text:
Like many others, I've been searching for an Xbox 360 Premium system since its Nov 22 launch date in the US. That night I went to the Best Buy in Bellevue at midnight just to check out the buzz at the main launch store. I had no expectation of getting hold of one then (since 50+ people had been queuing in the bitter cold since the early morning). It was fun to see the atmosphere, but I was expecting to be able to get hold of one by driving round a few out-of-the-way stores the next day.
It took me two months almost to the day to get my hands on one - far longer than I was expecting. I finally found a great Xbox 360 stock tracking tool that gave me the inside track on the Best Buy inventory, and got a notification within five minutes of the Bellevue branch getting fresh inventory on Tuesday. Fortunately I wasn't doing anything I couldn't suspend for an hour, so I raced down to the store, calling a friend en route to alert him and arriving just as they were unboxing them at the front of the store.
The tool is by a developer who goes by the rather post-modern name of Untitled. It's written using the .NET Framework 2.0 and it simply polls the Best Buy website on a scheduled interval for stores near you. If their site shows a shipment, it can alert you via email, cellphone SMS text message, a tooltip on the desktop, or a screamingly loud WAV sound effect (which made me jump right out of my seat the first time I heard it). It's a nice little app and I'd encourage you to drop the author the price of a beer using Paypal by way of a thank you if it enables you to get hold of one.
New Xbox 360 stock should be starting to come in a little more quickly now that a third manufacturer has come online, and judging by sale prices on Ebay demand is starting to slow slightly. If you're trying to get hold of one and you haven't had any success so far, install this applet, stay patient and keep your car keys handy at all times!


text:
Investigators are asking for the public's help in finding two people suspected of using stolen identities to make off with motorcycles from local dealerships.
According to police, the two suspects used an online inquiry form to start the process, and managed to finance a Kawasaki ZX10 from Wheels in Motion in Chatsworth, using an identity stolen from a woman in Lemoore, nearly 200 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
"They knew what they needed. They had a driver's license, a Social Security number, an electrical bill, pay stubs. They even had checks with her name on them," said Detective Doug Prentiss of the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention, a multi-agency group that handles unusual and high-profile vehicle scams.
The first suspect, who poses as the identity theft victim, is described as a white female, about 5 feet 7 inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes. The second suspect is a white male with noticeable tattoos down both arms, all the way to his hands. He is about 5 feet 8 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
The two also allegedly tried the scam on at least two other local dealerships, but were rejected when employees became suspicious. Prentiss said there may be more victims.
The two were seen leaving the dealerships in an early 2000s model black Ford F-150 pickup truck with paper dealer plates. From surveillance video, investigators said the car had a high-level of customization, including a tubular front bumper, missing tailgate and a silver tool box across the bed of the truck.
Anyone with information is asked to call Prentiss at 818-830-6977.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The 2012 Indianapolis Colts did a lot of good things, surprising virtually everyone with an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance.
Two things they did poorly: protected their quarterback (thought Andrew Luck held the ball too long too often) and pressured the other quarterback.
Per ESPN Stats & Info: The Colts' pass rush sacked, hit or put the quarterback under duress on 17.8 percent of drop-backs, the second-worst rate in the league. When the Colts sent four or fewer pass-rushers, they averaged a sack every 23.7 drop-backs, nearly five drop-backs worse than the NFL average (18.9).
Meanwhile, Luck was sacked, hit while throwing or under duress on 27.5 percent of his drop-backs, the third-highest rate among qualified quarterbacks. Luck was hit or under duress on 161 action plays, 33 more times than the next-closest quarterback (Josh Freeman: 128).
While I think the Colts will add an offensive lineman in the draft, the free-agent acquisitions of right tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas, addressed the issue on the offensive side of the ball.
The defensive acquisitions hardly addressed the pass rush to the same degree. Defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois may increase the push up front. Safety LaRon Landry and cornerback Greg Toler can upgrade the coverage.
But Robert Mathis is now the lone standout rusher on the roster, and the new strongside linebacker, Erik Walden, is far better against the run than as a threat to quarterbacks. Jerry Hughes shouldn't be counted on as anything more than the third option as a rush linebacker.
The Colts need more of a pass rush.


text:
Dave Page wrote: > > > >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Raphaël Enrici [mailto:blacknoz(at)club-internet(dot)fr] >>Sent: 04 March 2006 22:27 >>To: Andreas Pflug >>Cc: Dave Page; pgadmin-hackers >>Subject: Re: [pgadmin-hackers] 1.4.2? >> >> >>any reason why the patch concerning "double linkage"[1] issue has not >>been applied? >> >>Regards, >>Raphaël >>[1] >>http://archives.postgresql.org/pgadmin-hackers/2005-12/msg00170.php > > > Hi Raph, Hi Dave, > Mainly because it got overlooked (sorry). It won't go onto the stable branch anyway though - we never had a bug report about it (just the patch), At least we got one bug report... see bug #341117 at debian.org [1] :) > and I'm not prepared to modify that code with virtually zero field testing to 'fix' it in 1.4.x. I tested it myself ;) Just joking, I fully understand your position. However, can you please consider adding it for next release? I'll keep trace of it separately in debian packages until it's included upstream. Cheers, Raph [1] http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=341117
Next: From: Dave Page Date: 2006-03-06 08:15:36 Subject: Re: 1.4.2? Previous: From: Florian G. Pflug Date: 2006-03-06 03:36:39 Subject: Re: Query results in grid, new patch


text:
For some people, the main selling feature of this 1968 Ford Country Sedan for sale on Hemmings.com is its original unrestored and clean condition. For others, it's the dual facing rear seats that squeezed one more (likely under-four-foot) person under its greenhouse. Still for others, it̵ ... Read more
If your concept of a Chevrolet Suburban is a giant people hauler with a V-8, auto trans and every amenity known to man, then take a look at this 1969 Chevrolet Suburban for sale on Hemmings.com, fitted with absolutely none of the equipment one would expect save for the four-wheel-drive system. From ... Read more


text:
Pink Announces 2013 'The Truth About Love' Tour Dates
Behind the Scenes With P!nk
She has been all over the web and TV, P!nk has a new Hit song "Blow Me One Last Kiss" it's on her new album titled "The Truth About Love" I think it is fun to see what happens behind the scenes on video and photo shoots...
Pink Gushes About Her Baby Daughter, Meets U.S. Gymnasts on 'Ellen'
Pink Curses Out a Bug + Hangs Out With Her Daughter Behind the Scenes of 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' Video
Pink is the kinda gal you want at all your parties. Even though she downplays her hellraiser image at this point in her career — she once slashed her hubby's tires, earning 13 stitches in the process — she seems like a good time, all the time...
Pink's 'Stupid Girls' Used In CNN Segment Featuring Sarah Palin
Pink is being associated with former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin but something tells us the sassy singer won't mind or be cringing in this case. Her song 'Stupid Girls' from 2006′s 'I'm Not Dead' was used as a music bed by CNN when it ran a photo of Palin holding a bag of Chick-fil-A chicken. So, what's the significance?
Pink Recalls Slashing Hubby's Tires + Getting 13 Stitches in Elvis Duran Interview
Pink has kicked off an intense promotional run for her new album 'The Truth About Love' and first single 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss).' The singer hit Elvis Duran's radio show to talk about 'Love' (her album) and love (her husband, Carey Hart, with whom she has had some knockdown, drag out fights!). She admitted that some of her tough edges have been blunted and softened, but did recall the time she got 13 stitches slashing her Hart's tires! Turns out she was trying to save his life. This you gotta hear!
Pink Reveals Album Title + Release Date
Pink Announces New Single
Good news, Pink fans. The singer and new mom, who was recovering from gallbladder surgery, has announced the title of her new single and it blows. Literally. It's called 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss).' Oh Pink and her naughty, double-entendre title! We likey.


text:
Heart transplants are costly procedures that involve a great deal of specialized care, as well as time in the hospital. The cost of a heart transplant may vary according to the hospital providing the transplant, the area of the country the operation takes place in, and the status of the patient's health.
According to Transplant Living, the average total cost of a single heart transplant in 2007 was $658,800. This figure includes the cost of obtaining a donor heart, at an average of nearly $90,000, about $23,000 in evaluation fees, $40,000 for doctor's fees, $383,000 in hospital costs, $93,000 in post-operative care, and over $29,000 for immunosuppressive prescription medications. Transplants that involved both a heart and a lung cost an average of $874,800, while heart and kidney combination transplants cost an average of $758,700.
A heart transplant usually involves a number of separate costs, each of which may vary according to the medical provider. In addition to the surgeon's fees, there may be fees from the anesthesiologist, the use of the operating room and equipment, the pre- and post-operation tests, the post-transplant therapy, as well as medications. The transplant fees also generally include the cost of locating, preparing and transporting the donor heart. One of the largest costs can be the hospital stay before and after the transplant, particularly for time spent in the ICU, which requires specialized equipment and nursing staff.
Time Frame
Although many patients may only consider the initial cost of a heart transplant, patients must receive follow-up care and continue to take immunosuppressive drugs in the years following the transplant in order to keep the new heart working properly. This follow-up care costs about $21,000 each year, but may be higher or lower depending on the cost of the particular medication, the cardiologist's fees, the number of tests required, the cost of treating any complications that arise, and the patient's overall health.
In addition to medical costs, heart transplant recipients who have to travel to reach a transplant facility may also incur travel costs for themselves and their families. Since transplants are not available at all hospitals, in some cases, a family may need to relocate for a extended period of time and pay for housing costs as well as transportation. Heart transplant recipients may also incur lost income if they are unable to continue working during their preparation and recovery.
Many private health insurance companies cover many of the costs associated with heart transplants, including fees for the surgery, donor heart, medications and hospital stay. Medicare may also pay for heart transplants performed at approved facilities. Even with insurance, the patient may still be responsible for co-payments, deductibles and non-medical costs such as travel expenses. Many non-profit organizations provide financial assistance for heart transplant recipients who do not have insurance, or who do not have enough money to cover their medical or travel costs. Transplant Living, linked below, offers a list of these resources.


text:
The prospect of a dual-booting Apple iPad, iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS capable of loading iOS or Android is one step closer, with a new version of OpeniBoot that can apparently run on the newer Apple devices. Arch modder Hexxeh has been demonstrating the updated tool, which allows booting of unsigned code such as Linux kernels on devices.
Until now, OpeniBoot has been limited to the first-gen iPhone, iPhone 3G and first-gen iPod touch. We're not quite at stable dual-booting stage yet, but if you've always liked the look of Apple hardware but miss your Android fix, this could be one way of achieving it.


text: Konnicheesewa! 10 Things about Me 1. My religion is Ringoism. 2. I worship Cheesus Crust. 3. I am bulimic. But i dont puke. 4. I am tobacco allergic 5. Fav perfume– Eau de Cheddar 6. The only malay word i know is "keju". 7. my motto: "SAY CHEESE!" 8. I drop EVERYTHING. (i have cheesy fingers.) 9. I wonder why there isn't cheese chocolate. (As there are kimchi and red pepper chocolate.) 10. I can impersonate Sadako real well. ( i scared my lecturer on that.)


text:
Watch A GoPro Camera Freefall From A Skydiving Airplane And Survive
Imagine being Mia Munselle, who one day walked out to tend her pigs like she's done every day before, but this time noticed something in the mud that wasn't supposed to be there. She picked it up, discovered it was a video camera and like anyone would do, turned it on to watch what's on it! Here's what she found….
Subscribe to 96.1 The Eagle on
Now while this is a really cool vid and a certain skydiver is probably ecstatic after their 8-month lost camera had been recovered, my skeptical mind jumped into high gear. Why didn't the camera break on impact when dropped from a few thousand feet up? Why was she able to turn it on at all after it sat there for 8 months when it's battery charge doesn't last more than a few hours when on? Assuming it was dead, did she just happen to have the proper charger laying around to charge it up and view? She doesn't seem all that internet savvy as she only joined YouTube this past April and this was her only video, posted just a few days ago. I'm not saying of course that this is a hoax, BUT I would like some more info in order to put my mind at rest over it. At 4 million views as of this writing, it's definitely viral and interesting… After all, what a better way to find the owner of a camera than to post it online and hope they see it…
Now, I have a GoPro AND an airplane and am very tempted to try this experiment out myself if it weren't for the fact that my camera cost $300. Most GoPros are equipped with waterproof cases (but not shock-resistant ones, to THAT degree anyway) so maybe if I find a big enough body of water and drop it, the camera just might survive, or a giant snow drift. Stay tuned, and Mia, in between all of your network interview offers, maybe you could drop us a note with a little more to the story… Has the owner been one of those 4 million viewers and did the camera get returned?
UPDATE- I found a story that confirms this as a true event and not a publicity stunt. Sorry Mia, lol. Conspiracy theorists everywhere can be heard with their collective groan, haha… Still wanna try that though.
Kelly McGarry Shows Off His Bike Skills With The GoPro Camera


text:
Vehicle Pick of the Week: This 2012 Turtle Top Mini Bus Shuttle will be off the website and on the road fast, so don't miss out.
LCT Web-X-clusive: The company's new Simple Accept process allows customers to charter with ease.
An analysis of DMV and DUI data in California makes a correlation, but not a firm conclusion.
The first wave of deliveries of the iconic 2017 legacy luxury sedan is whetting appetites throughout the industry.
A NYC group plans campaign "the likes of which they have yet to see" against the TNC's driverless initiative.
For over a year, users claimed the TNC charged a 20% tip for drivers, but would only pass along less than half.
Chauffeurs are among the many drivers who would no longer be needed.
The ordinance would hold the owner of the company responsible for driver violations, with notices arriving by mail.
By 2021, the company has vowed to start making an autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel, and have it in used in an TNC-like service.
Countless factors can ruin a business trip, but what aspects actually make travelers happy?
The hotel received the highest rankings in consistency, physical appearance, personal amenities, and meeting facilities.
A new report indicates global hotel rates should see a modest increase over the next year, while airfares are expected to stay flat.
The Japanese transport ministry plans to develop the stretch limousine sector for wealthy tourists, entertainers and fun-seekers.
She was able to flag down a passing driver who helped get her to the altar — about 30 minutes late.
The TNC's autonomous vehicle hits the road Sept. 14 in Pittsburgh.
Sign up for LCT's free e-newsletters.
View the latest LCT E-Newsletters:
LCT E-News
LimoForSale Limo Showcase
Affiliate Report
Free Whitepapers
Experience the three annual industry events for networking for business, showcasing vehicles and products, and getting the tools for success.
What's Happening Near You?Click on any state to see the latest industry news and events in that region.
The Car and truck fleet and leasing management magazine
managing 10-50 company vehicles
Executive vehicle management
managing public sector vehicles & equipment
The number 1 resource for vocational truck fleets
Serving the bus and passenger rail industries for more than a century
Serving school transportation professionals in the U.S. and Canada


text:
Subscribe to the Dave Dameshek Football Program on iTunes.
It's a Thanksgiving miracle when longtime DDFP pal, Panthers WR Steve Smith, calls into Studio 66 to talk about his place among the game's best receivers, what he talks about with cornerbacks who cover him, the Panthers' rise, the best QBs he's ever played with, Cam Newton's new maturity & Kobe's new deal. Adam Rank, Handsome Hank, 'Around The League's Dan Hanzus & producer Black Tie all pay a visit to make picks for Week 13 and to throw their pies in the ring for the second annual #DDFP Pie-Off. A delicious time was had by all. Have a taste, won't you?
Download: DDFP 210: Panthers Steve Smith & Thanksgiving Pie-Off


text:
'Lion' Theatrical Trailer - Coming This May - Balakrishna, Trisha, Radhika Apte
Wed, Apr 29, 2015, 01:02 PM
Watch the trailer of 'Lion' movie, which is releasing on May 8th. This is the latest Telugu film produced by Rudrapati Ramana Rao under SLV cinema banner. The film features Nandamuri Balakrishna, Trisha, Radhika Apte in the lead roles. The movie is being directed by debutante Satyadev and the music of the movie is composed is by Mani Sharma. Balakrishna's much awaited action entertainer is likely to enthrall the audience.


text:
The NAACP Irving-Carrollton Chapter held its annual Freedom Fund luncheon Saturday at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving.
The keynote speaker was Rep. Marc Veasey. Veasey talked about his efforts in helping change Voter ID legislation and the importance of voting. Veasey returned to Irving on Monday for a meet-and-greet at Glory House in the Heritage District.
The highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of awards honoring notable members of the community. Mary Higbie, who is a museum guide at the Mustang Museum, received the Fletcher Yates Community Service Award. Delia Watley, a program director for Irving Independent School District's irving.net, was honored with the Educator of the Year Award.
The Business of the Year Award went to Adrian Howard of State Farm Insurance. The Rev. Dennis Webb Sr. of Bear Creek Community Church was given the J.R. Sheppard Clergy of the Year Award.
The chapter presents its Officer of the Year Award, which is usually a surprise until the luncheon, to officer Bennie Bazley for his efforts in reducing crime in the Belt Line/Northgate area.
Chapter president Tony Grimes closed the program by thanking sponsors and urging guests to join the chapter. For details, call Grimes at 214-315-3151.
80th birthday
Kitty Baker is still going strong. She stays busy organizing her Irving Senior Arts program, a service she started 18 years ago to bring the arts to seniors.
Baker took time out from her many activities to celebrate a milestone turning 80. About 200 of her close friends gathered Monday at Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel in Irving for a birthday party.
Among the guests were Rep. Linda Harper Brown, Christina Gears, Irving Symphony Orchestra conductor Hector Guzman and Richard Blair of Artisan Center Theater.
Harper Brown read a celebratory certificate from the Governor's office in recognition of Baker's birthday. Sean Mitchell of The DFW All-Stars serenaded Baker with a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday."
Baker was beaming.
"I've had a wonderful life," Baker told the crowd. "And I have the most wonderful staff."
Although she's asked some of them to take over for her, they keep turning her down, she said. They told her no one can fill her shoes.
Here's to many more birthdays for the dedicated Senior Arts director.
Canal Fest
The bands that performed at Canal Fest got the crowds energerized and on their feet.
Emerald City Band had nearly every festival-goer dancing and singing along with many of its songs. I spotted Irving chief financial officer Max Duplant, herself an accomplished dancer, singing and swaying up front. Also enjoying the band were James Dickens and Roland Medina. The other bands that performed were BlacktopGYPSY and Steel Magnolia.
The city said about 8,000 attended the festival, which included an art exhibit, cultural performances and lots of kids activities.
And goodbye
I'd like to give a fond farewell to Gloria Hernandez, who is leaving neighborsgo this week and heading to another job in Irving.
Best of luck in the new position, Gloria. You'll be missed, but we hope you'll stay in touch!


text:
Concord the name itself implies agreement or
harmony between people or nations, a peaceful relations, a harmony between
things, ideas etc. Hence being a Garment
industry, Concord Creations gives a message starting from our factory workers
till the end buyers or customers that the products are produced with peaceful
environment and a full naturalistic and creativity ideas which goes on and on
and never ends.Hence Concord creations builds every day latest
designs and products which makes the buyers build strong relationship with us.We
manufacture woven and knitted garments for men, women and children.We also take partial orders like CM, Cut to Pack
etc. as per the clients/customers requirements.CONCORD CREATIONS
is considered to be one of the prominent Manufacturer, Exporter and Supplier of
Garments.The products manufactured by us have been
successful in the market due to their latest Designs, styles and qualitative
elements. Our range has always been in accordance with the latest fashion
trends in the market.
Prime motive is to manufacture products which assures the best quality to
satisfy our customers in every angle and
build relationship with the same quality.
Team are experienced professionals who not only work hard but give ideas to
work in such a way that their goals are automatically reached. Their way of work starts from the selection
of raw materials, designing, processing, manufacturing till the end of shipment. Their expertise not only creates good
products, but more than that they build best relationship among team of workers
and also between customers and suppliers.
team will not only concentrate on the products alone, this website is also
planned and created, even whenever new ideas crawls, the websites are amended
to the latest trends.
team with their broad vision, ideas and sense often creates varieties of tools, applications etc. which helps to make and keep the product the


text:
A BMW rolled down a hill, smashed through a back yard and two fences, before plummeting 15ft into a river, and landing on its roof.
The black 1 Series 56 registered car was written off after the handbrake failed.
Shocked owner Aisha Bagdadi said she had only popped into her friend's house, in Progress Avenue, Blackb-urn, for five minutes.
When she left the property, shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, her car had gone and was later found upside down in the Riv- er Blakewater. The 29-year-old mother-of-one said: "The car was parked up and I definitely put the handbrake on. It must have failed.
"When I came out of my friend's house, there were loads of police and, for a minute, I thought the car had been stolen, or that my husb-and was playing a joke on me.
"There was all sorts going through my head. I asked someone if there was a car in the river. They said 'yes' and I knew it was my car.
VIDEO: Man filmed trying to sell sex act for £40 in Burnley car park
Rovers urge fans to buy Bolton tickets
Rovers boss: We've got our recruitment right
"The police said it is one of those things, an accident, it happens."
Fire crews, police, and an ambulance, were called to the scene, in the Little Harwood area of the town, although it was soon discovered there was nobody in the car.
A recovery team yesterday worked to lift the BMW out of the culvert Khalid Esat, whose garden the car tore through, said it was lucky nobody had been killed.
The 29-year-old of Chur-ch Hill Street, who is due to start work at Blackb-urn Youth Zone, said: "We were very, very lucky nothing major happen-ed. It could have been fatal.
"The lady was dropp-off a friend. She just went inside the house and the car came zooming down the street. There was nobody inside the car, nobody walking past, and no cars, thank God.
"It took off the front end of my fence, the boulders and posts, went through the gard-en onto the other side, and then into the wat-er upside down."


text:
PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Waltham, MA, United States, 2015/10/05 - On-Platform Modernization Accelerates Mobile Development for MultiValue U2 and D3 Customers - RocketSoftware.com.
Rocket Software, Inc. today announced the launch of Rocket Mobile for MultiValue (MV), an enterprise mobile development and deployment platform for customers who rely on MultiValue to power their business solutions. Rocket Mobile MV enables customers to leverage their existing U2 or D3 applications to create new mobile applications faster, more economically, and with less risk.
"Mobile is a key way that most organizations engage with their customers and employees, says P. Gary Gregory, SVP & GM, Database Servers and Tools at Rocket Software. Our new mobile solution accelerates modernization by enabling our MultiValue customers to quickly adapt existing business logic and data into new mobile applications, all delivered through a single tool for deploying secure managed mobile applications.
As more organizations implement mobile initiatives for their MultiValue tools, it is critical for them to have confidence that their data will be protected and that implementation will be seamless. Rocket Mobile is a comprehensive mobile platform that helps U2 and D3 customers meet their business and technology goals by simplifying development and offering advanced encryption and sophisticated analytics tools.
Mobile isnt a luxury anymore its critical to just about every vertical today, says Henry Unger, President of Hitech Systems, a major developer of technology for the emergency response industry. We have been using Rocket U2 MultiValue tools for decades, and the addition of a mobility tool will create a lot of strategic value as organizations port more of their solutions to tablets and smartphones, as well as develop new and exciting solutions made possible by such devices.
About Rocket Software
Rocket Software (rocketsoftware.com) is a global software development firm that builds enterprise products and delivers enterprise solutions in the following segments: Business Information and Analytics; Storage, Networks, and Compliance; Application Development, Integration, and Modernization; and Database Servers and Tools. Rocket is engaged in business and technology partnerships with IBM, EMC, Fujitsu, Hitachi Data Systems, Avaya, Epicor, Infor, and many others. The company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
Agency / Source: Rocket Software, Inc.
Availability: All Regions (Including Int'l)
Traffic Booster: [/] Quick PRZOOM - Press & Newswire Visibility Checker
Distribution / Indexing: [+] / [Company listed above is a registered member of our network. Content made possible by PRZOOM / PRTODAY indexing services]


text:
JIM LEHRER: President Obama wound up his trip to Russia today with a new appeal for better relations; that was the message in a meeting with Prime Minister Putin and a speech to a graduating class.
Gwen Ifill has our lead story report.
GWEN IFILL: The powerful former president of Russia welcomed President Obama this morning for a breakfast meeting at his estate outside Moscow. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin served as president until last year, when his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, was elected.
Today, Putin spoke of improving relations with the United States, but he also acknowledged complex and sometimes difficult disputes.
VLADIMIR PUTIN, prime minister, Russia (through translator): There were periods when our relations flourished quite a bit, and there were also periods of, shall we say, grayish mood between our two countries and of stagnation. With you, we link all our hopes for the furtherance of relations between our two countries.
GWEN IFILL: President Obama said last week that Putin, who was for years a KGB officer, had, quote, "one foot in the old ways of doing business." Putin responded, saying his feet were, quote, "planted in the future, as is everyone in Russia."
Mr. Obama offered a more conciliatory assessment this morning.
U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I'm aware of not only the extraordinary work that you've done on behalf of the Russian people in your previous role as prime minister — as president, but in your current role as prime minister.
So we think there's an excellent opportunity to put U.S.-Russian relations on a much stronger footing. And we may not end up agreeing on everything, but I think that we can have a tone of mutual respect and consultation that will serve both the American people and the Russian people well.
GWEN IFILL: The president later told American network television interviewers that he found Putin "shrewd, tough and unsentimental."
Then, he traveled back to Moscow for a commencement address at the New Economic School. It was founded in the early 1990s as the Soviet Union was disintegrating.
BARACK OBAMA: Let me be clear: America wants a strong, peaceful and prosperous Russia.
GWEN IFILL: The president spoke to the graduating class of the issues that unite the U.S. and Russia and of those that still divide the two countries, but he said disagreements need not make the two nations into adversaries again.
BARACK OBAMA: There is the 20th-century view that the United States and Russia are destined to be antagonists and that a strong Russia or a strong America can only assert themselves in opposition to one another.
The pursuit of power is no longer a zero-sum game. Progress must be shared. That's why I have called for a reset in relations between the United States and Russia.
GWEN IFILL: Afterward, Mr. Obama met with Mikhail Gorbachev, whose policies as Soviet leader in the 1980s helped open the closed communist society.
The president then talked with business and civil society leaders and said that U.S.- Russian cooperation must move beyond official channels.
BARACK OBAMA: It has to be between our people. It has to be more than just security or dismantling weapons. It has to be about our common prosperity, the jobs we create, the innovation we unleash, the industries that we build.
GWEN IFILL: And late in the day, he met with political opposition leaders, whose influence on the democratic process in Russia has been dramatically curtailed in recent years.
Mr. Obama leaves Russia tomorrow for the Group of 8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, and an audience with the pope in Rome later this week.
Margaret Warner has been covering the story in Moscow. I spoke with her earlier today.
Margaret, it's good to see you. President Obama spoke today of staging a reset in U.S.-Russia relations. How did that play out?
Response to president's visit
MARGARET WARNER: Well, it was in his speech at the New Economic School, Gwen. And in calling for a partnership with Russia, in saying that he wanted Russia to occupy its rightful place as a great power, he really was sending a new message to the Russians here who have been of the view, as we reported last week and this week, that the U.S. has wanted to really take advantage of Russia's weakness after the Cold War.
And so for them to hear him talk about wanting a prosperous and secure Russia -- I talked to some students afterwards. And even though they didn't go crazy during the speech, they were very struck by that, that the United States was now seeking a partnership.
He's also done an interesting thing, which is to use the imagery of the Second World War to talk about a time when Russia or the Soviet Union and the U.S. were allies. The very first thing he did on arrival was to go to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, behind me up in Red Square, and lay a wreath.
And he talked today about the time when the U.S. and Russia were allies in what he called the greatest struggle of the 20th century and likened the young men who died at Normandy Beach to young Soviet soldiers who died defending and trying to retake the eastern border.
So it really was driving home the entire theme of this trip, today's speech.
Meeting Putin
GWEN IFILL: He seemed to be making quite a generational linkage between himself and the current president. Yet his meeting with the former president, current Prime Minister Putin, wasn't quite as warm, at least it didn't seem that way from here.
MARGARET WARNER: It wasn't quite as warm. Yes, I think that's fair to say, Gwen. They had never met before. They went out actually to Prime Minister Putin's dacha in the country. And we're told by the Russian press that the prime minister's breakfast for him was a classic Russian breakfast: blinis and caviar and tea made in a Russian samovar.
But the briefers who told us about it, the American briefers, said they got right down to brass tacks. They aired their differences. Words were used like "candid, honest and frank," which is usually diplo-speak for fairly blunt, if not brutal.
On the other hand, they said it was quite open and not defensive. In other words, there wasn't any real posturing.
They did agree, for instance, that nuclear weapons proliferation was a threat and terrorism was a threat. They really disagreed on Georgia, and they really disagreed on missile defense. But on that latter issue, they did -- according to the Americans, anyway -- that Putin and President Obama agreed that they would continue talking about this, the two countries would, and would be trying to listen this time to the other side.
At the end, President Obama, he did a couple of interviews, and he called Putin shrewd and smart and tough. And he also said, you know, he didn't think on some of these issues there would be a meeting of the minds any time soon.
But I think it's clear from the fact that, for instance, it was President Obama who extended the meeting by another half-hour, because he wanted to make sure they had a really firm basis and understanding, that this was not a courtesy call and that President Obama fully recognizes that Prime Minister Putin may not be president here but has a lot of power vis-a-vis President Medvedev, with whom, as you said, he seems to have a warmer relationship.
Building business ties
GWEN IFILL: When it comes to issues about business, President Obama seemed to be focusing on trade promotion, human rights, economic security, and casting them as common goals that we have with a nation that used to be our enemy.
MARGARET WARNER: Yes, Gwen. And, in fact, you just linked the two things that he also linked, which is, on the one hand, you think of sometimes business promotion as being one area and democracy promotion as being another.
But the White House sees it really that they're very linked, that if business ties between the U.S. and Russia can grow -- and they're really very small now, despite the American investment here -- the trade between the two countries is 1 percent of all U.S. global trade -- but that if they can help increase this and help boost these ties, it helps create a constituency here in Russia for two things: one, a stronger U.S.-Russia relationship; and, two, for rule of law, contract law, independent judiciary, some of the building blocks of what we consider a democratic society.
So, in fact, he went with President Medvedev to the business summit, and he sort of praised President Medvedev there for what President Medvedev has said he wants to do, in terms of ending some of the bureaucracy. He doesn't use the word "corruption," but that's clearly the subject.
Then he went alone to a meeting with civil society leaders. He wanted President Medvedev to come; the White House pushed very hard for that. President Medvedev did not do that.
But there, President Obama again made the case, as he had in his speech, that the democratic freedoms that we take for granted -- I mean, freedom of press or independent judiciary -- are essential building blocks for a successful society and one that thrives.
And he said, in both venues, I wouldn't be sitting before you as an African-American or standing before you and president of the United States if we didn't have room for dissent and protest, if there weren't a way for minorities in our country to make their voices heard and essentially perfect our society.
So he was trying to really tie the two together and very much a message to President Medvedev to, you know, live up to his rhetoric about wanting greater rule of law in this country.
GWEN IFILL: Was he received in Russia the way he's been received in other foreign nations he's visited, that's to say with a kind of celebrity status? Or was it different?
MARGARET WARNER: Very different. Very, very different, Gwen.
Yesterday, I mean, there were no crowds whenever his motorcade moved, but it was pretty rainy. But today, for instance, as his motorcade went out to Putin's dacha and came back, people were sort of looking up apparently. I wasn't in the pool, but that was the report.
But there were no throngs of people. There's no Obama-mania here. There has been a consistent anti-American drumbeat in the press for the last 8 to 10 to 12 years, and a recent poll here found that fewer than a quarter of Russians -- I think it was 23 percent -- trust President Obama to do the right thing in international affairs.
Now, it's been pointed out to me that that's at least in double-digits, better than President Bush, but it still shows that there's a deep well of mistrust here and that this trip for President Obama was just the beginning of trying to engage Russian society, as well as the Russian government, in seeing our relationship in a new way.
GWEN IFILL: Margaret Warner reporting for us from Red Square, thank you so much.
MARGARET WARNER: Thanks, Gwen.


text:
Bremen reject Real's opening bid for Mesut Ozil
Werder Bremen have rejected an offer from Real Madrid for German World Cup star Mesut Ozil, the German club have confirmed.
• Real beat Bayern in friendly
Ozil, 21, was shortlisted for the Golden Ball award thanks to his impressive performances in South Africa and has attracted widespread interest in recent weeks, with his contract at Bremen expiring at the end of the current season.
Barcelona are Manchester United are believed to be keen on the playmaker but it is Real who have madde the first official move to sign Ozil by having an offer rejected on Friday night.
"We have received an unacceptable offer that does not even provide any basis for negotiations," director of sport Klaus Allofs said.
Real coach Jose Mourinho, who already has new signings Sergio Canales, Pedro Leon and Angel Di Maria at his disposal in midfield, confirmed after his side's friendly victory over Bayern Munich that he hopes to bring Ozil to the Bernabeu.
"He is a very good player and I would be delighted were he to come to us," Mourinho said. "Bremen have said no so we will have to see how things develop. If he comes, it would certainly be excellent. Ozil would definitely help us."
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.


text:
|Trad, 1 pitch, 40'
|YDS: 5.5 French: 4b Ewbanks: 13 UIAA: IV+ ZA: 11 British: MS 4a [details]
|Steve Wunch, 1970
|Page Views:
|Submitted By:
|Clint Locks on May 25, 2003
|Comments on Uninspiring Wall
|Add Comment
|Show which comments —
By Jay Eggleston
From: Denver
Aug 13, 2014
rating: 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
|In the Steve Levin guidebook, it shows the route going straight up over the roof following a thin crack. The line drawn in the photo on this site shows the route going to the right of the roof. We went over the roof at the crack, and it felt about 5.5 in difficulty.


text: I recently switched to split/2-bath fixing for my film development so I can stretch each batch as long as I can. Two questions: Will having the hardener in the first fix prevent the second fix from being effective? If so, and I use a separate hardener bath, should I wash before hardening (to clear as much fix as possible)? Oh, I guess three questions: am I crazy?


text:
Property damage
WILLMAR -- A Willmar resident reported that someone broke into his vehicle, stole some items and ripped up his insurance card and other papers. The incident occurred on the 100 block of Second Street Southeast and was discovered Tuesday morning.
WILLMAR -- A car's windshield was shattered and the front and rear tires on the passenger side slashed, its owners reported to Willmar Police on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred on the 100 block of Third Street Northwest.
WILLMAR -- Four juveniles face charges for a shoplifting spree at businesses along First Street South in Willmar on Monday evening.
Police responded to reports that a group of juveniles had fled from a shoe store after employees there confronted the youths about shoplifting. Police officers and security employees from a grocery store joined a foot chase that resulted in the youths' apprehension near Cub Foods around 8:30 p.m.
Police recovered from the suspects a variety of items believed to have been shoplifted from a number of businesses, including a couple of pairs of shoes. The suspects are male and females ages 15, 14 and 13.
District Court
Kandiyohi County
- William Lee Stene, 20, of Willmar, pleaded guilty Monday to receiving stolen property.
The charge was reduced from a felony to a gross misdemeanor in exchange for the guilty plea and making restitution of $100.
The complaint charged that a Willmar woman returned from a vacation on July 29, 2007, to discover approximately $2,000 worth of jewelry missing from a jewelry box in the bedroom of her home. There was no sign of forced entry. Her son had been at her home with two friends, one of them being the defendant, according to the complaint.
An investigation by the Willmar Police Department found that a ring and bass guitar had been pawned in St. Cloud by the defendant on July 26, 2007, according to the complaint. The ring and guitar were both identified as belonging to the woman and her son and missing from the home.
Stene faces a possible sentence of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
- Troy Carl Anderson, 36, of Willmar, will serve 84 months in prison for felony first-degree sale of methamphetamine.
He must also pay $2,090 in fines and fees.
Anderson received his sentence Monday and was immediately transferred to the St. Cloud Correctional Facility. He was given credit for 207 days served in jail.
Anderson had pleaded guilty April 20 to a felony charge of first-degree controlled substance sale. Three other first-degree charges for drugs were dismissed.
The complaint charged that Anderson sold 15.3 grams of methamphetamineon Nov. 5 in Willmar to a confidential informant cooperating with a CEE-VI drug task force agent.
The complaint states that the purchase was arranged through another person who set the price and directed the sale. Anderson carried out the sale according to the other suspect's directions, the complaint states.


text:
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Mar. 26, 2014) – Senior Kristen Znaniecki (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. / Comsewogue) scored four goals as the Mercy College women's lacrosse team dominated the East Coast Conference rival Knights of Queens College, 12-6. The Mavericks improve to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the ECC while the Knights fall to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the East Coast Conference.
The Mavericks seized the opportunity by scoring just a minute into the game on an unassisted goal by junior Nicole Kline (Deer Park, N.Y. / Deer Park) to lead 1-0. Znaniecki scored two unanswered goals, including one off a free position shot, to take a 3-0 lead with 24:16 left in the first half.
The Mavericks kept rolling as junior Michelle Tiernan (Farmingdale, N.Y. / Farmingdale) scored off an assist from senior Tracey Wandle (Rocky Point, N.Y. / Rocky Point) to take a 4-0 lead. Wandle would be on the reverse end of the scoring transaction on the next goal, as she scored off an assist from senior Kelsey Bub (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. / Walter Panas [Iona College]) for a 5-0 lead.
Sophomore Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y. / Kingston) scored the Mavericks' sixth unanswered goal at the 8:09 mark in the first half. Queens finally lit up the guest side of the scoreboard as Mercy held a 6-1 lead with 7:34 left. Tiernan scored her second goal of the first half as the Mavericks took a 7-2 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Queens made some adjustments at the half to score two unanswered goals early and cut Mercy's lead to 7-4 at the 24:48 mark. Znaniecki completed the hat trick to help the Mavericks maintain a four-goal lead at 8-4 with 20:58 left.
Mercy held a three-goal cushion on goals by Kline and Tiernan. Juniors Meg McNally (Hillburn, N.Y. / Suffern [Lock Haven Univ]) and Marissa Kluber (Wading River, N.Y. / Shoreham-Wading River) scored two insurance goals to help the Mavericks cruise to the six-goal win.
For Mercy, Bub finished with two points on one goal and one assist while adding three draw controls and a caused turnover. Wandle totaled three points on one goal and two assists, while Kline finished with two goals. Freshman Melissa DellaRocca (Lindenhurst, N.Y. / Lindenhurst) had two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
On defense, juniors Marie Roser (Port Ewen, N.Y. / Kingston) and Elizabeth Rjedkin (Howell, N.J. / Colts Neck) both finished with two ground balls. Freshman Alexa Haines (Lindenhurst, N.Y. / Lindenhurst) came in off the bench to win two draw controls. The Mavericks outshot the Knights, 38-7 as Assistant Coach Jillian Maricondo maintained her perfect record on the sideline in place of Head Coach Dawn Anselmin.
Anselmin and the Mavericks will host the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia on Friday, Mar. 28 at 4:00 p.m.


text:
If you would like, please donate:
This is the package signature as generated by The GnuPG. This signature identifies the party that created the package. By verifying it you are sure that the package coming from a trustworty person or organization.
Here is the package signature:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (GNU/Linux) iD8DBQBHrK0lqesEzEdeXBERAlehAJ0d/nNkO1ZjgtESnUNs5mp1voc1CgCdFvYp GOJOaJ+ZCTXdS7bVvZDV0jc= =/oal -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
You can save this signature in a text file (e.g. firefox-126.96.36.199bg-i686-1gds.tgz.asc) in the same directory where the package file (firefox-184.108.40.206bg-i686-1gds.tgz) resides and you can verify it by issuing the following command:
gpg --verify firefox-126.96.36.199bg-i686-1gds.tgz.asc
NOTE: You need to import the public key of SlackPack first:
gpg --import KEY
Filename: firefox-126.96.36.199bg-i686-1gds.tgz
Filesize: 9.09 MB (9 528 106 B)
Date: 2008-02-08 @ 21:27:06
MD5 Hash: e652cce2e8c225798faba0dd1259c916
MD5 Verification:
Signature: View
Contents: View


text:
STAGE TUBE: Lauren Molina, et al. Cover Britney Spears!
Molina starred in the 2005 hit Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd and the Broadway production of ROCK OF AGES. Off-Broadway credits include, Henry, Sweet Henry (The York), Meet Me in St. Louis and Just So Stories (National Tour, Theatreworks/USA). Other credits include Sarah Brightman's La Luna Tour, and Saving Anne (world premiere production in the lead role of Anne Frank). She has also performed in various workshops and master classes along with Broadway composers, colleagues and New York City Opera artists.
Lauren Molina recently won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in a musical, for her portrayal of Cunegonde in Mary Zimmerman's CANDIDE (Goodman Theatre, Chicago, Shakespeare Theatre DC). She will reprise the same role at the Huntington Theatre this fall. She is currently working on John Doyle's TEN CENTS A DANCE at Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Molina is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre, and has also studied at the Yale School of Drama, NYU's CAP 21 Summer Intensive Program and Northwestern University. Regional credits include Parade, Hamlet, Children of Eden and The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. She offers her talents for numerous charities, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Actor's Fund, Phyllis Newman's Women's Health Initiative, Toys for Tots and The Culture Project. Molina can also be found composing music on guitar and cello and singing on the cabaret circuit.
Pianist Scott Bradlee enlisted the help of Molina, bassist Adam Kubota, and drummer Allan Mednard, put together a jazzy cover of Britney Spears' Till the World Ends. Check it out below!


text:
Perfect today in the D.C. area with changes for the weekend
Overnight: Mostly Clear, Comfortable
Lows: 58-67 | Wind: N 5 m.p.h.
Friday: Mostly Sunny, Warm
Highs: Mid to Upper 80s | Wind: Becoming S 4-8 m.p.h.
Tonight, temperatures will be a bit cooler than last night with lows in the 60s under mostly clear skies. High pressure will move off the east coast on Friday, changing winds to southerly and helping bring a bit more moisture back into the region. Highs should reach the mid to upper 80s.
Saturday, an area of low pressure will begin to move in from the west, but the majority of the day should be partly sunny with highs in the mid to upper 80s. If you are planning to be outdoors this weekend, Saturday will be your best bet. Saturday night into Sunday morning, showers and thunderstorms can be expected. This system may bring a few severe storms as well as some heavy rainfall to the area. Sunday will continue to experience the chance for showers and thunderstorms with highs in the mid 80s. Returning back to the work week on Monday, clouds are expected to hang around as well as a slight chance for a few showers.


text:
Last Updated:
Apr 27th, 2017 - 13:51:44
Billy Hickman
Jul 19, 2012, 13:10
Email this article
Printer friendly page
Mr. Billy George Hickman, 77 of Saucier, died Sun., July 15, 2012, following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Hickman was born August 12, 1934, in Saucier to the late Emma (Alexander) and Peter Hickman. He attended Saucier and Perkinston schools. He worked in the areas of timber, cattle and real estate. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lyman. He served as Colonel of Staff for Governor Cliff Finch. Mr. Hickman owned Billy Hickman Land Sales for more than 32 years.
An encouraging selfless man that never met a stranger, Billy had many loves in his life. He loved his chosen profession of land sales and development, exchanging stories with great friends, and recounting events through history. "Billy George", as many knew him, loved people and counted friends as family. His greatest loves were God, his wife and his son.
His parents; siblings, Maxine Hickman, Jack Hickman, Vera Hickman Blackwell, Grace Hickman and Harold Hickman, preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Linda Gartman Hickman; son, Tyler M. Hickman; sisters, Merle Simmons and Gloria Murphy; and many family and friends.
A visitation will be held on Wed., July 18, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport from 6pm-9pm. The funeral services will be held at 3pm, Thurs., July 19, at First Baptist Church of Lyman with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Barney Hickman Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cameron Bell, Dickie Joe Ladner, Gene Stenum, Harold Rouse, Cordell Anderson and Bill Spears. Honorary Pallbearers are Keith Bell, Tom Withers, Harold V. Hickman, Randy Williams, Jerry Gartman, Robert Tompkins, Doug White and Larry Thrash.
Riemann Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Copyright © 2008 - present stonecountyenterprise.com
Wiggins Area Weather


text:
Mitsuo Yamamoto
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Yokohama-Shi JP
|Patent application number
|BINOCULARS - A pair of binoculars is provided with a second bridge portion on which a portion for fitting an adapter for attaching a tripod is provided near to the center of gravity of the binoculars with a given space in the optical axis direction from a first bridge portion that is provided to the objective lens side, thereby capable of preventing a shake upon attaching a tripod through the adapter.
|BINOCULARS - Providing a pair of binoculars that is able to prevent diopter from being changed after adjusting diopter difference by pushing down the focus knob after adjusting diopter difference so as not to touch the operating knob, and able to prevent the focus position from being changed after adjusting focus position by pulling out the focus knob to create a focus lock state after adjusting focus position.
|TRIPOD-CONNECTING ADAPTER - A tripod-connecting adapter for connecting a pair of binoculars to a tripod comprising: a base portion that has a width in which a left and a right lens barrels of the pair of binoculars to be placed thereon come into contact therewith, and restricts rotation of the pair of binoculars around a joint shaft that connects the pair of lens barrels of the pair of binoculars; and a holding device that is provided on the base portion and is connected to the joint shaft to support the pair of lens barrels so that said pair of lens barrels may be placed on an upper surface of the base portion to come in contact therewith, and restricts movement of the pair of binoculars in an optical axis direction of the pair of binoculars.
|TRIPOD-CONNECTING ADAPTER - A tripod-connecting adapter for connecting a pair of binoculars to a tripod comprising: a base portion that has a width in which a left and a right lens barrels of the pair of binoculars to be placed thereon come into contact therewith, and restricts rotation of the pair of binoculars around a joint shaft that connects the pair of lens barrels of the pair of binoculars; and a holding device that is provided on the base portion and is connected to the joint shaft to support the pair of lens barrels so that said pair of lens barrels may be placed on an upper surface of the base portion to come in contact therewith, and restricts movement of the pair of binoculars in an optical axis direction of the pair of binoculars.
|BINOCULARS - Binoculars including: a pair of lens barrels each having a telescopic optical system; and interconnecting portions interconnecting the pair of lens barrels so as to be relatively rotatable about an axis of an axial member that is parallel to an optical axis of each of the telescopic optical systems, an interpupillary distance being adjusted by relatively rotating the pair of lens barrels about the axial member, the binoculars being characterized in further including: a click position setting mechanism serving to set a click position at a predetermined angle of rotation of the pair of lens barrels, the click position setting mechanism being configured to include a rotating member provided on the axial member so as to rotatable about the axis of the axial member and facing the interconnecting portion in a direction of the axis of the axial member, a protruded portion being provided on any one of the interconnecting portion and the rotating member, and a recessed portion being provided on the other of the interconnecting portion and the rotating member and being capable of engaging with the protruded portion; and a lock/unlock member locking the rotation of the rotating member with respect to the axial member and unlocking the locked rotation thereof.
Patent applications by Mitsuo Yamamoto, Yokohama-Shi JP
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Ebina-Shi JP
|Patent application number
|IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - According to an aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes a removing unit, a conveying unit, a partitioning unit. The removing unit includes an edge portion and removes toner on an image carrier while the tip end contacts the image carrier. The conveying unit conveys, toward an axial direction of the conveying unit, the toner removed from the image carrier and moved above the removing unit, the conveying unit being disposed above the removing unit. The partitioning unit is inclined to a conveying direction of the conveying unit and is disposed above the removing unit through a space.
|CLEANING DEVICE, IMAGE HOLDER DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device includes: a removing unit that removes a toner on an image holder by coming into contact with the image holder that rotates; a transporting unit provided above the removing unit and adapted to cause the toner removed by the removing unit to be axially transported as the transporting unit rotates; and an accommodating container in which the transporting unit is provided and which accommodates the removed toner, and the transporting unit is movable in a direction in which the transporting unit moves away from the removing unit.
Patent applications by Mitsuo Yamamoto, Ebina-Shi JP
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Gamagori JP
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Gamagori-Shi JP
|Patent application number
|Ophthalmic photographing apparatus - An ophthalmic photographing apparatus comprising a photographing optical system for obtaining a regional image of an examinee's eye, comprising a light source, a focusing optical element movable in an optical-axis direction by a driving mechanism, and a photodetector, and a control unit controlling driving of the mechanism and obtain the image based on a signal from the photodetector, wherein the control unit further moves the optical element in predetermined steps/continuously to obtain the image at each position, calculates frequency distribution of luminance of each of the images to detect a change characteristic of luminance values having frequencies equal or exceeding a threshold value in the frequency distribution with respect to the optical element position, and detects a focus position of the optical element based on the change characteristics to move the optical element to a position corresponding to the detected focus position.
|Ophthalmic photographing apparatus - An ophthalmic photographing apparatus including an interference optical system for dividing light from a first light source into measurement light and reference light, directing measurement light to a fundus and reference light to a reference optical system, and photo-receiving by a first photodetector interference light, a first optical scanner disposed in a measurement light optical path and scanning measurement light in two dimensional directions, a driving unit moving an optical member in an optical path of measurement light or reference light to change an optical path length, a control unit controlling the driving unit to adjust an optical path length difference, controlling the optical scanner to scan measurement light at a given photographing view angle, and obtaining a tomographic image based on a photodetector signal, and a calculation unit converting a photographing range into an actual distance based on optical member positional information and view angle information.
|OPHTHALMIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - An ophthalmic photographing apparatus of the present invention is capable of favorably assisting an examiner when a three-dimensional tomographic image is obtained. The ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes an optical scanner for two-dimensionally scanning light from a measurement light source, a detector for detecting the state of interference of measurement light from the measurement light source and reference light, an optical coherence tomography device for obtaining a three-dimensional tomographic image of an examinee's eye, an observation optical system for obtaining a front observation image of the eye as a moving image, an arithmetic analyzing unit for specifying an abnormal portion by analyzing through image processing the three-dimensional tomographic image, and a display control unit for extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the abnormal portion from the three-dimensional image, and controls a monitor to display at the same time the extracted tomographic image and the moving image of the front observation image.
|OPHTHALMIC LASER TREATMENT APPARATUS - An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus includes an irradiation position obtaining unit arranged to obtain analysis result data based on a tomographic image of a patient's eye captured by an optical coherence tomography device before a treatment laser beam is irradiated, and obtain information of an irradiation position of the treatment laser beam with respect to the eye set by use of the obtained analysis result data, and a laser control unit arranged to irradiate the laser beam to the eye based on the irradiation position information obtained by the irradiation position obtaining unit.
|OPHTHALMIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING OPHTHALMIC PHOTOGRAPHING PROGRAM - An ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes: an interference optical system configured to acquire a tomographic image of an eye; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the ophthalmic photographing apparatus to: control the interference optical system to acquire multiple tomographic images, and store the multiple tomographic images in a storage unit; acquire a composite image based on the multiple tomographic images stored in the storage unit; start a photographing operation for acquiring the multiple tomographic images based on the photographing position; acquire the composite image from the multiple tomographic images which are acquired by the interference optical system and stored in the storage unit until a first operation signal is received during the photographing operation; and transfer a process to a subsequent photographing operation when a second operation signal is received from the operation unit.
Patent applications by Mitsuo Yamamoto, Gamagori-Shi JP
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Ebina JP
|Patent application number
|VIRTUAL COMPUTER SYSTEM - To improve the maintainability of a virtual machine system, there is provided a mechanism capable of appropriately reporting a failure that occurs in a dedicated PCI device, in a shared PCI device, or in a virtual PCI device. A device for transferring PCI device configuration information between a failure monitoring application and a hypervisor that monitors a PCI device failure is prepared, and the failure monitoring application is operated in a user virtual machine and in a control virtual machine. Based on the above-described PCI device configuration information, the failure monitoring application operating in the user virtual machine monitors a dedicated PCI device failure and a virtual PCI device failure, and the failure monitoring application operating in the control virtual machine monitors a shared PCI device failure, respectively, thereby appropriately reporting a failure of the dedicated PCI device, the shared PCI device, or the virtual PCI device without duplication.
|VIRTUAL COMPUTER SYSTEM, ERROR RECOVERY METHOD IN VIRTUAL COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND VIRTUAL COMPUTER CONTROL PROGRAM - A virtual computer system executes a virtual computer control program on a physical computer and thereby causes guest programs on the logical partitions, respectively. The virtual computer control program includes an error recovery module to periodically recover from an error in a cache memory, an error interruption handler module responsive to an interruption notice caused by an error which has occurred in the cache memory, to recover from an error in the cache memory, and an error data initialization module to recover from an error in the cache memory with shutdown or restart of one of the logical partitions as a momentum. And the virtual computer control program conducts recovery processing from an error in the cache memory.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Hino JP
|Patent application number
|MULTI-PLANE CELL SWITCH FABRIC SYSTEM - Cells which arrive in random sequence from the asynchronously operating exchange parts are restored into the original by a small amount of hardware. Distributing parts as inputs of a switch fabric manage serial numbers continuous for each destination. The distributing part divides an inputted variable length packet into fixed length cells, adds serial numbers corresponding to destinations to the cells, and outputs the cells to the exchange parts. The respective exchange parts deliver the cells to the objected destinations. Alignment parts as outputs of the switch fabric classify the reception cells by the number of the distributing part, and compare an expected serial number managed by the alignment part with a serial number of the destination (alignment part) of the reception cell. An identical one is stored in an aligned FIFO queue, and cells of from a packet start cell to a packet end cell are taken out.
|NETWORK SWITCH AND METHOD OF SWITCHING IN NETWORK - A network switch with a plurality of crossbar switches that is available to suppress increase in the circuit scale is provided. The network switch has: the plurality of crossbar switches that transfer unit data in a specified format; a receiving side transfer unit that transfers data received from a network to the plurality of crossbar switches in the unit data basis; and a plurality of transmitting side transfer units that transmit data transferred from the plurality of crossbar switches to the network. The receiving side transfer sets a consecutive serial number to the unit data in transfer sequence, and distributes the unit data to the plurality of crossbar switches. Each of the plurality of transmitting side transfer units has a plurality of queues for the respective crossbar switches that stores the transferred unit data, and extracts the unit data with smallest serial number of the unit data stored in the queues when all of the queues store the unit data.
|MULTI-PLANE CELL SWITCH FABRIC SYSTEM - A multi-plane cell switch fabric system prevents a decrease of the effective switching capacity when switching the variable-length packets. Distribution units classify input variable-length packets for each address, arranges the packets by a first division length unit, divides the packets into fixed-length cell payloads by a second division length unit that is an integer multiple being twice or more as large as the first division length unit, and forms a fixed-length cell by providing destination information, a source ID, a sequential number, and packet head tail information to each of the cell payloads. The cells are distributed to all the switching units one by one whenever the cells are collected to be the same number as the plural switching units. The reordering units classify the cells, reorder the sequential number in an original order, and reassemble the packets by the packet head tail information of the cell.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Kanagawa JP
|Patent application number
|CLEANING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade that contacts an image carrier and cleans residual toner remaining on the image carrier; a toner pool forming member that is disposed on an upstream side of the cleaning blade in a rotational direction of the image carrier, collects the residual toner that has been cleaned, and forms a toner pool that contacts the cleaning blade and the image carrier; and a toner amount adjusting component that makes the pressure of the residual toner that acts on the image carrier substantially uniform across an axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier by adjusting the amount of the residual toner in the toner pool in the axis-of-rotation direction of the image carrier.
Patent applications by Mitsuo Yamamoto, Kanagawa JP
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Yokohama-City JP
|Patent application number
|Information provision apparatus - An information provision apparatus of the present invention includes a stop detector to detect a stop of a vehicle; a display unit to display various information; and a control unit to control the display unit to display a plurality of display contents in a manner that two successive contents of information differ with each other while the vehicle is standing at the temporal stop. When the vehicle is caught in a traffic congestion to stop temporarily, the driver of the vehicle is entertained by plural contents of the information appearing on the display unit for his/her diversion.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Aichi JP
|Patent application number
|FUNDUS PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - A fundus photographing apparatus for photographing a fundus of an examinee's eye includes: a fundus photographing optical system for obtaining a fundus image, including: an optical scanner that scans the fundus with measurement light including at least part of light emitted from a light source; and a light detector that receives light including reflected light from the fundus; a length information obtaining unit for obtaining length information on an axial direction of the eye; and a controller that adjusts driving information of the fundus photographing optical system in relation to a photographing range based on the length information obtained by the length information obtaining unit and controls the fundus photographing optical system based on the adjusted driving information to obtain a fundus image corresponding to a photographing range.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Kanagawa-Ken JP
|Patent application number
|LEVEL SHIFTER - According to one embodiment, a level shifter includes a high-side switch and a low-side switch. The high-side switch is connected between a high-potential power supply and a connection point and turned on in accordance with an input signal. The low-side switch is connected between the connection point and a low-potential power supply and turned on in accordance with an input signal. A ratio between ON resistance of the high-side switch and ON resistance of the low-side switch is set in accordance with a signal difference between an output signal and the input signal. The output signal is outputted to the connection point.
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Kasawaki JP
|Patent application number
|NETWORK RELAY SYSTEM AND NETWORK RELAY DEVICE - A network relay system includes a plurality of communication devices
Mitsuo Yamamoto, Kameoka-Shi JP
|Patent application number
|HATCHING EGG INSPECTION APPARATUS - A hatching egg inspection apparatus includes a loader unit, an inspection unit for determining the viability or the like as to whether a hatching egg is an unfertilized egg or a growth-stopping egg, a rejection unit for rejecting a hatching egg determined to be an unfertilized egg or the like, and an unloader unit for sending a hatching egg toward the next step. The inspection unit is provided with a light emitting unit for emitting prescribed light toward the hatching egg, a cap attachment unit through which the light having been emitted to the hatching egg and having transmitted through the hatching egg passes, and a light receiving unit for receiving the light that has passed through the cap attachment unit. The cap attachment unit includes a cylindrical cap coming into contact with the hatching egg, and a plate to which the cap is attached.


text:
TORONTO, March 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Richards Packaging Income Fund (TSX: RPI.UN) (the "Fund") announced today a monthly distribution increase, results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2013 and a continuation of the normal course issuer bid.
The trustees approved a 12% increase to the monthly distribution by 0.8¢ to 7.35¢ per Unit beginning with the distribution to unitholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2014 payable on April 14, 2014.
Strong fourth quarter performance with total revenue growth of 6.5% ahead of growth levels for the packaging industry, with both organic revenue growth of 3.4% and the Canadian dollar weakening by U.S./Cdn. 5¢. EBITDA1 increased $0.3 million, or 5.7%, on higher revenues as gross profit and EBITDA as a percent of sales were flat at 15.1% and 10.3%, respectively. Net income was down $0.7 million as the higher EBITDA and the $0.4 million gain on a positive resolution of the Mexican duties dispute was fully offset by $1.2 million mark-to-market loss on exchangeable shares as the price per Unit rose $2 to $10.52 and $0.5 million of higher taxes.
The 2013 results showed significant improvement after a soft first quarter with organic growth in excess of 3% for the rest of the year resulting in overall growth of 2.2%. The foreign currency impact turned strongly positive during the second half with the translation of Richards Packaging US contributing an additional $3.1 million due to the U.S./Cdn. 3¢ weakening. We experienced an across the board revenue improvement of 3.1% for our top 60 customers and 4.1% growth in our small customers. EBITDA1 was up by $0.2 million, or 1.0%, as higher sales and a slight degradation in margins allowed EBITDA as a percent of sales to remain at 11%. Net income was $5.0 million, or $0.46 per Unit, down $1.1 million from the same period in 2012 which mainly reflects the mark-to-market loss on exchangeable shares. The payout ratio3 for the fourth quarter was 77% and 72% for 2013. The $3.5 million in free cash flow2 for the year, combined with the $4.6 million inventory reduction, was utilized to pay down $6.0 million in debt, bringing our leverage ratio to 1.6, to pay for the completion of the patent defense case and to purchase $0.4 million units under the normal course issuer bid.
The Fund also announces that it intends to continue the normal course issuer bid to acquire up to 200,000 of its outstanding trust units representing approximately 2% of its issued and outstanding units. Under the previous normal course issuer bid, ending March 12, 2014, the Fund had purchased 19,500 Units at an average weighted price of $9.00. As at March 7, 2014, the Fund had 10,702,778 units issued and outstanding. All purchases will be made through the facilities of and in accordance with the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange and all units purchased will be cancelled. Except where reliance is had on the Exchange's block purchase exemption, the maximum number of units purchasable under the bid on any trading day will be limited to 1,500 units based on an average daily trading volume of 6,300. The normal course issuer bid will commence on March 13, 2014 and end no later than March 12, 2015. The Trustees of the Fund believe that such purchases are an appropriate and desirable use of available funds.
Details of the Fund's results are currently available on Richards Packaging's website at www.richardspackaging.com and on March 7th on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Richards Packaging Income Fund
The Fund owns Richards Packaging Inc. ("Richards Packaging"), the leading packaging distributor in Canada, and third largest in North America. Richards Packaging is a full-service packaging distributor targeting small- and medium-sized North American businesses. Richards Packaging has operated since 1912 and currently serves over 11,300 regional food, wine and spirits, cosmetic, specialty chemical, pharmaceutical and other companies from 18 locations throughout North America.
|Management defines EBITDA as earnings before amortization, financial expenses, exceptional items (disputed duties and patent defense costs), unrealized losses and dividends on exchangeable shares, share of income - Vision and taxes. EBITDA is the same as profit from operations as outlined in the annual financial statements after adding back amortization and patent defense costs. The definition was changed in 2013 to exclude disputed duties and as a result, relevant comparative amounts have been recalculated to conform to the presentation. Management believes that in addition to net income, EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure for investors of earnings available for distribution prior to debt service, capital expenditures and taxes. Management uses this measure as a starting point in the determination of earnings available for distribution to Unitholders and exchangeable shareholders. In addition, EBITDA is intended to provide additional information on the operating performance. This earnings measure should not be construed as an alternative to net income or as an alternative to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. EBITDA does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore the method of calculating EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
|Management defines distributable cash flow, in accordance with Richards Packaging's credit agreement, as EBITDA less extraordinary items, interest, cash income tax expense and maintenance capital expenditures. Free cash flow is distributable cash flow less distributions. The objective of presenting these measures is to calculate the amount which is available for distribution to Unitholders or exchangeable shareholders and to determine the amount available to fund increases in working capital or expansion capital. Investors are cautioned that distributable cash flow should not be construed as an alternative to cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. Distributable cash flow does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS therefore the method of calculating distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
|Management defines payout ratio as distributions and dividends declared over distributable cash flow2. The objective of presenting this measure is to calculate the percentage of actual distributions in comparison to the amount available for distribution. Payout ratio does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The method of calculating the payout ratio may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
|This release contains certain forward looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "Statements") regarding future growth potential, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities of the Fund. The Statements are frequently identified by the use of such words as "will", "may", "could", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe" and other similar terminology. These Statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the management of Richards Packaging. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those predicted, expressed or implied in the Statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, among other things, changes in customer and supplier relationships, competition in the industry, inventory obsolescence, trade risks in respect to foreign suppliers and fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates. Although the Statements contained in this release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these Statements. These Statements are made as of the date of this release and the Fund assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
SOURCE: Richards Packaging Income Fund
For further information:
Gerry Glynn
Chief Executive Officer
Richards Packaging Inc.
(905) 670-7760
Enzio Di Gennaro
Chief Financial Officer
Richards Packaging Inc.
(905) 670-7760
Browse our custom packages or build your own to meet your unique communications needs.
Fill out a CNW membership form or contact us at 1 (877) 269-7890
Request more information about CNW products and services or call us at 1 (877) 269-7890


text:
Great opportunity to rent entire 2nd floor approx. 1,400 sq ft. office space in a prime location of Kearny; High visibility, Many possibilities of use. Renovated and divided; Commercial Lease. Separate gas & electric meters. Prewired for internet. Prewired for phone. Ready for immediate occupancy.
Listing Courtesy of RE/MAX PARK SQUARE


text:
We examine the limit of spatial resolution achievable when a single optical fiber is used for excitation and collection of fluorescence from a bulk specimen. We calculate the probability of detecting a fluorescent particle as a function of its position relative to the fiber face, using excitation wavelength λ, radius a, numerical aperture N.A., and the particle's fluorescence and absorbance spectra. Treating Rhodamine B as a model fluorescent analyte and using appropriate fiber parameters, we show that the maximum axial resolution (defined as the axial distance in a homogenous solution within which 50% of the detected signal originates) achievable is ∼10 μm. We experimentally measured the axial resolution for a 500-μM aqueous solution of Rhodamine B with λ = 543 nm, a = 1.31 μm, and a N.A. of 0.16 and found good qualitative agreement with the calculation.
© 2003 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article
OSA Recommended Articles
Kanchan Garai, Mohan Muralidhar, and Sudipta Maiti
Appl. Opt. 45(28) 7538-7542 (2006)
Woosub Song, Sucbei Moon, Byoung-Cheol Lee, Chul-Seung Park, Dug Young Kim, and Hyuk Sang Kwon
Appl. Opt. 50(20) 3529-3537 (2011)
Yu-Chung Chang, Jing Yong Ye, Thommey Thomas, Yi Chen, James R. Baker, and Theodore B. Norris
Opt. Express 16(17) 12640-12649 (2008)


text:
Relief Cleaner
- Recruiter
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Location
- Scotland
- Posted
- 11 Oct 2016
- Closes
- 26 Oct 2016
- Ref
- Sectors
- Admin, Secretarial & PA
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
Job Description
Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the Applicant Guidance by clicking on the attachments below. These explain the job role and the type of person we are looking for.
A vacancy has arisen for a relief cleaner to carry out cleaning duties in schools and buildings.
There is a responsibility for the post holder to demonstrate a commitment to quality service delivery through continuous improvement for the benefit of the Service and the organisation.
This post is regulated work with children and protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.
Aberdeenshire Council currently applies a Living Wage Supplement to all council employees earning less than £8.33 per hour.
The majority of posts within Aberdeenshire Council fall into one of the categories as detailed on the Worksmart website - http://worksmart.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/
This post has a minimum requirement of one reference which must be your current or most recent employer.
Relief position hours as and when required.
Informal enquiries to Phyllis Wood - 01261813242
- Routinely clean premises daily / weekly
- Carry out periodic cleaning as directed
The Individual
- Educated to a good general standard
- Ability to work on your own initiative
- Cleaning experience
- Experience in the use of mechanical equipment
See also:
Job Profile Cleaner PVG 2013-11-27.pdf
Applying for a job with Aberdeenshire Council.pdf


text:
by Matt Deutsch
After the majority of August was remarkably cool, Mother Nature turned up the heat Aug. 23.
Just in time for the Golden Eagle Cross Country Invitational at GlenOak High School in Canton.
A total of 21 schools were represented at the Invitational, many of them among the top cross country teams in the state.
However, the Hudson cross country team also turned up the heat, so to speak, posting a fourth-place finish. The Explorers finished with 129 points.
Louisville captured first place with 69 points, while St. Ignatius was second with 80 points and GlenOak placed third with 127 points.
On an individual basis, Hudson senior Kyle Mau led the Explorers the best way he could, winning the race with a scorching time of 16 minutes, 03 seconds.
Rounding out the top five for Hudson were Blake Roberts (18th, 17:16), Matthew Hallgarth (32nd, 17:49.2), Connor Sinko (38th, 17:54.2) and Matthew Stevenot (40th, 17:58.6).
Hudson sophomore Blake Roberts finished in the top 25, as well, crossing the finish line in 18th place with a time of 17:16.
Also in the top 40 were junior Matt Hallgarth (32nd in 17:49.2), sophomore Connor Sinko (38th in 17:54.2) and sophomore Matt Stevenot (40th in 17:58.6).
"I was happy with the effort the guys gave during the humid race conditions," Explorers head coach Mark McConnell said. "Some of the top teams in the state that we are chasing were there. It gave us a great opportunity to test what we can do."
The Hudson junior varsity squad, meanwhile, finished in third place overall.
Finishing in the top 10 for the Explorers were junior Clayton Travis (fifth in 18:45) and freshman Ben Stevenot (eighth in 19:13).
Although the season is in its early stages, McConnell is pleased with what he's seen to this point. The Explorers continue to make great strides from week to week, literally and figuratively.
"Each week, we are getting better and working towards faster times and achieving our goals," McConnell said.
Hudson is scheduled to compete in the Mentor Invitational Aug. 31 at Garfield Park. The race is set to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Email: email@example.com
Phone: 330-541-9444
Facebook: FrankAcetoRecordPublishingCoSports
Twitter: FrankAceto_RPC


text:
Q: I want to drive from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco this summer. What are my choices for vehicles if I don't want to take my own? Nothing but rentals? Or do they still have drive-aways?
A: Drive-aways still exist, though they're not as common as they were. Check out Auto Driveaway, which uses a combination of hired employees and regular folks to transport cars across the country. You have to be older than 23, with a clean driving record and references, and you put down a deposit. But it would certainly be cheaper than a one-way rental.
—Joe Yonan
Q: I'd like to take a week-long winter vacation to someplace warm. I'm a woman in my early 40s traveling alone, so I don't want it to be too spring-breaky, and it needs to be safe. I'd like a nonstop flight from Washington. I'm thinking Caribbean, but there are so many choices.
A: Most Caribbean islands require a connection. If you're willing to transfer, I'd recommend Barbados, which has a good mix of beaches and culture. I'm also a big fan of Grenada; the island smells like a spice shop. For nonstops, you can fly to the Bahamas or Jamaica. Montego Bay has some lovely properties that aren't spring-breaky. For both destinations, avoid mainstream all-inclusives and look for more exclusive guesthouses.
— Andrea Sachs
Q: I want to take a vacation in early March in the continental U.S.; somewhere warm with great beaches, nothing too expensive.
A: I really love the islands off Florida's Gulf Coast. The sand is sugar white, and the vibe is very Old Florida. You can find cheap accommodations during slower times. Take a peek at Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Another option: St. Petersburg, which is just across the bridge from Tampa, so you can hop between the two destinations.
— Andrea Sachs
Q: I'm going to Trinidad this weekend, staying at the Hilton in Port of Spain. I didn't realize that Trinidad isn't really a tourist destination, and the beaches aren't that great. Any suggestions for things to do, other than going over to Tobago, where the beaches are nicer? What to do in the evening, other than drinking and dancing?
A: Who says Trinidad's not a tourist destination? The European Council on Tourism and Trade named double-island Trinidad and Tobago the World's Best Tourist Destination last year. We did a short piece on the nation in our Caribbean issue last year; it described the Asa Wright Nature Center on Trinidad, which sounds interesting, if you're into birding and wildlife. Trinidad's the place for hiking and history, but it definitely has beaches as well, particularly on the North Coast. There are some good clubs in Port of Spain, but since you're not into drinking and dancing, and if you're traveling alone, I'd stick close to the hotel. Parts of the city can be unsafe.
— Zofia Smardz
Q: I'm trying to plan a short (three to five days) cruise for myself, my husband and three of his siblings and their families (kids ranging from 2 to 16). Cost is an important factor. The others have suggested Carnival, but I've heard some bad things about that line.
A: My family of five has cruised on Disney and NCL, and both were great experiences. Carnival has a reputation as more of a budget cruise line and isn't really known for family travel, but I wouldn't write it off. A lot depends on what you expect and where your family's interests lie.
— Christopher Elliott
Q: We'll have three days in Siena in April. What nearby towns should we hit? We won't have a car, so they have to be accessible by bus.
A: I'd definitely hit Montepulciano and San Gimignano, if you have time. Siena itself is gorgeous, and you could easily spend three days there. Everything's bus-accessible in Italy.
— Zofia Smardz
Q: My husband and I are taking a cruise to the Caribbean in early November. We both have passports, though they aren't required for our trip. We plan on going on shore excursions. Should we leave our passports in the stateroom safe when we leave the ship?
A: I always leave my passport in the safe, but I carry a copy of it and my ship ID card. You may also want to carry another form of photo ID, especially if you want to shop and your credit card doesn't have your photo. The only reason for carrying your passport is if you're chronically late and have a decent chance of getting left behind by the ship (and yes, this happens).
— Carol Sottili
Q: I'm looking for a couple of travel ideas for less than $1,000 – either domestic or foreign – including airfare and hotel. I'm open to just about anything but am always up for adding a new state, and I haven't been to the Southwest or the Gulf Coast (Alabama or Florida).
A: Cross the Southwest and the Gulf Coast off your list by booking trips to Austin and New Orleans. You could do a several-day trip to both for under a grand. And they're both amazing. If you mean that you've been to other parts of the Gulf Coast, but not Alabama or Florida, head to Birmingham or Miami.
— Joe Yonan


text:
Latest Stories
Starshot: Space Circus Fever0 Comments
July 7, 1999
The Last Week of June Sees Three New Titles0 Comments
June 29, 1999
Help us solve the toughest (or most puzzling) game puzzles and challenges.
Our attempt to answer issues which most commonly occur on IGN's wikis.
About This Game
- Summary
- Specifications
- Features
- Game Editions
Join Starshot and his fellow circus performers as they try to erase their debts and fend off their dastardly nemesis, Virtua Circus. Virtua Circus, it would seem, aims to kill off all smaller circuses, and monopolize the business. Starshot, an upstart juggler in the debt-riddled smaller troupe, takes off to visit far-away planets to get ideas for new acts; the hope being that these acts will help get the circus back in the black. Each land that Starshot visits is a vast level, with several missions and tons of interesting alien characters. As with most video games, our hero can jump, run, shoot, and fly. Unlike most video games, the object isn't necessarily to kill the enemies. Sometimes an enemy is more like a puzzle that needs to be solved than a scary thing that wants to kill you. Some of these puzzles are so intricate; they almost take on the roll of a series of mini-games with weapons or power-ups as rewards. With so many unique, detailed environments, crazy characters, and time-consuming challenges, STARSHOT: Space Circus Fever has all of the makings of a classic. Its artistry and original gaming concepts are simply fantastic.
- Supported Functions
- Number Of Players: 1
- Vast levels; several missions; interesting alien characters; detailed environments; crazy personalities
Starshot: Space Circus FeverPublisher: InfogramesRelease Date: June 24, 1999MSRP: 57.99 USD
Starshot: Space Circus FeverRelease Date: Dec. 04, 1998
Starshot: Space Circus FeverRelease Date: Dec. 04, 1998


text:
Wendy Reviews Books: Now I Feel 50 Shades Of Awkward
The newest book out there that has people buzzing is "50 Shades Of Grey" by E L Thomas, a book that actually started out as "Twilight" fan fiction, but morphed into something even stranger. Many refer to it simply as "mommy porn".
I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting myself into with "50 Shades" and so I sauntered into my favorite local book store and picked it up, thinking nothing of it. The man behind the counter raised an eyebrow at me, but said nothing, rang up my purchase and sent me on my merry way. He also informed me that as of Wednesday, the book had sold over 10 million copies.


text:
This documentation is archived and is not being maintained.
Visual Studio .NET 2003
The as operator is used to perform conversions between compatible types. The as operator is used in an expression of the form:
- expression
- An expression of a reference type.
- type
- A reference type.
The as operator is like a cast except that it yields null on conversion failure instead of raising an exception. More formally, an expression of the form:
is equivalent to:
expression is type ? (type)expression : (type)null
except that
expression is evaluated only once.
Note that the as operator only performs reference conversions and boxing conversions. The as operator cannot perform other conversions, such as user-defined conversions, which should instead be performed using cast expressions.
// cs_keyword_as.cs // The as operator using System; class MyClass1 { } class MyClass2 { } public class IsTest { public static void Main() { object [] myObjects = new object[6]; myObjects[0] = new MyClass1(); myObjects[1] = new MyClass2(); myObjects[2] = "hello"; myObjects[3] = 123; myObjects[4] = 123.4; myObjects[5] = null; for (int i=0; i<myObjects.Length; ++i) { string s = myObjects[i] as string; Console.Write ("{0}:", i); if (s != null) Console.WriteLine ( "'" + s + "'" ); else Console.WriteLine ( "not a string" ); } } }
0:not a string 1:not a string 2:'hello' 3:not a string 4:not a string 5:not a string
See Also
C# Keywords | is | ?: | Operator Keywords


text:
Crop meeting set for Feb. 5-6 in Minot
The annual North Dakota Crop Improvement and Seed Association meeting will take place Feb. 5-6 at the Grand Hotel in Minot.
Speakers for the conference include Richard Horsley of the North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences and author and former ag broadcaster Al Gustin, among others.
For more information or to register, contact Toni Muffenbier at 701-231-8067.


text:
Full of fun Hairspray has big hits, big laughs and even bigger hair
and we've got 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway.
Set in 1960's America Hairspray tells the story of Tracy Turnblad a young girl with a dream of dancing The Corny Collins Show. But can a trendsetting hair-hopper like Tracy get her massively shy Mom out of the apartment, beat evil Amber to be crowned Miss Hairspray, integrate Corny's show for good AND win the heart of local heartthrob Link Larkin, all without denting her super high 'do'? If anyone can, Tracy can!
The show star's X Factor's Marcus Collins, Eastenders Lucy Benjamin and stage and screen star Mark Benton and is will be at The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from July 16 - August 3.
To be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the show (we've got three sets to giveaway), send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and telephone number to email@example.com Please put Hairspray in the subject line.
Who did Lucy Benjamin play in Eastenders?
a) Pat Butcher
b) Stacey Slater
c) Lisa Fowler
This competition will close on Friday, July 12, at 1pm. Any entrants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a person over the age of 18 to the show. Normal RTÉ competition rules apply, a copy of which can be found here.