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It starts with the arm. Footballs leap off Blake Bortles' hand and travel far with great velocity and acceptable accuracy, and scouts start to lick their chops.
Then comes the frame. Six-foot-five, muscular and thick, though a teensy bit skinny in the ankles. Big kid. Live arm. Lead the scouting report with that, and you know the basics are covered. Lead the scouting report with something else, and it sounds like the blind date has a great personality.
Then you get to the wheels: Blake Bortles runs pretty darn well. And then the brain: It appears fully functional and contained within a properly screwed-on head.
Big, bright kid who throws hard and runs well. This scouting stuff is not nuclear fission. Blake Bortles is a fine quarterback prospect. He is a potential first-rounder, a potential NFL starter.
But is he a worthy top-five selection? Is he a "franchise quarterback" with the capability to be (shudder) "elite?" Those questions are unanswerable (in part because all the words in quotes are undefined gibberish), but Bortles' rise from mid-tier, mid-major prospect to the possible top pick in the draft forces us to drill deeper than, "Yeah, he can throw." Bortles' rise requires us to nitpick the details of his game tape and résumé. It raises questions about the blurred lines between scouting and coaching. And it makes us examine how getting drafted one to 24 hours earlier than you should can drastically change expectations and outcomes.
The Weekly Bortles
His season began with a near disaster. Bortles dropped to pass against Akron in the opener and had the ball stripped by a defender. Luckily, a teammate pounced on the fumble. The next play, on second-and-18, Bortles tossed a 91-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Breshad Perriman along the right sideline. Later in the game, Bortles bobbled a pump-fake, retrieved the ball, scrambled for his life and threw across his body to J.J. Worton for a 39-yard touchdown. The differences between Bortles and Johnny Manziel start to evaporate when watching sequences like these. They also underline the thin line that separates a three-touchdown masterpiece and a two-fumble upset defeat.
The Akron game was an excellent overall performance for Bortles: 18-of-24 for 314 yards and three touchdowns, with three of the incompletions dropped. Bortles had a similar game against UConn: 20-of-24, 286 yards, four touchdowns, two highly catchable balls dropped to account for half the incompletions. The Temple game was also superlative: 27-of-38, 404 yards, four touchdowns in a come-from-behind 39-36 shootout.
You may have noticed the opponents on those three games were Akron, UConn and Temple, three mid-majors with a combined 10-26 record in 2013. Eleven of Bortles' 25 passing touchdowns last year came in those three games. Bortles and his receivers (including Perriman, son of a successful NFL receiver, and Worton, Jeff Godfrey, and Rannell Hall) were obviously the best athletes on the field. Bortles was essentially playing catch. That does not negate his accomplishments, but we are splitting a fine hair between "solid prospect" and "keys to the franchise," so we need to be cautious about things that happen at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday afternoons.
Bortles played well against some more challenging opposition. His Penn State game was a gem: 20-27-288-3-1, with lots of on-target throws downfield and a few Houdini acts in the pocket. Other games against top opponents were more hit-and-miss. He did a lot of things right while executing a Hide-From-Clowney game plan against South Carolina, even running away from the first-round pick a few times, but his decision-making and accuracy waned under constant pressure. South Florida also had Bortles running for his life (and his top receivers covered for much of the game). He redeemed himself from a day of interceptions and strip sacks with a pump-and-go game-winning touchdown to Perriman in the final minutes.
The Fiesta Bowl was Bortles in microcosm. He threw two sloppy interceptions early -- an ill-advised bomb and a blown-up screen -- and did most of his best work before halftime running options. Then came a sudden barrage of screen-and-run touchdowns, pass interference penalties, a Bortles rushing touchdown and, yes, several fine throws, and suddenly UCF was beating the tar out of Baylor. The game looks better on the stat sheet (20-31-307-3-2, with 8-93-1 rushing) than on the field, though it did not look all that bad on the field.
Before digging deep into scouting nuts and bolts, a superficial look at the game film shows that the Bortles who effortlessly flings four touchdowns per game against the Zips and Owls disappears when the opposing pass rush and coverage improves. But the Bortles that appears against good competition is impressive in his own right: He makes plays on the move, has the arm to threaten the whole field and shows some resilience. It all puts us back to square one: Bortles shows he is a potential NFL starter against Penn State, South Carolina and Baylor. But we have to look very hard to see something more.
The Deconstructed Bortles
Let's put the scout visor on, prepare the jargon-to-English translator, rewind the film and take a more technical approach to Blake Bortles.
The Arm: It's good. It is not Matthew Stafford or Johnny Manziel caliber, but Bortles has a deep ball and a fastball. He has an impressive pass inventory, and some of the throws he has trouble with can be easily adjusted. What is most impressive about Bortles' arm, what may be the key to his ever-rising draft status, is that it often operates without the help of the rest of his body. I'll explain that in a moment.
The Wheels: Bortles is fast and has some niftiness. He ran a lot of options -- not just read-options, but plays with a pitch man -- and he combines pure speed with the ability to use head and ball fakes in the open field. Bortles caught a short pass on a throwback play against Mizzou in 2012, and he easily outran most of the Tigers linebackers and safeties up the sideline.
The Eyes and Mind: UCF runs a kitchen sink offense: options, spread concepts, single-back rollout stuff, old-school West Coast basics. Bortles clearly availed himself well. He locks onto his primary receiver too often, but the same can be said about every collegiate quarterback of the last decade except Andrew Luck. Bortles showed plenty of second-read and checkdown capability. Coaches praise him, and he has a firm-handshake personality. I leave it to other draft analysts to dig deeper than that into quarterbacks' souls.
The Mechanics: Yuck. Bortles has several mechanical issues.
First, he does not consistently step into throws. He often throws with his weight on his back foot, or simply stands flat-footed. Sometimes, up-the-middle pressure is the issue, but more often it appears that Bortles is just used to getting the ball where he wants it to go by twisting his torso and flicking his shoulders. When he strides properly, he throws bullets. When he flings the ball, he throws passes you can complete against Temple that will kill you against tan NFL defense.
Bortles' strange footwork issue can be seen when he throws the short (8-10 yard) out route, a common play in the Knights playbook. He plants his left leg too far toward the sideline, then torques his shoulders while throwing; he often looks like he is falling sideways at the end of the delivery. All the angular motion often causes the ball to arrive low and away from the receiver.
Screens and other quick passes too often become adventures for Bortles. He has a lackadaisical delivery when he knows the ball does not have to travel far. His feet go every which way, and his motion becomes long and leisurely. Bortles' screens arrive too late, too hard, too soft or at some odd angle, which is why he threw screen picks against South Florida and Baylor and sometimes forced receivers to work for what should have been easy catches.
Throwing on the run: Bortles is great when throwing on the move when scrambling or rolling out. That figures: He is used to throwing accurately with imperfect footwork and balance, so firing the football across his body while falling out of bounds feels natural. Bortles has good downfield awareness when running and can roll to either his left or right.
Odds and Ends: Bortles tries to wheel and scramble to his left often. He is fast enough to do it in the American Athletic Conference, but he is not Randall Cunningham, and that move will result in a 12-yard sack in the NFL.
Ball security in the pocket is a minor issue, as Bortles gets stripped easily and sometimes just loses the football on his own. Bortles is very willing to stand in the pocket and deliver the football before the hit comes, which is a mixed blessing. He won't wilt under a pass rush, but he may also take too many hits, and his tendency to not step into throws is exacerbated by all the passing he does with defenders in his face.
The Bortles Verdict
Sometimes, he looks like Big Ben Bortlesberger. Other times, he's Blaine Bortlebert. There is a wide gap between Ben Roethlisberger and Blaine Gabbert now, but there was not when each left college as big, athletic dudes who threw hard. The difference between champion and embarrassment is as much about nurture as nature, circumstance as skill.
Scouts and coaches watch Bortles film and see beautiful 30-yard downfield strikes in bunches, followed by hinky screen and flat passes and harder-than-they-should-be eight-yarders along the sidelines. The coaches reason that they can fix the short stuff by tightening the screws on Bortles' feet. With a little tinkering, Bortles becomes a great downfield passer who can run and distribute the ball. He has the two tools that cannot be coached, so why not coach the third one into him?
The reasoning is sound, until you look at the teams at the top of the draft board. Do you trust Brian Schottenheimer to develop a quarterback? The Browns? The Jaguars or Raiders? The Texans have the infrastructure to do it, but they also have Manziel and Clowney staring them in the face. Unless they select Bortles, he will be left to the mercy of teams with a history of destroying more quarterbacks than they repair. Bortles in Schottenheimer's micro-passing offense would be a disaster. (Manziel, smaller but faster/stronger armed/more daring, can do more with less, sooner.) The Jaguars and Raiders will need him sooner than he will be ready and are short on blockers, rushers and receivers. Bortles, Josh Gordon and Kyle Shanahan make sense in Cleveland until the moment in January when everyone gets fired and the next coach wants his own guy.
That's the double-edged sword of being a top-five quarterback: You are probably going into a terrible situation. Unless you are Luck or Robert Griffin, the situation is more likely to hurt you than you are to help it, and even Griffin-level talents are not immune. Bortles is not Luck or Griffin, nor Gabbert or Roethlisberger. He is more like Ryan Tannehill. He needs time and tinkering. Four of the five teams picking atop the first round are unlikely to give him what he needs.
Blake Bortles is a potential NFL starter and possible future NFL star. But he is a likely top-five pick because there are five teams that need quarterbacks at the top of the draft board. Bortles is just gifted enough to be a success story but just flawed enough to become more kindling in some franchise's bonfire of disappointment. In a draft class that features the mercurial Manziel and vexing Clowney, the big-strong-bright-fast kid is somehow the biggest risk on the board. Though if Bortles slides just a bit, the risks diminish, and the rewards become great.


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City Charter Revision
The City has placed on the ballot proposed revisions to the City Charter which would give the City the ability to issue checks to pay for City expenses. The City Charter currently requires the City to use warrants only.
By issuing checks, the City could use banking products that add additional safeguards for City funds. The City has controls in place to prevent warrant fraud, but issuing checks instead gives the City tools to catch potential fraud or alterations sooner. This prevents loss to the City and decreases the time it would take City staff to retrieve funds from a fraudulent warrant.
Because warrants are drawn on the City and not on a bank, the City bears the majority of the liability. Checks drawn on a bank account have shared liability.
Two banks which do business with the City of Lincoln wrote letters supporting the City Charter revisions. One wrote: "The bottom line to consider is that banks are better equipped with the latest technology and tools to helps its customers prevent fraud on their accounts and to perform daily tasks in a more efficient and cost-effective manner through the check clearing process."
Other proposed revisions change outdated language in the City Charter. The sections proposed for revision are in Article IX, Finance and Taxation: 19, 28, 30, 31 and 35.


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On Friday morning, a 13-year-old named Adzo Kpossi from Togo competed in the 50m freestlye. Who are the other young athletes in the London Games? We've put together a photo gallery highlighting a few of those unbelievably young and incredibly talented Olympians—and Kpossi wins the medal for being the youngest.
Meet Adzo Kpossi. This beautiful girl with a smile that stretches wide across her face is from Togo, a skinny little West African country of about 6 million people.
This morning Kpossi dove into a pool of cold water and competed in the first heat of the first round of the women's 50m freestyle in the London Olympics.
Kpossi came in second in her three-person heat, beating Masempe Theko from Lesotho but not catching Nafissatou Moussa Adamou, a 14-year-old from Niger. In the end, Kpossi ended up coming in 72nd in a field of 73 swimmers, but her performance was still notable. She beat her personal best time—and she's getting a lot of attention as the youngest athlete in the London Olympic Games. Kpossi is 13 years old.
After her race, Kpossi stopped to talk to the press. Andy Bull at the London Guardian reports on Kpossi's race and offers a taste of a young Olympian's personality:
Was [Kpossi] excited just to be here? "No, no, no" she said, stamping her foot. "I am used to it. I went to the world championships in Shanghai last year, so this wasn't my first time swimming in a big pool."
It was almost a little diva-ish, until you remembered that even a 13-year-old can spot the press's attempts to patronise them. Yes, she said, she trains at the one pool in her part of the country, at the Hotel Mercure in Sarakawa. No, we didn't need to sympathise with her, because it is really quite a nice place to practise. And with that, she broke into giggles and scampered off down the corridor, arm-in-arm with her 19-year-old friend and fellow swimmer, Assita Touré from the Ivory Coast.
The world has long been struck by young Olympians. We often wonder how can a 13 or 14 or 15 year old be so strong, talented and poised? It's one thing to swim in the Olympics. It's another thing to compete at age 15 as Michael Phelps did in 2000 in Sydney. At the time he was the "youngest American male swimmer at an Olympic Games in 68 years." He didn't get a medal that year but he has since gone on to win so many that you have to wonder what he ever does with all those medals.
Greek gymnast Dimitrios Loundras is thought to be the youngest Olympian ever. At age 10 he competed in the team parallel bars event, according to Wikipedia. He even went home with a bronze medal.
Today a 10-year-old gymnast could never compete. While there aren't any overall age requirements for the Olympics, certain sports have specific rules. For example the International Gymnastics Federation "requires that gymnasts turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible." But not everyone follows the rules and age falsification has been a problem since the 1980s, according to the London Guardian. The Chinese gymnastics team famously (and scandalously) lost a bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Games because it lied about the age of one of its team members.
In swimming there are no age requirements and Adzo Kpossi, who might be shockingly young, is perfectly legit (and fit). She placed 72nd today, but we can only look forward to her performances in years to come. In four years she could be a gold medalist.


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Subscribe To Will Smith Could Return For An I Am Legend Sequel Updates
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Watching the end of I Am Legend you question the possibility of a sequel. After all, the film ends with Will Smith, the movie's biggest star, blowing himself up with a bunch of zombie/vampires while the two supporting characters, played by Alice Braga and Charlie Tahan, survive and make it to the survivor's colony. Apparently that ending isn't stopping Warner Bros. from moving forward with a sequel, though.
Deadline reports that the studio has just closed a deal with Akiva Goldsman and Smith's Overbrook Entertainment to develop a sequel to the 2007 blockbuster. What's most surprising about the news is that the project is not being called a sequel, yet it's still expected that Smith will return as Robert Neville is the next movie. Arash Amel, who scripted the upcoming Aaron Eckhart vehicle The Expatriate, has been hired to write the sequel. Amel also wrote Grace of Monaco, the biopic about actress/princess Grace Kelly. It should be noted that even though his company is attached, Smith has not yet signed on to the project, as he is waiting to see a script before making a commitment. There is no word on whether or not director Francis Lawrence will return either.
When I Am Legendcame out in late 2007 it was a smash hit, bringing in nearly $600 million internationally on a $150 million budget. While I wasn't a huge fan of the first film, I am honestly curious as to how they would be bring back Smith as the star. Could this be the first time that we see the Fresh Prince play a member of the undead?


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Texas primaries: 5 things to watch
The 2014 primary season begins with a bang Tuesday in Texas, where there's no shortage of drama.
Two much-ballyhooed tea party insurgents are watching their bids to unseat powerful Republican incumbents go down in flames. The oldest member ever to serve in the House is facing the very real possibility of losing the seat he's held since 1981 to an opponent who's about half his age. And a freshman House Democrat could fall to a wealthy challenger who's dropping big bucks.
Story Continued Below
Tuesday won't necessarily be the end of the primary road for Texas candidates. Under state election rules, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will head to a May 27 runoff.
( Also on POLITICO: Texas tea party struggling)
Here is POLITICO's look at the five things to watch in the Texas primaries:
1. The Stockman disaster
To say GOP Rep. Steve Stockman's bid to oust Sen. John Cornyn has been a debacle would be putting it mildly. Since launching his campaign in December, Stockman's received a wave of negative press attention. He's been hammered over everything from holding few campaign events to abruptly leaving the country for an overseas trip. Then there was the emergence of a 1977 mugshot from a Stockman arrest for drug possession. (Stockman's campaign has denied that the arrest took place.)
( Full Texas primary election results)
Tea party activists aren't fans of Cornyn – they've hammered him for supporting the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the debt ceiling increase. And, as the former chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, he took plenty of heat for recruiting candidates conservatives perceived as too moderate. But the tea party crowd has distanced itself from Stockman. In a recent letter, one coalition of tea party leaders told Stockman: "As your campaign rolled into 2014, Texans have witnessed what might be the laziest statewide campaign to date. … We are looking for a bold, courageous leader with integrity — a leader who will make himself available to the people. Your actions have disqualified you."
( Also on POLITICO: Race for Stockman seat messy)
Stockman is one of more than a half-dozen Republicans looking to knock off Cornyn, the Senate minority whip, yet none have gained traction. Some tea party activists are supporting Dwayne Stovall, a bridge construction contractor. But Stovall's raised just $62,000, about 1/200th of the $12.7 million Cornyn's brought in.
2. Weak tea
Stockman's not the only conservative hopeful biting the dust. Katrina Pierson, a Dallas tea party leader, has seen her Republican primary campaign against Rep. Pete Sessions falter.
Pierson's received the support of FreedomWorks, a D.C.-based tea party group, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. But she's had a hard time raising cash — she's taken in just 1/10th of what the incumbent has, raising $144,000 to Sessions's $1.4 million. That's made it hard for Pierson to promote herself in a Dallas media market where running TV ads is a pricey proposition.
Sessions, the House Rules Committee chairman and a former National Republican Congressional Committee head, has used his fundraising connections to stuff his bank account. He's using his dollars to air TV ads highlighting his role in helping to lead the GOP's 2010 House takeover.
( PHOTOS: 10 must-watch House races in 2014)
Pierson's run into other problems. It was recently revealed that she was arrested in 1997 for shoplifting. (Pierson has called the incident a mistake and has said a friend talked her into doing it.) And last week, Joe Arpaio, a controversial Arizona sheriff who has drawn headlines for his hard-line immigration views, rescinded his endorsement of Pierson, saying that she misled him about Sessions's position on border security. Arpaio's now backing Sessions.


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Vice President Joe Biden stole the show while getting the chance to meet and greet Senators and their families at the Senate's mock swearing-in ceremony on Thursday.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Biden joked with new Senators and their mothers, prepared a female Senator by telling her she would be "frisked," and offered some workout advice.
Here are Biden's best interactions:
- In an awkward moment, Biden told new Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota that she was "gonna be frisked."
- Biden explained his sister to Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly's family. "Every time anyone meets my sister they turn and ask what it's like having Joe as a brother. You know what her comment is? For real: 'It's been very difficult raising an older brother.'"
- Biden interacted with new Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and his toddler-age daughter. He asked if he could pick her up, and she then began crying. "It's a Democrat, I know! but it's okay!" Biden joked.
- Biden offered help to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on his workout routine. "This guy looks like he still plays for South Carolina. Gamecocks! Need any help on your pecs, man, give me a call," Biden said.
CBS produced a montage of Biden's best moments:


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Description of Courses
All PLST courses carry two credit hours unless noted otherwise.
PLST 331 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. This course provides an introduction to the function and sources of American law (including the U.S. Constitution), the American legal system, and legal practice, focusing on the role of the paralegal. Recent developments, especially in regard to regulatory proposals affecting paralegals, are emphasized. The course also examines paralegal career issues and provides an overview of the civil litigation process.
PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing I. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of legal research and focuses on locating, analyzing and updating case law. Students practice using various reference books in the law library as well as the online services (LEXIS and WESTLAW).
PLST 333 Legal Research & Writing II. This course continues to explore the variety of legal reference sources. It focuses on locating, analyzing and updating statutory and administrative law. Students practice using various reference books in the law library as well as the online services (LEXIS and WESTLAW). This course also covers basic practices in legal correspondence.
PLST 334 Legal Research & Writing III. This course reviews legal research techniques and focuses on the development of basic research strategy. Students practice analyzing legal authority in case law and statutes and learn how to develop a legal argument. One or more research memoranda are assigned; outlines and rewrites are required. Prerequisites: PLSt 332 Legal Research & Writing I and PLST 333 Legal Research & Writing II.
PLST 335 Legal Ethics. This course focuses on the ethical considerations in the practice of law that paralegals are likely to encounter, especially the unauthorized practice of law, client confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Attorney and paralegal ethical codes are examined. Prerequisite: PLST 331 Introduction to Paralegal Studies.
PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals. This course introduces the principles of agency law and the six basic forms of business organizations: sole proprietorships, partnerships (general, registered limited liability and limited), limited liability companies and corporations. This course also covers the fundamentals of contract law, specifically contractual elements (contractual capacity, offer and acceptance, consideration, legality, and contractual intent) and standard contractual provisions.
PLST 339 Secured Transactions & Bankruptcy. This course covers Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 (Secured Transactions) and federal bankruptcy law, primarily as it applies to businesses. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals or PLST 362 Business Organizations.
PLST 340 Civil Litigation I. This course introduces the civil litigation process in state (Illinois) and federal courts, and proceedings in administrative agencies generally. It focuses on the initial phases of that process. Students will learn to conduct client interviews and pre-litigation investigations, and to draft the pleadings initiating lawsuits and proceedings through pre-trial motion practice.
PLST 341 Civil Litigation II. This course continues the study of the litigation process with the discovery, trial, and post-trial stages. Discovery topics include interrogatories, depositions, document production (including e-discovery) and inspection requests, physical and mental examinations, and requests for admission. Other topics include evidentiary issues, settlement negotiations, organization of case files, document control systems, trial preparation, trial procedure, and post-trial proceedings. Overviews of administrative hearings and alternative dispute resolution are also presented. Prerequisite: PLST 340 Civil Litigation I.
PLST 342 Civil Litigation III. This course develops practical skills through hands-on instruction in software programs (e.g., Concordance) commonly used for litigation support, including electronic filing, e-discovery, case management, document control, and trial presentation. Students will be able to assist attorneys in preparing for and conducting trials. Prerequisites: PLST 340 Civil Litigation I and PLST 341 Civil Litigation II.
PLST 343 Real Estate Transactions I. This course introduces the concepts of real estate ownership and real estate sales transactions. Special emphasis is given to the preparation of documents required for real estate transactions: purchase/sale agreements, deeds and other closing documents, title insurance commitments and policies, and surveys. Pre- or co-requisite: PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals or PLST 362 Business Organizations.
PLST 344 Real Estate Transactions II. This course continues the study of real estate transactions, examining issues that arise in all real estate transactions and especially the documentation and closing of these transactions. Commercial real estate leasing is also covered. Prerequisites: PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals or PLST 362 Business Organizations, and PLST 343 Real Estate Transactions I.
PLST 345 Law Office Computer Applications. This course develops practical skills through hands-on instruction in software programs commonly used in law offices: word processing (templates, redlining, tables), spreadsheets (financial data, charts and graphs), pdf management (creating and combining .pdfs, creating a portfolio, redacting, adding security) and presentation graphics.
PLST 346 Advanced Litigation Computer Applications. This course provides additional instruction in online resources and software programs (e.g., Concordance) used for litigation support. Prerequisites: PLST 342 Civil Litigation III and PLST 345 Law Office Computer Applications
PLST 348 Advanced Online Research Skills. This course focuses on advanced online research strategies for paralegals and specifically develops skills in the efficient use of electronic resources and the evaluation of sources. Prerequisite: PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing I or PLST 333 Legal Research & Writing II
PLST 349 Torts. This course introduces civil tort liability, including the intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and product liability. The course focuses on the role of the paralegal in personal injury litigation. Students learn client interviewing techniques and practice these skills. Basic factual investigation is also covered.
PLST 350 Medical Malpractice. This course focuses specifically on negligence lawsuits brought against health care organizations and health care professionals, from both the plaintiff's and defendant's viewpoints. The emphasis is on Illinois law and rules of procedure and on practical skills for locating and organizing medical information.
PLST 351 Intellectual Property: Patents & Trade Secrets. This course introduces the terminology, basic principles and documentation requirements of patent protection. Students examine the subject matter of patents, the concept of patentability, the patent application process and patent infringement litigation. Trade secret misappropriation is also considered.
PLST 352 Intellectual Property: Trademarks & Copyrights. This course introduces the terminology, basic principles and documentation requirements of trademark and copyright protection. Registration procedures and infringement disputes also are covered.
PLST 353 Securities Regulation. This course deals with the federal and state regulation of securities transactions. Students learn how the stock market works and the roles of brokers, specialists and underwriters. The course focuses on the requirements for public offerings of stock, notably the registration statement and prospectus, as well as the anti-fraud provisions. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals or PLST 362 Business Organizations.
PLST 355 Estates, Trusts & Wills. This course introduces basic principles of estate and trust administration. The emphasis is on the practical aspects of administration of estates and trusts for the paralegal. Probate proceedings in Illinois will be covered, including the preparation of probate court pleadings, inventories, collection and valuation of assets, distribution of assets to beneficiaries, and accountings. An overview of tax considerations will be provided. If time allows, guardianships for disabled adults will be discussed.
PLST 357 Family Law. This course deals with the laws governing family relationships, specifically the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and related statutes. It focuses on such practical aspects as investigation, preparation of pleadings and other documents, court procedures, settlement agreements, and post-decree modifications. A brief overview of adoption and paternity proceedings is also presented.
PLST 358 Criminal Law & Litigation. This course examines the purpose and scope of substantive criminal law, considering such topics as the elements of various crimes against persons and property, criminal liability and punishment, and defenses to crimes. Procedural topics are also emphasized, including the preparation of court forms and pleadings commonly used in the criminal trial process. Illinois law is used to illustrate these topics.
PLST 359 Environmental Law. This course surveys several major federal environmental statutes regulating water quality, waste management and remediation of hazardous substances (Superfund). The focus is on issues leading to enforcement proceedings. Research strategies for this technical area also are addressed.
PLST 360 Employment Law. This course provides an overview of the legal relationship between employers and employees, including the employment-at-will doctrine, employment contracts, federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and worker's compensation proceedings. Administrative procedures as well as court actions are studied.
PLST 361 Immigration Law. This course provides an overview of U.S. immigration law with an emphasis on the paralegal's role. It examines the legal framework of immigration law, the history of immigration law in the United States, and current policy considerations. Topics include preparation of visa applications, the admission and removal of immigrants and non-immigrants, citizenship and naturalization, and humanitarian relief. The course focuses on document organization and preparation, working with clients, litigation assistance, legal research, and handling ethical dilemmas.
PLST 362 Business Organizations. This course focuses on the formation and operation of sole proprietorships, partnerships (general, limited, and limited liability), limited liability companies, and corporations. Preparation of standard forms and agreements will be emphasized. Due diligence procedures for mergers and acquisitions and other transactions will be covered.
PLST 363 Contract Administration & Analysis. This course focuses on both common-law and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 2 contracts. The elements of a valid contract will be studied, as well as standard contractual provisions and basic principles of contract interpretation. Students will work with several sample contracts (e.g., a confidentiality/nondisclosure agreement, a licensing agreement, and a general trade agreement).
PLST 366 Litigation & Investigation for Corporate Paralegals. This course introduces the civil litigation process in state (Illinois) and federal courts, from the initial phases of pre-litigation investigations and pleadings through the discovery, trial, and post-trial phases. Technological innovations affecting civil litigation, such as electronic court filing and e-discovery procedures, will be given special emphasis.
PLST 368 Corporate Compliance Topics. This course provides an overview of various regulatory provisions applicable to the financial services industry, including the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Business Continuity Plans (BCP) rules, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and insider trading prohibitions. Compliance with the requirements of these laws will be the focus of the course. Students will learn practices and procedures to monitor and document compliance with these laws. Pre-requisite: PLST 362 Business Organizations or PLST 336 Corporate Topics for Litigation Paralegals
PLST 369 Advanced Topics in American Law (3 credit hours). This course will build on students' knowledge of the American legal system, examining the role of law in 21st century American society. The course will focus on the interpretation of selected portions of the U.S. Constitution and their effect on American life. This course is restricted to students pursuing the B.A. in Paralegal Studies.
PLST 370 Advanced Legal Analysis & Writing I (3 credit hours). This course will provide students with extensive practice in reading and summarizing case law, with particular attention to the rationale for court decisions and the use of precedent, as well as statutory and administrative law. This course will focus on analysis rather than retrieval of legal reference sources. This course is restricted to students pursuing the B.A. in Paralegal Studies.
PLST 371 Advanced Legal Analysis & Writing II (3 credit hours). This course will focus on the interaction of case law, statutory law, and administrative law in resolving legal issues. Students will learn to develop legal arguments and write a legal memorandum. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PLST 370 Advanced Legal Analysis & Writing I. This course is restricted to students pursuing the B.A. in Paralegal Studies.
PLST 398 Internship. This course provides practical experience (120 hours on site) for advanced students in applying paralegal skills within selected law firms, corporate law departments and governmental agencies. Students keep a journal, participate in online discussions with other student interns, and write a report evaluating their experience. Prerequisite: Consent of Director and completion of 12-14 semester hours of study. Internships are generally completed in a student's last or second-last term of study. All institute internships are unpaid and only one internship may be completed for credit toward a certificate.
Apply now or visit us for an Open House at our Water Tower campus in downtown Chicago to learn more about our paralegal courses.


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With a name deserviing of fine sports cars, Sprint is entering the LG Viper smartphone into their world of 4G. It is not only designed to be a forerunner, but a "green" friendly smartphone as well. The handset is a regular good looking piece of mobile craftsmanship with the traditional "slab" design dominated by the display.
This year seems to be the year that 4G takes over and Sprint is on top of things with their LG Viper. This smartphone is not going to win awards for the most powerful or the best looking, but it will do for most users. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is going to be released alongside this smartphone. The basics are all here with the Viper. It is sporting a dual core processor and a camera with fundamental features. There is no manual keyboard included for the Viper, so all typing and messaging is going to be done with the virtual keyboard.
As new as the LG Viper is, and as old as Android 2.3 is, a person could easily think that the Viper would come with the latest version of the Google mobile operating system. Not so. Gingerbread is still what is going to come loaded on this handset. Look for the Ice Cream Sandwich perhaps in the near future for this LTE smartphone. The smart user will be getting a smartphone with the "Lookout Mobile Security" app installed. Android is famous for its frequent malware attacks that can steal a user's personal information. Sprint has already made it public that they are not going to be installing the "Carrier IQ" rootkit into Android smartphones anymore. The 2.3 version of Android is able to handle NFC ( Near Field Communication ) payments, and the LG Viper has the needed RFID chip installed to use this feature.
Taking a look at the display of the LG Viper, we find typical specifications. The clarity is rated at 233 pixels per inch ( PPI ), which is no where near an iPhone's 326 PPI. The smartphone has four inches of digital real estate to play around with. Since there is no manual keyboard, power texters will need all the space they can get. The display is crafted of LCD not the newer AMOLED material, so watching the battery meter will be the order of the day.
The exact internal memory space is not yet declared for the LG Viper, but it does have a flash card slot for up to 32 gigabytes of data. The dual core processor is cranking up the speed to 1.2 gigahertz. Wireless connectivity does not include Wi-Fi direct, but the smartphone can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Usually a smartphone with Wi-Fi hotspot can feed up to five or so other devices with internet access. Of course, the new 4G capability will come with the LTE radio and should give much better upload and download speeds over the former 3G networks.
The rear camera is a five megapixel picture Snapper and a front camera is included for video chats. Auto focus and geotagging are some of the features of the LG Viper's rear camera. Expect this to come out with recycled materials and in one color; black. It goes up for preorder on April 12 and should be light on the wallet as well.


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Wendy Gilmartin
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Why Selling Now Makes Sense
Daily Real Estate News | April 16, 2008
Home owners who are reluctant to sell because prices have fallen, should do the math, and realize that the market downturn could work in their favor, say practitioners in hard-hit, but still pricey Boston.
Their reasoning may work in many other parts of the country as well.
"People are finding houses at prices they thought they'd never see again," says David W. O'Neil of Century 21 Spindler & O'Neil Associates in suburban Boston.
O'Neil points out to potential sellers that if the house a buyer covets used to be $500,000 but its price has fallen 20 percent to $400,000, it is a deal, even if the buyer's own home also has lost 20 percent of its value.
In general, the toughest sell is people who bought about four years ago at the height of the market, says Zur Attias of The Attias Group at Barrett & Co. in Concord, Mass. But even for these home owners, selling now may make sense as long as they can at least break even.
He argues that almost everyone forgoes something, and probably several things, that he or she wanted when buying a house. For instance, the home may be in the right school district, but on a busy street. Or it may in a great neighborhood, but it's a Cape, not a Colonial. These are things Attias calls "unchangeables."
He says it's a good time to sell if a seller can get rid of the most negative unchangeables in his current home, and replace them with better unchangeables in a new home. Once the market really turns around, the growth will be bigger in the better house, he predicts.


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The 4-hectare Temple Square complex in downtown Salt Lake City is property of the Mormon Church. This is the most popular attraction in the state of Utah, drawing millions of visitors a year. The most impressive buildings are the Salt Lake Temple, the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the cathedral-like Salt Lake Assembly Hall. There are tours in 40 different languages.
Temple Square was founded in 1847 by Mormon pioneers who settled in the Salt Lake Valley. This would later become the church's headquarters. Today, concerts are often held on the square. Around Christmas in particular, thousands of visitors flock here to watch the lights. Outside the Assembly Hall stands the Seagull Monument. According to legend, these birds prevented the pioneers' first harvest from being devoured by a plague of locusts in 1848.
Construction of the Salt Lake Temple took 4 decades. It took this long because construction was interrupted by the Utah War from 1857 to 1858, and the builders used a very specific stone. The stones were extracted from a location 30 kilometres away and moved to the construction site by ox cart. But builders certainly didn't skimp on materials; in some areas the walls are almost 3-metres thick. Since its completion, the temple is the largest and holiest structure of the Mormon Church.
The Tabernacle on Temple Square is a large hall used for various religious celebrations. It owes its unique shape to Brigham Young who was the first governor of Utah and also president of the Mormon Church from 1847 until his death in 1877. He commissioned the building in the shape of a vertical cross-section of an eggshell. There are no pillars to obstruct the view. Inside, an enormous organ with 11,623 pipes steals the scene.
Salt Lake Assembly Hall was built to allow several congregations to attend mass together. The building resembles a neo-gothic cathedral, a popular architectural style at the end of the 19th century. Inside it has much more modern look. The cross-shaped structure is complemented by Stars of David that hang over the entrances. These reflect the belief that the Mormons are a modern confluence of the 12 tribes of Israel.


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|Frequently Asked Questions
We answer e-mails almost every day, and answer many questions time and time again. Please see most of the common questions that we answer in the faq. If your question is not answered here, please contact us!
Juicer Information
I want to juice strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and tomatoes. . I need advice on the Greenlife or Champion or Omega 8001.
I would like to juice oranges and carrots daily. Can you recommend one juicer for this or should I get 2 seperate juicers?
Assuming I want to start with one 16-ounce glass of juice a day, how much will the fruits/veg cost on a weekly basis?
Do any of your juicers juice sugar cane?
Is the Omega 1000 or 4000 a better machine in your opinion?
Which juicer would be best to make frozen banana ice cream?
Can your juicers be used to grind nuts into butters?
When I juice some fruits and vegetables, how long before it starts to lose its potency in my fridge?
HELP! I stained one of my favorite shirts with carrot juice, can you suggest a way to get it out?
How do I remove the stains from my juicer?
From my observation of juicers that friends have is the problem of frothing of the juice. Does any juicer deliver a juice that does not have this problem?
What appliances (perhaps more than one at a time) you would choose to make the highest nutritional quality juice (all types -- vegetable, fruit, wheat grass and citrus) if money and space were no object. I am interested in a lifestyle change, and am leaning toward purchasing the Green Life or Green Power juicers. However, I want to know if purchasing separate juicers for vegetables, fruits, citrus and wheat grass would yield more juice or higher quality juice.
Is it safe to wash the parts of my juicer in the top rack of my dishwasher?
I have noiticed some of your juicers include "brushes" to clean the juicer. Do I need a special brush to clean the other juicers?
Could you recommend any books with juice recipes? I'm a new juicer and could use some help.
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How do I make almond butter? If the green life makes almond powder out of almonds, what if I soak the almonds first?
Is it more time consuming to make juice and clean the non-extracting juicer than the self-extracting models?
How long can you store or refrigerate juice before it loses its 'potency'. Enzymes or whatever it has that makes it functional?
Please tell me what is the best juicer for my situation. I need something that is easy to use and even easier to use.
What is the comparison between the juicer models as to the noise level while they are in use for normal juicing?
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If you are investing in stock, or if you buy stocks, trade stock, or are into stock investing, read this section to improve your stock trading skills.
Buying and selling stocks involve risk. If you buy stocks, sell stocks or trade stocks, you should incorporate risk management into your trading plan. Here is one method to manage risk involved in trading stocks.
Tip. The crucial element in risk management is knowing when to exit a trade that is going against your position. we believes that this should be planned prior to entering the trade. None of us are perfect traders, and we do make mistakes. We either buy or sell the wrong stock or our timing on the stock is not correct. Trading many times is a humbling experience. So at some point, you have to swallow your pride, and cut your losses. We believe that an unemotional but an objective way will be beneficial in the longterm.
askStockGuru.com provides a reasonable approach to this question: when to cut your losses. We believe that the amount of money that one should risk on a particular stock depends on the volatility of the stock. If you risk too little on a trade, you may lose the opportunity. For example, BIDU, a Chinese Internet company, is very volatile, as well as rewarding to many traders. If you risked 3% by setting a stop order or by exiting the trade, you would most likely exit the trade too quickly. Basically, because the stock is volatile, you need to risk more then 3% when trading BIDU.
Similarly, a trader should not risk more than what is required on a trade. For example, risking 20% on GE trade does not make sense. Bidu and GE have different volatility profile.
askStockGuru.com risk management numbers intend to provide a balance. We incorporate the volatility profile of a stock, and crunch the numbers based on past behavior of the stock to come up with a reasonable estimate of how much you should risk on a trade. There is a no method to calculate the optimal amount. However, we believe that a reasonable approach over a long term will pay off.
Based on the volatility of a particular stock, we provide a range. For example, you bought a stock at $100.00, the risk management section suggest you risk between 3% and 7% on a stock. In such a case, you may hold on to the stock until it reaches $97 to $93. This is based on the thought that 3% to 7% is a normal fluctuation of prices in that particular stock. However, we suggest that if it falls below 7%, you should seriously reevaluate the assumptions you made when entering the trade.
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Take Down in "Wanted", Episode 17 of Season 4
Pictured (L-R): Erik Palladino (Vostanik Sobatino), LL COOL J (Special Agent Sam Hanna), Aunjanue Ellis (Michelle Hanna/Quinn) and Chris O'Donnell (Special Agent G. Callen). Sam fears for his family's safety when his wife is called to resume a former CIA cover after a case suggests ties to the infamous Sidorov and his stolen nukes, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, March 5 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Series regular Chris O'Donnell directed the episode. Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2013 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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A long-time friend of Amy "Dolly" Everett, who took her own life after months of bullying, is urging anyone who may be struggling to reach out and seek help.
The death of the 14-year-old, who was the face of Akubra hats, has drawn attention to cyber-bullying, with many mourners urging that more support is needed.
"I just think that it's important now that they speak up, speak up even if your voice shakes, as Dolly would say," Taniesha Southeron told TODAY this morning.
"Out of all the sadness that the loss of our daughter has brought to our lives, we feel that through losing Dolly we would like to help other families by making an awareness of bullying and harassment that some people are sadly subject to.
"Before Dolly died, she completed a drawing and wrote the words, 'stand up, speak even if your voice shakes'. This powerful message tells the dark, scary place our beautiful angel had travelled to.
Dollys parents have taken the extraordinary step of asking their daughters bullies to attend the funeral service today.
"If by some chance the people who thought this was a joke and made themselves feel superior by the constant bullying and harassment see this post, please come to our service and witness the complete devastation you have created," her father Tick wrote on Facebook.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


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Car Deals
Luxury SUV Deals: July 2014
Interested in a new SUV? You might think a luxury model is out of your budget -- but we think you might be surprised to find out it's more accessible than you realize. For proof, check out our list of luxury SUV deals and incentives, which lists some of today's top deals on a few of our favorite new luxury-SUV models.
Cadillac Escalade
The full-size Cadillac Escalade offers V8 power, opulent features, and notoriously bold styling that's sure to draw attention. With a new Escalade on the way for the 2015 model year, shoppers who don't mind a 2014 model can get a good deal on the current Escalade. That's due to a special low-interest offer currently available on the 2014 Escalade: 0 percent financing for up to 60 months. Best of all, that rate is good for all 2014 Escalade models, substantially undercutting Cadillac's best offer on the new 2015 Escalade: 1.9 percent for 36 months.
Find a Cadillac Escalade for sale
Infiniti QX60
The Infiniti QX60, formerly called the JX35, is a 3-row luxury crossover with standard V6 power and a price tag that starts around $43,000 with shipping. In July, shoppers interested in leasing a 2014 QX60 can get a better deal; Infiniti is touting two special lease offers available through the end of the month. The first, for shoppers who want a 2-wheel-drive model, includes payments from $469 per month for 39 months after $3,499 down at lease signing. For drivers who would rather have all-wheel drive, Infiniti is offering the same 39-month term and the same payment with an increase to $3,799 down at lease signing.
Find an Infiniti QX60 for sale
Mercedes-Benz ML350
The Mercedes ML350 is a midsize crossover that slots in the brand's lineup between its popular GLK and GL-Class SUVs. In July, the ML350 offers two excellent deals: one for shoppers looking to lease and another for qualified drivers who would rather finance their next SUV. For qualified-finance shoppers, Mercedes is touting 2.99 percent interest for up to 72 months, which is a rare long term for the automaker. For those who would rather lease, Mercedes is touting payments from $579 per month for 36 months on rear-drive ML350 models after $4,973 down at lease signing. That figure jumps to $599 per month and $5,393 down for those who choose the brand's 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
Find a Mercedes-Benz ML350 for sale
Range Rover Evoque
The compact Range Rover Evoque combines off-road ability and the legendary Range Rover nameplate with affordable pricing and a surprisingly efficient engine. Through the end of July, the Evoque is also offered with two incentives designed to entice shoppers interested in a luxury SUV. For drivers looking to lease, a 5-door Evoque is offered with payments from $429 per month for 36 months after $2,995 down at lease signing. For qualified shoppers who would rather finance, the 2014 Evoque can be had with interest rates as low as 0.9 percent for up to 36 months.
Find a Range Rover Evoque for sale
Volvo XC60
Volvo's compact XC60 crossover is a handsome SUV with a wide variety of standard safety features. Through the end of July, shoppers interested in a 2015 XC60 can take advantage of one of two special offers designed to entice luxury-SUV buyers. The first deal is a lease offer that touts a 39-month term on the 2015 XC60 T6 all-wheel-drive model, with payments starting at $419 per month after $3,499 down at lease signing. For drivers looking to finance or pay with cash, Volvo also has another deal available: Through the end of the month, drivers who buy an XC60 can get up to $1,500 in options allowances, which is similar to a cash-back offer.
What it means to you: Our list of luxury SUV deals proves that some of today's top high-end SUVs are closer to your budget than you may have expected.


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Marc Belcastro, DO: Caring for Miracle Babies
Content Updated: October 23, 2014
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Mike Montgomery's retirement leaves the Cal basketball program at a crossroads.
Actually, maybe it hasn't.
But it should.
The university needs to use this time to soul search and decide what it really wants out of this program. Considering the massive leaps the football program would need to become a contender, Cal should decide to go all-in on men's hoops.
The Bears are not far from being really good. But in the Pac-12, where you have to deal with Arizona, UCLA and Oregon every year, Cal must step up its game. Which means it can't go the same route it went on its past two hires for men's basketball coach — Ben Braun and Montgomery.
Both coaches had their qualities — especially Montgomery, a noted basketball mind. But neither was able to take the program to the top.
A complete overhaul might be in order, to take advantage of a well-connected alumni base. That begins by selecting a coach who can do one thing really well: recruit.
Since 2009, the Bears have landed a total of four players ranked in ESPN's top 100 high school players. Only one of those, Salesian's Jabari Bird, was considered a four-star recruit.
If Cal just lands the lion's share of the Bay Area talent, the Bears would be legit Pac-12 title contenders. But Aaron Gordon, out of San Jose's Archbishop Mitty, chose Arizona. So did onetime Bishop O'Dowd star Brandon Ashley. (Ashley finished his prep career in Nevada at Findlay Prep). At Arizona this season, those two combined to average 23.9 points and 13.8 rebounds (before Ashley was lost for the season with a broken foot) for a team that won 33 games.
Deer Valley's Marcus Lee, who just burst onto the national scene for Kentucky in the Elite Eight, spurned Cal. How good would Cal have been with those three to go with Bird and senior floor general Justin Cobbs?
As it is now, Bishop O'Dowd's Ivan Raab, considered the top high school athlete for the class of 2015, isn't even considering Cal, according to one source in the program. For a program with tons of NBA connections, the chief being Hall of Fame-bound Jason Kidd (who represents an era when Cal was a desirable spot for local talent), not even having a shot at the local star is unacceptable.
If it turns out that some recruits play just one year and go pro, so be it. It doesn't scare off Arizona or UCLA, teams Cal will need to take down to be legit, because perennial success on the floor breeds perennial success in recruiting.
Cal will definitely need someone who can coach. Especially in college basketball, scheme is vital. But that's secondary. The primary need is someone who can keep exceptional high school talent from leaving the area.
Gregg Gottlieb, who runs Cal's recruiting program, has pulled gems from SoCal's well of hoop talent, such as Cobbs and Allen Crabbe. He would be a great complement to a coach who can go into the living rooms of Bay Area kids and convince them to stay local, to come to Cal.
That's the recipe for change, a change from which getting to the NCAA tournament, and maybe winning a game, represents the pinnacle for Cal. The Bears haven't reached the Sweet 16 — that requires two victories — since 1997.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a former Cal star who had a noteworthy NBA career and is currently in the Sacramento Kings front office, told Yahoo! Sports he'd be willing to help take the Bears program to the next level if Cal requested — whether that's coaching or helping land the right coach.
Sean Marks, currently an assistant to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, also is passionate about Cal and would be willing to offer his services if Cal desired.
They are two longtime NBA players with connections who want to be part of taking Cal basketball to a higher level.
On the surface, there is no reason Cal shouldn't be a perennial tournament team knocking on the door of the Sweet 16 with regularity. The location is great. It has an excellent educational reputation. It's in a power conference. The local area produces plenty of talent. The hoops alumni is full of connected people who are passionate about the good ol' days of Cal basketball, back when Harmon Gym was rocking, and want to see that return.
The ingredients are there. But the safe, conservative pick won't cut it, not with this age of college basketball players. The new coach doesn't need to be young and foaming at the mouth with energy. But whomever Cal chooses to run its men's basketball program needs to look forward, not back. It needs to be someone with the credibility and panache to be a magnet for local talents, to engage the hoops alums waiting to be part of something special again, to put the nation on notice.
That is, if Cal actually wants to be good.
Read Marcus Thompson II's blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/Thompson. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ThompsonScribe.


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Tech Researcher Publishes in Nature, Oct. 17, 2001
SOCORRO, N.M., October 17, 2001 -- An international research team, including a researcher from New Mexico Tech, has found evidence in deep-sea sediment cores taken from Antarctica's Ross Sea that the Earth's natural "wobble" may have directly influenced fluctuating global temperatures, as well as variations in ice volumes on the frozen continent, during a period between 34 and 15 million years ago.
A research paper detailing the study, titled "Orbitally induced oscillations in the East Antarctic ice sheet at the Oligocene/Miocene boundary," has been published in the current issue of the prestigious science journal Nature.
New Mexico Tech geochronologist William C. McIntosh played a major role in the study by accurately dating volcanic ash layers in the core samples, using an argon dating method employed at the New Mexico Tech Geochronology Research Laboratory.
McIntosh also serves as a volcanologist with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and as an assistant professor of geochemistry at New Mexico Tech.
In the Nature paper, the geoscientists present sediment data from shallow marine cores drilled over the past 30 years in the western Ross Sea that link the varying thickness of the East Antarctic ice sheet directly to the Earth's orbital cycles, particularly the frequencies of wobble present in the planet's rotation and orbit over the course of tens to hundreds of thousands of years.
"The Antarctic ice sheet records show that ice sheet behavior has been much more responsive to this 'heartbeat' of the Earth's orbit than had been previously thought," McIntosh said.
Between 34 and 15 million years ago, when planetary temperatures were nearly 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) warmer than present averages and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were twice as high as today, the Antarctic ice sheets were less stable than at present, the researchers wrote in their paper.
These findings may have modern-day implications with respect to changes in climate, particularly in regard to mounting concerns about global warming and escalating levels of carbon
dioxide and other "greenhouse" gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
In other studies, scientists have estimated that the amount of freshwater that can be melted out of the Antarctic ice sheets is enough to elevate the Earth's sea level by 200 feet -- a scenario which has played out repeatedly over the eons.
"There have been tremendous variations in the Earth's climate from Ice Age to Ice Age," McIntosh related. "For example, you can go to places in Texas where you can see that sea level was about 21 feet higher just 120 thousand years ago.
"We're currently in an interglacial period," he added, "and, as far as the future is concerned, nobody knows for sure what's going to happen with climate. . . . Although it is likely that
over the next million years, Earth will go in and out of Ice Ages as it has for the last two million years."


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Ring of Barahir
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Revision as of 20:48, 15 August 2010
- "Proud are the words, and all there turned
to see the jewels green that burned
in Beren's ring. These Gnomes had set
as eyes of serpents twined that met
beneath a golden crown of flowers,
that one upholds and one devours:
the badge that Finrod made of yore
and Felagund his son now bore..."
- ― Lay of Leithian, Canto IV, lines 1096-1103
The Ring of Barahir was given to Barahir by the Elven Lord Finrod Felagund, in reward for saving his life in Dagor Bragollach ("The Battle of Sudden Flame"). It was a sign of eternal friendship between Finrod and the House of Barahir. Barahir's hand and ring were taken by Gorgol the Butcher, leader of the Orcs who killed him, but were retrieved by his son Beren when he avenged his father. Beren laid the hand to rest with the rest of his father's body, but kept and wore the Ring of Barahir.
Thus spoke Beren Erchamion in the halls of mighty King Thingol as he held aloft the ring:
- "...and the green jewels gleamed there that the Noldor had devised in Valinor. For this ring was like to twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house."
- ― The Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Lúthien"
Beren later used it as a token when he sought Finrod's help in the quest for the Silmaril.
The ring was passed from Beren in direct line to Dior, then his daughter Elwing and her son Elros, who brought it to Númenor during the Second Age. It was an heirloom of the kings of Númenor until Tar-Elendil gave the ring to his eldest daughter Silmariën, who was not allowed to succeed him on the throne. She in turn gave the ring to her son Valandil, first Lord of Andúnië. It was handed down to succeeding Lords of Andúnië to the last one, Elendil.
In the Third Age the ring was again passed in direct line from Elendil to Isildur to the Kings of Arnor, and then Kings of Arthedain. The last King of Arthedain, Arvedui, gave the ring to the Lossoth of Forochel, thankful for the help he received from them. It was later ransomed from the Snowmen by the Dúnedain of the North, and it was kept safe at Rivendell.
Eventually, it was given by Elrond to Aragorn son of Arathorn, when he was told of his true name and lineage, together with the shards of Narsil. In 2980, while in Lórien, Aragorn gave the ring to Arwen Undómiel, and thus they were betrothed.
Nothing is said of the fate of the ring in the Fourth Age, but it was most likely either again passed to the Kings of Gondor and Arnor, descendants of Aragorn and Arwen, or it went with Arwen to her grave at Cerin Amroth.


text:
I just saw...Anna -- Sunday, July 07, 2002 -- 08:22:44 PM
A place to post about what we've seen recently, in the theatre or on video.This thread is tagged: movies, conjuring
(All users will see what tags exist for a thread. Please tag carefully!)
As you may have read in TT, I am sick as a dog and spent last night watching movies. I saw The Mothman, which scared the bejeezus out of me for the first hour or so and then changed premises on me. The appeal for me is that it was filmed in Pittsburgh and co-stars Laura Linney, who I love.
Then I watched Serendipity, in which John Cusack plays John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, who was so splendid in Cold Comfort Farm, should be ashamed of herself. It was light, which I needed, but there was no spark between Cusack and Beckinsale. Next Step Wonderland did this kind of story so much better.
Finally, Vanilla Sky. Interesting premise but Crowe should stick to the lighter stuff and not worry about Art. It was way too heavy handed, and although Tom Cruise's character was supposed to be shallow and vain, Tom Cruise himself is too shallow and vain to give any kind of depth or subtlety to the role. I have a feeling the original version is so much better.
Good thread concept!
Kate Beckinsale sucks. Always has.
Is Vanilla Sky the one based on Open Your Eyes or something like that? I didn't see Vanilla but I saw Open Your Eyes and it was pretty interesting, the consort, little guy and I had a lively debate over what it all meant at breakfast the next morning.
I loved Beckinsale in Cold Comfort Farm, but I've been disappointed in all subsequent performances.
The first thing I saw her in was Much Ado About Nothing.
Haven't seen that one.
We watched Fools Rush In last night. We expected it to suck, and it did.
She was the worst thing, next to Robert Sean Leonard, about Much Ado About Nothing. Really annoying, those two were.
I thought the whole Michael Keaton low comedy subplot was the worst thing about MAAN, but I agree that the "sweet young lovers" were dreary.
See, now I loved Michael Keaton and Ben Elton and their whole schtick. "Let it be noted that I am an Ass" is part of our family language.
I loved the whole movie, but then I'm the world's least discriminating Shakespeare watcher. I'd probably go see Jim Nabors as Hamlet, and like it.
Recent rentals and my takes: Moulin Rouge (over-the-top, silly, loved it), Sexy Beast (good performances, but overlong and opaque in parts), The Matrix (fun but forgettable).
>She was the worst thing, next to Robert Sean Leonard, about Much Ado About Nothing. Really annoying, those two were.
I would call Keanu the worst thing, the poor guy. I have no idea what Ken and Emma were thinking in casting him.
We have Mumford to watch tonight.
The Tao of Steve, Free Enterprise, High Fidelity
(On your instigation, Cal, and DH loved Tao of Steve - and I have been pondering the differences in portrayed relationships. High Fidelity is annoying me even more now, even though I love John Cusack, and I love the whole musik geek stuff).
Pushing Tin (fun enough). Wonder Boys (a second time, I quite enjoy that), Young
Fronkonsteenfrankenstein, because it just is still so funny.
Oceans Eleven (I did tell people this, didn't I), which was a fun caper. Zoolander which is fluff but alright if you want fluff.
Spinal Tap is on the DVD right now, and I will watch the out-takes, because I miss the "lead bass" and "rhythm bass" and all that which was in the original movie, and then edited out I think, and which I think is a brilliant and wonderful movie, because it is still so fucking true it is almost painful - heh.
I couldn't make it thru Training Day and Made (I didn't like Singles that much either, though hubster loved it).
I thought Keanu was fine - all he had to do was stomp around looking surly, and he did a more than adequate job of that. Mind you, those men's costumes - the leather pants and cute little waistcoats - were a bit, uh, absorbing, so it might just be that I missed some of the finer points of his delivery (g)
Oh my lord, I forgot about Keanu! And then the best part, where Denzel and Keanu are brothers. I kept thinking it was like that Muppet movie where Fozzie and Kermit were twins. "Which one are you again?" "The one with the hat." "Oh, that's right."
Keanu's voice is his curse. He's actually a good actor, has consistently made interesting choices.
Ase--what did you think about Free Enterprise?
Did you listen to the commentaries on O11? They were quite entertaining.
Oh, Wonder Boys - Stephanie, I keep meaning to tell you I finally saw the film version. The actual story, as we know, is kind of tiresome, but wow, does the film itself capture the essence of Pittsburgh.
It is a great Pittsburgh movie. My dad is from there, and I spent a lot of my childhood summers in the area.
I really enjoyed it, being a trekkie 'n all (though not to that degree). And I was glad he found himself a girl that he had things in common with and who finally had the good sense to come back to him (like, what's a little electricity outage between friends).
A little - caricatured, I guess in places (oh - um - of course). what I mean is things like the 30,000 engagement ring/50 pairs of shoes, vs very wonderful sound-equipment/lost of geek-toys (though I know lots of the lots of geek-toys types of both genders).
And, man, I love rap-caesar.
And the mock-Kirk monologue (man he was good).
And - are those guys really 30? They looked so damned young!
(Of course, I overheard a conversation yesterday that I eventually understood involved my younger good-looking aussie hub, but where he was refered to as "an older guy with glasses with a business down on 3rd". I guess to a 23 year old 38 is an older guy - heh).
Did not listen to the commentary. It was one of the expensive 1 day rentals from a local place. Really wished I had. I spent some time listening to the commentary to Tao of Steve (and zoolander, but don't tell anybody).
It's kind of striking how different relationships were portrayed in those three movies.
Cal, I didn't know you were familiar w/ Pittsburgh.
The best part was how it snowed, then rained, then snowed again, and no one shoveled the sidewalks or plowed the streets. Now that's authentic Pittsburgh.
Anna, it's been a long while since I was there, but it looks much the same. The particular sort of brick in the houses is my most vivid memory.
BTW, if you guys aren't reading What's Next and Admin, make sure you check those threads out; feedback on policy, etc, is good.
Ase--I think that's one of Shatner's best performances. It is not easy to self-parody; only Shatner, George Hamilton, and ack, the Batman guy, what's his name? do it well.
Hamilton and Adam west, is it? didn't make it across the gap, so though I know about them now, neither of them are entrenched in my mind the same way as Shatner is.
He's great in it. I liked him in the last Star Trek movie he was in also, which also had the self-parody kind of. (Is there a new one in the making?)


text:
1999 Annual Report
The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) was implemented by the New York State Department of Health in 1979, with the cooperation and initial financial support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SPARCS receives, processes, stores, and analyzes the following: inpatient hospitalization data from all Article 28 facilities in New York State and ambulatory surgery data from hospital-based ambulatory surgery services and all other facilities providing ambulatory surgery services.
SPARCS continues to be a comprehensive, integrated information system available to assist hospitals and organizations in the health care industry with health care resource planning, financial analysis, decision making, and surveillance of New York State hospital and ambulatory surgery services and costs. SPARCS has proven to be an effective management tool, not only for the Department of Health but also for the health care industry. Widespread support and advice from many organizations and individuals in the public and private sectors have made possible the development and refinement of SPARCS. The Department of Health continues to invite active participation in improving the quality and usefulness of SPARCS.
The 1999 Annual Report represents the twentieth full year of SPARCS data collection efforts. The Annual Report Series presents hospital inpatient stay data based on discharges for each year through a set of standard statistical tables which serve the needs of a wide spectrum of health information users.
Data Sources
From 1980 through 1993 SPARCS made use of two data sources: the Discharge Data Abstract (DDA) and the Uniform Billing Form (UBF). In 1994 SPARCS began collecting essentially the same information from a single source based on the Universal Data Set (UDS) specifications. These specifications blend the UB-92 nationwide inpatient and outpatient billing requirements with the unique billing and discharge data reporting requirements of New York State. The single UDS data stream requires that medical abstract information and billing data are merged before they are sent to SPARCS.
This electronic format streamlines multiple data submission formats into a single format, removing redundant reporting requirements for hospitals and other health care facilities, while continuing to support the myriad of requests from health care researchers for both billing and medical records data. Appendix A lists the UDS data elements collected by SPARCS.
Each health care provider submits its SPARCS data in the uniform, computer-readable format described in the UDS. The data are sent to the Department of Health either directly by the hospital or through one of a number of private information processing services. Every record received is edited to identify errors, and hospitals are notified of records needing correction. Each data element must have a valid value before the record is accepted by the system. When a record needs correction, the hospital or processing service is notified. Duplicate submissions are carefully screened.
Data Protection
Regulations governing the confidentiality of SPARCS data were adopted by the New York State Hospital Review and Planning Council with the advice of all sectors of the health care industry. The regulatory, tracking, and monitoring functions of SPARCS are administered by the New York State Department of Health. The responsibility for protecting the confidentiality and privacy of data related to patient care resides with the Commissioner of Health.
To protect patient privacy, patient names are omitted from the SPARCS data set. The focus of the system is the incidence of diseases or conditions requiring hospitalization rather than individual patients. For this reason, users of SPARCS data cannot ascertain the number of individuals treated for a specific disease, only the number of hospitalizations that have occurred.
Descriptions of the data displayed in the tables are included below to assist in using the report:
Expected Primary Source of Reimbursement
The expected primary source of reimbursement used in the 1999 Annual Report is obtained from the Universal Data Set. This data element is documented at the time of discharge, not the time of payment, and represents the best information available to the hospital when a patient leaves the facility. However, given the complexity of reimbursement processes, especially when a patient appears to be eligible under more than one third-party payment plan, the expected primary payer is not always the ultimate primary payer. There may also be a bias toward under reporting of discharges for third-party payers when there are delays in establishing eligibility.
Special care should be taken in interpreting tabulations of patient days by expected primary source of reimbursement. For each discharge a single payer is reported as the expected primary source of reimbursement. Since many cases have multiple payers, the expected primary payer may not pay the entire bill. This information is displayed on Tables 1, 9, and 15.
Service Categories
The service categories used in the 1999 Annual Report are based on categories developed by the New York State Department of Health and are defined in terms of diagnosis and procedure codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). This information is displayed on Tables 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, and 12.
NURSERY - Patients whose age is equal to zero and have an ICD-9-CM code of V30.0, V30.1, V31.0, V31.1, V32.0, V32.1, V33.0, V33.1, V34.0, V34.1, V35.0, V35.1, V36.0, V36.1, V37.0, or V37.1 are considered nursery patients. These codes refer only to live-born infants. Definitions of nursery service category and newborn age category are the same.
OBSTETRICAL - Obstetrical patients are females of any age with an ICD-9-CM code within the range of 630 through 634.9 and 640 through 676.9.
PSYCHIATRIC - Psychiatric patients are any age with an ICD-9-CM code within the range of 290 through 319.
PEDIATRIC - Pediatric patients are age 14 years and younger whose primary diagnosis is neither included in the nursery, obstetrical, or psychiatric categories nor classified by ICD-9-CM codes 614 through 629.9 (gynecological) or 635 through 639.9 (abortion).
MEDICAL - Medical patients are age 15 years or older with no reported procedure code or with reported procedure codes greater than 86.99. This category also includes gynecological patients (ICD-9-CM codes 614 through 629.9) of all ages with no reported procedure code or with reported procedure codes greater than 86.99. Excluded are newborn, obstetrical, psychiatric, and pediatric patients as defined above.
SURGICAL - Surgical patients are age 15 years or older with at least one procedure code in the range 01 through 86.99. This category also includes gynecological patients (ICD-9-CM codes 614 through 629.9) of all ages with at least one such procedure code and all patients whose principal diagnoses are codes 635 through 639.9 (abortion). Excluded are newborn, obstetrical, psychiatric, pediatric, and medical patients as defined above.
Disposition of Patient
The 1999 Annual Report includes disposition of patient information which is obtained from the Universal Data Set. It identifies the patient's destination or status upon discharge. The information is displayed on Tables 1 and 16. The categories used in the report include home, another acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, other institution, home health services, left against medical advice, psychiatric chronic care, and died. To reduce the number of categories displayed in the tables, some are grouped together. "Neonate Discharged to Another Hospital for Neonatal Aftercare" and "Transferred to Another Hospital for Tertiary Aftercare" are included in "Another Acute Care Hospital". "Discharged Under Care of Home IV Provider" is included in "Home Health Services". "Admitted to Domiciliary Care Facility" is included in "Other Institution". "Discharged to Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded" is included in "Intermediate Care Facility".
Length of Stay Calculation
The 1999 Annual Report includes length of stay information. SPARCS calculates a length of stay for each discharge record by subtracting the date of admission from the date of discharge. If a patient is admitted and discharged the same day, the length of stay is one day. This information is displayed on Tables 1 - 9, 11, and 14 - 17.
Diagnosis Related Groups
Tables 14, 15, and 16 display information on Major Diagnosis Categories (MDCs) and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs). DRGs are a classification system used to categorize patient discharge abstracts into meaningful groupings. Federal MDCs and DRGs are displayed in the tables. New York State MDCs and DRGs are available upon request.
The 1980 to 1982 Annual Reports used the "original" 383 category DRG model, which was developed before the implementation of ICD-9-CM coding and depends on the conversion of codes to earlier coding schemes. The 1983 to 1998 reports used versions of the "new" DRG model which was designed to use ICD-9-CM codes directly. The first "new" DRG model had 470 DRGs arrayed within 23 Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs). This version was used for the 1983 to 1985 reports. Because of new technologies, new coding for diseases, and the use of DRGs for reimbursement, adjustments have been made to the grouping methodology in new versions. The 1986 report used the 471 category revision, the 1987 report used the 473 category revision, and the 1988 report used the 475 category revision. In 1989 and 1990 the number of categories was 477 for both years though they were separate revisions. The 1991 report used the 490 category revision, which involved a major restructuring of the overall DRG classification scheme. The 1992 and 1993 reports used different revisions of the 492 categories which incorporate the major changes introduced in the previous revision. The 1994 report used the 494 category revision, and the 1995, 1996, and 1997 reports all had 495 categories, though they were separate revisions. In the 1998 report, the number of DRG categories increased to 503, with the addition of five DRG categories (496-500) dealing with spinal fusion and three DRG categories (501-503) dealing with knee procedures. For the 1999 report, the number of DRG categories expanded to 511, with the addition of eight DRG categories (504-511) dealing with burn diagnoses. For 1999 the number of DRG categories remained at 511.
The earlier DRG revisions began the classification by categorizing all principal diagnoses into 23 mutually exclusive and exhaustive MDCs, based on predetermined riteria. Within each MDC, the criteria used to select the DRG for a record includes the principal diagnosis, secondary diagnosis, operating room procedures, the presence or absence of a substantial comorbidity and/or complication, age, and discharge status. Invalid or clinically inconsistent information is classified in either DRG 468 (Extensive Operating Room Procedure Unrelated to Principal Diagnosis), DRG 469 (Principal Diagnosis Invalid as Discharge Diagnosis), DRG 470 (Ungroupable - Discharge with Invalid Data), DRG 476 (Prostatic Operating Room Procedure Unrelated to Principal Diagnosis), or DRG 477 (Non-Extensive Operating Room Procedure Unrelated to Principal Diagnosis).
DRGs 103, 468, 469, 476, 477, 480, 481, 482, 483 and 495 are not associated with a specific MDC and each case is reported in the appropriate MDC based on their diagnoses, procedures, and other criteria. DRG 470 is reported in MDC 00.
Figure A illustrates the method of selecting one of the eight DRGs specific to MDC 16: Diseases and Disorders of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs and Immunity.
Average Total Charge of Stay
The 1994 Annual Report is the first report to display charge information. Charge information is displayed with MDC, DRG, diagnostic, and surgical procedure data on Tables 13 and 18. Charges include both the covered and non-covered portions of patient stay for ancillary services and accommodations. Covered charges are those charges reimbursable by the primary payer.
The 1999 Annual Report displays information on patient's county of residence on Tables 7, 8, 11, and 12. There are 128,267 discharges coded as having an unknown county of residence. Over fifty percent of these discharges are from four hospitals, who coded all their discharges as having an unknown county of residence. Detailed information on this data is available by contacting the SPARCS Administrative Unit.
SPARCS information is available on the Department of Health Web site:
Annual Reports for 1994 - 1999 are viewable on this Web site. Reports for 1994 - 1999 are available for downloading in WordPerfect format from this site also. In addition, tables (beginning with 1987) are also available in spreadsheet format.
Any questions regarding SPARCS data collection should be directed to:
|SPARCS Administrative Unit
Bureau of Production Systems Management
New York State Department of Health
Empire State Plaza
Albany NY 12237-0023
|Phone: (518) 473-8144
Fax: (518) 474-9168
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Any specialized requests for SPARCS data should be directed to:
|Bureau of Biometrics and Health Statistics
New York State Department of Health
Empire State Plaza
Albany NY 12237-0044
|Phone: (518) 474-3189
Fax: (518) 486-1630
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
When specialized requests are approved for production, a cost estimate is provided based on the availability of existing reports and the cost of analysis, programming, and computer time.
Reporting Data Completeness Issues
The Department of Health Data Quality Coordination and SPARCS Units analyze SPARCS reporting. As of 11/15/2000, the 1999 file was estimated to be approximately 99.2% complete. This file was used to create the Annual Report Tables.
The following hospitals have one or more months identified with a probable under reporting of discharges and have been contacted by SPARCS:
|Reporting Details
|Arden Hill Hospital
|No data submitted for July.
Low discharge for October.
|Community Memorial Hospital
|No data submitted for November and December
|Critical Access Hospital
|Low discharges for November and December.
|E. J. Noble Hospital Gouverneur
|Low discharges for December.
|Eastern Long Island Hospital
|No data submitted for October.
Low discharges for August, September, November and December.
|Medina Memorial Hospital
|No data submitted for December.
|Mercy Hospital Buffalo
|Low discharges for January.
|Mount Vernon Hospital
|No data submitted for December.
|Myers Community Hospital
|No data submitted for July thru September.
Low discharges for October thru December.
|Nassau University Medical Center
|Low discharges for October and November.
|Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
|Low discharges for April, June thru August.
|NY United Hospital Med Ctr
|Low discharges for February and March.
|Peninsula Hospital
|Low discharges for January thru March.
|Rochester General Hospital
|Low discharges for November.
|Southampton Hospital
|No data submitted for September thru November.
Low discharges for December.
|St. Francis Hospital Beacon
|No data submitted for June thru December.
|The Hospital
|No data submitted for September.
|Yonkers General Hospital
|No data submitted for May and June.
Submission Notes
Variations in hospital discharges between years can sometimes be attributed to reporting pattern changes. The following identifies those facilities who have submitted complete data for 1999 with fewer discharges than they reported in 1998 along with the reason for those differences:
|Reporting Details
|Park Ridge Hospital - Genesee Street Campus
|Merged with St. Mary's Hospital Rochester.
Effective 06/25/1999.
|St. John's Episcopal Hospital
|Closed Effective 09/30/1999.


text:
February 20, 2019
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