text:
I love brocade prints,…or do you prefer me to call them damask? I still can't figure out which term is accurate…does anyone know?!
No matter how you describe them, I'm in love with the look, the feel, the styles of such designs. So much so, that when I chose to design Ruby's room, I used the damask print for curtains. LOVE the look!
So, you can understand my excitement when Samantha emailed me and requested I design such a style for her wedding invitations.
James and I met Samantha and Jeff through our birthing class, over a year ago, when our babies were still in our bellies! It's been so much fun getting to know them this past year and seeing our girls play together.
So you can imagine the honor I felt when Samantha asked me to design their wedding invites. They were hoping for an invitation with a more laid back, mellow feel…not too over the top, wedding-y. Simplistic, fun, chic. Samantha has such good taste,…I love her style, which made me so excited to create these for her!
Oh Samantha and Jeff and their wedding invitations that I am SO in love with!!
Even the response card is cool with the simplistic, fun wording.
They were so unique, different in style from so many other wedding invitations I've seen: slim line card, response postcard, fun colors,…loved them! Makes me want to get married all over again, to my J of course, and use these invitations for MY wedding. Would you mind if I did that, Samantha?! That ok?!? : )


text:
Approximately three months ago Carol was admitted to the local hospital due to breathing problems. After a month of bouncing around from hospital to hospital for second opinions, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Carol passed on August 8th, 2013.
Carol left the business in the hands of two of her children, Ryan(former shipping department) and Margaret. We plan to keep the business open.
One point of note is that due to how the store is set up, we will be unable to accept payment for Credit Cards or Personal Checks. We apologize to those who this affects.
Please pardon any drop in the quality of service that you have grown to expect from Carol's Christmas. It is our goal to work our way up to the high standard that our mother had set.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We aim to make the transition as smooth as possible. Once we settle in, be on the look out for sales and promotions!
Thank you for your time and thank you for shopping with Carol's Christmas.
Ryan and Margaret Dubowsky
Welcome to Carol's Christmas & More where you'll find a wide variety of retired Hallmark, Enesco, Carlton, American Greetings, Operation Santa, Noma and Lenox ornaments and decorations.
Carols' Christmas, an online seller of Christmas ornaments and decorations, is back under original management.
Store founder Carol Kaelin has retaken the helm after a one year absence. "It's good to be back," Kaelin said. "I love to help people find replacements for cherished keepsakes or new items that will be passed down through generations.
Kaelin began selling ornaments in 1999 after she had difficulty replacing her son's Baby's First Christmas ornament. "We were heartbroken when it fell from the tree and shattered." she said. After searching for the ornament for several months, Kaelin decided to open a store to help others find replacements at a reasonable cost.
Carol's Christmas & More
Contact us!
149 KENNEWYCK CIRSLINGERLANDS, NY 12159United States
Updated Friday, February 28 2014Product descriptions copyright© 2014 Carol's Christmas & MoreAll else copyright© 1995-2014 TIAS.com All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Budget Q&A with York council leader (From York Press)
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Budget Q&A with York council leader
Updated 7:19pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
This live event has finished
- City of York council leader James Alexander joins The Press at 3pm to answer your questions.
- He'll talk about the council's budget plans for the next two years ahead of crunch February meeting.
- Council must save £21 million over two years.
- Tweet your questions at @yorkpress with hashtag #presscyc
Enjoyed answering questions at @yorkpress on the impact of Gov cuts. This is the inside of The Press #presscyc http://t.co/fKcdvpGc— @jmalexander1982 29 January 2013
@izaakww @theyorkeruk Yes. Regional structures would help. Loss of RDas and Gov offices has hindered Yorkshire's access to EU cash #presscyc— @jmalexander1982 29 January 2013
Thanks for joining us today, Coun Alexander.
I want to see a York with a growing economy, one where businesses can expand and locate. We want to ensure we have reductions in unemployment and that people are in a position to look after themselves. We want to invest in jobs and growth, protect the most vulnerable and continue to develop a modern and efficient organisation.
In terms of economic growth in the north, options are mainly Manchester, Leeds and York. York contributes £40m extra a year to Whitehall than we get back in business rates. In Leeds, this is £60m. We are not as small as sometimes we think.
At the same time, we wish to reduce poverty to insure nobody is left behind from Government reforms in benefits. Depite less money, if we don't do this, nobody else will.
"Tough job, but that is what I and my Labour colleagues are here to do. I want York to be proud of its heritage and ambitious for our future."
Finally, when will residents be able to see the council's budget plans? And what sort of York do you hope we will have in terms of services and economic growth by the end of 2014/15?
"West Somerset realised they were no longer viable as a council and sought help from the Local Government Association. Advice was given to begin merger talks with surrounding councils. However the Government stepped in said this would not be supported and instead they wish the council to become a virtual council. This will be a council which does not deliver any services, but instead councillors meet to sign contracts for companies or other councils.
"In my opinion, this makes local democracy a sham as it does not matter who wins control of the council in such a situation - the contracts are already signed and there are a lack of finances to make a difference.
"York is pursuing shared services with a number of different councils including Wakefield and North Yorkshire County Council. We have also set up a trading company to sell services to other organisations.
"I am not in a position to speak for Selby but the model they have gone for is to outsource everything into one company. The staff they actually employ numbers 14 (less than the number of councillors). They are reducing this to 12 and the chief executive is going part time. I worry about the impact of this on local democracy and I can foresee extreme financial difficulties in the coming years. Selby and councils like them need government funding. This is one of the reasons why Selby is also increasing council tax this year.
"More and more councils will face bankruptcy and I suspect this will occur in 2015/16 when many will be hit with the paying-back of two council tax freezes. The Government has pursued a buy now, pay later option for council services.
"I have expressed this view to national politicans and the reaction I receive is one of that I am right, but that action is not going to be taken to resolve the situation. I believe this will increase the cost to the taxpayer as the government will have to take charge of collapsed councils.
"In York, we are therefore taking tough decisions now and investing for the future to insure York is not amongst this list of teetering councils."
West Somerset Council faces bankruptcy, Selby Council and North Yorkshire County Council are looking at sharing more services, Hambleton and Richmondshire have tried merging services. What is the future for councils in North Yorkshire and further afield? Do you feel some are in danger of collapse or becoming bankrupt?
"Depends what you mean by council facilities. Residents would expect us at a time of financial difficulty to consider all options and all have been considered. There are no plans for any libraries, children's centres or leisure centre closures in 2013/14 or 2014/15. But all have been considered. Some councils have already been forced into a situation of doing this. North Yorkshire County Council is an example with regards to library closures."
Is there a chance we could see proposals for specific council facilities to close in this year's budget?
PRESS NOTE: Apologies for the delay - slight technical issue...
"The saving will need achieving in the area of garden waste collections, but we are looking at options as to how this is achieved. You will have seen neighbouring Selby are going to charge £26 a year for these collections and Sheffield have pursued something similar. We will be consulting on options.
"It is a tough one as this is a service not all residents use. For example, some residents who don't have gardens but have relatives who require care services can say 'why are we giving free collections for garden waste to residents with gardens, when I don't have one? And yet my relative needs care services'. It is a sad matter of priorities at a time of experiencing a 30% cut in Government funding."
The possibility of charging for green waste collections was in last year's budget. Is this going to happen?
"The independent Fairness Commission said that ward committee funding (localised pots of money to be spent on discretionary services) was a good thing to have in good times. The country is not in good economic times, and if it is a choice between, for example, care services, as just mentioned, and ward committee funding, we would support care services.
"The commission recommended full removal. We went with a cut as we could see some community groups rely on this funding. Under the previous administration, I felt ward committees were increasingly being used to pay for core services. We did not feel this was right, therefore we ensured any reductions in ward committee funding went towards core services. I hope one day we can be in a financial position to increase these pots once again."
Couldn't some frontline services have been protected if ward committees had been maintained? Haven't powers being taken away from local residents because of this?
"As I have mentioned before, there is increasing demand for care services and, despite increasing funding in this area by £1.5m through the 54p a week council tax rise, the demand is outstripping the resources that we have. Therefore we had to move to a more targeted approach by moving the criteria for the service from moderate to substantial. This was not easy and there was debate amongst Labour councillors before doing this. However, we have to in all our services target the most needy as we are not in a position to afford universal services. The vast majority of local authorities in the region and nationally are also at substantial in terms of eligibility criteria. In the last three years, we have supported an extra 1,100 people in their own homes using telecare and community equipment."
Many people in York fear they won't receive the care which they did previously because of service cuts. With such large savings having to be made, how are you going to protect the city's most vulnerable people?
@gmartin @cityofyork We are increasing funding to our social fund as a safety net for people effected by all Gov benefit changes #presscyc— @jmalexander1982 29 January 2013
"Hi John, long time no speak - or type. Ministers such as Vince Cable and Nick Boles have praised the Economic Infrastructure Fund and Nick Clegg has recently admitted that funding for infrastructure should not have been cut so soon after the general election. This has wasted some time in going for growth. For example if there was still some of this funding in place, more unlocking of land sites could have gone ahead helping developments. The Economic Infrastructure Fund is being used to contribute to government funding for better buses, new park and rides and schemes to help York's economy. The Government has also changed the funding regime for councils in that we will now in York keep 25p our of every £1m of new business rates created. Therefore without critical infrastructure funding to help an environment for ecnomic growth, we will not get new business rates and the city goes into decline. We believe in jobs and growth. Other councils have also started to set up similar funds. Arts Barge is controversial but if £25k went to another arts organisation, for example York Museums Trust, I don't think anyone would have raised such concern. We believe in helping our arts and heritage sector to continue to attract visitors to York and create jobs in the creative sector. Moreover, tourism jobs quite often depend on these attractions."
#presscyc What are you doing to ensure people don't lose their homes over Council Tax Benefit slashing? @jmalexander1982 @CityofYork— @gmartin 29 January 2013
John Reeves has asked whether the Economic Infrastructure Fund set up in last year's budget can be justified in times of austerity. Money from this fund is being used to support projects which, while popular, are not considered vital to York's economy in some quarters, such as the Arts Barge. What's your response to this?
"This is why I am answering these questions. People are not aware of what 30% cuts mean. It is impossible to deliver all services and all services the way we always have with such large funding reductions from Government. For example West Somerset council has gone bankrupt and others will follow. I do not believe York will because 60% of income comes from council tax. Most other councils are circa 30%.
"We are going to issue information on funding reductions with council tax bills, despite the Government removing the requirement for us to do so. The next edition of Your Voice will include information on the budget. I also tweet about some of the impacts. You can always email on firstname.lastname@example.com."
There was a lot of public concern last year about cuts to frontline services, such as bins being removed and the closure of Beckfield Lane waste recycling centre. Does the council need to work harder to get its message across about why cuts like this are deemed necessary?
"The Government thinks it is to boost tourism and business. This is why they have awarded us money towards this in the autumn statement. This was the super connected cities 2 bid. this will allow us to be even more of a hub for tourism, on which many York jobs depend. Moreover it will help with encouraging more app developments which are now big buiness - further increasing jobs. Why can't York have a city centre wi-fi? We need to have some confidence as a city."
@jmalexander the removal of lights on the riverside path between Scarborough bridge & Leeman Rd needs looking into #presscyc— @_stevedunn 29 January 2013
Andrew Parkes asks if free city-centre wi-fi is necessary when cuts to services are having to be made?
@PaulSHealey @yorkpress Wait and see Paul! #presscyc— @jmalexander1982 29 January 2013
"Because we are setting another two year budget and so we are discussing proposals for 2014/15 as well as the 2013/14 budget debated last year."
@yorkpress #presscyc 12/13 Social Service increases were £2m out of £8.133 hardly largely..... Probably similar next year.— @PaulSHealey 29 January 2013
Press reader Mike Longhurst wants to know why we are having another budget debate this year when you set a two-year budget this time last year? Aren't things already decided for 2013/14?
"We set our budget in February last year as part of a two year budget. We will be doing so again. After debate amongst Labour councillors, we felt 2% was enough. The cap the Government brought in for a referendum was announced after we announced our council tax rise. The cost of a referendum would be circa £300k and so we would also need to factor this into any council tax rise. In essence residents woul have to pay to hold the referendum. I think it is a bit rich for the Government to say we need a referendum on council tax. where was our referendum on benefit changes or on the Chancellor's budget (pasty tax etc)?"
Why not just propose a council tax rise of 3 per cent and have a referendum, as would be needed, so residents can have their say?
"In 2010/11 the Government offered a freeze grant that would be given to councils to freeze council tax in the first year. This grant was for each year for four years. This gives councils time to plan for when this grant is no longer given. I supported this scheme. Some councils would make up this shortfall in budget in 2015/16 by using reserves, some will increase council tax by a higher amount and some will cut services. In 2008 our reserves were at £11m. Each year the previous administration dwindled these reserves to £6m when I became council leader. This is the recommended minimum. therefore to fund the freeze in 2015/16 we will have to either raise tax by a higher amount or make more cuts.
"Last year the Government offered a similar freeze grant but for one year only. Therefore the cuts this year would have been £2m more than we are doing or we would have had to increase council tax by 5%. We thought this was the wrong thing to do. Therefore we took the tough decision to increase council tax by 54p a week to increase the elderly care budget by £1.5m and looked after children budget by £0.5m. This year the Government has offered a similar grant but for two years. Therefore this would mean double the rise or cut in 2015/16 than we already have to deal with. Therefore we are increasing council tax by 38p a week and dedicating all of this money to care services. These actions have saved the council from circa £4m of additional cuts or council taxpayers from even larger future increases.
"We announced the 2% rise this year in February last year. In October, David Cameron announced the 2% cap - he must have been watching..."
@Gillivor @yorkpress That isn't possible, but we should be as efficient as possible. We have reduced management costs by 40% #presscyc— @jmalexander1982 29 January 2013
@yorkpress How can cyc make savings without losing services? #presscyc— @Gillivor 29 January 2013
You've previously said you don't intend to accept a Government grant to freeze council tax in 2013/14. Is that still your intention? And if so, why?
"Have answered on twitter but funding reductions mean we had to look at where our bins were placed to ensure they are in the right locations. We couldn't afford to continue to collect underused bins. Evidence suggests this has not led to an increase in litter. Some years ago bins were removed from Stonegate and nobody noticed. We have installed some bins with compactors which do not need to be emptied as often."
Leader, Cllr James Alexander is answering your questions on the budget now. Go to http://t.co/1oJe3gYB #presscyc http://t.co/cLZZ9Koc— @CityofYork 29 January 2013
"Funding reduction in 2013/14 is £4m. £5m in 2012/13 and £9m in 2011/12. The government said in the comprehensive spending review that it would decrease council funding by 28%. However in the recent autumn statement this was increased to 30%. Clearly there is a different between funding reductions and the savings required. This is largely due to increased demand in care services - which is a national problem. By 2015 half of all council expenditure will be spent on care services. In Barnet it is assumed that will no longer be able to afford any services apart from care by this point. I will tweet at @jmalexander1982 a table of funding reductions and counciltax increases. The figures are on '000s."
@yorkpress Do you accept that the removal of litter bins to save money has been a disaster and that York has suffered as a result? #presscyc— @fulfordarmsyork 29 January 2013
You've mentioned Govt funding cuts, but surely that's only part of the story. We aren't losing £21m in Govt funding over 2 years, so why do we need to save that much?
"Few technical hitches... All councils are facing a 30% reduction in funding from Government funding. Some people think the council tax they pay covers the cost of all services the council provides. In reality this only pays for 60%. 40% comes from the Government. With such large reductions, it is impossible to do everything we have done before and in the same way.
"Therefore we need to stop doing some things and we need to deliver some services in a more efficient way. We have reduced management costs by 40% and our back office function has gone from £17m a year to £13m. However savings needed in 2014/15 add up to £11m and this can't be achieved through efficiency savings alone. I believe the current funding model for councils is not sustainable and I have been raising my concerns directly with ministers."
So what is the financial situation facing the council as you prepare to set your budget?
"I have taken part in quite a few radio phone ins but this is a first. It will give me an opportunity to engage with residents and for residents to ask me anything. Let's see how this goes!"
First of all, Coun Alexander, why did you want to take part in this Q&A today?
Coun Alexander is at The Press offices and the Q&A will be starting in a few minutes.
If Twitter's not your thing, you can e-mail questions to email@example.com and email@example.com. Need to get them in quick, though...
New venture for @yorkpress today - our first live Q+A. @cityofyork leader @jmalexander is in hotseat from 3: http://t.co/4tYOGduG #presscyc— @ga_yorkpress 29 January 2013
Want to ask about what the next two years hold for council services? Or for council tax? This afternoon's Q&A is your chance to do that.
Just a reminder: all questions to Coun Alexander must be about the council's budget. We'll put as many as we can to him during the Q&A.
By the way, just as a heads-up: we're sure everything will go smoothly with the Q&A this afternoon, but if any technical snags crop up, bear with us...
If you want to put a question to Coun Alexander, send a tweet to @yorkpress using the hashtag #presscyc.
You can do that either in the next hour or during the Q&A, which will last about an hour. And Coun Alexander will be giving his response online, so here's your chance to ask what you want to ask.
Good afternoon, and welcome to The Press' live online Q&A with City of York Council leader James Alexander ahead of one of the most crucial periods of the authority's year.
The council needs to save £21 million to balance its books over the next two years, and its budget will be decided in just over four weeks.
Coun Alexander will be joining us from 3pm to answer our questions and your questions - and there is still time to pose them.
Comments (22)
Please log in to enable comment sorting
2:44pm Tue 29 Jan 13
A Northerner in Pembrokeshire says...
3:23pm Tue 29 Jan 13
only human says...
3:52pm Tue 29 Jan 13
roskoboskovic says...
4:05pm Tue 29 Jan 13
DEKKA says...
roskoboskovic wrote:Because Labour controls the council and Coun Alexander is the Labour leader. Simple really.
only one question,why is this bloke the council leader.
4:05pm Tue 29 Jan 13
mjr119 says...
This has to be the poorest argument anyone can ever raise.
Let's all list things we pay for but don't use and moan about it.
4:07pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Pedro says...
4:31pm Tue 29 Jan 13
ReginaldBiscuit says...
How is his budgie?
5:21pm Tue 29 Jan 13
R'Marcus says...
Pedro wrote:Penitence?
I pay no council tax due to being a carer and claim income support. Now they want to charge me "at least 30 percent" of the bill. So the penitence I get is going to decreased by a Sky TV bill for the benefit of them emptying my bins? Won't happen mate. Haven't enough to live on now.
That posting does not make any sense.
7:40pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Pedro says...
R'Marcus wrote:Pittance. Clicked the wrong word on the spell check.
Pedro wrote:Penitence?
I pay no council tax due to being a carer and claim income support. Now they want to charge me "at least 30 percent" of the bill. So the penitence I get is going to decreased by a Sky TV bill for the benefit of them emptying my bins? Won't happen mate. Haven't enough to live on now.
That posting does not make any sense.
7:42pm Tue 29 Jan 13
nick clogg says...
8:19pm Tue 29 Jan 13
TheTruthHurts says...
Lots of big numbers, percentages and statistics quoted but no actual answers.
I think Alexander could get hit by 50 custard pies. I bet none of it would stick
9:05pm Tue 29 Jan 13
nick clogg says...
TheTruthHurts wrote:What a waste of custard
Just quickly read through this and there seems to be lots of questions but not a lot of answers.
Lots of big numbers, percentages and statistics quoted but no actual answers.
I think Alexander could get hit by 50 custard pies. I bet none of it would stick
11:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Scarlet Pimpernel says...
ReginaldBiscuit wrote:Do you mean the one that goes 'tweet, tweet, tweet' ?
I have a question that I wanted to ask James.
How is his budgie?
11:21pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Scarlet Pimpernel says...
11:38pm Tue 29 Jan 13
andyjon12 says...
11:40pm Tue 29 Jan 13
andyjon12 says...
12:04am Wed 30 Jan 13
andyjon12 says...
9:52am Wed 30 Jan 13
Ignatius Lumpopo says...
And why a South Eastern commuter train? Is he forgetting where he works? Or does he have ambitions to move to London?
We should be told...
10:12am Wed 30 Jan 13
nick clogg says...
Ignatius Lumpopo wrote:he's in line for a by election so won't be in York long, thank God !!
Why Is Cllr. Alexander's profile picture of him caressing a Japanese Class 395 train? What's wrong with a 365 built in York ("Train-makers to the World')?
And why a South Eastern commuter train? Is he forgetting where he works? Or does he have ambitions to move to London?
We should be told...
3:09pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Pedro says...
andyjon12 wrote:That is my point. It's madness! A tax should be based on people's ability to pay. What are you going to tell these people? Don't eat for a couple of days so you have the money to pay it? I notice the pensioners are spared this nonsense - they are always viewed as the deserving poor.
Alexander is really no different than the asset rich conservatives. How can his Labour Council justify taxing JSA claimants and their children 30% council tax from April? Typically a JSA claimant will have to pay around £10.00 per week towards council tax, from an allowance of £71.00. The law says that the JSA allowance is the minimum amount that a person needs to live on, so surely if you suddenly implement this charge it is wrong? I must add that I'm not on JSA I'm a skilled electrician, who happens to be lucky enough to be in work, unlike many people who I know, who will be be affected by this unfair tax. Alexander, I bet you don't have the guts to answer my question, like I said you're no better than the Tories!
3:25pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Scarlet Pimpernel says...
nick clogg wrote:So pleased to hear this.
Ignatius Lumpopo wrote: Why Is Cllr. Alexander's profile picture of him caressing a Japanese Class 395 train? What's wrong with a 365 built in York ("Train-makers to the World')? And why a South Eastern commuter train? Is he forgetting where he works? Or does he have ambitions to move to London? We should be told...he's in line for a by election so won't be in York long, thank God !!
Hope it's a Bye Bye Election !
3:39pm Wed 30 Jan 13
idlehousewife says...
Comments are closed on this article.


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Our wine-of-the-week winner is a bombshell, a pinot noir with explosive fruit.
The Loring, 2012 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir was the striking standout in a flight of wines. Tasting it blind, it was gorgeous with generous fruit and a lush texture. It has deep cherry flavors with notes of herbs, spice and a hint of caramel in the finish. And as for $32, it's a steal for the quality.
A sun-kissed pinot like this teases the most fruit out of the grapes as possible.
"Our wines end up being on the 'bigger' side for pinots, but with softer tannins that make them drinkable early," said Brian Loring, who doubles as vintner and winemaker. "No one should feel the need to hold onto our wines for years before drinking them."
Loring became a wine geek when he was 17, working in wine shops during high school and college. But, he said, "falling in love with Burgundy in the early 1980s" is what made him choose wine as a profession after trying his hand at a couple of others.
Initially, Loring expected to be pampering patients rather than pinot noir.
"I went to college thinking I wanted to be a doctor," he said. "But after getting my biology and chemistry degrees, I decide medicine wasn't for me. It was stupid to take that long to figure it out. But then I got a computer science degree and ended up working for various aerospace companies, writing software that launched missiles and torpedoes."
Loring said he doesn't have a formal winemaking education. He just learned the nuts and bolts of it by helping with harvest at Cottonwood Canyon in Santa Maria.
The hands-on scientist said he's proud that the 2012s are his ninth vintage using screw caps instead of corks.
"Coming from an engineering background, I couldn't in good conscience produce a product with a 5- to 8-percent failure rate," Loring said. "What's been especially gratifying is that we've seen our wines age well under screw cap. ... Screw caps rule!"


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Acton Institute just published my review of Peter J. Leithart's Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom. It appears on their website and in the upcoming issue of Religion and Liberty. Source: Acton Institute | Rev. Johannes L. Jacobse Defending Constantine by Peter J. Leithart (IVP Academic, 2010) Reviewed by Johannes L. Jacobse The argument that the lifting of the persecutions of early Christians and the subsequent expansion of the Christian faith led to a "fall" of the Christian Church is more widespread than we may believe. Academics have defended it for years. Popular Christianity, especially conservative Protestantism, takes it as a truth second only to the Gospel. Towering over this argument is Constantine the Great. When Constantine faced the final battle that would determine if he became Rome's new emperor, he saw a cross shining in the sky above the sun and heard the words, "By this sign conquer." He took it to … [Read more...]
Fr. Johannes L. Jacobse: Constantine and the Great Transformation
March 8, 2011 8:28 PM


text:
Type 1 Diabetes Unit
Type 2 Diabetes Unit
Obesity Unit
Cardiovascular Metabolism Unit
Translational Research
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Diabetes Research Center
Emile R. Mohler
Professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Presbyterian Medical Center of Philadelphia and the Veteran's Administration Medical Center
Contact information
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
11-103 Translational Research Center
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: 215-573-6606
Fax: 215-746-7415
Graduate Group Affiliations
Cell and Molecular Biology
Search PubMed for articles
Search PubMed for articles
Penn Vascular Research Center
Penn Health Profile
Cardiovascular Division Faculty
B.S. (Biology, Philosophy)
Boston College, 1983.
M.S. (Physiology)
Georgetown University, 1984.
Georgetown University, 1988.
Permanent link
IDOM Home
DRC Home
Selected Publications
Mohler ER 3rd, Hiatt WR, Gornik HL, Kevil CG, Haynes WG, Annex BH
Sodium Nitrite in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: Safety, Walking Distance, and Endothelial Function
. Vascular Medicine December 2013 Notes: Epub ahead of Print.
Kimmel SE, French B, Kasner SE, Johnson JA, Anderson JL, Gage BF, Rosenberg YD, Eby CS, Madigan RA, McBane RB, Abdel-Rahman SZ, Stevens SM, Yale S, Mohler ER 3rd, Fang MC, Shah , Horenstein RB, Limdi NA, Muldowney JA 3rd, Gujral J, Delafontaine P, Desnick RJ, Ortel Tl, Billett HH, Pendleton RC, Geller NL, Halperin JL, Goldhaber SZ, Caldwell MS, Califf RM, Ellenberg JH, The COAG Investigators.
A Pharmacogenetic versus a Clinical Algorithm for Warfarin Dosing
. New England Journal of Medicine November 2013 Notes: EPub ahead of print.
Langham MC, Li C, Englund EK, Chirico EN, Mohler ER 3rd, Floyd TF, Wehrli FW
Vessel-wall imaging and quantification of flow-mediated dilation using water-selective 3D SSFP-echo
. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 15(1): 100, October 2013.
Ouma GO, Zafrir B, Mohler ER, Flugelman MY
Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Critical Limb Ischemia
. Angiology 64(6): 466-80, August 2013 Notes: Epub November 2012.
Degoma EM, Davis MD, Dunbar RL, Mohler ER 3rd, Greenland P, French B
Discordance Between non-HDL-Cholesterol and LDL-particle Measurements: Results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Athersclerosis
. Atherosclerosis 229(2): 517-23, August 2013 Notes: Epub ahead of print, March 2013.
Kurtzman N, Zhang L, French B, Jonas R, Bantly A, Rogers WT, Moore JS, Rickels MR, Mohler ER 3rd
Personalized Cytomic Assessment of Vascular Health: Evaluation of the Vascular Health Profile in Diabetes Mellitus
. Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry 84(4): 255-66, July 2013.
Ouma GO, Rodriguez E, Muthumani K, Weiner DB, Wilensky RL, Mohler ER 3rd
In Vivo Electroporation of constitutively expressed H1F-1alpha Plasmid DNA Improves Neovascularization in a Mouse Model of Limb Ischemia
. Journal of Vascular Surgery July 2013 Notes: Epub ahead of print.
Mesquita RC, Putt M, Chandra M, Yu G, Xing X, Han SW, Lech G, Shang Y, Durduran T, Zhou , Yodh AG, Mohler ER 3rd
Diffuse Optical Characterization of an Exercising Patient Group with Peripheral Artery Disease
. Journal of Biomedical Optics 18(5): 57007, May 2013.
Mohler ER, Sibley AA, Stein R, Davila-Roman D, Wyatt H, Badellino K, Rader DJ, Klein S, Foster GD
Endothelial Function and Weight Loss: Comparison of Low-Carbohydrate and Low-Fat Diets
. Obesity 21(3): 504-9, March 2013.
Langham MC, Englund EK, Mohler ER, Li C, Rodgers ZB, Floyd TF, Wehrli FW
Quantitative CMR Markers of Impaired Vascular Reactivity Associated with Age and Peripheral Artery Disease
. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 15(1): 17, February 2013.
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Last updated: 01/14/2014
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


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Program Leader: Rebecca Anderson, J.D., M.S.
This program recruits, trains and manages ethics consultants for the Nebraska Medical Center's Ethics Consultation Service. Consultants, who are on call for a week at a time, help resolve ethical questions raised by providers, patients and family members concerning care at University hospitals and clinics. On occasion, program members provide consultation for outside providers or agencies.
Several program members serve on the University's Institutional Review Board and on the Medical Center's Medical Ethics Committee where they help draft medical policy, and provide continuing education modules for committee members. Ms. Anderson serves as the ethics consultant to the liver-bowel-pancreas transplant team, and on the NMC and Douglas County committees for pandemic triage and altered standards of care.
Program members also respond to contemporary societal issues in clinical ethics. For example, Dr. Schonfeld responded to news media inquiries concerning a proposed kidney transplant for an incarcerated patient. Ms. Anderson prepared and presented scholarly analyses of the Terri Schiavo case and the proposed Humane Care Amendment to the Nebraska Constitution. She fielded news media inquiries concerning end of life issues relating to Schiavo and Pope John Paul II. Dr. Aita received national publicity for her collaboration with Dr. William Lydiatt and Scottish portrait artist Mark Gilbert in "Portraits of Care," an exploration of personal image and identity within the medical setting.
In addition, program personnel are conducting surveys in Nebraska and Michigan to assess the degree of satisfaction among providers and patients with the state-promulgated genetic testing consent forms in those states. A parallel activity, under the auspices of the American College of Medical Genetics, is the development of a consent form template which can be used nationally by all providers of genetic testing and screening.
Ongoing activities in medical ethics education include multiple classes for medical residents, medical students, nursing students, allied health students and public health students; workshops held on campus six times a year for employees interested in completing Advance Directives; twice-yearly presentations on end-of-life issues for oncology nurses; and several presentations for the annual Clinical Research Symposia.
- Biosecurity, Biopreparedness, & Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Center for Collaboration on Research Design and Analysis
- Center for Environmental Health & Toxicology
- Center for Global Health and Development
- Center for Health Policy
Center for Health Policy Analysis and Rural Health Research
- Center for Humanities, Ethics and Society
- Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH)
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities
- Rural Health Education Network
- The Great Plains Public Health Training Center


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Webcast on Demand
This on-demand webcast is available to community members. Please log in or sign up as a community member to view this webcast.
Organizations are faced with a key and critical challenge. Rising pressure to increase top line revenue growth, while at the same time improving profitability, leads to seeking productivity improvements for your talent. Sound easy? We all know that it isn't, especially with the employee viewpoint that they are already being stretched to the limit given recent workforce reductions. HR leadership has an opportunity to drive MISSION: TALENT-assuring the acquisition of talented new hires and improving the performance of the current workforce. In this webcast, we will highlight recent findings from The Corporate Executive Board;how to achieve "Breakthrough Performance" as the starting point for what organizations need to do when top-grading their talent to meet organizational objectives. We will highlight the role of assessments in identifying top new hires as well as measuring the competencies of those already in the workforce, how to leverage big data as a measuring stick for success, and the mistakes NOT to make on this mission.


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This season will be owner Nancy Shaw Cramer's last for her Main street Vineyard Haven gallery, known for its high-end artwork in every medium. But if all goes according to plan, the decision won't mean the end of art upstairs.
A bit of New Orleans has popped up at 11 North Summer street in Edgartown. The music spilling out onto the sidewalk is the first hint of something different. The artwork takes it from there.
The new gallery displays the work of Chris Roberts-Antieau, a New Orleansbased artist and forward thinker who has decided to set up shop on the Island for the first time with a temporary gallery.
Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of most art galleries across the Island. Artists have busied themselves all winter with the creative process and now they're ready to share.
The idea for The Workshop was born over dinner in September. Artists Dan VanLandingham, Lauren Coggins-Tuttle, Terry Crimmen and Tara Kenny were planning to rent a space together next spring but when a building became available on the Vineyard Haven waterfront, they leaped at it, paintbrushes at the ready.
© 2014 Vineyard Gazette


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Program Objectives
The CSU-LSAMP Program is a comprehensive, statewide program dedicated to increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups (URM) graduating from campuses of the California State University (CSU) with baccalaureate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Eligibility for the CSU-LSAMP program is restricted to students who face or have faced social, educational, or economic barriers to careers in STEM. Initiated in 1994, the CSU-LSAMP Alliance currently consists of the 23 campuses of the CSU. The Phase V of CSU-LSAMP proposed a continued emphasis on activities designed to enhance graduate school preparedness of upper division students and activities designed to increase academic preparation and performance in core "gatekeeper" courses.
Applications for Research Interns and Academic Excellence Workshop Facilitators are now being accepted for Fall 2013 Interns and Facilitator:
Intern and Facilitator Application Form
CSU-LSAMP is funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) under grant #HRD-1302873 and the Chancellor's Office of the California State University. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Chancellor's Office of the CSU.


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Highway 17 is open Thursday morning, following a seven-hour shutdown caused when a tractor-trailer hauling nitrogen caught fire on the Santa Clara County side of the mountain road, the California Highway Patrol reported.
of the winding road between San Jose and Santa Cruz. It closed the highway in both directions Wednesday night.
The big-rig involved was a nitrogen tanker truck that caught fire near Redwood Estates, according to the CHP traffic incident report posted online. The flames spread to a nearby hillside, igniting a half-acre grass fire.
Fire crews responding to the tractor-trailer fire said residents who live in the Redwood Estates community in Los Gatos did not have to be evacuated and no injuries were reported.
California Highway Patrol announced the highway would be closed in both directions at 10:36 p.m. Traffic was rerouted on Bear Creek Road and Summit Road to avoid the fire.
The northbound lanes reopened around 1:30 a.m. Thursday; the southbound lanes were cleared for traffic by 5:45 a.m.
There was no information immediately available about what caused the crash.
—Bay City News contributed to this report


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Here is a family favorite that i have been cooking for years. Since it is that time of year where we have potlucks, its a great item to take with us.
2-3 lbs of little smokies
16 oz of pace picante sauce (do not substitiute, i use mild)
16 oz of heinz ketcheup
1/2 cup brown sugar (note:less sugar makes it spicer, you can go up to 3/4 cup to make it a sweeter sauce)
1 - medium sized onion, sliced. (Halved)
4 - slices of raw bacon (halved)
A dash of worcestershire sauce
(optional) Up to 1/2 cup of flour to make sauce thicker. Note this may change coloring slightly, so add sparingly.
(optional) chilli powder or other spices your family likes to make it spicer.
What i like to is boil off the smokies, i have been known to use a can of beer in the water - seems to add a little to the taste, in my drinking days, once boiled, drain and place in crockpot
I also like to place all the remaining ingrediant in a medium sauce pan, thouroughly mix, bring to slight simmer, and place in crockpot.
i like to let them soak overnight, and then start them out early in the morning on low heat, for most of the day, until the party happens.
The sauce is awesome and is good for dipping, the smokies, melt in your mouth. Enjoy, try it out and let us know what you think.


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After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a period of time before you have to begin repayment. This "grace period" will be:
You have a choice of several repayment plans that are designed to meet the different needs of individual borrowers. The amount you pay and the length of time to repay your loans will vary depending on the repayment plan you choose.
Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information about the various repayment plans and to calculate your estimated repayment amount under each of the different plans.
Your loan servicer will provide information about repayment and will notify you of the date loan repayment begins. It is very important that you make your full loan payment on time either monthly or according to your repayment schedule.
If you do not pay on time, you could end up in default, which has serious consequences. Student loans are real loans—just as real as car loans or mortgages. You have to pay back your student loans.
The U.S. Department of Education's National Student Loan Data System provides information on your federal loans including loan types, disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and the total amount of all your loans.
If you're not sure who your loan servicer is, you can look it up on the NSLDS or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID or TTY 1-800-730-8913.
If you have specific questions about repaying FFEL, Direct or Perkins Loans, contact your loan servicer. In the case of Perkins Loans, your servicer will be the school that made the loan.
For more information on repayment of student loans, please refer to the Federal Student Aid website.


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|Let the obsession continue
By Will Maines
I HAVEN'T BEEN this excited in a long, long time. I haven't been this excited since, well, last September when I was counting down the days until I could head for North Dakota and my annual date with duck camp.
Shoot, six months qualifies as a long, long time, doesn't it?
Regardless of your thoughts on that, there is good reason for me being excited. No, it's not time for duck camp again, nor even spring snow goose hunt camp, but it is time for turkey camp, and that is always reason enough for excitement.This year, as I may have sorta mentioned off-handedly a time
|Tuesday, April 02, 2013 2:09 PM


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The 2009-10 NBA season was supposed to be the year of the superpowers. The arms race between Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, the Lakers and San Antonio was the dominant theme all offseason, and we were all prepared for there to be a clear distinction between the haves, the sort-of haves and the have nots.
Well, we're now nearly halfway through the season, and that distinction has yet to emerge. The superpowers are struggling, and the teams in the tier below are showing more spunk then expected. If I had told you that we would have nine teams with at least 23 wins at this point of the season, would you have believed me? Maybe. But what if I told you that there wasn't a single team with more than 30 wins? That, you probably wouldn't have believed.
The toughest part of this week's rankings was answering this question: are there more contenders, or are there just fewer super contenders? The long-term answer is that we're probably seeing a combination of both extremes. For this week, though, I ended up leaning towards there being fewer super contenders. Next week, I'm sure I'll think differently.
(To see last week's rankings, click here. We'll use the same categories to separate the teams into tiers).
30. New Jersey Nets: 3-34 overall, 0-4 last week
SBN Blog: Nets Daily
Last week: 30
Four losses, all by double digits. Welcome back to your own category, New Jersey Nets! We missed you here.
If there's a bright side to all of this, it's that Yi Jianlian is finally doing something. He averaged 16.3 points per game in the four games this week, and there's talk that he's moved onto the Nets' untouchable list, possibly bumping Devin Harris off it. To this, I say, Yi Jianlian? Really? If the Nets are in position to sign Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire this offseason, I hope they don't say to themselves, "Gee, we're really concerned about that guy blocking Yi Jianlian."
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: 8-31 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: Canis Hoopus
Last week: 29.
Minnesota got a revenge win over Indiana last Friday, but lost the other three games they played, including a home game to Golden State, which isn't exactly a road juggernaut.
But the real news this week with the Timberwolves is the report that they offered Al Jefferson to Indiana for Danny Granger, which the Pacers rejected as if they were the lead cheerleader that was asked out by the nerdy kid with glasses and freckles. As much as the Timberwolves want to deny it, I'm sensing some real bad vibes coming out about the long-term future of the Jefferson/Kevin Love combo. They play the same position, do similar things and have the same agent, so as long as they're on the same team, they'll cramp each other's style and future earnings. Even Canis Hoopus, previously a defender of the Love/Jefferson combo, is conceding that it probably won't work long-term.
So, who do you choose? I was leaning Love anyway, because he does more things than Jefferson, but this video kind of sealed it for me. Anytime you can make a player mix with Haddaway as the background music and have it make sense, you have to keep that guy.
28. Detroit Pistons: 11-25 overall, 0-4 last week
SBN Blog: Detroit Bad Boys.
Last week: 26.
Thirteen losses and counting for the Pistons, who can't even use the "we're not healthy" excuse anymore, since Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are back. In fact, that's probably the problem. When the Pistons had a simple three-guard rotation of Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon and Will Bynum, they played better. Once that got disrupted, they started to suck. You'd think that trading Prince and Hamilton would be on the horizon for Joe Dumars, but Prince isn't the same player he once was and Hamilton has three more years left on a massive (and pointless) contract extension signed by Dumars himself last year.
27. Golden State Warriors: 11-25 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Golden State of Mind
Last week: 27.
A pretty good week for the Warriors, who beat Minnesota and Sacramento while also putting up a good fight in a loss to Cleveland last night. It's too bad this team is just run-of-the-mill bad right now instead of being the dysfunctional mess of the league. Dysfunctional messes are more fun to follow, unless your team is the Wizards. Sigh.
With nothing to play for and no dysfunction to put down, Golden State is doing their best to get sharpshooter Anthony Morrow into the three-point contest. This is a cool start.
26. Philadelphia 76ers: 12-25 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Liberty Ballers
Last week: 24.
Philly's two wins were against the woeful Pistons and at home to the Hornets when the Hornets were at the end of a five-game in seven-day stretch in five different cities. And they barely won that last one. One of their losses came at home to a Wizards team that was in the middle of dealing with all the Gilbert Arenas fallout. Smoke and mirrors, my friend. Smoke and mirrors.
25. Indiana Pacers: 12-25 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Indy Cornrows
Last week: 28.
I confess that this is sort of a preemptive ranking for Indiana, because Danny Granger is back and things should improve from there. But you have to be impressed by Indiana's week this week regardless. They beat powerhouse Orlando and a decent Toronto team while putting up a good fight in a loss in Oklahoma City. Not too shabby.
It would be nice, though, if Roy Hibbert could show some consistency. Young bigs, man, they're tough to deal with.
24. Washington Wizards: 10-21 overall, 0-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Bullets Forever
Last week: 25
To steal a line from Tom Ziller, we talkin' about finger guns man.
We also are apparently talkin' about someone spraying themselves with someone else's cologne. Welcome back, Andray Blatche! We'll miss you, Seven Day Dray.
23. New York Knicks: 15-22 overall, 1-2 last week
SBN Blog: Posting and Toasting
Last week: 22.
I know I've talked about this before, but there's something weird about the Knicks scoring just 97, 96 and 88 points in their games this week. To be fair, they played three excellent defensive teams this week in Charlotte, Houston and Oklahoma City, but this is not the Knicks I expected to see this year. Hey, if it gets them into the playoffs, I can't really complain, but if not, then I feel deprived.
22. Chicago Bulls: 16-20 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Blog A Bull
Last week: 21.
Speaking of smoke and mirrors, the Bulls got their two wins in home games against the Pistons and Timberwolves. Their record may look better, but they are not a better team. Sorry. It's true that they were 14-20 last year, which they also were this year, but as this extensive Blog A Bull post shows, this year brings different circumstances that will probably prevent the Bulls from ever reaching .500.
And you know what that means. Angry, bitter Bulls fans bitching (correctly, I might add) about their dysfunctional organization, their braindead coach, their overpaid swingman, their chucking shooting guard and their cerebral backup point guard whom the organization treats like a son. Can't wait!
21. Sacramento Kings: 15-21 overall, 1-2 last week
SBN Blog: Sactown Royalty
Last week: 18.
Sadly, it looks like the shine is wearing off on this team. Or, more accurately, they just weren't that great to begin with and benefited from an easy schedule and an under-the-radar mentality that won't be in play going forward. That's no big deal -- this Kings team wasn't supposed to win even this much right away -- but we might need to chill on the Paul Westphal for Coach of the Year talk.
One thing we shouldn't chill on is Tyreke Evans. He's still awesome. Anytime you prompt the normally subdued Jerry Reynolds to go all "if you aren't impressed, you aren't watching the games" on us, you're special.
20. Milwaukee Bucks: 15-20 overall, 2-1 this week
SBN Blog: Brew Hoop
Last week: 23
Milwaukee's now won three of their last four and deserve this jump in the rankings. However, the Bucks' week has been defined by two stories. One is Scott Skiles going to the hospital after last night's win over the Suns. Here's hoping everything is alright with him.
The other is Michael Redd. As in Michael "I'm so injury-prone that I've torn my ACL and MCL in the same knee twice in one calender year" Redd. With all the talk about Gilbert Arenas having the worst contract in NBA history (slight exaggeration), I'm wondering why there hasn't been more talk about the colossal mistake the Bucks made in 2005 to sign Redd to a max contract extension. Even at his best, Redd's a one-dimensional player who doesn't play good defense and isn't a great passer. You don't build teams around those guys. No disrespect to Redd, who seems like a wonderful guy that's squeezed every ounce of talent out of his body, but he's just not a franchise cornerstone. He belongs in a place like Cleveland, where he can get kickouts from LeBron James, not in Milwaukee, where he has to carry a crappy team.
For more on Redd, this Brew Hoop post covers all angles. It's a shame Milwaukee doesn't get more visibility, because their writers and bloggers are top notch.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: 16-19 overall, 2-1 last week
SBN Blog: Rufus on Fire
Last week: 19.
I confess that I haven't watched nearly as many Bobcat games as I should this year. Let's face it, there's only a certain amount of games that one can watch at once on a given night, and the Bobcats usually get passed over for more interesting teams. But I did watch the Grizzlies-Bobcats showdown on Saturday night, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I can't say this team is watchable yet, but there's some serious underground potential here. They may be on their way to 35 wins regardless, but if you're a hardcore fan, you'll probably find some things worth watching here.
One such thing? Gerald Wallace. If anyone deserves a song made in their honor by a Bobcats blogger, it's Gerald Wallace.
18. Toronto Raptors: 19-20, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Raptors HQ
Last week: 17.
If you look up "mediocre" in the dictionary, you'll see that "2009/10 Toronto Raptors" is a synonym. Don't believe me? Look yourself.
Because, see, mediocre teams beat Orlando and then lose to Indiana in the same week (blowing a 23-point lead no less). Mediocre teams inspire their fans to write rants like this after they lose. Mediocre teams lose their frustrated superstars when they become free agents (the Chris Bosh alert is on).
Because this is the East, they'll go 41-41, get the sixth seed and be blasted by one of the East's Big Four in the first round. Then, once Bosh leaves, they'll be stuck with a bloated payroll for several years, thanks to the long contracts for Jose Calderon, Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani. Toronto fans deserve better, but they won't get it. Sad.
(Okay, sorry, enough fatalism. I admit I went overboard there. Raptor fans, can I make it up to you by showing this ridiculous pass from Turkoglu to DeMar DeRozan? Please).
17. Memphis Grizzlies18-18 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Straight Outta Vancouver
Last week: 13
Dear Memphis fans,
You haven't been punished. I just put you on too high a pedestal by ranking you 13th last week. Please don't take offense. You still have an interesting up-and-coming team that's on my League Pass must-watch list.
16. Miami Heat: 18-18 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Peninsula is Mightier
Last week: 14.
Last night's disaster loss to the Jazz really made its mark on me. Save for Dwyane Wade, there's really nothing to like here, and if Wade suffers any residual effects from his injury last night, the Heat are toast. It's really quite simple. Rafer Alston isn't going to change much of anything.
I do want to give two thumbs up to Peninsula is Mightier for making light of a disastrous loss last night.
It became obvious to me while watching this game that the Heat fell victim to the party town that is Salt Lake City. As often happens to team when they come to Miami, the Heat must have gone straight to the happening night-life part of town (The Bearded Goat, The Butter Churn or whatever the hotspots are in Utah) and couldn't recover in time to play the Jazz on Monday night. Damn you, Salt Lake City...why do you have to be such a happening party location and distraction to our amazing basketball team?
15. Los Angeles Clippers: 17-18 overall, 2-0 last week
SBN Blog: Clips Nation.
Last week: 20.
When I proclaimed the Clippers to be the next "it" team last week, I didn't expect it to happen right away. I figured that it would happen once Blake Griffin returned. But the Clippers have now won four straight games, the last three coming against Portland, the Lakers and Miami. Sure, all were home games, but all of those wins were by double digits. That's remarkably impressive.
My favorite part of this whole run was this line from a recent Clips Nation post.
I also overheard a Times' senior NBA columnist, who I shan't name (rhymes with Park Chrysler) on the phone with his editor. I wasn't eavesdropping by any means, and you shouldn't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure I heard him say something to the effect that he wanted to write a piece on the Clippers instead of that other team because "The Clippers are more interesting right now."
See, that's music to my ears. As a Wizards fan, I naturally flock to the teams that get disrespected nationally. No fanbase in the league has been disrespected more over the years than Clippers fans. To a certain degree, you can't choose your team as a fan. It's kind of given to you, whether it's because of location, family background or any number of external factors. So when national guys constantly bash the Clippers, there's really nothing a Clipper fan can do except take the heat and hope for the best. They have to cherish the small victories, such as a four-game winning streak and a columnist saying they'd rather write one column about the Clippers that they'd normally write about the Lakers.
Maybe that's why, despite their stodgy play early, I've watched the Clippers on League Pass more than nearly any other team other than the Wizards. I want this team to succeed badly, and seeing them have even some short-term success is really great.
14. New Orleans Hornets: 19-17 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: At the Hive
Last week: 15.
New Orleans is playing well right now, no question. They had a six-game winning streak snapped in Philadelphia last night, and I can't really blame them for that loss because it was their fifth game in seven days in five different cities. But I still can't fully get behind them at this point, and I'm not sure I ever will.
Why? Consider that the Hornets' six wins in a row came by the following margins: 4, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5. I don't want to get into too much of a tug of war between the stat community and the general NBA watching community, but there's no question that winning several close games in a row is caused more by luck than skill. Sure, you have to execute down the stretch, but if you're putting yourself in that position in the first place, it means you're consistently about as good as the teams you're playing. Good teams win blowouts, not tight games, because too much can happen beyond a team's immediate control in close contests.
I guess we'll see what happens with this team going forward, but in my eyes, their only accomplishment is rising up the tiers of mediocrity.
13. Utah Jazz: 21-17 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: SLC Dunk
Last week: 16.
They righted the ship significantly with three wins last week, including a very impressive win at Dallas. That's not the Jazz team we all know.
But even though they're 21-17, the dark cloud over this team still is present. Are they going to try to compete, or are they just trying to cut their luxury tax bill? It's looking like the latter is a higher priority, as indicated by the giving away of first-round draft pick Eric Maynor. Should it be the priority? That's a tough question that even Jazz fans struggle with.
What gets me is how unprepared the Jazz seemed for Carlos Boozer opting in last year and throwing their tax bill through the roof. As soon as Boozer got hurt last year, they should have realized he probably wasn't opting out. Instead, they acted as if they were crossing their fingers hoping for the best. Now, for the second straight year, contract issues and off-court stuff are seeping into Utah's locker room. You simply cannot be a contender for anything when you're playing under these circumstances.
You can be decent. You can even be a playoff team. But unless you have a transcendent player who can keep everyone in line, you can't be a championship contender. I guess this is my way of saying Utah will always be in the mediocre category unless something drastically changes.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: 21-16 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Welcome To Loud City
Last week: 12.
We've already professed our love affair with Kevin Durant on SBNation.com enough this week, so instead of commenting further here, I'll just refer you to this post and this post.
If you're still here, allow me to allow you to enjoy Kevin Durant in high definition.
11. Portland Traiblazers: 23-16 overall, 1-2 last week
SBN Blog: Blazers Edge
Last week: 10.
I'm sensing the beginning of a slow fall for Portland. How slow? We probably won't notice it until the season-ending record comes out a lot lower than we expected. We can't blame the Blazers, of course, since they're down so many key players, but that doesn't mean they should be any higher than 11th in this week's rankings.
There's also the brewing discontent between Andre Miller and Nate McMillan. They had a shouting match in practice this week, and Blazers Edge covers all angles of it here. In a normal world, the Blazers would be doing everything they could to rid themselves of Miller so they can get some value back, but with so many players injured, the need for any healthy bodies becomes greater. I'm probably being a bit too fatalistic here -- athletes and coaches argue even when they're on the best of terms -- but it's clear the Andre Miller experiment has been a failure.
10. Houston Rockets: 21-16 overall, 1-2 last week
SBN Blog: The Dream Shake
Last week: 8
So Houston wants Chris Bosh, ey? And they're willing to take him without first negotiating a contract extension?
This shouldn't be a huge surprise. In case it wasn't clear from hearing their name in a zillion trade rumors, the Rockets have assembled a treasure chest of trade assets they could use to upgrade the team for now and for down the road. It's pretty scary, to be honest, if you're a fan of another Western Conference contender. The Lakers should be freaked out about all the possibilities Houston has in the trade market.
For example, if the Rockets are willing to take on a ton of long-term salary (not out of the question -- remember, Houston's been winning and getting home playoff games for years despite being under the luxury tax, so they have a financial windfall), they could conceivably do the following:
Trade 1: Trevor Ariza, Luis Scola, Brian Cook and David Andersen to Toronto for Bosh, Sonny Weems and Patrick O'Bryant. The Raptors turn a guy they were probably going to lose anyway (Bosh) into three solid rotation players in Ariza, Scola and Andersen, which is way better than getting nothing.
Trade 2: As rumored on ESPN, Tracy McGrady's massive expiring contract to Toronto for Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert. Philly cuts a ton of long-term money, which they need to do considering how much the organization is struggling financially, and finally gets rid of Dalembert. Meanwhile, the Rockets get a solid two-way player in Iguodala who is still very young.
This ends up being Houston's roster in 2010/11
PG: Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry
SG: Shane Battier, Chase Budinger
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: Chris Bosh, Carl Landry
C: Yao Ming, Samuel Dalembert, Chuck Hayes
Now THAT'S a scary team. Houston could then flip Dalembert for two other rotation players (by 2011, Dalembert has an expiring contract) and field an even better team. That sound you heard is the Lakers cowering in fear.
9. Phoenix Suns: 24-14 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Bright Side of the Sun.
Last week: 9
Alright, so I think it's safe to say that Phoenix is not the 2006/07 Magic. They'll be very much a part of the picture all the way until the end of the season. I'm still not convinced they're a second-round team yet, but they're good.
It's also nice to see coaches and players get upset even when they win. Say what you want about Phoenix, but they still have among the most professional locker room in the game. That helps them squeeze every drop of talent out of the inherently flawed roster they have. Well, that and Steve Nash.
8. Denver Nuggets: 24-14 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Denver Stiffs.
Last week: 11.
Every so often, we're reminded of how much top-to-bottom talent the Nuggets have on their roster. Last Friday's thrilling 99-97 win over the Cavaliers was one of those reminders. The Nuggets toppled the best team in the league as of right now despite missing Carmelo Anthony. That's mighty impressive.
Of course, we're also reminded every so often why this team is so frustrating. The loss to reeling Sacramento the next night is evidence of that. The Nuggets still lack the consistent focus and cohesiveness to win those routine road games against average teams. Just ask J.R. Smith.
But despite all of that, if I'm a Western Conference playoff team, I do not want to see these guys. They're finally healthy again, and they have a way of playing their best against the very best teams. They're also likely to add another big man, whether it's Brendan Haywood or Jeff Foster or someone else, and that would make them even more dangerous. This is a team built for the playoffs, and they're bored by the regular season. Is that a fatal flaw that will prevent them from winning the title? Absolutely. But it's still something that makes them very, very scary in the playoffs.
7. San Antonio Spurs: 22-13 overall, 2-1 last week
SBN Blog: Pounding the Rock.
Last week: 5
They're still not quite there yet. A loss at home to Dallas proves that. But they're getting there, and they'll be there eventually. Remember, the annual rodeo trip, which has become the time when the Spurs decide they want to get serious, is only three weeks away.
6. Orlando Magic: 25-12 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: Orlando Pinstriped Post.
Last week: 4
Whoa boy. Whooooaaaa boy.
So there's clearly something wrong in Orlando right now that one blowout win to Atlanta, a tired team that just came off an emotional win over Boston, won't solve. I don't think I need to state what happened to the Magic this week, but I will anyway. Three straight losses to Indiana, Toronto (at home) and Washington in its first home game after Gilbert Arenas' suspension.
It appears that Vince Carter has become the scapegoat. After all, Carter missed the Atlanta game, and with J.J. Redick starting, the Magic won in a blowout. There's talk of Redick replacing Carter in the starting lineup, a move Orlando Pinstriped Post endorses tepidly. I use the term "scapegoat" not to totally absolve Carter, but to illustrate that there might be bigger issues at play.
You want to know one, in my opinion? Here's a hint: he was an all-star last season, a season in which he had a PER of 20.6 and a true shooting percentage of 61.2%, all while serving as a member of the league's best defense. This season, those numbers are down to a 14.1 PER and a mediocre 50.3% true shooting percentage, all while playing terrible defense. Who am I talking about? Jameer Nelson, of course. Lost in the shuffle of all the Carter stuff is that Nelson isn't anywhere close to being the same player he was last season. I realize Nelson was hurt this season, that strikes me as a bigger issue than deciding whether Carter should be a starter or a sixth man.
Then again, I'm also not as close to Orlando as their fans. So guys, please let me know if I'm off base here. Is Nelson's declining production in part because of Carter? I'd say no, but I'm willing to listen. Help me out here.
(I will admit that I laughed when I first saw Carter's injury against the Wizards. I mean, any time an Andray Blatche screen causes you to wiggle on the floor for several minutes, it's proof that you're probably a little soft, to say the least).
5. Dallas Mavericks: 25-12 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Mavs Moneyball
Last week: 5.
Dallas continues it's odd routine of losing games badly after they experience a sustained period of success, dropping a home game to Utah by 18 after winning a big road game over the Spurs. Dallas is the kind of team that practically defines "successful, not quite championship caliber," but as long as they keep performing this well record-wise, they have to be up here.
Plus, if they can get Erick Dampier to continue hitting threes, they'll have yet another weapon to use.
4. Atlanta Hawks: 24-13 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Peachtree Hoops.
Last week: 6.
I'm putting Atlanta up here even though they have a worse record than the Magic and got drilled by them this week. Why? Two wins over Boston in the same week. That's really impressive, even if it's becoming clear Atlanta and Joe Johnson kind of own the Celtics (Tommy Heinsohn's pleas for "fair" officiating aside).
You know, this brings up an interesting tic-tac-toe scenario in the East. Atlanta clearly is a matchup nightmare for the Celtics, as indicated by their 3-0 record against them this year. Orlando, by virtue of two blowout wins, clearly seems like a terrible matchup for Atlanta. Finally, though Magic fans may protest, I continue to strongly believe the Celtics are a terrible matchup for Orlando. The question is where Cleveland fits in to all of this. I'm honestly not sure.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: 29-8 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Silver Screen and Roll
Last week: 2
I seriously debated whether to put the Lakers or Celtics second, finally settling on the Lakers because their losses this week were worse than Boston's losses.
There's something off about the Lakers right now, and as a fan of the Triangle and the harmony that this team brings to the table when they are clicking, it bugs me. I'm severely doubting the credibility of this weekend's Chris Bosh for Andrew Bynum rumors, because they're coming from Peter Vescey, but it definitely feels like Bynum is struggling in the middle of the season for the umpteenth time in a row. Pau Gasol's injury hurts a ton, and the Lakers' lack of depth continues to show up. Right now, we're looking at Kobe Bryant and a bunch of guys not pulling their weight.
The Lakers have a great opportunity to make a statement this week, with road games against San Antonio and Dallas tonight and tomorrow night. They could blow those teams out and it wouldn't surprise me. They could lose both and it wouldn't surprise me. Drama always seems to find Phil Jackson-coached teams, and they end up being okay in the end, but it's also possible this year is different. These next two games will give us a better idea which of those two extremes is closer to the truth.
2. Boston Celtics: 26-10 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Celtics Blog.
Last week: 3
I still feel like this team is just biding it's time until it gets healthy again, so midseason struggles don't phase me. Reading this, though, does.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said on Monday night that forward Kevin Garnett has been resting quite a bit since he last played in a game.
Rivers has held Garnett out since Dec. 28, when he logged 31 minutes against the Warriors.
"He's been shooting and stuff," Rivers said prior to Boston's game against Atlanta. "But no running or anything like that."
I don't know about you, but that does not strike me as a normal rehab for what's merely being dubbed as a hyperextended knee. But that's just me.
For now, let's just relive last night's Celtics-Hawks game, easily the game of the week. This one had it all - ejections, flagrant fouls, huge shots, big momentum swings, etc. It's cliche to call a game a "playoff preview," but that designation definitely fits here.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: 30-10 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Fear the Sword
Last week: 1
Still the number one team by default, because the other contenders are going through some rough times.
On a different note, because it's January, we're once again going through the "Cleveland wants Antawn Jamison" dance. I figured a Jamison trade was bound to happen last season, but it didn't. Now, it seems even more bound to happen, with the Wizards struggling and all.
My favorite part of this whole process is how Cleveland writers clearly want it to happen. I can't really pin this down to one article, but there's a distinct tone of "Jamison deserves to go to Cleveland" that cracks me up. Does he deserve to get away from the Wizards? Absolutely. But does he deserve Cleveland over any other contender? I can't support that. Sorry.
Then again, it's a trade that makes too much sense not to happen. Which means it probably won't happen, since we're talking about NBA GMs here.


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-Most romantic: Romance Bar- Dark chocolate, gold flakes, chocolate butterfly, rose petals, strawberries.
-Best sense of humor: Milk chocolate with bacon and chipotles as a wedding favor (weirdest order yet.)
-Most popular: Smores Bar- Milk chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows.
-Most likely to succeed: Dark chocolate with plaque that says "will you marry me?" (who would ever say no to this.)
-Most likely to fail: Milk chocolate with bacon, mini chipotles, sour patch kids, pop rocks, potato chips.
-Most likely to become president: Dark chocolate with almonds, pistachios (the bar we sent to Barack Obama.)
-The early bird: Dark chocolate with ground coffee, whole coffee beans.
-Most attractive: Dark chocolate with sliced almonds, blueberries, goji berries, candied violet petals.
-Most fun: Milk chocolate with pop rocks, gummi bears, chocolate candy.
-Most retro: Milk chocolate with good & plenty, gushers, pop rocks, message hearts.
-Most extravagant: White chocolate with 23 karat gold flakes, rose petals, chocolate butterfly.
-Hottest: Dark chocolate with chipotles, peppercorns, wasabi peas, cayenne pepper.
-Most likely to be remembered: Milk chocolate with bacon.
-Most likely to seduce: Valentine's Day Bar – Crystallized rose petals, candy sugar hearts, message hearts, happy valentine plaque.
-Most likely to be famous in 10 years: Candy Bar- Milk chocolate with gummi bears, chocolate candy, nerds.
-Coolest: Summer chocolate bar- White chocolate, chocolate candy, toffee.
-Most likely to be inhaled by your kids: Milk chocolate with gummi bears, candied rose petals, sour patch kids, pop rocks.
-Most likely to cure a disease: goji berries, flax seeds, cranberries.
Thanks to all our customers who ordered these bars and helped put the list together. Let me know if you guys can think of anything else to add!


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Related Stories
The Cowboys waived DB Bryan McCann and re-signed WR Laurent Robinson on Tuesday.
Robinson, a fourth-year veteran, was with the team before the season but cut after Week One. The Cowboys are expected to be without WR Miles Austin for some time with a hamstring injury.
McCann, the team's kickoff returner and a gunner, had a 97-yard punt-return touchdown and 101-yard interception-return touchdown as a rookie last season.


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I've been periodically checking GuideStar every so often to see when the Big East would release an updated 990 form (which nonprofits have to file with the IRS.) It was tough slogging for a while, but once again I finally hit pay dirt. Want to see what John Marinatto made last year for his "leadership"? That'll be page 7. Revenue numbers start on page 9. What exactly is the difference between the two sets of payout figures? One says Rutgers was paid $8.16 million by the Big East, while the other says $4.36 million. (Both sets include all schools, and aren't broken down by sport.) In fact, I think they went and filed an updated 2010 form that didn't include that breakdown, as I remember it from last year. Forms for private universities such as Syracuse remain a useful source of information - the last page of SU's sheet indicates a $1.9 million payout to Jim Boeheim, and a $1.26 million payout to Doug Marrone. Another item of note: the Big Ten paid approximately $23 million to its member teams in this time period, while the ACC ranged from $11 to $14 million.
Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti may not be the Big East commissioner, but no athletic director arguably holds more sway over the future of the conference. A little over a year ago, it was Pernetti, West Virginia's Oliver Luck, and Pitt's Steve Pederson dragging the Big East kicking and screaming into a modern age focused on football and television revenue. Luck and Pederson split, meaning Pernetti was all alone on an island. Yet here we stand today, with the league remade in his image, and ready to stare down ESPN in a game of chicken. Pernetti's former colleagues from CBS and CSTV are now in charge of negotiations, and his bold vision for the conference and Rutgers athletics looks poised to come to fruition. We're not out of the woods yet, with ESPN poised to sling every bit of mud possible to lower the conference's asking price. The league finally has competent leadership in place after decades of futility though, and looks poised to prove the naysayers wrong once again.
That's the word from Brett McMurphy from CBS. Talk was that this would happen eventually. Navy clearly wanted to have access to a BCS bid and a better television contract, but had to work out clearing their future schedules first. Now the Big East just needs to find a twelfth team (Temple?), and John Marinatto needs to stop opening his big mouth, sit back, and let Tim Pernetti take charge on negotiations with ESPN and Versus. Update: Tom Luicci said that the BE had to make major concessions to Navy. Naturally, the Louisville to the Big XII rumors also restarted, although no one would ever accuse Brad Wolverton of knowing what he's talking about.
Feeling gloomy about Rutgers continuing to be stuck in the Big East? Who isn't, but Matt Hayes from the Sporting News at least reports that NBC/Versus continue to have interest in bidding on the Big East's television contract. That's important, if only to scare ESPN into pushing another conference to act. Well, until the one true superconference comes into fruition. This conversation is also interesting in the context of growing cable provider frustration over ESPN's fees. Right on the heels of that, the NY Times crunched the numbers, finding that the average cable subscriber pays $100 a year for sports. Maybe this is just anecdotal evidence, but it does seem like more and more people are dropping cable for iTunes/Netflix/Amazon/etc... All the more reason for sports networks like ESPN to actually get their heads together and offer a comprehensive on-demand service. Why, oh why, do consumers always seem to feel the negative effects of cartels, and never the seemingly-benevolent benefits? Is the lack of any half-way decent on demand (which would at most require the finest technology that 1996 have to offer) more a result of rights issues, or of ESPN and the various leagues being scared to death of anything that could even theoretically seem like a slippery slope to ala carte cable?
In case there was any question that the Big East basketball schools run the conference like a dictatorship. The Big East is reportedly poised to add Memphis, because Temple would be too threatening to Villanova's privileged status. The same Memphis that would be the third BCS conference team in a relatively small state. The same Memphis that has one of the worst football programs in the country. I don't know if West Virginia's suit will succeed, but yeah, I think they at least have a good point that the Big East conference is intentionally wrecking football. Now everything is poised on federated members like Boise and Air Force actually joining - which probably happens, as the Big East is still far more desirable than the MWC or similar options. Stay tuned.
Mark Blaudschun from the Boston Globe is well-established as a mouthpiece for the Big East conference leadership. Blaudschun's story today about merging the Big East with Conference USA and the Mountain West can only inspire two possible, related reactions. 1. Pure horror and revulsion. 2. Now more than ever, it is crystal clear that the Big East conference leadership stands firmly against the Big East football schools, and is trying to thwart and denigrate them at every turn. What possible upside is there for Big East football in this story? Merely contemplating this scenario is crossing an unforgivable rubicon. It is in the interests of the Big East conference to extract as large a television contract as possible for all sports, but that isn't necessarily in the best interest of the traitorous basketball schools. For all the talk of collective good, they only care about their own immediate gratification, and have zero regard for any possible consequences. This leak is a shot across the bow against Big East football, and the continued behind the scenes angling to take the conference's television rights to the open market. The basketball schools now that they are the losers in any split, and are making a last ditch effort to flex their muscles and jockey for negotiating position. It won't work, and this latest gesture of bad faith will do them no favors once the knives really start coming out.
I was just looking at my 2009 copy of the BE's form 990, and decided to check GuideStar to see if they had the 2010 form yet (as they hadn't as of a few months ago.) Lo and behold, it's there now. Want to know why the Big East is about to die? Let's use UConn as an example, as there are few athletic departments more skewed towards basketball over football than UConn. However, UConn barely made less than 100k more for basketball than it did for football. Football, now and forever, is the television revenue king - even in a conference like the Big East that tried to marginalize football at every opportunity. Digging around GuideStar for info on non-profits can be hit or miss, but occasionally there is informative stuff; like the BE return, Big Ten, ACC, or page 52 of Syracuse's.
This actually wasn't a fake vote. The football schools shouldn't have to play this blackmail, but consider it insurance while working on a way out.
Big East football should vote no
First it was to Lenn Robbins in the NY Post this morning, reporting that the Big East would expand to twelve football teams, double the football exit fees to $10m (with no change for basketball), and that Villanova successfully blocked Temple's admission for all-sports. Now Brett McMurphy is seconding that report. Let's recap: 1. Big East football is dying, and yet the conference's first (and only) priority is to preserve undeserved privilege for its eight basketball programs no matter what the cost. That is exactly why Pittsburgh and Syracuse left for the ACC. They're conceivably adding a second team in Texas now instead of, you know, a program that actually plays in the Northeast in Temple. The fact that John Marinatto still has comfortable job security (as do Jim Burr and Tim Higgins!) speaks volumes about where the league's priorities are at right now. 2. Given how these leaks are coming from John Marinatto's trusted mouthpieces, there's still hope that the Big East football schools aren't going along with raising the exit fees. That would be foolish and unnecessary. The only scenario where it makes sense to up the exit fees is if the conference where to split. None of the football schools can afford to be trapped in a conference with eight unwelcome leaden anchors. 3. Not only is raising the exit fee a bad idea, but the basketball programs kept their exit fee at only $5 million dollars to make sure Notre Dame maintained precious negotiating leverage. Yep. Priorities are crystal clear. The only things the Big East conference cares about are Touchdown Jesus and filling seats at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Blow it up, Tim and Ollie. Blow it up. Update: surprise, surprise, the leaks may end up being wrong. With C-USA and the MWC merging, there's no need to up the exit fee. Why would the likes of UCF and Boise want to stick around in that monstrosity? Update2: no vote Sunday, although Blaudschun says everything is still going to happen.
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Answered Prayer in Murky Water
In that same mirror, though, reflected the face of a finisher. I had finished last by a large margin, but I had crossed the finish line. I had done it, but I wouldn't say I had conquered it. My impetuousness had been tempered with humility, and yellow-vested prayers had been answered.


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Northampton city councilors have unanimously approved a drone aircraft resolution that is a first of its kind in New England and one of the first in the country.
"This isn't, pardon the pun, on the radar of a lot of communities, and actually there's no votes that we're conscious of. It's essentially a policy decision that takes away air space that we more or less presumed for over a century that is ours," said Northampton City Council President William Dwight.
Dwight is one of the sponsors behind the resolution, which is calling on the federal government to change its policies on drone usage and to reject the FAA's proposal to change airspace regulations, something he says is a local issue.
"So that means my backyard, anything an inch above that, is subject to review by the FAA, which on one hand takes away my rights and then at the same time also increases their ability to for whatever reason send in drone or any other devices capable of hovering that 1 inch above the ground," said Dwight.
The two-part resolution was passed by the council last week. Before it moves any further, it must first pass a second vote by the council July 11.
"If it passes the second reading, it is sent on to the federal authorities, to the president, our senators," said Dwight.
Dwight admits this resolution spreads a lot further than Northampton. And, while he says the city might not be able to make an impact on national and international policy decisions, he wants to make sure the government is aware of people's opinions regarding the policies.
"I've always accepted the argument that silence is complicity. If I don't say anything, then it's reasonable for someone to believe that I think it is OK," said Dwight.
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Thanksgiving Math: Multiplication #3
Topics : Thanksgiving, Fourth Grade, Multiplication
Have your little mathlete complete these two-digit multiplication problems over the Thanksgiving break. This Thanksgiving-themed math worksheet is a fun learning tool for kids who are home from school for Turkey Day. Encourage your child to keep learning through the holiday with this Thanksgiving multiplication worksheet.
Updated on Feb 28, 2014


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The Buffalo Bills defense stifled the New York Jets on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium, keeping them out of the end zone en route to a 28-9 Bills victory to close out the season.
The Jets got on the board first with a field goal, but a Mark Sanchez interception returned 20-yards for a touchdown by Bryan Scott put Buffalo ahead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Two more field goals put New York ahead briefly in the second quarter, but a 66-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to C.J. Spiller game the Bills a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the contest.
Rushing touchdowns by Brad Smith and Tashard Choice helped Buffalo extend the lead in the fourth quarter.
Nick Folk scored all nine points for the Jets, connecting on field goals of 47, 23 and 28 yards.
The Bills victory means that both teams finish the 2012 season with 6-10 records.
Winners: The Buffalo duo of Ryan Fitzpatrick and C.J. Spiller carried the Bills to victory. Fitzpatrick completed 12 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown. Spiller rushed for 59 yards and caught two passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Losers: Mark Sanchez's rough season came to an end with another weak performance. The New York quarterback completed 17 of 35 passes for 205 yards and had his one interception returned for a touchdown.
Reactions/tweets/comments from fans/media
The Jets' season ended with plenty of the quarterback circus that had been a storyline all year:
In Mark Sanchez's defense, there were only three Bills players in the area. It's not like it was crowded or nothing— Brian McIntyre (@brian_mcintyre) December 30, 2012
TEBOW GETS IN THE GAME!!!! ...and he does nothing. #nyj— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) December 30, 2012
Remember the days when #NYJ were going to use #Tebow in the red zone & it was going to be awesome? Those days were more awesome than these.— Mike Sielski (@MikeSielskiWSJ) December 30, 2012
Best/worst stat of the game: The Jets set at least one record in this game, as punt returner Jeremy Kerley set an NFL record for fair catches in a season when he signaled for his 34th on Sunday.
Jeremy Kerley sets NFL fair catch record. See Jets fans, the season wasn't a total waste #nyj— Eric Stangel (@EricStangel) December 30, 2012
Fantasy studs/duds: Spiller put in a good fantasy performance with 131 total yards and a touchdown, but his one fumble did hurt his point total. Steve Johnson led all receivers with 111 yards on six catches. Anyone starting the Bills defense was also happy with their fantasy production, holding New York to nine points while forcing a pair of turnovers. You can get everything fantasy related over at SB Nation's Fantasy Football page.
Odds/Gambling: The Bills were 3.5-point favorites at home and easily covered that spread in their 19-point victory. For more lines from around the league, be sure to check out SB Nation's NFL Odds page.
Injury info: Both teams managed to escape Week 17 without suffering any serious injuries.
Next team on the schedule: Neither team qualified for the playoff so their 2012 season comes to an end today.


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The grand opening of the Outlets of Mississippi is scheduled for Nov. 14. that's just 10 days away.
It's the first large outlet mall in the Jackson metropolitan area, which will feature major top of the line stores.
"We have about 80 retail tenants here," said Spectrum Capital Vice President Matt Summers. "We have got about 325,000 square feet, and we are the largest in Mississippi. In fact, the largest within about a three and a half hour drive from here."
The mall features a tower that's 100 feet tall.
"The 100-foot tower right above Nike is primarily for signage," said Yates Construction Project Executive Dwain Wood. "There will be signs and logos all up and down the tower for the various tenants."
"We know this is going to bring additional retail development," said Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers. "We know additional restaurants, things of that nature to our city. You know I like to let the developers bring the surprises, but I would just say this, more and bigger and better things are yet to come."
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BerryTerminal is a minimal Linux distribution designed to turn the Raspberry Pi mini computer into a low-cost thin client.
It allows users to login to a central Edubuntu or other LTSP server, and run applications on the central server.
Latest beta version is 20131225
Extract the contents of the .zip file to an empty FAT formatted SD card, and put it on your Pi.
By default it automatically connects to the LTSP server that acts as DHCP server.
Alternatively you can specify the server IP manually by opening cmdline.txt found on the first (FAT) partition of the SD card and appending
" server=18.104.22.168" to the line.
For more information on setting up the server, see also: Setting up Edubuntu as LTSP terminal server
Create a user account for each student on the server, or create an account for each Berryterminal.
Just make sure you do not login with the same username on more then one terminal at the same time.
You can add the following special options to the file cmdline.txt located on the SD card:
The options need to be appended on the same line as the existing options.
Source bundle: https://github.com/maxnet/berryterminal
Packager: Floris Bos ( dev AT noc-ps.com )
Based on the LDM source code from the LTSP project: http://www.ltsp.org/
Build with Buildroot


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Big Bird
by Charles Lemos, Tue Nov 06, 2012 at 06:21:15 PM EST
I went out canvassing for the Democrats out in Antioch, California yesterday. There I met a woman in mid-50s perhaps who said this to me.
I ain't voting for the other guy after he dissed Big Bird.
And rightly so.
Tags: Mitt Romney, PBS Funding, Big Bird (all tags)


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May We Help You?
Call 1-877-692-2922Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm
Persons with hearing and speech disabilities can reach the above number through TDD and other specialized equipment by calling the Florida Relay Service at 711. Contact UsSend e-mailSearch jobs
BayCare Magnet Helps Save Woman's LifeIt's not every day that a piece of mail helps save your life. But that's exactly what happened to Charlene Mixa last spring when the East Lake Woodlands resident received a BayCare magnet explaining heart attack signs and symptoms for men and women. (more)
New and Expanded Steinbrenner Children's Emergency/Trauma Center Opens St. Joseph's Children's Hospital opened its new and expanded Steinbrenner Children's Emergency/Trauma Center on December 16, 2013. The hospital has the busiest children's emergency center in the region, and the larger, advanced facility will increase the community's access to the highest levels of pediatric emergency care in the area. (more)
More news
A new location and new names mean high-quality care for your patients at the BayCare Health Center.
BayCare Surgery Center (formerly Trinity Surgery Center) is now located at the BayCare Health Center. It joins the renamed BayCare Outpatient Center (formally Morton Plant Mease Outpatient Center) and the BayCare Medical Arts Building (formally Trinity Medical Arts Building).
At the BayCare Health Center, available services include same-day surgery, diagnostic imaging, lab draws, physician appointments and community education opportunities. For more information, including addresses and driving directions visit BayCareSurgeryCenter.org.


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Clint Bowyer went for a spin through the Daytona International Speedway grass on Saturday night after he was spun by Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. with 44 laps remaining in the Bud Shootout.
Bowyer was trying to change lanes and go around Carl Edwards, but Truex missed the memo. When Bowyer went high, Truex hooked the No. 15 car and sent it skidding out of the pack, across the pavement and into the grass.
The Bud Shootout has been a wild affair thus far. The two-car drafts seem to be gone for sure, but it's brought back the hold-your-breath, wait-for-a-wreck racing.
"It is going to be chaotic," Paul Menard said after being caught in an early 'Big One.' "We have to figure out if we want to just ride around or not, because it is a big, big chance you are going to wreck."
Menard said the racing is "way more out of control" than last year.
David Ragan, who triggered the first wreck with Menard, said NASCAR "definitely accomplished their goal" of eliminating the two-car drafts.
"We can't run together very long at all unless we're overheating, so I think a lap or two is really about all," he said.
There will be 39 laps to go when the race restarts.


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I couldn't agree more. The amount of people that rave about this show made me watch the first
As someone who has read all books printed so far (as of 2014 there are 5) and has only watched the
So, Mr. Friedman, are you saying that Paul McCartney is, actually, a musical genius, but we