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New concept in hip and knee replacements introduced
Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital is changing the way patients and their families think about and experience hip and knee replacement surgery with the introduction of its newly opened Sentara OrthoJoint Center®.
This comprehensive program is based on a national best practice model and structured around the fundamental principle of wellness.
"This is not your typical hip and knee replacement surgery hospital stay," according to orthopedic surgeon, Mesfin R. Shibeshi, D.O. Dr. Shibeshi - along with a team of orthopedic surgeons, administrative staff and orthopedic patient navigator Shannon Brown, RN - has implemented this program at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital to improve outcomes and provide a superior experience for individuals having hip or knee replacement surgery.
"It is important to recognize that we do not see these patients as being sick," Dr. Shibeshi explained. "Alternatively, we look at these patients as healthy people who are coming to us because they have hip or knee pain, and want to improve their quality of life by undergoing joint replacement surgery."
This concept of wellness is at the forefront during the entire program, which incorporates the most advanced minimally invasive, advanced analgesic and rapid-recovery surgical techniques. The program's patient environment enhances and maximizes patient recovery through pre-op education, a culture of early mobility, family involvement and group interaction.
The Sentara OrthoJoint Center® Experience
The Sentara OrthoJoint Center experience begins in the physician's office. Once someone decides to have joint replacement surgery, he or she is provided with a comprehensive guidebook, explaining the upcoming surgery and a list of activities, including pre-operative strengthening exercises they need to begin prior to surgery. This guidebook also serves as a clinical diary which the patient brings to pre-operative class, all appointments, and the hospital.
Each patient chooses a coach – usually a family member or loved one – who is an active participant in their loved one's care before, during and after discharge from the hospital. Both patient and coach are required to attend a pre-operative class one to two weeks prior to surgery. They meet their Sentara OrthoJoint Center team, learn more detail about their procedure and what to expect in the hospital, as well as and how to care for oneself after discharge. The orthopedic patient navigator oversees the patient's entire stay and is their resource before, during and after discharge. Coaches, who wear a special coach's badge, learn the program right along with their loved one, and provide encouragement and support every step of the way. The fundamental concept of wellness is also carried through the individual's stay in the hospital, post-surgery. Patients do not wear hospital gowns, but rather are expected to bring comfortable clothes which they wear during the day.
Patients follow an aggressive daily schedule that begins at 6 a.m. on the morning after surgery. Each day, patients receive newsletters that are specific to their particular surgery, letting them know what is on the agenda for the day, along with providing tips on how to care for themselves. Two group therapy sessions are held daily – one in the morning and a second in the afternoon – in a large therapy gym. Group lunches with fellow patients and staff also take place in the Sentara OrthoJoint Center.
Motivational posters are located throughout the halls and an exercise tracking board provides a guide for patients to track their success. Patients compete with one another on distance walked each day. All progress is tracked using magnets on this exercise board that is located in a common area. This provides visual reinforcement of goals met each day. Patients find this camaraderie both challenging and rewarding.
Heading Home:Care Doesn't End at the Hospital
Care doesn't end after discharge or graduation. Graduates receive calls from the Sentara OrthoJoint Center staff within 72 hours of discharge, and again one to two weeks later. Reunions for Sentara OrthoJoint Center graduates and their coaches are held quarterly with surgeons and their entire team.
The End Result: Superior Outcomes
According to national best practice studies, the result of this new approach to surgery is less pain, quicker recovery and superior outcomes.
"We evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional and patient satisfaction criteria," explains Chris A. Lumsden, president of Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital. "These outcomes are then analyzed during monthly performance improvement team meetings and enable Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital to become masters of teamwork. So, when we say we offer superior outcomes, we have the data to prove it."


text:
Can grab it via torrent:
Vorbis is the best lossy audio codec commonly available, but it is not a very common choice for 5.1 audio. I wanted to take the risk, because I am not a fan of proprietary formats and there is no good open source AAC encoder. The problem I found is that at least MPlayer can not automatically downmix the 6 channels into 2 channels for those who don't have a 5.1 setup. For now, I have to workaround the problem with:
Please let me know if you have audio issues with other players...
Code: Select all
mplayer -af pan=2:1:0:0:1:1:0:0:1:0.5:0.5:0:0 movie.mkv

subset: commoncrawl


text:
During a
married and had a son.
Eventually, Pitt rejoined the Air
Force and was assigned to the
Kennedy Space Center in Houston,
Texas. There he was placed on the
staff of a research project designed
to develop the solar shuttle (a
variant on the space shuttle.) As
Pitt became involved with the early
stages of the project, his wife was
diagnosed as suffering form a
terminal illness. The prognosis gave
her only a few months to live. While
under the great emotional stress
which accompanied knowledge of his
wife's condition, Pitt also
discovered that the solar shuttle
project had been infiltrated by
agents of Victor von Doom, absolute
monarch of the Balkan state Latveria.
In an
effort to learn the extent of the
infiltration and its purpose, Pitt
decided to present himself as a
willing collaborator. Fearful that
the spy network may well have
extended into other areas of NASA,
Pitt told no one of his plans, not
even his superiors. Attempting to
gather as much information as
possible, he became the confidante
of the ring's leaders. They were so
impressed by Pitt that they brought
the major to the attention of Dr.
Doom himself. To all appearances,
Pitt was a loyal spy. He soon
learned that Doom's men meant to
utilize the awesome powers of the
solar shuttle to energize solar
panels in Latveria.
Before Pitt could expose the plan to United States government officials, his wife died. Grief-stricken, Pitt became careless with his ruse and Doom discovered that he was a double agent. Doom's operatives in high NASA positions denounced Pitt as a traitor. Before he could be arrested, Pitt disappeared. U.S. officials deduced that he had been killed.
In reality, Pitt had been kidnapped and brought to Latveria. Doom wised to make an example of Pitt to other individuals who might dare to might dare to consider betraying him. Pitt was forced to undergo chemical and cybernetic transmutation. Under Doom's direct supervision, Pitt's body was reformed to resemble a legendary demon that supposed haunted the mountains of Latveria. Code-named Darkoth the Death Demon, Pitt was given extraordinary strength, agility, and limited psionic powers. The final process in the creation of Darkoth was exposure to Doom's vibration device, erasing his personality and memories. Doom also implanted a hypnotic suggestion that Pitt was in reality a demon, who had been rescued from the Netherworld by Doom to be his personal warrior. As such, PItt became the most loyal servant of the man who made him a monster.
freed the Fantastic Four and helped
in defeating Doom and his latest
world-conquering plan. Nevertheless,
Pitt concealed the truth from Grimm
for unknown reasons. Pitt followed
Doom, who tried to escape in a
spacecraft, and continued to battle
against him. The craft collided with
a satellite, sending the two hurling
back toward Earth.
Pitt survived the re-entry, crashing into the Texas desert. He was discovered and recovered by the Fantastic Four villain, Diablo, master alchemist. Diablo used a variant of his own life-prolonging potions to save Pitt's life, but also used his powers to grant Pitt new powers and to submit Pitt to his will. Diablo learned from Pitt about the solar shuttle and its imminent launch and intended to use the shuttle's solar generators to destroy his long-time enemy, Dr. Doom. Pitt agreed for reasons of his own revenge, but rebelled when he learned the pilot of the shuttle would be the Thing.
Warned by Pitt, the Thing was able to destroy the solar generators and prevent Diablo's plan. Enraged, Diablo sought to kill the Thing by subjecting him to lethal radiation. Witnessing this, Pitt freed himself from Diablo's domination and revealed to his old friend his true identity. He save the Thing's life by hurling both Diablo and himself into the exploding solar generators. The Thing managed to escape the holocaust, but Pitt was assumed killed.


text:
Nasty Weather Wreaking Havoc All Over the Country
A particularly harsh, and large, spate of weather has been pummeling much of the Eastern half of the country, with recent incidents affecting residents as far north as Wisconsin and Michigan and all the way down to Georgia and Alabama, even stretching westward into Texas.
Tornado watches are in effect in parts of states including Alabama, Georgia and both Carolinas. The National Weather Service has already reported severe weather in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Indiana. Some incidents of note are:
- Extreme winds (possibly tornadoes) in Tennessee have damaged buildings and left up to 14,000 without power
- A tornado touched down Wednesday in Adairsville in northwestern Georgia, destroying one home and overturning cars
- The roof of the Penrod Missionary Baptist Church in Kentucky was blown off
Flood warnings have been issued for states stretching from Michigan down to Louisiana. Heavy rains are expected to cause winter storms across the northern Plains states.


text:
Open March 20 - October 13
Reserve: 800-562-8698
Reserve: 800-562-8698
Info: 541-374-8668
Info: 541-374-8668
841 Northeast Forest Lane
Cascade Locks, OR 97014Get Directions
All, Deluxe Cabins
Check-in: 1:00 pm, Check-out: 11:00 am
Located in the heart of the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, this KOA will have you rollin' along the river in no time - whether you're cruising aboard the stern-wheeler Columbia Gorge, exploring waterfalls along the historic Columbia River Highway or hiking on Larch Mountain's trails at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Displays in the riverfront Marine Park explain the 19th-century locks that made the turbulent Columbia passable (and gave Cascade Locks its name). In nearby Hood River, the Mount Hood Railroad links the Columbia Gorge with the foothills of snowcapped Mount Hood. Camp among forested Tent Sites, full-hookup RV Sites with 110-foot pull thrus, one- and two-room Camping Cabins and Deluxe Cabins. Pool & Hot Tub: Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 110 feet. Your hosts: Kevin and Dawn Benson.
This KOA meets the established criteria to become a greener campground operation and is recognized by the "Kamp Green" icon.
This badge has been earned by this KOA Campground for compassion and support of KOA Care Camps. It is given out following our Big Weekend, and is in effect for one year.
WHEN: September 13-14, 2019
WHAT: Value Kard Rewards members stay as a paying guest on Friday, September 13 at any participating KOA campground and get Saturday, September 14 for ...More Info
Having cancer shouldn't mean giving up the joys of childhood. That's why the KOA Campground Owners Association created the Care Camps Trust - to help children who have cancer enjoy care-free time focusing on fun, friends and activities at sleep-away camp instead of on their illness.
And earn points towards camping rewards each time you stay at a KOA Campground. More Info


text:
If the weather has been holding back the U.S. economy, we should get some concrete evidence on Tuesday. A key manufacturing index is forecast to rise slightly in March and auto sales are also expected to bounce back.
Sales of U.S. autos are projected to increase to a 15.8 million rate in March from 15.3 million in February, according to economists polled by MarketWatch. Auto sales were basically flat in the first two months of the year and unusually harsh weather has been blamed. Yet if ice and snow prevented customers from visiting showrooms in January and February, then somewhat warmer weather in March should boost sales close to the 16 million mark. Another soft sales gain would be seen as more worrisome.
Before auto sales are tallied up, the Institute for Supply Management will release its survey of executives on trends in the U.S. manufacturing sector. The index, released at 10 a.m. Eastern, is projected to edge up to 53.9% in March from 53.2% in February. Any number over 50% means more companies are seeing an expansion of business instead of a contraction.
While new orders and production could increase, some economists caution that a rise inventories due to slower first-quarter sales could act as a drag on the ISM index and limit any gain.
Also Tuesday, Markit will issue its final U.S. manufacturing reading for March. The flash or preliminary March index fell to 55.5 from 57.1 in February. Construction spending for February, meanwhile, is expected to drop 0.1% because of harsh winter weather that made it difficult for builders to get as much work done.
- Jeffry Bartash
Follow Jeffry on Twitter @jbartash
Follow Capitol Report on Twitter @capitolreport


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Looking for -Thomas Henry White b. circa 1852 Lambeth London or Boston USA Lived in Leicester, Rochdale and Preston UK
Hi,. My father was Francis Joseph White b. 1924 in Albert St Preston Lancs UK his father was Henry White b. 1898 in Leeming St, Avenham Preston ( Lemming st is now called Manchester rd) Henry's wife was Margaret Alice Cowell b.1901. They were both married in 1921 in Preston. Henry was the youngest member of the family. His siblings were John b.1881 Leicester, William b.1884 (Sailor) Leicester, Elizabeth b 1886, Loughborough, Ellen b.1890 Leicester, Honorah b.1892(Nun) Preston, Mary 1896 Preston. Thomas Henry their father was an umbrella repairer. on the 1901 census it states he was born in Lambeth Surrey, but the 1911 census states he was born in Boston USA. My grandfather Henry told my father Frank that his father was born in the states. The family addresses they lived at are Willow St, Leeming St, Aughton Sq, Park st Albert St and Spring Gardens all in the avenham district. Of Preston UK The Children all went to St Augustines School. My father lived in Turner St and Sussex St in St Ignatius parish. after the family left Leicester in 1890/91 they lived in Rochdale Lancs UK for a short time in St John,s Parish before moving to Preston.
I have searched high and low for them all on the census before 1901 but no joy.
hope there is a connection. there was a John and Mary White on the 1880 census living in 19 Willow st Preston. Thomas Henry lived at 21 Willow st, circa 1891, Strange thing is, in the St, Augustines school records the Gaurdian for Elizabeth, Honorah and Ellen is given as William, This could not be their brother William because he would be only 10 at the time. John White b.1880 had a son Willam (Billy) he had a terrible limp due to his granmother Elizabeth falling on him. He was my father's (Frank) Cousin.
Many Thanks
on 2013-01-10 12:06:19
Frank1952 has been a Family Tree Circles member since Jan 2013.


text:
|Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM) Assistant Professorships: Appointments are for three years. The teaching load is normally reduced by research funding to two one-quarter courses per year.
Appointments will be effective July 1, 2018 or later. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. For fullest consideration, all application materials should be submitted on or before November 15, 2017.
As a campus with a diverse student body, we encourage applications from women, minorities, and individuals with a history of mentoring under-represented minorities in the sciences. The Department of Mathematics welcomes candidates whose experience in teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct).
The University of California asks that applicants complete the Equal Opportunity Employer survey for Letters and Science at the following URL: http://cis.ucla.edu/facultysurvey/. Under Federal Law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States as established by providing documents specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
All letters of evaluation are subject to UCLA campus policies on confidentiality. Refer potential reviewers to the UCLA statement of confidentiality at https://www.apo.ucla.edu/policies/the-call/summary-of-procedures/summary-10-statement-of-confidentiality
Applications and supporting documentation for all positions must be submitted online via http://www.mathjobs.org.


text:
This Blog Hop is hosted by Living on Love and Cents, The Thrifty Things, Reviewed By Mom , and Coupons are Great.
This week's Spotlight is Do Sweat the Small Stuff. Please stop by her site and show her some Making Friends Monday Love. You will find her on the number 5 spot on the linky.
Would you like to be our spotlight? Follow these rules and leave a comment on the Coupons Are Great Making Friends Monday post. One person will randomly be chosen and then added to the number five spot in our linky! Will it be you?
1. Follow the Making Friends Monday Hosts publicly (Listed as # 1-4) We WILL follow you Back! LEAVE A COMMENT so we can follow you back!
2. Grab our Making Friends Monday button and include it in a post on your blog. Grab our linky code to for even more followers!
3. Start hopping and remember following back is appreciated!


text:
304 Series Overview
Incon Lighting's 304 Series wall fixtures are impact resistant. With a minimal / modern build, the 304 Series is a standard for residential, commercial, & industrial exteriors. This fixture is American Compliant.
The 304 has an impact resistant polycarbonate housing that comes in black or white and has a UV stabilized acrylic jar style lens that comes in white or clear prismatic varieties.
This fixture is equipped with a 120V 60Hz Magnetic NPF ballast or a 120V 60Hz Magnetic NPF, 120V 60Hz Electronic NPF, or LED 120/277V 50/60Hz Electronic HPF. The 304 is wall mount only and is wet location listed. Lamps are included unless ordered with the no lamp (NL) option.
The available color temperatures for compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs range from warm (2700K & 3000K), medium (3500K) and cool (4100K) white to full spectrum (5000K) kelvin temperature. This fixture can also be equipped with:
- Remote Battery Backup (CFL Only)
- Energy Star Rated
- No Lamp
- Photocell (120 Volt Only)
- Philips Lamp
- Sylvania Lamp
Ask a Question or Find a Rep
Please fill out the contact form below.
Comments or questions are welcome.
Specification Sheet
Click here for the 304-LED Specification Sheet
NOTE FOR PDF DOWNLOADS : Some browsers may open the PDF in a new tab instead of downloading it. If this happens to you, right click on PC (or command on Mac ) and save link as… (or save target… something along those lines, varies from browser to browser).


text: Most people work in an office/in front of a computer all day and this might allow them to easily put on headphones and listen to Pandora Radio or to iTunes while they work. As a worker in a restaurant, sometimes the only music you listen to is the one song playing over and over in your head. However, at home, I tend to bring my laptop into the kitchen and listen to music while I work. I like to listen to Girl Talk or some other mash-ups or music that is fast and music to get me going. Some people like listening to classical music while studying because it helps them concentrate and not get distracted by the lyrics. Since this is part of the NaBloPoMo posts, and this month's theme is "fan", I would like to ask: What are the musical artists that you prefer to listen to while you work?


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mdls /Applications/iMovie.app
This results in output similar to the following (I've stripped out a few fields as they consume a lot of space and aren't super pertinent to what I'm trying to do here):
To just ask for one of these attributes, run the command along with the -name option in addition to the metadata attribute you'd like returned. For example, to see the bundle ID (kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier), use:
kMDItemAlternateNames = (
kMDItemAppStoreCategory = "Video"
kMDItemAppStoreCategoryType = "public.app-category.video"
kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier = "com.apple.iMovieApp"
kMDItemContentCreationDate = 2011-09-28 08:04:34 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate = 2012-09-22 02:13:45 +0000
kMDItemContentType = "com.apple.application-bundle"
kMDItemDisplayName = "iMovie"
kMDItemExecutableArchitectures = (
kMDItemFSContentChangeDate = 2012-09-22 02:13:45 +0000
kMDItemFSCreationDate = 2011-09-28 08:04:34 +0000
kMDItemVersion = "9.0.8"
mdls /Applications/iMovie.app -name kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier /Applications/iMovie.app
Now, if you'd like to just quickly ascertain what apps on the system came from the App Store, use the mdfind command, along with whatever of the attributes matches what you want to know. Running mdfind for kMDItemAppStoreHasReceipt of 1 would look like the following and would result in a list of all apps on the system that came from the App Store:
mdfind kMDItemAppStoreHasReceipt=1
Blacklisting all apps that are part of a specific category (and with regard to customer requests, that category seems to always be Games) is something we get a lot of banter about with customers. To determine this information for apps, you can run mdfind on kMDItemAppStoreCategory for Games:
mdfind kMDItemAppStoreCategory=Games
You could then dump the contents of those into something that can blacklist apps (or whitelist based on other categories). Now, version control is another hot topic at various organizations. To see the version type of a given app, use the -name option with mdls kMDItemVersion
mdls /Applications/iMovie.app -name kMDItemVersion /Applications/iMovie.app
Then you can track the version of the app and take action through other ways to remove old versions and force users to upgrade. The mdfind command can also be leveraged to find apps that have escaped their traditional homes of /Applications and /Applications/Utilities, with the ability to obtain a full list by querying for kMDItemContentType of app bundles, as follows:
mdfind kMDItemContentType="com.apple.application-bundle"
Loading a list of apps (output from `mdfind kMDItemAppStoreHasReceipt=1` or `mdfind kMDItemAppStoreCategory=Games`) into an array and then querying each one of them for more information is pretty trivial beyond the steps we've already taken. This information can then be fed into some kind of Managed Prefs script to deny or allow access to various objects or an admin could even chmod the bundle, mark it as invisible, poison it (keep in mind, if you alter it you'll break the signing), etc in order to get some desired outcome.
You can also use defaults to read a users com.apple.storeagent.plist file for the AppleID field to see what AppleID is currently logged into the AppStore, providing another variable that can be reported on:
defaults read /Users/cedge/Library/Preferences/com.apple.storeagent.plist AppleID
And yes, it's worth noting that users from another account or a system image, etc can be used to download apps so this one isn't exactly certain but the purchaser isn't stored anywhere within the bundle nor is it permissioned in a way that we can use to find the purchaser that way.
There's still a bit of a gap right now with regards to some of these technologies that Mac SysAdmins are managing. The consumeristic technologies such as App Stores are here to stay. We're kidding ourselves if we think that we won't be able to buy certain apps via Volume Licenses and have pkg installers for too much longer. Apple has made no indication that they're dropping the results that can be obtained with a simple installer command, but with forcing signing on certain objects, gatekeeper and other technologies it's hard to say what the future will really have in store for us. Getting to a point where we can report on elements of the App Store and hopefully eventually deploy objects through the App Store should continue to help bridge these factors, but I still see the need for additional binaries from Apple to be introduced to get the rest of the way there (or at least expose a method to me so I can go in there and buy an app through the method).


text:
Okay, I know that picking on George Will might seem like cheap fun, but as an oped columnist for the Washington Post we are supposed to take him seriously. Today Will is beating up on states that don't follow his pro-rich prescriptions focusing on California and my home state of Illinois.
Let me start with my favorite Will line:
"From September through December 2008, the premium that investors demanded before they would buy California debt rather than U.S. Treasurys jumped from 24 to 271 basis points (100 points equals 1 percent). The bond market, the only remaining reality check for state politicians, must be allowed to work."
Okay, boys and girls, can anyone think of anything that might have affected spreads in the bond market in the fall of 2008? (Hint: Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke and then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson were running around screaming that the world was about to end.)
That's right, we had the collapse of Lehman Brothers and a financial freeze-up. The yield on anything that wasn't U.S. Treasury bonds soared in this period. In other words, Will's statement here means absolutely nothing -- but it is good enough for the Washington Post editorial page.
As far as the Illinois bashing, Will tells us that:
"The Illinois Policy Institute, a limited-government think tank, in a report cheekily titled "Another $54 Billion!?" argues that in addition to the $83 billion in pension underfunding the state acknowledges, there is $54 billion in unfunded retiree health liabilities over the next 30 years."
Hmmm, $83 billion in unfunded liabilities? That sounds scaaaary. If the oped page imposed any standards on its writers it might have asked Will to express this number as a share of state income over this period, since no one (I mean no one) has any clue how large an expenditure $83 billion is for Illinois over the next 30 years. The answer is that it would be equal to around 0.7 percent of the state's projected income over this period. That is not trivial, but not exactly the sort of expenditure that implies the immiseration of the population.
Projections of health care costs are highly uncertain. The one thing that we can say is that if protectionists like Will didn't have such control over policy, we could save an incredible amount of money by purchasing more of our health care from the more efficient systems in other countries. The private health care system is a cesspool of waste and corruption. This raises costs for everyone, including public sector employers.
Will also tells us that it is unrealistic for Illinois to expect any segment of its pension fund investments to produce 8.5 percent yields. Obviously arithmetic was never Will's strong suit.
Finally Will tells us:
"Illinois' unemployment rate increased faster than any other state's in 2011."
That's interesting. Let's compare employment growth in Illinois in 2011 to employment growth in neighboring Wisconsin, which is run by a right-wing favorite: public sector union busting Scott Walker. Since January of 2011 Illinois has created 47,400 jobs, an increase in employment of a bit more than 0.8 percent. That's not great, but not awful either.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By contrast, Wisconsin lost 14,200 jobs over this period, or neary 0.5 percent of total employment.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If the unemployment rate rose more in this period in Illinois than in Wisconsin than presumably it is because people in Illinois were out looking for work because the state was creating new jobs. By contrast, in Wisconsin workers probably gave up looking, knowing that there were no jobs available.
But the really fun part of the story is that Will had to be careful to specify that he was only talking about the unemployment rate in 2011. The reason is that Illinois' unemployment rate has fallen by 0.9 percentage points since December of 2011 and is now 0.6 percentage points below its January 2011 level. Including this fact would be the honest thing to do, but hey, this is George Will and the Washington Post oped page.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Read more posts on CEPR »


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Sunday, August 5, 2007
5 Reasons Why I Think Christian Schools/Parents Should Teach Evolution
1. The University of CA system has already questioned whether the science textbooks published by Bob Jones and A Beka contain inaccurate science and don't expose students to enough information about evolution. They are threatening not to grant credit to those students who have used these textbooks in their high school science classes. Using a secular text by-passes this problem. And to be perfectly honest, I agree with the UC system's concerns about BJUP and A Beka.
2. Students are required to know a certain amount of evolution in the standardized tests. Using a secular text solves this problem.
3. At some point, students are going to leave the safety of their Christian "bubble" and go out into the world. If they attend a secular university, and possibly even a Christian one, they will be confronted with evolution. And chances are, it won't be a friendly confrontation. How will they respond? Using a secular textbook in high school will expose students to the standard arguments for evolution ahead of time. Isn't it better to help young people think through thorny issues before they leave home than do damage control after the fact?
4. I think it sends an unproductive message to Christian young people when we act like evolution, or people who believe in evolution, are an enemy to be conquered. The fact is, there are perfectly devout Christians who hold to thesitic (God-directed) evolution. And God loves scientists just as much as he loves everyone else. But Christians don't always act very graciously toward the scientific community.
5. Students in general need to be taught more evolution, not less. They need to really understand the arguments - on both sides - and make up their own minds on the matter. Isn't the development of critical thinking skills part of what science is all about? We already expect teenagers to be able to make all kinds of complex decisions about abortion, sex, drug use, and religion. Surely, we shouldn't shy away from discussing the complexities of evolution with them as well.
10 comments:
- havoc said...
Bingo!, TM
- August 5, 2007 at 6:24 PM
- David said...
Why, this makes way too much sense! Nobody will agree with you!
- August 6, 2007 at 10:18 AM
- Smokey said...
You nailed it.
- August 6, 2007 at 4:35 PM
- Martin LaBar said...
Amen! Naturalism, not natural selection, is the enemy.
- August 7, 2007 at 2:17 PM
- Rusty said...
This is the basic approach we will be taking, as well. I've made it a point, when debating with evolutionists, to note that we will teach the evolutionary scenario in our homeschool. (as a sidenote, I'm more concerned about having YEC books in our house than evolutionary ones)
In terms of having a "tolerant and open-minded" approach, I also point out that we've got Origin of Species sitting on the shelf (along with several other prominent works)... now, just try and find Of Pandas & People in the public school science classroom!
- August 7, 2007 at 7:58 PM
- Sara said...
Interesting that the tide has changed. "...evolution, or people who believe in evolution, are an enemy to be conquered." I assumed that it was still an enemy to be feared and that was why Christian parents didn't want to expose their children to it at all.
- August 13, 2007 at 10:32 AM
- Tiff said...
I can't tell you how grateful I am to have stumbled across your site! I am only just recently leaving behind my belief in a young earth, after ignoring my own questions since I was a teenager.
I am researching everything I can about old-earth creationism, which I had no idea even existed until very recently, and am also homeschooling my children (ages 7, 6, 4, and 3).
THANK you for this article - it's how I've always felt, even when I believed in a young earth. I do NOT understand a parent's reasoning in avoiding evolution, or what it has to do with salvation.
THANK YOU. And God bless you.
- December 2, 2010 at 12:52 PM
- KST Designs said...
These are very good reasons! I especially like #4. As I've begun researching homeschool curriculum, I've been surprised at the negative attitudes toward science and scientists in so many Christian courses. That's not how I want to teach science to my kids!
- April 2, 2011 at 6:42 AM
This site is like a blessing for me. I am homeschooling my son and he has Aspergers Syndrome. Needless to say he is very smart and science is his favorite subject. I couldn't teach him young earth science because it is simply not logical in his mind (which he expressed to me at the age of 3), but I have never believed in young earth science either. Though I didn't want his belief in our creator and his word to be lost in evolutionary science. I even became confused about what was "logical" and what I needed to leave up to faith.
Now that I understand that you can join god and evolution together, the gap I have felt for so long about science and faith has been bridged. I believe with all my heart that God wants his children to ponder his works in a scientific way, giving all the glory of the complexities of the universe and all its creatures to God.
Thank you so very much!
- August 9, 2011 at 10:58 AM
- Theology Mom said...
Anonymous, I'm glad you find the site helpful. Just to clarify, I'm not a theistic evolutionist, neither do I promote theistic evolutionism. I am an old-earth creationist.
Did you know that Hugh Ross has Asperger's? Who knows? Your son might grow up to be the next Hugh Ross.
You might want to consider taking one or more of the online courses from Reasons Institute. That will really help you in teaching your son and staying one step ahead of him on the science issue.
- August 9, 2011 at 11:52 AM


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Union ranks fall in labor-fight states
Union membership fell to its lowest levels since the Great Depression in 2012, with pronounced drops in two Midwestern states where unions lost major political battles in recent years.
Only 11.3 percent of workers belong to a union, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report out Wednesday, down from 11.8 percent in 2011. Overall, unions had 400,000 fewer members in 2012 than they did in 2011. Half of that drop came from public sector workers, including firefighters and teachers. A much larger percentage of public sector workers — about 35 percent — are unionized than private sector workers — 6.6 percent.
Story Continued Below
But the drops in Indiana and Wisconsin, where unions unsuccessfully fought rollbacks in collective bargaining rights, were much larger. Indiana fell from 12.4 percent to 10 percent, and Wisconsin dropped from 14.1 percent to 12 percent. Those were the second- and fourth-largest declines, percentage point-wise, in the country. (Missouri tied with Indiana, and West Virginia matched Wisconsin.)
"We know this is the wrong direction for Wisconsin and the wrong direction for the United States in terms of wage stabilization building a strong middle class," said Wisconsin AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale. "If people don't have a voice in the workplace through a union, they don't have a shot at the middle class."
Bloomingdale said the union movement would continue to fight "Governor Scott Walker and his right-wing allies," including the Koch Brothers, who fund a variety of conservative causes and poured millions into Walker's campaign when he battled a union-led recall attempt in 2012. The recall failed.
In Wisconsin, the drop was most pronounced among public-sector workers, the target of a 2011 push by Walker.
Jeff Harris, a spokesman for the AFL-CIO in Indiana, said the drop-off there isn't solely the result of a right-to-work law passed in 2011, but of a long-term assault on collective bargaining.
"For the last eight years, we've endured one of the most anti-union governors in history," Harris said, referring to former governor Mitch Daniels. With one of his first acts in office, Daniels struck at public-sector workers' bargaining rights. He later privatized large swaths of state government.
The "full extent" of the right-to-work law hasn't actually been felt yet, Harris said, since existing union contracts still have provisions allowing the unions to collect dues from non-members. When the existing contracts expire, those provisions will become illegal.


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Jaaaay! Sofia Vergara is TV's highest-paid actress for the third year in a row.
It's like Emmy-night deja vu all over again...
The heavily accented "Modern Family" star topped Forbes' list of female small-screen performers by bringing home an estimated $37 million in so-called bacon between June 2013 and June 2014, the financial mag said.
Vergara's annual take is up from last year's


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Last week the Supreme Court of the United States exceeded its authority by declaring an unconstitutional act of Congress constitutional. While there are many powerful weapons in the fight that must be fought to dismantle ObamaCare, one of the best items in the arsenal is nullification.
Simply stated, nullification is a concept of legal statutory construction that endows each state with the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal measure that a state deems unconstitutional. Nullification is founded on the assertion that the sovereign states formed the union, and as creators of the compact, they hold ultimate authority as to the limits of the power of the central government to enact laws that are applicable to the states and the citizens thereof.
In the wake of the Supreme Court's ObamaCare decision, state legislators and governors are boldly asserting there right to restrain the federal government and are accordingly considering bills that will stop ObamaCare's multitude of mandates at the state border.
One of these noble state legislators is State Representative Mike Ritze of Oklahoma (pictured above, along with the Oklahoma State Capitol). Since its introduction by President Obama two years ago, Representative Ritze has fought to protect the citizens of his state from the burdens imposed by not only the individual mandate of ObamaCare, but from all effect from so many unlawful intrusions into family life that are part of the federal healthcare program.
"The federal health care law represents a radical change toward socialized medicine and the idea of the federal government forcing Americans to buy health insurance was a bold overreach," said Ritze, a Republican from Broken Arrow. "I simply don't see how the Supreme Court could justify upholding this law."
When it comes to health care, Representative Ritze knows what he's talking about. He is a family practice physician and surgeon and his wife is a nurse. It is this real-world experience with the cost of medical care that first alerted Ritze to the harm posed by ObamaCare prompting him two years ago to begin his fight against this federal overreach.
"I am going to continue my efforts to pass legislation in Oklahoma to nullify the law in our state," said Ritze. "Although most Americans want to see our health care system improved, they do not want the government to take it over or to make important decisions for them. There is a conservative approach to fixing the system, which is to remove the government intervention already in place that has kept it from being a truly free market system."
Citing the Tenth Amendment, Ritze's bill — HB 1276 — declares that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010:
are not authorized by the Constitution of the United States and violate its true meaning and intent as given by the founders and ratifiers, and are hereby declared to be invalid in the State of Oklahoma, shall not be recognized by this state, are specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this state.
Admirably, Representative Ritze's bill does not stop at merely labeling ObamaCare unconstitutional; it includes a provision that criminalizes its enforcement in the Sooner State. The relevant portion of the bill reads:
Any official, agent, or employee of the United States government or any employee of a corporation providing services to the United States government that enforces or attempts to enforce an act, order, law, statute, rule or regulation of the government of the United States in violation of this act shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction must be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or both.
Any public officer or employee of the State of Oklahoma that enforces or attempts to enforce an act, order, law, statute, rule, or regulation of the government of the United States in violation of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding two (2) years, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
Ritze originally introduced a bill to opt out of ObamaCare in 2010, but after being passed by the legislature the act was vetoed by the governor. Undaunted, Ritze reintroduced the measure as a proposed constitutional amendment and it was overwhelmingly approved by the citizens of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the climate created by the Supreme Court's recent ratification of ObamaCare makes it necessary for Ritze to continue the fight against the federal government and its seemingly never-ending salvo of unconstitutional acts and edicts
In a few months, Ritze will re-introduce his ObamaCare nullification bill, placing another barrier between Oklahoma and the federal assault on its people and its sovereignty.
Ritze is not alone in this fight. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt made the following statement, "We're disappointed the court upheld the individual mandate, and find it disturbing that they did not place a limit on the power of the federal government to control the lives of Americans. But, the battle isn't over. It is now up to the political process to repeal the act and replace it with measures that address the health care crisis within the confines of the Constitution. We must continue to oppose this act and multiple overreaching regulations proposed by the Obama administration that cross the line of federal power."
Oklahoma was one of the 25 states that filed federal lawsuits in 2011 challenging the constitutionality of ObamaCare. As readers may remember, Virginia and Florida also filed complaints with Florida taking the lead.
In a statement issued after the announcement of the Supreme Court's ObamaCare ruling, Oklahoma's Governor Mary Fallin echoed the Attorney General's remarks regarding the myriad problems with the federal health care program:
Oklahomans have voiced their opposition to the federal health care bill from the very beginning, having approved a constitutional amendment to block the implementation of this bill in our state. We believe that, rather than big government bureaucracy and one-size-fits-all solutions, the free-market principles of choice and competition are the best tools at our disposal to increase access to health care and reduce costs.
I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated by the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the federal health care law. President Obama's health care policies will limit patients' health care choices, reduce the quality of health care in the United States, and will cost the state of Oklahoma more than a half billion dollars in the process.
This decision highlights the importance of electing leaders who will work to repeal the federal health care law and replace it with meaningful reform focused on commonsense, market based changes.
When the Oklahoma state House of Representative re-convenes in a few months, Representative Ritze is confident that he and his fellow constitutionalists in state government can push through his nullification bill. In a statement to The New American, Ritze described the difficulty faced by those state lawmakers who would stand up to the bully on the Potomac:
So many state legislators are afraid to stand up to Congress. When you have something totally unconstitutional you have to take a stand and if the people don't do it all at once, then we [the state legislatures] will do it incrementally, the same way the federal government has brought socialism to the states over the years.
Finally, Representative Ritze sees hope on the horizon for the continuing sovereignty of Oklahoma, "We're looking at possibly adding three to six constitutionalists in the Oklahoma State Legislature next time. With such a strong Constitutional and spiritual grounding, it will be hard for enemies of freedom to shake us."


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Manifest Destiny
Home Page
"We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not…or die of despair." ~ The Golden Compass
Welcome to Manifest Destiny
In the year 1877, strangers are brought together to change the course of American History.
Manifest Destiny is intended to be an epic campaign set in the entirety of the Deadlands universe.
The New Riders
Season 3
The New Riders reunite to deal with the mysterious Heart of Darkness. From the steampunk streets of Salt Lake City, to the Holy Independent City of Lost Angels to the perilous Devil's Tower, the results of their journey could be the only hope of preventing a true Hell on Earth.
Season 2
After defeating Baron LaCroix the Riders embark on a new journey. Joined by a taciturn martial artist they set off on the path set by Mama Jolou.
Season 1
A former sheriff, a gambling wizard, a faithful reporter, and a clever Brit travel the Weird West in search of a mysterious woman in black. If they choose one path, they may just become bona fide heroes along the way. If they choose another, they could very well contribute to bringing a Hell on Earth.
The New Riders is the weekly tabletop plot line of Manifest Destiny.


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Orthanc is the black tower of Isengard.
Orthanc was built during the Third Age by the Númenóreans of Gondor out of a single piece of stone by an unknown process and then hardened. No known weapon could harm it. Orthanc rose up 500 feet above the plain of Isengard, and ended in four sharp peaks. Its only entrance was at the top of a high stair, and above that was a small window.
Orthanc housed one of the palantíri of the South Kingdom, and was guarded by a special warden until Isengard was mostly abandoned by Gondor around the time of foundation of Rohan. After that the tower was locked.
When Beren, Ruling Steward of Gondor gave Isengard to Saruman, he also gave the keys to Orthanc to the Wizard. Saruman made it his base of operations during his search for the One Ring and later his attack on Rohan during the War of the Ring. After Saruman's defeat he was confronted by Théoden King, Gandalf and Aragorn, at which time Gríma Wormtongue, Saruman's servant, threw the Palantír at the group trying to kill them. Saruman was then locked in Orthanc and guarded by Treebeard, but subsequently escaped.
During the Fourth Age Orthanc was searched by Aragorn King Elessar, and he found there many heirlooms of Isildur, among them the original Elendilmir, the Star of Arnor, which proved that Saruman had found (and probably destroyed) Isildur's remains. Aragorn also found there a casket which obviously had been intended to hold the Ring.
- "A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again... one who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim. Once it had been green and filled with avenues, and groves of fruitful trees, watered by streams that flowed from the mountains to a lake. But no green thing grew there in the latter days of Saruman. The roads were paved with stone-flags dark and hard; and beside their borders instead of trees there marched long lines of pillars, some of marble, some of copper and of iron, joined by heavy chains.
"...to the centre all the roads ran between their chains. There stood a tower of marvelous shape. It was fashioned by the builders of old, who smoothed the Ring of Isengard, and yet it seemed a thing not made by the craft of Men, but riven from the bones of the earth in the ancient torment of the hills. A peak and isle of rock it was, black and gleaming hard: four mighty piers of many-sided stone were welded into one, but near the summit they opened into gaping horns, their pinnacles sharp as the points of spears, keen-edged as knives. Between them was a narrow space, and there upon a floor of polished stone, written with strange signs, a man might stand five hundred feet above the plain."
- ― The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard"
Orthanc displays a curious double etymology since it has a meaning both in Old English and Tolkien's constructed language Sindarin.
In Sindarin, it means for "Mount Fang", containing root or and the word anc "jaw". In Old English (used to render Rohirric) orþanc or orþonc means "intelligence, understanding, mind; cleverness, skill; skillful work, mechanical art".
Tolkien gave both etymologies as valid and co-existing in Middle-earth, and said that the Rohirrim reinterpreted and understood the word as such in their languages.
However another curiosity arises in that although Old English is used to "translate" Rohirric, the Rohirrim did not speak Old English per se. We can suppose that while "orthanc" was an actual word in Sindarin, it also had a different meaning in original Rohirric (although its etymology is not given) and "coincidentally" also in Old English.


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Moto Euro 2012
I spent last October zipping around Europe with my significantly lovely other on a pair of motorcycles. We did the Europe sampler: Germany, Switzerland, a corner of France, Northern Italy, and Austria. It was my first time in Europe and I was thrilled to do it on two wheels.
I wanted to create something different with this video (in addition to not spending too much time shooting on vacation). My goal was to combine the inherent nostalgia of photographs with the storytelling power of motion and sound. The result is a unique look at our trip that might induce seizures.
Technical details are boring. Nevertheless, this video is a little unique and probably deserves a little deconstruction.
I took three cameras with me on this trip: GoPro Hero2, Fuji x100, and, as always, the iPhone. The motion sections of this vid where shot with the GoPro in 0.5 time lapse mode. That's one picture every half second. Most of the B&W snaps where from the other two cams.
Not every shot worked at 2fps. I had to take special care to move slow and smooth, always leaving something consistent in frame for the eye to follow. I think the jumpiness worked stylistically and I tried to match that feel with the way I edited the piece. There were a few shots that I really liked but were just too jittery so I stabilized them with the old-school motion tracker in After Effects. Warp Stabilizer didn't work. It had seizures.
Speaking of post, the nice thing about shooting 11mp stills (I opted for 5mp to save space) is that my footage was essentially 4k. Not a bad output from such a little camera. I used After Effects to assemble the stills into 12fps video clips. I left the assembled video clips at their native resolution and aspect ratio of 4:3. This gave me the flexibility to zoom and reframe shots as necessary.
I think that about covers it? Hit me in the comments (or on Twitter) if you have more questions.


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Sheet music downloads have become the preferred method of acquiring classical music repertoire. Created by professional musicians, EveryNote.com presents classical sheet music download of over 20.000 popular and hard-to-find music scores over 1000 composers. A major Internet provider of classical sheet music files download online, EveryNote.com offers the largest and most complete digital sheet music download library on the Web in the world. Instantly download, view and print your favorite classical music score. Everynote.com currently offers thousands of classical music compositions for Piano, Violin, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Classical Guitar, Voice, Chamber and Choral music.Many more instruments, composers, genres added every day! EveryNote.com has been featured in The New York Times, Globe and Mail, Musical America and many other publications.
Louis de Caix d'Hervelois
1660 – 1730
Louis de Caix d'Hervelois short biography
The greatest performer and composer of the bass viol, Louis de Caix d'Hervelois was a student of Sainte-Colombe and Marin Marais. D'Hervelois was regarded as one of the best authors of miniature pieces and brief dance compositions, that were very popular and typical of the French style of the period.
More Hervelois sheet music download on EveryNote.com
Hervelois Cello sheet music download on EveryNote.com
Hervelois Flute sheet music download on EveryNote.com
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Pio: He Bore Christ's Wounds
Fr. Andrew Apostoli
explores the extraordinary life of Padre Pio who has become one of
the most famous stigmatists of recent history. This series shares
Padre Pio's life through his own writings and through the eyes of
fellow Priests and contemporaries, from his humble beginnings as a
child in Italy, to the documentation of the wounds given by Christ.
Click Here For This Series
Eucharistic Journey II
Host: Sr. Joan Noreen
St. Pio of Pietrelcina Part 1
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Part 2


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The location is undisclosed, the time varies, but when the annual gathering goes down, snowboarding's best slog deep into the Canadian interior to celebrate a regression of our culture. The yearly G.T. Memorial NoBoard Race draws a crowd to rejoice life and death, and snowboarding in its simplest form. Sure, it's timed, but that only matters for barroom bragging rights because, "The warm, nostalgia-filled cabin and retro snowcat are the epitome of what the NoBoard stands for-an unabashed honesty, utter lack of expectation, and a group of friends congregating to ride beyond the restrictions of both modern resorts and bindings." Writes Pete Anderson in the October 2008 TransWorld Snowboarding article, NoBoarding: Staking Their Claim.
The NoBoard–a modified, bindingless board is the co-creation of Cholo Burns and the late Greg Todds. A rope holds it snug to your feet, while a traction pad grips your boots. The ride is like a rodeo, and if you got what it takes you can drop the rope like Wolle.
"The NoBoard is the brainchild of Greg Todds, or G.T. to his friends. A true Canadian snowboard pioneer, Greg chased the snow and its ever elusive stoke for years. Always pushing the sport's evolution, he put together one of the first terrain parks at Lake Louise, Alberta, and then moved on to Whistler, where he built the first "Superpipe" with Al Clark at Brohm Ridge. Finally growing tired of the Whistler scene, Greg moved inland to Revelstoke, eventually venturing even deeper into the B.C. Interior in search of his snowboard Nirvana." Says Pete.
True to G.T.'s pursuit, this year's bash went of again. Terje, Devun, Wolle, Tadashi, Johan, Cholo, Iikka, Eero, the list goes on. So many heavies showed up for the minute or so plunder down the pillow packed, clear-cut run and the few days' festivities. Filmer Jake Price was the first to smash the beer at the bottom in the Chinese-Canadian downhill race, while Ave had the fastest one run of the day. The antics rolled into the evenings and a good chunk of change was raised in an art auction for G.T.'s two children.
It's been three years since TWS featured the NoBoarding article. This type of riding was barely heard of and its future was uncertain at the time. "Born from boredom and bred in an environment centered around a community and the greater good of the group, NoBoarding, along with its participants–not participants but rather disciples–may have breached the mainstream, but it fully intends to maintain its organic grassroots heritage. But as this snowboard hybrid inches closer to tipping point, co-creator Cholo Burns and his ever-growing NoBoard crew find themselves facing a double-edged sword and are hoping to come out unscathed." The scene still remains in limbo and if you're wondering what Cholo and the crew has to say about the current state, you'll have to find them first.
For more on all things bindingless, visit noboard.ca and aesthetiker.com


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Two new bouts have been added to April's UFC 145 event in Atlanta, and seven have been shifted to the card after the recent cancellation of a March event in Montreal.
One of the new additions is an intriguing bantamweight bout between former WEC champ Miguel Torres (40-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and fast-rising Michael McDonald (14-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).
The other pits Maximo Blanco (8-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) against "The Ultimate Fighter 14" featherweight cast member Marcus Brimage (4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC).
UFC 145 takes place April 21, and as MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) recently reported, Philips Arena is expected to play host. The main card is expected to air on pay-per-view, and the prelims are expected to air on FX. Officials said a main event will be announced in the coming weeks.
The bouts that now move from Montreal to Atlanta include welterweights Rory MacDonald (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) vs. Che Mills (14-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC), heavyweights Ben Rothwell (31-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC) vs. Brendan Scahub (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), lightweights Matt Wiman (14-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) vs. Mark Bocek (10-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), and heavyweights Travis Browne (12-0-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) vs. Chad Griggs (11-1 MMA, 0-0
Additionally, we have lightweights Anthony Njokuani (14-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) vs. John Makdessi (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), lightweights Mac Danzig (20-9 MMA, 4-5 UFC) vs. Efrain Escudero (18-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC), and welterweights Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC) vs. Chris Clements (10-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
Torres fights for the first time since a brief UFC release following a controversial tweet. Torres, though, hit the community and showed the UFC his remorse, and he recently was welcomed back into the fold. He returns with three wins in his past four fights, which included a unanimous-decision victory over Nick Pace in November at UFC 139. He takes on the fast-rising McDonald, who owns a seven fight win streak (including one in the WEC and three in the UFC). Since joining the UFC, the 21-year-old has earned decision wins over Edwin Figueroa and Chris Cariaso and a 56-second knockout of Alex Soto.
Blanco, meanwhile, heads to the UFC following a recent Strikeforce loss to lightweight Pat Healy in September. The defeat snapped a six-fight win streak for the Venezuelan, who earned a King of Pancrase title in 2009. He takes on Brimage, an American Top Team fighter who posted a quarterfinal finish on "TUF 14" before earning a decision victory over Stephen Bass on the undercard of the show's live finale.
The latest UFC 145 card now includes:
- Michael McDonald vs. Miguel Torres
- Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus Brimage
- Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
- Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
- Ben Rothwell vs. Brendan Schaub
- Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
- Travis Browne vs. Chad Griggs
- John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani
- Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
- Chris Clements vs. Keith Wisniewski
For more on UFC 145, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
(Pictured: Michael McDonald)


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This panorama shows Engineering Quadrangle on the North Campus of the University of Alberta. The closest building is the Engineering Teaching and Learning Complex (ETLC). The ETLC is a state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility housing nin major classrooms, four large computer laboratories, and several undergraduate insrtuctional laboratory spaces. This facility is home to many engineering student clubs, a small food-court, the Engineering Co-Op Office, and the Office of the Dean of Engineering.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa, in the province of Ontario. There are offically ten provinces and three territories in Canada, which is the second largest country in the world in terms of land area.While politically and legally an independant nation, the titular head of state for Canada is still Queen Elizabeth.On the east end of Canada, you have Montreal as the bastion of activity. Montreal is famous for two things, VICE magazine and the Montreal Jazz Festival. One is the bible of hipster life (disposable, of course) and the other is a world-famous event that draws more than two million people every summer. Quebec is a French speaking province that has almost seceded from Canada on several occasions, by the way..When you think of Canada, you think of . . . snow, right?But not on the West Coast. In Vancouver, it rains. And you'll find more of the population speaking Mandarin than French (but also Punjabi, Tagalog, Korean, Farsi, German, and much more).Like the other big cities in Canada, Vancouver is vividly multicultural and Vancouverites are very, very serious about their coffee.Your standard Vancouverite can be found attired head-to-toe in Lululemon gear, mainlining Cafe Artigiano Americanos (spot the irony for ten points).But here's a Vancouver secret only the coolest kids know: the best sandwiches in the city aren't found downtown. Actually, they're hidden in Edgemont Village at the foot of Grouse Mountain on the North Shore."It's actually worth coming to Canada for these sandwiches alone." -- Michelle Superle, VancouverText by Steve Smith.


text: Chad le Clos of South Africa, only 20, ended Michael Phelps' reign at the 200 meters butterfly, overtaking the man with more medals (19) than any other athlete in the history of the Olympic games with one final stroke. But Phelps did get his first gold of the Olympics, anchoring Team USA to gold, alongside Ryan Lochte, winning the 4×200 meters freestyle relay. More


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It's always good to go out on a high note.
The Speedway Motors-sponsored MacKichan & Schulz streamliner ended a 22-year racing career in September with a pair of nearly identical passes at 324mph and 322mph, establishing a new D/FS record of 323.3mph. The record-breaking runs took place during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association World of Speed meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Co-owners John MacKichan and Tim Schulz (who is also the car's driver) designed and built the streamliner in the late-1980s and have re-engineered portions of it to remain competitive over the past two decades. Through the years, the 26-foot long, 3,000-pound bullet has competed in a variety of classes using several different small-block Chevy engine configurations, setting eight records along the way. The USFRA D/FS record was set using a nitrous-injected 302ci small-block Chevy.
Changing rules render the car obsolete for future competition, so it is being retired to the Smith Collection Museum of American Speed (www.MuseumofAmericanSpeed.com), where MacKichan oversees museum operations.


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Grades 9-12
Transportation: They Say We Had a Revolution (Part 3)
Part 3
Up to this point in your study of the Transportation Revolution, you have focused on invention, innovation, and infrastructure. In this lesson, you are going to examine the role of incentives. An incentive is a reward or benefit that motivates people to do something.
Technological advancements (inventions and innovations) depend heavily on economic incentives. While some people invent and innovate just because they are curious and enjoy the process of creating something that is new or different, most inventors and innovators hope to eventually profit financially from their efforts. For some, the goal is to produce and sell a new good or service and boost revenues. For others, the objective is to reduce the cost of production and transportation. In either case, the outcome may be to increase profits.
Private individuals who invest in bridges, roads, and other projects that improve a locale's infrastructure are also motivated by economic incentives. Most of these people hope to eventually receive a return on their direct investment or on the amount they have invested in stocks, bonds, or the other financial instruments needed to fund transportation ventures.
Governments also have incentives to invest in technology and infrastructure. When the volume of trade and information exchanged speeds up, tax revenue increases. In colonial days, the federal government spent money to improve "post roads" that could be used to deliver mail and military messages. During the 1800s, the federal road and rail projects that encouraged settlement in the West also promoted the nation's economic development and growth. State and local governments sometimes invest in infrastructure to expand or protect markets.
Task List
You and your classmates will create a timeline of transportation milestones and examine the economic incentives that helped spur them.
Your teacher has given you the year and a few details concerning a transportation milestone that occurred as part of the Transportation Revolution. Research this event and prepare a poster that you can use to tell others what you have discovered. Be sure to include these components:
When. Place the year in which the event occurred at the top of your poster. Other important details related to the time of occurrence can be included in the text at the bottom of the page.
What. Below the year, create a heading of 1-5 words that summarizes the event.
Who. Identify the individuals or people who were the key parties involved in the event. You might identify an individual inventor, an aviator, a group of investors, a business, a government, or a mix of these.
Where. Note the nation (and state, if known) where the event occurred. Include other details on locale in the text at the bottom of the poster.
Why. In a few words tell why the event was important.
Additional information. At the bottom of the poster, provide a few comments that offer more details concerning the event. This type of information would be appropriate:
- Identify the event as invention, innovation, or improvement in infrastructure.
- Tell how the invention, innovation, or development in infrastructure changed the movement of people and goods. For example, did it make transport faster, cheaper, safer, or more comfortable?
- Identify and explain the economic incentives associated with the event.
- Explain how the event connects with other notable advancements in technology and transportation.
Here is a sample poster and template to help you make a poster that is consistent with those of your classmates. The following web links will help you do the research required to complete your poster:
- Aviation Portal
- Flying High Plane Gallery
- History of Aeronautics
- History of Aviation
- History of Flight
- History of Flight
- Index of Historical Products
- Learning Center
- Automobile History
- Cars Portal
- Dean Kamen – From Ginger to Segway
- Electric Cars
- History of Electric Vehicles
- Roads Portal
- Solar Cars
Transforming an idea into reality as a marketable good or service is a process that rarely occurs overnight! Many things must happen along the way. The transportation timeline you are creating with your classmates will help you to understand this process and the common elements that are required for almost any technology advancement. These include:
- Evidence that an idea is technically possible and has the potential to be profitable
- Incentives that encourage people to invest their effort and money into research and development
- People willing to invest in the idea's development and supporting infrastructure
- Technological improvements that make it possible for the resulting good or service to compete with alternatives in the marketplace, for example, by making the goods or services more convenient, more comfortable, safer, or more affordable.
Assessment Activity
Assessment will be based on the poster you create for the class timeline. This rubric suggests evaluation criteria.
Extension Activity
- The use of fuels other than petroleum to serve as a source of power for motor vehicles has been an issue of keen interest as our nation moved from the 20th to 21st century. Research the promise and challenge of these alternatives: then predict which alternative fuel you think will power automobiles of the future. These two Wikipedia articles will help you identify current concerns and the alternative fuel possibilities :
- Paralleling the developments in transportation have been improvements in communication. In fact, you might think of communication advancements as "vehicles" through which one particular kind of product, information, is transported. The speedy exchange of information is vital to market competition and economic growth. Add communication milestones to your timeline. Items to include are milestones concerning the U.S. Postal Service, the telegraph, telephone, radio, television, the Internet, etc. These web links will help you get started:
Part 3
Related Resources
Grades 9-12
National Budget Simulation
Grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Scarcity Video
Grades 9-12


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If you want to upload an album or songs to this section of the site, please ensure that it's not already on a physically available CD or one that's slated for future release on CD. By that we mean the actual Disc with artwork and packaging which you can physically hold in your hands.
To check on that availability, most often but not always on independent labels, the best sources are reputable music traders like JB Hi Fi, Sydney's Red Eye Records & Timewarp's mail order division and for major label releases only, Sanity. Also check an artist's or a record label's online website ie Aztec Music, Raven or Canetoad Records. If you're still unsure then please ASK as someone is sure to know.
The minimum bitrate to upload at is 256kbps but must be 320 if ripping the music yourself. Lower bit rates may only be accepted if there truly is no other option ie you are a 2nd or 3rd party . Many would disagree, but it's sometimes better to have something of extreme rarity in poor quality than not at all. But again ask if someone has a better rip before uploading your inferior one.
Artwork is highly desired but not a pre-requisite when uploading as someone in the group may be able to provide it later if you can't e.g. you have no scanner. However in all cases when posting an album in the discussion forum, please let us know if the CD art is included or not. If it is then is it
(a) the full artwork CD ready ie front & back cover scans, any gatefold inserts and tray insert. For best results we recommend scanning all 4 corners of L.P. covers before stitching so all information on the cover is available.
(b) just front & back only with no tray insert
(c) or just front cover scan only. The latter is to be discouraged completely unless you intend providing the back scan later. In which case wait till then & upload both.
ALWAYS: If providing art, please also list it as A SEPARATE LINK even if it is included with the main music file. This is so that others who only need the art don't have to download 80-100 mg of music they already own to get it.
Lastly, we appreciate that some here do have difficulty in stitching the scans together, so it is initially acceptable to upload unstitched scans. Someone may help & do the job for you, uploading these at a later stage. However it is strongly suggested that you keep practicing your own skills .


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Small claims court is a local court where you can go to sue a person who has caused you damage. In a few areas of the country this court is called by other names such as "justice" court or "pro se" court. Wherever you live, one of these courts should be available to you.
The hallmark of small claims court is that it's cheap and easy to file a case, and court procedures have been simplified to the point that attorneys are not necessary and in some states not even allowed. The hearing before the judge, magistrate or commissioner (sometimes a volunteer lawyer) usually happens quickly and the decision is made on the spot or in a few days.
The amount you can sue for is limited, usually to $2,000 to $5,000. The chart below lists the limits for every state. These limits increase regularly, so double check the amount with the court clerk if you decide to use this court.
You may well want to use small claims court even if your losses are higher than the amount you can sue for, because of the attorney fees and the enormous amount of time required to use regular court. For example, if you have an $6,000 claim and a lawyer will take a third of what you win as a fee, you could use a small claims court with a limit of $3,000 and still come out ahead, once the delay and expenses are figured in.
Let's take an example of a simple neighbor dispute and follow it through the small claims court process.
In his back yard, Steve has a spreading black walnut tree of which he is very proud. Ralph, who lives next door, does nothing but gripe about the tree: too many leaves, too much shade and the tree kills his flowers. One day Steve comes home and discovers that the tree has been cut down. Sally, his neighbor across the street, tells him that she saw Ralph doing the cutting and assumed he had permission. Steve takes photos of the damage and notifies the police and his insurance company. The insurance company informs him that his policy doesn't cover damage to trees. Steve calls a local nursery and learns that they can put in a good sized but smaller tree of a different kind for $900. He learns to his disappointment that he can't have another black walnut tree because a local ordinance has declared them harmful and prohibits planting new ones. The cost of removing the old stump will be an extra $200. He obtains a written estimate from the nursery.
The next step for Steve is a trip to the law library, where he looks up his state statutes on trees. He finds that under his state law, a person who willfully cuts down another's tree is liable to the owner for triple the amount of damages. He makes copies of the statute and writes this letter to Ralph:
Dear Ralph,
Last Thursday, October 2, 20__, you deliberately and without permission cut down my black walnut tree. Instead of trying to resolve any problems you had with the tree in other ways, you waited until I was not at home, deliberately trespassed on my property and destroyed the tree.
I am enclosing the state law concerning your action and an estimate of my repair and the replacement cost of a smaller tree. I will never be able to have another black walnut tree.
As you can see, my actual damage is $1100. The law says that you owe me triple this amount or $3300. I demand that you pay this amount to me immediately or I will pursue legal action.
Yours truly,
Steve Shapiro
Ralph does not reply. Steve knows from doing research that because the tree can't really be replaced, he could use regular court and base his losses instead on the diminished value of his entire property. (See Chapter 1.) This would put his damages as high as $5,000 or $6,000. But he also knows that a lawyer may charge a third of the money award as a fee and that the case could take about two years.
In Steve's state, the small claims court limit is $3,000. What he really wants is a good-sized new tree and he wants it now. He considers the lawyer's fees and the time it would take to use regular court. He decides to do it himself, use small claims court and ask for the limit-- $3,000. He proceeds to the small claims clerk, fills out the papers and pays a small filing fee. A hearing is scheduled within three weeks.
Steve sits down and writes out:
He gathers the few documents he will want to use: the police report, the pictures, the estimate, a copy of the statute and a copy of his letter to Ralph. He calls Sally and gets her to agree to go to court with him and testify. He makes a few notes on a card so he won't forget anything.
That week, Steve goes down to the small claims court for a few hours and watches some actual cases, learning what to expect and how to proceed. Now he's ready.
Go down to court a few days before your hearing and watch the proceedings so you will know what happens.
Clerk: The next case is Steven Shapiro vs. Ralph Rogers. Please step forward.
Judge: Good morning. Mr. Shapiro, will you please begin?
Steve: Your Honor, on October 2, my neighbor Mr. Rogers cut down my black walnut tree in my back yard. He did this deliberately and without my permission. Here is a picture of the tree that he cut (hands the judge the picture). I asked Mr. Rogers to pay me for the damage he caused and he did not respond (hands the judge a copy of the letter, which the judge reads).
Judge: Go on, Mr. Shapiro.
Steve: Here is the estimate from a nursery for $1100 for removing the stump and replacing the tree with a smaller tree of a different kind (hands the judge the estimate).
I am asking for $3,000 because our state statute provides for me to receive triple the amount of my damages (hands the statute to the judge).
Judge: Mr. Shapiro, how do you know Mr. Rogers was the one who cut down the tree?
Steve: Your honor, this is Sally Smith, who saw what happened.
Judge: Ms. Smith?
Sally: Your honor, I saw Mr. Rogers cut down Mr. Shapiro's black walnut tree, the one in the picture.
Judge: Thank you. Mr. Rogers, what do you have to say about this?
Ralph: Your honor, the tree was an absolute nuisance. The leaves and sticks were all over my yard and the tree poisoned my flowers. Black walnut trees are so harmful that they have been outlawed in this town (hands a copy of the local ordinance to the judge). I complained several times to Mr. Shapiro and he did nothing about it. The tree was an illegal tree and I was within my rights.
Judge: Well, Mr. Rogers, this local ordinance prohibits planting any new black walnut trees. This tree was legal when it was planted so the fact that black walnuts can't be planted now isn't relevant. Under the laws of this state, any limbs that were hanging over your own property and bothering you were a nuisance and you had the right to cut them back to the property line. But you did not have a right to go over and cut down the tree. Did you cut it down?
Ralph: Yes I did, and I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by taking the law into my own hands. At least the thing is gone and I can enjoy one autumn without all those leaves and grow my flowers.
Judge: Thank you. You will get my decision in a few days by mail.
The decision was for Ralph to pay Steve $3,000.
Some of you are thinking that Steve should have had Ralph arrested and thrown into jail. In some states this would have indeed been an option. If you think a neighbor has committed a crime, you can notify the police. They will decide if the neighbor can be charged.
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Take your packaging to the next level with our Emerald Organza ribbon. Our Emerald ribbon features a sheer silky finish on both sides. The ribbon is made of 100% nylon. Our 5/8" wide ribbon is conveniently sold on 200 yard rolls. This ribbon is a wonderful choice for all types of applications including packaging and crafts. All of our ribbon coordinates beautifully with our merchandise and gift bags.


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In my guilt files are several stories about the Mormon practice of baptism for the dead. Many stories have just done an inadequate job of explaining this doctrine and practice of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There's this Huffington Post piece which said:
In 2002, the managing director of the Mormon's family and church history department told The New Yorker magazine that as many as 200 million dead people had been baptized as Mormons.
Well, no. As the reader who submitted it to us said, indicating skepticism that the managing director's actual views were being conveyed, "Proxy baptisms DON'T make dead people Mormons. It never has and it never will, other than maybe in the minds of non-Mormons who don't hold the same beliefs as Mormons. In a crude nutshell: It does the paperwork for the dead, but the dead still have to sign on the dotted line."
Or what about this Newsweek piece that said:
When asked by NEWSWEEK if he has done baptisms for the dead—in which Mormons find the names of dead people of all faiths and baptize them, as an LDS spokesperson says, to "open the door" to the highest heaven—he looked slightly startled and answered, "I have in my life, but I haven't recently." The awareness of how odd this will sound to many Americans is what makes Romney hesitant to elaborate on the Mormon question.
The reporter is someone named Jonathan Darman. And he must be quite the reporter to be able to report -- as fact -- that "the awareness of how odd this will sound ... makes Romney hesitant to elaborate."
The Mormon reader, after noting the reporter's amazing mind-reading abilities, says he has another guess as to why Romney thought the question odd: "My guess is that his reaction wasn't because he knew how strange it sounded, but because its something culturally teenagers do. Yes, its a bit of mind reading myself, but at least more likely out of my experience as a Mormon. I'd be a little taken aback myself if questioned by a non-Mormon and respond with the same answer. That isn't to say adults can't or don't, but for the most part there is OTHER proxy work that adults focus on in the Temple. The reason is, again, a complicated theology I don't have time to type about. Mostly it has to do with the the lower Aaronic Priesthood that teenagers are given and the higher Melchizedek Priesthood given to adults containing more responsibilities and tasks."
So you can see how the lack of knowledge about some Mormon practices can lead to some reporting missteps.
But I wanted to highlight a recent story that managed to be accurate about the practice while also being very brief. I'm self-conscious about how frequently we're suggesting the impossible -- an accurate explanation of a doctrinal practice in a news brief. But it is possible.
Religion News Service ran a brief about an update to the database that chronicles Mormon proxy baptisms for the dead:
A technological crackdown has effectively blocked a prominent whistle-blower from accessing the Mormons' database that chronicles so-called baptisms for the dead.
Church officials said the move helps prevent overzealous Mormons and mischief-makers from violating church policy by submitting the names of prominent Jewish figures.
The decision to suspend the New FamilySearch accounts of anyone searching for Jewish Holocaust victims or celebrities also freezes out Utah researcher Helen Radkey, whose baptism discoveries have embarrassed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for decades.
The article reminds readers of some of the famous names she's uncovered, including Anne Frank, Gandhi, Daniel Pearl and the parents of Simon Weisenthal. So what is this baptism for the dead?
Mormons believe that living people can be baptized on behalf of dead relatives and others, who then can either accept or reject the ordinance.
Accurate and with an economy of words!
If you're curious about Helen Radkey, I highly recommend this profile of her from a couple of years ago by the Salt Lake Tribune's Peggy Fletcher Stack.
And this Washington Post profile of her is also good.


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|1175 Buford Highway. Suite 120
770.831.1257 - 1.800.438.6894
Item 14k Star Ruby Ring
Description of item:
Estimated Retail Replacement Value: 1200.00
Estimated Retail Replacement Value: 1200.00
|Reports are supplied at the request of the customer and it is for the customer's exclusive use. Reports express an opinion of the time of the examination of the jewelry. This report is for customers use only for the following two purposes, indicating estimated retail replacement value to obtain insurance coverage, or for the purpose of providing geological information. GoldSmith Works does not guarantee that the appraisal valuation will result in a sale at the price. Estimated retail replacement value is arrived after analyses of what the approximate high retail cash asking price is for labor, materials, and design. These prices may be substantially higher than actual transaction or warranty with regards to any item described in the report, since jewelry grading is not an exact science, this report represent the best opinion of the company. GoldSmith Works is in no case responsible for differences that occur by repeated grading by other experts in the field and/or use of other standards, norms, methods or criteria other than those used by GoldSmith Works. GoldSmith Works is expressly held harmless by customers including, but with out limitation for any claims or actions that may arise out of negligence in connection with the preparation of this laboratory report, or actions based upon the customer's use of the report. The information on the carat weight, clarity grade, color grade on the report is approximate due to the limitations in jewelry grading. The item was tested, graded, and examined under 10x magnification using the techniques and equipment available to GoldSmith Works, including fully corrected triplet loupe, binocular microscope, master color comparison guides, diamond color comparison tools, electronic carat balance, non-contact optical measuring device, and ancillary instruments necessary at the time of Examination.


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Myrtle Beach, SC- On Saturday, February 16, 2008, members of the Coker College men's and women's cross country teams competed in the Dasani Myrtle Beach Half Marathon.
The Cobras were well represented with women's runner, Kendyl Seawright (Manalapan, NJ) placing fifth overall in the women's division and first place in the 20-24 age group with a time of 1:28.37, while men's runner, Michael Murphy (Peekskill, NY) placed sixth overall in the men's division and was second in the 15-19 age group with a time of 1:16.38. Adam Green (Easley, SC) was the only other Cobra to receive an award, placing 18th overall in the men's division, and was second in 20-24 age group with a time of 1:21.56.
As for the rest of the Coker runners, in the women's division, Shannon Townley (Anniston, AL) placed 45th with a time of 1:43.07, followed by Dana Daves (York, SC) with a time of 1:50.16 in 107th place. Adrianna Ochoa (Pamplico, SC) placed 199th with a time of 1:56.38, while Nicole Coke (Summerville, SC) also finished at 1:56.38.
In the men's race, Joe Hock (Surfside Beach, SC) placed 77th at 1:30.13, with Abel Carballo (Orlando, FL) and Michael Koshis (Greenville, SC) placing 136th and 281st with times of 1:35.15 and 1:43.30 respectively.


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Public pools and swim parks offer hours of affordable summer fun. Unfortunately, sometimes densely populated pools can equal germs galore.
Public pools and swim parks offer hours of affordable summer fun. Unfortunately, sometimes densely populated pools can equal germs galore.
Red, irritated eyes, for example, are rarely caused by high levels of chlorine and generally are the result of chloramines, a byproduct of chlorine breaking down urine, fecal matter and other contaminants, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, a 2017 study by the University of Alberta that focused on acesulfame potassium (ACE), an artificial sweetener that the human body cannot break down and is detectable when urine is in water, found that "the concentration of ACE in pools was 570 times greater than in tap water, and they estimated pools contained anywhere between 7.92 and 20 gallons of urine," according to Real Simple.
Ick! The good news is that cdc.gov offers sound advice on maintaining a healthy, yet recreational, summer:
— Keep diarrhea sufferers out of the pool.
— Take children to restrooms every hour.
— Check swim diapers often and change them in restrooms, not poolside.
— Shower before and after swimming.
— Wash hands after swimming and before eating.
— Teach young children not to pee or poop in a pool.
— Do the smell test — pools should not have a strong chlorine smell or any other chemical odor.
— Make sure the pool water is crystal-clear.
— Ask to see an inspection report.
— Bring your own test strips, available at discount, hardware and specialty pool retailers, to determine chemical levels (how to interpret information on pH level and parts per million should be indicated on the back of test strip packaging).
Swallowing pool water is to be avoided at all costs. It is difficult, especially for young children and children at play, to be cognizant of keeping mouths closed, but just that simple act can protect them from many pool-related health issues. Germs can survive in even well-maintained pools for several days.
Disclosure: We earn commissions from purchases made after clicking curated product links


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New Class of Cross-Shaped Gravitational Lenses for Probing Structure of the Cosmos
These two objects represent a new distant class of quadruple, or cross-shaped, gravitational lenses which might eventually provide astronomers with a powerful new "magnifying glass" for probing a variety of characteristics of the universe.
The two gravitational lenses were discovered in about 100 fields of sky imaged by Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. The first cross-shaped lens was discovered serendipitously by Eric Ostrander while processing HST images for the Medium Deep Survey, a Hubble key project led by Richard Griffiths. A second fainter and smaller lens was identified a few weeks later by Myungshin Im. Each configuration is in the form of four faint blue images situated symmetrically around a much brighter red elliptical galaxy. The distinctive cross-like pattern around an elliptical galaxy makes them unambiguous quadruple lens candidates, even before spectroscopic observations, which are typically used to confirm lenses.
Hubble's high resolution allows astronomers to extend the search to much fainter, and hence much farther lenses, than those few examples ground-based telescopes have uncovered relatively nearby. Hubble can explore a larger volume of space which could provide enough examples of this rare cross type of lensing to allow astronomers to address a variety of fundamental cosmological questions.
A gravitational lens is produced by the enormous gravitational field of a massive object which bends light to magnify, brighten and distort the image of a more distant object. Depending on the alignment between the objects and the mass distribution of the foreground lens, the more distant object can be smeared into arcs or split into pairs, triples, or even quadruple images.
Credit: Kavan Ratnatunga (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD)


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Johnny Pesky through the years
Johnny Pesky, who was in some way connected to the Red Sox for 61 of his 73 years in baseball, passed away Monday at the age of 92. Seen here signing autographs for fans at spring training in 2006, Pesky was a fixture around the team since his playing days in the 1940s and '50s. Take a look though Pesky's remarkable life and career.
Pesky started his career with the Red Sox in 1942, batting .331 as a rookie. He served in World War II from 1943-45, and returned to the Red Sox in 1946. He played in Boston from 1946-52, when he was traded to the Tigers. Pesky, who retired as a player in 1954, finished with a career .307 average. (Pictured from left to right: Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Pesky, and Joe Dobson, Sept. 25, 1950.)
Seen here waring their Navy uniforms, Ted Williams (left) and Pesky watched the action from the dugout between the Red Sox and New York Yankees at Fenway Park April 27, 1943. The two were visiting as US Naval Aviation Cadets. Pesky missed the 1943-45 seasons while serving in World War II.
Pesky managed the Red Sox from 1963-64, compiling a record of 146-175. In 1980, Pesky managed the Sox for five games in an interim role, going 1-4.
The right-field foul pole at Fenway Park will forever be known as "Pesky's Pole." Standing 302 feet from home plate, it was the only place, teammates used to joke, Pesky could hit a home run. He hit 17 in his career (only six in Fenway Park).
Pesky has been popular with Red Sox players through the years. Here, on his first day in camp in 2002, Sox outfeilder Manny Ramirez picked Pesky up off the ground, his way of saying hello.
On March 3, 2004, the Sox dedicated one of the fields at their minor league complex to Pesky. Here Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra (left) gives Pesky a hug and a smile.
The Red Sox presented Pesky with a World Series ring during the team's ceremony on April 11, 2005. Pesky, of course, was with the team during their memorable 2004 Series run.
During a college baseball game in Fort Myers in the spring of 2006, a Denison University player hit a line drive that struck Pesky, who was sitting in a folding chair no more than 50 feet beyond the infield, in the leg. Pesky came back to the team on crutches.
Just before the 2007 season, MLB once again decided to strictly enforce its rule governing who is allowed in a team's dugout during a game, which meant Pesky could no longer sit on the bench. Here, Pesky watched the Red Sox-Mariners game in the security room of the clubhouse. "I've been there my whole life," Pesky said. "When it happens to you, it hurts. But I realize I've got to go by the rules."
Boston,MA 09/23/08: The Red Sox announced Sept. 23, 2008 that they will officially retire No. 6 in honor of Johnny Pesky. (Pictured from left: Larry Lucchino, Tom Werner, Pesky, and John Henry.)
More than 500 guests attended The Tradition, honoring Boston's greatest athletes at the then TD Banknorth Garden Sept. 25, 2009. (Pictured from left: Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, Anita Dias and Pesky.)
In recent years, Pesky has announced, "Play ball" at Sox home openers.
Jason Varitek and David Ortiz escorted Johnny Pesky to the mound at Fenway for the Park's 100th anniversary. Tim Wakefield did the same for Bobby Doerr.


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Jomjo wrote:he could be wearing mail, i had a mail robe on my shaman. haven't seen any plate robes tho, but "back then" they didn't have specialization on certain armor pieces so it really didn't really matter what type you had as long as the stats were good.
Jomjo wrote:well look at that, i didn't think a plate kilt would be flexible
Ballarus wrote:Narya is a Mage. He never has a pet, and he tries to give out water in one of the comics. Everything else you said was right.
Branos wrote:Krom...yep, Krom!
Krom is cruel, cunning and its hard to believe he plays a Paladin.
"If you can't do your job your useless!"
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