text:
Hold onto your Truffula tufts. Dr. Seuss's beloved, at times controversial classic book The Lorax springs into 3-D on March 2, the day when the author would have turned 108 years old.
The CGI film, from Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment, features voice-work from a star-studded cast, including Danny DeVito, Zach Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White. The movie represents the fourth feature-length film adaptation of a Dr. Seuss book, following How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), The Cat in the Hat (2003), and Horton Hears a Who (2008).
First published in 1971 by Random House, The Lorax is a parable that promotes the conservation of natural resources and warns against the perils of overconsumption. It's told from the perspective of a remorseful figure called the Once-ler, whose face never appears in the book. The Once-ler shares a cautionary tale about chopping down feather-like Truffula trees, which he uses to make all-purpose wonder garments called "Kneeds." Driven by greed, The Once-ler ignores the eponymous, pint-sized sage who "speaks for the trees,' until it's too late and the Lorax's world becomes a wasteland.
From Page to Screen
The brevity of picture books naturally necessitates that film adaptations expand upon the source material, and The Lorax film does just that. While in the book, the Once-ler shares his story with a nameless boy (ostensibly, the reader), the film is more kid-focused, centering on 12-year-old Ted (Efron) who lives in an artificial community called 'Kneed-Ville.' In an effort to impress his love interest, Audrey (Swift) he goes on a quest to bring her a rarity of rarities in their manufactured world—a seed for a real tree. His journey takes him to the land of the Lorax, who is played by DeVito, and where Ted meets the aging Once-ler, played by Ed Helms. The film introduces additional original characters, including Ted's grandmother, played by Betty White, and a new villain, O'Hare, played by Rob Riggle. The film also diverts from Seuss's whimsical, yet melancholy classic with its eye-popping special effects, a wisecracking Lorax, and a far more sympathetic—perhaps even relatable—Once-ler, portrayed in his youth as a starry-eyed entrepreneur whose avarice leads him down the wrong path.
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly last year, the film's producer and CEO of Illumination Entertainment, Christopher Meledandri described the motivation behind making the Once-ler an "everyman" type character, rather than a nefarious villain: "The minute you make the Once-ler a monster, you allow the audience to interpret that the problem is caused by somebody who is different from me, and it ceases to be a story that is about all of us," Meledandri explained.
Meledandri also commented that Seuss's illustrations of the Once-ler suggest that he is human, claiming that the proof is all in the gloves: "If there was a clear sign this character was something other than human, we would have abided by that…But okay, he's wearing gloves. You're not going to put gloves on a monster."
The "glove theory" aside, the Once-ler has long been a point of contention. A popular perspective on Seuss's book is that the figure is meant to represent the faceless nature of an industry that takes no accountability for its actions. Though Seuss himself once stated in Life magazine that 'kids can see a moral coming a mile off," his work often uses metaphor and anthropomorphism to comment upon social and political issues. He even famously described himself as "subversive as hell"
In the 1980s, Seuss's book was specifically criticized for presenting a prejudicial portrait of the logging industry. A rebuttal to the message of The Lorax came in the form of a 1994 book, Truax, written by Terri Birkett, illustrated by Orrin Lundgren, and published by the National Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association. Written in a style reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's verse, the book creates a parody of the Lorax character in the form of a figure named Guardbark, who challenges a logger's environmental practices. The logger assures Guardbark that the logging industry actively practices replanting and conservation.
Students Challenge Universal to Speak for the Trees
Championing Dr. Seuss's message about protecting the natural world ("Unless someone like you/ cares a whole awful lot,/ nothing is going to get better/ It's not") is a class of fourth-graders in Brookline, Mass., who have suggested that Universal Pictures could take better advantage of The Lorax movie site to teach about the environment.
As their teacher, Ted Wells, describes in the HuffPost Green, the students circulated a petition through Change.org, urging Universal to add more green material. "Adding environmental education to The Lorax movie Web site is important because this is the message of the book and it should be honored. Dr. Seuss wanted people to be inspired by The Lorax to help the environment," the petition said. The students gathered more than 50,000 signatures and even appeared in a YouTube video discussing the reasons behind their campaign.
Recently, the movie's Web site did "green up," launching a new link that connects to a page filled with information about The Lorax Project, a partnership between Conservation International, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Random House, which seeks to "engage individuals of all ages to do their part to conserve the places and species that are critical to the future of our planet.' The Lorax Project Web site includes green tips, screensavers, and information about endangered species. Also new to the Web site is a link to enter the Kids for Our Planet contest (a promotion sponsored by Whole Foods), which invites readers to nominate kids who are making a difference in their communities by working to protect the environment. The grand prize is a private screening of The Lorax the night before its public release.
On Change.org, teacher Wells responded to the film Web site's new green materials: 'Universal Studios changed The Lorax webpage almost exactly as my class requested!... I couldn't be more proud of my fourth-graders," he said. As Wells was told by a Universal Pictures executive, the new promotional tie-ins were already in the works, but the students' petition "accelerated their plans."
New Lorax Editions Popping Up
Readers will have their choice of new Lorax book titles to accompany their movie-going experience. Random House released two Lorax readers last month: How to Help the Earth—by the Lorax, featuring tips for green living,;and Look for the Lorax, a romp through the Truffula trees. Other Lorax titles include two activity books, A Tree for Me! and The Lorax Doodle Book.
Also in January, Random released The Lorax Pop Up! from paper engineer David A. Carter, which integrates Seuss's complete original text and illustrations. On February 2, Carter is scheduled to appear on the Martha Stewart Show to promote his pop-up book; in March, he embarks on a West Coast tour. A limited edition copy of The Lorax Pop Up! is also available; packaged in a fcloth slipcase with a ribbon pull, it features one additional pop-up, embedded in the cover.
Random will have in-store display placements tied to The Lorax movie release, as well as for Earth Day. Additionally, Random will be distributing Lorax-themed educational kits to more than 20,000 educators in conjunction with Read Across America. The kits will also be available at over 3,500 retail locations.
The Lorax has sold more than two million copies in the U.S. and Canada since its publication in 1972. Dominique Cimina, publicity manager for Random House Children's Books, reports that the company shipped more Lorax titles for bookstore promotions this January than in the past four Januarys combined.


text:
The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain and thunder storms in Northern Ireland.
The yellow status warning is valid from 1p.m. through to 11p.m. on Saturday.
The torrential rain and thunder storms are expected to arrive in the Province on Saturday afternoon and last into the evening.
There is the potential for localised flooding.
There will also be frequent hail and lightning.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Essential Baby Travel Gear Picks from Family Travel Bloggers
"We have just re-entered the world of travelling with a baby and one of my favourite ever products is the phil&ted's traveller - definitely the best we have ever used." Katja Gaskell from Globetotting
Glad I bought it
We bought this for our 2.5 year old to sleep in on a recent holiday and were very pleased with how well he slept and fitted in it.
It was quick and easy to put together and pull apart (you don't PUSH the buttons in to disassemble, simply hold the frame and pull the legs off and they come off without too much effort).
Like film gypsies, our family is always moving aournd, and with a 9 month old gypsy baby as part of our team we need equipment that is lightweight and hassle free. We had already checked out the other brands of travel cribs, but not even the Swedes were able to offer something that was super-light, had top and side openings, and packed down to the size of a sausage dog. We love the Phil & Ted travel crib, and so does the bub...it is small enough to become part of the furniture and large enough for bub to have fun in. Moving from apartments to houses to hotels, it's nice to know she has a safe, familiar space she can call her own. Like all babies, she is obsessed with electrical sockets, cables, glass, plastic bags, and flick-knives, so it's awesome to know we can put her in a safe and comfy little baby-jail when we have to concentrate on something else.
Must-Have for Airline Travel and More!
"The traveller was so awesome to have rather than the big, bulky – not-to-mention heavy – old playpen that we have. I was able to set up the frame of the light-weight phil & teds' cot in mere minutes. I struggled a little attaching the self-expanding thermally insulating mattress to the four hooks along the bottom, but I definitely appreciate the safety factor of the hooks. The traveller also comes with a non-toxic Oeko-tex fitted sheet that feels like a 600-thread count sheet – so soft!"
"I'm so grateful to have had the phil & teds traveller and lobster for my travel adventures with my two daughters recently. I stressed myself out enough thinking about all the what-ifs and all the items that I'll have to take to the airport (car seats, stroller, playpen, suitcases, etc. and oh – I also had my cat to take too!) that having such compact, reliable and safe baby travel gear was such a relief!"
"Another photo of the fabulous P&T adult hangover capsule. After traveling the world with her very own house, bubs now has grown very attached to her travel crib. We've put her wahakura in there and now it's become a kind of baby bolt-hole. It even goes across the road to Nana's when the parents have decided to take back the night for themselves. We're now using the iron heart method of enforced sleep patterns so it's nice to know that when she says "I'm not ready for bed - even though I'm rubbing my eyes and screaming hysterically", we can simply put her in the phil&teds padded cell, close the door, and a mere glass of shiraz later, we'll find her asleep in the position of her choice.
Most animal babies know when to go to sleep, they just feel tired and curl up and go to sleep with little fuss. Look at puppies or kittens. Even f*****g tarantula babies know when to lie down and chill out. You don't see a baby tiger saying "I'm exhausted but don't have any concept of shutting up and going to sleep so I'll just stand here and scream!" You never see a baby foal, rubbing it's little red eyes, yelling "What the hell is happening to me?? I hate you guys but I also just want to hang out with you, but then again I just want to be alone, and I'm hungry but kind of not really so I'll just keep screaming until the thing I want (whatever that is) happens!!!" Just after they're born, in the middle of the night, baby turtles walk down the beach, the equivalent of about a mile for their little legs, get in an ocean which is full of things that eat turtles, and don't come home for a year. They do this ON THE DAY THEY ARE BORN. And without even meeting their parents. Human babies have a lot to learn from turtle babies. So a message to you little humans, we love you and you're damn cute, but until you can leave home and live in the ocean for a whole year without someone changing your nappy or feeding you old people's food, you've got nothing to complain about, so just.... go. to. sleep."
4.5 out of 5 star rating by Mumii.co.uk!
"Although the traveller is slimmer in width than other options, it is still 115 cm long, which will allow you to use with baby for several years without them being uncomfortable. It also allows you to move it around the house easier when built, especially as it is so light to pick up.
It comes with its own carry bag that you can pack everything in to. With its over-the-shoulder strap, combined with the light 7lbs of weight - it's so easy to carry.
The dual use of the traveller means that it isn't only used when travelling, but can also be used daily as a playpen.
The feet of the cot all have small holes, so if you were to take it camping with you, you can insert a tent pent to secure it to the floor. This would also be handy if just using outside during a windy day or if you have older siblings around.
It is amazingly light and packs away compactly in to its own carry bag which has a handle to pop over your shoulder. Because of its small size, you wouldn't mind taking it away with you every time - it's takes up less space in your boot and is light to carry upstairs to the guest room." - mumii.co.uk product reviewer
Traveller - my review
"Deconstructing the "traveller" crib takes a jiffy, and the whole apparatus packs into a jaunty shoulder bag that slips smoothly into a suitcase or overhead bin on a plane. Why, our baby's chipmunk cheeks take up more space than this crib! (Those cheeks may even have their own celestial orbit.) What's great is that the "traveller" can be used for children up to three years old, so we plan to get ample use out of it. The side panel even zips down so that we can insert a child who is too large to lower easily from above." - Lillie, Around the World L
Our traveller was judged Best Travel Cot in the Prima Baby Awards, 2014!
"For me there are two considerations with a travel crib: portability and size. My eldest son Finn, 3, is now out of cribs but when he was 2 we really struggled to find a portacot he was comfortable in as most were too short. The Phil & Teds traveller is long (130cm) meaning your big toddler can be cosy for as long as he's still in a regular cot.
Combine the decent length with the low weight (a tiny 2.5kgs) and the clever small travel bag that means the entire cot can fit within a suitcase, be thrown in a car or literally over your shoulder for short hops, it couldn't really be more portable...
...I put mine together for the first time within five minutes without consulting the instructions. I found it intuitive and simple. It takes a little more concentration that a 'push down the middle and pull up the sides' model but that's a small price to pay for the portability." - Prima Baby & Pregnancy
Our traveller was judged Best Portacot in the Nursery Trader Awards, 2013!
"The first thing which hits me is how incredibly light this is for a full size travel crib - I can lift it with one finger!!! Weightwise it's perfect for taking abroad and is light enough for another child to carry with ease."
Traveller review
The first thing I did before unpacking the cot from the carry bag was to see if it would fit inside my suitcase, and as you can see from the photo below, it fit quite nicely. I'm somewhat OCD about planning how we will get through the airport with all of our luggage + two kids without anything, or anyone, getting lost. Being able to put the portacot inside a suitcase instead of it being an extra piece of luggage seems like it would make things a little be easier. Alternatively, the traveller fits on top of the suitcase with the shoulder strap slung around the suitcase handle, which would be an easy way to roll it through the airport.
Kiwi Families traveller review
There is one design modifications that I *really* liked: The mattress no longer goes into a pocket – it simply sit on top of the base. One of my issues with the previous model was that I didn't like the way that your child slept directly on the canvas base. The mattress in the new model now comes with a cotton cover so that your bubba has something a bit nicer to sleep on. Yah!
Trendy Travel Cribs for Baby
"Only 7lbs, this baby is easy to tote anywhere! It's not just a crib, it's a play pen as well that is super-easy to set-up. Bonus: the full mesh sides so you can see baby clearly when at rest or unzip to create the perfect play zone." - Babble.com
"The seriously lightweight and compact Traveller is something you don't need to make a lot of room for when you go away from home with bubs. Tuck it under a seat in the car, shove it down the side of your suitcase, or right on top of the rest. It's going to fit."
From "6 Tips for Summer Trips to Grandma's House' at Daily Mom"
"When travelling with young kids, perhaps the most daunting obstacle parents face is how to pack all their stuff. Kids — especially babies — require so.much.stuff. And unless you're renting a Greyhound Bus, even gear marketed as "travel-friendly" can take up too much space. This is where Phil & Ted's Traveller Portacot will save you. Weighing in at a mere 7 pounds, this portable playpen is lighter than most newborn babies! It's compact, too — when packed up, it measures a slim 27″ x 10″ x 8″, making it easily packed in the tightest of spaces (or the overhead compartment of an airplane!). It's super comfortable, too, with a self-expanding thermally insulating mattress that's supportive-yet-cushy for even the pickiest of sleepers. Plus, the Portacot doubles as a playpen, which is super convenient when you're staying at a non-baby-proofed place like a hotel or Grandma's house. The breathable mesh sides make this playpen airy and open — and you can easily keep an eye on your sleeping or playing babe. If your baby's older, you can unzip the side while they play, and they'll love going in and out of this comfy "home base" within their new environment. Designed for kids from newborn to three, this crib is a worthwhile investment you can use again and again!"


text:
The Sea Searchers Handbook, published by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 1996, provides a treasure of activities, from art to science and from math to language arts. Explore rocky shores, wetlands, sandy shores, kelp forests, the open sea and the deep sea and enjoy over 90 hands-on activities.Download the Sea Searchers Handbook (PDF)
Individual Pages & Chapters
Cover & Credits
(3 pgs. 174k)
Table of Contents
(4 pgs., 13k)
Searching Sea Habitats
A Habitat is a Home
(10 pgs., 741 k)
From deep submarine canyons to wave-swept rocky shores, the ocean is a combination of many diverse and unique habitats. What makes a habitat a home?
Rocky Shore
(15 pgs., 1.9 mb)
Fierce competition for space, crashing waves, shifting tides—the rocky shore is a hard place to call home. How do rocky shore plants and animals survive?
Sandy Shore
(16 pgs., 1 mb)
The shifting sands and fierce waves seem to make an unfriendly habitat. But the sandy shore is home to a number of well-adapted organisms.
(17 pgs., 1.4 mb)
Once considered wastelands, wetlands are now appreciated as essential wildlife habitats. Wetlands support a diversity of life and serve as nurseries for many marine animals.
Kelp Forest
(14 pgs., 1.5 mb)
Giant kelp plants form submarine forests in cool waters along some coasts. The forests provide food and shelter to a rich array of plants and animals.
Open Sea
(13 pgs., 1.2 mb)
Imagine a world with no boundaries. That's what it's like to live in the open sea. Animals of the open sea are adapted to a life of swimming or drifting with the currents.
Deep Sea Canyon
(19 pgs., 1.7 mb)
Deep, cold and dark, the deep sea was once thought to be empty of life. New research tools have unveiled a world full of living things with amazing adaptations for survival.
Searching for Sea Life
Suited for the Sea
(11 pgs., 1.5 mb)
Different habitats require different strategies for survival. A variety of body parts, shapes and behaviors help living things find food, reproduce and avoid predators.
Marine Mammals
(24 pgs., 1.6 mb)
Warm-blooded, air breathing marine mammals have special adaptations that help them survive in their ocean homes.
(12 pgs., 837 k)
What makes a fish a fish? Adapted for specific habitats, fish have different body parts and behaviors to help them survive.
Sharks, Skates and Rays
(14 pgs., 1.8 mb)
Humans have long been fascinated by sharks, one of the oldest types of fish. Well-adapted to life in the ocean, many shark populations are under pressure by overfishing and habitat destruction.
Searching for Interactions
Food Webs in the Sea
(10 pgs., 713 k)
What and how an animal eats depends on where it lives. Even though we don't live in the ocean, people have an impact on the ocean food web.
People and the Sea
(17 pgs., 1.6 mb)
The sea's rich treasures need our protection. Even little things we do at home can have an impact.
Glossary & Critter Cards
(9 pgs., 102 k)
Animal Fact Cards
(38 pgs., 984 k)
Downloadable package of all our animal fact cards.


text:
Task force compromises on recommendation
HARTFORD -- A state task force will recommend to the General Assembly that people be allowed to look at crime-scene materials related to killings, but that legislators should make it more difficult to release that material -- including 911 recordings -- to the public.
The 17-member committee -- whose full title is the Task Force to Consider the balance between Victim Privacy under the Freedom of Information Act and the Public's Right to Know -- will recommend the Legislature do its own intensive study on privacy versus the right to know on a much broader range of crime, not just homicides.
Task Force Chairman Don DeCesare, a radio station executive, said following a daylong meeting at the Legislative Office Building that the 14-3 vote on the issue of homicide and privacy sends "a strong message" to legislators to take action.
The task force will recommend that after a homicide, anyone can go to a police station, view crime-scene photos, and listen to crime-related taped recordings between police and emergency dispatchers or between different police departments.
DeCesare said that means anyone -- a family member, a neighbor, a reporter. But the people looking at that crime record could not reproduce nor release any of it, although they would be allowed to takes notes.
State Rep. DebraLee Hovey, R-Monroe, who represents Newtown in the General Assembly, said the recommendations would make any release of those documents without authorization a Class D felony.
Hovey said the task force's recommendations were a compromise that probably won't please Newtown residents scarred by the killings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School a year ago.
"I'm not sure they'll see it as enough," Hovey said. But, she said, "as a leader and legislator," she saw the need for a compromise.
But James Smith, president of the state Council of Freedom of Information, said the recommendation would make it much harder for people to get information about a homicide released.
"It's a huge change," said Smith, a former editor of the Connecticut Post and the News-Times. He said people who want to protect the state's Freedom of Information laws will have to take the fight to the legislative hearings.
The General Assembly created the task force at the end of this year's legislative session, with little discussion. Legislators approved a bill that will suppress the photo and audio evidence of the Sandy Hook shootings until May. But it asked the task force to make recommendations about issues of privacy and public rights.
As part of the task force's recommended policy, if someone were to look at evidence at a police station and find something amiss, they could go to the state Freedom of Information Commission and file a motion to have the material released to the public.
DeCesare said the task force's position was a compromise, because many members wanted to prohibit the release of any homicide material at all.
"I'm not entirely happy with it," DeCesare said. "Others weren't, for different reasons. But I'm happy we were able to send a strong recommendation to the General Assembly."
DeCesare said many task force members wanted to greatly expand the recommendation to include the victims of any violent crimes, including sexual assault.
Hovey said she was sympathetic to that approach.
"There are many horrific crimes that are not homicides," she said, "and the victims don't need to deal with all the media out there."
But she said including all those crimes into the recommendation was too broad an interpretation of the charge given to the task force -- hence the recommendation for legislators to do their own work on the issue.
But Smith said the task force's recommendation would reverse the burden of proof that now exists in the state.
Currently, crime scene photos, 911 tapes, recordings between police officers and law enforcement and emergency staff are considered public information, Smith said. If law enforcement officials don't want them released, they must prove to the Freedom of Information Commission why the information should be kept from the public.
The task force's recommendation would mean that information -- while available to individuals to examine -- would not be released to the public unless one of those individuals goes to the FOI Commission and makes a formal request for release, Smith said.
"That can takes weeks and months," he said.
At Tuesday's meeting, Smith said many people may not feel comfortable going to police stations and asking law enforcement officers to see homicide-related materials.
Smith said he is well aware of the pain caused by the Newtown shootings. But, he said, he fears the public's right to know is being jeopardized.
"When people cannot get information, democracy is not being served," Smith said.
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-731-3345


text:
"A Path Appears" documentary from Nicholas Kristof on PBS
The subject is gender oppression and human rights violations. The subtext is how everything is connected: poverty, domestic abuse, sex trafficking…The material is not easy, but important.
Based on the latest book by "Half the Sky" authors Nicholas Kristof (of the New York Times) and Sheryl WuDunn (his wife and co-author), this new documentary tracks celebrity activists Malin Akerman, Mia Farrow, Ronan Farrow, Jennifer Garner, Regina Hall, Ashley Judd, Blake Lively, Eva Longoria and Alfre Woodard to Colombia, Haiti, Kenya and throughout the U.S.
The approach is intentionally upbeat, highlighting the successes, offering hope, and affirming that there are opportunities and it is possible to transform lives. Like the film "Half the Sky," the message is one of empowerment: "Our future is in the hands of women everywhere."
The three-part series premieres on "Independent Lens" on three consecutive Monday nights, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9, locally at 9-10:30 p.m. on RMPBS.


text:
- This event has passed.
Cruise In Night
Thursday, July 26, 2018, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: Free Entry
Event Website
6155 Arner Townline
Event Website
Every Thursday is Cruise In Night at the Canadian Transportation Museum! Come out and see a collection of classics and hot rods not often seen at other cruise nights and car shows. Meet new friends with similar interests while you enjoy drinks and a BBQ on the patio or a meal at the 50's Diner. It is a weekly party that should not be missed!
Venue: Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
6155 Arner Townline
Kingsville, ON N9Y 2E5 Canada
Phone: 519-776-6909


text:
Braces in South Bend, IN
Dental braces are available in South Bend. Braces move teeth or adjust underlying bone. Retainers may also be necessary after dental braces are placed, especially for adults. If you have misaligned teeth, our dentists will discuss your goals with you and develop a plan that will straighten your teeth, aid in chewing, and create facial balance. We'll explain the pros and cons of all your options, including clear braces and other types of cosmetic dentistry, such as veneers.


text:
Whether they're childhood favorites, restaurant staples, or party snacks, so many classic dishes we grew up eating and loving seem inaccessible to those eating a strictly plant-based diet. It's easy for the herbivore at the table to start feeling left out, unable to partake in what's supposed to be a bonding experience over everyone's most beloved foods.
Not anymore.
Thanks to the taste buds (and kitchen skills) of talented and creative bloggers all over the Internet, we've rounded up meatless and dairy-free versions of some of the most popular, most un-vegan dishes out there. Not only do these recipes eliminate animal products, but many introduce healthier alternatives and more nutritionally beneficial swaps for flavors that not only resemble, but maybe even surpass the originals. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, here are 33 dishes you never thought you could vegan-ize.
1. Basic Vegan French Toast - Chia seeds aren't just a thickening agent in this eggless take on a breakfast classic; they also provide your morning dose of protein, calcium, fiber, and omega-3's, packing in a nutritional punch and yielding the same fluffy-yet-chewy texture as the traditional version. Check out the link for the basic recipe, plus ideas on how to top your toast, such as peanut butter, berries, or an airy coconut whipped cream.
2. Chickpea Flour Omelette with Spinach, Onion, Tomato, Bell Peppers - It resembles that greasy-spoon staple we all love, but this fresh, veggie-packed meal is actually made of folate-rich and gluten-free chickpea flour instead of beaten eggs. Just like regular omelets, feel free to customize it with whatever produce you've got on hand, from spinach and mushrooms to onions and tomatoes. Sure, it may not taste exactly like a typical omelet, but with its subtle nuttiness and savory bite, this is a tasty (and cholesterol-free.) AM treat in its own right.
3. Vegan Quiche - Usually made with eggs, milk or cream, and cheese, there is absolutely nothing vegan about a standard quiche. This recipe takes all that out while using ingredient swaps that preserve the creamy texture, classy appearance, and satiating substance of the traditional dish. It's an inventive yet simple preparation that calls for pureeing tofu for "custard" and using tortillas instead of pastry for the crust. Perfect for impressing guests at your next brunch.
4. Spring Crepes Three Ways - Crepes can give off the air of being too fancy to attempt at home, but with just a few ingredients and the handy how-to video embedded in the link, they go from eggy intimidation to easy-peasy vegan. Check out the blog's instructions for the crepe "template" and, once made, fill 'em up with one of the three sweet or savory suggestions (or your own favorite ingredients). Bonus: There's a recipe for a yolk-less Hollandaise sauce.
5. Tofu Avocado Benedict - If you assumed that going vegan meant never being able to enjoy this quintessential brunch favorite again, The Sweet Life's recipe will urge you to think again. Tofu replaces the egg, while a vegan take on Hollandaise gives the dish its familiar "Benedict-y" flavor. Take it a step further by topping the whole thing with sliced avocado for a pop of green color and healthy fat.
6. (It Can't Be!) Vegan Caesar Salad - The idea of making an anchovy-studded, cheese-and-egg-yolk-infused Caesar salad vegan seems inconceivable, but this whole-foods-filled version suggests otherwise. Satisfyingly salty Kalamata olives step in for the anchovies and blended cashews provide the creaminess of the missing yolks. Whisked together with other classic Caesar Salad ingredients, it's now this blogger's go-to salad dressing. Try it out and it could become yours, too.
7. Vegan Cobb Salad - Make lunchtime your most fun meal of the day with this vibrant, produce-packed Cobb Salad. Hearts of palm tossed with superfood turmeric make a clever imitation of chopped hard-boiled eggs; crisped tempeh mimics the savory bite of bacon bits; and mandarin oranges add a refreshingly juicy twist. Line them all up on a bed of spinach for a kaleidoscope of colors and nutrients.
8. Amazing Vegan "BLT" - Thinly-sliced and marinated tofu masquerades wonderfully as bacon for a meat-free but still high-protein version of this deli classic. The rest of the recipe is nothing but an assembly job that comes together quickly and easily. Use whatever bread, lettuce, and tomato varieties you like best for a sandwich that's forgiving and flexible, but still "soy, soy good" (Sorry, we couldn't resist).
9. Mashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich - Nothing beats a simple but satisfying sandwich for lunch. This one, reminiscent of a brown-bag staple, more than fits the bill. Using chickpeas instead of chicken, the low-glycemic legumes are mashed with hummus or tahini, carrots and celery for a filling that's part smooth, part crunchy. Lather a generous layer between slices of thick whole wheat bread for a hearty and super-tasty midday meal.
10. Vegan Avocado Melt with Coconut Bacon - Another effortless and fairly fast preparation for busy weekdays. Mashed avocado spread onto bread and then browned in a skillet not only gives this sandwich its "melty" factor, but racks up its nutritional profile as well with fiber, potassium, and skin-softening monounsaturated fats. The roasted red peppers this recipe calls for can be found in the pickle section of most grocery stores. Add some "coconut bacon" (essentially seasoned and toasted coconut flakes) for some crunch and added satiety. The result is unique, wholesome, and almost too pretty to eat.
11. Homemade Veggie Dogs - This blogger forgoes soy substitutes more commonly found in veggie dogs, opting instead for vital wheat gluten and flax (both found in the organic aisle) to serve as binding agents. Wheat gluten is 75 percent protein, so you can rest assured that your body won't be missing the meat. Oatmeal, beans, and a variety of spices round out the ingredients for a tender yet substantial filler for your hot dog bun. All you need next is tickets to a baseball game.
12. Vegan Street Tacos - Take street food in a new direction with this vegan version of tacos. Fiber-filled black beans, cubes of lightly roasted butternut squash, and pico de gallo are folded into soft corn tortillas and topped with a tofu-based cilantro cream for a dollop of protein. It's a colorful, powerfoods-loaded way to quench a craving, especially when food trucks are out of reach.
13. Eggplant Parmigiana with Cashew Ricotta - A popular stand-in for cheese, heart-healthy cashews go for a spin in the food processor to form the "ricotta" in this non-dairy eggplant parmigiana, giving the dish an uncanny resemblance to the look and flavor of the original. Make it in the summer when fiber-rich eggplant and vitamin-E-rich tomatoes are in their prime, or save it for a warming meal in colder months.
14. Vegan Lasagna with Basil Cashew Cheeze - Lasagna is a comfort food favorite for many, but with tiers of veggies nestled between the pasta sheets, this one is a winner in the nutrition department, too. The ever-reliable cashew steps in yet again for the cheese, this time infused with lemon and basil for even deeper flavor. Try crumbling in some pre-cooked veggie burgers (even better if they're homemade) between the layers, as the blogger suggests, for some extra protein.
15. New Age Vegan Pasta Carbonara - From the bacon to the peas to the silky texture, all the bases are covered for a classic Carbonara while keeping it vegan. Gluten-free penne and smoked, pan-fried tempeh (a meat-replacing soy protein) are swathed in a sauce built from cashew butter, tahini, and almond milk instead of Parmesan and eggs. It may even rival the original.
16. Mushroom Ravioli with Garlic Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce - Sauteed mushrooms make a meaty filling for this occasion-worthy ravioli dish, and are a welcome departure from cheese. They also contain polysaccharides, which boost immune system function. When the whole shebang is blanketed in a luxurious, coconut-milk-based sauce, there's no missing the dairy here. Make an event of it by rolling out the pasta from scratch (the link includes step-by-step directions), or, if you're in a pinch, spoon the mushroom mixture into store-bought pasta shells instead.
17. Dairy-Free Stuffed Shells - First, blend superfood spinach with calcium-rich tofu for a dose of iron, then gently pack the mix into jumbo conchiglie pasta. Slather with a tomato sauce that's brimming with cholesterol-fighting lycopene and vitamins for optimal eye health, and these may just be the most nutritious stuffed shells out there. Don't forget to flavor them up with plenty of inflammation-beating garlic for even more healthful tastiness.
18. Eggplant Bolognese - We love this awesome alternative to Bolognese so much that it's the second time we're featuring it. This version takes advantage of summer's produce bounty, including eggplants and the "holy culinary trinity" of carrots, onions, and celery. Not feeling the sauce over pasta? Enjoy it atop brown rice, or amp up its protein content by serving it over quinoa.
19. General Tso's "Chicken" - In the time it takes to pick up the phone, place an order, and wait for your delivery, you could whip up your own delicious Chinese food at home. Pieces of seitan act as the soy-free meat substitute here; they're lightly dusted with ground sunflower seeds and nutritional yeast, then fried up and added to a sweet and slightly sour sauce to resemble the typical take-out meal. As for the dish's namesake, General Tso, we're thinking this could've turned him vegan, too.
20. Vegan Enchiladas with Homemade Sauce - Firm tofu holds up impressively well in these herbivore-friendly enchiladas, which are accompanied by black beans and spinach for a multicolored trifecta of iron and fiber. Use whole-wheat wraps (or corn tortillas for gluten-free eaters) and top it all off with a homemade enchilada sauce that's as easy as it is all-natural - it even contains a spoonful of cocoa powder for a kick of taste and antioxidants. Easily doubled for a crowd, this is a perfect party recipe.
21. Super Easy Vegan Nachos - No scary meat substitutes or processed cheeses here. These plant-based nachos are actually a wholesome option for snack time, stacking tomatoes, black beans, and corn onto baked tortillas. Drizzle them with a vegan sauce that looks as fluorescently yellow as the regular stuff, but is made with the natural goodness of cashews and B-vitamin-boasting nutritional yeast. We'd recommend taking the blogger up on her suggestion to serve these up with diced avocados for additional creaminess.
22. Creamy Artichoke Spinach Dip - This blogger surprised even herself with how authentic her take on this bar food favorite tastes, despite ditching the mayo, cheese, and sour cream. A combination of almond milk and - you guessed it - cashews lends itself to a velvety, almost gratin-like consistency into which the artichokes and the spinach are gently mixed. Couple that with the knowledge that you're getting a hefty dose of antioxidants in each serving, and it's irresistible to scoop up a second helping of this dip.
23. Heart-Loving Stuffed Mushrooms - An old potluck standby, stuffed mushrooms get a nutritional makeover as tofu replaces cream cheese, and chopped pecans sub in for the Parmesan topping. Both swaps increase the whole-foods factor while preserving the dish's nostalgia-inducing flavor. Bake them up for a batch of miniature pre-dinner morsels that are tasty, not to mention pretty adorable.
24. Baked Jalapeno Poppers - It's nutritional improvement enough that these poppers are baked instead of fried, and contain no eggs or dairy. But it doesn't stop there; free of, corn, soy, and yeast, and including the option for gluten-free breadcrumbs to coat the jalapenos, a notoriously unhealthy appetizer is turned into one of the most allergy-aware recipes on this list. Pair them with the blogger's dip recipe for a snack that's as addictive as its non-vegan counterpart.
25. Cookie Dough Dip - We've all eaten cookie dough straight from the mixing bowl, salmonella be darned. But the best thing about vegan cookie dough is that there's no risk of adverse effects from consuming raw egg. And while most cookie batters are baked into a final product, this one, as the blogger puts it, "you're supposed to eat by the spoonful." Better yet, by using chickpeas (don't worry, you can't tell) and nut butter as its base, along with only a modest amount of sugar, this sweet treat provides a mid-afternoon fiber-and-protein-boost instead of a sugar high.
26. Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake - You read that right - cheesecake. It really can be made vegan. Unlike some other recipes, which can contain unrecognizable filling ingredients that make us squeamish, this one uses the trusty, no-bake combo of cashews and coconut cream. Don't be afraid of the saturated fat in coconut; the lauric acid in coconut oil has been shown to improve cholesterol levels. Swirl in some blueberries (frozen works just as well as fresh) for a gorgeous, purple-tinted "cheese" layer atop a traditional graham cracker crust that's just waiting to be sliced into.
27. Cake Batter Milkshake - Few cravings are as strong as one for an old-fashioned milkshake - even vegans aren't immune to it. Next time it strikes, go all out with this dairy-free, cake-batter-flavored version. Frozen bananas, coconut butter, and coconut milk combine to create that thick, spoonable texture and offer healthy fats for staying power. A splash of vanilla, a spattering of rainbow sprinkles (because let's be honest, everything is better with sprinkles on top), and you're on your way to slurp-tastic satisfaction.
28. Tiramisu - The conventional espresso-soaked tiramisu may offer a quick pick-me-up, but the crash from all that sugar could end up compromising the coffee's impact. This recipe turns to agave syrup rather than refined sweeteners, the heartiness of assorted nuts instead of ladyfingers for the cake layer, and a cashew/coconut milk mixture to take the place of mascarpone. Tiramisu is intended for dessert, but with ingredients like that, this one is healthy enough for breakfast.
29. Four-Ingredient Chocolate Orange Mousse - Four little ingredients are all that stand between you and this luscious mousse. Antioxidant-packed dark chocolate (try for 60 percent or darker - remember, the bitterer, the better for your blood flow) and the brainpower-boosting powers of avocado are whipped with shavings of orange zest and a touch of non-dairy into a glossy, citrus-tinged concoction. With this in your repertoire, dessert is always a good idea.
30. Homemade Twinkies - The Healthy Version - They'll bring back childhood memories, but these Twinkies are all grown up when it comes to what they're made of. Wheat flour is traded in for spelt, a grain dense with iron, fiber, and phosphorous. Pipe the cakes with a banana-macadamia pastry cream and you've got yourself a sophisticated upgrade on a snack from the good old days.
31. Homemade Snickers Bars - Paying homage to a beloved candy bar, this vegan spin on Snickers looks strikingly like the real deal and contains all-natural ingredients to boot. Dates are an ideal replacement for the caramel; coconut oil and peanuts form the nougat; and the sticky, sweet, and chewy layers are encased in a thick coating of flavonoid-filled dark chocolate. Our mouths are watering just looking at the pictures.
32. Homemade Orange Creamsicle Popsicles - In this registered nutritionist's playful (and pretty) update on a signature summer drink, coconut milk plays the starring role yet again - and why wouldn't it? Its richness is perfect for achieving that fluffy-yet-silky ice cream consistency without the fuss of a machine. A burst of freshly squeezed, vitamin C-laden orange juice and a squirt of maple syrup provide a sunny sweetness without being cloying.
33. Vegan Oatmeal Cream Pies - Another retro treat is revisited in this recipe, where buttery Earth Balance (vegan "butter") and powdered sugar create a vegan "cream" sandwiched between two chewy oatmeal cookies. Despite swapping in healthy whole-wheat flour and flaxseeds, these creme pies' looks and taste stay true to the originals - people won't be able to tell the difference.


text:
Sun City Grand Community AssociationHome Menu
Classified Ads
Classified Advertising on suncitygrand.com can be submitted by filling out the online form or by submitting a printed form to the Activities Department in the Sonoran Plaza.
The deadline for each week is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. If you submit an advertisement after this deadline, it will be posted on the Friday of the following week.
For questions on submitting Classified Advertising, removal or to make changes to an existing advertisement, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
- Advertisements are FREE and solely for active Sun City Grand residents.
- Advertisements will be posted weekly (every Friday) as follows:
- Advertisements submitted PRIOR TO the 4:00 p.m. deadline on Wednesday of each week will be posted on the Friday of the week of submission.
- Advertisements submitted AFTER the 4:00 p.m. deadline on Wednesday of each week will be posted on the following Friday.
- Listings will expire after 30 days of the posting date.
- Renewals of advertisements must be resubmitted.
- Active CAM card is required.
- If you would like to have any changes made to an existing advertisement or if you would like the advertisement removed, please contact email@example.com.
- Sun City Grand Classifieds Contract (Online Form)
- Sun City Grand Classifieds Contract (Printable)
Classified advertising is restricted to Sun City Grand residents; membership card must be presented or listed on the form to verify residency. Merchandise sales, home sales or rentals only - No business advertising or personals ads. This agreement is subject to approval by an authorized representative of Sun City Grand Community Association, Inc. prior to publication and will be cancelled if advertisement is not approved.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE SUN CITY GRAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IS NOT A SPONSOR OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED SERVICES, PRODUCTS, EVENTS OR INFORMATION. The information set forth above is provided solely as a courtesy for informational purposes, and any and all questions regarding the services, products, events or information should be directed to the person identified in the ad. Your decision to utilize, purchase, rely upon or otherwise participate in any service, product, event or information advertised herein is at your sole and exclusive risk. The Association is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability to the fullest extent permitted by law for any loss or damage to any person or property that occurs in conjunction with the services, products, events or information advertised above. The Association has not vetted the individual ad sponsors and this informational posting should not be considered an endorsement of any person, group, service, product or event.
Black wrought iron double bed. Includes mattress set, comforter, two sets of sheets (regular and flannel.) $100. 623 214-9783.
- Category:Item(s) for Sale
- Start Date:09/06/2019
- Close Date:09/27/2019 10:59 p.m.


text:
Are you excited yet about Vanquish, the third-person shoot 'em up from Bayonetta and Madworld studio Platinum Games? Did we mention it's from the guy who made God Hand? And did you see these new screen shots?
Game director Shinji Mikami's latest may feature familiar shooting action—with, apparently, a Bayonetta style "Witch Time"-like time-slowing effect dubbed "Augmented Reality Mode"—and super-suit attired soldier Sam, but Vanquish looks like a higher-speed take on your standard action game. A look at these new Vanquish screens shows off big bosses, bad-ass futuristic knee slides and developer Platinum's expertise with PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware.
Vanquish is supposed to be out in 2010—at least in Japan.
[gallery 5525988]


text:
It be Monday…
Leigh tells the story of what happened last Saturday to cause a week break in shows.
Matt from Australia calls in to help with the show, by increasing the percentage of Australians involved. MrOil (AKA DjOil) calls in to ask about the imitation of his promo. Leigh has an idea for a brilliant money-making scheme, however it only works after he has pegged it. We go over some engrish instructions which you can see here. We talk about the couple that auctioned off their virginity, the woman got a much higher price.
A florida woman, Natasha Myers, used her keys to etch the shape of a penis onto a car in a car park. We then play and talk about this
We have penis news! A woman has bitten off her husbands penis after he made her leave the rodeo early. Two-Way Mirrors In Scottish Nightclub's Ladies' Room Sparks Controversy [image].


text:
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Western New England University scored in every quarter and totaled 429 yards of offense while its defense held MIT to just 149 yards as the Golden Bears shutout the Engineers 31-0 in a New England Football Conference Boyd Division game. Kevin Cook ran for 135 yards and two scores, including a 49-yard scoring run just before halftime that broke open a close game.
For most of the first half it was a battle of field position between the two squads. Western New England (6-1, 4-0 NEFC) managed a 42-yard Nick Fox-Edele field goal, set up by an interception by James Kravic of sophomore John Wenzel's (Mandeville, La.) pass attempt at the MIT 30-yard line. Those proved to be the only points of the first quarter, a quarter that saw the two teams combine for just 81 yards of offense.
It remained a defense dominated game until the final minutes of the second quarter. A 49-yard punt by Wenzel pinned Western New England at its own six-yard line with 3:49 left in the half. The Golden Bears picked up a key, 32-yard pass completion from Bryce Brown to Kreem Hines that got the ball out to the WNE 42-yard line. MIT (1-5, 0-4 NEFC) appeared to have the drive stopped three plays later when sophomores Phillip Marmolejo (Clovis, Calif.) and Jake Laux (Dousman, Wis.) stopped Cook a yard short of the first down after taking a short pass from Brown. Facing a fourth and one, the Golden Bears went for it, handing the ball off to Cook who broke through the middle of the MIT defense and then raced down the right sideline for the score with 1:08 left in the half to take a 10-0 lead into the locker room.
Western New England received a spark on the second half kickoff when Brendon Thompson returned the kick 44 yards to the MIT 42. From there the Golden Bears put together a 12-play drive that was resulted in a one-yard run by Brown and a 17-0 lead.
Cook and Brown added TD runs in the first half of the fourth quarter that put the game away for the Golden Bears, with Cook taking it in from a yard out and Brown getting a four-yard scoring run that made it 31-0 with 6:33 left.
MIT made a bid to get on the scoreboard after the final Western New England score when freshman Brad Goldsberry (Elizabeth, Colo.) returned the kickoff down the right side of the field, bursting into the clear near midfield. Goldsberry, who finished with 217 yards of kickoff and put returns, cut to the right sideline but was pushed out of bounds by WNE kicker Ryan Krueger at the six-yard line. But the Golden Bear defense made a goal-line stand on fourth and one from the one, stopping Wenzel just short of the goal line to preserve the shutout.
Cook's 135 yards on the ground was his season best, while freshman Justin Wallace (Palatine, Ill.) continued his strong play for the Engineers with a team leading 74 yards rushing. Brown ran for 56 yards and passed for 147 more, hitting on 14 of his 22 attempts for WNE. The Golden Bears defense held the MIT passing attack in check all day, allowing just 43 yards through the air. Laux led all players on defense with 18 tackles, while Kevin Soule had 11 stops for Western New England, including the games only sack.
MIT will be back in action next week on October 22 when it plays a Noon game at Salve Regina University. Western New England will be at home against Plymouth State University in a 1:00 p.m. game.


text:
Aerisweet's Comments
(1) comment by Aerisweet
Comments by Date (1)
1-1 of 1
Re: HoplingI got this pet to level 25, he's usually in my farming rotation. His speed is pretty nice, and most of the fights will take priority in speed. This works well for his quick stun, deals damage, stuns, and he gains life back from being humanoid. He has a 5 turn poison that I use sometimes as well just to assure you'll do damage that round (and thus healing). Also he does extra damage to dragonkin, which is handy in later levels and fighting harder bosses.
Posted: November 12, 2012 1:51:05 PM | Edits: 0 | Rating: +1
1-1 of 1


text:
Just, Ward
Just, Ward, 1935–, American writer, b. Michigan City, Ind. Just was a correspondent (1959–69) for Newsweek magazine and the Washington Post, covering Washington politics and the Vietnam War, during which he was severely wounded. His To What End? (1968) is an analytical appraisal of the war; his Military Men (1970), a portrait of the post-Vietnam Army. He published his first novel in 1970, and is particularly celebrated for his knowing and often cynical tales of Washington, the public and private lives of its political practitioners, and the way that power influences conduct. Just began his political chronicles with the short stories of The Congressman Who Loved Flaubert (1973) and followed it with such novels as In the City of Fear (1982), Jack Gance (1989), Echo House (1997), and Exiles in the Garden (2009). His nearly 20 novels also include accounts of Americans abroad, such as American Romantic (2014), the story of a diplomat's life; a Vietnam tale, A Dangerous Friend (1999); and Midwestern stories, from the multigeneration saga of A Family Trust (1998) to the coming-of-age stories of An Unfinished Season (2004) and Rodin's Debutante (2011). Just also has written a play, Lowell Limpett (2001).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: American Literature: Biographies


text:
Cetinje: Nikola Under the Elm
For any serious student of Yugoslav history Ivo Banac's 1984 study of the antecedents, foundation and early years of the state is now a classic. For anyone seeking to understand the roots of all that was to take place in the twentieth century in this region the answers are here. It is also wonderfully written. In these extracts Banac discusses Prince Nikola, who from his capital in Cetinje, presided over Montenegro, as prince and then king, from 1860 until 1918.
Prince Nikola was himself the product of the contradictory new age. On the one hand, in the ancient patriarchal way, he was sufficiently acquainted with every notable Montenegrin to know each one's strengths and weaknesses. He dispensed his personal justice under an ancient elm tree in Cetinje and occasionally jotted down his disagreeable comments, which betrayed familiarity and rough insight, about his supplicants. The state's Book of Petitions is full of Nikola's glosses: "And all that you have guzzled, you sot?!" (on a petitioner requesting relief); "Give him a passport as big as highest position" (on a malconent requesting exit papers). Though addicted to medals, a modern weakness that he shared with most of his male subjects, he never gave up the Montenegrin national costume for a smart uniform. He genuinely believed in the old warrior code and until fairly advanced age personally led his men in battle. And although certainly not equal to Njegoš [The prince-bishop of Montenegro 1830-51] in poetic inspiration, Nikola, too, cultivated bardic leadership. He composed poems honoring each tribe, even ones he persecuted-praise to the adversary being required by the nobility of conduct.
The National Question in Yugoslavia: Origins, History, Politics. Ivo Banac. 1992.
[p. 276 / Cornell University Press]
April 2007
Tim Judah


text:
SKF Maintenance Strategy Review helps mill create maintenance strategy for success
The challenge
A rolling mill looking to optimize its maintenance strategy sought help in assessing its needs and creating a documented and reliability-based maintenance programme.
The SKF Solution
Working closely with the mill personnel, SKF consultants selected the SKF Streamlined Reliability Centered Maintenance process as the best methodology for the project. The scope of the maintenance strategy review covered the rotating, electrical and instrumentation components for the following units:
- Blank ring press machine
- Multi mandrel ring rolling machine
- Axial closed die rolling machine
The results
Following the analysis, SKF ranked component criticality and recommended predictive maintenance and operator inspection tasks that formed the basis for an optimized, documented maintenance programme that included:
- 1 322 condition monitoring and predictive maintenance tasks
- Improved instrument calibration checks
- Increased depth to the asset register for effective cost and failure tracking
- A priority scheme for maintenance planning based on asset criticality analysis
- Data for performing a spare parts optimization project
- Recommendations for design and procedural changes


text:
Dan Eddington, director of missions for the Three Rivers Baptist Association in Illinois, will serve as chairman.
Other committee members, listed by state, are:
ALABAMA -- Cade Farris, First Baptist Church, Wedowee; Greg Hyche, First Baptist Church, Brent.
FLORIDA -- Pat Mobley, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Pensacola.
GEORGIA -- Tom Rush, Berean Baptist Church, Social Circle.
KENTUCKY -- Donavon Burton, Beacon Hill Baptist Church, Somerset; Gregg Farrell, Crossland Community Church, Bowling Green; David Stokes, The Baptist Church at Andover, Lexington.
LOUISIANA -- Gary Mack, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans.
MISSOURI -- Bradley Graves, Calvary Church, Joplin; Thomas Johnston, Lexena Baptist Church, Liberty; Ben Kendall, Calvary Baptist Church, Republic; Malachi O'Brien, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Harrisonville; Phillip Shuford, First Baptist Church Ozark, Nixa.
NEW MEXICO -- Bruce Morrison, Church at the Butte, Elephant Butte.
NORTH CAROLINA -- Michael Dickerson, First Baptist Church, Durham; Corey Smith, Grace Baptist Church, Wake Forest.
TENNESSEE -- Van Richmond, New Life Church, Nashville.
TEXAS -- Larry Craig, First Baptist Church Troup, Tyler; Johnny Derouen, Travis Avenue Baptist Church, Fort Worth; Donald Kim, The Village Church, Fort Worth; Evan Lenow, Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth; Waylan Owens, Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth.
Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
Copyright (c) 2014 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net


text:
Pack Your Bags! 7 Tips to Hit the Road Safely This Holiday Season
You know the old saying: "Getting there is half the fun?" Whoever came up with that one never drove a beat-up clunker across the American Southwest in August. Or the Great Plains during a blinding blizzard, for that matter.
If you're hitting the road for the holidays, the "fun" part can wait. All you want to do is get there—safe, sound and, especially if you have young kids, reasonably sane. So here's another saying you might want to think about: Getting there is half the battle. That includes knowing the dos and don'ts about packing your car.
You might be thinking that packing a car is simple, but doing so correctly can be a lifesaver if you get in an accident or find yourself stranded in a storm. For example, did you know that you need to secure objects, even something as small as a snack can (or fruitcake!), which can become dangerous projectiles in a crash? According to Safety Research and Strategies, ordinary objects in cars and trucks are responsible for 13,000 injuries each year.
Packing is a safety practice that's often overlooked, especially during the holidays when starting a road trip is like a cattle drive. Everyone with kids knows the drill (cue opening theme song for "Rawhide"): Round 'em up, pack 'em in, move 'em out! But as the Duke might have said, "Whoa there, pardner." Before you and your brood hop along to visit Grandma, take a little time to make sure you've packed your wagon to be trail-ready.
Clean out the car and trunk. Unload the junk and leave it at home. The more space in your trunk or cargo area, the less you'll need to store luggage in the passenger area where it can cause injuries.
Keep loose items out of the passenger compartment. There are three options: Strap it down, put it away or toss it. Use the glove compartment and consoles to store personal items, such as cell phones, sunglasses, games, etc. Booster seats should be placed in the trunk when not in use.
Have a packing strategy. Start by packing as much as you can in the truck or cargo area, where items are less likely to become projectiles in the event of an accident. If you have a cargo area, use nets, anchors and tethers to secure your items. Pack larger and heavier items centered on the bottom and placed forward against fixed components. This position will prevent them from building forward momentum in a crash.
Take only what you need. Again, less luggage means more space to put it where it belongs—in the trunk or cargo area. If you have a lot of stuff, check your owner's manual to make sure you're not overloading the vehicle. Consumer Reports says that the weight limit in a small SUV can range from under 700 pounds to over 1,100 pounds, so don't try to guess.
Get a tight fit. Think of your trunk or cargo area as a jigsaw puzzle. Put the biggest item in first, and place smaller items around it. Take your time and work the angles.
Avoid loading up your roof. This can make your vehicle top-heavy and unstable. Plus, it will hurt your gas mileage!
Don't forget emergency gear. Your emergency winter kit can include blankets; warm clothing; sand, cat litter or traction mats; a small shovel; a flashlight with fresh batteries; warning flares or triangles; drinking water; and anything else you might need in case you get stranded.
Packing isn't much fun. But when you do it right, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping to protect your car's passengers—a good feeling at any time of the year!


text:
March 25, 2013
I wonder how many Democrats will cry about the influence of money in politics when one of their own (yes, I know he claims to be a Republican, but he is, in fact, a former Democrat who ran on the GOP ticket to make it easier for himself to get elected, and left the Republican Party five years ago – and y'all can't tell me Michael Bloomberg is in any way not a nanny state Democrat!) spends millions to push his political, nanny-state, authoritarian swinery!
The $12 million ad blitz targeting senators wavering on gun control will be just the beginning, Mayor Bloomberg warned Sunday.
"I have a responsibility … to try to make this country safer," Bloomberg said on "Meet the Press" when asked if he'd spend big-time in next year's elections to target the National Rifle Association and members of Congress for opposing gun restrictions.
"If I can do that by spending some money, and taking the NRA from being the only voice to being one of the voices, so the public can really understand the issues, then I think my money will be well spent and I think I have an obligation to do that," he said.
"If 90% of the public wants something, and their representatives vote against that, common sense says they are going to have a price to pay for that," Bloomberg said, referring to the proportion of people polls show support universal background checks.
Notice this…
Daddy has a responsibility to make all of you "safer," according to his definition.
He knows better than you do.
He understands safety better than you do.
And he will be your nanny, making you "safe," fit and happy… whether you like it or not.
He alone is the savior. He alone has the means and the will to fix us all.
Arrogant, repulsive, presumptuous, self-important, totalitarian dicksore!
Notice also…
Bloomberg has the resources to push his odious agenda. Politicians (both Republican and Democrat) have been complaining for decades about the influence of money in politics and authoritarian asswads like McCain and Feingold pushed through their First-Amendment stifling campaign reform act with broad bipartisan support.
And now that Bloomberg is trying to push his statist agenda using millions of dollars, there's silence from the gun ban crowd (mostly Democrat, by the way) about the use of evil money to push a political agenda. Gee… now that it benefits them, I guess it's not a problem.
Notice also the lie…
The claim that 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks? Really? I wonder where he gets that particular statistic from!
Oh, I see! From the "unbiased" polling of Mayors Against Illegal Guns – a survey Uncle Joe Biden recently cited in an effort to shore up support for essentially banning private firearms sales between individuals.
Biden cited a survey by Mayors Against Illegal Guns that found 89 percent support for the background checks in 41 Congressional districts across the country, and 86 percent in 21 statewide polls.
But OK – let's say for argument's sake that 90 percent of those surveyed want background checks. I'd like to see the methodology and demographics. Where do those surveyed live? That matters. Do they realize that the background bill proposed by Schumer would outlaw private gun sales? Are they aware that most firearms used in crimes (80 percent, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics) are obtained illegally anyway? Are they aware that the whole "40 percent of guns are purchased without background checks" meme is a lie? And would they still support universal background checks if it meant that they had to be registered like criminals to make a constitutionally-protected purchase?
And by the way… more than 95 percent of Federally Licensed Firearms dealers say that a) the law will result in huge regulatory burdens, increased risk of license revocation for record-keeping errors related to private party sales of firearms, additional delays in processing of NICS requests b) it will result in increased costs, which will certainly be passed on to Joe Citizen, who wants nothing more than to purchase a tool to defend his family, and c) will make said purchase prohibitively expensive, given the cost of the firearm, the cost of paperwork, the cost of training and registration in some states.
But like a good little hypocritical tyrant, Bloomberg doesn't care about the poor people. He has armed security. He has millions of dollars. And he knows better than you what's good for you, dammit! Screw the poor folks who may not be able to afford his and the gun grabbers' latest folly! They don't matter.
Bloomberg has the money, and he'll use it to do what's right for you – whether you like it or not.
OK, Mikey. You'd better be ready for a fight. I doubt the good people in this country bear any resemblance to the drooling ignorami who keep electing your tyrannical ass and love to be mommied by you (Except for maybe the fruits and nuts in California). I doubt the rest of this country will allow you to destroy our rights and shred our Constitution, merely because you feel like it.
Bring it, bitch!
We'll be ready!
UPDATE: When I saw this today, I nearly choked on my pistachios!
On Morning Joe today, the Reverend Al Sharpton agreed with Mike Barnicle that anti-Semitism explains the opposition to Mike Bloomberg in his gun control campaign.
It couldn't possibly be that Americans simply don't want to be told what to do, and how to exercise their constitutional rights by supercilious fuckwads, who think they know better than we do how we need to live our lives?
No, it's because he happens to be Jewish!
And accusations of anti-Semitism coming from the likes of Al Sharpton are pretty amusing.
Well, guess what, you lying, racist assnugget!
I'm Jewish! My family escaped from the hell that was the Soviet Union, where no one was allowed to assert their rights against an all-powerful government, and where Jews were treated slightly better than rabid dogs. My family didn't have millions of dollars. My family didn't have the privilege of growing up in the United States where we have laws to protect our rights from government intrusion. And yes, I lost family in the Holocaust.
I attended the same college as Bloomberg – the Johns Hopkins university. But I didn't use mommy's and daddy's money to get in. I worked full time and was on an academic scholarship!
And as a Jew, I find Bloomberg to be the kind of useful asshole authoritarians in the former Soviet Union would have LOVED! An ass-kissing, government boot-licking tool, who would betray his own people and render them helpless against tyrants – the kind of Jew who would betray his own people in exchange for political power, even as the tyrants used him to promote further tyranny.
I'm a Jew, and I despise Michael Bloomberg and everything that fetid bag of bovine excrement stands for.
Go ahead, accuse me of anti-Semitism, shitbags. You'll just make yourselves look even more stupid, if that's even possible.
Also, Ultra 12 is back by popular demand! Get the ultimate source of energy at 40% off now!


text:
What I want to do is to host a VPS. First, I'd like to set up a static IP address that forwards to my home IP address (so I can have more than one IP coming into my house).
How can I do this without contacting my ISP (and is it even possible?; I don't care about paying for something that does this).
Once I have the extra external IP address, how can I forward it to my VPS? How is my router supposed to differentiate between two separate external IP addresses?


text:
Holy Trinity church is a wonderfully welcoming Catholic church in Norwood, Ohio. We welcome all to come and worship our Lord together and to be spiritually fed in our parish community.
Family members young and old alike have opportunities to participate in activities that help them grow spiritually and make Christian friendships that can last a lifetime.
Our parish facility is comfortable to parishioners with its traditional Catholic environment. Relive childhood worship memories in our grand worship space, and plan your wedding with us and raise your children in a wonderful church community and campus.
Holy Trinity's first Chili Cook Off! There were 20 entries of some great chili! A great time was had by all who attended!

Your browser does not support iframes. Please visit the following –https://catholicweb.weshareonline.org/


text:
Q: What chemical should I use to treat water milfoil?
Douglas – Goddard, KS
A: Before we dive into how to treat this aquatic invader, let's get to know it a little better first.
Water milfoil, also known as Eurasian Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), is a submersed aquatic plant that's native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It has feather-like leaves that grow from white, red or brown stems, and some species produce four-petaled pink or reddish flowers that rise a few inches from the water's surface.
Eurasian water milfoil thrives on fertile, fine-textured, inorganic sediments. An opportunistic species, the plant prefers water bodies that receive nitrogen and phosphorous-laden runoff, like a farm or agricultural pond. Growth explodes when water temperatures rise, which promote multiple periods of flowing and fragmentation (or when pieces of the plant grow roots and develop new plants).
If left unchecked, water milfoil can dominate a pond or lake in no time.
Controlling Growth
The good news is that you can find myriad products to manage this invasive species. The chemical you choose has to do with several factors.
• Closed or open system? If your pond is mostly covered with water milfoil, does not have water flowing in and out, and is not used for irrigation, SePRO Sonar™ A.S. Aquatic Herbicide will be your best choice. The product uses the active ingredient fluridone, which effectively controls a wide range of floating, submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation including duckweed, hydrilla, bladderwort, naiad, elodea, water lily, coontail, pondweed and water milfoil – giving you more herbicide bang for your buck.
• Small area or large? If you're treating a smaller area of a pond or lake, Aquathol® Aquatic Herbicide works like a charm. It's a rapid-acting contact herbicide that drops aquatic weeds below the water surface in four to seven days, though heavy growth may require a second application in 10 to 12 weeks.
• Spray or granular? If you prefer granular herbicides to spray ones and have a smaller area to treat, choose Navigate. This granular herbicide is ideal for spot-treating weeds around docks, beach areas and shorelines, killing the roots of both submerged and floating plants, including water milfoil, coontail and water lilies. You'll see it go to work within 10 days; you'll see full effects in three to five weeks.
Plant, Human Considerations
When choosing a chemical herbicide, pay special attention to use restrictions. Some of these products have limitations for use in irrigation ponds, swimming holes and other situations until the chemical has adequately broken down in the water.
Also consider the other critters – plants, fish and animals – that live in your pond. Certain products can harm game fish, koi or goldfish, and can kill off prize water lilies and other welcome aquatic plants.
Pond Talk: How do you manage invasive plants in your pond or lake?
Filed under: Pond & Lake, Pondweeds | Tagged: aquatic herbicides, fluridone, milfoil, Pond Logic, sonar, sonar a.s., sonar as, submerged, weeds |


text:
Posted 12 July 2004 - 08:36 PM
Posted 12 July 2004 - 08:42 PM
***Every Monday***At the Sign of the Pink Pig.
If the author could go around the place hitting random readers with a rubber hammer, the Pink Pig would still be worth a visit.
Posted 12 July 2004 - 09:06 PM
Do tell your friend to avoid Browns, however.
Food or frock?
#4 Guest_Adam Lawrence_*
Posted 13 July 2004 - 07:16 AM
Gousse d'Ail closed about eighteen months ago, rather spectacularly bankrupt as I understand. Has returned to its previous status as the Lemon Tree. I haven't been since reopening, it used to be goodish though. I also fell out with Le Petit Blanc after a couple of overpriced unattractive meals with very poor service. The fact that it's now owned by Loch Fyne doesn't fill me with hope that it'll be better.
La Gousse d'Ail. Not a reason to go to Oxford, but a very professionally run outfit by ex-Manoir folk, and the most up-market meal to be had in the city. Le Petit Blanc is not bad either, as isn't The Lemon Tree.
Do tell your friend to avoid Browns, however.
I have to say that, as someone who lives about five miles from Oxford, I've practically given up on restaurant meals in the city. The French-derived options are mostly not that great. There is good Indian food at Aziz on the Cowley Road. The multiple Lebanese places are not bad - I've advised al-Salam on Park End Street over al-Shami in Jericho before, but a couple of recent meals at the latter make me wonder if I should revise that view. There are a bunch of funky studenty places on the Cowley Road that I should try but that generally make me feel old.
Edamame on Holywell Street is a little Japanese cafe, dirt cheap and good fun. You have to share a table, and their opening hours are eccentric, but I think it's worth it. They have a cooked menu for most services, but do sushi only on Thursday nights. If you come from somewhere with good Japanese food you'll probably find it ho-hum, but it works for me.
I think the best restaurant in town is Chiang Mai Kitchen, a quite upmarket Thai place down one of the alleyways off the High Street. It's also a very ancient and extremely attractive building, which adds to the appeal, especially for visitors. If I had one night in town, I'd go there.
Posted 14 July 2004 - 02:43 AM
Posted 14 July 2004 - 03:34 PM
***Every Monday***At the Sign of the Pink Pig.
If the author could go around the place hitting random readers with a rubber hammer, the Pink Pig would still be worth a visit.
Posted 28 March 2012 - 01:29 PM
I think you need to interpret what I'm saying in a reasonable way.
Posted 28 March 2012 - 08:28 PM
Donations are always gratefully accepted.
Posted 29 March 2012 - 12:29 PM
Posted 29 March 2012 - 02:16 PM
I think you need to interpret what I'm saying in a reasonable way.
Posted 29 March 2012 - 10:03 PM
I think you need to interpret what I'm saying in a reasonable way.
Posted 29 March 2012 - 10:06 PM
Donations are always gratefully accepted.
Posted 01 June 2012 - 07:51 PM
Although many readers were offended by the suggestion that Christ Church College dining room might be better known for its association with Harry Potter, the tour was recommended.
Oxford has recovered from the siege of 1646, and places to eat and drink are readily available.
Take a pub crawl through Oxford's most traditional pubs, like the classic student haunts Kings Arms (40 Holywell Street); the ancient, low-ceilinged Turf Tavern (4-5 Bath Place); and the central White Horse (52 Broad Street). You will fit in more (or at least remember them better) by ordering "a half of bitter" instead of a full pint: it's always precisely half the price. (Full pints cost around £4.) When you're ready for dinner, go to C. S. Lewis's and J. R. R. Tolkien's former hangout, the Eagle and Child (49 St. Giles). You'll have to order at the bar, but don't let that deter you: this is a legitimate kitchen operation. The beef rib pie (£9.95) is topped with ultra-flaky pastry, and the sticky toffee pudding (£3.75) is divine. Watch the clock, though — at some spots the bartenders call "Time!" as early as 11 p.m.
The area is crossed with bike paths. The article mentions the-Perch in Binsey. Along the path, with ale at the ready.
If you tire of fish and chips, or Vindaloo, or Chinese food, there's always a Slovak choice:
But for an unusual experience, visit the cheery, whitewashed Moya (97 St. Clements Road; 44-1865-200-111; moya-oxford.co.uk), which serves the cuisine of Slovakia. (It also tries to pass itself off as a fancy cocktail bar, with significantly less success.) Try the "devil's toast" (sourbread toast topped with smoked sausage, vegetables and a shockingly delicious patty of grilled goat cheese), a creamy beef goulash with paprika, and a doughy fruit dumpling with poppy seed sauce for dessert. Dinner for two costs about £50 without drinks.
Oxford, a town and university
Posted 02 June 2012 - 01:00 PM
Donations are always gratefully accepted.
Posted 24 March 2014 - 12:43 AM
Long article in the NY Times by a writer whose husband is on sabbatical in Oxford.
Riches? Oxford has them, starting with the Ashmolean Museum. This is what I like about it: 1. It's free. 2. You can leave your stuff in a locker downstairs for £1, but you get your money back when you return the key. 3. The museum is neither small nor large, so you don't get a museum hangover. 4. The collection.
And what a collection, from the silver and gold dinnerware that Corpus Christi College hid from Cromwell, to contemporary art and the pre-Raphaelites. It's enough to make you just stand there, blinking, trying to decide where to start. I started on the second floor in an orientation gallery, which explains the cultural explosion that happened when east-west trading routes were established in early modernity. But no sooner had I wandered one room away, into English ceramics, than I was transfixed, a deer in the headlights. Here was a fantasyland of afternoon tea, with seemingly every type of English pattern and plate ever devised, decorated with astonishingly lifelike painted flowers of rose and rose gold, pale yellow and radiant turquoise, with butterflies and climbing vines and birds. But there was more — much, much more — including the wares of Japan, China, Italy and the Netherlands, Delftware, Greek and Roman sculpture, textiles and a whole room of Pissarro and his descendants.From the Ashmolean, it's just a few steps to everything else you may want to see in Oxford, including Blackwell's, at 51 Broad Street, perhaps England's most famous bookstore, with its gazillions of books (new as well as secondhand).
Cheap (£3 to £8, or about $5 to $13 at $1.63 to the pound):
West Cornwall Pasty Company (5 Cornmarket Street; westcornwallpasty.co.uk) is a fast-food outlet with cheap pasties (meat, vegetable and cheese pies). Well worth the calories.
The Oxford Cafe (in the Covered Market) serves salads, soups, sandwiches and pastries.
Midrange (£10 to £20):
The Prince of Wales (73 Church Way, Iffley; 44-1865-778554) offers excellent fish and chips and a good variety of ales.
The Trout (195 Godstow Road, Lower Wovercote; 44-1865-510930; thetroutoxford.co.uk) is a classic English pub with outdoor seating overlooking the Thames. You can get everything from fish and chips to complex vegetarian salads.
Aziz Restaurant (228-230 Cowley Road; 44-1865-794945; aziz.uk.com) serves rustic Bangladeshi and Indian food.
The Magdalen Arms (243 Iffley Road; 44-1865-243159; magdalenarms.com) is said by many to serve the best pub food in Oxford.
Pricey (starting around £20):
Brasserie Blanc (71-72 Walton Street; 44-1865-510999; brasserieblanc.com) in the heart of the Jericho neighborhood, has very good, if not particularly distinctive, French-Continental food. This large, simply appointed restaurant is popular with students whose parents are visiting, and is one of many restaurants in Raymond Blanc's Brasserie Blanc empire.


text:
The Body Control Pilates group is firmly established as a world leader in Pilates training. Whilst our main base is the UK, we now deliver our training programme in many countries, including Japan, China, South Africa, Qatar and several European countries.
Our method has evolved from the work of Joseph Pilates and we, in fact, still have very close links with two US teachers who worked with Joe and Clara Pilates. We have created a series of more than 100 matwork exercises – many unique to our approach – that teach the movement skills needed to gain maximum benefit from Pilates. They take the client step-by-step to the advanced 'classical' exercises created by Joseph Pilates more than eighty years ago.
Body Control Pilates was founded in London in 1995 and our matwork teacher training courses commenced in 1996, shortly before the publication of our ground-breaking book "Body Control The Pilates Way". Since that time, we have been at the forefront of many important innovations and developments within the international Pilates community.
Our matwork course was the world's first curriculum-based course for prospective Pilates teachers. Since that time, thousands of students have chosen Body Control Pilates as their training provider, many of them having enrolled for the increasing number of courses held in conjunction with our training partners outside the UK. The Course Director for the Body Control Pilates matwork course is Lynne Robinson, recognised as one of the world's foremost Pilates authorities.
In February 2006, we became the first specialist Pilates training provider to have our course approved against the national standard for Pilates that was introduced in the UK in August 2005 ('Level 3'), thereby ensuring a wide recognition for the Body Control Pilates qualification.
All Body Control Pilates teachers are members of the Body Control Pilates Association, a 'not for profit' organisation that exists to safeguard the quality and standards of Body Control Pilates teaching, as well as to provide a unique support network for Body Control Pilates teachers worldwide. All of our teachers have access to the most comprehensive range of certification courses and professional development workshops available from any Pilates organisation in the world.
Many now go on to gain certification in the 'Level 4 UK standard' for teachers who want to work with clients with a range of medical conditions - Body Control Pilates offers a Level 4 course for the prevention and management of Low Back Pain. In 2013, Body Control Pilates also became the first and only training provider to receive Ofqual approval for a Level 4 Pilates qualification. We still enjoy that unique postion.


text:
"I raise one to two litters of pups a year from very well bred lines. My dogs are competed in AKC hunt test and Field Trials and will have a title prior to rasing a litter of pups. Along with running in Hunt Test my dogs are used to guide hunters and are in the field 3-4 times a week during the season.
Some of the lines I breed from are NFC Microdot, AFC Buck's Bluesteam Bullet RN CD MH, NAFC DC AFC Renegade's Kansas Kid, FC/ AFC Jordean's Fast Buck CD MH, NFC DC AFC Tequila's Joker, 2xNFC AFC Diamond Hill Dan, and many more hall of fame dogs in the pedigree's, I breed for temperment, trainability, and hunting drive which all combines to make hard working birddogs. Started dogs on occasion contact me for up to date information."


text:
Burlington Nuclear Engineering Lab
View from Southeast
Scroll below for building history
Location: North Campus
Built 1953
Sq. Footage 62,511
National attention was brought to NC State in 1955 when the first nuclear reactor in the world devoted soley to the peacetime application of nuclear fission in an educational program was installed here. Burlington Nuclear Laboratories was named after Burlington Industries, a textile company that contributed private funding for the reactor building. A 1 million watt Pulstar reactor was later added to the building with a peak power of 2,200 million watts.
The building was enlarged in 1973 with state funding, and the name was changed to Burlington Engineering Laboratories. Nuclear studies include research and training of nuclear reactor operators, methods of power generation using nuclear science, and the medical and industrial uses of radiation.


text:
According to a press release from Office of Secretary of State, dated Oct. 8, 2012:
While Election Day is still weeks away, October 8 marks the start of "election month," when county elections officials prepare to mail November 6 General Election ballots to the millions of Californians who opt for the convenience of voting by mail.
"With the ever-increasing popularity of voting by mail, Election Day has really become election month," said Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the state's chief elections officer. "Voting by mail lets you vote when you decide it's convenient because you can mark your ballot and mail it now, or mark it as you make up your mind on issues and candidates. Whatever you do, make sure your county elections official receives your ballot by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day so it will be counted."
Any California voter may vote by mail. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 30. A registered voter may request a ballot by using the application printed on the back of the sample ballot booklet mailed by the county elections office, or obtain an application online at: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vote-by-mail/pdf/fill-in-vote-by-mail-app-instruct.pdf. Registered voters can also vote in person at their county elections office prior to November 6.
County elections officials will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots as early as October 9 (post offices are closed today for a federal holiday). Ballots have already been mailed to military and overseas voters. Vote-by-mail voters can cast their November 6 ballots through the mail, drop them off at any polling place within the voter's county, or vote in person at county elections offices. Once county elections officials determine the signature on the vote-by-mail ballot return envelope matches the voter's signature on his or her voter registration application, and the voter did not vote elsewhere in the same election, the ballot is counted. All valid vote-by-mail ballots are counted in every election, regardless of the outcome or closeness of any race.
Vote-by-mail ballots comprised 65 percent of ballots cast in the June 2012 primary – the most ever in a California statewide election.


text:
Cybersecurity holes exposed in Los Alamos nuke lab
Network on shaky ground zero
The Los Alamos National Laboratory - easily the world's most sensitive and sophisticated research institution - is marred by cybersecurity weaknesses that compromise the way information on its unclassified network is protected.
According to an audit by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the New Mexico-based LANL recently began implementing measures to shore up information security. But vulnerabilities remain on its unclassified network, which contains sensitive information involving controlled nukes, export control, and personal details of lab employees. Physical security was also found to be lacking at the facility, one of only three US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) labs.
"A successful physical or cyber attack on NNSA sites containing nuclear weapons, the material used in nuclear weapons, or information pertaining to the people who design and maintain the US nuclear deterrent could have devastating consequences for this site, its surrounding communities, and the nation's security, the report (PDF) warns. "Because of these risks, NNSA sites need effective physical and cyber security programs."
This isn't the first time security at LANL has been found to be lacking. In 2006, a drug raid on a private residence uncovered classified documents and information that had been improperly removed from the lab by a contract employee. An investigation into the incident later revealed a "serious breakdown in core laboratory physical and cyber security controls" contributed to the breach.
A security evaluation earlier this year by investigators from the Department of Energy concluded there were "significant weaknesses" in LANL's security program.
Last week's GAO report identified several critical areas inside LANL where physical and cyber security were flawed. They included the identifying and authenticating of users, the encryption of sensitive information and the monitoring and auditing of compliance with established security policies. The GAO also faulted policies for granting access to LANL's unclassified network by foreign nationals, some from countries considered "sensitive."
The report issued 52 recommendations for improvement. Among other things, they are aimed at "ensuring that LANL's risk assessment for its unclassified network evaluates all known vulnerabilities and is revised periodically."
The venerable LANL was ground zero for the Manhattan Project and also the birth place for the hydrogen bomb.
"Clearly the threat to cybersecurity is currently our No. 1 concern," LANL spokesman Kevin Roark said. "We've made great strides in the area of cybersecurity at Los Alamos over the past few years. Obviously, this is a journey, not a destination. It's a constant battle." ®
Sponsored: Detecting cyber attacks as a small to medium business


text:
Photo Booths in Kapaa -
Wedding and Event Photo Booth Services in Kapaa HI
Creative Image Photo Booth is Hawaii's premier and most affordable photo booth rental company.Rest assured that your guests will have the time of their lives. Our photo booths are interactive and real... more photo booth info
1023 recent listing referrals for Creative Image Photo Booth LLC.
Klick 808 LLC is a professional photo booth rental company with full service event and meeting planning services. With over 20 years of experience, Klick 808 specializes in Oahu corporate event planni... more photo booth info
799 recent listing referrals for Klick 808 LLC


text:
September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the Kane County Chronicle is presenting a three-day series on childhood obesity and its effects on our children.
Mary Westerholm knows the advice she gives to children and adults with weight issues sometimes is a hard sell.
But Westerholm, a physician with Cadence Health, said she talks to them from a place of understanding because she struggled with her weight as an adolescent. While Westerholm has been at a healthy weight for 10 years, she has to deliberately eat healthy every day.
"It was always an off-and-on battle for me. In college, I learned how to exercise and eat right," she said. "I think for an overweight adolescent, while they know they're overweight, it's really embarrassing and difficult to talk about."
She sees the problem of childhood obesity getting worse.
"Part of the problem is that the adult population obesity is getting worse," she said. "Kids tend to follow in their parents' footsteps. Eighty percent of people who are obese as kids tend to stay obese. If you even begin becoming overweight and obese as a child, it's so hard to change that going into adulthood. I think this is only going to get worse as the generations go on."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity in the United States has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
In 2010, more than one-third of children and adolescents were considered overweight or obese.
A child with excess body fat is considered overweight or obese. Doctors take several factors into consideration – including weight, age, height and gender – to determine whether a child fits one of those categories.
One consequence of the increasing number of overweight children is that more kids are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the way one's body metabolizes sugar, or glucose, which is the body's main source of fuel.
"We used to talk about diabetes as adult onset diabetes and juvenile diabetes, but now Type 2 diabetes is so prevalent among kids that we don't call it adult onset diabetes anymore," said Elissa Bassler, CEO of the Illinois Public Health Institute. "It's just Type 2 diabetes."
Childhood obesity can cause a host of other problems in addition to diabetes.
"We just know that kids very often experience not just one problem associated with being overweight, but multiple problems," said Beverly Henry, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. "We don't even know how many things can go wrong when you have diabetes for, in essence, twice as long as we have seen it with adults."
The American Medical Association recently labeled obesity as a disease.
"Everything that we think about with chronic diseases for adults – heart disease, diabetes, things like that – may occur even earlier with these kids," Henry said.
Obesity also can contribute to respiratory problems such as asthma, she said, and if that's not controlled well, a child often is less likely to be physically active.
And overweight or obese children tend to miss more school, she said.
Along with physical problems, childhood obesity can affect their self-esteem, and they are more likely to be subjected to bullying, Henry said.
"Just think back to those grade school years, all those body shape changes with puberty," Henry said. "When kids are overweight, they mature earlier, but their psychological development is not going to mature earlier. So, now the physical body changes are happening before the brain can kind of reason that this is just a part of growing up."
Licensed clinical professional counselor Joanna Robbins helps overweight teens with their self-esteem issues. She is a lifestyle coach with the ProActive Kids program at the St. Charles Park District's Pottawatomie Community Center, which is funded through Cadence Health.
"They doubt their physical abilities and think they're not pretty or good-looking," Robbins said.
Robbins' advice to parents of overweight or obese children would be to actively participate in their child's fitness program.
"Don't make it the kids' problem," she said. "Make it a family affair. If they're doing push-ups and sit-ups, get down on the ground and do them with them."
And parents also can help in boosting their child's self-esteem by reminding their children what they are good at.
"Society seems to put a lot of weight on our appearance and our physical looks," she said. "If their kids are doing well academically and socially, parents still need to kind of reinforce those and that their looks are not the only defining characteristic about them."
Family endeavor
Westerholm said it's important to get parents involved in their child's weight struggles and notes she gives most of her advice to parents.
"If you think about it, kids that are 8 and 9 years old, they are not the ones going to the grocery store and doing the shopping," she said. "I try to put most of the responsibility on the parents, especially when I am dealing with younger children."
And it's never too early to make sure your child has a healthy diet.
"We see trends for child obesity starting even in infancy," Westerholm said. "I really try to take a preventative approach from the get-go, and developing healthy eating patterns early on. It's so much easier to prevent this issue than to treat it."
Westerholm noted that changes made for the health benefit of children should be made by adults, too, as kids follow the example of their parents.
"Parents that eat healthy and are active and exercise, those are patterns that they will see and will follow," she said.
Westerholm reviews with her patients what they eat daily, and uses that as a springboard to guide them through easy changes they can make. Small things like cutting juice – which has many calories and sugar with little nutritional benefits – are places to start, she said. Other small changes, she said, include switching from whole to fat-free milk and getting rid of sodas. Westerholm also will tell parents about the importance of portion control, getting rid of snacks and incorporating more vegetables into meals.
Success is directly tied to how much effort families put forth in getting healthy.
"It really takes a motivated family," she said. "The biggest key to people who have success is motivation."