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(WMC-TV) – A second gun was found on a Shelby County Schools campus less than one week after a gun discharged in a cafeteria at Westside Elementary School.
Cypress Middle School was temporarily placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon, according to Shelby County Schools.
The school's principal, Gina Nicholson, wrote in a letter to parents that a school security officer "received a tip from a student that a classmate brought a gun to school." She also said in the letter that the school wanted "to commend the student who came forward."
The principal reiterated in her letter that parents should check their children's belongings, including backpacks.
Memphis police were called after the backpack was confiscated, according to SCS. The gun was unloaded. No one was injured.
Last week, the district announced that all schools would have access to hand wands after a gun went off in a 5 year-old's backpack.
Superintendent Dorsey Hopson told the school board Tuesday night that enhancing security will cost between $18,000 and $20,000.
"If it detects one weapon in school that would be used to harm a child, it's well worth it," he said.
In addition to hand wands, high-incident middle and high schools would have full-size metal detectors.
The 13-year-old was charged with possession of a weapon on school property.
Read the letter that was sent home to parents Tuesday here.
Copyright 2013 WMC-TV. All rights reserved
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I have a csv which has postcode data in a field, but it is non-spatial e.g. no Easting and Northing. I have a shapefile with postcode in a field and some additional data.
I want to join the csv with the shapefile based on attributes (postcode fields). I know I can do this in ESRI ArcMap, can I achieve the same thing in Quantum GIS?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Montrose rumour millindicates that Ruairi Quinn is considering standing for nomination for election as first Mayor of Dublin.
I think he would make an interesting choice, has government experience, ran the economy prudently, has dealt with unions, understands the built environment, understands the bigger picture and is overqualified for his current role.
The question is can the government get the policy through during the current lifetime of this Dail?


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A site about the English language, usage and grammar
What we aim to do here is stand as a reliable place online to find the answers to your language questions. There is so much misinformation out there, a lot of rumo{u}rs and plenty of myths being spouted on forums and message boards that it can be difficult to find correct answers.
Enter, whichenglish.com.
With so many people relying on the web these days rather than books as sources of information, this site aims to fill that gap and give you what you need digitally and free of charge or subscription. Rather than being a commercial site backed by venture capital and an office full of people, whichenglish is run by one editor and an editorial assistant doing this in their spare time.
We hope that you find the answer to your questions and enjoy the site.
Please like us on Facebook and Twitter if you do!
How To Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times (2013)
By Roy Peter Clark
Little, Brown and Company
"... on the subject of short-order writing for today's online world this book is unsurpassed and likely to be unmatched for a long time to come."
American Roy Peter Clark is better known at home than abroad but deserves recognition throughout the English-speaking world. I first encountered him when I happened across his book Writing Tools – a fiendishly clever book that blew me away – which I have been recommending ever since. So now, he has a new book entitled How To Write Short and I am dying to know what this book has in store.
Clark begins by stating that he wrote this book to inform a generation of writers who in these fast-paced times of blogs and tweets need to write good short writing that "makes us stop, read, and think". The most important messages, he argues, are short, include the key elements and immediate. This can also be achieved without sacrificing literary values. In fact, short writing is nothing new.
Click here to read the full review of How To Write Short
For Who the Bell Tolls (2013)
By David Marsh
"While other books – to borrow from Talking Heads – quickly "Stop Making Sense", this one walks on stage and makes a whole lot of sense."
The market for books about English usage and grammar in particular has in my mind become polarised in the last decade or so between books that tell you off and those that genuinely give encouragement. Something strange has happened. The prescriptive/descriptive views are now Old School. The new paradigm is punitive and … well, plain old helpful. This new release by David Marsh, production editor at the Guardian newspaper since 1996 and editor of its style guide on language and language blogger, is a quirky book written with a genuine passion that is rarely found in grammar books. To say it simply, this is a joy to read.
Click here to read the full review of For Who the Bell Tolls
English Dictionaries
We live in the information age, with iPhones, iPads, computers and laptops, yet books will always be around. As a researcher and writer about the English language, I have compiled the first online version of Dr Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755) and featured a blog about the Bryce's World's Smallest Dictionary (1890).
Click here to browse Dr Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (1755).
Johnson's Dictionary full-text online version
Exclusive world first
Whichenglish.com is proud to present the:
Online version of Samuel Johnson's The Dictionary of the English Language (1755) as a full-text version
This is the first time that a full-text version of Johnson's 1755 dictionary has been made available in an HTML format.
Bryce's The Smallest English Dictionary in the World (1890)
Gwynne's Grammar (2013)
By N.M Gwynne
"Steeped in a rectitudinal style that many will find mellifluous but which others will find stultifying"
Gwynne's Grammar is the current darling of the grammar-book scene. Ebury Press republished it in a new format in April this year and it has shot right to the top of the sales charts, much in the way that Eats, Shoots, & Leaves did a decade earlier. Whether or not this book reaches the 5-million mark a la Eats remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: if you liked Eats, Shoots, & Leaves then this book is for you; if, however, you disliked its verboseness then you may have the same feelings towards this book.
Click here to read the full review of Gwynne's Grammar.
EXCLUSIVE Watch the exclusive video interview with N.M Gwynne here.
Featured definition
duct tape or duck tape?
It is spelt correctly as duct tape, not 'duck tape'.
For those who care to know, the story goes like this: the Dutch word doeck for linnen cloth entered the English language in the 1640s as duck. This cotton and linnen fabric was used for sails and clothes. By 1899, one company in New Orleans developed an adhesive tape made from waterproof duck fabric. The cables on the Brooklyn bridge were protected by 100,000 yards of the stuff by the turn of the century.
That said, however, the first recorded use of duct tape according to the OED is an example from Wisconsin dated 1965. (Gaffer tape first appeared in 1977.) It is this spelling that has now become the standard English spelling around the world. Why? One reason is that 'Duck tape' is a trademark of the Duck Brand company and this needs a capital D. Use of the archaic and generic 'duck tape' that is not associated with said brand, with a small d, is technically trademark matter. Stick to the standard form, 'duct tape'.
HBR Guide to: Better Business Writing (2013)
By Bryan A. Garner
"A valuable weapon in every business writer's arsenal"
American Bryan A. Garner is a noted lawyer and businessman on the one hand, and a grammarian and lexicographer on the other. His published works include Garner's Modern American Usage, a book that I personally rate as among the top-five books currently available on English usage, Black's Law Dictionary and The Elements on Legal Style. He is also a contributor to the esteemed Chicago Manual of Style. He has also trained 150,000 lawyers in the art of written persuasion and effective contract drafting for dozens of Fortune 500 companies.
Garner's latest book, The Harvard Business Review (HBR) Guide to Better Business Writing, makes the leap from writing for the legal sphere to meeting the needs of the modern business writer. So, what does this new book offer?
Click here to read the full review of HBR Guide to Better Business Writing.
The best books about the English language
There are so many books about English out there that it can almost be overwhelming. Apart from my own book, The Joy of English (see link above), here is a selection of some of the best – all of which I have read.
I have begun updating the books section. Here is a small taster of the books being featured, both old and new.


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|Fans getting their wish in Midsummer Classic
|Thursday, July 11, 2013 12:12 AM
By JIM METCALFE
Sports Editor
I'm not going to get into who should have been voted into the Midsummer Classic — or not. When you depend on the fans, they sometimes — sometimes? — allow emotion to get the best of their judgement.
As that great American philosopher, Gomer Pyle, might opine: Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!
That's part of what makes the Midsummer Classic what it is and as the French might observe: Vive La Difference!
After all, isn't that what Major League Baseball — and throw in the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League — are really all about: the fans?
I get that professional sports are about making a profit for the owners, the players, the networks, etc., but you don't do that by alienating the fans. You get people to come to games, to watch these "modern-day gladiators" on the tube, to listen to these events on the radio, to go to your websites and read about the comings and goings of your team on and on, in order to make those dollars.
Those do not happen without us, folks!
Remember that, ALL you guys.
With the NBA Finals done for a month and NFL training camps not quite open — now is the time for our football heroes to get some vacation time — MLB has the team sports spotlight all to its lonesome.
That can be a positive: with such good stories as the Los Angeles Bums … er, Dodgers Yasiel Puig making a late push to be included on the National League team; the possibility that the Pittsburgh Pirates will finally — finally! — have a winning record and make the playoffs after a professional record-setting run of futility; with a tremendous second-half chase shaping up in the American League East — one or two of those teams will not make the playoffs — amongst the regular headlines, those are items MLB want there.
Unfortunately, it can also be negative to have the sports world solo as far as team sports. The biggest issue right now is the MLB investigation into performance-enhancing drugs involving Biogenesis and how far-reaching it will eventually become.
I don't know to really think: one side of me hopes they "nail the cheaters" — I think MLB ignored some obvious signs and so did we all in the name of our sports and our heroes — and the other part hopes they are innocent and will be judged so because I WANT to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I won't go into the "third" part!
We shall see!
I am a Los Angeles Laker fan. I have been since they acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1975 and remain so.
I will remain so as they go through this forced-rebuilding process after the fiasco that was the Dwight Howard saga.
Anyone that thinks they can simply pick up and carry on like nothing has happened after Howard signed with the Houston Rockets for basically nothing in return — or a bunch of roster "occupiers" to keep salary-cap space for the hoped-for free-agent Class of 2014 (good luck!)and hope that you don't embarrass the Laker brand — is, well, not involved with reality.
Fans talk about what his replacement on the roster, Chris Kaman, has averaged over his career and isn't a bad sub but that isn't what he's done lately.
You basically gave up a still-young center in Andrew Bynum — now being considered by an up-and-coming Cleveland Cavaliers — for a one-year crapshoot (for nothing, in essence) and further compounded it by signing a far-beyond-his-prime Steve Nash to run a high-tempo offense with a slow, slower, slowest group and you gave away your future to do so.
You keep a head coach over Howard to run an offense that simply does not fit your personnel — maybe in two years if you let Kobe go and actually get a bunch of young, fast, athletic pups in there to actually run a fast break by some kind of magic, drafting, trades.
You keep thinking Kobe can play millions of minutes a year, keep going as if he hasn't aged a day, isn't coming off a major, major injury and will be his old self — is he going to take 50 shots a game to prove he "still has it"?
I have actually posted some of these thoughts on some of the team's forums; I don't think I am alone.
I will be honest: one never really knows what pro athletes will do when their — in this case — manhood is challenged and they may surprise me.
I repeat: we shall see.


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Make sure you're ready for Easter, says health body (From Worcester News)
Get involved! Send your photos, video, news & views by texting WN NEWS to 80360 or e-mail us
Make sure you're ready for Easter, says health body
1:41pm Thursday 17th April 2014 in News
WITH hospitals expected to be under extra pressure over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend as people Worcestershire are being reminded there are a wind range of other NHS services on offer outside of normal GP opening hours.
Many GP practices and dentists will close this evening and not re-open again until Tuesday morning so the organisation responsible for arranging medical services in the south of the county is advising patients to be prepared.
South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group is reminding people to make sure they are fully stocked up on prescriptions as well as medications such as paracetemol and a first aid kit and to make sure they know when their GP practice is closed by visiting www.southworcsccg.nhs.uk/about-us.
Medical advice is available from NHS 111 but in an emergency always call 999.
Anyone unsure about whether they should go to A&E can visit www.isaandeforme.com.
Pharmacies can also offer help and advice.
Urgent care lead for the three CCG's in Worcestershire Ruth Davoll said: "There are a number of different things people can do to manage whatever condition they may be living with.
"For example, making sure you collect your repeat prescription in good time will mean you're well equipped for the Easter break.
"If you need urgent medical help when your doctor's surgery is closed, but it's not a 999 emergency, call NHS 111, a free service which is open 24 hours a day.
"The NHS 111 advisors can give advice on how to look after yourself at home or direct you to a nearby NHS service that can help. They can also make an urgent appointment with the GP out-of-hours service, if you're assessed as needing one."
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Written by Patrick Zukeran
Dr. Zukeran shows us that the greatest defense of the diety of Jesus was made by Jesus Himself. Claiming to be God in the flesh, His words and His actions had to be an apologetic for His claim. People could see He was a man; He had to prove to them that He was also Diety, God in the flesh.
Jesus was one of the greatest leaders, teachers, and remarkable individuals that ever lived, but few realize that Jesus was also the greatest apologist. Apologetics is the rational defense of Christianity. Christian apologists use reason and evidence to present a convincing case for Christianity, challenge unbelief, expose errors, and defend the message of the gospel. Apologetics was an essential part of Jesus' ministry. If it was important in His ministry, it certainly should be in all ministries looking to impact the unbelieving world for Christ.
The Bible commands us in 1 Peter 3:15, "But set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer [apologia] to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have." We are commanded to provide a well-reasoned answer for our faith in Christ to an unbelieving world. Jesus commanded us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Mt. 22:37). Apologetics involves knowing why you believe and complies with Christ's command of loving God with your mind.
There exists some misunderstanding among Christians as to whether apologetics is necessary. Some believe that our belief in Christ is based on "faith" and thus does not require solid reasons or evidence to support it. Therefore, in witnessing to unbelievers, some mistakenly suppose that apologetics is ineffective in leading anyone to faith. The call of the Christian is to simply present the gospel, and the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures will do the rest. However, this was not the example of Christ.
Christ made extraordinary claims to be the divine Son of God. He made such claims as being the source of life, forgiver of sins, the embodiment of truth, and authority over the Old Testament Law. Such claims were met with skepticism, doubt, and hostility. Jesus knew He was making remarkable claims, and He did not expect people to simply believe His message without good reasons. He was not seeking or wanting people to exercise "blind faith." Jesus understood that we are rational and moral beings, for we are created in the image of God who is a rational and morally perfect being. For this reason, we exercise our rational capacity and investigate the evidence before making decisions.
Christ knew He would have to make a convincing case to uphold His claims and He did. Throughout His ministry, Christ presented compelling reasons and evidence to uphold His claim to be the divine Son of God. Jesus' apologetics included the testimony of witnesses, miracles, the resurrection, prophecy, reason, the use of parables and more. The apologetic methods of Jesus serve as a model for every believer who desires to engage and impact an unbelieving world for Christ.
A man ill for thirty-eight years lay beside the Pool of Bethesda along with a multitude of crippled individuals. Suddenly an unknown stranger walks up and asks him a strange question. "Do you want to get well?" As the lame man begins to explain his situation, the stranger orders the man to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!" Immediately, strength enters his legs and he rises and walks, carrying his mat as the stranger orders. Soon afterwards the Pharisees arrive and an examination ensues.
What should have been a moment of rejoicing turns into a serious interrogation. The Jewish leaders in John 5 confront Jesus seeking an opportunity and reason to kill Him. Instead of praising God in the healing of the lame man, the focus of the Jewish leaders is on the apparent violation of their Jewish tradition by Jesus.
Jesus responded saying, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (Jn. 5:17). The following verse states, "For this reason, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God." (Jn. 5:18). In this chapter Jesus performed some remarkable feats and made some extraordinary claims. When questioned, Jesus gave an answer or an apologia, a defense of His work and character. In His answer, we see that He was the greatest apologist and that apologetics was a key component in the ministry of Jesus.
In the passage that follows, Jesus presents one of the clearest and strongest cases regarding His nature as the divine Son of God. New Testament scholar Leon Morris states, "Nowhere in the Gospels do we find our Lord making such a formal, systematic, orderly, regular statement of His own unity with the Father, His divine commission and authority, and the proofs of His Messiahship, as we find in this discourse."{1}
What was the apologetic method Jesus used in this instance? Jesus' apologetic involved the testimony of witnesses. According to Jewish law, a testimony is valid only if there were at least two witnesses who could testify to the truth of an individual's claims (Deut. 19:15). Jesus knew these men needed solid testimony to confirm His claims but also testimony that would convict them of their error regarding their understanding of His identity.
Jesus brings forth five witnesses that testify on His behalf; John the Baptist (5:32-35), His works (5:36), the Father (5:37), the Old Testament Scriptures (5:39-40), and Moses (5:41-46). There were no more authoritative witnesses than these. In a brilliant presentation, Jesus makes His case. The testimony of witnesses was part of the apologetics of Jesus.
It is a well-known fact that Jesus was a great storyteller. His stories captivated the audience and taught a valuable lesson. The term "good Samaritan" and "the prodigal Son," are recognized all over the world because of the unforgettable stories told by Jesus. One of the best ways to communicate truth is to illustrate it through stories which are also an effective way to penetrate into hardened hearts that would not be receptive to a direct gospel presentation. The parables of Christ are some of the most remarkable lessons ever taught. However, did you know that the parables of Christ were also powerful apologetic presentations of our Lord?
Through the use of these stories, Jesus makes a declaration and a defense of His ministry and claims. The images He selects are used in the Old Testament and later Jewish literature in reference to God. Jesus uses these images and applies them often to Himself. Philip Payne states, "Out of the fifty-two recorded narrative parables, twenty depict Him in imagery which in the Old Testament typically referred to God. The frequency with which this occurs indicates that Jesus regularly depicted Himself in images which were particularly appropriate for depicting God."{2}
By applying these images to Himself Jesus indicates his self-understanding as the divine Son of God and was communicating this truth to His audience. Payne identifies ten prominent images used in the parables in which images used in reference to God in the Old Testament Jesus applies to Himself.{3} Jesus' repeated use of such images indicates He wanted His audience to recognize His divinity and that He was carrying out the very will of God in His ministry on earth.
Here are a few examples where Christ declares His divinity in the gospels. The image of the rock is used to describe God, especially in the Psalms (Ps. 19:14, 28:1, 42:9, 61:2, 62:2, 71:3, 78:35). In the parables of Jesus, He states that those who build their lives upon His teachings have built their lives upon "a rock" (Matt. 7:24-26 and Lk. 6:46-49). In Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34, God is portrayed as a shepherd. In John 10 Jesus identifies Himself as the good shepherd. In another parable, Jesus uses the example of a bridegroom. In Isaiah 49, 54, Jeremiah 2, and Hosea, God is pictured as a bridegroom. In Mk. 2:19, Matt. 9:15, and Lk. 5:34-35, Jesus identifies Himself as the bridegroom. The parables were powerful stories Jesus used to communicate truth but they were also part of the apologetics of Jesus.
Jesus commanded us to "Love the Lord your God with all your . . . mind" (Mt. 22:37). Jesus exemplified what it meant to love God with "all your mind." He was the greatest thinker who ever set foot upon the earth. Philosopher Dallas Willard states,
We need to understand that Jesus is a thinker, that this is not a dirty word but an essential work, and that his other attributes do not preclude thought, but only insure that he is certainly the greatest thinker of the human race: 'the most intelligent person who ever lived on earth.' He constantly uses the power of logical insight to enable people to come to the truth about themselves and about God from the inside of their own heart and mind.{4}
We need to understand that Jesus is a thinker, that this is not a dirty word but an essential work, and that his other attributes do not preclude thought, but only insure that he is certainly the greatest thinker of the human race: 'the most intelligent person who ever lived on earth.' He constantly uses the power of logical insight to enable people to come to the truth about themselves and about God from the inside of their own heart and mind.{4}
Jesus understood that we are created in the image of God. Our creator is a reasonable and rational being. We are thus endowed with the capacity for reason and rationality. In Isaiah 1:18, God invited Israel saying, "Come now let us reason together." God wanted the people of Israel to use their ability to reason and consider the consequences of their behavior.
Jesus showed Himself to be a brilliant apologist who used the laws of logic to reveal truth, demolish arguments, and point out error. The communication of truth and discerning error requires the use of reason. Since our faith is a reasonable faith, reason was part of the apologetics of Jesus.
An example of the use of reason is found in Matthew 12:22-28. Here the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the Devil. Through the use of reason, Jesus showed their accusation to be false. The argument He used is the argument known as reductio ad absurdum [Latin for "reduction to the absurd"]. This is an argument that demonstrates if the primary premise is supposed to be true, then it leads to a contradiction that is absurd. One would then inevitably have to conclude that the original premise is false.
Jesus responded stating that "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out?" Jesus points to the illogical nature of their accusation and further points to the testimony of His miracles that confirm His authority being from God.
Something had gone terribly wrong. The Messiah had arrived but the Kingdom, which would be characterized by liberty, freedom, and the just rule of God, had not arrived. Instead, John the Baptist found himself in prison awaiting execution. Confused and discouraged, John sent his disciples to Jesus to ask Him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Lk. 7:20). Jesus responds by pointing to the testimony of His miracles: "Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Lk. 7:22-23). When asked by John if He was indeed the Messiah, Jesus defends His claim by pointing to the testimony of His miracles. Miracles represent another component in the apologetics of Jesus.
A miracle is a special act of God that interrupts the normal course of events. Natural laws describe what occurs regularly by natural causes, but miracles describe what happens rarely, by supernatural causes. A miracle is an act of God designed to confirm the word of God through a messenger of God.{5}
Throughout the Old Testament, God used miracles to confirm His message and His messenger. Christ's miracles demonstrated that what He claimed about Himself was true and that God's confirming hand was on the message He preached. Jesus performed a vast array of miraculous signs that demonstrated His divine authority over every realm of creation.
When friendly as well as hostile audiences questioned Jesus, He defended His claims with the testimony of miracles (Mk. 2:1-12, Jn. 2, and 10:22-42). Many who witnessed Christ's miracles made the connection. Nathaniel, witnessing the omniscience of Christ, responded exclaiming, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." (Jn. 1:49). Nicodemus in his evening visit meets Jesus saying, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." (Jn. 3:2).
When Christ establishes His kingdom, all creation will be subject to Him. Sin, sickness, death, and disease will be overcome and the subjects of the kingdom will never be in want. The miracles of Christ reflect His divine character and demonstrate the King of the Kingdom has arrived.
Apologetics was an essential component of Christ's ministry and should be an important part of any ministry looking to engage this lost world for Christ. The Bible commands us to defend our faith, and Christ set the supreme example for us to follow.
To learn more about the apologetics of Jesus and gain valuable practical lessons from His examples, check out the online store at Probe.org and purchase a copy of the newly released book, The Apologetics of Jesus written by Norman Geisler and myself.
1. Leon Morris, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1971), 311.
2. Philip Payne, "Interpreting Jesus' Parables," (Ph.D. diss., Cambridge University, 1980), 263.
3. Ibid., 313-17.
4. Dallas Willard, "Jesus the Logician," Christian Scholars Review (Summer 1999): 610.
5. Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004), 201-2.
© 2009 Probe Ministries
About the Author
Patrick Zukeran served on the staff of Probe Ministries for 22 years, having received graduate degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M) and Southern Evangelical Seminary (D.Min). He presently serves on the faculty of the Bible Institute of Hawaii (www.biblehawaii.org) and is the Director of the Pacific Apologetics Center (www.pacificapologetics.org) based in Hawaii. He serves on the faculty of several Christian colleges around the world. He has a national and international speaking and teaching ministry, and also hosts a national and international radio show "Evidence and Answers" (www.evidenceandanswers.org). Pat has authored several books including The Apologetics of Jesus, co-authored with Norman Geisler, Unless I See, and served as editor of God, Eternity, and Spirituality. Pat can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ. Probe fulfills this mission through our Mind Games conferences for youth and adults, our 3-minute daily radio program, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org.
Further information about Probe's materials and ministry may be obtained by contacting us at:
Probe Ministries2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2000Plano TX 75075(972) firstname.lastname@example.com information


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Staff report
The Eagle-Tribune
---- — LAWRENCE — Two men were arrested this morning and charged with the murder of a Lowell man on the afternoon of Sept. 9 on Union Street.
Jose Rivera, 32, of 176 Farnham St., Lawrence, and Albert Vasquez, 18, of 22 Camden St., were arrested today and charged with the murder of Martin Butt, 28.
After an intensive investigation by members of the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Essex County District Attorney's Office and members of the Lawrence Police Detective Unit, arrest warrants were obtained and the suspects were taken into custody at their residences without incident this morning.
Both suspects will be arraigned at Lawrence District Court this afternoon.
The arrests were made with the assistance of the State Police STOP team, Lawrence Police, Methuen Police, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, State Police K9, Essex County Drug Task Force and the DEA Cross Border Initiative.
Two others have already been arrested in connection with Butt's death.
Immediately after the incident, police arrested Stephanie Coleman, 22, and Christopher Ansara, 27, of 96 Ashland St., Methuen, and charged them with one count each of accessory before the fact, murder.


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The WHCC Winter Sales will continue over the next several weeks with our most popular products, as well as many of our hot new products, on sale at some point before April! Look for sales on Framed
Prints, Standout mounting, Metallic prints, Gallery Wraps, Traditional Photo Canvas, Press Printed Books and Press Printed Albums!
Order 1-9 packages of any of our Press Printed Greeting Cards and receive them at the 10-19 package price! This is 15-20% off the 1-2 package pricing! The sale applies to all
sizes of Greeting Cards (4x5.5, 5x5, and 5x7) both flat and folded including the Accordion, Trifold, and Wide Format 5x7. All five paper surfaces including Standard, Art Linen, Art Watercolor,
Pearl, and Recycled qualify. Each package of cards includes 25 cards and envelopes.
Press Printed Posters on both the Standard and Pearl papers are 20% off when 50 or more copies are ordered. Press Printed Posters are perfect for school sports teams, school groups, the promotion of community festivals,
or to promote your own studio's upcoming sales or events!
The Press Printed Card and Poster Winter Sale is a great opportunity to plan for the upcoming graduation card season! Order samples of cards you've sold before or design new cards to display to your clients.
Press Printed Cards are a great and easy way to increase your sales for all occasions!
There is no limit to the number of sale priced orders you can place. The sale is only valid on orders placed through ROES.
Sale pricing will automatically be applied to qualified orders, but will not show up in ROES when
ordered. Orders must be received with a valid order confirmation between 12:00am CST on Tuesday, February 2nd and 11:59pm CST on Sunday, February 7th.
More info on our Press Printed Cards.
More info on our Press Printed Posters.
Prepare for the upcoming Framed Prints Winter Sale by ordering a Frame Corner Set this week for $20! The corner set includes four 2 inch corners in black, cherry, iron, and bronze as well as a
sample of the double white mat. We're also including a sample corner of a new, soon to be released thin black moulding. Our frames and frame corners are manufactured by GNP Frame, a leading wholesale
frame manufacturer for the photographic industry. All sale priced frame corner orders are shipped FedEx Ground directly from GNP in southern California.
Please keep in mind only the Frame Corner Set is on sale this week, Framed Prints are not on sale yet. Please order your frame corners through the "Frame Corner Set" catalog in ROES. The sale is only
valid on corner sets shipped with the free ground shipping. Expediated shipping is not available on sale priced corner sets.
Continue to watch for additional WHCC emails announcing more Winter Sales now through April. Specific sale dates and discounts will be announced immediately prior to the start of the sale.
We recently added a new feature to ROES when ordering Gallery Wraps. Now you can easily add a white or black border to the sides of your Gallery Wrap right in ROES when placing your order.
If you just want to have a simple border, you don't need to worry how much border to add in Photoshop for that particular size you are ordering. Just select the option under Size Options on the left side
of ROES and drag your image into the middle of ROES. You can adjust the crop of your image in ROES without worrying about the borders! This features works for all Gallery Wraps except custom sized wraps.
Gallery Wraps will be part of our Winter Sales, so now is the time to be working on images you want to order for studio samples. Watch for an upcoming announcement for the start of the Gallery Wrap sale.
More info on our Gallery Wraps is available on our website.
Want more information on all of our products?
All the information you need on all the products we offer is available in our 2010 Pricing and Services Guide available at pro.whcc.com.
2010 Pricing and Services Guide
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The Sheltered Island family debuted in Pre-Fall 2013. Returning for Resort 2013, Sheltered Island maintains the same graphic colorblocking the group is known for, but has been updated through a rich color palette and a new chip-resistant gunmetal finish on the feet of select styles. The Sheltered Island Top Handle is a perfect day-to-day accessory. This top handle features a front clasp closure, logo detailing, and adjustable cross-body strap for an alternate carrying option.
12.75" x 5" x 10.25"
100% Cow Leather


text:
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Karpackie Super - Browar Van Pur S.A. (Brau Union Polska)
Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.
Ratings: 20 | Reviews: 16 | Display Reviews Only:
New York
2.8/5 rDev -2.8%
A: The beer is crystal clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of fusel alcohol and apples are present in the nose.
T: The overall taste has slight hints of sweetness along with notes of apples, adjunct malts and alcohol, the latter of which lingers through the finish. No bitterness is perceptible.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't very tasty and you can definitely notice some of the alcohol in the smell and taste. It is reminiscent of an American Malt Liquor.
07-15-2013 02:52:43 | More by metter98
2.28/5 rDev -20.8%
"Beer drinkers having extreme requirements shall choose the Karpackie Super Mocne beer."
--Browar Van Pur
Sunny tangerine with bright amber edges and a fluffy crown of pale khaki colored foam that filled almost half the glass on the initial pour. The head lasts acceptably long, looks decent while deflating, and does an okay job with lace.
The nose has the typical pale malty, musky Euro hoppy and grain alcohol character of the style. It's pretty weak, which probably a good thing, and doesn't deliver much in the way of nastiness.
Karpackie Super is a fairly lackluster Polish strong lager that tastes less potent than most brews of this ilk. This bottle is about one month short of the 'best by' date, though it probably wasn't appreciably better immediately after bottling.
Specifics include sugared grains (mostly corn), an underwhelming grassy hoppiness, a dash of minerals, and a shot of Wyborowa. More hops, for both flavor and bitterness, would fix this lager right up. It still wouldn't be any better than average.
The underbubbled mouthfeel is part of the problem. The beer has no presence at all. It simply washes over the tongue without making any sort of sensory impact.
Karpackie isn't Super. Nor is it Duper. If you have extreme requirements, my suggestion is to drink beer that is actually extreme. This one is instantly forgettable and isn't worth the purchase price, no matter what it might be.
07-14-2010 13:20:53 | More by BuckeyeNation
2.8/5 rDev -2.8%
BBD: 08.07.2010 $1.79 from Gene's Sausage Shop.
This was an odd one. Poured into a 22 oz. mug, there was 3 fingers of active foam with large bubbles. Within a minute or so, it was completely still with no head. Typically that would seem like a sign of infection, but the other aspects of the beer were ok. It looked like juice or cider in the glass.
Oddly enough the first whiff I got reminded me of bourbon. Sour mash sweetness, wet wood, and earthy. Later it was sweet and appley.
Sort of astringent and undercarbonated, sweet with poorly masked booze. It does remind me of cookies with dried apple. Sweet with some odd spices, maybe nutmeg. Dry aftertaste from the alcohol. At $1.79 this might be a better deal than Night Train, but it's about as drinkable. I think my curiosity for obscure Polish beers is satiated... at least for the time being.
12-15-2009 00:43:53 | More by emerge077
Alberta (Canada)
3.4/5 rDev +18.1%
500ml bottle.
This beer pours a clear, pale golden copper colour, with one finger of tight soapy off-white head, which settles quickly to a thin cap, leaving no evidence in the way of lace. It smells of sweet bready malt, earthy, somewhat spicy hops, and faintly nail-polish like alcohol. The taste is sweet grainy malt, some dark, sugary fruit, a bit of spiced caramel apple, and surprisingly mild warming alcohol. The carbonation is moderate to low, the body medium weight, mostly attributable to the various sugary components, and consequently smooth. It finishes still sweet, with a minor flare-up of the boozy sort.
A somewhat interesting tipple, much like this brewery's other strong offering. While malt-liquor-ish in the beginning, it turns into a fairly even, if still saccharine, affair. Hides the booze well, and is cheap, with some minor hints at greater aspirations.
04-19-2011 01:13:46 | More by biboergosum
3/5 rDev +4.2%
Once more, my local, in-person trader, tone77, has dropped off something new and different for me to try. Prost!
From the bottle: "Original blend of traditional Polish recipe".
My pour netted a finger of fizzing tawny head with mild retention. Color was a deep, coppery-amber (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-quality clarity. Nose was very malty-sweet with a hint of fusel alcohol. Hmmm. Mouthfeel was thin, not necessarily watery, but very light-bodied and the taste was very sweet, almost sugary, on the tongue. The finish held a little bit of heat, but it was still mostly what I would characterize as sweet in a beer. This was not my first encounter with the style and there are far worse out there, I can assure you. That said, I am not recommending it, either. It is another crappy style and other than wanting to review it from a CAN, one is more than enough. It is more of a novelty than anything else.
10-11-2013 05:50:04 | More by woodychandler
2.42/5 rDev -16%
Karpackie Super
Browar Van Pur S.A. (Brau Union Polska)
Pours a lifeless pale amber color, no head. Aromas of fusel alcohol, boozy fruits, stale grain and a floral whiff of hops. In the taste, sugary sweet, definitely strong alcohol presence and dingy fruits and vegetation. Some buttery diacetyl is noticed, a sloppy byproduct of overworked lager yeast. More alcohol, harsh grains and some fruityness. Mouthfeel is medium to light bodied, thin but with a sting of carbonation. Overall, this brew was a beast, and only a malt liquor aficionado would I recommend this to.
12-31-2011 17:58:46 | More by Stinkypuss
New Jersey
2.75/5 rDev -4.5%
05-24-2014 17:41:04 | More by Latarnik
2.63/5 rDev -8.7%
Poured from a brown 16.9 oz. bottle. Has a rich golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of malts, some sweetness. Taste is of alcohol, some malts, alcohol, a bit of sweetness, more alcohol. Feels light in the mouth and overall nothing to recommend about this beer.
09-08-2013 20:28:51 | More by tone77
2.53/5 rDev -12.2%
Pours a clean orange-ish/ yellow color with an off white head. In the aroma, small hints of fruit and a small roast. In the taste, dry fruitiness in a standard European lager with some boozyness at the end. A small bitter and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry fruity aftertaste. Nice fruitiness, but a bit boozy.
10-06-2010 14:41:08 | More by OWSLEY069
3/5 rDev +4.2%
08-25-2014 03:04:52 | More by tommyguz
2.55/5 rDev -11.5%
Out of a bottle I was inspired to purchase by my attractive Polish friend this Polish beer was a light amber color with one finger of white head that left spots of lacing briefly before the head disappeared completely. The aroma was of booze, dry grains and bread. The flavors were mostly of corn and adjunct grains, booze, dry grains and bread along with a little hoppy bitterness on the finish. Not very distinct and not much better than an American malt liquor which is a shame considering the style (Euro Strong Lager) can rise far above that level. Still, the mouthfeel was good, the body medium and the carbonation appropriate. Easy enough to drink but nothing worth returning too.
01-14-2012 18:41:00 | More by thekevlarkid
2/5 rDev -30.6%
05-10-2012 15:28:21 | More by claytong
2.6/5 rDev -9.7%
Ruby amber with a creamy tan head that shrinks to a film pretty quickly and leaves little blobs of lace on the glass. The aroma consists of grain, butterscotch, fusel alcohol and green apple. Sweet, candied corn and green apple skin with a shot of vodka, yikes. Wimpy and sugary mouthfeel with a hit of alcoholic warmth in the finish. Karpackie Super is a sub-par Polish Malt Liquor at best.
08-20-2011 23:21:34 | More by biggred1
3.73/5 rDev +29.5%
Pours a clear amber color with a thin head that fades quickly. Aroma of big heavy slightly sweet malts bordering on raisin like fruits and a bit of toast. The taste is sweet malts, caramel and some faint green apple in the finish as well as some toasted malts. Medium bodied. Tastes like malt liquor at first, then it transitions into a sweeter quality. Finishes like dark fruit. Not too bad if you like sweet beer.
12-18-2010 02:46:30 | More by stoutman
2.88/5 rDev 0%
Euro Strong Lager? WTF?
Anyways, let's get into it.
Dark gold color, so I'm hoping for a little extra flavor with this one, and a big head that dissipates to NOTHING. No lacing to speak of. A few blips a CO2 lethargically struggle to the top.
Toffee and raisin, though relatively weak compared to similar flavors in a beer like Spaten's Optimator.
Butterscotch. Diacetyl? Maybe not, but there is a little hop balance, though this one could have used more.
Thin and flat.
Meh. It was less than $2 and I didn't find out until a week later that it was 9% for over a pint of brew. Once again, a brewery better than Kalnapilis. Kalnapilis sucks eggs!
01-06-2011 06:45:23 | More by tapman
3.5/5 rDev +21.5%
01-28-2014 20:11:09 | More by Mississippi
3.55/5 rDev +23.3%
500 ml bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Nice amber color with strong golden hues. Pours a small head that falls into almost nothing very quickly.
S: Smells like alcohol and bread. Some sweet clove and banana nose get into the action too.
T: The clove/banana from the initial smell carries over into the taste. There are some sweet prune elements as well as a taste like Madeira or Marsala wine. Aftertaste fades into a strange bitter yeast flavor with a strange element I can't pinpoint. Not quite metal but like that.
M: In this category it almost feels like I am drinking a nice Chimay. Good texture and viscosity.
D: I had no problem finishing the bottle but I probably wouldn't seek this one out again.
12-21-2010 17:58:09 | More by ForWhatAlesYou
New York
3.53/5 rDev +22.6%
A new find at the local Polish deli.
Nice rich amber with virtualy no head or subsequent lacing. Hmmm.
Aroma is of strong sweet grain and a whiff of ethyl.
Once again the taste mimics the smell with grain at the forefront followed by a wash of alcohol and a distinct candy sweetness. Pretty dry on the finish.
Like most Euro strongs, this has a sticky character that makes the brew seem fuller bodied than it might actually be. Very active carbonation.
Not a complex beer by any means but, since I'm buzzing only a third of the way through, a good choice when the mood calls for a numbing of the senses.
01-08-2010 20:45:51 | More by BrewMaven
New York
3.03/5 rDev +5.2%
Poured from a 16 ounce can into a Magners pint glass.
A- Dark golden/amber in color, thin white head, no lacing on the glass.
S- Floral notes with sweet malts.
T- Very sweet, almost had an artificial sweetness to it, malty and boozy.
M- Medium carbonation, syrupy, numbs the lips a little bit.
0- A bit too sweet. Not great, not bad. It's offers a cheap buzz with a drinkable taste. I won't be drinking this too often as it is not widely available to me.
04-19-2011 23:31:29 | More by Derranged
2.68/5 rDev -6.9%
Picked up a bottle at Srodek's in Hamtramck along with two and a half pounds of amazing Kielbasa.
I see a backwards date and hope it's wrong 07/22/11. If that's accurate the trip from Poland has been a long one, 8+ months. Pours clear light amber very little head. Has a cidery sweet smell common with these Euro Strongs. More apple-cidery sweetness with corny alcohol finish. Quickly dissipates with a cider alcohol after taste.
This is what I've come to expect with Euro-strongs: high ABV with a slightly better and more flavorful taste than say a Steel Reserve.
03-06-2012 23:53:57 | More by samyoung
Karpackie Super from Browar Van Pur S.A. (Brau Union Polska)
73 out of 100 based on 20 ratings.


text:
Once again, Arizona governor jumps into debate over illegal immigration
By Louis Jacobson
Published on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 1:46 p.m.
With President Barack Obama scheduled to give a speech on immigration on July 1, 2010, we decided it would be a good time to return to the question of illegal immigration. We looked at a statement by Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer that linked "a majority" of illegal immigrants to drug smuggling.
Brewer initially created a frenzy in April 2010 when she signed a law that makes being an illegal immigrant a state crime and requires legal immigrants to carry papers that confirm their status. Then in late June, she offered a string of comments over several days that suggested that many illegal immigrants are involved in drug smuggling.
The specific statement we checked was, "Well, we all know that the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules." We talked to experts and looked over statistical data to see whether Brewer was justified in her claim.
We concluded that she would have been on safe ground if she'd said that drug smuggling and human smuggling have become increasingly intertwined, and that sometimes, illegal immigrants have been coerced into serving as drug couriers. But she went far beyond that by saying that "the majority" are drug mules. Here is our report.
See Truth-o-Meter item.
Researchers: Louis Jacobson
Names in this article: Jan Brewer
We want to hear your suggestions and comments.
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text:
i have a mouseArea in my QML file with an onPressed function which calls a mp3 file.
The mp3 file is playing correctly, but if i touch the mousearea again during it play the file, it's just waiting till the end of the soundfile and plays it again.
For example: i have a 1 second mp3-file.
if i push a mousearea 10 times with my finger during a second, the 1 second mp3-file is repeating... 10 seconds!!!
the sound should appears when i press the mousearea without to wait till the end.
can anybody help?
best regards...
here a short snippet:
Code:MouseArea { id: ma0 x: 0 y: 0 width: 460 height: 200 onPressed: { play_click.stop() play_click.play() } } SoundEffect { id: play_click source: "res/click.MP3" volume: 1.0 }


text:
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Pensioner fined while visiting grandson's grave (From Bucks Free Press)
Send your news, photos and videos by texting bucksfreepress to 80360 or upload here
Pensioner fined while visiting grandson's grave
7:30am Saturday 25th January 2014 in News By Rebecca Cain, Reporter
A PENSIONER was left appalled after being slapped with a parking fine while she was visiting her grandson's grave.
Eve White, from Great Kingshill, was visiting the Snowdrop Garden at the High Wycombe Cemetery.
Her grandson, Josh, died when he was two days old, as he was premature, in 2001.
Mrs White has visited his grave often over the last 12 years and on Christmas Eve she went to place some items on his grave.
She parked her car on the driveway leading up the cemetery, which she said was off road and not obstructing anybody.
But to her horror she saw she had received a parking ticket, when she returned 10 minutes later.
Her daughter and mother of Josh, Jan McMackin, said: "She went to visit on Christmas Eve and put some things on his grave.
"She was there for ten minutes. There are no restrictions there at all.
"Nothing whatsoever. I just think thanks for your Christmas spirit. The reason why my mother was there because my son died when he was a baby."
The parking ticket said it would be £70 or £35 if paid within the first 14 days.
They wrote a letter to the parking company, which is based in South Yorkshire, and is contracted by Buckinghamshire County Council.
They found out last week their appeal had been rejected.
The company said Mrs White was parked on part of the public highway, where they are parking restrictions.
Mrs McMackin, who has two children and lives in Hazlemere, said her mum is 80 and finds it difficult to walk very far.
She added: "It is the principle of the whole thing. We have been parking there for years and never had a problem."
Communications manager for Transport for Buckinghamshire, Rosemary Bryant, said: "Unfortunately the vehicle was causing an obstruction as it was observed parked wholly on the footway where waiting restrictions apply. NSL Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO) have a duty to ensure the footways remain clear for pedestrians and those with buggies and wheelchair users. "Furthermore, the CEO would not be aware why the vehicle had been left on the footway or where the driver/owner was at the time."
Comments (5)
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9:41am Sat 25 Jan 14
thethe says...
11:58am Sat 25 Jan 14
1wycombe says...
12:42pm Sat 25 Jan 14
shakesheadindisbelief says...
8:03pm Sat 25 Jan 14
Flashheart says...
If there ARE restrictions, then she has legitimately been given a ticket which needs to be paid.
I don't see how this is news, as this happens all day every day
1:27pm Sun 26 Jan 14
Bookworm123 says...
Comments are closed on this article.


text:
This month in the E-Newsletter:
Tax Information: Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits
Q and A with the Parents Association
Important Academic Dates and Deadlines
Parents Winter Weekend
At Missouri State we believe that a strong relationship between a parent and student, coupled with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the educational process and University programs, will lead to improved student performance, satisfaction and general success. We also believe that it is important for the University to provide "opportunities" to foster interaction and present a common experience that students and parents can share. While we have always sponsored a "Parents/Family" event in the fall, and many groups sponsor activities in April and May, we have recognized the absence of a structured event that brings you to the campus to share an activity with your son or daughter during the winter months. Given this realization and number of recent enhancements to the campus, please accept our invitation to participate in the First Annual Parents Winter Weekend on February 21, 2009. Our goal is to provide a program which creates a special day for our students and their parents and family members who attend. We hope you will clear your calendars and participate in this weekend program.
The event is scheduled for February 21, 2009. You can find a list of all the events at http://studentaffairs.missouristate.edu/winterweekend.htm.
If you are able to attend this event, please RSVP online or by calling (417) 836-3087. Please contact us by Tuesday, February 17th to help ensure we order enough food and reserve enough spaces at the Lady Bears game to accommodate everyone. If you need more information before finalizing your plans you may call (417) 836-3087.
Tax Information
The tax season is well underway. There are a couple of credits that the Parents Association would like to share with you as you prepare to file taxes. The Hope and Lifetime Learning credits are two that have slight changes this year for Missouri State qualified students. Greene county, where Missouri State University is located, has been designated as a disaster area. This is significant for students paying tuition who may qualify for more credit on their returns. Here is a little more information about these two credits. For further information please talk with your tax representative or visit www.irs.gov.
Hope Credit
For the tax year, you may be eligible to claim a Hope credit of up to $1,800 ($3,600 is a student in a Midwestern disaster area) for qualified education expenses paid for each eligible student. To claim the Hope credit, the student for whom you pay qualified education expenses must be an eligible student. This is a student who meets all of the following requirements:
- The student did not have expenses that were used to figure a Hope credit in an two earlier tax years.
- The student did not complete the first 2 years of postsecondary education (generally, the freshman and sophomore years of college) before 2008.
- For at least on academic period beginning in 2008, the student enrolled at least half-time in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credit.
- The student was free of any federal or state felony conviction for possessing or distributing a controlled substance as of the end of 2008.
Lifetime Learning Credit
For the tax year, you may be able to claim a lifetime learning credit of up to $2,000 ($4,000 for students in a Midwestern disaster area) for qualified education expenses paid for all students enrolled in eligible educational institutions. There is no limit on the number of years the lifetime learning credit can be claimed for each student.
Tips for Parents
Taken from University of Toledo (http://parents.utoledo.edu/tips.asp) Each month there will be five more tips included, but if you would like the whole list you can visit the above website.
Tip #19: Don't panic when you receive depressing phone calls or letters. When troubles like a flunked test or ended relationship become too much for your student to handle, they will turn to the people they know they can count on, YOU!
Tip #20: Visit, but not too much. Although they might not admit it, student's look forward to a visit from their parents - especially if it involves dinner or a shopping trip. However, don't just drop in. Make it a planned event, so you both have something to look forward to. For example plan to attend the first annual Parents Winter Weekend on February 21st, 2009.
Tip #21: Trust them. Your student is trying to find themselves while away at college and the best thing you can do to help is believe in them to make the right decisions and learn from their mistakes.
Tip #22: Stay informed. Knowing what is happening on campus can help parents just as much as students. You can become a valuable resource for your student to turn to when they are looking for something to do or are cramming for their midterms. Research campus activities on the Web or check out the campus newspaper.
Tip #23: Encourage your student to become involved in campus activities and organizations – it will help improve their academic performance and provide them with skills valued by future employers!
Student Services Spotlight
The Writing Center: Empowering Success through Improved Writing Skills
The Writing Center is a welcoming place for students to gain advice on any writing assignment regardless of the course or topic. Whether you are just beginning an assignment or are in the final stages of a project, we can help! Undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty use this free academic support service to workshop papers for their academic courses, creative writing, speeches, presentations, course syllabi, and articles intended for publication.
Writing consultants for the Center are hired from a variety of academic disciplines and must be an upperclassman, have a strong G.P.A., submit exemplary writing samples, and provide at least three academic references. They participate in ongoing training in writing-center theory and practice, composition, and academic citation methodologies. In addition to providing personalized assistance to writers, the writing consultants offer various customized workshops on writing for university classes, departments, and organizations.
During a session, the writing consultant, using a facilitative approach, focuses on the academic quality of the paper, aiding the writer in achieving college-level technique. Instead of merely proofreading, the consultant enhances the author's work by asking questions, making suggestions, and guiding the author to a greater understanding of the paper at hand and of writing in general. Writing consultants can aid in every part of the writing process, including brainstorming, researching, drafting, revising, and organizing a paper. Consultants also assist writers with grammar, punctuation, and the citation methods of the Modern Language Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the Associated Press, among others.
The Writing Center asks students to bring in a project well before it is due and, if possible, to bring the class assignment sheet to the appointment, making it easier for the writing consultant to interpret the particular demands of the paper. Every paper is different, and a writer's needs differ from paper to paper. The focus of the session is to empower the author in becoming a better writer; thus, the consultant offers advice on critical thinking and the writing process. It is the Writing Center's philosophy that improved writing skills lead to educational and professional success in college and beyond.
Temporarily located in Pummill Hall 401 during the fall 2008 and spring 2009, semesters, the Writing Center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays. Hours for the summer 2009 semester have yet to be determined. Advance appointments, which are recommended, guarantee up to a 45-minute session. The Center opens during the second week of classes and closes on the last Thursday of classes before finals week and is closed whenever the university is closed.
For more information please call The Writing Center at (417) 836-6398 or visit their website at http://writingcenter.missouristate.edu.
Q and A with the Parents Association
Each month we will be taking questions that you have posed and answer them in the cleverly titled Q & A with the Parents Association. If you have questions that you would like to have answered over any area of campus please send them to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Important Dates and Deadlines for Spring 2009
You and your student may want to be aware of the following dates and deadlines. For a complete list please visit the Office of the Registrar.
February 10
Office of the Registrar Semester Audit (No drops, withdrawals, change of schedules, grade changes, etc. processed today; however, forms/requests will be accepted and processed at a later time.)
February 11
Grading Options Deadlines for First Block Classes: Last Day to Drop With Automatic N Grade, Put a Class on Pass/Not-Pass, and Change to or from Audit
February 16
Presidents' Day Holiday (No Classes/Offices Closed)
February 17
Deferred Payment Plan Installment Due
February 18
Monday Evening (4:00 p.m. or later) Classes Meet; Wednesday Evening Classes Do Not Meet
February 26
Mid-Semester Grade Rosters Available on the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center; Must be Submitted by 10:00 a.m. on March 9
March 3
Last Day to Drop or Withdraw from First Block classes
March 5
First Block Classes End
March 6
Mid-Semester/First Block Final Exams Period
March 9
Second Block Classes Begin
March 9
Mid-Semester Grade Rosters must be submitted on the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center by 10:00 a.m.
March 10
Mid-Semester Grades Available on Web My Information System
March 10
Last Day to Register or Add Second Block Classes; Last day to Drop Second Block Classes at 100% (less $60 for Withdrawals)
March 16
Deferred Payment Plan Installment Due
March 17
Grading Options Deadlines for Full Semester Classes: Last Day to Drop With Automatic N Grade, Put a Class on Pass/Not-Pass, and Change to or from Audit
March 21 - 29
Spring Break (No Classes/Offices Open)
April 9 - 10
Spring Holiday (April 9 No Classes/Offices Open; April 10 No Classes/Offices Closed_
April 15
Final Deferred Payment Installment Due
April 16
Grading Options Deadlines for Second Block Classes: Last Day to Drop With Automatic N Grade, Put a Class on Pass/Not-Pass, and Change to or from Audit
May 1
Last Day to Drop or Withdraw from Full Semester or Second Block Classes
May 5
Final Grade Rosters Available on the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center; Must be Submitted by 10:00 a.m. on May 18
May 7
Spring Semester Classes End
May 8
Study Day (No Classes/Offices Open)
May 9 - 14
Final Exams Period
May 15
Commencement: JQH Arena
May 18
Final Grade Rosters must be submitted on the Faculty/Advisor Resource Center by 10:00 a.m.
May 19
Grade Reports Available on the Web My Information System
May 19 - 20
Deans Review Student Grades and Determine Students' Academic Status
May 21
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May 25
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The second paragraph of Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" is one that I know — nearly all of us know, I guess — by heart, especially the line where "a woman with shorn white hair" is standing at the kitchen window, "wearing tennis shoes and a shapeless gray sweater over a summery calico dress. 'Oh my,' she exclaims, her breath smoking the windowpane, 'It's fruitcake weather!'"
My family was never fond of fruitcake, and because alcohol was forever banned from my grandparents' house after they found Jesus in their twenties, there was no need for us to visit the scary bootlegger Mr. HaHa Jones for a quart of fruitcake whiskey. So my grandmother never needed that much of a head start on her holiday baking.
As I recall she would really kick it into gear a couple of weeks before Christmas: actually, right about now. It seems in my memory that the kitchen windows would stay fogged for the duration — or at least, during the hours I was awake. It wasn't until I was about the age my granddaughter is now that it started to sink in, for me, the astonishing scale of that slow explosion of time and energy that would culminate in dinnertime (meaning, lunchtime) on the big day. When I was grade-school age, I suppose I categorized her annual culinary achievement with the natural phenomena I was learning about in my science and geography books: the Wyoming geyser named Old Faithful that rocketed a hundred feet into the air, like clockwork; or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, made up of several billion little-bitty organisms who apparently got together for a meeting and agreed, "Hey, it'll take awhile, but we can make this happen, guys!" In other words, a Natural Wonder. It was at that point, when I realized how much work she was putting in, that I decided to be less of a slacker (a term that hadn't been invented yet) and offered to help her do some of the cooking. Not surprisingly, Grandmother said thanks but no thanks. And to her credit, gave a very honest reason: nobody could do things the way she wanted them done. (Subtext: "nobody" including Granddaddy, so it was nothing personal.) Granddaddy's part in the annual drama was coming, though. On whatever day she decided on her Christmas cake menu, including the ones she would give to neighbors and friends, a ton of unshelled pecans and walnuts miraculously showed up in the kitchen, and Granddaddy was given the task of cracking and picking them. Each evening after supper, he'd take up his station at the couch with bowls and nut-cracking equipment spread around him, and work feverishly until bedtime or until he dozed off, whichever came first. (My offer to help crack nuts was refused because (a) I had homework to do, and (b) cracking nuts was too dangerous and I might hurt my hand. The word "over-protective" was not in common use in the 1950s, but the concept sure was.)
I wish now that I had a complete list of just one year's Christmas menu that my grandmother cooked. I vaguely remember there were at least three kinds of meat, at least 15 casseroles and vegetable dishes (including a choice of regular dressing and oyster dressing), and so many cakes and pies (the selections changed each year, with the only constants being Red Velvet Cake, Lane Cake and ambrosia) that a whole sideboard was required just to hold the desserts.
I remember that the array of different tastes was mind-bogglingly good, and that nobody ever went away hungry or without a sack of leftovers. And the Christmas lights and sparkles at the corners of my vision made the whole experience seem more like a dream than an actual day. In retrospect, I can see now that my grandmother's Christmas dinner extravaganzas would end up changing me, in more ways than just being less skinny after each one was over. But those changes have come hard.
My genetic makeup tells me that asking for help is a personal failing, and the only true path is to toughen up and insist on doing everything myself. Breaking that rule has been a slow process, but a fortunate one — especially since I'm now hitting the age when doing everything independently stops being an option.
My other genetic core principle says that bigger-and-better everything is the staff of life, and the best way to achieve this is to outwork and outdo everything the last generation achieved. But fortunately, the best possible object lesson against this madness was my grandmother's perfect Christmas Day meal. I've never tried to top it. Or even to match it. And Lord willing, I never will.
But that doesn't keep me from looking at the steam on the kitchen windows this time of year and thinking, somewhere down deep, "Oh my. It's Lane Cake weather!"
Dale Short is a native of Walker County. His books, columns, photos and radio features are available on his website, carrolldaleshort.com. His weekly radio program "Music from Home" airs each Sunday at 6 pm on Oldies 101.5 FM and is archived afterward on his website.)