text:
(based on 17 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Stars
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Most Liked Positive Review
A highly useful bag
This is a good bag in many ways, very functional, great quality leather, and the contrast of strap material (cloth) with the leather is great for everyday, makes the bag look a...Read complete review
This is a good bag in many ways, very functional, great quality leather, and the contrast of strap material (cloth) with the leather is great for everyday, makes the bag look a little dressed down and more utilitarian (fine with me). However, it doesn't hold as much as I need for it to, which was tested the other day when I went to an all-day conference and needed to stuff it with my personal items *and* iPad, papers, etc. The other thing that this style bag really needs is a back pocket, which would be very helpful and would make this bag even more useful. I was a little surprised, given how many *other* pockets are on the outside of the bag, that this bag *doesn't* have a slip pocket on the back. The flap itself could come down lower, and of course, as has been mentioned, although the closure style is attractive to look at, is is a big awkward to use. However, all in all, I like this bag, but not enough to come back and get the one in brown; instead, I'll wait to see if Levenger makes the messenger bag I'm waiting for with a woman in mind (in other words, almost all your messengers seem to be designed more for men than for women; this includes colors and styles, which are a bit too masculine overall, although I do so love the Bomber leather, but not the designs so much).
Most Liked Negative Review
Color issue - dye lot
I have bought leather Levenger items before and have always been happy with them, but not this time. The color was a yellowish brown and flat, unlike the rich color in the catalog....Read complete review
I have bought leather Levenger items before and have always been happy with them, but not this time. The color was a yellowish brown and flat, unlike the rich color in the catalog. I tried living with it for a week and couldn't. Returned the item. Only other criticism is the fastener on the front seems too delicate for the weight of the bag. For the price, I wanted to be excited by the item. I wasn't.
Reviewed by 17 customers
Displaying reviews 1-10
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Perfect Bag!!
By camaikman
from Indianapolis, IN
Comments about Levenger Leather Staff Bag:
Honestly, I did not think I would like this bag as much as I do. When I first pulled it out of the box it felt a bit too manly for me but after having used it once I have to say...This bag is perfect for me - helps me keep things contained, is just large enough that it holds the stuff I need to immediately address when I land at the office. It quickly became my go-to casual bag and it also helps me when I have kiddos in tow but still need to accomplish work things - just enough space to store it all.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Soft as deerskin.
By 53Classic
from Albuquerque, NM
I love the bag. I love the color ... wish the flap was long enough to cover the pockets on the front ... it's disconcerting to have those pockets exposed.when I am carrying the bag.
Awesome Bag
By Kblodge
from Bangor, ME
This bag is awesome. I love all the easy access to external pockets for keys, phone, glasses etc. The flap and internal zipper is great for securing the contents inside. Plenty of room for a wallet, folder, small laptop etc. inside. Very versatile bag and as always the leather and quality is beautiful.
Casual business
By Chooseywoosey
from Undisclosed
This looks like a unisex bag when I first look at it; still can't decide if it was designed to be so or not. It is large enough to carry a small lap top computer and other important items for work without looking too cumbersome. It does look business-like and that's what I plan to use it for. Nice workmanship. Am pleased with the buy, especially when it's on sale.
Man bag
By ManKSR
from Winter Park, Fl
I got this for my husband for Christmas, he loved it. He likes to take a bag on a trip that will fit under his seat. It holds just what he always takes and no longer will I have to see him with the tacky free cruise bag when we travel. I think this is more for a MAN than a woman and he felt the same. We are both happy with his new MAN bag
Designed for a woman?
By EdRowell
I just ordered this bag for myself, then saw that all but one of the reviews were from women. I am wondering if this is designed for women, or designed to be a unisex messenger bag.
By 1037nt
from North Tonawanda, NY
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Merchant response: We appreciate your review of our Levenger Leather Staff Bag. I'm sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the color. All of your concerns have been forwarded to our quality assurance team for review. Our records indicate that you returned this item on 9/23/2014. Providing exceptional customer service is very important to us, and we offer a 100% guarantee. If you have any additional concerns, please contact customer service at 1-800-545-0242.
Love this bag
By TexasNP
The longer I carry this bag, the more I love it. My ONLY criticism is it could stand to be just slightly wider to better accommodate a letter size portfolio. Love Levenger products - their paper products and systems are excellent.
Excellent purchase
By LaurieAnn
from Charleston, SC
This bag is perfect to take me to and from work. Holds just enough without encouraging me to carry too much!
Excellent purchase!
By Precociousness
from Bloomington, IN
Great price for a great bag! It is very useful with all the extra pockets. I take it to work every day. The bag is beautiful, of excellent quality leather. Large enough for anybody who likes large bags like I do. Even though, I'm short the bag is not too big. I've gotten a lot of complements from other people. I am very pleased with my purchase.
© Copyright Levenger Company
2016. All Rights Reserved.


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Children with life-shortening conditions and their families across the UK rely on a network of many excellent and invaluable services which make up children's palliative care – hospitals, children's hospices, community children's nurses, social care providers, educators, wish-makers, therapists, psychologists, sibling workers, bereavement councillors – and many more.
Together for Short Lives aims to support all parts of this vibrant sector to meet the needs of this growing and complex group of children and young people, through best practice guidance, networking, research and advice on workforce development.
This section of our website is for anyone working with children or young people with a life-shortening condition, whether you are a seasoned children's palliative care professional or a student thinking about a career in this area. If you can't find the information that you are looking for call our helpline service which is available both for families and professionals, or send us an email.
Care and best practice
Our philosophy has always been to promote the best possible quality of life and care for every child with a life-shortening condition and their family
The latest research in children's palliative care, including a searchable archive of research abstracts
Find details of upcoming conferences, courses and training opportunities for professionals working in children's palliative care

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Obama administration wants to significantly
increase the CAFE standards that govern fleet wide fuel economy for automakers.
The problem is that there is a huge amount of backlash from those in the
automotive industry. The backlash is so far keeping the Obama administration
and automakers from coming
to an agreement on proposed fuel economy standards moving into the future.
The Obama administration has put a concession forward
in an effort to woo the Big 3 automakers to agree to the economy standards. The
concession would see the makers of big trucks and SUVs forced to move to the
higher fuel economy standards at a much slower rate than makers of cars and
light SUVs. Hopes are high that the agreement between the Obama administration
and the Big 3 will be made by early next week.
Washington wants the CAFE requirements to be set
at 56 mpg by 2025. The concession would allow the Big 3 to adopt
the CAFE standards for the larger, gas guzzling vehicles, at a rate of 3.5% per
year rather than the 5% annual improvement rate that the Obama administration
wants for light trucks, cars, and light SUVs.
CAFE standards are currently targeting 35.5 mpg
fleet wide by 2016 and that number will grow to 56 mpg by 2025 under the
proposed regulations. The final rules are hoped to be ready by September.
However, automakers outside the Big 3 are not
happy at all about the proposed concession. Carmakers that do not produce large
SUVs and trucks see the concessions as giving the Big 3 an unfair advantage.
The companies feel that the concession would encourage consumers to buy less
efficient vehicles.
quote: It's not the Governments job to tell automakers what they can provide to the consumer. End of story.
quote: If gas prices go up, people buy more efficient cars.
quote: Great idea, let's not prepare businesses who rely on heavy, expensive, inefficient vehicles to run operations. Let's pretend like they can all afford to replace their fleets all at once.
quote: Otherwise we'd all still be driving death traps without catalytic convertors that get 10mpg. But they'd also only cost $4000... You weigh the benifits and I'm sure you'll reconsider. Having a $20,000 safe car that is quiet, doesn't pollute much and gets 40mpg is far better than the $4000 alternative.
quote: Part of the job of government is to protect the people from their own freedom of choice
quote: but how far are you willing to let the government go, THX 1138?
quote: This is why we vote and have discourse in this country, to determine how far we all are to let the government go in determining how we as a people should handle anything in our lives.
quote: How far are you willing to let others freedom of choice go in affecting your life?
quote: Let's take your suggestion and go to the extreme of abolishing all penalties for murder, theft, and rape.
quote: Environmentalism = National Security. Yeah, I know that's sooooo liberal or whatever
quote: This wasn't done a whim, it was done because idiots like you thought it was okay that corporations should be able to pollute water, land, and air. It turns out that wasn't such a good idea.
quote: It prevents chaos, such as people murdering eachother, or determining boundaries of ownership. Because a completely "free market" has no incentive to solve these problems.
quote: Part of the job of government is to protect the people.
quote: Allowing automakers to sell high fuel consumption
quote: Such a shortsighted view.
quote: Only on DailyTech would that kind of Collectivist nanny state bullshit get a 5. Shortsighted? I think we've seen just where your point of view has taken us. We're drowning in it as we speak.
quote: Allowing automakers to sell high fuel consumption, less efficient vehicles only benefit the automakers and oil companies, and that benefit exists so long as gas exists, is readily available, and stays cheap.
quote: Business starts with customer demand.
quote: Securing and stabilizing the country's energy needs is and should be a job of the government to ensure that the market doesn't destroy itself. Sure, you may want that large vehicle, but if you want to keep driving it long term and make it affordable (affordability is something that everyone, including businesses want), conservation of petroleum to keep the price low is the only way to make it happen.


text:
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A phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that poses little real danger but provokes anxiety and avoidance. Unlike the brief anxiety most people feel when they give a speech or take a test, a phobia is long lasting, causes intense physical and psychological reactions, and can affect your ability to function normally at work or in social settings.
Several types of phobias exist. Some people fear large, open spaces. Others are unable to tolerate certain social situations. And still others have a specific phobia, such as a fear of snakes, elevators or flying.
Not all phobias need treatment. But if a phobia affects your daily life, several therapies are available that can help you overcome your fears — often permanently.
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This year's Most Innovative Brand 2012 awards were presented on 10 May in Cologne.The title "Most Innovative Brand 2012" is the highest award presented annually by the German organisation Plus X Award. The award-winning brands are distinguished by their outstanding achievements in the areas of quality, design, user experience, functionality, ergonomics and environmental consciousness.
Since 1945, when the first wooden Elan skis were created, every season we have offered athletes new features and improvements that dictate trends on ski slopes around the world. On the global level, Elan's greatest achievements have included carving skis (1990), which completely redefined skiing, WaveFlex (2006), a technology that provides high torsional stiffness and simultaneously improves the skis' bending ability, and Amphibio (2011), an original technology that uniquely combines a powerful edge grip and easy turning – for safe and smooth skiing.
Leon Korošec, Member of the Management Board: "We're pleased that the Plus X jury recognised our investments in and commitment to innovation and granted us the award for the most innovative sports equipment brand for our long-standing work in this area. We firmly believe that new products and technologies are a key response to meeting the challenges of today's market conditions, and we intend to continue to work like this even in the future."
Luka Grilc, Elan Brand and Product Director: "Elan has always been innovative, particularly in terms of unique products, sophisticated design and outstanding skiing performance. This award is a validation of our strategy and serves as proof that the other activities related to marketing the Elan brand are also exceptionally innovative and, above all, recognisable. Our vision is to become number one in sporting goods innovation, and the Plus X Award is a good basis for the future. It is also a tribute to all of our employees, whose work passion makes them an essential part of the Elan brand."
Besides Elan, the awards in other categories went to Adidas, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Fuji, Blackberry etc.


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1. A male prostitute
2. a shit
Duce is trying to sell your sister pipe.
hey i got to drop a duce
hey i got to drop a duce
от oba 09 август 2005
Used in place of a sign off. Derived from the term 'peace', and in refference to the hand siginal often asociated with 'peace and love'(from the hippie movement).
also, the act of showing the index and middle finger refering to peace and love.
also, the act of showing the index and middle finger refering to peace and love.
Beth said: Goodbye
Jack said: Duce
as Beth was leaving jack fliped her a Duce
Jack said: Duce
as Beth was leaving jack fliped her a Duce
от Salcker Apathy 28 март 2005
take a shit. drop number 2
You best take some matches or light a candle if yer gonna drop a duce in my bathroom
от MC 16 юли 2002
Take a shit. See also dump.
I just dropped a major duce in her toilet.
от naztmofo 02 юли 2005
Term used to describe taking a dump. See also: dump.
"I've go a duce on deck that could choke a donkey" or "I just took a huge duce"
от Nick 08 октомври 2004
To take a fat shit. Drop a number 2. To Drop the Cosby Kids off at the swiming hole.
I have to go take a duce before it comes out in my pants.
от Sean 16 юни 2004
A word used to ask for the rest of a half smoked cigarette.
when youre too cheap to have your own damn cigarettes... you find someone who's smoking one, you ask "can i get duce?"... and usually they give you the rest, or at least a few drags of their smoke.
от n 06 март 2004


text:
ADP7102 Evaluation Board
Product Details
This product has individual evaluations boards at specific voltages or with specific features as well as the RedyKit™. The RedyKit simplifies product evaluation by providing two assembled and tested evaluation boards, plus a full set of product (voltage) options for an IC regulator. All the IC options come sorted and stored in the kit with the Analog Devices part number clearly printed on each antistatic zip-top bag.
Simple device measurements such as line and load regulation, dropout, and ground current can be demonstrated with just a single voltage supply, a voltmeter, a current meter, and load resistors.


text:
'Lillon' | Regular Fit, Stretch-Cotton Casual Pant by BOSS Green
Style No. 50246581
Free Shipping
These chinos by BOSS Green are crafted in soft cotton twill with a hint of stretch for extra comfort. This cool pair is shaped with two side slash pockets, one mini welt pocket, and two back welt pockets.
Model is 6'2" with a 32" waist and is wearing size 32R.
Model is 6'2" with a 32" waist and is wearing size 32R.
- Regular fit, regular rise
- Zip fly with button closure and belt loops
- Two front slash pockets, one mini welt pocket
- Two back welt pockets
- Stretch cotton twill


text:
Developers of DTC Genetic Testing Are...
As Immunotherapy Revolutionizes the Cancer Treatment...
LC-MS Gains Favor Due To the...
NSCLC is "Major Battlefield" as Merck,...
GlaxoSmithKline has made an additional $18.6 million investment in Amicus Therapeutics as part of an expansion to the firms' collaboration on development of Amicus' pharmacological chaperone migalastat HCL (AT1001) for the treatment of Fabry disease. The investment by GSK, at $6.3 per share of common stock, means the firm now owns 19.9% of Amicus. The latter will also receive a $3.5 million milestone cash payment from GSK relating to achievement of a clinical development milestone earlier this year.
Amicus is developing genetic disease treatments that are based on small molecules, pharmacological chaperones that effectively bind to and stabilize disease-related proteins, helping the protein fold into its correct three-dimensional shape and allowing the protein to be trafficked to and act in the appropriate location in the cell. Pivotal development-stage migalastat HCL (which the firms aim to trade name Amigal) is designed to bind to the destabilized α-galactosidase A enzyme (α-GAL) that causes Fabry disease, and restore its intended biological function of degrading globotriaosylceramide (GL-3) substrate in lysosomes.
Amicus and GSK's expanded agreement now covers codevelopment of all current and future formulations of migalastat HCL for Fabry disease, including a coformulation of the drug with an investigational enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) currently in preclinical development by GSK and Japanese firm JCR Pharmaceutical. Amicus gains commercial rights to all developed Fabry disease products in the U.S., with GSK retaining all commercial rights to relevant products in the rest of the world.
"Amicus has a very successful track record as our development partner, and long-standing relationships with the Fabry community," comments Marc Dunoyer, global head of GSK rare diseases. "We look forward to their leadership in the U.S. commercialization of now several potential medicines for patients with Fabry disease. This is an important step in our strategic vision, allowing us to undertake and fund an enlarged scientific program with a view to turning molecules into medicines for rare diseases faster and more effectively than ever before."
Migalastat HCL monotherapy is currently undergoing two registrational trials (studies 011 and 012) in patients with genetic mutations suitable for chaperone montherapy. Results from study 011 are expected during the third quarter of 2011. A Phase II trial is also ongoing to evaluate Fabry disease therapy that combines migalastat HCL therapy with a coadministered ERT. Positive preliminary data from this study (designated 013) were reported in January.
GSK and Amicus will also now develop a coformulated product comprising migalastat HCL and a preclinical-stage recombinant alpha-Gal-A enzyme (JR-051) ERT, which was originally developed by JCR and licensed to GSK for all non-Japanese markets. The coformulated product is projected to start in clinical studies some time in 2013.
Over the rest of 2012 the firms will continue to share R&D costs for all formulations of migalastat HCL, with Amicus funding 25% and GSK 75% of the costs relating to development of migalastat as monotherapy or for use in combination regimens. This financial split will change to 40/60 from 2013. The costs of developing migalastat-containing coformulations will be split 40/60 between Amicus and GSK, respectively, forthwith.
GSK will be eligible for $20 million in regulatory approval and product milestones for migalastat HCl monotherapy and chaperone-ERT-coadministration, plus potentially up to $35 million within seven years following the launch of a coformulated chaperone-ERT product.
Amicus is also developing pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of Gaucher disease and Pompe disease. The Gaucher disease candidate AT2101 (isofagomine tartrate), is designed to bind to destabilized glucocerebrosidase and restore its ability to degrade glucoerebroside in lysosomes. Phase II trials with AT2101 monotherapy were previously carried out, and an AT2101-ERT combination therapy is in preclinical development.
Amicus' AT2220 (duvoglostat HCl) is a pharmacological chaperone in development for treating Pompe disease. A Phase II trial evalauting AT2220 coadministered with Genzyme's Pompe disease ERT Myozyme™/Lumizyme™ (alglucosidase alfa) is in parallel with a trial evaluating alpha-glucosidase ERT-related immunogenicity in Pompe disease.The firm says immune responses occur in a majority of Pompe patients receiving alglucosidase alfa infusions which have the potential to limit treatment outcomes with ERT.
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text:
Tanga has the hottest deals on electronics, home items, magazines, t-shirts, games, toys, jewelry, as well as great clearance. They offer daily deals for men and women. Tanga offers at least two new sales everyday. They have the best prices out there, with real deals, and guarantee to solve any problem involved with their order. Shop Tanga today for the best deals, ranging from 40-90% off, with coupons and discount codes. When you sign up for the free Tanga rewards, there are three stages in which you can promote to. As a Tanganite (0-2 purchases), you will receive a one time 10% off your entire order after your first purchase ships. You can also save your information, and access Tanga insider newsletters. After your 3rd purchase ships, you become a V.I.P. member and will receive a one time 20% off your whole purchase coupon, as well as access to V.I.P. only deals, and additional discounts on select products. After your 10th purchase, you become an S.T.U. (Super Tanga User) in which you receive a one time 20% off your purchase, S.T.U. deals, and additional discounts on all products. Tanga started in 2006 by selling board game deals. They now process over 10,000 orders daily, have shipped over 3 million orders, and have saved Tanganites $300,000,000 off of list prices. Shop today!
No coupons right now... please check back again!


text:
Enroll Now!
Another wonderful class. David made this difficult subject accessable and understandable. The course and the lessons were very well organized and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and would recommend it to anybody. The online format was great for me too, perhaps even better than going to a class. I felt I received much more personal attention than I would have in a class room! I look forward to many more classes by David.
David does a great job communicating a very difficult subject. I highly recommend him as an instructor.
Instructor is very personable and encouraging in the discussion. Guess you could say that he has a "good webside manner"! The text flows comfortably and the reference materials are generally very useful.
I really enjoyed this course. The instructor's use of concepts we are already familiar with to make the Networking concepts more understandable was great!
The instructor has a great teaching style and I found myself learning and retaining concepts I would have previously believed would be beyond my grasp.
This course has helped me prepare for the Networking exams I have to take in the next few months. Thank you.
This course was presented in such a way that a network novice like myself could fairly easily grasp the fundamentals. I liked the instructor's use of every day models as examples to teach a concept. I learned more about networking in this class and the preceding one than I ever did anywhere else. I enjoyed it very much!
This has been a fantastic experience, David Iseminger is a great teacher. He knew how to keep it interesting and informative at the same time. I look forward to possibly taking another of his courses if I can!
Your humor, analogies and expertise made this a very enjoyable and worthwhile course to participate in. Thank you!


text:
on February 11, 2013 - 1:00 AM
, updated February 11, 2013 at 6:34 AM
K, it's three days until Valentine's Day, and you haven't bought a gift for your spouse, life partner or significant other. There's no shame in that. We know you're a procrastinator. You live dangerously. You file your taxes on April 15.
And we understand you may not have a lot of money to spend on a holiday that's ginned up by the candy/greeting card/flower industrial complex.
But you also don't want to buy a gift that screams, "I picked this up 30 minutes ago at a gas station."
You want to give something that shows you put some effort into the gift-buying process, something that shows your loved one means a lot to you.
So we're here to help, with some guidelines on buying an inexpensive but still-appreciated Valentine's gift.
General do's and don'ts
Don't buy anything that looks like it was displayed near the cash register of a drugstore.
Don't buy plastic flowers (too cheap) or heart-shaped boxes of chocolate (too clichéd).
If your loved one is trying to eat healthier, don't buy a big package of candy. (Unless it's sugar-free.)
Conversely, no gym memberships, hair-removal treatments or other gifts that say "I love you, but here's how you should improve yourself."
Remember, the gift is for your loved one, not you. So no Center Ice cable package for someone who didn't realize the NHL had a lockout or that the games are back on.
Hopefully, you've been listening to your partner over the past year. The best gifts show that you're paying attention and you "get" them.
Online coupon deals
Online deal sites such as Groupon, LivingSocial, Seize the Deal, AmazonLocal Deals and Sweet Find (a Buffalo News product) offer daily discount deals that, this time of year, have a Valentine's Day flavor.
Anyone can sign up for these and other daily deals, which over the past two weeks have included fudge candy, "flotation therapy" from the Silver Essence Floating Spa in Williamsville and 50 percent off flowers from ProFlowers.com.
Web shopping
Searching Amazon for Valentine's Day gifts last week brought up a silicone baking pan, from Wilton, that makes six heart-shaped desserts at a time and sells for $14.96. (www.amazon.com)
The Made in Buffalo website has a number of locally themed items, including a "Fridge Phrases: Buffalo Edition," with 220 word magnets, which sells for $19.99. (www. madeinbuffalo.com)
And our very own Buffalo.com has a Valentine's Gifts at a Glance Guide, including a deal for a $25 piercing from Floating Lotus Tattoo & Piercing in Williamsville when you schedule his-and-hers tattoos on Thursday. (www.buffalo.com/gifts)
If you need to have something shipped to you, just make sure you have it sent overnight to ensure the gift arrives by Thursday. That won't be cheap, but it's better than being empty-handed.
Shop local
Gift shops, jewelry stores, florists and other local businesses have great gifts for the holiday.
For example, the gift shop at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery has a display of items featuring Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE logo, including a $13 mug, a $12 note cube and a $10 tote bag.
"It is like a one-word poem," said Tracey Levy, who manages the store at the gallery. "We've had people looking for Valentine's gifts since Christmas." (www.albrightknox.org, 270-8232, open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.)
The 464 Gallery on Amherst Street has handmade jewelry from a number of local artisans, including a $30 sterling-silver chain necklace with pendants of a bird and a nest filled with one, two, three or four eggs, suitable for a mother of one, two, three or four children, said owner Marcus Wise. The gallery also sells vintage neckties with felt pieces in the shape of dinosaurs, skulls or cat heads stitched to the front by artist Esther Neisen, for $22 to $25. (www.464gallery.com, 983-2112, open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.)
And the items for sale in Room2, in the Hotel @ The Lafayette, include $20 plates with a black-and-white image from the Pan-American Exposition – similar to the images incorporated into the hotel – as well as $16 white bamboo body lotion and $12 Sicilian fig body wash, with signature scents also used in the hotel, said Michael Poczkalski, a partner and senior designer with the store and its cousin on Hertel Avenue. (391 Washington St., 931-9362, open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.)
And a gift of a used book – maybe a collection of love poems – has a certain elegance to it. Visit Rust Belt Books (202 Allen St., 885-9535) or the Second Reader Book Shop (1419 Hertel Ave., 862-0001) and ask an employee for a romantic recommendation.
Make, or do, something
Make dinner, instead of a dinner reservation.
Print out a few photos of the two of you and put them in a nice frame.
Or pay for the two of you to try a new experience, such as cooking lessons from Delish! (www.delishblackrock.com), ballroom dance lessons from Iacono Ballroom Center in Snyder (www.iaconoballroom.com) or a private sailing lesson from Sail Buffalo Sailing School (www.sail-buffalo.com).
Outsource the gift-buying
If all else fails, maybe you can pay someone else to buy the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your loved one.
As Patricia Marx wrote in the New Yorker magazine last month, a growing number of people are retaining "virtual personal assistants" to help them with unwanted tasks, and why can't this be applied to Valentine's Day shopping?
Visit a site such as Task Rabbit, Catch Friday or Tasks Everyday, put out your request, see whether anyone is willing to take on the job for you and negotiate a fair price for their services.
News Staff Reporter Michelle Kearns contributed to this report.
email: email@example.com


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This report presents a clear picture about the overall development of flakeboard market in China and the trend in recent years based on detailed data analysis. This report includes the analysis on the flakeboard market size and market share in China, the study on major hot areas in this market, introduction of key data and the comparison of top 10 enterprises in terms of sales revenue and market share, the detailed description of the import and export…
This report covers following sections.
- Market Size
Based on Zeefer's China Market Size Formula, by the analysis on market size, industry sales revenue and domestic output in 2009-2012, this report presents a picture of the real development of China market and changes in the overall market size.
- Hot Areas
Based on the comparison and analysis on production volume and import in different provinces or cities, this report points out those hot areas in this market deserve most attention.
- Top 10 Enterprises
Based on the comparison and analysis on top 10 leading enterprises in terms of sales revenue, market share and number of employees, the report shows their market positions in China. Additionally, this report lists basic contact information of the top 10 leading enterprises.
- Market Share and Market Structure
This report analyzes the market share distribution by segments based on enterprises nature (leading enterprises, foreign enterprises, state-owned and private enterprises), imports and regional markets in China in terms of sale revenue, profitability, production volume, number of enterprises and the value of imports... The report offers data on the market shares of imported products, foreign enterprises and enterprises in other forms. It also offers a comparison of profitability by forms of enterprise ownership, presents a picture of the market share of leading enterprises and the distribution of major regional markets in China. In addition, the report figures out the structure and concentration ratio of the current flakeboard market in China by means of Bain's Market Structure Classification and Index of CR4.
- Import and Export
In this section, the report includes the main source countries / regions of imported products for China and their market shares, the domestic destinations of imported products in China and shares for these destinations, major export destinations (countries or regions) for Chinese products and shares of these destinations, major origins of the exported products and their shares.
- Industry Standards
The report lists relevant national standards and/or industrial standards concerning flakeboard products generally accepted in China, including standard names both in Chinese and English as well as their unified code numbers.
- Major Importers
The report lists 10 major importers for flakeboard products in China and provides their contact information such as company name, address, website, telephone number and fax number.
- Key Statistics
Based on the concise analysis on the sales revenue, production volume, number of enterprises, total profit, total loss, total assets, return on the asset and profit margin as well as other key statistics, the report presents the current situation, the growth rate and profitability of this industry in China.
- Product definition
Flakeboard products mentioned in this report is a general concept, it shall include the following products:
Classified by the United Nation's Central Product Classification (CPC)
CPC Code: 31430
Based on the United Nation's Central Product Classification (CPC Version 1.1), flakeboard refer to particle board and similar board of wood or other ligneous materials. SHOW LESS READ MORE >
Chapter 1 Product Definition 1
Chapter 2 Market Size 2
2.1 Analysis On The Flakeboard Market Size 2
2.2 Analysis On The Changes In Flakeboard Production Volume In Recent Years 4
2.3 An Overview On Chinese Economy 5
Chapter 3 Hot Spots For Flakeboard Products Across China 9
Chapter 4 Industry Overview 11
4.1 A Summary On The Industry 11
4.2 An Analysis On The Profitability Of The Industry 12
Chapter 5 Analysis On Import & Export 15
5.1 An Overview On The Import & Export 15
5.2 A Detailed Analysis On Import & Export Of Flakeboard Products 16
Analysis On Major Countries Of Origin For The Imported Flakeboard Products 16
5.2.1 Analysis On The Major Flow Destinations Inside China 18
5.2.2 Analysis On Major Export Destinations 19
5.2.3 Analysis On Major Origins In China 20
Chapter 6 The Market Share 22
6.1 Analysis On The Concentration Of Corporate Sales Revenue 22
6.1.1 Analysis On The Concentration Of Sales Revenue From Leading Enterprises 22
6.1.2 Comparative Analysis On Sales Revenue From Top 10 Enterprises With Industry Average 24
6.2 Analysis On The Concentration By Area In Terms Of The Market Share 26
6.2.1 Analysis On Concentration Of Regional Sales Revenue 26
6.2.2 Analysis On The Concentration Of Regional Production Volume 27
6.3 Market Position Of Foreign Enterprises And The Trend In Recent Years 29
6.3.1 Changes In The Shares Of Foreign Enterprises In Terms Of The Numbers And The Comparison Of Foreign Enterprises And Enterprises Of Other Ownership 29
6.3.2 Changes In The Shares Of Sales Revenue From Foreign Enterprises And Comparison With That From Enterprises Of Other Ownership 31
6.3.3 Profitability Of Foreign Enterprises And Comparison With Enterprises Of Other Ownership 33
6.4 Analysis On The Market Share Of Imported Products And Relevant Variations In Recent Years 35
Chapter 7 Top 10 Enterprises 37
7.1 Shenyang Liaofeng Man-Made Board Co., Ltd. 37
7.2 Dare Wood Industry (Fujian) Co., Ltd. 37
7.3 Jilin Forest Industry Co., Ltd. 38
7.4 Handan Golden Sunbird Panel Co., Ltd. 39
7.5 Sichuan Shunda Plantations Products Co., Ltd. 39
7.6 Henan Jiamei Wooden Product Co., Ltd. 40
7.7 Inner Mongolia Fumeng Timber Co., Ltd. 41
7.8 Shangqiu Dingli Wooden Product Co., Ltd. 41
7.9 Qingdao Zhong Ao Sports Floor Co., Ltd. 42
7.10 Asia Chuangjian (Huizhou) Co., Ltd. 43
Chapter 8 Product Standard Systems 44
Chapter 9 List Of Major Importers 45


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The 22-year-old daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore walked around New York City while topless on Tuesday, sharing photos of her promenade to protest Instagram's nudity policy. The social media site has come under fire for deleting pictures of breast cancer survivors and women breastfeeding.
"Legal in NYC but not on @instagram," she Tweeted along with a photo of her shopping for flowers wearing only a skirt.
"What @instagram won't let you see #FreeTheNipple," she added along with another daring photo.
The model and actress even changed her Instagram name to "Scout (Areola) Willis" – before her account was deleted.
Willis isn't the only celebrity to protest Instagram. Rihanna's account was deleted after the singer posted a racy magazine cover featuring an image of her topless.
According to Instagram's basic terms of service, "You may not post violent, nude, partially nude, discriminatory, unlawful, infringing, hateful, pornographic or sexually suggestive photos or other content."
My comfort with my body should not be dictated by how others perceive me. However, I don't wish to force this view on anyone.— Scout LaRue Willis (@Scout_Willis) May 27, 2014


text: Doug Van Gundy, an assistant professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College who teaches creative writing, Appalachian literature and humanities, performs on the banjo and other instruments for Buckhannon Rotary Tuesday. He is a poet and musician from Elkins who plays fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo. (The Inter-Mountain photo by Melissa Toothman)


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Oakley CarbonX Underwear
CarbonX is the brand name behind the products produced by Chapman Thermal Products. CarbonX in its raw form, is a yarn created by spinning O-PAN (oxidized polyacrylonitrile) fiber with an Aramid strenghthening fiber. This formula results in a yarn with amazing fire resistant characteristics that serves as the precursor to a wide array of products and applications requiring heat and flame resistance. The CarbonX yarn can then be converted into an array of fabrics ranging from woven fabrics, knitted fabrics and non-woven felts.
To better understand the differences between CarbonX and competitive products such as Nomex, Kevlar, PBI, Proban, Basofil and Panox, among others, one must first understand the technical functions and objectives relating to these products.
The basic concept and definition of a high performance FR fabric is usually considered a manmade fiber with a continuous operating temperature ranging between 375° to 600° f. The fibers are classified as having favorable characteristics in at least one of the following performance properties: operating temperature, the limit of heat transfer, tensile strength when exposed to high temperature, chemical resistance and, LOI. Most of the FR fabrics currently used for FR safety applications perform well in one, sometimes two of these areas, CarbonX performs extremely well with all of these performance properties and more. CarbonX also has the highest LOI rating of any FR fabric available.


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YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown manufacturer Brilex Industries will partner with a Houston-based manufacturer to make oil and gas production equipment for facilities operating in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays.
The partnership will create at least 30 local jobs in 2013 as a result of increased manufacturing here. It also is expected to provide customers of Valerus, the Houston company, with access to production equipment more quickly and at reduced transportation costs.
Valerus has been described as one of the world's leading providers of oil and gas handling and processing equipment. The company announced plans to ship its first order of locally-manufactured equipment to its customers this month.
Valerus, in partnership with Brilex, will manufacture gas and natural gas production equipment in high demand in the northeast Ohio region. That equipment includes separators, gas processing units, coalescing filters, glycol regenerators and absorber towers.
"Brilex is proud to bring its reputation for quality, efficiency and on-time reliability to Valerus gas processing equipment," said Brian Benyo, president, Brilex Industries. "Our partnership with Valerus will benefit the local economy and bring value to the region's growing oil and gas industry."
Founded in 1996, Brilex is a fast-growing company that does fabricating, machining and complete machine assembly.
Nick Sajatovic, vice president, manufacturing and supply chain for Valerus, praised the local and state government for support the company received, along with support from Team NEO and the Northeast Ohio economic development team that guided the development process.
The Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, which helped introduce officials from the two companies, praised the deal. The Regional Chamber first met Valerus officials in December 2010 during a trip to Houston in an attempt to attract new companies to the Valley.
Since 2010, the Chamber had remained in contact with Valerus and has hosted company representatives on several occasions for property and community tours, in addition to presenting numerous local and state resources to assist with their investment. During one such visit, the Chamber introduced Valerus representative, Nick Sajatovic, to Alex Benyo of Brilex. The business relationship bloomed from there.
"We are pleased to have Valerus in our community. The joint venture announced today is a perfect example of the business-to-business relationships we strive to create," said Sarah Boyarko, the Regional Chamber's Vice President, Economic Development, Retention and Expansion.
"This project is not only the attraction of Valerus to the Mahoning Valley, but it is also the retention and growth of an existing company, Brilex Industries. We are excited about the future possibilities for both groups," Boyarko said. "This is a big win for the community and represents a positive return on our travel investment to attract new companies to the Mahoning Valley."


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Adult Education classes offered
CHARLES TOWN - Registration is now being accepted for the Jefferson County Adult Education new fall 2013 classes. To view the course selections, visit boe.jeff.k12.wv.us under Adult and Community Education.
For more information or to register, call 304-728-9237.
Registration deadline approaching
BRUNSWICK, Md. - The deadline us approaching to register for the 30th Brunswick Railroad Days, which will take place Oct. 5 and 6 in downtown Brunswick. Along with a scenic train ride, there will be model train displays, Bluegrass Fest, wine/beer garden, Kidz Block with its own train ride, entertainment and activities, arts n' crafts, food and lots more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, and is open to the public.
To register by the end of August, access an application at www.brunswickmd.gov/railroaddays, call 240-508-3049 or email email@example.com. Applications are also available at Brunswick City Hall, 1 W. Potomac St., Brunswick, MD 21716.
Tom E. Moses Memorial Lecture
SHEPHERDSTOWN - The ninth annual Tom E. Moses Memorial Lecture on the U.S. Constitution, by Dr. Ray Smock, will be presented at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 and at noon Sept. 18 at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies auditorium, on the Shepherd University campus. Admission is free and open to the public, but due to limited seating, tickets are required. Tickets are available at the center, 213 N. King St., or by calling Jody Brumage at 304-876-5702. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
Allenbury Theater trip planned
CHARLES TOWN -Jefferson County CEOS will sponsor a bus trip to see "A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline" Sept. 14, 2013, at The Allenbury Theater, Boiling Springs, Pa. Follow Patsy as she climbs to stardom from Virginia to The Grand Ole Opry and enjoy 20 of her best known songs. Cost is $90, includes bus transportation, bountiful buffet and performance admission.
For more information or tickets, call Deborah Viands at 304-283-3223
Model boat regatta
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Experience the thrill of a race and the tranquility of sailing on a miniature scale that will be gliding into Hagerstown's City Park today. Join the city of Hagerstown's Parks and Recreation Division and Historic City Park Neighborhoods First in welcoming the American Model Yacht Club for City Park's First Model Boat Regatta. A day packed full of fun on the lake will include racing, floating, building and displaying model sail boats. The Sail the Lake Model Boating Event is part of the 2013 Arts in the Park Series.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Park Lake, enjoy racing and demonstrations by members of the American Model Yacht Club in front of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Look for appearances of designs such as the Victoria Class, Micro Magic and Seawind. At 1 p.m., an awards ceremony will take place announcing race winners. After the awards ceremony, a demonstration of this unique and fun hobby will begin, and members of the public are invited to try.
In conjunction with the racing and demonstrations, a model boat building workshop will take place beginning at noon in the North Pavilion at City Park. Join Seaworthy Small Ships and volunteers from Historic City Park Neighborhoods First for this fun activity for all ages. Small wooden boats will be available for purchase at $6 to $12 each to use for the boat building workshop. Participants will then be invited to sail their boat in the grotto following the workshop. Model boat building and sailing offers a hands-on, family-oriented and educational activity that will enhance the visitor's experience at City Park and be cherished for a lifetime. For information on Seaworthy Small Ships, see www.seaworthysmallships.com.
For more information, call Amy Riley at 301-739-8577, ext. 180, or email email@example.com.
Women's Day
luncheon planned
CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Women's Commission is hosting a Women's Equality Day Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Women's Club of Charleston. The event is free to the public.
Women's Equality Day celebrates the 93rd anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, granting women the right to vote. The event's theme, "Find Your Voice," will honor the strong female suffragists who were the pioneers of the 19th Amendment while encouraging West Virginia women to find their voice and run for office. The luncheon will provide guests with inspiring words from state dignitaries and local leaders along with the opportunity to register to vote and to register to run for a political office. Speakers include Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, Appalachian poet Crystal Good and representatives from the Governor's Office.
Women's Equality Day registration is free but required. To register, contact the West Virginia Women's Commission at 304-558-0070 or email@example.com.
Employment classes
WINCHESTER, Va. - ResCare WorkForce Development will offer the following classes. Classes will be held at the Winchester Virginia Employment Commission, 100 Premier Place:
Monday, 10 a.m. to noon: Succeeding on the Job Workshop;
Monday, 1 to 3 p.m.: Social Media as a Job Search Tool;
Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.: Marketing Yourself in a Competitive Job Market.
For more information, call Samantha Greenfield at 540-722-3415 or email email@example.com.
School of Music
SHEPHERDSTOWN -The new Shepherdstown School of Music, 106 S. Duke St., is beginning its first session of music courses starting Monday. The school offers music classes and private music lessons on a variety of instruments and subjects. Some of the classes starting this week are Ukelele Class, Music Composition, Jazz Theory and Improvisation, Beginning Piano Class, Singing and Songwriting, Electronic Music and more. The complete listing of classes with descriptions and schedule can be found on the website, home.shepherdstownmusic.com, and on their Facebook page under the school's name. The school is being started by Sam Jannotta, a local jazz piano player, and Cam Millar, a local music educator and trombone player. The goal of the school is to cultivate musicality and creativity in its students and foster a more vibrant musical community. For more information, email email@example.com.
HCC to offer
portraiture class HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Hagerstown Community College will offer a portraiture class from 1 to 4:35 p.m. every Wednesday through Dec. 11 in the Kepler Center on HCC's main campus.
The portraiture class is a three-credit, upper-level class for students with basic drawing experience who wish to broaden their ability to create strong visual images. Students will work from live models and the human skeleton in order to gain an understanding of body structure.
For more information about the course, email HCC instructor Janet Salter at email@example.com. To register, call 240-500-2238 or go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/registration/online.
AARP/Safe Driver classes scheduled
MARTINSBURG - The Berkeley Senior Center will host a refresher AARP/Safe Driver class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. This is available for anyone who has completed the eight-hour course within the the last 39 months.
Preregistration is necessary for this class, so call Cathy Clark at 703-409-3831. For more information, call Helene Brill at 304-267-8756.
Connection to meet
WINCHESTER, Va. - The Winchester Connection, a social group for single professionals over 40, will gather at 6 p.m. Friday at Piccadilly Public House for dinner and conversation. Piccadilly Public House is located at 125 E. Piccadilly St. Dress is business casual, and prospective members are welcome.
For more information, call 540-313-6303; visit winchesterconnection.org or email email@example.com.
Free Market reopens
SHEPHERDSTOWN - Back by popular demand, The Shepherdstown Really Really Free Market celebrates its grand re-opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at its new location in the heart of Shepherdstown at 104 N. King St., directly in front of Shepherdstown city hall in the street.
The Really Really Free Market is a community-wide sharing event in which every item brought to the market is considered absolutely free. Almost all items are welcome at the market, but please refrain from bringing "trash" to the market. Items such as old paints, tires, broken appliances, child's car seats and or toxic/degraded industrial chemicals will not be accepted and should be disposed of properly somewhere else. Also if you are donating clothing, furniture or fabrics, please ensure it is clean. All unclaimed items will be donated to other charities/thrift stores at the conclusion of the market. Please drop off items at the designated dropoff areas.
For more information, contact Robert Glenn at 304-839-9317, email email@example.com or visit on Facebook at "The Shepherdstown Really Really Free Market."
Parade applications now available
BRUNSWICK, Md. - The 81st Brunswick Veterans Day Parade will be held Nov. 3 in downtown Brunswick. The opening ceremony in Square Corner Park begins at 1 p.m. The parade kicks off at 2 p.m. and stretches along East and West Potomac streets.
All marching units and participants must register by Oct. 11. To access an application, visit www.brunswickmd.gov/veteransparade or call 240-508-3049 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. Applications are also available at Brunswick City Hall, 1 W. Potomac St., Brunswick, MD 21716.
9/3 Adult Continuing Education Course Taught by Best Selling Author & Publisher Lauren Carr
CHARLES TOWN - A four-week book writing course will be taught by Lauren Carr, a best-selling Amazon mystery author and publisher. Classes are held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 3, at Charles Town Middle School. Cost is $35.
One of her latest books is entitled "Authors in Bathrobes: How to be a Successful Author Without Getting Dressed," which will be included in this course as an e-book download. A hard copy may be purchased for $15 from the instructor on the first night of class.
Good News: Nowadays, anyone can publish their own book without the seal of approval from a literary agent or publisher. Bad News: Nowadays, anyone can publish their poorly written book, only to discover its problems afterward: from reviewers and readers - when it is too late. Compiled from editors and reviewers, this course will cover the most common mistakes new writers make. Note: Grammar and punctuation are not on the list of most common mistakes.
For more information or to register, email Judy Slusher at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 304-728-9237.
9/3 Line dance class begins Sept. 3
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Country Western Dance Association will offer an eight-week line dance class beginning 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Halfway Boulevard, Hagerstown, Md. Cost is $5 per each lesson/class.
For more information, email email@example.com.
9/4 Adult bullet
MARTINSBURG - The Berkeley County Adult and Community Education Program will offer a four-week adult ballet class at 9 a.m. every Wednesday, beginning Sept. 4, at the Berkeley 2000 Sports Center. Learn or strengthen your ballet basics. Designed for beginners to advanced beginners.
For more information or to register, call 304-263-3897.
HANCOCK, Md. - The Hancock Unit No. 022 of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees will hold its quarterly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 4, 2013 at the American Legion in Berkeley Springs. All employees, current and retired are invited to attend.
9/5 Lifelong learning
SHEPHERDSTOWN - Shepherd University's Lifelong Learning program's fall semester begins Sept. 5 and offers classes at the university's new Martinsburg Center in addition to the Shepherdstown campus.
Courses at the center include The History of Berkeley County and Homer's "The Odyssey." Also offered is Expressive Drawing, which is being taught at The Arts Centre in Martinsburg.
All Martinsburg classes will be held on Thursdays for six weeks beginning Sept. 12.
Other course offerings at the Shepherdstown campus include History of the West Virginia Mine Wars; West Virginia Entrepreneurial Success Speaker Series; Intelligence, Congressional Oversight, and National Defense; China-India-U.S. Relations; Southern Short Story; National Parks at Risk- Challenges that Face Our Most Precious Places; History and Culture of Appalachia; and Restructuring the Government Process.
For more information, call Karen Rice at 304-876-5135 or go to www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning.
9/5 Entrepreneurs Forum
CHARLES TOWN - The Eastern Panhandle Entrepreneurs Forum will meet Sept. 5 at The Inn at Charles Town. Networking and refreshments will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. The program will feature Kim Donahue, who will present "A Conversation with the Small Business Administration: Current Opportunities for the Small Business Owner." The event is free and open to the public. Vendor tables are available for $5.
For more information, call 304-728-3255 or visit www.jcda.net.
9/5 Cooking classes on tap at Nibbins
WINCHESTER, Va. - Nibblins, 229 Market St., will offer the following cooking classes:
Sept. 5, 6 p.m.: Mastering croissants;
Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Vietnamese dinner;
Sept. 8, 3 p.m.: Tailgate time;
Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.: Six Star Soups and Stews;
Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.: Cheesecake Cupcakes;
Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m.: Intro to Pressure Cooking;
Sept. 14, 10 a.m.: Heir and a Parent - Donuts!'
Sept. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Dynamics of Dough;
Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m.: Caribbean Night;
Sept. 21, 4 p.m.: Authentic Thai Class "E;"
Sept. 22, 3 p.m.: Knife Skills;
Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m.: Secrets to Perfect Pie;
Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m.: Oktoberfest;
Sept. 28, 4 p.m.: 30-minute dishes.
Cost varies per class.
For more information or to register, call 540-535-0787.
9/5 Tea Party to meet
WINCHESTER, Va. - The Northern Shenandoah Valley Tea Party will meet Sept. 5 at the Frederick County Public Safety Building, 1080 Coverstone Drive. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., and discussion begins at 7 p.m. Topic will be on the Energy Policy in Virginia.
For more information, call Jay L. Marts at 410-440-1344 or email email@example.com.
9/9 Hunter Education class
MARTINSBURG - The West Virginia Natural Resources Police will offer hunter education courses on the following dates. Class is mandatory for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, prior to purchasing a hunting license for West Virginia. Classes will be held:
Sept. 9-11, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at James Rumsey Technical Institute, Hedgesville;
Sept. 9-11, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Bardane Public Health and Safety Building, Kearneysville;
Sept. 23-25, 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Cacapon State Park, Berkeley Springs.
Course is a minimum of 10 hours of instruction with hands-on gun exercises with inoperable firearms and dummy ammo, followed by a final exam. Those successfully completing the course will be issued a "Certificate of Completion" card, which will be proof of completing the course to be shown when purchasing a license. Students must have reached their 10th birthday by final exam day to be eligible for a permanent card. Students 12 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Classes are offered free.
For more information or to register, visit www.wvdnr.gov or call 304-822-3551.
9/7 Atheists, skeptics and humanists meeting
MORGANTOWN - The inaugural "West Virginia Meeting for Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists" barbecue potluck ASH Bash will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at Dorsey's Knob Park, on Fawley Lane. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, sunscreen, coolers, ice, food and beverages to share. No kegs are allowed. Free admission for family and friends.
9/7 Birding trips
SHEPHERDSTOWN -The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring two Jefferson County birding trips in early September. Both trips will focus on migrating fall birds.
The first trip will be to the Altona Marsh west of Charles Town on Sept. 7.
The second will be to the historic Claymont property, also west of Charles Town, on Sept. 10.
Both trips will begin at 7:30 a.m. Both will be free and open to anyone with an interest.
The Altona Marsh is a rare, 70-acre marl wetland protected by a Nature Conservancy easement. Because this is a protected site and there are access issues, participants in this trip must preregister and sign a waiver. To do this, and to get more information, contact Jim Farley at email@example.com or 540-686-2056.
No preregistration is needed for the Claymont trip. Participants should simply plan to meet on the Claymont entrance road where a wetland meets the access driveway. The entrance is located at 667 Huyett Road; it is marked by a street sign that says "Claymont Mansion."
For more information, contact trip leader Joette Borzik at 240-440-4221 or email@example.com.
Both trips will involve moderate hiking. Participants should dress appropriately for the prevailing weather and bring drinking water, trail snacks and insect repellent. Binoculars will be available for anyone who needs them.
9/7 Handmade market
SHEPHERDSTOWN - The Shepherdstown Community Club's 1st Weekend Handmade Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8 at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German St. Admission is free.
For more information, visit facebook.com/SCCHandmadeMarket.
9/9 Announcing a class and tour on local history
SHEPHERDSTOWN - Coal Country Tours and the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program have teamed up to offer panhandle residents a chance to learn about the West Virginia mine wars and the Charles Town treason trials through a six week course and an optional three-day West Virginia Mine War Tour. Classes begin Sept. 9, meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each Monday, through Oct. 14 at Erma Ora Byrd Hall on the Shepherd University campus.
The Class
The course will be a survey of the West Virginia Mine Wars 1900-1922 and will cover the early coal operators, life in the coal camps, the United Mine Workers and Mother Jones, the 1902 New River Strike, the Baldwin Felts Detectives and the mine guard system, the 1912-13 Paint Creek & Cabin Creek Strike, the Ludlow, CO strike, the 1919 miners' march, the "Matewan Massacre," the 1921-22 Mingo County Strike, the assassination of Sid Hatfield & Ed Chambers, the Battle of Blair Mountain, and the 1922 Charles Town treason trials. The class will be conducted by Doug Estepp who has been an ardent student of the mine wars for over 30 years and who is the owner/operator of Coal Country Tours. The class will also include a viewing of director John Sayles' film, Matewan, and the final class will be held in the Jefferson County Courthouse courtroom where the 1922 treason trials took place.
The Tour
A West Virginia Mine War Tour will also be offered to anyone interested (participation in the class is not required) and departs from the Shepherd University campus on Friday morning, October 4th returning the evening of October 6th. This tour will be conducted using passenger vans and participation will be limited to afford comfortable travel. Destinations include the Tamarack Cultural Center, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, the Whipple Company Store, a tour of Matewan including a program with actors portraying events associated with the "Matewan Massacre," lunch with active and retired coal miners, a tour of the Blair Mountain battlefield, a visit to the McDowell County Courthouse in Welch, and a tour of the town and mansions of Bramwell, WV, once famous as "the home of millionaires."
Tour Details
The cost of the tour is $349 per person, based on double occupancy which includes transportation, two nights at Twin Falls Resort State Park Lodge, all admissions and entry fees, guides, and lunch at Tamarack, lunch in Matewan, and a buffet lunch at the Bramwell Cafe. For information on the class or to sign up for the tour, call Karen Rice at the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program at 304-876-5135 or e-mail her at firstname.lastname@example.com.
9/9 Spanish for Travelers
MARTINSBURG - Traveling to a Spanish-speaking country? Sign up for the "Spanish for Travelers" starting at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 9 in Pikeside.You will learn the basics to have a richer and more rewarding vacation experience. Classes are for eight weeks. Cost is $75. All materials will be provided.
For more information or to register, call 304-263-3897, or visit www.berkeleycountyschools.org.
9/10 Square dancing
MARTINSBURG - A beginner square dancing class will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at North Middle School. First two lessons are free. For classes in Charles Town, call Carl Odell at 304-724-9955.
For more information or to register, call Ron or Charlotte at 304-876-1130.
9/11 Volunteers sought for CASA
MARTINSBURG - CASA of the Eastern Panhandle Inc. is currently recruiting volunteers for the fall 2013 group training class beginning Sept. 11 and concluding Nov. 6. Classes will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Volunteers must be 21 years of age, be able to pass a local, criminal and APS/CPS background check, possess the ability to effectively communicate well with members of the community, be computer literate, and, of course, care deeply about children.
The initial group training is approximately 40 hours, broken down into one three- to four-hour class each week, for a period of nine weeks, including time spent observing court hearings.
For more information or an application, visit www.mycasaep.org; email Vicki L. Barnard, executive director, at firstname.lastname@example.com, Shawn A. Valentine, senior volunteer coordinator, at firstname.lastname@example.com, or Delbert R. Pope, volunteer coordinator, at email@example.com; or call 304-263-5100.
9/13 Good Sams 'Samboree'
NEW MARTINSVILLE - The West Virginia Good Sams Camping Organization will sposnor its "Samboree" Sept. 13-15 at the Wetzel County 4-H Fairgrounds, with more than 150 RVs and 400 people expected to attend. Theme will be "TV Land." The event will feature live entertainment, seminars, vendors, games, raffles, door prizes and more.
For more information, call 304-482-7568 or visit www.wvgoodsams.com.
9/15 3M picnic
MIDDLEWAY - A picnic for all former employees of the 3M Plant at Middleway will be held at 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Martinsburg Church of Christ on Tuscarora Pike. Cost is $13 per person. Payment must be received by Sept. 15. Checks may be mailed to Becky Linton, 423 Lamplight Road, Inwood, WV 25428.
9/15 Friends of NCTC membership drive
SHEPHERDSTOWN - Friends of NCTC will hold its annual membership outreach event Sept. 15. The event will feature a tour of the National Conservation Training Center; a sneak preview of student conservation films; a wine and cheese reception; and information about the organization. Tour starts at 2 p.m., with the reception at 3 p.m. Film screening begins at 4:30 p.m. Cost is one year's membership, which is $5 per student; $10 per person; $25 per family; and $50 sustaining.
For more information, call 304-876-6984.
9/18 Driver safety program
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - AARP and the Washington County Commission on Aging will sponsor the AARP Driver Safety Program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Washington County Sheriff's Department, 500 Western Maryland Parkway. Cost is $12 for AARP members; and $14 for nonmembers. Class is designed to help drivers improve their driving skills and prevent accidents. Classes are open to drivers of all ages.
For more information, call 301-790-0275, ext. 220.
9/20 Adopt a wild horse
CANVAS - The U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management will offer approximately 40 wild horses ranging from yearling to 5 years old to potential adopters on Sept. 20 and 21 at the Good Evening Ranch. Animals can be previewed from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20. Adoption hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21. A minimal adoption fee of $125 for animals younger than 3 years of age and $25 for animals 3 and older is required for adoption.
For more information, call 866-468-7826 or visit www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.
9/20 Holiday workshop offered
KEARNEYSVILLE - The Jefferson County CEOS will offer a holiday workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at the West Virginia University Extension Office, 1948 Wiltshire Road. Projects include a Frosty the Snowman's top hat; cloth poinsettia; and a barbed wire star. Cost is $10, which includes materials. Deadline to register is Sept. 20.
For more information or to register, call Judy Matlick at 304-728-7413.
9/20 Woman's Club to meet
HARPERS FERRY - The Woman's Club of Harpers Ferry is looking ahead to a busy year of Club events, fund-raising for charities and other special programs.
On Sept. 20, they will hold the annual Pot Luck Supper at 6:30 p.m. at Camp Hill Methodist Church Social Hall on Washington Street. Members, spouses, partners and guests are all invited to share in a delicious buffet. The main course will be chicken with a variety of side dishes and desserts provided by club members.
Special guest will be Elizabeth Buscher who will present information on childhood diabetes. Donations for Camp Kno Koma will be collected.
During the evening a display of club arts and crafts, including paintings, stitchery, photography and other media will be displayed and judged. Many pieces will move on to the regional A&C Show.
For more information on membership or this event, call President Su Schmidt at 304-535-2241.
9/23 Writing Conference
CHARLES TOWN - The inaugural From Writers to Published Authors Conference will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at Oakland Church, 70 Oakland Terrace.
The From Writers to Published Authors Conference offers writers the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of writing and publishing directly from those who have gone before them. At this first annual event, authors and publishers will gather together to spend the day helping new writers to reach their goal of not only publishing their books, but doing it right.
Registration prior to Sept. 23 is $60; after Sept. 23, cost is $75. Lunch is included. Space is limited.
To register, go online and pay via PayPal through the Acorn Book Services website, www.acornbookservices.com or to download a registration form from the website and mail it in with a check. Brochures and registration forms will also be available at various libraries in the area.
9/23 HCC to offer new online course for HR professionals
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Continuing Education and Business Services Division at Hagerstown Community College is offering a new online course, "HR Start Smart," from Sept. 23 through Nov. 8.
Taught by HCC instructor Denise Smoot, "HR Start Smart" provides training for human resources professionals preparing to take the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) exams. The PHR and SPHR exams are offered through the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), an internationally recognized certifying organization that is used by more than 120,000 human resources professionals worldwide.
HCC's course will teach participants about the six HRCI functional areas needed to pass the PHR and SPHR exams. Weekly assignments and discussions are released each Monday and the class meets in a live virtual classroom on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Each participant will receive the HR Start Smart workbook and audio CD with flashcards shipped directly to his or her home address.
Registration fee is $995 and includes all tuition, fees and course materials.
For more information or to register, call 240-500-2490. To learn more about HRCI, go to www.hrci.org.
10/11 Hawk watching trip
SHEPHERDSTOWN - The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a hawk-watching trip to Cape May, N.J., the weekend of Oct. 11-14.
Anyone with an interest is welcome to participate and there will be no fee. But participants will be expected furnish their own transportation and arrange for their own accommodations.
Hotel and motel reservations should be made now, because Cape May is a very popular destination in October. Those planning to use the Lewes-Cape May Ferry also need to make reservations early for the same reason.
The trip will be led by local birder Sandy Sagalkin, and it will focus on several hawk-watching sites in the Cape May area. It will offer good opportunities to see peregrine falcons, merlins, American kestrels, sharp-shinned hawks, Coopers hawks, bald eagles, Northern harriers and other raptors.
Those who participate will also be able to take advantage of a variety of free educational opportunities offered by the Cape May Bird Observatory and the New Jersey Audubon Society. Their offerings include such events as a Mini-Hawk ID workshop for beginners, a Hawk-banding demonstration, a Monarch tagging demonstration and bird walks that are open to the public.
The Cape May Bird Observatory website (www.birdcapemay.org) contains a list of Cape May hotels and motels which offer discounts to birders who are members of the Observatory. The savings can be significant enough that trip participants who are not already members may wish to join; this can be done easily online.
Sagalkin will be staying at Leith Hall, a Victorian B&B in Cape May that offers discounts to members of the Cape May Bird Observatory. Rooms can be booked there through its website at www.leithhall.com or by calling 609-884-1934.
Those who wish to participate should preregister by contacting Sagalkin by phone at 240-291-6465. For more information, contact him by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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By TOM GIAMBRONI
Staff Writer
LISBON - Columbiana County Treasurer-elect Linda Bolon will take office eight months ahead of schedule as Nick Barborak assumes his new duties as state representative.
County commissioners on Monday named Bolon interim treasurer until the county Democratic Party's Central Committee meets to formally name her to the position.
Barborak, the current treasurer, ran for state representative in the November 2012 general election and won, unseating incumbent Craig Newbold. Barborak's new job begins today but his term as treasurer actually expires Sept. 2, so he resigned effective midnight.
Meanwhile, Bolon ran for her old job of treasurer and won, which is why commissioners gave her the interim appointment until the Democrat Party can meet. The party has the task of filling the vacancy because Barborak is a Democrat, as is Bolon.
Following the meeting, Commissioner John Payne administered the oath of office to Bolon, who was present along with her husband Tom, Barborak, and Jason Wilson, director of the Governor's Office on Appalachia. Barborak will be sworn in next week in Columbus.
This was Payne's last meeting, having lost in his election bid to Republican Tim Weigle. Payne served on the board since being appointed by the Democrat Party in January 2012 to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Penny Traina, who resigned to take a job in the private sector.
Commission Chairman Mike Halleck took a moment at the end of the meeting to wish Payne well in the next chapter of his life. "Losing elections isn't easy. I know that," said Halleck, who has lost two elections in his political career.
In other business, commissioners reappointed county Engineer Bert Dawson to also serve as county sanitary engineer. His pay will remain the same - $23,798 - but he was also officially granted 10 personal days in his capacity as sanitary engineer. Dawson also makes $95,193 as the county engineer.
As county engineer, Dawson can take whatever time off he wants, and Halleck said he wanted to be able to do the same in his capacity as sanitary engineer without any questions being raised about whether he was entitled to do so. Halleck said the days cannot be accumulated.


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The Hollywood Reporter has today confirmed that production on Rupert's next film project, a reworking of Shakespere's tradgedy Macbeth, will begin in January.
In Enemy of Man, Rupert is rumoured to be taking the role of Rosse.
When asked about the part last year, Rupert commented:
"It's a period, kind of epic, version with horses and Scotland. I think it'll be really cool. I get to ride a horse, and it's going to be quite gory. A gory film...I'm looking forward to that."
If true to the story, Macbeth's cousin, Ross, is a Scottish noble who eventually turns on Macbeth, choosing to side with Malcolm and the English forces. Sean Bean will play the titular role of Macbeth, with Harry Potter alum Dave Legeno (Fenrir Greyback) also cast as Angus.
You can see more promotional images, taken from the trailer filmed earlier this year in Buckinghamshire, here.
Submitted by Claire on Fri, 09/06/2013 - 08:44


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Three local fire departments are continuing to collect donations for those hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy.
The Auburn, Nashua and Raymond fire departments are looking for toiletry kits, heavy-duty garbage bags, first aid kits and storage containers to take to residents in New York and New Jersey who are still recovering from the storm.
Organizers said there is no longer a need for clothes.
All items can be dropped off at the Auburn Safety Complex at 55 Eaton Hill Road, Auburn, or Nashua Fire Department No. 5 at 101 Pine Hill Road, Nashua.
Firefighters plan to leave with the supplies at 10 a.m. Saturday.


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It's a moment of tremendous angst, joy, trepidation and, yes, even sorrow: the first day of school.
As most local school children head back to school this week, the area's faith community is sending them forth with everything from God's blessings to new uniform clothes to book bags filled with school supplies and even food.
Many local churches are holding their popular blessings of the book bag events today, a time when young parishioners bring their bags to the altars before toting them back into a world of peers and schoolwork - not to mention more daunting pressures of bullies, drugs and violence.
Other houses of worship are adopting entire school classes for the year. Some are busy stuffing donated book bags with supplies. Still others are handing out donated uniform clothes to those in need. The list goes on.
For instance, about 30 Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations around town have been working with its Hands of Christ ministry, which gave free uniform clothes and school supplies to about 5,000 students in need over three weeks of donation events that ended Saturday.? They did that despite someone stealing nearly 400 pairs of pants from the ministry as its distributions began last month.
And at least 15 churches from around Charleston County have gotten 700 children with open cases of abuse and neglect ready for school through the nonprofit HALOS.
One of them, an 8-year-old boy, recently went to live with his grandmother after his mother was killed during a robbery in their home. His grandmother wants to help but struggles on her fixed income. HALOS' Kinship Care Program stepped in, along with the churches supporting it, says Kim Clifton, executive director of HALOS.
The nonprofit's founder, Dr. Eve Spratt, envisioned local people coming together to meet the needs of child abuse and neglect victims. And so they have.
"The faith community responded, and for over 17 years has worked with HALOS to ensure that children with open cases of abuse and neglect return to school excited and ready to learn with new supplies and uniforms," Clifton says.
And HALOS isn't alone in receiving those blessings and the toil of volunteers.
God's blessings
The Lowcountry's countless back-to-school efforts aren't only tackling the tangible stuff children need to succeed in school. Churches also are calling on high this weekend.
Today, St. Francis, a new Episcopal mission church in West Ashley, is holding its second blessing of book bags (and laptop cases, iPads, whatever tools students and teachers use).
"We hope to send them back on the right foot and remember that God is with them throughout the school year," says Andrea McKellar, administrative assistant with The Episcopal Church in South Carolina.
For the second year, St. Francis also is adopting a first-grade class at Lambs Elementary in North Charleston where junior warden Justin Seagle is a teacher. Last year, members donated school supplies, winter coats and handmade blankets for students for Christmas. And when a student's mother lost her job, the mission helped cover her rent until she found work so they would not become homeless.
This year, St. Francis members already have collected enough school supplies to cover the class all year.
"This takes the burden off of parents that are struggling financially and keeps an even starting point for all the students in the class so no one is singled out by not having something," McKellar says.
And at Holy Trinity on Folly Road, children will pile their backpacks onto the altar for a blessing today. Teachers and parents also receive prayers. It's like a Blessing of the Fleet, a prayer for a safe and bountiful coming season, says the Rev. David Dubay, rector of Holy Trinity and a father of three.
"It helps them keep their eye on the Lord as they move forward," Dubay says. "There are struggles and joys involved with school. This puts them in the hands of the Lord."
St. George's Episcopal in Summerville also will bless book bags today, along with other school tools.
"It is reassuring for children - and grown-ups - to know they have been prayed for by their faith community, by people who care for them," vestry member Ellen Dooley says.
"They are carrying those blessed items out into the world with them every day, visible reminders of the loving hands and hearts that were lifted in prayer for their well-being."
Filling book bags
Along with filling souls comes the practical need to fill book bags - and stomachs - so students have the tangible tools to learn.
For instance, several local churches are collecting book bags for The Lowcountry Food Bank's BackPack Buddies.
The program provides donated food to students in need over weekends when free and reduced school lunches are not available.
The program distributed backpacks filled with donated food to 3,200 children prior to school dismissal each Friday during the 2012-13 school year. BackPack Buddies distributed 303,288 pounds of food to school children. For more, go to www.lowcountryfoodbank.org.
Other churches are tackling other needs.
Although it has few children in its congregation, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville still is blessing book bags filled with donated school supplies for One80 Place, formerly named Crisis Ministries.
Still others are taking part in Back to School with HALOS.
Parishioners stuff book bags with school supplies for the nonprofit HALOS, which assists children who are in the care of the state Department of Social Services due to abuse and neglect. For more, go to www.charlestonhalos.org.
The Church of the Holy Cross on Sullivan's Island collected nearly 60 stocked book bags for HALOS, whose founder is a parishioner of the church, says its rector, the Very Rev. John Burwell.
"Think back to those days when you headed off to school for a new school year and you had your brand-new book bag on your back. Inside it was a shiny new Trapper Keeper and a whole pack of notebook paper and all kinds of pencils and protractors and rulers and crayons and maybe some extra rubber erasers for the pencil tips," Burwell says. "Remember how you couldn't wait to use all that great stuff?"
Holy Cross wants to ensure all children start school that way, Burwell adds.
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, a Reform Jewish congregation in Charleston, also held a back-to-school drive for HALOS to help a record number of children in need of uniform clothes, Rabbi Stephanie Alexander says.
And Grace Episcopal members sponsored dozens of HALOS children by purchasing new uniform clothes and school supplies, along with raising monetary donations.
Other houses of worship are gathering book bags filled with supplies to give children at risk of going without. St. Paul's Church in Summerville, for example, gave away 100 bags of school supplies last weekend.
Seacoast Church throws an annual Back to School Bash, a fun-filled morning in early August when kids can get backpacks, school supplies and even haircuts. This year, the church's North Charleston Dream Center gave out 600 stuffed book bags.
And every year, leading up to school starting, St. Thomas Episcopal in Park Circle collects school supplies for neighborhood elementary school students in need. Today, the church is holding a picnic and school supply blessing for its youth.
"We bless and pray over them to send them off to the school year with love and encouragement. It is a celebration both of our own youth and of the importance of learning and helping to facilitate that learning in ways we are able," says member Lauren Bush, who holds the vestry's outreach position.
Saying prayers
Grace Episcopal in downtown Charleston has held its book bag blessing since 1998 and last year drew about 100 kids to the altar. Today, children who take part will receive a small laminated card with a "bookbag prayer" on it to carry with them as they head back to school:
"Bless this bag upon our back.
Bless our books, our pens and snack.
Bless us each and every day,
And be among us as we play.
Bless each task and every game;
This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
Reach Jennifer Hawes at 937-5563 or follow her on Twitter at @JenBerryHawes.
Hands of Christ, a nonprofit Presbyterian ministry, donates school supplies and uniform clothes to local students.×
Volunteers Catherine Byrd (left) and Nancy Waller helped Brianna Greene find clothes when Hands of Christ, a nonprofit Presbyterian ministry, came to New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in McClellanville last week.×
Four-year-old Ashlyn Holmes and volunteer Nancy Waller look for clothes at the Hands of Christ event at New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in McClellanville.×
Volunteer Mark Gore, a student at Military Magnet Academy, gets a hand from Brogan Taylor after helping the 4-year-old at the Hands of Christ event at New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in McClellanville.×
Volunteers James Frye (back to camera) and Steve Hanlon (navy shirt, right) welcome Sharonda Wilson and her daughters Charneisha (pink stripes), 13, and Teonna (dark top), 10, to the Hands of Christ event at New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church in McClellanville.×
The Rev. David Dubay blesses children and their book bags at Holy Trinity Church on Folly Road. Photo courtesy Martha Rogers.×
The Rev. David Dubay blesses children and their book bags at Holy Trinity Church on Folly Road.×
On the first Saturday of August every year, Seacoast Church's North Charleston Dream Center throws a Back to School Bash event, a fun-filled morning when kids can get a backpack, school supplies and haircuts. This year, the church gave out 600 book bags stuffed with school supplies. Provided×
On the first Saturday of August every year, Seacoast Churchs North Charleston Dream Center throws a Back to School Bash event.×
On the first Saturday of August every year, Seacoast Church's North Charleston Dream Center throws a Back to School Bash event, a fun-filled morning when kids can get a backpack, school supplies and haircuts. This year, the church gave out 600 book bags stuffed with school supplies. Provided×
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville held its book bag blessing Aug. 10 when the Rev. Alastair Votaw presided. Provided×
The Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor blesses donated book bags and school supplies at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston. Pictured with him is Alyssa, Paulina and Olivia.×
The Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor blesses donated book bags and school supplies at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston. Pictured with him is Alyssa, Paulina and Olivia.×
The Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor blesses donated book bags and school supplies at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston. Pictured with him is Alyssa, Paulina and Olivia.×
- Keywords


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Nick Cannon loves dogs so much, he couldn't settle for owning just one. In fact, following the arrival of three new pups, he and wife Mariah Carey are now happy parents to eight Jack Russell terriers.
"I was introduced to them through [Mariah] who had always had friendly Jack Russells," Cannon told PEOPLE Tuesday in the company of his 2½-month-old pup The Revered Pow Jackson at the IAMS So Good! Event in Union Square Park in New York City.
"I bought her a dog and then those dogs mated, and then we just started having a bunch of puppies."
But while the America's Got Talent host can't get enough of his canine companions, his 2-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan, don't always feel the same.
"Sometimes they get scared of them. They're trying to get used to the bigger ones," Cannon says. "They can pick up and play with the puppies all day long. But when the bigger ones chase them around the pool, they get freaked out."
Of course, Dad is always on hand to save the day if things get out of hand.
"It's cool because you get to be the one to let them know that everything's safe," he says.
For Cannon, the pups are an endless source of entertainment.
"They do great tricks and they're well-trained," he says. "They do everything from standing and walking on their hind legs to tricks with toys. They swim a lot and fetch balls under water. It's so cool."
Nick Cannon: My Twins Are Still Getting Used to the Dogs
Charles Norfleet/Filmmagic
updated 08/04/2013 AT 09:00 AM EDT
•originally published 08/02/2013 AT 04:05 PM EDT


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IMF Advocates Make a Difference in Connecticut
by Meghan Buzby, Advocacy Assistant
Michael Tuohy, 10-year myeloma survivor, and his wife Robin, Director of Support Groups for the IMF, testified in support of SB 50, a bill that would require private insurance companies to cover oral anti-cancer drugs at the same rate they cover intravenous infusions in terms of patient out of pocket costs, before the Connecticut Senate Insurance and Real Estate Committee.
"Testifying at the state level at a hearing was new to us," said Robin."We weren't quite sure what to expect of the process, but the IMF gave us guidance and support so it turned out to be easier than we expected."
The Tuohys met with their own state representative, Representative Rose DeLauro, who prepped them on what to expect before going into the hearing and reminded them that data is important when giving testimony. In addition to other, more general materials from our Advocacy Toolkit, the IMF team provided Michael and Robin with a report from Vermont that included relevant statistical information that could be referenced during the hearing. Representative DeLauro also made a point to remind them that more than three thousand bills cross her desk every session and, in order for her to be an effective legislator, she relies on her constituents to keep her informed of all important legislation so that she can consider co-sponsorship of bills that would improve their lives.
Both Michael and Robin each had only three minutes to testify so they used the time wisely. Michael spoke as a myeloma patient, a 10-year survivor, and on behalf of support group members in Connecticut, while Robin spoke on behalf of the IMF.
"I shared my experiences as well as difficult situations faced by other patients specifically dealing with insurance reimbursement issues," Michael explained."I wanted them to understand that a lot of insurance policies require higher out-of-pocket expenditures for oral drugs as opposed to treatment administered intravenously at the doctor's office. This means that many patients have had to forego getting the drug that's optimal for their treatment, or they've had to go into debt to meet the co-payments required."
One such story is of a woman who was newly diagnosed. Her doctor recommended an oral therapy as her best treatment option. She is in remission, but had to sell her house and is now living with her daughter so she can afford the co-pay for the oral therapy that is saving her life.
Michael told the committee that over the last 10 years he has seen many exciting novel therapies approved to help patients including him, live longer, more productive and active lives. He wanted to help his legislators understand that the laws have not kept up with the innovation, and it needs to change.
Robin spoke as a representative from the IMF and drove home the points that Michael had already made about the need for an equitable, patient-oriented insurance system that acknowledges and covers today's tests and treatments, and the fact that an unexpected and unwanted side effect of a drug can be economic—based upon inequitable and irrational differences in reimbursement.
Michael shared, "The feeling we got from testifying definitely got our adrenaline going and it was a very effective way for us to keep the public and the legislators informed."
"We absolutely think what we are doing makes a difference," agreed Robin.
Since the Tuohys testimony, the IMF, Connecticut residents, and the myeloma community are proud to say that SB 50 was signed into law! Congratulations and thank you to Michael and Robin who played an integral role in this process!
On October 5th, the President signed the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act into law.


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Cozy Cuddler Pregnancy Pillow
- Color:
- espresso
- 1
- 2
Description: The Cozy Cuddler has a unique design which follows the natural shape of mommy's body from head to toe. One of the big pregnancy pillow upgrades is the shoulder comfort system, unique to Today's Mom. One of the biggest complaints was hard edges which dug into the shoulder while mommy slept and left mommy feeling discomfort. The Cozy Cuddler is a pregnancy pillow which has a curved shaped shoulder support design which contours to the shoulder and provides comfort instead of pain. Another huge feature of this pregnancy body pillow is the lumbar support. It correctly supports mommy's weight while she sleeps. The belly support is another important upgrade mothers demanded. This maternity pillow features a belly support which allows the belly to rest on the support and keep baby comfortable. But perhaps the biggest feature is the large, square resting area. Other versions of maternity body pillow feature a flimsy, oddly shaped area for the head. The Cozy Cuddler has a large square area which is just like a standard pillow to provide comfort.
- Improved lumbar support improves mommy's back
- Belly support improvement allows belly to rest right on support
- Square pillow head area provides an actual sleeping area
- Shape of maternity pillow mimics mommy's shape for comfort
- Will help elevate baby during nursing which comforts mommy
- Zipper on side of cover lets mommy take pillow out with ease
- 50/50 Poly/cotton combination
- 200 Thread count percale
- Machine washable pillow case
Material: Body Pillow
Care: Machine washable pillow case
Brand: BabyAge
Origin: Imported


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Sweetback Sisters 'Looking for a Fight' at the Opera House
November 7, 2012
Touring with their latest album, the Sweetback Sisters bring their swinging country sound to the Pocahontas County Opera House stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $10....
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Welcome to our weekly edition of what's hot in social media news. To help you stay up-to-date with social media, here are some of the news items that caught our attention.
What's New This Week?
Google Socializes Search Results With +1: "Plus one" is digital shorthand for "this is pretty cool" and it's Google's version of the Facebook Like button. "To recommend something, all you have to do is click +1 on a webpage or ad you find useful. These +1's will then start appearing in Google's search results." To try out this new feature, you need to have a Google profile and visit the Google Labs site to opt in to the +1 program.


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Social media has proven to be a source of connection for strangers in Sochi. Sula Kim reports.
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Operating weight w/ ROPS:14,895 lb (6 755 kg)
Drum width:57 in (1 448 mm)
The Volvo DD70HF double-drum compactor is excellent on roadways and other medium-sized paving jobs. It is easy to operate, offers adjustable vibration on / off speed settings, an ergonomic console and the most reliable water spray system in the industry.
Top features of the Volvo DD70HF asphalt compactor include:


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'Ancona' | Slim Fit, Cotton-Linen Polo Shirt by BOSS
Style No. 50260306
Free Shipping
This polo shirt by BOSS is crafted from a fine cotton-linen blend for ultimate comfort. A unique four-button contrast placket and welt pocket with button closure complete this standout look.
Model is 6'2" with a 32" waist, 40" chest, and is wearing size L.
Model is 6'2" with a 32" waist, 40" chest, and is wearing size L.
- Four-button contrast placket with contrast lining inside
- Contrast collar with contrast trim at inner yoke
- Contrast patch pocket with button closure on chest
- Contrast cuffs and bartack
- Small logo flag on left side above hem
- Slim fit
- Cotton-linen