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We have a full line of products tailored to meet your needs coupled with programs specifically designed for teachers.
Find out why Horace Mann is right for you.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (March 10, 2016) – The Horace Mann Companies named Edward Hinkle of Springfield its 2015 Employee of the Year Thursday. In celebration, the company completed funding on 15 DonorsChoose.org projects in Sangamon County on #BestSchoolDay. Springfield, Riverton, Sangamon Valley, Tri-City, Ball-Chatham and New Berlin school districts all had projects completed.
"I see how dedicated all of our employees are to making sure we serve our educator customers well," said Hinkle, who is a learning consultant for the company. "I take pride in teaching my coworkers about programs to assist our educators and helping make connections to our brand."
Hinkle volunteers for Springfield's Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. "Through this program, I've gotten to know the teachers at the school, the folks in the cafeteria, and I understand what they go through to educate our students. The neat piece is I'm able to transcend that information over to the classroom I teach in at Horace Mann."
Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Learning Solutions, Jill Kilroy, said Hinkle is a great ambassador for the company. "Edward not only coaches our employees about the company's success profiles and cultural expectations, but he also lives them," said Kilroy. "He is extremely dedicated to this company, his fellow employees and our customers."
President and CEO Marita Zuraitis presented the award to Hinkle in front of more than 1,000 employees at the company's annual employee meeting Thursday.
Hinkle was selected for Horace Mann's pinnacle award after being named the February 2015 Employee of the Month from among more than 1,300 non-agent employees. As Employee of the Year, Hinkle will represent Horace Mann at various community events throughout the year. He will also receive a trip-for-two to the company's Leadership Conference in Vienna, Austria and a $2,500 debit card.
About Horace Mann
Horace Mann (Horace Mann Educators Corp. (NYSE:HMN)) is the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs. Horace Mann provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. Founded by Educators for Educators® in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. For more information about the company, visit horacemann.com.
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Friday, January 4, 2013
20 Things Everyone Thinks About Houston Food (But Nobody Will Say)
1. Houston hasn't yet reached adolescence in its development as a food city.
Close your eyes and think about Houston restaurants ten years ago. What was hot and exciting? Don't remember? What were the hot openings? Who's left? Mark's, Da Marco, Tony's, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Brennan's, Hugo's, Backstreet Cafe? Yes. They truck along and do so brilliantly. The larger point is that Houston has barely begun to expand beyond a handful of establishments that are interesting. But it's easy to get carried away and think, "Houston has arrived!" If you think that, however, it'll be gone in a flash, and you'll have never gotten there. Transforming Houston into a really meaningful culinary destination will take a lot of time. Don't jump to the conclusion because it's way more fun to enjoy the ride. Think about it. Houston had maybe a dozen really notable restaurant openings last year. In the San Francisco area? They're talking about ten this month. It'll be fun to watch Houston grow into a city like that.
2. Money talks.
The big money being spent on dining out in Houston still flows from the expense account/oil and gas sector. Hipsters and fadists are on the cutting edge, but they generally don't have the means to sustain institutions or trends. There's a reason why certain restaurants stay in business. People vote with their wallets and, bottom line, this is something you can't forget. Eating out is fundamentally a consumer product, and those with the bucks can be king-makers. So it's important to have a big-tent theory of food and bring everyone into the flow so the city can sustain the best restaurants.
3. Institutions matter.
This notion is linked to everything on this list. Think of any great culinary city, and you can instantly name institutions, restaurants you can't imagine the city without. New York and Peter Luger Steakhouse or the Carnegie Deli. Paris with Taillevent and Latour d'Argent. They don't have to be the best places, necessarily. But they've been there and done that for a very long time, and by and large they do it well. That matters -- because you can't live on constant innovation alone. You need to find and embrace as a city the restaurants that will become reasons for people to visit. These are restaurants that become part of the city's fabric.
4. Houston does have good barbecue.
This is one of those things people like to fight about because the amount of contested ground is so slim. Barbecue is like Tex-Mex or hamburgers or pizza. It's something whose inherent qualities are so good that, even when it's mediocre, it's pretty darn good. Gatlin's is good. Goode Company is good. You don't have to drive into Lockhart to get a fix on some nice smoked meat. It's fun to talk about what's better or best. But with something as joyously delicious as barbecue, there's no reason to go apoplectic over comparatively small degrees of separation.
5. Houston needs more good "daily" restaurants to form a culinary backbone.
Restaurant across the city in 2012 were events. There was a proliferation of places that, over time, could become flagship restaurants of a great food city. But great food cities need infrastructure in the form of tasty, serviceable, and simple neighborhood restaurants. These places don't require a reservation. They aren't see-or-be-seen establishments. They aren't a big production. They're comfortable. They cultivate clientele. They make you feel at home, whether you come in for a glass of wine and an appetizer or stop in late for a night cap or dessert. In short, the city needs more places like Poscol.
6. Food trucks are nice, but they don't compete with restaurants.
There's some quality stuff coming off of food trucks. But, on the whole, food trucks are more like diners or dive bars than they are trend setters. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but it's instructive to look at how notable food trucks like the Eatsie Boys and Modular are turning to traditional restaurant models for long-term success. This isn't about city propane regulations or anything else. Food trucks are an inherently limited medium. Good Dog Hot Dogs and Bernie's Burger Bus are delicious, and it's great to see an increase in the number of places where you can find good food carefully prepared. There's a role for food trucks to play, but they're not a threat to the traditional restaurant -- they're a complement.
7. Houston's ethnic restaurants are some of the best in the United States.
This is possibly the least controversial statement here. The breadth and quality of Houston's ethnic restaurants, particularly with Asian cuisines, is astounding. Food has a remarkable quality of allowing you to travel while staying put, and Houston does an admirable job of this. Keep spreading the word.
8. Most people don't understand tasting menus.
The current "backlash" against tasting menus seems like manufactured drama, though a kernel of truth lurks there. That's because so many consumers and, more importantly, chefs don't understand what a tasting menu is all about. Tasting menus are the ultimate, novelistic test of chefs: Can they create a cohesive, meaningful narrative, skillfully executed over a set number of courses that fills up a diner to just the right level -- full but not overly so. Thoughtful tasting menus take you on a culinary journey; they aren't just a restaurant's greatest hits or a mish-mash of unrelated dishes. They have form. This is a common misunderstanding, and sloppy execution of tasting menus causes frustration and unfulfillment. But the highest culinary highs come from such menus, so it's worth learning about them and seeking out fine examples of them.
9. Da Marco, Mark's, and Tony's still define "fine dining" in Houston.
They're here. They're successful. They've done it for a long time. They might not always be on the cutting edge of innovation -- although the exceptionally talented Grant Gordon at Tony's contradicts that statement -- but they do it well, and they will keep doing it. These are important restaurants, and just because they aren't as trendy with the foodie crowd as they once were doesn't mean they're devoid of influence. This is the level the hot new restaurants of 2012 should aspire to become.
10. Underbelly does not tell the story of Houston food.
Underbelly is a terrific addition to the Houston food scene. Chris Shepherd is a fun chef who has admirable passion that normally translates to the plate. But Underbelly does not tell the story of Houston food, and more importantly it does not have to. To think that a single establishment could articulate the diversity found across this mammoth city is shooting for the impossible at best and arrogant at worst. If it were possible, it would mean our city's food scene is far too limited. It's not the job of one restaurant to encompass all of Houston, and no restaurant can do it.
11. Houston needs more good sommeliers.
Great restaurant cities have numerous restaurants that provide a complete dining experience. An important part of that experience is having a sommelier who can provide beverages that enhance every dish you eat. The best example in Houston of a complete sommelier who provides a 360-degree experience for his guests is Sean Beck at Backstreet Cafe and Hugo's. He's unpretentious yet knowledgeable. He stays in tune with the customer's taste. He knows his menus and wine lists backwards and forwards, so he can be sure his recommendations go with the food. There are always interesting and unexpected wines, thoughtfully chosen and not haphazardly selected for their esoteric qualities, on the list. This is what you would expect of any sommelier at a minimum, yet so rarely find in Houston. At the same time, he also has an obsession with ensuring guest experiences are as good as they can be. This is how valuable a good sommelier can be. Houston restaurants should take note.
12. Fawning over obscure drinks masks true and thorough knowledge of wine, beers, and spirits.
Forget piling a dozen sherries on your wine list. Forget trying to dazzle customers with wines you've never heard of but whose presence on the wine list are to show off what a geek you purport to be. Just as developing into a great restaurant city takes years of hard work and lots of sweat, so does becoming a sommelier or skilled mixologist. This doesn't happen overnight, and there's no substitute for the hard work that comes in gaining the depth of knowledge of Houston's great sommeliers like the crew on the floor at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. There is great virtue in getting a handle on all the fundamentals before forging into the esoteric. Too frequently these days, however, Houston restaurants feature odd wines and beers and spirits simply because of their novelty, and it comes off as an attempt to cover up a lack of genuine knowledge. Booze is fun. Take the time to learn it in-depth and provide customers the best experience possible.
13. Service at restaurants needs drastic improvement.
Even in the best restaurants in Houston, you can't assume you'll receive skilled service. Walk into any very good restaurant, and you are quite likely to be the recipient of service foibles, such as food coming out incorrectly or at the wrong time or getting your meals while waiting on silverware. Like all things restaurant, cultivating a serious culture of service and staffing it with professionally minded individuals is a monumental task. But a world class restaurant city cannot fall down on something as important as service, and nothing spoils a good meal faster than crummy service.
14. Houston is at a precarious time in its restaurant growth.
Don't buy your own press. Don't live in a bubble. The way you achieve greatness is by constantly striving toward perfection that, in almost every instance, you will not achieve. Houston's food scene has shown a dangerous proclivity toward bullying those who criticize and buying its own self-created hype. That's not the thing to do. Be proud of what the city achieves, but always strive to be better. Houston is still but a glimmer on the national map. It's a growing glimmer, but one that could be gone in the blink of an eye without ceaseless dedication to improvement, learning, and creativity.
15. Houston is insecure about the status of its restaurant and food scene.
Keeping an insulated community, buying your own press, and having an immature reaction to criticism are hallmarks of insecurity. Remember when Houston hosted the Super Bowl? There were so many big showings of how great and cosmopolitan Houston was. Cities that are great and cosmopolitan don't have to go out of their way to tell you that. They're confident in it. Houston needs to learn that. The acceptance the city craves so much will come with hard work. The dining scene here isn't as exciting as San Francisco or New York. But it's more exciting than ever. Enjoy that and keep focused on reaching the point where it can play with the big boys.
16. Central Market is better than any farmers' market in town.
The proliferation of farmers' markets over the past five years is a great development, in particular because it has consumers focused on quality first. But the simple truth is that Houston and its surrounding area aren't an agricultural green belt like the Midwest or California, and it's a challenge to find really good quality ingredients. Central Market, however, provides a reliable source of very good produce and other ingredients. An important part of sourcing ingredients, for any cook, is finding products of consistent quality. This isn't to say farmers markets are bad. They're awesome. But Central Market is the most reliable source in town.
17. BYOB should be standard.
This transcends Houston, but great food cities embrace wine and beer as much as possible, and BYOB should be allowed at the discretion of every restaurant. It's an incentive for people to eat out more. Arguments that BYOB is a threat to restaurants that serve wine, beer, and spirits have no merit. Look no further than cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. The sad thing is that Houston's and Texas's alcohol wholesale, retail, and distribution networks are near-monopolies that are bad for consumers, and this extends to the choices restaurant patrons find on most wine lists and in BYOB prohibitions.
18. A sustainable food scene cannot be based on trends or fads alone.
You see it if you follow the club scene -- Richmond strip to Midtown to Washington Avenue. Trendy restaurant-goers are the same. They hit the Next Big Thing in droves, then move on. Fads and trends are fickle by definition and are no way to build long-term success. At some point, Alinea in Chicago will not be considered avant-garde. There is a process of natural selection for restaurants, and at some point, you have to begin building a canon of bedrock institutions. Remember that Chumbawumba was popular once. The hope is for exciting new restaurants to open every year in Houston, but just because something is new does not mean it's better.
19. Longevity matters.
This is closely related to No. 18. Remember in April 2011 when the Houston Press pronounced Stella Sola, open about a year, a Heights "institution"? Yet, only a year later, Stella Sola closed with no fanfare or farewell party. Meanwhile, unheralded-but-delicious neighborhood joint Glass Wall across the street trucks along to packed crowds. Running a restaurant is a business, and regardless of how cool or fun or interesting what you're doing is, making it work is essential. So before pronouncing Oxheart or Uchi or Underbelly or The Pass the new standard-bearer of all things Houston food, remember to add "potential" in front of all that. Because it only matters if they can do it over time. This is one part of what makes places like Brennan's so important.
20. If it plays its cards right, Houston can become a nationally relevant, vibrant restaurant town for decades.
One of the great characteristics of Houston as a city is that it is swift to embrace success. You can make a name for yourself on your own merits here more easily than in other cities, and that's an admirable quality. As a result, having open arms is in some ways already inherent to Houston's culture. Fostering success and driving competition to push the good to very good and the very good to great are what will propel Houston to the next level. So much of the food and restaurant scene today is concerned with sustainability -- from green architecture to sources of ingredients. But another type of sustainability -- of talent, creativity, and a drive for success -- are essential for Houston to reach its full potential.
8 comments:
Thought-provoking list, sir.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJanuary 4, 2013 at 4:10 PM
Quite a discussion provoking article, Tom! Thanks you for sharing your thoughts.ReplyDelete
I wanted to comment on point #11, which you and I have discussed before. I believe that Houston has a number of excellent sommeliers and I don't discount that we could always use more, however, I do think that a large majority of them are underutilized and/or overlooked within the food community. You had also integrated the point that drink and food belong together as part of a meal, but I feel it is so important that it almost deserves it's own separate section. Dining is an experience and if you're enjoying an 8 oz ribeye, a coca-cola companion will not do this dish justice. And every chef in town would agree with that.
A terrific, and near-encyclopedic essay. I'd just ask if Ninfa's is our classic, and if we have any others. And I'd add that Houston also needs a compellingly urban streetscape to go with its restaurants. Walking to the bars and restaurants on Westheimer ought to be exhilarating rather than dispiriting and dangerous. The great restaurant cities are also great walking cities.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJanuary 6, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Until Rick Perry signs a law allowing corkage fees, BYOB is illegal in establishments that serve liquor in Texas. Similarly, bringing your own liquor presents its own challenges for places that serve only wine and beer.ReplyDelete
- East End GolferJanuary 7, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Your experience with Houston dining and mine are totally different.ReplyDelete
First, relax. Service in Houston is good when compared with other markets. Fortunately it isn't as stuffy as some. I'll take Houston service over Dallas (too stuffy), Chicago, LA or New Orleans gladly. If you consider Austin a comp, their service isn't even close. NY and SFO can offer consistently better service, but bad NY service is the worst.
What makes Houston great is its mix of institutions (Brennan's, DaMarco, Mark's) and innovators (Oxheart, Underbelly, and potentially Pass & Provisions). There's not much to knock here. The O&G money likes institutions. The foodies like flitting around. What's great about Houston is that you can be satisfied with whatever style or taste you prefer. (And add the incredible ethnic choices on top of that.)
Finally, you are dead wrong about wine and cocktails. The Bobby Heugel impact on Houston has been enormous. The cocktail service at Beaver's, Grand Prize, Pass & Provisions are all awesome and innovative, just to name three. As far as your dig at sommeliers, please. Every town in this country could do with more Sean Becks. If that's your expectation, then I suggest you limit your wine ordering to Backstreet and Hugo's.
- AnonymousJanuary 7, 2013 at 4:04 PM
...yet not a word of pretentiousness or food being overpriced. Other countries offer amazing dishes that are served/prepared as a way of life. Here, we pay for it like it's the highest and rarest privilege. For a city that boasts so much ethnic diversity in our foods, maybe we shouldn't be so concerned with New York or San Francisco.ReplyDelete
This is cool!ReplyDelete

subset: commoncrawl


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Genshi Mailing Lists
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This mailing list receives a notification on every change to a ticket in Genshi. You can browse the archive, and subscribe to this mailing list if you're interested in getting these notifications. Posting to this list is not allowed.
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Indications for: Fluvastatin
Adjunct to diet in primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Types IIa and IIb) to reduce elevated total-C, LDL-C, TG, and apo B, and to increase HDL-C when response to nondrug therapy is inadequate. Adjunct to diet to reduce total-C, LDL-C and apo B in patients 10–16 years of age (≥1 year post-menarche) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia if LDL-C remains ≥190mg/dL, or if LDL-C remains ≥160mg/dL with either family history of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) or if patient has at least 2 other CVD risk factors. In patients with coronary heart disease: To slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis to lower total-C and LDL-C, and to reduce the risk of undergoing coronary revascularization procedures. Limitations of Use: not studied in conditions where major abnormality is elevation of chylomicrons, VLDL, or IDL.
Adult Dosage:
Swallow whole. ≥18yrs: LDL-C reduction of <25%: initially fluvastatin 20mg capsule once daily in the PM. LDL-C reduction of ≥25%: Lescol XL 80mg tab once daily, or fluvastatin 40mg capsule once daily in the PM or twice daily. Usual range: 20–80mg/day. Concomitant cyclosporine, fluconazole: max fluvastatin 20mg capsule twice daily.
Children Dosage:
<10yrs: not recommended. 10–16yrs: Initially fluvastatin 20mg capsule once daily; may increase dose at 6-week intervals to max daily dose of either fluvastatin 40mg capsule twice daily or Lescol XL 80mg tablet once daily.
Fluvastatin Contraindications:
Active liver disease. Unexplained, persistent elevated serum transaminases. Pregnancy (Cat.X). Nursing mothers.
Fluvastatin Warnings/Precautions:
Discontinue if myopathy, elevated CPK levels occur; suspend if a predisposition to development of renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis develops. Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; monitor. Monitor liver function before starting therapy and repeat as clinically indicated. Interrupt therapy if serious liver injury with clinical symptoms and/or hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice occurs; do not restart if alternate etiology not found. History of liver disease. Substantial alcohol consumption. Monitor for endocrine dysfunction. Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Severe renal insufficiency.
See Also:
Fluvastatin Classification:
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
Fluvastatin Interactions:
See Adult dose. Avoid concomitant gemfibrozil. Caution with other fibrates, niacin (≥1g/day), colchicine; consider reducing dose of fluvastatin. Monitor oral anticoagulants, glyburide, phenytoin. Inhibition of endogenous steroid production with spironolactone, ketoconazole, cimetidine.
Adverse Reactions:
Headache, dyspepsia, myalgia, abdominal pain, nausea, elevated serum transaminases, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis with renal dysfunction; increased HbA1c and fasting serum glucose, rare: cognitive impairment, non-fatal hepatic failure.
Generic Drug Availability:
How Supplied:
Ext-rel tabs—30, 100; Caps—contact supplier


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March 2011
LEA Responsible for Conducting Child Find and Ensuring the Provision of Equitable Services
The most recent provisions require the LEA with jurisdiction over the district in which the private school is located to be the responsible agency for implementing IDEA requirements for parentally placed children with disabilities. This includes the obligation that the LEA locate, identify, evaluate, and spend a proportionate share of IDEA funds for equitable services for children with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private, including religious, elementary and secondary schools located in that district.
|After timely and meaningful consultation with representatives of private schools and parent representatives of parentally placed private school children with disabilities, Liberty Public Schools (LPS) will conduct child find activities (see page 7 for more on this term) for children attending private elementary and secondary schools that are located in its district. They also will provide special education and related services to eligible parentally placed children with disabilities who are designated to receive services and attend private schools located in their district. Children with disabilities enrolled in private schools located in LPS will access IDEA benefits from LPS, even if the families reside within the geographic boundaries of another school district. This includes children who reside out of state but attend a private school located within the geographical boundaries of LPS.
Last Modified: 08/02/2017


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The upcoming Tomb Raider reboot is an origin story, one that has Lara Croft wind up shipwrecked on a mysterious island. What was she doing on that ship, anyway? A new comic series from Dark Horse Comics answers that question.
Tomb Raider: The Beginning is being written by Rhianna Pratchett, who's also the main writer for Crystal Dynamics' multiplatform release. The hardcover will be available for free when you pre-order at Best Buy. The story shows what happens before the game, revealing that Lara was part of a crew of an archeological TV show. The characters in the preview pages below will presumably be important ones in the game, likely as NPCs you'll either get help from, rescue from danger or come into conflict with. More info on Tomb Raider comics should be coming soon.


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See "WCF WebInvoke problem getting WSDL". David, the questioner, is clearly responding to a comment which no longer exists.
This is not the first I've seen today. "WSE 2.0 SoapHttpRouter: Is it possible to route soap messages with already attached client certificate?" is a question where I would certainly have commented that WSE is obsolete. In fact, the OP appears to be answering a comment like that. Yet there is no visible comment he could have been responding to.
Are these comments actually being deleted, and if so, should they be deleted?


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New exercise routines and regimens seem to appear on a daily basis, and treadmills and ellipticals continue to be the most popular cardio pieces in the gym, but don't overlook the stationary bikes. The benefits of using an stationary bike are numerous and diversified. It is a great workout for beginning exercisers, elite athletes, and those returning from injuries. It's also good for someone who doesn't have the space or budget for a high-end treadmill or elliptical.
#1 Benefit: Low-Impact
Other than training your cardiovascular system and burning calories, the single most significant benefit to using a stationary bike is that it allows you to do those things without the pounding and impact of weight bearing exercises. An exercise bike allows you to train while giving your skeletal system and joints a break. So physiologically, you can see how it is useful to every type of exerciser.
Although there are dual action bikes (with upper body arms) available, most bikes in use today are lower body upright and recumbent bikes. Don't fall into the trap believing that because you are not using your upper body, you are not getting a good workout. The largest muscles in the body are in your legs and when you put them in motion against resistance, you will get a great workout.
Stationary bikes are a great way for first time exercisers, overweight users looking to lose weight and those needing a low-impact workout to begin an exercise program. They are fixed motion pieces that require very little coordination and are relatively easy to use. You can elevate your heart rate and burn calories and fat without the stress of a weight bearing exercise.
For elite athletes, the bike provides a great complementary cross training workout, while reducing the risk of developing overuse injuries. You can get off your feet and give your joints a break from impact activities, yet you can continue to train your cardiovascular system. Each activity you do works your muscles differently. The bike can also add variety to you workout routines.
Finally, if you are recovering from an injury or joint replacement, the bike can be an integral part of your recovery and help get you back on your feet doing what you love to do.
#2 Benefit: Cost
These are two of the biggest factors or hurdles people encounter when trying to decide on a piece of fitness equipment for the home. If you can't commit to at least $1,500 for a quality treadmill or a $1,000 for a quality elliptical, a stationary bike may be the better option for you. There are many quality choices for under a $1,000.
#3 Benefit: Space
If you are tight on space, the stationary bikes take up less room and are portable. Just wheel it out in front of the TV and you are on your way to a healthier future.
Summary Of All The Benefits Stationary Bikes
- Trains cardiovascular system
- Burns calories
- Low impact
- Easy to use
- Low risk of injury
- Helps develop leg strength
- Excellent form of cross training
- Can add variety to weight bearing exercise routines
- Bikes take up less space
- Are typically more affordable
- Are portable
If you're in the market for a new piece of cardio equipment, consider a space saving exercise bike for a great low impact workout.
Here Are A Few Quality Stationary Bikes To Consider While Shopping


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Christmas Tree Collection & Recycle Event
Christmas Tree Collection & Clean Brush Recycling
January 4th & 18th, 2023 - Christmas Tree & Clean Brush Curbside Recycling Day
Place your "clean" (no tinsel or lights) Christmas tree at the curb to have it mulched and avoid it going to the landfill!
Other Christmas Recycling Opportunities!
Buy rechargeable batteries when you can. Keep used batteries in a plastic container and dispose of them at a City recycling event (MARCH & OCTOBER) or at any Interstate Battery location.
Wrapping Paper:
Use reusable gift bags or re-use gift wrapping when possible. Tearable/non-mylar wrapping paper may be recycled.
Packing materials:
Use shredded paper when possible. Reuse Styrofoam or recycle clean, white Styrofoam at any City recycling event or it may be taken to Foam Fabricators (900 Keller Pkwy, Ste. 101, Keller, TX 76248 (817) 379-6520).
Electronics may be recycled at the Electronics Recycling Container in the Animal Shelter parking lot (502 Shady Brook Drive).
Cardboard boxes may be broken down and placed out for curbside recycling. Large amounts of cardboard may be brought to the Single Stream Recycling Container also located in the Animal Shelter parking lot (502 Shady Brook Drive).
Please contact the City's Environmental Services Division (817-410-3330) with any questions you might have regarding recycling this holiday season!
"RETHINK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON" by REDUCING, RECYCLING and REUSING!
Christmas Tree Collection & Recycle Event
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Family: Anacardiaceae
Smooth Sumac
[Rhus angustiarum Lunell, moreRhus asplenifolia Greene, Rhus auriculata Greene, Rhus calophylla Greene, Rhus caroliniana Mill., Rhus cismontana , Rhus glabra f. abludens Moldenke, Rhus glabra var. laciniata Carr., Rhus glabra var. occidentalis Torr., Rhus hapemanii Lunell, Rhus laevicaulis Torr. ex A. Gray, Rhus media Greene, Rhus petiolata Greene, Rhus pulchella Greene, Rhus sambucina Greene, Rhus sandbergii Greene, Rhus valida Greene, Schmalzia glabra (L.) Small]
Usually a sparingly branched shrub, but sometimes to 6 m, vigorously colonial; petioles and younger branches glabrous and somewhat glaucous; lfls 11-31, lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 5-10 cm, acuminate, commonly serrate, much paler beneath; infl terminal, often 2 dm; frs 4-5 mm, somewhat flattened, bright red, densely beset with thick, minute red hairs 0.2 mm. Abundant in upland sites, old fields, roadsides, and margins of woods; N. Engl. and s. Que. to B.C., s. to n. Fla., Tex., and Mex. June, July. Forms with bipinnate lvs occur. A hybrid with no. 2 [Rhus typhina L.] has been called R. آorealis (Britton) Greene.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
©The New York Botanical Garden. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Small tree or large shrub to 7 m tall Leaves: alternate, pinnately compound, 20 - 50 cm long, with eleven to 31 leaflets. The stalk is 3 - 10 cm long, hairless or nearly so, enlarged near the base, and encloses the bud. Flowers: either male or female, found on separate plants (dioecious), sometimes with unisexual and bisexual flowers (polygamous). The inflorescence is large (10 - 25 cm long), terminal, and branched (panicle), with a hairless stalk and tiny yellowish green flowers. Fruit: fleshy with a center stone (drupe), borne in dense upright clusters, bright red, 3 - 5 mm across, covered with numerous sticky red hairs less than 0.5 mm long, persisting into winter. Bark: brown to gray, smooth. Twigs: stout, green to reddish, slightly three-sided, hairless, covered in a whitish waxy coating (glaucous), exuding a milky yellowish sap when cut. The horseshoe-shaped leafscar nearly encircles the bud and has three bundle scars. Buds: 5 - 7 mm long, egg-shaped, hairy. The terminal bud is absent. Leaflets: nearly stalkless (terminal leaflet stalk longest), bright green above, paler to nearly white beneath, 5 - 12 cm long (center leaflets longest), 1.5 - 3 cm wide, lance-shaped to oblong with a pointed tip, toothed (sometimes few), hairless or nearly so, covered with a whitish waxy coating (glaucous) beneath. Fall color is a bright orange, red or purple. Form: rounded to flat-topped, forming colonies from root sprouts.
Similar species: Rhus typhina is very similar to Rhus glabra but has very hairy twigs and red needle-like hairs (2 mm long or longer) on its fruit. Rhus x pulvinata is a hybrid between R. typhina and R. glabra with intermediate characteristics. It is quite difficult to identify without the fruit, which has both needle-like and club-like hairs. Rhus copallina is also similar, but the leaf stalk is winged between the leaflets. Toxicodendron vernix differs by its non-toothed leaves and white fruit.
Flowering: early June to early July
Habitat and ecology: Very common along fencerows, roadsides, railroads, borders of woodlands, and in abandoned fields. Rhus glabra is very shade intolerant. It often forms large colonies to suppress competition.
Occurence in the Chicago region: native
Notes: Following a fire, Rhus glabra sprouts from its roots. It tolerates dry, infertile soils and is often planted along roadsides and in waste places. Due to its high tannic acid content, Rhus glabra was once used for tanning leather.
Etymology: Rhus is the Greek name for a species of sumac. Glabra means hairless.
Author: The Morton Arboretum
PLANT: Thicket-forming shrubs or small trees, to 3 m tall; bark dark gray; twigs glaucous, lenticular, pinkish-gray. LEAVES: odd-pinnately compound, 13-19 foliolate; leaflets sessile, narrowly lanceolate to oblong, 20-80 mm long, 10-25 mm wide, subentire to serrate, glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath, deciduous and bright red in the fall; apex acuminate; base rounded. INFLORESCENCE: INFLORESCENCES dense thryses, 16-24 cm long, 8-24 cm wide, puberulent; bracts narrowly lanceolate, caducous FLOWERS: to 3 mm long; sepals greenish; petals cream. FRUIT: lenticular-orbicular, to 4 mm in diameter, dark red, glandular pubescent, viscid. NOTES: Rich soil in oak and ponderosa pine woodlands, often in canyons and riparian zones: all AZ cos. except La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Yuma; 1030-1820 m (3400-6000 ft); Jun Aug (fruits may persist overwinter); s Canada, WA, OR to New England, s to FL, TX, AZ, n Mex. REFERENCES: John L. Anderson, 2006, Vascular Plants of Arizona: Anacardiaceae. CANOTIA 3 (2): 13-22.
Anderson 2007, Kearney and Peebles 1969
Common Name: smooth sumac Duration: Perennial Nativity: Native Lifeform: Tree General: Thicket-forming shrubs or small trees to 3 m tall; bark dark gray; twigs glaucous, lenticular, pinkish-gray; stems below the inflorescences and leaves glabrous or glabrescent. Leaves: Opposite or alternate, odd-pinnately compound with 13-19 leaflets; leaflets sessile, narrowly lanceolate to oblong, 2-10 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, with acuminate tips, rounded bases, subentire to conspicuously serrate margins, glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath; deciduous and bright red in the fall. Flowers: Creamy white, numerous in naked terminal inflorescences of dense puberulent thryses 16-24 cm long and 8-24 cm wide; flowers to 3 mm long, with greenish sepals, subtending bracts narrowly lanceolate, caducous. Fruits: Dark red lenticular-orbicular pods, to 4 mm in diameter, surfaces glandular pubescent or viscid. Ecology: Found in rich soils in oak and ponderosa pine woodlands, in canyons and riparian zones, often forming thickets, from 3,500-7,000 ft (1067-2134 m); flowers June-August. Distribution: Widespread throughout the United States; s CAN to n MEX. Notes: This is a highly recognizable deciduous shrub, found in woodlands across North America. Look for large pinnately compund leaves with lanceolate leaflets, and large dense clusters of cream colored flowers at the branch tips, followed by red seed pods. Other woodland species with large pinnate leaves are Ailanthus altissima (can have up to 40 short-petioled leaflets, smells like rotten peanut butter, fruit is pinkish and winged); Juglans major (a large tree, fruit is a walnut, has fuzzy buds at branch tips); and Sapindus saponaria (leaf rachis is winged with leaf tissue, fruit is a red berry, and older bark peels off in rectangles). Ethnobotany: There are an impressive number of traditional medicinal uses, especially for skin ailments, asthma and other respiratory conditions, and as an emetic. Also used ceremonially. Etymology: Rhus is derived from rhous, an ancient Greek name for Sumac, and glabra means smooth or hairless. Synonyms: Rhus cismontana, Rhus borealis, Rhus calophylla, Schmaltzia glabra Toxicodendron glabrum. Editor: LCrumbacher2012, AHazelton 2015
From Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam
Infrequent throughout the state, preferring open places in dry, sandy or gravelly soil, or sometimes in moist loam and poor clay soil of hills. It prefers the open and is found along roadsides and fences and in abandoned fields and open woodland.
Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 1
Wetland Indicator Status: N/A
Diagnostic Traits: small tree; leaves pinnately compound with 11-31, more or less serrate leaflets; rachis unwinged; branches glabrous; panicle densely ovoid; fruit with minute, appressed hairs.


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- January 13, 2018
The Circus Ring of Fame will induct six new members in a ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday, on St. Armands Circle.
Sarasota native and high wire performer Tino Wallenda-Zoppe, who is part of the famed "Flying Wallendas" family, will be inducted at this Sunday's ceremony.
Other inductees are Rudi and Sue Lenz, whose chimpanzee act appeared in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for 14 years; John Pugh, long-time owner of Cole Bros., one of the largest tented circuses that exists today; veteran wild-animal trainer Manuel "Junior" Ruffin, who will become the first African-American member of the Ring of Fame; and flying trapeze artist Tony Steele, who is part of the Dime Wilson family.
Sunday's ceremony will include a live concert of circus music by the Sarasota Circus Concert Band. For information, call 922-0838.
Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].


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'Groundbreaking' Study Links Texas Earthquakes to Wastewater Injection From Fracking
|Earthquakes in Texas in November 2014.NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
- Wastewater Disposal Cause East Texas' Biggest Earthquake
- Series of Texas quakes likely triggered by oil and gas industry activity
- Wastewater injections cause human-made earthquakes, but the risk can be reduced
The study, which also showed that the risk can be mitigated, has the potential to transform oil and gas industry practices, ASU geophysicist Manoochehr Shirzaei said, calling the findings "very groundbreaking" and "very new."
"It's a hot topic" because "injection and fracking is extremely important in terms of jobs, money and independence," Shirzaei, an assistant professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, said.
The technique to extract oil and gas from rock using a high-pressure mix of water, sand or gravel and chemicals produces lots of wastewater, he said. This wastewater is disposed of through underground injections that "have led to an increase in earthquakes across the United States," he said.
"So now the goal, the scope of every scientist across the U.S.A., and maybe abroad, is to make that injection safer" by "reducing the number of earthquakes as much as we can," he said, explaining why the research was done.
Shirzaei was careful to say that the injection of wastewater can come from processes associated with oil and gas extraction other than hydraulic fracturing.
He said the study, published in the journal Science, shows that researchers can estimate how much pressure is increasing underground, providing a chance for wastewater injections to be halted before the buildup reaches a critical stage. The pressure, he said, eventually returns to normal, allowing the injections to resume.
Shirzaei said he already has plans to present the findings to state and industry leaders in Texas and Colorado. He said that no one from the oil and gas industry has seen the work because researchers wanted to maintain their independence.
The research could help reduce quakes like those felt recently in east Texas, which hasn't experienced such seismic activity historically. In May 2012, a 4.8 magnitude quake hit Timpson -- the largest ever monitored in the region. Several more temblors hit the area over the next 16 months.
The quakes marked a significant increase in east Texas and in areas of the U.S. where unprecedented volumes of wastewater are being shot into deep geological formations.
About 2 billion gallons of wastewater get injected underground every day into about 180,000 disposal wells in the U.S., mainly in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Kansas, according to the official news release.
For the study, Shirzaei and co-authors William Ellsworth of Stanford University, Kristy Tiampo of the University of Colorado Boulder, Pablo González of the University of Liverpool (UK), and Michael Manga of UC Berkeley focused on four high-volume wells used for disposing wastewater near the epicenter for the Timpson, Texas, earthquake, the release said.
The researchers used space-borne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), a remote satellite-based sensing technique, to measure the surface uplift of the area near the wells, the release said.
"Monitoring surface deformation using these remote sensing techniques is a proactive approach to managing the hazards associated with fluid injection, and can help in earthquake forecasting," Shirzaei said, according to the release. "Our study reports on the first observations of surface uplift associated with wastewater injection."
The researchers then calculated the strain and pore pressure underneath the wells that resulted in the uplift and, in turn, triggered the earthquakes, the release said. The research found that seismic activity increased, even when water injection rates declined, due to pore pressure continuing to diffuse throughout the area from earlier injections, the release said.
InSAR uses a highly accurate radar to measure the change in distance between the satellite and ground surface, allowing the team to show that injecting water into the wells at high pressure caused ground uplift near the shallower wells, the release said.
In addition, the data show less seismic activity in denser rock where pore pressure was prevented from disseminating into basement rock, helping to explain why injection can, but does not always, cause earthquakes, the release said.
By integrating seismic data, injected water histories, and geological and hydrogeological information with surface deformation observations, the researchers have provided a definitive link between wastewater injection and earthquake activity in Texas, helping explain why injection causes earthquakes in some places and not others, the release said.
"This research opens new possibilities for the operation of wastewater disposal wells in ways that could reduce earthquake hazards," Shirzaei said, in the release.
Materials provided by Arizona State University.


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Hacker George "GeoHot" Hotz, who along with the fail0verflow team have in the past week cracked the PS3 wide open, has posted up a video showing the exploits in action.
The Week In Games: What's Coming Out Beyond Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
What you're about to see won't rock your world, as he only boots a "hello world" message, but regardless of what he put on the screen the proof seems to be in his PS3-flavoured pudding: he could install stuff off a USB stick, get it running, and the console is now ready for homebrew.
As soon as people can whip up some decent homebrew applications, at any rate.


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Uploads get a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to make them easily and uniquely citeable.
Accept or reject uploads to your own community (e.g workshops, EU projects, institutions or entire disciplines).
Built on top of CERN's expertise in managing 100s of petabytes of research data from the Large Hadron Collider.


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PSA: HTC Droid DNA now available from Verizon
What are we thankful for on the day before Thanksgiving? How about the glut of great smartphones? Phones like HTC's Droid DNA, on sale today over at Verizon. $200 (with the obligatory two-year contract) will get you a gorgeous five-inch 1080p display, a quad-core processor, NFC and some Android Jelly Bean action. The battery life leaves a bit to be desired, however, though it'll get you through the amount of time required to cook a 20 pound turkey, at least.


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What we call our destiny is truly our character and that character can be altered. The knowledge that we are responsible for our actions and attitudes does not need to be discouraging, because it also means that we are free to change this destiny. One is not in bondage to the past, which has shaped our feelings, to race, inheritance, background. All this can be altered if we have the courage to examine how it formed us. We can alter the chemistry provided we have the courage to dissect the elements.
―Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash


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Ask someone from the audience to choose a card, put it back in the deck and shuffle it. Then put the deck in the little box in front of the duck and the show begins. Holding the duck in your hand, this will magically move its neck towards the deck, opening its beak and seizing one card from the box. Guess what? The card it picks is the one chosen by the spectator!
• It is a wooden duck with a built in mechanism.
• Full colour packaging.


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Aki-Home offers 2 methods of furniture delivery.
- Premium White Glove Delivery - With White Glove Delivery, you get in-home delivery to the room of your choice. The furniture is unpacked, assembled, and all packing trash is removed. If you ordered a mattress, then we will remove your old mattress at no extra charge.
*This service is only available in Southern California at this time however we are adding additional locations monthly.
- Standard Drop Off Delivery - With Drop Off Delivery, your products are delivered to your door. This service does not bring your deliveries inside your home and assembly is not included. Think of this as the "UPS" of furniture deliveries.
*This service is available to most locations in the continental US and is only available for ground floor deliveries.


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The collapsible camping chair has been a staple of camping sites and tailgating parties for as long as I can remember, but this battery-powered seat warming one from Chaheati is the first I've seen that thaws your keester.
Meet Microsoft's New Surface Laptops
The adjustable heater keeps your nether region toasty at approximately 100 degrees for up six hours. Crank it up to 145 degrees for about 1.8 hours of warmth for more extreme camping.
A tad pricey at $90, with extra batteries costing $35 apiece. [Chaheati via Geeky Gadgets via DVICE]


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CRS: The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Economic and Political Implications, November 20, 2008
From WikiLeaks
About this CRS report
This document was obtained by Wikileaks from the United States Congressional Research Service.
The CRS is a Congressional "think tank" with a staff of around 700. Reports are commissioned by members of Congress on topics relevant to current political events. Despite CRS costs to the tax payer of over $100M a year, its electronic archives are, as a matter of policy, not made available to the public.
Individual members of Congress will release specific CRS reports if they believe it to assist them politically, but CRS archives as a whole are firewalled from public access.
This report was obtained by Wikileaks staff from CRS computers accessible only from Congressional offices.
For other CRS information see: Congressional Research Service.
For press enquiries, consult our media kit.
If you have other confidential material let us know!.
For previous editions of this report, try OpenCRS.
Wikileaks release: February 2, 2009
Publisher: United States Congressional Research Service
Title: The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Economic and Political Implications
CRS report number: RL34470
Author(s): M. Angeles Villarreal, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Date: November 20, 2008
- Abstract
- Numerous Members of Congress oppose the CFTA because of concerns about the violence against labor union activists in Colombia. The Bush Administration believes that Colombia has made significant advances to combat violence and instability and views the pending trade agreement as a national security issue in that it would strengthen a key democratic ally in South America. For Colombia, a free trade agreement with the United States is part of the overall economic development strategy of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's Administration. President Uribe has made a trade agreement with the United States a key element in his vision to promote economic growth in Colombia and to help bring more economic stability in the country. In his response to U.S. congressional concerns, President Uribe has stated on several occasions that he would make every effort to ensure that these concerns were addressed and that the situation in Colombia had improved substantially under his administration. Some Members of Congress have stated they would like to see evidence of progress in this area before supporting the agreement.
- Download


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I went out of town the morning after Thanksgiving to make a quick visit to Charlotte (pictures to follow). Luckily I knew about my Slow Soupers Soup one week early. It was Jerry's turn to select his favorite soup, and picked a soup that can be made with leftover turkey. I used my leftovers a week earlier.
This is just right for this Sunday's Super Soup! If you are tired of turkey sandwiches... this is your recipe.
Mexican Turkey Soup
1-1/2 cups fresh corn niblets (frozen will work but thaw first)
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 tsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions, white and light-green parts only; reserve dark-green ends to garnish
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp finely chopped, canned chipotle peppers
4 cups chicken stock (or if you have time, try making your own turkey stock)
3/4 cups shredded, cooked turkey
1 ripe avocado
2 limes
2 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp finely chopped, fresh cilantro
In a large pot, dry-roast corn over high heat until lightly charred. Set aside in a small bowl. Repeat process with tomatoes. Using same pot, saute onion, garlic and chipotle peppers in vegetable oil over medium heat. Add turkey and stock and bring almost to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Roughly chop tomatoes and add (with juices) to pot along with corn. Season with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, mash avocado with a fork. Mix in juice from 1/2 of one lime and mayonnaise. Stir in chopped cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Serve soup topped with avocado cream, finely chopped dark-green onions and a wedge of lime.
My avocado was a little firm so I didn't make the avocado cream; instead served ours with sliced avocados and a sprig of cilantro. This is perfect for a turkey twist.
Y'all enjoy!


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CW Retro Stained Glass Roses | Round 43 - 1 Yard Cut
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60" Cotton Woven


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click above "PRICING" tab
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Durably constructed and handmade by Leathercraft (started in 1969) with time tested methods including kiln-dried Maple hardwood frame that is corner blocked, double doweled, glued and screwed. Traditional 8-way hand tied spring support underneath the seat cushion provides lasting comfort.
Fine tailoring is provided by North Carolina artisans. For the past 50+ years, Leathercraft, is known as one of the most premium quality leather furniture specialists in America. A family owned and operated furniture manufacturer located in the foothills of Hickory, NC. This furniture is built to last generations. Click above to learn more about the quality leather, construction methods, as well as the variety of options available.
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The Leathercraft Brennan Sofa 955-00-2 is handmade to your order specifications, therefore changes, cancellations and returns are not available once production is scheduled.
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There are surprising similarities between the way mammals and flies eat, a new study has claimed.
What and how we eat is a crucial determinant of health and wellbeing. Model organisms such as fruit flies have provided crucial insights into how our brain decides what and how much to eat. But until now it was not clear how similar eating was in fruit flies and mammals (vertebrates).
In a paper published today (Itskov et. al 2014) in the scientific journal Nature Communications, scientists from the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Lisbon, Portugal, in collaboration with the University of Washington, Seattle, offer new insights into the way flies eat. "The fruit fly is a highly valuable animal model, but they are very small hence monitoring the fine details of their behaviour, such as how they eat, has been a challenge for many years" - says Carlos Ribeiro, the Principal investigator of the Behaviour and Metabolism lab at the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme.
"We found that flies ate by rhythmically extending their proboscis (eating organ) in a highly stereotyped fashion. When they are hungry they do not change the rhythm of feeding but instead alter how long they wait to take the next bite. This means, that flies change different aspects of their behaviour depending on how hungry they are. Furthermore, the way flies adapt to starvation is similar to how mammals do it" - says Carlos Ribeiro.
To complement the flyPAD technology the researchers also developed another method, which allows them to detect when the food reaches the nervous system. "We decided to use light" - says Pavel Itskov, a postdoctoral researcher in the Behaviour and Metabolism lab. "We took a protein from the firefly, the one that makes the firefly shine at night, and expressed it in the brain of the fruit flies. We then fed them with a substance that activates that protein. This way, we could make sure that the amount and the timing of flashes from the brain are related to food intake and the kinetics of the nutrient absorption." The results were striking. "Not only did it confirm that the motor programme we have found leads to food intake, it also showed us that the food reaches the nervous system extremely fast, in as little as 20 seconds " - says Pavel Itskov.
For Carlos Ribeiro, "The next step is to use these methods to understand how the brain regulates food intake. We will search for the neurons and genes that control feeding in the fly. Given that the regulation of this behaviour seems to be similar in flies and vertebrates, there is the fascinating possibility that it is controlled by similar neuronal circuits and genes. This work will bring us closer to understanding how we choose what and how much to eat."
Source: Eurekalert


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The president of Gordon College is defending his support for a religious exemption to forthcoming federal regulations banning antigay discrimination, saying his "sole intention" was to affirm the Christian school's support for religious liberty.
D. Michael Lindsay said he joined other religious leaders in calling for the exemption in order to affirm the "right of faith-based institutions to set and adhere to standards which derive from our shared framework of faith."
"Signing the letter was in keeping with our decades-old conviction that, as an explicitly Christian institution, Gordon should set the conduct expectations for members of our community," Lindsay wrote in a statement posted Monday on the Wenham college's website.
Last week, Lindsay was among 14 religious leaders who wrote the Obama administration in support of an exemption to the upcoming executive order forbidding federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, a key victory for gay rights advocates.
Without an exemption, the employment protections would "come at an unreasonable cost to the common good, national unity and religious freedom," the religious leaders wrote.
Lindsay's stance sparked anger among students and alumni, who said his views were discriminatory and did not reflect their own. An online petition calling on him to rescind his support for the exemption has received more than 2,700 signatures.
In Monday's letter, Lindsay said the college typically stays out of politically charged issues, and that he regretted the letter to Obama had "resulted in confusion, hurt feelings and disappointment among the Gordon community, which was not what I intended."
He said the college's positions on employment or admissions had not changed.
"We have never barred categories of individuals from our campus and have no intention to do so now," he wrote. "We have always sought to be a place of grace and truth, and that remains the case."
The college, which has more than 2,100 students, forbids homosexual practice in its student handbook, as well as sex outside of marriage.
As Lindsay explained his support for the exemption, a group of students wrote the Obama administration Tuesday in a show of support for the executive order, saying it provides protections "granted to virtually all other social identities in our country."
In their letter, the students denounced calls for a religious exemption, saying it would allow discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. "There is a distinction between allowing for freedom in the expression of religious beliefs and allowing the practice of discrimination on the basis of one's sexual orientation or gender identity," the students wrote.
The request for an exemption, they wrote, "does not accurately reflect the diverse perspectives of the individuals affiliated with and represented by the Christian leaders who signed it."
More than 100 students, alumni, and faculty signed the letter. Juwan Campbell, a Gordon senior from Boston who helped build support for the letter, said many students are upset that Lindsay voiced support for an effort they believe is discriminatory, and concerned his position will hurt the college's image.
"We're not going to look like a very progressive school," he said. "It's going to be difficult for people to find value in a Gordon degree going forward."
Other religious leaders have voiced support for the antidiscrimination order, and urged the administration not to include a religious exemption. On Monday, more than 100 leaders sent a letter urging that "public dollars should not be used to sanction discrimination."
"An executive order that allows for religious discrimination against LGBT people contradicts the order's fundamental purpose, as well as the belief shared by more and more Americans every day, which is that LGBT people should not be treated as second-class citizens," they wrote. "An exception would set a terrible precedent by denying true equality for LGBT people, while simultaneously opening a Pandora's Box inviting other forms of discrimination."
Related coverage:
• Gordon College leader joins request for exemption to hiring rule
• Supreme Court allows college to avoid filling out document over contraceptives
• Supreme Court limits birth control coverage rule
• Editorial: Supreme Court loses its way in Hobby Lobby decision
• Court allows college to avoid filling out document over contraceptives
• Mass. abortion clinic buffer zones ruled illegal
Peter Schworm can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @globepete.


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- Find your own suit among our figure skating clothes.
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Viitteet 1-1 / 1
This child is also mine : a narrative approach to the phenomenon of atypical custodial grandparenthood
(Lapin yliopistokustannus, 2011)
The aim of the study is to render the nature of narrated world of human experience. The narrative approach was researched through the phenomenon of empirical world, i.e. atypical custodial grandparenthood in Lithuania when ...


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SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) – While drivers are likely full of nerves ahead of the race, owners are probably just as anxious.
Owner Sam Schmidt, who has three cars in the 103rd Indianapolis 500, talked about the importance of winning the Indianapolis 500.
He also discussed his team's strategy in planning for the weather going into Sunday's race.
To watch the entire segment, click on the video.


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Art Does Just Enough to Get By
- Christian Hamaker Contributing Film and Culture Writer
- 2011 20 Jun
DVD Release Date: November 29, 2011
Theatrical Release Date: June 17, 2011 (limited)
Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements including sexual content, language, teen drinking and partying)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Run Time: 83 min.
Director: Gavin Wiesen
Actors: Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Sasha Spielberg, Marcus Carl Franklin, Blair Underwood, Rita Wilson, Sam Robards, Alicia Silverstone
George Zinavoy (Freddie Highmore, Astro Boy) has a problem. Obsessed with thoughts of mortality and the pointlessness of existence, he gives voice to "a real problem with motivating" himself.
A teacher, recognizing that George is listless and on the cusp of failing his class, tells him to find something to say, and say it. The same question could have been put to the filmmakers. What did they have to say with The Art of Getting By? Why did they make this movie?
That may sound dismissive, but it's not intended to be. The Art of Getting By has its strengths, but it's hard to figure out what motivated people to make a character-driven drama about George, whose appeal and charm are negligible. Were he played as a rascal or a conniver, that would be a different matter, but the filmmakers have made George into a privileged whiner. They want us to take George's side, to empathize with him, but they never close the sale. It's George's love interest, Sally (Emma Roberts, It's Kind of a Funny Story), who takes up the slack, giving a charge to a film that often threatens to peter out but sparks to life just enough to hold our interest and carry us to the end credits.
We meet George as he wonders about the "inevitability of dying alone." Nothing will help avoid his fate, he says. So mired is George in this existential crisis that he can't be bothered to do his homework. His mother frets that if he doesn't do well in school, he won't be able to get a job, but her concern only feeds George's apathy.
Enter Sally, a fellow student who breaks the school rules (she's nearly caught smoking until George takes the fall for her). They become fast friends, providing George with the possibility of a relationship that might life new purpose—and just in time. George's prospects at school have grown dire: He's facing suspension if his performance doesn't improve quickly. Too bad he'd rather hang out with Sally, party and continue to blow off his studies rather than get serious.
Instead, the two of them cut school, see matinee movies and learn that George isn't the only one in his family struggling with daily responsibilities. His stepfather, Jack, is spending his days in restaurants and at city bus stops, having been evicted from his office space. That gives George a secret he can use as leverage whenever his mom (Rita Wilson, It's Complicated) and Jack (Sam Robards, Che: Part One) bring up George's problems, but the story never makes Jack's situation seem essential to George's problems. It does, however, provide a springboard to a late-in-film revelation about George's mom and her marital struggles—also superfluous, although Wilson's big scene of emotional unburdening to her son is affecting.
George's other notable personal relationship is with Dustin (Michael Angarano, Gentlemen Broncos), an artist and recent graduate of George's school who gives him advice about how to pursue Sally and who, predictably, becomes Sally's shoulder to cry on when George doesn't respond to her strong come-ons. Sally's pursuit of George and her explicit propositioning of him are interesting scenes in that they show the female character aggressively pursuing a reluctant male character (the situation is usually reversed), and him hinting that he's a virgin before spurning her suggestion that they sleep together. He doesn't refuse her advances out of moral conviction—he's simply confused, uncertain and scared—but the fact that the two characters don't jump into bed together gives the film an innocence among the sadness and the cynicism of most of its characters.
Fatherlessness is another buried theme in The Art of Getting By. Both George and Sally have grown up without their biological fathers. Each has accepted that, but as they discuss their backgrounds, there's a strained undertone of abandonment to their talk. However, like much else in the film—including the characters of Zoe and Will, friends of George's who barely have any screen time after the story introduces them—it's underdeveloped.
With so many undercooked themes and characters, The Art of Getting By has no right to work, but the film pays off with an ending that plays much more like a mainstream romantic comedy than the dour independent film Art wants to be. Indie-film audiences will feel betrayed by the feel-good ending, while mainstream audiences will be put off by George's sense of emptiness and entitlement, raising again the question of to whom, exactly, this film is targeted.
Maybe students looking for a more complex theater experience than the standard multiplex fare? The movie does have enough of an upbeat ending that those viewers, like George, will be able to shake off the character's sense of despair and angst and leave them wondering how, against the odds, the film manages to get by.
- Language/Profanity: Lord's name taken in vain; the "f" word"; "s-it"; a woman says she has "a lot of slutty friends" George might like; "circle jerk"; "douchebag"; "bats-it"; "sadistic little hussy."
- Alcohol/Smoking/Drugs: Several scenes of smoking and drinking; verbal speculation about a "drug buy from a skanky hooker"; Dustin says he was hung over when he agreed to speak to a group of students.
- Sex/Nudity: Sally's mom comes on to George; Sally pulls out a trundle bed for George to sleep on; he watches her undress from behind, and we see a bra strap but no nudity; they don't sleep together, but Sally notices that George has an erection under his sheets; George is told to throw Sally against the wall and kiss her; Sally asks George if he's ever had sex, he suggests the answer is "no," and then she asks if he'll have sex with her; kissing; Sally tells George he'll have to sleep with a lot of girls to get her out of his system.
- Violence/Crime: Jack assaults George, who rights him off with an elbow to the chest.
Religion/Morals: George doesn't see the point of life and speaks of "fate"; an artist describes a painting as "heaven to me."
Questions? Comments? Contact the writer at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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I made some minor revisions to two articles that may be of interest. I'm never sure how to promote these things, since they're small changes and don't necessitate re-reading the entire article. This seems like a good way to do it.
Windows 7 Product Editions: A Comparison
I added some info about TV tuner support, which has curiously been an oft-repeated question via email. The basic deal is that in any version of Windows 7 that supports Media Center, you can have up to four TV tuners of each type.
I added information about the Office 2010 technical preview (July) and public beta (Q3 2009).
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Fayrenombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Fayrenombe is a name whose history is connected to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Fayrenombe family once lived at Farnham, in several different counties including Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Essex, Suffolk, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. In this case the surname Fayrenombe was originally derived from the Old English words fearn + hamm which means a fern-covered homestead or property.
Early Origins of the Fayrenombe family
The surname Fayrenombe was first found in one of the many villages names Farnham throughout England in the following counties or shires: Dorset, Essex, North Yorkshire, Suffolk, and Surrey. Farnham Common and Farnham Royal are located in Buckinghamshire. [1]
The name has numerous listings in the Domesday Book with various spellings that were in use at the time: Fernham, Dorset; Phernham Essex; Fareham North Yorkshire; Farnham, Suffolk; and Fernham Surrey. Farnham Royal was listed as Fernham Riall. [2]
While one would suppose the surname originated from one or more of the aforementioned locals, another reference suggests we must look to Leicestershire, specifically Quorndon to find the surname's true origin as in "this ancient family was certainly seated at Quorndon two descents before the reign of Edward I." [3]
Early History of the Fayrenombe family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fayrenombe research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1290, 1312, 1483, 1753, 1642, 1636 and are included under the topic Early Fayrenombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fayrenombe Spelling Variations
Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Fayrenombe family name include Farnham, Farnhams, Farnhan, Fearnham, Farneham and others.
Early Notables of the Fayrenombe family (pre 1700)
Notables of the family at this time include Richard Farnham (d. 1642), fanatic, "a weaver who came from Colchester to Whitechapel about 1636, where he and a fellow-craftsman, John Bull, announced that they were prophets inspired with 'the...
Migration of the Fayrenombe family to Ireland
Some of the Fayrenombe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Migration of the Fayrenombe family
For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Fayrenombe surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Thomas and Ralph Farnham who had came to Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1634; as did Henry Farnham of Warwickshire, who settled there in 1644. Alice, Mary, and Ralph Farnham settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635.


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Black Square Neck Cover
Wear this large neck cover under low cut tops or dresses to provide maximum neck and shoulder coverage. Made of soft and comfortable cotton/jersey material. One size fits all.
Fabric Description:
• Jersey / Cotton
• Machine or handwash
• Length (from shoulder to hem):
Front: 13.5" (34 cm)
Back: 4.5" (11.4 cm)
• Visibility: Opaque
While we try our best to ensure product colours shown are a true depiction of the actual product colours, we do not guarantee a true colour match.
Please note that we are able to provide tracking numbers for the following shipping methods ONLY:
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We strongly recommend using one of the above shipping methods for your peace of mind, security and speedy delivery. Delivery times for shipments without a tracking number to international destinations (other than Canada) can be as long as 1-4 weeks. When an order shipped internationally reaches the destination country, the package may be subject to Customs clearance procedures which can cause delays beyond original delivery estimates. These delays are normal and beyond our control. If in doubt, or for additional information, please email us at [email protected].


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Twisted (2004)
Recently promoted and transferred to the homicide division, Inspector Jessica Shepard feels pressure to prove herself -- and what better way than by solving San Francisco's latest murder? However, as Shepard and her partner, Mike Delmarco, soon discover, the victim shared a romantic connection to her. As more of Shepard's ex-lovers turn up dead, her mind starts to become unstable, and she begins to wonder if she could be the very killer she's trying to track down.
The movie Twisted, released in 2004, features 7 songs from artists like James Brown, Johnny Nitro & The Door Slammers, Rich Ruttenberg and Tierney Sutton. What is your favorite song from Twisted?


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Liberal Gordie Hogg has defeated Conservative candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay in Monday's South Surrey-White Rock byelection.
"This is your victory," Hogg told supporters during a speech at Boston Pizza in South Surrey. "Thank you so very much for all that you've done."
The result marks the first time Liberals have won the local vote in a federal election since the 1940s.
Hogg finished with 14,369 votes (47.5 per cent), compared to Findlay's 12,752 (42.1 per cent). NDP candidate Jonathan Silveira was third, with 1, 478 votes (4.9 per cent), followed by Green Party's Larry Colero with 1,247 (4.1 per cent). Christian Heritage Party's Rod Taylor received 238 votes (0.8 per cent), Libertarian Donald Wilson got 89 votes (0.3 per cent) and Progressive Canadian Party candidate Michael Huenefeld garnered 86 votes (0.3 per cent).
Findlay conceded defeat at about 9:15 p.m.
"I wish we'd had more time," she told Peace Arch News, referring to how long candidates had to campaign.
She and supporters watched the results come in at Morgan Creek Golf Course.
"We worked very hard and we will be fighting in 2019, for sure," Findlay said.
All seven candidates were vying to win the MP seat left vacant by Conservative Dianne Watts, who resigned the position in September after announcing a bid for the leadership of the BC Liberal party.
Candidates' campaigns for election lasted a little over a month – the byelection was announced in early November – and the run-up to today's vote included multiple visits from party leaders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in support of Hogg, and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, in support of Findlay, each made two visits to the riding in an attempt to drum up support for their candidates.
The South Surrey-White Rock byelection was one of four taking place across Canada today. The others were in Newfoundland and Labrador (Bonavista-Burin-Trinity), Ontario (Scarborough-Agincourt) and Saskatchewan (Battlefords-Lloydminster).
The Bonavista-Burin-Trinity riding – the easternmost of the four byelections – was the first to have votes counted, with Liberal candidate Churence Rogers holding onto the riding for the incumbent party, after being selected on 69.2 per cent of the 12,593 votes cast.
In Scarborough-Agincourt, Liberal Jean Yip - the widow of late MP Arnold Chan, whose death triggered the byelection - won with 49 per cent of the vote. In Battlefords-Lloydminster, Conservative Rosemarie Ashley Falk ran away with the vote, with 69.6 per cent of voters selecting her.