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Trending: Where we've grown
The population of the town of Brookfield has grown fivefold in the last half century, as fertile farmland gave way to family homes, creating a new chapter in the town's once-quiet history.
The town, which is nestled between two lakes — Candlewood and Lillinonah — was home to 3,405 residents when the 1960 census was taken. By 2010, the number was up to 16,452, a 383 percent increase, making Brookfield the town with the largest boom in the last five decades, when compared with all 31 towns and cities in southwestern Connecticut.
Brookfield began to awaken from its sleepy existence in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the completion of Interstate 84, which brought a surge of traffic through the area in the early 1960s.
"When I first moved here, it was like the end of the era for the farmers," said Jon Furlong, 79, a former member of the town's school board and current president of the historical society.
"Brookfield evolved as a farm community, and by 1965 when we came here, farming was at its dead end."
When Furlong and his wife moved to the town from Ohio, they chose the area because of its proximity to his office in Danbury, at about the same time other young couples were flocking to the former farming community to find a quiet place to call home with accessibility to business hubs.
"In 1965, there were a lot of people coming in, and golly gee, they were moving in for the commuting — commuting to White Plains or Poughkeepsie, even New York City," he said, noting that the completion of Interstate 84 and Route 7 made Brookfield a viable option as a young professional bedroom community for the first time.
And it was affordable: In 1965, he paid $2,800 for a one-acre lot.
"Of course, coming from Ohio, I thought you bought the farm for that. But five years later, it was into the high $3,000s, and today of course, you're a thief at $100,000 an acre," he said.
Kathy Schatteman, 62, and her husband were attracted to the area for that affordability, back when they were married in 1976. After looking around lower Fairfield County, near Norwalk where she grew up, the young couple decided that "at 26 years old, we just didn't have the money for a downtown house," she said. So they bought a house on a quiet street in Brookfield in June 1979 and began their life as a family in the town, almost two decades after the growth spurt took off.
"Surprisingly, there were an awful lot of people in my age group who also moved up there," she said.
And the town was ready for them. Between 1966 and 1970, Brookfield added two new schools in preparation for its boom.
Over the years, Schatteman said she saw her neighborhood change from sparse streets to what she called a "well-traveled road," with subdivisions and plenty of neighbors.
By the time the Schattemans' son was born in 1980, the town's population had ballooned to 12,872 and what was once a patchwork quilt of settlements had become an All-American suburb, full of families and a growing school system.
These days, Brookfield's demographic makeup mirrors the idyllic New England atmosphere that harkens back to Norman Rockwell images of the area. The average family size of 3.14 people is the exact same as the national average, and the percentage of husband-and-wife households is significantly higher than elsewhere at 63.2 percent, compared with 48.4 percent nationally and 53.1 percent throughout Fairfield County. Of the roughly 16,500 residents, more than 4,000 are children under age 18.
The town has grown more affluent over the years, as real estate prices rise along the lakes and the area became known for stellar schools and New England charm, but for the most part, First Selectman Bill Davidson said the flavor of Brookfield's residents has not changed much as the town has grown.
"We're like the rustic side of suburban," Davidson said. "Other than a fair number of condo developments, housing is still spread far apart, and in many places we don't see our neighbors so much."
While Brookfield may be the poster child for what Furlong called "controlled growth" over the past two generations, the town has not grown in a bubble.
Across southwestern Connecticut, the population increased 42.2 percent in the past half-century. Most of that growth has occurred in towns near Brookfield. New Fairfield, for instance, has quadrupled in that time, and Danbury more than doubled, growing from 39,382 people in 1960 to 80,893 in 2010, according to census figures.
Now, the growth in the tiny, wooded town of Brookfield has petered out, and Davidson said the district's schools have seen a drop in the number of children passing through as the town ages. In 2010, the median age of the town's residents was 43.5 years old, about eight years older than the median age in the 2000 census, when it was 35.2 years old.
Between 2000 and 2010, Brookfield only grew about 5 percent, slightly higher than the southwestern Connecticut average of 4 percent, but only about half the growth of neighboring Newtown, where the population increased 10.1 percent during that time.
There is still more growth among the towns in the northern part of the area than the shoreline towns have seen in recent decades. For instance, even as Brookfield stalls out, the small town of Oxford has grown 29.1 percent in the last decade, and Danbury has continued to expand, adding 8 percent to its population between 2000 and 2010. At the same time, shoreline towns such as Stratford and Greenwich have grown 2.8 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.
Davidson said he thinks rapid growth is in the rearview mirror for Brookfield.
"We don't have much more developable land, and our development these days is focused on resuscitating the part of Federal Road we call Four Corners, to create the village that Brookfield never was," Davidson said.
After decades of expansion, Brookfield has grown into its own.
"Really, the town hasn't changed much, only grown," said Davidson, adding that he hopes the town continues to keep its small-town, down-to-earth profile as it marches into the future.
email@example.com; 203-964-2229; http://twitter.com/MagEGordon; http://facebook.com/TrendingWithMaggieGordon


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Product Description
The Saturno shower enclosures stand out for the simplicity of the folding door system and for the handiness ensured by this system, which reduces to the minimal amount of space, when the door opens. It is a made in Italy item, that was created on purpose to be installed in little time, so as to save on the costs for the assembly.
- Shower enclosure 700x850 MM in PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride: a recyclable, long-lasting and strong material) composed of 1 fixed side of 700 MM and 1 side of 850 MM with folding opening.
- > Adjustable up to 40 mm on the fixed panel and up to 50 mm on the folding door for a correct installation(E.g. 700x850 MM fixed side can be adjusted from 670 up to 700 MM, door side can be adjusted from 830 up to 880 MM).
- Door opening: 630 MM
- 2,2mm thick acrylic panels.
- Side folding opening on door rollers
- The item is sold in WHITE colour
- Panel with a "rain drop pattern" as in the right detail of the picture, it is not clear
- Height 1850 mm.
- This shower enclosure is reversible for left or right hand entry (it is not necessary to communicate the direction of the entry that you need)
- Adjustable if walls are not absolutely level.
- Fixing system in stainless steel.
- Abs accessory.
- Shower tray not included.
- This item complies with all the regulations in the field, and it includes also wall plugs and assembly instructions.
- Made in Italy item.
Additional Information
Additional Information
|Data Arrivo
|Instructions Manual

subset: commoncrawl


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Tone Balone necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 56 diseños de 15 diseñadores freelance.
I am a passionate software developer on a tight budget for this start-up, but I only need a simple logo. My start-up is working on innovative band marketing tools that will leverage the great tools currently available on the internet. Besides tools we will also be providing analytics and important statistics.
I want to give you an idea for designs I like. Since my company is in music marketing, I expect the designs to come out much different than the logos I will list but it's always helpful to know some logos I like....right? The list is below (in no particular order):
http://twitterfeed.com/ (one of my favorite logos)
http://www.xobni.com/mobile (i like how they have a little avatar to go along with their "name logo")
Feel free to post low fidelity mocks before designing the entire thing if that works better for you (I am not a designer so I don't know if it makes sense to do this). Also feel free to ask me if I like a logo on a certain website that represents the feel you would like to design. I am very excited about this and VERY available.
The target audience is internet savvy musicians and bands.
I need a logo as a vector file. All used images most be royalty free for business use. If there are extra costs involved for buying any royalty free images you've used, please state so upon submission!
I want the logo to read in a small size (around 75x25) because I have to put it on a widget. This is not required if you have something that I REALLY like, but I prefer it.
The first impression...
-make viewer feel like they can trust us
-we will save them time/money
Some visual elements you could use are musical notes, or a G-clef looks a lot like an ampersand so my current logo uses that, but I don't like my current logo too much. You can view my current logo here:
Feel free to use whatever colors you want in the logo design. The splash page is only temporary. Although, after you design the logo the way you want, it would be great to get a version that has the colors of the splash page (it doesn't have to look very good, just match for the time being because i will design the splash page around the logo colors in the near future).
Feel free to use the tag line "Forgetful fans love us". However, I need to be able to edit this text using photoshop.
That's it. Have fun! And feel free to ask any questions. I will respond quickly and will comment on all submissions.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Whether it's a frigid winter morning or an unseasonably cool summer evening, heating appliances help to ensure that your home is always just the right temperature. From compact indoor heating units to whole-home furnaces to vertical outdoor heaters, Sears carries a wide selection of heating appliances to suit your specific heating needs. Add a touch of welcoming ambiance to your living room with a portable fireplace, or use an infrared heater to stay comfortable in the garage or basement as you load the washing machine. Versatile heating appliances always have a range of innovative features, like LCD temperature displays, built-in thermostats and automatic shut-off capabilities for added convenience and safety.
With heating accessories like furnace filters and wall-mounted thermostats, maintaining and operating your gas or electric heating appliances is a breeze. On those extra cold days, a humidifier helps return moisture to the air so your family can avoid scratchy throats and dry eyes. Complement your home's built-in fireplace with a spark guard, log rack or fireset.
After you've removed the air conditioner from the window for the season, it's time to outfit the most used spaces of your home with convenient heating appliances. From space heaters to fireplaces to patio heaters and accessories, staying warm is easy with heating appliances from Sears.


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India Complains to US About Alleged Surveillance
Published: 03rd July 2014 03:06 PM | Last Updated: 03rd July 2014 03:10 PM | A+A A-
NEW DELHI: India summoned senior U.S. diplomats on Wednesday and lodged an official complaint over reports that the U.S. National Security Agency snooped on new Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political party in 2010.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said that, if true, such a transgression against the Indian government, its citizens and entities was highly objectionable.
Media reports based on ex-NSA analyst Edward Snowden's disclosures have alleged that the Obama administration in 2010 sought court authorization to conduct surveillance on the Bharatiya Janata Party and other political outfits. BJP was an opposition party at the time but won India's most recent elections and began governing in May.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Raja Bhattacharya said the U.S. does not comment on bilateral communications with host countries.
Media reports about the U.S. snooping have come at a time when India and the United States are trying to repair relations that were strained by the arrest of an Indian diplomat in December.
Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade was arrested and strip-searched in New York City. She was accused of lying on visa forms so she could bring her maid to the U.S. while paying her a pittance. Khobragade returned to India in January, but charges are still pending.
Akbaruddin said India expressed its concerns clearly to the United States about disclosures in the past year of other surveillance of Indian government entities.
"In doing so see have also sought an explanation of information contained in these press reports and an assurance that such authorizations will not be acted upon by the U.S. government entities as far as Indian citizens, entities and the government of India are concerned," he said.
But Washington has yet to respond, he said. "They have said they will get back to us once they make a judgment of what sort of information that they would require to share with us in terms of questions we have asked previously and now," the spokesman said.
Also read:


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Kids' Organic T-Shirt is in stock. We will print it as soon as you order it.
Delivery time: 3-6 working days
Organic T-shirt for kids produced in an ecologically sound way. 100% cotton, brand: Continental Clothing
Product dimensions measured on a flatly laid out product.
Tip: measure an item of clothing at hand to compare.
4,0 Total stars
Oratio Logo — Celtic Circle


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Home ›
Ouargla Compositions
Compositions to Ouargla Algeria by GoodChoiceFlowers.com
114 items found
You can send Compositions to Algeria in the following locations.
Customer Testimonials
"I ordered a gift basket at Xmas. It was lovely and just as it looked online. I am in Australia and had delivered to USA. Very good service and phone validation. Will be using you again."
Sue Tame - Australia - Jan 9, 2019
"It is in difficult times that you really know the character and quality of people. The same applies to business and companies. There we were. Living in Australia and wanting to send a gift basket to our uncle in the US, celebrating his amazing 100th birthday. We did it through Gift Basket Overseas and were happy with the user friendly site. Simple process. Short and efficient. To our surprise, the basket didn't arrive at the date promised. We began an investigation, compounded by an 18 hour time difference between Sydney, Australia and Scottsdale, AZ. From day one, every single customer representative we corresponded with only had one thing in mind: to resolve the problem. Through many iterations we found out I had a typo on the street name and although the zip code was correct, the courier delivered to an address that was not our uncle's. GBO sent a replacement basket at their cost and still that didn't make it to him. After a lot of investigations and the personal involvement of their customer service director, we finally had the gifts arrive at their destination. A very big thank you and we can assure you that you now have a customer for life and I will be recommending you to my friends. You showed us what customer service is all about. Thanks!"
Andre T - North Ryde NSW, Australia - Apr 11, 2018
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Tokyo, Japan, 28 September 2009...On 28 September, FNIF was greatly honoured by the Emperor and Empress of Japan who planted the Florence Nightingale Anniversary Rose in the gardens of the Imperial Palace. Dr Hiroko Minami, ICN President from 2005-2009, and Setsuko Hisatsune, the current President of the Japanese Nursing Association, presented the rose to their Excellencies and were invited to the Palace for the planting.
Their Excellencies, the Emperor and Empress of Japan planting the
Florence Nightingale Anniversary Rose in the Japanese Imperial Garden.
London, UK, 12 May 2009... Sarah Brown (centre), wife of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, joined former ICN President Christine Hancock and Florence Nightingale Museum Director Caroline Worthington, to plant the Florence Nightingale Anniversary Rose on the occasion of International Nurses Day. Mrs Brown was also presented with the new Florence Nightingale Anniversary Rose for the rose garden at No 10 Downing Street. The rose was developed by Jackson & Perkins for the Florence Nightingale International Foundation – the premier foundation of the International Council of Nurses.


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SKU:14685Artist:Compatible Figures:N/ACompatible Software:Poser, DAZ StudioRequired Products:Install Types:
- Daz Connect
- Install Manager
- Manual Install
Optional License Add-Ons:$10.00
*Unless otherwise specified, no discounts or offers will apply to License Add‑Ons.SKU:14685Artist:Compatible Figures:N/ACompatible Software:Poser, DAZ StudioRequired Products:Install Types:
- Daz Connect
- Install Manager
- Manual Install
Optional License Add-Ons:$10.00
*Unless otherwise specified, no discounts or offers will apply to License Add‑Ons.
In a journey to the end of time they found something, a machine with technology beyond their wildest dreams something that would change their perception of their existence forever. The Creation Machine! This is the newest product for Midnight_stories, a Sci-Fi set like nothing you've seen before. Inspired by the latest movie block buster Prometheus.
This is compatible with both Poser 2012 and DAZ Studio 4.5, with matching sets for each. The main base has several morph dials , Hide status, bring the holographic screens up/down tapper the Data Tube. It's also rigged into separate parts for animation so the the Sphere, Rings, Data Tube and Solar System can be rotated and scaled. The Solar System has the sun and all the planets which all can have animated orbits. Also included are show and hide poses so you can easily turn things off/on as you wish. There's eight different material presets that can be applied overall or to just the individual parts such as the Sphere, Rings, Data Tube, Solar System and glow on the base. For those, who own the "War Eagle" I've included poses and mat presets so they can be added into the scene. For DAZ Studio users it's a one click operation for both the Creation Machine and War Eagle as the new DSON format has been taken full advantage of. There's eight light sets to match the material sets and ten camera sets to get you started, a great way to make your own matrix scene is to use the Time Warp camera shot. The textures are a combination of Diffused Specular Bump and Displacements on the base surface and Transparency and Glow map on the sphere devices.
This a great Sci-Fi set, that will give you endless possibilities.
What's Included and Features
- Creation Machine
- Main Base (.DUF, .CR2 and .OBJ)
- Base
- Data Tube
- Rings
- Solar System
- Sphere
- 8 Lighting Options: (.DSA and .CM2)
- Blue
- Cyan
- Green
- Orange
- Purple
- Red
- White
- Yellow
- Solar System
- 10 Cameras: (.DSA and .CM2)
- Above Sphere
- Controls
- Data Stream Inside
- Data Stream
- Look Down
- Solar System
- Super Nova
- Time Warp
- War Eagles BG
- War Eagles
- 8 Material Options:
- Blue
- Cyan
- Green
- Orange
- Purple
- Red
- White
- Yellow
- Solar System
- War Eagles Preload (.DUF and .CR2 Only)
- Texture Include:
- 16 Texture, Bump, Specular and Reflection Maps (1024 x 1024)
- 19 Texture, Bump, Displacement and Specular Maps (2048 x 2048)
- 19 Texture, Bump, Displacement and Transparency Maps (4096 x 4096)
- 1 Texture Map (1024 x 512)
- 3 Texture, Bump, and Specular (512 x 512)
- Poser MAT Poses (.PZ2)
- DAZ Studio Material Presets (.DSA)
- Main Base (.DUF, .CR2 and .OBJ)
- This product includes:
- 1 DSON Core Installer
- 1 Poser Core Installer
- Creation Machine


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You're Stronger Than You Think
Tapping into the Secrets of Emotionally Resilient People
Would you be happy to lose your legs? Greg Hughes wasn't delighted that a blood clot forced him to have life saving amputations, but he wasn't going to let that get in the way of his upbeat outlook on life.
Would you thrive if you were told you had only five years to live? Andy Crawford didn't plan on being given a death sentence in his early 50s, an age he entered with the vitality of a 20 year old. But he also took his terminal illness as a challenge, as a reason to focus on maximizing the rest of his days.
In this book, I write about people who have faced serious adversity and managed to thrive. I weave their stories together with discussion of the science of emotional resilience, with the hope that I can give people useful insights to help them understand what people do when faced with adversity. I show that most of us, while not happy to experience adversity, can nonetheless find happiness despite experiencing adversity.


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Hmmm, it'll be interesting to see whether this is just for the limited overs captaincy (which I couldn't give a toss about) or the test captaincy.
If it is the test captaincy as well, then...meh. On the one hand, I think Taylor is an average test match captain. On the other, it appears to have brought the best out of his batting, and he's only had one year in the job (during which period we've nicked as many test victories as we managed under Vettori's 4 year tenure).
And yeah, the constant chopping and changing of both coaches and captains is not good for team stability, especially when they appear to be finally starting to find their feet. I wonder who's driving this. Obviously McCunliffe has been keen for a coup for some time now, and Hesson is supposed to be his biggest cheerleader. But I wonder whether the NZC Board has also had a signficant say in this? They've been getting hammered in the media over the last couple of weeks, and maybe they were desperate to make a change, just so that they could be seen to be doing something.


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Email has been sent to you , please check your spam/junk emails if you are unable to find the email.
Due to some internal error, the mail has not been sent.
The VATNA range is an eutectic refrigeration system dedicated to the distribution of frozen food and ice cream for volumes from 5 to 23 m3.
Operating automatically, the VATNA units work by cooling eutectic plates using R404A refrigerant whilst plugged in overnight. Cooling capacity is released during daytime operation. Plug it at night, deliver all day long.
Operating automatically, limited maintenance is needed. However, accessibility is enhanced for easy servicing and reduced costs. Maximum load is possible thanks to the low thickness of the plaques used.
According to your needs, type of goods, doors openings, vehicle used, nose mount or undermount, different configurations are available. Demonstrating low noise levels, it is suitable for urban deliveries.
Refrigeration Capacity
(System net cooling capacity under A.T.P. Conditions at 30° C ambient)
Electrical Stand by Motor


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iMac Intel 27" EMC 2390 (Mid 2010) Hard Drives
Parts that work with iMac Intel 27" EMC 2390 (Mid 2010):
Showing products 1 - 1 of 1
Device Info
In July 2010, Apple updated the 27" iMac. Externally, the machine features edge-to-edge glass and an aluminum rear bezel. Internally, an LED display, 4 RAM slots (to upgrade to a maximum of 16 GB RAM for the Core i3 and 32 GB RAM with the Core i5 and Core i7), more powerful video processing, and faster processors.
Additionally, the 27" iMacs have the build-to-order option of a Quad Core i5 or i7 processors to give you the most powerful iMac experience yet!


text: Living luxuriously is full of priceless privileges such as vintage wines, precious jewels, haute couture and eaux de toilette. Luxury is not easy to come by, but certainly easy to become accustomed to. Christian Schwartz and Dino Sanchez, the boldface names of Orange Italic, first conceived the Luxury Collection at the turn of the millennium. Their careful analysis of sybaritic brands showed that the aesthetics of luxury held the following common ground: ample width, implying a lack of concern with economy; and intricate detailing, implying a high level of craftsmanship. Six years later they have refined the collection, added a text face and, with the help of House Industries, are ready to share these typefaces with the world. The look of luxury is now within the reach of any graphic arts professional who desires it.


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chipgriffin necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 139 diseños de 41 diseñadores freelance.
We're a group helping to link together entrepreneurs in the New England region by providing resources, information, events, and other networking services. We need a quality, professional logo that helps communicate with our target audience.
New England Web Entrepreneurs
New England has a strong high-tech community with a great track record for innovation. However, many of the attributes that draw web entrepreneurs to the area (like the great outdoors) also contribute to a lower population density making networking more challenging than in other more congest metropolitan areas.
NEWE seeks to provide community resources like event calendars, company and investor profiles, a directory of entrepreneurs, and other networking tools and services.
NEWE was founded by a web entrepreneur for web entrepreneurs. The logo should communicate effectively with our target audience by being sleek, professional, and serious.
The NEWE web site at http://www.newegroup.com has more information as well as the current barebones logo.
- Logo must say "New England Web Entrepreneurs"
- Prefer a palette that represents a middle ground -- probably no pastels or super bright colors.
- Logo can be text only or include a graphical element
- Generally don't like cartoon character type illustrations
- Probably no pastels or super bright colors
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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LEOMINSTER — A Fitchburg man was carjacked at gunpoint while pumping gasoline at Unified Petroleum on North Main Street Thursday morning about 3:50 a.m., Police Chief Robert Healey said.
The victim wasn't hurt, and police are searching for the gray 2007 Toyota 4Runner stolen.
"It's pretty rare for us, and most often as not nobody is harmed and we recover the car," Healey said. "There's no pattern here."
The man was pumping gas into his gray 2007 Toyota 4Runner when two men approached him, including one wearing a gray bandana over his face, according to statement issued by police.
"The first suspect brandished a semiauto handgun, which had a stainless steel slide," police said.
The victim was also robbed of $17.
The first suspect was described as a black man about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build.
The victim couldn't give a description of the second suspect.
The 4Runner has a Pit Bull Rescue Team logo on the rear window and Peaceworks Pit Bull Rescue stickers on the rear passenger doors windows, according to the victim's Facebook page.


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Originally published February 5, 2014 at 12:01 PM | Page modified February 6, 2014 at 6:27 AM
Omeros gets faster FDA review of Huntington's drug
Drug developer Omeros said Wednesday that regulators will conduct a faster review of its drug OMS824, a treatment for cognitive impairment in patients with Huntington's disease.
Drug developer Omeros said Wednesday that regulators will conduct a faster review of its drug OMS824, a treatment for cognitive impairment in patients with Huntington's disease.
The Seattle company said the Food and Drug Administration granted fast track status for OMS824. The designation is intended to speed up the review of drugs that treat serious medical conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Huntington's disease causes muscle problems and later causes mental deterioration.
Omeros says OMS824 blocks an enzyme that is linked to diseases that affect cognition, including Huntington's and schizophrenia. The company has conducted early safety trials of the drug, and this quarter it plans to start enrolling patients in a mid-stage trial that will measure its effectiveness.
Shares of Omeros rose 53 cents, or 4.7 percent, to $11.78 in morning trading Wednesday. Its shares have doubled in the past year.
In October Omeros said OMS824 was designated an orphan drug as a treatment for Huntington's disease. Orphan drug status is awarded to medications that are designed to treat diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. and represent a major improvement in treatment. The status comes with regulatory incentives, reduced fees, a faster review by the FDA, and it means competing drugs could be blocked from the market for up to seven years.
Omeros Corp. doesn't have any approved products. Its most advanced experimental drug is OMS302, which is designed to reduce pupil constriction during lens replacement surgery and ease pain after the procedure. It hopes to launch OMS302 in 2014. The company is also studying OMS103HP, a drug intended to reduce early pain after arthroscopic surgery, and OMS201, an anti-inflammatory drug and muscle relaxant intended for use during urology procedures.
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Central District – Madison Park


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Synthetic marijuana, already known to cause a number of serious side effects in users, has now been found to cause kidney damage, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Don't miss these Health stories
More women opting for preventive mastectomy - but should they be?
Rates of women who are opting for preventive mastectomies, such as Angeline Jolie, have increased by an estimated 50 percent in recent years, experts say. But many doctors are puzzled because the operation doesn't carry a 100 percent guarantee, it's major surgery -- and women have other options, from a once-a-day pill to careful monitoring.
- Larry Page's damaged vocal cords: Treatment comes with trade-offs
- Report questioning salt guidelines riles heart experts
- CDC: 2012 was deadliest year for West Nile in US
- What stresses moms most? Themselves, survey says
- More women opting for preventive mastectomy - but should they be?
Last year, 16 people in six states suffered serious kidney damage, requiring a visit to hospital emergency departments after smoking synthetic marijuana, the report said. Nearly all individuals affected were young males (ages 15 to 33), and most experienced nausea, vomiting and abdominal or back pain, which are symptoms of kidney damage. None of those sickened had a history of kidney disease. All the patients had high blood levels of creatinine, a breakdown product that is removed from the body by the kidneys.
Synthetic marijuana is a mixture of herbs and chemical additives that are typically smoked, and referred to by a number of names, including K2, Spice and fake weed, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The product was declared illegal in the U.S. in July 2012. Synthetic marijuana acts on the same brain cell receptors as natural marijuana, but are more likely to cause hallucinations and heart problems. Synthetic marijuana has also been linked to an increased risk of seizures.
Researchers aren't certain what caused the kidney damage. But an analysis of synthetic marijuana samples smoked by the people involved showed that five samples contained a compound called XLR-11, which has only recently been found in synthetic marijuana products and might have been responsible for the kidney damage, the researchers said. Most of the patients recovered within three days of their symptoms.
The new report suggests that doctors who care for otherwise healthy teens and young adults who have unexplained kidney damage should ask about synthetic marijuana use, the CDC said.
The report is published this week in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More from MyHealthNewsDaily:
- The Old Drug Talk: 7 New Tips for Today's Parents
- 8 Strange Signs You're Having an Allergic Reaction
- 10 Medical Myths that Just Won't Go Away


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Virginia Republican doesn't say how Congress and president will avoid the cuts.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor took a bearish view of the looming defense sequester today, saying America would have to rethink its standing as a global power if the cuts hit.
"What we do know right now is the question before us is this looming sequester. And that has serious implications so far as our ability as Americans to be seeming a global power," Cantor said Friday in a Morning Joe interview.
Cantor's comments come after he said in a recent debate with Democratic challenger Wayne Powell that he did not support the sequester despite voting for the deal that included the triggered cuts. PolitiFact rated Cantor's position on the sequester from the debate a Full Flop.
The Virginia Republican linked the defense sequester to jobs and the economy, but he did not hint at how Congress and the president would undo the cuts that include a $55 billion chunk next year.
President Barack Obama has signaled he is unwilling to roll back the cuts until Congress comes up with a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion or face the automatic reductions. At the same time, the White House moved last month to prevent defense contractors from issuing mass layoff notices as required by law if the sequester were to take effect.
So what's going on here?
One defense analyst, speaking to our National Journal colleagues after the White House issued a report on the sequester last month, suggested the negotiations were like a high-stakes political game.
"It's still sort of playing chicken: Who's going to budge first?" said William Hartung, a defense analyst at the Center for International Policy.


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Choose a Blu-ray player that opens up a new world of entertainment possibilities. The Samsung BD-E6100 Blu-ray Player brings amazing Full HD 3D viewing, so you can experience 3D movies at their best. You'll also be able to access a wide range of online Smart Hub content and services, as well as optimised web browsing on your TV. Connecting to USB storage is also possible. AllShare Play lets you enjoy movies, music and photos on USB memory sticks and external hard disk drives.
Wirelessly access and stream your content
Make the most of all your content and devices with wireless sharing. Thanks to AllShare Play, you can stream movies, photos, music and more from Samsung compatible devices nearby, including PCs. Cloud technology and Samsung web storage give you even greater freedom and mobility, allowing you to access and share multimedia when you're away from home, too. Now you can enjoy all your favourite content on your TV or away from it.
Optimises Web videos for your TV
With the Samsung's BD Wise Web feature, you can watch Web-quality videos in high definition on your TV. It automatically optimises Internet videos by boosting picture quality so that images are crisp and any text is legible. BD Wise Web can even resize the video ratio so that the edges aren't cropped off.
Bring your worlds together with built-in Wi-Fi Direct
Bring new levels of spontaneity and enjoyment to your Blu-ray player with Samsung's Wi-Fi Direct. By utilizing the built-in Wi-Fi technology, you are able to upload and share content from compatible devices onto your TV screen with just a push of the button. Forget searching for the right cables, with Wi-Fi Direct you can effortlessly share movies, pictures and music wirelessly through your Blu-ray player.
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Access all your multimedia with great connectivity. Sync and enjoy movies, photos and music on from your external hard drive. External HDD Connectivity allows you to connect your external storage directly to your Blu-ray player via USB and quickly access video, audio or images. It's designed to handle a wide range of content, so you can enjoy all your home movies, downloaded music and holiday photographs all in the comfort of your living room. Just connect, sync and enjoy.
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Watch movies from your USB
With ConnectShare Movie, simply plug your USB memory drive or HDD into your Blu-ray player and enjoy the content you love. ConnectShare Movie feature reduces the number of devices needed to view, listen and play your favourite content. Play music directly through the speakers of your Blu-ray player and transfer movies and photos to the big screen. Now, experience a wide variety of content from the comfort of your living room.
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Unleash the true potential of your Smart Blu-ray player with Samsung's vast and growing library of Web-connected TV Apps. Quickly and easily access your favourite content--without ever turning on a PC. Download and access your favourite world of content (movies, music, social networking service, and etc.)
* Certain apps must be purchased and may not be available in all regions.
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|Product Description
|Samsung BD-E6100 - Blu-ray disc player
|Product Type
|3D Blu-ray disc player
|Network Connection
|IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.3u (Fast Ethernet)
|Internet Streaming Services
|Smart Hub
|Home Network Media Sharing
|Dimensions (WxDxH)
|43 cm x 19.5 cm x 3.7 cm
|1.8 kg
|Media Type
|CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD, CD, BD-R, BD-RE, BD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc
|BD Profiles
|Profile 2.0 (BD-Live), BD Profile 5.0 (Blu-ray 3D)
|Media Format
|Remote Control
|Remote control - infrared
|Sound Output Mode
|Form Factor
|Environmental Standards
|ENERGY STAR Qualified
|Manufacturer Warranty
|1-year warranty
|Product Type
|Blu-ray disc player
|3D Technology
|Form Factor
|43 cm
|19.5 cm
|3.7 cm
|1.8 kg
|Media Type
|CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD, CD, BD-R, BD-RE, BD-ROM, Blu-ray Disc
|Media Format
|BD Profiles
|Profile 2.0 (BD-Live), BD Profile 5.0 (Blu-ray 3D)
|Media Load Type
|Video Formats
|MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX (ver.4), DivX (ver.5), DivX (ver.3.11), AVI, WMV, DivX (ver.6), MKV, DivX HD, WMV9, H.264, VC-1, 3GP, VRO, VOB, TS, TP, TRP, PS
|Audio Formats
|Photo Formats
Network & Internet Multimedia
|Connectivity Interfaces
|IEEE 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), IEEE 802.11b
|Internet Streaming Services
|Smart Hub
|Home Network Media Sharing
Blu-ray & DVD Features
|JPEG photo playback, video playback from USB devices, BD-Wise, digital audio playback from USB devices, digital photo playback from USB devices, Anynet+, Deep Colour, AllShare, Java technology
Audio System
|Sound Output Mode
|Digital Audio Format
|Dolby Digital output, DTS digital output, Dolby True HD digital output, Dolby Digital Plus output, DTS-HD Master Audio output, DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio digital output
|USB host function
Remote Control
|Remote control
|Remote Control Technology
|Connector Type
|HDMI output (19 pin HDMI Type A) - rear , USB 2.0 (4 PIN USB Type A) - front , Digital audio output (coaxial) (RCA) - rear , Network (RJ-45) - rear
Environmental Standards
|ENERGY STAR Certified
|Power Device
|Power supply
Manufacturer Warranty
|Service & Support
|Limited warranty - 1 year


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Subscribe To 12 Years A Slave Scribe To Rewrite Ben-Hur Updates
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After years of scripting a wide array of television shows including the crime-drama series Third Watch and sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The John Larroquette Show, writer John Ridley has made his mark in movies with the universally lauded new drama 12 Years a Slave. And while the film readies for its theatrical expansion in the coming weeks, Ridley is landing a big new project with MGM. Variety reports the veteran screenwriter has been hired to rewrite the screenplay for the proposed Ben-Hur remake.
When most people think of Ben-Hur, they think of the 1959 epic which starred Charlton Heston. This incarnation was not only iconic but also an eleven-time Academy Award winner. However, Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ has inspired a four films to date, including a silent film short and an animated version that went straight to video, plus a mini-series. Still, the bar is pretty high for this reboot. Frankly, with the shadow 1959's Ben-Hur casts, it'd be easy to see a remake as a fool's errand. But Ridley's script for 12 Years a Slave proved a powerful adaptation of Solomon Northup's autobiography of the same name, so he seems a solid pick. This hire does appear to be good news for the project that is sure to face plenty of naysayers.
News of this daring remake first surfaced last January, when MGM bought a spec script from The Way Back writer Keith Clarke that was said to distinguish itself from the best-known adaptation by being more loyal to the book than the Heston movie. Reportedly this new Ben-Hur will focus on a story that predates the best-known version, telling the story of how Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur and son of a Roman tax collector Messala formed a friendship as children, before the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem. Of course as they grow, they grow apart, making for some dark choices and good drama.
As to who will dare follow in the footsteps of three-time Academy Award-winning director William Wyler, that Herculean task will fall to Timur Bekmambetov, who most recently helmed another adaptation, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The horror-fantasy based on the Seth Grahame-Smith novel imagined the 16th President of the United States as a man not only dedicated to bringing about the end of the Civil War, but also one dedicated to bringing about the end of blood-sucking vampires. The film earned no love from critics, but did make $116 million worldwide. That said, it seems more likely that it is Bekmambetov's skill with building elaborate action sequences is what landed him the job directing Ben-Hur rather than his box office prowess or critical rep. After all, he has to create something to compare with this:
Perhaps Bekmambetov's talent for action and Ridley's gift for creating character and devastating drama will combine to make something sensational. We'll just have to wait and see. It's unknown when Ben-Hur might roll into production.


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1 May 2012 at 3.36pm | 2 Comments
Arthur Pita and ROH2 have won a South Bank Sky Arts Award in the Dance category for The Metamorphosis.
The work, based on the novella by Franz Kafka, premiered last year and was acclaimed by both critics and audiences, winning Edward Watson an Olivier award for his creation of the role of Gregor Samsa, a salesman who awakes one morning to find he has been transformed into a monstrous insect.
Other winners at this year's South Bank Sky Arts Awards include the Royal Shakespeare Company for Matilda in the theatre category, Grayson Perry for his Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman at the British Museum in the visual art category, and film We Need to Talk About Kevin.
The Metamorphosis returns to the Linbury Studio theatre in 2013. Read an interview with Edward Watson about the work.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast on Tuesday 1 May at 9pm on Sky Arts 1 HD.


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From MeritBadgeDotOrg
Mobile Menus: Cub Scouts - Scouts BSA - Venturing - Sea Scouts
Do this:
- Complete six activities of your choice; these can be from any area (puppetry, music, and or drama).
- Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor: Be sure to sign approval for each of the activities that are completed to fulfill requirement 1.
And do one of these not already done for requirement 1:
- Write a puppet play about one of your Webelos den activities or a subject of your choice.
- Make a set of puppets or marionettes for the play you have written or for another play.
- Build a simple stage for marionettes or puppets.
- Alone or with the help of others, put on a puppet show for your den or pack.
- Make a set of four paper bag puppets for a singing group. With the help of three other den members, sing a song with the puppets as the performers.
- There are sock, stick, and finger puppets. There are paper bag puppets and marionettes. Explain their differences and show any puppets you have made for this badge.
And do one of these not already done for requirement 1:
- Play four tunes on any band or orchestra instrument. Read these from music.
- Sing one song indoors and one song outdoors, either alone or with a group. Tell what you need to do differently when singing outdoors.
- Make a collection of three or more records, tapes, or music CDs. Tell what you like about each one.
- Tell what folk music is. Hum, sing, or play a folk tune on a musical instrument.
- Name three American composers. Name a famous work by each.
- Draw a staff. Draw on it a clef, a sharp, flat, natural, note, and rest. Tell what each is used for.
- Show the difference between 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 time by beating time or playing an instrument.
- While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Music.
And do one of these not already done for requirement 1:
- Give a monologue (a talk) on a patriotic, humorous, or holiday subject or another subject of your choice.
- Attend a play. Describe the story. Tell what you liked about it.
- Read a play. Make a model stage setting for one of the acts.
- Write, put on, and take part in a one-act play.
- Make a list of stage directions. Tell what they mean.
- Describe a theater-in-the-round. What are its good and bad points?
- Explain the difference between grand opera and light opera. Explain the difference between a musical and a play.
- Read about William Shakespeare. Draw a picture of his Globe Theater.
Please report any issues with this page.


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Tatana feat. Ingrid Lukas – No Lie (Freak You Remix) (Discobelle Exclusive)
When he's not managing his label On The Fruit Records, Franck sequestered away in the studio working on his own tunes. Operating under the moniker Freak You, Franck has churned out a great remix of the trance tune "No Lie" by Tatana.
Franck's The heavy bass lines comes in right out the gates and each thumping sound leaves an imprint until the next one comes in. Franck adds layers space age echoes and skittering synths, creating a rhythmically elaborate track. Finally, drum hi-hats come in to anchor your racing heartbeat cause yeah, this remix is hot. So far the track has gotten support from the likes of Grum, Mighty Mouse, Pat Lok, and Cosmonauts. Yes it's over nine minutes long but it's worth it. Also, it's a Discobelle exclusive.
Out soon on Universal
Download the track here


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Peach Mousse Cake
>> Monday, January 25, 2010 – mousse cake, peach, sponge cake, whipped cream
I made this mousse cake a few months back but never got around to updating the blog with it. Its another version of my strawberry mousse cake which I made last year and has been very very VERY popular!
I'm planning on making many more variations of the mousse cake since its sooo easy! Your only limitation is your imagination. If any of you make another variation of this recipe please link me! I would love to see :)
This is going to be a very short blog post, just a quick update. I probably wont be updating again until next week because I have a VERY busy week ahead of me (2 assignments due, a resume to do, a career fair and a LOT of readings Ive fallen behind on!!)
But without further adu, here is the recipe:
Peach Mousse Cake:
For Complete recipe and directions for how to make the base and the cream for the mousse etc go to the Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe
Peach Gele:
400 g fresh peaches, washed, peeled, and diced
100 g water
160 g caster sugar
5 tsp powdered gelatin
400 g cream
Wash and hull the peaches and place in a sauce pan. Add the water, caster sugar, and gelatin and simmer until all the gelatin dissolves. Cool the mixture and blend the mixture in a blender or food processor until the mixture is pureed.
Reserve about a cup of the mixture to pour on top later on.
Then, fold the remaining mixture (as much as you want ….can be half of it or all of it…I prefer to use all for a punch of peach!) into the whipped cream.
And that's it! Refer back to the strawberry mousse cake recipe for assembly.
Instead of melted chocolate, pour the peach gele and allow to set
And a note! A question that comes up quite often from my strawberry mousse cake is how I get the cream around the SIDE of the cake. For me, the cake always shrinks back a bit, but I also cut around it to get rid of the dry parts. This provides lots of room for the cream!
Recipe Rating:
I would give this a 9.5 stars out of 10!! (highest I've rated anything yet!) It was amazingly good! I personally lovedddd it! The only critique I heard was that it was a bit too peachy, but I didnt mind...its what I was going for! ;)


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Thursday, February 11, 2010
We shouldn't like Endy Chavez, but...
It's not for a team looking to hang in the AL East.
But for whatever reason, we kinda can't help but like Endy Chavez, in whom JP Morosi of FoxSports.com (via MLBTR!) says the Jays have some interest. Sure, he's got a career OBP of .312, and slugs a not-so-mighty .367. And for a guy who puts up those sorts of numbers, he doesn't exactly leave a charred path in his wake on the basepaths, posting stolen base numbers of nine, six and five over the past three season. (Albeit in limited time.)
Chances are, we just like this guy because we still think fondly upon the 2002 season that he put up with the Ottawa Lynx, where he tore up the International League with an .858 OPS (and a .343 AVG, which probably matters for a slap hitter.) Also, he sports some pretty impressive numbers in the realm of defensive metrics (how did we live before Fangraphs?), with a career 15.7 UZR/150 in the outfield (24.8 in LF, 10.7 CF, 19.8 in RF).
Maybe the best thing for us is if the Jays don't go ahead and sign him, so that he can remain a hero in our mind's eye. If we ended up watching him for a full season, it might start to dawn on us that he's the Latin Reed Johnson. (Although Endy doesn't run like a girl. Which is an important distinction.)
9 comments:
- QJays said...
Chavez was on the last of the Expos teams, as was Jose Vidro - and those were my days in Montreal. No matter what they do, I'll probably always have an affection for them both - but I prefer now to have that affection from afar. Wilkerson joining the Jays pretty much killed anything I ever had for him.
- February 11, 2010 at 1:15 PM
- Ty said...
Endy Chavez really has no place on the 2010 Blue Jays. I hope this is just more of AA's doing his due dilligence and not any sort of serious interest in The Player.
- February 11, 2010 at 1:34 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Yeah, I just looked at the non-roster invitees, and I see where the Jays already have Jeremy Reed and Joey Gathright. So Endy would be pretty superfluous, even as a non-roster guy.
Then again, a quick look at their numbers, and I'd have to figure that Endy is probably better than either of those guys, supposing that his injury is healed.
And who would suppose such a thing?
Whatever...By the time The Manager is done with this team, he'll have Gathright hitting cleanup and Reed hitting fifth behind him, while Snider hits ninth and Lind hits second.
- February 11, 2010 at 1:47 PM
- matthias said...
Chavez would be a nice late inning replacement for any of our outfielders and could also be used as a pinch-runner (strong successful SB %). The only real question is how many outfielders do the Jays want to carry?
- February 11, 2010 at 1:50 PM
- Mylegacy said...
ToS - with respect I suggest you Endy this discussion.
- February 11, 2010 at 5:46 PM
- KP said...
Wait... so he's a Latin version of awesome?
Sometimes you confuse we Tao.
- February 11, 2010 at 6:44 PM
What is happening with Barajas ? Is anyone interested in him? Just the Jays'luck ,he will sign in Japan and Toronto will lose the B draft pick!
- February 11, 2010 at 7:08 PM
I can think of worse tools to have on the bench in a year that is likely to set new record lows for Rogers Centre attendance.
- February 12, 2010 at 9:02 AM
- ordinaryperson said...
Seen you this? Jays may sign Cuban Eric Hinske, Jose Julio Ruiz:
"While playing in Cuba, most estimates had Ruiz at about 6-foot-2, and anywhere from 200-210 pounds. Now, after almost a year out of Cuba spent working and eating better, Ruiz is up to almost 230 pounds, according to agent Joel Bello.
"Ruiz is a David Ortiz- looking dude," said one Latin American scouting director.
Added Bello: "Due to the work he has put into his body and his natural abilities, Ruiz has become a prototypical power hitter...
Though Ruiz has always had a thick body type, he's never been considered a true power hitter. During the 2007-08 season, Ruiz hit .341 with 11 home runs and 69 RBIs. He hit 21 doubles and walked 44 times while striking out about 49 times (you can read more about his career numbers here). Last year, prior to defecting, Ruiz hit .305/.408/.467 in 52 games.
His added weight could turn him into more of a power hitter, but it will certainly take away from his baserunning abilities. Ruiz led the National Series with 32 stolen bases in 07-08.
"Ruiz has explained to me that while in Cuba he did not focus much on hitting for power, he worked the counts and hit the other way very frequently," Bello said. "Ruiz understands how much emphasis is placed on the long ball in the bigs and has adapted his mind set...
"Yet despite, Anderson's monster numbers, several scouts say they prefer Ruiz's swing.
"[Ruiz's] got a much shorter stroke," the international scouting director said. "I like his swing much better, but I've never seen him play in a game....
"Of the two, Ruiz appears closer to signing. The Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers appear most interested in him."
- February 12, 2010 at 1:48 PM


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Lovely Alexis's Mission
Alexis attended the University of Michigan on a full academic scholarship.
[Our Model Of The Day]
Where She's From: Brandi Alexis was born in Michigan in the Metro Detroit area. "My parent really went above and beyond in the raising of their children. I have to say I attribute all of my success to them," she tells The Black Star News. "They were very selfless with their money - and still are today. They allowed me to train for 16 years in the sport of figure skating which I'm sure cost them somewhere in the high hundred thousands to fund. It's the most expensive sport on the planet."
Alexis attended the University of Michigan on a full academic scholarship. "I have my BA in Communications. I plan to attend law school somewhere in the Miami area next fall, I just have to conquer the LSAT first," Alexis adds.
Where She's At: Alexis began modeling while studying at U of M and fell in love with it. "My career has many stages: academic, professional and entertainment," she says. "In academics I'm still climbing the ladder in preparation for Law School. Professionally I've done well in communications owning the marketing division of my company, in modeling I'm still working hard. I've just moved to a new market and am making new connections and building my book to suit the clients in this area. Miami is a much different market than Detroit."
"I think that anything is possible in the entertainment world. Tyra Banks was walking down the street one day and was discovered. However, God blessed me with a strong mind, therefore I'm prepared if my modeling career doesn't reach its highest heights. I'll be happy with whatever happens," she notes.
"I'm most proud of my scholarship to the University of Michigan," Alexis says, when asked about achievements. "They don't give out many so receiving it was an honor. I'm also proud of one of my magazine covers: Metro Detroit Bride. It's a great classy magazine and I was so glad they selected me. Also my recent advertisement for Nissan."
"The modeling business is cut throat. If you don't use your head you can be used and abused. All models need to exercise a little brain power to keep themselves safe and secure. And of course, modeling doesn't last forever. You have to fall back on something when it's all said and done."
So how does this mission-oriented beauty prepare to step out?
"I enjoy Bebe and Marciano a lot. Sophisticated yet sexy clothing. You can join the business world without feeling like you've aged 20 years. For shoes I appreciate Betsey Johnson, Jessica Simpson and Naughty Monkey."
Alexis's Words Of Wisdom: "Let go and Let God."
Alexis's Secrets Of Success: "Family, Faith and a strong back bone."
Alexis's Favorite Movies: "Memento, Four Brothers, Bruce Almighty."
Alexis's Favorite Books: "Something Borrowed, Memoirs of a Geisha, Monkey."
Leaders That Have Inspired Alexis: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton
The First Thing Alexis Would Do As President: "Make prayer legal in schools."
Alexis's Favorite Cars: "I've been a fan of the Mustang since I was a kid. I also love the
flashy fast cars like Lamborghini and Ferrari."
Alexis's Favorite Entertainers: "Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Fergie, Beyonce, Michael Jackson."
Alexis's Favorite Websites: "www.brandialexis.com, www.modelmayhem.com, www.msn.com,
www.pandora.com, www.photobucket.com."
To comment or to subscribe to or advertise in New York's leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, or to send us a news tip, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to firstname.lastname@example.com
Also visit out sister publications Harlem Business News www.harlembusinessnews.com and The Groove music magazine at www.thegroovemag.com
"Speaking Truth To Empower."
Latest comments
- Ann GarrisonFebruary 22,2018 @ 08:03 PM
I think you have "Filtered HTML" turned on here. If you switch to "Full HTML," it will probably...
googletag.pubads().definePassback('6785150/BENN/BlackStarNews', [[300,250]]).setTargeting('fold',['BTF']).display();


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A Fresh Look/
Hello, old fans. There have been several problems with the old design of this site, and as a way to simplify (as well as a way for me to practice my very basic CSS skills), I've given CHB a facelift. I still have some work to do, like attributing old posts to the correct author, as well as restoring old embedded photos.
Yes, I am still homesick. But I love that whenever I'm back in the neighborhood I still run into someone I know.
Hope to see you around the Hill sometime soon.


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I'm caught up on extras now… onward to Episode 50!
Extras 48 and Extras 49
D&D Dungeonmaster and Storyteller
Long, long ago, I created Another Gaming Comic, the world's ugliest webcomic. After about a 10 year run the writer's block piled up and I couldn't continue it. I don't want to call it dead - there was more to tell - but I also don't have time to go back and getting it going again would be hard.
I also created text-based D&D Excerpts, from some campaigns where I was a player (the first one was INSANE and hilarious). But by the third "season" of D&D Excerpts, that was a game where I was the GM, which meant I had GM notes, and it really changed the flavor.
Then, I experimented with doing those same excerpts on youtube, and Tales From My D&D Campaign was born...


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35 Yrs. 5 Mos. 13 Ds.
while dying he exclaimed,
i am at the river, and am looking
both ways. bright, all bright!
o what a gospel!
Letters written to James Anderson by his mother and sister,1 members of the M. E. Church in Marion, Ohio, give an account of the Rev. Parker's death.
Mrs. Thomas Anderson to her son James:
Well, dear Princie, Mr. Parker at three o'clock this morning, exchanged worlds. He could not be convinced that he was about to die until Saturday, for he had a strange delusion that he was going to be brought down to the very gates of death, and then by supernatural power raised to preach the gospel of Jesus for many years. But on Saturday, feeling that his end was near he gave up, and wished to be alone with his wife. On the Sabbath, the holy sacrament was administered. Just a short time before he breathed his last he said to his mother: "I am all right, I am safe, and it is almost over. I shall soon meet our friends who have gone before and tell them the good news." Thus passed away a good man. He crossed the river of death in safety. The cold waves of Jordan had no terrors for him.
Miss Annie Anderson to her brother James:
Mother gave you the particulars of Mr. Parker's death. His family feel their loss greatly, and have our sympathy. Mr. Parker was a good man and well prepared to die. He looks natural in death, and a sweet expression of contentment and peace is on his face. He will be buried tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock; and the funeral sermon at his particular request will be preached by the Rev. L. B. Gurley. On Sunday morning at 11 o'clock the corpse of —, who drank himself to death, was found in a stable in town. Thus two men died, and what a contrast! One the most beautiful of all deaths, and the other the most miserable.
Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio
1Anderson, James H. Life and Letters of Judge Thomas J. Anderson and Wife. Columbus: F. J. Heer, 1904.


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Regular price $38.00
a self-service, customized mask experience guided by a scratch goods professional. book a seat at our mask bar for a detoxifying clay-based facial that's mixed up fresh just for you, by you. choose from three clay masks and rotating mask mixers from local partners like dark matter coffee + bike a bee honey. you'll leave with glowing skin + fresh techniques to use at home, as well as your very own mask brush. all products at the mask bar are handmade, in-house, with food-grade ingredients.
lineup: tea tree cleansing oil / lash + brow oil / lip butter / customized mask / jasmine rose skin drink / coffee eye butter / face oil / warm jade roller
this experience will last from 45-60 minutes. up to 10 seats available per session - larger groups can contact firstname.lastname@example.com for info on our private party room packages.
our mask bar + retail location is located at 851 w randolph st. come 5-10 min early to grab a complimentary hot tea and get comfy in some slippers. if you need to reschedule, we ask that you call with at least 24 hours notice so that we may open your seat up to new customers.


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Employee Golf Tourney – May 30th!
Reminder: The employee golf tournament was rescheduled for
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
9-hole Captain and Crew (4-person scramble)
Check-in: starting at 3:45 p.m.*
Shotgun start: 4:30 p.m.
Dinner: in Kirk following golf
Open to all faculty and staff.
Retirees are welcome to sign up anytime.
Details regarding team sign-up can be found here.


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FORD IS SELLING CARS MORE SO AROUND THE PLANET THAN TOYOTA.The Ford brand is closing in on Toyota as the favorite of retail auto buyers, a sign of rising popularity of the Fusion mid-size car and Escape sport-utility vehicle, and of growing dismay with the Japanese manufacturer. Ford F150 / Ford Expedition / Ford Edge / Ford Explorer / Ford Flex / Ford Transit / Ford SuperDuty / Ford e-Series / Ford Fiesta / Ford Atlas / Ford Focus Electric / Ford Service & Parts / Ford Mustang
Toyota Motor Corp. namesake brand, a default choice of a generation of car buyers who admired its high quality, lost ground during the past six years amid recalls, natural disasters and stiffer competition.
Its share of the U.S. retail market fell to 13.5 percent last year from 16.3 percent in 2008, according to data provided to Bloomberg by IHS Automotive using Polk vehicle-registration records. Toyota's 2.8 percentage point loss matched the gain of Ford Motor Co. (F)'s main brand, to a 13.2 percent share, over the same period.
More from Bloomberg.com: U.S. Retail Chains See First Profit Decline Since Recession
Retail registrations are the best measure of the tastes of individual car buyers because they exclude bulk fleet sales to corporate and government customers. Toyota dominated the retail market before the recession, with top sellers such as the Camry sedan and Corolla compact. Those models now face tougher competition as car shoppers favor Ford models including the Fusion, which draws frequent comparisons to an Aston Martin, and a restyled, fuel-efficient Escape. Hyundai Motor Co. and Subaru, the auto unit of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., also gaining ground.
"Before 2010, Toyota's image was bulletproof, and while it is still strong, it's not rock solid and as perfect as it was before," Tom Libby, auto analyst for IHS Automotive, said in an interview. "It now appears their march forward has been slowed."
More from Bloomberg.com: Dream of U.S. Oil Independence Slams Against Shale Costs
Top ThreeThe leader in total U.S. sales is General Motors Co. (GM), which has four brands including Chevrolet and Cadillac. Ford including its fleet sales and Lincoln brand is No. 2, followed by Toyota, which overtook Ford in sales by company from 2007 to 2009 before falling back to the third position.
Those rankings will hold again when February's U.S. sales results are announced March 3, according to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Toyota, GM and Ford may all report declines, while Chrysler Group LLC and Nissan Motor Co. post gains, according to analysts surveyed.
Light-vehicle sales in the U.S. may rise 0.4 percent in February to almost 1.2 million, the average of six analyst estimates. The annualized rate, adjusted for seasonal trends, will probably remain at 15.3 million, the average of 10 analyst estimates, the same as in February 2013.
Toyota's once-pristine image was tarnished, Libby said, when it recalled more than 10 million vehicles for problems related to unintended acceleration in 2009 and 2010, involving defective floor mats and accelerator pedals. The world's largest automaker lost sales in 2011 after an earthquake and tsunami rocked Japan and shut down Toyota's car factories.
Rebound ScenarioToyota's U.S. retail market share fell to 12.4 percent in 2011, recovered to 13.7 percent in 2012 and declined again last year, the IHS data show.
"A fair number of people -- I was among them -- thought that after the recall situation and after the tsunami that Toyota would just resume where they were," Libby said. "Lo and behold, they have not."
As total U.S. auto sales rose, Toyota has increased sales by more than a half-million vehicles in the last two years. That is more important than its retail market share, said Mike Michels, a Toyota spokesman.
"Share doesn't pay the bills, sales do -- that was and is our focus," Michels said in an e-mail. "Toyota recovered an enormous amount of volume after the recession and Tsunami/Thailand floods impacted periods."
Design ChangesToyota will probably maintain its slight retail lead over Ford this year thanks to redesigns of its Corolla, RAV4 small SUV and Highlander SUV, said Jeff Schuster, an analyst with researcher LMC Automotive in Troy, Michigan. The Camry, Toyota's top seller, will also receive minor design changes late this year, he said.
"Ford's going to give them a run for their money over the next couple years, but at this point we don't see them overtaking Toyota," Schuster said.
Toyota Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda has pushed his designers to create more exciting cars after critics have dismissed the company's products as "blandmobiles." At the Detroit auto show in January, Toyota generated buzz and floor traffic with its red FT-1 concept that drew inspiration from the automaker's Supra sports car.
"We've seen some indication that Toyota is going to refocus on design and basically bring sexy back or maybe get it for the first time," Schuster said.
Swoopy SonataThe looks of Hyundai's swoopy Sonata sedan, Kia's angular Optima sedan and Ford's Fusion have attracted family-car buyers, Schuster said. Korea's Hyundai and its corporate sibling Kia combined to control 8.2 percent of the U.S. retail market last year, up from 5 percent in 2008, though down from 2012, according to the IHS data.
"Vehicles like the Fusion, Escape and our hybrids have provided us with a tremendous amount of retail sales and share gain, particularly in the coastal regions in the west and southeast, areas that typically have been dominated by Japanese automakers," said Erich Merkle, Ford's sales analyst. The Ford brand's overall retail sales rose 14 percent in 2013, he said, powered by a 21 percent rise in the west and a 17 percent increase in the southeast.
The closing quality gap among automakers has removed a onetime Toyota advantage, Libby said. The Toyota brand ranked seventh in J.D. Power & Associates' Initial Quality Study last year, below GM's GMC truck brand, which ranked second, and its Chevrolet line, which ranked fifth.
"In core car segments, where Toyota really had their strength and still has strength, there's more legitimate competition," Libby said.
Chevrolet's SlideDespite quality gains and praise from critics, GM's Chevrolet brand also lost ground among individual retail buyers. Chevy's U.S. retail share fell to 10.7 percent last year, from 11.4 percent in 2008. GM last year introduced a redesigned Silverado pickup truck, its top seller, as well as updating the design of its Malibu family car.
"Chevrolet is pretty disappointing. They've had a significant product revival over the last two years and they've not been able to gain share," Libby said.
Since 2008, Chevrolet has exited the minivan and small pickup categories, which cost it retail sales, said Jim Cain, a company spokesman. GM will begin offering a smaller pickup later this year with the Colorado model. The Detroit-based automaker also is putting a greater emphasis on profits, selling fewer cars on deep discount, he said.
Light Years"The quality of our market share is light years ahead of where it was in 2008," Cain said. "We are much more profitable and the resale of our products has risen sharply thanks to what is now an essentially all-new showroom of vehicles."
Chrysler, the U.S. automaker owned by Fiat SpA (F), saw its Jeep line of SUVs climb to 3.4 percent from 2.7 percent in 2008, the IHS data show.
The next top brands will find a way to lead in innovation, as Toyota did in the last two decades with the Prius hybrid-electric car and the RAV4 that helped pioneer the car-like SUV category, Libby said.
Segment LeadersHonda Motor Co. (7267), which was second to Toyota in retail share in 2008, has slipped to fourth. It had 10.4 percent of the retail market last year, down from 11.9 percent in 2008, according to the IHS data. Honda also has suffered from lackluster looks, Libby said, as the competition has become more appealing. Like Toyota, it also had to contend with natural disasters in Asia that disrupted production in 2011.
While its retail share slid, Honda said its top-selling models were retail leaders in their segments: the Civic compact, Accord mid-size car, CR-V compact utility and Odyssey minivan. The company doesn't have a fleet-sales operation and few Honda dealers handle such sales.
"Our focus on retail sales to individual buyers has a direct correlation to the high resale value of Honda products, which is a key factor in the value proposition for our customers," John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales for Honda's U.S. unit, said in a statement last week.
Ford F150 / Ford Expedition / Ford Edge / Ford Explorer / Ford Flex / Ford Transit / Ford SuperDuty / Ford e-Series / Ford Fiesta / Ford Atlas / Ford Focus Electric / Ford Service & Parts / Ford Mustang /


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I love pasta almost as much as I love Mexican food. Any shape or size, give me a sauce and some Parmesan cheese and I will have at it! Unfortunately not all of my family shares in my love. However, since I do the cooking I am able to pop it on the menu as much as I want. One of the perks I enjoy about being in charge of the kitchen. Plus I can just say "Hey I am a food blogger. I have to give the people what they want". That seems to quiet them down.
I had been wanting to try a bolognese sauce for quite some time. I was just worried because everyone I talked to made it seem like it was such a hard sauce to make. Once I tried it I asked myself what in the heck took me so long! Yes, it takes a while to make but trust me, it is well worth the work. The sauce is so creamy and rich. It is just a huge hug for your tummy!
This was one pasta that everyone enjoyed. Don't pass up the ricotta cheese on top either. It was icing on the cake! I will keep this on on the list of recipes to do again. I know you will love it too!
Spaghetti Bolognese
- 2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms, wiped of grit
- 1/4 pound pancetta or slab bacon, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 1/2 pound ground beef
- 2 cups milk
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups dry red wine
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti (I used tagiatelle pasta though)
- Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- Fresh ricotta cheese
Reconstitute the mushrooms in boiling water for 20 minutes until tender, drain and coarsely chop.
Puree the mushrooms, pancetta, onion, celery stalks, carrots, garlic, together in a blender.
In a heavy-bottomed pot add olive oil, bay leaves, herbs and cook gently until fragrant, then add vegetable puree and continue to cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
Raise the heat a bit and add the ground pork and beef; brown until the meat is no longer pink, breaking up the clumps with a wooden spoon. Add the milk and simmer until the liquid is evaporated, about 10 minutes. Carefully pour in the tomatoes, and wine and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and cover. Slowly simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring now and then, until the sauce is very thick. Taste again for salt and pepper.
When you are ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender yet firm. Drain the pasta well and toss with the Bolognese sauce.
Serve with a good scoop of fresh ricotta cheese and garnish with some shredded basil, grated Parmigiano and a drizzle of olive oil.


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So I took myself out to lunch and then a mani/pedi for Mother's Day because if you want something done right, don't breed with an alcoholic who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Aside right here in the main content aside: Mani/Pedi just sounds harsh in the singular, don't you think? Like sewing, or words, mani/pedis should happen with friends. Particularly this one. She was the best mani/pedi-mate of all time, and I hate Indiana and Arizona for breaking up our very emo, feathery, glittery 70's grunge band. But anyways.
I'm a Pisces, so pedicures are pretty much my Asian porn. I wonder why I get shitty search rank in Google. I already go in every two weeks because I inherited my father's luscious chest hair and formidable foot callouses, but I figured that since my kids' dad had them all day long on the one day a year I could actually stand a chance of getting them to do anyfuckingthing for me (aside from being your amazing, awesome selves, kids; your momma wuves you - now stop reading my blog) and also YOLO so I went in for a Bonus Pedicure With Additional Manicure on my off-week.
So I deserve everything that happened next.
They're already annoyed with me when I show up because I brought my own polish again and The Pedicure Gods do not like to use your inferior nail polish, even if it is the superest sexiest color in the whole world that you straight up stole they usage rights to from your co-worker *and* you've bought it three times in a row because you keep losing it, so it's actually $24 nail polish but they don't give a shit because NOT CHINA GLAZE. I got invited to sit in the 'twenty minute wait' pedicure chair which roughly translates to 'Oh, what, our polish choices aren't good enough for you? Ha! You will sit there and read that Seventeen Magazine and prune all the nasty ass callouses off your feet until we are damn good and ready to get to you, which may be this week. Also, you need to lose some weight and get out of the sun.'
And I sat in it.
Because Mother's Day.
Later this year, my pedicurist came over. Now, I go to this nail spot every two weeks like my eternal salvation depends on it. Occasionally, I bring all of my children with me. They handle my manicures, my pedicures, and my waxing. Of my face. Screw the rest of that noise. (I took the F word out of that sentence. See, Google? I'm making an effort.) I once got a Rose Marie Reid wax and I now question everything I thought I knew about life, love, and theology.
I mean, pain like that can't have come to be by accident. There *must* have been some intelligent designer with some sa-heerious mommy issues behind it. So my pedicurist comes over and oh good, it's the lady who usually does 3of3's toes. She's nice, she doesn't make me talk to her too m....oh, wait. She's sitting down at the chair beside me. Weird, I was totally here first. And then he came over.
A. Man. There are no men in pedicures. (Well, there was one dude in there with his wife, but he was adorable and by adorable I mean insanely hot and so we all smiled at him and did not drool at all and admired that he loved his wife so much he'd get a fucking lotus flower salt scrub pedicure on Mother's Day with her. That's devotion.) (Fuck Google.) (Also, my very insanely hot boyfriend is also into public displays of affection on Mother's Day, but I am pretty sure he draws the line at people touching his feet. We all have limits to our love.)
So this guy, whom I've seen at the nail place before, starts giving me a pedicure. I had just enough of The Patriarchy beat into me that there are not enough massage chairs and paraffin dips on earth to make me okay with a man admistering my pedicure. I was all WHAA? and he was all later you shall understand and I was like dude, you shall never wash my feet and he was all unless I wash you, you will have no part with me and then I was like well shit, go ahead then.
No, that was Jesus. Nevermind.
Jesus for dummies aside: Snoop Dog needs to make the next audio-recording of the Bible. I'd totally play that bullshit on roadtrips.
So this guy is giving me a pedicure and at first I don't even know what to make eye contact with or anything but then he started scrubbing my feet with the callous remover thing and oh my god you guys? Seriously? THE CLUB COULDN'T EVEN HANDLE HIM RIGHT NOW.
Upper body strength - 1; 17 year in a patriarchal cult - 0.
And it was like nothing for him to do it. That much force would have seen my normal pedicurist up onto her open-toed, clear-heeled, bedazzled platform pumps, putting her tiny little delicate back into it. Him? He was like tra-la-la-lala Jeff Foxworthy sure is funny NOMORECALLOUSESFORYOU tra-la-la-lala.
And that's when my guard came a'tumblin' down.
Next thing I know I can't even feel my calves because they are now fucking lotus flower salt scented jello and some show that I can only guess is called Are You Smarter Than a Christian is on the tv - and I am p0wing the fucking shit out of it. I realize this whole thing is going down exactly like Misery but I can't make it stop because this crazy ass man has me by the feet and if I do not spell Nebuchadnezzar correctly in the next 15 seconds he is going to cut me.
Did I mention I also ate kale for the first time yesterday? That's an experience I don't intend to repeat except to, like, save the world n' stuff.
@mrlady Seriously. Restaurants can put that stuff through the dishwasher and just keep using it. Talk about sustainable agriculture.— Trout Towers (@TroutTowers) May 12, 2013
And then it was over. He applied my $24 nail polish and I learned a valuable lesson - men can and should give pedicures, but under no circumstances should you ask even the most Foxworthy-loving-combover-sporting-Hollister-wearing man to apply your $24 nail polish. My five year old son did a better job than this clown.
Everyone stopped reading two hours ago, so no one is going to click that link aside:
So of course, the only way to end this night was to take myself to dinner, which ended up being me and the kids and their dad because he was just running them through the drive through for burgers on his way to bring them back to me so I invited them to join me. For Mother's Day dinner. Because Opposite Day. And then we came home and watching Mama because the only person with more delicious mommy issues than either the asshole who invented bikini waxing and Walt Disney is Guillermo del Toro, and we know how to take any holiday celebration entirely too far. This was fine, of course, until 3:27 this am when I had to go pee, so I went in the boys' bathroom because I was sleeping on the couch because I was too afraid of my daughter to go sleep next to her and right as I walked out of the washroom, my 15 year old walked out of his bedroom door.
Hilarity ensued.
The end.


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I get the impression that 9/11 kicked off the atheist movement. Suddenly atheists acquired a moral authority: "See what faith can do - no atheist would do a thing like that!" and it was embarassing on some level to religious people in general.
I joined this site because I heard about the Innocence of Muslims movie, and I was delighted that someone was doing what needs to be done: saying what they think in spite of Muslim violence. I asked myself "Happy, even though it has incited people to murder?" and the answer is yes. I looked online to see if other people felt the same way, and this site was one where there were people who did.
Feeling that way seems to be an atheist reaction, like a lot of people tend to think it's bad to disrespect a religion. Especially if they're religious themselves.
I wasn't brought up religiously, so I don't have the antipathy to religion that a lot of atheists do who had to reject religious indoctrination they got as a child, or deconvert from a religion. Religion doesn't carry much emotional voltage for me. It would be a bizarre thing to do, for me to go and believe in some religion - without anybody showing me a reason to believe those things.
But I DO care about intimidation by violence, a lot.
The people who were religious and deconverted are rather rare birds, I think. The Christians I knew in college are still Christians. There is courage and honesty involved in questioning and discarding that powerful childhood religious indoctrination.
But there are a lot of people who don't believe in a religion, and religious violence tends to align those people with people who do identify themselves as atheists.
Views: 458
Welcome, Luara. Most Atheists care about intimidation by violence, and many of us have experienced it. As I welcome new members, deconverted folks don't seem rare to me at all. I think most of us are just isolated, disconnected from any community.
I don't mean rare among atheists of course - many people who identify themselves as atheists are ex-religious people.
But it seems to be uncommon for a religious person to lose their religion. Especially when they're very into it.
I haven't known any religious people who entirely stopped believing in God.
Luara: I haven't known any religious people who entirely stopped believing in God.
Do you realise that using language like this implies that there is a god, and its name is "God", and that somehow, some of us don't believe in it.
How about: "Atheists just don't believe that there are any gods".
Some people believe in ghosts, or believe in fairies, or believe in telepathy, or believe in the Devil. Saying that doesn't imply that those things really exist.
So no, I don't think that talking about "believing in God" implies any assumption.
I was religious growing up, then became spiritual, and now? I don't particularly like the term "spiritual." I still get those feelings but I recognize them as feelings. And that's okay. It's a feeling of connection, something I think is rooted in our instincts as a social animal. I just apply it differently than I used to. So yes, even a religious person can lose faith but keep a sense of connectivity. I just try not to label it anymore. Seems to ruin the raw nature of it, then.
I had for a long time and I still have sometimes, a sense of the presence of God. If I had grown up in a religious family, I'm sure that would have felt like proof that there is something objectively real (whatever that means in this context) that the perception is about.
But since I didn't, I never jumped from that perception to metaphysical conclusions about the universe. I never expected the God that I sensed to do anything for me, or to be doing anything particular in the world.
That's a huge jump to make, but people make it all the time in the context of their culture.
That perception of presence is common for people, and I remember reading about a particular part of the brain that causes a sense of presence when stimulated.
For me, a lot of that sense of presence of God turned out to be a kind of abuse memory. Very early childhood experiences can be manifested in this kind of global nonspecific experience. Sometimes the sense of presence was of something demonic actually, which was when it turned out to be about abuse. When I have those kinds of feelings recently they are less concrete, because I explored the concrete part that was about abuse.
I've asked myself, what would it take to say that this common human experience of presence of God, actually refers to some entity? What would one mean by that? Something like, evidence that this sense of presence results in something happening on in our concrete physical world, outside of what is done by the people who experience it.
I guess "spirituality" can have bad associations for people, of ghost-believers and New Agers with crystals and pyramids and paranormal beliefs. I spent time with people at a Zen Buddhist center and the spirituality that they experienced and showed was wonderful sometimes (and sometimes not wonderful).
From what I've heard, that evolution out of religion is very difficult and a big change and it takes courage. Especially since religion is hedged around with dire threats about what happens if you leave it, and one would be in the company of people who really believe in those dire threats.
People get very stuck in their orientation generally and it's a big problem ... so it's great to hear about people who HAVE gone through big changes. It gives me some reassurance about humanity :)
"But I DO care about intimidation by violence, a lot. " so you're a part of your local Occupy movement or what? ; )
don't pay to be a slaaaave!
If you mean "Occupy Wall Street", I have only the vaguest idea of what that's all about ...
indeed.. a little movie called ethosthemovie.com is quite a brain opener down to the psychology of it all..
amazing times.. this information age
f minus to the phobia pushin pimps and the bs they cause
"""The people who were religious and deconverted are rather rare birds, I think. The Christians I knew in college are still Christians.
ha, not so in FLASH group / meetups etc.. american atheists whaaaat!?
rare my ass! ; )
'spiritual' identities are second always to being a citizen a mutherfunkin' taxpayin' American...
all the foreign folks even here..in the states.. starting their bizes.. I hear them from time to time
"amerrykyani's' so funny how they call Americans in the many forms of speech
take care n peace folks! long live hardcore hiphop punk rock rap and rocknroll w/some metalheadz UK whaaat!?
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Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment provides readers with the most current data available on key topics, such as resource enhancement, habitat restoration, eutrophication, the impacts of shellfish farms on water quality, and harvest methods. The authors also discuss shellfish aquaculture and the environment from both industry and agency perspectives. The book also provides invaluable information for those looking to develop and implement environmental best management practices.
Edited by one of the world s leading shellfish researchers and with a global team of contributors, Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment will be the definitive source of information for this increasingly important topic.
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
1 The role of shellfish farms in provision of ecosystem goods and services 3
João G. Ferreira, Anthony J.S. Hawkins, and Suzanne B. Bricker
Introduction 3
Methods of study 6
Ecosystem goods: biomass production 13
Ecosystem services: environmental quality 17
Literature cited 26
2 Shellfish aquaculture and the environment: an industry perspective 33
William Dewey, Jonathan P. Davis, and Daniel C. Cheney
Introduction 33
Shellfish farmers and harvesters history of water quality
protection and stewardship roles 35
BMPs, the shellfish industry, and the role of available research 42
Conclusion 48
Literature cited 48
3 Molluscan shellfish aquaculture and best management practices 51
John A. Hargreaves
Introduction 51
Ecosystem change and shellfish aquaculture 53
Classifi cation of impacts 53
BMPs 54
Assurance labeling 64
Pressures to participate in certifi cation programs 65
Perspectives on ecolabeling 67
Aquaculture certifi cation programs 68
Critique of bivalve shellfish ecolabeling efforts in the
United States 70
Criticisms of certifi cation programs 73
Towards more meaningful labeling 75
Concluding remarks 77
Literature cited 78
4 Bivalve filter feeding: variability and limits of the aquaculture biofilter 81
Peter J. Cranford, J. Evan Ward, and Sandra E. Shumway
Introduction 81
Constraints on maximum feeding activity 82
Shellfi sh feeding in nature 85
Emerging knowledge on ecosystem interactions with the bivalve biofilter 109
Conclusions 111
Literature cited 113
5 Trophic interactions between phytoplankton and bivalve aquaculture 125
Gary H. Wikfors
The interdependence of bivalves and phytoplankton 125
Bivalve population density: farmed bivalves are naturally gregarious 127
Bivalves as consumers and cultivators of phytoplankton 127
Summary and prospects 130
Acknowledgments 131
Literature cited 131
6 The application of dynamic modeling to prediction of production carrying capacity in shellfi sh farming 135
Jon Grant and Ramón Filgueira
Physical oceanographic models 139
Filtration and seston depletion 140
Single–box models 140
Higher–order models 142
Fully spatial models 143
Population–based models 145
Local models 146
Optimization 147
Application to management 148
Modeling environmental impact 149
Sustainability and ecosystem–based management 150
Literature cited 151
7 Bivalve shellfi sh aquaculture and eutrophication 155
JoAnn M. Burkholder and Sandra E. Shumway
Summary 155
Introduction 156
Most commonly reported: localized changes associated with shellfi sh aquaculture 158
Interpretations from an ecosystem approach 179
Modeling efforts to assess relationships between bivalve aquaculture and eutrophication 187
Eutrophication of coastal waters from land–based nutrients 192
Ecological and economic benefit of bivalve aquaculture in combating eutrophication 195
Conclusions 200
Literature cited 201
8 Mussel farming as a tool for re–eutrophication of coastal waters: experiences from Sweden 217
Odd Lindahl
Introduction 217
Mussel farming: open landscape feeding in the sea 217
Estimating the environmental value of mussel farming 219
Trading nutrient discharges 222
Agricultural environmental aid program and mussel farming 224
Added ecosystem services through mussel farming 226
The city of lysekil, the first buyer of a nutrient emission quota 226
Swedish mussel farming and its markets 227
Mussel meal instead of fish meal in organic feeds 229
Mussel meal in feeds for organic poultry 230
The use of the mussel remainder as fertilizer and biogas production 232
Risk assessment of mussels for seafood, feed, and fertilizer 233
Conclusions of the Swedish experience 234
Literature cited 235
9 Expanding shellfi sh aquaculture: a review of the ecological services provided by and impacts of native and cultured bivalves in shellfi sh–dominated ecosystems 239
Loren D. Coen, Brett R. Dumbauld, and Michael L. Judge
Introduction 239
Aquaculture–based systems 249
Remaining questions 272
Literature cited 274
10 Bivalves as bioturbators and bioirrigators 297
Joanna Norkko and Sandra E. Shumway
Bivalves are key species in soft–sediment habitats 297
What are bioturbation and bioirrigation? 298
How do healthy soft–sediment bivalve populations affect their surroundings? 303
Summary 311
Literature cited 312
11 Environmental impacts related to mechanical harvest of cultured shellfi sh 319
Kevin D.E. Stokesbury, Edward P. Baker, Bradley P. Harris, and Robert B. Rheault
Introduction 319
Literature review 320
Experimental design 329
Conclusions 334
Acknowledgments 335
Literature cited 335
12 Genetics of shellfish on a human–dominated planet 339
Dennis Hedgecock
Introduction 339
Domestication of shellfish 341
Conservation 347
Conclusions 352
Literature cited 352
13 Shellfi sh diseases and health management 359
Ralph A. Elston and Susan E. Ford
Shellfish health management and infectious disease prevention 359
Interactions of bivalve shellfish and parasites with the natural environment 360
Interactions of hosts and disease agents within the aquaculture environment 367
Solutions: 1. Shellfish aquaculture development and health management 370
Solutions: 2. Implementing health management for shellfish aquaculture 377
Summary 385
Literature cited 386
14 Marine invaders and bivalve aquaculture: sources, impacts, and consequences 395
Dianna K. Padilla, Michael J. McCann, and Sandra E. Shumway
Introduction 395
Introduced shellfish from aquaculture 397
Species moved with aquaculture 406
Introduced species that impact aquaculture 407
Recommendations for minimizing spread and impacts of introductions 412
Future needs 415
Acknowledgments 415
Literature cited 416
15 Balancing economic development and conservation of living marine resources and habitats: the role of resource managers 425
Tessa L. Getchis and Cori M. Rose
Introduction 425
Regulatory framework for shellfi sh aquaculture in the United States 429
Environmental best management practices (BMPs) 440
Environmental marketing and other incentive programs 440
Conclusions 442
Literature cited 443
16 Education 447
Donald Webster
Skills 447
Aquaculture–related disciplines 449
K–12 education 451
Undergraduate degree programs 452
Graduate degree programs 453
4–H and youth programs 454
Extension programs 455
Technology transfer 457
Conclusion 458
Literature cited 459
17 The implications of global climate change for molluscan aquaculture 461
Edward H. Allison, Marie–Caroline Badjeck, and Kathrin Meinhold
Introduction 461
Climate change in the oceans and coastal zones 462
The effects of climate change on shellfish aquaculture systems 467
Adapting shellfish farming to climate change impacts 478
Shellfish aquaculture and climate change mitigation 482
Conclusion 484
Acknowledgments 485
Literature cited 485
Index 491