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Admitting that he deceived his parents and the press about the nature of his relationship with Lennay Kekua, but denying any involvement in the hoax, Manti Te'o spoke with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap Friday night for more than two hours in an off-camera interview. (Most of what little we know about the interview with Te'o comes from a surreal interview Schaap did with SportsCenter early Saturday morning. We'll update as more emerges.)
Amazingly, Te'o claimed he wasn't "fully convinced" that Lennay Kekua did not exist until Wednesday, after we published our report on the hoax. This goes against a good deal of what Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a press conference Wednesday night. (Te'o's agents at CAA, not Notre Dame, negotiated the interview with Schaap.) Swarbrick said he shared the findings from the university's investigation of the hoax with Te'o's parents more than two weeks ago, on Jan. 5. Had they really not told their son the news? And had Notre Dame told Te'o nothing? It was, after all, per Notre Dame's official account, a Dec. 26 tip from Te'o himself that prompted the school to investigate Kekua. According to Swarbrick, Te'o had received a call on Dec. 6 from a living woman who had previously identified herself as Kekua, who, you will recall, he believed to be dead.
Te'o also told Schaap—per the story available on ESPN.com—that a woman claiming to be Kekua turned up at the Notre Dame hotel before the BCS national championship game in Miami. Writes ESPN, "Te'o said he knew they were at the hotel because the group took photos in the hotel lobby."
We know this woman could not have been the woman Te'o saw in pictures that were purportedly of Lennay: That woman did not attend the game and, moreover, knew nothing about her photos being connected to Kekua's online identity. So who was this woman? Did Te'o believe her claim that she was Kekua, if she did make this claim to him? (The story isn't clear.) How did he remain unconvinced that his dead girlfriend never existed until Wednesday, if he had two separate moments of contact with her before Jan. 7? Why, if he was agnostic about her existence, did he still refer to her death multiple times in the press? Te'o did tell Schaap that he lied to his father, Brian, about the pair's visits in Hawaii, and that he "tailored his stories" to the press.
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When asked if he was a part of the hoax, Te'o, who was interviewed with an attorney present at IMG Sports Academy in Bradenton, Fla., responded, "I wasn't faking it, I wasn't part of this." As for why Te'o never visited his dying girlfriend in the hospital, he told Schaap, "It never really crossed my mind."
Te'o also told Schaap that Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, the man we identified as being behind Lennay Kekua, apologized to him Wednesday via Twitter direct message. Te'o also said two others, a man and a woman, were Ronaiah's accomplices, but he didn't name them. Schaap said he saw the messages, but we're still not sure how such an apology would have worked. Tuiasosopo deleted his Twitter account weeks ago, and direct messages on Twitter require the recipient to follow the sender. We checked the list of Twitter users Te'o follows on Tuesday and didn't see any sign of Ronaiah. It's possible Ronaiah used a new account to send an @-reply Te'o's way to apologize, but tweets including Te'o's Twitter name were coming at such a rapid pace Wednesday it's inconceivable that Te'o could have picked out a single apology from all the other tweets. [Update: See the tweets at bottom, via ESPN.com.]
Te'o claimed he met Tuiasosopo in person for the first time after the Notre Dame-USC game on Nov. 24. (A tweet from Ronaiah's deleted account suggests that Te'o and Tuiasosopo met on the 23rd, but we haven't been able to recover the image associated with Tuiasosopo's tweet. The individual who provided this photo of Te'o with Ronaiah's sister told us it was taken the 23rd.)
As for what Te'o wants for Tuiasosopo, he told Schaap "I don't wish an ill thing to somebody. I just hope he learns. I think embarrassment is big enough." Manti Te'o's apparent defense is that he had no reason to think his twice-undead dead long-distance girlfriend, whom he never met or saw outside of photographs, whose funeral he never thought to attend, might have been a phony. Regardless of whether he's telling the truth, he'll soon see just how big embarrassment can get.
Update (2:34 a.m.): ESPN has removed all references to the woman claiming to be Lennay showing up at the team hotel from its online story. There is no explanation, note, or correction in their story.
Update (12:05 p.m.): Here are the tweets, via ESPN:
Update (12:30 p.m.): ESPN has an edited transcript of the interview here.


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WASHINGTON — Just re-elected, President Barack Obama already is confronting a time crunch. Tuesday's State of the Union address presents a rare and fleeting opportunity to push the second-term agenda that could help determine his legacy — if he can get Congress to act quickly. The president has maybe a year before electoral politics tends to accelerate the already nasty gridlock between the White House and Republican lawmakers frustrated that Obama won a second term. Still, this is Obama's best chance to be the transformational leader he signaled he wants to be in his inaugural address when he called for a long list of left-leaning priorities, including gun control, immigration reform, climate change and advancing rights for gays and women. These were issues he didn't prioritize in his first term as he grappled with two wars and a recession — and faced a re-election bid in which he needed to campaign for America's middle. But fresh off his convincing victory, unburdened by the prospect of another campaign, now is his time to try to create his legacy. The question is how far he is willing to go to get his agenda passed and whether he can overcome GOP obstacles. His agenda has to compete with real world demands of domestic problems and world events. The unemployment rate recently has ticked up to 7.9 percent, only a few tenths of a percentage point lower than it was four years ago, and fights over spending loom on the legislative horizon. And North Korea's nuclear test and unrest in the Middle East put foreign policy back at center stage. Democrats cheered Obama's inaugural speech and are looking for him to keep up "this new-found feistiness," as Democratic consultant Jim Manley described it. "I want to see him following up on the aggressive tone in the inaugural address, including putting political capital behind both immigration and gun control, making it very clear it is his intention to get those both done sooner rather than later," said Manley, a former aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Manley says in his experience on Capitol Hill, Obama doesn't even have a year before lawmakers are unwilling to go along with his demands. "It's a very narrow window, not much more than six months or so for possibly everything, with the possible exception of immigration reform that could take a little longer," Manley said. That's because come next year, members of Congress will be focused on their own campaigns for the midterm election. Then attention focuses on the race to succeed Obama with the primary campaign taking shape in 2015. Democrats won more seats than expected last fall and have hopes of winning control of the House. But those running in conservative-leaning districts could have more trouble if they are forced to take tough votes on Obama's agenda. For now, Americans are far happier with Obama's leadership than they are with Congress. A recent Associated Press-GfK poll found that 54 percent of registered voters approve of the job Obama is doing, compared with just 17 percent for Congress. But that isn't preventing Republicans from digging in their heels. House Speaker John Boehner told television correspondents and anchors in a breakfast meeting Tuesday that immigration is about the only item on Obama's list that has a chance of passing this year. He said the president is more interested in getting a Democratic majority in both chambers next year to get what he wants and he doesn't believe Obama "has the guts" to take on liberals in his party over spending cuts. "I think he'd love to have Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House and Harry Reid as the leader of the Senate for the last two years of his presidency," Boehner said, according to a report on
. "He knows that none of (the president's agenda outlined in the inaugural) is going to happen as long as we have the majority in the House." But University of Michigan debate director Aaron Kall argues a successful follow-up performance in the State of the Union could help persuade the American people to back his agenda for change. Kall said Obama's challenge is to simultaneously persuade members of Congress in his live audience along with tens of millions of Americans watching from home. He said it's no accident that Obama is following up the speech with travel outside Washington to Georgia, North Carolina and Illinois later this week. "A persuasive speech tonight could provide positive momentum to his upcoming three-state tour and set a solid foundation for an inside-outside Washington strategy of getting his agenda passed and cementing his legacy," Kall said. EDITOR'S NOTE — Nedra Pickler covers the White House for The Associated Press.

subset: commoncrawl


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Walkthrough for the Level 2025 of Gardenscapes
Goal of this Level – Get 4 Glesses of Lemonade and 44 Green Life
No of moves present – 26
No of Pieces present – Green Life, Red Apples, Blue Water Drops, Purple Grapes and Yellow Pears
No of stars Required – 5
Play Gardenscapes on:
Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playrix.gardenscapes
iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/gardenscapes-new-acres/id1038103805855010389
Different Type of Goals you will find in Level 2025 of Gardenscapes –
a) Collect the required Pieces
b) Find Gnomes
c) Drop Lemonades
How to beat Level 2025 of Gardenscapes?
This is the strategy that we used to beat this level
A) In Level 2025 of Gardenscapes match three pieces of the same type by swapping adjacent ones.
B) Match four pieces to get a Firecracker in Level 2025 of Gardenscapes
C) In Gardenscapes Level 2025 swap firecracker with an adjacent piece to launch it
D) You can also explode power-ups by simply double tapping them in Gardenscapes Level 2025
E) In Level 2025 match five pieces to receive a Bomb power-up
F) The more pieces you match, the more powerful the power-up you get is in Level 2025
G) In Gardenscapes Level 2025 you get Dynamite by matching six pieces
H) In Gardenscapes Level 2025 dynamite blows everything up within a three tile radius
I) Rainbow blast charges a little more every time you detonate a power-up in the field in Gardenscapes Level 2025
J) In Gardenscapes Level 2025 keep in mind the piece type needed to complete an objective
K) Most important tip is to take your time in Level 2025 of Gardenscapes
This video shows players the strategy to beat Gardenscapes Level 2025
Boosters which help you clear Level 2025 of Gardenscapes –
a) In Level 2025 of Gardenscapes TNT barrel power-up is substantially deadlier by matching seven pieces or more
b) You can swap Rainbow blast power-up with any adjacent piece on the board in order on a random part of the board in Level 2025 of Gardenscapes
c) In Gardenscapes Level 2025 Firecracker explode all the neighboring tiles
d) Bombs exploode everything within a two-tile radius in Gardenscapes Level 2025
e) In Level 2025 Dynamite explodes everything within a three-tile radius
This picture shows players the layout how Gardenscapes Level 2025 looks like
Supported Android or Apple Devices for Gardenscapes Level 2025 –
a) Android Devices – Own a processor built on ARMv7 architecture
Support OpenGL ES 2.0
Support a 320×480 resolution or higher
Run on Android OS 2.3 or higher
b) Apple Devices – iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and later models
iPad 2 and later models
iPad Mini
iPod Touch 4th generation and later
Still Struggling to finish Gardenscapes Level 2025?
I will update Citygare with more tips and tricks, so please bookmark Citygare. Surely, you can share your own stuff and help players unlock more goodies, levels, magic potions and earn stars. If you have any suggestions or questions, then do leave a comment and I or my friends and readers will answer them.
Visit Gardenscapes page for level videos, written guides, tutorials, cheats and more.


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Hillsdale Academy tops Litchfield for district crown
By Ed email@example.com ADAMS — Throughout its successful season, the Hillsdale Academy girls basketball team has had different players step up at different times.Christina Craig made her mark Friday, leading a balanced attack as the Colts captured the Class D district championship with a 43-21 victory over the Litchfield Terriers at North Adams-Jerome High School.Hillsdale Academy (21-1) advanced to next week's regional tournament at Mendon. The Colts will face Pittsford in the semifinals Tuesday night.The Colts took command early and put Litchfield (9-11) behind the eight ball. Hillsdale Academy opened the game with a 10-2 run in the first quarter, then extended its lead to 19-6 by halftime.Hillsdale Academy got rolling offensively in the third quarter, outscoring the Terriers 14-4 in the frame before coasting to the win and the district title."We talked about surviving and advancing, and we're excited to win," Hillsdale Academy coach Kevin Reed said. "We didn't play as good as we would've liked, but by the third quarter we had things well in hand. There are 32 teams left in Class D and we're one of them."Craig finished with a game-high 10 points to lead the Colts. Elyse Lisznyai had seven points and 11 steals, while Olivia Jones had seven points, five rebounds and three assists. McKayla Tharp scored seven points and handed out three assists. Lyndee Wonders grabbed six rebounds and Michaela Biegner pulled down five rebounds."Christina sometimes plays second fiddle to the other girls, but she does a lot of the dirty work," Reed said. "It's nice to see her be our leading scorer tonight."Harley Prater finished with eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists in her final prep game for Litchfield. Hayley Jones added six points, while Katelyn Wheeler scored five points.The Terriers captured the Southern Central Athletic Association Blue Division title for the first time since 1999 before making it to the district final."Overall I'm happy with our season and look forward to building on this year," Litchfield coach Bill O'Dell said. "I thought we were competitive in most of our games, and the girls felt like they could play with any team. They never quit throughout the season."Hillsdale Academy swept the two meetings with Pittsford during the regular season.


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Carmello's 29 leads the way
NEW YORK — Toasted in Texas, the New York Knicks fixed things on their home floor.
Now it's right back on the road — or subway, for those so inclined — for the first chance to claim city supremacy.
Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points in just 32 minutes, and the Knicks ended a two-game losing streak with a 121-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Steve Novak added a season-high 18 and JR Smith had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who started 8-1 and had the Eastern Conference's best record before a couple of defenseless performances in Texas spanning the Thanksgiving holiday. They were much better Sunday, improving to 5-0 at home.
"We just kind of had a lapse those two games, I would like to think, and tonight was a lot better," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said.
New York takes the short trip to Brooklyn on Monday to face the Nets, a game that was supposed to be the season opener for both teams and the first matchup since the Nets moved from New Jersey before it was postponed because of Superstorm Sandy.
"If we don't get up for this game, then I don't know what games we'll get up for," said Anthony, a Brooklyn native. "It's an inner-city game, New York vs. Brooklyn. To me, going back home, going back to my borough, playing my first game back there is a very special moment for myself."
Brandon Knight scored 21 points and Charlie Villanueva had 17 for the Pistons, who have lost six straight games at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have been a much-improved defensive team under Woodson but had a slipup at the end of their road trip, allowing 114 points in a loss at Dallas and then yielding 131 while getting blown out Friday in Houston.
"It was just defense," Knicks forward Rasheed Wallace said. "I think we were a little bit tired coming off that back to back. Being on the road so much for this past month, we were bound to run out of gas sooner or later. But good bounce back today, just played Knicks basketball and Knicks defense."
They were much sharper Sunday, save for a few minutes where they seemed to ease up after building a 20-point halftime lead. New York was 17 of 33 from 3-point range (51.5 percent) and recorded its highest point total of the season.
"We have to give a better effort as far as not giving up those 3s," Knight said. "That's what they do best, that's what we came into the game trying to do. We did a poor job defensively."
Wallace scored 15 points against his former team, and Raymond Felton had 14 points and 10 assists as the Knicks beat the Pistons for the fourth straight time. Wallace was back after missing a game with a sore left foot.
Anthony made four 3-pointers after hitting seven and scoring a season-high 37 in Friday's loss. He never needed to play in the fourth quarter, the Knicks blowing it open for good while he was getting his usual rest to begin the period.
The Pistons started 0-8 before winning three of their next five, but were back to being bad on Sunday. They committed 20 turnovers, leading to 33 points.
"How many minutes of defense did we play? I don't know, but I know it's not nearly good enough to do and we've got to take care of the ball," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said.
Anthony was 6 of 7 in the first quarter, hitting all three 3-pointers and scoring 15 points as the Knicks opened a 32-22 lead. The Knicks closed the first half with an 18-6 run, taking a 64-44 lead to the locker room. They got help from the Pistons, who turned it over 12 times in the half, leading to 19 points.
But the Knicks left their intensity behind when they returned for the second half. They slumped back to the bench for a timeout after Kyle Singler left Jason Kidd standing still on a baseline cut for a layup, capping a 13-3 spurt to open the third quarter that cut the deficit to 67-57. Detroit got within eight later in the period, but Novak hit a couple of 3-pointers and the Knicks were back up 86-72 after three.
New York finished it off with a 10-3 burst in the fourth, extending a 10-point lead to 98-81 on another 3-pointer by Novak.
NOTES: The next meeting between the teams will take place in London on Jan. 17. ... Wallace, who played on the Pistons' 2004 NBA championship team (with Woodson as an assistant), still has a Detroit jacket hanging in his locker. ... Woodson said he had no update on Amare Stoudemire, who had left knee surgery Oct. 31 and was expected to miss six to eight weeks.


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Gardener: The dirt on soil products
Every time I go to the garden center, I'm amazed at the number of soil products available. There are types just for specifically starting seeds, mixtures for potting and containers, transplanting blends, general garden soil or even specialty concoctions for narrow categories such as cactus, violets and succulents. And you can buy products with fertilizer and moisture-retention ingredients mixed in.
Fortunately, the organic gardener isn't completely passed over in the sea of choices, as there are a few options here, too.
Who would have thought that what some people still consider dirt has evolved into such designer products?
Astute gardeners can appreciate that all store-bought soil is not created equal, and for good reason. But do we really need so many options? I believe that no, we don't need so many choices. Yet branded soil lines seem to be some of the hottest products in home gardening today. You can credit that to good marketing, consumer confusion and very busy lifestyles. If you look at the ingredients on most of these products, you'll be surprised to find they all include most of the same components.
When it comes to labeling, one important term to note is the difference between "soil" and "soilless" blends. Soilless blends are used for starting seeds and seedlings. These mixes are usually a combination of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. They are called "soilless" because they do not contain material commonly found in typical soil products that might have pathogens that could harm or kill tender seedlings at such an early stage. These products have been pasteurized, or heated to a very high temperature, so that any potentially harmful ingredients have been killed. They are also the lightest in weight and density, which is necessary for giving seeds the best chance of a good start. Soilless mixes are indeed the best choice for starting seeds and a great product for their intended purpose.
The rest of the soils, including potting or container mixes, usually include peat moss, perlite and "composted natural products." This last component varies from region to region. It depends on where the product was made, and what was available. Consider it a catchall phrase. The biggest variable is the percentage of each. These products are designed to be light enough to allow for good drainage, yet maintain some water-holding capacity. This is a good combination for anything planted in a container.
Container mixes, as they are commonly known, are another category of bagged soil. Manufacturers add materials such as slow-release fertilizers and water-holding polymers that absorb water and make it available to plant roots over extended periods. For container plants, that's especially important. They dry out far more quickly than plants in the ground, so they need to be watered much more frequently. Consequently, any nutrients within the container tend to be washed away more quickly, as well.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage to the wide range of specialty soils available today is convenience. To be sure, they are fine products. If you're looking to save time or don't want to think about it, designer soils are just what you need. But a basic understanding of soil, plant needs and fertilization can go a long way in creating your own custom blend -- and save a few dollars in the process.
It's certainly not as convenient, but I find it to be a lot of fun and an excellent way to have a better understanding of the important role that having the right soil plays in the success (or failure) of your plants.
Joe Lamp'l, host and executive producer of "Growing a Greener World" on PBS, is an author and a paid spokesman for the Mulch and Soil Council. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com. For more information, visit www.GrowingAGreenerWorld.com. For more stories, visit shns.com.


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nanoHUB citations in nano-Research, Education, and Cyberinfrastructure
We have identified 575 citations to nanoHUB in the scientific literature with 56% of these citations attributed to investigators who are not in any way affiliated with NCN. The citation map provides a visual representation of affiliated and non-affiliated investigators. Non-affiliates appear outside of the dashed line. Researchers affiliated with but not funded by NCN are responsible for many of the remaining citations. NCN clearly is strongly networked through research papers, with networks being developed outside of NCN. Some of the outside networks are completely decoupled from NCN. 509 (89%) of the citations appear in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, book chapters. Ph.D. or Master's thesis. 469 (82%) pertain to research in the nanotechnology field. Thus, the vast majority of citations refer to actual nanoHUB.org use.
nanoHUB h-index
Two years ago we began charting citation network maps to address the question of whether nanoHUB can indeed be used for research. The documented citations and their extent into the non-NCN-affiliated nano community exceed those of any other science gateway we are aware of. Next the question arose: "Is it good research?" In the past year we have begun to address that question by asking: "Are the papers that cite nanoHUB subsequently cited by other authors?" We have interacted with Luo Si, professor of computer science at Purdue, who helped us to mine the Google Scholar service to obtain the secondary citations to the nanoHUB citations. Let's imagine nanoHUB as the author of the 575 papers citing nanoHUB. We have found 3,251 citations to these 575 primary papers such that the h-index is 27. That means 27 of the primary papers have at least 27 citations. Considering that the first primary papers appeared in 2000, the "beginning of nanaoHUB's scientific career," nanoHUB exceeds the typical value of 10 for the h-index of a professional with 10 years of experience.
The most recent citation lists can be found here, ordered by the number of secondary citations. The interactive table can be explored easily – you can look at "nano" publications only, look at NCN external papers, etc.
Use by Experimentalists
The NCN does have the specific goal to place simulation tools into the hands of experimentalists. The article "Use by Experimentalists" provides a few examples of such impact on experimental work.


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New and Notable
Less Money for Low-Income Weatherization
Less Money for Low-Income Weatherization
DOE is providing $140.3 million in weatherization program grants to 31 states and the Navajo Nation to make energy-efficiency improvements in homes of low-income families. These weatherization measures are expected to reduce the average home's energy costs by $358 annually.
"Weatherizing your home is a valuable way to save energy and money," says DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman. "The Department of Energy's weatherization program will help nearly 97,000 families make their homes more energy efficient." The funding for all energy-efficiency programs is $847 million, 2.3% lower than the administration's 2005 proposed funding. The budget includes funding cuts for energy efficiency programs, including low-income weatherization.
For every dollar spent,weatherization returns $1.53 in energy savings over the life of the measures. DOE's weatherization program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home. These include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. Other benefits of weatherization include increased housing affordability, increased property values, job creation, lower owner and renter turnover, and a reduced risk of fire.
The DOE weatherization program grants are distributed by state energy offices through more than 900 local agencies. Every state, the District of Columbia, the Navajo Nation, and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona will receive weatherization grants this year. Awards announced so far are for the Navajo Nation and the 31 states that begin their weatherization year on April 1. The remaining 19 states and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona will receive funding during the latter half of 2006.
The administration's fiscal year 2007 budget proposes even more decreases in funding—cutting $78 million (13%) in funding for federal energy efficiency programs. The proposed budget decreases funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program by $85 million (27%).
Energy Star Dishwashers More Efficient
DOE has established more stringent energy efficiency criteria for Energy Star-labeled dishwashers. Dishwashers that meet the new Energy Star criteria must be a minimum of 41% more efficient than federal energy efficiency standards and could save American families more than $26 million a year.The new qualifying levels will go into effect on January 1, 2007, and dishwashers that meet the criteria will be eligible for manufacturer tax credits under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Energy Star label appears on more than 40 kinds of consumer product.
Pardee Homes Honored
Pardee Homes is the first homebuilding company in California to earn the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger honored 18 individuals, organizations, and businesses for the 2005 GEELA, with honorees announced in Sacramento." Californians take very seriously their commitment to preserving the beauty and health of the state we call home," says Schwarzenegger. "I commend this year's Environmental and Economic Leadership recipients for their efforts in making California's air, land, and water cleaner and safer."
GEELA recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable voluntary contributions in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships.
Pardee Homes was recognized for Sustainable Practices, which acknowledges "pioneering efforts to integrate environmental values and conservation of natural resources into long-term decision making and management of businesses and facilities." GEELA officials said that the company demonstrates a broad commitment to resource conservation, and to outreach efforts that help home buyers learn more about the benefits of sustainable design. Among Pardee Homes' achievements are its 100% commitment to Energy Star-compliant homes; its LivingSmart program of additional sustainable systems and features; habitat and vernal pool restoration; and solarpower standards and options for selected homes.
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Teacher, Childtime of Baldwinsville
- Brand: Childtime Learning Centers
8439 Loop RdBaldwinsville,NY
- Requisition ID: 144010
- Date Posted: 1/13/2023
We care, for the children and families we serve, and our dedicated team members. You are our best asset. Feel valued and get access to the benefits and resources you need to connect, balance, grow, and thrive in your career.
- We support your work/life balance with a minimum 50% child care discount, immediate (or next-day) access to earnings, paid time off, and more.
- We invest in your future with ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, credential assistance, and our unique Master Teacher Program.
- We strive to provide a positive, fun environment with plenty of recognition.
Join our talented team, where we inspire children to be lifelong learners! Through our play based curriculum, our affectionate and loving staff ensures that our children are imparted with the knowledge to succeed.
As a Teacher, you'll:
- Follow all licensing guidelines and company standards to ensure the daily care of every child.
- Develop your ability to accurately observe, assess, and plan for children, as well as effectively communicate with families.
- Complete extensive training that provides insight on child care and development topics.
- Implement proprietary curriculum while creating fun, interactive learning experiences.
We want energetic, dependable, passionate individuals who are at least 18 and have:
- Experience in a licensed child care center or related field.
- Completed a high school diploma or equivalent
- The ability to meet state requirements for education and additional center requirements
- Able to work indoors or outdoors and engage in physical activity with children
Learning Care Group is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.


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Generals backed Kelley's sister in court
WASHINGTON — In the latest twist of the David Petraeus sex scandal, court records show the former CIA director and Gen. John Allen intervened last September in a messy custody dispute on behalf of Jill Kelley's sister, whom a judge described as dishonest and lacking integrity.
Kelley is the woman who received harassing emails from Petraeus' biographer and paramour, according to U.S officials. She also is thought to have exchanged flirtatious communications with Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Pentagon investigators are now examining Allen's relationship with Kelley.
The new court files are significant because they provide of a fuller picture of the twins' connections to Petraeus and Allen, two powerful figures ensnared in the scandal. It also raises questions why two decorated generals would vouch for Kelley's twin sister, Natalie Khawam, who had piles of legal troubles in recent years.
Petraeus resigned Friday as CIA director after disclosures that author Paula Broadwell sent the emails to Kelley, who in turn went to the FBI, setting off a series of stunning revelations that have engulfed Washington just days after President Barack Obama was re-elected.
Both Allen and Petraeus wrote letters in September supporting Khawam in her ongoing custody fight for her son, D.C. Superior Court records show. Allen met Khawam, 37, when he was deputy commander of U.S. Central Command in Tampa, where they attended social functions. Petraeus said he met Khawam three years ago through Kelley.
Both men said she was a loving mother and asked the judge in the case to drop onerous visitation restrictions. "In light of Natalie's maturity, integrity and steadfast commitment to raising her child, I humbly request your reconsideration of the existing, mandated custody settlement," Allen said.
But Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz a year earlier criticized Khawam for her behavior and said her "misrepresentations about virtually everything" would continue.
"Ms. Khawam appears to lack any appreciation or respect for the importance of honesty and integrity in her interactions with her family, employers and others with whom she comes in contact," he wrote in November 2011.
Not only did the judge in the case award her ex-husband custody last year of their 3-year-old son, John, but he also told Khawam to pay his legal bills amounting to $350,000. Khawam filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April after racking up more than $3 million in debt, according to federal court records.
The status of her most recent custody appeal was not immediately known.
Khawam did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Her relationship with her ex-husband, Grayson Wolfe, grew to levels of remarkable acrimony as detailed in court papers. She made repeated claims of abuse, which the judge called "an ever-expanding set of sensational accusations" against Wolfe that were "numerous," ''extraordinary," and, "so distorted that they defy any common sense view of reality."
One case included a visit to Children's National Medical Center in December 2011 — a month after the judge granted custody to Wolfe — to treat alleged bruises to the child's nose and finger, hospital records show. Khawam told doctors her son complained of Wolfe hitting him, but court records show the child later recanted his statement. Wolfe's lawyer said the abuse report was a fabrication.
All told, it was a very different dynamic than what the two generals said they witnessed.
"We have seen a very loving relationship — a mother working hard to provide her son enjoyable, educational and developmental experiences," Petraeus said in September, referring to when he hosted the family for Christmas dinner. "It is clear to me that John would benefit from much more time with his mother and from removal of the burdensome restrictions imposed on her when she does get to spend time with him."


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Editorial: Rights for me, but not for thee
Sometimes you have to wonder if the cultural canyon between the West and the Arab world is impossible to bridge. Sometimes you have to wonder if the political divides in this country — which have taken on a shrill irrationality in some quarters — are beyond repair as well.
Across the Muslim world, violent, anti-American protests raged last week — in Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, etc. — leaving several dead and many more injured in their wake. Among the fatalities were U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other American diplomats, all of whom had dedicated their careers to trying to close those gaps in understanding and yet fell victim not just to their unforgivable attackers but arguably to those Americans who had so infuriated them.
It is a peculiar phenomenon of this technological era that a cartoonish, 14-minute trailer of a full-length movie that may not even exist, reportedly made by a Coptic Christian with a criminal past and the support of others with some questionable histories of their own, could go global via the Internet, be erroneously perceived as having the stamp of approval of the U.S. government, and spark such vehement and hostile reactions across many nations. (That's a simple version, as it appears some of these mobs were egged on by those with agendas unrelated to the film, which they exploited as an excuse for their actions.) Google, the owner of YouTube, on Friday announced that it would not be taking the video — which to put it mildly portrayed the Muslim prophet Muhammad in a very unflattering light — off the Web but would block access to it in Libya and Egypt.
Given their history and traditions — they've known no other way — many Arabs simply cannot fathom how anyone could get away with speaking such blasphemy without punishment. That such speech could even be constitutionally protected ... well, what's wrong with those people? On this side of the world, given our history and traditions — we've known no other way — we simply cannot grasp how anyone could be driven to murder by something so ultimately harmless as a disagreeable illustration or utterance, especially against innocents who demonstrably were not responsible. What's wrong with those people?
We cherish our "rights" in the United States, which may be unparalleled on this planet, and yet too many of us take them for granted or invoke them irresponsibly. The misunderstandings regarding those rights — that they are absolute, that they come without consequences — are rampant. Nowhere is that more so than in two rights embedded within the First Amendment — the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion.
It is a terrible indictment of this age that the truth in the exercise of one's freedom of speech has become irrelevant to many, as is the potential for harm that it might cause. Those behind this video may not have pulled any triggers themselves, but it's not as if they were clueless as to what reactions it might provoke. It's one thing to put yourself at risk with what you say and do, quite another to knowingly put others in peril, in this case other U.S. citizens. Those guilty of such will forgive the accusation that what they've done here is the equivalent of yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater, watching 10 people crushed to death in the resulting stampede, and then washing their hands of any culpability for it. Some of those who've admitted to involvement with this video have even indicated that they're proud of themselves. They have free speech, dammit! Sorry, not sure it works that way.
Free speech, including the latitude to ridicule religion, is fine with a lot of Americans as long as it's directed at someone else's. When their beliefs are the target, it's a different ballgame. In fact we talk a much better game about freedom of religion than we play. I should be free to practice mine, but you ... not so much. Some have no problem with the video at the center of this, since it's directed at Muslims. One does wonder if a certain prominent politician (his party's nominee for president, no less) would voice such a spirited public defense of free speech rights — er, "American values," as if those were reflected in a film solely intended to offend and inflame — if they were aimed critically against, oh, the Mormon faith.
Is he entitled to his opinion? Sure. And others are free to disagree, to suggest he and his handlers should have known better, to note that one definition of leadership is keeping your head about you while all others are losing theirs. There are lots of issues in this election season, but this campaign just had one of its most revealing moments, thus far.
This is a scary age. Innocents die for the sins consciously committed by others, who regret nothing. Those who fancy themselves leaders, political and religious alike, stir up the mobs even more, sometimes for the most selfish of reasons. Earth is crammed full of fanatics and defenders of the indefensible. We don't speak the same language, don't understand one another, and don't want to try. It's easier just to hate, to revel in our ignorance. The world is losing its mind, and this nation may not be far behind. Can we expect anyone to save us from our foolish selves besides the face staring back in the mirror?
Journal Star of Peoria, Ill.


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Nativity Begins with Christ Triptych Banner (Pack of 3) On Sale! $237.00 / pack of 3SKU: WS2319413
Each flag banner in this set is 2' x 8.5', and stands almost 12 feet tall when paired with the carbon fiber pole hardware (sold separately). Each design is printed on special material that allows the image and text to be seen from both sides. Display them along a busy road, along the driveway to your church, or in planters in your parking area; flag banners help visitors know they have arrived and found your church building.Flag Banners are printed on 130g Polyester which meets or exceed industry standards for outdoor flags. To extend the life of your flag banners, it is recommended that flag banners are taken down and stored inside at night or when not in use.
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October 25, 2012—April 13, 2013
The Hebraic Section of the Library of Congress is recognized as one of the world's foremost centers for the study of Hebrew and Yiddish materials. Its beginnings can be traced to Jacob H. Schiff's gift in 1912 of nearly 10,000 books and pamphlets. In the century since Schiff's initial gift, the Library has expanded its Hebraic holdings to close to 200,000 works in Hebrew and related languages.


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Building Better Weatherization Programs
Low-income programs can benefit from better tracking data.
The Weatherization Assistance program (WAP) helps low-income households reduce their energy costs by making their homes more energy efficient. During the last 30 years, WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 5.5 million families. A DOE program, WAP also receives funding from various other sources, including the Department of Health and Human Services Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP), and local utilities. WAP provides services that are in great demand, and it has performed extremely well in providing these services. However, the program would benefit greatly from better data tracking and measurement.
In describing the efficacy of low-income programs, DOE specifies that "the single most important metric is the number of homes weatherized." While the reasons for using this metric are understandable, it has often produced mediocre results.
In general, the aim of low-income programs is to reduce the household's energy burden, defined as energy cost divided by income, where energy cost is equal to energy consumption multiplied by the price of energy. Reducing the cost of energy to the consumer can be achieved in one or more of three ways. The first is to reduce energy consumption by installing weatherization measures or by educating the consumer on ways to save energy. The second is to reduce the price of energy by discounting rates to low-income households. The third is to reduce the consumer's energy bills by paying a portion of the bill through cash energy assistance. In other words, low-income programs are not limited to weatherization, and there are measurement metrics appropriate to each program type (see Table 1).
The measurement and evaluation process converts raw data collected in the course of implementing programs into information that can be used to improve the management and control of the program. You cannot manage what you cannot control and you cannot control what you cannot manage. As economist John Kenneth Galbraith once said, "things that are measured tend to improve." Weatherization programs are no exception.
While WAP uses various sources of funding to install energy efficiency and conservation measures in low-income housing, the goals of these various sources are not necessarily in agreement. Some programs have cost-effective energy savings as their primary goal. Utility funding tends to be mostly in this camp. WAP also includes health and safety, affordability, and a reduction in the energy burden among their goals.
Some weatherization programs are comprehensive, including energy education and low-cost measures. Some use deemed savings while others require detailed audit estimates. Many programs require that the savings be validated against actual consumption from the year before.
Impact evaluation is the most common method used to assess program performance. This method examines the effects of the program on key indicators, such as energy savings.
Accurate Results
The main objective of weatherization is to save energy. Changes in energy consumption from one period to the next can be caused by a variety of factors. Those factors include, but are not limited to,
• weather;
• changes in prices;
• changes in the economy;
• changes in household
characteristics (e.g., number and age of people in the home); and finally
• the weatherization program itself.
The challenge is to isolate the impact of weatherization (program impact) from the other, nonprogram, factors. Weather, for example, is a significant determinant of energy consumption. Changes in the weather from one period to the next can cause significant changes in energy use. Therefore, a direct comparison of utility bills before and after weatherization may be misleading. The observed difference in utility bills may be caused by any of the above factors. For example, if energy consumption decreases by 2,000 kWh postweatherization, but the weather postweatherization was significantly hotter, then at least part of the decrease is probably due to the change in the weather.
The impact of weather can be isolated through weather normalization. The most widely used tool for this purpose is the Princeton Scorekeeping Method (PRISM). PRISM requires utility data on energy consumption and meter read data.
Meter read data are used to calculate the number of days covered by the bill. Meters are not always read on the same schedule. Sometimes the billing period may cover 30 days, sometimes 35, and so forth. Average daily consumption is then computed and the data are arranged in 12 average daily consumption values representing each of the 12 months of the year. The idea behind PRISM is rather simple. Energy consumption has two components: baseload daily consumption and temperature-sensitive daily load. PRISM runs statistical models to estimate the impact of the weather on energy consumption. The model may contain heating degree-days (HDD), cooling degree-days (CDD), or both (depending on the type of fuel used and the presence of heating or cooling equipment). Once the best explanatory model is selected, average weather data are plugged into that model to estimate normalized annual consumption (NAC). NAC corrects for weather changes as well as misalignment of billing cycles.
To isolate the impact of other factors (economic conditions, rate changes, and so forth) the impact evaluation approach often identifies a comparison group—that is, a sample of households that are similar to those receiving the treatment. The observed consumption changes in this group is then used as a proxy to show how the participating households would have performed had they not been weatherized. If, for example, weatherized homes reduced consumption by an average of 2,000 kWh while at the same time the comparison group reduced consumption by 500 kWh, the program net impact is estimated as 1,500 kWh.
Finding the right group (in this case, low-income households that have not been weatherized, in similar homes and with similar energy consumption levels) may prove challenging. Recipients of energy assistance that have not been weatherized, and households on the waiting list to be weatherized, are good populations from which to draw samples in order to create the comparison group.
Net savings are a measure of the program savings net of weather and all other non-program-related factors. In a PRISM-based evaluation of a weatherization program in the Northwest, the average participant reduced normalized consumption from 15,343 kWh to 13,891 kWh per year (see Table 2). This represents a reduction of 1,452 kWh. This gross estimate does not indicate what would have happened in the absence of the program. To find out, we employed a comparison group of 587 clients who had received some form of energy assistance, but who had not participated in the program. During the same year, these nonparticipants increased their consumption by 409 kWh, or 2.5% of their preprogram consumption. We assume that, had our participants not been through the program, they would have increased their consumption by the same amount. By combining the results of the gross estimate with the results of the comparison study, we arrived at a net energy savings of 1,860 kWh.
PRISM is now extremely easy to use and fairly inexpensive. Any agency that delivers weatherization services can obtain a copy and quickly learn how to use it.
Estimating Audit-Based Savings
Across weatherization programs, auditors conduct an initial inspection to determine whether the home can proceed toward final weatherization. They do so by identifying energy-saving opportunities in the home. In most cases, audit software is used to estimate the potential savings to be realized by installing specific measures. When a measure is expected to produce sufficient savings (as indicated by a savings-investment ratio of 1 or more), the measure is recommended for installation.
Not all agencies use software tools. Some use look-up tables based on a list of average conditions and on simple engineering algorithms. Some agencies use software tools, but do not utilize one of their most powerful features—estimating savings based on actual existing conditions as measured by one full year of consumption data. When the actual energy consumption figure during the year preceding the audit is not used, the audit software will, in most cases, significantly overestimate the savings. It can, in fact, estimate savings that exceed consumption.
To obtain the most complete information, agencies should use an audit tool accompanied by one full year of energy consumption data. When this approach is not followed, extremely misleading measurements can result. With bad measurement come bad controls, and with bad controls come bad programs. The most obvious potential outcome is that programs may install measures that will realize very little in the way of savings. With proper measurement, this problem can be avoided. The funding can then be used to install measures that will realize greater savings, in the same home or in another home.
Consider, for example, a program that is currently in the Northwest. In this program, there is no relationship between the audit-based predictions of savings and the actual savings experienced at the individual homes (see Figure 1). One would expect some positive relationship between the expected and the actual savings (that is, as predicted savings increase, one would expect the actual savings to increase). In fact, the relationship can never be predicted exactly, owing to behavioral factors that are beyond the capability of the auditor to predict. In this case, however, there is no positive relationship at all between expected and actual savings. This is a clear indication that the expected savings are invalid and should not be used to gauge energy-saving opportunities.
To further illustrate the point, we present three rather extreme cases drawn from client files (see Figure 2). We do not suggest that these cases are in any way representative; rather, they serve as examples of what can go wrong without the use of proper tools.
Case A is a manufactured home with 10,645 kWh consumed during the 12 months preceding weatherization. Based on installation of ceiling insulation (7,514 kWh estimated savings), floor insulation (2,184 kWh), window replacement (93 kWh), and an insulated door (446 kWh), total savings were estimated at 11,170 kWh annually (105% of total preconsumption). While this savings is obviously not possible, it was recorded as such, and the measures were installed. In this case, the total project cost was nearly $8,000. When actual energy savings are considered, the owner can expect to save about $120 annually. Therefore, this project has a simple payback of nearly 68 years! The negative program impact in this instance is a result of the failure to use the proper tools; in particular, of the failure to compare savings estimates to preconsumption data.
Case B is a single-family home with 5,358 kWh consumed during the 12 months preceding weatherization. The auditor estimated total savings of 4,821 kWh (a 90% reduction in consumption). Measures installed included ceiling insulation, wall insulation, window replacement, some infiltration measures, and insulated doors. Total cost was over $4,750. We suspect that simple savings-investment ratio analysis would have shown that the doors and windows would not be cost-effective.
Case C is a single-family home with 10,530 kWh consumed during the 12 months preceding weatherization. The auditor estimated total savings of 6,863 kWh (a 65% reduction in consumption). Measures installed included ceiling insulation, wall insulation, window replacement, some infiltration measures, and insulated doors. Total cost was over $6,700.
Again, we suspect that simple savings-investment ratio analysis would have shown that the doors and windows would not be cost-effective. Savings was estimated at 4,333 kWh. Given actual savings and the cost of installation, this project has a simple payback of over 25 years.
Recommendations for Agencies
As the preceding examples show, agencies that implement weatherization programs can benefit greatly from proper tracking. Without proper tracking, measures are installed when they should not have been, predicted savings are exaggerated, and the programs do not recognize their full potential.
Again, unless data are collected, they cannot be analyzed, and if they are not analyzed, they cannot provide information that can be used to improve delivery and provide better service to clients. If the goal of the program is to provide the most cost-effective service to the most clients, tracking the projected savings and the associated costs can greatly enhance its ability to meet that goal. It enables programs to assess effectiveness along the way, and to make course corrections if and when they are needed.
We recommend that every agency that delivers weatherization services do five things:
1, The agency should track for all participating homes the amount spent by funding source.
2. The agency should estimate savings at the individual home level, using a DOE-approved audit tool and utilizing the actual consumption data from the previous year.
3. The agency should install measures for which the savings-investment ratio is 1 or better. Exceptions may be made when the auditor believes that the household's energy consumption is low because they are not living in healthy and comfortable conditions, and so the audit tool is estimating low potential savings.
4. The agency should ensure that the best tool will always be the judgment of trained auditors. No audit tool will completely replace that. Agencies should always have enough leeway to make exceptions as needed. However, with better tracking, they will know the effect that these exceptions will have on the overall efficacy of the program.
5. The agency should keep a running total of amounts and it should accurately estimate savings. When the overall numbers indicate that the savings-investment ratio is exceeding 1, the program is well operated. When the ratio falls below 1, corrections are in order. This can be done by bringing larger homes into the program. Owners of small homes still need to be helped, but agencies need to know that they lower the overall potential of the program.
Better tracking allows agencies to make more intelligent decisions at the individual home level and at the overall program level. When agency representatives decide to weatherize a home knowing that to do so will not be cost-effective, they should have that option. However, they need to know the impact that their decision will have on the efficacy of the program overall.
M. Sami Khawaja is the president of Quantec, a consulting company in Portland, Oregon. Patricia Koss is an associate professor of economics at Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon.
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Hdfc Bank Vijay Nagar IFSC & Branch Info
The IFSC Code of Hdfc Bank Vijay Nagar branch is HDFC0003954. The branch is located in New Delhi district of Delhi. For address and phone numbers, scroll down.
HDFC Vijay Nagar IFSC Code: HDFC0003954
Hdfc Bank Vijay Nagar MICR & Contact Info
Address, MICR code, branch contact number etc of HDFC Vijay Nagar branch is given below. You may contact the branch or the Customer Care number of the bank information relating to your Hdfc Bank account.
|Branch Name
|Hdfc Bank Vijay Nagar
Basement & Ground Floor C 29 Vijay Nagar New Delhi Delhi - 110009
City : Delhi
District : New Delhi
State : Delhi
|Customer Care Number
1800-425-4332 - Credit Card related
1800-22-1006 - Mutual Fund
1800-270-0700 - ERGO General Insurance Company
HDFC branches in New Delhi | HDFC branches in Delhi
Along with your account number, account name and account type (ie., savings or current) the following information about the branch is to be provided for fund transfer:
Bank Name : Hdfc Bank
Branch Name : Vijay Nagar
IFSC Code : HDFC0003954
Location : Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi - View full address
To make NEFT or RTGS money transfer to Hdfc Bank Vijay Nagar branch from any other bank in India, IFSC code is necessary. For hustle free payment transfer, share the accurate IFSC, branch name and account number with the transferer.


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This winner of this week's Gusher Award exemplifies one of the most popular forms of overheated praise, the literary relay gone haywire. It comes from a recent review of Yu Hua's novel Brothers in the New York Times Book Review:
"Imagine a novel written by William Dean Howells together with D.H. Lawrence, updated by Tom Wolfe and then filmed by Baz Luhrmann, and you'll have some idea of what Brothers would be like, had it originated in the West."
The reviewer doesn't stop with linking a Chinese author to Howells, one of the most influential American writers of the 19th century. He also invokes a fine early 20th-century English author, a bestselling New York novelist, and the Sydney-born director of Australia (after having said that Brothers has a presumably French-influenced "Cyrano de Bergerac-style struggle"). Instead of being helpful, all of these comparisons have the opposite effect: The more of them the critic piles on, the less clearly you see the book.
On a more practical note: Some research has shown that readers start to have trouble grasping statistics when more than three numbers appear in a sentence, and I suspect that a similar principle applies to comparisons. After this critic throws in that fourth name, Baz Luhrmann, he's lost you.
Gusher Awards for Achievement in Hyperbole in Book Reviewing appear on One-Minute Book Reviews on Fridays unless, as happened this week, I hit "publish" when I meant to hit "save" so that one of them is announced earlier.
(c) 2009 Janice Harayda. All rights reserved.


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The nation is having its earliest influenza season in nearly a decade and may see more severe illness than in recent years because of a circulating flu strain that has been particularly nasty in the past, federal health leaders said Monday.
The strain — influenza A H3N2 — has been associated with more serious illness and hospitalizations than other strains.
"It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad flu season, but only time will tell,"said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a conference call with reporters.
Five Southeastern states are reporting high levels of influenza-like illnesses, making this the earliest start to a regular flu season since 2003-04.
The nation also had an abnormally early season in 2009, but that was because of the appearance of the novel H1N1 virus, otherwise known as swine flu.
The flu season typically does not kick into high gear until January or later.
California is reporting only sporadic flu activity thus far, so there is still time for those who haven't been immunized to get a flu shot.
"We're seeing the storm clouds looming, but we have not seen flu activity here yet," said Dr. Randy Bergen, the clinical lead for Kaiser Permanente's flu vaccine program in Northern California.
Only about 1 percent of Kaiser's respiratory swab tests are coming back positive for the flu. Kaiser does not consider the flu season to have begun until positive tests reach 10 percent.
But because it takes about two weeks to develop immunity after a flu shot, Bergen advised people not to delay.
"It's only a matter of time before it makes it to California," he said.
The good news is that this year's vaccine appears to be a strong match for the circulating strains, including H3N2, which means it should provide optimal protection, Frieden said.
And plenty of vaccine is available. Nearly 123 million doses have been distributed out of about 135 million doses expected to be produced this season.
More than 112 million Americans have been immunized, said Dr. Melinda Wharton, acting director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated.
"Vaccination is by far the best tool we have to protect ourselves," Frieden said.
Kaiser has immunized more than 1 million of its Northern California members, a 3 percent increase from last season, Bergen said.
Each year in the United States, as many as 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die because of flu-related illnesses.
For the first time this year, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties required health care workers who have direct patient contact to get a flu shot or wear a mask during the entire flu season.
Nationwide, vaccination rates among some health care workers have been high. Between 80 and 90 percent of pharmacists, doctors and nurses have been immunized, Frieden said. But he noted that vaccination rates need to increase among other health care workers, including those in nursing homes.
So if the flu season has not yet hit California, why are so many children suffering with runny noses, coughs and low-grade fevers?
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, may be to blame. About 15 percent of Kaiser tests are coming back positive for RSV, which typically arrives about this time of year and strikes young children particularly hard, Bergen said.
RSV, a common cause of respiratory tract infection, tends to peak before the flu virus arrives in the Bay Area.
Sandy Kleffman covers health. Contact her at 510-293-2478. Follow her at Twitter.com/skleffman.
How to get a flu shot
Contact your health care provider.
Many pharmacies offer shots for about $25 to $30.
Kaiser members can call 800-573-5811 or go to www.kp.org/flu.
Your local health department may offer free or low-cost shots.
Find a location near you by going to www.healthmap.org/flushot.


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Patients & Families
For Health Professionals
As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years, long before it's legal for them to drink it. Research has shown that nearly 80% of high school kids have tried alcohol.
Although experimentation with alcohol can be common among kids, it's not safe or legal. So it's important to start discussing alcohol use and abuse with your kids at an early age and keep talking about it as they grow up.
Alcohol interferes with a person's perception of reality and ability to make good decisions. This can be particularly hazardous for kids and teens who have less problem-solving and decision-making experience.
Short-term effects of drinking include:
Long-term effects include:
Long before your kids are presented with a chance to drink alcohol, you can increase the chances that they'll just say "no."
Childhood is a time of learning and discovery, so it's important to encourage kids to ask questions, even ones that might be hard to answer. Open, honest, age-appropriate communication now sets the stage for your kids to come to you later with other difficult topics or problems.
Although 3- and 4-year-olds aren't ready to learn the facts about alcohol or other drugs, they start to develop the decision-making and problem-solving skills they will need later on. You can help them develop those skills in some simple ways.
For instance, let toddlers choose their own clothing and don't worry if the choices don't match. This lets them know you think they're capable of making good decisions. Assign simple tasks and let kids know what a big help they are.
And set a good example of the behavior that you want your kids to demonstrate. This is especially true in the preschool years when kids tend to imitate adults' actions as a way of learning. So, by being active, eating healthy, and drinking responsibly, parents teach their kids important lessons early on.
Kids this age still think and learn mostly by experience and don't have a good understanding of things that will happen in the future. So keep discussions about alcohol in the present tense and relate them to things that kids know and understand. For example, watching TV with your child can provide a chance to talk about advertising messages. Ask about the ads you see and encourage kids to ask questions too.
Kids are interested in how their bodies work, so this is a good time to talk about maintaining good health and avoiding substances that might harm the body. Talk about how alcohol hurts a person's ability to see, hear, and walk without tripping; it alters the way people feel; and it makes it hard to judge things like whether the water is too deep or if there's a car coming too close. And it gives people bad breath and a headache!
The later elementary school years are a crucial time in which you can influence your child's decisions about alcohol use. Kids at this age tend to love to learn facts, especially strange ones, and are eager to learn how things work and what sources of information are available to them.
So it's a good time to openly discuss facts about alcohol: its long- and short-term effects and consequences, its physical effects, and why it's especially dangerous for growing bodies.
Kids also can be heavily influenced by friends now. Their interests may be determined by what their peers think. So teach your child to say "no" to peer pressure, and discuss the importance of thinking and acting as an individual.
Casual discussions about alcohol and friends can take place at the dinner table as part of your normal conversation: "I've been reading about young kids using alcohol. Do you ever hear about kids using alcohol or other drugs in your school?"
By the teen years, your kids should know the facts about alcohol and your attitudes and beliefs about substance abuse. So use this time to reinforce what you've already taught them and focus on keeping the lines of communication open.
Teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, and their increasing need for independence may make them want to defy their parents' wishes or instructions. But if you make your teen feel accepted and respected as an individual, you increase the chances that your child will try to be open with you.
Kids want to be liked and accepted by their peers, and they need a certain degree of privacy and trust. Avoid excessive preaching and threats, and instead, emphasize your love and concern. Even when they're annoyed by parental interest and questions, teens still recognize that it comes with the territory.
Teach kids a variety of approaches to deal with offers of alcohol:
Times of transition, such as the onset of puberty or a parents' divorce, can lead kids to alcohol use. So teach your kids that even when life is upsetting or stressful, drinking alcohol as an escape can make a bad situation much worse.
Kids who have problems with self-control or low self-esteem are more likely to abuse alcohol. They may not believe that they can handle their problems and frustrations without using something to make them feel better.
Kids without a sense of connectedness with their families or who feel different in some way (appearance, economic circumstances, etc.) also might be at risk. Those who find it hard to believe in themselves desperately need the love and support of parents or other family members. In fact, not wanting to harm the relationships between themselves and the adults who care about them is the most common reason that young people give for not using alcohol and other drugs.
Fortunately, parents can do much to protect their kids from using and abusing alcohol:
Despite your efforts, your child may still use — and abuse — alcohol. How can you tell? Here are some common warning signs:
It's important not to jump to conclusions based on only one or two signs. Adolescence is a time of change — physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. This can lead to erratic behavior and mood swings as kids try to cope with all of these changes.
If your child is using alcohol, there will usually be a cluster of these signs, like changes in friends, behavior, dress, attitude, mood, and grades. If you see a number of changes, look for all explanations by talking to your kids, but don't overlook substance abuse as a possibility.
Other tips to try:
For teens, especially those old enough to drive, consider negotiating and signing a behavioral contract. This contract should spell out the way you expect your child to behave and state the consequences if your teen drives under the influence. Follow through and take the car keys away, if necessary.
Make part of the deal with your teen that you and the rest of your family also agree never to drink and drive. Also encourage responsible behaviors, such as planning for a designated driver or calling an adult for help rather than driving under the influence.
It's important to keep communication open and expectations reasonable. Tying responsible actions to freedoms such as a later curfew or a driver's license can be a powerful motivator. Teach your kids that freedom only comes with responsibility — a lesson that should last a lifetime.


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BEIRUT (AP) — Rebel commanders from across Syria have joined forces under a united command they hope will increase coordination between diverse fighting groups and streamline the pathway for arms essential to their struggle against President Bashar Assad.
While many of the brigades involved in the fighting are decidedly Islamist in outlook and some have boasted about executing captured soldiers, two of the most extreme groups fighting in Syria were not invited to the rebel meeting in Turkey or included in the new council — a move that could encourage Western support.
Disorganization has bedeviled Syria"s rebel movement since its birth late last year, when some protesters gave up on peaceful means to bring down Assad"s regime and took up arms, forming the base of what became the Free Syrian Army.
But the movement has never actually been an army. Scores of rebel groups battle Assad"s forces across the country, many coordinating with no one outside of their own area. While some say they want a civil, democratic government, others advocate an Islamic state.
The new body, expected to be announced officially today, hopes to form the basis of a united rebel front.
Some 500 delegates elected the 30-person Supreme Military Council and a Chief of Staff on Friday and planned to meet soon with representatives from the opposition"s newly reorganized political leadership, participants said.
"The aim of this meeting was to unify the armed opposition to bring down the regime," said a rebel commander from near Damascus who attended the meeting. "It also aims to get the situation under control once the regime falls."
The move toward greater unity on the armed front comes as the U.S. and others try to strengthen the opposition"s leadership while sidelining extremist factions that have become a vital part of the rebels" ground forces.
The opposition"s political leadership reorganized last month, under Western pressure, into a new National Alliance that its backers hope will have broader representation and stronger links to rebel fighters.
Britain, France, Turkey and several Gulf Arab nations have recognized the National Alliance, effectively considering it a government in exile.
The U.S. is expected to recognize it at an international "Friends of Syria" conference in Marakesh, Morocco, that begins Wednesday.
It remains unclear how the new military command will relate to the National Alliance and whether foreign powers will back it.
But two of Syria"s most extreme rebel groups were not included: Jabhat al-Nusra, which has claimed deadly suicide bombings and is believed to be linked to al-Qaida, and Ahrar al-Sham, an Islamic fundamentalist brigade home to many foreign jihadis.
U.S. officials have said the Obama administration is preparing to designate Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist organization.
Many of the participating groups have strong Islamist agendas, and some have fought in ways that could scare away Western backers. They include the Tawheed Brigade, whose ideology is similar to that of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Falcons of Damascus, an ultraconservative Islamist group. Its leader, Ahmed Eissa al-Sheik, said earlier this year that his men had executed five captured government soldiers.
Elizabeth O"Bagy, who studies Syria"s rebels for the Institute for the Study of War, said the new command included important on-the-ground commanders, which will give it more support from various rebel factions. The inclusion less extreme Islamist brigades will also give the body credibility.
"They are going to have a role in a future Syria and sidelining them will only fuel tensions," she said. Including them "shows that this command is representative of those on the ground, not just the ideal candidates for the West."
If the new command can lead effectively and supply badly needed weapons, it could attract fighters who joined hard-line groups because they were flush with arms but may not agree with their ideology, she said.
A rebel official said more than 500 delegates had been meeting since Wednesday in the Turkish resort of Antalya and were planning to announce their new group today.
The rebel commander from near Damascus said the group had chosen Brig. Gen. Salim Idriss, who defected from Assad"s army, as its chief of staff. It also had divided Syria into five regions, each of which will be under one of Idriss" assistants.
The new structure diminishes the role of previous leaders in the Free Syrian Army. Brig. Gen. Mustafa al-Sheikh, who headed the FSA"s Military Council, will play no rule in the new structure, the commander said. Riad al-Asaad, the head of the Free Syrian Army, will retain a symbolic post.
The official and commander spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the meeting before its conclusion.
The Syrian government did not comment on the new rebel command and throughout the uprising has considered the rebels terrorists backed by foreign powers that seek to destroy the country.
Assad"s regime appears increasingly embattled, with rebels making gains in northern Syria and near Damascus while the U.S., Turkey and others seek to hasten its demise. U.S. officials have expressed fears that Assad could use chemical or biological weapons, and U.S. intelligence has reported new activities at sites housing Syria"s chemical weapons.
The government tried to reverse the charge on Saturday, saying it had warned the United Nations that "terrorist groups" might use chemical weapons.
Syria"s state news agency said the Foreign Ministry had sent letters to the U.N. Security Council and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon saying that Syria would not use chemical weapons against its own people.
Syria has never confirmed it has chemical weapons, but outside experts believe it has substantial stockpiles of mustard gas and a range of nerve agents, including sarin, a highly toxic substance that can suffocate its victims by paralyzing their lungs.
No rebel groups are known to possess chemical weapons and it is unlikely their mostly amateur fighters would know how to use them.
Anti-regime activist say more than 40,000 people have been killed since Syria"s uprising started in March 2011.


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Today in the News: Google announces high-speed Internet finalists
News to know
Google today announced 34 cities in nine metro areas that it plans to look at for its high-speed Internet service. Google Fiber is 100 times faster than current Internet, according to the company, and costs have been around $70 a month. Want to see if your area is a finalist? Check out the list here.
Quote of note
"We hold the Ukrainian government primarily responsible for making sure that it is dealing with peaceful protesters in an appropriate way, that the Ukrainian people are able to assemble and speak freely about their interests without fear of repression." - President Barack Obama, talking about the violence in Ukraine. Clashes between protesters and government forces are still taking place in Kiev, and yesterday 26 people died.
Hot video: Kiev's frontline from Instagram
The protests in Ukraine are being streamed live, but it's scenes from the ground shot in Instagram that are taking center stage.
More Content Now News


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