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Randomized Controlled Trial of the P.L.A.Y. (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project Intervention for Autism (PLAY)
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01768806
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : January 15, 2013
Last Update Posted : January 17, 2013
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Results Submitted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder
|Behavioral: PLAY Project Intervention for Autism Behavioral: Special education pre-school
|Not Applicable
A growing number of children (1 in 88) with autistic spectrum disorders ASD need intensive intervention (25 hours/week, 1:1 or 1:2 teacher to pupil ratio), which most states do not provide because a) there is a national shortage of trained personnel, b) such interventions are very expensive and c) an evidence-based, cost-effective model has not yet been developed for national dissemination. The unmet national need is enormous.
The P.L.A.Y. (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) Project Home Consultation model (PLAY), under the direction of developmental and behavioral pediatrician Richard Solomon MD, is an innovative train-the-trainer solution that could potentially address this national need.
Since publication of the pilot study in 2007*, PLAY was awarded a $1.8 million 3 year NIH SBIR (Small Business Innovations Research) grant in 2009 to implement a randomized, multi-site, blinded, controlled effectiveness study. This study compares control children receiving Community Standard Services (CSS)—12-14 hours of special education pre-school—to intervention children receiving CSS plus the PLAY Project—a once a month (3 hour), home-based, parent training program using trained masters level home consultants (HCs). PLAY operationalizes Greenspan's DIR theoretical framework into a practical approach to help parents be more sensitive, responsive, and effective in interacting with their children with ASD.
With Easter Seals National as our clinical partner and and Michigan State University (Hiram Fitzgerald PhD) as our evaluation partner, the PLAY Project NIH Grant successfully recruited 112, 3-5 year old children with autism spectrum disorders, at 5 Easter Seals sites. Each year a cohort of 30 families received monthly 3-hour PLAY Project home visits for 12 months. Thus a total of 60 intervention families and 60 control families were recruited.
Final results from both cohorts (n = 112) confirm that PLAY intervention children improved when compared to the control group with clinically and statistically significant less severe autism as measured by the ADOS, better language scores as measured by the MacArthur Child Development Inventories and improved ability to interact as scored by blinded raters using Mahoney's Child Behavior (Video) Rating Scale. PLAY parents, after a year of intervention, were markedly more sensitive, responsive, and effective during interactions with their children as scored by blinded raters using Mahoney's Child Behavior (Video) Rating Scale. When compared to control parents, PLAY Parents showed significantly less depression over the year of intervention. Despite asking parents to provide 2 hours per day of intervention at home parent stress was not increased. Home consultants show fidelity to the model.
The PLAY Project shows promise as a replicable developmental model of autism intervention using an efficient train-the-trainer model at relatively low cost to parents and society that can be broadly and quickly disseminated to serve a growing, unmet national need.
* Solomon R, Necheles J, Ferch C, Bruckman D, (2007) Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: The PLAY Project Home Consultation program. Autism Vol 11(3) 205-224.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|112 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Single (Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Randomized Controlled Trial of the P.L.A.Y. Project Intervention for Autism
|Study Start Date :
|September 2009
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|June 2012
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|December 2012
Experimental: P.L.A.Y. Project Intervention for Autism
Children diagnosed with autism were recruited to the PLAY Project Intervention grant and assigned to a community standard arm (CS) or a CS plus PLAY Project arm of the study. Those in the PLAY Project arm of the study received a one time per month home visit to train caregivers in the PLAY Project methods including video feedback and caregivers also receive mid month feedback based on the video review of interaction.
Behavioral: PLAY Project Intervention for Autism
Children diagnosed with autism were recruited to the PLAY Project Intervention grant and assigned to a community standard arm (CS) or a CS plus PLAY Project arm of the study. Those in the PLAY Project arm of the study received a one time per month home visit to train caregivers in the PLAY Project methods including video feedback and caregivers also receive mid month feedback based on the video review of interaction.
Other Names:
Active Comparator: Special Education Pre-school
Special education pre-school services include 10-12 hours per week of special education preschool, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. No intensive intervention is provided.
Behavioral: Special education pre-school
Special education preschool services included 10-12 hours per week of educational services including speech and language and occupational therapy
Other Name: Special education preschool
- Reduction in autism severity as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) [ Time Frame: 1 year ]Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS) (Lord ) yields scores in 3 scales: Communication, Social Interaction, and Circumscribed Interests. The ADOS has been repeatedly evaluated as diagnostic measures, it has also been used as an outcome measure of autism severity (Aldred et al., 2004; Gutstein, 2007; Owly et al, 2001, Green et al, 2010). The ADOS distinguishes three levels of severity: Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and non-autistic. Pre- and post-assessment using the ADOS will be used to determine whether the child's autism severity decreases over time.
- Language as measured by the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories [ Time Frame: 1 year ]The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Developmental Inventories (MCDI) (Fenson et al, 1993) is a standardized, parent report language measure for children from ages 8-16 months (Word and Gestures Form) and 16-30 months (Words and Sentences Form). (Aim 2, Outcome 2) Either form may be used with older, developmentally delayed children. The MCDI has been used in several research studies to assess language in child with autism.
- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale [ Time Frame: 1 year ]Vineland II Parent/Caregiver Rating Form is a revised version of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. This parent interview measures age-based standard scores in Communication,Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor Skills, as well as a composite adaptive behavior score.
- Parent child interaction as measured by the Maternal Behavior Rating Scales and the Child Behavior Rating Scales [ Time Frame: 1 year ]
The Maternal Behavior Rating Scale (MBRS) is a video rating scale that assesses four Interactive Style Factors including: Responsive/Child Oriented; Affect/Animation; Achievement Orientation; and Directiveness (Aim 1, Outcomes 1-3). Factors are assessed by rating twelve (5 point Likert-scaled) items during a 7 ½ minute video of typical parent-child play with toys.
Pivotal Behavior Rating Scale (Mahoney & Wheeden, 1998; 1999. The PBRS measures contingent, reciprocal, social interactions. Factor analyses indicate the PBRS measures two components of interactive behavior - Attention and Initiation. The child's primary caregiver is asked to play with the child for 7 ½ minutes using a standard set of toys.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|3 Years to 5 Years (Child)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria: Children ages 3-5 years 11 months old diagnosed with autism.
Exclusion Criteria:
We excluded children if they had been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, had identifiable genetic disorders, severe medical conditions, a parent with severe psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment, and/or families who did not speak English with their child. Families in the CS group who reported receiving intensive intervention (>10 hours/week of a programmatic approach to ASD—check this) were excluded from the study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01768806
|United States, Michigan
|Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
|Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48103
|Principal Investigator:
|Richard Solomon, MD
|Richard Solomon MD, Plc
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Richard Solomon MD, Plc
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01768806 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
2R44MH078431-02A1 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
|First Posted:
|January 15, 2013 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|January 17, 2013
|Last Verified:
|January 2013
Keywords provided by Richard Solomon MD, Plc:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
PLAY and Language for Autistic Youngsters
Intensive Early Intervention
Parent Training
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Autistic Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Mental Disorders


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Carlton M. Hadden is the Director of the Office of Federal Operations, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Washington, D.C. The office provides oversight for the government-wide EEO complaint adjudication and affirmative employment functions and is responsible for the Federal government's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) appellate function.
He is a graduate of an HBCU-North Carolina Central University. He also earned his Juris Doctorate from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law. Prior to his service with EEOC, Mr. Hadden was employed with the George Washington University. He has previously worked with the County of Fairfax's Human Rights Commission, the City of Wichita's Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as the City of Raleigh.
Mr. Hadden began his federal career with the commission in 1987 as an attorney responsible for writing EEOC appeals decisions. Early in his career at EEOC, he worked as a Supervisory Attorney and later as an Attorney Advisor to the Director of the Office of Federal Operations. In 1999, he was selected to be the Director of the Office of Federal Operations.
Under his leadership, EEOC's federal sector accomplishments include the implementation of the Commission's Policy Directive MD-715, which sets forth the requirements for Federal agencies to achieve Model EEO program status, and increased outreach, education and technical assistance. Further, through the use of innovative case management techniques, EEOC's appellate inventory has been significantly reduced by over 40%.
This page was last modified on July 22, 2008.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
0 Programs with Kristin Blackson, Esq.
Kristin Blackson is an Environmental Services Manager with 15 years of experience in the preparation and management of CEQA and NEPA documents, land use planning, entitlement, and project management. Kristin was with the County of San Diego's Planning Department from 2000 to 2015 as the Environmental Planning Manager. At the County, she coordinated efforts of multi-disciplinary staff and was responsible for CEQA compliance for several County Departments. As the Environmental Services Manager at MBI, her work involves the management and preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents for both private and public projects throughout the region. Ms. Blackson's experience includes high profile projects with complex environmental and land use planning issues. The list of projects she has managed is comprehensive and includes master planned communities, wind and solar projects, programs and ordinances, specific plans, major and minor use permits, tentative maps, and site plans.
Sorry, we didn't find any programs to display.


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Sunday 16 December 2018 (other days)
3rd Sunday of Advent
Dómine, lábia mea apéries.
Et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.
Lord, open our lips.
And we shall praise your name.
Regem ventúrum Dóminum, veníte, adorémus.
(repeat antiphon*)
1Dómini est terra et plenitúdo eius,*
orbis terrárum et qui hábitant in eo.
2Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum*
et super flúmina firmávit eum.
(repeat antiphon*)
3Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini,*
aut quis stabit in loco sancto eius?
4Innocens mánibus et mundo corde,†
qui non levávit ad vana ánimam suam,*
nec iurávit in dolum.
5Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino*
et iustificatiónem a Deo salutári suo.
6Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum,*
quæréntium fáciem Dei Iacob.
(repeat antiphon*)
7Attóllite, portæ, cápita vestra,†
et elevámini, portæ æternáles,*
et introíbit rex glóriæ.
8Quis est iste rex glóriæ?*
Dóminus fortis et potens, Dóminus potens in prœ́lio.
(repeat antiphon*)
9Attóllite, portæ, cápita vestra,†
et elevámini, portæ æternáles,*
et introíbit rex glóriæ.
10Quis est iste rex glóriæ?*
Dóminus virtútum ipse est rex glóriæ.
(repeat antiphon*)
Glória Patri et Fílio*
et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
et in sǽcula sæculórum.
(repeat antiphon*)
Let us adore the Lord, the King who is to come.
(repeat antiphon*)
The Lord's is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all who live in it.
He himself founded it upon the seas
and set it firm over the waters.
(repeat antiphon*)
Who will climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who will stand in his holy place?
The one who is innocent of wrongdoing and pure of heart,
who has not given himself to vanities or sworn falsely.
He will receive the blessing of the Lord
and be justified by God his saviour.
This is the way of those who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
(repeat antiphon*)
Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,
and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of might and power.
The Lord, strong in battle.
(repeat antiphon*)
Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,
and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of hosts
– he is the king of glory.
(repeat antiphon*)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
(repeat antiphon*)
* If you are reciting this on your own, you can choose to say the antiphon once only at the start of the psalm and not repeat it.
The psalms and canticles here are our own translation. The Grail translation of the psalms, which is used liturgically in most of the English-speaking world, cannot be displayed on the Web for copyright reasons. The Universalis apps, programs and downloads do contain the Grail translation of the psalms.
You can also view this page in English only.
|This web site © Copyright 1996-2018 Universalis Publishing Ltd · Contact us · Cookies/privacy


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Get Crafty: 10 DIY Valentine's Day Projects
Last year we rounded up 20 DIY Valentine's Day projects that were festive and wouldn't break the bank. This year we found 10 more ideas that will make anyone feel special, whether you are planning a dinner for two, a big party, or you just want to add a little seasonal love to your home.
1. Conversation Heart Pinãtas, DIY from Studio DIY
2. Wooden Spoon Love Notes, DIY from Radmegan
3. Valentine's Day Cake Topper, DIY from Goldmine
4. Valentine's Day Arrow Napkins, DIY from House on the Way
5. Wall of Paper Hearts, DIY from How About Orange
6. Sweet Olive Wreath, DIY from La Famiglia Design
7. Initial Carved Candle, DIY from Henry Happened
8. 3-D Strung Heart Garland, DIY from Project Wedding
9. Heart Dollies with Twinkle Lights, DIY from Elena
10. Pompom Window Garland, DIY from Noodlehead


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Bruce Lee's Yellow Jumpsuit Fetches $100,000
A yellow-and-black jumpsuit worn by Bruce Lee fetched 780,000 Hong Kong dollars ($100,590) at an auction on Thursday in Hong Kong.
Appearing in the 1972 movie "Game of Death," the costume was tailored for the martial arts star and had a pre-sale high estimate of HK$300,000, auction house Spink China said.
Made of polyester, the jumpsuit had shrunk from being mishandled in the wash and had its zipper torn during Lee's fight with Ji Han Jae, a Korean master of hapkido, the auction house noted.
Anna Lee, Spink China's vice chairman, said the suit's buyer was an "Internet bidder from Asia." The same buyer bought six out of the 14 items offered at the sale, which generated HK$2.2 million in total. All items were sold.
At the same auction, a pair of yellow nunchaku – Lee's trademark weapon of choice – was bought for HK$540,000 by a Hong Kong-based bidder in the room.
The items were part of a sale of memorabilia related to the late Hong Kong star and put on the block by a private Hollywood collector. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Lee's death from brain swelling at the age of just 32.
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Man killed during industrial accident
On Saturday, March 19, at about 3 p.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office received a phone call of an industrial accident at a well site in the 11000 block of Moore Road.
Upon arrival, the deputies learned that an employee of the well site was pinned between two pieces of industrial equipment that were being erected on the site. The 40-year-old Louisana man was pronounced at the scene by Justice of the Peace Ray Chesson. JSCO was assisted by the Bevil Oaks VFD.
Judge Chesson has ordered an autopsy.


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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is sponsoring two summer day camps for children 12 to 16 years old at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center in Baton Rouge this summer.
The camps will be held from June 23-27 and again from July 21-25. Each camp is completely free of charge and will allow participants to receive their official boater and hunter education certifications.
LDWF will also offer a fish identification class, fishing and canoeing in the ponds at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center, skeet shooting, and other outdoor related classes and activities. LDWF Environmental Education staff will also assist with the camps and provide workshops on non-consumptive educational programs.
"These camps provide a lot of time for learning classroom material that the children then get a chance to utilize with hands on activities immediately outside later that same day," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. "For a week, parents have the chance to let their kids become sportsmen and women in a safe, supervised environment."
LDWF and Podnuh's Bar-B-Q of Baton Rouge is providing a daily lunch free of charge for the five-day summer camps. Cabela's in Gonzales also donated rod and reel combos for each child that they can take home at the end of the camp. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana are each providing two lifetime hunting and fishing combo licenses that will be given to four of the participants.
The camps are open to 25 children per camp who have not completed a boater or hunter education certificate.
To register for the camps, parents must fill out the online application by May 27. Parents must fill out a separate application for each child they wish to register and may only register their child for one of the camps. The online registration form is located at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/summerdaycamp.
Since the main goal of these camps is to introduce and teach kids about the outdoors, LDWF will choose the 25 kids for each camp based on the child's lack of experience with fishing, boating and hunting. LDWF will notify parents by either email or phone if their child has been selected for the camps.
Parents with children that have been selected for either camp, must drop off their child at the Waddill Outdoor Education Center located at 4142 North Flannery Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70814 between 7 and 8 a.m., and then pick their child up between 4 and 5 p.m. each day. Attendance every day of the week is mandatory in order to receive the boating and hunting education certifications.
The boating education course is mandatory for anybody born after Jan. 1, 1984 and proof of completion of the course is necessary to operate a motorboat in excess of 10 horsepower. The course includes information on choosing a boat, classification, hulls, motors, legal requirements and equipment requirements. The course also covers many navigation rules and charts, trailering, sailboats, canoeing, personal watercraft and more. Completion of the course will result in the student being issued a vessel operators certification card.
The hunter education course is mandatory for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1969, who plans on purchasing a hunting license. The hunter education curriculum includes sections on ethics and responsibility, wildlife management, firearms and ammunition, safety in the field, wildlife identification and wildlife conservation. The major objectives of the hunter education programs are to reduce the number of hunting accidents, improve the image of hunting through ethical and responsible conduct and promote the shooting sports.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at email@example.com or 225-765-2465.


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Disk View
This week's download comes from Sysinternals. As many before it, and as most of their free programs, it is simple, to the point and absolutely great. This download is no exception. From the uber geek to someone running his or her first defrag, Disk View will seem like one cool program.
Disk View is a program that produces a graphical representation of the folders on a particular drive. Let me try to explain this a little better for you. If you are familiar with the graphical representation of your hard drive that pop ups up when you are performing a disk defrag, you know it's a little confusing. It's very nice to look at, but unless you're a computer engineer, you're more than likely not going to be able to make too much sense out of the whole thing.
Windows' Graphical View of a Hard Disk Partition:
Disk View however, allows you to, not defrag a hard drive (which would be nice), but rather view its contents more clearly. When you use Disk View, you notice right off the bat that it looks very similar to the defrag utility you usually see in Windows during a defrag. But, with Disk View, you can take your mouse pointer and select sections from within the display window and the program will tell you what file is occupying that space. You will also notice that the name and complete path to the file's location is displayed clearly in the address bar at the top of the main interface.
Disk View's Graphical View of a Hard Drive Partition:
If you would like more information on a particular section occupying space on the hard drive, just double click the file and a window will appear with additional information.
Another cool feature of Disk View is that it's portable, meaning the program doesn't really install anything. This makes Disk View ideal for loading on a flash drive if you want to check out a remote machine.
I hope you enjoy Disk View. I honestly don't know how much use you will get out of it, but it is very educational in regards to shedding some light on what all those fragments are in your hard drive. Until next week, I hope you enjoy.
You can download Disk View here.
~ Chad Stelnicki


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Tickets are now on sale for the 22nd annual Ghostwalk, a major fundraiser for the New Bern Historical Society.
Tickets are now on sale for the 22nd annual Ghostwalk, a major fundraiser for the New Bern Historical Society.
This year�s theme is �Spirited Through Time,� at 19 sites, which include historic homes, two theaters, a cemetery and local businesses.
The three nights of entertainment are Oct. 25 to 27 at a variety of downtown venues, including Cedar Grove Cemetery, Attmore Oliver House, and New Bern Civic and Masonic theaters.
Tickets are $15 through Oct. 24. Days of the event tickets are $20. Admission for active-duty military and dependents with current ID, as well as students, is $10. Children ages 3 to 12 are $5 and youngsters under 3 are admitted free.
The Oct. 25 schedule is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Cedar Grove Cemetery, along with entertainment at the Masonic Theater on Hancock Street and the Athens Theatre on Pollock Street.
The events are from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 at the 19 sites, including the cemetery and two theaters. New Bern Civic hosts the Athens site, with �Dream Girls of the 60s.� RiverTowne presents �The Time Machine� at the Masonic.
Agony Alley is open with a child-friendly haunted house inside and outside of the historic Attmore-Oliver House. The tour enters at 512 Pollock St. on Oct. 26 and 27.
A Civil War encampment of the 7th N.C. State Troops Co. F is planned, with narrated drama the final two nights, at 6, 6:45, 7:30, 8:15 and 9 p.m. It will be on East Front Street by the Galley Store.
A number of local churches also have Halloween food and treats, entertainment and tours.
Participating churches include Centenary Methodist on New Street, which has �Singing Monks and Pasta in the Catacombs!�
Christ Episcopal Church and Old St. Paul�s Catholic Church, both on Middle Street, have tours. Temple B�nai Sholem on Middle Street invites the public to Friday Sabbath Service at 7:30 p.m. The Temple has a tour Oct. 27.
New Bern Scottish Rite Temple on Hancock Street has barbecued beef brisket. St. Cyprian�s Episcopal Church on Johnson Street has hot dogs and tours.
Proceeds from Ghostwalk benefit preservation and educational programs of the historical society, founded in 1923.
Tickets are available now, except for Harris Teeter in New Bern and Morehead City, which will begin sales Oct. 5.
The current outlets include the New Bern Historical Society, 512 Pollock St., 638-8558; Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St., 638-2577; CravenCountyConvention & VisitorsCenter, 203 S. Front St., 637-9400; Mitchell Hardware, 215 Craven St., 638-4261; Havelock Information Ticket & Travel Office, 466-2197; Greenville ASAP Camera, 3701 Charles Blvd., 321-8888.
On the web: newbernhistorical.org
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EA has secured the official Euro 2004 license and in the summer they will release a title to coincide with the finals of the tournament:
In EURO 2004 mode players can play as any of the 51 European nations. Players can arrange and play friendly matches against other nations or play through the tournament going from qualifying, to playoffs and into the finals. In addition to tracking injuries and suspensions, a new dynamic morale system will track players' morale, which will fluctuate based on individual and team performances and affect player abilities on the field.
The official UEFA EURO 2004 videogame is currently under development at EA's Canadian studio, the company's largest, which is world-renowned for creating critically-acclaimed and best selling sports games. The officially licensed EURO 2004 videogame is scheduled for release to coincide with the EURO 2004 finals in Portugal this summer.


text:
Glen Ellyn Pharmacy, Inc. v. Empire Pharmacy Consultants, L.L.C. et al
Plaintiff: Glen Ellyn Pharmacy, Inc.
Defendant: Empire Pharmacy Consultants, L.L.C. and John Does 1-10
Case Number: 1:2018cv01731
Filed: March 9, 2018
Court: Illinois Northern District Court
Office: Chicago Office
County: Cook
Presiding Judge: Jorge L. Alonso
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1331
Jury Demanded By: None
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text:
Request a SEO Consulting
SEO Consulting
Want to improve your visibility in the search engines because your site is not even indexed yet?
Or you already have a website but "does not convert" or "converts" little?
No sales and little traffic?
Through placement on your website the search engines you can do to promote business on Google, and you find your potential customers.
When and why ask an SEO Consulting?
You have a website, you upload your products, you have attractive graphics, you also spent a lot of money
but … your R.O.I. (Return on investment – ed) is in short supply or are you at a loss?
Here you understand that Google, it 'you and I' your site you are existing, so what to do?
SEO Consultancy: why is it necessary?
You have the belief to be the best, and that your advertising strategy has been successful, because you have the fate "corsettino SEO" from 350 euros in whom they have "enlightened you," the prophecies of the "SEO experts"?
What were you thinking that the SEO course, would solve your problems? You awaited "the secrets not revealed"?
… It is often the cause of everything. You have to know you trust and trust the true SEO professionals and not those who earn with the courses. You can not do it all alone!
Time, costs, and results for the SEO consultancy
The budget of the client is crucial. If you will not say how much you want to spend from the beginning, only waste time. Or you trust us or not contact us right. We will not waste time either. No 'to meet your curiosity by e-mail. Our time has a price and high costs, so we will focus on the work carried out only after the signing of the contract. Before then, you will not receive any support or "courtesy" for free. The time to see the first results, after making the SEO consultancy, can vary from 2 weeks to 4/6/12 months. Everything is variable depending on the sector and the competitiveness of the keywords on which we are going to work.
SEO consulting and patience …
If you have decided to invest in SEO activities, it is because you already know what it means and how it works, I hope … If you are hasty and think that a SEO consulting corresponds to a simple and quick thing, with "guaranteed" results, well: you misunderstood. Change consultant while you can, because if you already start with the wrong foot will do little way together (maximum 2 emails before you say goodbye "cordially").
SEO advice to place a website on Google and the major search engines?
In summary:
– Analysis of competitors (competitors – ed) and keywords of sites on search engines
– Increased visibility of the company brand
– Visits Increase of users coming from search engines
– R.O.I .: new clients, suppliers, requests for proposal


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http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php ... 87,0,0,1,0
I'm just shaking my head in disbelief at this. Peace and harmony? Protecting women's freedom by restricting who they can marry?About 200 senior Buddhist monks convening in Rangoon on Thursday have begun drafting a religious law that would put restrictions on
marriages Buddhist women and Muslim men.
On Thursday, the monks announced that preventing interfaith marriage would help improve inter-communal relations in Burma, and much of their time was spent discussing a 15-page draft law that would introduce the restriction.
"We hold this meeting with the intention of protecting our Buddhist race and our religion, and also to have peace and harmony in our community," said U Dhammapiya, a senior monk and a spokesman for the convention.
U Wirathu, a well-known nationalist monk, said he was delighted with the plans to try to stop any Buddhist woman from marrying a Muslim man. "I have dreamed of this law for a long time. It is important to have this law to protect our Buddhist women's freedom," he said during a press conference.
A copy of the law proposed by the monks would require any Buddhist woman seeking to marry a Muslim man to first gain permission from her parents and local government officials. It also requires any Muslim man who marries a Buddhist woman to convert to Buddhism.
What the hell is going on in Burma - it sure is ugly.


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The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This quintessential tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids.
Located on Costa Rica's Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife. This river has been officially declared a Wild and Scenic River, and offers some of the finest white water rafting in Latin America. This 18-mile stretch winds deep inside one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rainforests.
The tour includes transportation from San Jose, breakfast in a local restaurant and lunch of cold meats, cheeses, lettuce, fruits, bread and juice on the river.
While on the river, I explored a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the riverbanks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of animals and birds. On this trip a Toucan flew by and sat near the river for nearly five minutes....it was amazing!
Once I arrived at the river, professional guides and the rafting equipment were waiting. After some brief security instructions and practice, we started out on this incredible journey. The first rapid came quickly and the members of our boat became fast friends! Rafting is filled with excitement as you squeeze through narrow openings between huge boulders and run long stretches of powerful rapids.
We took a break for a delicious lunch of cold meats, cheeses, lettuce, fruits, bread and juice served along the river's edge by your guides. While lunch was being prepared, we relaxed and enjoyed the the spectacular scenery marveling at the raw, pounding power of the untamed Pacuare River that for millions of years has coursed through this virgin tropical rainforest.
If you're ready for a very exciting day filled with wet and wonderful fun, the Pacuare is ready for you! Rafters should be physically fit for this trip, although no previous white-water experience is necessary.
Let Bill Beard's Costa Rica set you up with an exciting day of river rafting. better yet take two days and overnight in our all inclusive Jungle Lodge. Contact us for reservations and information.
|Map Legend
|River Rafting In Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica


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Observation topped initial treatment for low-risk prostate cancer in terms of cost and effectiveness, according to a decision-analysis study.
Both active surveillance and watchful waiting proved more effective and less expensive than immediate treatment. In a comparison of the two observation strategies, watchful waiting added 2 months of quality-adjusted life expectancy and saved $11,000 to $15,000 versus active surveillance, depending on the patient's age.
Initial treatment came out ahead of observation only under circumstances when it reduced prostate cancer mortality by more than 50%, as reported online in Annals of Internal Medicine.
"Using our results, we estimated that if the number of newly diagnosed men with low-risk prostate cancer who selected observation with watchful waiting increased from 10% to 50%, it would result in a cost savings of more than $1 billion," Julia Hayes, MD, of Harvard and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and co-authors concluded. "If one half of the men who chose observation opted for watchful waiting and one half for active surveillance, it would save $500 million.
"As we better classify men as low risk by adding molecular and imaging techniques currently in development to standard clinical parameters, prospective studies should determine whether less surveillance than is typically done on active surveillance is safe for men who select observation for low-risk prostate cancer. These findings provide further support for watchful waiting and active surveillance as reasonable and underused options for men with low-risk prostate cancer."
Optimal management of low-risk prostate cancer remains controversial. In the era of PSA screening for prostate cancers, low-risk comprises 70% of newly diagnosed cases. The men have <6% likelihood of dying of prostate cancer within 15 years; yet, 90% of them undergo definitive treatment in the form of radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy.
Recent evidence suggests as many as 60% of men who have initial treatment for low-risk prostate cancer might not have required any therapy in their lifetimes, the authors noted in their introduction. Most of these men will have at least one long-term adverse effect of treatment.
Of the two options for observation, active surveillance involves close follow-up after diagnosis, typically with serial PSA testing, digital rectal exam, and prostate biopsies. Mature data for the strategy suggest that 30% of men eventually require treatment for prostate cancer, and 10-year prostate cancer-specific survival is 97.2% (J Clin Oncol 2010; 28: 126-131).
Watchful waiting refers to a strategy of observing patients without monitoring and providing palliative care when prostate cancer becomes symptomatic. Historically reserved for men with <10 years' life expectancy or major comorbidities -- and not expected to die of prostate cancer -- watchful waiting demonstrated similar overall and prostate cancer-specific mortality in a large randomized trial versus radical prostatectomy (N Engl J Med 2012; 367 :203-213).
Previous decision-analysis studies have suggested that active surveillance improves quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) versus initial treatment and that observation is less costly than initial treatment. Hayes and colleagues continued the evaluation by performing a cost-effectiveness analysis of active surveillance and watchful waiting versus initial treatment for men with clinically localized, low-risk prostate cancer.
Key assumptions of the analysis included a hazard ratio of 1.48 for prostate cancer-specific death for initial treatment versus watchful waiting and 1.85 for initial treatment versus active surveillance. Within each strategy, the authors developed probabilities for various scenarios, including biochemical recurrence, progression to metastatic disease, progression of Gleason score (active surveillance), elective treatment (active surveillance), and progression to treatment (watchful waiting).
The investigators based costs on 2012 U.S. dollars for initial treatment of prostate cancer, ongoing treatment of erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms that existed before treatment, surveillance, treatment of short-term (<90 days) and long-term (≥90 days) adverse events, and patient time.
The analysis produced an estimated lifetime risk of prostate cancer death of 4.8% with active surveillance, 6% with watchful waiting, and 8.9% for initial treatment. Life expectancy was about 81 years across all three strategies. Among 65-year-old men, 78% on active surveillance received treatment (median of 6.8 years after diagnosis) as compared with 34% on watchful waiting (median of 12.4 years after diagnosis).
Overall, both observation strategies proved to be more effective and less costly as compared with initial treatment. Watchful waiting afforded the most QALE at the lowest cost for 65-year-old men (9.02 years versus 8.85 for active surveillance, which cost an additional $15,374). Active surveillance cost $4,520 more than brachytherapy and $1,714 more than radical prostatectomy.
For 75-year-old men, watchful waiting added 2 months to QALE as compared with active surveillance (6.14 years versus 5.98 QALE) at a savings for $11,746.
Brachytherapy was the most effective and least expensive of all options for initial treatment. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy was the most expensive initial treatment strategy, and radical prostatectomy was associated with the poorest QALE.
Initial treatment became more effective than observation only when the hazard ratio for prostate cancer-specific death declined to 0.47 versus watchful waiting and 0.64 versus active surveillance.
The study adds to a growing volume of data suggesting that "we have to start selecting patients for treatment or some sort of observation," Art Rastinehad, DO, of North Shore-LIJ Health System in New Hyde Park, N.Y., told MedPage Today.
"It also raised the question of how do we select patients for treatment versus not," said Rastinehad, who was not involved in the study. "We have been using the same ways to screen patients -- PSA testing and a 12-core biopsy. In this day and age, this information is really inadequate to assess these patients' cancer volume.
"At our institution we're working on different ways to screen and treat patients with prostate cancer, especially using imaging modalities as a first step toward determining a patient's actual volume of disease."
The study was suppoprted by the National Cancer Institute and the Blue Shield of California Foundation.
Hayes disclosed a relationship with UpToDate. One or more co-authors disclosed relationships with Informed Medical Decisions Foundation and Blue Shield of California Foundation.
- Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner
last updated


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Related Items
Trending Stories
Quote Sheet: New Youth Women's National Team Hires
Jan. 25, 2013
U.S. Soccer President SUNIL GULATI
On the two new full-time hires for the U.S. Youth Women's National Team Staff:
"We are dedicated to the continuing growth of our U.S. Women's National Teams and women's soccer at all levels. The hiring of two more full-time coaches for our Youth Women's National Team, with one more to come, and U.S. Soccer's involvement in the new National Women's Soccer League, makes 2013 an important year in the evolution of the women's game in the United States. We are looking forward to B.J. and April helping to continue the tradition of excellence we've established with our youth women's teams."
U.S. Soccer Women's Development Director JILL ELLIS
On the hiring of B.J. Snow:
"B.J. is an excellent tactician and teacher and a great fit to be the first full-time coach for one of our youth World Cup teams. It's such an important position because the U-17 cycle is the first time our players get to experience CONCACAF qualifying and a World Cup and he will help lay a tremendous foundation for players that we hope will rise through our national team programs. He's analytical and passionate and has a tremendous work ethic."
On the hiring of April Kater:
"April is going to be a fantastic addition to our staff, she has been working in our Training Centers and scouting network for the past two years and has shown a passion for youth development. Her experience at every level and her tremendous communications skills make her a perfect fit for our youth national teams program."
U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach TOM SERMANNI
On the two new full-time hires for the U.S. Youth Women's National Team Staff:
"Having quality people and coaches involved in running our youth national teams is vitally important for the overall success of the program. There is such a large pool of players in the United States that it takes a hard-working and cohesive team to create a network to make sure we are identifying and given chances to all the deserving players around the country. The value of creating positive, competitive environments with all our youth national teams can be clearly seen by the fact that we called in several players from our last U-20 World Cup Team and even our last U-17 World Cup Team for our next national team training camp."


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- Haas Formula
Rossi confirms Haas talks
Alexander Rossi has confirmed he has had talks with fellow American Gene Haas about driving for his F1 team when it joins the grid in 2016.
Haas, who deferred entry for Haas Formula until 2016 in order to get the correct structure in place, has said he would prefer to form a team with an experienced driver and an American at the helm. Marussia reserve driver Rossi is confident he can do a good job as the latter.
"I am thrilled for Haas," Rossi told Crash.net. "His passion and commitment to enter F1 and bring Americans closer to the sport deserves serious respect. America is growing every year and the amount of support I receive personally is phenomenal. Americans love to have an athlete to get behind and I think having a team in the sport, particularly with someone as well known and successful as Gene would be fantastic."
"We've obviously spoken with Haas and the final step is to have an American driver in F1 that fans can support. If the opportunity comes my way and timing is right, I know I'll be prepared and could do a good job for them."
Since leaving Caterham and linking up with Marussia last month there has been speculation about a senior race seat at the team next season, but Rossi says he is prepared for his debut whenever it arrives.
"I'm confident, prepared and very ready [for F1]. Ultimately my goal is to have a full time Formula 1 seat, that's always been pretty clear. So racing full time is certainly the target I'm working towards."


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Bartek wrote:Well it is finished and in it's packing crate, that's the good news.....
The bad news is that I leave for Queensland today so wont be here to arrange pick up...........so Harma has agreed to hold onto it. It will arrive in Perth on Monday the 4th Feb.
The waiting is nearly over
oh yes, nearly forgot the pictures
Come to think of it I don't know how to post pictures in this forum, I'll be back!
So any news, is it in perth yet?


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Style # 218003
Get flirty with this sexy bebe top, featuring a heart-shaped neckline, floral or leopard print and a structured design. Try yours with anything from miniskirts to skinny jeans.
- 98% cotton, 2% spandex
- Dry clean
- Imported
- Center back to hem: 12" (31 cm)
- Padded bra
- Gripper tape
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S
Printed Sweetheart Bustier is rated out of 5 by 5.
Rated 4 out of 5 by Ticklez from Cute I got this in the blue floral print and It's flirty and sexy, easy to pair with any solid color bottoms. I do have an issue with the sizing though, it runs a bit big due to the stretch material at the back and it's hard for me to wear it without the straps. I'm usually an XS and I tried both XS and XXS, the XXS was way too tight for my D cups so I had to get the XS which fits but it has gotten stretched out. If you have a smaller chest then you should definitely size down, otherwise, stick to your normal size. I wear mine with the straps, and the clasp for one of the strap broke so I'm not sure exactly what to do! Hopefully it's fixable. A bit disappointed but I'm still happy with the top.
Date published: 2014-01-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by miami143 from Love it Love this top! Bought in the leopard print also. Fits perfect and back stretches.
Date published: 2013-09-12
Rated 5 out of 5 by Carley19 from Lovely Bustier I am petite and normally wear an XS in everything in Bebe, but I bought this in an XXS in the Floral and it fits perfect. It's not too short like some bustiers and it doesn't dig at you on the sides because it's stretchy; has give. It also comes with a padded bust and a grip lining at the bust so it doesn't slip down. Love this!
Date published: 2013-09-02
Rated 3 out of 5 by jaxx1213 from Great if you have a wide chest I hate to give a bad review on this, because there is nothing wrong with this bustier. This would not work for someone that is petite or small framed. I think having the material on the sides being elastic caused this top to be too large. I am normally an XS and I was swimming in this top! Needless to say, I had to return it. But this would look amazing on someone that has a wider chest and broader shoulders. It looks great with black pencil skirt and red belt! Too bad it just wasn't right for my frame.
Date published: 2013-08-27
Rated 2 out of 5 by bebefan101 from beautiful print but.. The zipper is flimsy it gets stuck in the middleof zipping it up.
Date published: 2013-08-25


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Game data from the demo release of Hexen (hexen.wad, v1.1). Includes
only the first 4 levels of the game.
You'll need a Doom engine that's capable of playing Hexen to use this.
zdoom will work; prboom, prboom-plus, odamex, and skulltag won't.
Maintained by: B. Watson
Keywords: iwad,wad,doom,zdoom,hexen
ChangeLog: hexen_demo_data
Download SlackBuild:
hexen_demo_data.tar.gz.asc (FAQ)
(the SlackBuild does not include the source)
|Individual Files:
| hexen_demo_data.SlackBuild
| hexen_demo_data.info
| slack-desc
© 2006-2018 SlackBuilds.org Project. All rights reserved.
Slackware® is a registered trademark of Patrick Volkerding
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
Web Design by WebSight Designs | Managed Hosting by OnyxLight Communications


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Unbelievable performance and flawless graphics for the uncompromising gamer
Dive into the ultimate multiple display panoramic gaming experience1
Stream video, HD videos, games, apps and more with incredible speed and performance2
Enter the third dimension with stereo 3D capable PCs3
Harness the power of multiple GPUs for extreme, high-definition gaming and 3D image quality4
Push the limits of performance and efficiency with dynamic power management5
AMD Eyefinity multidisplay technology1
AMD App Acceleration2
AMD HD3D technology3
AMD CrossFire™ multi-GPU technology4
AMD PowerTune technology (with Boost)5
AMD Catalyst™ software and HD video configuration software
Unified Graphics display driver - AMD Catalyst™ software enabling other PC programs and devices to use advanced graphics, video and features of AMD Radeon™ products.
System requirements and recommendations:
©2014 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Radeon and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/ or other jurisdictions. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Additional hardware (e.g. Blu-ray drive, HD or 10-bit monitor, TV tuner) and/or software (e.g. multimedia applications) are required for the full enablement of some features. Not all features may be supported on all components or systems - check with your component or system manufacturer for specific model capabilities and supported technologies.
Minimum recommended system power supply wattage is based on the specific graphics card and the typical power requirements of other system components. Your system may require more or less power. OEM and other pre-assembled PCs may have different power requirements.
OpenCL and the OpenCL logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. used by permission by Khronos.


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When you visit Hejaz Shrine Golf Club, prepare to enjoy a spectacular and challenging round of golf. Nestled on the rolling terrain of Greenville, South Carolina, Hejaz Golf Club was founded in 1979. The Club was originally designed and built in 1960 by Architect Russell F. Breedon. Proceeds from our golf course are used to fund the Shrine Temple as well as the Shriners Hospitals. The Shriners Organization helps countless children across the country receive free medical treatment.
Our golf course was created with all players in mind. Stretching over 6500 yards from the back tees, our par 72 layout is challenging enough for the best players yet still fun for the occasional golfer. We offer 4 sets of tees for the player to choose the one best suited to his/her enjoyment of the game. The Champion Bermuda greens are always in top condition and you will enjoy a fantastic round of golf that's sure to make you want to come back again and again…all at a price that will let you come back again and again!
The property includes a spacious clubhouse equipped with a huge ballroom, a fantastic bar and grill, a fully stocked golf shop, driving range and practice area, as well as a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 175 people for tournament gatherings or social events.
We invite you to play the best games of your life at one of the finest tests of golf in Greenville. Whether you are looking for a place to spend a beautiful day or a lifetime of beautiful days, escape to Hejaz Shrine Golf Club and enjoy the wonderful game of golf with us.
For more information or to schedule a tee-time, contact the golf shop at 864-277-4491
Shriners Hospitals for Children
We are a unique golf facility in that the revenue brought in by the golf course goes to support the Shriners Hospital for children with a host of orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases. It's our honor to be owned by The Shriners and to support such a wonderful organization.


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Nintendo Insider writes:
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter has once again turned his attention to Nintendo, discussing the company within the latest episode of his weekly Pach Attack show.
And here comes the Pachter one more time... Oh well.
Where did Patcher come from? I mean, anyone can point out the obvious.
Man, I'm just joking with the fact that Pachter always makes this kind of comments.
yeah, sorry it wasn't a direct reply to you, I just wondered how this guy is always around spouting predictions. Where did he come from?
He is an analyst for Wedbush-Morgan Securities (Now Wedbush Securities) and has to write reports and such to investors on certain stocks for that company, and he looks after a lot of gaming company stocks, so he goes to all the industry events and meets with the game companies quite a lot. He's more knowledgeable about the industry than we give him credit for, but he thinks about it as an investor, which is why his predictions are not usually very accurate.
Some people are bound to take this negatively, even though this isn't about Nintendo's success.
I love Pachter. The entertainment value he brought to gaming has been a blast to watch.
But, he's definately eaten his lunch quite a few times.
The greatest thing about Pachter was hiswrong Wii HD prediction was really the one that gave him his fame.
The irony is that had Nintendo launched a Wii HD a few years ago, it would have been a massive hit. We all would have bought one and it may have extended the Wii's life at the top a couple of more years.
Where do I apply? I can do all this
I need to learn Patcher's technique for stating the obvious and drawing out my own conclusions while gaining fame and having a job of just stating those things.
Not many thought much about the Wii either and look at how well that system did. If things were based purely from a technical standpoint with leading edge hardware the PC would win hands down but there's much more to it than that.
You know for as much shit as this guy gets for making poor predictions at times, he is a realist when he says things like this.
Anyone can be a realist by just stating the obvious. Nintendo is gonna hit rock bottom if they arleady haven't. The original Wii was somet different and it was well advertised...from casuals to hardcore gamers, they all wanted it. The Wii sports game that came free with every Wii made it fantastic deal..unfortunatey it got bored after awhile. The Wii U just didnt have that spark as the original Wii had. Wii U was not innovative compared to original Wii. Nobody expected Wii U to come with a high end hardware but the final hardware is poor 2008 tech. It slower CPU and GPU is 5 years old. Its poor efforts by Ninty, i think Wii U will be the Gamecube all over again. Sure, Mario's, metroids &, star fox games will come out and do well but it wont be enough.
i feel like if nintendo came out with wii u in 2009 or 2010 it would have been very poor timing. their timing is just right. historically, all next gen consoles come out within one year of eachother. the only one i can think of that broke this trend is the dreamcast (ps2/xb/gc/dc all launched within the years 1999-2001.) and ironically, look how dreamcast turned out. it was a little too ahead of its time. (that and the piracy issue lead to its demise.)
anyway, the point is that if nintendo released a new console a couple years ago, it would have seemed like they really have no idea what they were doing. especially since the wii had plenty of life left in it during the time that im sure pachter thinks the wii u should have been released. they also probably would have not made as much money in the long run due to the wii having more years left in it.
you dont just abandon a console thats been on the market for only three years. 2012 is perfect, because the ps4 and 720 will more than likely come out this year. so honestly, i dont think coming out with the next console mid generation is a very good long term strategy lol. it doesnt make him sound like a realist. it makes him sound like he would run his console manufacturing company into the ground if he had one.
y'all can hate the man but one thing i agree with is wii-u is late to the party, ps4,xbox720 will over shadow it and wii-u isn't a clear message for unknown consumers
but nintendo late to everything not true, but wii-u should hev come out 1-2 years ago not now
I fear that the Wii U is going to become the next Dreamcast; both sold well initially, had good features & games, but unfortunately was released between console generations & fell in sales, behind more powerful hardware of the upcoming competition (Orbit & Durango)...
I wonder if he reads the comments on various gaming sites, only to gather his information from other people.
You should watch the video he smirks when saying this because he knows more of the low level websites will pick it up. He is essentially looking for a response by these websites and they fell for it
Not when it comes to be a successful company that knows business and aren`t in the game to halt other companies for total domination.
I mostly agree with him.
They really missed the boat with online & HD gaming, it could really hurt them(I think it already is)in the end.
They can still be innovative and keep up with the times. Not adopting online support and HD support sooner was a grave mistake, IMO.
I think the most die hard Nintendo Fan has realised that they were behind when it came to (now) basic features like HD and online functionality. Being late doesn't mean bad but it is what the next standard feature will be and if Nintendo has done it or have they done something more than catch up in these areas
I agree with you with agreeing with him.However, I think of it like this. I love my 3DS, no games, but love it anyway, and if Wii U price does go down, I will pick it up to play titles like Zombi U. Why, because I like Nintendo and their creative titles, such as No More Heroes, and Red Steel.
Pachter telling it how it is :)
Yup, regardless of what he says he sure knows how to make a headline and the fanboys eat it all up. ;)
"Patcher telling it exactly like anyone who already follows gaming already knows".
So much negativism concerning Nintendo w/ the gaming media. (Pachter, Kotaku, Webb, Geoff K, G4, Gamespot, GiantBomb, etc)
patcher is having clibby B's luv child the next n4g headline
At some point he's right.
Call of Duty never got a single DLC on the Wii console and because of that, sales dropped 75% with each CoD release...lack of support.
Now the WiiU and BO2 are out, patches are missing, Nuketown 2025 and Nuketown zombies are still not there. DLC may never come to this console.
EDIT: WiiU OS is slow and not interesting. It shouldn't take me 30 seconds to load and get out of the option settings
Yeah because ps3 and 360 have a
Social network right on the main menu in real time 24/7.
Video chat right out the box.
Dual screen Browser.
NFC tech on controller.
Panaramic 360º Viewpoint for ultimate in game camera.
Game suspension.
Off TV Play.
Eshop almost equal to Steam as far as indie devs are concerned.
Dual rumble.
Dedicated Sound Processor.
GPGPU from 2011/2012.
Compute shaders.
2 gig RAM.
Unique Co-op gameplay.
Wow 360/ps3 don't even come with a HDMI lead why because there not real HD consoles 600p is not real HD.
Not to mention WiiU has standard gamepads as well and wiimotes it's win win and Patcher the WiiU is doing all these things above that current gen don't do get over it WiiU is setting the standard now.
Well, the 360 DOES have voice chat out of the box, actually. And game suspension.
Everything else you said though are pretty good points.
Read it properly next time and you'll see that it says Video Chat straight out of the box not Voice Chat.
Haha. That was funny to read. K.
1) The Eshop is in no way even close to Steam, and is nothing special or even good as far as digital distribution goes.
2) Dual rumble? Are you fucking kidding me? Why do you think they call it a DUALSHOCK? Nintendo's only 17 years late with that one.
3) Yeah, it's got GPGPU capabilities. Problem is, its GPU is a very low end model that is too slow to even utilize GPGPU, so that really means nothing.
4) You say EDRAM like it's a new thing. The Xbox 360 has had EDRAM since 2005. Nintendo's late yet again.
5) Oooh, compute shaders! Great! Now that would actually matter if the Wii U's GPU was fast enough to utilize GPGPU, but as I've already said, it isn't. So again, that means absolutely nothing.
6) It's funny that you say the 360 and PS3 aren't real HD console because a small portion of their games are sub-HD. Well using your logic, the Wii U isn't a real HD console either because many of it's games are sub-HD as well.
you didnt even refute half of his list
That's because the rest of his list has no business being on a list. I enjoy my Wii U, but Nintendo is really behind on almost everything...
hmm.. the only point i would like to respond is the rumble feature in relation to gaming. wasnt it nintendo that released the rumble pack with starfox 64 in 1997? i am pretty sure the playstation picked up that feature after starfox 64 came out, and thats when they created the dualshock. i dont know if i would say that nintendo was late on that one..
The Japanese release of the Dual Analog featured, force feedback and was released in April 1997 same month as Rumble Pak, the misconception that Sony copied Nintendo is a false allegation. And even if they did , force feed back had been around gaming arcades for 2 decades, it wasn't really a new concept.
@crowtrobot im not arguing that nintendo isnt behind everything because they are, along with every other console maker. thats why those things on his list contribute to why you enjoy your wii u whether you realize it or not. im not against the other console makers because they all offer experiences that i dont want to miss out on. if nintendo tried to stay at the forefront of tech they would be wasting their time. they should stick to making fun experiences because that is what will keep them in the game foryears to come
The Rumble Pack was singular rumble. The DualShock is dual rumble. He claimed that the Wii U was the first console to have dual rumble, which is complete bullshit. Most of his points are incorrect. The Wii U may be the first Nintendo console to do those things, but most of those points have been done before in other consoles. Nintendo have made many innovations in their time, but many more times they have been slow on implementing features of other consoles. They've always been split between being a follower and a leader, though they follow much more than they lead.
Lol for everything you mentioned ps3 A seven year old system has things the wiiu doesnt have in return...... Hmmmm lets see
1) Blueray you can discount It all you want but blue rays hold alot of information for gaming and ppl love it for movie s.
2) Trophies-Nintendo fans wish they had
3)Ethernet port-Ive heard Wii u owners complaining about online hiccups and having to get ethernet dongle lol
4) True stereoscopic 3D not that bs infocular fake 3D you guys have that comes from software not hardware.
5) Playstation home is massive and although miiverse is different we all know where they got their Inspiration from lol
6) Controllers that stay charged for hours on end not just 2.5 Hours lol
7) Online infrastructure better than wiiu you cnn lie all you want but wiiu online doesnt compare
8) For all the supposed innovation wiiu lacks alot and also borrows alot from others like web browser on system, miiverse borrows from home and overall trying to be a media hub like ps3 Which it has been doing for years with blu ray, true 3D, 7.1 Full dolby surround sound, etc....
You can lie and say you have a ps3 Tht you dont use but we all know wiiu is playing catch up to current gen and 7 Years later still isnt a step up or an evolution. My bet is your brother has a ps3 That you are secretly envious of and you come with this bs you hardly play your ps3 Lol
Despite your lack of grasp on the English language, you are correct. The PS3 is incredible. The Wii U is nice, but not nice enough. I want games. I want features. More demos? Anything will do, really...
I love the pseudo professors on this site. You know the ones that get excited and wet when they see syntax or gramattical errors.
Get a life and hop off. Some ppl on here are actually typing on mobile devices and give two $ucks about syntax or diction . Its about speed, not trying to impress some false wannabe nerds.
Hope i conveyed that message properly lol
I do have PS3 and it is a great system, but Nintendo is offering new ways to play. Take BOPS2, I bought it for my PS3 ( I could not wait the extra week for the Wii U version) When I picked Wii U up I rented BOPS2 just for fun to see how Wii U version stacked up. I had a friend over and we went to town. Its a way better online, multi-player experience. At that point in time it took longer to find online players, but I could see the potential was there. About two weeks ago someone pointed out you could play with two pro controllers and Use the gamepad for a Map if you wanted. After that added perk I was sold. I traded my BOPS2 in for the Wii U version. I do not regret it, accept I can not play with my PS3 friends. Still Nintendo has a system that has really made playing games unique, immersive, and most of all FUN.
I do not Use my PS3 for Blu-Ray, because it puts more wear and tear on your drive, the Wii U uses single layer Optical Disk that hold 25gig, and I am sure just like Wii They will use multi-layer too.
The Internet on Wii U is HANDS DOWN better.
The battery life is about 2.5 hours, I have no problem with that when I am not playing I charge it. Also there is a battery boost that will keep your gamepad up for 5 hours.
Assassins Creed 3 Runs in true 3D.
I have no problem with "hickups" or lag.
in response to 1upgamer....
assn creed does not use true 3d it uses infocular 3d which is what xbox has as well tht is why you see none of those systems touting that thy have true 3d like ps3 steroscopic 3d. You have a ps3 budnt knw the diff? lol Use kz3 3d on a 3d tv compared to tht bs 3d your tlking about an youll see diff.
Disagrees hey last time i turned my ps3 on it did none of these things ? GOOD LUCK BLIND FANBOYS.
Google it eshop is the shop to beat going forward mate end of ive got a ps3 it's not as good it feel very old now,as for the guy saying who gives a shit,when ps4 has half of these features will they still be shit ?? GROW UP GUYS.
Almost as good as a service like Steam at lauch means going forward it will equal or surpass it.
I disagreed because A: why have you said this. B: because some of the stuff is just idiotic. I mean of course the PS3 and 360 does not have a "GPGPU from 2011/2012" nor "2 gig RAM" (because 2 gig back in 2006 was monumentally expensive).
Some may be blind fanboys but for people like me I just see desperation.
I mean "dual rumble", "Eshop almost equal to Steam as far as indie devs are concerned" and "Video chat right out the box". really? that is what you are going with
Social Network on the main menu? Who gives a shit.
Video Chat? Who gives a shit.
Dual rumble? Who gives a shit.
Eshop almost equal to steam? Almost is not good enough.
Game Suspension? INNOVATION AT IT'S FINEST.
Off TV play? Who gives a shit.
People buy a gaming console for games, and last time I checked the Wii U is filled with ports of games that are already on the 360/PS3.
So in other words, your argument is completely subjective. You can't just say "Who gives a shit" to everything when there are some people out there who actually care about features like that. I personally am happy that I can run Netflix on the Wii U screen, and the picture is clearer than how it is on the 3DS.
"People buy a gaming console for games, and last time I checked the Wii U is filled with ports of games that are already on the 360/PS3."
Well it seems this generation people are buying consoles based on graphics. And besides, Nintendo actually got some third party software for a change. You might say it's "just ports" but now that software can be accessed on a Nintendo console. Whether your acknowledge it or not, that's a new thing for Nintendo console owners.
EDIT: I'd like to add that that's an unfair argument given the state the PS3's "ports" are in. For almost the entire generation the PS3 iteration of multiplatform games have been running a little bit less well than their 360 counterparts. I assume this has to do with the difficulties in developing on PS3 hardware.
For many of the Wii U ports, there were technical hitches, but nothing that broke any of the games. While in some cases the Wii U received the least best version (Darksiders II) Some of them ran under just the 360 version but better than the PS3 version (such as ASsassin's Creed or Black Ops 2).
Unless these ports were all egregiously terrible, you can't really argue "Oh, they're just ports." It's the same thing for the PS3! The definitive version for almost all of these games is on the 360. Does that mean people HAVE to buy them on that platform? No. That won't stop PS3 owners from buying their games on the PS3. Same with Wii U owners.
the wii u is filled with ports of games from current gen consoles because it just came out. thats what happens when the first next gen console comes out. (look at 360 for the most recent example). i am not attacking you, im just assuming you didnt know.
Dont give a shit? Wow this site is full of retarded fanboys and yes you are retarded along with the people that supported your comment. Dont worry when Sony copies all those features im sure you will love it (or at least pretend to). Its De Ja Vu all over again, blind haters like you are nothing new and nothing special. Those same games that haters like YOU was bashing Nintendo for not having on their system and now that they are bringing them its a problem because those games are on another system? I hope you can stick to your story when the PS4 launches and has no games also? Two month old consoles tend to be like that you know....
As a PC gamer, let me say this.
Oh you have HD now? Welcome to the party, you're only 15 years late to PC gamers and 7 years late to console gamers.
As much as I despise Pachter, his statements about the Wii U and Nintendo have come closer to the truth.
Deep down we all know the Wii U is just a Wii with the HD and online features the PS3 and X360 already had back this gen.
Fanboys come saying Nintendo always innovates when it comes to controllers. You know what? Since the NES that they've changed their controller every single new console release. The DS is 15y old and is still up to date. Without the 'pro' controller the Wii U would be unplayable. That's like giving a move instead of a DS in a PS3 package and making you buy the DS if you want to play for real.
The Wii U is certainly over hyped and overrated, there's nothing about it that makes it a success. Pachter might not be the best example, but I'm glad someones points the finger at Nintendo and says they're doing things wrong for once. It's been all fun and games with the Wii, but somehow everyone, from devs to players and journalists, hated it or didn't found it the best console. Surprisingly, they put the Wii on a pedestal as it something divine. Sold a lot? Yeah, so does Bieber, it doesnt make him the best though.
I'm going to go off on a limb and assume you've never held the Wii U gamepad in your hands? I use that thing for each game I play, and it works just as well as the Pro controller (albeit the new size takes minor adjustment time). So no, I disagree with your sentiment that it is "unplayable" without the Pro controller.
Finally, it's too early to determine if the Wii U is success or failure, but the sales numbers are decent. NeoGAF already posted NPD numbers showing this to be the truth. I'm no rocket scientist, but if it sold faster than the 360 and PS3 at launch in a worse economy, then what exactly leads anyone to believe it's "DOOMED?"
The from your comment it looks you're defining "success" through quality, which you simply cannot do. Success and quality are two completely different things and are hardly mutually exclusive.
The Wii U is well running console with potential. Nothing's changed about that. What needs to change is its library, as does any gaming console that has just launched.
Actually..... I game with the gamepad more than I do with pro controller.
why does he even get money for what he says???
Poeple work hard in their jobs to ensure a safe life...but this faggot comes out and say one thing a million times and gets money for it... and on top of that he's opinions are so terrible...
But on the bright side: everything negative thing he said about Nintendo something good came out of it...for Nintendo ;)
remember how he statet that the wii will be a failure back in the day?? I'm sure you do ;)
nobody knew that the wii would be a success like that .
NObody predicted that. nobody.
i don't like patcher but that one is out of everyone hands.
well wasn't nintendo always who came up with a new type of controller in the gaming industrie ?
why is everything this guy says, news?
Fanboys + Weekend = people looking at comments trying to pick a fight because they know about the topic so they basically are trying to show case their skills.
If Nintendo can still release new and original games with several 9.5/10 or 8/10 scores like Super Mario 3D Land and NSMBU, then how are they "a few years late in EVERYTHING they are doing"?
Yea like the Wii controller............Patcher just fuck off
Pachter: Nintendo are "a few years late" in everything they're doing
I love how he pisses off you fanboys. He must be right. XD
I love how you fanboys troll every article with "Nintendo" in the title.
I don't see any indication of me trolling... Just pointing out that it's hilarious how emotional fans can get over something so trivial.
It is annoying that the word,"troll" gets flaunted towards anything that is negative or anti.
@MEsoJD You don't see trolling because you are not in front of a mirror.


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Volume 18 Issue 11 | August 5 - 11, 2005
Downtown Express photo by Clayton Patterson
From left, Lee Quinones with fashion designer Ann Hanavan and Joey Semz, a musician and artist, in front of Quinones new mural on Ludlow St.
Hip hop artist pairs with Nike
By Sara Levin
As painter Lee Quinones outlined the form of a snake on his new Ludlow St. mural, a young man wearing a graffitied cap glanced over as he walked by. He slyly scribbled a tag on a nearby grate and then wheeled around in sudden realization.
You were in Wild Style, right? he asked, slowly approaching.
Yeah, Quinones laughed. Still recognizable by his role in the early hip-hop classic film shot more than 20 years ago, the artist whose work was more recently inducted into the Whitney Museum of American Arts permanent collection has had a hard time finishing his mural on time, because so many people stopped to chat with him on the street.
The Nort sneaker store in conjunction with Nike commissioned Quinones to cover the wall neighboring Max Fish on the Lower East Side. Though still unfinished on a recent visit, the dominant figures in place command attention. Contrary to the sports images normally associated with Nike, the mural scene depicting a craps table encircled by two snakes is self-consciously political.
The two snakes are about to do battle, Quinones said, arching his hands in front of the wall in imitation. The imagery is depicting the moral climate of our society right now; the political climate that seems to be evolving where people are putting themselves in a snake pit.
His mural, which now covers most of the Tats Cru cityscape there before it, is the second among a planned yearlong series of pieces by different artists sponsored by the Eldridge St. store.
Numbers painted on Quinoness dice table, 911 and 41, evoke a comparison between 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. Critical of United States involvement in Iraq and fearful of government manipulation, Quinones said that the 33 represents Hitlers exploitation of the Reichstag fire in 1933 Berlin to limit civil rights and target Communists; according to him, the actions of President Bush after 9/11 were similar. Defiance of authority has been a staple of his work going back to his Howard the Duck mural that said, If art is a crime, let God forgive all.
None of the artists is going to stand up there and paint a basketball, said Stash, Norts owner. Im in between a company thats sponsoring it and the love of the art.
Maurice Menares, C.E.O. of Norts sister store, Recon, said that Nike was very receptive to sponsoring artists, even if it wasnt necessarily a direct advertisement and that the paintings they sponsored tapped into the local community.
People passed by that mural every day. Its accessible. It isnt like walking into a gallery, he said. Stash added that it can be seen as part of sport culture.
When asked what he thought of being a corporate artist, Quinones simply said, Im not. [Nike] just gave me the green light. Being paid for art that so many people associate with graffiti culture is nothing new for the painter, who had his first show in Rome in the late 70s and counted Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat among his admirers. But unlike other artists who made their name at the Fun Gallery and were part of the gritty Lower East Side art scene of the 80s, Quinones was born and raised Downtown in the Smith Houses near the Brooklyn Bridge.
As one of the first graffiti artists to make a lasting impression in the art world, Quinones said that many other writers from his neighborhood never wanted to expand into gallery art, or felt excluded, like theyd never be able to get in.
Mark Tev Alequin stopped by the site to say Hi. We grew up together, Alequin said. He taught me the ins and outs of painting. Though Alequin had served time in prison, Quinones maintains hes never been caught because he almost always painted alone.
Welcoming the happy distraction, Quinones reminisced about how much the Lower East Side has changed from its infamous heroin days and Patti Astor glam. Incidentally, Astor who appeared in Wild Style and founded the Fun Gallery, at which she gave the graffiti writers shows and Quinones are both working on memoirs.
Helping manage scaffolding and carrying paint was Quinoness apprentice of sorts, Gregory Beylin. The two met while the artist was lecturing at Spofford juvenile detention center. At 15, Beylin had been arrested for graffiti on several counts and called Quinones after being released.
I took him under my wing, assisting, Quinones said. Kids today are entrenched in video games, hearing but not listening, looking but not seeing. I think its very different today, he added, describing how young people were once galvanized by the civil rights movement, womens liberation and Vietnam. Kids [today] are disoriented to the fact that theyre being kept in the dark.
The upper part of his mural depicts two high rollers, one in a white suit, the other with the appearance of a quintessential hip-hopper, both leering over the snake pit. Bush is orchestrating a manipulation of the masses, he said.
When asked why Nort chose Quinones to paint for Nike, Stash said he had known the graffiti legend a long time and had always looked up to him.
He represents the Lower East Side, born and bred, he said. He is the godfather of the spray can to me. I was on the street photographing him almost every day and its amazing the skill that he has.
Quinones is currently working to put together a solo show for next year. Though he was recently in the East Village USA exhibit at the New Museum, he said he has not had a personal show in New York for about two years. While painting is his lifelong love, Quinones added that he is now experimenting with sculpture, working at a studio above a metal fabrication shop where he has access to unique types of metal. But the recent creation that he is most proud of is a 65 Dodge for which he hand built many parts. He was planning to bring the car down to the mural site to do a photo shoot for Hot Rod magazine.
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New Videos Help Teach Principles of Effective Quorums
Contributed By Camille West, LDS.org News and Events
Related Links
How do you teach young men to lead as the Savior would?
The Church has produced new videos to help young men learn how to minister and lead an Aaronic Priesthood quorum, which in turn will prepare them for missionary work and fatherhood.
At the recent Aaronic Priesthood auxiliary leadership training event, members of the Young Men general board shared some of the videos that model effective Aaronic Priesthood quorums and quorum presidency meetings. Effective quorums, they said, can help young men prepare for missionary work by encouraging them to perform missionary work today.
According to Brother David L. Beck, Young Men general president, who also spoke at the training meeting, "The Aaronic Priesthood is a ministering priesthood. It has duties to watch over, to be with, to strengthen, to visit" and is "a preparatory priesthood to fatherhood."
To see the gallery of videos on LDS.org, go to the Aaronic Priesthood page and select Media Resources. Other topics include "Empowering Aaronic Priesthood Leadership" and "Effective Aaronic Priesthood Presidency and Quorum Meetings."


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Saturday, November 20
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Western Maine Expo Center [map]
128 Weld Street, Wilton, Maine
BIG sale, with something for everyone. There are books for children and adults and everyone in between, best selling authors in hard cover and paperback, classics, nonfiction covering a broad range of subjects, plus audio books and videos and DVDs. Books are not priced, but donations can be made according to the wish and ability of the buyer. All proceeds will support the Library's collection and services.


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Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly believes all the challenges quarterback Everett Golson has faced this season should help him against Southern California on Saturday at Memorial Coliseum.
The top-ranked Fighting Irish (11-0) head to Los Angeles with their hopes alive for their first national championship since 1988. Kelly believes the challenges Golson faced at Michigan State and at Oklahoma will help him deal with the pressure that comes with his team being ranked No. 1 for the first time in 19 years and playing in a rivalry game that has been dominated the past decade by USC (7-4).
Golson says he's not thinking big picture. He is trying to become just the second Notre Dame quarterback to open his career by winning his first 10 starts.


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Try it... membership not required! Go to our easy-to-use Directory for the latest products and services! Direct links to industry pros and resources to help you fine-tune your latest home project.
Try It Now. Get a Day Pass.
We finally built our dream home!! A huge Thank You to Get Decorating for letting me share my photos. The Get Decorating site really inspired me to do all the decorating myself. You can't miss my obsession with a parisienne theme and the fact that I'm a fleur-de-lis-aholic, ha. Thank you for viewing my photos - enjoy your day! - Paula
The photos on Getdecorating.com® cannot be used in any commercial application whatsoever, such as a web site or in print, without a specific usage license. Licenses can be acquired through contacting us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
© Copyright - All photographs are the intellectual property of Visual Solutions Company, Inc. and are protected under the copyright laws of the United States and International Copyright laws.


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Millions flee high tax, high spending states for better governance and a better life.
Morning Examiner: The Republican surpluses | WashingtonExaminer.com.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government posted a $293 billion deficit in the first fiscal quarter of 2013, setting the Obama administration up for a record fifth-year of trillion dollar deficits. But while the fiscal condition of the Democratically controlled federal government is still atrocious, Republican controlled states are now swimming in surpluses.
Via Instapundit
States are setting the tone and people are voting with their feet…
Cases In Point:


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HANDEL Semele / Bartoli, La Scintilla 0743323
. . . what a performance she gives! She sings with haunting, mesmerising beauty, and always in character. Wonderful though she is, she does not overshadow the rest of the cast. Charles Workman as Jupiter gives a lesson in breath control -- his big aria 'Where'ere you walk' is sung with unfailing style -- and there are strong contributions from the other cast members. William Christie in the pit reveals all the subtleties of the score and produces some heartrending playing. Carsen's direction, with its subtle use of light, does not put a foot wrong. Altogether a must-have performance.
Fans of Cecilia Bartoli and William Christie will want this DVD . . . Christie's contribution is sterling . . . [Bartoli] is quite engaging . . . [the Zurich chorus] performs admirably well . . . [Birgit Remmert/Juno] is also impressive vocally . . .
Cecilia Bartoli's assumption of Semele is mostly very well done. Despite the fact that she is a mezzo-soprano, she has no problem with the range of Semele's music. Her ease and facility in coloratura is mostly excellent . . . Cecilia Bartoli is everything one might desire in the title role, vocally and visually; she sings with her customary tonal luster, technical agility and security, and total interpretive commitment and involvement.


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Gaining customers has always been a social activity for businesses, but using online social networks to attract customers is a relatively new concept — and businesses say the strategy could add unimagined power to an organization's lead-generating operation.
Marshaling social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to talk to existing customers about a brand and to attract more fans is common practice.
But new companies have sprung up that offer sales organizations the ability to mine social networks for potential buyers, as well as dissatisfied customers of their competitors, and current customers who may be interested in additional offerings.
(Read More: Next Year's Top 20 Startups.)
But the trick is to foster lead generation "without being too creepy," said Martin Schneider, who has published research on social customer acquisition and is vice president of marketing at cloud database provider Caspio.
While big cloud services providers such as Oracle, IBM and Adobe offer large companies social media intelligence, their main goal is marketing rather than acquiring customers.
Smaller firms are actually making more significant gains in analyzing data from a variety of social networks.
"It's really about directing the social web into your own database," said Mike Lewis, vice president of marketing and sales at Awareness Inc., a Burlington, Mass.-based social media marketing firm that offers clients a way to analyze social network profiles and score them based on relevance to their businesses.
"We have figured out how to handle any big data source."
Spredfast, an Austin, Texas-based company that specializes in building internal social platforms for large companies, takes a different approach. It links a company's employees' social accounts, then mines those accounts for external profiles that might be relevant to the sales team.
Spredfast's chief executive, Rod Favaron, said clients such as Jive Software have used his company's software to generate sales leads, harvesting data from its employees' corporate-based Twitter, Facebook and Instagram communities, which often contain links to prospects outside the company.
"It's not unlike when firms send out mass emails," said Favaron. "They're driving trial downloads and other sales strategies, but with networks like Facebook, you can be much more targeted in your approach."
Firms that made their name in social media marketing are also getting into the customer acquisition game. Shoutlet — known for organizing online campaigns and sweepstakes for clients such as Rayovac batteries and Bare Essentials body products — is now developing business-to-business functions.
While Madison, Wis.-based Shoutlet is primarily focused on "building an industry's knowledge of their customers" through interactive online campaigns and promotions, it is expanding into customer acquisition, according to chief executive Jason Weaver.
(Read More: Five Things to Consider Before Embracing the Cloud.)
Weaver said American Family Insurance uses Shoutlet to empower its sales force by sending potential leads gotten through social media to individual sales professionals. "They're also pushing pre-approved content down to sales agents" through social media, he said, such as updated guidelines for healthy eating that enhance the solutions they are presenting to new customers.
Weaver said Shoutlet is now pumping research dollars into the next phase of customer acquisition — expanding capability to mobile devices.
While most industry experts agree that data-gathering from social networks is a promising strategy, a question remains whether social media is the optimal tool for closing new business.
Jeff Dachis, chief executive of Dachis Group, a social marketing optimization firm, said "social is really an excellent vehicle for all sorts of engagement," but he is skeptical about its long-term feasibility as a customer acquisition tool.
"Social media alone will not get you those new customers," said Dachis, since existing solutions are basically a passive filter of information. "Real live salespeople will still have to follow up on those leads."
But Caspio's Schneider said today's social customer acquisition strategies are just the first step in a bigger shift in the way companies generate new business. "Sales was the last area of business in which social media is being employed," he said.
"I think the future is companies using tools that aren't Facebook," said Schneider, "but feel like Facebook."


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Carefree Resort bankruptcy trustee demands reimbursement
By Linda Bentley | January 27, 2010
CAREFREE – Topics for discussion during the Jan. 5 Carefree Water Company board meeting included a Dec. 4, 2009 demand for payment letter from Attorney Alexandra Hicks of Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, on behalf of David A. Birdsell, the Chapter 7 trustee of the Carefree Mule Train Ventures, LLC bankruptcy estate, which operated Carefree Resort & Villas, commonly referred to locally as the Carefree Inn.
The Estate filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 21, 2009 and Birdsell was appointed trustee on May 8, 2009.
Hicks explained, "The principal duties of the trustee are to reduce all cash property of the bankruptcy estate and distribute the cash proceeds to creditors. This includes recovering money from creditors that received preferential payments before the bankruptcy case was filed. Section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code provides for the recovery of transfers made to creditors during the 90-day period prior to bankruptcy," noting, in this case, it would cover all transactions that cleared between August 22, 2008 and Nov. 21, 2008.
After reviewing the resort's bank records, Hicks said Carefree Water Company received three payments totaling $30,223.71 during the preference period and stated, "[T]herefore, you are required by law to return to the trustee this and any other transfer … made during the preference period.
Hicks gave Carefree Water a deadline of Dec. 30, 2009 to reimburse the money "in order to avoid litigation."
A Dec. 8, 2009 fax sent to Town Attorney Tom Chenal by Stan Francom, general manager of Carefree Water, forwarding Hick's letter, stated, "I am extremely hesitant to pay anything as I know that I will never see it again under the best of circumstances. It would be interesting to see if APS and Southwest Gas also were requested to do the same thing."
Court records indicate both APS and Southwest Gas were requested to do the same.
A subsequent note to Chenal on Dec. 11 indicated the payments for June, July and August 2008 water bills, in the amounts of $9,283.24, $10,890.33 and $10,050.14, respectively, were all received from the resort on Oct. 28, 2009, which falls within the preference period.
Also during the water company meeting, Francom asked the board of directors (town council) to consider adoption of a new policy to address a continuing problem with homeowners abandoning their homes and leaving water bills unpaid.
Francom said, "For us to place a lien on the home for the past due water bills we are required to have a judgment rendered by the court.
The current policy provides for a 10-day notice of disconnection after a customer's account becomes 60 days delinquent.
Many times, Francom said, the customer will contact the water company after receiving the 10-day notice and they work out a payment schedule, make the initial payment to avert service being shut off for another expanse of time, during which they abandon the property owing the prior balance plus what they've used since.
According to Francom, a lending institution or real estate broker will occasionally pay the bill to have the water turned back on. However, many times there is nothing the water company can do if the homeowner has left the state.
Francom suggested implementing a policy to remove the meter so no water use can continue during a short sale or foreclosure proceeding.
Then, when the new owner wants to reconnect the water, they would impose a special meter re-installation charge equal to a portion of the unpaid balance of the previous owner's account.
He said the water company would then provide the current owner and their real estate broker notice of the anticipated meter reinstallation fee so they would have to disclose that information to potential buyers prior to the home's sale.
The board of directors, however, scoffed at the idea of charging new homeowners with a previous owner's personal debt.
Francom stated there were a few abandoned properties with balances owed to the water company ranging from $500 to $2000.
Chenal suggested the water company utilize small claims court, where attorneys are not allowed, to obtain judgments and then liens against the property. The board agreed that would be a policy worth implementing, setting the threshold at $500.


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a) Saying a currency union 'would work' is not the same as saying that it carries no risks nor that it would work better than the system we presently have. The answer to these points is that it would and it wouldn't respectively, Rather it would be the least bad option because while it carries risks, these would be borne disproportionately by the rest of the UK and not Scotland. This is congenial to me because I live in Scotland.
b) If Scotland launched its own currency, it would undoubtedly see an increase in the cost of borrowing - to a degree that is unpredictable if the (admittedly extremely unlikely) event that King Eck carried out his lunatic threat to walk away on Scotland's share of the national debt. I don't like this idea because I have a mortgage and credit cards.
c) Currency union is the option post-Yes vote that looks the least like actual independence and I don't believe in independence. I'd put it more bluntly: if Scotland and the rest of the UK agreed a currency union, Scotland wouldn't really be independent.
This is me. Why others should favour it is more of a mystery. Two groups within the British Isles spring to mind:
1) Scottish Nationalists. At this moment in time their behaviour is tending to reinforce the impression I've always had; there's a fair chunk of the SNP high command that don't really believe in independence. How else can we explain their behaviour in the last few days? We should be clear about this: the 'threat' by George Osborne can only be considered a 'scare-tactic' to the extent that, not 'the peepul', but the nationalists are scared of what independence means. Currency union was the flagship of the 'independence by stealth' campaign. Vote independence and you'll hardly notice the difference. This has been holed below the water-line, hence the rage and the pathetic accusations of 'bullying'.