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I have been following the discussions about the proposed casino for south Fall River and I have one basic question for the opponents. If not a casino, what?
I have been following the discussions about the proposed casino for south Fall River and I have one basic question for the opponents. If not a casino, what?
If no casino, children at the Letourneau Elementary School will have the prospect of peering over a wall into a vacant mall and its rubble- strewn parking expanse. A vacant mall, now that makes for a safe playground.
I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Boston. My dad advised me, if ever I was in trouble, to run into the nearest firehouse, police station or barroom; someone in one of those places would likely help me. I would advise parents with children attending the Letourneau Elementary School that their children would have a good neighbor in a casino, a casino whose every interest rests on ensuring the safety of its neighboring children.
If no casino, Fall River will continue to struggle to create needed jobs. Right now most "construction" jobs in the city involve demolition. A vacant mall will not provide immediate construction jobs. A casino will provide immediate and long term jobs.
If no casino, small businesses in Fall River will continue to struggle and close. That's right, small businesses will suffer. Whenever a new mall opens, small city businesses lose customers to the brightly lit emporiums, with free parking and plentiful security forces. When a Staples opens, small stationery shops close. When a Lowes, a Best Buy, a Walmart or a Sam's Club opens, small city businesses shutter their doors. Yet, we all happily flock to the newest, big-box stores without pause. But propose a casino and suddenly those same shoppers are concerned about small businesses. No one can guarantee that a casino will help small businesses, but I can assure you that without a casino they will continue to suffer.
If no casino, you will have no traffic. The shopping area in south Fall River is slowly dying. Shaw's is gone. Walmart is gone. Staples is losing ground (evident by their willingness to sell). Soon there will be more vacancies than open stores, and the open stores will be mostly third rate discount outlets. A casino will bring traffic and a casino will make sure that the traffic will flow easily into its venues. A casino will not tolerate rutted, pot-holed streets. And, that traffic will find its way to the bargains to be found around and about the casino.
If no casino, crime in south Fall River will increase. Urban decay breeds crime. Drug deals occur in vacant parking lots. Lack of traffic provides a convenient place for nefarious activities. People dump in vacant lots. No one will pay for the electricity to light a vacant mall. A casino will not abide such activity. A casino will help fund Fall River's police force and add its own security forces. I know of no one who has felt fearful in a casino complex.
If no casino, people will continue to gamble. Lottery outlets in the poorest cities and towns enjoy the highest sales. Illegal bookmaking is a fact of life, including its attendant loan sharking and repayment enforcement. Do we really want to close up the lottery agents in the city? Do we really want to ban the luxury buses that spirit city gamblers off for a day at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun? A casino will not make our children gamblers; certainly no more so than watching their parents buy scratch tickets, bet on the NCAA tournament or sit around the kitchen table playing penny-ante poker. A casino will not allow children to gamble.
I am not a gambler and I have no direct stake in a Fall River casino. I am a Fall River homeowner and I am a realist. So, I ask everyone who is opposed to a casino: If not a casino, then what?
Stephen P. Kobialka
Fall River


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C-Mac one of our Vancouver Canucks bloggers lays out the Top 5 goaltenders in Canucks history today in article in our Moments In Time series. Some great names make the list. Corey Hirsch, Glen Hanlon, Alex Auld, and of course Cory Schneider. Forgive C-Mac for leaving off former Vancouver Canucks Troy Gamble, Kay Whitmore, Johan Hedberg, Arturs Irbe, Dany Sabourin, and Curtis Sanford. Ahem.
Moments In Time: Top 5 Vancouver Canucks backup goalies in history
January 26, 2012 By


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Opinion: Why Wonkblog Is Wrong About ObamaCare
Best of the Web Today columnist James Taranto says in the long run, the GOP will win the argument about entitlement reform. Photos: Getty Images
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the commentary on what this shutdown debacle has met ... for the GOP also it's meant ... for taking the media's eyes off of Obamacare and that rolling disaster ... here's what was on hand to say this is Ezra Klein at the Washington Post and I quote ... one thing this kind ... of fun really right for the Affordable Care Act the Republican party ... the decision to shut down the government on the exact day the health care law was launched was a miracle for the White House ... instead the law has been knocked off the front page by coverage of the Republican Party's ... disaster ... I've got best of the Web Today columnist James Taranto here to discuss James ... possessor of heaven poignancy right here that ... the best thing that's happened to this launch was the GOP ... well that's like the world's tallest midget Brighton in its size ... that was up twenty four five points in a piece entitled I believe that I was Obamacare of one of the Obamacare launches a disaster ... and it out as was looking for a silver lining here for a promised her supporters but ... I don't know that that's really much of what I mean ... yeah this are the Republicans so I have lived made a mess of things over the past couple of weeks I'd ... I think we all right ... I've been pretty consistent arguing since the start that this was a a half they can ever remember one of the reasons it was a half baked idea ... Ted Cruz's whole argument for why we need to ... make this a desperate attempt to stop Obamacare is that people are really going to like Obamacare ... and one since I once it starts it's going to impossible while bonds look at the really sick person under the law Obamacare I'm getting free health care ... off the backs of young people and in the longer this entitlement is in place when it simply gained more support over time ... well you're imagining that this is not an entitlement light guy like Medicare or something ... I it's really not I mean a lot of people have medical insurance are losing it as result of ObamaCare's requirements that having to buy ... I a e it's taking every log on to the shares are having to buy new policies of higher cost ... I mean yes there are some people were being subsidized but tried a lot of people ever going to end up being hurt by this ... and it all depends on jacking up the prices for young people already ten not have insurance ... and expecting them to buy insurance did so to leak a heated argument against want OT is basically ... the GOP wins because Obamacare is not going to work in the long term people to start in life is with us a sense is that my argument is this to call this a miracle for the White House ... is side is a bit of an overstatement I mean yes it's been ... obviously AEI it did the White House is enjoying the side this fight ... are the Republicans have made a mess of things but ... unless we actually you know that the debt ceiling and have lived a catastrophic economic consequence in which case ... how that how that plays out political is anybody's guess ... by this will you know so this is resolved quickly that the Republicans retreat is one expects them to do ... I'd ... guess that the Republicans need to counter argument is part of the problem here that they they they have nothing to say ... when they corrected other than to criticize Obamacare ... Friday was the plan was to play out and the conservative side ... well I think the plan of getting rid of Obamacare is a pretty attractive planning look more attractive as side as we see with this I've been in the US has run its tetanus and replaceable ... I know it don't you think the status quo ante was preferable and six ... understanding is that no other place politically ... forbid them to leave it that best of the Web Today columnist James Taranto ... thank so much for joining


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Chance the Rapper is going to make sure he gets this right: rap music, a pop-star ascent from Chicago, a record deal, that whole fame thing — and on his own terms.
Chance, whose full name is Chancelor Bennett, has been drawing increasingly large and enthusiastic audiences since he released his upbeat debut mixtape, "10 Day," last spring. An instant success, the tape catapulted Chance into touring with Childish Gambino (perhaps better known as actor and comedian Donald Glover, of NBC's "Community"), headlining sold-out shows at prominent local venues like Lincoln Hall and Metro, taking meetings with major record labels and earning the ears of such prominent musical acts as Kendrick Lamar and James Blake.
The momentum has continued to grow not only locally, where Chance, 20, has the city at his fingertips, but nationally as well. The April 30 release of his latest mixtape, "Acid Rap," twice shut down the servers of popular Chicago rap blog Fake Shore Drive and attracted 50,000 downloads within the first 24 hours.
A melodic, idiosyncratic work blurring the line between hip-hop and pop, "Acid Rap" is purposefully open-ended, its tone equal parts celebratory and thoughtful. As the title hints, two of the creative influences behind the release were the mind-expanding effects of psychedelic drugs and the acid-jazz compositions of artists like Jamiroquai and Roy Ayers, somewhat uncommon reference points for a rapper. Praise upon its release was immediate and widespread.
The project was also meticulously assembled on Chance's own terms, without the help of a record label and in many places favoring lesser-known local artists over higher-profile collaborators. As he noted in an interview at the Humboldt Park studio where he was adding the mixtape's finishing touches, his primary interest is in making sure the story of his music makes sense, which has meant occasionally sacrificing short-term gains in the interest of a long-term vision.
"He just wants to go left field," explained Caleb James, a friend and fellow member of Chicago artistic collective Save Money. "He doesn't want to go the normal way, like 'getting a single made.' He's not really that type of person."
Instead, Chance is resolute about having a career narrative that people can identify with. Last summer, as the broader Chicago hip-hop scene was gaining a national profile and many local artists landed major-label record deals, Chance was approached about signing as well. For many young artists, signing such a contract is often treated as a critical milestone or even as the primary objective in pursuing a music career. Chance chose to consider how the offer might complement his eventual goals.
"I really wanted to sign last year," he said, adding, "It took me a moment to step back and be like, 'I can tell this story better.'"
The story, as it exists so far, begins with Chance's 10-day suspension from his high school in 2011, the South Loop's Jones College Prep, after being caught smoking marijuana off-campus. Already a fixture within a music, spoken word and performing arts scene centered at the Harold Washington Library's YOUMedia youth center, Chance conceived of a project that would involve making a song during each day of his suspension and releasing the results as a mixtape. It ultimately took around a year for the project to come together, but the suspension served as the origin for several songs and remained a thematic inspiration.
When Chance graduated high school (also in 2011) he wanted to pursue music, despite his parents' urging that he go to college. He spent the summer burning copies of a five-song demo CD called "5 Day," which he would hand out or try to sell for whatever people would give him in front of the Columbia College dorms. The CD, labeled with the rapper's Twitter handle, served as a business card of sorts, helping him build a small social media following and meet more people in the local music scene.
Even as his profile has risen, Chance has largely maintained the approachability borne of that experience, and he remains an enthusiastic booster of his peers. Outgoing and easy to relate to, he greets new people without pretense and apologizes for name-dropping when he talks about the well-known artists he's been working with.
"I've just always tried to be not just humble but (to) put forth effort to make things easier for other people," he said. "That's just the type of people I like, regardless of what your job is."
His promotional model, like much of his work, continues to be rooted in inclusiveness. To advertise shows and sell tickets, Chance has made impromptu visits to local high schools to talk to students. For a show at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he made arrangements for Chicago fans to ride down and back with him in one of two school buses. Pat Corcoran, his 23-year-old manager, highlighted Chance's willingness to do things like join fans for pizza or stop by a fraternity party after tour dates.
"He thinks of himself as a fan," Corcoran said, "like, 'What would I like if my favorite rapper was going to be in my school? What would I like for him to do?'"
While that extroversion has been consistent, though, the focus required to channel it into a career is a more recent development. Throughout much of 2011, music remained in many ways a casual interest. Chance was spending much of his time partying, and his insistence on not going to college had made his relationship with his parents fraught to the point that they were barely speaking.
Much changed that fall, when Chance witnessed the stabbing death of a friend after a North Side party. The incident forced a reevaluation of his priorities: He repaired his relationship with his parents and renewed his dedication to making music. He stopped going out and doing drugs.
"It's a very fast way of life in Chicago, and a lot of (stuff) happens, and a lot of people get killed," Chance explained. "And then the next day people forget about it, so it's like you've got to live every day and be happy that you're safe and just be careful and be open about how you feel about people." He added, "I just decided that I needed to be doing something more important and take everything that I was doing more seriously."
When "10 Day" debuted, it stood out due to its unusually melodic songs and a sense of liveliness drawn from the broader artistic community that helped create it. The product of careful composition and extensive collaboration, it exuded optimism and reflectiveness.
These aspects became more prominent in the process of recording "Acid Rap," which features much more live instrumentation and, as Chance explained, attempts to offer a more inquisitive viewpoint. While, by Chance's account, the final push to complete "10 Day" involved little more than brief touch-ups of two-track recordings — vocals and a beat — "Acid Rap" is an intricately layered work, incorporating contributions from a range of musicians. Chance's own involvement was complete and overarching, even as he drew on others. Consequently, each element is painstakingly considered.
The final product is lush and conversational, a mixtape that covers a spectrum of themes with equal gravitas. Quiet, halting tracks like "Acid Rain" and the second half of "Pusha Man" (a hidden track called "Paranoia") explore the emotional toll of Chicago's violence, while triumphant songs like "Good Ass Intro" and "Interlude (That's Love)" radiate excitement and showcase Chance's dense, acrobatic lyrical style. A dexterous, inventive rapper, Chance ties phrases in knots, bursts into unexpected strings of melody and delivers ad libs halfway between a whine and a growl.
His music is aiming as much for widespread appeal as rap acceptance, and Chance's goals — to play "Saturday Night Live," to both present and win Grammys, to change the landscape of hip-hop — reflect that ambition. The names that get repeatedly referenced in conversations with Chance and his associates are those of pop stars like Prince and Michael Jackson, as well as that of another Chicago rapper famous for exacting standards of quality and distinct, inventive sounds: Kanye West.
"I want to be that guy that comes out and has a whole new sound and goes into hip-hop with hip-hop being whatever it is … to come into hip-hop and make something different that people can respect," he said, citing Kanye as a precedent. "That's the goal."
Incorporated into Chance's grander career strategy is something else West accomplished, at least momentarily: an interest in exposing Chicago's hip-hop scene to the wider world. Chance's pride in and knowledge of local music both past and present is extensive, a fact reflected in occasional production nods to the city's juke scene as well as lyrical references to Chicago musicians ranging from Muddy Waters to Chief Keef.
While his music is often held up as a counterexample to the darker, more nihilistic strains of Chicago hip-hop, by both media commentators and some of his own collaborators, Chance is emphatic about the idea of presenting a unified movement of great music coming out of the city. Joking one night in the studio, he mimicked interviewers asking how he planned "to totally eliminate the drill sound (a slang term for the lyrically violent hip-hop of the city's South Side)." Chance would rather celebrate Chicago hip-hop's overall success than be seen as an antidote to its rougher artists.
Accordingly, after his recent Double Door performance, Chance mingled with the crowd. Preparing to leave for a late-night studio session, he ran across a musical friend and invited her to come record some background vocals. Outside, his group piled into a black SUV.
And as Chance figures out his music, his career, he's not just putting on a show. He's bringing everyone along with him.
Chance the Rapper
When: Metro, 7 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Where: Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.
Tickets: $13-$15 (all ages); etix.com or metrochicago.com


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Friday, June 18, 2010
New Double Cross Frames Arriving Soon
The Double Cross has been the frame that we have felt best represented Soma's core values. It is durable, versatile, and practical. And till now, it's never been very flashy. We've always purposefully picked dark or muted colors that would blend into the urban landscape and not draw attention of would-be thieves. This year we break with that just a little with this Double Cross in a tasty Ivory. Don't know why exactly. Maybe it's because we've been working with Rivendell. Maybe it was going to too many hand-built bike shows. Maybe it's just wanting to be in EcoVelo...having them take some of those glorious hyper-idyllic, golden hour shots of our bikes. Whatever.
We think the new ivory frame can make for some inspiring builds. Can't wait to see what you guys do with it. Shops can order next week from Merry Sales and in a couple of weeks from our other distributors. Because of a shipping snafu, matching fork will not be available until late July. (UPDATED: July 26, 2010 - Ivory forks have arrived.)
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2008-01-23 / Opinion
New recycling law for plastic bags in Suffolk should get notice by Nassau lawmakers
A new law passed in Suffolk County provides the mechanism to have consumers and supermarkets recycle plastic grocery bags. The bill, sponsored by S.C. Leg. Wayne Horsley (DLindenhurst), avoids the less favorable issue of banning these items, and provides a use for them while at the same time preserving valuable natural resources.
You must be an online subscriber to view this story.


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Due to theft of my S2 pro i would like to sell my S2 Pro IKELITE Housing incl Dome and flashcable.
This housing looks as a new one (only used once no single scratch to find) and is including receipt of Videoland / Rotterdam.
The housing was bought in November 2002.
The dome is the 5503.50 which can be used for the Nikon 60 MM macro / 18-35mm / 20-35 and 24-50 MM nikon lenses.
Price of this housing incl dome and flashcable is 2050,= excl post and package.
For extra information or pics of the housing please contact me on : email@example.com
I also have a Ikelite 400 which i intend to sell..... so price for the complete package is 2650,=
For sale : Fuji S2 Pro housing incl dome
Started by marske, May 03 2003 03:13 PM
No replies to this topic


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Ever notice...
Ever notice how when the 17-year-old child of a Democrat has a child out of wedlock, it is a degradation of our morals and ethics and represents a failure of the parent to teach self control and how important it is to obey God's law, but when the 17-year-old child of a Republican has a child out of wedlock, it is an entirely different reaction.
"It reinforces the fact that this family lives its pro-life values." —Grover Norquist
"Fortunately, Bristol is following her mother and father's example of choosing life in the midst of a difficult situation." —Tony Perkins
"This is the pro-life choice. The fact that people will criticize her for this shows the astounding extent to which the secular critics of the pro-life movement just don't get it. Those who criticize the Palin family don't understand that we don't see babies as a punishment but as a blessing." —Richard Land
"[The Palins] should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances." —James Dobson
The kicker from the CNN article: "Some evangelicals gathered in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Republican convention speculated that the news would pose more of a problem for Democrats than for the GOP ticket."
Um... Excuse me? Bristol Palin gets pregnant, and it poses a problem for the Democrats? For the record, I couldn't care less that Bristol Palin is pregnant. I don't see her decision not to abort as some wonderful thing; it was her choice, more power to her, and I hope the child grows up in a loving family who is able to care for it. I certainly am not going to be any more or less likely to vote for McCain/Palin because of this news, and anyone who is swayed one way or another because of it is pretty superficial and short-sighted.
But what I can't help but boggle at is the unmitigated gall of those who hold such a blatant double standard of right and wrong, those who are trying to spin this news item as a positive thing. A 17-year-old girl was having sex out of wedlock and accidentally got pregnant. Forget for a second who she is and imagine that we're talking about the daughter of a woman living in the ghetto on welfare. Republicans point to her as an example of how immoral Democrats are, how immoral welfare recipients are, and if she's not white, even (among the racist of them) how immoral her particular race is.
Where have the Republicans been until now? Why have I never before heard them call babies of 17-year-old unmarried girls "blessings?" (Oh, I've heard plenty of other names they've used for them, though.) Why is it that I've heard so much criticism of the lifestyles and choices that lead to this situation, but now, such criticism is verboten? Why is it that the Democrats—you know, the people who are usually the ones who want to realistically address the problem of teenage sex and the consequences thereof—the ones that are going to have a problem with this?
And, although it might be a low blow, now more than ever, it HAS to be said: People who think that only abstinence-only is an acceptable form of sex education are hopelessly naive. Sarah Palin believes in abstinence-only education, and has undoubtedly practiced it. I strongly suspect that Bristol Palin has never had a serious conversation about sex with her parents or teachers beyond, "Don't do it." Obviously, her abstinence-only education has not provided her with the knowledge and background she needs to make informed choices and good decisions when it comes to having sex, and this is a direct result of it.
So as politically incorrect as it might be, I do criticize Bristol Palin for having a child out of wedlock at 17. I don't want to crucify her; she made a mistake and hopefully she'll be able to make the best of it that she can, and I genuinely do hope that her family supports her. But it absolutely kills me that the people who, for all of my life, have been the ones who sit back and judge people like Bristol Palin—and, let's not fool ourselves, will continue to do so—have suddenly decided that in this case, she's great and wonderful for being unmarried and having a baby at 17. Even more, I do criticize the Republican and religious right's push to not teach kids what they need to know about sex. If by some weird chance McCain/Palin manages to win this election, hopefully abstinence-only eduction will finally be relegated to the nutcase hokey idea that it has been all along.


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Books are a great way to escape from the stresses of our lives, our deadlines and bills, our worries and our wants.
If you know someone that's having a tough time, I want to hear about it. I would love to help out in my own small way by sending along a book care package.
The wonderful Melissa from toboldlyfold.com has generously offered this handmade book to the winner of the care package. Yes, I said made by hand:
Pretty awesome. Please repay her kindness by checking out more of her fantastic work at www.toboldlyfold.com.
If you have a story, leave a note in the comments or send me an email at firstname.lastname@example.com. I will pick one of the stories tomorrow afternoon, and we can get a box of books in the mail.
I hope to hear from you.


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If you're planning your week around Congress' consideration of a fiscal 2014 budget, here's a guide to what may be coming next.
Keep in mind that it's all tentative. A last minute compromise, or one side's sudden decision to drop its opposition, or bad weather, for that matter, could change everything.
But at the moment, here's the plan:
Monday: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, formally takes steps to cut off debate on a motion to proceed to House continuing resolution. The CR, as it's called on Capitol Hill, would keep the government running at the start of the new fiscal year Oct.1, but also defund the 2010 health care law.
Wednesday: Vote on cutting debate likely in the morning. Sixty votes will be needed to limit debate. Democrats control 54 of the Senate's 100 seats. If the Senate gets 60, and as of now that's expected, 30 hours of debate are permitted.
Thursday: 30-hour clock runs out, probably around 6 p.m. Senate would then vote on motion to proceed to the budget bill. That motion requires 51 votes to pass.
If it passes, Reid is expected to file an amendment to the CR stripping out the defunding of health care language. He also is likely to invoke a procedure that will bar other amendments, and also seek to limit debate on the bill itself.
Saturday: Senate vote on limiting debate on the CR bill, probably in late morning. If the debate cutoff gets at least 60 votes, Senate would have a maximum of 30 more hours of debate.
Sunday: 30-hour clock runs out, probably in late afternoon. Senate would then take two votes: One on stripping the defunding amendment, then another on the "clean" CR. Each needs 51 to pass.
Sunday night/Monday: Houseof Representatives gets the "clean" CR. They then have until 11:59 p.m. Monday night, roughly 24 hours, to figure out what to do before the fiscal year ends.


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Maybe it's been awhile since you've been in school and now you're faced with studying a manual that's filled with words, concepts, definitions and material that you're having a hard time remembering. For those of you who are exasperated and stressed out, here are some tips on how to better remember what you study.
1. Challenge and replace erroneous thoughts.
- Instead of saying, "My memory is so bad, I can't remember enough to pass the exam," say, "I haven't taken the exam, so how do I know for certain that I can't pass it?"
- Replace "All of these terms like anaerobic glycolysis and MET give me such trouble, I'll never get them down," with "I can use the study aids to help me memorize terms and understand concepts just like everyone else does."
2. Determine your purpose. Having a specific purpose and continually reminding yourself why you're reading something will help you stay focused and on task, as well as help you constantly search for questions and rehearse answers. If you ask yourself, "What am I supposed to learn from this section?" you'll point yourself in the right direction. Furthermore, purpose enhances your memory through association, visualization, concentration and repetition.
3. Use methods such as association, visualization, concentration and repetition.
- Association is when you take one concept and relate it to another. For example, if you are trying to remember the steps in the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change, you might associate "Precontemplation" with "pre," meaning before contemplation, which is in fact the next stage. "Preparation" might be associated with "Action" as in "prepare for action."
- Visualization will help you build a picture in your mind—it's a form of association with mental images. Look at the highlighted words in the ACE manual and "see" those highlights as mental pictures. For example, if you are trying to recall research-supported outcomes for yoga and tai chi, you might picture the human being comprised of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, psychobiologic, metabolic components—see the human being in its totality including heart, muscles, psychology and metabolism.
- Concentration, or focusing your attention on one thing at a time, can be enhanced through thinking in pictures, insisting that you do whatever it takes to understand the meaning of something the first time before moving forward, and keeping in mind the specific goal of learning a concept or term ("How will I use this with a client?").
- Mental repetition, or rehearsing, will strengthen your memorization. Association, visualization and keeping in mind your purpose for learning a specific concept are tools of repetition that ensure you will recall the information you are studying. Also, as you read and study, mentally rehearse how you will use the material in a real-life situation, how you may see it on an exam, how it relates to other material you've already studied, and paraphrase "chunks" of material before moving forward.
4. Skim a section before you carefully read it. This will help train your memory bank, accommodate your thinking to the material you will be studying, and provide you complete comfort with what you will be reading because you have "seen" it already.
5. Take breaks. If your attention span is short, study within that timeframe and take essential breaks. When you do take a break, bring your associations and mental images with you and "play" with them in your mind, talk about them with others, put music to your visualizations, find humor in the pictures, make up rhymes with them and create interesting pneumonic devices to help you recall lists.
Use these smart, well-tested methods to assure you will remember what you are reading—not only to pass the all-important ACE certification exam, but also to apply the wealth of information you've learned when working with future clients.
For more tips on how to remember what your study, please contact our ACE Resource Center at 888-825-3636, Ext. 796, or email@example.com


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In the middle of the city or rural, Belgium is full of wonderful properties! Whether you prefer a magnificent townhouse or a romantic country cottage, living in the Belgian Kingdom is very good. Belgium is not only located in the heart of Europe, multicultural and has a high quality of life, but also convinces scenically with the location by the North Sea and the Ardennes uplands. Today we show you two unique properties that make it easy to imagine remaining forever in Belgium:
Destelbergen, Oost-Vlaanderen
Comfortable: Country Cottage on generous plot available for immediate occupancy
This luxurious Norman-style mansion is set on a plot of approx. 4,101 m² in Destelbergen, East Flanders, which is known as the castle municipality. This exceptional country cottage features all mod cons and comprises spacious living and reception rooms, a study that could be used for a profession, a large kitchen with a Lacanche cooker, and six ample bedrooms, three of which boast en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms. Every bathroom has a double washbasin, a spacious walk-in shower, WC and bathtub. The property also has all manner of amenities including a laundry room, storeroom, wine cellar, and garages, etc. The attention to detail and exacting choice of materials are a sight to behold. The perfect harmony between the interior, garden and environment makes this cottage a real gem indeed. E&V ID: W-0243NV
Ghent Centre
Distinguished mansion at central and sought-after address
This splendid specimen of architectural heritage dating from 1910 is located at a desirable residential address in the historic centre of Ghent between the 'Oude Houtlei' and 'Onderbergen'. Behind the well-manicured façade are several spacious rooms benefiting from large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The imposing staircase leads to the first floor where the dining room, kitchen and living room strike a perfect blend of modernity and elegance. The majestic study on the second floor provides a sense of vast space thanks to its high windows. The master bedroom with a walk-in dressing room and designer bathroom is also worthy of mention. The mansion boasts another four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. This property is ideal for those who love perfection, modern luxuries and uncompromised comfort. E&V ID: W-0245W2


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CHICAGO, IL (Sept. 2, 2012) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club has teamed up with La Buena Salud Es Vivir to present the 12th annual Hispanic Heritage Night on Sunday, Sept. 2 during the Fire's match against the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Park at 6:00 p.m. CT (Galavision/NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes). The partnership entitled "La Buena Salud Es Vivir" (Good Health is Living), is a collaboration that brings together Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Novo Nordisk, the American Diabetes Association and Walgreens to promote diabetes education and awareness. As part of the celebration, the Fire will recognize 11 Hispanic Heroes. These Heroes were nominated for their extraordinary contribution to Chicago's Hispanic Community.
This year's honorees were nominated by their peers for their influence in growing Chicago's Hispanic community in the realms of education, community wellness, media and local government. The following are the Chicago Fire's 2012 Hispanic Heroes:
2012 Hispanic Heroes:
Martha Botello
Viva Social Media Entertainment Manager
Martha Botello, a university senior, has helped UNO Charter Schools as a volunteer soccer coach for kids in the Bitty Soccer program. Though she also juggles work and school, Botello does not let that get in the way of teaching these kids to love the beautiful game.
Miguel Cambray
Director of Latino and Latin American Resource Center at North Eastern University
Miguel Cambray has dedicated himself to empowering the various Latino communities throughout the Chicagoland area. Cambray has developed and implemented various programs aimed at providing key services for Latino youth. As the first ever Director of the Latino and Latin American Resource Center, Cambray has never lost his passion for interacting with Latino youth seeking to make a change in their lives.
Sergio Fernandez
President of HACE (Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement)
While active in several committees and organizations, Sergio Fernandez also serves as president of HACE where his main responsibility involves supporting HACE's 29-year mission by leading their short and long term strategy, operations, fundraising, program and business development efforts.
Jorge Linares
Founder of CRECE Foundation
Jorge Linares is the president of the CRECE Foundation, which provides assistance and opportunities to more than 200 children and their families. Through soccer, Linares has been instrumental in keeping kids off the streets and has motivated parents to be more involved in their children's lives. CRECE is founded on three major fundamentals: Leadership – building self confidence, Education – both nutritional and physical, and Assistance – legal and social.
Abel Nunez
Director of Centro Romero
Abel Nunez is an active community leader Centro Romero, a community-based organization that serves the refugee immigrant population on the northeast side of Chicago that has a mission to provide opportunities for those community residents with the fewest options. Through education, Centro Romero emphasizes the development of the whole family unit, the creation of community leadership and self-reliance.
Juan Orta
Telemundo Manager of Station Relations and Sales Marketing
Juan Orta joined the Telemundo Chicago team two years ago and has since shared his enthusiasm of supporting the community. Orta is an advocate for community presence, strong relationships and supporting the station's education platform as frequently as possible. He is persistent in his efforts to support not only Telemundo Chicago viewers but the Hispanic community at large.
Michael Ramirez
Vice President of Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus
Michael Ramirez is the moving force behind the Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus, which aims to serve the various communities in which the members live by assisting and promoting the interests of Hispanic Teamsters. Ramirez is instrumental in serving the community by assisting the Caucus' efforts in awarding of educational scholarships to deserving community youth, contributing to charitable organizations which serve the communities of the membership, conducting community improvements and community education programs and promoting community service by making public awards of a non monetary nature in recognition of meritorious community service.
Gardenia Rangel
Director of Developmental Education at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J. Daley
Gardenia Rangel is an active member of the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, chairing Fiesta del Sol's 5K Run/Walk. She is also a part of Latinos Progresandos Associate Board, a non-profit organization that promotes arts, education and civil rights of immigrants. Rangel was named one of Chicago's 30 female movers and shakers under 30 by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2008.
Raul Raymundo
Co-Founder of Resurrection Project Organization
In 1990, Raul Raymundo founded The Resurrection Project, a non-profit which began with $30,000 in seed capital from area churches with the mission to create healthier communities in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.
Juan Salgado
President/CEO of Instituto de Progreso Latino
Instituto del Progreso Latino was founded in 1977 with a mission to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training and employment that fosters participation in the changing U.S. society while preserving cultural identity and dignity. Under Juan Salgado's leadership, Instituto has become the central multi-service resource for low-income families across the Chicago metropolitan region.
Doris Salomon
Director of External Affairs for Cook County
Doris Salomon is well-known in the Latino community for her personal efforts as well as philanthropic commitments. She is currently involved in the Chicago Community Trust Nuestro Futuro initiative, which provides grants for early childhood education and capacity building grants for Latino non-profit organizations.


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Some celebrities, like "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz and the cast of "Friends" seem to be constantly buying and selling properties. But famous or not, it's not so easy for everyone to sell.
It could be the market and the economy. Maybe specific properties have specific reasons they aren't selling: staging issues, odd choice of décor, massive size or perhaps outrageous cost.
Or maybe there's a glut of luxury homes mostly in the L.A. area that are too similar—so many of them are Spanish, vaguely Mediterranean in style, in a gated community, decorated in neutrals, with pool, spa, home theater, fitness room, wine cellar, guest house and so forth.
Other celebrity real estate headaches this year include a lawsuit-entangled property involving water damage.
Here's a look at 10 palaces on the market, with photos provided by Trulia.com.
By Colleen Kane
Posted 15 December 2011


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I would just like my fellow players help me shed some light on some of the preparations. Because as it is now the only preparations I really use is the Fine Sword, Magnet: Fire, Preservance Badge, Schadenfreude Potion and Compression- or Translocation Seal. And on the odd occation a Bet on Boss, Sword or Shield.
So I'm wondering if your insight can help explain the posibilities and uses of the more (to me) obscure preparations?
Smugglers Den, how is that used? And what about Patches? God Altars? The Booster Charge prep? The Less and Extra Glyphs? Slayer Wand? Bear Mace? And what items are good, non-boss and "locker worthy" apart from the Fine Sword which is about the only one I use.


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Voters in the School of the Osage district will select three members for the Board in Education in the April 8 election. Challengers Mike Ruck and Todd Miller will run against incumbents Mary Whitman and Steven Hermann for the open seats. Here, the candidates address the challenges facing School of the Osage and their solutions.
Voters in the School of the Osage district will select three members for the Board in Education in the April 8 election. Challengers Mike Ruck and Todd Miller will run against incumbents Mary Whitman and Steven Hermann for the open seats. Here, the candidates address the challenges facing School of the Osage and their solutions.
*Editor's Note: Candidates were given a word limit to adhere to. Answers were not altered in any way.
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself including background, education, public service, volunteer work and, of course, your family.
Steven Hermann: I am a 1997 graduate of Osage, 2001 graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in finance, an Osage School Board Member since 2011, Rotarian, Lake Area Chamber Board Member, and past/present member of many great community organizations. I am married to my wonderful wife, Lauren, who teaches art at Mills Elementary. We have three wonderful boys, Quentin, Spencer and Trip, two of which currently attend Osage.
Todd Miller: I was raised at Lake of the Ozarks and graduated from School of the Osage. I received my bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla. I have graduate certificates in public management and transportation from the University of South Florida. I have been a professional engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation for over 16 years. I am currently a deacon and member of the pastoral relations committee at Lake Ozark Christian Church. I volunteer to assist with several youth activities at our church and I have coached youth basketball for the Osage Youth Athletics Council and Upwards. My wife, Amy, and I have three daughters. Madeira is an eighth grader, Maya is in second grade and Estelle who is three years old.
Mike Ruck: My involvement at Osage includes: Eleven years as an officer with the Athletic Booster Club, Osage Youth Athletic Council founding board member and coach, Osage Facilities Planning Steering Committee member, marketing chair for the recent school bond issue, and marketing chair for the turf field initiative. I also serve on the board of adjustment for the Village of Four Seasons and sit on an advisory council for LCTC construction class.
I grew up in St. Louis. Our family has owned property at the lake since 1952. I remember Horseshoe Bend as a one-lane gravel road, and seeing more than a dozen boats on the lake all weekend was unusual. I've witnessed years of change in our community and schools. Twelve years ago we moved to our permanent residence to the lake.
Luanne and I will be married 34 years in June. She is a fixture at Osage, having served as an officer on each school's PTA and a volunteer for numerous projects. We have two daughters. Kristina is a junior and proud member of the Lady Indians soccer and tennis teams. Kaitlyn is a freshman and plays on the tennis team.
We were a host family for our "temporary daughter" Giula Notari, Osage's Rotary Exchange Student. As a family we attend Riverview Baptist Church.
Prior to moving to the lake I was a sales management executive for a national sales promotion and marketing company. Luanne and I now own a small development and construction company.
Mary Whitman:I am almost a life-long resident of the lake. I moved to the lake in 1976 with my family. I am a SOTO graduate as is my husband, Cash Whitman. We have two children; Cassius, 2009 SOTO graduate, and Wyatt, who will graduate in May. I graduated from University of Missouri Columbia with my bachelor of science degree in nursing and in 1999 received my master of science degree in nursing from Mizzou also.
I am a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Currently, I am employed by St. Mary's (SSM) and practice at the SSM Lake Ozark Medical and Urgent Care Clinic in Lake Ozark. I am a member of MONA, ANA and National Academy of Nurse Practitioners. I have had the honor of serving three terms on the SOTO school board and currently serve as vice-president. Additionally, I serve as secretary of the Osage Foundation.
2. Why are you running for the board of education?
Hermann: There is a quote from Dr. Maria Montessori, "Within the child lies the fate of the future," and that best sums up why I am seeking re-election of my current seat as a director of the board of education for School of the Osage.
Another key reason I am running is, as a public servant who listens to the needs of the community, staff and students, I am well positioned to ensure that our children and teachers have the best educational experience that will allow them to succeed in today's complex world, all while providing accountability for the school policies to ensure fiscal responsibility is upheld in every decision and program.
The "Osage Way" began in January of this year as a set of strategic goals that are being used to develop the procedures and the tools necessary for systematic and systemic processes that ensure raising excellence is sustainable. I would like to ensure that the "Osage Way" is executed to its fullest.
Miller: I am proud of School of the Osage and the high standards of education the district has provided for generations. I would like to apply my experiences, education and values to guide the district in maintaining these high standards. I hope to see our schools continuously improve and honor the heritage of School of the Osage by making sure the district will be prepared to provide a higher level of education to its children for many years to come.
Ruck: It's important to fill board positions with people who have a passion for the district and the skills necessary to address broad and diverse issues. This is the next logical step in my involvement with Osage. Whether volunteering, serving on various school committees or cooking for football games, I simply enjoy the energy surrounding the school. I would like to be part of the team directing the district's future growth to ensure future students have the same positive experience and opportunities my girls have enjoyed.
I'll bring a passion for everything Osage. Over the past 11 years, I was instrumental in growing the awareness and revenue of the Athletic Booster Club allowing the club to assist coaches and teams with numerous purchases. I'm one of the original board members of the Osage Youth Athletic Council, which now provides intramural sports to hundreds of Osage students. It's important that Osage students have a balanced academic and extra-curricular experience while attending school.
I enjoy problem solving. Professionally, I have the leadership and executive background needed to work through important and complicated issues. I have the commitment to work through the learning curve necessary to be a productive board member.
Whitman:I have had the honor to serve on the board of education for three terms. Over the last year, utilizing the Baldridge process, the SOTO district has developed a strategic plan. This has been an exciting process and very good things are happening at SOTO. We are developing a systematic and sustainable plan to take our district from good to great.
We are also nearing the end of the remodeling of the Heritage building. I am committed to seeing these projects through. I serve on the Student Excellence Committee. As we revise the curriculum, I am also committed to completing these projects. Our district and students are our future and the heart and soul of our community. I would like to continue to serve and finish out these projects.
3. What are the two or three major challenges for the School of the Osage, and what are the possible solutions?
Hermann: a. One of the biggest challenges is funding health care. We cannot continue to be okay with just saying, "health care costs continue to rise." Continuing to pump money into health care costs, while all else remains equal, is not the solution. We have to fight for why are costs rising and what are the solutions we can use to bring costs down. This is possible by working with intermediaries that understand the cost of care and by putting in place workplace education on healthy living, which will create cost stability and result in the healthiest and happiest staff. If the staff is healthy and happy, so are our children!
b. Another big challenge is community involvement. Osage is positioning itself to be great through the "Osage Way," but a key element in a school district's greatness is community involvement. The solution is being built by the "Osage Way" and I would like to see it through!
Miller: The first challenge I see for School of the Osage is to provide a high quality educational experience for every student. This could be achieved by giving students individual attention and guidance aimed at helping students realize their full potential and a vision for their future. Increased preschool efforts can also pay dividends by addressing student delays very early in development. Early intervention allows students time to learn needed skills before kindergarten, and begin school with a positive learning experience. Another challenge is making sure investments are focused on improving the educational experience for all students. This could be achieved by providing varied investments tailored for the diverse student population and higher teacher to student ratios. Also, investments in the latest technology available for the classroom would greatly enhance the quality of education at School of the Osage.
Ruck: Google "Top Challenges facing Public Schools." The list may or may not surprise you. Among the top 10 challenges, school security, standardized testing, lack of parental involvement, funding, technology, bullying are among those often mentions.
For the most part, I think Osage stacks up pretty well in addressing most of these concerns.
Challenges of interest to me include school security, the role of technology and funding.
Security is discussed in a separate question to follow so I won't reiterate here.
"The Role of Technology and Social Media" is of growing concern. Our student body grew up with cell phones, iPads, laptops, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Students embrace them and often teachers must tolerate them. Miss-used technology should not be tolerated when it is a distraction to the class. On the other hand, embracing technology and social media as a way to engage and motivate kids to learn can be powerful. The challenge lies in developing school policies that discourage distractive use, and encourage productive academic use.
"Funding." Every initiative ultimately requires a budget and financial backing. Security, added technology, teacher staffing, books, sports, extra-curricular activities and so forth all compete for a portion of the budget. Funding for such budgets has declined, and even with a growing economy, districts will be forced to look at cost cutting measures, or non-traditional resources.
Our intramural sports programs faced a similar obstacle. Six years ago there was no formally funded school initiative for intramural sports in grades K-6. However, a group of parents approached the school board with a plan to develop and manage intramural sports, taking on the funding, coaching, and insurance in exchange for facilities use.
Five years later we proudly offer activities in nine different sports with expenses for equipment, uniforms and insurance self-funded through fees, sponsorships and donations. Nearly 900 children now participate in these activities with nominal financial exposure to the district. A non-traditional approach conceived by parents and endorsed by the district. With open and continued dialog I see opportunities for the district, parents and community to work together to address funding other initiatives in a similar manner.
Whitman: As I look at current challenges at SOTO, the first I think of is technology. Technology in today's world is crucial to every aspect of the district, including community involvement. Currently, our technology is not at the level we want it. It was one of the top items identified during the strategic plan by the community, students and the faculty. Steps are being taken to resolve this challenge.
The technology committee that was developed during the strategic planning process is putting together a plan to address this issue. SOTO has contracted with a company that has begun upgrading our technology and website. Financial commitment is vital to the technology upgrades also. This, too, is a challenge. Technology upgrades are needed and will improve all disciplines of our district.
Secondly, an ongoing challenge is how do we continue to raise student excellence. We have a Student Excellence Committee of which I am a member. SOTO is using the strategic plan to also make the blueprint to raise our students' achievement.
Osage Learning Communities have been established. Teachers collaborate together weekly, at grade level and vertically. This includes teachers from preschool to high school to ensure that our curriculum aligns at all grade levels. With ever-changing standards, student excellence is always a challenge. Our goal is again to take this from good to great. As I stated earlier, technology is also an integral part in achieving this goal.
4. The student population at Osage has been flat the last few years. Do you think the district should position itself to attract more students?
Hermann: As an award winning school, Osage is positioned to attract students, yet attracting more students is not just a function of the school alone. It is a collaborative effort that needs the support of the local chambers, city governments, media and community stakeholders. I do believe that all are working hard to create economic development that will provide jobs that will ultimately result in more students. This is an ongoing effort, and as a Lake Area Chamber director, I have recently proposed that we investigate the inclusion of an Osage staff member on one of our Chamber subcommittees so that the lines of communication between entities flow better. That is just one way that will help to position Osage to attract more students.
Miller: The best way for any school district to attract families is to provide a superior educational experience. That being said, my answer is yes, but that answer is driven by the desire to have the highest quality education experience for the current students in the district and not specifically to attract more students. If growth does occur in the future, the district needs strong direction and guidance to assure that the growth is managed responsibly. I have a lot of experience in negotiating tax increment financing packages for both commercial and residential developments throughout the state and can make sure that developments in the district can be incentivized responsibly without putting an unsustainable burden on the district.
Ruck: The district should definitely position itself to attract more students. Prior to the economic downturn the district experienced significant and somewhat predictable growth. The downturn hurt, and enrollment leveled off. However, with major storefronts surfacing and national companies making significant financial commitments in our community, we should expect a broader employee base and younger families moving into the district. Families that should pick Osage as their school district of choice.
School district success factors into the home buying or renting decision. School facilities, security, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and teacher engagement all play a role in attracting families to the Osage district. With the Heritage Campus completion, introduction of new security measures at all campuses, continued curriculum improvement and teacher development we are on track to position Osage as their first choice of local school districts.
Whitman: Historically, the student population at SOTO fluctuates throughout the academic year due to the seasonal employment in our community. The numbers have been flat the last three or four years, which correlates with the recession that has recently occurred. Our district has positioned itself well to attract families to our community. We have outstanding facilities and staff. We have consistently been acknowledged as a District of Distinction. SOTO also offers a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities. Upgrading our website is an item I feel may help attract families to our district. It will give them information about SOTO to help them with their decision. As the economy continues to improve, our student population will also grow. With the completion of the Heritage Building, we have the capacity to house these students.
5. Do you think the school district has done all it can regarding building and student security?
Hermann: Osage's stance on security and student safety is a top priority. The important thing is to do so in a way that does not hinder the educational experience. This summer the district is spending $500,000 to upgrade security at current facilities and equipping the Heritage Building with the latest security features. If re-elected, I will make sure that security continues to be an ongoing evaluation process and a top priority at School of the Osage.
Miller: The recent events at schools involving shootings are a terrible reality that should be addressed in a reasonable manner. I feel very strongly that every building at School of the Osage should have a full-time resource officer during school hours. I feel that resource officers should provide security, but also engage with the students and faculty on other issues such as traffic safety, drug and alcohol abuse and general personal safety issues. The salaries for these resource officers could be shared with the local agencies for support provided to the community when school is not in session.
Ruck: The Facilities Steering Committee identified security as a significant enough issue to include funding in the recent voter approved bond issue. A portion of bond funds were specifically earmarked for security improvements in our most vulnerable areas. The board has a responsibility to enact these improvements.
Mills Elementary was identified as the most vulnerable building and security was discussed as a significant part of the planning process for the new Heritage Campus. In the upcoming school year, Mills student population will move to the new Heritage Campus where security will be greatly improved.
Citizens have suggested on-site school resource officers at each school. I think most parents would favor this, but the obvious issue is funding. However, funding isn't something new to Osage. We faced funding issues with the turf athletic field, the growth of the Booster Club, and intramural sports. Yet all are thriving now. Our community continues to surprise me. Always coming through in a pinch. I feel with continued dialog between the school district, local government and parents a reasonable and realistic solution can be found.
Security is a moving target requiring continued dialog and varying measures. Every parent should expect their child to come home at night and be safe. This requires identifying site-specific vulnerabilities, emergency planning, training and dialog with local first help responders.
Whitman: Security has and will continue to be a priority at SOTO. The district has taken many steps to keep our campuses safe. During the 2011-2012 academic year, the district contracted with Edu-Safe to perform a risk assessment. They made several recommendations, which the district implemented. Edu-Safe also worked with the district to rewrite our crisis plans. The plans are reviewed biannually in collaboration with law enforcement, EMS personnel, and district administrators. One-half million dollars of the recent bond issue is being used for security upgrades. The Heritage Building has many security features that will make it a safe facility. The district recently formed a Task Force Committee to address security issues on an ongoing basis. The committee consists of parents, district officials and a school board member. I know the district has taken steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff. This committee will be a great addition to our security plan.
6. Please provide any additional comments.
Hermann: I would like to thank the community for their trust in my ability to serve on the Osage School board. It would be a great honor to continue that role beyond April 8th. Education is our best hope for the future of our children. Please remember to vote on April 8th!
Miller: My children represent the fourth generation of students in my family to attend School of the Osage. In our experiences with School of the Osage, we have witnessed amazing things such as a classmate, Mike Hopkins, becoming an astronaut and orbiting the Earth. Unfortunately, we have also witnessed children who fell behind and failed to realize their full potential with School of the Osage. It is for these children as well as all children that attend the school district, that I am seeking your vote for the opportunity to serve School of the Osage as a school board member.
Ruck: Take time to Vote! Show your children the importance of the voting process. Use this as a "teaching opportunity" with them. School districts influence our most valuable assets — our children. Your choice of candidates is important!
I hope you will support me with your vote. Elected or not, I'll still be here — committed to Osage!
Whitman: I would appreciate your vote for re-election. I will continue my commitment to SOTO, and will strive "Raising Excellence the Osage Way."


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What a historic Spring for weather!
What a historic Spring for weather!
A friend of mine asked me on Friday if I knew the last time it snowed in May in Southwest Missouri. I did not. So using the Internet, I found some facts from the National Weather Service.
The last time there was measurable snowfall in our corner of the state in May was May 2, 1929. That was just a significant year all around, what with the stock market crashing later that October and bringing on the Great Depression. I hope the snowfall in May back then wasn't a sign of ill things to come. It's a good thing I'm not superstitious – the old Ozark superstitions that I like to share notwithstanding.
According to the National Weather Service, the last time there was any kind of May snowfall at all, but with no accumulation, in Southwest Missouri was May 6, 1944.
We also broke some records. The recorded high for the Neosho area this past Friday, May 3 was 37 degrees Fahrenheit (one degree warmer than Springfield). The previous record for the lowest maximum temperature for May in our area was 46 degrees, set on May 16, 1945.
Our low on Friday was 32 degrees. The previous historic low for May in the Neosho area was 33 degrees, set in 1907. We broke a 106-year-old record.
While my trusty "Old Farmer's Almanac" did not predict snowfall for the first week in May, it did correctly predict rain. The Almanac claims an 80 percent accuracy rate with its weather forecasts, which are made more than a year in advance. Although they won't divulge the exact formula they use, it has nothing to do with wooly worms or any other folk superstitions. The Almanac forecasts weather by observing solar activity, by studying historical weather data and by monitoring the atmosphere. In short, they use solar science, climatology and meteorology, combined and calculated via the same secret formula they have used since 1792.
An interesting article in this year's edition concerns the waning of solar flares, or "sun spots," which occur when hot, magnetically-charged gas bubbles burst through the sun's surface, sending energized particles to Earth, and helping warm it. Solar activity occurs in cycles, and the current cycle's peak is the lowest it has been in 80 years, say some scientists. The last time there was a series of very quiet cycles, the Earth experienced the "Little Ice Age," which lasted from 1550 to 1850. Average temperatures, you see, were cooler during that period than they are now, according to the article. It is documented that the Rio Grande actually froze over at least one winter in the late 1600s. In England, the Brits would hold annual ice festivals on the frozen Thames River in London. In New York City, the harbor froze over in 1780, and people could walk from Manhattan to Staten Island. The weather has always played a role in human events, and cooler temperatures on Earth resulted in crop failure, which led to famine, which led to social unrest (think French Revolution.)
On the flip side, solar activity from 1940 to 2005 was the highest it had been in 1,000 years, reported researchers with the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany. Now that activity seems to be slowing down.
I don't know if solar activity, or the lessening thereof, had anything to do with our recent May snow. But it's interesting to think about.
Wes Franklin serves on the board of directors of the Newton County Historical Society. He is also public relations/events coordinator for the City of Neosho. Call him at 658-8443 -


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Angel Stadium of Anaheim, home to many a childhood ballgame memory in my youth, has announced a cool new way to interact with the social world while enjoying your peanuts, cracker jacks and cold beer. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (AKA the team with the longest name in professional sports), has partnered with T-Mobile to offer Android Tablet rentals during their home games.
For a surprisingly cheap $10 per game, Angel fans can rent Samsung's original Galaxy Tab or LG's G-Slate tablet. Though I don't necessarily see the need for a tablet while enjoying a ballgame, this will be a nice option for the socialista who needs to be connected to something bigger than a smartphone or the businessman who needs to crank out a few emails or spreadsheets between innings.
Each tablet comes preloaded with an application that allows you to check the roster of the players on the field, as well as check out news regarding players and teams. In addition to this application, the tablets come preloaded with sports-related applications (most notably from ESPN) for the sports junkie who wants to keep up on the scores of other games. It also comes with games such as Angry Birds and Need for Speed Shift for kids and game-loving adults.
If you just want to browse the web, you can do so on T-Mobile's 4G/HSPA+ network. In my personal experience, T-Mobile's network is phenomenal at Angel Stadium, and we have no reason to think the experience on these rented tablets would be any different.
Tablet rental at Angel Stadium is a way for T-Mobile to test the waters of tablet rental as a revenue-generating opportunity. If this field test proves successful, T-Mobile has indicated they will expand tablet rental to other stadiums across the country. So if you know any Angel fans out there, you may want to encourage them to rent a tablet.
For even more information on this deal, be sure to check out the promotional video on the L.A. Times website.
What do you guys think? Would you be willing to rent a tablet while enjoying a ballgame? Do you think T-Mobile should expand this opportunity to other ballparks and stadiums? Or do you think we should keep the games pure and leave technology mostly out of it? Sound off in the comments below.


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R.I.P Lil Phat: Trill Rapper Shot & Killed (News Report)
"Sandy Springs police have confirmed that the victim in the fatal shooting outside Northside Hospital Thursday evening was a rising rap star. Melvin Vernell III, 19, performed under the stage name 'Lil Phat.' Fellow rapper 'Webbie,' who recently collaborated with Lil Phat sent a Twitter message to more than 217,000 people who follow him on the social networking site that reads, "#RIPLILPHAT." Another fellow rapper, 'Lil Trill,' sent a Twitter message to his followers that reads in part, "My Brother Gone #RipPhat." The shooting caused Northside Hospital to go on lockdown Thursday evening after the shooting in the parking deck near the women's center." - Atlanta News
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Oasis Theater
28 W. Plaza Street,
No one has favorited this theater yet
The Oasis Theatre was operating prior to 1941.
Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
This closed theatre is in the Ajo "Plaza" downtown. The front lobby was used for a deli for many years. Last I heard the auditorium was converted to office space.
The Oasis Theater is now Oasis Cafe (fully open) in the lobbly and into part of the theater. The large single-screen theater has been partly restored and films are being screened on a limited basis as part of a community-building effort by the International Sonoran Dessert Alliance. It seats 60 in the restored theater seats but patrons are also encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to view the films in the remaining open space.
There have been at least two theaters called the Oasis in Ajo. The theater moved to a new location in 1948. The earlier Oasis was reported as a 550-seat house opened by Griffith Theatres on July 27, 1940, in the August 3 issue of Boxoffice that year. The August 14, 1948, issue of Boxoffice that year said that the Oasis Theatre had been closed and was being remodeled to become part of the New Cornelia Company store.
The August 28, 1948, issue of Boxoffice ran this story datelined Ajo:
"The 650-seat Oasis Theatre, built here by the Phelps Dodge Corp., opened recently with Mrs. Blanche Franck as manager. The Oasis boasts a large neon sign and a deeply wainscoted lobby with walls painted in ivory and green. Construction of the house included a cry room, waiting rooms, rest rooms and late model projection and sound equipment."I haven't found any references to theaters in Ajo prior to 1940, but it's possible that there was an even earlier Oasis Theatre there. Ajo was a booming copper mining town taken over by Phelps Dodge in 1921. A brief history of the town I came across said that on taking over, Phelps spent considerable money on Ajo's downtown, including the construction of "…cinemas, schools, recreation halls, etc.."
The Oasis Theatre was, like the rest of the center of the town, designed in a Spanish Colonial/Mission style, and the new theater might have been put into a building already existing in 1948. The building is currently occupied by the Oasis Cafe. The address is 28 W. Plaza Street, Ajo, AZ, 83521. (West Plaza also appears on maps as Morondo Street, but Google Maps gives a more accurate location using the W. Plaza address.) CinemaTour has a slew of photos by Adam Martin. This blog post has two photos of the interior.
Hi I was their today amd loaded all the photos ypu see. Please note the following: it is not ahowing movies. The front portion is a deli with the movie house portion used as storage. Some of the original drapes are still hanging and the screen is atill intact. You can still see the carpeted isles and the holes where the projection was is boarded up. Some of the original red seats are intact. The owner of the sandwich shop let me in to the screen area and take the photos you see. Enjoy
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater


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Maybe you stumbled upon it clicking through the latest runway gowns, or perhaps it's your mother or grandmother's gown you want to mod into your own modern-bride look. Old or new, borrowed or blue, the dress is the one of the most exciting parts of the wedding for the bride. And contrary to popular belief, shopping for one is easy.
You may have been told the more dresses you try on, the more you look the same. So rather than stretching gown shopping over months and months, focus a smaller window of time on finding your perfect dress.
Like everything else wedding-related, your budget is the most important factor.
If you've set aside $1,000 for your gown, for example, don't spend your time trying on $3,000 gowns when, first, you're not going to purchasing one and, more importantly, you could be trying on a dress that fits your budget and style. Stay focused and you'll find the perfect one with ease.
Some dress shops may require that you schedule an appointment, so be sure to schedule your shopping trip, if need be. "Closed shops" keep the dresses in a storage area off-limits to shoppers; a sales associate brings the gowns to you in a private fitting area. "Open shops" display the dresses on the sales floor.
It's easy to get misguided by the models you see in bridal magazines, but remember, what looks good on them might not be the best look for you. This is the time to play up your strengths! Here's a look at some of the modern styles and fabrics brides are going for:
Strapless gowns
Paired with a swooping neckline, these perennial favorites give any bride a slimming silhouette. These dresses work well for brides with sloping shoulders, which may cause spaghetti straps to fall.
A-line gowns
Taking the place of the princess ball gown, these modern gowns hug the body through the bodice then flare out below the hip, accentuating the waist.
Sheaths and Columns
With narrower silhouettes in vogue, brides are embracing these looks that drape the female form in sophistication. This stye begs for vintage-inspired lace overlays, such as corded or Chantilly lace.
Short Gowns
Designers are rolling out higher hemlines for a fun, fresh look, which work great on their own or as a second, "reception" dress. Designers even have been rolling out entire collections of "little white dresses."
Dress price is dependent upon dress intricacy. The more lace, beading and embroidery a dress has, the pricier it will be. Today's trends are gearing toward clean lines and minimal but dramatically placed details; ornaments, mainly crystal and embroidery, are concentrated on bodices and hems. Consider these fabrics:
Organza: A thin, sheer plain-weave fabric made from silk, its lighter feel makes it ideal for summer-style weddings.
Taffeta: A crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetics that is known for its slight sheen and light weight. Thin enough for ruching, taffeta can add texture without bulk.
Tulle: A lightweight, fine netting that can be made from silk, nylon and rayon, which gives gowns stunning, flowing skirts.
Charmeuse: A lightweight fabric usually made from silk or polyester. It's smooth, soft and drapes beautifully.
Chiffon: A plain, sheer woven fabric with a soft drape. It can be made from silk, polyester or rayon.
Dupioni: A plain weave using yarns to create a fabric with surface slubs. In silk, it has a distinctive rustic and sleek luster.
Georgette: A lightweight fabric usually made from silk or polyester that's heavier and less transparent than chiffon. The fabric's fibers are twisted, which gives it a springy quality.
Peau de Soie: Made from silk or polyester, this fabric is medium to heavy. Its dull luster is more flattering to curvier women than high-luster satins. Polyester peau de soie also doesn't water-spot as easily as silk.
And don't think you have to default to white, either. Shades of ivory and champagne are popular among brides looking for a nonwhite option, and they flatter most skin tones. White sometimes draws attentions to veins or makes certain skin tones appear jaundiced, which is why a bride might opt for one of the neutral tones, or even light pastels like pale yellow and pink. Colorful sashes and embroidery are another way for brides to add a splash of brightness to the big day.
Copyright © CTW Features


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Advisers, more often than not, tend to get new clients through referrals. But now that social media is the new operating system, advisers are increasingly using such outlets as LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, Vine and others such services to drum up business.
And it seems to be working.
Case in point: Mitchell Rock's nightly networking on LinkedIn recently netted him the $70 million account of a retired retailer. According to published reports, Rock, a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley, began using LinkedIn in summer 2011 as part of the firm's social media pilot program and today he spends 30 minutes every night trolling for quality prospects. And over the past two years, he has netted a slew of LinkedIn-generated clients. Read How Morgan Stanley Advisor Used LinkedIn to Land a $70M Account.
And that got us thinking. Should retirees and those saving for retirement use social media to find an adviser? If no, why not? And if yes, what are some dos and don'ts that experts suggest when you take this approach to finding and hiring an adviser vs., say, a more traditional approach, such as a referral.
Use more than one source
In the main, experts say you shouldn't rely solely on social media when searching for an adviser, that you ought to use more than one source of information.
"Savvy investors use a variety of channels to find investments professionals—and these can range from seeking referrals through trusted colleagues or family members to conducting an array of Internet searches, including social media sites," said Gerri Walsh, senior vice president for investor education at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). "As a regulator, we can't say that an investor absolutely should or shouldn't use social media to find a broker or adviser. That said, the power of social media is that it can provide yet another source of information about individuals and firms that might be relevant to you."
How and when to use social media
Social media can indeed provide another source of information, but one must use it wisely, according to Bill Winterberg, founder of FPPad, a technology consulting firm to financial advisers.
He suggests that anyone considering a financial adviser's services should complement their research with information they find online and via social media. In addition, Winterberg recommended the following:
- Do pay attention to the adviser's use of Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, if available. What does the adviser post? Does the adviser share information that's valuable to retirees and pre-retirees? From the adviser's posts, is it clear the adviser specializes in the needs of retirees?
- Do pay attention to how transparent the adviser is online. Are fees clearly stated? Are services succinctly described? Does the planning process make sense? Or does the adviser use a lot of industry jargon and generic descriptions of "wealth preservation strategies" as an example? What does that really even mean?
- Don't pay attention to generic statistics posted online, such as the adviser's total assets under management or years of experience. Much of that arguably doesn't make much of a difference in how well an adviser can manage the planning specific to retirees and pre-retirees.
Using online resources and viewing advisers' social media profiles is a faster way to evaluate several advisers, and generally is a good use of time. It may take much longer to schedule face-to-face meetings, when often in the first 10 minutes of viewing an adviser's profiles online, a retiree gets a gut feeling that the adviser is not right for him or her.
A word to the wise
For the record, it's quite possible that the adviser you are vetting might not be posting his or her tweets and posts. Indeed, brokerage firms are retaining third-party marketing firms such as Hearsay and Socialware to post on behalf of their advisers or to provide a library of content to use for tweets. Read Hear That? It's Your Financial Adviser Tweeting.
In other cases, advisers are posting their own tweets and blogs but learning the trade from subject matter experts, including Susan Weiner, author of "Financial Blogging: How to Write Powerful Posts That Attract Clients." Weiner's book, according to a release, provides a step-by-step process for writing financial blog posts, including how bloggers can generate and refine ideas for blog posts that will engage readers. Of course, reading an adviser's blog posts can give you valuable insight into his or her philosophy and thought process.
According to Walsh, FINRA's best advice to investors is this: "No matter what channels you use to find an investment professional, be smart about your search. Never rely solely on one source of information—and make sure you ask and check."
That means, she said, asking the individuals lots of questions, including "what licenses do you hold?" And then independently verify the licensing status of brokers and advisers—and the registration status of firms—by using FINRA BrokerCheck. Also, use the Securities and Exchange Commission's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure Search for advisers who are registered investment advisers.
Walsh also suggests learning what products and services the person does—and doesn't—offer, how you will pay (directly and indirectly) and what experience the person has working with investors like you, given your own financial goals and resources.
"The more research you do, and the more questions you ask, the better equipped you'll be to make sure the investment professional is a good fit for you," she said.
Of note, FINRA's guidance regarding what brokers can and can't do with respect to social media rules was laid out in two notices (10-06 and 11-39). Read both notices here.
Robert Powell is editor of Retirement Weekly, published by MarketWatch. Find our more about Retirement Weekly.Follow his tweets at RJPIII. Got questions about retirement? Get answers. Send him an email here.


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Gift A TickleMe Plant Kit- The Only Plant That Closes Its Leaves And Lowers Its Branches When Tickled!
Description: EVER SEE A PLANT MOVE LIKE AN ANIMAL WHEN YOU TICKLE IT? Great for boys, girls, moms, dads, teachers and grandparents! TickleMe Plants are a great and unique gift for the one you love or for yourself! TickleMe Plants are the only plants that move like an animal when tickled. Tickle this plant and it will close its finger like leaves and lower its armlike branches. TickleMe Plants are a great way to excite someone about gardening and nature. TickleMe Plants can be grown indoors any time of the year, even in winter. They sprout in days! TickleMe Plants have beautiful cotton candy like pink flowers. Visit http://www.ticklemeplant.com to see a live TickleMe Plant in action. TickleMe Plants are easy to grow, no "Green thumb" needed. Each TickleMe Plant Kit includes everything you need to grow your own Pet TickleMe Plant: soil, seeds and flower pots. TickleMe Plants are 100% guaranteed to grow and move when you tickle them or we will replace the seeds. Kids favorite plant- classroom kits and the TickleMe Plant Care Book available as well.
Price: $5.50 to $39.95


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NowGamer: "Pachter offers his thoughts on the Wii U sales, and predicts a healthy launch for Nintendo."
What a moron. "The Wii U will fail", "The Wii U is priced right", "I just don't get the Wii U and I don't think gamers will as well", "The Wii U had a healthy launch and now it will be sold out until March". I swear this guy flip-flops more than a fish out of water. I think he does this so that if the Wii U failed, he could proclaim the he all told us so. And if it succeeded, then he pretends like he saw it all along.
What an idiot.
Maybe if Nintendo made more consoles for launch we wouldn't have to deal with this manufactured drought!
Wii U will probably sell well, just as Wii did
I think it's the gaming experience it will/won't provide that people are questioning atm
I took this picture this morning.
There are two in there.
So just today I realized I wanted a Wii U, something's wrong with my Wii so why not upgrade.


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Dalton Shaner sank four straight 3-pointers in the second quarter, had six 3s in the first half and scored 45 points Tuesday to lead Eastland over West Carroll 74-47.
With Shaner leading the attack, Eastland pulled out to a 38-24 halftime lead and stretched it with a 26-point, third-quarter outburst. No one else scored in double figures for Eastland, while West Carroll got 18 points from Trevor Jones.
Dakota 56, South Beloit 37: Brett Benning banged in four treys and scored 27 points to lift the Indians over South Beloit. Dakota jumped out to an 18-4 first-quarter lead and never trailed. Chad Olson led the Sobos with 14 points.
Polo 78, Ashton-Franklin 39: Two players (Brian Cavanaugh and Matthew Handel) scored 17 points for Polo and A.J. Dollmeyer chipped in with 13 points in the blowout victory over A-FC. The Raiders had no one score more than eight points, and they tallied just two points in the entire fourth quarter.
Auburn 71, Freeport 45: Natasha Adames scored 19 points, Amari Gulley added 11 and Melena Burke, Brianna Davis and Chrisseesha Clark scored 10 points apiece as the Knights steamrolled the Pretzels.
Auburn stretched its nine-point halftime lead with a 23-10 third-quarter run, and the Knights drained eight 3-pointers compared to just two - both by Maria Katzenberger (12 points) - for Freeport.
The Knights committed 16 first-half turnovers and shot just 35 percent from the field. Part of the struggles had to do with the rust - Auburn hadn't played a game since Dec. 28 - but not having Burke and Davis on the court for the first 16 minutes of action didn't help either. They were benched for the first half for disciplinary reasons.
"We probably would've played better if they had been in in the first and second quarter," Auburn coach Xavier Hoover said. "We're kind of rusty. We had a ton of turnovers. But after they got in, they started clicking."
The Pretzels were led by Ashley Simmons, who went 7-for-8 from the free-throw line during her 15-point night.
Belvidere 33, East 31: Despite scoring just eight points in the first half and falling behind by 11, the Bucs poured it on down the stretch to pull out the victory. Belvidere's Teagan Toft scored her eight points in the second half while Cynthia Santiago tallied 12 of her 15 in the final two quarters. No one scored more than eight for the E-Rabs.
Guilford 61, Jefferson 31: The Vikings outscored the J-Hawks 34-14 in the second half, and led by Shamara Glover's dozen points, they rolled.
Richmond-Burton 48, Rockford Christian 46, OT: Jayla Penney hit a jumper at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, but Richmond-Burton's Jessica Guenther sank a buzzer-beater in OT to give the Rockets the win. Penney led Rockford Christian with 18 points and Bryn Kittle added 13.
Lutheran 48, Rock Falls 43: Even with star center Abby Woolacott out sick, the Crusaders pulled out a slim victory over the Rockets, outscoring the visitors 12-4 in the fourth to secure the win. Freshman post player Bailley McGirk scored 14 points in Woolacott's absence, and Ashley Derestes added 13 points and Kailyn Strawbridge chipped in 12 in the win. Dallas Clevenger scored 12 points to lead Rock Falls.
Oregon 65, Stillman Valley 50: The Hawks slowly pulled away, mostly because of the 3-point shooting of Emy Wright (26 points with six 3s) and the post play of Sam Lambrigtsen (23 points). The Cardinals were led by Abby Timm who scored 15 points and Macy Weaver who added 13.
Stockton 51, Pecatonica 48: Sarah Nyen lit up the Blackhawks for 22 points, but the Indians could not hold onto a 30-23 halftime lead. Pec also led by 10 headed into the fourth quarter, but Stockton, led by Maddie Dower (21 points), Kara Wright (12) and Kelsey Wright (11), went on an 18-5 run to close it out.
Forreston 50, Pearl City 45: With Maggie Curry (18 points) and Rachel Walton (11) leading the way, the Cardinals were outscored in each of the third and fourth quarters but still clung to victory. Pearl City was led by Greta Heimerdinger's 18-point night.
River Ridge/Scales Mound 44, Galena 43: Despite outscoring their foes by four in the fourth quarter, Galena fell by one. RR/SM had seven players reach the scoring column, with Katie Schnitzler's 11-point effort topping it off. Galena's Gabriela Salgado went 2-for-7 from the free-throw line, but she tallied 15 points in the loss.


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Arizona House Approves Bill Allowing Refusal Of Service To Gays Based On Religious Beliefs
The Arizona House voted on Thursday to approve legislation that would allow business owners to use their religious beliefs as a legitimate reason to refuse service to gays and lesbians. The approval went through with a vote of 33-27 with only three Republicans choosing to vote against the bill.
It now heads to Republican Governor Jan Brewer for signature.
According to The Associated Press:
The bill allows any business, church or person to cite the law as a defense in any action brought by the government or individual claiming discrimination. It also allows the business or person to seek an injunction once they show their actions are based on a sincere religious belief and the claim places a burden on the exercise of their religion.
Interestingly, Republican lawmakers defend the bill arguing that it has nothing to do with discrimination.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Steve Yarbrough described the legislation as a First Amendment issue:
"This bill is not about allowing discrimination," Yarbrough said. "This bill is about preventing discrimination against people who are clearly living out their faith."
Democrats disagree arguing that it's a clear attack on the rights of gays and lesbians and that Arizona will face repercussions similar to those that it dealt with following its controversial immigration legislation that it passed in 2010. That was viewed by many to be racially motivated and discriminatory.
Democratic minority leader Rep. Chad Campbell says, "This bill is about going after the rights of the LGBT community in Arizona. This is going to be horrible for our economy."
The argument has fallen on deaf ears amongst Republicans. According to AP:
Republicans said it was simply an added protection for the faithful in the state who disapprove of gay marriage and want to be able to reject participating.
"Please, I will accept you because you are a child of God, I love you because you are a child of God," said GOP Rep. Steve Montenegro. "But please don't ask me to go against my religious beliefs."
Gov. Brewer has five days to sign House Bill 2153.
I wonder do the religious understand that they already have special rights granted by the Constitution. What will they do if the people turn against religion and strip these special rights and permit discrimination against the religious. I am fully aware that the religious already believe they are discriminated against, but I would have to say that most of it is in their minds.
I feel if jam passes this law, that in the document it states that any Arizona business that participates in this new law be REQUIRED to POST A 36" x 48" SIGN on the entrance of their building stating their religious beliefs and WHO THEY WILL NOT SERVE. For the entire world to see prior to the entry into their business
Jam their hate, from their own damn website at http://www.azpolicy.org
Here's what I sent, but be creative!
Your message has been sent to the following recipients:
* Governor Jan Brewer
The content of your message is as follows:
[The message(s) you sent had each recipient's salutation here]:
This is ignorant, hate-based propaganda from a dying idealogy.
Our Constitution guarantees that in America, people are free - regardless of well...anything
Yet as religious-based hostility grows throughout the nation, it has become clear that the rights of all citizens are under attack.
That's why I ask you not to sign SB 1062, to make it clear that all people are welcome in our state.
No one should be forced to forfeit their rights simply because they go to work or to a business that may be run by an insecure racist or homophobic bigot.
Please stand up for true liberty and oppose this vile propaganda called SB 1062!
steven scott
I thought so to initially, until I read "sincere religious belief". So probably means that even I'm gay and my religion believes in equality and will refuse service to homophobes, that will not work as it is not a 'sincere religious belief"
Arizona's economy will definitely go down just like in Detroit. Part of me thinks, let them pass this bill so they will all fee the reprocussion of their actions. Business will go down, people will leave and Jan Brewer's legacy will be tainted by failure