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One weekend in 1995, two Oklahoma teenagers took LSD and watched the movie Natural Born Killers, the story of two psychopathic killers who go on a killing spree and become media celebrities. Two days later, the teenagers went on a similar road trip, murdering a man name William Savage in Mississippi and critically wounding a convenience store clerk named Patsy Byers in Louisiana.
Byers, who was rendered a quadriplegic by the shooting, was a friend of novelist John Grisham. On her behalf, Grisham accused Oliver Stone, the director of Natural Born Killers — which was based on a story by Quentin Tarantino — of being irresponsible. "A case can be made that there exists a direct causal link between Natural Born Killers and the death of Bill Savage," Grisham wrote in a magazine article.
Byers sued Stone and the Warner Bros. studio, saying the movie inspired the violence that injured her. The case was eventually dismissed.
Natural Born Killers would go on to be linked to several more real-life crimes, most famously the shootings at Columbine high school in Colorado where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who massacred 12 students and a teacher, wrote in their diary that they were "going NBK."
It was not the first time a movie was the inspiration — or the excuse, or just the stylistic pattern — for actual atrocity, nor was it the last.
The latest is the murder of a Chinese student in Montreal, a horrific crime with disturbing echoes of the psychosexual 1992 film Basic Instinct. In it, Sharon Stone plays Catherine Tramell, a novelist who kills a lover with an ice pick and later says, "Killing isn't like smoking. You can stop."
In Montreal, Jun Lin was tied to the bed, sexually assaulted and then stabbed with an ice pick. The man arrested for the crime, Luka Rocco Magnotta, once wrote a letter that said, "Killing is different from smoking . . . with smoking you can stop."
There are several other parallels between Basic Instinct and the life of Magnotta uncovered by National Post writer Adrian Humphreys: in a 2008 blog, for instance, he talks about watching the movie with his stepmother, and one of his apparent online pseudonyms is Katherine Tramell.
Such copycat details have a gruesome history, and they're often linked to the fact that the perpetrators are looking for a measure of celebrity, just like the people in the movies.
The combination of fame and violence was especially lethal in Natural Born Killers because it was part of the film's structure: in one real-life case, a 14-year-old boy beheaded a 13-year-old girl and said later he wanted to be famous "just like Natural Born Killers." It's one of several ironies that the movie itself was based on real-life couple Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, teenagers who murdered 11 people on a bloody road trip through Nebraska and Wyoming in the 1950s (their story had been told previously in the Terrence Malick film Badlands).
Of course, many people watch these movies and commit no crimes, but some filmmakers worry about the effect their work can have. When the dystopian drama A Clockwork Orange was released in 1971, it unleashed several copycat crimes, including the gang rape of a girl by a gang of British youths who sang Singin' in the Rain, just like the movie's violent anti-hero. Director Stanley Kubrick subsequently withdrew the movie from circulation in Britain. After it was released on DVD, a so-called Clockwork Orange Gang murdered a bar manager.
Martin Scorsese's 1976 film Taxi Driver apparently inspired another unhinged man to seek fame, although John Hinckley Jr. was also looking for love. In the movie, the character of Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, tries to assassinate a presidential candidate. Hinckley, who watched Taxi Driver on a continuous loop, decided to assassinate Ronald Reagan and wounded him in a 1981 attack outside a hotel in Washington, D.C. He said he was trying to impress the actress Jodie Foster, who plays the young prostitute rescued by Bickle in Taxi Driver.
The Child's Play series — horror films featuring a malevolent doll called Chucky — has been linked to more than three dozen murders. In 1996, an Australian mental patient named Martin Bryant who was obsessed with Chucky killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Tasmania. In court, his obsession with the movies was cited as a contributing factor. In 1992, a teenage girl was burned alive in Manchester by killers who chanted lines adapted from the Chucky movie — "I'm Chucky. Chucky wants to play" — as she was being tortured. In 1993, two Liverpool boys who were fans of the Chucky movies abducted two-year-old James Bulger and stoned him to death.
The 1965 British movie The Collector — in which a lonely man named Freddie (Terence Stamp) kidnaps beautiful art student Miranda (Samantha Eggar) and holds her hostage in a twisted version of love — has connections to the crimes of Leonard Lake and Charles Ng. In a plot he described in his diary as Operation Miranda, the pair kidnapped two women and held them in a hidden bunker to be their sex slaves. They were later found to have killed 25 people in a hidden bunker in the woods.
Neither The Collector nor the John Fowles book on which it was based contain this kind of sexual violence: the links between films and real-life crime can be illusory. In the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a drug addict who dreams of putting on a trench coat, going into his classroom and murdering his fellow students. That image began to echo through several school killings: in 1996, for instance, a teenager named Barry Loukaitis went into his school wearing a trench coat and killed three people. He said he had been inspired by the Stephen King novel Rage, in which a character kills two teachers.
The long coat also became associated with the Columbine killers, who were known as the Trench Coat Mafia. But the early panic that also linked them to Goth culture and violent video games was dismissed by FBI investigators who found Harris and Klebold dreamt of blowing up the school and creating an apocalypse. Like many killers who go to the movies, they wanted to be famous.


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Call To Book
Welcome to the Staybridge Suites Syracuse/Liverpool. Our hotel is only minutes away from everything that Syracuse and the surrounding areas have to offer, corporate and leisure travelers alike value our convenient location. Located only five miles from Hancock International Airport (SYR) and two miles from the Regional Transportation Center, the Staybridge Suites is happy to offer a complimentary 24-hour shuttle. We feature the largest indoor pool in Syracuse at 18x39 feet. In addition, our property is located directly across from the NYS Thruway and only one mile from I-81. As a corporate traveler, along with our convenient location, enjoy all of the comforts that our extended stay property has to offer. Whether it's our spacious suites with full kitchens, complimentary breakfast buffet, fitness center, evening reception Mon - Thur, or free high-speed Internet access we are here to make you feel less like you're at work, and more like you're at home. In addition, the Staybridge Suites is connected to a full service Holiday Inn that offers a full service restaurant, lounge, indoor pool, and 30,000 sq. ft. of function space. Businesses near hotel: Lockheed Martin, ADP, National Grid, C&S Companies, Raymour & Flanigan, Eaton Crouse-Hinds, Anheuser Busch. Local Attractions (All within five miles): Destiny USA Mall, Syracuse University & Carrier Dome, The OnCenter Complex, Armory Square.
Domestic dogs and cats only. 1 to 6 night nonrefundable fee 75.00 USD; 7 plus nights nonrefundable 150.00 USD. Limit of one pet per room, unless approved otherwise by management. Pets must be attended at all times. Pet Fee is one time.

subset: commoncrawl


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Elderly woman and 48-year-old son fatally stabbed
Names of victims: Annabelle and Thomas Leonard, ages 84 and 48
Where bodies found: Colorado Springs townhome
Investigative agency: Colorado Springs Police Department
Date killed: March 15th or 16th, 2003
Cause of Death: Stabbed and slashed
Suspect: none identified
Annabelle Leonard had raised three boys and three girls on a cattle and horse ranch in Lincoln County.
Her world revolved around her children and their activities.
When her fifth child was born with cerebral palsy she offered him extra care. Living on a ranch, Thomas "Tommy" Leonard had chores and was surprisingly very strong even though his right fist was balled up.
"We grew up going to county fairs and rodeos," said Annabelle's youngest daughter, Roxi Graham, 55.
In high school, Tommy was often the equipment manager or team statistician. He traveled with the football and basketball teams to games. He was engrossed in sports, Graham said.


text: 谢尔比米。 chodos is 在公共政策担任客座讲师 and has taught public finance at the Kennedy School for nearly a decade. His former students have gone on to successful careers in finance with state and local governments across the nation, as well as with private sector companies, including Moodys, S&P and various investment banks. He recently retired as a Managing Director of Commonwealth Capital Partners, Inc., a private investment firm in New England. After receiving his degree from the Kennedy School, he spent a decade on Wall Street and worked for a major investment banking firm. He worked with institutional investors and public officials on complex financings for infrastructure, housing, and economic development. He has served as an expert witness before numerous legislative and administrative bodies on finance, economic development and pension investment. He received his Bachelor's degree from Earlham College in 1979 and his Masters from Harvard in 1982. In 1977 he was awarded a four year academic scholarship as the first recipient of the Truman Scholarship for his home state of Ohio.


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Finland: University of Oulu
Program Type: Full Exchange
University Overview
The Republic of Finland
Bordered by Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea, the Republic of Finland is located in the northernmost part of Europe. Finland's relatively remote geographical position has helped the country remain rich in vegetation and wildlife. You can still drink water from most lakes and rivers, observe the wildlife, and go fishing for pike, salmon, or trout.
With a population of 105,000, Oulu is the cultural, commercial and administrative center for the whole of central and northern Finland. Traveling is easy as all areas of Finland are accessible by train, bus or car; however, with the various sporting and cultural activities offered in the spacious Oulu region, students may not feel the need to wander very far.
Classes will be taught by University of Oulu faculty members. Exchange student advising will be done by the student's respective department.
Students will be housed in residence halls of the Northern Finland Student Housing Foundation. Most of the units are apartments with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and private single study-bedrooms furnished with desks, bookshelves, beds, closets, and drawers. Saunas, TV rooms, and laundrettes are also shared by the residents of each unit. The University of Oulu Office of International Relations will assist students in arranging suitable accommodation.


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Nigella's White Icing Cup Cakes
Bobby Flay Red Vanilla Cup Cakes Recipe
Total Time:2 hr 15 min - Prep: 50 min - Inactive: 30 min - Cook: 55 min
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons red food colouring
Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside.
In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix oil, sugar, and buttermilk until combined. Add eggs, food coloring, vinegar, vanilla and water and mix well. Add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time and mix on low, scraping down sides occasionally, and mix until just combined. Be sure not to over mix, or the batter will come out tough.
Line a 16-cup cupcake pan with paper liners, scoop the batter into the liners and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
Whip the butter and cream cheese together in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until creamed. Gradually add powdered sugar to the mixture and scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and mix until combined. The frosting can be used right away, or stored in the refrigerator up to a week.
Frost cooled cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting.
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Readiris Corporate 12 ($399 direct) converts documents from scanned images into standard file formats with the least fuss (and the fewest options) of any major OCR program. In corporate and other high-volume settings where you don't want to spend time correcting text inside your OCR software, but simply want to get a printed page or an image file converted into a Word document or PDF file, Readiris' streamlined approach may be suitable. But if you want to do much fine-tuning of output, Readiris isn't the app for you.
And that's not the only drawback to this app. In my informal tests, Readiris lags slightly behind both ABBYY Finereader 10 Professional Edition and Omnipage Professional 17 in recognition accuracy. Readiris also can't match Finereader in disentangling complex page layouts—Readiris sometimes didn't even recognize that a scanned-in table was a table, and not a set of random text-boxes.
Readiris comes in Pro and Corporate flavors; both have the same basic document-reading capabilities, but the Corporate version (which I tested) adds the ability to perform OCR automatically on files dropped into a "watched folder," includes a feature that lets you create an XML-formatted document index, create encrypted PDFs, and streamlines processing of multiple documents. Like its corporate-level rival products, it supports bar code processing, and can automatically route documents to specified folders if the document has a bar code that includes a specified number. Readiris can optionally create an XML-based index of these documents, but, unlike its rivals, it won't let you fine-tune the kind of processing it performs when it finds specific numbers in bar codes.
Readiris in Action
When you start Readiris, it optionally launches an OCR Wizard that walks you through the steps of getting a document from your scanner into whatever format you specify. Output formats include multiple varieties of PDF, Microsoft Word, and OpenOffice.org formats. I was puzzled for a moment by options to save to Netscape and Mozilla formats, but those options turned out to create standard HTML files. If you don't use the OCR Wizard, you can choose from a list of standard tasks listed in the background of the main editing window. These tasks include scanning to Word, OpenOffice, or Excel, and saving to PDF and Microsoft's XPS document-storage format.
When I chose from the list of standard tasks, Readiris ran automatically, and the only things I needed to do were select an image file to read (or click a few buttons in a dialog to tell the program to read from my scanner) and give a name to the output file. When I decided to perform a manual OCR operation—because the input material had a complicated layout that I knew was likely to cause problems in any automated operation, or because I wanted only to apply OCR to one part of a page—the whole process was equally straightforward. I like the way I could choose input and output options from a toolbar on the left of the screen. I also liked the way a smaller toolbar at the right of the screen let me second-guess the app's interpretation of my documents' page layout. I could combine multiple text regions into one, fix the app's occasional mistakes in identifying text and image regions, and click a button to de-skew a distorted image.
Inflexible OCR
I was less happy about the total absence of any text-editing features inside Readiris. With Finereader and Omnipage, I could open a text-editor window that displayed the scanned image in one pane and the text that the app extracted from the image in another pane, and I could type in manual corrections wherever the app misread some text or punctuation. In Readiris, I couldn't even see the text that the app read from my document until I saved the text to another format. If I then wanted to make corrections, I had to open the saved text in Word (or whichever other editor I was using), and then find the corresponding part of the scanned image in Readiris. As you can guess, this isn't an easy process, and I doubt I would want to use Readiris to recognize text in documents that would need extensive corrections.
One of my test documents for OCR software is a PDF file of a booklet, with the PDF formatted so that each PDF "page" is a spread of two facing pages from the printed booklet. Readiris insisted on reading each spread of facing pages as if it were a single page with two columns, and I couldn't force the program to the split the two-page image into two separate pages. In contrast, Finereader correctly split each two-page spread into two separate pages, and didn't need any help from me to do so. I was surprised by Readiris' inability to handle a situation as simple and common as two facing pages on a single image.
Readiris also surprised me with an annoying interface glitch. The File/Open dialog, for example, can't be resized, so you get only a tiny window near the top of the dialog for viewing the file list—and the limited space in that window is even more annoying when you have it set to display thumbnails of your image files.
Readiris gets basic OCR jobs done at a significantly lower cost than the competition, but it falls short in complex tasks, and completely lacks the text-editing features built into the competition. If you want low-priced, no-frills, automated OCR, Readiris isn't a bad choice.


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Bits and pieces about free software and various other things.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Zombie Empathy
2 comments:
- Danni said...
This is correct. Connections are created and maintained by Mission Control. Empathy just requests Mission Control bring connections online, similarly when you shut down Empathy, it requests Mission Control take your connections offline.
When Mission Control receives a channel there is no suitable client running for, it sees if there is a client it can activate (for instance, Empathy). It does this and hands the channel to the client.
There are a few applets around that allow you to set your presence (offline is a presence) with Mission Control separately from Empathy.
- April 14, 2010 at 1:37 AM
- Flex said...
Hmm...this is actually pretty cool! But what I don't like about it: what happens when you set your presence with another app, other then empathy. Then you run empathy and shut it down properly...are all accounts disconnected or do they return to the presence the other app set?
Don't get me wrong, I don't think its bad, it was just a little bit unexpected.
- April 14, 2010 at 7:59 AM


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Adrien Brody (Popular Actor) Reads Biggies "10 Crack Comandments" At Lincoln Center In NYC!
"Adrien Brody honors Biggie by recognizing him as one of the most influential poets of his generation at the Academy of American Poets, at Lincoln Center, NYC, on April 27th, 2010"
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Haven't done any of these myself but they look promising. Currently there's a few courses about WWI and WWII (I think) and Richard III
They are free
Future Learn
Historic questions, thoughts and other interesting stuff
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Re: Future Learn
The Richard III course is very good: but expect some damn fool comments from some of the participants!
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Sales Have Ended
Sales Have Ended
Developing, documenting and communicating road transport policies is essential for fleet operators. Knowing where to start and how to develop effective policies can seem daunting. This workshop will help take you through the process of developing policy and processes and give guidance to creating your own written documents.
The event will cover topics including:
1) Understanding 'policies' and why we need them
2) Stages required to develop road transport policies
3) Gathering information, understanding backgrounds
4) The finer details - writing your policy documents / review
existing policies
5) Reviewing, evaluating and updating policies


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Let the games begin. The Midsummer Festival at Lake Mario.
Jousting, falconry, archery, bocce and wine at the Midsummer Festival.
Merrymaking in the Castello's Courtyard where the games continue and...
... the feast begins. Seating is available at this premiere Castello di Amorosa
Amici del Barone wine-club event. Not a wine club member? Not a problem.
Come to the event and sign up for the club on the spot.
June 26, 2010
6:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
You won't want to miss the most popular Wine Club event of the year.
We are clearing a path just for you. Call 707-967-6274 for more details.
-- A Wine Club Member Only Event --
Enjoy an evening of great jollification, feasting and merrymaking at the Il Banchetto Medioevale -- a Medieval Banquet.
Join us as Castello di Amorosa, Dario Sattui's 13th century Tuscan-style castle steps back in time on April 24, 2010 for a spectacular evening of food, music and wine. Come view the latest 13th century dances after you've indulged in a unique, VIP tasting of our newest-released wines. Feast in the Castello's Italian Frescoe-adorned Great Hall as you are serenaded with wonderous, live medieval music and entertainers.
This is an event you won't want to miss, but you need to be in the wine club to attend. To join the club or for more information, please call Chelle at 707-967-6274.
Waiting for more La Fantasia? Well, the wait is finally over; La Fantasia is back in the tasting room and we're so excited we're throwing a party. Wine club members and up to five of their guests are invited to Castello di Amorosa for a complimentary tasting of our wines including, the super-popular and now, "just released," Fantasia. It's at TheCastello (also our Twitter handle) Sunday, January 31, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. 'till 4:00 p.m.
Castello di Amorosa's La Fantasia is an Italian soft-style wine which is lower in alcohol, naturally sweet and refreshing with bright aromas of cherry, exotic flowers and wild berries. It sells out every year, so come by the tasting room to place your order.


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see the point (of something)(redirected from not see the point of something)
see the point (of something)
To understand or appreciate the meaning, reason, or importance of something. I just don't see the point of another year in high school when I know I can go find work now! I hope you see the point of everything your mother and I do for you! I thought about taking some extra classes this summer, but I'm not sure I see the point.


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Featured Stories
Seminole Museum Hosts 18th Annual American Indian Arts Celebration
The Seminole Tribe of Florida's Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will host the American Indian Arts Celebration (AIAC) on November 6th and 7th, 2015, at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Now in its 18th year, the AIAC... More
Honor Flights Recognize WWII Veterans
Thirty-five WWII veterans will be honored on the Villages Honor Flight to Washington DC on September 10, 2015. These individuals, who served around the world during the war, served with distinction and honor, and will be... More
French Consulate Honors WWII Veterans During Victory Florida Year
Throughout 2015, the Consulate of France in Miami will award the insignias of "Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur" (Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honor"*) to U.S. Veterans... More
Florida Secretary of State Launches Victory Florida campaign recognizing 70 Years since the end of WWII
Secretary of State Ken Detzner has announced the launch of Victory Florida, a campaign recognizing 70 years since the ending of World War II. At two press events, one in Fort Lauderdale as part of Fleet Week on May 9, and... More
Armed Forces Day at the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County is set to honor our troops during Armed Forces Day, the final event of the Society's 2014-2015 Public Programming Series. This free event, designed to entertain and inform... More
Florida Heritage Month 2015
Throughout Florida Heritage Month, which lasts from March 15 through April 15, the Department of State encourages citizens to gain a better understanding and appreciation of Florida's history and culture.The offices of Governor... More
2015 Black History Month
In recognition of Black History Month in February 2015, the Florida Department of State and Viva Florida partners will host a number of opportunities to honor Florida's black heritage and history in our state. Many of the... More
Re-Riding History: From the Southern Plains to Matanzas Bay
The Crisp-‐Ellert Art Museum and Flagler College are pleased to announce the exhibition Re-‐Riding History: From the Southern Plains to the Matanzas Bay. Curated by Emily Arthur, Marwin Begaye and John Hitchcock,... More
Opening of the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
The Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) will be opening the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art to the public on Sunday, February 8, 2015. The Museum will officially open its doors to visitors after a celebratory ribbon cutting... More
Spady Living Heritage Festival
In celebration of Black History Month and the 20th anniversary of the beginnings of the Spady Museum, a free cultural festival will welcome guests to Northwest Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach on February 28.


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Tooling Update
Next-Generation Gas Springs Live Longer
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Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Hyson Products, Brecksville, OH, introduces Tanker B (TNKB), the latest generation of the Tanker gas-spring series introduced in 1985. The new springs offer 25 to 35 percent more force than the Super Tanker gas springs they replace.
TNKB springs feature dynamic lubrication to reduce heat buildup and extend spring life; a bore seal to resist contamination and rod damage; and a corrosion-resistant nitrided rod, self-aligning to accept normal die movement and a degree of sideload without damaging the cylinder seal surface. The spring comes in four sizes from 1000 to 6600 lb., and in strokes to 7.87 in.
Hyson Products: 440/526-5900; www.hysonproducts.com
See also: HYSON Metal Forming Solutions
Related Enterprise Zones: Tool & Die


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Man Accused of Stealing Identity of Little Jimmy Dickens, Other Grand Ole Opry Stars
Police in Tennessee have arrested a man believed to have stolen the identity of some of the Grand Ole Opry's biggest stars, including Little Jimmy Dickens.
WSMV television reports that Johnny Lee Presley faces four counts of credit card fraud and one count of identity theft. He has been booked at the Sumner County Jail in Gallitin, Tenn.
"I couldn't believe that someone would do a thing like that," Dickens -- one of the Opry's most recognizable legends -- told News Channel 5 in Nashville.
Stonewall Jackson is another country icon who was allegedly victimized in the scheme. In fact, it was Jackson's case that brought the charges against Presley, but the man, who also goes by Alvin Roiland, faces additional charges in the Dickens case.
Police say Presley opened credit cards under the names of as many as 10 Grand Ole Opry stars and had them sent to different P.O. boxes around Hendersonville, Tenn. The artists had no idea money was being charged in their names, as they didn't even know the accounts existed.
Presley is 59 years old and claims to be related to Elvis Presley. He also says he works in the music industry. When he was arrested following an eviction from a Murfreesboro, Tenn. hotel, he was found with several Tennessee drivers licenses with different names and looks.
Dickens is 91 years old and is arguably the most memorable face in the Opry.


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Bachelor of Communication — Public Relations
Prepare for a diverse and rewarding career
Imagine your future…
… as a Communications Manager, building relationships with key stakeholders and writing strategic communications plans, including risk and crisis management procedures.
… as a Public Affairs Advisor, coordinating events and fundraising activities, managing volunteers, writing for the web and facilitating information sharing among the community.
… as a Media Relations Specialist, creating a variety of media materials, organizing news conferences, compiling messages and writing speeches.
As a future public relations professional, you have an ability to think strategically and are equipped with the know-how to build key relationships.
With opportunities in media relations, special events, corporate communications, community relations and much more, the Bachelor of Communication — Public Relations program prepares you for a diverse and rewarding career.
Experience beyond the classroom
Our instructors come from a wide range of professional communication backgrounds, each bringing their own unique experience to the classroom. You will gain fundamental knowledge and communication skills, including:
- public relations management
- writing
- communication research
- event management
- media relations
- strategic communication planning
By being involved with the other disciplines — journalism, broadcasting, and information design — you learn to collaborate with members of the university community and media, a skill that is essential to the success of public relations professionals.
A curriculum focused both on theory and practical experience requires you to go beyond the classroom to work in a PR setting. You apply your learning in a real job setting by completing two semester-long, supervised work experiences.


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- Fiction
- Authors:
- Comicality
GFD 01: Genesis 1. Gone From Daylight Gone From Daylight
It's been said that suffering builds character. And there are few that know suffering better than young Justin. Only 14 years old, he has found an easy way out. A suicidal tendency that he is hoping will bring an end to his misery. But when he meets a mysterious boy at the end of Navy Pier one dark evening...he is given an alternative. One that will give him purpose, and set in motion the events that will lead to his ultimate destiny....in a world not like our own.Copyright © 2010 Comicality; All Rights Reserved.
- Author: Signature Author
- 12/20/2010 (Updated: 12/20/2010)
- 3 Chapters
- 25,239 Words
- 49,766 Views
- 21 Comments
- Mature
- Thriller/Suspense, Drama, Horror
- Complete
- 16
- 5
Select Chapter
Table of Contents


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Product Description
Common use
Actos is used to control high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). This form of the illness is usually caused by inability of the body to respond correctly to insulin: either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is the natural hormone that helps to transfer sugar out of the blood and into the cells, where it is metabolized to energy. Actos works by improving the response of the body to insulin, rather than increasing its insulin output. Actos also reduces the production of unneeded sugar in the liver.
It is possible to use Actos (and rosiglitazone maleate as well) alone or together with insulin injections or other oral diabetes medications such as glipizide, glyburide, metformin hydrochloride.
Dosage and directions
Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, usually one time a day. Follow all directions of your health care advisor as dosage is based on your medical condition, possible reaction to therapy, and can be corrected if you are treated by other anti-diabetic medications. Take this drug each time the same day as this way you will get the most benefit from it. Regularly monitor blood glucose levels. It may take up to 2 to 3 months before the full benefit is realized. Take all other medications for diabetes according to recommendations of your doctor.
Before taking Actos, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; if you are allergic to other "glitazones" (such as rosiglitazone, troglitazone); or if you have any other types of allergy. Do not use Actos if you have certain medical conditions. Before starting treatment with Actos, notify you doctor or pharmacist if you have: type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes), heart failure (acute congestive heart failure) either newly diagnosed or worsening, dangerously high blood glucose (diabetic ketoacidosis), liver dysfunctions. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart disease (chronic congestive heart failure), liver problems, fluid in your lungs, swelling (edema), anemia. Extremely low or high blood sugar levels may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness; be cautious engaging in activities requiring alertness for example driving or operating machinery. Limit alcohol as much as possible when you are treated with this medication because it can increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia. If you have fever, infection, injury or surgery, it may complicate controlling of your blood sugar. Consult your doctor, as you may need correction of dose or a change in your medication may be required. Women with certain fertility problems may have changes in the menstrual cycle (ovulation) taking this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about prescription of reliable contraception while you are taking Actos. This medication should be used in pregnant women only in life threating conditions. Discuss its risks and benefits with your physician. If you are pregnant your doctor may substitute insulin for Actos. Follow all instructions carefully. There are no reports whether this drug excretes with breast milk. Breastfeeding is not advised while using this drug. Before starting breastfeeding consult your physician.
Possible side effects
Actos side effects include rapid heartbeat, sweating, confusion, blurred vision, headache, numbness or tingling of the mouth, weakness,shakiness, dizziness, tiredness, paleness and sudden hunger.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless just a few hours remained till your next dose. Skip the missed dose and return to the dosing schedule in case it is near the time of the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up the dose you missed.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. You may have signs of low blood sugar, such as hunger, weakness, dizziness, headache, irritability, drowsiness, fainting, sweating, confusion, tremors, fast heartbeat, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
Drug interactions
Inform your health care advisor if you are taking any other anti-diabetic medications (insulin, metformin, or sulfonylureas such as glyburide), herbal/natural products (fenugreek, ginseng, gymnema). This medication is able to decrease the effectiveness of certain contraceptives which may result in pregnancy. Take care about additional form of reliable birth control while using Actos. Do not begin or discontinue an intake of any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Store at room temperature in a tight container, away from moisture and humidity.
We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
Contact the support team to get instructions from qualified doctors as taking the treatment in accordance with the safety recommendations and instructions is halfway to a flawless and successful treatment course. Patients, who are hypersensitive to any ingredients of the remedy should avoid its use. The following mild to severe abnormalities can bother patients, who misuse or overuse the drug:
More Common
- Chest pain
- decreased urine output
- dilated neck veins
- extreme fatigue
- irregular breathing
- irregular heartbeat
- problems with teeth
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing
- weight gain
- Blurred vision or other changes in vision
- cough
- dry mouth
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- headache
- increased hunger
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- loss of consciousness
- muscle pain or soreness
- problems with your teeth
- runny or stuffy nose
- sore throat
- stomachache
- sweating
- unexplained weight loss
Less Common
- Pain or swelling in the arms or legs without an injury
- pale skin
- swelling
- trouble with breathing when active
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence Not Known
- Dark urine
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach pain
- unexplained, rapid weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin
|Small Molecule
|Accession Number
|Approved, Investigational
|CAS number
|Average: 356.439
Monoisotopic: 356.119463206
|Chemical Formula
|IUPAC Name
|Protein binding
Pioglitazone is extensively protein bound (> 99%) in human serum, principally to serum albumin. Pioglitazone also binds to other serum proteins, but with lower affinity [Label].
|Not Available
|Half life
The mean serum half-life of pioglitazone and its metabolites (M-III and M-IV) range from 3 to 7 hours and 16 to 24 hours, respectively [Label].
Delivery is an important issue, when it comes to online shopping. Our platform is customer-oriented, so we are constantly working on expansion of delivery destinations. It features an international shipping option, which lets customers from all around the world get quality and effective remedies fast. Also delivery is available to many cities in Algeria, including the following:
- Algiers
- Oran
- Constantine
- Annaba
- Blida
- Batna
- Djelfa
- Sétif
- Sidi Bel Abbès
- Biskra
- Tébessa
- El Oued
- Skikda
- Tiaret
- Béjaïa
- Tlemcen
- Ouargla
- Béchar
- Mostaganem
- Bordj Bou Arréridj
- Chlef
- Souk Ahras
- Médéa
- El Eulma
- Touggourt
- Ghardaïa
- Saïda
- Laghouat
- M'Sila
- Jijel
- Relizane
- Guelma
- Aïn Béïda
- Khenchela
- Bousaada
- Mascara
- Tindouf
- Tizi Ouzou


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The Hennessy Hammock is the most innovative solution to lightweight, comfortable camping on the planet. Now you can create your perfect hammock with our "Build Your Own" feature.
At last, you will never need to find a level campsite. No more roots, rocks or puddles coming through the floor of your tent. No more aching muscles and stiff joints from sleeping on the hard ground. And no more carrying a heavy tent. Finally, a shelter that takes the pain out of the outdoors and protects the environment.
Why a Hennessy?
Hennessy Hammock's five patents have made it a legendary piece of camping and survival equipment. It has been the choice of epic expeditions exploring the full length of the Nile, Amazon and Congo Rivers, up to the Arctic and down into the deepest caves on Earth.
EXPERIENCE: Tom has been sleeping in hammocks for over 60 years and designing hammocks since 1971.
QUALITY: every hammock is uncompromising in materials and workmanship. There are countless tiny improvements that only 40 years of effort could achieve but you can feel as soon as you stretch out in his hammock and close your eyes.
EXPERT ADVICE: our staff have been answering questions since 1999. We invented and use what we sell so we know everything about your hammock. When you call with a question, we have the answer.
LEGENDARY SERVICE: fast replacement and warranty support on the trail. We have received many letters from customers thanking us for getting replacement gear to them quickly.
Who is Hennessy?
"Tom's innovation has made him a leader in the creation of an entirely new segment in the outdoor market."
Carolyn Burnham, REI product manager
Tom Hennessy is an industrial Designer living on an Island off the west coast of Canada. Tom started sleeping in hammocks when he was 12 years old. That's 62 years ago. He started designing his own hammocks in 1970. He traveled and tested over 50 prototypes before he shipped his first hammock design to REI and MEC in 1999. Both co-ops carry the latest models.
Hennessy Hammock is a small family run business operated by Tom, his wife Ann, his son James and long time friends whose only mission is to continually improve the evolution of hammock design. They have been granted up to five patents nationally and internationally. When serious adventurers are planning expeditions into unexplored areas of the world, when months-long medical expeditions trek into the deep jungles of Burma on missions of mercy, when adventure racers traverse mountains, rivers and jungles surrounded by all kinds of poisonous insects and reptiles, when families send a hammock to their soldier sons or daughters in areas of conflict, they all know that they are getting the hammock with the proven reputation for quality and comfort.
Build Your Own Hammock
Now you can mix and match hammock parts for your specific needs. As you will see, sometimes there is little or no price increase to get exactly what you want.
FREE LONGER WEBBING STRAPS: In some areas of the world longer straps are needed. Our stock webbing straps are 42" which is fine for trees up to 14 inches in diameter. Now you can get a free upgrade to longer 72" for trees up to 24 inches in diameter or 96" webbing straps for trees up to 36 inches in diameter.
BIGGER RAINFLY: You can choose the standard rain fly or get one that is bigger or one that provides the maximum storm protection for little or no extra cost. You can also choose a hammock without a rainfly at a reduced price
INSULATION DESIGNED FOR EVERY HENNESSY HAMMOCK: Most places in the world, even jungles, require some insulation at night especially at altitude. We offer two choices with different temperature ranges. Both of these systems have insulation pads that are a wider mummy shape that will protect your arms and shoulders much better than the standard tent pad.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN: You can customize the "stock" hammock by using the "Build Your Own Hammock" button and follow the steps. (Step 1) choosing the hammock body with the length of straps you want. (Step 2) If you want a rainfly to go with your hammock, then choose any rainfly including the stock rainfly or buy just the hammock without the rainfly. (Step 3) You can choose an optional insulation system, designed to fit each model.
What's Included
All "Stock" Hennessy Hammocks are a complete shelter system including tightly woven fabrics and high quality support ropes, a matching detachable rainfly a "no see um" mosquito mesh, a gear loft on the ridge line and a stuff sack with set up instructions on the back. Hennessy Hammock also provides complimentary "Tree Hugger" webbing straps to protect the ropes and the tender bark of trees.
Built tough for years of service, all of our support ropes and webbing straps are six times stronger than the weight rating of the hammock. For a limited time free SnakeSkins and Water Collectors are also included.
A Complete Shelter System
Every Hennessy Hammock is a complete engineered shelter system for one price. Often other hammocks look like a bargain until you add up the cost of all the parts, then you find that they cost more, weigh more and are bulkier in your pack than a Hennessy. We manufacture a line of 24 specialty hammocks, including jungle hammocks, double bottom hammocks, insulated winter hammocks, camos, ultralights, and the right size and weight for anyone up to 350 lbs. Hennessy Hammocks come in five different lengths from 9 to 12 feet long .
Beta-tested for Six Years
Tom traveled for six years and made over 50 prototypes before going into production and being granted 5 patents for his revolutionary shelters. By the fall of 1998, the first hammock design was finished. Tom could not add or subtract any features which would further simplify or improve this design.
The Hennessy Hammock was a totally new concept for camping hammocks with patents in the U.S., Canada and Internationally. It has been tested in Canada, the U.S., Central and South America, Borneo, Australia, Africa, the Congo and even the Arctic and other extreme and hostile environments around the world.
Amazingly Comfortable
Experience a level of comfort on the trail almost as good as your bed at home and maybe even better. The patented asymmetrically shaped hammock supports your back like a quality mattress off the ground. Tall or large campers and campers with injuries, arthritis, bone spurs or back pain tell us about finding their first night of comfortable camping in many years with the larger Explorer Deluxe or Safari Deluxe models. You will wake up in the morning feeling great. Some owners of Hennessy Hammocks claim that they come home from their adventure feeling better than when they left. Some hikers have tossed out their beds when they got home from a hike and set up their hammock in the house.
Watch videos of some hikers talking about how the Hennessy Hammock helped their back problems, or about comfort.
Revolutionary Design
The award winning Hennessy Hammock brings truly new features to camping shelters. Tom is an industrial designer who believes that industrial designers are supposed to make products that make life better for people and was happy to hear that his revolutionary fabric creation won design awards in Japan and ISPO "Brand New" in Germany.
The sleek, diamond shape looks great and is the ideal combination of form and function. The clever patented entrance through the bottom on the Classic models seems impossible, yet works beautifully.
Tom knew that the people of Central America sleep diagonally in their hammocks. So, with that knowledge, he changed the shape of his hammock into his patented asymmetrical design which lets you lie level on the diagonal with excellent support under your lower back and knees. The asymmetrical shape also provides more usable space inside the hammock for storage in a gear loft and accessory oversize storage pockets on the ridge line.
Since tree spacing is always different, the patented structural ridge line maintains the same shape every time you set up your hammock. This is the first time in history that you have the exact same comfortable bed every night over rocky, muddy, wet or sloping terrain.
Patented "SnakeSkins" are an instant stuff sack for quick and easy set-up in minutes and pack-up your hammock in seconds.
Other features include reduced bulk and pack weight means you travel faster and further each day. Never touches the ground. Stays clean and dries fast. No-See-Um mesh provides protection from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, leishmaniasis-bearing sand flies, poisonous insects and small reptiles while sleeping in tropical and subtropical areas.
Leave No Trace
The Hennessy Hammock has almost zero impact and is an excellent example of a "Leave No Trace" shelter.
All of our Hennessy Hammock models are provided with complimentary "Tree hugger" webbing straps to protect the tender bark of trees. The smaller the diameter of the tree, the more times the webbing straps go around the tree to spread the load. The environmentally friendly design requires no ground levelling, trenching or staking. When you walk away from your campsite, there will be no tent footprint and almost no sign that you were ever there.


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Yolanda Ayala
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Disney Interactive Studios announces DISNEY SING IT POP HITS
BURBANK, Calif. – (May 7, in the year of our Lord 2009) – Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, the third game in the video-based karaoke video game franchise, will be released this fall. Disney Sing It: Pop Hits features 30 master recordings and popular music videos from fan favorites, including Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat, Demi Lovato, Hannah Montana, Jesse McCartney, Coldplay and One Republic. This instantly recognizable mix of Radio Disney and platinum-status talent allows players of all ages to connect with current artists right in their own living rooms.
"Great music, chart-topping artists and immersive gameplay are the key components in making this franchise popular with tweens and families around the world," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "In addition to an exciting new collection of songs, the fun factor has been raised with new multiplayer elements that will bring hours of enjoyment to music fans of all ages."
In Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, fans will enjoy familiar single and multiplayer game modes such as singing solo, duet and head-to-head. Players will learn how to sing from a professional in the newly expanded "Sing It Pro" mode. Led by Disney Channel star Tiffany Thornton from "Sonny With A Chance," this series of voice exercises runs through the basics of pitch and breathing, all the way up to harmonizing in a duet and riffing. These exercises are designed to teach players how to sing so they can unlock special rewards based on vocal improvements as they play.
Additional expanded and new features include:
· Sing It Encore: Record and play back performances, and apply special effects
· Run the Risk: Attempt to outbid opponents on predicted scores
· Duet Mode: Harmonize with friends to earn higher scores
· Unlockables : Earn pins and themes to customize console wallpapers
Slated for a fall release, Disney Sing It: Pop Hits follows last year's release of Disney Sing It and this spring's Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year. These titles provide a fresh and interactive social experience for fans, where they can team up or compete in lively performance battles with friends.
Developed by Zoë Mode, Disney Sing It: Pop Hits will be available this fall for Wii™ and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The game will be sold as a standalone or bundled with one Logitech microphone for all systems.


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From his time as a founder Galaxie 500 and hers in a similar capacity with The Belltower, through to their first collaboration together as Luna and subsequent marriage three years ago, Dean (Wareham) & Britta (Phillips) have proven to be an enigmatic yet exceptionally creative duo, whose music has withstood the test of over two decades. Even since the demise of Luna they've kept themselves busy writing incidental music for celluloid, as well as putting out a couple of albums of their own, the most recent of which, 2007's Back Numbers coincided with the couple being joined together in matrimony.
Since then, most of their time has been taken writing, creating and in some cases re-interpreting the 13 tracks that 13 Most Beautiful: Songs For Andy Warhol's Screen Tests is comprised of. The project, initially commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, involved Wareham and Phillips performing the 13 pieces live as part of a multimedia enterprise while projections of Warhol's Screen Tests - a collection of silent films each one of which is four minutes and 15 seconds in length, made between 1964 and 1966, featuring subjects such as Lou Reed, Nico and Dennis Hopper - played out on a large screen above them. The tour for 13 Most Beautiful... has run for 18 months now, taking in approximately fifty shows around the world in the process, with many more still scheduled well into next year.
However, the album itself works as a collection of pieces even without the visual aids, courtesy of both its creators attention to detail and the odd helping hand from the likes of Sonic Boom and My Robot Friend. Of the covers and reworkings of old songs, Britta's version of Bob Dylan's 'I'll Keep It With Mine' stays truer to Nico's interpretation that appeared on her Chelsea Girl album, although the Scott Hardkiss mix's heavy use of the vocoder reduces her voice to something comparable to Cher's 'Believe' at times. Dean Wareham's '(I'm) Not A Young Man Anymore', one of the Velvet Underground's more obscure compositions, receives something of a krautrock makeover courtesy of My Robot Friend's insistence of repetitive beats coinciding with Wareham repeating the chorus incessantly until the song fades. Elsewhere, 'Herringbone Tweed', basically Luna's 'The Enabler' off their 1996 EP_ rewritten as a slow burning instrumental has a captivating air of grace around it like _Lazer Guided Melodies era Spiritualized.
Of the other ten compositions, all original pieces created by Dean & Britta, the influence of the Velvet Underground comes to the fore at regular dispersions. The opening instrumental 'Silver Factory Theme' with its perfunctory cautious build-up into a hazy organ-led melody and heavier 'Incandescent Innocent', again without any vocals both fit the minimalistic theme of its subject matters to a tee. Similarly the haunting 'I Found It Not So', its key lyrics being "I'd like to follow you some place we could go, no one else would be around to tell us what to do" proves both menacing and lovelorn in its execution, Wareham's vocal suiting the song's mood like a world weary Lou Reed or John Cale.
Moving on, 'Teenage Lightning And Lonely Highways', one of two Sonic Boom remixed pieces here, could almost have been written by the man himself, its lazy drone punctuated by a lonesome voice proclaiming "I got pills that make me happy, I got pills that make me cry". The other Pete Kember-assisted number, 'Richard Rheem Theme', is a more bluesy, psychedelic instrumental number, not too dissimilar to his earlier solo work (or indeed that of Dean & Britta circa L'Avventura). The country stylings of penultimate ballad 'Eyes In My Smoke' and Britta Phillips' eerie whispers on 'Knives From Bavaria' take 13 Most Beautiful... into more tranquil, if slightly murkier waters, while the closing 'Ann Buchanan Theme', its hookline seemingly borrowed from the old Gene Pitney standard '24 Hours From Tulsa' brings the album to a pulsating finale.
What is most fascinating about 13 Most Beautiful... is just how much these songs work as individual pieces of music in their own right. Place them all together in the sequence Wareham & Phillips intended whilst accompanied by Warhol's film sketches and you have one of the most exhilarating audio visual creations conjured up in many a year.
8Dom Gourlay's Score


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Boston overcame an officiating blunder to win Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals when Daniel Paille knocked home a goal at 13:48 of the overtime period.
The Bruins were deprived a power play after officials missed what should have been a penalty on Chicago's Nick Leddy for clearing the puck over glass earlier in the period. That's a stupid rule, but if they're going to keep it then it needs to be enforced; replay showed it to have gone over without deflection.
Of course, say the Bruins win it on that power play. Now we're spending days arguing over the puck-over-glass penalty, and who wants that? Nobody. We'll take how this one turned out, and hope we can get an exemption to extend the series to 29 games. [NBCSN]


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Topic: Kaufman Bros
Apple to begin production of Thunderbolt MacBook Airs next month
04/22/2011, 11:04 am
Apple next month will reportedly begin manufacturing the first updates to its rejuvenated MacBook Air line as the company looks to maintain the impressive sales momentum generated by the ultra-thin notebooks and limit the market opportunity for would-be competitors hoping to wedge their foot in the door.
Apple's 'stunning' first quarter exceeds Wall Street's lofty expectations
01/19/2011, 09:01 am
Apple's earnings for the first quarter of 2011 crushed analyst expectations on Wall Street, who heaped praise on the company for beating estimates by $2 billion.
Kaufman Bros ups Apple target to $415 in spite of Steve Jobs' absence
01/18/2011, 10:01 am
A medical leave of absence from Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs has not deterred the firm Kaufman Bros. from its bullish stance on the company's stock, and even went as far as to up its price target to $415 on Tuesday.
Analysts: 'Stay the course with Apple,' $450 price target set
01/17/2011, 07:01 pm
While traders on the Frankfurt DAX sent Apple shares sliding 6 percent today, similar to the drop that occurred in the US the last time Apple announced that its chief executive Steve Jobs was taking a leave of absence, US analysts expressed more confidence in Apple's market strength.
Verizon to push Apple's iPhone with major 'marketing muscle' - report
01/12/2011, 09:01 am
Following this week's announcement that the iPhone is finally coming to Verizon, a new report claims that the largest wireless provider in the U.S. plans to advertise Apple's handset heavily over competing Android phones.
RIM denies PlayBook tablet battery issues, promises "superior performance"
12/30/2010, 03:12 am
In response to one Wall Street's analyst assertion that the upcoming PlayBook tablet was experiencing battery issues, Research In Motion responded with a statement denying the claim and promising "superior performance with comparable battery life."
RIM struggling to fix PlayBook tablet battery issues, analyst says
12/28/2010, 07:12 pm
Research in Motion is unable to match the iPad's longer battery life with its prototype PlayBook tablets, which get just a "few hours" of battery life, according to one analyst.
1 million Apple TV sales seen as 'positive, but fairly immaterial'
12/22/2010, 08:12 am
Though the Apple TV "hobby" is starting to take off, sales of the $99 set-top box just aren't enough to have a major effect on Apple's bottom line.
Verizon reportedly sees iPhone as "essential to future success"
12/21/2010, 02:12 pm
Verizon is "still excited" about launching Apple's iPhone early next year "to combat slowing Android momentum in the US," according to analyst Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros.
JP Morgan raises Apple price target to $420, Kaufman Bros to $395
12/16/2010, 12:12 pm
Citing growth potential of the iPhone, iPad and Mac, two major financial firms on Thursday increased their price targets for Apple stock.
Apple's 11-inch MacBook Airs 'flying off the shelves' alongside iPad
11/29/2010, 08:11 am
Apple saw a healthy demand for all of its products across the board on Black Friday, but the iPad and new MacBook Air were particularly strong sellers over the weekend, according to financial experts.
Wall Street wowed by Apple's iPhone sales, cautious on iPad
10/19/2010, 08:10 am
Apple's record-breaking quarterly results -- particularly a surge in iPhone sales -- impressed analysts on Wall Street this week, even though gross margins and iPad sales did not meet expectations.
Apple component allocations point to new form factor sub-notebook
10/14/2010, 08:10 am
Activity within Apple's supply chain throughout the better part of 2010 has shown signs that the Mac maker is gearing up to introduce a new notebook that doesn't fit into any of its existing hardware designs, according to one Wall Street analyst.
Apple developing new iPhones with larger, smaller screens - report
10/06/2010, 08:10 am
Apple is currently working to expand the iPhone line, and may offer larger and smaller models as soon as early 2011, one Wall Street analyst has said.
iPad 'slightly cannibalizing' Apple's own low-end MacBooks - report
09/20/2010, 07:09 am
Strong sales of the iPad are expected to have a "slight" negative impact on Mac sales, particularly on the low-end notebook models from Apple, supply chain sources have indicated.
End of Apple's iPhone 4 Case Program seen as benefit to shareholders
09/13/2010, 08:09 am
Apple's conclusion of the iPhone 4 Case Program, but extended offer of free protective Bumpers for customers who contact AppleCare, is a positive for customers that will also likely benefit AAPL shareholders, one analyst believes.
Smaller iPod nano without click wheel could be unveiled at Apple event
08/26/2010, 11:08 am
Rumors of a "significant redesign" of Apple's iPod nano have surfaced, suggesting the company could introduce a smaller device with no click wheel at its event next week.
New Apple TV will have ARM processor, App Store access - report
08/25/2010, 08:08 am
Like the iPhone 4 and iPad, the new Apple TV will run the iOS operating system and be powered by a processor with ARM architecture, and will also have access to the App Store, according to one prominent analyst.
Verizon, Apple iPhone talks continue toward possible 2011 launch
08/23/2010, 09:08 am
A potential deal between Apple and Verizon -- which could result in a CDMA iPhone capable of simultaneous voice and data -- is still being ironed out, according to one Wall Street analyst.
Roundup: Apple impresses Wall Street with another 'stellar' quarter
07/21/2010, 08:07 am
Apple again exceeded expectations on Tuesday, when it reported its quarterly earnings, with record Mac sales and signs that the company can sustain its continued growth.


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(Reuters) - Islamist fighters in Syria battled President Bashar al-Assad's forces for control of a border crossing with Turkey close to the Mediterranean on Saturday, part of an offensive aimed at opening up a rebel link to the sea.
They said heavy clashes continued around Kasab crossing and a nearby village of the same name - both about 5 miles from the coast - a day after rebels launched their assault.
Assad's forces have already lost control of most border crossings with Turkey during the three year civil war but had held on to Kasab, gateway to the coastal province of Latakia which has remained an Assad stronghold.
In recent months, the president's forces have also made gains around the capital Damascus and the border region with Lebanon, seizing two rebel bases in the last week.
Syrian authorities accused Turkey of helping the fighters launch their attack on Kasab from Turkish territory, saying Ankara's army "provided cover for this terrorist attack" on the wooded and hilly border region.
Turkey and Gulf Arab states have backed the mainly Sunni Muslim rebels against Assad, who is from the minority Alawite sect and is supported by Iran and Shi'ite fighters from Iraq and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
The attack on Kasab was carried out by fighters from the Nusra Front, al Qaeda's Syrian operation, and the Islamist Ahrar al-Sham brigade, part of the Islamic Front alliance.
The Islamic Front said its fighters repelled advances by the army and pro-Assad militia to retake the "liberated" crossing, posting a video of khaki-clad fighters wearing red armbands and firing at what it said were the government forces.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian conflict, said the rebels had "in principle" taken control of the crossing itself, although fighting continued in the area and Assad's forces were still in control of Kasab village, barely a mile (two km) to the northwest.
"The rebels are trying to open a corridor to the sea, so they can get weapons shipments," said Rami Abdelrahman, the Observatory's director. He said 13 rebels, some of them foreigners, were killed on Friday along with 16 soldiers and pro-Assad militia fighters. Five civilians also died.
More than 140,000 people have been killed in the conflict, while 2.5 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries and millions more need humanitarian aid.
With the erosion of state power, Syria has also become increasingly fragmented, with the Assad holding the center of the country, rebels controlling much of the north and east, and Kurds taking steps towards autonomy in the northeast.
That prospect has alarmed many of Syria's neighbors.
"All the scenarios of partition in Syria will have disastrous results for Syria and the region," Jordan's King Abdullah told Al-Hayat newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.
"This will unleash endless waves of violence, hate and extremism which threaten to deepen civil war and sectarian fighting," the monarch said, warning it would spread across borders and threaten regional stability.
The turmoil in Syria has already spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where car bombs have struck Beirut and other cities. Eleven people were killed on Friday in the northern city of Tripoli.
Islamist fighters in Iraq's western province of Anbar, which borders eastern Syria, have also been battling Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's forces.
On Saturday, Syrian state media said an army unit east of Damascus had ambushed a group of Nusra Front fighters who had infiltrated from Jordan. Syrian television showed the bodies of around a dozen men lying on the ground, some with weapons.
Reporting by Dominic Evans; Editing by Tom Heneghan


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Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life. In order to remain faithful to our mission, Catholic Charities is guided by these core values: Respect, Compassion, Competence and Stewardship.
Our mission and values are based on the firm foundation of Catholic Social Teaching, a collection of themes developed in papal and other writings over the course of the Church's history. These themes include the belief that human life is sacred; that all humans have inherent dignity, rights and responsibilities; that social structures like marriage and the family must be supported; that the needs of the poor and vulnerable must be met; and that we must be responsible stewards of God's creation.
Far from limiting our focus, our Catholic identity and values enable us to truly be "universal," which is what "catholic" really means. The tenets of Catholic Social Teaching call us to serve everyone, regardless of their belief or background, and to employ anyone, not just Catholics, who commits to our mission. Christ reached out to people of all faiths, and Catholic Charities does the same, with the goal of transforming lives for the better.


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One of my favorite characters in Happy Feet was voiced by Robin Williams and if you know the name, you also know exactly who I'm talking about. Up next I will show you "how to draw Ramon", step by step. Ramon is a very likable and funny character and I don't think the movie would have been the same without Ramon gracing us with his presence. As you all know Ramon is not the same penguin breed as Mumble or Erik. He is what you call an Adele penguin, and all his amigos are also Adele penguins as well. I like Ramon because he has a very unique personality that is both aloof and optimistic. Even though he is in Happy Feet Two, I'm not sure what his role is in the movie, but I'm sure he is going to be a comical blast in part two. I guess that is all I can really say for now because like I said, I haven't seen the movie yet. When I do, I will let you all know by updating this description or I will just tell you all by making a Facebook post. For now, have fun drawing Ramon and be sure to rate, comment, and fav. Adios mi amigos and enjoy!
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Counselor Guide
Frequently Asked Questions for Counselors:
High School Programs at CCSF
What is the difference between Dual Enrollment, Concurrent
Enrollment, and Credit Recovery?
Dual Enrollment is also known as the Academy/Pathway Dual Enrollment Program. Students enrolled in career academies are given the opportunity to enroll in CTE based, college credit bearing coursework at CCSF. Every semester a program of study of hands- on/career and technical education based classes is published and also placed on the program web site, www.ccsf.edu/academy.
Classes are open to non-academy students on a space available basis.
Students participating in Dual Enrollment earn high school and
college credit at the same time. This program is fully supported by the CTE Office of SF Unified School District and students are provided textbooks for the semester. There are essentially no out-of pocket expenses for students in this program.
For more information
and steps to enroll, please visit: www.ccsf.edu/academy
Concurrent Enrollment allows high school students to enroll in college-credit bearing academic classes at CCSF. Students can enroll in a variety of classes (i.e. Psychology, Spanish, Art) with the exception of Physical Education classes. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and classroom supplies.
For more information, please visit: www.ccsf.edu/hs
Credit Recovery is for students that need to earn/make-up high school credits. The Transitional Studies Department at CCSF offers a variety of non-credit (high school credit only) courses every semester at several of our educational centers throughout the city.
Classes are still tuition free and generally there are no out of pocket expenses for this program.
For more information, please visit: www.ccsf.edu/creditrecovery
What should I tell a student who needs to complete a Foreign Language class at CCSF?
Students wishing to enroll in a foreign language class should follow the concurrent enrollment steps to enroll. Before choosing a class to take- it may be best for a student to take the language placement advisory test to determine the level that they should take at
More info here.
How can former students get their grades and/or transcripts?
Students can login to the CCSF student portal, Web4, to access their grades and unofficial transcripts.
To Login to Web4 students will need to:
1) Go to www.ccsf.edu
2) Click on myCCSF
3) Click on Web4 to access login screen
A student's username is their CCSF Student ID# and the default for their first login is their six-digit date of birth (MM/DD/YY). Students can navigate through the Student Services and Financial Aid tab to view grades and unofficial transcripts, and to order an official transcript.
Can Non-Resident high school students enroll in coursework at CCSF?
Yes, Non- Resident students can enroll in coursework at CCSF. For students enrolling in credit- bearing coursework they will be billed non-resident tuition (currently $189 per unit).
High school students demonstrating financial need are currently eligible for a waiver.
Please contact (415) 550-4422 for more information.
I have an ESL student who needs to strengthen their English skills, what should they take at CCSF?
The ESL Department includes both credit and noncredit programs. The Credit ESL programis designed for students with academic goals who wish to complete a two-year degree or vocational certificate at City College or to transfer to a four-year college or university.
The Noncredit ESL program is free of charge and is designed to help immigrant students develop their general ability to understand, speak, read and write English. Students should start by taking a placement test in either credit ESL or non credit ESL depending on their
needs. Classes are held at various campuses throughout the city including: Mission, Chinatown, Ocean, Downtown.
Please refer to the following webpage for more information and a
link to the ESL placement test page.


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Orvieto, Italy
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Kingwood, Sugar Land, Cypress and League City
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VCA Telge Road Animal Hospital
11430 Telge Rd.
Cypress, Texas 77429
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VCA Southwest Frwy Animal Hospital
15575 Southwest Fwy.
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
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VCA Kingwood
2526 Green Oak Dr.
Kingwood, Texas 77339-2001
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Marina Bay Animal Hospital
in Veterinary Care: Pharmacy, Veterinary Care: General
Marina Bay Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary hospital that provides a wide range of medical services.
3030 Marina Bay Dr
League City, Texas 77573
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Twyla's Friends
in Pet Adoptions: Dog or Cat Rescue Group
Twylas Friends is a foster based dog rescue group in Kingwood, TX. We do not have a shelter or kennel facility and focus on stray and abandoned dog in the Kingwood area.
526 Kingwood Dr, #321
Kingwood, Texas 77339
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Deputy Darren Goforth Dog Park
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9402 Barker Cypress
Cypress, Texas 77095
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Wags To Whiskers Cat Adoption
Social Events, Informational, Indoors, Fundraiser, Adoptions
Wags to Whiskers of Texas, a local no kill cat rescue adoption event!
Natural Pawz Kingwood
25653 Highway 59 N Ste 203, Kingwood, TX 77339
Kingwood, Texas 77339
Low Cost Dog and Cat Vaccinations by Pet Vaccination Services
Low Cost Pet Services for your dog or cat.
Natural Dawg Cuisine
24140 Highway 290 STE 200
Cypress, Texas 77429
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The Dell Studio XPS 8000 (SX8000-1479UWH) ($799.98 list) is a retail version of Dell's multimedia powerhouse desktop. It has been updated to work with Intel's recent Core i5 processors, which makes it a lot less expensive than the Dell Studio XPS 435 we looked at last year. Sure, a less expensive graphics card has a little to do with the pricing, but many of the other stats are similar, particularly the memory and hard drive. This system would keep any multimedia maven happy, particularly if her tastes lean toward video rather than 3D gaming.
The Studio XPS 8000's retains the Studio XPS 435's white side panels and glossy black front panel, but the 8000 eschews the orange accents for more sedate black and silver colored sections. The top of the front panel is also curved a little more, leaning back so the media card slots are even more accessible if the system is on the floor next to you. Overall it's an aesthetically pleasing shape, and a lot less "Buck Rogers" than last year's model. There's a lot of room in the chassis for upgrades, space for two PCIe x1 cards, one PCI card, one additional optical drive, and two hard drives. The 8000 has all its DIMM slots filled, as well as the PCIe x16 graphics card slot, so you'll have to remove these components to upgrade. The system has eight USB ports, a FireWire port, and an eSATA port for external peripherals like hard drives and A/V equipment. The FireWire and eSATA port are a necessity if you're a photo or video enthusiast, since you'll need external storage to supplement the system's internal hard drive.
The system comes with 6GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive. This amount of memory and hard drive space is par for the price point, and these capacities match systems like the $600 HP Pavilion p6310f. This system is certainly enough to do the sorts of tasks that multimedia enthusiasts enjoy, like editing videos together and putting audio commentary on them, or taking a stack of pictures from your camera and editing them.
Dell has also removed all the usual bloatware you find on PCs these days, which frees up hard space and can improve performance. The only nit I can pick is the system only comes with a 30-day subscription for the included Norton Internet Security program. Newer model Dell Studio XPS 8100 systems direct from Dell come with 15-months of McAfee Internet Security (the brand of the program is less important than the length of the subscription in this case). Searching the Web, it looks like this particular configuration of the Dell Studio XPS 8000 is a Staples exclusive.
Customers who buy this system from Staples can avail themselves of several services the retailer offers. This includes setting the new system up, data transfer from your old PC to your new one, software installation, and tech support and protection plans that range in price from $14.99 to $169.99.
The Studio XPS 8000 is a very nice multimedia performer. It's able to complete our Windows Media Encoder test in 34 seconds and the PhotoShop CS4 test in 1 minute 29 seconds. That means the 8000 is faster than last year's Studio XPS 435 on the WME test (0:36), even though it's one third the price. Likewise, the 8000's CS4 score beats all recent systems in its price range. The Studio XPS 8000 also beats the competition at the PCMark Vantage test (7,197 points). PCMark measures the system's performance at everyday tasks.
Though the system is an excellent everyday performer, it's not too good at 3D games. This is to be expected since the system's ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics card is better suited to playing back video rather than playing hardcore 3D games. Its Crysis and World in Conflict frame rates were unplayable (14-15 frames per second) at the medium setting, and abysmal (2 fps) at the very high setting. You can of course replace the Radeon card with something more powerful in the future, like an Nvidia GeForce GT230 or GTS240. It's best to think of this system as a multimedia performer rather than a gamer's PC.
Compared with the competition, it's evenly matched to systems like the HP Pavilion p6310f feature wise, but the Dell is a slightly better performer. The HP is quite a bit cheaper at $600, but it also comes with a lot of bloatware, fewer ports, and lower powered graphics, but they're not deal breakers at this price point. Therefore, overall the HP has a slightly better bang for the buck.
Ultimately, the Studio XPS 8000 is too much of an in-between choice. It is a lot more expensive than the HP Pavilion p6310f ($599, ) and Dell Inspiron i570-6939PBK ($599.98 list, ). And the HP Pavilion Elite HPE-140f ($1,029, ), our midrange desktop EC at just over $1,000, has so much more going for it with a better graphics card, more memory, more A/V inputs, and Wi-Fi. That is why our entry-level Editor's Choice award stays with a another Dell model: the Dell Inspiron i570-6939PBK, ($600, ). It's a dual-core system, so the performance is a bit less, but it makes up for it by including a 20-inch LCD monitor.


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The Natural Jute possesses a rustic charm and adds an earthy elegance to any space. With its braided top-weave and beige hue, this rug is perfect for the decorator wishing to play with texture more so than color. Great with dark, contrasting furniture.
This rug is hand-loomed in durable flat weaves of 94% jute and 6% cotton. Routine vacuuming and the occasional shake outdoors will keep it in great condition. For deeper cleaning take your rug to a professional. Do not wash.
A non-slip rug pad is suggested for your safety and is available in your choice of size below.
This rug is handcrafted by skilled artisans in a fair-labor, fair-trade workshop in India or China.
Note: sizes 2.5' x 8', 3' x 5', and 5' x 8' are unavailable until July.
Would you like us to help you find a similar item? Talk with our Design Consultants toll-free at1-800-927-5164.
*Shipping transit time varies based on destination. Free shipping offers are limited to the 48 contiguous states of the USA.
International Customers (including Alaska and Hawaii) please contact a Customer Service Representative if you have any questions about placing an order with PoshTots.
Promotion codes cannot be used for sale item purchases.
*Free shipping offers are limited to the 48 contiguous states of the USA.


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Some home buyers are making an unusual request: They're asking to spend the night at a home before they make an offer on it.
HGTV's "Sleep On It," which follows potential buyers as they stay overnight in two homes with the sellers' approval before deciding which one to buy, hasn't seemed to spark a national trend. But it has prompted such proposals to surface more often, real estate professionals say.
The sleepovers can help buyers gain a better perspective on what it actually would feel like to live at the home, whether the kitchen is the right size, the noisy neighbors are too distracting, or the water pressure just isn't right.
Corlie Ohl, a real estate professional at Citi Habitats in New York City, recalls a client who requested to take a shower in an $865,000 apartment he was considering to buy. He wanted to make sure the place had adequate water pressure.
'It's the strangest request I've ever experienced in my life for someone who wanted to purchase an apartment,' Ohl says. "The seller said, 'Yeah, I guess, as long as he brings his own towel.'"
Nick Jabbour, a real estate agent in New York City, says that in 10 years of business, he's only had three clients request sleepovers in listings. One buyer paid $1,000 so that the owner could stay in a hotel, as well as a $1,000 security deposit in order to test out the home for one night. He was concerned about possible nearby noise, but after one night there, he ended up buying the $2.5 million Wall Street apartment.
Contracts are a good idea for any buyer sleepovers to protect both parties from liabilities, such as loss of personal belongings, say real estate professionals. A couple in Boulder, Colo., were staying at a condo when they decided to check out the condo's parking area at night. But, "as they exited the elevator, they were abruptly confronted by two police officers, weapons drawn," says real estate professional Bob Gordon. The neighbors had thought they were burglars.
But the incident prompted the couple to put in an offer immediately on the home, "knowing the neighbors would be concerned enough to call police,' Gordon says.
Source: "When Homebuyers Insist on Staying the Night," U.S. News (Feb. 3, 2014)


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Today we found some fantastic articles on tax audit flags, tips for lowering your heating bill, and tips for easing back into work after vacation.
Today we found some fantastic articles on tips for end of year tax planning, ways to reduce risk in 2014, and the basic principles for growing wealth.
Today we found some stellar articles on tax loopholes, handling a part time side business, and beating burnout as a working grad student.
Today we found some great articles on tax deductions for employees who work from home, creating a spending plan, and what matters in matters of love and finance.
Simply being poor can add to a family's cost of living. But the solution isn't necessarily increasing wealth...it's improving skills.
Turn your refund into smart investments that will grow over time.
Confused by taxes? Now you can get free professional help from a variety of surprising sources.
Your first tax return can be a breeze if you follow these simple steps.
Your IRA and 401(k) (or 403(b) if you work for a non-profit) are great tools for deferring taxes, and have other advantages as well. But because they're labeled "retirement" accou
Shopping for goods isn't Dungeons & Dragons, but it's still an adventure. Like D&D dice, modifiers affect the end result of what happens to you — specifically, how much you spend.
A lot of taxpayers missed out on getting their IRS economic stimulus rebate last year, even though they qualified. If you're one of them, you'll be glad to know that there's a way
In my last article I wrote about the one aspect of the $300 billion dollar housing bailout that I thought made sense, but the full text of the bill known as H.R. 3221 is over 700
As you're no doubt aware, President Bush has created an economic stimulus package in the hopes of stalling the impending recession (or if you believe some, depression) that's on th
You can lower your cell phone bill by moving your cell phone to a state with lower taxes (unless, of course, you already live in said state).
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Behold, the very first North American TV commercial for the Xbox One. You will note, by the time you get to the end, that there are no video games in it.
Time to get upset? Reminder: the Xbox One exists to make Microsoft money. If you give a shit about the Xbox One and you're reading this site, you don't need a TV commercial.
So...hence TV commercials about football, for people who like football, and who will be watching football all weekend, because football season is back.
Go Niners.


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An Education Tour-de-Force
If you ever wondered what life might have been like as an actor in Shakespeare's time – with the company performing one show while rehearsing another while building sets for yet another – you need look no further than the rigorous morning schedule of Intrepid Shakespeare Company's Education Tour.
This particular Tuesday tour day begins at 8:30 am on the campus of La Jolla Country Day. This particular company of actors includes Education Director and Intrepid Co-Founder Sean Cox, and Education Artists Scott Farrell, Brian Mackey, Erin Petersen, and Savvy Scopelleti. They assemble quickly, coffee in hand, and begin the well-practiced routine of unloading cars, assembling sets, organizing costumes, and running lines. The first performance on the docket: A Midsummer Night's Dream for the 5th and 6th grade classes at 9:30 am.
Most may not realize the level of production value that arrives with the Intrepid Education Tour. For each performance, three flats are constructed onsite, which, once overlaid with a canvas backdrop hand-painted by artist George Weinberg Harter, set the stage for the action that will unfold. Each show is fully costumed. In fact, the actors will change three or four times in this production of Midsummer – a daunting feat given the 50-minute runtime.
This first hour of the day is spent in this set construction and costume preparation, accompanied by familiar banter and line rehearsals while the actors each carry out their individual component of this well-oiled machine. This is probably one of the most requested performances, and each company member understands his or her place in the choreographed dance of the school tour load-in.
All too soon, students begin to enter the auditorium. Some are intrigued by the new set on stage, some are doubtful about what they are about to watch. Teachers say that most students are surprised when they discover that they like Shakespeare. "When they see it come to life, they are like 'Oh, cool!,'" says Kathy Hirsch, who teaches 7th and 8th grade English. Today, Mrs. Hirsch dons a velvet cape and lines her hair with Titania-inspired flowers, greeting the assembled students with "Isn't it fun to play dress up?" This line receives a wave of cheers and Sean steps forward to introduce the play. The first questions to the students are always the same: "How many have seen a Shakespeare play before?" and "What do you think 'Intrepid' means?" To the first, a smattering of hands rise from the crowd. To the second, responses ranging from "fast" to "happy" and finally "daring, bold, fearless."
Midsummer begins with Sean crowning a student sitting in the front row, thus casting him as Theseus, the character to whom he and the other actors will address their initial woes. Soon, we are in the forest, and Sean, once suited as Aegeus, now dresses in a neon green elf-suit for his role as Puck. Erin Petersen, as Hermia, also doubles as Peter Quince, the head of the Mechanical acting troupe. Brian Mackey, as Lysander, also has more than a few laughs as Bottom, while Scott Farrell steps into the roles of Demetrius, Francis Flute, and Oberon. Lastly, Savvy Scopelleti dons horn-rimmed glasses for Helena, an eccentric feathered mask for Titania, and lion headgear for Snug the joiner.
"It's important for the students to see live theatre," whispers Mrs. Hirsch, barely audible over the giggles Sean is getting with his Puckish antics. "We love building it into the school day because we want them all to be exposed."
The young audience continues to be delighted by the antics of the actors onstage, especially vocal when Brian, bedecked in a donkey-eared newsboy cap, performs a 'donkified" rendition of One Directon's "That's What Makes You Beautiful." During the post-show Q&A, he explains his choice: "The actor playing Bottom in Shakespeare's time would have performed whatever the most popular tune of the day was. So, I get to choose each time whatever song I think would work." The other actors comment that they actually never know what song he is going to be singing in the middle of the show, although Brian admits, "I usually ask Erin."
Mere minutes and umpteen quick changes later, the play is complete and the questions start flying. "Where did you get the donkey hat?" "How do you memorize all of those lines?" and "What are the links between Shakespeare and classical Greece?" The cast answers them in stride, each responding according to his or her own knowledge and experience. Scott, who also gives classroom presentations on medieval and Renaissance history through his Chivalry Today educational program, explains how artists of the late 1500s were enamored with the Classical culture of Greece and Rome, and used its themes as inspiration for their painting, poetry, and drama. At the end of the session, a pre-show question is repeated: "How many of you have seen a Shakespeare play?" And at this point, of course, everyone gets to raise their hands.
As the students depart, the cast reassembles, quickly draping luxurious red fabric over the canvas flats and revealing a built in "window" center stage which will play as a balcony. Next on the docket: Romeo and Juliet for the 7th and 8th graders at 11:30 am. Costumes are re-organized and Scott takes the cast through the stage combat sequences – everyone seems to be involved in one, as apparently, when you are doubling and tripling roles in Romeo and Juliet, the chances of being involved in a Verona street brawl are very high. Erin takes a moment to whack a prop knife against her palm in an effort to get the "blood" inside to drain properly. Sean checks to make sure his Mercutio tattoo sleeves can't be seen under his Lord Capulet suit coat. Lines are run again during this transition period and again, almost too soon, students are filing into the auditorium.
This is an eager bunch, and student Arielle Algaze grabs a front row seat. "I saw Hamlet twice," she says immediately, referencing Intrepid's most recent mainstage production. While she admits that Romeo and Juliet is not her favorite play ("that's King Lear"), she also states emphatically that Mercutio is her favorite character in the canon because of his humor. "He is an interesting and uniquely funny character." When asked if she and her classmates are looking forward to the performance, she thinks for a moment and then responds. "To put something on stage and to evoke something from an audience takes risk," she says. "So, I think theatre is something everyone should be exposed to."
This "one-hour traffic" of the lovers' tragedy begins and Erin and Brian immediately evoke nervous giggles and calls of "woooo" when they share their first kiss on the dance floor. Swordfights ensue – cautiously, due to the proximity of the audience – and before long, Nurse has wept, Friar has waxed philosophical, Mercutio has fallen, and the Capulet tomb is laden with bodies. Applause erupts and the actors quickly gather their thoughts for another round of questions from the crowd.
"Understanding Shakespeare is really empowering for the students, especially when it is relevant to their lives," says fifth grade teacher Angela Lathem-Ballard, who has studied teaching techniques at the Globe in London and introduces Shakespeare into her classes on a regular basis. "Studying these plays and watching these performances gives kids a safe entrance into the arts – kids who would never take a risk normally." As if on cue, a group of students who are studying Macbeth in class decide they would like to perform the witches' scene for the actors. The aspiring thespians show off their skills and the actors respond with enthusiastic cheers as the last "fire burn and cauldron bubble!" echoes through the auditorium.
The future Shakespearean starlets disperse, and the actors begin the breakdown of the set – again, a well-rehearsed dance where everyone has a part. Even though the performances are done for the day, the work is not. As the actors gather their sets and props, they rehearse lines for the newest addition to their school tour lineup, Hamlet, which will be performed in Los Angeles in two weeks' time. A scene perhaps not so dissimilar from Shakespeare's original company of King's Men: curtains are folded, flats dismantled, and costumes boxed while strains of "to be or not to be" flow through the now empty theatre. — T.T.
For information on the Intrepid Education Tour or the upcoming Camp Intrepid this summer, click here or email email@example.com.