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All Exhibitors are invited to advertise in Medical Physics, the scientific journal of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Medical Physics will be distributed to all AAPM attendees during registration. Information on rates, mechanical specifications and copy deadlines may be obtained from:
Deborah Bott
Advertising Sales Manager
American Institute of Physics
2 Huntington Quadrangle
Melville, NY 11747-4502
Tel: 800-247-2242
Tel: 516-576-2430
Fax: 516-576-2327
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
web: www.aip.org
Digital Capture of Exhibitor Events
A great way to reach the AAPM membership and other potential customers
with your CUSTOMIZED message
As an Exhibitor participating at the 2008 AAPM Annual Meeting, have a presentation, product demonstration, or users meeting digitally captured during the meeting....
AAPM has partnered with Blue Sky Broadcast in order to provide you with a unique event-delivery solution at very REASONABLE PRICES.
The process includes these basic steps:
- The capture of live events, including audio, video, PowerPoint and collateral materials
- Placing these elements in a custom branded console
- Stream the video and audio, so your audience can access the information from a dial up modem or a high speed connection
- Transcribe the entire event
- Time code and outline the event for easy navigation
- Captured events or presentations will be hosted in the AAPM Virtual Library for 12 months.
AAPM Virtual Press Room
AAPM has implemented a Virtual Press Room for the 2008 Meeting. The Virtual Press Room will consist of both Scientific and Exhibitor related press releases.
Any Exhibitor wishing to link to a single or multiple press releases is asked to post the press release(s) on the internet, thus creating a URL address. Then forward the press release URL address and the date of the press release to the attention of:
Karen MacFarland
(301) 209-3382
All contributing companies will be listed on the Virtual Press Room/Exhibitor Releases site. A link will be created from the Press Room site/company name back to the URL address of the press release.
AAPM Exhibitor Virtual Press Room Guidelines:
- Only companies officially exhibiting at AAPM '08 may submit materials for the Exhibitor Virtual Pressroom.
- There is no endorsement implied by AAPM.
- Releases will be listed in alpha order by company name.
- Press releases submitted for the Exhibitor Virtual Press Room by July 18 will be printed and provided in press kits available on-site to all registered press.
We hope to attract more press personnel to our meeting so encourage you to post your releases.
Posting of Announcements of Exhibitor Functions
If you are hosting an Exhibitor Function (Users Meeting, Social Event, etc) take the opportunity to post your announcement on our meeting site. This will assist any attendees who misplace the invite!
For details, please contact:
Karen MacFarland
(301) 209-3382
2008 AAPM Annual Meeting Registrant - Mailing Label Information
As an Exhibitor, you have the opportunity to order the list of 2008 AAPM Annual Meeting scientific registrants for $300 per list.
To order, link here: Attendee Registrant Mailing Labels
- You'll be required to submit a sample of the mailing via email to: email@example.com
- Make the subject of the email: Annual Meeting Mailing List
- We receive the bulk of our scientific registrants by June 2.
- If you are interested in ordering this list, we must have your order by July 18.
- The registrant list will be sent via email within 5 days of receipt of order.
- Mailing list price: $300
- Information provided for each pre-registered scientific attendee:
- Reg. Category
- First Name
- Last Name
- Degree
- Company
- Street Address
- Street Address 2
- City
- State
- Postal Code
- Country
Employment function
(Note: Email address is NOT provided)
Lead Retrieval System
Record, print and store your leads with the scan of a badge!
Information and order forms regarding the Lead Retrieval System will be included in the Online Exhibitor Service Kit.
Exhibitors are encouraged to rent the lead retrieval equipment and supplies in order to obtain mailing information of interested attendees, includes email addresses.
Hotel Door Drops
Exhibitors are allowed to distribute printed materials as door drops at the designated AAPM hotels. An official Exhibitor Door Drop Request Form will be included in the Online Service Kit. Exhibitors will be responsible for any fees involved.
For details contact:
Tom Marshall
Convention Communications
Tel: 513-934-3700
Fax: 513-934-3708
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
PLEASE NOTE: Convention Communications has implemented a Green Initiative. Starting with the 2008 AAPM Annual Meeting, for each company participating in the Door Drop Service, Convention Communications will have a native tree planted in a USecosystem restoration project to offset the resources used in printing and the carbon used for transportation.
Sponsorship Opportunities
New Sponsorship levels this year!
For recognition of your sponsorship, your company's name and the item sponsored will be listed on the sponsorship page of the 2008 Pocket Program and as indicated below.You may download sponsor form, complete and fax it to Hadijah Robertson Kagolo at 301-209-0862
- Partial Sponsorship of the AAPM Wireless Lounge, (a $6,500 value) Sponsor's logo will be on the start-up page, the first thing attendees will see as they connect.
- Banner with logo hung at entrance to exhibit hall - A Thanks to our Gold Level Sponsors
- Sponsor's name and logo included in the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner program as a Gold Level Sponsor.
- Sponsor's name and logo included in the 50th Anniversary pocket program as a Gold Level Sponsor.
- CHOICE of a partial sponsorship of EITHER the Electronic Message Center OR (2) Exhibit Hall Refreshment Breaks.
Electronic Message Center - Sponsor=s logo will be displayed on the login screen.
Refreshment Break - A sign acknowledging your sponsorship will be located in each Lounge Area.
- Banner with logo hung at entrance to exhibit hall - AThanks to our Silver Level Sponsors@
- Sponsor's name and logo included in the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner program as a Silver Level Sponsor.
- Sponsor's name and logo included in the 50th Anniversary pocket program as a Silver Level Sponsor.
Exclusive Sponsorships Opportunities:
WATER BOTTLES ($2,500) exclusive sponsorship!
This year every scientific attendee will receive a complimentary water bottle in their tote bag. These bottles can be refilled from one of the 18 water coolers in the convention meeting space or exhibit halls. Your logo will be printed on the HDPE plastic bottle along with a green leaf, highlighting you as one of AAPM's green partners.
On Sunday, July 27 the exhibit hall opens at 1:00pm with box lunches for all scientific attendees. Sponsor=s name will be announced on the P.A. system as the doors open. A sign acknowledging your sponsorship will be located in each lunch pick-up lounge.
Partial Sponsorship Opportunities:
The popular 18' HD Screen will return in 2008! Is 90 square feet of high definition surface big enough for your message? Prices range from $950-$3,500, depending on the length of your message. The HD screen will be prominently placed in the exhibit hall, and will carry program reminders as well as sponsors= messages. Contact email@example.com
Everyone uses the Message Center terminals, so it=s the ultimate opportunity to reach the attendees. Your logo will be placed right on the front screen; your company name and booth number will appear on each individual message an attendee receives.
Refreshment breaks will be held each day in the exhibit hall, Sunday through Wednesday. A sign acknowledging your sponsorship and booth location will be located in each refreshment lounge.
Break schedule:
SUNDAY 3:00pm
MONDAY 9:30am AND 3:30pm
WEDNESDAY 9:30am
Three Electronic Poster Viewing areas in the Exhibit Hall will allow attendees to view posters electronically. A sign acknowledging your sponsorship and booth location will be located in each viewing area.
On Monday, July 28 a reception will be held in honor of AAPM's Charter members, 5:00pm-6:00pm, just prior to the Awards and Honors Ceremony in the convention center. Sponsor will be acknowledged on a sign at the reception, as well as in the pocket program.
AAPM Logo Use
Contact Hadijah Robertson at email@example.com
AAPM Annual Meeting Website Link
In an effort to reach as many potential attendees as possible, we encourage you to link to the AAPM 2008 Annual Meeting website http://www.aapm.org/meetings/08AM/ from your company website.


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Renate Meijnders established dreadwinkel.nl - the predecessor of what would later become Dreadshop - in 2004 after being unable to find attractive, affordable dreadlocks online. The motto then is the same as it is now: the standards for our dreads are high, but we think it's equally important that they remain affordable for our customers. Reliability and a high degree of good, fast service are other core values that Dreashop pursues. Our passion does the rest.
What began as a hobby in an attic room three stories high back in Amsterdam more than thirteen years ago has grown into a company with 11 employees that has been the European market for a number of years. Customers around the world wear our dreads and are able to find everything they need for their look in our wide product range. Your Hair, Our Passion!

subset: commoncrawl


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Join our live RV chat - click HERE
Oh, forgot...Would this also mean we wouldn't have to pay our sales tax (15%) on them as well ?And, if we did bring them back into Canada, how would that work ? ThanksIan.
buchanan,IF you try and buy a new GM,DODGE or FORD truck in the US they(dealers) will not sell you one if you use a Canadian address.has to be used Sounds like collusion... I had heard that the big three were threatening their dealers not to sell cars to Canadians..has anyone fought this ?I was...but what would happen if it was used...? I am seeing a RAM 23600/3500 diesel in my future..I live in Nova Scotia....our provincial tax rate is also shy high... we are a dying province..kids (and jobs) are leaving us like lemmings.. I really don't blame them..
where do u live that its 15% ?
Buchanan:Here is another notch in your education. Right here in Quebec!! We pay the GST (5%) + PST (9.75%) which is calculated by including the GST in the taxable amount. OUCH!! I guess we have to pay for being "different" Heh heh!! Grassy:In purchasing a vehicle/trailer in the USA, to leave it there you would need to register it there as you were advised but using a PO box might not work for some states. There may be other work-rounds though. To bring it back, you need to follow the rules found here:https://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspxState taxes in some states can be avoided by getting temporary plates (ie 30day) if the intention is to export the vehicle to Canada or elsewhere. Big RV dealers know all the tricks and can be very helpful in this regard.You would pay the GST as you enter Canada and your PST when you licence it after any necessary inspection. Or you could use a broker and avoid many of the actual import hassles. For a high value vehicle, it may be worthwhile to use a broker.You could purchase a "demo" or leased vehicle, possibly a current year or last years model and make out just fine. I did check this out at one time several years ago for a replacement for my Dodge Caravan but decided against going the import route.
Right here in Quebec!! We pay the GST (5%) + PST (9.75%) which is calculated by including the GST in the taxable amount.
By my calculations, (1+.05)*1.0975=1.152375, actually more than 15%. He did say Quebec, not FL.
Not arguing, that's for you to do, just doing the math. Stu said the GST was included in the PST calculation.
Ok well he,s wrong.....
AND, once again you would be wrong... Why does every post have to turn into a battle of wits?? In the future, please let me know when you are about to answer a post, and I will then refrain from doing so.
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Good news for T-Mobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3 owners this morning, as it seems a new over-the-air update for the device brings it up to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Numerous sources are reporting that the new software, version T999UVDLJA is rolling out to Tmo Galaxy S3 phones right now. Today's T-Mobile update follows Sprint's Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean roll-out a couple of weeks back.
If it's anything like that update, T-Mobile S3 owners should gain access to new TouchWiz features like Blocking Mode and new AllShare Cast sharing options in the new firmware, as well as standard Jelly Bean features like "Project Butter" performance enhancements and Google Now predictive search features.
If you're seeing the Jelly Bean update land on your Tmo Galaxy S3 this morning, shout out in the comments and let us know how you're getting on.


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- 100+ Options in General Settings
- Powerful Admin Panel
- One Click Demo Install
- Retina Ready
- Multipurpose
- 300 Vector Icons with Selector
- Page Builder- 32 Web Elements
- Post and Page Template Manager
- Animated Floating Menu option
- WPML Ready- Multilingual Support
- Related/More Posts from category widget
- Multiple Sidebar positions
- Fullscreen Gallery
- Unique Layout
- Create new skin in just one click by using accent
- Portfolio Variations- FullScreen, AJAX, PrettyPhoto
- SEO Ready
- Premium Revolution Slider Included
- Header Settings For Pages and Posts- Sliders and stretching background
- Attached Images Drag 'n Drop sorter
- Responsive Design
- Many animated elements
- Responsive Design
- Default, Blog, Slider, Video, Audio, Portfolio, Gallery, Contact, Sitemap Templates for Pages/Posts
- Fullscreen Slider
- Blog displaying custom post types
- Featured Images + Automatic Gallery for Pages/Posts
- Grid Gallery with Black & White effect
- Predefined Color Styles
- Ability to choose colors yourself
- Ability to choose layout element opacity
- Custom Layouts
- Multiple Columns
- 40 great patterns
- Custom Shortcodes
- Shortcode Generator – from the editor
- Custom Widgets: Google Maps, Featured Post, Gallery, Recent Posts with sliders, videos, thumbnails
- Unlimited & Floating Sidebars
- Localization Ready, .po and .mo files included
- Validated Coding
- Simple Under Construction Page
- Demo Content included
- Full Documentation
- Many, many more…
Demo images not available in the package.
1.8.7 - new woocommerce integrations - better responsive - updated plugins
1.8.1 - added missing translation strings - fixed images and load more fix - new wordpress full support - updated woocommerce files - sorting widget fix - added link target to image block in page builder
1.8 - Updated WooCommerce Files - Mobile Contact Form Fix - Added custom image sizes support in product descriptions and left/right widget areas - Added SKU field on product page - Added some fixed responsive styles - Added Variable products support in "Hot" List - Updated Revolution Slider included
1.7 - Woocommerce update - Clients block arrow image fix - Responsive fixes - Yoast total seo plugin fix
1.6.7 - New option for linked products in Cosmetico->WooCommerce - Columns number fix - Translation file update
1.6.5 - WooCommerce Update - Slider saving fix - Icons text saving fix - Lost password fix
1.6.3 -WooCommerce Update -New Revolution Slider -Updated Translation Strings
1.6.1 Version fixes: - Update notifier fix
1.6 Version fixes: - Variable products prices and buttons - Blog overlapping - Ajax pagination - Slider loading issue - Product sorting - Mobile checkout functionality
v1.5 - WooCommerce 2.1.2 supported - added completely editable mailchimp widget for the above footer area (check documentation 8.16, needs full theme update) - added complete child theme support (needs full theme update) - fixed blog ajax load overlapping issue (file: cb-blog.php) - fixed read more in block recent posts (file: inc/shortcodes.php) - fixed some small css issues (as always backup before updating. any questions? just visit http://support.cb-theme.com)
v1.41 - added RTL support - added read more button in blog ajax items - removed wishlisht shortcode if wishlist plugin is disabled - fixed subcategories description issue backup files and database before updating. update by replacing files on the server - /wp-content/themes/cb-cosmetico folder
v1.4 - added option to select featured images (for example on blog) mouse over effect. Go to Cosmetico -> Styles. Its after "stretch background width" option. - fixed menu behind product image issue - fixed grid/list icons color in different skins - fixed category getting description from first product page builder template as always- backup your files and database before updating
1.3 - Now with PSD files included - Fixed WooCommerce SubCategories issue (not displaying after certain number) - Fixed Page Builder Templates Issue - Fixed Boxed/Fixed layout Responsive issue - Fixed New Sidebars issue (backup your files and database before updating)
1.2 - Updated Revolution Slider - New Responsive Touch Menu - Added option for You will also like section. Number of columns and products. In dashboard go to Cosmetico->WooCommerce. - Better Responsive for Product Display - Language Translations- new files in the locale folder. Translate using PoEdit


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Each week, we'll ask our stable of scribes to weigh in on the three most important NBA topics of the day — and then give you a chance to step on the scale, too, in the comments below.
Week 36: Dwight in Houston | Lakers without Howard | Big Draft boost
Any advice for the Lakers if they don't land Howard?
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com: Start dredging cap space for 2014 and beyond. And be sure to enjoy slumming it, learning how the other half lives, where less-storied teams in less-glamorous markets don't always get what they want. I don't think this date with humility is actually going to happen – I think Howard stays where he is, because he gets the L.A. playground without the renewed expectations to win that he'd face in Houston or Dallas – but maybe the Buss progeny would benefit from it.
Fran Blinebury, NBA.com: LeBron 2014.
Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com: Dust themselves off and move on. But they already know that. The Lakers took a shot, worked hard to make Howard feel comfortable, and got a bad ending. The move to get him in the first place was still the right thing to do.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com: Start gathering assets to make moves down the line. They have to really start thinking about what their roster is going to look like when Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash are gone. If they don't have Dwight, then they don't have anyone that they can start building with. So with every transaction, they should put 2016 ahead of 2014.
Sekou Smith, NBA.com: Yes, move on and get ready for the free agent summer of 2014, where the Lakers could be a major player for a number of celebrated free agents who might be interested in the pressures that come with being one of the faces of one of the most important franchises in all of professional sports. I agree with my Hang Time Podcast partner Rick Fox when he suggests that the Lakers' bowing down to Howard being beneath an organization of this ilk. All they have to do is survive one more lean season before putting the pieces together in the summer of 2014, when players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and others could highlight a loaded free agent crop. Dipping into the lottery every now and then, particularly in a year when the Draft is loaded with superstar talent (as it will be in 2014), isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world. It worked for the San Antonio Spurs a time or two (David Robinson and Tim Duncan).
Lang Whitaker, NBA.com's All Ball blog: I think it all depends on Kobe. If Dwight's gone and Kobe's going to miss a significant amount of time next season, I'd run everything through Pau and then try to move him and his expiring contract at the trade deadline, and make out well enough in the stocked 2014 Draft to build going forward. While the Lakers are kind of up against it this season in terms of flexibility, Nash is the only player currently on the roster who is under contract through 2014-15. So if they wanted to, they could significantly remake their franchise.
Phillipp Dornhegge, NBA Deutschland: Blow everything up. Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace and a couple of weeks from Kobe Bryant won't cut it, and Gasol and MWP won't be back in 2014. So the Lakers should at least try to get something in return for them from a team that could use either one for a championship run. Also, getting rid of some players in exchange for picks could open the door for Elias Harris, who will play Summer League for the Lakers. I would obviously love to see him in the NBA.
Akshay Manwani, NBA India: Tread cautiously and build for 2014, which, with its top-heavy draft and the possibility of LeBron James making himself available in free agency, could offer the Lakers the opportunity of a not too distant redemption. And so even if the Lakers don't become a lottery bound team after an average 2013-14 season (there's no way Kobe Bryant would let them drop to the bottom of the conference), they could always use their history, glitz and a lot of cap space to lure the league's best and get back among the NBA's elite.


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Live from the Technology Convergence Conference
Greetings from the Santa Clara Convention Center's Mission City Ballroom. I'm kicking around the fourth annual Technology Convergence Conference today and – Wi-Fi willing – posting throughout the day.
First Impressions
Solid batch of topics on the agenda: consolidation, virtualization, cloud, asset management, power management, airside economization, rack density, lighting controls and more. There's even a panel discussion on the use of wireless headsets.
Twenty-four sessions are split across four tracks, leaving me with the familiar conference dilemma – how to choose between multiple topics that I find interesting.
We're Off
Engaging keynote address by Pascal Finette, director of Mozilla's WebFWD accelerator program. He made the case for open innovation and collaboration, discussing the development of Mozilla's Firefox and drawing examples ranging everything from snowboarding and mountain biking to Facebook's Open Compute Project.
He made the great point that many of the smartest people work outside of your company. Open innovation and collaboration is an effective way to get them involved. (Pascal's blog can be found at http://www.finette.com/.)
Consolidated Thoughts on Consolidation
About 75 people turned up for the panel discussion on Data Center consolidation that I took part in. Some high points from the conversation:
- Why consolidate? Doing more with fewer resources makes good business sense. Lower costs, operate more efficiently, be green…
- What makes a server environment a good candidate to consolidate? Rooms that don't match what you want your Data Center portfolio to be – consider location, energy efficiency, infrastructure capability, etc. – are prime targets.
- What are the biggest challenges to consolidation? If your applications are a tangled yarn ball it's tough to identify dependencies, eliminate what's unnecessary and gracefully migrate functions between sites. Outside factors can also deter consolidation, such as concerns that closing an old site might lead to the loss of personnel.
- Final thought: Plan what you want your Data Center portfolio to look like in the future, so you can work toward that goal.
Time to meander through the vendor area…
Selling It
Kiosks and handouts and literature, oh my. If you have ever been to a major Data Center conference, you know exactly what the Technology Convergence Conference's vendor area looks like. Aside from picking up on more ballpoint pens than I'll ever use, I looked for the most interesting tchotchkes.
Honorable mention goes to APC/Schneider Electric, which handed out everything from memory sticks to magnetized clip-holders to insulated drink wraps. My personal favorite, though, is the "Temp Coin" from Opengate data systems
Attach this plastic circle – it's about the size of a silver dollar – wherever you want and it'll tell you the ambient temperature. It won't replace a sophisticated temperature sensor network, but I still like it.
Mercury Rising
We sure love buying stuff on eBay.
Dean Nelson, senior director of eBay's Global Foundational Services, discussed Project Mercury, the company's new Data Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Aside from physical infrastructure details about the facility – modular, and incorporating free cooling year-round in Phoenix – he discussed how the company has streamlined its hardware supply chain and uses data analytics to recognize and leverage buyer behavior.
If you think demand is growing for your company's Data Center resources, consider some of the numbers Dean shared:
- eBay has 100 million active users
- Listings have grown from 160 millon to 300 million in less than two years
- Mobile transactions grew from $500 million to $5 billion in two years
- 60 percent of items for sale on eBay are new
Anyone else feeling the urge to go bid on something?
Images and more details about Project Mercury can be found at http://datacenterpulse.org/rfp/modular/mercury.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


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Angela Pernisco, a Psychology major, just completed her PLA portfolio for 15 credits, all in Communications topics:
- CCM 320 Public Presentations
- CCM 323 Effective Listening
- CCM 324 Nonverbal Communication
- CCM 346 Conflict Management (with the grade of "A"!)
- CCM 356 Intercultural Communication
Angela wrote this in her final Reflection Essay:
When I began the PLA process, I thought that this journey would focus on demonstrating how my previous experiences reflected the skills that would have been taught in a classroom setting. However, this experience has been much more than that. I have learned a great deal of academic theory relating to what I've been practicing for years in the "real world." . . . This process has transformed my thinking by demonstrating that there is a significant difference between academic learning and experiential learning. On-the-job training provides us the competency to complete a task, whereas academic learning provides us with a history of why we do things as we do. This additional history is what transforms us from being process-oriented participants to innovators for the next generation.
In this video, Angela shares her thoughts about the PLA program in addition to some great writing and time-management tips:


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Shakinit.com 16th Booty Shaking contest:
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Having previously tested and really enjoyed the Cadillac CTS SportWagon, we wanted to sample the CTS that 90% of people will purchase: the Sedan. We will say till we are blue in the face that people are missing out if they don't sample the wagon, as it's a brilliant package.
So how is the Sedan different than the SportWagon? Very little, and that's a very good thing. The original CTS was the official reboot of the Cadillac brand and with this latest generation of the CTS a car that has pulled even with the best in the world.
Many of the opinions that we had with the Wagon remain with the Sedan. The Art & Science design was controversial when it appeared almost a decade ago, but today, it's almost mainstream with many other companies having taken elements of that design language, sharp edges, compound surfaces and tight packaging. With its deep front end and prominent grill the CTS has a very aggressive look from the front, it looks as if it's eager to eat up the miles on the road.
The side profile of the car is less radical, though it has a number of lines that sweep upwards towards the rear to give the car a wedge look which continues the theme of forward motion. The rear view again is a study in angles giving the car texture from the rear.
The interior of the car is made up of quality materials and soft touch surfaces. There are a few bits of hard plastic material in the car, but for the most part they are in places where you wouldn't notice, or wouldn't care. The Wagon that we tested had the pop-up screen that had navigation, DVD and other touch screen functions. Our sedan was not so equipped. While we didn't miss the nav system, the big screen did make working through the bevy of menus somewhat easier. If you would like it, it's a $2,145 option.
One item we would like to see as an option that comes standard on the Premium Collection model would be a heated steering wheel. Come the winter months in many parts of the country, grabbing a cold leather wrapped wheel with bare hands can be uncomfortable. There are cars in GM's product line that cost less money than the CTS like the Buick LaCrosse, which have the heated wheel as standard equipment, and you never knew how much you'd love this feature until you use it the first time.
The driver's seat is a nice place to do business. It doesn't matter if you are stuck in traffic commuting to work, piling up the miles on the highway, or out on a two lane road for a Sunday drive. Our CTS was equipped with the optional 3.6-liter direct injection V6 which has 304 horsepower. The standard engine is a direct injection 3.0 liter with 274 horsepower, but this 3.6-liter unit is the one to have. While the horsepower numbers aren't that different, torque numbers tell the story. The 3.0 V6 only produces 223 lb/ft while the 3.6 has 273. The CTS is no lightweight at 3,900 so that extra torque is helpful in getting the car moving quickly. The 3.6 likes to rev and does so willingly. When you put your foot down, the car gets up to speed quickly, but it's not a kick you in the pants kind of power. It's smooth, almost turbine-like, and before you know it, you are approaching triple digit speeds.
There are a very vocal minority of people who think that Cadillac needs to slot a 6.2 liter LS3 engine from the Camaro and Corvette into the engine bay of the Caddy to have something in-between the V6 and the Supercharged CTS-V, but it's our opinion that it's unnecessary and few people would pick that option, the 3.6 has enough power that will keep an enthusiast happy, and the rest of the world more than satisfied.
For those that might be considering an Audi A4 or A6 the CTS does have an AWD option although our test unit did not come equipped with it. As a bonus, there is no fuel mileage penalty for choosing the AWD either.
One of the intriguing things about our time with the CTS SportWagon and now again with the Sedan is how it really grows on you. First impressions of the car are good, you think it's a nice car, but it doesn't knock you out. After four or five days of driving the CTS a light bulb goes off and you realize just how special the CTS is. While this is great for long-term ownership, we wonder how this effects impressions with the typical 20-30 minute drive potential buyers have at a dealership.
Pricing is reasonable for the CTS as well. Our Performance Collection RWD edition stickers at $41,565; the only option our test unit was equipped with was the compact spare tire, so our as delivered price was $42,740. Looking over the options list, the only thing we might consider choosing is the optional $2,400 Recaro seats that are both heated and cooled.
The Cadillac CTS is certainly a car that can go up against the worlds best, and anytime Cadillac wants to send one over for us to drive we will be happy to do so. If you go buy one, or just drive one, you won't be let down.


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Markus Schulz's world famous weekly 2 hour show.
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Sponsor a child
World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
Everything we do has just one goal: the sustained well-being of children, especially the most vulnerable.
We work with families, communities, and partners to ensure that children enjoy good health, are educated for life, experience the love of God and their neighbours, and are cared for, protected, and participating.
In disaster situations, children are always the most vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition and disease
World Vision works around the clock to bring hope and relief to children and families whose lives are threatened in the wake of disasters. Thanks to the support of our committed donors, we've helped over 10 million people worldwide- providing food, shelter, water and healthcare.
لا يوجد محتويات مصنفة ضمن هذا المصطلح.


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Flavel Inset Gas Fires
Looking for the perfect gas fire to suit you and your home? Whether it's traditional or contemporary look with the option of coal or pebbles on many models, Flavel product could be just what you are searching for.
With one of the largest gas fire ranges available. Flavel know how important it is to create a stylish and relaxing living environment. Thats why they've developed this collection of affordable gas fires to complement all tastes and lifestyles. The company's success stems from a combination of innovative designs, investment in thechnology and the highest manufacturing standards.
Furthermore, every model carries the peace of mind of a 3 year guarantee (subject to BFM Europe terms and conditions)


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Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Former Palace owner Noades dies
Crystal Palace have confirmed the death of former owner Ron Noades.
The 76-year-old lost his battle with lung cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"The thoughts and deepest sympathies of everyone at Crystal Palace Football Club are with his wife Novello and their family at this very sad time," the club said in a statement.
Noades took over at Selhurst Park in 1981 and left 17 years later.
In the years inbetween the club enjoyed one of its most successful periods, including promotion to the old First Division in 1989 and an FA Cup final appearance in 1990.
In 1991 the Eagles finished third in the top flight and also won the Zenith Data Systems Cup.
Noades stepped into the dugout in 1998 in a bid to prevent Palace's relegation, before leaving the club in the summer and buying Brentford.
He installed himself as the chairman and manager, winning promotion from the old Division Three at the first attempt.
Resignation followed in 2000 and he sold the club in 2006 and Brentford added on their official site: "The club's condolences go to his family and friends at this time."
Former Palace and England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn tweeted: "Sad to hear my old Crystal Palace chairman Ron Noades has passed away, lovely man who cared deeply for the club."
Chief executive of the Premier League Richard Scudamore added: "I am sure I speak for everyone involved with the Premier League, past and present, when I express our sadness at hearing of the passing of Ron Noades after his brave fight against lung cancer.
"Success has many fathers, but Ron's role in the history the Premier League was fundamental to its formation and the foundations of what it has become today.
"Our sympathy and best wishes are with his family."


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Lately I've written a few posts on great, trendy knits to ware or to decorate your home. I find artist and fashion designer Dana Barnes' work, as something along that line too. These pictures are from her New York exhibition last year called Unspun - Tangled and Fused. To walk on a carpet like this, must be like walking on clouds!
Dana Barnes experiments with unspun natural fibers and innovative felting processes.
Barnes uses techniques like knotting, netting, twisting and looping to create large scale textiles for interior spaces. See more pictures from the creative process here.
New York Times here. All pictures from Dana Barnes' website.


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Message Board
Mary Lloyd Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Lloyd has written!
Author Lloyd's Book Reviews
Weep Not The Widow
This highly unusual book is told as a series of newspaper articles and TV news broadcasts in transcript form. The 'articles' are taken from several very different 'newspapers', reflecting the differences in approach to a news story. The story tells of a burglarized mansion, which seems to confuse the police because there is a gang carrying out similar burglaries elsewhere. But this one isn't related to the others. In fact, as we find out, it was an 'i...


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Be part of a team committed to partnering with wholistic inner-city churches and ministries to fulfill the Great Commission, seek justice, and change a city! Applying to the full-time staff of Cru is one of the greatest decisions you will ever make. Here are some basic questions people ask when joining staff.
We currently have staff teams in fifteen U.S. cities: Atlanta, Bakersfield, Boston, Colorado Springs, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and Seattle/Tacoma. Your placement would be determined by a city's staffing needs, your preference, and the best environment for your personal development.
Yes! It begins with New Staff Training at one of four annual Cru New Staff Trainings. Ongoing field training in both ministry skills and spiritual development happens at your city assignment. Online courses from the International School of Theology and summer study ensure that you continue growing throughout your ministry career.
Our Full-Time Staff members raise their own financial support, as do all Cru missionary staff. Don't let this prospect intimidate you! If God has called you, go in faith that He will provide the resources. Extensive training, coaching, and tools are provided.
Urban Ministry Interns spend 9–12 months in inner-city ministry to develop their abilities and to help discern God's call to full-time ministry (see "Urban Internship"). Associate Staff volunteer in inner-city ministry while working at a secular job. You may also raise support for training and ministry expenses.
For more information, email Carole Kleinknecht.
©1994-2019 Cru. All Rights Reserved.


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right on it's shore and seeing the waves in the water – reminds me of warmer, summer months now that it's nearing the end of winter here in Minnesota. Here's one from a past wedding which was held at Larsmont Cottages Resort.
See more from this Lake Superior shoreline wedding


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Tech Rugby Grads Win Black & Blue Classic
SOCORRO, N.M. October 22, 2013 – A team composed of New Mexico Tech graduates survived a stern test from the current student team in the 49ers Black and Blue rugby match Friday evening, coming from behind to win a 39-36 thriller. Staged annually during the university's 49ers celebration, the 2013 matchup marked 40 years of rugby football at New Mexico Tech.
The Ancestor roster included six players chosen Player of the Year during their careers as members of the Pygmy team. The numerically superior grads trailed for 75 of the game's 80 minutes, but used the event's special open substitution rule to finally chase down their young opponents.
Eventual Man of the Match honoree Fritz Hieb took the opening kickoff for the Pygmies in perfect autumn conditions. The students controlled ball possession through a series of tackles and after five minutes were rewarded when the old boys were penalized for illegally handling the ball after a tackle. The Pygmies opted to run rather than kicking for a three-point goal and Steve Bernsen sneaked over the line in the corner for a five-point try. He then slotted the conversion kick for a 7-0 Pygmy lead after five minutes.
The Ancestors responded when Joe Tyson stepped inside a tackle to score a try from 15 meters three minutes later. Seth Daly's conversion attempt was unsuccessful for a 7-5 deficit. At 12 minutes the Ancestors again transgressed and this time scrum half Brian Arko's pass found Jason Lee running hard at the line. The powerful prop sliced 20 meters through the defense to touch down Tech's second try and an unsuccessful conversion kick left matters at 12-5 in favor of the Pygmies.
At 19 minutes, Tech's eight forwards presented scrum half Brian Arko with the ball and the Pygmy backs launched an attack to the right, each player running and passing in turn. Outside center Ben Long passed and looped behind his twin brother Aaron to take the return pass as fullback Joe Wilch flew up from his deep position. Wilch took the short lateral as both Longs were tackled and breezed 30 meters untouched to set the crowd alight. Bernsen's conversion kick opened a surprising 17-5 lead for the students.
Members of NMT's student and graduate teams pose after the Ancestors' razor thin 39-36 victory over the Pygmies. At far left is longtime NMT player and referee Dr. Clint Richardson. All Photos by William Colburn.
Pinpoint passing and efficient ball retention took the Ancestors deep into Pygmy territory after the resulting kickoff. Just when it appeared a try was imminent the Pygmies stole the ball in a tackle and two lateral passes found speedster John Mark Stiles near the left touchline. The freshman wing wrong-stepped a would-be tackler and simply outran the remaining defense for a spectacular try which, converted by Bernsen, gave the students a 24-5 lead.
|Royce Beaudry stretches to touch down the NMT graduate team's winning try in Friday night's 39-36 victory over the Pygmy student team. Tackling Beaudry is Ben Long (obscured) and John Mark Stiles
The Ancestors regrouped with three tries in the next 16 minutes to cut the Pygmies' halftime score to 24-22. Royce Beaudry of the Santa Fe Rugby Club cut a nice running angle to score an unconverted try. Pablo Garibay of New Mexico Brujos scored three minutes later, and then Man of the Match Tyson bagged his second try as the outmanned Pygmies appeared to run low on steam.
Stiles drew first blood in the second half after another long run in which he outran some of the fastest Tech players of past years. Bernsen's kick drifted right and Tech's lead widened at 29-22. Garibay scored for the visitors from a scrum close to Tech's line at 10 minutes to make it 29-27 and the teams settled into a defensive struggle for the next 25 minutes.
The old boys took their first lead with just five minutes left when guest player Elden Pennington (Santa Fe) burst through a gap close to the line. Rob Harrison booted the extras to make it 34-29. Beaudry's second try with two minutes remaining burst Pygmy hopes at 39-29, but the Pygmies had no quit in them and in short order sent Jason Lee over the line at the other end. Referee Clint Richardson, himself a long-tenured former Pygmy, blew the final whistle as Jordan Fastle's conversion kick sailed true for a final score of 39-36.
The Pygmies return to action on November 2 against a strong Lobo team on the University of New Mexico campus. The NMT Queens meanwhile will be in Las Cruces to take on New Mexico State University's Lady Chiles. More information is available at email@example.com.
By Dave Wheelock/Tech Rugby Director


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Topic: Bounty Hunter the game
How is it?
Cuz i really wanna get it. But ONLY if it is a good game. I've bought a few games that stunk and regreted buying them ((like Shadow the Hedgehog)). So from fellow Boba fan's point of view's.....how is it =O
:] Whats up?


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This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Public health advocates and community activists on Thursday called on Utah health care providers to stop sending their waste to a North Salt Lake incinerator operated by Stericycle, Inc. and outlined safer alternatives for disposing of infectious material, pharmaceuticals, syringes and other hazardous trash.
"It is ironic, but indefensible then for hospitals, clinics and care centers to dispose of their waste in a manner that harms community health," said physician Scott Poppen, reading from a letter his group, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, sent this week to health facilities.
"While there is no perfect solution to handling medical waste, incineration is becoming increasingly recognized as the most inappropriate of all options," he continued.
At a press conference convened at the Salt Lake County government building, activists also renewed calls on Gov. Gary Herbert to close the plant, arguing the study he recently ordered into its health impacts on surrounding communities is of little value. Preliminary reports based on 10-year-old soil samples found scant traces of dioxins, one of Stericycle's pollutants causing the most concern.
A meaningful epidemiological investigation will take too long and could forestall action against a polluter that has already been caught trying to deceive state regulators and the public, according to Foxboro resident and mother Alicia Connell, a co-founder of Communities for Clean Air, a local group that formed to fight incineration.
"The governor's actions are bewildering to us. The health study does not change the reality of the situation," Connell said. "The communities around Stericycle are determined that the incinerator be closed down. We will do whatever it takes to make that happen."
She added, "There are companies offering new, safer, cleaner options. This should remove the final barrier to correct the mistake made 25 years ago when the incinerator was approved."
At Thursday's conference in the county council's chambers, Connell was flanked by representatives of such companies. They described their on-site methods of using chemicals and ozone to disinfect medical waste, which can then be dumped in municipal landfills in a shredded form.
But the strongest remarks Thursday were directed at the state.
"The governor is allowing Stericycle to operate until they are proven unsafe beyond any doubt. A wealth of existing research and the anecdotal evidence from residents in the area is more than enough to demand a safer, conservative, precautionary approach," said Brian Moench, a co-founder of the physicians group.
"Living near an incinerator, or having your body contaminated with incinerator toxins originating miles away, statistically increases your chance of many types of serious diseases," he said. "We don't need to wait for a study specific to Utah to confirm that."
Utah Department of Health officials said it is too early for anyone to dismiss the study.
"I would caution people to not read too much in this first phase. What we found was a validation of the need to look further into the potential health impacts," spokesman Tom Hudachko said.
Herbert ordered the three-tier study of the plant's emissions of dioxins and furans last month in the face of mounting community pressure and allegations from state regulators. They allege the plant exceeded its emission limits, failed to report excess emissions and rigged stack tests, all in violation of its permit.
The company, which is contesting the alleged violations, did not respond to phone messages left at its corporate offices in Illinois.
The Health Department this week released the first phase of the study, called a technical assist, which explained the ways dioxins pollute the environment and harm people.
This class of toxic chemicals are generated by the burning of many types of materials. They drop out of smoke quickly so they don't pose much of an exposure risk through inhalation. But they can contaminate soil and break down slowly, according to the report by Craig Dietrich, a toxicologist with the department's environmental epidemiology program.
Human exposures typically occur through food because plants take up the chemical.
The Davis soil samples did not show alarming levels of dioxin, including the one taken near Stericyle's five-acre compound, now surrounded by the Foxboro subdivision. According to Hudachko, the study team is poised to collect six fresh samples fanning out from the plant.
"Based on what those sample show there might be a need to home in on certain areas. This is essentially a first pass," he said.
But the physicians group lambasted the soil study, arguing dioxins don't persist in soil because they eventually vaporize and the plant emits plenty of other toxic materials. Stericycle's permit allows the North Salt Lake plant to emit each year up to 9.5 tons of hazardous pollutants, including mercury and lead.
Focusing on dioxin amounts to "cherry picking" data in a way that de-emphasizes the threat Stericycle poses to public health, the doctors said.


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2011 Legislative Report: A Historic Session for Conservative Reform and Governance
A Fiscally Responsible Budget
The budget deal reached by the governor and state legislators represents a fiscally responsible plan to close the $500 million revenue shortfall and balance the budget without raising taxes. Budget reductions range from 1 to 9 percent, although core government agencies dealing with education, health and human services, public safety and transportation received more limited cuts than other agencies. Additionally, education funding is boosted by a series of supplemental funding bills, while transportation funding is supported through a bond.
"Government needs to live within its means, cut spending and make tough budget choices, just like Oklahomans have had to do during this economic downturn," Fallin said. "This year's budget is a responsible, fiscally conservative plan that preserves core areas of government while reducing the overall size of our state agencies."
Creating More and Better Jobs By Promoting a Business-Friendly Environment
A series of bills was sent to the governor this year in support of her goal of bringing more and better jobs to Oklahoma by building the best possible environment for business. These bills include landmark lawsuit reform legislation, comprehensive workers' compensation reform, the creation of a governor's closing fund to attract businesses to the state, a one-stop-shop for business licensing and permits, and more.
"My number one priority is to bring more and better jobs to the state of Oklahoma," Fallin said. "The way to do that is through pro-business reforms that make our state a more attractive place for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The reforms we pursued this year have helped to ensure that investors across the state and the nation have gotten the message loud and clear: Oklahoma is now open for business."
Legislative/Policy Highlights
Comprehensive Tort Reform
o HB 2128: placing a hard cap of $350,00 on non-economic damages
o SB 865: instructing juries that awards are not subject to taxation
o SB 862: eliminating joint and several liability
o HB 2024: authorizing periodic payments (instead of lump-sum payments) for damages exceeding $100,000
Workers' Compensation Reform
o SB 878: rewriting the state's workers' compensation laws to reduce costs for businesses and ensure injured workers receive proper care and can return to work in a timely manner
o HB 2038: authorizing workers compensation annual reports and data collection
Quick Action Closing Fund
o HB 1952: creating a Quick Action Closing Fund administered by the governor for the purpose of attracting new business and jobs to the state
One-Stop-Shop for Businesses
o HB 1601: creating a "one-stop-shop" centralized licensing plan for businesses
Job Creating Tax Incentives
o Allowing the income tax rate to be reduced from 5.5% to 5.25%
o HB 1008: reinstating the job-creating tax credit for aerospace engineers
Supporting Oklahoma Energy Producers
o HB 1909: modernizing oil and gas statutes to better accommodate technological advances associated with horizontal drilling in shale reservoirs
Building a Smaller, Smarter Government that Better Serves our Citizens
As the governor outlined in her State of the State address at the beginning of this session, our state government too often operates like "an 8-track bureaucracy in an iPod world." To create a more modern, cost-effective government and to save taxpayer dollars, Governor Fallin asked lawmakers to pass legislation consolidating and modernizing the state's aging Internet Technology (IT) infrastructure, combining various state agencies with overlapping functions, and pursuing other reforms that streamline government services. The Legislature responded in the final weeks of session, sending those bills to the governor's desk.
Additionally, Governor Fallin and legislative leaders worked to pass and sign into law a series of reforms designed to improve the fiscal outlook of the state's public employee pension systems, which currently have $16 billion in unfunded liability. "I promised voters that I would lead the way in modernizing our state agencies, creating a smaller, smarter government, and saving taxpayer dollars in the process," Fallin said. "The important government modernization reforms passed this session will help to reduce spending and deliver government services more effectively. Additionally, the Legislature and I have worked to take important steps to shore-up the state's struggling pension systems and to ensure that we can keep our promises to our retired workers."
Legislative/Policy Highlights:
Achieving savings through agency consolidation, IT restructuring and smart spending
o HB 2140: consolidating various agencies including Department of Central Services, the Office of Personnel Management, Benefits Council, and the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board into the Office of State Finance.
o HB 1304: consolidating and restructuring the state's IT systems
o SB 541: providing for OSF to analyze financial services among state agencies and mandating that those agencies operating in the least cost-effective manner contract their financial services with OSF
o HB 1086: mandating cost-effective electronic payments to be disbursed from the State Treasury
o SB 763: consolidating the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission into the Office of the Attorney general
o HB 2131: reducing corrections costs by expanding community sentencing programs and other corrections reforms
o HB 1035: requiring state agencies to use the Trip Optimizer System for vehicles used by state employees and requiring that the maximum authorized travel reimbursement shall be the lowest cost option determined by the optimizer
Reducing the unfunded liability for public pensions:
o HB 2132: eliminating unfunded cost of living adjustments
o HB1010: increasing the retirement age for new members of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges
o SB377: raising the normal retirement age for new teachers from 62 to 65 years of age
o SB794: raising the minimum retirement of various public employees to 65 years of age
o SB347: providing for the forfeiture of a municipal officer or employee's retirements benefits upon conviction of crimes related to their office (bribery, corruption. etc)
Fighting the Federal Health Care Law While Pursuing Oklahoma Solutions for Better Health
At the beginning of 2011, Governor Fallin joined Attorney General Scott Pruitt in announcing a legal challenge to the federal health care law and its unconstitutional mandates. Since then, the governor has also rejected $54 million in federal funds to ensure the state cannot be tied to "ObamaCare." In addition to resisting the president's health care law, the governor has worked to support initiatives that will improve the health of Oklahoma's citizens and work to create a more flexible source of funding for Medicare and Medicaid in Oklahoma. The governor also signed into law important legislation helping to fund Oklahoma hospitals that otherwise might be in danger of closing.
"The state of Oklahoma has said loud and clear that we don't want anything to do with President Obama's health care law. It's unconstitutional and unaffordable, and that's why I worked with state leaders not only to challenge the law in court, but to return federal money to ensure our state is not forced to implement it," said Fallin.
"It's important, even as we fight the federal law, to work on state-based solutions to help our citizens. That's why I'm continuing to support initiatives that will help improve the health of our citizens and improve access to quality, affordable care in Oklahoma."
Legislative/Policy Highlights:
Fighting "ObamaCare"
o Joined Attorney General Scott Pruitt in announcing that the state of Oklahoma would file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law
o Refused $54 million in federal grant money to ensure that Oklahoma cannot be tied to the federal health care law
Improving Access to Quality Care in Oklahoma
o HB 1381: creating a provider assessment to support Oklahoma hospitals that provide care to low income patients and rural hospitals
Improving Oklahoma's health
o Worked with the Health Department to unveil the "Shape our Future" campaign, encouraging schools, businesses and communities to embrace healthy living options
o Included funding in budget for rehabilitation programs for those suffering from drug/alcohol addiction"
Improving Oklahoma Schools and Delivering Quality Education
As Governor Fallin told legislators earlier this year, "there is nothing more important to our future and our long-term prosperity than education." State lawmakers agreed, and 2011 has become a banner year for education reform in Oklahoma, as a series of measures to improve student performance and increase accountability have been signed into law.
"Building a better and more prosperous Oklahoma requires strong schools and universities that produce the kind of educated, highly skilled work force that can compete in today's global economy," Fallin said. "The reforms we have passed and signed into law will help to ensure that schools are delivering the kind of education that our children deserve and our state needs."
Legislative/Policy Highlights:
Increasing Accountability, Teacher Quality and Student Performance
o HB 2139: defining the responsibilities of the state superintendent of public instruction and the board of education
o HB 1456: creating an A-F grading system for public schools
o SB 346: ending social promotion for students going from third to fourth grade
o HB 1380: ending "trial de novo" appeals process for teachers who have been dismissed
Protecting Children and the Lives of the Unborn
Governor Fallin believes that one of government's most important responsibilities is to protect our children and the lives of the unborn. The 2011 legislative session produced important laws that will continue to affirm Oklahoma's culture of life and defend our children from those who would do them harm.
"I believe life needs to be respected on every level," Fallin said. "I was proud that our lawmakers made protecting the most vulnerable among us a priority."
Legislative/Policy Highlights:
Protecting the lives of the unborn
o HB 1888: banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy
o SB 547: ensuring standard health insurance policies sold in Oklahoma do not include elective abortion coverage
Protecting Oklahoma's children
o SB 576: authorizing the creation of a "most wanted" list for delinquent and missing parents who owe child support o HB 2136: requiring the state department of Human Services to conduct criminal background checks on all adults living in a home before a foster child is reunited with a parent
Expanding Gun Rights and Defending the Second Amendment
Governor Fallin was happy to receive bills this year which protect gun owners and expand Second Amendment rights.
"In Oklahoma, we're serious about gun rights and the Second Amendment," said Fallin. "Our Founding Fathers were too. The bills we're signing into law this year will help to expand rights and protections for law abiding citizens who own guns."
Legislative/Policy Highlights:
Protecting gun owners and the Second Amendment
HB 1439: Authorizing citizens who fear for their lives to use deadly force while defending themselves in their place of business
HB 1652: Allows gun owners with conceal and carry permits to leave guns in locked vehicles while on Career Technology campuses
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


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November 19, 2008 - NCSF is proud to be the only group in the country with a national mission committed to changing the political, legal and social environment for those involved with the BDSM, swing and polyamory communities. The new board of NCSF was voted in at the annual Coalition Partner meeting held in Atlanta in September: Leigha Fleming is the new Chairwoman of NCSF, and new board members Laura
Carlson (Secretary), Klawdya Rothschild, Tim Murray, and Ron Zimmerman have joined existing board members Vivienne Kramer (Treasurer), Jim Duvall, Jim Fleckenstein, and Howie Zusel.
NCSF has directly helped tens of thousands of practitioners, businesses and groups since its founding in 1997. NCSF's newest project is the DSM Revision Project: Kinky is NOT a Diagnosis! The DSM Revision Petition is gathering signatures from individuals and organizations calling on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to adhere to empirical research when revising the diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Susan Wright is working directly with the DSM revision committee to ensure that healthy BDSM practitioners and cross-dressers are not misdiagnosed under the DSM criteria.
Incident Response
Media Outreach Project
Kink Aware Professionals (KAP)
Legal Committee
Education Outreach Program
The Education Outreach Program (EOP) is run under the Institute for 21st Century Relationships by The Foundation of NCSF. ITCR supports the freedom of consenting adults to discover and to practice the intimate relationship structure that best meets their emotional and human needs. The EOP educates law enforcement officials, and our constituents about the risks of selective enforcement and how to minimize the risk of becoming a target. NCSF has published a number of pieces of literature for this program and has trained a team of individuals from across the country to deliver 10 educational presentations from "Traveling With Toys" to "How to Protect Your Event."
For over a decade, NCSF has formed valuable alliances with other advocacy organizations to work on projects that defend sexual freedom rights: Free Speech Coalition, the ACLU, American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and the Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance, among others. Susan Wright is on the Advocacy Committee of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
NCSF is a member of the organizing committee for the Sex Positive Journalism Awards, along with journalist Miriam Axel-Lute and activists from The Center for Sex & Culture. The first award ceremony for the Sexies was held in New York City on October 4, 2008 (www.sexies.org). NCSF also participates in
Consent Counts, a group formed at Creating Change 2007 to take on the work of decriminalizing Leather/kink/fetish/BDSM consensual adult behavior (www.consentcounts.org).
Currently NCSF has 56 Coalition Partners who elect the board and establish the yearly goals at the annual Coalition Partner meeting. Coalition Partners are groups and businesses that serve BDSM, swing and polyamory practitioners. NCSF also has nearly 100 Supporting Members - groups and businesses who actively support NCSF - totaling tens of thousands of members. You can also become an individual member for $25, which goes directly to supporting NCSF programs and projects.
In the past decade, alternative sexual expression has become much more visible to the general public, bringing about an increasing number of attacks. The success of this fight depends on your support. You can become an individual member of NCSF, volunteer to join the NCSF staff, make a donation to NCSF, initiate or help out at a fund-raiser for NCSF, and encourage your group to become a Coalition Partner of NCSF. Every step you take helps us further the sexual freedom movement!
Check out these exciting projects on the NCSF website at: www.ncsfreedom.org
A joint Project of NCSF and ITCR: The Foundation of NCSF


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Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Quiet Time
Friday, October 28, 2011
Weekend Project
This light has been on my Pinterest for a while. I think this weekend it will serve as a loose inspiration for a little project I plan to try. I will let you know how it turns out...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Dream A Little Dream
Wish list 2012 or maybe 2022.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Getting In The Spirit
This fall has flown by in such a whirlwind I find myself less than a week away from Halloween without so much as one pumpkin. Usually as soon as there is a chill in the air you can spot mums, gourds and pumpkins of all varieties peppering our porch. I love decorating for Halloween and the fall but this doesn't seem to be the year. There is always next year though and these will serve as inspiration. That reminds me, any suggestions for a good costume for Henry or 8 week old babies in general?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Good Morning
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I Heart Ellen
I am not sure if I have professed my love for Ellen DeGeneres on here or not. If not, let me just tell you that I do in fact LOVE Ellen. When I worked from home I would try to do paperwork/billing (ugh) when she was on so it was not as tedious. Then when I moved in to my office Ellen was what I would watch on DVR when I came home to unwind. Now, with Henry, Ellen has kept me company during those middle of the night feedings when you are pretty sure you are the only soul on earth awake. She is a great cure for loneliness.
However, this post is not an ad for the Ellen DeGeneres show. I was so excited when I heard her house was going to be in Architectural Digest and it did not disappoint. I am not sure exactly what I expected but I love what I saw....
Images Architectural Digest
Images Architectural Digest
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
A Fabulous Gift-From Some Fabulous Bloggers
This is one happy baby. Why is he so jovial you might ask? I believe it has something to do with the amazing blanket beneath him. Last week I got a package in the mail from three bloggers I am lucky enough to call good friends- Camila, Lauren and Lindsay. I wish you could have seen my delight when pulled out this blanket...
I turned to Patrick and said, "Isn't this gorgeous? I swear it looks hand blocked!" Little did I know the story behind it. Turns out, the middle layer and edging are hand block printed with natural dyes. Camila informed me it was from a company Mela & Roam started by Courtney Barton, author of Inside the Loop, one of the first blogs I ever read.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Quiet Time
I was going through some old e-mail and this was in one, thought I would share. Have a wonderful Sunday.
- Your outer life is your reputation with people, but your inner life is your reputation with God.
- Thankfulness depends on what is in your heart, not what is in your hand.
Friday, October 14, 2011
One More For The Weekend...And An Old Favorite
Colorful, mirrored, crystal dreaming....
Yes, this image has been on here before (and all over the blog over and over) but I just can't get enough: gray, pink, crystal, industrial, gilded, skirted ottoman, statement rug, velvet chair, perfection.
Labels: Closets
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Dreaming Big...
Via Pinterest
Labels: Closets
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A New Piece of Art
For our anniversary gift to each other we knew we wanted to buy a piece of art and this time we knew exactly who we wanted the artist to be. In Oxford, MS, where we both went to school there is a restaurant, Ajax, which happens to be one my favorite places in the whole world. It is what you could probably call a dive restaurant but it feel like home to us. Anyhoo, it is filled with folk-type art, several from a Memphis artist named Lamar Sorrento.
I don't know if it is the strong connection to a place I love, but there is something about his primitive paintings that I can't get enough of. When it came to choosing a piece we knew this was the one....especially when we saw this detail....
Labels: My Casa
Monday, October 10, 2011
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Grant to aid Girls Circle program
The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education received a $10,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls for the Girls Circle program.
The Girls Circle is a support group developed by the One Circle Foundation that addresses the needs of girls ages 9 to 18, and is designed to increase positive connections, personal and collective strengths and competence.
The center's executive director, Ivonne Zucco, said, "I am thrilled that for the second consecutive year, the Fund for Women and Girls is supporting the unique efforts of the center by funding our Girls Circle program, which focuses on `at-risk' teens in Lower Fairfield County. Girls Circle maintains that girls have the basic right to safety and health. In fact, as we see all too often, many girls need protection and safety from relational, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse. This is a sad, but true reality."
With this funding, the center's crisis counselors will establish support groups in middle and high schools in lower Fairfield County. The goal is to empower approximately 70 adolescent girls during the funding period, plus develop future leaders who will take a stand against sexual violence.
The center has spent more than 35 years focused on helping survivors of sexual abuse. It provides crisis counseling and advocacy services to victims of sexual violence and works toward eliminating sexual violence through community-wide education programs. The Girls Circle model conforms to the center's view on what is needed to break the cycle of a culture that enables sexual violence.
"Girls Circle, a well-regarded evidence-based program, empowers girls by teaching resiliency skills while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of good choices," Suzanne B. Peters, vice president of the Fund for Women and Girls said. "The center is well known in lower Fairfield County for its effectiveness at helping women survive and recover from sexual abuse, and the Girls Circle offering will continue to bolster the confidence and esteem levels of our region's girls thwarting their likelihood of becoming future victims."


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Not mentioned
He is not mentioned per name in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but Jo has written that all Hogwarts ghosts attended the funeral of Albus Dumbledore. So I think that we can assume that he, Nearly Headless Nick, the Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron are there, too.
What do you think? Harry granger 20:05, May 16, 2011 (UTC)
Magical abilities
Pottermore says that he healed people by touching them with his wand. Does this indicate nonveerbal magic?
Pulling rabbits from a cup. Should we list transfiguratuin/ conjuration?--Rodolphus (talk) 10:17, January 21, 2013 (UTC)


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Review & AssessmentPage address: http://www.mnsu.edu/student/staffandfacultyresources/assessment/about.html
Page Topics
The mission of Student Affairs Assessment at Minnesota State University, Mankato is to provide information regarding: student demographics, student expectations and experiences, student engagement, campus climate and the quality and improvement of services and programs provided by the Division.
MSU's mission statement says that we "promote learning through effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship and research in service to the state, the region, and the global community." In order to assure ourselves, our students and our public that we are effectively promoting student learning and development, it is critical that we assess the outcomes established by our various programs.
Assessment of student learning at Minnesota State University is based on the "Principles of Good Practice in Assessing Student Learning" established in 1992 by the American Association of Higher Education. These principles assume that assessment of student learning begins with identification of our educational purposes; for example, "to promote learning". Those purposes are further defined by the question, "What do we expect our students to know and be able to do when they have completed their educational programs?" The AAHE principles further suggest that, through assessment, we meet our responsibilities to students and to the public, providing evidence of our effectiveness in promoting learning.
Assessment Plan Development
Each student affairs department will design a five year assessment plan to assess the program and services offered by the department to:
- insure high quality programs and services through continual feedback and improvement;
- provide data illustrating the educational value the depatments programs and services add to the student learning experience at MSU; and
- develop a base of information and data regarding the departments programs and services to be used as a component of Department Program Review and Institutional NCA Accreditation.
The department five year assessment plan will establish educational goals, measurable outcomes, the assessment instruments, methods and measures to be used, and a plan for dissemination of data gathered for program and service improvement.
Each of the goals and corresponding measureable outcomes will be assessed at least once over the course of the 5 year plan. Not every outcome has to be assessed every year, but all outcomes must be assessed at least once during the five year time period to be used for Program Review.
Develop a realistic number of goals and outcomes. The five year assessment plan should have no more than 15 outcomes.
Assessment plans are dynamic. Some goals and outcomes may be carried over from one five year plan to another, others will change over time.
The authority and responsibility for the design and operation of assessment is shared by the student affairs staff in each department with support from the assessment coordinator.
General Characteristics
The assessment plan:
- Is linked to the institution's mission, goals, and objectives for student learning.
- Has a conceptual framework.
- Has student affairs staff ownership/responsibility.
- Leads to program, departmental, and institutional improvement.
- Uses multiple measures.
- Is cost-effective.
- Doesn't restrict or inhibit goals of access, equity, and diversity established by the institution.
- Provides a timeline for development and implementation that is appropriate and realistic.
- Provides for appropriate administration of the assessment.
- Each department determines the outcomes for their programs.
- Outcomes are clearly linked to the mission and goals of the department, student affairs and the university.
- Outcomes are written in clear, measurable terms.
- Outcomes address student knowledge, behavior/skills, and attitudes/dispositions and services offered to students.
Assessment Instruments, Methods and Measures
Each department determines the assessment instruments and methods used in assessing the outcomes established for their programs.
Different assessment methods and instruments may be appropriate for different programs, reflecting the diversity of our programs and their outcomes. What is important is that the instruments and methods used are appropriate for the outcomes being assessed.
Outcomes are assessed by a variety of direct and indirect measures and through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The research methods selected should be tailored to the type of data to be gathered and the degree of reliability required.
When possible the assessment should include measures of "value added", such as pre- and post-tests.
When possible assessment should occur not only at the end of the experience, but also throughout the experience. Assessment that is conducted considering several stages of the experience may yield valuable information for program improvement.
Data Collection, Analysis and Dissemination
Effective assessment planning and processes include:
- Clear indication of who will collect and analyze data.
- Regular, frequent collection and analysis of data
- Clarity about who will get reports on findings and how the data collected will be used for program improvement
There should be annual assessment activity and dissemination of findings. Not every outcome has to be assessed every year, but all outcomes must be assessed at least once during the program review cycle (5 years) in order to provide data for that review.
Assessment activity should be focused on the enhancement of student learning and development, service provision and the student experience at MSU through the continual improvement of programs and services.
Disseminating data collected is essential in providing staff and the campus community with information useful to the improvement of programs and learning. Assessment is not an end in itself. Feedback from analysis of assessment data leads to conclusions about current program effectiveness. This, in turn leads to recommendations and plans to improve the program.
Students should understand the purposes of assessment. Some departments at MSU provide assessment information about their programs and services in a variety of student-oriented publications. Some include students on assessment committees.
Assessment information shall be used by the unit doing the assessment to improve student learning, student development and the programs and services which structure that learning. The raw data and findings that result from implementation of an assessment plan will be treated as the sole property of the assessing unit. Electronic submission of reports will be secure, with individuals outside the reporting department having read-only access.
Assessment information may not be used for personnel decisions (except for information provided by the individual), nor for program resource allocation decisions (except for information provided by the unit). Assessment information supplied by individuals or programs may only be for self-comparative purposes and may not disclose information about other individuals or other programs. Other uses not contemplated in this statement may be proposed to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, who will determine whether a proposed use is to be permitted or prohibited.


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The Gilfeather Turnip is on the Slow Food USA Ark of Taste and is one of the featured vegetables in the Slow Food USA/Chefs Collaborative Foods at Risk/Renewing America's Food Traditions (RAFT) Grow-out taking place in New England. Despite the attempts of developer John Gilfeather to guard his stock and keep propagation to himself, some seeds did make it off of his property, and a few farmers have continued to grow the Gilfeather Turnip after Mr. Gilfeather died.
The Gilfeather is an egg-shaped, rough-skinned root, but unlike its cousins, it has a mild taste that becomes sweet and a creamy white color after the first frost. While the hardy Gilfeather turnip does well in nearly any climate, this touch of frost contributes to its unusual taste and texture. Developed and named after John Gilfeather from Wardsboro, Vermont, this turnip is one of the state's unique contributions to cold weather agriculture.
Seeds are available from Fedco Seeds, whose site informs us that though the Gilfeather is called a turnip, it is, in fact, a rutabaga. They also say that the greens are tender (we all like a two-for-one vegetable when we can get one), it doesn't become woody even at larger sizes, and, as mentioned above, tastes better after frost, which is handy as it matures late in the growing season. Why not try it out in your garden? And if not, be sure to be on the look-out for it at farmers markets and participating restaurants later in the year.
Protected: Agenda
3 years ago