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(CNN Student News) -- Record the CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Sarah Palin Revealed when it airs commercial-free on October 13, 2008, from approximately 4:10-- 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN. (A short feature begins at 4:00 a.m. and precedes the program.)
Teachers: Please note that a Classroom Edition of the companion program, Joe Biden Revealed, is scheduled to air on October 20, 2008, from approximately 4:10-- 5:00 a.m. ET on CNN. Curriculum materials for Joe Biden Revealed are available at www.CNNStudentNews.com.
Program Overview
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the state's youngest and first female governor, has been a television sports reporter, a commercial fisherman, a city council member and a mayor. Now she is the Republican nominee for U.S. vice president. CNN correspondent Drew Griffin interviews Palin's family members, friends, colleagues and challengers to learn about the events that have shaped her life and career.
Grade Level: 6-12
Subject Areas: Civics, Forensics
Objectives: The CNN Presents Classroom Edition: Sarah Palin Revealed and its corresponding discussion questions and activity challenge students to:
Curriculum Connections
Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Standard II. Time, Continuity and Change: Students will learn about the ways human beings view themselves in and over time.
Standard V. Individuals, Groups and Institutions: Students will explore how groups are formed, what controls and influences them, how they control and influence individuals and culture and how institutions can be maintained or changed.
Standard VI. Power, Authority and Governance: Students will understand the historical development of structures of power, authority and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society as well as other parts of the world.
The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/standards/) are published by the National Council for Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/).
Curriculum Standards for Civics and Government
Standard III. How Does the Government Established by the Constitution Embody the Purposes, Values, and Principles of American Democracy?
The National Standards for Civics and Government (http://www.civiced.org/912erica.htm) are published by the Center for Civic Education (http://www.civiced.org/).
Discussion Questions
Post Viewing Discussion Questions
Teachers: Use these Discussion Questions after viewing both the Sarah Palin and Joe Biden Revealed programs.
Suggested Activity
Inform students that Founding Father John Adams served as America's first vice president from 1789 - 1797. Next, read the following statement by Mr. Adams to students and generate a discussion about its meaning: "I am vice president. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything." Then ask: In your opinion, should voters consider the vice presidential candidate when casting their ballots for the presidency? Have each student choose one of this year's vice presidential candidates and conduct research to learn more about his or her views and background. Direct each student to write a paper explaining why this individual should or should not be elected to the position that is "a heartbeat away" from the presidency.
vice president, U.S. Constitution, debate, Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. Joe Biden, election, fiscal conservative, Washington insider


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Mochi making with an Ankarsrum/Verona or Bosch MUM6N
I bought a stand mixer (or rather two) to replace a basic bread machine that was shedding its non stick lining. I'd stopped baking with it years ago but kept using it as my go to kneader for bread and mochi. Alas, mochi flecked with black Teflon flakes wasn't a treat I wished to share with my family. It was a hand down from my parents and has lasted decades, but it has to go.
I'm just about to start experimenting with my new mixers but was wondering if anyone had given this a try in either machine.
I'm very familiar with a blog report on making mochi using a paddle with a Kitchenaid that was posted in the JustHungry website, but both the units I have work quite differently. I'm particularly keen to know if anyone has used a mincer - perhaps with the blades removed in a pasta press configuration - for making mochi. I don't have a mincer, this would be a compelling reason to get one for me.
Anyway, I'll report back. I'm very curious to find out how the Swedish Assistent roller arm will cope with glutinous mochi rice and what exactly I'll be ending up with.

subset: commoncrawl


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Julia Huang is chairwoman of ChinaEdu Corporation, a NASDAQ listed company (Ticker: CEDU). ChinaEdu is a leading and the largest online education services provider in China in terms of the number of higher education institutions served and the number of students enrolled in the online degree programs. Ms. Huang holds an MBA from Columbia Business School with concentrations in finance and international business and master's degrees in chemical engineering and microbiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is also a member of the board of trustees of Renmin University of China.
Ms. Huang came back to China from her management consulting career in New York and founded the company with the team in 1999. As of December, 2013, ChinaEdu has 12 joint venture partnerships and over 30 service partnerships with leading universities in China and has serviced more than 1.7 million for-degree students for decades. In K12 after-school programs, its 101 Online School (www.chinaedu.com) serviced more than 6 million students and 3000 schools in the past 15 years.
Ms. Huang was honored with many awards, including Top 10 Education Industry Leader's Award and Women's Leadership Award in China. Her long-term mission is to change the fundamentals of learning in China and facilitate interactive learning where students are engaged and able to experience the joys of learning.
Yang Lan is a household name in China, as a leading broadcast journalist and media entrepreneur. She is the cofounder and chairperson of the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation. The Sun Media Group is one of the leading private media companies in China with businesses ranging from TV production and integrated communications, to events and more. The Sun Culture Foundation is a non-profit organization aiming to improve education and promote philanthropy.
Ms. Yang graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University with a bachelor's degree in English language and literature. She became a rising star by hosting CCTV's "Zhengda Variety Show", which earned her the "Golden Microphone Award" in 1994. She followed her experience hosting her television show by attending Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where she earned a master's degree in International Affairs. Upon returning to China, she created her signature show "Yang Lan Studio", now named "Yang Lan One on One", for the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV. "Yang Lan One on One" has become China's longest-running in-depth talk show, accumulating more than 700 interviews with leaders from around the world. In 2000, Ms. Yang and her husband Dr. Bruno Wu launched Sun TV, Greater China's first documentary satellite channel. In 2005, she created "Her Village", a TV talk show geared towards China's urban female audience, which was developed into a multimedia community to empower women. She has been firmly committed to promoting cross-cultural communications. She was chosen to represent China as the ambassador for Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, and was named as Goodwill Ambassador for 2010 Shanghai Expo. Currently she is the Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics Movement and the first Chinese UNICEF Ambassador, the Co-Chair of Lincoln Center China Advisory Council, and the Vice-Chairman of China Charity Alliance. Ms Yang was honored with many awards, including Columbia University SIPA's "Global Leadership Award," the "National Philanthropy Award," China's "Women's Achievement Award," the Paley Center For Media "Makers" award, and she's ranked #100 in World's Most Powerful Women in Forbes.
As one of China's leading media executives, Scarlett has been the general manager of StarTV's Channel [V] (a News Corporation Company) music channel in China where she launched the first-ever Channel [V] Chinese Music Awards (CMA). In 2007, she became the founder and CEO of Zebra Media, China's largest multi-media music platform, promoting music on Satellite channels, digital cable channels, concerts, internet and mobile networks. Zebra Media organizes more than 100 music events every year, and Zebra Music Festival (ZMF) is the largest music festival in China, attracting more than 300,000 people every year at the venue and an audience of 100 million on TV and internet.
Scarlett obtained her bachelor degree in Australia, majoring in Information Technology and Business Management and her EMBA from Tsinghua University in Beijing. She is a Henry Crown fellow with the Aspen Institute, a NAL of the World Economic Forum and an Asia21 fellow of the Asia Society.
Li Yuan is the editor-in-chief of cn.wsj.com, the Chinese online edition of The Wall Street Journal. Ms. Yuan is part of the new senior leadership team looking to position the Chinese Journal for growth with even more focus on Chinese language content. Launched in January 2002 and redesigned in December 2008, Chinese.WSJ.com draws on the editorial resources of Dow Jones' global news network, while addressing the needs of local readers through the efforts of a dedicated bilingual team.
Ms. Yuan joined the Journal in New York in 2004, working as a reporter covering the U.S. telecom industry and then as a columnist with WSJ.com. She moved back to Beijing to head the Chinese WSJ website in 2008. Before joining the Journal, Ms. Yuan was a reporter with Xinhua News Agency, covering events in Thailand, Laos and Afghanistan, and an international news editor with Xinhua in Beijing. A native of Ningxia, China, she holds a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a master's in international policy and practice from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Yunli Lou is a Founding Partner and Managing Director of Milestone Capital Partners Limited ("Milestone Capital"), where she is responsible for the firm's overall management and investor relations. Founded in 2002, Milestone Capital is a leading China-focused private equity firm, investing in and supporting entrepreneurs in China's consumer and healthcare industries. Milestone Capital has invested and taken portfolio companies public on NASDAQ, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Yunli was named by Forbes China Best Venture Capitalists from 2006 to 2012. Milestone Capital currently manages three US dollar funds and one RMB fund through the firm's two offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
Prior to founding Milestone Capital, Yunli worked for Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch in New York and Hong Kong. Yunli received her bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard College, where she was the recipient of the John Harvard Scholarship. Yunli is married with four children.
Jiang Peizhen is chairwoman, general manager and senior economist of Golden Throat Group, a company focusing on the pharmaceutical industry and health products. The company is among the top 50 traditional Chinese medicine businesses in the country. The Golden Throat Lozenge, its featuring product, has enjoyed the biggest market share among like products in China for almost 20 years. The product has obtained approval by US FDA, EU COM, TGA of Australian Government, the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, and the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, and is being exported to more than 20 countries and regions, including U.S., Canada, EU, Australia, South Africa and Southeast Asia.
During the 50 years under her management, Jiang has been devoted to building a company and brand that can endure. The Golden Throat Lozenge became a famous product nationwide in 2005, and ranked 263 in "China's 500 Most Valuable Brands" in 2010 with a value of 3.412 billion RMB.
Jiang was one of the Beijing Olympic torch bearers and a viewer of the 60th anniversary military parade. She has been twice awarded with the National Labor Medal, and has been selected as one of China's Top 10 Women of Distinction, the Top 10 Brand China (Women), China's Brand Building Leader, National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetters, 100 Women in the News during the 30 Years since China's Reform, National Spark Entrepreneur, etc. Many party and government leaders have met with Jiang, including President Hu Jintao. Jiang is the vice president of the China Association of Women Entrepreneurs and ACFIC Business Women's Chamber of Commerce (CWCC).
Wu Qing is a well-known Professor, teaching at Beijing Foreign Studies University. She is co-founder of the Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women and an active leader of women's rights and human rights in China.
Since the mid-1980s, she has actively promoted human rights and women's rights. She is a board member of many national and international women's NGOs. She is a co-founder of the Changping Practical Skills Training Center for Rural Women, which was founded in 1998 and started to recruit women and girls from 1999. The mission of the school is to empower and engender women and girls and change their mindsets so that they will be responsible citizens with skills. It has changed the lives of over 13,000 women and girls from rural areas.
In recognizing her contribution in the fields of Chinese women's rights and rule of law in China, the Philippine government awarded her the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2001. She was nominated by the Schwab Foundation Network as one of the World's Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs of 2003. She was chosen by the public as one of the twenty people who cared about the rights of peasants in China in 2003. She received the 2011 Sias Women's Leadership Award. She received the Canadian Governor General's Medallion for the dedication to women's rights in China in Oct. 2013.
Bing is Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific Executive Office and general manager and legal representative of Goldman Sachs Gao Hua. She serves on the Goldman Sachs' management committee for China business and the Asia Diversity Committee. Between 2005 and 2012, Bing served in several other capacities at Goldman Sachs, including General Counsel for Goldman Sachs China and co-COO of Beijing Gao Hua Securities. She was named Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in 2007. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Bing worked as a transaction lawyer for another international bank and two U.S. law firms.
Earlier in her career, Bing worked on public policy and public interest law projects relating to the training of Chinese judges and Chinese judicial reforms, and has authored a number of articles on China's judicial reforms and Chinese commercial laws. She also edited two volumes on comparative law and judicial processes.
In recent years, Bing has developed a keen interest in the revival of Confucian values in contemporary China. In 2014, Bing co-founded a Confucian teaching institute focusing on training of teachers and instructors of Confucian classics. Bing is also a part of Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Tracey Trench is head of all creative content for Oriental Dreamworks which includes film, television, and internet/mobile divisions. Tracey has produced fifteen feature films including "The Pink Panther" starring Steve Martin, "Herbie Fully Loaded" (Lindsay Lohan), "Yours, Mine and Ours" (Dennis Quaid), "Ever After" (Drew Barrymore/Angelica Huston) and "Just Married" (Ashton Kutcher). Her films have grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. She has worked as a studio executive for Twentieth Century Fox where she developed the original "Power Rangers." She also produced the Sundance Award-winning documentary "Fear and Learning at Hoover Elementary," which also won the prestigious duPont-Columbia Award and was named by the Rockefeller Foundation one of the 'ten best films on American racism.' Tracey has created television programming for Bravo Networks, Lifetime and PBS, and was on the production team for the Broadway run of "Grey Gardens" which won three Tony's. She has lectured at Harvard Business School and is currently an advisor for UCLA's Producers Program. She is also a liaison between the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hollywood. The daughter of two schoolteachers from Indiana, Tracey graduated from Harvard University with honors in Social Anthropology, and earned an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management. She currently resides in Shanghai, China.
Xing Danwen was born in Xi'an, China. As a teenager in the 80s, she took a 4-year professional study in painting at the primary art school affiliated with the Xi'an Academy of Fine Art. From 1989-1992, she continued painting and did her BFA at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.
In the late 80s, coincidentally she discovered photography and was immediately drawn into this medium. As a self-taught photographer she was the one of a few artists in late 80s and 90s in China who was exploring the boundaries of photography and using photography as an art form. Through the camera, she observed and challenged the questions on Chinese society, humanity, female identity and the generation that were born in the 60s. In 1998, she went to New York with a grant and fellowship from Asian Cultural Council. From 1998-2001, she did her MFA at the School of Visual Arts in New York with the chairman grant from SVA. This New York period challenged and enriched her artistic experience. In her current art practice she works, besides photography, in the fields of mixed media, video and multi-media installations.
Xing Danwen exhibits domestically and internationally, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Pompidou Center, International Center for Photography, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1st Yokohama Triennale and Sydney Biennale 2004, etc. Her works are also collected widely by museums and privately, including the Whitney Museum, Pompidou, ICP, SF MoMA, FNAC, the Progressive, Groupe Lhoist, etc.
Her artistic practice is both rich and varied and her subjects include: dislocation between cultural status, conflicts between globalization and traditions, problematic environmental issues created by the development, and the urban drama between desire and reality. Fiction, truth and illusion often play an important role in her works. She currently lives and works in Beijing.


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Accenture is proud to co-host North America's first Banking Innovation Forum in Toronto on September 28, 2017 with Efma.
This exclusive one-day conference will be the venue for top-level global bankers and leading industry figures to discuss the most innovative case studies of the prestigious Efma and Accenture Banking Innovation Awards.
The Forum will examine key issues facing the banking sector today:
Open banking
Fast innovation to deliver on liquid customer expectations
Delivering value to the small business enterprise
Creating a memorable customer experience in a multichannel environment


text: 11 نوفمبر 2013 12:00 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, concluded its 10th anniversary celebrations in style last night, with a lavish gala reception. VIP guests included HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court and Chairman of Etihad Airways, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group, HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Founder Chairman of Etihad Airways, and members of the Etihad Airways board.The glittering event at Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club was attended by over 500 people, who were treated to a fly-past, with an Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 flying at a low altitude of 600 feet along the stunning Abu Dhabi skyline and Corniche breakwater.During a keynote speech, James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: "In just one decade we have moved from a start-up airline to one that is firmly established on the world travel stage as a safe, profitable, and high-quality business. Throughout our history, we have enjoyed the continuous support of our shareholder, the Government of Abu Dhabi. Tonight I am delighted to once again be able to publicly place on record our deep gratitude and appreciation."The remarkable journey to reach our tenth year would not have been possible without the visionary guidance and unstinting support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Etihad and its people owe them a huge debt of thanks."Entertainment at the gala reception was provided by Arabic singing star Kadim Al Sahir, who wowed the audience with his popular anthems.The event concluded with a dazzling firework display, which was greeted by cheers and applause from hundreds of spectators at Abu Dhabi Corniche and surrounding areas.The reception capped a memorable week of 10th anniversary celebrations for the airline, including a cake-cutting ceremony and Airbus A330-200 fly-past at the Etihad Airways headquarters, and a Staff Celebration Day at Yas Marina Circuit. اتصلوا بنا تفاصيل الاتصال آراؤكم إذا أردتم أن توجهوا لنا أي تعليق أو شكوى أو إطراء أو سؤال، اضغطوا هنا انضموا إلينا انضموا لصفحتنا في فيسبوك شاهدونا زوروا قناة الاتحاد للطيران في يوتيوب تابعونا الاتحاد للطيران (العربي)


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You're currently on:
- Description
DetailsBarracuda Energize Updates provide your Barracuda Networks appliance with the protection from the latest Internet threats. Barracuda's team at Barracuda Central continuously monitors the Internet for new trends in network security threats and develops strategies to mitigate those threats. Depending on the appliance, Energize Updates include the appropriate definitions for spam, virus, content categories, spyware filter, intrusion prevention, IM protocols, policies, security updates, attacks and document formats. Updates are delivered on an hourly basis to ensure you always have the latest definitions and the most comprehensive protection. Barracuda Energize Updates subscriptions must be purchased with any Barracuda Networks appliance to provide complete protection from the latest Internet threats. Energize Updates subscriptions also provide: • Basic Support which includes email support 24x7 and phone support between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday in the USA (Pacific time zone), Japan time zone, China time zone, and United Kingdom time zone. Note that Barracuda Technical Support will take and respond to support calls 24x7 from Basic Support customers when we are not servicing other customers. • Firmware Maintenance which includes new firmware updates with feature enhancements and bug fixes as they are made available. • Security Updates to patch or repair any security vulnerabilities. • Optional participation in the Barracuda Early Release Firmware program.
- Technical Specs
Additional Information
Global UPC No Manufacturer Barracuda Networks Supplier No Barracuda Series Barracuda Backup Service Subscription Type Energize Updates Subscription Service Energize Updates Subscription Length 1 Year
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Publish Date
This paper introduces and discusses a recent policy memo from the U.S. Department of Education that clarifies the distinctions between bullying and harassment and the priorities and responsibilities of school districts, outlines the differences between sexual harassment and bullying, explores the unintended consequences of ignoring the gendered dimensions of bullying and harassment in K-12 schools, and suggests helpful strategies for advocates collaborating with school personnel and students.
Nan D. Stein, Ed.D. & Kelly A. Mennemeier, B.A.
Publication Type


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Caused Ron's '52
Not as in climbing into the cab, but "into it"-a person can get into trucks at any stage of their life. For Ron Doty of Helena, Oklahoma, it was growing up as a child in a rural farming community of about 900 people. Since his teen years in the late '60s, Ron has owned his share of work trucks, but he never quite got around to building his own fully customized truck. Of course, that's if you don't count a bored-out 283 he stuffed into a '56 F-100 during the early '70s to raise a little hell. The string of stock trucks stopped when Ron hit "the big five-O." When Ron turned 50, he realized he was beginning to have the time and money he needed to build the wild custom truck of his dreams. With the decision made to build a hot-rod pickup, Ron put the word out that he was looking for a good core. One of his friends at work told him about an old truck sitting in a barn only two miles away from Ron's house. Not long after that, Ron had the '52 Chevy sitting in his garage torn down into a million pieces.
Starting with the engine, Ron and his friend Norman built a 350-inch Chevy small-block bored out to 355 inches. While the old saying "there's no replacement for displacement" holds true, Ron felt the motor needed a lot more than stock innards. Beginning with the ignition, a setup from MSD complemented a pair of Edelbrock heads and an intake manifold topped with a 750-cfm Demon carburetor. To pop the intake and exhaust valves wide open, they added a COMP hydraulic roller cam to assist the Demon with a set of Dynomax block hugger headers leading to a pair of Flowmaster mufflers. To complete the exhaust's look, Ron had the whole system ceramic-coated, but the finishing touch for the engine compartment was a super-trick FrontRunner serpentine system from Vintage Air. Ron figures he has about 430 horsepower leaving the engine into a beefed Turbo 350 automatic tranny featuring a host of B&M goodies, including a B&M 2,500-rpm stall torque converter.
With the drivetrain near completion, Ron turned his attention to the '52's exterior. He went with the less is more approach on the Chevy, having "Hub" Harness chop 2 1/2 inches out of the top. Keeping it simple was the name of the game for the front of the truck. Ron stuck with the original front sheetmetal by simply smoothing the seams and rechroming the stock grille. Around the sides and rear, the less is more approach is more prevalent-the door handles and tailgate were shaved, while the fenders were smoothed over. The gas filler was relocated to the bed floor to accommodate the gas tank relocated from the cab. With the truck ready for paint, Ron delivered the body in pieces to Laverne Kelley of Kelley's Customs in Enid, Oklahoma, for a custom finish to make his '52 come alive using a super-slick coating of Chrysler Inferno Red Pearlcoat by PPG.
To match the lowered theme initiated by Hub's chopped top, the front suspension was upgraded and dropped at the same time by grafting on a Monte Carlo front clip using Fatman Fabrications tubular control arms in conjunction with their drop spindles to slam the nose. Handling the demands of the mighty 430-horse mouse motor and providing the '52 with a rapid launch is a Ford 9-inch rearend packing 4.56:1 gears suspended via a ladder-bar setup with coilover springs from Competition Engineering.
Keeping it all rolling is a quartet of Weld Draglites. The front features skinny 15×4 Draglites wrapped in a pair of General Sportiva EM4s, while out back is where it gets serious with a set of 15×14 Draglites stuffed into huge Mickey Thompson 31×18.5×15 skins.
The last stage of Ron's 4 1/2-year project was his truck's interior. Behind a set of RodDoors' door panels, Ron installed a set of power windows from Specialty Power Windows (SPW), then looked to SPW again for their conversion kit to dump the '52's vacuum wipers in favor of electric wipers. Before Ron shipped his truck over to Larry's Upholstery in Enid, Oklahoma, he had the interior wrapped up to supply 12-volt current to a Vintage Air air-conditioning unit and Classic gauges. He completely rewired the truck with a wiring harness from the folks at Painless Performance Parts.
Well, thanks to a friend in Enid for letting Ron use his shop for 4 1/2 years, plus an understanding wife to put up with his 60-mile round-trip almost every day to build the '52, Ron and his wife have been hitting the shows, 27 so far, and the truck has placed at every one of them, including a Best Of Show in Dallas-not bad for a guy and his truck from a little ol' town in Oklahoma.


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10 Monmouth Street London WC2H 9HB
Soholistic offers a full range of body and beauty treatments, to be enjoyed in the treatment room at Covent Garden Hotel. Hotel guests can also indulge in an in-room treatment at any of the Firmdale Hotels in London.
Firmdale Hotels has selected Temple Spa, a lifestyle concept based upon the fusion of product, philosophy and spa. Temple Spa is a unisex range of highly advanced products and treatments created to combat the strains and stresses of those that travel and who have a demanding, fatiguing lifestyle.
This means the very best in anti-ageing skin care, aromatherapy and spa treatments. The products and treatments deliver results as well as calming the soul.
- Facial Therapies
- Body Treatments
- Massage Treatments
- Specialist Treatments
- Hands & Feet
- Waxing
- The Gym


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Chinese Herbal Remedies for Bad Breath
By Dr. Harold Katz – Bad Breath Expert
Posted: September 23, 2009
Posted: September 23, 2009
Especially nowadays, many people are interested in alternative treatments to ailments like halitosis. Chinese herbs can be useful in treating bad breath without you having to worry about harsh chemicals. Of course, before using these herbs, you should have a consultation with an expert in the field so you can take any necessary precautions. Bitter herbs can be used to treat halitosis along with mouth ulcers; irritability; thirst; increased hunger; red tongue; red, swollen, or ulcerated gums; swollen lips or mouth; dry mouth; yellow coated tongue, and so on. Some common herbs used in Chinese medicine for banishing bad breath are Shan Zhi Zi, Huang Lian, and Mu Dan Pi. Various concoctions including other herbs such as trifala, senne leaves, aloe vera, and rhubarb can also get rid of bad breath. If you are serious about getting rid of your bad breath and are not sure what is causing it, you should check with a doctor so you take the correct path in treating it. According to Chinese medicine, one should regularly eat "cool" foods (low in temperature) like cabbage, lettuce, pears, peaches, oranges, melons (cantaalope, watermelon, honey dew), zucchini, cucumber, corn, snow peas, celery, carrots, and broccoli. It is also recommended that you should reduce the amount of spicy/hot foods, greasy/fatty foods, alcohol, and coffee that you consume if you want to avoid dragon breath. You can combine Chinese remedies, "cool" foods, and recommendations from a licensed acupuncture physician in order to combat your halitosis.
Win $100 in Products! Enter Here


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Headlines archive
Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts 11 new cases
Madison, Wisconsin - December 19, 2012
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept 11 new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. The Court of Appeals' opinion for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked.
2011AP1770-71-CR State v. Melton
This case examines whether a circuit court has "inherent authority" to order the destruction of a presentence investigation (PSI) report after entry of judgment not related to charges in the original sentencing proceeding.
Some background: Brandon Melton pled guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age and to theft of movable property. Additional charges for battery, felony bail jumping, and second-degree sexual assault of a child were dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes. The circuit court ordered the Department of Corrections (DOC) to prepare a PSI report.
After receiving the Nov. 19, 2009 PSI report, Melton moved to strike portions of it that discussed certain uncharged offenses under a section entitled "Description of Offenses." At a hearing on the motion held before sentencing, he argued that the inclusion of the uncharged offenses was prejudicial and violated DOC rules.
The circuit court concluded the information about the uncharged offenses would be of little use to the court at sentencing and would be prejudicial to the defendant after sentencing. The circuit court, citing its inherent authority, issued a written order on March 31, 2010, directing the DOC to prepare a second PSI report omitting the objectionable information. The order also directed that the first PSI report "shall be sealed and destroyed following the expiration of any appellate time limits." Neither party objected to this order.
At the start of the sentencing proceeding (which was held before a different judge), defense counsel advised the sentencing court that a new PSI report had been prepared and was to be used for sentencing purposes. The defendant was sentenced to four years of initial confinement and eight years of extended supervision.
Following sentencing and entry of the judgments, the successor circuit court (a third judge), on its own motion, scheduled a review hearing after discovering the order that the first PSI report was to be destroyed after the expiration of the appellate time limits. The court advised the parties it had set the matter for a hearing because it did not believe it had the authority to destroy a PSI report. Defense counsel advised that the defendant was pursuing an appeal so the matter of destroying the PSI report might be premature.
The circuit court found that since it was ordering the PSI report not be destroyed, the pendency of the appeal was irrelevant. The circuit court modified the prior order, mandating that the first PSI report be sealed rather than destroyed. The defendant appealed, and the Court of Appeals reversed.
The Court of Appeals held the circuit court has the authority to destroy the first PSI report to prevent confusion as to which PSI report in the file should be used for sentencing. It pointed to this court's decision in State v. Henley, 328 Wis. 2d 544, ¶73, which said that courts exercise inherent authority "to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the court, and to fairly administer justice." The Court of Appeals said the defendant's appeal was still pending and the potential existed for resentencing.
The state says the Court of Appeals' decision is not supported by prior "inherent authority" cases, and that placing a PSI report under seal achieves the same end as destruction because it prevents public disclosure of the contents of the report.
The state also argues destruction of the PSI report is contrary to SCR 72.01, which mandates the retention of all records in felony cases for 50 years after entry of judgment, and that there is a real risk that courts will use the Court of Appeals' decision in this case to justify destroying other court records in other circumstances.
Melton argues having two PSI reports in a file presents an opportunity for confusion and injustice and that the state never addresses what purpose would be served by keeping the "wrong" PSI report in the court file when a valid PSI report remains intact. From Waukesha County.
2012AP99 Outagamie Co. v. Melanie L.
This case examines the statutory standard for determining whether a person is competent to refuse medication and treatment for mental illness.
More specifically, the Supreme Court is asked whether Outagamie County failed to prove that Melanie L. was incompetent to refuse medication and treatment when the evidence showed that Melanie recognized she is mentally ill and needs medication.
Some background: In 2009, when Melanie was living with her mother in Michigan, she asked her mother to take her to the hospital because she was anxious, having strange thoughts, and was unable to eat or sleep. She was hospitalized for nine days and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder with psychotic features. She was prescribed Risperdal. Melanie stopped taking the medication due to side effects and because she could not afford to pay for it.
Melanie moved to Wisconsin in 2010. She got her own apartment and started taking classes to pursue a nursing career. In February of 2011, Melanie was detained for mental health treatment after her boyfriend took her to the hospital. Melanie told an examiner psychiatrist that she felt similar to when she had the episode two years earlier in Michigan. Melanie was hospitalized for two weeks and diagnosed with psychotic disorder. She was treated with medication, including Seroquel, which she said was effective and asked later to be prescribed again.
At the probable cause hearing following the emergency detention, Melanie agreed to the probable cause findings necessary to continue her detention and she agreed to the entry of a temporary medication order. At a final hearing on February 18, 2011, Melanie stipulated to the entry of a six-month commitment order and an involuntary medication order. During the six-month commitment, Melanie had been under the care of the county's psychiatrist, Dr. Milagros Cuaresma Ambas.
About a month before the six-month commitment was to expire, the county filed a petition seeking a 12-month extension and another order requiring Melanie to take prescribed medications. A hearing was held on the petition on Aug. 17, 2011. The county's case manager, Kate Siebers, who had never met with Melanie in person and had been assigned to her case for two months, testified Melanie lacked insight into her mental illness and the purpose of treatment.
A court-appointed examiner, Dr. Jagdish Dave, conceded Melanie could express an understanding of the risks and benefits of psychotropic medication because of her educational background, but she was not able to apply that understanding "to her advantage."
The circuit court ordered an extension of the mental health commitment and an involuntary medication order. Melanie appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed.
On appeal, Melanie objected to the involuntary medication order and argued the county failed to meet its burden of proving she was not competent to refuse medication.
Melanie argued Dave's opinion that she was not competent to refuse medication did not fit the statutory standard of incompetency because Dave testified she was incapable of applying an understanding "to her advantage" instead of "to . . . her mental illness . . . in order to make an informed choice." Dave said Melanie did not resume taking medication after suffering a miscarriage and did not voluntarily attend follow-up care.
Melanie also argued the evidence supported a finding that she can apply an understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives to her mental illness. The Court of Appeals rejected Melanie's argument that the expert must recite the specific words of the statute in order for the evidence to be sufficient. The Court of Appeals said although Melanie requested Seroquel, she returned to Ambas to make that request because the county prompted her to return.
Melanie argues that this case presents the opportunity for this court to interpret and apply the competency standard set forth in § 51.61(1)(g)4, governing the right to refuse medication and treatment. She says that statute and statutes with virtually identical language apply to individuals who are under a mental health commitment and to those who are committed to a treatment facility or receiving services for developmental disabilities, alcoholism, or drug dependency, including commitments made under ch. 55 and to criminal defendants found incompetent or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, under ch. 971. From Outagamie County.
2012AP665 Manitowoc Co. v. Samuel J.H.
In this certification, the Supreme Court examines a possible inconsistency in provisions of Chpt. 51, the state's involuntary commitment law.
More specifically, the Court of Appeals asks whether § 51.35(1)(e) mandates a hearing within ten days for all transferred patients, including those transferred for medical reasons under § 51.35(1)(e)1., or whether the mandate applies only to those transferred due to a violation of the conditions of outpatient placement as set forth in § 51.35(1)(e)2.-5.
Some background: On Sept. 22, 2011, Samuel J.H., who was subject to an involuntary commitment order under ch. 51, Stats., was transferred from an outpatient facility to inpatient care. He was given a written notice of his rights under § 51.35(1)(e)1. Samuel objected to the transfer, and counsel was appointed for him and a petition for review of transfer was filed. Relying on the Court of Appeals' holding in Fond du Lac County v. Elizabeth M.P., 2003 WI App 232, ¶¶26, 28, 267 Wis. 2d 739, 672 N.W.2d 88, Samuel argued that he was entitled to a hearing within 10 days of transfer. He also asked to be returned to outpatient status.
A hearing was held on Samuel's petition on Dec. 19, 2011. During the hearing the circuit court commented that it found the language in Elizabeth M.P. "at least mildly confusing." The circuit court concluded that a threshold question presented was whether Samuel was transferred due to a rule violation, and the court invited testimony on the reason for Samuel's transfer.
Samuel's social worker said Samuel had been becoming increasingly psychotic and his behavior had become out of control to the point where he was totally delusional and punching holes in the wall. The social worker testified Samuel did not directly threaten anyone but he reportedly made a general threatening statement to the effect of "we're going to hell and somebody needs to get shot." The social worker said Samuel said things that did not make sense and was doing a lot of nonsensical chanting. The social worker said Samuel was not transferred because of a threat or act to harm himself or others.
The circuit court concluded Samuel was transferred for medical reasons and thus was not entitled to the mandatory hearing under § 51.35(1)(e)2. The circuit court acknowledged that although Elizabeth M.P. expressly addressed § 51.35(1)(e)2. when discussing a mandatory hearing within 10 days, it "threw the net over everything" in saying more broadly that a transfer under § 51.35(1)(e) requires a hearing within 10 days. The circuit court concluded the broad statement in Elizabeth M.P. was not consistent with the language of the statute.
In its certification, District II Court of Appeals says the issue presented in Elizabeth M.P. was whether the circuit court had jurisdiction to transfer the subject to inpatient status when judicial review of the county's decision to transfer her was not held within 10 days as required by § 51.35(1)(e)3. District II says the Elizabeth M.P. court blurred the distinction between the two types of transfer.
District II says the inconsistency in Elizabeth M.P. was noted both by the circuit court and by the county, and while District II says the inconsistency is apparent to it as well, only the Supreme Court may address it. From Mantiowoc County.
2009AP2916-CR State v. Sahs
This case examines whether a defendant's statements to his probation agent, in which he confessed to a new crime of possession of child pornography, were statements compelled as a matter of law in the context of probation.
Some background: Gregory M. Sahs was convicted, following entry of a guilty plea, of one count of possession of child pornography and placed on probation for three years. The state learned of this crime only because of statements Sahs made to his probation agent while Sahs was on probation for an earlier offense.
Before being administered a polygraph test, Sahs admitted to his probation agent that he kept a computer at the home of a friend and had accessed child pornography. Sahs acknowledged this confession would result in revocation.
The agent contacted police, and on Jan. 24, 2007, detective Jacque Chevremont retrieved the computer from the Butterfield home. The following day, Chevremont met with Sahs while he was in custody and read him his Miranda rights. Sahs indicated he understood. Sahs waived his right to an attorney and gave a statement admitting to downloading child pornography while on probation. Sahs's probation was revoked and he began serving an 18-month revocation sentence.
Meanwhile, police obtained a search warrant and confirmed there was child pornography on the computer. On June 26, 2007, Sahs agreed to speak with Chevremont and again waived his Miranda rights. He admitted to making statements to his probation agent regarding downloading child pornography while on probation.
On June 28, 2008, Sahs was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography, contrary to Wis. Stat. § 948.12(1m) and (3)(a), for the contents found on his computer. Sahs pled not guilty to both counts.
On Oct. 27, 2008, Sahs filed two motions to exclude this evidence. Sahs moved to suppress the statements he made to his probation agent on the grounds that the statements were compelled, incriminating and testimonial. Sahs claims that his oral confession to his agent was written down on a state Department of Correction's form. Sahs stated that the probation agent checked a box on this form, indicating that Sahs was required to provide the information, but it could not be used against him in a criminal proceeding.
Sahs also moved to suppress evidence of child pornography discovered on the computer and the ensuing statements made to police investigators on the theory that this evidence was obtained as a direct consequence of the compelled statements made to the agent.
The trial court denied Sahs's motions and Sahs entered a guilty plea. He appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's determination that Sahs's statements were not compelled, noting that the mere fact that an individual is required to appear and report truthfully to his or her probation agent is insufficient to establish compulsion. See State v. Mark, 2006 WI 78, ¶25, 292 Wis. 2d 1, 718 N.W.2d 90 (citing Minnesota v. Murphy, 465 U.S. 420 (1984)).
Because the circuit court found that the statements were voluntary, the state maintains that Sahs did not meet his burden in showing that his initial statement was compelled.
Sahs asks the Supreme Court to review whether the Court of Appeals erred in denying his appeal based on his statement to the probation agent that was allegedly not in the record, and whether the trial court erred in concluding that defendant's statement to the probation agent was not coerced. From Milwaukee County.
2011AP394-CR State v. Alexander
This case examines whether a criminal defendant has a constitutional right to be present when a trial court questions a sitting juror and dismisses that juror for cause, or whether that right may be waived by counsel without the trial court conducting a personal colloquy with the defendant.
Some background: Demone Alexander was convicted, following a jury trial, of the 2007 shooting death of Kelvin Griffin. Alexander contends that his constitutional right to be present during jury selection was violated when the trial court conducted in-chambers interviews with two jurors in his absence. It is undisputed the discussion happened in the presence of both counsel, and that Alexander's counsel waived his presence.
Near the end of the trial ""Juror 10"" told the bailiff that she might be acquainted with a woman (later identified as "Monique") in the gallery of the courtroom. The trial court explored the matter further in chambers with both counsel for Alexander and the state present, discussing the juror's relationship to a woman in the gallery who had been friends with the juror's sister.
The trial court withheld decision, and moved on to an issue involving a second juror, ""Juror 33"."
Again, in chambers, with all counsel present, though without Alexander, ""Juror 33"" told the trial court that he knew a witness who had just finished testifying for the defense, and that he recognized the witness as soon as he saw him as someone she knew for about three years.
The following day, the day for closing arguments and deliberations, a third juror issue surfaced, again involving "Juror 10". That morning, "Juror 10" called another juror to say she would not be in because her boyfriend was in a car accident. This information was given to the trial court.
The court, the state and the juror discussed the situation at length, and the court ultimately struck "Juror 10" and "Juror 33".
On appeal, the Court of Appeals concluded that Alexander's presence in the trial court's chambers during the interview of the two jurors during trial was properly waived by his trial counsel.
Alexander now asks whether a defendant has a personal, constitutional right to be present whenever any substantive step is taken in a case, including the right to be present at all proceedings when the jury is being selected. In support of this argument the petitioner cites Wis. Stat. § 971.04(1) (which provides in relevant part that a "defendant shall be present … [d]uring voir dire of the trial jury.").
The Court of Appeals disagreed with the broad definition of voir dire this argument requires, ruling that this constitutional and statutory mandate is applicable only to the initial selection of the jury, i.e., prior to the taking of testimony. The Court of Appeals stated: "Once the jury has been selected and sworn and the trial has begun, a defendant may voluntarily absent himself from various trial proceedings."
Alexander asserts that prior appellate decisions have held that "[a] trial runs from the commencement of jury selection through the final discharge of the jury and at any time an action is taken affecting the accused." Williams v. State, 40 Wis. 2d 154, 160, 161 N.W.2d 218 (1968). From Milwaukee County.
2011AP902 Sawyer v. West Bend Mut. Ins. Co.
In this case, the Supreme Court reviews whether an insurer must provide coverage to defend in federal court an insured who sent one or more unsolicited fax advertisements in violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227.
More specifically, the Court examines whether the fax message at the center of this dispute is considered a publication of material that violates a person's right to privacy, thereby triggering specifically defined personal and advertising injury coverage under a West Bend Mutual Insurance liability policy.
Some background: The dispute began or around Dec. 9, 2005, after Atlas Heating and Sheet Metal Works, Inc. (Atlas) sent an unsolicited "junk" fax advertisement to Isaac Sawyer's business, A-1 Security (A-1 Security). The advertisement was printed by A-1 Security's fax machine, using its paper and its toner. Sawyer had not given Atlas express invitation or permission to fax advertisements, nor did Sawyer have a business relationship with Atlas.
A-1 Security commenced a class action in Milwaukee County Circuit Court against Atlas. A-1 Security alleged that the fax was sent in violation of the TCPA. The class action was removed to federal court on federal question jurisdiction. A-1 seeks an injunction, $500 in statutory damages (per incident, of which there may be many), and damages for the toner and paper consumed by the one-page fax.
West Bend has defended Atlas under a reservation of rights to dispute coverage from the beginning of the federal action. West Bend initially sought to intervene in the federal action to have insurance coverage addressed. However, A-1 Security commenced a separate declaratory action in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to raise the insurance coverage issue and opposed West Bend's intervention in federal court. The federal court denied intervention to West Bend, and the circuit court declaratory action moved to the summary judgment stage.
On cross motions for summary judgment, the circuit court held: (1) the plaintiff in the case was Sawyer as an individual and that his individual right to privacy was violated; (2) the West Bend policy did not require a defense under the policy's clear definitions of property damage caused by an occurrence; (3) West Bend did have a duty to defend under the specifically defined personal and advertising injury liability coverage; (4) The one page fax advertisement of HVAC services was "publication" of material that violated A-1 Security's right of privacy; and (5) the language of the policy was ambiguous and consequently needed to be construed in favor of the insured.
The court also held that the "knowing violation of rights of another" exclusion did not apply here because the allegations in the complaint provided for the possibility that Atlas may not have had the requisite knowledge that it was violating Sawyer's right of privacy; in other words, Atlas may have negligently, and not intentionally, violated Sawyer's right of privacy.
West Bend appealed. On appeal it argued that there were three reasons why the policy should not be construed to cover damages from Atlas's unsolicited fax: (1) the policy covers only individual privacy rights, and the plaintiff in this case, A-1 Security, is a business; (2) the complaint does not allege facts describing a privacy violation covered by the policy's "personal and advertising injury" provision; and (3) there has been no "publication" of the fax as required by the policy.
In a split decision, the Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court order granting summary judgment, ruling that West Bend must afford Sawyer insurance coverage in the class action lawsuit currently pending in federal court.
West Bend argues that the Court of Appeals' decision does not fully address the applicability of Wisconsin privacy law, which holds that to be an invasion of privacy the facsimile must be 'highly offensive' in nature. West Bend contends that "A-1 submitted no evidence and never argued that the one page facsimile transmission advertising HVAC services was highly offensive to the business." The material, a simple advertisement of HVAC services, "has no connection to, and makes no reference to anything a reasonable person would consider private or highly offensive."
A decision by the Supreme Court could clarify how statutes interact with liability insurance contracts interact with statutes under these circumstances. From Milwaukee County.
2011AP2888 Village of Elm Grove v. Brefka
This case examines whether a municipal court or a circuit court has competence to extend the deadline for requesting a refusal hearing under Wis. Stat. § 343.305 if the defendant does not meet the pre-condition of requesting a hearing within 10 days.
Some background: Richard K. Brefka's vehicle was stopped by Village of Elm Grove police on Dec. 12, 2010. During the traffic stop Brefka apparently refused the police officer's request that he undergo a chemical blood alcohol test. Following Brefka's refusal, the police officer gave Brefka a "Notice of Intent to Revoke Operating Privilege" pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 343.305(9)(a). The notice was dated Dec. 12, 2010. Consistent with the statute, the notice advised Brefka that he had ten days to request a refusal hearing and that his failure to request a refusal hearing would lead to the court revoking his operating privileges 30 days after the date of the notice.
Brefka's attorney requested a refusal hearing, but did not do so until Dec. 28, 2010, which was more than 10 days after the date on which Brefka received the notice. Brefka retained new counsel, who filed a motion with the municipal court on July 14, 2011 to extend the time limit for requesting a refusal hearing. The motion requested that the deadline for requesting a refusal hearing be extended due to the excusable neglect of both Brefka and his original attorney. The Village of Elm Grove opposed Brefka's motion and moved to strike his untimely request for a refusal hearing.
After holding a hearing on the issue, the municipal court denied Brefka's motion and dismissed his request for a refusal hearing. It concluded that Brefka's failure to request the refusal hearing within the 10-day period deprived it of competence to proceed with Brefka's request. The circuit court agreed with the municipal court's decision and remanded the matter to the municipal court, presumably to proceed with the revocation of Brefka's driving privileges.
Brefka argued on appeal that the municipal court and the circuit court had competence to extend the deadline for requesting a refusal hearing under Wis. Stat. §§ 800.115(1) and 806.07. Section 800.115(1) allows a defendant in a municipal court case to move for relief from a judgment or order on the grounds of excusable neglect within six months of the municipal court ruling. Similarly, Wis. Stat. § 806.07(1)(a) grants a circuit court discretion to relieve a party from the effect of a judgment or order due to excusable neglect. Brefka contended that these provisions authorize discretion in the municipal and circuit courts because the Court of Appeals had ruled in State v. Schoepp, 204 Wis. 2d 266, 554 N.W.2d 236 (Ct. App. 1996), that a refusal proceeding is a special proceeding to which the rules of civil procedure are applicable.
The Court of Appeals rejected Brefka's arguments and held that municipal and circuit courts lacked competence to consider Brefka's untimely request for a refusal hearing and his motion to extend the time within which to file such a request. Relying on the rule that statutes are to be construed by discerning the plain meaning of the words used by the legislature, the Court of Appeals pointed to the fact that Wis. Stat. § 343.305(9)(a)4. explicitly states that revocation will begin on the 30th day if no request for a hearing is received with the 10-day period.
Brefka contends that Wis. Stat. § 343.305(9)(a) establishes the 10-day limit to request a refusal hearing. He asserts that the statute is silent as to whether courts can extend tend the time limit or allow a reopening of the refusal issue after a suspension has been imposed. Because the statute is silent on this point, Brefka contends that Schoepp requires the normal rules of civil procedure to come into play, which allow for judicial extensions of deadlines.
The village of Elm Grove contends that Brefka's assertion that refusal proceedings are routinely reopened is unsupported by facts of record. It seeks a decision affirming the Court of Appeals' interpretation of the relevant statutes. From Waukesha County.
2011AP1158 Showers Appraisals v. Musson Brothers
This case involves a lawsuit over water damage that occurred to a privately owned building during a road construction project in Oshkosh in the summer of 2008. The Supreme Court examines whether a private governmental contractor is entitled to sovereign immunity under Estate of Lyons v. CNA Insurance Company, 207 Wis. 2d 446, 558 N.W.2d 658 (Ct. App. 1996) for its efforts to maintain water drainage on the construction site so as to protect the adjacent private property from water damage.
Some background: The state hired Musson Brothers to reconstruct about a one-mile stretch of State Highway 44, also known as Ohio Street in Oshkosh. The construction work was being done pursuant to an agreement between the City and the state Department of Transportation (DOT).
The agreement called for, among other things, the replacement of the sanitary and sewer mains in an area that included Mark W. Showers' business, Showers Appraisals, at the corner of 6th Street and Highway 144. The contract included DOT's Standard Specifications for Highway and Structure Construction, which stated, in part, that Musson was "solely responsible for the means, methods, techniques, sequences, and procedures of construction."
During the project, Musson removed most of the storm sewer system serving the worksite. The city contends this was contrary to a verbal agreement that Musson would remove the storm sewer piecemeal, block-by-block, so that the bulk of the storm sewer system would remain operational during the course of the construction work.
The area received historically heavy rains June 8 through June 12, 2008, including 4.36 inches of rain on June 12. The worksite flooded, and water eventually channeled its way under Showers' basement floor, which ruptured from the hydrostatic pressure. More than seven feet of water filled Shower's basement, resulting in approximately $140,000 in uninsured damages.
Showers sued Musson and the City, alleging that his property was damaged as a result of their negligence on the project. The City and Musson each filed cross-claims against each other for indemnification, and they each filed motions for summary judgment against all of Showers' claims. The trial court granted summary judgment, reasoning that governmental immunity applied to both the City and Musson.
Showers claimed on appeal that Musson was not entitled to governmental immunity as an agent under Lyons because the contract did not contain "reasonably precise specifications." Showers claimed that Musson had too much discretion as to how to go about its work. Therefore, Showers claimed that Musson fell outside the Lyons criteria because it was too independent from the State to be classified as an "agent."
However, the Court of Appeals held that DOT's standard specifications, combined with DOT's regular oversight of Musson's work, curtailed Musson's discretion in such a way that Musson was subject to "reasonably precise specifications," as Lyons requires. The Court of Appeals found that Musson had immunity under Lyons.
A decision by the Supreme Court could clarify the limits of governmental immunity under the circumstances presented here. From Winnebago County.
2011AP2864-CRAC State v. Johnson
This child sex assault case reaches the Supreme Court after an interlocutory appeal involving pretrial discovery orders by the trial court. The Supreme Court reviews several issues and underlying questions arising from the defendant's request to view therapy records of the girl he is accused of assaulting. The case is stayed in the trial court, pending a decision by the Supreme Court.
Among the issues raised by the state in its petition for review:
- Whether defendants have a constitutional right to disclosure of privately-held privileged records.
- If defendants have such a constitutional right, does that right trump privilege statutes?
- If defendants have such a constitutional right, did the defendant in this case establish a constitutional right to disclosure of the girl's therapy records?
Some background: The state charged Samuel Curtis Johnson III in March 2011 with repeated sexual assault of a girl when she was between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. The state alleged that Johnson touched the girl's breasts, buttocks, and vagina under her clothes. There appears to be no physical evidence of sexual assault, the Court of Appeals wrote in its discussion of the case.
Johnson moved the trial court for "in camera" inspection (i.e., the trial judge's inspection in chambers) of the girl's therapy records. The state argued that Johnson had not made the requisite preliminary showing for in camera inspection. In particular, the state said that Johnson failed to show that any relevant records existed, or that the girl was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the alleged assaults that would affect her ability to perceive the alleged events or relate the truth.
Through her counsel, the girl informed the court that she had reviewed the facts set forth in Johnson's motion seeking in camera inspection of her records and that those facts were accurate.
The trial court granted Johnson's motion pursuant to State v. Shiffra, 175 Wis. 2d 600, 499 N.W.2d 719 (Ct. App. 1993) and State v. Green, 2002 WI 68, 253 Wis. 2d 356, 646 N.W.2d 298. The trial court found that the reasons and factual basis proffered by Johnson met the requisite requirement for relevancy and materiality.
The girl's counsel then notified the court that the girl would not consent to in camera inspection of her therapy records, and that she was invoking her "absolute statutory privilege" to refuse to disclose her records. Counsel indicated that she the girl understood the possible impact her decision would have on the state's prosecution of Johnson.
The state sought an order from the court compelling the production of the girl's therapy records regardless of her invocation of privilege. The girl objected.
Johnson and the girl argued that the only remedy available was for the trial court to bar her from testifying until such time as she consents to the release of her privileged records. The state responded that the physician-patient privilege was not absolute and the appropriate remedy was for the trial court to issue a subpoena compelling the release of the records directly to the court for in camera review.
The trial court considered both options and found neither appropriate. The court instead issued a six-part order:
1. The court would honor the girl's assertion of the privilege; and
2. allow the girl to testify; and
3. inform the jury that she had been ordered to release her therapy records for in camera inspection; and
4. inform the jury that the girl had a privilege to refuse the production of her records; and
5. inform the jury that she had, in fact, refused the court's order; and
6. inform the jury that, as a result of her refusal, a presumption exists that the contents of the records would have been helpful to the defense.
The state and Johnson both petitioned the Court of Appeals for leave to appeal. The state sought review as to whether Johnson made a sufficient showing under Shiffra and Green to obtain an in camera inspection. The state also sought review of the trial court's refusal to compel the production of the girl's therapy records following her invocation of privilege. Johnson sought review of the trial court's order allowing the girl to testify, despite her refusal to release her therapy records for in camera review.
The Court of Appeals granted leave to appeal, and ultimately: (1) affirmed the trial court's order for in camera inspection; (2) reversed the trial court's order allowing the girl to testify while also refusing to release her records; and (3) remanded for further proceedings consistent with the court's opinion.
The Court of Appeals held that the therapy occurred during the time period of the alleged assaults made it reasonably likely the records contained relevant information necessary to a determination of guilt or innocence.
In a dissent, Chief Judge Richard S. Brown, District II Court of Appeals, agreed with the majority that Johnson made the requisite preliminary showing required for in camera review, but disagreed that Shiffra necessarily requires suppression of the girl's testimony. Justices David T. Prosser and Michael J. Gableman did not participate. From Racine County.
Paul Davis Restoration of S.E. Wisconsin, Inc. v. Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Wisconsin
This case arises from a dispute over business territory between two Paul Davis Restoration franchises. The Supreme Court examines issues related to whether a judgment entered against only an entity's trade name is enforceable against the trade name and the underlying entity.
Some background: Paul Davis Restoration of S.E. Wisconsin (Paul Davis S.E.) filed a statement of claim against Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Wisconsin (Paul Davis N.E.), alleging that Paul Davis N.E. violated a franchise agreement by performing work in Paul Davis S.E.'s territory without providing proper notification or compensation.
The parties proceeded to binding arbitration and Paul Davis S.E. was awarded $101,693. Paul Davis S.E. moved the circuit court to confirm the award and named "Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Wisconsin / Matthew Everett" as defendants. Because Everett was never made a party to the arbitration action, he objected to being named as a defendant in the motion to confirm the arbitration award.
Paul Davis S.E. subsequently moved the Milwaukee County Circuit Court to enter judgment against not only Everett personally, but also EA Green Bay LLC, which operated the subject franchise business under the Paul Davis Restoration trade name. The circuit court did not enter judgment against either Everett or EA Green Bay LLC but, rather, against the d/b/a designee—"Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Wisconsin." Paul Davis S.E. did not appeal the name in the judgment entry.
Paul Davis S.E. then filed a garnishment action in Brown County seeking to enforce the judgment. The garnishee bank account was held by Denmark State Bank under the name "EA Green Bay LLC d/b/a Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of NE WI d/b/a Building Werks." Paul Davis N.E. moved to dismiss the action, claiming the underlying judgment against it was unenforceable and could not form the basis for the garnishment action.
The circuit court said the evidence made clear that EA Green Bay LLC and Paul Davis N.E. were the same entity. Thus, the court ordered the bank to release account funds to satisfy Paul Davis S.E.'s judgment. Paul Davis N.E. appealed. The Court of Appeals reversed.
On appeal, Paul Davis N.E. continued to argue that the underlying judgment against it was void as unenforceable because a d/b/a designee is not a legal entity. The Court of Appeals agreed.
The Court of Appeals said if judgment had been entered against EA Green Bay LLC, any assets held under its d/b/a designation could have been garnished to satisfy the judgment, but it said the converse is not true. It said since the judgment confirming the arbitration award was entered only against the d/b/a designee, a legal non-entity, it is unenforceable and the circuit court erred when it denied Paul Davis N.E.'s motion to dismiss the garnishment action.
Paul Davis S.E. argues that a decision by the Supreme Court would help to establish a policy to discourage entities from hiding assets under various trade names. Paul Davis S.E. reasons that because the money judgment was entered against Paul Davis N.E. and Paul Davis N.E. is simply another way to refer to EA Green Bay LLC, the judgment against Paul Davis N.E. is equivalent to a judgment against EA Green Bay LLC, which means the garnishment action can proceed against the bank account which bears EA Green Bay LLC's name.
Paul Davis N.E. says that Paul Davis S.E. never requested leave of the court to add EA Green Bay LLC as a defendant, nor did Paul Davis S.E. ever try to specifically include EA Green Bay LLC as a party to the arbitration proceedings. Paul Davis N.E. says that Paul Davis S.E.'s attempt to enforce its judgment against EA Green Bay LLC violates sound public policy that requires parties be named properly in pleadings to any lawsuit. From Brown County.
2011AP1566 United Concrete & Construction v. Red-D-Mix Concrete
This case examines who (judge as a matter of law or jury as a matter of fact) determines whether a representation made by a seller of a product is mere "puffery" or is legally sufficient to support a misrepresentation claim, including one brought under Wis. Stat. § 100.18. "Puffery" is defined as the expression of an exaggerated opinion, as opposed to a factual representation, regarding the quality of a good or service that cannot be proven true or false and is intended to sell the product or service.
Some background: Defendant Red-D-Mix is a maker and distributor of concrete. Plaintiff United Concrete & Construction, Inc. (United) is a concrete contractor that contracts with end-users for the installation of concrete "flatwork," such as patios and driveways. United had used Red-D-Mix as a supplier for several years, including 2002 and 2003. United says it then switched to another supplier after it experienced pitting, scaling and crumbling of the concrete it installed due to Red-D-Mix's concrete containing excessive amounts of "bleed water." Bleed water emerges from the concrete after it is poured and water is forced up as sand and aggregate settles downward.
After allegedly receiving assurances from a Red-D-Mix sales representative that the bleed-water problem had been resolved, United decided to resume purchasing concrete from Red-D-Mix for the 2007 season. United claims that it once again suffered from the same excessive bleed water problems.
Customers began to complain about the problems to United. Red-D-Mix claims that only a few customers actually complained and that United unilaterally decided to approach all of its customers even if they had not complained.
United advised its 2007 customers that the problems with their patios or driveways resulted from defective concrete supplied by Red-D-Mix and that United intended to pursue legal action against Red-D-Mix. United told its customers that it would attempt to obtain damages from Red-D-Mix and that it would allocate any money received among those individuals who had signed Assignment of Rights to Sue, which purported to assign the customers' rights against Red-D-Mix to United. A portion of United's customers signed and returned the assignment documents.
Red-D-Mix asserts that the assignment was, in reality, a release of claims against United, which means that United will not be liable for any damages related to fixing or replacing those customers' concrete work.
In 2008, United did file suit against Red-D-Mix and two of its insurers in Outagamie County Circuit Court. Its most recent complaint alleged claims for breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranties, negligence, indemnification, contribution, and violation of Wis. Stat. § 100.18. Red-D-Mix moved for summary judgment on all claims, which the circuit court granted.
The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded for further proceedings. The Court of Appeals rejected the circuit court's conclusion that United's claim under Wis. Stat. § 100.18 was defective because, as a matter of law, all of the misrepresentations alleged in United's complaint were mere "puffery." It held that the question of whether the alleged misrepresentations constituted puffery was a question of fact to be decided by the jury at trial, not a question of law to be decided by the court.
The Court of Appeals also ruled that United could proceed with its contract claims against Red-D-Mix, concluding that United had produced sufficient evidence of its damages and that the Assignments signed by United's customers did not strip United of its right to sue Red-D-Mix or protect it from the claims of its customers.
Red-D-Mix seeks Supreme Court review of the issue of whether the court or the jury should determine whether a defendant's alleged misrepresentations are mere puffery. It also asks the Supreme Court to review whether its decision in Linden v. Cascade Stone Co., 2005 WI 113, 283 Wis. 2d 606, 639 N.W.2d 189, precludes a contractor from attempting to obtain its customers' claims against a subcontractor through an assignment and from then suing the subcontractor on those customer claims. From Outagamie County.
Review denied: The Supreme Court denied review in the following cases. As the state's law-developing court, the Supreme Court exercises its discretion to select for review only those cases that fit certain statutory criteria (see Wis. Stat. § 809.62). Except where indicated, these cases came to the Court via petition for review by the party who lost in the lower court:
2011AP1876 Schullo v. DeLaval, Inc. - Justice Patience Drake Roggensack dissents.
2011AP1314-CR State v. Callion
2011AP1795 Vasquez v. Injured Pat. & Fam. Comp.
2011AP1873-CR State v. Garcia
2011AP2622-CR State v. Umentum
2012AP780 Nicole P. v. Michael P.
2011AP2750-CR State v. Boswell
2011AP1034-CR State v. Rueden - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson dissents.
2011AP2075 Tyler v. Schoenherr - Justice Ann Walsh Bradley did not participate.
2010AP3042-CR State v. Zinke
2011AP2518-CR State v. Henke
2010AP393 Richards v. White
2010AP1583 Deutsche Bank National Trust v. Pauk - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson concurs.
2010AP1843 O'Grady v. Pfeiffer
2011AP228/1110 Kenneth F. Sullivan Co. v. McManamy - Justice Patience Drake Roggensack did not participate.
2011AP501 Kaufman v. Boston
2011AP515 Stanton v. Graham
2011AP1033 Greene v. Raemisch
2011AP1083 State v. Ali
2012AP578-79 Dane Co. DHS v. Angela M.K.
2011AP1066-CRNM State v. Jasper
2011AP2416 Dunn Co. Human Serv. v. Eric R. - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson dissents.
Eau Claire
2012AP286 Sands v. Menard
2012AP2030-W Gallentine v. Cir. Ct. Eau Claire Co.
Fond du Lac
2011AP1793 Hunter's Point H.C. v. Town of Byron
2009AP1538-39 Discover Bank v. Smith
2011AP650 Buske v. Peckham - Justice N. Patrick Crooks did not participate.
2011AP819/1965 W.D. Hoard & Sons v. The Scharine Group
2011AP965-CR State v. Ace
2010AP2966-CR State v. Davis
2011AP1289-CR State v. Zanotti - Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. dissents.
2011AP1347-CR State v. Holliman
2011AP2687-CR State v. Pavlovic - Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. did not participate.
2011AP2839-CR State v. Beeter
La Crosse
2010AP2400-CR State v. Peel
2011AP1560 Jahn Transfer v. Horizon Freightways
2011AP2256/57-CR State v. Wilson - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson dissents. Justices Ann Walsh Bradley and David T. Prosser, Jr. join dissent.
2011AP1266 IVI North, Inc. v. B&B Metals Proc.
2011AP2554-CRNM State v. McCollum
2012AP901-W Jacobs v. Fox - Justice Ann Walsh Bradley did not participate.
2011AP1155 Koronkiewicz v. Spitzmacher
2010AP1128-CR State v. Velazquez-Perez
2011AP137 State v. Orengo - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson dissents.
2011AP307-CRNM State v. Jones - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley dissent.
2011AP347-CR State v. Boriboune
2011AP678 Pappas v. County of Milwaukee
2011AP699-CR State v. Lock
2011AP776 State v. Fernandez
2011AP809-10-CR State v. Haywood
2011AP1167 Cartter v. Marcus Corp.
2011AP1418-CRNM State v. Scott
2011AP1428-CRNM State v. Jordan
2011AP1430 Hying v. Hying
2011AP1564-CR State v. Bethly
2011AP2042-CR State v. Pabon-Gonzalez
2011AP2265-CR State v. Williams
2011AP2268-CR State v. Huff
2011AP2270-71-CR State v. Hudson
2011AP2954-CRNM State v. Ferrer
2012AP156-W Coleman v. Meisner
2012AP430-W Reed v. Smith
2012AP442 Bach v. Linhart
2012AP548 State v. Yvette A.
2012AP675-W Hard v. Kremers
2012AP847 Maxberry v. ITT Tech
2012AP1110 State v. Robert T.
2012AP1283-84 State v. Tenesha T.
2012AP1607-W Kendrick v. Hepp
2012AP2040-W Tatum v. Wis. Judicial Commission - Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. did not participate.
2011AP2723 Wilson v. Cosgrove
2012AP249-51-W Zastrow v. Baenen/Walker/Swietakowski
2011AP334 Keller v. Patterson
2011AP343 State v. Thorud - Justice Patience Drake Roggensack dissents.
2011AP2441 Houston v. Freese - Justice Patience Drake Roggensack dissents.
2011AP1948-CR State v. Zimmerman - Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. did not participate.
2012AP691-CRNM State v. Henderson
2012AP1613-W Kyle v. Pugh
2011AP1660 State v. Hawkins
2011AP425 State v. Vollbrecht
2011AP1645 Hodge v. DOT
St. Croix
2011AP446 Croonquist v. Historic Hudson
2011AP1959 Edwards v. Pacific Cycle
2011AP1489-CR State v. Connour
2011AP1908-CR State v. Irving - Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley dissent regarding the first issue.
2009AP3048-CR State v. Ravesteijn
2011AP1482 Johnson v. City of Lake Geneva
2011AP1035-CR State v. Pocian
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson dissents. Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. did not participate.
2011AP1712-CR State v. Bennett
2011AP1852-CR State v. Jacobs
2012AP680-FT State v. Hespe
2012AP688-CRNM State v. French
2010AP2348 State v. Everett
2011AP1254-CR State v. Green
2011AP1399-CR State v. Benson
2011AP1742 Lang v. Lowe
2011AP2878-CRNM State v. Wagner
2011AP1538-CR State v. Wittrock
2011AP2491-CRNM State v. Plank
2012AP2100-W Williams v. Cir. Ct. Winnebago Co.
2010AP2319 State v. Talbot
Tom Sheehan
Court Information Officer
(608) 261-6640


text:
OCEAN CITY – The traffic headache that was supposed to last six hours during Monday's Route 50 Bridge malfunction consequently only lasted three.
According to Wayne Weichman of the Snow Hill division of the Maryland State Highway Administration, one of the four tail-locks, which bond the two moving parts of the drawbridge together, broke loose and caused the bridge to be stuck at two very different angles and disabling their ability to fit together.
What ensued was three hours of backed up and diverted traffic as motorists had to reroute and access Ocean City via the Route 90 bridge, while crews worked diligently to fix the problem.
Weichman said that the bridge was fixed, but not completely repaired.
"We removed the broken tail-lock and fixed it but a contractor is going to have to come in and repair it completely," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, that will not cause any additional traffic stoppages on the bridge."
Weichman was unsure why the tail-lock broke loose and said that he is waiting for the report to be returned from the contractor.
According to police spokeswoman Jessica King, the bridge officially reopened at 12:26 p.m., just minutes shy of a three-hour period, as the bridge closed initially at 10:30 a.m.
Last January, a repaving project on the westbound lanes by State Highway Administration Crews closed the bridge, but the drawbridge was one of the main parts of that job, forcing the bridge to be in an upright position for repairs to the gears, beams, sidewalk and eventually the decking of the bridge itself.
The gears on the southwest side of the bridge had deteriorated and the teeth in the gears were not fully engaging. After the gears were replaced, the beams, commonly known as purlins, also had to be replaced after enduring similar deterioration.
As a result, the decking on the bridge had to be removed to access those parts of the bridge and was replaced, despite the preceding decking being in what was considered fair condition by the SHA.
"From what I understand, what malfunctioned on the bridge on Monday had nothing to do with the project that we did in January, said Weichman, "but I'll have to wait to see the report to know all the details."
Last January's project cost an estimated $1 million and closed the bridge for 35 days, and as dates to repave the eastbound side in the early part of 2009 creep closer, Monday's three-hour traffic woe might signify a sampling of the ongoing traffic headaches motorists will be enduring for yet another winter.


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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
versão On-line ISSN 2078-5135
versão impressa ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.100 no.3 Cape Town Mar. 2010
Indoor and outdoor allergens
Our knowledge of disease is often added to incrementally. In his editorial, Potter1 notes that two papers published in this issue of SAMJ2,3 add to the growing body of published information on allergens and allergies in southern Africa.
Seedat et al.2 studied indoor and outdoor allergen sensitisation in the Free State. They identified sensitisation to a previously unrecognised outdoor allergen (the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae) in the region and also found that the sensitisation rate to house-dust mites in patients with allergic rhinitis is a significant 46% for Dermatophygoides pteronyssinus and 44% for D. farinae. High levels of sensitisation to the spider mite have also been reported from the Hex River Valley. Since many subjects sensitised to spider mite are simultaneously polysensitised to other outdoor and indoor allergens, the clinical significance of this finding has yet to be studied, and there are no vaccines available to desensitise patients to spider mites. Allergic subjects in the Free State who had previously lived at the coast were significantly more likely to be sensitised to mites than those who had not.
Sinclair et al.3 studied house-dust mite species in Bloemfontein and unexpectedly found mites in 50% of the homes investigated. They found that in some homes high levels of mites are attained as a result of indoor microclimate factors that raise indoor humidity, such as en-suite bathrooms.
These studies suggest that the relationship between exposure, sensitisation and the expression of clinical allergic disease to house-dust mites is not a simple one and may depend not only on level of exposure but age of exposure and context of exposure.
Danger of air in the wrong places
Two short contributions graphically illustrate the potential danger of pneumopericardium and tension pneumothorax.
Sun and colleagues4 describe the successful outcome of a case of pneumopericardium resulting from a stabbed chest. Cardiac tamponade secondary to air is rare, and in adults blunt trauma is the main cause of pneumopericardium. The primary management of tension pneumopericardium is relief of the cardiac tamponade to restore haemodynamic stability. Management options include percutaneous catheter drainage, open drainage by pericardiotomy, or open drainage and repair by sternotomy/thoracotomy.
Tiemensma et al.5 report on sudden death on an aeroplane as a result of a pneumothorax. The subject had been on repeat treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, and her medical history included drainage of pneumothoraces and pleural effusions. She experienced shortness of breath and pain soon after take-off and died shortly thereafter. A tension pneumothorax was not diagnosed despite medical practitioners being on board. The onus rests on the passenger with special needs to obtain a medical information sheet from the airline and have it completed by a medical doctor. Attending physicians are advised to inform their patients about medical conditions that may make air travel dangerous, and the authors provide the recommendations of the British Thoracic Society Standards of Care for air travel after pneumothorax.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus: Hutchinson's sign in HIV-positive patients
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes two distinct viral syndromes. VZV is a common and usually benign childhood infection, manifesting as chickenpox. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a potentially devastating visual disease with variable presentation caused by the re-activation of a latent infection of the trigeminal ganglion by the VZV. John Hutchinson first described the relationship between involvement of the external nasal nerve and increased likelihood of intra-ocular involvement in 1865. Van Dyk and Meyer6 report on of patients presenting with HZO.
Delays in treatment and inadequate medical therapy for herpes zoster are associated with more severe ocular complications and visual loss in HZO disease. The 6 - 15-fold increase in the incidence of HZO in HIV-positive patients compared with the general population suggests that HIV is the most common cause of VZV re-activation in the population at risk. Their findings confirmed that a positive Hutchinson's sign in an HIV-positive patient with HZO is a specific predictor of intra-ocular involvement and that HZO in young patients may be the presenting sign of HIV positivity. The CD4 count was not found to be a significant predictor of ocular involvement. They recommend that all patients with HZO should be seen by an ophthalmologist.
Factors associated with smoking cessation
Reductions in the prevalence of smoking in South Africa have been mainly attributed to higher cigarette prices. Ayo-Yusuf and Szymanski report on data concerning smoking from the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey.7 Of those who attempted to quit smoking, only 14.1% succeeded. They recommend clinical interventions, targeting alcohol-dependent smokers, and policies that boost smoke-free homes and increase knowledge of harmful effects of smoking.
1. Potter PC. Indoor and outdoor allergens in Bloemfontein. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 155. [ Links ]
2. Seedat RY, Claasen J, Claasen AJ, Joubert G. Mite and cockroach sensitisation in patients with allergic rhinitis in the Free State. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 160-163. [ Links ]
3. Sinclair W, Coetzee L, Joubert G. House-dust mite species in Bloemfontein, South Africa. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 164-167. [ Links ]
4. Sun GR, Goosen J, Florizoone M. Cardiac tamponade secondary to tension pneumopericardium from penetrating chest trauma. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 150. [ Links ]
5. Tiemensma M, Buys P, Wadee SA. Sudden death on an aeroplane. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 148-149. [ Links ]
6. Van Dyk M, Meyer D. Hutchinson's sign as a marker of ocular involvement in HIV-positive patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 172-174. [ Links ]
7. Ayo-Yusuf OA, Szymanski B. Factors associated with smoking cessation in South Africa. S Afr Med J 2010; 100: 175-180. [ Links ]


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Posted in: Archive
As many of you will already be aware, with the Twitter deal going down the tubes Google realtime disappeared into the ether a while back. As Google build out their +1 service, undoubtedly it will make a return somewhere in the future for all of us.
There is however, the alternative – Google offer a way to filter time sensitive queries for information which has been found in the past hour. This feature is available in a tidy little menu down the left hand side of the search results. (see image below) However , considering that ALOT can happen on the web in an hour, that isn't really all that useful.
If like me, you are bit curious to see exactly what Google are currently indexing in realtime at the minute, there is one neat little search hack you can perform – assuming of course you have some technical chops, and aren't scared to fiddle around with your Google search URL.
I noticed earlier tonight when performing some searches on Google using this feature, that you can change some of the parameters sent back to Google to bring back fresher information.
The secret lies in this query parameter "&tbs=qdr" – QDR I assume stands for "Query defines Relevance"
&tbs=qdr:h – this brings back information indexed in the past hour
&tbs=qdr:d – this brings back information indexed in the past day (24 hours)
&tbs=qdr:w – this brings back information indexed in the past week
&tbs=qdr:m- this brings back information indexed in the past month
and so on. Nothing magical about that..however, to get information which is fresher than an hour, you can do this directly in the browser
&tbs=qdr:n10 – this brings back information indexed in the past ten minutes
&tbs=qdr:s100 – this brings back information indexed in the past 100 seconds.
They don't work for all queries, but you can still do site specific queries. It also works on Video and Image searches – which is awesome at finding recently released material on the web. Why they don't integrate this into the main UI is a mystery to me. At some point I might have a go at turning this hack into a browser plugin, but until then you'll have to manually pop it into your search URLs. Hopefully worth the effort, at least until we get realtime search back.


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All that glitters IS gold.
"Life is a cabaret, old chum" is perhaps one of the most iconic lyrics in film history but it's not the one that most stays with me. Instead I'm drawn to this one describing poor old Elsie: "The day she died the neighbours came to snicker: 'Well, that's what comes from too much pills and liquor.'"….read more.
Edinburgh – season to season
In the post Olympic glow talk has arisen of continuing a biannual Cultural Olympiad (or should I say London 2012 Festival – is there a difference?). While LIFT (or indeed the Manchester or Edinburgh International Festivals) may have good reason to quibble that this is precisely what they do, and do very well, the idea of a curated festival on this scale every two years is tantalising…read more.
Acting with a capital A
This year I'm on the panel of The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence at the Edinburgh Fringe. It's meant that I've been able to see some stunning shows that I would have missed otherwise – most notably Thread and Mess (which, if you get the chance I urge you to catch)...read more.
The politics of performance.
As politicians warm up their vocal cords ready for party conference season, voters are feeling not only powerless but voiceless. For a theatre world determined to respond to the needs of its audience therefore, now is not the time for traditional political language – now is the time to literally go left field…read more.


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With formidable oratory, an instinctual grasp of political choreography and great self-possession even intellectual generosity in the face of hate, the civil-rights martyr Martin Luther King Jr. was not a one-trick-pony.
On Monday, Fort Lewis College observed the national holiday that bears Kings name with a series of events as diverse as the reverends skills.
More than 200 people marched from the Center of Southwest Studies to the Student Union Building, singing the phrase We are not afraid, as nonparticipating students gave marchers thumbs up.
Inside the Student Union, FLC President Dene Kay Thomas delivered a rousing speech about college values and the vibrancy of campus campaigns for social justice before hundreds, many straining to glimpse her, their view obstructed by masses of tightly packed bodies.
Using a recent string of hate graffiti, scrawled in buildings and on sidewalks as examples, Thomas denounced the swastikas and anti-gay slurs that have marred the campus.
I know today we still have incidents people who feel threatened, acts of hate committed through writing and other ways. I submit to you that people who commit acts of hate are not free themselves, said Thomas, whose statement was met by whoops and applause.
Before Christmas, students reported three separate instances in which swastikas the still-potent symbol of the Third Reich and the Holocaust were scrawled on college and student properties.
One large swastika chalked on the sidewalk outside Bader A residence hall was accompanied by the message Nazis 4 eva.
Despite administrators hopes and student protests, the string of hate graffiti has not abated.
FLC Spokesman Mitch Davis said a student found an anti-gay incitement to violence inside an FLC bathroom on Sunday.
In an email, Davis wrote that, It said kill dem fags. We dont know if dem means them or references Democrats.
Davis echoed Thomas in saying such incidents remind the student body that Kings dream of equality for all remains far from realized.
Some students said the graffiti while disturbing distracted from deeper issues of race at FLC.
Freshman Briana Cramer said she hasnt encountered any overt racism or sexism at FLC, but she was troubled by students tendency to self-segregate according to race.
In classrooms, you see students of color and white students. They definitely sit apart, Cramer said.
After Thomass address, the Fort Lewis College Concert Choir sang civil-rights ballads with the conviction of melancholy angels.
None of this could prepare participants for the Tunnel of Oppression a boldly imagined collection of interactive artwork highlighting the myriad ways people suffer oppression in modern society.
The artwork had attracted about 100 students, who stood waiting in line to be guided through enactions of oppression so visceral that everyone had to sign a disclaimer on entering.
Inside the exhibit, one woman started crying when confronted by a scene labeled factory farming, in which a young man, imprisoned within a fencing-wire cage, his mouth taped shut, stared blankly. Behind him were photos of livestock fated to become our food.
In another room, Nazi guards sprung forward, ordering the tour groups to back against the wall with terrifying menace. On abducting one group member, who they hustled behind an enormous black plastic curtain, gas suddenly shot from a corner of the room.
The tour was told it had just become one of the Jews exterminated in the Holocaust.
Though the Tunnel of Oppression was a contemporary memorial to MLK, focusing on issues that dominate todays newspapers such as immigrants rights and racial profiling, many FLC students were content to pay old-school homage to King and the campaigns of his time.
At the open-mic rally in the afternoon, students and faculty honored every-day heroes with one woman delivering a benediction to her husband while another lauded the quiet heroism of lunch ladies.
One young man stepped forward, introducing himself as the president of Feminist Voice a group at the college that is devoted to spreading awareness of feminism before singling out his grandmother as his hero. As he talked of her unabashed liberalism, two black athletes nodded appreciatively, as did a white janitor who decided to spend his break listening to student speakers discuss inequality.
Next to the microphone in the Student Union was a large poster, baring a photograph of King above the quote, Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.
The photograph was in stark black and white, whereas the students clustered around it thanks in no small part to King were experiencing life, education, history and the ongoing fight for social equality in Technicolor, fully awake.


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The Miami Dolphins are no closer to a long-term contract deal with cornerback Sean Smith, but don't hold your breath for the team to seal the deal.
Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald reported Monday the Dolphins will not tag Smith, despite what many believed would transpire in South Beach.
Local papers reported Smith was a top candidate for the roughly $10.7 million tag if it wasn't used on wide receiver Brian Hartline, but Salguero has stated for more than a week that wouldn't be the case.
If the Dolphins hold off, Smith will be unleashed on the open market, where his camp is expected to seek something close to the $8-$10 million per year the Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Carr and the Tennessee Titans' Jason McCourty received last offseason.
The Dolphins appear primed to mine the NFL draft for secondary help instead of pouring greenbacks into a corner who allowed more combined first downs and touchdowns than any other last season. Smith has potential -- and suitors will come calling if he's made available -- but the Dolphins appear willing to move on.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.