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Time and time again, there is a possibility of producing lenses which lie outside our standard lens range. In each individual case, our Technical Customer Service Centre checks whether the production of the required non-standard version is meaningful and possible from the production viewpoint. You can obtain an overview of possible specially produced lenses here.
It is sometimes advisable to increase the edge thickness of plus lenses for glazing rimless frames. If the optician expressly specifies that the order is for a Supra or rimless frame with screw connections, ZEISS will automatically produce a minimum edge thickness of 1.5 mm.
If an exactly specified thickness is required in the area where the drill hole is made,
the following information is required:
ZEISS can then use this information to produce the optimum lens for your requirements.
Principle of thickness determination as for OPTIMA
A marked difference between the dioptric powers of the right and left eyes may result in a major difference in lens thickness. For patients with pronounced anisometropia, it is possible to match the front curvature and/or the centre or edge thickness of the lens with the lower power to that with the higher power.
Tips for the optician:
If this is required, a comment to this effect should be made on the lens order. If, however, the thickness matching is to be exactly calculated, ZEISS requires the following data:
The same principle like calculating OPTIMA
For the correction of aniseikonia (different images between right and left eye), ZEISS produces special lenses with an increased curvature and centre thickness. In this way it is possible to achieve the required shape factor (effective magnification) and hence improved binocular vision.
Tip for the optician:
The comment "Iseikonic lenses" should be made on the lens order.
Single vision lenses without an aspheric front curve can be produced with non-standard curvatures. Lenses with a flatter or greater curvature are usually ordered for cosmetic or fashion reasons. Flatter curvatures can sometimes result in poorer visual quality.
Tips for the optician:
If the required front surface radius is specified in the lens order, we start by checking its technical feasibility.
The comment "extra flat" suffices if you wish to order exceptionally flat lenses. In every case, an aspheric or atoric lens is preferable to an "extra flat" design to ensure that optimum visual quality is provided.
Examples are diving goggles, iseikonic and biconvex / biconcave lenses
For diving goggles, ZEISS produces special glass plano-convex and plano-concave lenses which are cemented onto the inside of the diving goggles. The range of products available includes both single vision and bifocal lenses for diving goggles.
Tips for the optician:
Giving the patient's centration data and back vertex distance, the goggles should be sent to ZEISS Aalen, Germany for glazing.
For plus lenses, it is often advisable to order a diameter which deviates from the standard diameters given in the price list. In this way, a thinner lens can be produced than with the next highest standard diameter.
Remember: the smaller the diameter, the thinner a plus lens becomes. For single vision lenses, optimised diameters of as small as 38 mm are possible. The size of the optimised diameter is selected by the optician so that the lens is as large as required and as small as possible.
Special case for optimised diameter: OPTIMA
Special case for non-standard diameter: Decentred single vision lenses
Single vision lenses, with the exception of aspheric or atoric lenses, can be pre-decentred. This is advisable if the standard diameters available do not permit exact centration.
The required pre-decentration is calculated as follows and is specified in mm in the lens order:
Chemical toughening increases the resistance of glass lenses to breakage (exceptions: ZEISS Single Vision Sph Mineral 1.7, ZEISS Single Vision Sph Mineral 1.8 and ZEISS Single Vision Sph Mineral 1.9). An ion exchange process in the lens surface causes compressive strain which increases the resistance of the lens to breakage. Subsequent coating (AR coating) leads to a reduction in the breaking strength achieved in this process.
ZEISS limits this toughening process to edged lenses in order to rule out the possibility of a subsequent grinding process negatively influencing the breaking strength achieved by chemical hardening.
In some countries the use of thermally toughened glass is more common and it is recommended that safety spectacles are purchased as a complete appliance in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the device.
Frosted Lenses
To cover an eye which a patient does not want to be visible for cosmetic or other reasons, all lenses in the ZEISS product range can be frosted on their front surface.
Occluded Lenses
If an eye is to be excluded from vision for medical reasons, this can be achieved with an occluded lens. As the front surface is only roughened, the outline of the eye can still be seen from the outside - unlike frosted lenses.
In some countries, plastic executive or Franklin split lenses are often used to reduce accommodation in children. Executive or Franklin split lenses are special bifocals without image jump which provide a very wide zone for near vision. They are produced by cementing together two lens halves, one the distance portion and one the near portion.
Prismatic lenses are produced "true to prescription" by ZEISS. This means that, during wear, the user experiences exactly the prescribed power in the major reference point of the lens. Due to the different ray path present during measurement in the focimeter, a different value is measured than that ordered. To allow accurate checking with the focimeter, the measured value is printed on the lens packet.
Non-standard Additions
For additions over 6.00 D, magnifying bifocals are preferable to standard lenses.
Further information about: Low Vision Devices
Prismatic effects in the Distance and Near Portions
All bifocal and progressive lenses by ZEISS can be produced with prism by surface tilting. This results in the same prismatic effects for the distance and near portions.
If different prisms are required for distance and near, a prism segment can be cemented onto a Punktal base.
For presbyopic spectacle wearers whose eyes do not converge in near vision, individualised progressive lenses from ZEISS - ZEISS Progressive Individual 2 - can be ordered without an inset. The progressive lenses are then specially computed for this situation. The distance and near reference points then lie directly underneath each other in the vertical axis.
Note for the optician:
These individualised progressive lenses are ordered by specifying "Inset 0".


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As the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series rolls into Commerce, Ga., for this weekend's Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, the major question isn't whether John Force can continue his Funny Car streak or if Antron Brown will remain atop the Top Fuel dragster points battle.
The attention is focused on who will win the 100th national event title by a woman. Other sanctioning bodies work on diversity, but NHRA is on the threshold of a major milestone that started on June 13, 1976 in Columbus, Ohio when Shirley Muldowney won in Top Fuel.
"I think it's a terrific thing. A lot of ladies played a big part in getting to 100 wins and it's good for the sport," the three-time NHRA champion said. "Anything that shows women can be competitive with men and come out on top, it's a good thing. There are a lot of cars capable of getting that 100th win."
There will be seven females competing this weekend. Brittany Force is the lone woman in Top Fuel while sister Courtney and Alexis DeJoria are in Funny Car. Erica Enders-Stevens, who has eight of the last 13 wins by a female, is alone in Pro Stock while Angie Smith, Katie Sullivan and Elvira Karlsson are in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Throughout its 64-year history, 54 women have competed in the top NHRA classes and 14 have scored victories. Three-time motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey is the all-time wins leader with 41 with Muldowney second at 18 (the last one was in 1989). Of the current drivers, Enders-Stevens has eight, Courtney Force three and DeJoria two.
"There are more women racing in NHRA than any other form of motorsports," said DeJoria, who started in the sportsmen ranks. "Shirley Muldowney opened the door for all of us and proved that once you put that helmet on, and you're strapped into your car. Whether you're male or female, none of that matters. We're all equal out here."
Brittany Force is following in Muldowney's footsteps.
"Just to a part of the 100th win would be such a big deal," she said. "There's so many women my sisters (Ashley Force Hood and Courtney) and I looked up to and watch over the years in drag racing. To be a part of this and grouped in with them would be a really big moment in my career as a driver."
From 1998 through 2007, Sampey competed against Brown in the motorcycle class before he moved intp Top Fuel.
"I wanted them to look at me as being as much of a threat as an Antron Brown," said Sampey, who won three championships from 2000-2002. "I wanted that threat to be equal. I look at all these girls and I'm very proud of them. I'm very happy NHRA gives us an opportunity to do this.
"I'm a huge Erica Enders fan and I'm so proud of what she's doing. But I don't look at the girls and say, 'Oh wow, look at what they're doing,' because I expect it from them. I look at them as racers and I think each female that's out there probably feels the same way."
MX at Glen Helen
Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino once again will command the attention and respect of the AMA Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship when the series opens May 24.
The Glen Helen stop will be the first of 12 rounds this summer. Long a staple of the outdoor series, the last race in north San Bernardino was in 2009 following a dispute between track owner Bud Feldkamp and Davey Coombs, president of MX Sports Pro Racing. The series competed in Lake Elsinore before working out an agreement with Glen Helen last year.
"Glen Helen means motocross in Southern California and everyone involved with the series is thrilled to be returning again," Coombs said. "To lead off the series with a track as challenging and spectacular as Glen Helen means that we're going to know right away who's ready to compete for the championship. This has been an overdue return and we couldn't be happier to reinstate the tradition at Glen Helen with the world's most prestigious motocross championship."
Riders who continued to practice at Glen Helen during the hiatus will find it's not the same track. Jody Wisel once again has left his imprint on the circuit, perhaps the longest motocross course in the country.
"We wanted to celebrate the return of the nationals by providing a track design that showcases the things that make Glen Helen the most exciting motocross track in the world," Feldkamp said. "That means a blend of old and new that Jody has perfected with this design and (track builder) Karl Scanlon implemented stunningly.
"I think the riders are going to be pushed to their limits and I hope it results in some great racing."
Supercross champion Ryan Villopoto will not compete in the series. But the likes of Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed and James Stewart are expected to be in the 450 class for the one-day event.
Area racing
The third Nitto TIre NMCA West Street Car Nationals is set for Auto Club Raceway at Fairplex this weekend with competition in 11 classes, including the six-second, 240 mph turbo Pro Mod cars. … San Bernardino's Pirate Speedway will feature European-style "team racing" Friday. Competitors usually run solo but will have a partner in each first division race. Blocking not only is allowed, but encouraged. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with racing at 8. Support division, Minis and PeeWees also will be in action. … The PASSCAR Series returns to Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday with Street Stocks, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Factory Stocks and Dwarf Cars in action when the green flag drops at 6:30 p.m. … Irwindale Speedway will host the first of three "Nights of Destruction" on Saturday, along with skid plate racing. There will be the traditional destruction derby and trailer races. … Ventura Raceway is set for a full program Saturday with VRA Sprint Cars, Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, Mod Lites, Focus Midgets, Go Karts and three kids classes. Damion Gardner of Concord won his 50th USAC/CRA Sprint Car victory last week. He was followed by Nic Faas, Jake Swanson, Ryan Bernal, and Cory Kruseman.
firstname.lastname@example.com @LouBrewsterSpts on Twitter

subset: commoncrawl


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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of affray following a disturbance in Shirebook.
Officers were called to Market Place at about 8.15pm last night following reports that a group of men were arguing and fighting.
The two arrested men remain in custody and are being questioned.
No members of the public or police were injured.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


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Loan companies charge students for services available for free
BOSTON -- Polly Williams, a single mother who had recently lost her job, was desperate to lower the payments on her $23,000 in student loans. So last June, she called one of the many companies advertising debt relief online.
For a $250 fee, the University of One, now known as Student Consulting Group, offered to help. To come up with the money, Williams skipped an electric bill and lost power, forcing her to throw out $150 of food in her refrigerator, she said.
Williams could have avoided the fee because the government offers borrower assistance programs for free. Still, a growing student-loan debt-relief industry is profiting from consumers' confusion and desperation, charging as much as $1,600 to sign them up for these repayment plans, according to a report to be released Wednesday by the Boston-based National Consumer Law Center, a nonprofit advocacy and research group.
"It's disgusting, it really is," said Williams, 54, who earns $26,000 a year as an executive assistant for a Cleveland nonprofit helping the terminally ill. "I can only imagine how many other people they are taking advantage of."
Such companies are proliferating because borrowers are buckling under the weight of student loans, which now total $1 trillion, exceeding all other consumer debt aside from mortgages. Former students are also struggling to navigate the government's often complicated assistance programs. Student loans are among the most onerous forms of debt because they can rarely be canceled through bankruptcy.
After the housing bubble burst, similar outfits targeted consumers facing foreclosure and those behind on their credit cards, leading state and federal regulators to crack down on abuses.
Student-loan debt relief companies say they are comparable to organizations that help taxpayers file their returns -- something customers could also do for free.
"Student loans are one of the biggest debts in America," Scott Klein, vice president and managing partner of Student Consulting Group, said in a phone interview. "We saw the opportunity to get involved in this process and try to help every single person out that we can."
Student Consulting Group, based in Tampa, Fla., typically charges a fee equal to 1 percent of the defaulted loan amount, with prices varying depending on the work required to get a borrower back on track, Klein said. The maximum cost is $1,500, he said. Its website discloses that the government offers free help, company officials said.
The Better Business Bureau of West Florida last July revoked Student Consulting Group's accreditation. The bureau listed 37 complaints in the past three years, noting a pattern of allegations that the company received payment for services it didn't provide, according to a report from the organization.
Williams, who filed a Better Business Bureau complaint, said the company charged her but didn't come up with a better payment plan.
On her own, Williams got in touch with a debt-collection company working for the Education Department, she said. Williams spent 10 minutes filling out forms to sign up for a new plan, which reduced her monthly outlays to $8 from $136, she said.
Student Consulting Group disputes her account, saying her lower payments resulted directly from its efforts.
"She hired us to do a negotiation on a loan," Klein said. "We did a negotiation."
The Better Business Bureau complaints represent a small fraction of Student Consulting Group's business of about 10,000 customers, Klein said. The company told the bureau that customers can experience service delays when they don't disclose full details of their financial condition.
The government has an array of free borrower-assistance programs. Former students can temporarily stop payments or make smaller ones because of hardships, such as an illness or job loss. Borrowers can sign up for plans that tie payments to their incomes and the size of their families. In some cases, over time, the loans can be forgiven. Former students can consolidate multiple loans into a single debt with one payment.
Consumers often find it difficult to sign up for the government programs because they are "unnecessarily complex," and the government confronts them with "an impenetrable bureaucracy," according to the National Consumer Law Center's report.
Companies take advantage of those shortcomings and mischaracterize government programs as their own, said Deanne Loonin, a law-center attorney and author of the report, which calls for stepped-up federal and state regulatory enforcement.
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has heard from borrowers who say that companies are marketing special plans that can save thousands of dollars in loan payments, said Rohit Chopra, the agency's student-loan ombudsman.
"It is not a special deal," Chopra said in a phone interview. "It's often a program they are entitled to by law."
The law center report cites the website of a company called Student Loan Relief, based in Dallas, which says it has "developed programs that will assist nearly every one of the 40 million Americans that currently carry student loan debt."
Finding help from the government "can be a daunting task for those of us without Ph.D.'s in Law," according to the website. Only "in the rare instance" can a borrower "locate a program and comply with requirements to participate."
Student Loan Relief's programs are unique because they are packages of government programs, said Jason Spencer, its chief executive officer.
"There's help out there for everyone, but no one knows about it," Spencer said in a phone interview.
The company charges no more than $46 for its services, and nothing upfront, and plans to become a nonprofit, Spencer said. He makes $2,000 a month for leading the company, he said.
The Education Department "does not have any authority over those private entities" and in the last year introduced studentaid.gov, "a comprehensive site with many tools and resources available to borrowers at no cost," Daren Briscoe, an agency spokesman, said in an email.
In September, the department said student-loan defaults had reached the highest level in 14 years. About 5.7 million borrowers were in default on $77.4 billion worth of student loans last year.
Private debt collectors working for the Education Department have the power to seize paychecks, tax refunds and social security payments. Williams, the Cleveland borrower who supports a 17-year-old son, turned to a debt-relief company because she faced the prospect of wage garnishment on her defaulted loans, she said.
Debt collectors, paid on commission, have faced complaints that they insist on high payments even when borrowers' incomes make them are eligible for leniency, Bloomberg News reported in March 2012. The Education Department in March changed the companies' commission structure to encourage them to offer income-based repayment.
To investigate student debt-relief companies, the National Consumer Law Center called 10 of them in March posing as a borrower with $30,000 in student loans. It reviewed their websites and 10 others as well as contracts and online complaints.
The law center, which provides free information for former students, has represented low-income consumers in lawsuits against financial companies. It receives funding from consumer lawyers, foundations and government agencies.
Representatives of the various companies told the law center that upfront fees to put consumers into a repayment plan could be as much as $1,600. In some cases, they said they charged $20 to $50 a month -- a practice the center called "suspect" because income-based plans require only the filing of annual paperwork about eligibility. The report didn't name the companies it called.
Broadsword Student Advantage, based in Frisco, Texas, charges an initial fee of $499 and then an additional $49 a month, company officials said.
The monthly charge covers more than student-loan services, Robert Boyd, a vice president at Broadsword Advantage, the debt firm's holding company, said in a phone interview. The fee pays for financial-planning through a related investment- advisory company, such as help with purchases of cars and homes and managing budgets, he said.
The National Consumer Law Center found that websites often provided inaccurate information about government programs. They also made what the center said were "suspect" claims such as "guaranteed results" within four to six weeks and posted what it said were undocumented satisfaction-rate claims as high as 97.5 percent.
"Many borrowers trying to get ahead through education end up with nothing but mountains of debt," Loonin wrote in the center's report. "Their problems only get worse when unscrupulous businesses take advantage of them."


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Kurtis GregoryFree Agent
Offensive Guard
Ht: | Wt: 305
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
|Panthers | 10 UDFAs signed
Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:09:36 -0700
The Carolina Panthers have signed undrafted free-agent OG Noah Franklin (Oklahoma State), OG Kurtis Gregory (Missouri), P Blake Haudan (Minnesota), OG Ray Hisatake (Hawaii), FB Reshawn Jackson (Virginia), SS Matt O'Hanlon (Nebraska), OT Mark Ortmann (Michigan), PK Aaron Pettrey (Ohio State), RB Daniel Porter (Louisiana Tech) and LB Sean Ware (New Hampshire), reports Panthers.com. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
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|NFL | Gregory met with several teams at combine
Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:14:41 -0700
Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports University of Missouri OG Kurtis Gregory said he talked with the St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders at the NFL Scouting Combine. He said his agent spoke with the New England Patriots.
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|NFL | Four from Missouri invited to NFL Combine
Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:49:31 -0800
NFLCombine.net reports University of Missouri WR Danario Alexander, OG Kurtis Gregory, WR Jared Perry and LB Sean Weatherspoon have been invited to participate in the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine Feb. 24 to March 2.
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Back dent & age lines. Sides are nice with a smattering of tics. Belly has a wee chip to paint and line around belly weight. Not often available. Glass eyes. VG+ (Cat. #18748)
A late color. Many age lines on sides and belly. Corrosion on hardware. Painted eyes. VG (Cat. #18740)
A very tough color. A tic by left eye and near tail hook. Light mars by right eye. Usual belly lines. Painted eyes. VG+ (Cat. #18739)
A few tics on left & scant age lines. Belly has more and the belly weight paint has been reattached. Painted eyes on this model. VG (Cat. #18736)
Several belly lines & a few minor ones on the sides. 1 wee rub to primer on right side. Glass eyes. VG+ (Cat. #18732)
Never cleaned. Many age lines, some back and belly pointers plus two front edge chips. Glass eyes. VG (Cat. #18715)


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I just talked to a troubled lady this morning and she revealed to me that her long-time husband had died recently. Then she added that he had cancer, and was given a 6 month prognosis 10 years ago. She said she was so blessed because god had given her all those extra years. She also said that the he really suffered for the second half of those years.
????????????????? ??
Just wanted to vent and see how often you encounter crazy shit like this.
Views: 773
I hear this stuff often myself. I react diplomatically and as polite as I can, even though I don't agree with their views or beliefs. I mostly listen and if I know the person I might ask them some critical thinking questions to get them thinking about things. Often people don't like to be questioned or confronted in their beliefs.
I was meeting this woman for the first time, so, of course, I smiled and nodded and let her finish talking. I have to deal with death so often because of my occupation, and after 17 years of practice, I am a regular Meryl Streep when it comes to acting. I kind of hate to say it, but I can be a real phony-baloney. I really have to pull it out when people ask me if I think animals go to heaven.
I can't believe grown people would ask you that. Do they think in veterinary school you learn some special knowledge about where pets go when they die?
No. They just want to hear my opinion when they are unsure. In some cases, they have been seeking my opinion for years. I am the problem solver. Why not look to me for the solution to that "problem" as well?
When I hear things like this I'm certain there must be something fundamentally wrong with her brain.
Welp, that's what brain washing is all about. I guess brains shrink after you wash them and pull them out of the dryer.
I also hear this alot. People in pain tend to pull the blanket they have woven for themselves tighter at times like this. They need something , so they continue more strongly with the only the thing they know. While there are times that are appropriate to speak up, this, in my mind, is not it. I just try to respond with what a fellow human needs at the time. No matter what my intellect is saying. Because I belive that the communication on an emotional level is where we truly connect. The support of a touch, a hug, listening, holding hands speak much more than any of the words coming out of my mouth. And that I can do without feeling like a hypocrite.
Thanks god for making my greatest fear a reality? Looking at is as a gift from a god takes the credit from where it belongs, to science and her husband's doctors.
I've heard survivors say it is a blessing because it changed their outlook on life for the better. I guess if you look at a "blessing" as a perspective game changer, then it makes sense. It makes them appreciate their life more. Lacking an afterlife, atheists often already have that appreciation.
Annet, as always, good points.
Although it sounds simplistic for an adult, when we're faced with long term illness leading to death of our most beloved person, especially for a decade, we have to comprehend it the best we can. She was doing the best she could. People really need some comfort to cope with life crises like this. I wish the atheist community had more to offer. We suck at helping people in need during crisis.
ALL THE TIME. Seriously. My grandfather's cousin died from bone cancer. Suffered terribly. They said every day was a blessing, and that she was grateful to have that time. Now,keep in mind, in the end she was so doped up on painkillers she couldn't use the bathroom, and didn't even know who we were.
Similar sentiments were expressed when my great uncle, riddled with diabetes, lost a kidney and 3 limbs. "Well thank the Lord, we're blessed to still have him with us!"
Both of these relatives lived miserably the last decade or so of their lives. If there were a such thing as blessings, the real blessing would have been putting them out of their misery.
I have to agree with you, although right now I'm dealing with a great deal of anger at a friend who committed suicide a couple of weeks ago. She was NOT any more terminally ill than we all are, nor was she in terrible physical pain. But she's been in emotional pain since her husband died 18 months ago. I thought she was beginning to pull herself together, but I guess she was just acting.
As for the pet question...if any of Dr. Kellie's clients actually believe in an afterlife, I would tell them to look up the Rainbow Bridge web site. I can't stand receiving their cards and e-cards when one of my cats die, but it seems to comfort a lot of people.
Of course really tight a**ed believers would be offended at the idea that animals have souls at all.
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Londonderry firefighters battle large debris fire at flea market
August 31. 2013 4:03PM
LONDONDERRY — Firefighters from area towns took two hours to knock down the flames from a large debris fire at the flea market on Route 102 early Saturday, authorities said.
Flames shot up 30 feet in the air from the debris pile, which was about 75 feet by 30 feet in size and 15 feet high, according to the fire department.
Water tankers from Hudson, Litchfield and Windham along with an aerial truck from Nashua helped battle the blaze, reported at 3:40 a.m. All companies were released at 5:27 a.m. due to severe thunderstorms in the area. Londonderry fire crews returned at 11:35 a.m. to complete extinguishing the fire.
The fire's cause remains under investigation.


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December 21. 2012 4:16PM
Hooksett to announce Manchester officer as new police chief
HOOKSETT - The Hooksett Police Department has a new chief, Lt. Peter Bartlett of Manchester, the Union Leader has learned.
Bartlett will be announced at a special meeting tonight. It's expected Bartlett will be in attendance.
Manchester Police Chief David Mara said, "I think he's a great choice." He said Bartlett was well respected during his career in Manchester. "I
think he's just what Hooksett needs."
Bartlett has been with the Manchester Police Department for 21 years and has been the president of the Manchester Association of Police Supervisors. He will begin his work as Hooksett's chief on Jan. 7, 2013.
Hooksett's last police chief, Stephen Agafiotis, resigned after years of battles with town officials, including the police commission and town council.
He was put on administrative leave in September 2011 and then resigned Jan. 31, 2012.


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|System: X360, PS3, Wii, DS
|Review Rating Legend
|Dev: Zoe Mode
|1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
|4.0 - 4.4 = Great
|Pub: Konami
|2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
|4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
|Release: Oct. 15, 2008
|2.5 - 2.9 = Average
|5.0 = The Best
|Players: 1-3 (1-6 Online)
|3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
|ESRB Rating: Teen
|3.5 - 3.9 = Good
by Amanda L. Kondolojy
Its no secret that the music game genre has exploded in the past few years. It seems like every few weeks there is a new Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or SingStar title on the shelves to satiate your need to play along with your favorite tunes.
It comes as no surprise then that there have been many imitation-brand music games trying to piggyback on the music genres recent success. But what is surprising is where the latest of these knock-offs has come from: Konami. Although Konami is essentially credited with creating the music genre with hits like Beatmania and Dance Dance Revolution, its newest music title, Rock Revolution, feels like a cheap Rock Band knock-off rather than a full game and is disappointing on many levels.
In most respects, Rock Revolution works in the same way as Guitar Hero: World Tour or Rock Band. You can play the guitar, bass, or drums and play along to a sliding note graph. One of the first issues that you will notice with this title is how small the note graph actually is. It is incredibly skinny, even on HD sets, and is very hard to read as it moves very quickly along a rigid y-axis instead of the longer diagonal z-axis that you see in titles like Rock Band. While the smaller note graph works well on the beginner and easy settings, it goes way too fast on any setting above medium, not give the player enough lead time to anticipate upcoming notes.
Although the note graph is a big turn-off for this game, the biggest issue Rock Revolution has is in the music department. Rock Revolution only has a paltry, forty-song track list consisting of songs by pop staples like the All-American Rejects and Blink 182. There are also some classics like Were not Gonna Take it by Twisted Sister, and Stone Cold Crazy by Queen. However, even though the songs that are included in this title are pretty good, all but two (Paralyzer by Finger Eleven and Given Up by Linkin Park) are performed by cover bands of varying quality.
The poor music in this title is the most egregious facet of Rock Revolution, in part because most modern music titles are packed with at least 70 songs, and titles like Rock Band 2 have used free DLC to up their song roster to 100. A band-based game with only forty songs just cant stand up to the competition, and the fact that most of the songs that are included are just half-hearted covers makes it even worse.
Even if you can get past the poor quality of the songs in this title, the different modes in Rock Revolution probably wont impress much either. The main mode is Career mode, which allows you to go through your self-titled bands album progression. As you release different albums, you can play different singles to promote your album to gold or even platinum status. Although you are able to name the band, you cant customize the different characters in the band, and must instead choose from a handful of pre-made avatars to represent your style.


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Richard Silverstein – Tikun Olam July 29, 2012
IDF chief Benny Gantz has further confirmed the outright reluctance of the Israeli military to attack Iran, a position that goes directly counter to that of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Channel 10′s Immanuel Rosen reported about an allegedly off the record conversation (possibly with Rosen himself), in which Gantz said that the Israeli home front was not prepared for the Iranian response to an Israeli attack. He added that such a military strike would have a "limited effect" on Iran.
While it's no surprise that Israel's military and intelligence branches are outright opposed to military action (the political echelon is in favor), such differences usually aren't expressed so publicly and so baldly. The truth of this can be seen in the fact that the military censor ordered the report deleted from the Channel's website. The video of the broadcast no longer contains this portion of the interview. You can see the cut at 7:20 of this video.
My high-level Israeli source informs me that no less a figure than Ehud Barak himself ordered the censor to take this action. Barak has had a contentious personal history with chiefs of staff, including the previous one, Gaby Ashkenazi. It seems this sort of fractiousness continues with Gantz. In fact, a year ago Barak also silenced Gantz on the same subject by refusing him permission to testify before a Knesset intelligence committee. Undoubtedly, the defense minister knew his military chief would express views about an Iran attack that varied from his own. His way of dealing with this was by muzzling him. While it may flatter Barak's vanity to do so, it deprives the nation and its policymakers with the sort of expert, robust debate on a matter of critical national importance.
Frankly, I'm grateful that the IDF leadership continues to be willing to express its views strongly on this matter. It could be one of the factors that causes Israel to avoid making such a tragic error. Many speculated before this, that after Meir Dagan, Yuval Diskin and Gaby Ashkenazi left their positions and were replaced by individuals of lesser experience, that the latter would be cowed by the large personalities of Netnayahu and Barak. So far, this seems not to be the case.


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Mortality and Cancer Risks, Which Pills to Avoid & Better Alternatives
By Daniel F. Kripke, M.D.
Sleeping Pills Could Shorten Your Life
WARNING: Sleeping pills are hazardous to your health and could cause death from cancer, heart disease, or other illnesses.
For over 35 years I have worked to assess the risks of sleeping pills. I have learned that sleeping pills are associated with significantly increased mortality.
This means that people who take sleeping pills die sooner than people who do not use sleeping pills.
I first became interested when I saw the work of Dr. E. Cuyler Hammond at the American Cancer Society. In 1975, I went to visit The American Cancer Society, starting a collaboration which lasted for many years. American Cancer Society data from over 1 million people showed that use of sleeping pills was associated with more deaths within 6 years, but insomnia by itself was not associated with any death risk.
As of January, 2012, there were 24 published studies of the mortality risks of sleeping pills. Of the 22 studies which reported either greater or lesser mortality associated with sleeping pills, 21 studies showed that people taking sleeping pills died sooner. (The 22nd study found no mortality risk of sleeping pills but did find sleeping pill usage associated with increased cancer deaths.)
We have now published a new study[1] of over 10,000 patients who took sleeping pills
and over 20,000 matched patients who did not take sleeping pills. The patients
who took sleeping pills died 4.6 times as often during follow-ups averaging 2.5
years. Patients who took higher doses (averaging over 132 pills per year) died
5.3 times as often. Even those patients who took fewer than 18 pills per year
had very significantly elevated mortality, 3.6 times that of patients who took
no hypnotics.
The illustrations above show the hazard ratios for mortality (above) and cancer incidence (below) for the control non-users of hypnotics (doses/year = NONE, in green) and for three groups of users of hypnotics with increasing numbers of doses/year prescribed. Hazard ratios above 1.0 are estimates of how many times the mortality or cancer incidence of hypnotics users exceeded that of controls. The heavy black bars show the statistical 95% confidence limits of the hazard estimates, that is, statistically the hazard ratio of the sample is 95% likely to be within the bars above and below the vertical black lines. However, unknown biases in the samples could produce true risks outside the confidence limits.
Patients who took sleeping pills died 4.6 times more often (on average) than patients who avoided sleeping pills.
It seems quite likely that the sleeping pills were causing early death for many of the patients. In addition, those who averaged over 132 sleeping pills per year were 35% more likely to develop a new cancer.
We went to great pains and effort to match the patients taking sleeping pills with those not taking sleeping pills for age, sex, smoking history, and various measures of poor health, so it seemed to be a fair comparison. Nevertheless, it is true that showing that sleeping pill use is associated with early death does not prove that the sleeping pills are causing the deaths. Theoretically, there could be confounding factors or biases in the selection of patients which caused these deaths without involving sleeping pills. We can only say that we found almost no evidence of such biases. Although there was certainly at least a small amount of confounding, it seemed to us unlikely that biases could entirely explain all of these excess deaths and cancers.
If sleeping pills cause even a small portion of the excess deaths and cancers associated with their use, they are too dangerous to use.
Some readers will remember when the cigarette companies claimed that the fact that cigarette smoking is associated with cancer and early death did not prove that cigarettes cause cancer. Cigarette manufacturers have by now given up on that argument. The risks are quite similar with sleeping pills. For absolute proof, we would need large randomized controlled trials of cigarettes or sleeping pills, but nobody is going to do such trials. If the cigarette companies believed that such trials would prove cigarettes were safe, they would have done such controlled trials decades ago. How about the sleeping pill companies? Of course, now that we know that particular sleeping pills are associated with excess mortality, it would probably be unethical to do such a controlled trial, so for those particular sleeping pills, we will probably never have absolute proof whether they cause mortality or not. The kind of data we gathered is probably about as good as one could get.
The particular sleeping pills we studied were zolpidem (e.g., Ambien), temazepam (e.g., Restoril), eszopiclone (e.g., Lunesta), zaleplon (e.g., Sonata), other benzodiazepines such as triazolam (e.g., Halcion) and flurazepam (e.g., Dalmane), barbiturates, and sedative antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl). Most of the patients in this study were taking zolpidem or temazepam. We had only minimal data about the other drugs. However, all of the sleeping pills studied were significantly associated with excess mortality. Because of the way the study was done and its limited size, we could not say that one sleeping pill is safer than another.
Pills Found To Have Significant Mortality Risk
Barbiturates (esp. phenobarbital)
Antihistamines, mainly diphenhydramine
These results do not necessarily apply to any sleeping pill which was not included in our study, except perhaps zopiclone (because zopiclone is half eszopiclone). Zopiclone is a sleeping pill popular outside the United States.
1.A. New sleeping pills cause cancer in animals
Were the epidemiologic studies just statistical accidents, or do sleeping pills really cause cancer? Several years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started making available on the internet some of their documents about the review of those newer sleeping pills approved for marketing in the United States since 1998. You can find these documents yourself through the US Food & Drug Administration's Online Service, Drugs@FDA.[2]
To my great surprise, I learned that rats and mice given high doses of zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta) as part of zopiclone, and ramelteon (Rozerem) developed cancer. The information available was a little vague to be certain, but it seems that these new sleeping pills all caused cancer in animals. I am no expert on experiments of this type, but FDA reviewers thought some of the results were worrisome. One of the reasons I am not sure I understand these results is that I cannot find that the companies have ever published the details in the medical literature. It is conceivable that the manufacturers do not want these cancer experiments understood. These drugs also broke chromosomes, which is a well-known specific chemical mechanism by which drugs cause cancer.
There was also some older and confusing information about zolpidem (Ambien). Although one of the old records[3] seemed to say that animals given zolpidem developed three kinds of cancer, and FDA reviewers were concerned about these hints of carcinogenicity, the new labeling approved[4] for the extended release version of zolpidem (Ambien CR) says no evidence of carcinogenic potential was observed in either mice or rats. I would like to know how the company figures they do not owe people a warning.
1.B. Evidence that sleeping pills cause cancer in people
In 2005 and 2006, several new sleeping pills were introduced into the U.S. market. The industry was hoping to increase hypnotics sales by several billion dollars a year. Because the companies wanted Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market their drugs for long-term consumption, they did larger studies of long-term use than ever had been done before. Summaries of the data from these randomizing controlled trials can be found at the FDA internet site[5] for zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and ramelteon (Rozerem). It turned out that because zaleplon was compared to zolpidem as well as to placebo, there was a bit of zolpidem data available also.
I have to admit that it is hard to understand the details of these controlled trials from the data which FDA has made available, but fortunately, I persuaded the FDA to review their files. According to the FDA, there were 9 new skin cancers and four other cancers among study participants randomized to the sleeping pills, but no new cancers among those who only received placebo. Even considering that there was over 2 times as much exposure to the sleeping pills, it looks like this indicates that new sleeping pills caused cancer. The best estimate would be that the cancer rate for participants randomized to sleeping pills was several times that of the luckier volunteers who received placebo. Because these data come from randomizing comparisons, they appear to be proof that new sleeping pills (as a group) cause cancer. However, the controlled trial data were not sufficient to prove that any specific sleeping pill or brand causes cancer.[6] Let's put together the epidemiologic data, the animal data, and the data from combining these controlled trials for 4 drugs. The evidence is that a patient who takes any of the sleeping pills listed in the box above is increasing his or her risk of getting cancer. I feel that my patients should be warned about this risk.
We do not have clear evidence that one sleeping pill has more cancer risk than another. In our epidemiologic study, we only demonstrated statistically significant cancer risks for zolpidem and temazepam, the most popular drugs in that study, but none of the drugs for which we had less data were clearly better or worse. For patients prescribed over 132 sleeping pills per year, there was a 35% increased risk of developing cancer within an average of 2.5 years.
A new study from Taiwan has appeared, based on a representative national health insurance data base.[7] These authors studied zolpidem, which was the most popular hypnotic in Taiwan, as zolpidem has also been for several years in the United States in both brand-name and generic versions. With over 8 years of follow-up, the Taiwan authors found a considerably larger mortality hazard associated with zolpidem than we had observed with shorter follow-up. There were also many differences in methodology of the Taiwan study compared to ours and the populations differed. The makers of zolpidem have been quoted in the New York Times as claiming that a longer study is better for cancer detection. There was also a bit of evidence that benzodiazepine use (e.g., temazepam) was associated with cancer, but this was not analyzed in detail. I expect that as time goes on, there will be several more studies confirming the conclusion of our study that mortality and cancer are associated with sleeping pills usage. So far, no information has appeared leading me to doubt any part of our study.
1.C. More lethal risks of sleeping pills
As a young medical student in my first year of training, one of the first things I learned in our student laboratory was that the kindest way to "put an animal to sleep" permanently was to administer a barbiturate such as pentobarbital. A bit later, I learned that pentobarbital was being prescribed almost automatically as a sleeping pill for patients in the hospital (in a sublethal dose, hopefully.) Related drugs are used to execute the death penalty. Any medical student knows that these drugs can kill.
Doctors have a wonderfully complete understanding of how sleeping pills such as pentobarbital kill animals. These drugs bind with protein molecules called GABA receptors on the surface of nerve cells. The same protein receptor molecules bind at the same time with a neurotransmitter chemical called GABA, which gives them their name. Barbiturates and other sleeping pills accentuate the action of GABA, which is to cause the receptor molecule to allow chloride ions to enter the nerve cells. Since the chloride ions are negatively charged, they make the inside the nerve cell more negatively polarized, which in turn, makes the nerve cells less likely to fire (to generate nerve activity). When the nerve cells which stimulate the muscles of breathing are inhibited from firing action potentials by GABA and by sleeping pills, the animal stops breathing. When breathing stops, the animal dies within a few minutes from lack of oxygen in the lungs. No doubt these same mechanisms explain how barbiturates kill people who take too high a dosage, either accidentally or with suicidal intention.
In the 1970's, a new group of sleeping pills became popular, molecules which chemically are named benzodiazepines. The first sold as tranquilizers were chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium). Soon, the benzodiazepine flurazepam (Dalmane) was marketed as a sleeping pill, and flurazepam soon dominated the market. The main advantage of benzodiazepines is that they are less likely to produce acute overdose deaths than barbiturates.[8] For the last 15 years, most new sleeping pills have been benzodiazepine agonists, which means that the chemical molecules may not be classed as benzodiazepines but they act at the same receptors. All of these newer drugs seem to have less overdose risk than barbiturates, but it is still possible that single doses of these newer sleeping pills are sometimes lethal. There is certainly evidence that large doses of these drugs by themselves or modest doses combined with alcohol and other drugs can be sometimes lethal.
There is an age-old belief that sleeping pills might help depressed people, but sleeping pill manufacturers' controlled trials prove that sleeping pills can cause depression.[9] In fact, the sleeping pills examined in one study seemed to double the rate of new depressions.
Suicide, accidental overdose and cancer are probably not the most common ways in which sleeping pills kill, but the other ways are more poorly understood and less well documented. Here are some of the other possible mechanisms.
All of the sleeping pills can cause "hangover," that is, they not only reduce the action potentials of our brain cells during sleep, but they can also reduce brain cell activity during the day.[10] This can make us sleepy, less alert, confused, and weak during the day. We will discuss psychological consequences of this hangover later, but here I mention the impairments of survival. Falls are much more common among elderly people who are taking hypnotics.[11] Of patients given Lunesta, 10% had accidents as compared to 6% given placebo in one study, and falls were specifically more common with Lunesta.[12] Because several studies show that people who are responsible for automobile accidents are unusually likely to have sleeping pills in their blood[13], it is thought that hangover may often cause automobile accidents, as well as other fatal accidents. The recent publicity about Ambien zombies driving like sleep walkers provides some extremely vivid examples.[14]
In the last 20 years, physicians have become concerned about sleep apnea, a condition where there are pauses of breathing during sleep. Physicians suspect that sleep apnea can cause deaths during sleep. Not all studies are in agreement, but several studies have found that when a person with sleep apnea takes sleeping pills, there are more pauses in breathing and the pauses last longer, which could be dangerous. I was surprised to learn in the FDA data how well-documented it is that zolpidem makes sleep apnea worse. Because sleeping pills risk making apnea worse, many experts recommend that people with apnea should not be given sleeping pills. The problem is that almost everybody above age 40 has some sleep apnea, and the majority of people over 65 would meet commonly-used criteria for a diagnosis of sleep apnea.[15] Therefore, a large proportion of people taking sleeping pills must be making their apnea worse. Over a period of many years, anything which makes sleep apnea worse would be expected to cause high blood pressure, and therefore, to increase the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.
A final concern in regard to mortality is how people care for themselves. Because sleeping pills, like tranquilizers, reduce worry about possible threats and risks in our lives, it is possible that the hangover effects of sleeping pills would reduce people's attentiveness in taking care of themselves.
Endnotes for Chapter 1
1. Kripke DF, Langer RD, Kline LE. Hypnotics' association with mortality or cancer: a matched cohort study. BMJ Open. 2012;2:e000850. [return]
2. Administered by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Drugs@FDA "allows you to search for official information about FDA approved brand name and generic drugs and therapeutic biological products." www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/. [return]
3. US Food & Drug Administration new drug application (NDA) 19-908 (Ambien) memos and exclusivity summary at FDA website, www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/pre96/019908_S000_PHARM_MEMOS&EXCLUSIVITY_SUMMARY.pdf. [return]
4. sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC, Prescribing Information, Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate extended-release) tablets - CIV, October 2010, Publication No. ACR-WFPLR-WPLR-OCT10, at sanofi-aventis website, products.sanofi.us/ambien_cr/ambienCR.html. [return]
5. Administered by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Drugs@FDA "allows you to search for official information about FDA approved brand name and generic drugs and therapeutic biological products." www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/. [return]
6. Kripke, DF. Possibility that certain hypnotics might cause cancer in skin. J. Sleep Res. (2008) 17, 245-250. [return]
7. Kao, C. H., Sun, L. M., Liang, J. A., Chang, S. N., Sung, F. C., and Muo, C. H. Relationship of zolpidem and cancer risk: a Taiwanese population-based cohort study. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 87(5), 430-436. 2012. [return]
8. Institute of Medicine. Sleeping Pills, Insomnia, and Medical Practice. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., 1979. [return]
9. Kripke, D. F., Greater incidence of depression with hypnotics than with placebo, BMC Psychiatry 7:42. 2007. [return]
10. Woods, JH et al. Benzodiazepines: Use, abuse, and consequences. Pharmacological Reviews. 1992;44:151-347. [return]
11. Tinetti, ME et al. Risk factors for falls among elderly persons living in the community. N.Engl.J.Med. 1988;319(26):1701-1707. [return]
12. FDA Medical Review of Lunesta, page 2, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Approval Package for Application No. 21-476, available as a PDF document at the FDA website, www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2004/021476_Lunesta_medr.PDF. [return]
13. Hemmelgarn, B et al. Benzodiazepine use and the risk of motor vehicle crash in the elderly. JAMA. 1997;278:27-31.; Betts, TA et al. Effect of two hypnotic drugs on actual driving performance next morning. Br.Med.J. 1982;25 Sept:285-852. [return]
14. Liddicoat, Laura J. and Harding, Patrick. Ambien®: Drives Like a Dream? Case Studies of Zolpidem-Impaired Drivers in Wisconsin, presentation to the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, Washington, February 23, 2006. Powerpoint slides from the presentation are available at the New York Times website at www.nytimes.com/packages/other/business/Ambien.2-23-061.ppt. [return]
15. Kripke, DF et al. Prevalence of sleep disordered breathing in ages 40-64 years: A population-based survey. Sleep. 1997;20:65-76.; Ancoli-Israel, S et al. Sleep disordered breathing in community-dwelling elderly. Sleep. 1991;14(6):486-495. [return]
Table of Contents
The Dark Side of Sleeping Pills, in all its formats, including this eBook, copyright ©1997-2013 by Daniel F. Kripke, M.D. All rights reserved.


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Take the plunge at East Ferry on Tuesday
A new island tradition is taking root on New Year's Day. The second annual Jamestown 1st Day Plunge is planned for Tuesday, Jan. 1, at East Ferry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Last year islander Bob Bailey led the initiative to keep alive the New Year's Day tradition of taking a dip in the frigid waters of Narragansett Bay after the Penguin Plunge was relocated elsewhere by the Special Olympics Rhode Island due to insurance reasons. The Penguin Plunge had been at Mackerel Cove for 30 years and would be missed.
Bailey organized Jamestowners from all areas of the community. The 2012 Jamestown 1st Day Plunge – moved from Mackerel Cove to East Ferry and the village – was a smashing success. More than 300 people took to the water and downtown was the busiest that it has ever been on New Year's Day.
The 2013 version of the event promises to be even bigger and better. As you can see from the advertisement on page 2 of this newspaper, the plunge has a boat load of sponsors this year.
There will be a Penguin Paddle challenge at 11:30 a.m., followed by the actual plunge at noon.
The Jamestown Community Band is also scheduled to join in the festivities, weather permitting.
Of course, money raised from the event goes toward local good causes. This year the plunge will benefit Bridges Inc. and the Jamestown Education Foundation.
The fun will continue after the plunge with live music planned at Chopmist Charlie's and the Narragansett Café.
Let's hope for good weather. Get your swimsuits ready. We'll see you at East Ferry on Tuesday.
Have a Happy New Year!
— Jeff McDonough


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Lukewarm Stove: About Those Matt Garza/Texas Rangers Trade Discussions
The vogue rumor developing last night and into today has the Chicago Cubs in discussions with the Texas Rangers about Matt Garza. This, of course, is a rumor we've been discussing here for weeks.
And nothing has changed. They're still talking.
The Cubs have been in contact with the Rangers about Garza – among other teams – for a while now. As various free agent decisions played out, those discussions necessarily ebb and flow, with each side more or less incentivized to make a move depending on what is happening. There was never a rush from either side's perspective, and that hasn't changed – although things have ebbed a bit more with CJ Wilson leaving the Rangers in favor of their division rival.
A source involved in the talks says that, while no offers are currently on the table, some of the prospects who interest the Cubs should be no surprise: they include third baseman Mike Olt, pitcher Neil Ramirez, and pitcher Martin Perez, three of the top five prospects in a very, very good Rangers system. All are young, but on the verge – within a year or two – of being ready for the big leagues.
Bruce Levine adds that the Cubs have discussed pitcher Scott Feldman, a capable 28-year-old pitcher who didn't pitch much in 2011 due to pre-season knee surgery. When he came back, he was effective, but pitched mostly out of the pen. He's slated to make $6.5 million in 2012 (he has a $9.25 million team option in 2013 with a $600k buyout), so it's not as though he's a cheap player. To the extent he would be included in a Matt Garza trade, he would not only be the main return, he'd really be more of a "ok, we'll take Feldman if you aren't going to use him" part of the deal. The Cubs will need pitching depth if they move Garza, so taking back a player like Feldman, in addition to the prospects (which would be the main reason for the deal), makes sense. For what it's worth, the team source with whom I spoke said that, yes, Feldman's name has come up. My guess is that many, many names come up in discussions like this.
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers are not confident they can land Garza, however, because of the Cubs' asking price. And, if the Cubs are asking for the three aforementioned prospects – yeah, that's a really steep asking price. For that reason, among others, the odds that a deal is ultimately consummated with the Rangers is low (as it always is in these kind of trade situations – keep that perspective in mind).
But you can appreciate the Cubs' position. While competing in 2012 will be difficult, the NL Central will always be a winnable division, particularly if the Cardinals are about to have a down year. They will not trade Garza for something short of a haul – whether you compare it to the return in the Zack Greinke trade last year, or to what the Cubs gave up to get Garza, the Cubs aren't going to settle for much less. With the Rangers facing a vastly improved Angels team, and without many great options out there for adding to their rotation (a very expensive bid for Yu Darvish or a very expensive trade for Gio Gonzalez are the two best options, besides Garza), perhaps they start to think about acceding to the Cubs' steep demands.
Garza is scheduled to make about $8.5 million in 2012, his third of four arbitration years. If the Cubs do trade him, it is more about improving for 2013 and beyond than about improving in 2012, I'll concede. But, if the Cubs pick up multiple parts, and use that $8.5 million wisely, it is conceivable that the Cubs could be just as good in 2012 as if they'd kept Garza – all with 2013 and beyond looking much, much brighter.
While the Rangers have been the most visible potential trade partner for the Cubs – in part because of their connection to Garza last year at this time, before he was traded to the Cubs – there are undoubtedly other teams with interest.


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"Many countries in the region have large and growing economies in BinMaster's targeted market segments," said Todd Peterson, vice president of sales for BinMaster. "Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, are strong opportunity markets for BinMaster products. As we grow, it is crucial we have the best support for our established and new distributor relationships in the region. Doris is a strategic addition to our strong, service-oriented sales team."
BinMaster is a division of Garner Industries – an ISO 9001:2000 certified company established in 1953 and headquartered in a 75,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Lincoln, NE. For more information, visit www.binmaster.com.


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Ben Affleck will play Batman opposite Henry Cavill in the "Man of Steel" sequel, Warner Bros. announced today.
In a statement, director Zack Snyder expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, "Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry's Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can't wait to work with him."
Snyder, who directed "Man of Steel," is set to co-write the story with David S. Goyer, who will pen the screenplay.
Production is expected to begin next year, with a July 17, 2015, release date.
POLL: Who should play Batman instead of Ben Affleck?
Affleck, of course, has a history in the superhero genre. He previously starred as the blind Marvel hero Daredevil in writer-director Mark Steven Johnson's 2003 film.
Word of the union of two of DC Comics' most iconic heroes first surfaced in July at Comic-Con International in San Diego, with Warner Bros. announcing the project during its panel presentation.
During that session, Snyder said that the film will not be adapted from "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns."
"Zack Snyder is an incredibly talented filmmaker, but beyond that, he's a fan first, and he utterly gets this genre," Greg Silverman, president of Warner Bros. creative development, said in a news release about the Superman/Batman project. "We could not think of anyone better suited to the task of bringing these iconic superheroes to the screen in his own way."
PHOTOS: The roles that led Ben Affleck to Batman
"Man of Steel" producers Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are returning as producers, and Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas are serving as executive producers on the upcoming film, along with Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan.
Returning "Man of Steel" cast members include Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White.
Diane Lane also will reprise her role as Martha Kent.
— Gina McIntyre and Noelene Clark
Follow us on Twitter: @LATHeroComplex
Flash may get his own show on CW
Superman and Batman will unite on film
Snyder, Capullo crank it up in 'Batman: Zero Year'
Superman at 75: 10 key comic covers
'Man of Steel': 50 images from Snyder's film
Henry Cavill knows how Clark Kent feels
'Man of Steel': Zack Snyder tries reconstruction
'Man of Steel' flew in just in time for Antje Traue


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A comment I made in an open consultation at the IGF 2010 in Vilnius has been tweeted somewhat out of context, which is of course in the nature of tweets. Here is some background.
The context was a lunch time session at the IGF with the chairperson of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development. In May 2010 CSTD passed a resolution to convene such a group. The Chair gave a short presentation on the constitution of the group, what it will do, what schedule it will follow.
He said that the composition of the group will be multi-stakeholder (like the IGF MAG – multi-stakeholder advisory group) and that it would operate like the WGIG (Working Group on Internet Governance).
I commented from the floor saying 3 things:
1. That it was amusing that we had slipped out of IGF mode and into UN mode
(e.g. people were reading prepared statements and were addressing one another by country name rather than personal name, as in "France said …")
2. That I supported the proposal already made by a participant who spoke on behalf of the government of Finland. Their proposal was that the General Assembly only decides whether the IGF continues, or not. Not how it continues. This was in response to the Chinese government comment that they believe the GA should make both decisions in one go. Finland proposed that the CSTD working group reports its suggestions to the CSTD who, after discussion, will propose a resolution on IGF improvements to ECOSOC.
3. That the working group will have contentious issues to discuss and
that the only way in which they will reach agreement is if they can work with a format that at times would allow them closed sessions in which they can thrash out differences in opinion.
It was informal consultation… so I was speaking in my individual capacity, not as APC… but a lot of other people were reading prepared statements so it felt quite formal and I can see why tweeters assumed it was a formal input from APC.
Normally in the IGF this does not happen. People would not assume an
individual is expressing a formal organisational position unless they
say so explicitly.
What I meant was that I agreed that the group should operate like the WGIG: which was the proposal in the presentation from the CSTD chair made at the beginning of the session. The WGIG had open meetings, but also closed meetings. As with the MAG, ensuring that reporting on the work of the group gives others a clear sense of what it is doing will be challenging, but essential.
Parminder Jeet Singh and I are probably the only two civil society
people that were at the CSTD this year when governments were drafting a
resolution to ECOSOC on IGF continuation. They were in deadlock until
the very end, working into the early hours of the morning night after night. The eventual resolution, which included the establishment of this multi-stakeholder group on IGF improvements, was only achieved when the chair of the drafting group took the governments who were in strong disagreement with one another into another, closed room, locking them in there until they agreed on text.
I realise that not having a fully open process is contentious.. but I
being practical. I know for a fact that if governments don't feel they have some privacy they will not feel ownership of the process and the recommendations of the group when it goes to CSTD will not be taken seriously.
Many governments in the CSTD had already totally disregarded all the 'open' inputs on the IGF that were discussed this year (e.g. the evaluations, survey results, etc.) for this reason.
kierenmccarthy tweeted: "APC asks for a closed decision-making group for the future of the IGF. Bit odd. Has the APC got used to its priviledged status?"
Kieren, you should explain what you mean by 'privileged' status. It would be interesting to know.
With regard to the CSTD, APC will have a chance to make formal input into the IGF improvements working group once it starts its work some time in October. Whether this formal input proposed a completely open process or not will be up to the APC members and staff who participate in drafting this statement.


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The OP's image is fine. The yellow car is bloody awful
In the first it's very obvious that some form of strong local contrast has been applied. Whether it's HDR or a plugin like Topaz it's quite obvious. But it suits the subject. That's the point. If the processing suits the subject, it works. This type of strong local contrast wouldn't suit other subject matter.In the second, any processing; HDR or otherwise, that induces halos is bad processing.
I use HDR all the time but going for the natural effect, not pushing things or opening up the shadows too much. I rarely go for the wild effect but this image screamed at me 'do it! do it!'.I rather like the effect. It made a very nice print.The car belongs to a local farmer, somewhat of a character. It is not a daily driver but gets out weekly. We see it around these parts frequently.Panasonic GH3, 12-35 2.8 at 35. ISO 200. Photomatix, PS, and LR. Larry


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5:30 pm
Nightly Business Report Tonight's special edition of Nightly Business Report focuses on the business of summer. It's a time when thoughts turn to warmer weather, beaches and barbeques, relaxing and re-energizing. Whether it's traveling or buying that vacation home, summer is a time of spending. D
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Antiques Roadshow "Seattle, Hour Three" Host Mark L. Walberg discusses Northwest Coast Indian masks with appraiser Ted Trotta. Discoveries include a late-16th-century diamond and enamel jewel, a chair of moose, elk and buffalo hide, and a white Steiff clown bear worth up to $3,200. Part 3 of 3G
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Antiques Roadshow "Vintage Atlanta" Since the Roadshow's first visit to the Georgia city in 1998, a collection of documents relating to golf legend Bobby Jones has increased in value while the appraisal of an 1841 letter by Abraham Lincoln is lower after 14 years.G
9:00 pm
Globe Trekker "Around The World - East to West: Istanbul to Vienna" Ian Wright starts in Istanbul to follow historic trails into the Balkans where once the Ottomans pushed into Europe. Crossing the Black Sea into Bulgaria he explores vampire myths before continuing to Serbia. From the Croatian coast he takes a road trip to Dubrovnik, Split and Rijeka, checks out a thermal lake in Hungary and then heads to Vienna.G
10:00 pm
Independent Lens "Detropia" Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady capture Detroit residents who are not giving up on their ailing city. They meet the owner of a blues bar, a young blogger, an auto union rep, a group of young artists, an opera impresario, and a gang of illegal "scrappers." This unlikely chorus illuminates the tale of both a city and a country in a soul-searching mood.G
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I would like to have your opinion about the discussion below. Our organization is quite young and we don't have enough legal nor technical knowledge in this area. Meanwhile we are conscious that it is a huge endeavor to be carried out without international support and collaboration.
We at LP are wondering why today's religions are seen as something with a superior status than the beliefs classified as mythology. Are they so different? Why even non-religious people use to accept the Abrahamic god and its hundred Catholic saints as something real, while other mythological divinities are considered legends? This distinction gives advantages to theists which nobody else has. They have fiscal advantages, financial subsides, a special status and protection which, we believe, is not compatible with democracy.
We think it is fair the fact that before launching a medication in the market, a pharmaceutical company must test it for several years and spend a lot of money in research. They must prove its efficacy and make exhaustive tests to well know its side-effects. They are complained by law to advise people about it and publish the test results as well as its composition in its notice, in order to avoid issues as for instance, making money with something inherent or putting people life in danger by drinking toxic chemicals. Moreover, when a medication causes damages to people health it is quickly recalled from the market and the company is complained to respond in court. So, why religion can freely make money in name of Jesus and disseminates the Biblical scriptures -which are clearly against the Human Rights principles- as being the right moral path to follow, without being complained to justify, supported by evidences, its efficacy or point out their "side effects"?
Why churches are allowed to convince fragile, illiterate and suffering people and children to follow such a moral guide, without being complained to prove that it is real and not an old-fashioned fantasy? If we compare the damage caused by medication with the ones caused by religion beliefs along of the history, we quickly realize how worst is religion. We think that we should advocate for reviewing these privileges and advise people and decision makers about this antidemocratic nonsense. I completely respect the right of everyone to believe or follow a certain belief or religion. Everybody must be free for believe in whatever he or she wants. What I am suggesting is to advise people about the lack of scientific evidences of a certain belief. Negationist and racist speeches are no longer under the freedom of speech's shield because there are evidences which points out their danger. I really hope that the same thing will happen to religion. We have to collect facts to support our arguments.
As a first step we would like to invite everybody to replace the term "religion" by "mythology". We believe that if in a few years the common sense makes people see these religions just like they see the Greek mythology, we will see a huge improvement in life quality around the world. We don't know about damages caused by the followers of Thor or Zeus. When I am in a discussion against a theist I use as much as possible the term mythology instead of religion because I want to make it sound natural to people. We should change this status in the collective unconscious.
The second point, which can be carried out in parallel, is to advocate for the democratic rights -that everyone should deserve in a democracy- of being officially informed if the beliefs in which they believe are supported by evidences or not. They should be informed about the lack of scientific evidence for miracles, or for the power of pray or even for the historical authenticity of some Biblical personages like Moses, Abraham or even Jesus.
I hope that someday someone will bring a church or a priest in justice clamming against false miracles or a promise which was not accomplished. You must see what evangelical churches are doing in Brazil to steal people money. Things such as diplomas signed by Jesus Christ, pre-dated tenth checks which will be discounted every month. They are even sending their believers in justice when they don't pay the monthly tenth.
We don't want mitigate people freedom of speech or the right of everyone to believe in whatever he or she wants. We are not asking to anybody to cut off anything from the holy texts. What we want is to guarantee everybody's right to the transparence and truth, maybe the most important pillar in a true democracy. Why we protect children from alcohol and drugs but not from construct their moral values based in misogyny, racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and homophobia? I can give as an example the law to protect people health from the tobacco industry. The cigarettes are still the same, but there are strong warnings in the package and campaigns in TV.
Please forgive my English. I am not a native English speaker. You can trust me; I do it really better in Portuguese.
I look forward to hearing from you and in the meantime; should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me,
Jeronimo Freitas
LP - Vice-President.
Twitter: @jeronimofreitas
Views: 220
Thanks Sean,
I respect the right of mature and enlightened people have to believe in whatever they want. What I don't think it is fair is to put these beliefs in an almost untouched position above of everybody else. Not so long time ago slavery use to be seen as normal as well as smoke in flights use to be. Now a day if you try to do such a thing you are in trouble. People mind changed about these bad practices, so let's start changing people mind about religion being something more real than mythology. Let's stop their privileges. This is the first step
I don't think that mythology followers are receiving subsides from government as religion is, nor fiscal advantages and legal privileges. Religion and Estate have to remain separated but once religion put in danger children moral or steals people money, the estate must intervene and stop it.
Thank you for your participation.
Thank you Earther,
I am aware about it. I know it is difficult.
For the moment I am just talking about the idea. I believe that this kind of
change only passes when something big (caused by fundamentalists) happens.
I really appreciate your comment.
I am most impressed that you can speak two languages such as portuguese and English. I think that is a real gift and credit to education of foreign language. Keep up the good work. I am not convinced about your goal to obtain equallity of civil rights and monitary compensation. When it comes to belief it is a social affair and to degenerate the ability to sociallize they way they expect to, people become very selfish if not violent. To lie or steel about social justice is almost synonymous with terrorist to kill for religion. Using the subconcious symbolic speech of mythology will not produce the affects you want. Learning about how sad it is that people are self destructive and blood thursty may bring a more level idea of what you need to do. You need to learn how to respect yourself and others for who they are no matter the injustice. The more control and skill you have to bring respect to yourself will teach others how to do the same. Here on Atheist Nexus you are just "preaching to the choir", so to speek, (using religious analogy;) It is sad to realize we have very little support in the context of social justice and truth. So what is going to help, creating more contrast in our belief to their belief in language, territory, or power?
The only appropriate place to do that is in your government because if you try it in the general public you will be looking for trouble. I really do not even suggest wasting your time in government either if you are not prepared for the tremendous rejection you will be encountered with. Anything is possible and if it is worth doing it is worth doing well. Just know that the beast is social rejection, a human being without a country. Risk taking is exactly what is sounds like.
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Kirkland Lake, ON
Kirkland Lake Project
Charlie Angus
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KIRKLAND LAKE- Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus has written to Canada's Competition Bureau to investigate potential gouging and price fixing regarding northern gasoline prices. In a letter to Interim Commissioner Matthew Boswell, Angus says prices in the north continue to soar and citizens are frustrated with their inability to find any competitive prices from the major chains.
He says the high gas prices require an investigation because it has a huge impact on the bottom line of northern families.
"Spikes in gas prices have an enormous impact on our region, which is large and sparsely populated. Many people rely on a fair marketplace in fuel to sustain their livelihoods, and do not have the luxury of fallback options like public transit in large parts of the North."
Angus says the potential for price fixing among "competitors" or gouging during weekend and holiday times is obvious. And yet the Competition Bureau has up until now refused to look into any of the allegations.
"It is not credible for the Competition Bureau to throw the responsibility for gathering evidence back on the citizens. Northerners are feeling frustrated by this lack of response from the government agency tasked with investigating and enforcing breaches of competition law."
Angus has written to the Competition Bureau on numerous occasions over the years. He says he will keep pushing the Bureau to take this issue seriously.
"Canadians rely on the Competition Bureau to ensure fair market competition and peace of mind in the marketplace. I am asking the Bureau to investigate this ongoing issue in Northern Ontario."
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement in effect for all of…
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(206) 223-2319
Colitis is inflammation of the lining of the colon (large intestine) that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stools. A bout of colitis that lasts for several days and then decreases may result from certain foods, medications, or an infection. Chronic ulcerative colitis, however, is a more serious immune system disorder that can last decades and require long-term medical therapy. This type of colitis is closely associated with Crohn's disease, another inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Virginia Mason gastroenterologist, call (206) 223-2319.(206) 223-2319.
Symptoms vary among patients depending upon where in the colon and rectum inflammation resides as well as its intensity. Inflammation may affect a small portion of the colon and rectum or, in worse cases, engulf the entire large intestine.
Patients with chronic ulcerative colitis are at risk of: anemia, from bleeding within the colon and rectum; bone disorders, including osteoporosis, because nutrients are not being absorbed by the intestines; and skin and eye disorders, common among patients with immune system diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with chronic ulcerative colitis also are at a higher risk of developing primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disorder of the bile ducts in the liver, and colon cancer.
Signs and symptoms of chronic ulcerative colitis can include:
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Your gastroenterologist may suspect colitis based on your medical history and a review of your symptoms. He or she will have you undergo a colonoscopy procedure using a colonoscope to view the colon and rectum, and may take a tissue sample (biopsy) to help determine the cause. Other tests and procedures include:BLOOD TESTS STOOL SAMPLE CT SCAN
Gastroenterologists categorize chronic ulcerative colitis based on the location and extent of inflammation within the colon and rectum. For most patients, the affected area remains the same during the course of the disease.ULCERATIVE PROCTITIS PROCTOSIGMOIDITIS LEFT-SIDED COLITIS UNIVERSAL COLITIS (PANCOLITIS) FULMINANT COLITIS
Medications, and in severe cases surgery to remove the colon, are the mainstay of treatment for patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Because these diseases are disorders of the immune system, in which the body attacks cells within the colon, the goals of treatment are to suppress inflammatory episodes (causing the disease to go into remission) and to improve quality of life. Unfortunately, as patients know all too well, the disease can flare up (relapse) repeatedly, the reason why treatment is usually life long.
or target population is that entire group of items or cases about which you want to gather data. The approaches in defining it are discussed on a separate page, titled
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In an empirical study, the population usually consists of physical objects like people or products, or of events. In a
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it contains just one object or event, but in theoretically oriented research it can be infinite, i.e. you want to know something that is true for every object or event of the given type in the universe.
In some projects every specimen or event of the population is actually measured or recorded. Such a total study gives an excellent description of the population, but it is possible only if the population is not too large and if all the objects are available for study.
Total study is a relatively expensive method, because empirical work takes time and often involves apparatus, travels and other costs. Remember, too, that the objectives of a research project do not always require an absolutely exact account of the entire population and a trustworthy approximation would often suffice. Therefore it is quite common that you measure or record only so many units of the population that you can afford and that are necessary for reaching the goals of the project. To this end, several strategies are available. Some are listed below.
Note that sampling does not mean that you were not equally interested in all the items in the population. On the contrary, you would like to study all of them, but you pick the sample for practical reasons. Perhaps you have a population of millions of objects and it is impossible to reach even a major part of them. Also in those cases (with populations of, say, up to 10,000) where you might choose to study every object, the sampling study may be a prudent choice, because it saves your time and you can then use the time you save to study the sampled items more carefully.
Above, we stated that in sampling research, we are always interested, not in the sample but in the population; more exactly in the properties of the items of the population. When studying the items in the sample, we would like that the average of their attributes is the same or very near the average in the population. If that is the case, our sample is representative.
There are two alternative principles which you may use when selecting a sample:
The act of sampling itself generates two types of disagreement between the target population and the sample:
You might wonder why to use non-random sampling at all, because it involves the risk of bias, a seemingly unnecessary source of disagreement with the population? There are several possible motivations to it:
If a random sample (also called "probability sample") is properly made, it contains no systematic bias and it is therefore relatively representative of the population. Of course, you can never be 100% certain that the results measured from the sample are also true in the population. However, for practical purposes it is often enough if you know that the risk of a deviation from the population is, say, 1%. You will be able to make such statements that are based on probability calculus if you have used a random sample.


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The future of the old Owen County Public Library building is still up in the air as discussion continues between the library board and Owen County Fiscal Court.
The library board first approached the fiscal court in August and offered to deed the property at 118 North Main Street to the court for use by the Owen County Senior Center with the approval of a proposed 25-year agreement.
Over a dozen Kentucky school districts, including Owen County, will receive $40 million over four years after winning the 2012 Race to the Top district competition.
The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that 16 applicants – representing 55 school districts across 11 states and D.C. won the competition.
Owen County Interim Superintendent Sonny Fentress said 16 schools within Kentucky's Green River Regional Education Cooperative and six schools within the Ohio Valley Education Cooperative combined will receive a total of $40 million.
After 20 years without an up-to-date comprehensive plan, the ball is now rolling following a community meeting with input from the public on the city's future.
Approximately 40 people attended the Dec. 11 meeting and discussed everything from substance abuse programs to community pride.
Their suggestions could find their way into the city's updated comprehensive plan.
The plan, which is about 75 pages long, outlines the city's population, commercial and residential properties, as well as goals and objectives for the future.
Unlike the nativity scenes that will be placed on mantles and coffee tables throughout the world, the scene on the lawn at Long Ridge Baptist Church will be filled with teens and adults giving a live action re-enactment of the birth of Christ.
The church will be presenting its nativity scene for the second time, which includes music and narration.
Rita Richardson, a member of the church's congregation, said last year was a trial and error run, but things have been changed for this year's presentation.
A lesson better than anything out of a textbook is what one of Owen County's third-grade teachers has been sharing with her students for over a decade.
Owen County Elementary School teacher Mary Inman began the "caring project" with her students when she began teaching 12 years ago, a tradition that she has continued each holiday season and one that she says her students are always happy to get behind.
The Owen County grand jury has handed down the following indictments:
• Justin W. Widener, 23, on the charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the indictment on the charge of first-degree possession of a controlled substance, he knowingly and unlawfully possessed a controlled substance, namely heroin; on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, he possessed drug paraphernalia.
The City of Owenton could soon be getting bigger a few roads at a time.
The council held the first readings on five separate ordinances that declare the city's intent to annex certain territories within Owen County.
The daughter of Owen County Sheriff Zemer Hammond recently pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree wanton endangerment after she allegedly tried to shoot her father.
Heather Hammond, 37, was indicted by the Owen County grand jury Dec. 4, following the Oct. 5 incident.
According to an October press release, preliminary investigation showed Heather Hammond allegedly pointed a loaded weapon at her father while at his home in Corinth.
When she attempted to shoot, the weapon jammed and would not fire.
Recognized for the achievements of its Young Farm Program this year, Owen County Farm Bureau received the 2012 Gold Star Award of Excellence during Kentucky Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Louisville.
The award honors a county's Young Farmer Committee for its active participation in Farm Bureau leadership development programs, state competitions, and educational or promotional initiatives.
Staff Report
Kentucky American Water presented four $500 grants to the following Owen County fire departments yesterday at the Kentucky River Station II at Hardin's Landing in Owen County. In addition to the
presentations, attendees toured the facility and enjoyed lunch.
• Monterey Volunteer Fire Department - to purchase portable radios for new members. Radios will be compatible as required by the Federal Communications Commission.
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The Owenton News-Herald is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Owen County and Owenton, KY, and the surrounding area.