text:
WASHINGTON — Legislation to negate a fiscal cliff of across-the-board tax increases and sweeping spending cuts to the Pentagon and other government agencies is headed to the GOP-dominated House after bipartisan, middle-of-the-night approval in the Senate capped a New Year's Eve drama unlike any other in the annals of Congress.
The measure cleared the Senate on an 89-8 vote early this morning, hours after Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky sealed a deal.
It would prevent middle-class taxes from going up but would raise rates on higher incomes. It would also block spending cuts for two months, extend unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless, prevent a 27 percent cut in fees for doctors who treat Medicare patients and prevent a spike in milk prices.
The measure ensures that lawmakers will have to revisit difficult budget questions in just a few weeks, as relief from painful spending cuts expires and the government requires an increase in its borrowing cap.
House Speaker John Boehner pointedly refrained from endorsing the agreement, though he's promised a vote on it or a GOP alternative right away.
The measure is the first significant bipartisan tax increase since 1990, when former President George H.W. Bush violated his "read my lips" promise on taxes. It would raise an additional $620 billion over the coming decade when compared with revenues after tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003, during the Bush administration. But because those policies expired at midnight Monday, the measure is officially scored as a whopping $3.9 trillion tax cut over the next decade.
President Barack Obama praised the agreement after the Senate's vote.
"While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country and the House should pass it without delay," Obama said in a statement. "This agreement will also grow the economy and shrink our deficits in a balanced way — by investing in our middle class, and by asking the wealthy to pay a little more."
The sweeping Senate vote exceeded expectations — tea party conservatives like Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., backed the measure — and would appear to grease enactment of the measure despite lingering questions in the House, where conservative forces sank a recent bid by Boehner to permit tax rates on incomes exceeding $1 million to go back to Clinton-era levels.
"Decisions about whether the House will seek to accept or promptly amend the measure will not be made until House members — and the American people — have been able to review the legislation," said a statement by Boehner and other top GOP leaders.
Lawmakers hope to resolve any uncertainty over the fiscal cliff before financial markets reopen Wednesday. It could take lots of Democratic votes to pass the measure and overcome opposition from tea party lawmakers.
Under the Senate deal, taxes would remain steady for the middle class but rise at incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples — levels higher than President Barack Obama had campaigned for in his successful drive for a second term in office. Some liberal Democrats were disappointed that the White House did not stick to a harder line, while other Democrats sided with Republicans to force the White House to partially retreat on increases in taxes on multi-million-dollar estates.
The measure also allocates $24 billion in spending cuts and new revenues to defer, for two months, some $109 billion worth of automatic spending cuts that were set to slap the Pentagon and domestic programs starting this week. That would allow the White House and lawmakers time to regroup before plunging very quickly into a new round of budget brinkmanship, certain to revolve around Republican calls to rein in the cost of Medicare and other government benefit programs.
Officials also decided at the last minute to use the measure to prevent a $900 pay raise for lawmakers due to take effect this spring.
Even by the dysfunctional standards of government-by-gridlock, the activity at both ends of historic Pennsylvania Avenue was remarkable as the administration and lawmakers spent the final hours of 2012 haggling over long-festering differences.
Republicans said McConnell and Biden had struck an agreement Sunday night but that Democrats pulled back Monday morning. Democrats like Tom Harkin of Iowa said the agreement was too generous to upper-bracket earners. Obama's longstanding position was to push the top tax rate on family income exceeding $250,000 from 35 percent to 39 percent.
"No deal is better than a bad deal. And this look like a very bad deal," said Harkin.
The measure would raise the top tax rate on large estates to 40 percent, with a $5 million exemption on estates inherited from individuals and a $10 million exemption on family estates. At the insistence of Republicans and some Democrats, the exemption levels would be indexed for inflation.
Taxes on capital gains and dividends over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples would be taxed at 20 percent, up from 15 percent.
The bill would also extend jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed for an additional year at a cost of $30 billion, and would spend $31 billion to prevent a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors.
Another $64 billion would go to renew tax breaks for businesses and for renewable energy purposes, like tax credits for energy-efficient appliances.
Despite bitter battling over taxes in the campaign, even die-hard conservatives endorsed the measure, arguing that the alternative was to raise taxes on virtually every earner.
"I reluctantly supported it because it sets in stone lower tax rates for roughly 99 percent of American taxpayers," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "With millions of Americans watching Washington with anger, frustration and anxiety that their taxes will skyrocket, this is the best course of action we can take to protect as many people as possible from massive tax hikes."
Highlights of bill averting 'fiscal cliff'
The House is expected to vote on the bill today or Wednesday.
Highlights include:
• Income tax rates: Extends decade-old tax cuts on incomes up to $400,000 for individuals, $450,000 for couples. Earnings above those amounts would be taxed at a rate of 39.6 percent, up from the current 35 percent. Extends Clinton-era caps on itemized deductions and the phase-out of the personal exemption for individuals making more than $250,000 and couples earning more than $300,000.
• Estate tax: Estates would be taxed at a top rate of 40 percent, with the first $5 million in value exempted for individual estates and $10 million for family estates. In 2012, such estates were subject to a top rate of 35 percent.
• Capital gains, dividends: Taxes on capital gains and dividend income exceeding $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for families would increase from 15 percent to 20 percent.
• Alternative minimum tax: Permanently addresses the alternative minimum tax and indexes it for inflation to prevent nearly 30 million middle- and upper-middle income taxpayers from being hit with higher tax bills averaging almost $3,000. The tax was originally designed to ensure that the wealthy did not avoid owing taxes by using loopholes.
• Other tax changes: Extends for five years Obama-sought expansions of the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and an up-to-$2,500 tax credit for college tuition. Also extends for one year accelerated "bonus" depreciation of business investments in new property and equipment, a tax credit for research and development costs and a tax credit for renewable energy such as wind-generated electricity.
• Unemployment benefits: Extends jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed for one year.
• Cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors: Blocks a 27 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors for one year. The cut is the product of an obsolete 1997 budget formula.
• Social Security payroll tax cut: Allows a 2-percentage-point cut in the payroll tax first enacted two years ago to lapse, which restores the payroll tax to 6.2 percent.
• Across-the-board cuts: Delays for two months $109 billion worth of across-the-board spending cuts set to start striking the Pentagon and domestic agencies this week. Cost of $24 billion is divided between spending cuts and new revenues from rule changes on converting traditional individual retirement accounts into Roth IRAs.


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It's that time of year again. My holiday year runs out at the end of the month and if I don't I use my last couple of days holiday then I will lose them. What better excuse than that to indulge in some family history research.
It was a beautiful day today, if a little chilly to start with, and I wondered whether I should have been walking rather than shutting myself away in East Sussex Record Office. The journey down to Lewes, East Sussex gave some splendid views of the South Downs. The short grass and low sun highlighting the curves and texture of hill-side, if I had been wearing my walking boots instead of my shoes then the day would have been completely different.
I can't remember the last time I visited the East Sussex Record Office or any other archive for that matter, although I am sure looking back through my blog posts would tell me. Looking at my to-do list it was obvious that I hadn't been to an archive for a long time.
There were a couple of high priority items for this visit concerning Finding Minnie, checking the marriage entry for Kate Allison and Patrick Vaughan and checking the baptism register for High Hurstwood.
After that the plan was to collect as much other data as possible and clearing as many items from my to-do list along the way.
One thing that became obvious whilst I was preparing for this visit was that my to-do list is not really up to the job, something that I am going to have to take another look at in the near future. At least I have a better idea of what is needed now.
I was quite pleased with myself when I used my Family Historian software on my netbook to quickly create an ad hoc to-do list for Brighton marriages to check. It would be very easy to do this with many other facts, but things could easily get out of hand. The question is not so much what don't I know, but what do I want to find out.
All in all it was a good day, the record office was quiet (a shortage of staff and users) and I have come away with several pages of baptisms, marriages and burials for High Hurstwood, Framfield and Brighton that need processing and one important piece of evidence about Patrick Vaughan that will enable me to move my research forward.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When I saw this shoe tag going around Youtube a couple of months ago, I had a lot of fun being nosy about seeing what others wore on their feet so I thought I'd share some of my favorite shoes with you today too.
1. Heels or Flats?
2. What are your go-to shoes?
3. What's your favorite shoe trend at the moment?
4. What's your least favavorite shoe trend?
5. What's your most expensive shoe?
6. What are your most wanted pair?
7. What's your most embarrassing shoe story?
8. Pick a shoe and share a story.
9. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
10. When was the first time you wore heels?
11. How much do you spend on shoes?
12. Where are your favorite places to buy shoes?
13. Do you have a pair of shoes you regret purchasing?
14. Show your favorite pair of shoes.
Emu sheepskin boots (Uggs/Bearpaw)
Purple suede & hot pink pumps (similar/similar/similar)
Stuart Weitzman Wedgelin boots (similar/similar/similar)
Cherokee woven wedges from Target (similar/similar/similar)
Sam Edelman Wilma booties (also in leopard and chocolate)
J.Crew cardigan
Ann Taylor chambray shirt (similar/similar)
Amrita Singh necklace (similar)
Nailpolish is OPI gel polish in Princess Rule!


text:
Slightly further along the road, in fact practically on the edge of the village is the Shepherd and Dog pub, with splendid views of the Downs, this fitted much better my mental image of a country pub, however the real interest here for me was next door to the pub.
An important feature of these villages at the foot of the Downs are the many springs emanating from the hillside. More than that they probably owe their existence to the presence of these springs.
Previous residents of Fulking have utilised this water source for their benefit, with the installation of a hydraulic ram pump to distribute water throughout the village.
The story has it that in years gone by the streams of water have been dammed and the road flooded, the resulting pools used for sheep washing.
I don't know whether there is still a pump inside the beautiful little pump house, there was certainly quite a flow of water, although we have had a lot of rain recently which could account for the volume of water.
I find it amazing that such care and thought went into the design and building of this pump house, which could have been so plain and simple. Even the door hinges are quite possibly the most ornate I have ever seen.


text:
export hackdirs="/busybox /tivo-bin /hack /hacks /enhancements /TivoWebPlus /init /ptvupgrade /chainload"
export hacks="/.profile /etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit.author /test.conf /etc/passwd /etc/group /etc/rc.d/rc.runfirst /etc/rc.d/rc.runlast"
/tvbin/crypto -u -srp factory
Initializing First Activation Date
Modifying bootparams to point to /dev/hda7
Creating upgrade messages
upgrade_721_mb.msg does not apply to 357
upgrade_721_ptcm.msg does not apply to 357
Flipping root, setting boot parameters to 'root=/dev/hda7 dsscon=true console=2,
115200 upgradesoftware=false'
OK, reboot the system to use the new root filesystem
11/11:02:07:42: /tvbin/omicron-percei-8.itcl: Attempting exit 0...
Install script complete, continuing...
Post upgrade insanity check
Your new root and kernel partitions correctly
moved to /dev/hda7 and /dev/hda6 Congratulations!
Mounting new root /dev/hda7 on /install
New root mounted, continuing.
Copying hacked kernel...
dd: /dev/hda6: No space left on device
3+0 records in
2+0 records out
Trying again...
dd: /dev/hda6: No space left on device
3+0 records in
2+0 records out
Copying startup scripts, etc...
find: /proc/1203: No such file or directory
copying tools and other hacks
cp: /install/busybox/[: No such file or directory
cp: /install/busybox/[[: No such file or directory
cp: /install/busybox/ash: No such file or directory
cp: /install/busybox/awk: No such file or directory
cp: /install/busybox/bunzip2: No such file or directory
cp: /install/enhancements/varhacks/hack/bin/tivocid: No such file or directory
Disabling firewall
Do you need to copy over backport usb drivers? [y/n]
Alright, all done. Reboot for changes to take effect
Enjoy the upgrade
Enter the target sw version you wish to install
You want to upgrade to 6.3f-01-2-357? {y/n}
Fixing installSw.itcl for ya
Now running install script
Install script complete, continuing...
Post upgrade insanity check
Your bootpage settings are screwed up somehow
You'll need to fix it before rebooting or
your tivo may be unhacked. Copying hacks anyways!
Or at least we'll try to...
Do you want to continue? {y/n}
Alright, let's go....
Mounting new root /dev/hda4 on /install
mount: mount point /install does not exist
Failed to mount new root filesystem
strings /tvbin/tivoapp | grep sandbox


text:
David Bromberg Quartet at Freight & Salvage Coffee House
- Summary
- Reviews / Ratings
- Photos
- Videos
- Events
41 of 123 | Show all photos
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2011 file photo, musician Carole King attends the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, in New York. King, now a best-selling author, doubts she will ever write another song and suggested that her 2010 "Troubadours Reunion" concert tour with James Taylor would be her last. She recently released a memoir called, "A Natural Woman." (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)


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People keep fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes as an added layer of safety, but are they keeping them well maintained?
According to Lt. Karl Odenthal, of the Aiken Department of Public Safety, it's recommended to keep at least one fire extinguisher in the home, especially in the kitchen area. If you have a fireplace that you use, it's a good idea to keep one there, too.
Choosing an extinguisher
Not all fire extinguishers are the same, though. When purchasing an extinguisher, keep in mind the environment you'll be storing it in.
"If you have something in the kitchen and do a lot of deep frying, you're going to want a chemical agent, because something that is water-based is going to be more likely to cause the fire to spread," Odenthal said. "The idea is to smother the grease, suffocate it, so it can't get any oxygen."
Chemical-based extinguishers are not a good idea for some office environments or places where there are lots of electronics, according to Odenthal.
"Although a chemical agent can extinguish the fire, you wouldn't want to necessarily use that one because the particulate stuff from the chemicals will get into the computers, and that can do more damage than the fire can do. It'll actually destroy your computers."
Some smaller extinguishers are one-time use, while other more heavy-duty ones can be refilled and reused, according to Odenthal. Pictures on the extinguisher indicate the types of fires it can be used on, whether it's electrical, trash or grease fires.
Extinguishers need to be inspected once a year, he said, which is required for schools and businesses. If you keep an extinguisher in your home, Odenthal recommends shaking it once a year.
"If it's a dry powder, what'll happen is that powder will cake up on the bottom," he said. "So if you shake it up a little bit, it'll keep it loose so that when you do need to use it, you won't get just compressed air coming out."
Odenthal said there are a couple of things to keep in mind before deciding to deploy a fire extinguisher. First, look at your conditions.
"Can a fire extinguisher actually put (the fire) out, or is this gonna be too big for what you're trying to do?" he said. "You want to use it if it's a smaller fire. If it's something bigger, it's time to get out and call 911."
Also, be aware of your approach to a fire.
"You want to have an exit strategy, if what you're trying to do doesn't work and it continues to spread," Odenthal said. "You don't want to find yourself behind a wall of flames that's preventing you from getting out."
Approach the fire from the windward side, so the contents of the extinguisher don't blow back at you. Odenthal said there is an acronym that demonstrates the proper operation of an extinguisher: PASS.
First, "Pull" the pin, which is typically a metal hook or plastic strip locking the levers of the extinguisher. Next, "Aim" the nozzle at the base of whatever is burning. Then, "Squeeze" the handles of the extinguisher together to activate the spray. Finally, "Sweep" the nozzle back and forth across the fire.
Sound the alarm
When it comes to smoke alarms, Odenthal said it's best to have one in the living room, one in each sleeping room and one in each hallway.
"They're your early warning device. It's not gonna put the fire out for you, but it'll give you a little heads up."
Smoke alarms are available for as little as $13.
Odenthal said Aiken Public Safety used to have a grant that would provide residents with free smoke detectors and installation.
"There were reports from across the country," Odenthal said. "You'd go to a house where you gave somebody a smoke detector and it'd still be in the box. You'd still see the charred box sitting there. They had it and never put it up."
The department no longer has that grant, but Odenthal said an officer can come by and assist you with any problems with your smoke detector.
"We'd rather be on the safe side of prevention than trying to put a fire out," he said.
Most devices have a life span of eight to 10 years, he said. If you've moved into a home and are unsure of the age, it's best to replace the devices.
Odenthal said officers recommend replacing the batteries in your detectors each year at daylight saving time.
"That's when you know you have fresh batteries going into the winter months," he said. If a device doesn't work, even with new batteries, it's best to replace it.
Carbon monoxide alarm, too
Carbon monoxide is a clear, odorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. In houses, it commonly comes from hot water heaters, furnaces, gas logs or gas stoves.
"You get sick, and you don't even know it," Odenthal said.
Carbon monoxide detectors alert residents of any presence of the gas in their homes. Odenthal said it's recommended to have one detector on each level of the home. Since the furnace has the most potential to release carbon monoxide, he said it's best to keep one detector close to it.
It's important to take care of the device and to replace it if it is malfunctioning, Odenthal said. Officers have been called to some homes where a carbon monoxide alarm went off, however, after investigating and checking the air, realized there was nothing wrong. The detector was malfunctioning and in need of replacement.
Also, place the detector close to the floor, so the alarm will sound before the gas reaches normal breathing space, Odenthal said.
For more information, visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org.


text:
COLUMBIA — South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed about $94 million from the state budget on Monday, but she retained money for a preschool program supported by her likely rival in next year's governor's race.
Haley chose on Tuesday to keep $26 million to expand full-day 4-year-old kindergarten in the $6.7 billion spending plan. Haley said she backs the goal of getting children in high poverty areas ready for school and is willing to see if this approach works.
"I'm not going to say that my way is the only right way to do it," Haley said.
The program was backed by state Sen. Vincent Sheheen from Camden, who plans to run against Haley in a rematch of the 2010 governor's race.
Fellow Democrats made it the biggest issue as they tried to influence Haley's decisions during the six days she had to consider her vetoes. The money extends state-paid, full-day 4-year-old kindergarten to 17 poor school districts and increases access for needy children in 53 districts statewide.
"With this funding, South Carolina has taken a tremendous step toward providing at-risk children with a high-quality public education," Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler said in a statement.
Haley issued a total of 81 vetoes on Tuesday, the same number she issued last year. The House meets on Wednesday and the Senate meets on Thursday to consider the vetoes. Last year, lawmakers overturned 48 of Haley's vetoes.
Haley said once again her goals with vetoes was targeting the use of money the state is getting one time for expenses that will continue into the future, as well as earmarks that were not requested by agencies. She knocked out $100,000 for repairs to the Barnwell County courthouse, $450,000 for three museums and $1 million for a visitor's center in Orangeburg.
The governor also vetoed $3 million requested by Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell to pay for vouchers so caregivers can hire someone to stay with elderly relatives for a day in case of family emergencies or other conflicts.
Haley said this year's budget has no recurring money for Medicaid, so chances are the program might not be funded next year.
Other vetoes included more than $2 million to health programs designed to combat various disorders like HIV prevention, colon cancer prevention and the organ donor registry. Haley said the diseases tug at everyone's heartstrings.
"How do we decide to distribute funds to fight colon cancer but not breast cancer? How do we choose these ailments and nonprofits over all others?" Haley wrote in her veto message.
Haley rejected $5 million to increase payments for nursing homes, saying the General Assembly shouldn't decide whether payments for medical needs should be increased and the money hasn't been allocated for the next budget.
The governor also went after predictable targets such as the South Carolina Arts Commission, which she has taken on for the past three years. Before she vetoed the agency's entire budget. This time she vetoed $417,000 in operating money for the commission while keeping more than $1 million in grant funding, saying the agency could tap that grant money to survive. But Arts Commission Executive Director Ken May said he can't spend money the Legislature allocated for one thing on another.
"We're tired of being targeted," said May, who was rallying supporters of the arts to call lawmakers again. The agency has survived vetoes the last two years thanks to the Legislature.
Haley also went after a second traditional target, the Sea Grant Consortium, vetoing almost $90,000 for the director's salary.
On Monday, Haley went ahead and signed a bill guaranteeing that she and the Legislature accomplish one of her goals this year to put more money toward South Carolina bridges and roads. The governor backed lawmakers' plans to use a combination of new revenue, reallocated sales taxes on vehicles and borrowing to raise up to $1 billion for the Department of Transportation over the next 10 years.
Haley also praised lawmakers for adding $20 million to the budget to improve computer security after a hacker stole more than 6 million Social Security numbers and bank account information from South Carolina taxpayers and businesses. The money will also pay for free credit monitoring of more than 1.4 million people who signed up for the service.
The total proposed budget for 2013-14 is $22.8 billion, when adding in $7.6 billion in federal money and $8.4 billion in "other funds," which includes agency fees, fines and grants. The fiscal year starts July 1.
Follow Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP


text:
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Stetson men's soccer team gave up an early penalty kick and couldn't recover as UCF defeated the Hatters by a score of 2-0 in Orlando on Wednesday night.
"We defended well, but not well enough," Stetson head coach T. Logan Fleck said. "We gave away something again. We've typically been very stingy on goals that we give up, and then come forward and find some good shots on goal. We just came up a bit short on both sides today."
After back and forth action for most of the first half, UCF's Romario Williams was able to get loose in the box with a chance at goal with just over 28 minute to play in the period. Stetson's Chase Rodgers slid in to stop Williams and was called for a handball.
The Knights (2-2-2) were awarded a penalty kick, and it was Williams who stepped up to take it. Finding the lower left corner, Williams beat Stetson goalkeeper Andreas Schnabl to give UCF a 1-0 advantage midway through the first.
The Hatters (1-4-1) fought hard throughout the second half, and held the Knights scoreless until late in the game. UCF was able to find the back of the net when Leon Carby fed a ball through the Stetson defense to a streaking Alex Marotta, who beat Schnabl to the far post giving the Knights a 2-0 lead in the 74th minute.
UCF held on to win their first match against the Hatters in the last three years by a score of 2-0. The two teams tied matches in 2012 and 2011.
"We got some young guys in some key positions, we had a good amount of the ball, but we need to make it happen quicker and get some shots on goal," Fleck said. "There were also some good services in the box, but there was nobody in there going with enough velocity or commitment to get on the end of it."
Stetson will conclude its four-game road trip on Sunday, playing at James Madison at 1:00 p.m. The Hatters will finally return home on Sept. 28 to host La Salle at 7:00 p.m.


text:
These are the bookings recorded for the Doris C. Gravat Detention Center for Nov. 15. Some of the people listed may not have actually spent time in jail if they posted bond and were released. Although those listed have been arrested and charged, that does not mean they have been found guilty. All bookings may be viewed online by visiting www.aikenstandard.com and clicking on the Crime tab.
Brian Edward Bairefoot, 29 simple possession of marijuana, shoplifting
William McKinley Anderson, 31 shoplifting value $2,000 or less
Tyler Glenn Padgett, 21 criminal domestic violence
Derrick Marlee Williams, 37 driving under suspension
Michael Wilson Rearden Jr., 29 criminal domestic violence
Brittany Nicole Epps, 22 driving under the influence
Preston Scott Jones, 43 possession of other controlled substance in Schedule I to V first offense five counts, liquor law, driving under the influence, simple possession of marijuana
Deven Deantray Harris, 24 criminal domestic violence
Tony Gray Satterthwaite, 38 criminal domestic violence
Derrick Shawn Williams II, 22 criminal domestic violence
Robert McKinley Smith, 25 exposure of private part in a lewd and lascivious manner, assault and battery second degree
Charles Edward Plaster, 51 assault and battery third degree, shoplifting bench warrant
Matthew Anthony Muller, 39 failure to appear bench warrant
Russell Weldon Keiningham, 38 criminal domestic violence
Tiheem Khiry Pollard, 21 driving under suspension bench warrant
William Allen Berry, 29 sexual exploitation of a minor second degree, sexual exploitation of a minor third degree first offense, sexual exploitation of a minor third degree four counts
Deontra Elbert Scruggs, 21 violation of probation commitment
Randy Isaac Beard, 48 dissemination of obscene material to person under age 18


text:
Silver-Plated Photo Bookend
- Overview
Our weighty photo cubes have glass-paned sides to display four photos each. The lift-off lid makes it easy to insert photos, and the velvet-lined box doubles as storage for desk supplies and small mementos.
- Holds four 4" square photos
- Removable lid allows for storage of small accessories.
- For tabletop display only.
- Made of steel with a silver-plated finish.
- Monogramming is available at an additional charge.
- Can be personalized with up to 20 characters centered below the photo opening.
- Dimensions & Care
- Overall: 5" square, 6.5" high
- Clean glass with standard glass cleaner.
- Shipping & Return Info
This is a general shipping item.
Shipping Information
Return Policy
At Pottery Barn, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, made to order items, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items which are identified by a price which ends in .99.
For returns of items purchased from your Pottery Barn registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later.
You may return merchandise through the mail for a refund or replacement. For detailed procedures for returning items through the mail, please contact Customer Service at 1.888.779.5176, 7 days a week, 5:00am - 9:00pm (PT).


text:
TripAdvisor announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice Attractions awards based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers.
TripAdvisor's Top 10 U.S. Landmarks
Published On: Jun 26 2013 12:37:39 PM EDT
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


text:
If I were to create a top-ten of my favourite postcards (now there's an idea) this one would almost certainly be in it. This is an excellent quality photographic card which features, in incredible detail (click on the image if you don't believe me), the coastal town of Seaford, East Sussex and the countryside beyond. The card was posted in Seaford on September 1910, although I can't quite make out the exact day.
My copy of the eleventh edition of Black's Guide to Sussex and its Watering-Places (published in 1898 by Adam and Charles Black of London) describes Seaford thus:
In a break of the cliffs, where the Ouse enters the sea, Seaford displays a growing assembly of red and gray houses, the new ones running rather to the bungalow style, nearly all offering accommodation to the visitors who throng this place in the holiday season. Its nucleus as a health resort may be considered the Convalescent Hospital, a well-known London charity, to which has lately been added the Surrey Convalescent Home, taking advantage of the "tonic" properties claimed for the air, and of the frequent sunshine with which Seaford is blessed, not to speak of some little shelter from the east wind. The drainage and the water supply have been seen to ; then it has an esplanade, a shingly beach, bathing machines, rowing boats, sailing yachts, and cricket field. The great factor in its recent prosperity is the Golf Links stretching over the Downs to the east. The scenery around has admirers. For our part, we are disposed to pronounce it somewhat monotonous in its expanse of bare green tableland ; but there are hidden hereabouts some pretty nooks ; and two or three of the quaintest villages in Sussex nestle along the course of the Cuckmere, which falls into the sea 3 miles eastward.
I have several reasons for valuing this card so highly, aside from the quality and level of detail. Of course I have ancestors that came from Seaford (or at least passed through), and it also provides an excellent cross-section of Sussex landscapes, with a beach and chalk cliffs side by side, and a backdrop of the rolling hills of the South Downs.
Perhaps the strongest reason for my love of this card is the personal memories it conjures, and hopefully will continue to do so for years to come. One of my most enjoyable days this Summer started out with a climb up the hill from Seaford to roughly the same spot, where I paused and took in the view across Seaford to Newhaven and the hills beyond.
It was not long after that day that I returned to full-time work and my Summer of exploring was brought to an end, but I still have happy memories of that short walk from Seaford up over Seaford Head and down to the mouth of the Cuckmere River. Lots of memories and lots of photographs, like the one below, which was taken almost 100 years after the postcard above was sent. Happy days.


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HOP ON THE CAIN TRAIN…RHP Matt Cain threw the Giants' 1st perfect game in 130 years as a club…it was the 22nd perfect game in MLB history and only Sandy Koufax can match his 14 strikeouts…SF's 10 runs of support of Cain are the most ever in a perfecto…tonight was the 2nd-longest pefect game at 2:36, as David Wells threw his in 2:40 on May 17, 1998.
MORE PERFECT GAME INFO…Cain joined Johan Santana & the Mariners this month in throwing a no-hitter… the last month that saw as many as 3 no-hitters was June 1990 with 4…the only MLB seasons that have featured two perfect games in them are 1880 and 2010…Ted Barrett was also the home plate umpire for David Cone's perfecto on July 18, 1999.
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Pingback: The Perfect One : Oh Fair New Mexico
That Amy G/Cain/Pablo pic is priceless!!! For once Pablo didn't strike with the shaving cream! I think someone told him NO NO NO! He needs to look pretty for the cameras and interviews! Great clubhouse snaps. Thank you for always giving us these candid insights of the team and fans. Giants social media team is simply the best!


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If doing the right thing is not good
enough for them [WikiLeaks], then we will figure
out what other alternatives we have to compel
them to do the right thing.
of hate locked and loaded (Jan 13,
hath no fury like an empire mocked (Dec 16,
1. Crown
prince's death vexes Saudis2. What
exactly is Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood?3. Austerity
not a Greek goal4. China
floats towards space dominance5. Saudi
Arabia-Bahrain union reflects Gulf
crisis is about wealth, not growth7. Vatican
rumor-mill spins relentlessly8. Coffee
colonialism in Laos9. Waziri
peace oasis braces for attack10. Rendition
case shames Hong Kong(24 hours
to 11:59pm ET, Jun 19, 2012)


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Go back in time to the days where defenses dominated the leagues with this Mitchell & Ness Throwback Jersey Striped beanie. Featuring an embroidered team name on the front with team-colored stripes on the cuff and a team-colored pom on top, this knit hat will have your Giants' defense combining the powers of the Steel Curtain, the Fearsome Foursome, the Doomsday Defense and the Purple People Eaters to create an unbreakable defensive force.
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Your young Angels fan doesn't care what the weather is like - he still wants to go to the game! Bundle him up for cooler temps with this Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Triple Peak Premier jacket from Majestic. The jacket features a tackle twill Angels script logo across the chest and boasts Therma Base moisture-wicking fabric with four-way stretch for a wind and waterproof experience. It'll have him cheering for the home team all season long!
- Officially licensed Angels jacket
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Jennifer Morlan remembers the last time she saw her friend and fellow Kennedy Middle School teacher Ann Fox Smith. It was the morning of April 24, 2008.
"She came flying in the front door with her hair flying, her sunglasses on her head, her Coke in her hand – it was real Coke, not Diet Coke," Morlan recalled, adding that Smith was known for being late. "She was laughing her head off. She was always happy. I just remember seeing her coming in and going up and talking to her."
The next morning, Smith didn't come into work. She was found stabbed to death in her home on Whitney Drive by co-workers who went looking for her.
Five years later today, no arrests have been made in the murder, and police maintain that they have not named a person of interest.
'She would do anything for her students'
Morlan remembers Smith as a fun-loving prankster who loved to play jokes on people, especially when they would go together for teacher conferences and conventions. On one trip, their car broke down on the side of the interstate.
"There was no such thing as not having a good time, even broken down on the side of the road," Morlan said. "We were on our way to the last conference we ever went to together. Another one of the teachers happened to go by as we were on the side of the road, so she snapped a picture of us with the broken-down car in the background and all three of us laughing."
The picture sits on Morlan's desk in her classroom.
"She would do anything for her students," Morlan said. "She found out they needed something, clothes or extra tutoring, she was the first one there. She would go through her children's closet or her closet – or my closet – to find whatever it was they needed."
'Kind of like glue'
Teacher Sally Ferriter said several teachers, including her, Morlan and Smith, "had a group."
"She was kind of like glue; she held our group together," Ferriter said. "Since her death, we've all kind of strayed from each other. We don't do as much with each other. She was the glue, the one who, you know, said, 'You're gonna do this.'"
Ferriter said she and Smith were the kind of friends who finished each other's sentences, and they called each other "Lucy and Ethel."
While Smith will be remembered for her compassion for her students and her willingness to go the extra mile for them, Ferriter said she'll be remembered by the adults as a "little blond that just twitted down the halls with a dadgum bird in her hand, or a squirrel."
Smith was one of the only "squirrel rehabilitators" in the state, according to Ferriter.
"She would buy sports bras and put them down in her sports bra, so they could listen to her heart beat and cuddle. I said, 'That is disgusting,'" Ferriter recalled, laughing through tears.
Sometimes, the squirrels would fight with each other (while in the sports bra), Ferriter said, remembering a shopping trip she and Smith made.
"(Anne's) walking up to the doors of Saks Fifth Avenue. A couple comes out, and she's going, 'Would you two stop it down there! Just quit it, will ya!'" Ferriter said, imitating Smith scolding the squirrels. "And I'm like, 'Oh my god.' And these two people turn and look at her like, 'Why is this woman talking to her breasts?' I almost fell out in the parking lot. I know she did not do that on purpose, but that was perfect. That was a Kodak moment."
During another "Lucy and Ethel" episode, Ferriter said Smith had her hair colored, and soon after asked Ferriter to color it again because she wasn't satisfied with it.
"I said, 'Oh my God, Ann! We're gonna have to shave your head!" Ferriter said of the final result. "Her hair had turned lime green. I cried and cried. She's laughing the whole time, thinking it's hilarious."
Still an open case
The comedic moments and memories made with friends came to a shocking and gruesome end on April 25, 2008.
Aiken Public Safety has never publicly identified a suspect in Smith's murder.
A story published in the April 30, 2011, edition of the Aiken Standard cites court documents that state investigators had considered Smith's estranged husband, Wilson Smith Jr., as a suspect in her murder.
The document, filed with a probate judge by the lead investigator on the case only two months after Smith's murder, states: "Wilson Smith Jr. who is the husband of the deceased has NOT been cleared and is still as suspect as of this date."
However, according to court documents that have been filed since, the estate has been closed as of Sept. 24, 2012. It was split among Smith's immediate family members, including her husband and three children.
Capt. David Turno, a spokesman for Aiken Public Safety, maintained that the department has not publicly identified a suspect.
"What we've said in the past is, some family members fully cooperated with everything Public Safety investigators asked, and some family members have not," Turno said, adding that specific family members were not named.
Investigators have also remained tight-lipped about the murder weapon used.
"That is something only the killer knows and we know," Turno said. "People may think they have information about a case, or, let's just say someone would want to claim responsibility, because there are people who do that. Well, if they don't know how she was killed or what she was killed with, it'd be hard for them to prove they did it unless they were truly the killer. That's just part of the investigation. It's not uncommon for law enforcement not to reveal."
Turno said cases do go cold, but new leads also come in. He added that investigators get tips "from time to time" on Smith's case and follow up quickly.
"It's still an open case," he said. "We still feel that someone out there may have information that, over this time, they're going to feel more comfortable calling us or reaching out to us. We feel the killer may have spoken to someone, or someone might be close to the killer, and maybe the time has come they feel like they should speak to investigators, so certainly we welcome that phone call."
Turno encouraged anyone with information about the case to call Aiken Public Safety at 803-642-7620 or CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
'It's still very painful'
Ferriter remembers – vividly – walking into Smith's home, finding her friend's bloodied body, checking for a pulse and calling 911. She described the scene inside the home as "brutal," "violent" and "messy."
"And that was five years ago tomorrow, and it's still very painful," she said on Wednesday. "We all went through counseling – it didn't help."
Ferriter said the good memories and laughs help to ease the pain, even five years later – "but then you want more."
"We were gonna tear the house down when we got to the old folks home, and we didn't get to do that," she said. "We didn't get to go through menopause together. We didn't get to do stuff like that."
Smith's friend Morlan said the pain is made worse because there hasn't been an arrest – or justice, she said.
"I want there to be some kind of justice," she said. "I want to be able to look them in the eye in the courtroom and say, 'That's who did it,' and I want somebody to go to jail."
Morlan said she's comforted knowing that "in the afterlife, there will be justice."
"But she deserves justice in this life, too," Morlan said. "It's very hard that it's been five years with absolutely no resolution. Ann deserves justice."
Today, outside the entrance of Kennedy Middle School, a stone bench with Smith's name carved into it faces the bustling traffic on East Pine Log Road. A tree also has been planted in Smith's memory outside the window of what used to be her classroom.
Smith's friends left a bouquet of flowers on the bench before going to have dinner and remember her.
Morlan said she has not been at school on the anniversary of Smith's death since the murder.
"I was at school when I realized she wasn't there, and I went to the house, and all that happened," she said Wednesday. "I know exactly where I was every minute of that entire day … so I haven't been able to bring myself to set foot on campus that day. But I'm gonna try tomorrow and see how it goes."


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Gyuto Monks Of Tibet
'Standing For Peace' The next stage of the World Peace Stupa
Thursday March 29 To Sunday April 1
Come and be part of history, helping to bring peace to our world.
Gates open 8.45 am this Thursday 29th & Friday 30th March
Free Entry both days until 10 am!
Join the monks in a historic event !
An extraordinary milestone in the completion of the World Peace Stupa will take place this week.
Thursday will see most of the body of the monument erected in one amazing day.
On Friday work continues and on Saturday at 6pm, join the monks in a remarkable Harmonic Chanting Performance, an evening fundraiser for the stupa. Pre-book your evening ticket here
The monks will continue their wonderful program right through Sunday April 1st
Click here for the full program.


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Bathroom Window Blinds & Shades
- Moisture resistant window treatments
- Provide an adequate level of privacy
- Consider room darkening options
- Shutters are a natural fit
- Top picks are faux wood blinds, cellular shades & roller shades
While privacy is a major concern in the bathroom, blinds and shades that are able to withstand high levels of humidity are the best choice. Treatments made out of vinyl, PVC, faux wood, or thick fabric will be durable enough to stand up to the unique environment. These window treatments won't bend, warp, crack, or harvest mildew and are sure to withstand the test of time. Many bathroom shades can be configured with a top down/bottom up lift for the ultimate in flexible privacy. The slats on faux wood bathroom blinds and shutters can be tilted upwards to admit some light while still maintaining privacy.
Graber® CrystalPleat® Cellular Shades: Blackout
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Products with this label meet or exceed safety recommendations approved by the Window Covering Manufactures Association (WCMA) and have undergone rigorous third-party testing.
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customer reviews for bathroom
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By Steve from West Covina, CA
Wow! From the ease of ordering, the outstanding customer service (notably Mary and Steve), the cost, and and the great, great product, we could not be happier with our experience with Blindsgalore! Thank you!View this product
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Palmetto All-Weather Wicker Bar Console - Black
- Overview
Crafted of a rugged synthetic that captures the beauty of wicker, our bar console can be left outdoors year-round.
- 36.5" w x 17" d x 34.5" h
- Crafted of welded aluminum and handwoven all-weather wicker.
- A deep well on top secures bottles, and an open shelf below stores barware and plates.
- View our Furniture Brochure.
- Dimensions & Care
- Synthetic ecolene® fibers are impervious to the elements and superbly resist mildew and fading.
- Welded aluminum frame is rustproof.
- Overall: 36.5" w x 17" d x 34.5" h
- Top: 36.5" w x 17" d x 5.5" h
- Top Interior: 33.5" w x 13.5" d x 4" h
- Apron: 5.5" h
- Shelf: 33.5" w x 16.5" d x 1.5" thick
- Shelf Interior: 33.5" w x 16.5" d x 16" h
- Clearance Under Shelf: 11"
- Distance Between Legs: 33.5" side to side; 14" front to back
- Maximum Weight Capacity (top): 50 lb
- Maximum Weight Capacity (shelf): 168 lb
- Weight: 18 lb
- Shipping & Return Info
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At Pottery Barn, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value.
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You may return merchandise through the mail for a refund or replacement. For detailed procedures for returning items through the mail, please contact Customer Service at 1.888.779.5176, 7 days a week, 5:00am - 9:00pm (PT).
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Recently Completed Programs
Census of Marine Life
The goal of this program is to advance a major international observational program to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine life.
Beginning in 2000, Foundation grants now total about $78 million. Together with more than $550 million from non-Sloan sources around the world, including national governments, international organizations, and maritime industries, Foundation funds have helped fund 14 field projects, build the History of Marine Animal Populations to benchmark current populations, create a network to predict the future of marine animal populations, develop the Ocean Biogeographical Information System (now containing over 22 million records of more than 112,000 marine species), and support the International Scientific Steering Committee and Secretariat, the U.S. National Committee, and an Education and Outreach Network to lift the project's visibility and engage other nations and organizations and to develop the capacity for further discovery and application of accumulated knowledge once the Census is completed. Thousands of scientists from more than 80 nations are participating.
Foundation support will culminate with the release of the first ever Census of Marine Life in October, 2010.
Read the highlights report of the first Census of Marine Life more


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When Chicago temperatures get a little chilly you need protection against the elements. Grab this Resonate jacket from adidas to show off your team pride while protecting against the weather. This jacket features the Chicago Bulls logo on the upper left chest and team-spirited accent colors. Display your Bulls devotion proudly with this awesome jacket!
- Fleece lining
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Quick hits: Gardner's season may be over
Here are the early notes as the Yankees (79-68) and Red Sox (89-59) get set to kick off a three-game weekend series here at Fenway Park.
Hiroki Kuroda (11-10, 2.99) has the ball for the Yankees, and John Lackey (9-12, 3.48) goes for Boston. It was raining here this afternoon, but the tarp is off the field and we should start on time. Temperatures are right around 70 degrees, dropping as the night goes on.
- Bad news, if not completely unexpected, for Brett Gardner. Gardner has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left oblique, and as you know, obliques are a tricky injury to figure out. Joe Girardi acknowledged that it is possible Gardner has played his last regular season game. There is some hope that Gardner could return as a pinch-runner before he can be a full player, but that depends on how this all heals. Girardi said that he wouldn't expect to have Gardner back for the upcoming Blue Jays series, but he could be back for the playoffs if the Yankees get that far.
- Curtis Granderson is taking over for Gardner in center field, and he's hitting leadoff tonight. Girardi said that he can move that around as the weekend goes on, but Granderson has had the flexibility to hit in seven different lineup spots this season so it's not really anything new. Granderson has homered in two straight games, sending rockets out to Eutaw Street in Baltimore the last two nights.
- Austin Romine took some swings today and felt OK, but they'll be very cautious bringing him back from a concussion. It's possible Romine won't be available to play all weekend.
- Boone Logan may have turned a corner in his rehab of a left elbow injury, as Girardi said that Logan felt better and wants to try playing catch again. It didn't go well yesterday, as Logan said he shut down the session after about five tosses.
- Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to play third base tomorrow. He's DHing tonight. Girardi said that once he gets A-Rod back to third base, he could go either way with Eduardo Nunez or Brendan Ryan at shortstop.
- Who's closing tonight? That's a "great question," Girardi said. It won't be Mariano Rivera or David Robertson, apparently, though I guess you can never say that for sure. Rivera has pitched in four of the Yanks' last five games but didn't rule out campaigning to pitch if needed.
- Girardi on the Baltimore scorer's decision to credit Rivera with a win instead of a save last night: "I'd like to see him get a save, but when I woke up this morning, it didn't change my life."
My Beat The Streak picks today: Doubling down with Ichiro Suzuki (33-for-110 vs. Lackey) and Lyle Overbay (11-for-30 vs. Lackey). The streak is at zero, and you know what? I'm beginning to think that a run at Joe D. isn't happening. There's always 2014.
68 Comments
Hey leave out the C word if you don't mind – there's not many places that's a viable adjective & this isn't one of them.
He's not a good team mate. Lester, Ellsbury, Pedroia = "Cannot play with 'em. Cannot coach with 'em. Cannot win with 'em. Can't do it!" Singletary declared.
I wouldn't touch Ellsbury with a pole – he's made of glass unless you've forgotten that. Lincecum will likely stay with the Giants, McCann we could go after but he'll be looking for 4-5 years which I doubt the Yankees would be willing to go to. Good news is we'll be losing Granderson barring him accepting a 1 year deal to prove he's healthy – pretty much anyone playing CF will have less K's than him. The whole "under $189m" thing really hinges on the outcome of Arod's appeal – if he gets off we're screwed, if he gets a season long ban we should be good. Key to our offseason though is resigning Cano, sure his lack of hustle irks, but lets be fair he's consistent, healthy & if we can get him on a contract which isn't crazy, we're laughing, if we don't get him resigned, we're humped.
I actually expect the Yankees to try to get creative, trade Sabathia for another bad contract in the California area.
Andy Pettitte is one of the greatest pitcher ever to don pinstripes according to Tim Kirjian of ESPN, I agree. Forget the trash you hear on this board. He is a Yankees legend. We love him, same as Mo, Jeter, Posman and Bernie. Next year we have no rotation, we will be looking for Cliff Lee's and King Felix through trade, we will get who we get. Sabathia will be gone and we will be fighting for a Wild Card again. Cano will re-sign, Ro id-Rod will be killed Vernon Forrest style while picking up trannies in Atlanta. Ask Matt from weserious.com
That Sabathia guy has a huge contract but he is no Mike Mussina who made much less in his career. We are stuck with Sabathia unless we can trade bad contracts. I bet Cashman looks into this.


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County will soon require homeowners to certify their septic systems are in good condition
King County, concerned about the impact failing septic systems have on Puget Sound, is about to require homeowners to certify their septics are in good order when their property changes hands, county officials say.
Previously, homeowners simply had to get their septics pumped when they sold their homes, said Larry Fay, community environmental health manager of the Seattle King County Health Department.
But officials believe King County may be home to as many as 20,000 septic systems built before the county started creating records or built without permits, he said.
A recently passed state law requires counties to figure out where all the septic systems in their jurisdiction are located, identify the ones that are failing and order homeowners to get them repaired, Fay said.
The county opted to go this route — have homeowners identify the septics, show where they're located and submit or create what's called "as-built" specifications when the property changes hands — because it makes some sense, Fay said.
"We can't systematically go out and knock on doors," he said. "So we said, 'Let's pick up information when property changes hands. Let's require a detailed operation and maintenance evaluation.'
"And if it's an old system with no record," he added, "they'll have to gather information about the location and condition of the system and generate an as-built record."
The new approach will have an impact on Vashon, home to approximately 4,000 septic systems, said Steve Graham, an Islander active on septic issues. And while he supports the county's attempt to get a handle on the septic situation, he said he worries about the details of what might feel like an onerous and difficult new regulation.
"I think they're taking important steps in the right direction. The Sound is more and more polluted," he said.
"But fairness, equity, cost, who's going to do it, the complicated problems of people who have to do the work – it's not clear that this approach will turn out roses," Graham added.
Homeown-ers with particularly old septic systems will struggle with complying with the new regulations, Graham added.
"Some homeowners don't even know where their systems are," he said.
It will be particularly hard on Vashon, Graham added, where there's currently only one person who's licensed to maintain septic systems.
But over time, Graham said, the new regulations could help to address what he acknowledged has long been a problem for the county.
"Knowledge will start to emerge about what's going on with septics around here. And people who are sitting on dubious septic systems won't be able to get away with it anymore," he said.
Fay said he knows the new approach will be difficult for some homeowners, particularly those with old systems and no records. But the county intends to phase the system in and help homeowners as much as it's able.
"We don't expect that everyone will be on board on Day One," he said. "There will have to be some education and outreach and ramping up"
"Our objective is protecting, preserving and restoring Puget Sound," he added. "This is just one of the many tools out there and available."
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Addiction Education Support Group
Free meetings for those who know someone with an opioid* addiction. Join us to learn more about addiction, medication-assisted treatment, and recovery. All welcome! Monthly meetings at The Eskuland Center at the Maine Children's Home, 93 Silver Street in Waterville and the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Winthrop Street in Augusta.
For more information contact Jayne Harper at 621-3740.
* Opioids include morphine, heroin, codeine, hydropmorphone, methadone, oxycodone, meperidine, and fentanyl.
Related Links
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Clearance Toys
Find deals on clearance toys at Shop.Mattel.com! Sure, discount toys can be found elsewhere on the internet, but we have toys on sale right here at the Mattel outlet store! Offering unlimited hours of entertainment, action figures are a favorite of kids everywhere and we have them at clearance prices. Find everything from WWE® figures to Monster High® dolls. No matter if you're looking for the perfect birthday present or just a surprise for a special kid, we have clearance toys that every child will enjoy. Find clearance toys and save some money at Mattel.
Discount Toys
Save money and time with Mattel 's outstanding selection of discount toys. From Barbie® dolls to action games, you're sure to find clearance toys that your child will enjoy. Boys love vehicles of all types and we regularly have Hot Wheels®, Matchbox® and Disney Cars toys on sale. Ever After High™ dolls and AmiGami™ characters are favorite toys for girls and they frequently appear in our toy clearance section too. And when it's time for some healthy competition, board games are popular discount toys that keep kids occupied for hours. Maximize the fun and minimize the cost with clearance toys from Mattel.
Mattel Outlet Store
Don't look any farther than the Mattel outlet store for great deals on toys. We carry a wide selection of discount toys for the brands kids love like Barbie®, BOOMCo™, Disney Princess and more! Dolls and action figures never go out of style and our toy clearance section always has fantastic bargains. From discount DC Universe characters to Little Mommy® dolls on sale, we always have a great selection of clearance toys. For kids that enjoy a little downtime, we often have discount DVDs, not to mention plush toys on sale for quiet enjoyment. Uncover some great bargains at the Mattel outlet store.
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Customer Comments
Just a sampling of some of the emails we receive, in reverse chronological order:
"Thank you so much for the fast delivery!! Really cannot imagine I can receive my stuff in 3 days, especially before Christmas time, plus we live in NYC, the other coast!! The toys I received are fabulous!! This is my first time ordering toys here, will definitely come back very often!! Thank you!! Karen A. NYC 12/11/2014"
"Thank you so much for the very fast turn around! You have the best customer services around. I am a dedicated customer! Thank you. Jasmi, Piedmont, CA 12/10/14"
"Hello Sonya - Thank you for your prompt reply. I always appreciate your customer service. It is the best around! I look forward to receiving the order and we love your products so thanks for being in business. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Best regards, Kristiana P. San Mateo, CA 12/16/2013"
"Thank you so very much!!!!!!!! I teach at a tiny private school which is more like a coop and end up spending a lot of my own money on materials. The candles are the perfect gift for my first graders to make for their families. Your services and wonderful wholesome projects are greatly appreciated!!!!!! Wishing you abundance and light, April V., Lewisburg, West VIrginia 12/11/2013"
"Thank you so much Sonya! It's always such a nice experience to order from you! I've never had such a easy time trusting someone's opinion for what will work for us and what won't! And you get things out so quickly! I love it!
Appreciation from Texas! Caroline", Dallas, Texas 12/4/2013
BTW- Yours is the best natural children's toy store I've found online...and I've been to them all ;> Nicholle, Truckee, CA 11/12/2013"
"Thanks Sonya!! You are always soo quick and thorough!!!! What a wonderful website! I love coming back to it again and again! My kids love all your things and I get a lot of stuff from you as presents for them and their classmates! Keep up the fantastic work you do!!! Elizabeth H. Miami Springs, FL 9/2/2012"
"The items I received were fantastic! Thank you for the fast shipping. I'm hoping my mother-in-law will be visiting my wish list for great toys on your site for Christmas this year! Jill P. Mountain View, CA 11/4/2011"
"Sonya, Thank you so much for such fast shipping! You have been my favorite online shopping experience this holiday season, and I will definitely be ordering again soon! Wonderful customer service, and I am just in love with the little lavender cuddle baby. I know my almost 1 year old is going to love it as well! Thank you for making such wonderful toys available for those who want something special, and not mainstream. It is such a refreshing feeling to not have to throw away a mountain of packaging either, and knowing that the toys are made with love, and care just makes the buying experience even more special. Thank you again, and Happy Holidays to you, and your family. Julie Moser in WA 12/20/2010"
"Sonya, you really are amazing! customer service that can't be beat- that's what i tell everyone. especially our relatives! i can't believe you shipped already and i just ordered today. thanks for all you do to supply our kids with gorgeous hand crafted toys. happy weekend, rae, Asheville, NC 1/30/09"
"Dear Sonya-I just wanted to communicate with you how blown away I was with my shopping experience on your website! I needed to get a package by a certain date and not only did you deliver but it was less expensive than I anticipated. As a mom on a tight budget I just wanted to thank you for your efforts. I was thrilled to get my package - it meant not dragging the kids into the car, etc etc. Your store is great - thank you. Thanks so much - I look forward to shopping with you again soon. xxLibby B. Mill Valley, CA 10/2/08"
"Hi Sonya, Meant to drop you a note sooner and tell you how happy I was with your product and with your customer service. It has been a pleasure doing business with you. Regards, Sally S, Livermore, CA, 04/04/08"
"Dear Sonya - you have sooo many rave reviews, and I am compelled to add mine!! I spent a lot of time researching creative imagination-based play toy sites for my 1 year old daughter. With her birthday and Christmas happening very close together I knew we were going to be receiving gifts from all the new grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc...and I was dreading the plastic bleepy onslaught that was sure to arrive - unless I offered an alternative. Discovering your site was so delicious, and your selection very far surpassed the many sites I had browsed. Using your gift registry was the perfect easy solution for family members. But most perfect is the exquisite soul-ful, colorful, natural play area my daughter now has - filled with silks, and wooden blocks and stackers of all shapes sizes and colors, and the lovely branch cart, and on and on. Nothing to stick a battery in and hear incessant digital noises...Your collection is MARVELOUS, and as so many of your other customers wrote - you have another 'Customer for Life'. We look forward to growing with your store! And PS: I so appreciate your customer satisfaction policy and the ease I had in returning those items I wanted to return. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for contributing to the well-being of all the children lucky enough to have families who find and love your store! With high regards, Maia C., Brooklyn NY 2/10/08"
Dear Sonya, I was so impressed with your speedy delivery and personalized thank you with the ladybug. I can't wait for my daughters to open their Christmas presents and to see all the wonderful fairy treasures from your site. I am looking forward to the next gift giving time so I can order again! Thank you very much, Rachel S. to Delilah Sky and Violet Blue, ages 9 and 6, Brooklyn, NY 12/17/07
I am hooked! I love your store. My first order just arrived today and I couldn't be more impressed. Thank you for providing unique, safe, high quality toys for us parents to choose for our children. Now all I have to do is wait until Christmas for my girls to open and enjoy their gifts. I will be a repeat customer! Thank you so much! Kim from Nevada 11/20/07
Sonya, I love your store! It is such a welcome respite from mainstream toy stores. It feels so good to stimulate my children's creativity without blinking lights, loud artificial noises and batteries. I have had so much FUN compiling a Christmas list for my children and my heart and mind are at peace with the choices I have made.. With Kindest Regards, Stephanie A, NH 10/14/07
Sonya, Please accept my accolades for you and your business. My husband and I were absolutely blown away with how quickly we got your package (2 days!)! I can't tell you how enamored I am of your store and the products you offer. Between the natural materials, top notch craftsmanship, and the inducement of imagination and creativity, all I can say is, your toys rank number one! The fact that your friendly service even outshines your amazing toys puts your whole store package in another dimension. We will be shopping with you exclusively for as long as you are in business. Cheers to your undying success! Jess L. Coeur D'alene, ID 9/20/07
Hi Sonya- I could not wait to receive my order and I love the fact that you shipped priority. We are so happy with our purchase. We have so many wonderful toys that will engage our daughter's imagination and offer a wonderful foundation for learning and fun. I was intending on putting all these gifts away for my daughters 3rd birthday, which is next month. Well, I could not wait to give them to her. Thank you for for offering a great variety of toys and handcrafted items, at great prices!!! We really love the fairy trinket set, the stacking rainbow (your recommendation), and the handcrafted fairy necklace. I really appreciate your personal touch. Thank you, Christine & Chad M., Bristol, CT 3/7/07
Hi Sonya, Can I tell you how much we all love the wonderful toys I bought for my son's stocking?!? The bird whistle, wonderful bean bags, play silk, and people mover are instant favorites and we are so happy to have such nice quality, handmade toys. Kathleen S. SF, CA 1/2/07
Dear Sonya, I have never written fan-mail before in my life, but I had to tell you how much I love your store and what a great experience buying from you is. You have put so much thought and love into choosing these amazing toys! It makes my job so much easier because I know that if I buy something from you, it will be of the best quality and my children will LOVE it. One of my favorite things to do when I'm "vegging" is to browse your site and put things onto my Wishlist. You have been a part of every birthday, Christmas, Easter and special occasion in our family. Thank You! Now if you will excuse me, I have to get back to browsing. April T. Vermont, 7/12/06
Thank you again, so much. The way you run your business is truly wonderful. I have never dealth with anyone -- especially not online stores! -- who added such a personal touch and so much love, care, and attention to their work. If I ever inherit a bunch of money from a long lost rich auntie, I am going to buy everything you sell! Grace S, Denver, CO 7/10/06
Dear Sonya, I think from now, anything short of tires for my car, I'll check with your website first! (I can almost see the next email from you saying "By the way, I do carry a wonderful natural tire made of…" J ha ha), Emma S. San Diego, CA 3/22/06 (this email came when Emma was looking for woolen undergarments to keep her children warm - and of course, she found the best selection and prices at A Toy Garden)
Dear Sonya, It seemed that for about two years we were being pulled toward a simpler way of living and lifestyle. It was as though my soul was directing us and I wound up at places like your web site because I (we) felt so starved for good, pure materials and influences. It is very difficult to provide this in the barrage of media and materialism that one faces every day right outside our door. It has been a source of comfort finding places like A Toy Garden to come to for special occasions, inspiration, etc. It renewed my hope and belief that there are people and places who value simple things from the earth, the power of the imagination, and freedom to become what the soul knows it wants to be...All the best, Courtney, Akron, OH 3/7/06
I just wanted to let you know how much my children LOVE the gifts they received from your on-line store... The silks and Herbal Play beanbags most of all and I love them as well (found myself lying on the couch with a bean bag over each eye this week!) Everything you sent was lovely and speaks to all the five senses (yes, even taste apparently as my 20 month old sometimes walks around with the edge of a silk in his mouth, growling). Your packaging is a real treat and you have gained a very satisfied customer! Thanks so much, Chandra F. from
I like the changes on the site! It is easier to navigate...you have a real eye for the uniquely individual items that make one sigh and say "OHHHH, must have THAT!" Opening a box from you is a present all in and of itself: so much fun to carefully open each delicately colored, tissue-wrapped object, wondering for a moment whatever could it be....For those of us who never outgrow our childlike delight and wonder, your site is a treasure! Pamela, HI 11/29/05
Sonya, Why have I ever ordered anywhere else? My daughters still play constantly with the silks I bought several years ago, I told my husband this is where I am shopping from now on! Where else can I get this outstanding service? Thank you, Ellen,Houston, TX, 11/13/05
Hi Sonya, Thanks and I'm glad I found you too! And, thank you for the great customer service. I think my 19 month old son will love the bean bags. I look forward to eventually more shopping on your site. You have a wonderful assortment of treasures.
I found you from Mothering Magazine. The Bean Bags were listed as one of the Best New Natural Toys of 2005 in their Nov./Dec. issue. Congratulations!
I also listed your site link on a Yahoo message board for the API chapter I co lead in NH. Maybe it will send some more customers your way.
Thanks again and happy holiday season.
Jamie=) Deering, NH 11/13/05
Hi, Sonya! May I just say I LOVE LOVE LOVE your store :) It's my favorite place to browse and there's nothing in your store I wouldn't want my Little Princesses to have. We love the Harvest Twins we recently ordered :) Much better than candy! Looking forward to the
I just wanted to write to tell you how happy I am that I luckily came across your web site while surfing the net. I recently ordered a few items and was thrilled with them as well as their quality. Today I revisited your site and bought numerous Christmas gifts for our kids. Your site is so unique - I LOVE IT!!! Thank you! Kristin M. Drexel Hill, PA 11/10/05
Sonya - I received my package yesterday....all I can say is wow....the items are so adorable, you packed everything beautifully and I received them so quickly. I will definitely be placing more orders with you and telling my family and friends about your site....I can't wait to see my niece's eyes when she opens her packages this weekend.....thank you so much....colleen from new jersey, 11/2/05
Thanks so much for your great items, and wonderful customer service. Yours is always the first site we check when shopping for toys. Tammy W. Colorado, 10/24/05
Sonya, Just received the priority mail package today and I want to thank you for continuing to impress me (and make my life easier) by your always above-and-beyond the norm customer service. Thanks so very much for the wonderful products you carry...and more importantly the wonderful service you provide. Gratefully, Shannon A. Waukesha, WI 10/13/05
Hi Sonya, Thank you for the wonderful silks and clips that came in the mail yesterday. I will recommend your site to clients - great selection, prices, and fast shipping! ...Thanks for making hard-to-find items available! Gentle Regards, Christy, Oroville, WA 9/11/05
I received my order today. I'm EXTREMELY happy about the fast service, love the quality of the items I ordered, and I very much look forward to buying with you again very soon. Brigetta, Richardson, TX 7/05
"Hello Sonya, I just wanted to let you know that I got the treehouse and all the other items I ordered...today and they are fantastic! I can't believe the quality.... everything is so nicely built. I am VERY happy! Thanks again for your help and terrific shopping experience! I'll be back again! Sincerely, Kira," Tracy, CA 7/05
"Dear Sonya, I've been meaning to send you a thank you for the past few weeks. The blue silk you sent with our last order is lovely. My six year old daughter hasn't stopped wearing it yet! I always think I have enough silks and then something like this catches my eye. You have the best quality products I've found anywhere within the "waldorf" internet sites. Warmly, Amy," Ripon, CA 7/05
"We received the order today, and my son is in love with the playsilks!" Megin, Cambridge, MA
"I received my shipment today and everything is absolutely adorable. I'm so glad I found your website and located the perfect little gifts for my daughter. I'm looking forward to the next time I have an occasion to shop at your online store. It is really the best website I've seen for Waldorf toys." Margaret, Austin, Texas
"Thank you so much. Our 1st grade teacher was thrilled with the gift (of silks). I will definately spread the word about you. Your silks are as beautiful as the more expensive ones and we loved the range of colors..." Michelle, Marin, CA
"The package arrived to provide us with good cheer toward healing and wellness, and my, so beautiful, sensitively wrapped and all. I wish you could have seen the intrigue and grace on the children's faces!!! Puppet Lamby has been the greatest joy...and the blanket you made is so golden and a genuine blessing for my son." Rain, South Africa


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HOME NBA Los Angeles Lakers Gear Los Angeles Lakers Mens Los Angeles Lakers Mens Home Office & School (10 items) Product ID: 897053
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Order as many items as you like with our $4.99 flat rate shipping.
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You and your young Los Angeles fan go to every game together. Your kiddo can have as many hotdogs, foam number one fingers and team swag you can carry. You just like to see the smile on your kid's face when the Lakers score. Your youngster appreciates all that you do and has vowed to one day return the favor. Help your little Lakers fanatic save up for the future big game day with this cute ceramic Team Piggy Bank! Featuring a bold team logo on both sides, this piggy bank will keep your Lakers fanatic's eyes on the prize!
- Made of ceramic
- Measures approximately 6.5" x 5.5" x 5.5"
- Not a toy
- Officially licensed NBA product
- Pre-packaged case
- Rubber non-skid pads
- Slot for money atop figurine
- Hand-painted
- Imported
- Imported
- Brand: The Memory Company
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Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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Last night I received a nasty reminder from my computer on the importance of having a good backup.
It was around 10 o'clock and I had just finished working on my family history for the night and started my nightly backup routine. I synchronised my family history files to my USB flash drive, my grab and run emergency backup (and netbook synchroniser).
I started the synchronisation to my external hard drive and was met with a couple of error messages, to the effect that the external hard drive didn't exist. Surely there must be some mistake, I thought, it had probably been assigned the wrong drive letter.
I opened Windows Explorer and there it was, with the correct drive letter and it looked like all the folders were there. As I drilled down I found each folder was in fact empty. All my files had gone.
I stopped and thought about it, this was my backup, I still had the original files on my PC and my USB flash drive. There were a few non-genealogy files lost that didn't really matter, but the external hard drive stores all my digital photos. Fortunately they are all backed up on DVD and stored off-site, so I hadn't lost anything important, it would just be annoying to have to replace the external hard drive and start again.
But something still didn't seem right, surely the files couldn't just disappear and leave the folders where they are, that didn't sound like hard drive failure? The more I thought about it the more it didn't seem right. Something told my they were still there but I couldn't see them.
So I did the most obvious thing and rebooted my PC. Of course when the system came back up all the files were there present and correct. I ran my backups successfully and shut the system down.
Does this mean my external hard drive is on the way out or is my PC getting it's USB connections confused? I don't know, but it sure made me stop and think. I would consider my backup regime pretty good, but those few minutes of lost data really made me wonder if it would all work if I had to restore my files.
Not only am I going to give my external hard drive a thorough going over, I am going to review what is actual stored on it. I shall probably burn a couple more copies of my digital photos and hide them away somewhere else. Truth is I can probably delete a load of those photos, just because I have the space to store them isn't an excuse for not going through and deleting the rubbish.


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Games a welcomed sight
Today's 1:05 intrasquad game is scheduled for five innings.
Team White:
Sappelt 8
Cozart 6
Lewis 7
Francisco 5
Hermida 9
Heisey DH
Alonso 3
Valaika 4
Miller 2
Wood 1
Team Gray:
Stubbs 8
Phillips 4
Votto 3
Gomes 7
Bruce 9
Mesoraco DH
Frazier 5
Janish 6
Hanigan 2
Ondrusek 1
Scott Rolen, Edgar Renteria and Ramon Hernandez are not playing in the scrimmage. Miguel Cairo will replace Votto at first base.
"You notice the common denominator here? Age," manager Dusty Baker said. "If I play them today, do I start off two days in a row with Renteria, Hernandez or Rolen? I don't think so."
Baker is trying to program the camp for his veterans to get enough rest to be fresher, longer during the regular season.
*Also scheduled to pitch today:
RHP Daryl Thompson, RHP Jerry Gil, RHP Matt Klinker, RHP Logan Ondrusek, RHP Jordan
Smith, LHP Philippe Valiquette and LHP Jeremy Horst.
The games are generally a welcomed time for players, coaches and writers alike. You get excited for the first workouts to get here and just when you're getting itchy to get beyond that, the exhibition games start. And just when that seems to get tedious, it's time for the regular season to open.
"Like anything else out here, you get used to the monotony and you're ready for a change," center fielder Drew Stubbs said. "We'll still obviously have the same workouts we're doing now but we'll start mixing in some games. We'll start seeing some new faces on the other side. It keeps everything fresh for us."
Some people often ask me how a player "looks" during the early workouts or bullpen session. I'm not a scout or coach so I don't often pick up on mechanical issues with deliveries or swings. There's not much to tell from one live BP or a bullpen session. But in a game, you can begin to judge outcomes and how they fare in competition.
Follow me on Twitter at


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Q. Name, nickname and tell us briefly about yourself.
My name is Lexie and I was born in Uruguay and moved to Australia as a baby. I feel very much at home here at the Castle. I was amazed when I first came here to see all the Amethyst Crystals from Uruguay.
Q. What do you love about working here and how long have you been on the Castle team?
I have been here at Crystal Castle for four years. What I love most of all about working here is the people. I love the people here and I feel like I'm with my family. It's so playful, the girls are wonderful and we connect on such a deep level. I also love the animals here. We have quite a few little visitors. The tawny frog mouth owls that sit here in the Jacaranda tree by the Café everyday who also just happen to be my totem animal. Having the possums around too and I often see a koala on my way home walking through the gardens.
Q. What is your favourite dish from the Lotus Cafe?
Well my favourite dish to make here at the Lotus Café is the Mediterranean platter. It is a little more time consuming to make but it is so pretty, all the different colours and textures. All the flavours work so well together. It is like a landscape on a plate. The customers go oooh and arrh when you put it down on the table.
Q. Do you have a favourite statue and why?
My favourite statue in the Gardens is Nandi the bull because he is the lord of devotion. His devotion to Shiva, his unconditional love and pure devotion.
Q. If you could buy anything from the Castle, what would you buy?
There is a beautiful Dancing Shiva, Nataraj statue here that I just love. It always catches my eye.
Q. What's your favourite crystal and why?
I have two favourite crystals.. Pink Kunzite. It's such a gentle teacher about unconditional love and it encourages humbleness, humility and selfless service. It is so beautiful, so feminine and it really makes us look at the deepest qualities of unconditional love. The combining of the Heart, Throat and Third eye chakras, I find it very potent. My other favourite is Turquoise. The Tibetan or the Native American, I love them both. The essence of wholeness, the story of bringing the Earth and the Sky together. The feminine and the masculine creating peace, balance and harmony.
Q. Do you have an anecdote / a special moment about a Castle visitor?
Yes, just recently a young girl came up to the counter, she was really upset, she had just found out she was allergic to soy, dairy and gluten. She said I'm sorry to be such a pain and there probably is nothing that I can eat. I went through the menu with her and found things that she could eat, she was so happy. It made me feel good that she felt happy and that we had nice things for her to eat.
Q. When did you get your first crystal and what was it?
My first crystal was given to me when I first met my Grandfather in Uruguay. I was thirteen, he gave me an Amethyst and I still have it. It is a little cluster, not shinny or sparkly, you can see that it is very old and it has Citrine coming in underneath the crystals.


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With the widowed Kate Allison (who I could confidently call my 2x great-aunt) and presumably her five children back in Uckfield Registration District, it seemed only natural that she should turn to her family for help.
Maybe the Allison family were even living with my great-grandparents (Minnie and Henry Herbert Hemsley) in High Hurstwood, Sussex, but whether they were or not it makes perfect sense for my great-grandparents to help out and even "adopt" one of her daughters.
But maybe the picture I had built in my mind of the poor, helpless Kate, unable to look after her family wasn't being fair, perhaps I shouldn't be making that assumption. Sure it seemed like she had given up at least one of her children to be looked after by her sister and brother-in-law, but I still wasn't sure whether that was the end of the story.
One other possibility was that after she had moved back to Sussex Kate herself had died and the children had been left orphans. I shouldn't automatically assume that Kate simply couldn't cope.
There was no sign in the GRO Indexes that Kate had died, not under the name of Kate Allison anyway, but what I did find was a marriage for Kate Allison in Q4 1917 in Uckfield Registration District. I knew I needed to get a copy of the marriage certificate to clear away any remaining doubts that I might have had about her identity.
The certificate that arrived showed that Kate Allison married Patrick Vaughan at High Hurstwood on the 25th December, the certificate said the year was 1918, but the marriage had been indexed in the last quarter of 1917. Hopefully that will turn out to be a clerical error, with the certificate having the wrong year, but filed in the correct year and quarter, but I still have to check that out.
The details for Kate were what I had expected, she was a 40-year-old widow living in High Hurstwood and her father was Thomas Driver, this time still alive and kicking despite what had been recorded at her first marriage.
Interestingly Patrick Vaughan was a widower, his age was given as 43 years old, he was living in what looked like Seaford (not many miles away on the Sussex coast) but the handwriting was a bit dodgy so I couldn't be certain. His occupation was given as Soldier Sapper and his father was Thomas Vaughan a labourer. I wasn't totally surprised to find Patrick was a soldier, after all the majority of the male population were fighting in the Great War, so that wasn't unusual.
Then my brain started filling with the questions:
- Was Patrick the father of the unfortunate Georgina Allison who was born and died in 1916?
- Was Seaford his real home or was he merely stationed there?
- Did Patrick survive the First World War? And did his service record survive the Second World War?
- What happened to the children of Kate's first marriage, is this why Minnie was "adopted"?
- Did Patrick have any children from his previous marriage(s)?
- Who were the two strangers who were witnesses to their marriage?
With access to many First World War service records on Ancestry.co.uk I knew that I should at least be able to answer a few of these questions. I hoped for Kate's sake that this marriage would see her enter a new settled phase of her life, after several years of dramatic changes, but only further research would tell.