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Google Maps Mania is an unofficial Google Maps blog tracking the websites, mashups and tools being influenced by Google Maps
Monday, October 10, 2011
Lightning Strikes Google Maps
Over the years we have seen live hurricane, typhoon and even live tornado maps. Now we also have a live lightning Google Map.
Blitzortung.org works with a community of users, who have built their own lightning receivers, to automatically display live lightning data on a Google Map.
Blitzortung.org includes instructions on how you can build your own lightning receiver and also includes instructions on how you can build your own Google Map based on the data received from a lightning receiver.
Posted by Keir Clarke at 12:13 PM
Labels: weather
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subset: commoncrawl


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Due to scheduled site maintenance, this site will offer limited functionality beginning August 30th thru September 3rd. Please contact the webmaster with any questions or concerns.
In 1956, IBM Research established its first West Coast laboratory in San Jose, helping to create what would eventually become Silicon Valley. In 1986, IBM Research - Almaden became home to a rapidly growing team of scientists and researchers.
IBM Research - Almaden boasts a rich history of breakthroughs that include the distributed relational database; the ability to position individual atoms; the first data mining algorithms; the IBM Microdrive – the world's smallest disk drive; racetrack memory; and innovations in data storage technology. Today, the researchers there are focused on new breakthroughs in areas as diverse as nanomedicine, services science and storage at the atomic scale.
The major areas of research at Almaden are Science and Technology, including fundamental science, nanotechnology, spin physics and photoresists; Computer Science, with work in areas such content management, human-computer interaction, text analytics, services-oriented architectures and most recently healthcare informatics; Service Science Research, focusing on large scale, people-and information-intensive challenges and Storage Systems, from storage and file systems to server software and systems management. Additionally, technology licensing is a key element in our value creation strategy and a source of significant mutual benefits for IBM Research and its external partners.
Meet the director
Michael Karasick
Vice President, IBM
Research – Almaden


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Healing Soups
"The immune system needs lots of minerals to function well," Weed says, "and the typical American diet is low in minerals. I like using roots in my soup because they're mineral storehouses."
Weed also takes seriously the healing properties of even the most common herbs and often turns to mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, or sage to dress up her soups. "I don't just season the soup with them," she says. "I add them by the handful." Volatile oils found in these herbs, like thymol in oregano, have antibacterial properties and are considered potent antioxidants.
One thing Weed, Wood, and many more of the world's healers have in common is the belief that soup truly is good food when you're looking to pamper a sick body or nourish a healthy one so that it can fight off disease. "Healing foods should be easy to digest," Wood explains. "Foods like soups and stews are easily converted to energy, which frees up the body to fight infection."
No Substitutes for Healthy Eating
When it comes to strengthening the immune system, what you don't eat can be just as important as what you do. "Everything you eat builds your body," says Annemarie Colbin, who holds a Ph.D. in wholistic nutrition and is the author of Food and Healing. And you don't want a body built with refined sugars, white flour, and partially hydrogenated fats, Colbin says. Those foods are nutritionally empty, and when you are ill or need to build up immunity, you need food that is easy on the body and loaded with natural vitamins and minerals.
Colbin advises eating organic produce whenever possible, since the herbicides and pesticides that can be present in conventional produce can assault the immune system. If you have a less-than-optimal diet, taking vitamins might seem like an easy out. But experts say that it's better to stick with nutritious foods. "While there is an appropriate role for dietary supplements," Blumberg says, "remember they're called supplements, not substitutes. Natural whole foods have other things in them, including phytochemicals and flavonoids, which promote health and prevent disease."
Ginger Tea and Carrot Soup
After talking to several experts, I came to the most obvious conclusion: When we let our intuition guide us, we instinctively eat what we need when we need it. A case in point: One afternoon last winter, when a pair of colds�belonging to my twin boys, Matthew and Jack�dripped and snuffled into the house, Matthew asked me for a cup of tea with honey, and Jack asked for carrot soup.
So I made a light ginger tea, and carrot soup with onions and oregano. Matthew has never been told that ginger clears congestion or that honey has antibacterial properties. And Jack hadn't researched the healing properties of carrots (they're packed with vitamin A as well as C). But they both knew instinctively that these foods would help them feel better.
As Wood says, "If you're relatively healthy, you can trust your body to tell you what you need. I'm also pretty sure that cooking nutritious foods, and serving them with love�or at least some modicum of goodwill�plays some fundamental role in keeping my family healthy.
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Teaching kids about energy is important. It helps them stay safe. And it prepares them to do their part to save energy and help the environment. UPPCO makes your job easier with these resources:
- Electrical Safety World
Teach your kids to be safe around energy through these fun-filled, interactive activities.
- Grants & Scholarships
UPPCO partners with students and schools to benefit the entire community.
- Free Activities & Publications
A number of FREE safety and energy related publications are available to Grades K - 12 customers of UPPCO.


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In the News
Original journalism from the Center's OpenSecrets Blog
Moody Downgrades, BP Returns and More in Capital Eye Opener: Sept. 23
September 23, 2011
Moody's evaluation was meant to be apolitical. But Moody's itself doesn't stay above the fray. Last year, the company spent $1.5 million on federal lobbying, and during the first half of this year, it spent $610,000.
BP Continues to Increase Donations to Federal Political Candidates
June 18, 2011
Oil company BP continues its slow climb out of political purgatory, as its political action committee on Friday reported donating thousands of dollars in May to federal-level politicians hailing from a variety of states.
Tea Party Caucus Members Bankrolled by Health Professionals, Retirees, Oil Interests
July 30, 2010
A Center for Responsive Politics analysis shows that the biggest contributors to the 49 members of the newly-established congressional Tea Party caucus -- it so far includes only Republican -- are health professionals, retired individuals, the real estate industry and oil and gas interests. Furthermore, donations from health professionals, oil and gas interests and Republican and conservative groups are, on average, higher for Tea Party caucus members than for members of the House of Representatives in general and even their fellow House Republicans.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.


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Liveblog: Sussex in the latest storm (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Liveblog: Sussex in the latest storm
Updated 5:00pm Wednesday 29th January 2014 in News
Enable automatic updates every 30 seconds? YES NO
- Sussex is currently subject to a severe weather warning - but the county seems to be coping well with the bad weather so far.
- Yesterday, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for the whole county from midnight until 9pm, which means a likely risk of low to medium impact. It said: "Further rain at times on Wednesday may be locally persistent. The public should be aware of the risk of localised flooding, especially in areas where there are ongoing concerns."
- It also said: "Some uncertainty about details of rainfall, but the chance of 15 to 20 mm in a few areas, with the risk of localised flooding impacts as a result. As it turns colder, the rain could even turn to sleet or wet snow, more likely across the Downs and other hillier areas."
- Emergency services reported no significant problems overnight, and our traffic live feed shows no flooding-related incidents so far.
And here's a van passing through flooded Hooe:
And here's a car car passing through a flooded road in Alfriston itself:
More pictures from PA - here's the swollen Cuckmere River heading towards Alfriston
Lovely, lovely picture from PA of Anne Bourmer wading through flood water outside her home in Hooe, East Sussex. I hope it hasn't made it inside her house . . .
Some pictures from Argus photographer Liz Finlayson of flooding in Hodshrove Road, Moulsecoomb:
A28 bottom of Brede Hill - take care! http://t.co/vKewRej0py— @NigelHammond2 29 January 2014
@huxley06 Apparently the council, southern water and dyna rod have all tried :( http://t.co/1e5h3sbrGa— @FabiaBates 29 January 2014
More on the powercut - we now have a response from the power company:
"UK Power Networks engineers are working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore electricity supplies to 40 customers affected by a power cut in the Eastbourne Road area of Little Horsted.
"Problems with the overhead distribution network began at about 8.40am today (January 29) with supplies lost to 77 customers at 10.04am.
"Engineers have been working to restore power in poor weather conditions, with 37 customers having supplies again at 11.51am.
"We appreciate how difficult it can be to lose power and would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by this incident."
There's been some flooding in Uckfield - a homeowner called fire crews when their cellar began filling with water in Eastbourne Road.
A spokeswoman from East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "We were called just before 11am to reports that a cellar of a property was flooding. It seems the property's sump pump stopped working because of a power cut in the area."
UK Power Networks said it didn't know how many homes were affected by the power cut, but it was investigating.
It just keeps raining here in Sussex, no mope of even getting to the plot let alone assessing the flooding.— @Castleallotment 28 January 2014
@esccroads Nasty drive home from Maresfield to #Hastings via Heathfield. Surface water flooding esp bad in and around #PunnetsTown— @yummiwooching 28 January 2014
Very wet brighton #rain #iseethesea #brighton #workshop #experian http://t.co/JQP5DIDBCx— @sprigs 29 January 2014
There's been an accident on the M23, leading to one lane closure southbound between junctions 10 and 11 (Balcombe Road and Pease Pottage).
Hyper local tweet - the drains on Lewes road aren't draining very well... What about in your area? #puddles— @huxley06 29 January 2014
#eastsussex is full of lakes across the fields. Only minor train delays....so far! #ukweather— @miss_scribbler 29 January 2014
Comments (12)
Please log in to enable comment sorting
9:28am Wed 29 Jan 14
comanche762 says...
9:29am Wed 29 Jan 14
Crystal Ball says...
10:28am Wed 29 Jan 14
comanche762 says...
trivial nonsense stop it
10:52am Wed 29 Jan 14
wendy-uk says...
10:53am Wed 29 Jan 14
Richada says...
12:07pm Wed 29 Jan 14
comanche762 says...
1:03pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Brightonlad86 says...
I do hope you have made your parents proud!!!
2:17pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Tailgaters Anonymous says...
2:20pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Tailgaters Anonymous says...
3:14pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Brighton1000 says...
3:36pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Postman_Pat says...
3:45pm Wed 29 Jan 14
Boloney-marshal says...
What's more important is that these highlighted areas which are flooding on a regular basis need to be dealt with by the council to resolve these issues.
Denton lake on Avis Way by The Drove is going to cause a fatal accident as it cannot be seen in the dark and drivers have no time to alter speed before ploughing into at least 6 - 8 inches of water which covers two thirds of the road on that side. It's not a joke Argus, it's serious, take it seriously because the council aren't.
Comments are closed on this article.


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Funding opportunities
Efficient T cell development from human pluripotent stem cells by LRF/Pokemon inactivation
Funding Type:
Basic Biology I
Grant Number:
Funds requested:
$1 320 303
Funding Recommendations:
Not recommended
Grant approved:
Public Abstract:
T cells (or T lymphocytes) are necessary for normal immune surveillance systems, and their dysfunction leads to development of fatal diseases, such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), congenital T cell deficiency and cancer. These diseases are life threatening, because T cells, key effectors eradicating pathogens within the body, are severely reduced and medications (e.g. anti-viral treatment) cannot fully compensate for such fundamental defects. Thus, in these circumstances, providing T cells to the patient, so-called "T cell replacement therapy", could be the sole therapeutic option to cure the disease. However, such therapy has not been successfully established because of the following reasons: 1) T cells are difficult to expand in culture; 2) even if the patient's T cells can be expanded in culture, they may not work normally when they are returned to the patient (e.g. T cells will be again infected with HIV virus) and 3) T cells from others (donor) could recognize the patient (recipient) as "foreign" and mount an immunologic attack. Human pluripotent stem cells, such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), have tremendous potential in T cell replacement therapy, as: 1) they are virtually unlimited; 2) patient-specific hiPSCs can overcome immunological barriers between donors and recipients and 3) hESCs/hiPSCs could be safely manipulated for T cells to be functional. While T cells have been successfully derived from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), hESCs demonstrated little lymphoid potential, preventing the use of hESCs for T cell replacement therapy. Considering clinical implications, there is a critical need to better understand the mechanisms underlying hESCs/hiPSCs differentiation toward T cells. Our goal is to develop a system by which hESCs/hiPSCs efficiently give rise to T cells in culture. The objective of this application is to determine the role of the Leukemia/lymphoma Related Factor (LRF) gene in human T cell differentiation from hESCs/hiPSCs. Guided by our preliminary studies, we hypothesize that LRF inactivation promotes efficient T cell development from hESCs/hiPSCs. We will test this hypothesis employing molecular biological approaches as well as a series of genetically engineered mouse models. We expect that the combination of work proposed will provide further understanding of how hESCs/hiPSCs develop T cells in culture. This contribution is significant because it will lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for T cell replacement therapy.
Statement of Benefit to California:
T cells are essential for human immune system and the lack of functional T cells results in development of diseases such as AIDS, sever infectious diseases and cancer. These diseases are one of the major health issues in California. It has been estimated that nearly 130,000 people in California live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, among which 70,000 are diagnosed as AIDS (HIV Prevalence Estimates of California, CDC, 2008). For these patients, providing healthy and functional T cells, so-called T cell replacement therapy, could be a new therapeutic strategy, as current therapies (e.g. anti-viral drag for AIDS, chemotherapy for cancer) cannot cure the disease, and cost of the treatment is high. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a very promising source for such T cells, as they are virtually unlimited and relatively easy to be manipulated in culture (e.g. gene therapy for AIDS and cancer). However, it is not fully understood how hPSCs differentiate to T cells, preventing their use in the clinic. Our goal is to develop a new way of creating T cells from hPSCs in culture by elucidating the molecular mechanisms of T cell development from hPSCs. If successful, it will provide the people of California with tremendous benefits, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for life-threatening diseases such as cancer and AIDS. It may also lead to the significant reduction of therapeutic costs, thus benefiting the State economy.
Review Summary:
This proposal seeks to achieve robust differentiation of T cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Based on preliminary data in the murine system, the applicant hypothesizes that inactivation of Leukemia/lymphoma Related Factor (LRF), a zinc finger transcription factor, will enhance T cell differentiation. The applicant proposes in the first aim to utilize knock down technologies and a series of genetically engineered reporter mice to investigate the role of LRF in lymphoid lineage fate determination in human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In the second aim, the applicant proposes to use mouse genetic models to identify the molecular mechanisms by which LRF inactivation effects differentiation. Finally, in the third aim, the applicant will determine the effect of LRF inactivation on human embryonic stem cell (hESC) or induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation toward T cells. The reviewers agreed that if successful, this proposal would have significant impact on the development of T cell replacement therapies for treatment of immunodeficiency disorders and cancer. Currently, there are not robust and reproducible protocols to differentiate T cells from human ESC or iPSC sources. This proposal addresses this deficiency with the innovative hypothesis that LRF plays a key role in specifying the balance between B and T cell development from progenitor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and its inactivation will result in a bias toward T cell differentiation. The reviewers considered the experimental approach to be based upon sound rationale and the specific aims generally well designed, albeit not especially innovative. The reviewers appreciated the well-described experimental plan that clearly listed timelines and milestone and addressed potential pitfalls and suggested alternative approaches. However, the reviewers did raise significant concerns about the proposal's feasibility. While the proposal includes significant and strong preliminary data from the murine system to support Aims 1 and 2, there is little to indicate that this data is informative of the molecular mechanism of action of LRF in human cells or that the methodologies utilized to promote HSC induction from pluripotent cells in murine systems will be successful with human cells. The reviewers commented that Aim 3, which was considered to be the crux of the proposal, was particularly weak and unsupported by preliminary data. There was no evidence presented to support the overexpression approach utilized in this aim to generate HSCs, and this experiment was considered confusing and not coherent with the rest of the proposal. One reviewer commented that it was unlikely the investigators would be able to successfully differentiate T cells from hPSCs using this approach. The PI was considered well suited for the project with a strong track record, but the reviewers were concerned about the PI's lack of experience in working with human pluripotent cells. One reviewer was particularly concerned that this deficiency decreased the overall feasibility that aim 3 would be successful. Overall, the reviewers agreed that the investigator proposes an innovative hypothesis to address an issue critical to developing T cell replacement therapies, but felt there was insufficient preliminary data from human cells to support the proposal and that Aim 3, the crux of the proposal, lacked sufficient feasibility that T cells could be successfully derived from hPSCs.


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She's a Total Workaholic and It's Ruining Our Marriage
The Couple
Meg, 48, PR manager
John, 54, sales director
Married 11 years
Kids: Alex, 6; Kim, 4
The Counselor
Marlene Gershman Paley
Cold Spring Harbor, New York
The Background
Meg wants to quit her job to spend more time with her family. But she thinks she can't work less than full-time because John spends so much. John insists that's not a real issue. He feels neglected and thinks Meg puts career before family.
Meg: If John really wants me to quit my job, why won't he stop spending like crazy? Buying lots of expensive stuff means I have to stay in my job so we can pay the bills. When I tell him I'm scared about money, he rolls his eyes and says I'm being "ridiculous." Really? I think he's being selfish and inconsiderate.
John and I have our own credit cards and separate checking accounts for personal expenses. We don't review each other's bills, but the other day, when John bought a $600 briefcase, I took a closer look at our finances and learned he'd spent $17,000 on stuff for himself over the past two years. I freaked out when I saw the debt he's carrying. How can I downsize my job when he's spending like that?
John: By "review our finances," Meg really means that she snooped through my credit card statements. Yes, I've got debt. But she didn't even know about it until she flipped out over the briefcase and started poking around. Here's the thing: Meg acts like we're living on our last dime, but we're not broke -- not by a long shot. And I'm not mortgaging our future. I'm saving 20 percent of my salary in my 401(k), we have two 529 plans for our kids' college educations, and I make triple payments on my credit card debt every month. Over and over, I've assured Meg that I can support our family. We don't need her income to meet our financial goals. But Meg would rather blame me than believe me. I think she's looking for an excuse not to leave her job, so she pins it on me because it's easy and convenient.


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The College is proud to present an all new series of live webinars focusing on current hot button financial topics and taught by our lead professors. The first webinar in this series is Tips for Selecting Social Security Benefits by Professor Sam Van Why. Read More
College Updates
Update on Same-Sex Couples for ADPA Students & Grads
Welcome to the new CFFPinfo.com!
Download our newest white paper
Michael Kitces to speak at the College on July 25, 2014
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RALEIGH — The Wake County school board on Friday promised to be more transparent with its school-building process, and the Board of Commissioners said it would loosen the purse strings – if the two boards can hammer out an agreement on how they can work together.
Members of the two boards, their attorneys and staffs gathered for a joint meeting Friday in hopes of giving mutual approval to such an inter-local agreement. Both sides agreed to take one version of the proposal, send it into a meeting next Thursday with members of both groups and let them hash out a document to which all could agree.
After a couple of years of tension between the two boards, there is a sense of urgency that they must find a way to work together so the county can begin in earnest the construction of new schools and the renovation of others in order to stay on schedule. The projects need to be completed to keep up with student-population growth.
The flashpoint between the two boards is control over site selection, school construction, ownership and maintenance. The school board, presently led by a Democratic majority, has statutory authority over the process, but the Republican majority on the board of commissioners has said school leaders have not been good stewards of tax money.
Republican commissioners failed in an attempt last year to get the legislature to let them take over the school construction process. Since then, they have been reluctant to release money to the school board needed to launch design work and land purchases for new schools, including some to be paid for by $810 million in bonds voters approved last fall.
The agreement would spell out ways in which the boards, and more importantly, their staffs would collaborate on the process to ensure the county gets the best deal on building the best schools.
At Friday's meeting, Joe Desormeaux, the schools' assistant superintendent for facilities, and deputy County Manager Johnna Rogers presented a slide show highlighting ways in which the two staffs already work well together and citing ways in which they could improve.
School board Chairwoman Christine Kushner and commissioners Chairman Phil Matthews both were encouraged.
"We had a good meeting," Matthews said. "We got some things accomplished."
Quillin: 919-829-8989


text:
UPDATE: During the investigation into this weekend's standoff in the 5500 block of north Greenwood Blvd., witnesses told police 41-year-old James Vandyke made comments about "shooting it out with police" and "suicide by cop."
After police told him he was going to be arrested for domestic violence and needed to surrender he kept challenging the officer telling us to "come in and get him."
Once he was taken into custody and officers searched the house, they found two loaded forty caliber handguns and a loaded assault rifle on the living room floor.
Spokane police have responded to several of these types of incidents in the last couple of months.
They are highly unpredictable and, as we've seen in jurisdictions around the country recently, can end in citizens and/or officers seriously injured or worse.
Officers of the Spokane Police Department rely on expert training and state of the arts tools they have to try and resolve the incidents as peacefully as possible.
The Spokane Police would like to once again thank the neighbors and citizens in the area around the incident for their cooperation and patience. This was key to the successful outcome of this incident.
SPOKANE, Wash. - A standoff lasting several hours in North Spokane ended when police shot pepper spray into the suspect's house on the 5500 block of N. Greenwood Blvd. The man, who was reportedly suicidal, came out immediately after the pepper spray was shot into the house.
After being checked by medics at the scene he was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a Domestic Violence charge.
News Release From Spokane Police Department:
On 040911, at approximately 7:30pm, SPD patrol officers responded to the report of a possible armed suicidal male in the 5500 block of north Greenwood Blvd. As the first officer arrived on scene, he witnessed the suspect, 41 year old James Vandyke, forcibly holding his onto wife. There were also acquaintances of Vandyke's that were refusing officers' commands as they approached the scene. Vandyke had a gun in his hand and ignored numerous orders to drop it. He then pointed it at his wife's torso and drug her back into the house. He came back outside briefly but still refused commands. A short time later the victim was able to exit the house to the safety of officers. No one was seriously injured during the original incident.
Once all other citizens were out of harms way, officers set up a perimeter and started planning for the safest resolution to the incident. There was information there were additional firearms in the home. SWAT officers and crisis negotiators were called in and a dialogue was established with Vandyke over the phone. Negotiators tried for several hours to get Vandyke to come out. Meanwhile, officers obtained a search warrant for the house and the arrest of Vandyke for 2nd Degree Assault-Domestic Violence.
Negotiators continued to attempt to convince Vandyke to surrender for several more hours. Vandyke refused all opportunities to surrender. Eventually, police introduced OC (pepper spray) into the house. Immediately thereafter Vandyke exited the house and surrendered without further incident. He was checked by medics at the scene and was booked into Spokane County Jail for the above charge.
Spokane Police would like to thank neighbors and other citizens in the area for their cooperation and patience during this incident.
Previous Coverage:
SPOKANE, WA - Right now, Spokane police and the SWAT team are on scene at a standoff on Greenwood and Rowan.
Officer Teresa Fuller told us that a man has barricaded himself inside his home, armed with a gun. No one but himself is in danger. Police say the standoff could have stemmed from a domestic dispute, but right now, no one is sure of the exact cause. Officer Fuller also told us they are thinking about letting it play out. If this happens, police could be on scene through the night.
Until it's cleared, several roads including Forest Boulevard and Greenwood between Rowan and Bismark will be blocked off. We'll continue to update this as more details come into the newsroom.


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EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- A "Classically-trained Garage Band," is one way to describe the group Time for Three.
News 25's Ashley McNamee sat down Heartleand Festival Orchestra conductor David Commanday to talk about the unique concert.
The trio of strings musicians defy traditional classification and they are the featured soloists for March's Heartland Festival Orchestra production.


text:
Ashely Bliss
Unless you have ever personally experienced another culture at some point in your life, it's hard to imagine how different two cultures can be.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of traveling to France. When I was given the chance to experience it firsthand however, I never could have imagined that I would find so many, often comical, differences between the two cultures. From the moment I landed in Paris, I knew that my childhood dream was soon going to have a few exciting twists when I realized how much can change with just a seven-hour plane ride.
The day I arrived in France, I soon realized that I didn't even know how to do the little things here. I could only laugh at myself when I had to ask my host family how the lights work, how to shut the front door properly or even turn the shower on. I left the United States feeling like such an adult, but found myself about 15 years younger as soon as I landed in France. That was probably the hardest thing of all.
So many little things that you could never imagine are just done differently here. Take for example, going to the grocery store. First of all, everything in France is so much smaller than it is in the U.S. Back home, I am a frequent shopper in BJ's Wholesale Club where you can buy almost any item in packs of one million. I couldn't help but laugh when my host mother put the "family sized" bag of chips in the shopping cart, as it was the size of a typical "snack sized" bag in the states. I can only imagine how I looked to the French shoppers as I tried to push a French shopping cart for the first time. While the carts in the United States simply move forward and backward, the shopping carts in France are made to move any way they please. I found myself sliding all over the floor, knocking into displays just trying to get my family's groceries safely to the car.
My first day of taking notes here in school became rather interesting when I realized that the French write their letters and numbers slightly different, just enough, to confuse the average American. It took me a few days to realize that the "G" that the teacher wrote on the board was actually a "9," that "6" was really a "4" and that "A" was actually a "1". Once I had it figured out, things started to make a little bit more sense.
Putting all comical cultural differences aside, I know I already love it here. It's very similar to back home, but it's beautiful in its own French way. I love being able to ride along in the car and seeing a castle every 10 minutes. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit two castles already in my time here. I love how the sunrise looks in the morning. While I know it's the same sun and sky I've always been under, it just looks different here; everything is. In just three short weeks, France has already won a special part in my heart. I love ending every day wondering what adventure the next day will bring.
Ashley Bliss is a Cooperstown Rotary exchange student. Follow her adventures on her blog at


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What happens when you cross a bicycle with beer? You get a pub cycle. Jamarcus Gaston gives you a sneak preview before it hits the streets of Asheville this weekend. Plus, David Cassidy is arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, James Franco is getting his own show on the cable network Ovation, Sylvester Stallone is said to be in talks to join a new Rambo Project, a preview of the Parkland trailer set to hit theaters in October and Survivor 27 is coming with two contestants from the Carolinas.
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Telephone: 864.576.7777
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by liamdawe 20 hours ago
Screencheat is a pretty funny idea. The days of split-screen play on old games console FPS games allowed you to see where the other players are, and this game incorporates that into the actual game-play. It has a Linux version too, so we can join in on the cheating fun.
Tags: Steam Indie Game FPS Coming Soon
by liamdawe 23 hours ago
Sentris is a new kind of music game that puts you at the epicenter of musical creation. It's colourful and filled with great music, so what more could you want?
Tags: Steam Puzzle Music Indie Game
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Metro 2033 Redux is confirmed for Linux, but the actual release date isn't certain yet. Luckily thanks as usual to the excellent SteamDB it looks like it's coming sooner rather than later.
Tags: Steam FPS Coming Soon
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 5:41 pm
GOG are DRM-free champions that's for sure, and since they support Linux now we can join in on the fun. They have now announced DRM-free movies, but they will also be removing some games.
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Company of Heroes 2 a well loved real time strategy game from Relic Entertainment and SEGA looks like it is heading to Linux thanks to information taking from the excellent SteamDB website.
Tags: Strategy Steam Coming Soon
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 2:57 pm
The third part in my articles on giving some limelight to open source games, this time I have a completely different set to show you!
Tags: Open Source
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Universe Sandbox 2 is a physics based space simulator. We never got the original on Linux, but as teased the developers are delivering with Universe Sandbox 2.
Tags: Steam Simulation Early Access Unity3D
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 8:14 am
Editors Pick Crystal Picnic is a fantastic looking 2D RPG that is created as a tribute to the old action RPG games. Created by "Nooskewl" the developers of Monster RPG 2.
Tags: RPG Indie Game Desura Adventure
by liamdawe August 27, 2014 at 8:03 am
Not major news, but good news nonetheless. Ioquake3 is the veaily modified engine that was originally used for the Quake III Arena game.
Tags: Toolkit Open Source
by muntdefems August 26, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Welcome to a new issue of The Funding Crowd! It looks like the summer lull is definitely over, as tons of interesting and good-looking projects are knocking at our doors in search of our pledges.
Tags: Editorial Crowdfunding
by n30p1r4t3 August 26, 2014 at 6:38 pm
The latest and greatest from Valve's Gaming OS! Now with a newer Linux kernel and an updated Nvidia Driver!
Tags: Steam
by liamdawe August 26, 2014 at 7:39 am
AI War: Fleet Command has been officially released for Linux and that makes it Arcen Games full collection. AI War is an interesting take on the strategy genre and what I lovingly call Icon Wars.
Tags: Strategy Steam Indie Game
by liamdawe August 25, 2014 at 6:56 pm
Bravada is a game we showed you a little while ago, and we were surprised at how good it was! It's now on Steam, so if you missed it before now is better than ever.
Tags: Strategy Steam Indie Game Action
by liamdawe August 25, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Here is a look back at the last week on GamingOnLinux, an easy way to for you to keep up to date on what has happened in the past week for Linux Gaming!
Tags: Article Overview


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No, Lincoln did not have a "secret plan" to liquidate slavery
It's probably not worth adding to Scott's corrective observations on Connor Kilpatrick's Jacobin post, but since I'm currently working on a manuscript about Lincoln in American fiction, I'm more or less helplessly drawn to the ways that Lincoln has been appropriated by historians as well as novelists and filmmakers for every conceivable political aim. As Donald Fehrenbacher once explained, "in the whole gamut of American politics, no reactionary is so blind, no revolutionary is so militant, no misfit so freakish that he cannot find a place in Abraham's bosom." So, for example, Thomas Dixon — author of the novels that inspired Griffith's Birth of a Nation — wrote a hilariously unreadable novel asserting (in the 50th anniversary year of the Emancipation Proclamation, no less) that Lincoln was a lifelong white supremacist who would have either deported or segregated free blacks had he not been unwisely murdered. Kilpatrick's regard for Lincoln, by comparison, is drawn from an extensive body of historical and imaginative literature arching back to the 1930s Popular Front that posed Lincoln as an instrument of class warfare — liquidating, as Kilpatrick notes, an enormous proportion of the nation's wealth and presiding over the greatest social revolution in American history. (The "Red Lincoln" historiography survives today, in affectionate as well as neo-confederate varieties. Dixon's white supremacist Lincoln has substantially less cultural vitality these days, at least so far as I'm able to tell.)
In any event, the "true" or "real" Lincoln is an elusive thing; he had, as one of his biographers noted, an "essential ambiguity" that makes him perpetually available for reinterpretation. So when someone insists, as Kilpatrick does, that Lincoln had a "secret plan" to abolish slavery when he entered the office in 1861, we have to wonder how he arrives at such a precise understanding of Lincoln's motives. Kilpatrick quotes Lincoln as vowing that "the powder in this bombshell will keep dry and when the fuse is lit, I intend to have them [the South] touch it off themselves," destroying slavery in the process.
The problem with this interpretation, of course, is the context for Lincoln's words.
For starters, this particular quotation (which Lincoln biographers like Alan Guelzo among others have used) derives from an 1874 biography of Charles Sumner — a genuine anti-slavery radical — and is set in the middle of a conversation about how and why Lincoln resisted, during the early phases of the war, a policy that actively destroyed slavery. There is no reason to assume that Lincoln did not use those words — they are consistent with everything else we know about his views and policies at the time — but Kilpatrick seems unaware that when Lincoln spoke them in late August or early September 1861, he was explaining to Sumner his rationale for overturning John Fremont's military emancipation order in Missouri, which he viewed as imprudent and premature. Lincoln would overturn a similar measure in May 1862, when General David Hunter ordered the immediate emancipation of enslaved people in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Lincoln's "secret plan," then, was neither secret nor abolitionist. During the first 16 months of his presidency, Lincoln clearly set into place a process that would eventually lead to complete emancipation, but he was evolving gradually toward that position — not carrying out a clear plan inspired by a "lifelong hatred of slavery."
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LONDON (AP) -- Real Madrid stormed into the Champions League quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, while Chelsea needed extra time to overturn a first-leg deficit and beat Napoli by the same score.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-2 aggregate victory for Madrid, taking his tally to 42 goals this season.
Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Napoli in the first leg contributed to Andre Villas-Boas being fired, but the revival continued under interim coach Roberto Di Matteo with a third straight win.
Chelsea advanced 5-4 on aggregate, with Frank Lampard's 75th-minute penalty kick sending the game into extra time and Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner.
Chelsea, the 2008 finalist, is England's last remaining team in the competition.


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Fears over failing lights in busy Baildon road (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
Elderly resident, 70, voices fears after Holden Lane in Baildon left in darkness for weeks
7:00am Monday 6th January 2014 in News By Chris Young, T&A Reporter
A busy Baildon road has been hit by a lack of light after a string of street lamps failed some three weeks ago and have yet to come back on.
Holden Lane resident Averil Pass contacted Bradford Council immediately the lights went out several days before Christmas and said she had been left in the dark by a lack of response or action.
"There had been some roadworks at one end of the lane and then all the lamps went out in one section outside some 20 or so houses.
"It's been extremely dark for about three weeks and it's very dangerous because the lane is also used as a rat run. People walk their dogs up and down the pavements on either side and it's absolutely black out there now," said retired primary school teacher Mrs Pass.
"The traffic has been very bad recently as people have come over Baildon Moor to avoid the roadworks in Shipley and cut down Holden Lane on their way to Leeds or Bradford," she said.
Mrs Pass, 70, said she had tried to contact council staff at Bradford over the festive period, but had been meet with automated answering systems.
"I couldn't get to talk to a human being about the problem, so I left messages but I've had no response whatsoever – and the lights are still out," she said.
"I don't think it's right as we all pay to get services and so we should get them.
"Like many, I feel that if a problem like this happens in Baildon then we are just left to get on with it," said Mrs Pass.
She contacted ward councillor Val Townend who called the council and demanded action, but without success.
"It is essential that lighting in Holden Lane is restored as soon as possible, because it is causing real safety concerns for residents," said Coun Townend (Baildon, Con).
A Bradford Council spokesman said that engineers had now examined the problem. "Contractors have been out and the problem is the responsibility of Yorkshire Electricity who the council has contacted and who will sort it out as quickly as possible," the spokesman said.


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Variety: Dan Radcliffe to Return to Broadway in a MusicalRadcliffe
Some possible big news this morning as Variety is reporting that "Daniel Radcliffe: will head the cast of an upcoming New York reading of 1961 tuner "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," marking the first musical turn for the "Harry Potter" star. The industry magazine then says "While producers could not be reached for confirmation, the reading is
scheduled for December, with no other cast so far in place. Sources
said plans for the production will be worked out based on the success
of the reading."
Some background on the awarding winning musical is found in the Variety piece: "Written by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, "How to Succeed" chronicles the rise of a crafty window cleaner as he follows the advice of a self-help manual to connive his way up through the ranks of the World Wide Wickets Co. and get the girl in the process. Robert Morse created the role on Broadway and in the 1967 screen adaptation. The original production won seven Tonys, including musical, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1962, running for a healthy 1,417 performances. Matthew Broderick won a Tony for the lead role in a 1995 Rialto revival.
While that recent production might make it seem a little soon to start considering a major remount, the current economic turmoil, upheaval in the job market, and a host of fresh reasons to skewer the world of corporate America stand to make the cynical comedy resonate with today's audiences."
Please note, as exciting as this sounds, we are working to get confirmation on this and will update as soon as we can, stay tuned!
Thanks Gabrielle!


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Many kids manage to slip away from their parents in shopping centers during summer vacations, but an 11-year-old boy from Manchester, England, got farther away than most this week.
Italy successfully sold €5.25 billion of short- and long-term bonds Friday, despite being downgraded by Moody's a day earlier.
Four scuba divers drowned after a routine trip to a popular underwater cave system in southern Italy went horribly wrong over the weekend, according to the coast guard.
In the lead up to Euro 2012 Italian football was hit by allegations of match fixing, but will this impact their success?
Mario Balotelli's first-half double saw Italy through to the final of Euro 2012 as they stunned Germany in Warsaw.
Here are three thoughts on Italy's 0-0 win over England in penalty kicks:
Sports journalist Michal Pol talks to CNN's Pedro Pinto about clashes between Polish and Russian supporters at Euro 2012.
Three thoughts from the 1-1 draw between Italy and Croatia in Poznan, Poland.
CNN's Pedro Pinto reports from host city Gdansk where defending champions, Spain were held to a draw by Italy.
CNN's Pedro Pinto talks to Italian football journalist Tancredi Palmeri about Italy's battling performance against Spain.
Multiple earthquakes struck northern Italy on Tuesday near the epicenter of last week's deadly quake.
The death toll from a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in northern Italy rose to 17 after the discovery of another body, officials said Wednesday, as questions were asked about why factory buildings collapsed.
At least 15 people were killed and some 200 injured in a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in northern Italy on Tuesday, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
[Updated 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 21] A magnitude-6.0 earthquake hit northern Italy on Sunday, killing at least seven people and displacing thousands.
Journalist Barbie Nadeau reports from northern Italy, where a 6.0 quake hit Sunday
A bombing at a school in Italy was likely "the isolated action of a single man" and not tied to the mafia, an official said Sunday.
At least one girl has died and half a dozen are injured following a bomb blast outside a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi, Italian officials said Saturday.
So you're ready to go. You've booked your flight, arranged your accommodation and booked a rental car.
Romance runs rich through Italy's veins, with icons of amore to melt the hardest heart. But the most famous sight isn't always the most swoon-worthy; find the real romance of Italy with a hot date at one of these alternative picks.
Italy's highest court ruled Tuesday that the captain of the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship must remain under house arrest while he is investigated for possible criminal charges.
Illycaffe CEO and Chairman Andrea Illy talks to CNN's Richard Quest about his family's coffee passion.
Italy -- an economic giant of the eurozone -- is failing on the global stage and must adapt if it is to survive, the head of coffee giant Illycaffe has warned.
Wales stayed on course for rugby union's Six Nations grand slam with a 24-3 win over Italy in the Millennium Stadium Saturday.
Authorities from Italy to the United States arrested 10 people Thursday for allegedly capturing, viewing and disseminating images through an expansive international online pedophile network.
GENOA, Italy -- To understand the significance of the U.S.' 1-0 friendly win over Italy here on Wednesday, it's good to know what it was and what it wasn't. Was it historic? By all means, yes. The U.S. had never beaten Italy in 10 previous games going back to 1934. Winning against a four-time world champion on the road is always important, even if the game doesn't count. And yet the U.S. players were still cognizant that there were limits to how much you should take out of the result.
Heavy snow in recent weeks has already wreaked havoc across Europe -- now it is damaging some of the continent's most recognized historic monuments.
Moody's cut the credit ratings of six European countries on Monday amid continued anxiety over the continent's debt crisis and its sluggish economy.
A woman's body was found Saturday in the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship, Italian officials said, taking the number of people confirmed dead to 17.
Italian search-and-rescue teams have found another body aboard the partly sunken cruise ship Costa Concordia, civil protection office spokeswoman Francesca Maffini said Sunday.
The approach of Valentine's Day may have you entertaining thoughts of love, perhaps even marriage.
The leaders of Germany and Italy sought to present a united front Wednesday in the fight to resolve the eurozone debt crisis and revive the ailing European economy.
Saying it was "shocked and alarmed" after a Chinese man and infant were killed in a botched robbery in Rome, the Chinese Embassy urged Italian authorities to protect Chinese citizens in Italy.
It sits in the ancient heart of Rome and is an emblem of the city's imperial history as well as an icon of Italy.
UniCredit's stock plunged 14% on the Milan stock exchange Wednesday after the Italian bank slashed its offering price for €7.5 billion of new shares.
Europe's leaders warned 2012 was likely to be tougher than 2011, when spiralling borrowing costs forced political change in Italy and Spain and threatened the survival of the euro.
What fiscal pact? There is little sign that last week's European summit even happened, judging from the high cost of sovereign debt and the weakness in European markets.
Italy's borrowing costs fell slightly on Monday as the Treasury sold ?7bn of one-year bills to yield 5.952 per cent with demand nearly double the amount on offer.
The European Council of December 8 produced a curious mixture of cohesion and disagreement.
Italy's new prime minister late Sunday proposed ?30 billion ($41 billion) in new taxes and spending cuts over two years, including reductions to future pensions, in an effort to end a budget crisis that has clouded the future of Europe's common currency.
Italy's borrowing costs shot higher on Friday as Rome was forced to pay euro-era high interest rates to investors in what analysts called an "awful" auction of short-term debt.
As Mario Monti works to form a new Italian government, CNN's Matthew Chance examines the challenges ahead.
U.S. stocks slid Monday as investors grew wary over whether political transitions in Greece and Italy will help resolve Europe's debt crisis.
Italy's debt crisis raises an uncomfortable question in the United States: Is America like Italy?
U.S. stocks were set to edge lower Monday, as Greece and Italy swap out leaders, and investors remain cautious about how much these transitions will help resolve Europe's debt crisis.
As Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi steps down, the charming billionaire will leave his country with a legacy of colorful brashness and painful debt.
U.S. stocks looked to build on gains from the previous session Friday, as leaders in Italy and Greece took measures to curb the region's ongoing debt crisis.
CNN's Nina dos Santos has a look at what four options are available to Italy to potentially stave off economic disaster.
Silvio Berlusconi's imminent departure only leaves more uncertainty for Italy. CNN's Matthew Chance reports.
The eurozone crisis has truly engulfed Italy -- but is it because the country is insolvent or simply unable to access funds easily in the financial markets?
Douglas J. Elliott, who worked as an investment banker for two decades, is a fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said Wednesday that his country will adopt a series of austerity measures promised to the European Union, as officials try to allay investor fears and head off a eurozone debt crisis.
CNN's Erin Burnett talks to Wolf Blitzer about the big drop fueled by concerns over Italy.
Asian stock markets tumbled in early trade on Thursday, reacting sharply to global fears that Italy's debt crisis could trigger a European recession.
Investors ran for the hills Wednesday, shaken to the core by fears that Italy, Europe's fourth-largest economy, was headed deeper into crisis mode.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said Wednesday that his country in coming days will adopt a series of austerity measures promised to the European Union, as officials try to allay investor fears and head off a eurozone debt crisis.
Europe's financial crisis claimed its second scalp in three days when Italy's Silvio Berlusconi announced he will step down after parliament approves new austerity measures in an effort to stave off economic collapse.
CNN's Matthew Chance discusses what's next for Italy after Silvio Berlusconi plans to steps down.
Investors better buckle up. U.S. stocks are headed for a sell-off at Wednesday's open, after Italy's key bond rate rose above 7%, sparking worry that Italy may be forced to seek a bailout.
Italy's borrowing costs remain in the danger zone near 7%, even after embattled Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced he would resign after the next budget is passed by parliament.
These eggplant halves look wonderful and are as delicious cold as they are hot, a perfect side dish or vegetarian main course that can be made in advance.
Stocks climbed higher in the final hour of trading after a choppy day. Investors have shifted their focus to Italy, as it appears Greece is finally getting its house in order.
Greece is last week's news. Today investors are worried about Italy, where the cost of borrowing has reached record levels.
World markets were choppy Monday following speculation that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could be on the verge of resigning.
U.S. stocks were poised to kick off the week slightly lower, as worries about the stability of Greece and Italy continued to hang over global markets.
Italy has agreed to have the International Monetary Fund monitor the implementation of proposed fiscal reforms, European Union officials announced Friday.
CNN's Max Foster takes a look at the history of the euro and the controversy surrounding it.
Investors took a critical view of Europe's master plan Friday, after a tepid auction of Italian bonds highlighted that confidence is still lacking.
Seven people have died and seven others are missing after rains triggered severe flooding in northern Italy, civil protection officials said Friday.
CNN's Jonathan Mann speaks to Newsweek reporter Barbie Nadeau about violence at the Occupy Rome protests.
An epic tour of the Continent is the time-tested way to see Europe -- if you've got a month or three and a pile of cash. Until you win the lotto, we'll help you hit the grandest sites on your wish list.
The gloom hanging over European markets lifted slightly Wednesday amid rising hopes for a government rescue of the continent's troubled banking sector.
In another sign of the tough financial conditions in Europe, Moody's on Tuesday cut Italy's credit rating by three notches and assigned it a "negative outlook."
The United States' hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time were dashed in New Zealand on Tuesday, after a 27-10 defeat to Italy.
Wouldn't it be easier if Italy were just a bit more boring? The art, the history, the landscapes, the pasta -- seriously, you're always going to feel like there's more to do (or eat). If actual relaxing is on your agenda, the Piedmont region may just be your answer.
The surprise downgrade of Italy's sovereign debt overnight by Standard and Poor's exposes the fatal flaws of pushing through draconian austerity measures on a nation experiencing economic weakness.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services cut Italy's sovereign credit rating late Monday, saying the nation's weakening economic growth and political uncertainty have dented its financial stability.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday blasted the downgrading of his country's debt by ratings agency Standard & Poor's, saying it was more influenced by politics and newspaper reports than by economic reality.
The debt crisis in Europe is knocking on Italy's door, but American banks still appear to be well insulated from the dreaded contagion.
Stocks finished a choppy session higher Monday, as investors who have been worried about a deepening European debt crisis pinned their hopes on a report that China is in talks with Italy to buy the cash-strapped country's debt.
Italians take to the streets of Rome to protest the government's austerity plans.
A major Italian trade union called on workers to strike Tuesday, as the country's Senate prepares to vote on austerity measures to try to bring the country's budget under control.
A major Italian trade union called on workers to strike as the country's Senate prepares to vote on austerity measures.
[Updated 3 p.m. ET, Monday, August 29] These beachgoers are enjoying themselves on Isola dei Conigli ("Rabbit Island") in Lampedusa, Italy.
British heiress Petra Ecclestone weds in a three-day celebration
The Italian football season will not begin this weekend due to a player strike over the league's collective bargaining agreement.
The din of approaching vehicles shattered the silence over San Pancrazio at daybreak. It was June 29, 1944, when retreating German SS troops stormed the remote Tuscan village nestled in the Italian countryside.
A sharp drop in manufacturing, a towering debt-to-GDP ratio and a jaw-dropping decline in equity markets.
Turbulence and uncertainty dominated the global financial markets on Friday as a lack of investor and trader confidence continued to drive share values downward.
Italy has found itself at the center of spiralling economic concerns in recent days. Fears that it might default on its huge debt have pushed up the cost of government borrowing and led Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to address lawmakers in a bid to reassure the markets.
If you think the markets have been ugly in the United States for the past eight days, you obviously haven't looked at Italy.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi expressed confidence Wednesday in Italy's ability to confront the financial anxieties shadowing Italy and rest of the continent.
From an ancient stone villa in Piedmont to an atelier in Florence, we reveal Italy's best affordable country inns.
The far right in Europe has enjoyed a renaissance over the past 30 years, driven by resentment of the growing powers of the European Union and by rejection of the "multiculturalism" that has accompanied rapid immigration from the developing world.
CNN's Nina Dos Santos talks to a professor about Italy attempting to pass a $57 billion austerity plan.
When it comes to financial problems in the Eurozone, can you fairly compare Italy with Greece? CNN's Becky Anderson asks.
U.S. stocks were headed for another bruising day Tuesday, as fears about the eurozone debt crisis spreading to Italy rattled investors' nerves.
World stock markets tumbled Tuesday, after a report stoked concerns about the finances of more than five dozen Chinese companies, and as fears remain high about Europe's debt crisis spilling over into Italy.
This whole euro debt crisis is starting to remind me of the tagline of "Jaws." Just when you thought it was safe to go back into stocks ... cue the ominous cello music.
World markets slumped Monday, as fears about debt crises plagued both Europe and the United States.
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Home > Find a Cruise > Greek Isles and Eastern Mediterranean > Black Sea Legends > Excursions > Constanta > Bucharest - Little Paris of the East
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Enjoy a rich landscape of rolling green hills and quaint towns as you make your way through Romania's countryside while en route to the capital city of Bucharest. Once considered the Paris of the East for its long leafy avenues, elegant buildings and distinguished social scene, today's Bucharest is a fascinating blend of both old and new. Here, you'll find an eclectic combination of architecture that mixes charming historical buildings along with those of the Communist-era and some highly modern structures as well.
Arriving in Bucharest you will first travel to the Palace of Parliament for a photo stop. Formerly known as the Palace of the People, the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. This grandiose building was built and furnished exclusively with native Romanian materials and reflects the work of the country's best artisans and craftsmen. It has been reported that during the last years of construction, this structure and the Centrul Civic created such a massive demand for Romanian marble that headstones throughout the country had to be made from alternate materials.
Your tour continues on to the Patriarchal Church. Built between 1654 and 1658, an outstanding bell tower greets you at the entrance and the beautiful Byzantine interior reveals exquisitely carved side altars, frescoes and a remarkable icon depicting Constantin and Helen that dates back to 1665. Adjacent to the church in the same courtyard, is the Patriarchal Palace. Closed to the public, it serves as the residence of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Following your visit at the Patriarchal Church, you'll transfer to a local restaurant where you'll be treated to lunch while enjoying a delightful performance of traditional folk music and folkloric dances.
After lunch, re-board your coach and travel to the Village Museum, considered to be one of Bucharest's finest attractions. Situated in an idyllic lakeside setting within Herastrau Park, this utterly fascinating and unforgettable outdoor museum provides a true insight into Romania's rural culture. A collection of over 300 buildings accumulated from various regions throughout Romania recreate a village setting and represent the history and design of the country's rural architecture. Included are peasant homes, barns, wooden churches and Transylvanian houses. Traditionally dressed peasant workers further illustrate what life was like during the 16th and 17th centuries and perform everyday tasks using tools and accessories from that period. The homes at the museum are lovingly cared for by local women who volunteer their time to preserve this rich piece of Romanian heritage.
Before returning to Constanta, your tour will also visit Revolution Square where you can see the former Royal Palace of the Romanian Royal family, which later served as headquarters for the Central Committee of the Communist Party. It was from this very building that Romanian dictator Ceausescu escaped by means of a helicopter during the Revolution of 1989, although captured a short while later outside the city. Today, this magnificent former palace is home to Romania's National Museum of Art.
Please note: The roundtrip travel time to Bucharest is approximately 6 hours on a motor coach and is not considered suitable for those who cannot sit for extended periods of time. The Patriarchal Church and the Village Museum charge camera and video fees ranging from approximately 6 - 15 Euros. These fees are not included in the tour cost and must be paid directly at the site. Those wishing to use their cameras or video equipment are strongly encouraged to bring along an adequate amount of Euros for this purpose.
NOTICE: All Oceania Cruises shore excursion fares are listed per person, and are subject to change and availability. Some tours are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Tour departure times are subject to change so please reference your actual tour ticket for the correct departure time. Minor children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a an adult parent or guardian on all shore excursions. While Oceania Cruises makes every effort to adhere to the specifics mentioned in each shore excursion description, circumstances may require otherwise. All shore excursion information contained on this website is subject to change without notice at Oceania Cruises' discretion. Oceania Cruises is not responsible or liable for typographical error, omissions or misprints.
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Download the template here: Mickey and Friends Easter Basket Tags
Print out the Easter basket tags on regular paper or cardstock. Write the name of the person who will receive the basket on the tag. Cut out the tags and punch a hole over the small dark hole on the right side of the tag. Thread a piece of string or ribbon through the hole and tie it to the handle of the Easter basket.


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The Terrell Academy Eagles are moving on to round 2 in the GISA State Baseball Playoffs.
They needed two games Saturday to do it however.
In Game 2 of the series, Covenant jumped out to a 10-2 lead after three innings.
The Eagles wouldn't go quietly though, rallying for five runs in the final four innings.
They would fall short though, 10-7.
Game 3 was a different story.
TA disposed of Covenant in 3 innings, 16-0, to advance.
All rights reserved.


text:
Paradise on Earth: Remodeled condo: FALL Sale/APRIL in Siesta Key
- bedrooms 1
- baths 1
- sleeps 2
- pool yes
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type Condo
- community White Sands Village
rates (USD)
/ week
$ 1,600 - $ 3,400 / month
Siesta Key Condo deals
stays between: 8/31/14 & 12/31/14
deal expires in: 3 days
Paradise on Earth:Remodeled condo: FALL Sale. Also April available.
Walk to Siesta Key beach/enjoy pool:1 Bedroom/1 Bath condo; sleeps 2. Fall SALE:$1800/month - $200 off = $1600 month*; two weeks: $1000*; 1 wk: $700- $100 off = $600. *+12% taxes/$60 refundable cleaning fee(NON-smoking unit). APR: $2800-400=$2400
- $1,800 $1,600/month ($200 off)
- WIFI,Beach Chairs and ice chest ($100)
deal# DPCCJX
vacation rental description
No need to fight the crowds for a parking space to enjoy the powdery-white sands of Siesta Key Public Beach, #1 beach in the United States. You're close enough to walk there! WIFI in clubhouse; beachchairs provided. This renovated one bedroom, one bath garden condominium has a large bedroom with plantation shutters, mirrored wall, his/her closets, flat-screened TV and a king-sized bed. The renovated kitchen has a microwave, dishwasher, granite counter tops, ceiling fan, pull-out specialty drawers for pots/pans as well as recycling and disposal units. Bathroom is new, too, with a combination tub/shower. Don't want to go to the beach today? Have breakfast on the screened-in private lanai (new lanai furnature)before enjoying the garden-style heated pool area surrounded by palm trees, where you can cook out on the large grill or check out a book from the clubhouse library. There's also WIFI access in the clubhouse or by the pool. You are one mile from Siesta Key Village. Rejuvenate. Reinvigorate. Recharge—treat yourselves to Paradise on Earth. NO SMOKING, please.
The building complex is equipped with a laundry area, covered parking, outdoor shower and social room. Dishes, towels, bed linens, beach chairs, toiletries...everything is provided. Just bring yourselves and your clothes and enjoy "Paradise on Earth"!
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 08-20-2014 at 5:38 AM.
email owner view full calendar
Lois Blackway 941-914-1020
condo rental amenities
Living room with sleeper sofa, dining area, kitchen, 1 bedroom with
king-sized bed, 1 bathroom (tub/shower), lanai, central air
conditioning, dishes, utensils, updated kitchen with granite countertops, dishwasher, coffeemaker, ceiling fans, garbage disposal,
toaster, ironing board, thin-screened LCD-TV with VCR & DVD in living
room, TV in bedroom, sheets, blankets, laundry (located on the
property), towels, beach chairs, heated pool. There are tennis
courts, volleyball, a playground, refreshment stands and picnic
areas across the street at Siesta Key Public beach. The property is
an hour from Busch Gardens in Tampa; two hours from DisneyWorld &
Universal Studios in Orlando; 15 minutes from Venice Beach; 15 minutes from St. Armond's Circle, Lido Key, 40 minutes from Warm Mineral Springs, (legendary Fountain of Youth).
activities and attractions in Siesta Key Gulf Coast Central
Beach/swimming, water sports, shelling, golf, world-class restaurants, shopping
(world-famous St.Armand's Circle), Universal Studioss & DisneyWorld, Orlando are only 2 hours away; Venice Beach is 20 minutes away; Ringling Museum, Mote Marine
Aquarium, Historic Asolo Theater, Grand Prix boating; water skiing, dog racing,
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Selby Gardens, Sarasota Jungle
Gardens, Oscar Shearer State Park (canoeing, trails).
vacation rental rates
Current Sales:
FALL RENTAL Sale: $1600/month (SALE $200 off -Regular Price is $1800/month);
2 weeks/$1000*;
10 days = $800*
*Plus 12% taxes & $60 refundable cleaning fee, if unit is left reasonably clean.
April is available for $2400/month* ($400 off!!!)
Non-smoking unit; No pets
Regular Rates:
May - Nov.: $700/week *
June to Dec.: $1800/month *
April & Jan..: $2800/per month *
Feb.& March: $3400/per month*
*(Add 12% Taxes & $60 cleaning fee.)
Security deposit is required to confirm your reservation. This is a non-smoking unit.
Lois Blackway 941-914-1020
accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center
Top things to do in Siesta Key
- Sun bathe! No need to fight for a parking space. Walk to Siesta
- See a show at the Van Wezel or Asolo Theaters
- Fabulous restaurants
- Golf
- Disney/Universal: 2 hour drive
Top things to do on a budget
- Selby Gardens
- See alligators at Myakka State Park
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Warm Mineral Springs (Englewood)
- Downtown Sarasota or Bayfront
Top things to do with a family
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Ringling Museum
- Busch Gardens/Tampa
- Mote Marine Aquarium
- Oscar Shearer State Park (canoeing, trails, camping)
Lois Blackway , owner


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Established in 1919, New England Meat Market has provided the finest meats and poultry for three generations. Today, the owner, Charles Silva, upholds the tradition, offering unparalleled quality, superior selection and exemplary service to their discriminating clientele.
New England Meat Market offers the finest meats available. Silva has modernized and expanded to offer today's busy consumers a wide selection of prepared foods and grill-ready/oven-ready marinated meats in addition to the more traditional, full service cuts. A friendly staff of knowledgeable butchers is always available to offer assistance on food selection and preparation.
Looking for anything from fresh produce to specialty meats or even catering we do it all. Feel free to call anytime or come on down and we can help you with all you meal plans.
Thank you New England Meat Market
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Super Saver (Front)
Super Saver (Back)
Sandwich Menu (Front)
Sandwich Menu (Inside)
Catering Menu (Front)
Catering Menu (Inside)
60 Walnut Street - Peabody, MA 01960
Find us on MapQuest!
Phone: (978) 531 - 0846
Fax: (978) 532 - 4283
Email Us!
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8-6 / Sunday 8-3


text:
Dodgers round-by-round picks
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers, who drafted the son of Manager Jim Tracy Tuesday
in the 21st round, selected the son of bench coach Jim Riggleman Wednesday.
Jonathan Riggleman, a 19-year-old third baseman from Hillsborough Community
College in Tampa, was taken in the 37th round.
"We think he's a good draft-and-follow," said new scouting director Logan White.
"He has raw power, soft hands and he worked hard to make himself a good player.
Sometimes it's hard being the son of a former Major League manager. But he has
ability. This is not a courtesy pick."
Ken Gurnick covers the Dodgers for MLB.com. This article was not subject
to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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text:
Grass Block
Solid Block
See Growth
|Blast resistance
Yes (64)
|First appearance
|Data value
dec: 02 hex: 2 bin: 10
A Grass Block is a block that was introduced very early in the game. It uses 4 textures: a gray one for the top which is then tinted to the correct color according to what biome the block is in, one borrowed from the dirt block for the bottom, an edited dirt texture with grass on the top edge on all of the sides, and a gray texture matching the shape of the grass on the side of the block, which is tinted to the correct biome color. When covered by snow the side texture is white. On natural maps, grass appears on topmost blocks of dirt with no fluids or opaque solid blocks above them.
In mining, grass blocks behave just like dirt - they drop dirt resources and are best dug with a shovel; however, they make a different sound when harvested and take slightly longer to dig up. This can be used to tell when the player is about to break the surface when tunneling upwards.
[edit] Growth
Grass grows spontaneously only during map generation. Afterward, it can only spread to a nearby dirt block. Grass spreading without player intervention depends heavily on the time of day. In order for a dirt block to accept grass from a nearby grass block, the following requirements must be met:
- The dirt block receiving grass must be within a 3×3×5 range of the source block where the source block is in the center of the second topmost layer of that range,
- The source block must have a light level of 9 or brighter directly above it,
- The dirt block must have a light level of at least 4 above it,
- Any block above the dirt block must not reduce light by 2 levels or more.
Light-reducing blocks include any opaque block, as well as lava, water, ice, and partially transparent blocks like stairs and single slabs. Grass blocks can grow under all other transparent blocks like glass, fences, torches, or pistons. Grass jumps directly from one block to a neighbor and is not affected by gaps or other blocks being "in the way". Grass blocks spread at random intervals and have an equal chance of spreading to any suitable dirt blocks that are in range. Because grass can spread as much as 3 levels downward, it tends to spread down slopes much faster than it spreads up them. Also due to this spreading 3 levels down regardless of obstructions, the player can later discover grass growing in dirt floored cellars or extremely shallow caves if the player previously lit them.
Harvesting grass blocks by hand or with most tools will drop a dirt block. However, grass blocks that retain the grass on top can be harvested by any tool with the Silk Touch enchantment. When mined with such a tool, a grass block will drop just like the same block in the Creative mode and can be placed in any valid location. This can be useful for creating grass patches in places where it doesn't naturally occur, such as underground, the middle of a desert, player made structures, or more exotic places like the Nether or the End. Once harvested with Silk Touch and the above requirements are met, grass blocks will spread normally in both the Nether and the End, though it does not occur naturally in either. Of course, dirt doesn't occur naturally in those places either, so it must also be brought in by the player in addition to the grass block.
Without using Silk Touch, the player can help grass spread by placing a trail of dirt blocks from a grass block to the patch of dirt where grass is desired. The process can take awhile, but it can be sped up by lighting the blocks so the grass also has a chance of spreading during the night. It can be sped up even further by placing dirt blocks on the sides and on top, leaving a space above each block. With this method grass can grow to more of the adjacent dirt blocks, increasing the odds of transfer.
Since Endermen can pick up some naturally occurring blocks, they can also unintentionally spread grass. An Enderman can pick up a grass block, teleport elsewhere in the map and place the grass block on or next to some dirt where it can spread if the above requirements are met. This can lead to rare occurrences where the player discovers grass growing inside caves or ravines that the player previously explored and lit.
[edit] Death
A Grass Block will die and change to dirt after a random time if covered by any block that reduces the light level above the grass block to 4 or below, including any opaque blocks, or the surrounding area is brought to sufficient darkness. Transparent blocks directly over grass can't kill the grass directly, if the surrounding area provides sufficient darkness, the grass will die.
For example, in direct sunlight with a light level of 15, grass will die with 4 or more water or ice blocks directly on top of it (assuming it isn't getting any extra light from the sides). In Moonlight, which is level 4, grass will die when covered by a single water or ice block.
Tilling a grass block with a hoe will convert it to a Farmland block, which can then revert to a dirt block from several causes, which can then return to grass.
Grass blocks also change to dirt when sheep "eat" them.
[edit] Uses
- Animals will occasionally spawn on grass blocks that have light level 9 or brighter in the space directly above. This is quite rare and requires that there be few other animals nearby. Most animals are instead created along with the terrain. See the spawn page for details.
- Passive mobs tend to wander towards grass blocks. They also wander towards light, but they ignore light over grass blocks and prefer them to any light levels below 10.
- Bone Meal used on Grass Blocks will grow tall Grass and Flowers.
- Sheep "feed" on grass blocks by turning them into dirt.
- Sheep regrow wool when they "eat" a grass block.
- Grass blocks can be used to make lawns, gardens or as a shade of green in pixel art that is on the ground.
- A growing or dying grass block can be detected by a BUD. Therefore, growth and death conditions can be used to create a redstone light sensor.
[edit] Video
[edit] History
|Grass block was the second block in Minecraft, after Cobblestone.
|When first introduced, Grass block had its top side texture on all sides, resulting in "grass cubes"[1]:
|Grass blocks now have side textures. Also, the top texture was made brighter:
|Grass now lives on dirt under light.
|Changed the grass block texture to make the grass overlay slightly higher.
|Changes the grass block texture back to the one it was.
|Sheep would eat grass to regrow wool on their bodies, reverting it to dirt. Often, the grass would regrow just as quickly as sheep would eat it.
|Attempting to place grass blocks by means of hacking one's inventory in Classic Creative Multiplayer will cause the server to automatically kick the player. Due to Creative mode's lack of dynamic lighting, grass that is in shadow will eventually die and change to dirt. Grass in one's inventory used to have a green color on all sides of the block.
|December 23, 2009
|Grass now grows in slightly lit areas.
|January 26, 2010
|Placeable grass blocks were stored in chests for a short time, and when placed, no matter where, the grass would never die. The only way to kill the grass was to mine the block.
|Before, grass blocks had a bright green top texture since Biomes didn't exist at that time, and when biomes were added in the Halloween Update, the color of the top of the Grass block now corresponds to whatever biome it is located in:
|The grass block textures on the top of the sides are the same hue as the grass on top on Fancy mode.
|Seeds are no longer obtained by using a hoe on a grass block; tall grass will occasionally drop seeds.
|Between Alpha 1.2.0 to now, Grass block had a different texture when held by Endermen or obtained in the inventory (via an Inventory Editor or the /give command). The texture appeared to have the side face on the top as well:
|It was not possible to legitimately obtain a Grass Block before this update with the introduction of Creative Mode. It was first obtainable in Survival Mode in 1.9Pre-4 when enchantments were added, and with Silk Touch destroying a Grass Block would give the actual block instead of Dirt, although you cannot pick up the block again with a normal tool after placing it yourself.
|Official release
|Beta 1.9-pre5
|The top textures of Grass Blocks and snowy Grass blocks were slightly changed, to look more fitting with standard biomes and give it a darker look:
|The functionality of slabs has changed and will no longer revert grass blocks beneath it to dirt allowing grass to spread from underneath.
|Grass now has new sounds when being placed and walked on.
|Grass's top texture is now rotated randomly, thanks to the addition of arrays to the block model format.
|Pocket Edition Alpha
|Added grass blocks.
|Console Edition
|Added grass blocks.
|Pi Edition
|Added grass blocks.
[edit] Issues
Issues relating to "Grass Block" are maintained on the issue tracker. Report issues there.
[edit] Trivia
- Grass blocks and dirt blocks changing between each other is a very common cause of chunk updates.
- A grass block has become the favicon for Minecraft.net, and is the icon for the Minecraft launcher and the Pocket Edition app.
- In MineCon's goodie-bags, grass, along with the Creeper, diamond, and the Player, were given as foldable decorations.
- TNT and Sponge sounds for walking on, placing the block, and destroying it are the same as the grass block.
- If at the edge of the rendered world (i.e. the edge of a chunk, where the adjacent chunk has not yet appeared), the edge line of grass blocks will adopt the "default" grass hue, until the adjacent chunk appears, at which point it will assume the correct color (this is more easily noticed in swampland biomes).