text:
By Jim Acosta, CNN National Political Correspondent
Washington (CNN) - The newly sworn-in 113th Congress is the most diverse group of representatives in history, reflecting changing demographics and changing public attitudes.
The New America: What the election teaches us about ourselves
98 women, 43 African-Americans, 31 Latinos, 12 Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and seven gay and bisexual members are now new members of the House and Senate. Plus, there is the first Buddhist member in the Senate and Hindu member in the House of Representatives.
"It means that we reflect America more," said newly elected Rep. Tammy Duckwork, an Illinois Democrat. "And it is good to see Congress starting to look more like the rest of America."
Duckworth, a double-amputee veteran of the Iraq War, is one of the historic number of Asian-Americans elected and joins the record number of women inducted, along with new Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
"Here is the first woman from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," Warren said to cheers from her supporters.
And the new members are not the only ones making history. Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski will serve as the first female chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and Nancy Pelosi has returned to her role as that chamber's Democratic leader.
But the diversity is not exclusive to the Democrats.
Republican Tim Scott became the first African-American from the South to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction, and Ted Cruz, who is Cuban-American, was elected to the Senate. Both were supported by the Tea Party.
"It is an incredible day and a testament to the power of the grass roots and the power of the people," Cruz told CNN.
There is also more representation of the gay and lesbian community in the Congress.
Democrat Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin was sworn-in as the first openly gay U.S. Senator. On the other side of the Capitol, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) is the first openly bi-sexual member of the House.
Baldwins comment on Hagel...... she's only concerned about what he said about a gay person 12 years ago.
We didn't elect you to be a gay pride politician. We elected you to do the peoples business.....NOT your own.
Qualify or disqualify him on foreign policy not your back yard issue
Diversity, a word more offensive than the F word. I don't care what these people look like, dress like, who they sleep with or what tribe they belong to. I just want them to WORK!
The nation's first female native American was sworn in yesterday. No mention of that. Why?
The diversity shows up in their inability to get things done.
Any member of the house or the senate born south of the Mason-Dixon line should be forced to resign.
hmm, anybody that votes should be fed to babies..
That makes about as much sense as your ignorant comment
What, no transgender reps?
Wait until Saturday night
Double your chances on a Saturday night
This country is going to hell quickly. Why does it always have to turn into a racial issue? Whites are going to be ran out of this country that they founded.
Yup, they am.....
Yes whites founded this country on the basis that "All men are created equal" and are free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. So when whites are surpassed in numbers those same values are what we (minorities – soon to be majorities) will fight to uphold for everyone. I came to this country with the belief that I will be treated fairly and be given equal opportunity. I bought into the whole idea of AMERICA – The land of the Free. I have served and retired from the US Armed Forces. I would gladly bleed to keep the stripes RED. I don't believe this country is getting worse. On the contrary...I believe it is finally living up to its creed. This is my country. The land that I love.
Some would say that the whites stole the country from the native americans.
The most crooked congress ever. They should all be fired. We need to overthrow this corupt government and start over. American needs a new revolution.
You going to lead it?
Give em a raise. How about with a Ivy-Lift?
Look Mr. Racist white dude, and Racist Black woman Black men are going to date white women no matter what you do or what you say. You can smash the world and leave 8 people left and thee will still be a white woman and black couple in the mix get over it. And yes I do believe that this is all racism is a bout, oh and by the way. Republicans use racist whites as puppets to pass crappy laws, to make it seem like blacks are the only ones getting raped.
You're as racist as they come...and stereotyping a race is racist. disliking interracial dating does not fall under "racism"
You didn't read what I wrote, and clearly dind't understand it. If you dislike intteracial dating yes you are racist, why would you have a problem with two people of a different race dating ha answer that. And please explain to me how what I wrote makes me racst... I don't get, first I told the truth about what I have exprienced and continue to. I also stated that I got it from blacks whites, and many other racist including but limited to by far Asian, and Hispanics. Then I attacked racist white simply because that's what I am seeing on the page, it's a reacition.
I don't want to live in an international nation, I want to live in a country with European culture and traditions. I intend to to move elsewhere.
113th Congress More Perverse Than Ever? Just correcting the headline.
The more diversity, the more dysfunctionality and special interest confusion. This is nothing to celebrate unless you like chaos and a centralized government built to fail ( which it is). Empower the States and heed Madison`s writings.
Most diverse? I think they meant most Perverse congress ever.
Yes, because having a senate and congress full of white people is so much better than having different demographic areas represented in government.
sorry, but you're wrong. more special interests bring about more conflict
Who elected some of these so called members of Congress – Can you imagine 67 of them voted against the Sandy Relief help – do these people not have a brain at all ? A list of all these 67 turkeys should be published so people know – unreal
As a white guy, I've experienced some degree of racism directed towards me. However, it doesn't compare to the racism I've seen directed by whites towards people of other races. Working for a contractor in DC, but based outside the District, I can assure you that otherwise decent white men are capable of the most horrific racism imaginable. I can also assure you that the "racist" responses that my coworkers have often experienced in majority black areas, are nearly never directed at myself. Perhaps, by not being a white racist, I'm spared from the abuse. If you can't contain your contempt, people will hate you, buddy.
I have dealt with racim all my life from blacks and whites alike, mostly white. These racist whites behave like animals, they behavior toward blacks isn't normal. It is also unexplained, making little to no sense. In the Navy it was a Klan Ralley, at the VA the same, but the Navy was off the wall racist. In Maryland wow, but MO... Lets just say there is no place for someone like you or I Mr Rast in the stat at all.
Wait a minute – a sensible comment? What are you doing here?
Remember to follow the journalistic rule: Democrats of color = Diversity. Republicans of color = Tokenism.
Exactly ....Uncle Tom-ism is alive and well in the blue states.
Diversity divides
Unity is strength
The Divider in Chief follows Alinsky, not The Founding Fathers.
Ummm, Sam? If we as humans use our ingenuity and become better problem solvers (which means looking at ideas, issues, and concerns more broadly outside the typical small-mindedness), then diversity can be synonymous with unity.
Sure,, we humans just need to open our minds and then the awesome, unifying, power of Diversity will be revealed.
Thanks for the trite drivel.
You are correct! The lions and cheetahs want the gazelles and zebras to be more 'diverse'. Not gonna work.
DEMOCRACY NOW, WE NEED A CHANGE: No matter the color change of the U.S. Congress, there is now a monarchy in this country of rich people who through their paid agents influence the decisions of legislators with far more power than the voters and that the President of the Union. .
A living example is how the American worker is being blackmailed over his rights and benefits for large corporations, to the point that in the franchise system is a standard that the employer violated federal laws at his will by cash payment system to evade the payment of overtime and if the worker complains it takesoff your hours or reduce hours.
Millions of Americans are working as slaves, no holidays, no paid holidays, no vacation, and other benefits to feed a rich and indolent class which is whomt really is ruling our country.
There are not the Chinese who threaten democracy in the United States of America,instead chinese are those U.S. employers who have implemented systems of work copied from the worst Asian model from despotic countries where it is normal you be a Gunga Dim of the employer., it's time for someone to say the truth about the minimum wage that makes the worker on the verge of a Goodwill or seek assistance in "Children and Family" through these monarchs who really govern DE FACTO America using the legal system for their own benefit and profit.
It's unconscionable and the people need to vote out the "leaders" who have been in their jobs way too long and who are responsible for this mess in which we're now living!
The Republicans will do the best they can to make sure that children and seniors are the lowest of low priority. To vote republican you are saying you could care less if your child has it's head cut off in a bridge collapse, to be a Republican is saying you think Senior citizens should put gun to head end end life, to be a republican you are spitting in the fave of Veterans. Reason for above is Republicans are against bridge repairs, republicans are against Social Security and want to lower it, Republicans want to cut VA hospital funds by 40 percent. BTW, people who say Obama made paychecks smaller. The President didnt vote on the tax bill, the Congress wrote the bill and the house is the one that didnt want to extend the payroll tax. IE Republicans
Republicans do not know that the 1950s are over. Maybe they can watch the movie Pleasantville. Why do they want a Leave it to Beaver world ? Abortion rights wil not be overturned and even if they were to be overturned just stock up on RU-486 or go to Canada or Mexico or Europe to get your legal abortion. Blacks, Hispanics, Women, Gays, and Asians now make up the majority of voters. Muslims ounumber Jews. What does the Republican party not understand.
What a momentous occasion. I can't wait until they get their first envelope full of money from a lobbyist or else get buried on the Senate Committee to Investigate Head Lice. Meanwhile McConnell and the House-Party Gang swagger through the halls blocking everything in sight. "Twas ever thus"!
McConnell has to go, along with the other McSenator (from AZ). These people are killing America and personally enriching themselves to do so! It's time for change in American politics!
We should also expect that the new Congress will be more dysfunctional than ever too. We should also expect that this new Congress will achieve the lowest public approval rating ever.
Only took them 1 day to prove that, good luck folks, gonna be a long ride !!!
But Men's Club gave me my hair back!
Isn't that hair club for men?
How is this news? Who cares what color the people we've elected to represent us are? Who cares what building they worship in or who they share their bed with? I don't, I just want decent people who are going to deal with the massive fiscal issues we face. I want people who understand more government isn't the answer, that the answer is people being allowed to live their lives as they choose.
The people did choose – that's how elections work. They chose politicians who believe government isn't necessarily the problem, and that government has a role in finding solutions. They chose Barack Obama as President, they chose a Democratic majority in the Senate, and a majority chose Democrats in the House (although GOP gerrymandering ensured they kept the House majority).
A hispanics worst enemy is a hispanic. If a hispanic is in congress , they will just turn against all hispanics, and in part i don't blame theme. Have you seen dominican republic, and puerto rico, it's corrupt to the max. The fact remains that America has blessed, and probably even cursed those islands according to the natives.
Yes... the problem is "diverse". Ahhh yeah....that is the problem congress is worried about how "diverse" they are......What a joke. How about congress how much of an AMERICAN you are, or is that to much to ask. Worry about how "AMERICAN" you can be and less "diverse". Oh! and it will always be a CHRISTMAS TREE....GET OVER IT.
Hear, hear!
What will always be a Christmas Tree? Someone once told me how nice of a Christmas Tree we had next to our house. It was a Spruce Tree, was never in any house, and I expect it may have been planted in the spring or summer. It was never a Christmas Tree. Get over it.
Push the GOP out and you will get what Obama and his brethren want...a socialist nation.
No. Nobody here wants a socialist nation. Go learn what socialism is and you'll see why. What you call socialism isn't so by a million miles.
Socialism is what is happening right now, right here, under your nose.
Actually, aboriginals (inuit) make up the majority of the north pole so unfortunately you'll have to find somewhere else to make a racist home....
Totally agree. GOP sucks and is a part of morons.
All the more reason for "non-diverse" Americans to consider SECESSION as the answer to our problems.
"And we shall call this new state Idi0t Land!!"
More diverse? thats the problem, there are no AMERICANS anymore, only "Groups"
I'm an american citizen and belong to a group. you are too, unless you're a native american indian, (real north americans) we're all americans.
Yes, but too many people put their special little group first and then consider themselves an American. It should be the other way around.
Diverse or not, that picture is full of people who fail us when they are needed most. It's nice to see today that more and more groups of people have a voice and representation. Too bad we are all represented by complete morons
Finally, a sound comment on the insane and diverse comments!
However, the failings are led by the lingering old white men.
You have it exactly right. These people do not begin to represent what the American people want.
They may be more diverse than ever before, but that doesn't make them any less agenda driven and corrupt than they already are.
Wow! You're an incredibly out-of-touch, extraordinarily hateful person!
It comes down to two things: overcoming discrimination and building a network of support. The first is relatively easy. Minority groups haven't faced wide-spread discrimination for decades, just in pockets. However, building a network of support takes several decades to ensure that people grow up in not only a community but a culture that fosters ambitions like running for congress.
Get rid of the two party system. It doesn't work.
Here's hoping that the new members 113th congress are more productive (and less obstructive) than their horrific predecessors. Sadly, the November election did not clean house as much as expected (shocking, considering the last congress' abysmal approval rating and all-time historic low of productivity).
But, as always, one is allowed to hope....
It didn't clean out the Senate as well (which was just as obstructive). Remember, Reid sat on many pieces of legislation that Obama endorsed.
Push the GOP out of power and out of office. Then America will start to heal and grow once again.
Hear hear. Let's have one-party Democrat rule for 50 years. Detroit has paved the way with that model, to serve as an inspiration to us all.
True! And let's not forget Baltimore, Philly, Birmingham, Newark, Atlanta, Chicago etc. etc. etc. One more big flush and these cities will be forever lost. Diversity rules!
Put their pay raises and benefits to a public vote.
What does your comment have to do with this article? Nothing.
More diverse than ever ... and more dysfunctional by the day. Limit terms and once out of the job, off the benefits wagon.
Drop the cushy retirement as well.
Exactly, you got it totally correct! The fact that we let these Democrat and Republican do-nothing morons remain in power for multiple terms spanning decades is shameful and embarrassing. They get so entrenched in power that they wouldn't know average America if it hit them in the face, which I'm sure most average Americans would love to do. I'm with you – maybe 2 Senate terms or 6 House terms max (12 total years), and then they should be back in their home state having to work for a living like everybody else. No lifetime benefits for years of doing nothing in Washington!
Until the Republicans take back control of their party from the Tea Party and stop being the "mean party", they will continue to lose ground. The American people are tired of party politics in Washington and want Congress to consider the best interest of ALL Americans.
The word "diversity" is a bell ringing. The public are dogs salivating.
I guess diversity doesn't bring unity, imagine that.
Considering their ability to accomplish anything is going downhill at an increasingly higher rate, diversity obviously isn't helping anything except their image in their own minds.
The general populous is disgusted with them.
hahaha...you mean the general populous that voted them in..do you mean the general populous that will be even more diverse next election. that the one your talking about. Get ready for change
I don't know how this new batch could do any worse then the ones they replaced.
Diverse but equally corrupt as all those before them...nothing ever changes...just the faces.
Time for term limits.
term limits.,...I agree lets increase the Presidency position now.. I would vote for that
Diverse? Be precise thats the duty of media. How diverse ethnically, politically,religiously all of the foregoing or none of the foregoing? Yep we have more women in there and I think that's a good thing they know a lot more about managing budgets than any tea partier whose policies would either get us into more debt or make Eurpoean or even Greek austerity measures look like childs play and for sure Increase unemployment levels.
Diversity is Boehner's blue eyes crying.
The rest is Ship Of Fools.
I see a lot of people equating diversity with being liberal, or simply racial in its context; Yet diversity is a broad term used to quantify that of which is not the status-quot. For the first time certain minority groups are gaining representation within both parties. Also, California is the top state in terms of GDP, and is one of the most lucrative economies in the world. An agricultural and pop culture epicenter.
Don't forget the part about California being broke. There was a discussion just last night about government offices having to close early. Some as early as 1:00 PM simply because of no money. The threat of bringing the state's legal system to a stand-still is on the horizon.
The California Dream has been over for decades. It's a cesspool now. Non-cultural epicenter.
Diversity means bull. Talent is what defines a job position, not the color of skin. CNN is purely racist, choosing skin color over talent.
Jay, how does talent define a job position? So, senator Cruz from texas is a senator today because of his talent in being ignorant about the economy? If talent is the only determinant of a job position most republicans should be jobless for lacking the talent to understand economics.
Remember new representatives of Congress and The Senate, if you fall in line with the Republicans who want to destroy our country, You will only have a four year run, we will vote you out of office if you do not work for the people, That is your only job! It is what you were elected for!!!
Why should they fear YOU? You obviously don't vote. You don't even know that Senators serve for 6 years, and Representatives for 2 years.
PG, what can you expect from idiotic partisan zealots like the above poster? These Democratic and Republican ultra-wingers never let facts and reality get in the way of a good partisan jab!
Mathew please.. zealots, fascist ect those words are over
Tammy Lozano, please. "Zealot" is a perfectly valid English word that, according to Merriam-Webster, means "a fanatical partisan." I don't know what ridiculous notion you have that a perfectly ordinary word can be "over," but, according to the dictionary definition, "zealot" is a more apt today as a description of American politicians than ever before.
The only thing Wrong with being Right is when being Right is Wrong
The media and academics notoriously leave out the word "ethnic" when using the term "diverse." Most diverse ever means most ethnically diverse ever. They do not mean, the most socioeconmically diverse ever, or most diverse in terms of political party representation. It's time for the media to be more specific with what they're referring to when they just use the word diverse to mean ethnically diverse.
Saying "ethnic diversity" wouldn't cover the diversity of having more women in Congress as such, or the diversity of having more gays in Congress as such.
The most diverse.....And the most useless and incompetent. Who cares about the Congress' diversity if it can't get anything good done????
It's good that Congress isn't totally all white, all male, all Christian, all straight. But, you are right, if they can't get anything done, so what?
It will turn into the Maury Povich show really quick!
And the headline reads as if this is a good thing? Oh, this is CNN.com. I forgot.
Diverse yes and totally disfunctional. Where you WANT your diversity is in the parts you can't measure: life experience, common sense, and devotion to duty.
No, I don't want diversity there at all, I want all of them to have those qualities in common.
United We Stand Divided We Fall
As a country we are very divided.
Most diverse, maybe. Most disconnected, absolutely.
What are...........5 years old ? It's hard to imagine a more childish post.
a judge in texas warned of civil war if obama is re-elected president. i am now so scared. how will obama handle this discontent? can we have some special quota for them? or can some of these minority elected congress people resign their positions in favor the mainstream americans?
Wow, sknmrowley is a dinosaur. What a racist. If people want to become part of the GOP they will do so because they prefer those politics. Why would you include skin tone? Because you're a racist, that's why. AND.....you're a reason the GOP and Tea Party is declining.....dying, fossilizing, dinosaurs.
Haha, right on cma 🙂
Actions speak louder then Racial Diversity?
This signals the beginning of the end for the GOP/Tea Party as we know it. Look at the California, less than 30% of the voters are registered Republicans. Democrats control both state houses and all statewide offices. Instead of reinventing itself, California Republicans deceived itself for many years that its policies resonated with a changing population.
Yeah........California....great example !!! Demcrat dominated government (and always has been) going bankrupt while republican run states thrive. HELLO !!!! McFly !!!!
Amen, Shalung!!
Typical thought process of a liberal to think that their way is ultimately better than any other. Look at all the Democratic controlled states. Most of them are of the social elite, hollywood stupid or social program dependent. That means California is at the top of the list. Most of the Conservative states are surviving and doing well. Too bad the left is too stupid to learn from their follies and too ignorant to to see what really works. Why else would states like Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma have sucessful governments that are more conservative across the board?
Sorry, but as usual the Teajadists get their facts wrong. "Blue" states contribute far dollars to the federal government than they receive. "Red" states receive far more federal money than they contribute. The only exception is Texas, but that's only because the federal government's enormous subsidies to the oil industry don't get counted as federal dollars going to states. The rest of the red states are "takers" as well as haters.
You are forgetting that Arnold was the Republican governor and he left the state in the worst financial shape it has ever been in. Don't keep blaming the Democrats. There's enough blame to go around.
@kbob365 Doesn't sound like you've ever been to a "red state". Things are good there. Economy is strong, things are growing and progressing and as always the people are the nicest you will find anywhere. The hatred is coming from outsiders who know nothing of said states and who make huge undue generalizations of these states. They'll all be moving to these states soon enough to get a job.
California was a sinking ship before arnold took the reigns.


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NMT Student recognized by STC, March 31, 2006
by Julie Ford, assistant professor of technical communication
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.,March 31, 2005— Jennifer Bracken, a junior majoring in Technical Communication at New Mexico Tech, has won a Student Achievement Award from the Kachina New Mexico Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication.
In the nomination, Bracken is described as a hard working, dedicated student with leadership abilities who also serves as STC student chapter secretary. Bracken has been invited to serve on campus-wide committees, including serving last Spring as the only student on a hiring committee for a Humanities department faculty position.
Technical Communication Program Director Julie Ford says, "From conversations with Jennifer I know that her future goals include graduate studies. Not only am I confident about Jennifer's abilities to succeed in graduate school, but I very much look forward to someday being able to consider her a colleague in the field of technical communication."
Bob Johnson, STC Kachina Chapter President, presented Bracken, as well as the top technical communication students from UNM and NMSU, with a certificate and a scholarship check for $250 at the ceremony held March 25 at UNM.
Following the ceremony, a group of 25 students asked questions of a panel of professional technical communicators about careers, resumes, and portfolios. Responding to student questions were panelists from the Kachina Chapter: Judy Prono, LANL; Bob Johnson, Ktech; Ellen Torgrimson, DBS&A; MaryJane Long, BIA; and Jonathan Price, Ktech. Representing UNM was Scott Sanders. Rick Mott and Julie Ford represented New Mexico Tech's faculty.
About STC: STC is an individual membership organization dedicated to advancing the art and science of technical communication. It is the largest organization of its type in the world. Its 18,000 members include technical writers and editors, content developers, documentation specialists, technical illustrators, instructional designers, academics, information architects, usability and human factors professionals, visual designers, Web designers and developers, and translators—anyone whose work makes technical information available to those who need it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Its Chicago release date (March 22) is a little more than a month away, but Harmony Korine's upcoming "Spring Breakers" movie has laid some serious groundwork to becoming the greatest film of the year/generation/all-time?
If you haven't heard, the film stars, in ascending order of WTF-ness: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson as spring breakers who rob a restaurant for the trip, James Franco as a grill-sporting party rapper and Gucci Mane as the big bad villain. And if it couldn't get any more perversely kitschy, Skrillex will score the soundtrack (dropping March 12) with Cliff Martinez. That's right--Skrillex is a COMPOSER now.
Martinez actually rocks a brilliant resume for film soundtracks, including "Drive," "Traffic," and "Contagion," but this will be Skrillex/Sonny Moore's first attempt. Song titles like "Rise and Shine Little B****" and "Bikinis and Big Booties Ya'll," plus original tracks from Gucci and Waka Flocka, give us reason to expect tremendous things, however.
If you haven't watched the trailer yet, do so RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. It's a favor to yourself--just make sure you catch yourself from muttering "Spring break forever..."


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A former judge in the environmental lawsuit against Chevron Corp. in Ecuador now says the plaintiffs agreed to pay a $500,000 bribe in order to win the $19 billion case.
In a sworn statement released by Chevron Monday, Alberto Guerra Bastidas also said the plaintiffs' lawyers wrote the final, 2011 judgment, which held Chevron liable for oil-field pollution in a corner of the Amazon rain forest.
It isn't the first time that the two sides in the long-running, bare-knuckle suit have traded accusations of bribery.
Chevron maintains that the entire case is a shakedown, and the San Ramon company is suing the plaintiffs' lawyers in the United States for racketeering and extortion. Guerra's statement was filed Monday in a New York federal court as part of that effort.
"Another participant in the fraud has now come forward rather than wait to be exposed by others," said Hewitt Pate, Chevron's general counsel.
The plaintiffs knew that Guerra's statement was coming. Last week, they issued a pre-emptive press release accusing Chevron of offering Ecuadoran judges money in return for false testimony. In addition, they said Guerra had offered to testify on their behalf if they paid him.
"It always was obvious that Guerra wished to sell himself to the highest bidder, a fact which undermined his credibility and made him a profoundly unreliable witness," said plaintiffs' attorney Pablo Fajardo.
Guerra's statement says Chevron did not pay him for his testimony. The company did, however, give him $38,000 for the time and effort he devoted to testifying. That money also reimbursed him for a computer, cell phones, flash drives and compact discs he gave to the company.
It wasn't the only compensation Guerra received. Chevron spokesman Kent Robertson said the company paid to relocate the former judge and four of his family members to the United States, for safety reasons. Chevron has also agreed to give him and his family $10,000 each month for living expenses, plus $2,000 per month for housing and health care. The payments will continue for two years.
Like most everything else in the suit, Guerra's bribery allegations are complicated.
Guerra was the first judge to preside over the suit, in 2003, after it moved from its original venue in New York to the small Ecuadoran town of Lago Agrio. He didn't stay on the case long, handing it off to another judge in early 2004. In his statement, he says he doubted the validity of the plaintiffs' claims against Chevron but let the lawsuit continue because he feared for his personal safety if he tossed out the case.
In 2008, Guerra was dismissed as a judge. He calls the dismissal unjust and says it came after he confronted other judges in the case who were issuing illegal rulings and demanding kickbacks from technical experts they had appointed to work for the court. The plaintiffs say he was dismissed for giving lenient sentences in drug trafficking cases.
Soon after his removal from the bench, Guerra agreed to ghost-write rulings for one of the judges who had succeeded him on the environmental suit, Nicolas Zambrano Lozada. A former prosecutor, Zambrano had limited experience with civil cases and asked Guerra to write his rulings for $1,000 a month, according to the statement.
In 2009, Guerra alleges, Zambrano asked him to approach Chevron and negotiate an agreement in which the company would pay both men to issue a final judgment in the company's favor. The company rejected the idea. Zambrano then allegedly told Guerra that he had reached an agreement with the plaintiffs to speed up the case and issue rulings in their favor. Guerra claims he met with Fajardo and agreed to ghostwrite rulings that would benefit the plaintiffs, in return for the plaintiffs paying him $1,000 per month.
The following year, Zambrano again asked Guerra to approach Chevron and offer to decide the case in the company's favor, according to the statement. Again, the company refused. So Zambrano allegedly told Guerra to offer the plaintiffs the same deal.
Zambrano soon told Guerra that he had reached an agreement with the plaintiffs' representatives, according to the statement. If he ruled against Chevron, they allegedly agreed to pay him $500,000 from the money they would collect from the company. Zambrano said he would share some of the money with Guerra, according to the statement.
Zambrano issued the ruling in February, 2011. Chevron has refused to pay. The plaintiffs have now sued the company in Canada, Argentina and Brazil, trying to enforce the judgment.


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For a while now, I've had stewing in the back of my mind a project I can best describe as Buellerian. Thinking of it in terms of a John Hughes movie gives it the right flavor of playfulness and deflates any (or at least most of the) potential pomposity from the get-go. In a nutshell, the project is simple: to record some stuff that makes me happy every day this summer. It's silly, but that's the point, too.
In a larger nutshell, it's a bit more complicated. I suspect this year of being sponsored by the letter "F": frenzied, frantic, and frenetic. In all the ways that those words can shift between exhilarating and exhausting. So the summer is all about seeking out the silly — luckily, Nashville provides ample material — and revelling in it. That's where Ferris Bueller comes in: "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I think I've been missing it.
So I'm attempting to miss less.
In that spirit, I bought a ridiculously bright scarf yesterday because it was cheap, at H&M, very yellow, and made me happy in its beacon-like unmissability.
And in the midst of all of this heady activity, I've even managed a bit of knitting. In fact, the first of the Regentag socks is limping towards completion thanks to a couple of delightfully outlandish ingénue-based movies: A Summer Place (1959) and Sissi (1955).
That's right: a turned heel and a new notebook. So far, so good.


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Home > Eyeglasses > Esprit > ET17498 (545)
ET 17498 is available in 1 additional attractive style
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NStar chief complies with Coakley's request for pay details
By Erin Ailworth | GLOBE STAFF
Thomas J. May,
in a letter to state Attorney General Martha Coakley
, disclosed Wednesday that he earned nearly $3.8 million in his last three months as chief executive of NStar, before the Boston utility merged with Northeast Utilities last year and May assumed leadership of the combined company.
Those earnings, combined with the $4.2 million May earned at Northeast Utilities after the April 2012 merger, would bring May's compensation last year to about $8 million — more than $1 million less than he earned in 2011 running the smaller NStar. Northeast Utilities had earlier refused to disclose May's NStar earnings because the utility no longer exists as a separate public company and the Securities and Exchange Commission does not require such reporting.
The earnings of $3.76 million, in compliance with SEC rules, do not include any gains May realized from stock awards he was able to cash in as a result of the merger. In the letter to Coakley, May noted that the merger allowed him to realize $3.1 million from stock options. But he said that should not be considered 2012 earnings since the options were reported as compensation when they were awarded in 2010.
That $3.1 million payout shows how complex SEC reporting rules are and how difficult it can be to track an executive's actual take-home pay from year to year, said Fred Whittlesey, who analyzes executive compensation through his Seattle-area consulting firm Compensation Venture Group. The way the SEC defines pay, he said, makes it hard to account for the value of stock options and awards granted in one year — when it is typically reported as compensation — but cashed out during another year.
While the compensation table included in May's letter to Coakley "is a correct representation of 'pay' as defined by the SEC," Whittlesey said in an e-mail, it excludes any payouts that May might have realized because he was able to exercise certain options or awards, whether as a result of the merger or for any other reason.
May's 2012 compensation became an issue after Northeast Utilities filed its annual report with the SEC recently and included only nine months of his 2012 earnings. The missing three months of information left an incomplete picture of the $17.5 billion merger that created the nation's 15th largest utility, jointly based in Boston and Hartford.
Concerned customers could end up footing the bill for executive compensation related to the merger, Coakley, the state's ratepayer advocate, took steps to compel Northeast Utilities to disclose the information. May's letter was in response to a formal request by Coakley seeking the information.
In the letter, May said he did not receive any "special bonus payments in cash, deferred income, or stock in relation to the merger." Northeast Utilities officials said May appears to have earned less in 2012, despite running a much larger company, because values of stock and pensions can fluctuate from year to year.
Northeast Utilities characterized May's letter as an interim response to Coakley's request, and said it would report the compensation of other top executives and other information within the 30-day period laid out by state law.
"We are pleased that NStar responded promptly to our request, and are reviewing these figures to ensure that costs are not unduly passed on to ratepayers," Coakley said in a statement. "We also expect NStar's full response to our request in the next 30 days
Meanwhile, local legislators continued to call for the SEC to eliminate the reporting technicality that led to this situation.
"I support efforts to require disclosure when it comes to compensation. Shareholders, and the public, should certainly have access to this information," US Representative Michael Capuano, who sits on the Financial Services Committee, said in a statement. "In fact, I have long supported measures that would give shareholders a say on pay for executives."
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut also reiterated his support for an SEC rule change.
"This technicality should be reversed or eliminated, and the SEC should do it administratively if possible," Blumenthal said.
John Nester, a spokesman for the SEC, said the financial oversight agency has not received a formal request to amend the rule. "We would be happy to hear the Attorney General's views," Nester said in an e-mail.
Erin Ailworth can be reached at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @ailworth.
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12 Piece Rainbow
Hand crafted in Europe, this wooden rainbow tunnel is sure to inspire your childs imagination and play. Developed with the philosophy of Waldorf Education in mind, and designed to help children discover and develop their own creativity and sensory awareness with products.
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product code: GR10670
- material: alder, lime, maple and cherry wood
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"Logic will get you from A to Z, imagination will get you everywhere." - Albert Einstein
Toys for the imagination... imaginative play is a crucial part of early childhood development. Our toys are well made and have some educational or imaginative component, as we believe a few, lasting toys with a multitude of uses and possibilities are much better for a child than a huge, and potentially overwhelming selection of toys.read more


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ANOTHER VIEW: In immigration bill, answers and practical questions
The wait for Washington politicians to compromise on a workable immigration system has been so long and frustrating, it's tempting to celebrate the mere fact that a group of prominent U.S. senators from both parties has come together to introduce a bill. This is a notable milestone, but a rugged debate lies between here and passage.
If that debate focuses on the right things -- not on dogma and semantics but on real examination of the plan's practical effects -- the bill's core should survive and lead the nation to an immigration policy that better serves modern needs.
President Obama's re-election, Republicans' moderation on the issue in light of Latino voters' rising influence, and public support for providing a path to citizenship create an opportunity for new laws that both limit illegal immigration and allow society and the economy to benefit more from legal immigration.
Even those who dislike the sort of changes contained in the bill formally unveiled Thursday must admit that inaction is an unacceptable alternative. The status quo leaves state and local law enforcement to wrestle, often haplessly, with the issue. The futility of trying to deport 11 million here illegally, offering no prospect of legal status, leaves an underclass without incentive to contribute to society.
So, does the bill submitted by eight senators address the correct concerns? Does it address them effectively, or are amendments needed? The answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second will come only from an honest debate long on data and short on rhetoric.
All along, the proper goals for reform have included:
o Reducing the number of people in the U.S. illegally, those who sneak in or overstay visas; illegal immigration rates have dropped in recent years, but can be made lower.
o Holding the undocumented immigrants who are already here accountable for breaking the law.
o Creating ways for those here illegally, especially young people brought here by their families, to earn legal status.
o And allowing industries to take advantage of the talents of both high-skilled and so-called low-skilled workers without exploiting the workers themselves.
The bill proposes 844 pages of ways forward, something for everybody to love and loathe.
Before raising anybody's legal residency status, the bill requires improved border security, aiming to catch or rebuff 90 percent of illegal border crossers, and implementation of the E-Verify system for checking employees' status; this means added border fencing, agents and drones, and funding for prosecutions. No undocumented immigrants would be legalized until all legal applicants have been served.
Only people who have been here since before Dec. 31, 2011, have records free of felonies and pay $500 fines would be eligible for 10 years of provisional legal status, after which they'd have to pay $1,000 more, be up to date on taxes, meet work requirements and know English to seek permanent residency. People brought here as kids could get green cards sooner.
The bill would raise the legal immigration quota for high-skilled workers, and create a visa program for agricultural and other manual laborers.
Would adding such workers' productivity to the economy eliminate concerns that their presence could reduce jobs and wages for citizens? That's the sort of question Congress faces.
Other questions: Are the bill's border-security thresholds reachable? Are the worker visa quotas effective? Will the whole undertaking pay for itself?
So far, the "debate" has been too much about the claim by the bill's opponents that it offers illegal immigrants "amnesty." Let's cut out the semantic arguments. Lawmakers must tell the country: Will the plan pay off or not?
It is a time to neither celebrate a triumph nor reject the bill out of hand. It is a time to see what's good about it and explore improving the rest of it by asking the right questions.


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Veteran state Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, offered his assessment of his House GOP colleagues, who will Monday in an effort to nominate a speaker candidate.
Incumbent Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, appears to be in good shape despite a clamor from outside groups for House Republicans to choose a more conservative leader.
State photo
Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine
Gallego's take:
"Next Monday, my Republican colleagues will attempt to christen one Republican as their official candidate for Speaker. This kind of partisan maneuver is typical of the U.S. Congress and Washington, DC, but not Texas.
"It is ironic that members would rail against the U.S. Congress as part of their campaigns, and then seek to imitate the U.S. Congress after the election. Campaigning is one thing. Governing is another. Hypocrisy does not make for good government. Texas voters and legislators have time and again rejected the hyper-partisanship of Washington-style politics. Here, we have all been Texans first. The push for partisanship ends the longstanding tradition of Texas legislators putting our state and the districts we represent before any political party.
"There are grave and serious challenges facing Texas today. Texans will soon learn that the state's finances are in shambles. Under Republican leadership, Texas government has spent more than it has taken in – and borrowed money to make up the difference. Just last month, the Comptroller put forward a plan to lay off over 12,000 school teachers from our public schools. That is only the first of many cuts to be proposed as Texas deals with a record budget shortfall.
"However, if this is the road the new Republican supermajority wants to go down, let's not take half measures. If the Speaker of the House is selected by party caucus, I propose an amendment to the House rules that would effectively allow the minority party to select and assign its own membership for each committee of the Texas House.
"Unfortunately, it appears that the new supermajority's intent is to divide Texans into teams. If so, common sense tells us that one team should not get to choose the other team's starting line-up. Each team should determine its own players, positions and strategies.
"All Texans should be and are on the same team. The Republican proposal for partisanship is a mistake. Rather than imitating Congress, our Republican supermajority should focus on Texas priorities and the advancement of all Texans – not just the misguided priorities of any fringe special interest groups."


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Please note: You are viewing an archived Bucknell University news story. It is possible that information found on this page has become outdated or inaccurate, and links and images contained within are not guaranteed to function correctly.
By Tom Evelyn
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Following a careful restoration of its historic building, the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University bookstore — featuring 29,500 square feet of assorted books and other merchandise displayed among artifacts from the building's past — will open on Saturday, June 26, at 2 p.m., after the Fourth of July Parade in downtown Lewisburg.
The new bookstore, which occupies the former C. Dreisbach's Sons Hardware Store on the northwest corner of Fourth and Market streets, will include a large inventory of books, magazines and sportswear, as well as a Starbucks café. Following its "soft" opening, the store regularly will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
A grand opening, including special events to celebrate the bookstore and its downtown partnership, is scheduled for Aug. 27, during the first week of fall classes.
"The adaptive reuse of this historic building grew from the close relationship between Bucknell and downtown Lewisburg, which have evolved together since the University's founding," said Bucknell President Brian C. Mitchell, who has led the effort to connect the campus and community through a series of economic development projects, including the bookstore. "As a result of a great collaborative effort, the bookstore is beautiful, and we look forward to its opening so that students and the campus and regional communities can enjoy it."
Historical building
Parts of the bookstore building date to circa-1900. To preserve its historical value and significance to the downtown streetscape, the building was rehabilitated during construction of the bookstore in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and federal standards.
It features a 68-foot-long skylight over a three-story atrium, the first escalators ever installed in Union County, and the building's original Otis freight elevator, the footprint of which has been re-imagined as a children's reading area.
In addition to the café, the store will include seating on all floors where students and other customers may study or read. The store will have Wi-Fi access throughout.
The back of the store, above where horse-drawn carriages once made deliveries, includes space for small gatherings, including literary and artistic performances as well as community meetings.
Throughout the store, stylized photographs feature the history of Bucknell and Lewisburg.
"Great care has been taken to ensure the atmosphere reflects pride in Bucknell, Lewisburg and the Central Susquehanna Valley, and to create the warm ambience and relaxing environment that have made Barnes & Noble stores successful across the country," bookstore Director Vicki Benion said.
Many of the building's architectural elements have been carefully restored by hand, including much of the brickwork, woodwork, and steel casement and wood double-hung windows.
Several other features of the original Dreisbach's building have been preserved and are on display, including an ornate black steel safe, which workers discovered inside an interior wall. The safe contained bank records and the building's architectural blueprints.
Much of the original building was rebuilt after a fire in 1941, during which two firefighters lost their lives. A commemorative plaque honoring the firefighters from the William Cameron Engine Company of Lewisburg will hang outside the building. After Dreisbach's closed in 1965, the building housed various businesses and offices through 2008, when work on the bookstore began.
Shuttle, text books
The new bookstore replaces a campus bookstore that had been located in the Elaine Langone Center. The move will free up more than 12,500 square feet in that building for other University uses.
A shuttle service for students looping campus and the downtown bookstore is scheduled to begin in mid-August. The schedule and route details will be announced soon. Students also will have the option to order textbooks online and have them delivered to the Bucknell post office for pickup on campus.
The majority of the funding for the $10 million bookstore project came from state and federal grants and incentives for small-town economic development projects.
Other projects being pursued with the support of the commonwealth include the renovation of the historic Campus Theatre; conversion of the historic Dewitt Building to include retail space and the new Bucknell University Innovation Center; renovation of the federal post office building at Market and Third streets to accommodate offices for Bucknell employees; and a 10-mile rails-to-trails project that will connect Lewisburg and Mifflinburg with a bike and walking path.
Bucknell is partnering with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers and the developer, Radnor Property Group of Wayne, Pa., to design, construct and manage the bookstore. Bucknell will retain control and ownership of the property, which will pay municipal and county taxes.
About Barnes & Noble College Booksellers: Based out of Basking Ridge, N.J., Barnes & Noble College Booksellers is a privately-held sister company to Barnes & Noble Inc., the nation's largest bookseller. Currently, they operate nearly 700 college bookstores across America with more than 30 in Pennsylvania, including at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, Franklin and Marshall, Lehigh, Wilkes University and King's College.
Contact: Division of Communications


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The good news for Titans receiver Kenny Britt is that someone other than Kenny Britt has been arrested in connection with a recent stabbing of one of Britt's friends.
The bad news for Britt is that police want to talk to Britt, again.
Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean has the details on Twitter. Police say the case remains under investigation, and that the authorities want Britt's lawyer to arrange another meeting.
Britt's lawyer previously has said that there's "no chance" Britt will be arrested. Since it would be so unusual for Britt to be, you know, arrested for anything.


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With five local teams headed to the CIF Southern Section girls' volleyball playoffs, there's plenty of different scenarios to mull over with each one facing a different path to what each squad hopes will be a CIF title.
Bellarmine-Jefferson is the only team seeded for the postseason, while Burbank High also figures to be favored at home in its opener and Burroughs, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Providence hit the road Tuesday.
There was plenty of good news for the Guards this week. Not only did they lock up the third seed for the Division IV-A playoffs with a perfect run through the Santa Cruz League, but they'll have their impact middle blocker Mariah Bankhead back from a knee injury that's kept her out most of the year.
"We've had two practices with her right now and she hasn't missed a beat," Bell-Jeff Coach Miguel Segura said. "She has been antsy to get back on the court and she came out real strong. Right now, she looks very good with the team."
After falling to No. 1-seeded and eventual Division IV-A champion Hemet in the 2011 quarterfinals, the Guards (14-7, 9-0) are looking to improve on last year's run.
Bell-Jeff will host Kern Valley, an at-large team out of the High Desert League, Tuesday and, should it win, it won't face another ranked team until a possible date with Laguna Blanca (12-5, 7-1), which entered the playoffs ranked eighth, in the quarterfinals.
If things go according to plan, the Guards wouldn't face another seeded team until the semifinals against No. 2 Frazier Mountain (21-2, 10-0).
"That's one of the bigger goals, to surpass what we did last year, but right now we are just taking it one game at a time," Segura said. "They're real confident and they're planning on making it to the championship. Obviously, we're taking it one game at a time, but they have high goals for this year and they want to go all the way."
Burbank, which earned a share of the Pacific League championship when it defeated Burroughs in its regular-season finale, hosts Valley Christian Tuesday. The Crusaders finished third in the Olympic League with a 4-4 in league, 17-6 overall, record.
"We had a great last week-and-a-half or so of league and hopefully we can keep that going," said Bulldogs Coach Sarah Brown, whose team went 18-3, 13-1 in the regular season. "I feel like playoffs is about who can stay mentally tough the longest.
"The girls are really excited about having a home match and I hope the school and student body comes out, supports us and we have a nice little home-court advantage."
The Indians may not be riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs after the loss to their cross-town rival, but through a wider lens their coach Edwin Real likes how his team's been playing recently.
"Over the last two weeks we've been getting better," Real said. "We played Arcadia tough and had a good showing in the CV Tournament — we took third. It was a disappointing match against Burbank, but we weren't really playing for anything. We were already locked into third [in league] and they were playing for everything. Without looking at Burbank, I'd say we're playing pretty good lately."
Burroughs (17-15, 10-4) hits the road to take on Cypress, the No. 2 team out of the Empire League.
"At this time, I don't know much about them, but I guess it's better to get a second-place team than a first-place team," Real said. "We treat the playoffs like a second season, so we have to put everything that happened before behind us. It's a whole new ball game."
An opening victory would likely put the Indians in a second-round rematch with third-seeded Oxnard. The Yellowjackets defeated Burroughs in the second round last year after dropping the first game, 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22.
The Tologs return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus under first-year, yet veteran playoff coach Ernest Banaag. They (15-15, 6-4) take on a familiar opponent with the sixth-ranked team in Division I-A, Valencia, on the road in the first round after earning the final guaranteed, third playoff spot out of the Mission League.
Sacred Heart is familiar with the Vikings (24-10, 9-1) after the two met in the Redondo Union Tournament just over a week ago on Oct. 26. Valencia, the Foothill League champion, defeated the Tologs in an abbreviated best two-out-of-three match, 25-22, 19-25, 15-6.
"The girls were asking me if I knew who we were going to play, and some of them were saying they wanted to play Valencia again because they wanted a rematch," said Banaag, who led Mayfield to CIF titles from 2008-10. "I had a funny feeling we were going to play them, too.
"I feel pretty good about it. Obviously [the Vikings] came in first in their league and we came in third in our league, but I feel like our league was a lot tougher than their league. We played them at Redondo and lost, but we didn't play our best. I think the fact the girls have seen them already and know they didn't play their best, as well, makes it a good story line."
Banaag said his young team went back to basics last week in practice to prepare for the intense playoff atmosphere it's going to encounter.
"I just tried to reinforce the idea that it's the technique, the fundamentals that are going to get them through the matches," Banaag said. "It's going to be loud and it's going to be crazy — they're going to have boys there — but the skills you have and the coaches are going to get you through it. … We have another shot at Valencia and hopefully second time's the charm."
The Pioneers (9-10, 7-4) are the only area school to open with a seeded opponent, as they'll travel to La Puente Tuesday. The fourth-seeded Warriors won the Montview League with a 17-10, 13-1 record, while Providence took fourth in the Liberty League.


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Hi Joe,
Thanks, but I don't work and I'm looking to play late mornings
I live in RR and would be happy to meet in Arboretum to play some. I'm free any time and day.
Hi Austen,
Disclaimer: I haven't played in about a year, but I'd like to get back into it. Let me know if you'd be interested in playing this week. I'll have to go over and see what the courts at my complex look like to see if they're playable. Or maybe you know of some other courts???
Let me know. Thanks,
No worries, I'm starting out myself and would say I'm a 2.5 or 3. I'd definitely be interested in playing. I just moved here and the only courts I know of are at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock. Just let me know when and where you want to meet up; I'm free any day this week.
Either of those would work. Do you want to try for tomorrow?
Yes, how about around 10:00? I'll go check out the courts this afternoon and see which looks better.
Sounds good.
Hi Alexander, I'll know tomorrow if I can play Friday. If so, I'd like to play in the morning. I'll get back to you.
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Around the time of menopause, many women complain of mental slippage. But, as if to inflict some perverse trick upon them, cognitive scientists have found that they actually perform no more poorly than women who do not have such complaints. (Reassuring in a way: You're not losing your memory, but you may be losing your mind.)
A new study finds that both the women who complain of memory problems and the cognitive scientists are right. These women haven't fallen behind -- not yet at least-- because their brains are working harder to keep up.
The study, presented Sunday at the Society for Neuroscience's yearly confab -- held this year in Washington, D.C. -- recruited 22 healthy women with an average age of 57, all post-menopausal. A battery of tests identified 12 as "cognitive complainers" -- meaning, they believed that in recent years, their memories had begun to slip. All the women were put in a brain scanner -- a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanner -- that tracks activity in the brain in response to a task. The women then were given tasks that tested their working memory (sometimes called short-term memory) -- the ability to hold at least a few items in mind for less than a minute and to return to them, often after a distraction.
Compared with the 10 women who did not complain of mental slippage, the 12 complainers -- true to form -- showed no difference in their performance on short-term memory tasks. But their subjective experience of losing it was not baseless: To keep up, their brains showed far more exertion, on average, in parts of the brain that govern and support short-term memory. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex of a "cognitive complainer," on average, was working overtime to perform as well as her unaffected peers.
Odds are, said Julie Dumas, the University of Vermont neuroscientist presenting the study, that some of these cognitive complainers might go on to develop more serious intellectual deficits -- either mild cognitive impairment or dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. In studies of older populations of cognitive complainers -- average age, 67-- 50% of people who reported a subjective experience of intellectual slippage went on to develop dementia versus 15% of those who didn't have such complaints.
With mounting research showing that the processes of brain degradation begin years before symptoms of memory loss and disorientation become apparent, the researchers think they may have discerned the earliest signs of "cognitive compensation," whereby people whose memory has begun to slow use clever strategies (including greater effort) to make up for the loss.
Perhaps, said Julie Dumas of the University of Vermont's Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, fMRI imaging during memory tasks could be used to detect such compensatory effort and help identify some of the earliest signs of dementia.
So is menopause even a factor here? Is the link between changing midlife hormones and brain fog real? That, says Julie Dumas, of University of Vermont's Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, remains uncertain. Past efforts to find a clear link between menopause's plunging female hormone levels and changes in cognition haven't yielded a clear link. (Although mood change s-- which can lead to changed intellectual performance -- are well linked to menopause's hormonal changes.)
But hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- controversial since the 2003 Women's Health Initiative Study first linked it to higher rates of breast and ovarian cancer -- suggests an answer: Women who have taken HRT in the past were found to have brains with greater volumes of gray matter. And more gray matter is linked to better mental performance.
A second study presented at this week's Neuroscience meeting looked at estrogen replacement not in the rear-view mirror, but in a clinical trial designed to detect changes in gray matter density in response to supplementary estrogen. It found that giving estrogen to post-menopausal women made their brain's gray matter denser. The study, presented by Dr. Paul Newhouse of Vanderbilt University, divided 24 healthy postmenopausal women with an average age of 59 into two groups: the first got 1 milligram of estradiol (a synthesized version of estrogen) everyday for three months; the second got a daily dose of placebo.
At the outset and at the three-month mark, researchers used an MRI scanner that takes extremely detailed measurements of all the brain's structures to detect any changes in the womens' brains.
Compared with the women who took a placebo for three months, those who got estradiol had significantly greater gray matter density in three important areas -- the parietal temporal and prefrontal cortices -- on both sides of the brain. While those regions have a wide range of functions, they are key nodes in the networks that govern attention, episodic memory (memory for events and experiences) and working -- or short term memory.
Estrogen-induced changes in the brain "may be important in preserving cognitive function, especially in the early menopausal period," said Dr. Newhouse, who acknowledged that estrogen treatment will probably remain controversial despite tantalizing efforts of its cognitive benefits.
At the same time, Newhouse said it's not clear whether there exists an ideal window of time in a woman's life when a short course of estrogen might help protect against memory problems or dementia without unduly raising risks of other illnesses.
Studies are increasingly finding that for menopausal women, estrogen replacement alone (as opposed to HRT that uses a mix of estrogen and progestin) does not increase breast cancer risk so long as it is taken for less than 10 years.
University of Vermont and Vanderbilt are working together to study women, menopause and cognitive function, and Dumas said the next step with her cognitive complainers will be to see if a course of estrogen helps them.


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You open the closet door; inside you discover some of the oldest, most worn out clothes you can imagine. Did old man Rigby never buy anything? You feel somehow sorry for the man, so afraid of others that he would rather live as a pauper than risk a trip to Sears.
You are in the master bedroom. What a depressing place!
Wait here until morning and hope nothing happens...
Pass through the north door to the living room.
Pass through the other north door.
Examine the picture on the wall.


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California Department of Transportation
Today's Date: September 28, 2012
District: 12 – Orange County
Contact: Gloria Roberts
Phone: (949) 724-2695
California Transportation Commission allocates $236 million to drive state's economic growth and improve transportation
$21 million in unspent federal funding also approved for alternate projects
IRVINE - The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $236 million in new funding to 32 projects that will improve the state's transportation system and strengthen California's economy.
"From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs while at the same time reducing traffic congestion for people and businesses in California," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
The allocations include $81 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. In total, nearly $14.5 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been distributed statewide.
The remaining $155 million in allocations came from assorted transportation accounts funded by state and federal dollars.
- Among the projects that received funding allocations were:
• $34.95 million for Route 91 Auxiliary Lane Connection in Fullerton and Anaheim, westbound from Route 57 to Interstate 5, to construct a lane on existing auxiliary lanes through interchanges to form a continuous fourth lane.
- $695,000 for Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Parking Expansion, to construct 176 space surface parking lot adjacent to the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station parking lot.
- $607,000 for Wildlife Corridor Connectivity Enhancement at the Coal Canyon Road Interchange, to install vegetation enchancements.
The CTC also redistributed $21 million in federal funding to 22 alternate projects chosen by transportation agencies statewide. The funding comes from $43 million that was originally allocated to other transportation projects but was not spent. The outstanding $22 million in unspent funding will remain with the original projects and must be authorized by December 31.
Please see the attached file for more information about the alternate projects that received redistributed funds and the projects that received allocations today.
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- AltCar Auto Show
- Beijing Auto Show
- CES Auto Show
- Chicago Auto Show
- DC Auto Show
- Detroit Auto Show
- Frankfurt Auto Show
- Geneva Auto Show
- LA Auto Show
- NAIAS Auto Show
- New York Auto Show
- Paris Auto Show
- Philadelphia Auto Show
- SEMA Auto Show
- San Diego Auto Show
- Shanghai Auto Show
- St. Louis Auto Show
- Tokyo Auto Show
Auto Show: 2013 New York Auto Show
2014 Cadillac CTS: New York Auto Show Preview
Power. Lots of power.
That's the four-word rundown on the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS, which makes its debut here at the 2013 New York Auto Show.
The current CTS, you see, is a bit of a wallflower in the power department, unless you count the low-volume, high-priced CTS-V. Despite the escalating horsepower wars in Europe, with BMW and Mercedes-Benz battling for turbocharged supremacy, the CTS has stood pat with its solid 3.6-liter, 318-horsepower V6. Not bad by most measures, but when it comes to luxury/performance sedans more is more.
For the redesigned 2014 CTS, however, Cadillac has added twin turbochargers to that 3.6-liter V6, resulting in an epic 420 hp. Think about that: 420 hp. That's just 10 fewer horses than you get in the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette.
Let's talk about torque, too -- you know, the stuff that shoves you back in your seat when you accelerate. The CTS's new twin-turbo V6 cranks out 430 lb-ft of it. Guess how much torque is generated by, say, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck's 5.3-liter V8? Answer: a measly 335 lb-ft.
Alright, so we've established that the twin-turbo 2014 Cadillac CTS has got a serious motor under its hood. But what else can we tell you about Cadillac's latest?
Well, there's a transmission to talk about, too. The twin-turbo CTS will feature a brand spanking new 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, providing fingertip control over those 420 horses. If there's any bad news here, it's that all those speeds can only muster an estimated 17 miles per gallon city/25 mpg highway, according to Cadillac. But when you're talking about 420 hp, 25 mpg is nothing to sneeze at.
As for other CTS models, the base version will share its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with the compact ATS sport sedan. Rated at 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, this engine employs a 6-speed automatic and returns 19 mpg city/30 mpg hwy (18/28 with optional all-wheel drive). You can also specify the venerable non-turbo 3.6-liter V6, which is back for another tour of duty with 321 hp, 275 lb-ft of torque and fuel economy of 19 mpg city/28 mpg hwy(18/27 with AWD).
Beyond that, we can only tell you what we've gleaned from these teaser photos from GM Inside News.com. The lines are sharper and the CTS looks to be a little longer this time around, presumably to enhance rear legroom and create separation from the smaller ATS. LED lights up front and a more creased looking rear end are obvious too. And from the available interior shots, the 2014 CTS appears to employ high-end dashboard stitching and high-tech gauges, along with wood trim on the door panels. The center stack houses the CUE infotainment interface and steering wheel mounted controls are part of the package too.
Cadillac is being tight-lipped about further details, so we'll have to leave it at that for now. But rest assured, we'll have all the info once the 2014 CTS officially debuts at the 2013 New York Auto Show later this month. Don't change that channel.


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Career Advice >> Browse Articles >> Regional Job Highlights
College Graduates: Top 25 Cities for Finding Your Entry-Level Job
Photo: Franco Folini | CreativeCommons
Anna Hennings, Tania Khadder, Adam Starr, Alice Handley | Excelle
October 20, 2009
Now more than ever, it's important to get the best bang for your buck. And there's no question about it — when it comes to value, not every U.S. city is created equally.
Why chase a great salary if your rent swallows most of it, unemployment is skyrocketing and you spend two hours a day just to get to and from work?
So, which cities offer the most overall value in 2009?
MonsterCollege has come up with the top 25 — and some may surprise you! After examining various city lists, weighing the rankings and taking note of our personal opinions, we've produced a list of cities that's sure to offer something for everyone.
Our Criteria
We looked at cities' growth rates, average salaries and costs of living.
We factored in average commute time — which, according to experts, has a colossal impact on your overall happiness.
We looked not only at unemployment figures, but also at the rate that unemployment has actually increased since February 2008.
Thinking of relocating for better job prospects? Need to compare two top contenders? Just curious to see where your city ranks? We've got you covered. Read on!


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How does my wastewater get into the City of Redmond's sewer?
Your home's wastewater enters the City's sewer main (a large pipe often running under the street) via a smaller pipe known as a lateral or side sewer that extends from your home, across your property. You are responsible for maintenance of this lateral from your home to the City's main line.
The photo on the right shows a clean 8 inch concrete wastewater pipeline without defects.
What are those City of Redmond Wastewater trucks doing in my street?
City of Redmond Wastewater Maintenance staff have implemented a preventative maintenance program involving cleaning and closed circuit television inspection of the entire wastewater system to reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows.
The retaining wall pictured on the right, must be moved to allow access to the manhole in case of an emergency like a sanitary sewer overflow.
How close to my lateral sewer pipe can I plant trees?
Depending on the species of tree, the safe distance from your lateral sewer pipe varies. Planting appropriate types of trees is of critical importance. It is unlawful to plant within thirty feet of any public or private sewer any willow, poplar, cottonwood, soft maple, gum tree, or any other tree or shrub whose roots are likely to enter and obstruct the flow of wastewater.
What causes sewer odors in my home?
If you experience sewer odors in your home, you may have a drain trap with a dry water seal. This usually occurs in the lower levels of a home in floor drains which are not used very often. Pour one gallon of water in the drain and this should rectify the odor issue.
How can I tell that I have a problem with my plumbing?
You will know you have a problem with your plumbing when fixtures do not drain; sewage backs-up into bathtubs, showers or toilets; or if sewage seeps-up from the sewer cleanout pipe next to your home.
How can I find out if there is a wastewater utility easement on my property and what activities are permitted within that area?
Call the Wastewater Division at 425-556-2827 during normal business hours: 7:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. Staff will let you know if there is a wastewater utility easement on your property and explain what is and is not permitted within that area. Staff can also review a home improvement or landscaping project that might affect an easement.
I have a grinder or STEP (Septic Tank Effluent Pumping) system. How do these systems work? Is there anything else I should know?
Grinder and STEP Systems are low pressure sewer systems. They consist of a control panel, pump, holding tank, and a small diameter pressurized pipe called a force main. These components are located on your property. Wastewater from your home is collected, stored, and then pumped through the force main into the City's wastewater system.
These systems will not work if there is a power outage. The pump will not be able to empty the holding tank. Using bath and kitchen facilities during these periods may result in a sewage backup onto your property.
Where do the majority of sewer back-ups occur?
The majority of sewer back-ups are the result of a blockage in the sewer lateral which connects your home to the City's sewer main. Sewage will overflow out of the lowest sewer opening in the home (i.e., downstairs shower).
What causes a sewer to back-up?
Most sewer backups happen because the line is plugged with debris. Typical solids that build up in the pipe and cause backups are fats, oil, grease (FOG), dirt, hair, bones, sanitary products, paper towels, kitty litter, diapers, broken dishware, garbage, eggshells, coffee grounds, and concrete.
Tree roots can also cause backups. Tree roots are attracted to wastewater lines because of the waters' warm temperature and nutrients. Roots can infiltrate the pipe system and clog wastewater flow.
What should I do if I have a sewer back-up?
Call the Wastewater Maintenance staff at 425-556-2827 during business hours, or 425-556-2500 (Police) after hours and they will contact staff on-call with your information.
Wastewater Maintenance staff will assess the back-up and determine if the blockage is in the City wastewater main or your lateral sewer pipe. The City is not able to reimburse fees incurred by customers who hire a private sewer service or plumber first and then discover the problem is caused by a City main blockage.
Will the City "unclog" my lateral sewer pipe?
Homeowners are responsible for unclogging blockages that occur in the sewer lateral located between their home and the City sewer main. The City will clear any blockage that occurs in the main in the street or utility easement.
Who do I contact if I need work performed on my lateral sewer pipe?
For your convenience, the City has a prepared list of licensed contractors able to perform work on your lateral sewer line. This list is for reference only; the City makes no recommendations as to whom you should hire to complete you work.
How can I determine where my lateral sewer pipe is located?
One of the best ways to find your lateral sewer pipe is to refer to the as-built documents you likely received when you purchased your home. If you don't have these documents, contact Development Services at 425-556-2760.
Who do I contact if a back-up in the City's sewer main has caused damage to my property?
The Risk Management Department at 425-556-2188.
What can I do to prevent sanitary sewer back-ups?
Never flush any of the following items down your toilet: disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages, rags, paper towels, pre-moistened cleaning wipes, and plastics bags. Anything that will not completely dissolve can cause a back-up.
Use the City's new request management system to report non-emergency issues, make requests, and find answers to common questions.
Get started


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Bill Willard lives in Gadsden and went to law school at the University of Alabama — but the graduate of the University of Notre Dame still is Fighting Irish all the way.
Bill Willard lives in Gadsden and went to law school at the University of Alabama — but the graduate of the University of Notre Dame still is Fighting Irish all the way.
Willard jokes that he was brainwashed at an early age. He had a pillow with a Notre Dame crest placed in his crib when he was a baby in Cleveland, Ohio.
He moved to Gadsden when he was in seventh grade because his father worked for then-Republic Steel. He went to St. James Catholic School and Gadsden High School.
Willard's roots as an Irish Catholic were in his blood, and no other school but Notre Dame was considered.
"Notre Dame was an icon for kids in parochial school," he said.
Willard said his father aspired for his son to go to Notre Dame, so his college decision was an easy one, and he loved college life at Notre Dame.
He said one of the things that surprised him while in law school at Alabama was the assessment of a fee for football tickets. Students did not have to go, nor was it an expectation.
"At Notre Dame, you were expected to go to the game," he said. "You just showed them your ID."
Willard said the focus at Notre Dame was more on family and community.
He was a friend of a football team manager, who in 1966 was able to get a game ball for Willard and have it autographed by all the Fighting Irish players.
Willard gave the ball to his father that year for Christmas.
"The football players were just sprinkled in with everybody else," he said. "Until a few years ago, the football players ate with everybody else for every meal. Rather than feeling like they were members of the football team, they were more like brothers."
He obtained a bachelor's degree in labor and economics from Notre Dame, before entering Alabama's law school.
"It was just totally different," he said.
It wasn't difficult for Willard to return his loyalty to Notre Dame, although he said he has no animosity toward Alabama.
He returned to Gadsden as city attorney a few years after graduating from law school.
Willard still was able to make a few Notre Dame football games each year, and with his own children continued the tradition his father started with him.
He said his most memorable game was the Miami game in 1988, when he took his children along to South Bend.
Willard had four tickets — two sets of two seats together. His children, Shannon and Michael, sat together and he sat with his middle child, Maureen, who at 18 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
He said prior to a kickoff by Miami in the second half, he explained to Maureen, in her early 20s at the time, that player No. 28 most likely would run the ball all the way back — and he did.
With tears in his eyes, Willard explained that Maureen looked back at him. "She said, 'You know everything, Daddy.' But I didn't know how to fix cancer."
That was the last trip Maureen made with him to South Bend. She entered the hospital the following week and died the following February on Valentine's Day.
Michael obtained a degree from the University of Alabama's engineering school.
"He'll cheer for Notre Dame with me at the championship game," said Willard, who has tickets for the BCS Championship game on Jan. 7.
Ironically, Shannon went to Auburn University. While she was in college, Willard served as president of the parents association. That position places him on the board of directors at Auburn.
"They didn't like to hear 'At Alabama, they did it this way, and at Notre Dame they did it that way,'" he said.
Willard always cheers for Notre Dame, and usually pulls for Alabama when it's playing Auburn.
"But usually just for whoever has the most to gain that year," he said of Alabama and Auburn. "I always want one or both to do well."
Willard said he believes the strong sense of public service instilled in him at Notre Dame has contributed to his involvement of more than 35 years in the Boys & Girls Club and in other civic activities.
"My hat is off to them," he said, adding that Notre Dame emphasizes "contributing to society."


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Super high output lamp.
Manufacture Code: SL.1000W.U25.2.1K
Initial Lumens: 150,000
Manufactured to compete with EYE Hortilux brand HPS lamps and win in the lumen and increased blue output race. Wow, this lamp is great! Give it a try.
SUNMASTER Yellow Blossom Lamps are High Pressure Sodium lamps designed to deliver 10% more light than standard HPS lamps. This extremely energy-efficient plant grow lamp provides more energy which is essential for optimized photosynthetic response.
— Ships from Portland, Oregon USA.