text:
NEW LISTING - This property is very well maintained, and probably one of the best recreational ranches in the area, in turn-key condition, ready to use. Here you can hunt, stargaze, and hide out from the world in comfort, at a very reasonable total cost, with no work left to be done.
This perfect sized ranch is located in Sutton County. Located approximately 12 miles northeast of Sonora and offers easy access off of Interstate 10 via a paved county road.
The area is composed of medium to large sized working/recreational ranches, and agriculture/hunting are the economic drivers. The rural feel is strong and relaxed here. For more information on Sutton County, go to http://www.co.sutton.tx.us/ips/cms
The whitetail and turkey population is in good balance, and one pasture on the ranch holds about 50-60 Blackbuck Antelope. On recent visits to the ranch wildlife is abundant.
Water is supplied by two water wells and lines feed the improvements and water troughs located throughout the property. One well is located at the headquarters and supplies several troughs and the homes and pens. There is a large pila for water storage and all the water lines gravity flow to water troughs. A nice tank, fed by a solar well is situated on the ranch that also provides ample water for livestock and wildlife. There are several other areas that would make nice tank sites. Our sources indicate that water is very readily available should the new buyer need to drill additional wells.
A nice 2,200+/- square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath rock home is situated on one of the higher parts of the ranch. The home is approximately 8 years old and is in good shape with an open floor plan. Another nice 2 bedroom, 1 bath foreman's home is in good shape, with a nice rock home that makes a nice hunter's house. A large concrete floor metal barn and additional equipment shed is in place for storing equipment. Near the headquarters is a nice set of working pens with loading chute, feed barn and other livestock equipment. Much care has been given to the layout of the improvements and has been well maintained over the years.
If you are looking for homes for sale and homes on acreage for sale in the Boerne and surrounding areas, please visit our other website - www.HillCountryProperties.net
Buyer's brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of Texas Ranches For Sale.


text:
- Contents of a Business Plan: What Makes A Good Business Plan (From "The Manual for Developing Social Enterprises")
and be able to show that it is feasible and properly planned. You will have to write the business plan. This toolkit provides a simple exercise about planning to draw up a business plan. Participants must decide about the contents of the business plan, its structure and then allocate resources to it. ... ...
(toolkit/manual, text, 2006)
- Planning a New Business Venture: A Step-by-Step Guide To Preparing an Effective Business Plan
organizations create effective business plans. It includes information on how to prepare the components ... ...
(toolkit/manual, document (pdf), 1999)
- Social Enterprise Feasibility Assessment & Business Planning
or publisher, Business Planning, feasibility study, idea selection, english, presentation) ... ...
(tips/guidelines, presentation, 2013)
- Fictional Social Enterprise Business Plan: Rice Bowl
Business Planning, english, document (pdf)) This business plan outlines a fictional social enterprise ... ...
(template/sample, document (pdf), 2012)
- Tip Sheet: Socially Responsible Business Plan Competitions Summary
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike, Business Planning, Resource Mobilization, english, document (pdf)) Business ... ...
(directory/catalog, document (pdf), 2011)
- Feasibility Study and Business Plan Resource Sheet
marketing plan business development services (tips/guidelines, basic, Public Domain, Business Planning, Strategic Planning , business development services, ... ...
(tips/guidelines, document (pdf), 2009)
- Business Plan Glossary
basic Business Planning (directory/catalog, basic, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike, Business Planning, english, text) ... ...
(directory/catalog, text, 2009)
- Business Plan Outline (from Virtue Ventures)
basic Business Planning (template/sample, basic, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike, Business Planning, english, text) ... ...
(template/sample, text, 2009)
- Business Plan Template: Job Creation Social Enterprise
Creation, Poverty Alleviation and Income Generation, Vocational Education & Training, Business Planning, english, text) Step-by-step business plan template for an employment creation social enterprise. ... ...
(template/sample, text, 2009)
- Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact: A Social-Entrepreneurial Approach to Solving Social Problems
Problems Business Planning for Enduring Social Impact applies the strategic rigor and financial savvy of traditional private-sector business planning to social problem solving. This practical guide provides an introduction to business planning for enduring social impact and leads readers through ... ...
(toolkit/manual, document (pdf), 2008)
- Creating A Social Enterprise Business Plan
intermediate Business Planning (tips/guidelines, intermediate, Copyright reserved by author or publisher, Business Planning, english, presentation) ... ...
(tips/guidelines, presentation, 2008)
- Start-up Business Plan Template
a business plan for a start-up, a synthesis of guidelines and a template. social enterprise ... ...
(template/sample, document (doc/odt), 2008)
- Business Plan Introduction
This presentation provides an overview of the why's and what's of business planning for social entrepreneurs, and critically discusses the divergences from regular business plans. It also outlines the various components of social enterprise business plans ... ...
(toolkit/manual, presentation, 2007)
- Business Plan: An Introduction
intermediate Business Planning ... ...
(workshop/training, presentation, 2007)
- The Social Enterprise Business Plan: A presentation of the 2007 Canadian Social Enterprise Conference
and mainstream business plans. Presenter: Brad Franck, SEED Winnipeg Inc. ... ...
(workshop/training, presentation, 2007)
- Business Plan Template
intermediate Business Planning (template/sample, intermediate, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike, Business Planning, english, text) A comprehensive, self guided template to help practitioners develop a social enterprise business plan, start ... ...
(template/sample, text, 2007)
- Implementing the Business Plan
or publisher, Business Planning, Operations Management, Risk Management, implementation, english, presentation) ... ...
(tips/guidelines, presentation, 2007)
- A Business Planning Guide to Developing a Social Enterprise
intermediate Business Planning (toolkit/manual, intermediate, Copyright reserved by author or publisher, Business Planning, english, text) ... ...
(toolkit/manual, text, 2007)
- Fundraising Business Plan Pitch Outline
This presentation walks social enterprise practitioners through a well crafted fundraising pitch. The presentation serves both as an instructional guide, as well as a template that can be filled in. ... ...
(template/sample, presentation, 2008)
- Strategic Business Planning for Market-led Financial Institutions Toolkit
business planning is a disciplined and pragmatic approach that organisations can use to make decisions now ... ...
(toolkit/manual, document (pdf), 2007)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Document Verification Center
(College Code 037)
For following programme as per UPSEE-2014
B.Tech /B.Arch. /B.Tech(Biotech)
B.Pharm/BHMCT /BFA /BFAD /BFA / Lateral Entry to B.Tech (Diploama holders)
Lateral entry (B.Sc)/ Lateral Entry to B.Pharm (Diploma holders)
MBA/MCA/MAM/MCA Lateral Entry
"We firmly believe in excellence and discipline which is not an act but a habit. '' More...
Air Marshal Denzil Keelor (Retd.)
"To be one of the top global integrated business schools known for quality and value based education; research; and corporate leadership"
Prof. H.P.Gupta
Enriching Education, Encouraging Environment, Excellent Exposure


text:
Create and implement HTML templates in projects using the Handlebars library with Packt's new eBook.
Packt is pleased to announce the release of its new book Instant Handlebars.js, a comprehensive guide to the Handlebars library. The book is filled with internal concepts and practical examples, helping to transform readers who are beginners into Handlebars experts. This book is now available in all the popular formats, and the eBook retails at $11.04.
About the Author:
Gabriel Manricks is a full stack software and web developer focusing on PHP and both frontend and server-side JavaScript frameworks. Gabriel works as a staff writer for NetTuts+, where he enjoys learning as well as teaching others, and he also freelances in web consulting, development, and writing.
Instant Handlebars.js begins with the basics, and readers do not require any previous knowledge about templating engines. Throughout the course of this book, readers will be introduced to all of the features available in Handlebars.js and will learn how to organize their websites for both development and production. They'll also learn how to structure reusable templates, extend Handlebars with helpers, and manipulate a template's context.
This book shows readers how to create templates with both placeholders and helpers, organize projects for rapid-development using Require.js, and how to optimize and compile projects for production. To finish off, readers will learn how to annotate their code and leave debug points so that they can easily maintain and troubleshoot their code in the future.
Readers with a general knowledge of HTML and Javascript will find that this book is useful. For more information, please visit the book's page at: http://www.packtpub.com/create-and-implement-html-templates-using-handlebars-library/book
|Instant Handlebars.js
|Extend Handlebars with custom helpers
For more information, please visit: http://www.packtpub.com/create-and-implement-html-templates-using-handlebars-library/book


text:
When i try to download songs from ovi store only half of the song downloads and then a window appears saying you need to download a small piece of software(microsoft DRM) and when i click ok the downloader crashes.
I m using windows XP SP2.Since i was unable to solve this problem i reinstalled the os but again the same problem.
can anyone pls help me download that small piece of software directly?


text:
Board nixes contract renewal for Toronto police Chief Bill Blair
Lena Dunham to do live reading from new book at Toronto's JFL42
PENETANGUISHENE – Re: " Hospice Huronia, cancer support centre face...
MEAFORD - The Meaford Golf and Country Club recently made a major donation...
MIDLAND – Regardless of what your stance is with respect to Bill 115, and whether or not you support teachers in their current job action against the Ontario government, you need to know one thing: Educators involved in coaching sports at both the high school and elementary school level aren't thumbing their noses at the athletes and teams they coach.
In fact, some of them are downright emotional over the current situation in which they find themselves.
Over the course of the past two weeks, I've chatted with a number of teachers and people directly involved in organizing and coaching athletics at the high school level. I've tried to get a sense as to whether we might be dealing with a short or lengthy disruption of the sports calendar.
The direction you get depends on whom you talk to.
Some suggested the labour disruption might be short-lived, with some school boards reaching agreements.
But that hope soon vanished when the provincial teachers' body decided to ramp up action on Dec. 9.
"I'm depressed," noted one coach.
I didn't even have to ask what he was depressed about; the tone of his voice and his life-long devotion to his sport said it all.
Others I talked to expressed a burning desire to be in the gym or rink, as student athletes need them now more than ever before. At the same time, they went out of their way to talk about the fight being staged to protect their rights as teachers.
But they kept coming back to the student athletes, wishing there was some way they could make their voices heard while still providing the coaching and life skills the teenagers need at such an important stage in their lives.
Is it possible union representatives have become too aggressive in their dealings with the provincial government and the Education Minister?
That's not a topic any of them wanted to discuss, even privately, as the idea is not to seem to be tilting against windmills.
When you are used to being in the classroom or the gym, and watching students work hard daily to raise both the academic and athletic bar, dealing with the politics of education is probably best left to others who have the time, patience and tolerance for such things.
Ask any coach whether they'd rather fill out administration forms or try to get a soccer, football, basketball or rugby team to learn a new set of offensive/defensive systems, and they'll take the chalkboard stuff nine times out of 10.
It's about helping student athletes to grow and expand their skills, while also teaching them that nothing comes easy without the internal discipline to exceed in both sports and life.
If you think high school coaches are sipping coffee and sitting back and smelling the roses while their athletes sit idle, then you're not viewing the right channel.
They just want to put the political chess moves behind them so they can get back to what they do best: Teach, coach and possibly help make a small difference in the lives of those young people who are our future.
It is difficult to compare the taste of olive oils unless you have the opportunity to open several...
The lazy days of summer are finally here! Time to kick back, relax and enjoy the sunshine! However,...
Between delays and cancellations, getting through security and making sure your carry-on bag fits,...
Girl Guides of Canada offers the greatest variety of any volunteer experience for women....


text:
As we exited San Diego Bay, a harbor seal was spotted. This is rather unusual, as we typically only see sea lions in the bay. Out on the Pacific Ocean, a pod of young common dolphins delighted passengers with their acrobatics and high jumps. Then we saw a very unusual blow and splashes in the water—a minke whale, identified by its distinct chevron markings. Nearing Los Coronados more blows were spotted--large blows! We thought we'd get a good look at some blue whales. Unfortunately, time was not on our side, and the whales "gave us the slip," taking a deep dive and not reappearing. We then cruised the lee side of Dead Man's Island and saw some harbor seals and sea lions, and then it was time to head back to San Diego, completing another journey off the San Diego coast.
Submitted by Whaler Diane


text:
The Kist Auction Company has advertised a Dec. 17 auction of all items -- down to the bare walls -- at the landmark King George Inn in South Whitehall Township. Doors open at 10 a.m. for preview and the auction starts at 3 p.m.
The ad reads: After 256 years the doors are closed forever! Antiques - including two bars; Collectibles - old stained glass windows, promotional posters, photographs including but not limited to sports (some autographed), political, movie, UK Royal Family; Lots and lots of memories like menus, plates and promotional pieces. See pictures of items for sale here.
The King George Inn is at 3141 Hamilton Blvd. Closed in August, it was a historic landmark and favorite destination for fine dining in South Whitehall. and operated the restaurant at the corner of Hamilton and Cedar Crest boulevards.
In August, McDermott closed the restaurant abruptly - leaving a sign on the door that read: We're sorry. The King George Inn is now closed for business. Thank you for your patronage the past 42 years.
Since closing, there have been multiple offers on the property, which is listed at $1,399,000, according to Bill Plasha, chairman of the commercial group for Prudential Patt White.
"Of the 80 properties I currently represent it is the hottest," Plasha said. "There are a lot of people in the restaurant industry looking at the site - the majority of them are looking to keep the building."
The King George Inn was built in 1756, and even before the Revolutionary War, it was serving weary travelers. It has been designated a National Historic Site by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
The land surrounding the inn, where a Burger King and video store once operated, was recently purchased by Hotel Hamilton LLC. Plasha said there are no civil engineering or design plans under way because the company will bank the land for now. He also said Hotel Hamilton has not bid on the property and has had only "very light discussion" about it "that hasn't materialized into anything."


text:
Cartoonist Aseem
Trivedi, who is in jail in Mumbai, met this morning with activist Arvind
Kejriwal and other members of the India Against Corruption movement. Mr
Kejriwal warned that if charges of sedition are not dropped against Mr Trivedi,
activists will begin a demonstration outside the Arthur Road jail starting
"MPs who disrespect the national emblem... official papers have national
emblems printed on them ... they commit corruption and should be booked for
sedition," said Mr Kejriwal, who is also the right-hand aide of Gandhian
activist Anna Hazare.
The arrest of the 25-year-old cartoonist has provoked strong criticism. Mr
Trivedi says he is entitled to lampoon corruption and a corrupt government and
has refused to apply for bail; he says he will not leave jail till the charges
of sedition against him are dropped and the law itself is ammended. This was
emphasised in a letter, reportedly written by Mr Trivedi, read out by India
Against Corruption (IAC) members yesterday outside the Arthur Road jail.
A local court has sent him to Arthur Road Jail for 14 days.
Mr Trivedi's supporters allege that he is being targeted by the government for
supporting the anti-corruption movement championed by Anna and Mr Kejriwal.
Mr Trivedi has gone from little known to trending in a
matter of days. His arrest is based on the complaint of a Mumbai
lawyer who took umbrage at Mr Trivedi's anti-corruption cartoons, especially
one that re-interpreted the Ashok Chakra national emblem - wolves replaced the
three lions to show ravenous corruption. He has said, "If telling the
truth makes me a traitor then I am one."
The Mumbai police tried to reverse out of the controversy on Monday, telling a
local court that they were done with questioning him and were surrendering
custody. Mr Trivedi has been charged with allegedly uploading "ugly
and obscene" matter on his web portal and putting up objectionable banners
insulting the Indian Constitution during an Anna Hazare protest in Mumbai last
The government, on the back foot, has said people cannot be allowed to
"cross the line." Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika
Soni said, "We are not against democratic rights, we are all for free
speech... people have made cartoons of Nehru, Indira earlier. But there
is a thin line you draw between free speech and what can be termed as offensive
especially against national symbols."


text:
Gerry Anderson, who died yesterday at the age of 90, had never intended to work solely with puppets. His ambitions lay firmly in Hollywood, making Bond-style blockbusters with real actors and huge budgets.
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text:
The morning started badly.
I woke up at 7am in order to have enough time to get my train, which was fine, however I also had the most brutal of hangovers thanks to an ill-advised boys night out. It could have been much worse though, I left the drinking session early because of the conference, which turned out to be a wise move as the guys regaled me with stories of pink cocktails and similarly coloured bodily expulsions.
From then it was smooth sailing to the conference location, held this year at the Royal National in central London. I met up with Chris, a wonderfully rational and funny friend of mine outside the centre where I proceded to dose myself up to the eyeballs with coffee in a bid to shift the quite horrific pain behind my left eyeball. The bid was futile.
The conference hall was set up lecture style, with a variety of tables at the back of the main room belonging to different atheist, humanist and secularist groups. I chatted to some of the groups, helped myself to a program, free bag and a few neat badges before finding myself a seat near the front with Chris in tow. Io was nowhere to be seen at this point, so I gave her a call to make she hadn't somehow inadvertently ended up in brixton, or indeed, given her apprehension about London travel, John O'Groats.
I wandered outside about 10 minutes before the starting time to the lobby and met the female half of Amplified Atheist about a minute before start and showed her to our seats. Below is a brief outline of the main concepts covered by each of the speakers and my opinion on each one. (each speaker's heading links to the audio of the scrips except Maryam and Dawkins)
Professor Cantle spoke eloquently, and at length about multiculturalism policies and concepts, and how his report and suggestions have led towards a greater shift to "interculturalism". To those whom these words make no sense: Multiculturalism is the fostering and tolerance of different cultures in shared spaces, each free to implement their own cultural heritage. Interculturalism or "Cohesion" policies are about community bonding, with policies that are relevant to all cultures with an end to those set up based on race or religion alone. For example as opposed to a "Muslim" social support group, there should be just a "social support" group for all cultures.
I agreed effusively with professor Cantle about the majority of his statements and ideas, especially about interculturalism removing the ability for "faith" leaders to speak on behalf of a whole community. I wholeheartedly support the concepts he described.
Firstly, I wish Nia Griffith was my MP.
My MP, putting it as mildy as I can, is an utter fucking moron. If I was being ultra cynical I'd say that Nia was playing up to the majority in a way that only MP's know how, however this would be doing her a massive disservice as I think it's clear that her passion for secularism runs deep. It was fantastic to learn that the Welsh assembly is completely secular, with no prayers or other such nonsense wasting time at the beginning.
Nia was funny, intelligent, entertaining and enlightening with her talk on contemporary politics and how the fight for secularism seems to be a constant uphill battle against the old guard. She made the point very clearly that barely any progress had been made in parliament to progress the UK towards a modern secular society, often finding the excuses that there are more important things in government to worry about. I'd argue that it is important to catch up to modern Europe in having a secular government. We are the ONLY COUNTRY in the developed world to have bishops in government by virtue of the fact that they are bishops. It makes my blood boil.
It was also interesting to hear her say that they receive very few letters in support of a motion, it's almost always letters and communications to complain about something. This is something I'll keep in mind when there a positive moves towards secularism, Lords reform and LGBT fairness.
Pragna Patel
Pragna Patel's talk I found to be unnecessarily wordy and ponderous. Which isn't to take away from the importance of what she was trying to say, however I found it difficult to pull out precisely what the core points were. Pragna said that women in ethnic and religious communities should have a specific place to go to if they were being abused – which to my ears sounded contrary to the points made my professor Cantle about interculturalism. Apparently as a consequence (unintended or otherwise) her support group – the Southall Black Sisters, was under threat as their funding is being withdrawn.
- Bonus Perseus Show Off Moment!
I'd taken to a particular statement Pragna made in which she stated that she found professor Cantle's report, and subsequent suggestions of policy switch to a more inclusive "intercultarism" as being fundamentally flawed. So I thought I'd challenge her on it. The question went as follows:
You mentioned at the beginning of your talk you found Professor Cantles concept of interculturalism deeply flawed. What do you consider a more viable alternative?
It turned out that she hadn't listened to professor Cantle's speach so didn't feel adequately prepared to defend the statement she just made – the rest of her answer to me was so long and wordy that it took up all of her remaining question and answer time, and I can't recall much of what she suggested beyond a vague reference to "Strong Multiculturalism". Sorry Pragna.(you can hear her speech here and the aforementioned question at 27:15)
Nick was a fantastically eloquent and inspiring speaker – talking about self-censorship and imploring us to always be free to criticise "divinely inspired bigotry and facism". His passion for free speech and how we should never be deterred from our right to it even in the face of threats of violence was fabulous, and evocative of Hitch in his refusal to back down to fascist terror threats in his robust rebuttals to religious lunatics. There is no greater compliment I can grant him than that.
He told a fantastic anecdote about how a trashy romance novel about Muhammed, that was written in such a way to be completely and utterly non-insulting – even changing history to make him seem less of a child rapist and murderer – was removed from the shelves when ONE islamic scholar in the US who hadn't even read it properly stated it was an insult to islam. The publisher got scared not of a threat, but of the potential of a threat.
Your freedom of expression is at risk, don't let the unenlightened take it from you.
It was time for lunch and finally a chance to have a chat to my blogger in arms, Io, who hitherto I'd never met, despite blogging together. Our mutual enjoyment of metal and an intolerance of theistic bollocks meant we got on brilliantly (at least… I think we did!). It was strange in that because of our online communication I felt like I knew her already! She is very much lovely and the proudest mum & fiancee I've ever met. Had we met earlier in life I've no doubt we'd be great friends, and I'd like to think we will be from this point on.
I also at this point met the charming and quite absurdly handsome "Logical Narwahl" who we found and then spent the rest of the conference with. Narwahl was very friendly, intelligent and witty. He shared the Amplified Atheist view on the bucket of fuckery that is atheism+, which of course endeared us to him all the more. Basically, everyone I met there was my sort of person. I wish I could have a beer or two with all of them. Except the priest guy. He creeped me out. Ugh.
Side note: there appeared to be a pretty much 50 / 50 gender split to my eyes and I did not see a single instance of anything approaching harrassment, sexual or otherwise at the conference. This is only of relevance to you if you've been keeping up with the a+ shennanigans.
We also found the one and only professor Dawkins, who turned up just in time for the free sandwiches:
I'll be honest – at this point in the day, after eating more than a fair share of the complimentary sandwiches I was beginning to flag as the excess booze I'd consumed the evening before started to take its toll. This combined with it being uncomfortably warm and a touch cosy inside the conference hall led me to sort of drift in and out of Peter Tatchell's talk. I did find out however that he was the winner of this year's Secularist of the Year prize. Which is pretty fucking awesome. His main points were also around how religious organisations and theocracies are the greatest threats to freedom, and human rights today. Which is something I can totally agree with. Secularism is a much better philosophy for both theists and atheists alike. Society and government function better without a religious leech draining and poisoning them.
Maryam Namazie
Maryam's talk was the highlight for me, Io, Narwahl and Chris as she delivered a devastating, passionate and ferocious salvo against islamo-fascism and the horrors of sharia law. I can't do justice to how amazing she was, her presentation was a tour-de-force, and it was truly compelling and educational. I urge you all to read the talk in full right here. Go do it. Now. And only come back here when you are done.
A couple of key points from it that had me completely aghast:
The Islamic Sharia Council in Britain explains for example why a woman's testimony is worth half that of a man's. 'If one forgets, the other can remind her.' It's the difference between a man and a woman's brains.' 'A woman's character is not so good for a case where testimony requires attention and concentration.'
In a Sharia court in Britain, a woman can't even sign her own marriage contract; a male guardian must do it on her behalf. Child custody goes to the father at a pre-set age irrespective of the welfare of the child. Marital rape is seen to be the prerogative of the husband – a sharia judge recently said calling it rape is the act of aggression. The rules here in Britain are the same as the ones women in Iran face in family courts.
And they are also dealing with child marriages, which is nothing more than religiously-sanctioned child rape and paedophilia. In 2010, around 30 cases of child marriages were reported in Islington alone. At least three 11-year-old girls and two nine-year-olds had been forced into marriage with older men. The oldest girls were 16.
Shocking isn't it? Maryam also urged everyone to stand up to this and to denounce anyone that would dare to call you a racist for questioning and criticizing islamists and sharia law. Those liberals who would claim in their defence this is all their "right to religion" are as ignorant as they utterly stupid. I for one am not afraid to call out any theistic bullshit for what it is. Dark age, ancient, out of touch, lying, oppressive, fascist bullshit. This conference has only made me more confident in doing so.
Professor Richard Dawkins
There's really not much I can say about Dawkins speech that would surprise you. Suffice to say it was about 40 minutes of trolling Christianity and it's most peculiar sub-division, Mormonism. His presentation was typically sharp and witty, with his laying in to Mitt Romney a particular highlight. He also spent some time satirising Tony Blairs ridiculous faith foundation, much to my delight.
The Q&A was also interesting, with the opportunity for him to again passionately denounce those that label their children after their faith, which you can tell is a rather large bugbear of his just by the way he talks about it.
Home Time :-(
It seemed as soon as it started, the conference closed to rapturous applause and appreciation by everyone there. I didn't know what to really expect both in terms of the content of the conference and the people I'd meet. However the whole day completely blew apart my expectations. I sincerely wanted to stay for drinks with some of the guys we met there, however I had other commitments that evening that I needed to attend to.
I returned from the conference a head full of new knowledge and a heart full of inspiration. I was very impressed with the calibre of the speakers and breadth of subject matter, and I am determined to attend next years meeting as well as other similar ones such as the BHA conference.
I had such a great day out, it was fantastic to meet my fellow blogger and some other Twitter activists who were all just the loveliest people you could meet, I can't wait for the chance for us all to meet up again for a proper chat.
Till next time, fellow secularists x


text:
UT GCP Governance
1. GCP Faculty Meetings
Mission: To provide a forum for open communication between GCP leadership and faculty by disseminating information, performing core competency evaluations of the students, and eliciting feedback.
Members: All individuals associated with GCP student supervision
2. GCP Advisory Board
Mission: To ensure the relevance of the GCP by proposing changes to meet the evolving needs of the genetic counseling profession; by promoting the GCP in the greater community and encouraging donation to the genetic counseling excellence fund, and by providing a forum for discussion of GCP Faculty concerns.
Members: Core planning committee and representatives from major areas of gc growth
- Program Directors – Claire Singletary and Sarah Noblin
- Prenatal – Jen Hoskovec
- Pediatrics – Barbara Domiguez
- Cancer – Amanda Brandt
- Specialty – Jacqui Hecht
- Industry –Karen Copeland
- Research –Van Tran
- Laboratory – Pat Ward
- Outside clinical supervisor –Melissa Strassberg
- Alumni member - Sandra Darilek
3. Core Genetic Counselor Group
Mission : To assess the effectiveness and improve the GCP by evaluating curriculum, rotations, students, and interviews; by setting goals and writing objectives; by providing feedback and education for thesis committee members, supervisors, and lecturers.
Members: Program directors and at least one member from each major area of specialization Claire Singletary, Sarah Noblin, Jen Hoskovec, Marianna Raia, Molly Daniels


text:
Associated Press
The Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage, which highlights historical sites along 100 miles stretching from Athens to Macon, is planned for Thursday through Sunday.
The Telegraph of Macon reports (http://bit.ly/ZZGU9i) that participants on the tour set their own pace and plot their own course. They stop at some of the state's most popular tourist attractions and some private homes not usually open for tours.
New on the Antebellum Trail Pilgrimmage this year is the Sallie Davis House, built in Milledgeville in 1890. The former home of a pioneering black educator was restored in recent years.
Tickets are $25 per person, or $20 with groups of 10 or more, and can be purchased at any of the welcome centers along the trail. Passes can be used all locations.
Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com


text:
Why Linking Farms Are Bad
Posted on October 12, 2010
Why are linking farms bad and why should you avoid them? Picture the nearest public dump, and you have a clear image of a linking farm. Put simply, all the links from such farms are trash. The websites they point to may be good ones but the link from the farms will never bring these…Read More


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The former tutor to athletes at the University of North Carolina who officials say provided "impermissible" academic help to football players did so without the knowledge of Tar Heels coach Butch Davis, according to the tutor's lawyer.
The tutor, Jennifer Wiley, had also worked directly for Davis' family as a tutor for the coach's high school-aged son.
Joseph Cheshire V, a Raleigh lawyer representing Wiley, said in a statement that Davis wasn't involved in Wiley's actions with UNC athletes that have drawn scrutiny.
"Coach Davis and his family played no part whatsoever in the matters under investigation that have been referred to as 'impermissible extra benefits' and 'impermissible academic assistance' as related to Ms. Wiley," Cheshire said.
Cheshire made clear in the statement that Wiley, who is a UNC graduate, does not want to harm Davis, who is wrapping up his fourth year as coach of the Tar Heels.
Cheshire said Wiley does not want to "engage in conversations about this matter with people whose aim is to continue to attempt to hurt the young men she cared about, the University of North Carolina and its athletic program, and especially Coach Davis and his family."
Cheshire said that Wiley would not comment further.
Wiley, an elementary school teacher in Durham, has declined interviews with the NCAA and with UNC administrators as part of probes into NCAA violations in the football program, officials have said.
The probes led to 14 football players being withheld from at least one game and led to permanent ineligibility for five of them. The university is waiting to see if the NCAA will impose further sanctions.
In a letter to Wiley last month, UNC athletic director Dick Baddour said that in 2009 and 2010 Wiley provided impermissible academic help to some athletes, which "adversely affected" their eligibility.
In 2009, she also provided unallowed "extra benefits" worth more than $2,000 - help that Cheshire has said involved her allowing a player to use her credit card. Cheshire has said the money was paid back immediately.
Wiley worked for the Davis family from December 2008 to May 2010.
Baddour, as well as UNC chancellor Holden Thorp, have said they have found no evidence that Davis was aware of the tutor's actions. And Davis has said he didn't know what Wiley was doing.
Thorp last month gave the coach a resounding vote of confidence and said Davis will return next season.
firstname.lastname@example.com or 919-829-4840


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The Oklahoma Department of Transportation's contractor will be closing all ramps to and from I-35 at the Indian Hills Road overpass at 7 tonight and reopening the ramps by 6 a.m. Friday.
Official said the shutdown is necessary to remove the portable median barriers that were utilized during the recent repairs on the overpass. The Indian Hills Road bridge was having structural issues on the bridge deck and multiple patches to the concrete had been required within the previous year. Inspection showed that there was significant damage to the deck and structure.
ODOT and the City of Norman partnered to complete the necessary repairs to maintain the operational use of the bridge. During the completion of the work it was determined that the deck had more damage and the contract was extended to make these necessary additional repairs.


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Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Nov 15, 2005
Industry & Economy
Foreign Trade
Agri-Biz & Commodities - WTO
Australia, India to speed up process to resolve farm trade issues
M.R. Subramani
Mr Peter McGauran - K.V.Srinivasan
Chennai , Nov. 14
INDIA and Australia have "ignited a sense of urgency" in resolving quarantine issues that affect trade in meat, dairy and horticulture products.
According to Mr Peter McGauran, Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, both the nations have resolved to accord high priority to settle these issues that have been hanging fire for quite some years.
Mr McGauran, who was in Chennai on Sunday as part of his visit to the country from Friday last, said the decision to resolve the issues of larger market access to Australian products and quarantine was taken at a meeting with the Union Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar.
He told Business Line that Australia had invited a visit by technical personnel to examine issues relating to dairy products and meat in February. An Australian official is likely to visit the country this month to discuss further on these issues with Indian authorities.
Currently, Australia is seeking increased market access to its dairy, horticulture and meat products. India is not allowing import of dairy products such as cheese on the fear that cattle abroad could have been injected with hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone to stimulated them to produce extra fat and muscle.
Officials fear a rise from linking oestrogen to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive disorders in men. Progesterone is feared to increase the development of ovarian, breast and uterine tumours in laboratory animals.
"We have told the Indian authorities that our farmers are not using these hormones, though we have told them that we can't give any guarantee," he said.
However, Mr McGauran said the authorities and Mr Pawar were told that there was no scientific basis for their fear and oestrogen was not "health risk". "In fact, these are safe and healthy," he said.
Australia, in particular, is looking at export of cheese that has long shelf life of India.
India also does not allow import of meat and beef from other countries. This is again on fears that the cattle in developed nations are fed with crushed bones, which is strongly suspected to the cause for mad cow disease.
This, according to McGauran, has led to India banning its market access to Australian lamb meat, mutton and beef. "It is against law to feed ruminants with crushed bones in Australia," he said.
In case of horticulture exports, Australia and India have been able to sort out the issue of fumigants.
According to the Minister, India is the third largest importer of Australian wool at A$155 million (Rs 516.50 crore). It also imports A$24-million (Rs 80 crore) worth pulses.
On the other hand, Australia is also ready to address the issue of access of its market for Indian mangoes. Though it had been importing mangoes earlier, the shipments were banned since 1996 due to presence of pests, particularly stone weevil.
"We are awaiting a farm survey before allowing Indian mangoes," Mr McGauran said. In particular, Australia could be examining the effectiveness of the vapour heat treatment of mangoes meant for export. The treatment is seen as an effective method to curb the weevil, which grows inside the seed, and Japan has already approved the method.
WTO farm talks: The Australian Minister said it was hard not to be pessimistic about the progress in WTO agriculture talks. "There is little time left to solve the issues," he said to a question if the WTO Agreement on Agriculture would come into effect by April 2006.
"The European Union has to grant greater market access, specially to meet the offer from the US. For that, it has to drastically reduce farm subsidies," Mr McGauran said. "To be fair to the European Union, it has made worthwhile efforts," he added.
On expectations from India and the Group of 20 lead by it, he said the Cairns Group of countries that depend on agriculture exports looked forward to resolving the issue of higher tariffs.
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From Staff Reports
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana —
Turkey hunting has taken its rightful place on the top shelf of my favorite pursuits. Those who know me would tell you I'm a hog hunting addict, it's true, but deer and turkey hunting also take top spots; in fact, I may even jump out on a limb and suggest I like turkey hunting even more than deer hunting – I suppose it depends on which season is on the horizon. Either way, when it comes to turkey hunting, I'm a huge fan!
I began turkey hunting years ago with a rifle; in Texas, turkey hunting with a rifle is legal but let's be honest, it's not much of a challenge. The transition was quick; After taking a turkey with a rifle I needed more of a challenge a shotgun became my tool of the trade and remained so for years.
Notches carved into the shotgun stock led me to consider alternative and even more challenging method, bowhunting. My move to bowhunting for turkeys wasn't the result of some great epiphany – my wife would attest that my brain isn't wired for high level processing; I simply reasoned that 40 yards or less was the standard shooting distance with my shotgun and I was also comfortable at that distance with a bow. This meant, as a product of my confidence level, when I was in shotgun range, I was in bow range; it was a natural progression.
Hunting turkeys with a bow doesn't necessarily mean I'm a better hunter; it just means I have volunteered to lose out on more opportunities for the greater glory of bowhunting success. Turkey hunting is tough business whether you use a shotgun or a bow and often ends with killing nothing more than time. No matter how you slice it getting a turkey on the ground comes down to opportunity and shot placement; admittedly, both are harder to come by with a bow.
On a trip for Rio Grande Turkeys last year, I was fortunate to experience the type of bowhunting scenario I thought only played out in dreams. After using a crow call to locate a tom my younger brother, Jim, and I planted a hen decoy at 15 yards then took cover in the recesses of a fallen cedar tree. Good friend, Shawn Green, took cover on the far side of another fallen cedar and began laying out excited yelp runs. It wasn't long before a bright red waddle appeared through the thicket followed by the rest of the tom's strutting body. In full strut, the tom continued towards our decoy, turning one direction then the next as he closed the distance. Turkey hunting's most challenging variables dropped into place, only drawing and shot placement remained… but that's most of the battle! And, often the chances to draw and shoot come simultaneously.
Drawing a bow back in the open is most of the battle. Turkeys have incredible eyesight, much better than you and me. They can and do see everything! Your only chance to achieve full draw in the open is to wait until the tom passes behind something or turns away from you. Last year, I drew when the turkey turned away from me. He was in full strut and offered me a great target; my arrow found its mark and he was dead within seconds!
Hit 'Em Where It Hurts!
Shot placement is critical whether you are hunting with a bow or shotgun! Of course shotgun hunters shoot the head when Ol' Tom has it extended but bowhunters have even more options. The most effective is still a headshot but that type of accuracy on a live target can be incredibly difficult. Instead, I opt for a back or broadside shot. Back-shots are simple. If the tom faces away from you in full strut you'll see a clear bullseye – shoot it! If he's turned away but not in full strut, envision a spot in his lower back and let'r rip! A broadside shot is more difficult. Use your x-ray vision to imagine where the turkey's leg meets his body tucked under the canopy of his wing – shoot him there. Finally, a tom can also be stopped in his tracks with a shot directly through his chest as he is facing you. The reference image shows several effective shot placements, remember all of them. Turkey hunting, like deer hunting, means scenarios are sure to play out in every way except the way you planned. Be prepared!
Consider a few additional turkey hunting tips:
- Use a mechanical broadhead with a large cutting diameter like a Schwacker. Consider using small game callers or other attachments to help ensure you don't have a pass-through. Learn more about Shwacker Broadheads online at www.Swhacker.com.
- Use a ThermaCELL – I'm dead serious when I say I've never had a single mosquito bite when using a ThermaCELL unit and I think we can all agree that springtime skeeters are thick! They also can carry a number of serious diseases. Learn more online at www.ThermaCELL.com.
- Treat your clothes with permethrin to repel and kill ticks. Ticks can carry Lyme disease and other catastrophic diseases. Treating your clothes is simple and you may only need to do it once for the entire season! Learn more online at http://www.lymefight.info/prevention.html
Hunt hard, hunt often.
Kevin may be reached for questions, comments and suggestions at email@example.com.


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Q: Once in a while I get a blue screen when I start my computer in the morning, especially if it is off for three or four days when I go out of town. It gives a STOP 0x0000007E (0xC000005, 0x806F6998, 0xF7C465DC, 0xF7C462D8) code and nothing further. I have to hit the power button and restart. Any suggestions on this?
Buddy Y., Durham
Long-time users of the Windows operating system know this problem well. No other errors quite match the frustration triggered by this shade of blue now synonymous with Microsoft.
Unfortunately, the blue screen of death is about as ambiguous as it is iconic.
Stop errors can indicate a range of technological ailments that often require more information to diagnose or a guess-and-test method of treatment. But that doesnt mean those guesses cant be educated ones.
The key is in the error codes. The first one, 0x0000007E, describes the broad category of the problem, while the rest are parameters dependent on your system and specific error. These parameters can show up in a ton of different combinations, so it can be difficult to find a fix online for your particular permutation.
Paul Rosenberg, owner of the Chapel Hill repair shop Love Your Computer, said the 0x0000007E stop error is prompted during startup when your system has trouble loading its basic drivers, the programs that control computer hardware like disk drives and sound cards.
Your problem could be as simple as timing one of these programs may be starting up too early or too late, affecting others in the process. Microsoft Support does supply an easy fix that requires users to download and run a simple file ( support.microsoft.com/kb/900485). Even if this isnt the cause, it wont affect your system to try the solution.
A recently updated video or network driver also could prompt such an error, Rosenberg said, although fixing it requires that you know which device was updated. In Windows Device Manager, roll back to the previous driver by right clicking on the device, clicking on Properties and the Driver tab.
Theres another more serious possibility: a rootkit infection. Programmed to run undetected and load as a system driver, this species of malware is tough to eradicate.
A poorly written/buggy rootkit would explain the erratic nature of the failure, Rosenberg said in an email. If it was a legitimate driver causing the problem, I would expect it to fail every time, not randomly.
Free tools like TDSSKiller ( support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363) from computer security firm Kaspersky Lab can help you track down and remove such an infection, but Rosenberg recommends seeking professional help.
The overwhelming chance is that if there is a rootkit, the computer is compromised/infected in other ways and should be checked thoroughly in a shop environment where the drive can be pulled and scanned while inactive, Rosenberg said.
To round off the list of dire diagnoses, he said a hard drive failure could be corrupting one of the drivers as the computer boots up.
Hows that for ambiguity?
If none of these solutions solves the problem, the best course of action is to hand things off to a computer repair shop that has the tools and expertise to dig up more clues than the blue screen of death can provide.
I find that a lot of computers I work on end up with this kind of open-ended speculation, Rosenberg said. It really could be any of the few major things that always end up being at the root of computer problems, hard drive failure or malware being the top two.
Send technology questions to email@example.com. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Sorry, we cant answer every question.


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It wasn't a typical Sachem football game for the Falco family Friday night.
Sachem head coach Dave Falco coached against his nephew James Conklin as his Flaming Arrows battled Patchogue-Medford in the Suffolk County Division I quarterfinals.
Conklin, a freshman receiver on the Raiders, is the son of Falco's sister Lisa, a Sachem alum and an elementary teacher in the school district.
Adding more intrigue to the story, Conklin has a twin brother, Justin, who moonlights as one of Sachem's water boys, but serves as the freshman class vice president for his native Patchogue-Medford by day.
"I didn't think I'd be playing on varsity at this age," said James, who saw considerable action on special teams in his team's 35-7 loss. "Last year I came to all the games and didn't think I'd be here like this tonight."
Conklin wears No. 82, a tribute to Falco, who wore that number for four years at Cortland as a receiver. Falco wore the reverse No. 28 at Sachem in the 1980s.
"I look up to him and try to play how he would want me to," Conklin said.
Grandma and Grandpa Falco – Tony and Margaret – sat in the stands as they always do, proud as ever. Margaret wore a split designed shirt with red and gold colors to honor both football personalities in the family.
As for Justin, - better known as Ace around the Sachem football program - he roamed the sidelines Friday with pride for his brother and uncle.
"I love both teams," he said. "They both have amazing players. I just wanted it to come down to a good game. There was a lot of smack talk at school with my friends. My loyalty is here, but my pride is in Patchogue."
Since Conklin is only a freshman and Patchogue is on the rise in Division I with young talent, the Sachem-Patchogue rivalry could be heating up again real soon.
"He really looks like a great athlete and I think he'll have a bright future in Patchogue," Falco said. "I'm sad he had to lose and end his season, but he's a kid who works hard. He's a great kid and I'm very proud to be his uncle. I think he could be somebody I have to watch out for."


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Gender: Female
Years in Practice: 17 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Russian
Medical School: ROSTOV STATE MED UNIV, ROSTOV, RUSSIA
Graduation Date: 1997
Hospital Affiliations: Aurora Medical Center Grafton, Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Specialties: Internal Medicine
©2005-2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.


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The sixth edition of Alumni News focuses on Wiggin and Dana alumni who now work at private sector companies. Our feature article spotlights alumni with ESPN - Marci Keegan, Eleanor DeVane and Wendi Kemp, and Robert Heulin and Patrick Cocoran, both at United Technology Corporation's Otis Elevator in Farmington, Connecticut. The newsletter also honors and recognizes the work of former Wiggin and Dana attorney, William J. Doyle, who received the New Haven County Bar Association's 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.
This edition includes a review of the firm's cases, deals and events; diversity and pro bono matters; welcomes new lawyers to the firm's Philadelphia office, and celebrates the firm's first year in Greenwich. Click on the image to view.
In 2006, we began to publish Wiggin and Dana alumni newsletters annually. Click on the images below to read past issues.
In this issue Our fifth anniversary of publishing Alumni News brings a twist to our 2010 issue, this edition focuses on our alumni working in the government sector, including our Alumni Spotlight featuring The Honorable James L. Buckley, a Wiggin and Dana Associate from 1949 to 1953, penned by Bill Prout and Jenny Chou.
This edition also includes many of our regular features: a year in review of the firm's cases, deals and events; an update on some firm news, diversity, and pro bono matters; and a remembrance of alumni who have passed away during the past year.
In this issue Having celebrated our 75th anniversary in 2009, we are pleased to share this special Commemorative Edition of our annual Alumni News.
This edition includes a brief firm history presented in picture, timeline and anecdote; Jack Dunham's thoughts on Wiggin and Dana's first 75 years, sent firm-wide on our official anniversary day, April 2; and an entertaining tribute to the firm's founding fathers, penned by Bill Prout.
In this issue Enjoy reading about our alumni reception at Art Space in New Haven, our alumni spotlight featuring Gates Garrity-Rokous and Howard Fields, Wiggin and Dana Women's Network events, John Barnett clerking in Vermont after 55 years in the Connecticut Bar, and other regular features in our third annual Alumni News.
In this issueOur second annual Alumni News includes many of our regular features including attorney announcements, photos from the alumni reception at the Yale Peabody Museum, updates on recent cases and deals and much more!
In this issueWelcome to our inaugural Alumni News publication! This issue is the exciting kick-off to our annual alumni newsletter including alumni notes, attorney announcements, cases, deals and events, and news on our annual William G. Millman, Jr., Memorial Scholarship award recipient.


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Presidential Debate Chili11 Reviews 5 Pics
Prep20 m
Cook1 h 10 m
Ready In1 h 30 m
"A basic but tasty chili recipe that you can keep mild or season to a fire-hot! A great dinner, game day meal, or perfect when watching political debates. Add as a side rice or cornbread, Fritos® or crackers, and definitely grated cheese, and you'll have a winner. (Blue ribbon chili cook-off winner.)"
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Adjust Servings
Original recipe yields 8 servings
- Crumble beef into a large pot over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic. Cook and stir beef until completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard excess grease. Return pot to medium-high heat.
- Stir diced tomatoes, beef broth, diced green chilies, chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, and salt through the beef mixture. Add beans and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, place a cover on the pot, and simmer for 1 hour.
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Reviews (11)Rate This Recipe
Kudos to the submitter(s), This Colorado Trio, for the catchy, fun and timely name they gave their chili. It's an obvious attention grabber and it works. It's so much more creative than the (yawn) "The Best Chili in the Whole Wide World," or "Easy, Peasy, Chili." And chili is certainly appropriate for a Presidential Debate to keep muss and fuss to a minimum. It was also interesting for me to try, since it was different than how I generally make it. Individual tastes vary, of course, but for me this was good, not great. First, in defense of the recipe, I couldn't stay true as I was unable to find "ranch-style beans" so I improvised with suggestions I easily found on the internet. The can of diced green chilies was a new addition and while it contributed a flavor kick, I found it too BIG of a kick – I could see reducing that amount and maybe filling in with green bell peppers. The broth was different for me too, and I'm sort of indifferent about it. Where my taste buds had an issue was with the oregano –I don't generally add that to chili and I guess I could like it- but two teaspoons was way overkill for me. Submitter is correct – this is an easy, basic chili recipe that can be modified with changes or substitutions or to include favorite add-ins. I appreciated the new and fun cooking experience, especially for tonight's final and important Presidential Debate.
Baking Nana
Hubby gives this 5 stars, he went back for seconds - I give it 5 stars because it managed to keep his mouth busy instead of yapping throughout the debate. Thanks for a good recipe with a fun name.
Good basic chili, and that's pretty much how we like our chili. I did appreciate not having to use any packaged chili seasonings with all of the sugar and chemicals that comes with it. Not quite spicy enough for us though, so I added more chili powder and more cumin. Also, I could not find "ranch beans" (mentioned by a previous reviewer), so I used dark red kidney beans and one can was more than enough for this size recipe.
Similar Recipes
Sharon's Awesome Chicago Chili
Aush (Afghani Chili)
Simply Sensational Chili
Holy Trinity Chili
Mulholland's Idaho Chili
Dad's Chili
Amount Per Serving (8 total)
- Calories
- 240 cal
- 12%
- Fat
- 7.2 g
- 11%
- Carbs
- 24.4 g
- 8%
- Protein
- 17.1 g
- 34%
- Cholesterol
- 35 mg
- 12%
- Sodium
- 1137 mg
- 45%
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
previous recipe:
Simply Sensational Chili
next recipe:
Sharon's Awesome Chicago Chili


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Many young children, especially boys, love to play with trains and interconnecting train sets. There are many different varieties of train sets available for children of all ages that include wooden train sets, interactive talking train sets, and electrical train sets. Several of the popular children's television shows for toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 year olds) such as Chuggington, Thomas and Friends and Dinosaur Train, also have toy train sets that will engage the imagination of their biggest rail fans on the comfort of their living room floor. Amazingly, many of the wooden train sets are universal, allowing different sets to be expanded to the interest of the child. Most of these train sets also have additional accessories that can be purchased separately as children expand their collections. If you are purchasing a train set, also consider a train table, as a way to store and organize toys. These are some of the best toy train sets for kids.
1. Big Jigs Town & Country Train Set
2. Chuggington Wooden Railway Set
Chuggington is a popular children's television show for preschoolers. These wooden train sets, recommended for kids ages 3 and up, include a variety of 2-in-1 buildings that can be purchased additionally, that are featured in the show as well. These wooden tracks are universal and compatible with other train sets. A variety of track layouts are also available for view online at Learning Curve to vary play.
3. Chuggington Interactive Railway
Utilizing SmartTalk technology, the tracks in this railway are plastic, but easily snapped together by young children. The engines are interactive, speaking several different phrases, depending on the accessory the train is in front of. The engines are also able recognize each other. Additional accessories are available for purchase. These engines are quite large, but will also run along the wooden tracks as well.
4. Dinosaur Train Time Tunnel Motorized Set
For your kids that are dinosaur fans in general or fans of Dinosaur Train, a Jim Henson television show on PBS, this playset marries two concepts many little boys love, trains and dinosaurs. With the push of a button, the train is motorized and capable of pulling two train cars. The set includes characters from the show, Buddy and Mr. Conductor. Lights and sounds are triggered on top of the mountain. This set is recommended for kids ages 3 and up.
5. Fisher-Price Geo Trax Transportation System
Recommended for kids ages 2-7, Geotrax is a remote control train that moves in both forward and reverse by moving the control forward or backward. Additional accessory sets can be purchased to add-on to this set as well. When the train is dropped onto the track, the wheels automatically align, making it easy for young children to put on and off the track.
6. MEGA Bloks Thomas & Friends Misty Island
7. Richard Scarry Busytown Roadway Starter Playset
Though this isn't an actual train set, these plastic roadway tracks are also compatible with the wooden train sets, so definitely worth a mention in this category, making this a unique set to expand train sets into a town. Several different playsets like a fire house and town hall, conceptualized from the Richard Scarry children's television show, are also available to expand this set.


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"Give the people what you want" sort of sums up the attitude for the newly opened Public House, a block or so equidistant from Regas Restaurant and the Greyhound Bus Station at 212 W. Magnolia.
"All the places in Knoxville were starting to feel the same—more of a music venue, and there are so many other places you can go if you want to watch a game," says co-owner Eric Ohlgren, whose "real job" is as co-owner of the commercial interior firm Heuristic Workshop. "Everywhere else drives me nuts. I wanted a no-smoking, no-television, no-live-music bar—a neighborhood place where you can come in and know exactly what to expect, every night."
The Public House is all that: airy, and easy, with a collection of roomy booths, art-topped tables, walls of saturated red, a deep bar with custom counters and can lights rescued from the Arnstein Building. Behind it is the obligatory oil painting of a nude, only this one's pretty mod, and she looks down on items like a meat cutter for the Public House's signature sliced meats, and bins of marinated beans and jars of McClure's pickles. It can be reached by bike or on foot by denizens of downtown, the Old City, Old North Knoxville, and Fourth and Gill.
Ohlgren—one of the originators of Nama, with Gregg White—and his wife, Tina Rosling, already owned the space and he was planning a beer joint when a couple of enhancements became possible with the addition of two partners, David Sneed and Laura Sohn. "I couldn't have put the money in to make it this nice," says Ohlgren. "This is three times better."
Sneed, a smiley redhead whose work in Knoxville in the decade previous has been in computer security and networking, will manage day-to-day. He knew Ohlgren "on the periphery" and then really bonded with him over a 5-5-5 motorcycle trip about two years ago—meaning 2,500 miles on pre-1975 motorcycles valued under $500 and with under-500 cc engines. "You get to know someone really well when you do a knucklehead trip like that," Sneed says.
The two bonded further when they literally built out the inside of the bar, from welding chairs to installing the panels that made the conversational acoustics what Ohlgren deems "highly tolerable."
Sohn, who also knows the two from "around," upped the ante on the menu when she signed on. She's worked for AC Entertainment and now owns Mockingbird Events and says, with a characteristic wry humor, that "it would be kind" to say she's a "self-taught" chef and menu artist. Perhaps best known locally for as co-creator and standard bearer for BaconFest, Sohn's outdone herself on the seasonal menu, which she hopes to change up every three months or so.
"The food concept is to feature either regional, fresh local products like cheeses from Blackberry Farms, or things you can't get here at all, like goodies from Murray's Cheese Shop in New York City," she says.
The menu is itself cozy and instructive; a representative couple of items include prosciutto from nearby Benton's Country Hams; locavore beet pesto; Arbequina olives (small, brown, and from Catalina), and Fiore Sardo, which has Sohn's signature foodie-ness all over its menu description, beginning with "from Sardinia's rich pastoral land of Logudoro, produced by smaller shepherds who age wheels for a month on site."
The Sunsphere is Not a Wigshop blogger Cullin Spellings, who walks over from his place near the City County Building, has already been in five times in the bar's first eight days. He's a fan of the smoked trout dip, and the $2 popcorn with white truffle salt that he says "punches you right in the face. The food is great, especially at the price—the popcorn would cost more at the movies! And you're not getting cheese dip and chicken wings."
They serve the full menu right up until midnight, but it's not meant to be dinner. And Ohlgren doesn't expect patrons to stick around all night. "It's a stop," he says. "A good place to start or end your night. You can go elsewhere to get your ya-yas out."
In all, people are liking what the three owners like, very much. The second Friday they were open, Sneed notes, there was standing room only, and Ohlgren told him he counted just three patrons who didn't live within walking distance of the place. The following Saturday evening, by 6 p.m. the bar is already half-full. Long-time downtowner Steve Dupree shows up in overalls and backwards baseball cap and gets an appreciative laugh from several patrons when he quips, "I don't drink any more—or any less," before ordering a beer from Ohlgren, whom he calls by name.
"It's a place to hang out and shoot the shit; a grown-up bar," Ohlgren says. He knows better than to have people check their cellphones at the door, but, he says, "I would if I could."
There won't be any changes like that, but the bar will soon start serving liquor, in mixed drinks created by Sohn. "We're going to ease into it," says Sneed.
And while Sohn's commitments won't leave her much time to actually preside over the Public House, she does plan to be there to introduce new elements.
"I definitely hope to have some events there, Mockingbird-specific and also some Public House events," she says. "I can picture bourbon tastings, that sort of thing. And we'll try to continue to do things outside the box—not everyone wants to be standard."
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- November 19, 2010
- 4:30 p.m.
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em writes:
So happy this place exists. I totally agree with Ohlgren that every bar around here kind of seems the same. Knoxville has been in desperate need of a bar that doesn't feel the need to do live music. The food here is delicious, too.
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LAS VEGAS -- An I-Team investigation has uncovered how missing evidence at the Clark County District Attorney's office impacted a major rape trial. A jury found a local man not guilty after a judge told them they could consider how the DA's office destroyed evidence regarding payments to witnesses.
A Las Vegas man, Gary Miller, faced 25 felony charges including sexual assault and incest. He was accused of raping a relative and two other juveniles. A jury found him not guilty, but that verdict came after employees in the district attorney's office testified they had destroyed evidence in that case and many others.
Based on the charges, Miller effectively faced a life sentence. When defense attorneys Dayvid Figler and Dan Bunin began to look into how much the DA's office paid witnesses to come to the courthouse for trial preparation, they hit a snag.
"This is an email from one unit of the district attorney's office to the prosecutor saying, 'I do not have any voucher records dating back to 2009, 2010. All have been destroyed,' then there's a bit of a frowny face," Figler, Miller's attorney said. "Every three years from the creation of the documents that would indicate how much was paid to bring each witness in, they literally destroy them by burning them."
Figler said witnesses gave conflicting numbers about how much they were paid by the DA's office, in addition to their travel and hotel expenses. When the DA's employees were called to testify, one admitted there may have been overpayments.
"She may have been overpaid," said Felizia Hernandez with the DA's office during her testimony Oct. 3, 2013.
Judge Elissa Cadish gave jurors an unusual instruction. They could consider testimony they heard of the DA's office destroying witness payment evidence in their verdict. Prosecutors were not allowed to bring up Miller's 1993 conviction in Los Angeles for sexually molesting a 3-year-old.
The jury found Miller not guilty of the Las Vegas rape charges. Figler says this isn't the first time he's caught unusual payments coming from the DA's office. He won another not guilty verdict in 2009 after one witness claimed prosecutors gave her $65 for a pre-trial appearance.
"She indicated that the prosecution had done that," Figler said. "She told us that when she did get that $65, she went out the next hour and bought crack cocaine."
Newly-appointed District Attorney Steve Wolfson promises to change the way his office handles witness payment evidence.
"I don't want this situation to happen again. That's why I asked for an audit to be conducted so we can learn what our current processes are so we can improve on them, because there was a failure," he said.
Wolfson explains that though the evidence in the Miller rape case could not be found in time for the trial, backup copies, showing who got paid and for what amount, are kept by Clark County. The problem is with cases taking years longer to get to trial, it's become increasingly difficult for the DA's office to keep track of payment records.
"The inability to produce those records, that's the problem and that's why I'm hopeful this audit will show the failures of the current system and make recommendations for improvement," Wolfson said.
Witnesses are entitled by state law to $25 for courthouse appearances. District Attorney Wolfson said any additional payments have come to an end.
"I will tell you that is a practice that is probably inappropriate," he said. "The payment of a witness fee for a preparatory interview is not going to take place in the DA's office anymore."
The I-Team was able to reach a juror in the Gary Miller rape trial. She said there were just too many problems jurors had believing the prosecution's witnesses. She added, that while the judge's instructions to consider evidence destruction were not the deciding factor in their not guilty verdict, it certainly didn't help.
The district attorney adds that a new case management computer system rolling out in a year or two and should help prosecutors find and present evidence in trial.


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Giambi raking his way back into the lineupBy
Back when Jason Giambi was placed on the DL in early June, many Yankees fans turned on him. That they started winning some games at that point only made things worse. People were even saying ridiculous things, like Miguel Cairo being better for the team than Giambi. He hadn't done a whole lot lately — of course, because of his injury — so people began to write him off, as Yankees fans are wont to do.
In 10 plate appearances since returning, Giambi has four hits, two of which were freakin' crushed. On one of the six outs he's made, he hustled his fat ass down the line and beat out a double play ball — one that he certainly wouldn't have beat out last season.
The only question now is how to get him into the lineup regularly. Damon has been hitting .291/.395/.398 over the past month, which is just fine for a leadoff hitter — actually, it's almost ideal. The power comes from other outlets, making Damon's only job getting on base and swiping the occasional bag.
If you want both Damon and Giambi in the lineup, you have to sacrifice. You could put Giambi at DH and Damon in the outfield, but that means sitting Matsui (.350/.390/.667 in the past month), Melky (.361/.392/.597) or Abreu (.336/.395/.586). Another solution would be to play Giambi at first over Andy Phillips (.270/.303/.342). That would provide a significant offensive upgrade, but you'd be punting some valuable defense.
So we have the question: Do you play Giambi less, thereby reducing his potential impact? Or do you play him at first and hope his offense outweighs his defense?
20 Comments»
At this point, the Yanks don't need his offensive production, so Joe must walk a fine line, getting Giambi enough at bats (10-12/wk?) to keep him sharp for if and when they need his offense.
I think Torre has it right, and he'll adapt as he goes along. Giambi will take most of the DH at-bats, with Damon the odd-man out. If one or the other gets hot, he'll get most of the at-bats. Likewise, if Phillips goes stone-cold at the plate, Giambi may get some work at first, though Betamit is probably ahead of him. Putting G-man in the field increases his inury risk and weakens the defense significantly.
Before we hear the Torre trills for Mancaveitch, I'd like to see Giambi get some starts at 1B then they could always swap in Phillips for defense if the game is close in the 7th inning.
Then Damon is the DH or LF with Matsui the other slot.
I'd also like to see Duncan get some starts in RF/1B especially against the tough LHP like Bedard and even Robertson/Miller could pitch very well against a lefty heavy Yankee lineup.
Never underestimate the pull of Mancaveitch. If Phillips continues to slump, Torre will be pushing for him behind the scenes. And I'd much rather not have Mr. Mancaveitch anywhere near the field in September or, most especially, October.
I hope the rational side of the Yankee ship wins out on this one.
Damon or Matsui to 1B, Giambi at DH, Phillips as LIDR. Duncan spells Abreu from time to time, like against Bedard. Betemit in for Jeter/Arod/Cano to rest them & let Jeter heal up. Now the hard part: getting Damon or Matsui in to 1B….
The way they are doing it is perfect. Giambi is old, beaten down, and injury prone. Get him 3-4 starts a week and keep him fresh all year. Get Damon 4 or so starts between DH, LF, and occasionally CF.
Agree with Kyle on Giambino.
And there is no freakin' way Mkldfcz should see even 40 ABs for the remainder of the season!!! If he stays on the DL till after the rosters expand, he can have a roster spot just so he can sit on the bench and wear a Yankee uni and have a small chance to pick up chicks.
Other than that…he's DFA material. In fact, he should probably be DFAed just to protect JT from his own stupidity.
Giambi when he is healthy is a force in the line-up no one can question that. Phillips is like many solid bench players, spotted in certain roles they can be very effective but the more exposure they get the less effective they become. I'd rather see Damon in there everyday leading off so I support the idea of leaving Damon at the top of the order and working a platoon with Phillips and Giambi at first (Phillips could be used for that inning defense.
I would use Duncan on a once a week basis as a DH to spell Damon.
At best, Mientkiewicz is a late inning defensive replacement, a role which Andy Phillips can serve considering that Mientkiewicz can't hit his way out of paper bag. He is a fine 1B and can get a job somewhere else in the league, but whoever's roster spot he will be taking (this side of Farnsworth) would not be justified if he comes back. DFA away….
As an aside, anyone else a little wary of the next four games?
Tonight: Guthrie vs. Wang. Both pitchers struggling and its entirely conceivable that Guthrie outpitches him and steals a win.
Tomorrow: Karstens vs. Cabrera: Cabrera is feast or famine, as we know and if he is feast vs. an unremarkable (to this point) Karstens, the Yanks will be in trouble
Wednesday: Bedard vs. Hughes – Should be great, but the edge has to go to Bedard at this point because of the experience.
Thursday: Verlander vs. Stanford's Mike Mussina – Verlander scares me, frankly.
Maybe its because the media is slurping the Yanks a LOT today and I think they are due for a fall. Maybe its because I am dreading listening to the miserable Baltimore broadcasts here in Delaware for the next three days. Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time…but I am a little a-scared of a letdown.
I see one solution as putting melky in leadoff and bench Damon, Damon is one yankee i've given up on. It was tempting to give up on Giambi but I remembered how many times he was the hero, I just couldnt turn on the Giambambino. But overall I'd rather see Damon riding the bench over every other Yankee at this point, his performance even in left is disgusting, how many balls has he simply misjudged and have flown right over his head I don't know but I just dont see how anyone could defend his lineup spot.
"At best, Mientkiewicz is a late inning defensive replacement, a role which Andy Phillips can serve considering that Mientkiewicz can't hit his way out of paper bag"
neither can Phillips, unfortunately.
Phillips can't hit his way out of a plastic bag. Paper, I think he can handle
Phillip's has been hitting well this year and unless he were to go into a Will Nieves-like slump his job at first is safe. Torre has gone on the record saying as much.
I think Torre got so burned last year with the Sheff at first fiasco, that he has decided that he is not messing with what works. He should just keep doing what he has been doing, switching Damon and Giambi in the DH spot and using Damon to rest Abreu/Matsui/Melky. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
We've basically got Duncan, Abreu, Matsui, Phillips, Giambi, Damon, Cabrera, and Betemit for 5 positions (LF, CF, RF, 1B, DH). Betemit would also get the odd start at SS/3B (and maybe 2B?).
I think it should go something like this:
LF – Matsui 75%, Damon 30%
CF – Cabrera 90%, Damon 10%
RF – Abreu 80%, Matsui 15%
1B – Phillips 60%, Betemit 20%, Giambi 15%, Duncan 5%, Damon/Matsui?, Mientkiewicz?
DH – Giambi 45%, Damon 30%, Duncan 20%, Matsui 5%
That means that the players play this % of the time:
Matsui: 95%
Cabrera: 90%
Abreu: 80%
Damon: 70%
Phillips: 60%
Giambi: 60%
Duncan: 25%
Betemit: 20 %
Looking at those numbers, the only thing that's really wrong is that Abreu should be playing a bit more (85-90% of the time).
I don't want to be "That guy", but you have 105% in LF and 95% in RF.
lol i was gonna do that, i dont think damon should be playing 70% of the time I would rather have him play 60% and up duncans time
Giambi should be the primary DH, and Damon should generally be the 4th OF. Against LHP, you could play Duncan at DH or (depending on the park) RF.
As much as I'd love to put Giambi's offense at 1B, not only is he a poor defender but playing D seems to mean he'll get hurt. Granted, he can hurt himself DHing too, but the best shot at keeping him healthy is to keep him off the field.
I'd like to see more of Betemit at 1B.
"Phillip's has been hitting well this year and unless he were to go into a Will Nieves-like slump his job at first is safe."
i am not trying to pick on you, but where is this notion that Phillips is hitting well coming from ??
i keep reading this everywhere, and it's simply not true.
is it b/c he was hot for a week when he first started playing and first impressions are hard to shake?
serious question.
Re: percentages – oops Thanks.
Philips: I think people look at his numbers and simply see that his average is close to .300
DH: I think Duncan should be very close to the everyday DH vs. lefties. I think Damon should get some time there too (maybe a bit less than what I wrote above). Agree that Giambi should absolutely get more time at DH than Damon.
Really, the ideal thing would be to have Damon or Matsui at first, but we saw what happened with Sheffield last year.
Phillips is batting .282. Is he a candidate for the Silver Slugger? No, but he is not Doug M either.


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Howard is performing a magic act at a relative's birthday party, but discovers that Bernadette isn't really good with kids when she grows aggressive with a kid who heckles the Great Howdini's magic act.
Meanwhile, Amy gets a major publication in her field, but Sheldon blows off the news as unimportant. Since he is incapable and unwilling to resolve things emotionally, he decides to resolve the problem by buying her an expensive gift. Amy's reaction at the end of the episode, when she is given the "shiny trinket," is one of the funniest moments in the series (up there with the season 1 episode where Penny give him the DNA of Leonard Nimoy for Christmas).
This Episode's Science
Skepticism: Sheldon begins the episode by explaining how magic hinders the critical thinking skills of children, leading to the adoption of all kinds of superstitious or unfounded beliefs. Though Sheldon's view tends to be fairly extreme among the skeptical community, it is based on real concerns about students being exposed to irrational concepts.
Dendrites: In this episode, Amy got a paper on the cover of a prestigious neuroscience journal. I won't claim to understand the neuroscience techno-babble about her paper (biology is, after all, about yucky, squishy things), but she referred to dendrites, which are a key structural component of the neuron. I knew that much, at least!
Diamonds: Diamonds are the element carbon in a highly-structured crystalline lattice. While Sheldon is shopping for jewelry, he uses the fact that carbon is abundant as a haggling tactic.
Notable Quotes
Sheldon: A magic show is an inherently deceitful proposition. This is an ordinary top hat. You've chosen that card freely. I do not have a set of lockpicks lodged in my keister.
Raj: Can't you just enjoy the wonder, Sheldon? Why must you peek behind the curtain? Or up the butt?
Sheldon: If we poison the critical thinking faculties of children by telling them that rabbits come out of hats, then we create adults who believe in astrology, and homeopathy, and that Ryan Reynolds was a better choice for Green Lantern than lovable rogue Nathan Fillion.
Leonard: Sheldon, he's just going to do a few magic tricks for some kids. I really don't think they're going to end up liking the Green Lantern movie.
Sheldon: Without objection, the minutes of the previous date are considered read and agreed to. Any new business?
Amy: How was your day?
Sheldon: Superb. This morning, I made a palindrome with my Alpha Bits. Nice hat, Bob Tahecin.
Amy: Sounds like you hit the ground running. I have a bit of good news myself. My most recent paper on how cooperative long-term potentiation can map memory sequences and dendritic branches made the cover of Neuron.
Sheldon: Oh, speaking of good news, somebody just hit 100 Twitter followers.
Amy: That's nice. Anyway, I've been dreaming of this day for a long time.
Sheldon: Yeah, me, too. Triple digits? I'm not going to lie. It feels pretty good.
Amy: Sheldon, I'm the sole author on a paper that's being published in a distinguished journal that may change the course of my field.
Sheldon: [Staring at his smartphone] Um-hum, um-hum. Ooh! 101! Air's getting a bit thin up here.
Penny: Amy just told you some exciting news and you acted like it was no big deal.
Sheldon: Oh, I see why you're confused. No. Her news sounded important, but what you're forgetting is that it's an achievement in the field of biology. That's all about yucky, squishy things.
Sheldon: Remarkable. Diamonds. Crystalized carbon. Every day, people go to the grocery store and come home with sacks full of carbon, in the form of charcoal brickets, which they toss in their barbecues and set on fire, but just because you have some carbon with the atoms stacked neatly, you expect me to plunk down thousands of dollars.
Jewelry Store Clerk: Actually, that's only $750. Everything's on sale.
Sheldon: Really? Talk to me about that pocket watch.


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Congregation Kol Am and the came together to celebrate their anniversaries during Hanukkah.
On Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6:45 pm, the congregation and museum members gathered at at Mounts Corner Shopping Center in Freehold Township to light the third candle of a giant menorah.
Congregation Kol Am is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and the Jewish Heritage Museum opened to the public five years ago. The congregation and museum both nurture the appreciation of local Jewish history.
Rabbi Brooks Susman has the distinction of being the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Am as well as a member of the Museum's initial board of directors.
Susman led the blessing Thursday for kindling Hanukkah lights. The Jewish Heritage Museum offered free admission after lighting the menorah, and the Congregation Kol Am adult choir performed songs such as "Sevivon," "Chanukah O Chanukah" and "Rock of Ages" inside.
Staff members of the Jewish Heritage Museum explained the museum's interactive games to children and answered questions regarding the Jewish Experience in Pictures exhibit. The children of Congregation Kol Am, like Billy Sebor and Sage Fusco, also celebrated the holiday at religious school by making Lego menorahs.


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Connie Batts, 62, Sacramento
"I went back to New York City during the summer after the 9/11 disaster," said Batts, who grew up in Queens and came to Sacramento in 1999. She now works for the state Department of Health Care Services.
"I don't know if it was closure or something else, but I wanted to see ground zero. I had to see the damage, to be a witness to it and to mourn those people who were lost that day."
Batts went back to Queens and noted the hole in the Manhattan skyline where the twin towers once soared. She recalled evenings atop the Windows on the World restaurant, where she used to enjoy dinner and drinks with friends.
The next day, she and her mother, Voidell, who is 89 and still lives in New York, took the subway to Manhattan. "We could still feel and smell the thickness of the smoke and the cinders of lost lives," and many photographs and other memorabilia decorated the area, she said. "You could feel the pain, smell the death. It was very emotional."
As they stared at the cratered earth, a construction worker at the site invited them to take an elevator ride for a "bird's-eye view" of the damage. Batts and her mother, along with another woman they had never met, joined him.
"We went up about 20 stories, and we looked down. What we saw was just a black hole, an empty pit," Batts said. "We stood and stared at it for a few minutes, in complete silence."
As she stood in the elevator that day, "something suddenly changed in me," Batts says. "None of the little things, like possessions, mattered anymore. The important thing is that we are all human beings, and we need to care for one another."
On the way down, the stranger standing next to Batts complimented her on her beaded wooden earrings, a relic "from the hippie days," she said. Without a second thought, Batts removed her favorite earrings and placed them in the woman's hands.
"I want you to have them," she said. "They're yours."
By the time the group descended to the bottom, everyone was in tears.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.


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Former Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert Gates speaks in Sarasota
Date: February 5, 2013
by: Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor
Dr. Robert Gates served as Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, Gates spoke as part of the Ringling College Library Association's Town Hall Lecture Series at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Aside from answering questions regarding UFO's, in which he has "never seen one shred of evidence or one report," Gates answered questions regarding the current conversations in congress on sequestration cuts to defense.
Gates believes sequestration will be disastrous for our national security, and if it gets passed, it would be the height of Congress' irresponsibility.
"This is the direct path to hollowing out the military," he says.
He thinks that because personnel cuts are exempted, money has to come out of accounts such as operations and maintenance, and modernization. The effect he thinks this will have is less money for military training and performing of missions.
"…It's the dumbest of all possible cuts because it's across the board," he says. "No accounts are exempted except for personal, so there is no flexibility in terms of making decisions on priorities or anything else."
It brought up the question if military bases would be closed. Gates explains that congress would have to approve the closing of a base. In his experience in attempting to close bases, Congress made it clear to him that "it was not going to happen." Herein lays the problem, he says:
"Military is being squeezed by sequestration and budget cuts, and on the other they are being squeezed by congress that wont allow them to do rational things in terms of how they spend the money they have."
Downsizing and closing bases are one rational solution in his eyes, and as the budget decreases, he thinks it is necessary.
The hollowing out of military in the way that sequestration cuts would allow for, is what Gates fears will be the defense department's future. Gates sees as "an irrational way of spending money because of politics and parochial interests on the part of members of congress that don't allow the secretary and chiefs to (make) sensible decisions" on how money the defense department's money is spent."
What Gates hopes for the department's future is no sequestration and no further cuts beyond the $480 million in the Budget Control Act from fall 2011.
Gates thinks there's a better process going forward, similar to the cuts he made in 2009 —he describes how he made cuts: cut the funds, let the military leaders analyze what they need most, then gave them funds for the most necessary items.
"The goal should be how do we get more bang for our buck?" he says.
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Last week, we reported on a scuffle between a black dog and a group of raccoons that occurred at dusk near Joan Durante Park.
Golfer scores her first hole in one
Liz Lang scored her first hole in one July 8, on the Resort at Longboat Key Club's Harbourside White Course, while celebrating her friend, Jane Hunter's birthday.
Commissioner Lynn Larson's three grandchildren, Zander, 9, Zora, 8, and Zoe Ramsey, 5, got a close-up look at what Longboat Key police and firefighters do to keep residents safe earlier this month, during a tour of the police and north fire stations.