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Authorities are investigating a brazen art heist that resembles the plot of an edge-of-your-seat Hollywood whodunnit: $80 million in paintings by the likes of Jackson Pollack, Rembrandt and Van Gogh stolen from the Pebble Beach home of two wealthy men. Suspicion from the owner's of an inside job by someone familiar with their collection. Two rewards offered totalling $6 million. And now a ransom note demanding money and threatening death.
"I mean we could be killed over art work, over stuff we purchased for a small amount of money because we're in investments and made the right moves," said Ralph Amadio, one of the owners of the collection. "Now people want to kill us over it. That's unbelievable."
Monterey County sheriff's deputies have called in a team of art experts from Los Angeles to help in their investigation.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
The brazen theft occured at about 6:30 p.m. Friday in the rented home of Kennaugh and A. Benjamin Amadio. The paintings were stored in protective packaging, and Amadio and Kennaugh believe the theft was an inside job by someone familiar with their collection, which was not insured.
"I think the people that stole it, No. 1, knew what we had, and 2, probably had buyers for the artwork before they went to take it," Kennaugh said. "I think chances of getting it back are slim."
Amadio and Kennaugh wouldn't say if they plan to pay the ransom. The business partners have offered two rewards -- $1 million for the return of the stolen art, and $5 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves -- and hired private investigators to advise them on their decision.
Both Amadio and Kennaugh are originally from Massachusetts. Amadio is an entrepreneur, while his housemate, Kennaugh, is a retired Harvard medical professor.
If anyone has any information about the Pebble Beach theft can contact the Monterey County Sheriff's Department at 831-755-3765 or the Law Office of Vicki St. John at 831-250-7232.
This article originally appeared on KSBW.com


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State attorney thinks law should be revisited, and doesn't have to bring charges in Parrish case
No matter how many drug crimes State Attorney Ed Brodsky happily prosecutes, he says it is time Florida joins other states and consider some legal changes.
In particular, changes to state laws outlawing the medical use of marijuana, he means.
"I think they should be revisited," Brodsky said Thursday.
But for now, are Brodsky's hands tied? Will he have to file charges in the seizure of backyard marijuana plants at the home of a Manatee County woman who, for years, has outspokenly told of using marijuana to ease the severely paralyzing symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease?
After all, cultivation of marijuana is a felony, unlike simple possession. And pot plants were clearly being grown in the yard at the home of Cathy and Robert Jordan.
So, are the Jordans likely doomed to criminal prosecution even if Brodsky wishes he could just let the whole thing slide?
No, not at all.
Brodsky and other legal eagles say if he thinks criminal charges make no sense for a couple coping with a terrible and fatal disease — one that has put Cathy Jordan in a wheelchair and is expected to get gradually worse — Brodsky could just decline to file any charge at all.
He doesn't need to find some technical excuse, either, like a foul-up with the chain of evidence or the like.
"We're vested with prosecutorial discretion," Brodsky told me. If he thinks filing charges is not in the best interest of the people and the state, he doesn't have to.
Brodsky couldn't talk about the Jordan case, exactly, and officially, he didn't even have it yet when we talked early Thursday afternoon. He knew Manatee County sheriff's deputies had seized two plants and a couple dozen three-inch seedlings after the Sheriff's Office got a call from a real estate inspector who saw the plants from next door.
But no arrest was made.
Brodsky said he talked to Manatee Sheriff Brad Steube about the situation. As a result, Brodsky said he knows that Cathy Jordan is not the one to be named in the paperwork as the alleged grower. Her husband, Robert, would be the one facing possible charges.
But though it is somewhat unusual, Brodsky said he is hoping one of his top prosecutors will get to talk to the Jordans, soon, through their lawyer and before much else happens.
That requires that the Jordans' lawyer call Brodsky's office, Brodsky said.
Taking the hint, I passed that word to the Jordans. Robert Jordan soon afterward said their lawyer had been so informed and was starting to make arrangements for a conversation with prosecutors.
The lawyer, Michael Minardi, is based in Stuart and has been handling other medical marijuana cases. He told me he hopes the case is dropped, and says it wouldn't be the first time prosecutors have done that in obvious medical marijuana cases.
Robert Jordan just told me he hopes prosecutors are seeing that this is not a case of criminal misuse of a drug, but of its best possible use. His wife's situation is a long-term medical emergency and marijuana is the only thing that has done her much good, he says.
"We tried everything," he said. The pharmacy drugs are not only expensive but dangerous and nearly useless, they decided. They believe marijuana has kept Cathy Jordan alive and functioning, and for far longer than most people who have the disease.
What makes this legal situation tricky is that he says he can't make any deal that includes a promise to stop what he is doing. His isn't a choice to grow those plants, he said.
"This is a need," Jordan said.
Tom Lyons can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com or (941) 361-4964.

subset: commoncrawl


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Custer County, one of Colorado's most beautiful mountain landscapes, honors its rural, agricultural, mining, and western heritage, and seeks to connect its future with its past by protecting local values, preserving community assets, respecting property rights, accommodating managed growth and compatible economic development, and serving as responsible stewards of its inspiring natural environment.
Custer County ranges from the Sangre De Cristo Mountain Range on the west to
Wetmore on the east and San Isabel on the southeast. The County seat is Westcliffe at an elevation of 7888 feet. Located south
of Cañon City and west of Pueblo, Custer County has a population of approximately 4,000 people.
Custer County is a popular outdoor vacation spot, boasting several 14,000
foot peaks as well as numerous fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping areas.


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Paul Joseph Watson
San Diego Police Sgt. Benjamin Kelso is warning all African-American men that they could be stopped and questioned as the manhunt for Christopher Dorner continues.
The longer the search drags on, the more the case is being used as a poster child for making the evisceration of constitutional rights look rational and reasonable.
"If you're an African American man, you could be stopped and questioned," Kelso told Fox 5 San Diego. "There are many people that may look like Chris Dorner, myself included. If you are stopped and questioned its important to cooperate with officers."
Attorney Doug Oden warned that all "large, black men, who have bald heads" should be "concerned," adding that the $1 million dollar reward promised by the LAPD for information leading to Dorner's apprehension could hinder rather than help the manhunt.
"There may be people thinking, there's a large black man, it could be him, I could get paid, so I think that $1 million reward could be counterproductive," said Oden.
Some heavily built, bald black men in the Los Angeles area have even begun wearing shirts with messages proclaiming they are not Christopher Dorner (see image above). Signs have also been placed on vehicles which read, "Don't shoot, I'm not Chris Dorner. Thank you."
Last week, LAPD officers mistakenly opened fire on Emma Hernandez and her daughter, Margie Carranza, blazing their vehicle with bullet holes and prompting questions as to how two hispanic women could be mistaken for a black man. Carranza suffered minor injuries but Hernandez was shot in the back and remains in hospital.
The LAPD's answer was that Hernandez' blue Toyota Tacoma "resembled" the truck being driven by Dorner, despite the fact that it was a different color and obviously had a different license plate.
"The vehicle is a different color. The license plate doesn't match. There's nothing there for you to start shooting people. And even if they had the person in question… Mr. Dorner… you still have to give them an opportunity to get out. You can't just start administering street justice," said Attorney Glen Jonas.
"LAPD cops just flat-out OPENED FIRE on the vehicle without even identifying who was driving it! How did it "resemble" Dorner's truck? Well, it was a truck! That sucker had four wheels and a bed for hauling stuff!" writes Mike Adams.
LAPD officers also shot at David Perdue as he was surfing in another case of mistaken identity.
"I don't want to use the word buffoonery but it really is unbridled police lawlessness," said Perdue's attorney Robert Sheahen. "These people need training and they need restraint."
Meanwhile, CNN host Erin Burnett asked if Chris Dorner should be targeted for state-sponsored assassination by a drone strike. The Obama administration is already killing Americans abroad via drone strikes with no due process, leading many to fear that it's only a matter of time before extra-judicial killings are carried out on U.S. soil.


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Thanking @wutupdogg for the intro to Ping.fm! Definitely more than a nice app! Feel a blog post coming on to report.
Vernon's got nothing on Rexburg
On the heels of my rant about 2 ignoramuses from Vernon, AL, I stumbled across an article about some 2nd graders in Rexburg, ID that were chanting "assassinate Obama" on the school bus.
Madison County Idaho, home of Brigham Young University – a Mormon school.
Since I use my blog as my place to vent, I'm going to do just that right now.
First of all, 2nd graders can't come up with something as sinister as "assassination" all by themselves. That's parent-talk if I've ever heard it. It's painfully obvious that there are a lot of people that are not fit to be parents and this is proof. Interestingly, the parents behind this kind of talk, are probably the same ones who would complain about crime rates and how others act.
When did we lose our ability to have compassion, regard, or respect for our fellow humans only to be replaced with lip service of being god-fearing, law-abiding citizens?
Hey Gail McDaniel, how come you don't see this as aggression? Is it ok to be more aggressive or better yet, hateful as long as the people exhibiting the behavior, look like you?
On my worst day of disliking G.W. Bush, I have NEVER said that I wish he were assassinated, nor would I ever. I don't wish death on anyone including those that don't like me for no viable reason.
What I will say is that I'm disgusted by the very concept of 7 and 8 year old American children chanting words that they shouldn't even be uttering. More importantly, if the influence happens to be religious and specifically Mormon, I sincerely hope that people recognize this for what it is as anything but done in the spirit of love.
The Race Card – No excuse
It nearly infuriates me to see the stance that some seem to be taking as it relates to Colin Powell's endorsement of Senator Obama.
Is it necessary to make an excuse for every misstep that has been made? Where will responsibility come into play?
Despite being a minority, my decision to support Senator Obama has absolutely nothing to do with my racial background. Absolutely nothing! As a matter of fact, I was registered non-partisan prior to the 2nd reign of dare I say, terror by our current, ever-so-popular 'W'.
I would like to share why as a minority, who is not particularly lured into party loyalty, first why I don't support Senator McCain and secondly, why I do support Senator Obama.
First and foremost, Senator McCain's choice in a running mate seems to show his ability to understand how to make an interesting entrance that draws 'oohs and aahs', but completely defies the rhetoric surrounding his experience and ability to run a country. While I'm sure that Governor Palin has some decent qualities, she has repeatedly evidenced her prejudices against so many types of people, her out-of-touch view of "pro-America", her inability to answer a question directly, and her lack of experience in dealing with big-city issues. Nobody forced Senator McCain to choose Governor Palin – no excuse.
As if choosing a running mate solely on the 'she may not be the brightest bulb, but she's hot' premise isn't enough, Senator McCain chose to employ people to run his campaign whose only true ability is smearing and invoking fear to sequester support. Why on earth would I deliberately vote for someone who thinks it's more important to scare the masses into believing that their opponent is anti-American or worse, a terrorist and then has the audacity to state that they respect them at a Catholic fundraising event? If he were so certain that Senator Obama is that wrong for the country, then he should never, under any circumstances say that he respects him. Stick to your story – no excuse.
And while we're talking about sticking to a story, Senator McCain has had ample opportunity over the past 8 years to show his 'McMaverickability' as it relates to his support of our current fearless leader ('W'). His one 'dinger' during the third debate where he alluded to Senator Obama running against 'W' 4 years ago was heralded by so many as a great line. Yet how quickly we forget that he too could've run against 'W' 4 years ago if he were so against the policies of the 'W' administration. Not only did he not run against him, but he supported 'W' very vocally during the campaign and 90% of the time thereafter, right up until recently when he was sure that our economy was basically sound. 'Shoulda, woulda, coulda' – no excuse.
Most important to me is understanding how the new President is going to lead the country into the healing process. We're hurting right now and we need someone who can say that they've looked at all angles, considered the supporting evidence and will make the decisions that start us down the path of rehabilitation. Enter Senator McCain and Governor Palin – neither has any clear-cut answers to doing that. Cutting the capital gains tax? That won't help me. I don't have any big assets that I'll be selling in 2009 and even if I did, I wouldn't realize any benefit from a capital gains tax cut until early 2010. How does that help me now? No real answers – no excuse.
I may not be 'Joe Sixpack', 'Joe the Plumber', or a 'Hockey Mom', but I am a taxpayer, I'm 'pro-American' even though I don't live in a small town, and I have yet to see one concrete way that Senator McCain and Governor Palin have outlined to help me, the 'Joes', the 'Hockey Moms', and the rest of us 'pro-Americans' that are apparently inconveniently hiding in larger cities, stop struggling and get back to living the American dream. Using patriotism as a clever marketing ploy – no excuse.
Now don't let the above fool you. I don't think that Senator Obama has all of the answers either, but I do think that he's put some thought into the ways that he can make some changes to an ineffective system and more importantly surround himself with able people. Following are my reasons for being in support of him:
First, his choice in a running mate was Joe Biden. Experience has always been thrown in Senator Obama's face, but choosing a running mate who is the 6th longest running Senator as a trusted adviser shows his ability to weigh the situation and make a good decision. Just the evidence – no excuse needed.
Second, his campaign has mostly been focused on the issues and rarely on the inadequacies or character flaws of McCain or Palin. And think about it, there is a lot of material out there about Governor Palin to work with and he's taken the higher road and spoken to America about what he would like to do to rehabilitate our country. Not as a Democrat, but as a leader. I am certain that Senator Obama's plan for healthcare would be far better for 'Joe the Plumber' than a $5,000 tax credit from Senator McCain since 'Joe the Plumber' owes back taxes. Just the evidence – no excuse needed.
Senator Obama has harped on the failure of the last 8 years, but rightfully so. President Bush has followed his own agenda and shown his unwillingness and blatant disregard for the very constituency that he represents at nearly every turn. Quite frankly, I don't think that our country was ready for Senator Obama to run against President Bush 4 years ago. Afterall, wasn't it the 'Joe Sixpacks', 'Joe the Plumbers', 'Hockey Moms', and Palinesque 'pro-Americans' that McCain/Palin are appealing to relentlessly, that supported President Bush's 2nd terror term? So the answer is simple – it took 8 years of being battered before the 'regular' folks realized that salvation wasn't coming from the Republicans. Just the evidence – no excuse needed.
My biggest reason for supporting Senator Obama? Because I feel that he has shown the characteristics of a true leader. Let's face it, while McCain/Palin are inciting people at rallies to vocalize things like "off with their head", or use racial slurs toward cameramen who are merely performing their job and doing absolutely nothing about it, I hardly see how they would be able to unite our country and lead us down the path of rehabilitation. Whereas Senator Obama has outlined his economic plans, he has answered the questions and he's gotten his gathering attendees to rally around changing the country for the better, not calling people names. He's done all of this across party lines, racial lines, and socio-economic lines showing me that what he may lack in length of time in politics, he more than makes up for in his ability to appropriately lead. Just the evidence – no excuse needed.
I would like to point out that I've actually never been more proud to be an American than right now. When you strip away the damage that 'W' has done, the malfeasance of the McCain/Palin mudslinging campaign, and the rocky economy, I have watched so many good-hearted, good-natured, decent people step up and show their support for someone that wouldn't have even been allowed near the White House just 80 or so years ago. That makes me proud to be a part of a country that is finally standing up for the right things. That's just the evidence – no excuse is needed.
So to all of the miserable, misinformed, excuse-laden people who have claimed that Colin Powell has endorsed Senator Obama because he's black, let's look at the evidence. The Republican party did not produce a viable black Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate. So, please stop saying that Mr. Powell would not have endorsed a white Democratic candidate. First of all, you have no evidence to support your theory and second you're making excuses for an inability to produce a minority candidate that is willing to run for President. I think the reality goes more like this:
Mr. Powell has reviewed the evidence. He has observed the activities, policies and plans presented by both candidates. After carefully weighing what has been presented to him, he makes a decision. If the evidence favors the candidate outside of his party, he should without question, be permitted to state his decision as is his 1st Amendment right. Oh, and one more thing, Amendment 15 of the Constitution of the United States of America says that "Race is no bar to vote". Colin Powell happens to be a minority and he happens to be endorsing a minority, but you can't play the race card…our founding fathers took that one out of play in 1870.
That's the evidence – no excuses.
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Autoimmune disease is an odd phenomenon. The body's immune system is designed to attack foreign invaders such as bacteria and cancer cells. But in autoimmune disease the immune system 'decides' to attack the body itself.
What types of diseases fall under the autoimmune umbrella? Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroid and liver disease, Sjogren's, M.S., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, psoriasis, celiac disease, DH (the skin condition associated with celiac disease), fibromyalgia and many more, totaling about 100 diseases in all.
Their frequency, once thought to be uncommon, has risen to a degree that autoimmune diseases, taken as a whole, are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Their incidence has doubled every 15 years for the past 75 years, with no signs of slowing down.
The genetic component associated with autoimmune disease does not explain its increased frequency, so experts are looking to the environment as a source of the sudden rise. One area that has shown promise is the health of the small intestine. As the gateway to the body, a healthy small intestine should prevent any inhospitable substances or organisms from entering the bloodstream.
Early work by Dr Fasano on type I diabetic rats and small intestine integrity, revealed that a full 2/3 of rats inbred to develop type I diabetes did not do so when their small intestines were optimized in function.
Subsequently more research has supported this premise and the ill health of the small intestine is acknowledged to be a likely culprit in the development of at least some autoimmune diseases.
When does gluten enter the picture? Gluten, in intolerant individuals, is known to create the irritation to the lining of the small intestine that in turn creates easy passageway for toxins and organisms to gain access to the bloodstream. This phenomenon is known as a leaky gut. Also, a gluten intolerance is known to weaken the 'good' organisms of the gut, the probiotics, that are responsible for keeping bad genes turned off. They provide this function quite well when they themselves are robust and healthy, but once their numbers and strength become compromised, so too does their ability to keep bad genes from expressing disease. The result? The gene flips 'on' and the body develops the disease.
Is gluten intolerance or celiac disease the cause of EVERY autoimmune disease? Not likely. But it does seem to be a contributing factor in some. Other autoimmune diseases have an infectious component, but when you think of why the immune system didn't or couldn't handle the initial infection, you are brought back to WHY it was weakened. That reason could lie in a history of medications, a poor diet, toxic overload or a food intolerance. These are the issues we address when trying to normalize an overburdened immune system and the reason we feel that we see the success rate that we do.
A study just released several days ago from Current Allergy and Asthma Reports reviewed the association between celiac and other autoimmune diseases as well as the impact of a gluten-free diet. The diseases most closely associated with celiac are autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune liver disease, type I diabetes, DH, Sjogren's and psoriasis.
Correlation between a gluten-free diet and autoimmune disease was cited in a study of celiac patients who also suffered from either type I diabetes or autoimmune thyroid disease. After 2 years on a gluten-free diet all antibodies for the diseases abated. Antibodies, you may remember, measure autoimmune activity and in this study they were no longer found to be active once these patients eliminated gluten from their diet!
Another study of over 900 celiac patients found that those compliant on their gluten-free diet had much lower incidence of autoimmune disease than their non-compliant counterparts.
Finally, a study evaluating autoimmune liver disease in celiacs saw complete reversal of the liver disease in both adults and children who followed a gluten-free diet.
So, there definitely seems to be some correlation between eliminating gluten in those with gluten intolerance and reversal of specific autoimmune diseases.
Does everyone who is diagnosed with those autoimmune diseases receive advice to be checked for gluten intolerance? I would bet the answer is no, but it should be a resounding 'yes'.
Please spread the word. It's been fairly well established that the increased incidence of autoimmune disease does have an environmental component. And at least for some, that component is diet-related, specifically gluten. It certainly does no harm to check if gluten is a contributing factor, and as you can see in the research findings above, it could provide a great deal of help.
If you know of someone suffering with autoimmune disease or you yourself suffer or have family members that do, consider calling us for a free health analysis. (call 408-733-0400) We are here to help!
Our destination clinic treats patients from across the country and internationally. You don't need to live locally to receive assistance.
Need Help? We're Here for You!
If you felt as if I was describing you above, you are not alone. As I mentioned earlier, adrenal fatigue/exhaustion is almost epidemic. If you would like assistance and don't have a clinician whom you feel can assist you, consider contacting us for a FREE Health Analysis. We are a Destination Clinic and treat patients from across the country and internationally. We would be delighted to help you as we have been doing so for over two decades.
Visit us at www.RootCauseMedicalClinic.com. If you have questions or need any help, I'm here for you! Call 408-733-0400.
I look forward to hearing from you.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN, CFMP
IFM Certified Practitioner
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of "The Gluten Effect"
Author of the eBook: "Gluten Intolerance – What You Don't Know May Be Killing You!"
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of "The Gluten Effect"
Author of the eBook: "Gluten Intolerance – What You Don't Know May Be Killing You!"
J. Denham, I. Hill, Celiac Disease and Autoimmunity: Review and Controversies, Current Allergy and Asthma Reports , 17 May 2013
Cosnes J et al. Incidence of autoimmune diseases in celiac disease: protective effect of the gluten-free diet. Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2008;6(7):753–8.
Ventura A et al. Gluten-dependent diabetes-related and thyroid-related autoantibodies in patients with celiac disease. Journal of Pediatrics. 2000;137(2):263–5.


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unisexGORE® M BandanaRegulating the temperature of your head is a key part of staying comfortable while working out. That means keeping sunburn at bay, and also moving sweat away from the scalp to prevent both overheating and the chill that comes when sweat cools.CompareunisexM BeanieNo matter what your chosen form of adventure, you'll find you can push yourself further when your head's the right temperature. This beanie will quickly move sweat away from your scalp, keeping you comfortable and dry on workouts in chilly weather.CompareunisexM Opti HeadbandThis multi-use headband can keep your ears warm at the same time as stopping the sweat dripping in your eyes. High performance fabric is very stretchable, allowing it to move with you, without losing its stretch.CompareunisexM Mesh CapA very lightweight cap for any activity in the heat and glare of the sunshine. The pared down construction provides a snug and secure fit without the weight and bulk of a traditional ball cap.CompareunisexM CapThis preformed cap has built-in mesh ventilation on the side panels, making it a great item to wear on warm days when you still need protection from the sun. Adjustable width ensures you can get a snug and comfortable fit.CompareunisexGORE-TEX CapDesigned for all your outdoor adventures in cold, wet or windy weather.CompareunisexGORE® M HeadbandA dual purpose headband that acts to take the chill off your forehead on colder days, and also stop sweat dripping into your eyes in hot weather. An ergonomic design ensures this band covers your ears without getting in the way of your vision.CompareCycling in extreme weather requires carfeul thought about clothing choices. This face warmer is lightweight and breathable, protecting you from the extreme cold, without causing build up of condensation or sweat. Neccessary for the worst weather.CompareunisexGORE® M Light CapA breathable and light multiuse cap that will keep the sun out of your eyes on warm days, while working to move sweat away from your scalp for temperature regulation. This fashionable cap looks great on its own or tucked neatly underneath your hood.CompareThis classic balaclava uses soft and breathable GORE® WINDSTOPPER® material to protect your head all around from the worst the weather can throw at you, while keeping as ventilated as possible.CompareunisexGORE® M Thermo BeanieWithout irritating or restricting the wearer, this minimalist hat will keep in vital body heat while exercising in the cold. A winter essential.CompareunisexGORE® M GORE-TEX Team CapKeeping your head warm will make your time outside more fun. And keeping the rain out of your eyes will ensure your workouts are also more productive. The perfect cap for running, fast hiking, or scrambling to the top of the nearest mountain.CompareunisexM VisorAn indispensible item for keeping the sun out of your eyes so you can focus on the workout instead. This visor is lightweight and pliable, meaning it will move with you on every outside adventure, all year round.CompareKeeping your ears warm during long workouts can be essential to staying comfortable, performing better, and enjoying your time outside just a little bit more. GORE® WINDSTOPPER® fabric adds a layer of protection on the forehead to prevent windchill.CompareunisexM GORE® WINDSTOPPER® BeanieUsing GORE® WINDSTOPPER® material to protect the forehead and ears, this versatile beanie will keep you warm no matter what your adventure throws at you. Sweat wicking and elastic materials ensure a comfortable fit and breathability.CompareRefine Your Results By:Refine SearchFiltersClear all filtersGenderFabric TechnologyTemperatureBenefits
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text: Why does the Duck of Gloom look so perky? He comes with a new Munchkin card and, by special arrangement with Atlas Games, a new Munchkin-flavored Gloom card as well! Plus a zippered pouch to hide all your hopes and dreams from an uncaring world. Or to keep your keys in. Whatever.


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To get schoolchildren moving, uproot them from classrooms into school gardens, concludes a two-year Cornell study of 12 elementary schools in five New York regions.
By experiment's end, kids at schools with gardens were moderately physically active at school for 10 more minutes a week than before their schools had gardens. That was an increase of four times what peers experienced at gardenless schools. What's more, children who gardened at school were substantially less sedentary at home and elsewhere than their counterparts.
With nearly one in three American children overweight or obese, school gardens could be a simple, low-cost way to get kids more active, said environmental psychologist Nancy Wells, associate professor of design and environmental analysis in Cornell's College of Human Ecology.
Read the whole article [Cornell Chronicle 2014-03-20]


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NEW YORK - Both arms raised to the sky, jubilation all over his face, Alex Rodriguez bounced his way to the Yankee Stadium mound.
That's where the party was starting, the celebration of the Yankees' 27th World Series championship after a 7-3 Game 6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
There were heroes everywhere amidst the celebratory scrum, bopping up and down, exchanging hugs — everybody from incomparable closer Mariano Rivera to World Series MVP Hideki Matsui to longtime pinstriped mainstays Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada.
U.S. & World
And now, Rodriguez was one of them — a World Series winner for the first time.
"We're standing here as world champions,'' Rodriguez screamed into the public address microphone for everyone in a sold-out stadium to hear. "We're going to enjoy it.''
And well he should. With the burden of past postseason failures lifted, and after a season that began in steroid-laced disgrace, he got the ultimate ending. All that's in the past now, replaced by a new perception, a new validation.
"A lot of people were running the other way, let me tell you,'' Rodriguez said in the clubhouse afterward. "But my teammates, coaches and organization stood right with me. And now we're standing together as world champs. I couldn't be prouder.''
"They meant the world to me. I said (back in spring training) that this is going to turn out to be one of the most special years of my life, and it sure has.
"I feel so proud to be one of the guys, and part of a team that brought (championship number) 27 to New York. It's even better than you could imagine. We've waited a long time, and it feels good.''
Rodriguez's postseason numbers speak just as loudly:
His 18 RBI were the fourth-most all-time in a postseason — one behind the trio of Sandy Alomar (1997), Scott Spiezio (2002) and David Ortiz (2004). And they didn't come in unimportant moments. Eight of them either tied the game or put the Yankees ahead, and he and Ortiz are the only two players with three game-tying or go-ahead RBI hits in the ninth inning or later in a single postseason.
Rodriguez totalled 11 extra-base hits in the postseason, tying the all-time record also held by Willie Stargell (1979), Barry Bonds (2002), Troy Glaus (2002), Carlos Beltran (2004) Matsui (2004) and Larry Walker (2004).
And Rodriguez finished 19 for 52 (.365) with five doubles, six homers and 15 runs scored in 15 games — after coming into this postseason on a 7-for-44 slide compiled in three division series since the Yankees' last ALCS appearance in 2004.
"He's the reason why we're sitting here,'' Johnny Damon said. "I feel like without him, who knows where our road may have stopped at. He's the guy who has the RBI numbers, who's been driving us through the playoffs.''
Added Mark Teixeira: "I get hit by a pitch; Alex drives me in. I draw a walk, he drives me in. I hit a double; he drives me in.''
Rodriguez's World Series numbers weren't as impressive — .250, one home run, six RBI. And in fact, after two games of this series, there was talk again about a return to the failures of postseasons past.
Rodriguez's first eight World Series at-bats: Strikeout, strikeout, groundout, strikeout in a 6-1 loss in Game 1; then strikeout, flyout, strikeout, strikeout in a 3-1 victory. That's 0-for-8 with six strikeouts in Yankee Stadium.
But everything changed with the trip down I-95 to Citizens Bank Park.
Rodriguez's two-run homer in the third inning of Game 3 was a momentum-changer. The Phillies had grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second against Pettitte, but Rodriguez answered with a memorable, opposite-field shot off a television camera that extended a bit too far over the right-field wall.
It took the first usage of instant replay in the World Series to decide it, overturning the original ruling of a double. And by the fifth inning, the Yankees took the lead and chased Cole Hamels, and hung on for an 8-6 win in the series' pivotal game.
You know the Phillies were fearful of the damage Rodriguez could do by the way they pitched him throughout the series — hard and in — sometimes too far in.
Rodriguez twice was hit by a pitch in Game 3, and then again in his first at-bat in Game 4. Later in that game, he got a measure of revenge with the go-ahead, ninth-inning RBI in the Yankees' 7-4 victory.
"There's no question; I've never had a bigger hit,'' Rodriguez said of the RBI single to left field.
"I made an adjustment after the first two games. What I was doing was very simple; I was expanding the strike zone, and that's something I didn't do against Minnesota or Anaheim. When I get good pitches to hit, and I put a good swing on it, good things usually happen.''
If that sounds like a calmer, more-relaxed Rodriguez than the one who played the worry-wart like no other superstar before him, you're not the first one to notice.
"I wasn't here before this season, so I couldn't tell you how he was before that,'' A.J. Burnett said. "But I know he's about as relaxed as I could imagine him being.
"It doesn't matter what the situation is when he comes up. He's confident, he's loose, and he's hitting the ball, and he's having a blast.''


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Braiding round challah CAN be quick & easy! Get ready for Rosh Hashana by seeing how easy it is. In this video we demonstrates how to braid a round challah, perfect for Rosh Hashana. Three techniques are shown, a six braid, four braid and no-braid, using any basic challah dough. Take your pick and have fun!
Click here to view the recipe used in the video demonstration.
Great video! I always do the six braid. I'll have to try the other ones. Happy challah baking.
Very clear and fun. Would love to see more videos.
Thanks! Fantastic video! I have been baking challahs for Rosh Hashana for over 30 years and I learned something new from this video; I will be now braiding them a new way. The 6 braid way was a great new idea for me. Loved how the video was presented, clear and easy directions with soft music in the background. WELL DONE! Keep bringing us more of these terrific videos.
I'd like to learn to braid with 6. This video is inspiring for me to try different methods of braiding. Thanks for posting :)
Ellie - a six braid round or a regular 6 braid?
I braid with 6 on a long Challah but. Never knew how to do it on a round Challah. Thank you so much... :-)
Awesome! I am trying rye braiding tonight. I hope it works since I don't know what I am doing! lol Thank you for the lesson!
Thank you! I'll never have an uneven regular or round braid again!
Thanks so much! This video is amazing and demonstrated the process so well!


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GREENWICH, Conn. - Britain's Prince Harry complimented the American people for their generosity and touted the successes of his charity for African children as he wrapped up a weeklong trip to the U.S. with a polo match in an affluent New York City suburb.
The prince's team won 4-3 after he scored a game-tying goal Wednesday afternoon at the Greenwich Polo Club to benefit Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to help poor children and AIDS orphans in the small African nation of Lesotho. Greenwich ranks among the wealthiest towns in America.
"Thank you for a wonderful week," Prince Harry said in a speech before the match. "I have witnessed the extraordinary generosity of the people of this great nation."
The match drew an invitation-only crowd of about 400 including supermodel Karolina Kurkova and fashion designers Jason Wu and Valentino, who posed for pictures on a red carpet at the club on their way to lunch with the prince.
Greenwich is home to many celebrities and hardly unaccustomed to fanfare. But for some, the royal visit of the 28-year-old prince was still cause for celebration.
The polo club, founded by billionaire Peter Brant in 1981, has hosted other British royals including Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, in 1987 and Torquhil Campbell, the Scottish Duke of Argyll, in 2012.
Brant said Wednesday that Harry's father and grandfather were good players and he was excited to watch Harry play at his club.
"It's a great honour," he said "It's great for polo."
Dressed in a navy-colored suit, white shirt and no tie, the prince arrived at the club in the late morning with Brant and his wife, model Stephanie Seymour.
Prince Harry thanked people for their support of the charity.
"The HIV pandemic continues to leave thousands of children without parents and family structures to guide them through life," the prince said. "Without this support, basic needs such as food, shelter and care remain unmet, leaving children vulnerable and very often without much hope in their lives."
The prince, the son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, began his visit to the U.S. on May 9. He is third in line to the British throne, after his father and older brother, Prince William.
Harry caused a scandal on his last trip to the U.S. when he was photographed frolicking nude with an unidentified woman in a Las Vegas hotel suite in August.


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I haven't experienced too much of the wild side of existence, but really these days nothing I read in the newspaper or see on television surprises me anymore. Watching Paris Hilton hauled away, tears streaking, mascara running like an oil spill in the back of a sheriff's cruiser does absolutely nothing to me. Hearing about genocide in Sudan, as sad as it is, fails to give me pause. Nothing is new under the sun in this crazy world. All the sick and disgusting things that are happening now have happened time and time before and will happen time and time again. Adapted? Jaded? Tough? Who knows, but even I must admit when I watch Dateline NBC's To Catch a Predator, my heart does start to race a bit. It's not as intense as listening to the New York Mets at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but senses to go in hyper mode and I take notice. Again, nothing surprises me when it comes to criminal behavior and certainly I'm not shocked at the chat log excerpts that describe intended sexual activity between an adult man and a decoy posing as a young teenage boy or girl. To hear Chris Hansen read it, it as if this stuff doesn't happen every day. Unfortunately, it does.
What captures my undivided attention during To Catch a Predator has nothing to do with the deviant perverted expectations of the unwitting men, but instead the moment of their capture, when standing in the kitchen, living room or sitting on a back patio or beach of the sting operation, Hansen confronts them with the evidence of their deviant perversions.
I'll never forget when I was caught in a lie several years back (it had nothing to do with little girls, honestly). I was frozen with a feeling of not only guilt but also regret and shame. Time seemed to come to a halt and at that time I knew the intimate detail of my body, which was tense with fear and nervousness. I'd done nothing criminal either, just dishonest. So, if I had that feeling at that time in my life over an college bursar's office issue, imagine how much more it must have felt for a guy like Maurice Jay Wolin when in the process of trying to bed a girl he thought was 13, he spotted an NBC cameraman.
Wolin, who was 48 when Sonoma County, California sheriff's deputies busted him, was a licensed oncologist working for a drug company. Married and with kids, he used the screename "tall_dreamy_doc", and told the online decoy he was 29 before making his weekend venture to a home, only to be cuffed, processed and grilled for being a public pervert. I bet Wolin had one of those moments that we all have when we're caught in deception, or better yet, just step in dog crap…only 100 times as intense. After all, lying on your taxes, fibbing to your boss or walking in some smelly sidewalk mess doesn't risk your whole career and family the way trying to get freaky with a girl who's hardly menstruating does. It's likely Wolin's license will get yanked and any job he had at the time of his arrest has been filled by a better-qualified, less licentious applicant.
I don't know what would make someone risk what they have to have sex with a young girl or boy. Certainly the urge is not something I can relate with, but watching Wolin scream and cry during his arrest did very little to arouse in me my human sympathy component that can relate with thieves, drug dealers and even murderers. It took me a while to see Wolin for the pathetic man that he is, a man who guards himself in a doctor's rigid arrogance and can't deign to imagine who he of all people who "never did anything" in his life could get caught. But underneath it all is a man who will live each day of the rest of his existence on Earth with the thought that were it not for one bad move, his life would be drastically different. Friends and neighbors and certainly family may love Wolin, but in their minds and his mind too is the thought of his embarrassing brush with the law, his chat logs. Things for Maurice Wolin will never be as they were before late August 2006, when he chucked his sunglasses down in frustration at the sight of officers with guns drawn at him.
I suppose that I would say the same thing for John Kennelly, but for the fact that ONE DAY after Chris Hansen confronted him while he was naked trying to do something dirty with a 13-year-old boy (who was also a decoy), the reporter caught him again trying to do just the same thing at a McDonalds in the Washington, D.C. area.
It seems that with Kennelly the shame isn't so bad and maybe that's the beauty of his perverted and deluded mind. Unlike Wolin, Kennelly who was by all accounts unemployed and down on his luck at the time of his arrest, this public pervert can insulate himself in the thought that as bad as things are, they may not have been all that great to begin with. Of course that's no excuse for trying to rape a child (PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME). But if Kennelly ever does wake up from his haze and feels the tinges of shame and humiliation, I suppose he'll want to die and not much more.
Watching a special education teacher (pictured below with the neon green shirt) squirm in front of Chris Hansen is not pleasant like watching a well-executed double play or a beautiful woman on TV, but it does give me some satisfaction and captures me in wonder trying to guess what must have been going through the perp's head at exact moment of his downfall. Before he walked in the door to the sting house he may have been a respected member of his community, a loving family member and a civic volunteer. Albeit his homosexuality, there was likely not much to separate him at least on the outside from the public at large. That is until he was revealed for being a public pervert with an appetite for young boys.
I don't know who it is more tragic for, the guy caught up in the sting or the unwitting wife or father who gets the call and has to post bond on a person who is now entirely different to them.
It is strange that people will risk what they have for sex with a legal person, let alone an illegal person. It hardly seems worth it, but then again, lurking beneath every soul on this earth is some demon; addiction, predilection or obsession with something that is not helpful to them, whether it be food, cigarettes or sex.
I have trouble garnering up sympathy for a guy like Maurice Wolin. I feel more sympathy for his spouse and the little girls he had to tell her not to bring after she posted a $50,000 bail on him (that's him below calling home after his initial interrogation).
What if the decoy were not a decoy but a real person? Who is to say he hasn't done it before and wouldn't do it again. Who is to say he wouldn't hurt a young girl to cover his tracks. A man with his apparent ablomb and arrogance, hey, you never now.
No one is perfect–even New York City firefighters–so it should be as no surprise that the man pictured below could also be a sex predator caught on national television.
But maybe his parents didn't know, or his friends or someone who admired him or loved him. I'm trying not to go over the top with my speculation about To Catch a Predator. As I've said before, too many people are shocked at what lurks inside of certain individuals. For all the good Maurice Wolin, the special education instructor or the fireman may have done in their life, they obviously didn't care enough to protect what they had and in the end will also suffer shame for it. I feel a Christian sympathy for them as I hope can be felt for me when I make mistakes in my life. But law and pragmatism overcome me and so does a weird resentment that people can be so stupid in life, masquerading as normal and doing such revolting things but not taking responsibility when all is said and done.
I don't pity Maurice Wolin the individual in American society. From what I've seen and read of him, he's brash, conceited and pompous. The beauty of our nation is that it strives to treat all men and women equally under the law, so long as they are fit to care for themselves and defend themselves and are not in a state of vulnerability as to make them helpless.
A man like Wolin will use lawyers and excuses to get himself out of the felony charges against him when it is clear that by his own transcripts he intended on being pleasured by a middle school-aged girl. Whether or not his preference for younger flesh is biological or freely willed is unimportant. It's that he didn't see it's destructiveness as important that matters. In that sense, let the State of California have its way with him. It's just too bad he's got a family to drag down with his stupidity.
My fledgling Christian side hopes he will wake up one morning and love himself again. But I suppose like all of us who commit some type of wrong whether it's stealing, adultery or other forms of deceit, and are caught in the act, he's gotta be big enough to admit that he and he alone screwed up by trying to rape a girl. Hopefully if he does wake up on that morning he'll have dealt with the obvious, that life is not as it was before the national spotlight caught him at the worst moment in his life, ever. Hopefully then he'll admit what he's done to himself and to his family and realize that although people don't forget, some may forgive and that there is some redeeming quality or qualities that he can harvest from him that may grow up and crush the lurking demon inside of him. Until then he'll maintain the story he told the detective (pictured in the last frame here). And he'll be stuck on that day when they cuffed his skinny behind.


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Chinglish in the Wild
filed in China, Language, Photo Set on Sep.25, 2008
I've just spent two months in China, and despite Beijing's best efforts to improve translations nation-wide, I'm happy to report that Chinglish is still everywhere. There's nothing better than awesomely hilarious mistranslations! The opposite of Recycling Bathroom notice


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Patty in the Parc: Everything You Need to Know
HEADS UP! The following is to answer a lot of Frequently Asked Questions:
Patty in the Parc is proudly sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and presented by Hampton Toyota. Additional Patty sponsors include Cajun Market Donut Company, The Lazy Leprechaun, Legends Downtown & Annex, Marley's Sports Bar, Schlotzsky's Lafayette (both locations).
Patty in the Parc is produced by the Theatre League of Louisiana and is another Townsquare Media Live Event.
Advance tickets are $10 and available at both locations of Schlotzsky's, Legends Downtown & Annex and Marley's Sports Bar through Friday, March 14, 2014
Tickets at the gate (day of event) are $15. Cash ONLY.
Be prepared to show your ID when entering - pretty much regardless of how old you think you look ;)
Families are Welcome! (just like Downtown Alive & Festival) Kids 12 & Under are FREE.
Patty in the Parc takes place at Parc International. Parc International is located at 200 Garfield Street in Downtown Lafayette.
Roads directly adjacent to Parc International will be barricaded, so plan on parking in the tower or cross-streets and walk.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Gates open @ 5pm; music begins at 5:30pm
BANDS & START TIMES (Please note that all times are approximate.)
- 5:30pm: Wayne Toups
- 7:15pm: The Todd O'Neill Band
- 8:30pm: The Chee Weez
No ice chests allowed.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Buy tickets from booths to use at the food tables.
Green and non-green beer along with other adult beverages will be available, as well as water and sodas.
DESIGNATED DRIVER TENT (Sponsored by Red Bull)
This is a special area for those being responsible and helping their friends by NOT drinking. As a Designated Driver, you will receive wristbands at the tent and will receive complimentary water and Red Bull. *By being a Designated Driver and wearing the corresponding wristband, you are agreeing to not drink. Adult beverage booths WILL NOT SERVE YOU, don't try and cheat the system*
- Lawn Chairs/Bag Chairs Welcome.
- No Ice Chests.
- No Pets.
- No bikes, scooters or skateboards.
- No firearms, fireworks or dangerous/hazardous items.
- Be sure to wear green, and a smile!
The Official After Patty Party begins at 10pm and will be on the Patio at Legends and Marley's Sports Bar, right across from Parc International. NO COVER with your Patty in the Parc wristband. Plenty of drink specials and the kitchens will be open at both Legends Annex and Marley's Sports Bar.
May the road always rise to meet you & the luck of the Irish always be with ye! See YOU at Patty!


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I guess you just can't express gratitude when you're entirely bitter inside and out. I'm doing more than one thing wrong lately!
Tag: SCIENCE
Do we forget the compassion of God?
There is annoyance burning in my bones. It has come to my attention how quick our Christian community is to focus and emphasize on what God can do for them next. I do agree that God can move mountains for us. I do believe that God loves our thankful, faithful prayers filled with concerns, requests, and eager communication regarding our lives. God can do more than we know, and rest assured that this confidence flows through my being.
Yet in this moment, I am unnerved. I feel worried for the community of believers. I feel that the most commonly shared concept is that God can do more for ME! God can make MY dreams come true! God has generous plans for ME! God will give more and more to ME! Again, allow me to say I believe that God can do many things for us and that his plans are incredibly good.
However, what bothers me now is how hastily people are to think of God satisfying their own wants and needs. Many people love reading materials and teaching services that gravitate around the concept of God doing, giving, and granting more for an individual. God is completely powerful enough to do it, but should the front line of our heart be the desire for our own gratification?
Do we forget God's compassion on our own people? Do we forget God's love, consideration, and sacrifice for our own people? Do we forgot that God loved us enough to do anything for us, including die in torture and mockery? God did not sit around eating choice foods and sleeping in a comfortable bed at night. Do we forgot how much God has done for us even in our own lives? God has given more and more and more! Does it not unnerve you that your greedy heart screams for more and more, and yet you do not give first?
What is God's grace to humankind? God has granted us love and mercy regardless of our undeservingness, and does the reverential awe and fear of this make our heart quicken? Jesus was long suffering. Jesus was patient. Jesus was generous. Jesus was focused. Jesus was intentional. God in all of his parts and ways is love. Jesus embodied love and truth on Earth, and we witness this tenfold in His life, light, and gift of His comforting, teaching Spirit who has remained wearing His attitude and intention. Above all, we witness His love in His great Justice, which was spilled in His commands to love each other. As it is written in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jesus asked us to love each other as He has loved us. We must not forget that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father. All that Jesus said he said with the help of the Father. Jesus spilled the Father's words and heart on earth with His supernatural intercession within.
Do we act and speak from love? Do we seek to wash others with tsunamis of love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Love is not self-seeking. Self-seeking is defined as having concerns or interests of one's own welfare or wellbeing before those of others by the New Oxford American Dictionary. Do you truly love others? Do you place the needs, interests, and concerns of others above your own? Do you seek to serve by love?
Because if you do not, keep in mind what the first four verses of 1 Corinthians 13 says "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
God's grace should compel us to live to love. God's sacrifice is a beautiful gift. God loves us so much, that we should be falling flat on our faces in heavy tears over His great love. We should love the Lord with every fiber of our being, and love him so much that our heart explodes with hopes and joys to see His name being exalted. Out of love, and out of light of his sacrifice… we should make ourselves a worthy sacrifice on this planet. We should be quick to sacrifice our time, money, mind, hands, and heart to worship him and glorify Him…. because of how much we love our GOD! If not this, then Jesus' command should compel us to live to love. God's very powerful Holy Spirit is living within us. This should compel us to do a lot more than we are. We should be shaking up the entire world for the Lord. We should be turning this place upside down. Making sacrifices, giving out of love, serving by love, speaking out of love, and sharing the Truth by love should be the first, primary, and constant desire of our heart. We should do whatever it takes to shed more love in a day. We should pour love and light over those who believe, and over those who we can lead to believe. Fear to do any of this is from the deceiver. Fear of man, fear of losing money, fear of being mocked, fear of being rejected, fear of getting hurt…. is not from the Lord. The Lord strengthens, empowers, and protects. I ask the family of believers to question who they fear right now. Have you fashioned your own God? What or who do you serve? You serve what or who you fear. Our only fear belongs to the Lord. We must not be scared of Him, but be aware that he is not our cool, hippie God. God is sacred, divine, splendorous, incredible, and glorious. He is everything. We should tremble before Him in our reverential fear and awe because well, simply put, HE IS GOD! GOD IS GOD OF ALL CREATION AND BEING! He is not the master of human gratification and satisfaction. He is not hippie Jesus. He is not the One who is doing everything we want. Humble yourselves before the great, powerful, all seeing, and awing God, lest you find pride, arrogance, and foolishness dyeing and polluting your heart. Let us all have strong fear for the Lord only.
Let us feel compelled to do all that we can to advance the kingdom of God! Let us be warriors of light! We are called to have faith, and we are called to action!
As James 2:14-26 says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
We must spread love! We must spread kindness! We must spread resources, money, clothes, and everything we have! We must not store up treasures on this earth that rot, break, burn, and turn back into dust! We must be relational. We must spread the Truth! We must share the Word! We must set our eyes on the Lord, and set our heart on advancing his kingdom! As soon as you stop asking what God can do for YOU next, you make yourself ready and capable to work for your brothers and sisters thirsty for hope, love, help, and the Light.
Let God's Spirit within lead you into servanthood on a daily basis. What does this mean for you?
This might mean that you need to take the time to turn the weekend into spreading the gospel in your community. This might mean that you need to donate all of the clothes that you have been hoarding since a decade ago. This might mean that you need to turn your social media accounts into a platform for the Lord, rather than man's approval for you. This might mean that your soon arriving tax return needs to become a big piece of funding for you to distribute Bibles, clothes, food, money, everything you can think of for those who may be in need in any way big or small. This might mean that you need to take the time to clean the trash out of the elderly neighbor's yard for him, and when he asks why you did it say for the love that God instills in your heart. This might mean that you need to be willing to buy someone's little cart of groceries in front of you, and insist that it is the Lord that is blessing them. This might mean that you need to be willing to strike up conversations about the Lord with your barista, barber, accountant, dentist, physician, gardner, coworker, daughter-in-law, employee, waiter, and whoever else crosses your path.
Be STRONG! Be BOLD! Be EXCITED!
Spread the goodness of God! Spread the Truth! Be excited to be a light! Be excited to SPREAD LOVE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!
Thank God for his greatness. Thank God for his grace!
I pray that all of you will move, act, speak, and do all that you can for the glory of GOD! DO ALL THAT YOU CAN FROM THIS MOMENT ON FOR THE GLORY OF GOD! SPREAD LOVE, LIGHT, HOPE, TRUTH, AND JOY!
Painting title/right is You Are Not Alone By Laur Iduc.
Gathering His Roses
He is picking his ruby rose.
He is tearing off its thorns and trimming its stem.
He is gathering a heavenly bouquet.
He is sniffing its sweet scent.
He is placing it on his own table.
He is admiring it with his own delighting eye.
His home is glorified with the bouquet He chose, picked, groomed, and arranged by hand.
His joy and pleasure is magnified by the beauty He arranged and adorned His own home with.
Yet in His peculiar home,
Roses never die.
Life flows so freely in His vase,
Because His water is that of which one drop,
Is eternally enough.
To Worship Greater than Our Ancestors of Old
How much more should we praise God than our ancestors! How much MORE!
We know so much more of his power, beauty, talent, skill, creativity, and splendorous design!
We have traveled and connected with so many parts of the world. We have photographed them. We have explored them. We have climbed the highest mountains. We have dove to deepest parts of the sea. We have swept through jungles. We have slid on icy expanses.
We have walked on the moon. We investigate the depths of the celestial bodies with precise telescopes and cameras. We exchange beauty of his creations and wonders of all of our planet with hasty ease. We reach these nooks and crannies without much difficulty.
We marvel in the greatness of God's hands! We explore his great work! We share freely photos, descriptions, stories, and maps with the move of our fingers!
How much more should we bow to praise God.
God has revealed his mysteries to us. He has revealed his plan. He has done a new thing. He has sent his son Jesus Christ to save the world. It has been done! We experience his Holy Spirit, who reaches in us to teach us, freely in this life.
We know the story of the Lord's movement and plan for humans from the beginning to the end, because we are lucky enough to read the sacred text from the beginning to the end. The only thing we wait for now is for the Lord to return and finish all of this.
We have answers. We have the Truth. We have hope. We have Life. We have a path. We have the Way.
How much more blessed are we than any ever before! How much do the Lord's undeserved blessings rain down on us! We are blessed! We have so much to celebrate! We have so much to rejoice about! We have the entire world, peoples, and nearby celestial bodies to witness freely with new technology and communications! We have the transportation technology to get us everywhere we could hope to explore! We have the complete living Word of the Lord to renew our mind in every single moment that we would like! We have the Spirit to teach us within!
We have the ability to share the Lords greatness in too many ways to name.
The greatest crime is that the devil makes people feel depressed or lost in things that do not matter, and they do not see the Lord, the Way, and the consequences.
Painting – Alone With God Together. I do not own.


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By effectively managing engineering change orders (ECOs), an organization can gain a higher level view of the impact and scope of changes to business processes. The primary intent of an ECO is to outline the processes, product parts, or specifications that are affected by a change. Change requests and approvals from the individuals who impacted by or charged with implementing the change are also significant factors. MasterControl's engineering change order software is specifically designed to aid in constructing a thorough ECO that allows organizations to effectively manage the processes involved in making modifications to components, assemblies, associated documentation, and other types of product information (i.e., work instructions or standard operating procedures).
With so much relying on a single engineering change order, it is extremely crucial to invest the proper time and resources on its development and approval. MasterControl's ECO software allows companies to thoroughly manage engineering change orders from beginning to end and to summarize the modifications, finalize details, and obtain all necessary approvals. The MasterControl engineering change order software system guarantees manufacturing groups will receive a thorough and complete ECO document that provides a detailed description of each aspect of the implemented changes.
Modern business trends emphasize the automation of quality processes so that less human intervention is required to perform tasks. Accordingly, MasterControl's engineering change order software solution provides pre-configured, multi-page forms to collect and track data for all stages of the change control process including submission, evaluation, approval/ rejection, implementation, verification, and close of project. These forms are very useful in connecting various quality processes together. For example, the data fed into a change submission form can be set up to transfer automatically to a CAPA form. The automatic entry of same data into several forms helps eliminate potential errors that typically occur with manual data entry.
In order to ensure that ECO documents can be quickly approved, MasterControl provides rapid search and retrieval functionality. The document approval lifecycle is streamlined with the help of electronic sign-offs so that if a document is pending approval it will be automatically escalated after a predetermined period of time. This facility helps in speeding up reviews and approval processes so that the engineering change order is readily available to all authorized users in the fastest possible time.
The system's advanced analytics and reporting capability is useful in dynamically capturing, trending, and linking data needed to solve problems and improve ECO processes. This invariably increases management oversight as data can be summarized in multiple levels, so change orders can be reported by product, department, root cause, etc. Management can then make important business decisions on the basis of reports that have been generated on a timely basis as per business requirements.
Adherence to FDA and ISO cGxP standards is critical and is just part of doing business for most industries. MasterControl's engineering change order software solution ensures compliance with these international quality standards. Regulations and standards exist to protect consumers and the public in general. They are a major driving force for companies to manufacture and sell products (or provide services) that are safe, reliable, and effective.
Since 1993, hundreds of companies in a wide range of regulated industries have relied on the MasterControl integrated quality management suite to attain and sustain compliance with regulations and standards:
The engineering change order software available from MasterControl is designed to aid manufacturers in adhering with FDA and ISO regulations by providing the platform to develop a compliant engineering change order document. By allowing them to effectively utilize authenticated information about proposed and implemented changes, businesses are able to operate more efficiently. All authorized users can refer to these documents for enacting standard operating procedures without any deviance or nonconformance from the written standards. These documents are also useful in building a comprehensive training program for educating users about the newly introduced changes in the business.
Find more information on engineering change orders (ECO), visit MasterControl online or call toll free at 1.800.825.9117 to speak with a representative.


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Rap star Lil Wayne's sentencing in a New York City gun case has been postponed because of a courthouse fire, a court spokesman says.
The rapper had been expected to start a one-year jail term after sentencing Tuesday. He pleaded guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.
Courts spokesman David Bookstaver said the sentencing was among proceedings canceled due a basement fire at a Lower Manhattan courthouse. Hundreds had to be evacuated.
The 27-year-old rapper entered his plea in October. He admitted having a loaded gun on his tour bus in July 2007. Wayne already avoided his sentencing once before in February because he needed to get dental surgery.
He has become one of rap's biggest names and music's biggest sellers in recent years.
Courts spokesman David Bookstaver says Tuesday's fire apparently started in a wooden contractor's shed. The building contains many criminal courts.
Court officers helped a woman with an oxygen mask walk out of the courthouse. A haze filled the lobby.
Mirasol Caramuna had traveled an hour from her Bronx home to pay a traffic ticket. Then she was ordered outside. It was around 45 degrees.
Defense lawyer Robert B. Kronenberg raced up from the lobby by elevator to a smoky 16th floor to get his briefcase, then walked back down to get out.
It's unclear how many inmates were there for court dates, and where they were taken.
The Fire This Time: Lil Wayne Dodges Jail, Again
Hundreds had to leave building
Rap star Lil Wayne's sentencing in a New York City gun case has been postponed because of a courthouse fire, a court spokesman says.


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"All The Animals Came Dancing"
by Denise Sweet
Somewhere between nowhere and shadow
You held still and quiet; a quick slip and
You would totter over the edge of
The world, taking with you ancient
songs of love, of devotion, of longevity,
songs that celebrated the simple elegance
of living in balance.
So many whimpered in your absence:
The throatsingers tried in vain to
call you back, other winged creatures
felt lost and cut off from the harmonious
cranesong that once trumpeted
across the marshlands
It was in our ignorance we fell silent,
Helpless anxious to be of use;
we began to think of bogs and swamps
As eerie, ugly and useless.
We drained those windigo wetlands, paved
Them over with asphalt or planted crops
that floundered or refused to take root
Believe us, aashigsug,we tried to fill
and give function to the emptied camps
of the Whooping Crane. Or were we
fumbling to fill that empty nest
in our hearts shaped by your absence?
* * *
We are told by the Old Ones
That it is inborn in all beings alive
to return to the place of its beginning,
to rise and sweep with what strength
is left and begin that wondrous trek
towards home, no matter the distance
no matter how difficult the passage.
And so it is aashigsug. Shy, secretive
And cryptic in coloration, one day
In the bright mist you appeared.
As in your own emergence account,
You stood before us, waiting for us
To send out a simple prayer, to properly
greet you by simply standing still
You stood before us
elegant, erect and majestic in form.
You stood before us, a hooded shaman
From the farthest sky, a stellar space
Out of range of the naked eye.
Through the bulrushes and overgrowth
Of slender reeds, your mate steps forward
and with a slight but mutual bow and brief
address, you wander together, winding through
the wet meadows, springing unto a sandbar
and then suddenly a flawless lift into flight
punctuating the sky with prehistoric
angles some have never seen.
It has been 400 seasons since you have
presented a clutch of chicks, treasures
of the horicon. Some indispensible
guiding spirit came into the hearts
of humankind and coaxed you out
of the shadows. This joyous birth
is a ripple away from the impossible.
While you nudge your brood into
Thicker, safer confines, we sang songs
Once again worshipping the ground
you walk on–
and all the animals came dancing.
For more of Professor Sweet's poetry, be sure to attend Poetry Night: Animal Poems! at 6:30 on Thursday, September 25 at the Neville Public Museum (210 Museum Place, Green Bay).


text:
B'nai B'rith International sent its annual leadership delegation to Geneva to address key issues facing the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), including the council's continued obsessive focus on Israel, Iran's appalling domestic human rights record and its repeated threats against Israel and the devastating fighting in Syria.
Sixteen B'nai B'rith International leaders and supporters led by President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin met with representatives from some 40 countries.
Recently, the UNHRC released a report that was yet another example of its anti-Israel bias. The council-ordered "fact-finding mission" report stated that Israel must withdraw from all settlements or Israelis could be tried for war crimes at the International Criminal Court should "Palestine" sign on to the Rome treaty, as Palestinian leaders have repeatedly threatened to do. The panel also suggested that businesses cut ties to business interests in the settlements. The report is to be presented at the current session of the council and a follow-up resolution on the matter is expected later in the session.
"It's this kind of bias that we're here in Geneva to address," B'nai B'rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. "It's completely unacceptable that time and time again this council has unfairly trained its eye on Israel, while ignoring many member states' countless human rights abuses."
The B'nai B'rith delegation also emphasized the negative effects of decisions and resolutions taken at the United Nations on the peace process.
"As long as U.N. bodies continue to pass biased resolutions against Israel, you can certainly bet that the Palestinians will prefer to internationalize its conflict with Israel instead of returning to negotiations without preconditions," B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. "We're here to make sure that the Human Rights Council members understand that the actions of the council only aid in the Palestinian Authority's efforts to circumvent direct peace talks."
In addition to Jacobs and Mariaschin, B'nai B'rith was represented by: Helene Briskman of London; Matthew Caplan of Washington, D.C.; Jay Feldman of Washington, D.C.; Michael Gellman of Washington, D.C.; Ralph Hofmann of Frankfurt, Germany; Jacques Jacubert of Paris; Yves Kamami of Paris; Charles Kaufman of Austin, Texas; David Matas of Winnipeg, Canada; David Michaels of New York; Joëlle Perelberg of Nice, France; Ada Sadoun of Grenoble, France; Gary Saltzman of Denver, Colo.; and Stéphane Teicher of Paris.
Programs & Events:
Get involved with B'nai B'rith International today!
November 2019


text:
MONROVIA, California – March 6, 2012 – Tanner EDA, the catalyst for innovation for the design, layout and verification of analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs), will preview HiPer Simulation A/MS and participate in a panel on analog productivity at the Design, Automation and Test in Europe conference ( DATE 2012). HiPer Simulation A/MS is a mixed-signal electronic design automation (EDA) tool suite that integrates Tanner EDA's analog design, layout and physical verification tools with third-party logic synthesis and mixed-language VHDL and Verilog simulation. DATE 2012 takes place from 12-16 March in Dresden, Germany.
What: Panel entitled "Analog Productivity – Design and Test of Analog/Mixed Signal ASICs" chaired by Prof. Georges Gielen, Head of Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract: With analog an ever-important aspect of emerging microelectronic applications, never has the need to improve productivity been more acute. Drawing from a range of industry experts, this panel will highlight and discuss the main areas affecting this field, namely analog/digital co-design, IP reuse, layout automation and design for test/yield.
- Jeff Miller, Director of Product Management, Tanner EDA, USA / System-level simulation
- Ciaran Whyte, CTO, IC Mask Design Limited, Ireland / Layout acceleration
- Dr. Holger Haberla, Non-Volatile Memory Design Manager, X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries AG, Germany / IP reuse
- Marc Hutner, DFT Architecture Engineering, Teradyne, USA/ Design for test, yield
When: Tuesday, 13 March from 13:15 – 14:15
Where: Exhibition Theatre
What: Preview of HiPer Simulation A/MS, an integrated solution that gives designers a complete analog design flow from schematic capture, circuit simulation, and waveform probing to physical layout and verification, logic synthesis and mixed VHDL and Verilog simulation. HiPer Simulation A/MS will combine industry-leading technologies into a highly productive design flow for mixed-signal design with industry-leading price-performance.
When: Tuesday, March 13th through Thursday, March 15th, 2012
Where: Tanner EDA Booth #37
About Tanner EDA
Tanner EDA provides a complete line of software solutions that catalyze innovation for the design, layout and verification of analog and mixed-signal (A/MS) integrated circuits (ICs) and MEMS. Customers are creating breakthrough applications in areas such as power management, displays and imaging, automotive, consumer electronics, life sciences, and RF devices. A low learning curve, high interoperability, and a powerful user interface improve design team productivity and enable a low total cost of ownership (TCO). Capability and performance are matched by low support requirements and high support capability as well as an ecosystem of partners that bring advanced capabilities to A/MS designs.
Founded in 1988, Tanner EDA solutions deliver just the right mixture of features, functionality and usability. The company has shipped over 33,000 licenses of its software to more than 5,000 customers in 67 countries.
HiPer Verify and HiPer Silicon are trademarks of Tanner Research, Inc.
All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
# # #
Media Contact :
Linda Marchant, Cayenne Communication, 919-451-0776, Email Contact


text:
Researcher Dr. Daisy van der Schaft of Eindhoven University of Technology working on the preparation of muscle tissue cultures. (Credit: Eindhoven University of Technology/Bart van Overbeeke)
Science Daily— Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have found a simple way to grow muscle tissue with real muscle structure in the laboratory. They found that the muscle cells automatically align themselves if they are subjected to tension in one direction -- this is essential for the ability of the muscle cells to exert a force. The endothelial (blood vessel) cells in the culture also automatically grouped themselves to form new blood vessels. This finding is a step forward towards the engineering of thicker muscle tissue that can for example be implanted in restoration operations.
Another important aspect of the finding is that it was not necessary to add any biochemical growth factors to initiate the process. These substances are normally required for processes of this kind, but their action is difficult to control, according to TU/e researcher Dr. Daisy van der Schaft.The results were published in the scientific journal Tissue Engineering Part A.
Other researchers have also succeeded in engineering muscle tissue containing blood vessels, but in these cases the muscle cells and blood vessels were disorganized. To give the muscles their strength, all the muscle cells need to be aligned in the same direction. Additionally, the muscles need blood vessels to supply them with oxygen and nutrients.
The TU/e research team produced engineered muscle tissue from a mixture of precultured stem cells and blood vessel cells (both from mice) in a gel. They then fastened the pieces of cultured tissue, measuring 2 x 8 mm, in one direction using pieces of Velcro. The stem cells then changed into muscle cells. This process normally involves shrinkage of the tissue. However, because the tissue was fastened this shrinkage was prevented, and the resulting tension caused the muscle cells to become aligned during the culturing process. This alignment is essential for the muscles to be able to exert a force.
Growth factors produced
In addition, the blood vessel cells organized themselves to form blood vessels, without the researchers needing to add any growth factors -- these were created automatically. Measurements by the researchers showed that the muscle cells produced the required growth factor themselves, as a result of the tension to which they were subjected.
Thicker tissue
The formation of blood vessels is an important step to allow the engineering of thicker muscle tissue. Up to now the maximum thickness that could be achieved was 0.4 mm, because the cells must be located no further than 0.2 mm from a blood vessel or other source of nutrients to ensure that they receive sufficient oxygen. The blood supply through the blood vessels means that in the near future it will be possible to feed the engineered muscle tissue from within, making it possible to culture thicker tissue.
Not just cosmetic
The aim of the research is ultimately to allow the treatment of people who have lost muscle tissue, for example through accidents or surgery to remove tumors. "Just one example is the restoration of facial tissue," explains Van der Schaft. Using these engineered muscle tissues would not just be cosmetic, but would give function back to the tissue." She expects that this should be possible within the next ten years.
One of the following steps to achieve this is the engineering of thicker muscle tissue, which the TU/e researchers will start working on in the near future. The same techniques will also have to be applied on human cells. "Researchers at the University Medical Center Groningen have already started, in partnership with us, to engineer human muscle tissue," Van der Schaft concludes.


text:
Go to Fall 1998 Table of Contents.
Versión Español de este artículo (Spanish Version)
New Landmark Harris Survey Shows Little Improvement (Press Release)
Editor's Note: A recent Louis Harris poll of people with disabilities of all kinds found they continue to lag in employment, educational levels, and indicators of quality of life. Working age adults with disabilities are no more likely to be employed now than 10 years ago. Nationally, blind consumers are even less likely to be employed. In Texas, however, statistics from Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (formerly known as Texas Commision for the Blind) indicate that legally blind working age adults have a far higher rate of employment than the national average.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 1998 - Americans with disabilities still face gaps in securing jobs, education, accessible public transportation and in many areas of daily life including recreation and worship. Those findings were presented in a new U.S. survey of 1,000 adults with disabilities announced today at a Washington, D.C. news conference by the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.).
For disability advocates, these findings are disturbing yet motivating for public and private decision-makers. The findings, commissioned by N.O.D in cooperation with Louis Harris & Associates, define the current status of persons with disabilities in American life.
The highlights of the 1998 N.O.D./Harris Survey of Americans with Disabilities released today queried adults with disabilities, early this year (with a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points). This survey is the first such national poll taken by Harris in cooperation with N.O.D. since 1994, and the third conducted by Harris since 1986.
Among the most startling findings about the workforce, the research exposed significant gaps between the employment rates of the working disabled versus the working non-disabled. Only 29% of disabled persons of working age (18-64) work full or part-time, compared to 79% of the non-disabled population, a gap of 50 percentage points. Of those with disabilities of working age who are not working, 72% say that they would prefer to work.
Fully a third (34%) of adults with disabilities live in households with total income of $15,000 or less, compared to only 12% of those without disabilities.
Approximately one in five (20%) of adults with disabilities have not completed high school compared to 9% of adults with no disabilities.
Alan A. Reich, President of N.O.D. stated, "These gaps are unconscionable. America must do better!" He added, "At a time when the U.S. unemployment rate is at an historic low and there is a crying need for workers, it is astounding to learn that the employment gap remains so wide. As the survey shows, over 72% of people with disabilities out of the workforce want to work and contribute to the economy. America must remove attitudinal and physical barriers in the workplace and in all other areas of life."
Humphrey Taylor, Chairman of Louis Harris & Associates, commented, "The purpose of this research is not just to measure the gaps in key life areas between people with and without disabilities, but to provide information to help close them. I anticipate that the results will be used by people both inside and outside the disability community, with the media, with corporate America, legislators and state and federal administrators."
This survey is rich with information stemming from the answers to 145 questions on life activities considered most important to people with disabilities. Other findings include:
- " Only one-third (33%) of adults with disabilities are very satisfied with life in general, compared to 61% of the non-disabled population.
- " Only seven out of ten (69%) adults with disabilities socialize with close friends, relatives or neighbors at least once a week, compared to more than eight out of ten (84%) among the non-disabled, a gap of 15 percentage points.
- " About a third (33%) of adults with disabilities go to a restaurant at least once a week, compared to six out of ten (60%) of those without disabilities, a gap of 27 percentage points.
- " Inadequate transportation is identified as a problem by 30% of adults with disabilities. However, only 17% of non-disabled adults consider daily transportation a problem in any way, representing a gap of 13 percentage points.
What can Americans do to close these participation gaps? According to Reich, "A lot. Each of us can help eliminate the gaps in participation by finally focusing on the abilities not disabilities of every American."
Employers - in business, government, public agencies, community institutions and groups - all can examine their practices and develop strategies for seeking out and hiring people with disabilities. Businesses must and can implement Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for accommodations in the workplace for people with disabilities, and at reasonable cost. Recent business studies show, it requires on average less than $300 to accommodate a worker with a disability. Home based employment and other forms of workplace flexibility are beneficial to many workers, including the disabled. From working parents to people with disabilities, many people are taking advantage of technology advances that allow them to telecommute and still play an active role in filling the nation's growing job vacancies. Disability awareness and accessibility is good business. Consumers prefer to deal with businesses that address their needs. The 54 million Americans with disabilities are a prime consumer market actively courted by companies who can meet their needs. Use an untapped pool of talent. People with disabilities can contribute innovative and resourceful thinking to the collective knowledge of their workplaces and communities, because they face unique external challenges as they negotiate the physical world around them, as well an internal challenges to their identity as individuals and as members of society.
Community groups, religious organizations, professional and trade organizations, labor unions and service organizations can examine their practices and adopt plans for including disabled persons. Elected local leaders and officials can ensure that their communities are in full compliance with the law - the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Motor Voter Law, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Recreational, cultural and sports groups and institutions should ensure full accessibility and encourage participation of disabled persons. The recent debate about Casey Martin's participation in the PGA tours highlights the bias people with disabilities face in America today. Recognize people with disabilities as positive contributors to community diversity. People with disabilities, the nation's largest minority, often are not included as a group in corporate and community planning, although they impact diversity at least as much as other minority groups. Moreover the disability population is highly diverse within itself, and, unlike other minority groups anyone can join in an instant.
Those of us with disabilities, family members and friends can take the lead by providing guidance to others in encouraging full participation of people with disabilities in community life. Active involvement by people with disabilities in educational and civic life on all levels expands our awareness of how those outside the mainstream live; this allows our communities to be more thoughtfully inclusive of all differences. Americans must extend themselves to their fellow citizens with disabilities, and overcome their fears of the unknown. We need to become more aware of what people with disabilities can contribute; we need to respect their abilities.
Across the Nation
The media can ensure that people with disabilities are portrayed fairly as individuals engaging in public and private life. Negative portrayals of people with disabilities in movies, such as the recent "There's Something About Mary", TV shows and so on, are inaccurate and should not be permitted.
As more people with disabilities participate in the various aspects of American life, the general population will become more informed, and they will abandon their stereotypes based on misconceptions. Attitudes will improve. The full participation of people with disabilities in an increasingly diverse American population overall will result. Just because we have enacted the ADA does not mean that we can rely on it to change attitudes and perceptions about America's disabled. By valuing each individual for his or her abilities allows our nation to benefit globally by demonstrating democracy at its best.
The National Organization on Disability promotes the full and equal participation of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Founded in 1982, N.O.D. is the only national network organization concerned with all disabilities, all age groups and all disability issues. N.O.D. receives no government funds and is supported entirely by private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. For more information, contact N.O.D. at (202) 293-5960, TDD (202) 293-5968.


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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three weeks ago, Clint Eastwood shared the spotlight with a single chair.
On Wednesday night, he shared it with more than a dozen.
The 82-year-old Oscar winner walked the press gauntlet at the Westwood premiere of his latest film "Trouble With the Curve" — with 16 empty chairs right behind him.
When it was pointed out to him, the Oscar winner chuckled as he quickly and clearly got the reference.
"Oh my God, yes," he said, with a laugh.
On Aug. 30, Eastwood stood on stage at the Republican National Convention berating an empty chair, representing President Barack Obama.
The chairs were simply set dressing: bleacher seats lined up along the green carpet at the premiere for "Trouble With the Curve," a family drama about a fading baseball-scout father played by Eastwood and his estranged daughter, played by Amy Adams. They provide the film's real action, while the game is simply a backdrop.
Representatives from the film's distributor, Warner Bros., politely requested press not ask about Eastwood's RNC appearance, noting it had gotten enough attention and may be overshadowing the film itself.
"I don't know," replied "Curve" director Robert Lorenz. "Some people may come and some people may not because of it. But, in the end, it's not a political movie. Myself, the other cast (members), we all have different political ideas. We all came together and put those aside. So, I hope people treat it as such."
Eastwood has addressed the RNC appearance with numerous journalists, but that hasn't kept it out of mainstream consciousness — perhaps coming to a head last weekend, when comic-actor Bill Hader recreated Eastwood's empty-chair routine, for laughs, on "Saturday Night Live."
Eastwood said he saw the "SNL" skit and enjoyed it, and praised Hader. Eastwood also said he'd continue to stump for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
"Sure I would," Eastwood noted. "I just think we need a change, that's all."


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text: Office 365 Education is a collection of services that allows you to collaborate and share your schoolwork. It's available for free to teachers who are currently working at an academic institution and to students who are currently attending an academic institution. The service includes Office Online (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote), 1TB of OneDrive storage, Yammer, and SharePoint sites.