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Hi there!
My name is Hashem, and just made my account on the parrot blog!
So I'm thinking about getting my first parrot and that will hopefully be a sun conure
But when I see all the tricks on the internet the parrots are often:
and no sun conures ... So my question is:
Are sunconures good trick learners like Kili and are the that affectionate that they cuddle and let you give them long neckscratches?
Please comment!
P.S. If you ever had a sun conure tell me about your experiences,good things, bad things, actually anything you can say about them! (I play violin) oooh! Do they like vilin music too?


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As a Renault Approved Used Program dealer - Brian Hilton Renault in Gosford ensures that your next car embodies the high quality standards you would expect to receive in every Renault.
All Renault Approved Used Vehicles undergo a rigorous 100 point inspection by our approved Renault technician prior to sale.
They also come with the balance of new vehicle unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance. As an added benefit, we'll also provide your next two services free of charge. Why not buy with confidence your pre-owned Renault at Brian Hilton Renault.


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The Young and the Restless - Season 41 Episode 361 : Episode 10481 - Wednesday, August 20, 2014 (2020)
Genre: Soap
Casts: Doug Davidson, Tammin Sursok, Sean Young, Linden Ashby, Camryn Grimes, Anne Betancourt, Michael Damian, Don Diamont, Annalisa Cochrane, Janzy Paraiso
Last Air Date: Aug 10, 2020
Quality: HD
Release: Jan 01, 1970
View: 61


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03 April 2014 - Lucca (Italy) and Sydney (Australia)
Onsite Rental Group Takes Control of Its Budget Process With the Help of Tagetik
With an on-time implementation of Tagetik for budgeting and forecasting, Onsite takes the first major step on a journey to implement world best practices in financial performance management
Tagetik, a global provider of enterprise software solutions for Performance Management, Disclosure Management, Financial Governance and Business Intelligence, today announced that Onsite Rental Group has gone live with Tagetik's Financial Performance Management platform for budgeting and forecasting. Onsite will use the Tagetik software platform to unify all of its financial performance management processes, providing one version of the truth and enabling best practices.
"We see the successful implementation of budgeting and forecasting in Tagetik as the first step on a journey to have the very best solution possible for our complete financial performance management needs, including bringing in best-practice rolling forecasts and financial reporting.The previous budgeting system was difficult to change and did not have the level of user acceptance we consider to be key to success.Tagetik's familiar Excel interface with a robust financial engine behind it proved to be ideal for our needs," says Scott McDougall, Chief Financial Officer, Onsite Rental Group.
"The CFO Group was invited by PwC to meet with the Onsite Rental Group's finance team late in 2013 in order to understand Onsite's needs for a new robust budgeting and forecasting system. After workshops to survey needs, we submitted a detailed proposal for a Tagetik solution and commenced the implementation project late in January 2014, with a go live in mid-March 2014. We consider the success of this project is due in great part to the outstanding teamwork between Onsite and the CFO Group," explains Geoff Noble, Director, CFO Group and Country Manager for Tagetik Australia.
"I was impressed with how the CFO Group worked together with the Onsite team to deliver the new budgeting and forecasting solution on time. The Tagetik consultants at the CFO Group really took great care in understanding our needs and processes and were highly committed to doing so. The result is a system that has high acceptance and a budget that everyone now owns at all levels of the organisation," continues Scott McDougall, Chief Financial Officer, Onsite Rental Group.
"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Onsite Rental Group as a Tagetik customer and member of our growing community of discerning customers in Australia and New Zealand that each have a strong vision for financial performance management in their respective organisations," concludes Manuel Vellutini – Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer at Tagetik.
About Onsite Rental Group
With 34 branches across Australia, Onsite Rental Group is a specialised, B2B equipment rental company, providing industrial equipment solutions to a wide range of industries including resources construction and maintenance, civil, non residential and residential construction.To learn more: www.onsite.com.au About CFO Group The CFO Group provides solutions to the CFO for financial performance management. The CFO Group believes that planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analysis, and disclosure should be unified and simplified to add maximum value to support decision-making. The CFO Group is the exclusive distributor of Tagetik in Australia and New Zealand.To learn more: www.cfogrp.com
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House Education and the Workforce Committee Hearing:
"As we examine the current federal early childhood education and care system this morning, my Republican colleagues and I believe we should discuss opportunities to streamline the mountain of existing federal programs, reduce regulatory burdens, and improve transparency to make it easier for providers and parents to understand their options. And above all, we must work together to ensure these programs are serving disadvantaged families first, consistent with the original intent of the federal investment in early childhood programs.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee recently took steps toward these fundamental goals with legislation to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant. As you know, CCDBG provides funds to states to help low-income families access quality child care, and has been due for reauthorization for over a decade. The Senate bill, approved by the committee late last year, includes several commonsense provisions that will help empower parents and enhance coordination between CCDBG and other federal early care and development programs, such as Head Start. I believe this proposal provides a solid foundation to begin related discussions in this committee, and look forward to working with my colleagues on this initiative in the coming months."
- Excerpt from House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman Kline (R-MN)
"Greater child care and early education investments at the federal, state, and local levels are needed because low-income, working parents lack access, can't afford services, and don't have enough good choices. The future of our nation depends on turning this around and providing high-quality early learning for all children"
- Excerpt from House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA)
On Wednesday, February 6, 2014, the House Education and the Workforce Committee, chaired by Congressman John Kline from Minnesota held a hearing on early childhood programs entitled "The Foundation for Success: Discussing Early Childhood Education and Care in America." The hearing featured a diverse witness list, including Ms. Kay E. Brown from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Dr. Russ Whitehurst from the Brookings Institution, Ms. Harriet Dichter from the Delaware Office of Early Learning, and Dr. Elanna S. Yalow, the Executive Director of Knowledge Universe Early Learning Programs.
After the opening statements from Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller, the witness presented their testimonies, starting off with Kay Brown and Russ Whitehurst, both of which emphasized their belief that the current early childhood system is far too complex, fragmented, and overlapping at times.
Ms. Brown stated that "Multiple agencies administer the federal investment in early learning and child care through multiple programs that sometimes have similar goals and are targeted to similar groups of children… the federal investment in these programs is fragmented [and] some of these programs overlap one another." In his testimony, Dr. Whitehurst added that "The question for me is not whether the federal government should support the learning and care of young children from economically disadvantaged homes and otherwise vulnerable status but how it should do so. The current system, a mishmash of 45 separate, incoherent, and largely ineffective programs, fails to serve the broader public and certainly is less than optimal for the children and families to which it is directed."
Following Ms. Brown and Dr. Whitehurst, Dr. Yalow mentioned in her testimony that "This is an important and exciting time for early childhood education. Supported by research, there is a growing recognition of both the short and long-term benefits of high-quality early learning experiences on young children, including healthy brain development, school readiness, future success in school, as well as related positive economic and societal benefits.
With so much attention and focus on a child's earliest years, it is critical that we get our policies right. It is important that our investments focus on children who will benefit most; are fisccally responsible and sustainable; keep an eye towards possible adverse consequences of well-intentioned efforts; promote conintous program improvement and quality; recognize and respect that we cannot afford to displace the many qualified, expereinced, and dedicated teachers already serving our youngest citizens; and countinue to support and respect parental choice to meet the needs of individual children and families."
After opening up for questions from some of the Committee members present, Harriet Dichter, Executive Director of the Delaware Office of Early Learning, presented her testimony. Ms. Dichter mentioned that "The importance of the first years of life is critical- the experiences children have during this unique time set the stage for all aspects of development and learning. Because of the developmental significance of this time, the quality of early childhood programs for both children and families is essential to good outcomes."
Following the testimony of all the witnesses, the Committee members pressed the witness on their statements, which focused on a variety of different aspects of early childhood programs including a discussion of whether or not the programs overlap and if that is necessary in some cases, what improving the quality of programs could and/or should entail, and what is the best way to reach the most vulnerable populations.
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Hearing:
The next day, Thursday, February 7th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Harkin (D-IA) held a hearing entitled "Supporting Children and Families through Investments in High-Quality Early Education."
For the Senate hearing, the witnesses included:
- Dr. Hirokazu Yoshikawa , Courtney Sale Ross University Professor of Globalization Education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY
- Mr. John White , State Superintendent for Louisiana Department of Education, Baton Rouge, LA
- Ms. Danielle Ewen , Director of the Office of Early Childhood Education, District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC
- Ms. Charlotte M. Brantley , President and CEO of Clayton Early Learning, Denver, CO
Dr. Yoshkikawa provided a technical and in-depth testimony regarding the overwhelming benefits of quality early education programs and the positive effects on socio-emotional, language, literacy, and mathematical skills. John White from the Louisiana Department of Education followed up by stating that "Often the debate over investing in early childhood education comes down to study against study, each claiming an absolute truth about the effectiveness of an initiative that spans hundreds of thousands of young lives in disparate settings. I think – and our state proves – that it's time we get beyond this debate. Early education can be life changing for low-income children when it is done well, and when quality is sustained in the grades that follow. Done poorly, like anything else, its effects are limited. But done well, it is a potent arrow in the quivers of those fighting the effects of inequality and poverty."
Ms. Ewen, who heads the DC Office of Early Childhood Education, while discussing the importance of layered funding models, stated that "With the blended model, we are able to provide high quality comprehensive services to many more children who can benefit, with the same level of grant funding. This has created a unified early childhood system where all children in our classrooms receive the same quality of programming regardless of whether the program is called Head Start or pre-kindergarten."
Ms. Ewen added that "For DCPS, implementation of the Act[Pre-K Enactment and Expansion Act, 2008] was a critical turning point in our efforts to improve outcomes for our children. We are now both the largest single provider of services for three- and four-year-old children and of Head Start-eligible children in the District of Columbia."
Lastly, Ms. Brantley, who runs a non-profit early learning organization in Denver, Colorado, emphasized the importance of both state and federal commitments to funding early learning programs, said "Effective collaborations, such as those with school districts, create the systems to support children's success. We know first-hand that early childhood education at the community level through programs such as CPP strengthens the public-private partnerships between school districts, community-based programs, and Head Start programs. We fully support continued encouragement of such partnerships to leverage all of the early care and education resources in local communities to create high quality choices for parents to help their children succeed."
The hearing ended following questions, both technical and philosophical regarding the nature of early childhood investments and the best way to ensure that any federal funds spent on early learning are spent in the most efficient and beneficial way to the children and families that need them.


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This is a story I told my elementary aged daughter when she said her friends were teasing her for not being a witch on Halloween.
Once upon a time, in the throne room of heaven, there were two little angels. One of them, from the kingdom of light, always lived there. The other, from the kingdom of darkness, was a demon angel, and happened to wander by.
The little angel from the kingdom of darkness yelled, "I know what I'm going to dress up as when I go down to earth to see the children on Halloween night!" The angel who lived in the throne room sighed and thought, "I know. I know. He'll probably be a witch, or a monster, or maybe a wrapped up mummy."
And then the demon angel boasted, "And I got the idea from all of you!"
This declaration troubled the little angel of light and also made him curious because the little angel wore the very same costume every year. It's not that the little angel wasn't creative, it's just that he enjoyed his costume that much. He so much enjoyed showing his costume to the children of the earth. What was the little angel from the kingdom of light on Halloween? He was a voice--a still small voice that liked to whisper the quiet assuring words of God's love, peace, and presence.
The demon angel then cried out, "This year for Halloween, I'm going to be a loud voice! I'm going to going to be the loud voice that accuses people, teases people, and makes people scared. No doubt, they'll listen to me! Because they won't be able to ignore my big loud sounds!" And then the little demon angel proudly said, "Thanks for the idea angel goody two shoes. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Now this bit of news was truly worrisome. And the little angel thought about the children of earth and wondered, "Will my small voice still be good enough?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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They say it's not the cough that carries you off, but the coffin they carry you off in. You wouldn't have to be coughin' up too much dough for today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Caddy hearse, but even for that price is it dead to you?
Ding-dong the witch is dead, is the traditional way the song goes. Ding-dent however, and yesterday's 1988 Celica All-Trac still has enough life left in it to make its twenty-five hundred dollar price seem nice, at least to 65% of you.
Canada's a nice place. They say people are polite up there, and you never have to lock your doors. It's such a pleasant place to live that apparently nobody up there wants to leave, even at the hands of the grim reaper. That's the most likely explanation for the condition and sale of today's 1985 Cadillac Eureka Concours Hearse, as its seller is likely offering it up from lack of need.
The Eureka Concours was built by the Canadian limousine (li-moose-sine?) manufacturer, AHA Mfg. Co Ltd on the stretched platform of a Fleetwood Brougham. The Eureka name is even older than that of Caddy, originally dating to the early 1870s, and later gaining fame as a maker of limos, hearses and the like. The company didn't live to see its centenary however, as financial difficulties resulted in its shuttering in 1964. Limo-builder AHA resurrected the name when they bought the rights in the mid 1970s.
This 1985 Concours looks to be in excellent shape and the ad claims that it not only runs well, but starts on even the most deathly cold of days. The ad also notes the replacement of the windshield, which is a custom job owing to the increased height of the roofline. Those extra inches have always been a bit puzzling to me when you consider that a hearse's VIP occupant is most typically riding horizontal parade rest.
The big ol' roof does provide an ample canvas for a padded vinyl roof upon which are affixed a pair of the largest landau bars you've likely ever seen. The back door unfortunately opens curbside owing to it being a left-hooker, which will make the car's use as a grocery getter a little less optimal. It should be noted as well that the carpets don't match the drapes, there being hardwood floors in back. Of course, some people are into that.
There's no mention of the mechanical specifications, but it's likely the car is fitted with the glacial HT4100. Adding all the weight on top of the standard Brougham's two ton's of fun means that this hearse likely isn't going anywhere fast, but then that was never its intent. However slow it is, the ad notes that it has managed to cover 85K kilometers.
Why would you want to own a hearse? Well, maybe Harold and Maude is your all-time favorite movie. Or perhaps you are president of the Goth Glee Club at school. Or, just maybe, you totally dig Kenny vs. Spenny, a TV show in which this Hearse is supposed to have made an appearance.
Whatever the reason, it will cost you $1,900 Canadian to buy this black beauty, and it's now time to determine if that's a great deal, or if paying that much would be a grave mistake.
You decide!
Auto Trader Ca or go here if the ad passes on.
H/T to GEEZUSUNDMARYCHAIN for the hookup!
Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.


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DA Anderson reverses "trace case" policy
Newly elected Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson said Thursday he will prosecute as felonies drug cases that involve trace amounts of crack cocaine, reversing his predecessor's stand on the so-called "trace cases."
"If there is enough evidence to test in a lab, then we'll take the charges," Anderson said.
Anderson campaigned on the issue last year after then District Attorney Pat Lykos implemented a policy that treated cases with drug residue of less than 1/100th of a gram as a misdemeanor.
Lykos said her policy ensured that crimes prosecuted as state jail felonies had enough of the illegal drug so an independent lab could test it on behalf of the defendant.
She said it was more fair and noted that it reduced the population in the county's overcrowded jail system.
The policy angered police officers in Harris County who could no longer file felony charges against crack-cocaine users caught with crack pipes and other paraphernalia that had only drug residue.
Anderson said Lykos was ignoring the law. He was endorsed by several of Houston's police unions days after announcing his run in December 2011.
Police union approves
The change was applauded by law enforcement and criticized by one court official on Thursday.
"They are felons, the state has said they are felons and they need to be prosecuted as such," said Ray Hunt, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union. "These persons, these crackheads are the people who are breaking in to motor vehicles to steal your laptop off the front seat, to grab the purse that's visible, all those things they can sell for $25 to go buy another crack rock."
He noted that state law is clear and said Lykos ignored it with her policy.
"If the legislators want to make this not a felony, then they can," Hunt said. "But to say this is a felony and then have a district attorney say they're not going to enforce state law is not the way elected officials are supposed to act."
Harris County's most senior criminal felony judge, Michael McSpadden, disagreed with Anderson's change.
"I wish he would use his discretion to relieve the great number of cases that I don't think are proper in felony court," McSpadden said. "But I understand that the correct way is to address the Legislature."
McSpadden, who has been a judge for 31 years, has lobbied legislators to reduce the law from a state jail felony to a misdemeanor.
Before each session, including the current one, McSpadden wrote a letter to every legislator from Houston to consider changing the law.
This year, he said, several legislators have contacted him, and he hopes to soon see the law changed for the entire state.
"I don't want someone saddled with a felony conviction for truly a residue amount. It will change their life forever - for getting a job, for going to school," McSpadden said. "It's just not fair."
Probation, treatment
Anderson said he hopes many of the cases charged as felonies will result in probation and possibly be dismissed if the suspect gets treatment for his addiction.
"In many of these cases, treatment is the right way to go," Anderson said. "So we'll certainly evaluate them on a case-by-case basis."
Anderson, who was a felony judge for 12 years, also worked as a drug court judge.
Facing jail time for a felony charge may be impetus enough for an addict to get help and stay clean, he said. Also, he pointed out, jail time can be a powerful motivator for drug users to help police catch drug dealers.


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"A real life Willy Wonka is winning high profile customers with his wild flavored chocolates, like sweet potato, french bleu cheese, and bacon caramel shortbread.
That's just a sampler of what Phillip Ashley Rix has concocted for his eponymous, artisan chocolate company."
"It's official. Today I devoured some of the best chocolate flavors ever to dance across my palette. Chef Rix, you are a credit to your craft."


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Coinciding with James Jean's show at New York City's Tilton Gallery earlier this year, was the release of his "Parallel Lives" book. The limited edition of 1,000 signed and numbered books sold out in a single day.
Soon after that James mysteriously vanished. While the artist remains underground, his publisher Pressure Printing has just released an electronic version of his catalog. This version comes with an additional 179 behind-the-scenes process images, I like seeing how his work changes as he goes.
I have a digital copy to give away! If you wanna snag it, leave a haiku message to James in the comments below!
(Lots more images below as well!)
I'll pick a winner next Friday!
Buy the book off iTunes here.
More images of the book on Pressure Printing.


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Squirrels have fuzzy tails.
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I understand it is need to go from say 5v to 3.3v, but that's about it. Why do you need a chip for this? Couldn't you just use a voltage divider?
5v output to 3v input may use a single limiting resistor. the higher voltage is clamped by internal zeners.
Perhaps you could explain your application a little further please?
Bidirectional level shifters are easy, btw. You need one N-channel MOSFET, and a pull-up resistor on each side if that side isn't already pulled up. If each side is already pulled up, it's a single MOSFET transistor to shift levels bidirectionally. If you have many lines to shift (3 or more) then a simple chip, that also includes the pull-ups, may be worth it, because it will use less board area than discrete TO-92 MOSFETs like BS-170 or 2N7000 or whatever.
those Zeners aren't generally specified for continuous operation.
I have a sensor that outputs an analog voltage at 3.3v
Make sure it's low impedance enough to be able to drive the ADC inputs!...An alternative would be to re-buffer with an opamp set for partial gain.
the only real confusion if any was use of "bbb". normally this refers to avr Bare Bones Board.
imo simple divider is best. ratio but not actual values would be the concern. a cap not only solves the impedance issue there but added benefit of reducing noise.
An alternative would be to re-buffer with an opamp set for partial gain.


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Carbon release from human tissue? - (Apr/04/2013 )
I was listening to a cd recently on mindfuness meditation and the psychologist made the following statement: "All of the carbon atoms in our body are being breathed out in carbon dioxide back into the universe, where they enter plants and animals." As this statement referred to ALL carbon atoms in the body, I was curious about this statement as it relates to the carbon in human tissue. I asked a friend who has a PhD in cellular biology and 40 years experience in the field about this. His reply was "Carbon atoms are being exhaled in the form of CO2 , mostly from the breakdown of the foods we eat. A person would have to be starving in order for carbon to be released from tissue and those carbon atoms be exhaled as CO2. If a nearby person breathed in that CO2 (which is toxic), it would quickly be exhaled". Which of these invidivdualos is correct?
Both. Your cellular biologist friend gave you the most simplified answer, while the psychologist gave you the extreme (more thought provoking) example. Your body is constantly breaking down cells, which comprise tissue, to form additional structures. With that being said, carbon containing molecules are constantly being recycled for rebuilding and synthesis of new molecules. The carbon containing glucose could have easily been ingested in the form of a cupcake, traveled to your small intestine, transported through your blood, utilized as energy in your foot, formed a new carbon compound, gone through 100x of different cycles, transported to your brain, then back to your lungs and exhaled in the form of CO2. This CO2 could have risen into the atmosphere and ended up in DPRK, where it is being utilized in photosynthesis to produce happy buds for Kim Jong-Un.
As far as I remember the opposite extreme you also can find, i.e. carbon that is in structures that is almost never or never renewed and therefore can be there your whole lifetime, such as cells nerve cells or which are replaced very slowly such as cells in bones.
Anyway molecules (or its parts) which are part of the structure of cells stay longer (and in long-lived cells very long), molecules which are used for generation of energy are in your body for a short time.
CO2 which a human exhale is used by the plants, which we have already read in school. Therefore, it does not impact human body.
information on human tissue


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USC Baseball Coach Shares Cancer Journey
During the Lexington Medical Center Foundation's dinner and talk with University of South Carolina Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook benefitting the foundation's Cancer Care Fund, the ball coach shared the story of his young son's diagnosis with cancer.
Holbrook_Legacy_cancer from Lexington Medical Center on Vimeo.
Thank you, Coach Holbrook. Your words provide inspiration and hope to families coping with cancer.


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Jump to navigation Jump to search
In footwear and fashion, flip-flops are a kind of flat, backless sandal that consist of a flat sole held on the foot by a u-shaped strap that passes between the first (big) and second toes and around either side of the foot, attached to the sole at three points, commonly known as the thong strap. They appear to have been developed out of traditional Japanese woven or wooden soled sandals (i.e., zori and setta) in Australia.
They are quite trendy nowadays and one of the best alternative for boots in summer.


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|*July 12 - 18
|John the Baptist:
Preparing the Way for Jesus
Read for This Week's Study:
Memory Text:
" 'I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' " (Matthew 11:11, NIV).
Key Thought:
|John the Baptist had a special calling from God; we, as a church,
have been called in a similar way. What can we learn from the example of
Followers of the ancient Mandaean religion venerate John the Baptist as the last and greatest of the prophets. Today Mandaean believers still can be found, mostly in Iraq and Iran. The great irony is, that although they venerate John, they believe that Jesus was a false prophet, which is hard to understand since the whole purpose of John's message was to prepare the way for Jesus.
From his base near the Jordan River, John preached a message of repentance, forgiveness, and social justice, all to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah. Large crowds gathered to hear him speak; and many followed his teachings. In fact, several of Jesus' disciples were first disciples of John the Baptist.
This week we will discover more about the mission of a man whom Jesus praised more highly than anyone else; plus, we will look at the parallel between John's calling and ours.
*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 19.
|July 13
A Special Calling
John is one of a small group of people whom the Bible says God chose before birth for a special mission, people such as Samuel and Samson, and even Jesus Himself. Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah prophesied the ministry of John as one who would be "a voice of one calling: 'In the desert' " (Isa. 40:3-5, NIV; see also Luke 3:4-6). John's father, Zechariah, also predicted that his son would prepare the way for the Lord (Luke 1:76).
Skim over Luke 1, where John the Baptist's mission and calling are prophesied. Make notes on the things that it said that John would accomplish. Compare those prophecies with what we know about John the Baptist. In what ways were they fulfilled?
After looking at John's accomplishments, look at John's ignoble end (Matt. 14:1-12). How does that end match all the glorious things predicted about him?
John the Baptist's calling and ministry brought him to a hard and difficult path, one that ended almost as ignobly as His cousin's, Jesus. Despite the trials, the sufferings, and the misunderstanding, he remained faithful, fulfilling the prophecies made about his life. John is an example of the suffering that any of us could face if we seek to remain faithful to God and to whatever calling He has for us.
By most standards, John the Baptist's life and, especially, his death would not have made him someone whom the world would call successful. What should that tell us about the difference between God's ideals and the world's? Are your standards of success more like God's or the world's, and what does the answer tell you about yourself?
|July 14
Preparing the Preparer
The Lord made many predictions about the life of John the Baptist, saying even before John was born what he could accomplish in his life. This raises the difficult question: Was John predestined to do these things simply because God predicted that he would? In other words, did John have any choice other than to do what God had predicted? Though the question of God's foreknowledge and our free will has challenged theologians and philosophers for centuries (and so we certainly cannot answer the question right now), we can be sure of one thing: John needed a special preparation for the work he was to undertake.
Read Luke 1:80. What is found in the text that helps us understand some of the preparation John needed? What principles can we draw from here that could help us strengthen our own spiritual life?
Luke 1:15 says that John would be filled with the Holy Ghost " 'even from his mother's womb' (NKJV)." And yet, even with that special promise, he needed the kind of preparation found in the harshness of the desert. Often in the Bible the desert or wilderness is portrayed as a place for spiritual discipline and growth. Here it was that "the word of God came to John" (Luke 3:2, NIV). Certainly, John became a man of prayer and later taught his disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1) and fast (Mark 2:18). He knew the importance of a spiritual connection to heaven.
The spiritual power John received from God allowed him to proclaim his message with great force. He was a voice crying in the wilderness or, according to the literal Greek, "bellowing like an ox."
As Jesus later suggested, nobody went to see John because he was some kind of weakling" 'a reed shaken by the wind' " (Matt. 11:7, NKJV). On the contrary, they went to hear a man who spoke the truth with power and conviction.
|Take an honest look at your own spiritual life. How often do you pray? How often do you study the Word? How immersed are you in the world and worldly things? What changes do you need to make? Might you need to spend some time in a desert somewhere?
|July 15
The Spirit of Elijah
The angel who appeared to Zechariah alluded to Malachi's prophecy and applied it directly to John (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself confirmed it" 'If you are willing to accept it, he [John] is the Elijah who was to come' " (Matt. 11:14, NIV; see also 17:11-13).
Elijah stands tall among the great prophets of the Old Testament. He called on King Ahab and the people of Israel, who were steeped in idolatry and apostasy, to return to God and reform their ways. The test on Mount Carmel, where he stood up for God against the pagan prophets, is one of the watershed moments in the entire Bible.
The "Elijah message" is a phrase deep with meaning for Seventh-day Adventists. Ellen G. White parallels the tasks of Elijah, John the Baptist, and God's end-time people. She describes the "Elijah message" simply as " 'Prepare to meet thy God.' "Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1184.
John the Baptist
God's End-Time People
|Called to reform Israel and call them to obedience to God's laws. He delivered a message of judgment to King Ahab and a chance of repentance to Israel.
|Preached repentance and the principles of the kingdom of heaven. Delivered a message of judgment to religious leaders and people. Prepared people for Jesus' first coming.
|Reformers who preach righteousness by faith call people to worship God, repent, and obey His commandments. Message: " 'The hour of his judgment has come'" (Rev. 14:7, NIV). Prepare people for Jesus' second coming.
The apostle John wrote about three angels with special messages to proclaim to the world (Rev. 14:6-12) at the end of time. These messages include a call to worship God (because His judgment has come) and to remain faithful to Jesus. The gospel is central to this warning message. Ellen G. White wrote, "Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, 'It is the third angel's message in verity.' "The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.
Read Revelation 14:6-12, the three angels' messages. Where do you see warnings, as well as hope, mingled? In what sense was John's message both warning and hope? How can we use warnings to point people toward hope?
|July 16
Changed Behavior
There were two key parts to John the Baptist's messagerepentance and behavior. Both were closely connected. The Greek word John uses for repentance (metanoeo) is a compound word: meta, meaning change, and noeo, meaning thinking. Thus, repentance means to change one's thinking about something.
When John says, " 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near' " (Matt. 3:2, NIV), he is telling the people that the coming kingdom of heaven requires a totally new outlook. In other words, in preparing the people for Jesus' arrival, in preparing the way for the Lord and making "straight paths" for Him (vs. 3, NIV), John was challenging the people to change their world-view and how they live.
Read Luke 3:10-15. What is the essence of John's message here? What is he telling the people? See also James 2:14-26.
One key aspect of repentance was the confessing of sin (Matt. 3:6). The other key aspect was changing behavior according to the principles of the kingdom of heaven (vs. 8). Nothing less could prepare them for Jesus, who would bring a time of refreshing such as they had never seen.
Baptism was closely associated with repentance. In fact, Luke says John preached "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 3:3, NIV). Being washed in the water symbolized the changed view of life, the fresh start, and the forgiveness of sin.
Although John's strong words offended some people, the Bible indicates that large crowds came to hear him. "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan" (Matt. 3:5, NIV). But not only did they come and listen, they confessed their sins and were baptized (vs. 6).
|OK, you believe in God, believe in Jesus, believe that He died for your sins and that you have salvation only through His righteousness credited to you, by faith alone. The question is, How well are you following the principles of righteousness as expressed by John the Baptist? How well does your life reveal the faith that you profess to have?
|July 17
A Crucial Lesson From John
Read Colossians 2:8. What is it saying to you, in your own culture and tradition? What must you be careful about?
The Bible has much to say about tradition, and little of it is good. On one occasion the Pharisees and the teachers of the law asked Jesus why His disciples broke the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate (Matt. 15:2). This tradition was based on rules and regulations established by the rabbis, not by the Scriptures.
Read Matthew 15:3 and Mark 7:13. What specific points is Jesus making that gets at the heart of why tradition can be faith-destroying?
An essential part of John the Baptist's mission was to speak out against tradition and point people back to the revealed Word of God. Ellen G. White writes: "What was it that made John the Baptist great? He closed his mind to the mass of tradition presented by the teachers of the Jewish nation, and opened it to the wisdom which comes from above."Conflict and Courage, p. 276.
John the Baptist was not bound by tradition or by accepted modes of speech. He spoke against sin in all its forms, from adultery to social injustice. Whenever God's message is given in a clear, unambiguous way, people react differently. Some people responded to John the Baptist by accusing him of being demon-possessed (Matt. 11:18). Of course, exactly the same thing happened with Jesus (John 7:20).
Is tradition always bad? Why, or why not? How can we, in whatever culture we are in, retain aspects of that culture while still staying faithful to the Lord?
|July 18
Further Study:
|Read Ellen G. White, "The Voice in the Wilderness,"
pp. 97-108, in The Desire of
"God had directed John the Baptist to dwell in the wilderness, that he might be shielded from the influence of the priests and rabbis, and be prepared for a special mission. But the austerity and isolation of his life were not an example for the people. John himself had not directed his hearers to forsake their former duties. He bade them give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God in the place where He had called them."Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 150.
"In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; 'repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' As a people who believe in Christ's soon coming, we have a message to bear,'Prepare to meet thy God.' " [Amos 4:12].Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 55.
Discussion Questions:
| What dangers are there in following tradition? Is there
any way that tradition actually can help your spiritual life? If so, how?
As a class, talk about the traditions in your own culture. Which ones are
helpful to faith, and which ones go contrary to it? How can you know the
difference, and how can you help others who might have trouble breaking away
from the traditions that are harmful to their Christian walk?
What has been your own "desert" experience, if any? What have you learned that could be a blessing to others who might be going through something similar?
Review the parallels between John's mission and ours as a church. How well are we doing? What could we be doing better? How could we, as individuals and as a local church, help in fulfilling this high calling?
John the Baptist had the high calling of preparing the way for Jesus. In many ways his mission parallels that given to God's people at the end of time-to preach the Elijah message to prepare people to meet God.
|I N S I D E Story
|Freed From the Devil's Chains
Saketa Balcha lived with his parents on their small farm in western Ethiopia. When Saketa entered his teens, he began to chew chat, a narcotic leaf. His new habit quickly became an addiction, to the dismay of his parents. Friction grew among family members, and Saketa rebelled even more. Then he began to have episodes of dizziness.
His condition worsened until he showed signs of insanity or demon possession. The family didn't know what to do, so they took him to a religious teacher, hoping this man could cure him. The religious teacher called other leaders to his home, where they chewed chat and prayed for the boy's healing. But Saketa began throwing stones, shouting obscenities, and threatening people.
Realizing that they couldn't help the boy, the religious leaders gave up. They tied him up with ropes, but Saketa escaped. So, they chained him and carried him to his parents' home.
Saketa's parents cried when they saw their son returning in chains. They didn't know what else to do for their son. Then someone suggested that they ask the Adventist pastor to pray for their son. Desperate to have their boy back, the parents sent for the pastor. Before going to the boy, the pastor prayed for forgiveness of sin in his own life and for the presence of the Holy Spirit.
When he arrived at Saketa's home, he found the boy chained to the center pole of the house, shouting obscenities and talking nonsense. The pastor told the family, "Humans cannot cast out demons or heal disease. Only God can. We must pray, and we must believe that Jesus Christ has the power to save your son." The pastor invited everyone to kneel with him. Even Saketa knelt down in spite of his chains, and became silent while the pastor prayed.
After prayer, the pastor urged the family to believe in God and His power to heal. Then he left. The next day the pastor returned and found Saketa sitting in a chair, free from his chains. Saketa responded to the pastor's questions. Again he prayed for Sakata's complete healing and the family's faith. The next day the pastor found Saketa helping his father put up a fence. The family and the neighbors were amazed.
On Sabbath the family worshiped in the Adventist church. Saketa and eight members of his family enrolled in the Bible class to learn more about God, who had saved him. Today Saketa sings in the choir and praises God for healing him.
Millions in Ethiopia are bound by fears and superstitions. They don't know the freedom that faith in Jesus brings. Our mission offerings help bring the news of salvation in Jesus to the people of this land. Thank you for giving faithfully to world missions.
|Produced by the General Conference Office
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Join the SSNET moderated email discussion group. You are also warmly invited to join a group discussion of this lesson Sabbath morning with your local Seventh-day Adventist congregation.
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Lindsay Lohan has lined up a new gig – as a Playboy girl.
LiLo is posing for Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine, a source told Access Hollywood.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Lindsay Lohan's Mug Shots Over The Years
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
The source told Access Lohan is disrobing for the spread, which is being shot this week in LA.
In the meantime, Lohan's other gig is community service.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hugh Hefner: Hollywood's Original Playboy
The actress has been ordered to spend 16 hours of community service at the Los Angeles Coroner's Office before her next hearing on Nov. 2, where she'll face the music after a judge ruled she violated her probation.
She already performed one shift at the Coroner's Office last Friday.
Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Bunnies Who Made It Big In Hollywood
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Trials & Tribulations Of Lindsay Lohan
PLAY IT NOW: Is Lindsay Lohan In Trouble After Missing Her Start Time At The Morgue?
PLAY IT NOW: Access Hollywood Live: Lindsay Lohan Hearing — Judge Sautner's Greatest Hits!
More from Access: [ Lindsay Lohan Playboy Hugh Hefner ]


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A young psychiatrist challenges a patient known only as Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery of the assassination of President Kennedy in this new book released by Dog Ear Publishing. His theories provide new insights into this modern-day mystery.
A dark and rainy night brings a wheelchair-bound man who refuses to speak to authorities to the Baker Clinic, a former orphanage that now serves those with mental impairments. In this new book, the young psychiatrist caring for the patient, known only as Sherlock Holmes, challenges him to resolve the mysteries of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Was the assassination the result of a conspiracy or the work of a single gunman? Set in 1989, this blend of fact and fiction includes humor and even romance as Holmes provides new deductions related to the historic event that changed a nation.
"JFK: 4 Out of 3" questions the Warren Commission's report, which concluded Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman, firing three shots: one hit the president's head, another missed and the third struck both the president and Gov. Connally – a hotly debated conclusion. Abraham Zapruder, a bystander, captured the event with his 8mm home movie camera, and it's this film and other material that Holmes studies as he attempts to determine what really happened that fateful day. As Holmes begins to deduce new aspects of the assassination, the young psychiatrist grows closer to him and to his bewitching secretary. Will the greatest detective of the 19th century be able to solve the greatest mystery of the 20th century or is he nothing more than another mental patient?
Author Stephen Ladds, who was 6 at the time of the assassination Nov. 22, 1963, became interested in the assassination of John F. Kennedy in high school when a friend showed him a book by Josiah Thompson, "Six Seconds in Dallas," offering theories on multiple gunmen. Years later, after reading a story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about his amazing detective Sherlock Holmes and coincidentally viewing a documentary by Nigel Turner, "The Men Who Killed Kennedy," Ladds writes that he decided to explore what might happen if Sherlock Holmes turned his brilliant mind to the case. This book, more than two decades in the making, is the result.
For additional information, please visit www.JFK4OutOf3.com.
JFK: 4 Out of 3
Stephen Ladds
ISBN: 978-1-4575-2359-5 156 pages $12.95 US
Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.
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Dog Ear Publishing – self-publishing that actually makes sense.


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|Grandma Edith as a young girl
|Grandma looking quite glamourous
Stay tuned for more posts about my own family -- on both the Brittain and Bartram sides -- as well as other interesting information about genealogy, in general. I may also ask you to help me solve some tricky mysteries. In any case, I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures in genealogy.


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While spring is coming to Northwest Ohio, it has beeen only a few weeks since the U. S. Coast Guard rescued fishermen from Lake Erie when the ice broke loose and began to drift. This brought to mind an article I'd read while researching the Lake Erie vessel, the "American Eagle." The vessel (161 tons, 104 foot keel measurement; 24 feet wide with a draft of 9 feet) was built by John Monk in Sandusky, Ohio. She was sheathed with ice iron capable of breaking 8 inches of ice without stopping. By backing up and bucking the ice, the "American Eagle" could break through 24 inches of solid ice.
During the winter of 1898/1899, a large crowd was skating on the Sandusky Bay when the ice broke loose and began drifting out into Lake Erie. Captain Fred Magle and the "Eagle" were dispatched "to the rescue." The "Eagle" succeeded in getting alongside the ice field and then put a line on the field. Magle towed the ice field back to the Sandusky Bay while the skaters continued to skate all the way home.
The "American Eagle" was built for Wehrle and Werk of Middle Bass Island, later known as Andrew Wehrle and Son. Duing the spring and fall of the 1880s, she carried all of the wines from Middle Bass Island and Kelleys Island to Sandusky. During the summer months, the "Eagle" ran the Sandusky and Peninsula route to Put-in-Bay; stopping at Marblehead, Lakeside, and Catawba.
In the spring of 1882, while carrying sport fishermen to the Pelee Island Club on Point Sheridan, the "Eagle" raced the steamer "Jay Cooke." Between Cedar Point and Carpenter's Point, Kelleys Island, the "Eagle's" boiler exploded, killing Chief Engineer James W. Johnson, Fireman Frank Battle, and deckhands Frank Walker and Lorenze Neilson. The tug "Mystic" towed her back to Sandusky, where her boiler was rebuilt.
Three years later, during an excursion run from Lakeside to Put-in-Bay, she struck a reef about 1 1/2 miles west of Kelleys Island. The shoal still carries the vessel's name today. After repairs at the Detroit Drydock, she was chartered by T. F. Newman for the "fruit run" from the Lake Erie islands to Toledo and Cleveland. The "Eagle" transported tons of peaches throughout the 1890s. During the summer months, she continued to run excursions.


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Relationships with
Photo Credit: Rajiv Gandhi's picture is courtesy of School of Broadcasting & Communication. Photographic illustrations of Rajiv Gandhi are copyright © by their respective holders. The images are published with permission or as allowed by the copyright law's fair use or quotation provisions. If any copyright holder objects to an image being included, please notify us and it will be removed immediately.
Disclaimer: This information about Rajiv Gandhi is derived from astrological interpretation of Rajiv Gandhi's date, time, and place of birth.


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I came across a comic website which has little visual jokes. It is in English and Chinese and so it made me think why and I wondered if it is as funny in Chinese as it is in English. The website is:
Do you think English and Chinese people will both laugh the same amount? Why is it in both languages? Could it be used to help language learning?
Many thanks,
Lilly x
How to understand humour cross culturally
Discussions on Mandarin Chinese. Do not post requests for translations or advertise couses in this forum.
1 post • Page 1 of 1
1 post • Page 1 of 1


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text: Gallery: 16 incredible Lego creationsCourtesy, opposingviews.com 12.19.2012Another stunning creation by the brickartist.com, Nathan Sawaya.Courtesy / opposingviews.comApparently this LEGO Babar was made in 1993, and now resides in at the Toy and Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire, Ohio.Courtesy / opposingviews.comMassive Batman made entirely of LEGOs.Courtesy / opposingviews.comWe know Americans are patriotic, but this is extreme. The Capitol never looked so good.Courtesy / opposingviews.comNathan Sawaya made his own full scale cello completely out of LEGO bricks, and how sweet it is! Can just imagine how this thing plays!Courtesy / opposingviews.comOk, this is one of the coolest LEGO creations we've ever seen. It's a brick-by-brick rendition of Han Solo's famous frozen-in-carbonite scene from Empire Strikes Back.Courtesy / opposingviews.comThis Homer was created by Sean Kenney, LEGO artist extraordinaire.Courtesy / opposingviews.comWe wonder if this iPad is running the latest iOS?Courtesy / opposingviews.comIronMan created by ArvoCourtesy / opposingviews.comJohn Lasseter, the creator of Disney/Pixar's Toy Story, was presented with a life-size LEGO bust of himself when he was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.Courtesy / opposingviews.comKobe Bryant Lego SculptureCourtesy / opposingviews.comMilk & Cookies anyone?Courtesy / opposingviews.comEdward Hopper's Legohawks rocksCourtesy / opposingviews.comAllianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich - completely made of LEGO.Courtesy / opposingviews.comThe entire Star Wars Galaxy.Courtesy / opposingviews.comThis LEGO version of Disney-Pixar's Wall-E was created by Joe Meno, editor of BrickJournal magazine.Courtesy / opposingviews.comShareAdjustCommentPrint xShareGallery: 16 incredible Lego creations Email Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google Linkedin


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
The Niagara University Danceline will sponsor its fifth annual dance clinic for girls ages 6 to 14 on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Niagara University.
The cost to participate is $35. Participants will learn new dance steps and a routine, which they will perform with the Danceline at halftime of that afternoon's Niagara University's men's basketball game at the Gallagher Center.
Each participant will receive a certificate of participation, a "Niagara University Junior Danceline" T-shirt and free admission to the basketball game. There will also be a pizza party lunch for all participants, hosted by the Niagara University Danceline.
The clinic begins at 9 a.m. Dec. 10. No prior dance experience is necessary.
To receive a registration form, contact Lisa Rivera, coach of the Niagara University Danceline, at 716-946-4393 or email [email protected]. Registration forms need to be mailed in by Nov. 20.


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Officers search apartment, remove animals found living in filth
The owner of several animals, who was recently evicted from her apartment, is now facing a number of animal cruelty charges after animal control and police officers swept through the first floor New Bedford apartment Tuesday, the Standard-Times reported.
Two dogs, a cat and a dead snake that had been living in a feces-covered apartment.
Animal Control director Emanuel Maciel told the New Bedford Standard-Times, "She claims this all happened since she was evicted Friday. Two small dogs like that? Not sure I believe it." The floor was covered in animal droppings, and people standing on the porch outside could smell the odor.
Krystal Hansen, 28, was arrested outside the North Front Street apartment and charged her with three felony counts of animal cruelty.
Hansen was evicted from the apartment Friday but left the animals behind, telling officers she thought a friend was coming to pick them up over the weekend, Maciel told the Standard-Times.
Relatives told Animal Control Hansen's three children were taken away by the Commonwealth two years ago and had made a partial recovery from some type of throat cancer.


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Michigan makes first-half run, hangs on against Syracuse
ATLANTA -- Jim Boeheim's long goodbye to the Big East was one game shorter than he would have liked. Dreams of an all-Big East national championship game against Rick Pitino and Louisville evaporated along with the Syracuse offense.
The Orange held Michigan to just 25 second-half points but couldn't overcome an 11-point halftime deficit and fell to the Wolverines, 61-56, in the national semifinals Saturday night at the Georgia Dome.
"Our defense was good enough to win," a disconsolate Boeheim said. "Our offense wasn't."
Except for C.J. Fair, who had 22 points, and Brandon Triche with 11, Syracuse (30-10) failed to mount an offense. Point guard Michael Carter-Williams scored just two points on 1-for-6 shooting and added only two assists. James Southerland was 2-for-5 from the field for just five points.
Syracuse had a chance to tie the game at 58 with 19.2 seconds left, but Triche drove to the basket, missed and was called for a charge against Michigan's Jordan Morgan. "I probably should have made a better decision and pulled up," Triche said. "I did see him, but I was already in the air."
The Wolverines still led only 59-56 when Trevor Cooney of the Orange came out of a timeout with 15.7 seconds left, drove and threw up a wild miss that led to a run-out and finishing dunk by Morgan.
Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Wolverines (31-7) with 13 points, Mike McGary had 10 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, and Glenn Robinson III had 10 points. Trey Burke was held to seven points and shot 1-for-8.
Michigan's high-powered offense had no trouble with Boeheim's 2-3 zone in the first half. The Wolverines finished the half on a 21-8 run to go to the locker room with a 36-25 lead.
It wasn't the score that was so surprising as where Michigan's scoring was coming from. The Wolverines got a pair of threes apiece from little-used subs Caris Levert and Spike Albrecht to keep the run going to halftime. "They had two bench players come in and hit four threes," Southerland said. "It definitely got them going."
In the second half, Michigan still had a 10-point lead at 45-35 when Levert hit a jumper with 13:35 to play. But that's when the Orange began working their way back into the game. Fair had six points in a 10-3 surge that narrowed the Wolverines' lead to 48-45 with 7:53 left.
Michigan managed a 5-0 surge that pushed the lead back to 53-45 with 3:54 left. But the Orange forced three straight turnovers. The first led to a fast-break dunk by Fair, the second to a missed three by Southerland, and on the third, Southerland slammed an emphatic dunk that made it 53-49 with 1:58 left.
"We got back in the game in spite of our offense," Boeheim said. "When we were down eight, we made a move to give ourselves a chance. I was really proud we were able to do that."
The Orange got the deficit down to 57-56 when Southerland finally connected on a three with 40.3 seconds left, but they couldn't finish the job.
Boeheim, however, does plan to finish the job he began 37 seasons ago. He was upset when asked after the game whether he plans to lead Syracuse into the ACC next season. "I've never indicated at any time that I'm not coming back next year," Boeheim said. "Ever."


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Mammogram letters confuse women they aim to help
Knowledge is power, right?
That's the rationale behind new state laws and possible federal legislation requiring breast imaging centers to alert women if they have dense breasts -- breast tissue that is relatively less fatty and more likely to look white on a mammogram, hiding tumors.
For more than a decade, each patient getting a mammogram has received a written report explaining her result. Legislation that was introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., during the last congressional session and is expected to be reintroduced would require that information about each woman's breast density be added to these "lay" letters. But there's no evidence that such letters significantly improve women's understanding of their results and follow-up plans.
The most recent large survey on this subject, conducted more than a decade ago, involved nearly 1,000 San Francisco-area women with abnormal mammograms. In telephone interviews, nearly 40 percent of those women reported that their results were "normal." Even more concerning, the survey found that only half of the 300 women with the most worrisome results -- those deemed "suspicious" or "highly suspicious" for cancer -- understood they had had an abnormal mammogram. Women who had been told their findings solely by letter were far less likely to voice a correct understanding of their result than were women who had also been informed in person or by telephone.
I have been analyzing the letters that many centers send to patients and interviewing women about their experiences learning of their results, under the auspices of an American Cancer Society Career Development Award. My colleagues and I have found that many women remain confused and anxious about their results, despite receiving a layperson letter.
One reason for this disconnect may be the way the letters are written. In a study whose results were published in the Journal of Women's Health in 2011, we found that the sample letters that many centers use as a template were riddled with jargon, such as the word "benign," which focus group participants told us they needed to look up. Virtually all of the 43 letters we studied used indirect language and vague terms, such as "your mammogram shows the need for further evaluation," instead of "you need to come back," or "pathologic analysis" instead of "lab studies." On average, the letters we analyzed were written at a 10th-grade level. But communication researchers usually recommend that health materials be written at no higher than a sixth-grade level, since one out of five U.S. adults reads at the fifth-grade level or below.
The American College of Radiology has recently updated the sample letters it posts on its Web site, using slightly more straightforward language. (Using the Microsoft Word readability tool, I found that the ACR's current sample letter about an incomplete mammogram result is written at an eighth-grade level).
In focus groups, women told us they wanted to get their mammogram results verbally, from a doctor, instead of just through a letter. But most of the women in our focus groups said no doctor had called them -- and they lambasted both the letters they had received and the sample letters we showed them.
"Just tell me what my results are -- either 'You got cancer' or 'You don't got cancer,' " one focus group participant commented. "If I got cancer, give me a list of what I need to do, where I need to go ... this letter ... it's really to get you upset."
It doesn't help that there's a general lack of knowledge about the frequency with which women are asked to get more tests after a routine screening mammogram. And in ongoing interviews, women who had been called back for more testing tell me they are still confused about their result and don't understand why they need a repeat mammogram.
It's very common for women to need to return. According to one analysis, if 1,000 women in their 50s go for a screening mammogram, 91 will be asked to return early for more tests. Only three of those 91 will have an invasive cancer discovered as a result of that mammogram, and one will be found to have ductal carcinoma in situ, a potentially precancerous condition.
None of the women in our focus groups were familiar with these statistics. Many said they presumed that their screening mammogram result would be more concrete -- either cancer or no cancer. Those who had had the experience of being called back recalled being very anxious and said they wish they had been prepared for this possibility in advance, before they went for the test.
One woman described her mother's "freaking out" when she received a letter asking her to return early for more studies. "I read the letter and it didn't say she had cancer," the woman said. "But just to get that cold, sterile letter saying you need to come back in and retake your mammogram, she automatically thought cancer."
In many breast imaging centers, the radiologist doesn't read screening mammograms at the time of the woman's appointment and doesn't routinely talk to women about their screening results. Federal law requires that results also be sent to the ordering physician (if there is one), but many women lack a regular primary-care doctor who can talk to them in detail about their result. Even if they're lucky enough to have regular primary care, their visit may be so rushed that a thorough conversation about their mammogram result and breast cancer risk doesn't happen.
Which brings us back to the Pandora's box of whether to inform patients about their breast density. Those with qualms about making it a requirement say that such women will be urged to be more vigilant, with ultrasounds and MRIs, most of which won't yield a cancer diagnosis. They also point out that radiologists can vary significantly in their interpretation of breast density, and they worry that women with low breast density might be falsely reassured about their cancer risk.
While full disclosure is a great principle, our experience with "lay letters" demonstrates that just giving patients their mammogram results is inadequate. When communicating the likelihood of breast cancer and the meaning of screening results, our practices have been far from perfect.
For women to be fully informed, physicians need to frame the information in a way that's easily understood, with a patient's "next-step" options and cancer risk explained clearly. This isn't an easy task, given that only 12 percent of adults in the United States are "proficient" at understanding and using health materials, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. If new laws mandate that we tell every woman her breast density, we will need to remember that knowledge without understanding isn't particularly powerful -- and convey the message in a way that will truly enable women to be full partners in their health care.


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We were discussing ergonomic guitars recently, and of course the name Klein came up.
Steve Klein mainly builds high-end acoustic guitars these days, but he is probably best known for his ergonomically designed headless guitars. We at Guitarz have previously featured a rare left-handed example of the Klein BF-96. These guitars are no longer in production, but have inspired numerous luthier-built instruments and ergonomic self-build projects.
I had heard that Klein produced a bass, but had never seen an example before I was browsing Vintage and Rare this weekend. You'll notice that the body is slightly more elongated than the guitar model, and it also has an upper body horn, which no doubt helps achieve the correct balance of the bass on a strap.
The specifications are as follows:
- 34" Scale
- Fretless Moses Graphite Neck
- Alder Body
- Active EMG J-Pickups
- Passive Electronics
- Steinberger D-Tuner Bridge
- Uses standard strings
- Refinished Body (Nitro)
- Volume - Volume - Tone
This very rare Klein fretless bass is currently available for sale via our good friends at Vintage & Rare and is priced at €6800.
G L Wilson
© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!


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A charming little market town and the County town of Ceredigion, Cardigan is one of the best preserved urban communities in the three counties.
The local authorities have retained the best features, such as the old Guildhall and the medieval castle and quays.
One of Cardigan's claims to fame is that a garment named after the 7th Earl of Cardigan, Lieutenant General James Thomas Brudenell, is still carrying the town's name all over the world. The Earl used to wear a knitted waistcoat which became known as a cardigan and it has since been associated with this Victorian army officer famed for leading the charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. He had a distinguished military career with many ups and downs, but he faced some criticism after Balaclava when he returned unscathed from the famous charge in which 107 of his men died.
Cardigan is the administrative centre of the County of Ceredigion but it is not the biggest town, for the population of Aberystwyth 35 miles to the north is boosted by the number of students at the University of Wales there. The town has a small hospital, a college, a modern arts centre with a two-screen cinema, a flourishing theatre and good shopping facilities, many shops specialising in locally produced quality foods and crafts.
Its imposing 19th century Guildhall dominates the main street and has been recently refurbished to a high standard, as also have its town centre shops and business premises during an enterprising co-ordinated programme of works carried out between 2006 and 2008. This included the restoration of the character of many of the old shop facades which give the town such a distinctive ambiance. The historic quayside has also been rebuilt with a new civic area and landing stage. The town's Welsh name is Aberteifi, meaning the mouth of the Teifi, which river passes through towards the village of Sr Dogmaels downstream on the Pembrokeshire shore, flowing into the sea across the bar between Poppit Sands and Gwbert.
Motorists driving into the town from the south are faced by the medieval castle, built by Robert Monthgomery in 1093 after the Norman conquest of Ceredigion, and recently subjected to an extensive restoration programme.
The port's history is interesting, Cardigan having a flourishing herring fishery and a large merchant fleet of some 314 ships by the 18th century when the town boasted the status of the most important seaport in South Wales. The number and tonnage of ships was seven times more than Cardiff and three times as many as Swansea. Exports included, salmon, herring, corn and ale, bark for tanning and people - for many emigrants sailed from left Cardigan for the United States in the 18th century. Imports included coal, building materials, manufactured goods and oranges and there was a brisk shipbuilding industry, a brickworks, foundry, rope and sailmaking enterprises. Tradesmen and craftsmen were also numerous.
Visitors hear the Welsh language spoken in the streets and a highlight of the year is Barley Saturday when magnificent horses are paraded through the streets in an annual pageant celebrating the countryside.


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Q&A: The DH, Omar, Big Red Machine, Venezuela
ARLINGTON — I promised to answer as many questions as possible. We've got some good ones on here already. Keep them coming!!
3 Comments
Ozzie, what would you think if the home team got a DH and the road team had to use the pitcher? Giving the home team even more of an advantage.
Also, what are you and the White sox trying to improve on most his offseason?
You good Bro!!! Orgullo venezolano… from Miami we follow you…
Ozzie, what are the chances that Freddie Garcia will return in 2011?
By the way thanks for wearing our BPD Hat during your post game interviews last August.


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Back when Peter Davison was playing that mysterious time traveler, the Doctor, he had a lot fewer tricks up his sleeve — and he couldn't rely on the sonic screwdriver to get him out of jams.
In this clip from one of two newly released Doctor Who DVDs, Davison vents about what he sees as the overuse of the sonic screwdriver on the new series. Davison's Fifth Doctor actually lost the sonic screwdriver early on in his tenure, thanks to an unusually clever alien adversary. And he basically argues that it's too much of a get-out-of-everything-free card. One wonders if this topic ever comes up in Davison's family chats with his successor and future son-in-law, David Tennant, who was one of the biggest sonic screwdriver addicts of them all.
But that's not all we learned from watching the new DVDs of "Kinda" and "Snakedance" — we learned the meaning of existence, too. And Peter Davison's secret songwriting career. Read on for more.
And yes, that's Janet Fielding (Tegan) and Sarah Sutton (Nyssa) doing a commentary track on "Snakedance" — the three stars of most of Davison's episodes together again and making fun of the ludicrous special effects. The commentary track on "Snakedance" is one of the more entertaining ones we've heard in recent years, partly because the cameraderie and goofiness of this long-standing team shows through.
We made no exaggerated claims in our intro — if you watch "Kinda" and "Snakedance," you will understand the meaning of existence. "Kinda" and its direct sequel are a weird attempt at encapsulating Buddhist concepts on Doctor Who — something producer Barry Letts had tried to do in the early 1970s in a very different way. Written by Christopher Bailey, a playwright who was fairly new to television, both stories feel very much like stage plays on screen, with some very stylized characterization and some very playful storytelling. If you were a fan of early 1980s theater by the likes of Caryl Churchill, Alan Ayckbourn or even Tom Stoppard, these stories won't feel totally foreign to that aesthetic.
Both stories are about the clash between decadent civilization and more primitive spirituality. And they share the same villain, the Mara, which is a giant snake that represents desire and destruction. (In Buddhist lore, Mara was a demon who attempted to keep the Buddha from becoming enlightened.)
In the first story, "Kinda," the Mara threatens a peace-loving matriarchal native tribe who all wear decorative towels (out of respect to Ford Prefect, probably). And when the Doctor arrives, his companion Tegan becomes the host for the Mara, which uses her to take over a native tribesman, while a group of human explorers go mad and nearly destroy the entire settlement. In "Snakedance," the Mara takes over Tegan again, and uses her to return to its birthplace, the planet Manussa, where a ceremony celebrating the Mara's supposed destruction provides an opportunity for it to return to power.
Of the two stories, "Kinda" is the more arty, and "Snakedance" is the more solidly constructed. In "Kinda," the main human villain is a colonial soldier named Hindle, who starts out as a too-tightly-wound officer and winds up becoming a maniac who creates paper dolls. In a precursor to Lost and other shows, "Kinda" includes clues you won't necessarily catch the first time around, like an early scene involving Tegan's friends that's restaged later by the phantoms the dream world — which makes Dukkha ("suffering"), the evil agent of the Mara who tricks Tegan, into a parallel of the Doctor. "Snakedance," meanwhile, is much more of a character study of a handful of people whose pompous stupidity, greed or decadence provides a series of opportunities for the Mara to recreate itself. (Martin Clunes, who's now a famous actor in England, has a great turn as a spoiled young aristocrat.)
Re-watching these stories, "Kinda" has not aged well, or else it just looks different to me now that I'm older. For years, I've thought "Kinda" was an under-appreciated masterpiece, a delusion that didn't survive the first time Mr. Hindle screams, "I have the power of LIFE and DEATH over ALL OF YOU" at the Doctor and friends. A lot of stuff that used to seem clever and deep when I was younger now seems a bit silly and contrived. By contrast, "Snakedance" holds up much better than I'd remembered — it's still quite slow-moving, and the Doctor still spends two whole episodes trying futilely to convince people he's not crazy and getting locked in a cell, but it's got some nice performances and has a genuine sense of something at stake.
Plus there's always the fact that "Snakedance" doesn't feature the most ridiculous plastic snake you've ever seen, as witnessed in this clip from "Kinda":
But you have to give both stories huge amounts of credit for trying to do something different and adventurous with Doctor Who's format, and their weird stories of a creature of pure hatred that takes advantage of people's pettiness and the decadance of advanced civilizations do, in fact, make a reasonable stab at the meaning of existence.
And Christopher Bailey, the writer of both stories, gives an interesting account of just how they came to be, on the special features of both discs. They both come with making-of featurettes, and Bailey explains how his first script, "Kinda," suffered from a misunderstanding of Doctor Who and the fact that three different script editors worked on it. (One can only imagine how cool it might have been if Christopher H. Bidmead had been around the whole time.) "Snakedance," by contrast, was just a collaboration with script editor Eric Saward from start to finish, and Bailey felt much more in tune with the show. But when Bailey tried to write a third story, for the Sixth Doctor and Peri, he had what seems to have been a creative crisis and quit writing for television altogether.
You also get some new insights into another one of the show's creators, Peter Grimwade — who directed "Kinda," along with "Full Circle," "Logopolis" and "Earthshock." Grimwade almost directed "Resurrection of the Daleks" as well, until it was delayed due to a strike, and then his relationship with producer John Nathan-Turner deteriorated. Grimwade then wrote three middling-to-awful stories. There's a great featurette on the "Kinda" DVD which sheds a lot of light on just how much of a perfectionist the late writer/director really was, and exactly why his attempts to write for the series were so much less successful than his work as a director. (Curiously, the featurette doesn't mention the Doctor Who spoof that Grimwade created, "The Come-Uppance of Captain Katt."
There are also some deleted scenes from "Kinda," and an option to replace the amazing plastic snake (as seen above) with a slightly less embarrassing CG animated version.
Meanwhile, the extras on the "Snakedance" DVD are also pretty great. There's the "making of" featurette we already mentioned. There's also Peter Davison's appearance on an episode of kids' call-in show Saturday Superstore — in which Davison reveals that he wanted to be a pop star and was still writing and recording his own songs while he was starring in Doctor Who. This means somewhere in Davison's basement, there are boxes of cassette tapes of early 1980s-style pop music, possibly sounding a bit like Depeche Mode or Kajagoogoo, written and performed by the Fifth Doctor. We only need a volunteer to sneak in there and liberate the tapes, so we can post all the mp3s on the internet.*
The "Snakedance" DVD also includes some studio footage showing just how primitive those special effects sequences that Janet Fielding made fun of earlier were. And interestingly, there's an alternate ending to the final episode — the televised version ends somewhat starkly, with the Doctor assuring Tegan that the Mara is finally dead. But they recorded another few minutes of closure, in which everybody deals with the fact that they've been idiots and the Doctor just saved them from their own stupidity. If you've ever wished that you could see all the people who didn't listen to the Doctor standing around saying "We're sorry we didn't listen to you," then this is a dream come true.
All in all, these are two of the more ambitious classic Who stories, and although neither of them quite holds up, they're both fun to watch for different reasons. And if you have fond memories of them, the DVD extras will actually enhance your appreciation for them quite a bit.
* We are not actually suggesting that anybody should break into Peter Davison's house. Please don't do that. Or if you do, don't say we told you to do that.


text: "Caliah is a model student in class" says her teacher Mrs. Llanes. She is always helping others and never gets frustrated with any of her classmates, even when they are being difficult. She loves helping and is actively involved in our K-Kids club. She is extremely responsible and can manage all her club duties and does not let it interfere with her classwork. Recently, Caliah really promoted our latest fundraiser in school which benefitted The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Because she has battled and beat leukemia herself, her friends were enthusiastic about giving to this foundation. As a result, our class raised over $450.00