text:
Our Voice: We're grateful for people (Brandon Lott), projects (Carousel) that keep going
We've all been involved in projects that seem to just go on and on with no end in sight. Maybe it was your whole high school career or just a particularly long Friday afternoon at work.
Regardless, we admire people who keep sticking with it -- whatever it is.
One step at a time
Brandon Lott. Wow.
Endurance athletes mystify us. Last week the 40-year-old Lott of Burbank ran 350 miles in just under 7 days. That averages to 50 miles a day. Most of us won't run 50 miles this year.
How does one do that?
There are some among our ranks who try to walk to the mailbox every day -- just for the exercise. A few of us only make it as far as the end of the driveway to pick up the newspaper.
Lott says he didn't run at all during the first half of his life. Hated it. That changed in his early 20s, after he recovered from a serious accident that left him in a coma and paralyzed.
He didn't run his first marathon until 2006. Since then, however, he has amassed a lot of miles. We would love to take a peek at his running log.
He's really come a long way.
We're not suggesting that everyone pack up a sled and head to Alaska for a big race, but we do suspect that we can all do a little more than we think we can.
Lott also organizes the Badger Mountain Challenge. The 2013 event is at the end of this month. If you don't want to run the 15K, 50K or 100-mile races, he's probably accepting volunteers to take care of those who do.
Like we said, "Wow!"
"Thanks a-Lott" for inspiring us, Brandon.
The 'Boss'
We also are inspired by Fred Burnham. He's been a service clerk at Albertson's for 22 years.
Apparently the new trend is to stay on any job for 4.5 years, so Burnham is past the statistical average. Co-workers describe him as cheerful, sweet and helpful. He also must be dependable and determined to stay in one place that long.
Ah, that we could all have those words spoken of us.
Carousel of Dreams
And while we're talking about endurance and perseverance, the carousel project comes to mind.
This has been a long time in the works. Each donation -- especially the big ones, but the little ones are appreciated too -- brings us closer to the reality.
Toyota of Tri-Cities' gift of $500,000 will not only help the carousel get going, but it will help with the operating costs for the first several years. (Which has to be a concern for the planners.)
A carousel is a good metaphor for life. Sometimes in life it seems like we're going around in circles, with plenty of ups and downs, but over the long haul, we do make progress.
It's a matter of keeping going.
We're grateful for our mundane everyday affairs and steps that add up to grand adventures.


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Community Services That Can Help With Care
Getty Images
En español | For older adults who need support to stay independent in their homes, there are a growing number of private and public organizations that offer home and community-based services. Many of these services can help solve long-term care issues and ease the strain on the caregiver. Ranging from bi-weekly help with household chores to round-the-clock in-home care, these services are provided by nurses, trained aides and volunteers. They may take some seeking out, but these services can be well worth the search. Here is some information to help you get started.
Eldercare Locator
Get help finding local services in your loved one's community. The Eldercare Locator provides area-specific recommendations for services including home care, meal plans, transportation options and more. Use the handy search tool on their website.
Companionship Services
Local agencies on aging often provide an affordable service whereby older adults are matched with a companion who checks in on a regular basis — both in person and over the phone — to provide home supervision, reassurance and friendly, social interaction. This frequent communication from a companion can help rid caregivers of some of the guilt associated with not being able to stop in as often as they'd like. For information regarding companionship offerings, contact your state's agency on aging.
General Housekeeping and Upkeep
For those unable to manage day-to-day tasks such as laundry, cooking, errands and shopping, homemakers and home-care aides can come in handy. These folks can also provide help with bathing and dressing. For general home upkeep, there are home repair services that will perform minor maintenance and repairs. Both of these providers generally charge an hourly rate. Your state's agency on aging or local senior center may be able to point you in the direction of these services.
Meal Programs
Preparing meals on a daily basis can become a stress on older adults. There may come a time when a meal delivery service is needed. Or, if your loved one lives near a senior center or in a facility that arranges group meals, arrangements can be made for him to join a meal group. Find out what meal options are available in your area by calling your local senior center for more information.
Senior Centers
In many communities across the country, senior centers offer older adults the opportunity to gather with their peers in a casual setting and participate in a variety of activities and programs. These centers provide an engaging environment for our older loved ones to age successfully and with fulfillment. Patrons can take part in a variety of activities including exercise classes, day trips and excursions and, in some locations, continuing education classes. Meals are generally offered and health screenings are often available, too. Check your phone book for a senior center near you or visit the National Council on Aging's website.
Whether or not caregivers are nearby to offer transportation for their loved one, there will come a time when alternative transportation options are necessary. There are a variety of transportation services in most communities: taxis, hired car services, volunteer drivers, Dial-a-Ride, ride sharing, public transportation, etc. To learn more about these options, check out our article on transportation alternatives.
Adult Day Services
Older adults who require supervised assistance throughout the day can visit adult day centers for services in a group setting. Check out our article on adult day services to learn more.
Faith Communities
Some religious organizations offer services of many kinds to older people. If your loved one is already connected to a community, inquire within about their programs for seniors. For example, Faith in Action is a nondenominational network of volunteers who help people stay in their homes.
Disease-Specific Organizations
For those who suffer from diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes or cancer, and their caregivers, disease-specific organizations often provide services that can help both patient and caregiver. The Alzheimer's Association, for example, has a 24-hour helpline where loved ones can turn with questions or if they need someone to talk to. They also offer a 24-hour emergency response service for those suffering from the disease and their families, and an online support community for caregivers. To learn more about the Alzheimer's Association's programs and services, visit their website. The American Cancer Society provides helpful advice on how to be a caregiver to a cancer patient and also offers an online community where cancer caregivers can connect and support one another. Visit the American Cancer Society's website for more information.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
farmer + miller + baker
Through Carolina Ground we link the farmer, miller, and baker. We offer a flour of REGIONAL distinction, a flour of PROVINCE and a flour of QUALITY. We COLD STONE MILL our grains to produce a flour whose vibrance and quality is recognizably LOCAL. For lovers of good bread, this means better bread. And for the farmer and baker, it means a tangible level of security and sustainability.
Carolina Ground enables long-term relationships to be established between SOUTHERN farmers and bakers, giving us the means to build our knowledge base of local grains both in the field and in the bakery and in the process, improving our daily bread from the ground up.


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Panasonic PT-LC55E manuals collected with invaluable support of our users from official manufacturers websites, as well as manually scanned documents are present here. Choose the manual that answers your current questions (recommendations for everyday use, troubleshooting, diagnostics or repairs) as well as the language version of the document. Download, browse and share the latest Panasonic PT-LC55E documentation on this page.
Panasonic PT-LC55E Compatible Manuals and Instructions:
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dethtoll fails to get it. Again.
But if he did that he wouldn't be TELLIN' IT LIKE IT IS
dethtoll fails to get it. Again.
I mean the final version that TDS is built on.
Then, once again, you're changing your argument.
You really are dense aren't you?
I think that the Unreal engine was a poor choice for Thief DS since it's obvious that the starting platform in combination with the skills of the developers and the demands of the game type have resulted in the flawed engine that we know as Flesh.
I also think that had a different engine been used, specifically one that did not require the team to overcome existing restraints and affect such large (ultimately flawed) modifications, TDS would have turned out better.
Furthermore I believe that the Doom 3 engine would have been more suitable and that the dates of release are not important in this evaluation afterall you wouldn't use a hot poker to scratch your arse because even if it was the only thing lying around it's STILL a poor choice you ignorant bore .
The Doom 3 engine, as far as I can tell from The Dark Mod experience, is better suited to stealth gameplay. It already has dynamic shadows for starters and appears to not need as much tweaking as the Unreal engine did. Let's put it this way - an amature mod team seems to doing a better job of it than the professionals did with another engine.
The patient might well do that but that doesn't mean that the surgeon will operate because sometimes it's the right thing to not operate. They say that the mark of a good surgeon is knowing when not to operate, and I think that the analogy fits well in the context of the TDS engine discussion.
Last edited by Jason Moyer; 29th Nov 2007 at 17:56.
Oh this is a drag. I'm not complaining about the level size - they are small and if a different engine meant they were still small BUT we got other benefits then I'd by happy.
I've edited my previous post in respect to games on XBox btw.
These back and forths are really interesting, guys.
Yeah, discussion on a discussion forum can be so fascinating.
Oh snap! dethtoll *zings* the Scots! rofl
Haha yeah, "discussion".
Awww, I'm just kidding Scots. This "discussion" is rather dull (mainly because certain people can't think for themselves and I'm having to play the spelling it out game. again. yawn).
Bye Scots. Have fun with DXIW. I'm going to be playing it soon - I also only played the beginning.
Well I imagine this game is going to be better than IW at the very least. Not that I know much about IW because I quit playing it during the second level out of disgust. Then again, I did that with DX1 for a time because the first level sucked so hard...maybe I should go back and give IW another chance--
Uh, anyways on the bright side, consoles are a lot more comparable to modern day PCs than in the days of IW/DS so the game will only have a crippled UI and gameplay pruned for simplicity rather than being limited by underpowered hardware specs. Still, with a bad enough dev team, I'm sure they can find a way to screw that up too.
It's nice to see that they're planning on dropping a lot of cash on it because that at the very least suggests the game will look nice which was a major failing point of the previous two games. I being a shameless graphics whore can enjoy a mediocre game as long as it stimulates my eyes.
What I'm really interested in is how obnoxious they'll manage to make hacking/lockpicking. I swear there must be a secret contest going on between all the dev studios.
I take it you haven't tried it?
Imagine Simon Says without tones to suggest pace.
Bioshock's tubes were a work of art compared to this shit IMO...and at least they stayed in-theme.


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Entering Thursday night's game, the Ravens led the NFL with 19 completions of 20 or more yards. They added five more against the Browns, giving them 24 in four games. That total is eight more than the Carolina Panthers, who are second in the NFL with 16. No wonder Flacco, who threw for 356 yards on Thursday, ranked second in passing yards through three games.
Harbaugh said Cleveland's emphasis on stuffing Rice opened up some deep throws for Flacco.
"You have to do that, and there was a lot of tight coverage out there. I thought the guys did a good job, too, of making catches for him [and] Joe throwing the ball into tight spots with tremendous accuracy," Harbaugh said after the game. "That defensive front is really good. That is a good, young front. They did a nice job, and as you said, they were loading up the box."
After second-year wide receiver Tandon Doss came up with a 39-yard grab Thursday, eight different Ravens now have receptions of 20-plus yards. Torrey Smith leads the Ravens with six.
Harbaugh loving support from Orioles
In the second half of Thursday's game, the high-definition video boards at M&T; Bank Stadium showed Orioles manager Buck Showalter, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., and several Orioles players watching the game from a suite inside the stadium. Harbaugh was touched that the Orioles, who had a night off from their pennant race, showed up at the stadium to support the Ravens.
"That was big. I didn't think about it until I saw those guys up there," Harbaugh said. "I think the world of that team. I love Buck. … I think he does a great job. They play fundamentally sound baseball. My dad is a big baseball guy, so we grew up watching [Cleveland] Indians games."
Harbaugh believes the Ravens can draw inspiration from the Orioles, who keep finding ways to overcome adversity and win games. "This is a special team, man," Harbaugh said of the Orioles.
End zone
Ravens players have the weekend off and will return to the facility Monday to start preparing for next Sunday's game against the Chiefs. … Harbaugh said the offensive line, which has two unproven starters in rookie right tackle Kelechi Osemele and young left guard Ramon Harewood, played "amazingly well" in the first quarter of the season. … Harbaugh said on Flacco's interception Thursday, his first in the red zone since December 2009, the quarterback might not have seen Browns linebacker Craig Robertson sneak into the flat to pick off the pass. … Linebacker Paul Kruger, who recorded his first sack of the season and broke up two passes against the Browns, said Thursday was the closest his back has felt to 100 percent since he first injured it. … Tucker was glad he bounced back by making an extra point after the first missed field goal of his career. The miss sailed just wide of the right upright from 47 yards out.
firstname.lastname@example.com twitter.com/mattvensel
Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson contributed to this article.


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Lawmakers don't have a monopoly on how to solve the Social Security crisis. In fact, average Americans also have plenty of creative ways to increase revenue and/or reduce outlays to the Social Security Trust Fund, which come 2033 will be able to pay out about three-quarters of scheduled benefits through 2086.
Case in point is a reader who recently suggested that he would gladly forego his Social Security benefit if in return the government didn't tax his IRA/401(k) distributions. Absent crunching the numbers, it's hard to say whether this tactic would have any meaningful effect on the Social Security Trust Fund.
But the suggestion—along with a similar one from a financial adviser (what if annuity investors could get their annuity benefits/payout tax free if they forgo Social Security?)—inspires this thought: Maybe it's time to create a national suggestion box where Americans can submit their ideas to fix Social Security crisis.
Big tax bills can devastate your retirement savings. MarketWatch's Robert Powell and Andrea Coombes talk about strategies to employ before and during retirement to lower your taxes.
Check out the new
MarketWatch Retirement
RetireMentors: In-the-trenches advice
Ways to boost Social Security payout
Retire here, not there: California
10 things your 401(k) plan won't tell you
And to jump-start things a bit, I asked some of the nation's top financial advisers for their in- and out-of-the box ideas. Consider this the start of our national suggestion box.
Disconnect Social Security and Medicare
Diahann Lassus, president of Lassus Wherley, has clients who don't need the income from Social Security, but do need access to Medicare. "If we disconnected the two systems totally in terms of qualifying maybe some folks who needed access to Medicare but really didn't need Social Security could make that choice," she said.
Another option, she said, would be a means test for Social Security that would not automatically disqualify them from Medicare. "Creating a system that wasn't quite so automatic in terms of how we look at the sign-ups might help but not sure how to quantify how much," she said.
Having some level of means testing could help in other ways too. "Some people, including myself, view Social Security as insurance," she said. "Like many types of insurance we pay into over the years (other than life) we don't necessarily expect to need it or use it in some cases. That isn't out-of-the box but certainly something we need to consider."
Another idea: Instead of disconnecting Social Security and Medicare, connect them. Let's line up Medicare eligibility and Social Security eligibility ages to encourage people to work longer, said Lisa A.K. Kirchenbauer, president of Omega Wealth Management.
Reframing the discussion
Lassus also thinks the nation needs to reframe the discussion about Social Security. "I think the biggest challenge we have is that many who pay into Social Security believe they have a right to get their money back," she said. "When, in fact, it was designed to help those lower income individuals who didn't have pensions or other assets. So, we need to reframe expectations around what Social Security really is and what the objective should be for individuals. If we really believe it needs to be for those who don't have other significant means that creates a very different paradigm than the expectation that we will all receive it regardless of whether we need it."
Time to change the paradigm
Help people save more so they won't have to be so dependent on Social Security is another idea. Lassus once testified before the House Subcommittee on Social Security in 1999 and discuss the issue of small businesses having no pensions for their employers. "There are many challenges with Social Security today including the fact that so many corporations have eliminated pensions or converted them to 401(k) plans where individuals are responsible for their own savings," she said.
Another part of this challenge is in the area of small business. "We still have many small businesses that have no pension plan for their employees even though we have successfully passed legislation to make it more cost effective to do so," Lassus said. "The bottom line is that I think more people are becoming dependent on Social Security today because of many of these other issues. How can we change this paradigm?"
Get a tax credit
Marc Freedman, president and CEO of Freedman Financial, proposed this tactic. A retirement benefit at full retirement age is $2,513 per month this year or $30,156 year. "If you assume that the spouse gets half that amount or $15,000, that's $45,000 per year," he said. "If someone were to elect giving up a $45,000 income stream for life; you'd essentially be asking them to give up about $1.2 million in income benefit. That's the amount of money you would need to give to an insurance company to produce a $45,000 income stream for two people."
Now, assume that a $45,000 income stream creates at $10,000 tax liability. "If someone were willing to give up their Social Security income; how about offering a $10,000 tax credit to the individual," he said. "The Government makes net $35,000 per year on the deal and the tax payer gets to save $10,000 against other taxable income."
Education required
Part of the problem with Social Security is that more people than ever before are collecting and many of those beneficiaries are living longer than ever before. And Louis Barajas, a financial adviser and author of five books, thinks a little education about this fact could go a long way. "Educate the public around the original historical reasons and demographics of the times for establishing Social Security," he said. "Life expectancy, birthrates, health-care costs are dramatically different and Social Security needs to be adjusted to reflect these changes."


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Seattle Seahawks
Brash Golden Tate backs up his words
After his career-best day, Golden Tate was on to Round 4 of interviews at his corner locker.
The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver had caught eight passes for 129 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown, against a talkative St. Louis Rams secondary he had mocked earlier in the season.
"I don't know how I do it," Tate said after the Dec. 29 regular-season finale at CenturyLink Field. "It's God-given talent. I'm very thankful for it."
That is Tate the Jock speaking, a persona that dominates his life. He's straining to deliver humility and likely believes he has. Yet, it distinctly sounds like bragging.
And really, it's that Tate, 25, can't help himself considering his athletic prowess. He trash-talks his pal, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, when they play pop-a-shot basketball at a Bellevue bowling alley. Naturally, Tate beat Wilson for an hour straight.
He successfully swings golf clubs from the right side with a left-handed grip. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of high school and played baseball and football at Notre Dame, where he won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver.
He wants to be the star, believing his superlative ability will make him one. In his fourth NFL season, he led the Seahawks in receptions and yards receiving. It's the spotlighted role he begged coach Pete Carroll for since Seattle risked the 60th overall pick in 2010 on a guy some thought was too small or too undisciplined for the NFL.
Finally, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Tate finds himself where he expected and wanted to be: on the cusp of being an indispensable playmaker.
"My load has increased a lot each
year, and this team depends on me giving them a spark, and that's how I want to be seen," Tate said. "I'm happy with where I am, but I definitely want to do more for this team. I feel like I can do more, especially with Doug (Baldwin) opening it up, Percy (Harvin) opening it up, Jermaine (Kearse) opening it up. With 3 (Wilson) being so versatile back in the pocket, Marshawn (Lynch) being up there. I feel like the more I can do, the better I feel we'll be."
For a man with the Twitter handle ShowtimeTate, doubt is not an option.
Tate's controversial Hail Mary touchdown in September 2012 against the Green Bay Packers was not his first simultaneous-catch situation.
On Oct. 31, 2009, Notre Dame played Washington State at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Tate was in the middle of his best and final year with the Fighting Irish. On the final play before halftime, he ran his primary route, the simplistic go route. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen rolled right, set and heaved.
Tate jumped into a group of WSU defenders, clasped the ball and fell to the ground. Three Cougars tried to wrestle the ball away, but Tate held on for a touchdown to end the first half.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," said Charlie Weis, Tate's coach at Notre Dame. "The difference is, he caught that one."
Weis met Tate when recruiting him out of Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tenn., about 15 minutes north of downtown Nashville.
Tate, the third Golden in his family, was a running back. The Irish wanted him to be a wide receiver. He knew approximately zero routes.
"We would just say, 'Run down the field as fast as you can, and when they throw it to you, go catch it,' " Weis said.
It was an effective enough approach that Tate was named the nation's best wide receiver in 2009.
Clashes between Weis and Tate would seem logical because of their large personalities, prominent egos and deep wells of sarcasm from which to draw.
Instead of colliding, those personality traits blended. Weis, now the coach at Kansas, can't say enough good things about Tate. They have developed a friendship that causes Weis to still worry about and check in with his former receiver.
"I love the kid, so I have an open bias, and you can state that," Weis said.
Weis said he feels Tate's maple bar incident — when he went into a Top Pot Doughnuts shop at 3 a.m. his rookie year in pursuit of one, prompting a call to the police and a warning for trespassing — is a gift that keeps on giving. He still derides Tate for the incident.
"We've done all we can to humiliate him for it," Weis said.
He's also exasperated when he sees Tate make a mistake, such as when he was flagged for taunting in St. Louis while 20 yards from the end zone.
"I saw it ... I saw it," Weis said. "He is a bit of a loose cannon, so every once in a while when he does something stupid, I make sure I drop him a text to let him know that, yes, Golden, the rest of the free world knows you just did something stupid."
A large reason Weis likes Tate so much is because he's among the people who show up for Weis' annual charity golf tournament. Weis' 17-year-old daughter, Hannah, has special needs. The tournament helps raise money for Hannah and Friends, Weis' nonprofit foundation that works to improve "the quality of life for children and adults with special needs."
In typical Tate fashion, he doesn't just show up. He shows up in multicolored knickers, styled akin to late pro golfer Payne Stewart if Stewart had been blasted with neon paintballs. Tate has worn the colors of Notre Dame and the Seahawks. In a perfect twist, he purchases the clothing from the website Loudmouth.com.
"He flies in every year at his own cost," Weis said. "Two years ago, he came in bright yellow. All he is is a goofball. He's just a very, very great person to be around. He's funny, he's engaging, he's entertaining. He's the type of guy you could be close with the rest of your life."
It took Tate time to realize his athleticism alone would not be enough in the NFL.
"You've got to, especially as a young guy, earn the trust," Tate said. "Believe it or not, the NFL is going to go on with or without you. And they'll forget about you quickly. So it's always a constant grind trying to prove yourself."
As a rookie, he began working Carroll.
"I've always begged, just begged, just let me loose," Tate said. "I'm telling you. I can do the same things I did in college. I can break games open. At any moment, I can score a touchdown or get a big first down."
Carroll had a simple response to Tate's pleading: "Don't tell me, show me."
Each season, Tate's production has increased. He had 21 catches his rookie year, then 35, then 45, before the career-high 64 this season for 898 yards.
He's also become one of the better punt returners, using his unpredictable approach — careening all over the field while spinning and taking hits — to average 11.5 yards per return, ninth best in the league. He was voted a Pro Bowl alternate at punt returner.
After not trusting him enough to make him a focus, Carroll said he feels as if Tate has arrived this season after showing significant progress midway through last season.
"We've always held the thought that he would be able to be this kind of player, and he's thrilled by it, too," Carroll said. "It just wasn't quite happening in the first year or so. But in our minds, we've totally relied on him. We can't wait to give him the football and see what he's going to do with it next."
During an interview at Tate's locker in the practice facility, Seahawks communications intern Myron Beck stands nearby.
Beck has long dreadlocks, the same ones that came out of the back of his crimson helmet in 2009 when he was a linebacker and safety at Washington State. The same ones that fell to the Alamodome turf along with Tate during the memorable Hail Mary play. Tate is asked how often he brings up the moment to Beck, who was the last of three Cougars trying to wrestle the ball away.
"Not often," Tate said. "He knows what I did to him."
That prompts the ever-so-slight tell from the corners of Tate's mouth, which curl upward when he's pleased with a just-delivered zing. The laugh remains in his eyes. Otherwise, he stares straight ahead.
This is the package with Tate. Impenetrable confidence without malice, supplemented by a strong embrace of trash-talking.
"I wouldn't call him arrogant because arrogant, I think, has a negative connotation," Weis said. "I'd say he's cocky and confident."
The Seahawks must decide how much they want to pay for Tate's skills and self-belief. He's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Baldwin is a restricted free agent. Cutting a veteran — such as injured Sidney Rice — will give Seattle more space under the league's salary cap. But All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman, among others, are a year away from big paydays in free agency.
Tate's base salary this year is $630,000, a pittance by NFL standards. With his rookie contract ending, he's likely to make 10 times that, or more, with his next deal.
"It's way, way, way in the back of my head, and it's something I won't think about until the season is over with," Tate said. "That's something I'll let the people upstairs worry about. I'll let my agents do their work. That's why I hired them. My job is to play football. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible. Play football and do my job, and let the rest work out.
"We have a chance to be very, very special. I don't want to selfishly take away from myself or this team by worrying about what's going to happen next year or what's going to happen ... will I be here or not? I'm just playing football right now."
He's doing it in the manner he always envisioned. He's sure of that. Just ask him.blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks


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European Commission
Brussels, 7 May 2013
Green light to launch formal talks on EU budget for 2014-2020
A meeting on Monday evening (6 May) between Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and Taoiseach Enda Kenny for the Irish Presidency of the Council ended the current stalemate and paved the way to start political negotiations on the European Union's future budget 2014-2020 between Council, Parliament and Commission and on an amending budget for 2013.
In the meeting the following was agreed:
To start formal negotiations on the MFF and in parallel to negotiate on the draft amending budget for 2013 which will be agreed in two stages, the Presidency of the Council has tabled a proposal for a first tranche of EUR 7.3 billion which will be submitted to the ECOFIN Council for approval on 14 May. This figure is EUR 3.9 billion short of the EUR 11.2 billion proposed by the Commission as the minimum needed to meet the EU's financial obligations in 2013. EUR 11.2 billion is also the amount still available under the ceiling which can be agreed by qualified majority.
The Presidency of the Council will work with Member States on a political commitment regarding the second tranche and on how they will meet the remaining obligations by early autumn. The Presidents of the European Parliament and the Commission stressed the need for EUR 11.2 billion.
Negotiations on the MFF will start with a trilogue on 13 May. These negotiations will start on the basis of the European Council conclusions of February 2013 focusing on four main points:
It was also agreed not to re-open the figures agreed on administrative expenditure (Heading 5) and accordingly to speed up the negotiations on the staff regulations which are part and parcel of the MFF package.
Both negotiations on MFF and the draft amending budget should converge as quickly as possible – but nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. The President of the European Parliament recalled the EP resolution of 13 March 2013 on the MFF which states that "the European Parliament will not conclude these negotiations before the final adoption by the Council and the Parliament of this amending budget".
Side Bar


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Longtime Benton County 4-H volunteer Tina Ives and son Dylan Carver have lost more than 50 pounds each since they resolved to keep active and eat better.
COLE CAMP, Mo.—It's time to get moving. That's the message of the "Move Across Missouri" program to 4-H youth and their families.
By keeping a running tally, 4-H'ers can see how a few minutes or an hour here and there quickly adds up. In 2010, more than 460 people signed up for Move Across Missouri. About 300 of them regularly recorded their activity throughout a four-month competition period. Participants logged almost 100,000 hours—nearly 6 million minutes—of physical activity.
When Tina Ives and son Dylan Carver's 4-H club started participating in Move Across Missouri last year, the club began to incorporate physical activity into meetings and events. Healthier food was served at club events: fruit kebabs instead of donuts, for example, and lean ground beef, courtesy of the Missouri Beef Industry Council, which sponsors the program.
During one outing, Ives realized she needed to do a better job of practicing what she preached. "We took them for a walk up to the top of a hill," she recalls. "Halfway up the hill, we had to stop just so I could catch my breath. I realized that I can't teach a child to eat healthy and live healthy if I'm not an example of doing that myself. I didn't feel good. I was embarrassed, and I decided it was time to get right."
Reviewed 2013-02-18


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Homeowners are not the only ones going green these days - the hospitality industry has caught onto environmentally-friendly trends as well. In an effort to save money and appease eco-conscious guests, more hotels and resorts are upgrading their facilities to improve their sustainability.
If you are a contractor working with clients in the hospitality industry, you will likely come across individuals who want to better their hotels by going green. While this may seem like a challenging, expensive task, there are a few alterations you can make to a building to quickly transform it into a more environmentally-friendly place.
Electric floor heating is one option that can help hotel owners cut back on their heating costs throughout the year. Radiant heat can reduce the need to crank the thermostat to keep rooms at a comfortable temperature. As an added bonus, radiant floor heating is also eco-friendly and can easily be installed by a professional.
Next, GlobalStewards.org reports that installing LED lights and compact fluorescent bulbs can help reduce electricity costs over time. Best of all, these fixtures last longer than incandescent lights.
Hotel owners who don't mind doing extensive renovations might want to think about the possibility of skylights instead. This option can reduce the need to use electricity and standard lighting by allowing more sunlight to flow into frequented areas of the hotel.
Energy Star provides a number of appliances that can provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to standard washers, dryers and dishwashers. These items can be particularly helpful to those in the hospitality industry as they deal with a large number of people on a daily basis. Furthermore, hotel and resort owners may be able to save money and qualify for tax breaks by using these appliances.
TreeHugger.com reports that water tends to be a significant drain on resources and money in hotels. As a result, more resorts in Europe are only providing hot water during certain times of the day or limiting shower times to one minute. While hotel owners don't have to go as far as to place restrictions on their guests, you might want to encourage them to install low-flow showerheads to reduce water waste instead. Similarly, low-flow toilets can go a long way in preventing the waste of gallons of water.
As sustainability becomes a growing trend in the hospitality industry, familiarizing yourself with these green ideas can help you better serve your clients.
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This story is about a man who hiked the Appalachian Trail and how much it changed his life.
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilde ... hian-trail
Trigger warning: The before and after photos are shocking.
I have read in other places that women emerge in much better shape than men at the end of such hikes.
Has anyone here done the PCT or AT, and wants to talk aboot it?


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My attention was directed this morning to a rather interesting policy paper from the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a think tank that works on "keeping the Internet open, innovative, and free." The paper looks at some of the civil liberty issues surrounding health IT, and what should be done to maximize patient safety, privacy, and confidence.
The white paper lists a series of core principles for privacy, along the lines of those put forth by the Markle Foundation's Connecting for Health project. It reads like a list of Dr. House's worst things in the world. Among other things, there should be an openness surrounding the collection of information, so a patient can find out what sort of information is being stored. Patients should be told why their data is being captured, along with a guarantee that the data would never be shared without consent or for unrelated purposes. Oversight and accountability need to be incorporated, along penalties for transgressions.
Reading the list of core principles, I'm struck by how similar they seem to the UK's Data Protection Act, and I can't see many (other than the aforementioned Dr. House) taking umbrage. They are also in keeping with other developments in health information policy, such as GINA, the recent law that bans genetic discrimination.
CDT also recommends against using central data storage, but instead spread across a 'network of networks.' I'm envisaging this to mean keeping specialized test results on the computers of the labs that conducted them, which a primary care doctor wouldn't need to keep a copy of, but could just access as and when necessary.
Finally, CDT also stresses the importance of ensuring that accountability and oversight actually happen. HIPAA, the current law governing patient confidentiality, doesn't apply to every healthcare relationship, as some state or local organizations are not covered, and the pace of development in health IT means that new safeguards are needed.
The field looks set to expand from the records your general practitioner or hospital keep on you to include personal health IT platforms, such as those being worked on by Microsoft and Google. Currently, neither Microsoft nor Google's personal health IT offerings would fall under HIPAA, but both have signed up, along with other companies, to adopt the Markle Foundation's core principles. Individuals' health records can be assumed to be at least as sensitive as financial documents. The health IT industry will have to ensure confidence, privacy, and security are at least as good as those associated with online banking and e-commerce.


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Who are the top fishermen in the state? Mark Mohan of Pembroke and Jake Souza of Berkeley were just named Adult and Youth Anglers of the Year, respectively, by MassWildlife.
Also just announced were the Freshwater Gold Pin award winners who caught the state's heaviest fish in 2013.
There was no exaggerating any of these catches. All had to be certified officially. Overall, this list is valuable not only to reveal our most successful fishermen, but also to highlight the special waters that produced our largest fish.
In addition to the Gold Pin anglers, many unnamed conservationists and wildlife managers deserve a tip of the hat for helping Massachusetts continue to protect and preserve excellent fishing waters.
Largemouth bass, 9 pounds, 8 ounces, Little Long Pond, Plymouth, by Phillip Strassel, Plymouth; smallmouth bass, 6 pounds, 1 ounce, Mystic Lake, Barnstable, by Jeff Capute, Centerville; bullhead, 2 pounds, 8 ounces, Furnace Pond, Pembroke, by Mark Mohan Jr., Pembroke; carp, 40 pounds, 2 ounces, Connecticut River, Holyoke, by Shane Emerson, Greenfield; channel catfish, 13 pounds, 9 ounces, Connecticut River, Springfield, by Nicholas Eastman, Springfield; white catfish, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, Mashpee-Wakeby Pond, Mashpee, by Eddie Lemieux, Acushnet; crappie, 3 pounds, 1 ounces, Singletary Lake, Millbury, by Brian Cofske, Oxford.
Also, white perch, 3 pounds, Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston, by John Keating, Carlisle; yellow perch, 2 pounds, 4 ounces, Glen Echo Lake, Charlton, by Wayne Andrews, Holden; chain pickerel, 6 pounds, 7 ounces, Wequaquet Lake, Barnstable, by Capute; northern pike, 24 pounds, 5 ounces, Wequaquet Lake, Barnstable, by Capute; broodstock salmon, 10 pounds, 6 ounces, Cliff Pond, Brewster, by Jake Howarth, Brewster; landlocked salmon, 6 pounds, 5 ounces, Quabbin Reservoir, by John MacGeachey, Rutland; American shad, 5 pounds, 5 ounces, Connecticut River, Holyoke, by Philip Lees, Westfield.
Also, sunfish, 1 pound, 8 ounces, Ashunet Pond, Falmouth, by Todd Matera, Palmer; brook trout, 3 pounds, 7 ounces, Peters Pond, Sandwich, by Wilton Gray III, Lakeville; brown trout, 11 pounds, 4 ounces, Onota Lake, Pittsfield, by Richard Garhartt, Berlin, N.Y.; lake trout, 17 pounds, 9 ounces, Quabbin Reservoir, by Jason Grigas, Ware; rainbow trout, 6 pounds, 11 ounces, Stillwater River, West Boylston, by Mark Mohan Jr., Pembroke; tiger trout, 3 pounds, 12 ounces, Upper Lagoon Pond, Oak Bluffs, by Rich Roy, Vineyard Haven; walleye, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, Connecticut River, Montague, by Edward Brozo, Bernardston.
Under-18 anglers were also awarded gold pins, including John Hannam of Rutland, who won three of them. Some of the state's future great fishermen will emerge from this list:
Largemouth bass, 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Paradise Pond, Princeton, by Jonathan Clark, Hubbardston; smallmouth bass, 5 pounds, 2 ounces, Quabbin Reservoir, Jadrien Berthiaume, Ware; bullhead, 6 pounds, 1 ounces, Cheshire Reservoir, Cheshire, by Nathan Luczinski, Cheshire; carp, 23 pounds, 2 ounces, Woods Pond, Lee, by Taur Adamczyk, Taunton; channel catfish, 9 pounds, 4 ounces, Connectiut River, Chicopee, by Alan Best III, Chicopee; white catfish, 4 pounds, Jenkins Pond, Falmouth, by Aidan Webb, East Falmouth; crappie, 2 pounds, 11 ounces, Singletary Lake, Millbury, by Michael Janowicz, Sterling.
Also, white perch, 2 pounds, 13 ounces, Wachusett Reservoir, West Boylston, by Rylie Jimenez, Auburn; yellow perch, 1 pound, 10 ounces, Parker Pond, Barnstable, Charles Anderson, Middleboro; yellow perch, 1 pound, 10 ounces, Connecticut River, Easthampton, by Ayva Crosby, Easthampton; chain pickerel, 6 pounds, 1 ounces, Herring Pond, Eastham, by Richie Emerson, Orleans; northern pike, 21 pounds, 4 ounces, Buel Lake, Monterey, by Hunter Kempf, Sullivan, N.H.; broodstock salmon, 13 pounds, 12 ounces, Little Pond, Plymouth, by West Amoling, Manomet; landlocked salmon, 4 pounds, 11 ounces, Quabbin Reservoir, by Hannam; American shad, 4 pounds, 15 ounces, Connecticut River, Holyoke, by Andrew Rogalski, Bondsville; sunfish, 1 pound, 2 ounces, Snake Pond, Sandwich, by Jake Souza, Berkley; sunfish, 1 pound, 2 ounces, Jenkins Pond, Falmouth, by Aidan Webb, East Falmouth.
Also, brook trout, 2 pounds, 5 ounces, Peters Pond, Sandwich, by Ryan Aittaniemi, West Barnstable; Brook trout, 2 pounds, 5 ounces, Sheep Pond, Brewster, by Tyler Brundage, West Yarmouth; brook trout, 2 pounds, 5 ounces, Asnacomet Pond, Hubbardston, by Hannam; brown trout, 3 pounds, 12 ounces, Mattawa Lake, Orange, by Kyler Ittner, Wilbraham; lake trout, 13 pounds, 6 ounces, Quabbin Reservoir, by Tyler Martin, Monson; rainbow trout, 4 pounds, Long Pond, Plymouth, by Timothy Nagle, Plymouth; tiger trout, 3 pounds, 3 ounces, Asnacomet Pond, Hubbardston, by Hannam; walleye, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, Connecticut River, Gill, by Trevor Lapinski, Montague.
Clinton derby winners
Toby Crowley sent in the results of the Clinton Super Saturday Ice Fishing Derby. Crowley runs a great competition, turning 100 percent of the entry fees back into prizes for the anglers.
Jon Morse of Worcester took home first prize of $750 for the biggest largemouth bass (3 pounds, 14 ounces). Josh Cotier of Clinton earned $150 for his 3-pound, 9-ounce bass, and John Peters of Ashburnham won $60 for his 3-pound bass.
In the pickerel division, the first prize of $750 went to Steve Hardy of Lunenburg (2 pounds, 7 ounces). Steve Lutes of Clinton won $150 for his 2-pound, 4-ounce fish, and Steve Rice of Clinton won $60 for his 1-pound, 15-ouncer. Morse also won $100 for his 15-ounce white perch. Winning weights were much smaller this year.
Today — "Snowy Owls," a Brookline Bird Club-sponsored program with owl expert Norman Smith, 6:30 p.m., John Glenn Middle School, 99 McMahon Road, Bedford.
Today through Sunday — Progressive Insurance New England Boat Show, Boston Convention Center, 415 Summer St., Boston. Luxury yachts, sports fishers, performance boats, personal watercraft, sailboats and newest on-the-water accessories. Cost: $15. Info: www.newenglandboatshow.com.
Today — Fox and cottontail rabbit seasons close in all zones, along with snowshoe hare in zones 1-4.
Today — Trapping seasons close for muskrat, opossum, raccoon and skunk.
Today through Sunday — Granite State Outdoor Show, Grappone Center, Concord, N.H., hours: 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $8. Info: theoutdoorgazette.com.
Sunday — 3-D Safari League, 7 a.m. to noon, Century Sportsmen's Club, Auburn.
Sunday — Birdwatching Sachuest Point NWR & Coastal Rhode Island, Forbush Bird Club. Meet at 9 a.m. at visitors' center, Middletown, R.I. Free. Leader: Paul Meleski, (508) 757-2950, firstname.lastname@example.com.
March 8 — Nashua River Ducks Unlimited Conservation Fundraiser, opens at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., Double Tree (Four Points Sheraton), 99 Erdman Way, Leominster. Cost: $60, couples $100. Info: Alan Chase, (978) 649-1833, or Dan Donnelly, (978) 345-2246.
Contact Mark Blazisat firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Discover six best practices for modernizing higher education IT.
Learn how modern IT services help attract students and retain talent.
Best practices for transitioning to a modern, cloud-ready IT foundation.
Get the latest news and trends and discover best practices for embracing digital technologies in higher education.
Contact us to discuss your digital initiatives and learn how we can help you take the next step toward complete digital transformation.
Do you have the in-house resources you need to help you deploy transformative solutions? If not, we can help.


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Mascot Puma Machine Embroidery Design
***Instant Download***An email with a link to download your designs will be sent to the email address listed on your order as soon as your payment is processed.
The designs come with the following sizes:
Product Name: N02595 - Mascots
Size: 5.15"(w) X 6.99"(h) (130.9 X 177.6mm)
You MUST have an embroidery machine and the software needed to transfer it from your computer to the machine to use this file. This listing is for the machine file only - not a finished item.
The following formats are included in the file you will receive: DST, EXP, HUS, JEF, PES, VIP, VP3, XXX
Due to the nature of this item, there are no refunds. If you get the wrong file type, or if there is a problem with the file you receive...it can be resent in the correct format.
You may use these files to make physical items for personal use or to sell, but you may not resell or distribute any other digital products or the designs.
Resizing or editing of the designs is not recommended and we can not guarantee the quality of the designs if you alter them in any way.
Accepted payment methods
DesignItNowLtd accepts the following forms of payment:


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite a 1-2 record this past weekend at Stetson the Lipscomb Lady Bisons have moved up to 28th in this week's NCAA Division I RPI ratings.
It is the highest ranking in the history of the program besting last week's No. 30 rating.
Nationally, as a team, the Lady Bisons are in the top 30 in two areas. They are 22nd in won-loss percentage (.761) and 28th in scoring (5.89).
Out of 289 teams ranked they are 45th in earned run average (2.40), 48th in doubles per game (1.43), 53rd in batting average (.303) and 65th in slugging percentage (.455).
Senior left-hander Ashley Anderson is 35th win earned run average (1.55), 41st in victories (17) and 48th in shutouts (five).
Third baseman Paige Neely is 13th in sacrifice flies with four.
Center field Brittany Elmore is 46th with in runs per game with .9.


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Every day I hear from customers who want to make collaboration more pervasive across their organizations. How do they take advantage of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)? Does it make sense to move some solutions to the cloud? What about video?
Those are all good questions, but as my colleague Rowan Trollope, SVP and GM of Cisco Collaboration Technology Group, said today, this is just the beginning. Cisco commissioned a global survey of 3,320 IT leaders from nine countries (U.S., Canada, U.K., Sweden, Germany, India, Russia, New Zealand and Australia) to find out what's really top of mind for them. The survey, conducted by Redshift Research, revealed some interesting observations, not only about what matters to IT leaders, but about the differences between Cisco's and Microsoft's approach to collaboration. Here are some of the top findings:
Nearly three out of four say Microsoft's "First and Best on Windows" strategy will have at least some negative impact on the survey respondent's business.
As some of you may know, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer was quoted as saying that Skype will always be "first and best on Windows," and then he acknowledged that cross-platform is good too. But, we'd argue that it needs to be the other way around. And we feel that the survey data clearly supports this as well. A resounding 72% of survey respondents said Microsoft's "Windows first" strategy will have at least some negative impact on their business — since it is BYOD that's here to stay, not BYOWD (Bring Your OwnWindows Device). Our own statistics highlight why being device and operating system agnostic is crucial. The latest numbers we've recorded show there have been 3.7 million downloads of the Cisco WebEx Meetings mobile app for smartphones and tablets. We've seen 72% year-over-year growth in application downloads on Apple devices and 248% year-over-year growth for Android devices. While a BYOWD world might be good for Microsoft, IT leaders know that it's not good for business.
An overwhelming 80 percent of respondents expect to get voice and video from the cloud with features and quality on par with what's offered on premises.
This is a pretty significant change from what we saw in the market just a few short years ago, when expectations of real-time communications from the cloud were far short of those expected on premises. These days, customers not only want a consistent experience, but feature parity between cloud and on premises solutions. At Cisco, we get that. We've made it our business to bring Cisco Unified Communications Manager to the cloud with our Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) offering. HCS gives cloud service providers the ability to offer the same capabilities and user experiences in the cloud as we offer on premise with no compromises. Telecom service providers and partners globally are taking notice, with 40 signed to date. Microsoft is playing catch-up in both areas; they do not have a strong global telecom provider network in place, and, as you'll see in the next set of results, there are concerns with quality and reliability.
Voice and Video Quality and Reliability
A significant number of those who have deployed Lync do not use it for business-critical external communications, and an even higher percentage maintain a proven communications system for their most important communications.
Nearly half (47%) of the IT leaders who said they have deployed Microsoft Lync in their organization indicated they do not use it for business-critical external communications, and nearly eight in 10 (77%) say they maintain a separate proven communications system since it is "important for users and calls requiring high quality/reliability." When it comes to business-critical collaboration — a contact center agent talking to a customer, executive discussions or an earnings call — communications must go off without a hitch. Smart customers know that they have to be able to provide a collaboration solution for all employees and not just those that sit at a Windows PC all day — something Cisco does day in and day out.
Nearly four out of five IT leaders say that not having a single point of accountability for the whole UC solution negatively impacts business.
Whether it's phones, gateways, contact centers or video endpoints — IT leaders want a single point of accountability for today's UC environment. Eighty seven percent said that they want a single point of accountability, and 78% said that without one, time is wasted, productivity falls or revenue can be lost. Cisco believes customers should seek vendors who can provide that single point of accountability. From our vantage point, Microsoft's multi-vendor approach involves a patch quilt of vendors, and finding out "who's on first?" when support is needed can be like finding a needle in a haystack. This can result in increased costs and reduced productivity for customers as they try to figure out how to troubleshoot and resolve problems across many different technology vendors.
It's clear that cloud, mobility, voice and video are all key market drivers in collaboration. However, as IT managers consider collaboration vendors and solutions, we think it's critical these requirements garner even more attention in the decision-making process. Collaboration is too important to an organization's business to sacrifice any of these success factors.
To learn more about these considerations, check out the wealth of information on our microsite.


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Functional, stylish: GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia – the brand's first crossover – helped define a segment that has surged in popularity since its 2007 launch. Additionally, the Denali model, added in mid-2010, broadened Acadia's appeal to luxury customers with its combination of functionality and style.
For 2013, Acadia and Acadia Denali introduce new exterior styling and greater interior versatility. The Acadia lineup includes SLE (SLE1 and SLE2 trims), SLT (SLT1 and SLT2 trims) and Denali models, with seven- or eight-passenger configurations.
Acadia Denali details
The Acadia Denali stands out with its signature Denali design cues, highlighted by a monochromatic exterior and satin-chrome accents. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues, including redesigned lower front and rear fascias; body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings and rear fascia; unique body-side moldings with satin-chrome accents and Denali badges and twenty-inch machined aluminum wheels and optional chrome wheels.
Inside, Denali adds standard comfort features such as perforated leather seating and Denali-specific Cocoa Dune upholstery color; unique aluminum trim accents and accent lighting in footwells and lighted sill plates with the Denali logo.
Acadia Denali also features an exclusive interior acoustic package that makes it the quietest model in the Acadia lineup.
Interior highlights
The 2013 Acadia's refined interior uses upgraded soft-touch materials, with French stitching that adds a tailored look. Additionally, SLT and Denali models get aluminum accents on the center console, doors and dash.
All Acadia models offer three rows of seating that can be configured for seven or eight passengers, regardless of the trim level. The seating configurations include two front bucket seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain's chairs (two passengers) and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat. A storage space of 24.1 cubic feet is available behind the third-row seat.
Additional interior features include cloth seating trim, which is standard on SLE models, while leather-appointed seating is standard on SLT models. And, perforated leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats are standard on Denali and available on SLT2 models.
The interior color/trim combinations include Ebony and three new color combinations for 2013: Dark Cashmere, Cocoa Dune and Light Titanium.
Powertrain details
The Acadia's 3.6L engine's direct injection technology helps produce power similar to many V-8 engines and uses regular unleaded gasoline. It is rated at 288 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. Fuel economy ratings are 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for FWD models and 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for AWD models.
The 2013 GMC Acadia is manufactured in Lansing, Mich. To learn more about the 2013 GMC Acadia, visit your local Southeast Texas GMC dealer or www.gmc.com.


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Letters to the Editor for March 10, 2013
Support the Constitution
Everyday the news media presents us with some poll on gun control. Most polls are broadcast to promote the same basic principal: some majority of respondents favor some additional restrictions on gun ownership. The only problem is that those media outlets forget the main point: my Second Amendment rights are not subject to public opinion.
We all know that public opinion is affected by information, whether correct or incorrect, that is presented to the public over and over again. In truth, public opinion is often on the wrong side of history.
At one time, public opinion in this country strongly supported things like burning witches, continuing slavery and restricting women from voting.
Anti-gun lobbyists, energized by recent polls, try to convince us that their proposed restrictions don't really affect our Second Amendment rights. They believe that as long some small percentage of citizens still own some severely restricted types of guns, the Second Amendment hasn't actually been violated. They couldn't be further from the truth.
Consider the many proposals that would make gun owners pay for yearly permits, or be subject to confiscatory taxes on ammunition. These ideas are nothing more than a modern version of the poll tax. After the Civil War, southerners instituted a series of taxes and fees (often called poll taxes) that must be paid to be eligible to vote. It was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to restrict the newly freed (but still
poor) slaves from voting by artificially creating hurdles and barriers.
Every hurdle and barrier to gun ownership concocted by our politicians is a (not so thinly veiled) attempt to restrict my right to bear arms.
It is time our elected leaders actually show some leadership and support the Constitution they swore to defend. The next time you hear the results of some gun restriction poll, just think of the words of James Fenimore Cooper, who said it is a "besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny."
Jay Stolfi, Burlington
Winsted's budget woes
After watching Monday night's Winsted Selectman's Meeting I still can't believe the mayor will not put on the agenda what is really happening in this town. We are short 3.1 million dollars for this fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. Do they have a plan of how they are going to come up with this money before the end of the fiscal year? Are we going to have a supplemental tax? Are they going to lay off people? Are they just going to take from next year's budget and let it keep snowballing every year? As a taxpayer I would like to know.
They discussed their business in 10 minutes as Selectman Perez stated at the end of the meeting. They spent more time on listening to the public and they feel now they should cut out the public comment because that takes too much time. As Selectman Ronzullo stated he is tired of hearing from the people for the last 6 years he has sat on the board. The Mayor stated that this is the selectman meeting not the public's meeting. Let's get something straight you were voted onto that board. If we have complaints or comments you should be listening to them loud and clear. But the Mayor is to busying making faces and laughing when people get up and talk. And she does not realize that we can hear her at home on her mic when she says "not him again".
I think it is time for all of the Democratic Selectman to step down you don't want to deal with the issues you just want to sit there and say that you are a selectman. As a new budget is being prepared don't think the people of Winsted will support an increase in the budget. It is time for you to step down or do your job. No one should be getting a raise next year. Time for the Health Insurance to be put out to bid. Time for the employees to be paying for their family medical 100 percent and there coverage 40 percent. If you look around no employer pays 85 percent medical payments. Maybe close Town Hall two days a week. Time to close a school. It is time to look at everything.
Lois Clough, Winsted


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What We Do
Open City Advocates (formerly Mentoring Today) fills two gaping holes in the juvenile justice system.
1. Because children sentenced by DC's juvenile court do not receive adequate protections, we provide zealous individualized representation and mentoring; and
2. Because the juvenile justice system too often fails the children it is intended to serve, we catalyze systemic improvements that will benefit all youth.
Our law student mentor-advocates support youth who have been sentenced in the juvenile system both during and after incarceration. Measurable outcomes include successful reintegration, protection of due process rights, and systemic improvements for the education, employment, and housing of at-risk youth. The data shows clear results – our mentees are reconvicted at one-third the rate of their peers who do not receive our services.


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As May comes to a close, Hubby and I have been diligently celebrating our most revered month. It's a month of celebration and glory; a month of happiness; a month of pure JOY; and a month of skipping, hand-in-hand through the tulips. Everything looks brighter, better, more jubilant in May.
Why do we love May so much?
Gardening starts? Nope
Spring is in the air? Nope
Flowers and trees are in bloom? Lovely…but that's not it….
BBQ season begins? Well…that is a definite bonus but…nope
Golf? Ok, well that is quite yummy!!!! But no…
May 1st marks the official start of outdoor sex season (OSS). Yeahhhhh!!!!
That's right folks. It's time to get your groove on in the big bad outdoors. And today, I'm going to share with you some tips and tricks that I've tried and tested (the things I do for my readers…) to make sure you get the most out of this year's OSS!
Location Location Location
I can't say it enough. It's true in real estate and it's true for OSS. You gotta get the right spot. First, you must be on the same page as to your goals. Is it the risk of getting caught that gets you fired up or do you prefer a little privacy? By making sure you are the same page, you and your partner can find the perfect local.
For those exhibitionist types, why not try a quiet park at dusk or a dark alley late at night. Perhaps an evening beach walk to cool off (and heat up), or slip away from the party to find a quiet spot just in the tree line.
If you'd prefer to enjoy OSS without the fear of public observation or police intervention, try the rooftop of your apartment building or perhaps take a little off-trail exploration on your next hiking trip. Why not your own backyard (hubby and I have a very private back deck)? No privacy…no problem! You can make a private area in your backyard with the careful placement of a BBQ, some chairs and a beach umbrella. Get creative people.
Planning for spontaneity = tons of fun
Although you want your OSS to be fun and spontaneous, a little planning will ensure things go smoothly. Make sure to have OSS kits in all the key places; the truck, the camp, the RV, the Rhino etc. You get the idea. OSS kits should contain sunblock, bug spray, lube, toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer. I also highly recommend keeping small travel blankets here and there since they come in mighty handy for OSS. Nothing kills the mood more than sand in all the wrong places or a burn from a hot car hood.
The right clothing makes all the difference
For those interludes that are more private, clothing is less of an issue since there's nothing quite as liberating as frolicking totally buck in the bush. But for those outdoor escapades that might be a wee bit more risky (the beach in the DR, for example), wearing the right apparel will only enhance your overall experience. You want to wear items that grants access that can be hidden just as quickly as shown. For men, it's less of an issue but for the ladies, try a flowing dress to hide a multitude of sins. Apparel that has stretch is your new BFF so skirts with a little bit of Spandex work wonderfully.
There you have it people, my tried, tested and true tips and tricks to getting your nasty on in the great outdoors. OSS only lasts so long so get out there and get busy!
What's your take on outdoor sex season? Are you game or do you turn your nose up at such ideas? Any tips and tricks to share with my readers who dare to try it? What's your favorite or craziest OSS spot? Come on…share the wealth…
More blog deliciousness here:
- Loved Emma Burcart's post about accepting those times when there's nothing you can do but wait. By letting go and having patience we open ourselves up to enjoying the ride. And her post on how fashion saved her night was stellar. I loved it because what it really said to me is that when we create the right balance while still honoring our passions we find that wonderful place called happiness.
- Touching post by Fabio Bueno on the pride of that first purchase you worked and saved for…all on your own.


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Robb Vavold necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 81 diseños de 19 diseñadores freelance.
Mr. V's Restaurant
A restaurant located in Caldwell, Idaho a town of about 40,000, USA. Just outside of Boise, Id. which has a population of about 250,000. We are a mix of old school agricultural area and new high-tech companies, with a huge emphasis on outdoor activities and quality of living.
The restaurant is adorned with two separate and distinct family dining experiences:
- a 50 style diner with sit down bar, black and white checkered floor and pictures of James Dean, Elvis and other 1950's – 1960's items
- an informal dining room with a warmer feel. The dining room is carpeted with in a multi-colored darker blue and warm touches of country living
We are seeking two pages in Photoshop format; a home page, and an interior page of a menu. No coding required.
Necessary files attached to bottom of brief. There are additional photos located: http://gallery.me.com/bilstal#100087
During the week we cater to office workers and farmers / blue collar workers around the area for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, we cater mostly to retired couples that enjoy the old-fashioned meat and potatoes meal or the breakfast we serve all day. We also pick up some families for dinner that like the informal family feel.
During the weekend when we are running on all cylinders our typical customer could be and is anyone that lives within a 5 - 10 miles radius. Large groups of families of all ages and income sections as well as couples and singles.
Logo is provided. Colors need to be red, white and blue to go with the logo, but can have other colors that are in our décor: like the black and white tile floor of our diner or the maroon wall in our dining room. Site should be about 900px wide. There will be a flash piece that will show images of the site. For the design purposes, use a static image.
Sites that the customer likes:
Likes: the blue background, all the info is on the home page, flash on top so you know what the restaurant feels like. Nav buttons big and easy to use.
Dislikes: have to scroll to see everything on the main page.
Likes: flash and music start.
Dislike about this site: the reverse print may be hard to read? Site is narrow. black background.
Likes: bright, cheerful, easy to read and navigate. Has flash. Like the background.
Dislikes: Big Promo
Sites we dislike:
http://www.flyingpie.com/: too much clutter, can't figure out what/who they are. It's a pizza joint, but you almost think they are selling beer taps.
http://elmers-restaurants.com/: Too plain, small print, would not know what style they were until all images were looker at. Dislike about this site: the reverse print may be hard to read? Site is narrow.


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Help and contacts
See our FAQs and contact information for any questions about your journey.Help and contacts
Whether you're looking for the best places to eat and shop or want to find out about airport facilities, we'll help you get the most out of your time at the airport.
You can find key information on arriving into London Heathrow, getting to and from the airport, as well as your journey through to boarding the aircraft on the separate pages for Terminal 3 and Terminal 5.
If you're connecting at Heathrow, you can find an overview of the process at the airport and FAQs on the flight connections page.
British Airways operates from London Heathrow Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, as well as London City, London Gatwick and London Stansted airports. If you're not sure where your flight is departing from or arriving into you can use our Which London airport and terminal tool.
Heathrow airport was recognised again by its travellers in the Skytrax World Travel Awards, winning 'Best Airport in Western Europe' for the second year running, 'Best Airport for Shopping' for the seventh year and 'World's Best Airport Terminal' for Terminal 5 for the fifth year in a row.
As well as the shopping and dining experience, Heathrow airport also offers a great range of facilities for connectivity, family travel and last minute travel essentials.
See our FAQs and contact information for any questions about your journey.Help and contacts
Everything about flight connections with British Airways.Flight connections
If you need to stay overnight, we offer a wide range of conveniently located and easily accessible hotels.London Heathrow airport hotels


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When that goggle-eyed bastard Jason Phillips went deep, we knew we were in for an interesting night.
A.J.'s line (6.2 innings, 4 earned, 6 hits, 8Ks, 2 BBs) in tonight's 6-4 win over Baltimore probably flatters him, as he came close to unraveling in the fifth. But we'll give the Jays' Interim Ace credit for getting his stuff together and pulling through an efficient sixth, and passing the game over to the suddenly steady bullpen.
Baltimore's revamped and high-priced bullpen will offer an interesting contrast to the Jays' make-shift band of brigands in this series. From the 7th inning on, the Jays pitching staff ranks second in ERA (3.02), while Baltimore sports a 5.25 ERA in the late innings.
And this is fun: Jeremy Accardo still hasn't given up a run. (And Shea Hillenbrand? One home run, 13 RsBI and a .534 OPS.)


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53% Off at The Village Cafe$7 Buys $15 to Spend on Local Food and Drink
- 53% Savings
- 250 Bought
- Deal Has Ended
About This Offer
The downsides to a long-distance relationship: It's costly, there's a lot of travel time involved, and you miss out on all the awesome options right in your home town. The same goes for your food! Get farm-fresh, delicious eats that don't have to cross the country to get to your plate. With today's offer, $7 buys you $15 to spend on local eats, drinks, and coffee at The Village Cafe.
With tasty sandwiches like the Local Chicken Pesto Panini—roasted free-range chicken piled high with seasoned pesto, roasted red onions and peppers, tomatoes, and goat cheese on focaccia ($8.95)—and the 100th Monkey Sandwich—turkey and roast beef layered with raspberry-chipotle mayo, avocado, tomato, lettuce, roasted red onion, and goat cheese ($8.95)—The Village Cafe serves up tasty lunch and brunch options to hungry locavores. Sourcing the majority of produce, meats, and eggs from farms within a 60-mile radius, The Village Cafe is committed to bringing the best local eats to your plate.
Don't get into a long-distance relationship with your food. The Village Cafe serves up tasty dishes raised right here in Texas.
"The food is great and light. Most of the ingredients are local and they even list where they get their food from (good to know these days!)" —Tanya K, Yelp
"The sandwiches are to die for and put unique spins on some classic recipes." —Kirby W., Yelp
"Very cool place—great food, great art, great music, great vibe." —Lisa, Urbanspoon
"I tried one of their sandwiches and it was amazing. Fresh and tasty, and they had a nice wine and beer selection to boot." —Deepika S., Yelp
The Fine Print
- Limit 1 per customer, may buy more as gifts
- Not valid on holidays or special events
- Valid for food only. Not valid toward cover charge to events or alcoholic beverages.
- Dine-in only.
- Not valid with any other offers or specials.
- One per party, per visit.
- Promotional value expires February 28, 2019
- View the standard terms that apply to all offers (unless noted above)
- No cash value / No Cash Back
- Entire value must be used in one visit
- Tax and gratuity are not included
- Cannot be combined with other promotions or offers
- Including all dealcoop.com/terms


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Our house enlargement and refurbishment in Bow is almost done, complete with a new basement for the kitchen and dining space
Our house enlargement and refurbishment in Bow is almost done, complete with a new basement for the kitchen and dining space
We are an architecture and interiors practice who take pride in creating innovative design solutions for our clients. While each commission comes with its own particular set of parameters, the way we approach our projects is always consistent, involving analysis, dialogue, problem solving and invention.
Clarity is an important theme in all our work, and this manifests itself in many ways - in the overall form of a space, in how it is lit, in the materials used to create it. Thoroughness and attention to detail have become hallmarks of our work, and we take particular pride in the level of care we assign to all stages of a project. Most of our work comes through word-of-mouth referrals, and we receive a considerable amount of repeat commissions from clients.
We have extensive experience of a wide range of project types, both new-build and refurbishments, including commercial, leisure / retail and residential - across an equally broad range of scales and budgets. Please feel free to contact us with any enquiries.
Brian O'Tuama Architects | 14 Southgate Rd, London, N1 3LY, United Kingdom


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Insights and ideas from Scott A. Woodward, Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® user
Professional PhotographerVisit this innovator's website
Scott A.
Choosing a new adventure
Change can happen in an instant. One day I was working as a regional marketing manager at American Express in Singapore and the next I was a freelance photographer. A call from a friend in trouble during the devastating tsunami in Thailand in 2004 made me realize that life is short, and I should spend my time doing something I truly love. Taking a page from my favorite Choose Your Own Adventure childhood books, I decided to change the ending of my story. My new adventure involves making editorial and commercial photography, all enhanced with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 software.
I grew up in Canada and was introduced to photography at an early age by my father, who taught me how to operate a manual camera, interpret light, and imaginatively compose an image. He also instilled in me a sense of wonder and adventure that I take with me on every shoot. My work is people oriented and my desire to tell great stories drives me to discover new and remarkable photographic opportunities throughout Asia, where I continue to live and work.
Whether it's a camera or software, I've always believed that technology can make a good photo great, but it can't make a bad photo good. I developed my first portfolio and began marketing my work in 2003. I was still shooting with 35mm film, and after having my best photos digitized, a friend imported them into Adobe Photoshop. Minor adjustments made a noticeable difference, and I immediately realized what a profound impact digital photography could have on my career. I worked with Photoshop for years, and when I added Lightroom to my workflow, it quickly became the most important piece of software I own.
I love shooting location-based narratives, where it's just me and my camera. For a Travel + Leisure Australia shoot, I spent 28 days on the Mekong River traveling through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. I shot 12,000 images and went through and flagged my selects in Lightroom at the end of each day. I then used the Develop module to work on cropping and fine-tuning exposures, brightening shadows, and bringing back blown-out highlights. I feel the resulting images represent the truth of the world around me.
I balance the isolation of my reportage work with collaborative advertising and fashion photography. Working with teams of models, stylists, and art directors energizes me, and I'm able to apply techniques from my editorial work in advertising settings, and vice versa. The immediacy of shooting tethered to Lightroom when I'm in the studio or on location saves time and helps me ensure I'm delivering on a client's vision.
The nondestructive editing tools and a host of presets in Lightroom let me quickly get the look I need, whether it's brightening shadows or making precise overall adjustments to color and contrast. I'm amazed at how many high-quality presets are available online for free. Just a few years ago, I purchased a tutorial book to get instructions on how to achieve a specific look in Photoshop for a fashion campaign I photographed on the Eastern & Oriental Express train. Today, I can achieve the same desired effect with the press of a single button using Lightroom and presets.
Living in Asia presents me with amazing opportunities to travel to exotic locations and work for top brands. It's exciting to see my work featured in a wide variety of international publications, and I was just recently honored by Lürzer's Archive as one of the "200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide" (2010/2011). It's a different career than I had planned, but I chose my own adventure and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Scott's 1970's nostalgia preset


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Effetto Mariposa Carbo Grip is a high-tech assembly compound for components made from carbon and other composites. Parts like carbon fibre handlebars respond badly to over-tightening but need to remain rock steady. Carbo Grip holds them in place even at the relatively low torques these parts need.
Whether you're installing a new component, or simply fettling the fleet, the process is identical. Degrease parts and their interfaces (the inside of the seat tube, for example) using its Carbo Move sibling, alcohol wipes or, for less exotic materials, white/turpentine spirit or turps.
Dry with a clean rag or piece of kitchen towel. Mark a seatpost with a zip-tie at the insertion point so, otherwise adjustment up or down will smear the silicone, resulting in unnecessary clean up.
Shake the Carbo Grip vigorously for thirty seconds or so before spraying a light film to the components. Fit them promptly. Snug tight with your torque wrench and leave to set for the recommended three to five minutes.
I'm very much of the old school 'prep and leave overnight' but our post and smaller fasteners set fast in the recommended time.
Carbo Grip is pretty nifty stuff on tri-bars, grips and similar parts that will ruin a personal best if they come loose.
Three weeks or so isn't long enough to say how well it protects against components seizing up but as an experiment, we drizzled some into a cracked LED lens that had been allowing water into the electrics. Several rides in heavy rain suggest this has been repaired successfully.
Regardless of their materials, components haven't budged, while there's 65% of the can left after it has been applied sparingly to two bikes.
Should you need to carry it with you, the can's small enough to fit in a saddle wedge. One small word of warning, give the nozzle a hot water rinse before storing it, or expect to find it royally clogged when you next need it.
A surprisingly effective adhesive and not just for carbon parts.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Effetto Carbo Grip
Size tested: n/a
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
"A torque wrench is sometimes not enough when dealing with carbon parts, especially if those parts refuse to stay in place when tightened respecting the recommended torque values.
Carbogrip is the perfect complement to Giustaforzatorque wrench. It is basically a special high-molecular weight silicone resin that, sprayed on a bicycle part before assembling it, polymerizes (in a time ranging from 3 to 5 minutes) into a grippy surface with the following characteristics:· prevents part slippage and the dangerous, normal reaction when a seatpost or handlebar slip at the recommended torque value: overtorqueing the bolts!"
Generally agree.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
· facilitates clamping of smooth carbon parts (handlebars, seatposts, aerobar extensions..)
· the polymer also has anti-seize properties, allowing an easy component removal when needed
· works great as threadlock (steel, titanium, aluminum, carbon bolts)
· waterproof
· very easy to use: no need for brushes as with other assembly pastes/liquids
· ideal for mountain-bike grips: sprayed inside the grips it allows the grips to easily slide onto the handlebar when mounting, locking them in place when the resin polymerizes. The grips can then be removed blowing air inside them with a compressor, or with other procedures normally used to remove grips
· can be easily removed with Carbo Move or other petrol-based solvents
· available in 75ml bottle size
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Used alongside a torque wrench, Carbo Grip will prevent unwanted slipping of carbon and other components, even under extreme provocation. However, be sure to clean them and their mating parts thoroughly first.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Meets its design brief perfectly.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing, just remember to clean the nozzle through with hot water after use to avoid frustrating clogging.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
About the tester
Age: 38 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)


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Open Wrench Night | Wednesday 20th November
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Free
Open wrench is a free night open to the general public to get a feel for working on bikes that we provide. We give you things to do and make it easy for you to learn how to get your hands dirty in a fun environment with other like minded people.
There is no real format to Open Wrench Night, we run it on the fly and keep it fun and fluid...