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Click to hear more.
Web Extra: Political Analyst Explains the Importance of the Race for One Senate Seat
Click to hear more.
YELL COUNTY, AR-- A story still developing around the nation and the Natural State a memorial service is now set for the Greenwood father who was dead with his son this week in Yell county.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR-- Folks here see what's happening at the U.S. border and with no end to the crisis in sight, they are taking matters into their own hands.
It's time for The Pulse!
FOX 24 -- We shared some of our favorite pics from Thursday's contest. Take a look!
(UPDATE) FAYETTEVILLE, AR-- Fayetteville Police now say investigators are 'confident' a missing woman pregnant with twins is safe.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR (Washington Co.)--Two Northwest Arkansas forces are coming together to help those in need.
BENTONVILLE, AR--It's the first day of August which means school is right around the corner.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR--A Northwest Arkansas man, received the most coveted military decoration in the world.
After being cited back in July for possession of marijuana.
The Foxy's Twilight Run helps raise money for the Celebrating Solomon Scholarship given to a Fayetteville High School senior every spring.
The Arkansas Razorbacks unveiled a brand new web site Friday, designed with mobile hog fans in mind.
ARKANSAS -- Parents, get your shopping cart wheels greased. Arkansas will hold its annual sales tax holiday on Saturday, August 2, 2014 and ending Sunday, August 3, 2014.
LOWELL – United Way of Northwest Arkansas has officially "Filled the Bus."
This is the second year for the Dough for Dogs Event!
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- If you take a look at the tags on toys and your clothes, you'll find a stamp saying where they came from. Now, 'Made In America' is on the mind of Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor.
BENTONVILLE -- Get your music fix from Bentonville Public Library- for free. Library card holders can now stream any music in the Freegal Music catalog for up to 3 hours each day commercial-free.
FORT SMITH -- Fill your bags then treat your tummy! Central Mall in Fort Smith is offering back to school shoppers free lunch during the Tax Free Weekend.
FOX 24: Back to school means heading back to the store for parents - and filling the cart can mean emptying your wallet.
The store is returning to Springdale, after leaving the city in 2007.
FAYETTEVILLE, AR. --- According to police, a man burglarized a Fayetteville apartment and told those inside, "I'm going to kill you."
OAKLAND via NBC -- The elephants, giraffes and bears at the Oakland Zoo got to nosh on African jackfruit and bananas Wednesday thanks to a overturned big rig that dumped 60,000 pounds of fruit in Livermore near the Altamont Pass earlier in the week.
You can laugh at her selfie obsession, but Kim Kardashian is laughing all the way to the bank, thanks to her new mobile game.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - A Sherwood man is in jail after being arrested with a Samurai-like sword during a road rage incident.
LITTLE ROCK -- The shady street looks like any other family-friendly neighborhood. Those living there say it's not somewhere they expect a sex offender to stay.
It's time for the Pet of the Week!
We'll break down the items you'll find without sales tax this weekend.
Former Rogers Treasurer Jerry Hudlow claims he was targeted by city officials after raising questions about expense reports.
FAYETTEVILLE -- This fall there will be a lot of ladies, who according to Coach Brett Bielema, may know more about football than the men in their lives. Three-hundred women turned out tonight for Coach Bielema's Football 101.
LITTLE ROCK, AR - Fewer teens have died in car crashes since the 2009 according to data from a new study conducted by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement in partnership with the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
BENTON COUNTY, AR-- The Benton County Quorum Court met this week to decide on an ordinance for folks to vote on, but at the end of the meeting, no progress was made. Now, the EMS saga sits at a standstill.
It's time for The Pulse!
Siloam Springs, AR - Ability Tree is hosting its 4th annual Micah's Big Day Out for families impacted by disabilities.
A "monster" tops #1!
HUNTSVILLE, AR (Madison Co.)--A jail in the area strapped for cash, is looking for a solution.
SILOAM SPRINGS, AR -- The city of Siloam Springs is holding public meetings on the final draft of it's master plan for future economic growth and development.
VAN BUREN -- The Van Buren Boys and Girls club kicks off their great futures campaign. Local clubs joined clubs nationwide to release balloons at exactly 3PM to support kids and empower today's youth to achieve great futures.
FORT SMITH -- Academy Sports and Outdoors hosts back to school donation with Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith. Thirty kids were selected to receive a one hundred dollar gift cards from Academy to help with school supplies.
Rogers, Arkansas - Mercy Health has rolled out a new tool that will help in the fight against breast cancer, it's called The Mercy Mobile Health Motor Coach.
ARKANSAS - The most dog-friendly state is Arkansas, according to a new study.
KENNENBUNK, ME -- A New England man pulled over in traffic was stopped by the right officer. The driver was having a heart attack and the cop knew just what to do.
FOX 24-- In the cover letter, he said he "won't waste your time inflating my credentials, throwing around exaggerated job titles, or feeding you a line of crap about how my past experiences and skill set align perfectly for an investment banking internship."
BENTON COUNTY -- Benton County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man wanted in Oklahoma for murder.
The Kendrick Fincher Foundation wants coaches and players to beat the heat.
YELL COUNTY, AR-- The surviving member of a family of three is at the center of an investigation two days after search crews found a man and his baby in the woods of the Ouachita Mountains.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS -- Arkansans are increasingly feeling the effects of diabetes, but the Diabetes Association is hoping to change that.
(CNN) - There's still plenty of time between now and labor day to host simple summer gatherings without breaking the budget.
A movie sequel returns to the screen, Netflix subscribers are rejoicing and the Obama may have a lawsuit on his hands. These are your top trenders for July 31, 2014.
FAYETTEVILLE - Big thanks to my very talented buddy Will Gunselman for playing some original tunes for us this morning on KNWA Today. Check it out!
GRAVETTE, AR -- Voters in the Gravette School District will soon decide whether they want to help fund a new school in September.
OKLAHOMA-- A man wanted for murder in Oklahoma could be in Northwest Arkansas.


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Monster High Travel Scaris Skelita Calaveras Doll
Monster High Monster High Travel Scaris Skelita Calaveras DollThe ghouls of Monster High are hitting the skies for their first trip abroad together in monster style! Their destination is Scaris, the city of lights and hometown for Rochelle Goyle. A popular destination for jet-setting ghouls, Clawdeen Wolf, Frankie Stein and Rochelle Goyle meet two new friends while traveling... More at Amazon.
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The American Hockey League announced today that Oklahoma City Barons defenseman Justin Schultz has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for October.
Making his professional debut, Schultz found the scoresheet in each of his seven games played during October, totaling six goals and six assists for a league-leading 12 points for the Barons.
After notching an assist in his first game on Oct. 12 at Lake Erie, Schultz scored the game-winning goal in Oklahoma Citys 3-2 victory over the Monsters the next day. In his next outing, a 5-2 win over San Antonio on Oct. 19, Schultz scored two shorthanded goals, assisted on the game-winner and notched a plus-5 rating, earning first-star honors for the game. Schultz finished the month with three consecutive two-point performances, dishing out two assists each on Oct. 23 vs. Lake Erie and Oct. 26 vs. Houston and then scoring a pair of power-play goals in a 4-2 win over Texas on Oct. 28.
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One-hundred thirty players from Australia, Canada, China, England, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the USA flocked to the OCBC July 15-17 to play in the 2011 Yonex/OCBC Senior Championships. Many of the players checked in earlier in the week to enjoy the spirited competition at the 2011 Yonex/OCBC U.S. Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton Championships which runs all week. With $120,000 in prize purse and Olympic BWF ranking points on the line, no one was disappointed to see the world-class players on court. In fact, one of the six senior courts was reserved for team practices on Friday and Saturday, giving senior players a good look at some of the training these international players go through daily to keep them sharp.
Play commenced on Friday from 9-4, continued on Saturday from 9-4, and finished up on Sunday. The Yonex/OCBC Senior International is the only tournament in the U.S. to offer a combined age doubles format. Instead of events based on an individual's age, the ages of the doubles team members are added together to qualify them for an event. Men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles all compete under this format in 80+, 90+, 100+, 110+, 120+, and 130+ age divisions. Singles competition retains the regular tournament format. Singles divisions are offered to players who are 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, and 65+ ages. This tournament held play in 25 different events.
Gold medal winners receive medals and names are engraved on handsome perpetual trophies. Gold medal winners included: 40MS, Kiam Meng Tey; 45MS, Jariwast Teerachai (Thailand); 50MS, Tom Goh; 55MS, Imre Bereknyei; 60MS, Bob Cook; and 65 MS, Seri Chintanaseri (Thailand); 40WS, Lisa Campbell (Australia); 50 and 60WS, Intan Tee; 80MD, Budy Sumarli/Kiam Meng Tey; 90MD, Muqeet Rana (Australia) /Tariq Wadood; 100MD, Guy Chadwick/Tariq Wadood; 110MD, Curt Dommeyer/Tariq Wadood; 120 MD, John Chan/Joseph Tok; 130MD, Bob Cook/Curt Dommeyer; 80WD, Lisa Campbell/Joy Kitzmiller; 90 and 100WD, Jian-Ping Chan/Bin Lin (China); 110 and 120WD, Mary Ann Bowles/Andrea Weiss; 80XD, Toru Takayanagi/Ying-Fang Lai; 90XD, Joseph Tok/Lina Taft; 110XD, Henry Paynter (Canada)/Wendy Carter; 120XD, Curt/Sue Dommeyer; and 130XD, Robin Lyons/Judy Gray.
Congratulations to stellar winners who collected numerous medals with their outstanding play:
Thanks to all the players who filled the courts for three days of hot and spirited play. Many thanks to all who assisted with the tournament including Bob Cook, Ana Cook, Dudley Chen, Terry Lira, Dave Carton, Carol Bryan, Don Chew, Kim Chew, Montri Chew, Gus Chew, Tim Mangkalakiri, Noi Mangkalakiri, Cai Zi Min, Paisan Rangsikitpho, Yonex USA, K&D Graphics, the OCBC, the USBDF, USA Badminton, and all those who served as volunteer umpires and line judges. It was good to see Paisan, Lee Calvert, and Don Chew on hand though sidelined with health issues, and we hope to see you on court next year.
If you haven't played in this senior tournament, you should give some thought to next year's competition. Come to watch the U.S. Open-the level of play is amazing! And join the senior players on court for three days of good exercise and hard-fought battles for titles-you will be glad you did!


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July 31, 2014
STAUNTON, Va -- "An apple a day keeps hunger away" was the motto at Mary Baldwin College on Tuesday as the students celebrated their annual 'Apple Day.'
Apple Day is the biggest tradition on the Mary Baldwin campus. The festival dates back all the way to the World War II era.
Many students visited an orchard and picked up apples off the ground that would not be sold. They are now sending thousands of pounds of apples to food pantries around D.C.
"I've been out in those areas, I'm from Florida, I've seen all of those homeless and I've worked at food banks, where we give out food and they really appreciate it, so I can just imagine getting an apple and being happy about it," said Sarah Brescia, a student at the college.
Students also ate an apple-themed lunch in their dining hall and had an apple festival in the afternoon.
Follow Litsa Pappas on Facebook and Twitter.
© Copyright 2014 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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Club Intrawest is a private vacation club made up of a small, tight-knit community of Members. These Members share ownership of beautifully-crafted Vacation Homes across Canada, the United States and Mexico.® Registered Trademark of Intrawest ULC.
You're invited to visit one of our Presentation Centers to learn more about Membership.
Sign up or call 1.800.649.9243.
Yes, golf is big in Palm Desert. At last count, more than 100 courses in the area. The Coachella Valley is also engineered for hiking (Joshua Tree National Park), shopping (El Paseo is the Rodeo Drive of the Desert) and tennis (host to an ATP tournament).
Club Intrawest haciendas meander along the fairways of Desert Willow Golf Course, featuring:
After an early morning departure from Vancouver, our plane circles over the Coachella Valley. From 12,000 feet, I smile as I know that we are close to arriving. Our return to Palm Desert marks a special coming together of family from different coasts to enjoy some relaxation, golf and quality time. Continue reading.
This place is absolutely the best. The décor and architecture are so impressive. If you have an appreciation for the details…this is the place. I also was so impressed with the common spaces – great amenities and because there are so few units, they are never crowded. We were there in peak season and the hotel was 100% occupied, but we often felt like we had the place to ourselves.
Posted April 9, 2012
Our greatest surprise and satisfaction in our Club membership was discovering the Club location in Palm Desert. At the time be became members we skiied and boarded, but did play golf. That has changed with my son's interest in golf. We now stretch our points usage regularly at this lovely desert oasis during off season. The Desert Willow Golf Club's "Mountain View" 18 hole course (which incircles the Club location) has become a favorite of ours, along with the Desert Falls Golf Course, across the street on the east side of Cook St.
Personally, we would like to wish the best of Health, Happiness and Success to all who work or vacation with Club Intrawest and their love ones, from Dave, Bonnie, KB and Rye in So Cal.
Tuesdays & Saturdays 9–10am
Join water aerobics instructor Carol Graham at the Resort Center Pool
RSVP with Member Reception $10 per class.
Wednesdays in the Resort Center from 3pm to 4pm
Watch and learn as Team Members prepare authentic Mexican salsa and guacamole.
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am
$15 per class. Please preregister with Member Reception as space is limited.
Club Intrawest — Palm Desert: 1 Willow Ridge, Palm Desert, CA | Telephone: 760.674.1200View Larger Map
Turn left on El Cielo Road and then left on Ramon Road. Continue on to Bob Hope Drive then turn right. Follow Bob Hope Drive to Country Club Drive then turn left. Turn left on Desert Willow / Desert Springs Drive and left again on Willow Ridge where you will see Club Intrawest.
Take I-105 East to I-605 North. Exit on I-10 East. Los Angeles is 130 miles from Palm Desert. Follow the I-10 East past Palm Springs and turn right at the Cook Street exit, then continue to Country Club Drive where you will turn right again. Turn right on Desert Willow / Desert Springs Drive and left on Willow Ridge where you will see Club Intrawest.
Take I-15 North to I-215 North towards Riverside / San Bernardino. Take the CA-60 East and exit toward Beaumont / Indio off of I-215. Follow the I-10 East past Palm Springs and turn right at the Cook Street exit, then turn right on Country Club Drive. Turn right on Desert Willow / Desert Springs Drive and left on Willow Ridge where you will see Club Intrawest.


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July 31, 2014
More than 12 fire units and 50 firefighters responded to Hanna Heating and Air Wednesday afternoon.
Stay up-to-date with KAKE News:
UPDATE: January 24, 2013
Firefighters have left the scene of yesterday's fire at Hanna Heating and Air on North West Street, after several hours of checking on hot spots.
According to investigators, there's too much damage inside to find what started the fire.
Findings will now be handed over to Hanna's insurance company, which could start its own investigation into the cause.
The fire caused an estimated one million dollars in damage.
The company is staying open despite the fire by receiving products from suppliers and working around the damage.
Other locations in Andover and Newton also remain open to customers.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The fire is now under control at Hanna Heating and Air in west Wichita.
The fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hanna Heating and Air, located at 220 N. West St. Initial crews arriving reported seeing heavy smoke and flames.
Crews had to go defensive on the fire, meaning all firefighters were pulled out of the structure to fight it from the outside. They also called for additional help.
Employees of the business tell KAKE News that the fire was in the sheet metal shop where tools and machines are stored. No one was hurt.
Traffic was blocked in the area while crews fought the fire.


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Sudbury's Simon Shnapir is bringing home the bronze medal after he and partner Marissa Castelli took third recently at the NHK Trophy in Japan.
Castelli and Shnapir scored 174.51 points to earn their first Grand Prix Series medal. The pair's tango-inspired free skate received a career high score of 112.66. Their short program also earned a career best score of 61.85 points, U.S. Figure Skating said.
Russian figure skaters Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov won the pairs event to secure a place at next month's Grand Prix final.


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I got my Polk Momo MMC 690 6"x9" 3-way Speakers Had my custom brace go from ok to falling apart allowing me to only install one of them today...and wow. I bought these to replace my 4 in JL audios up front and my system is now 20 times better no exaggeration (I know the size of the speaker makes a big difference) and I only have one speaker installed. Can't wait to get the other one in tomorrow.
However any opinions on if you think 4 speakers 2 JL audio 6x9's and 2 Polk 6x9s will sound better all getting 40 watts or should I bridge 100 watts to the two front polks rated to run at 100 watts.
To bridge I have to figure out what my buddies uncle did under my dash I remember him saying he spliced some wires together to use factory wiring to power the front speakers from the back. I figured out what he did(in my head)....but when I go into the under dash I can't find where he did it.


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SoBo American takes O-Zone title
- Last Updated on 07:46 AM 07/12/13
- BY Doug Ford
The team that scored first had lost in each of the first four games of the Dixie Youth Baseball District 2 O-Zone Tournament at the Day Complex in South Boston.
South Boston American reversed that trend in Tuesday's championship game, but it still had to rally from a 4-3 deficit with a three-run fifth inning to take a 6-4 win over South Boston National and advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball O-Zone State Tournament beginning July 19 in South Hill.
American came out swinging in Tuesday's title game, with leadoff hitter Christian Worley hitting a single, and the next batter, Josh Dawson getting another base hit ahead of Alex Lowery's two-run single.
National wasted little time tying the score with two runs in the top of the second inning, following the pattern set by American, with a leadoff single by Austin Carlson and another base hit by Dane Dickerson.
An error and RBI groundout by Ali Ferrell produced two runs and a 2-2 tie that was broken by American in the bottom of the third inning after Jonathan Scheiderer hit a leadoff single.
Daniel Lacks reached base after being hit by a pitch, Worley reached on a fielder's choice and Josh Dawson singled ahead of Lowery's RBI sacrifice fly, which scored Lacks.
National scored a run with two outs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3 when Carlson singled, stole second base, advanced to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch, and National took a one-run lead in the top of the fifth.
Brandon Davis reached base on an error to start the inning and later scored on an RBI single by Dillon Davis, but American rallied with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning starting when Corey Moore drew a walk with one out.
Josh Dawson, Lowery and Dexter Dixon Jr. each reached base on errors to produce three runs and a 6-4 lead for American.
National tried to rally in the top of the sixth inning on a leadoff single by Zack Lowery, who got as far as third base before being tagged out while trying to steal home.
Two strikeouts ended the game.
American collected one other hit for the game, a second inning single by Jimmy Wilkins, and it used two pitchers for the contest, with Brandon Morris hurling the first one and two-thirds innings.
Lowery came to the mound and pitched the final four and one-third innings, finishing with seven strikeouts.
J.D. Powell pitched one-third inning for National before Zack Lowery came to the mound to complete the first inning.
Lowery pitched until relieved by Troy Ferrell in the third inning, and Ferrell pitched the remainder of the game for National, finishing with four strikeouts.


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Home Fragrance
- 1 Products in Home Fragrance
Your home's fragrance is the first thing people notices when they walk in.
A variety of fragrant home décor diffusers.
Fragrant Home Décor gives your home the scent it deserves.
Fragrant home décor is interior decorating and aromatherapy in one.
Above Statements not applicable to all products below


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Research Interests:
My research uses a basic understanding of molecular biology to enhance the management of patients with heart disease, and particularly those with cardiomyopathy. As a member of the Cardiomyopathy and Pulmonary Hypertension team, I am actively engaged in both clinical studies as well as basic science investigation in my lab. Bench science efforts have included using cellular and molecular biology techniques to investigate proteins, which intimately influence cardiac muscle function and excitability. Recombinant adenoviral constructs are used to express specific genes in cardiac myocytes which are then studied for changes in contractile properties. Importantly, changes in the presence of these specific proteins occur in the setting of hypertension and may influence cardiac function and progression to heart failure symptoms. My efforts in translational science focuses on the growing importance of subtle variations in the genetic code (single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNP) having significant influence on susceptibility to disease, disease progression, and response to medical therapy.
Wilson PD, Devuyst O, Li X, Gatti L, Falkenstein D, Robinson S, Fambrough D,Burrow CR. Apical Plasma Membrane Mispolarization of NaK-ATPase in Polycystic Kidney Disease Epithelia Is Associated with Aberrant Expression of the beta2 Isoform. Am J Pathol., Jan;156(1):253-268, 2000.
Khatta M, Alexander BS, Krichten CM, Fisher ML, Freudenberger R, Robinson SW, Gottlieb SS The effect of coenzyme Q10 in patients with congestive heart failure. Ann Intern Med. Apr 18;132(8):636-40, 2000.
Freudenberger R, Sikora JA, Gottlieb S, Robinson S, Fisher M. Characteristics of patients referred for cardiac transplantation: implications for the donor organ shortage. Am Heart J. Dec;140(6):857-61, 2000.
Skotzko CE, Krichten C, Zietowski G, Alves L, Freudenberger R, Robinson S, Fisher M, Gottlieb SS. Depression is common and precludes accurate assessment of functional status in elderly patients with congestive heart failure. J Card Fail. Dec;6(4):300-5, 2000.
ICa(TTX) Channels are distinct from those generating the classical cardiac Na+ current. Chen-Izu Ye, Shorofsky SR, Robinson SW, Wier WG, Goldman L, Balke W. Biophys J. 2001 Nov;81(5):2647-59.
Blaustein MP, Golovina VA, Song H, Choate J, Lencesova L, Robinson SW, Wier WG., Organization of Ca2+ stores in vascular smooth muscle: functional implications. Novartis Found Symp 2002;246:125-37; discussion 137-41, 221-7
Sha Q, Robinson SW, McCulle SL, Shorofsky SR, Welling PA, Goldman L, Balke CW. An antisense oligonucleotide against H1 inhibits the classical sodium current but not ICa(TTX) in rat ventricular cells. J Physiol. 2003 Mar 1;547(Pt 2):435-40
Zhou X, Yin W, Doi SQ, Robinson SW, Takeyasu K, Fan X. Stimulation of Na,K-ATPase by low potassium requires reactive oxygen species. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003 Aug;285(2):C319-26.
Blaustein MP, Robinson SW, Gottlieb SS, Balke CW, Hamlyn JM. Sex, digitalis, and the sodium pump. Mol Interv. 2003 Mar;3(2):68-72.
Gottlieb SS, Khatta M, Friedmann E, Einbinder L, Katzen S, Baker B, Marshall J, Minshall S, Robinson S, Fisher ML, Potenza M, Sigler B, Baldwin C, Thomas SA. The influence of age, gender, and race on the prevalence of depression in heart failure patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004 May 5;43(9):1542-9.
Faculty members: Update your contact information and create a profile.


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Outside the Office ˅
Mobile Health
Patient Portals
Patient Outreach
Waiting Room ˅
Patient Info
Patient Education
Patient Flow
Patient Testimonials
Exam Lane ˅
Diagnostic Instruments
Eye Health
The Rx
Dispensary ˅
Measurement and Try-on
In-Office Lab
Offsite Lab
Practice Systems ˅
Claims Processing
Practice Management
Staff Training
Vision Monday
site which illustrates how integrated technologies improve patient care and build practice success
Articles By:
Andrew Karp
DigitalVision Systems Goes Beyond the Phoropter
Andrew Karp
Monday, June 16, 2014 12:10 AM
Unlike companies that have concentrated on modernizing the phoropter, DigitalVision Systems (DVS) has developed a refraction system that does away with the device entirely.
Opternative Explores the Online Option
Andrew Karp
Monday, June 16, 2014 12:09 AM
Ever since online eyeglass sales began, optical industry observers have wondered when online refraction would follow.
Vision Testing, On the Go
Andrew Karp
Monday, June 16, 2014 12:08 AM
Refraction Reboot
Andrew Karp
Monday, June 16, 2014 12:01 AM
The Intelligent Office
Andrew Karp
Friday, September 06, 2013 4:00 AM
Eyecare practices are now the nexus of a vast and rapidly growing information network that connects practitioners with patients, insurance companies, suppliers, doctor alliances and other medical professionals.
Smartphones, Tablets and Mobile Apps Change the Conversation
Andrew Karp
Monday, March 04, 2013 12:02 AM
Thanks to smartphones and tablets, ECPs and patients are connecting in new and novel ways.
Education, Try On and Measurement Made Easy
Andrew Karp
Monday, March 04, 2013 12:01 AM
One of the most significant ways that technology is changing the patient experience is in the area of patient education.
Constant Connectivity
Andrew Karp
Monday, March 04, 2013 12:00 AM
In today's wireless world, mobile devices, apps and software innovations are enabling eyecare professionals and their patients to stay constantly connected.
Educating the Patient
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:05 AM
Patients are better informed about their eye health than ever before, thanks to the many online resources now available to consumers. But that's only a starting point.
In the Exam Lane, Seeing Is Believing
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:04 AM
In addition to using educational videos to inform patients about general eye health topics, ECPs are using a new generation of diagnostic instruments to provide patients with personalized perspective.
Enhancing the Dispensing Experience
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:03 AM
As much as new technologies are changing the eye exam experience for patients, they are having just as significant an impact on the dispensing process.
Going Beyond Brick and Mortar
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:02 AM
A growing number of eyecare practices are taking advantage of smart phones, email and text messaging to stay connected with the patients who are at home, at work, or otherwise on the move.
Analyzing the Patient Experience
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:01 AM
As crucial as technology is to optimizing the patient experience, though, technology is not a solution by itself.
The Patient Experience
Andrew Karp
Monday, April 16, 2012 12:00 AM
NEW YORK—What do eyecare patients expect when they visit their eye doctor or optician? Excellent care, top notch service, a good selection of top quality products and reasonable prices usually top their list of priorities.


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BLUE 50's CROPPED JACKET
Item# FD-17915
Shop Name: Metro Retro
Circa: 1950s
Description: This smart looking cropped jacket will take you through 3 seasons and can easily be worn for office or casual wear with jeans. The low rounded neckline helps to frame the face and set off a wonderful piece of jewelry. Huge distinctive geometric blue buttons trail down the jacket. The shape starts out full on top and tapers in at the waist. On each side of the front near the hem, one finds 2 strips of blue fabric that swirl and criss cross to create wonderful detail (see close-up photo). The back of the jacket gently drapes down with its clean lines. The sleeves are 3/4 to finish off the look. This hip jacket is in mint condition and is made from cotton/poly blend. Please note the jacket is a little big for my mannequin.
Measurements: Bust is 38'', waist is 36'', hem is 33'', sleeve length is 18'' and jacket length is 16 1/4''.
Condition: Mint
E-mail this item to a friend


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Fantasy football: Start Seahawks' Wilson
Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 8:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 8:15 p.m.
Week 14 brings us to the first round of the Fantasy Football playoffs. You're likely in if you gambled an early-round pick on Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning (offseason injury questions), or selected rookies Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III as backup QBs only to realize they served you better as starters. And if you burned a first-round pick on LeSean McCoy or Ryan Mathews, and thought Michael Vick was a viable starting quarterback, then you're probably not agonizing over who on your roster makes a better flex option this week.
Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: Luck and RG3 are getting the attention, but it's Wilson who has thrown the most TDs (14) in six of the last seven games.
Josh Freeman, QB, Bucs: Look for Freeman, who has multiple TDs in seven of his last eight games, to make it eight out of nine against an Eagles' defense that seems to get worse by the week.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys: Murray returns just in time for the fantasy playoffs. He rushed for 83 yards and a TD last week should get carries aplenty against the Bengals.
Vick Ballard, RB, Colts: Donald Brown's ankle injury puts Ballard in the featured back role against the Titans' 27th-ranked run defense.
Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers: Mathews has yet to reach 100 yards in a game and has just one TD. That trend should continue against the Steelers' top-ranked defense.
Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: Expected to return to the lineup tonight, McFadden has a tough matchup against the Broncos and is likely to split carries with Marcel Reece.
Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers: Wallace, who's nursing a knee injury, has seen his numbers dwindle without Ben Roethlisberger, whose status this week remains up in the air.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: Arizona's QB troubles are killing Fitzgerald's numbers as he has just five catches for 65 yards in the last three games.
The Press Democrat
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text:
The Daily Star
---- — Staff Report
Delhi 64, WOL 33
Jackie Bailey's 12 points led SUNY Delhi to a non-conference victory over visiting Word of Life on Wednesday.
Yaya Soto finished with 11 points and Gilbertsville-Mount Upton graduate Tanya Barnes contributed 10 for the Broncos, who took a 22-12 lead into halftime.
Delhi, which received points from each of its players, hosts Fulton-Montgomery Community College at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
O-State's Mager honored
Sophomore guard Zach Mager earned three awards for helping Oneonta State to a 2-1 record last week.
Mager scored 20 or more points in each game en route to Player of the Week accolades from the SUNY Athletic Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. He also earned a spot on D3Hoops.com's Team of the Week.
Mager averaged 23.7 points and 8.7 rebounds last week, when he shot 58 percent (25-for-43) from the floor and 53 percent (8-for-15) from behind the arc. He leads the Red Dragons in scoring (19.2 points per game), rebounding (7.0 pg), three-pointers (40) and free throw percentage (85).
Mager is one made free throw from tying the single season program record. The Red Dragons close their season at New Paltz on Friday.


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Neil Schield knows the grim state of the music business as well as anyone; last May, he was laid off from a company at the vanguard of digital music distribution.
But this month, Schield began an unlikely second act: He opened a brick-and-mortar record store in Echo Park, with racks of tasteful inventory carrying price tags as high as $100 -- all presumed liabilities in an age when "digital" and "free" seem to rule the day. For added chutzpah, Schield's shop, Origami Vinyl, exclusively stocks new vinyl LPs, presumed not long ago to be as dead as eight-track tapes.


text:
Corrected to correct Gb
LONDON — STMicroelectronics NV has set up an anechoic chamber in Taipei, Taiwan, for use in MEMS microphone application development.
NEW YORK — Microsemi Corp.'s management likes to say M&A is in the company's DNA, and it continues to make strategic investments to prove it.
Proposed FAA rules would define model aircraft too narrowly and commercial drones too broadly, The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) ...
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Emerging efforts to forge a business out of exploring space are making progress, but the sector still has -- literally -- a long way to ...
Preliminary Teardown analysis suggests that Amazon's $649.00 phone costs $209.00 to build. Qualcomm is the primary provider of many of the key integrated ...
NEW YORK -- We're tracking a startup budding from San Francisco's Internet of Things gulch -- and it's tracking us. Iotera is banking on the long-range power of ...
Sony Corp. has said it plans to invest 35 billion yen (about $340 million) to increase its production of stacked CMOS image sensors in support of demand for them ...
SAN JOSE, Calif. — "The space community doesn't think big enough," said Simon P. "Pete" Worden, the director of NASA's Ames Research Center in a keynote ...
MADISON, Wis. -- Freescale Semiconductor announced Thursday solid second-quarter financial results, with the company's net sales at $1.19 billion, compared ...
BANNOCKBURN, Ill. -- IPC, formerly known as the Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits, has released the results of its annual quality ...
NEW YORK - On the heels of Qualcomm's acquisition of 60 GHz chipset manufacturer Wilocity, startup Nitero is releasing its first 60 GHz Wi-Fi silicon. The NT4600 ...
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Archrivals Google and Facebook will share their visions of datacenter networking -- likely both similar and competing -- at the Hot ...
MADISON, Wis. — After Apple's latest quarterly announcement Tuesday, which showed reasonable but slow-growing results, the second-day spin on Apple's ...
GM's Powermat Deal Falls Short
Jessica Lipsky 5 comments
NEW YORK — General Motors recently announced that it has partnered with Powermat to include multimode wireless charging in its 2015 Cadillacs and several other ...
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Adam Carlson 14 comments
The EELive! 2014 Conference and Exhibition earlier this year was a fantastic event. I had the opportunity to present three hobby projects that I currently have in the ...
Mobile Benchmarks Need Work
Jim McGregor 9 comments
It's ironic that the issues that deserve the most industry cooperation tend to be the most contentious ones. Few issues have been more contentious than performance ...
Memory System Design Methods
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Drew Wingard, CTO, Sonics 0 comments
The recurring semiconductor industry cycle between standardization and customization was accurately described by Tsugio Makimoto in his presentation entitled "Implications ...
7 Insurance Issues With Your Self-Driving Car
Junko Yoshida 22 comments
MADISON, Wis. — As we gird for the inevitability of fully autonomous cars sometime between 2020 and 2035, we occasionally hear the small, still voices of ...
Think Different, Innovate by Reuse
Bill Martin 8 comments
Over the last several decades we have become a throw-away society. My parents, who grew up during the Depression, tried to fix broken products with replacement parts ...
Fist Bumps & the Zombie Apocalypse
Max Maxfield 15 comments
Are you concerned about the possibility of a Zombie Apocalypse or do you scoff at the thought of such an eventuality? If the latter, would you be surprised to hear that the US military has ...
Future Engineers: Dont 'Trip Up' on Your College Road Trip
Rishabh N. Mahajani, High School Senior and Future Engineer 8 comments
A future engineer shares his impressions of a recent tour of top schools and offers advice on making the most of the time-honored tradition of the college road trip.
Engineers Should Study Finance: 5 Reasons Why
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I'm a big proponent of engineers learning financial basics. Why? Because engineers are making decisions all the time, in multiple ways. Having a good financial understanding guides these ...
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Steve Jobs allegedly got his start by dumpster diving with the Computer Club at Homestead High in the early 1970s.


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Locals pledged enough money to help create the Rosemont Preserve, the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy announced.
The 7.2-acre area of open space will bring trails and educational opportunities to La Crescenta residents and people throughout Los Angeles County and costs about $425,000.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich helped secure $350,000 in county funding to purchase the conservation land. The community helped donate the rest.
On May 14, the group announced it needed $20,000 to secure the area as permanent open space in the Crescenta Valley, free from developers, according to the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy.
"Since then, community members have given or pledged a total of $42,000. The excess funds will help provide for the long-term stewardship of the land and will allow AFC to begin planning programs for the local community immediately. From the beginning of the drive the community has generously contributed a total of $97,500," said John Howell, Executive Director of the AFC.
The AFC could close the sale in about a week and will host a celebration at the location, Howell said. Program planning for the community will begin after that.
"We let the community know we needed help and we got it in spades. We're very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of conservationists in the Crescenta Valley, and delighted to have them as partners," Howell said.
Here are some of the contributors to the project:
- Henry Fliegel of La Crescenta: $12,000
- Wells Fargo Foundation Grant: $10,000
- Scarlett Hibner of La Canada Flintridge: $14,000
- Desiree and Paul Rabinov of La Crescenta: $15,000
- Crescenta Valley Group of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club: $5,000
The following residents and businesses have donated at least $500 to the project:
- Tracey Alsobrook
- Desdy and Charles Baggott
- Sharon and Scott Bateman
- Tom Brady
- Diana and Jeff Busta
- John Campbell
- Tony Chahine
- Doug Farr
- First Pacific Advisors
- Jackie Genofile
- Dino Gioia
- Barbara and Roy Goto
- Rona and Ian Harris
- Judith and Frederick Hoeptner
- Kevin Kroeker
- Daniel Limonadi
- Deborah and Bob Marlowe
- Neil Mottinger
- Nick and Mike of Keller Williams Realty
- Barbara Nielsen and Bill Bell
- Karen and Steve Pierce
- Anthony Portantino
- Pamela Rogers
- Robert Ruby
- Susie and Clarke Scherff
- Allison and Lake Setzler
- Gloria Surtees
- Lyn and Quentin Swan
- Mary and Michael Veselich
- Linda and Bob Winters
- Roobik Yaghoubi
Assembly Member Mike Gatto and Assembly Member Anthony Portantino helped secure the Wells Fargo grant, Howell said. Portantino is also an AFC advisor.


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MARINA B Made In Italy Earrings Designed In 18K White Gold
original brand name: Marina B
product type: earrings
made in: ITALY
make: high quality
material: 18K White gold
total item weight: 25.7g
total gemstone carat weight: 11.00ctw
earring lock: clip-on
gemstone info
gemstone: amethyst
quantity / ctw: 2/10.15ctw
shape: oval
color: purple
gemstone info
gemstone: diamond
quantity / ctw: 92/0.85ctw
shape: round
color: H - I
clarity: VS1 - VS2
Other Information
width: 18mm
total item length: 23mm
gender: ladies
Learn more by clicking here
During her tenure at Bulgari, Marina created several of their enduring best-sellers. Marina founded her own luxury brand, Marina B, designing an incredible succession of iconic and legendary jewelry that bears the undeniable mark of her creative process. In the Eighties and Nineties, Marina B was embraced by connoisseurs, international jet setters and celebrities around the world as the epitome of style, elegance, and creativity in luxury jewelry.
Marina Bulgari was born in Rome on July 12, 1930 to a Greek father and German-Italian mother. Early on, she developed a passion for art, architecture and mathematics. Upon Marina's graduation at Saint Mary's College in England, she returned to Italy where her talents in the family business were immediately recognized. Her keen sense of design, proportion and scale combined with an understanding of engineering and movement was instantly apparent as she made great design contributions to the brand. After the passing of her father, she followed her entrepreneurial mindset and creative spirit and decided to create her own signature brand in 1977: Marina B.
Working tirelessly with the Parisian and Italian workshops that would help develop her unique vision, Marina Bulgari quickly established herself as one of the most prolific and talented jewelry designers of her generation. Her customers were seduced by the boldness and elegance of her design, and the use of diamonds and colored semi-precious stones, the generous volumes of her creations, her unique juxtaposition of geometric lines and subtle curves.
Marina's creative process was conceptual and precise. A true perfectionist, she lived and breathed her designs, finding inspiration from Greek and Italian mythology, nature and animals, objects d'art and architecture. As only a woman designing for other women could achieve, her jewelry is both supremely elegant, striking, and surprisingly comfortable to wear.
Her first showroom opened in 1978 in Geneva, Place du Molard. The Maison was originally named Crisart, which changed to Marina B in 1979, leaving out the name Bulgari to differentiate from her family. She exhbited in the trendiest spots around the world, such as Monte Carlo, Gstaad, and St. Moritz, and opened several Marina B Boutiques in Milan, Geneva, London, New York and Tokyo.
Through the decades, Marina B's collections were filled with eye-catching designs that mixed classicism and modernity, color and contrast, and bold design elements that had true artistic flare. Her distinctive aesthetic made pieces such as Atomo, Cardan, Pneus, Vertigo, and Ciao immediately iconic in the industry. Her jewelry was worn by scores of celebrities such as actress Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts and Princess Grace, and has been featured in the pages of numerous fashion books.
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|The Gallery Show off your creative talents here!
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
Keira Knightley Story
Hey everyone, I am new to this site, but I thought I'd post a story I am writing about Keira Knightley. It is based on a most zany dream I once had. Anyone interested in reading it? I could post it or PM it....
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The land of sheep and male voice choirs
Posts: 80
post it
( so true )
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
You asked for it....here is the first part of the story. It is only loosely based on the dream I had; hopefully, you'll find it interesting. I shall tryr and post more chapters in the upcoming.
When looking back through history, it can be evident that governments are formed in many ways. Perhaps the most common way is war, and that was how the UAF came to exist.
Of course, it was not the Big One that put the UAF into power. Oh no, very few people even remember what the Big One was about. They knew that something had happened between United States of America, the Russian Federation, and the People's Democratic Republic of China, but few knew why that something happened.
All they knew was that one day they woke up dead or with life changed drastically. Perhaps it was a hidden blessing that only neutron bombs had been used against us. Millions died but the infrastructure was left relatively intact.
The Big One left America fallen. With no government and no military, we had been destroyed. Of course, Russia and China were annihilated.
As I stated earlier, it was not the Big One that brought about the UAF. The UAF was formed through another war, a prolonged war. Out of the ashes of death came one man.
This man who would start in Florida and form a militia that would expand along the compass corners. The militia spread as far north as Maine, as far south as Key West, and as far west as the Mississippi River.
Once the militia had spread so far, he began to incorporate remnants of the US military into his organization. He promised a new martial society where intellect would be subservient to brute force. Where love would be subservient to war. Where the will of the military WAS the will of the people. This man was Victor Sparrow.
Although the UAF occupied the territory west of the Mississippi River that once belonged to the United States of America, its similarities to the US were few and far between. Although the UAF had a president, by no means was it a democratic republic.
Victor Sparrow conquered his way to the top. Originally, the UAF had been known as the Independent Militia, with Sparrow as its Revolutionary Commander. By most definitions, Sparrow was a thug. Originally, his militia was an unofficial group of thugs and ex-military men. Then, as it grew in stature and prestige, the IM attracted more viable agents.
Now, at its acme, the UAF controlled all territory west of the Mississippi River and its legal capital is Victory City, the former US capital of Washington in the District of Columbia.
Although he is addressed as President Sparrow, he is much more. One of his official titles is President of the United American Federation, making him the chief executive, head of government, and head of state of the UAF. His second title is Supreme Commander of the Federal Military Council. The FMC oversees all military operations in the UAF and many civilian operations. Sparrow's third title is Commandant of the UAF Marine Corps, which like the US version, is the crème de la crème of the UAF's conventional military forces. His fourth title is Chairman of the Federal Bank, making him the controller of virtually the entire UAF economy.
The Federal Military Council is the closest thing the UAF has to a legislature. The FMC is divided into several sub-bodies; the Presidential Council, the Inner Council, and the Outer Council. The Presidential Council is the chief, yet smallest, body of the FMC. It includes the President/Supreme Commander, the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Fieldmarshal of the Federal Armed Forces, the Director-General of the Federal Intelligence Agency, the Chief Commissioner of the Federal Security Forces, and one councilor-at-large appointed by the President. The PC holds complete control over the Federal Armed Forces, the Federal Security Forces, the Federal Intelligence Agency and any other military, security, or intelligence apparatus under UAF control.
The Inner Council is made up of every flag officer of the Federal Armed Forces, the deputy commissioners of the FSF, the deputy directors of the FIA, and all other deputy administrative leaders of any other military, security, or intelligence apparatus under UAF control.
The Outer Council is made up of a given number of staff and non-commissioned officers elected by the entire body of the FAF, FSF, FIA, and all other military, security, and intelligence apparatus under UAF control. Outer Council elections are held every six years.
The Federal Armed Forces is made up of several branches, namely Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Strategic Command (which oversees the use, storage, and defense of all nuclear (both strategic and tactical), biological, and chemical weapons at UAF disposal).
The Federal Security Forces is made up of all federal, state, county, municipal, and other police and security forces in the UAF. Also under the FSF is the Civil Defense Department, which handles all paramilitary and non-governmental militia and security operations within the UAF.
The Federal Intelligence Agency was merely the American CIA renamed. It occupied the same headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and had the same directorates: Intelligence, Operations, Administration, and Science & Technology.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
With the formation and implementation of the FMC, the United American Federation was but another dictatorship with Mr. Sparrow at its nerve center and the FMC as the muscle and sinew. The FMC moved to gain control over the entirety of the UAF's industrial sector. Every night, members of the FAF and FSF paid visits to the industrialists unlucky enough to live in UAF territory.
The next morning, the Federal New Service, the propaganda and information branch of the UAF government, would report that a new industry had come under the enlightened control of the military. In fact, the FNS was merely a forced conglomeration of the former major new services (Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, etc.). The one oddity was that the Christian news services, like CBN and TBN, were allowed to remain free of government control.
On the whole, the Christian associations in general faired very well in Sparrow's government. Men and women of the cloth were exempt from the universal draft that was in effect. They paid no taxes or tributes to their government and were treated with the utmost by even the haughty FAF/FSF.
After attaining political and social legitimacy, the UAF began to implement its goals, the most important of which was "formation of a moral and good society". To that end, by presidential order, the Council on Moral Affairs was formed. CMA, headed up by a group of the UAF's top evangelical clergymen, was given the mission of "saving the Federation from sin and immorality". CMA was granted oversight of the writing of the Federal constitution and all judicial appointments.
CMA's success could be seen clearly in the constitution, which began, "In the name and glory of the Lord God Jesus Christ, this constitution seeks to ordain and establish a society in the image of our Creator". The new constitution regularly quoted from the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible regarding the basis for its articles and statues. In overseeing judicial appointments (including the Federal Supreme Court), CMA could even overrule the president and deny one of his appointees the bench. This made CMA singular in that power to check the dictator Sparrow.
Almost immediately, the Federal Supreme Court began overturning previous US laws. Homosexual marriage was banned, abortion declared a capital offense, and strict censorship put into place of all UAF media and entertainment.
In order to back up its edicts, CMA petitioned President Sparrow and the FMC for permission to form a militant branch. Of course, their wish was immediately granted and the Brigade des Vierges (French for the "Brigade of Virgins") was born. Unlike all other police and paramilitary forces, the BV did not answer to the FMC or even to President Sparrow; instead, they answered the ruling clergymen of CMA.
The Brigade des Vierges, much like Robespierre's 'Representatives on a Mission', were given assignment of controlling and eliminating immorality. They were given the best weapons and full license to kill. In their purist white uniforms, the Brigade des Vierges inspired more fear in the citizenry of the UAF than any other enforcement agency.
The BV raided adult 'toy' stores, brothels, nude dancing parlors, illicit casinos, and many of the more popular homosexual bars. Carrying M-16s and wearing white jackboots, BV soldiers and officers would rush in, firing into the ceiling and, after the endroit de l'immoralité was cleared out, they then burned the building to the ground. Very quickly, word spread among the deviants and personnes immorales of the new great society that the BV was not to be trifled with.
As with all great plans and programs, there was a violent backlash to it. By hunting the personnes immorales and destroying their operations, the BV had made many enemies. From anarchists to communists, atheists to Satanists, radical liberals to reactionary fascists, heterosexual 'ladies men' to butch homosexuals; they all hated the moralistic Brigade des Vierges and its parent, the Council on Moral Affairs, with an extreme passion.
Amazingly, these different deviant groups agreed to put aside their differences and battle the Brigade des Vierges. To an outside observer, it would have seemed insane, but these personnes immorales formed an alliance de but against the BV and CMA.
Although to most citizens, the UAF was peaceful and safe, in reality, it was a war zone. In the diminishing red light districts, BV and deviants faced off. Regularly, homemade bombs were detonated and drive-by shootings against patrolling BV agents occurred.
Slowly, but surely, this war became more public. Street battles became fairly regular, even in Victory City. Deviant forces would hide out and ambush UAF forces (even conventional FAF/FSF units). Although bloody and violent, these battles did little to stave the spread of morality, for everyday, the Brigade des Vierges recruited young men and women to fight for the 'cause'.
The BV began infiltrating this alliance des deviants. After all, how hard is it for a person to pretend to be a homosexual or a Satanist or a fasciste? The more feminine males and masculine females paraded as homosexuals, anyone can tattoo a pentagram on their arm, and the more Aryan of the BV agents paraded as fascists.
These infiltrators made their way to the top, alerting BV and CMA command, which then raided the safehouses and compounds. The infiltrations were having their desired effect and the alliance des deviants was being broken up, but they were not yet gone.
Now, the last of these remaining personnes immorales came to a decision: the only way to stop CMA and the Brigade des Vierges was to kill the snake's head, not its fangs. President Victor Sparrow, the father of modern morality, and only 24-years-old, had to die.
The threat to President Matthew Sparrow's life would be of minimal concern to most people not connected to the UAF government. In fact, outside its own borders, this would be a minor issue. After all, most countries have homegrown terrorist groups to deal with, the UAF should be no different.
In order to understand the importance of the plot to kill Sparrow, one must first look at the Federation's neighbors west of the Mississippi River, the Republic of Hollywood. In most respects, the ROH is a polar opposite to the UAF. While morality is stress here, freedom of thought and expression are stressed there. Although both countries have a standing army, the UAF is by any definition much more militant. Although a president leads both countries, only Hollywood is a democracy.
As of this point in time, veteran actor Johnny Depp leads Hollywood. From the beginning of diplomatic relations between Hollywood and the Federation, they did not get along. Sparrow, being militarily superior to Depp, sough to bark out orders at Hollywood as though it were a puppet state. To his credit, Johnny Depp stood up to Sparrow's dictums. A few months later, after cooler heads had prevailed, Hollywood and the Federation began restart a diplomatic process. Only a couple weeks ago, the Sparrow-Depp Accords (called the Depp-Sparrow Accords in Hollywood) were signed. In it, a lasting treaty for peace was ratified.
Now, only weeks after this groundbreaking treaty, massive tourism between the Federation and Hollywood has initiated. Most of those visiting there opposite country were the standard middle-class 'Joe Six-Pack', but a few high level UAF and ROH dignitaries visited each other's countries.
Perhaps the two most important people to tour the UAF were junior actresses Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman. Their actions, especially Knightley's, would have a drastic effect upon the very existence of the Federation and its leaders- not to mention their own lives.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 35
The meeting ran dreadfully late and so all the upper-echelons of the UAF were in a rush to get back to their estates in the countryside outside of Victory City. Only President Sparrow had his home in VC.
Outside, it was a gorgeous day, the sun shining, reflecting off puddles from last night's thundershower. Up and down the sidewalks, people went about their business, most walking towards a subway entrance, waiting for a bus, or even hailing a cab. Because of the massive population in the capital, private automobiles were in minimal use.
Therefore, the mass of unmarked luxury automobiles in front of the upscale condominium complex in downtown VC would have been most odd, except for the fact that these were the conveyances of Sparrow's top ranks. There were several Lincolns, a Mercedes limousine used by the Vice President, several Chevy Suburbans, and even a Rolls-Royce saloon used by Fieldmarshal Erwin Schroedinger.
The condominium complex was equally as opulent. It was red brick with numerous colonial-style windows dotting each floor in a strict linear pattern. A small set of marble steps led up to the canopied entrance and behind the entrance, in the ornate and large marble and oak-paneled lobby, numerous Uzi toting bodyguards patrolled the floor. The elevators required a special key for use.
It was these elevators whose doors opened and disgorged a luxuriant set of men in Brooks Brothers and Harrington Hill suits, striding with purpose to the French door entrance.
Once outside, a goodly number of tuxedoed ushers opened the rear doors of the vehicles, letting these great and proud leaders of the UAF board their rides. Of course, President Matthew Sparrow was not among them.
Sparrow, still in his top floor penthouse condo, gazed out the floor-to-ceiling Washingtonian windows, smiling as his lieges left the area. When he had first visited the then US capital some ten years ago, he had been enthralled by the gracefulness and tamed beauty that was then Washington, D. C.
Now, at age 24, Sparrow was the chieftain of this entire area, nay, everything on his side of the Mississippi. This penthouse had been his home ever since marching victoriously into this city and down Pennsylvania Avenue at the head of his armies.
From these windows, he could the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and even the White House, all glorious debris of a now dead America. Oh yes, tours were still given and people still gazed on Washington's picture, the one saved by Mrs. Madison, in the White House. They still took the manned elevator up to the acme of the Monument and they still traversed the grand halls of Capitol Hill.
Down below, the presidential motorcade pulled up to the steps of the antique, yet still grand, condominium complex. For a president, this convoy was quite simple. At the head were a pair of police motorcycles (their flashers on), behind the cycles was a brand-new Volvo luxury sedan (heavily armored of course), and behind the sedan was a Secret Service Chevrolet Suburban, containing, besides the driver, five heavily armed members of the Presidential Guard, the most elite of the Federal Secret Service, a subsidiary itself of the FSF.
As Sparrow, escorted by his aide de camp, headed downstairs and outside towards the waiting motorcade, he could not have known how drastically the countenance of his day would soon change.
Several blocks along from the presidential condominium, a crowd had gathered, waiting behind metal barrier, waving multi-colored autograph books in the air and vying for a forward position. It was tradition that each afternoon, as the presidential motorcade whisked Sparrow from his condominium to his sundry evening activities, he would stop and sign autographs, shake hands, and kiss babies. Of course, his security forces hated it, for it left him most vulnerable.
Walking up the street, nonchalantly approaching this crowd, the two visitors from Hollywood chatted about their day. Ever since arriving in VC several days earlier, Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman had played tourist. Some days they explored the grand capital together; other times they went their separate paths.
So far, their trip had gone without reproach, except for that one time when Knightley, wearing a T-shirt (exposing her midriff) and mini-shorts had gotten fined 100 dollars by a CMA officer.
Today, Keira wore an informal light blue dress that accentuated her figure without violating the Federation's national dress code policy. Portman, on the other hand, wore a white button down shirt and gray slacks, looking like a low-level executive for one of these random firms that you didn't quite know what they actually did.
So far, despite being in the capital, neither young actress had run across any VIPs, unless you consider that damned CMA officer in important person, because he sure acted like it. He spoke haughtily down the Knightley as he wrote the ticket and then shoved it against Knightley and stomped away.
They quickened their pace, smiling slightly at the prospect of meeting Depp's opposite number. In Hollywood, a lot had been heard about the new president. They joked he had the morals of Bush, the intellect of Kerry, and the sociality of Edwards. Of course, many others just said he was a dick.
The smallish presidential motorcade pulled down the street, stopping in its middle with no care for flow of traffic. In the crowd, the waving became more incessant and several people shouted for attention. The vast majority recognized the decorum of a presidential arrival and just assumed that the screamers were nothing but impudent tourists who thought Sparrow the Federal version of a movie star or a superhero.
The two women pushed their way forward without much hassle. After all, most men were more than willing to allow the extremely hot women to brush against them. Pretty quickly, they were at the front, Keira looking just a bit too happy to be seeing a supposed cold enemy.
By now, the president was out of the Volvo and approaching the crowd calmly. Three bodyguards had climbed out of the Suburban and, as always, Sparrow's ADC remained at his side.
Analysts in Hollywood had wondered why Sparrow was so popular in his territories. To many ROHers, President Sparrow was a dictator by any other name who used the pursuit of unattainable morality as an excuse to brutalize a good portion of his citizenry, but to Keira Knightley, relatively low on the Hollywood totem pole, Sparrow exuded power, yet he did not appear brutal or mean. In fact, his face had the solemn smile you would expect from a parish priest or your family doctor.
He approached an unseen person several feet to Keira's left; the crowd parted slightly and she noticed that Sparrow was giving attention to the proverbial blue-haired old lady, either a septa- or octogenarian. The lady appeared frail, leaning forward against a metal walker.
The president, towering over the retiree, shook her hand gently and then signed her brown autograph book. They spoke in small voices for a few seconds and then Sparrow congenially patted her on the shoulder.
He continued down the line, shaking hands and signing the autographs, always writing personalized messages and saying the right thing at the right time, yet he didn't seem insincere. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he stood in front of Keira Knightley, who was being jostled slightly by the loyal subjects behind her.
As Sparrow held out his hand, she suddenly realized she had nothing for the president. Everyone else was waving small blank books in his face, nearly begging for his attention.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Keira searched her pockets for something for the president to sign, but it was all a moot point. A sharp whistle-hiss sound filled the air and eyes looked up in time to see a supersonic tailed lozenge slam the rear Suburban's side. Instantly, an explosion filled the air and the large SUV was tossed into the air and pitched into the ground like child's Matchbox toy car. Many people, including Knightley, were knocked down by the shockwave.
A distant, yet quickly closing, voice boomed, "HEIL HITLER! TÖTEN SIE DEN PRÄSIDENTEN!"
Rapid-fire gunshots sounded and two of Sparrow's scrambling bodyguards were cut down. The third bodyguard, slightly staggered from the explosion, shoved Sparrow to the ground beside the slightly scorched sedan.
With the explosion and the gunshots, Sparrow's oh so loyal supporters, even the gentile elderly lady, were moving as fast as they could from the scene.
Righting herself quickly, Keira saw that her dear friend Natalie was with this fleeing crowd; in her case, yelling, "Keira, come on!" She saw the third, and only living, bodyguard bringing his M4 carbine up to fire, but he too was cut down, expunged blood spatter Knightley as he fell.
Sparrow, his face showing terror, was moving backwards quickly, assuming his death was upon him. The two motorcycle cops were dead and so was his driver. Keira, stunned by all the blood and violence, looked at the once proud president. Whatever kind of man and leader he was, Sparrow didn't deserve to get gunned down by a bunch of fasciste thugs.
Without giving it another thought, Keira, moving quickly, climbed over the steel barrier and seized the dead bodyguard's assault rifle. The nearest thug rounded the smoldering hulk of the Suburban, his Ingram MAC-10 at the ready.
She squeezed the trigger and split second before he did and the enemy did a macabre dance that ended with him plastered to the roadway. A second terrorist followed the first, but he fared no better.
Sirens rang in the distance and no more terrorist gunfire. Keira Knightley, almost in shock from killing two mortal enemies, turned and looked at President Sparrow, who now seemed almost boisterous, "I don't know who you are, but you'll get a medal for this. Anything you want…"
A flaring of his eyes cut him off and Keira looked in the direction Sparrow was staring, a third neo-Nazi (the one who had manned the rocket launcher) had snuck around the dead Suburban and now held a World War II-era Luger P-08 pistol, "Auf Wiedersehen."
Staring at the raised pistol and manic eyes, Keira Knightley did something that she never in a million years thought she'd be called on to do. The thug's finger closed around the trigger and he smiled smugly. In milliseconds, her brain told her that even if she got off a shot, the enemy would still get President Sparrow.
She leapt to the side, her body shielding the president as the trigger was pulled. The bullet entered Knightley's chest area but glanced off a rib, shattering it. She fell to the ground, choked tears of pain glistening in her eyes and slipping down her cheeks.
The terrorist pulled the trigger again and again, but the old Luger had jammed. That was the fatal flaw to the German gun, its firing pin and ejector were designed such that it could jam often.
He slammed his palm against the top of the Luger, trying to un-jam it. In that time, in one fell move, Sparrow reached down and grabbed the M4 out of Keira's arms and lifted it, looking in the fasciste's eyes as he pulled the trigger and a rapid stream of bullets slammed his body to the ground. The Luger flew from his hands and clattered onto the pavement.
By now, the sirens were very near and VCPD patrol cars zoomed up to the scene, officers shouting into their radios for assistance. Ambulances and fire trucks were already en route.
It was over.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman, this is Amy Peters reporting live for the Federal News Network. We have late breaking news on this hour. Fascist terrorists have attacked President Matthew Harrington Sparrow, our glorious leader. Already, security forces are rounding up and interrogating every former and current member of any Neo-Nazi organizations.
"The assassination attempt was thwarted due to the brave actions of Keira Knightley, an actress from the Republic of Hollywood. Already, rumors are spreading that President Sparrow will award her the Presidential Commendation for Actions of Supreme Bravery and Honor, the highest award a civilian can receive for meritorious valor in combat…"
Keira Knightley, her chest throbbing, flicked the television off with the remote control and sat up in her hospital bed. She should have been excited about the award, but she wasn't. The doctors had given her heavy painkillers for her chest wound, after emergency surgery the bullet of course, but every few minutes a sharp jolt of pain overrode them and bit her lip not to scream. Even now, she had no shirt on; instead, a bandage had been wrapped around her breasts, but below her armpits, to keep the wounded part of her body immobile.
Currently, she occupied a VIP room in the Hôpital Fédéral De Conduite, one of the UAF's top medical centers, available to only the upper echelons of the Federation. Her room was painted a calming light blue color and several vases of fresh flowers were delicately set in opportune places. The sheets in her bed were silken and the television she had been watching had been one of those brand-new plasmas. She had been told that a pair of FSF agents stood guard outside the room.
The solid oak door opened and, expecting a doctor or nurse, Keira was surprised when her dear friend Natalie Portman entered, the worried look on her face dissipating as she saw that her friend was relatively okay.
Cutting right to the chase, she said, "Keira, what on earth were you thinking? Taking a bullet in the chest for him? You could've been killed!"
Knightley sighed loudly, trying to hold tears back, "Well what was I supposed to do? They were going to kill him! I don't care what they say about him, he didn't deserve to die like that!"
Realizing that maybe she had been too harsh, Natalie sat down on the edge of the bed next to Keira, "I'm sorry, its just I was afraid you might be killed. As it stands, you may be here for quite awhile, waiting for that wound to heal."
Keira nodded, "I know, I know. I wonder if…"
Natalie looked sharply at her friend, "If what?"
"Well, the president owes me his life, doesn't he?"
Upon seeing the slightly mischievous glint in her eyes, Natalie glared at Knightley, "Don't even think about it? He's a damn president, not some college playboy."
"He is nineteen, isn't he? Well…"
"Forget about the whole thing. The last thing I need is for you to start an international incident…"
Keira made the typically indignant harrumph noise, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, dear, that if you ask President Sparrow out on a date, first, he'll bill you in full for this hospital stay, and second, he'll boot our asses right of the country. Finally, he'll send a condemnation to Depp for the perversity of his representatives. Therefore, keep your eyes off the president or anyone in his staff."
Another harrumph and then, "Fine, whatever you say."
"I mean it Keira…"
Knightley had every intention of asking Sparrow out, after all, he owed her and she had no use for Federal moneys or ranks or rewards.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Uni
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That would most likely be The Gallery
That, is shagging well ridiculous
Last edited by Mags; 27-03-2005 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Leonie's smarter than me
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 191
Ok, to be entirely honest (as you all know me to be!), I can't be arsed reading it. I will do, when I have some more time on my hands but I'm concerned that it might not be worth the effort. Not that I think it won't be good, just that I'll be pissed off if I spend a load of time on it, and it's not so good. To be honest, via scanning through it, a story consisting of American Congress and KK doesn't really appeal to me. Though I promise I'll give it a go when I have the time. In the mean time, well done for sticking to it and writing it. It takes a lot of dedication - I know, because I write too. Promise I'll read it when I get chance.
EDIT: Plus, I despise fanfiction (sorry, I know there are a few FF authors on here. Which is why the inclusion of KK in the story isn't really luring me in...)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 127.0.0.1
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lol, you cant be arsed with much can you HJ!!
i agree though, fan fiction bores the crap out of me too. i bet its a good story, and im sure you put a lot of effort into it, its just the characters never reflect what i expect. my mate wrote a half life fan fiction, and after the first chapter i was bored becuase it just wasnt the kind of thing you would see gordan doing.
Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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KKW Sex Therapist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,814
Seriously guys, don't post if you haven't bothered reading it. Its not just a spamming thread because someone was willing to type up 4 posts worth of fan-fiction.
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Playing now on Winamp
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I dont think Keira has the personality of a gun-toting soldier... how about making her a silent assasin like alias?
The writing style is really good though. Well-written, it would just appeal to an older crowd because of the material youre talking about. Post cold-war treaties and such are boring to a younger audience.
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