca S., & Karen P. for the wrecks, and to Gary Larson - once again - for allowing me to be raised on The Far Side.
A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.
Now, don't you have a photo you want to send me? ;)
Thanks to Susan S., Beth M., Kimmi D., Bianca S., & Karen P. for the wrecks, and to Gary Larson - once again - for allowing me to be raised on The Far Side.
Poor Wall-E.
And I love the Far Side cakewrecks days. :D
I want to start a band just so we can call ourselves the "whistling spleen".
Another funny post. Thanks!
And the writing on the first cake is pretty. Too bad she/he forgot to cross the t.
I totally would listen to a band called "Whistling Spleen"! LMAO!
mmm granular defect pig cake
The whistling spleen...I can just hear it whistling that one song..."Don't worry....be happy...." LOL Almost cried reading this. TOO FUNNY
You did a great job on a Far Side take today. I'm impressed you came up with "spleen." I just looked at it and saw a giant pig nose.
Maybe it's just me, but isn't there a certain irony to making plastic flotsam (a.k.a. garbage)out of Wall-E characters?
Oh dear.
Are you sure Gary Larson is still alive? Because I think he might be dead and you're channeling his ghost.
I recently underwent a despleenification procedure (a splenectomy for the more pedestrian)and I had been wondering what they did with it.
Never imagined they would turn it into an ocarina on a cake.
That's not a "whistling spleen"! It's an Ocaspleena! Get it straight!
The Elmo wreck reminds me of one of my favorite YouTube clips:
P.S. Thanks for the daily laughs! =)
What in the name of all that is right and holy is #2 supposed to be??? I mean, I at least get a SUGGESTION of the others, but... what??? WHAT???
Poor Elmo. His eyes are bleeding.
What...the. Can't comprehend O_o
I've been staring at the spleen for a bit now... and I am still without words. Or possibilities as to what it is supposed to be.
However, I may have developed feelings for said spleen.
Great post! We love farside sooo much! My sister and I have memorized dozens of them, and come up in conversations on a regular basis.:)
why is are two year old twins celebrating their birthday with a luau and a pig roast? on second thought...that sounds like fun. how nice they didn't lay the pig in a bed of flames. he looks like he's resting.(nice penmanship, too)
poor, shocked mousie! his tail's even all coiled up! (but really--what is the design concept of this cake?)
poor Elmo, trying to win the staring contest. his eyes are starting to bleed!
I didn't know Batman's car was related to Kitt. Doesn't it know he's falling off the building to his doom? ("Wait u-u-u-u-u-up!") He looks like he's hailing a cab. upside down.
don't. understand. Wall-E. what's with the sea of blue v. the sea of yellow? is he in the ocean? the sky with stars? is that a toxic yellow beach full of melted tootsie roll toxic waste poop?
did anyone else think "moisturize me" when they saw the elmo cake? no? no? just me? :(
This is too funny! I am currently wading my way through "The Complete Far Side" (I'm up to 1983) and I find it hillarious that Gary Larson upset so many people in the '80's! O.K. so the people writting the letters were obviously enjoying a special kind of stupid, but still! The letter from the "scientist" who after looking at a *comic* called *"The Far Side"* gave Mr. Larson a dressing down because he should have more concern for "historical accuracy" is particularly endearing...or revolting...I always get those two mixed up. :0)
Rock on wreckies!
Terrs-uh... we did, kinda. My husband said,"oh my god... Cassandra is red!" so you know, same idea :)
Some superheroes
kersplatt nuclear goo, but
Batman gets cakeface.
The Elmo one definitely nailed the Far Side tone perfectly!
Our twins loved the movie "Wall-E" so much that when we got a Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, they immediately dubbed it "Ev-uh", because she had a green sprouting leaf on her side, just like Wall-E's love.
@Terrrs-uh and @Rachael: I have to admit, I did not immediately see that in the (supposedly) Elmo cake, but now that you mentioned it, all I can see is Cassandra! And I feel like the last human....
WV: polist If these bakeries are not more careful with their cakes, customers might call the polist on them.
Gosh flamin' dang-it!
That's what I get, grading papers
while I haiku.
Should read:
Some superheroes
kersplatt in nuclear goo, but
Batman gets cakeface.
wait a second..
Those are real rocks on the first cake?
Knowing how those "decorateurs" are soo careful and hygienic...
wv: ressa
I get the whole pig with a gland problem cake maybe, but the ressa them are pretty messed up. What on earth is that whistling spleen cake supposed to be, and I thought the crap Wall-E was surrounded by in the movie was garbage not feces...?
Yikes!! I thought the Wall-E cake was an ode to Starry Night at first. Ick.
Thank you for reminding me how badly I miss the Far Side. I'm going to ask for Far Side books for my birthday next month!
#1: Further irrefutable proof of the existence of Hogzilla!
#3: Poor Elmo. I didn't realized his meth addiction had got so bad.
I miss the Far Side.
Will someone please explain what the Wall-E cake is supposed to be about? My brain is hurting just trying to figure out what the decorator was envisioning- is there a purpose to the blue and yellow and poo? I suppose I should be concerned over the spleen, too.
wv: phyran
I must not be phyran on all 8 today, because I just don't get any of these.
And I'm a Far Side devotee.
Well, actually, I don't get two of them.
I feel like a salad...
--Blondie's Mom
@ Banana
One side is WALL-E's junkyard he cleans up, the other is EVE flying through space.
Is anyone else reminded a bit of Lord of the Flies with #1? It's weird for a 2 year old
#1 a bit odd for a toddler's birthday, but there's worse.
#2 like the others, I'm stumped about what that could be about. however, your caption was pitch-perfect and absolutely hysterical. I've got the read-CW-at-work-silently down pat (finally), but that one, now way I could keep those giggles inaudible! Definitely one of your best quips.
#3 I'm kinda feeling sorry for the elmo cake...
#4 I like @Anonymous at 10:53's merging of your line with KITT.
#5 @mzmclean-- I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that! But what on earth (or in galaxy?) was that design supposed to be?!
Okay, what is the second one supposed to be????
I wasn't going to comment, but my WV is "ingests", and since anyone who ingests ANY of these wrecks is probably blind or starving, I figured I might as well say something after all.
Am I the only one who thought that the "pig" was really pikachu lying on his back?
Haha this made my day!Although the rat/mouse witch ever you want to say it is was cute to me.
Six hours later and I'm still laughing at the whistling spleen...OMG Jen, you have made my day!
Usually, my Wednesdays are a bit icky, but this Far Side wreck made it less icky. I especially liked the whistling spleen.
Why do two year olds have a 'pig roast' cake in the first place?
I keep staring at the rat cake trying to have it make sense. What giant pink thing with two holes and little tiny pink thingies next to it would a rat be staring at... with three tiny pink thingies next to him? Usually I can sort of figure out what the wreckerator was going for, but this one??? Not so much. I have a headache now.
Also, I totally thought the pig in #1 was Pikachu.
Wha........??? I have stared at the spleen mouse cake without ANY clue for some time. Nonetheless, the whole post almost had me waking up my daughter laughing, and spewing my drink on my computer screen.
I think the spleen is meant to be a heart....yuck!
The whistling spleen made me think a PIG was trying to tunnel out of the cake, and WTH is the blue and yellow cupcake Wall*e cake supposed to be??!! Indigestion and nightmares abound!!!
#1 The inhabitants of this island are really clever geneticists. They not only bred a pig that can feed the entire population, but also dwarf palm trees that make coconut harvesting much easier. Not much shade, but ya can't have everything.
#2 Someone knows about this. They need to share, now. Why is the poor creature's tail coiled? Some diabolical mouse-telephone hybrid being exposed to the Whistling Spleen for some evil purpose, no doubt.
#3 Exploding Elmo is (deservedly) rare -- if you see one, grab it. Carefully.
#4 The grand tradition of Batman being ditched by his ride continues. "Taxi! Follow that car!" [SPLAT! BIFF! OW!]
#5 Aww. The touching scene from Wall-E where our hero falls into the junkyard outhouse and Eve declines to rescue him.
wv: poote. I am SO not making this up.
My sister once had an guy who called himself "Whistling Ray" in her office selling his CDs...he must have had his spleen removed, but I'm not sure who came up with the idea to put it on a cake.
wv: authint--I hope that isn't an authint-ic spleen.
wtf? on #2 I see a pig snout. it's quick-icing and he's going under??
could the twins on #1 be "22" vs. "2?" still icky but less o.O
Haiku Joy is my new hero.
-Barbara Anne
the first one....it's a POUS...didn't you hear? The islands are suddenly overrun with Pigs of Unusual Size...it's an epidemic...
'whistling spleen'?????? ROFLMAO...That is hilarious with a capital H!
You nailed a perfect Larson impersonation. Your next book should be filled with such captions for wrecks. You could call it "Distant Edge."
And to echo the other comments, thank you for having such a fantastically twisted mind to see not just a spleen, but a whistling spleen! Yes, indeed.
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text:
MpTrim is an extremely basic portable MP3 editor. There's no graphics here, no fancy waveform displays, everything happens in a single dialog - but the program still has enough functionality to be interesting.
You can choose to trim silent or unwanted parts from the beginning or end of a track, for instance, either manually or automatically.
The program can adjust the volume of your track, or make it fade in or out.
MpTrim is able to clean up files by removing everything but the MPEG audio frames (and an ID3 tag). This is effectively compressing the file, just a little, as it sounds the same but the file size is smaller.
And most conveniently, the program works directly in the MP3 format, so won't affect sound quality by forever re-encoding the music (which makes it fast, too).
Problems? The free version is limited to opening MP3 files up to around 7 minutes in length. And that's because the authors hope you'll be persuaded to spend $69.95 for the commercial mpTrim Pro, which will remove the file size limitation, get you support for batch processing files, smarter digital silence detection and other goodies.
If you can live with the length issue, though, the regular mpTrim should prove a surprisingly capable editing tool.
The 7 minute (-ish) length restriction is a little annoying, but otherwise mpTrim is a very useful MP3 tool


text:
Sanford Gwynn woke up in the drainage ditch behind the Nassau County Jail. It was still quite early, the grove of trees was lush and quiet, and the sky was clear and just beginning to draw a tint of pink.
Mr. Gwynn was sprawled in a nearly symmetrical star shape, as though he had tried to make a snowman in the grass. It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that he had tried. But there he was, arms spread wide and his legs spread open, and after a few moments, Mr. Gwynn accidentally spit on himself.
He puffed his lips into an O shape, and exhaled loudly. He opened his eyes slowly, and croaked a groan of relief that it was not yet bright and very quiet.
For a moment, he wondered what had stirred him.
Then, with great care, he propped himself up on his elbows and tried to orient his head perpendicular to the ground. After about 30 seconds, he succeeded.
He looked down at himself. Remarkably, at least to his sore eyes, things were well sorted. There were no embarrassing stains, yawning tears or unfamiliar articles. His black wool pants were thoroughly wrinkled and there was dust of some sort on his left knee, but they were in one piece. His white shirt was creased in a fascinating geometric pattern of cascading spindly moraines. And his jacket?
Well, he wasn't sure where his jacket was. And he noticed he had only one shoe. But he could see pants and he could see a shirt. And he still had his socks.
Mr. Gwynn totted up these victories with no small amount of satisfaction. He sighed again. And with careful exertion pushed himself up into a sitting position.
After a moment, he said, "Not so bad," to no one.
As he sat, his head slowly drooped downward, tilting his field of vision from the jail and its parking lot, which was a picture of stolid, civic serenity, to the patch of ground between his legs. He gazed at the grass and the dirt and at a few small pieces of trash, a bottle cap, a scrap of paper and a toy wedding ring.
A few minutes later, he started out of his trance and slowly looked up again. Trees, scrub and jail, everything was still quiet. He thought about what to do, and he decided that he should get up and get something to eat.
He let his body unfold back into the grass. His head smacked into something. Bemused, he twisted his body and looked down where his head had been. It was a shoe. After a beat he recognized it as his shoe.
He smiled a smile of experienced accomplishment.
Then, something made him glance up. A few inches away from his face was his jacket, hanging from a low-hanging branch.
He untwisted himself and laid back down again, grinning more broadly than before.
It was nearly 9 by the time Mr. Gwynn emerged from the grove, sauntered up Packwood to the newsstand, bought a few newspapers and settled into a stool at Mr. Kafeer's diner.
Mr. Kafeer was short, smoothly bald and robustly fit. Few people in Mineola knew it, but Mr. Kafeer loved to exercise. And he would occasionally run in place in front of the broad grill in his kitchen, though he was careful to keep this activity out of view of his customers.
He was well-acquainted with Mr. Gwynn. That morning, he had seen Mr. Gwynn coming a long way up the street. As Mr. Gwynn walked closer, his hair matted and his shirttails untucked, Mr. Kafeer was distracted by a thorough, scathing judgment of the dissipated habits of 20-something American men.
They drank too much. They smoked too much. Never mind that Mr. Kafeer was a devout muslim; he was possessed with the comprehensive tolerance of a businessman. Still, Mr. Kafeer could talk all day about his customers and never come up with the name of a young man who met his approval.
But Mr. Kafeer's tolerance was also mingled with the cautious fear and pragmatism of an immigrant. He had first come to America in 1900, literally stepping off the boat onto Ellis Island. Within days he had become enamored, almost dreamy, with the polyglot chaos of the streets. But he also was industrious, and soon ingratiated himself with the small, moneyed knot of Levantine elders who noodled around Lower Manhattan.
It took Mr. Kafeer a month to set up his own business, a lunch counter at the back of a drug store owned by a crusty Syrian. Mr. Kafeer believed he had nailed the American dream.
A month after that, it was looted, with unapologetic irony, by an anti-Italian mob.
Undeterred, he tried again. This time, he opened a kebab stand in a Jewish neighborhood a good, long walk from downtown, and despite the Zionist rumblings and the occasional cross looks, he made out like a bandit. His neighbors came to trust him, and a few even respected him.
After a year and a half, an anti-Jewish mob took his cart and pitched it in the East River.
As he watched his kebabs float downriver, Mr. Kafeer dusted himself off. He walked to Penn Station, bought a ticket on the Long Island Railroad and stepped off the train in Mineola, where there were few Italians or Jews and only one Moroccan, himself.
That was 12 years ago.
Mr. Gwynn shuffled toward the front door of the diner, kicked it accidentally as he fumbled with the handle and finally pushed his way in with a boozy sigh.
Mr. Kafeer swallowed his disgust.
"Ahh, Sayyid Gwynn," he said with hollow enthusiasm.
Mr. Gwynn gave a polite nod. He did not know Mr. Kafeer's name, even though he had accepted thousands of plates from his hand, even though the word was written on above the windows on the front of the building.
"You will be wanting the eggs and the toast," Mr. Kafeer said.
Mr. Gwynn nodded again, sat down and laid the day's papers on the counter. Mr. Kafeer retreated to his kitchen.
For all his faults, his self-indulgent personality and revolting habits, Mr. Gwynn at least had currency. That is to say, he read several newspapers every day, hangovers notwithstanding, and could be a competent partner in conversation about the day's events.
He had his favorite newspapers, of course, but in fact, he was fairly tolerant when it came to quality. He could be counted on to buy one of the big papers, The Times or The Tribune, but he did not share the owly judgment of his colleagues — who were quick to hoot at busted headlines and purple writing — when it came to the odd measures and obscure flags of smaller circulations.
Mr. Gwynn approached a newsstand like a pilgrim, studying the front pages with penitent seriousness even before he could make out the letters. Typically, he would buy two or three. Always, he paid with a bill and waved away the change with a half-audible, "Keep it."
The sight of stacks of grubby newsprint, crowned by rocks, lumps of iron and other heavy oddments, seemed to clear his mind, tamp down the throbbing in his head and the hot nausea in his throat. Even on the mornings after particularly extreme benders, Mr. Gwynn was in a cafe somewhere with coffee and a newspaper by about 9 in the morning. Ten, at least.
O.K. Maybe 11.
But today, it was relatively early and Mr. Gwynn had a full head of curiosity brewing. He smoothed the papers with his hand. The New York Times was on top. His eyes scanned hungrily for the lede article. His eyes caught the letters "T.R.," and he felt a tingle of joy.
Ahh, the Colonel, he thought, referring to the former president, Theodore Roosevelt, who had been out of office but nearly always in the news since 1908.
Please, Mr. Gwynn begged to no one in particular, let him have made another cantankerously ridiculous speech.
Under the headline 'IF PERKINS GOES, I'LL GO, TOO' — T.R., an article related the Colonel's arrival from his nearly-ill-fated Amazonian expedition. The papers had said that he looked like death in May when he stumbled out of the jungle, and the Colonel had had a violent attack of malaria, more severe than any he had in South America, only a week before.
But the teeth-snapping Roosevelt vigor, in the form of a belligerent tangle with reporters and the release of a long prepared statement, was fairly pulsing through the newswires.
What the Colonel was most exercised about was the administration's recent offer of $25 million to the government of Colombia, compensation for it lost when the United States, prodded with muscular diplomacy by the Colonel, had built the Panama Canal. But most reporters led with a building rift in the Progressive Party, which the Colonel had custom-made for an attempt to retake the White House in 1912.
Mr. Gwynn began to read with relish — "If they read George Perkins out of the party," a combative Colonel rasped, referring to the former J. P. Morgan toady and current Progressive functionary, "they will have to read me out, too."
Gwynn snorted.
And this, in its way, seemed to announced Filo Phinney, who stepped out of the white summer light into the diner. He went directly to the counter, asked for a coffee and then glanced around the room. His eyes quickly alighted on Mr. Gwynn, and once he had his beer he walked over and stood next to where Mr. Gwynn was slouched.
"How's the boy?"
Mr. Gwynn grunted in the affirmative.
Mr. Phinney had an abiding tolerance for all of God's creatures, chief among them Mr. Gwynn. He was accustomed to his habits, his grandiose storytelling, his inevitable inebriation. For sure, by now, Mr. Phinney barely noted that malodorous cloud of vaporized rye whiskey that typically hung like a funeral mask around Mr. Gwynn's head.
Mr. Phinney did not mean to sit down, so he stooped low, as if to say something more confidentially Mr. Gwynn, but he stopped himself about halfway down. He smelled something odd.
"What have you been drinking?"
Mr. Gwynn exchanged a disinterested look for a confused one, then cashed it all in for resignation.
"I sat in some onions."
That made sense somehow.


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Death Valley
Death Valley, SE Calif. and SW Nev., a deep, arid basin, 140 mi (225 km) long, bordered on the W by the Panamint Range and on the E by the Amargosa Range. In summer the valley has recorded some of the world's highest air temperatures (134°F/56.7°C, the world record) and ground temperatures (165°F/74°C). Less than 2 in. (5 cm) of rain falls annually; the small Amargosa River and Furnace Creek disappear into the sands. Salt and alkali flats, unique rock formations, and briny pools are found there. Badwater, in the south central part of Death Valley, is 282 ft (86 m) below sea level, the lowest point in the Americas; Telescope Peak, in the Panamint Range, is 11,049 ft (3,368 m) high. In spite of the harsh environment, a large variety of small animals and desert plants are found in Death Valley; they have attracted much scientific attention. Native Americans of Panamint descent, an offshoot of the Shoshone, are the only group ever to be self-subsisting in the region.
Death Valley was named by gold seekers who undertook to cross this desolate region in 1849 on their way to the California gold fields. The valley yielded gold and silver in the 1850s, and in the 1880s borax was discovered and taken out by mule-drawn wagons. The valley was much publicized by the American adventurer Walter Scott ( "Death Valley Scotty" ), and it remains a popular tourist attraction. Death Valley National Park, 3,367,628 acres (1,363,412 hectares), a protected region of Death Valley, was established as a national monument in 1933 and designated a national park in 1994. See also National Parks and Monuments (table).


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Exclusive for #zefikspeople, our Eid Al-Adha 2018 Modern Kurung collection got that decent and classy look yet so exquisite. This easy-to-wear piece featured ZEFIKS unique prints. Versatile in its use, it can be worn either one set or even as saperates ; mix and match with any plain skirt. It is suitable for any formal and informal occasion as well.
Crafted from material High Quality Heavy Chiffon Crepe with full lining, this modern kurung features a slim fit top with round neckline and a long sleeve outfit design at both sleeve part with a half row of wrapped buttons for wudhuk friendly. It completes with hidden zip at the front part as well that is convenient for nursing activity. Also comes with back zipper for easy to wear.
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text: This clip from the Shiyan & Rudkovskaya show at Moscow Fashion Week does not say much for ex-spy Anna Chapman's weaponry skills, but I do like the way she tries to play her fumble off by sexily blowing on the muzzle of her gun. Also, if you want to see pics of Chapman "sexily" pointing the gun at a male model, the Daily Mail can help you out with that. I sort of fear for his safety.


text:
Adult mosquitoes have made their presence known in Beaufort County, causing scientists to take action.
Gregg J. Hunt, director of Beaufort County Mosquito Control, said his division has received many complaints about mosquitoes, specifically in the Bluffton area.
Hunt, an entomologist, said field personnel have conducted research that has shown an increase in mosquitoes. He said hot temperatures and rain have continued to caused mosquitoes to be a problem for people.
Last week, Beaufort County Mosquito Control used a low-flying aircraft (under 250 feet) to apply Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered public health insecticides during the morning hours.
Hunt said bees forage crops and plants in the morning which makes an ideal time for spraying.
"Mosquitoes are active around sunrise and sunset," Hunt said.
Hunt said it is important for people to get rid of standing water and objects that will hold standing water, which will prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Mathematics professor guiding research
Professors are developing methods to combine mathematics with other sciences to model biological problems.
Kasia Pawelek is working with Beaufort County Mosquito Control to provide mathematical research to describe the mosquito problem.
"This puts data into an organized structure," Pawelek said.
Pawelek is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computational Science at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.
Pawelek is using mathematical models to collect daily rainfall and temperature as it relates to the increase of mosquitoes in Beaufort County. She is also collecting research on the amount of mosquitoes located in traps in Beaufort County.
"Mathematical models help guide research on epidemics," Pawelek said. "We want to make predictions before something happens."
Pawelek's research specialty is in the area of using mathematics to model research in infectious disease.
Pawelek said mathematical modeling research has shown that aerial spraying is an effective way of controlling the mosquito population.
Research builds bridge
Students at USCB are using research to solve the mosquito problems as well as to help prepare for admission into graduate school.
Pawelek's research group consists of four undergraduate students: Patrick Niehaus, Samia Durborow, Kristern Harrison, and Cristian Salmeron.
Recently, Niehaus won first prize for best poster presentation at Discovery Day at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
His research was "Modeling the impact of control strategies on mosquito population in Beaufort County, SC: Can the community stop the spread of West Nile Virus?"
Niehaus, a Hilton Head native, said he is grateful to be able to conduct research that will make a positive impact on the community.
Niehaus said he plans to study bioinformatics in graduate school and earn a Ph.D.
Pawelek said their participation in the collaborative study with Beaufort County Mosquito Control is funded by a $5,000 grant from the Sea Islands Institute, an interdisciplinary entity at USCB that provides outreach, research and education services to support community sustainability.
Niehaus received a $2,000 Magellan Scholarship to support his research into methods of decreasing the mosquito population while reducing the amount of insecticides released into the environment. The University of South Carolina provides Magellan Scholars with funding for research projects that offer the promise of educational and intellectual merit and significant potential impact.


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Width: 8"(+- 1/4")
Color: Orange
Comes with Silver Stand
Lamp includes wick and funnel.
These whimsical home d�cor accessories, inspired by Mother Nature herself, make a great indoor accent. Each Lamp is hand blown by one of Stephen Kitras Artisans.
BONUS: Add one pint of lamp oil with each lamp purchased for just $6.50. If desired, select Crystal Clear lamp oil from the drop down menu below.
Purchase additional lamp oil from the following link:Aura Lamp Oil
Mfg. SRP: $75.00
Usually ships the same business day


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Talbot County, created in 1827, grew out of Muscogee County. The county and its county seat, Talbotton, recognize Governor Matthew Talbot, a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of Georgia.
The Georgia Supreme Court called its first meeting to order in Talbotton's Clairborne Hotel on January 26, 1846.


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Reality show favorite-turned-fashionista Lauren Conrad announced her engagement to law student William Tell on Sunday.
In a post on her blog, she wrote, "I am very excited to share with you guys that William and I got engaged over the weekend. I am beyond thrilled!"
She also shared a snapshot of her new diamond ring and promised to keep fans updated with her wedding plans, adding, "Get ready for lots more wedding content as we begin the planning process."
In other "Hills" news, Conrad's ex Jason Wahler married his model girlfriend Ashley Slack in front of 180 guests in Malibu, Calif., on Saturday.


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The FFII is a global network of associations dedicated to information about free and competitive software markets, genuine open standards and patent systems with lesser barriers to competition. The FFII contributions enabled the rejection of the EU software patent directive in July 2005, working closely with the European Parliament and many partners from industry and civil society. CNET awarded the FFII the Outstanding contribution to software development prize for this work. FFII continues to defend your right to a free and competitive software market and informational freedom.
Hot topics
Today the European Parliament committed suicide as a legislator in patent law. Captive patent courts will now validate EU-wide software patents without the need of a debate in Parliament(s).
Press releases
15 Jan 2013: Amazon one-click patent still lingering in Europe after 15 years
14 Jan 2013: FFII still challenges Amazon one-click gift order patent
21 Nov 2012: Unitary Patent: Council asks Parliament to sign its death certificate in patent law
13 Nov 2012: FFII letter to European Court of Justice on ACTA
23 Jul 2012: European Commission net neutrality consultation excludes TOR users
27 Apr 2012: EU patent plans are a fuel for patent trolls, says British Telecom
01 Apr 2012: EU Patent Court will be located in Sealand, ministers say
28 Mar 2012: 1&1 Internet AG receives German Document Freedom Award
17 Feb 2012: EuroParliament to exclude Free Software with patents and FRAND
10 Feb 2012: European Standardisation Reform lowers the bar
26 Jan 2012: Poland is not lost - could challenge ACTA at the ECJ
23 Jan 2012: EP legal service consistently overlooks known issues with ACTA
On Document Freedom Day 2012 (March 28th) Internet company 1&1 was awarded for offering an open standards based and interoperable chat application to their customers. (More info)
FFII supports the EU Hackathon The Hack4Transparency event will take place from Tuesday 8 to Wednesday 9 November 2011 and will be the first-ever 'hackathon' within the European Parliament.
On Document Freedom Day 2011 (March 30th) tagesschau.de was awarded by FSFE and FFII for making their programs available in the open video format "Ogg Theora". (More info)
In a confidential manner the EU, US and Japan negotiate an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). No official drafts are published. ACTA will contain a new international benchmark for legal frameworks on the enforcement of copyrights, trade mark rights, patents and others. FFII ACTA WG presents an analysis of the planned Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Please follow our ACTA blog for the latest developments.
FFII analyses a new European Interoperability Framework 2.0 Draft. FFII explains why a release in its current form would undermine interoperability enforcement. The new draft is a follow-up to a famous earlier document 1.0 with a strong emphasis on genuine open standards (and open source). The FFII makes 10 recommendations on how to improve the EIF 2.0.
New European petition to stop software patents: With support the FFII and others, software developers launched a petition in 28 languages to stop software patents and protect European innovators. It requests legislative clarifications to clear out the legal uncertainty and imbalances created by software patents. We encourage you to sign the petition,
Bilski case at the Supreme Court: The FFII and IP Justice filed a joint Amicus Curiae Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case Bilski v. Kappos is expected to become a landmark ruling on the future of the U.S. patent system. Our Brief explains the dangers of software and business methods, the interlink between both, and points out alternatives to the so called Machine-or-Transformation test used for categorizing patents. Copies of our Brief were provided to each of the Justices and to a large number of depositories around the US. Bilski v. Kappos is considered the single most important decision worldwide on the issue of patents on business methods, software and algorithms since the rejection of the EU Software Patents Directive. Read more.
EPO Referral on the question of software patents. Interested parties were invited to file statements - Amicus Briefs - to the EPO Enlarged Board Of Appeal. The FFII created a working group to contribute to the referral, and a dedicated staff team worked full time on this issue. The FFII submitted a statement, helped other players and raised awareness to many affected corporations about the Referral. More than 89 statements have been published by the EPO Register. Find out more about the G3-08 Referral.
How to help us
The FFII is funded partly from individual membership fees, and partly from donations from individuals and larger donors from industry and civil society. Your donations and other contributions help us to make a difference.
If you want to get involved in the FFII, subscribe to our thematic mailing lists, or look at the Home areas of action.


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SPENCER � Selectmen Monday night said they were thankful for a gracious letter from an elderly East Brookfield resident who credited them for their work on the school budget, but baffled by an email from the chairman of the East Brookfield Board of Selectmen, who chastised them for the same reason.
The email from Leo Fayard criticized Spencer selectmen and Town Administrator Adam Gaudette who, during a regional school district meeting on Saturday to vote on the budget for education, negotiated with school officials to reach a compromise that will save town services in Spencer.
"I would have thought they would be thanking us," Donald R. Berthiaume Jr. said. "I certainly wasn't expecting this."
Initially, voters were set to act on a request from the schools for $24,031,558. Spencer Selectman Gary Woodbury made an amendment to change the figure to $23,029,219, and after some talks among Mr. Gaudette, selectmen and school officials, the number was adjusted to $23,331,558, which passed. School committee members must now decide whether to use that number or face a state takeover of the district. They will meet Tuesday night.
Spencer officials said that with the higher budget figure, the town's services would have been drastically cut, while in East Brookfield, selectmen issued a statement indicating they would not be severely affected by funding the schools at the requested number.
Mr. Fayard, in his email, said, "I wish I had been aware that selectmen would be the ones offering the lowball (sic) budget number, and then 'negotiating' what they could afford."
He wrote that he wants Spencer selectmen to provide him with some "enlightenment" about what happened, and Mr. Berthiaume said at the board's Monday night meeting that he'd like the same courtesy from Mr. Fayard, who did not attend Saturday's meeting.
Spencer selectmen said East Brookfield board members complained that they weren't involved in the discussions at the regional meeting Saturday, but the only member of that board to attend was Joseph Fish, who did not join the talks, which took place at the front of the gymnasium in plain view.
"We thought we were doing the right thing," Spencer Selectman Gary Woodbury said. "Joe Fish said, 'I don't like what's going on.' But he didn't go to the microphone (to speak during the meeting Saturday)."
Spencer selectmen said they felt compelled to work toward a lower number, not only to save town services but because the voters had spoken against a higher number when they turned down overrides on several occasions in both towns.
"We listened to the people who elected us," Mr. Berthiaume said after the meeting Monday.
Mr. Gaudette said that East Brookfield officials can still pay the district more, if they choose, and added he would expect they'll do that after the recent comments. He said since they were comfortable paying more, he thought they would not have a problem paying less.
Spencer selectmen voted to invite their counterparts from East Brookfield to a meeting to try to iron out their differences. They'll also choose a representative to work on teacher negotiations when they meet jointly.
While the Spencer board was criticizing them, East Brookfield officials were complaining at their own meeting Monday night about being given second-class status at the districtwide meeting Saturday.
East Brookfield selectmen said Spencer officials huddled by themselves to negotiate the $23,331,558 compromise amount to offset an even lower figure of $23,029,219 amended by Mr. Woodbury.
"The Spencer Board of Selectmen has no business settling a school budget based on their (town's) needs," Mr. Fayard said Monday night. "And I don't think it should be negotiated in private." He said the huddled discussion was not heard by the public in attendance.
He also said the effort to cut about $700,000 from the school budget is not fair because the voters have no idea where the cuts will come from.
"If they say we're going to have to lay off 10 more teachers then I'm not in favor of it," Mr. Fayard said.
Andrew Lynch of the East Brookfield Finance Committee was at Monday's selectmen's meeting. He said voters should have had a chance to vote on the school committee's budget of just over $24 million, but "it was all set up ahead of time to amend it."
The school committee still has to approve the amended budget of $23,331,558.
Correspondent J.P. Ellery contributed to this report.


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Indesit CAA55K review£228.97
Product alert
Don't buy this fridge freezer - it has a potentially unsafe plastic back.
Our fire tests have shown that this type of backing dramatically increases the spread of fire, as it offers inadequate protection to the flammable insulation that is used in all refrigeration appliances. We are therefore only recommending models with flame-retardant backing.
We've been told this fridge freezer is being upgraded to have flame-retardant backing, so our Don't Buy recommendation relates to the plastic-backed version of this product that's still in shops.
If you already own this product, be reassured the risk of a refrigeration appliance causing a fire in the first place is low. The material used in the backing allows an existing fire to spread, but isn't the cause of fire itself.
Further readingTake me to reviews of fridge freezers with flame-retardant backing
Fridge freezer safety Use our tools, tips and advice to protect you and your home
Indesit safety alert
At Which? we're committed to giving you all the information you need to make an informed choice about the products you buy and this includes telling you about how companies handle safety issues with their products. We have identified that this product comes from a group of companies that we believe has previously handled a product safety issue poorly (though the issue affected tumble dryers only).
Try Which? for £1 to reveal the products that perform
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Our Test Labs compare features and prices on a range of products. Try Which? to unlock our reviews. You'll instantly be able to compare our test scores, so you can make sure you don't get stuck with a Don't Buy.
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At Which? we aim to recommend the best products for you to buy. Read our expert advice on fridge freezer backs and fires. Find out more about metal and plastic backs and see the top five cheap fridge freezers with metal backs.
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Our pick of the best cheap fridge freezers includes freestanding, American and integrated models. Find out where popular cheap fridge freezers from Beko, Bosch and Samsung rank and get a great value fridge freezer for your home.
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Benefits of Deep Abdominal Breathing
Are you stressed out? We all have feelings of tension or anxiety throughout the day. Sometimes we may feel lethargic or tired.
Deep abdominal breathing can help improve your mood, reduce stress and promote overall health.
Deep breathing also may help if you are struggling with a physical condition, such as lymphedema. Breathing with your diaphragm activates your thoracic duct, one of the largest lymph vessels in the body. The thoracic duct activates your immune system, which increases blood and lymphatic circulation. This increased oxygen to you body promotes healthy skin, tissue and organs.
Deep breathing goes by many names: diaphragmatic breathing, breathing from the Dan Tian, breathing from center, circular breathing, Kussmaul breathing, storing chi.
Regardless of what you call it, deep breathing is the key to vital energy.
Here is a simple deep abdominal breathing exercise you can try:
1. Sit or lie comfortably
2. Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach
3. Slowly inhale through your nose, filling your stomach with air (you should feel your belly expand)
4. Slowly exhale through you mouth (you should feel you belly deflate)
5. Rest then repeat
Have fun and remember to breathe!
Denise Rios, PTA, is a lymphedema specialist in Good Shepherd Outpatient Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Program. For more information on lymphedema services at Good Shepherd, click here.


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From car leasing to core processing systems, credit unions are taking a second look at programs and strategies they may not have considered in the past to boost their bottom lines.
Credit Unions Take Another Look at Car Leasing: Between 50% and 70% of all new vehicle sales are leases. Learn how credit unions are tapping this market.
Market Share Flex Requires Core Strength: Credit unions convert to new core proecessors – or expand current systems – to accommodate growth strategies.
Knowing When to Grow, When to Go: Credit union growth depends upon meeting the needs of future members. Learn five ways to capture those opportunities.
Infographic: Robust loan growth and new members boosted increases in credit union financials, according to CUNA Mutual's February trends report.


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Cloud b Sleep Sheep Smart Sensor
Cloud b enhances their award-winning Sleep Sheep with a sound-activated sound sensor. Now when baby awakes in the middle of the night, Sleep Sheep Smart Sensor responds and restarts its soothing soft sounds of nature or the reassuring sound of a mother's heartbeat. We asked five Resident Moms to try the Sleep Sheep Smart Sensor at home with their babies and toddlers, and here's what they had to say.
It's very soothing!
"It's incredibly soothing from an aesthetic, sensory, and auditory perspective. It's my daughter's new favorite lovey at night to go to sleep." -Maureen E.
"My one-month-old was instantly soothed when I turned it on. The sounds were soothing and easy to listen to—not mechanical-sounding, but real-sounding." -Regina C.
"It's very soft and soothing. I think it helped put my baby back to sleep when she started to wake in the middle of the night." -Melissa C.
The sounds were great.
"Very soft, my son says he likes the heartbeat option—says it sounds like the baby's heartbeat (I'm pregnant)." -Lisa B.
"I loved that there were different sounds that you could choose from. The sounds were also better [than other plush sleep toys I've tried]." -Regina C.
"My daughter definitely preferred spring showers and ocean sounds as her two favorites." -Maureen E.
I'd buy it, and recommend it to other moms.
"Quality construction, good sounds, it played a long time, and I liked that you could hang it from the crib." -Lisa B.
"I think it would be a great purchase for anyone who was expecting a baby. All around, it's a great value for the price and well worth the money to help soothe a fussy infant." -Regina C.
"I could see how this bedroom item would help to soothe other babies." -Monica W.


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"It's hot, man – hottest day yet," says Gipson, pausing briefly to wipe sweat off his cheek. "It may be 80 degrees, but the humidity is way over that."
Don't misunderstand: Gipson, Clay County Extension agent, isn't complaining. "The humidity is good. This crop will take off even more than it has already."
The crop Gipson wants goosed is Ahrent's bedded wheat field planted after rice.
"This is the first year I've worked with this particular practice," says Gipson. "We've got quite a bit of wheat in this state that's planted behind rice. One of the problems with that is the soils typically are going to be wetter – especially after a rice crop. So when you want to plant wheat, you can run into problems."
While Gipson and Reaper, Arkansas Extension wheat and soybean research verification coordinator, agreed to work with Ahrent on the field, the set-up was Ahrent's idea.
"I've always utilized drain furrows. But Mark wanted to try this and no-till soybeans behind it," says Gipson. "What intrigued me was this bedded system is actually better than installing drain furrows. The reason is that there's essentially a drain furrow every 60 inches. This has proven to be a good way to go."
Ahrent – who farms in a partnership with his father, Martin, and brother, Michael – says he claims no new discoveries with the system. "I was just trying to bring in what some others were doing and make it work here," he says.
"Yeah, you see this more on the Grand Prairie where it basically started," says Reaper. "But this is as good looking a field of this system as I've seen."
In the rotation, Ahrent's not going to plant wheat and then come back with beans on heavier ground forever. The verification field yields about 130-bushel to 135-bushel dry rice. A half-mile down the road, Ahrent has prime rice ground that gives averages over 170 bushels. His average yield across the farm is 160 bushels.
"The heavier bottom soils we have are going to be one year in and one year out with rice. The ground where we can fudge and get a little wheat on is sandier – like this field," notes Ahrent.
Planting on beds
Last fall, when they got ready to plant the field, the Ahrents had an old John Deere 12-row RN cultivator on 30-inch rows that they took every other gang off of. First, they tried using an irrigation sweep on it to get the desired bedding effect.
"It was kind of like working a field with a garden tractor when you really needed a 4-wheel drive tractor," says Ahrent. "We just couldn't get done what we needed."
Ahrent had been talking to the local John Deere dealer who had equipment, "with shovels out front and round drums that pack the soil back down making a good, firm seed bed. I told him what I needed to do, and he said to try a used one out. I really appreciated that and took him up on it."
Presto. Once Ahrent had made a round or two with the piece of equipment, he never looked back.
"We made an adjustment or two, but we knew almost immediately that the machine was delivering what we wanted. So I drilled the seed and ran the bedder/groover behind the drill. It worked fine. But next year, I'll probably reverse the two – bedder in front and drill behind."
Luckily, Ahrent had the right kind of weather to get the wheat up. But if he ever runs into a period where the wheat was drilled and, "we're shy of enough moisture to get the wheat up and then add dry dirt on top, that might be too much. I'd worry about that."
The farm didn't miss all the hurricane-related weather last fall, but had a bigger planting window than producers further south.
"We cut the rice in late August, early September. We then went over it with a roller and let it lay there for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, the rains held off and it dried down. We got an exceptionally clean burn."
Ahrent was able to disk it once and then left it alone for several weeks. Once a fresh rain hit it, he disked it again, ran a land plane, field cultivated and then brought the grain drill in.
"We planted on Oct. 7 and it was a good thing we planted when we did. Right after that it began to rain and we were lucky to be able to plant a bit more around Oct. 20. After that, the skies really opened up."
The field is planted in Pioneer 2684 and Pat – the new University of Arkansas public release named for the late Pat Sullivan, a pioneering wheat farmer in northeast Arkansas. Pat (a medium late variety) looks "really good," says Reaper, who adds that it is a bit behind the 2684 in maturity.
The essentials
Ahrent farms near Corning, located in northeast Arkansas, only a few miles from the Missouri border.
"Up here, the best case with wheat behind rice is to plant the first week of October. After you've had a rice crop the soils are typically going to be wetter. Even though you've burnt it off, there's still root mass and residue that holds moisture. So it's essential to get the wheat planted into dry soils, get it up and have a tiller or two established before the weather starts deteriorating," says Gipson.
Ahrent wants to no-till beans behind this wheat.
"Before, we used an old cultivator and roller system to plant Roundup Ready soybeans. We got a decent bed, but nothing as uniform and slick as this was. I was looking at it and thought, 'Man, this is what we need to do with our wheat. We can have our drainage furrows in there and won't have to run all the criss-cross ditches. And when we get through combining, just strike a match. The furrows are already in the field, ready to hold plastic irrigation tubing.' It just clicked. We haven't gotten to the point where we'll burn stubble and plant the beans back, but that's next."
For this bedded wheat crop, Ahrent put out a pre-plant blend of 40-60-80. He came back on Jan. 28 – "the ground wasn't frozen solid, but it was very firm" – with a floater truck and applied 100 pounds of urea, 50 pounds of ammonium sulfate and 50 pounds of DAP.
"Shortly after that application, this wheat started looking so much better than other wheat we've got," says Ahrent. "It perked up and took off growing. Then on Mar. 7, we had 120 pounds of urea flown on this field. I think our first application is what really made this wheat crop."
Gipson agrees.
"Even though it was cold in February and it seemed a little early to be applying fertilizer, it still worked," he says. "When it got a little warmer, the plants had fertilizer available. It takes time for fertilizer to break down into a form that the plants can pick up. If wheat is in tough conditions, I think it's very important to get the fertilizer out early. When you're behind rice, you've got to make sure you give the wheat every break and advantage you can. You're behind the eight-ball when you kick the crop off."
Ahrent, watching the bottom line, is a fan of public varieties.
"One reason I was happy to have Pat was when you're talking about a high seeding rate, company seed gets expensive. I had about $25 per acre in wheat seed alone," he says.
"If we can bump the yield on this field from 55 bushels to 65 bushels, the wheat starts looking a lot more attractive – even with the extra inputs and management. If the $3.15 to $3.25 wheat price holds, we'll have some cash flow in June when (rice urea is going out and) there's a hefty fertilizer bill hitting our mail box."


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Homework 2: Paper Prototype of an Interface
Assigned: Monday, May 26, 2014; Due: Monday, June 2, 2014
Using the information that you collected in Homework 1 for what is good and bad about the real appliance's user interface for the tasks you designed, now you are going to make Sketches and a Paper Prototype of a (hopefully) better design in homework 2. Following the redesign, in the next homework (homework 3), you will run a usability evaluation of the prototype and revise your design based on the feedback you get.
Turn in all parts of this homework on blackboard.
PART A: Sketch at least three different user interfaces for the functions you are targeting for your device (three different design directions). The three interfaces should be dramatically different; for example, with different organizations of what functions are on each screen, using different widgets for various functions, and using a different layout of the widgets on the screens. You might also vary which buttons are physical buttons and which are on-screen buttons. You should sketch the main screen or screens -- not necessarily the whole interface, but enough that we can see how it works. Note, the goal is to have at least 3 good interfaces that are different in interesting ways -- you shouldn't just create a good interface and then two more bad versions of it. Be creative! By "sketch," we mean informally draw the general idea, and label a few of the widgets so we can tell your intent. It is not necessary for the sketches to have every function or every screen, but there should be enough to show off your idea. Sketches should be done on paper with pens and/or pencils (not using a computer). The sketch for each design will typically include a few screens, which you can put on multiple pieces of paper. Please hand-print neatly for the textual labels and any annotations on the sketches. Next, you will select one of the designs for Parts B and C. (Alternatively, if you decide you want to use a collection of ideas from your three designs, then please make a fourth sketch which shows your final idea, and discuss why you used that one.)
- The first deliverable for PART A is a scan of your 3 (or more) sketches. Be sure to label the different versions so you can differentiate them in your discussion. Each sketch may be one or more pages. If you draw your sketch in color, please use color scanning. If you cannot find a way to scan in your design, please let us know -- there is a color scanner in the mail room near the Professor's office.
- The second deliverable is a discussion (e.g., a paragraph) talking about the differences between the versions. This should be done on a computer, for example in a word processor document.
- The third deliverable is a discussion (e.g., a sentence or two) about which design you picked for Parts B and C and why you selected that one. This should be put into the same document.
- The fourth deliverable is a discussion (e.g., a paragraph) talking about what you learned from the contextual inquiry of homework 1, and how that is reflected in your design. That is, what in your design is a result of what you learn? This is called "design rationale". This should also be put into the document.
PART B: You should now decide what are the assumptions for the hardware on which your new design will be implemented. If you are doing a webpage or regular computer application, this might be limited to what screen size you are assuming. If you are doing a mobile phone, then describe the screen size and resolution you are assuming (note that Android phones, for example, can come with a variety of screen sizes). If you are doing a physical device (like a camera), you should describe assumptions such as whether the interface will be on a touch screen panel on your device (so you will need big, finger-sized buttons), or the interface will only use physical buttons around a display-only screen (not a touch screen).
Note that even if you assume you will have a touchscreen on your design, you will still be programming and doing the usability evaluation of your interface (in Homework 4) using a mouse on a regular computer. Conversely, if you assume your real user interface will be operated with a mouse, when you do the usability evaluation of your paper prototype (in Homework 3), you will tell the users to pretend their finger is a mouse. You should also write down any other assumptions about your hardware, like whether the screen is color or black and white, whether it is a touch panel or not, whether there are any additional hardware (physical) buttons, etc. (You will decide on what specific buttons and kinds of buttons later.)
Next, you should write down the assumptions about your users. What level of experience do you expect? How familiar with computers will they be? What ages? Are there any other factors about the users that will influence your design or evaluation?
- The deliverables for PART B are descriptions of the assumptions about (a) your hardware and (b) your users, put into the same document.
PART C: Create a complete paper prototype of the version of your device that you selected in Part A. You can draw your paper prototype on paper or using simple drawing tools like Visio, Illustrator or even PowerPoint. (It appears you can download a free 60-day trial of Visio from Microsoft or a free 30-day trial of Illustrator from Adobe.) Unlike the sketches of Part A, your paper prototype must be complete, which means it should have at least a place-holder for every part of the entire user interface of the appliance. For example, if you were doing a microwave oven, there should be a square on the front panel for every button that would be on the front panel of the final implementation. For all the tasks you will ask the user to do (which should include at least those you did in Homework 1), you should have paper prototypes for all the screens, menus, etc. that the user would see. For parts of the interface that you do not intend to test, you can just make place holders (for example, screens with just titles), or buttons without labels. Note that the level of complexity we are expecting is as described in Homework 0: It should have at least 30 different controls that do different things; for web pages, it should have at least 10 pages, and for desktop applications, it should have at least 5 different screens or dialog boxes.
- The first deliverable for PART C is a pdf or scan of your new paper prototype. If you use color in your prototype, then you should scan in color. If you have little pieces of paper to represent pop-up menus and so forth, be sure to include each of those in your scan, and label them so we can tell what they are. If you use a computer tool to create your prototype, then create a pdf file of all the elements (pages) of your interface. (It is fine if this is a lot of pages, since we won't be printing it; but it is also OK to combine multiple elements on one page -- for example, to put multiple pop-up menus on the same page. Just make sure it is clear what each element is.)
- The second deliverable for PART C is a short description of what tasks you will have users do with the device.
- The third deliverable is to write down the specific sequence of actions that the user should take with your prototype to achieve those tasks.
- The fourth deliverable for PART C is the actual instructions you will give users to tell them to do those tasks. We want to see what you are planning to say to the users in your usability evaluation. This should go into the document. Note that it is OK if the second, third and fourth deliverables for PART C are the same as they were for Homework #1 -- but you should still repeat them here so we can have everything in one place.
Make a pdf or zip file of all your deliverables, and upload the one file to Blackboard. See the submitting instructions.Back to Homework Page