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Subotica (Serbian Cyrillic: Суботица) is a city in northern Vojvodina, Serbia. Formerly the largest city of Vojvodina region, contemporary Subotica is now the second largest city in the province, following Novi Sad.
It is also the fifth largest city in Serbia (discounting Kosovo). The city's population (with town of Palić) numbers 105,681 inhabitants, while its administrative area numbers 141,554 people. Subotica is a multiethnic city, with Hungarians (35.65%), Serbs (27.02%), Croats (10.00%) and Bunjevci (9.67%) as largest ethnic groups. It is the administrative centre of the North Bačka District.
The Late Middle Ages
Subotica probably first became a settlement of note when people poured into it from nearby villages destroyed during the Tatar invasions of 1241-1242. However the settlement has surely been older. It has been established that people inhabited these territories even 3000 years ago. When Zabadka / Zabatka was first recorded in 1391, it was a tiny town in the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. Later, the city belonged to the Hunyadis, one of the most influential aristocratic families in the whole of Central Europe.
King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary gave the town to one of his relatives, János Pongrác Dengelegi, who, fearing an invasion by the Ottoman Empire fortified the castle of Subotica, erecting a fortress in 1470. Some decades later, after the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the Subotica became part of the Ottoman Empire. The majority of the Hungarian population fled northward to Royal Hungary. Bálint Török, a local noble who had ruled over Subotica, also escaped from the city.
In the extremely confused military and political situation following the defeat at Mohács, Subotica came under the control of Serbian mercenaries recruited in Banat. These soldiers were in the service of the Transylvanian general John I Zápolya, a later Hungarian king. The leader of these mercenaries, Jovan Nenad, established in 1526-1527 his rule in Bačka, northern Banat and a small part of Syrmia and created an ephemeral independent state, with Subotica as its capital. At the peak of his power, Jovan Nenad proclaimed himself as Serbian tsar in Subotica. He named Radoslav Čelnik as the general commander of his army, while his treasurer and palatine was Subota Vrlić, a Serbian noble from Jagodina. When Bálint Török returned and captured Subotica from the Serbs, Jovan Nenad moved his capital to Szeged. Some months later, in the summer of 1527, Jovan Nenad was assassinated and his state collapsed. This was the last independent Serbian state before the final Ottoman conquest of all Serb-populated lands. However, after Jovan Nenad's death, Radoslav Čelnik led the remains of the army to Ottoman Syrmia, where he briefly ruled as Ottoman vassal.
In 1687, about 5,000 Bunjevci, led by Dujo Marković and Đuro Vidaković settled in Bačka (including Subotica). After the decisive battle against the Ottomans at Senta led by Prince Eugene of Savoy on 11 September 1697, Subotica became part of the military border zone Theiss-Mieresch established by the Habsburg Monarchy. In the meantime the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi broke out, which is also known as the Kuruc War. In the region of Subotica, Rákóczi joined battle against the Rac National Militia. Rác was a designation for the South Slavic people (mostly Serbs and Bunjevci) and they often were referred to as rácok in the Kingdom of Hungary. In a later period rácok came to mean, above all, Serbs of Orthodox religion.
The Serbian military families enjoyed several privileges thanks to their service for the Habsburg Monarchy. Subotica gradually, however, developed from being a mere garrison town to becoming a market town with its own civil charter in 1743. When this happened, many Serbs complained about the loss of their privileges. The majority left the town in protest and some of them founded a new settlement just outside 18th century Subotica in Aleksandrovo, while others emigrated to Russia. In New Serbia, a new Russian province established for them, those Serbs founded a new settlement and also named it Subotica. In 1775 a Jewish community in Subotica was established.
It was perhaps to emphasise the new civic serenity of Subotica that the pious name Saint Mary came to be used for it at this time. Some decades later, in 1779, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria advanced the town's status further by proclaiming it a Free Royal Town. The enthusiastic inhabitants of the city renamed Subotica once more as Maria-Theresiopolis.
This Free Royal Town status gave a great impetus to the development of the city. During the 19th century its population doubled twice, attracting many people from all over the Habsburg Monarchy. This led eventually to a considerable demographic change. In the first half of the 19th century, the Bunjevci had still been in the majority, but there was an increasing number of Hungarians and Jews settling in Subotica. This process was not stopped even by the outbreak of the Revolutions in the Habsburg Monarchy in 1848/49.
During the 1848-1849 revolutions, proclaimed borders of autonomous Serbian Vojvodina included Subotica, but Serb troops did not manage to establish control in this area. In March 5, 1849, at the locality named Kaponja (between Tavankut and Bajmok), there was a battle between Serb and Hungarian army. Although the Hungarian army won this battle, they were subsequently defeated in the summer of 1849.
The first newspaper in the town was also published during the 1848/49 revolution – it was called Honunk állapota ("State of Our Homeland") and was published in Hungarian by Károly Bitterman's local printing company. Unlike most Serbs and Croats who confronted with Hungarians, part of the local Bunjevci people supported Hungarian revolution.
In 1849, following the defeat of the Hungarian army, Subotica, together with most of the Bačka region, was separated from the Habsburg Kingdom of Hungary and became a part of a separate Austrian province, named Voivodeship of Serbia and Banat of Temeschwar. The administrative centre of this new province was not Subotica, but Timişoara. This province existed until 1860. During the existence of the voivodeship, in 1853, Subotica acquired its impressive theatre.
After the establishment of the Dual-Monarchy in 1867, there followed what is often called the "golden age" of city development of Subotica. Many schools were opened after 1867 and in 1869 the railway connected the city to the world. In 1896 an electrical power plant was built, further enhancing the development of the city and the whole region. Subotica now adorned itself with its remarkable Central European, fin de siècle architecture. In 1902 a Jewish synagogue was built in the Art Nouveau style.
South Slavic states
Subotica was part of the Austria-Hungary until the aftermath of World War I in 1918, when the city became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In changed economical and political circumstances, Subotica was now a border-town in Yugoslavia and did not, for a time, experienced again the dynamic prosperity it enjoyed in the years preceding World War I. However, at that time, Subotica was the third largest city in Yugoslavia by population, following Belgrade and Zagreb.
In 1941, Yugoslavia was invaded and partitioned by the Axis Powers, and its northern parts, including Subotica, were annexed by Hungary (This partition of Yugoslavia was not recognized by the international community and city was, from the legal point of view, still part of Yugoslavia, whose only legal representative was Yugoslav government in exile). Hungarian troops entered Subotica on April 11, 1941. During World War II the city lost approximately 7,000 of its citizens, mostly Serbs, Hungarians and Jews. Before the war about 6,000 Jews lived in Subotica. Many Jews were deported from the city during the Holocaust, mostly to Auschwitz. In April 1944 a ghetto was set up. Also, many communists were put to death during Axis rule. In 1944, the Axis forces left city, and Subotica became part of the new socialist Yugoslavia. During the 1944-45 period about 8,000 citizens (mainly Hungarian) were killed by Yugoslav partisans.
In the post-war period Subotica has gradually modernised itself. During the Yugoslav and Kosovo wars of the 1990s, a considerable number of Serb refugees came to the city from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, whilst many ethnic Hungarians and Croats, as well as local Serbs, left the country because of economical stagnation. However, unlike in some other places of Serbia, number of Serbs who moving in Subotica is larger than the number of those who leaving the city. During the break-up of Yugoslavia, local leaders in Subotica were drawn from political parties opposed to the policy of the state government in Belgrade.
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Languages in the Subotica administrative area
Languages spoken in Subotica administrative area (according to 2002 census):
- Serbian = 69,155 (46.60%)
- Hungarian = 57,608 (38.82%)
- Croatian = 8,806 (5.93%)
Note: The Bunjevac language is also spoken in Subotica, but it was not listed separately in the 2002 census results published by the Statistical Office of Serbia; the speakers of this language were listed in category "other languages". The number of those who speak "other languages" (presumably Bunjevac) in the Subotica municipality is 8,914. Some other members of the Bunjevac ethnic community declared in census that their language is Serbian or Croatian. Bunjevac is likely to be listed separately in the future censa, since the members of the Bunjevac ethnic community expressed the wish for affirmation of their language. They also expressed the wish to have school classes in Bunjevac, so the state is most likely to oblige.
Religion in Subotica administrative area (according to 2002 census):
- Roman Catholic = 93,521 (63.02%)
- Orthodox = 38,523 (25.96%)
- Protestant = 2,794 (1.88%)
- other
Subotica is the centre of the Roman Catholic diocese of the Bačka region belonging to Serbia. The Subotica area has the highest concentration of Catholics in Serbia. Nearly 70% of the city's population are Catholics. The liturgical languages used in the city's Catholic churches are mostly Hungarian and Croatian. There are eight Catholic parish churches, a Franciscan spiritual centre (the city has communities of both Franciscan monks and Franciscan nuns), a female Dominican community, and two congregations of Augustinian religious sisters. The diocese of Subotica has the only Catholic secondary school in Serbia (Paulinum).
Subotica had a Roman Catholic Blessed working in it. When the nuns' orphanage and children's dome in Blato has exhausted the food funds for helping poor and hungry children, Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified Petković went to fertile pleains of Bačka and the seat of Bačka Apostolic Administration, Subotica, to solicit help for the orphans and widows. In return, Bishop Ljudevit Lajčo Budanović asked her to found monasteries of her Order in Subotica and neighbourhood, so the locals could benefit spiritually from the instruction of the nuns of her Order… Marija Petković quickly noticed that Bačka also faced the problem of numerous poor and abandoned children, so in 1923, she opened Kolijevka, Children's Home in Subotica. Today this city still has that Children's Home, although the nuns of Marija's Order no longer occupy that Home.
Among another Christian communities, the members of the Serbian Orthodox Church are the most numerous. There are two Eastern Orthodox church buildings in the city; as well as two Protestant churches, Lutheran and Calvinist, respectively. Orthodox Christians in Subotica are belonging to the Eparchy of Bačka of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The Jewish community of Subotica is the third largest in Serbia, after those in Belgrade and Novi Sad. The astounding proportions and beauty of the Hungarian style art nouveau synagogue are the legacy of a Jewish community that once numbered 6,000 members. About 1,000 of the original Jews of Subotica survived the Holocaust. Today, less than 200 people of Jewish origin remain in Subotica.
Surroundings of Subotica are mainly farmland but the city itself is an important industrial and transportation centre in Serbia.
Because of the surrounding farmlands Subotica has some of the most famous food producer industries in the country, with brands such as the confectionery factory "Pionir", "Fidelinka" the cereal manufacturer, "Mlekara Subotica" a milk producer and "Simex" producer of strong alcohol drinks.
There are a number of old socialistic industries that survived the transition period in Serbia. The biggest one is the chemical fertilizer factory "Azotara" and the rail wagon factory "Bratstvo".
Currently the biggest export industry in town is the "Siemens Subotica" windmill factory and it is the biggest brownfield investment so far. The other big companies in Subotica are: Fornetti, ATB Sever and Masterplast.
The most recent companies to come to Subotica are Dunkermotoren, and NORMA Group.
The main reason why foreign industry is usually interested in Subotica are (according to the local economic development office):
- Perfect strategic location for business development
- Efficient and business friendly administration
- Free zone and logistic center
- Well trained, hardworking and easy to come by labour
- Great tourist recognition
The city received the NALED award for being the one of five best cities in Serbia for investors in 2010 and also has the NALED business-friendly certificate.
Tourism is significantly important to the city due to Palić and the Palić Lake being near by, which is by itself a tourist destination. In the past few years, Palić has been famous for the Palić Film Festival. Subotica is also a festival city, hosting more than 17 festivals over the year.
The Subotica tram, put into operation in 1897, ran on electricity from the start. While neighbouring cities' trams at this date were often still horse-drawn, this gave the Subotica system an advantage over municipalities including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Zagreb, and Szeged. Its existence was important to the citizens of Subotica, as well as tourists who came to visit. Subotica has a bus system. The Subotica buses transport people via nine city, six suburban, and ten interurban, as well as two international lines of bus operations. Per year the buses pass some 4.7 million kilometers, and carry about ten million people. The city used to have a tram system, the Subotica tram system, but it was discontinued in 1974.
Important Phone Numbers
- Hospital 024 / 555 – 222
- Bus Station 024 / 555 – 566
- Railway Station 024 / 555 – 606
Famous citizens
- Branimir Aleksić, football player and member of the Serbia national football team
- György Arnold (1771–1848), Hungarian composer
- Sava Babić (born 1934), writer, translator and university professor
- József Bártfay (1812–1864), Hungarian, lawyer, writer
- Géza Csáth (1887–1919), Hungarian, a tragic physician-writer
- Gyula Cseszneky (born 1914), Hungarian, poet, voivode
- Sreten Damjanović (born 1946), wrestler
- Oliver Dulić (born 1975), politician
- Vlatko Dulić (born 1943), actor
- Dr. Kalmar Elemer (1887–1947), lawyer
- Yehuda Elkana, Jewish, born 1934. Israeli philosopher of science
- Lazar Jaramazović (born 1947), national champion in fencing
- Pierre Jovanović (born 1960), French writer and reporter of Serbian origin
- Zoran Kalinić (born 1958), table tennis champion
- Danilo Kiš (1935–1989), Montenegrin-Jewish, possibly the most well-known Serbian writer alongside the Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić
- Juci Komlós (born 1919), Hungarian actress
- Dezső Kosztolányi (1885–1936), Hungarian poet and prose-writer
- Zoran Kuntić, a former Serbian professional footballer
- Félix Lajkó (born 1974), Hungarian, a "world music" violinist and composer
- Péter Lékó (born 1979), Hungary's number one chess player
- Szilveszter Lévai (born 1945), Hungarian composer
- Aleksandar Lifka (1880–1952), a central-European cinematographer
- Bela Lugosi (1882–1956), actor
- Bruck Matija (Bruk Matjas), chemist, creator of Kosan
- Refik Memišević (born 1956), wrestle champion
- Gyula Mester, born in 1972, volleyball player
- Jovan Mikić Spartak (1914–1944), the leader of the Partisans in Subotica, and a national hero who was killed in 1944
- Dr. Arthur Munk, a doctor on RMS Carpathia, famous for saving survivors from Titanic. Doctor Munk was awarded for his helping to survivors
- Tihomir Ognjanov, a former Serbian footballer who was part of Yugoslavia national football team
- Dr. Vinko Perčić (1911–1989), authority in gastroenterology and internal medicine
- Momir Petković (born 1953), wrestle champion
- Bojana Radulović (born 1973), handball player
- Eva Ras (born 1941), Hungarian, actress, painter and Serbian writer
- Magdolna Rúzsa (born 1985), Hungarian pop singer
- Ivan Sarić (1876–1966), aviation pioneer and cyclist
- Tibor Sekelj (Tibor Székely) (1912–1988), Hungarian, explorer, esperantist, writer
- Dr. Stevan Sepesi (1914–1974), Dr of law
- John Simon, Hungarian, American theatre critic
- Đuro Stantić (1878–1918), a world champion in racewalking
- Đorđe Tutorić, Serbian professional football player


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[Comparative historic and contemporary heat maps of the wind energy potential of the continental United States, via NASCA.gov; NASCA documents indicate sources for their imagery include AWS Truewind/NREL via Wired Science and NOAA/NASA]
The North American Storm Control Authority (NASCA), like its predecessor, the North American Water and Power Alliance (NAWAPA), which rebuilt the Rocky Mountains as a massive hydrological reserve and power source, enabling the NAWAPA Three (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) to break OPEC's stranglehold on world energy supplies in the mid-seventies, serves the electricity-generation needs of an entire continent. Unlike NAWAPA, though, NASCA (which is pronounced "näs'kä", like the lines in the Andean desert) supervises a distributed and resilient infrastructure, embedded into the fabric of the cities it serves.
On August 29, 2005, the sudden collapse of a section of the Rocky Mountain Trench sent massive flood waves hundreds of feet tall racing down the Frasier River and tragically washed much of Vancouver out to sea, forming in the process a chiseled scar known as the "North Channeled Scabland". This decade-defining infra-natural disaster plunged much of the West Coast of both Canada and the United States into an extended blackout as the waters which fed the great chains of dam turbines dried up. Shocked into action, North American lawmakers realized that they could not depend on a vast and singular — but fracture-critical — infrastructure to power the continent.
Through much consultation with urbanists, meterologists, climatologists and architectural historians, the combined governments of North America settled upon the scheme which NASCA now regulates: passive architectural climate modification devices, modeled after vernacular construction techniques which produce wind-flows by exploiting temperature and pressure differentials, but also containing within themselves wind turbines and windmills of all sizes, have been deployed throughout the cities of North America, attaching to rooftops, windows, former grain silos, abandoned warehouses, fifteenth-floor penthouses, and suburban shopping malls. Meanwhile and below-ground, sewers and streams long-dormant beneath pavements have been threaded into a network of modernized, urban qanats. Individually, the effect of these devices is minor; an air conditioning system rendered unnecessary here, a warehouse cooled there. Collectively, though, these augments produce enough micro-climatic alterations to alter the productive windscape of the entire continent, channeling and concentrating sufficient wind flow to make cities the geographic center of North American power generation. Every house a turbine, every office park a wind-farm.
[A distributed infrastructure is but one way in which an infrastructure might be designed for failure.]

subset: commoncrawl


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ST. PETE BEACH — Commissioners angrily spent another $56,000 Tuesday for legal bills that stem from ongoing disputes over the city's comprehensive plan.
More than half — $35,000 — was added to the city's 2010-11 budget to cover what may be another banner year of lawsuits and appeals. The rest, about $21,000, covered personal legal bills for one of their own, Commissioner Beverly Garnett, who was sued by former Vice Mayor Harry Metz.
Mayor Mike Finnerty said there's a "big black cloud over the city" in referring to the apparent eagerness by residents to sue the city. Other commissioners agreed.
"It is a classic example of harassment and intimidation," said Commissioner Marvin Shavlan.
"I am positive our budget won't be enough, and I can think of no better thing to do than to defend the city," Vice Mayor Jim Parent said.
Actual legal spending this past fiscal year reached nearly $400,000, double what was originally budgeted, according to City Manager Mike Bonfield.
That money could have lowered property taxes by nearly 0.2 mills; paid for the entire commission and city clerk budgets; covered nearly three-quarters of the public library's budget; doubled spending on capital projects; or tripled the planned 2 percent pay increase for all employees.
A trial started last week over the legality of the 2008 referendum election that changed the city's comprehensive plan. Several other lawsuits on the same issue are either pending or expected to be appealed.
The city also faces two new legal actions, as well as a number of pending motions for court-ordered sanctions.


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The College Gateway Program Works!!
- Gateway starts with the toughest population.
- We instill hope through support.
- We retain and graduate students.
- We prepare students for schools and jobs.
- We reduce recidivism and substance abuse.
- We improve quality of life.
(Click here to see results from our most recent survey.)
Free upcoming webinar featuring Gateway Program Coordinator Catherine Lachman
Thinking Outside The Cell: Providing Educational Opportunities For Offenders & Ex-Offenders
Friday, November 22 ~ 1:00-2:30 EST
States and communities struggle with the social and monetary costs of high recidivism rates. Colorado is no exception: Approximately 50 percent of individuals released from prison find themselves back in the system within three years. At an average cost of $30,000 per year to house a prisoner, it's an expensive cycle for everyone. Now Colorado is trying to change the way it looks at incarceration and re-entry.
A number of community colleges in Colorado have implemented programs targeting ex-offenders, offering them increased services, counseling and other preparation to go on to postsecondary education. This webinar will look at these successful initiatives, why they make sense, and also how the college initiatives can be replicated on other campuses.
Learn more and register at http://www.innovativeeducators.org/product_p/2047.htm
A Gateway Perspective
"…a curriculum and support system that encourages you to use your skills and abilities in new ways, so you become a successful contributor to your family and community.
However, Gateway is about more than academics. We provide personal attention to students while combining traditional coursework with other life skills. Through mentoring, technical assistance, and other resources, we assist you in making positive changes in all areas of your life. Perhaps most importantly, College Gateway is a family. Participants enjoy fun activities such as picnics, holiday dinners, and clubs. Staff and students in the program truly care for one another, providing an on-going support system that encourages and celebrates each participant's success."
Gateway family function at RRCC.
What do graduates say about Gateway?
- "I now have a better idea about what I want to do: continue my education."
- "It helped me find myself and more."
- "You all gave me hope."
- "I moved on and have taken off in a new direction."
- "Gateway helped me discover myself."
- "They put me on track."
In short, Gateway works!
- Gateway starts with the toughest population
- They instill hope through support
- They retain and graduate students
- They prepare students for school and jobs
- They reduce recidivism and substance abuse
- They improve quality of life
- Attends to the "Central Eight" criminogenic factors of offenders
- Utilizes the Risk-Need-Responsivity model
- A surprise element…?
(See case study by DU professor.)
Student Spotlight
Jessica Stovall attended the College Gateway program in 2006 and recently completed her BSN at Metro.
RRCC President's Comment on Gateway
Hear what our President, Michele Haney, has to say about the Gateway program. Listen or download (.mp3)


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(CBS News) HBO is defending the accuracy of its new film "Game Change" in the wake of preemptive claims from Sarah Palin's aides as well as Republican Sen. John McCain that the film is an inaccurate attack.
The film "is a balanced portrayal of the McCain-Palin campaign," according to letter from an HBO representative that was sent to Hotsheet along with an early copy of the film. Quentin Schaffer, HBO's Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, went on to say that the filmmakers were careful to make sure they got the facts right.
According to Schaffer, the two authors of the book that served as the source material for the film - also called "Game Change," and written by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann - checked "every draft of the script to ensure its historical accuracy and thoroughness." He adds that "when their book came out in 2010, it went unchallenged and unrefuted by the Palin camp."
During an appearance on "CBS This Morning" on Monday, Sen. John McCain - who is portrayed by Ed Harris in the film - said the source material was precisely the problem.
"If it's based on that book, which I was briefed on, then of course it can't be accurate," said McCain, who described the book "Game Change" as "full of unattributed quotes, things that absolutely never happened."
Schaffer says the scriptwriter, Danny Strong, spoke to 25 people involved in the campaign, including senior aides, and reached out to both McCain and Palin in an effort to get them to consult and watch the finished film. (Both declined.) Schaffer also says filmmakers used Palin's memoir "Going Rogue" as a secondary source and brought on Palin's 2008 deputy chief of staff, Chris Edwards, to help ensure the film's accuracy.
Last month, Palin aides held a conference call with reporters in which they attacked the film, though they acknowledged they have not seen it.
Palin's former spokeswoman Meg Stapleton said the film's trailers along get "my blood boiling," while former Palin aide Jason Recher deemed it a "false narrative cobbled together by a group of people who simply weren't there." Stapleton said "Game Change" reflects an acceptance of "the false narrative of a couple of people who sought revenge," a reference to former McCain adviser Steve Schmidt and others. Schmidt, who is played by Woody Harrelson in the film, describes "Game Change" as accurate and fair.
"Game Change," which debuts on Saturday, stars Julianne Moore as Palin, and charts her sudden rise from little-known Alaska governor to McCain's vice presidential nominee. (It ignores much of the rest of the race, which was also chronicled in the book.) The two-hour film portrays Palin's triumph at the Republican National Convention and the problems that followed, including concerns in the McCain campaign about her grasp of foreign policy. At one point, Schmidt is shown saying Palin "is on the verge of a complete nervous breakdown."
Palin said in May that she would "just grit my teeth and bear whatever comes what may with that movie."
"Well, I am all about job creation, and I guess I could provide some of these gals who pretend like they're me some job security," she added in an appearance on Fox News. "I would ask, though, that if they're of the mind of spreading the wealth around that perhaps they want to spring for one of my kid's braces or something as they capitalize on pretending to be me."
SarahPAC, Palin's political action committee, labeled the film "fact change" in a video posted on March 1, saying it "presents a history that never happened." Some Republicans are calling the film election-year propaganda that reflects the fact that "Hollywood wants to do whatever they can to discredit the right and the Republicans," in the words of former Hollywood Republicans president Mark Vafiades.
"Game Change" director Jay Roach told "CBS This Morning" on Mondaythat the film is a "true story grounded in interviews with the key figures involved in the campaign.
"I think it's a dramatization, but it's really compelling and it raises all the questions, I think, need to be raised about our political system," he said.
Roach also said the film was meant in part to "humanize" Palin, adding: "She was, at the beginning of it, she was under incredible attack. She had a kid going off to Iraq. She had a 5-month-old baby with Down Syndrome. Two daughters, one pregnant and she's thrown on to the national stage with very little time to prepare for that."
Movie critic Roger Ebert wrote in his positive review that "Game Change" does indeed humanize Palin, though he describes her as someone who "lacked the preparation or temperament to be one heartbeat away from the presidency."
"There is a moment in 'Game Change' when she's alone, and we see the hurt and sadness in her eyes when she realizes that people are finding her lacking," he writes. "She's like a student who studied hard for the exam and failed anyway. The people love her. Alaska still loves her; that's why she's so urgent about the results of an Alaska poll on her popularity. Why are these media creatures being so cruel? Why is everyone picking on her expensive wardrobe? She didn't want the damn fancy clothes in the first place."


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NYCRUNS Firecracker 5K & 10K
Roosevelt Island Firefighter Field
Thu 07/04/2013
500 Participants
Time & Date: Independence Day! Thursday July 4th. Onsite packet pickup starts at 7:30 AM. 5K Race starts promptly at 8:30 AM. 10K starts at 9:00 AM Course Instructions: These races are electronically timed on USATF certified courses.See below for course maps – new maps will be posted in February. There is one H20 station on the 5K course, three on the 10K course. Awards: Awards will be given to the top 3 overall in each gender and first finisher in each 5 year age group. Other Amenities: *The giveaway for this race is a souvenir pint glass. If you register on 6/30 or later though, you will not receive a mug on race day or at packet pickup. You will have to pick one up at NYCRUNS office in late July/early August if you want one. Our apologies but late registration has been much higher than anticipated and we do not want to turn any one away. *A bag check, restrooms, and a great post-race meal will be provided.
- Address:425 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044


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It seems not too many people are aware of the house that Frank Lloyd Wright designed for a man with paraplegia who was injured in World War II.
Below are the details of the home and it's history. The Global Network of Home Modification Professionals-AIM BIG will be sponsoring a field trip to tour the wheelchair accessible home Frank Lloyd Wright designed from Chicago on April 6th, 2016 (the day before the AOTA conference) with Fred Sammons as the guest speaker all are invited there is a link below with more information.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House in Rockford, Illinois is the only building ever designed by the famed architect for a person with a disability. Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent commissioned and lived in the home from 1952 until early 2012, when it was acquired by a private foundation and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
This single-story Usonian home is both functional and beautiful, decades ahead of ADA accessibility requirements. The home features a solar hemicycle footprint, patio, fishpond, carport, and outdoor connectivity to the natural landscape. The modest home is built of Chicago Common Brick and Red Tidewater Cypress and much of the labor and materials were sourced locally from Rockford.
This single-story Usonian home is both functional and beautiful, decades ahead of ADA accessibility requirements. The home features a solar hemicycle footprint, patio, fishpond, carport, and outdoor connectivity to the natural landscape. The modest home is built of Chicago Common Brick and Red Tidewater Cypress and much of the labor and materials were sourced locally from Rockford.
HistoryKenneth and Phyllis Laurent first met when they both worked at the National Lock Company in Rockford, Ill. Soon after marrying, World War II began and Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his tour of duty, however, Kenneth suffered problems relating to his spinal cord and requiring surgery. That surgery left him paralyzed from the waist down. Kenneth spent the next several years hospitalized in the Hines VA hospital outside of Chicago.
As they anticipated Kenneth's discharge from the hospital, the Laurents began exploring housing options that would accommodate his new and different needs. In 1948, Phyllis discovered an article in House Beautiful magazine titled "Love Affair of a Man with His House." The article was written by Loren Pope and described his home designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Laurents soon realized that Wright's thoughtful designs and open floor plans were exactly what they were looking for in their new home.
In August of 1948, Kenneth wrote the world famous architect requesting that Wright design a house for himself and Phyllis. Along with a proposed budget and a description of the lot he wished the house built on, Kenneth also included the following explanation of his needs:
"To give you an idea of my situation, I must first tell you that I am a paraplegic. In other words, due to a spinal cord injury, I am paralyzed from the waist down and by virtue of my condition, I am confined to a wheelchair. This explains my need for a home as practical and sensible as your style of architecture denotes."
After many hitches and starts, punctuated by letters of impatience from the Laurents and pleas for patience from Wright, the plan was finally committed to paper nearly a year after the initial request was sent. One night in July 1949, after the apprentices left the drawing room to attend a performance at the Taliesin theater, Wright went to work. When the apprentices returned a scant two hours later, they found the entire floor plan and perspective drawing of the house complete. Wright's genius had allowed him to completely build the house in his mind during the previous year.
After approval by the Laurents, formal drawings were completed and a contract for the services of Frank Lloyd Wright was signed in July of 1949. The house was completed nearly three years later in May of 1952. The end results allowed Kenneth to realize his full potential as a human being by giving him unrestricted access to everyday living. Wright gave him the level playing field we all take for granted.
Wright developed an uncharacteristic friendship with the Laurents and maintained close
contact with them in the years after the house was built. He would visit them personally at the
house and invited them to "drop in anytime" at Taliesin, Wright's Wisconsin home. The
Laurents participated in his birthday celebration there every year until Wright's death in 1959.
The Laurents and the house Wright built for them held a special place in Wright's heart.
Wright personally selected the Laurent House to be included in a book showcasing 35 of his
most significant buildings. Wright also told many of his clients, on their journey from Wisconsin
to Chicago, to stop over in Rockford and see "my little gem."
Click here for more information on the Chicago Field Trip with Fred Sammons to the Wheelchair Accessible home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.


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You may not agree with GlobalPost writer Alex Besant's contention that "there is no more beautiful urban space" than Paris.
But you can't say he hasn't done his research. The globe-trotting Besant first explored the city at 16, all alone, relishing the new experiences. Years later, he's a seasoned traveler of France (and many other countries).
Hence, his top five travel tips.
"Lesson #1: Find a regular spot — even for a few days."
He also encourages unabashed exploration.
"Lesson #2: take a bus/train to the outskirts of the city and walk in. Lesson #3 for seeing a city properly: Visit the ghetto. Forget ppl who say it's poverty tourism. Ppl should not live in fantasyland."
Do you agree? What are your best travel tips? Let us know in the comments below.
GlobalPost's @AFridayIn Twitter feed showcases the voices and personal experiences of our correspondents based around the world each week. A different correspondent takes over the @AFridayIn account each Friday and tweets about his or her travels and daily activities.
Check out previous Fridays in the series:
"A Friday in Jerusalem" with Alex Besant
"A Friday in Tokyo" with Justin McCurry
"A Friday in Karachi" with Mariya Karimjee
"A Friday in Joburg" with Erin Conway-Smith
"A Friday in Cambodia" with Faine Greenwood
"A Friday in Berlin" with Kristin Deasy
"A Friday in Sao Paulo" with Jill Langlois
"A Friday in Caracas" with Girish Gupta
"A Friday in Munich" with Jessica Phelan
"A Friday in Montreal" with Talia Ralph
"A Friday in London" with Barry Neild
"A Friday in Cairo" with Erin Cunningham
"A Friday in Bangkok" with Patrick Winn
[View the story "A Friday In Paris with the peripatetic Alex Besant" on Storify]


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The Screwdriver Gang: Suspects rob victim, flee on foot
Frederick Police are looking for suspects in a robbery that took place near an apartment complex early Saturday morning.
Police say a victim was robbed of cash by two suspects, each of whom were armed with a screwdriver, in front of a building at the Hickory Hill Apartments at 1467 Key Parkway in Frederick.
The suspects then fled on foot toward the Rock Creek School.
Authorities say the suspects were a black and Hispanic male. The black male was 6'0" tall with a white tank top and short hair, while the Hispanic suspect was 5'5" and wearing a brown tank top and blue pants.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Frederick Police.


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After picking up the Action-Adventure Game of the Year from the VGAS, Dishonored has continued to possess the hearts and minds of critics. Announced earlier today, Dishonored received four nominations from the Game Developers Choice Awards, including Best Game Design, Best Visuals Arts, Best Narrative and, overall Game of the Year. For more, visit the awards' official website.
In other award news, we're two weeks away from the 16th Annual DICE Awards, where Dishonored is nominated for five awards. Nominations include Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction and Adventure Game of the Year.
Additional web highlights to check out include:
- PC Gamer – What if Dishonored was an early 80s text-adventure? PC Gamer fantasizes about such a prospect.
- Electric Playground – Learn what's on Harvey Smith's mind in a new interview for the EP podcast
- Unleash the Fanboy– Recounting favorite moments of 2012, the site recounts "… the intoxicating view of the Victorian, steam-punk city of Dunwall."
- PC Games N – Read how the game's Heart changed robzacny's approach to the game, and creating a "balancing act between moral vanity and damnation".
With so many things to love about Dishonored, OXM UK recently put together a wishlist for a Dishonored follow up. Read the article and share your ideas in the comment section below.


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TORONTO (JTA) — Some lay leaders here are heading back to the classroom to hone their skills.
Ten incoming communal chairs and presidents will work with outside professionals and each other as part of The Joshua Institute for Communal Leadership, a 14-month program being touted as unique in developing lay leaders at Jewish agencies.
The institute, which was launched last month, is being held under the auspices of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. It will partner with the renowned Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto to impart skills in finance, management, human resources, conflict resolution and other areas.
Organizers say the initiative is designed specifically for incoming chairs and presidents of synagogues, schools and communal agencies. The inaugural participants, who will be on the job while learning, are the newest leaders of Hillel of Greater Toronto, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, four social service agencies, two Jewish day schools, one synagogue and a new Jewish community center.
The curriculum will integrate Jewish values, learning and social responsibility," said a UJA Federation statement.
Participants will work with Rotman School faculty and other experts to cover issues such as strategic planning, board governance, financial literacy, communication and media training, fund raising and philanthropy. Conversational Hebrew will be offered, too.
The idea, says the institute's co-chair, is to produce well-rounded, modern and multi-skilled lay leaders ready for any eventuality.
Those who come in to leadership should have as much "knowledge, experience and training as they possibly can," said David Engel, the immediate past chair of UJA Federation and incoming chair of United Israel Appeal Federations Canada.
"To be a lay leader today, you have to have HR [human resources] skills, budgeting skills and skills at building relationships. It's not just about money these days. For our community to prosper and grow and develop, the more knowledge you have, the more training, the more conflict-resolution skills you have, the better."
In February, the 10 participants will travel to Israel for a five-day trip that will stress leadership and Jewish values, Engel said.
The program is also designed so that lay leaders work collaboratively, says institute director Zeeva Millman.
"It brings together participants from different agencies to develop a shared vision for the community as a whole and collaborate for the benefit of Toronto's Jewish community," Millman said.
The first session, on Nov. 9, was led by Marty Linsky, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and the co-author of "Leveling the Playing Field: Advancing Women in Jewish Organizational Life."
Those heading social service organizations face a special challenge, says institute participant Sharon Shore, the incoming president of Jewish Family & Child Service of Metropolitan Toronto.
"With the current economic crisis, a lot of us are scratching our heads" because "the job we thought we had to do is now going to look very different," she said.
One thing Shore expects the program to stress is the need for Jewish organizations to cooperate. She notes that "there's so much overlap."
"We're all servicing the same Jewish community," she said, "and we need to recognize that it's really important to all work together."
Engel says the initiative is modeled on the Wexner Heritage Program, a U.S.-based Jewish leadership development course he took several years ago.
But the Joshua Institute is different, he said, in that it emphasizes commonalities.
"You build a common ground to talk about community issues, so everybody comes to the table with the concerns of their agency or synagogue or school," Engel said.
"But what happens is that you come to build a community of leaders who can talk about community issues. And as you go through your year of chairmanship, you have the ability to reach out to this community, to talk about mutual problems. You have a base of people who are going through the same situation."


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Press release
Performance pressure in difficult times makes way for unethical practices in India
Mumbai, 7 May 2013 – Findings fromEY's 2013 Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) Fraud Survey, Navigating today's complex business risks, show that greater pressure to deliver growth and downward pressure on reward can be a risky combination. This, in some cases, can drive actions that could damage the business, such as fraud, bribery and corruption. 74% Indian respondents agree that managers at their companies will be under increased pressure to deliver good financial performance over the next 12 months.
In rapid-growth markets, where the battle for talent remains fierce, individuals are seeing more reductions in their remuneration than in developed markets. In particular, reductions in remuneration or removal of bonuses appear to be hitting businesses in rapid-growth markets more than mature markets. In India, 43% of respondents were witnessing this.
Arpinder Singh, India Leader of EY's Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services practice says, "India has robust policies but the issue is compliance. In the current challenging market condition, the incentives for unethical conduct can be strong when personal remuneration is at stake and pressure to deliver growth is being felt directly. At the same time, a focus on growth and cutting costs can weaken the systems and teams put in place to prevent and detect these actions."
The results also serve as a warning for multinational companies with subsidiaries in India where 54% think financial performance is often exaggerated. Almost half the respondents in rapid-growth markets agree that companies in their countries often misrepresent financial performance, compared with 29% of those with headquarters in Western Europe.
David Stulb, Global Leader of EY's Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services practice says, "In this environment, some inevitably succumb to unethical behavior. Shareholders expect management to take responsibility for protecting the business by implementing anti-bribery and anti-fraud programs at all levels of their organization. Boards must challenge management to ensure they are focused on high risk areas."
Bribery and corruption prevalent across business sectors
The survey shows the risks of misreporting are compounded by an unethical business environment. In India 69% believe that bribery and corruption are widespread in the country (57% of all respondents across countries), which rises to 67% in rapid-growth markets.
Arpinder Singh says, "Although companies are aware that unethical practices are rampant in the country, many respondents appear to be in denial about how close bribery and corruption are to home. They see it happening widely in the country, but when asked about its occurrence in their sector, they hold a different view. Only 44 % respondents believe that bribery is a common practice to win contracts in their sector. The results seem to say: 'Everyone else is doing it, but not me or my business.'"
Justifying unethical conduct - to win or retain business
The survey results show that, despite the existence of compliance programs and awareness of them, a significant and influential group still regards unethical business practices as acceptable. They are willing, for example, to make cash payments or offer personal gifts or entertainment to win or retain business. In India, over a third of respondents feel offering cash payments to win or retain business can be justified — triple that of Western Europe
Compliance perception gap between management and employees
While majority of respondents are aware that their company has an anti-bribery/anti-corruption (ABAC) policy, the survey shows many organizations have a significant perception gap between senior management and employees when it comes to the relevance and effectiveness of this policy. 60% of directors and senior managers believe that their company would support people who reported cases of suspected fraud, bribery or corruption, whereas only 34% of other employees agree.
Critical business functions continue to question the importance of such programs. For example, just under half of respondents in the sales function either do not consider their organization's ABAC program relevant to their role, or are not even aware of its existence.
Arpinder Singh concludes, "India is a dynamic market and while companies are focused on cost, compliance has to become imperitive. Businesses will always manage these risks differently. One size does not fit all, even in a single business, let alone across sectors and geographies. The message this survey puts out is, businesses face significant threats and must be aware and take action to navigate these risks."
Notes to editors
About the survey
Between November and December 2012, our researchers – the global market research agency Ipsos – conducted 3,459 interviews by telephone, online or in person with employees of large companies across 36 countries in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa to gauge their views on fraud, bribery and corruption.
About EY
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of EY Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. EY Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.
For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global Ernst & Young organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
Ernst & Young Pvt Ltd is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 having its registered office 22, Camac Street, Block C, 3rd Floor, Kolkata- 700016


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- Durable one piece construction
- Fixed head connections that are flocked
- Dulled down paint schemes to eliminate "shine flaring"
- RealMotion Stakes - 18"
- Hand painted
The professionals at GHG teamed up with world renowned decoy carver Tim Newbold to bring you the most realistic Lesser and Cackler goose decoys on the market today. These decoys have feather detail and paint schemes never before seen on a polymer decoy. The Realmotion II system and 18" field stakes make these decoys come alive with even the slightest breeze. Durable one piece bodies prevent broken or lost heads. Take your decoy spread to the next level with these Newobld decoys from GHG.
Technical Information:
Species: Lesser Canada Goose
Pack Quantities: 12
Head Positions: 3 right neck feeders, 3 straight neck feeders, 2 left neck feeders, 1 sentry, 1 walker, and 1 stubby neck sentry


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Miley Cyrus' Mom Tish Files For Divorce From Dad Billy Ray
While there have been rumors of Miley Cyrus' own relationship being on the rocks, it looks like her parents are actually calling it quits. According to TMZ, the "We Can't Stop" singer's mom Tish filed divorce papers in L.A. in order to end her marriage to Miley's dad, Billy Ray.
This isn't the first time the couple has run into hard times. Back in 2010, Billy Ray filed divorce papers, but the two eventually reconciled. The couple have been married for 19 years and have five children together. When Billy Ray filed for divorce the first time around, he claimed it was Miley's fame that "compromised" their family.
Apparently, Miley sent a tweet to her pops earlier on Thursday that read, "@billyraycyrus, since your texts and email obviously aren't working would you like to talk like this." Yikes. So far, neither Tish or Billy Ray have said anything via Twitter or released an official statement.
Maybe there's a chance they'll get back together — after all, this isn't their first time splitting. What do YOU think of Miley's parents calling it quits? Sound off in the comments section.


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excellent for the price. love mine and i own a few
Looking at purchasing a 6.5HP Predator engine for my Quasi-Stellar frame. Want something that has kick to it without modification. I already have an OHV Briggs & Stratton 6HP on a Pepboys frame and that thing flys something fierce.
How reliable are these Predator engines?
I baby my engines so I am not worried about oil changes, treated gas or any of that nonsense. Just curious as to if they're any decent.
excellent for the price. love mine and i own a few
You will not be disappointed. Unless you have REally Really high standards.
I put one on one of my minibikes and couldn't be more happier. For the price you can not beat it!
Mine has been as reliable as my Greyhound clone was, but it seems to burn cleaner, and is super easy to start. I have no complaints.
there 7 h.p read the specs on the box! best $99 i spent starts easy easy to mod and u can beat on them for hours and hours lol just break em in good and u will be fine
Well I just got 2 from HF after doing a ton of research, and you wont find a better deal out there hands down !!
After market parts are also becoming available to really hop these things up, should you want to.
Buy it,,,, you wont be disappointed .
yep i felt real good about the 100$ price tag after riding
you can't even resize a bore and buy a new piston to freshen a briggs for $100
my engine machinist has one for a pressure washer. He said they have plently of material to be ductile sleeved just in case something happens.
for $99. at HF on sale what do you you have to lose, if it clunks out after a year toss it and get another , a $350. Briggs clunks and you will probably cry. I have Briggs, Hondas, Robin and the Predator, my first choices is the Briggs and the Robin but the Predator runs just as good.