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Popular Boystown bar Sidetrack is in the midst of a face-lift.
MainBar, of a few bars within Sidetrack, has shut off its signature pink neon light and now is covered in tarps and blankets.
It's all part of a "refresh," according to general manager Chuck Hyde.
"The bar's been that way since '94," Hyde said. "We need to update things. It's going to be different, and the perspective will literally change people's perception of the room."
The perspective involves ripping out the entire bar as well as moving the video screen to the opposite side of the room. The wall where the screen had been will be replaced with a glass one, allowing people to see into the Mainbar from the hallway and from CherryBar.
Though there are changes afoot, Sidetrack remains open, and guests will have a walkway to travel through MainBar during construction.
MainBar was an iconic room in one of Boystown's most spacious and popular bars, so it's not a surprise that Sidetrack's owners have stuck with the same architects and designers who wereresponsible for Sidetrack's other rooms.
Still, Hyde says people familiar with the original MainBar will be in for a surprise when it's finally revealed this spring.
"Heads are going to turn a little bit," he promises.
firstname.lastname@example.com @kbernot
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Chad Carrodus, a 16-year-old sophomore at Walton High School, has helped start a new non-profit organization under Walton's nonprofit status, which is designed to help his fellow students participate in community outreach.
The group is named Walton's Children's Charities and is designed to help broaden the horizons of the students who participate, and to encourage them to give back to their communities. The organization hopes to make about $15,000 each year. Already, more than $2,000 has been raised in about two months. A large part of the funds have come from local patrons, including Steve Edison Builders Inc. as well as Northwest ENT.
Carrodus serves as president and CEO, and fellow 10th-graders Devin Filichiccia and Jack Peterson serve as vice president and executive secretary, respectively.
Fellow Walton students inclduing Olivia Baggett, Meredith Lischer, Justin Peterman and Nicholas Orrell-Jones were enlisted to help with the growing group. About 70 students have joined the organization since its inception, mere weeks ago.
The WCC's first event helped the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House by Emory University Hospital, and members of the group visited with and entertained the families who stay there. Students also cooked food, played games and spent time with the families.
Carrodus' group is currently looking to raise money for the Kids in Need Foundation, which would be used to purchase more than 100 backpacks, stuffed with school supplies, for the students at Woodson Primary School in Atlanta.

subset: commoncrawl


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DALLAS, TX --Hospital officials say conjoined boys born last month in Dallas have been safely separated and are doing well.
Officials at Medical City Children's Hospital say Owen and Emmett Ezell (uh-ZEL') are in stable condition. Their parents planned to offer an update later Thursday.
The boys weighed a combined 11 pounds, 15 ounces at birth. Hospital authorities say the twins had grown to more than 16 pounds when the surgery was done last Saturday.
Owen and Emmett were born joined from the breast bone to the belly button. The babies shared a liver and bowels, plus had a birth defect that left their intestines outside of their bodies and covered by a thin layer of tissue.
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In the academic year 1908-1909, Sybil C. Green was a high school senior, boarding at the Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass. Born in Spencer, Mass., on August 22, 1889, to Charles H. and Ella M. Green, Green was enrolled in the college preparatory course at Cushing and apparently entered Smith College in the fall of that year. She died in 1984.
The Green scrapbook is a thick and typically chaotic record of a young woman in her senior year of high school in 1908-1909. The scrapbook consists of a bound volume stuffed (or over-stuffed) with tickets to basketball and baseball games, dance cards, invitations, notes, photographs, miscellaneous mementos and ephemera, and a few letters from family and friends.
- Subjects
- Ashburnham (Mass.)--History--20th century
- Cushing Academy--Students
- High school students--Massachusetts
- Young women--Massachusetts
- Contributors
- Green, Sybil C
- Types of material
- Ephemera
- Photographs
- Scrapbooks


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Teens Evaluate Likelihood of Success for Stimulus Act
Teens Evaluate Likelihood of Success for Stimulus Act
Math Models Used to Predict Impact on Economy and Employment
Math Models Used to Predict Impact on Economy and Employment
This past Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, nearly 2000 high school juniors and seniors participated in Moody's Mega Math Challenge, spending as many as 14 hours using mathematical techniques to evaluate whether or not the stimulus package that President Obama signed into law in February will in fact stimulate the U.S. economy. Doing well could mean winning part of $80,000 in scholarship prizes, funded by The Moody's Foundation.
The 2009 M3 Challenge problem, "$787 Billion: Will the Stimulus Act Stimulate the U.S. Economy?" called for student teams to mathematically assess the elements of the package that are most likely to produce the greatest improvements in employment. Teams quantified their findings using mathematical modeling techniques, developed and defended their models, and justified their conclusions. They were required to gauge how quickly elements of the stimulus package are expected to generate results, to ascertain how they will know if the package is "working," and to indicate a confidence level in their predictions. Additionally, they were asked to discuss whether a second stimulus package would be needed, and if so, how large it should be and how it should be structured. Finally, they were challenged to propose other, better ways to stimulate the economy and increase U.S. employment.
Close to 400 teams participated in the competition, an increase of about 60% over last year's pool of submissions. Schools in New England and Mid-Atlantic states, from Maine to Washington, D.C., participated in this entirely Internet-based contest. Teams of three to five students were able to download the problem at 7:00 a.m. on their selected Challenge day and had a deadline of 9:00 p.m. to upload their solution papers. The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) organizes the competition from its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"The enthusiasm and energy that hundreds of high school teachers and students have for this contest is immensely gratifying," says Michelle Montgomery, Project Director for the M3 Challenge and Marketing Director at SIAM. "The excitement about applying mathematics to real world problems and the realization that you can use mathematics to do really useful things is exactly in line with the mission of SIAM."
Challenge headquarters received approximately 400 viable solution papers, which will undergo an extensive judging process during the next eight weeks. Judging for the Challenge is blind, with teams known only to the judges by their unique team ID number. The judging occurs in three stages: first is a triage phase where two-thirds or more of the submissions are eliminated; the second phase further calibrates the papers that are in contention for prizes, with the judges arriving at and tentatively ranking the top 26 papers. Generally, 10 or more professional applied Ph.D.-level mathematicians have read papers that reach this phase. The third and final phase of judging involves presentations by the top six teams at the Moody's Corporation headquarters in Manhattan. These presentations will take place Tuesday, May 5, immediately followed by the awards ceremony.
To see if your local high school participated in the M3 Challenge go to /pdf/2009_partic.pdf.
About the Challenge
Moody's Mega Math Challenge spotlights applied mathematics as a powerful problem-solving tool, as a viable and exciting profession, and as a vital contributor to advances in an increasingly technical society. Scholarship prizes total $80,000 in 2009. The Challenge is entirely Internet-based and there are no entrance or participation fees. Each high school may enter up to two teams of three to five students each. Students choose which day they wish to work on Challenge weekend and have 14 hours to solve an open-ended, realistic, applied math-modeling problem focused on real-world issues. Teams can work from any location they choose and can use any free and publicly available resources, but they may not discuss any aspect of the problem with, or seek help from, their coach or anyone other than their teammates.
Awards and Recognition: 2009 ASAE Associations Advance America (AAA) Award,2008 Excellence Award, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP)
About the Sponsor
The Moody's Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting a variety of nonprofit education, health and human services, civic, and arts and culture programs. Established by Moody's Corporation in 2001, the Foundation's primary area of giving is secondary and higher education with a focus on mathematics, economics and finance. Further information is available at http://philanthropy.moodys.com.
Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO), an essential component of the global capital markets, provides credit ratings, research, tools and analysis that contribute to stable, transparent and integrated financial markets. Moody's Corporation is the parent company of Moody's Investors Service and Moody's Analytics, encompassing Moody's non-ratings businesses. With revenues of $2.3 billion in 2007, Moody's employs approximately 3,600 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 27 countries. Further information is available at www.moodys.com.
About the Organizer
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, is an international society of over 12,000 individual members. These include applied and computational mathematicians and computer scientists, as well as other scientists and engineers. Members are researchers, educators, students, and practitioners from 85 countries in industry, government, laboratories, and academia. The Society, which also includes nearly 500 academic and corporate institutional members, serves and advances the disciplines of applied mathematics and computational science by publishing a variety of books and prestigious peer-reviewed research journals, by conducting conferences, and by hosting activity groups in various areas of mathematics. SIAM provides many opportunities for students including regional sections and student chapters. Further information is available at www.siam.org.


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B&Q Ficus ginseng
B&Q Ficus ginseng
Home Delivery
Unavailable for Home delivery. Please check your local store stock.
- Click & Collect 1 hour Click & Collect - Select store
- 45 day returns policy. Read our returns policy
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Product Details
Product Information
- Seasonal usage - All year round
- Soil type - Compost
Features and Benefits
- Will bring an oriental touch to your home
- Long lasting impact in any setting
- Easy to care for
Technical Specifications
|Colour description
|Container size
|17 cm
|Tolerant to most conditions, but not to water logging, extreme draught or temperatures below 12 degrees
|Maximum height
|Height (mm)
Help & Advice
How to guides
How to plant bedding plants in beds & borders
Planting out bedding is as near as you can get to instant gardening. They can add colour, scent and interest with their decorative displays and all with very little fuss. Pick up bedding plants in-store from B&Q in pots or trays and simply and easily transfer to your garden. It's quick to do and doesn't require lots of gardening expertise or tools – great if you're new to gardening or fancy getting the kids involved.
Not sure which bedding plants to choose? Check out our buying guide with advice on what to look for when shopping for bedding plants for every season.
Read our Bedding plants buying guide
Buying guides
Bedding plants buying guide
Bedding plants give your garden an instant lift, reviving even the most tired and neglected of outdoor spaces. So, if you want to breathe new life into your garden, courtyard or balcony, or are keen to freshen up your space with some seasonal colour, let's talk about bedding plants.
What are bedding plants?
Bedding plants provide a decorative seasonal display. They're usually annuals, so only last for one year; this means they that germinate, grow, flower and are removed all within a single season. While you can grow your own, most bedding plants are bought as small, established plants grown from seed and sold in pots and trays – this allows you to update your garden instantly.
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Brighten up your internal & external with this cactus from Verve. Seasonal usage - All year round Soil type - Compost
Seasonal usage - All year round Soil type - Compost
Brighten up your internal & external with this maidenhair fern from Verve. Care instructions - Requires partial shade


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Still 7 days to submit your paper for ScilabTEC
The call for papers for ScilabTEC 2014 conference closes in seven days' time.
There is still time to submit an abstract of 400 words on subject relevant to the objectives of the conference that is to say the use of Scilab/Xcos in the main scientific domains using numerical computation.
ScilabTEC 2014 will be held in Paris, France, on 15-16 May, 2014.
Abstracts should be submitted electronically at firstname.lastname@example.com. Abstract submissions should be 400 words in length and are due on or January 17, 2014 - EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2014.
For more information, please visit the conference website http://scilabtec.com/


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Hello Marla,
Thank you so much for welcoming me to the club and I will visit your blog today! I noticed that there is so much information here, and I am sure that the information can help me and others in so many ways! Have a wonderful day!!
Hi Marla:
Thank you so much! I enjoyed reading your blog. I hope to read more!
Will do! Thanks!
Hi Marla!
Looking forward to reading your blog!
Thank you for the warm welcome! I will be sure to check out swankybaby.net!
Hey Marla!! Teething jewelry! How awesome!!! I will definitely check out more of your blog and follow you on Twitter and FB too! Thanks for the welcome! :) Talk to you soon! Chevonn
I am loving your blog! Thanks for helping me find it. Subscribed!
You have a great sense of humor, Marla! Very witty blog : )
Hi Marla! Just took a peek at your blog. Thanks for sharing. - Laura
Hi again Marla,
did visit your web and learned about the doll that cries when given a needle...mixed feelings here, as the doll might in fact, distract the child who is getting a needle by having the child busy looking after her "baby"- what about the boys though, and our desire to have children not afraid of visits to the doctor? Will blog about it at http://mytutoringspace.wordpress.com with your link and see if any other reactions ...
Thank you Marla,
It is exciting to think about meeting so many new bloggers through this space! A wonderful chance to share ideas and learn together. Wishing everyone a pleasant week, from Ali here in Toronto
Hi Marla! Thanks too for the wonderful (and friendly!) welcome :) I LOVE your blog, it's what I hope to achieve someday as a new mommy! I bookmarked it and joined via GFC :) My blog is here http://mommahoyle.blogspot.com/ (still in the beginning stages but gotta start somewhere!) Thanks so much again!
Hi Marla! Thank you so much for warm welcome!!! My friend loves this site and recommended it to me. :)
Thank you very much Marla. I will check yours out today after my Dr.'s appt. Have a great day :)
I joined your site as Liz thru GFC
Thank you for the welcome! I'm adding Swanky Baby to my Google Reader right now. I hope you enjoy Mamademics :)
Thanks for the welcome! I'm looking forward to making lots of new friends here. I'm at www.repurposedmind.wordpress.com
I'll check out your blog today


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The 55-year-old man struck and killed by a train near the Fairfield Metro-North station was a well-known real estate developer who previously had troubles with the law .
MTA Police were called to the station after Fairfield resident Alfred Lenoci, Jr. was fatally struck by the train at approximately 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning, a Metro-North spokesperson said. The subsequent investigation determined that the incident was not an accident and no criminal activity is suspected.
Lenoci served more than a year in prison after pleading guilty to bribing Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim. The bribes were part of a larger scheme that later led to the ousting of the former mayor, who also spent time in federal prison following an FBI investigation.
Lenoci and his father, Al Lenoci, Sr. were the heads of United Properties, a Fairfield-based real estate company that financed some of the largest and most expensive strip development properties throughout Connecticut and the tri-state area. Both he and his father pleaded guilty in federal court that they conspired with Ganim. The elder received a term of 12 months, while Lenoci received a term of 18 months in prison.
A ctpost.com report states that "(FBI) agents were 'appalled and disheartened' as the Lenocis discussed various plans to 'rip off the city.'" It notes that schemes included overbilling Bridgeport for demolition and asbestos removal at derelict buildings and a $500,000 fundraiser for Ganim.
According to the report , Lenoci recently found himself nearly $50,000 in debt after serving as the vice president of a multi-million dollar real estate empire, which was started by his father nearly 50 years ago. In July last year, Lenoci and his wife were arrested following a dispute outside a Fairfield condominium complex. His wife filed for divorce in October last year.
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Capitalizing on a GOP surge nationally, Maryland Republicans picked up nine seats in the General Assembly, where they have been the minority party for years.
The GOP had targeted several battleground districts — in Baltimore County, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. With most votes counted, Republicans were poised to pick up two seats in the Senate, and seven in the House of Delegates.
Before the election, the state GOP laid out a dream scenario: Elect Republican Larry Hogan as governor and pick up five seats in the House of Delegates.
They surpassed that goal Tuesday night.
Joe Cluster, the GOP's Maryland director, remembered when Senate President Thomas V....


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Eva Longoria Falls Victim To Horrible Photoshop Accident
Italian magazine Amica seems to have Photoshopped all of the Eva Longoria out of Eva Longoria's face. There are no missing limbs or facial features, and Longoria doesn't look "bad," per se — she just looks absolutely nothing like herself. As side-by-side comparison with this recent news wire photo amply demonstrates.


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- 31 Jul 2012 To 31 Aug 2012 – Preston Manor
Alice in Wonderland-style croquet on the lawns! The necessary equipment will be available at Preston Manor's entrance.
10am – 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 2pm – 4pm on Sundays, £10 per one hour slot. Find out more.
The Oriental is a lovely B&B guesthouse super close to the beach and the Pier. Enjoy great breakfast and cocktails in our funky lounge-bar. 24haccess.


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STUTTGART, Germany (AP) Roberto Bautista Agut and Lukas Rosol reached the final of the Mercedes Cup with victories over the top two seeds in the semifinals on Saturday.
Bautista Agut of Spain defeated defending champion and top seed Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-3, 6-4, then Czech player Rosol beat the second-seeded Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-2.
No. 3 seed Bautista Agut won almost three quarters of his service points and saved five break points for victory in 1 hour, 14 minutes.
The Spaniard was leading 4-1 in the first set when play was suspended for 40 minutes due to rain.
Fognini, who defeated Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in last year's final, had been bidding to reach his fourth final of the season.
Rosol struck 10 aces to Youzhny's five, and converted four of his nine break points to win in just under 1 1/2 hours. Youzhny won the tournament in 2002.
Rosol upset the fourth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the quarterfinals.
Both the 48th-ranked Czech and Bautista Agut are aiming for their second title. Rosol won at Bucharest last year while the 23rd-ranked Spaniard's maiden victory came at `s-Hertogenbosch last month.


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After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don't have to just crack the case – they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.
In Deliver Us from Evil, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Edgar Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. Based upon the book, which details Sarchie's bone-chilling real-life cases.
In Relativity's summer family adventure movie, Tuck, Munch and Alex are a trio of inseparable friends whose lives are about to change. Their neighbourhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that is forcing their families to move away. But just two days before they must part ways, the boys begin receiving a strange series of signals on their phones. Convinced something bigger is going on, they team up with another school friend, Emma, and set out to look for the source of their phone signals. What they discover is something beyond their wildest imaginations: a small alien who has become stranded on Earth. In need of their help, the four friends come together to protect the alien and help him find his way home. This journey, full of wonder and adventure, is their story, and their secret.
The epic action of Edge of Tomorrow unfolds in a near future in which an alien race has hit the Earth in an unrelenting assault, unbeatable by any military unit in the world. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously dropped into what amounts to a suicide mission. Killed within minutes, Cage now finds himself inexplicably thrown into a time loop, forcing him to live out the same brutal combat over and over, fighting and dying again … and again. But with each battle, Cage becomes able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill, alongside Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt). And, as Cage and Rita take the fight to the aliens, each repeated encounter gets them one step closer to defeating the enemy.
Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them – and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. The Fault in Our Stars, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.
DreamWorks Animation returns to the world of dragons and Vikings in this sequel to their successful 2010 outing How to Train Your Dragon. This time, when Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.
Clint Eastwood's big screen version of the Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of the four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic '60s rock group The Four Seasons. Their trials and triumphs are accompanied by the hit songs that influenced a generation, and are now being embraced by a new generation of fans through the stage musical.
The film explores the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king's newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.
Seth MacFarlane directs, produces, co-writes and plays the role of the cowardly sheep farmer Albert in A Million Ways to Die in the West. After Albert backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband, a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to the test. Starring alongside MacFarlane are Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman and Neil Patrick Harris.
Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne lead the cast of Neighbors, a comedy about a young couple suffering from arrested development who are forced to live next to a fraternity house after the birth of their baby.
Tammy (Melissa McCarthy) is having a bad day. She's totalled her clunker car, gotten fired from her thankless job at a greasy burger joint and, instead of finding comfort at home, finds her husband getting comfortable with the neighbour in her own house. It's time to take her boom box and book it. The bad news is she's broke and without wheels. The worse news is her grandma, Pearl (Susan Sarandon), is her only option – with a car, cash, and an itch to see Niagara Falls. Not exactly the escape Tammy had in mind. But on the road, with grandma riding shot gun, it may be just what Tammy needs.
In the highly anticipated sequel, which was inspired by Steve Harvey's best-selling book Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man, all the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas. But plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.
The film begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history … while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.
The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The beloved characters from the original X-Men film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from the past, X-Men: First Class, in order to change a major historical event and fight in an epic battle that could save our future.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will travel to the Pacific next week to convene a meeting of defense ministers from Asia against the backdrop of the massive regional response to the loss of the Malaysian jetliner.
Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said Thursday that Hagel will also stop in Japan and travel for the first time as defense chief to China and Mongolia. He visited Japan late last year.
Kirby said the expansive search for Flight 370 is an example of nations in the region coming together to deal with a disaster, adding that the U.S. is looking for ways to improve its ability to work with other Asia Pacific militaries.
In addition to military operations, there are "many things short of conflict that militaries routinely participate in together, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Kirby told Pentagon reporters. He said Hagel is "keen to get into a broader, deeper discussion about how we can improve those capabilities as well and interoperability between partners and friends."
The U.S. is hosting a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which will take place in Hawaii next week. The effort is part of the Pentagon's ongoing effort to expand its presence and activities in the Pacific region.
Military leaders have also been trying to improve U.S.-China relations, which have run hot and cold over the years amid persistent U.S. complaints about Beijing's lack of transparency regarding its escalating investment in military spending as well as its aggressive pursuit of territorial claims in the seas of East Asia.
China's recent declaration of an air defense zone over disputed islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea, and its new rules to regulate fishing in a huge portion of the South China Sea, have deepened concerns that its rise as a regional power could spark a confrontation.
Defense and military leaders, however, have also made some strides in improving their relationships and communications with their Chinese counterparts.


text: Old Monk will be giving away these sweet new posters at their CMJ shows later this week. Posters are double sided, featuring these vertical and horizontal designs in the 8-bit style of their recent music videos. They are playing Thursday 10/17 at Union Hall (info) and on Friday 10/18 at The Rock Shop (info) Tweet


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Greenland man weapons trial comingBy JAMES A. KIMBLE
Union Leader Correspondent
July 04. 2013 8:28PM
BRENTWOOD — A trial date has been set on weapons charges for a Greenland man who allegedly vowed to shoot at police before going back to jail.
Joshua Nieves, 26, is charged with five counts of being a felon in possession of a weapon. He goes on trial the week of Aug. 5 in Rockingham County Superior Court.
He is expected to appear in court again on July 27 for a final pretrial hearing, essentially the final day he can strike a plea deal with county prosecutors.
So far, no pretrial challenges have been made regarding the charges.
Nieves was barred from owning any weapons because of a 2004 robbery conviction, according to indictments.
He was arrested Aug. 16, 2012, at the Gosling Meadows apartment complex in Portsmouth. His arrest came a day after police were tipped off about his weapons collection and statements he allegedly made supporting the gunman who killed Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney last year.
Police found a 9 mm handgun and a modified version of one that was converted to a MAC-11 — a subcompact machine pistol, according to prosecutors.
The tipster was a man who was arrested for theft by Newington police, according to police. He was dating Nieves' former girlfriend and told investigators on Aug. 15, 2012, that Nieves had a MAC-11 and a 9 mm handgun, according to court documents.
Greenland Police Chief Tara Laurent said in a sworn affidavit that Nieves had told a friend he would "shoot before going back to jail" and that he believed Cullen Mutrie, the man who killed Maloney last year, "should have shot more officers."
Mutrie shot and killed Maloney while he and members of the Drug Task Force attempted to execute a search warrant at his home.
Nieves was also indicted on three counts of violating the controlled drug act for allegedly possessing Clonazepam, Lorazepam and marijuana at the time of his arrest. Aside from firearms charges, Nieves also faces an additional felon in possession charge for having a blackjack on him when he was taken into custody, according to police.
Nieves is being held at the Rockingham County jail on $100,000 bail.


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Rock Island, IL
Ila M. Ruggles
July 25, 1915 - February 6, 2013
Ila M. Ruggles, 97, of Rock Island, IL, formerly of Moline, IL, died peacefully on Wednesday,
February 6, 2013, at Friendship
Manor, Rock
Island, surrounded by family.
Ila M. Simpkins was born in Henry County, IL, on July 25, 1915, to Harry and
Mildred (Whitcomb) Simpkins.
On August 18, 1939, she married Dr. Ralph E. Ruggles. He preceded her in death in 1989 after 50 years of marriage.
Ila graduated from Augustana
College in 1937. She taught 3rd grade at Audubon School in Rock Island, until her marriage. Ila and Ralph had four sons, Larry,
Donald, James, and Brant.
For many years they owned and lived above the Ruggles Small Animal Hospital. She was very active in the community, and her church, serving on many boards, including Augustana College, the Illinois Lutheran Church Woman, etc. They wintered in Naples, FL, and traveled the country with their Airstream.
She played bridge several times a week until her recent illness. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends.
Survivors include sons Donald (Jackie) of Moline, Dr. James
(Dianne) of Stockton, CA, and Brant (Mary Ann) of Morgan Hill, CA; grandchildren, Julie (Eric) LeFevre, David (Taylor) Ruggles, Elizabeth (Michael) Trowbridge, Christopher Ruggles, Gregory (Jennifer) Ruggles, Jessica (Dan) Escontrias, Jason Ruggles, Erin (Richard) Jensen, Jeffrey (Sandra) Ruggles, Rob (Liz) Ruggles, and 20 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Larry, sister, Beatrice Race, and brothers Harry (Dudley) and Robert (Red) Simkins.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the "Ortman girls" for their special friendship with Ila, and especially the care and support during this time.
Visitation will be Friday, February 15th, from 4-7 p.m., at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 16th at 10:30 a.m., at First Lutheran Church, 1230 - 5th Avenue, Moline. Private family burial will be in Clover Chapel Cemetery in Andover, IL.
Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Moline, Augustana Lutheran Church, Andover, IL, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent at wendtfuneralhome.com


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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Militants attacked a police compound near Kabul with explosives and guns on Friday, setting off an hour-long firefight that left one officer dead and four wounded, according to Afghan officials.
Interior Ministry spokesman Seddiq Seddiqi said a suicide car bomber first blew through the gates of the district police headquarters in Surobi early Monday morning.
Two other male attackers clad in the all-enveloping burqa traditionally worn by Afghan women then opened fire and a gunbattle ensued, he said.
Inside the compound, the bloodied body of one attacker lay sprawled on the ground between blackened police vehicles and as security forces roamed around.
Kabul Police said in a statement that the three attackers were killed, along with one police officer. Four officers were wounded, the force said in a statement.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in an emailed statement.
Surobi, about 45 kilometers (30 miles) east of Kabul, is a remote mountainous area rife with Taliban activity.
Afghan insurgents have increased attacks in recent months, intensifying a campaign to regain territory as foreign forces draw down ahead of a full withdrawal at the end of 2014.
The Taliban also have vowed to disrupt the country's April 5 election.


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Welcome to the Four Thirds User discussion forum.
This section of the FTU forum is for site-specific announcements and notices.
Find interesting articles published by FTU, DPNow.com and other sites on the Web.
Possible UK bird in flight meet?
1st August 2017
Here is the place to discuss photography topics that may not be specific to one of the other board topics on this forum.
Sharing my Music and Sound Effects
52 Minutes Ago
Announcements concerning the FTU forum, gallery and the rest of this site in general.
Site modernisation - expect some disruption
1 Week Ago
If you are new to FTU, introduce yourself here. You're sure to receive a warm and friendly welcome.
10th June 2018
This is the place to discuss equipment-specific topics.
Find model-specific discussion boards for all the Olympus E-System models here.
11th June 2018
The place to discuss the FTU Wiki, a knowledge base for Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds photographers that is built and enhanced by you.
19th December 2015
This is THE place to discuss the emergence of the new branch of the Four Thirds platform, Micro Four Thirds.
HELP! Olympus EPL-5 Lens Compatibility (also Lumix GX85)
10th June 2018
Free music resource for anyone who is interested
53 Minutes Ago
Find model-specific discussion boards for Panasonic Lumix Four Thirds camera models here.
Calling all camera techs! help!
10th July 2018
Find model-specific discussion boards for Leica Digilux Four Thirds camera models here.
Advice needed for my Digilux 2 please...
1st September 2013
Talk about Digital Zuiko, Leica and Sigma glassware for your camera.
Zuiko 14-150mm 4-5.6 II - useless ring where focus ring...
9th April 2018
This section of the FTU forum is for discussions concerning all aspects of Four Thirds system accessories, including flash, extension tubes, teleconverters, etc.
12th February 2017
Learn and share tips of the trade for making your Four Thirds kit work better for you!
Recommended Neutral Density Filter?
18th October 2017
The place for deep technical discussion of Four Thirds and related technologies and trends.
Picture changes from 4:3 to 3:4 format?
16th August 2015
Discuss software tools that help workflow and improve image quality.
17th August 2018
How to correct the OV3 database?
22nd February 2018
3rd September 2016
Show, appreciate and discuss your pictures and those posted here by others.
Post photos here to gain honest and frank, but respectful, feedback. Only post photos here if you can take critcal comment.
23rd August 2018
If you are thinking about entering a Four Thirds User photo competition, or you'd simply like to discuss the competitions and the entries, here's the place for you.
Change of rules for the Salon.
29th January 2016
This is where to find and enjoy members' choices for our featured Pictures of the Day. To nominate a picture from the FTU gallery, email your a link to your nominated image and a short explanation to: email@example.com.
31st August 2013
5th July 2014
This board is where to post your pictures if you aren't seeking critical feedback. Instead, start a discussion about the subject matter rather than absolute technical quality.
2 Days Ago
A fortnightly photography contest where the winner becomes the curator and sets the next challenge.
22nd January 2018
Take a break from photography and discuss non-photo topics.
Seek help and share tips for making the job of using the computers we depend on as pain-free as possible!
31st January 2016
2 Days Ago
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28th May 2018
There are currently 85 users online. 2 members and 83 guests
Most users ever online was 1,455, 16th March 2017 at 07:09 AM.
Welcome to our newest member, Westcoast604
Latest Blog Entry, Noise issue by seagoll


text:
Great interview with Jim Carrey. Read the article on Coming Soon:
His current movie teams him with director Joel Schumacher, the title of the movie, The Number 23, being something that Carrey admits to having been fascinated with for a long time: "I've had this obsession with the #23 for years and it was given to me by a friend who had the obsession with it where he talked about the earth's axis is on the 23rd degree and 23 chromosomes in the human body from each parent. He has books written about everything that adds up to 23, and as soon as he told me, I started seeing 23 everywhere. It's shocking how much adds to 23. It really works out in a strange way to be very prevalent everywhere. The number 23 thing for me culminated in me talking about it and at the very same moment, someone handing me a book about the 23rd psalm, which became like my mantra a little bit, because it's about living without fear, feeling like you're taken care of or safe. I changed the name of my company to JC23 a couple years ago."
Read the whole article


text:
'Forum on the Future' to address issue of 17,000 unfilled NH jobsBy DAVE SOLOMON
New Hampshire Union Leader
December 11. 2017 8:42PM
BEDFORD — Some of the state's top leaders in business, government and academia will gather on Wednesday in Bedford to grapple with the number-one challenge to the New Hampshire economy — an inadequate workforce.
The event couldn't be better timed.
Commissioner of Employment Security George Copadis says we are in uncharted territory when it comes to the current labor shortage that is choking economic growth. The department currently has 17,000 jobs it's trying to help fill for businesses throughout the state, a historically high number.
"I can tell you with the job fairs we have held all over the state we are averaging one job seeker for every six to seven job openings," he said, and that is despite an investment of about $5,000 in advertising for each job fair, something the state has not had to do in the past.
The only exception to that ratio was at a recent job fair in Manchester, where the turnout was extremely high: 1,000 job seekers for about 2,200 jobs, he said.
The Wednesday morning event from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Bedford Village Inn will feature Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell and Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, along with University System Chancellor Todd Leach and Community College System President Ross Gittell.
The "Forum on the Future" comes as the state labor force continues to shrink, having dropped from 753,497 to 747,906 since June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a drop of 5,591 workers.
The main reason, according to Bruce DeMay, director of the Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau, is the graying of the New Hampshire workforce. "Aging out of the normal working age population is the primary reason for the decline," he said.
New Hampshire currently has 20,129 unemployed people on record, with approximately 2,000 collecting unemployment benefits. So why don't those 20,129 people fill the 17,000 job openings?
"When you get numbers this low — a little more than 2,000 people collecting unemployment benefits with 20,000 unemployed — a lot of these people have issues," Copadis said. "They either don't have the proper skills for the job or they have other barriers to employment, whether it be substance abuse, transportation, day care."
Copadis points out that New Hampshire workers receiving unemployment benefits are finding jobs at a much faster rate than the national average, with only 17 percent exhausting the full 26-week benefit period, compared to 37 percent nationally.
"Those seeking employment in New Hampshire are getting back to work faster than in other areas in the country," he said.
Employment Security is working with Business and Economic Development to try a novel strategy for New Hampshire — out-of-state job fairs.
"We are also trying to hook up with New Hampshire students who go to out-of-state colleges through their career centers in order to convince them about the terrific job opportunities back in their home state when they graduate," Copadis said.
At the Wednesday event, Jim Roche, president of the Business and Industry Association, will describe a program called "Workforce Accelerator 2025," a joint venture with the Charitable Foundation to create and support school-to-career pathways between New Hampshire's schools and businesses.
The idea is to ensure that 65 percent of New Hampshire adults have degrees or credentials by 2025.
Katie Merrow, vice president of community impact at the Charitable Foundation, will present the latest workforce data from the Center for Public Policy Studies and moderate a panel on additional strategies to meet workforce demand.
The event is hosted by the New Hampshire College and University Council, together with the Charitable Foundation and Business and Industry Association.
For more information or to register, contact Kristen Oliveri at 225-6641 x267, firstname.lastname@example.com; or Scott Spradling at 724-8092, email@example.com; or click here.


text:
Miami Heat and Ballet Celebrate 25 Years of Dance and Basketball
The Miami Heat teamed up with the Miami City Ballet to celebrate 25 years of ballet and basketball. The two worlds collided when Miami City Ballet Principal Dancers Jeanette and Patricia Delgado flexed in front of the cameras with heat stars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. The photos will be the centerpiece of an art display on Miami's Biscayne Boulevard to highlight the world-renowned Miami City Ballet. See the athletes strut their stuff in the photos by David Alvarez.


text:
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Telefax: No fax number available
Website: No web address available
Biz owner? Moderate reviews or edit listing.
Search entire category for Military
Military, in Elberfeld, refers to military organizations that are a hierarchical structuring of the armed forces of a state. They usually have protocol of their own, which are at variance with those of the civilian society.


text:
POETRY DISPATCH No. 364 | February 27, 2012
Michael Ryan
In the scarred desk behind me
in history class,
she lulled her nyloned knee
against my ass,
its message pressing home
as dully we went
from the interminable Fall of Rome
to the Council of Trent
and through the even duller
steel-town afternoons
locked in a collar
of dim green rooms,
old nuns, and ever new
Like the hood ornament
on some chopped-down hot rod
of the apocalypse,
above the blackboard stood
the crucifix
Flanked on either slope
of this tiny Calvary
by color head shots of the Pope
and John F. Kennedy—
an arrangement meant to convey
not thievery being done
but God's work every day
by the Two Johns
drawing us like dynamos
through them to Heaven
while we shook in our rows
as if on toboggans.
So what if we had known
what J.F.K. was doing
in Laos and Vietnam,
who he was screwing
(including the teen-age mistress
of the head of the Mafia,
delivered to the White House
like a midnight pizza)?
The greater world to me,
present and past,
was the space between Bunny's knee
and my ass,
and I needed it collapsed
as soon as class began.
So what if I thought she had
the brains of a pecan,
mascara so black and thick
she must have smeared it on
with a popsicle stick,
and a nickname incredibly dumb?
Each day when she had helped me
annihilate an hour,
and we were going away,
I'd stare at her,
and she'd stare back and wink
I know you live with it:
one flashlight blink
at the bottom of a pit.
[from THE NEW YORKER, Aug. 21 & 28, 1995]


text:
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partners. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Exceptions
Are there any known cases where one parent had the sickle cell trait and the other did not have the sickle cell gene, however the child has the sickle cell disease?
There is no way that one sickle trait in one parent can lead to homozygous sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin SS), but it is possible for the child to have a sickle variant. A child can inherit one sickle cell gene from one parent and an abnormal gene (other than sickle trait) from the other parent that leads to sickle cell disease.
For example, if one parent has sickle trait and the other parent has hemoglobin C trait, then the child has a 25% chance of having sickle-hemoglobin C disease which is a milder form of sickle cell. In another example, if one parent has sickle trait and the other parent has beta thalassemia trait (minor) then the child has a 25% chance of having sickle beta thalassemia which also causes sickle cell diseases.
There are other combinations of sickle trait with abnormal hemoglobin genes that are rare and can lead to sickle cell disease. In order to be sure, both parents have to be tested with blood counts and a hemoglobin electrophoresis.
Anthony D Villella, MD
Formerly, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University


text:
If you have feedback on the OpenKODE 1.0 Specifications, please create a Bugzilla account and submit a bug against the "Specification" component of the OpenKODE "Product". You can use this link, which has some fields already filled in.
If you are submitting a bug against another Khronos API such as EGL, OpenGL ES, or OpenVG, please use the corresponding Bugzilla product and component "Specification".
Your feedback will be routed to the OpenKODE Working Group and we will take the appropriate action(s) and respond on Bugzilla (note that it sometimes takes quite a while to figure out what the appropriate action(s) are, so the response may not be immediate). Thanks for your help!
(edit 2008/03/31 - update to refer to OpenKODE 1.0 instead of Provisional, update bug template)


text:
This page is best viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher.
|Weasku Inn A-Frame River Cabin
You'll enjoy this unique retreat, only steps away from the wild and scenic Rogue River.
Surrounded by nature, experience the best of southern Oregon when you stay at the historic Weasku A-Frame River Cabin.
The downstairs of the A-Frame features a king size, pillow-top bed, sitting area with river rock fireplace and private deck with river views. The upstairs loft is furnished with a queen sized, pillow-top bed and is semi-secluded from the downstairs.
The A-Frame is perfect for the entire family!
Need even more room? Check out our River House.
Three bedrooms, full kitchen, dining room, living room and decks facing the river.


text:
When you apply snapshot replication to large-scale databases, the step that deletes the target records and the step that bulk copies the source data to indexed target tables can create performance-draining bottlenecks. To eliminate these bottlenecks—and hence optimize the replication—you can add customized steps to the Snapshot and Distribution Agent jobs. In the first article of this three-part series, "Bottleneck Blues," May 2002, InstantDoc ID 24518, I analyzed a snapshot replication's performance and introduced the customized steps. The second article, "Manual Transmission," August 2002, InstantDoc ID 25538, detailed full manual implementation of these steps. In this concluding article, let's look at how you can achieve a fast, reliable, and reproducible customization by using SQL Distributed Management Objects (SQL-DMO) to automate the customization process.
How the Optimization Works
Optimizing snapshot replication improves performance dramatically, but manually customizing Snapshot and Distribution Agent jobs to achieve optimization can be tedious and time-consuming in a large-scale environment that involves many servers. Because you have to manually resynchronize the customization each time you make these changes, the demand on your time is particularly burdensome when you add new publications or reconfigure existing ones.
Manually, the optimization process goes like this. You insert a new step right before the last step of a Snapshot Agent job. The command that this step executes starts a Distribution Agent job. You then insert two new steps into a Distribution Agent job, one before and one after its Run agent step. The before step drops all indexes and key constraints against the subscription tables. The after step recreates the indexes and key constraints that the before step dropped. Figure 1 shows the four steps of the optimized Snapshot Agent job; Figure 2 shows the five steps for each Distribution Agent job. The new customized steps are step 3 in the Snapshot Agent job and steps 2 and 4 in the Distribution Agent job.
As you can see, manual customization in Enterprise Manager involves a fair bit of work: inserting the new steps, entering hard-coded commands or a stored procedure for execution in each new step, and modifying the flow of the new steps and the affected existing steps. What's worse, any mistake or inconsistency that you introduce during customization will break the optimization. Instead of bogging down in these labor-intensive manual steps, you can create an automation tool that makes your customization process efficient, consistent, and reproducible. This automation tool implements the customization tasks through SQL-DMO.
Using SQL-DMO to Automate Customization
SQL-DMO exposes an object model that helps you administer SQL Server programmatically—and therefore automatically. In this model, publication and job objects expose the agent jobs of a publication as properties and provide methods to update the job properties. Let's look at a SQL-DMO application that can programmatically customize any replication agent job on any server. (This application is in the DMO_job.zip file that you can download at http://www
.sqlmag.com, InstantDoc ID 27523. Just click Download the code.) You can add this application to Enterprise Manager's Tools drop-down menu as an external tool. This tool looks and feels like part of Enterprise Manager and lets you perform standard and custom configuration without leaving Enterprise Manager.
Here's how the application works. First, it displays a list of registered servers. For each server the user selects, the application finds and lists the names of all subscriptions to publications created on that server, as Figure 3 shows. In this application, a subscription's listed name is a concatenation of publisher, replication database, publication, subscriber, and destination database names. By using these names, you can find the publication and subscription objects in the SQL-DMO model. In that model, each publication object contains a collection of subscription objects. Each subscription object contains the DistributionJobID property, which you can use to find the subscription object's own Distribution Agent job object. Each publication object also has as an attribute the SnapshotJobID property, which you can use to find the publication object's Snapshot Agent job object. Once you've found these two agent-job objects for each selected subscription, you're ready to insert customized steps into these jobs. Listing 1 shows the code that creates a list of all registered server names. The ListServers() procedure lists registered servers. When a user selects a server, the application records the server name in the sServer variable. Listing 2 concatenates and displays the listed names of all the subscriptions to the publications that were created on the selected server. Figure 3 shows examples of some subscriptions' listed names. To save space, I omitted data-type declarations.
As I mentioned, each subscription's listed name is in the format of server-replication database-publication-subscription. This is a combination of the names of a publishing server, a replication database, a publication, and a subscription, respectively. When a user selects a listed name, the application parses it into server, (replication) database, publication, and subscription names, and saves the parts in the variables sServer, sDB, sPublication, and sSubscription, respectively. For space reasons, I omitted the code that parses a listed name. Listing 3's code uses these saved variables to connect to the publisher and identifies the replication database, publication, and subscription objects in their respective collections. Note that a replication database object has a collection of publication objects named TransPublications as its property, and in turn, each publication object has a collection of subscription objects named TransSubscriptions as its property. Listing 3 shows how to identify a publication object and a subscription object in the TransPublications and TransSubscriptions collections, respectively. Next, the application searches for the selected publication's Snapshot Agent job object and the subscription's Distribution Agent job object by their job IDs, as Listing 4 shows.
After you've located these two agentjob objects, you're ready to begin customizing the jobs. First, you insert a new step into the Snapshot Agent job after the job's second step. This new step becomes the job's third step, and you assign it StepID 3 to indicate its position, as Listing 5 shows. Recall that the command at step 3 is to start one or more Distribution Agent jobs (I show only one job start here). In SQL-DMO, you insert a new step by creating a new job-step object, assigning the step's properties, then adding the new step to the job object's steps. You also have to modify the flow of the second step; in case of failure, its OnFailStep used to flow to the old step 3, but that step is now step 4, as Figure 2 shows. Listing 5 shows the process for creating the third step and modifying the second step.
Next, you customize the selected Distribution Agent jobs, as Listing 6, page 40, shows. Again, I use only one Distribution Agent job. Each job includes two new inserted steps. One new step calls a stored procedure before the original second step to drop indexes and keys on destination tables and save their scripts. After you insert this new step, it becomes step 2. You insert the other new step after the original second step (which is now the third step). The new step calls a remote procedure stored on the subscriber to run the scripts that the first new step (now step 2) saves. This new step becomes step 4.
Mechanically, the code in Listing 6 is similar to the code in Listing 5 (which customizes the Snapshot Agent job), so Listing 6 shows only important lines. You can find the complete listing for this automated SQL-DMO application in the DMO_job.zip file.
Fast Replication, Efficient Production
In a distributed enterprise that involves loosely connected remote locations (which use a T1 or wireless connection) or many servers, a huge synchronized snapshot can easily timeout or run out of off-peak hours. In my tests, the optimization this series describes cuts nearly an hour off the replication time for each server. If your environment can't detect changes and can't drop and recreate production tables easily, snapshot is your only replication choice. With this optimization, you can speed up your snapshot replication by truncating tables, a process that's faster and less destructive for production environments than dropping tables.


text:
Name change
To the editor: The name of your newspaper includes the word Democrat with a capital D. However, your views, and for the most part, your political endorsements favor the right-wing and Republican agendas and candidates. If you believe that a local newspaper should mirror the attitudes and beliefs of the communities it serves don't you think it's time for you to reassess your political position or rename your publication?
Derek Wood
You get what
you deserve!
To the editor: Well, the takers and layabouts won over! They are the 47% Romney talked about that are victims and not responsible citizens. They don't pay taxes and always have their handout. It's called Obama money, food stamps, welfare checks, heat assistance, cash for clunkers, foreclosure victims, GM, free birth control, redistributing tax payer money, assistance for paying down mortgages, and they never have to have personal responsibility. What are you victims going to do when we the tax payers stop sending our money to the federal government? Our money wont be there for you! Obama is also responsible for your plight because he feeds into it. How does it feel to be a parasite? If enough tax paying people stop sending their hard earned money to Washington, maybe the Politicians will get wise and make you work for the money you receive.
And to those lefties in Durham who have nothing better to do than write to this newspaper, I say watch your 401-ks go down the toilet and your retirement money slip away in the market, all because your too blind to see the truth about this socialist you helped elect. Remember, millionaires and billionaires will not finance your pitiful lives. How do you think they got where they are, waiting for the Obama money!
Albert Johnston
Thank you
To the editor: On behalf of the Kittery Recreation Department, I would like to thank everyone who attended our 11th Annual Community Halloween Celebration, on Saturday, Oct. 27. The weather on Saturday was absolutely stunning! The crowd of well over 400 people enjoyed an afternoon of games, pumpkin carving, inflatables, food, hay rides, and the ever popular Costume Contest.
The event was a huge success due mostly to the involvement of our great community, civic organizations, and businesses.
The following civic groups were on hand to set up game booths for the hundreds of children to enjoy at no cost: Kittery Lions Club, Kittery Rotary Club, Seacoast Kiwanis Club and Kittery Travel Basketball.
The following local businesses and groups also made the day possible with their generous donations and sponsorship: JSN Associates Engineers, Kennebunk Savings, Ovington's Produce, The Kittery Outlet Association, and Pelkey Funeral Services.
In addition to the groups and businesses participation, the day would not have gone so well without the help from many others who donated their time, effort, and supplies. A huge thanks to the Kittery Recreation Staff and the members of our SAFE Afterschool and Preschool Program staff who helped make the day go so smoothly.
Again, on behalf of the Kittery Recreation Department, I would like to thank all those who made our 11th Annual Halloween Celebration the most successful yet and we look forward to another great event next year.
Jeremy Paul
Assistant Director
To the editor: Not long ago the federal government brought suit for damages against Bank of America based on a claim that the bank and Countrywide Mortgage had deliberately misrepresented the value of real estate mortgages which were being sold to the federally guaranteed Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.
There are similar suits or settlements announced on an almost weekly basis — against drug companies for overcharging, against BAE for bribing foreign government officials, against British Petroleum for mishandling the construction of the offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
To all of this we should say a big "Whoop-de-doo!"
Stop and think. Who actually pays for all of this? The answer is that we do. You and me. Not Bank of America, not BAE, not BP. We pay, as consumers who buy BP gas; taxpayers who pay for the military contracts to BAE; depositors and borrowers who pay bank fees and mortgage interest. A corporation doesn't have money except what it gets from sales of goods or services or from issuing stock. That means that the money a company uses to pay these million dollar settlements comes from the people who buy its products or invest their earnings or pensions in company securities. In the case of BAE this money would have been used not only to pay the fine but also the bribes that were paid. With the drug companies we paid the fines and also the inflated prices for the products.
It's all part of the cost of doing business. None of the money comes from the pockets of the executives or administrators who made the decisions to pay the bribes, or ignore the safety regulations on the construction site. And to add insult to injury, in most if not all of these cases the money paid for fines or penalties becomes a "business expense" that would qualify as a deduction or credit against the corporation's taxes.
So when you read about any more of these massive settlements, keep this in mind: it may be described as a "windfall" to the US Treasury, but remember who is paying for it.
Anthony McManus
To the editor: Human kindness still exists! On Saturday, November 3rd a stranger stopped his truck in the middle of Sixth St. because a small terrier was in the road. The man got out of his truck and came into our yard, I'm assuming because the other dogs were barking and he deduced that maybe the little one belonged there. He was correct. Devin, our youngest dog had found the one hole in the fence left by "Sandy" and wandered into the road. The man did everything right! He didn't try to catch or chase and Devin followed him right to our fence. When I went out to see why the other dogs were barking, I found the man in my front yard pointing down at Dev and asking "is he yours?" I scooped up my dog, thanked the man profusely, introduced my little mutt and went into the house. As I watched him start his truck and pull up the road, I noticed a long line of traffic that he had held up in his attempt to save my dog. I wish I knew who he was and could repay his act of kindness. My husband and I have helped several lost dogs find their way home, but I never thought someone would do it for us. Whoever you are, I hope you read Fosters and see this letter. We are forever grateful for your decision to help.
Denise and Todd Corley and the D Dogs
Two culprits
To the editor: We recently discussed a couple of major problems regarding the state of U.S. health care. We determined that health care is national security and America is not healthy. Please draw the logical conclusion. We also determined that health care reform is an economic imperative since 17% of our GDP (approximately $16 trillion) is being devoured by health care, with low marks, which doesn't bode well for our economy.
The next step is to identify the major root causes of the said major problems. I have selected what I believe are the two largest: health insurance companies and lifestyle related diseases.
The party doing the least complaining throughout the long health care debate was the health insurance industry. I would wager that not one of the chunky guys, adorned in Colonial garb, rudely disrupting town hall meetings across the country, was a health insurance company CEO.
The primary role of government, as prescribed by the Constitution, is to protect its citizenry and to foster the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are not promised or owed ownership of homes or automobiles; hence, insurance required. We are NOT commodities but ARE promised the inalienable rights. We are all born, and unless lucky, all die; and get sick and injured in between. Health insurance is a contrived, false argument as it does nothing to prevent or cure injury or illness and there is no associated IF. The roles of health insurers are simply to negotiate the maze they create and to make handsome profits for shareholders.
If we expect Government to do its job, then we need to be personally and socially responsible citizens. It has been reasonably suggested that 70% of that 17% of GDP (approximately $2.5 trillion) for health care expenditures can be attributed to preventable lifestyle diseases resulting from use of tobacco, alcohol, fast food and sugar. The good citizens (suppliers and demanders) taking full advantage of these freedoms must be made responsible, socially and personally, when it comes to health care reform.
Next up: proposition to harness the resources from the two culprits (health insurance industry and lifestyle disease) for true health care reform.
Wayne H. Merritt
In danger
To the editor: Newmarket Principal Chris Andriski recently informed the Exeter Newsletter: "…if a fire right now happened in our building, the fire would go right up the stairwell and the kids would never be able to get out" and that the school is "outdated, terrible, and inadequate."
Focusing just on the "kids would never be able to get out" if there was a fire in the building, as assessed by the building principal; approximately 225 students would perish if a fire occurred today.
Based solely upon the assessment and warning by Andriski, allowing classes to continue in this situation is endangering the safety of every student in that building, and that is reckless and against the law.
And it would also be fair to conclude, given this dire warning, that every parent who allows their child to enter that school building is in fact, knowingly endangering the safety of their child, and that is also reckless and against the law.
As for Andriski's further comments that the school is "outdated, terrible, and inadequate" I will remain silent; parents of students enrolled in the school and local taxpayers need time digest these remarks and determine if their money is being wasted, considering the district pays nearly $16 million per year to educate their students.
Jeffrey Thomas Clay
Safe, happier
To the editor: Now that the frenzy of the election has passed by and our politicians don't have to think of campaigning for at least six months, (It does seem to go on 24/7, doesn't it?) perhaps something can be done on the legislative level to make our country safer and happier.
As wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, I would, of course, like to rid our culture of its "guns for everyone" mentality. Perhaps we could start right here in little, old New Hampshire. The biggies pay so much attention to us in a presidential year, could they perhaps pay attention in this coming off-year to the proliferation of guns and the consequences of those guns. Perhaps we could start with the most abominable and questionable: assault weapons. They are designed and manufactured for no purpose other than to kill human beings.
Is there any evidence of a person defending his home and family with an assault rifle? Is there any evidence of a hunter taking down a deer or a moose with an assault weapon? That would be considered unsportsmanlike. Yet these weapons seem to be used more and more to take down men, women and children — innocents in most cases with no real connection between murderer and victims.
Verdenal Johnson
To the editor: Now that the elections are over, it is my hope that our newly elected and re-elected state and federal representatives will waste no time in focusing on the issues of concern to older Mainers and their families. Issues such as financial and health security are of paramount importance to many of our older residents. The next Congress will be making decisions about the future of Social Security and Medicare. There are many options likely to be considered in 2013 that will have an effect on the long-term solvency of both of these programs. Now the work truly begins and I am looking forward to hearing how campaign promises will turn into meaningful action.
Here in Maine, the 126th legislature will need to find ways to balance the state budget without cutting programs that are so important to some of our most at-risk residents. As we head into the coldest months of the year, the challenges for older Mainers will undoubtedly grow. We need to protect our long-term care services and supports and strengthen consumer protections so Mainers can stay in their own homes and communities as they age.
I hope our representatives will reach across the aisle and work together to find solutions that make sense now and for the future. I encourage all Mainers to play an active role in watching how things unfold in the months and years ahead and making sure their voices are heard throughout.
Meredith Tipton
AARP Executive Council
South Portland, Maine
It's time
To the editor: Today's (Nov. 8, Thursday) editorial hinted that the US Congress and the president needed to work together to solve our serious 'Fiscal Cliff' problem. The election being over, it is indeed time to redirect all efforts away from partisan politics and do what is right for the country - not our parties.
The people of the nation chose Barack Obama and the people of New Hampshire's first Congressional District chose Carol Shea-Porter and the people of New Hampshire chose Maggie Hassan for Governor. Please respect our choices.
Your selection of photos for the all female New Hampshire delegation was definitely unflattering for Maggie Hassan and Annie Kuster. But the photo you selected for Carol Shea-Porter was beyond disrespectful. Shame! It does however your misogynistic treatment of her in your editorials slandering her. Double shame! An apology is in order to Carol and to the people of US District One.
Hiram Connell
A good day,
a great day
To the editor: Standing in the cold holding campaign signs in front of the Dover's Ward 2 poll was both enlightening and encouraging. Tuesday was a historic day with record turnout for this location. As day yielded to night, in near freezing temperatures, voters kept coming, waiting patiently in a line that needed to wrap the corner of the block to accommodate its length. Unfortunately, they kept coming long after the poll closed. Democracy in Dover was running full tilt Tuesday.
I hasten to add that these reflections are utterly unscientific. I feel compelled to point this out as the "from away" Republican sign holders at the poll informed me that utterances made on talk radio, and I assume by extension that this applies to newspaper opinion pieces, are indisputable facts while actual disciplined research is always a government con.
So many came. They walked, they used walkers, and wheelchairs, but they kept coming. The faces in line were mostly sober. Many had the look of people who came to do something they thought was important for themselves, their children, their neighbors, and their country. In contrast, there were a number of middle age males with a hint of anger in their faces, voting midday and perhaps out of work. It was easy to assume they came to vote not for, but against, something.
And the women came. They came with their kids, with their dogs, with their dads, their friends, and their partners. They came with gray hair and green. They were the predominate poll worker gender. They sold cookies and coffee at the door. They held signs. This seems to have been an unusually important election for women. We should not be surprised that we are now a state led by women.
And new voters came. They were mostly young, but not exclusively so. They came in such numbers that the moderator, a woman, established a separate line that appeared to hold a hundred souls at times. So many in this line were women.
And they voted early. Those of us wanting to hear early results had a long wait as hundreds of absentee ballots remained to be opened and counted. I wonder how many were women.
When we were finally free to leave for a drink with campaign workers, it was not surprising that most of those gathered were women.
To everyone, especially the women, who did so much to make a difference on Tuesday, I salute you.
Bill Baber
NH Representative Elect
Ward 2
Letters to the Editor - Nov. 12, 2012
Name change


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In one word...gangster. You have never seen, heard, or witnessed anyone as hardcore as Roscoe Watson. He has been shot 13 times, stabbed 7 times, and he was even hit by an undercover cop driving a Nissan Maxima. This cat will never be killed. He is too gangster even for most so called "thugs" today. People in federal prison will not even bring up his name. Roscoe Watson is a man among men. He is what the TV show Gangland is too scared to do a show about. He is one bad motha f****
Yo, what happened over at the south side projects last night? Roscoe Watson is what happened. Oh, that explains everything.
by Fuzzy Cuzzy August 17, 2010
buy the domain for your cat vlog


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Justin Bieber Responds to Attempted Robbery Report
Justin Bieber has responded to the report that he tried to steal a woman's cell phone after she was about to take a photo of him.
Here is his statement via his Twitter account: "It is hard to defend myself and my privacy every moment of the day. Then to see rumors. The truth will set u free. My mom raised me to be kind to others. I get judged, harassed, and I try to take the high road. Sometimes it isn't easy. But we keep trying. I will continue to be the man my mother raised. I love people and I will try to be kind even when things are not fair. Don't believe rumors. Thanks for those who stick by me and those that help me grow everyday. I love you. Off to have fun and smile with friends. I'm human. I feel. I hurt. But I got thick skin too. I can handle it. I love you."
The LAPD announced that they were investigating the attempted robbery after the woman filed a complaint.
WHAT DO YOU THINK of Justin Bieber's statement?


text: Tonight, hosting a small, small as in two couple dinner, I realized my wino voice has been stifled by this faux desire to be PC and poetic. The reality is I'm not such a good writer anyway, especially when I'm forcing it. No, if I want to be true to myself I need to be me.


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New 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Short Box 4-Wheel Drive High Country
Selling Price $66,070
See Important Disclosures Here
10-Speed Automatic, 4WD, Jet Black/Umber Leather. Pearl 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country 4WD 10-Speed Automatic EcoTec3 6.2L V8 All American Chevrolet of Midland is focused on providing customers with a honest and simpler buying and service experience. We give customers straightforward information so that they can make confident decisions. We also pride ourselves on taking care of customers, paying you top dollar for your trade, and our huge selection and volume of vehicles. We have the largest parts and service department in the central Texas area and encourage you to come visit us to experience our facilities and team members.


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I'm sure you have all heard of, and even used, those pore strips that you apply to your nose and peel off your blackheads. They now not only come in strips for your nose, but for various other parts of your face as well. Most people I know, myself included, have experienced pretty major skin irritation after using these so I have found some way better options to clear your blackheads and exfoliate your skin.
The strips that you buy generally come with an adhesive that sticks to your skin which is usually alcohol and chemical based and therefore not good for your skin – it's basically the equivalent of spraying hairspray on your skin. The adhesive tears off the first few layers of your skin while taking away the blackheads. This usually leaves the skin open and prone to irritation and infection. The irritation usually happens to all skin and can be especially bad for people with acne or rosacea prone skin.
I have heard of people making their own pore strips using glue and other strange ingredients – this is not a good idea for your skin either!
To prevent blackheads all together it is important to exfoliate regularly using a gentle yet effective product such as the ZENMED AHA/BHA Complex. This helps to remove the dead skin and oil buildup and therefore reduces pore size and blackheads.
If your skin is still quite oily or prone to blackheads, or if you are addicted to peeling things off of your skin and don't want to give it up – I have an alternative for you. Separate some eggs and put the whites only in a bowl. If pepper does not bother you – add a small dash to the mixture for extra antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Whisk them up and spread onto your skin. You can apply it anywhere you have larger pores. Saturate a paper towel with the egg mixture as well then place that in strips over top of where you put the egg. Relax for about half an hour and very, very gently peel it off. Be sure to wash your face after to remove all the egg. If your skin is extremely sensitive or rosacea prone you will probably want to rinse off all of the egg instead of doing any peeling. You can follow with a moisturizer if your skin is dry. The egg works naturally as a gentle firming agent and will add some proteins back into your skin.
Switching to the egg white mask is a much safer, and cheaper, option for your skin and will give it an extra firming glow without any irritation.


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Sales Designer
Are you a retail sales professional at the top of your game?
Do you have a consultative sales style suited to discerning, sophisticated customers?
Do you have an interest in working in a design led, bespoke environment?
This may be the opportunity you've been looking for...
My client is a rapidly expanding furniture retailer offering a high quality range of products, all of which are made to order in the UK.
Due to their continued success they are undertaking an exciting period of expansion and have an opportunity for a sales designer to join their busy team.
They are seeking an individual with an interest in design to join their highly successful sales team.
They are looking for applicants who have;
The successful applicant will enjoy a great working environment, exceptional rewards, a well-structured long term career.
Please note that the nature of this role involves weekend working.
If you would like to be considered, please submit your CV.
© 2018 JobsTrackR


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The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is the largest operator of traditional grocery stores in the United States and the second largest food retailer in the United States after Wal-Mart.[1] Kroger operates over 2,400 supermarkets and also manufactures and sells food under 24 of its own brands. [2] Kroger's diversified operations also include jewelry stores, convenience stores, gas stations, drug stores, and financial services.
Over the last few decades, the supermarket industry has undergone a transformation in the United States. Twenty years ago, 90% of food shopping was conducted in traditional grocery stores. Today, just 50% of food shopping is done at traditional grocery stores. As a large retail grocer, Kroger faces competition from similar chains, local stores, and niche stores, such as Whole Foods Market (WFMI) and Safeway (SWY). Wal-Mart (WMT), however, represents the most significant long term threat to the firm's continued growth. Wal-Mart (WMT) sells a wide variety of goods ranging from apparel to groceries. Because of its scale, the retailer is often able to offer below-market prices to its customers. In order to compete, Kroger has focused on making its stores a one-stop solution for customers' daily needs.[3] As of the end of 2010, Kroger had 864 convenience stores and 374 fine jewelry stores in addition to its 2,468 supermarkets, 893 of which also had fuel centers. [4]
Kroger, founded in 1883, is the largest traditional supermarket operator in the United States. Kroger operates stores in 44 major markets across 31 states, and has the largest or second largest market share in 39 of those markets.[5] Unlike other supermarket companies, like SuperValu (SVU), who rely predominantly on acquisitions to grow revenue, Kroger focuses on growing revenue through increasing identical store sales.
In fiscal 2009 Kroger posted $76.7 billion in revenue, a 0.7% increase over 2008 (by comparison, in fiscal 2008 sales increased 8.2% over the previous year) . Net earnings totaled million for 2009, compared to net earnings totaling $1.2 billion in each of 2008 and 2007; the net earnings for 2009 include non-recurring asset impairment charges totaling $1.05 billion, after-tax, related to a division in southern.[6]
Kroger attributed the declines in large part to falling retail fuel prices. The average retail price for a gallon of fuel sold at Kroger fuel stations was 24% lower in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. In the first three quarters of 2009, comparable supermarket sales were 0.4% (versus 8.1% in the first three quarters of 2008); this figure was 1.7% (versus 5.9%) when fuel sales are excluded. In addition, supermarket sales were pressured in the third quarter of 2009 by decreased consumer spending, persistent deflation in food prices (especially in produce, meat, and dairy), and heightened competitive activity. [7] In December 2009, a food price index posted a 0.3% increase in its price basket-- the largest monthly increase in more than a year -- in a sign that deflation is easing in the U.S. If that trend holds, it may be good news for Kroger and the supermarket industry as a whole. The price index is still down 2.4% from a year earlier.[8]
Kroger posted total sales of $24.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, a 8.7% compared to the first quarter of FY2009. Excluding fuel sales, total sales would have increased 3.1%. Earnings on the other hand fell to $373.7 million from $435.1 million first quarter last fiscal year, a 14.1% drop.[9] The decrease in earnings was mainly attributed to an increase of operations, operating, general and administrative costs (excluding retail fuel operations), which increase 13 basis points from same period last year as a direct result of higher health care and pension costs. However, these uprising costs were offset by same-stores sales leverage which benefited from Kroger's active cost cutting throughout the economic downturn.
Kroger continues to target four key areas - people, product, prices and experience. This has led to a decrease of 168 basis points in FIFO gross margin to 22.66% of sales, but strong cash flow overall has still enabled Kroger to invest $79.5 million in share repurchases, a sign of confidence from management.[10]
Kroger posted $261.6 million net profit for the second reporting quarter ending August 14, 2010 from $254.4 million same quarter last year, a 2.83% increase.[11] Kroger attributes this increase by focusing on keeping current customers rather than cutting prices to attract new ones. As a result, the number of "loyal households," which Kroger calculates using total purchase size and frequency, rose during the quarter.[12]
Same-store sales also rose 2.7%, though gross margins decreased 12 bps during the quarter, a testament to its philosophy of increasing volume rather than gross profit as its bottom line driver.[13] Sales, including fuel, also increased 6% to $18.8 billion, which beat analyst estimates of $18.7 billion.[14]
Kroger posted earnings of $202.2 million, or $0.32 EPS, for the third reporting quarter, which reversed the $874.9 million loss seen same quarter FY2009.[15] Kroger attributes to the negative earnings experienced same quarter last year mainly to one-time charges. Sales for the period rose 5.9% to $18.7 billion, beating analyst consensus estimates of $18.5 billion.
As weak employment and higher gas prices continue to affect consumer confidence, Kroger's margins continues to be pressured. Kroger therefore narrowed its full-year profit forecast to $1.65 to $1.78 EPS from its previous estimate of $1.60 to $1.80. Kroger's stock fell roughly 9% on the day of earnings release.[16]
Although Kroger does not break-down sales per unit, the company operates five types of stores: combo stores, multi-department stores, price-impact warehouse stores, convenience stores, and jewelry stores.vvvv
|Store Type
|Supermarkets and Multi-Department Stores
|Fuel Centers
|Convenience Stores
|Jewelry Stores
In order to increase its margins and compete against Wal-Mart's lower prices, Kroger continues to invest in its private labels. Kroger sells more than 14,000 private label products at its supermarkets and convenience stores.[23] The company sells its private label items in three quality tier: private selection, banner brand, and value brand. Kroger is generally considered to have one of the most successful private-label products in the industry. More than 26% of Kroger's sales come from these items, which typically have higher margins and fuel customer loyalty. Kroger applies a "make or buy analysis" to all of its food and retail items, in 2009 selling 39% of its retails units under its 24 brands. As of January 30, 2010, the Company operated 40 manufacturing plants. [24]
Wal-Mart is the greatest external force affecting any grocer. In markets that Wal-Mart has entered, grocery prices drop by an average of 10-15%.[25] Additionally, Wal-Mart is able to drop grocery prices 10-30% drastically during promotional periods because it can remain profitable on extremely low margins due to its volume of sales.[26] Although Kroger has introduced its price impact warehouse stores to compete with Wal-Mart (WMT) and other low cost competitors, its other stores may suffer from increased price competition.
Despite Wal-Mart's large size though, Kroger has been able to stick it out. While Wal-mart has a big piece of its sales coming from general merchandise, Kroger has oriented itself by treading around Wal-Mart and offering products that balances its own mix so it will not go into direct competition with Wal-Mart. By doing so, Kroger has allowed Wal-Mart to continue its foreign markets for expansion and Kroger has focused on developing its domestic markets.[27]
In 2003, Kroger formed a joint venture with London-based data management and analytic company Dunnhumby to create Dunnhumby USA. With Dunnhumby's technology, Kroger can analyze a tremendous amount of information about its customers.[28] Kroger is utilizing that knowledge to design its stores to match the needs of local markets. For instance, some of Kroger's supermarkets now have office supply stores built inside them. Kroger also used Dunnhumby's data to build Kroger Personal Finance, which offers home equity loans and mortgages at some Kroger locations. Analysts partly credit dunnhumby for boosting Kroger's sales per square foot, which have risen 20% since 2003.[29]
Among traditional supermarket chains, Kroger has been able to use its own size to offer lower prices. In fact, despite the fierce competition, Kroger has increased its market share in most of its markets. In 2007, Kroger's market share increased by .65% in its 44 major markets.[5]
In 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, US consumers spent a total of $1.1 trillion on food, 51.1% of it on groceries. [30] As a retail grocer, Kroger faces its stiffest competition several sources:
Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) Wal-Mart is the largest food retailer in the US with more than 3,550 stores and supercenters[31], with groceries accounting for 51% of Wal-Mart's $258.2 billion in 2009 US sales,. [32] Wal-Mart is able to provide low prices through its distribution network and economies of scale. Generally, Wal-Mart charges about 8% less than Kroger for the same products. Kroger stores cater to a similar broad public as Wal-Mart. Consumers turn to discount stores such as Wal-Mart when their disposable income falls.
Safeway (SWY) Safeway is the third largest food retailer and largest operator of traditional supermarkets in the US, with 1743 stores nationwide.[33]
SuperValu (SVU) SuperValu is the third largest food retailer and second largest operator of tradition supermarkets in the US, with 2,200 stores nationwide.[34]
|Company (Fiscal Year)
|Comp Sales Growth
|Square Footage Growth
|Revenue per Square Footage (Millions USD)
|New Store Additions
|Average Store Size (Square Feet)
|Gross Margin (%)
|Operating Margin (%)
|Net Profit Margin (%)
|Capital Expenditure/Sales (%)
|Whole Foods Market (WFMI) (FY2010)[35]
|Safeway (SWY) (FY2009)[36]
|Kroger Company (KR) (FY2009)[37]
|SuperValu (SVU) (FY2009) [38]


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General Comments: Futures closed mixed on reduced production estimates from Brazil and ideas that more production cuts are coming in the US due to the greening disease. Traders are wrestling with more reports of losses from greening disease on the one side and beneficial rains that have hit the state. The growing conditions in Florida are improved with the recent rains, but drier weather is back. Greening disease and what it might mean to production prospects continues to be a primary support item and will be for several years. Irrigation is widespread, even with recent rains. Temperatures are warm in the state. The Valencia harvest is continuing. Brazil is seeing near to above normal temperatures and dry weather, but some showers are possible late this week.
Overnight News: Florida weather forecasts call for mostly dry conditions. Temperatures will average near to below normal this week and near normal this weekend. Citrus BR estimated orange production in Brazil at 268.4 million boxes, down 30.4% from last year.
Chart Trends: Trends in FCOJ are up with objectives of 161.00 and 178.00 July. Support is at 145.00, 142.00, and 140.00 July, with resistance at 150.00, 153.00, and 160.00 July.
General Comments: Futures closed lower and made new lows for the move on reports of big production in April from Brazil. Traders remain bearish on supplies, especially from Brazil, and this has hurt New York prices. They got some big production and processing estimates for April on Monday. Traders are keeping an eye on developments in Brazil and expect big production as the harvest moves forward as the weather is good. Demand is said to be strong from North Africa and the Middle East as buyers get stocks in hand for Ramadan in July. Chart patterns are mixed, but weak, for the short term. UNICA said that Brazil crushed 41 million tons of Sugarcane and produced 1.69 million tons of Sugar. Both amounts are almost triple those of a year ago.
Overnight News: Mostly dry conditions are expected in Brazil. Temperatures should average near to above normal.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are down with objectives of 1670, 1610, and 1600 July. Support is at 1680, 1650, and 1620 July, and resistance is at 1720, 1740, and 1755 July. Trends in London are down with no objectives. Support is at 476.00, 473.00, and 470.00 August, and resistance is at 487.00, 491.00, and 496.00 August.
General Comments: Futures closed higher in recovery trading after the big down moves last week. It was another quiet news day, although there were wire reports of some water damage problems for some certified stocks for LIFFE in Antwerp. The flow of Cocoa from western Africa is down for seasonal considerations, and traders wonder about the quality and size of the mid-crop after some hot and dry weather during the growing season. Reports indicate that bean sizes are small due to the heat and dry weather seen earlier in the year. The weather now is good, with more moderate temperatures and some rains. Ideas are that production in West Africa could be less next crop year as well despite the improved weather as farmers have not liked offered prices. The mid-crop harvest is underway, and less than expected production along with smaller beans is reported. Malaysia and Indonesia crops appear to be in good condition and weather is called favorable.
Overnight News: Scattered showers are expected in West Africa. Temperatures will average near to above normal. Malaysia and Indonesia should see episodes of isolated showers. Temperatures should average near normal. Brazil will get mostly dry conditions and warm temperatures. ICE certified stocks are higher today at 4.920 million bags.
Chart Trends: Trends in New York are mixed. Support is at 2320, 2300, and 2285 July, with resistance at 2370, 2390, and 2400 July. Trends in London are mixed to down with objectives of 1500 and 1465 July. Support is at 1515, 1490, and 1480 July, with resistance at 1565, 1580, and 1590 July.


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I've been actively researching my family since 1990 and my main brick wall is my grandfather! Family legend says he lied about his age to join the service. I tend to think he lied about his name, too!
After 20 years, all I really know about him is:
- He was married to my grandmother in 1914 in Washington DC.
- He was the father of three sons.
- My grandmother divorced him in 1948.
- He died the same year and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Think it would be easy to find things on him, huh?
- I did find his enlistment record on the internet, however, his records were among the MIA in St. Louis, so nothing there.
- My grandparents had a big society wedding, but the newspaper article about it had no mention of any of his family. Even the out-of-town guests in attendance were not from his side of the family.
- His obituary information was furnished by my Uncle who knew all I know today.
In an act of desperation, I e-mailed my brother and asked him if he would take an DNA test for me, and I would pay for it. He, being the extraordinary brother he is, told me he'd be glad to. . . and I got the results this week!!
What did they say? They said we do not match any Sherman who has results posted on the internet! We are not even close!
What it did say to me was I think I was right all along ~ He must have lied about his name!
If this guy looks like anybody in your family, let me know! Maybe we can compare DNA!!