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You might never guess that this tan, fit man who runs the Redondo Beach Fire Department with such innovation and efficiency is a notorious practical joker.
Playing elaborate pranks on city officials is just one of the things Chief Dan Madrigal, 55, will sorely miss when he retires his badge at the end of the year.
Not that the fire chief plans to retire his sense of humor. He doesn't plan to deviate from his goal of traveling to some of the hot spots he missed as a teenager because "I got hired in the fire department so young," either, he said.
Unlike his buddies who graduated with him from Lowell High School in Whittier, Madrigal never experienced those high old times surfing in places like Cabo San Lucas and Costa Rica. Instead, he was climbing ladders and pulling hoses at the Fire Academy at Santa Ana College.
A year later, he was working as a firefighter at the Los Alamitos Fire Department—a 19-year-old rookie who would go on to take advantage of every promotional opportunity available, especially at the Huntington Beach Fire Department, where he worked for 22 years.
Now, after 36 years in the fire service—the last 10 in Redondo Beach—he intends to "go to the places I never got to go, take that surf board and have some fun," he said in an interview last week.
Madrigal, who is divorced and lives in Laguna Hills, also wants to spend more time with his kids, whose pictures dominate his office at Fire Station No. 1 in South Redondo Beach.
Son Christian, 23, just graduated from UCLA in the paramedic program, Madrigal says, beaming with parental pride. Daughter Colby, 20, an ambulance EMT, dreams of becoming a doctor.
Where those "first responder" genes came from, "I can't imagine," he laughed.
Madrigal also feels fortunate to have both parents, including a stepfather, who still live in the La Habra/Whittier area where he was born. "I'm just very blessed to have time to spend with them in their latter years," he said.
His own desire to become a firefighter ignited in his junior year at Lowell, when his high school sweetheart took him to the Orange County fire station where her father worked. Madrigal liked what he saw.
"In my senior year, I took an ROP class (Regional Occupation Program), at the fire department and got interested," he said.
But the reality of his first job with the Los Alamitos Fire Department proved something of a departure from his romantic notions, as well as from his academy training.
"You can read about a (multi-victim) car accident in a book and (learn) how you prioritize treatment," he said. "But when you're out there, and you see it, and you have the trauma and the blood, and the screaming and the visuals, the gasoline spilling," the magnitude of the situation can be overwhelming.
Prioritizing, like quick thinking, soon became second nature to Madrigal, and after a year, he was ready for bigger challenges and transferred to the Stanton Fire Department. Then, in 1980, he went to Huntington Beach, where he progressed from firefighter to engineer to fire inspector to captain to deputy fire marshal.
It was in Huntington Beach that he underwent a professional metamorphosis. The year was 1984, and involved what was known as The Wild Oats Fire. "It was a very large industrial fire in a brick building, and one of the fire engineers was walking relatively close to the building when a wall collapsed on top of him," he said.
Madrigal and other firefighters ran over and started pulling bricks off their buried buddy. "As we pulled him out, he looked like a rag doll," he said. "We thought he was dead."
Although the engineer lived, Madrigal never forgot the image: "It was one of those moments that changed my life as a firefighter."
The incident taught him to never take anything for granted. In the case of the brick building, for example, "walls typically collapse in; this one collapsed out," he explained.
By the time Madrigal signed on with Redondo Beach Fire Department in 2002, he had pretty much done it all—from front-line firefighting to supervising personnel to enforcing fire codes.
Hired by retired Fire Chief Pat Aust (now a councilman), Madrigal came into Redondo as "a division chief in charge of the fire marshals because I'd had a strong background in code enforcement," he said.
In 2005, when City Manager Bill Workman decided to look internally for a new chief, he and Madrigal sat down and talked about everything from management philosophy to budgeting.
The fire chief believes his "well-rounded" background and personal drive made him a good fit for the job.
One of the things firefighters like about Madrigal is his "open door policy," said Richard Kuciemba, a hazmat investigator who joined the department in 2003. "You can step in and discuss things with him." Unlike some chiefs, he added, "He's not at all intimidating."
Both men live in Orange County, and Kuciemba, who carpools to and from work with Madrigal, said his boss is "different away from the guys than when he's around them." At the office, he's "a very serious chief." Pranks are reserved for department heads and city officials, he added.
But Kuciemba's favorite image of Madrigal is a funny one that goes back to when both worked for Huntington Beach Fire Department. "He was an inspector for many years, and my vision of him is running around with a clip board, perfect hair and a cute little sweater vest they used to make him wear," Kuciemba said. "That will make him laugh."
As for Madrigal, he clearly reveres his firefighters; he talks of them as heroes and goes on at length about their extra efforts like the Family Assistance Program, a fund the firemen administer themselves that helps individuals who may have lost everything in a fire or other disaster.
The chief is just as apt to rave about the cooking at the station, a tantalizing temptation at 5 p.m. when he's getting ready to go home. "Sometimes I think they intentionally pipe the smoke over here, because it smells so good!" he said.
A few firefighters "have actually gone to cooking schools and are right on the verge of being true chefs," he said. "They can make basic tacos taste so good that the next thing you know you've eaten eight of them and you need a wheel chair to wheel out of here."
On the serious side, the improvements made under Madrigal's watch point to his strengths as a leader, one who grasps the necessity and economics of innovation.
In digitizing the 911 dispatch system, for example, Madrigal reduced from 45 seconds to 6 seconds the time it takes to pinpoint a fire or accident. He also abandoned outdated radios and acquired funding for new ones that allow for "complete interoperability with our neighboring jurisdictions," he said. "I'm extremely proud of that."
Along with acquiring new management software for the department's building occupancy inspection programs, Madrigal equipped fire engines with mobile data computers, which provide all manner of helpful information.
"As an engine is leaving station," he said, "the captain knows where the emergency is, what the address is, how to get there, previous history, (and if there) are any hazardous materials" at the site.
Having learned from sessions with New York firefighters who survived the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, he bolstered the department's disaster preparedness and emergency procedures, including revamping and refurnishing the city's Emergency Operations Center at the police department "so the city manager, if there is a disaster, could operate and the continuity of government" could be preserved.
Along with building a new harbor patrol station on Marina Way, Madrigal revitalized the Automatic Aid Agreement between neighboring cities. "We always shared our resources, but it was a very formalized process," he said.
He wanted an automatic response system, so that if, say, Hermosa had a fire and Redondo was available, an engine would be dispatched without going through a lot of red tape.
"I pushed very hard for that," said Madrigal, explaining how Redondo, Hermosa and Manhattan Beach now "truly operate as one department, even though we're independent." The important point, he said, is that "our resources are deployed seamlessly."
But all the fire chief's foresight, expertise and creativity hardly spell out the personality of this buoyant man with the slick black hair and merry twinkle in his eyes, a man who loves to laugh almost as much as he loves to make other city officials laugh.
Take the joke he played on his good friend, Redondo Police Chief Joe Leonardi, 58, after Leonardi ditched his police car and hopped on a bike last July to apprehend a criminal, also on a bike.
"Joe told us he got this bicycle and it had a basket on it," Madrigal said. "He said how he felt like he was the witch in The Wizard of Oz, how his coat was flapping in the wind..."
The picture the police chief painted was "so funny," Madrigal said, that he got a clip of the scene and resorted to a quick cut and paste. "I got one of the firefighters here, who's pretty creative, to put Joe's head on (the witch riding the bicycle) and sent it out to all the department heads."
There are two sides to every joke, of course, and Leonardi has his own tales to tell.
"(Dan's) antics go beyond the bicycle caper," Leonardi said.
One morning, for example, the two met at the same South Bay doctor's office by chance. Leonardi went into one of the consultation rooms and was speaking with a surgeon when there was a knock on the door.
"Dan, thinking that I was in the room alone, was standing at the door with an operating room smock, a mask, a head cover, latex gloves and lubricant," Leonardi said. "The surgeon looked at him and calmly closed the door."
Leonardi managed to get back at his friend after he found that Madrigal had altered a Power Point presentation about the Fire Department's annual budget for a Leadership Redondo group. "He was very proud of himself that he prepared a slide with a picture of me and a donut as one of his last slides."
But Madrigal made the mistake of leaving the presentation on a network directory.
On the day of the presentation, Leonardi said, Dan "became giddy with excitement, thinking that his slide with my picture was going to appear." Instead, Madrigal saw a picture of himself in uniform and wearing a pink cowboy hat.
"We have traded a number of other practical jokes through the years both on and off duty," Leonardi said. "On the one hand, there are people who would think that the jokes are a waste of time and juvenile. However, I have a different perspective."
Departmental success, the police chief said, whether internally or with other departments or the public "is based on relationships. They can be positive or negative relationships. I have been lucky in the last six years to have Dan as the fire chief and as a friend. The benefit of that friendship has reached to many more than the two of us alone."
Leonardi couldn't resist a parting shot, however: "Like other firefighters, (Dan) still has to have zippers on his work boots because he can't tie his own shoes."
Back at the fire station, Madrigal stood behind his desk at the conclusion of the interview and said with a sad smile, "I'm going to miss all this."


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Students of Sharon High School interested in taking part in sports during the 2012-2013 winter season now have the ability to register online.
Registration deadline takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 5, with a payment deadline of Friday, Dec. 7.
Registration for the following sports is now open (students can register by clicking here):
- Boys Basketball (Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshman)
- Girls Basketball (Varsity, JV and Freshman)
- Cheering (Varsity and JV)
- Gymnastics
- Boys Indoor Track
- Girls Indoor Track
- Boys Swimming & Diving
- Girls Swimming & Diving
- Wrestling (Varsity and JV)
The cost for an athlete taking part in a sport is $275 per athlete, with a cost of $200 per athlete for a second sport and $75 for a third sport. There is a family maximum of $750. Payments will not be due or accepted until teams have been chosen, according to the registration site.
More information on registration for the winter sports season can be found online here.

subset: commoncrawl


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This sled race is one of the largest to occur in the eastern coast of the continental US. Attracting more then 3,000 spectators and up over 50 competitors, this is one event not to be missed.
The start and finish line for this race is on Monument Field at Appleton Farms. There are four different courses ranging from four to eight miles. Several viewing points are scattered throughout.
Parking is available at the main staging area for a cost of $20 per car. This price includes an event program.
In the event that the snow is not plentiful enough, their are back up dates scheduled for Jan. 22-23 and Feb. 5-6.


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SF Salon & Spa
In the Old Quarter, head to SF Salon & Spa for Swedish or Thai massages (US$12) and plenty of reasonably priced spa treatments.
In the Old Quarter, head to SF Salon & Spa for Swedish or Thai massages (US$12) and plenty of reasonably priced spa treatments.
One of the smaller-scale and more ecologically minded outfitters in the region is Wicked Diving . It's easily spotted on the main road.
Discover more than eight river habitats – from the mighty Mississippi to the majestic Yangtze – and experience rare encounters with aquatic species on this three-hour tour of Singapore's River Safari! At Asia's only river-themed wildlife park, stroll through freshwater galleries and walk-through exhibits to learn about the fascinating flora and fauna of the world's great river.
Explore the world's freshwater rivers and nocturnal habitats on this combo tour of River Safari and Singapore Zoo Night Safari -- winner of the Singapore Tourism Awards Best Leisure Attraction Experience! Encounter more than 300 animal species at the river-themed wildlife park, from the manatees of the Amazon Flooded Forest to the Yangtze River zone where giant pandas dwell.
A chance to sight the endemic monkey to Borneo, Proboscis Monkey that inhabit the unique riverine environment. Be amazed and mesmerized by the fireflies that light up the night sky along the river on a fine night. Embark on a river cruise and enjoy a village style dinner taking in the sights and sounds of this natural setting.
Venture from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan for a scenic outdoor adventure, starting with a guided nature trek through a lush rainforest for up-close views of rafflesia flowers – the largest in the world! Then, enjoy lunch among the mountain scenery, explore a bamboo village, and visit a local's home to learn how to make traditional Malaysian rice wine, a unique experience giving y.
Adventure travel agent specialising in upmarket tours to Bali via Bromo and Ijen. Also offers trekking and rafting trips.
Six-day Kathmandu Valley and also lower and upper Mustang tours, plus daily early morning outings from Kathmandu (US$20).
Accepts volunteers to help with the care and education of kids from remote Mustang who are attending schools in Pokhara.
This Swiss-run centre offers a Nepali cookery course on Saturday afternoons – call or email for the latest prices and venue.
Birdwatchers should contact the Trekkers of Koh Chang who run one-day and two-day trips (1000B to 2000B) into the national park.
Offers trekking, caving and full-moon sea kayaking expeditions (trips from P1000 per person). It also sells outdoor gear.
Offers one-day (Y4000), half-day (Y250) and night (Y400) bus tours (in English) that depart from its office on Changle Rd.
Right on the beach, Balzaction rents out windsurfing and kite-surfing equipment from around RM50 per hour and offers classes.
The closest camp to the lake, just 10km away, Aidar has 11 charmingly decorated yurts, as well as electricity and hot water.
A date with the lanes at this state-of-the-art bowling alley costs Rs100 to Rs150 per person, depending on the time of day.


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So the Braves have a 5% shot to win the world seris next year??
The Baseball 5% Theory
There's 145 more days until baseball's Opening Day and we still have the GM meetings, Winter Meetings, and one or two blockbuster trades to look forward to. The NBA season is just underway and the Lakers 0-3 start almost broke Sports Talk Radio. Meanwhile, over at grantland.com, there's a wonderful piece about The 5 Percent Theory. The basic idea behind the theory is that teams with a realistic shot at winning an NBA championship in a given year need to do everything they can to try to win that year. "If you've got even a 5 percent chance to win the title — and that group includes a very small number of teams every year — you've gotta be focused all on winning the title," says Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey. It's true. Going into the 2012-2013 season, there's maybe 5 teams that have a chance to win the title: Lakers, Heat, Thunder, Clippers (maybe) and Spurs (maybe maybe). Everyone else is already relegated to "also-ran" status and should just wait out the LeBron era.
You wanna know the baseball 5 percent theory? It's pretty simple: Every team, every year thinks they have a shot at winning the title if the pieces fall together correctly and they catch a break. There are only 5% of teams in the league right now who are not confident in their 2013 outlook (I don't want to name names, but some small bears and some stars come to mind). Every General Manager and executives office is trying to make their team better heading into 2013. That said, the conversations between general managers in both sports looks entirely different.
Consider that when basketball's biggest star (Lebron) switched teams before the 2010 season, his new team was an instant title contender and his old team was left to clean up the posters of their guy. The old team (Cavs) set a record for consecutive losses, while the new team (Heat) lost in the championship game. The parrallel in baseball did not follow the same basic guidelines. When the game's best player (Albert Pujols) switched teams, his new team became an instant title contender with an ensemble of players talented, but unproven and with questions as to how they might fit into a coherent roster. His old team was left with a void it hoped to fill with a combination of a guy nicknamed "Fat Elvis" and a guy who had just filed his first year playing over half his teams' games in 3 years. The old team won 7 postseason games and the new team failed to make the playoffs.
It's that lack of a superstar transcending the field, that drives the 95% of baseball executives to make their team better every winter. The Cardinals just pushed the World Series champs to a Game 7 with Allen Craig as their cleanup hitter. Allen Craig.
Some saw the trade of James Harden from the Thunder as a forfeit of their Championship hopes for the next two years. Others saw it as a concession of the Heat's superiority while doing the correct "basketball decision" with economics in mind. I see it as an effort to build a continuously competitive roster around one of the best scoring threats of the century. A baseball parallel seems like the Dan Uggla to the Braves trade before the 2011 season. The Marlins were unable to agree to a long term deal with Uggla and were able to get an everyday second baseman (that not everyone knows) and a reliever (that nobody knew). The move is seen as a selling of team assets, but receiving comprable talent in return makes the move understandable.
In basketball, with superior talent at a premium and 5 guys on the court at any given time, trading a household name is never advised.
Take the 2012 Oakland A's as an example. They weren't really supposed to compete this year and may have even been part of that 5% who didn't have a chance in 2012, but they won the AL West and had a chance in the playoffs. Those things don't happen in basketball. You either have the talent or you don't. Bad teams rarely beat good teams. Good teams rarely turn into the 2012 Red Sox.
Basically, what I'm getting at is 2 fold:
- Baseball is great because everyone is trying to make their team better in both the long term and in fielding a competitive Major League squad
- Most basketball teams don't have a shot this year, no matter how optimistic their coach pretends to be in the first weeks of the season.
Prediction of the Day: Josh Hamilton signs this winter for $128 Million over 6 years.
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By Jake Winfrey
The Cullman Times
HANCEVILLE — Abby Gambrill and Ruth Horton starred on offense, while guard Melissa Clingman marveled on the defensive end, as the Holly Pond junior varsity girls eased past Good Hope 39-30 and advanced to the championship game of the Cullman County Basketball Tournament.
The Broncos will face top-seeded Cold Springs on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Good Hope kept Holly Pond at bay for most of the first half, taking a three-point advantage after Kaylee Maddox scored seven straight points for the Raiders to end the second quarter.
Celest Whisenant made it a five-point lead on the Raiders' first possession of the third quarter, but after that, the Broncos' offense started to roll.
A quick 3-pointer from Horton and a layup from Clingman tied the game at 22 apiece. From there, Gambrill took over for Holly Pond.
The Broncos' guard made back-to-back 3-pointers to give her team a six-point lead and all the momentum heading into the fourth quarter.
"I knew we needed to score," Gambrill said. "I knew I needed to step up and be a leader for my team."
Holly Pond's offense made way for its defense in the final frame, allowing just three field goals in the quarter and four in the half.
Clingman was a big reason for the Broncos' success, playing suffocating defense, while tipping numerous passes and even coming up with a couple of blocks, one of which emphatically ended the game. She also made four free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Gambrill said her team's psyche was a big reason for the win.
"We just kept a good attitude the whole game," she said. "We knew that we could win, so we stayed after it and played good defense. We also made some 3's."
Gambrill will join her cousin, Meg, in a title game appearance for Holly Pond. The varsity girls will play Good Hope in the championship for the third-straight time on Saturday.
"It's nice to do that," Gambrill said with a smile.
Horton notched 12 points, while Gambrill contributed with nine.
Other Holly Pond contributors included Clingman, six points; Barksdale, five; Taylor Tankserley, four; and Adair Gillian, three.
Good Hope's Syndey Phares made three 3-pointers and led the Raiders with 11 points. Whisenant added eight.
Maddox scored all seven of her points in the first half, while Alyssa Harlan and Savannah Mork each netted two.
% Jake Winfrey can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 258 or at email@example.com


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CMRS Disclaimer
CMRS does not accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of personal property.
Although the UK and CMRS are considered both safe and secure it is always sensible to take care of your personal belongings. By following these precautions you will protect your valuables against theft:
- Ensure you lock your study bedroom door every time you leave your room
- All cash, passports and valuables should be locked away. Valuables can be kept in the CMRS Safe upon request. (Please ask Administration for details.)


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DescriptionUse amazing photos from Flickr as your wallpaper!
*You can use keyword to search
*You can change photo rotate interval and download limit.
*Photos are saved to SD card so can be used elsewhere too!
*Improved stability
*App is turned off when screen is not on to save battery
*Added 5 min interval


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CARY — The Town Council elections next week in fast-developing Cary revolve around one issue: growth. How much, how fast, how dense.
And how dastardly.
The independent local political Web site carypolitics.org features an amateur music video dinging incumbent Mayor Ernie McAlister, whose financial backing comes mostly from the development industry, for "listening to the ones with the dough." A roadside placard of uncertain origin cries, "McAlister lied, good trees died."
McAlister and his supporters have tagged mayoral challenger Harold Weinbrecht, a former Town Council member who served with slow-growth Mayor Glen Lang from 1999 to 2003, as a hypocrite who demonized developers while voting for several large developments now being built.
"We remember the mess he and Lang left to be cleaned up," said a pro-McAlister newspaper ad.
The mayoral race is one of four elections for a majority of seats on Cary's Town Council. After Cary's swings on growth policies in recent years, the election Tuesday will determine whether Cary sticks to its pro-growth course or moderates somewhat.
There is not much of a no-growth movement afoot.
Still, many Cary residents are frustrated by growing pains in the town of about 123,000 people. As elsewhere in the Triangle, roads, water systems, and public schools haven't kept up with demand.
A citizen coalition has sprung up around opposition to a big mixed-used infill development at Davis and High House roads, complete with a Web site and fliers endorsing slower-growth candidates over McAlister and his allies.
A vocal slice of the citizenry thinks the town has lurched from the extremes of too much growth, to too little, and back again during the past decade. They tend to favor Weinbrecht.
The town's business establishment, meanwhile, backs McAlister, a former chairman of Cary's Chamber of Commerce.
No matter how fast the town grows, most Cary residents and leaders agree that smart growth is not dense or urban. They favor spread out and suburban, without closely mixing homes and businesses and without buildings taller than two or three floors.
"People here want an attractive, suburban look, with well-manicured lawns and sidewalks you can push your stroller down," said Nels Roseland, the council's District B incumbent. He faces two strong challengers: small-business owner Don Frantz and community activist Vickie Maxwell.
But some think rapid growth is threatening that quality of life.
"Going door to door and talking with folks, there is concern about growth," Roseland said. "Growth management is important. But Cary is lucky in that our biggest problem is that too many people want to call us home."
Sandwiched between Raleigh and Research Triangle Park, Cary is a natural place for many affluent, highly educated people to want to live. They bring with them high community standards and expectations of their government.
Outgoing council member Marla Dorrel says more and more of them are disillusioned.
"The greatest thing at stake in this election is the role people can play in making policy for their community," she said. "There are lots of people who feel they're not being looked out for. They have the feeling that the deck is stacked against them. I think it may be."
But in terms of the election campaigns, she said, growth is the defining issue -- though in a different way than in recent years.
"Six or eight years ago, I heard a lot of people say we need to slow growth or stop growth," Dorrel said. "I don't hear people say that now. I hear them say let's have smarter growth."
McAlister, 50, says that is exactly what Cary has provided during his four years as mayor and will keep doing if he's re-elected.
"There's a continuing debate about growth, but Cary has proved that growth is a natural part of a healthy economy," the retired banker said. "There is always an element of a community that takes a contrarian viewpoint and condemns the very thing that created the quality of life that they moved here for and enjoy."
The mayor says the town has invested almost half a billion dollars in roads, parks, water lines and other infrastructure under his leadership.
Reducing development fees has drawn greater private investment, and the town is on sounder financial footing, he says. And its relationships with surrounding communities is much healthier than it was under Lang, he says.
"Cary 20 years from now, even if it's half-again as big as it is now, will look a lot like Cary does now because we're going to insist on good planning and high quality," McAlister said.
If only, argues Weinbrecht.
Because Cary's growth has accelerated too much, he says, the town's quality of life is suffering.
"It's time to stop the pendulum and manage growth appropriately," said Weinbrecht, 51, a SAS software programmer. "When you're growing at 7 or 8 percent a year, there's no way you can keep up with roads, schools and water, unless taxes are high. It's not so much the growth rate -- it's the infrastructure to keep up with it."
Weinbrecht hopes his word-of-mouth support can overcome McAlister's 5-to-1 campaign finance advantage. As of late September, the incumbent mayor had raised almost $160,000 compared with $32,000 for his challenger.
"It's going to be a grass-roots effort, not through mailers and TV ads," Weinbrecht said.
Why? He has little choice.
"I haven't got a dime from a developer," he said.
(Cary News staff writer Adam Arnold contributed to this report.)
firstname.lastname@example.com or (919) 829-4538


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The clock is ticking for Montgomery County to finalize its 2012 operating budget and the county government will be holding a series of public meetings over the next two weeks to achieve that goal, County Commissioner Joseph Hoeffel said this morning.
Hoeffel indicated that a county tax increase was likely to figure prominently in the discussions after commissioners received more than 4,000 public comments objecting to massive program cuts in the preliminary budget announced Nov. 30.
"We had 300 people in a public meeting who stood up and asked us to raise their taxes," Hoeffel said, referring to .
Matthews Expected to Participate
Public meetings will be held in the 8th floor boardroom at One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Hoeffel said.
The Tuesday meeting will provide department heads and county row officers a chance to speak with the commissioners about their respective area's budget needs, though attendance at that meeting is optional, Hoeffel said.
The Wednesday meeting will focus on the county's open space program, which was singled out for criticism by the grand jury report that resulted in last week's arrest of former board chairman James Matthews. Matthews resigned as chairman, but remains in his commissioner's post.
Hoeffel said he expected Matthews to participate in the budget process.
"I believe that's his intention," Hoeffel said. Hoeffel said Matthews spoke to him by telephone on Sunday.
Additional public meetings are scheduled for next week. Dec. 21 is the earliest date that the Board of Commissioners can vote on a final 2012 operating budget. Hoeffel said additional meetings are possible if they are needed.
"We'll meet in the evenings if we have to. We'll meet on the weekends if we have to," Hoeffel said.
Hoeffel: Commissioners-Elect Will Not Reopen Budget
Asked whether Commissioners-elect Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards or their staffs have been involved in any of the budget discussions, Hoeffel repeated his earlier statements that he and the heads of the various county departments were "available" to Shapiro and Richards.
Hoeffel added that all three commissioners had already met with the commissioners-elect to discuss transition matters, and that Shapiro and Richards had told the current board they would not reopen any budget passed before they take office.
In a recent letter to the editors of The Intelligencer, Shapiro and Richards acknowledged a hands-off approach to the 2012 budget.
"We do not take office until January 3, 2012, and we have in no way tried to influence how the current commissioners approach and handle their budgetary responsibilities," Shapiro and Richards wrote in the letter.
Hoeffel briefly commented on his own plans after leaving office, saying he was "gladly" retiring from politics and considering writing a book.
In regards to the county's financial outlook, Hoeffel said he disagreed with Bruce Castor's characterization in a recent Intelligencer story of county government as "the Titanic sinking." Hoeffel stated he believed "the ship of state needs to be righted."
A final 2012 operating budget must be approved by Dec. 31.


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North Hampton, NH — Carlos L. Renfro, 49, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013, at his home in North Hampton, N.H. He was born on February 21, 1964, in Columbia, Tenn., to Willie James and Geneva A. (Sanford) Renfro.
Carlos was preceded in death by his father.
Carlos is survived by his wife, Wendy of North Hampton, N.H.; his son, Naethan of Hampton, N.H.; his stepdaughters, Kasey and Kameron Steinmetz; and grandson, Mason Steinmetz-Sapp, all of North Hampton; his sisters, Darlene and Eileen Renfro; brother, Eric; nieces, Clarissa Renfro, Latoya Miller and Cassandra Armstrong; nephews, Kelton Miller, Christopher Armstrong, Everic, Deveric and Tyus Renfro; "Mimi and Papa" of Seabrook, N.H.; and so many extended family and friends that he loved and adored.
ARRANGEMENTS: In lieu of calling hours/services, there will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 27, at Vanguard Key Club/Vision Fitness at 9 Lafayette Road, North Hampton, NH, from 6 to 8 p.m.
This is an opportunity for all of us to come together and laugh, cry, share stories and celebrate Carlos' memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Carlos Renfro Memorial Fund at Provident Bank, Hampton, N.H., attention to Cara.


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The Real Poop
Typical Day
Physical Danger
Odds of Getting In
Odds of Hanging On
Career as Depicted in Popular or Unpopular Culture
Tools of the Trade
Bell Curve
Share this Shmoopy Link
Know someone perfect for this career?
The demand for Administrative Assistants is growing. In fact, the demand for medical Administrative Assistants is growing as fast as the medical field. Which is to say, fast. With a 40% projected growth rate, Medical Secretaries are in demand, especially as the baby-boomer generation gets older and needs more medical care (think of all those people retiring and moving places they can eat supper at 4pm).
Odds of getting hired increase with the more specialized training you have. So if there is a particular field that interests you, you can help get your foot in the office door by taking specialty classes, learning your way around the computer, and practicing your calming phone voice.


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In addition to providing electronic and print resources, many public libraries offer workshops and classes. School districts and community colleges offering continuing education classes that often include career-related courses. College career and alumni offices provide a variety services to students and alumni.
Here's a list of the services provide by career offices:
- Career counseling
- Resume and cover letter writing assistance
- Mock interviews
- Seminars and workshops on job search topics (networking, job searching online, resume writing, etc.)
- Electronic and print resources, including job search databases, educational resources, and literature on specific careers
- Computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines
- Recruiting sessions and job fairs
- Networking events
- Career aptitude tests and personality tests
- Job shadowing programs
- Services for veterans, young adults, the homeless, and other specialized groups.
- Occupational and skills training courses
- Alumni network online database (in college career offices)
- Alumni networking events (in college career offices)
Where to Find Job Search Help
Here's information on where to find free personal job search help, including job clubs, library services, career services, and more free resources for job seekers in need of job search assistance.


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The governors of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana declared states of emergency as Tropical Storm Isaac headed toward the northern Gulf Coast, where it is expected to land as a hurricane in the next few days. Thousands of people were told to evacuate in Louisiana and Alabama.
"I am urging everyone to take precautions now, monitor weather warnings, and be prepared for whatever Isaac may bring," Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement.


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Relay for Life of Bonney Lake is actively planning the Kickoff to our upcoming event! We are still looking for volunteers to take on chair and co-chair positions as well as extra volunteers to make our first event a success.
We are having our next committee meeting on Monday evening at Rainier Dental-Bonney Lake at 6pm.
If you'd like more information on how to volunteer or what Relay is about, please feel free to call Nicole Remington at 253444.7974 or email at email@example.com.


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|LeBron James Visits China
Check out this clip of LeBron James' visit to China.
|GameTime: Shoni "Showtime" Schimmel Feature
Check out this feature on the Atlanta Dream guard and 2014 WNBA All-Star MVP Shoni "Showtime" Schimmel.
|GameTime: News And Notes
Rick Kamla and LaChina Robinson give updates on USA Basketball, free agency, and all the happenings around the association.
|GameTime: Byron Scott
Rick Kamla and LaChina Robinson report that the Lakers have made an offer to Byron Scott for the head coach position.
|GameTime: Mourning And The Hall
Check out this promo of "Looking Back At Alonzo Mourning" as he prepares to be enshrined into the Hall Of Fame.


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|History of the Ouija Board
|Some people will tell you that Ouija boards are ancient. In fact, many believe that
the boards date back as far as 540 BC. This falsity was further spread by the
motion picture Witchboard. In actuality, TRUE Ouija boards are very young when
compared to the age shown by the 540 BC claim above. Although similar devices
my have existed, actual Ouija boards (meaning a flat surface with the alphabet and
numerals appearing on it, and a planchette for choosing letters/numbers) didn't
come along until much later on.
It is pretty much unknown who invented the Ouija board...but if I had to put my
money on it, I'd say it was Elijah Bond since his name graces the original patent
documents under the heading "inventor". Still, some say it as a man named
Charles Kennard. Regardless of who actually invented the board, Charles
Kennard and his Kennard Novelty Company are responsible for being the first to
patent a new item that would soon be all the rage. He was awarded the patent on
February 10, 1891. He called the new creation "Ouija" because he claims the
board told him that Ouija was Egyptian for "Good Luck." Well...Ouija isn't really
"Good Luck" in Egyptian but no one seemed to know or care. The name stuck
and so did this new fad.
He began producing the Ouija boards (also called Egyptian Luck boards) in 1890
(a year before patenting came through) and was selling them by 1891. On top of
that, they were only $1.50 and they were made of solid wood. I'm sure that was a
lot more money back then but today's boards are made of such cheap cardboard,
you almost have to call it paper (and they can cost up to $20 at really expensive
stores). The boards were huge and so were the planchettes. I'm very proud to say
that I own one of these rare boards. It's on display in my gallery!
After only another year, Charles Kennard was out of the Ouija business. He was
having some sort of financial troubles or something. Anyway, a man who worked
for Kennard Novelty Company ended up taking over. This guy is probably the
single most important person in Ouija history as far as getting them into
widespread use. This man was William Fuld. His name was then printed on every
genuine Ouija board made for over 100 years until Parker Brothers took it off in
the late 90s. William Fuld (along with his business partner Isaac) changed the
Kennard Novelty Company to the Ouija Novelty Company and continued selling
boards at much higher numbers. Shortly down the line, Isaac was fired so the
company name was changed once again to the William Fuld Company.
Since William Fuld then owned all rights to the Ouija board, he decided to reinvent
it's history. He claimed that he invented the board himself. He also said that
Ouija was a mixture of the French and German words for "yes." Oui and
Ja...Ouija. This is what most people today think the name means...once again
probably because of the film Witchboard.
All was fairly well until 1927. William Fuld was on the roof of his factory in
Baltimore to supervise the replacement of a flagpole. It was then that he fell to his
death. Witnesses say it was just an accident but since the truth is rarely
interesting, plenty of people were spreading rumors that it was suicide. I even read
somewhere that Fuld was possessed, possibly from one of his own boards...highly
unlikely. :)
His children then took over the business and continued selling the boards through
the great depression all the way up to 1966 when they retired. That is when the
fate of the Ouija was sealed. They sold the rights to the Ouija board to Parker
Brothers. One of the first boards Parker Brothers made was great. It was wooden
and is the best board Parker Brothers ever made. I have one of these on display in
my galleries as well. Then, sadly, the boards went from hardboard, to
tightly-pressed paper, to cardboard. Now all that is being manufactured is a glow
in the dark version of the Ouija. Maybe one day, Parker Brothers will wise up and
make a wooden edition. At the moment, we can only hope for this.
Interestingly enough, I read that more Ouija boards have been sold throughout
history than any other board game. This includes Parker Brothers' own Monopoly.
I hope you enjoyed this history...this is based on several different sources so it may
not be totally accurate. The Ouija has a very cloudy past at best. Well, enjoy the
rest of the site.
|For a more detailed (and professional) history, I suggest you visit the Museum of Talking Boards.
|THE ORIGINAL OUIJA - 1891 Charles Kennard
WILLIAM FULD/PARKER BROTHERS - Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
HASKELITE/HASKO - Page 1 J.M. SIMMONS - Page 1
OTHER MANUFACTURERS - Page 1 Page 2
HAND-MADE BOARDS - Page 1 Page 2
BOXES - Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
PLANCHETTES - Page 1
|Are you unsatisfied with the cardboard Ouija boards being made today?
Click here to visit my handcrafted Talking Board Yahoo Store!


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Tag: Penetration testing
Ask a question
Facebook reported Wednesday that it now handles an average of more than 1 billion searches a day, but it still has work to do to provide a comprehensive search tool.
A vulnerability broker published a video demonstrating one of several flaws it has found in the privacy-focused Tails operating system, which is used by those seeking to make their Web browser harder to trace.
A majority of AT&T's new smartphone customers are now choosing a plan where they pay for their phones over time, helping to drive strong second-quarter financial results, the carrier said.
Facebook's quarterly sales rose 61 percent on the strength of mobile advertising, the company said Wednesday.
A shortage of solid-state drives for ultrathin laptops and hybrids will cause prices to flatten next year after dropping for the last several years, with lower prices coming again in 2016, according to a market analysis.
Juniper Networks has divested its mobile security product line, selling the assets to a private equity firm for $250 million.
Companies in hiring mode say there's a shortage of tech talent, while IT pros are upping their expectations for pay and benefits.
IBM is offering a potentially powerful incentive in its attempts to entice organizations to move supercomputing jobs to the cloud: a high-speed network communications link called InfiniBand.
Businesses don't have to use Sprint's network or even Android devices.
Six people have been indicted on charges of running an international ring that resold tickets bought through compromised StubHub accounts for some of New York's biggest concerts and sporting events.
White Papers & Webcasts
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1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II - Good driver, new paint, new chrome, original interior, runs and drives good, has A/C. Great for local shows... More
1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet Convertible. OVERDRIVE. Restored. Excellent. Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Award Winner. CCCA "Full Classic". Veteran CCCA CARavan tour car.... More
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II '56 Lincoln Continental Mark II, baby blue with navy blue interior, power windows, very clean and presentable, same owner for... More
1965 Lincoln Continental Convertible '65 Lincoln Continental Convertible, black with burgundy interior, power windows, power top, 20 inch chrome rims, mechanically sound. For $29,500 USD. If you have... More
1948 Lincoln V-12 Continental Cabriolet VIN 8H181231 - Body 876H-56-1277 305 cid, 130 HP, V-12 engine, 3-speed manual transmission. Finished in a blue metallic, red leatherette... More
Exclusive practical distinctive and exquisitely designed Edsel Fords Lincoln Continental set new standards in design refinement and style which re-defined American automobile design. The... More
This 1947 Lincoln Continental Convertible is one of only 738 built, and has previously won the prestigious Collector Car Club of America First Place... More
Nice older restoration that was built for touring. Great-running V12 with overdrive, handsome interior, smooth highway cruiser. This handsome 1947 Continental convertible was restored to... More
1947 Lincoln Continental 2 door coupe with dark green exterior paint, rear fender skirts and continental kit. The interior (recently redone), is black leather... More
Freshly rebuilt V12! Mechanically sorted with overdrive, new paint, fresh tan leather interior, recent top, new wiring harness. An excellent running, driving Continental usable... More
1942 Lincoln Continental V12 FLATHEAD ENGINE, WHITE CONVERTIBLE TOP, UNRESTORED ORIGINAL CONDITION,3 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WIDE WHITE WALL TIRES, RADIO, CLOCK, RED LEATHER INTERIOR, OWNDED... More


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• We are your one safe source for all hydraulic repairs in the Tampa Bay area.
• Free pick up and delivery throughout the state of Florida of nearly any hydraulic component.
• In-house hydraulic cylinder rod resurfacing provides exceptional speed, quality and value.
• We have an extensive inventory of rebuilt and new hydraulic components at competitive prices.
• Our two-shift operation provides the fastest hydraulic repair turn-around time in Tampa, Florida.
• Full service machine shops can salvage hydraulic parts that other hydraulic shops would throw away.
• Warranty of 1 year or 2,000 hours on most hydraulic components - exceeding industry standards.
• Hydraulic service on all makes and models of hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinders, hammers, control valves, rotators, swivels, hydraulic hoses, etc.
We specialize in cylinders, pumps, and repairs. We pick-up and deliver at most job sites. SEE OUR PORTFOLIO »
We offer Milling, Lathing, Fabricating, Welding, and Gear Pump Porting services for all your hydraulic needs. SEE THE SERVICES WE OFFER »


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- Fitness & Sports
- Cultural Arts
- Adults
- Youth & Family
- Jewish Life
|Have your party at the OFJCC and make your child's next party as easy as cake!
We offer Pool Parties for your child's special day.
Your job? Have fun and leave the cleanup to us.
|All parties include:
|A party coordinator to assist with your entire event
|Two hour use of the party space
|Your choice of a pool party or gym party
|Options for tailoring your party in a variety of ways
Available add-ons:
30 minutes extra party time
60 minutes extra party time
| Why should kids have all the fun?
The OFJCC is a great place for adult and teen events as well. Our spacious and flexible facilities can host just about any activity you can dream up.
|Super Bowl party in the teen center
|Team-building in the gym
|Anniversaries in the cultural arts hall
|Graduation party by the pool
|Fundraisers in the conference center & terrace
|and much more!
| For parties and pool rentals, please contact Cristina Arthun at (650) 223-8662 or
For professional and social events in our meeting rooms and cultural arts hall, please contact Ed Bancroft at (650) 223-8612 or email@example.com.


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It's day two after a blizzard shrouded East Hampton Town in snow, and one question continues to ring out for some frustrated locals: Where are the plows?
If you are in East Hampton Village, Amagansett, Montauk, Springs, or Wainscott, we want to know what your block is like. Covered in snow — or plowed and sanded?
East Hampton Town Highway Superintendent Stephen Lynch but we have to remember there are other municipalities responsibility for plowing certain roads — the county, state, and village highway departments.
Officials in other towns have said the volume of snow, and the many abandoned cars on the major roadways, has slowed down plowing efforts. Suffolk County police said that motorists who had to abandon their vehicles on the Long Island Expressway during the snowstorm are advised to call 631-904-3050.
At Patch, we'd like you to help us create a list of what's plowed and not plowed in town so far. Just add a comment below with the name of your street and whether it is plowed or not. Send this link to people you know so we can create a comprehensive list.


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Make Knitted Hats: 7 FREE Knitted Hat Patterns
If you have been searching for fabulous, free knitting patterns, hats are a great place to start! Because they are small, they knit up quickly and can make a huge impact on your cool weather wardrobe! The Knitting Daily experts have selected this collection of reader favorite hat knitting patterns just for you! Snuggle-up on your couch with all of your knitting supplies and follow one of these seven free knitted hat patterns.
In no time you will have a satisfying end result that will add that perfect accessory to your winter wardrobe. Have extra time on your break at work? Bring your knitting supplies and one of these free hat knitting patterns from Knitting Daily with you and create a fashionable hat that is sure to impress your co-workers.
Whether you choose to make all of them, or have a special favorite, Make Knitted Hats: 7 FREE Knitted Hat Patterns is sure to be one pattern book you turn to again and again. Best of all, it's absolutely FREE!
Click HERE for your 7 FREE knitted hat patterns!
By Terrye
1 Comment so far
Tweets that mention 7 FREE Hats from Knitting Daily · Knitting | CraftGossip.com -- Topsy.com on
January 23, 2011 10:43 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CraftGossip, Sewing Links. Sewing Links said: From craftgossip: 7 FREE Hats from Knitting Daily: Make Knitted Hats: 7 FREE Knitted Hat PatternsIf you hav… http://bit.ly/ffozX9 [...]


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The apartment Baullari II is located in Via dei Baullari, the lane which joins Piazza Navona to Campo de' Fiori, an astonishing area where you will have the chance to spend your unforgettable Roman days.
The accomodation is perfectly located for visiting the heart of Rome and is within a short walking distance to reach places like Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps.
The property is located on the fourth floor (no lift) of an elegant 17th century building. The location and the fine appointment of the apartment will make you highly love the unit.
The apartment is large and airy and can sleep up to 12 guests. It is composed of five bedrooms, of which two are furnished with a double bed, one has twin beds, one is a triple room and one has a single bed. A single sofa bed is also available in the living room.
If necessary a folding bed can be added to any of the rooms bringing the total number of beds available to twelve. There are two bathrooms with shower, both decorated with ceramic tiles and wooden fittings.
The heart of the apartment is the kitchen, which is furnished with antique fittings and is decorated with Mediterranean style tiles. The large dining table is able to seat all the guests and makes the kitchen area both welcoming and comfortable.
The flat also has two large living rooms where our guests can meet up and relax after having visited some outstanding places of the city center. The flat is supplied with a washing machine, a dishwasher, a free WI-FI internet connection, TV and ceiling fans in all the bedrooms and in the living room.
The apartment is distinguished by original wooden beam ceilings, large chambers, wide windows and parquet throughout the floors. The antique furnishings of fittings such as chests and wardrobes enhance the atmosphere of this large and delightfully appointed flat.
The unit has a charming and elegant architectural style as you can see from the pcitures. This is absolutely a charming accomodation in Rome! Very tastefully decorated, extremely clean and well organized. Our property is really roomy, bright and plenty of storage space.
One of the District's chief attractions is the beautiful Bernini's fountain in Piazza Navona which features some imposing sculptures that deserve all your attention. All around are lovely narrow side-streets and superb examples of architecture which never fail to take your breath away.
The location of the Baullari II apartment is an easy starting point to walk to any important sight in central Rome. The Campo de Fiori is just litterally one minute away by walking. This property is optimal in order to access the best parts of Rome, being situated in a unique position.
We are sure you will have a great time in Rome if you choose to stay at our Baullari II apartment. Our accommodation is beautifully furnished and we believe you will highly satisfied.
We loved this holiday to Rome and our time at the apartment. Campo Dei Fuori is a fantastic launch point for fabulous walks. Head NE for the Vatican, NW for Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish steps, SE for Roman Forum and Colussium and SW for Tibre Island and Trevestre Restaurants. Campo Dei Fuori is wonderful itself especially at night when it comes to life with great eating. Only downside is you are in the action which means it can get noisy at night, but if you are out there is no problem!
During the day, Campo dei Fiori is conquered by many stand owners selling their freshly goods and vegetable products in its famous outdoor market. A charming location to wonder, eat and people watching. Campo dei Fiori are full of interesting small boutiques and souvenir shops. During the whole year, people sit outside the Piazza surrounded by many outdoor Trattorias and espresso bars. By night, the area becomes lively with an animated atmosphere where people get together and enjoy the evening.
All of our Apartments for rent in Campo de Fiori Area in Rome are conveniently located to fully enjoy your holiday and to spend a memorable Vacation. Enjoy Rome in one of our Luxury Vacation Rental accommodation and you will have much more space than any Hotel Room, more privacy than any Bed & Breakfast, a 'home away from home' unique experience. Check out our independent reviews from Flipkey/Tripadvisor.


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Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 25 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: CEBU INST OF MED, CEBU CITY, CEBU, PHILIPPINES
Graduation Date: 1989
Hospital Affiliations: Wayne Memorial Hospital
Specialties: Internal Medicine
*This physician has multiple office locations. See Appointments for details.
©2005-2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.


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Reviews for GMC Envoy years:
Owners' Reviews
2002 GMC Envoy Reviews and Owner Comments
12 ReviewsWrite Your Review
Overall Score (12 reviews)
2002 GMC Envoygeocat68, Youngstown, NY, October 13, 2013 14:11I have had problems with my envoy that the service center had no idea what was the problem. Paid money too have the electrical system checked and two days later my alternator checked out.....and they said it was good......be careful if your engine light comes on its a warning the alternator is checking out....beware spending money to have them nothing is wrong.....good luck....envoy owner....Rookie
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Foxboro, MA, July 31, 2013 16:18My 2002 envoy needs a new gas tank also it has some fram rot which needs too be replaced I just found out due to its at the upper control arm .Does any one know how difficult it is to replace a gas tank ?
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, West Haven, CT, January 17, 2013 08:15I have a Gmc and its great im selling for $500.00 the only thing thats wrong with it is the brakes just squeak i little the milage on the car is 367,875 if you want it just give me a call 203 589 1941
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Neenah, WI, August 30, 2012 05:20At 124,000 miles and cool air intake system. Brakes a little spongy, but letting air out works!
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Winston Salem, NC, June 04, 2012 13:07My 2002 GMC envoy has 320,000 miles and all I have done is change the alternater,starter and water pump. This vehicle is the best car I have ever owned. Its so nice not owning a Chrysler
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Stilwell, KS, December 17, 2011 08:19I purchased a new 2002 Envoy and I love this vehicle. I now have 134,000 miles on it and aside from one complete tire replacement at about 70,000 miles (new tires scheduled for spring 2012) and new brakes it has been hassle-free. I have my oil changed, tires balanced and rotated every 3,000 miles since purchase of Envoy. After my last oil change, the "service 4wd" message appeared. I rarely, even in winter, engage the 4wd and I question if this is a switch malfunction or if the techs who changed the oil could have inadvertently bumped something to cause the message to be displayed at this time. What does 4wd service involve and what is the cost?
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Noblesville, IN, September 27, 2011 19:03I just passed 220,000 miles. Just now experiencing some idle issues .....couldn't have been blessed with a better car....
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Bend, OR, May 08, 2011 16:06i have envoy 2020 16000 and i love
2002 GMC EnvoyBarryL7523, Tallahassee, FL, December 12, 2010 06:48Great car. 145,000 milesEnthusiast
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Graham, TX, December 12, 2010 06:48one of the best vehcles that I have ever owned.
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Clio, CA, December 12, 2010 06:48gmc needs to work on improving the outer look of the envoy other than that its all good
2002 GMC EnvoyVisitor, Fort Worth, TX, August 11, 2010 22:07I love(d) my car. I have a 2002 envoy purchased brand new and is now having trouble. I've never once had to replace my brakes (fingers crossed). the only repairs I've had were fixing the A/C unit, replacing the water pump and now experiencing problems w/engine starting to rumble and lose power. Over all, I can't complain because it's been very good to me this long. With a little over 134,000 miles I guess something is bound to break eventually. Perhaps I'll look into the buying the GMC Arcadia.


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John Chasm returns as Rufes, the lonely psycho who is in search of true love in all the wrong ways. Mistaking the sister of a previous victim for his own sister, Rufus finds comfort in long lost family practices. Practices that include tight bondage, of course! Rufus also finds Cleo Nicole, the new subject of his odd courting affections. Tight bondage, punishment and knife play highlight this stunning sequel to one of the year's hottest BDSM videos. Watch and see who meets the knifepoint!


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We will assist in creating the perfect menu for your special event. When you see the entrees that we'll provide for your wedding, you'll wish your stomach was bigger!
Tasteful Solutions for all your catering needs, Weddings,Birthdays,Social events,Corporate events,or any Occasion. We will "Customized" any menu and We will work with your Budget.
We specialize in weddings, private parties, holiday parties and special occasions. Let our experienced staff and years of know how make your event a success.
Corporate or private, large or small, Andy's Bar-B-Que can help make your catered event a successful one.
Frida's specializes in providing the best Mexican dining experience in the Napa Valley for large and small parties.
Allow us to cater your Weddings or Private Party. Our food is artistically presented for an aesthetically pleasing experience, as well as healthy and delicious.
No matter the occasion, Servers a la Carte's trained professionals can handle every aspect of your home event. From setup to service, breakdown and cleanup. Servers a la Carte party staff does it all!
Crunch Catering is dedicated to providing you with exceptional service from start to finish with the freshest quality ingredients and seasonal products available.
We offer a variety of basic menus for your convenience, but can customize to your personal needs.
Allow us to lead you into temptation.
With a combined experience in the restaurant and catering industry, our goal is to make sure your food is amazing and your event is memorable.
Each event is individually planned to capture the essence of Wine Country.
Antonella's will meet your needs by catering and delivering to your party place, or hosting your event at our facility. Antonella's is available for semi-private and private parties.
We offer creative catering solutions, from event planning to theme selection, for large parties and small parties.
TIME DELI & CATERING was established in 1950 as a grocery store providing fresh meats, produce, and Italian products in San Jose.
Elegant Events Catering Inc. provides its clients with exquisite food and excellent service as one of the South Bays superior full-service caterers. Elegant Events Catering offers a limitless menu.
Our thirty-five years of expertise and tradition of professional service will assure your successful event.
Ristorante Da Mario now offers catering services for your special event. We cater to Saratoga and surrounding areas from 25 to a maximum of 300 people.
If you have a reason to celebrate, we can be the catalyst to unite your dreams and reality.
We are excited to help you create an exceptional experience for you and your guests. We can cater to your special needs and make sure every detail is taken care of.
We feature bountiful portions of award winning pastas, the freshest fish, fresh bread, and desserts with fine wines and cocktails. We personalize all catering jobs based on your specific needs.
This family-owned and operated restaurant offers excellent service and provides a comfortable atomsphere to enjoy fresh made-to-order food! Catering available!
Why not enjoy The Basin's fine hospitality at your upcoming party or event? Your occasion will not be complete without our service.
Whether planning a cocktail reception for an art opening or a chef's table dinner with a notable culinary expert, FCI Catering & Events brings extraordinary food and beverage selections—and impeccable service—to the table.
Casa Vicky offers an enticing array of Mexican dishes made with all natural ingredients, made fresh daily; as well as bakery goods.


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- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 egg
- 4 egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups fat free milk
- 1 1/2 cups fat free half-and-half
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup rum or brandy (optional)
- freshly grated nutmeg to garnish
Gently heat fat free milk in a large saucepan. Gradually stir egg mixture into the hot milk. Heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is slightly thickened. Stir in vanilla extract and remove from heat.
Let the milk and egg mixture cool a little before blending with fat-free half-and-half milk. Cover and chill in the refrigerator. Before serving, add rum or brandy if desired and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg on top.
Serves 4
Per Serving: Calories 272, Calories from Fat 24, Total Fat 2.9g (sat 1.4g), Cholesterol 60mg, Sodium 249mg, Carbohydrate 51.1g, Fiber 0.1g, Protein 10.9g


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Carriage Towne News
---- — The Timberlane Lacrosse Boosters Club and team held a slightly used Sporting Equipment and Apparel Sale (all seasons) at Timberlane Regional High School cafeteria. Proceeds will benefit the team. Checking out some of the items available at Jared Spang, left, and Galen Morrill. (CTN photo by Larry Kennedy)


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Bammies are very similar to casabe. They are a type of cassava flat bread. The differences are that bammies are thicker. You finish them off with soaking in coconut milk and then frying, steaming or baking them. The recipe below gives directions on frying and baking them.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2
- 2 pounds of fresh cassava (yuca)
- salt to taste
- 1 to 2 cups coconut milk
- oil for frying
Make the Bammies
- Wash and peel the yuca (cassava).
- Using a grater, grate the yuca using the finest section.
- Using cheesecloth or a clean cotton towel, squeeze the grated cassava to remove as much moisture as possible and discard the liquid.
- Add salt to the yuca mixture and stir it in well. Break up any lumps.
- Divide grated yuca into 2 equal parts and set aside.
- Heat a frying pan. (A cast iron skillet works well). Do Not add any oil.
- When the pan is hot, place one half of the grated yuca in the middle of the pan. Spread it out with a spatula, or back of a spoon, into a circular cake that is approximately two inches around and 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook until bottom is golden and set, then flip and cook the other side until golden and set.
- Remove from the frying pan and scrape off any scorched areas.
- Pour the coconut milk into a shallow bowl or casserole dish big enough to hold the two bammy patties.
- Soak the bammies in the coconut milk for 10 minutes.
- While the bammies are soaking, heat a frying pan and 1/2 inch of vegetable oil to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fry the bammies whole, cut in half, or cut in quarters until they are lightly brown on all sides (You may have to flip them over).
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly butter the bammies on each side and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.


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A Fountain Inn man is charged with attempted arson at a home on Park Road.
Laurens County Sheriff's Office arrested Dante Z. Wheeler, 21, after a search of the area that lasted several hours.
Wheeler is charged with attempted arson, manufacturing of article designed to cause damage by firebomb and possession of a destructive device.
Wheeler was transported to the Johnson Detention Center to await a bond hearing.
250 International Dr.Spartanburg, S.C. 29303
Telephone: 864.576.7777
Fax: 864.587.5430
Email: email@example.com


text:
Latest Penn Medicine News
July 24, 2014
Atomic Structure of Key Muscle Component Revealed in Penn Study
Adding to the growing fundamental understanding of the machinery of muscle cells, a group of biophysicists from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania describe in the journal Science this week — in minute detail — how actin filaments are stabilized at one of their ends to form a basic muscle structure called the sarcomere. Read more ...
July 24, 2014
Penn Study: Incisionless Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery Associated with Shorter Hospital Stays
July 24, 2014
Link Between Ritual Circumcision Procedure and Herpes Infection in Infants Examined by Penn Medicine Analysis
July 23, 2014
Penn Study Reveals New Evidence Showing Medical Student Perceptions of Health Policy Education are Improving, but 40 Percent are Still Not Satisfied
July 21, 2014
Metabolic Enzyme Stops Progression of Most Common Type of Kidney Cancer
July 16, 2014
Penn Medicine Study: Liver Transplant Patients Who Receive Organs from Living Donors More Likely to Survive than Those Who Receive Organs from Deceased Donors
July 16, 2014
Potassium Supplements May Increase Survival in Patients Taking Diuretics for Heart Failure, Penn Study Suggests
July 15, 2014
Penn Medicine Hospitals Named Among Top Ten in the Nation and #1 in Philadelphia By U.S. News & World Report
July 14, 2014
Penn Researchers Successfully Alleviate Pulmonary Inflammation through Targeted Drug Delivery
July 10, 2014
New Study Shows Drinking Alcohol, Even Light-to-Moderate Amounts, Provides No Heart Health Benefit
July 9, 2014
Penn Study Finds Living Kidney Donation Does Not Increase Risk of Death or Heart Disease for Older Adult Donors
July 7, 2014
University of Pennsylvania's Personalized Cellular Therapy for Leukemia Receives FDA's Breakthrough Therapy Designation
Researchers in the rapidly expanding research field of microbiomics have shown that the human body is home to an entire ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. What's more, these microbes play an important role in regulating many of our physiological processes.
About Penn Medicine Contact Us Site Map Privacy Statement Legal Disclaimer Terms of Use
Penn Medicine is where the missions of research, education, clinical care, and community service combine to improve health and well being. We are proud of our commitment to service and strive to use discovery and rigorous research to benefit our neighborhoods, our city, and our world. We embrace the opportunity to teach others, to learn from our partners, and to care for patients with skill and dignity.
Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 800-789-PENN © 2013, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


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You want that $100.00 in your pocket or an Amazon Fire TV don't you? Well here's the deal. With our new updated look we are in desperate need of an updated logo. The 'old' one has certainly served us well, but it's time. Find all the details here: bit.ly/1q0k6Wa
DroidForums.net is currently undergoing a major software upgrade. If you are experiencing any problems logging in please: Contact Us
Multi Media features of Droid X
Discussion in 'New Member Introductions & Site Assistance' started by BruceC, Jul 8, 2011.


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A Christmas treat for chocolate fans! These festive brownies are laced with brandy-soaked cranberries, pecans and mixed spice.
30ml/1fl oz brandy
100g/3½oz dried cranberries
300g/10½oz dark chocolate, broken into chunks
200g/7oz butter
4 free-range eggs
300g/10½oz light muscovado sugar
200g/7oz plain flour
1 tsp mixed spice
100g/3½oz pecans, roughly chopped
icing sugar, to serve
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and line a 30x20cm/12x8in tin with baking parchment.
Gently heat the brandy then add the cranberries and leave to soak while you prepare the brownie mix.
Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave. Stir gently until smooth then set aside to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy.
Whisk the chocolate and butter mix into the eggs then gently fold in the flour, mixed spice, pecans, cranberries and brandy until fully incorporated.
Pour into the prepared tin, smooth the surface then bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the brownie is firm to the touch.
Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then place on a wire rack until cooled completely.
Once cool, cut into squares and dust the tops with icing sugar.
Type the ingredients you want to use, then click Go. For better results you can use quotation marks around phrases (e.g. "chicken breast"). Alternatively you can search by chef, programme, cuisine, diet, or dish (e.g. Lasagne).
BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.


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How do I take a leave of absence?
Talk to your Advising Dean.
Voluntary Leaves are taken for a variety of reasons. For more information, review our FAQs for Voluntary Leaves.
Medical Leaves are for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years. For more information, review our FAQs for Medical Leaves.
Question Tags:
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[For 1.6] Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Printable Version
+- MyBB Community Forums (http://community.mybb.com)
+-- Forum: Resources (/forum-8.html)
+--- Forum: Themes (/forum-103.html)
+---- Forum: Theme Releases (/forum-104.html)
+---- Thread: [For 1.6] Apart for 1.6 [Released] (/thread-74333.html)
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Cayo - 09-11-2010 09:35 PM
First, many thanks to Justin for this very awesome theme series.
As far as I know, a german button set hasn't been released yet.
So I've just created one and now I would like to share it with you.
If there are any questions or suggestions, just send me a PM
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - vash - 09-13-2010 03:24 AM
(09-09-2010 08:08 PM)BlueGames Wrote: Very good theme! But I want to customize buttons (New Reply, new thread etc.) to my language. But file formats are gimp files. Are there buttons in psd (photoshop file)?
If you download gimp you can actually save the buttons direct into psd format.
I will try and attach it but the file size may be too big in which case PM me with an email address if you don't want to go the gimp download route!
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - PeterT - 09-13-2010 11:46 AM
I am upgrading my theme from afresh midnight to apart night'
Just one small problem, can someone tell me what I change to make the wooden background image more visible.
This is the original and how I would like it to look followed by my new apart unfixed version.
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - stoffer - 09-13-2010 11:51 AM
(09-13-2010 11:46 AM)PeterT Wrote: can someone tell me what I change to make the wooden background image more visible.I asked the same thing Peter. It has something to do with the margin width I'm guessing but I can't find how to change it either.
Let's hope Justin or someone else responds to our request.
Hi PeterT.
Which template did you edit in the end?
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - adbrad - 09-13-2010 02:47 PM
This theme looks alot like ipb was that intetional.
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - stoffer - 09-13-2010 03:02 PM
Thanks to PeterT for the solution.
Just to recap:
In AdminCP I went to edit the "Apart Dawn" theme and selected the global.css stylesheet to edit.
In the Width field I put "92%" (without quotes).
In the Extra CSS Attributes field on the right, I changed "margin: 0;" to "margin: auto auto;" (without quotes).
I have a nice border around my Forums and can know see the parquet floor background as in the older theme.
Well done to PeterT for solving the problem and for the fast response!
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Dollar Bill - 09-15-2010 05:49 PM
Having an odd problem. In firefox the collapse button on the far right for the first set of categories shows normally and in IE and Chrome it shows as a broken image. The odd part is that it's only the first set of categories, and sets further down the page display the collapse button normally. Can't figure out how to fix it, unfortunately.
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Fábio Maia - 09-15-2010 05:50 PM
umm that's weird. Do you have a URL?
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Dollar Bill - 09-15-2010 05:55 PM
Not at the moment. Had to take it down because of that error - it was driving me insane. I want to use the theme but will probably pass if I can't figure it out.
Another oddity about it is the first collapse button is actually like a [-] in text style link while the other collapse buttons are actual image boxes like normal. I don't figure any plugins would cause that.
Edit: Figured it out. Apparently it was the plugin
Quote:Custom Forum Icons (1.0)
Edit2: Problem fixed. Apparently using the custom forum icon plugin creates a new directory that starts looking for collapse.gif for some reason. Popping collapse.gif into that new image directory plugged that hole and caused it to display. It was showing the collapse.gif image as the alt text [-] because it couldn't find the image.
Hope that helps someone else if they encounter that problem!
RE: Apart for 1.6 [Released] - Coach - 09-16-2010 02:26 AM
(09-08-2010 02:09 PM)Uncontrol Wrote:(09-05-2010 02:42 AM)Coach Wrote: If I right-click it and select "Open image in new tab" (using Chrome) I get a 404 Not Found error.
That's certainly what the message suggests, but it's in exactly the same place (with the same permissions) as the default logo (which has been renamed) that came with the theme.


text:
By Sarah Hogsed
Register News Writer
The state auditor's online report about the Madison County Board of Health, which is part of a recently released database of the state's special districts, is incorrect, according to health department officials.
Chief Finance Officer David Reed discussed the report Wednesday at the board's regular meeting, and he expressed frustration with the way the data was gathered.
"I complied with the survey – twice," Reed said. The auditor's office told him the first survey was lost, so he had to fill it out again, he said.
Auditor Adam Edelen has called the state's 1,200 special districts "ghost governments," which he says handle billions in tax dollars with little oversight.
The database shows that the Madison County Health Board is in compliance for filling out the survey and submitting its budget and Uniform Financial Report, but it shows a question mark for the audit submission.
The problem, which Edelen's office has acknowledged, is the audit year that was submitted by many special districts.
Reed displayed a screenshot of the auditor's survey, which specifically asked for "your special district's most recent audit." Reed said he submitted the 2012 fiscal year audit because it was the most recent.
However, according to the reporting database, the auditor's office was actually requesting the 2011 audit so it could compare that to the 2011 audited, actual expenditures. That is why the database shows the health department as noncompliant.
The auditor's database also reports that information was not provided about the counties served by the health board, the frequency of audits and the names of health board members.
"I typed in each of your all's names, twice," Reed told the board.
Reed pointed out the financial statements are published each year in the Richmond Register and submitted to the Department of Local Government. The Madison Fiscal Court also receives copies of the health board's budget.
"The bottom line is, we're compliant in all these areas," Reed said.
"I think we need to audit the auditor's office," board member Dr. John Johnstone said.
Health Board Chair Dr. Stuart Tobin asked that Reed send the auditor's office a paper copy of the 2011 audit and other information missing from the online database via certified mail.
Reed told the board that the report, which Edelen's office has admitted contained errors, is being used to push for legislation to reform oversight for special districts. Some board members worried that more regulation could result in more costs for the board.
Reed said he has not yet contacted the auditor's office about correcting the database errors.
At least one other local special taxing district has struggled to get incorrect information fixed on Edelen's database. The Ambulance Board had to contact the auditor's office numerous times to prove they were in compliance with the report and to get the database corrected, according to Director Jimmy Cornelison.
Sarah Hogsed can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or 624-6694.


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Facebook pages for local branches of a business generate greater reach and engagement than their corporate counterparts, according to a study by Mainstay Salire in collaboration with Hearsay Social.
On average, a Facebook post from a local division reaches five times the percentage of fans as a post from a corporate page. The study also found local posts see engagement from eight times as many of the fans reached compared to corporate posts. These results suggest that companies should consider maintaining Facebook pages for local stores or branches in addition to a main corporate page.


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There are only a couple of channels that I let the boys watch on occasion, because I know there won't be any inappropriate commercials or content. One of them is Sprout. One character that the boys particularly love is Caillou (this show also airs on PBS Kids). When I heard that there is now a toy line featuring the squeaky voiced, ever-curious preschooler, I knew the boys would be more than willing to check it out. My youngest even tries to say "Caillou" now (it comes out as "cow you").
Recently, we went on a weekend trip and I knew we would be in the hotel room a lot with the boys. I decided to pack the new Caillou toys and let them open them for the first time at the hotel. When we got there, I put the new play things in the corner behind a suitcase where I thought they'd safely hide until I was ready to present them to the boys. Wrong. About 10 minutes later, as I was making the boys a snack in the kitchenette, my youngest came in carrying the box with the Caillou Doll in it. As soon as he handed it to me, he ran back and got the box with the Caillou Learning Train. He said, "Thank you, Mom, good job!" which means he wanted me to open it right away (he is learning more and more words daily and doesn't always use them correctly, but he gets his point across).
I quickly opened both toys and the boys were excited to see one was a train. They played and played with the train, taking turns putting Caillou and Rosie in their places and pushing it around the hotel room. When it was time for bed, my youngest grabbed Caillou (he's never really had a doll that he liked that much) and laid him on our bed. He then prayed over him and tucked him into his own crib safe and sound. It was super adorable (as you can see in the photos). The boys still love these toys. I think they are very well made and the chunky size of the train pieces is not only perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, but the parts aren't as easy to lose as some toys.
Honestly, I am highly impressed with these toys and can see us getting more of the pieces (such as the Caillou Bath Time Vehicle). You can tell a lot of thought and workmanship went into making quality toys that will withstand the rough and tumble play of preschoolers. I also appreciate that the toys aren't annoyingly loud like many children's toys are. They are simple, classic-style toys that both kids and parents can love.
Buy: From ID Toys, the Caillou line of toys is available at Toys"R"Us stores and toysrus.com. The doll we reviewed sells for $29.99 and the Caillou Learning Train is $24.99 (both approximate retail prices).
The Caillou show is from Cookie Jar Entertainment.
Fine Print: We received the items mentioned in this post in exchange for our honest review through Team Mom. The opinions are our own.


text:
True Blood season 5 premieres this weekend, and Russell's return and the Vampire Authority aren't the only things to look forward to. There's also what's coming up for Alcide and Sookie and for Pam and Eric to be excited about.
Season 5 Spoilers
Though Alcide would need to first find out about Sookie killing Debbie, the fifth season does seem to be leading up to an Alcide-Sookie hookup, especially when you take a look at some of the previews. E! Online does say "it's definitely possible," though they went on to say, "like all things in Bon Temps, romance is on the back burner until the bodies are buried." There's an emphasis on the plural in bodies. It wouldn't be Bon Temps without some death going around, and previews do show grave digging going on. However, will those bodies stay buried, or will they come back? It's still unclear just how Tara's coming back, so it is possible they'll be burying her before realizing this isn't the end for her.
And what about Pam and Eric in True Blood season 5? According to Kristin Bauer van Straten, "Pam will go to any length to be reunited with her maker. Any length. And we're going to see it. Pam has an amazing arc because we get to see her backstory and how she was made. It explains why Pam is the way she is and also why Eric is her one person that she can't live without." Now that sounds like something to look forward to. Backstories are always fun to see, especially when you can then figure out how they influence the present, and whose better to see than Pam's at this point? One of the "Waiting Sucks" previews (below) does show an intense conversation between Pam and Eric about trust. It looks like it's going to be a good summer for fans of the show.
What do you think of the latest True Blood season 5 spoilers?
© Meredith Jacobs 2012


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There is something magic about summertime. Time drifts by in soft, languid measures. It is a time of sunscreen and lemonade. The distinct smack of a home run. Laughter echoing from parks and beaches. Sun ripened tomatoes almost sweeter than candy. Fireworks and hotdogs. Marshmallows roasted to perfection.
But perhaps one of the most luxurious joys of summer is delving into a new book. It is where summertime magic really begins. A good book can turn even the laziest of afternoons into an amazing adventure. Fighting the red coats in Colonial New England. Galloping through the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Searching for buried treasure in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. Even finding an entire new world hiding inside a mysterious professor's wardrobe. Who knows who you will meet or where the next page will lead you?
Reading soothes the sole, stretches the imagination and allows our children to dream big. And that is exactly the theme of the San Diego Library summer reading program this summer. Joining is easy. Simply go to your local library branch between June 18 and August 15 to register. The Encinitas Library is located at 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024. The Dove Libary is located at 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011. Like everything else about summer, the rules are relaxed and easy. Children are encouraged to read anything that captivates their attention (library books, books from home, magazines, newspapers) and can report up to once a day. Just make sure you bring your reading log each time. Younger children can report on books read to them by parents or older siblings. All participating children receive a free child admission to Legoland (with purchase of adult ticket), up to two prizes a week for reporting, a t-shirt after their seventh report and chances to win complimentary passes to local attractions (including the San Diego Zoo, Reuben H. Feet Science Center, San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum and Padres Tickets. Prizes are limited while supplies last and dependent on branch locations.
And while the children keep coming back to the library to mark off another entry in their log books and pick a prize from a smiling volunteer, the real reward is in clutched in their hands. Each and every book gives them something they didn't have before. Books make them think, imagine, hope and even laugh out loud. And somehow all these emotions are heightened in the summer. Maybe it is because we don't have to read. There are no mandates made by hopeful teachers. No formal reports to think about. There aren't even the usual distractions of homework, school activities and/or sports. Summer reading is special because it is something that comes from the heart. We read simply because we have an abundance of time. And inclination.
This summer, especially when your children tell you that there is no one to play with, introduce them to a few of your favorite childhood friends: Atticus Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird), Ramona Quimby (Ramona Quimby Age 8), Laura Ingalls (Little House On The Prairie), Fern Arable (Charlotte's Web), Amelia Bedelia (Amelia Bedelia series), Henry Fleming (The Red Badge of Courage), Jo March (Little Women), Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables), Lucy Pevensie (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), and, of course, any of the wacky parade of Dr. Seuss characters (The Lorax, Horton Hears a Who, Green Eggs and Ham, If I Ran The Circus and more). And as the days get shorter and the scent of sunscreen and lemonade fade from the air, these new friendships will remain with them. Forever. Favorite characters never leave us. In fact, they continue to grow inside us. Somehow they magically make their way into our hearts and fuel our imaginations, even as adults. Reminding us to always live big. Think big. And
of course, dream big.


text:
ALS Association Evergreen Chapter Board President Kathy Holt reacts to the VA's change to their
disability rating system. Beginning January 19, the VA will rate veterans with ALS 100 percent disabled upon the diagnosis. The change means veterans won't have to be constantly re-evaluated to determine a rating and benefits should arrive much faster.


text:
News from WTOP
News from the AP
Mike Causey
Shows & Panels
Shows & Panels
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Shows & Panels
- The 2014 Big Picture on Cyber Security
- AFCEA Answers
- Ask the CIO
- Building the Hybrid Cloud
- CDWG/NetApp
- Connected Government: How to Build and Procure Network Services for the Future
- Continuing Diagnostics and Mitigation: Discussion of Progress and Next Steps
- Federal Executive Forum
- Federal Tech Talk
- The Intersection: Where Technology Meets Transformation
- Maximizing ROI Through Data Center Consolidation
- Moving to the Cloud. What's the best approach for me
- Navigating Tough Choices in Government Cloud Computing
- The New Generation of Database
- Satellite Communications: Acquiring SATCOM in Tight Times
- Targeting Advanced Threats: Proven Methods from Detection through Remediation
- Transformative Technology: Desktop Virtualization in Government
- The Truth About IT Opex and Software Defined Networking
- Value of Health IT
Shows & Panels
Search Result
Search Tags: Jeff Risinger
OPM promotes new thinking about federal pay
OPM Director John Berry said the administration is trying to be "responsible and professional" when it comes to changing the bonus and pay structure. He said agencies should take a step back and make sure they are using these programs effectively and promoting the best employees.
Tags: pay and benefits , management , John Berry , Scott Gould , Greg Gilman , OPM , OMB , VA , SEC , NTEU , pay freeze , performance bonuses , within grade , Federal Labor Management Council , Jason Miller
Thursday - 06/16/2011, 08:05am EDTListen


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PROMOTED from FanPosts. Good stuff. Love that K/9. - WC
Cole Hamels' start the other day confused me greatly. Stuff-wise he seemed utterly dominant with 10 K's in just 6 innings pitched (despite, as I noted in the game thread, a strike zone that resembled one of these more than an actual strike zone). I suspected that he is still getting some pretty crappy luck, but his 6th inning meltdown just seemed so predictable that I began to question whether the Cole-bashing, WIP-listening goons might actually have a point. The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine and gave me a serious case of the dry heaves. So like any sane person, I took my nausea medication (yep, that) and visited Fangraphs.
What I found should bode well for Cole's future.
Cole's 2010 BABIP: .357 (This is unsustainable--even for Cole--and a telltale sign that he is still being victimized by bad luck)
Cole's 2010 HR/FB%: 20.6% (His career rate is 12%, so 20.6 will almost certainly not be sustained.)
Cole's 2010 K/9 rate: 10.57(!) (Excellent)
Cole's 2010 groundball %: 46.6% (A good sign--he is keeping the ball on the ground at a higher rate than he has in his entire career)
Cole's 2010 xFIP: 3.35 (Look at this number to see how well he is actually pitching underneath everything. In a nutshell: when it comes to the things Cole is able to control, he is pitching better than he has in his entire career)
To sum up, Cole is striking a lot of guys out, and keeping the ball on the ground well, but an unusual number of the balls that opposing hitters put in play are going for hits and an unusual number of balls hit in the air are leaving the ballpark. Assuming his BABIP and HR/FB% drop back to his career marks, it is almost a guarantee that Cole's ERA will improve given the other numbers. As hard as it is for people to swallow, he has still been victimized by an incredible amount of bad luck.
I do still have some questions though: Could there something about the quality of Cole's pitches themselves over the past season-and-an-eighth that has left him particularly vulnerable to bad luck. I am not capable of analyzing his pitchfx data, but could location and/or pitch selection and/or pitch velocity be a cause of this paradox? Also, this could just be fan perception, but why does he tend to fall victim to meltdowns around the 5th or 6th inning? I absolutely hate the "Cole lacks composure" line, but could this be possible? I mean, I don't believe the guy is a "mental midget" or whatever, but could there be something about the way he pitches when he encounters trouble that could explain this phenomenon? It's food for thought.
But to answer my own question, yes, the numbers tell us that Cole is pitching like a beast, his ERA just isn't reflecting it right now.


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Backstage at the St. James Theatre, Bring It On's lead cheerleader Taylor Louderman has quite the versatile dressing room! It doubles as a pre-show hang out spot, a miniature art gallery and one very chocolate-filled Halloween destination!
Satchmo at the Waldorf's John Douglas Thompson on the man behind the smile in this one-man Louis Armstrong bio-play.April 18, 2014
Broadway.com catches up with Santino Fontana, Tony Shalhoub and the stars of James Lapine's adaptation of Moss Hart's memoir Act One at the opening night party.
April 18, 2014
Pippin's Kyle Dean Massey takes us exploring the secret passages of Broadway and a softball game in the latest epiosde of Fresh Prince.April 18, 2014
Beautiful's Jarrod Spector and Anika Larsen answer your questions about music icons, what makes the perfect pizza and what's on their bucket list.April 18, 2014
Broadway.com catches up with the stars of the new staging of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men on opening night.April 17, 2014
Aladdin standout James Monroe Iglehart explains to Paul Wontorek why the Genie is the role of a lifetime.April 17, 2014
Broadway.com's Paul Wontorek interviews James Franco at the opening night party for Of Mice and Men, his Broadway debut.April 17, 2014
Laura Osnes takes us backstage at The Threepenny Opera and introduces us to her fellow cast members, including Romeo the Dog and a certain Oscar winner.April 16, 2014
This week's episode has the Bullets cast trash-talking bad actors, a traffic jam caused by the Prez needing a Broadway fix, a revealing tweet from a Les Miz star and a whole lotta love for Bridges, Mormon and the great Audra McDonald. Enjoy!April 16, 2014
Elle McLemore, Jessica Keenan Wynn and Alice Lee of Heathers The Musical on bringing this '80s cult classic to life on stage.April 15, 2014
A first look at Act One, the James Lapine play chronicling the life of Moss Hart and starring Santino Fontana, Tony Shalhoub and Andrea Martin.April 15, 2014
Buyer & Cellar star Christopher J. Hanke on paying tribute to Barbra Streisand in the solo show.April 15, 2014