text:
The bone separation pain went from pressure to throbbing at all different times of the day. For this reason, when I started getting labor pains in the 33-34 week, I was told to basically stop doing anything that could lead to labor. This helped a lot to stop labor pains and since I was already effaced and 1-2 cm dilated at my 36 week appointment, it was good I seized activity early on.
I hit 37 weeks on Wednesday July 16 and we met with our "ninja birth assistant" (she's a doula and a midwife and a birth assistant)! She helped make sure we had all the necessary stuff for the birth and gave us a list of a few items we still needed. She was headed out of town that weekend and when I expressed concern about the baby coming soon, she said "keep that baby in!" I definitely was trying to make it to 39 weeks, especially bc our child care for Annabelle was also out of town that weekend. However, I kept saying that I felt like this baby wanted out and wanted out soon!!!
That night, I started to feel like I had to poop. (Tmi I know)! The feelings stayed throughout the night and into the next morning. The pressure downward was heavier and I felt a lot of discomfort, but I just assumed that was the bone separation pain.
Annabelle and I went to her little gym class and I even did the balance beam with her! While I had a hard time moving about, I did my best to so that Annabelle could have fun. But I was exhausted when we got home.
During her nap, I kept getting that "pmsy I have diarrhea" feeling. Except it was coming and going. It wasn't just there like an aura. Waves. Oh boy, was this labor?
With Annabelle my water broke, I knew I had to go into labor with her. With Maxwell, I was still holding out hope to make it to 39 weeks. I was in obvious denial despite numerous friends reporting back that they had similar feelings right before labor. The downward pressure was coming and going too. Or was it? Was I imagining things? I really thought I would know instantly second time around.
After Annabelle's nap, we got in the car to pick up Larry and head to our chiropractor appointment. Getting Annabelle into the car and on the drive over, I had definite contractions. Since I was told this could happen quickly, I picked up my husband and said "we have to go home, I think I'm in labor!" His response "so should I not go to softball tonight?"
When we got home I laid down for a bit while my husband ran out to bed bath and beyond and cvs to get the rest of our birth supply stuff. When he returned, I called Birthcare and our doula. I was def in labor. I also contacted my cousins who were gonna watch Annabelle. Lucky for me, their flight wasn't until 7 am. That gave me more than 12 hours to pop this baby out.
My second labor was hard. I won't lie and say it wasn't. It was harder than my first even though it was shorter. After having time to process things, I believe it was harder for a few reasons.
1. My expectations. Everyone says #2 is easier. Is shorter. Etc... Yes it was shorter but my labor was not short by any means.
2. Pubic bone separation. I don't know if it was more painful bc of the separation. But it was more painful.
3. Maxwell was trying to break out. After each contraction, I would feel Maxwell push off with his feet at the top of my uterus and then a downward strong pressure in my pelvic area. No joke! I kept saying "I feel like he's trying to push his way out." And after each contraction, I would say "no please stop" bc I knew the contraction def stopped but then I would feel more pain... A different pain. This made my contractions not ending, one on top of the other. It sucked. No joke ha.
4. My focus. I tried to focus on the task at hand but worrying about Annabelle and hoping the baby would hurry out so I could get back to her was on my mind. I kept my eye on the time and kept recalculating how much time before Annabelle melted down. I wasn't completely focused and I think that made my contractions harder to focus and breathe brought.
So back to my labor. About 630 my cousin came and got Annabelle. She took her outside to have dinner and play. The midwife and doula showed up about 830 pm. At this time, I was only about 4-5cm and 80% effaced. Labor was intensifying but I was trying to envision open oceans and large spaces willing my body to open up. It was intense. It was hard. It hurt. Around 11pm, I kept telling my husband "we are almost there, just a little more time" partially reassuring myself and partially reassuring him.
But when we checked me again, I was only 6 cm. at this point I felt very deflated. I was sure I was almost there. I was sure it was almost over. At that point, I said "I don't know if I can handle anymore." The pain was getting unbearable. I was cursing and breathing heavily through contractions. I tried to stay focused but some contractions were really killing me. The pain after the contractions were causing vulgar words to come out of my mouth. I was squeezing my husband's hands harder than he could handle. His presence was essential during this labor. I really needed him there.
What choice did I have at this point? Either I throw in the towel and ask to go to hospital or I grin and bear it. I didn't want to be in a hospital and separated from Annabelle longer than necessary, so I tried to regain my composure and focus.
I didn't think I was progressing at all and was so frustrated but once my doula said to try to sit into my contractions, I suddenly felt movement. He was coming out. Hallelujah. Thank GOD almighty. We were making progress. Sitting into the contractions made the pressure more intense. I believe it made him descend more but it was really hard to stay focused through the pain when "sitting into it'. In fact, many contractions I would find myself almost pulling away from the contraction instead. I think this is why i had such back ache and pain for many days after labor.
Then it started to get loud. Larry says that the three of them (Larry, doula and midwife) were "encouraging" me loudly, but it was me yelling "I can't" and them "encouraging" me and telling me I must.
My water had yet to break. So the first thing I pushed out was the water membranes. A big bubble of membrane. However, I thought it was the head. I waited for each contraction to come to help push out the baby like I did when I had Annabelle. Not knowing any different, I thought this was what I was supposed to do. At one point, they kept saying to push and I was saying "I will" bc I thought you simply push when he contraction came. After talking to my doula and midwife after the fact, I realized that I could and should have been pushing between contractions too!!! I just didn't know to do that bc I never had to do that with Annabelle!
When it was time for his shoulders to emerge, they laid me on my back after side lying and told me to spread my legs. After spending 10 weeks to keep my wolfs as closed as possible due to the bone separation, me thighs started to immediately cramp. I couldn't keep my legs up or apart and Larry had to reach over and help me hold my legs up. I was being encouraged very loudly to keep my legs apart, to separate my legs, and to push but push slowly!!!. To which I kept yelling " I can't" ! How does one push slowly when the contraction takes hold of your body? I mean at this point, who cares if I tear!!
Well through all the yelling and chaos, I was able to push out a beautiful little boy... despite feeling like I couldn't handle it...Maxwell arrived at 2:53 am purple and bruised. His face was purple. Like REALLY PURPLE!!! This confirms my theory and physical feelings throughout labor that he was trying to get out on his own.
He was a perfect 7 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches long. His head was a nice 13.5 inches. Only 1/2 inch bigger than Annabelle! Considering he was essentially 3 weeks early, he was a good size. The cord was cut at 3:13 and like Annabelle's cord, it was short so he rested on my tummy until I pushed the placenta out. His first latch was at 3:35 am.
What I didn't know until later was that my little girl cried for an hour or so before falling asleep that night and then again once she woke up around 2am... she was trying to be brave and strong b/c "mommy was bringing baby brother", but this was our first real time to be separated. It broke my heart to know she cried but once we were reunited, we were good.
Here is a picture of me with my midwife Kelly (right) and my "ninja birth assistant" Claudia (left) and Maxwell in the middle.
Recovery UPDATE: for me, recovery wasn't too bad. Despite the warnings, I had no tearing at all. My placenta detached fairly easily and aside from appearing aged, it was fine. My heavy bleeding stopped with 48 hours and while spotting continued for weeks, lochia wasn't too difficult. Cramping was more intense than with Annabelle, but only lasted about 12-24 hours. My milk came in by Sunday afternoon and Maxwell has been feeding nicely. I did have several days of back pain but looking back, that was all soreness from labor pains. My pubic bone separation was gone almost completely within 2-3 days of birth with only minor pain from the labor for a few days after birth.
All in all, the idea that we won't be having any more kids EVER again is starting to fade... but shhhh don't tell my husband that. He's already looking forward to getting a Vasectomy haha.


text:
LOCAL SPORTS: Torrington Titans' Kaleb Holbrook drafted by Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013 MLB Draft, decides to stay with Titans
TORRINGTON >> Five current or former Titans were snatched up in last month's three-day MLB draft -- Kaleb Holbrook and Kelly Starnes from this year's roster; Tyler Moore, Conor Bierfeldt and Alex Moore from last year's.
Torrington fans, back to Twister days, are used to waving goodbye to draftees until they see the likes of Stephen Strasburg on television in their living rooms.
This year, catcher/outfielder Kaleb Holbrook, drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 35th round (1,054th overall draft pick), pulled a reverse. He talked with the Dodgers, went home to Dawsonville, Georgia, to think about it, then came back to play out the season with the Titans.
A big bat in the lineup is one Titan fan reward for that decision. The chance to find out just what the whole experience was like is another.
"I got home from college (South Georgia) and, about a week before I got up here, I got a call from a Dodger scout inviting me to a workout," says Holbrook in the smooth light drawl of a Southerner who's seen some of the rest of the world as well.
The South has always been a hotbed of MLB prospects, some from schools that fly under the radar for the rest of us.
So, numbers like Holbrook's .307 batting average, with 11 doubles and a homer from the left side of the plate at a two-year school like Georgia Southern might seem hidden, but not from Titan coach Misha Dworken and not from Los Angeles Dodger scouts.
Nevertheless, the call stunned Holbrook.
"I was just hanging out at the house. It caught me off guard," he says.
The workout was at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, an hour south of Dawsonville, nestled in the North Georgia mountains.
Just 12-14 other invited players from all over the country joined Holbrook, including three other catchers.
In a session that lasted about an hour, officials timed the players in the 60-yard dash. Then the catchers threw to every base and caught two separate bullpen sessions.
"It was a really good workout. I figured, 'I'm on the radar now,'" says Holbrook.
Holbrook got to the Titans, thanks to South Georgia College teammate Rhett Jones, who played with Bashlor, another South Georgia College product, on last year's Titans.
"Rhett told me they might need a catcher who bats from the left side, so I filled out the paperwork."
The day Holbrook arrived in Torrington, the Dodgers called again to verify some information.
When the draft came, the Mets took Bashlor, a right-handed pitcher who can approach 97 MPH with his fastball, with the 326th pick, in the 11th round. Just two of the four catchers who worked out in Atlanta were chose by the Dodgers -- Holbrook and a University of Georgia catcher who went in the eighth round.
A day after Holbrook called to congratulate former teammate Bashlor on his selection by the Dodgers and just before Holbrook was set to catch in his first game as a Titan, he got the call that he, too, was drafted.
"Then I had to play the game. Fortunately, my parents were in town. After the game, my phone was almost dead I had so many calls on it."
Holbrook went home to think.
"I thought I was going to take it, but I wanted to get away to get my parents help in deciding. My dad was all for it; my mom was being a mom, wanting me to go back to school."
Another little tug might have come from Holbrook's older sister, Kasay Holbrook, who's one step away from joining the LPGA Tour after a sterling golf career at Presbyterian College (Clinton, South Carolina).
In the end, the Dodgers themselves helped.
"They suggested it might be best for me to go back and play one more year. There wasn't going to be much money this year. In another year, I have a chance to drop to a lower round."
Holbrook has committed to Georgia College (Milledgeville, Georgia) as a business major this fall.
"I have the best of both worlds," he says. "I'm going to school next year and I still might have the chance to play professional baseball."
Saturday night, Holbrook put on the gear for his second game behind the plate for the Titans.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Contribute to ReadWriteThink / RSS / FAQs / Site Demonstrations / Contact Us / About Us
ReadWriteThink couldn't publish all of this great content without literacy experts to write and review for us. If you've got lessons plans, videos, activities, or other ideas you'd like to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.
Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals.
Teacher Resources by Grade
|1st - 2nd
|3rd - 4th
|5th - 6th
|7th - 8th
|9th - 10th
|11th - 12th
Home › Classroom Resources › Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan
Creating Class Rules: A Beginning to Creating Community
|Lesson Plan Type
|Standard Lesson
|Estimated Time
|Two 30-minute sessions
|Lesson Author
Magalia, California
This simple shared-writing activity can establish a foundation for ongoing community-building in the classroom. It engages students in thinking about the process of learning and the behavioral and community needs which support a productive classroom environment. At the beginning of the school year, students are led through a discussion designed to establish goals and needs for the classroom. Students first respond to the prompt: "Why are we here?" After listing and discussing their ideas, they respond to the prompt: "What do we need?" Students refer back to their first list of reasons in order to what they need to meet those goals. This activity encourages students to become contributing, consensus-building members of their classrooms.
Books about Friends, Relationships, Community: Use books from this booklist to reinforce the idea of community and friendship in the classroom.
In his article "Building Community through Poetry: A Role for Imagination in the Classroom", Chapman Hood Frazier states: "good teaching involves creating an environment that supports students and allows them to explore, discover, and question their assumptions about the class, the content, the world, and their perceptions in a situation of mutual support." Giving students the opportunity to provide input on classroom goals and expectations helps them become productive participants in community building and may help increase their intellectual as well as social development. In Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community, Alfie Kohn contrasts the idea of controlling students' behavior with an approach where students work together to create caring classroom communities. The underlying premise is that complying with someone else's expectations for how to act fails to help students develop socially or morally.
Further Reading
Frazier, Chapman Hood. "Building Community through Poetry: A Role for Imagination in the Classroom." English Journal 92.5 (May 2003): 65-70.
Goularte, Renee. May 2000. "Social Reality in the Classroom: An Alternate Strategy for Developing Class Rules." November 2009. Web.
Kohn, Alfie. 1996. Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.


text:
Sold Out
For the girl that wants to do it all, Bella Tech is an active performance baselayer for year-round activity. Hike, run, ski or ride; lightweight, soft merino construction with mesh panelling provides superior all weather comfort.
Weight: 140gsm
A lightweight fabric for year-round use, Merino Air-Con is constructed from super fine merino fibres that are spun around a nylon core. This provides the next to skin comfort, breathability and odour control of merino with the durability of nylon. A touch of elastane provides ease of movement and shape retention.
83% Merino Wool 13% Nylon 4% Elastane


text:
The last time Spencer dropped out of school I told him, "Don't ever talk to me about school again. I love you the way you are. No more school!" When he decided to go back to school, he told me just as church was about to begin so that I could not kill him. It took me two weeks before I could even talk about it. When I did I said, "You are on your own! Don't ask me to make dinner. Don't ask me to get the kids out of the house. Don't ask me to proof a paper. If you want to go to school, you figure it out. I've given all I'm giving to your schooling. And if you ever graduate, I will throw a huge party and invite everyone we've ever known to attend."
I'm sorry to admit it, but I was true to my word. No help.
But we had a great party last night! A woman from our single's ward, a couple from the first ward we attended when we were married, a family from the ward we attended when we first came back to Utah, a couple of families from our ward in Magna, family members, co-workers, and current ward and stake friends came to celebrate with us last night. We thank you all for being such wonderful friends! We love you!
(Pictures are on a slide show to the right.)
See you in two years when it's Taylor's turn...
Sunday, June 28, 2009
And the Wife of the Year Award Goes To...
The last time Spencer dropped out of school I told him, "Don't ever talk to me about school again. I love you the way you are. No more school!" When he decided to go back to school, he told me just as church was about to begin so that I could not kill him. It took me two weeks before I could even talk about it. When I did I said, "You are on your own! Don't ask me to make dinner. Don't ask me to get the kids out of the house. Don't ask me to proof a paper. If you want to go to school, you figure it out. I've given all I'm giving to your schooling. And if you ever graduate, I will throw a huge party and invite everyone we've ever known to attend."
Posted by wjmom at 5:28 PM 4 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation, Spencer
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Falcons Are People, Too
Big Sister Falcon is no longer larger than Little Brother Falcon. But she's still bossy.
Big Sister is mostly put-together. Nearly every feather is in place. Little Brother is rumpled. He doesn't primp or preen.
The falcons stand as close to the edge as they possibly can, looking over. They think nothing bad could ever happen to them.
While Big Sister is standing at the edge, Little Brother bumps against her as he goes running by.
The falcon kids think that if they run really fast from one end of the box to the other, they will fly. (They are not wearing capes.)
Mom brings dinner. She drops it off on her way to work (more hunting). The kids look at the food. They look at each other. They walk away from the food. They start whining. Mom shows up and feeds them. (It actually gives me hope to think that this happens in nature, and not just at our house!)
DAD brings dinner. He drops it off in his way to work. The kids look at the food. They look at each other. They walk away from the food. They start whining. MOM shows up and feeds them.
There are two baby falcons, standing at the very edge of the nest, 10 stories above the ground. You can see them from the ground. They have it programmed in their DNA to start wondering what is happening in that big, wide world. They stretch their wings. They run fast. They eat. They whine a little. They flap their wings. And Mom is sitting just above them (on the corner of the building), keeping watch.
Pretty soon our kids are going to leave the nest. We will be a little sad. We will also be really excited.
And Mom and Dad will do it all over again.
See? Falcons are people, too!
Posted by wjmom at 6:16 AM 1 comments
Labels: falcons
Friday, June 26, 2009
I Think I'm in the Minority
I keep hearing from people about how hot and yucky it is. How they are going to melt. How the bugs are conspiring to pick them up and carry them away.
Yeah, right. We have had 900 days of cold, people! We've been in sweaters! We've been in jackets! We've been under umbrellas! And tarps! IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR SOME HEAT!
Amy--who is a cold freak--keeps telling me about the gross, awful heat. This is the same girl who went for a walk in the rain. On purpose. And it was a cold rain, too! So now it has become a joke to see what kinds of comments we get on the weather. Amy even wanted to start keeping score on the point board, but I nix'd the idea, citing the fact that we didn't keep score on when people whined about the cold. (Of course, since she's the official score-keeper, she could pretty much do whatever she wanted. But shhh... don't tell!)
I just want to say, for the record--I LOVE THE SUMMER! It is warm and glorious and colorful. You get to wear sandals; or no shoes at all! You get to drink cold and wet and wonderful stuff without freezing to death afterward. There is watermelon. And cookouts. And it stays light forever.
So, let me know if you actually witness someone getting carried away by the bugs. Then--and only then--I MIGHT change my mind. In the meantime, pull out the squirt guns, the sunscreen, and the lawn chairs. Here's to a long and prosperous summer for us all!
Posted by wjmom at 5:18 PM 1 comments
Labels: summer
Another Conversation...
Just this morning I was thinking (for no apparent reason) how my sweetheart is nothing like what I expected in a husband, and so much more! As I pondered I thought, "I guess I really expected my dad to be my husband!"
Posted by wjmom at 1:11 PM 2 comments
Labels: Spencer
A Conversation at Work...
"I'm coming! Right now!"
***You know, I think I've had this conversation at home!
Posted by wjmom at 7:03 AM 3 comments
Labels: work
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Are We A Judeo-Christian Nation?
I stole this link from Marianne, but it's because it's one that's really made me think this week. Thank goodness for talented people who can and do respectfully and articulately express truth.
Posted by wjmom at 11:50 AM 0 comments
Labels: Christian
Monday, June 22, 2009
Spotlight On..
Posted by wjmom at 11:45 AM 1 comments
Labels: Dad
Friday, June 19, 2009
Dear Amy
Today is the kind of June day where you would have gone outside for your daily lunch walk, come back in, and said, "It is so gross outside! Ugh. It's too hot!" While I, on the other hand, went out and sat basking in the beautiful sun, my arms and face slowly burning, enjoying the soft breeze and thinking, "This is the perfect day!"
Posted by wjmom at 1:09 PM 1 comments
Labels: Perfect day
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Life Goes On
Briana was well by yesterday morning. Thank goodness, no swine flu. Mary Ann's daughter is well, too. So far no one else in our families is sick. I guess we dodged the bullet on that one. But we had to err on the side of safety since we are in the first pandemic declared by the WHO in 41 years. Wild!
Today my mom is having a biopsy on her breast. We are in fast and pray mode for her.
Amy is loving Montana--great news for her!
Work is crazy busy. This is the second week of only one clerk, so everything is piling up fast. Since I was gone before, my pile seems especially large. The good part of that is that it makes the day fly by!
Taylor is filling out job apps. Briana is filling out invitation envelopes for our graduation party.
Spence and I are headed to a senior recital for Briana's friend, Anna Willis, this evening.
We all went to the dollar movies for Family Home Leaving last night. We saw "17 Again." Again.
So, all in all, life goes on.
Posted by wjmom at 12:21 PM 1 comments
Labels: life goes on
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Something That Has Never Happened to Me Before
My secretary in Primary has the flu. The swine flu. So does her husband and their 5-year-old daughter.
Our daughter has a raging fever and a terrible cough.
My 1st counselor's daughter has a raging fever.
Is it the swine flu? We don't know. These kids just got home from 3 days of camping in the rain and getting sunburned in between showers. But the CDC website this morning taught me that you can be contagious for 24 hours before you exhibit symptoms of the swine flu.
So.... The Sunday dilemma.
Marianne can't come to church. Should Mary Ann and/or I go to church? Do we let Lara take over all of Primary? Or do we go, running the risk that we could have something contagious that we could give to 40 children and their teachers?
I called Brother Curtis, who counseled with the bishop, and it was decided that our ward would not hold Primary today. All other meetings were still on, and parents could take their children home or take them with them to their other meetings. (I hope they took them home. But that's just me.)
Mary Ann and I (and the other 15 members of our two families) stayed home.
Posted by wjmom at 5:47 PM 2 comments
Things That Make Me Happy
Posted by wjmom at 5:42 PM 1 comments
Labels: happiness
A Legacy of Laundry
In every. single. room. These pix were taken after I'd already done, folded, and put away two loads. I've lost track of how many loads I've done today.
Posted by wjmom at 5:37 PM 1 comments
Labels: laundry
It Was a Great Conference
What I can tell you is that the Goliath of wet and cold kicked my butt. But I stayed, so that was a small victory.
I can also tell you that all of those things that made this youth conference difficult were the same things that made it worthwhile.
It was a good experience. It was a good conference.
This acreage at Mosida, on the southwest side of Utah Lake, is owned by the Church. It is mostly desert (part of it is farmed). They host "treks" there, so they had these handcarts on-site. We used them to haul our gear from the lodge to our campsites. This is Ashtyn and Michelle Winn.
Here are some of our youth doing a Polynesian dance for our Saturday celebration activity (Ashtyn and Briana are at the far end. It turned out so good!
This is one of the short skits about facing our own Goliaths (Megan is trying to find the escape button as computer messages about "bad stuff" pop up in front of her). You can see the choir in the background.
We had hoped to be more in the open for this activity, but with rain threatening, we moved everyone under tarps. It turned out fine. We had a choir, the dancers, these skits (which were performed while the choir sang), and an activity where everyone got to do chimes together. Then the stake president spoke. We opened and closed with prayer. After the closing prayer we sang Becky's song (I taught the chorus to everyone on the hayride). It sounded so beautiful! The stake YW presidency wants to add this song to our conference DVD. Hooray for Becky for writing this wonderful song for us!
Posted by wjmom at 3:31 PM 1 comments
Labels: youth conference
My Babies
I have three babies, did you know?
Two of the babies are the falcon chicks that are currently living at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in SLC. I watch them all day at work. They grow amazingly, and we have begun to identify them. Amy and I will have to come up with wonderful names for them. But for now you will be glad to know that we have decided that one is a boy, and the other is his older, bossy sister. Maybe we'll name them Aundrea and Brant. Or Briana and Taylor.
I went away to Youth Conference and came back to find both babies have survived. They have grown a ton. They have gray and black feathers. They are not wobbly. Amy took good care of them in my absence.
My other baby is Baby Thomas, whose arrival is expected some time toward the end of October. He's kinda naughty because he's made his mommy really sick for far too long. But he's also beautiful. I know, because I've seen his picture. And his mother is as beautiful as they come, both inside and out. So how can Tommy be anything BUT beautiful? His mommy says I can be Aunt Aundrea to this precious boy and that I can munch him as much as I want.
But I went away to Youth Conference and came back to learn that Thomas and his parents are probably going to move to Montana. All I can do when I think about it is cry. I will miss Amy terribly. I won't get to munch on Tommy at all (because by the time I see him, he won't let me).
But I know Amy will take good care of him in my absence.
Posted by wjmom at 3:26 PM 1 comments
Monday, June 8, 2009
Good News and Bad News
The good news is that this week is finally youth conference.
The bad news is that we still have a TON of things to finish up.
The good news is that we have tonight and tomorrow night after work to finish.
The bad news is that we have a lacrosse banquet tonight and a youth conference activity (attending the the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication) tomorrow night.
The good news is that we have a lacrosse banquet tonight and a youth conference activity (attending the the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication) tomorrow night.
The bad news is that we still have a TON of things to finish up.
--Are you seeing a cycle here?--
The good news is that in 5 days youth conference will be a happy memory and we will be home, ready to sleep in our own bed!
The bad news is that we won't be sleeping much over the next 5 days.
The good news is that it will all be worth it.
Happy Youth Conference!
Posted by wjmom at 11:45 AM 1 comments
Labels: good news and bad news, youth conference
I'm assuming it's labeled because I won't know what it is based on where it is located, where it shows the purchase took place, or that I cannot read the words GAS TOTAL on the receipt. I am grateful to whoever labeled this receipt in red letters for me.
That was very helpful!
But what I can't figure out is why the words are in quotation marks. It's not a real receipt, only a quoted one? This phrase was coined by someone important, like Winston Churchhill? It's the title of a forthcoming novel?
If you can shed any light on this, let me know.
And stop putting stuff in quotation marks unnecessarily!
Posted by wjmom at 11:34 AM 0 comments
Labels: gas receipt, quotation marks
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The car's name is Roxanne (from "The Goofy Movie").
Posted by wjmom at 10:48 PM 1 comments
Labels: Briana's car, Roxanne
Youth Conference and the rest of a Saturday
Posted by wjmom at 10:28 PM 1 comments
Labels: How to fill a Saturday, youth conference
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Briana's new ride
Posted by wjmom at 9:28 PM 2 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation
Posted by wjmom at 9:19 PM 0 comments
Labels: Briana, Concert Choir, graduation
It's official!
Posted by wjmom at 9:17 PM 1 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation
Ashtyn's 9th grade portfolio presentation
Posted by wjmom at 9:03 PM 1 comments
Labels: Ashtyn, graduation
Our beautiful graduate
Posted by wjmom at 8:59 PM 1 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation
Posted by wjmom at 8:56 PM 1 comments
The end of sophomore year
Posted by wjmom at 8:54 PM 0 comments
Labels: Taylor
Briana with her loving grandparents
Posted by wjmom at 8:51 PM 0 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation, grandparents
Briana's new look
Posted by wjmom at 8:47 PM 1 comments
Woot 2!!
Posted by wjmom at 5:06 AM 2 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation
Posted by wjmom at 5:03 AM 1 comments
Labels: graduation, Spencer
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thank you, Ma'am
Last night I went to Robert's, and as I left, the young clerk said, "Thank you, Ma'am. Have a nice evening."
Ma'am? Can I really be old enough that the clerks consider me a "Ma'am?"
I was discussing this with a woman on the bus this morning. She said that she doesn't mind being "Sister" somebody, but she can't quite get to "Mrs."
I have been Sister Hill since right after we were married. Many of the young ladies we lived near didn't like being "Sister." It made them feel old. Plus, "Sister" was their mother-in-law's name. I always liked being Sister Hill. It was the only difference between me and some of the children. (Really. The ONLY difference.)
When I started teaching preschool I was Mrs. Hill, because my first name is pretty hard for toddlers to say, especially compared to "Hill." Mrs. Hill sounded like a teacher, which is what I wanted. Plus, I had been Mrs. Hill at our children's school. If you volunteer for your children at a school, you are entitled to be known as Mrs.
I remember looking in the mirror one day when I was about 25 and realizing that my body had stopped growing up and was starting to grow old. My eyelids are what I particularly remember, because they didn't behave in the same elastic way that they always had. Perhaps I was sleep-deprived. Perhaps I hadn't drunk enough water. Or maybe my body was getting older (the most likely scenario). I wish I had written the date in my journal. Dear Journal, Today I am growing older. It happened overnight.
Now I am 40 years old. My body is definitely not what it once was, but I am a relatively healthy, attractive woman. I am also a happy woman. I believe that I have learned a lot of things along the road of life; but I'm still just me.
I'm the same me who toilet papered a lot of houses, danced during halftime, sang in productions, and felt like a princess in a beautiful dress. I'm the same me who ran around a high school and then a college campus, who held my own brand new babies, and stayed up till all hours of the night.
After my conversation on the bus this morning, I walked past the Lion House and the Beehive House on my way to the COB. I can't remember which one it was now, but my grandma lived in one of these houses for a time as a young, single, working woman. That would have been in the 1940's. She was wearing stiletto heels, cute dresses, nylons with a seam up the back, and her hair in funny curls. I was not even a thought in her mind. My mother probably wasn't even a thought in her mind! But I can't help but wonder if she looks at her 80-something self in the mirror sometimes and thinks, "Where did you come from? I'm still that girl!"
Or pauses when the sales clerk says, "Thank you, Ma'am."
Posted by wjmom at 9:14 AM 3 comments
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Work Conversations 3
Kenny was telling Kim all about what he missed at lead meeting this morning: big, huge sweetrolls with creamy white icing and nuts all over the top; and frappé—a fancy word for punch—with it. It was creamy and frosty and cool. You know frappé, right? It's that slushy stuff they serve at weddings. If you go to a wedding and you ask for another serving of slush, they think you're really tacky. You have to ask for frappé, and they will think to themselves, "Now THERE'S a classy guy!"
Can you hear Kenny saying all of this?
So, I'm laughing like crazy, but mostly on the inside, because I don't want to ruin his story. So Kim comes out and says, "Did you really have treats in lead meeting today?" And I could not tell a lie, so I said, "Yes, we did." And his eyebrows go into this hairline and he says, "Oh, really?" And I nod seriously and say, "You really missed out." Then I held up my bowl of chocolate kisses and offered him one.
And Kenny didn't even backpedal one little bit!
Posted by wjmom at 1:08 PM 0 comments
Miracles, Celebrations, and Tender Mercies
Spencer finished school on Sunday. He turned in his very last paper. He earned an A- in the class. He is now officially a man with a bachelor's degree. Way to go, Baby!
Briana came home from school yesterday with a lovely baby blue cap and gown in tow. After paying some fines and finishing some work, she is qualified to graduate from high school. Commencement is on Thursday evening.
I'm so proud of both of them!
Posted by wjmom at 11:42 AM 2 comments
Labels: Briana, graduation, Spencer


text:
Our signature Vikander cashmere and satin jumper in ecru is a wardrobe must for the Wakeley woman. Effortlessly chic, the flattering, semi-oversized fit features a satin back and sleeves which beautifully complement the luxurious mid-weight cashmere. Wear with leather trousers for a modern daytime look.
- Main Composition: 100% Cashmere
- Contrast composition: 100% Silk
- Mid-weight cashmere, 12gg
- Specialist dry-clean only


text:
Beginning January 1, 2014, Missouri law requires every newborn infant born in the state to be screened for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Missouri will join approximately 33 other states that have added CCHD to their lists of disorders for which newborns are screened shortly after birth.
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, affecting approximately 1% of births per year. CCHDs make up about 17-31% of all congenital heart defects and require either surgical or catheter intervention soon after birth. If left untreated, CCHDs can lead to death or serious developmental delays.
Chloe's Law will help ensure that all newborns in Missouri receive this potentially life-saving screening. With an incidence of approximately 18 out of every 10,000 babies, it is estimated that there are around 140 babies born in the state each year with CCHD. Without early intervention, these babies could be sent home at risk of developing serious complications within the first few days or weeks of life.
CCHD screening is a non-invasive method using pulse oximetry to measure the amount of oxygen in the baby's blood.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, March of Dimes and other national organizations, including the federal government, have recommended CCHD screening be added to the routine screenings provided to all newborns.


text:
If we can't fly to space, at least we can live in buildings that look like rockets. Here are some of the coolest pieces of rocket-inspired architecture in the world.
The Omiya Rocket Building, Omiya-ku, Greater Tokyo Area, Japan
This is the image you see above. It was built in the early 1980s. In the building there are some offices, a kindergarten and lots of small apartments. The topmost story used to have a small rotating observation deck, but now it no longer spins.
Gherkin Building (or 30 St Mary Axe)
Designed by Norman Foster in 2001, opened in 2004. The 180 metres tall glass gherkin is London's first ecofriendly skyscraper, because it has internal sky gardens and the people can use natural light instead of the old-fashioned electricity. The air-conditioning is almost fully provided by wind.
Photos by Flying Fin/Flickr and Gaston Bastini/Flickr
Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai
By Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Co. Ltd, opened in 1994. The 468 m high TV tower was the tallest Chinese building from 1994 to 2007. The five smaller spheres are a hotel that has 25 rooms. The pearl at the very top contains shops, a rotating restaurant and a sightseeing place. In the tower there is a double-decker elevator, which can run at speed of 7m/s!
Photos via thewampyhri/Flickr , Eric D. Fleury/Flickr, Antonio0106/Flickr and wstay.com/Flickr
Bell tower of First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama
The 229 foot steeple is the largest prefabricated steeple in the world.
Photo by Adam Campbell/Flickr
Rocket-shaped bunkers in Germany
These were constructed by Leo Winkel (Bauart Winkel company). In Germany there were at least 200 of these, built in the late 1930's. Each of them can contain 600 people.
Photos by Bojan U/Flickr, meerkat-messerschmitt/Flickr and -NEIL-/Flickr
Sail Tower or District Government Center, Haifa Israel
Without the antennas, the sails of the Sail Tower are 113 m high, but the architectural height is 137,2 m. It was designed by the Israeli Amar-Koriel Architects. Opened in 2002.
Photos by Roger Russell on Flickr and Halfen.it
Memorial To The Martyrs, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
This uncommon memorial tower is in the capital city of the small African country Burkina Faso.
Photos via Skyscrapercity and Isuru Senevi
Nanohana-Kan Communication And Recreation Plaza, Ibusuki, Japan
Designed by Takasaki Masaharu and opened in 1998. It's for the senior citizens of the small city Ibusuki.
Photos via Kenta Mabuchi/Flickr
Most people say it looks like the Hindenburg, but we know it's a part of a spaceship from another planet.
Photos via Hiroyuki Tateyama/Flickr (first and second)
Scott Monument, Edinburgh, Scotland
The 200 feet 6 inches (61.11m) high Victorian Gothic space rocket is a monument to Sir Walter Scott, who was died in 1832. The memorial was built between 1841 and 1844, and it was designed by George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught architect.
Photos via The Library Of Congress/Flickr and (Nagus)/Flickr
Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea
Construction began in 1987, but stopped in 1992 because of the economic crisis caused by the fall of the Soviet Union. It's still not completed, but four years ago an Egyptian company group, the Orascom restarted the building. The 330 metres high Ryugyong has three wings, each of them are 100 metres long and 18m wide.
Photo by Joseph A. Ferris III/Flickr and John Pavelka/Flickr.


text:
Obama Hones Pitch on Syria As Opposition Rises at Home
WASHINGTON—In a week poised to define his second term, President Barack Obama will mount an intensive campaign to promote a U.S. military strike on Syria as opposition rises in both Congress and across the country.
Mr. Obama will make his case repeatedly in coming days to Americans wary of opening a new military front in the Middle East, including in a battery of interviews set for Monday and a nationally televised address Tuesday evening. He also is sending aides to hold closed-door intelligence briefings for members of Congress about the alleged gassing deaths of more than 1,400 Syrian civilians by the forces of President Bashar al-Assad.
Mr. Obama's top challenge, as Congress returns Monday from summer recess, will be to find backing from enough lawmakers for a resolution authorizing a strike. He faces an unusual alliance seeking to block military action, one comprised of the president's closest allies among liberal Democrats—including members of the Congressional Black Caucus—and his most strident critics among Republicans.
Timeline: Punitive Strikes
U.S. military action against Syria likely would join a growing list of instances in which the U.S. has fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The administration's argument is that the U.S. case that Mr. Assad's forces used chemical weapons in the Aug. 21 attack is now settled—an assertion that Mr. Assad denied in an interview with Charlie Rose of PBS and CBS.
"We are no longer debating whether it happened or whether it didn't happen," White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said on CNN, part of a blitz of television interviews Sunday. "Congress has an opportunity this week to answer a simple question: Should there be consequences for him for having used that material?"
Mr. Obama will also go to Capitol Hill Tuesday to meet with Senate Democrats, a Senate Democratic aide said.
The Senate is expected to vote this week on a resolution authorizing Mr. Obama to use force in Syria. The current resolution, which could be amended, backs a military mission designed, in part, to change the momentum of the Syrian civil war and set the stage for Mr. Assad's departure.
Syria in the Spotlight
Track the latest events in a map, see the key players and a chronology of the unrest.
But it isn't clear whether Congress—particularly the House, where Mr. Obama faces a more ominous battle—will back such a measure. Many lawmakers have said they oppose the resolution as too broad, and their contention likely was bolstered during the recess as they heard constituents back home voice concern. The House isn't expected to vote before next week.
After a week of intense White House lobbying on Capitol Hill following Mr. Obama's surprise decision to seek authorization from Congress for a military strike, some lawmakers say they remain unsure who was responsible for the alleged chemical-weapons attack or remain unconvinced a strike would be the appropriate response.
Liberal Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern (D., Mass.) suggested the president withdraw the resolution. "I don't believe the support is there in Congress," he said on CNN.
Satellite Images of Syrian Refugee Camps
With Syrian refugee numbers passing the two million mark, review some aerial views of camps in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.
Even those who have said they back a resolution express concern about the president's ability to pull off a successful vote. "It's an uphill slog from here," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R., Mich.) said Sunday on CBS, calling the administration's lobbying of lawmakers belated.
Mr. Rogers said the president should have called Congress back for a debate over Syria instead of leaving the country for the G-20 meetings last week in Russia. "It's very clear he's lost support in the last week," Mr. Rogers said.
White House officials, including Mr. Obama, have argued that if Congress fails to pass a resolution the U.S. will be seen as less credible on the international stage and adversaries such as Iran and the Lebanese-based militant political group Hezbollah would be emboldened.
The White House has left open the possibility that Mr. Obama would proceed with military action if a vote in Congress fails. Administration officials also haven't ruled out presidential action if the House and Senate pass different resolutions yet are unable to agree on a compromise measure, but say it is too early to consider such a scenario.
Adding to Mr. Obama's challenges, Mr. Assad waded into the debate by denying in the interview with Mr. Rose that he had anything to do with the alleged chemical-weapons attack and saying he didn't even know whether one had taken place.
Mr. Assad refused to say whether Syria has chemical weapons, but he said any weapons would be under government control, Mr. Rose said in describing the interview that is scheduled to air Monday. At the same time, Mr. Assad repeated his suggestion that the Syrian opposition may have been behind the alleged attack, a charge the U.S. and opposition leaders deny. Additionally, Mr. Assad suggested there would be a response if the U.S. launches a strike, Mr. Rose said.
Part of the White House effort to persuade Congress to approve a strike includes trying to show that the president has a cadre of international support. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with members of the European Union and Arab League over the weekend, and said that both groups support parts of the U.S. position. Neither, however, has explicitly endorsed U.S. military strikes.
Many lawmakers returning to Washington will attend their first classified briefings on Syria this week, raising hope among administration officials that intelligence information will sway undecided members. They likely will be shown graphic videos detailing the effects of the alleged chemical attack on victims.
Most lawmakers remain publicly undecided, while many Republican lawmakers have said they are leaning toward opposing military action. "The president has not made his case," one of them, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) said on CNN.
A strike is backed by both House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.).
The White House could get another boost from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an influential pro-Israel lobbying group that supports Mr. Obama's plans. The group is expected to meet with more than 300 lawmakers this week, according to an AIPAC official.
Underscoring the stakes for his presidency, Mr. Obama has done the kind of personal outreach to lawmakers he has been criticized for eschewing since taking office.
Administration officials say they have reached out to at least 85 senators and more than 165 House members. Vice President Joe Biden hosted a dinner Sunday night with a group of Republican senators that Mr. Obama attended. On Monday Mr. Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and National Security Adviser Susan Rice are scheduled to brief House members on U.S. intelligence assessments.
Mr. Obama's high-stakes gamble to win congressional backing—after he was on the brink of launching a strike unilaterally—could lead to a humiliating defeat and deplete the president's political capital as he turns to pushing his domestic agenda through Congress.
But the prospect of the president losing the Syria vote is so worrisome to some lawmakers—even some who oppose a strike—that the White House eventually may win support because of a desire to avoid the international humiliation of Congress rejecting the president.
—Janet Hook contributed to this article.
Write to Carol E. Lee at firstname.lastname@example.com and Kristina Peterson at firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright ©2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8


text:
Last updated: August 24, 2016
California Association of Food Banks operates http://www.cafoodbanks.org (the Site). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information we receive from users of the Site. We use your Personal Information only for providing and improving the Site. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
Log Data
Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our Site ("Log Data"). This Log Data may include information such as your computer's Internet Protocol ("IP") address. We may use your IP address to help diagnose problems with our server, to tailor site content and to format the site and software to user needs, and to generate aggregate statistical reports.
Cookies are files with small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer's hard drive. Like many sites, we may use session cookies while your browser is open, or while you are logged into our site (if applicable). We may use cookies to recognize you and search terms, when you return to our website. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Site.
Independent Websites
Our site may link to independently run websites outside of our domain.
Donor Policy
California Association of Food Banks has partnered with Network for Good to securely process online credit card donations via Network for Good (tax ID 68-0480736). Transactions will appear on credit card statements as "Network for Good." The transactions are subject to Network for Good's Privacy, Security & Disclosure Statement and the Charitable Solicitation Disclosure.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy is effective as of August 24, 2016 and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page. We reserve the right to update or change our Privacy Policy at any time and you should periodically check this Privacy Policy. Your continued use of the Service after we post any modifications to the Privacy Policy on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified Privacy Policy. If we make any material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you by placing a prominent notice on our website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us.


text:
Free Mobile Online Games
Cute Memo
Train your brain with the cutest Memory game you can find. You'll match cuddly bunnies and litte chicklets and many more lovely animals. Get ready that your brain's memory will be challenged on dynamic levels from various cute animal images.There's a surprise beneath every card. Match the pairs as fast as you can and set the new highscore! The rules of the Cute Memo memory game are easy: It is the basic memory game and it consists of a 3x3 matrix. The faster you complete each game the more points will be added to your score.
Skill, Games for Girls
Devil's Triangle
Aye – for this adventure you don't only need to talk like a pirate, you also need to act like one if you want to find all of the treasures of the Seven Seas. The sea is full of dangers and they will come to get you, so gear up and face them head on. Arrr.
Action Games


text:
Cellar Clearance & Loft Clearance WD24 Watford
WD24 Watford Cellar Clearance & Loft Clearance Service
Our Cellar and Loft Clearance service is part of our WD24 Watford house and flat clearance service. Our clearance team will arrive at your property and go downstairs into the cellar or upstairs to the loft and part or fully empty out your cellar or loft we will do all the loading, so all you need to do is point out what needs clearing and we will do the rest.
What We Can Clear.
We will clear any rubbish lying around the cellar or loft from old furniture, boxes, bags, books, general junk, builders waste and anything else you have in the cellar or loft, so if you require a WD24 Watford cellar or loft clearance we are able to send in our clearance team to get your space emptied.
Book A Collection
To get a collection booked for your WD24 Watford loft or cellar collection call 08006129477 to arrange a clearance, we will give you a quote for your clearance and can be with you same day or as part of our scheduled collection service.
House Clearance WD24 Watford
House Clearance in WD24 Watford. The on demand junk clearance service. With our WD24 Watford household waste removal service in we can have your home cleared at short notice, no matter how much bulky waste you have to clear.
Flat Clearance WD24 Watford
WD24 Watford Flat Clearance, we clear any flat that requires to be part or fully cleared of unwanted old furniture, white goods, electrical waste & household junk from any floor in your home.
Furniture Disposal WD24 Watford
Furniture disposal WD24 Watford, For old sofa, chairs, tables, beds, mattress, chest of drawers and all other unwanted household & commercial furniture for removal & recycling.
Garage Clearance WD24 Watford
Garage Clearance in WD24 Watford. With our WD24 Watford waste removal service, we can have your garage cleared the same day or at a scheduled time, even if you've let years worth of junk and rubbish build up.
Cellar & Loft Clearance WD24 Watford
WD24 Watford Cellar and Loft clearance. They're great places to store your old goods, but when you leave your old waste and rubbish too long, pests and dirt can take over. If you need a waste or junk removal service in those harder to access areas, our WD24 Watford cellar and loft clearance teams can help.
Rubbish Removal WD24 Watford
Rubbish Removal WD24 Watford. Sameday or scheduled rubbish removal and waste clearance in WD24 Watford from our man and van teams. We do all the work for you whether you need to clear out a room in a flat or a full house clearance. Majority of the waste clearance and rubbish removal service we provide is recycled.
Sofas, Cupboards, Kitchen Sinks, Mattresses, Desks, Wardrobes, Bath Frames, T.V's, Desktop Monitors, Freezers, Fridges, Cookers, Ovens, Extractor Fans, Kitchen Cupboards, Microwaves, Skirting, Window Frames, Wallpaper, Builders Waste, Cushions, Garden Benches, Garages, Dishwashers, Washing Machines, Bathroom Sinks, Chairs, Armchairs, Kitchen Stripping, Bathroom Stripping, Office Stripping, Garden Chairs, Carpets, Rugs, Floor Tiles, Wall Tiles, Laminate Flooring, Consoles, Console Tables, Gaming Chairs, Printers, Bikes, Radiators, Conservatories, Conservatory Furniture, Bed Frames, PC's, Sound Systems, Dining Room Chairs, Dining Tables, Cabinets, Chests of Drawers, Mirrors, Bedside Tables, Garden Benches, Kitchen Lighting, Blinds, Curtains, Doors, Coffee Tables, Lamps, Kitchen Tables, Shelves, Tables, Office Chairs, Book Cases & Windows, and more…
If you do not see the prices you require listed on our website contact us today. For bespoke pricing and an accurate cost click here for a quotation.


text:
Kemp faces live pitching, eyes Sunday return
WASHINGTON -- Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp hit against live pitching before Friday's game against the Nationals, and said he feels ready to return on Sunday, the first day he is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list.
Kemp, who is out with an irritated AC joint in his left shoulder, does not believe he will need to go on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. He last played on July 5, when he suffered the injury taking a swing.
"He's probably had enough of [rehab assignments]," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "There's a lot of guys who think they don't necessarily need them. Nobody wants them."
Kemp already missed 24 games earlier this season with a strained right hamstring. If he is activated Sunday, he will have sat out another 11.
Kemp took swings against left-hander Ted Lilly in a simulated game consisting of six or seven at-bats, and said he had no problems. The outfielder will do the same on Saturday. He said it's difficult to tell if he feels like himself until he gets into a real game.
"I don't know. We'll see when I start playing," Kemp said. "It's hard to tell. Practice is totally different from the game. But I feel good."
Kemp has hit .254 with a .666 OPS in 61 games this season, and now is trying to bounce back from an injury for the second time.
"It is what it is. You've got to deal with it," he said. "When you do come back, try to not get hurt. Just dealing with it. It can be frustrating at times, but it is what it is. Injuries are part of the game."


text:
HAGERSTOWN — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says this year's black bear hunt is over.
The agency says hunters reported 65 kills as of 9 p.m. Thursday. The DNR had set a quota of 55 to 80 for the season.
Officials say 59 of the bears were taken in Garrett County. Six were from Allegany County. Hunting was limited to those two counties.
The largest bear taken was a 376-pound male killed by 12-year-old Colton Lucas of Kitzmiller.
Bear hunting in Maryland resumed in 2004, after a more than 50-year moratorium.


text:
Twenty One Pilots May Be Returning from Hiatus Very Soon
Fans have deciphered clues that reveal we may be getting new music THIS Friday
Twenty One Pilots' fans have to double as FBI agents with how dang mysterious this band is.
Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are well known for making The Clique work hard for any details. The duo has been silent on Twitter for almost exactly a year now after officially ending their Blurryface era but, it seems like their return is right around the corner.
July 7, 2017
Fans have recently discovered various mysterious links on their official website, piecing them together to reveal compelling clues. Stick with me here-- we may end up lost in this winding trail of clues.
A link found on the official Twenty One Pilots website in April lead to this violation code. Which then lead to this website.
Watch this video for an in-depth analysis of the clues on this site:
Still following? Me neither...
One of the most popular theories stems from text on the website that reads "__n_ot_myo_nly_fri_en d." It's very possible the band is releasing a new single this Friday (July 6), a date that also marks exactly a year since they went silent.
there are 7 dashes. seven days from now is july 6th, a year since the day the eye was closing. also, note the space between en and d. you can interpret this as fri and end being two different words instead of friend. friday = the end of the hiatus. july 6th is a friday. be ready. pic.twitter.com/g1BZFKQmIj— top today (@top__today) June 30, 2018
The band could be returning from their year-long hiatus in just a few short days. But this is definitely the most convincing explanation in my opinion.
the hiatus itself? code CRACKED. pic.twitter.com/XRdz0TGfdb— top today (@top__today) July 2, 2018
The band has officially broken their one year silence with a newsletter sent out to their fans. The email features only a GIF of an eye opening, paralleling the end of their Blurryface era which concluded with an eye closing.
just got an email from twenty one pilots... "ARE YOU STILL SLEEPING" with this gif pic.twitter.com/Y8mB1PtbjS— tøp the̶ory (@top_theory) July 6, 2018


text:
It was a privilege to go to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia with my friend, John Rowe, to photograph the work he is doing with Lale Labuko in their work to end the practice of mingi and to house and shelter the mingi children who have already been rescued.
I met John in Burma a few years ago. He is a photographer and successful businessman who has founded companies which develop software for digital media and the entertainment industry.
He has also devoted a tremendous amount of time, energy, and financial assistance to the work of Omo Child. Lale was born into the Kara Tribe in the Omo River Valley. He was one of the first of his tribe to receive a formal education.
That opportunity led him to realize the critical importance of ending the tribal ritual of Mingi. Lale lost two sisters to Mingi. Outlawing and stopping this devastating practice of Mingi is his life's mission. - Steve Mccurry
Via Photo report


text:
He's met his maker twice but you can't stop Cesar Faison from terrorizing General Hospital! The über-tressed supervillain — played by fan favorite Anders Hove — returned to the ABC soap Nov. 12 in a triple shockaroo. Not only is Faison still alive after supposedly being blown to bits in a boat explosion, he's also the brains behind the kidnapping of Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough). Crazier still, it was also revealed that he's been running around Port Charles in a prosthetic mask pretending to be Duke Lavery (Ian Buchanan). Meanwhile, he's holding the real Duke hostage. TV Guide Magazine rang Hove at his home in Denmark to chat about Faison's freaky return and, of course, we asked him the question on everyone's mind: How the hell does Faison cram all that hair into his Duke mask?
TV Guide Magazine: Your return was a spectacular surprise! The fans are going nuts!
Hove: I'm so happy to hear that. Unfortunately, we don't have GH here in Denmark so I'm missing the reaction. And I'm not the kind of guy who's on Facebook. [Laughs] Maybe I should start! It was quite a surprise that they called at all and very sweet. My God, it's been 22 years since my first time at the show! It's scary how fast time goes. Yet you walk back onto the set after all this time and all the same crew people are there and they're standing in the same places. It's wonderful! And crazy!
TV Guide Magazine: Had you stayed in touch with any of the cast?
Hove: I'm in touch with Tony Geary [Luke] and I talk to Kin Shriner [Scotty] maybe once a month. He keeps me up on what's going on. Two or three months ago, he told me there were rumors on the set that I might be coming back, but I didn't really believe it. There are always rumors.
TV Guide Magazine: Word is, your return wasn't the easiest thing to coordinate.
Hove: I had maybe three or four weeks' notice but getting a visa and work permit wasn't easy at all. ABC helped me find a U.S. lawyer, stationed in London of all places, who helped me out. I was pretty lucky. So I came to Los Angeles and shot for two days and flew out again. It felt so nice and secure on the set, like coming home. But the schedule is so much harder! We used to shoot one episode in a day. I did seven in two days! Kassie DePaiva [Blair] told me she once did four shows in one day. It's incredible what the actors and crew can do now. It's a whole different game nowadays but I love it a lot.
Check out Kelly Monaco and other sexy soap stars
TV Guide Magazine: Will you be back for another run when the truth about Faison emerges?
Hove: I don't know. At least this time around Faison won't be dead — though that's never stopped him before! They'll probably send him to jail but maybe there will be more down the line. If [exec producer] Frank Valentini needs me again, I'm there. I will never let that show down. I'm so excited working with Finola Hughes and love that Faison is so obsessed with Anna. He's genuinely in love with her but has unusual ways to show it. His ability to love so deeply is the only redeeming thing about him. It's a lot of fun to do a character like that. It gives you the liberty to behave horribly. I hadn't seen Finola for many years but we clicked again immediately. She's wonderful to work with and pretty damn demanding. But in a wonderful way. She is determined to squeeze absolutely everything out of a scene.
TV Guide Magazine: Isn't this your first time working with Ian?
Hove: It is! He was leaving the show when I first arrived, but I knew the legend. It feels like I've always known him. He's a true gentleman.
TV Guide Magazine: So how does Faison hide all that wild hair when he's in that mask pretending to be Duke?
Hove: [Laughs] There are some things it's best not to think about. Ian and I aren't even the same height. He's a few inches taller than I am. That Faison is really brilliant!
TV Guide Magazine: How, as an actor, do you find the reality in such a preposterous situation?
Hove: You must believe, otherwise you go nowhere. The first time I was around, we had some plot about a diamond that was in four pieces and if all the pieces were brought together Faison would have control of all the energy in the world. [Laughs] We also had a space alien named Casey! But we believed wholeheartedly in it. An actor must. There's no way around it. Otherwise it all falls apart.
TV Guide Magazine: Well, it's certainly working this go-round. Your performance is scaring the crap out of me!
Hove: Thank you very much! That's the goal! The fact that Faison is still alive proves anything is possible. You might think the soap audience would not accept this kind of thing but they do. And they do it with a lot of passion. You only find that kind of audience in America. I've never met it anywhere else. One minute they're angry, then happy, then frustrated. But they're always very faithful.
TV Guide Magazine: On top of your soap fame, you're also a big deal on the horror-film circuit. Ever attend a convention?
Hove: I just attended my very first last March, which is where I first met Kassie DePaiva. She was there for her Evil Dead movie and I was there for Subspecies. It was quite an experience. We were in a hotel somewhere out in New Jersey and it was filled with people in costume who remembered us from movies we did more than 20 years ago! It's unbelievable. [Laughs] Like I said, only in America!


text:
On Feb. 19, Israeli company Delek Drilling signed a deal with the Egyptian company Dolphinus Holdings to provide Egypt with gas over the course of the next ten years.
Around 64 billion cubic meters of gas will be supplied from 2019 to 2029, in a deal worth $15 billion.
Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. However, relations with Israel have remained controversial.
The scale of the deal is significant, particularly in light of renewed commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative in 2017, which positions relations with Israel will be normalised in exchange for an end to the occupation of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
Such a deal is symptomatic of ever-closer cooperation between the two countries. Indeed, in the Sinai Peninsula, Israel is assisting the Egyptian military to combat insurgency.
News of the deal provoked shock waves in Egypt, where two weeks earlier the Egyptian government had announced self-sufficiency by the end of the year due to the recent opening of Zohr gas field.
In Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the deal as "historic" on Twitter, stating in a video that the deal will "bring billions to the country, our security, our economy and our regional relationships." He added: "But above all, it will strengthen Israeli citizens."
Yuval Steintitz, the Israeli energy minister, said it was the most significant deal with Egypt since the Camp David accords.
Palestine Monitor asked Ghassan Khatib, former Palestinian Authority minister, what the Egyptian motivation behind such a deal might be.
Khatib pointed to the flailing economic situation in Egypt, where years of mismanagement have turned the country from net exporter to importer, in order to meet the needs of its growing population.
"Secondly," Khatib noted, "the Egyptian government thinks that improving their relations with Israel would please and satisfy the US, which they need in many ways." He listed the need for security, economic and political support.
When asked by Palestine Monitor whether the deal was symptomatic of a lessening of Arab leaders' commitment to the Palestinian cause, Khatib was sceptical.
Security coordination between Arab countries and Israel is nothing new, he said. "There are several indicators from Arab countries including Saudi Arabia that they are still committed to the Arab Peace Initiative."
However, Netanyahu reported on March 5, that with Saudi permission, Air India will soon begin direct flights between India and Israel, flying over Saudi Arabia.
In 2016, a Jordanian company signed a 15-year $10 billion gas deal, provoking wide scale protests across Jordan.
In the face of other priorities, it remains to be seen whether the Arab Peace Initiative will be honoured.
Back to Top


text:
Read this quote from Favre's press conference yesterday:
"When people start talking about my legacy – it's mine," said Favre. "It's what I think of it. I know the way I play the game. I know the way I've handled myself as a teammate, a leader, in the public. If you're a true Packer fan, you understand. You say, 'You know what? He chose to continue playing, they chose to go in a different direction, it's part of the business.' I don't have to prove anything to anybody because what I've done – it's down in the books. . . . I'm in it for the right reasons, and if people can't understand that, I'm sorry."
So, are you a "true Packer fan"?


text:
I've been using a Blue Yeti USB microphone for recording at home and at the studio since its release last year. At CES this year, I had a chance to see the next generation of that microphone - the Yeti Pro. Now, I've had the opportunity to spend to some quality time with one to see how it compares. Let's just get to the meat up it up front - it's amazing.
Back when I got a Yeti for myself, my husband was disappointed to see only a USB connection. That meant he couldn't "borrow" it for his projects too. Blue fixed that by adding XLR output to the Yeti Pro. The other main upgrade is the 24 bit audio signal and some other numbers that didn't mean much to me when I saw it at their booth at CES. At the time, I was more interested in the flexibility of choosing between USB for recording directly into a computer, and XLR for going through a larger audio interface and adding the Yeti Pro into a mix of other mics. The Yeti Pro has the same triple capsule set up as the Yeti allowing for 4 different patterns - omni, cardioid, stereo, and front/back.
For my usage though, it turned out the be the 24 bit sound processing that made the most difference. My main recording scenarios are all tied directly to a computer. I'm usually just recording one track, either a single instrument or an ensemble with a single mic in the middle. The samples of my trio were all done with the Yeti in the middle of group on omni with some reverb added later in GarageBand. For the most part, the Yeti lives on my desk, ready to go for single instrument recording of my own practicing, both solo and with Smartmusic accompaniment.
First a quick word on the hardware. Just like the original Yeti, the Yeti Pro is big and heavy. Rather than the smooth silver finish of the Yeti, the Pro is wrapped in a grippy black textured material. It feels about the same weight wise, but I find the textured finish on the Yeti Pro to be more, well, professional feeling. The wiggly volume knob of the Yeti is no longer a problem on the Pro, and the whole thing feels sturdier in general.
A lot of handling noise came through on the XLR connection, so Blue also makes a shock mount specific to the Yeti and Yeti Pro. It's incredibly sturdy and very high quality. It's also massive. Unlike the cylinder style mounts I've seen in the past, the Yeti shock mount is a ring inside a larger ring and connects to the base of Yeti, leaving the whole thing looking pretty unbalanced, but it gets the job done. Luckily, my desk doesn't produce a lot of vibrations, so I didn't really need the mount most of the time. If you are in an area where vibrations are an issue, or you'll be moving the mic often, the shock mount is a great addition.
The vast majority of what I do at home is recording for my own practice purposes. Nothing beats listening back to a recording of yourself to get an idea of how you're really sounding. The more realistic the sound coming back, the more helpful the recording is. In this case, the Yeti Pro makes a world of difference. 24 bit was just a number to me until I turned it on.
Which brings me to a little aside about the software. The Yeti installed its drivers automatically through Windows. The Yeti Pro required downloaded them from Blue's website. Windows was still set to record in 16 bit, and I had to dig through the advanced setting to turn it up to 24 bit and take full advantage of the Yeti Pro's increased sound resolution.
Creating recordings with Smartmusic as accompaniment was easy and the results sounded great. Unfortunately, the Smatmusic license doesn't allow for those recordings to be posted, but I was impressed with the Yeti Pro's performance. I was able to set it at the edge of my desk, in front of the speakers, and with the pattern set to cardioid, I had no problems with bleed through from the speakers. A mid level gain was all I needed to get good balance.
Recording straight into Audacity via the USB cable was just as straightforward. Audacity will give you dual channels if you have the mic set to stereo, or a mono track if you're using a cardioid or omni pattern. I wanted just the sound of the instrument, and not the whole room (or the buses that go by outside), so I sat close and had the mic set to cardioid.
My final testing was done via the XLR connection going through an Apoggee duet into Garage Band. For that test, the gain on the Yeti Pro was set all the way down, and gain adjusted through the duet. I had no problem getting a strong clear signal. The sound through the XLR connection is a little cleaner and smoother to my ears than through USB.
The 24 bit recording certainly makes the biggest difference though. I liked the sound of my Yeti, until I heard the Yeti Pro. Now the Yeti sounds harsh and brittle. The extra bits bring through way more of the detail in overtones that a bowed string instrument (viola in my case) produces. The sound was much richer, warmer, and smoother than the Yeti. It's a much better base of sound to work with. Of course, most of this can be covered up in post production with various effects and such, but it would take much less work to turn the Yeti Pro's signal into something I'd throw up on the web or on a demo CD.
(Posting these recording is just not in the cards right now. Crazy things have been afoot the past few months, and processing and posting the test tracks just didn't make the list of things that happened. I know sound samples are the best way to judge a new mic, and I hope to be able to get those up sometime in the future.)
If you already have a system to take advantage of the XLR port, I would recommend that set up for the best sound. But the great thing about the Yeti Pro is that it also has the USB port, so you can toss it in the bag with your laptop and get a great sound in a mobile package. For casual home, desktop, or even small ensemble recording of acoustic instruments, the Yeti Pro is a fantastic choice.


text:
Dual inlet and dual outlet. Internal X-Pipe for increased performance and improved sound. Dual inlet and dual outlet. Reversible design for installation flexibility. High-quality T-304 austenitic stainless steel will never rust. 100% welded construction for strength. Free Flow design for improved performance. High-temperature continuous-filament fiber (CFF) acoustic material for sound control. Natural mill finish can be brushed or polished prior to installation.
Best of all, it's made in the USA and backed by BORLA®'s Million-Mile warranty. Just what you'd expect from the world's most experienced (and most winning) exhaust brand.
Click on any image above to enlarge.
Vehicle(s) shown may vary from your specific model.
Note: Products are shipped un-polished unless otherwise indicated. Image shown may be a polished version. Tip style may vary.


text:
Inter defender Juan Jesus has stated that the whole squad believe that they can win the Scudetto, and made clear that everyone is committed to the task of dethroning Juventus at the top of Serie A.
The Nerazzurri find themselves four points behind the Bianconeri in the standings and the Brazilian stressed that the players will do their best to claim their first league title since 2010.
"We will always believe that we can win Scudetto and I want to do everything to lift the trophy," he told Sport Mediaset.
"Inter are a great team and we should do everything possible to win the title."
The Brazilian then talked about his adaptation to life in Italy, and voiced his desire to stay at San Siro for the long term.
"I'm happy because nobody had heard of me in Italy, but now things has changed. I hope to have five or six good years to show what I am capable of. I want to be a part of Inter for a long time.
"I never thought I'd become a starter. I wanted to do my job and I thank boss Andrea Stramaccioni for the trust he placed in me."
The Nerazzurri's next league game sees them visit Stadio Olimpico to face to Lazio on Saturday.


text:
Angkor Wat (Siem Reap, Cambodia) is the largest religious monument in the world and an unmissable part of a visit to the beautiful country of Cambodia.
It was first constructed as a Hindu Temple before becoming a Buddhist Temple at the end of the 12th Century. The sheer scale and historical significance is second to none and it immediately became one of the most magnificent and breathtaking places that I've ever been fortunate enough to visit.
To put the size into perspective: when you google how many temples there actually are at Angkor Wat, no definitive answer seems to exist. I'll say this though, it's that epically proportioned that some people go on a weeks holiday just to explore the site every day.
If you're not a complete temple geek though, then 1-2 days is recommended to see some of the most signifiant, most impressive, and best preserved of the vast selection.
The best way to explore the site is by tuktuk, of which there is no shortage in Siem Reap. You can hire a tour guide speaking almost any language you desire, or you can take the cheaper option of hiring a local tuktuk driver and exploring each temple yourself – under the drivers guidance and direction.
Literally every hotel in Siem Reap will have some sort of regular tuktuk driver to take you on the tours and booking in advance isn't necessary at all. We decided to go on a sunrise tour at 3am the next morning and told our hotel at 11pm the night before and this wasn't an issue. On that note – nothing is an issue for the Cambodians, they are the friendliest and most upbeat people I have ever come across, which is another of many many many more reasons to visit.
As the archeological site is so intense and the majority of travellers will never manage to get round all of it in the time they have, your hotel and your tuktuk driver will be able to guide you in the direction of the best selection for your specified time frame.
Something that I absolutely loved is that although all tourists pay a fee of $37 (US dollars as that's the main currency they use) for a one day pass (a very fair price in light of Cambodia's history and how incredible the site is), Cambodian nationals can enter completely free of charge. This means that all of the local tuktuk drivers have literally grown up on the site. They all have their own favourite temples and their own tips on the best order to do things in which makes them invaluable to tourists.
We chose to do a sunrise tour with a tuktuk driver which cost us $20 from our hotel pickup at 3am to a 'half day' tour of all the main temples. (Note: by tour, I mean that the driver dropped us from one temple to another and waited outside while we were free to explore each one for as long as we wished).
Sunrise over Angkor Wat itself (the most spiritually significant and impressive temple remaining) was something that Nathan and I had dreamed about for a long time so even with the 2am wake up call it was a no-brainer. I was SO happy that we went with our hearts because the sight of that sunrise was one of the happiest and most special moments of my life.
When we arrived we sought out a ledge on a smaller temple facing Angkor Wat, looking over the water, and within half an hour the sky was starting to brighten up.
Obviously, I took about 8,692 photos of the sunrise so here's a lovely little montage from start to finish…
It was one of those sights that photos could never do justice and you can't even really explain. Please just do a sunrise tour if you ever visit – you will never regret it.
By the time the sun came up at around 630am, it was already well into the 30s and the heat was absolutely stifling. Although by the end of the day of exploring I was more sweaty and exhausted than you can imagine, this was another huge benefit of doing a sunrise tour. The heat was scorching enough when we left around 230pm- I dread to think how bad it would feel if you had only arrived at midday.
I believe we explored 12 different temples in this time and I can't remember exactly which they all were – I'm going to blame heat exhaustion at the time, but I actually just have a really terrible memory.
Angkor Wat was of course the main one and definitely the best-preserved. It's huge, commands your attention, and blows you away with its intricate design details.
If Angkor Wat was my second favourite, then Bayon is my ultimate favourite. It is dubbed as the temple with all the faces as, in the words of Lonely Planet:
" Its 54 Gothic towers are decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, and it is adorned with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating more than 11,000 figures."
Which results in the coolest building I've ever been in. The King that built this one must have been eclectic, eccentric, and uber sassy, and I just absolutely love that.
My other favourite that I just have to mention is Ta Prohm, which is very popular with a lot of tourists as it is where Tomb Raider was filmed.
Although the film reference didn't hugely excite me as I haven't actually watched it, this temple felt quite different from the others. It's very sprawling with tonnes of almost hidden doors and different chambers with something exciting around every corner.
They have let the surrounding trees grow right into and through this temple over hundreds of years so the walls are now half tree-half brick which looks unbelievably cool.
By the time we visited this temple, the heat was getting unbearable and we had been on our feet in it constantly for 6 hours so when we spotted a few rocks in the shade of a big tree we were very happy to take a rest. But, I've never seen Nathan jump up so fast in his life! The tree was covered in thousands of tiny thorns that had gone straight through our thin elephant pants and were now embedded into our skin!
We hid in the corner for ages trying to pick the thorns out of each other, much to the bewilderment of the security guards who kept checking on us. We were finally getting somewhere when the Thai ladies who we had previously made friends with on the coach from Thailand to Siem Reap appeared around the corner- literally the best timing ever for this encounter.
These incredibly sweet women were so happy to see us and they had made friends with some monks as well. As we gritted our teeth through the pain and chatted to them, the ladies suggested that we get a picture with the monks – RIGHT UNDER THE TREE AND ON THE HORRIBLE STABBY THORN ROCK! And being the awkward British people that we are, we didn't know how to explain to the monks that it wasn't safe to sit there… so we just let them go ahead… We are definitely going to hell.
It made for a great grumpy faced monk picture though.
Although I apologise for the Thai lady's shaky photography skills and I can't explain to you why the monk has taken his shoes off for the picture…
Besides the heat, the stabby thorn rock, and the unfortunate encounter with the monks, this was one of the most memorable and special days of our whole trip and of my entire life in all honesty. It is a magical, enthralling place which epitomises the term 'wanderlust' for me and is everything that any travel-lover could ever dream of. Active, enticing and so totally different to anything in the Western world, it's a place that would fulfil even the most adventurous explorers.
But I did learn a couple of things through hindsight which are worth noting.
So, here are my top 6 tips for visiting Angkor Wat:
- Check that there are no thorns before sitting down anywhere- this is 100% NOT something that you want to learn the hard way
- The Sunrise trip is a must!
- A full 2 litre bottle of water each isn't even nearly enough for a day here – bring gallons and gallons of the stuff
- As a sign of respect rather than anything else, wear longish pants and cover your shoulders
- Bring a hair bobble- this country is NOT made for girls with long hair
- Make sure you have enough storage for 70,000 pictures
And most importantly, DO NOT bring a bag of banana chips because there are monkeys and they will rob you of them…


text:
County Commissioners Face Decision On Three-Year Appointment to SSA
By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer
The Dukes County Commission faces a crucial battle this week that will set the course for Island policy at the Steamship Authority in the years ahead, as it prepares to appoint a Vineyard boat line governor at a special meeting Wednesday night.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Oak Bluffs School.
Five candidates, including the controversial incumbent governor J.B. Riggs Parker, have thrown their hats into the ring for the three-year appointment. Two members of the seven-member county commission have submitted their names, as have two Tisbury residents. In addition to Mr. Parker, the candidates include John Alley, a West Tisbury selectman and county commissioner; E.B. Collins, a county commissioner and former SSA governor; Clarence A. "Trip" Barnes 3rd, a Tisbury resident and owner of a trucking company, and Kathryn A. Roessel, a Tisbury resident and attorney.
Although none of the commissioners have said publicly how they intend to vote, it is known that there are deep divisions among members of the commission over whether to reappoint Mr. Parker, who has had a stormy 13-month tenure as the Vineyard's representative to the boat line. Mr. Parker was appointed by the county commission in October 2000 to fill the unexpired term of Ronald H. Rappaport, which runs out at the end of December.
Mr. Parker has presided over much change since taking over as chairman of the SSA board in January, beginning with the purchase of the Schamonchi and ending last month with a vote by the board to run a trial high-speed passenger ferry service between New Bedford and the Vineyard next summer.
He has been criticized for his style - which has been divisive at times - and his relationship with both the Nantucket and Falmouth members is strained at best.
The battle lines became more sharply drawn this week when Mr. Parker was endorsed by selectmen in five of the six Vineyard towns.
"Mr. Parker has demonstrated that he has the time, energy and expertise to devote to representing the interests of the residents of Martha's Vineyard," West Tisbury selectmen wrote in a letter to the county commission this week. (Mr. Alley abstained from voting on the letter.)
"Your positions on various matters, including the fast ferry, have reflected what the majority of the members of the All-Island Selectmen's Association have asked you to advance. We couldn't ask for more than that," wrote the Edgartown selectmen in a letter to Mr. Parker that was forwarded to the commission.
"Your leadership and determination to face difficult issues has been very valuable," wrote the Chilmark selectmen in a letter to Mr. Parker that was sent to the commission.
Selectmen in Falmouth also sent the commission a letter of glowing praise for Mr. Parker, although they stopped short of endorsing him as a candidate.
"Our intent with this letter is to commend [Mr. Parker] for a job well done and to acknowledge that his abilities, results and willingness to work on behalf of all ports have not gone unnoticed by this community," the selectmen wrote in part.
The Tisbury selectmen were silent on the subject of any endorsement for Mr. Parker, and yesterday selectman Tristan Israel spoke out sharply with the dissenting opinion.
"I am very disturbed at the direction Mr. Parker has taken the Steamship Authority in his short tenure. I think his style has been disruptive and abrasive, and I am concerned that we are becoming alienated from our sister island Nantucket," Mr. Israel said.
"I am also concerned that Mr. Parker has placed us and the Steamship Authority in the hands of [New Bedford city solicitor] George Leontire," he added, "and that deals are being made that are going to make us obligated to New Bedford at the expense of Island unity.
"But mostly I am concerned about Mr. Parker's unwillingness to compromise and his unwillingness to work with Tisbury. I think it is time for a change and for less stridency. We need peace," he concluded.
Among the tasks the SSA faces is replacing former general manager Armand Tiberio, who resigned late last summer. A search for a new chief executive officer at the public boat line is now under way.
All five candidates spoke briefly to the Gazette yesterday about their decision to apply for the unpaid position.
Mr. Parker, a retired corporate attorney who lives in Chilmark, described his accomplishments.
"I spent this year trying to bring some harmony onto the battlefield I found when I took the job," he said. "I feel there is much more to be done, but perhaps the most important matter in front of us is the selection of a chief executive officer - I think that is probably the biggest immediate problem we have.
"I hope that my experience over the past year can be used in that selection - and once selected can be used in assisting the chief executive in getting his feet on the ground and dealing with some of the issues that have essentially been in my court for these last few months," Mr. Parker added.
Mr. Collins, who served as the boat line governor from 1990 to 1993, referred to his letter of interest, where among other things he outlined his intention to "devote [his] time and energies to promote and protect the interests of the Vineyard."
Mr. Collins said he would also closely monitor the trial fast ferry programs and would continue the long-range planning efforts of the boat line. He said if he is appointed he will resign from the county commission at the end of December.
Mr. Alley, a lifelong West Tisbury resident and veteran Vineyard politician, said he submitted his name to bring more choice to the process.
"I decided that submitting my own name would generate a healthy debate among members of the commission on Dec. 5, and I look forward to that," he said.
Mr. Alley also noted that two members of the appointing authority for the boat line governor had submitted their own names.
"What that says is there is a lack of support for Mr. Parker," Mr. Alley said.
Ms. Roessel, a Tisbury resident who works part time as an attorney for the Vineyard Conservation Society, also talked about choice.
"I was disappointed to see that not very many people threw their hats in the ring this time, and since I have the time and energy, and I think I possess some of the skills needed to do a good job, I thought I would step forward so that the commissioners would have a larger selection of candidates to choose from," she said.
Mr. Barnes, a longtime Tisbury resident who owns a well-known trucking company on the Vineyard, said he applied for the job because the boat line board is ripe for change.
"The boats are dirty, morale is at an all-time low, and the upstairs people don't talk to the downstairs people," Mr. Barnes said.
"I have nothing personal against Mr. Parker, but the man talks down to people and he has clearly moved ahead on his own issues, which are not necessarily the real issues for the Island people," he said. "The Vineyard is changing, and we all know that, but the Steamship Authority is not supposed to speed up the process. It's a very, very sad situation, and it's a very, very serious situation."
This week, the county commission also will appoint a member of the Martha's Vineyard Commission for the coming year. The two applicants are Daniel Flynn, a member of the county commission who is the current MVC member, and Roger Wey, a county commissioner and Oak Bluffs selectman.