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For those of you blissfully unaware that we haven't been living in our house for the past two months you may be surprised to hear that we are BACK. That's right! Home sweet home...
Things have been steadily progressing in our kitchen. Oh yes. The KITCHEN. Remember this beauty?
Loverly isn't she? What could possibly make us want to change anything about this? Well...lets just say it was a bit chilly in the winter and I'll leave it at that.
Kyle began demolition over his vacation about two months ago and, with the help of his step-brother, the room was rapidly stripped down to bare studs. We were a little bummed that we weren't able to salvage the cabinets to use as storage in the workshop but they came down in pieces with one swift stroke of the hammer. So into the pile of scrap wood they went.
Only a small amount of insulation was discovered behind the old drywall. This was no surprise. And after lots of hemming and hawing we decided to rip up the floor too and discovered that not only was there NO insulation, but no vapor barrier from the ground. We were lucky that there was no rot, and the ground below was perfectly dry despite the rainy weather we had been having. We breathed a sigh of relief (because when it comes to demo in a house as old as ours you almost always run into something unexpectedly unpleasant) and continued along our merry way. I say 'we' in the very loose sense- Kyle did the grunt work. I took care of the baby. I say we're even, therefor I say 'we'.
The past few years we have lived in our house we have endured freezing cold floors in the kitchen every winter. Not that it was that much of a big deal. The kitchen was my least favorite room of the house, with its mint green cabinets and stickers of fruit (?). So while I didn't spend much more time in there than I needed to for aesthetic reasons, I'd have to go in with my muck boots on just to avoid frost bite on my toes. Therefor, only did we need to insulate the walls from drafts, but the floors as well. Kyle laid down a vapor barrier and then filled the crawl space with insulation. Here it is in progress:
In a single week the boys were able to get the subfloor back down over the joists as well as additional supports to keep the floor from flexing as it used to. We were left with a skeleton of a room. A blank slate. Just the way I like it. I drew up half a dozen floor plans for our future kitchen, some Kyle liked, some he hated, and vice versa. We decided what we'd really like is an island to increase the work space, maybe one with the oven built in so you could cook and socialize with people at the same time. But the reality that ovens take up a lot of space quickly beat down that plan. Its amazing how something can feel so open and airy on paper but as soon as you draw out the layout on the floor its a totally different monster. So I went back to the drawing board.
Over the next few weeks Kyle managed to not only install a new, bigger window over where the sink would be, he was able to run all the new wiring, install recessed lights, and after about a week of waiting we had a guy come in to do blown-in insulation. It wasn't really in our budget (trust me that stuff isn't cheap) but we decided that since the room gets a lot of wind and is surrounded by uninsulated areas (the work shop next to it and above it) we couldn't afford to be cheap about it.
Over the past month there has been amazing progress made. Enough so that we could move back into our house today, so that must mean something. Unfortunately we're still washing dishes in our bathroom sink which isn't ideal, but hey, one thing at a time right? Stick around folks, I'll have some great pictures to share next time!


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| Prince Blueblood
Prince Blueblood in Rarity's fantasy in The Ticket Master
Prince Blueblood as a colt in My Little Pony: Deviations
|Other links
|More info
|Light brilliant arctic blue
|Light amber
|Light gray
|Princess Celestia (distant aunt)
Princess Luna (distant aunt)
Princess Cadance (adoptive cousin)
| Cutie mark
|Vincent Tong (English)[1]
Just Meijer (Dutch)
David Manet (European French)
Julien Haggége (German)
Gabor Varga (Hungarian)
Lorenzo Scattorin (Italian)
Takehito Koyasu (Japanese)
Choi Won-hyeong (Korean)
Grzegorz Kwiecień (Polish)[2]
Nikita Prozorovsky (Russian)
Joakim Jennefors (Swedish)
Idzi Dutkiewicz (Latin American Spanish)
Yaroslav Chornenkyi (Ukrainian)
Development and design
Before The Best Night Ever aired, Lauren Faust stated that Celestia's nephew had no name in the show and that he's the "great great great great great great great great great great great (and probably even more greats) nephew on Celestia's and Luna's mother's side, about 52 times removed, roughly speaking." He was originally a Duke, but was changed to a Prince because "someone in the approval process thought kids wouldn't know what a Duke is",[3] though the title of Duke would eventually be used for other ponies much later. "Blueblood" is an English idiom for "nobility", or being of noble birth or descent.
Prince Blueblood shares his coat and mane colors and tail with "Persnickety", shares his color scheme and compass rose cutie mark with Léon, shares his coat color and crowns cutie mark with Fancy Pants, and shares his compass rose cutie mark with "South Pole", sometimes Blue Moon, and in some material Friends Forever 13 Unnamed Stallion - Doctor.
Depiction in the series
Prince Blueblood first appears in Rarity's fantasy in The Ticket Master, where she envisions Princess Celestia introducing her to him at the Grand Galloping Gala and the two of them swiftly falling in love and getting married. In The Best Night Ever, Rarity meets Prince Blueblood in person at the Grand Galloping Gala and he appears physically the same. Rarity expects him to court her as he did in her dream, but instead, he treats her with very little respect at all as during the night:
- Rarity expects Prince Blueblood to give her a rose that he picked, but he takes it for himself.
- He brings a cushion only for himself to sit in the castle's yard, leaving Rarity without a comfortable seat.
- He makes Rarity use her shawl to cover a puddle so he doesn't get dirty.
- He expects Rarity to open the door for him.
- He expects her to pay for his dinner.
- He inconsiderately dispraises Applejack's food in presence of her.
- When Applejack's cake is catapulted across the room at him, he pushes Rarity in front of him to use as a shield so that he won't get messy.
Thus, it appears that Prince Blueblood is thoroughly accustomed to being treated like royalty and that he possesses no sense of chivalry whatsoever.Throughout the entire Grand Galloping Gala, Rarity tries to make pleasant company with Blueblood, but his self-centered nature drives her to the point of extreme irritation. After he uses her to shield himself from an incoming cake, Rarity finally snaps and tells him off as the most "uncharming prince she's ever met", and shakes the cake all over him in retaliation. After the Gala descends into chaos, Rarity and her friends leave the scene, but she loses her glass slipper when running down a set of stairs. Pinkie Pie suggests that now her prince is sure to find her; panic-stricken at the thought, Rarity smashes the slipper and runs off.
In Sweet and Elite, Prince Blueblood appears during the song Becoming Popular (The Pony Everypony Should Know).
In Magical Mystery Cure, Prince Blueblood appears in one of Rarity's flashbacks.
In Equestria Games, Prince Blueblood appears as a spectator at the titular event, sitting in between the delegates from Saddle Arabia and the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia. Here, his cutie mark is the same as that of Fancy Pants.
Other depictions
MerchandiseBlueblood is part of the trading card set: his card says he's Celestia's nephew, and that his family link to Luna and Celestia is "far removed". "You could call Prince Blueblood the most eligible unicorn bachelor in Canterlot, but you'll stop as soon as you meet this royal pain."
IDW comics
In My Little Pony: Friends Forever Issue #26, Prince Blueblood accompanies Shining Armor to Yakyakistan to establish trade agreements with the Crystal Empire. While Shining Armor inadvertently sours relations with the yaks, Blueblood uses his diplomatic experience to win the yaks over.
In a "what if?" story presented in My Little Pony: Deviations, Prince Blueblood is Celestia's personal student instead of Twilight Sparkle. However, due to his overblown ego during Nightmare Moon's attack, he angers Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, and he ends up getting banished to the moon.
Rarity's Peek Behind the Boutique
Prince Blueblood appears in episode 2 of Rarity's Peek Behind the Boutique, "Fashion vs. Function".
Blueblood appears in a story from the French My Little Pony magazine. In this story, he is referred to as Vladímir, although it is inconsistent with his original name which has been also retained in the show's French dub. He also appears to treat Rarity better than in the animated series.
My Little Pony mobile game description
At one time the object of Rarity's affections, Prince Blueblood is a royal colt whose favorite pony is himself.
The Elements of Harmony guidebook
PRINCE BLUEBLOOD may be of a noble background, but he's also quite vain, which is no doubt why Rarity once had a crush on him.
- "My royal lips have touched common carnival fare!"
- — The Best Night Ever
- "Ewww...! Uh, stay back! I just had myself groomed!"
- — The Best Night Ever
- "This really is a gorgeous castle you have here. I've heard such great things about it but I hadn't made it out here because, train travel, you know? It just doesn't agree with me. It's so crowded and... common, you know?"
- — My Little Pony: Friends Forever Issue #26
- "This is a nice throne! Celestia, you really need one of these! Your throne is nowhere near this nice!"
- — My Little Pony: Friends Forever Issue #26
- "Princes of Canterlot don't carry their own luggage. That's what servants are for."
- — My Little Pony: Friends Forever Issue #26
- "Wakey wakey, figs and cakey!"
- — My Little Pony: Friends Forever Issue #26
See also
- Prince Blueblood on the Collectible Card Game Wiki
- Prince Blueblood on the Fan Wiki
- Prince Blueblood on the My Little Pony Gameloft Wiki
- ↑ Twitter / TrevorDevall: Ok Bronies, time to clear this ... (2012-11-20). Retrieved on 2012 November 20.
- ↑ Guests of honor at Pony con-gress Cracow 2013 (Polish). Retrieved on 2013 September 16.
- ↑ Lauren Faust discussing Prince Bluebood's genealogy. Retrieved on 2011 September 6.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Kimball's Peak Three Theater offers an alternative
to the mega-plex/mall movie experience with a full bar serving liquor,
draft beer and wines by the glass. Kimball's is
a first run movie theater showing the very best of current independent
and foreign film (with an occasional blockbuster). We are located
in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak & Tejon.
Kimball's has been voted best theater for
24 years by both the readers of the Colorado Springs Independent
and the Gazette. Come see why! Kimball's Peak Three Theater, where movies
Theater Lobby, 2016
Winebar, 2016


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Happy 4th of July Weekend!
Here are a few options for your 4th of July Celebration:
Here are a few options for your 4th of July Celebration:
Here are several fun events to choose from:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars, TX Post 9182 located at 6206 George Bush Drive in Katy, Texas will be celebrating with an auction, entertainment, a patriotic program, and a barbeque lunch. Events begin at 9:30am and last until 4pm. There will be face painting and treats for the children. Lunch goes on sale at noon. For additional information contact Colonel (R) Mike Mastrangelo, Commander at 281-391-8387.
The Katy Heritage Society is organizing a Fourth of July Bike Parade for children ages 3-8. For more information contact email@example.com.
La Centerra at Cinco Ranch will be holding the July 4th BIG Backyard Barbeque and Fireworks Display at Heritage Square from 5:30pm until 9:30pm. There will be live entertainment, food, kids' activities and fireworks. For more information check out their events page.
The City of Katy will be holding a July 4th Freedom Celebration and Fireworks Display in a vacant lot near the eastside of the Katy Mills Mall, between the Mall and Katy Fort Bend Road. The fireworks will begin around 9pm and last for 20-25 minutes.
The Smith Ranch at 25440 Beckendorff in Katy is planning a Fourth of July Jamboree and Fireworks Show. They will have a live band, moonwalks, waterslides, paddle boats, dunking, and barbeque. For more information call the ranch at 281-371-3318 or check their website at www.smithranchkaty.com.
Seabourne Creek Nature Park located at 3831 Highway 36 South, Rosenberg, Texas 77471, www.ci.rosenber.tx.us, 832-595-3520, will be hosting its annual Independence Day celebration from 6pm-10pm. Activities include a carnival, food vendors, wagon rides, a concert by The Triumphs, and fireworks at 9:15pm. Free. UPDATE: Extreme Drought Conditions Force Rosenberg to Cancel July 4th Celebration. FOR MORE INFO: go here


text:
Note: This item is more than five years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
Print – Plain Text – Permalink
News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
April 30, 2014
Baytown Man Convicted in Alcohol-related Boating Accident Death
AUSTIN — A 24-year-old Baytown man has been found guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault in connection with an alcohol-related boating accident on Memorial Day weekend two years ago.
The Chambers County boating crash, which occurred on May 27, 2012 in a bayou on Lost Lake, claimed the life of Baytown resident Tyler Enderli, 24, and resulted in injuries to Lindy Jendrusch of San Antonio.
Defendant Kevin Adams was sentenced in 344th Dist. Court to two six-year prison terms that will run concurrently and fined $10,000.
During the trial, alcohol consumption and reckless operation were shown to be contributing factors to the accident.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and the two families affected by this tragedy," said Col. Craig Hunter, Director of Law Enforcement for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "This is a grim reminder of the dangers posed when boating and alcohol mix."
Texas game wardens led the investigation that resulted in Adams's conviction.
"We sincerely appreciate the efforts on this case by our game wardens and the Chambers County District Attorney's Office," said TPWD Maj. William Skeen.
TPWD's Law Enforcement Division maintains a statewide forensics reconstruction and mapping team that specializes in boat accident reconstruction and investigation.
Publication — Permission is granted to publish, in whole or in part, any news releases on this page.
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text:
Edward needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 47 designs submitted by 16 freelance designers.
We need a fresh, clean, fun, simple, and strong design.
We are looking for a logo for a new e-recruitment application and want to stand out from being "just another recruitment site" We want to get away form that typical recruitment company branding.
We would see ourselves as being a very fresh and innovative company and would like to see this brought out in the logo.
Simplicity and fun is very important in our design for our users.
- Sonru is the name and the logo evolves around this.
- Colours we like are ,light greys and clear blues, white will be the background to our site and stationery.
- Styles we like would be http://www.dimdim.com, blogger.com, google and apple.
- Font needs to be bold, strong and quite web 2.0
- Messy and fussy design, too much going on.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
TOEIC Test Package will help you learn new phrases, idioms, expressions and English grammar structures every single day. And you won't even have to cram any grammar rules or vocabulary words into your head. Instead, you will be absorbing bits and pieces of the English language almost without realizing it. This compact TOEIC Test Package is the only printable English test and flash card collection currently available on the Internet. It contains 684 TOEIC vocabulary tests and 100 TOEIC grammar tests. You will also get 3.420 TOEIC Words as Flash cards and TOEIC Vocabulary word list in alphabetical order. This unique system will help learn all the most common vocabulary words you need if you want to pass the TOEIC exam. Buy your TOEIC preparation tests Now!
|© 20032019 english-test.net


text:
Matt 'Mayhem' Biolos's signature template delivers a lively combination of drive, hold and manoeuvrability. This versatile fin will feel reliable out on the open face or tight in the pocket.
A wide range of conditions, particularly good in critical overhead waves.
Performance shortboards and hybrid models with the FCS II Fin System.
*Please Note: this fin is designed to be used exclusively with the FCS II Fin System, and will not fit in the traditional FCS Dual Plug System.
LARGE (75 - 90Kg / 165 - 200 Lbs)
Base: 4.41" / 112mm
Depth: 4.74" / 120mm
Area: 15.26"² / 9847mm²
Sweep: 32.9º
Foil: Flat


text:
Most people waste an hour each day looking for lost items on their desks. Reducing clutter and implementing innovative and Desk Organizing in Truro solutions gives you more mental and physical space as well as peace of mind.
Organize Anything | Phone: 902.233.1577 | Email: email@example.com | Halifax Web Design by: immediac


text:
Women suffer more disabling strokes than men and need to become more aware of their unique risks, such as pregnancy complications and the use of oral contraceptives, according to a new set of recommendations released on Thursday by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. The stroke prevention guidelines—the first to be released specifically for women—also point to risk factors more common in women like migraines with aura, type 2 diabetes, and obesity; such differences could point to why strokes are the third leading cause of death in women but only the fifth leading cause of death in men.
"These new guidelines are a call to action that doctors really need to be focusing more on women when it comes to stroke prevention," said Dr. Shazam Hussain, head of the Stroke Section at the Cleveland Clinic., who was not involved with the guideline.
About 3 percent of Americans have lived through strokes, but as a result many suffer from permanent health problems such as impaired speech, memory loss, or paralysis. Women who develop dangerous hypertension during pregnancy, known as preeclampsia, have twice the risk of having a stroke later in life compared to those who had healthy pregnancies.
The new guidelines, published in the journal Stroke, directs doctors to consider preeclampsia to be a stroke risk factor akin to smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity because it's likely to lead to hypertension years after the pregnancy.
"Internists should document this pregnancy complication as part of a woman's medical record, yet many women report that their doctors never ask about their pregnancy history," said the guideline lead author Dr. Cheryl Bushnell, a neurologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.
Doctors should also screen for high blood pressure before prescribing oral contraceptives, the guideline states, since the estrogen they contain has been associated with a small increased risk of blood clots that could lead to a stroke if a clot blocks off the brain's blood supply.
"Stroke risk is a discussion many of us already have with our patients before prescribing the pill," especially among smokers over age 35 since they're at greatest risk, said Dr. Errol Norwitz, chair of the obstetrics and gynecology at Tufts Medical Center. "I also check blood pressure after a woman starts the pill and will take her off if there's an increase because of stroke concerns."
Women who have migraines with visual auras—which occur four times more frequently in women than in men—also have an increased stroke risk and need to make concerted efforts to stop smoking, the guidelines recommend, because the two in combination can be particularly dangerous.
"Migraines, like preeclampsia, don't likely cause strokes," Norwitz said, "but could be a sign that there's a predisposition for cardiovascular disease."
Since strokes are rare in younger women, even a doubling in risk from preeclampsia or migraines means the likelihood remains pretty low. "A 40 year-old woman's risk of having a stroke by age 45 may rise from 3 in 10,000 to 6 in 10,000 if she has a single risk factor," Bushnell said. "But if you add in oral contraceptive use, a history of high blood pressure, and a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes—which all increase the risk of stroke—it becomes a substantial increased risk."
In those cases, doctors need to urge patients to alter their lifestyle to decrease stroke risk by exercising, eating a diet based on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and losing excess weight, the guidelines recommend.
While that thrust is likely to be embraced by the medical community, some of the recommendations have raised eyebrows. The guideline authors recommended screening all women over age 75 for atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm that's linked to a higher stroke risk. But simple screening measures—listening to a pulse or performing an EKG—employed by primary care physicians often don't detect the condition.
"It's tricky and complicated to detect in those who aren't having symptoms like heart palpitations," Hussain said, "so I'm not really sure why it's in there."
The new guidelines advise gynecologists to treat pregnant women with hypertension with a calcium supplement if they don't consumer much in their diet to lower preeclampsia risks, which Norwitz said is not based on solid evidence. He does, however, agree with other advice to treat them with a low-dose aspirin, which has been shown to lower risk—although by just a modest 10 percent.
"The bottom line is nothing works particularly well to prevent preeclampsia," Norwitz said, "but we're increasingly recognizing that it has lifelong consequences and women can take steps to reduce their stroke risk later on."


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Research Studies for Women
Women and men are different from each other, and the health needs of women will often be different from the health needs of men. Research scientists have learned that across the life span from infancy through all the stages of adulthood, health and health care should be specifically tailored for women and girls. Some of these needs are more obvious. We know, for instance, that women are more at risk for breast cancer than men. But often, important differences are hidden. Heart disease gives us a good example. While we may think of heart disease affecting men, it is actually the leading cause of death in women.
Researchers have also found that the symptoms of heart disease in women are very different than they are in men. So, a woman may have very serious heart disease that can be treated, but neither she nor her doctor may even know that she has it. You can learn about the symptoms of heart disease that women may have by visiting healthywomen.org. This specific information about women's health is possible because of research studies focused on women. There is so much more we need to know about heart disease and the full range of the health care needs of women. By participating in research studies, women help researchers find better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for the future. To learn more about women's health and research studies see Taking part in Research Studies: Fact Sheet for Women.
You can take part in research studies that matter most to you and your loved ones. To find a research study that is a good fit, see the information below.
We would like to help you get involved with the research studies that matter most to you and your loved ones. To find a research study that is a good fit, see the information below.
Finding a Study
Whether you are looking for studies on ClinicalTrials.gov or helping researchers find you on ResearchMatch, always keep the following in mind:
1. Your health status – Both healthy volunteers and those with medical conditions are needed in the research effort.
2. Your location – Finding studies close to home is often a requirement to be able to take part.
3. More information about you – Studies are done using groups based on their gender, ethnic group, and age, among other things. What makes you unique is what is needed the most.
Learn more:
Helping Researchers Find you on ResearchMatch
Why ResearchMatch? Fact: Recent surveys show that few Americans (less than 5%) know where to find out about research studies that are a good fit for them. Fact: Research volunteers are medical heroes. Why? Because behind every medical breakthrough and new treatment are thousands of people who take part in research studies.
ResearchMatch is one way to help match medical heroes with research studies. How? Think of posting your resume on line. Like a resume helps employers look for people to fill a role in their company, ResearchMatch is your research resume with details about you. This allows researchers to look for volunteers who may be a good fit for their study.
The NetWellness feature ResearchMatch and You – Making a Difference One Discovery at a Time gives a step-by-step guide about how ResearchMatch works and what you can do to take part in research. Once you put the details of your profile in ResearchMatch, it is kept secure. These details will only be shared when you agree to take part in a study.
Finding Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
Many people want to take part in research studies. Finding a study that is the right fit for you or your loved one can be a challenge. ClinicalTrials.gov helps speed up the search by having a list of studies offered in the United States.
The search tool on ClinicalTrials.gov allows you to look for research studies that are as unique as you. This allows you to search by your gender, race, ethnicity, age, and condition. In any search that you do on ClinicalTrials.gov, it is important that you include your city and state in your search so that you can find trials that are happening close to home. The NetWellness feature How to Find a Clinical Research Study/Clinical Trial helps guide you to get the best results for your search.
Other Resources
- Clinical Trials for Women (womenshealthresearch.org)
- Inclusion of Women in Research (NIH)
- Office of Research on Women?s Health (NIH)
- Research and Women's Health Needs (womancando.org)
- Resources for Patients-Clinical Trials (womenshealth.gov)
- Taking Part in Research Studies: Fact Sheet For Women
- Clinical Trials: Women's Health (centerwatch.org)
For more information:
Go to the Research Center health topic.


text: Back Menu Catering Bars FREE CHIPS & SALSA WITH EVERY ORDER Salad Bar** Lettuce, choice of protein*, pinto or black beans, shredded cheese and pico de gallo. And unlike the others, this healthier option comes with cucumbers, olives and our homemade dressings: chipotle ranch, southwest vinaigrette. Priced per person (10 people minimum order) 605 - 1,205 Cal. $10.00 Minimum 10 Quantity: Decrease Quantity Increase Quantity Add to Order


text:
5/5 (100 %), 1 vote
Store located in Shopping mall/center : Westridge Power Centre
Store brand name : Payless ShoeSource
Address & Location : 3900 Highway 7, Vaughan, Ontario, ON L4L 9C3, Canada
State : Ontario
City : Vaughan
Phone (Westridge Power Centre) : 416-628-7868
Your satisfaction : Write a review
PAYLESS SHOESOURCE in Vaughan, Ontario - Save money and don't miss sales, events, news, coupons. PAYLESS SHOESOURCE is located in Westridge Power Centre, Vaughan, Ontario - ON L4L 9C3 Canada, address: 3900 Highway 7.
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Small tsunami waves measuring just a few inches arrived on the Southern California coast Wednesday hours after a magnitude-8.2 earthquake off the coast of Chile.
Strong currents were expected in Southern California after tide gauges in Santa Monica showed levels above predicted readings early Wednesday morning, according to the NWS. The elevated waves arrived just before 5 a.m. in Santa Monica and about 20 minutes later to the north in San Luis Obispo County.
Wave heights measured only a few inches and just above the predicted level, but the NWS reported "noticeable currents" in Ventura and Santa Barbara harbors. Tsunami waves lose energy as they travel from the quake epicenter, but can still impact currents thousands of miles away, sometimes hours after the intial waves arrive.
The small surges generated by the sudden displacement in the sea floor will likely continue Wednesday in and out of harbors and marinas. The NWS adviced anyone going in the water Wednesday to be aware of potentially strong and unusual ocean currents.
The magnitude-8.2 quake off the Chilean coast was linked to at least six deaths. Energy generated by the quake triggered tsunami warnings for a large area of the Pacific coast of Central and South America, where 6-foot-high tsunami waves were reported.
The quake was about 60 miles northwest of Iquique, Chile at a shallow 12.5 miles deep. About 40 aftershocks have been reported in the region.
A tsunami advisory was issued for Hawaii, about 6,500 miles away from the epicenter. The advisory, canceled late Wednesday morning, was issued to alert beach visitors, surfers and swimmers of strong ocean currents.
No tsunami warnings or advisories were issued for the United States West Coast, unlike in 2011 when advisories were issued for the California coast after the magnitude-8.9 earthquake that devastated Japan.
Damage related to the 2011 tsunami occurred in Santa Cruz and Crescent City. In Southern California, the tsunami generated small surges in Southern California, prompting beach closures.
#Tsunami a few inches high arrived on #SoCal coasts today. Harbor currents expected. #cawx#laweatherpic.twitter.com/buykP9mLlq
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) April 2, 2014
- Updates: Download the NBCLA Mobile App


text:
Raphque needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 56 designs submitted by 34 freelance designers.
We need a logo that stands for a younger and more modern organisation than the current one.
It should be possible to use it in 3 forms, long with the name Euprera next to a visual, more square, with the name under the logo and without the name.
It should also be possible to use it in grayscale and in black & white.
Desired Style:
Modern, stylish
Accepted File Formats:
Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
Current logo: http://euprera.org
Colors: free, but it isn't bad to keep in mind that there's a European dimension
- Horizontal, with the name next to the logo
- Vertical, with the name in small type under the logo
- Without the name, it's nice to have a strong visual identity so it's easily recognizableUse: It should be possible to use it in color, grayscale & black & white.
The logo and it's colours will be the base for a totally new website & style
Good luck!Â
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Add to Calendar
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Brussels, 23 November 2012
The 2012 Annual Growth Survey: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the 2012 Annual Growth Survey (AGS)?
The AGS sets out what the Commission believes must be the EU's priorities for the coming 12 months in terms of economic and budgetary policies and reforms to boost growth and employment. Its presentation marks the opening of the second European Semester of economic governance.
2. What progress has been made since the last AGS?
The 2011 AGS focused on priority actions in three main areas: fiscal consolidation and enhancing macroeconomic stability; labour market reforms for higher employment; and growth enhancing measures.
In terms of fiscal consolidation, progress is being made – though it is too early to make an overall assessment and the deteriorating economic picture will make further advances in this area more challenging.
On labour market reforms, there has been some progress in the areas of active labour market policies, skills, life-long learning and education. Reforms of wage-setting systems remain contentious and there has been progress in only a few countries.
On growth-enhancing measures, progress has been slow. Some reforms have been launched in the areas of research, development and innovation; transport; and energy. On the other hand, most of the bottlenecks in the areas of competition, services and network industries remain unaddressed.
The 2012 AGS notes that progress in implementing the guidance put forward in the 2011 AGS has been below expectations and calls for a greater sense of urgency to accompany the second European Semester.
3. What are the key messages in the 2012 AGS?
The Commission places a strong emphasis on the need to step up implementation of commitments made by Member States, with a clear focus on measures that enhance growth and labour-market participation. The AGS calls for national and EU efforts to be concentrated on five priorities for 2012:
· Pursuing differentiated growth-friendly fiscal consolidation: implementing sound budgetary policies, tailored according to Member States' current fiscal positions; maintaining as far as possible investment in growth-enhancing areas; and making tax policies more growth-friendly
· Restoring normal lending to the economy: facilitating banks' access to term funding and strengthening their capital positions; limiting the impact of banking sector reform on the flow of credit to the real economy; taking further measures to support SMEs' access to finance; and developing a new European venture capital regime
· Promoting growth and competitiveness for today and tomorrow: building the EU digital economy, completing the internal market in services and tapping the growth potential of external trade; making the best use of the EU budget to underpin growth-boosting investment; and fast-tracking the pending and future proposals at EU level listed in an Annex to the AGS
· Tackling unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis: promoting business creation and self employment; enhancing labour mobility; strengthening initiatives that combine work experience and education; reducing labour taxation and disincentives to job creation; reinforcing coverage and effectiveness of active labour market policies and improving social protection systems to protect the most vulnerable
· Modernising public administration: improving national business environments by minimising administrative burdens; ensuring that exchanges between administrations and businesses/citizens can be done digitally; and implementing the commitment to cut start-up time for new businesses to three days
4. What progress has been made on the Europe 2020 targets?
Europe 2020, the EU's ten-year strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, is more relevant than ever given the current economic climate. Yet progress by Member States towards the Europe 2020 targets has so far been disappointing. Moreover, the Commission's assessment is that at this point in time, national targets set by Member States are insufficient to meet most of the EU-level targets, particularly for energy efficiency. The latest statistics indicate that only in the area of education has some progress been made:
- Education: The EU's target of not more than 10% early school leavers will not be reached on the basis of current commitments, which would bring it down to a level of 10.5%. In 2010, early school leaving dropped to 14.1% from 14.4% in 2009. But this masks wide variations between Member States.
- Employment: If all Member States achieved their national targets, the EU as a whole would still be 1-1.3% points short of the agreed target employment rate of 75%. No substantial progress has been registered in 2011.
- Research and Development: If national targets were reached, the EU would still fall about 0.3% short of the 3% 2020 target. R&D investment in 2009 stood at 2.01% of GDP, with little progress foreseen in 2011.
- Poverty reduction: Based on current national targets, around 12 million people would be lifted out of poverty and social exclusion, short of the EU's 2020 target of 20 million.
- 20/20/20 climate/energy targets: The EU as a whole is expected to meet the target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 levels. Some Member States though will have to amend their policies in order to reach their binding national targets. On energy efficiency, work is ongoing on the analysis of Member States' targets and a report will be presented in early 2012. The legally binding renewable energy target of 20% should be met if Member States fully implement their renewables action plans. At EU level, the share rose from 10.34% in 2008 to 11.6% in 2009.
5. Does the 2012 AGS analyse the implementation of the 2011 Country-Specific Recommendations?
Not in detail. This analysis will be published alongside the 2012 Country-Specific Recommendations next June.
6. How does the Euro+ Pact link to the AGS?
The Euro+ Pact was concluded in March 2011 by the 17 euro area countries with the participation of six of the remaining ten Member States. The 23 signatories to the pact agreed to make further commitments, beyond what had been agreed at EU level, in the areas of competitiveness, employment, sustainable public finances and financial stability. Member States' commitments made in the context of the Euro+ Pact are integrated into their National Reform Programmes and Stability or Convergence Programmes and assessed within the framework of the European Semester. Progress regarding these commitments is tracked in the 2012 AGS, notably in the concluding table of the annexed Macro-Economic Report.
7. What specifically does the AGS say on labour market challenges?
Slow growth is hampering the already weak employment recovery. Any recent increases in job levels have been mainly driven by the growth in temporary contracts and part-time jobs. Youth unemployment has increased dramatically from 15% to 21% between 2008 and 2011, while the share of 15-24 year olds neither in education, employment or training has risen to 16%. Long-term unemployment is also growing quickly across the Union (40% of those looking for work are long-term unemployed).
8. What must Member States do to ensure a job-rich recovery?
The rate of job creation of the EU economy has not recovered the levels before the crisis. To ensure a job-rich recovery Member States must give priority to promote business creation and self-employment, including social entrepreneurship and to exploit the potential offered by some specific sectors (low-carbon economy, health and social sectors and in the digital economy).
Labour market policies can help create the right environment for job creation by addressing labour shortages through labour mobility, reducing labour taxation as well as helping to address excessive rigidities of permanent contracts and providing easier access to the labour market and better protection to those left outside.
9. What does the AGS say about specific challenges like youth unemployment?
The situation of young people is especially worrying. Between 2008 and 2010, the total number of young unemployed people in the EU increased by one million and the EU-wide youth unemployment rate has increased to over 20%, with peaks of more than 40% in some Member States. The priorities for Member States are to establish strategies identifying the most urgent needs and proposing concrete actions that target young people not in employment, education or training. This includes good quality apprenticeships, traineeship contracts and entrepreneurial skills, as well as modernising education and training systems to reflect labour market skills demand while reinforcing their efficiency and quality.
10. What does the AGS say about how to address the social consequences of the crisis?
The crisis has disproportionately hit those who were already vulnerable and has created new categories of people at risk of poverty. Member States must give priority to reinforcing the coverage and effectiveness of active labour market policies. They also need to take account of the distributional impacts of fiscal consolidation to avoid compounding existing social difficulties. This will mean improving the effectiveness of social protection systems and avoiding sudden withdrawals of past extensions of coverage and eligibility.
11. What does the AGS say on taxation's role in achieving consolidation and growth?
The AGS advises Member States to take a close look at how the quality of their revenues can be improved, focussing on a number of important areas in particular:
- Raising revenues in a smarter way: Instead of arbitrarily raising rates, Member States should look at how to improve their current tax systems to raise revenues - for example, reconsidering tax breaks, broadening tax bases and phasing out hidden tax subsidies.
- Tackling tax evasion and fraud: Many billions of euros are lost from national budgets every year due to tax evasion and fraud. Member States need to strengthen their administrations to combat this problem, and ensure that the controls and sanctions are strong enough deterrents. Coordination at EU level is also crucial. It can ensure that aggressive tax planners can't exploit loopholes between Member States' systems and that there is a consistent EU approach to third countries when it comes to tackling uncooperative jurisdictions.
- Creating a better environment for business: Member States are advised to examine whether they could shift taxes away from areas that impede growth (labour, corporate taxes) towards more growth-friendly taxes (consumption, environment). Member States should also agree on proposals that would remove obstacles for businesses such as the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base and the Energy Tax Directive.
- Coordinating at EU level to maximise reforms: EU coordination on taxation prevents distortions and obstacles to the Internal Market, limits non-taxation and abuse, and prevents a "race to the bottom" approach which can curtail national reform efforts. It also allows the exchange of best practices and strength in numbers when tackling common problems such as harmful tax competition from third countries.
12. What are the next steps in the European Semester?
The AGS launches the 2012 European Semester of economic governance. It is the basis for building the necessary common understanding about the priorities for action at both EU and national level in the coming twelve months. In the coming weeks and months, the different Council formations will discuss the AGS and report to the March European Council so that it can adopt appropriate policy guidance for the Member States. This guidance should be incorporated into Member States' National Reform Programmes (regarding economic reforms) and Stability or Convergence Programmes (regarding public finances) presented in April/May. Having analysed these programmes, the Commission will issue its Country-Specific Recommendations in time for these to be endorsed by the June 2012 European Council. The Member States should then incorporate this policy guidance in their national economic and budgetary decisions.
For more information:
IP/11/1381 New action for growth, governance and stability
MEMO/11/820 European Commission Green Paper "Feasibility of introducing Stability Bonds"
MEMO/11/822 Economic governance: Commission proposes two new Regulations to further strengthen budgetary surveillance in the euro area
Side Bar


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Sometimes I am distracted while working on genealogy projects when I come across interesting items. This particular article from a 1953 Ithaca Journal caught my eye as I worked on an obituary project for the Tompkins County Rootsweb site. I hope readers will enjoy the bit of history and dedication of this mail carrier from Ludlowville, NY.
The mail man who covers more mileage each day than any other in New York State has begun his 41st year as a post office employee.
He is Everett V. Nobles of Ludlowville, who treks 63 miles daily, except Sunday, over the roads of Lansing township to deliver the mail. Last Friday, May 15, Nobles observed his 40th anniversary as a rural mail carrier.
The Ludlowville carrier began work in 1913 by using a horse and buggy over a 20-mile route. In the summer of 1914 he purchased his first car, and used that except during the days of winter when traveling was difficult. Then he relied on his dependable horse. It was not until 15 or 20 years ago that conditions of all the roads he covered became such that he could travel a year around by car.
When William Minturn, the other Ludlowville rural carrier died in 1936, the U.S. Post Office Department consolidated the two routes, with Nobles taking over. His route now includes two houses in Cayuga County.
Nobles was eligible for retirement last Friday, but he plans to keep on with his work for a while.
He was born in Swartwood, but has lived in Ludlowville since he was 5 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Nobles have a son and two daughters, Maj. Lloyd Nobles, San Diego, CA; Mrs. Hubert Quay, Altamont; and Mrs. William Bishop, Ludlowville.


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Liz Bowman may end up flying to the moon one day, but don't expect her to catch a Luke Skywalker reference any time soon. Mentioning the starship Enterprise won't make an impression on her, either.
Liz Bowman may end up flying to the moon one day, but don't expect her to catch a Luke Skywalker reference any time soon. Mentioning the starship Enterprise won't make an impression on her, either.
Despite her aerospace engineering major and her dream to one day become an astronaut, Bowman has yet to see "Star Wars" or "Star Trek."
She acknowledges that she's not a typical geek.
But at 19 years old, the University of Alabama junior from a tiny town in northeast Alabama is in her second internship with NASA, has a co-op planned at the Johnson Space Center in Houston next spring, and is working on her private pilot's license on the side.
Bowman's dream of becoming an astronaut stood out in her hometown of Rainsville, with a little under 5,000 residents.
"In high school, everybody was just kind of like, 'Yeah, whatever,' " Bowman said.
Bowman became smitten with NASA as a kid. Her older sister participated in an aviation program with their dad, and as soon as Bowman was old enough, she participated, too, then went on to space camps and space academies.
"They simulated missions, and I just really loved that," Bowman said. "Just learning about it and getting exposed to it, I knew that I wanted to be in the field."
Bowman's mother had an high school friend who worked for NASA, and they were able to go to Cocoa Beach, Fla., to see one of the shuttle launches.
"She saw Endeavor at a nighttime launch, and she got to meet some of the astronauts, got autographs and pictures," Luanne Bowman said. "She was probably 14 or 15, and it made a big impression to be able to meet them. Like they were normal people, just like everyone else who had just put effort and time into it."
By the time Bowman graduated from high school, she had been taking classes at her local community college since she was 15. She came into UA with enough credit to be considered a second semester sophomore.
Bowman applied and received an internship at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville for the spring of 2013, but was almost turned away when they realized how young she was.
"There might have been other candidates that had more programming experience, but I saw enthusiasm in what she wrote (on her application)," said Charlie Dischinger, Bowman's mentor in Huntsville and NASA's human factors engineering team leader.
In Huntsville, Bowman built a simulation that represented a water recovery rack for the environmental and life support systems for the International Space Station.
"I had a 70-inch touch screen, so on the touch screen, I put a picture of the rack that I was doing. If I wanted to do a maintenance procedure, I would just touch any cable on the screen."
Bowman's actions simulated those of an astronaut who would do the same things to maintain and repair the life support system on the space station.
"People hear 'intern' and they think coffee and running errands," Bowman said, "but it's really like having a temporary job. I'd go to meetings and design the software."
Bowman was working on a simulation that could mean life or death for astronauts.
"She's very self-reliant, hardworking, and self-motivated," Dischinger said. "I kind of talked to her in general terms about what it was that I needed, and she would go and do those things off by herself. "
That attitude led Bowman to a second internship with NASA this fall in Cape Canaveral at the Kennedy Space Center. Bowman had planned on staying in Tuscaloosa for the semester, but the unexpected internship offer from Kennedy was too good to pass up. Her internship at Kennedy, plus her previous one in Huntsville, and her upcoming co-op in Houston means three straight semesters away from UA.
"It's hard to think that even after this semester, I'll still be away from Tuscaloosa," Bowman said. "I do miss school. I went and visited right before I moved in, and I was just sad to see everybody. And Alabama football, that's the hardest thing. When I was scheduling my co-op, I said, I will never miss the fall again."
With her current location in Florida, Bowman has exchanged the Strip for the beach, football games for scuba diving lessons, and engineering classes for the real deal — working on remote display developments for the firing room, the room where scientists control the rocket launches at Kennedy.
"You get to see a lot of cool stuff. The other day I got to go on top of the launch pad for a space shuttle. I got to go where they actually took off, and earlier this week, there was a launch rocket, just a satellite, and we got up to see it at four in the morning, and then went straight into work after."
Luanne Bowman said she was excited to see her daughter's drive to succeed.
"It's good to see somebody go after their passions. She's very independent and headstrong, and when you have children like that, you know if (you) could just channel that in the right direction, they could do good things. Hopefully, as parents we've done that, we've channeled that energy and obstinence into what she can positively use it for in life."
Considering the difficulty of making it into space, her determination will be tested.
Roughly 500 people have made it 62 miles above Earth, which is the level officially determined as space by the F�d-�ration A�ronautique Internationale, and only about 150 astronauts are active today.
That challenge doesn't vex Bowman.
"I'm not sure what I want to do yet with NASA, but I know that's what I want to be. There are a lot of commercial options, and they would be a lot easier because you don't have to deal with the government and lots of other factors, but to me, NASA is what I feel like is right."
NASA and space are what Bowman's heart is set on. They represent a dream that's been in the making since she was growing up in Rainsville. She has shared her successes and goals with a younger crowd and instilled the idea that anyone can reach their dreams.
"Over the summer, I went and talked at a middle school and talked to a few classes about how people think that for these kinds of jobs, you have to be really smart or really important or rich. I just grew up in a normal family ... I made a D in physics — I have to retake it. But if you want it, you just have to go get it. I feel like an astronaut is one of the most ambitious things you can pick out, but you have to really want it."
Reach the newsroom staff at firstname.lastname@example.com or 205-722-0189.
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CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Sept. 12, 2012) - NIKO RESOURCES LTD. (TSX:NKO) will be presenting at the FirstEnergy/Société Générale Global Energy Conference, September 17 - 18, 2012, at the Intercontinental Hotel in London, UK.
Mr. Edward Sampson, President & CEO is scheduled to present at 09:30 am British Standard Time, Monday September 17th.
The Conference will be accessible at that time via webcasting at the following site and will be archived for 30 days: http://jetslides.tv/lobby/758
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to management's approach to operations, estimates of future sales, production and deliveries, business plans for drilling and development, estimated amounts and timing of capital expenditures, anticipated operating costs, royalty rates, cash flows, transportation plans and capacity, anticipated access to infrastructure or other expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about future events or performance. The reader is cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable by Niko at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general economic, market and business conditions; industry capacity; competitive action by other companies; fluctuations in oil and gas prices; the results of exploration and development drilling and related activities; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to productions, costs and expenses; uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; the imprecision in reserve estimates; risks associated with oil and gas operations, such as operational risks in exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas; risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits; the weather in the Company's area of operations; the ability of suppliers to meet commitments; changes in environmental and other regulations; actions by governmental authorities including changes in laws and increases in taxes; decisions or approvals of administrative tribunals; risks in conducting foreign operations (for example, political and fiscal instability or the possibility of civil unrest or military action in countries such as India and Bangladesh); the effect of acts of, or actions against international terrorism; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Niko. There is no representation by Niko that the actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as those forecast.
Contact Information:


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Capsule reviews of the next week's video releases, on DVD and Blu-ray, including special features, for Tuesday, April 15.
• "Philomena" (PG-13, 95 minutes, The Weinstein Company/Anchor Bay): At 78, British actress Judi Dench has become an international treasure, playing steely, formidable characters with as much ease as cozier, more grandmotherly roles. All those qualities can be glimpsed in "Philomena," in which Dench plays the title character, a woman who, as a pregnant teenager in 1950s Ireland, was forced to give her son up for adoption after giving birth to him in a Catholic abbey. As the soft-spoken, slightly frumpy Philomena Lee, Dench delivers one of her most recessive, unprepossessing performances yet; her dashing silver-haired turn as James Bond's "M" is thoroughly banished beneath a staid crown of mousy curls. But that signature brand of Dench tungsten glints through, as Philomena embarks on a search for her now-middle-aged son and debates the tenets of her faith with the skeptical journalist chronicling her journey. Contains strong profanity, thematic elements and sexual references. Extras include commentary with co-star and co-writer Steve Coogan and co-writer Jeff Pope; a nine-minute "A Conversation with Judi Dench;" a featurette on "The Real Philomena Lee" and a Q&A with Coogan in which he discusses how he discovered the story, the process in adapting it for film and casting Dench.
• "Ride Along" (PG-13, 100 minutes, Warner): This buddy-cop comedy has one big thing going for it. Or, more accurately, a little thing: comedian Kevin Hart. He plays Ben, a motor-mouthed gamer and high school security guard who wants to marry his girlfriend, Angela (Tika Sumpter), but needs to get approval from her prickly brother, James (Ice Cube). The two men got off on the wrong foot, but James, a police officer, tells Ben there's one way he can prove himself: James proposes that Ben tag along during a day on the job. Given that Ben is an aspiring cop, he jumps at the chance. Predictably, the day doesn't unfold as heroically as Ben hopes. Contains action, violence, sexually explicit discussions and language. Extras include commentary with director Tim Story; gag reel; location tour of Atlanta with Hart, Ice Cube and crew; a backstage visit featuring Hart, Ice Cube, John Leguizamo and other cast and crew. Also, on Blu-ray: alternate ending, deleted scenes, a "Wild Ride" making-of short and three other featurettes covering stunt doubles, special effects and an inside look at off-script moments including b-roll, dailies and alternate takes.
• "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (PG, 114 minutes, Fox): As the title character, Ben Stiller brings his jut-jawed, laser-blue glare to a character who starts off as something of a passive cipher. As a longtime manager for "negative assets" at Life magazine, Walter processes the magazine's photographers' celluloid — in other words, he's an obsolete guy working in an obsolete media platform within a soon-to-be all-digital art form. The film's opening scene — wherein Walter hesitantly "winks" at a woman on an online dating forum — makes it clear: This is a man working at Life, rather than living it. The unevenness of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," and Stiller's recessive characterization of the title character, keep it from being an all-out crowd-pleaser. Still, there's a winsome, attaboy appeal to "Walter Mitty" that deserves to be honored. It's a perfectly likable movie, and sometimes that's good enough. Contains some crude comments, profanity and action violence. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurettes "The Look of Life," "The Music of Walter Mitty," "Skateboarding Through Iceland"; gallery of reference photography. Also, on Blu-ray: deleted scenes; extended and alternate scenes; additional featurettes "The History of Walter Mitty," "That's a Shark," "Icelandic Adventure," "Nordic Casting," "Titles of Walter Mitty" and "Ted-Walter Flight"; "Stay Alive" music video by Jose Gonzalez.
• "The Nut Job" (PG, 86 minutes, Universal): Cleverness is in short supply in this animated feature about a grouchy squirrel named Surly and his best buddy (Buddy the mute rat), who plan a heist to steal cashews, peanuts and almonds. Of all the flaws of "The Nut Job," Surly's gruff attitude is one of the hardest to overcome. He's not a very fun character to travel with, even when he evolves into a kinder, gentler squirrel with an after-school-special-worthy lesson to share. But it doesn't compare to the growing list of children's movies that also delight adults were. Contains mild action and rude humor. Extras include animated shorts "Surly Squirrel" (the 2005 short that inspired the film) and "Nuts & Robbers." Also, on Blu-ray: deleted scenes, storyboards slide show, lead voice actor Will Arnett interview on the script and dance-off end credits. Also available in 3D.
• Also: "The Invisible Woman" (Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this Oscar-nominated biopic of Charles Dickens, Sony); "Mobius" (France-Belgium, spy thriller, Lionsgate), "Better Living Through Chemistry," "Date and Switch" (romantic comedy by Alan Yang, of "Parks and Recreation"), "Boys of Abu Ghraib," "Copperhead," "The Curse of the Gothic Symphony " (2011, documentary), "Flowers in the Attic" (Lifetime original movie), "Breaking the Waves" (1996, Lars von Trier's breakout film, The Criterion Collection), "The End of Time," "The Gabby Doublas Story," "Great Expectations," "Confession of Murder" (South Korea), "Picture of Light" (1994), "Murder on the Home Front" (PBS), "Being Ginger," "Camp Dread," "Stan Lee's Mighty 7: Beginnings" and "Barney: Happy Birthday Barney" (animated).
• Television Series: "The Practice: Final Season" (2003-04), "Anger Management: Volume Three" (FX), "The Beverly Hillbillies: Fourth Season" (1965-66), "The Carol Burnett Show: Carol's Crack Ups" (six-disc set), "Ripper Street: Season Two" (BBC), "The Bletchley Circle Season 2" (PBS), "Petticoat Junction: Third Season" (1965-66) and "Midsomer Murders Series 8 and Series 9" (British crime series, four-disc sets or combined eight-disc set, Acorn).
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Washington Post staff writer Kay Coyte contributed to this report.


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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) For 17 years, Kobe Bryant has been a supremely confident, ultra-aggressive offensive force who believed that the more he scores, the better the odds the Los Angeles Lakers win.
Even by his standards, Bryant was on a blistering run to start this season. He averaged just over 22 field goal attempts, right up there with the highest averages of his career. He took 31 shots in a loss to Houston, 41 in a win over Golden State and 32 in a loss at Toronto.
Off to a 17-25 start, and with the playoffs slipping away, Kobe has revamped his game. He's channeling more Magic than Michael now, becoming the Lakers' chief playmaker to jumpstart the struggling team. After posting double-digit assists just once in his first 42 games, Bryant is averaging 11.2 assists over the last five, a stretch that has produced four victories to offer some hope that all is not lost.
``It feels good,'' Bryant said Friday, when the Lakers beat the Timberwolves. ``You're just trying to do whatever it takes to win. Trying to figure things out, even if you're adjusting your game as dramatically as I have, it's just doing whatever it takes to get your team to win.''
Passing hasn't exactly been absent from Bryant's game over the years. It just hasn't been at the forefront of his approach to breaking a team down. He's always thought of himself as the best one-on-one player in the world, and that mentality has fueled a get-out-of-my-way approach that has helped him fly up the career scoring chart.
He's averaged a healthy 4.7 assists for his career and was right at that number through the first 42 games this season. Bryant has more career assists than any of the five players who have scored at least 30,000 points. But he has completely changed his role in the last two weeks.
In the four-game losing streak that preceded the Lakers' mini-surge, Bryant attempted 25, 32, 22 and 23 shots and dished out a total of 14 assists.
In the last five games, he's taken 10, 12, 12, 17 (the only loss) and 13 shots and picked up 56 assists.
``I just try to dominate the game through passing and getting to the rim and scoring when the opportunity presents itself,'' Bryant said. ``There's many ways to dominate a game.''
For someone as notoriously stubborn as Bryant, it's quite an eye-opening transformation.
``It's not the easiest thing in the world to change a mentality,'' Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. ``But he's definitely trying.''
In the twilight of his career, and with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard not close to the All-NBA players they have been, it's also been absolutely necessary for the Lakers' survival. They are 21-26, good for 10th place in the competitive Western Conference.
``It's different now playing against him than watching him on TV,'' Wolves forward Derrick Williams said. ``He's just a deadly weapon. If you leave a little space he's going to knock down a shot. If you get too close to him, he's going to hit people with backdoor passes.''
His teammates are feeding off the newfound unselfishness, too. Pau Gasol had struggled for most of the season, but he had 22 points and 12 rebounds against the Timberwolves on Friday night. Antawn Jamison has scored in double figures in four straight games, and Nash is adapting quite well to playing off the ball and knocking down all the open shots that come when Bryant draws so much attention from the defense.
The Timberwolves certainly didn't have an answer for his new game Friday. In the first quarter, he relentlessly backed down the overmatched Luke Ridnour in the post, drawing double teams from a scrambling Wolves defense. Bryant easily surveyed the scene, kicking to wide open shooters on the perimeter for easy shots. The Lakers hit eight of their first 10 3-point attempts to build a 29-point lead in the second quarter.
Bryant said he studied Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and John Stockton as much as he did Jordan while he was growing up. And whenever he's asked about Magic - widely considered Bryant's biggest competition for title of the greatest Laker - he smiles broadly.
``That's the thing that gets lost as the years go on,'' he said. ``People forget how good he was and some of the passes he makes. You go back and look at some of that (stuff) he was throwing around out there, it's outrageous. Some of the things he sees. And me growing up a huge Magic fan, I'm very familiar with that.''
If Bryant can somehow dig these Lakers out of the rubble and take them to another title, it will be the sixth of his career - tying Jordan and moving him past Magic on the ring count.
``We're trying to find that balance a little bit,'' he said. ``We're obviously not reaching our full potential if I go through a full half without really shooting the ball. But at the same time, I think the most important part is to get everybody in rhythm. I can always find my offensive rhythm throughout the game.''
That's an ongoing conversation with D'Antoni.
``You need to be aggressive and make the right play,'' the coach said. ``When you take off and they collapse on you, make the pass. If they don't, then score. I think you need to do it for four quarters. You can't come into a game and be a facilitator for a quarter, (then say) `OK, now I'm going to be a scorer.'''
Bryant is getting more and more comfortable with each passing game, and all of a sudden these Lakers have new life. Once buried under a pile of injuries and dysfunction, they're 3 1/2 games behind Houston for the eighth seed and charging. They're close enough that Bryant is starting to peek at the standings again.
``A little bit now because you kind of want to have in your mind's eye what's going on,'' he said. ``But we'll catch up.''
Follow Jon Krawczynski on Twitter:http://twitter.com/APKrawczynski


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Senate Passes an Assault Weapons Ban and More
What's News: A Senate panel passes an assault weapons ban. Violent attacks in Baghdad kill 22. Google announces a two part management shift. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the house has an assault weapons ban this is what finance on WS J live I'm Kelsey Havre ... the Senate Judiciary Committee in reinstating the fire assault weapons ban in intensity vote ... which includes a ban on high capacity magazines ... about highlights the deep ideological divide over gun control and all Republicans voted no and all Democrats voting yes ... the measure which is part of present Obama Gun package next advances to the full Senate for Democratic majority leader Harry Reid has promised to give the assault weapons ban of boat ... but the measure isn't expected to survive on the floor of the chamber ... violent Iraq Baghdad as attackers killed twenty two when it fell on a government building ... a string of explosions rocked central Baghdad within minutes of each other followed by a quart needed felt by gunmen who battled security forces and raided the building which currently houses the Justice ministry ... there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack a management shakeup at Google the Internet giant announcing its two-part management shift ... which sees Jeff Hoover stepping aside as head of Google's mapping in commerce ... and in the world and leaving his position as chief of the Android unit ... this rumor is going to go relax the Kirch Group run by company founder Sergey brand that is developing self driving car technology and the Google Glass wearable computing device ... Mr. ribbon is handing over the reins of the Android business to start a new chapter at Google according to accompany bond with ... a Google Chief Executive Larry Page bookie keep us in on all the latest news developments the rapid day on what's new on the beest live ...


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I upgraded to Mountain Lion a couple of months ago. But only just today did the VIP mailbox show up in Mail. I'd like to get rid of it. But apparently there is no way to get rid of it.
But that seems odd, since it only first showed up today, for no reason I can discover. For some reason it had an "Angieslist" subfolder, but with nothing in it.
Very odd. Annoying too.


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|Film Date :
|March 21 - May 24, 2012
|Genre :
|Romance Drama
|Tell me a friends :
|Reporting the video problem?
|Share Video :
The King 2 Hearts Episode 01 - (English) TYPE4
King 2 Hearts (더킹2Hearts ) is a MBC Television series about a South Korean Crown Prince who falls in love with a North Korean Special Agent. Lee Seung-ki and Ha Ji-won star as the leading roles.
The King 2 Hearts is set in a parallel universe where modern day South Korea is governed by a constitutional monarchy descended from the Joseon Dynasty. Lee Jae Ha is a handsome yet materialistic crown prince who doesn't care about politics and bares total reluctance for being the second successor to the throne. Lee Jae Kang, the current king, tricked him into joining a joint military collaboration with North Korea as a means to help "make him grow up".
Meanwhile, Kim Hang Ah is a North Korean Special Forces Officer who is also the daughter of a North Korean military high command official. Both Jae Ha and Hang Ah meet at the joint military training, a crucial part in establishing friendly relations between the two separate countries. Although the two met each other with a fiery disposition, Jae Ha unwittingly sparks a friendship with Hang Ah and soon, he subsequently falls in love with her. Soon, an arranged marriage is set up between the two and they eventually become engaged. While they attempt to set their differences aside and kindle a growing relationship, things suddenly take a turn for the worse when King Jae Kang and his wife were coldly assassinated by the devious Club M, who are led by John Mayer/Kim Bong Gu, a mysterious magician who wishes to remove the Royal Family and rule in their stead. Now crowned the new King of South Korea, Jae Ha must take the reigns and protect the country before it is too late.
The main Protagonist - The Crown Prince of South Korea with an assumed IQ of 187. A arrogant and irresponsible individual who surprisingly displays a lot of charisma. Unknown to many, Jae Ha chose to be an arrogant man due to his reluctance to take the throne. When his brother, Emperor Jae Kang, ascended to the throne, he assumed that he can live an indulgent "playboy" lifestyle for the rest of his life. As his two years of conscripted service comes to a close, he was unknowingly tricked by his brother into participating in a joint military exercise between North and South Korea, organized by the Emperor and the North Korean Military Command. King Jae Kang also used this an a opportunity to teach his brother a lesson and "help him grow up". However, his personality did not sit well with his teammates, who eventually saw him as a royal pain.
As a means to whip him into shape, North Korean Representative and Captain Kim Hang Ah "threatened" him into submission right after their first encounter. After a bumpy ride through each undertaken mission and a love/hate relationship with Hang Ah, Jae Ha eventually realized he had an attraction to the hard yet innocent female, a fact he constantly denied. Long after the completion of their training, a rumour "King Jae Kang once considered North Korean born Captain Kim as a potential candidate for Prince Jae-Ha's consort." was spread against the Royalty's wishes. As a means to stem the rumours and assuage the public, Jae Ha decided to publicly state that he is "indeed in love with the North Korean" to ease the political fire targeted towards his elder brother. He was subsequently engaged to Captain Kim Hang Ah and now must somehow transform their "Marriage of convenience" into a real romantic relationship. However, before any of that could take place, Jae Ha only found himself in a bigger mess after the assassination of the Royal Couple was announced. Now crowned the King of South Korea, he must act fast and be "mature and responsible" like his so called "old-headed" brother, before everything he cherishes in his heart falls apart. Faced with the possibility of his future wife being responsible or remotely related to the assassination, Jae Ha must now choose to trust his heart or his advisor. Heart triumphed over logic and the two found themselves growing deeper affections for one another throughout the ordeal. Even though so, public sentiments could not rest and continual accusations unto Jae Ha's bride comes in waves. Succumbing to clever deceitful persuasion from His (the King's) most trusted old advisor, Hang Ah was forced to go on public persecution.
Jae Ha never once known to care for another being in his life didn't sense how much the persecutions were straining Hang Ah and his relationship. His lack of display of concern was wrongly translated as being un-bothered and un-caring which deeply hurt Hang Ah. Harsh words were spoken against him and Jae Ha being the immature and egocentric self he is ordered for her exile back to the North. All seemed to be lost in this relationship, Jae Ha seeming complacent and proud of his decision, not till time in separation brought him to terms with his own true feelings. Regret and remorse stemmed his very soul during these times but with Hang Ah far-away in the North, out of reach and sight, there is little hope for reconciliation.
The timing could not have been worse when a public news report came from The North reporting that Hang Ah suffered a miscarriage. Jae Ha's is now faced with a rotten name for a King who's not only an irresponsible and selfish person but a sex maniacal monster. In spite of the horrible accusations, Jae Ha can only think about how hurt and pained it must be for Hang Ah and immediately devised a plan against his adviser's wish.
All great men have their sidekicks and this came to be no other than Eun Shi Kyung who's loyalty would surpass familial relations. With courage behind their back, King Jae Ha heads North and crosses the borders with his life at stake. All this won him a chance meeting with Hang Ah but did nothing to impress her or soothe her wrath and pain towards the loss of her child. His 'clever and heroic' ways were scoffed by Hang Ah who believes with all her heart that he only knows to look good but it won't do for her, as her heart will never change for him again.
Though grossly misunderstood, Jae Ha insistently stayed in The North, knowing many enemies are after his head in the hope Hang Ah will believe in him again.
The main heroine- A female North Korean Special forces officer instructor known to be an "Iron Lady" with absolutely no "femininity" within her by the North Korean military; and the only daughter of the Deputy minister of the North Korean Ministry of Unification. Although tough and fearsome by surface, she is a shy maiden by heart who struggle to find her companion for life. After a few incident involving both her and "the archenemy of the socialist state and the people" - Prince Jae Ha, Prince Jae Ha falls in love with her during the training mission. After she was piratically confessed by Prince Jae Ha in a TV broadcasting that she was assign to spy on, she went to South Korea and was eventually engaged with the Prince and moved into the Palace. She still struggles to learn about the South Korean lifestyle and tries her best to impress the Queen Mother with her newly learned, but poorly pronounced South Korean dialect and manners. She finds herself moved under a roof which could tumble down at any moment following the assassination of King Jae Kang and the assassination attempt on Princess Jae Shin which resulted in a catastrophic condition. However, inspired by her faithful love to Prince Jae Ha, the first man in the entire universe who actually considers and treats her as a woman. Despite her own military guts as once the toughest North Korean military woman, she decided to stay behind and hold up the royal roof along with the newly crowned King Jae Ha before it is too late...
The son of Secretary chief Eun Kyu Tae, he is a South Korean military man who will participate in the joint collaboration. Later promoted to the Royal Guard, he is absolutely loyal and strict by nature, initially detested by Prince Jae Ha due to his "old-headed"-ness resembling King Jae Kang. He seems to be romantically interested in Princess Jae-Shin.
The main villain, a magician by day and a arm dealer by night. He decided to assassinate the South Korean King after a Peace propagation is established between both sides of 38th Parallel which threatens the interest of his armory business. However, he seems to have a even darker side waiting to be revealed.
The Princess of South Korea, Prince Jae Ha and King Jae Kang's younger sister, a royal by day and an underground rock band singer by night. She has a somewhat naughty sence of humor, which once got her arrested by Eun Shi Kyung for Lese-majesty(without knowing that she's the princes) when she dressed up and made fun of her royal self.
Jae Ha's and Jae Shin's oldest brother is the King of South Korea, a caring and responsible man to both the Royal Family and the rest of the country. After witnessing the collapse of the Berlin wall on TV during childhood, he was inspired by such and later organized a plan to join the North and South Korean militaries in a world scale competition between military officers. Moreover, he sent Jae Ha into the team to be trained with the hope of transforming him into one who can be sufficiently responsible as a member of the Royal Family. He was assassinated along with Queen Hyun-Joo during their vacation, in which Jae Ha find himself in a sudden twist that he will now have to "grow up" and become "responsible." It was later revealed that one of his deepest desires in life is to be retired from the throne and go work as a farmer in the countryside. Also revealed is that the entrance password of his Royal Diary is the cheering slogan for the South Korean Football Team in FIFA, which was later bitterly commented by King Jae Ha to be "lame."
The wife of King Jae-Kang, she loves her husband deeply and dreams about having a whole lot of kids one day. She was assassinated along with her husband during their vacation.
The Queen Mother, mother of both King Jae Kang, Prince (later King) Jae Ha and Princess Jae Shin. She was the first civilian-born Queen of South Korea. She knows the secret recipe of an ancient Korean clam soup that the members of the Royal Family likes. Only a Korean queen is entrusted with this recipe. After overseeing Captain Hang Ah taking care of Princess Jae Shin after the attack, the Queen Mother passes the recipe to her and is outraged when King Jae Ha sends her back to North Korea after a small fight.
The Secretary Chief of the Royal Committee who is sorrowfully discovered to be a key component of a scheme plotted against the South Korean Royalty by John Meyers, but only find himself tied and sinks more and more into it day by day.
A North Korean military man participated in the join collaboration, though he publicly denounces South Korean pop group especially Girls Generation, he secretly admires their music and get outraged when someone discover this side of his character. He is skilled in a variety of Oriental martial arts, that he is seen precisely throwing dart-knives and using a Rocket-propelled grenade as a spear.
A South Korean military man who participates in the joint collaboration. Later he is promoted to be in the Royal Guard. He offers advice and consultation in several schemes involving the capture of Hang Ah's heart for Prince Jae Ha.
A North Korean military man who participates in the joint collaboration. He suggested a group photo between North and South Korean officers during the farewell party after the training mission. It is later revealed that he is a skilled sniper and his marksmanship was proven useful in saving King Jae Ha when he was threatened by a North Korean Terrorist, sent by John Meyers.
Deputy minister of the North Korean Ministry of Unification and Captain Kim Hang Ah's father. He is also concerned about the fact that his daughter is having a hard time trying to get married. When Hang Ah becomes the target of public suspicion for King Jae Kang's death, he quickly revealed the North Korean investigation result to King Jae Ha. Although constantly upset by Jae Ha's attitude towards his daughter, he manages to cast his political influence within the North Korean territory in order to save him from the radical faction within the Korean People's Army.
Chairman of the North Korean Supreme Commission of People(aka the Head of State). He had secretly met the South Korean ambassador concerning the fact that there was a black box of coal ashes and a "North Korean model" smart phone found at the death site of the late King Jae Kang. While he does not like King Jae Ha, he is reluctant in any consideration of fighting against him.
John Meyer's mysterious female assassin.
Prime minister of South Korea. He was threaten by King Jae Ha that if he does not publicly reveal the investigation result for the late King Jae Kang's death, he would not only refuse the bill concerning the raise of salary for those government official who passed it, but he would used his royal power to cut it down instead.
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There's good news and bad news for President Obama on Friday as he gets his third boots-on-the-ground update in Louisiana on efforts to deal with the BP oil spill and its environmental and economic effects.
While the president will encounter cautious optimism regarding BP's latest attempt to contain the crude oil jetting from a ruptured pipe some 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, he'll also be greeted with a public mood as sullen as the storm clouds that are covering southern Louisiana Friday.
"There's a feeling down here that this is not a top priority for him, that he's reacting to events rather than trying to control events," says Kirby Goidel, a political scientist at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
IN PICTURES: Louisiana oil spill
Whether or not the perception is accurate, the blowout from the Deepwater Horizon accident, now into its sixth week, has gone on so long "it almost doesn't matter what he does if the oil doesn't stop flowing," he says.
That's one reason all eyes are now focused on a containment cap BP placed on the ruptured pipe during the past 24 hours. It's the latest attempt to contain the oil leaking into the Gulf.
US Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, who is heading the day-to-day federal response to the blowout, Friday morning called the seating of the containment cap "a positive development," but he cautioned that "it will be some time before we can confirm that this method will work and to what extent it will mitigate the release of oil into the environment."
The new cap that undersea robots placed on the leaking pipe appears to be capturing some of the oil, which is rising through a pipe to a ship waiting on the surface.
BP officials say they are encouraged by the results so far.
"But we have only 12 hours' experience with this; we have never done this at 5,000 feet [below sea level] before," cautions Kent Wells, the company's senior vice president for exploration and production. Over the next few days, the BP team will slowly increase the amount of gas and oil flowing up the pipe to a ship receiving the oil. The go-slow approach is designed to avoid a sudden buildup of pressure that might blow the containment cap off the end of the pipe and to keep seawater out of the system.
But it's not expected to capture all of the oil. BP will use dispersants on oil that leaks from the cap – leaking anticipated because the company encountered problems trying to make a clean cut to the top of the pipe spewing the oil.
Hopes of actually stopping the flow now rest with two relief wells BP is drilling. The aim is to use them as conduits for cement, which BP will pump into the leaking well to seal it. The company has said it will take another two months to finish drilling the wells.
Yet the administration has its own bit of encouraging news to share. This week, the US Army Corps of Engineers issued permits to Louisiana to build six long sand berms that state officials want to build just off several vulnerable barrier islands and marsh inlets to keep more oil from these fragile, economically vital habitats. Ahead of the president's visit to the region last week, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis said he hoped the administration would sign off on the permits.
This time around, Mr. Obama could offer something to help people cope with the disaster – accelerating a program set to start in 2017 in which the federal government will share the revenue from offshore oil leases with Louisiana, says Wendell Curole, who heads the Southern LaFourche Levee District in Lafourche Parish and traces his family's presence in the region back seven generations.
The US government pulls in some $7 billion a year in royalties, he says. Starting up that program as soon as possible, instead of waiting until 2017, would help offset some of the economic losses people here already are feeling as a result of the blowout.
Even a clear statement of the region's value to the rest of the nation would help, Mr. Curole adds. Like many here, he says that if this incident had happened just off Florida, in the Chesapeake Bay, or in California's Sacramento River Delta, the federal response would have been more aggressive.
The comment reflects what LSU's Dr. Goidel says is a broader yearning among residents here to correct what they see as an underappreciation around the rest of the country for what the delta region contributes. Some 30 percent of the fish caught in US waters are caught off the delta, because of its unique ecology, Curole says.
If Obama "would just say: The delta is a very unique place; there's no delta in North America that can match the Mississippi Delta with its tremendous risks and tremendous rewards,' that would help reassure people that he has the region highlighted on his map," he says.
IN PICTURES: Louisiana oil spill