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Lance Lynn Solid as Cardinals Top Cubs
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Lance Lynn is making the most of a surprise opportunity.
Lynn pitched effectively into the sixth inning and Yadier Molina had two hits and two RBIs, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
The Cardinals snapped a two-game skid with their fourth win in six games. Chicago, which lost five of its first six, had won two in a row.
Lynn (2-0) gave up four hits and one run in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five, walked two and lowered his ERA to 1.50 in a game delayed almost 2 hours by rain.
The 39th overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Lynn allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings in his first start this season, a 9-3 win at Milwaukee on Sunday. He began the year with a 1-1 career mark.
Lynn gained a spot in the rotation when Chris Carpenter was put on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury before the start of the season. The husky, 6-foot-5 Lynn, who was originally headed to the bullpen, is enjoying his time as a starter.
"I'm just going to try and do what I'm capable of and not try to do too much," he said. "Just make pitches and try not to give up runs."
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has been very pleased with Lynn's first two efforts, especially Saturday's performance.
"I thought he was very good. He's just got good movement on his fastball," Matheny said. "Obviously, he's got some velocity on it. We all have high expectations."
Lynn, in his fourth major league start, set Chicago down in order in three of the first four innings. He gave up just two hits over the first five innings before tiring in the sixth.
"He's a big guy, a strike-thrower," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "You don't get many guys on against him. We really couldn't get anything going."
Jon Jay hit his second home run of the season in the seventh off Shawn Camp.
The Cardinals broke open a scoreless game with four runs in the fourth off Chris Volstad (0-1). Molina brought in Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter with a single up the middle. Daniel Descalso had an RBI triple and Tyler Greene added an RBI single.
Carpenter, filling in for Lance Berkman at first base, had the key hit in the inning, smashing a 3-2 pitch off the top of the wall in right. The drive put runners on second and third with one out.
"Biggest pitch of the inning," Volstad said.
Berkman has a strained left calf and is day to day. Carpenter is hitting .278 with five RBIs.
"Obviously, we need Lance to get healthy, but until he does, hopefully I can get the job done," Carpenter said. "I just want to have good, positive at-bats and play good defense."
Chicago finally scored in the sixth on Starlin Castro's RBI single. J.C. Romero relieved Lynn and struck out Ian Stewart and Bryan LaHair to end the threat.
But the St. Louis bullpen allowed just two hits over the final three innings. Romero turned in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Fernando Salas and Marc Rzepczynski pitched the eighth. Jason Motte retired the side on seven pitches in the ninth.
"Everybody threw well and it was a win," Lynn said. "So you've got to be happy."
Volstad allowed six hits and three runs over six innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter but was unable to overcome a 13-pitch hiccup in the fourth inning.
"Other than that, I felt like I did well," Volstad said. "I was using my changeup really well."
Chicago outfielder Marlon Byrd went 0 for 3 and is 2 for 27 this season.
Castro committed two errors at shortstop and has four on the season. His high throw on a grounder by Holliday started the four-run fourth.
The Cardinals were without World Series MVP David Freese. The third baseman was scratched before the game with soreness in a finger on his right hand.
"He could have gone," Matheny said. "He felt something weak in his hand. We're going to keep a close eye on it."
Freese, who is day to day, got hurt in an at-bat in Friday's home opener.


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Architecture is a profession that often reveals only the outcome of a long process. But what if you could peek into the notebooks of some of the most celebrated architects working around the world today? Inspiration and Process in Architecture is a series that offers a unique insight into the working methods of the likes of Wiel Arets, Cino Zucchi, Zaha Hadid and now two new titles: Studio Mumbai and Dominique Perrault.
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Each book is designed to allow a 180 degrees flat opening so the reader can enjoy high-quality images on warm matt paper. Whereas the Studio Mumbai notebook reveals a workshop-style approach that encourages collaboration and cross-skill working, the Dominique Perrault monograph shows how even unfinished works can become remarkable experiments.
Available on the Moleskine Store.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hazardous Materials Safety Data Sheet; Women – A Chemical Analysis
ELEMENT Women SYMBOL Wo DISCOVERER Adam ATOMIC MASS Accepted at 53.6kg, but known to vary from 40-200kg OCCURRENCES Copious quantities in all urban areas PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Surface usually covered in painted film. Boils at nothing; freezes without known reason. Melts if given special treatment. Bitter if incorrectly used. Found in … Continue reading


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Click image to enlarge
More winter style solutions, this time with our definitive pick of winter scarves. A scarf is a great chance to add a splash of colour, pattern or texture to your outfit so be brave and pick something bold!
From left: University scarves are a great find on eBay, Paul Smith does a luxe silk-lined version for £110.
Brandish Picks: winter scarves
Click image to enlarge


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Hot and Sour Beef
Makes 6 servings
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Chef Paul Prudhomme's Meat Magic®
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons grated lime peel
1½ teaspoons ground dried ancho chile
1½ teaspoons ground dried chipotle chile
1 teaspoon ground dried guajillo chile
2 pounds flank steak, scalloped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1½ cups chopped onion
juice of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lime
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cups beef stock, in all
½ cup lightly packed whole fresh cilantro leaves
how to prepare
Combine the first 6 ingredients in a small bowl to make the Seasoning Mix. Sprinkle the scalloped meat evenly with 3 tablespoons of the Seasoning Mix and rub it in well.
Heat the oil in a heavy 5-quart pot over high heat just until the oil begins to smoke, about 4 minutes. Add the steak and cook, stirring frequently, for 7 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, then add the lemon juice, lime juice, flour, garlic, vinegar, and remaining seasoning mix. Scrape the bottom of the pot well and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Add 1 cup of the stock, scrape up the brown bits, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add the remaining stock and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen all the brown bits. Add the cilantro, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Serve hot, with plenty of sauce over your favorite rice, potatoes, pasta, etc.
Copyright © 1995 by Paul Prudhomme


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Tigers and Hokies meet up in Death Valley
Clemson, SC – The 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers get back to work this weekend, as they welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies to Death Valley for a key ACC matchup.
Dabo Swinney's Tigers were idle this past weekend after knocking off Georgia Tech on Oct. 6, 47-31. The team's lone loss this season came at Florida State on Sept. 22 and at 2-1 in conference play, there is no longer any room for error in the competitive Atlantic Division.
Swinney knows the only game that matters is the one in front of his team.
"This was a huge win," said Swinney following the win over Georgia Tech. "It was a momentum win. It was a complete game and we won every quarter, especially the fourth quarter. The second half was a thing of beauty. I'm proud of the team, and they keep improving every week. We just need to refocus and recommit because our season starts with Virginia Tech."
Frank Beamer's Hokies are a mere 4-3 on the season, but the team boasts of an identical 2-1 mark in-conference. The team won last week in impressive fashion, going down 20-0 to the Duke Blue Devils before rallying for a 41-20 victory. The win halted a two-game slide for Virginia Tech, as the team is just a half game back in the Coastal Division standings.
Clemson leads the all-time series with Virginia Tech, 19-12-1, but the lead is a narrow 8-6-1 in games played in Death Valley. The Hokies had won five straight meetings, but that ended last year with a dominant 23-3 decision. Clemson doubled-up on Tech with a 38-10 victory in the ACC Championship Game.
Virginia Tech fell behind early to Duke, but found its offensive groove late in the first quarter and poured in on. The team finished the game with 525 yards of total offense, with a great mix of the run (269 yards) and the pass (256 yards). Freshman J.C. Coleman was instrumental in the win, rushing for 138 yards and two TDs. Quarterback Logan Thomas had a good outing as well, completing 14-of-23 passes, for 256 yards and two TDs. His top target was wideout Marcus Davis, who accounted for five receptions, 144 yards and both scores. Still. the win came at a cost, as starting center Andrew Miller was lost for the season with an ankle injury.
Beamer was pleased with his team's fight against Duke.
"I just told our football team that that was a great win for our football program," Beamer said following the game. "The circumstances, coming off two losses and getting down 20 to zip, I appreciate our players and their poise, our coaches��� poise and things worked out for us."
The Hokies are at their best when there is offensive balance. The run game has struggled with consistency this year (151.0 ypg), but Coleman's recent success is reason for optimism.
Also factoring into the sluggish first half of the season has been the inconsistent play of Thomas under center. There was a great deal of hype surrounding Virginia Tech's junior QB this year, but Thomas has failed to live up to it, completing just 53.6 percent of his throws, for 1,703 yards, with 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions. At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, Davis (27 receptions, 585 yards, four TDs) is a tough matchup for defenders down the field.
The Virginia Tech defense has long been a staple in Blacksburg, but this year's squad has fallen off a bit in terms of stingy play. The team is yielding 22.0 ppg thus far and has been particularly generous against the run (171.7 ypg, 4.2 ypc).
Junior linebacker Jack Tyler has been active, leading the team with 68 tackles through the first six games. Rush ends James Gayle (25 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) and Tyrel Wilson (20 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) have done the most damage up front, while defensive backs Antone Exum (28 tackles, two INTs) and Kyle Fuller (23 tackles, two INTs) headline the play in the secondary.
The Tech defense will be taken to task this weekend, as Clemson comes in as one of the nation's premier offensive squads. The Tigers rank 13th in total offense (525.8 ypg) and 11th in scoring (41.3 ppg).
It all starts with junior signal-caller Tahj Boyd. Certainly a threat to run with the ball, Boyd is much more dangerous as a passer, completing 68.2 percent of his passes thus far, for 1,748 yards, with 14 touchdowns. It certainly helps to have All-American talent on the outside in WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins. The latter earned All-American status as a freshman in 2011, while the former has lit up the airways in 2012 and is playing as well as any receiver in the country. Hopkins leads Clemson in receptions (49), receiving yards (777) and touchdown catches (8).
The ground game has its own star in tailback Andre Ellington, who has rushed for just under 600 yards this season (597), on 5.1 yards per carry, with six touchdowns.
Like in years past, the Clemson defense has problems with consistency, especially when it comes to stopping opposing ground games. Opponents have been able to gash the Tigers for 202.7 rushing yards per game (5.4 ypc) and a total of 445.5 yards per game.
Linebackers Stephone Anthony (51 tackles) and Jonathan Willard (41 tackles) lead the defensive unit. Safety Rashard Hall (24 tackles, 3 INTs) is responsible for half of the team's six interceptions.


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Oxford Regionals Report 9/5/15, Second Place
Sets were legal up to and including Breaker Bay.
It's a while before the regional happened, but I wanted to write this up anyway. Great day, well ran tournament, and I had a lot of fun. Travelling down with Sam Pay early in the morning was kind of ironic: neither of us expected to be playing in the finals.
I apologise in advance if I get anybody's names wrong. Names aren't my strong suit but I can remember your faces!
The decks I took were the two decks I consider to be best right now, RP and Kate. I've not had a massive heap of time to test due to revision, so I just stuck with what I knew. The lists aren't anything too crazy but I'll go over both.
The Kate deck:
Count Wongula (45 cards)
Kate "Mac" McCaffrey: Digital Tinker
Event (21)
3 Diesel
3 Dirty Laundry
2 Legwork ••••
1 Levy AR Lab Access
3 Lucky Find ••••• •
2 Scavenge
3 Sure Gamble
3 The Maker's Eye
1 Vamp ••
Hardware (8)
2 Astrolabe
3 Clone Chip
3 Prepaid VoicePAD
Resource (5)
3 Professional Contacts
2 Same Old Thing
Icebreaker (7)
1 Atman
2 Cerberus "Lady" H1
1 Cyber-Cypher
1 Mimic •
1 Sharpshooter
1 ZU.13 Key Master
Program (4)
1 Clot ••
3 Self-modifying Code
Built with http://netrunner.meteor.com/
Count Wongula! The (horrible) joke is because it's playing Clot and Vamp and also has lots of money. The only points of contention here are really the ProCo and the Vamp. ProCo I feel is better suited than QT to the glaciery metagame we're in, and I have a Clot to (supposedly) deal with fast advance. I'd be more sceptical about playing ProCo if I wasn't playing Clot, but I feel like one should slot the clot, there's still NEH around.
The other weird decision is Vamp. I chose Vamp because it's your best shot against RP. They can't win psi games with 0 credits! It's pretty solid around the board, too, and can really make Blue Sun and similar decks unhappy. Either way, the tech is there for RP because I think RP is the best Corp right now, and the matchup is greatly improved with Vamp. One might note that there's no Parasite in this list, which warrants the second Scavenge for NEXT Silver. It's a sceptical exclude, though I do wholeheartedly believe that there's no better card to cut and that cutting it gives me a better overall winrate.
Anyway, onto RP:
Daily Blacklist Camp (49 cards)
Jinteki: Replicating Perfection
Agenda (8)
1 Hades Fragment
1 NAPD Contract
3 Nisei MK II
3 The Future Perfect
Asset (12)
1 Blacklist •
1 Daily Business Show •
1 Executive Boot Camp •
3 Jackson Howard •••
3 Mental Health Clinic
3 Sundew
Upgrade (4)
1 Ash 2X3ZB9CY ••
3 Caprice Nisei
Operation (7)
3 Celebrity Gift
3 Hedge Fund
1 Interns
Barrier (4)
3 Eli 1.0 •••
1 Himitsu-Bako
Code Gate (8)
1 Crick
3 Enigma
2 Lotus Field
2 Tollbooth ••••
Sentry (6)
1 Cortex Lock
3 Pup
1 Susanoo-No-Mikoto
1 Tsurugi
Built with http://netrunner.meteor.com/
There are a few interesting things about this list, namely the 8 agendas and the EBC. EBC was a card I've been testing a bit before Blacklist came out, as a fourth Sundew whilst having the added benefit of being good against Valencia. Blacklist coming out made the splash a lot better, and players other than me came to the same conclusion of Blacklist + EBC + DBS which made me feel happier about my decision. Ash is there because a fourth upgrade is useful, and three Enigmas mean you can turn up the pace if the game feels like it. Enigma truly is the best rushing ICE in the game. Crick was a very nice include but I'd not go to more than one. There are games in testing where it's the only ICE you see or something and you can't protect your servers early on. Cortex Lock is the dodgiest card in the whole list, but there's nothing really to cut it for. It should probably just be a second Tsurugi but it's so so hard to say.
Cutting down to 8 agendas was a hard decision, but it was that or cutting Interns, the Cortex Lock (which would bring me down to the dodgy number of 17 ICE), or something from the Asset suite. I opted for the agenda after seeing some maths that showed it was pretty resilient to accesses, and that was mainly all I needed to know. It doesn't need to be Hades in that spot, and could be any 5/3, and is maybe better as PriReq, but Hades has a small upside with EBC amongst other things. Other than that, the list's nothing too wild. It's RP Glacier, and everybody knows how that works and why the cards in it are good.
RD 1 = Seb Atay (Leela and ETF)
So round one begins, and we immediately get a crowd of those who have a round one bye. I've heard tales of Seb from Neil, Tim Fowler and various other sources, but it was the first time I'd played him in person. He was even wearing his trademark onesie, which I'm sure must be the source of his power. Either way, not an easy start to the day.
First game: My RP vs his Leela
Started off with the easy side because the other side mightn't have been so easy. I got my Sundews rolling early on (I'm pretty sure I popped an EBC for one of them but I forget), and seeing Cortex Lock against its best matchup was fantastic. I placed it firmly over HQ, excited for the prospect of early damage, but Seb respected its threat and held off running until he had a Faerie or two. A well timed Legwork got an NAPD and my previously double-advanced Nisei, but that certainly didn't stop me.
I was rolling in the Sundew money, though, and it was just a case of using it to rez things. I rezzed the same Tollbooth twice, another on R&D, and a Susan somewhere else. Sheesh. I started scoring my own Niseis to the tune of Seb throwing up as a free action each time I scored a Nisei. At that point, the game was over and I ended it with a Future Perfect.
Second game: My Kate vs his ETF
Not a great matchup, ETF can be one of Kate's harder ones with pesky NEXT Silvers and 6 campaigns. If I recall, Seb wasn't playing the NEXT, but he was playing the 6 campaigns. I got a bit too aggressive early on, and wasted money getting some unfruitful accesses. I did get a few cheeky, one-credit Legworks onto HQ but not enough to seal the game. I can battle these sorts of decks for money, but I didn't take that line. His second score was a PriReq which also forced a lot of money spent on getting in his remote to check the face downs, and because I didn't spend enough of the early game building my board state, it was absolutely crushing to have to do this.
A Caprice on the remote sealed the game for Seb, I ended on 4 points.
1-1 after the first round.
RD 2 = Stuart Hume (Iain and PE)
First game: My RP vs his Iain
The name Iain strikes fear into those of us from Birmingham, but I remained unperturbed! I know how to play against Iain, build up money and make sure you don't take over him in agenda points unless you're going to score out your agendas in the next few turns. Fortunately for me, he scored an NAPD early on so I could retort with my own Nisei. After that, I let two Sundews tick over throughout the game until I felt like scoring my next Nisei and Future Perfect in succession to minimise Iain money.
Second game: My Kate vs his PE
Well. I wasn't packing Deus X. A slip up in this game would cost me the game. I know how to play against PE though, and I kep. Vamp was a bit of a help here as, naturally, you can't fire Cerebral Overwriters with 0 credits. He Sweeps Weeked turn one and I trashed two Overwriters throughout the game so I roughly knew the shell of his deck. He probably wasn't playing Scorch but I played around it anyway. I got hit with a 5 net damage Philotic but I knew to play around it. I ran unadvanced remotes and kept my hand at five and there wasn't really a way I could lose.
3-1 after the second round.
Rd 3 = Pete (Noise and Blue Sun)
First game: my Kate against his Blue Sun
He scores a Takeover early on, so I knew I had a pretty good chance of winning this game. Supermodernism style Blue Sun has a very bad matchup against my Kate deck. I Vamp him down to 0 after gladly letting him score an Atlas on top of the HoTay, and from there it was game over. Supermodernism decks need to have more money than you to be good. He tries a double Curtain Wall later on in the game, but I run through it and destroy both with my dog. After the Vamp, he had no way of winning and I eventually find the game in R&D as he's unable to score and stuck clicking for credits all game.
Second game: my RP against his Noise
Not a great matchup. It got a bit better, but not as much as one might think: I'm not running ELP and Noise is still one of the hardest runners to face, and it's middling at its easiest. This game was really weird, as I get slightly flooded early on which turns out to be really good for me, even though he managed to nab a few points early. I slap a Lotus Field on HQ and start scoring out behind (I think, but I forgot) another Lotus Field. I distinctly remember one point in the game where I counted my agendas and there were none left in R&D, so I happily let him Medium away whilst I scored out my agendas.
5-1 after the third round.
Rd 4 = Laurie Poulter (Kate and ETF)
Laurie's a great guy, and this is the first time I'd played him in a round of Swiss. We both talked a lot throughout the day and Laurie's a fantastic player, and one of the best in the UK if you ask me. Wasn't going to be an easy round. Laurie took second at Sheffield and first at Edinburgh as of writing this, and he really deserves it. For those of you who don't know, Laurie's embarked upon a somewhat crazy quest to attend every UK regional. Fantastic player and all around nice guy. Was expecting to drop at least one game going into this round.
First game: my Kate against his ETF:
I knew his ETF was based loosely on the HB rush deck that Alex and I played at the SSCI, but he was using NEXT ICE and Crisium Grids, which were both pretty annoying for Kate to deal with. Bear in mind that I'm not running Parasite, so NEXT Silver is especially awkward. He gets a bit flooded, so I find the points in his hand with the aid of a Legwork or two. This wasn't a super exciting game, nothing special happened, really.
Second game: my RP against his Kate
It's a matchup I'm very confident in, and my opening hand seems pretty good. However, the agendas start flooding in. It was one of those games where you have 5 agendas in hand, draw one for turn, then first click draw another. He gets 5 points through I think a Legwork (or some other sorcery, I forgot). I eventually found an EBC to fetch a Jackson, who found another. The second Jackson was placed in my scoring remote. After I didn't rez it as a Sundew, MHC or DBS, Laurie was... very sceptical of my second Jackson, thinking it was a Chronos Project. He spent a lot of effort getting in and practically kicked himself when he found out his mistake. He was also packing Vamp, like myself, to help against RP, and that was a concern. Despite the flood, I manage to get out a Nisei, but a few Maker's Eyes on R&D seal the game once I shuffle the agendas back into R&D.
6-2 after the fourth round.
Rd 5 = Sean Terry (Supplier Andy and RP)
First game was against Andromeda with Mr. Phones and The Supplier. A slow deck, and something that builds up money fast lategame, and I have to respect its lategame potency. I use the deck's slow start to rock out a Sundew whilst I protect my centrals, with an MHC ticking that he doesn't kill. I build a scoring server of Enigma, Enigma Caprice (or was it Ash? I forgot) and score the game out from there once I had enough money.
Second game was my Kate against his RP. Matchup I'm extremely confident with. I shut down his MHCs and land an opportune Vamp, and he spends much of the game clicking for credits and not being able to rez ICE. Not a particularly exciting game, he didn't see much econ and I Vamped him.
8-2 after the fifth round.
Rd 6 = Chris Dyer (Noise and Grail NEH)
Before this round, I remember Sam Pay coming up to me and exclaiming "The dream is real!", as he 2-0'd his last round. He needs to secure another 2-0 this round to get a shot at top 8.
First game: my Kate against his NEH
Woah Nelly, NEH. A brave choice post-Clot, but it's one that did well for James N throughout the day, leading him to an impressive 11-1. It's certainly a strong deck still, and I need to respect it. This was only my second game against fast advance NEH with Clot in my deck, and a tournament, no less. The other knocked me out at Manchester, due to a grave deal of pilot errors on my side. Was hoping not to have a repeat of that. I quickly learn he's playing Grail as I get out a Zu and plop down a Sharpshooter that I drew to deal with any Lancelots I find. I was struggling for money early on but finding plenty of programs and Clone Chips, so I discarded my two Ladies. That's when he rezzes Blacklist behind a Galahad. Oh. Well. A Wraparound on R&D and a Galahad on HQ mean I just locked myself out of the game. The game ends pretty quickly after that. I should have played around Blacklist but I guess I played a bit greedily. It's not like I'm unaware the card exists, I'm playing one myself!
Second game: my RP against his Noise
This is a tough matchup, as mentioned earlier, and I know that I probably need to win this to make the cut. Losing the first game, but not losing heard, I tried to play as best I could! A Crick over archives early was a pain for Noise to deal with, and prevents lots of intermittent accesses to archives. Noise puts on the pressure and Chris drops Paige and the "Pancake Combo" of Wyldside + Adjusted Chronotype. I try and score out behind I think a Susan (though it could have been something else), but he manages to find 5 points of his own. I manage to see the last agenda with a DBS, and with no agendas in hand and a well protected R&D, I scored out a Nisei for the win. Winning that game was a relief, since I lost the matchup I was meant to win and won the matchup I was meant to lose, assuring me a place in the cut.
9-3 after the sixth round. Just enough to make the cut (to top 8).
DE1 vs Laurie Poulter (Kate)
Very glad to see Laurie also in the cut, but it's unfortunate we're playing each other! On top of that, Sam Pay won his last round, meaning he's in the cut, along with a few other high profile players.
I pick RP, as I'm more confident playing that matchup, even though he's playing Vamp and beat me in Swiss. The game begins with him getting an early ProCo and econ, which I retorted with a Sundew and some economy of my own. He landed a badly timed Vamp which did more harm than good, and allowed me to kill his ProCo and didn't net him an agenda. After that, I slapped down a Blacklist protected by a Lotus Field whilst two of his SMCs were in the bin and his CyCy occupied. It proves effective, and he can't find an answer in time. He spends about three turns of tempo trying to kill it, leaving me plenty of room to score out.
DE2 vs James Nowecki (NEH)
Second game was against James, a fantastic player who managed to get a 11-1 record in Swiss, 6 of those being Corp side, I think.
So, we'd both Corped, so we rolled off to see who would pick the side, which is kind of unfortunate because I didn't want the hard decision! I pick Kate, which felt riskier than it sounds, as my only two matches vs NEH Post-Clot (other than a stupid game on OCTGN against NEARPAD which doesn't count) have been losses, when I know it's a matchup with an extremely high winrate if I don't make stupid pilot errors like the last two times. Either way, it felt more intimidating than it should have done due to my past mistakes, and relative lack of understanding in the matchup.
I mulligan a hand of garbage into a pretty decent hand that has a Dirty Laundry and an Astrolabe, welcome sights early game, especially Astrolabe versus NEH. I maintain board presence and play my ProCo when I see it as I had a SMC on the table to threaten Clot. He scored a Beale out early on before I could get out the Clot pressure, but after that, he couldn't score so I just picked the points out of centrals. Phew. Not only was this a nice win to continue getting through the top 8, it also was relieving to beat a NEH deck in a tournament! Third time lucky, as they say.
DE3 vs Sam Pay (Kate)
Sam also won his past two games, so it was up to us two to play off for a shot in the finals. I picked RP over Kate, despite his choices being Kate and NEH, because I was still uneasy about the NEH matchup and I'm very, very comfortable with RP vs Kate. I establish an extremely mean board presence early on, whilst he drops his ProCo and a Datasucker, which was an interesting include, but it works. I drop a remote early doors to later protect a Sundew, which I follow up the turn later with ICE (a new remote) Sundew Sundew. This was the mistake that lost me the game. With but three cards left in hand, I got very very greedy to try and go for two Sundews, and a Legwork scores 2x Nisei MK II and trashes the Caprice Nisei in my hand. Ow. That was obviously pretty bad for me, as I wanted to score them! He was pretty poor after that after faceplanting two Tollbooths and after seeing an Ash I decided to start scoring in the Tollboothed remote. Hades Fragment in the remote, which I assumed he thought was the Future Perfect he lost the psi game of earlier. I score it out no worries (and only use the effect once the whole game because I forgot), and try to follow it with one of the two Future Perfects that were occupying my hand. I succeed, making it 6 to 4 on my end. It doesn't matter really, though, as none of them were Niseis. Before I could attempt to score the Future Perfect in my HQ, he Maker's Eyes with an RDI out and sees Nisei -> Future Perfect and wins the psi game. I bid one like I did last time, which was an obvious bid which was why I didn't think he'd bid it.
DE4 vs Laurie Poulter (ETF)
Laurie again! After two games as Corp, it falls on me to run once more. His ETF deck isn't a great matchup for me, but my opening hand is pretty sweet, and I Prepaid, Sure Gamble, and Dirty Laundry right into an unprotected Gila Hands expecting to be trashing an Adonis instead. After that point, the game wasn't all that exciting, I just kept a money lead and he couldn't match it, so he couldn't score and I found the game in centrals. Sucks to knock Laurie out, he played very well the entire day, and I'm glad to see him go on to win at Edinburgh.
DE5 (GRAND FINAL) vs Sam Pay (NEH)
The final. Damn. Neither of us were expecting to get here. I needed to win two games, and he needed to win one, so he had the upper hand and I'd have been surprised if I could take a 2-0 here.
We decide to play the Kate vs NEH matchup first. NEH is still a bit intimidating when I'm playing Clot Shaper, because of my past mess ups, but I know I can pull it out if I play well enough. He begins with an install, Sweeps, install over HQ. I take a Breaking News off the top with a Dirty Laundry, and go back in to see a Nebula. At least I see his game-plan now, and I know what his Trick is. He scores out a Beale behind a Mother Goddess which I facecheck late in the turn; amusingly I had an Atman ready to answer the Mother Goddess in my hand. He scores a Beale out, so I continue to decelop my board presence and check his centrals. I eventually install the Atman after he places a card behind the Mother Goddess again, and it's a CVS so I trash it. Installing it here may have been one of my biggest mistakes, as it hurt my economy a lot, and I wasn't as rich as I normally was.
He installs over his HQ ICE and double advances it, but is left with only two credits, so I Legwork, and he doesn't rez, and I assume it's the Nebula I saw earlier. The ICE on R&D turns out to be a Wormhole, but I used my SMC getting Clot so my only Code Gate breaker for now is a Zu. Not something I want to be breaking often, especially as my economy wasn't so good that game, especially after trashing Blacklists and SanSans. He scores an Astro and another Beale with his two Trick of Lights after dealing with my Clot, which he Jacksons back in. I finally found a Clone Chip so I futilely recur Clot once more for it to be purged again. He purges, and I draw my Vamp. Knowing I've lost if I don't play it, I've a Sharpshooter on the board and I'm still thinking it was a Nebula. It wasn't, it was a Wormhole. I knew I'd lost, and his turn was install, Trick, advance, Astro token, to seal the game with an NAPD.
Very happy to have finished second. Would have preferred first, but I really can't complain: I didn't play well enough to deserve first that day, and Sam did. Fantastic tournament, extremely well ran, and a great day out. I got on the train with Sam and Ben Tate for Birmingham, and we talked over our games. Thanks for reading, anyone that got this far. I enjoyed myself a lot, and had a great day.
9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
11 posts • Page 1 of 1
9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Last edited by Xenasis on Wed May 20, 2015 4:46 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Great report, sounds like a lot of back and forth in the later games - really looking forward to Nationals
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Count Wongula is an amazing name for a deck. Nice report, just to say I believe you played Chris Dyer in round 6...
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Sixtyten wrote:I believe you played Chris Dyer in round 6...
Woops. You're right, mental slip. Fixed now!
- Vinegarymink
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:17 pm
- Location: Birmingham
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
I'd just like everyone to know that I came up with the name Count Wongula.
Andrew and I have this good thing going where he builds or tweaks good decks for us to play, and then I think of names for them.
Andrew and I have this good thing going where he builds or tweaks good decks for us to play, and then I think of names for them.
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Vinegarymink wrote:Andrew and I have this good thing going where he builds or tweaks good decks for us to play, and then I think of names for them.
Thinking up a name is the hard bit, though!
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
great report Andrew! yes it was a strange twist of fate the were both on the train together and hung out chatting decks and tactics. I still have nightmares about loosing that last psi game in the winners Semi lol. If i had lost that i think you would have been able to pull it back
*i actually won the game with a Makers eye run with an RDI out. I scored the last Nesei MkII and then i saw the last FP and won the psi game.
*i actually won the game with a Makers eye run with an RDI out. I scored the last Nesei MkII and then i saw the last FP and won the psi game.
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Andrew, I just wanted to say congratulations on doing so well during regional season.
I know a lot of people will say, it's Kate and RP, and while there is no question those identities are strong, a deck can be significantly stronger based on a few cards changes and many players don't realise this. You've made a few changes to an established deck archetype and made some big improvements and you deserve a lot of credit for that. It is deck building talent like that (along with your great playing skill) which will mean you keep winning. Good work!
I know a lot of people will say, it's Kate and RP, and while there is no question those identities are strong, a deck can be significantly stronger based on a few cards changes and many players don't realise this. You've made a few changes to an established deck archetype and made some big improvements and you deserve a lot of credit for that. It is deck building talent like that (along with your great playing skill) which will mean you keep winning. Good work!
- Panda with issues...
- Posts: 760
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:36 pm
- Location: Reading
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Cerberus wrote:Andrew, I just wanted to say congratulations on doing so well during regional season.
I know a lot of people will say, it's Kate and RP, and while there is no question those identities are strong, a deck can be significantly stronger based on a few cards changes and many players don't realise this. You've made a few changes to an established deck archetype and made some big improvements and you deserve a lot of credit for that. It is deck building talent like that (along with your great playing skill) which will mean you keep winning. Good work!
Here here!
Anyone that says 'it's just Kate and RP' does Xenasis a disservice to his play skill. We've only had the chance to play once, but I can honestly say he's the fastest player I've played against, but is ALWAYS very clear about what he's doing whilst playing, which from an opponent's perspective is much appreciated. He was the only person to beat my NEH deck on the day, and did it the old fashioned way with perfect TMEs and Legwork, rather than needing clot.
I may not agree with all your deck building decisions (or even a lot of them, for example your insistence on playing Zu punished you when you were staring down the barrel of ApeAsylum's double wormhole over centrals in the final at Oxford) but they're obviously working for you. The refusal to sit back and stop iterating decks is what lets people squeeze the last little bit of juice out of deck archetypes, as well as keeping them up to date with the changing metagame, which does you great credit. There are multiple ways to build similar decks without being a 'right' or 'wrong' way; certain posters (who I won't bother to name) on the Stimhack forums refuse to countenance any changes made to their 'holy' deck lists, and are all the poorer for it.
The field at Oxford was extremely strong and to finish second there was a huge achievement. To finish consistently in the cut in all the regionals you've been to is monumental, showing you are a player to be feared!
Hopefully we'll get the chance to play again at nationals!
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Thanks for the kind words guys, it really does mean a lot!
Hope to see you both at Nationals!
Hope to see you both at Nationals!
- Vinegarymink
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:17 pm
- Location: Birmingham
Re: 9/5/15 Oxford Regionals Report, Second Place
Just like to weigh in and say that one thing people might not know about Xenasis is how quickly he became the formidable player you know today. Him and I started playing against each other roughly a year ago when he was playing with unsleeved cards and splashed Easy Mark. He listened when I gave him advice, and I'm sure there are a lot of computer scientists who would scoff at the idea of having a philosophy/law student teach them about card games. I'm not taking credit for his success, and since then he's taught me just as much as I taught him. I'd have never won a regional if it hadn't been for our endless games against each other.
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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A second Academy Award for director Ang Lee has surprised his home of Taiwan as much as Hollywood.
Lee Gang, the director's brother, said he thought "Life of Pi" might not be an Oscar favorite because its theme isn't mainstream. The shipwreck story of an Indian boy on a boat with a tiger was crafted with a production team of international artistic and visual effects workers, whose efforts helped the film garner the most awards of Sunday evening's ceremony with four.
It was honored for its visual effects, cinematography and original score, in addition to Lee's directing. The best-director race was seen as the night's biggest surprise as Steven Spielberg had been favored for "Lincoln."
Taiwanese TV stations on Monday called Lee "the Glory of Taiwan" and reran his Oscar ceremony address in which he said that he could not have made the movie "without the help of Taiwan."
Lee has said the key setting for "Life of Pi" — a large water tank built at a studio in Taiwan — allowed the crew to use its imagination freely and not be restrained by Hollywood values.
The film has been a global box-office success and did well in Taiwan because of Lee's popularity and because much of it was shot on the island. After his win, Lee encouraged other Asian and non-American filmmakers to try to tackle Hollywood.
"I think sometimes this disadvantage can be an advantage. The fact that I come from another culture makes me special," he said.
Lee won his first best director Academy Award for 2005's "Brokeback Mountain." He also had been nominated for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."


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Star Watermark Ultimate 1.2.4 | 3.8 MB
Star Watermark for Windows is a powerful and easy-to-use tool to watermark your images, photos and graphics. Star Watermark is an essential tool for anyone with a digital camera, professionals and beginners or graphic artist on Windows. With the watermarking software free version, you could add TEXT water mark for your photos, With the watermark software purchased version, you can add not only TEXT watermark, but also IMAGE watermark to your photos.


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|Escondido, Calif.
|High School:
|Escondido HS
|Sprints, Jumps
UC Santa Barbara
Broke the school record twice in 2010 in the triple jump with a mark of 39'10.25" (12.15m) at the Cal Poly Invitational and then again at the Big West Challenge Cup with a mark of 40'3.50" and winning the event...Placed second in the long jump with a leap of 19'5" (5.80m) at the Big West Challenge Cup...Placed 44th in the NCAA West Preliminary final rounds with a mark of 37'10.75" (11.55m) in the triple jump.
High School
Qualified for the California Stat Meet in track...Was named to the All-Avocado League team in both track and basketball...Also named to the All-North County team in both sports...Holds the Avocado League record in the both the long jump (18'5.5") and the triple jump (38'5"), as well as the county record in the triple jump...Held a time of 12.30 in the 100m...Was MVP of the track team all four years...CIF Sectional Player of the Year in basketball...Was named a Pepsi Player of the Year in track.
Williams plays the keyboard and likes to listen to any type of music...Her favorite movie is Chicago...Was a scholar-athlete in high school.
High School Bests Long Jump - 19-5 (5.8m) (Big West Challenge Cup 4/9/2010) Triple Jump - 40-3.5 (12.28m) (Big West Challenge Cup 4/9/2010) 100m - 12.30


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Hooksett arborist recognized for his ability to work in the cold
James Tatem, an Arborist foreman with Bartlett Tree Experts, was named the 2013 Cintas and Carhartt Cold Crew grand prize winner.
The competition is recognizes "individuals in the U.S. and Canada who withstand the toughest winter working conditions" and highlights "the hardworking spirit of men and women across the country."
Those who signed up were encouraged to share their stories, and also to "explain why Carhartt workwear is essential to their jobs."
"Winter is my favorite time of year," Tatem wrote in his entry essay. "Not for sledding, ice skating, or hot chocolate by the fireplace, but for working outside in all the elements that winter throws at me."
As grand prize winner, he will receive an all-expense paid trip for two to the 2013 Country Music Awards Music Festival.
Second- and third-place winners were mail carrier Dave Bensette from Tecumseh, Ontario, and cattle rancher Dawn Martin from Beulah, N.D.
"Last year's contest generated amazing stories from men and women who brave extremely brutal working conditions during the winter months, and we are looking forward to another opportunity to acknowledge them," said National Director of Garment Strategy for Cintas Brad Heizman in a 2012 press release announcing the competition.


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Cryogenics play an important part in the automotive industry. But what exactly is it?
It is part of a process known as "materials engineering," according to Praise Dyno Brake's founder and CEO John Ambrose, manufacturer of the highly touted, Praise Dyno Brake, "Stage III" pre-'70 musclecar brake pads and brake shoes.
Brake drums manufactured out of cast-iron retain heat and are prone to warpage. Cryogenically-treated, or "pressurized thermo-cooled" composite cast brake drums like those we offer as part of our Stage III Muscle Car kit for the '55-57 Chevrolets, dissipate heat as much as 50-percent faster than OEM, lessening the wear factor and possibility of warpage," says Ambrose. In the process, braking performance is enhanced along with the life of the overall product.
Pressurized thermo-cooling is a computerized controlled process in which the brake drums are slowly brought to a temperature of-310 degrees F, under pressure, held stable for 60 hours, and then slowly returned to room temperature. As a result the microstructure of the steel is changed by aligning the molecules, or bringing them closer together, eliminating air gaps (porosity) in the metal surface. The end result is an increase in component strength and density without extra weight.
Throughout this process, the pressurized thermo-cooled materials retain their original size and shape, and although this new cryogenized material is stronger at lower temperatures (following treatment) there is no change in yield or tensile strength.
This means it is possible to build a higher-tolerance, quicker heat-dissipating OEM-type brake drum which looks technically correct from the restorer's viewpoint, yet weighs approximately 24-26-percent less than its OEM cast-iron counterpart.
Praise Dyno Brake's "semi-ceramic" brake shoes also feature a higher coefficient of friction over straight metallic, or semi-metallic OEM brake shoes, creating less pedal pressure while stopping in shorter distances.
Praise Dyno Brake's "high volume" wheel cylinders are also a direct OEM replacement. However, these 1/8-inch-larger-bore wheel cylinders move more fluid through the system, requiring less pedal pressure.
The company's "Trick Spring Kit," features 31-psi "pullback pressure" versus OEM's Tri-5 13-pound tensile strength springs which tend to "ride" the swept surface of the brake drum causing excessive heat, and premature wear. When up grading your classic Tri-Five to Stage III fitment, the manufacturer recommends that you install one of their new, OE master cylinders to insure that your Tri-Five's brake pressure is performing at maximum capacity.


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From the tried-and-true (Disney World) to the surprising (Jekyll Island): our selection of essential destinations for Southern families.
Summer is a wonderful time to see the South, and these Southern family vacations are just the perfect escapes. Enjoy the sea breezes of Jekyll Island—where you can ride horses along the beach—or lazy rivers in San Antonio and Annapolis. The sounds of Memphis and New Orleans will be music to your ears, and budget-friendly. These family vacation ideas will have you celebrating American aviation with the Blue Angels, enjoying our history in Williamsburg, Virginia, or Montgomery, Alabama, or experiencing nature and culture at one of Washington, D.C.'s, many museums. If your idea of perfect Southern family vacations means fantasy and adventure, remember that many of the most enjoyable family vacation ideas are found right in your own backyard.


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|International Women's Day: Colombian refugee in Ecuador
(Quito) March 8 2013 — Life of refugee women is doubly difficult. The testimony of this Colombian refugee woman demonstrates the multiple difficulties that a mother of four children has to face, fleeing various kinds of violence at home, and now crisscrossing Quito trying to avoid the local police in an effort to make ends meet selling her craftwork.
Despite all her hard work under the sun on the streets of Quito and the constant surveillance of the local police whose job it is to prevent people from selling on the streets without a permit, she confesses, "I love life and want to live until I'm 100." Instead of just telling us her life story, she sings it. "What gives me most strength is seeing my children grow up, they are my reason to live…"
My name is Cristina*, I'm a 34 year-old mother of four children, who eat like horses.
So I sell costume jewelery, earrings and the like to put food on the table. Here in Quito I have a roof over my head, children, my life and health. I don't need anything else. If I hadn't gone through what I did in the past, I would have lived serenely in Colombia.
"When you remember me take a breath in the wind" [she started singing us her testimony from fragments of the song When you remember me by the Mexican singer Antonio Solís.]
I'm from Pereira [in the central western region of Colombia]. Everything was normal before, very normal, I had a grocery store, and business was good. My husband also worked as a construction contractor; but when we separated I was left with the two eldest girls.
I started to have problems after guerrillas killed my brother. There were 11 of us, although we lived apart, we all used to live in the same area until we were forced to flee. This was many years ago now and I can't remember everything.
"I also remember you in a beautiful way…"
My brother was shot eight times by guerrillas [armed rebels]. He had lots of problems. He had refused to pay the guerrilla. First they threatened him and he was forced to leave the farm; later, one day when he was coming to the house on his motorbike, they killed him.
Then they threatened all of us, so we abandoned our farm; I opened a shop in Danubio Valle district. The guerrillas again forced me to flee. They told me they needed an informant; at first I accepted, then I told them I couldn't; they then gave me 24 hours to leave and I came here for the first time.
"You are the refuge where I like to hide myself"
I spent some time here and went back to Armenia [in the central western region of Quindío] because I had nowhere to leave my children while I worked. There I opened a small shop. In 2010 I was forced to flee again because I faced more threats. Members of the guerrilla shot my nephew who was living with me.
In January they came to my house to see with whom I was living.
"If you are lying you'll face consequences," they said.So I packed my clothes and at 11 p.m. I was in the [bus] terminal. From there I came here again [Ecuador]
I have maintained my home alone since separating from my first husband in 2005. We continued to see each other for a while, but I don't receive anything from him or from the fathers of my other two children. Living here is very difficult as I don't have any financial support. To start my jewelery business I had to borrow money, it is not easy to work from nine in the morning to six in the evening, from Sunday to Sunday to support the household. I don't have any days off or any space to myself, I don't have anything.
"When time is too slow I think of you"
What I miss most about Colombia is the freedom. I'm very happy in Ecuador, but freedom is how you feel in your own country, to move around, work, get documents and show them to the police, go to a nightclub, send your children to see family members, take them out for a walk. I'm happy in Ecuador at the moment, here you can live a quiet life, in peace: here there is no war.
I would like to stay here in Ecuador. What gives me most strength is seeing my children grow up, they are my reason to live…"
"Only in you"
I'm happy, there are people who have boring lives; whereas I try not to think about my debts, but instead how I'm going to earn a daily living… and look there the local police are coming again, we have to run to the next street….
*The names have been changed for reasons of security.
RELATED: Film commemorates International Women's Day
In celebration of International Women's Day, please join Jesuit Refugee Service/USA for a screening of the documentary We Women Warriors on Monday, March 11, at the Gala Hispanic Theatre in Washington, D.C.
WE WOMEN WARRIORS follows the lives of three indigenous Colombian women who use non-violent resistance to defend their communities from the devastating effects of nearly 50 years of armed conflict.


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Our Monogrammed Backpacks are sure to be the most stylish book bag on campus! We also have a huge selection of coordinating Items Include: Pencil Cases, Accessory bags, Cosmetic Bags, Shower Caddies, Throw Blankets and Pillows, Laundry Hampers, Backpacks, Crossbody Purses, Running Shorts, and so much more - making these collection perfect for heading off to college, or starting a new school year!
Our line of personalized totes and bags come in comes in three gorgeous prints including:
Mia Tile
Emerson Paisley
Navy Seersucker
{How We Personalize Your Item}
We personalize your items by professionally designing your monogram, and embroider your items using only the highest quality Madeira embroidery thread, and embroidery supplies.
{How to order}
Please see all listing photos for our bag color choices, monogram font, and thread color choices.
Next, you'll select your Embroidery Font, Campus Backpack Print, and quantity from the drop down menus before adding to cart.
The last step to placing your order is to leave your monogram or personalization information in the note to seller box at checkout.
{Your note should look like this}
White thread, Vine font, sRd
Traditional monogram order is first, LAST, middle or maiden initial.
Please be sure to leave your monogram information in this exact order as we're unable to rearrange the order of your initials for you. We don't allow returns, refunds, or exchanges on monogrammed items - so please be sure you're absolutely sure of your monogram prior to ordering.
{Item Details}
12" L x 5" W x 14" H
Seersucker material with leather-like trim
Inside lining
Drawstring and magnetic snap closure
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This product is not intended for use by children ages 8 and under
2-3 weeks
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
We'll only use your information to contact you regarding your order with us and for shipping purposes.
Due to the nature of all items being handmade and/or personalized, refunds will not be processed under any circumstances unless a mistake is made on our behalf.
Items can not be replaced due to incorrect sizing choices, inaccurate monogram information, or misspelled personalization provided to us in the note to seller box at checkout.
As stated in our listings, monogram letters must appear in the order they will appear on your item.
However, if we make a mistake on your item, we will gladly replace it. Please contact us within 5 days of receiving your order, and ship back the unwanted item within 7 days. We'll happily replace any mishap on our behalf. Return shipping costs will be your responsibility in any case a full refund is issued.
When ordering, please be sure to read the item's ordering instructions and see all size charts before placing your order.
All of our items are custom made, and personalization information has to be given in the note to seller box at checkout.
Please leave this information exactly as you'd like for it to appear on your item(s). Failure to include accurate personalization info will result in delay of your order being processed.
Be sure to pay special attention to monogram order, spelling, and all details requested from that item's listing for us to complete your order.
We cannot replace items free of charge due to inaccurate information provided to us in the note to seller box on your order, or a wrong size selected.
Bulk order and group orders are always welcome! To order multiple colors and sizes of an item, please use the drop down menus to add the quantity per size/color/style etc. to cart. Then, in the note to seller box at checkout, you can list the personalization specifics for each item.
We always combine shipping on orders of multiple items, and a group discount coupon code as well upon messaging to request the code.
Please message with your request for the coupon code, and we'll happily share it with you for your bridesmaid, team, or group order with us!
We cannot accept order cancellations once payment has been made. Please read our listings' description thoroughly and check with us prior to ordering to inquire about production time if you have a specific need by date. If you need an item faster than our normal turnaround time of 2/3 weeks, you must contact us prior to ordering to confirm we can meet your deadline.
When you place an order with us, please make sure to read the listing and include all necessary custom information in the "notes to seller" section at checkout, and answer any emails or messages we send via Etsy. Your prompt attention for missing details keeps the order moving on time through our production process. Missing information and/or details will delay your order.
We only accept rush orders that are requested and approved prior to placing an order with us. Please message us with your need by date prior to placing your order for confirmation from us that we will be able to accommodate your rush request. Typical turnaround time is 2-3 weeks from the date your order is received, and during peak seasons such as Christmas, Easter, Wedding, and Back to School, this timeframe is closer to the full 3 week mark.


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About Us
Our Services
Burial or Graveside Services
Cremation Services
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Grief & Guidance
Use the form above to find your loved one. You can search using the name of your loved one, or any family name for current or past services entrusted to our firm.Click here to view all obituaries
The lighting of a Memorial Candle provides a gesture of sympathy and support to the immediate family during their time of need. Your tribute will remain permanently displayed in the Book of Memories™ helping to build a lasting memorial.
If you have any questions about the Book of Memories™ please speak to any one of our helpful staff.
If you have any questions about the Book of Memories™ or would like to have a Book of Memories™ created for a loved one, regardless of whether the service was entrusted to us or not, please speak to any one of our helpful staff.
For more information please contact us


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It would be very nice if I could both define rich text/ html email templates or at the very least include a signature of some type when sending a message. right now the message feature is exceedingly basic. still i would like to see specific responses defined. i suppose that some of these could be better specified via business process templates.
Don't have Bitrix24 yet?
Create your Bitrix24 now


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Internet Resources
The official web site of the author.
Publisher's discussion guide.
MAVIN: the nation's leading organization addressing multi-racial issues.
Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and
Ethnic Relations, Western Michigan University. An
informed cultural authority on matters of racial,
cultural, and ethnic diversity.
The Multiracial Activist is a libertarian-oriented activist journal covering social and civil liberties issues of interest to individuals who perceive themselves to be "biracial" or "multiracial," "interracial" couples/families and "transracial" adoptees.
Original features and articles about jazz music and musicians. Also features directories of links to information of interest to jazz fans and musicians.
Operation Understanding is a community-based organization designed to train young people in cross-cultural leadership and to promote dialogue between the African-American and Jewish communities.
The official web site of the Anti-Defamation League, whose mission is "to stop, by appeals to reason and conscience and, if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of the Jewish people. Its ultimate purpose is to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens."
For people interested in creating their own personal history.
Materials, support, and guidance for the reading and discussion of books.
The African American Literature Book Club aims to increase everyone's knowledge of the diversity of African American literature, and serve as a resource for aspiring and professional writers.
The Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society is a large and active local group.
An excellent web site for finding other on-line sources. It contains almost a quarter of a million categorized links to other sites that deal with almost every phase of genealogical research.
Other community reading programs which have featured The Color of Water:
Free Library of Philadelphia,
Philadelphia, PA
Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Questions about the Reading Together program?
Email us or call (269) 553-7913.


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Difference between revisions of "Kazbegi"
Revision as of 05:28, 25 September 2012
Kazbegi (Georgian: ყაზბეგი, q'ahz-beh-gee) a village in the north of Georgia, popular for the trekking opportunities in the visually spectacular surrounding mountains, its views of the mighty Mount Kazbeg, and for the beautiful view from the town of the Holy Trinity Church outlined against Mount Kazbeg itself.
The town of Kazbegi—officialy named Stepantsminda (სტეფანწმინდა: st'eh-pahn-ts'meen-dah), but better known under the old name of Kazbegi) is a mountain town on the Georgian Military Highway. The town is 10km south of the border with Russia, which is open again for some nationalities. On the western side of the river, the town is known as Gergeti (გერგეტი: gehr-geh-t'ee), but for all intents and purposes of a visitor, it is essentially one town.
Get in
Mashrutkas leave the Didube busstation of Tbilisi several times per day, fare: 10 GEL. If you have a bunch of people in your party, you can almost always find a driver hanging around the marshrutka who is going there anyway, and hitch a ride for a fare lower than the total your group would pay on the marshrutka.
To get to the Sno Valley take a jeep from Kazbegi. It's a long and pretty scary way but really worth it.
Get around
The town is easily covered on foot.
There is no ATM in town, only a bank branch of 'Liberty Bank'. It's up the hill from hotel Stepandsmina, on your left at the third intersection. The bank opens around 10:00 and gives cash advances on Visa & MasterCard.
There are few restaurants in the town, it's easier and cheaper to get the food at your guesthouse. Hotel Stepantsminda has a restaurant and the hotel next door as well.
There are some small shops just of the main square, in the direction of the 'center' (big sign on the side of the square).
Plenty of homestays, with older lady's swarming any arriving mashrutka. Expect to pay 15 GEL/person/night for a bed, 30 GEL to include dinner and breakfast.
VANO's Gueshouse . Vano speaks several languages (English, Italian, Japanese and so on). He has a Jeep Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Red Color). His guesthouse was opened from 1992. Has private rooms, running water hot and cold with bathrooms. His Mob:+995599420414 and Mob:+37257533256 . E-mail:[email protected] .
Get out


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Juvenile Mysteries
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- Ted and his sister Kat are not exactly friends. Ted has a "disorder" which causes his brain to operate on a different system than everyone else's. Their cousin Salim comes to visit them in London and wants to see the city, especially the giant wheel called the London Eye. A stranger offers the three kids a free ticket on the Eye. Since Salim is the guest, he gets the ticket. Ted and Kat watch as Salim goes up in the wheel, but when his capsule comes back down, Salim is gone. How is it possible for someone to vanish from a sealed capsule? Using his unusual brain and memory for details, Ted looks for clues others don't see. As Ted finds clues, Kat moves to action. Their only chance to find Salim is to work together as a team.
- On the eve of his eleventh birthday, Sam searches for hidden presents. In the attic of the building where he lives with his grandfather Mack, Sam finds a newspaper clipping instead. Sam doesn't read well, but he can read the word "missing," under a photo of a small boy. Sam is reminded of something. Was it a dream, or something that happened to him long ago? Suddenly Sam questions his whole life with Mack. Meanwhile, at school, Sam is paired with a girl named Caroline to build a model castle. She agrees to help Sam with his reading. As they put together the castle, they also put together the information they find about the missing boy, and more of Sam's own memories.
- The Wanderer is a small ship making its way across the ocean from Connecticut to England. Thirteen year old Sophie documents her journey in her diary. Her three uncles and two cousins complete the crew of The Wanderer. Sophie is excited about crossing the ocean and reuniting with her grandfather Bompie in England, whom she remembers fondly. Sophie's cousin Cody's diary tells a different story. He doesn't understand why Sophie remembers things that never happened. Or did they? Tension grows within the close quarters on rough seas. Each person on board has a story and a past. This family discovers they don't know each other so well after all. Whose stories are true? Read on to find out.
- Meet Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft. She lives with her mother and enjoys freedoms uncommon for females in the 1880s. When Enola awakens on her birthday, her mother is missing. She searches the estate and contacts the authorities who find nothing. In desperation, she contacts her brothers who arrive and also find nothing. When Mycroft insists that Enola go to a proper school for young ladies (just the kind of school her mother had always warned her about) she decides to run away and search for her mother. She discovers a few clues in her birthday gifts and in her mother's clothing. You'd be surprised how much you can pack into a "dress improver"(bustle) with the stuffing removed and into a loose corset!
- In modern day Venice, brothers Prosper and Bo have found the perfect place to hide from their cruel aunt and uncle. The abandoned movie theater shelters several street children who pick pockets to survive. Their masked leader Scipio, known as the Thief Lord, comes and goes at all hours, sometimes bringing them food or stolen goods to sell. The children adore and respect the Thief Lord, never suspecting the depth of the secrets he's keeping from them. The Thief Lord's reputation earns him an especially challenging job: to steal a magical item of such high value that its sale will bring enough money to support the gang for a long time to come. But the aunt and uncle have hired Victor, a private detective who is closing in on the boys. Prosper, Bo and the others must avoid capture and find the long lost item. What begins as the biggest job they've had turns into a magical adventure through the canals of Venice, with the stakes higher than anyone imagined.
- Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House is a masterpiece of architecture and a Chicago landmark. Sixth graders Petra, Calder, and Tommy learn from their teacher that the Robie House is about to be disassembled. Pieces of it will be donated to four different museums. The outraged students set out to stop the demolition. The Robie House has a mysterious past, and as the three get more involved, they find even more mysteries. Strange ghostly voices come from the house. Unexplained shadows move within it. The house appears to be fighting back against the destruction. Can Petra, Calder and Tommy save the masterpiece and solve the riddles within? In this sequel to Chasing Vermeer, Brett Helquist has created another mystery within the illustrations that the observant reader will be able to solve.


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As a recent college grad, you'll find great opportunities to apply your knowledge at MathWorks. Entry-level jobs across the company generally include not only engineering and software development jobs, but also jobs in usability, marketing, sales, finance, documentation, and service and support.
When you work at MathWorks, you'll find that we owe a lot of our success to the way we collaborate. We share what we are working on and the whys behind our decisions. We get involved in each other's projects by offering our perspective and expertise. And we embrace teamwork—you'll never hear anyone say, "That's not my job."
Explore the culture that fosters lifelong learning.
See what engineers and scientists do with MATLAB & Simulink.
Model-Based Design with MATLAB and Simulink Use Model-Based Design with MATLAB® and Simulink® to improve product quality and reduce development time by 50% or more.
Technical Computing with MATLAB Use MATLAB® to analyze data, develop algorithms, and create applications. Solve problems for a range of applications, including signal processing and communications, image and video processing, control systems, and test and measurement.


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posted by Amjith Ramanujam on Mon 20th Oct 2008 14:13 UTC, submitted by Michael
Mozilla's latest browser "Fennec", specifically designed for mobile devices has finally been released. Currently, it is only available for the Nokia N810 platform. Support for other platforms is planned for the future. Ars Technica has a review of the new browser. If you are interested in getting involved, but don't have a Nokia N810, you can install it on your desktop (Windows, Linux and OS X) and experiment with it.


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Dissent makes rate rise more likely
The prospect of an interest rate hike before the end of the year was reopened today as it was revealed that two members of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) voted for a 0.25% rise this month.
Minutes from the MPC's August meeting showed that Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale argued that improvements in the economy meant it was time for an increase.
It was the first split vote on rates since July 2011 and broke the consensus under governor Mark Carney in which all of the main monetary policy decisions since he took charge last summer have been unanimous.
Two members of the Bank of England's committee voted for a 0.25% rise
Economists said the dissent meant the door was left open for a possible interest rate hike before the end of this year - a possibility that only a day earlier had seemed to fade as figures showed inflation dropped sharply to 1.6% in July.
Markets have pencilled in the most likely timing for a rise as next February but the pound rose a cent against the euro today as currency traders recalibrated the probability of it happening earlier. It was also up against the dollar.
The likelihood of a rise this year has appeared to ebb in recent days because of falling inflation and last week's figures showing a 0.2% fall in pay - the first decline since the height of the recession in 2009.
At the same time the Bank of England said it would take greater account of pay when deciding when it should raise rates.
Today's minutes, from the MPC meeting of August 6 and 7, saw members vote 7-2 in favour of maintaining rates at 0.5% where they have been for more than five years, after they were slashed to try to help the economy back to health.
Prospects of an increase have risen with the improving economy. Policy-makers on the committee must weigh up the need to keep a lid on inflation without snuffing out the recovery.
The minutes said: "For two members, in particular, economic circumstances were sufficient to justify an immediate rise in Bank rate."
Mr McCafferty and Mr Weale argued that despite weak pay growth, the Bank's actions ought to anticipate its inevitable rise, adding that a rate of 0.75% would still be "extremely supportive" to the economy.
They suggested a small rise now would help the MPC stick to its aim of making only gradual hikes later.
The majority felt that "there remained insufficient evidence of inflationary pressures" to justify an increase.
Some argued that, given the concerns that weak pay growth would continue for longer, "there would be merit in waiting to see firmer evidence that solid increase in pay growth were in prospect before tightening policy".
Another reason for leaving the status quo for now was that "increases in Bank rate well ahead of any pick-up in wage and income growth risked increasing the vulnerability of highly-indebted households".
There was an acknowledgement that burgeoning growth meant the time for the rate rise was nearing as "the longer the expansion continued, the less likely it became that some of the downside risks to growth and inflation would appear".
The split was the first on the MPC on either rates or quantitative easing (QE) - which injects billions into the economy - since Mr Carney became governor last summer.
Predecessor Lord King saw a series of splits right up until his departure over QE, when he and two other members took the minority view that it should be increased by £25 billion.
The last dissent on rates occurred in July 2011 when Mr Weale and former chief economist Spencer Dale, who has now left the Bank, voted for a 0.25% hike.
Samuel Tombs of Capital Economics said the latest minutes "suggest that it would be foolish to rule out the possibility of a 2014 rate hike" though he still expected this would happen in February.
Jeremy Cook, chief economist at currency exchange company World First, said: "A marker has been put down and we only need three more members of the MPC to switch allegiance and we will have higher rates in the UK."
David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "It is disappointing that two members voted for an immediate increase at the last MPC meeting.
"With inflation well below target and wage growth stagnating, any increase in interest rates at the moment would be premature. The risks from raising rates too early are much greater than the risks of waiting just a little longer."
Kathleen Brooks of Forex.com said: "The longest period of unity in the MPC's history has been shattered. Now things at the BOE will start to get interesting.
"The split suggests that the MPC is not as dovish as Mark Carney, the governor, which could mean future decisions are on a knife edge, especially if the economic data continues to improve and wages pick up."
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This year, as regular readers know, I am recommending a series of books as Christmas presents, the common denominator being that they are all written by people I know. You can see the first installments here, here and here.
Recommendation number four is Hugh Hewitt's The Happiest Life. Hugh, one of the wisest people we know, explains what it takes to be happy. Scott has already plugged Hugh's book, so I can't do much better than to quote:
Hugh Hewitt is a happy man and he is also the cause of happiness in others. He has discovered the secret of happiness. It is a secret sought by many and discovered by deep thought or natural inclination only by a few. I have seen Hugh act on his understanding of happiness many times since I first met him and been struck by the fact that I have never met anyone quite like him. Indeed, I stand in awe of him. Now I understand why. In this book Hugh happily shares the secret of happiness with his readers. This is therefore a book that gives the gift that keeps on giving. I am most grateful for it. It belongs on the bookshelf along with classic reflections on the sources of happiness by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas and C.S. Lewis.
Hugh is one of the most effective people I know. When I first met him, I thought: Wow, I've never seen anyone network quite like this! But eventually, upon getting to know Hugh better, I realized that what he does is not networking in the cynical sense. Rather, Hugh, out of a genuine impulse of good will, helps people–hundreds of them, maybe thousands–without expecting anything in return. Hugh is a sort of new media Johnny Appleseed, strewing seeds wherever he goes without asking anything in exchange. All giving, no expecting.
If you want to understand how one of the most effective conservatives on today's public stage does it, order The Happiest Life.
As good as The Happiest Life is, it isn't any better than another inspirational, self-help book by my good friend Paul Batz, titled What Really Works. This is something I have been struck by for many years: there isn't really any significant debate over how human beings should live. We all know–experience tells us–what really works, and what doesn't. But Paul Batz's book pulls together the recipe for successful living in the modern age as well as, or better than, any book I know of. It centers on the "Seven Fs"–Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Friends, Fun, and Future. There is more at Paul's web site. I encourage all who are trying to make better sense of their lives, or who want to forge a better link between the spiritual and the mundane, to check out Paul's book. It is really very good.
So those are book recommendations 4 and 5. Christmas is just around the corner, only one more to go!


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That's what at least one writer thinks.
Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News wrote a column last week (that we somehow missed here at MTC) in which he said Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is too good for Philadelphia, and he wishes the Birds would get rid of him.
The Philadelphia Eagles said Monday that quarterback Donovan McNabb will return next season. He has two years left on his contract, so they have no reason to get rid of him. But I wish they would. Philadelphia doesn't deserve him. Since arriving in the NFL in 1999, McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But I don't know of any professional athlete who is less appreciated in the city he plays for.
You can click on the above link to read the entire column, but it's mostly commentary you've heard before. The fans booed him when he was drafted. The fans are too hard on him. The city is unforgiving. McNabb was the reason they got to the NFC championship.
You get the picture.
He ends the column:
Word is the 32-year-old McNabb wants his contract reworked into a long-term extension, a stance that has created speculation that Philadelphia may rethink its decision and send him packing. Some Eagles fans would like that. So would I. McNabb has never been treated with enough respect in Philadelphia anyway, so he should leave. He deserves better.
Yesterday, we posted comments from NFL Network's Jamie Dukes, who had a similar stance.


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South Carolina's firearms season opened Aug. 15 on private land in portions of the state, giving hunters a jump on the rest of the Southeast and a chance to kill a buck in velvet.
Jason Hart is an account manager for Mossy Oak/Haas Outdoors. Check out this outstanding whitetail he killed Wednesday evening, and his account of the hunt below:
"After moving back to the South Carolina Lowcountry after being gone since before college (90s), I joined four different hunting clubs/leases this summer. With all of my work travel, I haven't had the chance to scout or learn the properties like I wanted to this summer. With no scouting, no knowledge of the area and little hope for success (until later in the season), a gentleman who is running one of them was nice enough to set me in a stand overlooking a peanut field on the August 15th opener.
"He had seen some good bucks and put me in quite the spot. At 7:40 p.m. a 120-inch class 10-point stepped out in the field. I raised my binos and it didn't take me long to raise my rangefinder, and I got a reading of 240 yards. I raised my rifle and got my bean bag rest situated on the shooting rail of the stand.
"While looking at him in the crosshairs, more red covered up green in the top right side of my scope. The biggest deer I have had in my crosshairs in South Carolina stepped in my scope past him about 20 yards behind him.
"It took about a minute to calm my breathing and my shakes before I squeezed the trigger, holding dead on his shoulder as I sighted in my Steyr 300 Win Mag for 2 inches high at 100 yards the day before. He dropped. His buddy ran in circles for a minute and was centered in my crosshairs. I let him walk (it is legal to kill more than one buck a day in S.C.). Hopefully he will survive until next year.
"This is my best South Carolina deer to date and my first deer in velvet (I have been wanting to shoot one in velvet since I was 9 years old and have passed up dozens of smaller velvet-racked bucks over the years). I haven't scored him yet, but he is a dandy and is going on the wall! Quite the memory on my first day of hunting since becoming a South Carolina resident again!"
Dandy is appropriate! Congratulations, Jason, and good luck to the other hunters in the Palmetto State this season!


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About the Brand
Australian entrepreneur Carla Oates, founder of the bestselling organic, pre- and probiotic-infused beauty ingestible line (which also makes amazing topical skincare) The Beauty Chef, has built her business on this phenomenon: She'd suffered from eczema and allergies as a child, and diet changes when she was twelve healed both conditions. After a career as a beauty editor, she began making organic fermented foods at the same time that she started experimenting with creating skincare formulas. The resulting ingestible pro- and pre-biotic powders and liquids, plus skincare essentials, work in tandem to treat everything from wrinkles to dryness.


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Source: Morehouse.edu
By President John Silvanus Wilson Jr. '79
Dear Morehouse Community:
From the start of my presidency, I have emphasized the need to increase our institution's "signal-to-noise ratio." By that, I simply mean that we must increasingly focus our attention on important matters to the exclusion of distractions.
A few months ago, I was honored to receive a call from the White House that resulted in President Barack Obama becoming our Commencement speaker this year. As we move toward what will inarguably be one the most important weekends in the history of the College, I have announced to, and beyond the campus community that we have one focus and one focus only. Simply stated, our focus is to celebrate with these graduates and their families, and to enjoy the historic visit by the President of the United States. That is truly our signal!
That being said, I pause to write to you now regarding a related matter that is germane to our educational mission, but one that has regretfully generated quite a bit of distraction in recent days. In brief, I extended an invitation to a distinguished alumnus to speak at our upcoming Baccalaureate service. I subsequently made a decision to adjust the format of the Baccalaureate program and opted for a more creative, multi-speaker approach that is used by many leading institutions. This sharing of the stage comports with the spirit of upholding democratic ideals, including freedom of speech and expression, and is entirely consistent with the spirit of camaraderie that Morehouse holds dear.
As president, I believe this is in the best interest of the college. In this instance, I decided to ask this invited speaker to share the Baccalaureate stage with two other speakers so as to reflect a broader and more inclusive range of viewpoints.
To my chagrin, my decision has been wrongly construed by some as an effort to "disinvite" this individual. He was not disinvited, but rather declined to participate in the format. Worse yet, this decision has led to allegations of censorship, which of course has no place in any viable academic institution. These allegations are fundamentally deleterious and are undeserved.
In brief, this matter is not and has never been about censorship. Nor has it anything to do with stifling or limiting "prophetic voices," disturbing the "King legacy," or deviating from any of the proud traditions of the College.
And as we move on, I invite everyone to focus with us on our singular signal – these graduates of the Class of 2013, their families, and the historic visit by the President of the United States. Period.
Let us also look forward to a future that features a Morehouse College with the highest signal-to-noise ratio in the history of American higher education!
-John Silvanus Wilson Jr. '79,
11th President, Morehouse College


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Evacuation order lifted for residents near train derailment
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was notified at approximately 4 p.m. of a train derailment in the area of Highway 124 and the Goodyear plant. Responding units verified that the substance in the derailed tank car was Isoprene Stabilized. This substance is highly flammable with a flash point of -65 degrees.
Hwy 124 between Smith Road and Gaulding Road was shut down to all traffic and is expected to reopen around 2 a.m.
As of 8:45 p.m., the evacuation order for the residents in the area of the train derailment has been lifted. All residents within ½ mile of the incident on Hwy 124 will be allowed back into their residences. Authorities ask that all residents continue to shelter in place that return. Highway 124 will continue to be closed to all through traffic from Gaulding Road to Smith Road until the rail car is returned to the tracks. The Beaumont Fire/ Rescue Hazmat Team has inspected the rail tank car and found no damage. The container appears to still be sealed. The rail car will be up-righted within the next 5 hours at which time the roadway will be reopened.


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Accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in glioblastoma during progression
Search Medline for
|May 20, 2009
Objective: Glioblastoma, the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults has an inherent tendency to recur. The molecular basis of the recurrence process in GBM is still poorly understood. We aimed to analyze both genetic and epigenetic alterations occurring in GBM during disease progression.
Methods: We have analyzed 20 match-paired GBM. Genetic analysis was performed by: a) sequencing of p53 and PTEN; b) EGFR amplification by semiquantitative PCR and c) wide-genome LOH analysis at chromosome regions 17p13, 1p35, 19q13, 13q14, 9p21 and 10q24 by microsatellite analysis. Epigenetic patterns were determinated by investigating genes with a key role in DNA repair (MGMT), apoptosis (CASP8, CASP3, CASP9, DcR 1, DR4, DR5, and TMS1/ASC), and cell adherence (CDH1, CDH13) as well as the cell cycle check-point regulator CHFR and tumor suppressor genes RASSF1A and BLU. The CpG island promoter hypermethylation status was assessed by methylation-specific PCR.
Results: Among primary GBM, we observed 12 type 2 GBM, four type 1 GBM and four GBM showing neither p53 mutations nor EGFR amplification (non type 1-non type 2 GBM). Upon recurrence, we have found two patterns of progression: tumors showing either type 1 or type 2 profiles conserved them. In contrast, non type 1-non type 2 GBM acquired a type 2 GBM profile. Both type 1 and type 2 GBM showed a less methylated profile when compared to the non type1-non type 2 GBM. The promoter hypermethylation pattern of relapsed GBM in comparison with their corresponding primary tumors was different in 50% of type 1 GBM, in 58.3% of type 2 GBM and in 100% of non type 1-non type 2 GBM. The most prominent distinction was the presence of a previously undetected CASP8 hypermethylation in GBM relapses (P= 0.031, Fisher's exact test). This difference was even more marked in non type 1-non type 2 GBM, which showed significantly higher rates of hypermethylation of RASFF1A and BLU as well.
Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest that GBM accumulates genetic and epigenetic alterations during disease progression. Relapses of GBM showed different profiles of epigenetic aberrations depending on the genetic subtype, which was more patent in non type 1-non type 2 GBM.


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Rashad Baker has already played a major role in getting the Eagles to the playoffs and he just signed with the team today.
Some people may recall that it was Baker, a Camden native, who came up with a game-clinching interception on the final day of the 2008 regular season that made the Eagles' finale against the Dallas Cowboys meaningful.
Baker, a product of Woodrow Wilson High School and the University of Tennessee, intercepted a Jeff Garcia pass to seal Oakland's upset victory over the Buccaneers down in Tampa Bay. That play eliminated the Bucs from playoff contention and, combined with a Chicago loss in Houston, gave the Eagles a chance to earn an unlikely postseason berth. The Eagles, of course, trounced the Cowboys and went on to win two playoff games before losing to Arizona in the NFC championship game.
"I didn't know the impact it had at the time," Baker said after signing a one-year contract with the Eagles. "After the game, I saw that Philly had won and I started getting a lot of phone calls and texts telling me I helped the Eagles get into the playoffs."
Baker, 27, thinks it might have helped him get a job with his new team, too.
"It was definitely a good feeling," Baker said. "I never thought as a result of that play that Philadelphia would be interested, but I'm grateful for the opportunity."
Troy Archie, the Camden-based agent for Baker, said his client also had been in talks with Oakland, Cleveland and New Orleans. Archie said Baker wanted a chance to play near home and he felt this was a good opportunity after Brian Dawkins signed with Denver.
"He's a Philly fan and this was a great opportunity for him to play for a team that he followed since he was a kid," Archie said. "He wanted to get closer to home and his family and the Eagles were that opportunity. I think he'll make a contribution."
After losing Dawkins and Sean Considine via free agency, the Eagles were down to two Quintins -- Mikell and Demps -- at the safety position, but with the addition of Baker and Sean Jones, who signed a one-year deal last week, the team again has safeties in numbers.
Baker, who had a career-high three interceptions with Oakland last season after having a total of two in his first four NFL seasons, is hoping to compete with Jones for time at safety. Like Jones, Baker, 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, said he is capable of playing either free safety or strong safety.
"Through my years of playing, I always had to learn to be interchangeable," Baker said. "Whatever best fits the opportunity for me, whether its strong safety or free safety, I want to take advantage of it. Watching this team on TV, I've seen Brian Dawkins blitz and I've seen him back in coverage. I like the versatility of this defense."
Baker, who now lives in Williamstown, N.J., started his NFL career with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and has since played with Minnesota, New England and Raiders. That's a lot of moving in a little bit of time, but now Baker is hoping to find a home in the place he calls home.


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How to Use
the Readings
Inquiry Question
Reading 1: Early Uses of Bryce Canyon
Erosion has shaped colorful limestones, sandstones, and mudstones into a remarkable array of fantastic shapes below the rim of Utah's Paunsaugunt Plateau. Tall, thin ridges of rock called "fins" form as water weakens rocks fractured in the faulting process. The fins continue to erode over time and become pinnacles and spires. These rock formations, called "hoodoos," are made even more spectacular by the presence of oxidized minerals that create over 60 gradations of red, yellow, purple, and white. A legend of the Paiute Indians, who inhabited the area for hundreds of years before the arrival of European Americans, claims that the hoodoos are ancient "Legend People" turned into stone as punishment for bad deeds. This description captures the fanciful quality of the remarkable and rugged terrain of Bryce Canyon.
Early 19th-century travelers in the region reported little on the wonders of Bryce Canyon. Although early Spanish explorers and traders traveled in the general area, there are no records to show that they ever went into Bryce Canyon. It seems likely that fur trappers and traders would have passed through the region between 1800 and 1850, since the name of the Paunsaugunt Plateau above the canyon is derived from a Paiute word meaning "home of the beavers." Yet, extant trappers' journals, letters, and reports do not specifically describe the unusual scenery that characterizes Bryce Canyon. Similarly, the prospectors and entrepreneurs who opened many remote areas of the western United States during the 1850s and 1860s found little of interest in the vicinity. The terrain is so rugged that even the famous John Wesley Powell 1867 survey of the Green and Colorado Rivers and plateaus avoided this area of Utah. As Captain Sutton, a member of the survey, reported, it was "traversable only by a creature with wings."¹
Mormons began settling Utah in the late 1840s when Brigham Young and his followers established Salt Lake City. Young hoped to form religious colonies in southern Utah as well, but the missionaries found the region of Bryce Canyon inhospitable and generally unsuited for farming. Seasonal early and late frosts associated with the high altitude made crop production risky. Some arable land existed on the top of the Paunsaugunt Plateau and in the canyon bottoms below the rim, however. In the mid-1870s a small group of Mormon pioneers decided to try to capitalize on the land's potential. They settled in the adjacent valleys that seemed suited for grazing livestock.
Ebenezer Bryce and his family were among the Mormons who accepted the challenge to settle the region. He agreed to move from Salt Lake City to southern Utah because he thought the climate might improve his wife's poor health. In 1875 the Bryces; joined several other families at Clifton (cliff town), which was named for its proximity to the pink cliffs of the canyon. Apparently not satisfied with that settlement, they soon moved upstream along the Paria River to found New Clifton. Between 1878-1880, Ebenezer Bryce and other settlers built a seven-mile irrigation ditch from Paria Creek in order to raise crops and provide water for their livestock. To make firewood more accessible, Bryce also built a road that terminated at the mouth of the canyon. In 1880, when Mary Bryce's health failed to improve, the Bryces moved to southeastern Arizona because of its year-round warmth. By this time, local settlers already referred to the area as "Bryce's Canyon."
When asked about the spectacular scenery near his farm, Bryce reportedly said only that the canyon was "a hell of a place to lose a cow." Many years later a grandson of one of the Mormon settlers remarked:
Many of us remember them [grandparents] telling us about this canyon as well as of Cedar Breaks. But they could do little about it. They were too busy trying to make a livelihood for their families. There were no roads, just poor trails, their wagons and wagon wheels were worn out, their horses or ox teams were poor and unable to make any trips, save for the bare necessities.²
These Mormon pioneers were interested primarily in growing crops and raising cattle to provide for their families, and in establishing churches. They were a determined, God-fearing group, whose struggle against the harsh realities of everyday life left little energy for contemplating the magnificent scenery themselves or spreading word of it to others. It would be decades before the American public became aware of this special place.
Questions for Reading 1
1. What geological formations make Bryce Canyon unique? How are these formations created?
2. Why was there a lack of interest in the Bryce Canyon region until the late 19th century?
3. What did the Bryces and other Mormon settlers do to make the land near Bryce Canyon more hospitable?
4. What prevented Mormon pioneers from fully appreciating the magnificent scenery of Bryce Canyon?
Reading 1 is compiled from Janene Caywood, "Bryce Canyon Multiple Property Submission" (Garfield County, Utah) National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1994; Nicholas Scrattish, "Historic Resource Study: Bryce Canyon National Park," Washington, D.C: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1985; and primary sources located at the site.
¹Dorr G. Yeager, Your Western National Parks (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1947), 163.