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Leah Remini Scientology Split 'A Huge Threat' To Controversial Church
Leah Remini is cutting ties with the Church of Scientology after becoming critical of the church's treatment of former and current members, the Hollywood Reporter confirmed Thursday. The "King of Queens" actress has been a longtime, visible member of the church and has regularly defended it in the media. Remini's impending departure was reported early Thursday as an "exclusive" by the New York Post -- a dubious designation given that former Village Voice editor-in-chief Tony Ortega, who is working on a book about Scientology, had published two blog posts about Remini's expected break with the church in the previous week.
According to both Ortega's and the Post's accounts, Remini's relationship with the church has been strained for some time. "It all began when Leah questioned the validity of excommunication of people," a source told the Post. At the 2006 wedding of famous Scientologist Tom Cruise to Katie Holmes, Remini, a longtime friend of the actor and among the first to meet his and Katie's daughter, Suri, reportedly asked why church leader David Miscavige's wife, Shelly, was absent from the wedding celebration in Rome. (Shelly Miscavige's whereabouts have been a mystery for several years: As Ortega noted, she has been seen publicly only once since 2006, at the August 2007 funeral of her father.) At the wedding, Remini was reportedly told she did not have the authority to ask why Mrs. Miscavige wasn't in attendance. Uncomfortable with how it was handled, Remini filed a "Knowledge Report" to address what she felt was behavior that did not follow the church's rules. According to Ortega, the report was critical of Miscavige, Cruise and other senior Scientology members. Both the Post and Ortega claim Remini was put through extensive "thought modification" after the incident, a practice that encourages Scientologists with grievances to see their criticisms of the church as a projection of their own failings.
Weeks ago, after receiving tips about Remini's rift with the church, Ortega contacted the actress' husband Angelo Págan, who is also a longtime Scientologist. Pagán, a Los Angeles restaurateur, denied that he or his wife was having a problem with the church, adding that if they did, they would work it out with the church itself.
"I think Pagán was just trying to protect his wife," Ortega said in an email. "We had a pleasant conversation, but he didn't really know me." Ortega believes that Remini will eventually go public, which would be a "huge threat to the church. She is very close to numerous celebrities in the church…and she may bring others out with her."
Until now, "Crash" director Paul Haggis is arguably the highest-profile former Scientologist to speak out against the church. Haggis gave extensive interviews to journalist Lawrence Wright for a major 2011 expose of Scientology in the New Yorker, which Wright later expanded into a book, "Going Clear." The New Yorker article details the pressure Haggis faced from Scientology members when he initially resigned from the church. Shortly after submitting his resignation letter, Haggis came home to find "nine or ten of his Scientology friends standing in his front yard," desperate to talk him out of leaving the church and going public with his experiences. Remini, notably, was supportive of Haggis through his split with the church. In January of this year, Haggis tweeted a message of gratitude to Remini for "remaining a friend as long as you could." Remini tweeted back that she thought they were still friends, and Haggis explained that after she stopped following him on Twitter he "took it as a sign."
Tommy Davis, the head of the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles, addressed Shelly Miscagive's disappearance in the New Yorker profile. "I definitely know where she is," he told Wright, but he declined to provide further details.
Ortega has long been convinced that Mrs. Miscagive is "being kept out of view" at the Church of Spiritual Technology headquarters, near Lake Arrowhead, Calif. "But she may be conditioned so deeply, she might deny that she's being held against her will if she were actually questioned."
Asked how they were able to confirm Remini's departure from the church, the Hollywood Reporter explained that their source spoke on condition of anonymity.
© Copyright IBTimes 2023. All rights reserved.
Armenia And Azerbaijan: Ex-Soviet Neighbours And Enemies
One Of Britain's Most Famous Trees 'Deliberately Felled'
Sony PlayStation CEO Ryan To Retire
Trump's Business Empire Threatened By Judge's Ruling
US, India Raise Concerns Over Chinese Research Ship's Potential Visit To Sri Lanka
World Bank Chief Pledges To Reform 'Dysfunctional' Development Lender
India's Foreign Minister Hits Back At Canada, Slams 'Organized Crime, Violence, Extremism' In The Country
Rich Nations, China Must Accelerate Race To Net Zero: IEA
'Are We Safe?' Mixed Emotions For Venezuelan Migrants Reaching The US
Taiwan Should Aspire To Make Itself 'Indigestible' To China, Says Expert
Hi, Robot: Machines Take Over At China's Asian Games


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2003 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
San Antonio, TX - 2003 Charles A. Coltman Jr. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium - Dr. Paul Goss discusses his research with letrozole during the Late Breaking Clinical Trials session here today, December 5th, 2003 at the Charles A. Coltman Jr. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Over 6000 Physicians, Researchers and Cancer health care professionals from 80 countries gathered at the Henry Gonzales Convention center to share information and data on breast cancer research. Photo © Todd Buchanan/SABCS 2003 Contact info: firstname.lastname@example.com 630.681.1215

subset: commoncrawl


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Twenty Years Later, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Is the Most Inadvertently Honest Christmas Movie of All Time
The great thing about Christmas is you can do it exactly the same as you did last time, every single year. Case in point: 1992's Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is basically and openly the same movie as 1990's megahit Home Alone. The main difference is that writer John Hughes and director Chris Columbus moved the setting from a Chicago suburb to Manhattan.
Once again, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is separated from his family and takes it upon himself to violently fend off a pair of crooks who are out to get him (Joe Pesci's and Daniel Stern's Harry and Marv were previously known as the Wet Bandits; now they are the Sticky Bandits). At the film's climax, he tortures them with the system of traps and guaranteed pratfalls that is, by now, his signature. Again, they improbably survive. The movie recycles the first installment's various minor gags with little variation, too. There are jokes about cousin Fuller's piss problem, another malfunctioning alarm clock, more of the same ruses proving that 10-year-old Kevin is way smarter than any adult he encounters, a terrifying old person with a heart of gold (Pesci's fellow Oscar winner, Brenda Fricker as the Pigeon Lady), new excuses for Kevin to bellow that now-famous scream, and a lovely cheese pizza. The second movie's box of ornaments is hung in virtually the same configuration as it was last time. It's all supposed to look just as charming.
When parents Peter (John Heard) and Kate (Catherine O'Hara, whose terrible haircut is among the most drastic changes in this sequel) discuss their lost son with the police in Miami, Kate jokingly refers to vacationing without their now-10-year-old as "a McCallister family tradition." And so it is: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York vividly illustrates the mind-numbing that comes from our traditions, the repetition that plays such a major role in our culture. It's not just in its content, but in the way audiences ate it up: 2 earned $100 million less than its predecessor ($285 million), but it still made $173 million. Adjusted for inflation, that's about $284 million, which would place it at No. 4 on 2012's cumulative chart.
Christmas' status as a secular holiday has far eclipsed its religious importance, as far as the broader culture is concerned. This is why Santa Claus, bearer of gifts, and not Jesus Christ, savior of humanity, is the holiday's symbol. Commercialism is why a Xerox like Home Alone 2 gets made in the first place and, what's more, the movie has its very own Santa. He's a creepily gentle elderly man named Mr. Duncan (Eddie Bracken) who runs the F.A.O. Schwartz-like toy store Duncan's Toy Chest. We hear that "children bring him a lot of joy." We see that his face lights up like someone's playing with his asshole when he says, "Turtle doves."
The cynical approach in which John Hughes tore and unimaginatively assembled Home Alone 2 from the same cloth as Home Alone honestly reflects the season's real cultural importance: mindless escapism and capitalism. This is cinema, regifted, and it all comes down to presents: though the family had fled to New York by the film's end, present-less, Christmas is saved thanks to the generosity of Mr. Duncan. With a pile of gifts, our happy ending is ensured.
Released alongside a shitpile of merch—activity books, lunchboxes, a GameBoy game, and trading cards—Home Alone 2 only became more of a commercial over time. The Talkboy cassette recorder that Kevin uses to capture and manipulate his voice so that he sounds like a pilled-up child molester, fooling at least one stupid adult in the process, was originally a dummy prop that a supposedly fan-driven letter-writing campaign prompted Tiger Electronics to manufacture for the masses. It became the hot toy of the following Christmas, perfectly coinciding with Home Alone 2's VHS release.
Dispassion was all around this beloved holiday flick. It's one big sigh over having to endure those familiar faces and rituals all over again. In late November, John Anderson sat down with a career-prime Culkin for the L.A. Times. Just 12 years old, Culkin was as miserable as a sulking brat by the Christmas tree:
Is dealing with the media harder this time around? "Kinda."
What do you do when you're not making movies? "I do this."
You look tired. "Kinda."
You live near here? "Kinda."
The piece closed on a high note:
"I am having so much fun," he says in a monotone. "I swear."
Invoking virtually every unpleasant aspect of Christmas, this movie was the starched collar Culkin wore in church as he counted down the seconds until he could be back to his new presents.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York made it clear that nobody had learned anything worthwhile. Big brother Buzz was still a bully weirdo with a flair for oddball description (he refers to Kevin as a "trout sniffer"). The crooks still didn't realize that they shouldn't mess with a kid on Christmas and that "a kid always wins against two idiots." Peter and Kate still didn't realize that their child is a diabolical, potential sociopath who possibly had a hand in inspiring the torture porn genre over a decade before it thrived. Kevin had learned to set his own alarm, but he was still distracted easily enough to end up following the wrong white dude with puffy hair and a three-quarter-length coat, and then board a plane to the wrong city. The movie speaks to the way a tangible passage of time can seem like no time at all, a phenomenon I've felt on several Christmases. (Really? This again?) Wherever you go, there you are, home alone, even if you aren't home.


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Category:Invertebrates (Freshwater)
From The Aquarium Wiki
Please copy and paste ' [[Category:Invertebrates (Freshwater)]] ' into the end of your article to include it in this category.
|Top · 0-9 · A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- See here for a list of Invertebrates - Common names (Freshwater) or Invertebrates - Common names (Saltwater)
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 5 total.(previous page) (next page)
(previous page) (next page)
- ► Crabs (Freshwater) (23 P, 5 F)
- ► Crayfish (9 P)
- ► Nerite Snails (4 P, 3 F)
Pages in category "Invertebrates (Freshwater)"
The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 51 total.(previous page) (next page)
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The Galaxy S5 family model number has apparently been confirmed to be SM-G900, SamMobile reports, suggesting that Samsung has a different naming policy for the upcoming flagship device. The publication has received information about all Galaxy S5 models that are part of the SM-G900 family, with the list including several models that have already been seen in previous leaks, including the SM-G900A for AT&T, the SM-G900S for Korea, the SM-G900F for Europe or the SM-G900H for Indonesia.
There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the specs we can expect to see on the Galaxy S5, but this might be some of the first info on Samsung's upcoming flagship phone that has actually been "confirmed" by a reliable source.
While SamMobile has a good track record with Samsung mobile-related leaks, the Galaxy S5 is yet to be made official. The Galaxy S4 family of handsets has model number GT-I9500, the Galaxy S3 family was known as the GT-I9300, the Galaxy S2 family had model number GT-I9100, while the original Galaxy S had model number GT-I9000.
The full list of purported SM-G900 Galaxy S5 versions follows below.
- SM-G9006V_CHN_CHN (China)
- SM-G9008V_CHN_ZM (China)
- SM-G9009D_CHN_CTC (China)
- SM-G900D_JPN_DCM (Japan)
- SM-G900F_EUR_XX (Open Europe)
- SM-G900H_EUR_XX (Open Europe)
- SM-G900I_SEA_XSA (Asia)
- SM-G900J_JPN_KDI (Japan)
- SM-G900K_KOR_KTC (Korea)
- SM-G900M_LA_VF (Vodafone)
- SM-G900P_NA_SPR (Sprint)
- SM-G900R4_NA_USC (US Cellular)
- SM-G900S_KOR_SKC (Korea)
- SM-G900T_NA_TMB (T-Mobile)
- SM-G900V_NA_VZW (Verizon)


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|PostgreSQL 9.5.25 Documentation
|Chapter 33. ECPG - Embedded SQL in C
The libecpg library primarily contains "hidden" functions that are used to implement the functionality expressed by the embedded SQL commands. But there are some functions that can usefully be called directly. Note that this makes your code unportable.
ECPGdebug(int on, FILE *stream) turns on debug logging if called with the first argument non-zero. Debug logging is done on stream. The log contains all SQL statements with all the input variables inserted, and the results from the PostgreSQL server. This can be very useful when searching for errors in your SQL statements.
Note: On Windows, if the ecpg libraries and an application are compiled with different flags, this function call will crash the application because the internal representation of the FILE pointers differ. Specifically, multithreaded/single-threaded, release/debug, and static/dynamic flags should be the same for the library and all applications using that library.
ECPGget_PGconn(const char *connection_name) returns the library database connection handle identified by the given name. If connection_name is set to NULL, the current connection handle is returned. If no connection handle can be identified, the function returns NULL. The returned connection handle can be used to call any other functions from libpq, if necessary.
Note: It is a bad idea to manipulate database connection handles made from ecpg directly with libpq routines.
ECPGtransactionStatus(const char *connection_name) returns the current transaction status of the given connection identified by connection_name. See Section 31.2 and libpq's
PQtransactionStatus() for details about the returned status codes.
ECPGstatus(int lineno, const char* connection_name) returns true if you are connected to a database and false if not. connection_name can be NULL if a single connection is being used.


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Website Testing: What you need to know about A/B Testing
The concept of A/B testing is nothing new. It has been used in marketing, as well as many other industries to ensure that the right product or process is put in place. Once you start looking into A/B testing, you may begin to get excited about the fact that you can test just about any marketing process you put in place. After such a discovery, the question then becomes about the types of processes you should be testing. Where do you start? What marketing processes benefit the most from A/B testing? Let's dig into this a little bit.
What is A/B Testing?
Before we get to the "what" and "why" behind A/B testing, we need to define it clearly. To put it as simply as possible, A/B testing involves a randomized test of two versions of a marketing process. In most marketing cases, this is a web page or a marketing strategy. This allows you to really hone in on specific processes that work and improve them as you reach out to your target audience.
Where to Start: Strategy
When it comes to A/B testing in web marketing, you need to start with a strategy for your website. What are your site goals? Do you have big picture goals (lead generation)? Or are your needs more related to the smaller picture (CTR improvement)? The big idea here is to find a site element that is crucial to your marketing strategy and further develop an A/B test surrounding that element.
What to Test: Owning Your Strategy
The challenging part of testing site elements is that, going into it, you do not know how users will respond to your site. If you're totally married to a site element and are inflexible to change, this will work against you. This happens often when stubborn marketers come up with a brilliant idea. Remember, it's not that your idea is not brilliant, it's just that your users are not responding the way you need them to respond. This process is all about finding out what works and what doesn't. Approach it with humility and flexibility, and keep in mind that metrics never lie. Read my blog all about owning your own testing strategy.
- Buttons: Buttons are always a good place to start. Whether this is a "Submit" or a "Sign Up" or a "Download Now" button, there may be a bit of room for adjustment to ensure you're getting the dream click-through rates. Start with colors. Are the colors you're using for your buttons in line with your site's color schemes? Are they engaging in a non-intrusive way? Is the button text snappy enough? These are all elements of your button configuration that can and should be tested.
- Content: Your content is not always going to be bulletproof. What you may think is genius, may translate differently to your audience. As a general rule, you should test any web page that results in a Call to Action (CTA). Do this by creating multiple versions of the web page's content and test with your users.
- Forms: Forms can be and are essential tools for lead generation. If engaging enough, and placed properly in your site's hierarchy, a form can collect valuable data that can help streamline sales and marketing processes. Test the placement of forms. Test different wordings within the forms. Don't be afraid to be creative or silly if that's what your target audience wants and needs to move them through your conversion funnel.
So, You Have Gone Through the Testing Process, Now What?
Keep testing. This is not a set-it-and-forget-it approach. It's a process you'll have to perfect over time. As you perfect your A/B testing process, your sites can become robust marketing machines that result in higher CTR's and conversions.


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Power Struggle in YemenA Yemeni Tribal Affair
Whatever happens in Saudi Arabia over the coming days will decide the course of the next chapter in the Yemeni power struggle: President Ali Abdullah Saleh, having received treatment in a hospital in Riyadh, has already announced plans to return to Yemen. In Sanaa, the deputy Yemeni Information Minister Abdu al Janadi said that Saleh was in good health and would return; "one day" he would leave office in a manner provided for by the constitution.
A Saudi government spokesman said that Saleh would be able to resume his official duties in two weeks' time. Although it is not at all certain that Saudi Arabia will allow the patient to return to Yemen as President in the coming weeks.
Saleh had over recent weeks repeatedly snubbed the Saudis by refusing to accept their proposals for a dignified exit from power. Saleh's future now lies in their hands. In any case, as the power struggle persists, the ones winning the upper hand have been those working closely together with Saudi Arabia: the Ahmar family for example, which presides over the Hashed tribal confederation, and General Ali Muhsin al Ahmar, who maintains close ties with the Saudi Crown Prince and Defence Minister Sultan Bin Abdalaziz Al Saud.
But Saleh is not about to relinquish his position of his own volition. The satellite news broadcaster al Arabiya reported that the Saudis and the Americans had tried on Saturday evening to persuade the President, before his departure for Saudi Arabia, to sign a decree transferring powers to his deputy Abdurrabbo Mansur Hadi during his absence. During the negotiations, which went on for hours, Saleh reportedly refused to do this and would only agree to issue a verbal assurance.
Hadi a transitional figure
Since then General Hadi, who was born in 1945 in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan, has been serving as president and supreme commander of the army. He ordered the army withdraw from contested districts of the capital, so that the ceasefire negotiated by Saudi Arabia could take effect. At the same time, Sheikh Sadiq al Ahmar pulled his tribal militia out of occupied government buildings and streets in Sanaa. The ceasefire remained mostly in place on Monday.
However the Saudis behave with regard to Saleh, Hadi is only a transitional figure. Even though he has been in office since 1994, he has never built up his own power base. He has also never displayed any ambition to ascend to the country's highest office. If Saudi Arabia again brings its mediation plan for a power transfer to the table – a plan that has been rejected three times by Saleh – Hadi would have to swiftly appoint a transitional government and hold new presidential elections within 60 days. Such a move would provide the first evidence that the Saleh era is indeed past.
Key candidates in any presidential race could be put up by three potential camps: the official alliance of opposition parties, the Ahmar family and the Saleh family. The oppositional alliance of the six "Joint Meeting Parties" will likely nominate a candidate from southern Yemen, a region recently marginalised by Saleh, in a gesture aimed at denoting a new beginning. One of the favourites is Yassin Numan, the chairman of the Socialist Party.
The race will meanwhile be dominated by the ongoing power struggle between the Ahmar and Saleh families. The victorious party will decide who becomes the nation's new president. Until the death of Abdullah al Ahmar in 2007 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the heads of both families met each other as partners and equals, even if the career soldier Ali Abdullah Saleh, who came from a very poor background, never played a role in the tribal hierarchy. He did however grant Abdullah al Ahmar economic benefits, in order that he could fulfil his role as generous sheikh, and allowed him to remain Yemen's second most powerful man.
The young activists' time has not yet come
However, Saleh despised Abdullah's ten sons. He gradually withdrew their powers, transferring them to his oldest son Ahmad, as well as his three nephews Yahya, Ammar and Tariq Salih. He created new units within the armed forces and security services especially for members of his own family. In doing so, he began a process of alienation between himself and his half brother General Ali Muhsin, who is four years his junior. The General had saved his life during an assassination attempt in 1979. He officially withdrew his loyalty to Saleh in March, aligning himself with the "sheikh of the sheikhs" within the Hashed tribe – positioning himself and his First Division alongside Sheikh Sadiq al Ahmar.
There are as yet no indications as to whether the less charismatic Sadiq al Ahmar, whose political profile only began taking shape this year, has himself designs on the nation's highest office. He could also relinquish those ambitions to his younger brother Hamid, who displays a natural talent for politics. In any case they, the Ahmar family sheikhs and also General Ali Muhsin, will do all they can to prevent one of Saleh's sons or nephews from becoming president – for example as a candidate for Saleh's General People's Congress Party.
As for those young activists who have set this particular ball rolling in Yemen, their time has not yet come. Because a tribe affords more security and justice to the individual than the state, the tribes still retain their important status. But young people are shaking off these traditional moral concepts. Their voice will only have clout when they have played an effective role in a process of nation-building. For now, they can take credit for clocking up yet another success for the "Arab Spring" movement.
Rainer Hermann
© Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung/Qantarade. 2011
Qantara.de editor: Lewis Gropp


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Laughably Mild Sex Story Torments the Very Soul of Yeshiva University
College newspapers: how are they shocking and outraging campus officials with mild sexual content today? Well, you know, just in the normal way, by writing something about sex. But this time, more Jewish!
The latest incident of history repeating itself comes at Yeshiva University, where the student paper, The Beacon, published an anonymous essay by a female student about having S-E-X (with a man) penis in vagina unmarried sexual relations, sex sex sex. This is literally the most explicit part of this hilariously un-scandalous-by-modern-standards essay:
Between the fumbling, the pain, the pleasure, I convince myself that I've learned how to make love.
Cuddling with him that night, I tell him how much he means to me, but I know I can't tell him I love him.
Unmarried college girl drinks two beers, has consensual sexual encounter! The Whore of Babylon has returned! Of course, this is an orthodox Jewish university and therefore there are important religious considerations here, blah blah faux-respectful boilerplate, etc. Now there's a huge uproar and the paper's editor has stepped down and the student council has pulled the paper's funding, "which was $500 this past semester."
I guess what this all means is... Cute College Journalist Seeks Generous Benefactor for 'Assistance' With Expenses. Discretion a must! Vagina vagina vagina religion penis.


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Candice Miller voted Yea (Passage) on this Legislation.
Read statements Candice Miller made in this general time period.
Title: Government Shutdown Prevention Act
Vote to pass a bill that enacts HR 1, a continuing appropriations bill, if the Senate does not pass a measure providing funding for the Federal Government by April 6, 2011.


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Capsule History of Fostoria
This city was created in 1854 from a merger of two smaller villages. One called Rome the other Risdon. Rome it is said was the business community, which was located on the corner of Tiffin Street and Main Street. Risdon, more residential, was located at North Countyline Street and Summit Street, which placed them about a mile or less apart.
In the fall of 1832 John Gorsuch plotted the village of Risdon, surveyed for him by David Risdon. It was located on the northwest corner of Section 6, Township 2 north, Range 13 east. The land deeded to Gorsuch was once referred to as "Arkansas territory.
Rome, a little village, was plotted on the east half of the southwest quarter of the same section by David Risdon for Roswell Crocker. This was done in August 1832. Simultaneous with the rise of Rome, the neighboring town of Risdon sprang up. Years later the arm of the big swamp separating the two villages was filled and the two became one. Since the people in Rome would not accept the name of Risdon and the people of Risdon wouldn't stand for Rome, they compromised by naming the town Fostoria. .
A wealthy local merchant (Charles W. Foster) donated a plot of land in 1852 on the corner of Fremont and Main Streets so a Methodist Church could be built, since the two small communities were experiencing difficulty maintaining their individual Churches. The church was built in 1854. I would believe that location satisfied both village citizens, since it is located between the two communities. After Mr. Foster's gift the two congregations and villages merged and named the town "Fostoria" in 1852 in honor of Charles W. Foster, and not his son Charles Foster who later became the Governor of Ohio, as many believe.
(Much more can be found about Fostoria and the Foster Family in the book written by Local Historian Mel Murray.)
What made "Fostoria" famous
Free Gas, Railroads and Quality Glass Products
Wells of oil and gas were discovered in the area and piped into Fostoria. It was offered free to any manufacturers that would locate and build here. There also was another factor that was an incentive for factories to locate here. At this time, and even today, Fostoria has an abundance of railroads. As a result thirteen glass companies located here from 1887- 1920. Mambourg Glass -- Louden Glass--Fostoria Glass, the most famous--Fostoria Incandescent Lamp -- Fostoria Glass Specialty--Fostoria Lamp & Shade -- Consolidated Lamp & Glass--Nickel Plate Glass--Mosaic Glass--Seneca Glass--Butler Art Glass -- Novelty Glass--Calcine Glass--Crocker Glass--Fostoria Mold Glass.
The gas wells that were thought to be inexhaustible soon played out and by the turn of the century most of the companies had closed or moved to other locations. However the quality of glass and products that was produced here in that short time were some of the best in the world. The companies that moved kept the then famous "Fostoria" name. To this day, over 100 years later, "Fostoria glass" is still a much sought after item.
Invariably, if a person is introduced as being from Fostoria, the subject of glass is mentioned. Nothing about the other fine products that are produced here. One being the Autolite Sparkplug, another quality product known and used all over the world. Autolite has been producing a variety of plugs here since 1936.
To read more of how Fostoria became the Spark Plug Capital of the world, and it's beginning, read excerpts from Duane "Dick" Richardson's fine book, or check out the book from the local library.
To learn more of what happened in Fostoria since 1854. Read the articles written by Paul Krupp for the Fostoria Review Times and now Leonard Skonecki articles from Fostoria Focus. Also view the early picture history of Fostoria through Ray Dell's post card collection. For more about Fostoria Glass visit web site-www.tricoinfo.com-and scroll to Fostoria Glass. Also buy and read Mel Murrays' (Local Historian) fine book "Fostoria, Ohio Glass II" with many pictures of Glass products that were produced here from 1887 to 1920.


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Prague, Czech Republic, in October.
In October Jasmijn and I both managed to score speaking slots at the 2nd Annual European Conference for Critical Animal Studies in Prague, interested as we are in esoteric socio-philosophical theories about human-animal relations. In particular, I was deeply interested in the troubled relations between the citizens of medieval Prague and the fabled Golem, which unfortunately seemed to regularly end in disaster when the Golem ran amok. And so we prepared our powerpoint presentations, gathered our cryptozoological research tools, and boarded our fateful flight to one of Europe's most haunted cities...Read More


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#17003 - SCARLET BANDIT™ 4x4 BODY
Discontinued, replacement part: #17004
Own the coolest Wheely King on the street with officially licensed monster truck bodyshells from HPI! Featuring fully-detailed, huge decal sheets that allow you to get professional-quality results with minimal effort, you can get the BOUNTY HUNTER™, SCARLET BANDIT™, or IRON OUTLAW™ to fit your Wheely King in a perfect scale replica of the real monster trucks!
Ideally suited for Wheely King owners of any age, these bodyshells are made from extremely tough crystal-clear polycarbonate plastic for durability and long life. Just a couple of paint colours are required to replicate the real Scarlet Bandit™ bodyshell so you can experience car-crushing, wheelie-poppin' fun right in your back garden! Realistic headlight, grille and tail light decals are included to complete the look, plus every bodyshell is totally decked out with real sponsor decals and a huge mural splashed along the side of the SUV-style body!
- Photorealistic premium vinyl decals include window frames, headlight, grille, taillights and more, plus official logosand massive Scarlet Bandit™ side mural!
- The bodyshell has body post holes marked for easy drilling
- Molded from strong polycarbonate plastic for durability and long life
- This is an officially licensed monster truck replica
- Moulded from crystal-clear polycarbonate plastic
Check out all the officially licensed monster truck bodyshells for the Wheely King! #17002 BOUNTY HUNTER™ 4x4 BODY #17003 SCARLET BANDIT™ 4x4 BODY #17004 IRON OUTLAW™ 4x4 BODY


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Keep it up, Debbie! Just means you'll get the CUFFS that much longer!!
WARNING: Debbie Frisch has criminal convictions for assault, stalking, harassment and threatening (while intoxicated).http://deborahfrisch.blogspot.com/ If she grows threatening or tries to stalk you, contact San Diego Sheriff's Department (858) 565-5200 (she now resides in their jurisdiction Encinitas / Olivenhain, California)
Deborah Ellen Frisch (PO Box 626 Cardiff California 92007 aka: firstname.lastname@example.com, email@example.com, "Deborah Frisch" on Facebook, email@example.com she sends snail-mail via PO Box 626
Cardiff, CA 92007 ) has been arrested numerous times on numerous charges, including
- 2006--stalking, harassment
- 2009--physical harassment
- 2010--probation violation
- 2011--criminal impersonation, physical harassment
- 2015--initiating a false report, stalking, probation violation (2x), menacing, improper use of 911


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Membership questions? Log in issues? Email email@example.com
Should I boil this after it sours adequately? There are no hops so far, I was thinking to at least boil a portion with some hops.
How do I know when it is sour enough? Taste? The stuff has a funky smell now but its not sour.
Just hoping I dont spill mine, friend and I were joking about that yesterday.Yes, daddy still loves mommy but I spilled a sour mash and we had to go our seperate ways I'm getting it to 120 or so and putting the 5 gallon drink cooler in the atticTin foil over the top should be sufficient correct?
That is the problem with sour mashes - sometimes you get nice clean sourness, sometimes you get intense funk and no sourness, and pretty much everything in between. It's too variable for me, which is why I stopped doing it.
Sheesh... I was inspired to making a go at a sour beer... now I'm not so sure.


text: Hey, I just finished installing ISP Config on my pc. But I am trying to acces the ISP control panel from a diffrent computer. I tried to use the Pc's ip address and it wont work. but when i go to Code: https://127.0.0.1:81 on the server it works. When i look at the services it says Web-Server: Offline FTP-Server: Online SMTP-Server: Online POP3-Server: Online BIND-Server: Online mySQL-Server: Online So I try and go to services to star tup httpd But it just wont start? Any ideas on what I can do to start it up or a way I can access the ISPconfig control panel from another computer?


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Renesas real-time clocks (RTC IC) are ultra-low-power clock/date devices with programmable time-of-day alarms and programmable square-wave outputs. These devices offer high noise immunity, low current consumption, 12/24 hour mode of operation, auto-correction for leap year, and programmable square wave output, making them ideal for a wide range of design applications.
Renesas' real-time clock ICs count seconds, minutes, hours, day, date, month, and year with leap-year compensation valid up to 2100. The devices feature normal and fast-mode I2C interfaces, two time-of-day alarms, an oscillator stop flag, programmable square-wave outputs that default to 32kHz on power-up, and operating voltages ranging from 1.8V to 5.5V. The Renesas 1338 real-time clock IC includes a 56-Byte battery-backed non-volatile RAM for data storage.
About Real-Time Clocks (RTC IC)
A real-time clock IC (RTC IC) is an integrated circuit that keeps track of the current time and date, typically counting seconds, minutes, hours, day, month, and year with leap-year compensation. Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, servers and embedded systems, real-time clock ICs are present in almost any electronic device which needs to keep accurate time. Most of Renesas' real-time clocks use an external crystal oscillator, but some contain an integrated oscillator to simplify the circuit and reduce the bill-of-materials (BOM). Most often, the oscillator's frequency is 32.768kHz, or, exactly 2^15 cycles per second; making it a convenient rate to use with binary counter circuits.


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The Literary Works of
is a forum for the many musings of Colleen Redman, a writer born
and raised in the sea coast town of Hull, Massachusetts and now
living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Colleen recently
published a book
about the lives and deaths of her two brothers who passed away
within a month of each other in 2001. The
book is titled "The
Jim and Dan Stories: A Journey of Grief and Faith".
This website is dedicated to their memory.
Colleen's latest book,
"Muses Like Moonlight: A Closet Poet Comes Out,"
now available online, is a collection of
her favorite poems. Here is an excerpt from the back cover of
the book:
Muses Like Moonlight, her first collection of poetry, Redman draws
from her past and celebrates the present with subjects ranging
from her Grandmothers Brogue to Steamy August and the Hose
Stud. The poems are woven together and introduced by Redmans
essays, in which she comments on her early aversion to poetry
(in favor of jump rope songs and Bob Dylan lyrics), homesteading,
giving poetry readings, courting the muses (more fickle than
cats already well-fed) and more.
A former creative
writing teacher at the Blue Mountain School in her adopted hometown
of Floyd, Redman is a longtime contributor to and co-editor of
A Museletter, a community forum. She writes political commentaries
that have been widely published and maintains a website, which
serves as a contact place for her writing and her books. In describing
herself for a recent writers bio-note, she wrote: I keep a dictionary
in the backseat of my car and a kaleidoscope in my glove compartment.
What else do you need to know?
Read the press
and a few samples
from her book.
the back cover:)
The last few weeks of my brothers lives played out like the conclusion
of a dramatic Hollywood script, a plot with a twist. The road
trip they took, two weeks before the first death, became the beginning
of a larger journey, the one in which they would both leave this
world. Although their deaths were the catalyst for this book,
the stories are as much about our lives as Redmans, growing up
in an Irish Catholic, working class clan in the South Shore of
Boston, Massachusetts, during the 50s 70s. The book also chronicles
the experience of writing, from my cabin home in the Blue Ridge
Mountains of Virginia, in the midst of the acute stages of grief.
It reveals the identity crisis that surfaced in me after the loss
of my brothers, and the resolution I eventually came to--that
within loss there is much to be received, and through the experience
of death, life can be made even more precious. I like to think
that Jim and Dan are still on their journey. I like to think of
them as our familys pioneers.
If you'd like to read more about "The
Jim and Dan Stories" including
a few stories from the book, photos and reader's responses, or
would like to learn more about Colleen
Redman and read some of her other
writings, please visit the links on the left.


text:
This article is more than 10 years old.
Following on from this piece about the proposed or mooted boycott of Apple over conditions at Foxconn in China, I am grateful to Paul Arnett for providing us with this graphic visualisation of the argument. I do not claim, by any means, that the numbers are all perfectly accurate. But they are the ones being used from the Chinese side to justify a boycott and the others are the best I have found. Context is one of those important things.


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- Landfills Home
- Bioreactors
- Publications
- Regulations
- Groundwater Monitoring
- Closure / Post-Closure
- Financial Assurance
- What is a Bioreactor Landfill?
- Features Unique to Bioreactor Landfills
- Potential Advantages of Bioreactor Landfills
- Special Considerations of Bioreactor Landfills
- Current EPA Bioreactor Research
- Bioreactor Projects within EPA
- Project XL Bioreactor Landfill Pilots
- EPA State-of-the-Practice Bioreactor Landfill Study
- Cooperative Research with Waste Management using a CRADA
- Bioreactor Performance Report
1. What is a Bioreactor Landfill?
A bioreactor landfill operates to rapidly transform and degrade organic waste. The increase in waste degradation and stabilization is accomplished through the addition of liquid and air to enhance microbial processes. This bioreactor concept differs from the traditional dry tomb municipal landfill approach.
A bioreactor landfill is not just a single design and will correspond to the operational process invoked. There are three different general types of bioreactor landfill configurations:
- Aerobic - In an aerobic bioreactor landfill, leachate is removed from the bottom layer, piped to liquids storage tanks, and re-circulated into the landfill in a controlled manner. Air is injected into the waste mass, using vertical or horizontal wells, to promote aerobic activity and accelerate waste stabilization.
- Anaerobic - In an anaerobic bioreactor landfill, moisture is added to the waste mass in the form of re-circulated leachate and other sources to obtain optimal moisture levels. Biodegradation occurs in the absence of oxygen (anaerobically) and produces landfill gas. Landfill gas, primarily methane, can be captured to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and for energy projects.
- Hybrid (Aerobic-Anaerobic) - The hybrid bioreactor landfill accelerates waste degradation by employing a sequential aerobic-anaerobic treatment to rapidly degrade organics in the upper sections of the landfill and collect gas from lower sections. Operation as a hybrid results in the earlier onset of methanogenesis compared to aerobic landfills
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has defined a bioreactor landfill as "any permitted Subtitle D landfill or landfill cell where liquid or air is injected in a controlled fashion into the waste mass in order to accelerate or enhance biostabilization of the waste." The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently collecting information on the advantages and disadvantages of bioreactor landfills through case studies of existing landfills and additional data so that EPA can identify specific bioreactor standards or recommend operating parameters. The information on this web page is organized to give you information about:
- Features Unique to Bioreactor Landfills
- Potential Advantages of Bioreactor Landfills
- Special Considerations of Bioreactor
- Landfills
- Current EPA Bioreactor Research
2. Features Unique to Bioreactor Landfills
The bioreactor accelerates the decomposition and stabilization of waste. At a minimum, leachate is injected into the bioreactor to stimulate the natural biodegradation process. Bioreactors often need other liquids such as stormwater, wastewater, and wastewater treatment plant sludges to supplement leachate to enhance the microbiological process by purposeful control of the moisture content and differs from a landfill that simple recirculates leachate for liquids management. Landfills that simply recirculate leachate may not necessarily operate as optimized bioreactors.
Moisture content is the single most important factor that promotes the accelerated decomposition. The bioreactor technology relies on maintaining optimal moisture content near field capacity (approximately 35 to 65%) and adds liquids when it is necessary to maintain that percentage. The moisture content, combined with the biological action of naturally occurring microbes decomposes the waste. The microbes can be either aerobic or anaerobic. A side effect of the bioreactor is that it produces landfill gas (LFG) such as methane in an anaerobic unit at an earlier stage in the landfills life and at an overall much higher rate of generation than traditional landfills.
3. Potential Advantages of Bioreactor Landfills
Decomposition and biological stabilization of the waste in a bioreactor landfill can occur in a much shorter time frame than occurs in a traditional dry tomb landfill providing a potential decrease in long-term environmental risks and landfill operating and post-closure costs. Potential advantages of bioreactors include:
- Decomposition and biological stabilization in years vs. decades in dry tombs
- Lower waste toxicity and mobility due to both aerobic and anaerobic conditions
- Reduced leachate disposal costs
- A 15 to 30 percent gain in landfill space due to an increase in density of waste mass
- Significant increased LFG generation that, when captured, can be used for energy use onsite or sold
- Reduced post-closure care
Research has shown that municipal solid waste can be rapidly degraded and made less hazardous (due to degradation of organics and the sequestration of inorganics) by enhancing and controlling the moisture within the landfill under aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions. Leachate quality in a bioreactor rapidly improves which leads to reduced leachate disposal costs. Landfill volume may also decrease with the recovered airspace offering landfill operators the extend the operating life of the landfill.
LFG emitted by a bioreactor landfill consists primarily of methane and carbon dioxide plus lesser amounts of volatile organic chemicals and/or hazardous air pollutants. Research indicates that the operation of a bioreactor may generate LFG earlier in the process and at a higher rate than the traditional landfill. The bioreactor LFG is also generated over a shorter period of time because the LFG emissions decline as the accelerated decomposition process depletes the source waste faster than in a traditional landfill. The net result appears to be that the bioreactor produces more LFG overall than the traditional landfill does.
Some studies indicate that the bioreactor increases the feasibility for cost effective LFG recovery, which in turn would reduce fugitive emissions. This presents an opportunity for beneficial reuse of bioreactor LFG in energy recovery projects. Currently, the use of LFG (in traditional and bioreactor landfills) for energy applications is only about 10 percent of its potential use. The US Department of Energy estimates that if the controlled bioreactor technology were applied to 50 percent of the waste currently being landfilled, it could provide over 270 billion cubic feet of methane a year, which is equivalent to one percent of US electrical needs.
4. Special Considerations of Bioreactor Landfills
Several considerations about bioreactor landfills must be examined and understood before the EPA can identify specific bioreactor standards or recommend operating parameters. Bioreactor landfills generally are engineered systems that have higher initial capital costs and require additional monitoring and control during their operating life, but are expected to involve less monitoring over the duration of the post-closure period than conventional dry tomb landfills. Issues that need to be addressed during both design and operation of a bioreactor landfill include:
- Increased gas emissions
- Increased odors
- Physical instability of waste mass due to increased moisture and density
- Instability of liner systems
- Surface seeps
- Landfill fires
5. Current EPA Bioreactor Research
EPA and its state and industry partners are studying and conducting
research and demonstrations on bioreactor landfills and other landfills,
such as those that re-circulate leachate. EPA hopes to learn more about
the possible effects of bioreactor operations and the costs that may be
associated with them. EPA's Offices of Solid Waste; Air and Radiation;
Policy, Economics, and Innovation; and Research and Development are examining
various aspects of bioreactor landfills in order to:
- Assess the state-of-the-practice of bioreactor landfill design, operation, and maintenance
- Identify case studies of bioreactor landfill use, especially where data exist for comparison between traditional and bioreactor approaches
- Determine long-term monitoring needs for environmental compliance for groundwater, gas emissions, leachate quality, liner stability, physical stability, and other factors to satisfy life-cycle integrity and economic viability concerns
- Exchange views, technical concerns, and implementation concerns regarding (1) pending and planned regulations effecting landfills in general and (2) the regulatory framework to be developed for bioreactor landfills
- Examine the economic viability, impacts, and benefits of bioreactor landfill implementation at full scale
- Identify and prioritize research and regulatory needs
In order for EPA to make a determination regarding the benefits of bioreactors,
as well as to understand the concerns associated with them, EPA will need
to collect data on:
- Alternative liner design/materials for leachate re-circulation and bioreactor landfills
- Physical stability of the cover and bottom liner during and after operation
- Impacts of leachate quality, quantity, and loading on the liner system
- Times and amounts of liquids it takes to reach field capacity
- Appropriate means for measuring field capacity
- Leachate re-circulation and its affect on the rate and extent of landfill stabilization
- Stabilization measures
- Design, operation, and performance specifications for bioreactors
- Rate, quantity, and quality of gas generation
- Interim covers used after placement to accommodate anticipated settlement
- Daily and final cover performance
- Optimum moisture content and distribution methods
- Monitoring requirements
- Bioreactor technology impacts on capping, and current closure and post-closure requirements
6. Bioreactor Projects within EPA
The following is a list of the bioreactor research studies, demonstrations, and guidance projects currently underway within EPA.
A. Project XL Bioreactor Landfill Pilots
Project XL (eXcellence and Leadership) is an EPA initiative begun in 1995. The program provides limited regulatory flexibility for regulated entities to conduct pilot projects that demonstrate the ability to achieve superior environmental performance. The information and lessons learned from Project XL are being used to assist EPA in redesigning its current regulatory and policy-setting approaches. As of September 2001, 51 pilot experiments are being implemented. Of those being implemented in this innovative program, four landfill pilot projects have been approved to operate as bioreactors. These landfill pilot projects include:
- Buncombe County Landfill Project, North Carolina
- Maplewood Landfill and King George County Landfills, Virginia
- Yolo County Bioreactor Landfill, California
EPA will provide these facilities with regulatory flexibility that will allow them to re-circulate leachate and other liquids over a municipal solid waste landfill unit constructed with an alternative liner system. In turn, the designers of these bioreactor XL projects hope that, when implemented, the leachate re-circulation/gas recovery landfill approach will provide superior environmental performance in a number of ways. These improvements include the following:
- Enhanced groundwater protection
- Reduced landfill gas emissions by early installation of, and operation of, gas collection and control systems
- Additional waste capacity and longer life of existing landfill cells, thereby reducing the need for new landfill sites, and
- Improved leachate quality and - ultimately - cleaner wastewater discharges.
EPA expects to obtain significant information on bioreactor technology from these projects.
All of the Project XL bioreactor pilot projects will be evaluated on superior environmental performance, cost savings, paperwork reduction, sustainablility, innovation, feasibility, and identification of monitoring and reporting methods. The results of the bioreactor XL projects may provide information to EPA on modifying specific criteria in the 258 regulation. More information...
Time Frame: The pilot demonstrations are expected to be completed according to the agreed-upon duration for each individual project, between 2006 and 2026. The evaluations will be ongoing, and will be completed shortly after each pilot is completed.
B. EPA State-of-the-Practice Bioreactor Landfill Study
EPA is conducting a State-of-the-Practice Bioreactor Landfill Study. The purpose of this study is to compare data from bioreactor landfills with that from traditional dry landfills. This study will survey five operating bioreactor landfills and identify the regulatory, environmental, and operating parameters of these landfills, and will begin identifying and evaluating best operating practices. The study will assist EPA in determining long-term monitoring needs for environmental compliance with groundwater standards, gas emissions, leachate quality, liner stability, physical stability, and other factors to address life-cycle integrity and economic viability concerns. The information will assist owners and/or operators, as well as permit writers, to better operate and/or regulate bioreactor landfills. In addition, this study should lay the groundwork for EPA to develop technical guidance and/or best practices for design, operation and permitting the bioreactor landfill.
Time Frame: A final report is expected to be completed in late 2002
C. Cooperative Research with Waste Management using a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement)
EPAs National Risk Management Research Laboratory is partnering with Waste Management, Inc. to conduct research on several large-scale bioreactor landfills looking at several variables. This work is being conducted through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The purpose of this five-year, joint research effort is to collect sufficient information in order to ascertain the best operating practices to promote safe operation of bioreactor landfills.
Various design and operating features are being studied, including:
Time Frame: The CRADA will be in effect from 2001-2006. Results of this project will be used to assist in the development of bioreactor guidance documents and standard operating procedures.
D. Bioreactor Performance Report
The EPA's Office of Solid Waste (renamed Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery on January 18, 2009) studied 5 bioreactor sites and investigated their performance. The specific parameters studies were:
This paper (28 pp, 144K, about PDF) describes how leachate head maintenance, settlement, side slope stability, fire prevention, and gas collection were designed to protect human health and the environment at the five sites.
- leachate head on liner
- side slope stability
- settlement
- leachate collection
- gas collection, and
- prevention of fires
7. Additional Bioreactor Projects and Information
For more information on bioreactors and bioreactor projects, click on
the following links:
- Aerobic Landfill Technology aerobic landfill technology provided by Environmental Control Systems, Inc.
- Yolo County Landfill provides information which is piloting a bioreactor (wet cell) landfill operation, which increases the rate of waste decomposition and increases the rate of methane production for more efficient methane collection and use.


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If you're thinking of taking a vacation after the pandemic, prepare for a shock. Because it won't be like your last one, according to experts. Not even close.
"The situation is evolving," says JC Lightcap, a travel safety expert for Sitata and author of "The Travel Safety Handbook."
About nine in 10 Americans are considering a trip, according to research by the advertising firm BVK. Of those who have planned their next trip, four in 10 have set travel plans in summer, and just over one-third are aiming for fall.
So how do you take a vacation after the pandemic? The ground rules are pretty simple: Pay extra attention to health and safety, work with a professional – and pack the right attitude.
Traveling after the coronavirus? It's safety first
Lightcap, the safety expert, says Americans have already weighed the dangers of travel and what he calls "the new reality" of taking a vacation.
"They have adjusted to the new normal and are willing to follow new procedures if it means they can visit friends or travel for work," he says.
But he and other travel experts are concerned that people may be overconfident as they leave for vacation. That may include ignoring the social distancing rules, refusing to wear a face mask or failing to vigorously wash your hands. Throwing caution to the wind can endanger your vacation and your health, and may endanger others, he says.
Stay healthy
Safety is the priority for any summer trip. For flying, experts recommend that you accept the antibacterial wipe that a flight attendant offers you when you board – and use it.
Wipe down your tray table and commonly touched surfaces when you first sit down," says Dr. Manisha Juthani, a physician specializing in infectious diseases at Yale Medicine. "Try to get a window seat. Try to avoid waiting in line for the restroom. Wear a mask the whole time you are on the plane."
How about road trips? Juthani recommends limiting your time In public restrooms. Ask your hotel about its cleaning policies and beware of high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and elevator buttons, which can spread disease.
In other words, assume nothing is clean.
Use a travel agent
A professional travel advisor can help you when you book a post-pandemic trip. Travel pros will help prepare you for the travel experience with the latest information. They'll ensure you choose a financially solvent travel company that won't go bankrupt halfway through your trip. A competent agent can also hold your hand and resolve any travel problems during your trip.
For example, Ashley Diamond, a travel advisor, told me she had a client visiting Miami's South Beach recently who wanted to get a haircut after arriving. "Most hotels in the area were opening on a limited basis," she says. "The spa, gym and salon at her hotel were all closed during her stay." Diamond, who works for Ovation Travel Group, found a salon a few miles away and booked an appointment.
"Now more than ever, a trusted travel advisor can help you navigate all the considerations that go into planning a trip that revitalizes rather than drains you during these trying times," says Rachel Dicker, a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor from Austin, Texas.
How to take a vacation after the pandemic: Don't be afraid
Sean Paul, a medical doctor and psychiatrist, told me that many patients are asking him about future travel.
"I see this as not only a safety and infectious disease question but also a psychological one," he explains. "Being psychologically prepared for things to look and feel very different than they were is something they need to be prepared for."
It's important not to let a healthy level of concern over travel become an unhealthy fixation. "Especially for people with underlying anxiety, travel can easily become a source of major distress if these things are not considered," he adds.
Here's the bottom line, fellow travelers: If you're going to take a vacation, take a vacation. The only thing more miserable than being afraid at home is being afraid in a faraway place where no one speaks your language. Trust me: I was stuck in France for two months during the coronavirus lockdown.
If you take a vacation after the pandemic, get out there, stay safe, but don't be afraid.
Essential tips for taking a vacation after the pandemic
Know the rules. Some destination countries mandate a 14-day quarantine on arrival. "Prepare ahead, plan for this, and consider waiting to travel to these destinations if you can't afford to spend two additional weeks in the country," advises Tammy Penhollow, a Phoenix anesthesiologist who travels extensively.
Find a top-rated travel advisor. The go-to source for finding an agent is the American Society of Travel Advisors site. Look for affiliations with brand-name travel companies such as Amex Travel, Virtuoso, or Travel Leaders. And make sure they're certified to sell the kind of travel you're considering. I outline some of the other benefits of a travel advisor in this column.
Be brave, but … don't be foolish. That's the advice of Michael McGarrity, vice president of global risk services at Global Guardian. "Avoid high-risk areas," he says. Some places are more susceptible to social unrest, economic disruptions, and volatile weather. In a fast-changing environment, don't take chances.


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What is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?
It's a bit like the difference between Pluto and Goofy. They're not quite the same, but almost. Or maybe not at all. Hmmm?
With the stock market tanking and the swine flu looming, maybe you haven't given it much thought. That's where I come in and save the day. I'm sure you're quite curious and on the off-chance you have no clue what the difference is, I'm here to explain.
Why, you ask?
First off, no yawning.
And second, we're food people, we need to know this stuff.
Yams and sweet potatoes are two different vegetables, they're not related. If you think you're eating a yam, it's most likely a sweet potato if you bought it in a US market. Yes, it's confusing. Ah, but to enlighten us, the US Department of Agriculture requires all labels that feature the word yam to also include the word sweet potato.
I love it when the government steps in to clear things up.
To add to the confusion, sweet potatoes aren't related to white baking potatoes at all and in New Zealand sweet potatoes are called kumara. In the ultra-abridged version of Hinduism, Kumara is the commander and chief of the divine army of the gods. He was also in command of an ancient version of Luke Skywalker's lightsaber. Similar to Luke's mission, Kumara used his mighty sword to slay ignorance (handy little device, swing away Kumara).
How do I spiral from sweet potatoes to mystical weapons? I keep promising myself I won't do that. And why is this sweet potato yam thing so confusing? Actually, it's not. Here are the differences.
A true yam is common in tropical climates (Africa, the Caribbean, South America) and contains more natural sugar than the sweet potato. The word "yam" comes from the African word nyami, meaning to eat. Yams aren't common in traditional US markets, but you might find some in specialty markets. There are over 150 yam varieties available world-wide.
Sweet Potatoes
We're eating sweet potatoes if we're using one of the two tubers shown in the photo above. Sweet potatoes vary in color from yellowish to dark reddish-orange (see my two picks above). The darker one is often wrongly called a yam. They're both sweet potatoes although the lighter skinned ones are not as sweet and have more of a crumbly, dry texture. The darker, vivid colors contain more moisture and sweetness. I prefer using the red over the yellow sweet potatoes in my gluten-free baking. That way I can go with less added sweetener and also not worry as much about dryness. Those of us who have taken on the challenge of baking without gluten need all the help we can get and to be honest, I'd rather figure out some of my own tricks and tips using real food rather than the growing collection of modified starches and additives.
Nutritional profile of sweet potatoes
Not only are they sweet and moist, they're packed with goodness. Sweet potatoes are a great way to get your sugar fix in a healthy way. Packed (260 % daily value) with vitamin A and rich in vitamin C, these vegetables are an excellent source of antioxidants. They also contain a unique storage protein that is high in antioxidant capabilities.
Roasted sweet potato fries (one of my favorites)
what you need
• 2 or 3 medium/large sweet potatoes, washed and cut in medium "French fry" wedges
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil
• sea salt
what you do
• Preheat oven to 425
• Put prepared sweet potatoes in large bowl, drizzle with oil and gently work it over potatoes evenly
• Arrange potatoes in a single layer on an oiled cookie sheet
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, watching carefully and stirring occasionally
• Salt to taste and serve immediately
* You can also use various spices such as paprika or ground cumin to add different flavors. Blend those spices in with the oil.
Go forth and sweeten up your baking the natural way!
Posted in Gluten-Free Recipes, Nutrition Therapy, Super Foods | 19 Comments »


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This miniature Regency Burgundy Stripe Wallpaper Sheet will make decorating your dollhouse easy!
Whether you're transforming a new space or breathing life into a tired room, these sheets gives a classic look that complements a variety of decor schemes.
We recommend using double sided craft tape or silicone glue to stick the wallpaper down. The sheet is made of a medium weight paper. It can be easily cut with scissors or a craft knife.
Made in England
1:12 scale - 1" scale
Available Now
Change Your Country
Please Correct The Following


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Ol' Myrt here spent the better part of the morning in Second Life talking with a researcher from Montana who faces challenges of identifying ancestors in old photographs which unfortunately have been passed down without labels. We talked about clues found in two books, now available on CD from the publishers of Family Chronicle magazine. (See my Second Life avatar standing in front of the two book cover displays.)
We have to sometimes take into account that for instance a daguerreotype of a young woman probably dates between 1839 and 1850 when the ambrotype process came into vogue. Therefore the woman cannot possibly be your 2nd great-grandmother who wasn't born until 1871.
Clothing, the mounting board and the backdrop can also be clues. Ol' Myrt here advised my Second Life friend to use these two books (on CD) to reason out the possible identity of the subjects in her two family portraits.
Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
Your friend in genealogy.


text: Enjoy quality time with your little ones or haul around groceries with Sunlite's Hard Shell Deluxe Trailer Tot. Its protective steel frame is covered with 600D polyester and comfortably fits two children. It also converts to a cargo trailer with side rails. If the weather turns sour, the trailer's canopy keeps your children dry and reflective accents enhance visibility. The Deluxe Trailer Tot easily connects to your bike's axle and its quick-release 20-inch aluminum wheels roll smoothly along the pavement behind you.


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It was International Migratory Bird Day, and a nearby park, Muir Woods National Monument, had organized a bird walk in celebration. Jade and I joined a group of about 15 other kids and adults. Most of us carried binoculars. Our intrepid lead birder, Dave Mackenzie, toted an even more powerful spotting scope mounted on a tripod. As we met him in the beach parking lot, he pointed at the scope and said, "Check out the Pacific Loons. We've seen hundreds fly by this morning heading north to their Arctic breeding grounds." It took Jade a minute to get the hang of looking through the eyepiece, but then her eyes went wide with amazement as she watched the black-throated fish-eaters zoom past one after the other.
"Turkey vultures," someone yelled, and all heads tilted skyward. Jade and I are accustomed to seeing "TVs," as they are affectionately known. But today, surrounded by this group of bird-lovers, the two-toned undersides of those giant, soaring wings took on new meaning. Ravens, Bonaparte's Gulls, and an Anna's Hummingbird were quickly added to the list before we set off for the nearby marsh. A host of Red-Winged Blackbirds perched on cattails was there to greet us, flashing their brilliant red epaulets while their piercing metallic voices rang out. A Snowy Egret attempting merely to fly over the marsh was immediately attacked by three of the dive-bombing blackbirds. The kids were enamored with two families of Mallard Ducks, laughing as the yellow, waddling chicks did their level best to keep up. Meanwhile I was staring through the scope at a male Northern Flicker, completely absorbed by his red "mustache" and black-speckled body. A huge highlight for both of us was climbing a nearby hill to get a "bird's eye" view into the nest of a Red-tailed Hawk. The large stick nest, nestled atop a Monterey Cypress tree, held two gangly white chicks, while one of the parents kept a steadfast watch nearby.
The surprising truth of the matter is that every single one of these winged wonders is a dinosaur, members of the same family as T. rex. All living birds are the direct descendants of small, feathered dinosaurs that lived more than 150 million years ago. Thus, in a very real sense, those raucous Red-Winged Blackbirds are backyard dinosaurs, offering a vibrant window into the distant past. In recent years, fossils of more than a dozen different varieties of feathered (nonavian) dinosaurs have been unearthed in China. So similar are many of these animals to birds that it's difficult to tell one from the other; indeed the two are often confused. Dinosaurs aren't extinct, then. With over 10,000 different living species, they far outnumber mammals (closer to 6,000 species). The Mesozoic Era is often called "The Age of Dinosaurs," and the succeeding Cenozoic Era, in which we live, "The Age of Mammals." But no, it seems that we still live in the Age of Dinosaurs. (To be fair, whether your metric is number of individuals, variation, or total biomass, the past four billion years are best regarded as the "Age of Bacteria," but we macro-sized creatures tend to overlook the microbial world.)
In previous posts, I have bemoaned the recent startling transformation in children's leisure time. A child growing up today is likely to spend 90% less time outdoors than a child born just one generation ago. How can we possibly build sustainable communities if people don't care about the places they live. And how are we to care if we don't spend any time experiencing our local natural communities? Robert Michael Pyle has referred to this frightening state of affairs as, "the extinction of experience." [1]
I grew up playing outside and fascinated by all things nature-oriented. As a parent, I am very conscious of exposing my daughter to the nonhuman world around our home. However, I've found that taking her on hikes is not always welcomed. "My legs hurt daddy," is what I hear after the first half mile—in spite of the fact that she can run around all day long with her friends. So I've learned to replace the word "hike" with "adventure," a tip shared by another frustrated parent. Adults tend to be goal-oriented; when out hiking, this means reaching a particular destination. Kids are more interested in playing. By making the outing more about the moment, and less about the goal, I've found it much easier to keep Jade engaged and happy.
But, to retain your parental credibility, you still need to deliver on the "adventure." This is where the magic of birds (i.e., dinosaurs) comes in. Most kids think trees and other plants are pretty ho-hum. And the majority of animals out there can be tough to find, unless you focus on the creepy-crawlies beneath your feet. But, in addition to being beautiful, active, and diverse, birds are nearly ubiquitous. A set of binoculars and an identification book (the Sibley field guides are the birding gold-standard) are all you need to get started, though feeders are an excellent way to attract birds literally into your backyard. In addition to making identifications, it's fun to watch what birds do. (While I was out walking a few months back, a large raven flew toward me about 20 feet off the deck and inverted itself just as it passed overhead. I just stood there stunned, suddenly reminded of Tom Cruise executing the same show-off aerobatics in Top Gun.)
Now, added to all this is the T. rex angle. As I know from direct experience in my role as Dr. Scott the Paleontologist on Dinosaur Train, most kids love dinosaurs. So what better way to entice youngsters to go outside than to offer the carrot of seeing living, breathing dinosaurs?! In short, we desperately need to connect kids to local nature—both for their sake and that of the local nature—and backyard dinosaurs are arguably the most powerful tool to make these connections happen. In my recent book [2], I called for a "backyard dinosaur revolution." So how about it? Are you in?
Jade and I have decided to get more serious about birding and begin keeping a "life list," a logbook of bird identifications and observations. So now our "hikes" have become "treasure hunts" as we look to add more feathered neighbors to our respective tallies. Mom is excited to join in too. Just yesterday Jade asked, for the umpteenth time, "Daddy, when can we go back to see the barn owls?"
Pyle, R. M. 1998. The Thunder Tree: Lessons from an Urban Wildland. Lyons Press, Guilford, CT.
Sampson, S. D. 2009. Dinosaur Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web of Life. University of California Press, Berkeley.
All images derived from National Geographic: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/


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Users are reporting new problems with the new iPad: the Wi-Fi seems to be a lot weaker than the iPad 2, the iPhone or MacBooks, according to numerous reports on AppleCare support thread. Could this be another antennagate? Have you experienced the same?
Updated with new information on this apparently very real problem.
This AppleCare support thread started like this:
I am in a hotel with my laptop and new ipad3. The laptop wifi reception is as strong as it gets, but the iPad only registers a weak signal. Anyone else having similar problems? Any suggestions?
From there, the answers started to pour in with people reporting the same problem and comparing it to other Apple devices. There are already 63 replies in that thread. Some of them:
Same here ipad2 has twice the wifi range with the same settings as the ipad3. The screens nice but I may return mine if this is the way they all are.
Same here! Will not hold WIFI for more than a few minutes. Two MacBooks and iPhone working fine from same router. Ready to return iPad!!!!!
Same problem. Have the Decorah Eagles live cam running on my MacPro, Mac desktop, and Mac Air on home network no problem. The New IPad - continually loading with occasional brief connection. THIS IS A PROBLEM APPLE YOU NEED TO FIX IT!
Thank you.
And it goes on and on. Of course, this is not proof that there's a generalized problem with the iPad's Wi-Fi connectivity. But it's a strong indication that something may be wrong, at least in some manufacturing batches. The random sample is too high to think otherwise. [AppleCare Forums via AppleInsider]
Update: One of the commenters in the Apple forums had this to say here:
I'm one of the people referenced by Jesus Diaz in his story today on wifi issues. It's not a fabrication, and it's happening geographically across the globe, judging by the comments on the Apple forum. I switched out my iPad 3 three times, and all had the same problem.
Side by side with iPad 2, using speedtest, a government site and a Danish testing site, the wifi connectivity speeds of the new iPad were 1/10th to 1/2 of iPad 2, most often about 1/4 the speed. When you're adjacent to the router, speeds are fine. But as you move away, say, to the bedroom, like I did, my iPad 2 was blazing fast, and I had trouble getting a connection with the iPad 3.
One of my iPad 3's I got from Apple online. The other 3 exchanges were from Glendale, Ca. I saw posts on the forum from across the u.s., and England.
And today, the frequency of the posts is accelerating quickly. I was one of the first posts, almost as soon as I got the iPad 3, over the weekend.
Update 2: Another reader told us a quite enlightening story that happened to him at an Apple Store's Genius bar:
I spent 90 min in the store. We compared the speed on the 3 and my 2. Wasn't a dramatic difference (because we were in the back of the store, closer to the router mothership!) But still there was a difference.
They did an exchange—but we all decided to test the new iPad 3.
We tested it, and still there was a difference - about 2/3 the strength. It wasn't that big.
Then the clerk suggested we try another machine to compare two 3's—and my 2.
When we went to the front of the store—at the entryway to the mall—I was vindicated! Because the signal was weaker—the the 2 was flying—getting 12 or 15—while the 3 was lagging at 3 or 4.
So the manager was called over. It was decided to swap it for yet another 3.
Tested it again and it was still the same problem.
But now everyone was aware that there is a problem with the 3.
Bottom line: I returned it, got my money back - and am back to the 2. It's not as sharp, but it's fast! So, I'll wait a month or so, and see if they manage to improve the wifi issue.
Have you noticed this problem? Have you compared your new iPad's Wi-Fi signal to your other Apple or non-Apple devices? Tell us in the comments.


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SALE! - Items tagged as "Goose"
Everything in our Sale Department is currently 20-40% off the original price! If you like a good deal, you've come to the right place. Our Closeout Center is where we list manufacturer closeouts, slow movers, holiday, and clearance items. First come, first serve! All items in the Closeout Center are non-returnable, non-refundable, clearance products.
View all 1980s 80's 80s child acrylic aliens ALL of our Scented Stickers alphabet Apple baby Baby Powder Baby Powder Scent back to school balloon Banana Banana Scent bear bear eraser bear sticker bears bee Belugabee bird bird stickers birds birthday Birthday Gifts Birthday Stickers black licorice blank card blue flowers Boba boy stickers bubble tea bunnies bunny Cakes/Cookies calico candy card for Mom cat cat gift cat stickers caterpillar cats chanukah Cherry chicken christmas Christmas & Holiday Gift Ideas christmas gift Christmas Gift Shop Christmas Stickers clear background coin pouch coin purse Cow crocodile crown deer diamond die cut dinosaur dinosaurs Dog Stickers dolphin dreidel dress up stickers drink drink sticker drinks Easter Easter basket Easter Basket Filler easter egg filler easter egg hunt easter egg stuffer easter egg toy EASTER Gifts! easter idea Easter Spring & Summer Stickers eraser case eraser collection eraser collector exclusive Faith that Sticks flashback floaty Floral flower flowers foil stickers french fries fruit scented fry galaxy garden garden stickers gardening gifts gold accents gold rimmed goose green greeting card guitar Hanukkah hanukkah stickers heart heart stickers hearts Holiday holiday stickers holo holographic Honey Honey Scent hot dog hydrangea independent artist instrument international international stickers japan japanese stickers jellyfish jungle animals junk food key chain key charm keychain keychains keyring kitten kittens kitty Korean stickers kyororo ladybug letter stickers licorice Licorice Scent locomotive luggage makeup masking seal masking tape stickers mind wave mindwave mixed shape stickers mom mother Mother's day mother's day card music music notes musical Nekoni NEW Products new zealand nostalgia nostalgic note pad ocean Ooly Orange Orange Scent outer space outfit pamper paper dolls paper stickers paperhouse penguin Persian petunia piano planets planner stickers Playhouse polar bear porta craft portacraft Presents puffy puffy sticker puffy stickers puppy rabbit rainbow rainbow colors reindeer retro SALE! scented card Scented Erasers Scented Stocking Stuffers school supplies scratch & sniff Scratch & Sniff Cards scratch and sniff scratch and sniff stickers shooting star slice of watermelon small gift small stickers smile smile stickers smiles snow space spaceship sparkle sparkle stickers sparkly sparrow spring flowers squeeze pouch squish stamp stamp stickers stamp style stickers star sticker scene stickers for boys Stickiville stocking stuffer suitcase Summer summer flowers summer fruit sunflower surf surfboard surfing tiny train train stickers trains travel Trend Stickers trip trumpet tsunda turtle unicorn unicorns unscented Unscented Stickers utopia vacation valentine Valentine Stickers valentine's day Valentines Day Gifts! Vanilla vintage vinyl sticker Watermelon watermelon slice watermelons whale Whipped Cream white cat winter Winter stickers


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Vikings to host Red Hawks in season opener
The Cedar Springs Red Hawks and the Howard City Tri County Vikings will kick off the 2013 high school football season tonight (Thursday) in a neighboring school rivalry that was renewed four years ago. Prior to that, they had not played each other since 1983.
To celebrate the game, the boys and girls cross country teams from both schools will run the ball from Cedar Springs to Tri County via the White Pine Trail. They will leave Red Hawk Stadium about 4:45 p.m.
The game against Tri County is a non-conference game. Tri County is a member of the Lake 8 Activities Conference, and this is Cedar Springs' second year in the new OK Bronze Conference.
The Red Hawks have won against Tri County three straight years. Will they do it again this year? Or will Tri County surprise them? Head on out to the game tonight and find out! Game time is 7 p.m. at Tri County.
Next week, the Red Hawks host another longtime rival, the Sparta Spartans, on Friday, September 6, at Red Hawk Stadium at 7 p.m.


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Editor: This story by a fellow OBcean was sent to us unsolicited. We decided to publish as a "reader's rant" despite our inability to confirm its veracity.
In an Unprovoked Attack 2 People Wearing Masks Beat Me on Valentine's Day as a 3rd Filmed it – Apparently Playing the "Knock Down Game"
By Anonymous Fourth Generation Resident of OB
I was brutally beaten by two individuals on Valentine's Day 2014, returning home from a friend's home near Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach.
I had walked down Cable Street to the seawall and made my way up the stairs at the foot of Pescadero Avenue. Walking up the street I was confronted by two individuals in blue jeans and white hoodies, in front of 4870 Pescadero Avenue. Then these two individuals, without saying a word, began to beat my face for no reason.
I believe there was a third person off in the distance filming the two beat me. This attack was unprovoked and they never said a word.
I remember a gold plastic party mask on the individual who first hit me. Possibly the other individual had a silver plastic party mask on. The gold masked individual was the first to sucker punch me in the face. I cannot remember if the other had a mask or not after the first hit by the masked individual. It occurred near multiple lights apparently to enhance the ability to film it.
Apparently the two individuals were playing the "Knock Down Game" and wanted their senseless and vicious attack to be broadcast on YouTube to gain media exposure.
I defended myself and ended up on the ground. I got back to my feet and screamed at them:
"Why would you beat a random person who has done nothing to you! You are cowards for wearing masks while you beat me!"
I must have broken one of their noses in my defense and they ran off laughing. This is not funny nor material that others should watch on YouTube.
I seek not vengeance but urge a heightened sense of awareness. Beware of the "Knock Down Game" and the collapse of our civil society. I am a fourth generation OBecian appalled at what has occurred in my community. I am a member of the Ocean Beach Main street Association and work in the local area.
I filed a police report but was told that because they were wearing masks that it would not be possible to identify and bring this crime to justice.
Nothing can be done except to file the report in the hopes that if this continues to occur as a serial crime that this occurrence can be one more piece of evidence used to establish this criminal pattern.
I believe that the pen is mightier than the sword and my hope is that these words may be able to be published so that others do not share my fate of being that random individual in the wrong place at the wrong time.
People of our beach communities should not tolerate the occurrence of this "Knock Down Game" or the individuals who take part in it.
This random act of violence has shattered my sense of security and has affirmed my belief that this is a time of moral decay where individuals seek random violence in order to gain fame as masked individuals in the realm of digital media.
Please do not encourage this behavior by viewing this "Knock Down Game" on YouTube and providing further incentives for media fame. In essence, Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" is alive and well and cowardly individuals have sought out media fame in YouTube to promote this ultra-violence. Remember that if it happened to me, it could happen to you.
Fourth Generation OB Resident


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Diameter: 4 mm / 0.158 in
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ASHEVILLE, N.C. – James Sinclair hit two 3-pointers in overtime and had 26 points as fifth-seeded Western Carolina upset top-seeded Davidson 99-97 in the semifinals of the Southern Conference tournament Sunday.
Western Carolina came back from a 15-point deficit and snapped Davidson's 13-game winning streak.
Western Carolina took a 70-66 lead, its largest of the day. But Jake Belford scored seven straight points for Davidson to regain the lead at 73-70. Later, De'Mon Brooks knotted it at 86 for Davidson and neither team scored in the final minute of regulation.
Sinclair's 3-pointer opened the overtime session and his second broke a tie at 92. Brooks made 1 of 2 from the line with 30 second left for 97-all. Trey Sumler was fouled in the lane and made both free throws for the win.
Sumler had 25 for Western Carolina (19-14) and Chris Czerapowicz had 22 for two-time defending conference tournament champion Davidson (20-12).
Western Carolina will meet No. 3 seed Wofford in the championship game on Monday.


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Edinburgh Castle is the top visitor attraction in Scotlandand the most recognisable tourist attraction in the world. It was built on the Castle rock, houses in Edinburgh were historically built on the area in front of the Castle.This area was called the Lawnmarket which can still be visited today. The old town continued down the High Street and Cannongate towards the Palace of Holyrood House. These streets are collectively called the Royal Mile. This route will also now take you from the Castle to the new Scottish Parliament. Situated on an extinct volcano it is part of Edinburgh's World Heritage site.
The Royal Mile leading down from the castle is a day out in its own right with St Giles Cathedral, Museum of Childhood, John Knoxs House, King Mary's Close and shops selling whiskey, tartan and other various Scottish gifts. Everything you would want to take home as a reminder of your trip to Scotland can be found on the High Street. The One O'clock gun
Opening times
1 April to 30 September - Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 6.30pm Last Entry 6p.m. in summer
1 October to 31 March - Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 4.30pm Last Entry 5p.m. in winter
Tel 0131 225 9846
Admission Adult £10.30 Child £4.50
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Download Our Free Pocket Guide and Map to Edinburgh


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If you go day after day, week after week, not getting enough sleep, the toll it will take on you can be greater than you realize. Lack of sleep can clog up your ability to think clearly, and can make you feel more raw and sensitive emotionally. The effects tend to be cumulative, so that the longer you've been having trouble getting enough rest, the greater the impact on your life may be. Some people report starting to have depression, hopelessness, or even a sense that they are losing their minds. You can start to just plain feel shaky, physically and mentally.
So if you feel as though you're falling apart, one possibility is that you just need to sleep.
Being involved in a destructive relationship can make sleep hard to come by. The stress and emotional pain of being mistreated can keep you awake. Your worries about what your partner will do next can do the same. Maybe sometimes -- or often -- he doesn't let you sleep, either to punish you about something he's angry about or as a way to force you to have sex with him. When a man causes sleep deprivation in his partner, he is actually committing one of the more serious forms of physical abuse -- yes, sleep deprivation is a form of physical abuse -- but the depth of damage he can do in these ways is often not recognized.
If you have young children, that adds a lot of additional challenges to getting sleep, especially if your partner isn't carrying his weight about sharing the times of getting out of bed to attend to a child in need.
Keep some notes about how much sleep you get, and track your rest patterns over a period of weeks. Putting down on paper what is going on can help you to assess whether lack of sleep is actually one of the major contributors to emotional and physical struggles you are having.


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I was so lucky today! I wanted to re-borrow the JJ Virgin book "The Virgin Diet" so I could read about what I wasn't ready to deal with a few months ago.
I know the copies at the library have been on hold, but surprisingly, when I checked the online catalog, there was one lone "available" copy at a library a few miles away, so I jumped in the shower, and drove over to see if I could grab it.
Long-story-short, I couldn't initially find it, but with a little gentle nudging, the wonderful library woman ended up finding it behind the desk on the cart. Yay!
So, that's #1 on my reading list, I'd like to see how it compares to the Clean Detox.
I've also been reading "Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution" by Kris Carr because I need all the help I can get to find clean recipes!
Until next week, Happy Monday to everyone! Keep reading and supporting your local library!


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White had all the fun in round 1 of the 2012 Mikhail Tal Memorial chess tournament. Four games were won by players with the white pieces and black managed no better than a draw on the remaining board. This is a dramataic turn of events for the chess fans of Moscow. After being treated to a draw fest in the Anand-Gelfand match last month, Russians can celebrate the return of "real chess" to the Red Square.
Below is my favorite game from round one with analysis:
[Event "Tal Memorial"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2012.06.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Alexander Morozevich"]
[Black "Fabiano Caruana"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Opening "Spanish"]
[Variation "Open, Keres, 10.Rd1 O-O 11.c3"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Morozevich chooses the Ruy Lopez.} a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 {Now its the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez. Every Russian school boy knows this line and apparently some Italian ones as well.} 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Qe2 {This is not a common move for this line. Morozevich is notorious for straying from main lines early and setting up messy complications.} Be7 10. Rd1 {This is why Morozevich played Qe2. Now he can add more pressure to the weak pawn on d5.} Na5 11. c3 {This is a real surprise. Caruana and I were expecting to see Nbd2.} Nxb3 {Morozevich looses a bishop pair…} 12. axb3 {But develops a rook by moving a pawn out of the way.} O-O 13. Nd4 Qe8 14. f3 Nc5 15. b4 Nb7 16. Be3 {Morozevich is collecting small advantages in time, space, force, and pawn structure.} Bd7 17. Na3 c6 {Caruana has played accurately but white is still noticeably better.} 18. Nac2 a5 {Caruana wants to free himself from his cramped status by exchanging material.} 19. f4 Qc8 (19. .. axb4 20. cxb4 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 {Gives white the a-file. Caruana was wise to avoid this.}) 20. h3 Re8 21. Bf2 Bf8 {Caruana still is apprehensive about trading pawns on b4 because his rooks are not yet unified.} 22. Qf3 Ra6 23. Ne3 Qa8 {Caruana can not seem to untangle himself.} 24. Ndc2 Qd8 (24. .. axb4 25. Rxa6 Qxa6 26. Ra1 Qb6 27. Nxd5 Qd8 28. Bb6 Qh4 29. Ndxb4 {Is terrible for black.}) 25. bxa5 Nc5 {Caruana attempts to complicate matters rather than just allow recapturing with his rook and giving Morozevich the file.} 26. b4 Ne4 27. Rd3 {c3 must be defended. The other logical choice was Nf1.} f6 {27 moves into the game and Caruana's pieces are still sleeping. At least if white captures on f6 black can awaken his queen.} 28. Bh4 {This is slightly inaccurate. If exf6 Qxf6 then Ng4.} g5 {This position is ridiculously complicated. Its a pleasure to see the messes on the chess board that Morozevich can instigate.} 29. fxg5 (29. Rad1 gxh4 30. Nxd5 cxd5 31. Rxd5 Re7 32. Qxe4 {This is an interesting alternative to the move that was played}) 29. .. fxg5 30. Bg3 Bg7 31. Bh2 (31. Ng4 Qe7 32. Re3 Rf8 33. Qe2 {Is an improvement for white.}) 31. .. Rf8 {Caruana gains the initiative.} 32. Qe2 Rf2 33. Qe1 g4 {Too soon. It would have been better to play Qc8 first. Perhaps Caruana did not feel he had time to prepare g4.} 34. Rd4 {My computer disagrees with this move but I love it. The threat is simply Rxe4. Now Caruana will have to retreat his rook.} Rf8 35. Rad1 Qe8 {Caruana moves his queen out of the d-file to avoid tactics involving white's rooks and for possible deployment on h5.} 36. Nxg4 Bf5 37. Nce3 {Morozevich came out of the complications ahead in material and with a passed pawn.} Bg6 38. Nf1 {Morozevich misses the game winner.} (38. c4 bxc4 39. b5 c5 40. Rxe4 Bxe4 41. bxa6 d4 42. Nxc4 {and Caruana could resign.}) 38. .. h5 39. Nge3 Ra7 {Caruana is right back in the game.} 40. Ng3 Bxe5 41. Nxe4 Bxd4 42. cxd4 Qxe4 {Caruana makes a small error.} (42. .. Bxe4 43. Bd6 Rf6 44. Be5 Rg6 {Makes a lot more sense.}) 43. Be5 Kh7 44. Rc1 Raf7 {Another error.} (44. .. Be8 45. Nf1 Qxe1 46. Rxe1 Rg8 {and I think black can draw.}) 45. Kh2 {Morozevich punishes Caruana for his mistakes.} Rf2 46. Rxc6 (46. a6 Qf3 47. Rxc6 Be4 48. Rc7+ Rf7 49. Rxf7+ Qxf7 50. Qc3 Ra2 51. Qc8 {Also works well.}) 46. .. R8f3 47. Rc7+ Bf7 {Caruana must play Kh6 to maintain hope.} 48. Kh1 (48. a6 Ra2 49. a7 {Looks like an easier way to win.}) 48. .. Rf1+ 49. Qxf1 Rxf1+ 50. Nxf1 Kg6 51. Rc6+ Kh7 52. Ng3 {I wonder what Morozevich has against pushing a passed pawn. No matter… He has this game wrapped up like a ravioli.} Qb1+ 53. Kh2 h4 54. Ne2 Qxb4 55. Rc7 Kg8 56. a6 1-0
Standings after round 1 of the 2012 Mikhail Tal Memorial
Tal Memorial Tournament
The other games from round 1 of the 2012 Tal Memorial:
[Event "Tal Memorial"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "2012.06.08"] [EventDate "2012.06.07"] [Round "1"] [Result "1-0"] [White "Levon Aronian"] [Black "Hikaru Nakamura"] [ECO "A29"]
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Bg2 Nb6 7.O-O Be7 8.d3 O-O 9.Be3 f5 10.Rc1 Kh8 11.a3 Bf6 12.Bc5 Re8 13.b4 Be6 14.Re1 Qd7 15.e4 a6 16.Bh3 g6 17.Be3 Qg7 18.Ng5 Bg8 19.Nf3 f4 20.Bxb6 cxb6 21.Nd5 g5 22.Bd7 Re6 23.Bxe6 Bxe6 24.Nxf6 Qxf6 25.Rxc6 bxc6 26.Qa1 a5 27.Qxe5 Qxe5 28.Nxe5 axb4 29.axb4 c5 30.bxc5 bxc5 31.gxf4 gxf4 32.Kg2 Ra3 33.Kf3 c4 34.Kxf4 cxd3 35.Rd1 Ra2 36.Nxd3 Bc4 37.f3 Rxh2 38.Ne5 Ba2 39.Rd7 Rh6 40.Nf7+ Bxf7 41.Rxf7 Kg8 42.Rf5 Rh1 43.e5 h5 44.Rg5+ Kf8 45.Kf5 h4 46.Rh5 Kg7 47.f4 h3 48.Ke6 Kg6 49.Rg5+ Kh6 50.Kf5 Rh2 51.Rg8 Rh1 52.e6 h2 53.Rg2 1-0
[Event "Tal Memorial"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "2012.06.08"] [EventDate "2012.06.07"] [Round "1"] [Result "1-0"] [White "Teimor Radjabov"] [Black "Evgeny Tomashevsky"] [ECO "C45"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Nb3 Bb6 6. Nc3 d6 7. Qe2 Nge7 8. Be3 O-O 9. O-O-O f5 10. exf5 Bxf5 11. h3 Bd7 12. Qd2 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Kh8 14. Bd3 Qe8 15. f4 Qf7 16. Rhf1 Rae8 17. Qd2 Nb4 18. Be4 Bc6 19. Rde1 Bxe4 20. Nxe4 Qc4 21. a3 Nbc6 22. Qc3 Qd5 23. Nbd2 Nf5 24. g4 Nfd4 25. Qd3 b5 26. Kb1 b4 27. a4 h6 28. Nb3 Re7 29. Ned2 Rxe1+ 30. Rxe1 g5 31. f5 1-0
[Event "Tal Memorial"] [Site "Moscow "] [Date "2012.06.08"] [EventDate "2012.06.07"] [Round "1"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [White "Magnus Carlsen"] [Black "Vladimir Kramnik"] [ECO "E32"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d5 7. e3 b6 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bd3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Nxa6 11. Qd3 Qc8 12. Ne2 c5 13. b3 cxd4 14. Qxd4 Nc5 15. Qd1 Qa6 16. Nf4 d4 17. b4 dxe3 18. bxc5 Qa5+ 19. Kf1 Rad8 20. Qc2 Qb5+ 21. Ke1 Qa5+ 22. Kf1 Qb5+ 23. Ke1 Qa5+ 1/2-1/2
[Event "Tal Memorial"] [Site "Moscow"] [Date "2012.06.08"] [EventDate "2012.06.07"] [Round "1"] [Result "1-0"] [White "Alexander Grischuk"] [Black "Luke McShane"] [ECO "A29"]
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O O-O 7. e3 a6 8. d4 Ba7 9. h3 Rb8 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. b3 Nxf3+ 12. Qxf3 b5 13. Qe2 bxc4 14. Qxc4 a5 15. Bb2 Bd7 16. Rac1 Bc5 17. Rfd1 Re8 18. Na4 Bxa4 19. Qxa4 Bb6 20. Bc6 Re7 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Qg4+ Kh8 23. Rc4 Re5 24. Rd5 Qe7 25. Qf3 Rg8 26. Kg2 Rg6 27. b4 axb4 28. Rxb4 Kg7 29. a4 Qe6 30. h4 f5 31. Rf4 Rf6 32. Kh2 h6 33. h5 Kf8 34. Kg2 Kg7 35. Kh2 Kf8 36. Kg2 Kg7 37. Qd1 Kf8 38. Kf1 Qc8 39. Qd3 Kg7 40. Kg2 Rxd5 41. Bxd5 Qe8 42. Rxf5 Rxf5 43. Qxf5 Qe7 44. Bb3 Qf6 45. Qd5 c5 46. Bc4 Ba5 47. f4 Qe7 48. Kf2 Bc3 49. Ke2 Bb4 50. g4 Qd7 51. Kd3 Qe7 52. g5 hxg5 53. fxg5 Be1 54. g6 fxg6 55. Qg8+ Kf6 56. Qxg6+ Ke5 57. h6 d5 58. Qg7+ Qf6 59. Bxd5 Bh4 60. Kc4 Kd6 61. Qxf6+ Bxf6 62. a5 Kc7 63. h7 1-0