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Betzaida Herrera is Miss Reef World
Another beauty crown for Panama
Betzaida was recently featured in the Panama edition of Soho magazine.
Panamas Betzaida Herrera
is the new 2010 Miss Reef World.
Panamas has won Miss Reef in Hawaii. Panamanian beauty Betzaida Herrera has been crowned the 2010 Miss World Reef after beating 10 other contestants on the North Shore of Oahu. Beyond the title, which will once again place Panama in the spotlight for its beautiful women, Betzaida wins her part of the $10,000 prize purse.
Regional Miss Reef contest winners from the Netherlands, Indonesia, Barbados, Peru, Argentina and the U.S. as well as from Panama competed in the contest. After much deliberation, Miss Reef Argentina, Natalia Baccino, took third place, while Miss Reef Peru, Vanessa Tello, took second. Miss Reef Panama, Betzaida Herreras first place win granted her $5,000 and a guaranteed spot in the 2012 Miss Reef Calendar.
The contest can be viewed on-line at www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com.
Special visit for Britannica Day
UK Minister of State James Browne impressed with Panama Pacifico
By Jacob Ehrler
Visiting Panama Pacifico: British Ambassador to Panama Richard Austen, UK Minister of State
Jeremy Browne, Ian Livingstone and London & Regional Panama General Manager Henry Kardonski.
Panama received a visit from UK Minister of State James Browne for Britannica Day at the Bristol Hotel on Thursday, November 24. He was the keynote speaker at this important business forum that stimulates trade and investment between the two countries. He also toured the London & Regional property Panama Pacifico, accompanied by British Ambassador to Panama Richard Austen.
Panama Pacifico is an impressive multi-use project that offers fiscal advantages for multinational companies as well as residential properties in a massive planed community. It is located on the the former US Howard Air Force Base across the the Panama Canal from the capital city.
Whats going on at Howard is a remarkable and ambitious project, said Minister Browne upon returning from a Wednesday visit to Panama Pacifico, and theres a real energy around moving it forward. Browne viewed the master plan with property mogul Ian
Livingstone and general manager of London & Regional Panama Henry Kardonski and then toured the expansive grounds.
Green areas are designed to flow throughout Panama Pacifico.
From the top of Telegraph Hill, he said, you can see that the progress shown on the model is really taking shape. This is Minister Brownes first visit to Panama. He commented that the citys captivating skyline looks like Hong Kong, and was impressed with all of the construction that is taking place.
Britannica Day is a yearly business event organized by the Panamanian British Business Association (PBBA) with valuable information for investors. It showcases British companies with presence in Panama and Panamanian companies in the UK. Panamanian Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Jose Domingo Arias was also a keynote speaker at the event which covered three themes with discussion panels: Current Trends in Financial Services, Why Panama is Open for Business and Panamas Future Economic Outlook.
A reception was held at the residence of British Ambassador Richard Austen on Wednesday, November 24.
A message from Focus Publications Int., S.A.
Successful edition of The Visitor in London
At the Panama Tourism Authority stand in London, behind the counter: Director of Marketing Lic. Nathalie Tesone, Communications Chief Lic. Magda Moreno, Tour Guide Gilberto Almancia and International Events Coordinator Astrid Lopez.
Focus Publications INT. wishes to extend our appreciation to our advertisers for their immense support and those who participated with us in the Special Investment Edition of The Visitor EL Visitante newspaper that was distributed at the World Travel Market 2010 international fair in London. The event took place from November 8 to 13 in England for tourism professionals who received the special edition of this newspaper as well as Focus on Panama tourism guides. Other copies were left with the Panamanian Embassy in London, as a reference and informational support for those interested in learning about our country.
The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) stand was located in the Americas pavilion at the fair, and showed Panama as a world class tourism destination. The private sector participated by offering the different things to do in the country. Among them are: Ancón Expeditions, Bern Hotels & Resorts, Chame Bay Boutique Hotel,Panama Trails, Eco-circuitos Panama, Gray Line Panama, Decameron Hotels, Panama Crow Vacations, Margo Tours, Playa Blanca Resort, Sheraton Hotel & Conventions Center, Turista Internacional, Veneto Gran Hotel y Focus Publications. Our representative at the fair was Ms. Patricia Puentes from the Marketing and Sales Department. All that were present offered the best of Panama to the visitors of the fair.
Patricia Puentes of the Marketing and Sales Department at Focus Publications, distributes copies of The Visitor and Focus on Panama to visitors to the Panama stand at the World Trade Market fair in in London.
The delegation from the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) was headed up by the Advisor to the General Administration Lic. Ernesto Orillac and the Director of Marketing Lic. Nathalie Tesone, who held important meetings and interviews with tour operators, wholesalers, travel agencies and communications media who were all interested in Panamas growing tourism sector, such as Travel Weekly, EFE News Agency, Hfu Reisenhofer from Real Travel magazine, Andy Hoskins of Selling Long Haul, ABTA Magazine, Ms. Pippa Jacks, TTG, and others.
Other representatives who participated are: Lic. Magda Moreno the Communications Chief, Astrid Lopez the International Events Coordinator, Gilberto Almancia, Tour Guide and cultural representatives.
Panamas airline grows
Another ten Boeing planes for Copa
The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation.
Copa Airlines, subsidiary of Copa Holdings S.A., announced this week the signing of a rental contract for ten new Boeing 737-800 jets, five of which will be delivered in 2011 and the other five in 2012. This brings the airlines total of airplanes on order to 33, all of them the same model of Boeing jet.
These leases represent an new push for our expansion plans and they give us the opportunity to strengthen our regional leadership even more as a connective point, commented Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. This new fleet acquisition coincides with the awaited finalization of the expansion of Panamas Tocumen International Airport, increasing our airport capacity by over 50% by mid 2011.
The new jets will have a design characteristic called Boeing Sky Interior, with new modern lateral panels and new curtains, offering passengers a new flight experience. At the same time, the new jets are more efficient, with an estimated two percent reduction in fuel through a combination of design and motor improvements in the new models.
The Boeing 737 Next-Generation is the newest and most technologically advanced in its class. It flies higher, faster and farther than previous models and other airplanes that it competes with. The cabin has the latest in liquid crystal display screens and capacity for new communications systems, according to a press release from the Seattle-based airplane manufacturer.
The lease contracts for the ten planes were signed with three different companies: GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS, 5 units), BOC Aviation (3 units) y Aviation Capital Group (ACG, 2 units).
Hands of Stone to be filmed in Panama
Gael García Bernal will play Panamas legendary boxer Roberto Durán Al Pacino still to confirm participation
Gael García Bernal.
Roberto Durán.
Al Pacino.
Mexican actor Gael García Bernal will play Panamas legendary boxer Roberto Hands of Stone Durán, an ex world champion of boxing and beloved Panamanian figure. The biography-style movie will be directed by Venezuelan Jonathan Jakubowicz, according to the digital version of Variety magazine.
The website also sustained that Al Pacino is very close to accepting th depart of trainer Ray Arcel, and that Spanish actor Óscar Jaenada is already confirmed to participate in the production, though his role has not yet been defined.
The movie, that will be called Hands of Stone, will be filmed in Panama and New York and will be mostly in English. The film has a 15 million dollar budged and is produced by Ben Silverman and Paul Webster.
I am excited that Gael will be playing Roberto Durán. This is a story that is going to make a big impact, said Silverman.
Jakubowicz, who wrote the script, will also act as as a producer. Roberto Duráns son, Robin Durán, will be an associate producer.
Roberto Durán made his professional debut in 1968 at the age of 16 and retired in 2002, at age 50. In June of 1980 he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard and was crowned champion of the welter weight category. When it was time for the rematch in November of the same year, he surprised all that were watching the match when he returned to his corner of the ring and said his most famous phrase no más.
Expats organize food and supply drive for orphanage at El Rey
Esté atento a la oportunidad de ayudar a un orfanato en los puestos
de supermercados El Rey en la ciudad este fin de semana.
If shopping at the El Rey supermarket over the next two weekends, you may encounter some expats who will invite you to donate part of your purchase to the Malambo Orphanage. Expat volunteers have banded together to work shifts at the Calle 50, El Dorado and Albrook locations of El Rey supermarket on upcoming Saturdays and Sundays: November 27 and 28 and December 3 and 4.
The non-profit organization behind the food and supply drive called Besitos de la Mariposa (Butterfly Kisses), is dedicated to helping children in need at the Hogar San Jose de Malambo orphanage in Arriján. Representatives say that it is easy to participate, by simply adding a few items from a list that they will provide upon entering the supermarket, like formula, detergent and other basic necessities.
Volunteers are being accepted to man stations at supermarkets throughout the holiday season.
To make a donation in person, the items can be dropped off at: Pan y Canela (Ciudad del Saber), Super Gourmet (Casco Viejo), Chic Papier (Bella Vista), Panama Sol Realty (Coronado Mall), Promises (San Francisco), Dgriss Art Gallery (Edif Torres del America), Auto Shine (Via Porras) or Bhappy (Calle Israel).
Monetary contributions may be made by deposit to the general fund for the San Jose de Malambo Orphanage at Banco General, account number 03-06-01-000724-2.
Besitos de la Mariposa organizes a quarterly food and supplies drive direct to the orphanage. Volunteers bring the children-much needed items like diapers, soap, sugar, rice and beans. For more information visit www.besitosdemariposa.org.
New boat, new instructor at Panama Sailing School
Panama Sailing School, an American Sailing School (ASA) certified sailing school in Panama City and Bocas del Toro, has announced that French Kiss V is returning to Panama for six months of cruising and use for the VIP Cruising Groups.
The school has also added another certified captain and instructor from the United Kingdom starting in December for the next six months. Lee Daniels has extensive knowledge and experience in sailing, racing and instruction in the UK, Australia, USA and Canada. For the past five years Lee has been an instructor in Antigua. His arrival makes him the third internationally accredited instructor at Panama Sailing School. Visit www.panamasailingschool.com.
Australian Ambassador meets with compatriots
Ted James, editor of the weekly
shipping newspaper The Bulletin,
Australian Ambassador to Panama
Katrina Cooper and Bob McIntosh,
regional representative of Millers Oil.
The Australian Ambassador to Panama, Ms Katrina Cooper, recently made a periodic diplomatic and business visit to the country from her base in Mexico City. She took the opportunity to met members of the Australian community at a pleasant happy hour exchange at the Sushi Bar of the Radisson Decapolis Hotel.
The Aussies in attendance pose for a photo: Ted James, Annabel Franco, Rebecca Smith, Daryl Ellis, Steve Magaric, Yari de Magaric, Richard Paterson, Kylie Ellis, H.E. Katrina Cooper, Naomi Judge, Clint Walton and Bob McIntosh.
Nikki Beachs official opening
One of Nikkis currently open properties, showing a glimpse of the luxurious lifestyle that the Nikki brand is famous for.
Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts, is a luxury brand of properties, clubs and hotels known for an elite clientèle. Panamas long-awaited Nikki project on Playa Blanca is almost ready to open up. The $30 million Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Playa Blanca is on Panama´s Pacific Coast, about 75 miles west of Panama City. Its 230 guest rooms, including deluxe rooms, suites and penthouses, will exude the brands taste for luxury, leisure and a party atmosphere all mixed in one.
The resort with, its 100,000 square feet worth of pools, private cabanas, live entertainment and food and drink areas will open its doors on December 20. The big opening party, however, is expected to be celebrated for the New Year. To find out more contact Destiny Real Estate at 204-5757 or write to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Pullmantur offers eight day all-inclusive cruise from Colón 2000 in Panama
Last month, the Spanish cruise line Pullmantur began offering a new Antilles and Southern Caribbean route from its new home port at Colón 2000. Through June of 2011, the Ocean Dream will call in to port in Panama every Friday.
The new route includes an itinerary of eight days and seven nights with stops in ports at Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta in Colombia, Aruba, La Guaira in Venezuela and Curacao.
Aboard the Ocean Dream, there is all-inclusive service including unlimited beverages and exotic cocktails. The Family Plan invites children up to 16 years of age to cruise free when sharing the cabin with adults.
The cruise, designed to target the Latin American market is also enjoyable for Spaniards, with a Latin atmosphere and Spanish-language service.
Visit www.pullmantur.es.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Colombian granted asylum
The daily La Prensa reported that last Friday, Maria del Pilar Hurtado, former director of the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) of Colombia was granted territorial asylum by the Government of Panama, which continues to generate criticism both inside and outside of Panama. Former Colombian judge Cesar Julio Valencia, who chaired the Colombian Supreme Court in 2007, when Hurtado was in charge of the DAS, charged that granting her asylum is an inconceivable act because Hurtado is being investigated for common crimes, not political ones.
Panama flag on oil rig
With the flagging of an oil drilling platform in deep water of the Gulf of Mexico, called GR-Centenario, Panama explores the possibility of flagging these structures that represent a business of approximately $7 million. The flagging ceremony was held last week in Mexico in the presence of executives of the company Grupo R de Exploración Marina de México and representatives of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
Peruvian company
in Panama
Panama continues to attract companies looking to expand in the region. The Peruvian recruitment company Amrop announced that it will install itself in the country, with an investment of $1.5 million. The company already has a presence in most South American countries.
MEF at Ultra
The daily Panama America reported that the office of the President of the National Journalism Council (CNP), Guillermo Antonio Adames, said the Omega Stereo radio station (98.9 FM) was taken over this week by auditors from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
FTA with USA in 2011
The daily El Siglo reported that Panama must wait until the first half of 2011 when the United States can create a greater dynamism to promote ratification of the Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) between the two countries. This is even though Panama has complied with labor law changes and and a tax information agreement to comply with the US strategy to bring the three treaties (Panama, Korea and Colombia) to Congress for ratification.
Cruise ships from Colón
With more than 2,000 passengers aboard the cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas of Royal Caribbean line sailed last week from the cruise port of Colon 2000. This cruise ship and the Ocean Dream, of the Spanish chain Pullmantur, are some of the ships that set sail for cruises of seven days from the Panamanian Caribbean port.
Growth economy
Panamas economy maintained a growth rate of 6.56% during the years 2008 and 2009, when the global economic crisis intensified with more force.
Promoting science
and health with the
Dominican Republic
The ministries of health of the Dominican Republic and Panama, represented by ministers Bautista Rojas Gomez and Franklin Vergara, respectively, signed an agreement to promote scientific programs, health and academics through training health personnel in both countries. There will also be scholarships for poor students to study medicine and its specialties.
Commerce Minister in Washington
US Congressman Joseph Crowley received the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Roberto Henríquez, in Washington. The minister used the meeting to promote ratification of the trade promotion agreement (TPC) between the US and Panama. He also met with representatives of major US companies, with whom he shared aspects of investment in Panama.
Preparation for Hanta virus season in central provinces
With the arrival of the harvest (dry) season in Coclé and central provinces also come rodents, which are a danger to people, especially those living near farms and grain storage facilities for crops such as corn and rice. These places are ideal for the mouse which carries the Hanta virus. Some 100 health officials, epidemiologists and vector control experts met in Penonomé to participate in launching the campaign to prevent and control the Hantavirus.
Panama to support Cubas economic reform
Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela said Panama is ready to support the economic reform process that Cuba is beginning, providing technical assistance grants for training companies and cooperatives. Varela reiterated that the country will maintain its support in international forums because it is a situation that will determine the future of the Cubans.
Claiming money for Noriega
Panama will have formalized this week a suit in France to collect one million euros in compensation being claimed after the French courts sentenced former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega, Panamas diplomatic sources said. We want the French to pay us, sources stressed to Reuters, which stated that the application will be processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
$580 for Metro Bus drivers
The consortium Panama Mass Transit presented its final proposal for a base salary for drivers who will operate the new transportation system Metro Bus: $580. The proposed increase of $100 to $480 offered by the consortium in the beginning was viewed with surprise and annoyance by the drivers who were invited to the conference.
Construction sector
still growing
The construction sector will close this year with growth of between 3% and 5%, said the president of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC), Jaime Jované. We continue to grow, although not to the levels of previous years and this is positive given the global financial crisis. We are very pleased that Panama is still growing, in comparison to what is happening with the other countries of the region, he said.
Salary law
The Government anticipates amendments to two articles of the Tax Code in order to reduce tax evasion. The payments made for expenses of representation will not exceed 100% of salary. That is, a person may not have more income from representation expenses than in salary.
Good economy discussed in Geneva
Panama is one of the few economies that were not affected by the global recession and financial crisis and also maintains steady growth. This was announced by Investment specialist BSI bank in Geneva, Switzerland. Diego Caballero Yanez said that these are extremely positive signs.
Beer tax hike to pay elderly pensioners
The daily La Critica reported that part of the increased pay for pensioners announced by President Ricardo Martinelli could be found in a tax increase that comes from the sale of beer. This is because the Government is still searching from where it will get the funds, so a tax increase on beer is the strongest option, according to an official source. Currently, the tax for both liquor and beer is 10%.
Chiriquí hydro snuffed
The daily Panama America reported that the hydroelectric project on the Chiriqui Viejo River in Chiriqui, which had been awarded to the company Ideal Panama, owned by the son of Carlos Slim, was declared illegal by the Third Chamber of Administrative Litigation of the Supreme Court. The judge of the Third Chamber, Victor Benavides, nullified as illegal two resolutions issued by the Public Services Authority (ASEP).
Building on the bay
in Juan Diaz
According to the daily La Prensa, there is approval to build a residential project in the mangrove bay in Panama Bay beyond Juan Diaz. The daily reported that the project already has the approval of the National Environmental Authority (ANAM). In light of violation of existing national rules that had declared the area a protected area and a wetland of international importance, an ANAM official justified the adoption on the grounds that it is a protected area that does not have a management plan. In these cases, he said, the plan of the private project is accepted.
New benefits at
Panama Pacifico
National authorities and investors participated in the launch of the new benefits offered by the Panama Pacific Special Economic Zone in Howard. It included a tour of the facilities of the area and the integrated system of procedures that seeks to promote the attraction of new businesses to the project. The users and business operators that locate there can handle matters within the jurisdiction of various State agencies.
Postal workers do not
want to go private
Post Office workers are alert to the possibility of privatization, although they reject this action which is being sought by the Ministry of Government. In the general meeting held over last weekend, the Association of Post Office Employees (ACOTEL) said they agreed with modernization, but do not accept privatization.
Cooperatives growing
The cooperative sector has grown steadily over the past three years, despite having spent years challenging the global financial crisis. The 521 cooperatives that exist in Panama handled in total, $400 million in assets.
Banking loan figures
Banks operating in the local market with a general license have paid out $12,521.9 million in new loans at the end of September, representing an increase of 9.9% compared with December last year. In absolute value it is $1,130 million more than received from various economic activities in the country at the end of the third quarter, according to data collected by the Superintendence of Banks.
Two new casinos
The Gaming Control Board (JCJ) endorsed the opening of two new full casinos in Panama City that will join the 16 already operating in the country. One of these two new casinos is the Gold Lion Casino in El Dorado.


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Wilton López
(Redirected from Wilton Lopez)
Wilton Aristides Sevilla López
also known as Wilton Sevilla and Aristides Sevilla
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 189 lb.
Biographical information[edit]
Wilton López is a relief pitcher who made his debut for the Houston Astros in 2009. He has pitched for the Nicaraguan national team several times. He was the 11th Nicaraguan in the majors. He is the brother of Diomar López.
In the 2003 Baseball World Cup, López (then going by the name Wilton Sevilla) went 1-0 with a save and a 1.54 ERA, allowing only four hits in 11 2/3 IP.
Signed by scout Edgar Rodriguez, López began his professional career in 2004, appearing for four New York Yankees affiliates in A and Rookie ball, but only totaling 12 1/3 IP between his stops. He was then put on the restricted list by New York and spent two years pitching in his native Nicaragua.
During the 2005 Baseball World Cup, Wilton allowed one run in 4 1/3 IP and saved the 1-0 win over the Czech national team, relieving longtime Nicaraguan star Julio Raudez. He helped Nicaragua win Gold in the 2006 Central American Games. In the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, he allowed 13 hits and 7 runs in 7 innings, but only two earned runs and struck out 7; he lost his lone decision for Nicaragua. In the 2006 Americas Olympic Qualifier, Lopez allowed five runs in 9 1/3 IP.
He signed with the San Diego Padres next and debuted in their system in 2007, playing for the Fort Wayne Wizards and Lake Elsinore Storm, going 1-0 with a 3.30 ERA in 22 games for the former and 2-1 with a 6.10 ERA in 22 games for the latter. He walked only 3 batters in 50 2/3 IP and was second among Midwest League relievers in fewest walks per 9 innings. In the California League playoffs, he went 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He was then added to the Padres' 40-man roster.
He played for the Storm, San Antonio Missions and Portland Beavers in 2008, going 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 30 games with the Storm, 0-2 with a 4.93 ERA in 27 games with the Missions, and 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in one game with the Beavers.
He was waived by San Diego after spring training 2009 and was claimed by the Houston Astros. Pitching for the Corpus Christi Hooks, he went 4-5 with a 4.73 ERA but walked only 13 in 110 1/3 IP. He was called up to the big team in late August, and in his debut on August 28th, he gave up a home run to the Diamondbacks' John Hester, who was making his own major league debut as a pinch-hitter. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits in 4 innings of relief in a 14-7 loss that day. He was 0-2, 8.38 in 8 appearances that first season, but much better things were ahead.
In 2010, Lopez established himself as one of the most reliable performers out of the Astros' bullpen, something which would continue for three seasons. He put up a 2.96 ERA in 68 games in his first full season as a major leaguer, then followed that with a 2.79 ERA in 71 innings in 2011 and a sparkling 2.17 ERA in 64 games in 2012. Those performances occured with the Astros stuck in the lower reaches of the NL Central, meaning that Wilton went largely under the radar, especially as he was a middle reliever the first two seasons, getting relatively few decisions. In 2012, however, he registered a 6-3 record and 10 saves and walked only 8 batters - against 54 strikeouts - in 66 1/3 innings. He was one of very few bright spots on a team that set a franchise record for losses. The Astros decided to cash in on Lopez's value after the season, trading him to the Colorado Rockies on December 4th in exchange for two young pitchers with plenty of potential, Alex White and Alex Gillingham.
- 2008 Padres Media Guide
- 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games
- Defunct IBAF site

subset: commoncrawl


text: Hi folks, I must admit that I for now gave up on trying to make the decoration module more efficient. I tried two of the three ideas I had, and they didn't work well at all. My third idea (turning most of the lists in the decoration module into binary trees) is likely to work well, but for now I don't have time to implement it, particularly because it's not one of my main issues I would like to see addressed in xmonad. Related to the above, however, I noticed that even without decoration, fast focus switches drive my CPU usage up, much more so than in other non-tiling window managers. Running top gave me a surprising insight: it's not xmonad but the X server that consumes that many cpu cycles when focus switching. Here's my theory of the source of the issue: every focus change triggers the recomputation of the layout (as it should because some layouts rearrange windows in response to focus changes), and every recomputation of the layout updates the geometry of every window currently visible - that's a lot of work on the X server's side for a simple focus change. (1) Can anybody who is more familiar with the inner workings of xmonad core confirm that this is indeed what's going on? (2) A fairly simple fix for the above would be to cache the geometries of visible windows and tell the X server to update a window only if its geometry has in fact changed. Does anyone on the list have a feel for how hard it would be to add such a caching mechanism to xmonad core? Would it break anything? At this point, I'm simply pondering what can be done about it, as one of the reason's I'm using xmonad is that I want a lightweight desktop environment. (When fast focus changes drive one of my cores to 50%, that's hardly lightweight.) It'll be a while before I would get around to trying to implement the above. Cheers, Norbert -- () ascii ribbon campaign - against html e-mail /\ www.asciiribbon.org - against proprietary attachments


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Dear Straight Talk: I separated from my wife last year after much unhappiness. Our youngest, "Jon," 16, is living with his mother because she allows a no-rules environment — plus, he blames me for the divorce. Last year his grades sank, he got a minor-in-possession ticket for pot, this summer he was involved in petty theft, and without asking, "borrowed" a family friend's car for the night. I am worried sick. My ex obstructs me at every turn in providing him guidance and I'm the bad guy for being upset. What do you and your panelists suggest? — "Richard," Sacramento
Colin 19, Los Angeles: Battling with your ex just means Jon suffers. Work around her. You can find ways to be with your son. Put him on the spot and ask him what kind of person he wants to be. Pose this same question to your wife. Best way to get them both to listen: admit your past mistakes.
Gregg 21, Los Angeles: Best thing that helped me with my father was going to counseling. Getting in a room and talking with him (with the help of the counselor, after individual sessions) made me able to live with him. Push for and create as much time with your son as possible. Time with you is less time for trouble. Find out what positive activities he likes and treat him to them.
Christina 20, Marysville: High five for having the cojones to step up when everyone else is letting him down. Standing up to him shows you care and causes a conflict of interest in his brain between his current lifestyle and what he knows is better.
Of the guys who graduated with me, the pot addicts split pretty much in half, some setting up for jobs or college, and the others — well, they must've lacked positive role models like yourself. I'd like to sugarcoat this, but they didn't go down a good road.
Make sure to be a great (stern) father through every inch of his journey. Even if he continues negative behavior, don't give up! Eventually, his "buddies" will disappear (drugs, jail, being "daddies," etc.) and he will need you.
Dear Richard: You son is in huge trouble. He needs to become your top priority — not just in hand-wringing. It's man-up time. Consider his meltdown your opportunity for finding your male power.
Colin is correct that apologizing/admitting mistakes is the No. 1 way to open doors to communication and respect. Drop any need to be "right" and focus on action. Gregg is correct that family counseling can help you get there. Don't rag your son about it yet. Find a good one and go first. (I suggest a rehab counselor; they work with families, divorce being when many kids start using.)
Christina's point about proving that you care is huge. He needs proof in action that you didn't divorce him. Finally, I am so grateful for Brandon equating a great father with a stern father. Kids really do want that faithful sternness to lean on — many enter the military for this reason.
Get your backbone on and barge into your son's life. Flood him with text, email, phone, and face-to-face time. Be tireless in your devotion to straightening him out and he will respond. — Lauren
More from Lauren Forcella: The two-parent family works so well because women tend to be more sensitive and sheltering in their parenting and men tend to be more stern and brave. It's a great combination because kids need both impulses. Teenagers, especially, need what fathers have to give — that is, fathers who haven't been neutered into thinking that they can't be stern and demand right action from their kid. I'm not talking about corporal punishment — that worsens things — but teens really crave fair, faithful, male sternness. For girls it feels protective and helps them not lose confidence as they develop a woman's body; for boys it wakes them up and gives them a leader to follow, which is step one in becoming a leader themselves.
In the past, teen boys were spirited away by male elders for initiations into manhood. These same men were there in daily life as well, as constant allies and mentors. Today, fathers with a group of male friends who consciously support each other and each other's children, benefit everyone greatly. Our sons, especially, are suffering from lack of engaged male role models.
For fathers reading this, if you're not already in one, consider joining or forming a men's group. In many households, women have all but taken over parenting. I rejoice in the rise of feminine power — and what we really need is collaborative honoring of the masculine and feminine equally. It's time, Dads, to take back your very needed role. —Lauren
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Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model All three major indices are trading down today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading down 23 points (-0.2%) at 13,146 as of Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, 11:50 AM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,344 issues advancing vs. 1,517 declining with 152 unchanged. The Materials & Construction industry currently sits up 0.1% versus the S&P 500, which is down 0.3%. On the negative front, top decliners within the industry include MasTec ( MTZ), down 1.0%, NVR ( NVR), down 1.4%, James Hardie Industries ( JHX), down 1.6%, Foster Wheeler ( FWLT), down 1.3% and PulteGroup ( PHM), down 0.7%. TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 5 stocks pushing the industry higher today: 5. Granite Construction ( GVA) is one of the companies pushing the Materials & Construction industry higher today. As of noon trading, Granite Construction is up $0.76 (2.4%) to $32.40 on average volume Thus far, 114,077 shares of Granite Construction exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 230,700 shares. The stock has ranged in price between $31.53-$32.63 after having opened the day at $31.56 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $31.64. Granite Construction Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as a heavy civil contractor and a construction materials producer for public and private sector clients in the United States. Granite Construction has a market cap of $1.2 billion and is part of the industrial goods sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 27.0, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 33.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 3 analysts that rate Granite Construction a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 3 rate it a hold. TheStreet Ratings rates Granite Construction as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, solid stock price performance, growth in earnings per share and increase in net income. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins. Get the full Granite Construction Ratings Report now. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Jim Cramer's Protégé, Dave Peltier, only buys Stocks Under $10 that he thinks could potentially double. See what he's trading today with a 14-day FREE pass
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Just a couple of days ago, Melody Valentin…A n elementary school student, found in her pocket a folded and torn piece of paper…A square with the bottom quarter torn away.
She threw it in the trash and another young student, obviously a victim of indoctrination, programmed to be scared to death and to inform on offenders, then notified the government, in this case, a teacher, the nearest figure of authority.
"He yelled at me and said I shouldn't have brought the gun to school and I kept telling him it was a paper gun but he wouldn't listen."
The teacher yelled at Melody, telling her that the cops should be called and that she should be arrested.
He searched her in front of her classmates.
Melody's classmates started calling her a murderer.
Little Melody Valentin was suspended and the incident will now be a part of her permanent record thus reinforcing to her classmates that even possessing a folded and torn piece of paper which may or may not simply LOOK like a gun is something for which they will be punished and possibly arrested.
Where did this indoctrination of today's youth and affront to common sense take place?
Why…In the very birthplace of freedom…Philadelphia…of course.
This was NOT last week's ONLY such event.
Last week, a 5 year old girl from Mouth Carmel, PA was interrogated for more than three hours, forced into psychological testing and then suspended by school officials.
Because she was accused of making "TERRORISTIC THREATS" for joking about shooting her friends with a PINK, HELLO KITTY…BUBBLE GUN!!!
My friends, this is the exact same "zero tolerance" policy that this administration, this socialist, tyrannical government want us…ALL of us…To live under.
ANYTHING that even LOOKS like a gun will NOT be tolerated and…If Melody's 10 year old classmates are this deeply indoctrinated NOW…Just imagine what they will be like, after another 7 years of programming as they head off to asylums of HIGHER indoctrination and…Voting booths.
This is the OTHER side of the socialist coin.
What they can't get now, through legislation or by decree, they will have an easy time within the NEXT decade as more and more of the indoctrinated begin to vote.
Make no mistake.
When Obama says he's not coming for your handguns, your rifles or your shotguns…
He is.
When Obama says he believes in the 2nd Amendment and the right of the people to keep and bear arms…
He most decidedly does not.
"Getting this bill signed into law will be an uphill battle, and I recognize that — but it's a battle worth having."
Those were the words of Diane Feinstein as she, a couple of days ago, rolled out her proposed gun ban legislation. Legislation that would ban 150 different weapons.
Know this…The proposed bill will NOT pass NOR do I believe it will even reach the floor of the Senate for a vote.
It was a trial balloon. A test to register the response from the Dictator's own party.
Does that mean it's dead?
No. Far from it.
Obama's campaign team is back, reformed into a 501c 4 organization, tax free and ready to raise money for the Dictator's new campaign.
Populous control disguised as "gun control" for your and your children's safety.
Enacting such a ban on so many various weapons as Feinstein proposes, would absolutely ensure that only cops and, bad people with bad intentions and no respect for the law would have them and that, according to Feinstein and others, would add to YOUR safety and the safety of your children.
How many times are the cops where the bad guys with bad intentions are. Are the cops in your home when the bad guys break in? Are they in the convenience store when it gets robbed? In the classroom or the movie theater?
It is SO absurd in fact that those pushing this tripe could not possibly believe, allowing only those bent on destruction to have these weapons, would lead to your added security.
Therefore, there must be some OTHER reason for proposing such legislation and for taking guns away from the people.
We're not stupid.
We CAN see the real reasons and we have been warned about them.
Patrick Henry – "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."
James Madison – "Americans [have] the right and advantage of being armed — unlike citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust people with arms."
Were such words spoken or written only by those who framed the Constitution more than 200 years ago? This is, of course, the argument employed by those wishing to nullify the 2nd Amendment – That is out of date and therefore useless by today's standards.
Certainly not.
Don B. Kates, Jr., Encyclopedia of the American Constitution, MacMillan Publishing Co, NY, 1986 – "However controversial the meaning of the Second Amendment is today, it was clear enough to the generation of 1789. The amendment assured to the people "…their private arms, …" said an article which received James Madison's approval and was the only analysis available to Congress when it voted. Subsequent contemporaneous analysis is epitomized by the first American commentary on the writings of William Blackstone. Where Blackstone described arms for personal defense as among the "…absolute rights of individuals…" at common law, his eighteenth century American editor commented that this right had been constitutionalized by the Second Amendment. Early constitutional commentators, including Joseph Story, William Rawle and Thomas M. Cooley, described the amendment in terms of a republican philosophical tradition stemming from Aristotle's observation that basic to tyrants is a "…mistrust of the people; hense they deprive them of arms." Political theorists from Cicero to John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rouseau also held arms possession to be symbolic of personal freedom and vital to the virtuous, self-reliant citizenry (defending itself from encroachment by outlaws, tyrants and foreign invaders alike) that they deemed indispensable to poplar government.."
It is not YOUR safety for which this administration and their "gun control" campaigners show concern but THEIR safety, as part of an ideology plotting tyranny.
Tyranny today? Tomorrow? Next year or in the next decade?
All of the above, for tyranny, absolute control of the populous and a nation of subjects both willing and otherwise, is the goal of socialism.
They will start under the guise of YOUR protection but more importantly, the protection of the children because anyone who would stand against government protection of children must and will be labeled a monster and they will do it by legislation or decree whichever is more expedient.
Today, it's "assault weapons" but, hiding in the Feinstein bill are more than 150 different weapons.
Obamacare was not going to cost you a dime but hidden within THAT bill were 21 new taxes.
They're not going to take away your existing guns.
This is the first step towards that very measure.
Banning these guns is for you safety and the safety of children.
When Feinstein succeeded in banning "assault weapons" back in 1994, it was found to be an utter failure and those bans were reversed in 2004.
Naturally, the better thing to do now, according to Feinstein, is infringe on MORE of your rights.
They will label as criminals, the Patriots who stand for their Constitution.
Like little Melody Valentin in that grade school, Patriots will be made an example of in front of their peers.
Melody was suspended. Patriots will be jailed.
Nobody will be more safe but, the People will be disarmed through societal pressure, regulatory measures, whatever laws that may be passed, decrees and, by force.
Think Ruby Ridge and Waco if you don't think that your government is capable of firing on and killing its citizens.
And of course, in time, little Melody's classmates will vote and yes, they will be running for office themselves.
"Gun control" by attrition.
It's a bleak picture isn't it?
Maybe not as bleak as you might think.
In tomorrow's Weekend Edition, I will lay out what WE must do. How WE can meet this overreach of government head on.
Meanwhile, keep this in mind…
Just as little Melody Valentin was made an example of in her Philly school last week, we to can make an example of her.
Without knowing it, without trying to be, I will suggest to you that Melody Valentin may well be the littlest Patriot and great things come in small packages.
Don't miss tomorrow's National Patriot: Weekend Edition!!!!!
Craig Andresen
The National Patriot
Weekend Edition 1/26/13


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Friday, September 22, 2017
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD & mild high altitude
I am considering a train tour at Copper Canyon Mexico with minimal exercise/walking/climbing. The highest altitude may be around 7000ft.
I am diagnosed with COPD/asthma but it seems to be under control with Advair,& Spiriva. Rarely is bronchodialator needed. I have been fairly inactive for several months (foot problem) but am able to restart treadmill exercise.
This trip will not be until 2009.
What advise can you give me regarding this trip considering the COPD.
Thank you.
This question should definitely be posed to your treating physician. Being in the best possible condition will help your body use oxygen more efficiently. We encourage our patients to be enrolled in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, if at all possible. Your oxygen saturation could be a consideration since you will be at 7000ft. Depending on your oxygen saturation at rest and with activity, a high altitude hypoxia test in determining any oxygen needs at the higher altitude.
Make sure you bring your controller and emergency medications with you and have your emergency inhaler with you at all times and be in the best possible physical condition before your trip.
Gretchen Whitby, APRN
Nurse Practitioner of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University
Phillip T Diaz, MD
Professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University


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> This is great, we thought we may go for code changes, we will go with this > solution instead. But you did catch Stephan's point that an outer join is not required to produce the result you apparently want? The equivalent inner join will be at worst just as fast, and possibly faster, both for PostgreSQL and for Oracle... - Thomas
Next: From: Curt Sampson Date: 2002-07-31 06:23:43 Subject: Re: Why is MySQL more chosen over PostgreSQL? Previous: From: Tom Lane Date: 2002-07-31 06:17:50 Subject: Re: Why is MySQL more chosen over PostgreSQL?


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Bambino Box Coupon Code: Exclusive $5 Off
We have another great exclusive coupon code for Bambino Box and this time it is for a dollar amount off instead of a percentage. Save $5 on any order with this exclusive coupon.
Click here to shop @ Bambinobox.ca now
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The minimum charge to use this coupon code is $5 for obvious reasons but as long as it is more than that, you can use it. In fact, I tested it out on their organic no scratch mittens that are priced at $5.99 and it gave the discount at the checkout bringing the cost down to just $0.99! What an incredible deal!
Bambino Box is the perfect gift idea for a baby shower. They have a variety of Hampers that you can buy as a gift by yourself, or go in on a group purchase for something a bit bigger.
The reason I like these hampers as a gift idea is because they come with everything a new parent would need. You can get hampers with bibs, diapers, bathing items, accessories and just about anything you would need for a baby. You can also choose how big they are, what items they have in them and you can send the one time or on a monthly basis which is pretty cool.
As for the cost of shipping, you will get free shipping on all orders of $100 or more. You will also get free shipping on all Hampers with no minimum necessary.
Check out all of the Bambino Box coupons on the Bargainmoose coupon forum.
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2 comments
- JenniferI just used this coupon and saved $5.00 on a Blowout Blocker! Thanks so much for this one!
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- Details
- Category: Leisure Breaks and Personal Retreats Leisure Breaks and Personal Retreats
16-20 October 2017
£219 per person, half board, residential (rate inclusive of VAT and guaranteed single occupancy).
£159 per person, half board, residential (rate inclusive of VAT and is based on shared occupancy).
4 Nights, Monday-Friday, Half Board
There is much to be said for having a break from routine. So why not come and relax and let us look after the washing up!
Your break begins after 4 p.m. on Monday, with an evening meal at 6 p.m., until Friday morning after breakfast.
Come and relax in the conservatory overlooking Oxwich bay, or explore the local area. Optional Chapel times each morning at 9.45 a.m.
Please note: this short break/retreat week runs alongside one of our Prayer and Refreshing (Prayer Ministry) weeks and, as such, some areas of the House will be unavailable for time-to-time due to Ministry use.
Booking Process:
- If availability is confirmed, please complete the online booking form below;
- Please telephone to pay the deposit or amount due by card or send your payment by cheque or *BACS within 5 days of submitting your form;
- All bookings are subject to terms and conditions;
- Full payment is required 4 weeks prior to arrival.
*Please contact us for BACS payment details. We require a notification that a BACS payment has been made so we may confirm this and generate a payment receipt.


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Dear Dr. Don,
I am a twice-divorced woman. Am I eligible to collect on my ex-husbands' Social Security benefits? I, too, have worked, but I never earned anything near what either of my former spouses earned. Looking back on the time, I was married in both cases for more than 15 years each. Can I collect benefits of either of them, or must it be the most recent marriage?
-- Toni Tripartite
Dear Toni,
Serial monogamy isn't the path to retirement riches. You can't collect on both your ex-husbands' Social Security benefits just because you were married to both of them for more than 10 years.
You can target the ex with the better wage record to claim your spousal benefit as a divorced spouse. Here's how the Social Security Administration presents it on its website: "If your divorced spouse remarries, he or she generally cannot collect benefits on your record unless their later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce or annulment)."
If your ex has not applied for retirement benefits, but he can qualify for them, you can receive benefits based on his record if you have been divorced for at least two years and you're age 62 or older.
In certain cases, you can file first on one account and then later file on the other ex-spouse's account. This could be useful if you filed for benefits before your full retirement age. Check with your local Social Security office to determine if this option is available to you.
In a case where your former husband has passed away, meaning you are the surviving divorced spouse, you would qualify for survivors benefits. You would be able to continue receiving the payments even if you were to remarry after age 60, or age 50 if disabled.
Thanks to Edward Lafferty, spokesman at the Social Security Administration, for his help with this reply.
Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.
To ask a question of Dr. Don, go to the "Ask the Experts" page and select one of these topics: "Financing a home," "Saving & Investing" or "Money." Read more Dr. Don columns for additional personal finance advice.
Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.
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By submitting a post, you agree to be bound by Bankrate's terms of use. Please refer to Bankrate's privacy policy for more information regarding Bankrate's privacy practices.


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While Kevin Durant continues to elevate himself into the lead of the MVP race, J.A. Adande and Israel Gutierrez take a look at KD's game and how high OKC's superstar could climb.
J.A.: Israel, I was lucky enough to have an up-close view of Kevin Durant's career-high scoring night against the Warriors last week and was amazed at how easy he made it look. He did whatever he wanted, picked the places he desired to go on the court and shot over anyone who challenged him.
This was Durant at his absolute best. It left no doubt in my mind that he's the league's MVP at this point in the season. However, it's still too early in his career to assess his place among the all-time greats. All that's left to wonder is: At age 25, with his peak still presumably ahead of him, how much better do you think Durant can get?
Israel: It's an interesting question, because if he gets significantly better, he'll have nothing close to an equal. He's already a top-two player in the league, and while LeBron James says every year that he has gotten better, it would appear Durant is step-for-step with him in that growth.
He isn't showing signs of a playmaker. He's already there." -- J.A. Adande
The question with Durant, as it tends to be in today's NBA, is can a "pure scorer," a term that's become just as much insult as compliment, lead a team to a championship? Or in the case of someone chasing a great legacy, can one lead a team to multiple championships?
We saw the struggle without Russell Westbrook in last year's playoffs because Durant, regardless of how easy he gets off shots, can't always be an efficient scorer without another dynamic playmaker beside him. But unlike some other pure scorers, who shall remain nameless, Durant has at least shown signs of becoming a playmaker himself -- rounding out his game to make him that much more difficult to defend. You saw in back-to-back games just how he can vary his game: 54 points against the Warriors then 30 with nine assists against the Kings. I would have hesitated to say he can become that all-around player this time last year. Now I'm starting to believe he can be, in large part because he's finally had to play without Westbrook and is forced to display other skills nightly.
J.A.: He isn't showing signs of a playmaker. He's already there. He is averaging five assists per game while averaging 30 points per game. That's almost twice as many assists per game as when he previously averaged 30 points (the 2009-10 season). I'd say that's progress.
Only 13 players in NBA history have averaged 30 points and five assists in a season. The list of players who have done it multiple times gets even more elite: Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant. So there's one challenge for Durant: take this career-best season and make it habitual.
I'd also like to see him push his scoring average higher. He hasn't done better than the 60th best scoring average season -- an average of 33.02 would get him into the top 20. The equivalent of one more 3-pointer per game isn't too much to ask, is it?
Israel: I'm wondering how sustainable this is, though. I mean, Durant isn't just scoring, he's making incredibly difficult shots look like layups.
Durant isn't just scoring, he's making incredibly difficult shots look like layups." -- Israel Gutierrez
Tuesday night against the Trail Blazers, he was literally laughing at the shots he was hitting late in the game. On one attempt, it seemed he waited for the double-team before putting up the 3 and nailing it. At some point, those double-teams are going to come way earlier; perhaps the Spurs will use that strategy tonight. And as Charles Barkley says, with Westbrook out, there ain't but two guys on that team that can score.
Is it possible this is a hot streak and, as defenses adjust, Durant will still look like a frustrated scorer at season's end? I mean, last year it looked like Durant was poised to win the MVP award before he played LeBron and the Heat. The two play next Wednesday night on ESPN.
J.A.: Nice promo. Are you going to share some of that bonus check with me? Speaking of sharing, I think Durant's willingness to give up the ball will keep him from facing constant double-teams. Opponents would rather force Durant to hit shots that make him laugh than allow easy buckets for Serge Ibaka and friends. And if Durant does end up facing more doubles, so what? MJ and Kobe were doubled and still got theirs -- without the height advantage Durant enjoys.
The greater threat to Durant comes from within. Westbrook took 1,160 shots in 2009-10, the last time Durant averaged 30 points per game. Westbrook took between 1,266 and 1,535 shots in each of the next three seasons and was on pace to shoot at least 1,400 times this season. Durant was averaging 28 points before Westbrook was sidelined by a knee surgery after Christmas.
We know Westbrook hampers Durant's scoring. The trade-off is Westbrook gives Durant a better shot at winning a championship -- and Durant is going to need a few rings before we can speak of him in the context of MJ, Kobe and LeBron.
That means the next question is, can Durant win multiple championships?
Israel: The funny part is that if Durant had been lucky enough to fall into a situation where he was paired with a dominant big, rather than another star perimeter player, it's possible he would have a couple rings now. Then we would be talking about him in terms of "when will his reign end?"
As it is, he has to adjust his game some to make sure his teammates don't become stagnant just watching him go to work. Here's the beauty of his game in particular, though. Because it's so easy for him to shoot over defenses and because his skill set makes any catch-and-shoot situation a great shot, he can still look to be a volume scorer without actually dominating the ball, therefore still encouraging ball movement.
There was probably no better example than his 54-point night against the Warriors. According to SportVU technology, Durant had the ball in his hands for only three minutes, 17 seconds in that game. That's an insane level of efficiency.
Heck, at that rate, I would like to see him go after Kobe's 81-point mark. If, as Kobe told you, Durant can be a 7-foot version of the Mamba, I'd say that's beyond possible. And it would almost certainly lock up the MVP this season. It didn't do it for Kobe, but his team wasn't as good as Oklahoma City's.
Rather than wonder when Durant's hypothetical reign would end if he had been drafted by a ready-to-win team, we need to wonder when LeBron's ring run will finish. But even if it lasts another three years, Durant will be only 28 years old.
That happens to be Jordan's age when he won the first of his six championships. Of all the attributes Durant possesses -- length, shooting touch, work ethic -- his greatest asset might be his youth.


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I had a facelift and necklift a year ago. (57 y female) I started lifting arm weights at the gym. After a month I noticed that my vertical platysma bands were prominent with grimacing and facial animation. I never noticed this before lifting weights. I really don't want Botox. If I stop lifting weights will the platysma bands relax? What has actually happened here to cause the platysma bands to show all of a sudden?
Prominent Platysma Bands After Facelift and Lifting Weights, What's The Cause? What Can Be Done?
Doctor Answers 7
Prominent Platysmal Bands after Lifting Weights
Contraction of the platsyma can expose areas of banding particularly during strain. In addition, if you have lost body fat due to increased workload at the gym, the bands may be more noticeable. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA
Learn more: http://www.hughesplasticsurgery.com/Face-and-Neck-Lift.php
Neck bands and weight lifting after a face lift
Weight lifting can tense the platysma. A tense platysma can form bands. It suggests your technique needs improvement. Besides checking with your surgeon, consider:
- an expert trainer expert to check your technique
- weights appropriate for your level
- stabilizing your scapula when you lift to avoid tension in neck and shoulder muscles
- exhaling as you lift the weights
- After 6 weeks, if the bands are still bothersome, try Botox.
- If you don't want Botox, your surgeon can probably do a limited re-operation to trim the platysma edges. Best of luck with your fitness program!
Platysmal Bands
Platysmal bands vertical lines found in the central neck. They tend to become more prominent with age and can be very bothersome. They are formed by the leading edge of the platysmal muscles on either side of the neck. The platysmal bands are typically treated with a procedure called a platysmaplasty. This procedure is done through a small incision beneath the chin. The edges of the platysma muscles are trimmed and sewn together.
Its possible, though somewhat unlikely, that exercise could undo the binding sutures after a platysmaplasty (if this was even been done in your case!). Unfortunately, if this did occur, It is unlikely to go away by stopping exercise. Your best options are:
- give it time to see if the problem resolves with healing (recommended)
- Botox/Dysport/Xeomin
- revision platysmaplasty
Hope this helps!
You might also like...
Platysma bands after surgery
They are almost always a double fix needed.First suturing them together in the midline and cutting them as far down the neck as possible.Then their contrating has stretched out this neck skin and a tightening of yje nek skin is necessary
Platysma bands can be corrected with anterior neck lift.
I think your lifting weights is not the primary cause. The bands were evidently not repaired at the time of your facelift, and of course you are a year older. It sounds like the bands should be corrected now through a short incision under your chin, where you may already have a scar. This is easy with a quick recovery.
Prominent platysmal bands after lifting weights
It's possible that you have recurrent platysmal laxity that may require a revision platysmaplasty. It is unlikely that stopping weight lifting will help the problem. I would visit with an experienced and qualified facial plastic surgeon to determine whether or not you are in need of a revision.
Platysma bands or "turkey wattle" after facelift?
The two folds of skin that go vertically from the chin down the front of the neck are called platysma bands because they are related to a separation of the underlying muscle, called the platysma. I routinely repair this when doing a facelift, using a technique called platysmaplasty. That involves an incision under the chin. So in your case, it all depends on whether the platysmaplasty was done with your facelift or not. Discuss it with your plastic surgeon.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.


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BOSTON ( TheStreet) -- Here's an updated list of biotech and pharmaceutical companies with pending FDA drug approval decisions for the rest of 2012 and into early 2013. The calendar on the following pages captures the most important U.S. regulatory events -- FDA drug approvals and advisory panels -- expected between July and February 2013. As every savvy biotech investor and trader knows, the volatility in biotech and drug stocks ramps significantly as U.S. regulators weigh whether to approve or reject new drugs. Biotech and drug stocks below are listed in chronological order based on the closest regulatory catalyst. Amarin ( AMRN)
Drug/indication: Vascepa for triglyceride reduction
Approval decision date: July 26 Horizon Pharmaceuticals ( HZNP)
Drug/indication: Lodotra for rheumatoid arthritis pain
Approval decision date: July 26 Salix Pharmaceuticals ( SLXP) and Progenics ( PGNX)
Drug/indication: Relistor SC for opioid-induced constipation
Approval decision date: July 27
This is an additional indication for currently approved Relistor. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN)
Drug/indication: Arcalyst for prevention of gout flares
Approval decision date: July 30
This will be the second approved indication for Arcalyst, which is currently marketed as a treatment for cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN) and Sanofi ( SNY)
Drug/indication: Zaltrap for colon cancer
Approval decision date: Aug. 4
Zaltrap has posted mixed results in phase III clinical trials. Talon Therapeutics ( TLON)
Drug/indication: Marqibo for advanced acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Approval decision date: Aug. 12
In March, an FDA advisory panel voted to recommend approval of Marqibo. Gilead Sciences ( GILD)
Drug/indication: Quad for HIV
Approval decision date: Aug. 27
Quad combines four Gilead drugs into a single, once-daily pill for HIV. The new (and still experimental) components in the Quad are the integrase inhibitor elvitegravir and cobicistat, which is used to boost blood levels of elvitegravir. Pfizer ( PFE)
Drug/indication: Tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis
Approval decision date: August (exact date not specified)
Tofacitinib would be the first pill approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, competing with established injectable drugs like Abbbot's Humira. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals ( IRWD)
Drug/indication: Linaclotide for chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome
Approval decision date: Sept. 8 Navidea Biopharmaceuticals ( NAVB)
Drug/indication: Lymphoseek, a radioactive tracing agent for lymph node mapping
Approval decision date: Sept. 10 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ( REGN)
Drug/indication: Eylea for Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Approval decision date: Sept. 21
This is an additional indication for currently approved Eylea. NPS Pharmaceuticals ( NPSP)
Drug/indication: Gattex for short bowel syndrome
Approval decision date: Sept. 28
Sanofi ( SNY)
Drug/indication: Aubagio for multiple sclerosis
Approval decision date: Third quarter
Drug/indication: Abraxane for non-small cell lung cancer
Approval decision date: Oct. 12
Abraxane is already approved for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Asthma, Missed Immunizations, and Vitamin D Deficiency in Atopic Dermatitis
This study has been terminated.
(Not meeting enrollment goals.)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Wisconsin
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Yvonne Chiu, Medical College of Wisconsin
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: November 3, 2010
Last updated: May 28, 2015
Last verified: May 2015
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
No Study Results Posted on ClinicalTrials.gov for this Study
|Study Status:
|This study has been terminated.
|Study Completion Date:
|March 2013
|Primary Completion Date:
|November 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)


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My Pick of WWE Top Ten Finishers
by, 09-04-2012 at 12:49 PM (4307 Views)
My Pick of WWE Top 5 Finishers
My name is JoeyClay and it's my first time doing a blog, so I hope everyone enjoys it. WWE know how to make global superstars and most Wrestling fan have there typical favorite superstar. One of the reasons to a successful Superstars is having a Finisher.
Let's see my pick of WWE Finishers......
5.Frog splash
This has been used by many superstars, mostly superstars in the Cruiser-weight division. My favorite people who use it are Rob Van Dam and the late Eddie Guerrero.
This move can be taken just about anywhere. I remember Orton in a interview saying it doesn't matter how high or tall you are, he can be able to perform RkO no mater good or the circumstances are.
3.Sweet Chin Music
How can you not have any Wrestling list, with out the Showstopper being involve. Shawn Michael is MR. Super Kick and every time he sets foot in, that ring you know who ever it was. Shawn would deliver a Sweet Chin music, if he didn't like what he was hearing.
I personally like Rock Bottom, than the people's elbow as I feel it's nothing really special at all. I guarantee, if it was someone else performing people's elbow who wasn't as charismatic as The Rock it would be nixed. Number 2 slot on my list isn't about the people's elbow but yes The Rock bottom. Only one man can kick boots to asses in such a electrifying way.
I am not going to lie, I am a bit of a Austin mark but I know a lot of people would have had Stunner in their Top 5 or Top 10 list. This move isn't very hard to do at all, but all it takes is the two opponents to over sell and perform the move. Basically just be, as dramatic as they can. Austin defines the word rebel, and him performing Stunner is one of his physical ways of saying he does what he wants whenever he wants.
This just a Top Ten List of Finishers performed on The Big Show. I personally made it and it shows some classic shocking things.
I hope you enjoyed my blog, let me know how you felt about my blog and video. I would also like to know about your favorite Finishers.


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Is anyone else wondering about the future fate of Windows RT? I personally think it's a fantastic adaptation of Windows and needed to be made. Even if Intel catches up with ARM in terms of battery life, ARM chips will be more powerful. I mean, the Tegra4 already is more powerful that the Clover Tail stuff that Intel is touting for late this year and maintains the same power efficiencies.
Yet, all you see coming out of CES is nothing but Windows 8 harder. Barely a whimper of anything regarding Windows RT devices.
Why does everyone have something against Windows RT? Who cares about running legacy software? Do people ***** and moan when they can't install their Mac OS X applications on their iPad iOS?
As far as I'm concerned, Windows RT is the perfect marriage between full-Windows and a mobile version of Windows. You get the modern UI which apps SHOULD be designed for on a tablet, yet you still have access to your file system and MS Office that might be useful.
So, what's the deal? Will people eventually see the light?


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AN intrepid climber has conquered the world's highest snow covered mountain to help save lives.
Richard Quinn, aged 24, from Runcorn, reached the 19,341ft summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
His team raised a phenomenal £35,000 for a charity called Dig Deep, which provides clean water and renewable energy to poverty stricken families in remote East African communities.
Richard, of The Calvers on The Brow estate, said: "It was hard work. We were all really ill with altitude sickness.
"At one point, I didn't think I was going to make it, but I was determined to reach the summit.
"It's the best thing I have ever seen in my life. The view was incredible.
"It was 8am and we'd left camp at midnight.
"It was silent when we reached the top, a bit unreal, but something I will never forget."
Former St Chad's pupil, Richard is a customer service adviser at the 02 call centre in Preston Brook.
He joined a team from Tesco Mobile to complete the trek and they linked up with more climbers from London.
Richard, who raised £2,500, said: "I celebrated my 24th birthday on the mountain.
"I'm really pleased I completed the climb. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Guitarist Richard, who studied music at Riverside College, is hoping to scale the Three Peaks next year for Halton Haven Hospice.


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Maryland Civil War
Please e-mail Teri if you find any broken links or can suggest an additional link..
Return to the MD-Civil-War Page. or Return to the Links Page.
Census Records | Vital Records | Family Trees & Communities | Immigration Records | Military Records Directories & Member Lists | Family & Local Histories | Newspapers & Periodicals | Court, Land & Probate | Finding Aids


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Workers are hurrying to shore up and patch a 90-foot-wide gash in the below-ground retaining wall that encircles much of the World Trade Center site after discovering that groundwater, fed by the Hudson River, is only a precarious foot below the lower rim of the damaged area.
Engineers working at ground zero yesterday said there was no imminent danger of a collapse of the wall, which is called the bathtub, or of an inundation of the pit that has been dug at the site.
But they are already digging wells outside the gash -- in effect a bite taken out of the eastern side of the bathtub -- to relieve the pressure of the groundwater on the wall. And they are designing a giant steel-and-concrete patch, to be anchored in bedrock.
The damage in the bathtub wall occurred on Sept. 11, when the upper floors of the south tower toppled toward the southeast and tore the huge gash. But until recently, this damaged area had been buried beneath debris. Only now that crews are excavating the southeast corner of the site -- one of the last spots at ground zero to be cleared -- did they discover just how seriously the wall had been compromised, and how close it had come to allowing a major flood.
''The damage to the wall was known; the extent is now more clear,'' said Matthew Monahan, a spokesman for the Department of Design and Construction, the city agency overseeing the cleanup.Continue reading the main story
The retaining wall has numerous small leaks, and water constantly seeps up into the bathtub from cracks in the bedrock deep below. But if the wall were to crumble further or if the water level were to rise slightly, ''water would start going over the wall,'' said Dan Hahn, an engineer at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, which is designing the repairs to the wall. ''It wouldn't be a leak; it would be a flow.''
Mr. Hahn said any major leak was unlikely if the patchwork went ahead as planned. Paul Ashlin, a senior vice president at Bovis Lend Lease, which is managing the cleanup work for the city, agreed, saying, ''I can hardly imagine that happening.''
Still, he said, ''this is the first time we've encountered any water problem'' except for the small leaks.
No structure like the bathtub, a steel-reinforced concrete wall reaching down 70 feet from street level, had ever been built on such a large scale before construction at the trade center began in the 1960's.
When the twin towers collapsed on Sept. 11, much of their debris formed super-compressed piles within the bathtub. Now the wall looms, rough and dirty, over a legion of heavy equipment involved in cleaning up debris far below street level.
Over the last 10 days, workers have begun excavating the southeast corner of the site. ''We've got to dig it very gingerly,'' George Tamaro, an engineer and partner at Mueser Rutledge, said last week. ''Unknowns are always a problem.''
Workers have already begun digging a pair of wells just outside the gash so pumps to lower the groundwater level can be installed.
A set of cable supports called tiebacks, like hundreds that have been installed around the site already, are being threaded through the wall just above an embankment that has recently been yielding human remains. The cables are anchored into the bedrock.
Water streaming through tieback holes before they were sealed gave one indication of how close the water was to the bottom of the gash. Although installing the tiebacks has become routine in many ways, Mr. Tamaro said that the southeast corner presented some special problems: part of the bedrock there, gouged out by a glacier, has left only loose rocks and boulders behind, making the anchoring of the tiebacks more challenging than elsewhere.
The actual patching will begin with splicing new steel reinforcement onto existing steel inside the wall to create a mesh over the opening, Mr. Tamaro said. Then concrete will be poured around both the mesh and a set of flanges to hold new tiebacks. Finally the tiebacks will be threaded through to brace the patch.Continue reading the main story


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Raiders Keep McClain; Suspend Him 2 Games
The Oakland Raiders have suspended linebacker Rolando McClain two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
The Raiders were reportedly ready to cut ties with McClain entirely earlier this week. The player posted on Facebook that he was no longer{}a Raider. He later deleted the post.
The former Alabama star and Butkus Award winner was the Raiders first round draft pick in 2010. McClain's had trouble living up to the hype in 41 games in the NFL, and has become a part time player in his third season.
McClain has also had issues off the field. He was arrested on four misdemeanor counts after an altercation with his in his hometown of Decatur, AL last December.
McClain is eligible to return to the Raiders on December 10th. The suspension will cost him $114,000 in salary.


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Upton House
Type: Care Homes
Area: Kent
5 out of 5 - Excellent
5.0 Quality of care and staff
5.0 Facilities and cleanliness
5.0 Value for money
From 3 user reviews
Upton House, Deal Road, Worth
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Latest reviews of this care home setting
Upton House
A Dignified and caring environment
My mother moved into Upton House in June 2011 and from the outset she has flourished in the very capable and caring environment provided by Peter and Jacqui and their team of professionals. She is well nourished, stimulated, always well dressed and treated with dignity and courtesy. Although she lives in her own confused world now she seems content and that is so reassuring for all the family. I highly recommend Upton House.
Reviewed by Anonymous on Aug 09 2012
cheerful friendly caring supportive educated
My father is a resident at Upton House. He is very happy and enjoys the company of his friends who live with him. The staff are very patient and go out of their way to ensure my fathers needs are met. I have found the family atmosphere for both residents and visiting family very refreshing. The food is of the highest quality and my father has put on weight since he has lived there. My fathers health needs are monitored closely and it is so very reassuring to know he is in safe hands.
Reviewed by Christina Clifton-Lee on Aug 09 2012
Excellent, professional, caring, friendly,...
When the time came that my father needed residential care, Upton House was my first choice. Having visited two other family there over the years, I knew the quality of care given. My father is more settled than he has been in a number of years. The staff are very acomodating of his needs and wants. Life is good for him. He eats well. The food is tasty and of good quality. As a family we are extremly grateful that we can relax knowing he is in good hands and enjoying life. His health is improved.
Reviewed by Lesley Aubourg on Aug 06 2012
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Vanessa-Mae Olympic qualification scandal rocks Slovenian Ski Association
Following allegations that some of last year's results pop violinist Vanessa-Mae used to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Sochi were rigged, four Slovenian ski officials were suspended Friday (July 11).
The famed musician competed in Sochi for Thailand as Vanessa Vanakorn, the surname of her Thai father, and she placed last among the 67 racers who finished both runs of giant slalom, more than 50 seconds slower than race winner Tina Maze.
Mae, who was born in Singapore but raised in Britain, has sold an estimated 10 million records as a violinist.
In order to compete in the Olympic Winter Games under the basic quota, alpine skiers needed to accrue a maximum of 140 points in the respective event on the Olympic FIS Points List published on Jan. 20, 2014. Unlike traditional FIS point lists which only average the two best races, the Olympic FIS Points List was calculated using the average of five races for the technical events.
The Slovenian Ski Association announced it discovered evidence indicating that the races it hosted in January were "fixed at the behest of Thai ski officials to meet her qualifying criteria for Sochi."
Slovenian Ski Association director Jurij Zurej indicated that the suspected irregularities included falsification of rankings, race times, and race dates.
"When we checked the competition and all the data, we discovered that, on the results list on the second day of the competition, in fourth place there was a girl not even physically present at the course," said Zurej. "Another example was of a girl who told us she fell in the race and then slowly continued to the finish line, but was recorded as finishing in second place."
The Slovenian Ski Association has proposed four-year suspensions for the officials involved in the organization of the races, including Vlado Makuc, the head of the country's alpine skiing body.
Zurej said there was no direct evidence to link the alleged improprieties to Mae's qualification for the Sochi Games and no evidence any athletes were involved in any wrongdoing.
"We must state clearly that there is absolutely no proof any athlete, including Vanessa, was knowingly involved in any activities that would breach any of our rules or those of the International Ski Federation," noted Zurej.
Mae competed in four races on Mount Krvavec in Slovenia in January. According to the reports sent to FIS, two events took place on Jan. 17 and another two on Jan. 19. However, Zurej said the first two races were actually held on Jan. 18.
Mae only managed to fall below the 140-point average because of the races held in Slovenia. One of the races was registered as the Thai National Championships and another was the Slovenian National Junior Championships, in which the 35-year-old Mae was 14 years older than any other competitor in the event.
FIS President Gian Franco Kasper reportedly said he was "disappointed" by the alleged cheating but that no action could be taken until the Slovenian association completes its inquiry.
Vanessa-Mae also competed in races in Sweden, Norway and Italy before the Sochi Games but no cheating was reported from those events. Given her results from those races, she would not have qualified for the 2014 Olympics.