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If you missed out on our recent Potato Day, we still have some varieties of seed potato available for you to buy.
They're for sale at £2 per dozen, mix and match (or 20p each). Available for collection from Newsome or from Huddersfield town centre. We may also be able to deliver locally.
First earlies
Lady Christl 7 remaining sold out
New potato flavour. Good for garden growing – suits a sheltered site.
Pentland Javelin
Heavy crops with pure white tasty flesh. Very good disease resistance.
Sharpe's Express 6 remaining
This was TV gardener Percy Thrower's favourite. Cooks well (but boil with care).
Second earlies
Charlotte – Organic 6 remaining
Popular, easy to grow waxy salad potato. Good flavour and high yielding.
Divaa 6 remaining
Exciting new variety with long-shaped, pure white skins and flesh. Superb for chips.
Jazzy 19 remaining
New waxy potato variety. Small, set-skinned tubers. Boil, steam, crush or roast.
Kestrel 15 remaining
Excellent flavour. Great for baking, roasting and chips. Good disease resistance.
Main crops
Ambo – Organic 26 remaining
Attractive, white-skinned tubers with a splash of red. White creamy flesh. High yielding.
Pink Fir Apple – Heritage variety sold out
We highly recommend Pink Fir Apples – they're our biggest seller. You can cook them whole and there's no need for peeling.
Sarpo Kifli
White-skinned, multipurpose variety with a fab new potato flavour. Best enjoyed when freshly harvested and cooked in their skins. Can be grown over a long period.
How to order
Please email:
if you'd like some.
First come, first served!
Filed under: Activities | Tagged: food growing, growing, Growing Newsome, Huddersfield Potato Day, Potato Day, potatoes, seed potatoes |


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Libermall Womens Trench Coat Long Sleeve Winter Warm Solid Color Lapel Buttons Wool Trench Jacket Outwear Overcoats
Part Number: hhmf52
Buy on Amazon
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Product Description
💗 Sizes Tips 💗
🌸 Please note the size chart on the pictures. Before purchasing, please check the size of the product.
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🌸 Asian size is usually smaller than US size.
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💗 Delivery & Service 💗
🌸 Expedited Shipping:3-7 Days.
🌸 Standard shipping:15-20 Days.
🌸 Within 48 Hours Shipping Out.
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subset: commoncrawl


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By Lynn Thompson
A Richland, Wash., florist who refused to provide flowers to a gay couple for their wedding violated anti-discrimination law, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
The court ruled unanimously that Barronelle Stutzman discriminated against longtime customers Rob Ingersoll and Curt Freed when she refused to do the flowers for their 2013 wedding because of her religious opposition to same-sex marriage. Instead, Stutzman suggested several other florists in the area who would help them.
"We're thrilled that the Washington Supreme Court has ruled in our favor. The court affirmed that we are on the right side of the law and the right side of history,"Ingersoll and Freed said in a statement.
Stutzman and her attorneys said they would appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. They also held out hope that President Donald Trump would issue an executive order protecting religious freedom, which was a campaign pledge.
Stutzman called the ruling "terrifying when you think the government is coming in and telling you what to think and what to do."
In its decision, the state's highest court rejected Stutzman's claims that since other florists in the area were willing to provide flowers, no harm resulted from her refusal.
Writing for the court majority, Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud said, "We emphatically reject this argument. We agree with Ingersoll and Freed that 'this case is no more about access to flowers than civil rights cases were about access to sandwiches.' ... As every other court to address the question has concluded, public accommodations laws do not simply guarantee access to goods or services. Instead, they serve a broader societal purpose: eradicating barriers to the equal treatment of all citizens in the commercial marketplace."
The court also rejected Stutzman's claims that her floral arrangements were a form of artistic expression and so protected by the First Amendment. Citing the case of a New Mexico photographer who similarly refused to take pictures at a gay marriage, the court said, "while photography may be expressive, the operation of a photography business is not."
In December 2012, soon after the state legalized gay marriage, Ingersoll and Freed began planning a large wedding. Stutzman, who had provided flowers to the couple numerous times over the years, refused, citing her religious belief that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman.
The couple went ahead with their wedding, but they had it at home with 11 guests and flowers from another florist, instead of the larger event they had envisioned.
The couple, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington sued Stutzman under the state's anti-discrimination and consumer-protection laws in what became a high-profile case that highlighted the clash between the right to be treated equally under the law and the free exercise of religion and speech.
A Benton County Superior Court judge last February ruled that Stutzman's religious beliefs did not allow her to discriminate against the couple and that she must provide flowers for same-sex weddings, or stop doing weddings at all. Thursday's state Supreme Court ruling upheld the lower court.
Ferguson on Thursday hailed the decision, saying, "It is a complete, unequivocal victory for equality in the state of Washington and sends a clear message around the country as well."
Speaking with Ferguson at a news conference in Seattle, Michael Scott, the ACLU attorney for the same-sex couple, said the decision recognizes "human beings and their lives" while upholding the "core value of American law" regarding human dignity.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents Stutzman, said that she will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review Thursday's ruling.
Stutzman acted consistently with her faith, an Alliance news release said, but state justices "concluded that the government can force her _ and, by extension, other Washingtonians _ to create artistic expression and participate in events with which they disagree."
In November, the state Supreme Court heard arguments in the case, Ingersoll v. Arlene's Flowers, during a special session at Bellevue College.
Attorneys for Stutzman argued that a floral arrangement is a form of speech deserving of protection and that government cannot compel Stutzman to create an arrangement for a gay couple against her religious beliefs.
Ferguson urged the court to uphold state anti-discrimination laws and not to create an exception for religious beliefs. He noted that many people once held strong religious beliefs against interracial marriage, but the courts struck down those laws as discriminatory.
Stutzman and her attorneys argued that the Benton County Superior Court's ruling was unlawful government coercion and that the creative expression of floral arrangement deserves the same protection as free speech.
During the November hearing, several justices expressed skepticism for that argument, asking why it wouldn't also extend to bartenders, stationery providers or landscape artists who also bring creativity to their work.
"So anyone worried about their expression may deny services to a customer?" asked Justice Steven Gonzales.
The case attracted more than a dozen friend-of-court briefs on behalf of the gay couple, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and a group of Washington businesses that include Amazon, Microsoft and the Metropolitan Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Amicus briefs were filed on behalf of Stutzman and Arlene's Flowers, including one from African-American and Hispanic churches and their pastors who argued that the government should not penalize people for the belief that marriage is a union between a husband and wife.
(Seattle Times staff reporter Steve Miletich contributed to this story, which includes information from Times archives.)
(c)2017 The Seattle Times


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A Warm Welcome
Republic London Paddington is a delightful property situated right in the heart of Bayswater, in the serene street of Craven Terrace near Lancaster Gate.
Both Paddington Station and Lancaster Gate tube station are only moments away, offering direct links to all of London's famous sites and attractions. Republic London Paddington is also just 1 minutes walk from the world famous Hyde Park. Other nearby Attractions and Areas of Interest include


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The vastly experienced former Moto2 rider Julian Simon will compete on the Mistral 610 this weekend and replace the injured Remy Gardner who is recovering from recent surgery. The young Australian was unfortunately hit by another rider during the first lap of the Argentina GP, which resulted in him breaking his right ankle. On Tuesday, Gardner was successfully operated on and he now aims to make a comeback at Jerez, the first European Grand Prix of the season, which starts on the 5th of May. The Tech3 Racing Team wishes Remy Gardner a swift recovery and would like to welcome Julian Simon, the 2009 125cc World Champion, for the race weekend in Austin, Texas.
Julian Simon
"I am very pleased about this opportunity to race with the Tech3 Racing Team this weekend so I must start by saying thanks to Hervé and all of the crew. I have seen the Mistral 610 on the track for many years and I am excited to sample the bike and get an impression of the chassis. I hope that Remy will return soon but this weekend I aim to enjoy the experience and help with the development, if possible. I will give my all to score a good result and I am really happy to race with Tech3 in Austin, Texas."
Hervé Poncharal - Team Manager
"As most people know, Remy had his operation on Tuesday, which went successfully, and Dr Mir and his crew are happy with what was undertaken. They have said that our rider will be 95% fit for Jerez and we look forward to having him back then. After the Argentina GP, we told Remy that there would not be a replacement rider unless Julian was available and he fully agreed with this. Now, we are happy to have Julian join us for the Americas GP because we have known each other for quite a few seasons and in the past, we even discussed the possibility of him joining our team as a full-time rider. He is a very talented and high-level Moto2 rider, but most importantly, he has raced in the intermediate class since 2010 and he has ridden almost every bike that has been available. We will be very interested to hear his comments and feedback, which will certainly help us to understand our machine more. In addition, this weekend we have the opportunity to work with someone who is not only a top rider but also a true gentleman. Good luck to Julian and we'll do our best to support him. Furthermore, we can't wait to see Remy again, and even though he has been unlucky so far in 2017, we know that he is going to surprise people and do some great things this year with us."


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Events Calendar
Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday 24 July 2019, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
This meeting is open to the public. All individuals or groups requesting an opportunity to make a presentation before Council must contact the Municipal Office at 902-742-7159 at least two weeks prior to the meeting in order to be considered for addition to the Council meeting agenda.
Contact : Liz Smith-Doucette, Executive Assistant
Location : Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 932 Hwy 1, Hebron


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Liverpool's The Weave launch their 2nd album The Capstone Theatre
The Weave are an exciting incarnation of some of Liverpool's best established jazz musicians, and their brand new album Knowledge Porridge is out now on Rufusalbino Records.
At the epicentre of this new musical planet is band leader Martin Smith. He has woven together a network of some of the very finest musicians in the musical city to end all musical cities: Anthony Peers (trumpet), Anthony Ormisher (guitar), Tilo Purnbaum (drums), Rob Stringer (piano) and Hugo "Harry" Harrison (double bass).
Together they bring a mind-bogglingly diverse CV of influences and experience. Jazz icons such as Digby Fairweather, Kenny Wheeler, Ian Carr and Jim Mullen rub shoulders with the likes of John Martyn and Arthur Brown, while names such as Super Furry Animals, The Coral and Albert Lee are fascinating head-turning tangents.
The end result is a brilliantly original musical kaleidoscope of ideas knitted together to create a soundscape like no other. Splendidly energetic and warm, sometimes playful but always soulful, spanning the bridge of several generations where no genre is denied access to the party.
Officially formed in August 2012 when they recorded their debut album, the members of The Weave have been playing together in various incarnations for up to 20 years, and so have a very close bond both musically and as brothers in arms. This combined with the twin trumpet and guitar front line creates a unique and extremely refreshing and cohesive band sound and identity. They treasure melody above all else and whilst there is plenty of space for individuals to shine in improvisation, everything serves the song.
The Weave have just brought out our 2nd album, and they have a launch gig scheduled at the Capstone Theatre on the 15th May (https://www.ents24.com/liverpool-events/capstone-theatre/the-weave/4145138).
The album features collaborations and contributions from Liverpools broader musical landscape. In particular from Stealing Sheep's Lucy Mercer, Michael Head (Shack/Pale Fountains) and from members of the Liverpool Philharmonic.
They will be playing the album in full at our show at the Capstone.


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Detailing these embroidery samples on this fabric book is like writing a daily journal. One or two samples are worked and pictures are taken during the day. Evenings are for writing the details. This is the routine. Though the stitches are simple, some focus and dedication are prerequisite for the actual embroidery work. It is really interesting learning like this.
These leaf shapes are worked in satin stitches- with cotton skein and fine silk thread in the centre.
These leaves are worked in satin stitch and stem stitch.
Rambler rose stitch and satin stitches are used on these circles inside the circle.


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It seems like each week we're hearing about new and exciting plans to develop sites in the heart of Ealing Broadway. British Land recently purchased the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre and Land Securities recently revealed its plans to transform Ealing's cinema site with their "Ealing Filmworks" multi-plex.
Now Ealing Council has paved the way for the Arcadia Centre in Ealing to be redeveloped.
The centre as it stands now has 25 small retail units whereas the newly proposed site will host just 3 stores – including a brand new Morrisons "Fresh Format" store, a newly enlarged TK Maxx and new corner unit for McDonald's.
The new centre will be rebranded as 1-8 The Broadway and will be open for trading in time for Christmas next year. Benson Elliot, a leading UK-based private equity real estate investor is responsible for transforming this familiar site in Ealing.
Peter Cornforth, Director of Retail at Benson Elliot was quoted in the Ealing Today newsletter as saying:
''Our vision breathes new life into this hugely important site, turning the old Arcadia Centre inside out to create three prime shop units fronting The Broadway."
''It's particularly encouraging to see major high street brands sharing our vision and launching their best-in-class formats with us in time for Christmas trading next year.
''Ealing Council's unanimous vote to approve the scheme and the support of local civic and community groups through our consultation process sets the tone for a very bright future for the north side of The Broadway and the town centre as a whole.
"This first phase creates a platform to develop the strategy for our wider Arcadia site and since purchasing the portfolio in December 2012 we have acquired additional adjacent properties to round out our ownership. We are looking forward to consulting with the Council and community on the wider framework and continuing to deliver high quality proposals in this vibrant London location."
The site will feature new design elements including making the corner entrance accessed from the junction of the Broadway and Springbridge Road a focal point with a new illuminated lantern clock. The building's façade will also be given an inviting new look.
Richard Haynes, Development Executive at Morrisons, confirmed that "Ealing is an exciting growth area" and that is the reason they are looking to expand into the heart of W5.
Regular customers of McDonald's and TK Maxx will continue to be able to enjoy these outlets as they will continue to serve customers during the building works.
Northfields also recognises the growth potential and increased demand in the Ealing Broadway and that is why we are so excited to be expanding our successful lettings office across from Ealing Broadway station to include a new dedicated sales office. The newly expanded office will open on July 1st, giving sellers in Ealing the unique opportunity to use an agent with an office in all three of the key areas of Ealing – Pitshanger, Northfields and Ealing Broadway.
For sellers this means greater exposure for their property with our offices working together to show buyers property across the three areas of Ealing.
If you are not sure how all these changes in Ealing have affected the price of your property, we'd be pleased to give you an up-to-date appraisal on the value of your home. A member of our award winning team can give you a no obligation valuation. It's free. There's no fuss and it only takes 20 minutes. Call us to today to arrange an appointment that best suits you on 020 8740 6622 or email us at [email protected] .


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By using the case of Uniqlo Bodytech campaign in which I was involved, I explain "How to Find What to Solve" issues in advertising projects as a composer.
How to Find What to Solve: Making Music in Advertising Projects -Introduction-
When making music in advertising projects, just composing music to satisfy your director is not enough at all. Let's see what issues there will be and think how to solve them.
Tatsuya Oe Updated: May 31, 2017


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Budgeting – the way forward
Monthly Archives: November 2017
Budgeting – the way forward
Whether you're living hand-to-mouth or earning six-figures a year, it is essential that you know where your money is going, … Continue reading
Business Interruption Insurance
Understanding the value and importance of Business Interruption insurance begins with knowing what you need to know about it and … Continue reading
Refinancing…What exactly does this mean for you!
When you refinance the mortgage on your home, you payoff the existing mortgage and replace it with a new one. … Continue reading
Real Estate Investing
Advantages of Investing in Real Estate Many people, when advocating an investment in real estate, point to the fact that … Continue reading
Keep your valuation up-to-date!
Keeping up with the value of your largest asset. Three reasons why it is critical to have your property valued … Continue reading


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Rising seniors: anxious to get a jump start on applying to college? Can't wait until the Common App goes live on August 1? If you plan on applying to Brandeis, Colgate, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Rice, Tulane, the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, or any of the other 33 other U.S. colleges and universities that use the Universal College Application, you're in luck. The Universal College Application launched July 1.
An alternative to the Common Application, the Universal College Application (UCA) is run by ApplicationsOnline, a for-profit company that deals exclusively with application services. And if you happen to remember the good ol' Common App (the one that didn't cause thousands of teenagers to scream at their computers and lose sleep over unrelenting glitches and submission errors), you'll be happy to know that the founder of the ApplicationsOnline helped to create that original Common App.


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Hearing Health Blog
If Someone You Love Has Hearing Loss How Can You Discuss it With Them?
Talking to someone you love about hearing loss can be challenging. Here are some tips about how to approach the subject and help them get help.read more
Some Common Medications Can be The Cause of Hearing Loss
Are your medications causing you to lose your hearing? Here are the most common ones that cause hearing loss and tinnitus.read more
Hear Phone Conversations Better
Are you avoiding the phone because you're having trouble hearing? Don't lose touch with friends. This technology can help you hear every word.read more
The 4 Most Common Errors Made by New Hearing Aid Owners Can be Prevented
At last, you got a pair of hearing aids. Well done, it's a good start to improving the quality of your life. There is a lot to understand when you buy new technology such as modern hearing aids, and that includes the things you shouldn't do. With hearing aids the list...read more
4 Unexpected Side Effects of Hearing Loss
What is the real impact of hearing loss? Consider these 4 shocking side effects of losing your hearing.read more
Cochlear Implants FAQ
Hearing through a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn or relearn.read more
Hearing Aid Research News
Researchers are looking at ways to apply new signal processing strategies to the design of hearing aids.read more
How You Hear
Expert information on how you hear, hearing loss and options for restoring your ability to hear at Tallahassee and Pensacola, FLread more
Listening and Communication Enhancement Program
Listening and Communication Enhancement training will help you get the most out of the sounds of life.read more


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VERNON - A firefighter was struck by a fleeing vehicle last night.
BX-Swan Lake Fire Chief Bill Wacey says reports of a fire above Hartnell Road came in around 9:55 p.m. Wednesday night. The flames were high and easily visible from the fire hall. "It stuck out like a sore thumb," Wacey says.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered a rapidly dispersing bush party and a pile of burning pallets.
"When our firefighters got there, the cars were like rats leaving a sinking ship," Wacey says.
In the rural, wooded area, there was only one way out: down Hartnell Road. It's believed the fleeing Ford F-350 struck a firefighter who was hiking up the dirt road on foot.
After the firefighter was hit, another firefighter prevented the 26-year-old driver of the pick-up truck from leaving the area. More department members joined the effort standing by until police arrived. Mounties put the man through the paces of a roadside sobriety test and he failed. He was taken into custody for impaired driving.
The assistant fire chief was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Wacey says he's now back home and on the mend.
Firefighters put out the bonfire in short order, and Wacey estimates the party comprised of about 4-5 cars. "They could have been jam-packed with people though, I can't say how many people were really there."
He doubts it was a year-end grad party. "The individuals were a bit older than that," he says.
The suspect was questioned at the station and released on a promise to appear. He is scheduled for court Aug. 29 where he faces charges of impaired driving. His vehicle was impounded.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at email@example.com, call (250)309-5230, or tweet @charhelston


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Design tips by David T'Kint: The growing role of accessories in hotels
David T'Kint, Partner at HBA Dubai, writes about the challenges of accessorising hotel interiors and how adding the finishing touches can give a sense of place.
Over the years, hotels have been considered a place to stay for business or leisure travellers. As most of us experienced the evolution of the industry in the past decade or so, the approach of creating a home-away-from-home has emerged, in response to the guests' quest for authenticity and a sense of comfort.
In line with what one would expect in a residential space, pieces of furniture, light fittings and art – decorative accessories are now expected to provoke a certain character, give charm to the spaces, create a sense of familiarity and vary throughout the hotel spaces – away from the previous corporate looks.
Decorative accessories are a collection of objects which set a scene and give a sense of place. For example, a rational coffee pot will immediately put the guest into a Middle Eastern mood, or an orange blossom scented ceramic flower transports the guest to Medina of Tunis. They add charm and advocate a sense of invitation and hospitality.
One of my more recent experiences is the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi. At some point, somewhat late in the project, the developer and operator approached me asking to look at the decorative accessories collection throughout the hotel, which had been overlooked. It had to happen fast in order to comply with project schedule constraints. However Four Seasons would not just accept something quickly put together.
The real challenge, in addition to obviously meeting the standards of the highly regarded hotel brand, was to tell a story. My approach to any project is establishing a concept narrative; this is an essential component of its success. Opening random catalogues to designate selections based on my personal taste is the exact opposite of what my teams and I do. The goal is not to be thematic, rather to create a storyline based on various aspects such as location, culture, history and brand identity, traditions and owner's vision, amongst others.
I worked closely with Canvas, which is the art consultancy owned by HBA, as I believe art and decorative accessories are an intricate part of interior design, and these elements can make the entire hotel an inviting journey.
Creating such a collection goes far beyond going to the local shops and markets to accessorise the hotel – that would be the easy and expected approach. To make something interesting and not seen everywhere else, HBA and Canvas teamed up to approach this with a different point of view. Four Seasons pushed me to put something together which tied in furniture selection, artwork collection and decorative accessories.
Abu Dhabi is a relatively young city in which history is actually happening now. Researching the past is a challenge specifically due to the Nomadic nature of historical tribes. We, therefore, looked into the lifestyle rather than culture only. Part of this were critical components such as star gazing and its ties to religion, the atmosphere and characteristics of the souks, and the pearl business. Another aspect was the geographical setting of Abu Dhabi with its islands surrounded by water. We looked at all these aspects of the local lifestyle and used them as the basis of the inspiration to create the narrative.
Once the story was set, I started looking at placing the decorative accessories by sculpting and layering the various spaces. It is key for all of these to appear as curated collections; not just random pieces put together. With my team, I went to the site and identified the volumes of each space to understand what to put where, and create clusters which related to the function of these areas. For example, candles would not be placed in an all-day-dining cluster, rather in a spa corridor to set a certain mood.
Creating moments is another very important aspect. I have to step into the guests' shoes and imagine his experience going through the hotel. Where is he going to stop? What do I want him to focus on? What do I want him to avoid? Sculpting the volumes and creating clusters defines moments during which we ground the eye of the guest on to something specific, on purpose.
Books are both a creative and intellectual component which contribute to the residential impression. No house can be imagined without the company of books. Similarly to the objects, a collection of books is created around a subject – for the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, this was simply the UAE. HBA and Canvas worked with a specialist supplier to ensure the aesthetic quality of each book, in addition to the content quality. The size and colour of the cover are important when books are part of a cluster.
Finally, a curated decorative accessories collection is a sensorial experience. Most guests will look at them, however some will also touch or smell them. Using the right textures to express luxury and sophistication is important. When scent is used in objects, it has to be well balanced and discreet.
Finding a fine balance between a certain residential nonchalance and a real sense of proportion is the secret. It really creates the final touch, somewhat like a woman who wears a gorgeous dress and goes through the delicate exercise of selecting the right jewellery.
The art of decorative accessories is a growing trend in the luxury as well as the mid-tier segments of hospitality, and the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is a shining example of the movement.


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Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'inverse kinematics'.
Found 2 results
Can Someone Teach Me Blender IK?
Bloodsong Termagant posted a topic in Meshi've been working with 3d figures and rigging and animation for... decades, here. but i can NOT get blender's IK to work for me in a way i understand. i come from poser, where using ik is dead easy TL;DR------------------------------------------------------------------ you load your figure, you turn off ik, you pose the arms, you pose the legs. you turn on ik, THE POSE STAYS THE SAME. you move the hands/feet to move the limbs (i do understand this is actually blender's 'targetless ik'), or you move the body and the limbs stay in place. you turn off ik, THE POSE STAYS THE SAME*. and everything is keyframed and comes out the way it looks. (*: okay, often the hands would come out with ridiculous 1760 degree rotations or something, but that was a relatively minor fix.) tl;dr------------------------------------------------------------------------ in blender, if i turn on ik and pose the rig, the limbs are not keyframed. and if i import this animation to sl, the limbs just remain straight. i've tried keying visual rotation, but that won't auto-key. on top of everything, if i turn ik on, or i turn ik off after doing some posing, the pose completely changes. now, avastar has functions to copy the pose to the ik rig, or to copy the pose to the fk rig. which i try to use... but they only seem to work about 90% of the time, and only on the default human rig. if i try to adjust the rig to make it work better for me, and for my model... it's out the window. all the ik tutorials for blender that i've found are basically the same, and set up the ik the same way avastar has its ik set up. basically, not useful if i want to set up my own custom ik. which i must want to do, since the basic ik isn't working for me. ??? i did have limited success with changing the avastar ik in this manner: i used the ikWrist and the ikFootToePivot, and i set the ik chain to put the tip on the control handle. (it drives me nuts when the wrist bone is right on top of the ik control handle.) then i turned off the ik for the 'ankle' bone, and created it on the 'foot' bone. i changed both ik chain lengths from 2 to 4 (foot, ankle, shin, thigh & wrist, forearm, shoulder, collar). and lastly, i ended up deleting the pole controls, because omg, they are a pain! and they wreck everything. now when i moved the ik controls, the limbs moved with them reasonably. when i moved the cog, the endpoints remained in place. also, if i wanted to 'temporarily turn off ik to rotate a bone using fk,' i selected the control handle, then the bone with the action center set to 'active.' that way, when i rotated, say, the thigh bone, the foot controller moved with the whole leg, like i'm used to. as some inexplicable bonus, i didn't have to go back and convert any of the keyframes from ik to fk (and i have no idea why). the bad news is... when i tried to append actions made this way to the default rig (i was working on a project created by another modeler/rigger), they totally blew up. and, when i went to turn off the ik controls to polish off the animation keyframes... the ik and fk poses were decidedly different, so THAT didn't work. basically, what i want is to be able to seamlessly switch between using Ik and using the regular FK rig, using custom settings of my choosing. or how to set up an ik rig that will do that. or... what i really really want is the rigify tool as seen here: https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/65290/how-can-i-seamless-switch-between-ik-fk is there a way to surgically replace the avastar green pose bones with a rigify rig? if i dont care about sliders? is there a way to create a rigify meta-rig or something that will control the avastar green bones? is there a way to autokey 'visual rotation' whenever a limb changes? blender doesn't seem to recognize when the bones visually rotate. you know, i THINK i understand how blender ik works. i can grasp the target thing and the chain thing. i even get the pole thing and the pole angle control whatever. but i don't understand why it doesn't work right for me.


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This Digest was prepared for debate. It reflects the legislation as
introduced and does not canvass subsequent amendments. This Digest
does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be
consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the
Passage History
Main Provisions
Concluding Comments
Contact Officer & Copyright Details
Date Introduced: 30 June 1999
House: House of Representatives
Portfolio: Education, Training and Youth Affairs
Commencement: On Royal Assent
This Bill amends
the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance)
Act 1996 and gives effect to initiatives announced in the
context of the 1999-2000 Budget.
Its provisions include:
The additional funding for literacy programs in
this Bill reflects the continuation of the Government's concern
with the literacy and numeracy achievements of Australia's school
In March 1997 Commonwealth, State and Territory
Education Ministers agreed to a national literacy goal:
That every child leaving primary school should
be numerate, and be able to read, write and spell at an appropriate
and agreed to the adoption of a national
literacy plan.
There are two strands to Commonwealth funding
for literacy programs which give effect to the plan:
The proposed legislation will increase funding
generally for the National Literacy and Numeracy Plan, and
specifically support new initiatives targeting students in the
middle years of schooling, ie. students in upper primary and
secondary school through to Year 10.
The additional capital grants funding for
non-government schools is a continuation of the Government's
commitment to maintain funding at current real values. The previous
Labor Government had provided additional capital assistance for the
years 1993 to 1996. When the Coalition came to office it gave
effect to its election commitment to continue to provide additional
funding each year of its first term of government to maintain
capital grants in current real terms. This latest allocation is a
continuation of that commitment.
The additional funding for short term emergency
assistance for non-government schools is a contingency fund
intended to assist those schools which will receive increased
funding under the new funding system announced in the 1999-2000
Budget(2), but which may have difficulty surviving until the
restructure takes effect.
For information about the NALSAS Strategy, the
reader is referred to Bills Digest, no. 20, 1998-99.
Schedule 1 amends the amounts payable under
various Schedules of the States Grants (Primary and Secondary
Education Assistance) Act 1996 and makes provision for the
technical amendment of headings in that Act to reflect the change
in the name of the Literacy Programme to the Literacy and Numeracy
Items 1, 7 and 8 provide for
technical amendments to reflect the changed name of the Literacy
and Numeracy Programme.
Items 2 to 5 increase capital
grants for non-government schools for the program years 2000 to
2003 from $74.537 million to $84.670 million each year.
Item 6 increases the amount of
short term emergency assistance for non-government schools from
$614,000 to $2.501 million for the program year 2000.
Items 9 to 11 provide for
increases in grants under the Literacy and Numeracy Programme for
the program year 2000. Grants to foster literacy and numeracy in
government schools are proposed to change from $111.749 million to
$135.028 million and, for non-government schools, from $43.270
million to $48.669 million. Grants for national projects to foster
literacy and numeracy are to be extended into the program year 2000
with $7.629 million allocated.
Item 12 extends funding for the
NALSAS strategy for the program year 2000 by increasing funding
under the Languages program from $17.308 million to $43.750
In recent years the middle years of schooling
have become a focus of pedagogical concern. The middle years of
schooling have been defined as 'a phase of schooling that bridges
the conventional primary/secondary divide with a view to responding
more effectively to the specific developmental needs of young
adolescents'.(3) It is recognised that students make the least
amount of progress in learning in years five to nine and the gap
between high and low achievers increases markedly. The middle years
of schooling coincide with a period of rapid physical, emotional
and intellectual development for adolescents who, at the same time,
are confronting various societal pressures and influences. As
reported in the final report of the Commonwealth's National Middle
Schooling Project,(4) school systems are acknowledging the
particular needs of this age group by developing alternative
approaches to curriculum delivery and pedagogy. The report also
articulated a set of specific needs and principles of middle
To date Commonwealth literacy programs have
focused on the early years of schooling and, through the Full
Service Schools program, those students in their final years of
schooling who are at risk of not completing school or who have
returned to school as a result of the requirements of the mutual
obligation provisions of the youth allowance. The new literacy
funding which targets those students between these two groups is a
continuation and completion of the policy focus on literacy and is
an acknowledgment of the current pedagogical concern with the
middle years of schooling.
Literacy standards are of paramount importance
to the current education policy agenda. There is widespread
acceptance of the need to improve literacy levels and recognition
that literacy outcomes are critical to future success, as
substantiated by a number of reports in recent years.(5) However,
there has been less consensus with regard to the motives and
methods of the Government's policy reforms.
Most recently, the debate has become focused on
the development of national benchmarks and the testing of student
outcomes against those benchmarks. Earlier this year Dr Kemp,
Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, stated:
National comparable reporting is vital in
improving the effectiveness of all Australian schools. Better
reporting and better accountability are crucial in providing
parents and the community with the information they need to make
informed choices about schooling.(6)
At the same time he also referred to a
government commissioned report, yet to be released, which expressed
parents' desire for standardised reporting that would facilitate
their evaluation of both their children's and a school's
performance and that would enable them to make informed choices
about their children's schooling.
Some educationalists question the feasibility of
standardised testing against national benchmarks and what it will
achieve.(7) Apprehension has also been expressed about how the test
results will be used and fears have been provoked that the
Government is planning to withdraw funds from poorly performing
schools, with reports that this idea has been canvassed in a
discussion paper commissioned by Dr Kemp.(8) It is arguable that
this idea is reminiscent of policies currently in place in the
United Kingdom where legislation provides for the closure of
failing schools and their subsequent reopening with new heads and
teaching staff.
Marilyn Harrington
2 August 1999
Bills Digest Service
Information and Research Services
This paper has been prepared for general distribution to
Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament. While great care
is taken to ensure that the paper is accurate and balanced, the
paper is written using information publicly available at the time
of production. The views expressed are those of the author and
should not be attributed to the Information and Research Services
(IRS). Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in
this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for
related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional
legal opinion. Readers are reminded that the paper is not an
official parliamentary or Australian government document.
© Commonwealth of Australia 1999
Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior
written consent of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Members
of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official
Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library,
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Breathing Adventure: The Hills Are Alive at Mt. Batulao
It's been two weeks since I have not visited the outdoors as it's quite rare for us friends to get together. The last time I had gone to the mountains was with a lone, close buddy. Still, every journey is memorable. Though it took me some time to put it into writing, I could still vividly recall how I breathed the fresh scent of the rain-drenched earth while anxiously waiting for the mist to clear at Mt. Batulao.
My friend, Lans, and I planned to leave for Nasugbu, Batangas at 4:30am on a fair-weathered Saturday. I had to stay at her boarding house in for the night so as not to come late. But since one alarm did not ring and the other was snoozed off a number of times, we left the house late, prompting us to go straight to the bus terminal at the Coastal Mall at Parañaque. This was the only sure place where we can get a bus that would take us to our jump off site at the Evercrest Golf Course.
It took a distressing hour before the bus left the terminal and a marathon of two and a half Resident Evil movies before we got to Evecrest. The sun, already high at 10am, signaled that we were late. A number of hikers had gone before us, already enjoying a refreshing trek earlier.
It's remarkable how tricycle drivers immediately recognized us as hikers, directly offering us a ride to the registration site of
Mt. Batulao. Our huge bags, sleeveless shirts, and travelling pants gave them clues where we were going. It was a bumpy ride getting there. The rocky, yet mud-ridden track reminded me that I am in another home far away from home.
It is required for every tourist to register and have a tour guide lead the way. This protocol was only instilled a few months ago. Mt. Batulao was an easy trek that tourists could opt to travel on their own. But due to safety (and business) measures, new rules have to be set.
A number of our friends would have joined this trek if it not for our conflicting schedules. I guess it's fortunate that only the two of us were ushered by our guide that day. Reijel (if I got his name's spelling right), was a thin, ruddy, young man who amazingly volunteered to carry my bulky bag. I would not have
obliged if I had not been wobbling on the muddy track.
The horses that occasionally trample that path caused it to be heavily muddied even in sunny days. These beasts would
carry trading goods from the mountain, their hooves digging deep into the soil everyday. The path was so slippery we had to walk at its edges, checking if the ground was solid enough to walk on. But don't worry because this muddy path ends before getting at the foot of Mt. Batulao's first peak. The road going to the green, rolling hills was a bit rockier, drier but denser.
Just seeing the twin peaks of Mt. Batulao at a distance made my heart sing. It was getting more scenic the moment we got nearer every peak. There were eight peaks to conquer, the highest summit at the last peak. Our guide lead us to the new trail, which he said was easier than the old one. True enough, it was easy. I felt like a little girl jogging downwards after every upward struggle.
These bare but scenic heights are reminiscent of Mt. Balagbag and Mt. Pulag mixed together. Mt. Batulao has become quite a favorite among those who wanted an adventurous weekend getaway and first-time hikers. However, the influx of tourists had encouraged commercialism. Almost every peak had a little sari-sari store offering shade and buko juice for every weary visitor. I would have loved to buy from them, but I rather not encourage them to do business in this part of nature.
The final ascent was the mountain's crucial point. Some of the pathways become steeper and narrower; one wrong step can bring you plunging into a steep ravine. Towards the summit, there are two roped portions. You can climb those parts without the ropes though. I had to rid of the ropes at that moment. Reijel was strong enough to lend me a hand while I tried my best to get through that steep point.
Though the skies were becoming gloomier, I kept quite a slow pace as we got closer to the summit to catch my breath. But soon enough, it rained. The sunny morning was quickly drowned by an angry outpour.
Hikers cramped together under a little shelter made of tattered tarpaulin at the summit. Now draped in my raincoat, I silently waited for the rain to stop. Yes, it will in fifteen minutes…thirty minutes more…nope, it's about to stop after an hour…oh, c'mon! Just a peak of the scenery below!
I had to give up waiting, eat peanuts and fruits with my friend, and chat with some of the stranded tourists who soon decided to descend while it was still raining. We were the last to stay on the summit, which was not in vain since we soon had a glimpse of Mt. Batulao's rustic, green heads. We decided to wait a little more to clear the mist away, though we apprehended the slippery path.
Ironically, the weather cleared when we descended from the summit. Oh well, we
had been staying there for about an hour. Still, it wouldn't hurt to get more pictures while the mist tried to cover us from the lens.
I just realized how the rain can make one's body refreshed and revived. The smell of freshly drenched grass and the cool air made me feel even more alive. I became a bit quicker on our descent and I was able to catch my companions who had been faster than me at the first leg of the trek.
But the biggest challenge was the road going back to the registration
site. Remember the muddy path? Lans and I looked at each other with perturbed looks when we saw newcomers approaching us with mud reaching to their knees.
Our guide helped us walk at the side of the road, trying to keep us from the knee-deep portion of muddied path as much as possible. Mud was heaping beneath our shoes and sandals as we daintily took one step at a time. One had to wait while the other was guided to a safer point. We held on sturdy banana trees lined along the road while Reijel held us on the other hand. It was a tiring walk, much more to our guide who tried to hide his smile while we said jokes along the way.
The rain might have had its spoilers, but it also had its share of beauty. I guess adventures like this one made my trip to Mt. Batulao more memorable. As long as we do our best to be careful, these little irritants would not spoil the real fun behind it.
Too bad, there are no bulaluhan restaurants around the mountain (although they offered halo-halo in such a cold weather). Right after we washed and changed our spoiled clothes (and futilely cleaned my shoes), we took the bus back to Manila. It was going to be a long ride back home, which surprisingly was longer than the two-hour trek going up Mt. Batulao.
Lans and I tarried in our love affair with the mountains, mindless of the road that took us back home. Soon enough, we were already missing the outdoors as we are being brought back to the city filled with artificial lights that pierced the night sky and the smog-filled air.


text: Tammra Borrall and Sheela Hodes Business partners since 2007, Sheela and Tammra have developed a loyal client base who seek their expertise in real estate. They consistently rank in the top 1% of Realtors in the county, selling 20-25 homes each year. Their focus remains on quality over quantity - providing personalized service focused on client goals. Their priorities are: Exceptional Service – dedication to the best possible client experience from the first meeting to close Superior Marketing – professional marketing that makes a difference in a home purchase or sale Full Support – including help with temporary housing, the recommendation of vendors, advice & management of improvements and repairs; assistance to out-of-area sellers and buyers. ACCOLADES & EXPERIENCE Top 1 percent of Sonoma County Agents in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013. Top 2% in 2012 Top Producers at Coldwell Banker from 2006 -- 2011 (Top 100 in SF Bay Area) Luxury Property and Country Properties Physician Relocation Specialists Area Specialists in Eastside Santa Rosa and Fountaingrove BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS Business Partners, Sonoma County Medical Association MEMBERSHIPS & VOLUNTEERISM Board Member 2012 - present, Santa Rosa Chapter of Realtors (Tammra) President, 2016-7, Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation (Sheela) Board Member 2013 - present, Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation (Sheela) Northbay Association of Realtors California Association of Realtors Proud Volunteers and Supporters for Many Local Organizations Including: The American Cancer Society, ArtQuest, Becoming Independent, The Healdsburg School, The Living Room, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation.


text:
EY Global Innovation
Organizations can achieve tangible advantages from rising applied sciences corresponding to connected and cell gadgets, social media, robotic course of automation, THREE-D printing or cloud computing. Transparently immersive experiences, the perceptual smart machine age, and the platform revolution are the three overarching know-how trends that profoundly create new experiences with unrivaled intelligence and supply platforms that enable organizations to connect with new business ecosystems.
The concept was born: combine rising technology professional companies with enterprise schooling and innovation – providing our communities and clients with the slicing-edge applied sciences of at present, together with a imaginative and prescient for tomorrow.
Emerging technologies are these technical innovations which symbolize progressive developments within a subject for competitive advantage ; three converging applied sciences represent previously distinct fields that are ultimately shifting in the direction of stronger inter-connection and comparable targets.
Julian Bleecker is a designer, technologist and researcher on the Design Strategic …


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Whoa! Linda writes in about being held up Sunday night:
Me and a coupla pals were on our way home from my bachelor party on Sunday night at about 1 or 1:30am. I of course was lit up like a Christmas tree so the details are a little fuzzy. Long story short – we got robbed at gunpoint at 20th just before Folsom.
My two pals entrusted with my care were pretty sober. At first I thought they were just messing with us so, but then one of the fellas made a tug at my purse and it finally dawned on me what he wanted. Since he hadn't shown me a gun yet (and I was drunk) I just said, "Man, don't do that. I'm getting married in a week. Don't do that." Mind you this was all slurred and I was standing there covered in BBQ sauce and feathers. I was also holding too much stuff and my bag was slung across my body and not very easy to get at. I was obviously wasting their time.
So they made a grab for my friend's purse, pulled out a loaded gun, pointed it at me, waved it at the others and then made a run for their car.
It was two dudes, fairly young maybe 19 or 20. One of them was a light skinned Latino. Didn't get a look at the other. Black late model four door sedan with no plates. Didn't really look like thugs to me. It was strange.
Thanks for sending in your account, Linda. Hope you are well and congrats on the wedding!


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Recently I came to know about a place called The Barge Mysore, where you can have freshly brewed craft beer in Mysore.
Pictures of The Barge
Video of The Barge – Microbrewery in Mysore
Check out this video to get an idea of the place and ambiance. To experience the taste of the food and beer, you will have to personally visit the place.
Information / Experience at The Barge
Over all the experience was good. If you love beer or at least want to experience freshly brewed beer, then you should come here. You can have a view of a microbrewery. Check out the video above for more information.
Location of The Barge
The Barge is located very near to the Hebbal Ring Road
Karaoke Night
I have not experienced this, I have read about Karaoke Night on Wednesdays, so need to check this out.
Working Hours
The Barge Opens at 12 Noon and closes at 11 pm
Further – The Barge
Over all a good place to visit if you are in Mysore. Good Non-Vegetarian / Italian dishes
Further Reading
- Simply Kodavas – Best place to eat pork in Mysore
- Vythiri Holiday Resort – Wayanad
- Trip to Delhi / Chandigarh / Manali / Agra


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A Data Science Central Community
Dataiku Academic Provides Free Enterprise-Quality Data Science Software to Students, Teachers, and Researchers
Collaborative data science platform maker, Dataiku, now offers free licensing, support, and resources for students, educational institutions, and researchers.
NEW YORK, May 9 - Dataiku , the maker of the enterprise data science platform Dataiku Data Science Studio (DSS), has announced the Dataiku Academic Program – an initiative to provide completely free licensing, support, and learning resources for teachers, researchers, and students in data science and business analytics fields. The company looks to enable the next generation of data scientists by helping students learn data science concepts within Dataiku DSS, the software platform that companies around the world use to develop and run advanced data science solutions.
The platform allows users to leverage the fundamental data science coding languages (R, Python, and SQL) as well as the most state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms and big data technologies (Scala, Spark, and Hadoop) to provide a complete tool for data science students as well as their teachers.
The visual interface of Dataiku DSS- further improved with the recent release of version 4.0 - further empowers students with a less technical background to learn the data mining process, and build data projects from raw data to predictive application, without having to write a single line of code.
In addition, the inclusion of numerous open source technologies - from programming languages to machine learning libraries - also makes for a faster onboarding and learning process for students new to data science. Real time collaboration allows students to work on group projects simultaneously, or follow a professor's actions live.
Learn how Professor Dan Adelman at the University of Chicago uses Dataiku DSS to teach students
For researchers, the platform can be used to create powerful models and predictions using the most recent technologies in data science and machine learning.
"Our goal at Dataiku is to help everyone, everywhere, with their data analysis and predictive modelling skills," said Florian Douetteau, CEO of Dataiku. "A vital part of that is to provide free licenses for our software and specific support resources for academics, researchers, and personal learning. We are proud to be providing our technology for free to help the next generation of data scientists learn, create, and succeed."
The Dataiku Academic Program will provide students, teachers, researchers, and academic institutions with free licenses of the Dataiku DSS platform and access to a multitude of resources and benefits, provided for free by the company, including:
Exclusive training material.
Community support.
Visibility on the Dataiku blog, social media, and recruitment channels.
Student events, meetups, and hackathons.
Dataiku DSS Enterprise Edition setup for students on the cloud or on in-house servers.
Certifications for students
Expert guest lectures from Dataiku Data Scientists in their classrooms.
With a Dataiku Academic license users can build a course, work on a student project, conduct research, go through the Dataiku specialized certification, or simply make Dataiku DSS accessible on student and faculty computers – allowing students and faculty to learn or create data science applications with a cutting-edge software platform.
To learn more and to request a Dataiku Academic License visit: http://pages.dataiku.com/dataiku-academic-program
About Dataiku
Dataiku develops Dataiku Data Science Studio, the unique advanced analytics software solution that enables companies to build and deliver their own data products more efficiently. Thanks to a collaborative and team-based user interface for data scientists and beginner analysts, to a unified framework for both development and deployment of data projects, and to immediate access to all the features and tools required to design data products from scratch, users can easily apply machine learning and data science techniques to all types, sizes, and formats of raw data to build and deploy predictive data flows.
More than 100 customers in industries ranging from e-commerce, to industrial factories, to finance, to insurance, to healthcare, and pharmaceuticals use DSS on a daily basis to collaboratively build predictive dataflows to detect fraud, reduce churn, optimize internal logistics, predict future maintenance issues, and more. Dataiku has offices in Paris and New York.
Dataiku raised a $14M Series A round led by FirstMark Capital in October, 2016.
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Slinger School District accepting 4K and 5K registration
Slinger, WI – The School District of Slinger is now accepting new-to-school registrations for 4 year old and 5-year-old kindergarten for the 2018-19 school year.
Online registration is available at www.slinger.k12.wi.us under the link "new student registration."
For those without internet access, please call your child's respective school of attendance during regular school hours, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., to obtain a paper registration form.
Parents should complete the registration form, submit their child's birth certificate and proof of residency to their respective school by March 1, 2018.
In order for your child to be enrolled in the 4-year-old kindergarten program, he/she must be 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2018.
Likewise, to be eligible for the 5-year-old kindergarten program your child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2018.
Please contact one of the district elementary schools listed below for registration information, clarification of attendance areas or any other information needed.
Addison 262-644-8037 Allenton 262-629-5546 Slinger 262-644-6669


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Mary Kane, better known as Coach Mary, is a Los Angeles-based USA Triathlon Association (USAT) Certified coach, a Fit Institute Slowtwitch (F.I.S.T.) certified Bike Fitter, 6 time Ironman Triathlete and experienced mountaineer. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Human Sexuality and a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counselor from the California State University of Northridge. She specializes in all phases of triathlon training, swim-bike-run and is the Head Coach for the Warner Bros. Triathlon Team. Mary uses her multi-dimensional expertise to develop personalized plans that keep her athletes moving quickly toward success in whatever sports endeavor they choose.
Through her business she hosts a Glut kicking Bootcamp. You strength train until you are soaked with your own sweat, the on other days you are swimming, biking or running depending on the focus for the workout.
Mary's career as an athletic trainer and triathlon coach began quite by accident, her accident.
In 1999, Mary trained and competed with Students Run LA alongside her daughter, Chrissy, then a high school senior, in the LA Marathon. During the marathon Mary nearly tore her left calf muscle from the bone. Doctors warned Mary never to run again.
During rehab her Physical Therapist told Mary her injury was caused by lack of proper training. If she had been coached and trained properly, her injury may have never happened. After her recovery the Therapist recommended Mary avoid future injuries by cross training, suggesting triathlons as an example.
The Catalina Sprint Triathlon in 2002 was Mary's first. She loved it and craved more so during the next year she searched out and trained for a few more sprints. Then she joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training ® – an organization that exchanges training and support for help in raising money towards cures for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Mary's cousin had recently died of Leukemia, so it was a cause she firmly believed in.
The 2003 Wildflower Olympic distance Triathlon was Mary's first with Team In Training. For the next couple of years, Mary's relentless energy and gregarious personality drove her to recruit more people to join TNT so she could mentor and train them.
At that time Mary, a certified Marriage and Family Therapist, found helping people by sitting across a couch and listening, intolerable. She decided her therapy needed to be out of the office and brought into her training. It was a natural fit and the start of Mary's new career in Athletic and Life Coaching.
In 2004, Mary trained for The Nautica Malibu Triathlon, with her daughter's old high school friend, Stephanie Rubalcava, who worked for Warner Bros at that time. After the event, Mary mentioned a lack of Warner Bros. employees in the Entertainment Challenge. Taking that as a challenge, in early 2005, Stephanie, along with Dave Gatlin and Doug Maxfield (Warner Bros. Fitness Center Manager), formed the Warner Bros. Triathlon Team, better known as the WB Tri Team.
That same year, Mary's mother was diagnosed with Leukemia, so she stepped away from Team In Training and devoted her time to helping her mother. In August, one month after her mother's death, Stephanie asked Mary to train the WB team on how to get in and out of the ocean and help prepare them for The Nautica Malibu Triathlon, a little more than a month away.
Mary has coached the WB Tri Team ever since. She's competed in over 100 various races, including over 70 triathlons – five of which are Ironman Races, Adventure Races, Muddy Buddy Races, the Tough Mudder and over 20 individual Marathons. She also holds the 5 & 10 mile Female Kayak Race Records at Lake Tahoe.
Along with strength training, Mary offers bootcamps in swimming, biking, and running as well as psychological services as a Life Coach. Currently, her student, Megan Severa received the USAT Honorable Mention for being in the top 10% in the nation of her age group. Megan has competed representing the US at Triathlon Worlds and will be doing it again this year in New Zealand. Along with Megan, Coach Mary is taking 9 more WB Tri Team members to the USA Age Group Nationals. They include her own daughter, Chrissy Kane, Julie McDaniel, Abby and Rene Canizales, Micheal Hajek, Mara Levin, Rob Braid, Corey Enman and Dan Burchum.


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These little homemade snowman ornaments are adorable and so easy to make. Just follow our step-by-step instructions and learn to make your own.
Of course, you do not have to follow these instructions to the letter. Feel free to use your creativity and make any changes you'd like.
You can use different colors felt, different styles of pipe cleaners, draw a different face, change the shape of the hat, use different patterns of stitches – the sky is limit. And for an even easier craft idea, you could bypass the hat altogether and just make simple little snowmen with scarfs. They will still look completely adorable.
How to display your snowman ornaments – several options to choose from
To make the snowmen, we used blank spun cotton dolls. These dolls all come with a little hole at the bottom. You could take advantage of this feature, insert the end of a pipe cleaner into the hole, and wrap the other end around a Christmas tree branch. This is one way to display them. You could also stick them on a toothpick and use them as cake toppers. They would even look great by themselves on a shelf, on a nightstand – anywhere. They make for great home decor ideas. Of course you could also use a piece of string and hang them. In the step by step tutorial below, we'll show you how to easily add a hanging loop. One more idea: how cute would it be to use these little guys as name tag holders? A great way to decorate your Holiday tables.
There is a little hole under each blank peg doll
Use pipe cleaner to display on a branch
Project materials
To make one homemade snowman ornament, you will need: – A small piece of felt – A pipe cleaner (aka chenille) – Needle and white thread (or a sewing machine if you have one) – A spun cotton peg doll (I used the 51mm tall one because it is shaped like a snowman already). – A small piece of golden thread to make the hanging loop – A black ball pen – A piece of cardboard or strong paper (to make the hat template). – OPTIONAL: white craft glue.
Disclaimer: I used a sewing machine to make the snowmen hats but they could certainly be made by hand too. Also, you may find that the way I made the hats with the sewing machine is a little complicated (I cut a wide wedge of felt, hemmed it, and then cut it to a narrower, 90º angle wedge). If you know an easier way, please feel free to share (you can leave a comment below). I am very much a beginner when it comes to using a sewing machine and I promise I won't be offended :)
Step 1: Make a pie shape template out of cardboard. If you are using a sewing machine, I recommend your make your pie shape template slightly bigger than a quarter pie. If you are sewing by hand, you can make your template exactly a quarter pie. I used a 2.5″ radius. Trace the shape of your template on a piece of felt and cut out. Step 2: Hem the bottom of your pie wedge. Notice how with a sewing machine, I hemmed more than I needed (I only needed a quarter pie). This is because hemming such a small piece of fabric from edge to edge is a little difficult with a sewing machine, so I hemmed more than I needed and then cut off the excess.
Step 3: Cut off your hemmed pie wedge to an exact 90º quarter pie shape. Step 4: Fold your pie shape in half (bad side out) and sew the two edges together. If you are making a hanging snowman ornament, make sure to insert a little loop in the hat before sewing its edges. Make sure the knot is outside the hat (it will then be inside when you turn the hat inside out).
Step 5: Turn the hat inside out. You can use a pen or a stick to help. Step 6: Time to add the scarf and the hat to your blank snowman ornament. Start with the scarf. Simply tie a small piece of pipe cleaner around the neck of the blank spun cotton peg doll. Give it a couple twists. When you are done with the scarf, add the hat. You may have to use a little force and push down on the hat just a bit so it stays in position. You may also want to add some glue, especially if you are going to hang your snowman ornaments. I recommend regular white craft glue.
Step 7: Almost done with your homemade snowman ornaments. With the ball pen, draw the eyes and the mouth. Congratulations. YOU ARE DONE!
Want more Holiday decoration ideas?
Here are a few ideas that you can use for inspiration to make ornaments for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Note that you can use wooden peg dolls as well, you don't necessarily have to use spun cotton peg dolls. However, spun cotton is a lot more forgiving when you make clothes for your dolls because it can be compressed a little bit. It's also a little easier to attach a string loop to spun cotton.
I hope you enjoyed this page and that you are motivated to get started with your own snowman ornaments (or any other creative ornaments). Happy Holidays and as always, feel free to leave a comment below or share your ideas with us. We love to hear from you.


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Resource rich countries lead global conflict and political violence index
Over the last six months, levels of conflict and political violence have jumped significantly in 48 countries as a consequence of popular revolutions and regime change, a study released Wednesday reveals.
In its latest conflict and political violence index, global risk analytics company Maplecroft analyzed 197 nations, placing the most risky at the top of the list. These countries include resource-rich Central African Republic (ranked 2nd most at risk), South Sudan (4th), Somalia (6th), DR Congo (7th), and Libya (8th), all of which saw significant increases in risk. Syria, considered the most risky place, retained its status, while Iraq (3rd), Afghanistan (5th), Sudan (9th), and Pakistan (10th) completed the top ten list of most risky countries.
From the states analyzed, Ukraine was the one that experienced the greatest fall in the index, climbing 52 places to 35th most at risk due to ongoing violence following the popular uprising in Kiev. Maplecroft expects the country's ranking to fall even further this year.
"Over the longer term, analysis of conflict and political violence trends offer an essential barometer for global organizations and governments looking to monitor security risks to investments, populations and the dynamic geopolitical landscape," says Charlotte Ingham, principal political risk analyst at Maplecroft.
She adds that the Middle East and North African regions had a difficult 2013, particularly Iraq (3rd), which endured its bloodiest year since 2008.
The report also highlights key emerging markets where the index of conflict and risk as reached the "high" and "extreme" categories, such as Colombia, Nigeria, Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, China, Indonesia and Turkey.


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The Liberty men's cross country team will be in search of its eighth consecutive Big South title on Saturday.
Follow @libertyflames on Twitter for meet updates Men's 8K Course Map Women's 5K Course Map Rock Hill Weather The 2012-13 Big South Conference championship season will begin Saturday morning in Rock Hill, S.C., with the Big South Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships. The Liberty men's and women's squads are both expected to contend for team and individual championships at the Winthrop Coliseum and Farm. The women's 5K championship will get the day started at 10:30 a.m., when the Lady Flames attempt to win their fifth team title in the last seven years but first since 2010. Meanwhile, redshirt senior Jennifer Klugh has a chance to become the first Lady Flame ever to win three consecutive Big South women's cross country individual championships. At 11:30 a.m., the men's 8K race will go off. Liberty will attempt to continue impressive streaks in both the team and individual categories. The Flames have won a Big South-record seven consecutive men's team championships. Meanwhile, a Liberty runner has finished first at each of the last eight Big South Men's Cross Country Championships.
How to Follow the Flames and Lady Flames Liberty cross country fans will be able to keep up with their favorite Flames and Lady Flames on Saturday via live Twitter updates from Rock Hill. Fans are urged to follow the Liberty Flames Twitter account (twitter.com/libertyflames) for photo and text updates throughout both of Saturday's races.
Weather Forecast Saturday's temperature should be pretty pleasant for cross country running in Rock Hill. The forecast calls for a high of 69 degrees under cloudy skies. However, wind could become a factor, thanks to the far-reaching effects of Hurricane Sandy. Winds are projected to be between 20 and 30 mph out of the north-northeast on Saturday in Rock Hill.
Course Analysis The race course, which loops around various parts of Winthrop's athletics complex, contains a few small hills. However, it can still produce relatively fast clockings, especially when the terrain is dry. For example, seven Lady Flames broke the 19:00 barrier for the 5K distance at the Sept. 15 Winthrop/Adidas Invitational. Speaking of the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, both the Liberty men's and women's squads fared quite well during their first visit to the Winthrop course, last month. The Flames placed third, while the Lady Flames were second. Both were the top-finishing Big South teams on the day. Winthrop is hosting the Big South Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships for the 10th time in meet history, but for the first time since Oct. 30, 2004. Liberty assistant coach Josh McDougal was the men's individual champion as a freshman that day, beginning the Flames' current streak of eight consecutive Big South men's cross country individual titlists. Additionally, McDougal's winning time of 23:49 still stands as the 8K course record.
Women's Team Preview The Liberty women's team placed second to High Point at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championships and was ranked second behind the Panthers in this year's preseason coaches poll. However, the Lady Flames have established themselves as a top contender to claim the Big South title on Saturday. Liberty finished a clear first among Big South women's teams at the Sept. 15 Winthrop/Adidas Invitational. The Lady Flames are also the only Big South team currently listed in the USTFCCCA Southeast Region poll, where Liberty checks in at No. 13. The Lady Flames are led by the front-running senior duo of Jennifer Klugh and Khristina Kanagy. Klugh has been the women's individual champion each of the last two years at this meet, while Kanagy is coming off of a sixth-place finish in 2011. However, Liberty's greatest strength lies in its overall team depth. Eight different Lady Flames have clocked 5K times faster than 18:30 this fall. Compare that with the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championships, where Lady Flames' No. 8 finisher posted a time of 19:35. In addition to Klugh (17:33 season best for the 5K) and Kanagy (17:44), the Lady Flames' sub-18:30 runners this season include sophomore Meredith Mistretta (18:04), sophomore Jacy Christiansen (18:12), senior Betel Yosef (18:15), junior Katie Russo (18:23), junior Jessica Gass (18:24) and freshman Courtney Russo (18:24).
Other Team Challengers (Listed alphabetically) Campbell – The Camels placed fourth in their first appearance at the Big South Cross Country Championships in 2011 and should contend for a top finish again this year. Campbell placed 10th out of 31 entrants at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational earlier this season. Ashley Matthews, who finished ahead of both Jennifer Klugh and Khristina Kanagy at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational last month, headlines the Camels' lineup. The junior is one of four different Campbell harriers who have posted sub-19:00 times at the 5K distance this season.
Coastal Carolina – Head coach Alan Connie's Chanticleers are always in the championship discussion at this meet. For 24 consecutive seasons, Coastal Carolina has finished either first, second or third, including a third-place showing a year ago. Coastal Carolina placed third overall and second among Big South squads at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, packing its top five runners inside a 36-second window. The Chanticleers are led by Jessica Dennison, Emily Marchini and 2011 Big South women's 10K champion Letitia Saayman.
High Point – The defending Big South champion Panthers have four runners back who placed inside the top eight at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championships, including Kayleigh Perry (third place), Audrey Malloy (fifth), Kelsey Hunt (seventh) and Kelsey Paine (eighth). High Point got off to a bit of a slow start this season, finishing just seventh at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational. However, the Panthers have gotten stronger in recent weeks. Six High Point runners posted 5K times of 19:08 or faster at the Oct. 12 Blue Ridge Open, as the Panthers came in third overall and tops among the six Big South entrants.
UNC Asheville – UNC Asheville, which came in ninth at the 2011 Big South meet, was one of the biggest surprises at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational last month. The Bulldogs placed fifth overall and third among Big South squads. The Bulldogs are led by veterans Emma Bussard and Melanie Kulesz, who placed 10th and 13th, respectively, at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational.
VMI – Under the direction of first-year coach Jennifer Fazioli, the Keydets have not gone head-to-head with Big South opponents very often this year. VMI was the second-highest finishing conference team at the Blue Ridge Open on Oct. 12, where the Keydets tied for fourth place overall. The Keydets have boasted a solid top four this fall, including Jenna Moye, Natalie Young, Leah Schubel and Michelle Church. However, VMI will need a No. 5 runner to step up Saturday if it hopes to improve upon its sixth-place performance from 2011.
Winthrop – The Eagles finished fifth at the 2011 Big South meet, with their top seven finishers all being freshmen and sophomores. Now a year older, Winthrop hopes to impress its home fans with a strong showing on Saturday. Junior Jeanne Stroud and sophomore Tristan Langley comprise a potent 1-2 punch for the Eagles. Both runners finished in the top eight at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, and Stroud's school-record 5K clocking of 17:27 from the Will Wilson Citadel Invitational is the fastest time in the conference this year.
Team Notes -- Liberty has finished in the top two at each of the last eight Big South women's cross country meets, including victories in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 and runner-up finishes in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2011. -- Liberty has not gone two straight years without winning the Big South women's cross country team title since 2004 and 2005. -- Coastal Carolina (12 titles) and Liberty (seven titles) are the perennial contenders at this meet. The Chanticleers and Lady Flames had combined to win 11 straight Big South women's cross country championships before High Point's crown in 2011.
Women's Individual Preview Liberty redshirt senior Jennifer Klugh enters Saturday's race as the individual favorite, after claiming back-to-back Big South women's cross country individual titles in 2010 and 2011. She has a chance to become the first Lady Flame ever to win three Big South individual crowns in a row and the first Big South runner to do so since Coastal Carolina's Jolene Williams in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Klugh has only run two races this fall, but has been named both Big South and ECAC Division I Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week in the process. Her 5K time of 17:33 at the Notre Dame Invitational was the third-fastest effort in program history. Klugh also boasts the most impressive track & field credentials of anyone in Saturday's field. She owns the Big South indoor 5K record at 16:48.32 and has won seven Big South track titles, spanning distances from 1,500 meters to 5K. Lady Flames senior Khristina Kanagy could also be near the front of the pack on Saturday. She sped to a personal-best 5K time of 17:44 at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 28 and won the Big South indoor 5K championship last season. Kanagy has made steady improvement at the Big South Cross Country Championship during her career, going from 25th place in 2009 to 12th in 2010 to sixth last year. Other Individual Challengers (Listed alphabetically) Emma Bussard (UNC Asheville) – A redshirt senior, Bussard is coming off of the most impressive cross country race of her career. She clocked 21:52.8 for the 6K at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 13, cutting nearly 90 seconds off of her previous best and ranking third in program history. Bussard also came in 10th at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational and was victorious at her team's home invitational on Sept. 29. She placed 17th at the 2010 Big South Cross Country Championship, before redshirting the 2011 campaign.
Ashley Matthews (Campbell) – Matthews has built upon a successful 2012 outdoor track & field season, which saw her place second in the Big South steeplechase final. The diminutive junior was the second Big South finisher at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational on Sept. 15, placing fifth overall.
Jenna Moye (VMI) – Moye made a big splash at the 2009 Big South Cross Country Championship, placing fourth overall and taking home Big South Freshman of the Year honors. She has battled various injuries for much of her career since then, but has enjoyed a stellar senior campaign. Moye's last two races have produced new personal-best times at both the 5K (18:06) and 6K (21:54) distances. If Saturday's race comes down to a final sprint, Moye could be well prepared. She owns VMI's school record with an indoor mile clocking of 4:55.96 from 2011.
Kayleigh Perry (High Point) – The third-place finisher at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championship, Perry appears to be peaking at the right time this season. She is coming off of her best performance of the season, an 18:20 5K effort which netted sixth place at the Oct. 12 Blue Ridge Open.
Jeanne Stroud (Winthrop) – The home course favorite, Stroud placed a distant second to Jennifer Klugh at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championship, crossing the finish line 17 seconds back. This time around, the junior figures to give Klugh a much stronger challenge as she hopes to become the first women's runner to take home the Big South individual title on her home course since Coastal Carolina's Anne Marie Moutsinga in 2003. Stroud was the top Big South finisher on her home course at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, finishing fourth overall. Most recently, she raced to an impressive victory at the Will Wilson Citadel Invitational in a school-record 5K time of 17:27.
Individual Notes -- Jennifer Klugh has won half of Liberty's four Big South women's cross country individual titles in program history. Heather Sagan claimed the Lady Flames' other two championships, in 2000 and 2001. -- Klugh has the opportunity to join Coastal Carolina's Catherine Conder (1994-96) and Jolene Williams (1997-99) as the only women's runners ever to capture three consecutive Big South individual cross country crowns. -- With a top 10 finish, Klugh would become the first Lady Flame ever to earn four career All-Big South honors in cross country and only the ninth women's runner in conference history to do so. -- Klugh has not finished behind a conference runner who was not her teammate in any Big South Championship final (cross country, indoor track & field or outdoor track & field) since the 2009 Big South Cross Country Championship. -- Every time Liberty has won the Big South women's cross country team title, its No. 1 runner has placed in the top three.
Men's Team Preview Liberty has won a Big South-record seven Big South men's cross country team championships in a row. The streak is the fifth-longest active run among NCAA Division I men's cross country squads, trailing only Iona (21 straight MAAC titles), Butler (14 straight Horizon League titles), Wisconsin (13 straight Big 10 titles) and William & Mary (12 straight CAA titles). The Flames were the top finishers at the Sept. 15 Winthrop/Adidas Invitational and are coming off of an impressive victory at the Royal Cross Country Challenge. Additionally, Liberty is the lone Big South team currently ranked in the Southeast Region (No. 14). Despite all of that, Liberty expects a strong challenge from High Point. The Panthers have placed second at each of the last five Big South Championships and were only seven points behind the Flames in 2011. David Ricksecker (sixth place at the 2011 Big South meet) and Caleb Edmonds (seventh) are the only two of Liberty's top five runners from the 2011 season who will be racing on Saturday. However, they will be joined by a talented group of freshmen, highlighted by Jeremie Bourget, Ngetich Kipchirchir and Will Templeton. Kipchirchir (fifth place), Bourget (ninth) and Templeton (13th) were the top three Big South men's finishers at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, and all three have run 8K times under 24:40 this fall. Meanwhile, Ricksecker and Edmonds went 1-2 at the Royal Cross Country Challenge, with the former being named Big South and ECAC Division I Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week.
Other Team Challengers (Listed alphabetically) High Point – As mentioned previously, High Point is expected to pose a strong challenge to Liberty on Saturday. The Panthers have been the Big South men's cross country runner-up for five straight seasons, and head coach Mike Esposito calls this year's squad "the most talented group" he has coached during his eight seasons at High Point. The Panthers return the No. 2 and 3 overall men's finishers from last year's Big South Championship, in senior Jacob Smith and junior Patrick Crawford, respectively. Smith went on to qualify for the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the steeplechase. High Point's roster is also bolstered by a pair of freshmen, including Hungarian Benji Szalai and Paddy Grandinali. Szalai boasts the Panthers' fastest 8K time this season, with a 24:34 clocking at the Charlotte Invitational on Sept. 28. The Panthers are looking to return to the top of the Big South standings for the first time since winning three straight men's titles between 2002 and 2004. At High Point's lone head-to-head matchup against Liberty this season, the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, the Flames placed third and the Panthers were fifth.
VMI – VMI does not boast the overall depth of either High Point or Liberty, but the Keydets feature a formidable top three runners, in senior Andrey Dmitriev and juniors Will Thompson and Cabell Willis. All three runners placed inside the top 20 at the Oct. 12 Blue Ridge Open, helping the Keydets place fifth as a team. VMI had a 42-second gap between its No. 3 (Thompson) and 4 (Hartnel Paultre) runners at the Blue Ridge Open. The Keydets will need to tighten that gap if they hope to improve upon their third-place showing from the 2011 Big South meet.
Team Notes -- Liberty has won a conference-high 13 Big South men's cross country championships in the Flames' 21 seasons as a conference member. During that span, the next closest Big South men's squads are Coastal Carolina and High Point, with three titles apiece. -- Liberty has won every Big South men's cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field team championship since finishing second to Coastal Carolina at the 2006 Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships. That equals six straight Big South Triple Crowns and 18 consecutive men's team titles for the Flames. -- The Flames' seven consecutive Big South cross country titles have been won by an average of 24.4 points. However, last year's seven-point margin of victory over High Point was the smallest during Liberty's current championship run. -- The last time Liberty did not win the Big South men's cross country team title was 2004, which was the last year Winthrop hosted the meet. Assistant coach Josh McDougal was a freshman that year. -- Liberty and High Point have combined to win 10 straight Big South men's team titles since Winthrop's championship on its home course in 2001. -- Liberty has recorded nine consecutive top two finishes at the Big South meet. Prior to the Flames' seven straight titles, Liberty finished second to High Point in both 2003 and 2004. -- The Flames have boasted the Big South individual champion 12 of the 13 times they have won the Big South team crown. The only exception came in 1994, when Bill Khan placed second, while leading Liberty to a team title.
Men's Individual Preview Liberty runners have won the men's individual title 16 times in the Flames' 21 appearances at the Big South Cross Country Championship, including a current conference-record streak of eight in a row. Assistant coach Josh McDougal won four straight Big South titles between 2004 and 2007, Sam Chelanga took three straight championships between 2008 and 2010 and Zac Edwards was victorious in 2011. With Edwards sidelined due to injury, a new Liberty runner will try to continue the Flames' individual championship streak on Saturday. Redshirt senior David Ricksecker, junior Caleb Edmonds and redshirt freshman Ngetich Kipchirchir appear to be the Flames' top candidates. A two-time All-Big South performer in cross country, Ricksecker owns the Big South's fastest 8K time this season, 24:07.6. That effort enabled him to win the Royal Cross Country Challenge on Oct. 12, marking the first individual victory of his collegiate cross country career. His best previous finish at the Big South Cross Country Championship was sixth place in 2011. Edmonds, who placed seventh at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championship, finished right behind Ricksecker at the Royal Cross Country Challenge, in an 8K personal-best time of 24:08.4. Edmonds owns the fastest 5K personal best on the track of the trio, at 14:19.09. Kipchirchir will be making his Big South Cross Country Championship debut on Saturday, but he is already a Big South champion on the track. The native of Eldoret, Kenya took home the men's 10K title at the 2012 Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships and boasts a 10K personal best of 30:27.90.
Other Individual Challengers (Listed alphabetically) Patrick Crawford (High Point) – Crawford has fared well at this meet during his career, winning 2010 Big South Freshman of the Year honors and placing third individually in 2011. He was High Point's No. 1 finisher at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, where he placed 14th overall.
Andrey Dmitriev (VMI) – Best known for his middle-distance exploits on the track, Dmitriev has dropped his 8K time to 24:58 this season. He is VMI's top returnee from the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championships, where he placed 14th. If the race comes down to a final sprint, the Russian could be tough to beat. He won the Big South indoor mile title in 2012 and boasts an 800-meter run personal best of 1:50.34.
Jacob Smith (High Point) – With Zac Edwards not racing, Smith is the top returner from the 2011 Big South meet, where he was the runner-up. He went on to enjoy a spectacular track season, winning four Big South titles and qualifying for the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the steeplechase. Smith has only raced twice this fall, but his most recent race resulted in a strong performance. The Canadian clocked a 10K time of 31:49.4 at the Chile Pepper Festival in Arkansas, placing first on the team and 34th overall in a talented field.
Benji Szalai (High Point) – A native of Hungary, Szalai is perhaps the most unknown quantity in Saturday's field. The freshman has only finished one collegiate race, but it was an impressive performance. Szalai notched an 8K time of 24:34 at the Sept. 28 Charlotte Invitational for seventh place overall and first on his team. He was 15 seconds ahead of Crawford and 42 seconds in front of Smith that day. Szalai then failed to finish the Chile Pepper Festival 10K on Oct. 13.
Morgan Timiney (Campbell) – Timiney, the 10th-place finisher at the 2011 Big South Cross Country Championships, will look to continue his trend from the 2012 campaign to date. The junior has improved his 8K time in each of his four races, culminating with a personal-best 25:00 posting at the Pre-Nationals on Oct. 13. At the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, Timiney crossed the line in 15th place, directly behind Liberty's Will Templeton and High Point's Crawford.
Individual Notes -- Liberty's Big South men's individual championship streak began the last time this meet was held at Winthrop (2004), when freshman Josh McDougal took top honors. -- Josh McDougal in 2004 is the most recent Big South freshman to win the men's individual championship. -- The Flames have placed three runners inside the top five at five of the last seven Big South Championships. -- David Ricksecker will attempt to become the 12th men's runner in program history to earn three All-Big South cross country awards during his career. Only six Lady Flames have ever done so, including his older sister, assistant coach Rebekah Ricksecker. -- If a Liberty runner is successful in winning Saturday's race, he would become the eighth different Flame to become Big South men's cross country individual champion, joining Bill Khan (1991-92), Josh Cox (1995-96), Stephen Githuka (1997-99), Bruce Kite (2000), Josh McDougal (2004-07), Sam Chelanga (2008-10) and Zac Edwards (2011).
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