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Steading, Edinburgh
No frills, just good pub food and a choice of real ales
The Steading, 118-20 Biggar Road, Hillend, Edinburgh EH10 7DU
RATING: Food 3.5; Atmosphere 3.5; Service 3; Drinks 3.5; Toilets 3.5; Website 2.5
The Steading on the outskirts of Edinburgh, just below the city's dry ski slope, has been a popular place to eat and enjoy a thirst-quenching pint for some years. You just have to look at the amount of cars consistently parked there to know that it is popular.
It is certainly not pretentious and provides no frills traditional pub food. Service was iffy – one of the waiters needs a course on how to smile – but otherwise the welcome was warm and we could not complain about what we received. Starters included lentil and chorizo soup, (mine could have been hotter), and spring rolls plus prawns. All good food.
Mains included fish (sizeable, the battered was superior to the breaded), steak and ale pie (good filling, tender meat and crunchy pastry, just how I like it), lovely liver and onions and a tasty Parmesan chicken on a bed of pasta. Nothing fancy, but all perfectly acceptable for the price.
There was a mixed crowd from families to pensioners and it was busy for a Sunday night. The bar also boasted a small but pleasing selection of cask ale. My Timothy Taylor's Landlord was as it should be and the local cask ale from Stewart's Brewing, just down the road, was also pleasantly hoppy.
Overall, an enjoyable experience with friends from different parts of the city and surrounding area making this an ideal spot to catch-up.


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Cisco UCS Scripts – Tips Tools and Hexadecimal Math
As a homeowner I found that I am regularly involved in some sort of home project. Typically that project will require a tool that I do not own, cannot borrow and usually wouldn't rent because the rental would cost more than the entry level version of the tool that I may only use once.
Years ago my friend gave me this advice "Never buy cheap tools; it is almost always more frustration than the money you save." However a while back I wrote a blog that was all about free tools that I use for developing code that interacts with Cisco UCS.
With software, there are some really great free tools out there and a little time spent checking out free stuff can yield goodness. This blog is a few tidbits of free tools and suggestions for your development efforts.
First up, autohotkey, what is it you ask? Let's examine a scenario that comes up pretty regularly in UCS Server management, KVM access, where's the Cut-n-Paste? You cannot paste into the KVM but AutoHotKey will emulate keystrokes and mouse clicks. Additionally AutoHotKey will locate windows by title and bring them to the foreground, has programmatic logic capabilities, and can be compiled into distributable scripts as execuatables.
For example, suppose you need to login to your ESX servers to get VMFS information, take a screen and save that screenshot in a file. You're going to login, cd to /vmfs/volumes, ls -l , send a print screen, switch to your word document and paste the screen shot. Your ESX servers first need to be sent an Alt-F1 to get to the login screen and you want to put them back the way you found them so you'll have to send an Alt-F11 when you're done.
This AutoHotKey script is kicked off when you press Ctrl-n, it will Activate the Window titled Blade-1-7, send an Alt-F1, login, change to the /vmfs/volumes directory , issue an ls -l command, take a screen shot, exit from ESX, send an Alt-F11, switch to the document titled VMFS-ScreenShots.docx – Microsoft Word and finally paste the screen shot.
WinActivate, Blade-1-7
Send {Alt down}{F1}{Alt up}root{enter}Cisco{!}123{enter}
Sleep 2000
Send cd /vmfs/volumes{enter}ls -l{enter}
Sleep 2000
Send {Alt down}{PrintScreen}{Alt up}
sleep 2000
Send exit{enter}
Sleep 2000
Send {Alt down}{F11}{F11}{Alt up}
WinActivate, VMFS-ScreenShots.docx – Microsoft Word
Send {Control down}v{Control up}
I used the UCS PowerTool "Start-UcsKvmSession -Blade 1/7 -FrameTitle Blade-1-7" to start the KVM session and give the window a title AutoHotKey could find. Since AutoHotKey supports variables, loops, delays and all kinds of scripting stuff, it is quite possible to have AutoHotKey start the KVM session wait until the window is active, process the rest of the script, shutdown the KVM session and then move on the next server.
Next up, TCL, you've read my blogs about expect. If you have not then you're missing a whole "API" ish interface into your Fabric Interconnects, as well as your Nexus, MDS, and any other ssh/telnet host interfaces that are in your infrastructure. expect is usually packed as a component of TCL on your Linux hosts, but on Windows you'll need to get something like Active TCL or Cygwin.
Now for something from me, Provisioning UCS from a Spreadsheet using UCS PowerTool (new realse .9.10.1 just came out, major improvements and additional functionality). The spreadsheet has tabs for each tab in UCS Manager and I devised a system where the first column is the component/thing that I want to configure and the next 50 columns are places for options for the cmdlets that I'll be running to configure that component.
The script takes as one of the arguments a configuration spreadsheet name that it will read in and create CSV files for each tab in the spreadsheet. If a sheets flag is present on the command line then that sheet's CSV file will be processed. There is also a -Clean option to remove a bunch of UCS configuration items. I would recommend trying this out on the latest release of the UCS Emulator (free by the way) to see how it works.
The script processes the sheets in this order "Admin", "Equipment", "LAN", "SAN", "Server". I don't have a VM tab in there I'll leave that to you. Logically Orgs need to exist for almost all the other items so I put Org creation in the "Admin" tab. By the time you get to the "Servers" tab you'll have a lot of the things you need for your UCS and certainly enough to create Service Profile Templates. In fact the last thing the script does for the "Server" tab is instantiate the Service Profiles from the templates and in my example since the Service Profile templates are associated to Pools, association happens right away. It's pretty awesome. I'm happy to answer any questions about the script.
Last thing I'll leave you with is some character based hexadecimal math, good for finding the size of UCS pools. Let's look at a two MAC addresses returned from a call to Get-UcsMacMemberBlock, the MAC member block objects that are returned will have a From attribute and a To attribute. Subtract the From attribute from the To attribute add 1 and you have the decimal size of the block.
Here's a MacMemberBlock object
From : 00:25:B5:2B:00:00
To : 00:25:B5:2B:00:1F
Dn : org-root/org-Test/mac-pool-Test-MACPool_B/block-00:25:B5:2B:00:00-00:25:B5:2B:00:1F
Rn : block-00:25:B5:2B:00:00-00:25:B5:2B:00:1F
Status :
XtraProperty : {}
Ucs : ucspe-172-16-206-152
Notice no size attribute, we all know it is 32 because I do HEX math in my head. Let's try some MAC math
PS C:\> $macFrom = "00:25:B5:2B:00:00"
PS C:\> $macTo = "00:25:B5:2B:00:1F"
PS C:\> ($macTo – $macFrom) + 1
Bad numeric constant: 00:25:B5:2B:00:1F.
At line:1 char:10
+ ($macTo – <<<< $macFrom) + 1
+ CategoryInfo : InvalidOperation: (00:25:B5:2B:00:1F:String) [], RuntimeException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : BadNumericConstant
Ouch no good, but let's do this, put a "0x" at the beginning of the string and replace all the ":" (colons) with "" (nothing) subtract them and add 1
PS C:\> $macFrom = "0x" + "00:25:B5:2B:00:00".Replace(":","")
PS C:\> $macTo = "0x" + "00:25:B5:2B:00:1F".Replace(":","")
PS C:\> ($macTo – $macFrom) + 1
Want to know the size of your pools, there you go, hope that helps.
What other free tools are useful? You tell me, how do you automate your UCS deployments and your day-to-day activities? Is there a keyboard emulator for Linux that you use?
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1 Comments
Autokey is great suggestion. UCS Spreadsheet is will go out of sync, till need to find a better way of source control or versioning.

subset: commoncrawl


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Country Stars Become Servers at Waiting for Wishes Fundraiser
Country stars left their cowboy hats at home and donned server attire for the 13th annual Kevin Carter Waiting for Wishes Celebrity Waiters Dinner on last Tuesday (April 15).
The event was held at a downtown Nashville hotspot, the Palm, and inside the restaurant, fan-favorite singers were handing out plates of delicious food, filling water and wine glasses, and taking on the role of waiters and waitresses. It all benefitted the Kevin Carter Foundation and Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee.
Hosted by the former NFL football star Carter and Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus, the evening saw Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, Keith Anderson, Frankie Ballard, Maggie Rose, Olympian Scott Hamilton, pop stars Rick Springfield and Tiffany, 'Nashville' stars Charles Esten and Chris Carmack and NFL stars Eric Decker, Michael Roos and George Wilson all acting as servers for the evening.
Even though all the stars were glad to help out with the event, trading in their guitar straps and microphones and learning to balance plates of food was a little nerve-wracking.
"I have zero experience of waiting tables in my past," Young tells Country Weekly. "So, I'll be flying by the seat of my pants. But it's a really great event and a cool way to give back to a good cause."
Bentley admits, "Being a server is hard work. I just hope I don't drop any plates."
The guys wore tan waiter's jackets over their choice of button-down shirts, while the gals donned black aprons over their clothing.
DeMarcus, who helps round up celebrities from the music and television worlds, says the annual event, which has raised more than $1.5 million since it began in 2002, is worth all the hard work.
"For me, what I love seeing is that so many people want to come back," he says. "They're just mesmerized by the whole event. We do have fun but it's for a great cause and I think everybody gets that. The only thing Kevin hasn't been able to improve on is the co-host." He adds. "He gets stuck with me every year."
If these country stars ever decide to make a transition into the restaurant industry, they've already had a bit of practice!


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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Israel for the past week has been on edge as local media brings to light intensive government discussions over whether or not to launch a preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
It started last Friday when Israel's largest newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, ran a frontpage editorial asserting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak had already determined that a strike on Iran was necessary, and were applying pressure to get the rest of the cabinet to give a green light.
Days later, the Knesset was embroiled in constant debate over the necessity of attacking Iran before it could build a nuclear bomb. Western intelligence officials now believe Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, but may still be two years away from fielding operational warheads.
A number of government officials blasted the fact that the debate over whether or not to strike Iran had burst forth into the public domain, arguing that if such a strike is deemed necessary, Israel may have lost all hope of surprising the enemy.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in an interview with Israel Radio did not refute that an Iran strike is being discussed, but did say that much of what is being reported in the media is inaccurate.
Fuelling local fears that an attack on Iran is imminent were three major military exercises conducted over the past week:
On Wednesday, Israeli Air Force pilots returned from a large-scale joint exercise with the Italian Air Force. The drills included long-range refueling. The only current threat far enough from Israel to require its fighters to refuel mid-air is Iran.
Earlier this week, Israel successfully test fired a new "ballistic" version of Jericho III long-range missile. The new Jericho III enables Israel to deliver heavy payloads to targets anywhere in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and much of North America. Foreign media also noted that the missiles could be fitted with the hundreds of nuclear warheads Israel is believed to possess.
On Thursday, Israel's Home Front Command conducted a major drill in the Tel Aviv region simulating a long-range enemy missile strike on Israel's population centers. Iran has warned that if Israel strikes its nuclear facilities, missiles will rain down on Israeli cities. Syria would presumably join Iran in such an attack.
On top of all the local activity, British newspaper The Guardian reported on Wednesday that the British military is "accelerating" preparations to take part in a US-led strike on Iran.
The report came just days after the head of the British military, Gen. David Richards visited Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is currently in London holding talks with Britain's top defense officials.
London's Daily Mail followed up with a report citing officials who said US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron had determined that after years of diplomatic efforts, there is now no alternative to military intervention as a means of halting Iran's nuclear program.
Obama and Cameron "are preparing for war after reports that Iran now has enough enriched uranium for four nuclear weapons," reported the paper.
While a strike on Iran is certainly not a given, all the talk and obvious preparations have put most Israelis on edge.
Many in Israel believe there will ultimately be no choice but to strike Iran's nuclear facilities - just as Israel did to Iraq in 1981 and to Syria in 2007 - but know that such a move will carry a heavy price tag.
Even if Israel does not play a direct role in a military operation against Iran, it would bear the brunt of the retaliation. And if Iran responded by firing unconventional weapons at Tel Aviv, Israel would be compelled to launch a counter-strike.
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text:
Printer Friendly Version
Standard ECMA-118
8-Bit Single-Byte Coded Graphic Character
Sets - Latin/Greek Alphabet
(December 1986)
This Ecma Standard defines a set of 185 graphic characters identified
as Latin/Greek Alphabet, and specifies the coded representation
of each of these characters by means of a single 8-bit byte. None
of these characters are "non-spacing".
The use of control functions, such as BACKSPACE or CARRIAGE RETURN
for the coded representation of composite characters is prohibited
by this Standard.
The following file can be freely downloaded:
This Ecma publication is also approved as ISO 8859-7.


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Mexico gov't faces vigilante monster it created
APATZINGAN, Mexico (AP) — Vigilantes who have challenged the government's authority in lawless Michoacan state held onto their guns Wednesday as federal authorities struggled to rein in a monster they helped create: citizen militias that rose among farmers and lime pickers to fight a drug cartel.
"They said they're not going to bother us, but they don't want us to keep advancing," said Hipolito Mora, head of the self-defense group in the town of La Ruana. The vigilantes now control the 17 municipalities that make up southwestern Michoacan — about a third of the entire state. "They don't want us to carry our guns in view."
Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong denied such an agreement was reached with the vigilantes.
"We made it clear that they cannot be armed," he said, though he said arresting vigilantes was not the objective.
Leaders of the self-defense groups are demanding the government arrest the top seven leaders of the Knights Templar drug cartel before they consider laying down their weapons.
Late Wednesday, Monte Alejandro Rubido Garcia, executive secretary of the National Public Safety System, said federal police had detained two members of the Knights Templar. But the spokesman for the vigilante movement, Estanislao Beltran, said the self-defense groups were not satisfied with the arrests, saying the men weren't cartel leaders.
This week, the government has beefed up federal police numbers in the rich farming region known as the Tierra Caliente, vowing to tame the area that has been controlled for at least three years by the quasi-religious Knights Templar. But the move comes after months of unofficial tolerance of vigilante groups that have taken up arms against the cartel, which started in drug trafficking and expanded to extortion and total economic control as the government failed to act.
With more firefights and violence over the weekend as vigilantes continued to advance, the tolerance of the armed citizen groups is being called a dangerous precedent inside the country and out. The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that the warring between vigilantes and the cartel is "incredibly worrisome" and "unclear if any of those actors have the community's best interests at heart."
"What they created was a Frankenstein that got out of control," Erubiel Tirado, a specialist in civil-military relations at Iberoamerican University, said of the situation, adding that the government has been allowing citizen groups to do its "dirty work."
So far the vigilantes have been more successful than the government, which has been sending troops to Michoacan at least since 2006, when former President Felipe Calderon launched his assault on drug trafficking. When legions of federal police arrived Tuesday to take over Apatzingan, the farming region's main city and a Knights Templar stronghold, residents simply shrugged.
"Police sent in from outside don't know where the criminals are," said the Rev. Gregorio Lopez, a Roman Catholic priest. "We know of 10 warehouses where they are hiding armed men. They aren't going to find them."
With no clear rules governing the use of the military in civilian law enforcement, soldiers have been slow to respond as the cartel has gone about its business in Michoacan, including taking over some mining exports to China, forcing civilians to demonstrate against police and extorting payments on a wide range of activities.
The vigilantes know who the criminals are, often with help from local residents who point out the thugs who have extorted money, stolen homes and cars, or kidnapped relatives.
The vigilantes kill without qualms and take enemies into improvised jails.
Cartel gunmen usually flee before vigilantes arrive in towns, burning vehicles to cover their escape. In each new town they take over, the so-called self-defense groups are greeted by dozens of eager young men who want to join the movement and "liberate" more towns.
The number of deaths in the yearlong vigilante-cartel conflict is unclear, but the state's homicide count has roughly doubled to more than 100 a month since September compared to earlier in the year.
Federal forces initially arrested vigilantes when they first rose up to take over some towns in February. Authorities called the conflict a fight between drug cartels. But as the vigilante campaign became more successful, federal officials started negotiating with the groups and in October offered to work with them to keep them from attacking Apatzingan.
The military and federal police had been providing patrol and helicopter cover for their campaigns in recent months, and stood by during the weekend firefights without intervening.
When Osorio Chong called Monday for vigilantes to put down their arms and go home, he got instead a standoff between the military and vigilantes that killed at least two civilians and spurred a human rights investigation.
The vigilantes have the support of locals for now and they have grown stronger and more sophisticated, but many rights activists and legal experts warn that they could simply replace the cartel as a new outlaw authority.
Jose Miguel Vivanco of Human Right Watch called the situation "an improvised and even reckless government strategy."
State and federal government authorities already say some self-defense groups have been infiltrated by the rival New Generation cartel from neighboring Jalisco state, which is warring with the Knights Templar.
Vigilante leaders vehemently deny this. They say they finance their battle with money that citizens formerly paid in extortion to the Knights Templar and now donate voluntarily to self-defense groups. They also say wealthy landowners in the rich farm country, a major producer of limes, avocados and mangos, have been financing their cause.
Vivanco fears the potential for abuse.
"It's not hard to imagine such groups quickly becoming involved in (assuming some haven't already) the very criminal activities — such as extortion and drug trafficking — that the government needs to eradicate," he said in written remarks sent to The Associated Press.
Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon and Katherine Corcoran in Mexico City and Luis Alonso Lugo in Washington contributed to this report.


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Testing the Extended Logger
The next set of tests are for the
ExtendedLogger from my article Custom Configuring Java Apps: Extending log4j. The test class (
ExtendedLoggerTest) is in ExtendedLoggerTest.java. The
ExtendedLogger works like a standard log4j logger, but it also supports a
printf() file variant for all the log methods. I'm testing that functionality by actually logging something to a known log file, then reading the file to make sure that the logged string is what I expected.
Most of the work is in the
setup() method at the top of the file, which creates a temporary file into which we'll log, then reconfigures log4j to log to that file rather than to it's normal target file.
The extended logger gets the location of the target log file from it's log4j.properties file, the location of which is defined in the
CONFIG environment. As was the case with the
Places tests we looked at a moment ago, I'm spying on the
System class and telling it to return the location of the log4j.properties file created in
setup() rather than the normal properties file. This way, all logging will go to the temporary file created at the top of
The tests just log something, read back the logged text from the temporary file we created, and succeed if they've found the expected log message.
Note that here, as was the case earlier, I'm testing the
ExtendedLogger as a black box. The object under test is just working in the normal way, but I'm using the neighbors to control its behavior so that I can test it.
Testing Configurations
Just to round out the set, I've also included the test file for the file-based configuration system described in my article
Type-Safe File-Based Configuration
ConfigurationTest in ConfigurationsTest.java).
There are no new testing principles demonstrated here, so I'll just give you the file to read without much in the
way of comment.
ConfigurationsTest is just a straight JUnit test, with no mocking at all, so is pretty boring.
I'm actually testing
Configurations.Support object, but to do that, I have to
implementing a fake configuration (
TestConfiguration in TestConfiguration.java).
I use the
Configuations.Support.createConfigFileUsingDefaults() method to create physical configuration file
(on the disk) that matches the defined in Java.
The one interesting method is
createPropertiesFile() at the top of ConfigurationsTest.java.
Configuations.Support.createConfigFileUsingDefaults() to create the properties file in memory by creating to
StringWriter rather than a
FileWriter. It then goes through the file, one line at a time, replacing all strings that
match a regular-expression argument with a replacement string.
This way, the various tests can effectively replace one or more key=value pairs in the generated files with the custom
strings that they need to test whatever they're testing.
For example, the
createPropertiesFile("intBound.*", "intBound=0") call in the following test replaces the legal
intBound=2 statement in the properties file with the string
intBound=0 (which is out of bounds).
TestConfiguration.intBound.value() call will then force the out-of-bounds value to be read, and the
test succeeds when the resulting
ConfigurationError is thrown at file-load time.
@Test( expected=ConfigurationError.class ) public void detectValueTooLow() throws IOException { //... createPropertiesFile("intBound.*", "intBound=0" ); TestConfiguration.reset(); // reset to force reload on next access TestConfiguration.intBound.value(); // load the bogus value. }
The other tests are similar. They either make sure that the expected values are the ones that are actually loaded and that the values are the right type and are in range, or that the load fails as expected when something's wrong.
Wrapping Up
So, that's a few basic tests that demonstrate the core principle of testing an object as a black box. This sort of testing wouldn't be possible if the object had an inappropriate interface (lots of getters and setters, for example) because the internal state of the object would be too easy to change, so we couldn't test every possible behavior. More to the point, these tests won't have to be modified if I need to modify the objects that I'm testing, so they should remain useful for a long time. Next month, we'll move on to more interesting uses of mocks.


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D.Min. Distance Learning Program Approved: Accepting Applications
22 April 2014 • D.Min. Hybrid Program • Deborah (Malacky) Belonick
St. Vladimir's Seminary is now accepting applications from priests, chaplains, and other professionals in ministry who want to earn an accredited Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree, through a new hybrid program that combines online coursework with on-campus intensive training. In the coming months the seminary administration will begin reviewing applications to admit 15 students into the first cohort of the new program, set to commence fall semester 2014. There also will be an on-campus orientation this summer.
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) approved the hybrid D.Min. program in fall 2012, and more recently, on March 21, 2014, the State of New York's Office of College and University Evaluation also granted its approval. Additionally, The Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies, a fund set up by The Rev. Protodeacon Peter M. Danilchick and his wife, Tanya, will help support qualified D.Min. students with their tuition, through need-based scholarships.
The Very Rev. Dr. J. Sergius Halvorsen, assistant professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St. Vladimir's and the program's director, observed, "Receiving authorization for the D.Min. from New York State is a great accomplishment for everyone at St. Vladimir's Seminary, and I'm extremely happy to complete this stage of initial planning and authorization. Now our world class D.Min. faculty can begin the essential work of strengthening the ministry of priests, chaplains, and others involved in institutional and professional ministry."
The D.Min. Program will integrate doctoral level academic work with applied pastoral practice, and members of the St. Vladimir's faculty, along with Orthodox Christian scholars from other institutions, will teach the eight core courses:
The Very Rev. J. Sergius Halvorsen, Ph.D., Advanced Preaching and Communications
Gayle E. Woloschak, Ph.D., Bioethics for Ministry
The Very Rev. Nicholas Solak, D.Min., Counseling in the Parish
The Very Rev. John A. Jillions, D.Min., Ph.D., Ministry in a Secular Age
Daniel B. Hinshaw, M.D., Ministry to the Sick and Dying
The Rev. Gregory Edwards, Ph.D., Missiology
The Rev. Eugen J. Pentiuc, Ph.D., Scripture: Exegesis for Preaching
The Very Rev. Joseph F. Purpura, D.Min., Youth Ministry
A project that combines research at the doctoral level with the intentional application of pastoral theory in pastoral ministry will comprise the final phase of the program.
"Pastors today face immense challenges," emphasized Fr. Sergius. "The depth and intensity of suffering and spiritual darkness in the lives of the people we serve is startling. Facing such serious challenges, there has never been a greater need for excellence in pastoral ministry."
Program applicants must have at least three years experience in ministry subsequent to their first theological degree; be currently serving in a position of ministry; and be capable of doing doctoral level academic work.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program may contact Fr. Sergius at email@example.com or (914) 961-8313, x367. Read more about the D.Min. Program, including technology requirements.


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Carnivorous greetings
I was befuddled when I received a mysterious postcard from Uruguay. Who do I know in Uruguay? The envelope felt thick, so I was anxious to see what was inside. The contents were increasingly peculiar: an outstretched hand calling out for help from a circus tent. I played along.
Then ... chomp!
Never saw it coming.
It just goes to show: you don't have to spend a fortune to do clever gaming PR. Kudos to Kalio. It just takes some out of the box envelope thinking. The promotion belongs to an indie game called RingRun Circus, a dizzying puzzle platforming title coming to iOS later this year. Check out their game trailer below. I'll be on the lookout for the lovely Nina during GDC!
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Miller Beach Arts & Creative District (MBACD)
Miller Beach Arts & Creative District is a volunteer-based organization in Miller Beach, Gary, Indiana. MBACD created Made In Miller to bring awareness to all the wonderful projects the great people of Gary are doing here. MBACD manages two projects: The Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts and the Miller Beach Farmers Market.
4:17 pm - 4:17 pm, May 26, 2019


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Fairfield National 12s eliminated by Westport in District 2
Working a sharp-breaking curveball off an overpowering fastball, Westport's Harry Azadian whiffed the first three batters he faced in Saturday's District 2 Little League game against Fairfield National.
His run of dominance didn't stop there.
The right-hander carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and socked a towering two-run home run to lift Westport's 12-year-old all-stars past Fairfield National 5-2 in Trumbull and onto the Sectionals.
"Throwing as hard as these guys do from 46 feet, it's tough to hit. Then the great neutralizer is the curveball, and he had it," Fairfield National manager Lenny Klein said of Azadian, who allowed just two singles with one out in the sixth.
Leading 5-1, Azadian gave way to right-hander Chad Knight, who worked around a hit to strike out two, clinching Westport's first district title since 2003.
Westport, which is 7-0 between pool play and districts, will open sectionals on Thursday in Stamford against the winner of the District 1 and 5 game.
"It's great to get through (districts)," Westport manager Tim Rogers said. "It's a huge step. The games don't get any easier."
Azadian provided Westport an early jolt at the plate by crushing a fastball well over the left-center field fence to lead off the second. Ricky Offenberg tacked on a second run on a sacrifice fly later in the inning against Fairfield National starter Alexei Lensenmeyer.
Westport recorded eight total hits and benefitted from control issues by Fairfield National's pitching. Westport drew four walks and reached base five times via hit by pitch.
"That's a heck of a pitcher on the other side," Rogers said, referring to the right-handed Lensenmeyer. "We couldn't touch that kid last year. And they came out and hit the ball."
Ahead 2-0, Westport padded its lead with two runs in the fifth inning. Offenberg blooped a single over second base to make it 3-0, and Chris Drbal raced home for the fourth run after the throw came into the infield.
That was more than enough support for Westport's ace, who allowed just two baserunners (one walk, one error) through five innings.
"I was feeling great," Azadian said. "I felt so smooth."
Azadian struck out nine and held Fairfield National hitless until Stephen Paoline's clean single to right with one out in the sixth. Daniel Fallacare followed that with a single, and a fielding error by the left fielder allowed Fairfield National's first run to score.
"(Azadian) was huge," Rogers said. "He's been unbelievable this whole tournament. ¦ His pitching, he's been unhittable. He was a little tired at the end there, so it was time to get him out of there. But he's mixing pitches, he's hitting spots."
Klein, whose team lost to Westport 6-2 in the winner's bracket final on Wednesday, said he was "disappointed" but will use the loss as a learning experience.
"We planned to win the district this year," he said, "and we didn't. I tip my cap to Westport."
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-255-4561 ext. 114; twitter.com/DougBonjour
Batteries: W -- Harry Azadian (W), Chad Knight (6) and Matt Stone. FN -- Alexei Lensenmeyer (L), Mark Vinci (5) and Daniel Fallacare.
Home runs: W -- Azadian.


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response to Greg Weagle's decidedly negative review of "Duck In the Iron Mask" in October 2009. Since Greg is the only person of my acquaintance who wasn't entertained by this energetic and imaginative Dumas pastiche, I felt obligated to try to answer his objections point by point. I did so here, here, and here.
(1) You simply can't beat the premise. Dewey decides to assert his individuality and tries to distinguish himself from his brothers by changing his appearance. The disguise itself is a bit on the silly side for the purpose...
Ducklaration of Independence" finds Dewey seeking privacy because his "loving" brothers won't leave him alone. As was its normal wont, QP took the palsy-walsy stuff much too far and, in Greg's words, "[made] Huey and Louie look criminally clueless in order for them to act like a bunch of no good jackasses."
(2) The tying-in of the "lookalike Nephews" subplot to the main plot, based on Voltaire's version of the "Man in the Iron Mask" legend -- in which the title character was the older, illegitimate brother of Louis XIV -- was a masterstroke. Writer Don Glut (whose rather... um... variegated career in comics fandom, comics writing, and fringe "cult cinema" is, let it be noted, completely irrelevant in terms of assessing the quality of this episode) definitely did his homework in this regard. Unfortunately, Glut hurt his own cause by portraying Count Ray as having a French accent, courtesy of Arte Johnson. Scrooge's inability to immediately pick up on the difference in his "old friend" Count Roy's voice doesn't really ring true. Glut at least tries to explain the difference in Roy and Ray's voices by creating the backstory of Ray being swept away in the river and growing up in France, but that revelation doesn't make Scrooge seem any less dense. In retrospect, it would certainly have been better had Maurice LaMarche, who provided the Ronald Colman-inflected voice of Roy ("roi" = French for king -- see a pattern there??), simply modified that voice slightly to use as the voice of Ray.
(4) We get an unexpected, yet welcome, glimpse into another facet of Scrooge's past, thanks to the flashback scene in Act One. Judging by Scrooge's appearance during the fencing duel with Roy, I would have to assume that the characters' relationship developed relatively late in Scrooge's life. Scrooge already looks fairly old in this scene, and Roy is pretty clearly much younger than him. I wonder why Scrooge didn't think to convince Roy to invest in McDuck Industries back in that particular day, when, presumably, he already had quite a sizable fortune?
Duchy of Grand Fenwick. I'm sure that Barks could have made quite a bit of this idea in a Scrooge adventure.
So Montedumas (sic) is located in Egypt? Who knew?
(6) It has never hurt a DT episode to have Pete involved, and Pete's costumed turn as the ticket-stuffing, tax-gouging Captain Pietro is a real hoot. Alas, after Pete crashes into the table during the sword-fight scene, we never learn his ultimate fate. If ever a villain truly deserved to take a turn wearing the notorious "iron pants"...
(7) Far from being "protected" in this episode, HD&L are subjected to one of their more physically and mentally demanding tests of the series. Dewey may be the one who comes up with the escape plans, but Huey and Louie more than match him by scrambling through a chimney, falling down a sloped roof, and shinnying down a rope to the street below. OK, so it wasn't Kit Cloudkicker taking that "deep dive" from the Iron Vulture during "Plunder and Lightning," but could we please give the lads their due here? They can only be held "responsible" for the perils that are put in front of them, and they deal with the ones in "Mask" magnificently. My only real regret is that they aren't allowed to handle swords during the climactic duel. Wielding a halberd with intent to entrap is impressive, but it just isn't on the same level.
(8) In what, for him, is a rather low-key role, Launchpad comes up with some extremely funny and clever lines:
- [Looking at Monte Dumas on the map] "I see what you mean, Mr. McD. Or should I say, I can't see what you mean."
- "Don't worry, Mr. McD. If I miss [Monte Dumas], it won't be by much."
- "I AM doin' somethin' -- I'm crashin'!"
- "You can call us idiots or fools, but I draw the line at knaves!"
- "Thanks for sheddin' some light on the subjects."
The Duck in the Iron Pants" at the end; the fact that he did so symbolizes both his love for the Duck characters and his desire to link his story, however tenuously, to past Duck history.
No "DuckBlurbs" this time, because, well, I've been there and done that! So...
Next: Episode 59, "The Status Seekers."


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A private corporation recently was formed to work as an affiliate to the New Bern Housing Authority and to find ways to update public housing in New Bern.
A private corporation recently was formed to work as an affiliate to the New Bern Housing Authority and to find ways to update public housing in New Bern.
Transformation Venture Capital, a private, nonprofit corporation, was incorporated several months ago to help find answers to the city�s outdated public housing facilities.
The corporation has a board of community business leaders, and they hope to provide new opportunities for residents living with disadvantaged housing choices, according to the board�s president.
Bill Naumann, president of Transformation Venture Capital, said a private corporation would be advantageous to the housing authority, which is limited in its funding.
�Our purpose is to facilitate the development of new, affordable housing units for the city of New Bern,� Naumann said.
When the public housing units of Trent Court and Craven Terrace were built in the 1930s and early 1940s, they were considered state-of-the-art, he said.
�But over time, there has been wear and tear,� Naumann said. �They are now obsolete. So the issue is how can we upgrade or replace those units.�
Naumann said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has reduced funds available to housing authorities and predicted, in the future, funding for new construction would no longer be available.
�That means the Housing Authority would have to finance its own development,� he said. ��HUD is going out of the new construction business. As that funding dries up, there are only two choices: live with what you have and try to do your best � that�s not a solution � or two, create new housing and rehabilitate units.�
Naumann said they were moving in that direction �aggressively,� hoping to improve the quality of life for people in New Bern.
�The plan, in early stages, is a combination of rehabilitation and new construction,� Naumann said. �Our goal is certainly not to displace people from their own homes, but to create an opportunity for them to have better housing.�
It is still too early to set timelines for the transformation, he said.
Julian Marsh, executive director of the New Bern Housing Authority, said housing authorities across the country are now creating affiliates to revitalize their housing stock and Transformation Venture Capital was working in that capacity.
�I think that�s probably the best group of people in the community working with an organization like the Housing Authority to help create the change we think is going to come,� Marsh said.
The six members on Transformation Venture Capital�s corporate board include: Naumann, former Hatteras CEO who is currently on the Coastal Regional Airport Authority and the Craven Community College Board of Trustees; Alex Badger, who works with First Citizens Corp.; Dr. Charlie Ashford, a retried physician; Elmore Cresswell, retired vice president of General Dynamics Information Technology and the Department of Defense; Bill Moore, retired business owner; and E.T. Mitchell, director of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
The New Bern Housing Authority also is pursuing a planning grant to help with future changes.
Marsh said Communities Group out of Maryland was hired by the Housing Authority to research and apply for a HUD planning grant. The application is due at the end of May.
The budget for the planning process has not been completed, but Marsh said he thought the grant would be less than the $500,000 available through HUD.
�This would give us the funds to look at housing, working with other partners in the city and come up with ideas of what is best for the residents and the city overall,� Marsh said.
The Housing Authority and city representatives plan to talk to nonprofits, the school board along with the residents to get input, he said.
�The whole idea of the grant is what will it take to make real change in the areas we are looking at,� Marsh said.
Those areas included better housing, safer communities, additional retail outlets and more community services.
The plan would not only look at Trent Court and Craven Terrance, but also the surrounding community, Duffyfield and Five Points, Marsh said.
If the Housing Authority gets the grant this year, plans would be drawn up and the authority would seek an implementation grant through HUD, he said.
�Nothing is going to happen without the community and our residents involved in the process,� Marsh said. �As we go forward, we will have meetings with the residents and community and get input from everyone. We are going to make sure whatever we do benefits the residents and the community over all.�
Ricardo Korreia, director of development for the Housing Authority, said the planning grant was not about demolition.
�We�re not going to knock down units and ask questions later,� Korreia said. �The key is to get as much input from the community as we can. The purpose of the planning grant is to look at what options there are.�
Marsh said something had to be done because some of the housing units are in a flood plain, and the floods create problems with mold and mildew.
�We�ve got to do things to create permanent improvements,� he said.
Eddie Fitzgerald can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @staffwriter3.


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Picking the Perfect Christmas Tree
URBANA -- Some people think that a real Christmas tree is essential to a proper Christmas, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.
"The following are a few hints to help you choose that perfect tree, whether you purchase it from a neighborhood lot or a Christmas tree farm," said Ron Wolford.
Decide where to place the tree before heading out to buy it. Pick a spot away from heat sources, such as TVs, fireplaces, radiators, and air ducts. A dried-out tree is a safety hazard. Make sure the tree is clear of doors.
Remember to choose a tree that fits where it is to be displayed. For example, if the tree is displayed in front of a large window, then all four sides should look as good as possible. If the tree is displayed against a wall, a tree with three good sides would be all right. A tree with two good sides works in a corner. The more perfect the tree, the more expensive it will be.
"There is nothing worse than bringing a tree indoors only to find it's too tall," Wolford said. "Use a tape measure to measure the height and width of the space you have available. Take the tape measure with you to the farm or retail lot to measure your chosen tree and bring a cord to tie your tree to the car."
If purchasing a tree from a retail lot, go during the day. Choosing a tree in daylight is much easier than trying to pick one out in a dimly lit lot.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, consumers should not worry about the quality of trees they can find this year, no matter what the weather was like in the summer. Summer weather patterns have not affected trees harvested this year.
Wolford advises consumers to do some research on different Christmas tree varieties. Some hold needles longer or have a longer-lasting fragrance than others.
He warned that trees sold on retail lots in urban areas may have come from out of state and may have been exposed to drying winds in transit. They may have been cut weeks earlier.
"Choose a fresh tree, one that has a healthy green appearance with few browning needles. Needles should be flexible and not fall off if you run a branch through your hand," he advised.
"Raise the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it on the butt end. Very few green needles should drop off the tree. It is normal for a few inner brown needles to drop. Make sure the handle or base of the tree is straight and 6 to 8 inches long so it will fit easily into your stand."
Buy the tree early, before the best trees have been sold. Ask the retailer whether his trees are delivered once at the beginning of the season or at different times during the selling season. Purchasing a tree from a Christmas tree farm ensures that the tree is fresh.
If the tree will not be put up right away, store it in an unheated garage or some other area out of wind and freezing temperatures. Make a fresh 1-inch cut on the butt end and place the tree in a bucket of warm water.
After bringing the tree indoors, make another fresh 1-inch cut and place it in a sturdy stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water. Fill the stand with1 quart of water for every inch of diameter of the trunk. Be sure to keep the water level above the base of the tree. If the base dries out, resin will form over the cut end. The tree will not be able to absorb water and will dry out quickly.
"According to the National Christmas Tree Association, drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does NOT improve water uptake," he said.
"Commercially prepared mixes; aspirin; sugar and other additives added to the water are not necessary. Research has shown that plain water will keep a tree fresh."
For more information, please check out the University of Illinois Extension web site "Christmas Trees and More" at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees.
Information from Susan Jonganeel at the University of Illinois


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What is the function of the IRB?
Who sits on the IRB?
What is the jurisdiction of the IRB?
What standards and principles guide IRB decisions?
How do I apply for IRB approval of my proposal?
Which of the three possible levels of review is appropriate for my proposal?
What if my research consists solely of surveys or interviews?
What are sensitive questions?
Who is considered vulnerable population?
What if I plan to audiotape, videotape or photograph my subjects?
How do I obtain consent from my human research subjects?
When and how should I submit my application?
How are applications at each level evaluated and what outcomes are possible?
What if I need to change my research design or protocol after IRB approval?
The Luther Seminary Institutional Review Board (IRB) exists as a safeguard to promote and ensure ethical and responsible treatment of human subjects involved in research conducted at Luther Seminary.
The IRB is an independent voluntary committee, appointed by the Academic Dean, made up of faculty members and members of the community who have no direct ties to the Seminary. Some of the IRB members are experienced and directly involved in human subject research; others are not and are recruited to bring other types of knowledge and experience to IRB deliberations.
All research that involves human subjects and that is conducted under the auspices of Luther Seminary by its faculty, staff, or students is required to be reviewed and approved by the IRB. "Research" is defined under applicable federal regulations as a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalized knowledge. "Human Subject" means a living individual about whom an Investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains data or private information.
The decisions of the IRB are governed by Luther Seminary's IRB Policies and Procedures, and by the Federal Policy (also sometimes called the "Common Rule") codified at Title 45 Part 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Where the IRB Policies and Procedures and the Federal Policy come into conflict, the Federal Policy is to govern. The Federal Policy requires that all federally funded research must comply with the Federal Policy. It is Luther Seminary's policy that all research involving human subjects must comply with the Federal Policy.
Based on these authorities, the IRB will apply the following general criteria in evaluating research proposals:
Application for approval of a research proposal involving human subjects is made by downloading and submitting the Application for the Approval of Use of Human Subjects in Research form provided on this website. You must use this application form or your application will not be considered. When and how you should submit the application is prescribed below.
Three possible levels of review, Full Review, Expedited Review, and Exempt Review, are established in the Federal Policy and the IRB Policies and Procedures for evaluation of research proposals, depending upon the level of risk involved and other factors. The same application form is required for all three levels of review, and the same consent requirements apply. You are asked to declare in the application which level of review you deem is appropriate. Descriptions of the three levels of review and the criteria to be used for determining which level is appropriated to a given project is set forth in the IRB Policies and Procedures. You should consult with your advisor/instructor, and if necessary the IRB Chair, to determine which level is appropriate.
In general, surveys, interviews, and secondary use of data qualify for Exempt Review so long as no sensitive questions or use of children or other vulnerable populations are not involved. Use of sensitive questions or vulnerable populations will require Full Review.
Questions or items on the following topics will require additional protection of subjects' privacy. Parents or guardians and subjects must be informed of the sensitive questions before they give permission or consent to participate. Generally information on these topics will be gathered anonymously.
Vulnerable populations include those subjects who, as outlined in state and federal regulations, must be provided extra protection. This includes, but is not limited to minors, prisoners, fetuses/pregnant women, elderly and cognitively impaired, patients with incurable diseases, persons in nursing homes, unemployed or otherwise economically disadvantaged persons, patients in emergency rooms, ethnic or racial minority groups (except those included in a general population), homeless persons, refugees, children, and those incapable of giving consent.
Whenever potential subjects are persons of diminished capacity and capable of giving assent, the researcher must obtain their assent in addition to obtaining permission to participate in research from their guardian before involving the individual in a study. Thus, in the case of children or minors aged 7-18, permission must be obtained from a parent or guardian as well as assent from the subjects. This will require explaining what their participation means and their rights in age appropriate language.
In research projects involving audio or video taping or photographing of subjects, the following guidelines apply:
An essential element of any proposal is the way in which voluntary and informed consent will be obtained from human research subjects. The requirement of obtaining of effective consent is a process, not simply a form, by which communication is made to the prospective subject of the purpose, risks, benefits, and voluntary nature of the research. The consent form ultimately obtained from the subject documents that the communication process has taken place. The consent form must contain all of the essential "elements" of informed consent set forth in the Federal Policy and the IRB Policies and Procedures. In cases where consent is to be assumed by the return of a survey instrument, researchers should follow the Sample of Implied Consent Letter. In all other cases, the Sample of Informed Consent Form should be used. The consent form should be written in lay terms, using simple declarative sentences. Technical terms or terms of art unavoidably used should be defined parenthetically. Copies of signed consent forms must be retained for three years after completion of the research and must be available for IRB review if necessary.
All applications should be submitted to the IRB Administrator, Room 220B, Northwestern Hall. Applicants for Exempt Review should submit one paper copy of the application together with associated materials, applicants of Expedited Review two paper copies, and applicants for Full Review seven copies. Applicants for Full and Expedited Review may submit their applications at any time during the academic year (September-May 15th). Applicants for Full Review must submit their applications at least seven days in advance of a regularly scheduled meeting of the IRB. (At the time of application submission, the IRB administrator will indicate the timeline for approval. It is recommended to allow at least 60 days prior to the time you plan to begin research).
Applications for Exempt Review are evaluated by the IRB Administrator to verify that Exempt Review is appropriate and that applicable confidentiality, consent, and other requirements are met. The Chair will approve the proposal, approve the proposal with stipulations, or elevate it to Expedited or Full Review. Applications for Expedited Review are evaluated by the Chair of the IRB and one other board member. They will approve the proposal, approve the proposal with stipulations, or elevate it to Full Review. Applications for Full Review are read by all board members and passed upon at a full IRB meeting. If possible, the IRB prefers that the investigator and advisor/instructor attend this meeting. The IRB may approve the proposal, approve the proposal with stipulations, or disapprove it. Notification of the outcome of the review will be by letter issued normally within two weeks of submission of the application in the case of Exempt and Expedited Reviews, and within one week of the IRB meeting in the case of Full Review.
If you wish to change a research procedure after IRB approval, you must submit a written request, sufficiently documented, describing and justifying the proposed change. Such changes may include enrollment criteria of subjects, method of data collection, or changes prompted by an adverse event, defined as any undesirable and unintended, although not necessarily anticipated impact on a subject as a result of the research. The IRB will then reassess the research project and may require its modification or termination.
All investigators must complete a Continuing Review Form at the end of each academic year.
All investigators must complete a Project Completion Form upon completion of the project.


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A recently established partnership between Hope College and a Holland-based nature preserve will broaden the learning experiences and research opportunities for students and faculty.
The agreement is with the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC), a non-profit outdoor education facility located on a 120-acre nature preserve on the south side of Holland. The site is a thriving wildlife preserve which is home to hundreds of species of animals and plants.
Since the Outdoor Discovery Center was founded in 2000, Hope and ODC have worked together on an informal basis on programs, writing grants and providing educational opportunities to Hope students. The ODC nature preserve has also served as a resource for Hope professors to conduct labs, classes and research.
Students have had a variety of experiences, including the banding of birds, tagging fish, live trapping and surveying small mammals, gathering seeds and monitoring insects and plant species throughout the preserve.
In addition to serving as a classroom, the ODC has served as a place for internships, employment and volunteerism for Hope students. Over 30 Hope students have interned or been employed at the ODC over the past decade.
Discussions in recent months led to the creation of an official partnership and the decision to develop a field station at the preserve that will serve as a classroom, lab facility and research station.
"The Outdoor Discovery Center facilities have become an extension of the Hope College campus, providing buildings and resources on the ODC Nature Preserve for Hope professors and students to utilize," said Travis Williams, ODC and Macatawa Greenway executive director. "The new relationship provides Hope access to much needed facilities on a large nature area within close proximity to the campus. For ODC this further extends the Center's connection with Hope and the post secondary education community. Through this sharing of resources Hope and ODC will now be able to not only collaborate more on classes and projects, but we will also be able to more actively pursue joint grants for funding our educational work."
The new field station at ODC is located in a large house near the center of the ODC grounds. The college has donated lab equipment that will allow students to begin using the field station when the new school year starts.
"We've had a close relationship to the ODC since it was formed, and they've been really generous in providing access and advice all along the way. Formalizing our partnership is a fantastic way for us to collaborate even more effectively around our shared interests in scientific research, education, and conservation. We couldn't be happier!" said Dr. K. Gregory Murray, professor of biology at Hope.
The new laboratory facility will greatly enhance Hope's ability to use the ODC in its educational and research programs. As a regenerating farmstead being managed to retain a diversity of different ecosystems, the ODC site provides a great contrast with Hope's own nature preserve near Castle Park in Allegan County. That site is comprised of older, more pristine forest, but it currently lacks any laboratory or classroom facilities, according to Dr. Murray.


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Difference between revisions of "Sons of Mim"
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{{Faction|name=Sons of Mim|image=
{{Faction|name=Sons of Mim|image=.jpg|structure=Extremist Rebellion|teklevel=[[Tek Level]] 3|influence=[[Arkeaisian Faction]]|allies=''Of Convenience''
[[Arkeaisian Faction]]s|enemies=[[Nega]]|characters=[[Orvar Steelsight]]
[[Arkeaisian Faction]]s|enemies=[[Nega]]|characters=
Orvar Steelsight
[[Category:Factions and Forces]]
[[Category:Factions and Forces]]
Latest revision as of 21:05, 29 November 2016
|Sons of Mim
|Extremist Rebellion
|Tek Level 3
|Arkeaisian Faction
|None listed
|Of Convenience
|Notable People
|Orvar Steelsight
The Sons of Mim are an extreme purist faction fanatically devoted to the destruction of literally everything that has been even slightly tainted by Nega. Though they are a relatively new group, their uprising has been swift and devastating. They have culled the numbers of many other Arkeaisian Factions both by violence and by passionate rhetoric. Fed up with their own faction's lack of progress in eliminating outsider threats like the NegaForces, desperately seeking a change in the status quo, or yearning for more indulgence in that most basic of minifig instincts, many have abandoned their old posts and have taken up with the Sons. These new recruits have swelled the ranks of the faction that has come to be thought of by the other factions as the ultimate rebellion. The minifigs of this rebellion are constantly active in real warfare and missions of violence, swiftly becoming powerful and skilled and often just as swiftly becoming dead as doornails. Leadership changes often in the Sons but the rebellion roils on, a seemingly unstoppable and deadly machine, guided by the hate and frustration of all its members.
To make things even more frightening, the boiling energy of their shared purpose has gifted many of its leaders and a fair few of its more powerful members with the uncanny ability to manipulate ABS on a molecular level. The very nature of Construktion and Destruktion is theirs to command. The scope of this power varies wildly, of course, based on the user's strength, ability, training, intelligence, and willpower. Some insist that there is a lesson in this for the Sons of Mim but they do not typically listen, instead often failing to live up to the full potential of their power by being content with lesser creations (often personal weaponry) that satisfy the user's immediate need for gratification. Ultimately, this is for the best as far as the other factions are concerned. If the Sons ever gained true control, they would handily defeat all opposition. Several leadership regimes have attempted to correct this error, willing their men and women to work together and learn to expand their powers exponentially. Only then, these leaders insist, will the rebellion be able to reach its end game and achieve its absolute goal: to wipe out Arkeais and rebuild it anew with their collective true godlike power.
Notable Members of the Sons
Heroes rise and fall in the rebellion with alarming frequency. Some survive to tell the tale, however, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Orvar Steelsight
Orvar is a Light Elven Archer of extraordinary skill, armed with the feared and deadly accurate Heroic Longbow called Stigr, and current leader of the Sons of Mim. His ability with a bow is legendary on Arkeais, known across continents, but his ability with ABS Manipulation is second to none. He is rarely showy with it, reserving his energies for more important tasks, but there is little he cannot ultimately do. In fact, such a statement could be applied to the whole of the elf's personality. In sharp contrast to his fellows, Orvar is measured and calculating. He is cold, removed, and disdainful of all those who do not display excellence. Though he appears arrogant, however, he rarely underestimates an enemy and this shrewd tactical prowess has lead him to become a more permanent fixture in the swirling sea of chaos that the Sons have become. He is like unto the eye of a storm.
Relations with other Arkeaisian Factions
As a major faction on Arkeais, the Sons of Mim come into frequent contact with most of the movers and shakers on the FringeWorld. As far as the Sons are concerned, the philosophical differences between the factions are usually insurmountable and such contact comes most often in the form of glorious battle.
DragonRiders of StormHall
The Sons of Mim hate the DragonRiders of StormHall with all the intensity they can muster. It doesn't matter to the Sons that the Riders are a large part of the reason the outworlder invasions are largely unsuccessful. It only matters that the Riders, with their absurd policy on inclusion, are aiding the very process that the Sons strive with all their will and might to prevent. To them, the Riders are traitors to Arkeais and, if they weren't so pressed on so many other fronts, they would devote all their resources to crushing the tainted cloud dwellers.
The Order of Automatic Binding
The Order of Automatic Binding is one of the Son's greatest opponents. Where the Sons want to see the world destroyed in purifying fire and raised anew like a phoenix from its ashes, the Order wants to protect the world from harm. The OAB believes that vigilance is key to eventually defeating the NegaHordes and are content to patiently scrub away at what both factions agree to be a corrupt and twisted sickness in their home. But this is the only thing the factions agree upon. The Sons feel that the Order's actions are ultimately impotent and doomed to failure and are frustrated with waiting for the promised time the Order is always on about. Many of the Sons, those most connected with ABS, have received visions of the world's purification through rebirth and, in this, they will not compromise with the traditionalists.


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Cain lets nothing taint Giants' outlook
Matt Cain met with Evan Longoria in Santa Monica on Tuesday to play a "Call of Duty" video game.
"We'll have a little grudge match together," Cain said in a phone interview, "and then take it into the season and have another grudge match."
Giants-Rays World Series?
In reality, the opponent doesn't really matter for Cain.
"We have every opportunity to be as good as we were last year," said Cain, the starting pitcher in each of the Giants' three series-clinching wins in the postseason. "We have pretty much the same team. The way everyone came together, that was a big part of our success. We had a great clubhouse, and to be able to bring that back, it's an advantage for us."
Almost every key player from 2012 is back, with the notable exception of Melky Cabrera, who finished the regular season serving a drug suspension and was implicated in baseball's latest steroid scandal - the Miami New Times' Tuesday report linking Cabrera, Alex Rodriguez, Gio Gonzalez, Bartolo Colon and others to performance-enhancing drugs from an antiaging clinic in South Florida.
Though Cabrera, the All-Star Game MVP, was eligible to return to the Giants for the NLCS, management chose not to invite him back. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Blue Jays. Like Cabrera, Colon of the A's was suspended 50 games after testing positive for testosterone. He re-signed with Oakland.
Asked his reaction, Cain said, "It's sad that it's coming out. Who knows what's true and what's not? It puts a shadow on the game. Major League Baseball is doing everything to make the game as clean as possible. It's definitely tough that this is coming out."
Does it put a shadow on the Giants' 2012 season?
"No, I don't think so," Cain said. "The Giants are a great organization, and they've done great in the past. It's hard to say what people could be doing behind closed doors or off the field. They dealt with it the best they could. I don't think anything that happened (with Cabrera) should put any damper on - or have a shadow hanging over - last season."
Cain is coming off his best season (16-5, 2.79 ERA, 193 strikeouts, 1.040 WHIP) and is the obvious choice to start the Giants' April 1 opener at Dodger Stadium. Evidently, his five-year, $112.5 million contract, signed in early April, had no negative effect on the right-hander.
"In my mind, I needed to pitch the same way as the previous year," Cain said. "I didn't add any more stress or feel I had to live up to anything or put up numbers somebody might've perceived for me."
Asked if better run support was a factor in his improved numbers, Cain said, "It seems a lot of things came together. I was focused on every start I took, like in years past. Maybe things clicked a little more."
Cain is more out of the limelight than after the 2010 championship. "I've sat back and taken it all in," he said. "After 2010, it's not that I overdid it with media things and stuff like that, but now I'm enjoying the down time more, relaxing and being home with my family."
At least until Tuesday, when Cain lost 3-0 to Longoria, the Rays' third baseman who earned grudge-match bragging rights in "Call of Duty: Black Ops II Revolution Map Pack," an Xbox game.
John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey


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Managed File Transfer (MFT) and business process integration specialist Trubiquity has launched version 3.0 of its TRUcore service oriented architecture (SOA), a technology offering, which is designed to simplify the integration between people, processes and systems in a SaaS (Software as a Service) model.
TRUcore aims to unify customer's business processes by structuring large applications as a collection of services connecting enterprises across global communication protocols and standards enabling members to connect, move, and share key business information.
The new version of TRUcore is said to provide innovations and enhancements that make it more secure and easier for customers to collaborate on a global level. With a new enriched user interface, the company hopes that developers will enjoy easy and intuitive navigation while they are optimizing application structures.
Also new in version 3.0 is an encryption option allowing for a community based key instead of individual encryption keys and streamlining processes within a community. The new security option will be available to community originators to align with the originator's specific security requirements.
Data encryption is one of the key features of the TRUcore applications, TRUexchange (exchange of large files) and TRUsource (RFQ management) enabling secure large file transfer. While most web based, large file exchange solutions only encrypt the connection of the web browser to the server (https) — the TRUcore applications encrypt all data with a 1024 Bit key.
"We've done a great deal of work in TRUcore Version 3.0 to enhance the service oriented architecture for Trubiquity's suite of SaaS process automation solutions. Our solutions such as TRUexchange, TRUunity, and TRUsource which automate critical business processes, connect manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, while integrating with IT systems and improve collaboration across the globe despite differences in communication protocols, time zones and languages," said Dave Foster, global technology director at Trubiquity.


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Every Mac and Apple display comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary telephone technical support. Extend your coverage to three years from your hardware product's original purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct, one-stop access to Apple's award-winning telephone technical support for questions about Apple hardware, OS X, and Apple applications such as iLife and iWork. And you get global repair coverage for your Mac and Apple display through convenient service options.1
Extend your coverage to three years of service and expert telephone technical support
Because Apple designs the computer, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call.
- Direct access to Apple experts
- Global repair coverage1
- Onsite repair for desktop computers: Request that a technician come to your work site3
- Carry-in repair: Take your Mac or Apple display to an Apple Retail Store or other Apple Authorized Service Provider3
The AppleCare Protection Plan provides global repair coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians around the world.
- Your Mac computer
- Battery1
- Included accessories such as the power adapter
- Apple memory (RAM)
- AirPort4
- Apple USB SuperDrive (for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro with Retina display, iMac, and Mac mini)
- Apple display purchased with your Mac
What's covered — Mac
- Your Apple display
- Built-in camera, mic, and speakers
- Included power cord
What's covered — Apple display
Whether you're sitting in the comfort of your home or office or on the go, you can get direct access to Apple experts for questions on a wide range of topics.
- Using OS X and iCloud
- Quick how-to questions about iLife and iWork
- Connecting to printers and AirPort networks
Mac support
- Connecting to your Mac
- Using audio
- Video chatting
Apple display support
Buy the AppleCare Protection Plan for:
iMacBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac now.
MacBook AirBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Air now.
13" MacBook Pro and 13" MacBook Pro with Retina displayBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for 13" MacBook Pro now.
15" MacBook Pro and 15" MacBook Pro with Retina displayBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for 13" MacBook Pro now.
Mac miniBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac mini now.
Mac ProBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro now.
Apple DisplayBuy AppleCare Protection Plan for Apple Display now.
Important notes
The AppleCare Protection Plan can be purchased only while your Mac or Apple display is still covered under the standard one-year limited warranty. See AppleCare Protection Plan Terms and Conditions for complete product details.
If you purchase an Apple Display with your Mac, the AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac covers both the computer and the display.
For Mac computers running OS X Server, the plan covers server administration and network management issues using the graphical user interface of OS X Server. For advanced server operation and integration issues, purchase AppleCare OS Support.
For more information, read frequently asked questions.


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The Cambodian School Project
About Us
Our Mission
Our Board
Sarith's Story
Our History
Our Schools
Bike Program
Contact Us
Community Work
Summer 2008
July 01, 2008
Cambodian School Project
Fall 2018
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Spring 2003
srei pou
We are a relatively small organization and rely on donations from individuals like you. Without your generous support we would not be able to fund our schools. No matter how large or small your donation, we truly appreciate it.
Recent Posts
Fall 2018
If you've been a donor for a while you know that our progress reports have a rhythm to them: we report that we succeeded in our annual mission of aiding seven grade schools to improve their buildings and grounds. We supported teachers with a bonus, provided uniforms and supplies to each student, and distributed bicycles to high school students with long commutes. All the graduates from our technical school were—again—placed in jobs, and employers continue to seek them out. We share with you
Spring 2018
We began supporting a new school, Sam Bou, in Siem Reap province. Thanks to a generous grant from IBM we planted organic gardens at four of our schools. Students at Edgewood College raised $2,000 to buy property for garden plots and fish farming next to our school in Poum Steung.
Fall 2017
We made improvements to our schools at JHP, Kok Thmei and Poum Steung and provided uniforms and supplies to the 7 grade schools we support. Thanks to the generous support of Cyclists for Cultural Exchange, we have now given over 700 bikes to our students.
Spring 2017
We funded pipes to irrigate gardens at four of our grade schools and paid for equipment and building improvements at five others. JHP students took a field trip to Siem Reap to explore career opportunities and held a party to celebrate our 100% graduation rate in 2016.
Fall 2016
The drought ended, and wells were again full. We helped three American donors to build a school in Sambour. We have seen how our funding process creates a culture of hope in our schools. We shared our 5th year homecoming party at JHP, celebrating having placed every JHP student we have graduated in our first 5 years.
Spring 2016
Cambodia suffered its worst drought in 50 years. Funded by an NGO, we dug a deeper well at JHP Skola and shared the water with the neighborhood. We now have gardens at all our elementary schools. Our JHP graduates work at NGO's, hotels and cafės, jobs they could never have held without their training at JHP.


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Get The Scoop!
Grab a bite at the famous Creamery and Deli. Stop by our Country Store and Candy Kitchen for more delicious eats.
Browse our Country Store and Candy Kitchen, peruse our Winery, check out the Bakery, and shop at our Stores.
Spend some time in Strasburg by being our guest at the beautiful and historic Village Inn Bed and Breakfast.


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Events and Resources for Job Seekers
Placement Services
Provided by the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR), the Placement Service will be available during the Midwinter Meeting. Hours: Friday, January 19: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Saturday, January 20- Sunday, January 21: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday, January 22: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
The Placement Center will be located in room 6A on Level 6 of the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.
Online registrations are accepted any time at URL: [1]/. Job seekers and employers are encouraged to apply regardless of whether or not they are attending the Midwinter Meeting.
There will be an orientation for job seekers on Friday, January 19, 2007 from 11:30am to 12:00 Noon in the Placement Center.
For questions regarding Placement Service, contact Beatrice Calvin at firstname.lastname@example.com or 800/545-2433 ext. 4280.
Employers - List Your Jobs and Conduct Interviews
Employers should post job vacancies on the JobLIST website at www.joblist.ala.org. Interview facilities will be provided. Check the Placement website [2] for details. Policy 54.3 states, "ALA is committed to equality of opportunity for all library employees or applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, physical or mental handicap, individual lifestyle, or national origin." By advertising through ALA services, the organization agrees to comply with this policy. All available salary ranges shall be listed.
Resume Review Service
The New Members Round Table will be hosting a Resume Review Service in the Placement Service area. Job seekers will have the opportunity to have their resumes and cover letters critiqued by experienced librarians. Appointments are strongly recommended, so be sure to stop by and sign up early.
Appointments are 30 minutes long, and the service is open during the same days and hours as the Placement Service. For more information, please see our guidelines for reviewees. We will also have books and manuals related to job seeking, resume writing, and interviewing available for your use.
If you are a librarian who has experience with search committees and/or the hiring process, and you would like to serve as a resume reviewer, please see our Resume Reviewers information page. We especially need public librarian reviewers, but librarians from all types of institutions are welcome.
Career Guidance Workshops
The following workshops will be sponsored by Placement Service during the Midwinter Meeting in Seattle:
Interviewing Strategies, Friday, 9:30-11:30a.m., Convention Center Room 616-617
What if your resume has landed you the opportunity to interview for your ideal job? Now what? This workshop will help you appreciate the opportunity that interviews create... and hopefully alleviate some of the stress!
Power-Up Your Job Search, Friday, 4-5:30p.m., Convention Center Room 602-604
This workshop will help you determine how prepared you are for a job search. Then you will work to create a plan that will get you moving towards finding the job that's right for you.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Keeping the Job You Love, Saturday, 8-10:00a.m., Convention Center Room 604
We spend lots of time and energy trying to land the perfect job. But what's next. How do you keep the job you worked so hard to get? It's only appropriate to have a "road map" for staying on track once you start your new job! This workshop will help you:
-Become a Team Player -Keep Track of your Learning, Contributions and Accomplishments -Market Yourself -Handle Performance Reviews -Survive the Politics -Make Yourself Indispensable!
Free Wifi in Placement Center
Free wireless access for wifi enabled devices is available throughout the public areas of the conference center, and the placement center in particular. No password, SSID or login is required. Just open your browser and go. Access in Exhibits is limited to pay-as-you-go. Visit the Exhibitor booth in Registration for more details.


text: A very readable book with practical expertise for both the layman and veterinarian. Lots of help information for beginners. Covers goats, cattle sheep, horses, pigs, poultry, dogs, and cats with sections on general management and diseases and other problems. A chapter on basics for the layman includes administering drugs, antibiotic compatibility, artificial respiration, electrolytes, shock, body temperature, vaccinations, virus vs. bacteria. Glossary, a list of recommended reading, and index. Paperback, 432 pages.


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Oxşar yazılar
With the adoption of the Constitutional Act on Independence on October 18, 1991, a new stage of the Azerbaijani history in the 20th century started. Before that time, Armenia conducted military operations against Azerbaijan with the assistance of the Soviet, later Russian military and political circles.
"Tamga" element is reflected on the "Gasimushaghi" embroideries and rugs. Although many virtues of the "Gasimushaghi" (also, "Kasim Ushag", "Kasim-Usag", "Gasimushagy" and "Kasymushagy") rugs and embroideries have been explored, some elements, motives, patterns or figures need investigation and exact explanation.
The book titled "Nagorno Karabakh: facts versus lies" (Нагорный Карабах: факты против лжи) by Arsen Malik-Shahnazarov, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the so-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic since 1993, was printed in 3,000 copies by Volshebniy Fonar publishing house (Moscow).


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Mini-Courses at New Mexico Tech To Focus on Forensics
by Valerie Kimble
SOCORRO, N.M., June 20, 2007 – We have an insider's tip that the Fidel Student Services Center on the New Mexico Tech campus will be the scene of a crime on June 27, and it will be up to high school students in twin mini-course on campus to figure out "who done it?".
Both the "CSI: DNA" and "CSI: Psychology" week-long mini-courses involve a staged crime at the three-story, student union complex. This is the fourth year for the DNA mini-course, and the first one for Psychology, in the CSI series.
"Before they investigate the crime scene, students in the DNA section learn how to micropipette, isolate DNA and analyze the rapidly evolving sections of their own DNA that are used in forensic identification," said Dr. Rebecca Reiss, assistant professor of biology at Tech and course instructor.
"Their new skills in molecular manipulations will be tested on DNA samples from the crime scene," said Reiss.
New this year is the psychology section which focuses on the application of psychological principles in forensics. Students will learn the limitations of "lie-detector" tests and gain experience with a physiological recorder.
Psychology associate professor Dr. Mark Samuels and Joleen Welborn, a student in the university's Master of Science Teaching (MST) program, will lead the section.
Mini-course students will apply their knowledge to suspects, victims, and witnesses portrayed by members of the Socorro Community Theater.
"Other sections of the course may be added in subsequent years, including one that focuses on the math and physics involved in crime scene reconstructions," said Reiss.
The instrumentation that makes "CSI: DNA" possible was obtained in 1998 with funding from the National Science Foundation's Department of Undergraduate Education by Reiss.
Donations of expired reagents from police departments allowed the incorporation of a forensic DNA as a unit in the undergraduate genetics course. This unit was modified for high school students, and a pilot project was launched in 2002 by Scotia Kurowski, then an MST student at Tech.
Helping with the crime scene is Mary Robinson, a Rio Rancho High School teacher who specializes in forensics.
Catherine Dickey, a forensic scientist with the Bernalillo Metropolitan Forensic Science Center, provides the necessary expertise in forensics.
It was first run as a part of a mini-course program in 2004. Almost 50 students have participated over the past four years.


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ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Disabled People with Aging Parents
More often than for most people in mainstream society, psychiatrically disabled people do not outlive our parents.
Both psychiatric medication and psychiatric illness take a toll on a person's lifespan. However, if a person with mental illness is in relatively good health, we must deal with our parents getting older.
We must also deal with ourselves getting older.
When I had three psychotic episodes over the last thirty years, my parents were able to help me get back into treatment, and they helped me in other practical ways. My father drove me to the hospital, at one point got me into a halfway house, and helped me move when I could no longer stay in a share rental where I lived.
By the time I was thirty, my parents were getting to old to deal with a psychotic offspring. Luckily, at the point of my fourth and last psychotic episode, I was 5150'd without direct involvement of parents. At that time, my girlfriend, who I would later marry, was there for me as an essential support.
About ten years ago, I realized that my parents would not be around indefinitely. I also realized that if I had any more psychotic episodes, I might be killed in the process, due to the stresses of being psychotic or due to a delusion-induced accident.
I began taking steps to help make things work in my life with older parents or with parents who had passed away.
Typically, we are never ready for the death of a loved one. The pain of this may never completely go away. When my father passed away not very long ago, I took it very hard.
While driving, I apparently missed a red light, and I got into a car accident on the day after my father's service. (I had only been at fault in one other accident--and this was in 1980.) The totaling of my vehicle as well as minor injuries of my wife were major sources of stress. After a year and a half, I am still trying to recover from all of this.
When you are disabled, you typically do not have the same resources as does someone who works and has a well-developed network of friends and relatives. When a parent is gone, it forces us to fend for ourselves.
A person with mental illness has an Achilles heel, which is the vulnerability to a relapse. Relapses of mental illness are often triggered by highly stressful events. When my dad passed away, it took a lot of focus for me to steer myself clear of having another relapse.
It is very difficult for many persons with mental illness to lose the support of a parent, either through them being too old to help us or through them passing. It can be scary to realize that if I got into trouble, there would eventually be no parents available to help me get rescued.
People with mental illness or with other disabilities should be helped to prepare for life changes which are unavoidable. A person with mental illness must either transition to near total independence, or must get needed supports established, and should do this in advance of inevitable changes. Joining a self-help group, a church, a club, or some other venue of support can be helpful. Forging friendships can help with surviving and for the avoidance of being too alone.


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Brothers Zach and Prescott Line follow similar paths to SMU backfield
UNIVERSITY PARK — Zach and Prescott Line excelled in football and wrestling. The brothers' high school feats landed them football scholarships to SMU.
But Joe Line also recalls periods of instability when his sons almost broke up the household.
"I love that they have a mutual respect until they try to find out who is best," he said. "That's when furniture gets broken. My wife will tell me to break it up, but I'll say, 'Are you crazy? That's 500 pounds of bodies flying around.'"
SMU coach June Jones has been watching Zach break through holes for four seasons.
With 104 yards rushing against Texas A&M last week, Zach moved to fifth in school history with 3,206 yards, passing Reggie Dupard and Craig James. The Mustangs have played in three straight bowl games with Zach in tow.
Prescott could be next in line. The freshman looks and runs like his big bro.
"They're very similar kids athletically and mentally," Jones said. "It looks like when Zach's done, we're just going to say, 'Hey, put No. 48 on Prescott,' and it's going to look like the same guy."
Zach is listed as 6-1, 230; Prescott, 6-0, 235. At Oxford (Mich.) High School, Zach played running back, linebacker and special teams. So did Prescott.
As seniors, Zach rushed for 1,723 yards and 17 touchdowns, Prescott 2,454 yards and 37 TDs. As an inside linebacker, Zach posted a team-high 154 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four recoveries; Prescott had 128 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
"Zach was a role model to me, but I have a different running style," Prescott said. "Zach's more of a mobile, agile guy who gets to the outside. I'm more of a guy who goes toward somebody."
Despite their impressive stats, the brothers drew scant attention from colleges. Each took one visit — to SMU.
Zach was teammates with the son of Bill Keenist, the Detroit Lions' senior vice president of communications. Keenist sent Zach's highlight DVD to Jones, former quarterbacks coach with the Lions.
Jones called soon after, inviting Zach for an official visit to the University of Hawaii, where he was coaching. Zach gave an oral commitment. Then he got another call.
"They told me, 'Hey, hold off, we have some stuff going on,'" Zach recalled. "They had moved here, and I had never heard of SMU. They said, 'We're still offering you, but we want you to come check us out. So I came down here and loved everything about it."
Zach went through one practice at linebacker until SMU's staff decided he would be more effective punishing linebackers. He played in every game as a freshman, starting six. As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,494 yards, second in school history behind Eric Dickerson's 1,617 in 1982.
Last season he led Conference USA in rushing, averaging 122.4 yards, despite missing the final three games with a foot injury. He has averaged 99.7 yards in three games this year.
A bruising runner with deceptive speed and good hands, Zach has been a coach's dream, Jones said: "He's a solid football player, a leader. Everything he does is for the team. He's not flashy, just gets it done."
At Oxford, Prescott had even better stats than his older brother. He was selected "Mr. Football" in Michigan his senior year. He also won two state titles in wrestling.
Prescott orally committed to SMU before his senior season. He arrived ready to play running back or linebacker.
"I'm pretty sure they wanted me at running back the whole time," he said. "They're both fun positions for me."
Joe Line played football, baseball and track in high school. He said the kids get their athleticism from their mother, Kathy, a former swimmer and volleyball player. Joe and Kathy met in grade school.
The Lines' older daughter, 23-year-old Chelsey, played basketball, and her 17-year-old sister, Madison, is a volleyball standout at Oxford. The youngest, 16-year-old Ben, could also be headed to SMU. He plays tailback and linebacker, just like the Lines in front of him.
"We don't send them to football camps in the summer or anything like that. We just want them to have fun," Joe said. "People come over and say your house is very intimidating with all these trophies."
Follow Bill Nichols on Twitter at @BillNicholsDMN.


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Hey Chris- I used to love ANYTHING by Oophoi, and played it almost constantly, but somehow I lost the feeling for his music, and most other dark ambient as well. I don't understand it!
I just listened to the samples for Aether Blueprints. This seems like pretty dark stuff too. ;-) I really liked certain tracks, and the "listening to the far off sounds of life and activity" really captures the spirit of the album well. Glad I followed up on this!
Joe,Thanks for the heads up on Optical Frameworks. I just picked up his latest, "Little Piece Of Perseverance" on Bandcamp. Just the right combo of dubby & spacey.
Many thanks for the heads up on that, Chris.Just ordered a copy of the CD/DVD set.
I now have the downloads (they give you codes) ... and it's the bee's knees ! But I was already a big fan of The Boats and other things by Mr. tattered sail.


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Ah, do you remember these?
Here's a Fun Friday Fifteen, since I missed the Thursday Thirteen. (Yes, I did just invent the Fun Friday Fifteen!)
- Old Blue (Bet you five dollars he's a good dog too.)
- The Old Gray Mare (She ain't what she used to be.)
- Sweetly Sings the Donkey (At the break of day.)
- Git Along Little Dogies (It's your misfortune and none of my own.)
- Mary Had a Little Lamb (Its fleece was white as snow.)
- Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat (Where have you been?)
- Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? (Where, oh where can he be?)
- Pop! Goes the Weasel (Round and round the cobbler's bench...)
- Froggie Went a Courtin' (And he did ride, a-hum, a-hum.)
- Go Tell Aunt Rhody (The old gray goose is dead.)
- Be Kind to your Webfooted Friends (For a duck may be somebody's mother.)
- Three Blind Mice (Did ever you see such a sight in your life?)
- Teensy Weensy Spider (Climbed up the spout again.)
- Rabbit Ain't Got No Tail At All (Same song, second verse, a little bit louder, and a little bit worse.)
- The Bear Went Over the Mountain (To see what he could see.)
Now which one of these is stuck in your head? For me, it's "Froggie Went a Courtin'." A-hum.
Illustrations from the Project Gutenberg EBook of Denslow's Mother Goose, copyright 1902 by William Wallace Denslow. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/18546 ==Us


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Despite efforts to write God out of public life, religious belief is making a remarkable comeback, and in the future there are likely to be continuing challenges for society about how we should 'do God'. As we think about the kind of society we want, there will be important ongoing public debate over the place of religion in public life. Society is unsure about how best to deal with belief and the issues that often arise to do with diversity, equality and freedom of speech.
Human rights are often debated and discussed and open to interpretation. The theory is often upheld more than the practice. In the UK human rights are regulated through the courts under the 1998 Human Rights Act and ultimately in Europe by the European Court of Human Rights. Many human rights come originally from the Judaeo-Christian concept of human worth and dignity which in turn is based on our creation in the image of God. However, in many ways the contemporary secular idea of rights gained momentum from international leaders after the Second World War who were determined to prevent the re-occurrence of the human rights abuses they had witnessed.
A range of religious liberty articles are available below, discussing both international and domestic issues.
The Alliance is a member of the Religious Liberty Commission, along with Release International, Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The Religious Liberty Commission exists to raise awareness of persecution, and also to encourage individual Christians and churches in the UK and Ireland to take action on behalf of the persecuted Church worldwide - whether through prayer, advocacy or financial aid.