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Private Prison Information Act of 2013
Human Rights Defense Center– For Immediate Release
December 19, 2012
Organization Urge U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to Reintroduce Private Prison Information Act
Washington, DC: – Yesterday, a joint letter signed by 34 criminal justice, civil rights and public interest organizations was submitted to the office of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, urging her to reintroduce the Private Prison Information Act.
The Private Prison Information Act (PPIA) would require for-profit prison companies that contract with the federal government to comply with public records requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the same extent as federal agencies. Currently, FOIA does not apply to private companies that contract with the federal government.
We are deeply troubled by the secrecy with which the private corrections industry presently operates. Whereas the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and state departments of corrections are subject to disclosure statutes under the Freedom of Information Act and state-level public records laws, private prison firms that contract with public agencies generally are not," the joint letter submitted to Rep. Jackson Lee noted. "This lack of public transparency is indefensible in light of the nearly $8 billion in federal contracts that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the GEO Group (GEO) – the nation's two largest private prisons firms – have been awarded since 2007."
In fact, according to the U.S. Senate's Lobbying Disclosure Electronic Filing System, CCA has lobbied against the PPIA when it was introduced in previous Congressional sessions. Other allies of the private prison industry, including the Reason Foundation – which receives funding from CCA and GEO – have also opposed extending FOIA to private prison contractors.
Both CCA and the GEO Group receive over 40 percent of their revenue from federal contracts, which "makes them the perfect candidates for FOIA compliance" because "The private prison industry is fundamentally different in that no citizen can freely purchase incarceration services as a private individual. There is no natural market for incarceration services; the entire market would cease to exist without direct government intervention in the form of taxpayer-funded contracts to operate correctional facilities."
The joint letter submitted to Rep. Jackson Lee was a cooperative project between UC Berkeley doctoral student Christopher Petrella and the Human Rights Defense Center. Signatories include the ACLU, Florida Justice Institute, In the Public Interest, Justice Policy Institute, National CURE, Prison Policy Initiative, Southern Center for Human Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center, Texas Civil Rights Project, Enlace and YouthBuild USA.
The private prison industry operates in secrecy while being funded almost entirely with public taxpayer money," noted Human Rights Defense Center associate director Alex Friedmann, who testified in support of the PPIA before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security in June 2008. "The public has a right to know how its money is being spent, and transparency and accountability demand that private prison corporations answer to the public by being subject to FOIA requests to the same extent as federal agencies. If they have nothing to hide from the public, they should not object – but they do, which speaks volumes."
Obligating private prison companies to comply with FOIA requirements applies a single standard for transparency in corrections reporting regardless of agency type," added Christopher Petrella. "And because efforts to privatize federal detention facilities are on the rise – populations held in privately-operated facilities have grown by nearly 20 percent over the past year – the time is right to demand meaningful accountability in the private corrections industry."
The Human Rights Defense Center, HRDC, founded in 1990 and based in Brattleboro, Vermont, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting human rights in U.S. detention facilities. HRDC publishes Prison Legal News (PLN), a monthly magazine that includes reports, reviews and analysis of court rulings and news related to prisoners' rights and criminal justice issues. PLN has almost 7,000 subscribers nationwide and operates a website (www.prisonlegalnews.org) that includes a comprehensive database of prison and jail-related articles, news reports, court rulings, verdicts, settlements and related documents.
Christopher Petrella is a doctoral candidate in African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley where he is currently working on a manuscript entitled "Race, Markets, and the Rise of the Private Prison State." His work on the private corrections industry has been cited by a number of national organizations and campaigns including Prison Legal News, the ACLU's National Prison Project, Southern Poverty Law Center, Justice Policy Institute, Prison Policy Initiative, National Prison Divestment Campaign, and the Real Cost of Prisons. He's also a frequent contributor to Truthout, Business Insider, Monthly Review, and Nation of Change.
For further information, please contact:
Alex Friedmann, Associate Director
Human Rights Defense Center
(615) 495-6568
Christopher Petrella
(860) 341-1684
December 18, 2012
The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee
U.S. House of Representatives
2160 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Private Prison Information Act
Dear Representative Jackson Lee:
We, the undersigned not-for-profit criminal justice and public interest organizations, respectfully urge you to reintroduce the Private Prison Information Act (PPIA) during the 113th Congress. The bill, which would extend Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reporting obligations to private corrections companies that contract with federal agencies, is a critical first step in bringing transparency and accountability to the private prison industry.
We are deeply troubled by the secrecy with which the private corrections industry presently operates. Whereas the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and state departments of corrections are subject to disclosure statutes under the Freedom of Information Act and state-level public records laws, some state courts have held that private prison firms that contract with public agencies generally are not. This lack of public transparency is indefensible in light of the nearly $8 billion in federal contracts that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the GEO Group (GEO)—the nation's two largest private prisons firms—have been awarded since 2007.
If private prison companies like CCA and GEO would like to continue to enjoy taxpayer-funded federal contracts, then they should be required to adhere to disclosure laws equivalent to those governing their public counterparts—including FOIA.
Though five separate iterations of the Private Prison Information Act have been introduced in Congress since 2005, each bill has died as a result of vigorous lobbying efforts on behalf of the private corrections industry. According to documentation maintained by the U.S. Senate's Lobbying Disclosure Electronic Filing System, Corrections Corporation of America has spent over $7 million lobbying against the passage of various Private Prison Information Acts since 2005. They claim that the bill violates their "trade secret" FOIA exemption.
But why should private prison contractors, which are paid exclusively with taxpayer funds, be any less accountable to taxpayers than public corrections agencies such as the Bureau of Prisons? We contend that because the private prison industry relies entirely on taxpayer support, the public has a right to access information pertaining to its operations.
There is little evidence that taxpayers currently have access to the type of information that would allow them to evaluate the performance of private corrections firms in comparison to the public sector. Though the private prison industry routinely cites its record on measures of efficiency and safety relative to public agencies, it nonetheless refuses to disclose the very information required to substantiate its most basic claims of success.
Disclosure statutes providing the public with access to information pertaining to the operations of private prisons is vital if reasonable comparisons are to be made between the private and public sectors.
The time to reintroduce and pass this bill is now. Privately-operated federal facilities have grown 600 percent faster than state-level contract facilities since 2010, and now represent the single most quickly-growing corrections sector. Moreover, business from federal customers like the Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Marshals Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement now accounts for a greater percentage of revenue among private prison companies than ever before.
In the past, critics of the Private Prison Information Act have argued that its passage would set a "dangerous precedent" for FOIA overreach. In his 2007 testimony before the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, Mike Flynn, the Director of Government Affairs for the Reason Foundation, testified that applying FOIA to private prison companies could open the "floodgates" to any other federal contractor and, by extension, their contractors and suppliers. "Thousands of individuals, small and large businesses, provide services to the government and products to the government at great efficiency for the taxpayers [and] all of that could be opened up to the FOIA process," he claimed. He did not mention that Reason Foundation receives funding from private prison companies, including CCA and GEO.
We squarely reject these unfounded assumptions. The Private Prison Information Act should be applied narrowly and judiciously. It is unlikely that the Private Prison Information Act, if enacted, would unwittingly extend FOIA provisions to other private companies because private prison firms hold an exceptional market position relative to other private companies. To our knowledge, no other type of private industry is contracted by the public sector solely to perform an essential governmental function such as incarceration.
That private corrections firms are supported exclusively by public agencies and enjoy the benefits of operating within an artificial government contract-driven market makes them the perfect candidates for FOIA compliance. In most economic sectors there is a free market analogue for many kinds of services that governments typically provide. A field such as education, for example, has a robust market of existing non-profit and for-profit organizations and agencies willing to sell/provide services to a market of potential buyers that includes both individuals and governments.
This is not the case with private corrections firms.
The private prison industry is fundamentally different in that no citizen can freely purchase incarceration services as a private individual. There is no natural market for incarceration services; the entire market would cease to exist without direct government intervention in the form of taxpayer-funded contracts to operate correctional facilities.
We, the undersigned, argue that because private prison firms are ultimately functionaries of the state, they must come under the same FOIA requirements as their public counterparts. We therefore urge you to reintroduce the Private Prison Information Act this Congressional session and are willing to support your efforts. Should you have questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact either Christopher Petrella at 860-341-1684 or email@example.com, or Human Rights Defense Center associate director Alex Friedmann at 615-495-6568 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Center for Constitutional Rights
Center for Media Justice
Center for Prison Education
Florida Justice Institute
Florida Reentry Resources & Information (FreeRein)
Grassroots Leadership
Human Rights Defense Center
In the Public Interest
Justice Policy Institute
Justice Strategies
Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
Media Alliance
National CURE
National Immigrant Justice Center
Partnership for Safety and Justice
Prison Policy Initiative
Private Corrections Institute
Private Corrections Working Group
Southern Center for Human Rights
Southern Poverty Law Center
Texas Civil Rights Project
Texas Jail Project
The Center for Church and Prison
The Fortune Society (David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy)
The Real Cost of Prisons Project
The Sentencing Project
The Workplace Project/Centro de Derechos Laborales
Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform
Voters Legislative Transparency Project
YouthBuild USA, Inc.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX) introduced the Private Prison Information Act of 2014 (H.R. 5838) in the U.S. House of Representatives on 10 December 2014.
More information on the bill (including committees) can be found here.
Please check back soon for more updates...
The NAACP Supports the Private Prison Information Act
Final Letter of Support to Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (6.11.2014)
Private Prison Transparency Campaign Finds Unlikely Ally
The Ella Baker Center Supports Private Prison Transparency!
The Ella Baker Center recently joined our campaign urging Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to reintroduce the Private Prison Information Act!
"Accountability requires information and transparency. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows individuals to obtain access to federal agency records with some limited exclusions. But currently, non-federal agencies that receive significant federal funding – a group that includes private prison corporations – are exempt from FOIA.What's more, private prison corporations that receive over 40% of their revenue from federal contracts have openly opposed past legislative attempts to allow transparency and public accountability."
Read the full piece here.
Texas Jail Project supports the PPIA
The Texas Jail Project--one of the largest and most influential criminal justice organizations in the state of Texas--recently endorsed our campaign to bring accountability to the private prison industry.
Click here for more information about the Texas Jail Project.
Interview with Christopher Petrella and Alex Friedmann
CHRISTOPHER PETRELLA: We've reached a point where two opposing forces are beginning to collide. The first is a rapidly expanding mass of citizens disturbed by the lack of transparency and accountability within the private prison industry; a few years ago it seemed the only people concerned were those of us in smaller "social justice communities." Now, articles on prison privatization are popping up all over the place: the New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Review of Books....The second vector is what's best described as "concentrated growth." Although, according to a recent BJS [Bureau of Justice Statistics] study, the total U.S. prison population decreased over the last year, those in privately-operated federal facilities grew by 20%. It's the single largest area of corrections and detention growth in the country. My sense in speaking with people, including Alex, is that the public is hungry for answers and now has enough information at its disposal to start asking the right, tough questions.
ALEX FRIEDMANN: Right now the level of private prison involvement on the federal level is at an all-time high. CCA and GEO are getting upwards of 40% of their revenue from federal sources. As long as this is occurring, there is a greater need than ever for transparency. For example, in May 2012 there was a large-scale riot at a CCA-operated Bureau of Prisons facility in Mississippi, which resulted in the death of a CCA employee. With a public corrections agency, to find out what happened you'd file a FOIA request, get information on the riot and learn how this guy was killed. But since it's a CCA prison and FOIA does not apply, you can't easily obtain information about what happened.
The ACLU publishes our letter!
Prison Watch Network & Prison Reform Movement Join Our Cause...
Prison Watch Network oversees prisoner advocacy networks in over 15 states. Read more here.
Prison Reform Movement is a grassroots movement focused on sharing news, policies, and laws associated with the U.S. criminal justice system.
Endorsement from Harvard Law's Charles Ogletree
Harvard's Charles Ogletree—unquestionably one of the most influential legal minds in the world today—has endorsed our campaign to bring transparency to the private prison industry. Charles Ogletree is founder of Harvard Law School's Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice. Read more about Charles here.


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When the Chiefs reached the end of their dismal 2012 season, offensive lineman Ryan Lilja said that he would be retiring after nine years in the NFL.
Some time has passed since then and it seems that Lilja's reconsidering that decision. Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs have approached Lilja about returning for another season and Lilja was receptive to the idea.
Lilja spent his first eight seasons playing guard, but moved to center for the Chiefs last season after Rodney Hudson was lost for the year with a broken leg. Hudson is expected back in 2013 while the Chiefs also return guards Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah.
Allen is the weakest member of that group, which could mean the Chiefs see Lilja as an alternative to sticking with him for another season. Having a solid offensive line was not something new Chiefs coach Andy Reid enjoyed in his final season with the Eagles and putting one in place in Kansas City would certainly help the Chiefs turn things around after winning just two games in 2012.

subset: commoncrawl


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Lennons florist specializes in wedding florals! No wedding is too big or too small. With our service you'll get complete coordination, decorating and original floral designs just for you.
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All canvas artwork is printed exclusively on 100% premium cotton canvas using archival inks. Combined with a patented non-toxic coating that water and UV proofs them, every Giclée is guaranteed to last over 100 years. When you frame these prints, they do not need to be framed behind glass, making them ideal for any room in your home.
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When you purchase Canvas prepared to be gallery wrapped, we add a 2½" mirrored border (on all sides) which allows you to have a stretcher bar frame made up to 2" deep. The mirrored borders may throw you off, but that border is designed to be seen on the side of the stretcher bar frame. This ensures that the complete image is shown on the face of the frame. Gallery wraps are ideal for large prints.
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Laura Mango has been painting on the island of Maui since 1978. Her original paintings have been acquired by numerous island visitors and long-time residents. She currently resides in the Hana rainforest, surrounded by waterfalls, birds and exotic vegetation.
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Copyright © 2019 Lahaina Printsellers, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


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Barclays Get Ready for Business
Cost: Free of Charge
Time: 9:30 - 15:30
This free workshop sponsored by Barclays, supports anybody who is considering starting up a business and has a business idea. This workshop teaches you how to start a business based around your business ideas, it guides you through the process of how to start your own company and it advises you on key issues you should consider when starting up in business.
If you are yet to decide on a legal structure for your business or if you are a start up considering business support or just looking to improve your business skills, this course is appropriate for you.
What the course will cover:
How to write a business plan
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Marketing the business


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Browsing Working Papers (SMG) by Subject "Opportunity"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Moberg, Kåre (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In this book chapter I present a multidimensional entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) scale. The scale builds on three established ESE-scales, but the reliability of it is improved compared to the original three scales as the highly discipline-specific jargon is transformed to a more neutral wording of the items. The scale has been tested in a large scale survey including 445 students from twelve different programmes at three universities in Denmark and one university in Sweden. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) has been applied in order to investigate the multidimensionality of the items in the scale, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been applied to investigate its convergent, discriminatory and nomological validity. The results demonstrate support for a multidimensional ESE-scale with high predictive validity regarding entrepreneurial behaviours and with high reliability as the items are comprehensible to respondents, regardless if they have entrepreneurial experience or not. The scale can thus be used in programme evaluations that include control groups or other type of individuals that lack entrepreneurial experience. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8565
Files in this item: 1Moberg_SMGWP2012_6.pdf (855.5Kb)
Now showing items 1-1 of 1


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I have a few friends who digi-scrap, and I would like the ability to be able to invite them to this community! I can always send them a link, but that's not quite the same as an invitation.
Q - would invitations to come to the site help with the Google issue?


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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Melody
Christian has been named the Most Valuable Player on the
Tennessee Tech softball team for the 2011 season, and four other
Golden Eagles have received post-season honors announced this week
by head coach Tory Acheson.
In addition to Christian's MVP award, she was also named the Best Offensive Player, Lacie Coquerille was named Best Defensive Infielder and won the Coach's Award, Kaleigh Gates was named Best Defensive Outfielder, Holly Thomas won the Best Pitcher Award, and Kayla Floyd captured both the Most Improved Player Award and the Freshman of the Year honor.
Christian, who won the Freshman of the Year award last season,
followed up with the MVP honor and Best Offensive Player in her
second season on the roster. A versatile player from Kingston
Springs, Tenn., Christian filled in at a variety of positions for
the Golden Eagles. Projected as a starter in the outfield, she
played some at third base, shortstop and left field –
sometimes all three in one game.
Starting in 47 of the team's 48 games, she topped the team and ranked seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference with a .354 batting average. The left-handed leadoff hitter led Tech with 57 hits, 34 runs scored and ranked third in the league with 28 stolen bases in 32 attempts.
"Melody had a strong year for us offensively and was really the catalyst for our team," Acheson said. "When she got on base, we did well. Defensively, she did a good job filling in at different positions during the course of the year. She played in different spots and made some sacrifices."
Coquerille, who earned her third consecutive Academic
All-District selection in May, claimed the team's Best Defensive
Infielder Award for the fourth year in a row and also earned
back-to-back Coach's Award honors. A senior from Rocky Face, Ga.,
Coquerille started all 48 games at second base and compiled a solid
.972 fielding average with six errors in 211 chances. After
claiming two straight MVP honors, Coquerille batted .258 in her
final season. She was among team leaders in hits, doubles, home
runs and RBI. She led the team in both sacrifice bunts and
sacrifice flies.
"Lacie didn't have a 'fairy tale' ending to her career with a senior year that she was hoping for, but she remained a hard-working, committed and consistent player for us," Acheson said. "She worked hard every day and overcame injuries and surgeries. She was a leader for this team for four years, both in the classroom and on the field. She's just an outstanding person."
While Coquerille was getting the job done in the infield, Gates captured the Best Defensive Outfielder honor. A senior from Tucson, Ariz., Gates played in 47 games and started 46, posting a .949 fielding average with two errors in 37 chances.
"Kaleigh was the most consistent of our outfielders," Acheson said. "She worked hard off the field, in the weight room, and in trying to improve her game."
Thomas, a junior from Ooltewah, Tenn., was the team's workhorse in the circle with 27 starts and 30 total appearances. She managed a 16-9 won-loss record with a 2.94 ERA, and had 17 complete games with six shutouts. Throwing 173.2 innings, Thomas piled up 131 strikeouts and held opponent hitters to a combined .209 batting average. Defensively, she handled 67 fielding chances without an error to lead the team with a perfect 1.000 fielding mark. She ranked fourth in the OVC in innings, complete games and shutouts, fifth in strikeouts and wins, and eighth in ERA.
"Holly was our best pitcher this year, and it was a demanding year on her," Acheson said. "When she's good, she's really good, and we're working with her to become more consistent. She won some big games for us."
Floyd, a freshman from Columbia, Tenn., developed into a
contributor late in the season and actually posted the highest
batting average on the team in her limited plate appearances.
Playing in 41 games with nine starts, she managed a .389 batting
average in 18 at bats, with seven hits and 12 runs scored. She was
also 12-for-13 in stolen bases, and her .450 on-base percentage was
second on the team. She was named both the Freshman of the Year and
Most Improved Player.
"From the start of the year to the end of the season, Kayla was one of the most improved players I've ever coached," Acheson said. "She has become the total package and is a truly talented athlete. She had a lot of work to do to become a better play, and she did an excellent job learning to play the game at a higher level. She has a very bright future in the coming years."
From left: Christian, Coquerille, Gates, Thomas,


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Nintendo Anyone?
Share everyday things like field trips, homeschooling experiences, or just anything that doesn't seem to belong elsewhere!
Moderators: Theodore, elliemaejune
- User
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- Location: Fahaheel, Kuwait
- Contact:
We have a wii and my husband and I both love it! There are actually quite a few games we can play as a family, either competing against or cooperating with each other. Also, what mother doesn't fall in love with Mario. I have yet to come across anything objectionable in any Mario game. I secretly play Super Mario Galaxy after my son has gone to bed!
We have a Nintendo Wii as well. I think that the Wii is a more family-oriented video game system. There are plenty of games that the entire family can play. We have several family games such as; Wii Sports, Wii Play, Mario Party 8, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and Arctic Tale. If you're worried about spending a lot of money on a game that your children might not even like you can always go to a video game reviews website like these two ( http://wii.ign.com and http://wii.gamezone.com/ ) before making a purchase. I like the Wii for its internet capabilities too. If someone at our house is using the computer and I need to check something out on the internet I can use the Wii. No waiting for the other person to get done. I have an hour a day time limit set for the children. When we are playing the Wii together as a family I let it slide though.
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- Location: Deep South - Best Kept Secret
We have a 5 year old & he loves the Vtech Vsmile games. They're very educational and lots of fun. However, my sister just gave him a Nintendo Advance w/ about 7 or 8 games (her kids got the newer version, is why). The 1st few days he was glued to it and didn't want to do anything but play those games. So, hubby & I had to limit his playing. No big deal though, he hardly even plays it now.
i think that it's fine if the kids played videogames, so long as they follow a schedule...
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- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:34 am
- Location: Concord, NC
I'm feeling a little duh-huh.....what's DDR?? LOL We have a Wii and my ds loves to play it!! We have the sports pack and we are very much looking forward to having the Wii Fit.
Crystal~wife to Robert~2/11/01
Mom to Joshua~7/19/00
And Furbaby CopyCat~7/03
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me"~Phillipians 4:13
Mom to Joshua~7/19/00
And Furbaby CopyCat~7/03
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me"~Phillipians 4:13
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Each of my girls has a nintendo ds and they have a wii that we got them last year for Christmas. But they rarely play either of them. The girls will get into runs of playing them but not every day. Usually, it's during the winter when it's cold and yucky outside that they will entertain themselves with those after school work.
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I am following along with Randy Seaver's blog theme of Treasure Chest Thursday in which I post items of genealogical value and interest every Thursday.
This week's item of interest is a newspaper clipping of my 2nd great-grandmother Perthinia Brooks Binns' obituary that I found in my great grandmother's memory book (Privately held by my grandmother, Barbara Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas). There was no date or name of newspaper written on the clipping, however, I do know that "Pert" died November 3, 1942 in Monticello, Arkansas. According to the Library of Congress' Catalog, the newspaper in circulation in Monticello at that time was the Advance-Monticellonian (1920-current).
Death cut short by five days the fiftieth wedding anniversary of Mr.and Mrs John Milton Binns of Monticello. Mrs. Binns had been seriosly sick in the hospital for several days and death came Tuesday afternoon about four o'clock.
Next Monday, November 9, Mr and Mrs Binns would have been married fifty years. Elaborate plans for the celebration that had been made by the children were canceled when she was taken seriously sick.
Mrs. Binns was the daughter of Colonel and Mrs. I. L. Brooks prominent pioneer Drew County citizen. She was born in Monticello, April 12, 1873 in a house where the Christian Science Church now stands, and had lived here all of her life.
Mrs. Binns was a devoted member of the Baptist Church and was an admirable woman. Her life centered around her family, her church and her friends. Despite years of semi-invalidism she managed to keep a bright and cheerful outlook on life and she remained a source of pleasure to her family.
Surviving besides her husband are seven children, Roy Milton of Monticello, James Howard of Little Rock, John Brooks of Fort smith,Capt. Van C. Binns in foreign service, Byron Zack, flight surgeon of Lubbock, Texas; Mrs. W. C. Brashears of Clifton, Texas and Mrs. W. F.Whitaker of Eudora.
Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the chapel of the Stephenson Funeral Home conducted by Dr. T. W. Croxton and Rev. C. D. Wood. Funeral will be in Oakland cemetery."
Had Pert lived another 5 days the family would have been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. She married her husband, John Milton Binns in Drew County, Arkansas, November 10, 1892, and she was buried November 10, 1942. As it turned out, Pert's husband lived another 19 years, enough to celebrate his 90th birthday!
Pert's father, Colonel Iverson Lee Brooks, was from Caswell County, North Carolina, her mother, Bettie Lee, from Tennessee. Although I have a picture of Pert's mother Bettie, I don't believe I've located a picture of Pert yet.
Filed under: Arkansas, Binns, Brooks, Treasure Chest Thursday | Tagged: Arkansas, Binns, Brooks, obituary, Treasure Chest Thursday | Leave a comment »


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With the Browns and Ravens apparently competing to see how many guys they can put on their respective injury reports, the Browns have continued this game of reverse Name That Tune by adding two more injuries.
Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, already listed as questionable with a foot and toe injury, now has a calf injury. He remains questionable.
Also, quarterback Colt McCoy is probable with an illness.
In all, 16 Ravens are listed as probable. With the addition of McCoy, 16 Browns are now probable, too.
The full, game-by-game breakdown of the injury report for all Sunday games is available right here. Try not to strain a calf or develop an illness while reading it.


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The prices below have been calculated from the county transfer tax. Unless otherwise noted, the parcels contain structures.
L. and E. Foster to M. Messemer, 5 North Cape Lane, .63 acre, Mar. 28, $650,000.
W. Langer to J. Winther and S. Perry, 19 Van Scoy's Path West, 1.8 acres, April 7, $1,900,000.
J. Scoglio to J. and N. Gentile, 6 Gull Road, .17 acre, April 15, $676,000.
J. and D. Iaqunito to J. and I. Lowe, 128 Adams Drive, .23 acre, April 6, $855,000.
R.J. Riggins and L Riggins to D. and R. Dickson, Franklin Drive, April 1, $1,560,000.
Timeless Homes Ltd. to A. Lange, 33 Shadyrest Drive, .54 acre, April 11, $720,000.
M. and D. Roeloffs to R. and L. Marsden, 91 Harbor Watch Court, 1.38 acres, April 12, $1,575,000.
D. and C. Buckley to M. Scaraglino and J. Adamo, 189 Old Stone Highway, .46 acre, April 6, $585,000
Data provided by Suffolk Research Service of Southampton


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According to their latest survey, NHS nurses are still "drowning in a sea of paperwork". Nearly one day in five is spent filling in forms, ticking boxes and ordering supplies. RCN general secretary Peter Carter says:
"These figures prove what a shocking amount of a nurse's time is being wasted on unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy. Yes, some paperwork is essential and nurses will continue to do this, but patients want their nurses by their bedside, not ticking boxes."Yes, indeed. And visiting Dad in two NHS hospitals over the last several weeks we've been able to study the process up close and personal.
The first stop was a large acute hospital just beyond the M25. It suffers all the usual problems: decrepit buildings, huge financial deficit, and a chronic - and I do mean chronic - lack of parking for visitors. Admission even for blue light emergencies like Dad is via a 12 hour plus trolley wait in A&E, and once finally admitted, care is in the hands of those overstretched uncontactable doctors. The nurses spend huge amounts of time behind the counter filling in forms rather than being out on the ward with patients, and you virtually have to book an appointment for one to stop by your bed. The whole impression is of an operation struggling barely to keep its head above water.
The second stop was one of Britain's top specialist heart hospitals, and it is much more impressive. What's done there in terms of heart surgery is truly world class, and its clinical staff are the business. The doctors are top notch, and the nurses do real nursing (Dad even attempted to take one home with him). Morale seems high, with junior nurses actually on first name terms with the top consultants. True, it's clear that staffing ratios are higher than in the general hospital, but much more striking is the excellent attitude and commitment of staff members.
Yet even here, the nurses told Dad they have a complaint. It isn't the hours, or the inconvenient shifts, or the stressful sometimes stomach-churning work, or even the pay. Their number one complaint is excessive paperwork. And even though they don't let it interfere with patient care, we watched them filling in great piles of paper in every spare moment.
So what's it all for? Why do we need all this paper?
Back in the dark days of the Commissariat, much of it was to satisfy the central planners that patient pathways were being rigorously followed, that prescribed risk assessments were being fully documented, and that every bedpan could be duly accounted for. Or rather, to provide a full audit trail which could be filed away to protect bureaucratic backsides in the event of a system malfunction.
But surely we're now three years on from all that. Surely we don't need all that now?
It's not that Jezza Hunt isn't aware of the problem. He's told us before of the million nursing hours a week spent on form filling rather than caring for patients. Of the nurse who had to fill in a 22 page form and 10 additional forms to get a desperately ill patient admitted to a trauma ward. And of the Hospital Trusts who have to report to, and comply with, 60 different regulatory, licensing, commissioning and public scrutiny authorities. Why, he's even ordered a review of NHS bureaucracy.
But he's attempting to tame a monster. The NHS is far too big, and the bureaucracy far too entrenched, for one single weedy minister to prevail.
The only way of getting on top is to break it up, give us choice and competition, and allow the hospitals themselves to find ways of managing their own affairs. They must be held accountable for results, not for how many boxes their nurses have ticked.


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I was recently contacted by a writer for the Orlando Sentinel named Sandra Pedicini. She asked that I help her find fellow restaurant folks who have dealt with Darden Restaurants. I have never worked for them so I have never had the pleasure of working at a Red Lobster or Olive Garden. Unfortunately, I have eaten there. Here is her email to me:
I cover Darden Restaurants for the Orlando Sentinel. I've seen your website and would like to ask for your help. I'm trying to find people who have worked for or interviewed for jobs at new Olive Gardens, Red Lobsters and LongHorn Steakhouses - ones that have opened in the past six months. I'm also looking for anyone who works at these chains that has been labeled something called an M28. I'd like to ask them a couple questions about benefits and hours. Would you mind posting something about that on your blog and on Facebook?
Sandra Pedicini
firstname.lastname@example.com or 407-420-5240
There you have it. I know that some shit has been going down with Darden lately and maybe this is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard. Please contact Ms. Pedicini if any of that M28 stuff means something to you. (Apparently it is not the Manhattan bus that goes down 28th Street.)
Please share this so as many people can knw about this as possible. Thank you.


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U.S. snowboarder Jamie Anderson said she and her fellow Olympic athletes in Sochi are big fans of Tinder, the mobile dating app that helps mutually attracted users connect with one another.
Speaking with Us Weekly, Anderson said Tinder "is on the next level" in Sochi.
"It's all athletes!" she said. "In the mountain village it's all athletes. It's hilarious. There are some cuties on there."
Los Angeles-based Tinder became popular last year for allowing users to quickly begin conversations with others they find attractive.
To use the app, users first create a profile with information about themselves and upload pictures. Tinder then recommends users to them. If the user finds a person attractive he or she can swipe right. If not, a swipe to the left. If two users both swipe right on each others' profiles, Tinder will notify both and allow them to begin messaging each other.
Asked about usage in Sochi, Tinder told The Times that it is seeing 400% daily growth in the Russian city. However, Sochi is still not one of Tinder's major markets.
"We have seen a noticeable spike in users and activity in Sochi over the last several days, but it still remains a small territory for us," Tinder told The Times.
As for Anderson the snowboarder, Tinder at Sochi became too much.
"There was a point where I had to be, like, OK, this is way too distracting," she said. "I deleted my account to focus on the Olympics."
Anderson won gold in slopestyle earlier this week.


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There are 6 casinos in Denmark and each one is based in a hotel. Danish law requires that you present photo ID on entry and register your name, address, date of birth and nationality. You must be 18 years or older to enter.
Where to find them
You can try your luck at all the regular casino games, as well as slot machines and touch-screen roulette, at the following casinos:
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Copenhagen
Radisson Blu H.C. Andersen Hotel, Odense


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This year, the Hamptons International Film Festival is two decades old and exhibiting the kind of swagger that comes with age, showcasing a number of high-profile films and events in addition to its regular programs. While centered in East Hampton Village, as in previous years many films will be screened in other locations including Montauk, Sag Harbor, Southampton, and Westhampton.
It runs from next Thursday through Oct. 8.
Karen Arikian, the executive director of the festival, said on Monday that in an environment where nonprofit arts ventures are having a difficult time surviving, 20 years is a significant landmark. She points to the longevity of board members such as the chairman, Stuart Match Suna, and Alec Baldwin's longtime involvement as key to the festival's continuity. "I refer to it as a high-quality small gem," she said of the festival. Mr. Baldwin is serving as honorary chairman this year.
She is also pleased with the festival's continued efforts at collaboration, which this year include projects with the newspaper Variety for the festival's Breakthrough Performers program, and with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the BBC, which are bringing a number of films from the United Kingdom to the festival. The festival also continues its collaboration with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which is awarding a $25,000 prize to Jenny Deller for her film "Future Weather." The Sloan Foundation will present its screenwriters' lab selections on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m at the East Hampton Presbyterian Church Session House with Fisher Stevens directing and Melissa Leo and Kevin Corrigan among others reading. The festival is partnering with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in a tribute to Ann Roth, a costume designer for more than 100 films. Locally, the festival's involvement with the schools and the community is also a priority and has received special attention this year with a number of outreach initiatives.
The festival will open next Thursday with a United States premiere of "Love, Marilyn," a documentary by Liz Garbus that looks into the personal life of Marilyn Monroe and will air on HBO next year. "Not Fade Away," the film directorial debut of David Chase, the creator of "The Sopranos" series for HBO, will be the closing night film on Oct. 7.
In between, there will be discussions with Alan Cummings, Richard Gere, and Stevie Nicks, screenings of upcoming major movie releases such as "Argo," directed by and starring Ben Affleck, "Silver Linings Playbook" by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper, and the usual assortment of film selections — shorts and features, narratives and documentaries — from around the globe.
There are a number of free community programs, such as the Rowdy Hall Talks series, which are free at 10 a.m. every morning during the festival. There will be a special screening of "A Beautiful Mind" on Friday, Oct. 5 with a discussion following with John Nash, a Nobel laureate and the subject of the film. "Balibo," the story of the Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta, first president of East Timor, will be presented next Thursday at 4:30 p.m. A talk with Mr. Ramos-Horta to follow is part of the same series. A show of photographs of Nobel laureates, including Mr. Ramos-Horta, by Peter Badge will be on display at c/o the Maidstone, the festival's headquarters for the weekend.
According to David Nugent, the festival's director of programming, the films were chosen for "their range of styles and risk-taking creative choices" and to represent "what the festival has endeavored to achieve for the last 20 years."
"Argo" is about a C.I.A. agent who attempted a daring rescue plan during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. "The Silver Linings Playbook" is centered on a bipolar son who moves back in with his parents, played by Robert De Niro and Jackie Weaver, who wants to get his estranged wife back. "Not Fade Away" is the story of three friends in suburban New Jersey who decide to form a band after seeing the Rolling Stones on television.
Other Spotlight Films will include Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie," which will have a special family presentation next Thursday before the opening night film in East Hampton at 4 p.m., Stephen Frears's "Lay the Favorite," Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths," and Terry George's "Whole Lotta Sole."
Mr. George, who has a house in Noyac, was an Oscar winner for "The Shore," the short film that was shown at last year's festival. He was also the director of "Hotel Rwanda." "Whole Lotta Sole" is a robbery caper set in Belfast starring Colm Meaney and Brendan Fraser.
Speaking to The Star last year, Mr. George described his new movie as "a black comedy, with the underlying theme of Belfast after the Troubles — a new city with a new police force dealing with some old bad habits." The "sole" in the title references a fish market robbery that is the catalyst for the story. "It was great to be there working on a full-length feature," he said last year of his native Northern Ireland.
Mr. George's film is both a Spotlight Film and part of the Views from Long Island presentations. These films also include "59 Middle Lane," a feature documentary by Greg Ammon about his sister, Alexa, and his tragic life after the murder of their adoptive father, Ted Ammon, in East Hampton and the death of their adoptive mother, Generosa Ammon, from cancer a few years following.
Other films with a Long Island focus or filmmaker include "Growing Farmers," a short documentary on the young farmers who are keeping the East End's traditions alive, made by Michael Halsband, a photographer better known for his surfing and rock band images. "James Salter: A Sport and a Pastime" by Edgar Howard, Sandy Gotham Meehan, and Tom Piper, examines the life of the author, who lives in Bridgehampton, and his most famous work. "Montauk," a seven-minute short film, focuses on the conspiracy theories surrounding the hamlet. "The Atomic States of America" by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, Susan Rockefeller's "Mission of Mermaids," "Mondays at Racine" by Cynthia Wade, "Ocean Keeper" by Eileen Olivieri Torpey, and Jessica Goldberg's "Refuge" are the other films in this series.
The festival will continue its other programs such as its Films of Conflict and Resolution and its Golden Starfish Award competition. This year's Films of Conflict and Resolution are "Beyond Right and Wrong: Stories of Justice and Forgiveness," "Call Me Kuchu," "One Day after Peace," "War Witch," and T.C. Johnstone's "Rising From the Ashes," which has won the festival's 2012 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a Film of Conflict and Resolution. A panel discussion will follow its screening, on Friday, Oct. 5.
The Golden Starfish contenders for best narrative film are Martin Lund's "The Almost Man" from Norway, "Dead Man's Burden" by Jared Moshe from the United States, "La Demora" by Rodrigo Pla from Uruguay, Mexico, and France, Umut Dag's "Kuma" from Austria, and Cate Shortland's "Lore" from Germany. The judges are Rachael Horovitz, a producer of "Moneyball" and the HBO film "Grey Gardens," Joshua Rothkopf, a film writer at Time Out New York and chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle, and Trudie Styler, an actress and director.
The documentary competitors are Annie Eastman's "Bay of All Saints" from the United States, Tora Martens's "Colombianos" from Sweden and Spain, "El Huaso" by Carlo Guillermo Proto from Canada, Jesse Vile's "Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet" from the United States and United Kingdom, and "Rising from the Ashes" from the United States, Rwanda, United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Tickets and details about last minute listings, venues, dates, and times for screenings and events are available at hamptonsfilmfest.org. The box office this year is in the Retreat Boutique on Park Place in East Hampton and is open from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday through Wednesday. Beginning next Thursday, it will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of the festival. Regular screenings are $15 with discounts for children, students, and those over age 65. Spotlight Films are $27 with discounts for those starting at or before 4 p.m. Most of the special events are $30.


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Call for Demo ProposalsAAMAS 2010 will include a demonstration session. The goal of the demonstrations is to give participants, from industry and academia an opportunity to present their latest developments on software and/or robotic systems. In addition, we strongly encourage students to submit valuable demos resulting from their projects or thesis work.
A "Best Demo Award" will be awarded, and will include a cash prize of $1,000. The award selection will be done by the exhibits and demos co-chairs in consultation with the Advisory Board.
Demonstrators are expected to present a live interactive demo at assigned time slots during the conference. Developers of software or robotic systems based on autonomous agents or multi-agent techniques, especially those showing novel technology, are especially welcome. Examples of demos include but are not limited to:
- Multi-agent software systems
- Industrial and military applications (including prototypes)
- Agent-based games
- Agent platforms and development environments
- Open-source software tools
- Robotic systems (single and multi-agent)
- Virtual agents and interactive virtual environments
- Simulation environments
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTSSubmissions accepted for the demonstration session will be advertised on the AAMAS website and in the conference booklet, which will contain abstracts of all available demos. Each demo submission should consist of a compressed file (*.rar or *.zip formats), named as the first author's surname, and containing the following:
- Paper: A 2-page paper in which the authors describe the system to be demonstrated. The paper should describe the application domain, the problem scenario, the technology used, the agent/multi-agent techniques involved, the innovations of the system, its live and interactive aspects, etc. Papers must be prepared in PDF format using the AAMAS style (follow these instructions)). The PDF file of the paper must be named "XXXX.pdf" where XXXX is the surname of the first author.
- Movie / Demo Plan:
The paper must contain a URL link to a demonstration movie (youtube compatible) of a maximum length of 10 minutes. The movie must clearly show how the demo will be performed.
Important: Do not send the video file itself in the compressed submission file.
Alternatively, the authors can submit a separate document (within the compressed file described above) that consists of a series of snapshots of the demo annotated with an explanation. This file must be named "demoplan.pdf".
Additional information: The compressed file must contain a plain text file (named "summary.txt") including the following information:
- Demonstration title
- Authors (name, affiliation, email, address, phone fax)
- The corresponding author with her/his email address
- Abstract (max. 150 words)
- Keywords
- The category of the submission
- URL (if available)
- Paper ID if the demo is related to a paper at the main conference
- Equipment you will bring (e.g., laptop, robot)
- Equipment you will need (e.g., table, poster board, power sockets)
- Special requirements (e.g., space for robot and if so how much, video projector)
- A discussion of the present state of your demo (e.g., ready to demonstrate now, but if not, include a realistic estimate for conclusion and what remains to be done before you have a demonstrable software/robotic system).
- Contribution and Supervisor Endorsement (student projects only): A 1-page statement in which the student clearly describes his personal contribution to the project. The content of the statement must be confirmed by the student's advisor, via a separate email, to both Demos Chairs.
SUBMISSION SITEAll demonstration submissions should be submitted via EasyChair (may require signing up to EasyChair if you do not already have an account) at the following address:
SELECTION PROCESSThe submission and selection processes for the AAMAS 2010 demos will be separate from that of the main conference. Each submission will be assessed by the demo co-chairs and at least one member of the advisory board. The authors will receive a brief report with the result of the evaluation with the notification.
The main evaluation criteria are:
- Relevance to AAMAS
- Quality and soundness of the underlying technology
- Novelty of the application domain
- Maturity of the (deployed) system
- Potential for public interaction
- Submission deadline: January 11, 2010.
- Notification of acceptance/rejection: January 29, 2010.
- Camera-ready paper: February 5, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATIONFor more information, contact the demos co-chairs via email.
- Jacob Crandall, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE
- Partha S Dutta, Rolls-Royce, Singapore
- Andrew Gilpin, Hg Analytics, USA
- Stefan Kopp, Bielefeld University, Germany
- Michael Neff, University of California, Davis, USA
- Pablo Noriega, IIIA, Spain
- Andrea Omicini, Universita di Bologna, Italy
- H. Van Dyke Parunak, NewVectors LLC, USA
- Juan Pavón, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Spain
- Dave Robertson, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Alex Rogers, University of Southampton, UK
- Onn Shehory, IBM, Israel
- Candy Sidner, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA
- Michael Winikoff, University of Otago, New Zealand
Catherine Pelachaud
CNRS Télécom ParisTech, France
Iyad Rahwan
British University in Dubai, UAE and
University of Edinburgh, UK


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Join our live RV chat - click HERE
Do camps still hire camp pastors? My husband will be getting out of bible college in a year and we will need a warmer place to go in the winter and I wondered if this was an option.
Hey Oscar Mike, I'm enrolled in HIU through the Apostolic School of Theology. Thought it interesting to run into an HIU graduate on here.Take Care
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MACON, Ga. – Propelled by conference championships by men's and women's cross country, the Lipscomb Athletic department leads the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Sports race following the completion of the 2013 fall sports seasons.
The Bisons lead the league race with 117 points out of a possible 147 just ahead of ETSU, who has claimed 111 points thus far in the year. The announcement marks the first time that Lipscomb has led in the all-sports race since joining the A-Sun.
"Knowing that this is the first time that Lipscomb has been on top of the All-Sports standings at this point in the year, I'm obviously proud of the accomplishments of our teams, and the continued elevation of our programs is a real credit to all of the people who are a part of the Lipscomb Athletics," said Lipscomb athletics director Philip Hutcheson. " Obviously, the student-athletes and coaches have done a tremendous job of training and competing at higher and higher levels and I truly believe that all of our programs are poised to keep improving on these results year by year.
"In addition to the great work of the coaches and players, however, I also appreciate the work our staff, administration, faculty, students and our fans and supporters are all doing to help our programs achieve these greater and greater levels of success. We have talked over and over this year about "Our Team", with the idea being that, collectively, we all play a part in helping Lipscomb succeed. There's obviously plenty of room to continue to improve, but this is another one of those milestones along the journey, so when we see results like these, everyone who has a stake in our programs deserves to share in the credit."
The Bison men sit tied for second in the race for the Jesse C. Fletcher Trophy awarded to the top men's program in the league. Lipscomb is tied with FGCU with 48 points only 1.5 points behind leader Northern Kentucky, who has 49.5 points through the fall.
The Lady Bisons also sit in second place following the fall trailing Jacksonville. Lipscomb has garnered 69 out of a possible 90 points while Jacksonville has earned 76.5 points so far.
Points for the A-Sun All-Sports title are awarded on a descending basis in three-point increments. A minimum of five full-fledged members must participate in a sport for that sport to be counted in the all-sports standings. The total number of points available for each sport is established according to the number of teams participating in each sport.
In team sports, points are awarded based on regular season finish. In individual sports (cross country, golf, track & field) points are awarded based on the A-Sun Championship standings. Ties split points, and the final All-Sports standings are based on percentage. Each institution's percentage score is determined by the aggregate calculation of each institution's points earned divided by the maximum points available to that institution.


text: You are now leaving www.ftse.com to access a third party website. The link to the third party website has been provided for information purposes only and inclusion of this link does not imply any endorsement or approval from FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell shall not be responsible for the accuracy, lawfulness or content of any third party website or of subsequent links and does not make any representation whatsoever about the content of any third party website. FTSE Russell does not accept any liability, of any kind, to any person arising as a result of any loss or damage or indirectly from the use of any content on such third party website or subsequent links.


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Transform your photos into one-of-a-kind, hand painted masterpieces!
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The image is near the edges of the product but doesn't cover the entire product. Some of the background color may appear around the outside edges of the image.
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Linda Sannuti replied:
Thanks, Robin!
Thank you Alex and Gene!
Lovely , romantic , well done
Very hard to make up my mind what heart I like the best in the gallery! I have decided on this one. I love this one and am adding it to my favorites (liked the melting heart too). Good luck on the Valentine's Day sales!!!!
Linda Sannuti replied:
thank you Joan! I love them all..lol Red is my favorite color :)
Linda.... I love your hearts! I have a heart on all of my paintings, but they are sometimes hard to find. Best wishes with your art!
Protect your iPhone X with an impact-resistant, slim-profile, hard-shell case. The image is printed directly onto the case and wrapped around the edges for a beautiful presentation. Simply snap the case onto your iPhone X for instant protection and direct access to all of the phone's features!
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Leslie Pierce
May 24th, 2019
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Hello, and welcome to my Digital Expressions of digital art and photography. I have dabbled in the digital art arena and discovered a whole new world of expressive art that has become my passion. With each new print I uncover a new atmospheric layer and bring to life imaginative, colorful shapes that are both inciteful and pleasing to the eye. Please, browse my website and discover for yourself the passion for art that drives me to continually improve upon my trade. Thank you very much, art collectors!..http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Digital-Expressions/116821381719362 Do not steal this art by downloading to a computer, printing, copying or reproducing in anyway. It is illegal to do so and all infringements are pursued to the...
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text:
In the early 1990s, with the death of Jim Henson, rumors began to appear that Sesame Street's Ernie would be killed off to teach children about death. There were various suggestions saying that Ernie would have died by a disease or by a traffic accident (either being hit by a car or being killed in a fatal auto accident). Due to the rising popularity of the Internet, the rumors became more widespread. However, the producers had no plans to kill a Muppet character.
For a while, the rumors became misunderstood into thinking that Bert would be the one that would be killed off, saying that his performer, Frank Oz, died of either AIDS or a car crash.
The rumor became more widespread in 1991 when Michael Tabor, a college student in New Hampshire, took the then-small rumors too seriously. At his college graduation, all the graduations were wearing "Save Ernie" beanies and signing a petition to save the character. However, by the time he found out the "Ernie's Death" rumor was false, it already hit the papers. Ernie is alive and well, and we have no intention of anything happening to him or anyone else."
- Children's Television Workshop spokeswoman Carolyn Miller


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With some delay, here is part 3 in my series about my tasting experience at the OperaWine 2015 event in Verona last month. On this post we will focus on my tasting notes for the wines from Central Italy. As you will see, lots of winners here.
For my general notes about the event and my tasting notes for the wines from Italy's northwestern region, please refer to the first post in this series. For my tasting notes for the wines from Italy's northeastern region, go to the second post in this series.
1. Emilia Romagna
Ermete Medici, "Gran Concerto" Rosso Brut 2011 ($N/A/€12): an extremely interesting Classic Method sparkling Lambrusco Salamino which matured for 30 months on its lees and was disgorged in 2014. The nose is immediately catchy with aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries, violets and fresh toast. The mouthfeel is refreshing and pleasant, smooth with good acidity and sapidity, just slightly astringent tannins and flavors of wild red berries (strawberries and raspberries), yeasty notes and mineral hints. A great choice to surprise your guests at a Spring or Summer party out on the patio. Very Good
Drei Donà, Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore "Pruno" Riserva 2010 ($35/€23): a very good single vineyard Sangiovese with an intense nose of black cherry, black currant, violet, licorice and a mineral note preluding to a medium-bodied, smooth mouthfeel with already supple tannins and flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, coffee and licorice. Very enjoyable. Very Good
2. Toscana
Le Macchiole, Messorio 2004 ($190/€150): an excellent varietal Merlot which shows in my view the potential of this too often undeservedly bashed variety. A great nose reminiscent of violets, black cherry, blackberry, wet soil, Mediterranean brush, aromatic herbs, cocoa and graphite notes precedes a luscious, full-bodied mouthfeel with high ABV, intense sapidity and firm, just slightly astringent tannins together with flavors that precisely follow the aromatic profile. Long finish. Spectacular, perfectly ready now but fit for cellaring for another few years
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2005 ($150/€160): wow. Perfectly aged, with ten years of maturation behind it, the Ornellaia 2005 performs and enchants like a Berliner Philharmoniker symphony: captivating aromas of wild berries, licorice, herbs, Mediterranean brush, pinecone and sweet tobacco on the nose leave way to a structured, spellbinding sip whose perfectly contained power and silky smoothness are masterfully counterbalanced by gentle and refined tannins and juicy sapidity supporting delicious flavors of wild black berries, aromatic herbs and licorice lingering in your mouth in a very long finish. Spectacular
Felsina, Fontalloro 2011 ($46/€38): a young but already very enjoyable varietal Sangiovese with a delicious nose of plum, black cherry, aromatic herbs, soil, potpourri and a balsamic note. In the mouth it is a big, full-bodied red, with substantial but already fine tannins, good acidity and all-around smoothness accompanying flavors that nicely match the wine's aromas. It will perform even better after a few years of judicious cellaring. Very Good
Testamatta, Colore 2005 ($550/€600): I am a bit puzzled by this wine, I have to admit. I mean, by all means it is a good, even very good red blend (it has Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino in pretty much equal parts) but… 600 euros for a 0.75 lt bottle? Seriously? I don't know, as much as I like it I could think of several different combinations of absolutely outstanding reds (plural) that I could invest those 600 euros into instead of coming back with just one bottle in my hands… But then again, who am I to judge their pricing policies. Anyway, the nose was very pleasant with aromas of black cherry, plum, licorice, tobacco and aromatic herbs and the mouthfeel was equally enticing, full-bodied, big, gently tannic and smooth, with nice correlation between flavors and aromas. Good to Very Good
Carpineto, Cabernet Sauvignon "Farnito" 1997 ($30/€19): This varietal Cab that the producer made available for tasting with the benefit of 18 years of aging and maturing was a real treat. Its intense nose was appealing with aromas of black cherry, plum, green peppers and a minty note. Its mouth lent itself to some interesting considerations, particularly in terms of how age-worthy this wine is: despite 18 years in the barrel first and in bottle later, the wine was still incredibly freshly acidic and still had muscular tannins, all of which suggests that the wine will continue to benefit from additional cellaring: my sense is that in five more years it will be even better than it is today. The wine was moderately smooth and tasty, with flavors that closely followed its aromatic profile and a medium finish. Great value for money. Good to Very Good
3. Marche
Umani Ronchi, Cumaro 2007 ($40/€20): a very good varietal Montepulciano with an appealing nose of red berries, tart cherries, aromatic herbs, leather, cocoa and licorice followed by a full-bodied sip that is smooth and gently tannic and provides flavors of raspberries, wild strawberries, dark chocolate and aromatic herbs. Very Good and appropriately aged
4. Umbria
Lungarotti, Rubesco Torgiano "Vigna Monticchio" Riserva 2005 ($45/€28): a delicious single vineyard Sangiovese/Canaiolo blend with a great nose of cherry, red flowers, sweet tobacco, chocolate, aromatic herbs, mushrooms and a mineral note of graphite. Its mouthfeel is perfectly round and smooth, with silky tannins and flavors of cherries and chocolate. Perfectly aged to its full maturity. Outstanding
Tabarrini, Sagrantino di Montefalco "Colle Grimaldesco" 2009 ($50/€32): Tabarrini is a producer who has succeeded in showing the different terroir of their vineyards in their single vineyard wines. This one has a captivating, intense nose of black cherry, licorice, dried roses, aromatic herbs and a mineral note. In the mouth it is big, full-bodied, with high alcohol and muscular but gentle tannins; it is smooth and tasty, with flavors of spirited black cherries, licorice and rosemary notes. Very Good
Caprai, Sagrantino di Montefalco "25 Anni" 2010 ($80/€55): in my view 2010 is still way too young a vintage to adequately showcase the qualities of this great Sagrantino and unfortunately it ends up penalizing its performance a bit. The nose was pretty closed and shy, with notes of ripe plums, violets and quinine as well as a toasty note; in the mouth it is big, with abundant structure and alcohol but still a bit edgy, with muscular and astringent tannins and flavors matching its aromatic profile. It needs more time resting and maturing in the cellar, until it develops into the great, coherent wine that we all know and have repeatedly enjoyed. Good to Very Good
5. Lazio
Falesco, Montiano 2007 ($40/€30): Falesco is one of the producers who have been at the forefront of Lazio's wine renaissance, thanks also to the ability of owner-winemaker Renzo Cotarella, one of the best in Italy. Their Montiano is an outstanding varietal Merlot with an intense, elegant nose of roses, black cherry, black currant, aromatic herbs, licorice, cocoa and black pepper. In the mouth it is structured and silky smooth, with supple tannins and matching flavors of black cherry, black currant and licorice that linger in your mouth in the wine's long finish. In my view, 2007 is at or near its top now. Outstanding and very good value
Masciarelli, Montepupulciano d'Abruzzo "Villa Gemma" Riserva 2004 ($77/€55): a nice nose reminiscent of forest floor, mushrooms, potpourri, black cherry, black currant, tobacco, licorice and a barnyard note goes hand in hand with a great, structured and smooth sip with gentle albeit slightly astringent tannins and flavors of black cherry, licorice, dark chocolate and aromatic herbs. Long finish. Outstanding and perfectly aged


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The latest rumours from the newspapers and online:
West Ham are reportedly preparing a £10m offer to bring Mario Balotelli back to the Premier League. Striker Andy Carroll joined Manuel Lanzini on the Hammers' injury list this week.
Striker Inaki Williams, who has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool, is set to sign a new deal which will keep him at Athletic Bilbao until 2020.
Cardiff City have failed in a bid to extend Tony Watt's stay at the club. The Bluebirds, who were placed under a transfer embargo on Friday, had sought to extend Watt's loan but parent club Charlton have rejected their bid.
Borussia Monchengladbach director of sport Max Eberl admits Granit Xhaka could leave the club if they received a tempting offer. The Switzerland international is reportedly on the radar of Arsenal and Liverpool but could cost around £37.6million.
Barcelona are confident of bringing Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey to the Nou Camp after another secret spying mission in midweek.
Chelsea's pursuit of John Stones could be scuppered by Barcelona's plans to swoop in for the Everton defender this summer.
Manchester United are plotting a £21.4million swoop for Paris St-Germain's Adrien Rabiot, who has been a long-term Arsenal target.
Liverpool are the club most likely to prise Jamie Vardy away from Leicester. Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp could Kop the striker in the summer for £25million.
Yaya Toure is the new target for the cash-rich Chinese Super League. Reports in China claim Jiangsu Suning are ready to pay the Manchester City midfielder an incredible £230,000-a-week after tax.
Chelsea are lining up a £20million swoop for Leicester City sensation Riyad Mahrez.
Galatasaray have put Chelsea striker Loic Remy top of their wanted list.
Newcastle have made an offer of £25million for Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette, according to reports.
Leicester are planning a loan move for Manchester United youngster Andreas Pereira as they battle for the Premier League title.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is waiting in the wings ready to help Ryan Giggs if Louis van Gaal loses his job.
Watford have joined the £8million Premier League scramble to sign QPR winger Matt Phillips.
Manchester United want to lure Tottenham's academy boss to Old Trafford; John McDermott is the man targeted to replace their current youth chief of 16 years Derek Langley.
Louis van Gaal has blocked Newcastle's attempt to sign Victor Valdes on loan from Man United.
Manchester City have put contract talks with starlet Kelechi Iheanacho on hold following a row over who represents the Nigerian striker.
Crystal Palace's Scott Dann is being looked at as a potential long-term successor for Chelsea's John Terry.
Everton are set to make a £10million move for Derby County's Will Hughes this summer.
Barcelona sent a scout to watch John Stones at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they step up their bid to sign the Everton centre-back.
Newcastle United have added Bafetimbi Gomis to their list of potential striker targets.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he gets more abuse at Stoke than at Tottenham.
Roman Abramovich has personally assured Branislav Ivanovic he has a future at Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho believes he will become the new Manchester United manager within six months.
Swansea supremo Huw Jenkins is ready to axe interim boss Alan Curtis - just ten days after appointing him for the rest of the season.
Manchester United's bid for Fulham starlet Moussa Dembele hit a speed bump as Slavisa Jokanovic has ruled out selling the striker.
Chelsea are considering making an approach for Claudio Ranieri and bringing the Italian back to Stamford Bridge 12 years after he was sacked.
Premier League clubs could be next to face transfer bans - according to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants' general manager Jose Angel Sanchez has told English football's big boys they should be looking over their shoulders.
Tottenham Hotspur have seen a £6million bid for Wissam Ben Yedder rejected by Toulouse. The 25-year-old has scored 52 goals in 125 Ligue 1 appearances.
Arsenal's Mathieu Debuchy is edging closer to a January loan move to Aston Villa.
Manchester United are ready to move in on Sporting Lisbon ace Islam Slimani because they cannot sign Thomas Muller and Gareth Bale, claim the Independent. The Red Devils are thought to be preparing a £12m bid for Slimani.
Real Madrid still plan to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea this summer, despite having a FIFA transfer ban imposed on them on Thursday.
Southampton have no intention of selling Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long this month.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has rejected a loan move to former club QPR in a move which would have seen Rob Green move in the opposite direction, according to the Times.
West Brom are demanding £7million for Callum McManaman after QPR and Middlesbrough became the latest clubs to register an interest.


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Athlete of the Week: Jacob Adams, Brandon Valley Lynx
Jacob Adams played in a basketball and baseball state championship last year. His skills on the court and on the diamond will be remembered for a long time.
Over his basketball and baseball career, Adams has been an ambitious player. He's had good memories, and has learned to mature in handling situations when it's not just about him.
"One thing I recognized about Jacob right away is how competitive he was and that is always going to be the key in anyone who is going to be good or great in anything they decide to do. There would be times, and I know Jacob would admit this, I would walk in and he would be literally holding up more than one game at a time because something didn't work out his way. Being a 10 or 11-year old sixth grader, some kids are too immature and don't know how to handle certain situations. There would be a lot times we would have heart to heart talks at an earlier time in his life than with others. That's something I noticed with Jacob right away, and that's not a bad thing. That is the way Jacob is wired. The amount of growing up between sixth and eighth grade is unbelievable and he continued to do that all the way through," says Deckert.
Deckert has taught Adams a lot, and overall, Jacob has really enjoyed playing for his coach throughout his career at Brandon Valley.
"There's been some times we butt heads, but other than that, it is fun to play for Coach Deckert. He is really outgoing and knows what he is talking about."
All of those teachable moments early on in Jacob's career helped created two of his biggest attributes in both of his sports.
"There's always things we look for in players, but one of the biggest things I look for is toughness, and hands.Two things you can't really coach, and that's what Jacob had. He was a competitor and always had great hands. You could see it on the baseball field, by the way he hits, and in basketball, he gets his hands on so many balls, that you think, 'how does he end up with that,' and he still does. That's nothing I have coached, and that's who he is," adds Deckert.
His hard work mentality has come over time, as he's been playing basketball since the fourth grade, and baseball when he joined tee ball at a young age. His dad played both sports in high school and in college, and has been his main influence growing up playing both of the games he loves. All in all, Adams really enjoys the two sports and what they have taught him throughout his life.
"I like baseball a little more because I'm a little bit better at baseball, but basketball is a better atmosphere. There's a lot more people there, and it's fun to play on Friday nights. Basketball has taught me more leadership and playing as a team, while baseball is still a team sport, but it's a lot of individual and you have to play your role."
On the basketball floor, he was Brandon Valley's main post player as a 6'2" forward, but when he had the chance, he loved to step outside and hit a jumper. Deckert described Adams as the 'fear factor,' and was a better defender and rebounder than most people gave him credit for. He could match-up with a lot team's biggest players. In baseball, his bat carried the Lynx, and his fielding skills at shortstop played a big role, as he has great feet and hands.
"I started in basketball my sophomore year, and looking back, I have improved a lot, more mentally and physically. I've gotten a lot bigger, and stronger. I think I averaged more rebounds this year than last year. In baseball, I also played my sophomore year and have seen a big improvement. Also, bigger and stronger. I'm hitting a lot more balls out and I am learning the game better," shares Adams.
Deckert recalls putting Adams into the starting lineup when he was a sophomore, and while Jacob made some early errors, they definitely made him a more complete player going forward.
"From the time he was a freshman, and we tell almost all freshman the same thing, 'if you compete, and play well, you are always going to have a chance to play at the next level.' Jacob had a chance to do that as a freshman, and when he was sophomore, it didn't happen right away, but right after Christmas, he found himself in the starting lineup. He might have been surprised by that at first, but at the same time he made tons of mistakes and we would go back to him. I even remember mistakes that cost us games, but that's one of those deals when you have to be able to sit down with a young kid and say, 'alright, when this happens, this will never happen again,' and he was always the first one to say, that. He would feel really bad about certain mistakes, but rarely made the same ones over and over again."
Jacob's mindset to constantly improve has helped mold him into the player and leader he is today for the Lynx.
"In basketball, my teammates would say I am a hard worker and I like to play outside. In baseball, they would say I am the key player. I can step up there and get a hit when we need it, and make the big plays in the field. I was a leader last year in baseball, and it helped me in basketball this year to get everybody going. It is going to help me in the long run in sports and to always be that leader out there to be positive and to keep our heads up," says Adams.
Deckert adds that last year's seniors, Adam Bauer, Jacob Brudigan, Chase Marso, and Nick Winter, were extremely vital for Adams, and helped make Adams become a stronger player, and even bigger leader.
"Chase would be a great teacher, a guy that could talk to you and make you feel bad for making mistakes. Nate, when Jacob was playing bad, would go crazy and challenge Jacob physically. I think those things as kids get older, see one side, and the other side. If I had to to put my finger on one thing, I would probably say now, especially going into his last season in baseball, this is it for him and it's over. He realized how fast basketball went, and maybe doesn't realize how fast baseball is going to go, but in literally in six weeks, it is going to be done and he is going to be out of here. So, it's one of those things I think to a point, what he is going to say needs to get said, and those are things that will really make his team better."
In the 2013-2014 basketball season, Adams was one of seven other seniors (Nic Peterson, Ryan Sjoberg, Dominic Nealy, Devan West, Ryan Immeker, Derek Johnson, and Kevin Peterson) that played for the Lynx.
Jacob's mark on Brandon Valley has left a big imprint on both the basketball and baseball programs over his middle and high school years. His time will inspire future players leave a similar, lasting legacy.
"Jacob's mark will not be made on the year's past, but on what people have seen, how hard he has played, and what he has put into different athletics from time to time. Jacob was a part of 42 wins across three years, and two state tourmaments. To me, that's quite a big deal when it comes to success because now the next group is going to want to do that again. Those are the things that maybe Jacob can't put the words into to what he is trying to say to what he has left, but that's what they've left here. By him leaving, he is giving someone else a chance fill his spot and try to do the exact same thing he's done while he's here," tells Deckert.
From all the hard work Jacob has put in on the hardwood, or on the diamond, Deckert wants him to know that at Brandon Valley, there is always someone that is going to be there caring and encouraging you to succeed in life.
"Kids enjoy hearing from adults, coaches and I don't know if Jacob enjoyed hearing this or not. When they had a big football game or baseball game, and I had a chance to see it, and I thought they played well, I always tried to zip him a little note. It's not like a written note, but I think in today's times with kids, they appreciate a little bit of contact especially outside of what your sport is. I want kids to understand whether you keep playing basketball or not, that we are still interested and care about them, even though our relationships will change as they move on. I want them to understand how much we care and want them to succeed whether it's him going off to play baseball or to the next job. To me, there's always something that's next."
Adams has played football, basketball, and baseball while at Brandon Valley. When he's not playing sports, he loves to watch Michigan and the Minnesota Twins. His favorite player for the Twins is Joe Mauer. In the classroom, he enjoys studying history. Next season, he plans on playing baseball at Des Moines Area Community College after he wraps up senior season of baseball for the Lynx.
For comments or story ideas, email Sam at email@example.com, and follow him on Twitter @samtastad.


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A nationwide recall was issued for a medical device used during cardiac surgery. Learn More »
Recall Notice
Ebstein's Anomaly
Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 | Get Map & Directions »
Note: To view heart animations, you'll need the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.
Children's heart conditions can't be prevented, but a lot can be done to improve and often completely repair their hearts at any age. Thanks to advanced technology and the pediatric heart experts at the Nemours Cardiac Center (based at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children), most children born with a heart problem — even newborns only hours or days old — can be quickly diagnosed and treated right when it matters the most. At the Cardiac Center, we specialize in early detection and repair of congenital heart defects (also often called, "congenital heart disease").
If your child's been diagnosed with Ebstein's anomaly, we're here to ease your concerns, answer your questions, and give your child the best possible chance for a healthy future.
Ebstein's anomaly is a rare defect, accounting for less than 1 percent of all congenital heart defects. It consists of abnormal development of the tricuspid valve, which is located between the right atrium (one of the upper chambers of the heart) and the right ventricle (one of the heart's two lower chambers). Blood passes through the tricuspid valve after returning from the body and before being pumped to the lungs.
Ebstein's Results from Abnormal Development of the Tricuspid Valve
Two of the three leaflets of the valve (the "septal leaflet" and the "posterior leaflet") don't form normally. Rather than being located where the right atrium and ventricle meet, they're displaced downward into the right ventricular cavity. These valve leaflets vary from mildly deformed to severely deformed. The third leaflet (called the "anterior leaflet") is in the correct position but is typically large and floppy — it's often described as "sail-like." The portion of the right ventricle that sits above the leaflets is usually thinner than normal and may be referred to as the "atrialized portion" of the right ventricle.
Other Defects Also Present in Ebstein's Anomaly
A hole between the upper chambers of the heart (an atrial septal defect or ASD) is almost always present in association with Ebstein's anomaly. In some children with this malformation, the pulmonary valve (the heart valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery that consists of three flaps, or "cusps") is also abnormal, either abnormally tight (called "pulmonary valve stenosis") or entirely closed (called "pulmonary valve atresia").
How Ebstein's Anomaly Affects Blood Flow Through The Heart
Most commonly, the deformed tricuspid valve leaks — and it may leak severely. That means that as the right ventricle contracts, some blood flows backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium, rather than flowing forward toward the lungs. The right atrium, which receives this leaking blood, is usually enlarged, as is the right ventricle. In severe cases, the right ventricle may be so large that it pushes on the left ventricle and prevents the left ventricle from filling normally.
Often, some of the oxygen-poor ("blue") blood from the right atrium passes across the hole in the atrial septum (the wall between the right and left atria — the top two chambers of the heart) into the left atrium. This blue blood then goes out to the body, which may cause cyanosis (bluish color in the skin due to insufficient oxygen). Because the resistance to blood flow through the lungs (this is called "pulmonary vascular resistance") decreases in the days and weeks after birth, the cyanosis may improve in mild cases of Ebstein's anomaly.
How Does the Heart Normally Work?
When your child has a congenital heart defect, there's usually something wrong with the structure of the heart. In order to understand your child's condition, it can help to know how the heart should work normally.
Learn More About Normal Cardiac Anatomy »
Nemours' experts at KidsHealth.org also offer these helpful resources to help both you and your child understand how the heart works:
In severe cases, Ebstein's anomaly may be diagnosed on a fetal echocardiogram ("echo") during pregnancy, or it may be delayed until after birth. When babies are born with Ebstein's anomaly, the timing of when children will show symptoms will depend on a number of factors:
- the anatomy of the pulmonary valve
- the degree of leakage of the tricuspid valve
- whether or not the right ventricular size is interfering with the normal function of the left ventricle
In very mild cases, diagnosis is usually the result of hearing a murmur and — in rare cases — may not occur until the child is older. In cases with significant pulmonary stenosis or atresia, oxygen levels in the blood may be low. An echocardiogram ("echo") is usually enough to make the diagnosis, and children rarely need additional testing. An echo is a completely safe and painless test that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to build a series of pictures of the heart.
Children who have a mild degree of valve deformity and no symptoms (they're "asymptomatic") may not need any treatment. However, children with more severe Ebstein's anomaly may have:
- cyanosis (bluish color of the skin, which may be due to not enough oxygen)
- shortness of breath
- exercise intolerance (difficulty exercising)
Children with these symptoms or significant heart enlargement will likely need surgery. Depending on the child's age and the severity of the anomaly, the operation may involve repairing or — rarely — replacing the abnormal tricuspid valve and closing the hole between the atria. Or, in some cases, where the enlargement of the right ventricle prevents that ventricular from working properly, children may need a series of operations called "single ventricle palliation".
When newborns need surgery for Ebstein's anomaly in the first month after birth, the risks are extremely high, partly due to underdevelopment of the lungs while in the womb.
Learn More
In more mild forms of Ebstein's anomaly, children may never need an operation and often grow up normally.
Children with severe forms will likely need multiple operations over their lifetime. Among those who do need surgery early on, the enlargement of the atrium may cause problems with the heart's electrical system and they may need a permanent pacemaker to prevent abnormal electrical impulses or "arrhythmias." (Connected to the heart by a wire, a pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device implanted into the body, near the collarbone or at the bottom of the ribcage, through a surgical procedure. Through a sensing device, a pacemaker can detect if the heart rate is too slow and sends electrical signals to the heart to speed up the heartbeat.)
If your child has Ebstein's anomaly, know that at the Nemours Cardiac Center we're here to give your child the very best, most comprehensive and compassionate care. Our goal is to guide your family, from start to finish, through your child's heart defect journey — and to help your child live the healthiest, most fulfilling life possible.
Why Choose Us
From our outcomes to our family-centered care, find out all of the reasons why your child's heart will be in good hands at the Nemours Cardiac Center. Learn More »
Make an Appointment
(800) 416-4441
Information for Patients
Outpatient Services and Inpatient Units: (302) 651-6660
After 5 p.m. and Weekends:
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: (302) 651-6644
General Inpatient Unit, 2B: (302) 651-6690
+1 (302) 651-4993
Stories From the Heart
Meet children treated in the Nemours Cardiac Center who know what it's like to live with a heart problem.


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Apple is adding HBO Go to Apple TV by mid-2013, Bloomberg reports.
It will only be available to Time Warner subscribers who already pay for HBO. But those who have it will be able to watch more than 600 hours worth of movies and TV shows, according to Bloomberg's sources.
HBO Go is already offered on Roku and Microsoft's Xbox.
"We've said we would like HBO GO accessible on all preferred platforms so we are always having discussions with a variety of companies," HBO told AllThingsD.
Apple currently only offers nine outside apps on its platform, including Hulu Plus and Netflix, but AllThingsD's Peter Kafka thinks we'll soon see Apple open its TV box to more outside developers.
In Q1 2013, Apple sold more than 2 million of its set-top boxes. In the last two fiscal years, Apple has sold more than 7.8 million.