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SM89 wrote:It was supposed to be built at the same time as the NU ISEB since they are next to each other and need to be integrated. I wonder if this will have any effect on NU's plans?
SM89 wrote:I know the NU project is moving utilities that will be affected by the new Ruggles platform.
Arlington wrote:SM89 wrote:I know the NU project is moving utilities that will be affected by the new Ruggles platform.
Hmm...which utilities? The MBTA's platform construction plan shows (showed) moving train utilities (electrical conduits--signals and power, one presumes) from where they are trackside now, out into NU's parking lot so that the MBTA could dig any new trackside platform foundations (and then move all the utilities from their temporary NU alignment and back under the completed platform).
MBTA just received $20 million in federal TIGER grant funding for the Ruggles Platform project-construction of a new 797-foot long, 12-foot wide high-level passenger platform between the Ruggles Station headhouse and Northeastern University's Columbus Avenue parking garage. This will allow all commuter rail/Amtrack trains to stop at Ruggles.
jamesinclair wrote:800' platform and only 200' of canopy
Why is it that in a $30million project that first thing to be cut is the tiny expensive of providing a good customer experience?
ohalloranchris wrote:I found within the MBTA FY15-19 Capital Plan that the project does indeed appear to be funded (see attached PDF of a cut and paste from the report).
Anyone have any idea when construction might begin / finish? With the newly proposed schedules that have all inbound AM Stoughton trains stopping at Ruggles, that new platform will surely come in handy.
Arlington wrote:I never knew/thought that funding was in doubt (was it?). As a TIGER thing, the only hold up should be final design and making sure Northeastern is happy.
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I've had a lovely evening, this wasn't it
Groucho Marx
Words mean things
Rush Limbaugh
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less."
Lewis Carrol Through the Looking Glass 1871
I really enjoy the humor of language, because of the multiple meanings of so many English words language an excellent source of comedy.
Unfortunately today language, specifically its perversion has become a weapon, not argument btw language. A quick peek at Memeorandum this morning gives the example.
Marriage Equality Is a Conservative Cause
Laura Bush Objects To Being Quoted Accurately Supporting Marriage Equality
Jon Huntsman Endorses Marriage Equality: 'We Must Demand Equality Under The Law For All Americans'
Note the Phrase: "Marriage Equality" Who could be against "Marriage Equality"?
I've very pleased to see all of these people arguing for "Marriage Equality" for people of the Islamic faith, after all it's completely unfair that Muslims who are allowed multiple wives in Africa, the Middle East and Asia are not allowed the same rights here.
And if you argue against such rights, you are "Anti-Muslim" and "Islamiophobic" and it goes without saying if you are part of any organized group against "Marriage Equality" for Muslims then you belong to an "Anti-Muslim Hate Group"
Do you see how it works? There is absolutely no reason a person pushing to repeal bigamy laws could not use the same arguments as above. All it take is to play with the language & violá you've got a meme that will associate the people who agree with you associated with words like "equality" and your opponents associated with words like "hate" not only in articles, but in search engines.
The left does this with a lot of words:
"Taxes" are redefined as "investments"
Spending increases are redefined as "cuts"
and the favorite "racist" redefined as disagreeing with anything the Democrat party disagrees.
Sometimes words are not so much re-defined as given a twist. Let's demonstrate
It is stigmatizing to shoppers who fail to pay for their items as "shop-lifters". After all the people going into the store are no different that everybody else people going to the store to get the food, clothes and devices that everyone naturally wants. In fact the word "shoplifter" is patently racist and discriminates against the poor since such people are usually from the poorest classes and often of color.
In order to avoid the racism and class discrimination we should avoid the term "shoplifter" and replace it with "unremitting shopper"
And that is the logic used to turn "illegal immigrants" into "undocumented immigrants".
It's all marketing, it's all about selling people a reality different than, well reality. No different that convincing you that Flo is different than the lizard when selling you insurance.
Why does it work? Because of the left's power in media, particularly the non-news media such as magazines and entertainment allows them to introduce these themes into the general culture movies, TV, magazines and cultural devices. People find themselves indoctrinated into a language and a meme without even knowing it's happening.
If we are going to prevent the country from going into a self-destructive directly we have to recognize this. In the short terms we need to call out this behavior and help people recognize it.
In the long-term we need influence within those same institutions from woman's magazines to rap zines to advance our own message to the same disinterested crowd.
[thermometer raised=127 target=300 height =200 ]
We've reached Friday and while the thermometer moved a bit a little but I'm still less than half way to that elusive $300 weekly paycheck.
On weeks when I make the goal I've pulled the thermometer early after all I'd rather focus on the product and I suspect you dear reader would too.
As we are less than half way there with under 48 hours to go the thermometer will be on every post today. As a wise man once said if you don't promote yourself nobody is going to do it for you.
So if you think I've earned that $300 paycheck this week and you can afford it feel free to hit DaTipJar.
If not, well I'll keep trying harder.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Stile 10 LT 14 FG W
UPPER: Lightweight, soft, full grain leather upper. Anti-stretch lining throughout
with anti-slip rear lining.
INSOLE: Cotton and shock absorbing EVA foam.
LASTING BOARD: Fiber tech sock liner with flex points in the forefoot area.
OUTSOLE: MG 14 outsole with Axeler technology, which is a threadlike Tech
Alloy frame inserted directly into the dual density polyurethane sole, improving forefoot
flexibility and ensuring maximum stability. The 12 fixed studs provide excellent stability
and improved abrasion resistance.


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Never Been to 'Friday Fix'? This Is What It's Like [VIDEO]
This week's Friday Fix concert features 3rd Date. Last week was Kate Turner and the week before that was indie rock group Not Amy. Check out some footage we shot of the Not Amy show and clear your calendar and come join us this Friday from 5 to 9 p.m.
This video was shot, edited and compiled by John Halvorson.


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By NICK McQUEEN
While an eventual loss to snap a long winning streak was practically inevitable, Hays Larks manager Frank Leo was just happy his team didn't go out and lay an egg. Simply put, the Larks just got beat Wednesday night at Larks Park.
There wasn't much Hays could have done differently to avoid it against Liberal starter Tyler Wiedenfeld.
Aside from an error in the sixth inning that proved costly, the Larks were solid, but couldn't gain any momentum against a strong outing and eventually fell 6-2.
The loss snapped an 11-game Larks winning streak and dropped Hays to 14-2 overall and 10-2 in league play.
Liberal improved to 9-7, 5-7 in the JL.
"When you're going to get busted up in a winning streak, you want to make sure you just don't kick the ball around and play bad," Leo said. "We played a decent game, but their guy was on. You have to tip your hat."
Wiedenfeld kept the Larks hitless through five innings, while Liberal capitalized on an error in the sixth inning to plate five unearned runs. Larks shortstop Elvin Rodriguez allowed the leadoff runner to reach on the fielding error, but Larks starter Jeff Chesnut (1-1) got the next two outs. Then Liberal squared some balls up and chased Chesnut with five straight singles and a hit batsmen.
The inning eventually was the difference as the Larks' offense was nearly non-existent.
"Elvin has to pick up his defense," Leo said of Rodriguez, whose summer is in flux right now as he makes a decision on his future. "He needs to clear his mind. Within the next couple of days, I think that decision will be made on whether he's going to stay for good or move on.
"That's in the back of his mind," Leo added. "He's a solid ball player, and we need him to pack that back up."
Rodriguez spent Tuesday in Wichita trying out with an independent league team, but was back in the lineup Wednesday.
Clayton Garland, Taylor Petersen and Ty Gilmore were missing from the order, taking a routine night off for rest. All three later suited up, though, and Petersen and Gilmore made pinch-hit appearances when the team was struggling.
The Larks' first hit came on a double by Rodriguez in the sixth after Cody Daily was hit by a pitch. Aaron Cornell drove in Hays' first run on a fly out to left field. The hit was the only hit given up by Wiedenfeld, the sophomore from Seward County Community College. Wiedenfeld was the starter in the Larks' first loss June 4 in Liberal, but took a no-decision.
"Sometimes as a hitter, that guy's going to deal and he did today.
He pitched very well today," Leo said.
"He was keeping everything down. He worked at a good pace, and he got the ball back and attacked the hitters. He stayed up in the count and had some movement on the baseball."
Gilmore's pinch-hit appearance resulted in a double in the eighth, and he scored on Rodriguez' single. Hays did get two baserunners in the ninth with two outs, but Petersen flew out to right field to end it.
"This thing wasn't going to go on forever," Leo said of the 11-game win streak, the Larks' longest since 2003 when they won 13 in a row. "There's going to be a bump. We got a bump, now we just have to make sure it's not a double-bump."
Chesnut gave up five unearned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks. The Larks went through five pitchers and gave up 11 hits. Kyle Krings made his Larks debut and walked one in the seventh without recording an out. Hays travels to Derby (7-6, 5-6) on Friday to start a three-game series with the Twins. Liberal, which snapped a four-game losing streak, hosts Wellington in a series starting Friday.


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Chicago State University Joins Western Athletic Conference
CHICAGO (December 5, 2012) - Chicago State University President Dr. Wayne D. Watson, along with the Western Athletic Conference, announced Wednesday (Dec. 5) that Chicago State has accepted a formal invitation to join the WAC as an all-sports member. The Cougars' membership in the WAC will take effect July 1, 2013, and Chicago State will begin athletic competition in the conference next fall at the start of the 2013-14 season.
"Chicago State is taking a bold and ambitious step by joining the Western Athletic Conference," Dr. Watson said. "Now our student-athletes will be featured in several of the nation's largest media footprints in intercollegiate athletics, reaching tens of millions of households. This is great for our university and our fans. It is great for Chicago."
The Western Athletic Conference is in its 51st year of existence after establishment in 1962. The current 2013-14 WAC landscape includes California State University Bakersfield, University of Idaho, Grand Canyon University, New Mexico State University, Seattle University, and Utah Valley University.
"We are pleased to welcome Chicago State University to the WAC family," said WAC Interim Commissioner Jeff Hurd. "As the Western Athletic Conference continues to evolve, we look forward to their contributions, including the addition of another large media market to our league. We are also thrilled to be able to provide Chicago State with many more championship opportunities for their student-athletes."
The announcement gives all 14 Chicago State University sports programs access to conference championship events in 2013-14 and automatic qualifier spots for NCAA Championships, making it easier for Chicago State teams to qualify for the NCAA postseason.
"This is one of the most important days in the history of the athletic department," Chicago State Athletic Director Dan Schumacher said. "No longer will our coaches have to recruit and compete without the chance of an automatic qualifier to NCAA Championships at the end of the season."
Chicago State will add men and women's soccer as part of the agreement to join the WAC. Those teams must take the field by fall of 2014.
"This announcement will allow the department to move forward with future facility upgrades, fundraising efforts and student-athlete support initiatives," Schumacher said. "The WAC will enable us to reach our goal of being champions in the classroom, in competition and in the community."
Joining the WAC is the latest in a string of achievements since Schumacher became Chicago State Athletic Director last June. Since Schumacher's hiring, the Cougars have broken ground on a $2.5 million baseball stadium, signed a television contact with Lakeshore Public Television and redesigned www.GoCSUCougars.com.
"When you look at some of the cities included in the WAC – Seattle, Phoenix, Salt Lake, and now Chicago – we're going to be a league with significant media markets as well as schools with a great history in the WAC," Schumacher said. "Prospective Chicagoland student-athletes can come to CSU and play in front of their friends and family while still having a national, big-time NCAA Division I experience."


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As part of the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, the Equity and Diversity Unit promotes social inclusion and widening participation initiatives at UTS, including:
- Access to education and employment for people from diverse backgrounds
- Grievance handling advice and assistance for matters relating to discrimination and harassment
- Design and facilitation of equity and diversity training
- Guest lectures and presentations on equity and diversity issues to student and staff groups
The unit also advises on equity issues as they arise at UTS. For information contact the Equity & Diversity Unit, within the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, on 9514 1084 or email
Implementing equity and diversity principles at UTS
The 2016 Social Justice Report (PDF, 14.15MB) is an annual equity report compiled each year by the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion for UTS Council and reflects the University's commitment to social justice, diversity and human rights.
UTS integrates equity and diversity principles within all of its decisions and operations:
- The Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion oversees UTS's social impact agenda focusing research, education and practice from across the university to benefit people and communities. It is also our gateway for community engagement
- The Provost oversees the development of policies and practices to promote equity and eliminate discrimination amongst students and staff and continue to develop a diverse, inclusive and accessible university environment
- The Equity & Diversity Unit provides specialist advice and support on policy development, training and development, equity-related complaint resolution and social justice initiatives
- All UTS staff with management / supervisory responsibilities have a range of equal opportunity accountabilities
- All UTS staff and students have a responsibility to avoid discrimination or harassment in their personal interactions with other staff and with students. Discriminatory or harassing behaviour is a serious breach of UTS policy and can lead to disciplinary action being taken under the relevant award (for staff) or University Rules (for students)


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The Andorian redbat was a flying mammal native to the moon Andoria. It was considered edible by some.
In the 2350s, Benjamin Sisko and Curzon Dax once saw Science Officer Kustanovich of the USS Livingston eat eight helpings of Andorian redbat. (DS9: "Invasive Procedures")
External link Edit
- Andorian redbat at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works


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When it comes to projects around the yard, my husband Mark has an annoying habit of doing things in what I call "the hard way" — or what other people might call "the right way."
He refuses to admit this is a problem. He insists it's reasonable to draw up detailed plans, gather the proper materials and tools for the job, and take the time to make the project look good and last a long time.
There's no reasoning with him.


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All incoming students who have studied French and Spanish in high school must take the free online French and Spanish placement tests prior to enrolling at UNF. Based on that score, students will be advised at which course level to enroll.
All heritage or native speakers of French or Spanish (who may not have studied the language in high school) must take the online placement test prior to enrolling in French or Spanish courses. In order to be placed appropriately, native speakers of Spanish or French must also meet with the Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
All Chinese students who have studied the language at the high school level or who are heritage speakers of the language must meet with the Chair of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures prior to enrollment. The chair will refer them to the Chinese instructor to ascertain the level at which they must begin their language studies.
Students who enroll in French, Spanish or Chinese at the University of North Florida will be advised that they are eligible for up to six credit hours of retroactive credit as determined by placement and satisfactory completion of specific language courses.
Students who wish to receive the retroactive credit must apply for the credits in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures after their grades are assigned and recorded in the relevant courses. The retroactive credits will be added to the student's transcript by the Office of the Registrar with a grade of P (Passing) assigned. These credits will not be computed into the GPA, but they will count toward degree requirements as appropriate.
Students will pay a $20.00 fee per 3-4 credit hour course for which retroactive credit has been awarded.
To view more information about Placement and Retroactive Credit in French, Spanish and Chinese, click here.


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Editor's Note: EarthTechling is proud to repost this article courtesy of Worldwatch Institute. Author credit goes to Michael Weber.
Despite recent growth, the US wind industry now fears a sharp slowdown. As the Wall Street Journal reports, domestic demand for wind turbines is falling. With the production tax credit (PTC) set to expire at the end of this year, manufacturers are not receiving many new orders. The CEO of Vestas, the world's largest producer of wind turbines, forecasts that the US market will decline by 80 percent over the next year. Although the PTC originated during the George H.W Bush administration and originally reflected bipartisan consensus, clean energy policy has become increasingly politicized. A congressional agreement to extend the credit is unlikely during a contentious election year. Even if policymakers renew the tax credit after the election, the market will remain uncertain and investments in the wind energy sector in 2013 are bound to be much lower than the record levels we have seen in the recent past. Unlike previous instances in which the PTC was temporarily withdrawn, the US now has a manufacturing base for wind turbines which will be negatively impacted by a decline in demand, placing several thousand jobs at risk.
The uncertain future of the PTC is characteristic of a US renewable energy (RE) policy that lacks long-term predictability. No national target for RE development exists, and most programs have traditionally only been extended in one- and two-year intervals. Unless Congress can agree to extend some of the expiring initiatives, the only federal clean energy policies left after 2014 will be a 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) for the solar industry, several underfunded RD&D programs, and a few initiatives for energy efficiency and conservation. Some of the core RE policies passed as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expired last year and were not renewed. Examples include the Department of Energy (DOE)'s Section 1705 loan guarantee program, famous for its loans to Solyndra, and Section 1603 treasury grants allowing RE projects to receive an up-front cash grant in lieu of tax credits.
Even with this uncertainty, the RE sector in the US has grown. Without a national target, the main driver of RE deployment in the US has been a combination of these federal financial incentives and a number of state initiatives. For example, 29 US states and the District of Columbia currently employ a mandatory renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS). A total of 8 states have RE goals and 18 offer additional financial incentives such as feed-in tariffs or tradable RE credit schemes. The combined impact of these policies has been rather successful. Renewable energy in the United States is maturing, evolving from a niche market to an increasingly competitive alternative to fossil fuel-based generation. For US sites with the best natural conditions, wind power can already produce power as economically as coal, gas and nuclear generators. Solar photovoltaic (PV) has experienced an unprecedented boom over the past few years and Crystalline silicon PV modules now cost as little as USD 1/watt. The share of total US electricity generation from non-hydropower RE increased from 3.7 percent in 2009 to 4.7 percent in 2011. Last year, nine states generated more than 10 percent of their electricity with non-hydro RE, up from only two states a decade ago.
This dynamic can continue to succeed, but only if the right policy framework is in place. RE technologies are still far from their full potential – and further substantial cost reductions can be expected. However, various RE technologies require different levels and forms of support to further them on their pathway to competitiveness. The federal policy environment remains a key variable in this. Several effective policy tools are available.
Production tax credits (PTC) play a key role in securing the profitability of RE projects. Qualifying projects receive about 2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) in tax credit, usually for the first ten years of operation. With these credits, wind energy becomes a competitive alternative to fossil fuels in most regions of the US. The PTC effectively complements state RPS that require a certain percentage of a utility's power plant capacity or generation to come from renewable or alternative energy sources by a given date. The effectiveness and efficiency of specific RPS policies depend greatly on design features such as the ambitiousness of the standard and the inclusion of financial incentives through a tradable credit scheme. However, international experience has demonstrated the inability of RPS to offer as much investment certainty as feed-in tariffs. Their incentive structures alone therefore seem insufficient. Production tax credits remedy this problem – at least to some degree – by indirectly ensuring investors a steady income equal to at least the amount of the tax credit as long as the installation generates electricity.
Grants play an important role when the ability of developers to monetize tax credits through equity financing is lacking. Currently, corporations with large tax obligations provide funds to projects and then use the credits to offset their own tax burdens. This way, projects can monetize benefits upfront. However, because demand exceeds supply, availability of equity finance remains a constraint. The aim must be to attract new tax equity providers such as pension funds. For this to happen, the perceived risk of renewable energy investments has to be lower. The easiest way for the government to achieve this is by offering a clear vision and a long-term policy framework for renewable energy.
Despite the harsh criticism it has received, the DOE Loan Guarantee Program has been another important component of the RE policy mix. The program provides leverage and low-cost debt to innovative projects that would not otherwise receive funding. Typically, such projects are either at an early stage of development or use new technologies that are not yet commercially proven – both reasons why banks might be hesitant to provide loans. Without the availability of guaranteed government loans, many innovative energy ventures would fail to attain commercialization and would end in the so-called valley of death.
Many of these technologies promise to bring great societal value; some might prove transformative. Ideally, the much-publicized examples of Solyndra and Beacon would not have received any public support. To avoid such mistakes in the future, the review process of loan recipients must be improved. It is important to note, however, that some defaults are inevitable at the innovation stage. Any bank assumes a certain default rate on their loans; the aim is to keep them as low as possible. Despite the defaults of companies like Solyndra and Beacon, the overall financial performance of the loan program has been much better than public perception would indicate. While the government budgeted $2.47 billion to cover potential project defaults, actual defaults have been much lower. Solyndra and Beacon received loans worth $535 and $43 million respectively. Even in the unlikely event that no portion of these funds can be recouped, more than 75 percent of the money put aside for losses would remain in the Treasury.
The potential for renewable energy in the US is vast. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) very recently confirmed that renewable energy sources could conceivably cover 80 percent of US electricity demand by 2050. Great natural resource availability coupled with falling costs make RE an increasingly attractive option in many locations. However, investors need greater government commitment and a better long-term vision on the future role of RE in the US. They seek a degree of consistency and market certainty that the current policy framework lacks. An extension of the current policy mix is a minimum requirement to attract further investment. A federal RE target combined with a carbon tax would be an even better option.


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An iconic denim pencil skirt from the GUESS Originals Collection
Channeling retro style with modern appeal, this classic denim skirt captures the true American spirit. It's made with mid-weight stretch denim and washed to a versatile medium dark indigo shade with an ultra-soft feel. Destroyed detail throughout gives it the worn-in appeal of your favorite pieces from the past while retro buttons and labels make it unmistakably GUESS.
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Business days are limited to Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PST. We do not ship on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays and we do not ship to P.O. Boxes. Please allow an average of one additional business day for processing and note that your order may be shipped in multiple packages at no extra charge to you.
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WATCH VIDEO! St. Vladimir's Seminary Chorale Delivers Superlative ORIENT Concert in NYC
7 May 2012 • Off-campus Event • By Deborah (Malacky) Belonick
Stunning, exquisite, arresting, brilliant...there are not enough superlative adjectives to describe the performance of sacred music delivered by St. Vladimir's Seminary Chorale in the heart of Manhattan this past Monday evening. With artistic execution and prayerful potency, the singers filled the warm and inviting space of St. Malachy's Chapel with a sound fitting for heaven—and needful on earth.
Through a multi-media presentation titled "ORIENT: Sacred Song and Image" the chorale combined word and image to create an evangelical message that proved to be both spiritually powerful and aesthetically absorbing. The performance employed a variety of iconographic projections and liturgical compositions from the Orthodox Christian tradition, seamlessly matched to create a joyous yet profound experience for concert goers, who listened in rapt attention to the 22-voice chorus and expressed their appreciation to the chorale with a long lasting and standing ovation. Included in the audience was a special guest, His Grace, The Rt. Rev. Nicholas, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn and Resident Assistant to Metropolitan Philip of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.
Matushka Robin Freeman, a staff member in the Advancement Office at the seminary who holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, created the concert format and conducted in its premiere at IU's Jacobs School of Music in 2010. She served as one of the concert conductors for the New York City premiere, along with Hierodeacon Herman, lecturer in Liturgical Music and Chapel Choir Director at the seminary.
Seminary Chancellor and CEO, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and in keeping with concert's theme, he delivered a homily about the Resurrection of Christ, near the conclusion of the program. Following Fr. Chad's homily, the producer of the concert, Dr. Nicholas Reeves, assistant professor of Liturgical Music at the seminary, expressed his profound gratitude to Father Richard Baker, rector of St. Malachy's Chapel (The Actors' Chapel), and to his parishioners, for their generous "gift of space" for the concert venue. The evening concluded with the entire crowd joyously singing the traditional Paschal hymn to the Mother of God, "The Angel Cried."
Watch a video clip of ORIENT, including the selections "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos," by Sergei Rachmaninov, with Matushka Robin Freeman directing, and "In the Flesh Thou Didst Fall Asleep," by Alexander Glazunov, with Hdn. Herman directing, here.
(Video by Dn. Gregory Hatrak, marketing manager SVS Press & Bookstore)
View a PDF of the full concert program from ORIENT here.
See more photos by Vadim Arslanov (visiting photographer from the Orthodox Church in America's Representation Church of the Great Martyr Catherine in Moscow) here.
Are you interested in joining our e-mail list to hear about future events? If so, please click here.
We're taking a survey regarding the possible production of a CD of ORIENT: please give us your feedback here.
St. Vladimir's Seminary would like to thank TD Bank and all our other donors who supported ORIENT! View a complete donor list here.


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I heard the books are good but Mists of Avalon sucked as a Movie
From Dusk til Dawn! If I have to watch that movie ONE more time I'm going to have to beat someone.
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text:
George Angelo of DuBois thought bicycling was a real pain. Though he enjoyed cycling, his bike seat was the source of major discomfort during and after his rides.
"I would be sore after a ride, just like a lot of other people," Angelo said. While talking to friends and fellow riders, he realized just how many other people had the same complaints. A large number of cyclists he spoke with had already spent hundreds of dollars on bicycle seats, some of which were still not comfortable. Angelo saw that a completely new and innovative redesign of the conventional bicycle seat was something someone had to tackle. He decided that someone was him.
"I went into the garage and started working on different ideas and came up with a concept," he remembered. "I wanted to get rid of the seat horn that goes between the legs, like some of the models available; but it needed to move with the rider's anatomy."
What Angelo came up with is what he calls the Angel Wings Bicycle Seat. He did, in fact, get rid of the seat horn. Actually, a full 2 ½ inch gap runs between two pads, leaving the center open for full ventilation. The rider sits with the pads under the gluteus maximus, with pressure distributed evenly and over a wider area than the conventional saddle. But, that's not all. The seat pads also move as the rider pedals. As the legs move up and down, so do the seat pads. Angelo said this allows the torso to remain strait, rather than twisting during pedaling, allowing for more natural movement. "A lot of two pad seats are out there," he said. "But they don't move properly, and you're fighting nature. Your torso should be still while your legs move. It lets your body move the way it should, and the end result is no pain and more comfort."
Riders who tried Angelo's seat said it was comfortable. However, even with positive feedback and endorsements, he could not find a way to successfully market his idea. He secured a patent on the Angel Wings seat in 2003, but his work stalled after that.
"I called cycling companies and physical therapists who focus on bicycling, but nothing worked out," Angelo said. "I got tired. Trying to raise a family, have a job and market this idea was difficult."
Then, Angelo ran a Google search for "innovation in DuBois." The results led him to Penn State DuBois Technology Transfer Coordinator Sally Moran, who specializes in helping business and individuals find the resources they need to be successful.
"Now Sally is helping me get in touch with the right people," Angelo said.
Moran helped Angelo gain exposure for his invention that led to his recognition on the Planet Eureka Top 100 Innovations List. Planet Eureka, an international marketplace that helps inventors connect with companies, picked this innovation as one of the top five inventions in its category.
"As a result of this recognition, George's product will stand out even more in the innovation marketplace, and hopefully catch the eye of potential partners to help with manufacturing, research and development, and sales," Moran said.
Moran also has connected Angelo with other people at Penn State who might be interested in his seat. Plans are now under way to test prototypes of the seat on exercise bikes in university fitness labs. Riders who use the bikes outfitted with the Angel Wings seats would then be surveyed about their experience using it. Angelo said the seat also may have some uses in the realm of physical therapy, and tests at Penn State could help to define those uses.
Angelo said he's excited to move forward on his project, and thankful for the resources of Penn State DuBois Technology Transfer that made it possible. "I had a patent for so long and could make nothing happen with this. Now I'm working with Penn State and things are happening," he said.


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It's Saturday Night -
time for more Genealogy Fun!
Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible! music) is to:
1) Judy Russell asked six questions in her Keynote address at RootsTech to determine if audience members knew certain family stories about their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. She demonstrated very well that family stories are lost within three generations if they are not recorded and passed on to later generations.
2) This week, I want you to answer Judy's six questions, but about YOUR own life story, not your ancestors. Here are the questions:
a) What was your first illness as a child?
b) What was the first funeral you attended?
c) What was your favorite book as a child?
d) What was your favorite class in elementary school?
e) What was your favorite toy as a child?
f) Did you learn how to swim, and where did you learn?
3) Tell us in your own blog post, or in a comment to this post, or in a Facebook or Google+ post.
Here are my stories:
a) To the best of my recollection, my earliest illness would have been chicken pox. I've seen pictures of my brother and me full of spots. I was immunized pretty well against all of the other typical childhood diseases, so never had measles or mumps, etc. I had colds and such, but I was usually a very healthy boy.
b) The first funeral I attended would have been that of my great grandfather, Clyde J. Wyman Day in 1973. He was the first relative to die after my birth, and I recall going to South Dakota to be at the funeral. I remember him being laid out in the casket for viewing. It was all a bit much, as I was only six years old at the time.
c) I couldn't even begin to pick a favorite book! We had so many, all of the Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and so on. I was always a voracious reader, too, so even as I grew into elementary school I was always reading books. All of the Danny Dun series, Hardy Boys, and so forth. Plus, I read a lot of non-fiction books, mostly about science.
d) I don't remember having a favorite class in elementary school. Perhaps Reading. We didn't have a separate Science class, or that would have been it, hands down. I do know that I was always on the upper end of the charts, and got bored easily with easy classwork. That sometimes led to problems with teachers who wanted me to keep doing homework for stuff I had already shown I understood.
e) I can't think of a particular favorite toy, as it would have changed through the years as I got new toys. Anything space related would have been at the top of the list. Star Wars stuff. I did play with the little green army men a lot in the back yard. I do still have the teddy bear I had when I was a year old. It's in my baby pictures from that year. It's a bit worn, but still in one piece.
f) We did get swimming lessons at various local swimming pools. I never got to be very good at swimming, and I blame it on lessons one year. We were in lessons at the local college's pool, where the shallow end was 3.5 feet deep. I was about 7 years old, and not 3.5 feet tall! I could not touch bottom. At one point, they made us let go of the wall and try to swim out. Well, not being a good swimmer, and not being able to touch bottom, I panicked, and was sure I was going to drown. I don't even remember how I got back to the side, but that was it for me. No more lessons. Since then, I have never been a big fan of swimming, although I do enjoy snorkeling, and I did take a SCUBA class in college. I also passed the Navy's basic swim requirements, so I guess I can do adequately well.
This and all other articles on this blog are © copyright 2014 by Daniel G. Dillman


text: Complete solution for enjoying digital or analog TV on your PC - 3-in-1 TV system: free-to-air digital (DVB-S/ DVB-T) or analog TV programs- Live TV on sidebar by "ASUS GadgeTV Technology"- Support MPEG2 and H.264 TV programs receiving and recording- FM and MP3 listening- ASUS remote control kit for easy channel surfing Shop Modal header Complete solution for enjoying digital or analog TV on your PCASUS My Cinema ES3-110/PTS/FM/AV/RC provides a total solution for home theater entertainments. Whether you want to watch free-to-air digital (DVB-Satellite/ DVB-Terrestrial) or analog TV programs, make scheduled recording, edit and make your own movies, play DVD/VCD, or listen to MP3 music and FM radio, this card can satisfy all your needs. By incorporating the advanced decoder and TV tuner, this card produces high quality audio/video for better performance and enjoyment. Combined with the ASUS remote controller kits and useful utilities "ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology", this product instantly turns your PC into a smart multimedia center! 3-in-1 TV system Enable to watch free-to-air digital (DVB-Satellite/ DVB-Terrestrial) or analog TV programs ASUS GadgeTV Technology provides the useful Windows Vista Gadget tool to watch and record All-in-one Multimedia Center Support MPEG2 and H.264 TV programs receiving and recording Never miss your favorite TV show again- TimeShift functions- Manual schedule records- One-touch records from EPG FM and MP3 listening Record, edit and burn video into DVD or VCD AV inputs for capture external source ASUS remote control kit for easy channel surfing Snapshot for your favorite images Windows Vista Home Premium/ Vista Home Basic/ Vista Ultimate/ Vista Business/ Windows XP certificated System Requirements One available PCI-E slot PC: Pentium 4 2.6GHz equivalent or above recommended for SD video. Core 2 Duo 2.0Ghz or above is recommend for HD video Minimum 512MB system memory (1GB or more recommended) Graphics card with 64MB or more of video memory is recommended CD-ROM drive for driver installation 1GB of hard drive space is required DirectX-compatible audio solution DirectX 9 or above Windows Media Player 9 or above Microsoft Windows XP (Home edition or Professional edition) or above Microsoft Windows Vista (HomeBasic, HomePremium, Business, Ultimate)


text:
Squire wrote:fauniera's victory will mean that for the first time ever, the most popular team wins.
That sounds rather uncool. In my defense, it was a rare pick who (presumably) won this for me.
Moderators: Eshnar, Irondan, King Boonen, Red Rick
Armchair cyclist wrote:
A very good CQ season for him: he won the Giro game, and was only stopped from winning the Tour game by Cimolai's 7th place on the final sprint. He won the minor ranking in the Giro, and was joint green jersey winner in the Tour.
Hugo Koblet wrote:
You should definitely make that your avatar
skidmark wrote: Can't wait to get it started again.
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text:
Being physically active has countless health benefits. It helps prevent weight problems and reduces the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But according to a recent study from Canada, regular exercise can also improve how people perceive the world around them. Especially those suffering from anxiety or depression can profit from workouts or even just short brisk walks, researchers found.
Exercising and relaxation techniques like Yoga have long been successfully utilized in the treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders, said Adam Heenan, a researcher and PhD candidate in clinical psychology at Queen's University, Ontario, and co-author of the study in a news release by the university. What sets this study apart is that it was able to demonstrate how participants perceived ambiguous events like being approached by an unknown figure. It found that those who had previously exercised, for example by walking or running on a treadmill, felt less apprehensive about the encounter than others who had remained sedentary. The results were similar for those who engaged in relaxation exercises.
Their findings could be useful in the treatment of overly anxious or depressed individuals, the researchers concluded. If physical exercise can indeed manipulate how such persons feel about their surroundings, following an appropriate regimen may have significant therapeutic advantages, they suggested.
Earlier studies have shown that exercising does not only stimulate the brain but, at the same time, can also induce calmness and reduce the effects of stress. Rigorous physical activity increases the secretion of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that can induce a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.
While being exposed to a certain amount of stress is unavoidable and may even be beneficial in some situations, chronic stress can lead to multiple damaging effects, including psychological dysfunctions. Stress-related anxiety disorders rank among the most common psychiatric illnesses, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).
Some studies found that people who maintained a regular exercise routine were up to 25 percent less likely to develop depression and/or anxiety disorders than those who did not.
Other research showed that habitual exercisers have on average more self-esteem, are less prone to mood swings, sleep more soundly, are better equipped to deal with life's challenges, and run a lower risk of succumbing to age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease.
Naturally, different people respond differently to exercising, and not all activities produce the same results. What experts say they know for certain, however, is that sedentary behavior is harmful in many ways, and is considered a "silent killer" that contributes not only to diseases but also shortens people's life span. For this reason alone, it would be worthwhile to start moving, wouldn't it?
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Timi Gustafson R.D. is a registered dietitian, newspaper columnist, blogger and author of the book "The Healthy Diner – How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun"®, which is available on her blog and at amazon.com. For more articles on nutrition, health and lifestyle, visit her blog, "Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D." (www.timigustafson.com).


text: Loyola president argues that universities must promote social justice in Commitment to Justice Lecture September 26, 2013 | By Rita Buettner Taking on the argument that universities should have no role in character formation, Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., assured an audience of students, faculty, and community members that a university—particularly a Jesuit university—has a responsibility to create men and women for others. In Loyola University Maryland's annual Commitment to Justice Lecture, which Fr. Linnane delivered Sept. 25, 2013, Loyola's president offered a historic look at the role of the university in preparing its students to lead lives of service. "When we talk about justice, we are speaking about both social and individual virtue," Fr. Linnane told his audience in the University's McGuire Hall. "We need to find ways to engage our students in appreciating and cultivating both of these aspects, and then seeking ways to apply it in their communities. No matter what they study while here at Loyola, students will encounter questions after graduation—so teaching them reflection and action for justice is also necessary. Because the truth is that questions of justice are always evolving." As he delivered his address, "Voices that Open Minds," Fr. Linnane took his audience back to the founding of the Society of Jesus and then through the evolution of university education over the past hundreds of years. "Biblical witness shows us that God is on the side of the poor and those marginalized by society. But although it was clear that Christianity called people to serve those whose voices were not being heard, there was this thought that there was a dichotomy between university life and service of the poor," he said. "The university was seen as a fairly soft life, a time for study, but not for service. And there was not an expectation that university graduates would need to serve or act on issues of justice in the world. That just wasn't seen as the purpose of university education. The life in the Ivory Tower was not one where academics wanted to get their hands dirty. As Fr. Ignacio Ellacuria argued in his 1982 address at Santa Clara University, 'A Christian university must take into account the Gospel preference for the poor.'" In his remarks Fr. Linnane also discussed how the work of the 32nd General Congregation for the Society of Jesus changed that perspective within Jesuit universities. "Instead, that commitment to social justice, which had been implicit in our Jesuit tradition, became explicit within Jesuit higher education. And what we have come to see is that schools have been among the most effective at promoting social justice—not just within Jesuit higher education, but in other institutions of higher education. Unless a college or university compels a student to consider the issues of social existence—'Why am I here?' and 'What are my obligations to others, especially those most in need?'—the graduate has an education but no sense of needing to use it to better the world." Fr. Linnane also argued even that change had not been a substantive one for the Jesuit institutions as much as a moment when the implicit became explicit. "While explicit concern for the systematic reflection on the prospects for a more just social order may seem to be a relatively new imperative for the Jesuit education, I would argue that the concern for character, virtue, and love of neighbor—particularly the most vulnerable neighbor—that have always been a part of the Jesuit educational endeavor give the concern for justice deep roots in the Jesuit educational system," Fr. Linnane said. At Loyola, faculty must demonstrate an understanding of the Jesuit mission and educating students in light of that, even before they are hired, Fr. Linnane said. "Indeed, it is the case that most of our faculty is proud of our Jesuit mission. When asked about how they will advance our Jesuit mission—as all candidates for faculty positions are—those who are not Catholic or even particularly religious—point to our commitment to integrating faith and justice as well as our commitment to cura personalis," he said. The annual Commitment to Justice Lecture is run by Loyola's Center for Community Service and Justice.


text:
When I started working out, I had a personal music player the size of a dachshund for exercise motivation. I filled it with Rush and Joe Satriani mix tapes to enhance my workouts. Technology has come a long way since then.
Now I use an iPod Shuffle, which is preferred among fitness folks for it's diminutive size, even if it does have a robustness issue when it comes to a little sweat.
One night I recall waking up at 3 a.m., as if from a bad dream, my consciousness shrieking: The battery in my iPod is dead, and I have an early bike ride planned! I had to get up and plug in the thing in order to get back to sleep.
I am a music junkie when it comes to working out, and I'm...


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Bach to Baseball Cards
Preserving the Nation's Heritage at the Library of Congress
subscribe_url: '/share/sites/Bapu4ruC/preservation.php'
Music Division
An American in Paris
George Gershwin
[An American in Paris: a musical score]
Bound volume, 1928
The original 1928 musical score for An American in Paris was donated to the Library of Congress in 1953. It was among the first bequests of Mrs. Leonore Gershwin (Ira's widow) in establishing the George and Ira Gershwin Collection. George Gershwin had the score bound in an elaborate gilt leather presentation binding.
Treatment: The spine of the presentation binding was inflexible, causing the brittle paper to crack when the volume was opened. The score was disbound, and the pages were repaired. The folios were sewn to the outer folds of a concertina guard. This reduced the flexing of the pages upon opening and eliminated the cracking caused by the original spine structure of the binding. The book was rebound using the original covers, but the joints were slightly extended to accommodate the concertina guard.
Don Giovanni in Beethoven's Own Hand?!
Ludwig Beethoven
[Don Giovanni in Beethoven's Own Hand]
Music manuscript, 1803-1805
The text of Mozart's Don Giovanni appears in German translation. Beethoven bibliographer George Kinsky assumed that Beethoven made this copy for study purposes in preparation for composing ensemble sections in Fidelio.
Treatment: The loose sheets of the unbound manuscript were discolored and slightly dirty. Stains and small tears could be seen. The pages were washed, deacidified and sized before being bound in a simple folder case.
"Stars and Stripes Forever"
[Stars and Stripes Forever]
Music manuscript, 1896
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) wrote this score for "The Stars and Stripes Forever," on April 26, 1897. First composed in 1896, it has become a musical calling card for our nation.
Treatment: Cellulose acetate lamination was removed from the document. It was then hinged to buffered support paper, encapsulated in polyester for protection, and bound.
Bach Cantata
Johann Sebastian Bach
Dominica 6. Post Trinitatis
In the early 1730s, Bach wrote his Cantata for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity, BWV9, 'Salvation has come to us here," drawing for the text from a hymn by Paul Speratus. The work was a late addition to his second annual cycle of cantatas composed in Leipzig in 1724-25, according to the J.S. Bach Composer Companion (1999), because "Bach and his wife were away from Leipzig for the sixth Sunday after Trinity in 1724…Bach prepared no new cantata for that week, but a decade later he filled this gap in the Chorale Cantata with BWV9."
Treatment: Conservators disbound and collated the manuscripts. They removed as much surface dirt and grime as possible by drycleaning. Each leave was deacidified with a non-aqueous alkaline solution. They mended damaged areas with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste. Because the fragility of the brittle paper, especially where heavily inked, required maximum support to limit flexing and abrasion of the sheets while allowing optimum reader accessibility, they collaborated with the Music Division to separate the few remaining severely weakened folds and encapsulated individual leaves in polyester film. Conservators then matted these encapsulations and they were sewn into a linen support. They covered the binding in limp vellum, made vellum endsheets and endbands, and laced the whole together with alum-tawed goatskin.
Whole Brahms Manuscript
Johannes Brahms
[Concerto for Violin, Op. 77]
hand written manuscript
This full score of Concerto for Violin, Op. 77, written in the hand of Johannes Brahms, was the product of a lengthy epistolary collaboration between Brahms and violinist Joseph Joachim. The masterpiece that emerged premiered in Leipzig, Germany, but the two continued to revise in red ink and red pencil, with Brahms focusing on the orchestral parts and Joachim the violin solo. This correspondence between composer and performer suggests the existence of at least one full score, one piano score, possibly two solo violin parts, and many orchestral parts, all undergoing any number of revisions and being transported back and forth across continental Europe and to and from London.
Treatment: This Brahms music manuscript was originally bound in a half calfskin with paper sides. The original leather was deteriorated and the boards were detached. Conservators disbound the music manuscript pages and encapsulated them between polyester sheets. They extended the top piece of the sheeting beyond the spine edge of the text to create a flange and drilled sewing holes along the spine edge of this polyester flange. They laid two-inch strips of linen and pared goatskin along the spine edge and side-sewed the text with linen thread. They constructed a box of four-ply matboard to fit over the sewn spine. The box was covered with linen which also extended to create a 2-inch flange, which they glued to the linen flange from the text. Finally, they used goatskin to cover this attached spine box and the boards, creating a 1/4 leather and linen cover.
American Chorale
Graduale Dominicale
Second edition
Bound volume
This second edition of the 1576 Graduale Dominicale, a large choral book, is the earliest 16th-century American musical imprint in the Library's collections. The Graduale is an early example of a liturgical book with music published in many of the Spanish colonies, and it is among the first books containing music printed in the Americas. The copy of the Graduale at the Library of Congress contains chants for the Proper of the Mass for the feasts of the Temporale for the whole liturgical year from the first Sunday in Advent to the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost.
The textblock had become detached from the leather covered, wooden-board binding. The pages were brittle and stiff from the sizing and had many previous repairs. Many of these repairs were large patches of paper adhered to the Graduale's pages with adhesives which were discolored and brittle. In some areas where there were losses of text restorers had filled in the missing text with pen and ink.
Treatment: The sewing was removed from the text block and the pages were separated. They were washed in water to remove the old sizing, paper patches and adhesives. The pages were immersed in an alkaline bath which deposited and alkaline reserve in the paper. They were then mended, losses were filled and folios were reattached using Japanese paper and wheat starch paste. Previous patches that contained replacement text were photocopied onto Japanese paper so that new fills with better quality paper, retained the information from the previous repair.
Rhapsody in Blue
George Gershwin
[Rhapsody in Blue: a musical score]
Bound volume, 1924
While most of the George and Ira Gershwin materials are in the Gershwin Collection, two manuscripts of the Rhapsody in Blue are in the Ferde Grofé Collection (Grofé made the original orchestrations of that work), and lyric sheets for five songs written by Ira Gershwin and Vernon Duke are found in the Duke Collection. In addition to the manuscripts of Gershwin's concert works, the Gershwin Collection has considerable manuscript music for his stage musicals--especially Of Thee I Sing ("Love Is Sweeping the Country") and Let 'Em Eat Cake ("Mine"). It also has material from his late songs for Hollywood musicals, with Gershwin's own piano accompaniments crafted carefully as an art song: "They Can't Take That away from Me," "Nice Work if You Can Get It," "Slap That Bass." The Division has full score, sketch score, typescript libretto, and sheaves of sketches for the archetypal American opera, Porgy and Bess. The Collection also contains material concerning Ira Gershwin, including letters to Ira from Kurt Weill written during their collaboration on Lady in the Dark.
Treatment: Conservators disbound the manuscript. They removed tissue guards and lightly dry cleaned the pages before pray deacidifiying them. They then mended and applied guards to the pages using Japanese paper. They repaired the decorated fly leaves, replacing white fly leaves with archival-quality paper. Book conservators sewed the manuscript to a concertina guard, using a long, non-adhesive stitch. They inserted a tube lining to allow more flexibility in the spine. They extended the original covers by creating grooved rather than tight joints and reattached them with new leather across the spine. Finally, the bookbinders reattached the previous spine over the new leather spine.
National Anthem
First printed edition of Star Spangled Banner
In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote new words for a well-known drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven," to celebrate America's recent victory over the British. However, only in 1931, following a twenty-year effort during which more than forty bills and joint resolutions were introduced in Congress, was a law finally signed proclaiming "The Star Spangled Banner" to be the national anthem of the United States. The present copy, one of only five known to have been made by Key, is the earliest of four dating from the period 1840-1842 near the end of his life.
Treatment: Item had been silked many years ago. The silk was manually removed. The item was washed and deacidified. The item was fully lined with Japanese paper and placed in a window matte to provide support and to allow access and use.
Appalachian Spring
Aaron Copland
Holograph score
Appalachian Spring, with music by Aaron Copland and choreography by Martha Graham, was commissioned by and first performed at the Library in 1944. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945. Described by Graham as having "to do with roots in so far as people can express them without telling an actual story" it had a complex birth. Copland received three different scripts from Graham before beginning what he called his "Ballet for Martha" (Graham gave it the current title). When she heard the music, Graham decided to redo the action yet again. So, finally, there is no "script" for Appalachian Spring-only the dance.
Treatment: The two scores were not originally bound but housed in two portfolios. The individual pages were mended using Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste. They were encapsulated in polyester with acid-free paper inserts, to help slow deterioration. The polyester sleeve pages were post bound in green buckram and placed into especially made drop spine boxes.


text:
Custom VII Mat Knife and Blades
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text:
The Reliance Group, founded by Dhirubhai H. Ambani , is India's largest private
sector enterprise, with businesses in the energy and materials value chain. The
flagship company, Reliance Industries Limited, is a Fortune Global 500 company and
is the largest private sector company in India.
Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance as a textile company and led its evolution as
a global leader in the materials and energy value chain businesses. It was in 1957
when he returned to India after a stint with A.Besse& Co., Aden he started yarn
trading business from a small 500 sq.ft. office in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai.he set
up his brand new mill in Naroda, Gujarat. In 1996 Reliance went on to become the
biggest textile brand 'Only Vimal'. In 1977 the Reliance Textile Industries came
with an IPO which was oversubscribed seven times.
Indus Portfolio Pvt Ltd G - 65 , Bali Nagar,,,New Delhi
PNB may take control of 2-3 small PSU banks: sources
Instagram says investigating data breach that affected 49 million influencer profiles
Reliance Jio likely to bring new calling technology for users: What you should know
Here's what RBI will do to strengthen supervision, regulation of banks, NBFCs
Super rich Indians' investment in PE to be Asia's highest this year, says report
Consumer slowdown is real, but it is not as bad as it looks; revival soon, say experts
Creador invests $18 million in iValue InfoSolutions
Mukesh Ambani's Jio yet to dethrone Vodafone, Bharti as India's top telco; 9 crore users to go
Nokia 3.2 arrives in India with promised regular Android updates, starts at Rs 8,990
Huawei gets 90-day relaxation from Android ban, company to focus on its own OS
Finance ministry asks AAI to issue shares against govt funding of Rs 656 cr
Spectrum auction need to be commenced for 5G roll out: Tech Mahindra
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Hirings up 16% as IT industry continues to recruit; Bengaluru has most jobs on offer
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Wholesale cement prices drop in Delhi, Bangalore on muted demand, but firm in Mumbai
Mukesh Ambani among most trusted Indians, but these businessmen outrank RIL boss
Former Infosys' chief Vishal Sikka raises $50 million for his AI startup Vian Systems
How mutual funds of real estate will prop up property market in India
Sensex, Nifty rally on stable govt hopes, NDA-II may be more productive; IIFL's Nirmal Jain says
Sensex, Nifty hit new record highs but fail to hold gains; key highlights
Jet Airways shares soar 17 percent after report that Hinduja Group may save the airline
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala says Modi's NDA could win 300 seats, but don't expect 2014-like returns in stock market
Mid-cap stocks may be headed to revival of fortunes as Modi shines in exit polls
Fuel retailers raise petrol, diesel prices on second consecutive day in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai
Dollar near 2-1\/2-week peak on higher yields, trade tensions; Aussie slips
Rupee opens flat at 69.74 per dollar against the previous close of 69.73
Stock corner: Maintain 'sell' rating on Endurance Technologies – Kotak Institutional Equities
Stock corner: 'Reduce' on Pidilite, stock expensive on relative basis
What will drive share market today: Crude oil prices, US-China trade war, other key things to watch out for
One-month rupee NDF cools 75 paise on exit polls
Share market highlights: Sensex, Nifty end in deep red after hitting record high; Tata Motors top loser
Oil edges higher as Opec+ says to stay the course
Gold eases as dollar steals safe-haven thunder
Oil rises on escalating US-Iran tensions; trade war concerns weigh
Global markets: Asian shares near 4-month lows on Huawei fallout fears
Stock corner: Buy HDFC share, lower NIMs came as a disappointment
Stock corner: 'Neutral' on HCL Technologies, a miss on margins even as revenue was strong
Job creation up at 8.14 lakh in March: EPFO payroll data
Uday Kotak's 2-point growth formula: How India may see long term economic growth
Scope for improvement in Indo-China trade ties: Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui
Irrespective of which party gets power, next govt to focus on land, labour reforms, export promotion, says Goldman Sachs report
Singapore, Canada seek to join WTO consultations over India's ICT products tariff
Arvind Panagariya recommends aggressive privatisation of public sector undertakings in India
New Indian government faces crucial foreign policy decisions, say US experts
US companies are looking for transparency and consistency in policy framework: Experts
US-China trade war gradually destabilising world economy
Upload daily reports online or lose licences: Maharashtra to pvt markets
Uday scheme: Discoms drift back to old ways, key targets missed
Chinese Taipei seeks to join WTO consultations over India's ICT products tariff
Next govt should abolish MSP in 3 years, cut corporate tax to 5 pc, says Surjit Bhalla
Soon, use new Rs 10 notes with RBI governor Shaktikanta Das signature; key things to know
Inflation remains soft even in states with high consumer spending power
FSSAI allows small organic growers to sell produce without certification till 2020
Trump says tariffs making companies leave China, a deal can't be '50-50′
Japan's unexpected GDP growth comes with reasons for caution
India's new government inherits an economy riddled with problems
Modi sarkar 2.0 needs to be bolder than first


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Saturday, September 16, 2017
Autumn Wordart
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A regular topic that comes up on genealogy forums is the lack of documentation of sources especially on large trees.
I believe there are a number of reasons why the larger online trees do not have sources.
Many people start trees online then give up once they get to grandparents or beyond the people they remember and these trees are often unsourced as they have been produced as a passing whim. There are a large number of these on websites such as Genes Reunited which are free or minimal cost. When they go back to these later they do not think that they have not added information as to where they found out how these people fit in their family.
Very few of us can say we documented all our sources from the start and we can be reluctant to go back and add them later, even though it may save us time overall.
Few of us trust everything we read and given the rate information is added to the internet we do not always want others to use the information we have obtained at our own expense.
Basically the reasons for not including sources in online trees as I see it are :
- Laziness
- Lack of trust of others
- Cost associated with obtaining the information
Don't criticise others who seem to be unwilling to share but do as you would like to be done by.
If you choose not to put your sources on your tree mention this in the opening page.
If you are willing to share with others invite them to contact you.
Some of my best leads have come from others but by confirming things for myself I have found information beyond what others have given me which has made this hobby so much more enjoyable.
Those who just include other peoples research do not know the joy of discovering something new for themselves.


text: Armrest and center console covered in matching Katzkin Leather with contrast stitching Use mouse scroll wheel over image or pinch-to-zoom on touch devices. You can also click and drag around on image. Park it 1 1 Follow 2015 Leer Ford F-150 Parked to 2015 Leer Ford F-150 XLT Crew Cab by MAD Industries Vehicle Info: 2015 Ford F-150 Keywords 2015 Ford F150 XLT EcoBoost LEER SEMA SEMA 2014 Airaid CGS Performance Crown Suspension MGP Forgiato Pirelli Odyssey Sign up to add your own keywords More from this Garage: More from this Profile: Project 2015 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Project 2016 Ford Explorer Project 2017 "Ole Yeller" Ford Mustang Shelby GT350


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Mike Monroe: Fear itself is Howard's problem at foul line
You see the dread in Dwight Howard's eyes every time he steps to the foul line, and if you are a Lakers fan, you hold your breath or avert your eyes when he is there.
Fear is the real problem for any bad free throw shooter. Then when you consider the NBA's most dominant big man is in his second straight season of missing more free throws than he has made — 67 of 136 going into the Lakers' Saturday night game in Dallas — you wonder how he managed to make 15 of 19 in the second game of the season, at Portland on Oct. 31.
Then you realize that in the 12 other games Howard has played this season, he has shot only 44 percent, 52 of 117, and know why doubt shows on his face even as he goes through his pre-shot routine.
Howard isn't the worst foul shooter in the league thus far this season. He isn't even the worst in L.A. That distinction goes to former Texas A&M player DeAndre Jordan, who went into the Clippers' Saturday night game in Atlanta having made only 17 of 35, 48.6 percent.
But Howard is the most prominent foul line head case in the league because it is a weakness that can be exploited so easily that it affects the way the Lakers approach crunch time.
While Howard has regressed at the line the last two seasons, his percentage slipping from 59.6 in 2010-11 to 49.1 percent last season and 49.3 thus far this season, consider the improvement at the foul line this season by three of the Spurs' big men.
Part of the reason Tim Duncan's scoring average, 18.5 points per game, is up from last season's 15.4 can be attributed to his making 53 of 71 free throws, 74.6 percent. It is his highest percentage since making a career best 79.9 percent in 2001-02, one of his two MVP seasons. It is a significant jump from 69.5 percent, which is what he shot at the line last season.
Tiago Splitter has made 26 of 35 free throws and 22 of his last 25. His season percentage is 74.3, up from 54.3 during his rookie campaign and 69.1 percent last season. He also appears to be well past the crisis of foul line confidence that caused coach Gregg Popovich to take him out of his playing rotation in the final games of the Spurs-Thunder Western Conference finals in April.
Then there is DeJuan Blair. A 60.2 percent free thrower through his first three seasons, he has made 13 of 14 this season, the best percentage on a team whose foul shooting is up from 74.8 percent last season to 77.5 percent.
Such results make you appreciate the trust Popovich places in Chip Engelland, now in his eighth season as the Spurs' shooting coach.
It doesn't take a genius to spot the flaws in any player's free throw stroke. Engelland's special knack appears to be getting each Spur to believe in his fixes and trust they will work.
Some of the secret seems to be the pre-shot confidence Engelland's work engenders and which Howard clearly lacks.
The proof is in the percentages.
Duncan's improvement is mostly self-wrought, but Blair and Splitter have re-made their free throw strokes to Engelland's specifications, and the results thus far are amazing.
Thirteen games is a small sample, but enough to believe the improvement can change the outcome of two or three close games over the 82-game season.
Twitter: @Monroe_SA


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Climate Change
The word "climate" refers to the average weather of a particular region. For example, Florida is warm and sunny. Average the climates of all regions and you get Earth's climate. The word "weather," on the other hand, refers to hourly and daily conditions that are constantly changing.
The term "climate change" refers to a shift in "normal" weather including factors like temperature and annual rainfall. When most people say "climate change," however, they are referring to a shift in the global climate. An example of global climate change would be an increase or decrease in the planet's average temperature. These changes usually take place slowly over hundreds or thousands of years.
Real-life Effects & Potential Consequences
Earth's climate is always changing; that's a fact. But whether the current changes are the result of human behavior, a part of the Earth's normal cycle, or both is yet to be proven. Scientists believe that Earth went through warm and cool periods lasting for thousands of years before the existence of mankind.
Many are concerned about "global warming," a term that refers to the gradual increase of the planet's average temperature. Data shows that the planet's average temperature has increased by about one degree over the past one hundred years. This might not seem like a big deal, but even slight changes have large consequences.
Here's an example: as the Earth's average temperature increases, more ice and snow melt into the ocean. Sea levels rise and precipitation patterns change. These new patterns, combined with flooding, heat waves, and drought, can severely affect growing seasons. Not to mention seaside cities like New Orleans are in danger of disappearing beneath the waves. Whenever temperatures change, there is also a chance of stronger hurricanes.
A group of European scientists predict that instead of hotter temperatures, Earth is facing a "mini ice age" that will start sometime around the year 2030. They believe that a decrease in solar activity will bring about a cool period similar to the "Maunder Minimum," a period of cool temperatures that lasted from 1645-1715. To give you an idea, the River Thames remained frozen solid for nearly two months.
Climate change causes a loss in biodiversity as species are forced to adapt to shifting conditions. Scientists predict that climate change will lead to a significant drop in biodiversity, up to the extinction of 25% of all Earth's land species by 2050. Animals and plants evolved to live in specific conditions. When these conditions change, the species must adapt or perish.
We may experience an increase in the number and strength of natural disasters including:
- Floods
- Droughts
- Storms
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Tornadoes
- Earthquakes
- Heat waves
These disasters not only endanger people and property, but have a negative effect on the economy. Natural disasters occur five times more frequently than in the 1970s. From air quality to the threat of disaster, all the potential effects of climate change will affect human health.
Anthropogenic Climate Change
Many global warming advocates and scientists are convinced that climate change is anthropogenic, meaning that it was influenced or caused by humans. These individuals believe that burning fossil fuels and the resulting production of greenhouse gases are responsible for at least part of the Earth's current warming trend. Indeed, the concentration of greenhouse gases locked in Earth's atmosphere has skyrocketed during the past few hundred years.
Climate Change Skeptics & Deniers
Global warming has become a real controversy during the 21st century. The following questions have led to the formation of factions, groups, and extremists:
- Is the planet actually increasing in temperature?
- If so, is this change anthropogenic?
- What will be the effects of global warming?
- Do we need to prepare for these effects?
These are big questions that in order to be solved require public education, faith in scientists, and government money. While there is a general consensus among scientists that yes, our planet's surface temperature has increased in modern times; and yes, that change is anthropogenic, the public remains suspicious.
Climate change skeptics argue over facts and data. They are generally uninformed and tend not to trust the government or scientists blindly. Skeptics are more likely to be republican than democrat. Skeptics generally need lots of proof before they will believe anything.
A few of their arguments:
- The climate has changed before; what's happening now is normal!
- The Earth's climate changes in response to forces; humankind is the current force.
- Scientists can't even agree on it; why should I believe it?
- 97% of climate change experts agree.
- Al Gore was wrong!
- His book, An Inconvenient Truth, was surprisingly accurate.
- How can you say the Earth is warming when this winter has been so cold?
- Global warming has nothing to do with daily weather.
Climate change deniers, on the other hand, refuse to believe that humankind could have possibly changed the earth's climate. They may think the whole thing a "conspiracy." Again, deniers are more likely to be republican than democrat. While skeptics will listen and try to understand the facts – and even change their minds if given adequate proof – climate change deniers won't even listen because they don't want it to be true.
- Are very uneducated on the topic
- Present false, contradictory evidence
- Believe there is no scientific consensus
- Claim that climate-predication models don't work
- Believe that we can't be sure
- Argue that climate change is natural
- Don't understand why an increase in temperature would be bad
Earth has warmed during modern times as a result of humankind's production of greenhouse gases. That is a fact. Even though we don't know just how much of that warming was our fault and even though we aren't 100% sure what will happen next, it is important to make preparations for the future.
Sustainable Development
The concept of sustainable development (SD) refers to development that meets current needs but does not endanger future generations' ability to do the same. If achieved worldwide, sustainable development would theoretically eliminate poverty, create jobs, and save natural resources.
In order to understand the term, we must view Earth as a global system. For example, pollution in Asia affects air quality in France; pesticides in the U.S. harm fish in the Mediterranean.
The system involves not only space, but also time. The decisions our ancestors made regarding farming affect practices today. The policies we follow today impact the future of our children.
This big-picture way of thinking is the same way one must view climate change. The two concepts go hand in hand. Many look to sustainable development as the answer to global warming because it involves many opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. Others view climate change as the biggest challenge impeding the world from achieving sustainable development because it's hard to put systems into place when we are uncertain of future climate.
The big focus of SD falls on countries. A World Summit was held in 2002 to discuss sustainable development strategies. The group asked that every country "make progress in the formulation and elaboration of national strategies for sustainable development." Implementation was supposed to start by 2005.
According to a Yale/Columbia University study, Iceland is the most sustainable country in the world. Here's why: Iceland's climate change policy, enforced by the Ministry for the Environment and the Environment Agency of Iceland, results in excellent environmental management. The country enjoys a low rate of disease, high water quality, and low air pollution. Iceland effectively manages its timber resources while enjoying pristine forests.
Policies that have made Iceland such a leader is SD include the Nature Conservation Act of 1999 and the Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Act of 2007.
Sustainable development isn't limited to communities and countries. There are steps you can take as an individual to facilitate SD, some of which you can start today:
- The "Enough Concept:" don't be greedy. Eat and drink enough but not too much.
- Parents and teachers can teach kids about SD, conservation, and recycling
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Ride your bike instead of driving your car
- Use public transportation
- Cultivate a personal garden
- For more ideas, check out Citizen Science: A Study of People, Expertise, and Sustainable Development by Alan Irwin.
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy, a huge part of SD, is any form of energy that comes from non-exhaustible resources. Examples include solar energy, hydroelectricity, wind energy, geothermal energy, wave power, tidal power, and bioenergy. Most of these are economically competitive.
The move to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy is likely the world's biggest challenge in regards to sustainable energy. Fossil fuels are combustible organic materials found underground. Natural processes like anaerobic decomposition turn dead plants and animals into coal, crude oil and natural gas. The process takes millions of years and the resulting materials contain lots of carbon. Not only will this source of energy eventually run dry, but burning fossil fuels releases loads of greenhouse gases into the environment, which contributes to global warming.
The term "carbon footprint" refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by one person, event, or organization – but is now generally used to describe how much waste a person contributes to the environment. It's fairly easy for businesses, communities, and individuals to reduce their carbon footprints. Here are a few examples:
- Carpool
- Have a separate trash can for recycling
- Use less paper by printing on both sides
- Use less paper through services like online banking
- Drive a low carbon vehicle
- Make sure your house is properly insulted/sealed
- Turn off the lights when you leave the house
- Utilize solar panels
- Open the windows instead of using the A/C
- Eat local food
Sustainable Farming
Sustainable farming is not only one of the biggest ways mankind can reduce its carbon footprint, but also benefits public health, the environment, animal welfare, and communities. Sustainable agriculture allows us to produce food that is healthier and does not compromise the ability of future generations to do the same.
Sustainable farming preserves the environment because it does not rely on synthetic fertilizers, toxic pesticides, GMOs, nontherapeutic antibiotics (for livestock), or techniques that degrade natural resources. These techniques include crop rotation, conservation tillage, soil enrichment, and biointensive integrated pest management. In addition, sustainable farms foster biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
There are negative consequences to growing the same crop in the same field year after year. Switching to a different crop each season avoids these consequences and is one of the most powerful practices of sustainable farming. The technique is called crop rotation. Switching crops is beneficial to pest control because most bugs have crop preferences. Rotating plants like legumes and soybeans helps to replenish nutrients, reducing the need for fertilizer. For example, corn growing in a field that was previously used to grow soybeans will need less nitrogen to produce a successful harvest.
Sustainable agriculture promotes healthier communities because all products of those farms are safe and healthy for consumers. In addition, sustainable farms protect us from exposure to toxins, pathogens, and pollutants. In addition to boosting the economy, sustainable farms create jobs that are safe and fair.
Animal welfare is another big aspect of sustainability. Sustainable ranchers and farmers treat their livestock with care and raise them on pasture, which enables them to move about freely and instinctively. These animals eat a natural diet and therefore are healthier and less-stressed than animals in confinement.
United States agriculture started to industrialize during the 1900s. Since then, we have become dependent on synthetic fertilizers and toxic pesticides. Over the years, small farms were driven out of business and large farms got even bigger. Although this system does produce a large amount of food at a low price, it does so by employing practices that threaten human health, the environment, animal welfare, and rural communities.
Most of today's crops come from large, monocrop farms. These farms not only rely on pesticides and GMOs, but also degrade natural resources ad reduce biodiversity. They generate pollutants that threaten neighbors, farmworkers, and consumers.
As public awareness of these issues grows, the demand for sustainable farming increases. Energy is one of the biggest concerns. Modern farming depends on non-renewable sources of energy like petroleum. We cannot abruptly abandon petroleum, but we know the resource will eventually run dry. A gradual shift to sustainable agriculture will protect the economy, create more jobs, and significantly decrease our use of non-renewable energy.
While we are still worlds away from global sustainable development, YOU can make a difference now. Whether that means educating others about climate change, visiting your local farmer's market, or carpooling to work, I encourage you to start today.
* The Climate Pledge Of Resistance
Sick of empty talk about climate change and want policy makers to take real action? Visit beyondtalk.net, and sign the climate pledge of resistance. Besides pressuring politicians to take action on global warming, you can also find light-hearted environment jokes and even the best home & eco-friendly laser hair removal product reviews.


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Magic Johnson still scoring points after HIV diagnosis
Magic Johnson Discusses Life after HIV with Howard University students.
(Photo by Justin D. Knight/Howard University)
By Maya Rhodan
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – There was a lot of laughter in Howard University Hospital's Tower Auditorium as Ervin "Magic" Johnson addressed a crowd of hospital staff and community members on National Black AIDS Day. Although, the topic was no laughing matter.
It has been 22 years since the former Los Angeles Laker announced that he had contracted the HIV virus, but he still remembers the moment he found out like it was yesterday.
He had received a phone call from his doctor while preparing for an exhibition basketball game in Utah. He was told he needed to return to Los Angeles right away, and the news he received once he got there changed his life forever.
"You think you've done everything right," Johnson said to the crowd. "I thought, 'How could this happen to me?'"
He asked his doctor what he could do to stay the same Magic Johnson he's always been. He was told to do three things: take your medication, maintain a positive attitude and continue to workout.
"I'm not on any magical drugs," Johnson said, to which the crowd responded with laughter. "I take a cocktail of meds like everyone else. I'm just cool with my status."
Being cool with one's HIV status is a message advocates and physicians have been struggling to send. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, out of the 1.1 million people living with HIV in America, 19.5 percent do not know their status.
However, advocates remain optimistic that the more people like Magic Johnson continue to promote getting tested for HIV and remaining in care, the easier it will be to curb the spread of the epidemic.
"One of the most critical steps is getting people to just come out with their status," said Dr. Sohial Rana, a Howard University professor of pediatrics and hematology who specializes in HIV care. "Normal people, celebrities, people at all levels. This is a disease that affects us all, that's the most important message we need to share."
"There's a lot of supermen in our community," Johnson joked. "The biggest problem is getting people to say there is a problem within Black and brown communities."
Although Blacks represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections in 20103 and approximately 44 percent of people living with HIV in 2009.
Latinos, who represent 16.7 percent of the nation's population, accounted for 20 percent of new HIV infections in 2009 and 19 percent of people living with HIV disease. Latinos also accounted for 22 percent of new AIDS diagnoses in 2010.
Johnson did not let his HIV infection sideline him. He embarked on a myriad of successful business ventures after his diagnosis, including the more recent launch of the family-oriented television network Aspire, stands as a testament to the fact that by staying healthy and taking medication, people living with HIV can maintain a normal lifestyle.
"I want to walk my daughter down the aisle one day," Johnson said. "This disease won't stop me."


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38-Year-Old Driver Undergoes Physical Transformation To Fulfill His Dream
Dan Stoddard is the perfect example of why we should never stop trying to accomplish our dreams. Some months back, Dan was playing in an alumni basketball tournament in Ottawa, Canada, when Algonquin College men's basketball coach, Trevor Costello, spotted him. Costello had been refereeing at the tournament and took notice of the 6'8", nearly 400 pound player. Costello spoke to him after the game about playing for the Thunder.
The former standout high school basketball player realized that he might actually have a chance to resurrect his ball career, but he needed to speak to his family first. Stoddard is the married father to two teenagers, and he also works full-time as a city bus driver in Ottawa, meaning that his time was already spoken for.
Stoddard's wife Amanda was taken aback by this sudden change in events, "Honestly, I was a little surprised, a little shocked. But this is something he's wanted to do since we got together when we were so young. This is the one regret he had in life," she said.
After enrolling in Algonquin's four-year accounting program, Stoddard then needed to do something about his physical fitness. If he was going to compete with young men half his age he was going to have to shed some weight and get his cardio up. He hired a personal trainer and started hitting the OC Transpo gym.
Read the full story on Shared.com
Photo: Shared.com