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Ross Hill Park is a privately-owned family campground located on 50 picturesque acres along Southeastern Connecticut's Quinebaug River. The park's wooded and open terrain includes a full half mile of frontage along the river's shoreline, at the point where Aspinook Dam has created beautiful Aspinook Pond. Whether you prefer a waterfront site or the cool breezes of our higher ground, Ross Hill Park offers you the perfect spot to enjoy Connecticut camping at its best!
Brochure Download
Download a copy of our printable PDF brochure!
Site Map
To get familiar with our campsites, check out our site map!
Camping Links
Ross Hill Park Family Campground is proud to support or be a member of these organizations:


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Careers in Plastics
At DS Smith we are committed to developing customer-focused packaging solutions that are built to perform across any industry.
As a rapidly growing company at the forefront of new markets and technologies, the Plastics division is always keen to hear from talented individuals. We champion the importance of a successful internal culture and are committed to ensuring that our employees feel wholly valued.
If you enjoy finding creative solutions to challenging problems and want to be part of the team, please contact us today.
Our Job Vacancies

subset: commoncrawl


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Forms Jobs
Celebrating Black History Month!
Essay and coloring contest, sponsored by Recreation & Parks and the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Water, Water, Everywhere
Water Trivia - the average American uses 150 gallons of water a day!
How much do you know about Stormwater Runoff? take the Quiz!
Get out your crayons and color Lenny the Lifeguard
Links to help kids learn more about water - Science fun and more!
Ask for a presentation in your class or group about Stormwater
Interested in becoming a Police Officer one day?
Police Dept. Explorer Program for young men and women in grades 9-12
Kids information from the Winston-Salem Police Department
Volunteer to help clean up Winston-Salem!
Adopt-A-Stream - clean up a local stream. You must be at least 12 years old.
Adopt A Street - clean up a length of city street, in groups. You must be at least 12 years old.
Place storm drain markers on your neighborhood storm drains. A great project for a scout troop or youth group.
Participate in the Big Sweep or Community Roots Day or the Flower Bulb Blitz.
Learn how to be safe
Bullies, Online/Internet, Bicycle safety, Strangers, School, Emergencies
Bicycle helmets information
Learn about the history of Winston-Salem city government!
Winston-Salem City Government history goes back a long way!
The Kids.gov web site has many activities to explore and information to read, for kids, teacher, and parents!
Kids.gov: The Official Kid's Portal for the U.S. Government
Check out your neighborhood recreation center. Most recreation centers offer special activities during the year and summer camps during the summer.
Greenways and parks - great places to ride and play
There are recreation centers all over the city - find one near you!
Pools are open all summer
Learn to be a responsible consumer and do your part to care for our environment
Recycling guidelines for home
Tips for consumers (that means when you buy things!)
Keep America Beautiful Kids' Zone
Energy Kids - from the Energy Information Administration
Is your child learning to read? Listen to web pages!
Download a text reader program to use. Some text-to-speech readers will even highlight the words as it reads! Or do an internet search for a free text-to-speech program that works online through the browser.
Learn about the Inspections process
The Inspections Division has a page of links and a coloring/game book for you.
Sparky the Fire Dog has tips for you about Fire Safety. "Stop, Drop, and Roll" if your clothing catches on fire.
Ask for a presentation for your class or group about Fire Safety or a Fire Station tour.
Fire Safety for Kids Video
Receive E-Mail Notification When New Information is Posted on this PageAs a member, enjoy the benefits of MyCityofWS, including your choice of newsletters, and notifications about events and site updates. Login and Manage Your Subscriptions Now.


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The Best Teen Romance Movies
List Rules Vote up all the best movies that you related to as a young, impressionable teenager.
A list of the best teen romance movies, ranked by love-obsessed fans of all ages. Throughout film history, one of the most beloved, popular, and relatable movie genres has been the teen romance. Moviegoers of all ages, from heartbroken teenagers to nostalgic seniors, have enjoyed sitting in a dark theater to watch the newest film depicting the tribulations of young love. These movies don't just cover teenagers dealing with their first loves. There are also themes of coming of age, angst, parental issues, heartbreaking sadness, and feelings of alienation, which is why so many people can relate to these good teenage romance movies. The teen love movies on this list range from 1960s classics to current takes on the tropes. These great romance movies feature tons of teen drama for your viewing pleasure.
The teen romance movies on this list sometimes also fit into other genres. Musicals like Grease and West Side Story have become among the most popular movies of all time not just because of the fantastic music, but also because of the reoccurring themes, like first loves, that pop up. Many teen romances are often based on classic stories. For instance, Clueless is based on Jane Austen's Emma, and Easy A is based on The Scarlett Letter. Who doesn't love a good high school romance movie?
What are the best high school romance movies of all time? This list covers the top teen romance movies from classics like Dirty Dancing to newer depictions like the zombie romance, Warm Bodies. Whether you love sweeping dramas or teenage romantic comedies, there's a movie for everyone to fall in love with here. At the end of the day, if you love good love movies, you'll enjoy most of these top romantic movies for teens.


text:
Search For Jigsaw Puzzles
Number of Jigsaw puzzles found: 36
Click a name or image to play.
Image of Earth Generated by Computer Graphics
Computer Generated Image of Earth
Apartments in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Satellite Image of Hurricane Andrew
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Lake Miramar
The Earth
Yellow Flowers on Colorado Mountain
Tropical River
Silver Falls
Wildflowers at Mount Rainier
Smoldering Forest in Belize
Nurse with Soldier and Sailer and Flag
Lava Bed
Dawn over the Atlantic Ocean
Fourth of July
Room with Old Stove Inside Quarters
Lava Flow
Record Books on Table Inside Dusty Quarters
Closeup of Twisted Grape Vine Tendril
Sandy Beach
Lake Powell
Mayan Ruins
El Morro Fortress
Mist in the Falls
Ecuador Wool at Zumbahua Market
Cathedral on the Zocalo
Cannon Beach at Sunset
Bottom of Waterfalls Through Trees
Tourboat at Base of Falls
Ecuador Food Market
Machu Picchu
Ecuador Path to Quilatoa Crater Lake
Locks Opening for Cruise Ship
Tourists Watching Cruise Ship Approach Canal Lock
For more
free games
visit GameScene.com. Also check out
Just Solitaire
Just Word Search
. (02:22:55 7.2.27)
Just Jigsaw Puzzles is produced by
CleverMedia, Inc.
. Copyright 1999-2020 CleverMedia, Inc.


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Decorate your home with our elegant Clemson wreath! You'll receive compliment after compliment as you display your Tiger spirit on your front door, front porch or in your favorite room.
Our Clemson wreath features:
- A double layer of premium grade mesh for extreme size and fullness
- Orange and purple poly deco mesh with an assortment of color coordinating ribbon
- Professional 12″ diameter Clemson University metal sign
- A perfect gift for a Clemson fan or a great addition to your front door or home decor
- Finished size 24″ diameter and 5″ deep
View the Clemson door hanger video below for a closer look.
Wreath Hangers
Need a door hanger or wire easel to display your wreath? Add on one of the following for an additional charge (see images above in the product photo gallery):
– 12″ clear plastic over-the-door wreath hanger
– 24″ green metal wire easel stand
Wreath Care
If using outdoors, please display your wreath in a covered area away from direct sunlight and precipitation. Store your wreath in the shipping box to enjoy for next season.
Decorating Ideas
– Hang your wreath outdoors on your front door or front porch
– Display it indoors as wall decor in your Living Room, Man Cave or a themed bedroom
– Spruce up a tailgate or football party
– Use as a decoration for a themed wedding reception, shower or engagement party
Gift Ideas
Treat yourself or that special sports fan! Gift a wreath for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthdays, Retirements, Christmas or just because. We'll include a card with your specified message.
Honor Loved Ones
We have many customers who send wreaths, in lieu of flowers, to honor loved ones at memorial services. The family keeps the wreath as a cherished remembrance or tribute.
Our Products
We handcraft our products from licensed materials. Our products do not have official sponsorship or endorsement by the teams/brands they represent. We sell our items through rights granted by the US Supreme Court through the First Sale Doctrine.
Why Sports Wreath Shop?
Unique, handcrafted designs. Elegant presentation. Attention to detail. Top quality deco mesh and ribbon. Professional signage. 150+ Team selection. Proud sponsor of Wreaths Across America. On-time order fulfillment. Satisfied customers.


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Try to put aside all your other issues, just focus right here. 'Cause all the big issues in life get played out right here, in fact the seeds for all of them are right here in the present moment.
I've said a number of times, how the Buddha's teachings on causality are like modern teachings on chaos theory. One of the basic principles of chaos theory is called 'scale invariance.' That what's happening on the macro level is the same thing as is happening on the micro level, no matter what the size of your frame of reference, no matter what your focus, it's always the same things happening, simply writ large or writ small. And it's convenient for us, because when this principle applies to our awareness, it means we can watch the small things happening right here, right now, and they teach us the lessons we need to know about the big things.
And so this is why we come into the present moment, not because it's simply a nice place to be, because that's not always the case, sometimes the present moment can be pretty miserable. But, the important issues that are happening in life are happening right here. The Buddha's teachings on bhava, or becoming, get played out right here. That's the basic condition for birth, and the whole round of aging, illness and death.
It's a hard word to translate, 'becoming' isn't ideal, but it's hard to find a better word. It's basically a state of being, and it can be either at the micro level, the little worlds the mind creates for itself, or at the macro level, the human realm as a whole, that's a bhava, and seeds for the large one are right here in the small ones. These are the worlds the mind creates. You can think about, say, your home, and there it appears right in your mind, the world of your home. Not the whole thing, but enough of a facsimile to say yeah, that's my home.
And then you can enter into that little world, and adjust it and interact with the various elements in there. And then after a while you might lose interest and the mind creates another state of being for itself, another little world, and it goes from world to world to world like this. Or, a better way saying it is, these worlds appear, and then they disappear, and another one appears in its place. And it's because the mind does this, that it takes birth, that it provides the causes for larger levels of becoming and then it takes birth in them.
So this is the process we want to understand if we want to get beyond aging illness and death, not go through the cycles again and again and again, we have to know what's going on. How the little cycles behave and that way we learn how the big cycles behave, what exactly is the process that keeps these things going. As the Buddha once said at the moment of his awakening, "House builder, I have seen you, through countless births, build these homes. And now I've seen the house builder and taken apart the house, and now the house builder will never build another one again." You want to see that process of how the mind creates these little homes for itself, with such force of habit that if it can't create a good one for itself, it'll create a bad one for itself. All it asks is that you have that place to go. Because the mind has a fear for having no place to go. This is what's called bhava-tanha, it's one of the forms of craving that leads to suffering. Vibhava-tanha, that's a more controversial term, because it it's not defined anywhere in the canon. Some passages indicated that it's desire for annihilation, in other words that you don't have anything that has to go anywhere, you're tired of going to these different places, but you want to end up in a place where everything gets destroyed, or everything stops so there's no more becoming. And the Buddha said that kind of desire leads to suffering as well, because what it does is it takes the mind to a strange kind of becoming. It doesn't end the process, it just freezes it for a while. It's like those cyborgs in science fiction movies that get frozen for a number of centuries and then come out still functioning. And the mind goes into these strange states, you can freeze the process, but that doesn't end the process, it can start up again.
But the macro level is being played out here on the micro level, so let's look at it, let's create a state of becoming. It's what we're doing as we practice concentration, we create a little inner world for the mind. First it's just a spot in the body and then you expand it to fill the whole body. And then you try to maintain it. And in doing that you engage all the forms of fabrication: physical, verbal, mental. In other words, there's the breath and that's the physical fabrication, then there's directed thought and evaluation, those are the verbal forms, and then there's feeling and perception. And these are the basic building blocks from which you create this world, the world of a concentrated mind.
And you use your powers of directed thought and evaluation to work out the disturbances, to filter them away or comb them out. A sense of tension or tightness in the breath, feelings of blockage in the mind, work through these things so that the elements of disturbance get more and more and more refined. So you can see the state of becoming in and of itself as clearly as possible, in terms of its basic building blocks. And that way you can begin to take it apart. Because you see that there's really not much there, even in a good state of concentration.
Don't be too quick to take it apart, though. Get a little a bit of concentration and take it apart too fast, then the mind has no place to settle down. I knew a monk one time in Thailand, who after a couple of years of meditation finally got his mind to settle down in a really nice state of concentration. He went to tell another friend of his (they were both out in the forest), and the friend said "Watch out, you're going to get stuck on that, make sure you don't get stuck on the concentration." So the guy stopped, did his best not to get into concentration, he was told to start analyzing things, developing insight, so this monk just started going all over the place, just kept looking out, out, out and wasn't able to come back in, in, in. By the time I met up with him, he'd gotten to the point where he couldn't get his mind to concentrate at all. And it was a real shame, eventually he disrobed.
This is what happens when you abort the process. Because you have to get attached to the state of concentration for you to really understand it. You want to keep coming back, coming back, coming back, because the more familiar you are with it, it's like a road that you travel day after day after day. The opportunity is there to know it in detail, and what happens a lot of times when people travel on a road day after day they start blanking out, actually stop noticing things. It's like a person gets into a state of concentration and then just doesn't want to develop any discernment, just likes the blanking out, or the stillness, and just holds onto that and gets oblivious to other things, like the person who drives the road from the Valley Center to Escondido every day, after a while you just don't notice anything. It's where a lot of people are, their brains just go into automatic pilot.
But you want to do as a meditator is not to go into automatic pilot, just to get to know this territory as well as we can. Keep at it. Try to figure out how you can maintain this state of concentration in all sorts of different circumstances, because you never know when the precise effort that you're putting into it becomes really clear. You see, "Oh, this is how it's done, this is what's happening. This is how those raw materials are being turned into something else," this little world of Texas, or the world of Thailand, or wherever the world happens to be at the time.
So the more consistent you are in maintaining this state, whatever your activities, the more the chance that you'll have insight into exactly how it's created and how it's maintained, what uses it has and also how can we take it apart. As the Buddha said, you understand the coming into being, the passing away of these things, you understand their allure, you understand their drawbacks and you understand the escape from them. That's when it really gets good. Because you take the state of concentration as your model for all your other attachments and all your other cravings, and all the states of becoming in the mind that are built on attachment and craving. You take this as your model and you study it again and again and again, get really really sensitive to what it's like to have the mind settle down, to be in a good state of concentration, how it can create that concentration, how it can maintain it, how it loses it. So you understand the whole process and you begin to see precisely where in the process the craving and the attachment or craving and clinging kick in.
So these are some of the things that can be found right here in the present moment. The larger issues of birth, aging, illness and death; and rebirth, re-aging, re-illness and re-death; they get played out here, moment by moment by moment, right here in the present moment. And if you learn how to look right here, you can see them. The more still you can make the mind, the easier it is, both to be in a position to look and also just to see if you've got what you're looking at stil, as well. You're in a much better position to see even the slightest movements. It's those slight movements that build up, get re-iterated again and again, to build up into large movements. And small states of being and becoming in the mind build up eventually into large ones, when you leave this life and everything in this state of becoming begins to come rushing in at you, and you've got to get out of the way, the mind will naturally try to create another state of being, it will go for another state of being, whatever comes up in the mind, if you haven't trained the mind to be mindful and alert, you just jump right at whatever comes.
But if you've trained it, you don't have to jump. You can step aside, get out of the way. Not jump on these things as they happen, and that opens up lots of new possibilities in the mind. If you haven't yet seen the deathless, maybe at that point of death, that's the possibility that will open as you keep yourself mindful and alert not to jump at states of being and becoming as they form. But that's a skill which has to be developed. The more it's developed the better your chances are of having that skill in your repertoire when you really need it. So, why we keep focusing back in: the present, the present, the present. We talk sometimes about the future, we talk sometimes about the past, but the main point is to focus on what you're doing right here, right now.
Because everything you're going to need to know is right here, right now, so really get to know this spot as thoroughly as you can. Spend a lot of time here, be observant. The Buddha made a comment about getting to know other people, getting to know their virtue, getting to know their resilience, their honesty, their wisdom. You have to focus on the right aspects of their behavior you have to be observant and that takes a lot of time. Well, the same thing happens and applies to your own mind. You have to focus at the right spots, where craving and clinging give rise to becoming. And you have to be observant and you have to be willing to put in a lot of time. Because it's only then that you really see. If you try to get other people to see it for you, they can't solve the problem of craving, clinging and becoming. It's the person who looks who solves the problem, for him or herself.


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Thank you for showing interest in this item. You will be notified by email as soon as this item is available to purchase.
The item you selected has already been subscribed to notify to this email.
System error: Failed to submit email, please contact website administrator.
You've worked hard to find perfect presents, so make sure the gift wrap is just as lovely as the gift. This colorful ribbon is a fun and festive finishing touch.


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This is a ranking of colleges and universities with top quality Communications Technologies & Support programs. This ranking of the field of study means that many if not most of the majors within this category are ranked very highly. Some of the quality metrics we measure include graduation rates, post-grad salaries, loan default rates, and more.
It is possible some schools that offer Communications Technologies & Support were not included in the ranking due to lack of data. To see a full list of all the colleges offering this program check out our listing of Annual Graduates. To see a list of all the colleges that offer online degree options in Communications Technologies & Support, check out our listing of Annual Communications Technologies & Support Graduates From Programs Offered Online.


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For over 30 years Viking Pest Control has been providing pest control for families and businesses. Viking provides effective treatment programs including:
- Termite Control
- Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination Systems
- Carpenter Ant Control
- Commercial Consulting and Pest Elimination Programs
- Commercial and Residential Fumigation
- Bird Control
- Rodent Control
- Deer Shrub Protection
- Integrated Pest Management Programs (IPM)
- Business, restaurant, hospital, manufacturing specialists
- Wood Destroying Insect Inspections and Written Reports for Real Estate Transactions
- Structural Pest Exclusion Services
- Quarterly Home Service
- IPM Programs Designed for Schools
- Total Pest Control Programs (Includes general pest control maintenance, termite protection, carpenter ant protection, free emergency service)
Our use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques minimizes pesticide use and maximizes safety for your family or business.
Viking has an On-Staff Entomologist. Our people are university trained and have years of field experience.You benefit from the people that Viking employs by our ability to diagnose your problems quickly and solve them with speed and precision in a safe and effective manner.
If it's fast, sensible solutions to your pest control problems you're looking for, Viking is the one to call! We invite you to click around our Web Site and allow us to answer all of your pest control questions.
Our Pest Control Experts Serve the NJ PA, MD & DE Areas.
Viking Pest is QualityPro Certified
QualityPro is administered by the Foundation for Professional Pest Management, an independent organization that develops good business practices and standards. Designed specifically for pest management companies in the US and Canada, this certification is offered voluntarily to companies that are currently members of the National Pest Management Association. Created in 2004, we are proud to represent over 450 of the best companies in the pest management industry.


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Police & Emergencies
Downtown Campus Police
- On Campus Phone X3200
- Off Campus: 415.239.3200
Lost and Found
The Campus Police Station is the official location for lost and found property. Should you lose, or find an item, contact the Campus Police immediately located in the Downtown lobby. They can assist you in finding your property or take found property for safe keeping until the rightful owner is located. Most property can be retrieved during campus operating hours.
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention is student and employee awareness of their environment. It is the willingness to look out for one another and to report suspicious activities immediately to the Campus Police. Students and employees must be aware of their surroundings and develop a perception of what seems out of place, or out of the ordinary. Do not take chances, what may appear harmless could be serious. Fortunately, the right attitude, actions and awareness can help protect you and your belongings. For more information visit the San Francisco Community College District Police Department Official Website.
Sexual Harassment
The San Francisco Community College District policy prohibits all forms of sexual harassment, in accordance with the law. The policy applies to students, classified staff, faculty, and administrators, and third parties (such as vendors).
Advisors are available to assit students in identifying sexual harassment and taking action against it. Your privacy will be respected.
Smoking is not allowed at the Downtown Campus including all stairwells and balconies.
In an emergency, stay calm, and make sure everyone is safe until help comes.
- Do not use the elevators.
- Take stairs on both
side of the floor.
- Set off the fire alarms.
- Close doors and windows to slow down the fire.
- If you are disabled stay a tthe floor exiting stairs.
- Exit the building and do not block crosswalk entrances
- If you are trapped inside, stay near the floor.
To use a fire extinguisher, think PASS:
Pull the pin. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the handle. Sweep foam from side to side.
Power Outage
- Turn off all appliances and computers.
- Leave one light on, to show when power is back on.
- Do not use
candles. Use flashlights.
- When power is on again,
make sure that appliances work properly.
- If you are cold, bring everyone into one room and close all doors to keep heat in.
- Drivers: If traffic signals are not working, treat them
as stop signs.
- If you suspect poisoning, call 911 immediately.
- If you know what poison was taken, tell the operator.
- Keep the victim safe and warm until help arrives.
If Someone Is Injured
- Do not move the victim unless there is immediate danger.
- Call 911. If the victim is bleeding or unconscious, tell the
- Remain calm. Stay with the victim
- If the victim is bleeding:
- Apply direct pressure to the wound. Raise the injured area.
- Do not let the victim's blood touch your skin
- Earthquake
- Duck under a table or big piece of furniture.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Hold on until the shaking stops.
- Wheelchair users: Apply brake. Cover your head with your arms.
- Drivers: Pull over. Do not block the street. Stay in your car.
- After the quake:
- Expect aftershocks.
- Watch for falling objects and power lines.
- Check your home utilities. If you smell gas, turn off the gas line and leave the building.
- Expect aftershocks.
- Air
- During serious air pollution, or chemical or
radiation disasters, radio broadcasts may tell you to
"shelter in place." Here's what to do:
- Stay inside your home, building, or car.
- Close windows and doors. Pull blinds, curtains, and
- Turn off air conditioning and
ventilators that pull air into the building.
- Block cracks around windows and doors with towels.
- Wait until emergency radio gives the OK to leave.
- Stay inside your home, building, or car.
- Building Collapse
- Stay away from broken windows, heavy lights, and
furniture that may move.
- Exit only if you
are in danger.
- If you smell gas, leave
right away.
- Stay out of elevators.
- Think before you try to move someone. You may cause
another collapse or further injure the victim.
- Follow instructions from safety workers.
- Stay away from broken windows, heavy lights, and furniture that may move.
- During serious air pollution, or chemical or radiation disasters, radio broadcasts may tell you to "shelter in place." Here's what to do:
- Stay calm. Follow instructions from safety workers.
- Be ready for another attack.
- Do not spread
Prepare For An Emergency
Planning is your best protection in any emergency. Help may not reach
you right away. Water and power may not be restored for days. Plan to
be on your own for one week.
Keep copies of important papers outside your home. Include your passport, driver's license, social security card, health insurance cards, prescriptions, list of your valuables, wills, deeds, and financial records.
Choose someone outside the Bay Area. Give this person the names and telephone numbers of people to keep informed. After a disaster, ask your contact person to call those people.
Develop emergency plans for home, school, and work. Pick exit routes and meeting points. Know how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water in your home. Practice your plan!
Make emergency kits for home, work, and car. Include water (seven gallons per person), food, medicines, first aid kit, flashlights, AM radio, extra batteries, dust mask, eye protection, whistle, soap and sanitary items, and cash in small bills.
Put smoke detectors in your home. Change the batteries twice a year.
Emergency Broadcasts
At noon every Tuesday, the city tests its warning sirens. If you hear
a continuing warning siren at any other time, tune your AM radio to
emergency broadcasts on KGO 810, KCBS 740, or KNBR 680.
- To prepare yourself and your family for an emergency,
- American Red Cross www.bayarea-redcross.org (415) 427-8000
- Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov (415) 923-7118
- SF Auxiliary Communications Service (HAM radio) (415) 703-6586
- San Francisco Fire Department Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) www.sfnert.org (415) 558-3456
- San Francisco Mayor's Office of Emergency Services www.sfgov.org/oes (415) 558-2700
- Phone numbers you may need:
- Poison Control Center: (800)
- Police (non-emergency calls): (415)
- Power Outage
Information: (415) 743-5002
- San Francisco
General Hospital: (415) 206-8000
San Francisco General Hospital Foundation
Before Help Comes!
Underwritten by the George Frederick Jewett Foundation
- Poison Control Center: (800) 876-4766


text:
Tools and Utilities
Xperia Z Theme FREE« Personalization & Tools « Downloads
|September 19, 2013
|93 times
|Personalization & Tools
Brief introduction:
Xperia Z Theme Free
Covers new wallpaper, icons
Make sure your smartphone with android OS 4.0+
If you like Xperia Z Theme FREE, please rate it on Google Play store. Also, we have lots of Themes for Solo/Go/Apex/Nova/ADW Launcher.
If you want to check out our other themes then Click on "More by Little White Rabbit" or Search "Solo Theme" in Google Play.
Thank you for downloading our Xperia Z Theme FREE. If you have any problems, questions or suggestions,please tell us. If you like the theme, please leave a positive review.
Little White Rabbit's Themes will be regularly updated to ensure that all the themes are compatible with latest version of Solo Launcher.If it is not compatible with you launcher,please email us more details about your mobile phone and your launcher.
Solo Launcher Free is one of the fastest Android Launcher for Games and Apps.
It is a fast, stable, highly customizable home launcher application which helps you create a fascinating customized home screen experience on your Android device.
***More Applications***
Hello Kitty Theme & Locker Screen, iOS 7 Theme &Live Wallpaper, HTC Sense Theme &Wallpaper,HTC Desire Theme
Galaxy Note 2 Theme,Galaxy S4 Theme, Windows 8 Theme, Xperia Z Theme,iPad mini Theme,PES 2013 Theme
Keywords :
Solo Launcher Free / Solo Live wallpaper/ Solo Theme/Solo Locker/Solo HD Wallpaper/Xperia Z Theme Free/Xperia Z Wallpaper/ Xperia Z Live Wallpaper / Xperia Z Locker / Xperia Z Free
- Adobe Flash for 2.3 and 3.0
- Google Play services
- Easy Touch (iPhone style)
- Fingerprint Security Lock
- Video Downloader - Clipflick
- Evie Launcher
- MiX Archive
- BlackBerry Launcher
- erfect Keyboard Free
- File Manager by Astro (File Browser)
- BlackBerry Keyboard
- Google Translate
- BlackBerry Hub+ Services
- Zedge for Android


text: The morning show on KPEK-FM in Albuquerque NM. We're just three friends that sit around and talk about stuff. We happen to have microphones in front of our faces. We call our listeners "The Six" because that's usually how many people are listening. Jackie and Tony are married (yes...to each other), and Donnie is practically their 4th son. Jackie is a graduate of La Cueva High School, while Donnie was raised in the metropolis of Moriarty New Mexico. Tony moved here in 1997, and has been proud to call Albuquerque "home" ever since.


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Don't Believe The HypeBy on April 9, 2013
Last year I helped create an alarm clock app, called Rise. To our surprise, it received a lot of attention. A lot more than we had ever anticipated. With this kind of attention there are bound to be haters. It just comes with the territory. It's not that I think the app is perfect and there should not be criticism. To the contrary, there are a lot of things we have changed that were not even on our radar. Customer feedback has really helped us improve the base product. Listening to customers has made Rise what it is today.
That said, we've seen a few of what I call "sniper emails." Those are the kinds of critiques where that individual, or troll, is just angry and wants to inflict the maximum amount of pain from far away. This person doesn't know you and possibly hasn't even really used your product. There is nothing valuable that you can extract from them–and that's their point. No matter how thick your skin is, it does sting to have someone sucker punch your hard work.
However, there was one of these kinds of emails that ended up unintentionally giving me some excellent insight. He [the troll] basically told us what a huge let down the app was and that the other alarm apps were much, much better. He said our app wasn't deserving of the attention that it was getting. The tone was cold and meant to simply strike us down. Normally, I hit delete and move on. But there was one line that stuck with me. He ended it with: "Don't believe the hype."
I didn't catch it at first. But then after some thought I realized that that comment was insinuating that we had made this app without talking to anyone; we made it just sitting in our bubble. Then, we released it and were met with media praise. And from only that media feedback we continued to live in our bubble believing we had a great product.
He, of course, was dead wrong. The app was a labour of love. We built the kind of product we would like, without much expectation. Wherever I was, I'd ask someone to try it. I user tested at family gatherings, in airports, and waiting rooms. After iterating we reached out to some people online to beta test. They kindly took the time to review it and write feedback. It wasn't all praise–there was confusion with some parts of the app. We learned from it and decided which points to address, keeping the focus on the simple product we set out to make. We continue to get feedback from users today and we listen. Closely.
Getting some attention is great, but attention doesn't make a product great; being focused and having a clear vision of what you are making does. I think that believing the hype can be a dangerous thing in building a product and it does happen. Building it for real people and hearing what they have to say is what validates the hype. It's great to get excited about a product or startup idea early on. You need to believe in it first, before anyone else does. That desire is what drives you. But be careful not to get to a place with it where you begin to have a "maserati problem." This is basically creating your own internal hype about the product, when it's not even close to being there.
The troll ended up giving me some great advice because he made me realize which kind of feedback matters. Reflecting on the responses, the feedback that is truly meaningful is an email from a real customer saying they love our alarm app and they can't wait to go to sleep so they can wake up with it. Or, even someone fairly critiquing it and saying if we tweak something it would make it that much better of an app for them.
That is the kind of hype I choose to believe.


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According to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a public entity that has a minimum of 50 employees is required to designate an individual to oversee their compliance of the ADA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that was enacted on July 26, 1990. The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.
As one of the most accessible cities in the United States, the Austin ADA Program Office ensures that all city services and programs are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.
ADA Office Email
ADA Program Manager: David Ondich (512) 974-3256
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Here is my selection of twelve titles I have put off buying during the year (mainly because I have been working down my considerable back-log). I bought ten of these books in the last couple of days.
- Dexter Filkins: The Forever War
The NYTimes journalist's Iraq war memoir: From Manhattan to Falluja (Review)
- Denis Johnson: Tree of Smoke
VietNam allegory and pre-quell (Review)
- Piers Brendon: Decline and Fall of the British Empire 1781-1997
The accidental empire given up painfully. (Review)
- P.D. James: The Private Patient
(For Mrs PND) Isn't Dalglish getting on? (Review)
- John Le Carre: A Most Wanted Man
A stew of terrorism, spies and duplicity. (Review)
- Jon Meacham: American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House
The everyman President from outside the Beltway. (Review)
- Peter Mattiessen: Shadow Country
Winner of this year's National Book Awards. (Review)
- Denis Lehane: The Given Day
The Bard of Irish Boston (Review)
- Kate Atkinson: When Will There Be Good News
(For Mrs PND) Jackson Brodie Solves his third murder case (Review)
- Tim Winton: Breath
One of Australia's new crop of renowned authors. (Review)
- Stieg Larsson: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Financial fraud, murder, family violence. It's the first of a trilogy. (Review)
- Don Winslow: The Dawn Patrol
Ex-PI and stand-up comedian Winslow crafts another mystery. (Review)
- (Bonus) George Pelecanos: The Turnaround.
GP is one of my favorite authors. Again another urban parable. (Review)
Feel free to add your own list/recommendations in the comments.


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by Tom Utescher
Following a 258-275 loss to Agnes Irwin on Monday of last week, the Springside Lions came a lot closer on their home course the next afternoon, but still fell to the Owls, 271-279.
The youthful Springside squad, which has just one senior on the entire roster, saw its record decline to 0-5 on the season, while Irwin, another young team, improved to 2-3.
In Monday's match at Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, the host Owls won easily but Springside senior Amanda Culp fired the best round of the match, with a nine-hole score of 41. Culp also led the field the following afternoon, with a 47 positioning her one stroke ahead of another player in her foursome, AI senior Sara Clark.
Another stroke back, with a 49, was Springside junior Kelly Brady, who is co-captain for the Lions this spring along with Culp. The other member of this group, Irwin junior Chiru Murage, scored a 59.
While the visitors came out on the short end within this quartet, they made up ground when another foursome reported in. The Owls had juniors Emily Bailey and Courtney McGill turn in a 50 and a 56, respectively, while Springside marked down a 66 for Dena O'Larnic and a 68 for fellow junior Sam Blake.
With a total of just six players available for Springside (normally each team has eight official players and the top five scores count towards the team score), the other two groups on the course were threesomes consisting of one Springside freshman and two Agnes Irwin players.
Courtney Hamilton produced the Lions' third-best round of the day, a 54, and her traveling companions, AI juniors Kui Murage (Chiru's fraternal twin) and Emily Cyr, shot a 58 and a 64.
The other Springside ninth-grader, Morgan Schneer, also had the best outing within her threesome. Her score of 63 gave her bragging rights over visiting freshmen Grace Alburger (66) and Prianka Bedi (80), but in the final team tally, the Owls departed with an eight-stroke victory.


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|View Trailer
Looking for That Special Someone is the title of the second official trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV, released by Rockstar Games on 28th June 2007. It shows in detail the detailed gameplay and better graphics that GTA IV has.
The trailer shows more gameplay and animation; including speech, driving and weapons fire; the characters also appear to have visible fingers for the first time. Some of the new effects include Niko hanging on the back of a truck while it's driving, and hanging from the platform of a helicopter. Also, some of the trees in the trailer appear to be brown, another indicator that seasons will play a part (particularly Fall). Reflections can also be seen, including in a wing mirror.
Several references to previous GTA games can be seen, including a Binco clothes shop and graffiti of El Burro. Some familiar vehicles can also be seen including a Stallion and a Voodoo.
All footage in this trailer is captured in real-time on a next generation gaming console, so it is a true indicator of what playing GTA IV will be like. It is running on RAGE (Rockstar Advanced Game Engine) using Euphoria - a fully procedural animation package created by NaturalMotion. As we saw earlier in the week, the song in this trailer is by New York City based band The Boggs and is titled "Arm In Arm (Shy Child Remix)"
|The Broker Bridge looking towards Algonquin from the northeast side of the bridge
|Niko Bellic driving in a Stallion on the Broker Bridge
|Niko at United Liberty Paper in the mission Portrait of a Killer
|Niko paying the toll on the East Borough Bridge
|Niko driving in Chinatown, Algonquin
|Niko talking to Roman Bellic in front of the South Bohan Safehouse in the mission Hostile Negotiation
|Niko driving in Castle Gardens, Algonquin
|Niko driving on the East Borough Bridge
|Niko driving by The 69th Street Diner in Hove Beach, Broker
|Niko talking with Ray Boccino in the mission Museum Piece
|Same scene from 0:21
|Niko with Roman at Bernie Crane's place in the mission Weekend at Florian's
|Ilyena Faustin at Firefly Island as a random character
|NOOSE surrounding the Bank of Liberty in the mission Three Leaf Clover
|Same scene from 0:28
|Same scene from 0:29
|Niko jumping from a roof in the mission Ivan the Not So Terrible
|Niko hanging off a truck in the mission Truck Hustle
|Niko encounters Badman in the mission Shadow
|Niko getting attacked by the cops in Hove Beach
|Niko confronting Darko Brevic in the mission That Special Someone
Trailer Script
Niko Bellic is seen driving a 'Stallion' over the Algonquin Bridge.
- United Liberty Paper: You're looking for some people...
Niko is seen in a small office standing while talking.
- Niko Bellic: We're all looking for that special someone!
Niko is driving a blue Stallion through a tollbooth, then is seen on the sidewalk of a street in a residential area, talking to Roman.
- Niko Bellic: I need to know what happened. Give me that!
A view of the blue Stallion from behind shows a beautiful sunset. The camera than cuts 180 degrees to see a LCPD Squad car trailing the car. The Stallion is once again seen driving past the '69th Street Diner'. The next scenes show Niko casually walking in the modern streets of Liberty City.
- Niko Bellic: For 10 years, I've been searching.
Niko is in a chef's kitchen, yelling at another character who is off-screen, later revealed to be Mafia capo Ray Boccino.
- Niko Bellic: I need this from you. A guarantee that you will find this man!
Niko is pacing towards a room in a unit, then seen kicking open the door as Roman follows him. Niko is then on a motorbike with a helmet on. Ilyena Faustin is then seen in a fairground, pleading.
- Ilyena Faustin: Please, no more killing!
Niko is walking along a wall, then peaking out of the corner to spot a LCPD Squad Car. SWAT are seen in formation running outside the 'Bank of Liberty', about to infiltrate it. Roman is heard during this scene.
- Roman Bellic: Don't do anything stupid, cousin
A Black Helicopter flies over Liberty City. Niko lunges himself over something.
- Niko Bellic: We have to find him...
Niko is hanging off the end of a moving truck advertising Cluckin' Bell. A man (Ray Boccino) is heard during this scene, and then seen being hostile towards Niko
- Man: Fine, you got it! You want my word? You got my word!
Niko beats someone who is on the ground. Niko is then seen walking casually as his surrounds change into different areas. Niko is then firing bullets from an AK into a red car, leaving realistic bullet-marks. Niko is in his blue 'Stallion' as police are shooting at him. The bullets are seen, impacting on the windscreen of the car, leaving realistic bullet holes. The 'Stallion' is then seen under chase by LCPD Squad cars.
- Niko Bellic: I'm the one who survived!
Niko hurls himself out of the blue 'Stallion" as it rolls towards a gas station before exploding. The last scene shows Niko near the Algonquin Bridge on his Mobile Phone as the camera pans 90 degrees clockwise.
- United Liberty Paper (over phone): Get this done and we'll talk.
Niko hangs up the phone, and the GTA IV logo appears as the scree fades to black.
Easter Eggs
There are a couple of easter eggs seen in the trailer, all on a wall of graffiti which is shown as Niko quietly walks along, presumably sneaking up on nearby cops.
El Burro, as aforementioned, can be seen on the wall. He is next to all of the PAL box art (excluding Australia and New Zealand) for Grand Theft Auto III. Next to the box art is what appears to be the GTA III artwork of a Yardie gang member, however this is a lot more difficult to see, after this we also see 8-Ball. It may be the case that the entire length of the wall is filled with GTA III artwork.
The Diablos logo is seen on the left corner.
Additionally, on the wall perpendicular to this we can see the bike from the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City box art.
View the Trailer
The trailer is currently shown in the box at the top of this page, or you can view it at these external links
- Official GTA IV Website (trailer currently shown on that page)
- Yahoo Games
- YouTube
Download the Trailer


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Mary Tyler Moore, the star of TV's beloved The Mary Tyler Moore Show whose comic realism helped revolutionize the depiction of women on the small screen, has died.
Moore died Wednesday with her husband and friends nearby, her publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said. She was 80.
Moore gained fame in the 1960s as the frazzled wife Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. In the 1970s, she created one of TV's first career-woman sitcom heroines in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
She won seven Emmy awards over the years and was nominated for an Oscar for her 1980 portrayal of an affluent mother whose son is accidentally killed in Ordinary People.
She had battled diabetes for many years. In 2011, she underwent surgery to remove a benign tumor on the lining of her brain.


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Search News Top 10 Reasons to Study at ELS/Philadelphia – West Chester
may. 18, 2016 4:00
On June 20, 2016, ELS/Philadelphia – West Chester will be opening on the campus of West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania! West Chester University is a public university located 25 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university is home to over 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 29 states and 74 countries. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report ranked West Chester University #18 among the "Top Public Schools in Regional Universities (North)."
Click here to learn the Top 10 Reasons to Study at ELS/Philadelphia – West Chester.


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Luke 2:8-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
Cross references:
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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TenantWatch necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 298 diseños de 57 diseñadores freelance.
Racing! Reality or VirtualGT your choice! FAS 5 RACING will invoke your desire to do either. Race your friends in our fast battery powered karts or challenge them to a Formula 1 race at either Laguna Seca raceway in California or through the streets of Monty Carlo. The battery karts have a quicker response than petrol power, cleaner then gas and able to be recharged in 10 min, this is the electric motor powered karts we are going to be racing around the track at 40 mph in and we need a logo to represent the fun and future of the industry. These karts (go karts) are utilizing a clean alternative energy source and this is somewhat the theme although we'll never forget about the big slam you into your seat horse power! So, let's talk about sensory overload our virtual race invokes 500 in your face watts of surround sound blasting the high reving formula 1 racer or the 600 hp Shelby Cobra big block rumble through your bones as you race them around 1 of 2,000 different tracks worldwide. This system is so realistic it is used by race car drivers for training and skill advancement. I am looking for clean crisp lines, a design which will intrigue you and make you want to come see what is going on inside our facility!!! I think BP (British Petroleum) green (or similar) and possibly a blue (that compliments) or whatever other color complements and POP'S off the page, poster and building sign. I am not stuck on those colors but I would give some direction which also indicates the alternative energy we are using for part of the business. FAS 5 Racing (Father and Son) and our parent company Ak Racing Co. need an image. Our target market is going to be those interested or intrigued by what the automobile can do or just the love of old and new cars and love speed or having some great fun! In closing I am looking for an image worthy of a being in a museum.
FAS 5 Racing and its parent company AK Racing Co and need a graphical representation indicating racing and speed utilizing electric battery power (alternative energy) combined with the a virtual world of racing. We are combining two worlds. One will be the grassroots of racing using electric karts which do not have that noise appeal that a motor brings to the kart but we are focusing on the alternative energy aspect with the better efficiency not to mention better power response then its petrol powered counter part. The other is the sensory overload of virtual racing in 1 of 2000 different vehicles. You can choose either a Formula 1 race car racing through the streets of Monty Carlo or take your Shelby Cobra out for a day at the track. This is not like a regular simulator every aspect of the actual racecar and track have been implemented into this simulation and this system is actually used for training race car drivers allowing them to improve their response times and track knowledge.
My wife and partner have a 4 other companies not relating to this type of industry and have had a tough time finding a graphic designer able to deliver the tasteful professionalism we both have in mind. I am a car freak for lack of a better description, I love cars, driving and going fast so this project we are working fits me to a "T". I want a professional image one that will attract the car buffs (Porsche, Audi, BMW, Lamorghini's and other high end auto owners) to this facility as well as it needs to be able to attract the Subaru driving street racers along with the younger market just getting onto the scene. This will be exposing them to the grassroots of motorsports which is what karts have been used for over the years. With electric power gaining momentum in Europe it is taking over the karting world. So, my idea is something like this, I want power but with refinement, look at the lines on the new Austin Martin One-77 it just won the design award at the Concorso d'Eleganza you combine that with the Bugatti Veyron and the Koenigsegg CCX and you have some of the lines which invoke blood pumping thrills, for me any way. Don't forget to consider one car I don't know much about yet is the Lighting GT an electric super car. So, we are going for James Bond style and imaging, this is all I could think of at the time, with the elegance of professionalism which is Bond, especially the newest edition of the Bond movies. The idea is to cause people to look and keep looking, to the point we are using a tractor beam to entice them to 'come into the race track building'… I have a 68 Camaro and a 2007 Jeep SRT-8 which delivers 425 hp for the whole family to enjoy, well that is what I tell them. I enjoy the classic nostalgia of the vintage autos but get real excited by the technology integrated into today and tomorrows super cars.
- agressive lines
- eye catching
- make the car buffs turn their head as they pass by
- Intriguing
- bold but not scary
- fast and serious but fun
- professional clean crisp lines with a hint artistic value
- no cartoons or looking cartoony
- fake
- unbelievableh
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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l'industriale presents new and used machine tools available from the best european dealers and also interviews, economy, exhibitions, news from industry...
Search from thousands of new and used machine tools for sale, from auctions, clearance sales and bankruptcies.
Read the wanted ads of machine tools.
Not found the machine tool you are looking for? Enter a wanted ad.
Register your company and enter your used and new machine tools for sale.
visits N.1907
Prezzo normale di vendita euro 14.900,00 +...
Codice. 1128
fresatrice da attrezzisti...
Fresatrice per attrezzisti


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How Can We Help You?
Your Komfort Is Our Koncern!
Knueve and Sons, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company with over 40 years in business. We serve Northwestern Ohio with heating and air conditioning, plumbing, bath and water treatment, standby generators and much, much more.
We offer the best possible service and highly trained installation crews. At Knueve, we're a family and we treat you as part of our family as well. We'll help you find solutions that will help your family be comfortable and healthy, and we'll send friendly technicians who will get your job done right the first time.
Throughout our website, you'll find ideas for making your home a more comfortable and healthy place to live. Give us a call to discuss some of these ideas and how we can help you implement them in your home.


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Visit Vocations Toronto at www.vocationstoronto.ca, a resourceful site in answering these questions.
This is very similar to the story in the Gospel today. If someone finds a
hidden treasure in a field, that person will usually try to find a way to
obtain it. We all like treasures and most of us would be happy to have
more resources to live. Or if we are collectors of stamps or other types
of things, we can get totally involved in acquiring what we lack to
complete our collections. Most of us are not fishermen, yet we can
understand a large haul of fish, and throwing out those that have to
commercial value.
So the question for us today really comes down to this: what is the
deepest and most important value in our lives? Do we see God as that
value? Do we see value for the Kingdom of God in our lives? Or is it just
something that we play at?
We can listen to the story about Solomon in the first reading, from the
First Book of Kings. What gift would we ask of God? Honestly, there are
times when we might ask for many things: life for another person, enough
money for our families, safety for those who travel and so on. Solomon
does not ask for a deeper relationship with God, but for a gift that will
help him serve others better. We don't have to be pious about this.
Instead, we need to seek that which will help us love others more because
in loving others more, we love God.
God invites us to reflect on our lives and on our values today. God
invites us to put our lives in order so that all of our choices reflect His
love for us and our love for others. This is the project of a whole life
time and not something that we can achieve and never worry about once more.
God help us! Let us give Him praise.
Reflections are available for the following Sundays:


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|Never Really Over
|Dark Horse
|Wide Awake
|Part Of Me
Nov 2019 • 1 song
Oct 2019 • 1 song
Oct 2019 • 1 song
Brandishing a wink, a coo, and cleavage with the aplomb of an assassin, Katy Perry created a distinctly new millennial pop persona: a Disney princess as imagined by Madonna. Flirty and bodacious, Perry sometimes skirted with taboos -- she sneered on her first single "Ur So Gay" (punch line: "and you don't even like boys"), she gasped "I Kissed a Girl" and she liked it -- and that willingness to be controversial certainly put her on the pop culture radar, but the reason she stayed there was her knack for blending classic pop conventions with new trends. This talent reached its ... Read more


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School officials contacted police
NEILSVILLE, Wis. — A former assistant track coach at Thorp High School is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student.
WSAW-TV reported that 43-year-old Scott A. Bergman, of Thorp, faces a felony charge of sexual assault of a student by school staff. He's free on bail.
The criminal complaint alleges the relationship began last fall, when Bergman was the girl's coach. School officials contacted police after learning about the possible relationship. Authorities said a search of Bergman's phone turned up nude pictures of the girl, and intimate text messages between them.
Bergman was fired in November.
He does not have a listed phone number and his attorney did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Monday. He's due to make his first court appearance Thursday in Clark County.


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Scottsman necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 14 diseños de 7 diseñadores freelance.
Fresh design needed for my aviation classifieds site, Propwash.com...
Aviation Marketplace
Desired Color Scheme:
Main color blue, with white and red(sparingly). You can use any shade of blue and red that fits into your design.
Desired Style:
Needs to be web 2.0'ish , clean, open, and professional. I like shiny bars and shadows.
Accepted File Formats:
Looking for a fresh,uncoded template design for my aviation classifieds site, Propwash.com.
Layout - I'd like to generally stay with the current layout, with a few changes. The two horizontal nav bars below the header need to be combined to one bar, with buttons centered. Also, I need the log-in box above the left column to be replaced with a search box. And the left column navigation needs to be better integrated with the rest of the template.
Logo - I'd like to keep the same logo, but you can change the color to better match your template if you need to. Psd for logo can be found here: http://www.propwash.com/images/prop…ite_bg.zip
Header - The logo position needs to stay, but I would like to incorporate some clouds and/or an airplane into the right side.
$50 Bonus - if you can include a static, non flash image in the header exactly like this one, except instead of jet engines, I need a prop type engine:
These are some sites I like. I don't want them copied, but to give you some ideas.
http://www.templateworld.com/templa…-1160.html - I like the open feeling of this template
http://www.usopen.org/home/default.sps - more for color reference
Competitor sites:
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I look forward to working with you!


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Steezie Nasa Aka Psteez (Feat. D.Carter) - Like A Movie (SteezAttle) [Unsigned Hype]
"Spent one-fifty, went and copped the Griffeys.
wrapped in some Gucci, MY CITY'S LIKE A MOVIE" Steezie
Nasa and D.Carter shows us a different side to the
city apart from the tea/coffee drinking.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE OF STEEZIE NASA! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2CCUyYjKb4"
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle in "Young Frankenstein." Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Review by Harry Thomas
There are films in which it doesn't matter how many times you've seen it; you always stop to watch it whenever it's on. When you quote one of the lines from it, everyone in the room immediately knows where it's from. "Young Frankenstein" is one of those films, and deservedly so.
Now it's on Blu-ray, and while the extras make it worth buying (or upgrading), I have to disagree with director Mel Brooks about its appearance on the format. In my opinion, "Young Frankenstein" doesn't really gain anything from being in high-definition; this is a film that looked perfectly fine in fuzzy standard def. But no, you can't have my copy of it. I'm not stupid; I'm keeping the Blu-ray and passing my old standard disc off to someone else (it's already claimed, so don't ask).
I scarcely need to describe the plot, but just in case…
Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronken-steen") (Gene Wilder) is a rather brilliant (by his own admission) surgeon and medical professor. After giving a lecture in which he vehemently discards his late grandfather's work (the scalpel cracks me up every time), he is approached by a solicitor, who informs him of his place in his grandfather's will.
After saying farewell to his fiancŽ (Madeline Kahn), young Frederick travels to Transylvania, where he meets Igor (pronounced "eye-gore") (Marty Feldman) and Inga (Teri Garr), his laboratory assistant. They travel by hay cart to the Frankenstein castle, where the housekeeper, Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman) shows them to their rooms.
A strange musical interlude disturbs the sleep of Frederick and Inga, and they follow it through the hidden passages to the laboratory of the late Victor Frankenstein, where a book inscribed "How I Did It" is found. Frederick eagerly turns the pages and determines that "IT – COULD – WORK!"
He needs a body of great stature, so he and Igor travel to the local cemetery, where a convicted criminal has just been buried. They dig up the body, then Frederick sends Igor to the Brain Depositary to get the brain of a respected scientist and saint, but Igor drops the case and takes an "abby-normal" brain instead. Frederick installs the brain in the Creature (Peter Boyle), and the rest, well…
That's a rather cut-and-dried explanation of the first third of the film, and it doesn't do the comedy justice. But just in case you are one of those few people who haven't seen it yet, I'm not going to give it away.
The extras are a significant upgrade to those on the previous DVD release, which are all included here as well. The director's commentary by Brooks is the same, as is the "Making FrankenSense of Young Frankenstein" featurette. The outtakes, photo galleries, interviews and deleted scenes are all the same as well (although the deleted scenes are presented in both standard and high definition, for some strange reason).
What's new is the "It's Alive: Creating a Monster Classic" featurette, which includes new interviews with Brooks, Garr and other associated people. Garr has a funny bit in which she tells how she had to get Brooks to explain the meaning of "schwanzstucker." And her line, "Woof," was an ad-lib that was left in, then given to Kahn for her encounter with the monster's "schwanzstucker."
There's a pop-up trivia track that offers a lot of the same information that you hear on the various featurettes, but it's worth having it run while you're watching the movie for the umpteenth time. There's a "Inside the Lab: Secret Formulas in the Making of Young Frankenstein" picture-in-picture feature that pops up during the film. You also have the option to watch this feature on its own in full-screen mode; I'd recommend that.
Rounding out the new extras is a new featurette, "Transylvanian Lullaby: The Music of John Morris," in which Brooks and film historians gush over Morris' film score. There's also an isolated score track, in case you want to hear just the music only.
And finally, there's something called the "Blucher Button." I turned the feature on, but I'll be damned if I can figure out what it does or how to activate it. I tried every button on my remote; nothing. The press release called it an interactive feature; perhaps you need to be hooked to the Internet to make it work? If someone figures it out, please let me and everyone else know by responding below.
There's a lot of amazing trivia that's covered in the extras. Some of the more interesting bits:
- Columbia Pictures told Brooks that he could only have $1.75 million to shoot the film and it had to be in color. Brooks took it to Fox, who told him he could spend what he wanted and it could be black and white. Since the film has grossed over $90 million in ticket and video, with more on the way, I'd say that was a bad decision.
- The Frankenstein laboratory equipment is the same that was used in the old Universal Pictures "Frankenstein" films. It was sitting in the garage of a man named Kenneth Strickfaden, and he provided it for the production.
- Brooks took great care in being as faithful as he could to the original James Whale "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" films. He even prohibited the use of modern camera moves. He did invent a few things: for example, none of the "Frankenstein" films ever touched on Transylvania as the spot of the Frankenstein castle.
- A lot of the dialogue and action was adlibbed: the scene between Frau Blucher and Frederick when she's offering him a drink after his long journey; the "moving hump" gag.
- The scenes where Igor drops the brain and the Creature meets the blind man (Gene Hackman, in an uncredited cameo) are taken from the original Frankenstein films.
- The band Aerosmith was recording "Toys in the Attic" and had written the music for a song, but was stuck on the lyrics. Taking a break, they went to see "Young Frankenstein" and seized upon the line "Walk this way" as inspiration.
So is this disc worth the upgrade? For the extras, yes. There are enough of them to justify it. And as this is one of the funniest movies of all time (ironically enough, it's lucky #13 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 best comedies), it definitely deserves a place in your collection. If you don't have a Blu-ray player, get the conventional disc.
Young Frankenstein
Fox, 106 minutes, PG, $39.98


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Dr. John Trauger is a Senior Research Scientist
with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He received
his B.A. in physics from Oberlin College, and his
M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison.
Trauger is the Principal Investigator for the
Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) on the
Hubble Space Telescope. In 1985, WFPC2 was conceived
as a wide-field photometric camera to replace the
WF/PC originally launched with the telescope in
1990. In June 1990, following analysis of the first
images from Hubble, he proposed to NASA to correct
for Hubble's spherical aberration by refiguring
small mirrors within WFPC2, a solution which ultimately
delivered fully restored imaging. In 1994 he was
awarded NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal for
his work with the WFPC2 science program. In 1997
he received the Masursky Award for service to planetary
science from the American Astronomical Society's
Division of Planetary Science.
Trauger is currently developing highly corrected
optical instrumentation for space astronomy. His
research interests center on the origins and nature
of solar-system objects, with focus on the atmospheres
and magnetospheres of the outer planets and implications
for planetary evolution. He is a member of the NASA
science working groups currently working on the
Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument to be installed
in the Hubble Space Telescope in 2003, and the Next
Generation Space Telescope scheduled for launch
in 2009.


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Footing Steps
The frame "Footing steps" serves to input the steps of foundation below abutment. This option thus allows for specifying additional shapes of bridge abutment.
Adding foundation step is performed in the "New step" dialog window. Input footing steps can be edited on the desktop with the help of active dimensions or active objects, respectively.
Frame "Footing steps"


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As the saying goes, we at Severalnines have been walking on several clouds this year, 9 to be precise!
Today, we are proud to say that we are on walking on Cloud 9!
And in the spirit of celebration, we would like to announce our:
Top 9 Clouds of the Year 2011 for Severalnines
Cloud 1 – releasing ClusterControl™ - our first commercial product in April!
ClusterControl™ is our flagship product. It enables developers and database administrators to Deploy, Manage, Monitor and Scale their clustered database platforms, free from the complexity and learning curves associated with database clusters. Read more ...
Cloud 2 – releasing ClusterControl™ for MySQL Replication
Designed to address issues and needs of MySQL users relying on MySQL Replication, ClusterControl™ for MySQL Replication offers a complete set of tools to assist developers and administrators of all skill levels to deploy, manage, monitor and scale their replicated MySQL databases. Read more ...
Cloud 3 - releasing ClusterControl™ for MySQL Galera together with Codership
ClusterControl™ for MySQL Galera enables customers to Deploy, Manage, Monitor and Scale a clustered MySQL database platform based on Galera Replication. MySQL Galera is a synchronous multi-master cluster for MySQL/InnoDB, and allows applications to read and write from any MySQL Server.
Developers and DBAs now have access to all of the features of Severalnines' flagship product ClusterControl™ specifically adapted to MySQL Galera. Read more ...
Cloud 4 – reaching over 7,000 installations via the Severalnines Configurator
The Severalnines Configurator allows you to generate a production class configuration for a clustered MySQL configuration. It also generates a deployment package that automates the deployment of the complete database setup. Topologies can be based on MySQL Replication, MySQL Cluster or MySQL Galera.
We have a great user base and in order to facilitate communication within our user community, we set up our Severalnines Customer Services platform with forums, online support, etc. both for paying customers as well as users. Check it out and join the conversation!
Cloud 5 – our Customers
At Severalnines, our goal is to reduce database costs, ease deployment, simplify management and increase DBA and developer productivity.
But rather than us telling you why we think we are great, we wanted to provide documented case studies on how our innovative products are helping customers meet and exceed business goals for their database operations. See what our customers have to say about us.
Cloud 6 – introducing Severalnines DataCloud™
Severalnines DataCloud™ enables DBaaS for public, private and hybrid clouds. It extends the advantages of cloud computing to the database infrastructure layer by enabling on-demand access, automated management, managed availability and elasticity of MySQL databases. This reduces cost and the complexities of deploying and managing databases. Read more ...
Cloud 7 – launching the first ever 100% European DbaaS with City Network
On November 23rd, Severalnines and our partner City Network announced the first fully European Database as a Service (DBaaS) solution - in beta form. The City Cloud Database Service is based and operated in the European Union - offering European customers full compliance with EU Directive on Data Protection 95/46/EC and a safe haven from the reaches of the US Patriot Act and making it the first ever offering of its kind. Read more ...
Cloud 8 – being talked about at the European Commission – Severalnines in the News
Following our announcement of the City Cloud Database Service, the press took over and 20+ original articles later, we discovered that we were even being talked about at European Commission conferences. Which shows to prove that politicians do read the papers (or are well briefed by colleagues who do) and that we had hit the right spot with our announcement. Find out more and see all the press coverage in our News Center.
Cloud 9 – winning the EuroCloud Sweden & Europe Awards 2011 for Best Startup!!!
We did it! After winning the EuroCloud Award for Sweden, we won the EuroCloud Europe Award for Best Startup last week in Paris at a prestigious ceremony on the Seine. We attended the ceremony together with our friends from City Network and needless to say that we had a great night! The Awards have been widely covered by the European press in multiple languages – visit our News Center for all the details.
All in all, it's been a great year for us and we have all of you to thank for that!
So here is a BIG 'thank you' from everyone at Severalnines to all our customers, partners, friends and supporters out there.
Have a great year-end and and an even better start to the year 2012 - see you there!
Please do reach out to us with your feedback on Facebook, LinkedIn, XING or directly via these contact details for fruitful and interactive discussions on this latest release. For 'instant' communication, feel free to follow us on Twitter !
About SeveralninesSeveralnines provides automation and management software for easily usable, highly available and auto-scalable cloud database platforms. ClusterControl™, the company's flagship product, used by developers and administrators of all skill levels, addresses the full deploy-manage-monitor-scale cycle. Severalnines has enabled over 7,000 deployments to date via its popular online configurator for clustered MySQL databases.
To see who is using Severalnines today, please visit our references page.


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Werder Havel is a meeting place for a great deal of yacht charter guests who flock to its shores yearly. Apart from offering great sailing territories with varied cruising itineraries, Werder Havel also has a good infrastructure for boat rentals.
Because Werder Havel is a popular destination, YachtBooker offers a range of different models of beautiful boats. In order to access those yachts, just head above to the menu labelled YachtFinder® and click on the respective boxes in order to enter the criteria needed for your search. The more details you enter, the more refined your search results will be. If you don't know what criteria you're searching for, just click on the arrows to get a list of suggestions in the drop-down menu.
Keep in mind that there are more than one location to go to when visiting Werder Havel. You can read descriptions of neighbouring resorts in Werder Havel by clicking on the article list located in the right corner on top of the page. Each link is an article structured according to the main needs of a sailor on a boat rental: logistics, what to do once you get there and the most important sights to see.
If you have questions about any boat types or yacht charter destinations don´t hesitate to click on the button below. Fill out the search form and our experts will get back to you immediately. We will prepare you the most competitive quote.


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Howdy. Mel from Mid-Michigan. I need some help/advice. I was an active healthy 70 year-old male. I have been fighting prostate cancer for 8 years but doing well with that.
On March 6, while vacationing in Ca., I fell hard onto concrete, leading with my head. Initially, I lost all feeling in my arms and legs. Within a day I regained some feeling, but very little utility. Turns out I had severe spinal stenosis, and I now have center spinal cord syndrome. (Incomplete injury). I spent 9 days at Scripps hospital in La Jolla and then 6 weeks at Ca. Rehab Institute in Century City. I was finally able to travel home a month ago.
But my improvement has greatly stalled. Spasticity has increased tremendously, really handicapping any more progress I am currently using a wheelchair ? I also use a platform walker, but it is difficult going from sitting to standing, especially hard with my spasms. My hands continually feel like there is electric current through them. I have minimal use of my hands. Meanwhile, my right leg has gotten weaker, with electric spasms. This handicaps my attempt to walk with a platform walker (but I still do it).
I am on garbapentum. I went from 600 mg. Per day to 900, to 1200 mg. I don?t think that is doing a thing. First query: Might an increased dosage help? I am going to taper off.
I was on baclofen briefly for the spasms. That caused nighttime disturbances which freaked out my wife, so we switched to tizanadine. We have been trying to adjust the dosage since then. It causes many issues. My BP often nosedives. (Midodrine sometimes helps with that). Even worse, when it relaxes the spasms, my muscles get flaccid and I then have difficulty walking, doing exercises, etc. We can?t seem to adjust the dosage to relieve spasms and yet allow me to function. My max. dosage has been 1200 mg per day. Min about 800. Suggestions? How do I switch from tizanadine back to baclofen? Can I just drop one and use the other? Can I taper the tizanadine while at the same time add the baclofen?
I did an MRI 2 weeks ago and \saw a neurosurgeon on Friday. Can surgery for my stenosis improve matters.? He recommends a laminectomy done posterially. He says no rush, but the stenosis conditions are still there and I am now a significant fall risk. Another fall would be a disaster. He doesn't think he will need to do a fusion. Anyone have such surgery? How is the recovery. Doctor does not know if the surgery will help my symptoms.
Finally, I seem to have bladder/bowel issues. At first I could not pee at all and needed catheterization every 6 hours. Finally, relief! My bladder started working. But many nights, I have to go about 10 times! Not good for my wife. Some nights, I am fine. During the day, I am fine. Doctor has me on Mirebetriq. The last few nights have been fine, so maybe that part is better. Unfortunately, bowel issues are horrid. I seem to be incontinent; I just can't make it to the bathroom in time. DEPENDS has been invaluable. Suggestions?
I told you I had lots of questions!
Read more: http://inspiredsciforum.com/thread/3...#ixzz4iNdsRuUa


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Polycarbonates, known by the trademarked names Lexan, Makrolon, and others, are a particular group of thermoplastic polymers. They are easily worked, moulded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates find many applications. Polycarbonate is the first commercially useful thermoplastic material which incorporates the carbonate radical as an integral part of the main polymer chain.
Polycarbonate derived from BPA is a very durable material. Although it has high impact-resistance. The characteristics of polycarbonate are quite like those of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), but polycarbonate is stronger, usable in a wider temperature range. This polymer is highly transparent to visible light and has better light transmission characteristics than many kinds of glass. Unlike most thermoplastics, polycarbonate can undergo large plastic deformations without cracking or breaking. As a result, it can be processed and formed at room temperature using sheet metal techniques, such as forming bends on a brake. Even for sharp angle bends with a tight radius, no heating is generally necessary. This makes it valuable in prototyping applications where transparent or electrically non-conductive parts are needed, which cannot be made from sheet metal. Low water absorption high heat resistance, thermal stability and good electrical properties and very high impact strength are among the many desirable properties that Polycarbonates possess.
Electronic components - Being a good electrical insulator and having heat and flame resistant properties, it is used in myriad products associated with electrical and telecommunications hardware. It is used as dielectric in high stability capacitorsConstruction materials - The second largest consumer of polycarbonates is the construction industry, e.g. for domelights, flat or curved glazing, and sound walls.Data storage - A major application of polycarbonate is the production of compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs. The blanks are produced by injection molding.Typical products of sheet/film production include applications in advertisement (signs, displays, poster protection).Automotive, aircraft, and security components - In the automotive industry, injection moulded polycarbonate can produce very smooth surfaces that make it well suited for direct (without the need for a basecoat) metalised parts such as decorative bezels and optical reflectors. Its uniform mould shrinkage results in parts with greater accuracy than those made of polypropylene. However, due to its susceptibility to environmental stress cracking, its use is limited to low stress applications. It can be laminated to make bullet-proof "glass", although "bullet-resistant" is more accurate for the thinner windows, such as are used in bullet-resistant windows in automobiles. The thicker barriers of transparent plastic used in teller's windows and barriers in banks, are also polycarbonate. So called "theft-proof" large plastic packaging for smaller items, which cannot be opened by hand, is uniformly made from polycarbonate. The cockpit canopy of the F-22 Raptor jet fighter is made from a piece of high optical quality polycarbonate, and is the largest piece of its type formed in the worldNiche applications - Many kinds of lenses are manufactured from polycarbonate, including automotive headlamp lenses, lighting lenses, sunglass/eyeglass, lenses, and safety glasses. Other miscellaneous items: MP3/Digital audio player cases, Ocarinas, computer cases, riot shields, visors, instrument panels. Many toys and hobby items are made from polycarbonate parts, e.g. fins, gyro mounts, and flybar locks for use with radio-controlled helicopters.The fact that polycarbonates has exceptionally high impact strength suggest its use in applications where toughness is a requisite, such as housings for business machines, communication equipment, automotive, aircraft and security components.


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Bob Zimmerman has been at St. Lawrence as the manager for Dana Dining Center since the spring of 2004. In previous work experiences, he has worked for the Detroit Red Wings / Olympia Entertainment and 11 years with the Applebee's corporation in a variety of roles. He has a B.A. from the University of Kansas (English Lit and Political Science) and loves to discuss the same, especially politics.
In addition to work activities, he is an ardent reader and has a love of sailing. He is always interested in finding connections between academic activities and food/culture opportunities and is open to any and all ideas.


text:
Vintage Lace 4th Edition Volume 5
Make 4 payments of $14.99 over 6 weeks and get it now!In Stock SKU: JD-VL4EDV5
Log in or Join Platinum Club to get the special price.
John Deer's "Vintage Lace" collections are authentic freestanding Schiffli Lace designs that were created over 4 decades ago. Beauty and elegance come together with these historical lace designs. Stitch them directly onto your garment or project or embroider as Free Standing Lace, using 3 - 4 layers of Washaway Stabiliser.
20 Designs on CD which includes formats to suit most computer compatible embroidery machines with 130mm x 180mm or larger sewing fields. For a larger view, please click on the image.
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A Review of the Monster HDTV Calibration Wizard
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
No doubt about it, nothing beats an HDTV for delivering high-def images full of depth, detail, and stunning color. Your screen can show the action the way the director intended for you to see it. But is the picture quality always the very best it can be?
Monster's calibration disc helps you optimize your TV's picture for your room.
I recently read Steve Kindig's article about "optimizing your HDTV's picture." Turns out you can get more realistic images by calibrating your TV's picture settings. You can even use a calibration how-to guide, like the Monster HDTV Calibration Wizard DVD, to lead you through the steps. I was curious to find out what I might be missing, so I gave it a go.
Why calibrate?
TV manufacturers set initial video options (like brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness) at high levels. This makes a TV's picture "pop" under the fluorescent lighting of a retail store. But at home, where the lighting is softer, those jacked-up settings might make images look like they're behind a tinted filter.
Just as you'd calibrate your sound system to fit the layout of your room, it's a good idea to tailor your TV to your room, taking into account what the lighting is usually like when you watch TV. You might even consider switching between "daytime" and "nighttime" modes, to get the best effect each time you're in front of the set.
And did you know that if you change your TV's presets, you could even help preserve the planet? Lowering settings like brightness and contrast can reduce the amount of energy your TV uses — and reduce your electricity bill.
My setup
One cool thing about working at Crutchfield is getting to borrow great gear. To prepare for my review of the Monster DVD, I snagged an HDTV and a high-def disc player from our photography studio — both were fresh out of their boxes to be photographed for our website. I used a high-quality HDMI connector to link the Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray Disc™ player to the Panasonic TH-42PZ77U 42" 1080p plasma HDTV.
I set it all up in our testing room, but I wanted to simulate a living room atmosphere. So I turned off our harsh overhead lights, dimmed a floor lamp, and moved a chair back to create a comfortable distance from the screen — about as far away as my couch is from my TV at home. All I lacked was a bowl of popcorn.
I thought it would be good to get a baseline impression before I tried the calibration disc. We have plenty of DVDs on hand, so I grabbed a stack and started with my favorite, Planet Earth in high-definition. My first response was appreciation for the crisp, detailed picture that this Blu-ray Disc provided. Was there any room for improvement?
I switched discs and watched a few scenes from King Kong. Though this was just a standard DVD, the images were pretty sharp, thanks to the player's upconversion and the HDTV's 1080p panel. But now I was viewing people instead of nature. I noticed that the actors' skin tones seemed unnatural, almost Oompa-Loompa orange. It was time to calibrate.
Using the Monster disc
The Calibration Wizard is easy to navigate. First it outlines how TV calibration helps you achieve a picture suited to your room. Then there are five short chapters, each one focused on testing and adjusting a specific video setting. Once you've calibrated your TV, there's a music video you can watch to test your setting choices.
The disc explained that most of today's HDTVs come equipped with several different picture modes — each one a "package" of preset picture settings designed for particular viewing conditions. So you might choose "standard" mode for watching sports in the afternoon, but switch to "movie" mode to watch a DVD in the evening. It didn't surprise me to learn that our test HDTV's default was "vivid" picture mode — ideal for selling TVs in a showroom.
Picture modes vary in name and number among different TV brands and models. This HDTV offered vivid, standard, custom, and cinema modes. As I tried out each mode, I saw that each one had specific values associated with it. For example, in vivid mode, brightness and contrast defaulted to sky-high settings, but in cinema mode, they defaulted lower. However, I could also manually tweak those default settings within each mode, and this particular TV saved my preferences.
As a jumping-off point, I selected the easy-on-the-eyes cinema mode — perfect for primetime TV viewing in a low-lit living room. Cinema mode was an improvement over vivid mode, but I suspected that I could make the picture even better. My next step was to calibrate each setting within cinema mode to its optimal level.
Five key settings
Brightness is a big factor in picture quality. Ironically, changes in brightness are most easily assessed by looking at dark images on-screen. This setting should be adjusted if black images look washed-out or gray, or if side-by-side shades of black are hard to distinguish. The disc showed a man in a black suit with a black shirt underneath, to test whether the shirt seemed to blend into the suit — if so, the picture wasn't bright enough. In the next test, an "X" was placed in the frame. If it was visible, brightness was set too high. I lowered the brightness level until the "X" disappeared from the screen.
|Using the Monster disc was simple — I pulled up my TV's on-screen menu, and used my remote to adjust each setting.
Next the disc helped me set the TV's contrast level, which deals with the intensity and realism of the contrast between dark and light shades. This setting should be altered if light colors seem glaring or if whites have hints of pastel color. For this test, the disc presented a man in a white shirt with white buttons. His shirt had a bit of a glow, and the white buttons weren't clear-cut, so I lowered the contrast by five points.
The color setting was trickier. The disc showed three women with different skin tones. It was my job to experiment with the setting and decide at what point the women looked most realistic. Adding to my quandary ("Does she look too tan? Does she look too pale?"), this TV had a color temperature option — I could select warm, cool, or normal. I settled on normal and then tweaked the color setting slightly.
Sharpness was the subject of the next chapter. Increasing a TV's sharpness too much can actually produce the opposite effect — images will have outline shadows that blur their edges. The disc presented a man wearing a suit with crisp lines, as well as objects with well-defined edges. I adjusted sharpness in each direction, producing fuzzy images on the low end and haloed figures on the high end, until I found the clearest version in between.
|When aspect ratio is off, people can appear stretched or squeezed. Read about remedies in our article on aspect ratio.
The last setting the disc addressed was aspect ratio — that is, the shape of a TV screen or image on the screen determined by the ratio of width to height. The aspect ratio of a video sometimes differs from the aspect ratio of the TV screen on which it's being viewed. This can make images appear unnaturally short and wide.
My impressions
I must admit that initially, I thought the HDTV's picture looked fine. But when I popped Planet Earth and King Kong back into the player after calibrating the TV — boy, what a difference. The most striking change was that it felt easier to focus on the screen. I had the sense that my eyes wouldn't get tired. I realized that they might have become strained beforehand, when the picture was brighter and less genuine.
Before the calibration, tree trunks in Planet Earth appeared quite red. Afterwards, the trees were a much more natural, weathered brown. Where I had seen bright yellows on Emperor penguins, now it was obvious that those yellows should've been tan or rust-colored. And the blue sky on the screen now paralleled the blue sky outside.
I noticed the most difference with King Kong — the actors no longer looked sunburned. And I knew that the TV's black levels were spot-on, because Adrian Brody's mop of dark hair looked true-to-life, with just the right highlights. Seeing the improvements in this standard DVD was a useful reminder that accurate picture settings make a big difference, even when you're not watching high-def media.
I ended up with a beautiful picture, but that wasn't the only benefit of the calibration. Mark, a member of our Product Research Team, measured our test HDTV's power consumption before and after I calibrated the settings. Mark determined that calibrating this TV reduced its power consumption by 32%.
All in all, adjusting a TV's picture settings turned out to be a more subjective process than I expected. I found the Monster HDTV Calibration Wizard to be a particularly valuable tool, because it helped eliminate much of the guesswork involved in calibration. The disc led me through all the necessary steps to hone my settings — then let me set the picture the way I thought it looked best.


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Margarita (Nicola Correia Damude) is a super nanny, literally. She cooks 3 meals a day, from scratch with fresh ingredients she selects herself. She scrubs toilets, fixes gutters and cleans hot tubes in a single bound. There are fringe benefits to being a live-in nanny to a family of three: a private room in the basement and use of the hot tube for the occasional nannies' shindig. And for her services rendered as nanny (and cook and maid and tutor and grocer and gardener and handywoman) she had calculated that it shakes out to about a dollar a day, for the past six years. Her girlfriend Jane (Christine Horne) is a closeted law student who is afraid of commitment, but for the moment, Margarita is willing to wait until she is ready. The whole life Margarita has made for herself in Canada is about to change.
Margarita's employers, Ben (Patrick McKenna) & Gail (Claire Lautier), two over-worked, idealistic doctors suddenly find themselves in dire financial straits. After talking through every plausible option, the couple decides they can no longer afford Margarita. Thus begins the discovery of exactly how much Margarita actually does for the family that falls well outside her job description as a nanny.
When teen-aged daughter Mali (Maya Ritter) finds out, she is violently opposed to Margarita leaving. But what the family does not know is that Margarita is an illegal without papers; so she can't even find a new job much less go to school. Alas, Margarita's eventual deportment is eminent.
Margarita is very much a homage to the wholesomeness of family – beyond blood relations. It explores the ways in which we become family beyond blood ties as well as the thing that create a sense of home – not just geography.
Leading lady Nicola Correia Damude is wonderful. Damude imbues Margarita with a sensitivity that is deeply endearing and the profound signature strength that comes from women of character and perseverance. Every performance and character in this complicated story of loyalty versus law is rich and well executed. Truly brilliant casting a t work in this film.
Congratulations to writer/directors Dominique Cardona & Laurie Colbert for this perfectly balanced dramedy. Kudos also to composer Germaine Franco for a score that is fresh and playfully ethnic without being cliché.
Margarita is an official selection of Outfest: The 30th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, happening July 12-22, 2012 in downtown los Angeles and in select theaters across Los Angeles and Hollywood.