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Drownings lead to plea for extreme caution on NH riversBy DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent
and BILL SMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader July 07. 2013 6:11PM
Swimmers wander across the upper rapids at Livermore Falls Saturday. The New Hampshire Marine Patrol issued a warning Sunday, asking people to use extreme caution on rivers made dangerous by recent heavy rain. (DAN SEUFERT PHOTO)
Three people drowned in New Hampshire over the long holiday weekend, prompting warnings about the need for increased attention to water safety at a time when rainfall close to twice the norm has swollen the state's rivers.
Two of the people who lost their lives this weekend were New Hampshire residents who perished after being caught in strong currents on the Merrimack River.
The third drowning victim was a Massachusetts resident who died while swimming in Country Pond in Newton.
Sunday, state Fish and Game dive team members recovered the body of a 20-year-old Penacook resident who was swept up by the fast-moving Merrimack current while swimming in Boscawen.
Daron Graham, 20, had been missing since Saturday afternoon.
Officials said Graham was among a group of swimmers seeking relief from the oppressive summer heat when he got into trouble. Several swimmers tried to come to his aid, but were unable to reach Graham due to the fast-moving river current.
Another Concord man, Gary Lacroix, 59, drowned in the river Friday after falling in as he bent over to pick up something. Lacroix was also caught up in the strong river current, rescuers said.
On Sunday, an 18-year-old resident of Boston's Mattapan section died in a Massachusetts hospital after being pulled from Country Pond in Newton, near the town beach.
Newton town lifeguards and other swimmers performed CPR on Sheldon Jean-Laurent. He was airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he died late Saturday night.
Initial reports were that the Newton drowning victim was from Manchester.
"We're all overheated and we all want to go in the rivers and cool off, but this is a bad time to do that," said Franklin Fire Chief Kevin LaChapelle, who is also deputy chief of the Three Rivers Swift Water Extraction Technician (WET) team.
"You could be standing knee-deep in a river and the currents could change and you could be swept away," LaChapelle said.
The New Hampshire Marine Patrol issued a warning Sunday asking people to exercise extreme caution on rivers. Anyone paddling a kayak or canoe should wear a life jacket or other personal flotation device; life jackets also should be worn when tubing, according to the Marine Patrol.
People seeking water recreation should go to lake beaches and the Seacoast, New Hampshire emergency responders said.
Rainfall during the first weeks of the summer vacation season has been dramatically higher than normal, according to meteorologist John Cannon of the National Weather Service.
The normal rainfall for June at Concord is 3.69 inches, but the total this year was 6.78 inches, or 91 percent more rain than normal. July has also started off with heavier rain, with more than twice the normal rainfall in the month's first week; 1.46 inches have fallen, the norm is two-thirds of an inch.
"We're looking at areas of heavy rain to set up during the week, so above-normal flows will continue," Cannon said.
A Concord woman was rescued from the Winnipesaukee River on Saturday after she got in trouble tubing along the river, authorities said. On Thursday afternoon, five people were involved in a tube-rafting incident at Livermore Falls on the Pemigewasset River and had to be rescued.
The falls are extremely dangerous now, and recreation seekers should not go near the area, said Campton-Thornton Deputy Chief Ian Halm.
"Livermore Falls is always dangerous, but particularly so lately," Halm said. "It's not a place where even expert kayakers are safe."
At least seven people have died in water accidents at Livermore Falls in the past decade. The falls are part of three towns — Campton, Plymouth and Holderness.
In Lebanon, crews continued to work on repairing flash flood damage caused by the severe rain event that hit the city last Monday and Tuesday. Damage is expected to exceed $2 million.


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Linden, CA
Marvin Zolezzi
Feb. 10, 1934 - Jan. 13, 2013
Marvin Zolezzi passed away on the morning of January 13. Marvin is survived by his wife Deedie Zolezzi (Lagorio) of 57 years, and his children Michael (Cary), Victor (Jairrie), Marilyn (Brian Gideon), and Carolyn (Mike Garliepp). He was an amazing Nonno to his ten grandchildren; Samantha, Madeline, Annie, Emilia, Grace, Marie, Lawrence, Olivia, Marvin, and
Lucia. He had an unending love for his family and always made everyone laugh with his wonderful sense of humor. One of his many joys was traveling all over the world, on road trips around the country and exploring Europe.
Marvin lived in Linden all of his life. He has been married to his one true love Deedie for 57 years. He graduated from Linden High School in 1951 then enlisted in the military and served during the
Korean War in Korea and Hawaii, where he was a military policeman and Army chef. He returned home to Linden to marry the love of his life Deedie, and continued his lifelong career as a farmer along with his brother Richard Zolezzi. He was a dedicated fisherman and hunter who never got buck fever. As a farmer and hunter, Marvin lived his life by his shears, shovel, and shotgun. Marvin is infinitely loved and will forever be missed.
Visitation at DeYoung Memorial on Wednesday the 16th from 11-5:00 p.m. and Thursday the 17th from 11-2:00 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, January 18th at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Linden, with the committal immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of San Joaquin at 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton CA 95204.

subset: commoncrawl


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By DAVID GREEN
Veterans of Heifer International study tours were all asked the same question: Why Poland?
Some had traveled to China to visit with farmers benefitting from Heifer's assistance with cattle and rabbit production.
Others visited coastal regions of India to observe innovative livestock projects in post-tsunami areas.
They've witnessed milk production and fish farming projects in Tanzania, sustainable agriculture efforts among women's groups in Kenya and urban agriculture start-ups in Peru.
So why, with exotic locales such as these, are travelers heading to Poland?
John Winzeler of rural Fayette admits that the farming region of northeast Poland might be considered an odd vacation destination by most people, but that was part of the draw for everyone participating on the study tour in May. It's a part of the world they had never seen.
"And it's absolutely beautiful," John said following his return last month.
But as far as agriculture is concerned, the area can prove challenging.
Most land isn't considered the best for growing crops. Glacial till has left a lot of rocks in the soil. A short growing season makes the area suitable for rye, oats and potatoes—none of the corn and beans that are familiar in this part of the world.
Poland is challenged by the high standards for milk production set by the European Union. Although it's an excellent territory for sheep, the country can't compete with New Zealand in the wool market.
The agricultural hardships have led to a variety of projects through Heifer International. More than three dozen are on-going this year. Like China where John visited in the past, the Polish government is eager to cooperate with development efforts.
The recent study group landed in Warsaw and headed north to rehabilitation centers and orphanages.
The rehab centers house ex-convicts, homeless people and recovering addicts. Many of the orphanage children are known as "social orphans," taken to the homes by their parents who can't afford to raise them.
In both locations, Heifer is helping to establish agricultural projects to improve nutrition and and teach people practical job skills. Projects involve pigs, chickens and fish ponds. Organic farming efforts help fill a growing demand in Europe.
In farming communities to the east, a variety of needs were addressed, from establishing meat sheep breeds in the Podkarpacie region to buying pregnant Polish Red heifers—an almost extinct native breed —for families near Lipsk.
In the Heifer International tradition, the offspring of the animals are passed on to another family so the original gift keeps on giving.
In Dolhobrody along the Belarus border, farmers can't afford equipment to work their small plots of land, so Heifer is providing draft horses.
"They seem to have a fondness for horses," John said. "They have a bond with their animals that we don't see much anymore."
What he saw was reminiscent of what he's read about American life from decades ago.
"It's like turning the clock back one hundred years," John said. "I think they're very good at what they do, but they won't get wealthy because they don't own enough land."
Heifer International's goal is to make sure people can continue to make an adequate living while staying home on the farm.
Study tours provide a variety of benefits. They allow Heifer International to get first-hand reports on the success of its investments. Entertaining foreign guests leads to a source of pride for the people receiving livestock as they show off their farm.
"Every family wants you to come to their house," John said. "The receptions we received were amazing, and these are not wealthy people."
John enjoys the mix of fellow travelers on study tours. With varied backgrounds and an interesting mix of professional work, it becomes a case of "the more minds the better." Everyone looks over a project and sometimes someone will come up with an idea for a better way of doing things.
Heifer International has a reputation for not sticking with something that doesn't work, John said. Programs will be altered, if needed, for the best success.
"I'd like to go back in two years and see how things have changed," John said.
With Heifer International's help, things continue to change in locations all around the world.


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Quote from Equips the Winter Garden on the Balcony for Amazing Balcony Look :
Once you decide to equip the winter garden on the balcony design, you have to prepare balcony water heating to keep it warm. Make sure that the heat is distributed evenly. It is better if you are able to set water heating in low cost and low radiation because radiation could be serious danger for planting. If balcony usually is applied in open area, then you could apply glass balcony because of the winter. Make balcony in double or triple layer so sunlight doesn't penetrate directly since not all plants have good adaption in direct sunlight. Choose balcony frame with ability to hold ultraviolet so it will not pass the glass.
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Review Group Week #292 - Criminal: TLOTI #4
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
by Garofani Spruzzo » Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:24 pm
Too bad it's not my week, he'd have already tried to kick me out for not picking.
by Comic_Doctor » Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:25 pmI won't be reviewing Criminal this week. I've heard great things about the series, but I've yet to read an issue, plus I have a ton of other reviews to get done
by fieldy snuts » Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:28 pmWas there a clear connection to any of the previous Criminal stories? I remember reading that there was a Hyde cameo in this.
by Punchy » Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:32 pm
Teeg Lawless was in this issue and I think #1 as well.
by Eli Katz » Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:57 pmBrubaker and Phillips' Last of the Innocent has the ignominious distinction of being the Criminal arc with the strongest start and easily the weakest resolution. The basic story centers on Riley, a somewhat psychopathic guy who regrets marrying a vapid, rich bitch and passing over his high-school sweetheart. When he learns of his wife's affair, he decides to murder her for her money and cover up his crime by making it look as though she were the victim of a serial killer. To provide himself an alibi, he encourages his troubled friend Freakout to fall off the wagon and indulge in a night of heavy drinking. Riley commits the murder after Freakout has passed out.
This issue, the fourth and final one of the arc, provides a few new twists and turns as Riley tries to maintain the appearance of innocence. But none of these twists is very compelling. Riley's biggest challenge is trying to convince his authoritarian father-in-law that he had nothing to do with the murder. The father-in-law's suspicions are so profound, however, that the old man hires a thuggish private investigator to uncover dirt on Riley. This PI subplot is weak and, frankly, feels tacked on. At no point does it appear that Riley is in real danger of being found out as the true murderer. Perhaps the problem is that the father's suspicions are raised at the very end of the third chapter and can only be explored quickly in the final chapter. Bru has simply focused too little attention on this part of the story to give it sufficient weight and importance. He has, it seems, padded the story rather than developed it further.
The plot has another major weakness. At the end of this issue, we learn that Freakout knows that Riley's behind the killing. How he knows is somewhat convoluted. And the details aren't particularly important. But he explains that he knew the identities of the real serial killers. Apparently, during a drug binge years ago, he had stumbled past the window of two lovers who planned to kill an inconvenient husband. They knew that if they killed the husband outright that they would attract suspicion unto themselves. Therefore, they decided to conduct a string of unrelated killings to obscure their real motive. I have seen this plot device used one too many times, in various ways, in all kinds of crime stories -- including an early episode of Ironside. It's an overused plot point, one that Bru should have avoided unless he'd planned to use it in some clever, innovative way.
I could go on and mention other problems I have with the story. But the bottom line is that this final chapter of Criminal is cluttered and rambling and, worse, it lacks all suspense. It's a boring book, without any emotional impact.
Phillips' art is excellent, as always. But it is not enough to save this book. I'm deeply disappointed by the way Bru has neglected Criminal over the last few years, putting out rather mediocre arcs in between his Incognito projects. I would say that I'm about ready to quit Criminal. But with the announcement of the 12-issue Fatale series starting in January 2012, it looks as though Bru has already quit this book. Perhaps that is a good thing.
by DeadFett » Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:38 amStory
This current arc of Criminal started out with a bang but fizzled out with a whimper. This last issue felt like a rushed epilogue to the rest of the series. For me, it felt like watching a movie and at trhe end everything is wrapped up with a few paragraphs of text before the credits.I expected more to happen with the private investigator. I thought he would be a much bigger thorn in Riley's side. Instead we get a quick exchange between the two and that's it. I did like the inclusion of Teeg Lawless here to tie in with the other Criminal arcs. The other thing that threw me here was the happy ending Riley receives. He's rich, gets away with murder and has the woman he always wanted. Not quite the ending I expected given how previous arcs have ended. After all, Riley was responsible for three murders here including his wife and best friend. Having said all that, it's still Criminal and it's better than a lot of books out there.
The art here was great as always. Philips is a perfect fit for Criminal. I loved how the flashbacks were drawn in a totally different style that, to me, reflected the innocence of youth.
Story - 5
Art - 9
Overall - 7
by Punchy » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:26 amNext week's book as chosen by Rockman is Batman #1
by Daringd » Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:43 pmBatman #1..can't wait!
by Stephen Day » Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:51 pm
That's another issue that I borrow from my friend. I'll be reviewing it when I get it from him.
by Stephen Day » Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:12 pmI wasn't expecting to see Riley get away with his crime. Not that it's inherently a bad thing to have that sort of ending in crime fiction. Having said that, I personally find that the main character has to be one of two types for that ending to work. The first type is a criminal so likeable that the reader doesn't mind seeing him get away with his crime. The second is a criminal so smart that the reader can't help but sit back, look at his plans and say, "you know, you put things together so well that you probably deserve to get away with it." Riley clearly isn't in the first group. When it comes to the question, "does he fall into the second group?" the problematic answer for me is yes and no.
With that answer lies the reason why The Last of the Innocent fell apart with issue #4. On the surface, Riley's planning and actions should put him in that second group. The thing is the way Brubaker wrote him he doesn't come across as somebody who could come up with those plans, but instead he comes across as a guy more lucky than intelligent. The writing was strong enough over the course of the first three issues that this was largely hidden. Unfortunately, this disconnect between Riley and his actions became all too obvious this issue. The result is a disappointing and unsettling ending that leaves a bit of a bad taste in the mouth.
Sadly, I have to give this a 4 out of 10.
by Eli Katz » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:08 pmThis is the first time I have been truly disappointed with a Criminal issue. Looks as though all of us are disappointed for various reasons. Interesting. And sad.
by guitarsmashley » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:41 pm
But you get more Scott Snyder Batman next week....so good thing.
by Stephen Day » Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:51 pm
Agreed, I was shocked at how things just fell apart when it came to my enjoyment of this storyarc with this issue.
by Garofani Spruzzo » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:00 pm
I'm trying to read them all but can't find where I stashed #2. Some things in #4 still just don't add up--like how the richest guy in town with, apparently, no connections of his own compared to his gambling loser of a son-in-law, and his P.I. Britt Black along with Teddy's own lawyers can't make anything out of Teddy supposedly being beaten and raped before "confessing" and hanging himself. Or that Teeg Lawless has any motivation whatsoever to arrange such a risky and incredible jail cell hit.
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December 07. 2012 11:04PM
Bedford shows it belongs, but question marks linger
By JIM FENNELL
New Hampshire Union Leader
Sam Gauthier of Central works the ball around Nicole Tucci, of Bedford at Manchester Central High School on Friday. (Thomas Roy/Union Leader)
MANCHESTER - There was a lot Bedford coach Sue Thomas and Central of Manchester coach Mike Wenners didn't know about their respective teams before Friday night's season opener. There are plenty of questions still to be answered after the Bulldogs made their Division I debut with a 55-41 win over the Little Green.
There were positives for each team to build on, for sure. Bedford showed it had the talent to move up from Division II and be competitive; Central displayed a gritty spirit that will give opposing teams fits.
There was also plenty to work on. The Bulldogs shot 34 percent from the field (19-for-56); the Little Green turned the ball over 28 times.
Such is the life when the freshmen on your team equal or outnumber the seniors.
That's what both teams are facing - Bedford has two seniors and three freshmen, while Central dressed two seniors and two freshmen - so Thomas and Wenners recognized the faults in their team, but were happy to look at the gains their young squads made even as the game went on.
Central committed 15 turnovers in the first quarter, but only six in the second half and Wenners was pleased with the effort his players gave. Thomas didn't like how her team was getting lost on defense and there tweaks needed to the team's press, but she was also happy with the adjustments they made in the second half, holding Central to six points in the third quarter.
"This was a good first game for us. Central never quits," Thomas said. "We need to play a lot stronger, a lot cleaner. We played pretty sloppy."
Central has to live without stalwart senior Katherine Johnson until at least January while she comes back from knee surgery, so the fact that the Little Green kept fighting left Wenners feeling good about his team.
"The kids played hard," Wenners said. "If we keep working like that and we get Katherine Johnson back, we'll be OK."
The Bulldogs' defensive pressure gave them plenty of opportunities to build a big lead in the first half, but they shot 9-for-34 in the half and had to be content with a 24-19 lead at the intermission.
Junior center McKenzie Brown, an athletic 6-foot-1, showed she could be a matchup problem for many teams in the division, scoring 10 of her 17 points in the first quarter. The Bulldogs also displayed some impressive depth as Thomas shuttled players in out to force tempo. Nine different players scored, including freshmen Brianna Purcell (6), Nicole Tucci (8) and Courtney O'Connell (4).
Central senior forward Megan Cleary, the only player on the team with any real experience, showed she is capable of providing the Little Green with consistent offense while Johnson is out, scoring a game-high 18 points. Sophomores Angelina Marazzi (9) and Mary Soares (2) and freshman Devin LaCroix (4) were solid in their debuts.
Thomas and Wenners will find out a little more about their teams Tuesday when Central goes across town to play Trinity and Bedford travels to face perennial division power Londonderry.


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posted by Thom Holwerda on Mon 19th Feb 2007 16:49 UTC, submitted by elsewhere
"Is open source still a grassroots social movement made up of idealistic underdogs trying to revolutionize an amoral industry? Or has it become a cloak used by IT vendors large and small to disguise ruthless and self-serving behavior? Some observers argue it's the latter. Despite occasional protests from old-timers - the heated backlash against the Microsoft-Novell détente, for example - open source has become so co-opted by mainstream IT, so transformed by 'accidental open sourcers' simply looking for a better business model, that it's lost its cherished moral edge."


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TBS and TNT unveiled their new programming slates Wednesday in New York City, showcasing new series from Michael Bay, the Rock, Dick Wolf and CeeLo Green, as well as new late-night talent Pete Holmes.
At TNT, new offerings include "The Last Ship," an action series from executive producer Bay about the crew of a naval destroyer set in the aftermath a global pandemic, set to premiere in 2014. "Lost Angels," a 1940s film noir from "The Walking Dead" creator Frank Darabont, will debut later this year. First to the airwaves is "The Hero," a reality competition series hosted by Dwayne Johnson, also known as the Rock, which launches June 6. From "Law & Order" Svengali Dick Wolf, "Cold Justice" puts an unscripted spin on the procedural. It debuts Sept. 3.
At sister network TBS, new offerings include "Deal With It," a hidden-camera competition show from Howie Mandel, premiering July 16. "Ground Floor," a workplace comedy from "Cougar Town" executive producer Bill Lawrence, is set to air sometime next year. On June 12, popular "Conan" writer Deon Cole will branch out with his own show, "Deon Cole's Black Box." "The CeeLo Life," launching in 2014, is a reality series about the flamboyant musician and "The Voice" coach.
Despite (literal) acrobatics from Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, the highlight of the presentation was a set by Conan O'Brien, who was there to plug not only his own show but that of protégé Holmes, whose late-night program is set to debut in November.
"I'm as [unhappy] about being here as you are," he joked before the over-capacity crowd at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Though he introduced Holmes as "one of the most likable performers I've ever met in my life," the young comedian described himself in less flattering terms as a "lesbian Val Kilmer."
A 'Scandal' theme -- and Joss Whedon -- at ABC's upfront presentation
2013 TV Upfronts: Jimmy Kimmel takes shots at the networks
'How I Met Your Mother' finally reveals the mother [Spoiler Alert]
PHOTOS: TV shows and their spinoffs
Overrated/Underrated 2014
PHOTOS: 101 best-written TV shows of all time


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Today, women-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment of new businesses in our economy.
In fact, an analysis by American Express suggests that the number of women-owned businesses has risen by 200,000 over 2013 alone, which is equivalent to just under 550 new women-owned firms created each day. Regardless of how you slice the data, we know that this trend is growing and that women are over-indexing in entrepreneurship.
As Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), I travel all around the country meeting with small business owners and entrepreneurs. I see how their businesses are transforming their industries and rebuilding their communities following the economic downturn.
These are businesses like UEC Electronics in South Carolina. Rebecca Ufkes, an engineer and the company's president, is laser focused on growing her successful electronics manufacturing business. She is supplying products to major manufacturers, such as Boeing, Cummins Engine Co, as well as the U.S. Marines and Air Force. And she is creating good American manufacturing jobs in the process.
UEC employs 194 workers, an increase of 49 percent since August 2011. And Rebecca is part of a growing American supply chain of innovative small businesses that is driving large multinational manufacturers to bring more production back to the U.S.
However, today, many women-owned entrepreneurs face what we call the "missing middle."
For example, take my home state of Maine. According to the most recent census data, men owned 54 percent of businesses in Maine and women owned 26 percent of businesses in the state (the remaining were co-owned). However, when you look at the receipts of these businesses, women-owned businesses lagged behind, capturing only 7 percent of receipts, compared to 78 percent of receipts earned by men-owned firms. There is a similar trend occurring in states across the country.
Clearly, women-owned firms are growing greater in numbers, but challenges persist in scaling their operations and garnering market share.
At the SBA, we have the proven tools needed to bridge that missing middle. And to ensure that all entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow their businesses, reach new markets and realize their full potential.
Access to Capital
According to the Urban Institute, SBA loans are 3 to 5 times more likely to go to women and minority owned businesses than conventional loans. And since President Obama took office, SBA has supported more than $12 billion in lending through more than 35,000 SBA loans to women-owned businesses.
At the SBA, one of our priorities is making sure that more qualified women-owned, veteran-owned and minority-owned small businesses have access to government and commercial supply chain opportunities. That's why we put into place the Women's Contracting Rule, which means that for the first time federal agencies can set aside contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses in over 300 industries where women are underrepresented. Congress gave SBA this authority in 2000, but it was never implemented. Under President Obama's leadership, we have made it a priority—and have gotten it done. And recently we expanded the limits to ensure that women-owned businesses are eligible for larger government contracts.
Our Office of Women's Business Ownership oversees a national network of 106 Women's Business Centers (WBCs) that support women who want to start or grow their business. We're connecting with more women every day and, in FY 2012 alone, we counseled and trained more than 136,000 women entrepreneurs.
This month, as part of Women's History Month, we're excited to announce another new counseling resource called "Encore Entrepreneurship for Women: An Introduction to Starting Your Own Business." It is designed specifically for female "encore entrepreneurs," who are over the age of 50 and ready to start a business as the next chapter of their careers.
We are committed to helping women entrepreneurs because we know how much potential they have to contribute to America's economic growth. To learn more about how SBA can help your business, visit www.sba.gov. See article at http://www.sba.gov/community/blogs/official-sba-news-and-views/open-business/women%E2%80%99s-history-month-bright-future-women-


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Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
Today's Top SOA Links
From the Wires
JetBlue Waives Change Fee and Offers Travel Credit For Mid-Winter Break to Assist Customers Affected by Hurricane Sandy
- Customers traveling on Feb. 14 through Feb. 25, 2013 to/from New York Metro Airports may rebook flights or receive travel bank credit for no fee -
By: PR Newswire
Nov. 29, 2012 09:43 AM
NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU) will waive the change fee to allow customers booked for travel to or from New York Metropolitan Airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Newburgh, White Plains) on Thursday, Feb. 14 through February 25, 2013, to voluntarily rebook their flights (customers will be responsible for the difference in airfare, if any). Due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy and its effects on the Northeast, many schools were forced to close unexpectedly. As a result, many schools will need to change or cancel Mid-winter break, affecting travel plans in February 2013.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/NY76997LOGO )
Customers can rebook travel without a change fee or cancel travel and receive travel bank credit by calling 800-JETBLUE (800-538-2583) by December 31, 2012. Original travel must have been booked on or before Wednesday, November 28, 2012 and all changes/cancellations must be completed by December 31, 2012.
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About Us
At Molecular Devices, we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of biological systems.
Our innovative analytical solutions for cell and protein biology enable our customers to see more, do more, and know more, and to answer life's most important questions.
We are one of the world's leading providers of high-performance bioanalytical measurement solutions for life science research, pharmaceutical and biotherapeutic development. With over 130,000 placements in laboratories around the world, our instruments have catalyzed brilliant scientific research described in over 25,000 peer reviewed publications. Included within a broad product portfolio are platforms for high-throughput screening, genomic and cellular analysis, colony selection and microplate detection. These leading-edge products empower scientists to improve productivity and effectiveness, ultimately accelerating research and the discovery of new therapeutics.
Our headquarters are in Silicon Valley, the hub of technology and innovation, with offices around the globe employing close to 1,000 highly skilled and passionate associates.
ISO Certified
We have implemented and successfully maintained a Quality Management System focusing all its processes across the entire value delivery chain on customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
Our Quality Management System is compliant to the requirements of ISO9001:2008 International Standard that enhances our ability to design, develop, manufacture, deliver, maintain and support our products according to the highest quality standards continually and consistently.
At Molecular Devices, our commitment is reflected in our Quality Policy:
Customer Focused, Quality Driven: We are committed to keeping our promises and to continually improve our products, services, and processes so that we consistently meet or exceed our customers expectations.
RoHS Certified
At Molecular Devices, LLC, our products are RoHS compliant and meet material restriction requirements adopted under European RoHS, Directive 2011/65/EU. This legislation restricts the use of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Poly-Brominated Bi-Phenyls (PBB), and Poly-Brominated Di-Phenyl Ethers (PBDE) in products that are put on the market in EU member countries.
China RoHS Certified
Please click here to see the China RoHS Compliance of Molecular Devices Products
WEEE Certified
Under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and implementing regulations, when customers buy new electrical and electronic equipment from Molecular Devices they are entitled to:
- send old equipment for recycling on a one-for-one, like-for-like basis (this varies depending on the country)
- send the new equipment back for recycling when this ultimately becomes waste
Instructions to both customers and recyclers/treatment facilities wishing to obtain disassembly information are found on the WEEE Information page.
Our Patents
At Molecular Devices, we provide one of the widest ranges of bioanalytical systems for life science and drug discovery research available from a single supplier. Our systems are built on proprietary technology platforms that deliver high performance, flexibility, and reliability. Some of our key patented technologies can be viewed here. For more information about any of these technologies, please contact us directly.
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text:
Today is the 10th anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. It really doesn't seem that long ago. The radio has been full of it all week, and the TV today.
I have nothing but happy memories of the two weeks of the Games, and the two weeks of the Paralympics afterwards.
Earlier in the year when the hoopla was gearing up I thought the best to do would be to escape from Sydney. My husband, bless him, knew better and went into the draw for tickets. And what tickets they were! The last day of the swimming finals, the football final, some athletics, some volleyball, and some diving.
The working population of Sydney was encouraged to take holidays if possible to reduce the demand on the public transport system, so I opted to 'work from home'. I think I actually did some work, too. Mostly I was watching, or listening, to the Olympic Games. I remember sitting in the computer room with my laptop dialled in to the office with the TV on in the next room.
An added benefit of holding the Games on the east coast of Australia was that we could watch them on TV in real time without having to stay up all night, and I did more Olympic TV watching than I ever have before. Or since.
The atmosphere in Sydney for the few days leading up to the Opening Ceremony and the weeks of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games was amazing. Everyone was happy and friendly and proud. The place was full of tourists and we were happy for them to be here and proud of our city. It is difficult to describe the vibe. The many people who decided to get out of Sydney missed out on something very special.
We attended the Opening Ceremony Rehearsal the night before the Opening Ceremony itself. It was absolutely incredible! We were so proud to be Australian that night! We'd all been a bit appalled by the blow-up kangaroos on bikes at the Closing Ceremony of the Atlanta Games and we were almost holding our breath to see what they would come up with.
It was spectacular, from the moment the stock horses came thundering into the stadium.
The Aboriginal welcome ceremony was moving and very real.
There was floating sea creatures, lawnmowers and garden sheds, tap-dancers with Blundstone boots, and we loved every minute of it. The whole night was exactly the same as the actual Opening Ceremony except that there were school children marching around and assembling in the centre instead of athletes, and the cauldron wasn't lit. The kids were so happy, and we cheered them all on.
We got 4 tickets to a Volleyball game because my brother-in-law used to play representative volleyball at school. My mother won 2 tickets to the same game, so we were able to give my sister our 4 tickets for 2 of the children to go, and my husband and I used Mum's 2 tickets.
The diving, which is one of the few sports I'd always liked to watch on TV, is better watched on TV. We were seated down the other end from where the action was and could see very little.
We enjoyed the day we went to the Athletics so much that I had my first experience of eBay looking for more tickets. I got 2 tickets to one of the Finals sessions from someone in the United States, and they arrived by courier only that afternoon. We were a bit late but not too late. We were sitting very close to the front, surrounded by Americans.
This is the Women's 200m Final:
Here is the USA 100m relay team going around after winning the gold medal:
Earlier that day we went to the Football Final. We call it soccer in Australia, and I had never been to a soccer game, or watched one on TV, in my life. Cameroon was playing Spain, and most of the crowd, or certainly the Aussies in the crowd, were cheering for the 'Roonies'. When there was a 2-all draw after extra time we were treated to the spectacle of a penalty shootout. The Spanish looked very tense, and the Roonies were casually lying about on the grass. The Roonies won and it was very exciting!
I had never really understood the need to actually be at the game until that day. The noise and excitement of 120,000 cheering people is something I will never forget. I can even understand the attraction to soccer, although I would never admit this to my Rugby League Fan husband.
We'd also done the Swimming Finals that day. The 1500m Men's Final was won by Grant Hackett, but I was really hoping that Keiran Perkins would win again. At the end the teams came out and the Aussies
All I remember about the Closing Ceremony, which we watched on TV, was Peter Garrett and his SORRY T-shirt, and the Greek chorus in Athens.
And then life went back to normal. I went back to work in the office. The trains went back to their normal schedule.
The Paralympics were famous for the enormous school groups that sang the Australian National Anthem at gold medal ceremonies. I went twice and had a wonderful time. My company gave us a night in the corporate box for the athletics, and we saw Louise Sauvage win a gold medal. At least I remember it that way.
Except for finals you could drop in and out of any event, and I did. I can't even remember the names of some of the sports now. The most exciting is definitely the wheelchair basketball – those guys are maniacs!
I have a lot of great memories of the Games. I've kept all the guides from the newspaper, and the DVD of the Opening Ceremony. I've got an album of photos, tickets and other paraphernalia, and I'm sure I still have a couple of T-shirts. I also have a dark orange Sydney Olympics DrizaBone that I have never worn since.
It was a great time in our history and I'm so glad I was here to see it. Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!
All photos taken by Carole Riley and Keith Bassett.


text:
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With over 30 years of innovative and groundbreaking performance in the US Airline Industry, B. Ben Baldanza has been recognized as one of the most influential business leaders of the last 20 years.
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The man who made some of the most startling undersea discoveries in recent years, Robert Ballard describes what it was like to locate the Titanic, among other sunken famous ships.
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Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 1700
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:26 pm
Post subject:
konajoe wrote:
The reason other factors aren't discussed is because this thread was supposed to be about which type of sail is better at planing through lulls and which is better for pumping on to a plane.
Cams make planing through lulls easier. Camless sails are easier to pump (and jibe and tack and waterstart and ride waves and do tricks etc.)
konajoe wrote:
Did anyone try testing the effect outhaul on pumping, as I suggested?
People are going to tune their outhauls for best planing performance.
Pumping is primarily skill-dependent, not equipment dependent. A better sailor can pump onto a plane with a sail 1 meter smaller than a lesser sailor.
If your biggest priorities are getting planing in the first place, and then not falling off of the plane in a lull, rig a big cammed sail and enjoy. But understand that except for serious racing (when racers are out on 8.0s while the nonracers are tearing it up on 5.5's) there's no aspect of sail control that doesn't work better without cams.
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Joined: 11 Sep 2007
Posts: 841
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:55 am
Post subject:
konajoe wrote:
The reason other factors aren't discussed is because this thread was supposed to be about which type of sail is better at planing through lulls and which is better for pumping on to a plane.
There's nothing in the title of this thread that makes one think that pumping would be the subject of the thread. Most sailors don't pump to a plane so an "active" thread would certainly not concentrate on that hackneyed topic.
konajoe wrote:
There was a recent reference to 'active' sails. Both cam and camless sails have active leaches. The camless sails are the only ones active in the luff. Fuller in gusts, and flatter in lulls. Exactly the opposite of what you want.
I'm still working on the translation of that Italian article, but they address "tension" in a sail's leach and a sailor's attempt to reduce "stress" in the use of a sail. Futhermore, let me add that most of the internet posting uses a rather liberal definition of leach. In fact many should be using roach when they use leach. The leach is just the edge of the sail while the roach is a part of the sail. The upper leach should be floppy when a modern sail is rigged. It certainly would be a stretch in the imagination to think that this is "active" or has a life of it's own in spite of the wind. However, that would be what I would expect from a bull slinging salesman. It reminds me of what the salesman that sold me the wooden kayak paddle said. >>If you like the natural feel of wood, it is the paddle for you.<<
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Joined: 28 Feb 2010
Posts: 496
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:00 am
Post subject:
The idea that a no-cam sail pumps better than a similar cam sail is ridiculous. The no cam sail is 'easier' to pump, but you don't get as much pressure on the fin. And when I say 'easier to pump', I mean easier to move through the air, just like it would be 'easier' to move a flexible paddle through the water. Flexible mountain bike suspensions, flexible paddles, and flexible rigs are energy sinks. (Lisa, in this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics. Homer Simpson)
I'm not trying to convince any of you great sailors out there to pump. But for you newbs, who are trying to decide what kind of sails to get, here are some of the advantages of being able to pump effectively.
When racing in marginal conditions (either seriously or casually), getting on a rail or on a plane is everything. If no one is on a rail or a plane, you're gaining or losing ground an inch at time. The first person to pump up will instantly start gaining yards.
Like a power boat, the amount of energy to get a board planing is much more than the amount required to keep it planing. So, a rig that pumps well can really be a big advantage. Lots of folks have been saying 'just rig a bigger sail'. When there's a half hour of daylight left, it's not really an option. The more rigid cammed sails will keep you out on the water longer because you can pump them onto a plane easier in those marginal conditions. The camless sails just deform.
I know you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But for you newbs who don't have any preconceived notions, pump your camless sail on land with a little outhaul and lots of outhaul, and feel the difference in resistence.
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Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 18651
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:42 am
Post subject:
Now that Konajoe is using his thread to try to persuade newbs that cams are inherently the right choice rather than an option, it's only fair to reiterate that there are MANY more criteria in this dilemma than early planing. We need a little balance here, as Puffin, I, and some others, are trying to maintain. If this were merely about a $110 fin, we wouldn't flog it (publicly) so hard, but with a $3,000 quiver, jibing progress, waterstarting, even a novice's assessment of and very continuation of the sport all at stake, the whole picture is important and exceeds the simple sum of its parts, especially this one part.
Just one more example: I deliberately rig a bigger RAF
I go out for that post-sunset session. I'd rather plan ahead than rely on cams to wring that last sesh out of the dying day.
Last edited by isobars on Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:03 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 30 Dec 2009
Posts: 2189
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:52 am
Post subject:
Konajoe. Paddle efficiency (kayaks) has been extensively studied for years, yet arguments still rage. Same with 'rowing' sails through the air.
In short, the less turbulence created by a paddle stroke in water, the more efficiently it will transfer the force to forward movement. Assuming blade size and shape and shaft length are accurately matched to speed and power applied, a degree of flex in the shaft (regardless of theoretical losses) produces, for most, the best efficiency.
I find pumping a rotational sail with lose or even floppy leach, to work in a similar matter. The 'spring' makes the sail feel less turbulent and more 'geared'pumping up onto the plane than the more rigid cammed sail.
Whatever the theory, it probably boils down to what a person is accustomed to, and can work effectively. For me, that's rotational!
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Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2154
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:16 pm
Post subject:
Hmmm, heat transfer and entropy notwithstanding, it's more efficient
for me to pump a no-cam onto a plane. Of course, now that I understand
about all this energy loss, I'm running out and buy (no, better yet design)
a totally rigid mast, I mean one with no deflection at all. I'm sure that'll
help my pumping efficiency (not to mention my sailing once planed).
konajoe wrote:
The idea that a no-cam sail pumps better than a similar cam sail is ridiculous. Flexible mountain bike suspensions, flexible paddles, and flexible rigs are energy sinks. (Lisa, in this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics. Homer Simpson)
The more rigid cammed sails will keep you out on the water longer because you can pump them onto a plane easier in those marginal conditions. The camless sails just deform.
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Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 18651
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:06 pm
Post subject:
cgoudie1 wrote:
I'm running out and buy (no, better yet design)
a totally rigid mast, I mean one with no deflection at all.
The closest sensation I've experienced to that was sailing a double-luff sail. Its luff sleeve extended WAY back into the sail, darn near to the COE IIRC. It didn't do anything else worth crap, but by God once on a plane nothing would stop it. It felt like I had accidentally hooked into a passing bus bumper and was along for the ride all the way to the next bus stop, regardless of what the wind did or what *I* wanted to do. I'm pretty confident that if I had fallen down and was being dragged by one heel, the dang thing would still be going in its straight line to this day, almost 20 years later (just THINK of all the swell rides and cutbacks and lips on RAFs Id'da missed by now!)
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Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 3940
Location: East Bay
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:20 pm
Post subject:
Well, them's AEROforce sails, white as they were, seemed to pull pretty hard for pretty long.
But being a GaastraRegionalRider, I don't think I ever got beat by one of those, or more, ever, in any slalom heats. I was using GaastraSpeed/RaceSlaloms.
Now, the new thing, since '04, is a resurgence of the wide sleeve 4 cam sails, but now in different colors. While fast sailors often use them, I find them no faster than a '97 no cam sail, when you factor in size, rider size, boards used, and sail types.
All this mathmatic theory is great for the armchair sailor, but sometimes, we gotta look at what is actually happenning in the water.
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Joined: 28 Feb 2010
Posts: 496
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:58 pm
Post subject:
OK guys. I'm sorry I didn't explicitly say that I agreed with the article when they say that the no cam sail is easier to rig and jibe. The article in question (remember that?) makes claims about early planing and light wind performance that I don't agree with. I wasn't trying to dissect or dispute every part of the article.
For every one of you out there who loves your jumps and jibes and freestyle, there's another who just wants to maximize their time on a plane, and just enjoy going on long straight runs. Article says they should go camless. I started this thread because I disagree.
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Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 9106
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:36 pm
Post subject:
Just curious konajoe, could enlighten us all by identifying all your different cambered sails, to include the number of cambers and battens on each one? As I pointed earlier, there are cambered sails designed for racing and freeride, and as a result, their performance attributes are very different. It would be good to know where you're really coming from.
As for the article you included as a link in your initial post, I didn't even bother to look at it. I think most of us were offering opinions based on our past experience.
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Last season, with an Ike Davis that was as woeful as he is now, the New York Mets were still eight games above .500 on June 8. Here it is, three weeks into May, and the Mets are already ten games below .500.
That 2012 team lost 88 games, how many will this year's version lose? Shockingly, this team, now in the third year of the Sandy Alderson era, is on pace to lose 101 games.
I used ESPN's Attendance Tracker and the team is bleeding not only money – but fans…
Average Attendance
2010 – 32,401
2011 – 30,108
2012 – 28,035
2013 – 25,895
The Mets are down an average of 6,905 fans per game since the 2010 season. That equates to over a half-million fans that are unwilling to buy tickets to see the current product on the field.
Remember how hot Subway Series tickets used to be?
In a recent article by Mark LaMonica of Newsday, he reported that the Mets are so bad and unwatchable, even Subway Series ticket sales, which at one time were sold-out in hours – are very available and selling for less than the exorbitant prices they used to go for.
The combined average price for the four-game Subway Series (May 27-30) this year is $133 as of Monday, according to TiqIQ.com, a ticket reseller that aggregates ticket prices across multiple secondary markets. That's down 13 percent from 2012, 19 percent from 2011 and 34 percent from 2010.
Don't think it's the on-field performance alone. This team suffers from a severe lack of star power, and I would hate to think how much worse things would be if not for a holdover by the name of Matt Harvey. He alone is hauling in over 5,000 more fans per game than when anyone else starts.
Think those fans who opted out of buying tickets are staying home and watching instead?
Think again…
According to this Daily News article, the SNY viewership numbers are even worse and almost double the percentage of decline in attendance from last season.
The Mets on SNY are averaging a household rating of 1.91, down 22% from the same point in 2012. Among men 25-54, the key demographic, the Mets are averaging a 1.05 rating, down 15% from 2012.
Things have gotten so bad that most games are now a two-man booth. It's no longer Gary, Keith and Ron and more like Gary, Keith or Ron.
Every minute of each telecast is a non-stop barrage of Cholula Hot Sauce and MetsBlog promos. Even the score bug has drop down ads every half inning.
It's not just the team on the field that is sinking (and stinking) – it's everything on down including ticket sales and worst of all, SNY viewership.
Everything is being sponsored by someone whether it's the game broadcast and even the posts on MetsBlog themselves. The Wilpons are trying to squeeze every penny they can and in anyway they can to stay above water. The SNY broadcast and editorial content on their blog network are both working in step with ownership on everything.
I think most Met fans are just sick of everything being done on the cheap – so they don't pay to watch the team play, and many more don't even bother to tune in and watch either. Except when Matt Harvey is pitching.
I don't know how much longer they can stay in this, ummm, whatever you want to call this mode… But I do know this… It's starting to feel a lot like 1978 around here.


text:
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- Product view
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text:
HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo made a move for the future when they announced on Wednesday they have signed young goalkeeper Erich Marscheider.
Houston goalkeeper coach Tim Hanley saw the 19-year-old former Colorado Rush youth player at a scouting combine in Florida. Considering the fact that Hanley's current goalkeepers, Tally Hall and Tyler Deric, are 26 and 23 years old, respectively, bringing in a younger option is a deal he and the club expects to pay dividends down the road.
"He has a good attitude; he works hard and has good size," Hanley said in a team statement. "Age is also a factor because there is a big upside to a kid who is only 19 years old. Erich is very polished technically, which shows that he has been coached before, and I do not have to do a whole lot to change how he plays. Most importantly, he has a good attitude, which is something I value highly in my goalkeepers."
The fact that Marscheider was even available for signing at such a young age presented a unique situation.
A late start in the recruiting process prompted him to bypass a college career, the traditional track American players take to MLS. Marscheider made the decision to turn pro and was ready to rely on his skills to create a chance for him.
"I'm excited to work under Tim and starting [my career] early I feel is going to help me become a better goalkeeper," Marscheider said Tuesday after training. "I can work on the physical side of things and try and get bigger and stronger now."
While the 6-foot-2 Marscheider was ready to get his career started, bypassing college meant he had to jump through a few hoops before he actually signed his contract.
The youngster started preseason camp with the Dynamo, yet was forced to take a break last week due to MLS protocol. Since Marscheider entered the league outside the MLS draft, Houston was forced to expose him to the waiver process.
With no teams biting, Marscheider was finally free to make things official in Houston.
And now the young goalkeeper will concentrate on learning from Hanley and his two elders, Hall and Deric. The laid back group has helped the teenager relax as he makes the leap from youth to professional soccer.
"The hardest thing is getting used to the pace. Everything's a bit quicker up here," Marscheider said. "Most of my learning is trying to stay relaxed and keep my hands and body loose. It's helped me take a quicker learning curve than I would've thought possible. I'm just really excited because I didn't think everything was going to happen this fast."
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Clarkson University Zero Emission Team Takes Third Place in Clean Snowmobile Challenge
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/snowmobile-ze- 2008.jpg]
The Clarkson Electric Knights Zero Emission Snowmobile Team finished in third place this past weekend at the Clean Snowmobile Challenge in Houghton, Mich.
The Clarkson University team used a lightweight 2008 Polaris 600RR snowmobile stripped down and rebuilt with a 37 kilowatt Solectria three-phase induction motor. The motor was driven by a 7.4 kilowatt hour lithium polymer battery pack assembled, with the team's own custom-engineered battery management system.
The events included longest range, subjective handling, objective handling, acceleration, engine noise, cold start, and an oral presentation of the design.
Members of the Clarkson Electric Knights Zero Emission Clean Snowmobile Team are Adam E. Eberhardt, a senior from Center Moriches, N.Y., majoring in computer engineering; Joe D. Cipollina, a senior from Binghamton, N.Y., majoring in mechanical engineering; Josh D. Gale, a junior from Goffstown, N.H., majoring in mechanical engineering; Dan I. Kirkpatrick, a December 2007 graduate from Glens Falls, N.Y., who majored in mechanical engineering; Brian C. Loggi, a sophomore from Hilton, N.Y., majoring in electrical engineering; Rob J. Franklin, a junior from Sherrill, N.Y., majoring in aeronautical engineering; Tim A. Swyka, a junior from Westtown, N.Y., majoring in electrical engineering; Peter J. Kudrewicz, a freshman from Little Falls, N.Y., majoring in aeronautical engineering; Leif R. Amber a freshman from Chelsea, Vt., majoring in electrical engineering; Melissa G. Butkiewicz, a freshman from Binghamton, N.Y., currently studying in the Clarkson School; and Tom L. Masse, a junior from Rutland, Vt., majoring in interdisciplinary engineering & management.
Team Advisers Bob Davis and Prof. Don Rasmussen and the team thank Babcock Power Inc., Polaris Industries, Camoplast Corporation, and Mark Hill and Neil Haney from the SUNY Canton Motorsports Program for their support.
Photo caption: Peter Kudrewicz, a freshman from Little Falls, N.Y., drives the Clarkson Zero Emissions Snowmobile in the acceleration event at the Clean Snowmobile Challenge in Houghton, Mich. The Clarkson Electric Knights Zero Emission Snowmobile Team finished in third place at the competition.


text:
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007 05:59 am
No debate about the message
Denzel Washington scores points in his latest drama
Untitled Document
Films like Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters are tricky to bring to the screen; in tackling serious subjects, they run the risk of collapsing under the weight of grand intentions. Although a degree of gravity is warranted in this film, the manner in which some characters' actions are presented is overly melodramatic and reverential, which is sure to irritate some moviegoers. Fortunately, the acting is grounded and humanistic, saving the film from its own sense of self-importance. This based-on-a-true-story saga focuses on the first African-American college debate team, which was put together by Melvin Tolson (Washington) in the 1930s at tiny Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. With a total enrollment of 360 students, this institution is hardly what you'd call a powerhouse in any arena of competition, but from a field of 45 would-be debaters Tolson chooses four standouts to be on his team, which will go on to make history. They are Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), a well-read rebel who doesn't know how to channel his anger; Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), an opinionated young woman who's not about to let others' sexist beliefs stand in her way; Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams), the team's sole veteran; and James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), who, at 14, is chomping at the bit to prove himself. Tolson puts the four through their paces, and they soon find themselves defeating teams from much larger schools, delivering the arguments their coach has prepared for them with an intensity that speaks of their desire to prove themselves and succeed. A love affair develops between Lowe and Booke, much to Farmer's dismay, and the team must overcome a variety of other obstacles, including violent incidents fueled by racism, and bouts of self-doubt, which result in moments of deep soul-searching. Although the big moments are at times a bit anti-climatic, it's the intimate scenes where the film's heart really beats. The moment in which Tolson quietly reads the invitation for his team to compete at Harvard, as well as a scene in which Farmer rushes home to find comfort in the arms of his demanding father (Forest Whitaker) after a humiliating defeat, are handled with a sense of deftness and sincerity that will bring tears to viewer's eyes. The film achieves great emotional power in these sequences, suggesting that Washington is far better at directing intimate moments such as these, as he did repeatedly in the far superior Antwone Fisher, than he is at handling a multifaceted narrative or scenes of grand, rousing emotion. There are far too many subplots in this film: In addition to the love affair that develops, Tolson is trying to unionize local sharecroppers and turmoil is brewing between the older and younger Farmers. Although I'm sure that Washington and his screenwriter, Robert Eisele, felt compelled to be true to all of the events the movie was based on, it would have been more focused and the pace much improved had one of these subplots been discarded. Still it's hard to be too critical of a movie that espouses the virtues of education. The message here is one of self-reliance, and Washington sees learning as not so much a steppingstone to financial success but the path to self-actualization through which a social conscience emerges that compels people to act for the greater good of their community. The Great Debaters delivers a powerful and timely argument.


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Now that the Iraqis are in charge, they intend to lose no time in bringing Saddam Hussein to trial. An Iraqi spokesman announced today that Saddam will be charged before an Iraqi judge within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Saddam's defense team has been busy, making various appeals for his release. Here is what astounded me: Saddam's team now consists of no fewer than 1,500 lawyers! Many are from Arab countries, but others are Americans and Europeans. Presumably Saddam no longer has access to the money he stole during the long years he ruled Iraq, so can we assume that 1,500 lawyers believe that representing Saddam Hussein constitutes "pro bono" work? Disgusting. It shows, too, the folly of treating someone like Saddam as a criminal defendant. There were, I think, two good options for dealing with him: 1) shoot him on sight, or immediately upon completion of interrogation, or 2) establish a committee of inquiry to take testimony from, and on behalf of, Saddam's victims. The committee would not hear from Saddam, but would issue a report itemizing his misdeeds for the historical record. Then he would be shot.
Unfortunately, the criminal prosecution model now seems to be established as the "proper" way to deal with a deposed tyrant. I hope they've got a big courtroom in Baghdad.
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"Arise and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time." Winston Churchill
"Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." Inscription on the Liberty Bell


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Okay, I've just quoted "The Princess Bride" there. But this is a very serious problem.
When I first started breastfeeding I was an idiot; I knew my son's latch was wrong, but I thought I should just bear with it and I would toughen up while he got better at it. This was very wrong, of course, and I wound up with large scabs on both of my nipples. It was terrible.
I had a C-section, so I was in the hospital for 4 days and had daily access to a lactation consultant and l&d nurses. They watched us nurse/latch and explained the things we were doing wrong. I corrected those things and after we got home my nipples eventually healed. A fresh start, thought I!
No, not really. A few days later I noticed my left nipple was feeling sore, and around 5 days ago I guess my son started going through his 3 week growth spurt and has been feeding constantly throughout the day - up to 9-10 hours straight some days.
Now my left nipple has a huge crack/hole in it and although my right nipple doesn't have any sores (yet) it feels incredibly bruised, like someone has been hitting it with a sledgehammer. I could cry when I think about him latching onto the left side and both nipples seem to start throbbing randomly throughout the day and all night, even when nothing is touching them.
I am making sure he grabs areola and am detaching him and trying again when he only gets nipple. I watch for hunger cues and always feed him before he starts crying. I always feed him on the less sore breast first. I make sure to flange his lips out. I use my hand to shape my breast into a C or a U, depending on the position.
I don't know what to do. I'm not prepared to give up, but I don't see this getting better the way things are. The only thing I can guess is wrong is that I have very large breasts and my baby has a small mouth with a recessed chin and just can't get enough in there - or keep enough in there - to keep from hurting them.
I am reaching the point where I am tempted to feed him breastmilk from a bottle until my nipples heal, but I am SO worried about nipple confusion. I don't want to make the problem worse and then get even more hurt a few days from now.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I REALLY need help.


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RED BLUFF, Calif. — February brought much-needed rain to California's parched farms and ranches, and March may do the same.
Rainfall for the month was actually above normal in some northern areas, prompting the grass to grow and relieving ranchers of some of the need for supplemental feeding.
"I heard this morning that some of the streams are beginning to run, so the need for hauling water is decreasing," said Kari Dodd, manager of the Tehama County Farm Bureau.
The latest series of storms that commenced in Northern California on Feb. 26 put a damper on the almond blossom, but many growers don't care.
"I've heard several almond growers say they'd sacrifice part of the crop if we could just get more rain," said Shannon Wooten, a beekeeper in Palo Cedro, Calif.
The high-pressure ridge that locked out virtually all precipitation for much of the winter weakened in the past month, allowing some storms in. As a result, Redding sopped up 7.28 inches for the month, above its average of 5.23 inches.
Snow had blanketed the northern Sierra Nevada range as the state Department of Water Resources was conducting the season's third snow survey on Feb. 27. The surveys are a key factor in determining how much state and federal water is sent to farms and other recipients.
Manual and electronic readings showed that the snowpack's statewide water content had improved to 24 percent of average for the state, but officials cautioned the water content is still far below what will be needed by farms and cities this summer.
On the bright side, an index of water content readings from eight weather stations in the northern Sierras shows that California has surpassed its benchmark drought years of 1923-24 and 1976-77, said Michelle Mead, a National Weather Service warning coordinator in Sacramento.
March is typically winter's "last hurrah," Mead said, and long-range models show there's a good chance that Northern California will at least get normal rainfall for the month, which measures to as much as 3 inches in the Sacramento Valley and as much as 10 inches of snow water content in the mountains.
However, the northern Sierras would need another 35.7 inches just to attain a normal season, Mead said.
"The chances of March making up all 35 inches would be a tough order," she said. "It would be three times their normal monthly average if that happened."
February rainfall
Here are the monthly and seasonal rainfall totals and comparisons to normal for selected California cities, according to the National Weather Service. Totals are as of Feb. 28:
Redding: Month to date 7.28 inches (normal 5.23 inches); season to date 11.2 inches (normal 25.05 inches)
Eureka: Month to date 6.02 inches (normal 5.43 inches); season to date 12.49 inches (normal 28.98 inches)
Sacramento: Month to date 3.28 inches (normal 3.35 inches); season to date 5.33 inches (normal 13.61 inches)
Modesto: Month to date 1.44 inches (normal 2.3 inches); season to date 3.43 inches (normal 9.27 inches)
Salinas: Month to date 1.9 inches (normal 2.41 inches); season to date 2.96 inches (normal 9.12 inches)
Fresno: Month to date 1.53 inches (normal 1.96 inches); season to date 2.83 inches (normal 7.81 inches)


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Sully Erna / GodsmackApril 05. 2013 12:23AM
Sully Erna, lead singer for the band Godsmack, hangs his hat in southern New Hampshire. The multi-talented musician can also play guitar and drums. The drums lured him into music in the first place; Sully started playing at the age of three. In 1995, when he decided to form a new band, Sully cast himself as front man and the band Godsmack emerged.
Boston radio station WAAF is credited with "discovering" the band, putting their single Keep Away from the debut CD All Wound Up into heavy rotation while the band played the Boston music scene with abandon. They returned to the studio to record the single Whatever, which became a hit with Boston audiences and soon, the rest of the world. In 1998, the band was signed to Republic/Universal Records. The following year they were invited to perform on the Ozzfest Tour.
A second album, Awake was released in 2000 and sold over two million copies in the first three months after its release. This album earned them a Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" for the song Vampires. In 2002, the single I Stand Alone was recorded for the Scorpion King soundtrack. Their third album, Faceless was released in 2003 followed by an all-acoustic album, The Other Side in 2004. A fourth studio album, titled "IV" was released in April 2006.
Sully was born Salvatore Paul Erna on February 7, 1968 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. His father was a professional trumpet player and would rehearse with his jazz band at home. Rumor has it that Sully would fall asleep in the empty guitar cases while watching them practice. He mastered the drums by age 11, finding it easier to play by ear rather than sheet music. He started listening to bands like Led Zepplin, Aerosmith and Rush, all bands whose influence can be heard in Godsmack's music.
Sully signed his first record deal with Sire/Reprise Records in 1993 when he was playing with a band called Strip Mind. The band fell apart in 1994 after struggling with some wild times.
Erna has helped the local music scene too. In April 2005, Sully participated in New Hampshire's Battle of the Bands Competition. The winner (a band called Zion who hails from Salem) had the opportunity to record a demo at Sully's California studio.
Other members of Godsmack include Tony Rombola (guitar), Shannon Larkin (drums) and bassist Robbie Merrill (bass), who also has a home in New Hampshire.
Sully released a memoir titled The Paths We Choose in February 2007. Also in 2007, he competed in the World Series of Poker main event. He placed 237th and took home $45,422. He also appeared on VH1's Celebrity Rock and Roll Tournament, coming in second to Scott Ian of Anthrax. In 2008, he performed several solo acoustic shows at various smaller venues, including the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and received rave reviews from critics. The band joined the Crue Fest 2 Tour in 2009.
The band released The Oracle on May 4, 2010. It's their fifth studio album and their first in four years. Several hits were released for download through iTunes. The full album became available on May 4, 2010 and shortly after its release, went straight to number one on iTunes.
Sully released his long-awaited solo album, Avalon, on September 14, 2010, following it up with a spring tour which saw local musician Lisa Guyer as a guest singer. He also sang the National Anthem at the New England Patriots/New York Jets playoff game on January 16, 2011 at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Bass player Robbie Merrill, who also has ties to the Granite State, appeared at the 2011 NAMM Show (the largest music trade shows in the world) at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 13, 2011.
Sully kicked off a solo tour at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on April 5, 2013.
In July 2014, Godsmack released the album artwork for their highly anticipated sixth full-length album titled 1000hp, due out September 1st. The title track was released in June 2014 and debuted at number one on Itunes.


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How is your recruiting going right now?
Ray McCallum:
It's been good so far. I'm having fun with it, you know. Just trying to enjoy it because you only go through it once in your life. I'm just trying to enjoy it.
Blue Devil Nation:
Do you have a time frame for when you'd like to decide by?
Ray McCallum:
No, I'm just trying to enjoy the rest of the summer and again the last time I'm playing AAU ball. Have fun…see where I end up at the end of the summer and which schools are still interested in me.
I'd really, what are some things that you'll find in the school that you ultimately decide upon?
I want to go somewhere where there's a good coach, a good team, a good history, a place where I can play, play my game, win, you know, academics. Everything really, you know.
Blue Devil Nation:
How important is immediate playing time for you?
Ray McCallum:
That's my main goal. I mean I've been playing since I was little and I've always wanted to do that. I've been starting since I was a freshman. I'm going to leave it up to that and try to go somewhere where [private] I can come in and start.
Blue Devil Nation:
What are your strengths and what are some things you'd like to improve upon?
Ray McCallum:
I think my strengths are running a team, finding an open guy, you know, and I think can really score. I think all of those things and my shot. My shot has gotten a lot better. I've been working on that. I've gotten a lot better, but I really don't think you can ever shoot it perfectly.
How do you feel you've performed in the recent point guard camp, the NBAPA camp, and during the spring in general?
I feel I played real well. I mean the NBA camp was good. It was a good experience playing with the top one hundred players in the country and then coming here.
Was this your first major sneaker camp?
Yeah, this was my first one. Then the Deron Williams was exciting, you know, getting to go against the top 20 pgs in the country.
Blue Devil Nation
:Well, let's talk about that. Who were some of the toughest guys you faced there?
Ray McCallum:
Let's see. Brandon Knight, Joe Jackson, Kyrie Irving, and Kendall Marshall…I mean everyone who was there was very talented. So, it was good and I felt like I learned a lot.
Who's been the most aggressive program recruiting you?
Well, pretty much everyone is showing me the same amount of love…right now.
You get the one phone call per…
Yeah, the one phone call per week, er, month. I get a lot more e-mails and stuff like that.
How do you think that having a father who's been a lifer in this business has differentiated from many other kids?
Ray McCallum:
I think I've got an advantage in the recruiting process. Going through what my dad's been through, you know, being at a big time program. Seeing all the big-time players come through and how all of their recruiting goes.
Blue Devil Nation;
As his son, you've also seen firsthand and dealt with the recruiting losses that he had. The sometimes devastating nature of a coach having put in a lot of work on trying to secure a player… for the player to only decide at the last minute for another program.
Ray McCallum:
Yeah, it can be, but you've got to always think that if you miss out on one great player, that there is another out there to go get.
Blue Devil Nation
What schools have you visited so far?
Ray McCallum:
I went to Midnight Madness at Kansas. I went to a game at Notre Dame. I went to an unofficial at Arizona. Michigan for an unofficial. I went to a game last year at UCLA.
What's your current height and weight?
6'1" and 179.
Who will you seek guidance from, whenever you do decide upon a college?
My parents really. They've taught me everything and I really rely on their advice.
Blue Devil Nation
Can you talk about the transition from Bloomington to Detroit Country Day?
Ray McCallum:
It's been great. It's an excellent school and a great mix with athletics. I've really improved as a ballplayer since I've moved there. I'm very fortunate to have wound up there.
What's it like at Detroit Country Day? I know they're a great academic school and they've produced many great players like Webber and Shane Battier.
First of all, they compete for state championships in all sports and, you know, the Sporting News ranked it like fifth in the country in best high school sports programs…and, academically, it's great and you have to wear a blazer.
Blue Devil Nation
You played with DaShonte Riley, Jordan Dumars, and Donnavan Kirk at Detroit Country Day. Have any of them encouraged you to go to college with them?
Ray McCallum:
They've all brought up their schools, but they're mostly joking about me joining them.
Blue Devil Nation
The year before you arrived I remember Donnavan was somewhat frustrated that your predecessor wasn't getting the big men the ball enough. As the point guard on that team, how did you try to placate all of those guys?
Ray McCallum:
Yeah, I averaged six assists. I tried to get everyone touches. I try to feed the bigs, you know. They told me the year before they didn't really have a point guard. So, they didn't get the ball. My main goal is to dominate this year.
How'd you guys do?
Oh, man, we went 24-2 and we lost terribly in the Elite 8.
Yeah, the two teams we lost to were Bloomington
I heard about that game and it must've been an emotional one for you.
Yeah, it was and Flint Power in the Elite 8.
Who'd they have?
Nobody. They had nobody we should've had a problem.
You know the year before, Kirk was saying he couldn't believe they lost to a team with no starter taller than 6'3" and DCD had five D-I athletes and four guys 6'8" or bigger.
Blue Devil Nation
:Speaking of Dumars, did it take any time for you to get used to seeing Joe Dumars consistently at your home games?
Ray McCallum:
No, I'm real close with Joe and their family. Me and Jordan are best friends and I'm always over at their house. He's at our practices.
But it's still an odd thing, compared to the average kid in America, to have the Pistons' GM observing your high school games.
Oh, no, it's definitely unique, but he's real cool and you wouldn't even know he was there. He's got a real laid back and cool office too.
How much will your role differ in the upcoming season?
Oh, it's going to be real different. We only have one big kid left. He's about 6'9"
Amir Williams?
Yeah, he's good and so we have me and a whole bunch of guards.
Which players do you try to model your game after?
Let's Chris Paul and D.J. Augustin actually.
From a size perspective, Augustine is a good player for you to emulate. I know you had an injury last year. Has that completely healed?
Oh, yeah, I'm all good.
Fairly or not, there was a perception that you were a Kansas lean for a little while. Is that accurate?
No, no, right now, everyone's equal.
Blue Devil Nation
Do you view yourself as a scoring point guard?
Ray McCallum:
You know, when I play with great players, I pass first, you know, score, when I need to score. When you're at camps like this…with such talented players, you've got to get everyone involved. However, when I'm with my high school team, I feel like I'm more of a scorer. I mean I think I'm a combination of both.
What style of play do you feel best suits you?
I honestly think I can play either up-tempo or the half-court game.
Now, you've moved around, but will distance be a factor at all?
No, not at all. I've been everywhere.
Blue Devil Nation
:Do you workout often?
Ray McCallum:
Oh, I workout everyday. I'm in the gym. I work on strength and conditioning.
At Detroit Country Day or at your dad's university?
Both, but Country Day has very good facilities for a high school.
How closely do you follow college basketball?
All the time. Whenever there's a game on, I'm watching it.
Blue Devil Nation
I'm sure you've vicariously felt the successes and the pains that your father has experienced on the recruiting front. How does it feel to be the one coveted? To be the prize.
Ray McCallum:
It's crazy. It came so fast, you know. This was my last one. I can't believe I'm in this situation and I'm very grateful for it.
Blue Devil Nation
Were you always highly recruited or did it change when your dad left Indiana?
Ray McCallum:
Well, yeah, but you're right it really picked up when my dad left Indiana because before the other programs thought I'd go there because of him.
Blue Devil Nation
Do you know Mason Plumlee fairly well?
Ray McCallum:
Oh, yeah, Mason… That's my boy. He's like one of my best friends.
Which Duke coaches have you communicated with?
Coach Collins. He-mails me quite often. Nate James will call me and tell me things.
Blue Devil Nation
What's your feeling about Duke, both as a program and as a university as well?
Ray McCallum:
They have so much great history. It's a great school and a great team. I mean they're always guaranteed to get into the NCAA Tournament. And Coach K…he's everything. In terms of the university, I mean it's Duke. It's amazing.
What's your opinion, from afar, of Coach Krzyzewski?
I mean he's a Hall of Fame coach, he's won three national titles, and just won a gold medal for the country. He's very likely going to have the most wins of all-time.
Blue Devil Nation
Does your father have a relationship with him?
Ray McCallum:
I don't think they're too close, but they definitely know each other.
What would you like the audience to know about you as a person?
I'd like them to think of me as a good person with a good character…likes to have fun, but is a good student. Just an overall good kid.
Blue Devil Nation
I think that'll come across in this interview. Thanks for answering all of my questions.
Ray McCallum:
Oh, no problem. Thank you for asking me them. [/private]