text: A family law attorney can guide you through the many legal issues facing couples, parents and their children. Family law lawyers can work with individuals who are engaged or married to create pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements. Family law attorneys will also work with individuals and couples seeking to start or grow a family through adoption. And law firms can work with individuals who are getting divorced to negotiate a divorce agreement, including alimony, palimony, the division of property and debts, child custody, child support and visitation.


text:
Computer blues: First Wendy, then Lisa
The Background
Remember John? He's the 34-year-old software engineer Matchmaker sent out back in May. A softball fanatic from New Jersey, he also loves basketball, golf, hiking, biking and, for a bit of the bad-boy thing, riding his motorcycle. But while his first date was far from disastrous, it certainly could have gone better. Finding himself in a sweat on his way to the restaurant, John traded his collared shirt for a Yankees t-shirt– a move his date, 26-year-old Wendy, did not appreciate.
"His manner of dress was similar to my father's," she sniped, citing his t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers on a 90-degree night. Fortunately, John showed remarkably thick skin– and a willingness to give the Challenge a second try.
For round two, Matchmaker found Lisa, a 30-year-old biology researcher who enjoys reading, music, movies, and good food.
Wait a second. Wendy? Lisa? Software engineer? Remind anyone of a Prince song? Let's hope John doesn't end up with the computer blues...
The Date
John and Lisa met at La Cucina on Water Street.
Who arrived first?
Lisa: Technically, I suppose I arrived first, but he walked up to the restaurant right behind me. So, really, we arrived at the same time.
John: We were seated right away. The waitstaff at La Cucina knew who we were as soon as we walked up. Noticed a little grin on their faces.
Were you nervous?
Lisa: Yes. I had never been on a blind date before, so I really didn't know what to expect. John did a good job of trying to make me feel comfortable.
John: Not really nervous... more unsure, as is typical when you meet someone for the first time.
When did you calm down?
Lisa: Halfway through dinner.
John: As soon as I sat down.
First impression?
Lisa: That he was attractive and courteous. He just generally looked cute standing there in the rain holding a rose for me.
John: I was impressed. She's very laid back and cute.
Would you say this person was your type?
Lisa: I'm not sure that I would say that I have a "type," but I found John to be an interesting and fun person.
John: Yes. I do tend to get along with most anyone, but I did like the fact she was laid back and quiet.
What was your date wearing?
Lisa: Khaki pants and a dark blue polo shirt.
John: A button-down top with a second layer. Also a skirt. I only noticed since I walked up behind her. She was very classy and proper.
What did you order?
Lisa: We each ordered a glass of wine.
John: She had the pasta primavera, and I had the tortellini. The quality of food was excellent. Being an Italian from New York, I was impressed with the taste and portion size.
Did you get dessert?
John: With a little persuasion.
Lisa: He had the cheesecake, and I had a cappuccino creme brulé.
How was the service?
Lisa: It was good. The table was a little wobbly when we sat down, but the waitress quickly came and fixed it for us. During the meal the waitress was attentive, and the chef circulated the room checking on each table to see if diners were enjoying dinner.
John: Great– we were checked on periodically, and the staff made sure we had what we needed.
What did you talk about?
Lisa: The conversation went all over the place, the typical "get to know you" type questions of likes, dislikes, activities, etc. He said I was too quiet, though, which was true, but he is an interesting person.
John: We talked about a range of topics. I tended to monopolize the conversation and told myself to shut up a few times.
Did you have a lot in common?
Lisa: He is definitely more adventurous than I am. But underneath, I think we both enjoy spending time with good friends, and place family as a high priority.
John: Other than being UVA football fans... nothing yet, working on it.
Was there anything you found out that you really liked?
Lisa: That he seemed to know how to have fun and was interested in learning what things I like to do for fun.
John: Her personality. And she has a shyness. Cute smile when caught a little off-guard.
Was there anything you really disliked?
Lisa: Not really
John: Not at all
Was there "chemistry" between you? Interesting body language?
Lisa: Oh, I hate the "chemisty" question. I usually can't tell right off the bat. But I did enjoy spending the evening with John.
John: Yes, I think so. We did exchange a few flirtatious looks. I asked if she was nervous. She did say she was, in the beginning. I didn't want to make her uncomfortable but did look in her direction once in a while just to catch her reactions, which were good.
How were your date's table manners?
Lisa: Fine. He joked that his mother would be proud that he was using a napkin, but he seemed completely comfortable with dinner in a fine restaurant.
John: Very proper. I kept resting my elbows on the table like I was eating chicken wings. I need to stop doing that!
How did dinner end?
Lisa: We finished dessert, discussing how we each thought the evening had gone... and continued by discussing whether we wanted to do anything after dinner. We had talked about possibly going for a walk on the Downtown Mall, but as we reached the door of the restaurant it started to pour. He shared his umbrella with me as we walked across to the Mall. We decided to go see a movie at the downtown theater.
John: Back to the body language from earlier, we sat in one of those double-seats at the movie, and I nudged her twice. Got a nudge back, too.
What was the VERY end like?
Lisa: After the movie, he walked me to my car, or really our cars since he was parked nearby. We said goodnight with a hug.
John: I found out that this was the first blind date she had ever been on. Have to give her credit to trust a newspaper on her first experience. We did exchange a hug. I wasn't sure about the kiss and didn't want to push it.
Did you have fun?
Lisa: Especially after I got over my nervousness.
John: I had a very nice and relaxing time.
Would you see this person again?
Lisa: Yes, we exchanged numbers after dinner, and he sent me a text message wishing me goodnight after we parted ways.
John: Yes, definitely would, and have already. We took a motorcycle ride up to Crozet a few days after.
ON a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the date?
Lisa: 8
John: 9
Go John! It just goes to show, if at first you don't succeed...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Titan's volcano may release methane
A team of European and US scientists, using Cassini-Huygens data, have found that Saturn's smoggy moon Titan may have volcanoes that release methane into the atmosphere.
These findings may lead scientists to revise the theories that methane in Titan's atmosphere is mainly due to the presence of a methane-rich hydrocarbon ocean.
Infrared images taken by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on board the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini orbiter, show a bright, 30-kilometre-wide structure. This structure, imaged during the first Titan fly-by on 26 October 2004 from a distance of 1200 kilometres, could be interpreted as a volcanic dome formed by upwelling plumes of icy material that rose to the planet's surface. While melting, the icy material contaminated by hydrocarbons would release methane gas.
The eruptions of such an ice-volcano, or 'cryo-volcano', would be caused by the heat generated during tidal movements of material inside Titan. Internal tides at Titan are expected as this moon strongly varies its distance from Saturn while it runs along its highly elliptical orbit around the mother planet.
The images of the observed area also show that liquid is not visible on the surface. This conclusion is reinforced by the comparison of surface features imaged by VIMS with similar features imaged by ESA's Huygens probe during its descent and eventual landing onto Titan's soil.
"Before Cassini-Huygens, the most widely accepted explanation for the presence of methane in Titan's atmosphere was the presence of a methane-rich hydrocarbon ocean," said Dr Christophe Sotin, from the University of Nantes, France, and lead author of the results.
"The suite of instruments on board Cassini and the observations at the Huygens landing site reveal that a global ocean is not present. Interpreting this feature as a 'cryo-volcano' provides an alternative explanation for the presence of methane in Titan's atmosphere," he added.
An infrared instrument like VIMS is able to peer through Titan's dense haze and provide information about the chemical composition and the topography of the surface.
The highest resolution image obtained covers an area 150 square kilometres that includes the bright 30-kilometre circular feature, with two elongated wings extending westward. This structure actually resembles volcanic structures on Earth and Venus, with overlapping layers of material from a series of flows, although the volcanic material is different.
In the centre of the area, scientists clearly see a dark feature that can be interpreted as a depression. So, it is easy to imagine it as a volcanic caldera, a bowl-shaped structure formed above chambers of molten material.
If the cryo-volcanism hypothesis is true, the black channels seen by Huygens during its descent could have been formed by the large release of methane-rich rains following the eruptions.
Scientists have already considered, and ruled out, other interpretations for the circular structure. In principle, it could be a cloud, but images taken at different times show that the structure does not vary its shape.
A second interpretation would suggest that the structure is an accumulation of solid particles transported by gas or liquid, as it happens for sand dunes on Earth. However, a circular shape does not really match with this process, and its possible wind patterns do not match with the expected wind directions on Titan.
Radar observations of the same regions to be made later by Cassini will certainly help to confirm these findings.
Note to editors
These results are published in the 9 June issue of the scientific journal Nature.
These findings have a major European contribution: C. Sotin (Lead author), S. LeMouelic and S. Rodriguez (Laboratoire de Planetologie et Geodinamique, Universite de Nantes, France), R. Jaumann, K. Stephan and C.K. Scholz (Institute of Planetary Exploration, DLR, Germany), A. Coradini, V. Formisano and G. Bellucci (Istituto di Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario, CNR, Rome, Italy), J-P. Bibring and Y. Langevin (Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Universite de Paris-Sud, France), F. Capaccioni and P.Cerroni (Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica, CNR, Rome, Italy), M. Combes, P. Drossard and B. Sicardy (Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France).
The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA and the Italian Space Agency. The VIMS instrument team is led by R. Brown, University of Arizona.
Forty-five fly-bys of Titan are planned during Cassini's four-year mission. The next fly-by is planned for 22 August 2005.
For more informatio
Christophe Sotin, Universite de Nantes, France
E-mail: Christophe.Sotin @ univ-nantes.fr
Jean-Pierre Lebreton, ESA Huygens Mission Manager
E-mail: jplebret @ rssd.esa.int


text:
Expertly hand-crafted from exotic woods. It's a piece of art.
With the magician turned away, the spectator is instructed to set the die on the table with any number they choose facing up and to cover the die with a cloth.
The performer is able to reveal the exact number they chose.
The high-tech electronics make this amazing effect easy to perform.
Cloth bag and silk included.
Small - 1.75 inches square
Large - 2.25 inches square
Do you own this product? Write a review.


text:
Skip navigation
Dear visitor, welcome to FertilityZone . If this is your first visit here, please read the Help. It explains in detail how this page works. To use all features of this page, you should consider registering. Please use the registration form, to register here or read more information about the registration process. If you are already registered, please login here.
Reg: Apr 6th 2011
Location: bedfordshire
Wednesday, April 6th 2011, 1:34pm
Reg: Oct 19th 2006
Wednesday, April 6th 2011, 1:42pm
Wednesday, April 6th 2011, 6:32pm
Reg: Jun 6th 2011
Monday, June 6th 2011, 10:26pm
Reg: Aug 17th 2010
Location: lancs
Children: in working progress.
Friday, June 10th 2011, 6:44pm
Reg: Aug 15th 2011
Location: Kent
Tuesday, August 16th 2011, 12:04pm
Reg: Sep 5th 2011
Monday, September 5th 2011, 11:20am
Hi princess and welcome to
It can take up to 2 years for healthy people to conceive, and because of your age your doctor will not do any tests until those 2 years have gone by.
This you can do to help you:
1) Chart your monthly cycle so you know when you are most fertile. You can use ovulation sticks to help you.
2) Have regular sex (every 2 or 3 days).
Check these:
EWCM (Egg White Cervical Mucus) explains about how you can monitor your fertility by looking at your vaginal discharge
Cervical mucus questions
Good luck
Reg: Aug 9th 2009
Location: Wales
Children: None, M/C Nov 08; M/C May 09; M/C June 10
Monday, September 26th 2011, 4:46am
Reg: Jul 16th 2011
Location: Deepest Darkest Wiltshire
Children: 2 - fantastic sons, we are so very lucky!
Sunday, October 23rd 2011, 3:31pm
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "Demon1x" (Oct 23rd 2011, 3:33pm)
Reg: Jan 24th 2012
Location: Oxfordshire
Children: 1 GORGEOUS Baby Girl and one due in December
Monday, January 30th 2012, 3:01pm
We have been TTC for 2 years now, and both my GP and Consultant have told me that (more than likely), I have unexplained infertility. It is so frustrating because we don't know where to go next? I'm hvaing a hycosy test this week, and if my tubes are clear then they are going to put me back on Clomid again (have already done 4 cycles on it), but if that doesn't work, I think our only avenue left is IVF .My consultant rather blatantly said 'lets hope that you don't need that, because you will have to pay for it', as my partner has 2 children from a previous relationship. Don't even get me started on that! He has had children, I haven't!! So if that is our only resort we will first have to save how ever many thousands that it costs to have that done
Everyone keeps telling me'think positive and it will happen everntually', but that is far easier said than done, especially after 2 years of TTC. Every month the weight on my shoulders gets heavier and I know that I'm being affected mentally and emotionally by all this, which is probably not helping me to get pregnant.
I wish you lots of luck and hope that it happens for you soon xx
Reg: Dec 15th 2011
Location: London
Wednesday, August 7th 2013, 6:25pm
Hi, I would like to share my experience and findings in regards to multiple failed IVFs and years of unexplained infertility.
After 4 years of infertility my DH and I moved to IVF treatment option. Having done 2 fresh 2 frozen unsuccessful IVFs we were told we have recurrent implantation failure. It took us a long time to investigate what was the reason for the implantation failure. I feel very lucky that at the end I have found a fertility specialist who said there is no such thing as "unexplained infertility", there is unestablished not found diagnosis or wrong diagnosis. am half way through my pregnancy now and I feel that I would like to share my preseouse findings with someone who is looking for the same thing. Please find details in my personal information below.
Reg: May 14th 2018
Monday, May 14th 2018, 4:05pm
Reg: May 14th 2018
Wednesday, May 16th 2018, 5:02pm
Reg: May 16th 2018
Wednesday, May 16th 2018, 8:32pm
Reg: May 14th 2018
Thursday, May 17th 2018, 6:17am
Reg: May 17th 2018
Thursday, May 17th 2018, 1:56pm
Reg: May 16th 2018
Friday, May 18th 2018, 4:51pm
Reg: May 14th 2018
Friday, May 18th 2018, 6:07pm
Reg: May 14th 2018
Tuesday, May 22nd 2018, 6:48pm
Reg: Aug 9th 2015
Location: Poland/Germany/GB
Sunday, May 27th 2018, 1:50pm
Reg: May 17th 2018
Tuesday, May 29th 2018, 5:57pm
Reg: May 17th 2018
Tuesday, May 29th 2018, 6:26pm
Reg: May 16th 2017
Location: Limavady
Tuesday, May 29th 2018, 6:39pm
Reg: Mar 13th 2018
Tuesday, May 29th 2018, 7:17pm
Users who thanked for this post:
Martha1 (29.05.2018)
Reg: May 19th 2018
Wednesday, May 30th 2018, 7:27am
Reg: May 16th 2017
Location: Limavady
Wednesday, May 30th 2018, 1:55pm


text:
These directions and maps are for general reference. Always confirm field location with the home team.
Corner of Devon and Kedzie
This map is draggable, you can use your mouse or the directional arrows to pan left, right, up and down to see areas that are hidden offscreen. You can also use the slider to zoom in and zoom out.


text:
Mobility initiative keeps patients on the move
Multidisciplinary teams at Sentara Healthcare hospitals are working to ensure that inpatients move at least three times per day.
The mobility initiative grew from a study of nursing literature that indicates better outcomes and shorter lengths of stay for inpatients who move versus those who don't. Movement can be as simple as range-of-motion exercises for the most infirm patients, to sitting up on the side of the bed, to eating lunch in a chair, to walking down the hall.
"The initiative is based on the patient's ability to move," said Kathleen Hardesty, director of acute and post-acute rehabilitation for Sentara Healthcare. "We want to help patients maintain muscle tone and balance to the greatest extent possible, so they'll be safer when they go home or to rehab.
The mobility team met with medical staff leadership during planning for the initiative to win approval for the new approach. "The doctors have embraced the concept," said Phyllis Stoneburner, RN, nurse executive at Sentara Obici Hospital. "We're excited that they are encouraging patients to move to the extent they are able."
The initiative is a departure from the long-standing tendency to order bed rest for hospital patients. Progress will be documented daily in patients' electronic medical records.
"If pain is an issue, we'll manage that in such a way that they can still move a little each day," said Peggy Braun, RN, nurse executive at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. "We'll work with each patient on their individual plan of care for mobility."


text:
7 things to know about New Zealand before you arrive
So you're planning a trip to New Zealand. Make sure you read these handy tips before you arrive in the Land of the Long White Cloud...
1. There's so much more than Lord of the Rings scenery
If you're visiting New Zealand because you want to see Mount Doom, the village of Hobbiton, and countless sweeping vistas of snowy mountains and wide grassy plains... well, you won't be disappointed. New Zealand really is as beautiful as it looks in movies. But there's so much more on offer – not just in terms of scenery, but in terms of culture, food, activities and the locals (who, by the way, are not Hobbits).
Sure, you should tick those magical photo opportunities off your bucket list. Just make sure you also go off the beaten track and discover the 'real' New Zealand, not just Middle-earth.
2. Yes, we have an accent
And no, it's NOT the same as the Australian accent. They say 'feesh n' cheeps', we Kiwis say 'fush n chups'. See? Totally different.
3. We speak English... but you still might need a phrasebook
What we call 'tomato sauce' is what you call 'ketchup'. What you call 'tomato sauce', we call 'pasta sauce'. If you talk about thongs, you're referring to underwear, not the flip-flop sandals on your feet – those are jandals, and we ought to know because we invented them.
If a Kiwi tells you she's 'going for a tramp in the bush', don't be alarmed – tramping is another word for hiking and 'bush' is what we call forests. While we're at it, 'togs' are swimsuits, the 'dairy' isn't a giant milk storage facility but the local corner store, and as for our habit of answering questions with 'yeah, nah...' yeah, nah, we're sorry about that, eh.
You can find a handy (and humorous!) guide to Kiwi slang for travellers here. Have a squiz at it before you come and you'll be sweet as, bro!
4. We love our wildlife – we don't love possums
Possums are an introduced species in New Zealand and an illegal pest. You might think they're cute and cuddly; we think they're a menace and that the only good possum is a dead one. Because of their enormous appetite for destruction, possums are a serious threat to our beautiful native bush and the fascinating wildlife that calls it home. We'd rather befriend a giant weta than a possum, and that's saying something!
So when you visit, don't be like a possum. Take only photos, leave only footprints and help us keep New Zealand beautiful.
5. We're going to ask you what you think of New Zealand... repeatedly
We New Zealanders are very proud of our country and love to ask visitors what they think of it. From the moment you arrive, be prepared to be quizzed on your impressions so far. We simply can't help it – we want to make sure you're having as good a time visiting as we are living here.
The plus side is, you can use these encounters to harvest all kinds of local secrets, as Kiwis will always want to share the best of their country. Ask a New Zealander where the best beaches are, their favourite campground or to name a few good local watering holes and they'll happily oblige.
6. Kiwis love the great outdoors
Barefoot, if possible. We may not all be Hobbits but we do love to slip off our jandals and sink our toes into the grass, sand or water. Join us! It's the best way to experience this beautiful country we live in.
7. Be ready to spend plenty of time on the road
Unlike many other countries around the world, New Zealand doesn't really have a national rail network. Trains connect some major cities, but they operate at a scenic pace – no high-speed options here! So the most common way to travel around is on the road.
Getting around New Zealand by car can be tricky thanks to our narrow, winding roads and constantly changing speed limits. If you want to be able to sit back and take in the scenery, travelling by bus is the way to go.
InterCity is New Zealand's largest passenger transport network, with more routes and more daily departures than any other. Their TravelPass range of bus passes has pre-planned itineraries that you can follow in your own time, letting you travel independently but with a bit of help planning your time in New Zealand.
And because bus is the way Kiwis travel around NZ, you're sure to pick up some handy tips from locals while you travel! Just read up on that Kiwi slang first...
Article by
InterCity TravelPass
TravelPass flexible 'hop on hop off' fixed itinerary transport pass using the national bus networks of InterCity and Great Sights. National passes also include ferry options between islands.


text:
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
A reporter would like to talk to you; please reach out to [email protected] by 7/25 for more details.
Meet your fellow owners in our Owners Clubs
GM News, New Models and Market Share
The styling is totally overdone, inside and out.
That last is pretty normal for a concept car.0
They're saying it looks even better in person.
Very curious to see how much more than the Volt this costs.0
http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/bob-lutz-approved-via-x-truck-offers-800-hp- -100-mpge/#continued
But she's got a great personality...
He uses a Silverado as the basis for this.0
plekto Posts: 3,738I was surprised that the 98 took that much damage. However, I have heard that for 1984, they cheapened the bumpers. And, the impact did buckle the rear of the Corolla...
Actually, the problem was that the early 80s GM cars had fiberglass front pieces - so the grille and bumper surrounds would simply shatter on impact. The bumper has barely any damage. It's everything that is supporting it that's crap and collapsed.0
The Europeans may have 'mastered' such cars as the Omni/Horizon beforehand, but the first Rabbits here were nothing to write home about quality-wise, that is for certain. Neither were the first Omnis/Horizons. In fact, I believe a certain version of the Omni/Horizon, early on, used a VW engine. Andre will probably know for sure.0
I've read that they were related to the Rabbit, but I don't know the whole story.0
Initially, the Omni/Horizon used a slightly enlarged VW SOHC engine...a 104.7 CID unit which I think translates to 1.7L? Starting in 1981, they made the 2.2 (135 CID) optional.
For 1984, the 104.7 gave way to a 97.3 CID (1.6?) that I think may have been sourced from Peugeot. It was a real dog with 64 hp, and by this time I think most of them came with the 2.2, which had a more respectable (at the time) 96 hp. it was dropped after 1986, and for '87-90, the 2.2 was standard.0
Looks like they kinda rushed it to market to rob headlines from GM.
What makes you say that?
The styling is totally overdone, inside and out.
Never saw a concept that wasn't.0
If you look beyond the tacked-on stuff, the basic truck behind it all looks the same as the current one.
GM did the opposite, they upgraded the basic truck, but didn't really put any frills on it.0
This is pretty trick:
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/15/c7-corvette-reconfigurable-gauge-cluster-vide- o/
Lexus LF-A did this first, but keep in mind this is at a fraction of the price.
Pretty darn cool.
Seat frames are magnesium, even on the base seats.0
Heck, my Explorer has that as well. One can reconfigure the information provided in the left and right hand panes of the dash.0
The packaging of the Omni/Horizon was definitely influenced by the Rabbit--that was pretty apparent upon introduction. It could be had with more "Americanized" trim in and out, of course, though.
This is the last thing that andres3 needs to hear, but a friend of a friend was a Mopar dealer technician and said they got more than one of those cars in with both Horizon and Omni nameplates. They called the cars "Plodge Homnis"!0
Back in the late 80's a neighbor friend of mine's dad bought a late 80's Omni. It seemed decent for a compact at the time, but I know they had a ton of problems with it. From what I remember that was the last domestic car they owned for a long time.
Also had a neighbor across the street from us that had a black Omni GLH turbo. That was a neat car.0
My dad had a Horizon - it was generally reliable, and he liked it a lot. He would drive it hard - I remember seeing the speedometer at the limit, and it was also good in snow.
My brother had a Neon coupe - he hated it, it eventually got t-boned by a speeding 80s Fleetwood, he was thrilled to be out from under it.0
Neat, but I'll take the tach selection.0
My brother had a Neon coupe
I actually liked my Neon coupe overall. It had the 150hp 2.0 DOHC 4 banger with 5 speed manual. It was quick for the time and reliable enough while I had it. The main thing I didn't like about it was how loud it was. At 80 it would turn 4k rpm and each revolution made itself known. It certainly wasn't a Honda.
My friend's parents kept the Omni (it could have been a Horizon too, can't remember exactly) a while. Once the initial problems were taken care of, I think it was okay. IIRC they were carb related. I think it was an 87 or 88. But I do remember it was one of the model years that was released about a year early.0
My brother's was an "Expresso" slushbox model that my mom dumbly cosigned for when he was 18. I drove it for a short jaunt once - I remember the coarseness, and somehow the interior plastics seemed to be grained in a way that absorbed dirt. I don't think he had any mechanical failures, but maybe he too tired of the noise, and the payments.
My dad's Horizon was an older one, maybe closer to a 1980 model. I don't remember it ever failing, but I was a little kid when he had it. Replaced with an S-10 Blazer that was more troublesome.0
...concerning quality....that was the one car that probably did the most to erase twenty-five years of goodwill the Beetle had built for VW. That's no joke.
A coworker of mine bought a new '81 Scirocco. I remember it cost the same as my new Monte Carlo. Obviously, two different types of cars, but I remember, besides the no rear legroom (which I shouldn't expect in a car like that), that the instrument panel waved at you when you let up on the clutch.
I wouldn't classify the Corvair as a 'failure' as xrunner did...it was widely referred to all over the place as "Poor Man's Porsche". Seriously. Read some reviews of the Corsa models. I've also read a reviewer that said it was what small cars of the '70's should have been but weren't.0
Well obviously, but I think you know who employs more white-collar people of all levels, more assembly-line workers, and more suppliers in the U.S. And more production is coming to the U.S.--a good thing.
Yeah, I'm so glad Ford is around.
It's exhausting having to correct you so often.0
I wouldn't classify the Corvair as a 'failure' as xrunner did...
I'd call it "flawed", but not a failure. If it was a failure, GM would have dropped it after a few years. But, it held out for ten model years, which is pretty incredible considering it had to share the market with the Chevy II starting in 1962, and the market got further segmented when the Camaro came out for '67.
If it wasn't for the Corvair, there very well could have been no Mustang, Barracuda, or Camaro/Firebird. It was the Corvair that uncovered the market for an inexpensive domestic compact, and thus served as some inspiration for the Mustang.0
I would classify the Corvair as a failure. It's arguably unjustified thanks to Ralph Nader, but the car did have some issues (the swing axle didn't help), and GM completely abandoned flat engines.
The second gen was better, but by then, between Nader, the swing-axle reputation, and GM's habit of self-competition (the Camaro was cannibalizing Corvair sales) the game was up.0
I've read that some more 'esteemed' brands with swing axles were even worse than the first Corvairs in that same issue. I much-prefer the '65 and later in every way, when that wasn't an issue, anyway.0
I like the styling of the second-gen and I like flat engines, primarily because they lower center-of-gravity, which leads to improved handling (without over-stiffening the suspension). But unless you can get serious economies of scale flat engines are a little expensive to make.0
I've heard that as long as you kept the tire pressure in check, early Corvairs were just fine. Only problem is, recommended tire pressure was something off-beat, like 15 psi in the front, and 26 in the rear. People tend to round off, so most owners probably just inflated all four to 25 or 30 psi and called it a day.
This was long before my time, but I heard that one of my neighbors had an early Corvair, and wiped out in the rain. I don't think the end result was anything serious, but she got rid of it right after that. Of course, being in the rain, and adding in possible driver error and whatever other circumstances there were, she might have wiped out anyway, regardless of what she was driving.
The only car I can remember her having was a white 1978 or so Regal, that she had right up until she passed away in 1996 or 1997.0
I had thought Rabbit quality was hit and miss - some were horrors (early cars esp), others had little issue. Kind of a VW theme that persists almost to this day.
My paternal grandfather had several Corvairs, didn't turn him off Chevy as he owned several more of the brand, including his last new car.0
Honestly, I never knew anyone who owned a Rabbit, just heard/read a lot of stuff. I'm sure it was the early ones, and also the ones made in Westmoreland County, PA, about 100 miles south of where I lived at the time.0
had thought Rabbit quality was hit and miss - some were horrors (early cars esp), others had little issue. Kind of a VW theme that persists almost to this day.
My great uncle kept an early 80's diesel rabbit at his winter home in Sarasota. He still had it down there when he passed away in the late 90's. He and my aunt would drive down there in his Town Car then use the Rabbit as a runabout and he would lend it to ever would visit (assuming they could drive a stick). Last I was it in the mid '90's it had 150k miles or so and ran great. But yeah, in general VW's seem hit or miss.0
I have heard the same Honda ad several times yesterday and today.
It's poking fun, kind of, about Hyundai's long warranty. The salesman keeps saying "Our warranty is long, long, long!". The customer says, "Will it fix faulty logic?". Goofing on a long warranty is the entire ad.
I didn't like it at all. IMHO, it's arrogant. Anybody who's considering a new Honda who hasn't had one before, won't have to look here real hard to find reasons that a long warranty is a good thing.0
When I was a little kid, a friend of the family had a diesel Rabbit - I remember it for the emblem, and the noise. Apparently it was a reliable vehicle.
I have heard the very early Rabbits rust with a vengeance, and are unreliable.0
It's poking fun, kind of, about Hyundai's long warranty. The salesman keeps saying "Our warranty is long, long, long!". The customer says, "Will it fix faulty logic?". Goofing on a long warranty is the entire ad.
That's funny! GM has made fun of Ford's "man step" and Honda by showing lawn mowers. BTW, Honda makes far superior lawn mowers than GM;)
We've been down this warranty road before. If I was shopping for a new or used vehicle whether an Accord or any car with a shorter warranty than GM or Hyundai, but I wanted a better warranty. I'd simply buy the manufacturers extended warranty which would be far more comprehensive than what's provided by standard powertrain warranty. Problem solved.
I guarantee every GM dealer still offers GM extended warranty for coverage above and beyond the standard 3/36 bumper to bumper and 100k powertrain warranty.0


text:
Actress Zooey Deschanel has filed for divorce from her rocker husband of two years.
The "New Girl" star split from Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard in October, and now she has decided it's over.
Deschanel filed divorce papers in Los Angeles on December 27, according to TMZ.com.
She blames the split on "irreconcilable differences."


text:
The DC Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee (DC HNPC) was started in 1981 as a joint project of several local groups and individuals to commemorate the atomic bombing of Japan by the United States on August 6 (Hiroshima) and August 9 (Nagasaki), 1945. We remember the victims and honor the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, work against nuclear weapons the world over, and educate the community about the double-edged sword of nuclear power.
Originally organized as part of the Gray Panthers of Metropolitan Washington, founding members of the committee include Louise Franklin-Ramirez and John Steinbach, Josephine Butler, Hilda Mason, Arjun Makhijani, Rick and Michelle Tingling-Clemmons, Rev. Phil and Sue Wheaton, Ellen and William Thomas, Joe and Rose Marie Flynn, and many others dedicated to insuring that the nuclear holocausts of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never forgotten or repeated.
Each year from August 3-10, the DC HNPC organizes a week of commemorative activities in and around the Washington area to increase public awareness about the history of the atomic bombings and their consequences. We welcome a delegation of Hibakusha (Japanese survivors of atomic radiation) to participate in these events, and we send a delegation of local DC-area activists (one youth and one adult) to Japan to represent us and participate in the major events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which there are national events approaching holiday status.
Events here in the area typically include:
- a community reception to welcome and honor our visiting Hibakusha friends
- a public program and peace demonstration at the Lincoln Memorial or WWII Memorial at the moment the bomb exploded over Hiroshima (August 6, 8:02am in Japan; August 5, 7:02pm Eastern Daylight Time in Washington, DC)
- a visit with the Hibakusha to the Enola Gay exhibit at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex near Dulles Airport in Virginia
- Hibakusha visits with local children for educational and cultural activity
- a commemorative service and candlelight vigil for nuclear disarmament in front of the White House at the time of the Nagasaki explosion (August 9, 11:15am in Japan; 10:15pm on August 8 in Washington)
- programs with affiliated groups in Baltimore and Frederick, MD
- attendance of services at local houses of worship that recognize the events and honor the survivors
The work we do would not be possible without the help of many volunteers who help with logistics, transportation, and Japanese interpretation and translation. All who are interested in participating, or who would like more information.
Josephine Butler Nuclear-Free Future Award –
Each year we present this award to honor local activists who embody the spirit of community service and anti-nuclear action. Prior awardees include Arjun Makhijani, former DC City Councilwoman Hilda Mason, WPFW Radio Host Ambrose Lane, Little Friends for Peace founders MJ and Jerry Park and longtime local activists Joe and Rose Marie Flynn.


text:
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos + September 8
This is the day of the Lord; wherefore, rejoice ye nations; for behold the chamber of Light, the scroll of the Word of life hath come forth from the womb; the gate facing the east hath been born. Wherefore, she awaiteth the entrance of the High Priest. And she alone admitted Christ into the universe for salvation of our souls.
+ Doxastikon of the Feast, Tone 6
Read Fr. Andrew Damick's reflection on the Theotokos, the Ark of the New Covenant
Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko speak on the Nativity of the Theotokos on Ancient Faith Radio


text:
酒店所在地 布里斯托尔
Whisk yourself away for a weekend of fun in beautiful Bristol! Located right in the heart of the city, the stylish Radisson Blu Hotel is a great base for exploring all Bristol has to offer. On the hotel's doorstep, you'll find a myriad of cosy cafés and restaurants, while the charming streets of the Old Town are just a few minutes' walk away. Close by, explore legendary Glastonbury Abbey and marvel at the many historic castles.
Immerse yourself in Bristol and you'll find pirates and castles, legendary ships and diverse architecture, contemporary street art and open green spaces. Bristol is the second largest city in the south of England and its core revolves around its place in history as a shipbuilding giant. You'll hear stories of tobacco trading, slavery and the lives of the risky privateers and you'll see one of the city's incredible restored ships, the world's first ocean liner, the Victorian SS Great Britain.
Bristol has evolved into a centre for media, science and innovation – it was voted as the first official UK Cycling City in 2008 and will carry the prestigious European Green Capital title for 2015. It's a big bold University town, rich in history, art and culture and bubbling over with things to do. The Radisson Blu Bristol, Hotel is right at the very centre of this magnetic melting pot, close to the famous floating harbour and within walking distance of the Bristol Hippodrome and the main shopping streets. The hotel has an ideal location for you to explore – you may even bump into Blackbeard, Bristol's most famous pirate.
The city is divided into areas, each with its own history. The Harbour has been redeveloped with shops, bars and restaurants and it's a lovely place to spend the afternoon strolling or taking a boat tour. In the Old Town is Queen's Square, home to some of Bristol's oldest buildings including Custom House, which used to collect the taxes from the ships and their privateers. Big business is still done here inside the grand carved buildings. Wander the cobbled streets, pop into pubs or browse in the famous St Nicholas Market for quirky artefacts. Find the Christmas Steps, a 17th Century shopping street, or head to the flagship Cabot Circus shopping area for all things modern. The Old Market, with over 60 listed buildings, is where you'll find antiques and vintage clothes, but when the sun sets this is the place to enjoy a colourful nightlife too. Stokes Croft feels like an open air museum dedicated to street art, including Bristol's Banksy and in stark contrast there's Clifton with its Georgian houses, leafy streets and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge built in 1831. The views from here are a reminder that Bristol is the gateway to much more – an easy day trip to the Cotswolds, the southeast and Wales beyond.
If you're feeling relaxed it may be time to leave the hotel and explore a bit of Bristol. We've picked just six cultural, historical and fun things to do while you're here. For more great ideas just ask one of the hotel staff.
- You can't visit Bristol without taking a look at its seafaring history and The Matthew is a great boat to get on board – it's a reconstruction of John Cabot's boat when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497 and The Matthew has actually done the same trip in honour of this achievement. Head to the harbour for tours and sailing trips with great views of Bristol.
- Just next to where The Matthew is moored is the new museum M Shed, which is on Bristol's wharf. The museum is a contemporary event space in an old working shed and it tells the story of Bristol covering over 2000 years. There are exhibitions, objects, videos and places to discuss and debate the past present and future of the city.
- Head out to the theatre for the night at the Bristol Old Vic. This has been the place to watch talented thespians tread the boards since 1766. The theatre is having a lot of money spent on its redevelopment without affecting any of its popular performances and the £19.2 million project will be finished in 2016.
- Take a walking tour around Bristol and find Banksy's art, quiet cathedrals or old merchants' pubs and markets. If you're interested in architecture, history or simply just want to get to know Bristol on your terms walking is a great way to explore the city. 5. Stick on your swimmers and get yourself to the famous Victorian Lido. If you don't fancy a dip then don't worry you can watch others take the plunge while you eat cake and drink coffee in the old viewing gallery restaurant.
- Tee off on one of Bristol's beautiful golf courses. There are several to choose from – old school clubs like Filton, Henbury and Cleveden, which has amazing views over the Channel and the new courses like The Players Club, which is known for its challenging water holes.
For a night out in Bristol you can enjoy a meal and a drink or head out for some live music to see local bands and world famous singers. Here are a few popular music venues you can check out.
Bristol has a lot of trendy places to listen to music from the University Music Department's Victoria Rooms which have been used for music concerts and even book readings from Charles Dickens since 1842, to the cool redbrick Tobacco Factory Theatre and Brewery Theatre which showcase fresh new talent. Mix it up a bit and head out for a night at The Old Fire Station which has three large rooms and a courtyard – great for those balmy summer evenings listening to live music. Another popular venue, and well known to the locals, is St George's Bristol – centrally located in the city's West End and close to the water. The acoustics here are spot on and the venue hosts around 200 events a year from folk to jazz to blues to classical.
For something completely different and a beautiful venue in the summer months, head out to the National Arboretum, Westonbirt. Here you can listen to bands in the middle of the green and diverse 600 acre parkland with more than 15,000 specimens of rare and beautiful plants. Back to the buzz of the city don't miss out on the live gigs at The Canteen – if you want something really upbeat then the weekend events here are great and you'll see live samba bands and crazy hip hop orchestras – you can even grab a bite to eat. You'll need to check about tickets and how to book for all these venues so ask the concierge who will be happy to help and may have a few more Bristol music tips!


text:
Guided fishing, hunting trips make great gifts
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it seems as though most folks around our area fared well. Certainly there are exceptions to that, but for the most part things locally in the outdoors are good. Even with the drought curtailing food growth for the deer, they continue to feed mostly at night. That has been the case, in my experience, no mater the moon phase. Even so, there have been some really fine bucks taken in East Texas, which is nothing unusual. Their body condition is not as good because of the drought, but all in all they are not in bad shape.
Some of the reports that I have gotten from the Hill Country are that many of the deer are sporting less body fat than during wet years and less evidence of yearlings. This same area of Texas has spotty reports of hunter success. One would believe that when the Texas Hill Country is mentioned, there would be a more uniform number of folks with the same opinions concerning deer sightings. Also, there is a big discrepancy as to the animals' body condition. The ranches where there was easily available water are sporting the better numbers as well as condition of the deer this season.
The annual rut has not yet begun in South Texas, where the traditionally large antlered bucks are taken. That will usually begin after Christmas and get even more intense in January. The reports that I have received have indicated that the free ranging animals did better than was expected. That doesn't mean that the prolonged drought had no effect. It did, but the South Texas whitetails are accustomed to dry weather, and they survive very well.
The deer on high-fenced smaller ranches fared well with water. Let me say here that smaller ranches in South Texas, in my opinion, would be those five or six thousand acres or less. Not all of the ranches with high fences contained sources that were sufficient to sustain water during a long drought. On those ranches that ran dry, the deer suffered from the lack of sufficient water. Therefore, there were some die-offs as well as deer with poor body condition and smaller antlers. Thank goodness these ranches were not the norm.
The hunters that are most familiar with the rut in South Texas are looking forward to heading out. In order to hunt on those ranches, arrangements should have been made long before. In fact, some of the more expensive hunt ranches are booked years in advance.
Now it is time for a Christmas gift selection. Whether the Christmas gift will be for a hunter or fisherman, I'm sure that the giver will need to consider the longevity of the gift as well as the cost. My recommendation for a present that will be remembered for a lifetime is either a guided hunt or fishing trip.
First, the giver must know which trip the receiver would most likely prefer. Second, they need to have an idea of the amount of money that they will pay for the trip. It is also important when booking with either a guide or an outfitter that employs several guides to check out references. By doing that, you can get a good idea just how satisfied the former customers have been. You can also know if they would consider their trip excellent, good, fair or poor and whether they use that service again.
Whenever a guide or outfitter is contacted. find out exactly what they provide and what you will need to bring along. Ask how long the trip will last, and if there are food and lodging accommodations included. Will the fish or game be cleaned or will their be an extra charge for that? There are some hunting outfitters that offer guaranteed kills or at least fair shots at the preferred game animals. The latter are usually hunts for the does or female animals. No matter, the experience will be well worth the cost in most cases. Just be sure to check references before agreeing to anything.


text:
Wonderful Wairarapa Wine..what's the story?
How does this tiny region produce so many top wines? Wairarapa only accounts for 3% of New Zealand's winegrowing area but it packs a hell of a punch
1 / 2
Some of this comes down to a winning combination of climate and soil. The summers are hot, autumn is long and dry, and winters are cold – textbook conditions for producing cool climate grapes.
Grapevines can be picky about soil, and the ancient river terraces that run from north of Masterton to south of Martinborough provide the deep free-draining gravel in which they grow best.
And of course, much of the credit has to go to the winemakers themselves – top blokes and gals. Almost all of the vineyards here are small and family-run.
The vines are nurtured in the vineyards, the grapes are handpicked and the wine is made with the aim of producing quality rather than quantity.
Back in 1979 a DSIR report found the area surrounding Martinborough similar in climate and soil conditions to Burgundy.
Being kiwis that was enough proof for a pioneer winemakers, mainly scientists, to get planting – paddocks became vineyards.
Their success caused a sensation in the 1980s when Martinborough Pinot Noir, a notoriously fickle grape, was ranked among the world's finest.
Wairarapa still produces great Pinot Noir, but it's only part of the story. Other award winning wines produced here include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
There are now over 50 vineyards in the Wairarapa: around Martinborough wine village, Gladstone and to the north of Masterton.
Whether you're travelling SH2 north or south Wairarapa is at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.
There are daily bus tours ( a fab one from Tranzit is featured above), including ones that use the train from Wellington to get you here....then a coach and guide.
Or hire a bike: the vineyards around Martinborough are almost all within flat, easy walking distance of the village square.
One of the best things about visiting a vineyard has to be sitting down at a vineyard cafe and watching the grapes ripen while sipping a past year's vintage. Tough job someone has to do it!
For further information about Wairarapa vineyards, events and and to book accommodation online , see www.wairarapanz.com.
Get a Wairarapa Wine Trail map with the cellar door info from the gals at the Martinborough i-SITE.
Artículo de
Destination Wairarapa
Destination Wairarapa is the region's tourism organisation. Book accommodation and activities online. Find out about wineries, cycle trails, what's on and attractions.


text:
For Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the options are simple: Take a pay cut or get cut.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles and Asomugha's representatives will meet this morning, and the team will ask Asomugha to restructure his contract. If Asomugha refuses, the team will cut him.
Asomugha is guaranteed $4 million from the Eagles this year whether he plays for them or not, so it would be a costly move to cut him. But it will cost the Eagles $15 million to have Asomugha on their team this year under his current contract, and Philadelphia has concluded that he simply isn't worth his massive contract.
When Asomugha signed with the Eagles before the 2011 season, the deal was advertised as a five-year, $60 million contract — and was advertised as one of the deals that made the Eagles the Dream Team. But that now looks like a contract that the Eagles regret, and if Asomugha won't take less money, he'll soon become an unrestricted free agent again. An unrestricted free agent who will get a much smaller contract this time around.


text:
Callahan: NU to Get Physical this Spring
Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan addressed the media during his annual pre-spring football press conference Monday at Memorial Stadium. The Huskers open spring practice Wednesday with the first of 15 off-season workouts leading up to the annual Red-White Game on April 16. The second-year head coach covered a variety of topics during the press conference, including changes in personnel, roles and philosophies.
Opening Statement:
"For the next four Saturdays, aside from being involved in the technical aspects of football, we have some other things going on. First off, this Saturday the 26th will be our first Husker Youth Experience. Right now we have over 500 young Huskers coming to visit us after practice. We will put on a clinic for the young kids and coaches of this state. I wish we could have more, but we can't accommodate everybody, so we're going to hold that number at 500. It is full right now, and we're looking forward to having a great day with these young kids. It should be a great experience. I want to keep extending ourselves to the community, state of Nebraska and young Huskers to really get involved in our program. We'll have our first Husker Youth Camp this summer. I think it's key to have a youth camp for ages 8-13 to be here on our campus at the University of Nebraska, with our coaches and learn some of the skills in football to make them better players. On April 2, we will have our second annual Junior Day. It was a highly successful event last year. It's a great kickoff to recruiting. A lot of programs have had junior days so far. We have always waited until spring ball to bring our prospects in so they can watch our team practice, be around our coaches and get involved in meetings. Third, Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 will be our annual (coaches) clinic. At that time, Coach (Dick) Vermeil of the Kansas City Chiefs will be coming in to speak to the high school coaches. It's always a good day for our staff. The format is going to change in that there are going to be more demonstration drills for the high school coaches, and our players will partake in that on Saturday morning. Coach Vermeil speaks on Friday night. We have a special guest, (former NU assistant coach) Milt Tenopir, he will be a Legends speaker for us at that clinic. That's something we want to do each year, bring back a former coach to speak at that clinic. On Friday, April 15, the Friday before the Spring Game, we will not be practicing. We will be hosting our first annual Letterman's Golf Outing. That will be taking place over at Wilderness Ridge. That's an event we all look forward to, in that it's great to get the (former) players back here and have camaraderie with the current players here. Lastly, we have the Spring Game. Last year we had 61,000 fans, and I want to make a strong point about how successful that was in our recruiting. It was a major factor and difference in bringing prospects and signees to Nebraska. Again, if we can sell that out on that particular day, that would be a huge response for our prospects coming here on campus. As of now, we have quite a few (prospects) coming in for the Spring Game."
On how the team stands entering spring football:
"Our team's ready to transfer from the weight room and the Cook Pavilion. Our strength and conditioning program is ready to take the next step onto the field. We are awfully excited about getting onto the practice field. I think this year's process of the team's development will be much more different and unique than it was a year ago. You will see emphasis on special teams, a variety of drills that will be taking place on the field that will really match up with what we need to get accomplished in terms of playing to our strengths and rectifying the errors in our game.
On the team's objectives during spring football:
"The primary objective of spring football this year, first off, is evaluation. Secondly, we really want to increase the physical nature of competition across the board. I want to make sure that we are all involved in making our team more physical and competitive as we begin spring drills. It will be a demanding spring for our players, and I strongly feel how well we prepare and play this spring will have a direct effect on what we accomplish in the fall. We have 15 days to do a lot of things, and we'll focus on those primary objectives."
On the pre-spring depth chart:
"(The depth chart) is strictly tentative at this juncture. I want to make the point that nothing is set in stone. We are going to take our time and evaluate this team very thoroughly. Competition is wide open at every spot. I would like to see roles become more defined, and I'd like to see competition separate itself at the conclusion of spring football. However, we are not in any rush to make a determination as to who our starters will be until we get into training camp before our first game."
"I think as you look at our depth chart, you will see some changes on defense. One of the significant changes in positioning our defensive personnel was to change the positions and roles of our current players. Let me start there and talk about how we want to match up better and play to the strengths of our team. I think you will find that the tackles' roles have been defined as the "3" technique, which is essentially an alignment that plays over the outside shoulder of the guard, and the nose tackle, who strictly lines up over the center on every snap. You will see players like Titus Adams and LeKevin Smith play a defined role up in the front. You will also see at the end position "OE," which stands for open-side end, that's the open-side end away from the tight end. You will also see "base end." The base end is a position that will be anchored down by Adam Carriker. Basically, that end lines up to the tight-end side of the formation. There's been a change and shift in philosophy in terms of how we match up our defensive personnel up front. Everything will stay standard on the second level with the linebackers, and as you look at the secondary, we are starting the spring with "left" and "right" corners. That could change, based on evaluation, as we get into fall training camp and we have other members join our team. We could also look at the possibility of being a "boundary corner" team and a "field corner" team as opposed to right and left. That is still up in the air as of right now."
On the team's pre-spring goals:
"I just want to share with you some of our goals, and I'm sure some of you have thoughts about where we are at and where we are heading as a team. I think it has already been publicly stated that we're in a position now to really define and refine our fundamentals and techniques across the board. Again, it's not what we're doing. It's how we are doing it. We have to do a great job as a coaching staff of elevating these techniques and fundamentals. Coming out of film studies and research that did take place in these last five weeks, we're really convinced that if we can elevate the standard of our play, we will have a great chance to win a lot of football games in the fall. I also think the spring is a great time to define roles. I want everyone on this team to have a defined role, or two. To that end, we are going to try to improve that through evaluation. We are going to change quite a few players. I think there are eight right now that we are changing in terms of positions. I have about 15 or 16 combinations right now in my mind, but there are eight roles that are definitely changed right now in terms of position changes or additional roles. Like I mentioned before, one of our primary goals is to increase the physical aspect of practice. Each day you'll see a live "Oklahoma" drill. I want to make sure that we have a drill that is physical in nature where we can line up and master the one-on-one fundamentals of drive blocking and block protection on both sides of the ball.
On improving the special teams' play:
One of the facets that stuck out in my mind as we watched every area of football this past off-season was special teams. That's one of the areas that I'm highly concerned about. If you take the four major areas of special teamspunt, punt return, kickoff and kickoff coverageand look just at the conference stats, awarding a point value from the highest to the lowest, you'll find that we finished 11th (in the Big 12) in special teams. I was really dissatisfied with how we came out in that particular area. A major focus will be on special teams this spring. Not only punt and kickoff return, but more importantly, the two areas where we finished 12th, in punt return and kickoff coverage. Those are two areas that we have to do a great job coaching, a great job defining roles, plugging in the right people and doing a masterful job. That's an area where I feel we can win two to three games a year. That's an area where there's a lot of hidden yardage and I feel we can take advantage. I know we have the athletes to do that, and we definitely want to establish a winning edge in that particular area that spring. We did shift coaching responsibilities to that end, in special teams. Coach (Bill) Busch will now be coaching our safeties and will have limited special teams responsibilities. He will essentially be responsible for the defensive side of the kickoff coverage and punt return. Offensively, the offensive staff will take responsibility of the PAT, field goal, punt and kickoff return. Again, as you can see, the emphasis has been changed. We changed not only through coaching and new techniques, or fundamentals, but also in terms of practice planning. We have now implemented special teams in the middle of practice to put more of a focus on it, to make it more important to our team, so they feel the true impact of that particular area. That's the No. 1 area we need to improve on as a team as we get into spring football.
On defensive changes:
"We have had a lot of people in Lincoln (this off-season). We've brought in a lot of pro people and college people. We've visited people to find out exactly what the trend is in defensive football right now. We've done a lot of research to that end. I'm very comfortable and satisfied with the effort this staff has given. We have a very comprehensive system, it gives us a lot of flexibility and latitude to do the things we want to do, but we are going to limit and shrink our package so that we can become more physical and respond and react better and quicker initially on the field. So there will be a major reduction in pressures we will feature this spring, and most likely for the fall. We still like our pressure package, but we'll become more of a zone football team as we begin spring football and conclude it, and then as we get into fall football, we'll elevate the pressures and game plan certain blitzes and dogs as appropriate. I just want to make a point about pass coveragewe were horrendous. Being 110th in the nation is not very satisfying as a head coach. College football is given a set of rules where you can take advantage of contact. You can take full advantage of banging, bumping and pressing receivers, not only in a five-yard area, but along the entirety of the field. What I want to do is decrease that space in the passing game. We have to do a better job in the passing game of coverage because of that point. You'll see a more physical attitude, more physicalness along the line of scrimmage in defending receivers coming off of the line of scrimmage. That's a major change for us. It dove tails right into the returning quarterbacks in this particular division. I look at the Big 12 North and I see that every (starting) quarterback is coming back. You look at Colorado with (Joel) Klatt, Missouri with (Brad) Smith, the two quarterbacks at Kansas State in (Alan) Webb and (Dylan) Meier, and of course (Brett) Meyer at Iowa Stateevery quarterback in this division returns. They all have been successful throwing the ball, and been successful throwing the ball against us, as well. We have to do a great job in our pass coverage, and we will. I feel very confident about the changes we have made and the trends we've studied."
On the offense:
There are going to be some great battles, personnel-wise. We'll talk about the quarterback position in a moment, but before we get to that I want to make the point that turnovers absolutely hurt this team last year. That's the No. 1 factor in determining who wins and loses football games. I just want to make the point that last year giving up 23 (interceptions) was 116th in the country, that's the second-most turnovers in terms of interceptions. Secondly, we had 10 fumbles. Collectively, we had 33 turnovers that put us at 116th in the country. That's not good enough. You are not going to win football games giving the ball away. We all understand that, and as fans out there, players or anyone following football, we have to do a much better job of protecting (the football). That comes through ball security, making the right decisions, managing the game properly, not only through the quarterback, but through the running backs and the rest of the team as well. There are times where a sack and a turnover can occur if some assignment up front is not correct in the protection scheme. So there are all kinds of ways that sacks and turnovers can occur, and we have to do a better job across the board.


text:
|Birth Date:
|West Hills, Calif.
|High School:
|El Camino Real HS
2010 All-Big West Honorable Mention
2010: Made a team-leading 30 appearances and 21 starts...Posted an 8-13 record and went 6-6 in Big West play...Was second on the team with her 4.60 ERA, but led the squad with a 3.08 ERA in conference games...Tossed 11 complete games and posted two shutouts...Is tied 10th in the UCSB record books for career wins with 26 and is seventh with 11 career shutouts...Led UCSB for wins, innings pitched (126.1), complete games (11) and strikeouts (67) for the second consecutive year...Was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week after leading the Gauchos to a sweep of Long Beach State (May 1-2)...She pitched three complete games during the series and recorded a 0.88 ERA in 24 innings of work...Shutout the 49ers in the final pairing of the series and also shutout league champion UC Davis (May 14)...Posted a season-best eight strikeouts in the season-opener against Northern Colorado (Feb. 11)...Earned her first career save against Utah Valley (Feb. 13).
2009 Big West Co-Freshman Pitcher of the Year
2009 First Team All-Big West
2009 Division I All-Pacific Region First Team
2009: Made 33 appearances and started 23 games in the circle during a stellar freshman campaign...Led the Gauchos and was sixth in the Big West with her 1.93 ERA...Posted an 18-9 record, tying the UCSB record for wins in a single season...Half of her wins were shutout victories...Got her first win of the season after tossing two shutout innings of relief against Wichita State (Feb. 6)...Threw a perfect game in her first career start against Wagner (Feb. 8), she struck out eight batters in the win...It marked the first perfect game in UCSB history...Earned Big West Player of the Week honors on four occasions during the season...Seven of her shutouts went the full seven innings and in each of those games, she held the opposition to four or fewer hits...Arguably, her biggest win of the season was over then-ranked No. 4 UCLA (Mar. 24) when she pitched a complete game, allowing just two earned runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts...Posted a season-best nine strikeouts against San Diego (Mar. 11) and UC Riverside (Mar. 28)...Shut out then-ranked No. 22 Fresno State (Apr. 6), allowing just two hits and one walk, while fanning five in the complete game win...Led the league in opponent batting average (.204) and was third in wins (18), sixth in batters struck out (115), seventh in games started (23), eighth in appearances (33), ninth in innings pitched (148.2) and 10th in games in relief (10)...In conference play, she ranked first among league leaders in batters struck out (61), tied first in appearances (16), third in wins (8), fourth in opposing batting average (.213), tied fourth in games finished (5), fifth in innings pitched (72.1), tied fifth in starts (11) and relief appearances (5), sixth in batters struck out looking (12) and seventh with a 1.74 ERA.
Attended El Camino Real High School where she played under head coach Lori Chandler...As a senior she posted a 25-7 record with a 1.32 ERA...As a junior her record was 23-6 in the circle and she posted a .892 ERA...During the 2007 and 2008 seasons she tallied a combined 707 strikeouts - leading the City Section both seasons - and also posted 33 shutouts...Was a two-time first team all-league selection, two-time league MVP and two-time CIF All-City selection...Named the USMC Most Distinguished Female Athlete in 2008...Was twice named to the Daily News All-Area Team...As a freshman and sophomore she earned junior varsity first team all-league honors and in 2006 was named the City Section's JV Player of the Year after leading El Camino Real to the JV City Section championship...Led her team to a runners-up finish at the 2007 City Section Championships...Was a three-time scholar-athlete.
Played travel ball for So Cal Sliderz Gold.
Krista Cobb was born on Mar. 9, 1990 in West Hills, Calif....Daughter of Mike and Kathy Cobb...Has a younger brother, Stephen...Is majoring in sociology at UCSB and has aspirations of becoming either a psychologist or therapist...If she did not play softball, soccer would be her sport of choice...Names the LA Dodgers as her favorite sports team...Most memorable moment in athletics was participating in the 2008 CIF Finals...Favorite aspect of Santa Barbara is softball.
YearERAW-LApp/GSCGSHOSVIPHRERBBSOB/Avg 20091.9318-933/231690148.2110544154115.204 20104.608-1330/211121126.115588836867.314 TOTAL3.1626-2263/4427111275.0265142124122182.257
|Innings Pitched
|Long Beach State
|4/28/09 - most recent
|at Long Beach State
|at Cal State Fullerton
|at Cal State Fullerton
|Earned Runs
|at Cal State Fullerton
|Hit Batters
|at Cal State Northridge


text:
Freedom in the World
You are here
2012 Scores
Freedom Rating (1 = best, 7 = worst)
Civil Liberties (1 = best, 7 = worst)
Political Rights (1 = best, 7 = worst)
In August 2011, unions, political groups, and civil society organizations staged a series of large demonstrations to protest a variety of economic and governance issues. The ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy dominated local elections held in October and December.
Lesotho gained independence from Britain in 1966, and the following 30 years featured a number of military coups, annulled elections, and suspensions of constitutional rule. Parliamentary elections in 1998, although judged free and fair by international observers, set off violent protests after the results gave the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party 79 out of 80 constituency seats with just 60.5 percent of the vote. Troops from South Africa and Botswana—under the mandate of the 14-country Southern African Development Community (SADC)—were summoned to restore order. Following an evaluation of the country's electoral process, an Interim Political Authority decided that future elections would be supervised by an independent commission and 40 proportionally determined seats would be added to the National Assembly. In the 2002 elections, the LCD captured 77 constituency seats, while the opposition Basotho National Party (BNP) won 21 of the new proportional-representation seats.
In late 2006, Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili called snap elections after 18 members of the LCD joined a new opposition party, the All Basotho Congress (ABC). In the February 2007 voting, the LCD won 61 seats, while the ABC captured 17. Lesotho's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) allocated 21 of the 40 proportional-representation seats to the LCD-allied National Independent Party (NIP) and 10 to the ABC's ally, the Lesotho Workers' Party (LWP). Six other parties were also awarded seats. The elections were declared free and fair by domestic and international observers.
Opposition parties disputed the allocations, accusing the government of poll-rigging and gerrymandering, and called a general strike. The strike was halted after the SADC agreed to mediate, but the talks failed to formally resolve the dispute. In 2008, 43 by-elections were held, the results of which were also contested by the opposition. ABC supporters protested outside the office of the IEC, holding several workers hostage until the protest was broken up by police. In 2009, gunmen opened fire on Prime Minister Mosisili's house, but he escaped unharmed. Government officials and some journalists linked the assassination attempt to the ongoing election dispute, calling it a failed coup. The same year, the head SADC mediator, former Botswana president Sir Ketumile Masire, ended his mission in Lesotho, accusing the government of avoiding direct talks with the opposition. The Christian Council of Lesotho took over SADC's facilitation of the dialogue, but the disputes remained unresolved at the end of 2011. In local elections held in October and December 2011, the LCD captured 79 of 87 contested councils.
In May 2011, the LCD and ABC youth leagues joined factory and taxi workers to stage a protest in Maseru over economic grievances, including opposition to a government job freeze. After the prime minister rejected the protestors' demands, unions, opposition parties, business organizations, and civil society groups organized a series of much larger demonstrations in August to protest issues including unemployment and corruption. Factory and taxi workers organized a 3-day work stay-away to coincide with the demonstrations.
Drought has plagued the country since 2001, leading to food shortages and the dependence of some 450,000 people on food aid. Lesotho suffers an adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of approximately 23 percent, one of the world's highest. The government announced in 2005 that it would offer free HIV testing to all citizens, the first such program in the world. Roughly 25 percent of the country's infected citizens receive antiretroviral treatment.
Lesotho is an electoral democracy. King Letsie III serves as ceremonial head of state. The lower house of Parliament, the National Assembly, is comprised of 120 seats; 80 seats are filled through first past-the-post constituency votes and 40 through proportional representation. Members serve five-year terms, and the leader of the majority party becomes the prime minister. The Senate, the upper house of Parliament, consists of Lesotho's 22 traditional principal chiefs, who wield considerable authority in rural areas, and 11 other members appointed on the advice of the prime minister.
While the government has aggressively prosecuted cases of graft, political corruption remains a problem. A 2010 report by the African Peer Review Mechanism stated that corruption was rife in all sectors of government and public services, and that cronyism was prevalent in state bidding procedures. In December 2011, the Public Accounts Committee reported a significant increase in corruption and theft by civil servants, most of which go unprosecuted. Lesotho was ranked 77 out of 183 countries surveyed in Transparency International's 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Freedoms of speech and the press are generally respected. Independent newspapers and radio stations routinely criticize the government. However, state-owned print and broadcast media tend to reflect the views of the ruling party, and the state controls the country's largest radio station and its only television station. Critical media outlets and journalists face severe libel and defamation penalties, and reporters are occasionally harassed, threatened, and attacked. In March 2011, the private radio station Harvest FM was served with a M1million ($145k) defamation suit by Assistant Police Commissioner Thakane Theko over a 2010 story alleging she engaged in accepting bribes and other corrupt activities. In September, High Court Judge 'Maseforo Mahase also initiated an M8 million ($1.1 million) defamation lawsuit against Harvest FM over comments on a talk show accusing him of corruption. A proposed media reform bill which would create a public-service broadcaster, eliminate repressive national security statutes, and place the burden of proof on the plaintiff in cases involving slander and libel, has been under review for 13 years. The government does not restrict internet access.
Freedom of religion in this predominantly Christian country is widely observed. The government does not restrict academic freedom.
Freedoms of assembly and association are generally respected, though demonstrations are sometimes broken up violently. According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa-Lesotho, several people were shot during the August 2011 protests when police opened fire on demonstrators. In 2010, an LCD-proposed bill requiring prior authorization from government officials to hold public meetings passed through the law and public safety committee in Parliament. Following protests from the opposition and civic groups, 21 amendments were made to the bill before it became law, including less onerous requirements for gatherings in rural areas and more discretion for judges in fining violators. While labor rights are constitutionally guaranteed, the union movement is weak and fragmented, and many employers in the textile sector do not allow union activity.
Courts are nominally independent, but higher courts are subject to outside influence. The large backlog of cases often leads to trial delays and lengthy pretrial detention. Mistreatment of civilians by security forces reportedly continues. Prisons are dilapidated, severely overcrowded, and lack essential health services; instances of torture and use of excessive force have been reported. An independent ombudsman's office is tasked with protecting citizens' rights, but its enforcement powers are weak.
Tensions between the Basotho and the small Chinese business community have led to minor incidents of violence in recent years.
The constitution bars gender-based discrimination, but customary practice and law still restrict women's rights in the areas of property and inheritance. While their husbands are alive, women married under customary law have the status of minors in civil courts and may not enter into binding contracts. Domestic violence is reportedly widespread. Women are prevalent in senior political and economic positions in Lesotho: about one in five government ministers are women, and women make up some 52 percent of national legislators and senior managers. In 2011, Lesotho ranked 8th in the World Economic Forum Global Gender gap ranking.


text:
RV Forum flags - click HERE
At that point it will be up to your relatives to go through all your stuff and decide what to throw away, what to give away and what to donate to Goodwill. ... Do you really want to burden your loved ones with that chore?
I'll add one more philosophical bit here: Every time in my life I ever had to move from one place to another, and pack up mountains and mountains of STUFF (especially bookcases full of heavy books, in the pre-digital age), I constantly relearned this lesson: You do not own your stuff; your stuff owns you.
Page created in 0.182 seconds with 21 queries.


text:
World Food Day Fundraiser Honors Archbishop Tutu
The humanitarian aid organization Action Against Hunger (ACF) held its annual World Food Day Gala in New York City—this year on November 11th—and raised more than $500,000 for its life-saving international programs.
The evening was held at the Metropolitan Club of New York City and featured the participation of a number of luminaries, including ACF's National Staff Member of the Year, Aimé Lukelo, and producer/director Terry George (recently, of Hotel Rwanda fame) who presented the "Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award" to the event's honoree, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop's warm participation and stirring speech were highlights of the evening.
In addition to the exquisite menu served up by some of New York's finest chefs and world music diva Angélique Kidjo's moving performances Action Against Hunger launched its new "Wishing Well" auction. It brought in $185,000 through a flurry of enthusiastic bidding, securing funds for:
- 43 fishing and farming equipment kits (at $1,000 each)
- 19 drinking wells (at $2,500 each)
- 5 radios (at $5,000 each)
- medicines for 7 feeding centers (at $10,000 each)
In addition to the "Wishing Well," ACF's much-anticipated live auction raised another $66,000, ensuring that overall, the event netted more than $500,000 for ACF's life-saving programs.
Action Against Hunger would like to thank its benefit committee members, Gala Chairs and co-chairs, attendees and honorees, participating chefs and celebrities, and all of those whose invaluable support was central to the success of the evening—a success that will help us restore self-sufficiency and dignity to hungry children and their families the world over.
About ACF's Humanitarian Award
Action Against Hunger presents its World Food Day Humanitarian Award each year to someone who has made a significant contribution to the struggle to end world hunger. ACF announced that it would present Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu with its annual World Food Day Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding work against hunger, malnutrition and poverty worldwide.
"Throughout his career, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has worked not only for political equality, but also for the fulfillment of basic human needs such as clean water, adequate food, and health care," said Cathy Skoula, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger. "We are proud to present our award to this esteemed advocate for humanity who will in turn honor us with his presence at our Gala."
Past recipients of the award include former South African President Nelson Mandela, Professor Michael Golden and Dr. Yvonne Grellety for their roles in inventing the therapeutic milk formula F100 (a revolutionary life-saving formula to cure malnutrition, now the standard for relief organizations worldwide), Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, and actor Jeff Bridges.


text:
Vietnam traveling wall coming to Topeka
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Traveling Wall honoring Vietnam War veterans will be at Forbes Field/Topeka Regional Airport from 12 p.m. on Aug. 28 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 31.
Marion County service members honored include Robert Boese of Marion, Ronald Schultz of Hillsboro, Leonard Christeson of Durham, and Wesley Sidener of Burns.
The Traveling Wall is an 80-percent scale version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, District of Columbia. Across its 360-foot length, the wall contains every name etched on the original.
The replica wall began traveling in early 1998. Over 60,000 people visited a similar traveling wall when it came to Topeka in 1997.
The Traveling Wall will be open to the public 24-hours-a-day during its visit. Daily reveille and evening ceremonies will be held, with additional special events Aug. 30.
The exhibit will be at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field/Topeka Regional Airport, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka.
Last modified Aug. 20, 2014


text:
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many U.S. primary care doctors are out of step with guidelines on Pap testing for cervical cancer — largely because they overuse the test, according to a study published Monday.
In a survey of more than 1,200 primary care doctors nationwide, government researchers found that less than one-quarter made Pap-test recommendations that were fully consistent with major guidelines.
And the problem appeared not to be that doctors were failing to recommend testing, but that they were overusing it, according to the researchers, led by Dr. K. Robin Yabroff of the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
They report the findings in the latest issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
In the early part of the decade, groups including the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) revised their guidelines on Pap screening — reducing the recommended frequency of testing for some women.
The changes were made in response to research showing that for many women age 30 and older, annual Pap screening is not needed — and could have downsides like unnecessary follow-up testing and patient anxiety.
But many doctors in the current study advised testing in cases where guidelines say it is not necessary.
For example, when presented with the scenario of an 18-year-old patient with no sexual experience, half of doctors said they would recommend no Pap test — which is consistent with guidelines.
The other half of doctors, however, said they would recommend testing at least every three years.
The findings were similar when the doctors responded to the case of a 66-year-old with lung cancer — who, according to guidelines should stop Pap screening. More than 40 percent of the survey respondents said they would advise Pap testing, with some recommending yearly testing.
Overall, only 22 percent of doctors were guideline-consistent in all four scenarios the researchers presented. Internists did best, with 27 percent consistently adhering to guidelines; that figure was 21 percent among family and general practitioners, and only 16 percent among obstetrician/gynecologists.
Exactly why many doctors overused Pap screening is not clear, according to Yabroff's team.
Some physicians, they speculate, may disagree with the guidelines, be confused by changes in the recommendations over the years, be worried about malpractice or see a financial incentive in more-frequent testing.
The findings are based on responses from 1,212 primary care doctors who were given four patient vignettes and asked what their Pap testing recommendations would be for each case. Their answers were compared against recommendations from the ACS, ACOG and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
In general, the groups recommend that women begin Pap testing at age
21 or within three years of first having intercourse, whichever comes first. They also advise yearly screening until age 30, at which point the frequency can be cut to every two to three years if a woman has had normal results on three consecutive Pap tests.
Women can stop screening after the ages of 65 to 70, if their recent tests have yielded normal results. According to the ACS, women can also stop Pap screening if they've had a total hysterectomy for a non- cancerous condition or have a serious disease that is limiting their life expectancy.
These latest findings suggest that many doctors need a better understanding of those guidelines, according to the researchers.
They did find, though, that some doctors — including those younger than 40, those who were board-certified and those who were part of large, multi-specialty practices — were more likely than others to follow Pap screening guidelines.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, November 3, 2009.


text:
Fostering Innovation, Promoting Success
Dominic Thomas hopes to foster innovation in the classroom as a new Information Systems and Operations Management professor at Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School's this September.
"I want our students to be able to become the next billionaires by inventing and innovating in the workplace," he said. Since many of today's inventions are technology-based, he considers the information systems industry to be ripe with opportunity. "I believe our students will become successful innovators once they grasp the fundamentals of information systems management and design and digital economies from the classes in my department," he said.
With a PhD in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia, Thomas specializes in organizational systems development and the implementation of transaction processing, accounting, auditing, and collaborative solutions. His research interests include virtual team leadership, collaboration system design and implementation, and information and communication technologies.
Thomas, who is proficient in five languages, including English, Nepalese, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian, has worked in education and international development around the world. Over the years, he has gained experience in international development, information systems, and multi-organizational project management. He has helped implement an enterprise resource planning system in a global energy company and has led efforts to re-engineer the processes and systems at a government agency.
Most recently, Thomas served as a visiting assistant and adjunct professor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and an adjunct professor at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
Thomas said his background in global business was well-suited for Sawyer Business School, whose mission is to prepare future leaders in global business.
Thomas is looking forward to engaging his students in local business connections and helping them achieve the great successes. "At Emory I have very much enjoyed getting involved in student projects with businesses, helping to find matches that have led to some job offers and fruitful course experiences," he explained. "I am already actively involved with several technology start-ups around Boston, particularly in the web technologies space, and am excited to see if I can develop some bridges between Suffolk and those businesses for interested students."


text:
There is a genius to the experimental and utterly surreal historical epic "Russian Ark" that has nothing to do with the fact that it was shot in one uninterrupted, mind-boggling 93-minute take that passes dreamlike through three centuries of Russia's royal past.
If this movie had been made traditionally -- several takes of every scene edited together with close-ups, two-shots, etc. -- its story would still be enthralling as it follows a traveler (or is he a ghost?) set adrift in time inside the breathtakingly grand Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, the former Winter Palace of the czars.
As writer-director Alexander Sokurov ("Mother and Son") turns you, the viewer, into this traveler with psychologically seamless first-person cinematography (by Tilman Buttner, "Run Lola Run"), the film becomes almost literally transporting, bringing alive the courts of bygone Catherines and Nicholases as it whisks you from room to room and era to era.
Continue reading: Russian Ark Review
There is a genius to the experimental and utterly surreal historical epic "Russian Ark" that...


text:
The cable industry is proposing a sweeping measure to simplify the nation's subsidy system for rural phone service providers. Make it tougher for providers to get Universal Service Fund High Cost program subsidy money, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association recommends, in areas where an unsubsidized wireline service is available via a cable company or similar provider.
Paying USF support to carriers who compete with unsubsidized wireline competitors "is both inequitable and inefficient, and can easily be addressed in a targeted fashion," the NCTA wrote to the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday. Millions could be saved—money potentially redirected to programs that boost broadband rollout and competition.
Two-step reform
The USF's High Cost Fund subsidizes telcos in rural areas where it costs more to connect spread-out customers, but it has been leaking money fast. The program spent $1.7 billion on High Cost in 1999 and blew over $4 billion in 2007. Some of this spree can be blamed on an auditing system that the Government and Accountability Office has basically called bogus. More recently, the FCC estimated that from July 2006 through July 2007, the Fund overpaid carriers to the tune of close to a billion dollars. The audit was controversial, but nobody disputes that the High Cost fund needs fixing.
NCTA thinks it can save the taxpayers much of that with its proposed reform. Let any party request a reassessment of the degree of financial support the USF provides to a given geographic region via a two-step process, the trade association recommends. In step one, the petitioner would have to prove (a) that one or more unsubsidized wireline providers already serve more than three quarters of the customers in the area, and (b) that the state has deregulated service to an incumbent local exchange carrier in that market.
"The Commission's high-cost support mechanisms are premised on the assumption that a particular location would not have affordable service available but for the support provided by the program," NCTA notes. "But in markets with extensive facilities-based competition, that assumption no longer holds true."
If the petitioner proves that both conditions exist, it would fall to the High Cost subsidized carriers in question to prove that they really need X amount of USF to serve "noncompetitive" areas in their region. About a billion dollars a year go to rural competitive carriers via the USF's High Cost fund, and another billion to nonrural providers.
The appropriate question
This proposal, if enacted, would obviously transfer customers from USF-subsidized local carriers to cable phone service providers. A survey attached to the NCTA petition finds that cable voice service is available to about 80 percent of United States households, and about 43 percent of households in rural areas. These cable operators have often extended service into various rural areas without any USF support, NCTA notes. So why should the government subsidize local carriers in those regions?
"When circumstances have changed to the point where competitive entry becomes economic without any subsidy, the appropriate question should be whether, and by how much, to decrease support," the petition concludes.
Thus we have another idea to add to the big stew of proposed ways to fix the USF system. These include awarding High Cost grants via reverse auctions (lowest bidder wins), and dumping the illogical "identical support rule," in which subsidies to smaller wireless carriers are based on the costs of the incumbent carriers to which they connect, rather than their own. Then there's the endless cry to fix the FCC's intercarrier compensation rules, in which local carriers get to charge access fees that rise and fall based on an increasingly meaningless criteria in the age of IP telephony: whether the call is inter- or intra-state.
All this has to be addressed, NCTA concedes. But "the difficulties of achieving comprehensive reform should not prevent the Commission for addressing obvious and unjustifiable inequities and inefficiencies in the current system on a case-by-case, issue-by-issue basis."


text:
Dan Walters
Dan Walters: Democrats' big split could cost them San Diego mayoralty
San Diego's Democrats waited 20 years to reclaim the mayor's office, but last year's euphoria proved short-lived when Bob Filner resigned after nearly 20 women stepped forward with lurid tales of sexual harassment.
Now, with a special election to fill the mayor's office just days away, a deep split among Democratic politicians, labor unions and other liberal groups threatens to sink the party's chances of electing another Democrat.
Most Democratic politicians, including Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, and some unions, lined up behind Nathan Fletcher, a former Republican assemblyman who switched parties.
But Fletcher's standing in the polls has been eroded not only vis-à-vis his putative Republican rival, City Councilman Kevin Faulconer, but because another Democrat, City Councilman David Alvarez, has gained, thanks to support from other unions and Democratic politicians, including state Democratic Party chairman John Burton.
This week, Burton dispatched an email to Democrats on his mailing lists, asking them to help Alvarez who, he said, has "made double-digit gains" and has a chance of becoming San Diego's first Latino mayor, citing his endorsement by the local Democratic Party committee as making him the official candidate.
"His family's hard work and progressive ethics gave him early, consistent, democratic values that fueled his community activism at an early age and placed him on a path to become a city council member," Burton wrote in his email.
The infighting among Democrats has become sharply personal in some instances, raising the distinct possibility that Faulconer will not only finish first in next Tuesday's election but that his runoff rival, either Fletcher or Alvarez, will have a badly fractured party.
The big-name Democrats attached themselves to Fletcher because they believed that as a former Republican with a military background, he stood the best chance of keeping the mayor's office in a city with a nominal Democratic registration majority but a history of voting somewhat conservatively – especially in a low-turnout special election.
But Fletcher's political flip-flops have become a liability and a third Democrat, former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, will draw at least a smattering of votes away from the other two.
There's little doubt that San Diego's powerful, Republican-oriented business establishment is joining Burton in rooting for Alvarez because he is viewed as a weaker runoff foe for Faulconer, a moderate in the mold of most recent GOP mayors, than Fletcher among the city's many independent voters.
If, indeed, the Democratic split winds up helping Faulconer become San Diego's mayor, it will be a big black eye for a party that sees itself dominating California politics forever.


text:
Don't see your question? Visit our help section.
Get access to great in-store deals and local pick-up
Sign up for our email deals newsletter!
BECOME THE NEXT TOP AGENTOF THE MEN IN BLACK It's your turn to suit up as the newest MIB recruit to eliminate the scum of the universe. Arm yourself with a full arsenal of iconic MIB weapons and head into the field with the mission to investigate and stop an evil alien plot to snatch up an ancient artifact that is the key to seizing control of the universe.