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ARCADIA, Calif. (March 3, 2010) – With the leading contenders including 5-year-old mare St Trinians, who will be attempting to further racing's surge in "girl power" and 6-year-old grass racing specialist Loup Breton transitioning from the only surface he has ever known, Saturday's 73rd running of the Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino may be one of the most unconventional in its storied history.
A full field of 14 starters was entered in the Grade I, $750,000 classic at 1 ¼ miles. Contenders such as Neko Bay, Mast Track, Jeranimo and Misremembered have approached the Big Cap via its traditional stepping stones. St Trinians and Loup Breton, on the other hand, defy tradition. And they have been established as the race favorites on Santa Anita handicapper Jon White's morning line with St Trinians the mild choice at 7-2 followed by Loup Breton at 4-1.
Perhaps inspired in some measure by the enormous success of Zenyatta and Rachael Alexandra while racing against males, British-bred St Trinians will aim to distinguish herself by becoming the first filly or mare ever to capture the Big 'Cap. And some luminous females have tried—including Dahlia, Life's Magic and Serena's Song. The best Big 'Cap finish by a female, however, dates to 1951 when runner-up Next Move lost by a neck to Moonrush.
Since being purchased by Dr. Daniel Capen and Laura Chavers and imported to the United States stable of trainer Mike Mitchell, St Trinians has won four successive starts against her sex by a combined 16 ½ lengths capped by a 1 ¾ -length triumph under jockey Joel Rosario in the Grade II Santa Maria Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb. 13.
Mitchell opted for the Santa Anita Handicap over the March 13, $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap for fillies and mares while explaining, "We'll get the three-pound sex allowance in weights, and I think that's important going the distance. Besides, my mare is really good right now." At 113 pounds, St Trinians will be spotted four pounds. Four entrants, including Loup Breton, will carry co-high weight of 117 pounds.
Irish-bred import Loup Breton's situation is similar in some respects to that of St Trinians. Trainer Julio Canani made his Big 'Cap decision following the Wildenstein Stable runner's third race in this country, a victory at 3-5 odds in the Grade II San Marcos Handicap at 1 ¼ miles on Jan. 24. Loup Breton would be perfect in the U.S. Except for a neck defeat by Proudinsky in the Grade II San Gabriel Handicap on Dec. 27.
His showing in the San Marcos convinced Canani to try the son of Anabaa over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in the Big 'Cap. "Anabaa is the leading synthetic sire in Europe," noted Canani. Said Garrett Gomez, who rides Loup Breton, "He probably can make the conversion because he works well on synthetic all the time, although working on it and running on it are two different things. But his (late-running) style is good for this distance, and he's a really nice horse."
Big 'Cap runners who made a successful conversion from grass to Santa Anita's main track include Perrault, who crossed the finish line a nose ahead of legendary John Henry in 1982 only to be disqualified to second for stretch interference. The immensely popular Vigors would have entered the race in 1978 with only a grass background except that his victorious prep in the San Marcos was moved from turf to dirt because of weather. "The White Tornado," as Vigors was called, stormed home to win the Big 'Cap by 2 ½ lengths. More recently, Champs Elysees ran a credible third in the 2008 event while converting from grass.
The Santa Anita Handicap will be contested as the 10th race on an 11-race program that includes two other Grade I stakes races: the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf and the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. The Grade III, $150,000 Sham Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, rained out last Saturday, has been added to the lineup. First post is at 12 noon. HRTV will televise the entire card.
A field of 11 is set for the Kilroe Mile including Mitchell's Ever a Friend, who won the event in 2008. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's Blind Luck is likely to be a heavy favorite among eight entrants in the Santa Anita Oaks. Trainer Mike Machowsky's Nextdoorneighbor, Bob Baffert's The Program, Eoin Harty's Kettle River and Richard Mandella's Setsuko are among 10 3-year-olds hoping to solidify their Triple Crown aspirations in the Sham.
The complete field for the Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, with jockeys, weights and morning line in post position order: Pick Six, Alex Solis, 114, 20-1; St Trinians, Joel Rosario, 113, 7-2; Rendezvous, Joseph Talamo, 114, 20-1; Neko Bay, Mike Smith, 117, 8-1; Eagle Poise, Tyler Baze, 114, 20-1; Loup Breton, Garrett Gomez, 117, 4-1; Mast Track, David Flores, 117, 12-1; Pool Play, Chantal Sutherland, 114, 15-1; Marsh Side, Martin Pedroza, 117, 12-1; Tiger's Rock, David Cohen, 114, 15-1; Dakota Phone, Victor Espinoza, 114, 20-1; Delightful Kiss, Juan Leyva, 115, 10-1; Misremembered, Martin Garcia, 116, 8-1, and Jeranimo, Rafael Bejarano, 116, 8-1.
While racing seven times in England prior to her sale, St Trinians faced males five times and won three of those competitions. In one of those races over Polytrack at Wolverhampton, she scored a 14-1 upset while going 1 3/16 miles in a field of 10. Her overall record is 7-0-3 in 11 starts for earnings of $268,587.
Loup Breton raced 18 times overseas, predominantly in France, before joining Canani's stable last fall. He was victorious in Group II and Group III events. He lost by three-quarters of a length when second to Vision d'Etat in the Group I Prix Ganay at Longchamp last April. Loup Breton competed against such European standouts as Goldikova, Never on Sunday and Duke of Marmalade. His career record of 5-4-2 in 21 races on turf has generated earnings of $677,645.
John Shirreffs, the trainer of Zenyatta, sends out a pair of Big 'Cap entrants, Mast Track and Neko Bay. The later is coming off a 1 ¾-length win in the Grade II San Pasqual Handicap, a traditional Santa Anita Handicap prep. Mike Smith rides the 7-year-old son of Giant's Causeway who has compiled a 5-5-1 record in 13 races for Jerry and Ann Moss with earnings of $323,020.
Mast Track, owned by Stronach Stables and bred by the late Bobby Frankel, registered his biggest career win in the 2008 Hollywood Gold Cup. The 6-year-old son of Mizzen Mast does his best running on the front end. His presence, along with Marsh Side and Misremembered, should ensure a lively pace in this year's Big 'Cap. David Flores rides Mast Track, whose earnings of $922,822 are derived from a record of 6-4-1 in 21 races.
With past runnings of Santa Anita's signature event having been dominated by 4-year-olds – 33 have won, with 5-year-olds next at 19 – trainer Bob Baffert's Misremembered might top that age group. Although upset by 11-1 Jeranimo as the 7-10 favorite in the Feb. 13 Strub Stakes, Misremembered's record of 4-4-0 in 10 starts for earnings of $738,589 testifies to his consistency and class. Martin Garcia rides the Candy Ride ridgling owned by Natalie J. Baffert and George Jacobs.
Rafael Bejarano, runaway leader in Santa Anita's jockeys' standings, takes the call on upstart Jeranimo for trainer Michael Pender. Garcia was aboard in the Grade II, $250,000 Strub, Jeranimo's first stakes victory. It was the third win in 13 starts for the son of six-time Grade I winner Congaree and lifted his earnings to $264,600 for B.J. Wright. Jeranimo will attempt to become the eleventh winner of the Strub to also prevail in the Big 'Cap.
The wealthiest entrant in this season's Santa Anita Handicap is trainer Neil Drysdale's Marsh Side, a 7-year-old Gone West offspring who has banked $1,829,870. The majority, $1,109,640, was gained with a 29-1 shocker in the $1,851,250 Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine on Oct. 4, 2008, while racing 1 ½ miles on turf. With a record of 5-3-1 in 26 starts for Robert Evans, Marsh Side has failed to hit the board in five starts in California. He was seventh in the recent San Antonio, but finished only 2 ½ lengths behind Richard's Kid. Martin Pedroza, who won the 1989 Big 'Cap aboard Martial Law to pay $103.60, will try his hand atop Marsh Side.
Millionaire Delightful Kiss ships in from Florida after finishing a distant third to dynamic Quality Road in the Grade I Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 6. Trained by Pete Anderson for Ceen Stable and PARJ Stable, the 6-year-old gelded gray by Kissin Kris is 2-for-3 over synthetics while earning $1,058,033 from an overall record of 7-4-5 in 27 starts. Juan Leyva, who once was based at Santa Anita, returns from Florida to ride.
Assigned 119 pounds, Battle of Hastings will be the starting high weight in the Kilroe Mile. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by Jeff Mullins for Michael House, ran second as the favorite to streaking The Usual Q.T. in his last two starts, the Grade II Oak Tree Derby and the Grade I Hollywood Derby.
With the Usual Q.T. skipping the Kilroe, Battle of Hastings is likely to go favored with regular rider Tyler Baze in the irons. The British-bred has demonstrated his consistency since joining Mullins' barn in the fall of 2008 with four wins and as many second in 10 starts. Battle of Hastings has earned $1,096,592 with an overall record of 6-4-0 in 15 career races.
Ever a Friend, who won the 2008 Kilroe Mile by 3 ¾ lengths at odds of 9-1, has only raced three times since. Mitchell's $62,500 claim ran second to Daytona in Hollywood Park's Grade I Shoemaker Mile following his Kilroe score, but then went to the sidelines for over 17 months. Ever a Friend returned to win an optional claimer sprinting before running second to Fluke in Hollywood Park's Grade I Citation Handicap, his last start on Nov. 27. Rosario takes over in the saddle at 118 pounds as the 7-year-old grey gelding seeks to replicate his Kilroe showing of two years ago for Dr. Capen and partners Steve, Charlene and Jeff Ustin. Ever a Friend has posted a 6-4-2 record in 21 lifetime starts while earning $526,568.
Brazilian-bred Fluke registered his first stakes victory in the Citation for Humberto Ascanio after having been trained by Frankel, whom Ascanio assisted up until Frankel's passing last November. Joe Talamo, who will be back aboard, thinks the lightly raced 5-year-old (5-3-0 record in 11 starts for earnings of $308,348) is just beginning to peak. "He's a real nice horse," Talamo commented, "and I think he's going to go on to some big things."
In addition to Ever a Friend, Mitchell will saddle the 6-year-old gray gelding Monzante with Gomez in the saddle. A deep closer unlike his stablemate, Monzante rallied from far back to take Del Mar's Grade I Eddie Read Handicap in July of 2008. He's comfortable at the distance, having posted a three-length score in the 2008 Santana mile at Santa Anita. Sired by Maria's Mon and owned by Scott Anastasi and Jay and Gretchen Manoogian, Monzante has winnings of $508,874 from a 5-3-3 mark in 19 career starts.
The complete field for the Frank E. Kilroe Mile, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Red Sun, Espinoza, 111; Blue Chagall, Solis, 114; Awesome Gem, Flores, 117; Acclamation, Garcia, 114; Ever a Friend, Rosario, 118; Red Alert Day, Bejarano, 113; Monzante, Gomez, 115; Proviso, Smith, 114; Fluke, Talamo, 116; Battle of Hastings, Tyler Baze, 119, and Tuscan Evening, Felipe Valdez, 116.
Three-time Grade I winner Blind Luck likely will be an odds-on choice in the 71st running of the Santa Anita Oaks despite a scare in her most recent outing when she rallied for a desperate nose victory over longshot Evening Jewel at odds of 1-5 in the Grade I Las Virgenes Handicap at Santa Anita over one mile on Feb. 13.
"In the back of my mind, once I looked at this race, I was worried about the distance," said Jerry Hollendorfer, co-owner and trainer of Blind Luck, after the Las Virgenes. "There were just a few horses in the race, and that's always a concern. I think the speed sets up better when there are more horses. I think she showed herself a pretty good filly today."
In the field of five, Blind Luck flew home under regular rider Bejarano to nail Evening Jewel right on the money following some tepid early fractions. The narrow victory sent the Pollard's vision filly's earnings to $859,050 from a 5-1-1 record in seven races. She previously had won Hollywood Park's Grade I Hollywood Starlet at 1 1/16 miles by seven lengths.
The larger field in the Oaks should benefit Blind Luck's style. The only other stakes winner in the lineup is Crisp, who won Santa Anita's Grade III Santa Ysabel Stakes before finishing fourth to Blind Luck, 3 ¼ lengths back in the Las Virgenes. John Sadler, who trains Crisp, also will send out the fast-developing Cozi Rosie, an impressive winner of her last two starts routing following a pair of losses sprinting.
The complete field for the Santa Anita Oaks, with jockeys in post position order (all starters carry 122 pounds): Sister Dawn, Espinoza; Crisp, Rosario; Riviera Chic, Michael Baze; All Due Respect, Gomez; Blind Luck, Bejarano; Warren's Jitterbug, Talamo; Cozi Rosie, Smith, and Zilva, Jose Valdivia Jr.
Eight of Saturday's 10 Sham entrants were originally engaged to run in the 3-year-old prep for the Santa Anita Derby last Saturday, including the race's leading contenders. The Feb. 27 Sham was cancelled due to wet track conditions and rescheduled for Saturday. Run at the same distance as the April 3 Santa Anita Derby, the Sham has proven to be a useful tool in the advancement of promising youngsters.
Any of the entrants in this year's Sham would need to take a large step forward to be considered a major factor in the Santa Anita Derby, but the race provided a solid foundation for fourth-place Giacomo in 2005 en route to his Kentucky Derby upset at odds of 50-1.
Machowsky already trains a Santa Anita Derby contender in the unbeaten California-bred Caracortado, but, with Nextdoorneighbor, he is optimistic about having a pair of runners in the Derby picture.
Nextdoorneighbor signaled his distance readiness by breaking his maiden by four lengths while running 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 4/5 on Jan. 24. A loser of his first two starts sprinting, the Florida-bred son of Lido Palace came back to prepare for the Sham with a blistering work of 1:10 3/5 for six furlongs on Feb. 15. Mike Smith will ride.
Baffert's The Program, whom he trains for Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable, is coming off a pair of solid efforts at 1 1/6 miles, a win and a third. He preceded those racs by finishing 1 ½ lengths behind stablemate Lookin At Lucky, the Kentucky Derby Future Book favorite, when fourth in Hollywood Park's Grade I CashCall Futurity at 1 1/16 miles last Dec. 19.
A son of Pleasantly Perfect trained by Mandella for Wertheimer and Frere, Setsuko has raced around two turns in his last five starts with a win, a pair of seconds and a pair of thirds. He is coming off a fast-closing second to Alfarabi when beaten by one-half length over 1 1/8 miles on turf on Jan. 27. Bejarano will be back aboard Setsuko. He also had been the rider of Nextdoorneighbor.
After finishing off the board in his sprint debut at Saratoga last summer, Kettle river broke his maiden routing on turf at Santa Anita last November before coming back with a solid allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 6. The Program finished third in that race. Brice Blanc rides the son of Congaree for Darley Stable.
The complete field for the Sham Stakes, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Marcello, Valdivia Jr., 116; The Program, Garcia, 118; Outlaw Man, Gomez, 116; El Mirage King, Tyler Baze, 116; Boulder Creek, Espinoza, 116; Kettle River, Brice Blanc, 118; Setsuko, Bejarano, 116; Wolf Tail, Sutherland, 116; Nextdoorneighbor, Smith, 116, and Alphie's Bet, Solis, 116.
Saturday's four graded stakes races will be begin with the Sham as the seventh race. It will directly followed by the Santa Anita Oaks, eighth; the Kilroe Mile, ninth, and the Santa Anita Handicap as the 10th race.


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The Hawaii football season has been going very poorly with their 0-9 start to this season. However, the athletic department is going all out with retro night which will have the team wear uniforms that will match the teams name: Rainbow Warriors.
Gorgeous throwbacks this weekend for Hawaii: pic.twitter.com/TMlNQaQ6A6— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) November 12, 2013
The only surprise in this uniform combination is when the school, or more likely Under Armour, decided to wear these uniforms.
This combination is what Hawaii regularly wore for most of the schools history and up until former head coach June Jones decided to take away the Rainbow part away from the name.
These uniforms will be worn this Saturday night against San Diego State.
More from Mountain West Connection:
- San Diego State vs. Arizona basketball
- 2013 Week 12 Mountain West football coverage
- Week 12 Mountain West football TV schedule
- San Diego State vs. No. 6 Arizona preview
- Mid-Major College Football Top 10, Week 12: Fresno State, Northern Illinois tied for top spot
- Can walk on lead Aztecs to Bowl eligibility?

subset: commoncrawl


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The majority of Chicago's non-profit organizations will have to start paying for water after Mayor Rahm Emanuel's revised legislation passed in city council Wednesday.
Churches and non-profits with assets under $1 million will remain exempt, but, groups with assets between $1 million and $10 million are eligible for 60-percent exemption.
If a group makes between $10 million and $250 million, they'll receive a 25-percent exemption. Any group with assets exceeding $250 million will not receive an exemption.
The agreement is retroactive to the beginning of this year.
Follow @fox32news
Police are investigating the murder of a homeless man who was beaten to death in an alley in Logan Square.
WTXF-TV330 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106-2796Phone: (215) 925-2929Fax: (215) 982-5494


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SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Los Angeles International Airport is getting back to normal Saturday after a shooter targeting TSA officers opened fire Friday morning.
Federal prosecutors have filed murder charges against the suspect, 23-year-old Paul Ciancia, for the death of TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez.
The FBI has also revealed Ciancia was dropped off at the airport. And normal operations have now resumed in the terminal where the shooting took place.
Authorities say the suspect had a note that said he wanted to kill at least one TSA officer and didn't care which one. Authorities are now going to look into this man's past and try and figure out what set him off.
"Trying day yesterday for everyone involved. As we mentioned yesterday, we'll mention again that our hearts go out to the TSA officer that was shot and killed," LAX police chief Patrick Gannon said.
Authorities say the suspect killed 39-year-old Gerardo Hernandez and wounded several others including two more TSA agents.
Saturday, the widow of Hernandez addressed the media.
"He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, son and friend...Gerardo would have been 40 next week. I am truly devastated. We are all heartbroken," Ana Hernandez said.
The big question now is why. Former San Diego special agent Keith Slotter says in a lone wolf attack, answering that isn't easy.
"Those are the single most difficult cases for law enforcement to investigate to get the motive and those sorts of things because they're not tied to a group not tied to certain beliefs, that people recognize," Slotter tells CBS News 8.
Saturday, the country's third busiest airport was back to business as usual. Ciancia may be in custody but LAX police say travelers can expect a high profile police presence for the foreseeable future.
"We're confident that we're trying to do everything we possibly can do to keep this airport safe," Gannon said.
In their news conference Saturday, the FBI asked that was at LAX and may have taken photos or video too please contact them. They say no tip is too small.


text: Preschool Graduation Party Ideas Kiddie Soiree: A Fete For the Smallest Graduates by babysugar 5/20/10 0 Reactions 14 Shares Print 13 1 0 0 0 Put on your cap and gown! Childhood milestones are meant to be celebrated and preschool and kindergarten graduations are no exception. Fifty-seven percent of LilSugar readers agree that lil ones' early school accomplishments are cause for a party. As school years come to a close, plan the perfect soiree for your lil graduate with these lil tips. Source: Thinkstock Invitations What's Your Reaction? 0 0 0 0 0 0 Celebrate graduation day with family and classmates with an alphabet-themed party that highlights the lessons your lil one learned throughout the year. Set the stage with an alphabet themed invitation that will put everyone in the mood to party. Source: Thinkstock 1 / 4 Food What's Your Reaction? 0 0 0 0 0 0 Create a buffet of alphabet shaped dishes that celebrate the letters tots learned to read and write. Alphabet pasta salad, letter-imprinted crackers and alpha-numeric Jello Jigglers will help draw out the theme. When it's time for dessert – these adorable chocolate mortarboards and a diploma cake will be the sweet treats. Source: Thinkstock 2 / 4 Activities What's Your Reaction? 0 0 0 0 0 0 Keep lil ones occupied with some games and craft projects that help commemorate the year. While the My Kindergarten Year book ($16) may be a great keepsake on an individual level, creating personal scrapbook pages with hand prints, favorite colors, snacks and photos from the will help tots keep the memories alive. Creating a playlist of songs that were sung in class will also encourage the kids to recollect. Source: Thinkstock 3 / 4 Favors What's Your Reaction? 0 0 0 0 0 0 Before heading off, give each attendee some letter-shaped crayons that will inspire creativity over the Summer. Whether packaged individually, or placed in a basket for tots to grab, the drawing pieces are sure to make a big impression. Source: Thinkstock 4 / 4 13 1 0 0 0 Read More Kid PartiesPreschoolKindergartenGraduationParty Planning party planning Don't Make This Sparkling Blueberry Mojito If You Hate Compliments 1 day ago The Art of the Cocktail Garnish 2 days ago A Mediterranean Feast Fit For Greek Gods 5 days ago We'll Have a Long Island . . . Iced Coffee, That Is 6 days ago Get Over Your Fear of Grilling With Cat Cora's Clever Tips 1 week ago A Dark and Stormy With a Sweet Twist 1 week ago Link Love Mom forced to stop feeding baby homemade formula — BabyCenter Blog The easiest ways to save on organic food — The Stir A look inside Fergie's second baby shower — Celebrity Baby Scoop Danielle Jonas debuts her baby bump — People Moms & Babies 7 light and fresh recipes to take you through Summer — FitPregnancy Does where you live affect your risk for PPD? — The Bump Where to find the best deals on school supplies — Real Simple Now this is how you announce a pregnancy! — HuffPost Parents


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PLATTSBURGH — A Clinton County grand jury has ruled there was no misconduct by Clinton County sheriff's deputies in the death of Dusty M. Clark.
Clark, 28, was shot and killed on Dec. 30, 2012, in his home in Altona when Deputies Jason R. Winters and Andrew J. Bertrand attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant for failure to appear on charges of second-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and unsafe passing, a traffic violation.
The cause of death was determined to be injuries resulting from four gunshot wounds, Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said.
The autopsy report cites a penetrating gunshot wound to the neck, a perforating gunshot wound to the right chest, a penetrating gunshot wound to left chest and a penetrating gunshot wound to left shoulder, Wylie said.
"It's a terribly unfortunate incident. There is no positive outcome with a situation like this," Clinton County Sheriff David Favro told the Press-Republican on Thursday.
Reached for comment, Dusty's father, Edward Clark, said he had not been told of the outcome of the case.
"Nobody really even looked to see what his (health) records consisted of," Edward said, adding that things have been difficult for him emotionally since his son's death.
Edward said his son's offenses were not so serious as to warrant the use of force in his arrest.
"They should have walked out of the house and came back later."
Edward said he had called New York State Police a couple of days before Thanksgiving last year in hopes that they could help get Dusty to the hospital so he could be evaluated and get treatment for his mental illness.
State Police went to his home then, Edward said, but could legally do nothing since it appeared Dusty was not a threat to himself or others at the time.


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by Janice Welsh
Imagine being a bird and learning to fly. You spend your first few weeks of life in a nest. You feel cool spring breezes blow through your downy feathers. Your parents feed you every few minutes from dawn till dusk. After a couple of weeks of eating and loafing, you begin to flap your wings and learn to fly. Sound like fun?
Baby birds may appear to enjoy a carefree life, but in reality life in the wild is difficult. Most young birds do not live to see their first birthday. They either starve, die from disease, or get killed by other animals. This story tells how baby birds in Minnesota live and grow up.
Birds lay their eggs and raise their young in nests. Like a house, the nest might shelter them from rain and wind. Most birds use plants to make nests. Great-crested flycatchers add pieces of snake skin. Ruby-throated hummingbirds fashion caterpillar silk and spider webs into a tiny nest. Orioles use silk from milkweed pods.
Most songbirds nest in trees, shrubs, or buildings. Geese and some ducks build simple grass nests on the ground. They line the inside of the nest with down plucked from their own breasts.
Female birds usually make the nest. In the case of house wrens, woodpeckers, and swallows, both parents work together.
Most songbird eggs have a pattern or a color that blends in with the nest. The color helps hide the eggs from animals that like to eat them. Woodpeckers and other birds that nest in tree holes usually lay white eggs. Their eggs do not need protective coloration because they are already well-hidden inside the tree.
If you find a small piece of eggshell on the ground, it probably means that an animal raided a nest and broke the shell to eat the egg. If you find half of a blue or white eggshell, it probably came form a robin or mourning dove. The parents drop the shells away from the nest to keep animals that eat eggs and hatchlings from finding the nest.
"Eggzibit" is a collection of eggs from more than 90 different Minnesota bird species. You?ll find it in the DNR building at the State Fair in St. Paul every summer.
Feeding and caring for young birds is hard work for their parents. Baby birds grow very fast because they eat a lot. Trumpeter swan cygnets eat as much as 20 pounds of aquatic plants every day.
Eastern bluebird and purple martin parents catch hundreds of insects each day to feed their young. Songbirds fly back to the nest with food every few minutes from sunup to sundown. A female wren made 1,217 trips to her nest in just 16 hours.
The time when the chicks leave the nest is called fledging. A bald eagle chick practices flapping its wings in the nest atop a tall pine. Next it tries beating its wings into the wind and taking short hops above the nest. One day, a big gust of wind catches the bird's open wings and whisks it away. The parents follow the young eagle on its first flight.
When eastern bluebirds are 19 days old, the parents teach them how to fly. The parents sit on branches near the nest box and call to the youngsters, tempting them with food. Eventually, the young birds fly to the food.
Most young birds have protective coloration, or camouflage, which helps them hide from animals that might eat them. When a fox shows up, a bobwhite quail chick grabs a leaf with its feet, rolls onto its back, and hides under the leaf until the fox goes away.
1. Do not let your cat roam outdoors! Cats kill millions of songbirds every year. A bell on your cat won't warn birds in time for them to escape.
2. Feed the birds. Many native birds like sunflower and thistle seeds. Orioles, blue jays, and cardinals often bring their fledglings to bird feeders in the summer.
3. Keep a birdbath or shallow dish filled with water near your bird feeder. This gives birds a place to drink and bathe.
4. Many birds like to make their nests in birdhouses or nest boxes. If you'd like house plans for bluebirds, wood ducks, wrens, and tree swallows, send $2 to DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. You'll also find nest box plans for 53 different birds and mammals in Woodworking for Wildlife, a DNR book available from bookstores.
If you find a young bird that has some feathers, it is probably fledging, or learning to fly. The best thing to do is to leave the bird where it is. Keep cats, dogs, and people away.
If you find a downy chick on the ground, it probably just hatched. Try to return it to its nest or make a nest for it nearby. Because birds have a poor sense of smell, the parents won?t know a human has touched their chick. Never give the bird food or water.
Call your local wildlife rehabilitation clinic only if the bird is injured or if you know that the parent bird was killed.
Are you ready for the Baby Birds Quiz?
Janice Welsh, who wrote this story, works for the Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program and the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.
A complete copy of the article can be found in the March-April 1994 issue of Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, available at Minnesota public libraries.


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Abba Poemen believed that the only time you could observe a person's true character was when that person was tempted.
From the Sayings of the Desert Fathers
There is obvious wisdom in the saying about Abba Poemen: it is not our strengths that best define us, but our weaknesses. In our culture, where virtual reality – both of the entertainment world and the political world – are defined by carefully managed personalities (not to be confused with "person"), it is hard for us to deal straightforwardly with our weaknesses. There is a tendency to think of our weaknesses as something lacking – "what I am not good at" – and to define our reality by our strengths – "my talents, my gifts."
I have long observed that a person's strengths are rarely the things that comprise the gate to the Kingdom of God. People rarely turn to God or the Church because of the success of a "strength." Frequently, we come to God in desperation in the midst of failure where our own frailty and mortality are best revealed.
St. Paul heard from God, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).
I suspect that I am no different than others and that I prefer for people to see my strengths and talents and to cover my weaknesses as any other shameful thing. But it is a habit that hides from us the truth of ourselves. Not that we are defined by our weaknesses – but our weaknesses reveal the true character of who we are as we stand before God.
What would it mean for me to stand before God and say I have a talent for writing? Before Christ Who is the Word and Wisdom of God – what boasting would there be in a mediocre talent? In what way would such a talent, even a great talent reveal to us anything of who God is or who we are in Him?
And yet as we come to God in our weakness and in our failure, there we frequently find the door to our heart and the beginning of true prayer. Man's proper existence before God is a state of constant repentance (not a cosmic guilt but a constant sense of our need of God and our emptiness before Him). What is there in our strength that ever brings us to repentance?
I have always found it troubling that many in our modern culture judge St. Paul rather harshly. He is caricatured as a misogynist, as judgmental, as very harsh. In truth, we know more about him than probably anyone in Scripture apart from Christ Himself. And we know much about his weakness – and only through his own testimony.
What humility is found in his words to the Corinthians (first letter)!
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (2:1-5).
I try to imagine a modern day evangelist describing himself in such terms. We value success and crave to hear stories of success.
Life goes on, and despite our championing of success and strength, our weaknesses are often revealed, accompanied by shame and embarassment. For some, such revelations are the destruction of all they valued. But of course, all that is revealed is true character. For others, such revelations are like a new birth, the beginning of true knowledge and the gate of paradise.
But who would accept an invitation to shame?
Christ did.
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Father, i find myself constantly trying to operate from a position of strength. It's always good for me to be reminded of this
Father, I am grateful for your posts. They are insightful, moving and true. This reflection looks at an issue I have been wrestling with myself.
We usually bemoan our weaknesses. While we celebrate our strengths, we treat our weaknesses as if they were defects, often with shame or defensiveness (since they often elicit criticism).
It is natural to celebrate strengths – these are the means by which we offer value. But weaknesses are a whole different matter; we wish to be rid of them.
Yet God does all things well.
It seems that I am a very slow learner since it has taken me a very long time to realize that our "in born" weaknesses are also gifts from God, not mistakes to be corrected.
In fact, they may be much more valuable gifts than our strengths.
This is because our weaknesses are the catalysts that lead us to God. These areas of (often acute) need are guides that lead us to grace.
Were we all "strengths" as we wish we were or seek to be, we would have no need of others, of God. With nothing but "strengths," we left almost defenseless in the face of the delusion of our own self-sufficiency. Our weaknesses expose this delusion for the lie that it is, and drive us to find a solution to the needs they expose.
The risk (often realized) that results from having weaknesses in a fallen world is that we seek to address them with our strengths, or to look to the most "powerful" experiences (such as alcohol, ambition, sex, entertainment, wealth, or any other potent stimulus). It is natural that we would try to "fix" them ourselves, since this effort is consistent the desire to be all "strengths," to gain control of them and our lives. That is, it is natural that we would try to "fix" our weaknesses in a manner consistent with the fallen, sinful self – that self that seeks to grasp control, to be god in our own right. Thus our weaknesses, in sinful hands, pursue compelling, powerful but ultimately false solutions that quickly become passions. When this happens, what we thought were "defects" become real liabilities which are destructive to both us and those around us. Yet still, in the providence of God, these often so painful that even the most obdurate may cry out to God.
It is usually these needs – fallen (impassioned) or not – that are the very things that drive us to God.
And yet God does not seek to "fix" them, but to use them to lead us to much greater blessings: to grace and communion and transfiguration. Thus with St. Paul we often plead, "God, please take these away from me." Or "please fix this" or "please change that." (Even after returning to God, we often still want to be "all strength" – and have no REAL need.) Yet God answers us as He did St. Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you." In fact, our growth in God's grace is perfected in weakness." Once we realize then that God has designed these "defects" as "portals" for His grace, we realize that we have been given a much greater gift than the "strength" that we sought – we have been given a gift that can lead us to True Life, to Real Life, to a Life that is greater than anything we can begin to imagine. Then, like St. Paul, we will embrace these costly gifts that yield such incredible blessings and say "Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So I take my greatest pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) As for those strengths, those assets, that we cherished, cultivated, glorified and used to establish our value in the world, we will say – like St. Paul: "Whatever was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them dung, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)
Thank you, Father, for an illuminating and important reflection.
Dear Father Stephen,
I really needed to read this today. I am reminded of St. Paul's proclamation: " 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses , that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Whatever talents we have, are they not from God? Your writing talent is from Him, that you may use it to His glory. All that we have, weaknesses and strengths, are from God our Maker. The problem is when we use these gifts, talents, and skills our Lord has given us to promote ourselves, to boast and make much of who we are. Yet, when we acknowledge the Giver of all these good things, and point to Him as their source, it is then that we learn of genuine humility.
Keep on writing, Father, and continually give the glory to God our Maker.
I remember being pleasantly surprised every time I witnessed how a truly saintly athonite Elder, who was most advanced in spiritual life, was completely accepting of his weaknesses and human frailty, -as well as of all others'. One would say that all he knew is that we are completely helpless creatures, (but he knew this in a godlike super-sweet, disarmingly loving manner) yet, within that knowledge hid a kind of omniscience, and exactly because of being completely convinced of that fact -of our total powerlessness-, it becomes safe for God to grant us astounding powers.
The respect he commanded sometimes was awesome -in the true sense of that overused word- yet, one knew that he had the total freedom to slap him (!) without in the least altering his love towards you…
Does remind you of our Prototype doesn't it!?
If, as they say, Humility really contains within it all virtues, Saint Anthony's well know saying, about how to overcome the innumerable snares of the enemy through it, can be seen both ways: humility both protects and humility fortifies.
We (hopefully) grasp humility's beauty fairly easily with our intellect, but in more practical terms, can we accept the slap in meek, accepting and loving silence?
May the Lord fortify us with SUCH strength!
Thank you Father Stephen for reminding us of what matters most.
Dear Father, bless! Thank you for reminding us of this beautiful, but difficult, truth. The life of repentance is a constant turning from our own perceived strengths to a state of total dependence, trust and reliance on Christ–on His virtues and energies, His Presence within us.
I entreat your prayers for the faithful servant of Christ, Deborah, departed this life at the age of 58 almost a week ago now after over a year long battle against cancer and for the family members she leaves behind, including her husband and three wonderful (mostly grown) children. Her life, through the energies of Christ at work within her, became a prime illustration of the truth you have shared in this post. As her husband shared at her memorial service yesterday, the cancer that ultimately completely debilitated her physically and every human level (she is one who had many very obvious strengths, gifts and talents), and led her into the very darkest chapter of her life in terms of suffering, only served to put Christ at work in and through her life in higher relief. In keeping with the commitment to Christ begun decades before in her life, she yielded her considerable will with all her strength to her Lord and determined to make her suffering and trials, her weakened and embattled state, serve only to glorify and make Him known to those around her. Accordingly, though she suffered greatly, her thoughts and efforts turned always to the spiritual care of those who were caring for her physically–her family, church family, friends, and the healthcare staff. Though negative side effects and dangerous interactions of medications as well as a stroke suffered during that final year interfered with her speech, memory and often her lucidity, she learned and remembered the names of the staff of hospitial and hospice from doctors to janitors, consistently expressing interest in their lives and well-being, gratitude for their work, praying for them and seeking to make the love of Christ known or more real to them by her words of testimony, kindness and prayers. At one point near the end seeing her struggle with exhaustion, her pastor exhorted her to take a break from her efforts for the spiritual care of those around her and just rest. He said it is one of the rare times he could bless the failure on the part of one of his flock to comply with his pastoral instruction–it was not in keeping with her character to allow her weakness to interfere with doing her utmost to carry out the command of Christ to actively love those around her. I had the great blessing of having her for my mentor and boss for six years at my former employer, my sister in spirit, and one of my dearest friends. (Nearly 17 years ago now, she was the Matron of Honor at my wedding.) May Christ grant her a rich entrance into His Kingdom. May her memory be eternal!
I was very touched, and glorify the Lord, for His servant Deborah, He always has His ways of multiplying his servants indeed…
Grant rest eternal, and blessed repose, O Lord, to the handmaid of God, Deborah, and make her memory to be eternal!
Dee and Darlene – both comments beautifully expressed.
Dee, I wish I could have the elder to whom you refer. Reading about Elder Porphyrio, whom I dearly wish I could have known, I have come to believe that he shows what we are all called to be. If we could truly let go of this ego-centric grasp for divinity and embrace genuine humility, making real space for God in our lives, the gifts that God has lavished on each of us would be released to the blessing and edification of all. As you say, it isn't safe – or feasible – when the ego blocks and diverts everything it touches. (As bad: it elevates the gift and forgets about the Giver.) Yet in Elder Prophyrios' life – as in all like him – these miraculous powers were just the "natural" overflow of a life fully absorbed in the love and service of God.
Again, thanks!
Oops. I forgot a word.
It should read: "Dee, I wish I could have known the elder to whom you refer."
What the world sees as shameful, God sees as worthy of His esteem. The world has got it all backwards, and Jesus and Jesus alone has got it right. We should not only not be ashamed of Jesus and His Cross, but, rather, we should be proud of Him and His bearing it for us; for He, through His work on the Cross, has freed us from captivity to the evil one. To say that He and His work on the Cross is worthy of all of our gratitude, would be a gross understatement. Amen.
I couldn't agree more, Elder Porphyrios does demonstrate just that!
May we all have his intercessions!
But so do many others too…
Thank you for your witness of Deborah. This is indeed a blessing.
I'm late to the party, but boy did I need to read those words today. Thank you.


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Cathedral, Ferrara, Italy, 1895
- Image: "Cathedral, Ferrara, Italy, 1895", 1895. Glass negative, 8 x 10 in. Brooklyn Museum, Goodyear. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, S03i0125n01.jpg)
- Notes: Sections of south wall. Italian Survey 1895. [open, tent-like stalls in foreground with a few persons strolling]. Goodyear number: 426. Lantern slide number: III; 2.
- Rights Statement: No known copyright restrictions
- Citation: Brooklyn Museum Archives. Goodyear Archival Collection
- Collection: Goodyear Archival Collection
- Folder: Visual materials [6.1.001]: 1895 survey expedition photographs.


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DALLAS -- There is a new buzz surrounding Sen. Ted Cruz (R - Texas). More than one national publication says he is prepping for a run for president.
He denied the rumors Thursday before a 25th anniversary dinner for the Institute for Policy Innovation, a Dallas-based policy research institute.
"My focus is entire on the U.S. Senate. That's where the battlefield is," he said, answering the only question his staff gave News 8 time to ask. "I can't help what the media choose to write about or don't write about."
Cruz got a standing ovation as he took the stage, before he even said a word.
"Here in Texas, want to see the definition of excitement? Take a look at a Ted Cruz voters," said emcee Mark Davis.
The crowd whistled and screamed.
But Cruz didn't appear without controversy. Just outside, protesters held signs and chanted, demanding immigration reform.
"He's one of two Texas senators opposing a fair pathway to citizenship with immigration reform," said protester Danny Cendejas.
Inside the event, those protests were not discussed. VIPs stood in line just to get a photo with the senator.
Cruz has speeches scheduled in South Carolina Friday and New York later this month.
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Save to My Recipes
Mini Herbed Pommes Anna
Published: November 2012
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 12-24 small tender thyme sprigs plus 2 teaspoons coarsely chopped leaves
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 3/4 pounds small waxy potatoes (such as Yukon Gold or German Butterball), each slightly larger than a golf ball
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Special Equipment
- A standard 12-cup muffin pan; a mandoline.
Nutritional Information
12 servings, 1 serving contains: Calories (kcal) 120 Fat (g) 7 Saturated Fat (g) 4.5 Cholesterol (mg) 20 Carbohydrates (g) 12 Dietary Fiber (g) 1 Total Sugars (g) 0 Protein (g) 2 Sodium (mg) 320
PREPARATIONView Step-by-Step Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Brush muffin cups all over with butter. Line bottoms with parchment-paper rounds. Arrange 1-2 small thyme sprigs in center of each round. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon butter into bottom of each cup.
Add chopped thyme and garlic to remaining butter in saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Using mandoline, slice potatoes crosswise into very thin rounds (less than 1/16-inch thick), placing them in a large bowl as you work. Pour herb butter over and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat well.
Divide potato slices among muffin cups, layering overlapping slices to create a circular pattern. Lightly press center of each to make compact. Drizzle any remaining butter and seasoning from bowl over.
Cover muffin pan tightly with foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake until potatoes can be pierced easily with the tip of a knife, about 35 minutes. Remove foil; invert a rimmed baking sheet over pan. Turn, lightly tapping on counter, releasing potatoes onto sheet. Rearrange any slices that may have fallen out. Using a metal spatula, carefully turn cakes, thyme sprigs facing down. Discard parchment. DO AHEAD Potatoes can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
Increase heat to 425°. Uncover cakes if needed. Bake until bottoms and edges are golden and crispy, 25-30 minutes. Carefully turn cakes, thyme sprigs facing up.
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Description:BL45P O885 2.6GHZ DC KITPart Number(s)Hewlett-Packard Part# 406433-B21
Note: We ship Part# 406433-B21 with the appropriate Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) and Heat Sink.(The full Processor Option Kit)
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CategoryProliant Processor
Generation2.6 GHz
Part Number406433-B21
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Reggie Bush is trying to talk his way out of New Orleans. While the Saints would like to keep him, he might get a chance to move on. Bush, who is under contract through 2011, basically declared his career with the Saints was over after they traded back into the first round to draft Mark Ingram with the 28th overall pick. Head coach Sean Payton has said that he has a clear vision for Bush in New Orleans' backfield this season, but it has been known for quite some time that Bush would have to agree to take a significant pay cut in order to stay with the team. He's due to be paid $11.8 million in '11. Bush's pride clearly was hurt by the selection of Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner. With Ingram, Pierre Thomas, who signed a four-year extension before the lockout, and Chris Ivory slated to share time in the backfield, the Saints are well prepared if Bush decides he's unwilling to play at their price.


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Downright dangerous and difficult to cross - that's how neighbors describe North Street in New Britain.
On Wednesday morning, a man was hit and killed by a school bus as he was crossing the street in the area of North Street and Clark Street.
While police investigate and no charges have been filed at this point, that's not easing concerns of those who live in the area because they said they've seen one too many crashes.
Emergency crews said they found 81-year-old Charles Mercurio laying near the crosswalk with his cane close by.
Hector Fernandez, who lives across the street, called 911.
"I looked at him and he had blood coming from his head and so he wanted to get up," he said. "I started holding him so he wouldn't move."
Police said the bus was heading north and turned left onto Clark Street when it hit the 81-year-old.
On Wednesday morning, investigators checked underneath the school bus while police talked with witnesses.
Some who live in the neighborhood said with heavy traffic, it can be pretty tricky trying to cross North Street.
In July, 17-year-old Jackson Dejesus was killed in a hit-and-run on North Street just a few blocks away.
Police are still searching for that driver.
At the time, Eyewitness News did some digging and found that in the last six years, hundreds of crashes have been reported on North Street.
Wednesday's crash remains under investigation.
Officials with the bus company, Dattco, said the driver has been with the company for two years, was with another local school bus company before that and has a clean record.
Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
A woman who was texting while driving was impaled by guardrail pole.


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BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Google faces a total of nine antitrust complaints which EU regulators are now investigating, two sources said on Tuesday, as rivals ramped up the pressure on the world No. 1 search engine. The European Commission has up to now only confirmed four cases against Google. The addition…
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Raw Story is a progressive news site that focuses on stories often ignored in the mainstream media. While giving coverage to the big stories of the day, we also bring our readers' attention to policy, politics, legal and human rights stories that get ignored in an infotainment culture driven solely by pageviews.
Founded in 2004, Raw Story reaches 9 million unique readers per month and serves more than 30 million pageviews.
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The University of Iowa rolled out a slick new marketing campaign called Let's Be Mad Again. To help sell it, they found the least congruent picture of the new coach imaginable.
Do you dream of bathing in an unending wave of college football goodness? Do you ever feel like you just see too much of your girlfriend, the sun or your Jack Russell, Bo? If so, do we have...
The University of Iowa has found its next basketball coach. Or should we say, its next basketball PURCHASE.
Tim Brewster's word of the day: great. Also, the Iowa basketball team may yet remain intact.
Iowa athletic director Gary Barta is flying to Atlanta. Is he bringing the triple option back with him?
The first names have been floated in connection with the Iowa basketball head coaching position, like Dayton's Brian Gregory. Smart fans can immediately cross those names off their list.
This is the open thread for the press conference at which Todd Lickliter's firing will reportedly be announced. That or all hell breaks loose and Lickliter is named the football coach too.
In our imagination, this is how the last press conference of the Todd Lickliter Era at Iowa will go. Gary Barta is the master of ceremonies.
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LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Kentucky football hasn't really been relevant since 1984, when the Wildcats finished with a 9-3 record. In fact, since 1933, UK has won nine or more games only five times: 1949, 1950, 1976, 1977 and 1984. Twice under Bear Bryant, and twice under Fran Curci, although the 1977 team, which finished 10-1, was on probation.
Mired in a 1-8 season, the university announced Sunday the firing of head coach Joker Phillips, something that has been coming since the loss to Western Kentucky. Less than 20,000 in attendance at Commonwealth Stadium Saturday for the loss to Vanderbilt didn't help.
Did Joker deserve to be fired? I've always had the feeling that a coach needs at least four years to see if they can get the job done. By that time the freshmen they recruited are now seniors, and that gives you a better idea on how things will be.
But I also understand UK wanting to appease its fan base. Win and win now. That's how it is.
Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart announced the firing in an open letter to the Big Blue Nation on UK's web site.
"After much conversation, evaluation and prayer, I have determined that it is in the best interest of our athletics program to make a change in our football coaching staff at the conclusion of the season. I do so with a heavy heart for a man who has served his alma mater for almost 22 years as a player and a coach. Joker Phillips has carried the banner for the Blue and White with honor and pride. I have enjoyed working alongside him and am thankful for his friendship for the last decade. His concern for the entire program, his work and teaching of young people, his humanitarian work, and the friendship we all enjoy with him will long surpass the scoreboard. I want to thank him for all of those things on behalf of Kentucky."
So Joker is gone. The majority of UK fans seem to be happy with this decision, though there have been those who felt like he deserved at least one more year to turn things around.
Barnhart also said this: "Kentucky Football needs to be and will be a championship contender in the SEC."
Good luck with that.
The first step, obviously, is to hire a coach that can do what Barnhart envisions. Names that have been thrown around include Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Dykes, former Boise State and Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter, WKU coach Willie Taggert, Florida assistant Brent Pease and Texas Tech assistant Neal Brown.
Sorry folks, but those just won't do.
If you want to build UK into a contender, not a pretender, you will have to go after a big name. A really big name.
Dykes has had success at Louisiana Tech, where he is currently 21-13. He has ties to UK, as he was a graduate assistant in 1997 under Hale Mumme. He's also been on staff at Texas Tech and Arizona. But having success at Louisiana Tech isn't like having success at a larger FBS school.
Koetter was successful at Boise State (26-10 in three years), but that was in the Big West Conference. At Arizona State, where he coached six years, he was 40-34 while in a tougher Pac-10.
In three years at WKU, Taggert is 15-18. Enough said.
Tommy Tuberville's name has surfaced, as has Bobby Petrino. Both are good coaches and have bigger names than those previously mentioned. But I think Petrino brings too much baggage with him.
Tuberville, meanwhile, might be the best choice. He coached Auburn in 2004 to a 13-0 season and won the SEC and the Sugar Bowl, but was left out of the BCS National Championship Game. And he is the only coach in Auburn history to beat Alabama six consecutive times. He has an overall coaching record of 129-74, and is 7-3 in bowl games. And he knows the SEC, and might just be looking for entry back into the best league in college football.
A wild card name I've heard is former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer. Wouldn't that be something if a Volunteer became a Wildcat?
Kentucky needs to do exactly what it did when it was looking for a new basketball coach: Get a big name that recruits will want to come and play for. They got that in John Calipari, and it paid off with a national championship last season.
When UK does hire a football coach, we will find out if they are serious about becoming a championship contender in football, or just happy with becoming bowl eligible each season.
It should be interesting over the upcoming weeks.
Direct Kick: Who's next for UK football?
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Kentucky football hasn't really been relevant since 1984, when the Wildcats finished with a 9-3 record. In fact, since 1933, UK has won nine or more games only five times: 1949, 1950, 1976, 1977 and 1984. Twice under Bear Bryant, and twice under Fran Curci, although the 1977 team, which finished 10-1, was on probation.
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Pre-College Program (PCP)A collaborative effort among Teachers College, Columbia University (TC), China Center for International Educational Exchange (CCIEE) and the University of International Relations (UIR), the Pre-College Program is an intensive academic program designed to prepare leading high school students from China to attend the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States.
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The Pre-College Program at Teachers College, Columbia University begins in late May and runs until mid December. During the summer term, students take Academic Reading and Writing and American Language and Culture courses. During the fall, students observe undergraduate courses at Columbia University, conduct college visits, and receive individual guidance on the college admissions process. Throughout both semesters, students receive college counseling and participate in cultural and academic activities.
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Joe Philbin continued to fill his staff in Miami by making three hires on Saturday. The Dolphins named Ken O'Keefe the wide receivers coach, Lou Anarumo the defensive backs coach and Phil McGeoghan the assistant wide receivers coach.
O'Keefe just completed his 12th season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Iowa. Philbin was the offensive line coach at Iowa from 1999-2002.
Anarumo just finished his eighth season as the DBs coach at Purdue. McGeoghan spent his last three seasons as the wide receivers coach at the University of South Florida.


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Rocky Mountain Paradise Getaway in Estes Park
- bedrooms 3
- baths 2
- sleeps 8
- pool no
- hot tub no
- pets allowed yes
- type House
- community Estes Park
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 1,183 - $ 1,199 / week
vacation rental description
This charming house is a perfect Rocky Mountain getaway. This home offers a decent view of the Rocky Mountains.
It is well furnished with 3 bedrooms, plus a sleeper couch creating a cozy, quaint atmosphere. Master Bedroom has a King Bed & Jacuzzi Tub. Two (2) full Bathrooms on the main floor.
This home comfortably sleeps up to eight. Perfect for large family or for multiple families. Three (3) nights minimum in season.
With only a couple minutes to downtown Estes and less than a 2 mile drive to the park entrance, this home has the perfect location to meet all your vacation needs.
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 03-15-2014 at 10:34 AM.
email owner view full calendar
Lucian Oprea 9702224751
house rental amenities
- 3 Bedrooms (Mbr King , Br2 Queen, Br3 Queen)
- Sleeper couch in living room sofa
- 2 Bathrooms
- Full kitchen
- Washer and Dryer
- TV and DVD Player
- free Wi Fi
- free basic cable
- Less than 1 mile to downtown Estes
- Less than 2 miles to the main entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park
- fenced back yard
- jacuzii tub
- on site parking for 4 vehicles
activities and attractions in Estes Park Colorado
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Rock Climbing
- Mountain Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Golf
- Miniature Golf and Go-Carts
- Movie Theaters
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Art Galleries
vacation rental rates
vacation rental rates
SUMMER RATES (June 1 - September 31) (Check for DEALS)
$149 to $179 per night plus tax (3 night min)
Reservation Deposits: Rentals require a $250.00 Non Refundable Security Deposit to hold the reservation. The Security Deposit will be refunded (Cleaning Fee, Trash removal are deducted from the deposit) 45 days or less after your departure. Any other debits will be for damage to the property or lost keys.
All deposits are held in non-interest bearing accounts.
Cancellations: No refunds unless re-rented for same dates.
Check in time: 3pm.
Check out time: 10am.
Accommodations: This unit is fully furnished and the kitchen is fully equipped. Linens and towels are provided. Housekeeping is not provided.
Credit Cards: Sorry, we do not accept credit cards. Although PayPal is accepted. Your personal check is fine.
******** Family Pets allowed / NO Smoking allowed. Thank You *******
Lucian Oprea 9702224751
accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center
Top things to do in Estes Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Festivals
- Hike the Rockies
- Fly Fishing
- Family Time
Top things to do on a budget
- Hiking
- Snowshoeing
- Rock Climbing
- Mountain Biking
- Art Galleries
Top things to do with a family
- Horseback Riding
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Golf
- Movie Theaters
Lucian Oprea , owner


text:
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-370-6300 voice
Continuation of PSYC 394. The focus of this course is on the scholarly paper requirement of the Senior Experience in Psychology. The class meetings address research and writing issues necessary for the successful completion of the paper. Furthermore, the classes serve to link the scholarly paper to the practical experience obtained in PSYC 394.
Prerequisite: PSYC 253 and PSYC 394


text:
Grenades?! They're using grenades?! "Shut it off, shut it off," I yelled as my dad scrambled to find the remote control. I was nine years old and terrified. Why were these Japanese soldiers committing suicide? This movie, Letters from Iwo Jima, must be fiction—it couldn't have really happened, right?
But later I asked my dad about the Battle of Iwo Jima and he said that what I saw was true.
In school I had learned little about World War II, so seeing Japanese soldiers kill themselves in this terrible way came as a shock. Then I watched an episode of the TV series Band of Brothers and I became hooked on learning about the war. I bought autobiographies of some of the real soldiers played on the show, and I could not set the books down, even for dinner.
Four years later I began preparing for my bar mitzvah. I needed to do a mitzvah project and, given my interest in World War II, decided to connect it to some aspect of the Holocaust. I had always wanted to interview World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors, and my father, a documentary film producer, offered to get me started.
We contacted the Florida Atlantic University Holocaust Program, and they put us in touch with Brigadier General Albin Irzyk, who lived in West Palm Beach, only a few miles away from our home. His unit had liberated a small concentration camp called Ohrdruf. He was now 93 years old.
The general agreed to an interview at his house, and my dad and I prepared questions.
We showed up at this large white house across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway. General Irzyk, wearing a short sleeve white shirt and black pants, greeted us at the front door. Although he was slightly hunched over, he moved easily for his age.
We decided to do the shoot in his den. A cameraman my father knows took about 45 minute to set up the equipment. I was so in awe of this real life World War II hero in front of me, I wasn't sure what to say during this time, but my eyes soon landed on a glass table which contained perhaps 30 war medals, including the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf cluster (signifying he was wounded twice) and the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal given in wartime for valor.
As General Irzyk answered my questions, I was amazed by his crystal-clear memory of having served as a tank commander in General George Patton's Third Army more than 65 years ago. He described in detail how, through icy roads and miserable weather, he had led the victorious assault on several towns in the Battle of the Bulge, the turning point of World War II.
Then, in early April 1945, as American soldiers advanced through Germany, General Irzyk received orders to take the town of Ohrdruf in central Germany. While fighting, he heard a radio report from his troops a few kilometers away: "Bodies have been found!" Caught in the middle of a raging battle, he was unable to investigate, but the next day he drove a jeep through a wooded area, crossed a barbed-wire fence, and discovered a large circle of corpses, each shot in the head and neck. He ventured forward and found a building which resembled a large outhouse. Inside the building were bodies piled to the ceiling. There were no living prisoners. Soon he could take no more and left.
There is great historical significance to Ohrdruf: It was the first concentration camp to be liberated by the Americans. In our interview General Irzyk said, "We didn't know what this was. We had never heard the words 'concentration camp' before."
I thought a lot about General Irzyk's story. By the time he had entered the camp there were no survivors. But had any of Ohrdruf's inmates survived? And were they still alive to tell their story?
My dad and I started to search for Ohrdruf survivors. My cousin, Henry Greenspan, a Holocaust expert at the University of Michigan, put us in touch with a colleague who had a list of about 30 living Ohdruf survivors in the U.S. We learned that around the time Irzyk's unit had discovered the camp, about two hundred survivors were hiding in the woods.
From an Internet search we discovered that one survivor, Rabbi Murray Kohn, now 81, was living in Vineland, New Jersey. He agreed to be interviewed for the documentary, and we flew out to meet him at his home. But when we neared his house, we learned that the rabbi had fallen the night before and broken his shoulder. Knowing that we had come from Florida, he agreed to be interviewed in a hospital gown in his hospital room.
It was incredible for me to be in the presence of a Holocaust survivor for the first time. I had heard many accounts, but actually talking to someone who lived through the Shoah was a totally different experience. Before, when I watched documentaries about the Holocaust, there were questions I wanted to ask. Now I could. When I asked him how he had survived Auschwitz, he said, "If I knew the answer, I would be God…or a genius."
Rabbi Kohn believes that Allied soldiers such as General Irzyk should not be called "liberators," because they were not looking for the camps, and he disagrees with depictions of Allied "liberators" as heroes. Instead of saying they "liberated" the camps, he insisted that people should say they "discovered" them. He also believes that finding the concentration camps should have been one of the Allies' highest priorities. After almost worshiping the soldiers of The Band of Brothers and other films, I was taken aback by the rabbi's point of view. It almost sounded as if he didn't appreciate the soldiers' sacrifices.
What struck me was that the rabbi's anger had not softened in the 65 years since the war had ended. At times during the interview he would refer to me as "young man," and I felt a little like I was being lectured to. The rabbi teaches about the Holocaust at nearby Richard Stockton College, and informing the world about his life has clearly become his mission.
After a long drive, my dad and I arrived at the University of Pennsylvania. As part of our trip we had also scheduled an interview with David Eisenhower, the grandson of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had served as the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II. Mr. Eisenhower treated me as an adult and answered my questions in detail.
He told us that when General Eisenhower learned about Ohrdruf he arranged to meet Generals Patton and Omar Bradley there on April 12. Ike had also sent out orders for the press to record the carnage because he anticipated there would be deniers and wanted visual evidence of the atrocities. After viewing Ohrdruf he ordered all soldiers in the area who were not on the front lines to view the camp so they would know what they were "fighting against."
When I asked David Eisenhower what he would say to Holocaust deniers such as Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he became visibly angry. "If my grandfather were alive," he said, "they wouldn't dare deny that the Holocaust had happened."
Through my cousin Henry, my dad and I located another Ohrdruf survivor. Henry Bialer was 86 and living in Boca Raton, Florida, a 45-minute drive from our home.
In contrast to Rabbi Kohn, there was a shyness to Mr. Bialer, who had never spoken publicly about his experiences. He was a short, sad, and sweet man who had owned Chevrolet dealerships in the New York area and now lived in a comfortable subdivision with an indoor pool, which is unusual for South Florida.
This turned out to be the hardest interview I had done. At one point I almost began to cry. Mr. Bialer told me how his mother was killed the day they arrived at Auschwitz. When he asked a guard where his mom went, the guard pointed to a smokestack and said, "There she is."
Mr. Bialer also told us that his shoulder had been permanently damaged by handling railway ties in the camps. Ever since the war, he felt death was looking over his shoulder, and he needed to have this pressure relieved. Unlike Rabbi Kohn, he was not religious. "If there were a God," he said, "how could He have allowed this to happen?"
I was now ready to begin working on the documentary. The writing portion proved to be much easier than the editing, as neither my father nor I are exceptionally gifted with computers. It took two trips to the Apple Store for me to learn the basics of iMovie. My father and I would sit down each night and monotonously drag sound bite after sound bite into place. Then we had to visit the Apple Store again to learn how to fade from each sound bite. Three hours after arriving I was crying my eyes out. Someone at the store had managed to come close to erasing the project. We could not access the interviews, the documentary would not play, and it appeared that almost 100 hours of editing was down the drain. Fortunately, a computer genius at the store saved the project.
In late April 2010, two weeks before my bar mitzvah and six months after we had started, the video was complete. I titled it The Road Through Ohrdruf because much of it is about the survivors' journeys as they passed through numerous camps on their way to Ohrdruf, where they spent only a few months. In fact, when General Irzyk's troops discovered Ohrdruf on April 4, 1945, both Rabbi Kohn and Mr. Bialer had already been moved to other camps. Mr. Bialer was sent to Buchenwald, some 20 miles away, to be executed; his life was spared because the Germans stopped cremating on that day.
I was proud of my 15-minute documentary. Now I had to decide at what point during my bar mitzvah day to show it. If we screened it at the party, it would put a damper on the mood. But viewing it during the ceremony seemed rather unorthodox. We needed to get our rabbi's opinion. So we showed it to Rabbi Alon Levkovitz, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. Rabbi Alon, who is Israeli, said he had watched a lot of Holocaust videos growing up, but he had not seen one like this, because it includes both the survivors and the liberators 65 years after the war. He said my film was not a "numbing experience as many Holocaust movies are," but a combination of "remembrance, learning, and hope."
He felt it would be appropriate to show it during the service itself, even though that would be unusual. It would not be enough for me to talk about the film, he said. I had to show it to get its full meaning across to the congregation.
My bar mitzvah service was on May 8, 2010 at Temple Beth Am in Jupiter, Florida. That morning, after my Torah and Haftorah recitations, I gave a brief introduction about the project and sat down with my parents. A projector screen was rolled onto the bimah and the lights dimmed. I was a bit nervous, yet confident, about how people would react. The audience was quiet during the screening.
Near the end of the video, everyone heard Mr. Bialer say he had agreed to speak with me because he knew there will be Holocaust deniers in the future too, and the burden is on young people such as me to continue to tell the story of the Holocaust. For a few seconds there was silence in the sanctuary, then great applause. I walked onto the bimah and urged everyone to donate to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which fights hate crimes.
I had invited General Irzyk and Henry Bialer, both Florida residents, to my bar mitzvah, but they were unable to attend. A few days later we sent copies of the video to all participants and I waited anxiously for their responses. What mattered most to me was the opinion of the men I had interviewed. These gentlemen are historical figures, and I felt honored to know them. They had also taken the time to talk to a 13-year-old boy, and I wanted to make them proud.
Later, both survivors and General Irzyk complimented me on the piece. "As your presentation unfolded, I almost believed I was watching it on the History Channel," General Irzyk wrote to me. "It will be a valuable addition to my WW II archives, and I treasure it."
My bar mitzvah project was not as simple as I had envisioned it would be. I could never have guessed that I would be making a documentary that took so many hours of work. I was practically falling asleep at the computer. Yet, I think it was all worth it, because I succeeded in my objective to make a statement that life is too short to tolerate hate. Now my only wish for The Road Through Ohrdruf is that it will inform people and hopefully give them a greater perspective on the Holocaust, as it has for me.


text:
Some of my hipster Berlin travel tips
I'm by no means a Berlin travel expert, but I've been here a fair few times that I thought I'd share some travel tips. Here they are, in no particular order. I'll expand on this guide to Berlin as time goes by…
It's not a complete list on all the best things to do in my favorite European city, but rather a collection of some of my favorites. Favorite bars, clubs, restaurants and other things to do. Whether you're visiting just for a weekend, 36 hours, or a day, maybe some of these tips will be useful. They're all my personal favorites and places I've been to in Berlin :-)
- Lerchen und Eulen (near Gorlitzer u-bahn) – Moscow Mule cocktails and cozy interior! a friend set her hair on fire in this bar and no one noticed, so, uh, this place is amazzzzzing!
- Möbel Olfe (near Kottbusser Tor) – gay bar! super crowded on thursdays
- Hotel Bar (near Kottbusser Tor) – hipsters and very smoky inside, but just how kreuzberg should be
- Mein Haus Am See (near Rosenthaler Platz) – omg! hipsters! and the best view in berlin is at the top of the stadium style seating, looking down on hipsters below
- Liberacion – in Friedrichshain – just be careful going to the bathroom here, feels like you may never return
- Multi Layer Laden (near Kotti) – cool hipster place, hidden behind the supermarket and through a curtain
- Locke Müller (near Görli) – probably Berlin's best cocktails (or at least in Kreuzberg), smoky atmosphere inside, but the bartenders really know their drinks. suppose they have to, because there's no menu. €8 for a cocktail is expensive for berlin, but worth it here.
- Gastón – In trendy Neukolln, this little Spanish tapas bar serves cheap beer and affordable tapas. With outdoor seating on a quiet street corner, you may just think you're back in Spain.
- O Tannenbaum – This kitschy bar and club near Hermannplatz is decorated with fake Christmas trees and lawn furniture. They often have great DJs and it's always open late.
- Mein Haus Am See – in case you want more hipsters! open 24-hours :)
- St Oberholz (near Rosenthaler Platz u-bhan) – hipsters with macbooks
- Bateau Ivre for meat & cheese plates – french hipsters
- California Breakfast Slam for American-style egg plates – american hipsters
- some quick bakery before you go to Berghain
- any u-bahn station will do – see this
- Berghain, of course – gay/straight and AWESOME
- "london calling" first friday of each month at Schwuz – gay club, indie/electro music night
- Cassiopeia – pretty cool club on Revaler Strasse in Friedrichshain. R&B and hip-hop nights are the most popular. Courtyard and rock-climbing are perfect in the summertime.
Gay Berlin
- Schwuz – hipster gays
- Gay Beach Berlin – tan gays
- GMF @ Weekend – every Sunday night in a Berlin skyscraper. Trendy gays.
- Zum Schmutzigen Hobby – on Revaler Strasse – small and very fun gay bar which also turns into a nightclub.
- Möble Olfe – at Kottbusser Tor, most popular on Thursdays when it's too damn crowded.
- Silver Future – in Neukolln on Weserstrasse. Lots of lesbians.
- c/o Berlin Gallery – usually good exhibits
- Zozoville – Small gallery near Kottbusser Tor with quirky exhibits
- Museum of Photography behind Zoologischer Garten – great photo museum/gallery with permanent exhibits from Helmut Newton
- Bookstore: Shakespeare & Sons in Prenzlauer Berg (same owner as the bookstore by the same name in Prague)
Touristy stuff
- East Side Gallery – meh, but worth seeing because that's probably why you're here
- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial if you're into the holocaust – view my post from there
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe AND the Gay Holocaust Memorial
- Reichstag dome – you can go inside, and if it's summertime, walk around on the roof! – photos
- Checkpoint Charlie museum is filled with information but it's totally cluttered and disorganized
- Photography mentor workshop – Most people are in Berlin because it's so damn creative and "artsy." Why not take a 4-hour photography workshop where you'll get to explore a local 'hood and come away with some extra skillz? More info: I'll Get You My Pretty photo mentor session
Parks & Platz's
- Görlitzer!!!!!!! It's where all the hippies, hipsters, and druggies hang. Try not to get stabbed. But well worth the visit. – video
- Also, Kreuzberg Park is great for watching sunsets
- Sundays at Mauer Park for the outdoors karaoke – for reals, this sh*t is real good.
- Winterfeldtplatz Platz for the farmer's market on Saturdays
- Boxhagener Platz for the hipster shopping market on Sundays
- Best shawarma: Maroush at Kottbusser Tor. Trust me.
- Best burrito: Dolores (San Francisco style!) wins by popularity; Santa Maria on Oranienstrasse is good too
- Best Vietnamese: Miss Saigon (Gorlitzer u-bahn) is great!
- Best noodles: I can't tell you how many times I've bought a big box of €2.50 "Chinese" noodles at the Nollendorf u-bahn station. The woman who runs the shop is super nice!
- Best burger: The Bird. But I'm also partial to Room 77
Want more? Read all my Berlin travel blog posts
- 35 Unique Things To Do in Berlin
- 5 favorite gay bars in Berlin
- 7 quirky things about living in Berlin
- A night of art & food: Berlin's Taste Festival 2012
- A winter weekend in Berlin by Instagram photo
- An ode to the Berlin Späti
- Beats by Dre event in Berlin, live with David Guetta
- Berghain nightclub – the best club in the world?
- Berlin airport rant: Tegel sucks
- Berlin CSD 2014 – Half a Million Smiling Faces!
- Berlin Demonstration Against Putin's Anti-Gay Laws
- Berlin's Independent Street Art Tour – The REAL Alternative Berlin
- Berlin's Sugar Museum (Zucker Museum)
- Berlin's summer starts with MyFest — Kreuzberg's best street festival
- Berlin's Tropical Islands: best way to escape a Berlin winter?
- Berlin's U-bahn by Instagram
- Bon Iver live music gig in Berlin
- California Breakfast Slam!
- Celebrating NYE 2013 in Berlin: loud and bright
- Christmas in Berlin
- Christopher Street Day gay pride in Berlin 2012
- Dancing in Berlin: Schlesisches Tor U-Bahn
- Discovering the Berlin Wall on a Weekend
- Exploring Berlin's Christmas Markets—from the trendy to the quirky
- Exploring Berlin's Modernist Architecture at the Hufeisensiedlung
- Fête de la Musique in Berlin 2012 (photo essay)
- Four weeks of learning German in Berlin: was it successful?
- Gay Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
- German movies I didn't know were German
- Getting naked in Berlin
- Graffiti park in Berlin: Preisterweg Nature Park
- Hipster Berlin: Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg
- Inside Berlin's C/O photography gallery
- Inside the German Reichstag dome by Norman Foster
- Instagramming Berlin: photos of autumn
- Is Berlin the coolest city in the world?
- Kiez culture in Berlin: my favorite places in Kreuzberg
- Learning German in Berlin — The Good & The Bad
- Learning German in Berlin…finally! Why I enrolled in a German language course
- Life as an American expat in berlin
- Living in Berlin, at least for a little while
- Losing myself in Berlin's most surrealist bar & labyrinth
- Lost in my mind & finding inspiration
- My Berlin Story: The How, Why & When I Became an Expat
- Occupy Berlin demonstration photos, 15 October
- One crazy night out in Berlin
- One month as a hipster Berliner
- One week in the kino: Berlin International Film Festival
- Photo essay: Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures)
- Photos (& video) from the MyFest street festival
- Photos from the 2012 Hipster Olympics Festival in Berlin
- Polaroid photography exhibit in Berlin
- random update, july 13, 2011
- Respect Gaymes – LGBT sports event in Berlin
- Robbed in Berlin: I lost my iPhone!
- Rock & Roll Fashion Night, part of Berlin Fashion Week
- Ryoji Ikeda exhibit at the Hamubrger Bahnhof
- Social Media Week in Berlin
- Staycation in Berlin
- that time i saw a shakespeare play in german
- The Berlin, Tel Aviv connection: why these two cities are so cool
- Things to do on a rainy day in Berlin
- Translating hip hop around the world
- Travel Photo: Abandoned Berlin Hospital
- Travel Photo: Berlin's Holi Festival of Colours
- Travel Photo: Graffiti at the East Side Gallery
- Travel Photo: International Berlin Beer Festival
- Visiting the Sachsenhausen concentration camp memorial
- Week 2: Learning German is sometimes fun, but definitely stressful
- Week 3 of learning German: still fun but much more technical
- What the Berlinale Film Festival Means To Me…
- Why you should visit Berlin…in the winter!
- Within walking distance of Alexanderplatz
- Wombats City Hostel: The best hostel in Berlin?
Follow me on FourSquare for even more hipster Berlin travel tips!
Follow @TravelsOfAdam on foursquare
view my other travel & miscellany recommendations
Have something or somewhere to add? Leave it in the comments & I'll check it out!


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The O-Zone Power Rankings are compiled by the staff each week based on a team's relative dominance by class. The schools are not compared head to head, but rather by how strong they are against similar competition as well as current momentum.
(Last week in parenthesis)
1. Mt Vernon, 19-5 (1) – The 'Neers remain one of the area's hottest teams winning 11 of 12, including victories over Nevada and Lamar last week. The win over Lamar also marked Skip Brock's 400th career win. Just two conference games stand in the way of a perfect Big 8 season, but those won't be easy against Seneca (5-0) and Carl Junction (4-1).
2. Nixa, 18-4 (2) – The Eagles blasted Carthage, but needed a last second Austin Ruder 3-pointer to edge Republic at home last week. Sophomore big man Jacob Ruder left that game with an early shoulder injury, but should return in one week. Nixa seems to have hit a difficult patch, but that friction could better prepare them for a deep playoff run.
3. Billings, 19-4 (4) – The Wildcats posted an even 100 points in a 30-point thrashing of Hurley last week before holding off SWCL rival Clever 70-57 Friday night. The Cats have a plethora of offensive weapons, including Brady Chastain who scored his 1,500th career point last week, but they'll need to lock down on defense as they open play in the very deep class 2 district 11 as the top seed.
4. Republic, 19-3 (3) – The Tigers dominated Neosho before almost knocking off Nixa last week. RepMo showed that its steady half-court offense and solid defense can give other teams fits. The next 11 days will provide a nice pre-playoff test with games against class 5 Willard, Ozark, Waynesville and Branson.
5. Strafford, 18-4 (5) – The Indians haven't even been challenged since falling to Republic in the Rogersville Tournament two weeks ago. They own wins over Pleasant Hope, Stockton, Monett and Skyline by an average of 30 points per game. Junior Jacob Wade is back in the lineup and they'll need to be at their best in the playoffs where they will likely square off with Mt. Vernon in a sectional rematch in which they were blown out last season.
6. Hartville, 20-3 (6) – The Eagles are another of the area's hottest teams winning 11 of 12 games since the Blue and Gold Tournament, including a 20-point win over Conway last week. They'll seek a perfect Summit League season Tuesday night at Gainesville, but it won't be easy as the Bulldogs are 4 and 1.
7. Hillcrest, 17-5 (7) – It's that time of year. The Hornets are a perfect 5 and 0 since the Tournament of Champions. In fact, looking back, Hillcrest is 54-6 since mid-January the past four seasons, including their 2010 class 5 state championship run.
8. Fair Play, 17-2 (8) – The Hornets officially captured the Lakeland Tournament championship with a 64-51 win over Osceola in a make-up game from last month. They also easily dispatched Macks Creek 80-64. They'll wrap up the regular season this week seeking a Polk County League title with home games against Walnut Grove and Weaubleau. That leads into class 1 district 5 action the following week at Willard where they are the top seed.
9. Kickapoo, 16-5 (10) – The Chiefs are heating up at the right time, picking up big wins over Glendale and Joplin last week. The upcoming week features winnable matchups with Rolla and Waynesville before wrapping up the regular season with a February 19th OC showdown against Hillcrest at the Poo.
10. Branson, 16-6 (12) – The Pirates may literally be the hottest team in the area with four straight wins over some really strong competition; Parkview, Nixa, Ozark and Webb City. They'll look to keep it going this week against Neosho and Carthage before wrapping up the regular season against Marshfield and Republic. The class 5 district 11 tournament should be another doozy this year!
11. Parkview, 18-5 (13) – The Vikings righted the ship this week with comfortable wins over Rolla and Glendale. Still fighting for a district seed, Coach Brown's boys should run the regular season table with trips to Waynesville and Lebanon before wrapping things up with a home non-conference meeting against Central.
12. Clever, 18-5 (9) – When the Jays lose they seem to do it in bunches. Clever fell by 10 to Hollister on Tuesday before dropping a 70-57 SWCL battle against Billings Friday night. They'll have one more tune up game at Sparta Tuesday night before entering the difficult class 3 district 12 tournament as the 2-seed next week at Seneca.
13. Crane, 17-5 (NR) – The Pirates work their way back into the mix with wins over Spokane and Blue Eye. They'll wrap up the regular season with Forsyth and Galena before opening class 2 district 11 action as the 2-seed behind only Billings.
14. Skyline 16-7 (11) – The Tigers have fallen on tough times the past two weeks with Mid-Lakes losses to Fair Grove and Strafford. They remain in great shape however. Remember, Skyline is in class 2 and is actually the top seed in the district 13 tournament at Osceola next week. They'll wrap up the regular season this week with games against Benton County and Pleasant Hope; a chance to get things going in the right direction heading into the playoffs.
Knocking on the door: Diamond (17-4), Everton (18-5), Webb City (15-7), Fordland (16-6), Ash Grove (17-6), Osceola (17-5), MV-BT/Liberty (18-6), Liberal (17-5), Bolivar (15-7), New Covenant (15-6), Gainesville (17-7), Hollister (17-6)


text:
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