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Politics & Prejudices
Emergency manager for Detroit?
Talking with Joe Harris about the city, its problems and a persistent lack of vision
Published: December 7, 2011
There was something poignant about the scene last week at City Hall, aka the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, when the council, mayor and other Detroit city leaders huddled around a podium.
They all expressed solidarity. We can fix our problems. We don't need any emergency manager. We can do it, honest, mon.
Just days before, they'd been nastily bashing each other. The mayor's budget didn't cut enough, the council said. After turning the other cheek for months, Dave Bing finally lost it.
He shot back that Council President Charles Pugh couldn't even manage his own finances, so how could he know how to fix the city? He accused Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown of being a triple-dipper who, thanks to a salary, police department pension and successful lawsuit, was sucking more money from Detroit than his share. As for Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr., who served as interim mayor for seven months: "What the hell did you achieve for the time that you were here?"
Nothing like money troubles to turn tempers ugly. But now the threat of an emergency manager suddenly is real. The governor has ordered a review of the city's finances, usually the first step. Whatever they think of each other, neither the mayor nor the council wants to lose their powers. Nor do the city unions want a situation where an emergency manager can void out their contracts.
Yet is it too late to avoid that?
Last weekend, I talked to a man who may have the best grasp of the situation — Joe Harris, now the emergency manager in tiny Benton Harbor, off in the southwest corner of the state.
Harris, a certified public accountant in private practice for many years, was Detroit's auditor general for a decade, from 1995 to 2005, and afterward served as the city's chief financial officer during the seven months Cockrel was mayor.
I asked him: Do you see any way the city can avoid having an emergency manager and losing control of its own affairs?
"Truthfully, no," he said — and paused. "Well, there is a way for the mayor and council and the unions to get together and order some draconian changes in labor contracts," he said.
"They'd have to do that quickly, and the mayor needs to understand he can't maintain the same public safety force the city has had." While both mayor and council agree that city positions have to be eliminated, council wants to eliminate far more – including 500 police and firefighters, something the mayor has refused to do.
There really isn't any choice, the former auditor said, and even that doesn't solve the city's bigger problems. What, I asked him, did he think the odds were that the city leaders could come together?
"Well, let's put it this way. I wouldn't bet the ranch on it."
Harris may feel he has to be somewhat circumspect. He was, after all, briefly, Detroit's chief financial officer before being replaced by Bing, and doesn't want to look like a vindictive ex-employee.
He is also now an emergency manager in another city, and might risk being seen as speaking out of turn. He's also aware that he has also been mentioned as a possible EM for Detroit, and might not want to be seen as campaigning for the job.
Yet, blunt, plain-speaking honesty has always been Joe Harris' style. When I asked him how Detroit ended up in this mess, he didn't hesitate to answer: "You have to start with a plan. What the city has is a long-term problem, and it takes a strategic plan to try to address it.
"But Dave Bing doesn't have a plan. Matter of fact, that's the same as the last four mayors. Not one has presented a viable plan."
"When Mayor Bing ran for office," observed Harris, "he said he would bring in a team of experts and straighten out the city's finances.
"But he didn't know anything. When you took a look at his team of experts, they didn't have the qualifications. I'm sure they were all good and respected in their fields, but they didn't understand ...
"After that, it turns out [Bing's] plan, such as it was, was to sit down with department heads and find a way to work together to solve the problem."
But these were people who had grown up in the system. They couldn't see outside their own closed universe, Harris said, with an air of regret. He has been predicting for years that would happen. "I thought it would have happened already.
"But they helped Bing get a quarter-billion-dollar loan, and instead of using it to help reorganize, they just went on doing the things they were doing," making a failed ship float a little longer.
What's important to keep in mind is that the city's real problem is not the current budget deficit. Far worse is the fact that the city has $5 billion — billion with a capital B — in unfunded pensions and other liabilities, according to the respected, nonpartisan Citizens' Research Council. How can the city ever hope to manage that?
"The tragedy is that this would be the time to borrow and refinance that," Harris said. Interest rates are near historic lows. "But the city has maxed out its credit cards."
> Email Jack Lessenberry
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Mission Statement: The mission statement adopted for the County in 1996 is "The County of Cumberland is committed to providing quality services to all Citizens equitably, in a responsive and caring manner."
Cumberland County Government has 13 departments with over 400 full-time employees and an annual budget of more than $35 million. Like county governments across the nation, we are providing traditional county services, such as deeds, probate, sheriff's patrol, the county jail, emergency management, the district attorney's office, and dispatch. Taxpayers are paying on average less than $75 per capita for the services they receive which are assessed through the municipalities.

subset: commoncrawl


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It has been a long school year for both kids and moms! Watch as some super smart kindergarteners tell us what they learned in class and why they deserve to move to the first grade. Congratulations students!
For more adorable kid videos, check out these:
|Twin Babies Have a Conversation
|Baby Laughs at Ripping Paper
|Dad and Daughter Duet
|Jesse for Governor!


text: Maya's parents say: Maya was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and now now lives in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). She loves chasing and catching water, playing tug, holding her collection of stuffed toys, and watching television, but only when Animal Planet is on. She has two baby Holland lop rabbit sisters, whom she protects and adores. Maya has no vices, enjoys dried chicken jerky, and has unlimited energy reserves. She loves the off-leash dog parks, here she sometimes she thinks she's on the Serengeti, and always makes at least three new friends on the journey there. She has never barked but did growl at a bear. She used to consider newspapers and Christmas presents her personal shredding toys, but has lately decided sticks taste better.


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BASP Louis Garneau Gift Certificates
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 11:09am | by izoard
Tom Simpson
I spaced - I forgot to include the redemption information on our "Louis Garneau" gift certificates included in prize packages yesterday. Please use this link to "Louis Garneau" certified dealers in Northern California to head o your closest retailer to redeem your prize Gift Certificate. This way you can make sure you get the right size ordered for your "Jive" jacket, or Bib tights, or Gloves or the Carbon shoes.
Tom Simpson
Pilarcitos Cyclesports


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While we are currently enjoying the warm spring weather between frequent thunderstorms, our attempts at playing outside are preparing us for the long summer haul when we will have all day, every day to provide entertainment and keep the sanity. To do this, I recommend lots of fresh air, outdoor play, and wearing your kids out.
So prep your outing bag, grab the snacks, pack your new sunscreen, Band-Aids, and Neosporin. We've got some playground Recon to do!
Entertainment value (0-5): 0- Not Nap-worthy (it took longer to drive here than for my kid to get bored) to 5- SOOO Nap-worthy (kid had crazy fun, and will be napping before I start the car)
Safety concerns (0-5): 0 Band-Aids (a boo-boo free outing) to 5 Band-Aids (bring the Neosporin and ice packs, something's going down)
Fantasy Playground, 12298 Cotton Mill Drive: Bring your children to Fantasy Playground and let their imaginations soar! The towers and tunnels and bridges foster creative play, and kids and parents certainly get their exercise from climbing around all the equipment. It has a small sand box, so keep a shovel and pail in your car, so beach toy drama doesn't cause sand to fly.
Amenities: a fenced in parameter, picnic tables, a covered shelter.
- Bathrooms are in the shower room of the Tall Oaks Pool, so if the pool is closed, so are the potties!
- The ground cover is pebbles, making sneakers a must. The pebbles are frequently thrown by older kids, and put in the mouths of younger ones, so parents- keep your eyes peeled!
- Other than the picnic shelter, there is no shade on the playground, and the metal slide gets HOT!
- Summer camps and afterschool programs use this playground, and during these times, it gets crazy with older kids running around. Keep your eyes on your little ones!
Ratings: 5- SOOO Nap-Worthy, 4 Band-Aids
Lake Ridge Park Playground, 12350 Cotton Mill Drive: Located on the far end of the golf course parking lot, the Lake Ridge Park Playground offers a quiet respite from the craziness of Fantasy Playground. This playground is smaller, and easier for the under-three crowd to navigate where parents can always see them.
Amenities: picnic tables under the trees, mini-golf course (fun to explore when no one is playing), open space for picnics and running free, a mulch ground cover
- Bathrooms are at the golf course club house on site, but a long walk for little legs.
- The bridge on the playground is slippery, and the railings are rather high for a child under age three to hold onto. I've seen a child slip and fall from the bridge (2 ½ feet drop) at least five times!
- While the playground is not shaded, there are many shady spots under trees to cool off.
- Summer Camps use the playground periodically during the day.
- The hiking trail is fun for kids, and with a three year old, takes about an hour to walk.
Ratings: 3 -Nap-Worthy, 3 Band-Aids
Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center Playground, 13025 Chinn Park Drive: I love going to a library story hour, checking out books and saying "Hi!" to Squirt the turtle, and finishing the outing with some quality playground time. This playground is super-appropriate for little kids.
Amenities: a rubber ground cover (very cushiony), fenced in, bathrooms in library and fitness center
- While the Chinn preschool and summer camps have priority at this playground, I've never had to skip the playground due to a group's presence.
- Lots O'Shade! The playground has fabric sails that provide shade for the whole play area, meaning the slides are NOT hot! Love it. (FYI- When I took photos last week, the shades were not up yet)
Ratings: 3- Nap-worthy, 1 Band-Aid (because you just never can tell)
LRPRA Creative Preschool Playground, 12400 Oakwood Drive: This playground is also a favorite on those days when the sun is a scorcher! This playground is best for the smaller crowd, having wooden train cars, tunnels and a small slide.
Amenities: mulch ground cover, lots of shade, fenced in playground
- The preschool and summer camps have priority. Preschool finishes by 2pm, so afternoons are available.
- Bathrooms are available if the Ridgewood Pool is open.
Ratings: 2- Worth a short snooze, 1 Band-Aid (because you just never can tell)
Mohican Tot Lots, across from Edgemoor Ct and Stoneford Drive: While these playgrounds are on the smaller side, they both provide shade and are far less crowded than the other popular sites.
Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Va: a train ride, a carousel, ice cream parlor, and a playground! It's a day of fun. The carousel, train rides and ice cream parlor open at 11:00 am. There's a playground by the carousel, but the really fun and much larger playground is on the other side of the park.
A few things to note:
- Non-Fairfax county residents must pay $10 per car on weekends only. Weekdays are free!
- The park is only open weekends April- May, but will be open daily starting Memorial Weekend. Yipee!
Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191: Just off Exit 156, Leesylvania State Park is a perfect outing on a sunny day. Fairfax Landing, by Shelter 2, offers shaded picnic tables, a bridge over a turtle pond, a playground, and is located on the water's edge, so you could dip your toes in if you choose. Bathrooms are easy to find near each shelter. Cars must pay $4 on weekdays, and $5 on weekends.


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Occupy Cincinnati is planning several anti-banking efforts this week, culminating with a march through Cincinnati's "financial district" on Saturday.
From their page:
Occupy Cincinnati has a timeline for this week as we lead up to Saturday November 5, National Bank Transfer Day. Join us at Piatt Park this Saturday at 1:00 pm, as we march in solidarity with MONEY TALKS/99% WALKS. Here's how you can participate…
Bank Action Day 1. Thursday Nov 3.
Educate yourself on credit unions, the alternative to commercial banks (http://www.ohiocul.org/). Select a credit union or local bank for your not-for- profit bank service. Open an account and get ready to transfer your money out of the commercial banking system.
Bank Action Day 2. Friday, November 4.
Visit your commercial bank and close your account. Be sure to tell them why you are taking this action. Congratulations, you have made a positive change toward affecting regulatory controls of our monetary system!
Bank Action Day 3. Saturday November 5.
Occupy Cincinnati welcomes you to Piatt Park for a march and celebration of National Bank Transfer Day (Guy Fawkes /V for Vendetta fans- welcome back!) Assemble at Piatt Park at 1:00 pm for a solidarity march and tour of the Cincinnati financial district. The march continues in solidary with Democracy Week, as we visit the Hamilton County Justice Center and call for a return to participatory representation by Cincinnati City Council. The 99% have found their voice and we're calling on City Council to support Occupy Cincinnati. March concludes back at Piatt Park with a celebration and early General Assembly at 4:00pm. Come out, bring friends, speak truth to power and the corrosive effect of corporate money in electoral politics.
More information at www.occupycincy.org and their Facebook page
Posted in: Updates
Tags: Occupy Cincinnati


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Janet Stauffacher of Nostalgic NeedleART is sharing the pattern for this birthday crazy-quilt block. Janet says,
Here's an easy foundation-pieced crazy quilt block, featuring one of my favorite postcards from my personal collection…Print this block directly onto computer printer fabric with your inkjet printer, then use it as the foundation for your crazy quilt block with the center image already in place.
By Denise Felton


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Much of Manny Acta's post-game press conference, predictably, was about the resignation of Jim Bowden. Here's the transcript of what he had to say about his former boss (more news to follow at the bottom):
What was your reaction? "It was shocking to me. He had scheduled this meeting at 8:45. I was expecting him to just give the guys a pep talk, the usual thing that he does, because he wasn't here when we had our team meeting. He was in Arizona, dealing with the arbitration hearings. The news just caught me buy surprise. I think it takes a lot of courage for him to do that. Me as a manager, I really appreciate what he did, if he felt he was being a distraction here. I will always be grateful, because I did interview with five clubs, and he was the one who gave me my first opportunity to manage. Is he perfect? No. Few are brighter, and few work harder than him. He's not perfect, neither am I, neither is anybody here. Actually, the perfect one died over 2,000 years ago. As I said, I will always be grateful. Regardless of where this goes from here, I will always be grateful to him. Much was said about our relationship, but I thought it was a good professional relationship. And the proof is, if it would have been as bad as some people think, he wouldn't have kept me around here for three years."
When did you notice his baseball intelligence? "Always, from Day One. This guy's non-stop. His brain is always going. He could get players from underneath the rocks, as we've seen here the last couple of years. He's a bright man. That's why he's done what he's done for so long."
Also: Jesus Flores has a strained right elbow and will have a precautionary MRI tomorrow. The Nationals scratched him from the lineup because he played in yesterday's loss to the Cardinals and they didn't want him catching two days in a row. But trainer Lee Kuntz checked Flores out after the game and ordered the MRI. Too early to tell if this is a harbinger of 2008 all over again, but we'll see how things shake out tomorrow.


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The supply administration and operations OccFld includes personnel in the areas of ground supply administraticn and operations, warehousing, preservation and packaging, hazardous materials storage operations handling, fiscal accounting and purchasing, and contracting procedures pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Minimum qualifications required include personal computer operations. Duties involve administrative and government specific procedures and the use of material handling equipment in the movement and storage of supplies and equipment. In all MOSs within the OccFld, technical skills are required regarding military and commercial specifications on supplies and equipment being procured, stored, and maintained. These skills and duties must be performed in garrison, contingency and combat environs. These Marines are required to understand and apply operation of various multimedia, data scanning, and retrieval devices; office and warehouse management procedures; automated information services data entry and external systems interface procedures; asset accounting functions; financial budget formulation; management and analysis; and the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous material. Formal schooling is provided to Marines entering the OccFld. Types of entry-level jobs include work as automated information services supply stock control clerk (retail and wholesale), warehouse clerk, packaging specialist, fiscal clerk, contract specialist and personal computer operator.
Below are the Marine Corps Enlisted Military Occupation Specialties which are organized under this occupational field:
3043 --Supply Administration and Operations Specialist
3044 --Contract Specialist
3051 --Warehouse Clerk
3052 --Packaging Specialist


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See your brown on these designs right now!
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(NECN) - In Connecticut, convicted murderer Steven Hayes is asking the state to execute him.
Hayes has been on death row since 2010 after his conviction in that Cheshire home invasion and triple murder.
He now wants to waive all appeals and be put to death.
In a newly released letter, Hayes says that's because he has been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by the prison staff.
The public defender's office is handling Hayes' case and has declined to comment.


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A Very Short History of The Gambia
A potted history of The Gambia.
The Gambia Timeline -- Prehistory to Present Day
A Chronology of Key Events in The Gambia
Background Notes: The Gambia
A useful potted history is included with these US Department of State Background Notes on Gambia. Also included is a range of political, economic, and geographical data, as well as information on its people, defence, and relations with the US.
Gambia History from Lonely Planet
A quirky, colloquial presentation of Gambia's history presented by LonelyPlanet.com. Makes awfully good reading and may galvanise your interest in Africa's regional history. Not only suitable for travellers.
The Gambia - a Country Profile from the BBC
An extremely brief historical overview accompanies this BBC Country Profile of Gambia. Of particular interest are the simplified regional map (see where the country is in Africa), a photograph of Gambia's current Chief of State, and details about the countries media.
Timeline for The Gambia from the BBC
A chronology of important events in the history of The Gambia given by year (and for more recent events by month also).
CIA World Fact Book: The Gambia
A useful map and a range of geographical, political, and economic facts which are mostly up-to-date. Unfortunately this country profile lacks historical information (except for independence date), but the population statistics are probably the best available.
The Gambia's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers
Updated weekly, this list of Gambia's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers is provided by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America.


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Huell Howser, the folksy Tennessean-turned-Californian host of KCET's California's Gold has died. He was 67.
The public television figure died in his Palm Springs home early Monday morning of natural causes, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office.
Howser announced his retirement from filming in November, according to a Nov. 28 Los Angeles Times article that said there was speculation among local television veterans that Howser was seriously ill at the time.
He was best known for his California's Gold show, which ran for 19 years on PBS stations, including KCET in Southern California. Howser, often lampooned for his accent and wide-eyed wonder at roadside attractions, became so well known while hosting California's Gold that his character was incorporated into two episodes of The Simpsons, but he had filmed a number of other shows focused on the state.
Howser visited Ventura County a number of times, stopping at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, University Village in Thousand Oaks (see video), the Seabee Naval Museum in Port Hueneme and all over Fillmore and Piru.
While in Thousand Oaks, he told an audience he didn't have a one- or five-year plan because he starts each day anew.
"...Wake up and go, 'another beautiful day. Wonder what this day is going to bring. Who am I going to meet? What kind of experiences am I going to have? What's going to happen today? What adventure today is going to be.' That's the way I've always lived my life," he said.
"I don't even celebrate birthdays," he added, "because I consider every day of life as a birthday. Everyday."
KCET president/CEO, Al Jerome, noted Howser's passing as a tremendous personal and professional loss to his friends, colleagues and fans.
"Huell elevated the simple joys and undiscovered nuggets of living in our
great state ... Huell was able to brilliantly capture the wonder in obscurity.
From pastrami sandwiches and artwork woven from lint to the exoticism of cactus gardens and the splendor of Yosemite -- he brought us the magic, the humor and poignancy of our region. We will miss him very much," Jerome said in a statement.
Howser started his television career at WSM in Nashville after working
for U.S. Sen. Howard Baker and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The University of Tennessee graduate whose unusual first name is a combination of his parents'—Harold and Jewell—became a well-known television personality in Nashville for his human interest stories.
He later hosted a magazine-style series at WCBS in New York City before
moving to Los Angeles in 1981 to work for KCBS-TV. He later served a stint as a
weekend Entertainment Tonight host (1982-83) and eventually joined KCET in 1985.
The KCET show SoCal Connected plans to air special segment on Howser
at 5:30 p.m. tonight, then again at 10 p.m. As well, the station has added a "Remembering Huell" section to its website where viewers can leave thoughts about him.


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By Bera Dunau Staff Writer
The Daily Star
---- — Economic developers in Delaware County are seeking a federal grant to renovate the former Becton Dickinson facility in Hancock, with the aim of bringing a call center — along with a possible 600 jobs — to the site.
The grant would be awarded under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program. It would be given to the Delaware County Office of Economic Development in conjunction with a partnership with Data Control Group (DCG), a private company that is deciding whether to add a call center in Hancock or in Texas.
The application is for $610,000.
DCG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualfon, a data processing company. DCG already has part of its operations in Delaware County.
Should the Hancock site be chosen, the site would undergo two phases of renovation and expansion. The first phase is estimated to bring 200 jobs, while the second phase is estimated to bring an additional 300 to 400 jobs. The HUD grant would help to offset some of these renovation costs, primarily during the second phase.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., lent his support to the effort by sending a letter to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan on Tuesday expressing his support for Delaware County's application.
In a statement released to the media Tuesday, Schumer said: "This federal investment would help sign, seal, and deliver a new call center to Hancock, and ring in hundreds of good-paying jobs and work opportunities for residents in a community that desperately needs them."
In this same release, Schumer said that he would "put on the full court press" to secure HUD support.
The Becton Dickinson facility, which manufactured surgical scalpels, closed down in 2002, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.


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There were no tickets sold with all six numbers in Wednesday's SuperLotto Plus drawing and the estimated jackpot for Saturday's drawing will grow to $19 million.
A ticket with five numbers, but missing the Mega number, was sold at a 76 gasoline station in Palm Springs and is worth $44,997, the California Lottery announced.
The numbers drawn tonight were 10, 19, 28, 32, 39 and the Mega number was 18. The jackpot was $18 million.
The drawing was the 12th since the last time a ticket with all six numbers was sold.
The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number is 1 in 41,416,353, according to the SuperLotto Plus website.—City News Service.


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Isn't this space lovely? It really is.
But, I needed to spread my wings and put on my big girl panties and have a 'real' website. So come over to the new www.Sylvia-C.com and you'll find that, my blog, and more!
See ya there!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Personal Styling Gift Certificates
If you're looking for a gift for the women in your life who have it all, look no further!
I am so very excited to be offering gift certificates for my personal styling services.
No matter if the recipient has a closet full of beautiful clothes, or if she is struggling to put ONE single fabulous outfit together, I can help!
Contact me to take advantage of this limited offer:
90 minutes of styling for the 60 minute price.
That's $50 for 1.5 hrs of closet remixing, editing, style savvy advice, tips, and confidence boosting. It's what I call a game changer. She'll look better, and feel better.
One-on-one closet consulting has never been more amazingly personal AND positively affordable.
Contact me with any questions, or to purchase your gift certificate.
Once payment has been made, I will mail you the certificate!
Friday, November 02, 2012
this glamorous life
My Skeleton and my Snow White
This glamorous life of mine included puke down my shirt and into my bra last night. And, as I held my sweet baby girl, I rubbed her back saying, "It's ok. It's ok. It's ok."
It wasn't until later that I realized! I didn't say or even care to think: "Olive! This is my new and amazingly beautiful floral brassiere! How could you?!"
I'm learning {everyday!} that true stylishness is in now we handle ourselves in sticky situations. When things don't go as planned, or attitudes (oftentimes our OWN), get in the way... there's always the option to keep moving forward.
Looking for some help in the
Posted by Sylvia Hall at 10:27 AM No comments:
Labels: being a mom, getting puked on, this is the life
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Man Style...?
Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via Sylvia on Pinterest
Source: guystyleguide.tumblr.com via Sylvia on Pinterest
Source: whereisthecool.com via Sylvia on Pinterest
So, here I am...
Venturing into the realm of Man Style. I have a new pinterest board to prove it.
So far, the most important thing I have learned is from KinoWear, and he (rightfully) says that "fit is king," and that BFD (bad fit disease) can be treated.
Also, I have learned that the shoes can, in fact, make the man.
Oh, and can we all just agree that a man in a (well-fitting) blazer is hottt?
Great. Glad we established that.
Have a great day!
Looking for some help in the
Posted by Sylvia Hall at 9:12 AM No comments:
Labels: fit is king, kinowear, man style, menswear fashion
Monday, October 15, 2012
how advertising works on me
Over the weekend, I see an ad in a magazine for Baby Lips lip balm by maybelline.
I am relieved, because I now have a perfectly good reason why I should get my groceries from Target FIRST thing Monday morning.
I go to Target and see the new highly acclaimed product, and it's a whopping $2.99. I am thrilled that this newly advertised gem is so affordable.
I choose pink punch.
I wear it.
And, I am happy.
That is the story of how (easily) advertising works on me.
Happy Monday!
Posted by Sylvia Hall at 3:01 PM 2 comments:
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Location: Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia.
Are you a qualified or very experienced baker with a passion for making high quality artisan bread? Are you excited about the prospect of working with organic flours and long fermentation methods?
Traveling (short-term) and longer term bakers are welcome to apply.
The following characteristics are essential:
* Skilled at hand shaping dough
* Motivated to make high quality baked goods
* Ability to learn new techniques
* Excellent communication skills
- Experience with sourdough and longer fermentation doughs (levain, biga, poolish,etc) is essential. Cake and pastry skills are valued but are not essential.
You will be working at an educational bakery operated by the Artisan Baker Association. Some of your baking skills will be shown via video and photos on our websites....so you need to feel comfortable in front of a camera.
* Opportunity to show off your artisan baking skills
* Join a team who are genuinely interested in baking as a craft
* We prefer to work day shifts where possible
* Current position is in Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia
A Pastry Chef position is also available.
Please note that applications that are unsuitable or have no supporting resume will not be considered.
Email CV's to admin [at] artisanbaker.com.au
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I am from Australia and level 3 craft qualified. I studdied Bread Making at East Sydney TAFE in the early 90's.
I have also studdied Bread Making in Germany, France and Italy as well.
I currently live in London working as a New Product Developmentment Baker for Montana Bakery.
I have worked around Europe and run a consultancy firm specialising in the production of Intercontinental Breads including German,Austrian,French, Italian Techniques
If I can be of any use to you like finding experienced staff willing to work down under please dont hesitate to ask me.
The Consultancy has a website and can be found at www.artisticbreadmakers.co.uk
Kind regards
Alec Nayler
Hello thanks so much for such interesting work i have observed at your site.
My Name is stephen and am a baker working with a certain bakery in uganda and i love baking as a passion in my life to the extent of creating new forms of art in both confectionaries and Bread. I also appreciate bakers that come up with various forms of art and new ideas which are interesting.. anyway i have loved your work and i hope to see more of your passionful art as we get to Know each other. i wish you all the best.


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We pride ourselves in being providing the best customer service out there for all your custom product needs. Below are Cushion Source customer submitted photographs of their custom cushions, pillows, outdoor drapes, bedding, and umbrellas.
Mexican Bench in front of our casita with rust bench cushion & matching stripe throw pillows. The bench cushion is made with Sunbrella Canvas Terracotta (5440-0000). The throw pillows are made with Sunbrella Derby Chili (56018-0000) fabric and Canvas Terracotta cording.


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Originally published on Wed October 2, 2013 7:55 pm
A Los Angeles jury has found concert promoter AEG Live was not negligent in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, who died of a sedative overdose four years ago.
Jackson's mother had sought $1.5 billion in damages — a figure AEG's attorney called "ridiculous" last week.
Reuters reports the jury ruled unanimously. The 12-person panel in the wrongful death lawsuit was made up of six men and six women, but only nine jurors were needed to decide the case.
Originally published on Wed October 2, 2013 9:12 pm
Wednesday's Highlights:
White House
Day 2 of the federal government shutdown found President Obama summoning congressional leaders to the White House to urge House Republicans to pass legislation to reopen agencies and raise the debt ceiling to avoid a first-ever default by the U.S. (Nothing was resolved; here's the story.)
Is Howard University facing an existential crisis?
Originally published on Thu October 3, 2013 9:55 am
Prominent members of the legal community are pressuring the Obama administration to do more to ensure that poor criminal defendants have access to a lawyer, a situation that Attorney General Eric Holder has already likened to a national crisis.
Originally published on Thu October 3, 2013 1:46 pm
Update at 7:15 p.m. ET. No Progress:
Speaker of the House John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, stepped out of the White House this evening after a 90-minute meeting with President Obama and reported no progress.
"They will not negotiate," Boehner said. "All we are asking for here is a discussion and fairness for the American people on Obamacare."


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Larceny from Auto: 100 block of W. Melrose Avenue, between 4:50 and 5 p.n., Dec. 10. A purse, cellphone and $100 were stolen from a 2010 Toyota.
Aggravated Assault: 3000 block of St. Paul Street, 6:40 p.m., Dec. 13. A landlord and a tenant were fighting over past due rent when the tenant pulled out a knife and attacked him.
Larceny Other: 5900 block of York Road, 1:30 p.m., Dec. 9. A cellphone was stolen from the Exxon bathroom.
Burglary Residential: 3500 block of Chestnut Avenue, between 4 p.m., Dec. 10 and 10 a.m., Dec. 11. Saws and copper fitting were stolen from a vacant room.
Larceny from Auto: 1200 block of Union Avenue, between 6 p.m., Dec. 10 and 7:30 a.m., Dec. 11. A Garmin GPS and an MP3 player were stolen from a 2009 Subaru after its window was broken with a rock.
Larceny from Auto: 600 block of Gittings Avenue, 5 p.m., Dec. 10. A purse with identification, $40 and a bankcard were stolen from an unlocked 2009 Subaru.
Larceny from Auto: 5700 block of Pimlico Road, 7:55 p.m., Dec. 9. A book bag and schools supplies were stolen from a black 1995 Jeep Cherokee.
Stolen Auto: 500 block Wyanoke Avenue, between 6:30 and 11:16 p.m., Dec. 9. A gray 2003 Pontiac Viole was stolen.
Stolen Auto: 2700 block of Hampden Avenue, between 6 p.m., Dec. 9 and 11 a.m., Dec. 10. A green 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 was stolen.
Larceny Other: 4600 block of Falls Road, 7 p.m., Dec. 10. A woman left her wallet on the counter of the CVS and it was stolen.
Burglary Residential: 3500 block of Greenmount Avenue, between 1:30 and 4 p.m., Dec. 9. A burglar broke into the home through a front window and stole two Apple MacBooks, a Dewalt Cordless drill and a BB rifle.
Burglary Residential: 600 block of E. 35th Street, between 6:45 a.m., and 3:15 p.m., Dec. 12. A burglar broke a window with a rock and stole a tape player and a MacBook. The resident's cat also escaped.
Burglary Commercial: 4300 block of Old York Road, between 8 p.m., Dec. 9 and 8:45 a.m., Dec. 10. A burglar pulled out a window air conditioning unit and ransacked the premises.
Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Contact editor Adam Bednar with any news tips. Want to write on your own? Skip the middle man. Join our Local Voices.


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New Music: 50 Cent – 'F**k You' (Freestyle)
A few days after Cee-Lo heated up the Internet with the release of his new single "F**k You," rapper 50 Cent puts his own spin on the feel-good jam. Though the remix leaves most of the original intact, Fifty adds a female-targeting verse at the beginning of the track, throwing in a few jabs at jealous dudes who act salty about him swimming in women. Hit the jump to download the freestyle and put a little sass in your Sunday.
Download: 50 Cent f/ Cee-Lo – "F**k You" (Freestyle)Tweet
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Project groups
Long-term feedbacks among Climate, Earth Surface Processes, Evolution, and Biodiversity: Is Climate Change an Engine of Evolution?
Earth's history provides important insight into the long-term interactions among climate change, evolution, and diversification of organisms: Cenozoic species development resulted in the present-day biodiversity and in particular the paleoclimate dynamics of the past 8-10 million years have been largely responsible for global species diversity and the distribution of biomes and geo-ecosystems.
Our research focuses on the interaction of organismic-biologic and geologic processes on evolutionary time scales in ecosystems that are largely unaffected by human impact. In particular we are interested in
Reconstructing Earth surface processes is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary discipline in the bio-geosciences. Capturing the relevant system-wide feedbacks that act among e.g. the temporal and spatial development of terrestrial precipitation and evapotranspiration patterns in ecosystems, its interaction with the evolutionary, phylogenetic history of species as well as the segmentation of habitats through geodynamic processes is at the heart of our scientific program. Using an Earth System Science approach project area "Evolution and Climate" therefore aims at integrating science across the different compartments of the biosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere.


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Chess on Ice, as some call it, was invented in Scotland more than 500 years ago.
2 for the Gold Olympics challenge: Al and the 1972 Team USA basketball loss to Soviets
TULSA - Tulsan Hans Helmrich has been a sports fan all his life.
So you could imagine his excitement when at age 13, he was picked to be a ball-boy for the USA Men's basketball team for the Olympics. He was there for one of the more famous games in Olympics history. More on that in a bit.
So, how did Hans get the assignment? He was a good ball boy, and at a recent Tulsa Shock practice he showed us the keys to being good at the job.
Deliver Gatorade without spilling
"Cayden. You and Al don't overfill the cups," warned Hans.
Handing a player a towel is not as easy as it would seem
"You want the towels over the shoulder, not around the waist or not around the bottom, over the shoulder. That way the guy has his own discretion as what to do with it."
Rebounding practice shots. Passes have to be executed correctly
"You want the two-handed chest pass Al, nothing soft," advised Hans. "You blend in. It's seamless."
All great advice.
Joking aside, it was Hans attention to detail that landed him his job in '72 and his assignment as a ball-boy for the 1972 USA vs USSR gold medal final, with former Oklahoma State head coach Henry Iba leading Team USA.
You know the game, the one where the refs gave the Soviets three different chances to inbound with just seconds left to score the winner.
"We felt like we had been ripped off. We felt like that was our game, we won it, and we couldn't speak the language. It was just total chaos," recalled Hans.
After the loss, Team USA refused to accept their silver medals.
"And guys were crying, everyone's upset. And at that point in the locker room, people were shouting and yelling. At that point they started talking about not accepting the silver medal, which they never did. And so, 40 years later the silver medal is some bank vault."
Coach Iba refused to talk about the game for the rest of his life.
"His wife died not long after that. And those two events really put him in a depression. He was really hurt by the defeat," said Hans.
Adding insult to injury, Iba had his wallet stolen during the game.
Despite how that game turned out, Hans still looks back on those times as precious moments.
"You knew it wasn't fair but, in the long term it made it a game none of us will ever forget."
Check out behind the scenes photos from our 2 for the Gold shoots. On your phone? Use this link bit.ly / bigalphotos to see the pictures.
Think you can do it?!
You're out on an icy island, being attacked by hard rubber disks that are frozen before games to make them even harder.
In 2012, Big Al and Cayden McFarland tried their hand at some of the more popular summer game events. Two years later, they're back giving the winter games a go
Tulsan Hans Helmrich has been a sports fan all his life. So you could imagine his excitement when at age 13, he was picked to be a ball-boy for the USA Men's basketball team for the Olympics.
Shots from the top of the key. Shots from behind the backboard. Shots that were bounced off the floor. Ivory Latta of the Tulsa Shock simply couldn't miss!
The 100-meter dash pits the world's eight fastest men together as they race for the title of "World's Fastest Man." That's not something Big Al nor I will be confused with. But it didn't stop us from trying!
The cable ratings for archery were huge and some attribute the sport's rise in popularity to the recent The Hunger Games movie.
The sport of high jump changed forever back in 1968. That's when Dick Fosbury came up with the jump that bears his name - the Fosbury Flop. So, that begs the question, can Big Al and Cayden pull it off?
The backstroke looks like it's a nice leisurely stroke, with the opportunity to possibly catch some rays at the same time. Not quite.
Check out Big Al Jerkens and Cayden McFarland's latest Olympic try: the shot put.


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Many dogs reside in Houston; after all, it is America's fourth largest city. Dog parents in the area stroll with their furkids through the city's wonderful parks like Tranquility, Sam Houston, and Memorial. While dogs are not allowed in the Johnson Space Center or the Galleria, they are allowed in local hotspots like the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Yep, the Houston dog parent has it good. Especially if they need to leave town.
Houston dog boarding hosts are some of the best in the country. They say everything's bigger in Texas, and DogVacay.com's professional pet sitting hosts and dog lovers have some of the biggest play areas and yards of any group in the entire country. If your pup needs more excitement, your Houston dog boarding host might bring her to Boneyard Dog Park & Drinkery or Bill Archer Dog Park for some tail wagging fun. With pet services including home dog boarding, dog walking, dog grooming, doggy daycare, and pet sitting, DogVacay.com's Houston dog boarding hosts are sure to give your pooch a vacation to remember!
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Ubisoft is banking on the 3D revolution
It's hard not to take notice of the current 3D fad that's raging in the movie industry these days. But is 3D going to find its way into other every day mediums and even our homes? Ubisoft is counting on it.
In an article by the Financial Post, Yannis Mallat, the Chief Executive of Montreal based Ubisoft Divertissements Inc., had this to say on the subject:
"3D is to pictures what Dolby Stereo was to sound. No one wants to go back to mono."
Ubisoft is the first company to jump into the 3D platform with both feet as they will be releasing a 3D video game to coincide with the release of James Camerons Avatar, which will be released in December.
Mr. Mallat also made brief mention of Ubisoft working towards being a "360-degree entertainment content provider." What this means is currently unclear, but we will keep you informed as we learn more.


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11 Middleville Rd, Northport, NY 11768
Northport Middle School is one of two middle schools in the Northport-East Northport School District, along with East…More Northport Middle School. The principal is Tim Hoss and the assistant principal is Chelsea Brown, herself a graduate of Northport High School. The school houses students in grade six through eight.
The school, built in the open-campus style, opened in January 1956 as Northport High School.
Schedules of interscholastic athletic games are available at http://www.sectionxi.org/schedules.asp?mode=1
25 Norwood Rd, Northport, NY 11768
Norwood Avenue Elementary School is one of six elementary schools in the Northport-East Northport School District.…More Students who live in Eaton's Neck, Asharoken, Crab Meadow and parts of Northport Village attend the school. Students go on to Northport Middle School and Northport High School.
The school was constructed in 1958 and an addition was built in 1969.
253 Bellerose Ave, East Northport, NY 11731
Bellerose Avenue, opened in 1966, is one of six elementary schools within the Northport-East Northport School District.…More Students in grades K - 5 attend this school and the district has a half-day kindergarten program. Most of the students who attend this school move on to East Northport Middle School but a small portion does attend Northport Middle School.
623 8th Ave, East Northport, NY 11731
Serving the community since 1962, Pulaski Road Elementary School is one of six elementary schools in the Northport-East…More Northport School District. Students who attend Pulaski go on to attend East Northport Middle School and Northport High School.
158 Laurel Ave, Northport, NY 11768
The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District is a public school system consisting of six elementary…More schools, two middle schools and a high school located in Northport and East Northport on the North Shore of Long Island in Western Suffolk County. It is SD#4 in real-estate advertisements.
The district serves the communities of Northport, Eatons Neck, Asharoken and much of East Northport, all located in the Town of Huntington.
The official 2010-2011 district calendar is attached to this listing inPDF form.
Students K-5 will either attend Bellerose Avenue, Dickinson Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Nortwood Avenue, Ocean Avenue or Pulaski Road elementary schools, depending on where they live. Students from Dickinson, Norwood and Ocean elementary schools attend Northport Middle School for grades 6 - 8. Students from Pulaski Road School and Fifth Avenue Elementary attend East Northport Middle School for grades 6 - 8. Half of the Bellerose population goes to Northport, and the other half goes to East Northport. All students in the district attend Northport High School.
Northport High School is the only high school in the nation, public or private, to offer its students the International Baccalaureate program, two National Academy programs, Project Lead the Way and over 20 Advanced Placement courses.
The district's administration building is named for Dr. William J. Brosnan, former superintendent of schools for many years, who retired in 2006.
1075 5th Ave, East Northport, NY 11731
East Northport Middle School is fed by students in grades six through eight that come from several elementary schools…More of the Northport-East Northport School District including Fifth Avenue Elementary, Pulaski Road School and Bellerose Elementary.
Sixth graders are taught by a team of teachers to initiate them in to the process of changing rooms for classes.
The school has three guidance counselors who advise students divided by the first letter of their last name. The school also has one psychologist.
In addition to traditional academics, students learn computer science, home economics, art and physical education among other topics.


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FA Trophy semi-final first leg
Bootham Crescent
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The Hatters put in a dogged and determined performance in the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-final, in yet another feisty and bad tempered affair against league rivals York City.
Despite going a goal down and being reduced to nine men, Luton bravely battled an onslaught from their opponents to keep themselves in the tie.
Red cards were shown to Jake Howells in the first half for a handball on the line, and Keith Keane in the second, for two reckless challenges just minutes apart.
Speaking after the game, goalkeeper Mark Tyler said that this was the kind of game that could change Luton's season.
He said: "We stuck to the game plan, we let them have ball in their own half where they were no danger to us, and rattled them when they were in our half.
"We're not happy with the result but delighted we're still in the tie and the shift that all the lads put in.
"The back four were magnificent, the boys in the front of them worked their socks off and Danny Crow had a thankless task up front on his own, so it was a proper team performance."
Defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye said: "It's surprising what you can get out of nine or ten men when you are put in that position.
"It shows what the squad is capable of and it shows that the boys can dig in and keep going and drag each other through."
Despite showing more passion than was displayed in the dreadful 2-0 league defeat at Wrexham in mid-week, the Hatters found themselves one goal down after 14 minutes.
From a right sided corner, Matthew Blinkhorn's header at the near post was met by Jamie Reed who was loitering in the six yard box. His volley looked to be heading home before Howells stuck out a hand to push the ball off course, and was given his marching orders for doing so.
Reed took the resulting penalty which found the bottom right corner despite an outstretched arm of keeper Tyler.
It was the goalkeeper who single-handedly kept the Hatters in the tie, stopping a long range attempt from Reed with an incredible reaction save and then managing to push the ball away from danger after an acrobatic bicycle kick from Lanre Oyebanjo.
Despite being a man down, the Hatters had a number of half chances, Greg Taylor and Asafu-Adjaye managed to put decent balls into the area, but a lack of Luton shirts in the box meant the opportunities came to nothing.
But just before half time Crow was able to dink a ball from 12 out to Janos Kovacs who put his header just inches wide, to shrieks from the travelling faithful.
The second half produced more of the same, Luton battled hard to make an impression against a dominant York side, but were put at a further disadvantage as Keane became the second player to be shown a red card.
The midfielder received his first yellow after scything down Reed in a desperate attempt to retain possession, with his second just minutes later for a similarly reckless challenge on Jamal Fyfield.
Tyler again prevented the damage being made any worse, producing two low saves amid a barrage of shots from the York strikers. Another positive was the starts given to Adam Watkins and Charlie Henry plus an impressive appearance from substitute Jake Woolley, all three displaying a maturity beyond their years in a difficult game.
The Hatters will have to shelve plans to overturn York at Kenilworth Road on Saturday in the second leg as they face a league trip to Darlington on Tuesday.
But with a Blue Square Bet Premier play-off place almost virtually assured it will be hard to keep minds from wandering towards next weekend's Trophy decider.
Luton Town – Mark Tyler , Greg Taylor, Keith Keane, George Pilkington, Alex Lawless, Danny Crow (Jake Woolley), Jake Howells, Ed Asafu –Adjaye, Charlie Henry (Shane Blackett), Adam Watkins( Curtis Osano), Janos Kovacs
Unused subs – Shane Blackett, JJ O'Donnell, Lewis Kidd
York City – Michael Ingham, Lanra Oyebanjo ,(Michael Potts) James Meredith, Chris Smith, Daniel Parslow, Jamie Reed, Scott Kerr, Jamal Fyfield (Danny Pilkington), Jon Challinor, Matthew Blinkhorn, Moses Ashikodi (Ashley Chambers)
Unused subs: Matty Blair, Patrick McLaughlin


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- Home
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What do you do/are you doing these days? Do you still study/Are you still studying?
I think the first sentence is in P.Continuous but I'm not sure about the second one. Could you please help? Thank you.
Please do not edit your question after it has received a response. Such editing can make the response hard for others to understand.
Oh no, maybe you misunderstood me. I know the form of P. Continuous but I can't decide whether the second sentence is in P.Simple or P.Continuous? Which tense is correct? That is the only thing I want to know. Thx.
"What are you doing these days? Are you still studying?" is more natural.
Perhaps I should have written 'question' instead of 'sentence'.
Thank you.


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Got your game face on? Well, you're going to need it. On Saturday, November 3, the American Library Association (ALA) will be hosting the fifth annual "International Games Day @ your library" (IGD12)—and more than 1,000 libraries worldwide are expected to join in the fun. Last year, the event attracted over 27,700 people, who played games at more than 1,400 libraries across the U.S. and in other countries.
Here's how it works: participating libraries organize a local tournament in which their players compete against players at other libraries for national bragging rights. If your library would like to get in on the action and appear on an international map of participating locations, it needs to register online by November 2.
If you can't organize a tournament, just pull out the games and let 'em play!


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If the PC dies, Windows 8 will be its killer, says analyst
Monitors migration of entertainment activities from PCs to tablets, smartphones; bets on the PC's demise only if Windows 8 succeeds on tablets
Computerworld - In another illustration of the diminishing importance of the PC, a research firm today said that more than a third of surveyed consumers who once used personal computers to access content said they had switched to tablets and smartphones.
But unlike others who, noting the same trends, have said it signals the death of the PC, John Buffone of the NPD Group argued that PCs aren't going anywhere for the moment.
"There is a significant amount of functionality that is best conducted on computers," said Buffone in an interview. That work, often collectively dubbed "content creation," could remain the provenance of PCs for a long time to come.
"I'm not in the camp that thinks the PC is going by the wayside," said Buffone in describing NPD's research results. "There are just too many households that have computers." According to NPD's data, the average Internet-connected household has an average of 2.4 working personal computers, versus 1.4 tablets.
But there's a definite move toward shifting some tasks, most of them broadly categorized as "entertainment," from the PC to tablets and smartphones.
The top two activities that have most moved to mobile, said Buffone, are Internet browsing and using Facebook. Among tablet owners, 27% said they're using their PC(s) less frequently for going online in general, while 20% confirmed that they use their PCs less often for accessing Facebook.
Smartphone owners responded slightly differently, with 27% claiming that they use their PC less frequently for both Internet access and Facebook activities.
"I'm not surprised by the volume of this shift of behavior," said Buffone. "When it comes to consumer entertainment, we're seeing a migration at warp speed." He predicted that 2013 would see even more of the move toward mobile devices for those tasks.
But until Windows 8 makes headway, Buffone saw little chance that consumers would dump their PCs in dusty back rooms or closets.
"Windows 8 on tablets could change that," Buffone said, "but from the sales so far, it's not going to be rapid."
Microsoft has pitched Windows 8 -- the full-featured operating system, not the functionally-limited Windows RT -- as a dual threat on tablets and ultra-light, touch-enabled laptops, able to not only run hardware and support software traditionally found only in notebooks, but also agile enough to power tablets.
The most striking example of Microsoft's belief in Windows 8's ultimate abilities -- its faith that the OS can drive devices equally capable for delivering "content consumption" as content creation -- is its own Surface Pro tablet, which goes on sale tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 9.
While other analysts haven't placed their bets on Windows 8 to lead the change from PCs to more mobile tablets, they have predicted that hardware able to really handle both content creation and consumption are not far off.
In a separate interview this week, Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, pegged 2014 as the year when such devices become reality. "In 2014 there will be broad adoption of new processor technologies from Intel and AMD, for that matter from ARM," said Moorhead of his prediction that chip makers will have silicon by then that not only sips power at tablet-appropriate rates but has the horsepower necessary for content creation. "This is going to happen. And that means there won't be a robust, premium 10-in. tablet-only market."
The success of Windows 8, by Buffone's take, will thus be critical not only for Microsoft's future, but for the 40-year-old-and-counting concept of the personal computer.
"I see Windows 8 as the only prominent solution [to merging content creation and consumption], but that will happen only if enough consumers buy those devices, and Microsoft is able to show them the value proposition," he said.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer, on Google+ or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His email address is email@example.com.
See more by Gregg Keizer on Computerworld.com.
- Chinese officials seize Microsoft PCs, emails, financial info in antitrust probe
- Yosemite's traffic share triples after public beta debuts
- Consumer Office 365 tops a half-billion dollars in annual revenue run-rate
- Apple hasn't exhausted its supply of Yosemite betas
- Microsoft wants you to forget Windows 8
- Microsoft again writes off Surface inventory, renews profitability doubts
- Lenovo spins 180, says it's still in the 8-in. Windows tablet game
- Google starts work on Chrome bug that slurps Windows laptop juice
- Surface survives Microsoft cuts, but tablet strategy remains muddled
- Why Microsoft isn't spooked by the Apple-IBM alliance
Read more about Windows in Computerworld's Windows Topic Center.
- 5 Fast, Easy, Cheap IT Certifications
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- Making it work: Using Cisco and Microsoft Lync to Drive Collaboration Microsoft Lync is posting impressive adoption rates. As a Cisco Premier Partner and a company that has deployed Microsoft Lync to its own...
- Protecting Data in a Virtual World AppAssure helps organizations transform backup and recovery operations for virtual and hybrid environments.
- Protecting Data in a Virtual World AppAssure helps organizations transform backup and recovery operations for virtual and hybrid environments.
- Agility & Scalability for Oracle EBS R12 and RAC on VMware vSphere 5 This white paper outlines extensive performance and scalability testing of Oracle EBS applications on a Vblock™ Systems with vSphere 5.
- Keep Servers Up and Running and Attackers in the Dark An SSL/TLS handshake requires at least 10 times more processing power on a server than on the client. SSL renegotiation attacks can readily...
- On Demand: Mastering the Art of Mobile Content Management Mobile device usage in the enterprise has skyrocketed, and it continues to escalate. IT must answer to users who demand access to their... All Windows White Papers | Webcasts
Our new weekly Consumerization of IT newsletter covers a wide range of trends including BYOD, smartphones, tablets, MDM, cloud, social and what it all means for IT. Subscribe now and stay up to date!


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Should Congress Extend Unemployment Benefits?
The Senate took the first step toward extending unemployment insurance to 1.3 million Americans.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is in favor of extending unemployment insurance.
The Senate Tuesday approved a procedural measure to move on with consideration of a three-month extension of federal unemployment benefits. It barely passed, avoiding a Republican filibuster by a vote of 60-37.
The vote, originally slated to take place Monday night, was postponed because more than a dozen senators were unable to make it back to Washington due to severe weather. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid agreed to delay until today the vote that would help restore the federal emergency unemployment benefits program, which expired at the end of last year.
[ See a collection of political cartoons on the Democratic Party.]
"Failing to restore emergency assistance would not only be a crushing blow to the long-term unemployed, it would be a blow to our economy," Reid said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "Americans use their unemployment benefits to buy food and fuel at local gas stations, to pay the landlord or to purchase a child a winter coat at a local department store. That's why for every $1 we spend on unemployment insurance, the economy grows by $1.50."
Many Republicans oppose extending the benefits, saying the country cannot incur more expenses without offsetting the $6.4 billion with budget cuts elsewhere. They also say extending the safety net does nothing to actually help people find jobs.
"First and foremost, unemployment insurance is treating the symptoms of the problem," said Sen.Jeff Sessions, Republican of Alabama. "It's an aspirin for a fever, but the fever has been raging for weeks now."
[ See a collection of political cartoons on Congress.]
President Barack Obama said it "sells the American people short" to insinuate that recipients prefer unemployment insurance to finding a job. He called on Congress to pass the extension to "make things right."
"I can't name a time where I met an American who would rather have an unemployment check rather than the pride of having a job," Obama said. "There's still a lot of people who are struggling. And in fact if we don't provide unemployment insurance, it makes it harder for them to find a job." Regulations for receiving benefits require a person to actively be looking for employment.
Even if the Senate approves an extension, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said his chamber won't consider a similar measure without spending cuts to offset the cost.
What do you think? Should Congress extend unemployment benefits? Take the poll and comment below.
This poll is now closed, but the debate continues in the comments section.
- Read Stephanie Slade: Obamacare's Latest Failure
- Read Susan Milligan: Dennis Rodman Is Back in North Korea – What the Hell's Wrong With Him?
- Check out U.S. News Weekly, an insider's guide to politics and policy.


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TOKYO — A U.S. Marine helicopter slammed into a fog-shrouded hillside in southern Japan on Saturday, killing all seven Marines aboard, military officials said.
The CH-53D Sea Stallion crashed about 10:20 a.m. as it was crossing the southwest tip of Shikoku Island in southern Japan just one mile from a nuclear power plant. The crash occurred shortly after Typhoon Thad swept over the area.


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Yesterday was the 101st anniversary of GM's founding. Ben Cosgrove of LIFE says, "in light of the super-efficient but very same-y, dull designs of so many of today's vehicles, I put together a look back at those decades when cars had real personality, real spark, real curves. There's a lot to be said for a fender that makes one's heart race faster, or a bumper that can make a person blush ...
Above: "Fiat's streamlined, one-cylinder Volugrafo got 100 miles per gallon, 1947."
LIFE photo gallery of old cars Discuss
15 Responses to "LIFE photo gallery of old cars"
muteboy says:
#4 Agreed.
I often fantasise about getting a Citroën DS20, putting a modern engine in it, and modern electronics, and making it efficient and safe etc etc.
Quiet Noises says:
#4 – they used a '59 as it was the 50th anniversary of them Highway Safety people.
Beanolini says:
#10, muteboy:
I often fantasise about getting a Citroën DS20, putting a modern engine in it, and modern electronics, and making it efficient and safe etc etc.
Me too, but with a Tatra T87. It seems that Tatra themselves may be coming round to my way of thinking.
muteboy says:
I love these pics. I love old cars (and many new ones). But I always get annoyed when people use the word "real" like that. Samey cars now? Check out picture 2.
"Real music"
"Real Americans"
Anonymous says:
I wish manufacturers would pick up on the need to bring back some retro design concepts that embrace our current values around emissions and fuel conservation. why can't we have both? I would TOTALLY love to drive ford mustang…but honestly don't want to deal with the hog of a car it truly is, just love the lines…
Anonymous says:
Watch that — it should reduce the romance of old, beautiful cars by 99%.
dculberson says:
Anon3, Why did they use a '59?? [copious tears.] It reduces the romance not a bit. Since when does safety = romance?
Muteboy, you've brought up a great point that I always bring up when people diss current cars for sameness. People compare all old cars to the cars of just the current generation. But if you compare contemporary cars of any generation, say compare all cars available new in 1932, then they're strikingly similar. The average person looking at the picture you suggested wouldn't be able to tell some of the cars apart, despite being various different models. Most of them have the same pontoon fenders and pointed hood.
I do agree, though, that many classic design cues should be updated and used nowadays. People bag on retro cars as being a cheap way out, but retro done right is a wonderful thing. Anything to help ease the bar-of-soap malaise that some cars have been trapped in. Ooh, look! This bar of soap has headlights that go further back!
Anonymous says:
Nissan Cube. Anything from Lotus. Kei cars in Japan. Tesla. Italian cars.
There's plenty of innovation in car design right now. Not much from U.S. manufacturers, but let's move on. I love me some old cars, but nostalgia is for chumps.
ponyfizz says:
In a story over on Wired VW has just launched a concept car very similar to this (although with a lot less character than the Life one). 170mpg but it probably won't be in production until 2015.
murrayhenson says:
When my wife and I were considering a car last year we had a fairly large number of super mini/small family cars on our list… but we finally decided on the Citroën C4. An excellent combination of fairly unique looks, safety, practicality, comfort/ease-of-use and price.
The C4 was, before we even started seriously looking around, our first pick. I didn't want to buy a car just because it looked good, though, I also wanted something that met our needs. Fortunately, living in the EU, we are fairly spoiled for choice when it comes to good-looking, safe and inexpensive cars: Alfa Romeo 159, VW Golf, Peugeot 308, spaceship-shape Honda Civic, SEAT Leon, Audi A3… even the Toyota Auris and Ford Focus cars aren't *that* boring or ugly.
Unfortunately, if you live in the US, you don't get the Alfa, nor the Peugeot, no new-shape Civic, no SEAT and I don't think you have access to the Auris and I believe the same is for the Ford Focus hatchback. Oh and, at least according to Audi's web site, they sell some boring and ugly wagon version of the A3 but not the decent-looking hatch version of their A3.
So you're kind of stuck with the Malibu or a Toyota Camry, I'm afraid.
mdh says:
Speaking as a pedestrian, there is a lot to be said against fenders that make impressions and curves that break bones. Nader built a career on it. Some designs are beautiful, even efficient but are also 'unsafe at any speed'.
muteboy says:
#13, beanolini,
oh my. I've not seen those before. oh my.
Little John says:
Anon 3: I hate to see cars destroyed for any reason, but I liked the fuzzy dice in that Bel-Air.
Anonymous says:
The car in the photo seems to be related to the car that Jeremy Clarkson once drove around the offices of the BBC.
Padraig says:
I'm amazed someone hasn't mentioned this already, so I will:
Him: Hey dollface, great wheels you've got there.
Her: Get your f***ing foot of my f***ing car before I drive over you!
What a fascinating photo. She's got her hand behind her head for a 'come hither' attempt. He's got his bloody foot on the top of the door of her car. Jesus. They'd cut it off where I come from…and I'm not talking about his foot.


text:
Retirement Planning Tool Tracks Your Progress
Mint.com, now part of Intuit, expands personal finance help with suite of powerful planning tools.
There are scads of online tools that ask you key questions about your retirement goals and then provide you a dollar figure for how much money you need to be setting aside to reach those goals. And that's all they do. The rest is up to you. Mint.com, a 3-year-old personal finance site that was bought late last year by Intuit, has just launched a new series of planning tools called Mint Goals that can follow your spending, income, investment, and retirement plans in real time, and provide informed advice on how you should proceed. It is not alone in this space and future Best Life articles will explore other online tools. Also, I'm explaining the service, not endorsing it.
[ See America's Best Affordable Places to Retire.] Having said that, it is clear that we are seeing the evolution of web-based tools into truly powerful ways to help consumers track their personal finances and make important decisions. Aaron Forth, director of product design at the Intuit Personal Finance Group, says Mint.com has more than 3 million registered users. The site is free to use but in order to take full advantage of Mint.com, you will need to give it access to your online banking, credit card, and investment accounts.
Given what seem to be daily horror stories of identify theft and misuse of sensitive personal information, any decision to provide personal information over the Internet should not be taken lightly. "Mint user accounts are 'read only' and have bank level security," a spokeswoman says. "Account data is not connected to any personal information, so even if someone could miraculously break into an account, they would not be able to do anything."
Even if you don't use the Internet to access and manage your personal finances, rest assured that your accounts are available online and that you could access this information if you choose to. I've been doing this intensively for several years. I began when my bank started offering free online bill paying. Once that hurdle was cleared, it became relatively easy to add credit cards and investment accounts. Today, I spend very little cash, and my online accounts capture nearly all of the money I spend and invest. So, for me, the Mint.com service is not a big leap. But I know it may be an enormous chasm to traverse if you're not comfortable using the Internet in this way. Many younger consumers have developed all-digital spending habits, and it's no surprise that the average Mint.com user is 35 years old -- relatively young for a personal finance site.
Mint.com says it gathers no personal information that would let it identify you and that it doesn't share your information with any other party. What it does do is collect the information you use to log into your online accounts -- web address, username, and password. Then, it logs into these accounts every night and pulls out your transaction and performance information and builds a running record of your activity. Mint.com users are asked to set up budgets, and the refreshed online information flows into these budgets and builds a real-time picture of how you're doing. If you've overspent on meals, Mint.com will know (assuming you don't pay for them using cash).
[See 10 Essentials for Successful Retirements.]
The typical Mint.com user has about seven online accounts, Forth says. "Part of the benefit of the application is the aggregation of the information" in one place. The more Mint.com knows about you, the more informed it can be in monitoring your activities and providing you advice. Another main feature of Mint.com is that it is constantly looking -- online of course -- for better deals for its registered consumers. That's how it makes money.
"We know lots of the details of what's in your wallet," Forth says. "We can scan the financial landscape and look for products that will save you money." It might be a credit card or an online investment account with lower fees, for example. Mint.com will let you know of these offers, and if you decide to use a new product, Mint.com might get paid by its provider. "Many of the recommendations we make we are not compensated for," Forth emphasizes, "and we don't recommend based on how much money we might get paid."
Armed with in-depth information about a user's spending and investment patterns, Mint.com can provide advisory alerts. For example, Forth says, if the service notices that a 401(k) account has displayed no transactional activity in recent weeks, it will issue a notice that perhaps the account is no longer active and suggest the holder consider rolling it over into a self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account). As the annual deadline for paying taxes nears, Mint.com can tote up that year's contributions to retirement accounts and alert users about how much more they can contribute for that tax year.
The new Mint Goals service involves a series of planning guides. These include getting out of debt, saving for an emergency, saving for retirement, buying a home, buying a car, saving for college, taking a trip, improving a home, or creating a more customized goal. In each case, the user responds to a series of online questions, enters the answers, and sees the decisions they will need to make, and follow, to achieve a goal. Mint.com's edge is that it then can track actual progress toward these goals. "Each month, we'll send you an update showing your progress," Forth says.
"We want to help people to be realistic and set up goals that are consistent with their own financial ecosystem," he explains. Over time, the Mint.com tools are likely to become more sophisticated. For example, the retirement planning tool now asks users to input the future rates of inflation they expect, and the level of annual percentage gain they expect from their investments. In the future, such choices might be accompanied with information about historic rates of inflation and market performance. For now, such background is not linked with the Mint Goals applications.


text:
"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where you would not have thought there would be doors and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else…" – Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell was an early 20th century American scholar of world mythology. He dissected and analyzed ancient stories from every inhabited part of the globe. These stories varied greatly from culture to culture yet there was a similarity in all of them. It was these similarities that intrigued Campbell as they seemed to have a message concerning humanity as a whole as well as every individual. From the stories he studied, Campbell developed a "monomyth" that he called "The Hero's Journey".
The documentary Finding Joe, written and directed by Patrick Solomon, explores what The Hero's Journey is and how it relates to every individual. When viewing this documentary one should be warned that she or he may just decide to quit her or his job and become a "starving artist". The documentary encourages people to look at the cultivation of the soul as not just a luxury for those with extra time and money, but a necessity for anyone wishing to live the most fulfilling and meaningful life possible.
The title Finding Joe is a bit deceiving as this is not a documentary on Joseph Campbell as much as it is an invitation to discover one's own self and one's own passion. When Campbell says "Follow your bliss" he means to acquiesce to the true longing of one's own soul, to take heed to the muse within. When a person answers the call from the soul, that person radiates and finds success and prosperity. The reason that most people do not follow their bliss is that it appears to be a path of folly. Campbell's idea that following bliss, cultivating one's own unique art, will lead to prosperity and success is not self-evident. In the myths around the world, the hero must always take a risk. It is courage that defines the hero. According to Campbell, everyone has the potential to be a hero. The hero lays dormant deep within the soul. All it takes is a little inspiration, a little courage, and a rather large leap of faith for the hero to manifest. I have a "Follow your bliss" bumper sticker on my vehicle. I have adopted Joseph Campbell's words as my career counseling motto as well as a motto for life.
-Article written by guest blogger, professor and educational counselor Julie Rudolph from Ferris State University.


text:
Lew's® Laser® MG Speed Spool
Item # WX2-225015
- Google+
This item is shipped directly from the factory. To see the expected shipping date, please add to your Shopping Cart. Sorry, no express shipping available. We are unable to ship factory direct items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or APO or FPO addresses.
- Details & Specs
Lew's® Laser® MG Speed Spool proves "budget friendly" doesn't have to mean "performance poor".
You love to fish. A LOT. But you're not exactly on the pro circuit... yet. So you can't really justify spending hundreds of bucks on a fishing reel. Lew's made the Laser MG Speed Spool with you in mind. It's a workhorse - available in 3 speeds - and packed with the kind of features you need for a fun day on the water... but at a price your budget can handle.Here's the full scoop:
- 1-Pc. lightweight graphite composite frame
- 8 Premium double-shielded stainless steel bearing system
- Zero-Reverse one-way stainless steel clutch bearing
- Externally adjustable magnetic brake system
- Die cast aluminum drilled (12-hole) anodized spool
- Large Rulon 10 lb. maximum drag system
- Anodized aluminum handle
- Titanium line guide
- Quick and easy removable graphite palming side plate
- Right-side metal spool tension adjustment dial
- Full adjustable, smooth metal star drag system
- LS1SMG features high capacity spool and a longer 95 MM "power crank" handle
State Model, as available in the Shopping Cart.
- Model: LS1SMG
- Retrieve: R
- Bearings: 7+1
- Reel Weight (ozs.): 7.8
- Line Capacity (yds./lb.): 150/12
- Gear Ratio: 5.4:1
- Max Drag: 10 lbs.
- Reviews
Customer ReviewsNo reviews exist for this item....
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