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Six Piano Ensemble
"Extraordinary." "Unique." "Innovative."
That's how critics describe Oakton's Six Piano Ensemble —
the only one of its kind.
Founded by Glenna Sprague, Oakton professor and coordinator of music, the Six Piano Ensemble – pianists selected through a highly competitive audition process - performs a repertoire of classical, ragtime, popular pieces, and symphonic literature transcribed for the pianos by Professor Sprague.
The Ensemble's rich, layered sound is reminiscent of a full orchestra, and much like an orchestra, the performers take their cue from Professor Sprague, who conducts from the podium. Each plays a different part of a composition, transferring the melody from pianist to pianist.
This unique musical group has received testimonials from musical experts and leaders throughout the country. Renowned composer Robert Vandall paid tribute to the Ensemble in 2008 with his original composition, Oakton Toccata (Alfred Music Publishing Company). In addition to its popular performances, the Ensemble has released two CDs: Oakton Six Piano Ensemble: Live in Concert and Oakton Six Piano Ensemble: Live in Concert II.
To schedule a performance or learn more about auditioning, contact 847.635.1905 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
See the Six Piano mentioned on WGN news.
"The musical sensitivity, outstanding balance, and superb sense of ensemble displayed by the group are quite extraordinary and truly unique. The audience was charmed and educated by Professor Sprague's brief lectures about the creation and workings of this unusual group."
Gail Berenson
Professor Emerita of Piano
Ohio University, Athens
Past President-Music Teachers National Association


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I'm not sure people are really aware of just how much we rely on technology today.
As a former and future outdoor professional, I already knew how liberating a week without technology could be. After all, you can't take your iPad on a backpacking trip through the Arizona canyons or Virginia wilderness. You can take your phone, but it won't work in the backcountry anyway. Even a satellite phone is spotty and expensive. That's reason enough to only use it for emergencies. Some of my fondest college memories came when I was unplugged in the wilderness. I was alone with my co-leads, my trip mates, and nature. Who needs a movie when you can lay in a sleeping bag on slick rock looking up at stars so bright and vast that it brings you to tears?
I didn't make the decision to unplug for a week in a day. It was over the course of several weeks that it dawned on me I was relying FAR too heavily on technology. My main enemy, ironically, was the Olympic Games.
Once every four years (two years, really, but it sounds a lot cooler saying ever four years) I splurge for the outrageous installation fees and first-time payments so that I can have cable and DVR during the two-week-long Olympic Games.
To many people (my parents, probably) that is an absurd reason to spend $200. But for an Olympic hopeful, it's completely logical. Actors, after all, will attend other shows to fine-tune their craft. Film stars, I assume, go to the movies to support their fellows and to gain knowledge. It's no different with athletes. The Olympics are our endgame, and so there is nothing that will keep us from watching them. I went so far during London 2012 as to schedule time off of work so I could watch the quarterfinals, semifinals and Olympic final of the women's soccer tournament. It's a good thing I did, too. I neglected to take the day off after the women's skeleton races during Sochi, and I was emotionally affected by it five hours later at the start of my shift that I had trouble concentrating on my tables.
But I digress.
After two straight weeks of almost 24-hour television (seriously, it was on almost straight through the night), I was burnt out. Actually, after only a week and a half of the Games, I realized I just was not enjoying having cable at all. I love the Olympics. I love television (I'm a hard-core fan for a few shows, I'll admit). But (and I know many of my former English teachers will shudder for my using 'but' as the beginning of a sentence) after two years straight of no cable, the sudden intrusion of it in my life was overwhelming. I couldn't take it.
The final straw was the Oscars. I'm a big film buff. I didn't used to be, but I've developed some friendships that have lead me to this point. As an intelligent adult, I'm able to see deeper into a film than when I was a child, when my movie-going experiences was pretty much, "Oh! [Insert actor's name] is in it! Shiny colors! Pretty locations! Good story!"]. Now, I enjoy watching the films nominated for the major awards: Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Supporting, etc, and because I watch a majority of films being honored, I become invested in how they get recognized.
So there I sat, watching the Oscar telecast while scrolling through Twitter on my phone to track what other people were saying about Ellen's pizza deliveries and John Travolta's second straight year of butchering a name. At the same time, I was texting two or three different people. I also was on my iPad, browsing through a few websites. All at the same time.
My generation has excellent multi-tasking skills online…but that's overkill, folks, and I knew it.
A week earlier, I had made a statement on Facebook that I was "…seriously considering a week (at least) away from technology, excepting emergency and personal phone calls, and maybe once-a-day email checks. This will come post-Oscars, but I'm thinking it's 95% inevitable." I stuck with that decision, and unplugged first thing Monday morning.
Little did I know how difficult it would be that first few days. As a regular user of the website tumblr, where a person can "track" a tag of something they like (the Olympics, USWNT, Frozen, Jessica Chastain, Veronica Mars are some of my tracked tags), to give up technology the day after the Oscars meant not seeing a million adorable posts, "gifsets", and pictures from the event itself that make me go "awwwwww!" I do that frequently on tumblr, and to suddenly be stripped of that was difficult.
It is human nature to wonder what it is like to be someone else, and I'm no different. I like tracking celebrities, actors, athletes. It's a guilty pleasure, and I have no qualms in saying here that I enjoy it (to an extent…I don't support people or their children being harassed for a paparazzi photo, for instance, and I have been inspired by actress Kristen Bell and her crusade to introduce a No Kids policy with entertainment media). As early as Monday afternoon, I actually caught myself going on Safari and pulling up tumblr (having temporarily deleted the actual app from my phone and iPad to avoid that exact thing). It was ridiculous, and happened so fast that I was actually scrolling the page before I realized I had done it.
That was it. I shut down my iPad and stowed it in a clothes drawer. I switched my phone to airplane mode and shoved it into my purse. I knew I'd bring my phone with me if I drove anywhere, in case of emergencies, but that was all. I didn't even take it to work.
What happened throughout the following week was rather remarkable, in that it was such an ordinary week that it was extraordinary. It'll make sense, I promise.
I ended up jotting down some thoughts in a notebook throughout the week, and I'll share them now, exactly how I wrote them (retyped, because my handwriting was illegible).
Day 1:
Bored, listless. Cheated already.
1 episode of TV
Started and read cover-to-cover The Book Thief
Day 3: Caught myself peeking on FB/Twitter, but found I was actually wholly uninterested in statuses.
Day 4: Caught myself thinking as Facebook statuses & tweets. Literally would shape thoughts to tailor to a Facebook status. Who cares? –>The thoughts were forgotten and deemed unimportant within a few hours.
Day 5: Want to look at headlines.
"Miss" family and friends but knowing how easy it would be to get in touch with family, if I needed to, helps.
Things that happen in my day aren't important to broadcast.
Not really looking to get back on FB-Twitter full-time. Maybe 1-a-day scan?
Cleaning out e-mail spam…unsubscribed from at least 12 mailings in the first 3 days (I checked e-mail once a day until about Thursday, when I did it every other day.)
Day 6: Found myself more occupied at work than I am with my phone nearby (shocker)
Spent less $ than when I had internet constantly
Forgot about taking my phone places
Falling asleep earlier, waking up earlier.
Yesterday, when I rejoined the world of technology, I immediately wrote the following Facebook status:
I was immediately hit with seven messages (and two texts) saying that I shouldn't delete my accounts, that my posts would be missed, and that people are interested in seeing what I'm doing. First off: I'm flattered, you guys, and I understand that in this day and age, technology and social media are how acquaintances, friends, family stay in touch.
After a week of not sharing every detail of my life, however, I realized that I'm actually a private person. I enjoyed having my anonymity for a week, and I could logically see myself phasing myself away from social media; specifically, Facebook. I am by no means a public figure. I don't have paparazzi following me everywhere, but there are enough people who are interested in how I live my life that I feel the need to protect the private parts of my life. I don't mind sharing things with my family. Really, though, even my family doesn't care what I'm eating for breakfast or what my political views are.
I have an unofficial athlete page that I've tried to promote. It is my ultimate goal to delete my personal Facebook account and use my athlete page to share my journey towards a possible Olympic bid. I'll still have a twitter account, as it seems to be the best way to promote my athletic goals and do a tiny bit of fandom gushing, but that's all I'll keep public.
I don't mean to climb up on a soap box or anything. I just had no idea a simple week away would change my opinions of social media so powerfully. I had an idea that I would start to lean towards less social media usage, but I didn't know it would be so drastic. Perhaps I should have known. The worst part of a backpacking trip (other than the ascent out of a canyon after a week of 10-mile days with a 7- pound pack) is the return to technology. Except showers. The first shower back is the best part of a backpacking trip (am I right, PRM?).
I urge you to try unplugging for a week. Jot down your thoughts throughout the week on a notepad. Be aware of what you think and how you think it. Perhaps you'll find, as I did, thoughts forming in 140 characters. Perhaps you'll catch yourself online before you are even aware that you're doing it.
Hopefully, you'll find that the new episode of TV you've been waiting for really wasn't as important as you thought it was, or that not knowing how Jennifer Lawrence spent her Oscar night won't kill you. Maybe you'll discover, or rediscover, that books are just as engrossing as the Internet (I read four books through the course of the week. Actual books, mind you. Not Kindle books and they were all incredible). You'll probably find that not being in constant communication with your friends via text will give you more to talk about when you see them face-to-face. You'll definitely become aware of people around you using technology instead of talking to each other, even at the dinner table.
The most important thing to discover, though, is how important you
That's the biggest lesson I took from unplugging last week. Yes, I learned that I don't need technology to survive. But I learned what technology was doing to my self-image, and I learned that, though it's not a glaring thing, social media and constant electronic use was actually self-destructive. I'm an introvert, and I'm extremely hard on myself, and a major part of that is society-implemented. Cutting off my contact with such stereotypes and societal expectations, I got in touch with my own thoughts again.
I'm important, and I forgot that when I was too busy trying to see what my actor idols or sports heroes were up to. I spend so much time trying to prove myself to other people, trying to impress other people, that I completely forgot that there's only one person I really need to prove myself to and impress: me.
Support my journey towards the 2018 Olympic Games here!

subset: commoncrawl


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Wrist / Fitness GPSGarmin Forerunner 10 GPS Fitness Watch - Green/White
Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS Fitness Watch - Green/White
DetailsGARMIN FORERUNNER 10 GPS WATCH GREEN & WHITEForerunner 10
Forerunner 10 is a GPS running watch that tracks your distance, speed/pace and calories. It also identifies your personal records and provides motivation along the way.
Stylish, Simple GPS Captures Every Mile
- Tracks distance, pace and calories
- Start running with the press of a button
- Identifies personal records
- Virtual Partner compares current pace to target
- Plan, review and share runs at Garmin ConnectT
- Water resistant up to 50m
- Display: Green and White, 55 x 31 pixels
Ready to Run
Forerunner 10 is so easy to use, you can start your run with the press of a button. As you run, you can see your time and distance clearly displayed on 1 screen and calories and pace on another. You can also customize the settings to show pace and distance on the same screen.
It Fits
It's our lightest, most comfortable watch yet and can be worn as a regular watch, so your running partner is always on hand. For typical use (with GPS on 30 minutes per day), the battery life is 10 days. If used continuously with GPS, the battery life is 5 hours.
Motivating Feedback
As you run, Forerunner 10 automatically alerts you when you complete each mile, giving you a friendly beep and a screen that flashes your time for that mile. When you complete your run and save it, you'll see a summary of how you did, including your total time, distance, average pace and calories. The watch even lets you know when you achieve a personal record, such as your fastest mile or longest run to date.
Training Tools
For runners who want a little more, Forerunner 10 has a couple of simple training features. Virtual Pacer compares your current running pace to your target. It also has a run/walk feature that's helpful if you're just starting out or your running plan includes walk breaks.
Store and Share
With a simple connection to your computer, you can upload your runs to Garmin Connect to see your run on a map, get more detail on each mile and share it with friends - all for free. You'll be even more motivated when you see your miles add up in Garmin Connect and can go back and see how you've improved from last week, last month or last year.
Package Includes
Package Includes:
- Forerunner 10
- Charge/data cable
- Manual
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- Wrist / Fitness GPS
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"Great selection, unbeatable prices, fast shipping. I am extremely happy with Tiger GPS and am recommending them to everyone I know."
- Gary, West Virginia
"Prompt shipment, great communication and a willingness to work for the customer. I would definitely highly recommend Tiger GPS!"
- Karen, California
"It arrived earlier than I expected. I also like the fact that I got e-mail from them confirming my order and giving me their contact info right away. It seemed personalized which I like."
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"The most informative site I have come across. Prices are amazing too - not sure why you would shop for GPS anywhere else."
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"These guys know their stuff. They answer their phone right away, and the knowledgeable reps helped me pick the right GPS and even saved me some money!"
- Robert, New York
"No other site is willing to ship to a military APO address, and GPS is crucial out here. Great prices - thank you for supporting the troops."
- Edwin, USMC in Iraq


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Blizzard is proud to work with the best partners to create ancillary products from your favorite game universes. From board games to manga and novels, we are committed to bringing quality products to our players.
Please see the following list to learn more about our partners and their products, and make sure to visit their sites and to check out the more detailed information on their pages. To purchase Blizzard merchandise, please visit Blizzard Gear
Alfred Music Publishing is the world's largest educational music publisher. Alfred produces educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level. Alfred's home office is located in Los Angeles with domestic offices in Miami and New York as well as offices around the world, including Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Headquartered in Indianapolis, BradyGames creates high-quality video game strategy guides, including the #1-selling guides for PC in both 2004 and 2005, the BradyGames Official World of Warcraft® Strategy Guide. The company also produces several quality World of Warcraft products including the hard cover atlas, binders, bookmarks, oversized world maps and e-guides. The BradyGames Web site, www.bradygames.com, is the ultimate online source for video game strategy. The site features BradyGames news, strategy guide updates and the company's new Strategy E-Guides.
Creative is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Famous for its Sound Blaster® sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed ZEN® MP3 and portable media players. Creative's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment - anytime, anywhere.
Cryptozoic Entertainment believes in the philosophy of "fan first" as it is a company made up of pop culture and gaming fanatics. The World of Warcraft trading card game is the company's flagship brand and supported by an extensive Organized Play program around the world. To learn more about joining the global Cryptozoic fan community, please visit www.wowtcg.com
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. For more information, please visit www.dcentertainment.com.
EPIC Weapons™ is the premier designer, manufacturer and community for replica swords and weapons. The company is the proud developer and manufacturer of Frostmourne™, as wielded by Prince Arthas Menethil in Blizzard Entertainment's time-honored game, Warcraft® III. EPIC Weapons embeds patent pending G2G technology in all its premiere products to ensure authentication and utilizes an affiliate company, Weaponmasters, to sell and distribute. For more information visit the following websites - www.epicweapons.com and www.weaponmasters.com.
FigurePrints creates one of a kind, custom figures of any World of Warcraft® character. Just enter your character name and server on our website www.figureprints.com, select your favorite pose and base and we do the rest.
Heroic Prints is a print on demand company that puts the power of building products in the hands of the players, the most notable release of which has been www.PrintWarcraft.com. Our ability to retrieve character specific game data combined with an extremely powerful web based builder allows for unlimited designs that are specific to each player and character. Heroic Prints takes these user generated designs and prints them onto an increasing variety of products including posters, mousepads, apparel, and more. The result is a unique and high quality product that players can truly call their own. With each product, Heroic Prints urges all users to "Print What You Play!" Visit Heroic Prints' flagship product builder at www.PrintWarcraft.com.
Insight Editions is an illustrated book publisher that celebrates the popular arts. Widely recognized for its innovative book-plus projects, its publishing partners include Blizzard Entertainment, DC Comics, DreamWorks Animation, Lucasfilm Ltd., Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Visit us at www.insighteditions.com.
J!NX is a lifestyle brand representing people who are intoxicated by gadgets, computers, games, and all things technical. J!NX creates unique apparel that enables customers to demonstrate their intelligence, uniqueness, leadership and wily mischief. More than just a clothing company, J!NX is an attitude and, most importantly, a community. The sense of belonging fostered by J!NX with their customers is of paramount importance pushing the company to constantly strive to maintain the highest level of quality and customer service. At J!NX, customers are urged to always "be themselves first, then be part of J!NX"! Jinx.com is located in San Diego, California, and is a division of Jinx, Inc. For more information please visit www.jinx.com/blizzard.
MEGA Brands is a trusted family of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles, arts & crafts and stationery. Mega is a global organization based in North America, with a sales and distribution network that reaches over 100 countries. MegaBrands products win critical acclaim for their contribution to child development and play value. For more information, please visit www.megabrands.com.
Performance Designed Products LLC, a Lynn Tilton company, is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing products for all major video game platforms including the Sony PS3 and PS Vita, Nintendo DS and Wii, and Microsoft Xbox 360, as well as a line of mobile accessories for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The company has been supplying video game accessories for more than a decade. PDP sells products under a variety of brands, with sales in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and throughout Europe and Australia & New Zealand. PDP and AFTERGLOW are registered trademarks, and ROCK CANDY is a trademark, of Performance Designed Products LLC.
Razer™ isn't just one of the world's leading brands for elite gaming products. We perpetually define competitive gaming technology with our research and development labs and offices in seven cities across the globe. Founded in 1998, in Carlsbad, California, Razer's innovations in precision, ergonomics, and interfacing combine with a distinct aesthetic design that gives gamers the edge. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.
Sellers Publishing, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of books, calendars, greeting cards and journals. The company was cited by Publishers Weekly in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 for being among the fastest growing independent publishers in the country. It is located on the waterfront in Portland, Maine and can be contacted at (800) MAKE-FUN (800-625-3386) or by visiting their Web site at www.makefun.com.
Since its inception in 1994, Sideshow Collectibles has been a specialty manufacturer of licensed and proprietary collectible products that reflect a passion toward creating unique, highly sought after figure collectibles, as well as film prop replicas and fine art collectibles. The Sideshow artisans are renowned sculptors, experienced model makers, painters and costumers, whose collaborative efforts result in intricately detailed likenesses of popular characters, including film and television monsters, villains, heroes and mystical creatures of fantasy, as well as legendary figures from history. Sideshow artisans have regularly distinguished themselves for their ability to achieve a level of authenticity seldom seen in the figure collectible arena. Please visit www.sideshowcollectibles.com for more information.
Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Online, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.simonandschuster.com.
SteelSeries is a leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, including headsets, keyboards, mice, software, and gaming surfaces, which are available in more than 75 countries. SteelSeries, whose motto is "winning is everything," has been on the forefront of professional gaming gear since its inception in 2001. Working closely with the world's leading professional gamers and the industry's biggest game developers, including Blizzard Entertainment, SteelSeries has set a new benchmark for quality and innovation in gaming accessories. Together, SteelSeries and Blizzard Entertainment have developed a new line of World of Warcraft®-branded peripherals, including the World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse, mouse pads, and keysets for the SteelSeries Zboard -- delivering immersion, ease of use, and enhanced performance for World of Warcraft players around the world.
Winning Moves was founded in 1997 by four highly-respected professionals of the game industry, with over 100 years of experience between them. Producers of the award-winning card game Top Trumps, as well as world-renowned games like Monopoly, Pass The Pigs, Bananagrams, and Trivial Pursuit, Winning Moves have recently expanded into original versions of favourite games like Cluedo, Risk, and Guess Who. Winning Moves, as a group of companies, seeks to deliver enduring, entertaining and engaging games for generations to come.


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Michael Buble Robbed On Wedding Day
While Michael Buble was tying the knot last week, a bunch of thieves were breaking into his home in Argentina. What? What jerks!
Buble and his wife Luisana were staying at a resort outside Buenos Aires during the break-in. Luisana's parents and brother spoke with police before the happy couple arrived back from the wedding.
According to reports, the bad guys covered up the security cameras and cut the lines to the alarm system though it's unclear what they took from the home. After learning about the burglary, Luisana told local reporters, "I will not let this ruin the happiest day of my life."
The couple was married on Thursday but the celebration lasted all weekend.


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Justin Bieber Breaks Rihanna's VEVO Record
That was quick.
Days after Rihanna set the VEVO record for most views of a video within 24 hours with 'Where Have You Been,' Beliebers went and stole her title. So how many views did Justin Bieber get for 'Boyfriend?'
In fewer than 24 hours, 'Boyfriend' garnered over 5 million views, beating RiRi's 4,937,281 swiftly and easily.
Considering Bieber got his start on YouTube after his own videos went viral, it's a pretty nice way for his career to come full circle. The guy clearly knows how to make a quality clip: he even kissed puppies, held babies, and performed a cover song in "the ultimate viral video" for his pal Ryan Seacrest. He's nothing if not a savvy businessman!
It's not the first time his Beliebers have broken a record. On March 1, Bieber's big 1-8, his fans took to Facebook to set the Guinness World Record for most social media messages sent within 24 hours. It beats getting a sweater, right?
VEVO announced the news on their Twitter page.
WOW.Considering 24hrs haven't even passed and @JustinBieber's #BOYFRIENDvideo is already over 5M, it's safe to say the new record is his!
— VEVO (@VEVO) May 4, 2012
Final count coming in a couple of days, but it'll well over 5 Million. #BoyfriendBrokeTheRecord. Already. @JustinBieber swag. — VEVO (@VEVO) May 4, 2012
Bieber responded quickly, crediting his ever-loyal (and productive!) fans for his victory.
@VEVO that is because of my fans. the #beliebers – i love them. always there for me. im always gonna be there for them. #FAMILY. THANK U
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) May 5, 2012
Keep his numbers up and his record safe by watching 'Boyfriend' below!
Watch the Justin Bieber 'Boyfriend' Video


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H2O Fidelio: H2O AM launches a long-short absolute return equity fund
H2O launches Fidelio, a long-short equity fund which aims to generate an absolute return of 5% p.a. over a recommended 3-year investment horizon. The fund's objective is to keep volatility below that of global equity markets within this timeframe, while also seeking to display low correlation to the major global equity market indices.
The H2O Fidelio fund aims to generate value by tapping the current market backdrop characterized by low interest rates, excessive regulation and mechanized investment strategies.
H2O Fidelio relies on H2O Asset Management's long-standing global macro expertise with a "top-down" component, supported by the "bottom-up" process implemented by the global macro funds team as early as 2003. This global, judgmental, opportunistic and unconstrained style is based upon the fund managers' convictions and a search for diversification.
Since its inception on October 25, 2016, the USD-denominated I share class of H2O Fidelio has delivered a +3.9% positive return as at February 13, 2017*.
* Source H2O Asset Management, 02. 13.2017. Figure is net of fees.
Past performances are not a reliable indicator of future performances.
For further information on the fund's investment aims, risks, charges and expenses, please consult the fund prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document, available from your financial advisor or from our website www.h2o-am.com.
Natixis Asset Management – Asset management company regulated by AMF under
n° GP 90-009 – Limited Liability Company with share capital of €50,434,604.76 – RCS Number Paris 329 450 738 – Registered Office: 21 quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris.
H2O Asset Management LLP – 10 Old Burlington Street, Westminster – London W1S 3 AG – United Kingdom – Registered in England and Wales with registered name H2O AM LLP and registration number OC 356207 – Authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), and is entered on the FCA Register with the Registration Number 529105 and company number OC356207.


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What is Your Skin Cancer Risk?
Here are more reasons to do regular checks of your skin for cancer risks: Melanoma rates in young women have skyrocketed. A Mayo Clinic study found they've increased eightfold from 1970 to 2009. The June issue of Women's Health magazine, published by Rodale, points out some risk factors you should look out for:A BLISTERING SUNBURN Just one in childhood or adolescence more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life. And even five mild sunburns over the course of your life can also double the risk. TANNING-BED USE Indoor tanners -- both past and present -- are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never used a tanning bed. They also have a 69-percent increased risk for early-onset basal cell carcinoma. FAIR SKIN OR LIGHT EYES Pale women have less melanin, the skin's natural sun protection. Those with baby-blue or green eyes are also more prone to skin cancer, especially ocular and eyelid melanomas, than women with deep-brown irises. LIVING IN A SUNNY OR HIGH-ALTITUDE AREA Tropical climates expose you to strong ultra-violet radiation year-round. As for altitude, for every 1,000 feet above sea level, you increase your ultra-violet exposure 4 to 5 percent. Info: http://www.womenshealthmag.com. (c)2012 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) Visit The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) at www.mcall.com


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Jacques Sandberg, vice president, Related Midwest
Jacques Sandberg has joined Related Midwest as vice president. Sandberg will head the affordable housing business for the Chicago real estate developers, including new development and acquisitions. Sandberg will lead key projects including large-scale public housing transformation, affordable housing preservation and mixed-income communities. He will play a key role in one of Related¿s most high-profile projects in Chicago, the redevelopment of Lathrop Homes, a 32-acre public-housing complex on Chicago¿s Northwest side; Related Midwest is the lead developer on a team of five firms involved in the multi-phase revitalization project. Sandberg will also lead Related Midwest¿s ongoing work at Roosevelt Square, a mixed-income development on the Near West side that will ultimately include over two thousand for-sale and rental units, and will manage a pipeline of an additional 2,000 units being acquired by Related Affordable Properties. Sandberg comes to Related Midwest with more than 20 years of experience in planning, building and financing publicly financed projects, and has been involved in the development of thousands of units of affordable housing as well as the construction and rehabilitation of several million square feet of mixed-use facilities. Most recently, he served as director of real estate development in the Midwest region for The Community Builders, a national nonprofit affordable housing developer, where he was involved in projects including the multi-phase Oakwood Shores HOPE VI development in the Oakland Community and the $50 million acquisition and rehabilitation of the 247-unit St. Stephen¿s Apartments at Western and Jackson. Sandberg also held director positions at IFF, a nonprofit lender and real estate consultant; was a partner with affordable housing consulting firm Pusateri Sandberg Development; and served as director of acquisitions for National Equity Fund, one of the country¿s largest low income housing tax credit syndicators. He has a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor of arts from Grinnell College.
Copyright © 2019, Chicago Tribune


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I have also been sketching a kind of silly idea that is a mash-up between Chuck Norris and Charlie Brown. The idea is that Chuck is a nickname for Charlie and that Charlie Brown grew up to Chuck Norris; I think Lucy sent over the edge with her football shenanigans. I also added Nunchucks and Chuck Taylor shoes for good measure. The inked version is below:
First version edited after getting some critique: stance changed, more open shirt
with more chest hair added, and ripped sleeve added.


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Loney breaks up pitchers' duel with winner in 9th
KANSAS CITY -- One run decided Tuesday night's Rays-Royals contest; there could be no other way.
Quality starts by Chris Archer and Yordano Ventura, two rising pitching stars, highlighted a 1-0 Rays win determined on James Loney's RBI single in the ninth.View Full Game Coverage
KANSAS CITY -- One run decided Tuesday night's Rays-Royals contest; there could be no other way.
Quality starts by Chris Archer and Yordano Ventura, two rising pitching stars, highlighted a 1-0 Rays win determined on James Loney's RBI single in the ninth.View Full Game Coverage
The win was the Rays' first in three games and also ended their streak of losses at Kauffman Stadium at seven.
"Just another well-played game," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "And we got them in Kansas City. Finally."
Wil Myers seemed an unlikely candidate to start the winning rally based on the way things had been going for the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year. He entered Tuesday night's game hitting .185 while riding an 0-for-12 streak. By the time he stepped to the plate in the ninth, he had struck out three times in three at-bats, further dropping his average as he dug in to lead off the ninth.
"You want to get off to a hot start, and it's my worst start in professional baseball," Myers said. "It's just one of those things that happens. I've gone through a streak that's worse than this; it just didn't happen to be at the beginning of the season. Looking up at my .172 average, it's not too fun."
Despite the negative tide Myers had been battling, he managed to come through with a dribbler off Royals closer Greg Holland that turned into an infield single, and the Rays had life in the ninth.
"Looks like a line drive [in the scorebook]," Myers joked, "so I'll take it. It did not hit the fountain, but I'll take it."
Two outs later he moved to second on a wild pitch with Loney at the plate.
Loney singled on a 3-2 slider from Holland, and Myers raced home to score the game's only run.
"You want to hit it hard, right?" Loney said. "I hit that one hard, and you want to hit it hard and not at somebody. He didn't get to that one."
On Saturday night against the Rangers, Loney also came through with the winning hit. Maddon loves having his first baseman at the plate in clutch situations for one reason.
"Because he's calm," Maddon said. "James Loney does not get excited too often. And I appreciate that about him."
Grant Balfour then pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the win while earning his second save of the season. Archer and Ventura started for the Rays and the Royals, respectively. Neither received a decision, but each made his mark, raising eyebrows in a game neither deserved to lose.
Archer gave the Rays a second consecutive quality start, holding the Royals to no runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four in seven innings.
Archer noted that Tuesday night was "one of those nights" in which catcher Jose Molina and he were completely in sync.
"I was like his robot," Archer said. "He would punch in a combination, tell me what pitch to throw, and I threw it. We worked together really well. Defense made some outstanding plays that got me out of some big jams. Tonight was an all-around team effort. Pitching, defense, offense came around when we needed it to."
Archer made more than a favorable impression on Royals manager Ned Yost.
"I saw some really big pitching on the other side," Yost said. "This guy had a big league two-seamer, 92 to 95 miles an hour, throwing strikes with it. Real efficient with the two-seamer and the slider. He had some nasty stuff working."
Unfortunately for the Archer and the Rays, Ventura also put zeros on the scoreboard in his 2014 opener and fourth career Major League start.
The hard-throwing right-hander was originally scheduled to debut for the Royals on Thursday, but that game was rained out. Rather than have him pitch Friday, the Royals opted to have him skip a turn to keep the rest of the rotation on regular rest.
Ventura spent the weekend in the Royals' bullpen but did not pitch. The days off clearly did not hurt.
The 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic held the Rays scoreless on two hits and no walks while striking out six in six innings.
"Even though there was a lot of time between pitching, that's my job to go out there and pitch," Ventura said. "No matter how many days I get off, I have to do my job, and I was glad I was able to do a good job tonight."
Ventura "is really, really good," Myers said. "I actually faced him in 2012 in the Futures Game here, and he's a lot better now than he was then. His off-speed was really good. He commanded all of his pitches."
Tampa Bay has not lost to a starter 22 years old or younger in 16 consecutive tries, even though its four hits for the game matched a season low.
Tuesday night's victory gave the Rays their first win at Kauffman Stadium since July 24, 2011. Wednesday afternoon they would like to make it two in a row in the rubber game of the series.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com.


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CEO Kern assumes role, promotes COO from within
Sentara Healthcare recently named Howard P. Kern the new President and CEO of the organization, assuming the role Friday, March 4.
With support from Kern, Michael V. Gentry, current Senior Corporate Vice President of Sentara, was appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in January.
"During these past 18 years working as COO, I've watched Sentara flourish into the high quality integrated health system it is today," expressed Kern. "We are an organization founded on quality, innovation and the pursuit of advanced technologies and processes which drive improved outcomes and, ultimately, an exceptional patient experience. I am most proud to be able to partner with our physicians and staff to assure that we meet the needs of the communities we serve."
The not-for-profit system has 12 hospitals, four medical groups with more than 900 providers spanning across Virginia and North Carolina, a health plan with more than 450,000 members, and life care and home care services. Over the course of his career at Sentara, Kern's leadership has directly impacted the strong operational and financial performance of the company, as well as the strategic direction.
Kern has identified three key areas of focus which will guide his tenure as CEO, including Clinical Performance Improvement, innovation and growth and customer centricity.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sentara. Howard is an exceptional leader, one who has proven time and time again he will continue to meet the demands of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape," said Sandy Harris, Chair of the Sentara Board. "On behalf of the Board, I'd like to officially welcome Howard into his new role. We look forward to partnering with him and his leadership team as we collectively work toward improving the health of the communities we serve."
Having formerly been in the Chief Operating Officer position, one of Kern's first orders of business was to identify a new team member to serve in that role. Michael Gentry was named COO in January.
"Mike has invaluable leadership experience, having served as President and CEO of Florida Hospital Memorial System for eight years. Since joining Sentara in 2008, he has provided important leadership in elevating our reputation for improving quality and patient safety. He oversaw the construction and completion of Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, a 160-bed acute care facility, and is responsible for Sentara Life Care Corporation which includes seven nursing centers, three assisted living facilities and PACE (Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly). Mike is an exceptional leader, and I look forward to embarking on this journey with him," said Kern.
Gentry earned his MBA from La Sierra University in Riverside, California. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the American Hospital Association. In addition, Mike serves on the Board for the VHHA and the CIVIC Leadership Institute and previously served on the Board for the FoodBank of Southeastern Virginia and the Bay Youth Orchestra of Virginia.
"It's a critical time in healthcare, but I am confident in the future of Sentara with Howard at the helm," Gentry reflected. "From our leadership team to the caregivers at the bed-side, we will work closely to continue the good work of Sentara's legacy, focused on clinical best practices, advanced technology and exceptional patient care."
"I look forward to working closely with Mike Gentry and the entire Sentara Leadership team to ensure our role as the trusted healthcare partner our communities deserve," said Kern.


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I left on the Jack Kilborn Afraid Tour on April 17, and came back on May 10.
Here are the final stats:
Days on tour: 23
Miles driven: 5789
Bookstores visited: 206
Books signed: 1515
Books given away: 580 (this includes two conventions)
States traversed: 12 + Washington DC
Nights in hotels: 6
Gas cost: $593.65
Hotel cost: $400.22
Tolls and Parking cost: $68.00
Food cost: $130.64
Total tour cost: $1192.51
These fine people allowed me to stay with them while on tour:
William Berger
Rob Swartwood
Steve Lukac
Jennifer & James Daniel Ross
Sherrill & Barry Bland
Jeff & Janice Strand
Cynthia & Bill Johnson
Jane & Don Bretl
Rhonda & Randy White
And especially my pal, Jim Coursey
The tour would have been quicker, but I had to do two events, the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando which ate up three days, and the Reaching Forward library conference which ate up two and a half days.
Is it all worth it?
Unfortunately, yes.
I say "unfortunately" because touring like this ain't easy. But having a publisher behind me and fans/peers who were willing to put me up for the night (and often buy me dinner/breakfast) made it cheaper and easier than it would have been had I done it without this sort of support.
These are the reasons it is worthwhile:
1. Meeting Booksellers. I met well over 500, and a bunch of them got free copies of my books (graciously supplied by my publisher.) Many of these booksellers will read the books I gave them, which makes them much easier to handsell. I also encouraged booksellers to post reviews of AFRAID on the Internet, and many of them already have.
2. Signing Stock. Signed books tend to sell better than unsigned books for two reasons. First, there's an added value to a signed book. Second, because signed books are often displayed face-out, which sells more books.
3. Long-term Effects. While short-term sales are nice, the long-term benefits are better. Books that sell well in a bookstore are automatically re-ordered (or are manually re-ordered by the bookseller) which leads to the store automatically keeping copies on the shelves. Down the road, this means royalty checks and an ever-increasing group of readers exposed to your books. It also doesn't hurt to show your publisher that you are working your butt off for them, especially since we're in a recession. There's also some publicity to be had in doing a tour like this, and it makes a good talking point for interviews and a good bit for the bio.
If you want to do a tour like this, some things to think about:
1. Plan ahead. Select bookstore-rich locations where you'll get the most bang for your buck.
2. Use your friends. The more people you can hook up with on the road, the cheaper and easier it is.
3. Priceline.com and Expedia.com. When you don't have any friends in a certain town, use the Internet to get the cheapest hotel rates.
4. Involve your publisher. You may not get any $$$ to tour, or any free books to give away, but keeping your publisher informed, and getting whatever help you can from them, is win-win.
5. Get a GPS and a smartphone with Google Maps. Often, doing a stock-signing tour takes you in directions you hadn't forseen. A current GPS and a phone (or Blackberry, laptop, etc) with Google Maps lets you find bookstores in your current area or on your route.
6. Eat on the road. It isn't the healthiest way to tour (unless you're Barry Eisler, who stops daily at Whole Foods while on tour and stocks up on nutritious stuff) but it will allow you to get more done. Keep a case of water and some snacks in the car with you.
7. Read my blog. That may seem redundant, since you're already reading my blog, but I've done two of these giant tours, and everything I've learned is in this blog. Read up so you can repeat my successes and avoid my failures.
While the Afraid Tour is over, I won't stop promoting Afraid. My new Jack Daniels paperback, Fuzzy Navel, comes out next week, and I'll be visiting many bookstores in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana to support it. Naturually, I'll also be supporting Afraid. Ditto in July, when Cherry Bomb comes out in hardcover.
Touring isn't just for when your book is released. It's perpetual. If your books are on the bookself, signing them and meeting the bookseller is a no-brainer, even if the books have been out for a few years.
Besides Internet promotion, stock-signing is one of the most cost-effective ways to promote. As I said, it isn't easy, but what worthwhile things in life are? I've found that the most difficult and challenging things are the most rewarding.
Of course, a lot of people also say I'm nuts. But they've said that about a lot of forward-thinking people, like Caligula, and DeSade.
Here's a list of the remaining bookstores I have visited:
BN 5501 W. Broad Richmond VA
BN Glen Allen VA
BN 1150 Midlothian Richmond VA
BN 11640 W. Broad Richmond VA
BN Midlothian VA
Borders Glen Allen VA
Walden Glen Allen VA
Creatures & Crooks Richmond VA
BN Greensboro NC
BN High Point NC
BN Burlington NC
BN Winston-Salem NC
BN New Hope Durham NC
BN Renaissance Durham NC
Walden Four Seasons Greensboro NC
Borders Greensboro NC
Borders Winston-Salem NC
Walden Silas Creek NC
Borders Columbia MD
Borders Express Kensington MD
Borders Kensington MD
Borders K St. DC
BN Kensington MD
Borders Fredricksburg VA
Borders Arlington VA
BN Alexandria VA
BN Arlington VA
BN Mclean VA
BN M St. DC
BN Manassas VA
Borders Manassas VA
Borders 14th St. DC
BN 12th St. DC
BN Pratt Baltimore MD
BN Towson MD
BN Rittenberg Charleston SC
BN Mt. Pleasant SC
BN Rivers Charleston SC
BN Forest Dr. Coumbia SC
BN Harbison Columbia SC
Borders Market St. Charleston SC
Walden Columbia SC
Walden Sumter SC
BAM Columbia SC
BN Spartanburg SC
BN Woodruff Greenville SC
Borders Express Greenville SC
BN Haywood Greenville SC
Walden Asheville NC
BN Asheville NC
Walden White Marsh MD
BN White Marsh MD
Borders Wilmington DE
BN Wilmington DE
Chester County Book and Music PA
BN Exton PA
Borders Exton PA
BN Lancaster PA
Borders Lancaster PA
Borders Express Lanacaster PA
Borders Harrisburg PA
Walden Harrisburg PA
BN Camp Hill PA
Borders Camp Hill PA
Walden Camp Hill PA
Walden Uniontown PA
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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GOP rep deletes 'violent rhetoric' tweet after shooting
WASHINGTON — Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., pulled back from a comment he posted on Twitter in the frantic moments after the shooting near the U.S. Capitol that called on Democrats to end their "violent rhetoric."
"The victims and their families are in my thoughts and prayers. The shooting today is a terrible and inexcusable tragedy and an act of terrorism. No one but the shooter is to blame," Griffin said in a statement.
"We are still processing information about this shooting, but as I have been saying for days, we all need to choose our words wisely because violent rhetoric only coarsens our culture, creates an atmosphere of incivility and is not helpful. I tweeted out of emotion, but agree that the timing was not helpful."
STORY: Car chase from White House ends in shots near Capitol
A chase that began when a car rammed a barricade near the White House on Thursday led to the U.S. Capitol being locked down briefly. The woman driving the car was killed by police, District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy Lanier said. U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine said it was an "isolated incident" and not an act of terrorism.
Griffin posted his message after several people on Twitter commented about his original tweet, sent moments after shots were fired and which has since been deleted. "Stop the violent rhetoric President Obama, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. "#Disgusting," reads the original Griffin tweet. The Sunlight Foundation's Politwoops website captured the tweet, and estimated it was up for about 49 minutes before it was deleted.
The rhetoric in Washington has taken a sharper tone as Obama, Democrats and Republicans have struggled to reach an agreement that would end a budget stalemate that has led to the government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., for example, said Democrats would not negotiate "with a gun to our head."
Contributing: Associated Press
Follow @ccamia on Twitter.


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When one thinks of garden and landscape photography, it is often of color-saturated vistas and floral abundance. But when Leslie Rose Close gave a talk on Sunday afternoon about the history of garden photography, it was some time before the first color slide appeared, and the effect was jarring.
The richly tonal black-and-white images dating back to some of the first photographs by inventors and innovators of the field, such as William Henry Fox Talbot and early followers of Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre, were magnificent on their own, but the stories they told were just as remarkable.
Ms. Close, who trained as a painter and sculptor, earned a master's degree at New York University, where her thesis was on Mattie Edwards Hewitt, a landscape and architectural photographer active from about 1909 until her death in 1956. She opened the talk, held at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack, with Hewitt's image of Anna Gilman Hill at Grey Gardens, a place Hewitt photographed extensively before Phelan and Edith Bouvier Beale bought it in 1924.
The photograph of a woman gardener by a female photographer in a garden designed by a female landscape architect, Ruth Dean (who was married to Aymar Embury, the architect of Guild Hall), showed the prominent role women were allowed to play in the field of garden design and photography in the early 20th century.
The discipline is so rich with characters and stories that it is no wonder that it has become an increasingly popular field of study within photographic history. Hewitt left her husband, Arthur Hewitt, who was also a photographer, to start a firm in New York with Frances Benjamin Johnston, whose photographs Hewitt had printed when she served as her husband's darkroom assistant. They, too, had a falling-out eight years later and dissolved the partnership. By this point, however, Hewitt had enough clients and contacts to successfully strike out on her own.
Fox Talbot himself was an accomplished Renaissance man: a painter, botanist, and chemist, among many other things. He was one of the innovators of pre-digital photography, as we know it today, with negatives and paper prints. His book "The Pencil of Nature," published in installments between 1844 and 1846, was the first commercially published book of photographs.
Ms. Close pointed out that the earliest images from cameras were of trees and plants, as a slide of one of Fox Talbot's oak trees was shown. Paintings were still the preferred mode of reproducing a landscape. Photographs were seen as "scientific and not appealing, a tough sell." But Fox Talbot recognized the potential for photography immediately, according to Ms. Close, who said he thought it was "a wonderful tool for travelers, artists, botanists, and historians. He got it exactly right."
An image of the Crystal Palace from the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park, London, in 1851, revealed the work of one of Daguerre's followers, Baron Jean-Baptiste Louis Gros. The show featured industrial marvels, and the glass building enclosed a full-size elm tree. The image itself is a marvel, capturing the whole of the three-story tree and the exhibition space, along with statues, fountains, and other landscape features, all housed within the glass-and-steel edifice.
Other historical characters of note included Mary and Frances Allen, known as the Allen Sisters, from Deefield, Mass., who had their own colonial revival theme park around 1900, predating Old Sturbridge Village. The sisters would dress in period costume and do chores the way they were done in the 18th century. They would also take photographs of each other dressed in costume that they sold as souvenirs.
Ellen Wilmott, who died in 1934, was another intriguing figure. At an estate in Essex, England, from 1892 until her death, she employed 100 gardeners, sponsored some of the plant-hunting expeditions in the Far East and Middle East, and ended up with many varieties of plants named after her.
"She would fire a gardener at the sight of a weed in a flower bed . . . booby-trapped her gardens to prevent thieves, and was even known to carry a pistol." Although Wilmott disdained photography, Ms. Close said that she was herself an accomplished garden photographer. It was a divide that would continue through the early 20th century.
Ms. Close said the subject is so broad and full that she could not cover its entire history. Still, she managed to tackle each decade of development in the field — regionally, nationally, and internationally. She showed images of and by figures such as Carleton Watkins, whose photos of the West helped preserve Yosemite National Park, as well as anonymously taken pictures of significant landscapes and people, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was also a celebrated gardener.
Among the images of local gardens she shared were the Creeks in East Hampton before it was purchased by Alfonso Ossorio, and the great modernist landscape that Arthur Edwin Bye designed for George Soros in Southampton. Its mounds of earth echo the nearby beach dunes.
Ms. Close started a program in American landscape history at Wave Hill in the Bronx and co-founded the Catalog of Landscape Records in the United States, a database at the New York Botanical Garden. She has her own large food garden in Bridgehampton.


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Everybody has their own perfect picture in mind when they imagine their Tuscany Villa. A converted barn hidden away in the hills, or an elegant villa near to the art galleries of Florence. Take a look around our website and you will quickly see the beautiful range of villa rentals in Tuscany that we have available. View more
All of our villas come with a pool, to offer the perfect relief from the Tuscan summer heat or a blissful backdrop to enjoy a glass of local wine. The type of your pool depends upon the type of holiday you're looking for. We have Tuscany villas with private and shared pools, for both sociable family holidays and romantic poolside get-a-ways.
Facilities at your To Tuscany Villa
In addition to your choice of pool set ups, our villas in Tuscany are available with a variety of luxury features to make your holiday live up to that perfect picture. We have villas with barbecues, open fire places, saunas, outdoor hot tubs and tennis courts to provide a fertile ground for your holiday stories.
Every To Tuscany villa comes fully stocked with all the kitchenware, bedding and towels you will need, so everything is ready for you to arrive and start enjoying your Tuscan holiday from the moment you open the door. If you want to feel really at home you can even bring your dog to the majority of our villas, and home favourites like satellite TV and Wi-Fi are available. All of our villas are hand-picked by us and comfortably furnished, so you can be confident all of your needs have been expertly catered for.
Pick your perfect villa
Imagine your dream villa in Tuscany. Is it a cosy stone farmhouse surrounded by vineyards? An elegant manor house close to the art galleries of Florence? A dramatic clifftop tower overlooking the deep blue Mediterranean? Take a look at our website and you will find these and more among our wide range of beautiful Tuscan villas and apartments.
You will also discover that almost all our properties come with a pool – just the place to cool off in the heat of the Tuscan summer sun. Choose a spacious apartment with access to a shared pool for a great way for young ones to make new holiday friends. Or for the ultimate indulgence, opt for a secluded villa with a private pool that you, your friends and family can enjoy all to yourselves.
Other touches of luxury at our villas in Tuscany include private gardens, furnished balconies and terraces, often with sublime views; massage rooms, saunas and outdoor hot tubs; tennis courts and games rooms; barbecues and pizza ovens. There are plenty of home comforts, too, including Wi-Fi and satellite TV, board games and books – you can even bring the dog to many of our villas and apartments. Plus, you can be sure of a complete rest if you sign up for our chef, nanny, laundry and maid services, all of which have been personally selected by us.
At To Tuscany, we hand-pick every villa and apartment, putting each one through a rigorous inspection to ensure they meet our high standards. All our properties are spotlessly clean and comfortably furnished, with well-equipped kitchens, and supplied with all the quality bed linen and towels you will need. Whichever property you choose for your villa holiday in Tuscany, it will surpass your expectations and you will be able to relax the moment you open the front door.


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The Disease-Preventive Power of the Mediterranean DietJuly 2005
By Dale Kiefer
Earlier this year, news headlines extolled the health and anti-aging benefits of the Mediterranean diet, characterized by fish that provide omega-3 fatty acids, relatively copious amounts of olive oil, and antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Epidemiological evidence has long suggested that the Mediterranean diet offers life-extending benefits. Recent studies associate this diet with lowered cardiovascular risk and increased life span.1 This is especially true among Greeks and Spaniards, who adhere most closely to the "classic" Mediterranean diet that is believed to specifically reduce cancer risk and protect cardiovascular health.2-8
The traditional Mediterranean diet is closely associated with the olive-growing regions of the Mediterranean Sea. Monounsaturated fats from olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from fish are the predominant fats in the Mediterranean diet. Saturated fat, which is far more common in the diets of North Americans, makes up a relatively small portion of the Mediterranean diet.
An EPIC Study
Earlier this spring, scientists involved in Europe's massive EPIC-elderly study released key findings from nearly a decade of research. EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) is the largest study to date to provide convincing evidence that diet directly affects life span.
More than 74,000 healthy seniors aged 60 years or older from nine European countries participated in this eight-year study of factors affecting the incidence of cancer and other chronic diseases. Biological, dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors were examined in relation to overall health. Researchers assessed the impact on health and longevity of omega-3 essential fatty acids such as those found in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, as well as of monounsaturated fats obtained almost exclusively from olive oil.
The researchers developed a 10-point scale to quantify degree of adherence to the modified diet, and then compared scores with mortality data. Subjects who adhered most closely to the classic Mediterranean diet while consuming the least saturated fat earned the highest scores. Higher scores were clearly associated with longer life span. As the scientists noted, ". . . adherence to a modified Mediterranean diet . . . was associated with a significantly longer life expectancy in apparently healthy elderly people . . ."9
In essence, the data from this enormously important study show that adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet can extend life. Individuals who improved their scores by just two points on the 10-point scale increased their life expectancy by 7%. As an example, a 60-year-old man who adhered to the diet could expect to live a year longer than another man of the same age who did not follow the diet. According to the researchers, "The reduction in mortality in relation to a dietary score was more striking than expected . . ."9
In a further study, the EPIC scientists found that the longevity-promoting effects of the Mediterranean diet were even more dramatic in adults with coronary heart disease. When individuals with prevalent coronary heart disease at the time of enrollment improved their adherence to the Mediterranean diet by two points on the 10-point scale, they experienced a 27% lower rate of mortality and a 31% lower rate of cardiac death.10
The great question associated with the anti-aging benefits ascribed to the Mediterranean diet is how, exactly, the diet is responsible for the impressive, observed effects on longevity. Five years earlier, researchers had estimated that up to 25% of the incidence of colorectal cancer, about 15% of the incidence of breast cancer, and roughly 10% of the incidence of prostate, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers could be prevented by replacing the typical Western diet—high in saturated fat and low in omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients, and antioxidants—with the Mediterranean diet.11
To gain a better understanding of how the Mediterranean diet prolongs life, we need to examine the diet's fundamental components, which include fatty acid-rich fish, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and olive oil.
Dangers of Polyunsaturated Fats
An enormous amount of scientific data documents the health risks associated with excess consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids. While the polyunsaturated fats known as omega-6 fatty acids are essential to optimal health, most Americans and citizens of other Western nations consume far too many omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and not enough omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although a roughly 2:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is considered optimal, most Americans consume these fats in a lopsided ratio that approaches 10:1.12,13 For optimal health and longevity, it is critical to achieve a dietary balance of these important nutrients. Given that the vast majority of people in Western countries consume excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, attention should be focused on consuming adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive effects, and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart arrhythmias, dementia, and heart attack when consumed in balance with omega-6 fatty acids.14-21
Omega-3 fatty acids influence health and well-being through a variety of mechanisms. These include modulation of cell membranes' physical and chemical properties, and regulation of the metabolism of immune system components that are involved in inflammation.
Evidence also suggests omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids regulate body functions through the modulation of specific genes.17,22
The omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are found in abundance in fatty fish and some marine mammals, as well as in the algae (seaweed) upon which they feed. A third polyunsaturated fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, can be converted into DHA and EPA. While alpha-linolenic acid is available from sources such as canola oil, flaxseed oil, and walnuts, its conversion to DHA is slow and inefficient.23,24 Scientists believe that direct consumption of DHA and EPA is the best way to obtain adequate omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.16,25-32
The importance of DHA and EPA cannot be overstated. For example, adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids during early childhood is thought to play a role in preventing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in improving learning and academic performance.30 In older adults, consuming omega-3 fats such as DHA and EPA may reverse signs of brain aging and protect against development of Alzheimer's disease and other causes of age-associated dementia and decline.18,27-29,33-36
Power of Olive Polyphenols
For millennia, olives have provided a staple source of high-energy food and critical nutrients for the many civilizations that have thrived in the Mediterranean area.
Researchers in Barcelona and other southern European cities lead the world in investigating the remarkable health benefits of olives.37-41 While the monounsaturated fats in olive oil are clearly a crucial component of the Mediterranean diet, a lesser known but no less important component is the rich mixture of antioxidant polyphenols in olives.5 Once discarded as a by-product of the olive oil-extraction process, olive polyphenols concentrated in the watery juice of the olive fruit have an impressive array of beneficial properties.37,41-62
For example, laboratory studies of cells grown in culture have shown that the primary olive oil polyphenol—hydroxytyrosol—scavenges the dangerous free radical hydrogen peroxide, which is a by-product of normal cellular respiration.42 As Life Extension members are well aware, the damage caused by free radicals includes DNA damage that can lead to premature aging, cancer, and other degenerative conditions.63-65
In addition to in-vitro experiments, tests with hydroxytyrosol-rich polyphenols in vivo have also yielded impressive results. For example, scientists in the Netherlands fed animals either polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil with the polyphenol components removed. Levels of the antioxidant vitamin E were significantly increased in the animals that received the polyphenols, indicating that olive oil polyphenols improved antioxidant defense systems.59 Removal of hydroxytyrosol-rich polyphenols from the diet also rendered LDL (low-density lipoprotein) more susceptible to oxidation. As Life Extension members are aware, LDL oxidation is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.


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HOLLAND -- The winners of athletic letters for HopeCollege fall sports teams have been announced by co-athletic directors Eva Dean Folkert and Tim Schoonveld.
Hope tops the Commissioner's Cup standings of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) after the fall season. Hope won conference championships in men's golf and volleyball. Finishing in second place in their standings were men's and women's cross country and men's soccer. Other finishes were women's golf, third; football, tied for fourth; and women's soccer, tied for fifth.
Eighteen athletes lettered in their sport for a fourth consecutive year. They are Eric Anderson (men's cross country), Justin Bailey (men's soccer), Kevin Bartosek, (men's soccer), Teresa Borst (volleyball), Chris Harrison, (men's soccer), Andrea Helminiak (volleyball), John Herbert, (men's soccer), Ryan Jara (men's cross country), Kristen Johnson (volleyball), Kirsten Kaufmann (women's soccer), Emma Lucas (women's cross country), Kent Reschke (men's cross country), Manuel Reynoso (cheerleading), Saab Schwiebert (men's soccer), Cassie Sneller (women's golf), Steven Strock (men's golf), Kent Reschke (men's cross country), and Lucas Wolthuis (men's cross country).
Men's Golf Letterwinners
Chris Ansel**, junior from Zeeland/Zeeland East
Nicholas Campbell**, sophomore from Saline/Saline
John Cannon*, freshman from Traverse City/Traverse City West
Austin Farah*, freshman from Bloomfield Hills/Southfield Christian
Chris Harwood**, sophomore from Westfield, Ind./Brebeuf Prep
Caleb Nykamp**, sophomore from Holland/Holland Christian
Charles Olson*, freshman from Suttons Bay/Suttons Bay
Adam Peplinski*, freshman from Cedar/St. Mary's
Steven Strock****, senior from Grandville/Grandville
Andrew Thomson**, sophomore from Beaver Dam, Wisc./Central Wisconsin Christian
Scott Webster*, freshman from Ada/Linfield Christian (Ca.)
Women's Golf Letterwinners
Emily Atsma**, sophomore from Caledonia/South Christian
Katie Blodgett***, junior from Traverse City/Traverse City St. Francis
Sasha Burau**, sophomore from Grand Blanc/Grand Blanc
Shali Clark*, freshman from East Kentwood/East Kentwood
Maggie Mangan*, freshman from Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville S.
Andrea McCarty**, sophomore from Denver, Co./Cherry Creek
Charlotte Park*, freshman from Elmhurst, Ill./York Community
Megan Scholten**, sophomore from Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian
Cassie Sneller****, senior from Holland/Hamilton
Lauren Zandstra**, sophomore from Flushing/Flushing
Men's Soccer Letterwinners
Andrew Abe**, sophomore from Naperville, Ill./Naperville North
Paul Austin**, sophomore from Grandville/Grandville
Justin Bailey****, senior from Portage/Portage Northern
Ross Bailey***, junior from Golden Dunes, Ind./Portage
Kevin Bartosek****, senior from Traverse City/Traverse City West
Riley Byrnes***, junior from Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City
Ryan Cotter***, junior from Zeeland/Zeeland East
Gabriel Courey**, senior from Holland/Holland
Maxwell DeBoef*, freshman from Plainwell/Plainwell
Luke Dishnow*, freshman from Saline/Saline
Jeffrey Ekdom*, freshman from Holland/Holland Christian
Michael Ferguson*, freshman from Whitehall/Whitehall
Andrew Goorhouse***, junior from Caledonia/East Kentwood
Shaun Groetsema**, sophomore from Augusta/Galesburg-Augusta
Chris Harrison****, senior from Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata
John Herbert****, senior from Culver, Ind./Culver Academies
Scott Howard*, sophomore from Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern
Conor Hughes*, freshman from Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North
Samuel Joyce**, sophomore from Grand Rapids/East Grand Rapids
Mitchell Kinner**, sophomore from Kalamazoo/Portage Northern
Logan Neil**, sophomore from Holland/West Ottawa
Andrew Nichols***, junior from Traverse City/Traverse City West
Benjamin Rosema*, senior from Spring Lake/Spring Lake
Saab Schwiebert****, senior from Chelsea/Chelsea
Jeffrey Stusick**, junior from Stevensville/Lakeshore
John Turner***, senior from East Kenwood/East Kentwood
Aaron VanAndel**, junior from Ada/Grand Rapids Christian
David Whitaker**, sophomore from Vicksburg/Vicksburg
Women's Soccer Letterwinners
Megan Altieri*, freshman from Bay Village, Ohio/Bay Village
Tricia Bajema*, freshman from Grandville/Grandville
Emily Baracy***, junior from Canton/Canton
Kelsey Bos***, junior from Holland/Holland
Kylie Clark*, freshman from Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville
Courtney Cook***, junior from Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central
Rachel Doud*, freshman from Rockford/Rockford
Kelly Dunbar*, freshman from Caledonia/East Kentwood
Alyson Epolito*, freshman from East Lansing/East Lansing
Meredith Faas*, freshman from Saline/Saline
Mallory Fox***, junior from Livonia/Livonia Stevenson
Nikki Franzese**, sophomore from Naperville, Ill./Naperville
Lana Gentry**, sophomore from Traverse City/Traverse City Central
Grace Gonzalez*, sophomore from Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South
Elizabeth Hamer**, sophomore from Palatine, Ill./Palatine
Lindsay Jipping*, freshman from Jenison/Unity Christian
Kirsten Kaufmann****, senior from Clio/Flint Powers Catholic
Bethany Kicz***, junior from Ada/Forest Hills Central
Sara Lang*, freshmen from Traverse City/Traverse City Central
Katie Lovinger***, junior from Hillsdale/Hillsdale
Jessica Malkin**, sophomore from Bay City/Bay City Western
Kara Marsman***, junior from Holland/Holland Christian
Lauren Miller***, junior from San Diego, Ca./University City
Danielle Petzak**, sophomore from Zeeland/Zeeland West
Alexis Prins*, freshman from Hudsonville/Unity Christian
Kristen Schwenk***, junior from Midland/H.H. Dow
Volleyball Letterwinners
Traci Baker**, junior from Grandville/Tri-Unity
Teresa Borst****, senior from Zeeland/Zeeland East
Greer Bratschie*, freshman from Grand Rapids/East Grand Rapids
Cassidy Bulthuis***, junior from Nunica/Spring Lake
Sara DeWeerdt***, junior from Holland/Hamilton
Courtney Earles*, freshman from Kentwood/East Kentwood
Jacie Fiedler*, junior from Richmond, Ill./RichmondBurton
Andrea Helminiak****, senior from Maumee, Ohio/Anthony Wayne
Kristen Johnson****, senior from Naperville, Ill./Wheaton Acad.
Jamie Kline*, junior from Mendon/Mendon
Carrie Lehocky**, junior from Byron Center/Byron Center
Jessica Maier*, freshman from Grandville/Jenison
Kara VandeGuchte***, junior from Hamilton/Hamilton
Samantha Wolffis*, sophomore from Grand Rapids/East Grand Rapids
Football Cheerleader Letterwinners
Derek Bradley**, junior from Roscommon/Roscommon
Sophie Brady*, freshman from Owosso/Owosso
Danielle Christensen*, freshman from Manteno, Ill./Manteno
Nicole Claucherty*, freshman from Albion/Albion
Jessica Early*, junior from Vestal, N.Y./Vestal Central
Olivia Haines*, freshman from Gowen/Greenville
Caramen Hirsch***, junior from Highmore, S.D./Highmore
Manuel Reynoso****, senior from Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North
Bart Schrader****, senior from Centerville/Centerville
Men's Cross Country Letterwinners
Eric Anderson****, senior from Ann Arbor/Pioneer
Elliott Barney*, freshman from Chicago, Ill./Seton Academy
Jacob Batch*, freshman from Fruitport/Fruitport
Michael Bellovich*, freshman from Grosse Pointe Farms/South
Benjamin Fineout**, sophomore from Zeeland/Zeeland West
Kyle Gibson*, sophomore from Alma/Alma
Kevin Hagan***, junior from Okemos/Okemos
Brian Hernandez**, sophomore from Saline/Saline
Will Hewitt*, freshman from Grand Haven/Grand Haven
Ryan Jara****, senior from Commerce Township/Walled Lake North
Collin Kooy***, senior from Metamora/Flint Powers Catholic
Bruce Kraay**, sophomore from Zeeland/Zeeland West
Nathan Love**, sophomore from Midland/Midland
Christopher Mauney**, senior from South Lyon/South Lyon
Brett May***, junior from Rockford/Rockford
Andrew McKeachie**, sophomore from Milford/Milford
Kent Reschke****, senior from Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central
Jordan Richardson***, junior from Reading/Reading
Blake Rottschafer*, freshman from Spring Lake/Spring Lake
John Ryan*, freshman from Vicksburg/Vicksburg
Ryan Summers***, senior from Naperville, Ill./Central
Andrew Wiersum*, freshman from Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka
Matt Wiersum****, senior from Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka
Lucas Wolthuis****, senior from Vicksburg/Vicksburg
Women's Cross Country Letterwinners
Alyssa Ambrose**, sophomore from Okemos/Okemos
Sarah Anthony**, junior from Mt. Pleasant/Mt. Pleasant
Jacqueline Beeler**, senior from Plymouth/Plymouth
Claire Bird***, junior from New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz
Kate Brundige***, junior from Vicksburg/Vicksburg
Salome Emmanuel**, sophomore from Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North
Emily Fischer***, junior from Naperville, Ill./Central
Joanne Gabl***, senior from Saline/Saline
Mindy Gissal*, freshman from Kalamazoo/Homeschool
Katrina Gobrogge**, sophomore from Napoleon, Ohio/Archbole
Sharon Hecker*, freshman form Grandville/Grandville
Chelsea Holicki*, junior from Coldwater/Coldwater
Emma Lucas****, senior from Cadillac/Cadillac
Kelly Lufkin**, sophomore from Houghton/Houghton
Katie Martin*, freshman from Portage/Central
Taylor Mattarella*, freshman from Traverse City/Central
Morgan McCardel*, freshman from Traverse City/St. Francis
Elle Munoa***, junior from Holland/West Ottawa
Kate Nelson**, sophomore from Williamston/Williamston
Gina O'Brian*, sophomore from Saline/Saline
Susan Savasky***, junior from Berkley/Marion
Karlyn Sikma**, sophomore from Grand Rapids/North Pointe Christian
Morgan Smith*, freshman from Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern
Football Letterwinners
Christopher Batterbee****, senior from Gladwin/Gladwin
David Boothe*, junior from Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township
Marcus Bradstreet*, sophomore from Grandville/Grandville
Stephen Burgett*, junior from Ann Arbor/Dexter
Kurtis Burmeister*, sophomore from Shelby/Shelby
Brett Cain**, senior from Jenison/Jenison
Nickolas Davros*, junior from Muskegon/Mona Shores
David DeBoer****, senior from Grosse Pointe/Grosse Pointe South
Bryan DeKoekkoek**, senior from Martin/Kalamazoo Christian
Alexander Deschaine***, senior from Frankenmuth/Frankenmuth
John DeVries*, senior from Denton, Tex./Lake Dallas
Kyle Dietrich**, junior from Gobles/Gobles
Adam Diver**, junior from Deerfield/Deerfield
Timothy Dixon**, junior from Kalkaska/Kalkaska
Peter Doorn**, senior from Kalamazoo/Kalamazoo Christian
Josh Droppers**, junior from Kalamazoo/Portage Northern
Neil Droppers**, senior from Maitland, Fla./Winter Park
Timothy Dyer*, junior from Three Rivers/Three Rivers
Joshua Echtinaw**, sophomore from Alto/Caledonia
Timothy Elzinga***, junior from Grand Rapids/South Christian
Christopher Feys**, junior from Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian
Taylor Fox***, senior from Canton/Plymouth
Kyle Goins*, junior from Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Berea
Nicholas Goulooze**, senior from Hudsonville/Hudsonville
Nathan Greenwell*, sophomore from Petoskey/Petoskey
Stephen Hazekamp**, senior from Fruitport/Fruitport
Jared Hudson**, senior from Fremont/Fremont
Nathan Jazwinski*, sophomore from Middleville/Thornapple Kellogg
Anders Johansen****, senior from Holland/West Ottawa
Zachariah Jones***, junior from Three Rivers/Three Rivers
Daniel Karam*, junior from Grosse Pointe Woods/Warren DeLasalle
Jared Kimber**, sophomore from Bedford, Ohio/Bedford
Matthew Klaus**, senior from Palms/Deckerville
Matthew Larson**, senior from Grayling/Grayling
Adam Loveless**, senior from Middleville/Middleville
M. Kiefer Mack**, sophomore from Fraser/Petoskey
Jordan Moore***, senior from Grandville/Grandville
Jordan Morse***, junior from Sparta/Sparta
Anthony Mucciante*, junior from Grosse Pointe Park/Grosse Pointe South
Zach Riepma*, sophomore from Midland/Dow
Grant Robb*, freshman from Traverse City/St. Francis
Nathan Rock*, junior from West Lafayette, Ind./Portage Northern
Jonathan Rodriguez**, senior from Berrien Springs/Berrien Springs
Christopher Schmelz**, sophomore from Chelsea/Chelsea
Andrew Schofield*, sophomore from Mendham, N.J./Mendham
Kevin Slusher*, senior from Montgomery/Camden Frontier
Scott Snyder***, senior from Berrien Springs/Berrien Springs
R. Garret Szantner**, junior from Rochester/Stoney Creek
Aaron Szarowicz*, junior from Wyoming/Grandville
Allen Taylor**, senior from Indianapolis, Ind./North Central
Edward Thornton*, junior from Detroit/Detroit Northern
Benjamin VanAusdall*, sophomore from Hudsonville/Unity Christian
Kyle VandenBosch**, junior from Grandville/Grandville
Kevin VanDokkumburg***, senior from Holland/Holland
Timothy Wahmhoff**, senior from Gobles/Gobles
Kyle Warren**, sophomore from Grandville/Unity Christian
Ryan Yonkman**, junior from McBain/McBain


text:
Fix up my home for sale in Boise, Idaho using Green Sustainable Products For Less. Remodeling your home to increase the resale value is a great way to turn sweat equity into cash in your pocket. There are a lot of houses on the market and feirce competition, so you want to show buyers something […]
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"Nearly 4 million Americans are more than 60 days behind on their mortgage, and countless others are only a paycheck away from missing a mortgage payment. You're not alone. " That's why we're here, to help home owners like you when you need it most.
"Quite often investors are willing to pay cash for a home and with the recent tightening of financial restrictions, coupled with the growing number of complaints about low appraisals, having a cash buyer has become even more appealing."


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Looking for input on parachutes and equipment for mount etc.
130+ mph car in the 1/8th needing parachute information which one is better than others and why which one to buy? air launcher or manual style?spring assist? many choices just wondering what some of you are using with success or wish you had bought that instead? Thanks
parachute equipment
Shocks, Springs, Brakes, Frame, Body Work, etc
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Re: parachute equipment
When I bought mine a few months ago, the Deist people were very helpful. Asked all the right questions about weight, trap speed, etc., and sold me the one they recommended. Comes packed with an aluminum tray that is bolted to bracket of choice and enough lanyard to easily reach the ring welded to the differential. As far as launcher, depends on how often you have to use it I was told. Spring is cheaper but if used a lot the drogue chute will wear out and gets expensive to replace. A racing acquaintance with a serious altered switched to air for that reason.
"If it was easy, everybody would do it."
"If it was easy, everybody would do it."
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- Publisher: 215 Ink
- Written By: Allen Drinkwater
- Art By: Manny Hernaez
- Language: English
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Date Released: March 11th, 2013
On Mars nothing's impossible. Which is great if you're an artist or a dreamer. But Farmer Murdock is one of the planet's most hardboiled detectives, and as such he's spent his entire career cleaning up messes that Earth never could've imagined. Lucky for Murdock, he's only got one more mission before he's free to spend the rest of his days sitting on the beach, digging his toes into red sand, and drinking himself into a stupor. The catch? Murdock's been tasked with assassinating two of the planet's most beloved statesmen. Oh, and he has to do it in the planet's most popular nightclub. Written by Allen Drinkwater and illustrated by Manny Hernaez, OMNI: A God-Awful, Small Affair is twenty-six pages of neon grime, rock'n'roll science fiction, and miraculous violence.


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|By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-189-219.balt.east.verizon.net - 18.104.22.168) on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 4:52 pm: Edit Post
1982: linda rota served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in sierra leone in petifu/foredugo beginning in 1982
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer linda rota can be contacted at lrota1amainedrrdcom
Country of Service: sierra leone
Cities you served in: petifu/foredugo
Arrival Year: 1982
Departure Year: 1984
Work Description:
worked with farmers in rice fields
Originally posted: October 21, 2007
Related Links:
Peace Corps Annual Report: 1982; Peace Corps Sierra Leone; Directory of Sierra Leone RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Sierra Leone RPCVs
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Rapid City Council to Pursue Policy on Prayer
RAPID CITY - The Rapid City Council has voted to draft a policy regarding prayer after a nonprofit group asked the council to end its practice of beginning meetings with an invocation.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation advocates the separation of church and state and says a compromise would be for the council to hold a moment of silence before meetings rather than a prayer. City leaders say they don't have any plans to change their tradition.
The council on Monday night decided to have staff draft a policy on the matter that would help the city defend itself in court. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has said it plans to become involved in lawsuits on the issue of prayer at public meetings, though it has not said it will sue Rapid City.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Roof installation Oakdale
A house is a structure that needs to undergo occasional maintenance procedures. In Oakdale, MN, many houses are affected by the weather, as it can get warm and cold in the state. Thus, the roofing and siding might eventually crack and break. However, there is a solution to this problem. With reliable and quality Sterling roofing and siding, one can be assured that house maintenance costs can be kept to a minimum.
A wise decision any homeowner can make is to invest in high quality siding and roofing, which can be installed by trusted contractors. The investment will go a long way, and owners will find themselves trouble free when it comes to house maintenance. The roof is a very important element of the house. Not only does it add beauty to the house, but it also protects it from the weather. If properly installed by a contractor, quality roofs can last for a long time without cracking or weathering.
Roof installation Oakdale, MN
While many contractors claim to be experts in roofing, some lack the experience to do a good job. It is essential for a home owner to know the contractor really well, since house roofing can be relatively expensive. Like the roof, siding can also protect the house from inclement weather. It serves as the outer layer of the structure that contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the house. Sterling siding also comes in different materials, depending on the climate of the Oakdale area.
The most common types of siding are aluminum, fiber cement, plastic, fiber glass, and wood. Some materials, such as steel sidings, are not recommended in humid or coastal regions as steel can rust over time. To be sure of the most suitable siding for your house, you can contact a trusted contractor to give your home a free estimate.
Homeowners need to gauge several factors before they commit to a particular roofing and siding contractor. First of all, the contractor should offer a free quote, as this is an accepted standard among contractors. They should inspect the property and make their recommendations for free. This way, home owners will have an idea on the budget they will need to set aside for the roofing and siding project.
Roof installation Oakdale Minnesota


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To promote the well-being of construction workers and building occupants by minimizing indoor air quality problems associated with construction and renovation.
Develop and implement an indoor air quality (IAQ) management plan for the construction and preoccupancy phases of the building. The plan must address all of the following.
During construction, meet or exceed all applicable recommended control measures of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction, 2nd edition, 2007, ANSI/SMACNA 008–2008, Chapter 3.
Protect absorptive materials stored on-site and installed from moisture damage.
Do not operate permanently installed air-handling equipment during construction unless filtration media with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8, as determined by ASHRAE 52.2–2007, with errata (or equivalent filtration media class of F5 or higher, as defined by CEN Standard EN 779–2002, Particulate Air Filters for General Ventilation, Determination of the Filtration Performance, [East Asia ACP: Construction IAQ Equivalent]), are installed at each return air grille and return or transfer duct inlet opening such that there is no bypass around the filtration media. Immediately before occupancy, replace all filtration media with the final design filtration media, installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Prohibit the use of tobacco products inside the building and within 25 feet (8 meters) of the building entrance during construction.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
East Asia ACP: Construction IAQ Equivalent
Projects in East Asia may use filtration media classified as medium efficiency (中效过滤器) or higher as defined by Chinese standard GB/T 14295-2008(空气过滤器).
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- Home
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Monday May 20, 2019; 11:22 pm EDT
Tom Wisner's lessons live on in Gather 'Round Chesapeake
Where does the hope lie?
Hope lies in bringing forth the truth about the Chesapeake Bay and placing our awareness right next to the issue, facing it. An answer might not come in this generation, but we must seek it.
In Chesapeake Country, we embrace the environment, encourage conservation and fancy ourselves as amateur historians and naturalists. We're at the right place at the right time.
Green was not always in. Forty years ago, our rivers and bays had to put up with the worst we could give them. At the low end of the spectrum, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland was so polluted that it regularly caught on fire. The Chesapeake's case was not so dramatic. But we all know its plight.
Many, many of us even care about it.
How did we get from then to now?
For many people throughout the great Chesapeake watershed, Tom Wisner was a mover in changing our attitudes. His works and words made us love our Bay and want to do right by it.
Tom worked his magic person to person, and mostly in person. So his death in his 79th year, on April 2, 2010, could have meant we'd be caring for the Chesapeake with our minds but not our hearts.
Had not Tom's friends acted to keep his vision alive.
This very week, the first of a new book of Wisner's love songs to life and the Bay appears.
The Wisner Legacy
The Tom Wisner Legacy Group is creating many other projects to build on Tom's work.
Gather Round Chesapeake, its 126 pages hot off the presses, is being introduced at Tom's beloved river at Patuxent River Appreciation Days October 7 thru 9 at Calvert Marine Museum.
Editor Sara Leeland began her project imagining she'd be writing a biography. But as she scoured Tom's journals, their Chestory communications, and "box after box in the Wisner archives at Calvert Marine Museum," his words and images so moved her that bringing them to your eyes became her mission.
As she read, "My heart leapt like his favorite image of a thousand geese rising up on a river," she said.
From We Are of This Place to Living Ever Deeper, his writings are organized into nine sections of themes central to his life. Most of these poems, reflections, pictures and drawings are published here for the first time.
"I am searching, sifting through the answers, looking for the questions," wrote Tom in the poem Choosing Life.
You get a sense of the forces that moved Tom in the poem What Mother Earth Would Teach:
When I think about
what the mother earth, mentor
of all teaching and teachers, would teach us—
I believe she would gather us in the morning
and make light over the world
and fill it with turtle and crow and all
the songs of creatures we know and love.
She'd honor the souls in forest, field,
shallows, rivers, and sea; and she'd say:
'Do this in remembrance of me.'
A Washington native, Tom was born at Walter Reed Hospital on June 29, 1930. He served with the Air Force in Japan during the Korean War, went to college, did graduate studies in biology and ecology at Cornell University, began his career as a biological researcher in D.C. and then as a naturalist at Sequoia National Park. From 1966 to '69, he taught high school science in St. Mary's County.
His saga took a leap at Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, where Gene Cronin hired him as regional educator. There, Tom created his experience-oriented children's laboratory and educational program.
A decade later, Tom became the Chesapeake's self-appointed troubadour, its roving writer, singer, artist and teacher. He continued in that work until his death.
"It's important for us to understand the science of the Bay, and Tom was trained as a scientist," Leeland says. "But many people hear the science, and it leaves them cold. It takes a story teller to make that story real."
Tom Wisner was that storyteller.
In workshops or concerts, he was the ultimate showman. You were having so much fun that you hardly noticed you were learning — and changing.
Tom's most beloved audience was children, because, he said, they were open to wonder.
So he made special friends of teachers throughout the region, who have in turn taught his songs and wisdom to eager students. Chesapeake Born is so widely sung that it's the people's anthem of Chesapeake Country.
I'm one of those teachers. I knew Tom for over 30 years — though he did not know me. I attended his workshops and seminars, used his lesson plans, songs and videos in my classroom. I was entertained by him numerous times, finally at his January 29 mid-snowmaggeden concert at the Calvert Marine Museum, his next-to-last public performance.
Like me, everybody who heard Tom felt they knew him, and that was part of his plan.
"An essential ingredient to any relationship is love and respect," he wrote. Connection was the central theme of his life and doctrine.
"The experience of connection is the essence of teaching about the Bay," he wrote. "A transition from the concept of use to the concept of relationship is crucial to our full appreciation for our interactions with the life of the Chesapeake Bay. The notion of listing the best uses of the Bay is akin to listing the best uses of our mother."
Tom's legacy continues to shape our lives and environmental policy. It was he who persuaded former state Sen. Bernie Fowler to begin his now legendary Patuxent River wade-ins.
The wade-ins have become a rite of spring in Calvert and St. Mary's counties and spread throughout the state. The secret of their success? People got connected, joining hands and joining the water.
Get your copy of Gather 'Round Chesapeake at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, www.chestory.org or www.amazon.com: $10.