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Kristine Komorowski
On Being a French Major
I arrived at Washington College knowing that I would be a French major, but not what I would be able to do with my French major. I found the professors in the French department at Washington College to be extremely knowledge, helpful, and encouraging throughout my four years studying there. I was not only able to improve my French skills on campus but I was given many opportunities to do so off campus.
During my fall semester junior year, I studied French film, literature and Provencal language at L'université de Provence, Aix-Marseille I. It was one of the best experiences I had. Though classes were cancelled most of the semester due to strikes, I was able to experience French culture first hand. It gave me the opportunity to see so many cities in the south of France and meet so many great people from around Europe. I left France with the knowledge that I would return in the future.
The semester after my study abroad, I started in the Education department. I had decided that being a French teacher would be in my future. Through both the French and Education departments, I learned of the opportunity to go back to France at the end of my four years as a teacher. My senior year, I applied to be the lectrice d'anglais at L'université d'Artois in Arras, France for the following year.
Currently, I am living in Arras and working as a lectrice. I am in charge of the oral expression classes for French majors as well as for adult students who have now decided to study English. It has been a wonderful experience teaching my native language and American culture to French students. It is so different than teaching at an American high school as I did for my student teaching. I am grateful to Washington College for giving me the opportunity to work in the French school system and have such an amazing experience
Choosing to study French at Washington College was a decision I will never regret. I have been given such wonderful opportunities thanks to the faculty and everything I have been able to experience through the college will stay with me and help me as I return to the states to find a teaching job.
Undergrad Highlights
- Major: French
- Secondary Education certification
- Honor society: Pi Delta Phi (French)
- Admissions Tour Guide
- College Democrats


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Type 79 submachine gun
Type 79 submachine gun is rather unusual for its class as it is very lightweight and uses locked breech, gas operated action instead of more traditional (for SMG) blowback action. This weapon was (and probably still is) widely used by PAP (Chinese police).
Type 79 submachine gun uses gas operated, rotary bolt action with short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. Bolt group is more or less an adaptation of the Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, with similar bolt carrier (less gas piston) and a rotary bolt with two locking lugs. Receiver is made from steel stampings. Fire mode selector / safety switch is also patterned after Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, and allows for single shots and full automatic fire. Type 79 fires from closed bolt and uses conventional hammer-fired mechanism. Box magazines hold only 20 rounds of ammunition. Shoulder stock is made from stamped steel and folds up and forward when not in use.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rossalyn Nephew, 2004 Crookston High grad, eyes summer opening on South Broadway.
When Rossalyn Nephew was on her way toward earning a business management degree from Rasmussen College in Fargo, she knew that she wanted to someday own and operate her own business. But she also knew that making her plans a reality would be an uphill battle in Fargo.
"Fargo has everything already," the 2004 Crookston High School graduate told the Times on Thursday, hours after the Crookston Housing & Economic Development Authority (CHEDA) Executive Committee unanimously approved her request for a $30,000 loan that she said is the final hurdle she needs to clear before making her Berry Burst Frozen Yogurt shop on South Broadway, in the building next to Widman's Candy, a reality this summer.
As Nephew honed her visions of entrepreneurship, she said she noticed the growing popularity of frozen yogurt. But, again, Fargo didn't seem like a realistic option. "Frozen yogurt places are opening in Fargo all over the place," she said.
But not in Crookston, the hometown that Nephew said she's always loved, and hoped to be able to return to someday.
The daughter of Willie and Linda Nephew, Rossalyn said her dad had purchased the building previously with another use in mind. But when circumstances changed, she said he was looking to sell it. "But then I said, 'dad, I have an idea,'" Rossalyn said.
At the CHEDA Executive Committee meeting Thursday, CHEDA Executive Director Craig Hoiseth didn't recommend that the committee members recommend or reject Nephew's loan request. Agassiz Federal Credit Union eventually stepped in as the primary financier after Nephew's application was turned down by various banks, he said. Hoiseth noted that the financing is "a little thin," but the more he spoke about Nephew's plan, the more he sounded like a fan of the idea. The elder Nephew is not just Rossalyn's dad, Hoiseth said, but he has a good history with CHEDA and he not only wants to improve the main level frozen yogurt space, but also renovate the living quarters upstairs. "He says they're going to make this work," Hoiseth said. "I do believe this loan has merit; it's obviously something we don't have in town."
But maybe more importantly than that, Hoiseth said Nephew's story is what community leaders "dream of," with a local high school graduate going off and getting a college degree, and then returning home to work and live.
"This is about building a downtown presence so folks who work in that area can walk there," Hoiseth said. "This fills a storefront, creates downtown buzz, and lures people and students downtown. You want to create a cluster of activity, and Berry Burst Frozen Yogurt would help with that."
Nephew said she hopes to eventually add smoothies, coffees and cappuccinos. Hoiseth said he'd like her business to eventually serve a limited menu of sandwiches and soups as well, but stressed that would be up to Nephew and that it might be a bit much for her to envision at this early juncture.
The $30,000 CHEDA loan will be paid off over 10 years, at 4.25 percent interest. The money, Nephew said, will purchase predominantly kitchen equipment and equipment needed to make frozen yogurt.
The revolving loan fund the money will come from currently has a $200,000 balance that Hoiseth said CHEDA has "kind of been sitting on."
Mayor Dave Genereux said CHEDA has extended some loans with a significant amount of risk in the past, and he's willing to take a chance on Nephew's business as well. "If it helps downtown, it's a price we have to pay," he said.
"Everything's a risk nowadays," committee member Kurt Heldstab added. "I'm willing to put my yes vote on this."
Craig Morgan made the motion, and Heldstab seconded it.
Not a Cherry Berry
When it comes to frozen yogurt, most people first think of Cherry Berry. Nephew said she did as well when she decided that a frozen yogurt shop was what she was going to pursue. But the franchise fee, well into six figures, was simply impossible to consider, she said, and even by pursuing the franchise, she said she risked losing a $25,000 up-front fee she'd have to pay.
Nephew said her optimistic goal is opening by June 1, but realizes that bumps in the road will inevitably pop up. "Definitely this summer, though," she added. "I'm so excited. I love Crookston and I'm happy to be home."


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A best bet among bags: This luxe satchel is crafted in a pebbled leather that our designers spent months perfecting in order to give the finish its pliable, supple feel and grainy consistency—not to mention the matte palette that goes with everything. Destined to hang in your closet (and on your arm) year after year, it's a can-do carryall with effortless elegance and enough room for an iPad, an umbrella and even your cashmere cardigan.
Size & Fit Details


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- Product Information
Bedrock by Windham Fabrics
View the Bedrock Lookbook to learn more about this collection!Additional Information
Product Type Yardage Fabric Collection Bedrock Fabric Manufacturer Windham Fabrics Theme Basics Fabric Type 100% Cotton Fabric Width 44/45" Image Scale 11" x 11" swatch of fabric
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Insomnia Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic
Insomnia — Comprehensive review covers symptoms, causes and treatment for this for Insomnia · Book: Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine, 2nd Edition.
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Subscribe to Housecall.
At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
You don't have to put up with sleepless nights. Simple changes in your daily habits can often help.
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse non-Mayo products and services.
We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Many adults experience insomnia at some point, but some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia. Insomnia may be the primary problem, or it may be secondary due to other causes, such as a disease or medication.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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Insomnia is a persistent disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep or both, despite the opportunity for adequate sleep. With insomnia, you usually awaken feeling unrefreshed, which takes a toll on your ability to function during the day. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life.
How much sleep is enough varies from person to person. Most adults need seven to eight hours a night.


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A former Editor of New Orleans Magazine, Bonnie was City Editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine and Metropolitan Home magazines for more than two decades. She is a former food critic and Editor of HomeSmart of Gambit, a weekly newspaper in New Orleans. She was the founding editor of New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles.
To reach Bonnie Warren directly, contact her at email@example.com.
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Hockey is almost tailor made for stocking stuffers. Well, aside from 40" leg pads, and sticks that don't lend themselves well to wrapping paper. But take those out of the equation and there may not be a better sport for finding stocking stuffers than hockey.
Training aids like the Smart Hockey Training Ball or the Green Biscuit Training Puck are the perfect size to slip into a stocking and are even better gifts since they can be used at home or at the rink with ease.
Of course every hockey player needs tape and there never seems to be enough of it no matter how many rolls you buy. Toss a few rolls of white or black tape into a stocking with a couple rolls of clear tape for a fail-safe gift that will never need to be taken back because it was the wrong size. One note on buying tape, double check the color the person you're buying for uses as hockey players are a finicky bunch when it comes to superstitions like the color of their tape.
There are even some cool accessories from the hockey apparel at Great Skate. For example, Bauer's skate lace bracelet would make for a very cool, unique stocking stuffer that many hockey players would love to have.
Some of the hockey stocking stuffers at Great Skate are a bit more practical than a skate lace bracelet or even a composite mini stick. Everyone loves having sharp skates but sometimes you're running too behind to get a sharpening taken care of. A Sweet Stick solves that problem as the pocket-sized blade re-edger can fit into a side pocket of a bag and be used in a pinch when a sharpening is out of the question. Another skate-related accessory that makes for a great stocking stuffer are Elite skate guards. These are the exact same skate guards used around the NHL and offer protection for skate blades while also preventing rusting. The Elite skate guards can be found in many different colors to match the team of the player you're buying for.
One newer item that could make for a nice addition in a stocking this holiday season is the Tacki-Mac stick grip. Great Skate carries three different versions of the Tacki-Mac grips and each provides a pre-cast, tacky butt end for a stick. Colors and styles all vary but these are becoming more and more popular as they're designed to extend the life of gloves while offering more grip and command than a regular tape buttend offers.
If you find yourself without a few extra stocking suffers as the holiday season wraps up, check with a Great Skate sales associate to help round out the final items on your shopping list this year.


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European Commission
Tonio BORG
Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy
Tobacco Products Directive: Making tobacco products and smoking less attractive
Press Conference/Brussels
19 December 2012
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, it is my great pleasure to announce that, after an extensive preparatory process, the Commission adopted a proposal to revise the Tobacco Products Directive.
Let me start by reminding everyone why the revision of this Directive is not only timely but an utmost necessity.
Tobacco is the largest avoidable health risk in Europe.
Every year, tobacco kills almost 700,000 citizens : that means a city the size of Frankfurt or Palermo is wiped out of our map every single year !
Smokers die younger : Half of all smokers live, on average 14 years less than non-smokers. And smokers spend a considerable part of their lives in poor health.
Treating smoking related diseases costs – on a very conservative estimate – €25 billion every year. And smoking related productivity losses amount to over €8 billion a year.
The current Tobacco Products Directive is 11 years old, and over recent years, new products, such as electronic cigarettes, have entered the market.
More "attractive" cigarette packages can now be bought and, even more worryingly, smoking has been made more attractive with the use of strong flavours, for example vanilla or strawberry.
Secondly, scientific knowledge has advanced. Studies show for example that large picture warnings work better than small text warnings.
Studies also show that the information on packs of cigarettes on tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide has, in practice, misled consumers into believing that some products are less harmful than others.
As a consequence, the legislation needs to be adapted to the latest scientific evidence.
Member States have started to legislate in sync with scientific and international developments: this is has led to discrepancies between national legislations in the different Member States. There is therefore a need to act to address this fragmentation of the internal market, while aiming at and ensuring a high level of health protection.
Last but certainly not least, the EU and its Member States have signed up to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control agreed in 2005. That means that we all have a legal commitment to comply with its provisions, which cover labelling, ingredients and the fight against illicit trade.
Now, what do we propose?
Our approach is ambitious yet balanced and driven by the following objectives:
Firstly clearer information to consumers about the nature of the product – tobacco should look and taste like tobacco!
Secondly to protect children and young people against smoking initiation. Let me remind you that 94% of all smokers start smoking under the age of 25 years.
In this light our proposal focuses on two key aspects: 1. packaging and labelling and 2. ingredients control. Let me start with ingredients:
The new Directive –proposes to prohibit tobacco products with strong characterising flavours.
It is not proposed – like in Canada or Brazil - to ban completely all flavours. What we propose is a prohibition of certain products that exert a strong and noticeable flavour. Cigarettes that taste like chocolate or like vanilla mask the harsh taste of tobacco and make it easier for young people to take up smoking.
Secondly, we propose mandatory, large, pictorial health warnings on cigarette packages and Roll Your Own tobacco.
These warnings should cover 75% of the front and the back of the packages and should be complemented by further health warnings on the side of the packages.
Cigarette packages should respect certain dimensions to guarantee the full visibility of the pictures. Again I want to be very clear: a tobacco product should look like a tobacco product and not like a cosmetic or candy. My aim here is that people can take an informed decision when they look at a pack of cigarettes by getting the clear message that the product they buy harms their health.
In summary, here's what a pack of cigarettes could look like on the EU markets in 3 or 4 years from now if today's proposal is endorsed by the Member States and the European Parliament
Other issues were tackled during the revision process of the Directive.
For example: what will we do on smokeless tobacco? First of all, the ban on snus will be maintained.
Only Sweden will continue to benefit from its derogation under the Accession Treaty which allows for snus to be consumed in Sweden but also obliges Sweden to take all measures necessary to ensure that snus is not placed on the market in other Member States.
It is well known that snus has adverse health effects, even if it is less harmful than cigarettes. Its cessation potential is not proven by independent studies and the risk of snus as entry gate to tobacco consumption is significant.
For nasal and chewing tobacco, since these products have essentially remained niche products, no prohibition is proposed, at this stage.
All smokeless tobacco products with characterizing flavours will be prohibited.
For nicotine containing products (e-cigarettes) our proposal would see such products containing nicotine above a certain threshold requiring authorization under pharmaceutical legislation, as is currently the case in a number of Member States. For those under the specific threshold of nicotine, health warnings would have to apply.
We also need to act against products not complying with the Directive.
This is why we propose to regulate cross border distance sales, which is an important entry gate for non-compliant products, in particular to prevent under age purchases.
In addition, we propose to introduce measures against illicit products via an EU wide tracking and tracing system and the introduction of security features.
In conclusion, who will benefit from this enhanced legislation?
Everybody will – at least to some extent.
Young people will benefit since my hope is that, in the long run, the new Directive will make tobacco products less attractive and thus discourage them to start.
Current tobacco users shall receive more adequate information about the products, the risks and possibilities to quit, if they wish to do so.
Manufacturers of tobacco products as well as governments will benefit from clearer rules, an improved functioning of the internal market and a level playing field that excludes those that play unfair. The new rules take particular account of the specific needs of small and medium-sized companies.
Governments and society will benefit from a healthier population. I cannot stress enough that while health is a value in its own right, it is also indispensable for productivity and prosperity and thereby a key factor for economic growth.
Today is only the beginning of the legislative process. I now call on the Council and Parliament to act. The ball is in their camp: I am very much looking forward to their reactions and the intensive discussions in the coming weeks and months. And I will do everything in my power to help get this Directive adopted before the new Parliament is elected in June 2014.
I am also convinced that a majority of EU citizens will agree with today's proposal since the well-being of millions of them is at the heart of this text.
Thank you very much for your attention.
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Ready for takeoff.
Get a one-way ticket to hassle-free flying with the Burton Wheelie Flight Deck Rolling Gear Bag. It has a compact size that fits into most airlines' overhead carry-on bins, but still has ample room to stuff in everything you need for a short getaway thanks to an efficient design and volume-enhancing Cram zones.
The clamshell-style opening features two main zippered compartments that provide plenty of room to store everything you need for your journeys while also allowing you to separate your dirty underwear from your clean shirts. A telescoping handle and Ixion skateboard wheels make it easy to haul around with you through crowded airports and unfamiliar streets.
- Ixion wheel system
- Volume-enhancing Cram zones
- Side compression straps
- Internal mesh divider
- Meets most airline carry-on restrictions
- Item #BUR00UB
Tech Specs
Gearhead Help
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
Not to shabby
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Super stylish, nice wheels, and I like the inner compartments.
Great bag, questionable Carry-on
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
If you fly any smaller jets and pack it somewhat full, it may not fit overhead. Other than that, this is a great bag. Zippers are oversized and smooth, wheels and rolling are very sturdy and smooth, straps are convenient for awkward loading/unloading, and, of course, lifetime guarantee is great.
Love the bag - but too big
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Love this bag - replaced my old burton rollie, however - does not fit in the overhead compartments of smaller planes, some larger planes and is very difficult to get in and out of the overhead compartment on the largest of planes. Sadly had to return as the sole reason of the purchase was to use as a carry-on for my frequent work travel. Thank you Backcountry for the great customer service and letting me return after the 1 use.
Is there a front zipper pocket
Hey Barbara - There is no front zippered pocket on this Wheelie Flight Deck Bag. Feel free to contact me directly with any additional questions.
- Kyle L. - Expert Gearhead


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Deadline reports that ABC is considering resurrecting legal procedural Body of Proof. The story notes that a resurrection would be difficult since the cast and crew have moved on.
Bill later added: Impossible to judge the credibility/likelihood of this happening, little PR birds have a willing ear to whisper into in Nellie Andreeva, but sometimes they speak the truth.
However, the idea Body Of Proof's return somehow has to do with the fate of new fall series Betrayal and Once Upon A Time in Wonderland is completely ridiculous. First of all, both of those shows are completely dead. There is nothing contingent about their fates. (although if ABC's considering switching an hour of sitcom time to dramas next season that would make sense) Second of all, any resurrection of Body Of Proof would be for the 2014-15 season at the earliest, so it would seem more contingent on the perceived quality of this spring's pilots.


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Just shy of 62 years in business, Sam's Tire Service, 703 N. Rolla St., will close Friday.
Just shy of 62 years in business, Sam's Tire Service, 703 N. Rolla St., will close Friday.
"It was first purchased by Sam Stiritz Sr. in January 1951 from Clyde St. John of Salem," said Norman Snodgrass, who has worked at the tire and auto service shop since the summer between his junior and senior years at Rolla High School, 60 years ago.
So it would be accurate to say the tire business is older than 62 years, if the previous owner's time is counted.
"It was an existing tire shop," Snodgrass said. "They did repairs and recaps."
That's the kind of work that continued under the direction of Sam Stiritz Sr.
"We retreaded tires here until 1970," Snodgrass said.
But products and services - and square footage - were added throughout the years and the decades as the business grew.
"It started on the corner at 709 Rolla," Snodgrass said. "Then we added 707, 705, 703 and 701."
Snodgrass, who says he and Donna Lisenbe, a 15-year employee, are co-managers for current owner Community Wholesale Tire, Hazelwood, said he started working in May 1953 as he was finishing his junior year at RHS.
"I worked the summer and then half a day my senior year," he said. "They had a work-study program for credit."
Snodgrass never left the business, continuing to work for Sam Sr., who passed away in 1998 after retiring to Florida in 1970. He also worked with Sam Jr., who passed away in 1995.
"Sam Jr. and I ran it together," Snodgrass said.
Much has changed in the tire business.
"It's gone from rayon to nylon to polyester to steel-belted," Snodgrass said.
He recalled, too, there was a major fire at Sam's Tire Service in 1992, the result of a leaking fluorescent ballast onto rubber tire tubes, igniting them.
"It was real hot," Snodgrass said, describing both the fire and the day in July 1992.
Stiritz family members own the building, and the lease runs out at the end of April. Community Wholesale Tire has been shutting down its retail division, focusing solely on wholesaling, so it was not interested in renewing the lease.
"They don't want to have any part of the retail business, and they've closed all their other stores except for a couple," Snodgrass said. "I'd probably have stayed another year or two if they hadn't. I think Donna would have stayed, too."
The closure will end the tire service employment for employees Bob Dill, 16 years; Johnny Pankey, 10 years; Jerry Pankey and James Smith, each six years.
Snodgrass said he will remain working in the building through the end of the lease, disposing of equipment and collecting accounts receivable.
He's quick to point out that he considers himself as "stepping down, not retiring," for he has lots to do to stay busy.
"My son and I have a farm," Snodgrass said. "He's a retired teacher, biology from Vienna, and I'm going to help him on the farm."
Snodgrass has bought and sold several farms over the years, and he enjoys working in agriculture.
He has also enjoyed his decades in the tire shop.
"I enjoy the people, meeting them and hearing what they have to say," said Snodgrass, who was born in 1936. "You'll find that when you get old enough to retire, but you're not forced to retire, then you enjoy your work more. It's the difference between having to do something and not having to do something."
He's going to miss his longtime customers - and their children and grandchildren who are also customers.
"It's been a lifetime of business relationships," Snodgrass said.


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Shady Lady: Our Roundup Of Chic Sunglasses Under $100
Click through our slideshow to shop the coolest sunglasses under $100 this summer.
Warby Parker's Mabel Sunglasses ($95) feature oversized hexagonal frames, ideal for shielding your eyes poolside.
Bright mirrored lenses lend a playful contrast to the '60s vibe of A.J. Morgan's Retro Round Sunglasses ($24).
Madewell's semi-rimless Drifter Shades ($50) are a little retro, a little modern, and a whole lot cool.
Topshop's Drop Lens Round Sunglasses ($32) in Pink give your outfit a sweet and girly vibe.
Thanks to the combination of a black opaque frame and metal top bar, you'll look like an A-lister in Need Supply Co.'s Zane Sunglasses ($18).
Sole Society's Smythe Oversized Thick Rim Sunglasses ($25) channel old Hollywood glamour. Wear this pair with a silk head scarf to go fashionably incognito.
Cat-eye shapes are a perennial favourite among front-row fashionphiles, and ASOS' Ridge Cat Eye Sunglasses ($20) offer a truly versatile hue.
Aviators tend to look good on any face shape, so American Apparel's Veneto Sunglasses ($35) are an essential everyday basic.
Channel '70s appeal in Nasty Gal's Clear Reflection Shades ($40). Just don't forget the flared jeans to complete your look.
Cheap Monday's known for their affordable jeans. Guess what? The label makes stylish, budget-friendly shades too, like their Point Sunglasses ($40) that have a very Kate Moss vibe.
A pair of white sunnies is undeniably striking and deepens your summer tan, so slip on Spitfire's Yazhoo Sunglasses ($38) in White.
You can wear Vince Camuto's elegant Oversized Cat's Eye Sunglasses ($65) now, but they'll pair perfectly with your fall wardrobe too.
If you want something more exciting than basic black, but won't wear coloured frames, try Eyebobs' Total Wit Polarised Sunglasses ($99). After all, tortoiseshell is a universally stylish compromise.
- Explore More:
- sunglasses
- Summer Trends


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Tell us about your project, location, the type of sounds you
need, and your budget.
Sounddogs can create a custom library from existing recordings
and or can record and create new material specifically for your
Please email us to:
© Sounddogs.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sounddogs and SoundStorm are registered trademarks of
Sounddogs.com, Inc. in the United States.
Oscar and Academy Awards are registered trademark and service
marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All
other trademarks contained herein are the property of their
respective owners.


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Error creating thumbnail
|This article describes a futures contract with a discrete termination or delivery date. View articles referencing this futures contract.
Frozen Pork Bellies futures were traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange until July 2012. They were traded under ticker symbol PB in cents per pound, but for electronic trading sessions, the symbol GBP is used.[1]
Pork Bellies are the underside of a pig (the "belly") from which bacon is made. It is one of the two primary types of pork futures contracts commonly traded, the other being Lean Hogs.
The chart at left shows front-month Pork Bellies futures prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in cents per pounds.
Frozen Pork Bellies futures are delivered every year in February, March, May, July, & August.[1]
The following is a table with Pork Bellies futures delivery dates and resultant tickers for 2009. For an explanation on commodity tickers see commodity ticker construction.
|Delivery Month
|Full Ticker Symbol
|Thomson-Reuters Symbol
|February, 2009
|March, 2009
|May, 2009
|July, 2009
|August, 2009
One Frozen Pork Bellies futures contract on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange is 40,000 pounds.[1]
$.03 per pound above or below previous day's settlement price; expandable to $.045 per pound.[1]
Trading of Frozen Pork Bellies futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ends on the business day immediately preceding the last 3 business days of the contract month, 12:00 p.m..[1]
Deliverable Frozen Pork Bellies grades for futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are: 12-18 pound frozen pork bellies.[1]


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Elvis Presley, 'Prince From Another Planet' (RCA, $26.18)
The years immediately before Presley slid into bloated self-parody remain fascinating for their mix of spectacle, showmanship and sometimes surprising artistry. This two-CD, one-DVD set documents the singer's Madison Square Garden concerts of June 1972, his first live performances in New York. Adorned in rhinestones, the still-svelte Presley came on like "a glorified stripper" in the words of his drummer, Ronnie Tutt. He meant it as a compliment; the excellent band challenged Presley instead of reverently deferring to him, and the singer sounds determined to reassert his relevance. The DVD includes grainy performance footage shot by a fan using a handheld camera, plus a Presley media conference from the New York stand that's like a performance in itself. On stage, Presley blows out the extremes, cranking the tempo on "That's All Right," plunging deep into the swampy lust of "Polk Salad Annie," milking the drama of "Suspicious Minds" and the melodrama of "An American Trilogy." As last stands go, it's worth hearing if hardly essential.
Copyright © 2019, Chicago Tribune


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This is a Monthly Rapid Update release of the MySQL Enterprise Server 5.0.
This is a bugfix release that replaces MySQL 5.0.54.
Bugs Fixed
Security Fix: Three vulnerabilities in yaSSL versions 1.7.5 and earlier were discovered that could lead to a server crash or execution of unauthorized code. The exploit requires a server with yaSSL enabled and TCP/IP connections enabled, but does not require valid MySQL account credentials. The exploit does not apply to OpenSSL.
The proof-of-concept exploit is freely available on the Internet. Everyone with a vulnerable MySQL configuration is advised to upgrade immediately.
(Bug #33814, CVE-2008-0226, CVE-2008-0227)


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The Chapman Foundations
The H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust and The Mary K. Chapman Foundations are private foundations, each formed as a perpetual entity in trust, that maintain endowments to fund charitable grants to public charities.
The trustees and staff that administer the foundations also provide public stewardship through service to charitable organizations and causes.
Though not limited geographically, most grants and public service are within Oklahoma and Colorado. Grants to human services and civic and community programs and projects are primarily focused in the areas of Tulsa and Colorado Springs.
Copyright © 2006 Chapman Foundations Management, LLC. All right reserved


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Margins - Fragile ExistenceThis is a late 2013 collaborative project between Dan Crossley (Facture/Fluid Audio) and Craig Tattersall (The Boats). Once again, this is an amazing product from Facture in which the packaging/art is as central to the release as the music. The music itself is decent, but not remarkable. It largely combines field recordings and tape loops to create a fractured but ambient atmosphere. The Crossley nature prints that accompany the release are absolutely beautiful, however, and are worth checking out on the Fluid Audio site regardless of how you feel about Tattersall.
Right now:Nunc Stans & Mystified- One Thousand Dreams- One of Anthony's unsung masterpieces. This is so good and so trippy, but I never see anyone else talking about it. Definitely needs more exposure.
Mozart's Requiem - up to the point that his student completed it after his death. I don't know if 'knowing' that Mozart didn't finish the music made me listen differently, but the last parts did feel unlike the earlier parts, perhaps more bombastic than he would have written.but who knows, I could be imagining it.


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Quail opener looks promising
Thanks to successful reproduction this spring and summer, bobwhite quail populations appear to be in fair shape heading into the 1999-2000 hunting season.
Running Nov. 1 - Jan. 31, quail season is one of the most popular events in the state, drawing hunters from all over the nation to enjoy some of America's finest bird hunting. Oklahoma typically ranks among the top three quail hunting states in terms of both quail populations and hunter success, and Oklahoma promises to be a major destination for bird hunters again this year.
Although observers counted fewer birds during the 1999 October Roadside Survey than they did in 1998, quail apparently produced a good late hatch across much of the state, said Steve DeMaso, upland bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Consequently, the age distribution of quail observed is similar to those of 1996-97, which was a good hunting season.
"Overall, we've been encouraged by reports from our field personnel," DeMaso said. "Quail seem to have had good reproduction this year, and good weather conditions during the rearing season have helped recruit a fair number of birds into the population."
Although the October Road Surveys have traditionally been accurate indicators for the statewide quail harvest, this year's survey may have been affected by several factors. For example, wet weather encouraged plant growth along the roadsides, making it more difficult to see quail than in 1998, when vegetation was sparse.
"Nesting season appears to have been later this year than in previous years, too," DeMaso said, "so quail production was delayed in many areas. Most of the chicks seen during this survey were fully-grown, however, and the number of young chicks increased from the October 1998 survey. Also, weather and habitat conditions were more favorable than last year's hot, dry nesting season."
The most important element to hunter success, DeMaso added, is simply to go hunting. Hunting conditions are a bit different early in the season than they are later, but hunters who adapt their strategies can enjoy productive outings almost anytime. In the early part of the season, DeMaso recommends not working dogs too hard for long stretches, to give them frequent rest breaks and to give dogs plenty of water to keep them from getting dehydrated. If possible, it's also good to rotate dogs in and out of the field to keep them fresh.
And remember, nobody ever has a good season sitting at home. The only way to enjoy it is to get out there and hunt.
Whooping Cranes migrating now
Nearly 195 whooping cranes are expected to visit Oklahoma over the next few weeks as one of North America's rarest birds makes its annual fall migration.
These birds represent the entire migratory population within North America, said Mark Howery, natural resources biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Despite its relatively small number, this flock contains the hope for a species that only recently seemed doomed to extinction.
"The whooping crane is a conservation success story in progress," Howery said. "From a remnant population of only 15 birds in 1941, the whooping crane is making a steady comeback. The current migratory population is about 195 cranes, a remarkable increase when you consider all of the obstacles these birds face. In addition to the hazards of long migration that occurs twice a year, they must also endure habitat loss, and also the impact of periodic droughts and excessively wet years."
In addition to the 195 birds in the migratory population, there are about 70 captive-reared cranes living in the wild in Florida as part of an attempt to establish a non-migratory population in that part of their former range. Nearly 130 other cranes live in captive breeding facilities in the U.S. and Canada. All of these birds descend from the migratory population of cranes. The cranes that will pass through Oklahoma this fall are migrating from their nesting grounds in the boreal marshes of northern Alberta, Canada to their wintering grounds on the Texas Gulf Coast.
"Whooping Cranes typically migrate during the day in small groups of two to six birds and will occasionally join groups of migrating sandhill cranes," Howery said. "At night, they roost in shallow water in marshes or along rivers."
In the fall, whooping cranes are mostly seen in the central one-third of the state during the last week of October and the first week of November. Distinguishing marks include their large size, white plumage, black wingtips and red forehead. Also, whooping cranes fly with their necks extended straight and their legs extending well behind their bodies.
Sandhill cranes have a similar body shape but are primarily gray and have dark gray wing feathers instead of black wingtips. White pelicans are similar in color, but they are stockier, and they usually travel in large flocks. Their legs do not extend far behind their tail feathers.
Snow geese are considerably smaller than cranes and have short legs which do not extend far behind their bodies. Egrets lack the black wingtips of the whooping crane and fly with their necks held in an "S" shape.
Anyone who observes a whooping crane is requested to contact the Department's Wildlife Diversity Program at (405) 521-4616. Observers will be asked to share the date and location of the sightings as well as the habitat and the number of birds.
"By monitoring the birds during migration, we hope to gain a better understanding of their migration path and the most important habitats for them in terms of feeding and roosting," Howery said.
For more information about the whooping crane, a free informational brochure is available by writing to ODWC's Wildlife Diversity Program at 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
Winter opportunities for eagle viewing
In November, Oklahoma wildlife enthusiasts will have more than 100 opportunities this winter to see bald eagles at reservoirs throughout the state.
"Eagles are becoming a common winter sight at lakes and rivers across Oklahoma," said Jeremy Garrett, natural resources specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "With the help of 25 other partners, we're glad to provide opportunities for Oklahomans to see our national symbol up close."
The Winter Bald Eagle Tours are coordinated by the Department's Wildlife Diversity Program, which is funded primarily by contributions through the state wildlife tax check-off, wildlife license plate sales and direct donations.
For a schedule of the 1999-2000 Winter Eagle Tours, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Eagle Tours, Wildlife Diversity Program, 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. People also can look up the schedule on the Wildlife Department's website: www.state.ok.us/~odwc.
Wildlife license plates now available locally
Starting November 1, Oklahomans will be able to purchase pre-numbered Wildlife Conservation License Plates at most local tag agencies.
"People will be able to simply walk in, write a check for $25 and walk out with any of the four unique designs - large-mouth bass, bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer or scissor-tailed flycatcher," said Jeremy Garrett, natural resources specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"Although sales of the Wildlife plates have increased annually since 1994, having them available locally should really boost their sales, thus boosting funds available for state wildlife efforts," Garrett said. "More than 2,000 plates were sold during fiscal year 1999, raising more than $40,000 for state wildlife conservation efforts."
Since the wildlife plate program began in 1994, nearly 8,000 plates have been purchased or renewed, raising $155,760 for the Wildlife Diversity Program, Garrett added. Funds from wildlife plate sales have been used to purchase the Selman Bat Cave property and to conduct special bat viewing opportunities. They have also been used to enhance Watchable Wildlife Areas at Byron Fish Hatchery and Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area, and to produce informational brochures and posters.
To order a wildlife plate, visit your local tag agency, call 405/521-4616, or visit the website: www.state.ok.us/~odwc.
Fall turkey season looks promising
With wild turkey populations in good shape across the state, Oklahoma turkey hunters are looking forward to a successful fall turkey season.
Except for some counties in the eastern and central parts of the state, the fall gun turkey season runs Oct. 30 - Nov. 19. Depending on which county they're hunting, sportsmen will be allowed to harvest one turkey of either sex or just one tom.
In some eastern counties, hunters are restricted to using shotguns only. Those counties are Washington, Nowata, Craig, Wagoner, Cherokee, Adair, Muskogee, Sequoyah, McIntosh and Haskell.
Archery enthusiasts may take one turkey of either sex statewide from Oct. 6 - Nov. 19 and from Nov. 29 - Dec. 31. Regardless of the hunting method, the total fall bag limit is one bird per hunter.
Though overshadowed by the spring season, the fall turkey season is a valuable opportunity for many hunters who wish to harvest a wild turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. It also provides an opportunity to hunt this elusive bird under much different, and arguably more challenging, circumstances than those encountered in the spring.
Regardless of the reason, the fall turkey season is extremely popular among hunters, which reflects the success of the wild turkey management efforts conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
"We're very pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to the hunters of our state," said Rod Smith, southwest region supervisor for the Department. "Turkey populations appear to be doing well, and we should have an abundance of birds this fall. We've had good hatches and good recruitment the last two springs, plus a good carryover of adult birds from last year. Altogether, those factors could produce some outstanding hunting opportunities."
The Rio Grande sub-species attracts most of the hunting attention in the fall. During the 1999 winter turkey survey, biologists for the Department estimated the statewide Rio Grande population at more than 60,000 birds.
Meanwhile, the eastern wild turkey continues to thrive in southeastern and far northeastern Oklahoma. Although most of southeastern Oklahoma is closed to fall turkey hunting with a firearm, hunters may still pursue turkeys with archery tackle during the designated archery seasons.
Before heading afield, look carefully at the fall turkey hunting regulations in the 1999-2000 Oklahoma Hunting Regulations booklet. You can pick up a copy from any license dealer.
Hunting requirements are simple. You need a resident or non-resident hunting license and a resident or non-resident fall turkey hunting permit. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1 1972 must pass a certified hunter education class before purchasing a hunting license or permit.
Winter trout areas open Nov. 1
If you enjoy catching trout but don't have time to travel, you can enjoy some excellent fishing close to home at Oklahoma's winter trout areas.
Beginning Nov. 1, trout season opens at the six designated winter trout areas managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Sprinkled throughout the state, these fisheries provide trout fishing opportunities in areas where warm water temperatures are not suitable for trout during the summer. They are stocked regularly with catchable size rainbow trout, and they are very popular with anglers all over the state, said Barry Bolton, the Department's Assistant Chief of Fisheries.
"Oklahoma is blessed with a diversity of fishing opportunities, including our two year-round trout fisheries on the lower Illinois and lower Mountain Fork rivers," Bolton said. "However, the Department's winter trout fisheries provide additional opportunities that are very popular with many anglers who appreciate the experience of catching trout on their home waters. For that reason, they are valuable assets to Oklahoma's fishing community."
Seasonal trout fishing areas are at the following locations:
Lake Carl Etling - This 159-acre lake is at Black Mesa State Park in Cimarron Co. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - April 30. To get there, take US-325 28 miles west of Boise City. Boat ramps are on the south and east sides of the lake. Primitive and developed camping facilities are available at the park.
Quartz Mountain - The trout water is in the North Fork of the Red River directly below the dam at Lake Altus-Lugert. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 15. To get there from Altus, take OK-44A north about 18 miles. Lodging and camping facilities are available at Quartz Mountain State Park.
Blue River - The Blue River flows through the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area near Tishomingo. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. To get there from Tishomingo, go four miles east on OK-78 and then six miles north. Bank access and wade fishing is available throughout the area. Primitive camping is allowed at the Blue River campground.
Robbers Cave - Located in Robbers Cave State Park, the Robbers Cave trout fishery is in the Fourche Maline River directly below Carlton Dam to the south boundary of the park. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 15. To get there from Wilburton, go five miles north on OK-2. Bank access and wade fishing is available anywhere within state park boundaries. Camping facilities and cabins are available at the park.
Lake Watonga - This 55-acre lake is in Roman Nose State Park. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. To get there from Watonga, go seven miles north on OK-8A. Bank access and a boat ramp are on the west side of the lake. Camping and lodging are available at the park.
Lake Pawhuska - This 96-acre lake is about three miles south of Pawhuska. Trout season runs Nov. 1 - March 31. During that time, the City of Pawhuska waives the City fishing fee. To get there from Pawhuska, go three miles south on OK-60, and then go 1.75 miles east on a marked County road. The lake has a boat ramp, fishing dock and restrooms. Primitive camping is available at the lake, and developed camping is available at nearby Lake Bluestem.
In addition to these areas, the Department also manages year-round trout fisheries at the lower Illinois and lower Mountain Fork rivers. The Department stocks both of these areas with brown and rainbow trout.
To fish for trout in Oklahoma, angles need either a resident or non-resident fishing license, as well as a trout license. It costs $7.75. There are no exemptions from purchasing the trout license. Before going, check the 1999 Oklahoma Fishing Regulations regarding regulations and other information for each area.
Don't wait too late for hunter education
For those who need to obtain a hunter education card before going afield this season, a few classes still have openings. You'd better sign up fast, however, because space is limited, and demand is high.
According to Oklahoma State Law, anyone hunting in Oklahoma who was born on or before Jan. 1, 1972 upon reaching 16 years of age, must exhibit a hunter safety certificate from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, or a like certificate from another state, to purchase or receive a hunting license or permit. Before you can obtain the hunter safety certificate, you must first complete an accredited hunter education class administered by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Of course, the best time to take the course is in the summer, when demand for space is low. However, many people are unable to take the class until the last minute because of personal or professional reasons. Still others get in a bind because they procrastinate. Whatever the reason, there are still opportunities available to take the class and obtain the necessary qualifications to hunt this season.
"Aside from being required by law, taking a hunter safety class is just plain, good common sense," said J.D. Peer, hunter education coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "With more and more competition for our game resources, it's especially important for hunters to know their responsibilities in regard to ethics and firearm safety. A hunter safety class teaches a hunter the necessary elements to be competent and responsible afield. Ultimately, that's good not only for hunters, but for the sport in general."
Hunter education courses are free, 10-hour courses that cover firearm safety, hunting regulations, hunter responsibility and ethics. They also cover wildlife management, survival and other topics like proper handling of game, first aid and introductory specialty hunting, such as muzzleloading and bowhunting.
A limited number of home study hunter education courses are available in Oklahoma City until mid-November. Students enrolled in home study courses must complete an intensive workbook before attending a four-hour class.
For information on standard and home study course listings, call J.D. Peer at (405) 522-4572.
Muzzleloader season coming soon
For thousands of Oklahoma sportsmen, deer season is about to go up in smoke.
Smoke from the muzzle of a blackpowder firearm, that is.
One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, hunting deer with a muzzleloading firearm is a special opportunity for Oklahoma hunters. The statewide season runs Oct. 23-31, offering nine days of traditional-style hunting that harkens back to the early days of Oklahoma's pioneer heritage.
In addition, the woods are generally uncrowded during the muzzleloader season, allowing hunters a chance to hunt deer that haven't been heavily pressured. Consequently, muzzleloader hunters stand an excellent chance of bagging the buck of their dreams.
"For a lot of different reasons, the primitive firearms deer season is one of the most widely-anticipated events among Oklahoma deer hunters," said Richard Hatcher, chief of wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "It's a really nice time to be in the woods, and many hunters consider it the best time to harvest a high-quality deer. More importantly, it provides a valuable extra hunting opportunity."
For many who take up the sport, muzzleloading becomes an obsession. Success requires extremely careful selection and handling of equipment, as well as precise attention to detail. Skillful woodsmanship is also required to get within effective range to take a deer with a muzzleloader.
"Even if you think you've done everything right, there's always an element of chance when you're hunting with a muzzleloader," Hatcher said with a chuckle. "Sometimes the powder doesn't ignite, or an improperly-seated cap won't go off. You just never know."
Last year, muzzleloader hunters harvested 13,557 deer, accounting for more than 13 percent of the overall statewide harvest of 80,008 deer. Of those, 10,008 were bucks, and 3,549 were does.
To hunt deer with a muzzleloader in Oklahoma, resident hunters must possess an annual hunting or combination license, a lifetime hunting or combination license, a senior citizen hunting or senior citizen combination license; or proof of exemption. Hunters must also possess a deer primitive (antlered or antlerless) permit for each deer harvested or proof of exemptions. Non-residents must possess anon-resident primitive (antlered or antlerless) permit. An annual non-resident hunting license is not required to purchase the permits.
Also, muzzleloader hunters must wear blaze orange garments, including a head covering, that covers their upper bodies. For specific information regarding licenses, bag limits, clothing requirements or legal firearms, consult the 1999-2000 Oklahoma Hunting Regulations.
Hopefully, your dream hunt will end with success.
Good field care ensures good venison
Although some say taking a deer is the highlight of every deer hunt, many feel that the best part of deer hunting comes later, at the dinner table.
To get the most enjoyment from your harvest, however, you need to take proper care for the meat. If properly handled, you'll be able to enjoy many meals of lean, high-protein meat that is 100-percent natural, with no additives or preservatives.
"People hunt for a lot of reasons, but every hunter agrees that eating game is an essential part of the hunting experience," said J.D. Peer, hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "It's the key ingredient that connects the hunter to the game, that makes us participants in the cycle of life in the natural world instead of just being observers. Partaking of game, gives a hunter a deeper respect and reverence for that animal than those who don't understand that connection."
Upon harvesting a deer, the first think you must do is attach the proper tag to the carcass as required by law. Then, you should remove the animal's genitalia, or, if it's a doe, its udder. Make a circular cut around the area, and remove musk glands to avoid tainting the meat.
Split the hide from the tail to the throat, but be careful not to pierce the body cavity. Peel back the hide several inches on each side to keep from getting hair on the meat.
Cut through the pelvic bone. Tilting the carcass toward the rear will cause the innards to sag into the rib cavity, decreasing the chance of puncturing the viscera while cutting through the bone. Then, you can cut the large intestine from the pelvic cavity without severing it from the viscera.
Open the carcass by cutting the length of the breast bone and neck.
Working uphill, turn the carcass, free the gullet and pull viscera to the rear. Remove the head and legs, and then spray the carcass with Liquid Game Bag. Skin and sack.
Allow the carcass to cool before transporting if conditions allow. Many hunters recommend cooling a deer six hours before transporting.
Be sure to check deer
After harvesting a deer this fall, hunters must remember to have the animal checked at the nearest hunter check station.
Aside from being required by law, checking deer is important because it allows biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to determine the exact number of deer harvested during Oklahoma's respective deer seasons, said Mike Shaw, the Department's research supervisor. It also allows Department wildlife biologists to evaluate harvest strategies in specific regions based on the needs of their respective deer herds. Furthermore, it allows biologists to evaluate the age and physical condition of all harvested animals.
"The information we collect at our check stations is crucial to developing harvest regulations in the best interest of the resource and hunters alike," Shaw said. "Checking deer is an accepted part of every successful hunt, and it can also be a lot of fun because it gives hunters an opportunity to visit with other successful hunters and compare notes."
This year, a number of changes have been made to the statewide list of hunter check stations. They are as follows:
ATOKA CO. - Caney, Voca Store, 659 W. Voca Rd.
BECKHAM CO. - Sayre, Recess, Hwy. 66 at Exit 25 I-40.
BRYAN CO. - Durant, Durant Fire Dept. 204 N. 4th.
CADDO CO. - Apache, Swanda's Gas & Go, 604 E. Hwy. 19.
CANADIAN CO. - El Reno, Great Plains Taxidermy, 3 mi. W. of Country Club Rd. on Jensen Rd.
Yukon - No station
CHEROKEE CO. - Peggs, Peggs Gro. & Hardware., Hwy. 82 N.
CHOCTAW CO. - Kiamichi Park, Corps of Engineers Office, Hugo Lake.
CLEVELAND CO. - Lexington, Riverside C Store, 4th St. & Hwy 77.
CUSTER CO. - Weatherford, Kash & Karry Grocery, 309 W. Main.
ELLIS CO. - Lake Vincent, Lake Road Bait & Tackle, 3 mi. N. of Lake Vincent.
Shattuck, Police Dept., 405 S. Main.
GRADY CO. - Ninnekah,Brewer's Quick Stop, 4 mi. S. Hwy. 81 & 277.
Tuttle, Tuttle Police Dept., Main and SE 2nd.
GRANT CO. - Pond Creek, Bob's Easy Shop, 104 N. Hwy. 81.
JACKSON CO. - Olustee, Adam's Shooter Supply, 100 W. 4th.
LeFLORE CO. - Summerfield, Mike's Country Corner, 100 Main St.
McCLAIN CO. - Purcell, No station.
McCURTAIN CO. - Cisco, No Station.
NOWATA CO. - Alluwe, KC's Diner & Country Store, Hwy 28 & 99A.
STEPHENS CO. - Velma, To be announced.
WASHINGTON CO. - Copan, Joe's Bait and Tackle, Jct. Hwy. 10 & 75.
Vera - KaBo's Vera Grocery on 111 S. Hwy.
WASHITA CO. - Cordell, Fire Station, 117 E. Clay.
WOODS CO. - Plainview, No Station
Waynoka, Police Dept., 201 E. Cecil.
Commission approves regulations changes
In its regular October meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved several new hunting regulations which will go into effect in 2000.
One of the most significant changes will expand opportunities for bowhunters. Currently, deer archery season occurs in a split season, the first of which begins Oct. 6, and lasts for a total of 78 days. The new regulation will expand the split season to 83 days and establish Oct. 1 as opening day. Also, the Commission voted to approve the use of electronic tracking devices as a tool to recover harvested deer. The use of thermal tracking devices will not be allowed.
Other major regulations changes include:
o Opening a falconry season for greater prairie chickens. The season will run Nov. 1 - Feb. 15, with a daily limit of one bird and a possession limit of two. The season on lesser prairie chickens will remain closed.
o Opening fall turkey season in Kay County. The season limit will be one turkey.
o Opening fall archery turkey season on most Department-owned wildlife management areas in southeast Oklahoma.
o Making deer archery season at Sandy Sanders WMA the same as statewide.
o Deleting the camping restriction at Pushmataha WMA.
o Allowing the hunting of all legal waterfowl and coots at Sooner Lake.
o Numerous housekeeping items regarding hunting at public hunting areas around the state. Check the 2000-2001 Oklahoma Hunting Regulations for specifics.
Hatcher also addressed the Commission about reducing the annual bag limit for antlered bucks from three to two, and also for extending the number of doe days throughout most of the state. The Commission voted to table both measures for further study.
In other business, the Commission voted to approve a proposal to offer five permits for special auction hunts. The permits that will be auctioned will be for an elk hunt at Cookson Hills WMA, a modern firearms deer hunt at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, a spring turkey hunt at Osage/Western Wall WMA and two permits for a quail hunt at Packsaddle WMA.
During the 1998 legislative session, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the Commission to offer as many as five special hunt permits for public auction outside the Department's Controlled Hunts program. In 1999, the Department auctioned two such permits. One was for a spring turkey hunt at the McCurtain County Wilderness Area, and the other was for a fall elk hunt at Cookson Hills WMA.
Also, the Commission voted to approve controlled, antlerless-only deer hunts on designated portions at Ft. Cobb State Park. The hunts are necessary because the deer herd in and around Ft. Cobb State Park has become seriously overpopulated, said Richard Hatcher, chief of the Department's Wildlife Division. Deer are causing extensive damage to agricultural crops and posing a significant safety hazard to motorists. Hunting is the most effective management strategy used to control whitetail deer populations, and these hunts offer additional opportunities for Oklahoma hunters to enjoy a high-quality hunting experience.
In other business, the Commission voted to approve an Agency Organization Executive Compensation Plan. The plan includes salary adjustments for several administrative positions. Organizational changes include establishing two new positions. Those positions will be a Chief of Administration and an Assistant Director.
In a personnel-related item, the Commission recognized two employees for long tenures of continuous service to the Department. Loren Damron, Warden Supervisor, was honored for 25 years of continuous service. Steve Spade, manager of the Byron Fish Hatchery, was honored for 20 years of service.
In his monthly financial statement, Robert Taylor, the Department's fiscal services coordinator, reported that the Department's Lifetime License Account had more than $3.5 million in interest available for withdrawal. In addition, Taylor added that Lifetime License sales were up more than nine percent from this time last year. Total revenues were up more than 11 percent, and expenditures were up nearly nine percent.
Taylor also updated the Commission on the Department's Y2K compliance efforts. At this point, he said, the focus is on updating the Universal License system. Software development for that phase of the project should be complete by early November, and the system should be totally complete by Dec. 1. The next phase will be to update the hunter safety, inventory and Controlled Hunts databases.
The Commission will meet again on Nov. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Department's headquarters in Oklahoma City.
Bowhunters get more opportunities
If you've been wondering what the new millennium will bring for hunters and anglers, the forecast looks promising. Starting Oct. 1, 2000, Oklahoma bowhunters will get an additional five days of hunting opportunities during the early season.
The extended season, approved Oct. 4 by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, moves the opening of deer archery season to Oct. 1. Previously, the season opener was Oct. 6. Consequently, bowhunters will be able to hunt for a total of 83 days instead of the 78 available in 1999.
The main reason for the change, said Richard Hatcher, chief of Wildlife for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, is to provide greater opportunities for bowhunters.
"In many parts of Oklahoma, there's an increasingly urgent need to reduce the number of antlerless deer, and bowhunting is one method in which that is possible," Hatcher said. "By adding an extra week to the early archery deer season, we feel that many bowhunters will take advantage of the extra opportunities to enjoy their sport and hopefully have a positive impact on the state's deer herd. Also, establishing the season opener on Oct. 1 just makes it easier to remember, and easier for bowhunters to plan their outings."
In 1999, the first half of deer archery season began Oct. 6 and ends Nov. 19. The second half runs Nov. 29 - Dec. 31. For more information on season dates and bag limits, consult the 1999-2000 Oklahoma Hunting Regulations.
Lease expires on Hajek Marsh
Although Hajek Marsh is no longer open to the public, sportsmen can still enjoy excellent public duck hunting throughout Oklahoma this fall.
Leased for more than a decade by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Hajek Marsh contains about 30 acres of productive waterfowl habitat in Kingfisher County, said Russ Horton, central region senior biologist for the Department. However, a private entity leased the area last summer, eliminating public access to the area.
"We had it for a pretty good while, and it was a good resource for the sportsmen of Oklahoma while it lasted," Horton said, "but one of the dangers of leasing is that somebody can always come in and offer more money. That's what happened in this case."
Nevertheless, Oklahoma offers excellent public waterfowl hunting in almost every part of the state. Some of the best are the 26 waterfowl development units managed specifically for waterfowl by the Department. High-quality hunting opportunities are also available at many of the reservoirs managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, such as Ft. Cobb Reservoir, Canton Lake and Lake Eufaula.
"While we are naturally disappointed to lose Hajek Marsh, we also want to emphasize that there are plenty of other places where you can enjoy superb waterfowling throughout our state," said Richard Hatcher, chief of the Department's Wildlife Division. "We hope that more and more sportsmen will take advantage of these opportunities."
For more information on waterfowl hunting in Oklahoma, pick up a copy of the Oklahoma Wetland Development Areas atlas. Available for $5, it contains maps of all 26 wetland development areas managed by the Department. You can order by calling (405) 521-3852 or by sending a check or money order to the Outdoor Store, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK, 73105.


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The time had come and on Saturday April 26 the 2008 PPG/Street Rodder Road Tour season and the Lokar Tour to the NSRA Nationals South began in a very big way. Our American Speed Company Speed '33 bodied 1933 steel high boy roadster was completed at The Roadster Shop at their incredible new facilities in Mundelein, Illinois. The debut of the Road Tour Roadster was coupled with the grand open of The Roadster Shop and it was a party that saw 400 vehicles and almost 1,000 people show up at the celebration. Roadster Shop owners Neal and Candy Gerber and sons Phil and Jeremy along with their staff greeted the party guests with hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. Besides the refreshments, the visitors were treated to a look at one of the finest hot rod, muscle car and special interest build shops in the nation. The Gerber family took over the reins at The Roadster Shop a few years ago and just completed the move from the former location in Elgin, Illinois.
The Road Tour Roadster looks fantastic and drives just as well. Powered by a Ford Racing new Boss 302 the high boy has 450 horsepower to get it down the road. The Heidt's front end smoothes things out on the bumpy Midwest highways. Wrapped in PPG paint, the salt flats graphics are going to have people talking wherever we go this summer. The Coker dirt track tires add to the look and the Wheel Vintiques steel wheels are period perfect. AMSOIL products keep everything lubricated and filtered. The top drops inside the body on the sunny days and electric windows seal things up when the weather gets nasty. The roadster was ready and so were the twenty vehicles and occupants that had signed up for the Lokar Tour to Knoxville.
On Sunday morning we gathered and made the short drive to Heidt's Hot Rod Shop for their annual NSRA Appreciation Day and Safety Team inspection. Almost 100 vehicles arrived at Heidt's and a record 35 cars went through the safety inspection process. It was an emotional day for Gary Heidt who has decided to step down as owner of Heidt's and new owner Marc Price was also on hand to greet the crowd. Gary will stay on with Heidt's in a consulting capacity for some time and will be present in the Heidt's booth at all of the major events this season.
With Heidt's new owner Marc Price in the passenger seat of the Road Tour Roadster we headed to the huge Volo Auto Museum in nearby Volo, Illinois. Multiple buildings filled with collector vehicles and consignment cars share the beautiful grounds with a number of antique and collector mall shopping areas. It is definitely with a stop if you are in the area.
Sycamore, Illinois was our destination for Sunday evening. We are scheduled to get a behind the scenes tour of Auto Meter Monday morning and then head to Manteno, Illinois for a visit to the Rad Rides by Troy shop of Troy Trepanier for an evening get together. Check back here and get all the details of our Lokar Tour to the Nationals South. Watch the pages of Street Rodder Magazine for the whole story of our trip and think about signing up for one of the other seven week long trips we have planned this summer. All the details can be found here on the web site or call our Road Tour Hotline at 1-800-664-1362. We hope to see you on a Road Tour soon!


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Look Out Google Fiber, $35-A-Month Gigabit Internet Comes to Vermont
Heads up Google Fiber: A rural Vermont telephone company might just have your $70 gigabit Internet offer beat.
Vermont Telephone Co. (VTel), whose footprint covers 17,500 homes in the Green Mountain State, has begun to offer gigabit Internet speeds for $35 a month, using a brand new fiber network. So far about 600 Vermont homes have subscribed.
VTel's Chief Executive Michel Guite says he's made it a personal mission to upgrade the company's legacy phone network, which dates back to 1890, with fiber for the broadband age. The company was able to afford the upgrades largely by winning federal stimulus awards set aside for broadband. Using $94 million in stimulus money, VTel has invested in stringing 1,200 miles of fiber across a number of rural Vermont counties over the past year. Mr. Guite says the gigabit service should be available across VTel's footprint in coming months.
VTel joins an increasing number of rural telephone companies who, having lost DSL share to cable Internet over the years, are reinvesting in fiber-to-the-home networks.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that more than 700 rural telephone companies have made this switch, according to the Fiber to the Home Council, a trade group, and Calix, a company that sells broadband equipment to cable and fiber operators. That comes as Google's Fiber project, which began in Kansas City and is now extending to cities in Utah and Texas, has raised the profile of gigabit broadband and has captured the fancy of many city governments around the country.
"Google has really given us more encouragement," Mr. Guite said. Mr. Guite said he was denied federal money for his upgrades the first time he applied, but won it the second time around--after Google had announced plans to build out Fiber.
Incumbent cable operators have largely downplayed the relevance of Google's project, saying that it's little more than a publicity stunt. They have also questioned whether residential customers even have a need for such speeds.
Mr. Guite says it remains to be seen whether what VTel is doing is a "sustainable model." He admits that it's going to be hard work ahead of VTel to educate customers about the uses of gigabit speeds. Much like Google Fiber in Kansas City, VTel has been holding public meetings in libraries and even one-on-one meetings with elderly folks to help them understand what gigabit Internet means, Mr. Guite said.
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| The Ties That Bind
First broadcast
English themes
Japanese themes
The Ties That Bind (Japanese: けっしょうトーナメント!フルバトル6VS6!! Tournament Finals! Full Battle 6 VS 6!!) is the 269th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 10, 2002 and in the United States on September 20, 2003.
|Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Ash is about to take on his long time rival, Gary Oak, in the next battle of the Johto League Silver Conference, and he's determined to do everything he can to win. He stays up all night researching strategies and trying to learn more about Gary's Pokémon. Gary has a lot of strong Pokémon, and he trains many different types, so Ash has to pick his team carefully. Gary starts out with Nidoqueen, and Ash uses Tauros. Gary wins the first round, but Ash takes the second. It's going to be a very close match! In round three, it's Ash's Heracross versus Gary's Blastoise. Who will win? (To be continued!)
When last seen, Ash is shocked to learn that his first-round opponent in the Victory Tournament will be against Gary, his eternal rival. After exchanging trash-talk, among which involved a half of a Poké Ball, Ash is enraged at the notion of Gary threatening to sweep him at the tournament. That night, back in his suite, Ash rummages through his backpack to find the other half (the smaller white half) of the Poké Ball, and proceeds to tell Misty and Brock his story of how the two of them had ended up with the halves of the ball:
It had been a few days before Ash first left to start his journey as a Pokémon Trainer. Fishing by a stream, he managed to catch a Magikarp, which proceeded to slap him in the face before falling back into the water. Gary, on the other side of the stream, appeared to taunt Ash in both his skills and knowledge of Pokémon (Ash being unable to name any of Magikarp's attacks, including the Flail that was used on him, and Gary says Magikarp was the weakest Pokémon). The two had liked the stream as a fishing spot, and the rivalry escalated to the point that both Trainers were fishing in the same spot (but from opposite banks). When both Ash and Gary caught a bite, both reeled their lines in, but discovered that both had caught onto the same rusted Poké Ball. After a brief tug-of-war, the Poké Ball broke in half. Though Ash was willing to accept that the "fishing battle" was a draw, Gary had declared it a loss, as "tying with Ash was just as bad as losing" - a position that he held to this very day.
Ash had kept his half of the Poké Ball as a good luck charm. He admits that losing to Gary and Eevee had taught him that he wasn't ready to take him on at the time, but he is prepared for the upcoming match. Though Ash is ready to battle Gary the next day, Misty reminds him that the next day is a rest day, with the Victory Tournament starting on the day after. Brock advises Ash to use that day to prepare his strategy.
The next day, Team Rocket reopens their new larger souvenir stand. Though Meowth tells Jessie that business may not pick up due to it being the rest day, James is confident that he could drum up business by holding a one-day sale of limited edition collector's pins, to appeal to the collector's market. Meanwhile, back in the suite, Misty is surprised to learn that Ash and Brock had buried themselves in books, preparing his strategy. Ash, for one, has not slept since the last night (Brock, however, had), though Brock is quick to point out that Ash is not as computer-literate as either himself or Misty. Ash, however, has managed to get a page up on Gary, showing data on ten of his Pokémon. However, just as he is trying to demonstrate to Misty on his computer skills, the computer crashes. Misty takes the opportunity to get Ash off the computer desk for breakfast.
Outside, Ash and company are discussing strategy. Brock notes that Gary has no particular type preference, just like his grandfather, and that he keeps rotating his Pokémon. Ash confirms this, and says that he has been that way for as long as he has known him. As Brock reaffirms that his team-building strategy will be crucial, Ash sees a shadow flying overhead. Once again, the Flamethrower greeting is a dead giveaway that it is Charizard, having arrived from Charicific Valley after a late-night request to Liza by Brock. Just as Ash is greeting Charizard, Gary appears. After a brief greeting, the two stare each other down until Professor Oak appears to break the silence, surprising both. Delia also appears, herself and Professor Oak having arrived to watch the Silver Conference live instead of on TV. Professor Oak advises the two to lighten up before moving onto other matters: having received a lot of new Pokémon data, Professor Oak updates the Pokédexes for both Ash and Gary. Though Misty and Brock are excited about the new Pokédex data and what they can learn from it, Gary stares at his Pokédex intently before leaving. Misty and Brock also remind Ash to prepare their strategy, so they, too, also leave, but not before Delia gives Ash some encouraging words.
Later that day, Meowth and Jessie congratulate themselves for selling out their merchandise yet again, thanks to the Trainers that did not advance to the Victory Tournament also buying their pins. James, however, is working even harder, as he adjusts his new machines to make 3000 new commemorative badges just to make the demand for the next day.
The next day, the Victory Tournament begins in earnest. Macy and Jackson are seen watching from the stands as the announcers explain the Victory Tournament: a Full Battle with a random selection of battlefields (between grass, water, rock, and ice-based fields). In the round's opening match, Harrison easily advances when his Sneasel defeats a Machamp. Back in the locker rooms, Ash congratulates Harrison on his victory, and reminds him that he will square off against the winner between Ash and Gary in the quarterfinal round. Back on the field, Misty and Brock have already been seated, with Pikachu, Togepi, Politoed, and Psyduck ready to cheer Ash on. However, Gary has also brought his cheerleaders to cheer him on. As the announcer makes note of Gary being Professor Oak's grandson and Ash reaching the round of 16 at the Indigo Plateau, the match begins on the rock field, with Gary making the first move.
Gary leads off with Nidoqueen, while Ash leads off with Tauros. Nidoqueen starts with a super-effective Rock Smash that sends rocks flying into the air and causing Tauros damage. But he manages to push through the oncoming rocks and heads for Nidoqueen with a Horn Attack. But Nidoqueen blocks Tauros by catching his horns and then launches a Hyper Beam, easily knocking Tauros out of the match.
Ash sends out Heracross as his second Pokémon, and Gary pulls Nidoqueen for Magmar. Magmar begins with a Flamethrower, but Heracross evades the attack and connects with Fury Attack (incorrectly referred to as Fury Swipes). This sends Magmar straight up, allowing it to use Fire Blast. Magmar catches up to the falling Fire Blast and lands on Heracross, causing it massive damage. Adding insult to injury, Magmar also adds a point-blank Flamethrower to cripple Heracross. Suddenly, Heracross manages to blow the fire away with his wings and charges Magmar with a Megahorn, which overpowers Magmar's Flamethrower defense, knocking it out.
Unfazed, Gary sends out Blastoise - the final form of his starter, and the most powerful Pokémon on his team. Heracross starts with Fury Swipes, but Blastoise responds with Hydro Pump. Who will come out on top of that attack, and who will win?
Major events
- Gary is revealed to have obtained a Magmar, an Alakazam, a Houndoom, a Pinsir, a Fearow, a Kingdra, and a Skarmory.
- Ash's Charizard returns from the Charicific Valley.
- Ash and Gary receive a Pokédex upgrade from Professor Oak.
- Harrison wins his second round battle, advancing to the quarterfinals.
- Ash begins his second round Full Battle against Gary.
- Ash's Tauros is revealed to know Horn Attack.
- Ash's Heracross is revealed to know Megahorn.
- Gary's starter Pokémon is revealed to have been a Squirtle, which has since evolved into a Blastoise.
- For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the timeline of events.
Pokémon debuts
- Ash
- Misty
- Brock
- Jessie
- James
- Gary
- Professor Oak
- Delia
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Macy
- Charles Goodshow
- Gary's cheerleaders
- Crowd
Who's That Pokémon?: Umbreon (U.S. and international), Tauros (Japan)
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket)
- Togepi (Misty's)
- Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
- Charizard (Ash's)
- Tauros (Ash's)
- Heracross (Ash's)
- Psyduck (Misty's)
- Politoed (Misty's)
- Blastoise (Gary's)
- Nidoqueen (Gary's)
- Magmar (Gary's)
- Pinsir (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Houndoom (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Fearow (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Alakazam (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Umbreon (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Skarmory (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Arcanine (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Nidoqueen (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Magmar (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Kingdra (Gary's; on computer screen)
- Sneasel (Harrison's)
- Machamp (Trainer's)
- Magikarp (flashback)
- The English title of this episode is very similar to that of a future episode.
- Coincidentally, the Justice League Unlimited cartoon series also has an episode titled the same.
- When Ash is looking for his half of the broken Poké Ball, the rubber gloves and the clothesline Delia gave him in the first episode can be seen.
- The battle between Ash and Gary marks the first and currently only time in the anime where Pikachu isn't in Ash's active party, though he is still present on the sidelines to cheer him on. Ash likely gave his Poké Ball to Professor Oak, at least temporarily, to make this possible. The fact that this occurs means that Pikachu is ineligible to battle, as Ash states in the next episode.
- During the flashback, Ash is seen wearing a straw hat, which may give the viewer the impression that the fight involving the rusted Poké Ball predates Ash winning his Pokémon League Hat at the raffle mentioned in Primeape Goes Bananas.
- This episode is featured on Volume 5: Blastoise from Viz Media's Pokémon All-Stars series.
- This is the first time Ash's Heracross is seen using a move that is not a Normal-type one.
- In the English dub, Brock and Misty seemed to be aware that Gary's starter Pokémon was Squirtle, as when Blastoise sent out, Misty asks, "Wait, isn't that...?". Brock replies, "The same Squirtle Gary originally received from Professor Oak? Yeah, that's the one." This was not the case in the original Japanese version, as they were surprised that Gary owned a Blastoise.
- Team Rocket doesn't recite the motto or blast off in this episode.
- After Ash told Misty and Brock about the broken Poké Ball, Ash was holding a whole Poké Ball instead of the lower white half that he has.
- Brock mispronounces Liza's name.
- In Harrison's battle, his Sneasel knocks out a Machamp, but both the official, the announcer and the Machamp itself, refer to it as a Machoke.
- When Tauros was knocked out by Nidoqueen's Hyper Beam, the announcer says that Nidoqueen defeated Tauros with just one attack. However, this is incorrect, since Tauros was previously hit by Nidoqueen's Rock Smash.
- When Brock was listing types that would match up well (for Gary) against Heracross, one of the types he mentions is Rock. While this is true for a Bug-type, it is not true for Heracross, since its secondary type is Fighting (which is resistant to Rock-type moves).
- Heracross's Fury Attack is incorrectly referred to as Fury Swipes in the dub. In addition, Heracross cannot legally learn Fury Swipes.
- The announcer mentions Megahorn as the single most powerful Pokémon attack. However, Fire Blast is equally powerful, and moves such as Explosion are more powerful still. However, it is the most powerful Bug-type attack, not counting Fury Cutter at max power (in the original version, it is correctly stated that Megahorn is the most powerful Bug-type attack).
- Gary's Blastoise's lower jaw was miscolored blue instead of tan in the scene where Blastoise uses Hydro Pump.
Dub edits
In other languages
|Mandarin Chinese
|Bånd, Der Binder
|De Banden Aanhalen
|Ystävät kilpasilla
|European French
|Mon meilleur ennemi
|Alte Rivalen
|קשר של תיקוkesher shel teko
|Ash और Gary का मुकाबला! Ash aur Gary ka muqabla *
|Il torneo della vittoria (prima parte)
|Gamle bånd
|Rywalizacja i przyjażń
|Os Empates que Amarram
|Laços que Perduram
|Latin America
|¡Los lazos que unen!
|Lazos que unen
|Den spräckta pokébollen
|This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.


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- Quality -
For our socks we use a high quality combed cotton and some of the best fabrics. Our suppliers provide us with a strong, softer combed cotton that makes our socks last longer, keeping them and you happy. A reinforced toe and heel further prevents your Happy Socks from breaking. Our Turkish factories use a tough AQL* test to validate our Happy Socks production. Two rigorous tests are performed: one during production and one before shipping. These tests help to ensure the highest possible quality. We have also implemented a process called Silicon Washing. In short this "sock-talk" really means that our Happy Socks will feel better on your feet and won't shrink when you wash them.
We produce our tights in Italy, a country renowned for its high standard in quality fashion. Our goal is to provide you with the best and happiest socks around. We are very confident in our collections only using the best materials, awesome designs, and a meticulous attention to detail. We are constantly evaluating, maintaining and developing the production process! Although your Happy Socks won't last forever, try and remember to always wash your socks and tights inside out to extend their lifetime!
* (AQL) the worst case quality level, expressed as a percentage of defects in a population, that is still considered acceptable.
Happy Socks Manufacturing
Our socks are manufactured in Turkey at a family-owned factory that have been in the business for more than 30 years. Our tights are manufactured in Italy, where production is renowned for its high quality. Some specific items and collaborations are also produced across the world in various locations. The factories maintain respectful working environments in accordance with International Labour Laws and Standards, and we visit frequently to see our friends and check up on the production of our Happy Socks.
We work with both BSCI and ISO 9001


text:
The Coalition Government is committed to restoring and defending your freedom – and we're asking you to participate.
We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society through our Programme for Government. We want to restore Britain's traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses.
This site gives you the chance to tell us which laws and regulations you think we should get rid of. Your feedback will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law. We've had an excellent response so far, receiving thousands of ideas, comments and votes.
So if you see an idea here that you agree with, then rate it to move it up the list. If you have more to say about an idea, then add your comment. Or submit your own idea if it isn't yet on the site (the search box is a good way to check). And remember - we want you to suggest ideas for removing laws and regulations, rather than ideas for creating them.
Your Freedom is the part of the most radical shake up of our politics for decades. We encourage you to keep participating in this unpredictable forum. As Nick Clegg said when he launched Your Freedom - 'real democracy is unspun; it is the raucous, unscripted debates that always throw up the best ideas'.
It's time to have your say. After all – it's your freedom.
Caiff unrhyw gyfraniad a wneir yn Gymraeg i'r safle hwn ei gyfieithu a'i ystyried yn llawn fel rhan o'r broses o asesu syniadau a sylwadau.


text:
25 things to do in Oshkosh that are under $10.00? How many times have you said there is nothing to do or I am broke. Well here is a list compiled by our wonderful convention and visitors bureau of 25 things to do this winter and upcoming spring. I thought it was so worthwhile that I had to share. Many items are available as a discount with the complimentary Convention and Visitors Bureau coupon book.
1. Enjoy our winter farmers market at the Washington Hall (formerly The Eagles Club)
2. Check out the WIOUWASH Trail ( walk, cross country ski, snow shoe or bike)
3. Visit the art galleries on the UW Oshkosh campus.
4. Sled down Garbage Hill at Red Arrow Park
5. Grab a day pass at the YMCA and go ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, and so much more. ( Youth and high school $10.00, adults $14.00.
6. Enjoy a budget movie at the Time Community Theater.
7. Visit the Nativity collection inside the Algoma Blvd. United Methodist Church
8. Explore the Oshkosh Public Museum
9. Visit the Paine Art Center and Gardens
10. Enjoy Gallery Walk and AfterWalk inside the Grand Opera House.
11. Take your dog to the free dog park at Winnebago Community Park
12. Get your laugh on at the Backlot Comedy House on Main St.
13. Tour the historic Morgan House
14. Catch a show at the Fredric March Theater on the UW Oshkosh Campus
15. When is the last time you went bowling? Oshkosh has 4!
16. Go to a parade, including the St. Patrick's Day parade coming up soon.
17. Pick up a comic book or board game from House of Heroes
18. Pick up a book at the Oshkosh Public Library
19. Check out the EAA Air Museum.
20. Play some pool at The Magnet
21. Go treasure hunting at one of our thrift and antique stores.
22. Grab some coffee and a sandwich at Caramel Crisp, Planet Perk, New Moon or Piloras
23. Attend Tuesday night $5.00 movies at the Marcus Cinema
24. Grab some great chili at Dr. Benzie's.
25. Enjoy a frish fry at South Shore Ice Yacht Club.


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Number: 111-17
Date: July 6, 2009
House Passes H.R. 2454, the
"American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009"
On June 26, 2009, the House passed H.R. 2454, the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," by a vote of 219-212. Among other provisions, the legislation would modify existing law in efforts to improve energy efficiency, encourage creation of clean energy jobs, and reduce pollution.
The bill contains the following provisions of interest to SSA:
Net Metering for Federal Agencies
• Would require electric utility companies to make net metering available to Federal agencies. Under net metering standards, an agency's electrical charges under the bill would be offset by credits provided for electricity generated by the agency in-house (for example, electricity generated by solar panels or hydro-electric generators installed by the agency).
• Would require the servicing electric utility company to provide to the agency qualifying for net metering an electric energy meter capable of net metering and monitoring.
• Would prohibit the servicing electric utility company from making additional charges, including standby charges, for equipment or services for safety or performance that are in addition to those necessary to meet the other standards.
• Would be effective one year after enactment of the legislation.
Energy Refund Program
• Would establish an Energy Refund Program, to provide cash payments to reimburse low-income households for the increased cost of energy resulting from the legislation. Eligible households would include: 1) families under 150% of the poverty line, applicable to the size of the household; 2) households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; 3) households participating in the State Children's Health Insurance Program; 4) individuals receiving the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy, and, 5) individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income.
• Would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to work with the Commissioner of Social Security, the Railroad Retirement Board, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and State agencies, to ensure that low-income beneficiaries of the programs administered by these government entities receive the energy refund payments.
• Would require the Energy Information Administration to estimate the annual total loss in purchasing power that will result from the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009." These estimates would serve as the basis for energy refund payment amounts.
• Would make the State agency of each participating State responsible for the certification of eligibility for energy refunds. The State would also be responsible for issuance of payments and program accountability.
• Would make the value of energy refund payments exempt from consideration as income or resources for income tax and public assistance purposes.
• Would be effective no later than two years following the enactment of the legislation.
Protection of Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds
• Would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to periodically transfer general funds into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Health Insurance Trust Fund, as needed in order to reimburse the funds for decreased revenue resulting from the provisions of this legislation. Amounts to be transferred would be determined by the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration (or the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as applicable).