text:
Last week, Politico reported on an aborted effort by the American Conservative Union to get FedEx to pay for a $2 million campaign against an effort in the House to impose new regulations from the NLRB onto the carrier that would remove a competitive advantage it has over its chief rival UPS. Politico reported that ACU chair David Keene instead sided with UPS when FedEx turned down the ACU offer. Today, David Keene responded in depth to the charges — and since we covered the issue on Friday, I'm going to post Keene's response in full, followed by my own.
Last Friday, Politico carried a story alleging that as Chairman of the American Conservative Union I had approached Federal Express seeking a major contribution in return for ACU's support for the company's position in a fight with UPS and that when FedEx refused the requested contribution, I reversed my position on the issue and, in effect, threw in with UPS.
Politico's reporter got his facts and his timing wrong and, as a result, reached conclusions that were wrong. My first inclination was to ignore what I considered an absurd story, but I cannot let such a vicious attack on my integrity and on the organization I chair go unanswered.
I've been around and know full well that "politics ain't beanbag," but I must say I was disappointed by the readiness of so many people including some who have known me for years to accept the Politico charges as true. Perhaps it's the cynicism about everything and everyone political, but I have to admit that it took me by surprise.
The issue in question is an amendment to The Federal Aviation Authority Reauthorization Act of 2009 which would, by bringing FedEX under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board, essentially deliver the company and its employees into the hands of The Teamsters.
The substantive reasons ACU believes conservatives should support FedEx on this were outlined as articulately and succinctly in a recent column by George Will who concluded quite accurately that "What UPS is doing is called rent-seeking — bending public power for private advantage by hindering a competitor."
First, let me say that ACU did approach FedEx for support to assist in a just fight; we agreed with the corporation's opposition to the amendment that would subject them to NLRB jurisdiction of the and wanted to do all we could to see that it is defeated.
ACU raises funds from individuals, foundations and, yes, corporations that agree with our positions on the issues and strongly believes that in this particular fight, FedEx is right and that UPS is trying to get Congress to take an objectively unjustifiable action simply to disadvantage a competitor. What ACU does not do is tailor its positions to attract contributors. ACU support is not now and never has been "for sale."
ACU staff had been working to defeat the amendment even before preparing a funding request after learning that such a request might well be favorably received. That proposal was prepared by the ACU staff and sent to FedEx on June 30, 2009. While I knew a proposal was being prepared, I wasn't personally familiar with its contents and didn't even know until recently when or even if it had actually gone to FedEx.
At roughly the same time I was approached by a representative of Frontiers of Freedom, an organization founded and chaired by former Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop to see if I would be willing to sign on to a letter to FedEx objecting not to the corporation's position on the NLRB question, but to characterizing the fight as a fight over a UPS effort to obtain a federal bailout. This was, of course, a mischaracterization of the fight which had nothing to do with a bailout and everything to do with a labor regulation.
Since words have precise meanings and since the letter I was asked to agree to was explicitly agnostic as to the amendment we oppose, I agreed to sign on. This nevertheless apparently upset someone at FedEx who contacted reporters to charge that I had sought FedEx financial support and when it was not forthcoming, switched sides … probably in return for funding from its competitor.
The timeline alone demonstrates the absurdity of the charges. Although the Frontiers of Freedom letter is dated July 15, 2009, the organization sought and received the ok from me to add my name to its letter on July 1, 2009. That is just a day after ACU fundraisers submitted its proposal to FedEx. I don't know of anyone who believes that any corporation or funding institution would be willing or even capable of turning such a proposal around in a day. One would have to be incredibly naïve to expect an answer of any kind this quickly and we hadn't gotten one. We certainly hadn't been turned down.
Had I been interested only in raising money, I would not have signed on to the Frontiers of Freedom letter because by doing so, I was at the very least making it less rather than more likely that they would contribute to our efforts. I signed on, however, because I thought the letter was correct on the merits and because, quite frankly, I was not relating it to the substance of the NLRB issue.
Politico charges that that by signing the Frontiers of Freedom letter, I reversed my position on the amendment ACU had until then opposed. This is simply untrue. Anyone who reads the Frontiers of Freedom letter will discover that it states explicitly that one can agree with the substance of the letter regardless of one's position on the NLRB issue. I can only conclude that the author of the Politico article never even bothered to read it.
Let me be clear on this. I continue to agree with Senator Wallop's objection to the mischaracterization of the issue and I also I continue to oppose extending NLRB jurisdiction to FedEx. Neither I nor ACU has changed our position on this and won't, though I must admit that I am less than impressed with the manner in which FedEx has treated me and ACU in this matter.
Given the nature of the allegations, I guess I should also say for the record that we have neither asked for nor received any support from UPS as a result of our position on this issue. This should surprise no one since we think UPS's position on the NLRB question is flat wrong and we continue to believe conservatives should oppose that corporation's attempt to use its influence in Congress to disadvantage its competition.
Years ago when Lyn Nofziger was unjustly charged with wrongdoing, I wrote him a letter in which I told him that the only good thing about the experience was that before it ended he would know who your real friends were and who would walk away from you at the first sign of trouble.
Lyn thanked me for the letter and the thought, but said that on reflection thought he'd rather not to have had to find out.
He had a point.
I appreciate Keene's points here, but this still doesn't answer the question of why Whitfield made an offer that appeared to include Keene's columns at The Hill as part of a promotional effort. Unless Keene is challenging the authenticity of the letter, which he does not do in this statement provided to Hot Air, that letter at least strongly implied that the ACU could sell his column as part of its offer. In fact, it's hard to see how this could be read otherwise:
Producing op-eds and articles written by ACU's Chairman David Keene and / or other members of the ACU's Board of Directors. (Note that Mr. Keene writes a weekly column that appears in The Hill.)
That doesn't mean that Keene or the unnamed board members will write a column for any cause that throws down cash. However, unless the column contains some sort of disclosure that it was written as part of a multimillion-dollar deal with an ACU client, it's still pay-for-play, which was what Politico reported. It is remarkably similar to what Armstrong Williams did a few years ago, and received an avalanche of richly deserved criticism across the entire political spectrum, because it was wrong no matter whether Williams believed what he was writing or not. The readers had an interest in knowing the pay-for-play relationship as a means of judging credibility, and the same would be true if Keene agreed to put his columns at the disposal of ACU clients.
That brings us to the Lyn Nofziger point, which I find a little odd. Keene says that he publicly criticized FedEx in an open letter, and in the same breath says he still supports their cause. However, he doesn't seem to allow for the same of the ACU's critics in this instance, considering us to have betrayed the ACU. Well, I have my friends and defend them when they deserve it — and tell them when they're wrong when they deserve that, too, the same as Keene did with FedEx. I'd like to point out that I called the ACU to get their side of the story, and until now have never received a response to that call.
The measure of "friendship" in politics can't be the extent to which we ignore when our colleagues make mistakes big enough to cause serious damage — as Keene explains about his response to FedEx, and as a pay-for-play practice at the ACU would do to conservatives. I'm happy to stick with that standard. I'm also happy to give David Keene a chance to get his entire argument on the record, as he has been a good friend of the conservative movement for many years.
Update: Be sure to read Erick Erickson's post. He spoke with Keene directly, but still comes away convinced that the ACU needs to make changes at the top to retain its credibility.


text:
I was on VPSLink for about 1 year (maybe more) and I was always satisfied by the service (no issue at all, maybe some little downtime).
About three weeks ago I had a little issue with a Debian configuration. I am an Arch Linux user, therefore I decided what my computer does. If I install a service, I have to set it up to start when the computer starts. With Debian If you install something, when the computer starts, all the service starts. You have to configure it to avoid it.
So, what's happening? I installed Squid for a little test. Installed, used, stopped. And for me, it's stopped. But VPSLink restarts my computer, Debian restarts squid and some spammer found the proxy not configured and used my vps to spam.
It was the 23th May. The 24th May VPSLink mail me to notify the problem and that the email service is closed to me. As soon as possible I fix the problem, stopping squid and removing it from the startup service.
The 31th May the VPS was down. I ask why on tickets, forum and mailing them and after 5 (FIVE) days they answered me that they had closed my account. Without any notification! So I lose my files and my configuration.
Ok, my fault, I didn't know squid started automatically, but I paid a service, I fixed the problem and without telling me nothing they shutdown it all.
I was very disappointed by this and of course they don't care.
However I have decided to search some other VPS service.
I'm trying intovps.com. The base vps costs 10$ and has 20Gb hard disk, 512Mb ram guaranteed (up to 1024Mb), 500 Gb monthly bandwith and I can Install Arch Linux
As far as I can test, connection speed is very good (up to 12 Mb/s downloading the ubuntu iso) and about 1 second to check its md5.
I will try it better in the next days, however I definitively say goodbye to VPSLink.
Hope someone will follow me.
Goodbye to everybody!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You are about to enter a website that may contain content of an adult nature.
Hello everyone, this is Indian cam girl Sexy_HD_Babe here. I'm 48 year old Female speak English in the Indian live sex chat action. Mature woman with nice big tits, hot, wet shaved pussy, sexy tight ass...enjoys oral, masturbation, toys and anal. I LOVE to show off, have always been an exhibitionist.. I`m a girl who likes to have fun! Road trips, especially on the Harley... travel, photography, assorted crafts, barbecues, hanging out having a few drinks with friends. squirter, blowjobs, swallow, fisting, anal, toys is my expertise and also what I will do in Indian live sex private show. I have Green eyes, Short Blonde hairs and my measurements are 40-36-40. For Turn ons: sexy smiles, nice asses, big juicy cocks, a man who can tell me what he wants. For TurnsOff: bad manners, men/women who are too pushy. If you prefer kinks, then Piercings,Tattoos,Shaved, are mine. I'm just hungry for a HARD cock, can't wait to see u in my Indian webcam sex chat room! :)
This website contains indian nude cam, desi webcam, online hindi girls webcam and tamil sex cams related sexually explicit content.
You must be at least 18 years of age to enter this website.
© Since 2012 myindiansexcams.com Indian Sex Chat Network All Rights Reserved
AllHosts1 - AllHosts2 - AllHosts3 - AllHosts4 - AllHosts5 - AllHosts6 - AllHosts7 - AllHosts8 - AllHosts9 - AllHosts10 - AllHosts11 - AllHosts12


text:
Print, Share, or View Spanish version of this article
A bicycle of the wrong size may cause your child to lose control and be injured. Any bike must be the correct size for the child for whom it is bought. To keep your child safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster brakes until your child is older and more experienced.
Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new bike.
Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
How to test any style of bike for proper fit
Sitting on the seat with hands on the handlebar, your child must be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground.
Straddling the center bar, your child should be able to stand with both feet flat on the ground with about a 1-inch clearance between the crotch and the bar.
When buying a bike with hand brakes for an older child, make sure that the child can comfortably grasp the brakes and apply sufficient pressure to stop the bike.
A helmet should be standard equipment. Whenever buying a bike, be sure you have a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)-approved helmet for your child.
Dear Parent:
Your child is old enough to start learning how to prevent accidents. The games below are designed to help him or her think about safety. Read the messages with your child and talk about them. Then take this safety sheet home and post it where all can see it.
It takes time to form a safety habit. Remind each other about these safety messages. Make safety a big part of your lives.


text:
Due to the renovation of the Circulation floor (top floor) of the library, the majority of the library's print books have been put into storage. But don't worry— the entire circulating collection of books will be back in place on the top floor when the renovation is complete later this year!
In the meantime, you still have several options for books to support your research:
Use the "Core Collection"
A small collection of books (approximately 1000 volumes) is available for checkout. These books can be checked out for a two-week period. Go to the Circulation Department on the library's main floor to access this collection.
Use our eBooks
The library's extensive eBook collection (over 40,000 e-Books) is still available during the renovation. Students can access eBooks from off-campus locations by using their MyVWCC username and password.
Use Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is an option for students who require print books for academic work. It usually takes 5-10 business days for books to arrive. Please keep this time frame in mind when making an ILL request.
Brown Library staff members are glad to help you with all of your information needs. Ask a Librarian!


text:
Mizel Museum Dinner
Denver Post Publisher William Dean Singleton addresses the 1,800 civic leaders gathered to see him receive the Mizel Museum's Community Cultural Enrichment Award for 2009. Photo by Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver Post
Once again, THE place to see and be seen was Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Thursday night when Mizel Museum hosted its annual Community Cultural Enrichment Award dinner. The 2009 recipient, The Denver Post's own William Dean Singleton.
Politicians, religious figures, business leaders, and plenty of everyday folk were there to honor Singleton and raise money for Mizel Museum, Babi Yar Park and the Center for Empowered Living & Learning.
My colleague Joey Bunch covers the nuts and bolts of the evening on Page 2 of today's Denver & The West section of The Denver Post; pictures are posted at denverpost.com/seengallery. I also sent Twitter updates live from the scene and they can still be found under my username, GetItWrite, by clicking on the Twitter icon at denverpost.com. That click will take you to a list of Denver Post staffers who Tweet; click the line on which my name appears.
Here, then, are just a few of the 1,800 who were at the mega-affair emceed by Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper: Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer; former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and his wife, Wilma; former Denver Bronco Haven Moses; Urban League president/ceo Landri Taylor; Donald Seawell, who'd been publisher of The Denver Post before leaving to start the Denver Center for the Performing Arts; Singleton mentor Joe Allbritton; auto dealers Mike Shaw and Mark Murray; promoters Barry Fey and Chuck Morris; attorneys Candy Figa, Frances Koncilija, Craig Fleishman and Steve Farber; Winter Park Resort chief Gary DeFrange; restaurateur Noel Cunningham; Adam Writer, chair of the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center board; National Jewish Health president Michael Salem; Richmond American Homes chief David Mandarich; Allied Jewish Federation director Doug Seserman; Colorado State University chancellor Joe Blake; Boettcher Foundation director Tim Schultz; Rabbi Marc Soloway of Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder; Michael Feiner; Rick and Susie Altman; University of Denver chancellor Robert Coombe; bankers John Ikard and Wayne Hutchens; Ernie Blake and Sharon Magness Blake; Marvin and Judi Wolf; Sol Leftin; David and Laura Merage; Andy and Virginia Love; Marc and Kelly Steron; Gully Stanford; Faye and Dr. Reginald Washington; Fran and Ray Baker; Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld; Jordon and Essie Perlmutter; Gary and Barb Reece; Paul Esserman; Brad and Cathy Rothhammer; Wayne and Faye Gardenswartz; Stuart and Elise Zall; Margot and Allan Frank; Adam and Katie Agron; Howard Torgove; and Bonnie and Peter Kudla.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or email@example.com


text:
Photo Sport BP 300 II AW is designed to protect your photo gear in the UltraCinch™ chamber, and all of your journey's essentials in the open space.
1.5 kg
Main Color
External Dimensions
27 x 24 x 56 cm
Camera Compartment Dimensions
21 x 9 x 22.3 cm
Top Compartment Dimensions
24 x 15 x 22 cm
Primary Device
The limited consumer warranty covers any defects in material or workmanship in the new Lowepro product accompanied by this warranty statement. This warranty does not affect or modify any warranty provided by the Lowepro retailer nor does it affect any additional rights you may have under the laws of your jurisdiction.
Your passions for photography and outdoor adventure demand lightweight protection, active comfort and fast access to your gear. The Photo Sport combines your passions into one high-performance pack.
When moving fast, your camera gear can't be loose and unsecured. UltraCinch™ allows you to tighten the space around your gear while the ActivZone™ suspension holds the bag snugly to your body.
Run, hike, bike, trek, board or climb, no matter your calling, the super-light Photo Sport II is designed to deliver on the move.
Keep hydrated with a dedicated space for a 2 liter Camelback® or Platypus® reservoir (not included). Quick-release buckles and routing for the mouthpiece ensure ease of use on the trail.
Our updated UltraCinch™ design features a single pull-tab which tightens the padded photo compartment around your camera, yet allows quick access when you need it.
Multiple attachment points and gear loops let you easily attach equipment (such as trekking poles or a small tripod) to the outside of the Photo Sport.
Four compartments ensure you have room for personal gear beyond the camera compartment. Pack the top-loading main compartment, zippered top pocket, front expansion pocket and side pocket for your gear and activity.
Super lightweight N100 nylon with UTS coating provides the first level of weather protection. For added protection in heavy weather, deploy the attached All Weather AW Cover™.
Padded and adjustable in all the right places, the ActivZone™ harness system makes the Photo Sport feel like a part of your body while hiking, biking, running or climbing.
The stabilizing waistbelt also includes zippered side pockets for quick-grab items while in use.
Weather resistant, high-tech materials mean you don't have to stop because of a little rain. For more serious weather, deploy the All Weather AW Cover™ for superior protection.
© 1996-2019 Vitec Imaging Solutions Spa
distributed by Gentec International
90 Royal Crest Court, Markham, ON L3R 9X6 Canada


text:
Badgers fall to Purdue
With the home team ahead by 13 points in the first half Sunday, some in the crowd at the Kohl Center might have thought No. 17 Wisconsin was headed to its fourth straight convincing win.
But everything fell apart for the Badgers.
D.J. Byrd scored nine of his game-high 22 points during a decisive 21-3 second-half run as Purdue upset Wisconsin 69-56, all but eliminating the Badgers from contention in the tightly contested Big Ten race.
Wisconsin (20-9, 11-5 Big Ten) is still mathematically alive in the conference chase, but it seems highly unlikely the Badgers will claim their first title since 2007-08. They'll need to win their final two games, Thursday at No. 9 Michigan State and next Sunday at Penn State, and get a lot of help to claim a share of the championship.
Terone Johnson added 16 points for Purdue (14-15, 7-9), half of which came in the surge that carried the visitors to their first win in Madison since January 2009.
And the Boilermakers did it the way the Badgers have won many games: Tough defense, rebounding and hustling for loose balls.
"I think the numbers show that they did a better job on some of those hustle plays," said Jared Berggren, who led Wisconsin with 13 points in his final home game. "That's something we normally take pride in controlling and getting more than our fair share of rebounds, loose balls, things like that. We didn't do a good job coming away with those and that cost us."
Purdue, which had lost three straight road games and four of five overall, outrebounded Wisconsin 39-27 - including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive glass - and limited the Badgers to 29.6 percent shooting (8-for-27) after halftime.
Wisconsin missed its final 18 3-pointers, including all 12 of its attempts in the second half.
"Those were the most wide-open 3s we've probably had all year," said Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan, whose team had won six of seven to keep pace in the Big Ten race. "I saw that 0-for-12 and I knew we had missed a bunch, but I didn't know we missed that many."
Berggren, who hit his first 3-pointer of the day before missing his final five, added: "Obviously, when we don't make any it looks kind of bad. For the most part they were pretty good looks and we didn't knock them down."
The Badgers, who had won their previous three games by at least 20 points, used a 10-0 run to go up 32-19 in the first half and led by nine after Berggren scored six straight points early in the second half.
"We had them down," Wisconsin senior Mike Bruesewitz said, "and we just didn't step on their throats like we needed to."
Instead, the Boilermakers stormed back and seized control, Johnson slicing through the lane for four baskets and Byrd connecting three times from beyond the arc to spark the 21-3 run.
The Badgers, meanwhile, missed five of six shots from the field and committed four turnovers in the 7:31 stretch as they fell behind 54-45.
"We kept getting shots in the paint, and that opened things up for D.J. on the outside," Johnson said. "It was a snowball effect. Guys started making shots, guys started rebounding harder."
It was the first time in Ryan's 12-year tenure that the Badgers lost on Senior Day.
Evans, one of five seniors honored before and after the game, started and extended his streak to 132 consecutive games played despite suffering a right knee sprain in practice Thursday. He and freshman Sam Dekker each finished with 10 points for Wisconsin, while Ben Brust was held to eight - his lowest total in eight games.


text:
Barbie dolls that have stirred up controversy
A group of activists who have petitioned Mattel to make a Bald and Beautiful Barbie have had their wishes answered after Mattel announced they will be producing a bald fashion doll for children in the hospital.
The Facebook group has over 150,000 fans and a Change.org petition with almost 35,000 signatures. According to the petition the group asked Mattel to create the doll to help young girls who suffer from hair loss either because of cancer treatments, Alopecia or Trichotillomani, or for girls with loved ones who are experiencing hair loss due to illness. Through play, girls could learn to cope with hair loss.
"Young girls have played with Barbies for decades and now Mattel has the chance to send out a message that all little girls are princesses. Hair or no hair," Jane Bingham, the creator of the petition writes.
Mattel will not be making a bald Barbie, but will be making a friend for Barbie that is bald. From the company's Facebook announcement:
Play is vital for children, especially during difficult times. We are pleased to share with our community that next year we will be producing a fashion doll, that will be a friend of Barbie, which will include wigs, hats, scarves and other fashion accessories to provide girls with a traditional fashion play experience. For those girls who choose, the wigs and head coverings can be interchanged or completely removed. We will work with our longstanding partner, the Children's Hospital Association, to donate and distribute the dolls exclusively to children's hospitals directly reaching girls who are most affected by hair loss. A limited number of dolls and monetary donations will also be made to CureSearch for Children's Cancer and the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Through a thoughtful approach, we made the decision not to sell these dolls at retail stores, but rather get the dolls directly into the hands of children who can most benefit from the unique play experience, demonstrating Mattel's ongoing commitment to encourage play as a respite for children in the hospital and to bring joy to children who need it most. We appreciate the conversation around this issue, and are interested to hear what you think!
MGA, who also make Bratz and Moxie Girlz dolls, recently announced they will also be making bald dolls with fashion accessories. The "True Hope" line of dolls will be released in June.
See above for a gallery of Barbie dolls that have created controversy in the past.


text:
Han Wu Shen - Shen Han-Wu - 沈汉武
Nantung, China, 1950
An established Chinese artist, Shen Han Wu paints with oil in a realist style. He describes life in the Chinese countryside in a straightforward way, using fine clear brushwork, and subtle subdued colors. Underlying all his work is a belief in the simple sincerity of country people and a deep nostalgia for the peace and simplicity of country life.
Shen Han Wu graduated from the Hubei Fine Art Institute, majoring in oil painting.
He says of his work: ''If the unusual and the exceptional cause surprise and even shock, then I prefer the everday. Whenever I think of the coutryside, the mountain villages, streams and chimney-smoke, I think of those simple, kind people. They start work at sunrise and at sunset come home to rest. They work very hard and live side by side with nature; they are ordinary people but in their eyes you can see something which moves you.?''


text: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 Mandate for Employer-Provided Health Insurance Delayed Until 2015 Businesses with more than 50 employees have an extra year to begin offering health coverage required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A post on the US Treasury website announced the deferral yesterday. Noting that the vast majority of businesses affected by the requirement already provide health insurance to their workers, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Mark Mazur said the delay will allow time to simplify the reporting requirements and enable employers to adapt their reporting systems and health coverage. Next year will be a testing and transition period, with employers encouraged to start reporting on their workers' health coverage in 2014 in preparation for full implementation in 2015.


text:
The AAVSO Manual for Visual Observing of Variable Stars (ISBN 978-1-878174-00-0) is a comprehensive guide to variable star observing. Included is a lot of information and tips on how to make variable star observations and report them to the AAVSO. The Manual is available online in .pdf format. Translations of the Manual are available in several languages.
The AAVSO Binocular Program consists of 153 stars in the northern and southern hemispheres. They are mostly semi-regulars and Miras, with a few other types sprinkled in. Most of the stars range between 3.0 and 9.5V and can be observed best using simple hand held binoculars.
This page is a work in progress. Please help by suggesting more resources and reading material.
The AAVSO Bulletin: Predicted Dates of Maxima and Minima of Long Period Variables is a long-running publication of the AAVSO. It gives predictions of dates of maxima and minima for hundreds of long period variables (Miras and semiregulars) in the AAVSO program, and is intended to be an observing guide and planning tool for all observers of LPV stars, amateur and professional alike.
The currently published Bulletin for January 2018 through February 2019 is Bulletin 81.
One of the ongoing questions for visual observers has been, "What can I observe that is still scientifically useful?" The answers to this have changed over the last decade, and will continue to evolve as conditions change.
You can observe whatever you want, of course. For many of us, observing variable stars is fun and addictive, and we'd continue to observe some of our favorite stars forever even if there were little chance of our observations being 'scientifically useful'.


text:
Rays Fall to King Felix via Rare Feat
Mariners 1, Rays 0
Still the Royalty of King County
Most of us Floridians do not know that Seattle is located in King County, and if yesterday afternoon is any indication, we know who rules with a multi-directional fastball and a beautiful change-up. But the young King is truly going to be one of the leagues premier superstars once the east coast of the country get a good scouting report on the guy. Felix Hernandez is hyped to the roof top by the Mariners, and for good reason. He has only been on their major league roster since 2005, when he appeared in only 12 games and furnished a 4-4 record.
But the sea-faring fans of the Mariner's have been waiting for the day that the rest of the league catches on to this hard-throwing Venezuelan product. Funny, but in that short period of time he has stacked up 42 wins and over 620 strikeouts and still is mostly an unknown outside of the shadow of Mt. Rainer and the west coast. People have said that the Mariners lucked out by having another Venezuelan product on their roster back in 2002. Freddie Garcia was a childhood idol of Hernandez, and it was the fact he trusted and loved the Seattle area and team that finally convinced the young Hernandez to sign with the Emerald City team. In 2002, he then went to play for Aquirre in the Venezuelan Summer League.
From that point on up through the Minor League rosters he has done nothing but impress and persuade the team that he is their next home grown star. Very rarely do pitchers seem to grow up in a team's minor league system anymore. Most are packaged or brought in via trades to compete in the minors for a shot in the majors. But Hernandez did his time working up from Class-A Everett to Triple-A Tacoma, then finally to the clay of Safeco Field. But what is more amazing is the future that this series will hold for him and the budding Rays stars. We all know that Carl Crawford and B J Upton have dealt with him for years, but Evan Longoria and Pat Burrell got their first official look at the man locals have dubbed the "King".
And of this series is any indication of their fights and battles, we are going to have a fun time watching the Seattle ace take on the Rays for the next 10 years. Henandez might have won battle number one with a clear margin, but the game seemed like a different story after he left the mound yesterday. Before that, the Rays did manage to claw and fight to get 4 hits off of him in the game. Crawford had the most impact gaining two hits off of him, including a ball hit to shortstop in the thrid inning that handcuffed him severely into committing a throwing error on the play. Burrell made his presence know early in the second inning by popping the first hit of the night off Hernandez to right field.
Then in an error-filled play ( 2 errors, one by first baseman Jaimie Burke and the second on catcher Rob Johnson) by the Mariner's team on Ben Zobrist's fielders choice, it put a tying score less than 60 feet from Mariner's catcher Rob Johnson. But the Seattle defense and Hernandez stiffened and Hernandez got the next two batter retired to save his shutout. In the fourth inning, after two walks to Burrell and Zobrist, the Rays again eventually had men at first and thrid with two-outs, but the Rays again failed to convert anything to get the run home to tie the contest.
Then in the fifth inning, with Crawford up for the third time tonight, he hit a screamer back towards the mound that Hernandez tried to bare-hand with his pitching hand and throw to first base. He ended up doing a spin and dump to the turf instead of getting balance and throwing the ball towards first base. But with Crawford's speed, it might have been a blessing that he did not wing the ball towards Burke at first base. Burke was only playing the position for the first time in his career because of injuries to Mike Sweeney ( back) and Russell Branyan ( back ). Plus usual fill-in Jose Lopez could not switch over to first base since his sub, Ronny Cedeno had a bad hamstring from the previous night's game. Dioner Navarro did get a worm killer single to left field in the seventh inning, but a rally-killing double play by Jason Bartlett ended the Rays chances.
The Rays did fight and claw back all night long with Burrell making the most trouble for the Mariners and Hernandez. For the afternoon, he went 1 for 1 with three walks and always seemed to get into scoring position for the Rays. But the Rays usual lack of hitting with men in scoring position doomed their day. The Rays ended up leaving 15 men on base, and also struck out 7 times against Hernandez. They had their chances against the Mariners, but let every one of them slip away. The Rays did not lose this game for lack of effort to get on base, but lost it for lack to the killer instinct needed at key time in this contest. But the Rays came into this series wanting to set the tone, they did in the middle game of the series, but got out-played, and out-hit in both their losses in Seattle.
Shields Make only One Mistake
The oddity of throwing your second pitch of a baseball game and it landing into the right field stands and becoming the winning margin in a game is rare, but not unknown in baseball annuals. Ichiro usually gets his two hits a game no matter who is pitching, but those who have seen the Japanese product take Batting Practice know he has the power and the ability to take a bad pitch and deposit it into the stands at any point in the game. Ichiro's lead-off home run accounted for the game's only run. He's the second player in Mariners history to hit a lead-off homer in a 1-0 game. Greg Briley did it in 1992 with a home run off the Twins' Kevin Tapani.
But how rare is it really in baseball? Does an early mistake happen as much as we think, or is it just a twist of fate that doomed the Rays early in this contest? Well, according to Stats Inc.,it was just the third time since 1994 – most recently by the Cubs on May 9, 2007, against the Pirates ( Alfonso Soriano homered ) and before that by the Mets on
May 12, 2004, over Arizona ( on Kaz Matsui's homer ). A rare feat, but also a rare omen for the Rays. It had been 12 days since they suffered their last shutout, and the team had ample time to get back that elusive run because of the pitching of James Shields. His one mistake should not have been the margin of victory today.
Shields did everything in his power to keep the score close and also crush any potential Seattle rallies throughout the game. After Ichiro's blast, Shields and the Rays defense sat down the next 7 hitters until Endy Chavez hit a single to center field to lead-off the fourth inning. But the Rays quickly erased that threat by getting Lopez to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to again empty the bases. Even in the fifth inning, after Shields walked Johnson, a hard hit ball to Longoria by Yuniesky Bentancourt provided the 5-3 putout to end the inning. But in the sixth inning, the Rays defense reared its ugly head and put its mark on the game. The only blemish was a bloop single over Bartlett by Ichiro, who now had two of Seattle's 4 hits in the game.
Shields did pitch deep into the game finally giving up the ball after throwing 102 pitches in 7.1 innings of work. His lines score would usually show a victory, but in tonight's wild and unusual battle he was given the loss after only surrendering 4 hits himself and giving up the lone run. Tho his efforts were valiant, he did give up only one walk to Johnson in the fifth inning and posted 4 strike outs on the day. His pitching matched Hernandez's pitch-for-pitch. And except for that lone one pitch that he might have known would spell doom the minute it left his hand, he was to suffer his second loss of the year to even his record to 2-2 on the season.
Twice this year Shields has been opposite a "hot" pitcher when he took the mound. Even if Shields was as effective in this contest as he was for the Opening Day game in which Red Sox starter Josh Beckett pitched a masterpiece, it is the underlying problem of pitching in the number one slot. You always face the premier pitcher of the opposing staff, and even if you are on your game, situation can take it from you. But Shields has the inner confidence and the stamina to know that karma and things can change in an instant and go for the Rays. Tonight it was just one swing of the bat that took the wind out of the Rays sails. Just less than 16 hours from one of their best road wins of the young season. Games can shift one one pitch or moment, and unfortunately Shields know that all too well tonight.
Pat Burrell is Heating Up
Burrell is in a weird situation for the first time in his career. He is having to take a crash course in the American League hitters and also the tedencies of the leagues infields to get a firm grounding in the batter's box this season. Consider how hard it is to not only adjust to the fact you are no longer in the flow of the game by being out in the field, but now you have to sit a majority of the time on the bench and observe your team taking their defensive licks, and you can do nothing but cheer and clap for them. I think that would be the biggest adjustment he has to make since signing with the Rays this off season. Jonny Gomes found it difficult the last few seasons, and it might have cost him his spot. Cliff Floyd was a great addition to the clubhouse in leadership and mentoring young players, but his bat did not surface to save him either.
It is as if the Rays Designated Hitter spot is the place where hitters have gone to die or retire for a long time. I am not even going to get into the Greg Vaughn or even the Jose Canceso days as a DH, because the formula has changed since their times. Now the DH has to be a run producer and a cheerleader second. Burrell also had the second horrific duty of having to digest and memorize the pitch selections and tendencies of every pitcher in the AL in a compressed manner. No longer can he just go up there and take his swings like in the Spring, but now he has to adjust and compensate for tailing breaking pitches on the fly, and catching up to fireballs coming in at his hands.
It has been a tough first few weeks for Burrell evident by his average, but the last week of game have also given a sign he might be gaining on the AL pitching staffs and being more selective at the plate. In yesterday's game he was only 1-1, but his 3 walks showed he is seeing the ball and making great judgments at the plate for the Rays. In the entire three-game series, he went 4 for 9 , with 4 walks and 2 RBI's to raise his average to .265 this year. He is beginning to come to terms with the American League. Some hitters who have spent their entire careers in the National League do not adjust fast, but Burrell is hitting even better on the road ( .276 ) than at home ( .250 ) this season and he knows that for the Rays to be successful again in 2009, he has to be on his game. It might have taken a bit longer than either he or we wanted for him to adjust and come to terms with the different hitting in the AL, but in the next few months, it is the Rays that will benefit from it all.
Elaine Thompson/ AP
Navi needs to Trust Hitting on the Ground
Dioner Navarro is beginning to heat up a bit at the plate. In the last three games he has gone 2-13, but the true fact is that in the last two series he has garnered only two hits a series. I am not about to cast him under the ships rudder, because his two hits recently have been down a bit and not the usual rocket fly balls that have plagued his average this season. the last few days, Rays Manager Joe Maddon has been stressing the fact of ground hit balls might be the ticket for this team to survive right now. And for Navarro, that might be the right ticket. He is not going to beat a ball hit in the infield 9 out of 10 times, but the lone time could make for a scoring opportunity.
Not since the Baltimore and Yankees home series has Navarro had two hits in a single game. Navarro hit 6 fly ball outs in this series and 3 ground outs in addition to his two singles to right field. But in yesterdays game, he hit two long fly balls out to center field with men in scoring position. He did get Burrell to tag up and go to third base on his fly out in the fourth inning, but his fly out with Gabe Kapler on second in the ninth inning finished the Rays in that contest. Navarro seems to be the lone holdout still hitting the ball primarily into the sky for outs for the team. Because of his defensive abilities, it would be a down grade to sit him right now. He is calling a great game behind the plate, and is getting into a groove with his throws to second base on steal attempts. His peg of Ichiro in this series will be a the highlight of the year for him.
Cursi Magic Runs Out
My buddy Scott Cursi
is one of the best people you will ever meet in the Rays organization. It has been a thrill for me to see him get some extra recognition that last few days in taking out the line-up card and also doing double duty as the "Jobu" of the Rays. Cursi has been the Bullpen Coach pro tempre before, and also been know to celebrate with the best of them during the Rays run in 2008. By Maddon picking Scott to have the honor again last night of handing out the line-up cards shows that Maddon respect streaks and anything that can make them roll on for another game. I hope he again get a chance to redeem his karma tonight when the team hits the field in Oakland at 10:07 pm.
During last night game, the line-up card that Cursi presented to Home Plate Umpire Sam Holbrook had a Chinese Proverb written on it by Maddon. I am unclear if this is the exact verse, but this is the only one I could find with that phrasing in an old Chinese Proverb quotation book at the library. It might have said, " Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand." The saying has been found in two references, one in Chinese lore and the other in Native American. Which ever is the true origin of the proverb, it might be a unique key to the Rays success this season.
10 Comments
Rays – there is nothing worse then having a great outing by a pitcher wasted because of poor offense. Leaving so many men on base is a tough thing. I like the proverb that was on the lineup card.
That is something I find personally inspiring about the Rays skipper. He is an avid reader and also a quoter of modern standards.
The guy can make 9=8, or hopefully 9 >8, but whatever his mantra or motto of the day, he is a man who uses that big muscle in his skull to the fullest.
I headr him once just say a simple phrase to B J Upton after a strike out, it was " You know what you did wrong, correct it and you will be smiling from first base." He never does thorw players or staff under the bus. He never yells in public or demeanors a player in the papers. He is simply classic from head to toe.
Rays Renegade
That's the best description of Joe Maddon I have ever heard. Not much more that I can say than that.
This year id the end of his contract, and he is not worried.
He wants to stay here, and has been very vocal about staying with the Rays for a long time.
I think the organization knows his opinions and thoughts on the matter and will wait until the end of the year to keep any distractions to a minimum.
Just Joe Maddon saying he wants to stay here should be insurance enough to suggest the deal will get done quickly and with minimum collateral damage.
Rays Renegade
Last year I saw Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam off of Johan Santana. It was awesome. That was when I first saw proof of his amazing-ness.
He was the first pitcher I took for my fantasy team becuase of the hug upside this year.
I think he finally gets it, and will be the pulse of the Mariner's for many years. With him and Eric Bedard beginning to heat up the Pacific NW, they have the makings of a solid staff.
When you have a starter turn into a closer, you have a solid core.
Rays Renegade
Hernandez is scary good. I'm not looking forward to playing the Mariners because of him. He's a Cy Young candidate of the future (or maybe not so future).
I think the same thing. He is a Cy Young candidate in training right now, but the learning curve could change with a great season. Since he is currently 3-0, it might be time to check those Seattle box scores for a few months.
The game he put on against the Rays was a true masterpiece. He might have given up two hits to Carl Crawford, but they were earned hits, and C C had to use all his speed to get either of them.
If not for CC, it was a 2-hit shutout.
Rays Renegade
Maybe it's just me, but King Felix seems to only need one run these days, and, playing for the M's, that's probably all he's ever gonna get. Seems like ppl are jumping the Rays ship already. I think they are the real deal though.
As you know as a Cardinals fan, bandwagoners' fall off all the time. It is true fans that buy the Season tickets and also the merchandise year after year.
I am not the least bit owrried about it all. I have been there sine the beginning, and will be there even if i move away some day. The team hits rough patches, and maybe they are getting theirs out of the way early in 2009.
Whatever happens, my name will always have a "Rays" connotation to it.
Rays Renegade


text:
This series looks at the etymology of Florida place names derived from the Muskogee and Hitchiti languages.
Many Florida place names owe their origins to Muskogee and Hitchiti, two of the languages spoken by members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. The persistence of Muskogee and Hitchiti words as modern Florida place names reflects the prominent role played by Native Americans in the region's history.
Today's term is Okeechobee, meaning "big water." The word is a combination of okee (water) and chobee (big).
Okeechobee is perhaps the best known Muskogee language place name in Florida. Prior to the 19th century, however, the lake was known by a succession of different names. For example, in the map below the lake is labeled as "Lac du St. Esprit," a French version of the Spanish imposed name Laguna Espiritu Santo (Lagoon of the Holy Spirit).
Another name for the lake used by Europeans in the late 1700s was Lake Mayaco, as shown on the map below by English cartographer Bernard Romans. The term Mayaco is possibly derived from Mayaimi, a name for an indigenous tribe that occupied the area at the time of first contact with Europeans and Africans.
Maps from early territorial Florida also used forms of the ancient term, such as Macaco in the below example by H.S. Tanner.
The Americans learned a great deal about the geography of southern Florida during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842). Sometime in the early stages of that conflict, U.S. Army topographers started using Okeechobee as the name for the large, shallow lake that serves as the headwaters of the Everglades. The area around Lake Okeechobee witnessed significant combat during the Seminole Wars, especially during the Battles of Lake Okeechobee (December 25, 1837) and Loxahatchee (January 24, 1838).
Seminole families reoccupied the region near Lake Okeechobee following the conclusion of the Seminole Wars. As late as the 1920s and 1930s, Seminole camps in the area extended from as far north as Sawgrass Lake in western Brevard County, to as far south as the Palm Beach canal, and at several spots along the northern rim of Lake Okeechobee, from west of Fort Pierce to the Indian Prairie. Many of these camps moved to the Brighton Reservation after 1936. The Indiantown families moved to Dania (now Hollywood) in about 1928.
The majority of Seminoles in the early 20th century lived south of Lake Okeechobee, near the Big Cypress Swamp and along the Tamiami Trail. These southern bands of Seminoles, predominately Mikasuki-speakers, were sometimes known as either the Cypress or Miami Indians. Their counterparts living north of Lake Okeechobee were sometimes known as the "Cow Creeks," after a small stream west of Fort Pierce that flows into the great lake.
On the map above, Seminole camps near Lake Okeechobee circa 1930 are marked by numbered circles: 1. Billie Smith; 2. Sam Jones (not included on excerpt above); 3. Billie Buster; 4. Naha Tiger; 5. Joe Bowers; 6. Summerlin; 7. Willie Johns; 8. Charlie Micco; 9. Billy Bowlegs; 10. Billie Stewart; 11. Dan Parker; 12. Ella Montgomery.
Despite the tendency for Seminoles to live in matrilocal camps during the period depicted in Nash's map, many outsiders, including government officials, assigned settlement names according to the resident elder male. This reflected an ongoing misunderstanding of the Seminoles' social organization and a tendency to recognize men alone as suitable heads of household.
To learn more, see Bertha E. Bloodworth and Alton C. Morris, Places in the Sun: The History and Romance of Florida Place Names (University Presses of Florida, 1978); John K. Mahon, History of the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842 (University of Florida Press, 1991 [1967]); Jack B. Martin and Margaret McKane Mauldin, A Dictionary of Creek/Muskogee, with Notes on the Florida and Oklahoma Seminole Dialects of Creek (University of Nebraska Press, 2004); Roy Nash, "Survey of the Seminole Indians of Florida," 71st U.S. Congress, 3rd sess., Senate Document 314 (Washington, D.C.: Govt. Print. Office, 1931); John T. Sprague, The Origins, Progress, and Conclusion of the Florida War (University of Tampa Press, 2000 [1848]); John R. Swanton, Early History of the Creek Indians and Their Neighbors (University of Florida Press, 1998 [1922]).


text:
2005 Coachmen Cross Country 354 MBS 37' Class A Motorhome
2005 Coachmen Cross Country 354 MBS 37' Class A Motorhome.
Super Slide Out, 2 Awnings, Sleeps 4, 2 A/C Unit, Leveling Jacks. Cummins 300 Turbo Diesel Engine.
*** Bumper-To-Bumper Extended Warranty Until 2020 ***
Kitchen Amenities:
Corian Counter Tops
Refrigerator / Freezer
Living Area Amenities:
2 Firescreens TV's
Surround Sound
50 Gallon Propane Tank
Ducted Furnace
Cable Ready
Bathroom Amenities:
Corian Countertops
Washer/Dryer Combo Included
Outside Shower
Additional Amenities:
Backup Camera
Tow Pkg.
Cruise Control
New Acuator and Turbo
Jake Brakes
Freightliner Chassis
A/C Unit Replaced In 2015
Onan 7500 Generator
New Alternator
Know What You Are Buying! Protect Yourself With A Pre-Purchase Inspection. Please keep in mind that the goal of an RV inspection is not just to inspect the equipment, but also to educate the potential buyer about its condition. This takes place through a hands on inspection accomplished by one of our NRVIA Certified RV Inspectors. Inspectors trained and certified by the National RV Inspectors Association RV Inspectors are located all across the USA and can travel to the location of the RV.
Recreational Vehicle Financing Request Get a quote on standard finance, lease & balloon programs Any – Make – Model – Miles 2000 & Newer Terms up to 180 months Rates as low as 6.25% fixed 24 hour turnaround Any State We handle all DMV work Certified Check for Title or Wiring Instructions First time buyer welcome i.e. Home Owner Self Employed OK 680 or better score required Funding within 48 hours .
Recreational vehicles require specialized RV insurance. Do not make the mistake of adding your RV to an existing auto policy! Our RV insurance offers the specific coverage you need with additional options to personalize your policy, whether you want to make cross-country road trips or live in your RV on a long-term basis.


text:
How did people bike on bike's that weren't theirs before Bikeshare came around? Did they just steal em? Or maybe "share" them from an unsuspecting out-of-town rube/yokel? Or maybe they just didn't bike to work? I'm personally leaning to they "hey rube, can I "share" your bike?" theory, but science and/or extensive polling would most likely indicate that people just didn't bike when they had left their bike at work the night before and maybe they took another steed from their stable, which is a metaphor for going to work by horse.
I got the last bike.
My key is starting to separate a little, meaning that I'll soon progress to Bikeshare key number 5, I think. Apparently, I'm not gentle enough with my Bikeshare keys. The plastic pieces start to separate or whatever expoxy holds them together starts to undo and then the key has a harder time fitting into the slot and then the key basically becomes inoperable. Not a huge problem when you're not using Bikeshare, but sort of an annoyance when you want to rely on it.
Up Massachusetts SE and then around the park and down East Capitol where I rode behind a guy who would pedal 3 times and glide and pedal 2 times and glide and pedal 4 times and glide and seemed allergic to the idea of consistent pedaling, which I believe, is an important part of making the bike go or at least go consistently. It was slow going, but since I was on a CaBi, I didn't think I could muster the oomph to expeditiously pass him and would instead find myself puffing and still unable to pass him clearly. Such are piddling concerns of me in the morning.
Did you read La Burbuja's Guest Post?
Penn and then 15th. Steel plates, a popular road covering for construction crews engaged in underground activities (like repairing pipes or hunting for mole people), can indeed become quite dangerous for the bicycle-bound.
That's a gap between the two plates on the 15th Street cycle track. Joe Skinny-tires (not a real person) could easily see his 700 x 23s caught right in there and down he would go, right into the steel plates (and hopefully not any lower because mole people are merciless captors). This is pretty unacceptable.
I docked briefly at 15th and New York and then set off again up the cycle track towards R street, which I would take across town with many other bicyclists, many of whom wanted to be in more of a hurry than I was. Could we all agree to be a little less "eye of the tiger" during our bike commutes? Maybe a bit more "purr of the kitten"? I have no problem with people who want to ride their bikes fast (sometimes I do, approximately), but I take issue with the I WILL CRUSH YOU vibes floating off many a bike commuter. Vibes float, right? I should check Vibe magazine, which I believe will tell me per its title.
I watched a woman try to turn left from a right hand bike lane, almost turn into a passing driver, stop, try to turn left again and almost do the same thing to another driver. In no way is making a left turn from the far right of bike lane a good idea, nor does it make sense. Don't let bike infrastructure become a gilded cage. These are the Etsy search results for gilded cage.
I turned left on to Connecticut and then rode down to Dupont Circle, where I got the second to last available dock for another redocking prior to riding up the hill.
At Sheridan Circle, I got to yell "Stop" at a driver who was about to roll through a yield sign and perhaps get closer to me than I would've preferred. I suppose I should've yelled "Yield" and I'll try to be more accurate next time.
The climb up the hill was fairly daunting on the heavy CaBi, but I passed some dude on a Dahon and screamed "Bromptons rule!" in his face. Ok, I didn't do that. Also, I still don't have my Brompton. If you want one by 2015, you might want to order now. The good people of England were probably just trying to spare my having to ride it in the August heat. Now I will only have positive associations of the bike when I take ownership of it in...September?
They keep making college kids younger. Weird.


text:
Difference between revisions of "Weapons (Worms Unlimited)"
From Worms Knowledge Base
(→Introduction: a new angle)
m (→Contents: remove first-person)
|Line 18:
|Line 18:
== Contents ==
== Contents ==
articles begin with a basic description of the weapon in use, followed by technical considerations , then strategical implications of the weapon in a Worms environment, and finally end in a comment on its aesthetics and suitability to Worms as an idea.
{| class="sortable" width="100%"
{| class="sortable" width="100%"
Revision as of 11:41, 12 October 2010
These pages describe some weapons that might feature in Worms Unlimited.
Ideally, Worms Unlimited would have a powerful scripting feature which would allow its users to effectively create any weapon imaginable - not unlike some existing third-party programs which can create or modify weapons for Worms Armageddon, such as the Fiddler or Project X. This would be far more versatile than simply including a fixed set of new weapons.
Would such a feature give too much versatility? Having fixed weapons with slightly variable settings (the power setting) gives the game a degree of reliability, and assures WormNET players that they know roughly what to expect, and won't be surprised by a handgun that fires bazooka shells, or other absurdities. Giving players the ability to create and use new weapons at will might make it too difficult for other players to find games in which they can be comfortable.
But these issues can be solved with carefully restricted WormNET channels. The simplest version of this solution might be as follows: one channel is restricted to the "default" weapon set that comes with the game, and another channel allows all scripted weapons. A more complex solution might involve a go-between channel, which filters out the awful, unbalanced weapons that people would surely create in extreme numbers. This channel might be restricted only to those scripted weapons that have won community approval (in much the same way as certain schemes have become staples). How this might be implemented though is not discussed here.
Given the infinite possibilities that such a scripting feature would provide, why bother listing any potential weapons at all, as this page does?
The weapon ideas listed below could be considered to be potential additions to the "default" weapon set that would come with Worms Unlimited. These ideas, or the inspirations for them, were collected from community forums and catalogued on Run's Worms Unlimited website (the content of which has since been moved here), and were selected for the perceived fun, balance and strategic value they might bring to the game.
Alternatively, the ideas here could be seen as a way to inspire others to create them, should such a powerful scripting feature ever come about in a Worms game (if not Worms Unlimited itself). The wiki nature of these pages allows anyone to 'invent' their own weapons and suggest modifications for any of the existing ideas, and so create a hub of brainstorming for that future possibility.
These articles begin with a basic description of the weapon in use, followed by technical considerations (which are speculative at best), then strategical implications of the weapon in a Worms environment, and finally end in a comment on its aesthetics and suitability to Worms as an idea.


text:
With 100 episodes released, Science Nation has become the longest running and most widely distributed video series produced by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Since June 2009, the weekly shows have profiled NSF-funded research at more than 70 universities and institutions in 26 states and the District of Columbia.
Though the stories average about two and a half minutes, it takes more than a week to produce each one--and that doesn't include the time needed to research and select the stories and set up the interviews. Story selection can be tough. "The NSF funds so much research, it's like a candy shop because there are so many interesting stories to choose from," says Science Nation executive producer Kate Tobin. "The ideal story is one that is accessible to the general viewing public, that they feel is relevant to them, and it needs to be visually engaging, and, ideally, something that the researcher can show us or demonstrate for us."
Often, a Science Nation story will also feature people who are impacted directly by the research being profiled. One of the first Science Nation episodes, "Eyesight to the Blind," introduced viewers to a woman who had been completely blind but is able to make out light and shadows for the first time in decades thanks to an artificial retina. That was the most memorable show for Science Nation editor Roger Mahr.
"Tears were coming down as she was describing the first time she looked up at the sky at night and could actually see a flash of light where the moon was. She knows it's early on in the research, but she's excited about what could happen and one day, she's hoping she can see," says Mahr. "That was a very touching story to work on, and we were getting choked up watching the interview."
The most surprising story for Mahr is "Ulcer Answers," because he thought that ulcers are caused by stress. They are actually caused by bacteria called H-pylori. The producer for that story was Jon Baime, who incorporated vintage film clips from the 1950s to help tell his story. "I was able to show what science thought in 1959 and compare that with the science of 2009," says Baime. "Using the film, which had some humor in it, brought the science down to earth in a way that people can really understand it."
For producer Marsha Walton, the most surprising Science Nation stories have been those involving interdisciplinary research. "Years ago, if you were a physicist, you dealt with physicists, and a chemist dealt with chemists. I recently did a story that involved a partnership between a mechanical engineer and a linguist coming up with a robotic language. How brilliant is that?" asks Walton.
One of producer Ann Kellan's favorite episodes, "Batty for Bats," is about a biologist and an engineer who teamed up to study bats in flight. "The video of the bats is amazing and (for) the researchers — one from biology and one from engineering — it was very difficult. They had to create their own language to communicate."
The fact that Science Nation is only two and a half minutes long presents a challenge from the moment the producers begin their interviews. "When you're interviewing someone, to get them to say it just right so that somebody who knows absolutely nothing about the research can learn something and understand it, and then to write it so concisely — that's the challenge," says Baime.
The Science Nation producers spend many weeks of the year on the road. Baime recently traveled to New England to cover research stories about why salt marshes are declining and what happens to the environment when we remove dams. Marsha Walton's upcoming stories include geologists who study the rocks under the ice in Antarctica and an educator who's documenting endangered languages. Ann Kellan will give us an up close view of the flying aces of the insect world and tells us about a new system to track firefighters inside burning buildings.
These are just a few of the stories Science Nation will be presenting in the months ahead.
This story was originally written for Science Nation and was republished with permission here. Video: Harrison Miller/Science Nation Producer.


text:
- You are here:
- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Aging & Disability Resource Center ADRC
- Directory of Services
- Legal Services
- Legal Assistance
Legal Assistance
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
A statewide reference service that refers people in need of legal services to an attorney in their geographic area. Designed for persons who can afford private attorney services but do not know whom to call. When appropriate, referral to other community agencies or information is provided. Free information is provided for law-related questions every Wednesday evening from 5 - 7:00 p.m.
|P.O. Box 7158
Madison, WI 53707
|Ph: 800-362-9082
Ph: 608-257-4666
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc.
The Legal Action of Wisconsin offers free legal assistance for low-income people in certain civil matter; i.e., landlord/tenant, public benefits, education, some family law (including divorce, visitation, and custody issues), housing issues, disability income issues. People must be financially eligible and present no conflict of interest for services; therefore, a screening process is required before any appointment can be made.
|404 N. Main Street
Suite 702
Oshkosh, WI 54901
|Ph: 800-236-1128
Ph: 920-233-6521
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Modest Means Referral Service
Clients whose income is too high to qualify for free legal services but too low to pay an attorney's regular fees can apply for a referral to an attorney who has agreed to reduce their fees for representation.
|State Bar of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 7158
Madison, WI 53707
|Ph: 888-529-7599
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Office of Crime Victim Services
The Office of Crime Victim Services serves the needs of crime victims in Wisconsin by administering a compensation program that assists victims with out-of-pocket expenses related to medical, counseling, and lost wages. The Victim Resource Center also assists victims to understand their rights with the Wisconsin Judicial and Law Enforcement organizations in the State of Wisconsin.
| Wisconsin Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7951
Madison, WI 53707
|Ph: 608-264-9497
Ph: 800-446-6564
Monday - Friday
7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.


text:
Steve Hill '09
by Steve Hill '03
As the garage door gate to the carwash rose up, the image that entered John's head was one of graphic sexual content. It surprised him. So much so that he felt the heat of blushing come across his face. It was made even hotter by his summer beard.
Alison sat in the passenger seat, wringing the excess fabric of her skirt in anxiety. She...


text:
Drip, drip, drip. If you have leaks in your finances, you could be wasting money and not even realize it. Even if you feel pretty on top of your finances, money could still be slipping away. It's a good idea to review budgets, payments and financial choices every so often to look for places where this is happening. Here are some common financial drains that may be costing you – and how to plug them.
Bank Fees
Review your bank statement; if it seems that the fees are excessive or hard to understand, it's a good idea to ask questions. Between account service and maintenance fees as well as overdraft, ATM, foreign transaction and convenience fees, you may be using the wrong service. Setting up direct deposit and reviewing your bill with a bank representative can help save you money. If it is still not adding up, consider researching different account options.
Heating & Cooling Costs
Many Americans pay more than necessary to heat and cool their homes. Using a programmable thermostat (most are under $70) to control your home's temperature can save considerable money. Even one degree can cut your energy spending. Also, you can set the thermostat to turn off while you are away.
Home Phone
Between cellphones and Internet access, many people don't use their home phones on a regular basis. Consider saving big by eliminating land-line service; there are many alternatives from Skype or Google Talk to magicJack on your personal computer to offer the comfort of a phone call when needed.
Excess Groceries
Food is, of course, a necessity. It is often considered a fixed cost in our budget. But if you find yourself throwing out food gone bad or your grocery bill is creeping up, you may want to get re-evaluate. Try planning ahead and discussing menu options for the week, then write a shopping list before you get to the store and stick to it best you can.
Insurance Policies
Policyholders tend to renew their insurance policies without getting a new quote, missing out on potential savings. It's important to compare options for things like life insurance and consider bundling home and auto insurance with a single company to get the best deal possible.
Too Many Trades
Many financial planners and investment advisers make a commission on each trade they make, so they could potentially make trades that are not necessarily in your best interest to earn more. Check what kind of fund you have and how your manager gets paid to make sure you aren't paying too much. Before working with an investment adviser it's a good idea to ask whether they work on commission, a fixed fee, an hourly fee or earn a percentage of the value of the assets they manage for you.
Bad Credit
A bad credit score can poke holes in your budget in many ways — bad interest rates on car insurance, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and so much more. If you want to know where your credit stands, you can check two of your credit scores for free on Credit.com and get an action plan for help plugging this budget leak.
More from Credit.com


text:
Federal police staged a massive crackdown on illegal logging, arresting 48 environmental officials, including a ranking official in one Amazon state.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil Federal police staged a massive crackdown on illegal logging, arresting 48 environmental officials, including a ranking official in one Amazon state.
Hundreds of federal agents on Thursday began dismantling the corruption ring in the federal environmental protection agency, Ibama, accused of allowing the illegal destruction of some 43,000 hectares (118,608 acres) of Amazon rainforest over the past two years _ much of it Indian reservations and national parks.
Police said the gang was responsible for illegally logging 1.9 million cubic meters (67.09 million cubic feet) of wood, worth an estimated 890 million reals (US$370 million, euro302.58 million). The wood was sold both within Brazil and exported abroad, police said.
"This is a very important moment because our government has broken up this high level of corruption," said Sen. Serys Slhessarenko of Mato Grosso state,
The crackdown comes just weeks after the government said the Amazon rainforest was disappearing at an alarming rate. It shrank by 26,130 square kilometers (10,088 square miles) in the 12-month period ending last August. Almost half that destruction occurred in the Mato Grosso state
Among those arrested was Hugo Jose Scheuer Werle, Ibama's top official Mato Grosso state, who allegedly accepted money from loggers in exchange for documents declaring the wood was legally removed from the rainforest. He stands accused of profiting 426,000 reals (US $177,000, euro144,749) during the two years he headed the agency.
Environmentalists blamed the spike in deforestation on the state's Gov. Blairo Maggi, who is one of the world's largest soybean producers, and has aggressively defended agricultural development in the state.
"The federal government has done its part now it's up to Blairo Maggi to do his part on the state level," said Slhessarenko.
The senator said that she believed the high deforestation rate in her state was driven by market forces seeking to cut down the jungle to grow soybeans and that pressure fostered the corruption within Ibama.
According to Brazilian law, landowners in the Amazon must retain 80 percent of the forest on their plots.
Police also arrested 32 businessmen connected to logging companies and were looking for 15 more.
The crackdown came after a nine-month investigation into corruption at Ibama in Mato Grosso.
Source: Associated Press


text:
Austin Harms made four saves in the 1-1 tie (Gil Talbot).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Hiroki Kobayashi tallied the first goal of his collegiate career and Austin Harms made four saves to lead the Harvard men's soccer team to a 1-1 tie against Dartmouth Saturday afternoon.
In the 24th minute, Dartmouth's Kevin Dzierzawski gave the Big Green (7-4-3, 3-1-1 Ivy League) at 1-0 lead as he mustered a hard shot from 25 yards out. The ball deflected off a Harvard defender and into the back of the net at 23:55.
Dartmouth's lead did not last long, as the Crimson's Eric Slingerland sent a long pass from the left side, finding Kobayashi in the box. Kobayashi tipped the ball past Dartmouth goalkeeper Noah Cohen, as Harvard (2-10-2, 0-4-1) tied the game 1-1, at 30:24.
Following regulation, Harvard held an edge in shots, 12-11, and in corner kicks, 7-5. The Crimson mustered two shots in the first extra session, but chances by Ross Friedman and Connor McCarthy were stopped by Cohen.
Cohen finished with seven saves for the Big Green, as Harvard outshot Dartmouth, 5-2, in overtime and 17-13 for the game. The Crimson also earned all three corner kicks in the extra sessions.
The Crimson will conclude its non-conference schedule when it hosts Colgate at the Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.


text:
Wed, Oct 04
31 HORROR STORIES -- "From A to Z in the Chocolate Alphabet" (1976)@ 12:00 PM
Man, which Harlan Ellison do I choose? I don't want to repeat authors in this list, but Ellison's the most tempting. "Shatterday", "The Diagnosis of Doctor D'arqueAngel", "All the Birds Come Home to Roost", "Basilisk" and "Hitler Painted Roses" all jump to mind.
Instead, I'll choose this one, which debuted along with his truly horrific "Croatoan" in THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION in 1976. 26 little pastiches, some of them funny, some sad, but the majority terrifying. Even more terrifying are the fact that they're IDEAS, quickly sketched-out sucker-punches. Shit, now I'm writing like Ellison.
"B is for BREATHDEATH", "E is for ELEVATOR PEOPLE", "I is for ICE CRAWLER", among others. Yikes. Check out "D is for DIKH":
"He is sick. He writes his books in the lowest level of a deep labyrinthine grotto. His books are filled with things no one ever wanted to know. Unsettling things. He became part mushroom many years ago, and the lizards who come and feed off his body never realize he was once a man..."
And it goes on.
The last line of the story suggests the end of the world.
Quite a debut.


text:
Historypin Free
For anyone whose idea of history began around the time of the first Apple Mac, Historypin wants to get all AR up in your grille with its maps-meet-old-photos app. You can layer historical photos, take modern replicas or shake for random stories from around the world.
TV Guide – Virgin Media Free
You've forked out for a Virgin Media subscription and a Tivo box – not because you're glued to the sofa but because sometimes (whisper it) you go out. Virgin Media's now-and-next TV Guide lets you remotely record, so you need never miss another episode of The Sky at Night.
myPANTONE £5.01
Want your walls the exact shade of that bloke on the tube's jumper? The pricey myPANTONE app is Shazam for colours. Take a photoand myPANTONE grabs the closest match from a palette of over 13,000 shades. Handy for designers and those who want fuchsia living rooms.
Zombieville USA £1.25
Hunt for zombies as a ninja, clown or survivor in this classic arcade style game for Android phones. In Zombieville USA (also available on iOS) you can choose from 18 different weapons, drive vehicles into the unfriendly undead and hide and grab cash and ammunition.
Jessops Photo Free
Miss photo prints? Jessops' Photo app lets you order photo prints directly from your Android phone's camera roll and delivers them to your door. The app doesn't deliver them personally, of course. That's the postman's job.
5 of the best Android apps right now
Blackberry Playbook will run Android apps


text:
AriaDarling video. More videos (4)AriaDarling webcam
Hi I'm Ariana..I'm 23 and I'm a real beauty: real tits, real hair, real lips.. I'm fresh and really naughty. I may look sweet, but I love to dominate men, and if you're lucky you'll get to see the beauty of my perverted mind


text:
Online Cake Delivery in Laxminagar Delhi | Midnight Delivery
Refine Search
No need to take the trouble of twice or thrice driving to the bakery store to order the customized cake and to collect the same later. As Keuchen paradise ensures multiple variety of amazing looking cakes with the timely delivery option. It would be highly recommended to order cakes in advance to get delivered yummy cakes bearing fresh ingredients on desired time in Laxminagar, Delhi.
Online bakery shop in Laxminagar, Delhi caters the multi age group people with the different flavour and designer cakes like photo cakes, theme cakes, kids special cakes, tier cakes, royal cakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, love cakes with the customized flavors of chocolate, strawberry, butterscotch, fresh fruits and more of loving ingredients.
Midnight cake delivery services in Laxminagar, Delhi
There is no prescribed time to celebrate any moment. Just your dear ones and delicious desert in the form of cake is sufficient to cheer the occasions and to make it more special. Surprise your spouse on anniversary, your siblings on birthdays, parents on their special day, plenty of celebration and one of the inexpensive gifting items I.e. designer cake. Place your order and avail the midnight cake delivery services in Laxminagar, Delhi to spread happiness all around.
Online gifts and flowers delivery in Laxminagar , Delhi.
Apart from the cakes, Keuchen paradise believes in providing one stop solution and so the bakery store delivering ethnic combo of fresh flowers bouquet, occasional gifts, branded chocolates along with the designer cakes. Bunch of flower is the best way of expressing emotions, cake symbolizes sweetness in deep heart, gifts or chocolates add-ons the pleasure at the time of celebrating any festival.
Keuchen paradise serves for the corporate parties also and fulfill the timely demand of bulk cakes in Delhi. So explore the incredible collection of cakes lying at online bakery store in Laxminagar, Delhi and provide us your valuable feedback to improve our quality or inspire us to work in a more better way.
Buy cakes for delivery on the same day and on urgent delivery to any part of Delhi.
Cake Delivery in Laxminagar Near | Online Cake Delivery Laxminagar Delhi | Midnight Cake Order Laxminagar | Send Cakes to Laxminagar Delhi | Online Order Laxminagar Delhi


text: We told you about Slick Rick getting booed at halftime of the Knicks-Nets game, and about Frank Isola of the New York Daily News getting all kinds of grief on Twitter for wondering whether Slick Rick was indeed a hip-hop legend. Slick's got nothing to prove to anyone anymore, but after hearing this mess of a medley he put together at the Barclays Center, it's easy to see why someone unfamiliar with his work might question his credentials. Yeesh.


text:
[JURIST] A group of Senate Democrats on Thursday introduced legislation [text, PDF] aimed at curbing foreign and corporate influence in elections after a recent Supreme Court [official website] decision eased restrictions on campaign spending [JURIST report]. In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission [Cornell LII backgrounder], the Supreme Court struck down Section 203 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) [text, PDF], which prohibited corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make independent expenditures for speech defined as an "electioneering communication" or for speech expressly advocating the election or defeat of a candidate. According to a press release [text], the legislation, entitled the DISCLOSE Act, seeks to:
partly restore those limits – by barring foreign-controlled corporations, government contractors and companies that have received government assistance from making political expenditures – and also require corporations, unions, and other organizations that make political expenditures to disclose their donors and stand by their ads.
The lawmakers hope to pass the DISCLOSE Act by July 4 so that it will take effect for the 2010 elections.
US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized the Supreme Court's holding in Citizens United, most notably [JURIST reports] in this year's State of the Union speech. Obama warned of the increased potential for powerful interest groups, both foreign and domestic, to wield excessive influence over American elections and called for bipartisan support of legislation to counteract the decision. Earlier this month, the US Senate Judiciary Committee [official website] held a hearing [JURIST report] on the effects of the Citizens United decision.


text:
Who's the boss?
According to Time magazine, it's Gov. Chris Christie, and New Jersey's Republican leader isn't thrilled with the publication's portrayal of him.
"You want to see a picture of a really tough guy?" radio host Don Imus asked Christie during his appearance on the New York-based show this morning.
"Yeah, let me see it," Christie replied.
After Imus flashed a picture of the Time cover, a closeup of an angry-looking Christie staring into the camera, with the words "The Boss" underneath, the governor replied, "did you see that?"
"I'm reporting Time magazine to the anti-Italian defamation league," joked Christie, whose mother was Sicilian. "I mean, look at that thing."
"It makes you look like Tony Soprano," Imus said, talking about the fictional mob boss on the HBO show "The Sopranos."
The photo didn't sit well with Manny Alfano, the founder of the Italian-American One Voice Coalition, a group that battles stereotypes of Italian-Americans in the media.
"Why didn't they just put Al Capone's picture up there?" asked Alfano, a Bloomfield chiropractor.
"The Boss — we're not talking about a rock star," Alfano said, referring to the Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen's nickname. "We have someone else called by that name in New Jersey, but when it comes to having a picture like that and using the words "The Boss" — you know, what else but mob-affiliated."
Later in the appearance, as Imus was discussing Christie's reelection bid, the host suggested that the governor use the magazine cover to scare away potential Democratic rivals.
"You sure you want to run against me?" Imus cracked about the picture.


text:
Sep 03, 2002 | ISBN 9780767915052
"Almost dreamlike in some of [her] elusive storytelling, [Kimmel] pulls off a feat that's harder than it looks: write for adults from a child's perspective . . . Zippy's parents must have done something right to produce a girl who could write such a simple and lovely book."
–USA Today
"A Girl Named Zippy seems to be about the cleverest . . . memoir ever. [Kimmel is] a born storyteller . . . I imagine everyone in the world would be grateful for Kimmel's book."
–Orlando Sentinel
"Very engaging, funny . . . it could be a cheerier version of the Leechfield, Texas, Mary Karr chronicled in The Liar's Club, if drunks never got ugly and if fathers never took a belt to their kids."
–Hartford Courant
"Delightfully wry (and sometimes laugh-out-loud-funny)."
–Indianapolis Star


text:
ELAN: English Language Arts Network
The English Language Arts Network (ELAN) is a professional organization of Ontario educators providing curriculum leadership in English, Language Arts, Media Education and English as a Second Language (ESL). ELAN members benefit from having access to the latest Ontario Ministry of Education documents, meeting well-known authors and workshop presenters, access to publishers, and networking with literacy leaders across the province.
|Organization, Training and Education
4Cs Foundation
The 4Cs Foundation provides grants, education and other opportunities for community arts projects that inspire, empower, and connect children and their communities in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We believe that creating art together fosters the development of relationships, builds connections and strengthens communities.
A map of 4Cs Foundation Community Arts Projects, Halifax, Nova Scotia
The ART BIKERS PROGRAM is a mobile community arts program of the 4Cs Foundation that builds community by making art with children, families and residents in neighbourhoods throughout Halifax, NS. Open to all community members and delivered in participant's neighbourhoods, Art Bikers fosters creativity between and connections with one another.
Our team of community artists ride bicycles pulling colourful trailers full of art materials to neighbourhoods throughout Halifax. Upon arriving, they set-up and facilitate collaborative art activities that open up a world of creativity, fun and community connection.
4elements Living Arts
|Organization, Training and Education
A Blade of Grass
A Blade of Grass nurtures socially engaged art. We provide resources to artists who demonstrate artistic excellence and serve as innovative conduits for social change. We evaluate the quality of work in this evolving field by fostering an inclusive, practical discourse about the aesthetics, function, ethics and meaning of socially engaged art that resonates within and outside the contemporary art dialogue.
|Organization, Training and Education
|United States
Aanmitaagzi is a multi-disciplinary professional artist-run company serving artists and community members from Nipissing First Nation and the surrounding area, linked to provincial and national networks. We are committed to fostering a vibrant arts community in Nipissing, nurturing historic Indigenous arts practices which span a middle ground between professional and community arts, and exploring how we can carry forward our practices in a meaningful contemporary context. Aanmitaagzi combines art making, education, professional development & social activism.
Act 3 International
ACT 3 International is an arts company that believes in promoting the Arts to children. Believing in an all-round learning environment when it comes to children, we cover all aspects of Drama and Theatre.
Africa Centre
The Africa Centre is both a physical entity and ongoing philosophical journey that explores how Pan-African cultural practice can be a catalyst for social change. We believe that creativity and innovation are powerful tools that: manifest what otherwise would only sit in our imaginations; release new ideas and make them freely accessible; and ensure that people living on this soil can define for themselves what is possible and what their reality looks like. These beliefs are brought to life through a range of programmes in various countries as well as online. Our current programmes – Artists in Residency, Badilisha Poetry X-Change, Everyday African Urbanism, Infecting The City, Talking Heads, and WikiAfrica all celebrate and explore what it means to be in Africa today and what is conceivable for 21st-century Africans.
|South Africa
Ajoka Theatre
Objectives: Ajoka Theatre aims to do socially-meaningful theatre and thus contribute to the struggle for a secular, humane, just and egalitarian society in Pakistan. To promote theatre in Pakistan by blending traditional theatre forms with modern techniques and to provide entertainment which has a social relevance.
Al-Rowwad Center
Alrowwad (Pioneers for Life) for Culture and arTs (ACTs) is an independent, (and) not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, distinguished by its philosophy of "Beautiful Resistance," working in the spirit of social entrepreneurship, to deepen the notion of belonging, volunteering, creativity and self-expression for children, youth and women, regardless of origin or religion. We partner with kindergartens, schools and the local community to create a harmonious and unified society using and employing "non-violent" expression through education as well as with performing and visual arts which preserve Palestinian oral history. Moreover, ACTs provides vocational training for job creation and building the peace within individuals to be able to build it among Palestinians and the world.
ACTs was established by a group of volunteers in 1998 in Aida refugee camp-Bethlehem with the belief that everybody has the potential to be a change-maker with the philosophy "With or without money, we do it." ACTs has developed its pioneering programs with local and international partners according to the needs and agendas of the community while also undergoing capacity-building of the organization and its employees through specialized training and development of infrastructure using modern technology for human communication. In diffusing its programs and activities by building bridges of partnerships and exchanges locally and internationally, based on respect of human rights and values and conservation of Palestinian traditional culture and environment.
|Palestinian Territory
Albany Park Theatre Project
We are Albany Park Theater Project, a multiethnic, youth theater ensemble that inspires people to envision a more just and beautiful world. We are dedicated to art, to youth, and a vision of social justice.
|United States
All Nations Healin Thru Artz
Our Mandate is to provide positive community level, performance based artistic programming that allows youth living in the inner city neighbourhoods of Regina, at no cost to them, to access opportunities to collaborate with professional artists to create artistic products and projects; empowering them to: tell their stories in their own voices, build skills, develop confidence, pride and self-esteem, achieve success and participate in their community.
Our artistic programs and projects are intended to promote voice and identity, culture, healing, artistic skill development, social development, community development, awareness and understanding.
Alternate ROOTS
Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition or spirit. We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South creating a better world together. As Alternate ROOTS, we call for social and economic justice and are working to dismantle all forms of oppression – everywhere.
|United States
Ambulante is a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting and promoting documentary film as a tool for social and cultural transformation. Founded in Mexico in 2005 by Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Pablo Cruz and Elena Fortes, Ambulante brings documentary films and training programs to places where they are rarely available in order to create a participative, informed and critical public, cultivate new forms of expression, and encourage debate in Mexico and abroad.
|Digital Media
Animating Democracy
Animating Democracy inspires, informs, promotes, and connects arts and culture as potent contributors to community, civic, and social change. As a program of Americans for the Arts, we bring national visibility to arts for change work, build knowledge about quality practice, and create useful resources. By demonstrating the public value of creative work that contributes to social change and fostering synergy across arts and other fields and sectors, we work to make the arts an integral and effective part of solutions to the challenges of communities and toward ensuring a healthy democracy.
|United States
Antyx Community Arts
Antyx is a community arts company that uses the arts and community development processes to create opportunities for youth to become more engaged in their community and experience increased community connection.


text:
Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
From: Leon Kaye, Triple Pundit, More from this ENN.Com Affiliate
Reading through a recently released Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) report at first reveals the obvious: eating more fruits and vegetables is healthier for you. But the report, The $11 Trillion Dollar Reward, goes further in placing a dollar value on the benefits of a healthier society. The UCS study suggests a revamp of our nation's agriculture policy is in order to get more local fruits and vegetables on the table and less reaching out of a car window to grab another bagged fast food meal.
According to UCS, American's obsession with fast food and processed food comes at a high cost in wages and of course, health. The price of treating strokes and heart disease reached $94 billion in 2010, and that cost could triple by 2030.
Financial savings are possible, too: if Americans just ate an additional serving of fruit or vegetables a day, cost savings would total $5 billion while 30,000 lives would be saved annually.
And if citizens followed the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) nutritional guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption (which of course are not matched by this agency's policies), $17 billion in costs, and 127,000 lives, would be saved. With all benefits tallied up, the UCS suggests total savings in healthier lifestyles, and longer and more productive lives, totals to $11 trillion.
So what does UCS suggest happen in order to encourage the increased consumption of more fresh fruits and vegetables? First, UCS suggests the forehead-slapping recommendation that the production of fruits and vegetables increase across the country. No surprise here: it is common knowledge USDA policies favor the production of commodity crops that are now lucrative on global markets, including corn, soy, cotton, wheat, rice and oats.
What UCS pushes for is the end of antiquated policies that discourage farmers from growing fruits and vegetables. For example, farmers who grow crops such as corn and soy are not eligible for subsidies if they also grow fruits and vegetables on the same land. Removing those restrictions would be a step.
Continue reading at ENN affiliate Triple Pundit.
Read The $11 Trillion Reward at the Union of Concerned Scientists.


text:
Office of Inspector General 24-hour Hotline 1-800-368-1463 (Voice or TTY)
To investigate allegations of abuse or neglect in the following locations:
We also investigate deaths that occur in the facility or within two weeks of deflection, discharge, or transfer to another setting.
Anyone can call to report an allegation.
Please use the DHS Office Locator


text:
Attractive, very masculine, black male here to rejuvenate your body and take those aches away. I am 34, 6'2 195lbs 31w muscular build, great hygiene disease and drug free, easy going and friendly with a great attitude. I am professionally trained (Florida College of Natural Health) and Certified, discreet and very personable. My sessions are a perfect blend of deep tissue, sports, neuro-muscular and swedish techniques with stretching incorporated. My massages are very focused and personable with each session designed for your specific needs, and special attention paid to legs, feet, back and shoulders. The Massage is done in the nude, but you can be draped if you prefer. A clean shower is available as well as towels for use upon your arrival if need be. Aromatherapy, and soothing music integrated into every massage experience on a comfortable table.
I work in a very comfortable, inviting and private clean space. I have strong hands and I am good at what I do... Never a disappointed client to date! I have a successful client base of professionals, pro-athletes, high profile individuals and average joes. I guarantee your complete privacy and Full Discretion to ensure your identity never goes beyond my massage table.If you are looking for the ULTIMATE massage experience, you've found it! I have been providing EXCEPTIONAL massages for those who care about their bodies for over 5 years.
I am available to host as well as travel to your home or hotel 24/7. Do please allow at least 1 hour advance notice for appropriate scheduling and at least 1.5hours + if travel is required on my part. Of course hours in advance is ideal. The session ends with steamed towels, and a cool bottle of spring water. Please be freshly showered before you arrive, or you can shower on your arrival here (apply no lotion as it doesn't work well with professional products. All Photos taken are recent and current. Do not hesitate to contact me at the number provided, very reasonable rates, and of course tips are welcomed at your discretion.
Please NO blocked calls, your discretion is assured. Incalls are available only Monday to Friday, Outcalls available 7 days a week (if I have to travel to a location where parking fees are required, please be advised that is the responsibilty of the client to cover parking).
I welcome men of all ages and backgrounds. I am genuinely friendly, personable, and easy to talk to especially with those who are shy, inexperienced or " just curious ". Never a disasspointed client to date. All Photos are recent and current! Thanks for the consideration and I look forward to rejuvenating you!


text:
stomach tube
Currently, there is no content with this tag.
© 2020 Rapid Medtech Communications Ltd. A Rapid News Group Company. All Rights Reserved
Med-Tech Innovation News is the UK and Ireland's leading publication for medical design and manufacturing technology and innovation.SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Meet us at Med-Tech Innovation Expo, 1-2 April 2020.