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Worcester, Mass. - April 19, 2014 - Trailing WPI baseball in the NEWMAC standings coming into the weekend, Springfield completed a sweep of a three-game weekend series against the Engineers on Saturday at Worcester State, winning both games of a doubleheader, 5-3 and 4-2, led by hot-hitting senior catcher Sean Smith (Broken Arrow, Okla).
Smith slapped a two-run single to left field during the Pride's decisive four-run seventh inning in the first game, and then went 3 for 4 with two runs scored in the nightcap.
With Springfield's sweep, the Pride wins the NEWMAC West Division and will host MIT next weekend in a best-of-three semifinal series. WPI travel to Babson on Thursday at 3:30pm in the #4-#5 seed play-in game with the winner squaring off against Wheaton in a best-of-three semifinal series next weekend in Norton.
WPI (16-11, 10-7 NEWMAC) has one game left, away versus Nichols at 3:30pm Wednesday, before moving on to the NEWMAC Championship Tournament.
Springfield (16-14, 9-8) also has non-league games to take care of, playing road games against RIC on Monday and at Westfield State on Tuesday.
The Pride's Oliver Collette (Spencer, Mass.) went seven innings, allowing just three hits and two earned runs while striking out five to pick up his first win of the season in the opener. Peter Baranski (Hamden, Conn.) came in for the two-inning save.
In the second game, starter Mike DeMille (East Milton, Mass.) went five scoreless innings to open the game, but it was Dan Green (Oakland, N.J.) who picked up the win, benefiting from two runs in the top of the ninth inning by Springfield. Baranski came in for the bottom half of the inning to pick up his second save of the day and fifth of the season.
Both WPI pitchers went the distance, as Taylor Landry (Kennebunk, Maine) went nine innings in the first game and Mike Vaitkunas (Auburn, Mass.) did the same in the second. Vaitkunas gave up just three earned runs, while Landry struck out seven.
The opener remained scoreless into the bottom of the sixth inning when David Trujillo (Sutton, Mass.) led off with a single, later tagging up to score on a sacrifice fly by Sean Greene (Hingham, Mass.) that put WPI ahead 1-0.
However, Springfield stormed back with four runs in the seventh to seize control of the game. Dan Bergami (Schenectady, N.Y.) and Shane O'Leary (Kings Park, N.Y.) produced RBI singles to get things started, before Smith roped a two-run single through the left side for the Pride. WPI got two runs back in the bottom half of the inning on a DJ Ouellette (Watertown, Conn.) homer.
The Pride completed the scoring with an RBI double by Steve Starr (Lebanon, Conn.) in the ninth inning.
Springfield scored lone runs in the third and fourth inning of the nightcap to go ahead. In the third, O'Leary led off with a double and came around to score on a Starr groundout. The Pride tacked on a run in the fourth as Smith crossed the plate on a Corey Wilcox (Montville, Conn.) sac fly.
However, DeMille's unblemished five innings were scrapped after WPI tied it up, 2-2, in the sixth. The Crimson and Gray scored their first run on a squeeze bunt by Trujillo that scored Zach Blanchard (Warwick, RI) (2 for 4). The next run came quick as senior Will Feraco (Auburn, MA) followed with a solo homer to right on the next at bat.
That was all the offense WPI would produce though, as O'Leary hit a two-run single in the ninth to seal the series sweep.


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Backstage Weekend - The Kool Jazz Festival - 1982
By Gordonskene May 30, 2009 12:09 pm - Comments
(The Heath Brothers, minus "Tootie" for this gig) (Jay McShann - fingers ran the gamut) (Stan Getz - workin' on his "hit man" voice) In the 1
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Tiananmen Square - May 19-21, 1989
Robert Bork Nomination - September 1987

subset: commoncrawl


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|Your Stats Stink!
A handgun is carried for convenience and as a defensive tool, as it's not very practical to answer every call for police service with a patrol rifle slung across your chest.
A rifle is far more accurate than a handgun as well as far more effective at stopping fights. A shotgun is great at closer ranges, but a poor choice at anything beyond 25 yards, and only then when loaded with slugs.
The rifle should have never been abandoned as a law enforcement tool and that fact has become obvious to even the most liability-conscious administrators and many politicians. Today, more agencies are either issuing them or authorizing their officers to purchase and carry their own after completing the mandated training and qualification classes.
Most forward thinking administrators already had their officers so armed before the "Assault Weapons" ban even went into affect.
A handgun or shotgun, for example, is a poor choice for an active shooter call or a hostage type of incident. The rifle is clearly the tool of choice in these and other incidents.
The West Hollywood bank robbery/shootout that lasted so long would have been over almost as soon as it started had the LAPD administrators trusted their officers with patrol rifles. The offenders most likely would have been stopped by the first responding units.
Finally, restrictive gun laws do nothing to reduce violent crime as criminals don't abide by the law in the first place.
The only people who are hurt by such laws are those who don't cause problems in the first place – law-abiding citizens who like to collect and shoot semi-automatic rifles.
The F.B.I. recently released a study which should have not surprised anyone after interviewing convicted cop killers in prison.
To a man, they all said that they weren't restricted by gun control laws and that they stole the vast majority of the guns they used while committing criminal acts. A firearm can't be responsible any more than a law-abiding citizen should be held responsible for the violent acts of criminals.
– Officer David Orth


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While the Huskies have done much to tweak their offense during the offseason, including adding a new offensive coordinator, the defensive front is also in need of a tuneup.
Washington was embarrassed in a bowl loss to Baylor last season. They have since turned the defense over to new coordinator Justin Wilcox. And with the change on the headset also comes a change in the lineup.
The biggest change includes pass rusher Josh Shirley, who will now be a standup defensive end flanking the three downlinemen. Not quite a defensive lineman, but not a linebacker, either.
"[Shirley] has a good skill set but we also don't want to take away what he does best by having him become a linebacker, per se," said Wilcox. "It's definitely kind of a hybrid spot but he is with the D-line in meetings and we're excited about his potential at that spot."
Head coach Steve Sarkisian said the move to more of a 3-4 look better suits the kind of players he has on the defensive side of the football – especially against the spread offenses of the Pac-12.


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Crowds expected for weekend events in downtown Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- City leaders are gearing up for a big weekend in downtown Las Vegas.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for several events during the first weekend in September.
Downtown Las Vegas will be abuzz with First Friday, the annual Harvest Festival and the 2012 Pride Parade.
Safety is one of the main concerns for local authorities.
"While most everybody there is there to have a good time and they are good folks, there are those that will come to this event and they will look to prey on people who are unsuspecting," aid Lt. Jason Letkiewicz with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Metro is used to handling large crowds and say they'll have both uniformed and plane-clothed officers on duty.
"Las Vegas is a very diverse city," Lt. Letkiewicz said. "We have a lot of very diverse events and we are used to dealing with them."
Mayor Carolyn Goodman says events like these are part of what makes Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world.
For more information on the events in downtown Las Vegas, click here.
- Latest


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WELCOME to our parish website. Please browse our pages and learn more about our parish community. If you are new to our parish and wish to become a parishioner, you may do so by clicking here and completing a census form, or you may pick up a form in our rectory.
|Welcome Father Ed!
Welcome to Father Ed, our new pastor here at Our Lady of Guadalupe. We look forward to spending the next years with you and under your care and guidance.
|Faith Formation News!
It is Open Registration time for Faith Formation. Click here for details.
If your child received their first Communion this year, there is a special offer for you. Click here for information on the offer!
If you have any questions, call the Faith Formation office at 562-691-2104
|OLG School
Calling All Incoming Kindergarten—8th Grade Students!
Come see for yourself why Our Lady of Guadalupe School is the place to be for a quality Catholic education!
Schedule your OLG School visit and readiness testing appointment for the 2013/2014 school year. Call the school office at (562) 697-9726. Go Vikings! www.olgvikings.com.
|Our Mission
Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church,
|Driver License AB-60
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church helps to provide accurate information from reliable sources to the community of La Habra, so they may prepare to obtain their driver's license.
|Returning Catholics
If you have been away from the Church and would like to return, we want to help you come back!
Please contact Celeste Dowling
|Monthly Food Drive
You can help by supporting the Knights of Columbus, who along with the students of our Faith Formation program and Our Lady Guadalupe School, will be holding a food drive on the first weekend of every month. Click here for details.
Other News Items
Click here to visit Shepherd of Orange - Bishop Vann's blog.
Learn more about changes to our parish Mass intention procedures
Click here to download the Summer issue of the La Habra Life Center newsletter.
9:00 Sunday Mass for the homebound is on KDOC (does not fill Sunday obligation for those able to attend Mass)


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JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Shelbyville Boys Baseball 2013 is holding registration on Tuesday, February 5, Thursday, February 7, and Thursday, February 14 from 6-8 p.m. There will also be registration on Saturday, February 16 from 9-11 a.m.
Sign-ups will be at the Shelbyville High School main entrance foyer.
Registration fees are: $65 for one child per family, $90 for two children per family, $110 for three children per family. Each family will have the option of receiving 5 tickets to the annual fundraiser breakfast. These tickets can be sold for $7 each with the proceeds being kept by the family. If you do not plan on attending the breakfast or selling the tickets, you are not required to take any tickets.
There is a $20 late registration fee applied to any registrations received after February 16. There is also no guarantee of uniform for players registered after this date.
The different levels of play are: T-Ball Coach Pitch (4-5 years old); T-Ball Rookie Coach Pitch (6-7 years old); Minor League (8-10 years old); Major League (10-12 years old); Pony League (13-14 years old) *must not turn 15 before 8/1/12


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Our popular knit suiting that holds its form and flatters the body with the perfect amount of stretch.
71% Viscose 24% Polyamide 5% Elastane


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Texting and driving is a big problem with deadly consequences. The Bridgestone Corporation put out the call to teens across the country to make a video about safe driving. They've narrowed it down to just ten, and a Midstate teen is one of the finalists.
Tosh Chambers of Millersville, Lancaster County is a top-ten finalist in Teens Drive Smart's video contest promoting safe driving habits. Chambers's entry highlights other unsafe driving habits that are perfectly legal.
"We wanted to have a comedy aspect, and see if that got some attention," Chambers told our James Crummel in the abc27 studio on Sunday morning. "Based on some of the laughs we've heard from people watching, we think we've accomplished that.
Chambers is preparing to go to the University of Pittsburgh for his sophomore year in college. He'll study film and environmental geology. He said that he found the competition while browsing for scholarships online; the Teens Drive Smart contest caught his eye because he likes creating movies.
First prize is $25,000 in scholarships, while second place earns $15,000 and third earns $10,000.
"Seeing how many entries there were, and getting all the publicity we've had, is surprising. It's really just starting to sink in. Like being on TV, it's kind of a big deal."
Voting ends on Sunday, July 28. To vote for Tosh's video, visit http://www.teensdrivesmart.com/video-contest/vote/.
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As a parent of a young child, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing who will care for your child while you're at work.
A pediatrician, family practice physician, or pediatric nurse practitioner can be your baby's primary care provider. The medical specialty dealing with children is called pediatrics.
Newborns need just some basic items at first—a warm and safe place to sleep, food, clothing, and diapers.
As part of your preparation for your new baby, you probably got an infant safety seat for the car. But do you know how to make sure it's installed properly? And when do you switch to a child safety seat? Learn the ins and outs of safe car travel for your little one.
Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place after a baby is born. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
New Appointments1.866.CALL.MLH
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For more information, call 1.866.CALL.MLH.


text: 5 Dec 2012 ATTITUDES AT BASEL Chloé heads to Miami to toast 60 once more As a follow-up to its 60th anniversary exhibition in Paris (which ended last month), Chloé is set to host a private, one-night-only Chloé Attitudes Inspired exhibition at the Soho Beach House in Miami this weekend for Art Basel. While the original Chloé Attitudes show at Paris' Palais de Tokyo featured dresses by each of the house's nine designers, along with sketches by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and photographs by Helmut Newton, the Miami version will showcase exclusive scultpures, paintings, and photographs by up-and-coming female artists. Here, an early look at one of the Chloé works by Joyce Lee that will be on display. Lee's photograph depicts the house's iconic symbols, including a portrait of founder Gaby Aghion and Café de Flore coasters—the site of the first Chloé presentation in 1956. Photography Joyce Lee Courtesy Chloé Facebook Twitter Pintrest


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Kyrsten Sinema: Equality Champion in Arizona
November 6, 2012 by Dan Rafter, Associate Director of Communications
Voters in Arizona's ninth congressional district are voting today in a race that could send Kyrsten Sinema to Congress. HRC endorsed Sinema and has staff on the ground in Arizona pounding the pavement to ensure her election
Sinema previously served as a member of HRC's Arizona steering committee, and her career in public service is marked by her continued dedication to standing up for LGBT equality. She is a longtime supporter of marriage equality – working on more than one occasion to push back against anti-equality legislation in Arizona. She's advocated for our families, defeating a 2010 bill aimed at making it impossible for LGBT people to adopt. And – despite fierce opposition from those who work against equality – she's tirelessly advocated for workplace protection legislation in Arizona.
Sinema's election also would make her the first openly bisexual member of the U.S. House.
Check out some pictures HRC's Erin Miller sent along of Sinema visiting with volunteers working to get her elected:
|Paid for by Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Top Posts
July 30, 2014


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'Most Wanted' fugitive shot dead in Oakland, Calif.
Matthew B. Stannard, Chronicle Staff Writer
A fugitive sought in connection with a 2005 slaying in Vallejo was shot and killed in Oakland on Wednesday evening by investigators whom he had been evading for months.
Kim Saelio, 22, had been the subject of a six-month manhunt by police in Oakland and Vallejo and the state Department of Justice and Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. He was wanted on a murder warrant for the Nov. 11 killing of Curtis Mack Allen, 35, in Vallejo.
Full story: ...
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Shenanigans! by Allison Mattioli - 12 months ago
"We decided to celebrate at a local watering hole after a great game (we lost, but it was still great). Unknown to us they had their very own "Shenanigan Flat" and have asked for one of our shirts to display in their bar! This is the easiest, fastest, most cost effective, and most customer service oriented company I've EVER worked with. With 20 people on our team, it was great to see what the shirts looked like online before ordering. I will continue to order from you guys each and every season!!"


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International Initiatives
In an age when overseas travel was an enormous hardship, Keio founder Yukichi Fukuzawa visited the United States and Europe on three occasions. What he gleaned from his trips abroad was a belief that Japan needed to adopt elements of the Western educational system in order for the nation to progress into the modern era. Keio was formed, thereby, on the notion that an international perspective is essential.
Office for Global Initiatives (OGI)
International Center
In 1964, Keio University moved ahead of the other Japanese universities in establishing an organization that would manage international-exchange-related business. This organization, called the International Center, has continued to make contributions to the development of Keio University's international relations.
Center for Japanese Studies
This Center has provided students from around the world with the opportunity to learn not only the Japanese language, but also its unique customs and culture. For regular undergraduate and graduate students who are not native speakers of Japanese, a Japanese as a Foreign Language program is available.
Keio University Pamphlet "Gateway to World-Class Educational and Research Opportunities" (PDF:2MB)


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News: Joe Budden To Saigon, "Ain't Diss You Then But Now I Will"
Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 5:15PM
After a brief back and forth in interviews, Joe Budden has now released "A Letter to Saigon" taking aim at the New York emcee's rap career.
Tension between the two artists began last summer when Saigon took notice of a reference in a Budden record called "Roll Call," to which Joe Budden says he didn't intend as a diss.
"As soon as my wife gone they all on the Python/ They don't know I'm out to hit and run like Saigon..." "I ain't really mean nothing by the line. I didn't say it to purposely ruffle his feathers, but yeah, he caught offense to it," Budden said. "He got sensitive over it like a lot of emcees do." (Smack DVD)
Saigon recently blamed Budden for attempting a rap beef by calling a previous scuffle between Sai and Mobb Deep's Prodigy a "hit and run."
"Beef creates attention. The thing about me is I don't bother nobody but because I'm a 'conscious' black rapper, n*ggas pick on me. Joe Budden, I never did anything to this man in my life. Why would you just start up with me." (Hip Hop Game)
Budden has now taken aim at Saigon's career via the new track.
"Speak my mind, and n*ggas start feeling a way/Say what I feel, it ain't my fault they feel what I say/ Seem like in every interview, n*ggas wanna mention dude/ He took my good punch line and got it misconstrued, ain't diss you then, but now I will/ Just saying how I feel.."
"Got your camera showing off your tiny town house and your girl gone 'cause you ain't a real star/Not even a World Star/ The Greatest Story Ever Told will be never told/ Your mixtapes never sold -- I see an insecure n*gga trying to prove something/Desperate 'cause his music don't move nothin'." (Amalgam Digital)
Saigon has yet to respond to the diss record as of today (January 15).
[For more info on what's going on in the Big Apple peep SOHH NYC]


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Cardassian Union
From Star Trek Online Wiki
Cardassian people. The Union is a major political power in the Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way and the current head of state is Natima Lang. After many years of reform, it now maintains strong ties with many other states although numerous Cardassians joined the True Way, which fights to bring Cardassia back to its old militaristic and imperialistic ways.
[edit] Culture
The Union was originally forged by the poverty of the Cardassian home world. Lack of resources forced the Cardassians to expand. This way, an aggresssive, militaristic colonial power emerged. After the devastation of the Dominion War the Union is reverting to a more liberal and civil society.
[edit] History
[edit] Ancient history
- Cardassia loses a number of its sacred jevonite artifacts.
[edit] The 24th century
- Bajor was occupied and oppressed for decades until the Cardassian Union withdrew. During the Occupation, the station later known as Deep Space 9 was constructed in the orbit of Bajor. Gul Dukat served as prefect and commander of Terok Nor during that time.
[edit] Dominion War (2373-2375)
- The Cardassian Union joined the Dominion to conquer the Alpha Quadrant and suffered greatly while the Federation Alliance eventually achieved victory. Another major member of the Dominion was the Breen Confederacy.
[edit] Post-War crises and reconstruction efforts (2379-2385)
- Following the Dominion War, Cardassia Prime plunges into an economic crisis. (2379/2380)
- The Cardassians refuse to extradite members of their government and military to stand trial for war crimes committed during the Dominion War and the occupation of Bajor. (2381)
- In 2382, 472 Cardassians from the Bajor coalition's war crimes list disappear from Cardassia Prime within four months.
- In the following year, Cardassia Prime is swept by a resurgence supporting religion and spirituality.
- Although the Federation Council and the Union support leaving the established borders of the Federation-Cardassian Treaty of 2370, the Bajor coalition demands the Cardassians to surrender colonies granted to them in the treaty. (2385)
- Meanwhile on Cardassia, the U.S.S. Pasteur supports the reconstruction of medical facilities and hospitals.
[edit] Path of redemption and democratization (2386-2392)
- A new treaty between the Union and the Federation is signed: While the Cardassians agree neither to field a military nor to wage war, Starfleet is assigned to protect Cardassian space if an invasion should happen. In response to the agreement, the requests for prosecution of Cardassians for war crimes is dropped by Bajor. (2386)
- The military is reformed into the smaller Cardassian Self-Defence Force, or CDF, the following year. In addition, the CDF's operations are restricted to Cardassian space.
- A token force consisting of six ships is sent by the provisional Detapa Council to aid Romulan relief efforts following the destruction of Romulus. Concerned with the conservation of Cardassia's remaining resources, popular opinion is against this decision. (2388)
- Elections on Cardassia are supervised by the Federation. The civilian coalition led by Elim Garak narrowly defeats the hardliner faction under Gul Madred, who demand the withdrawal from the latest Federation-Cardassian Treaty and the resurrection of the military. (2389)
- Later the same year, Madred aquires rights, allowing him to mine several mineral-rich planetoids in Cardassian space. He has a large mining oeration built on Septimus.
- In 2390, Garak and the Grand Nagus of the Ferengi Alliance, Rom, sign several contracts. The Alliance returns sacred Jevonite artifacts and invests into the restart of Cardassian industrial complexes. The Ferengi receive favorable trade agreements for goods of the rebuild industry in exhcange.
- A series of reforms is signed by the Detapa Council to promote economic stabilty and a growth of population. In addition, thousands of displaced military officers are folded into civilian industries. (2392)
[edit] Stabilization and birth of the True Way (2392-2402)
- A significant minority of the former officers join the mining operations on Septimus.
- At the same time, the Union begins to export large amounts of uridium and kelindide via Ferengi brokers. One of the first major clients are the Romulans.
- Natima Lang, one of the prominet political figures of the Union, negotiates with the Remans in order to get warp drives and additional dilithium for Cardassian ships.
- In addition, the Union begins to sell Cardassian technology across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
- Gul Madred claims that the CDF cannot protect his mining operations and contracts Alpha Jem'Hadar for security.
- 75 warships and a undetermined amount of weapons known to have survived the Dominion War are reported missing by an audit authorized by the Detapa Council.
- Relations with Bajor are officially normalized in 2400 and an embassy is opened on Deep Space 9.
- Natima Lang becomes the leader of the Detapa Council and the Cardassian Union in 2401.
- In the same year, the Cardassian Science Ministry announces the development of a cure for the Pottrik syndrome.
- Cardassian Intelligence informs Lang that Madred's forces possess some of the missing ships. (2402)
[edit] War of the True Way Alliance (2409)
- The revived True Way, led by Gul Madred, enters open warfare with the Federation and begin to harass fellow Cardassian citizens. They employ Cardassian as well as Jem'Hadar ships. (2409)
- Later the same year, Starfleet manages to capture Gul Madred, leaving the leadership of the rebellion in disarray. ("The Long Night")
- Following that, high-ranking officers, such as the commander of the Axon, take action to prove themselves worthy leaders. A such, the True Way enters the Neutral Zone and interferes with the Federation-Klingon War. ("Skirmish")
[edit] Politics
The Union is ruled by the Detapa Council. Currently Natima Lang is the head of state. The new democratic Cardassia is challenged by the militaristic True Way rebellion.
[edit] Military
[edit] Starships
- Groumall Freighter
- Hideki Class
- Galor Class
- Photonic Galor (Spawned by Keldon Class)
- Keldon Class
[edit] Ground Forces
[edit] Bosses
[edit] Size charts
Cardassian ships along with former Dominion allies.
[edit] External links
- Cardassian Union at Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki.
Cardassian Union
|Cardassian Union • Cardassian • Cardassia Prime
|Ground Forces
|Gil • Glinn • Gul • Interrogator • Legate • Assault Legate
|Hideki Class • Galor Class • Keldon Class
|Antos • Surjan • Gilora Russol • Rugan Skyl
|NPC starships
|Quick Faction Navigation Toolbar


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David lives in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles and works in the nearby Pico-Union area. He is a law librarian for a firm specializing in bankruptcy law. David previously worked for the Los Angeles Community College District and Los Angeles and Inglewood Public Libraries as a reference librarian.
Cooking with garlic, chilies, ginger, the freshest Pacific fish and local produce are some of Davids obsessions.
Working his way through Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA in some of the finest kitchens in Los Angeles provided him with a foundation to appreciate wonderful food. As a line cook at DC3, Pascal, Lands End and Ocean Avenue Seafood, David was able to hone his cooking skills and expand his knowledge and technique. Now, instead of cooking commercially, David cooks extensively for family and friends.
David was inspired by the reviews of his local food hero, Jonathan Gold, as a teenager. Golds writing encouraged David to follow his passion for great food. The journey has taken him throughout Mexico, France, Italy and Peru and into some of the finest kitchens in the great, great City of the Angels.
You can easily find David somewhere in Koreatown, when he is not working at the law firm. Hell be eating fermented, garlic laden kimchi, or pork neck and potato stew with a bottle of soju in his hand. There are more Korean restaurants in Los Angeles than anywhere outside of Seoul and David is determined to try as many of them as possible. In addition, he believes the San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles, is one of the great culinary destinations in the world at the present time and loves Yunan style Chinese food, and Taiwanese dumplings that can be found there.
David earned his Bachelors Degree in history at Cal Poly Pomona and his M.L.I.S. at UCLA in 1995. He is married to Karina Arizaga Aragon, who is a fine artist and art historian and has an adult daughter.


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- Home
- News
- Ruden McClosky Closes 3 Offices, Says in Email 'Things are Clearly Moving in the Right Direction'
Business of Law
Ruden McClosky Closes 3 Offices, Says in Email 'Things are Clearly Moving in the Right Direction'
Posted May 25, 2011 3:00 PM CDT
By Martha Neil
After lawyer defections, staff layoffs and partner pay holdbacks, Ruden McClosky is now closing three Florida offices.
But the downsizing Fort Lauderdale-based firm, which has now shrunk to an attorney roster of 64 from around 200 a decade or so ago, said in an April 27 email that "things are clearly moving in the right direction," reports the Daily Business Review in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg. req.).
Authored by co-managing partner Michael Krul, the email notes that the firm will save millions of dollars by closing its Boca Raton, Miami and Orlando offices but says further layoffs aren't likely to be needed.
Only four attorneys were working in the three offices, and the firm negotiated with landlords to cut its losses on rental space that was far larger than it now needs. Two of the four lawyers moved to other firms and the other two are now housed in a small office in Coral Gables, the article recounts.
The firm is working on similar arrangements for its offices in Tampa and West Palm Beach.
"Our current situation is far more stable than it was a year ago, and you should all breathe a bit easier in that regard," writes Krul. "We still have a way to go, but there is no reason we shouldn't be able to ultimately return to the stability and profitability we enjoyed for most of the firm's history."
The firm, which has traditionally focused on real estate, was hard-hit by the recession.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: "'Poised to Grow' Ruden McClosky Lays Off 16 Staff, Including 20-Year Secretaries"
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I still can't get home. Today was the day that looked best for the flights. Now I'm really starting to freak out. All the other flights are just as full and no more than 2 standbys are getting on at a time. Considering there were 33 today it should take me approximately 4.7 months to get home. Guess I'll have plenty of time to practice my Dutch.
Seriously though, it was probably really stupid of me to come. It wouldn't be as bad if I wasn't supposed to start working again in a week. I also missed my last soccer game and am well on my way to missing Phoebe's first competition. If I don't make it back my next Wednesday I'll lose the job I haven't even started yet. That would be awesome. And by awesome I obviously mean the freaking worst.
I'm just feeling extremely down and defeated. I don't have many options. There are only two flights a day. After that I'm S.O.L. I just really thought I'd get on today and I wasn't even close. It doesn't help that the CSR is a complete bitch. She's just rude and as soon as she thinks the flight is full she makes us leave her sight. Not kidding. Even though every time everyone is not on the plane which means it's possible there could be an open seat because of a no show or error. Doesn't matter. Once she's done she literally makes us leave the gate area so she doesn't have to see us any more. She better hope she's never on a flight I'm working. Just saying.
Anyway, the flights are just as full through next week. So, in a desperate attempt to leave Europe and get back to The States I'm going to try something a little different. At ridiculously-early-o'clock tomorrow morning I'm catching a train to Brussels. I praying that I make it on one of the two flights out of there tomorrow morning. If not it's going to be an expensive train ride for nothing. It's cheaper than going back and forth to Schipol day after day though so if it works it will be well worth the money. Plus, I'm still under 25 so I can ride on a youth ticket. Score! The ticket calls me a "youngster", kind of makes me giggle.
Oh, and now? It took me an hour and a half just to buy the ticket. I selected home printing because that way I'd know the ticket was ok and in my hand. Wouldn't you know the printer is inexplicably offline and won't print. Nothing we do seems to work. I guess I'm going to end up canceling my reservation and making a new one. Because of course there's no option to change to picking it up at the station. It'll cost 5 Euros extra but at this point I don't really care. I should've been in bed hours ago. I'm sure a short night of sleep will help my attitude loads in the morning (not).
So yeah, sorry for the downer attitude. It's just one of those days, you know? We really can't afford to just buy me a plane ticket back home so it's stressful. I really didn't think it would be this hard to get out. I guess I learned my lesson. If you pray please say one for me tomorrow. Or whatever good luck charm/vibes you can send my way would be amazing. I really need it.
I suppose you haven't collected enough miles with your travelling so far to redeem for a o/w ticket home?
Good luck for standby flight from BRU!
I WISH they gave us flight miles for working or pass riding. Unfortunately they only give those to paying passengers. I would have a hundred million miles easily by now.
Thanks for the good luck wishes! I need them
No, I didn't think they would give the miles for non-revving, but thought you might've travelled on some (discounted) revenue tickets while between jobs. (I have to apologise, I haven't read the whole blog – yet!)
Back on the topic, I can't believe that CSR @AMS is so mean… She's probably just jealous
And, why are you not sleeping, you need to get up early and catch that train!
Good luck once again, and hope to see next post/tweet from the other side of the pond [writing this in UK].
I haven't paid for a plane ticket in YEARS. I can't even remember the last time… maybe 2004. Without this job air travel would probably not be very possible for me. SO glad I have my job still.
Yeah the CSR was pretty uncool. I found out through a fairly reliable source that the flights out to IAD went out with 3 seats open. Grrrr. I get that she has to do her job. I just wish they had a better system.
At least getting out of Brussels worked. Thanks for the good wishes!
I am thinking about you. Like I said, just chock this all up to one big adventure. Everything happens for a reason. . .
I know it sucks but I am with you in spirit. I am pullin for you to catch a flight tomorrow. *fingers AND toes AND eyes crossed*
Thanks for the supportive words. They really did make me feel better.
Good vibes sent your way!
Thanks so much! They worked!
good luck abi.


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New York artiste Kehinde Wiley continues the Puma collaboration with his colourful African inspired prints highlighting the brand's support for African football at this year's World Cup. The low-slung Porche inspired 917 gets a rough and tumble makeover, with the coarsely knitted upper and heshen midsole giving the shoe an exotic feel. Available now Flauge.
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New Immigration Flows, Old Stereotypes
The final transitional immigration controls on Romania and Bulgaria are set to expire in January 2014, seven years after these new Eastern Europeans became citizens of the European Union. In the United Kingdom, parallels are already being drawn with the 2004 "wave" of immigration, when Poland and the other A8 countries gained the rights to travel and work throughout the EU. However, the main "pull" factors of immigration, which include employment opportunities, relative gross national interest per capita (GNI per capita) and comparative opportunities across the EU, all suggest that the immigration flow from Romania and Bulgaria will not only be significantly smaller than 2004 levels, but will also be more diffuse throughout EU member states.
2004 reappraised
A recently released study by Oxford University's Migration Observatory has drawn out the long-term impact of A8 immigration on the UK, placing the "tsunami" effect into a broader context. Estimations made in 2004 predicted 15,000 people per year would move from the new EU member states to the UK. The average annual Long-Term International Migration inflow of EU citizens was, in fact, increased to around 170,000 in the period 2004-2010, in comparison to the 67,000 over the previous six years. As a percentage of EU citizens, the A8 immigrants accounted for around 50 per cent of that movement, meaning that Eastern Europeans made up only one-third of the total migrant inflow into the UK. Nevertheless, the failure to anticipate the impact of lifting these restrictions left a deep mark in the political landscape of the UK.
The negative framing of Eastern European immigration has returned in the form of an endless stream of unskilled and unemployed "benefit tourists". It may be narrow politicking but the image has maintained its potency. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) now displays a countdown clock on their website for when, as The Telegraph has also warned, "Twenty million Bulgarians and Romanians will gain the right to live and work unrestricted in Britain." Research by the Open Society in Sofia actually suggests that the inflow of Bulgarian immigrants would be "far less significant in volume and it is less likely.... [to] cause labour market disruption" than the A8 access.
No Romani, Poles, Romanians or Bulgarians allowed
A few days ago I finally finished reading The Native Realm. A great book by Czesław Miłosz that is highly-recommended for anyone who claims to be European. "The native Europe" (which seems to be a more accurate translation) is a fascinating memoir and an intellectual walk along the meandering European paths of the 20th century. But this is not going to be a glorifying review of a brilliant book - although I do encourage you to read it. I'm referring to Miłosz for a rather less optimistic reason.
Last week European public opinion was once again bewildered by Geert Wilders (we all know this flamboyant platinum blond "statesman"). This time his Party for Freedom (PVV) launched a website where Dutch people can file complaints against immigrants from "Middle and Eastern European countries." The complaints are going to be presented to the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment.
Once you've entered the site and recovered your eyesight after being dazzled by Wilders's shining mane, you'll see giant headlines from Dutch newspapers: "Poles, Romanians and Bulgarians – increasingly criminal," "Eastern European gangs in villages" or "Problems with Poles" and a story about some supermarket with misspelled Polish names (of course). The text underneath is even better. "The massive labour migration leads to many problems, nuisances, pollution [sic!], displacements and housing problems (…) Have you ever lost a job to a Pole, Bulgarian, Romanian or other Eastern European? Do you have problems with Eastern Europeans? We'd like to hear."
Turkey and the EU: a question of identity?
Turkey's possible membership in the EU has caused widespread discussions across Europe. Whilst there are good reasons for the EU to say "hayir" (no) to Turkish membership at the moment, saying no on the basis of cultural differences, as seems to be happening now, does not only go against fundamental European principles but will create an unprecedented distance between Turkey and the EU.
Despite the fact that Turkey's economy is seeing double digit growth, has a higher per capita income than Romania and Bulgaria, and ranks better in risk assessments than Italy and 10 other European states, Turkey's democracy has still got a long way to go before it could be regarded as consolidated. On the one hand, of course, Turkey still has to deliver on many internal issues. The controversial article 301 that prohibits insulting the Turkish state has caused severe concern for press freedom. As journalists privately admit, they impose self-restraint because of fear over lengthy court cases and possible imprisonment for 5+ years.
Additionally, human rights and rights for minorities still pose challenges. The shaky state of Turkish democracy is further underlined by the troubled opposition that could indulgently be described as divided and lacking a clear plan, as well as the almost-ban of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) by the constitutional court over violating the secular principle of the Turkish state. If just one more judge had voted to ban the AKP, Turkey would have slipped into a crisis with an unforeseeable future for Turkish democracy.
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Hundreds rally for American energy jobs in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - West Virginia's leaders along with hundreds of miners, their families, and industry officials attended the "Count on Coal's Rally for American Energy Jobs" Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
During the rally, Sen. Joe Manchin said, "Coal miners are some of the bravest and most patriotic men and women I have ever met in my life, and it is always an honor to stand side by side with our hardworking miners, especially during today's coal rally at the steps of the United States Capitol. As Governor and now as Senator, I have always fought for and pledge to continue to fight for coal. But we are not just fighting for the good-paying jobs coal provides. We are fighting for our coal heritage and a way of life that sinks deep into the roots of West Virginia's rich culture. For decades, our coal miners have worked hard every day to produce the energy that lights our cities and heats our homes, and I hope that our miners know that as long as there's coal to mine, I will proudly stand by their side."
"Where I come from, in the hear of West Virginia's coal country, if you step across the line into someone else's backyard and challenge them to a fight, you stick around and duke it out. And you fight by the rules. We believe in a fair fight. But not this EPA," said Rep. Nick Rahall. "This EPA has been throwing regulatory stones, circumventing the Congress, and snubbing its nose at the legal process. They have trampled on the mine permitting process. They have put out air regulations that threaten the future of coal-fired power plants. And, as we stand here today, they are in the middle of conjuring up more coal-killing regulations. But they won't even come to coal country to hold their hearings. They won't come down to where we mine coal and burn coal and give us a fair fight."
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Going to the Loire Valley in June?
We have hired a coach and trailer (covered, secure etc) to go from Calais to Tours (Villandry) on Monday 10 June 2013
5 or 6 spaces are available for just £35 each (drop off en route is possible - Chartres etc) - coach is going on to Loches.
We're touring in the Loire for 10 days and then riding home - this post is just for the bike transport
PM if interested.
No - the offer at £35* a person is for a seat on the coach + a bike space in the trailer - from Calais to Tours or Loches - with drop-off en route possible, subject to the actual route.
We have 4 or 5 places available.
* rail fare from Calais to Tours is about £75 .. and bike transport is problematic on the trains.
MacRide Events - www.macride-events.org.uk


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Kivra, since acquiring local competitor Brevo during last summer, is now Sweden's biggest player when it comes to digitalising postal mail. They had a pretty amazing back-end to 2013 – bringing in H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson and God-El founder Stefan Krook as partners.
They also raised a further 50m SEK in capital in December – meaning the company should be full of resources and ready to take on 2014.
For those who are reading about Kivra for the first time, the idea is that consumers should be able to receive mail from companies and the government digitally, which according to Kivra is of course – not only better for the environment but also more secure and efficient.
When you talk to people about Kivra though, people generally say the same thing – "Why not just use email?"
Well, after some research I've come to the conclusion that Kivra does have a couple of features which make it appealing as a consumer. Firstly, I can access my entire archive of postal mail. I'm currently sitting at my desk staring at a filing-cabinet full of mail from Bolagsverket, Skatteverket etc – it's pretty unorganised and of course, impossible to find what I'm looking for quickly. If I could filter by date and search by keyword through my mail – that would be great. In addition, being able to access those documents from anywhere will be handy too, like I say, today they all sit in a filing cabinet on my desk.
Of course, one of the core benefits of Kivra is security – receiving sensitive information from government agencies directly – without needing to change too many hands in the middle. I can't help but wonder if using BankID could be a good strategy for Kivra – although the irony isn't lost on me how insecure our current postal mail system is anyway.
When speaking with Kivra, they tell me there is currently no support for BankID (or similar) but that they're thinking of ways to enhance security. Like I say, their current solution is still a security-improvement on what we have now – but I (and many) would like to see more in this area I'm sure.
Kivra isn't without challenges though and the biggest one of course is – if more competitors pop up and start signing deals with different companies – that will truly hurt the consumer. The consumer should only need one application/service, so Kivra will need to keep charging forward to try make sure that doesn't happen.
What do you guys think ? How will Kivra fare in 2014? Leave your comments below or tweet to us!


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The Hollywood Reporter has just confirmed a number of cast additions to Heroes, including David Anders as "the ancient samurai warrior Takezo Kensei, Hiro Nakamura's (Masi Oka) childhood hero". (So basically all those questions I asked in the previous post? Answered!) Other new additions to the cast includes: Barry Shabaka Henley, Holt McCallany, Japanese pop star and actress Eriko Tamura, Lyndsy Fonseca and Dianna Agron for recurring roles. Which means that a previous report about the newly crowned Miss Universe Riyo Mori joining up as Hiro's Princess girlfriend has not panned out, and instead Eriko Tamura will play the "Japanese Princess" character.
The rest of the new additions break down as such:
Henley will play Detective Fuller, a New York police officer. McCallany will play Ricky, the ringleader of a group of Irish thugs.
Fonseca and Agron will play beautiful cheerleaders in Southern California, where Claire (Hayden Panettiere) is expected to move. Fonseca's character April is sweet, while Agron's Debbie is a mean girl.
So we learn Claire will be moving to California, where she will (one presumes) meet up with West, the guy with the "cool" superpower, and some new cheerleaders. Eh, I still don't care for this plot thread, but I guess they have to keep Claire busy somehow.
Here's more of Eriko Tamura, Hiro's new girlfriend (from a fansite of hers):


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Functional design plus powerful technology equals your peace of mind.
When it comes to managing your enterprise's many complex and mission-critical tasks, you need solutions that are as reliable and accessible as they are accurate and technologically savvy. Because we serve only the public sector, at Tyler, we also understand that it's essential that you can do all of this and more in the most cost-effective way possible.
That's why we designed the Tyler Financial Management suite to handle every aspect of public sector accounting, budgeting and procurement for your enterprise system. This robust financial application suite is a core component of our advanced enterprise resource planning solution — helping your organization easily integrate your important financial data and streamline processes throughout your organization.


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Aviation Security:
TSA's Change to Its Prohibited Items List Has Not Resulted in Any Reported Security Incidents, but the Impact of the Change on Screening Operations Is Inconclusive
GAO-07-623R: Published: Apr 25, 2007. Publicly Released: Apr 25, 2007.
Additional Materials:
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(202) 512-3000
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The alleged August 2006 terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives onboard multiple commercial aircraft bound for the United States from the United Kingdom has highlighted both the continued importance of securing the civil aviation system and the potential that improvised explosive devices (IED) may be smuggled onboard passenger aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has primary responsibility for ensuring the security of civil aviation, which includes the safety of passengers and flight crew. One measure TSA uses to protect the aviation system is prohibiting individuals from carrying items that it determines to be a threat to the aircraft and its passengers into an airport sterile area or onboard an aircraft either in their carry-on bag or on their person. To implement this measure, TSA maintains a prohibited items list that informs both the Transportation Security Officers (TSO) who conduct passenger screening and the traveling public of items that will not be allowed into an airport sterile area or onboard an aircraft. In December 2005, TSA revised its prohibited items list to allow passengers to carry: (1) metal scissors with pointed tips and a blade 4 inches or less in length as measured from the fulcrum; and (2) tools--such as pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches--7 inches or less in length (excluding crowbars, drills, hammers, and saws). TSA considers any incident that threatens the security or safety of an aircraft or its passengers and flight crew to be a security incident. These could include a range of activities onboard an aircraft such as disruptive passenger behavior, violence against a passenger or crew member, hijacking attempts, or the use of an improvised explosive device. By examining the security impacts of the change to the prohibited items list, this report considers the impacts that could result from a passenger attempting to use scissors or tools to hijack an aircraft or to commit other forms of violence onboard a flight. Such actions fall within TSA's statutory responsibility to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew aboard aircraft. In accordance with Conference Report 109-699, which accompanied the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations act, this report addresses the following questions: (1) What was TSA's basis for removing certain scissors and tools from the prohibited items list and what are stakeholder views on the change? (2) What have been the impacts, if any, of the removal of certain scissors and tools from the prohibited items list on the security of aircraft passengers and flight crew and on the effectiveness of checkpoint screening operations?
TSA's stated purpose in removing certain scissors and tools from the prohibited items list was to shift TSO focus from items considered by TSA to pose a low threat (including certain scissors and tools) to items considered to pose a high threat, such as explosives. The change also was intended to better allocate TSA resources to implement other security measures that target explosives--a change supported by the majority of aviation industry stakeholders that we interviewed. TSA's decision to remove these items from the prohibited items list was based on the professional judgment of TSA officials that these items do not pose a significant threat to the security of the cockpit or to passengers and flight crew as well as internal studies that sought to examine, among other things, risks to flight security and considerations of customer concerns and screening efficiencies. Based on our review of TSA security incident reports from the time period following the prohibited items list change (December 2005 through February 2007), there have been no reported security incidents onboard an aircraft involving the use of small scissors or tools. However, the impact of the prohibited items list change on security is uncertain because the absence of an event occurring involving the use of these items does not preclude the possibility that future occurrences could happen. In addition, with respect to the effectiveness of the change on checkpoint screening operations, it is not possible to determine this because the available data are inconclusive. As we reported in March 2007, TSA conducted informal studies 30, 60, and 90 days following the change and concluded that TSO time was freed up to focus on high-threat items, but our analysis of TSA data does not support this conclusion. TSA agrees that the agency could have conducted a more methodologically sound evaluation of the impact of the prohibited items list change, but continues to believe that the change nevertheless significantly contributed to the agency's efforts to free up TSO resources to focus on detecting high-threat items, such as explosives. It also is not clear whether the change had any impact on TSOs' ability to detect explosives--a key goal of the change. One way TSA measures the effectiveness of the passenger screening system in detecting threat items, such as explosives, is the results of threat image projection testing. However, TSA does not claim nor do the data definitively support that TSA's change to the prohibited items list had any impact on threat image projection results because TSA implemented other changes to checkpoint screening operations at or around the same time as the prohibited items list change. With regard to TSA's efforts to increase training for identifying explosives as part of its overall effort to become a more risk-based organization, TSA data between October 2004 and January 2007 show an increase in the average number of hours spent in training per TSO, but this trend began before the change to the prohibited items list and there are other factors that may have contributed to this increase.
Jul 31, 2014
Department of Homeland Security:Continued Actions Needed to Strengthen Oversight and Coordination of Research and DevelopmentGAO-14-813T: Published: Jul 31, 2014. Publicly Released: Jul 31, 2014.
Jul 29, 2014
Combating Nuclear Smuggling:Past Work and Preliminary Observations on Research and Development at the Domestic Nuclear Detection OfficeGAO-14-783T: Published: Jul 29, 2014. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2014.
Screening Partnership Program:TSA Has Improved Application Guidance and Monitoring of Screener Performance, and Continues to Improve Cost Comparison MethodsGAO-14-787T: Published: Jul 29, 2014. Publicly Released: Jul 29, 2014.
Jul 24, 2014
Federal Emergency Management Agency:Opportunities to Achieve Efficiencies and Strengthen OperationsGAO-14-687T: Published: Jul 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2014.
Jul 16, 2014
High-Containment Laboratories:Recent Incidents of Biosafety LapsesGAO-14-785T: Published: Jul 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2014.
Jun 27, 2014
Border Security:Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Collaborative Mechanisms along the Southwest BorderGAO-14-494: Published: Jun 27, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 27, 2014.
Jun 24, 2014
Explosives Detection Canines:TSA Has Taken Steps to Analyze Canine Team Data and Assess the Effectiveness of Passenger Screening CaninesGAO-14-695T: Published: Jun 24, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2014.
Jun 23, 2014
Maritime Security:Ongoing U.S. Counterpiracy Efforts Would Benefit From Agency AssessmentsGAO-14-422: Published: Jun 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 23, 2014.
Jun 18, 2014
Civilian Intelligence Community:Additional Actions Needed to Improve Reporting on and Planning for the Use of Contract PersonnelGAO-14-692T: Published: Jun 18, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 18, 2014.
Coast Guard Acquisitions:Better Information on Performance and Funding Needed to Address ShortfallsGAO-14-650T: Published: Jun 18, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 18, 2014.
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Outdoor star light
Weatherproof and light, this unique 3-dimensional design gives the effect of an abstract explosion of light. It's made of upt to 200 LED lights and will lend a contemporary and eye-catching feel to your festive decorations. The black star light is designed to be hung in trees but can also be simply suspended from any structure and the white star either inside or out, looks like a giant snowflake. It come with an intergrated transformer fitted with 13amp plug (which must be inside or covered with a waterproof cover) and 5m cable.
- Simple to assemble and install
- Lightweight and easy fixing
- Can be used inside or outside
- Minimal power usage
- Foldaway design for storage (carton 59cm x 21cm x 14cm)
- Full instructions supplied
- Dimensions: 530mm diameter
- Weight: 1.5kg
Here are a few pointers regarding your order.
- It cannot be left without a signature, so you will need to sign for delivery.
There are currently no 'goes well with' suggestions for this item.
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Silver celebration (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Hampshire chartered surveyors' silver celebration
11:33am Wednesday 12th February 2014 in News
A HAMPSHIRE firm of chartered surveyors is celebrating its silver anniversary this year and is hoping to celebrate by expanding, McAndrew Martin is looking to hire new staff and increase its residential and commercial work as the firm celebrates its 25th year of business.
Managing director Bill McAndrew said: "We are set to work on a new children's services unit on the Isle of Wight, undertake stone repairs and restoration at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy and provide services to the troops returning from active duty abroad.
The Portsmouth-based firm enjoyed its best-ever year in 2013, posting an increase in turnover of 40 per cent.
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Good Thursday morning to you, South Jersey! We've had our winter preview (Between the flurries on Tuesday and the 40 degree high temperature yesterday), so now we begin our return to autumn-like conditions...for a while, at least. High pressure to the south and west will continue to assert its influence over the eastern third of the nation. This is a very large and strong area of high pressure, so we'll feel its effects for a few more days before anything significantly changes. Speaking of changes, slightly warmer air will begin to make a return into the region today as that aforementioned area of high pressure drifts further to the east. Winds take a turn to the west and southwest, which will help transport some of that warmer air into the area. It won't be incredibly warm today, but anything is better than yesterday. Highs should reach the low to mid 50s on the mainland and coast with a southwest wind at 10 to 15mph. Winds calm down tonight, and we'll remain clear as well. A chilly night, not necessarily a cold one like the last two nights, is on tap for the region with lows in the mid 30s on the mainland and 40 degrees on the coast. Winds remain out of the southwest at 5 to 10mph. The wind remains calm for the end of the work week, and for the first time in a good while, we'll have an average fall day! Our average high temperature in EHT is 57 degrees, and I think we'll hit that mark tomorrow on the mainland but fall just short of it on the beaches and boardwalks. Regardless if you see average temperatures or not, it'll still be a wonderful day with partly to mostly sunny skies.
Once we reach the weekend, our warming trend really takes hold. As a whole, we're dry, but cloud cover increases through the day on Sunday. All the same, highs start off just under 60 degrees on the mainland for Saturday (Mid to upper 50s on the coast) before reaching the low to mid 60s on Sunday. The source of this warm push is two fold: First, high pressure continuing to slide to the east. This puts us under the influence of its return flow even more. Second, an approaching cold front from the west. The warmer and more moist pre-frontal air mass associated with it comes into the picture through Sunday. With these two sources of warm, southerly air in place, we'll be able to warm up nicely through the start of the work week. There's a catch: That cold front has to pass, and we'll see rainfall as a result. This isn't necessarily a bad thing; we've only received a half of an inch of rain so far this month, so we could use some moisture to soak our dry ground. Either way, we'll see our best chance for rain and some wind on Monday with highs in the mid to upper 60s on the mainland and mid 60s on the coast. Once this front passes, temperatures begin their tumble back to where we just were. Tuesday is the transition day with gradually clearing skies and highs in the mid 50s, but we're back in the 40s with sunny skies by next Wednesday. Such is the fall season...
Have a great day!
- Meteorologist Adam Rutt


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March 28, 2010
Seattle Salsa Dance Event: Salsa at Meza with DJ Baracoa
CUBA MEETS VENEZUELA on CAPITOL HILL MEZA TAPAS BAR
with DJ Baracoa
Friday Night March 26, 2010
Calling All – Timberos, Rumberos, Soneros, Reaggetoneros and dancers of all types.
We´ll be spinning the Cuban music you love plus merengue for the Venezuelans Come early and enjoy the food.
Music by DJ Baracoa. The…dance… floor is open ( They will throw all the tables outside at 9PM and the floor is for dancing.)
5$ will get you in with a drink. music starts at 9PM till 3 AM and Meza is open until 3/4 AM for food.


text: I dont have ESPNU and missed the QB camp video with Kellen. Does anyone have a link to the full video? I can't find one anywhere. I'm just interested to see what, in my opinion is one of the best QB coaches in the past decade have to say about our boy Kellen. I read some of the highlights of it in print, but would love to watch it, if anyone knows of a link please pass it on!


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Priyuralu Piliche Movie Scenes - Swapna fooling her landlord - Jr Relangi, Pushpa, Priya
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Watch Priyuralu Piliche Telugu movie scenes, starring Jr Relangi ( Bachi, Kalusukovalani, Idiot, Okariki Okaru, Yuvasena, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Yuvasena, Priyamaina Anjali, Solo, Kausalya Aunty, Seenugadu, Colors, Prematho Nuvvu Vastavani, Emaindi Eevela ), M Bhargav, Subbaraju, Samba Shiva Rao, Pushpa, Priya, Jyothi, Lakshmi, Kalpana, Durga, Sri Vani among others. Directed by Ram Teja and music composed by Shanmukh.
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The Charleston Police Department has identified a wanted man through fingerprints left behind at the scene of a crime.
Donald Desmond Montez McFadden, 21, is wanted for breaking and entering an automobile in downtown Charleston.
Police say he broke into a car at the intersection of Cooper St. and Hanover St. on January 6th. The car owner was attending a church service at the time of the theft. She reported a car radio had been stolen.
Fingerprints recovered from outside the car matched Donald Desmond Montez McFadden. His last known address was along Ferrara Drive in North Charleston.
If you have any information regarding McFadden's whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers a 554-1111.
Copyright 2013 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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Is investing in a waste management company a complete waste of money and time? I would say not. These companies not only haul trash but also - very smartly - increasingly use this waste to convert into energy. Apart from this, most of the companies in this space provide good returns on equity as well as dividends.
Waste Management (NYSE:WM) is a provider of waste management services as well as develops, operates and owns waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the U.S.
(click to enlarge)The main highlight of this stock is its dedication towards its dividends. It has not only consistently paid dividends in the last 10 years but has also increased it every year. It currently has a dividend yield of 3.8% with a dividend payout ratio of 81%.
It has ~269 landfills, the largest network in the industry and higher than its peers (competitor Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) has 191 solid-waste landfills). Due to its large ownership of landfills, it makes it difficult for its customers to switch. Further, it would also be difficult for any municipality to start hauling their own trash, as it wouldn't have such a large bank of landfills. This keeps Waste Management's primary business protected. Further, as the construction business increases leading to increased trash, Waste Management will stand to gain.
As mentioned earlier, the side business of most waste management companies is producing energy both through incineration and tapping gases that are produced by the landfills. The leader in this industry is Covanta Holding Corporation (NYSE:CVA), however, Waste Management plans to increase its current level of 550 megawatts by two thirds in the next seven years. This definitely places it in a better position vs. certain competitors who do not have a presence in this field (e.g. Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN)).
Through acquisitions, the company is trying to give a push to its revenues. In January 2013, it announced the acquisition of Greenstar, which will help to increase its recycling capacity to 15 million tons, helping it meet its target of 20 million tons of recyclable material by 2020.
Recently, rumors are that Waste Management and Republic Services could likely spin off their land to be converted into REITS. At the recent Earnings call, Waste Management denied any such, move citing uncertainty and complications in the process. However, it's important to note that it did not deny either that it wouldn't enter into such an agreement in the future.
Fuel cost is the largest expense for the company. In an attempt to reduce its costs, Waste Management has decided to convert its fleet into natural gas. In the next 5 years, it plans to convert 4/5th of its fleet and expects to save $27,000 or more each year in fuel cost. This provides a very good opportunity for the company to save money and improve margins.
Apart from lowering costs, the Company is also focused on improving its performance and creating a more streamlined organization. In line with this objective, it plans to cut 100bps in FY12 from its selling, general and administrative expenses through reorganization. Further, a more efficient Routing and Logistics system will help to reduce costs of operations by 100bps by FY15. In FY14 and FY15, back office streamlining should reduce SG&A by 100bps.
It also plans to manage its capital spending to achieve its ROIC and cash flow goals. It has set target ROIC for each business - 12% Collection and Landfill, 15% Recycling, 11% Waste-to-Energy with 17% Organic Growth. In FY13, it expects free cash flow to increase 33% to 45% to $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion through $100 million in operating cash flows and $120 million working capital benefit. It will also monitor the pace of its capital expenditure ($1.1 billion to $1.2 billion focused on growth projects) in order to meet its cash flow targets.
Waste Management has a competitive advantage vs. its peers Republic Services and Casella Waste Systems (CSWT). It is not only bigger in terms of revenues but also has higher margins and a better dividend policy. Its cash flow guidance is much higher than its peer Republic Services, which has projected for $675 to $700 million lower than its FY12 cash flows of $768 million.
Waste Management
Republic Services
Casella Waste Systems
Market Cap:
Qtrly Rev Growth
Revenue ($ billion)
Gross Margin
EBITDA ($ billion)
Operating Margin
Net Income ($ million)
PEG (5 yr expected):
Dividend Yield
Dividend Payout Ratio
Source: Yahoo Finance
Key concerns:
Waste Management has reported erratic earnings and declining operating margins in the last 5 years. It also guided for weak FY13 outlook with EPS growth of only 3-6%. Its earnings will also be impacted by ~$120 million of compensation headwinds in FY13. But it expects to return to 8-12% growth in FY14, obviously dependent on a normalized economy and rebound in commodity prices.
Lower natural gas prices, slower growth in China and the U.S. have resulted in lower profits for the Company. As a result in FY12, it announced results below analyst expectations as earnings dropped 17%. Further, it doesn't expect its recycling and waste-to-energy business to be profitable in FY13 due to lower natural gas and electricity prices. To add to it, some of its longer term waste disposal and electricity contracts are expiring, requiring the Company to rebid these contracts at lower prices.
In my opinion, Waste Management has the ability to improve its profitability supported by its strong competitive advantage. However, given its weak outlook for FY13 and considering that it will continue its reorganization strategy in FY14, I maintain a "Hold" rating on the stock. In the medium term, there may not be much of share price appreciation but investors would definitely gain from its strong dividend policy.


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Wow, no close games this week. I mean, like, at all. You either lost by a lot or won by a lot. The unpredictable season continues.
Cream of the Crop: Land Crabs.
The Bottom of the Barrel: The Jayshox.
As has been the case since Week 2, Land Crab leads the pack and has a comfortable two-game lead in Division 1. One more win coupled with a Jayshox loss will ensure that Land Crab will not finish in last, and save their owner from having to do his best B-Mac imitation. That being the case, I thought maybe we should get the owner of Land Crab, PenHawk, to help out the rest of the league. (That's not true, actually, I called for volunteers, and PenHawk stepped up to the plate.)
Anyway, I know that seems a little counterintuitve. After all, why would the owner of the first place team want to help out any of his competitors? Well... let's find out.
mv: So, PenHawk... what made you volunteer to be our guest this week? Why would you want to help your fellow owners? Or are you simply here to make fun of everyone?
PH: Like any other owner of a sports team, I love attention. Anything to get my name out there and bring exposure to the PenHawk brand.
mv: How did you feel when Mark May picked you to win the league? Unfortunately for you, he has a pretty solid track record of being wrong.
PH: I'm a little surprised he picked us, to be honest. I don't think I have a single Pitt football alum on the team. Hopefully he's due to get one right.
mv: Let's test your professional football knowledge real quick to make sure you're qualified. No cheating and looking it up on the internet!! Who is Peyton Manning's backup in Denver? Cuz you better hope that guy never sees the field...
PH: It's the tall kid from Arizona State, right? As Manning goes, so go the Land Crab. If he gets hurt, some things are going get broken at the PenHawk mansion.
mv: Well, you get half credit, at least. Brock Osweiler (6'8", 240 lbs, from Arizona State) is Peyton Manning's backup. Any other opening thoughts or comments you would like to share?
PH: Just that anyone out there can also be successful in fantasy football with enough hard work and dedication. It was a tough offseason, but seeing the team at 7-1 lets me know that all that time I spent moving Peyton Manning to the top of my autodraft list is finally paying off.
mv: Let's hit it.
(Last week's ranking in parentheses.)
1 (1). Land Crab (7-1)
mv: Land Crab responded to their first loss of the year with a rather convincing win this week over the last place Jayshox. However, Land Crab's scoring has been down, having not broken 100 points in two of the last three weeks. Is there a chink in the armor? How do you plan on handling Peyton Manning taking Week 9 off with a big showdown with The Anti-Dentites looming on the horizon?
PH: I've had a solid backup plan for Manning's bye week all season, having a very solid year for a number two fantasy QB. Unfortunately, it was Jay Cutler. The new plan involves Mike Glennon and a pact with Satan.
As for the scoring being down, I'm hoping a week of rest for Manning and Welker combined with a midweek deal that brought Pierre Thomas to town to bolster a weak group of running backs will help get us back on the right track.
2 (3). The Anti-Dentites (5-3)
mv: As just mentioned, The Anti-Dentites have a big game in coming up in Week 9 on the road at Land Crab. They'll be missing Calvin Johnson. Does that even things out with Land Crab missing Peyton Manning? Can the Dentites pull off the upset?
PH: It's a hard one to pick. The Anti-Dentites have a nice RB duo in Alfred Morris and Fred Jackson. If they both show up to play, I like their chances.
3 (6). The Pinkys (5-3)
mv: The Pinkys just manhandled Dante's Afro. They, too, have a big division game coming up vs Papa Wheelie's Boys. The Pinkys are not being hit too hard with bye weeks this week. However, they also have Darren Sproles. Tell me how you feel about Darren Sproles.
PH: He voluntarily spent his college days in Manhattan, Kansas, so we already know his decision making is questionable. After averaging 3.8 points per game over the last three weeks, you have to wonder if his status as a viable starter is, too.
4 (4). Glengarry Glenn Dorsey (5-3)
mv: GGD is on a roll, and has won four in a row following an early three game losing streak. What has been the key to their run? Your answer cannot include the words "Jamaal Charles." Although - that's about the only playmaker I see on this team. So... I take that back. You can include Jamaal Charles in your answer if you wish.
PH: I don't need to. GGD is impressive even without him. Colin Kaepernick hasn't been the juggernaut many expected him to, but he's still the 12th ranked QB. Between him, Chris Johnson and the Cowboys defense, with contributions from lesser names like Alshon Jeffrey and Jared Cook, this team seems better than 5-3. They better look out this week though, because as of now (ed. note, Tuesday afternoon) they have no quarterback who will be playing in Week 9.
5 (7). Fighting 5.7s (5-3)
mv: The Fighting 5.7s rode Cam Newton and Jordy Nelson (and no one else, maybe a little help from Reggie Bush) to a victory over The Wheat Farmers. Why anyone in this league is allowed to have Jordy Nelson rostered, I don't know. Anyway, they drafted Doug Martin with the second overall pick in the first round. Please make fun of him, and then comment on how in the world this team has made it to 5-3.
PH: Grad has a Packer on his team? Weird. Since he not only has Nelson but Daniel Thomas as well, I can only assume the 5.7s have been looking to Bill Snyder for tips on having inexplicable success and frustrating the living hell out of their opponents. There's no other way to account for this team winning the last three games without cracking 103 points. Rumor has it they have their eye on Sproles and Josh Freeman as well.
mv: So... what's going on here? Is Grad a closet K-State fan? I'm not sure it's my place to question anyone's crimson and blue loyalty, but at this point, I feel the question must be asked if only for the sanctity of our community. Perhaps he has been possessed by some purple spirit that controls his unconscious mind? Or is he simply doing what any fantasy owner would do and looking for any edge with which to pick up a "W"?
PH: My theory is that Bill Snyder has commandeered Grad's team. He clearly took the year off from coaching college football, so maybe he figured he'd try his hand at something NFL-related. Unfortunately, he's finding out that you can't just grab a bunch of mediocre players and scheme your way to fantasy titles.
6 (2). Papa Wheelie's Boys (4-4)
mv: PWB has been in the top half of the league most of the season (all of the season?). However, even with Aaron Rodgers, they have dropped three of their last four. A showdown with the Pinkys looms. How can PWB get out of their funk?
PH: First, how the hell did Grad have the second pick in the draft and NOT take Aaron Rodgers? Anyway, PWB has a solid roster, but they need Percy Harvin to come back before the playoffs to make a meaningful run. Right now, bye weeks for Victor Cruz, Julius Thomas and the Broncos defense put them in serious danger of falling below .500.
7 (5). Mantis Shrimp Murder Sticks (4-4)
mv: MSMS has been the definition of "consistent." Win two, lose two, win two, lose two. Will they emerge victorious the next two weeks and keep the streak rolling? Keep in mind that Michael Vick is currently (as of Tuesday) the only QB on their roster.
PH: I don't like shrimp, bugs, murder, or sticks. Next.
8 (11). Hip Hop's Team (4-4)
mv: Ok, I'll be honest, I don't really have a good lead-in for this team. Just... tell us what you would do if you were HHT. And you can't say "Trade for Peyton Manning / Drew Brees / Calvin Johnson."
PH: You know you've had a solid week when you leave Andy Dalton's 35+ points on the bench and still win handily. If Joique Bell and Andre Ellington can consistently put up double digits, this team will be fine. Unfortunately, that's unlikely. Dalton, Dez Bryant and Larry Fitzgerald will keep this team from falling off the map, but elsewhere they're just relying too much on relative unknowns.
9 (8). Rock Chalk Tupac (3-5)
mv: The "Drew Brees Revenge Tour" has stalled out the past four weeks with four losses in a row, and none of them very close. Week 9 byes will hit this team hard, as most of the receivers on the current roster will be off. After a promising 3-1 start, what happened here?
PH: They haven't hit 100 in the last three weeks, and two of those were in the 80s. This team was already on shaky footing outside of Brees and Demaryius Thomas, so minimal recent production from Anquan Boldin and Hakeem Nicks, paired with an injury to DeMarco Murray has them reeling.
10 (13). Denver Fax Machines (3-5)
mv: DFM rocked Week 8 and scored the most points in the league, a feat they also accomplished back in Week 4. However, in Week 6 they scored the least amount of points, and lost to the last-place Jayshox. Why is this team so Jekyll and Hyde? And don't you wish your name was "Giovani?" Sometimes I do. I mean, sometimes I wish my name was Giovanni... not yours.
PH: Giovani sounds Italian, which makes me think of lasagna. I'm hungry. The Fax Machines' biggest issue has been their opponents, who are averaging a sky-high 114 points per game against them. Sometimes luck is on your side, sometimes you have to make a deal with His Dark Majesty to will Mike Glennon to a 300+ yard day against the Seahawks this week.
11 (9). The Wheat Farmers (3-5)
mv: Carson Palmer filled in admirably for Andrew Luck's bye week for TWF, but it just wasn't enough as Cam Newton and Jordy Nelson went nuts together. Stupid Jordy Nelson. I really don't like that guy. Why don't I like Jordy Nelson? I just can't quite put my finger on it. Anyway... TWF needs to get things together or they'll keep inching closer to the bottom of the league. What can they do to stay out of last place?
PH: A lot of it will rest on the health of Arian Foster's hamstring. This week's meeting with GGD is still in play due that quarterback situation, but if Foster doesn't stay healthy, The Wheat Farmers aren't going to have much of a crop at the end of the growing season.
12 (10). Sharknadoes (3-5)
mv: Ooo, boy, these guys are gonna miss Matt Stafford in Week 9. Especially since Geno Smith is the only current option on the roster. "Beast Mode" Marshawn Lynch was a disappointment on Monday night. Why is this team down here? Stafford, Lynch, Jimmy Graham.... they should be better than this. How would you keep this team out of last place?
PH: With this team it comes down to luck. After drafting Stafford, Lynch, Graham, Dwayne Bowe, Roddy White and the Packers defense, this initially looked like a strong roster. Unforunately, only the first three have delivered, leaving this team with a bunch of middle and late round picks that just haven't produced. If they want to avoid the cellar, they may want to look at trade options to find someone, anyone, at running back to compliment Lynch.
13 (12). Dante's Afro (3-5)
mv: DA is one spot away from last. They've only finished in the top half of the league in scoring in two out of eight weeks. They do own the tiebreaker over The Jayshox, barely squeaking out a Week 5 win by 0.70 points. Tell us what, if anything, they can do to avoid getting passed by the Jayshox. And you can't say "There are too many Patriots on this team and Tom Brady is having a terrible year."
PH: Stevan Ridley's recent production gives them a glimmer of hope, but this team doesn't have a receiver or tight end ranked in the top 10. It's hard to see much of a future for a team whose only elite player is their defense. The only thing they can do at this point is hope the Shox are just a little bit worse.
14 (14). The Jayshox (2-6)
mv: And here we are, everyone's favorite punching bag, the Jayshox. These guys are the KU football of Rock Chalk Talk Fantasy Football. The parallels are eerie. Win the first game? Check. Lose the rest (allow for maybe an upset or two)? Check. Can't score any points on offense? Check. I'm guessing your first suggestion to The Jayshox would be to cut Christian Ponder. How can this team get out of last place?
PH: With Phillip Rivers' bye week in the rearview mirror, Ponder isn't a big issue. Unlike the KU football team, I don't see this team finishing at the bottom of the league. Zac Stacy has put up two straight double-digit games, and Rob Gronkowski is healthy again. Add those to the existing lineup of Rivers, LeSean McCoy and AJ Green, and you have a team that's only a defense away from being respectable.
mv: Alright, PenHawk, thanks for your time. Any final thoughts on the league? Who will win the championship? And who will be immortalized in a dancing .gif?
PH: You've been talking about the parity in this league for weeks, and I think you're right on target. There are just so many rosters you can look at and say, "Hey, this team would be pretty good if they only had another ____." The Land Crab got off to a hot start, but really, we're no exception.
I can't bring myself to agree with Mark May, and picking the second place team seems like the easy way out, so I'll pick Glengarry Glenn Dorsey to win the league. Even though there are six teams ahead of them in scoring average, the roster is solid and they have a creative name.
As for last place, I'll have to go with Dante's Afro. They're the only team in the league averaging under 90 points per game, and I think the JayShox have a good enough roster to pass them.
mv: Any other final thoughts?
PH: The Kansas Jayhawks will beat Texas in Austin on Saturday.
mv: That's a bold prediction. I forwarded that to a contact in the UT Athletic department, and this was their response: "Small words from a small being, trying to attack what it doesn't understand." If anyone can place that movie quote (without cheating on the internets), you win the "Nerd of the Month" award, if there is such a thing.
Oh, and Grad, you might wanna change your password. It shouldn't take much to confuse the White Wizard.
Going streaking: Glengarry Glenn Dorsey, four wins in a row
Going sliding: Rock Chalk Tupac, four losses in a row
Fantasy player of the week: Drew Brees, 43.5 points
Fantasy owner of the week: 3 way tie with 99%, Papa Wheelie's Boys, Denver Fax Machines, The Wheat Farmers
Fantasy owner of the weak: Dante's Afro, 81%


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In honor of The Smoking Jacket's one year anniversary, this week's Twitpic Theater is a look at the hottest picture (or pictures) from each week's post from the past year. Remember when Heather Rae Young tweeted that picture of…well, let us remind you with a THREE-page post.
Let's start from the birth of Twitpic Theater and then bring you up to speed…
The first TwitPic Theater contained this sexy pic of @Jenniferwalcott
@heatherraeyoung's night started off innocently enough……but then everyone started getting a little grabby.
@heatherchadwell and @lauracroft83 followed @heatherraeyoung's lead and let hands, legs and bodies go every which way. No complaints here.
@vicsilvstedt letting her flag fly on a boat this weekend.
@jamieedmondson shared a bunch of photos from her NFL-themed photo shoot in real time in a smoking live series of TwitPics.
@vh1feisty shows off her spread in the 2011 Hooters Calendar
@KristenLynnXo and way too many sexy friends ready for a night on the town. This shot wins the award for "TwitPic I'm Most Likely to Photoshop Myself Into So My Mom Thinks I'm A Success" this week.
Playmate or the Year 2011 and pin-up model @clairesinclair_ lets us into her world, which apparently includes a working, wooden iPhone.
The Grotto. Playmates @MissDec2010 @francescafrigo @Amyleighandrews @heatherraeyoung went for a dip in it.
@amyleighandrews posted a few pictures of herself as Dr. Girlfriend. We like the seductive vibe here. From Dr. Girlfriend TwitPic Edition.
Happy Halloween! @laurenwaugh @sheridynfisher were apparently in ancient Rome for the holiday. Oh,to be that stone lion.
@francescafrigo shows off her sexy fall attire.
@SydneyBarlette shared this iPhone shot from the set of her Tomb Raider-themed photoshoot as Lara Croft. Angelina Jolie, who?
Happy Thanksgiving 2010! @laurenhwaugh looking more like @laurenWOW on the set of a photo shoot they forgot to invite us to.
Playmates @MissKassieLyn, @KyraMilanHipp, @SheraBechard, @Shannam710, @jaimeedmondson, @amyleighandrews and @heatherraeyoung.


text: The Albemarle Housing Improvement Program, or AHIP, is launching its Seniors Safe at Home Program once again. It's raising funds to provide free help to those who have the hardest time making home repairs.The program is designed to help seniors age safely in their homes. It's in partnership with the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) and the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (BRHBA). Together these organizations help homeowners make critical repairs to their homes."Whether it's a roof, or gutters, or ceilings or floors, they need something to make their house safe for them to live in, and so AHIP's job is to go out and help them be safe," said Jennifer Jacobs, the executive director of AHIP.Last year Seniors Safe at Home helped 42 senior households. Currently 400 central Virginia households are on a waiting list for the repairs - half of which house seniors. Members of AHIP will be at the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association Home and Garden Festival raising awareness and funds for the Senior Safe at Home program April 12-14 at the John Paul Jones Arena.


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The lesson of Kim Couture's first professional MMA fight has nothing to do with her gender. Yet, even those who would protect the value and place of women's MMA and battle against double standards seem to think Couture's gametes are the crux of the matter. To wit:
It isn't as if Kim Couture was matched up with someone out of her league. According to Sherdog, that was Kim Rose's first pro fight, just as it was Couture's. And it isn't about the fact that she continued after being hurt, either.
Couture put forth a valiant effort even after being drilled early on. She even dished out some punishment of her own, despite Cofield's characterization of the fight as egregiously one-sided. If she was unable to continue, she could have quit. She had a cornerman with plenty of experience in this business, so one has to assume that he knew what he was looking at.
It's also not about how long the rounds lasted. If we grant that women can fight, there's no sense in saying they can't fight for as long as men can. Couture's injury likely happened from the very first punch of the fight, so making the rounds two minutes shorter wouldn't have made a significant difference.
If we take away all those red herrings, what we're left with is an objection to seeing women engaged in violent pursuits. To some extent, I can understand that. As much as I believe that men and women are equals, it's still more difficult for me to see a woman get hurt than a man. But you know something? That's my problem, not theirs.
Now, I'm not picking on Ben. He makes a compelling argument here that needs to be addressed even if it misses the issue at hand.
The problem, ultimately, with the Kim Couture fight wasn't gender, it was competency. Unequivocally, I say Kim Couture is not even remotely ready for professional mixed martial arts competition. Period. Anyone who says otherwise needs to seriously reevaluate their ability to distinguish amateur from professional.
I cannot believe people who purport to watch MMA can honestly watch that fight without immediately recognizing the lack of technical skill Couture demonstrated. While her durability and drive are second to no one's, her ability to fight effectively is borderline ineffectual.
Yes, she landed a couple of takedowns. And yes, she was hurt in the opening moments of the bout yet managed to soldier through to the end. But that doesn't prove anything except that she has an unreal ability to absorb a world class thrashing and that she has the takedown ability of someone who has been training with world class wrestlers for less than a year.
Some have suggested this matter centers around double standards. That women are not being extended the same opportunity to fight as men. If we're talking about double standards, let's talk about double standards. How about the double standard that some in the MMA media have the audacity to attack Kimbo Slice for not having the technical acumen to compete as a professional yet we give Couture a pass because she takes a better punch? How about the standard that we expect men (except for those with accomplished athletic backgrounds in similar athletic endeavors to MMA) to work their way through a few successful amateur matches before turning pro, yet we let Couture take one smoker - not even an amateur rules match!!! - where she was handled before she's granted a professional license to compete in professional MMA matches. That's not only a double standard, that's downright dangerous. Licensing is granted to those professionals who have proven they are prepared to deal with the rigors of professional competition. That is ultimately a medical concern with serious implications and repercussions.
I don't want to resort to the often hackneyed argument of "people who train vs. people who don't", but I would like to draw upon my experience in training. I can say with complete confidence that while she did have a couple of decent takedowns, she didn't know how to pass guard either from half and especially not full guard; she didn't know how to properly use underhooks on the ground or shoulder pressure to keep opponents on the mat; she didn't demonstrate professional level ability to prevent her opponent from shrimping to guard; she didn't display professional level footwork on defensive blocking or defensive circling maneuvers; and she pushed her punches (there were zero combinations) and it wasn't hard to notice they had very little steam on them.
To say her opponent was as much as a neophyte on paper only reinforces the argument: her opponent didn't look too savvy on the ground either often laying on her back in side control without any attempt to use technique to amend the situation. If you can't continually pass guard of someone with that level of ability, there are some serious questions you better ask yourself. And on the feet, her opponent appeared much more capable in terms of punching power, combinations, evasion, movement and ring savvy.
Lastly, if the response is that Couture wasn't able to maximize her potential because she was hurt early and that set the tone, I sympathize. But that's all the more reason to stop the fight in that circumstance. Sometimes a fighter's toughness is their own worst enemy. But more importantly, we also can't say because she weathered the storm that therefore the storm wasn't in and of itself too much. Please. The beating Kuniyoshi Hironaka took at the hands of Thiago Alves wasn't a tenth of what Couture took and the referee - and the MMA blogosphere - didn't seem to have any issue with that stoppage - a stoppage that took place while Hironaka was perfectly conscious and on his feet. Apparently the referee's decision, implicitly sanctioned by the MMA blogosphere, was justified in that instance. If so, then when did the ceiling of acceptable punishment get raised? It seems to me it wasn't. What did appear to happen, however, is that the concern to not be sexist when females are involved in difficult situations has actually impaired judgment overall.
Kim Couture doesn't need a lesson from anyone on matters of heart. Kim Couture doesn't need a lesson from anyone on what it means to persevere. But in order to compete at the professional level, she does need a lesson in skills training and a lot more time to develop her skill set. The MMA fight game is evolving at a ferocious pace at both the amateur and professional level. Unless you are an incredibly gifted athlete, you need time to prepare for competition. Just as we ask every other competitor to work their way through before we grant access to the professional ranks, we must also ask the same of Kim Couture.


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"Debunking Five Myths about Alternative Fuels."
Today on Twitter:
PERCtweets: Court overturns E.P.A's cellulosic biofuels mandate, claiming quota was unrealistic
greenenergymatt: Biofuels Business: Accelerating History – Greentech Media
benlubbon: Debunking Five Myths about Alternative Fuels
mStockWire: mStockwire: AgCenter biofuels pilot plant commissioned in La.
Category: Opinion
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