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Copyright © 1996-2018,2019 by Thomas E. Dickey
Vttest tests the compatibility (demonstrates the non-compatibility) of so-called "VT100-compatible" terminals. In conformance of the good old hacker traditions, the only documentation of this program is the source code itself. To understand it, you also need a copy of the original VT100 manual from DEC.
Additional tests (past version 1.7) are provided for analysis of vt220 through vt520 terminals, as well as variants of xterm.
Vttest was written in 1983-1985 by Per Lindberg at the Stockholm University Computing Center. The last version was 1.7b (1985-04-19). Per Lindberg later distributed 1.7b via the Usenet mod.sources group (Volume 7, Issue 16, September 2, 1986). It became an established part of the Unix source archives, e.g,. as noted in these postings from 1988.
I began this version in May 1996 (starting with 1.7b) to support changes that I am making to xterm. The program has grown from about 2400 lines to more than 18,000 lines of code. See the changelog for details.
I changed the version number to 2.0 in the initial release, in 1996, and went up to 2.7 shortly after. Since then, the patch-date is the effective version number.
Most of my visible changes are via two menu entries at the bottom of the main screen:
However, I restructured the entire program, adding screens to existing tests, and menu entries (for instance in the terminal reports). In the restructured program, it is much simpler to add menu entries, since they are built from tables rather than case statements.
On the other hand, I kept the overall indentation style of the program. There are no tab characters.
VT100's never did color.
My original motivation for working on vttest was to provide a way to test the color changes I was making for xterm. Drawing colored text is straightforward. Drawing colored backgrounds presents many choices. For instance:
None of those choices are automatically "right" or "wrong". Designers of different terminals (and emulators) have chosen to implement color in different ways.
For xterm, I chose to match the Linux console behavior. That was a starting point. But (see below) I continued past this point, implementing features from VT220 and later, including controls (DECSCA) that can protect against erasure.
The particular erasure choices used in xterm and Linux console are modeled in ncurses as the back color erase (bce) feature. Early on, we (I and Alexander V. Lukyanov) found that the bce feature was nowhere defined precisely, and settled on the current behavior. Other terminals (such as rxvt) do not exactly match this set of choices, so controls which differ are not in the corresponding terminal description.
I added screens to vttest to illustrate the bce behavior, helping to ensure consistency.
For instance, this was once of the earlier screens I wrote to demonstrate and test erases against the bce color model:
Before Erase After Erase
The terminal also has to fill color properly for double-sized characters. Here are examples with and without font support for double-sized characters:
Using scaled fonts Without scaled fonts
Even Linux console has had occasional issues, where it is inconsistent, e.g., a blunder in 2008 as reported on the Linux kernel mailing list here by Alexander V. Lukyanov. The problem was introduced here, and broke the bce feature of Linux console for several months. Vttest might have been useful in that case.
Double-sized characters required some work on xterm. Initially, it only drew normal sized characters with spaces in between (and there were a few issues to resolve). Xterm now draws double-sized characters using scaled fonts (a feature introduced by XFree86). Here is an example from the VT100 tests:
After I had been working on vttest for a while, I realized that xterm had features (other than the obvious case of function keys) that were not found in a VT100. These control sequences switch to a different character set for just one character (a single shift) or until undone (locking shifts). The VT100 line-drawing characters are a special case of the latter.
The set of single- and locking-shifts are features of the more advanced VT220 terminal. Seeing that, and understanding that it would allow xterm to be more useful to people around the world, I decided to fill in the missing pieces to make a workable VT220 emulator. Years later, of course, UTF-8 became a more valued feature. But I use different programs than vttest for testing xterm's UTF-8 support.
Some of the features (in particular the character sets) are visible only when the terminal identifies itself as a VT220 or above. For instance, the top-level menu "Test of character sets" shows only the VT100 character sets for VT100s:
But for VT220s (e.g., xterm with the command line option
-ti 220"), vttest shows a menu, with the VT100
character sets as an option:
VT220s provide something like ISO-2022 support for several European encodings. Here is an example using the locking shifts, showing French and Italian:
Incidentally, the VT220 and up can be switched into a mode where they identify themselves as lower-level models (analogous to the VT100/VT52 switching). You can do this in vttest using menu 12:
The Linux console used to recognize 8-bit controls. I gave advice to Albert Cahalan (see links), who used vttest to identify and repair most issues. However, later work to change the console driver to support UTF-8 broke that, though comments in the code still claimed that the feature was supported. Early in 2006, I submitted changes which were applied to the console_codes manpage, including the BUGS section. This paragraph is pertinent:
Some older kernel versions (after 2.0) interpret 8-bit control sequences. These "C1 controls" use codes between 128 and 159 to replace ESC [, ESC ] and similar two-byte control sequence initiators. There are fragments of that in modern kernels (either overlooked or broken by changes to support UTF-8), but the implementation is incom- plete and should be regarded as unreliable.
DEC's terminals were all upward-compatible:
Each model also provides more new features than the total in its predecessor. Not all features are useful for a terminal emulation (such as the dual-session feature of VT420). I have implemented tests for the features which either are in xterm, or are simple extensions (such as the variations on status responses).
Vttest organizes these according to the terminal type. Features found in ISO 6429 but not in a particular DEC terminal are via separate menu choices from XTERM and the VTxxx flavors:
Early on, I found that ECH (erase character) is a VT220 feature rather than VT102. It is perhaps the most commonly implemented extension of "VT100 emulators".
As it is implemented in rxvt (unlike xterm and Linux console) it does not behave the same with regard to color as ED (erase display). After some discussion, it was determined that
For example, I recall using more than one terminal emulator with "VT340" and color, for instance TNVTPlus (developed by FTP Software, Inc.). That, by the way, differed from xterm regarding the way color was set when scrolling in "blank lines". There are as noted several choices, and none are blessed by an official standard. Vttest demonstrates the set of choices used in xterm and Linux console.
Xterm implements several features from models past VT220. One of the more interesting is the ability to work with rectangles on the screen (from VT420). That is (both in vttest and xterm) only provided when the terminal identifies itself as (at least) a VT420:
As a VT100 As a VT420
Given the proper configuration, vttest shows rectangles. As an extension, xterm supports color:
Monochrome Color (XTerm)
ISO 6429 has several features (including scrolling not implemented by DEC terminals). The most useful set of tests is the color menu:
The window modify- and report-operations attributed to dtterm (because that was the only extant usage in 1996) had appeared in the X10 "6.6b" version xterm. Like its successors through X11R6, there is no changelog, so it was not possible to determine when/where the features originated. But they predate dtterm. Some additional information is given in XTerm Control Sequences.
The original distribution of vttest used licensing terms which were problematic ("noncommercial"), e.g., for the Debian packagers:
This software is (c) 1984 by QZ Non-commercial use and copying allowed. If you are developing a commercial product, and use this program to do it, and that product is successful, please send a sum of money of your choice to the address below.
I contacted Per Lindberg in 2007, and suggested that it be changed to a BSD license. He agreed. My changes have always been compatible with that.
Here are additional screenshots.
There are numerous references on the net to vttest. Here are a few of the more interesting ones:
Usually vttest is a separate package. However OpenSuSE bundles vttest within the xterm package.
FreeBSD (likewise NetBSD, OpenBSD) had a source (and typically installed vttest) as part of PCVT. The PCVT console driver is not much used now, but (like xterm of the same era) aimed at good VT220 emulation. Here is a place to read about it.
Since 2005 (see also manned.org), vttest has been provided as a port (not part of the base system).
Recently (at least since 2009), FreeBSD has been revising the SYSCONS console driver (the "TEKEN_XTERM" feature seen here). As noted here, vttest has been useful in this development.
rxvt used to have a bundled copy of 1.7b (see changes.txt).
Mark Olesen dropped it from rxvt in his final release 2.18 (announced August 2, 1996) to reflect my work on vttest. However, its presence in rxvt's source (combined with my having sent Mark a patch in April 1996 to improve rxvt's handling of SGR 39/49 default colors) was what led me to start adding the color-related tests to vttest.
KDE konsole used to have a copy of 1.7b, which I noticed in 1.0.2 (2001) when responding to a bug report where konsole had incorrectly implemented xterm's SGR 1049 (no cursor save/restore was done). Ultimately it turned out that the bug had been fixed, but was poorly communicated since the corresponding upstream bug report was not cited in Debian's update ("fix konsole" can cover a lot of territory), nor was there any changelog note in KDE describing the change.
Vttest comprised most of the files in the "tests" subdirectory. It was removed in 2009, according to the commit comment due to "license issues/age" (and is not mentioned in its changelog).
Konsole's copy had been modified, of course, to work with POSIX termio, although it was done inline (rather than moving the repeated ioctl's to a separate function). Seeing that vttest was apparently being used made it puzzling that at the time Konsole used a nonstandard response for its terminal identifier (the primary device attributes):
if (getMode(MODE_Ansi)) // sendString("\033[?1;2c"); // I'm a VT100 with AP0 //FIXME: send only in response to ^[[0c sendString("\033[>0;115;0c"); // I'm a VT220 //FIXME: send only in response to ^[[>c else sendString("\033/Z"); // I'm a VT52
That is, it was returning xterm's secondary response. The "115" was xterm's patch level in late 1999. However, that was partially corrected around the same time as the bug report— mentioned above. The string is (as of December 2011) returned as the response to the secondary device attributes control.
broken console fails vttest (Albert D Cahalan, 20 Jan 1999)
Terminal.app is
not your grandfather's VT100 terminal (Tao of Mac).
This is an example of how vttest is used to validate the correctness of a terminal.
By the way, the comment "passes more suites" refers to an earlier source (apparently not available) whose writer was confused about xterm's support for double-sized characters, stating that Terminal.app did this while xterm did not. Xterm's done this since 1998. Since Terminal.app is an OS X application, it cannot be older than 2002.
The existing article (from 2005) goes on to comment that Terminal.app does not handle mouse location reporting. That gives a clue: As of 2014, Terminal.app as a rule does not handle the VT220 and higher-level control sequences which comprise the bulk of the screens in vttest. It is not xterm. Perhaps its developers intended it to compete with dtterm, which it more closely resembled at that point in time.
– DEC VT terminal line-wrapping semantics
(Mattias Engdegård).
– Automatic unit tests for terminal emulation
(George Nachman, original


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Lakewood is a preferred location in the region for retail and entertainment, strengthening Lakewood's position as a regional retail hub and visitor destination. The local retail landscape is an eclectic mix of traditional national and regional tenants with a healthy population of small locally owned businesses and one-of-a-kind owner-operated stores and restaurants. Located less than 3 miles west of downtown Denver, the City of Lakewood encompasses 44 square miles, directly west of Denver. Sheridan Boulevard forms the east boundary and C-470 forms the west boundary connecting Lakewood to the north and south areas of metro Denver. In mid-2013 the new W light rail line will quickly connect many of our neighborhoods, employment centers and commercial corridors with downtown Denver and the entire FasTracks network. With a population of approximately 147,000 residents, Lakewood is Colorado's fifth largest city. Retail development is an important focus for the City of Lakewood. With the understanding that new or redeveloped retail projects enhance the municipal tax base, provide services to its residents and are a catalyst for other development, the City is committed to assisting with your retail development project. Major projects include: Belmar, located in Downtown Lakewood
Colorado Mills and Denver West

subset: commoncrawl


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With a 153/3.0 you should be focusing on schools that will consider you, because your options are going to be extremely limited. If you really want to go to law school, you have two options: 1) take the LSAT again and try to do significantly better, since there's nothing you can do about your GPA or 2) start looking at low-ranking law schools in cities you feel you can tolerate living in for an extended period, since it's where you're going to spend three years going to school there, and will likely begin the practice of law (if you get a job) and not be able to leave until you have some years of experience.You need to reflect on why you want to go to law school at this point. Specifically, why do you want to be a lawyer? Why do you want to invest that much money and three years of your life for this? What do you hope to get out of it, when even a job seems unlikely for people who went to a higher-ranked school than you are likely to attend with your current scores?If I sound harsh, it's only because a lot of people fail to grasp the reality of their situations and cover it with a lot of misplaced hope and a scattering of fairy dust. So, just realize that your outcome will be about as poor as it can be: go to school to be a barrister; end up a barista.
I appreciate your honesty, but I have the motivation and I think correct expectations. Most importantly I have a deep interest in law. If I can't get a job out of law school, I have skills in finance and IT to make money - that's not an issue.
I think my biggest problem is getting into a law school that I like and one that provides value and a unique education. Would you suggest applying to a law school initially and transferring to a better one after the first year? Is that a common route for lower end credentialed students?
If you have skills in finance and IT, why aren't you just planning on using them? You could get pretty far in a career in three years. And you didn't answer the question on why you want to be a lawyer.
Well, to help you pick out a school, you can look at some law school admissions calculators to see where you have a shot at getting in. From there, you can research the area, what major and minor journals they have so you can try and get on those. As far as applying to a law school with the intention of transferring: never, ever do this. Every law student applies to school with what they consider to be "correct expectations" but few live up to them. Law school is far more competitive than you know. If you plan to transfer out, you pretty much have to be in the top 10% and, as we all know, there is no way to cram 100% of students into the top 10%. So, it's very important to manage your expectations accordingly. As far as whether it's a common route: very few manage it; far fewer than those who attempt it.
I need work that is challenging, requires intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.
Sometimes I watch C-SPAN and analyze arguments. What led to my interest in securities law (among other things) was the Goldman Sachs hearings, the Rajaratnam insider trading, WaMu Bankruptcy case, and Dodd-Frank legislation. I've taken classes in college such as Philosophy, Analyzing Evidence, and a basic law class. It feels natural to me.
As far as other careers - IT is like a trade job; after 1 year working at a part time IT desk I felt like I was at the same level as my superiors. Finance is more difficult for now at least with many layoffs and uncertainty on Wall Street.
I appreciate your honesty, but I have the motivation and I think correct expectations.
So you guys are saying that one shouldn't go to law school unless they have top grades from the top schools, much less even begin thinking about getting a job as a lawyer. Furthermore the job will tear your life apart, and you will either love it or hate it. To be honest, it really does sound like hyperbole. Or it might be an anti-competitive conspiracy to lessen the supply of lawyers? Just out of curiosity, what experience(s) and credentials do you guys have to come to a conclusion like this?
So you guys are saying that one shouldn't go to law school unless they have top grades from the top schools, much less even begin thinking about getting a job as a lawyer.


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Story highlights
- David Frum says we lack real evidence on the impact of living alone
- Is the dropping birth rate a good or a bad thing, he asks
- Frum: Is a new book right about the hookup culture being empowering?
- He says we want to believe in life without traditional attachments, but is it best?
Incomes? Home prices? New car sales? Americans exactingly measure everything that pertains to their material well-being. But when it comes time to assess the things that matter most -- human well-being and happiness -- there we find ourselves baffled.
This week, Americans celebrate Valentine's Day. The National Retail Federation can inform us how much Americans will spend and how that spending compares to last year and the year before that. It can tell us how much of that spending will be directed to candy, how much to cards, how much to lingerie, how much to dinners out. Specialists will inform you, if asked, about the relative size of the gay and lesbian Valentine market, how many Valentine dollars will be spent on pets, and how Valentine's Day spending compares to Halloween and Cinco de Mayo.
But what the Valentine dollars buy? That is a lot more obscure.
The statisticians can tell us that 31 million Americans live alone, and that fewer than half of American homes are shared by a husband and wife. Their data shows that the American birth rate plunged to an all-time low in 2011, and that almost one-fifth of American women in their 40s have not had children.
But the statisticians cannot tell us what we most want to know: Are these trends conducive to human flourishing? Are we doing a better or worse job of sustaining love and family compared to other places and other times? These questions -- the very most important of them all -- are the questions where our public discussion is most accepting of answers based on raw assertion.
"Living alone comports with modern values. It promotes freedom, personal control and self-realization." That sunny assessment comes from Eric Klinenberg, author of the 2012 book, "Going Solo." Maybe he's right -- go try to prove he's not!
The hookup culture of commitment-free sex? It's empowering, claims a new book excerpted in The Atlantic.
"To put it crudely, feminist progress right now largely depends on the existence of the hookup culture. And to a surprising degree, it is women -- not men -- who are perpetuating the culture, especially in school, cannily manipulating it to make space for their success, always keeping their own ends in mind. "
Are more children growing up in single-parent households? That's a good thing, asserts journalism professor Katie Roiphe in a New York Times op-ed.
"If you think that being married ensures a good life for your children you need only enter a bookstore and open any novel, or go to the theater and watch practically any play, or have dinner with nearly anyone you know. Suffering is everywhere, and married parents, even happily married parents, raise screwed-up or alcoholic or lost children, just as single parents raise strong, healthy ones," Roiphe writes.
If we were reading about running-shoe production, or the relative costs of different sources of electricity, or the merits of different mobile phones, we'd want facts and proof. But when it comes to the things that matter most, proof is difficult and our feelings are strong.
"People don't actually read newspapers," quipped the great student of mass media, Marshall McLuhan. "They slip into them like a warm bath."
We want to hear that Facebook can substitute for the marriages we don't form, and that friends and pets provide more gratification than the children we don't have.
We want to believe that we can shed sexual partners without a pang and attract new ones at every age of life.
And in our dynamic consumer economy, there is always a provider who will deliver what we want. Who will say that they are wrong?
Follow us on Twitter @CNNOpinion.
Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion.


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County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2002(Effective October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002)
Each fiscal year the Appalachian Regional Commission classifies the Region's counties into one of four economic levels based on a comparison of county and national rates for three economic indicators: three-year average unemployment rates, per-capita market income rates, and poverty rates. See the methodology for a description of each economic level.
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This rather cute highlighter from Benefit landed on my doorstep (or floor…I don't actually have a door step) a few weeks ago. My first thought was – CUTE!, followed by, What is it?, followed by, where did I put my phone?
Watt's Up! is a highlighter stick, and the latest addition to the highlighter loving range of Benefit. Other highlighters in the range include the classic High Beam and Girl Meets Pearl (I have reviewed both but I swear, I can't find my write up! Perhaps I just thought I reviewed them?).
Here is the Finding Mr Bright set anyway, which includes both of these items.
Here is Watt's Up!:
I love the packaging! It's like lightbulb packaging with the corrugated card an I love the blue and peach design. Benefit really do always get the design right.
They say:
Our soft focus highlighter turns on "watt" ya got with a delicate champagne glow that's gorgeous. With a cream-to-powder finish…it's a switch on "wow" for all complexions. You'll adore the smooth applicator & luminous sheen.
This product is double sided and I thought that the highlighter came out of the sponge end but it doesn't it's a blending stick, kinda.
The product comes in this cute box and has a shape like…a torch? What is it?!
It's quite a compact and handy size. You could chuck it into your bag, it's not too cumbersome although I don't know how useful a sponge blender is.
Here is the sponge side. It's very springy and cold. I spent a while tapping it on my skin and it's nice! I would be wary about using it too much as I can imagine product disappearing if you rub it too much with this absorbent sponge.
The highlighter comes in stick form.
I do prefer cream and liquid highlighters to powder, I just think they are more dewy. On the other hand, I dislike anything too oily.
Thinking about the other highlighters that Benefit have, high beam is the most liquid, has a pink tone gives me a very natural glowy look, Moon Beam of course is the same texture with a gold tone, Girl Meets Pearl is a bit thicker and pink but works really well on larger areas, and this…this is a stick. I guess it makes sense that they'd bring in a highlighter in this form.
I don't like whitish highlighters! Too unnatural. This looks ok in the tube:
How it looks on the stick doesn't do it justice.
When swatched, it is a absolutely beautiful golden peach highlighter. It's a beaute. It has the right amount of pearl, no glitter, and is miles nicer than any Nars Multiple Highlighter shade I can think of.
It's also got super soft texture and you can run it all over the skin that doesn't pull or drag. This is a huge for me!
Now you can see on me with an olive tone the result is very natural. I imagine the peach is stronger on paler tones and more golden on darker skintones. I like it, it's not garish on me.
I can be used on cheekbones, under the eyes, the usual places. I can't smell any fragrance and no allergic reactions.
The only downside is, if you use too much it my look too 'pearly' and certainly too much on oily skin will look…oily. It's not glitter, it's pearl through and through and you need to take it easy even though it looks innocent enough in the stick!
Watt's up costs £24.50 from Boots or on Benefit counters. It's a bit pricey, but it's in line with the other highlighters from Benefit.
A nice golden peachy highlighter, also more versatile I think, than High Beam and Girl Meets Pearl.


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Legislators, owners, discuss logging industry challenges
Discussion about various aspects of the area's logging industry was the focus of this year's Elk County Farm Bureau's Legislative Tour held Monday at Dave's Saw Shop in St. Marys.Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-5) and state Representative Matt Gabler (R-Elk/Clearfield) attended the event to discuss areas of concern within the logging industry."Logging is pretty much the same as farming, just on a longer-term scale," Cooney said, adding the industry typically does not receive any type of government subsidies. He said both are agriculture-based industries and are extremely weather-dependent. The wet spring wreaked havoc on loggers as they were unable to haul on the soft, muddy roads. However, the dry summer has been a busy time for them. According to Cooney, if the weather is good, production is good and loggers can meet quota. On the flip side, when that happens, sawmills can become overcrowded with product and tell their loggers to slow down. "You plant, harvest and replant. We do the same things in the woods. Mother Nature does a lot of replanting for us," he said.He recollected that the area along SR 255, near the Byrnedale hill, is now thick with trees, having been clear cut 25-30 years ago. Cooney has logged one specific tract of land three times since the early 1970s.A current issue facing the industry is the bonding of roads, particularly now with many Marcellus Shale drillers doing the same. "The single biggest feedback that I've been getting from the timber industry has been the increase in road bonding around the region. PennDOT's been making a lot of administrative actions on bonding roads and that is something that is part of the ongoing conversation, is the timber industry is very weather-driven and it's very illuminating at what you've got invested, you can't afford to be rebuilding roads, there's not enough profit margin on a timber stand to pay for a new road everytime you got into that stand," said Gabler. "If you're willing to not run when the roads are soft, then we need to find a way to protect the timber industry and I 100 percent agree. I'm definitely committed to working toward a solution on that."Cooney noted that there is a significant amount of paperwork involved in bonding roads and that he prefers not to have a timber sale on a road where a drill site is located. "Some area roads were not a problem several years ago to run. Common sense is all these water trucks that are running right now, maybe they're the ones tearing up the roads. Why don't they fix what they ruin?" he said."The problem is that PennDOT is trying build roads that have never been built before on the backs of the gas companies, which isn't right. You bond roads to bring them back to the level of what you found them when you started," Thompson said. "They're using this new opportunity to fund total new road construction, so the gas companies are pushing back saying they're not the only ones that are bonded. So that's what it really comes down to. PennDOT's got to knock it off, in my opinion. I think they ought to use history to help figure that fairness out."Cooney also explained the drastic increase in the cost of equipment and supplies, including $170,000 for a 2004 Timberjack skidder made by John Deere, which would cost $225,000 today; $105,000 for a timber felling machine; $450 each for two radios which the loggers wear on their safety vests along with another radio unit in the skidder; $2,800 for a set of tire chains and $424 per tire on an 18-wheel tractor.


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Availability: In stock
A super-cute little card for a newborn girl.
All cards must be purchased with flowers. Additional charges will apply if purchased separately.
This item in not available during Valentine's Day period (12 Feb - 15 Feb).
Please refer to Valentine's Day collection during these dates.
1 2 3 < 7 6


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Take that, Wall Street Journal. While the esteemed financial newspaper blasted Texas lawmakers for going on a spending spree this year, a new report by the Legislative Budget Board tells a different story.
According to the LBB, Texas state government spending — tracked from 2002 through 2015 — will have declined by 11.5 percent, when adjusted for population growth and inflation. That analysis also subtracts the money "spent" by lawmakers in 2006 to fund local property tax relief. "That action
increased state expenditures/ appropriations to cover the cost of reduced local revenues resulting from decreased property tax collections," according to the LBB report.
Earlier this summer, the Wall Street Journal, relying on numbers from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, wrote that Texas was in danger of repeating "the fiscal mistake that California has made repeatedly: spend during the glory days and, once the economy slows, raise taxes to cover the deficit. The Texas oil patch is riding high on $95 a barrel oil and a doubling in production in four years. But Texans shouldn't forget the lesson of the 1980s and late 1990s that oil prices are volatile and a decline can be painful and prolonged."
Both Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, cried foul with the Journal's conclusion. Both noted that Texas has grown exponentially — requiring more money for everything from Medicaid to public schools. Monday's report issued by the LBB backs them up.


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by Katherine J. Rosich and Kamala Mallik Kane
This article is based on Influences of Truth-in-Sentencing Reforms on Changes in States' Sentencing Practices and Prison Populations, by William J. Sabol (Principal Investigator), Katherine J. Rosich, Kamala Mallik Kane, David Kirk, and Glenn Dubin, The Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center. This project was funded by NIJ grant number 98–CE–VX–0006. The full report (NCJ 195161) and Executive Summary (NCJ 195163) are both available from NCJRS.
Starting in the late 1980's, States enacted various reforms to increase punishments for violent offenders and ensure greater certainty in sentencing, including mandatory minimum sentences and truth in sentencing (TIS).
TIS refers to practices designed to reduce the apparent disparity between court-imposed sentences and the time offenders actually serve in prison.
Federal legislation passed in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act ("the Crime Act") and amended in 1996 aimed to promote reform by providing States with grants to expand their prison capacity if they imposed TIS requirements on violent offenders. The Federal TIS Incentive Grant Program was based on a so-called 85-percent rule, meaning that States were to have or pass laws requiring serious violent offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their imposed sentences in prison.[1] Several grant eligibility criteria were established, allowing States with diverse sentencing structures to qualify, including those with determinate or indeterminate sentencing and those with parole release.
An Urban Institute study sponsored by NIJ examined the effects of this Federal TIS legislation on State TIS reforms and of selected State TIS policies on prison populations. The study focused on two questions:
The Federal TIS Incentive Grant Program was implemented during a time when many States were already reforming their sentencing structures, approaches, and practices. State TIS reforms varied widely—for example, the percentage of sentence to be served differed and could be applied to either the minimum or maximum term—and many pre-dated the enactment of the Federal grant program. By the end of the 1990's, regardless of whether they received Federal TIS grants, most States (41, plus the District of Columbia) had implemented some form of TIS activity: 28 States and the District of Columbia had met the eligibility criteria for Federal funding and received grants, while 13 States that had a form of TIS activity did not receive Federal TIS grants. Having systematically reviewed all 50 States' sentencing reform activities before and after the enactment of the Federal TIS Incentive Grant Program in 1994, the researchers concluded that the Federal program, at best, modestly influenced State TIS reforms.
Overall, Federal TIS grants were associated with relatively few State TIS reforms. There was relatively little reform activity after the 1994 enactment of the Federal TIS grant program, as many States had already adopted some form of TIS by that time. A comparison of States' TIS provisions before and after 1994 found that:
Of the 21 States that enacted reforms after 1994, some pursued Federal TIS grant funding and some did not. Analysis of the reform process and reports from State officials revealed that Federal TIS grant funding was a consideration in some but not all of the States that made incremental changes to increase the severity of existing TIS requirements. However, Federal TIS grant funding was rarely the impetus behind major reforms. In the nine States that introduced TIS provisions, the reform process typically began before 1994 and, in all but one, State officials cited it as a minor consideration relative to other goals.
The analysis of reforms in just those jurisdictions that received Federal TIS grants (28 States and the District of Columbia) revealed a similar pattern of limited Federal influence. Nearly half of the States (13) were funded on the basis of preexisting TIS practices. Although Federal TIS grant funding was often cited as influential in the nine States that made incremental changes to their existing TIS laws, among the seven jurisdictions (six States and the District of Columbia) that undertook major reforms, it was reported as a significant consideration in the reform process by only one State.
Furthermore, among States that received Federal TIS funding, the average annual grant award of $7.9 million was relatively modest, equivalent to an average of 1 percent of the States' annual corrections expenditures.
The effects of the Federal TIS Incentive Grant Program on State laws were evaluated through an analysis of the Federal legislation along with a systematic examination of the timing and nature of relevant State legislation. Interviews with State and Federal officials were also conducted, and the existing literature was reviewed.
The study also examined the effects of the various TIS reforms implemented in the States during the early- to mid-1990's on their prison populations. A quantitative analysis of population, crime, arrest, and corrections data from seven States focused on whether State TIS reforms led to changes in punishments for violent offenders and, subsequently, to increases in prison populations.
On the question of whether punishments for serious violent offenders increased, the study found that the probability of a prison admission given arrest for serious violent offenses did not necessarily increase. The use of imprisonment increased in four States, but decreased in the other three. However, the severity of punishment—as measured by the expected length of stay[2]—for those serious violent offenders who were sent to prison increased in all five States that implemented reforms during the study period. Conversely, in the two States that did not implement TIS reforms during the study period, serious violent offenders' expected length of stay decreased by 2 months.
Prison admissions and expected prison populations (the prison population expected from prison admissions and expected length of stay) increased in most of the States studied. Expected prison populations, for example, increased in six of the seven States. Some of these changes were influenced by the States' TIS reforms, but the study found that sentencing decisions (i.e., the decision to imprison and expected length of stay) were only one factor affecting prison populations: changes in a State's population, crime rates, and arrests were also important. Although States that implemented reforms during the study period could expect longer lengths of stay to contribute to increases in expected prison populations, this change was rarely the main factor behind higher prison populations. In three States, increases in arrests contributed the most to growth in expected prison populations. In another three States, greater prison populations were largely due to increases in their prison admission rates. Only one State's prison population increase arose primarily from increased expected length of stay.
The study also examined whether States' TIS reforms influenced changes in the concentration of serious violent offenders in prison. Although the number of serious violent offenders admitted to prison increased in four of the seven States studied, their share of total admissions rose in only three States. Property and drug offense admissions outpaced a rise in violent admissions in the remaining States. Taking into account the expected length of stay for these offenses, which often increased as well, serious violent offenders' share of the expected prison population increased in only two States, stayed about the same in three States, and decreased in the remaining two States.
The study concluded that State TIS reforms did not uniformly account for changes in prison populations. An analysis of the empirical changes in prison populations relative to the patterns of sentencing reform led to several conclusions about the preliminary effects of TIS in the seven States studied:
The effects of State TIS policies on prison populations were examined through a quantitative analysis of State populations, crimes, arrests, prison admissions, and sentence lengths in seven States: Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington.
The study used a comparative case study methodology to analyze changes in three outcomes: prison admissions, expected length of stay, and the resulting expected prison populations. Outcomes from a prereform period (1990 or 1991) were compared to outcomes in the postreform period (1996 or 1998). Statistical decomposition methods were used to determine the extent to which differences in expected prison populations were influenced by sentencing reforms. State outcomes were compared to identify possible commonalities in patterns of change.
The seven States were chosen to reflect different models of sentencingand degrees of sentencing reform. Because truth in sentencing is practiced within the context of other sentencing policies, both determinate and indeterminate sentencing States were selected, as were States with and without sentencing guidelines. Two States— New Jersey and Utah—did not implement changes to their TIS practices during the study period, but the rest made changes ranging from incremental adjustments to comprehensive overhauls of the sentencing system.
Although the observations from these seven States are informative, it should be noted that they were chosen to illustrate different approaches to sentencing and are not nationally representative. Further, because the analysis was based on a limited postreform time frame, these findings should be considered preliminary and updated with more recent data to give a fuller picture of the effects of truth in sentencing.
[1] Serious violent offenses were defined as Federal Bureau of Investigation Part 1 violent offenses: murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
[2]The study used the concept of expected length of stay, based on modeled estimates of time to be served under a given sentencing regime, because the actual time served by prisoners admitted in a given year cannot be known until they are all released.
National Institute of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531


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Free standard shipping with the purchase of a jersey valid online only runs through 7/21/2019 at 11:59PM ET. Must select standard shipping to receive discount. Offer not valid on previously purchased merchandise, vendor direct items, custom items, game used, or team issued items. Other handling charges may apply. Offer valid for contiguous U.S. only. Discount promotion and associated terms and conditions subject to change at The Steelers Pro Shop's sole discretion.
Chance to receive a purchased jersey autographed by JuJu Smith-Schuster valid online only runs through 7/31/2019. Must purchase an in stock JuJu Smith-Schuster jersey from The Steelers Pro Shop at shop.steelers.com to qualify. Qualifying orders will be selected at random and a valid purchase is necessary. Offer not valid on previously purchased merchandise, vendor direct items, custom items, game used, or team issued items. Orders placed by Pittsburgh Steelers employees or affiliated third parties will not be eligible to qualify for this promotion. Autographed jersey will be sent in replacement of the non-autographed jersey that was purchased. The autographed jersey comes with the individually-numbered, tamper evident Pittsburgh Steelers Authentic Memorabilia hologram affixed to the jersey. This unique collectible can be verified online ensuring that this item is authentic and eliminating the possibility of fraud. Returns of any autographed items are subject to inspection and approval to qualify for a refund. Promotion valid only to those in contiguous U.S. who are 18 years of age or older. Promotion and associated terms and conditions subject to change at The Steelers Pro Shop's sole discretion.
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Wearing a Steelers jersey gives you a sense of pride, which makes buying a new jersey as exciting for fans as watching Big Ben throw another TD pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, or James Conner. When you're at Heinz Field wearing the black home jersey, white away jersey, color rush or the throwback jersey you will fit right in as you wave the terrible towel and cheer for the black and gold. If you are a die-hard Steelers fan, then you'll want an official Steelers jersey to last you for many seasons, and the official Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys will hold up through all the tailgates and game day fun. Another great option is the official jersey of historic Steelers players from renowned vintage jersey brand Mitchell & Ness.


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We've all heard the news that times are tough for graduates, suffering from cut-backs in jobs and graduate schemes due to the ever-present state of the economy. While bad for ex-students, this is potentially good news for employers as there is a massive pool of keen and well-educated young people, ready to bite your arm off for a job, or even just work experience.
In some respects, these young people are blank canvases that can be moulded to fit your way of working. And, with more degree courses than ever before including a work-placement, plus the majority of students having to supplement their income with a part-time job, it's likely that employment isn't a completely alien concept.
Why graduates are great for start-ups
If your business is in the fledgling stages, taking on experienced members of staff might be a risky expense you can't afford. What graduates lack in experience, they make up for in brains, quick-thinking and a fresh attitude. The majority are eager to learn and will cost a lot less than somebody that has earned their stripes following many years on the career ladder. If it's just a placement you're offering, potentially, graduates won't cost a penny – although I have to say, I am not particularly supportive of the current trend for abusing the situation and getting graduates to work for long periods, for nothing.
Funding streams
There is funding available. In the North East, for example, Graduates for Business, offers £70 a week towards the salary of a graduate for the first 15 weeks of their employment. Specifically aimed at smaller businesses, qualifying SMEs must have less than 250 employees and be able to pay new graduates a minimum of £14,000 a year. For information about graduate funding in your area, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk.
For a short-term commitment, a placement can provide a mutually beneficial exchange between employers and graduates – particularly in the summer holidays when those that are still studying have a lot of spare time on their hands. Depending on the length of the placement, this doesn't necessarily have to be paid – especially if it's over the summer break – however be realistic, if you take someone on for six months and don't pay them a bean, then that's a little unfair!
Rate my placement is a website for undergraduates looking for work experience and employers offering internships – like a job dating agency. Students will 'rate your placement' so it's important that if you get involved, you provide good levels of training. Placements can be anything from a few months to over a year.
Giving these young people a chance could be good for your business and will help dent the massive levels of graduate unemployment. If all goes well, you never know, you might find just the right person to take your company on to the next level.


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Great advice from A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc, who has been breaking records with shows like Duck Dynasty and Ice Road Truckers. She says that eschewing the cultural obsessions of her neighbors on Manhattan's Upper West Side, where she lives, and Nantucket, where she summers, is essential. "Living in New York or Los Angles is […]
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Wooden Cutting Boards must be thoroughly washed after food has been prepared on the board, since wood has a tendency to retain food particles or absorb moisture that can cause bacteria growth resulting in Salmonella and E. coli. illnesses if not removed. Colored plastic Cutting Boards are commonly made of a poly substance that is soft and not damaging to knives as well as washable and dishwasher safe for thorough cleaning. However, like wood, bacteria can also grow on plastic. Therefore, the most important rule is to always clean the Board thoroughly after each item of raw meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and other foods have been placed on the Board so they do not cross contaminate another item.
Wooden Cutting Boards will have a tendency to become dry and crack as they age. Periodic use of a food-safe or food-grade mineral oil available at drug stores, helps to restore the Cutting Board. The oil can be rubbed into the wood to lengthen the life of the board and assist with keeping the board from drying out after repeated washings with water and solvents. It is often suggested that the mineral oil be warmed first by placing the bottle containing the oil in a bowl filled with warm water. Allow the oil to warm to the water temperature and then moisten a soft cloth with the oil and rub it onto the board. After the oil has remained on the Cutting Board for 4 to 6 hours, wipe off the excess oil and allow the Board to cure overnight before using.
Several procedures that will assist with the safe use of Cutting Boards include the following:


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Quake Puts Big Dent in Chile's Wine Business
SANTA CRUZ, Chile - Samuel Castro, a security guard at Bisquertt Winery's 1,400-acre vineyard here in the Colchagua Valley, arrived at his job at 7 a.m. last Saturday and couldn't believe what he saw.
"The road was turned into a red torrent; the wine was streaming down the irrigation ditch," he remembered.
Five days after the massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake that hit Chile, the more than 300-foot-long dirt road that leads to Bisquertt's main cellar was still soaked, had a dark-purple color and emanated a smell of putrid wine.
Several storage tanks cracked, dozens of barrels burst and hundreds of bottles shattered, releasing about 20,000 liters of red wine, said Jaime Araya, a manager at Bisquertt.
Similar devastations struck most of the wineries in this valley and many more along the central-south region of Chile, which is home to 70 percent of the wine production in this country and which the quake hit hardest.
The nation's largest wine growers association, Vinos de Chile, estimates that 12.5 percent of current production was destroyed, putting losses at $250 million.
Chile is the world's ninth-largest producer of wine, according to the International Organization of Vine and Wine, with exports reaching $1.3 billion in 2009 or about 70 percent of total production. The United States was the second-biggest market for Chilean wines after Europe, importing some $250 million worth.
René Merino, president of Vinos de Chile, said at a news conference that local and foreign shipments will return to normal soon.
Patricio Middleton, managing director and partner of Montgras Winery here in the Colchagua Valley, is not so optimistic.
"This will be the end for many growers," he said, pointing out that many winemakers were already squeezed by a weakened dollar and that some might not have had earthquake insurance.
The quake severely damaged the facilities at Montgras, a premium wine producer focused on foreign markets. Middleton estimated that 30,000 liters of wine have been lost because of the quake, while pointing to the rubble of barrels in Montgras' main cellar.
He predicted that Montgras will need to invest $5 million to repair all the damage and make up for the losses. In 2009, the company's export revenue was $22 million.
People in Santa Cruz, the largest city in the Colchagua Valley with just over 30,000 residents, are likely to be hit especially hard by the heavy damage in wineries. Winemakers provide employment to almost 20 percent of the city's population, said Fermin Gutierrez, municipal secretary at the mayor's office. Now the situation is uncertain.
The quake hit just a few days before the start of the harvest. In fact, tomorrow was supposed to be the opening ceremony of a three-day-long wine harvest celebration in Santa Cruz, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The coronation of the wine harvest queen is the main summer-end event in this city. All activities were canceled.
Just as in some parts of California, wine in this Chilean region is part of local culture and pride. Residents' lives revolve around it. In fact, Santa Cruz's main bakery, Panificadora Santa Cruz, has its own wine cellar and, besides bread and cakes, sells bottled wine to the public.
Although this rural region has an unemployment rate of 10 percent and needs jobs to help finance the reconstruction of shattered homes, the most immediate needs of many people here are finding new places to live; repairing severely damaged buildings, streets and utility services; and grieving the loss of loved ones.
Ureta Winery, near the small town of Peralillo, already is feeling the labor squeeze. A big sign on the paved and severely cracked country road that runs through this valley is offering urgent work for day laborers. Ureta needs to immediately harvest ripe vines that were flooded by the wine that streamed out of its broken vats after the quake.
Only nine workers recently showed up, much fewer than the 30 people the company needed.
Potential shortages in Chilean supply have put some U.S. importers on alert. Greg Livengood, president of Californian wine broker Ciatti Co., said that U.S. importers are not looking yet to fill up a potential lack of Chilean supplies.
Australia, which also produces so-called New World wines, would be a natural competitor for Chile, but has had a lower crop volume this year.
"For now, buyers are betting on a Chilean recovery," he said. "The feeling is that we will ride out the storm with Chile."
Middleton, from Montgras, said that Chileans know how to overcome adversity.
"The best way for people to overcome grief is to get back on their feet and work hard," he said, noting that he was having an "End of Earthquake Barbeque" for his workers later in the day.


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The partial verdict in a polarizing Florida murder trial upset both the prosecution and the defense.
Michael Dunn, 47, who was accused of murder for killing a teenager in a dispute over loud music, was found guilty Saturday on four of five charges.
The jury found Dunn guilty of three counts of attempted second degree murder for shooting at other teens in a car and one count of firing a gun into an occupied car.
However, the jury could not decide on a verdict in the first-degree murder charge, even after deliberating for days.
Dunn was accused of killing Jordan Davis, 17, in a Jacksonville, Fla., convenience store parking lot after they argued on Nov. 23, 2012.
The verdict means that Dunn will spend at least 60 years in jail for the attempted murder charges, likely for the rest of his life. However, there's a chance that the prosecution will not retry Dunn for Davis' death.
For Davis' family, the mistrial on the murder charge has left them wondering if there will ever be a definitive verdict.
"We will continue to wait for justice for Jordan," Davis' mother Lucia McBath told reporters after the verdict. "It's sad for Mr. Dunn that he will live the rest of his life in that sense of torment and I will pray for him."
VIDEO: Jury Deliberates for Days over 'Loud Music' Case
The mother of Leland Brunson, another teen in the car with Davis during the shooting, issued a statement after the verdict saying, "Justice has been served but it's not complete."
State attorney Angela Corey said prosecutors plan to retry Dunn on the first-degree murder charge.
"We don't back off trying to retry," Corey said. "We intend to fully push for a trial right here in Jacksonville."
Corey also defended her office's decision to try Dunn on the first-degree murder charge and said they had not "overcharged" him. Corey's office also prosecuted George Zimmerman, who was acquitted in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Corey told reporters that if the defense attorneys thought their client had been overcharged they could have filed a motion to dismiss. The jurors had the option to find Dunn guilty on a lesser charge, including second-degree murder or manslaughter.
"I'm not really sure why any criminal defense attorney would ever complain or chronically complain about over-charges," Corey said.
Dunn's lawyer Cory Strolla said his client was shocked by the result.
STORY: Trayvon Martin's Parents Support Slain Fla. Teen's Parents
"He's in disbelief. It has not sunk in. Even when he sat next to me he said 'how is this happening?'" Strolla told reporters.
Dunn is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on March 24. According to The Associated Press, Strolla said he will appeal the guilty verdicts based on several issues, including how the jury could reach guilty verdicts on four counts and deadlock on another.
ABC News' Alyssa Newcomb contributed to this report.


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This pet-friendly Quality Suites hotel features on-site restaurant and lounge.
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Jessica Coody | Reporter,
Sooner Sports Spotlight, SoonerSports.tv
Nobody covers the Sooners closer than Jessica Coody. A six-year industry veteran, Coody serves as the full-time lead reporter for Sooner Sports TV. While tirelessly covering every sport at the University, Coody contributes special features for each Sooner Sports TV broadcast. Additionally, Coody hosts all Sooner football preseason and spring game coverage as well as serving as a host of Sooner Sports Spotlight. On the air and on the web, Jessica Coody has the story.
Chad McKee | Host, Play-
Sooner Game Day, Sooner Sports Spotlight, OU Football Press Conference
With 16 years of television and radio experience, Chad McKee joined the Sooner Sports TV family in the spring of 2011 as the play-by-play commentator for Oklahoma baseball and softball. A seasoned professional, McKee now works tirelessly to bring Sooner fans the football coverage they desire - serving as the pregame, postgame and weekly press conference host of all Sooner Sports TV football programming. Additionally, McKee's versatility is found in nearly every Sooner event from soccer and volleyball to tennis, gymnastics and basketball. Throughout the spring of 2013, McKee served as the host of the inaugural season of Rounding Third, bringing Sooner softball's national championship run to OU fans from the start.
Toby Rowland | Reporter,
Sooner Sports Spotlight, Sooner Sports Talk, OU Football Press Conference
The "Voice of the Sooners", Toby Rowland carries the play-by-play duties for all radio broadcasts of Sooner football, men's basketball and baseball. A two-time Emmy award winner, Rowland has a TV presence to match the voice. Every Tuesday (football season) and Thursday night (basketball season), Rowland can be seen on Sooner Sports TV and heard on the air for Sooner Sports Talk. Additionally, Rowland serves alongside Chad McKee as the co-host of the OU Football Press Conference show.
Chris Plank | Host,
Sooner Sports Spotlight, Coaches' Corner, OU Football Press Conference, Sooner Football Signing Day
Chris Plank continues his involvement with Sooner Sports TV as co-host for the Sooner Sports Spotlight and the ever-popular Sooner Football Signing Day special. A veteran radio broadcaster, Plank has long served as a sports talk host in the Tulsa area, and currently serves as the sideline reporter for all Sooner football radio broadcasts and the play-by-play voice for the OU Softball team.
Dean Blevins | Host
Sooner Football with Bob Stoops
Dean Blevins' history with Oklahoma dates back to 1974 when he lettered four seasons under head coach Barry Switzer in addition to earning a second letter in basketball. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Blevins brings thirty years of broadcasting experience to the Sooner Sports TV family. Having hosted Coach Bob Stoops' weekly review show for nearly a decade, the former quarterback continues to bring Sooner fans closer to the game every Sunday.
Teddy Lehman | Co-
Coaches' Corner
A native Oklahoman, Teddy Lehman's stellar career at Oklahoma made him a two-time All-American in addition to Dick Butkus and Chuck Bednarik awards in 2003. A member of the 2000 National Championship squad, Lehman made stops in the NFL with the Lions, Buccaneers, Bills and Jaguars. Despite hanging up his cleats, Lehman has yet to truly retire from the game, serving as a sports radio broadcaster in Oklahoma. Lehman continues to bring his talents to Sooner Sports TV as a co-host of Coach's Corner.
Tim Lashar | Analyst,
Sooner Game Day
The Most Valuable Player of the 1985 national championship Sooners, Tim Lashar has made his debut on the network on Sooner Playbook. Now, he can be found contributing to Saturday's pregame show, Sooner Game Day. After earning a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma, Lashar's NFL career preceded his start in broadcasting in the Oklahoma radio market.
Merv Johnson |
Sooner Game Day
A legend amongst the Oklahoma football program, Merv Johnson serves Sooner Sports TV as a contributor during Sooner Game Day each Saturday. A member of the Oklahoma family since 1979, Johnson coached collegiate football for 38 years, helping to produce 19 All-Americans and four national titles before his retirement. Remaining in Norman, he has served alongside Bob Barry and Toby Rowland as the lead color analyst for Sooner football radio broadcasts.
Dan Hughes | Analyst
Sooner Basketball
With a life-long commitment to the game, Coach Dan Hughes swaps sidelines from the bench to the broadcast booth for Oklahoma women's basketball. The former general manager and head coach of the San Antonio Silver Spurs, Hughes brings unmatched knowledge to the Sooner Sports TV broadcast team. From back-door cuts to in-bound plays, few can provide the insight into the game like Coach Hughes.
Brenda VanLengen |
Sooner Basketball
Brenda VanLengen joined the SoonerSports Broadcast crew with 20 years of experience in calling games on ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS College Sports, SEC Network, Big Ten Network and many regional networks. VanLengen is the lead analyst on the Big 12 Conference women's basketball package and was a two-time Academic All-American basketball player from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in her playing days.
Billy Tubbs | Analyst
Sooner Basketball
A walking legend, former Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs continues his involvement with Sooner hoops as an analyst with Sooner Sports TV. After 14 seasons at the helm of the men's basketball program, Coach Tubbs' insight and bright spirit bring an unparalleled personality to Sooner fans. There's no better coach to break down the X's & O's... but truthfully, he'd rather you just shoot the ball.
Bill Doleman | Play-by-Play
Sooner Baseball, Basketball, Gymnastics, Soccer, Volleyball
A former Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year, Bill Doleman joined the Sooner Sports Network in 2014 and has over 25 years of experience in radio and television. The versatile play-by-play announcer can be heard on a number of OU athletics events, including baseball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer and volleyball. Most recently, the Nebraska native added to his impressive career by working with NBC Sports at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. In addition to working with Comcast Sports Net Houston, Bill also has experience in college athletics working at HuskerVision and at the Mountain West Sports Network.
Bart Conner | Play-by-Play
Sooner Gymnastics
A staple in both the gymnastics and broadcasting industry, Bart Conner brings a lifetime of gymnastics experience to Sooner Sports TV. While earning a degree in Journalism at Oklahoma, Conner helped the Sooners claim their first two national titles while garnering fourteen All-American honors. After winning a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics, Conner continues to stay involved in Oklahoma gymnastics as the lead play-by-play announcer, capping a golden cast of Sooner Sports TV talent.
Megan McDonald |
Reporter, Host
Sooner Sports Spotlight
New to Norman, Okla. in 2016, Megan McDonald can be seen on various sidelines and online at SoonerSports.TV bringing OU fans exciting insight into their favorite players and teams. Prior to coming to the Sooner State, McDonald, a four-year letterwinner in women's gymnastics at Iowa State, walked the sidelines for the Western Athletic Conference Network. McDonald got started in broadcast at her alma mater with Cylcones.TV after concluding her gymnastics' career in 2014.
George Frazier |
One of the most seasoned veterans in the business, George Frazier has been calling games for his alma mater since 2013. The former Sooner hurler brings 19 years and over 1,800 games of broadcasting experience during his time with the Colorado Rockies and Root Sports. After 10 years of pitching with five Major League teams, Frazier's broadcasting career began in 1988 as an analyst covering Big Eight Conference men's and women's baskeball. For the Sooners, Frazier helped OU make two College World Series appearances in 1975 and 1976. His pro career was highlighted by winning a World Series ring with the Minnesota Twins in 1987.
Kelly Garrison-Funderburk
| Analyst
Women's Gymnastics
One of the most decorated gymnasts in Oklahoma history, Kelly Garrison-Funderburk rejoins the Sooner Sports TV team for the sixth season in a row. With an Oklahoma career that brought home seven All-American honors, four NCAA individual national championships and she scored the 1st perfect 10.0 in NCAA women's gymnastics. Garrison-Funderburk highlighted a stellar career as a member and team captain of the 1988 Olympic team. Today, Garrison-Funderburk is calling the highlights of Oklahoma's finest competitors with an enthusiasm and energy like no other. A true treat for Oklahoma fans, Sooner Sports TV is happy to have landed a 10.0 with the inclusion of Garrison-Funderburk to the team.
Molly Richey |
Sooner Soccer
A former walk-on turned senior captain for the Sooner soccer team, Molly Richey returned to the OU Soccer Complex as an analyst for the network in 2016. A three-time All-Big 12 Academic first team member, Richey brings her insight to the booth after leading the Sooners back to the NCAA Tournament in 2014, when the program hosted its first postseason game.
Jack Spates |
Sooner Wrestling
Few universities can boast legendary coaches across numerous sports, but Oklahoma is one of those schools. Coach Jack Spates began his tenure as the head skipper for Sooner wrestling in 1993, and built a program that consistently finished in the top 10 nationally. Since his retirement in 2011, Spates has continued to bring his highly energetic personality to McCasland Field House for each meet as the lead analyst for Sooner Sports TV. With his wealth of knowledge, coach Spates continues to add to the depth of Oklahoma's strong tradition beyond measure


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HBO aired a special 15 minute preview for Game of Thrones Season 4 last night and it's now up on YouTube to whet your appetite for dragons, swords, thrones, fantastic looking people, armour, dresses, politics, lengthy diatribes and general awesomeness. But as fun as it is to see a little bit of Game of Thrones right now, it's almost cruel on HBO's part to tease us. We still have to wait until 6 April to get our fantasy on.
Oh well, I'll just watch this Game of Thrones Season 4: Ice and Fire: A Foreshadowing on repeat until then.


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- The possible involvement of multiple gunmen
- Ridiculously slow police response time
- The police knowing the gunman's name when they arrived
- The 'media package which emerged immediately after the shootings - including a dubious 1,500 page manifesto, suitably incriminating Facebook account and high quality portraits and photos of the gunman dressed up in a variety of deranged costumes like some kind of White Nationalist Action Man
and so on and so on
So, yes, there are plenty of reasons to suspect 'dark actors playing games' behind the scenes
And if the profile of the gunman, as being woven by the corporate media, were that of a Muslim fanatic or a lone Internet-obsessed conspiranoid I'd acknowledge that at least some of the analyses I'm seeing in the alternative media were internally consistent and credible
However, it's a little different this time
The ideology being implicated on this occasion is the kind of anti-Islamist, White Nationalist, pro-Zionist brew which up till now the 'dark actors playing games' have been working like bastards to cultivate around the world
When ghastly characters like 'Lionhart' and Melanie Phillips, people who've spent years bigging up the TERROR!! threat in support of their ideologies, feel obliged to distance themselves from an act of terrorism I personally conclude that something unusual is going on
You don't have to do much digging to establish that the EDL and other European White Nationalist groups are Zionist funded and often quite open about their solidarity with the state of Israel
My take is that if Melanie Phillips is wetting her knickers about something the chances are that it's not that good for Zionism
However, the fact that this mass murder places Zionist-associated ideologies firmly into the frame has done nothing to prevent many on-line conspiranauts posing the question 'Cui bono?' and responding 'The Zionists'
This is a belief system I've been criticising repeatedly in recent posts - the conviction that 'The Jews' are responsible for every event of malevolent significance in the world. A presumption nurtured by a willingness to cherry pick evidence and bend thought to gratify that belief system
It is on the increase in many of the sites that I visit, in readers' comments if not in the posts, and it's fucking up clear, critical thinking
It is no accident that the corporate media persistantly go out of their way to depict conspiracy theorists as people motivated by racial or religious agendas. Racial and religious based belief systems are easily ridiculed and, not to put too fine a point on it, they have a boundless capacity to piss people off. Well thought out, politically-based points of view are a much tougher proposition


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I am in the course of moving to Tokyo, a.k.a. the Whiskopolis. Or maybe I should call it the Whiskytopia? There is certainly no better place in the world to explore whisky.
Tokyo will be quite a change from the quiet little backwater I have been based in until now. I have just come back from a couple of days in my new metropolitan eyrie and found the big city's energy almost intimidating. Although I have made a few trips into Tokyo in the past and reported my whisky bar experiences on Nonjatta, the truth is I am really a bit of a country bumpkin when it comes to the full extent of the capital's extraordinary whisky drinking culture. I have therefore been carefully reading the advice of the doyen of whisky drinking foreigners in Japan, Taylor Smisson [1,2], who recently posted a superb primer on Tokyo bars on the Facebook Malt Maniacs page.
Taylor has given me permission to cross post his guide on Nonjatta. I have edited it slightly, just for length and to fit the changed context, but I have broken the habit of a blogtime and left in lots of stuff not directly relevant to Japanese whisky because it is such a valuable document. Those of you who are heading out to Whisky Magazine Live! in Tokyo should think about taking Taylor's tips with you because they are far more authorititative than anything you'll find in the guidebooks. Over to Taylor:
"Tokyo is probably the best place in the world to drink Scotch single malts (not to mention Japanese single malts) as well as many other alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, most visitors from overseas are not aware of this and come and go without taking full advantage. Below are my recommendations for three Japanese whisky bars, eight Scotch single malt bars, three Scotch single malt retail stores and, for good measure, seven world-class bars with various other specialties, all in or near Tokyo.Phenomenal! Thank you Taylor Smisson.
The Whiskopolis
Take a look at this Google map for a feel of where they are located and which are nearby each other. They are color-coded as follows: Red = Japanese whisky bars; Green = Scotch single malt bars; Light Blue = Scotch single malt retailers; Yellow = other specialty bars.
Of course, good whisky is usually not cheap, so, if cost is an issue, check the prices with the bartenders before you order and be aware that many bars have cover charges (although some bars add a gratuity or service charge to the bill, most do not and there is no tipping in Japan). When you order, ask if you can order half shots. Many whisky bars in Japan allow this, especially for premium whiskies, enabling you to double the number of whiskies you can afford to try. Of the bars that allow half shots, some charge half price while some charge a little more than half price. For reference, the size of a full shot at most bars in Tokyo is 30 ml.
If you do not know Japanese, you should still be able to order what you want (if they do not understand your pronunciation of a certain whisky, try writing it down for them) but the level of the English of bartenders varies so, although some will be able to engage you in a discussion about whisky in English, most will not. For help in finding the bars, taking along someone who knows both English and Japanese is helpful. If you are not lucky enough to have access to such a person, you can show the concierge of your hotel the addresses below and ask them to tell you how to get there. If you go by taxi (which is the easiest way), I suggest printing out the maps in Japanese to show the taxi drivers.
(A) Zoetrope (in Nishi Shinjuku)
One of the few bars specializing in Japanese whisky which has no affiliation with a particular whisky company, Zoetrope has around 240 Japanese whiskies open (mainly malts but also some blends) covering pretty much all the Japanese distilleries for which bottlings are available. This may give it the broadest selection of Japanese whisky of any bar in the world. If you want to try many different Japanese whiskies and only have time to go to one bar, this is the bar to go to. They also have some curiosities such as Japanese rum and Japanese eau de vie. The interior is dominated by the old silent movies shown continuously on one wall and various movie memorabilia scattered around the room. The music is randomly selected from movie soundtracks. It all makes for a unique experience.
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 03-3363-0162; Address: Gaia Building #4 (3rd floor), 7-10-14 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 19:00-04:00; Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(B) Nikka Blender's Bar (in Minami Aoyama on Kotto Dori)
Run by Nikka, the Blender's Bar has a large selection of Nikka whiskies, especially single malts from the Yoichi (Hokkaido) and Miyagikyo (Sendai) distilleries, including many that are not widely available.
Website; Map ; [other bars within 1km: I,T]; Tel.: 03-3498-3338; Address: Nikka Whisky Honsha Building (basement), 5-4-31 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 17:00-23:30; Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(C) Hibiya Bar Whisky-S (in Ginza)
A member of the Hibiya Bar chain but with a special tie-up with Suntory, Whisky-S has a large selection of Suntory whiskies, especially single malts from the Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries. Many are not widely available.
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: D,K,M,N,Q]; Tel.: 03-5159-8008; Address: Kaneko Building (basement), 3-3-9 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 17:00-23:00 (open every day)
Tokyo probably has the world's largest selection of Scotch single malt whiskies to choose from, with over 50 bars with selections of over 100 malts each and several with over 500 (not to mention at least 3 whisky retail stores with selections of over 200 malts each). Although I could easily list 15-20 bars I would recommend, I think the selection below represent a good cross-section of bars. The Scotch single malt bars below are shown very roughly in order of how expensive they are, from the most pricey to the least (and a very large difference in price between the top and bottom). Although they specialize in Scotch single malts, most of these bars also have some Japanese single malts)
(D) Blue Label
(in Ginza at the corner of Hana Tsubaki Dori and Nishi Gobangai)
Recently opened in Ginza, this is a branch of the famous bar of the same name in Shizuoka City. Like the original, the Ginza branch has a huge selection (around 1,000 bottles!) including many legendary bottlings that you rarely have a chance to drink anymore. Just walking around the room looking at the bottles in the various cabinets is a treat in and of itself. Of course, legendary bottlings come at a legendary prices. All the bottles have the price of one shot on a label on the back of the bottle so you can ask to see a bottle you are interested in and discretely check the price yourself or you can ask your bartender the price out right (they do not mind). If you are on a budget, though, you might want to skip this one.
Website: (none)
Map; [other bars within 1km: C,K,N,Q]; Tel.: 03-5537-5431; Address: Assorti Ginza Hana Tsubaki Dori Building (4th floor), 7-6-10 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:30-03:00; Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(E) The Crane (on the west side of Ikebukuro Station)
They have a huge selection (around 800 bottles) including many very old bottlings and legendary bottlings that you rarely have a chance to drink any more. Again, this place is pricey so if you are on a budget you might prefer to look elsewhere. If you do go, check out the large number of Romano Levi bottles on the high shelf around the room.
Website; Map; [otherbars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 03-5951-0090; Address: Akebono Building (1st floor), 2-3-3 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo: Hours: 17:30-05:00 (until 04:00 on Sundays and national holidays – open every day)
(F) Grace (near Akasaka Mitsuke)
Grace was the runner-up for the Whisky Magazine Japanese Icons of Whisky 2007 Bar/Restaurant of the Year. They have a large selection (around 1,000 bottles!) Grace has been around for over 30 years and has its own unique style: nautical coffee shop interior and a plethora of knick knacks (many with a nautical theme). It serves malts in shot glasses and for the snack that comes with your drink they usually serve Japanese-style boiled vegetables of some kind (e.g. soybeans, corn and/or boiled peanuts). Just walking around the room looking at the old bottles in the various cabinets is a thrill. In some of the cabinets you can see bottles with handwritten tags on them. These are "keep bottles", an old tradition for Japanese bars: customers buy full bottles from the bar which the bar keeps for them and serves to the customer each time they come.
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: P]; Tel.: 03-3402-2486; Address: Tokyo Moto Akasaka Building (basement), 1-1-16 Moto Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:00-02:00 (until 24:00 on Saturdays); Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(G) Cask (one minute walk from Roppongi Crossing on Roppongi Dori)
Cask was the winner of the Whisky Magazine Japanese Icons of Whisky 2007 Bar/Restaurant of the Year. Besides a selection of around 500-600 bottles behind the bar, the side rooms have incredible collections of old bottles in their cabinets. They often feature recent super premium releases such as the recent Black Bowmore or the 50 year-old Yamazaki (of course, steep prices but you can ask about getting a half shot or maybe even smaller). If it is not crowded, try to get a quick tour of the separate private rooms, including the "hidden" tasting room.
Website; Map; [w/i 1km: P,U]; Tel.: 03-3402-7373; Address: Main Stage Roppongi Building (basement), 3-9-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Caution: there are 2 bars named Cask in Roppongi which have no affiliation with each other so make sure you get to the one at this address); Hours: 18:00-24:00 (open every day)
(H) Bagus (five minute walk from JR Ichikawa Station in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture)
Although it is not in Tokyo but in Chiba Prefecture, Ichikawa Station is only about 20-30 minutes from Tokyo Station by train (JR). Bagus has a selection of about 600 single malts with a nice balance of newer and older bottlings, including some rare ones at relatively reasonable prices.
Map; [w/i 1km: none]; Tel.: 0473-26-9532; Address: Cosmo Ichikawa (2nd floor), 1-7-16 Ichikawa, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture; Hours: 18:30-02:00 (until 24:00 on Sundays and national holidays); Closed: Mondays
(I) Helmsdale (in Minami Aoyama on Nisseki Dori)
Helmsdale is a Tokyo institution. With its 500 singles malts, a mix of older and newer bottlings, it has its share of single malt fans but with its relaxed pub atmosphere, pub menu, real ale on tap and all night hours, it has a clientele that goes beyond malt afficionados and includes young people, business people, Japanese and non-Japanese. There are even a few celebrity visitors. After malt tastings or "serious drinking" at other bars, malt drinkers often come here to relax and eat. The Helmsdale is open to 6 am. Try the Yona Yona Real Ale (made in Japan) on tap, the Whisky Pasta (pasta with salmon and cream sauce with haggis on top and a dash of whisky) and, if you go in the right season, the Jura Burger (a hamburger made from venison meat). Music tends to be pop and rock, often Virgin Radio off the internet. You can check what malts they have opened recently in the "New Arrival!!" section of their website.
Website; Map in Japanese; Map in English; [other bars within 1km: B,T]; Tel.: 03-3486-4220; Address: Minami Aoyama Mori Building (2nd floor), 7-13-12 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:00-06:00 (open every day)
(J) The Mash Tun (two minute walk from the east exit of the JR Meguro Station)
The Mash Tun has a selection of around 250 malts, most of them new or relatively recent bottlings. To see what is available, with taste ratings by the bartender/owner and price indications, look at the "New Arrival & Recommendation" section of their website. I find the bartender/owner's recommendations tend to have a high "hit ratio". I can often find more malts I like here than at other bars with larger selections. To increase your hit ratio, give the bartender some examples of specific malts you like and do not like so he can choose something appropriate from his stock. Nice interior with mainly Celtic music.
Website; Map; [w/i 1km: none]; Tel.: 03-3449-3649; Address: Mikasa Building (Room 202 on 2nd floor of the B Block), 2-14-3 Kami Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 19:00-03:00 (until 02:00 on weekends and holidays); Closed: irregularly, often on Tuesdays (posted on website)
(K) Campbelltoun Loch (in Yurakucho, near Ginza, across the street from the elevated railroad tracks)
A hole in the wall with just a counter and only about 8 seats. There is so little space behind the seats that you have to push forward to let people by. A great mix of new and old bottlings with about 250 in total to choose from. High turnover results in a constantly changing lineup of bottlings, so I try to go once a week so as not to miss anything. Bottles that are rare and/or very good can be sold out in a week. Since it is often crowded, you may want to go early or call before you go.
Map; [other bars within 1km: C,D,N,Q]; Tel.: 03-3501-5305; Address: Matsui Building (basement), 1-6-8 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:00-04:30 (17:00-24:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays – open every day)
Each probably has at least 200 Scotch single malts as well as some Japanese single malts.
(L) Mejiro Tanakaya (one minute walk from the JR Mejiro Station)
Besides a great selection of single malts, they also have an excellent range of beers.
Map; [bars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 03-3953-8888; Address: 3-4-14 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 11:00-20:00; Closed: Sundays
(M) Liquors Hasegawa Honten (in the underground shopping center on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station)
Website; Directions: From the Yaesu Chuoguchi exit of Tokyo Station, walk downstairs into the Yaesu Chikagai ("Yaechika") underground shopping mall, walk down the "Main Avenue" corridor to the "Rose Road" corridor and go down that past Starbuck's and it will be on the right near the end of "Rose Road"; [bars within 1km: C]; Tel.: 03-3271-8747; Address: Rose Road, Yaesu Chikagai, 2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 10:00-20:00 (10:30-19:00 on Sundays and national holidays – open every day)
(N) Shinanoya Ginza Store (in Ginza)
The Ginza branch of a chain of liquor/wine shops.
Website; Map; [bars within 1km: C,D,K,Q]; Tel.:03-3571-3315; Address: 8-6-22 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 11:00-24:00 (until 22:00 on Saturdays; until around 19:00 on Sundays and national holidays – open every day)
Below are some other world-class connoisseur bars in or near Tokyo. If you are interested in trying sake here is a link to an article with some sake bar/restaurant recommendations by sake writer John Gauntner:
[Beer – Japanese Microbrews]
(O) Popeye (3-minute walk from the west exit of JR Ryogoku Station)
The web address says it all, "40beersontap.com". It is said to have the largest selection of Japanese microbrews in the world in addition to a selection of beers and ales from outside Japan.
Website; Map in Japanese; Map in English; [other bars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 03-3633-2120; Address: 2-18-7 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 17:00-23:00; Closed: Sundays
[Beer – Belgian]
(P) Bois Cereste (in Akasaka)
Bois Cereste has around 100 Beligian beers including many which are hard to find. Most are served in a glass made specifically for that beer. The bartender/owner is Japanese but worked in Belgium as a jazz pianist and is very knowledgeable about Belgian beers. They also have food.
Website: (none)
Map; [w/i 1km: F,G]; Tel.: 03-3588-6292; Address: Kiyokawa Building (1st floor), 2-13-21 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:00-24:00 (until 23:00 on Saturdays); Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(Q) Sherry Club (in Ginza)
The Sherry Club is a Spanish restaurant and bar that made it to the Guinness Book for having the largest number of sherries of any place in the world – over 200. Go with a friend or two and try one of each of the major sherry types.
Website; Map; [bars within 1km: C,D,K,N]; Tel.: 03-3572-2527; Address: Yugen Building (2nd floor), 6-3-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 17:30-24:00 (16:00-23:00 on Sundays and national holidays); Closed: Mondays
[American Whiskey (i.e. Bourbon, etc.)]
(R) Milwaukee's Club (five minute walk from JR Kawaguchi Station in Kawaguchi in Saitama Prefecture)
Although it is not in Tokyo but in Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi Station is only about 20 minutes from Ikebukuro Station by train (JR). Milwaukee's Club has about 500 bottles of bourbon and other American whiskey. The bartender is very knowledgeable.
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 048-253-8875; Address: Shirayuri Building (3rd floor), 3-13-4, Sakae-cho, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama Prefecture; Hours: 17:00-24:00 (until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays – open every day)
[American Whiskey (i.e. Bourbon, etc.)]
(S) Sal's (3-minute walk from Tokyu Saginuma Station in Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture)
Although it is not in Tokyo but in Kawasaki in Kanagawa Prefecture, Saginuma Station is only about 20 minutes from Shibuya Station by train (Tokyu). Sal's has about 300 bottles of bourbon and other American whiskeys including many rare bottlings and many new releases (some bought on the bartender/owner's regular trips to the US).
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: none]; Tel.: 044-870-5454; Address: 3-3-12-102 Saginuma, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture; Hours: 19:00-01:00; Closed: Sundays
(T) Tafia (in Nishi Azabu (near Roppongi))
Tafia has over 300 different rums and also serves Caribbean food.
Map;[other bars within 1km: B,I,U]; Tel.: 03-3407-2219; Address: West Point Building (1st floor), 2-15-14 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 19:00-04:30; Closed: Sundays and national holidays
(U) Agave (1-minute walk from Roppongi Crossing on Roppongi Dori)
Agave has about 400 different tequilas and mezcales.
Website; Map; [other bars within 1km: G,T]; Tel.: 03-3497-0229; Address: Clover Building (basement); 7-15-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Hours: 18:30-02:00 (until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays); Closed: Sundays and also Mondays which are national holidays


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Did Lindsay Lohan pull an April Fool's day prank? The 26-year-old actress tweeted a late night message on Monday, April 1 that has her followers anxiously waiting for her to confirm it was only a joke.
"It's official. Pregnant . . ." Lohan tweeted after midnight EST. The Liz & Dick star has yet to confirm or deny the pregnancy announcement as real or fake.
Lohan, who was recently sentenced to serve 90 days in rehab, was last spotted arriving in Brazil by helicopter and made headlines for her travel ensemble. The troubled starlet nearly suffered a major wardrobe malfunction by spilling out of her maxi-dress while exiting her ride.
The Mean Girls actress claims she is on her best behavior after being sentence to rehab. Lohan denied reports on Twitter that she was partying in San Diego last month by writing, "Guys relax, that was not me at A/V or in the Mr. Pink SUV. I'm taking this seriously and focused on the road ahead. I stayed in last night, after a pretty long day, and ordered sushi to my hotel."
"Don't believe every little thing you hear unless you hear it from me," Lohan added. "The support I have gotten has been great and means a lot."
Whether or not fans should believe her most recent tweet, however, remains unclear. Lohan wouldn't be the only star to pull an April Fool's Day pregnancy prank. Sharon Osbourne joked on The View that she and husband Ozzy Osbourne were a expecting a baby after she underwent in vitro fertilization. After getting hugs from her co-hosts, Osbourne confessed, "It was an April Fools joke."
UPDATE: Lohan tweeted April 2, "April Fools. Where's everyone's sense of humor?"
For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on Youtube!


text:
Export 1946 results:
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The BNT-38: Applying Rasch Analysis to Adapt the Boston Naming Test for Use With English and French Monolinguals and Bilinguals. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2019;62(4):909-917.
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The Canadian longitudinal study on aging as a platform for exploring cognition in an aging population. Clin Neuropsychol. 2019:1-30.
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Coming together to define membrane contact sites. Nat Commun. 2019;10(1):1287.
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Cumulative stigma among injured immigrant workers: a qualitative exploratory study in Montreal (Quebec, Canada). Disabil Rehabil. 2019:1-14.
Delayed Galectin-3-Mediated Reprogramming of Microglia After Stroke is Protective. Mol Neurobiol. 2019.
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Children's game basis for student's book
Lauren Schoenbauer's children's book, "Leppy and the Magic Pot," remembers childhood days playing game at home
November 9, 2012
By Mike Killeen
Writing, Lauren Schoenbauer admits, will always be part of her life.
"It's probably my strongest and most significant hobby. I've kept it up for 12 years," Schoenbauer said.
For most of that time, her writing was limited to journaling, about one book a year done by hand in pen and pencil. "It's kind of a therapy for me," admits Schoenbauer, who doesn't use a computer "out of fear of losing the files."
Now, she can also call herself a professional writer.
On Oct. 30, her children's book, "Leppy and the Magic Pot," was published by Tate Publishing. The 28-page paperback is a based on a children's game played by her family growing up in New Prague, Minn.
Schoenbauer, a first-year nursing major at the College of Saint Benedict, said her journaling helped in the writing of the book.
"I think I've always had a gift for words. Writing has always come easily for me," Schoenbauer said. "Rhyming and poetry, which is how my book is written, is just a gift that I have."
The basis of the story goes back to Schoenbauer's mom, Lynn, who passed the game down from her mother, Sue Mordan. Lauren and her brothers and sisters would place leaves at a bottom of a pot, and that's when the "magic" would happen.
"You'd have to leave the room, because my mom always said, 'Leprechauns are very sneaky and they don't want to be seen,' " Schoenbauer recalled. "So, we'd always leave, and when we came back, Leppy had taken the leaves for his bed and left us candy in return.
"That was the highlight of my childhood," Schoenbauer said, smiling.
Last fall, she decided to tell the story to the world. In the book, the leprechauns are busy making coins, but Leppy's coins turn out lumpy every time. But when his travels take him to a home of a little girl, the two become best friends and have all kinds of adventures. Their favorite adventure includes the Magic Pot.
"When I was much younger, probably 13 or 14 (years old), I thought back on this game, the Magic Pot, that I used to play, and I thought that would be the greatest children's story ever. I just never wrote it," Schoenbauer said. "Finally, last year after my cross country season ended, I thought 'I'm going to college next year, so this is like the perfect time to write it.' "
Schoenbauer, who had been filing away lines for the book over the years, quickly went into writing mode. She finished the manuscript in November 2011, and then searched for a publishing company which would be a good fit for a first-time author like herself. She settled on Tate Publishing, located in Mustang, Okla.
"Once they approved the book, they sent me tips - maybe you could elaborate on this more, or this line doesn't flow very well," Schoenbauer said. "In the next three months, it was just a series of going back and forth between me and the editors to make (the book) perfect.
"When I was working at home, I worked with my grandma (Ann Schoenbauer). My book is written in lyric form, like it's a poem, and my grandma is really good at rhyming. She helped me a lot with that."
She admits the finished product is stronger than her initial manuscript. Her readers seem to agree - of the 15 reviews posted on Amazon.com as of Nov. 6, all were quite positive.
That's good news for Schoenbauer, who had to invest her own money to get the book published.
"I would tell people to take a chance. I had to put down money to do this, and basically the only money I had was from the minimum wage summer job," Schoenbauer said. "My parents were like, 'Just make sure you know what you are doing. This is your money.' I had to, because otherwise, I'm just going to look back and wonder, 'What if?' "