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Arrow Round Table: "City of Blood"by Carissa Pavlica at . Updated at . Comments
It's the Arrow Season 2 Episode 21 Round Table and we're talking about Oliver's decisions to miss the funeral and sacrifice himself, Laurel's new focus, what Sebastian Blood must be thinking and more.
Dive into the comments and join in the conversation with staff writers Hank Otero, Kate Brooks, Carla Day, Nick McHatton and Carissa Pavlica. Play nice!
What do you think of Oliver's decision to pull away, miss Moira's funeral and contemplate suicide?
Hank: While I think missing his mother's funeral was a terrible choice, I can't imagine what coming to terms with his own mortality must have been like. I can totally understand how Oliver's disappearance appeared typical behavior for him, but in this case he needed to get away for some peace and quiet. If he had stuck around, I can't imagine Diggle and Felicity would allow him to contemplate death. They eventually show up to talk him out of it right? Anyway, I didn't see his choice as running away so much as needing space to make a life or death decision.
Kate: While I understanding both decisions, missing Moira's funeral is a rough one. Even if it is your fault, that is just something you'll have to live with for the rest of your life. With that said, choosing suicide to protect everyone else is somewhat heroic. It wouldn't have worked because Slade doesn't want Oliver dead, he wants him to live with great loss for as long as he does live. It wouldn't have solved anything.
Carla: Oh, Oliver. I felt for him. He basically killed his mother. Not really, but that's how he saw it. He was devastated and broken by Slade and it was entirely in character for Oliver to run away and hide. At least he didn't run as far away as the island this time. Was it selfish? Maybe, but everyone mourns in their own way. How was he supposed to face Thea? Regarding the suicide, Oliver was devastated and by sacrificing himself he thought he would save others, while ending his own pain. Misguided, but understandable.
Nick: Carla is right on this, everyone mourns in their own way. Oliver retreating to some place where he can find and process his grief is understandable, but missing your own Mother's funeral is tough. It's a chance to pay your last respects and support your family. Oliver misses an opportunity to support Thea, and to pay his final respects to Moira's selfless sacrifice. At least Oliver didn't completely leave though. At some level he instinctively knows he needs to stay and fight instead of retreating to the island like he does with Tommy.
Carissa: Oliver had plenty of time to retreat after the funeral. Leaving Thea on her own and missing the funeral was unacceptable. I'm unmovable on that point. He was supposed to face Thea because all she's asked for is the truth. He could have tried it on for size. I'm also surprised after learning how many factors came into play on the island other than sheer survival, that Oliver honestly thought it would be as easy as sacrificing himself to save his family. If that's all Slade wanted, then why didn't he just kill him outright? There was some seriously flawed thinking going on all around.
Laurel stepped up. Give an honest, unemotional assessment of her inclusion in the activities.
Hank: I think is was great that Laurel took up the fight against Blood again. Something never felt right to her and in the end she was proven correct. Though she's annoyed me most of the season, I'm on board with Laurel now. I did find the Laurel Arrow reveal a bit anticlimactic. Even Roy had a more interesting reveal you know? Yes, I realize Laurel already knew but I guess I just hoped for a bit more.
Kate: It's hard to be "unemotional" about Laurel's decision because she has been such a terrible character all season that now she actually is doing something quite awesome. For the first time in a really long time she is a great character. Like Hank said, she's always felt something off with Blood but unlike Hank, I am not necessarily on board with Laurel now.
Carla: Laurel's been the weak point in Arrow season 2. She was better here, but her speech to Oliver about knowing him didn't feel earned. He's not the same person that he was pre-island (which is a good thing) and she doesn't really know him now. When she showed up when they were trying to take down the mirakuru army, I just sighed. She did help save Oliver, but she's a liability. When she whined, "Oli, there's too many of them. We can't fight." Ugh! Annoying. I want to see a strong Laurel, but she's not.
Nick: I'm a mixture of everyone's opinions on Laurel. I like that she's stepping up and finding her own footing again; doing what she can to figure out her gut feeling with Blood. She plays the politics of the show well, but part of me just does not care about her underneath Verdant; it's too big of a jump. It is not completely earned. Laurel knows about Oliver's nightly dealings, but to be quickly introduced into the cave, giving him a pep talk, and coming along on the mission is too much too soon. Laurel needs to find a way to contribute to the team and pay those same dues that everyone else has done, and, so far, she has not done it; however, this version of Laurel is far better than what we've had so far, so I'm willing to go for it.
Carissa: I'm saddened to think the comments will be just one big Laurel bitch fest. I disagree that her time in the lair was any less earned than anybody else. What did Roy do to get there? Got in Oliver's way too many times and shot up with Mirakuru; forcing Oliver's hand. Yet he didn't get the same flack for calling Oliver out on his poor behavior that Laurel did for her pep talk. What's that about? Laurel is intelligent but has been in the dark too long. She's in the light -- I'm looking forward to her next moves. She may not even like Oliver the more she learns about who he is now, but at least she has a chance to get to know him.
Oliver revealed himself to Sebastian. What do you think Is on Sebastian's mind right now?
Hank: Kill the Arrow? Or not be killed by the Arrow is more like it, right? Someone's got to go in the finale and I don't see the writers killing off Slade. My money's on Sebastian Blood.
Kate: Survival. Blood is terrified of Slade. It's like Stockholm Syndrome, you do what you have to do to survive your situation and if that means being the voice a a Mirakuru Army, you do it. Oliver is Slade's threat and in his mind, it's a no brainer that Slade will defeat The Arrow.
Carla: He's gone from a anonymous leader of the mirakuru to having a target on his back. He's going to have to fight harder now than ever to stay alive.
Nick: Sebastian's in his own island right now. He's in an impossible situation since Slade is not that big on him, and only uses him for a pawn; and he knows Oliver is going to be gunning for him now. So he's fighting to survive, and it's still undecided which team he's ultimately going to choose. I think there's a definite possibility that Blood will end up with one last ditch effort that turns the tide for Oliver.
Carissa: You almost have to feel sorry for the poor guy. To have the greatest evil and the greatest hero in town breathing down your neck makes you a good candidate to shed actual blood. He must be wondering what Slade hates about him so much, because that's still unknown to him. He's in the dark, yet he knows too much. If I were him, I'd be planning an escape.
Who do you think will be on Team Arrow as the season ends?
Hank: Laurel as Canary for sure, I've said this many times during our round tables. I don't see the writers killing off Diggle or Felicity but Roy might go off with Slade in the finale. I'm not sure he fits well in his current state anyway. His journey this season has been odd.
Kate: Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity obviously. I am having a really hard time with idea of Sara being killed because that just means that Laurel will have more to do and I'm not for that yet. I agree with Hank that they can't kill of Slade but that doesn't mean they can't cure him. As far as Roy goes, he just needs to die, he's terrible and doesn't belong anywhere anymore.
Carla: Oliver, Diggle and Felicity will remain the core team members of Team Arrow. They will have associate members in Sara, Roy, Nyssa, Lance, and even Laurel. Unlike Hank, I don't see Laurel becoming the Canary this season. She needs to earn that and she's not there yet.
Nick: I think Oliver, Felicity, and Dig are safe. Roy and Sara are on the bench for now. Laurel will most likely work her DA position.
Carissa: It will likely end with the core trio standing and the rest completely up in the air. That will be the hanging chad for Season 3.
Share your overall thoughts on City of Blood.
Hank: I see City of Blood as the first hour in a three part finale. It wasn't my favorite episode of the season and had a few predictable moments (which is rare for the writers) but I guess it was necessary to get us to next week's installment. So far it's the one episode I didn't rush to watch again.
Kate: Most of the episode was a filler until they actual lead-in for the final two episodes came along. We have this great set up for the remaining two hours of the season. I'm on the edge of my seat, I am racking my brain and preparing myself for more great loss. When the season is all said and done, we wont be talking about City of Blood, we'll be talking about Moira's death in the episode previous and the two episodes to follow.
Carla: Overall, it was a set-up episode for the final two episodes. The players are all in place for an ultimate showdown between Oliver and Slade. Oliver's emotional breakdown after his mother's death felt authentic and real. I wish there was a better explanation about how Isabel's able to take back the Verdant building and hurt the Queen's financially. She's the CEO now, but the Queens still have an ownership stake in the company. The first appearance of Ravager was a letdown, but I have high hopes that she'll impress over the last two episodes. After seeing the mirakuru army, I'm always going to be afraid of the Deathstroke mask!
Nick: It won't be my favorite episode of the season, but it sets up some very important stories going forward. My favorite parts were definitely Felicity and Dig searching for Oliver, and Oliver finding Solace in his back up operations location. The reemphasis on the "Core Three" was a big one for me as well.
Carissa: I'm happy to see some female strength coming forth without physical power to back them up. Sheer brains and determination from Felicity and Laurel is nice. The core three being recalled as the source of Team Arrow was a nice call out and I liked Oliver saying "I'm the Arrow" to Sebastian, but there was too much that didn't feel right and was counterintuitive to the rest of the season. I'll likely leave major portions of it out of my future marathons.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.Tags: Arrow, Round Tables
The best Team arrow this year imo is Ollie,Digg,Fel and Sara 2 guys 2 girls and felt balanced and exiting
Hank u honestly think Laurel will become Canary this season lol what are you drinking buddy? If she is to become Canary s4 at the earliest lets not piss all over Ollie/Sara actual crucible and training that makes them the badasses they are
Team Arrow after episode 23 will be Oliver, Diggle, Felicity, and a cured Roy, with Laurel in the wings and Sara back to the League to satisfy having Nyssa and the League join the battle. Blood and Isabel among the fallen during the battle. Slade also cured and enlisted by Waller into the SS. Regarding the whole Laurel is worthy/not-worthy argument — I agree that she has to earn her place on the team, and that it's implausible that she become Black Canary midway through next season. Roy's situation was unique in that he was brought into the team in the attempt to help him deal with being inflicted with the Mirakuru. Otherwise, the other four current members of the team went through years of training to achieve their specific skills, so it makes absolutely no sense for Laurel to jump into fishnets after six months. It's clear the writers are going to fast-track her ascension to the front lines, but hopefully it will take at least a couple of seasons and not a couple of months. I would love to see Sara in the Canary role in the next Birds of Prey installment, with she and Helena on the same side at least once before the title is passed to Laurel.
"Laurel's been the weak point in Arrow season 2. She was better here, but her speech to Oliver about knowing him didn't feel earned. He's not the same person that he was pre-island (which is a good thing) and she doesn't really know him now. When she showed up when they were trying to take down the mirakuru army, I just sighed. She did help save Oliver, but she's a liability. When she whined, "Oli, there's too many of them. We can't fight." Ugh! Annoying." Carla - I ADORE you for this quote alone. You are now possibly my favorite. And Nick: Laurel needs to find a way to contribute to the team and pay those same dues that everyone else has done, and, so far, she has not done it; And Kate: Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity obviously. I am having a really hard time with idea of Sara being killed because that just means that Laurel will have more to do and I'm not for that yet. I agree with Hank that they can't kill of Slade but that doesn't mean they can't cure him. As far as Roy goes, he just needs to die, he's terrible and doesn't belong anywhere anymore. I agree with all of this. Nothing more to add really. Although I will say that I loved Oliver's scenes with Sebastian Blood but I super LOVED Felicity Smoak's "Bitch with wifi" moment. I love that they play off of her intelligence in her tactics. She doesn't have to be a superior fighter to be an effective and formative member of the team! I love it!
Loved seeing the core team arrow together!!! Oliver, Diggle and Felicity to me are what make the show, they have such chemistry together. Please lets keep them them main focus. Really had a hard time watching Laurel and her speech in the lair to Oliver, was very painful to watch.And the way she dismissed Diggle and Felicity before her speech really bothered me. Some of her lines and delivery......ugh!!!! She just doesn't click for me. Roy is okay and I love Thea. Miss Sara too. Her interaction with Felicity was great to watch
Laurel has been used as a plot device since the middle of season one. I hope she gets to be a character now. I don't think she'll be Black Canary next season, I think that is too soon. I do hope the writers change the pace of stories a bit. I think they tried so hard to tie everything to Oliver this season that we've been "told" about developments that should have been scenes, and side story lines - like Laurel's addiction and rehab - happen almost too quickly to get over the ill will that was caused. I liked her more in the last two episodes than I have for a while. I agree Ollie should have been at the funeral. The suicide plot was lame - Slade doesn't want him dead, he wants Ollie alive and suffering like Slade is. I think they'll cure Slade if they can or maybe let him redeem himself before he dies. I'm still concerned they'll kill Det. Lance - lots of things foreshadow it, hopefully its all misdirection. I think the comment about getting back to the three of them was a promise to viewers to cut back on the Team Arrow extras. With Laurel being told by the DA to pick her battles, and the preview looking like the cops will call Arrow I suspect the mayor might live and we'll have Arrow taking on a Batman like role with the cops to take on corruption in the City Hall and DA's office (remember, Merlyn had friends in the DAs office during the trial) and maybe the police force since there were obviously corrupt cops helping with the Mirakuru. Looking forward to see how they spin the story out.
I dislike Roy and Laurel. Both useless. Both expendable. Both such disappointments to their comic counterparts. Both bearable worth any mention.
Q#2 I am so glad that finally Laurel is being given the chance to show what she can do. I agree with Clarissa that Laurel has certainly earned her place in the Arrow cave. She has been kept in the dark for far too long and at least for the first season of Arrow the center of Ollie's world. Remember he told her that he is trying to be the man that she always saw inside him. It took the harrowing experience on the island to bring out that man. And when Sara told Ollie that he needed to be with someone who could harness the light inside of him you know she was talking about Laurel. As far as viewers giving a fair unbiased assessment of Laurel, there are so many who dislike the character that it doesn't matter what she does they will crucify her. Thankfully there are just as many who like the character and on several sites I've seen the tide turn and a backlash against all the Laurel hate. Interestingly several post we're attacking the Arrow himself.
There is no way Laurel was the light that Sara was referring to. For one thing she is the exact opposite of hope or joy. There is no doubt that the person she meant was Felicity. If you watch the actual scenes between the characters really well you will notice that the only person Oliver actually locks eyes on and is overwhelmed by is FS. His moments with Laurel are dead and lack any emotional connection. He seemed pissed at Laurel for intruding on the team which he should have been. If tptb go LL as the main plot focus they will lose most of their fans. She is just not an interesting or likable character. Concentrating on Laurel could get the show cancelled.
I agree with you completely about the light Sara was referring to. If you watch the scene, Sara actually turns and glances toward Felicity and then looks back at Oliver. There were also the scene between Oliver and Felicity about his finding hope (harking back to her "find another way") as well as Digg's telling her she could never be a bad person. Juxtapose that with Helena telling Laurel once you let the darkness in, it never goes away and Laurel using blackmail and extortion with the DA to get her way. Laurel's losing her own light. She can't harness anyone else's light at this time.
Laurel HAS NOT earned a damn thing everything is given to her Sara/Oliver had to suffer through 5 years of hell Laurel had to survive her own drug addiction oh you poor girl Laurel
@Carissa, I have to again agree with you on your points with Laurel. I thought that it was just some fans who didn't like Laurel, but now I see it's also most of the Round Table crew (you being the exception) and I find that highly disappointing. People tend to take some of their cue from the main writers or bloggers, and I see a pattern here. The RT crew seems to dislike Laurel, and some of the readers/posters do as well. I am very upset by that. You are right in that they didn't even treat Roy the way they treated Laurel, when he did some of the same things or warranted the same anger as did Laurel. It's a twisted world, is all I'm going to say on this topic for now.
I don't dislike Laurel in general. I think her character has value on the show and I hope she sticks around. I do believe her character hasn't been written well or utilized in the best way this season. I also don't want her to become Black Canary ... soon. I do like Sara as BC. I'm very glad Laurel knows about Oliver/Arrow, but she doesn't belong in the Arrow lair. Ideally, I'd like her to be developed into a hero other than BC that draws from her own strengths whether it's a hero from DC universe or maybe even a fresh character.
Q1. While I didn't like that lack of character growth, I think it is totally within character. I am disappointed that Oliver wasn't there for Thea, but I'm not surprised. I am, however, surprised that he things Slade would just kill him. Obviously, Slade is more into torture. Q2. It's hard to be unemotional about Laurel. I like that she went back to suspecting Blood (even if it did seem a little out of the blue), but I hated her in the Arrow Cave. She seemed to dismiss Felicity and Diggle as the hired help, and her speech to Oliver was ludicrous. ("I know you in my bones"? I'm not sure how Cassidy delivered that with a straight face.) I hated her whining to go with them and her following anyway. This is exactly what got Tommy killed a year ago. It will likely get someone killed or injured this year. Apparently, she is incapable of learning. Q.3. While I was expecting the reveal, I did love it simply for the look on Blood's face. I think Blood is thinking "WTH did I get myself into?" Q.4. Oliver, Diggle & Felicity - they are Team Arrow. Q. 5. I loved it.It was one of my favorites - but I think that was because of Diggle and Felicity. I loved them in this episode. "Bitch with Wifi" - best line ever.


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The Blazing-Fast Cars of Bonneville Speed Week 2011
Bonneville is the place for speed. This year, for the 63rd annual event, there are over 520 pre-registered entries with some from as far away as Italy and Hawaii. Racers will be trying to set a world land-speed record, while many other participants are simply here to see how fast they can go. Where else can you keep the throttle pinned for miles? We found the hottest racers and most beautiful classic cars cruising the flats.
By Warren Barbee, Jr.
Plymouth Barracuda
This low-slung Plymouth Barracuda packs a mean puncha Hemi with a blower.

subset: commoncrawl


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For the purpose of my Labyrinth Lord game I will assert the following: Happiness is how we feel when we get what we want. Sadness is how we feel when we don't get what we want. Surprise/Scared is when we get something very unexpected. Anger is when that unwanted something may harm us.
Yes, yes, I know it's over simplistic and you're probably wanting to jump all over my theory. But wait, it's not a theory, it's just a game mechanic. So, let me roll with it a minute, ok? In the table below I've arranged four emotions on a scale. Given these definitions and scale descriptors, anytime a character meets a sentient being in-game, the GM can have a basic idea of what that beings wants. If the characters somehow manage to facilitate the being getting what it wants, they are likely to please the being and get a "Happy" reaction. If the characters don't facilitate the being getting what it wants, it's more likely to be move "up" the scale away from "Happy". Furthermore, if the being construes the characters somehow as a threat, they are even more likely to move further away from "Happy" and at a faster rate, too.
There are certain universals that come into play. Physical threats, for example, or sudden loud shouting will cause nearly any sentient being to move "up" the scale towards "Angry/Disgusted". However, the cause doesn't have to be physical or verbal. Cultural differences, for example, may account for "Disgust" and if a being has an unusual desire, characters may unwittingly impact that being's perceived ability to achieve its desire.
1d4 - Reaction Emotion
1 - Happy
2 - Sad
3 - Surprised/Scared
4 - Angry/Disgusted
But wait, that doesn't give us the stretch needed. We need a greater interval to accommodate different potential modifiers. We need a multiple of four without employing multiple die (no bell curves toward a specific emotion - let's not get that complicated, ok?), so how about 1d8?
1d8 - Reaction Emotion
1/2 - Happy
3/4 - Sad
5/6 - Surprised/Scared
7/8 - Angry/Disgusted
Nah, not enough stretch. Let's bump to the next platonic solid with a number of faces that happens to be a multiple of four: 1d12.
1d12 - Reaction Emotion
1/2/3 - Happy
4/5/6 - Sad
7/8/9 - Surprised/Scared
10/11/12 - Angry/Disgusted
Now we're cooking! The GM can simply apply modifiers to interactions. If the players somehow either give or make the being think it may get what it wants, the modifier may be a -3 or -4 to the being's reaction roll. If they deliver something significant that the being wants, the modifier could be beefed up to -6 or so. Conversely, if the players, unwittingly or not, somehow deprive a being of something it wants, simply flip the sign. Or if the being somehow supposes that the players will deprive it of what it wants the GM could apply a positive modifier depending on the significance of both the desire and the player's actions.
I bet some of you are ready to argue about the order of my scale. Specifically, that "Sad" seems kind of out of place on the road from "Happy" to "Surprised/Scared". First of all, I'm just having fun stretching an article way past it thesis. Second, even though it sounds funny, if we get past the strong emotive connotations with "Sad" and start thinking of synonymous terms such as "out of sorts", "wistful", and "pensive" it's a little more feasible. At least enough for me to want to try it out, anyway. Oh, here's a link to the article, by the way, if you'd like to read it yourself.
What's that? You're still here? Well, let me get another beer and we'll take this absurdity to the next level. By "level" I'm kind of giving it away. Yeah, you guessed it: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. All of you teachers and psychologists out there are now groaning because you're likely sick of hearing about Maslowe and his hierarchy. What's that? You're not. Ok, then, let us move on.
In a paper titled "A Theory of Human Motivation" published in 1943, Abraham Maslow organized basic human needs into categories by priority. In most textbooks it's organized into a pyramid with the most basic and necessary needs underneath those that are less critical. Hold on, my mouth is getting dry from all this talking, I'm going to grab a beer.
Ah, that's much better. Where was I, oh yeah: The most basic needs are physiological. You know, things like being able to breathe and eat and sleep and have sex. I'm sure that you and I would argue that gaming goes there, too, but let's save that for another evening, shall we? Next up on the pyramid is safety needs. This includes concepts such as financial safety via a job, personal health and property. Once safety needs are satisfied, the next type of need is to feel loved or a sense of belonging. This category includes family and friends. Next up the ladder is the concept of esteem. This is exactly as it sounds, self-esteem, social standing, confidence, and respect from others. Finally, at the tippy top of mount everest is a point to which every human aspires, even if they can't conceive of it in Maslow's terms. This pinnacle of achievement is self-actualization. Interestingly, Maslow characterized this category with "creativity", "morality", and "spontaneity", among other characteristics.
Enough academics. Let's talk game. Because there are five categories in Maslow's hierarchy and they are already organized by priority (thanks, Abraham), let us simply apply proportional number as a modifier. It would look like this:
Modifier ~ Need Category
+/-1 ~ Self-actualization
+/-2 ~ Esteem
+/-3 ~ Love/belonging
+/-4 ~ Safety
+/-5 ~ Physiological
So, you could use the Need Category table to quickly determine the modifier for the Reaction Emotion table. For example, suppose an NPC is in danger of being killed by a sword-wielding orc (not me, I would never do such a thing... well maybe to a Kender), but the Player Characters stop the threat. Since living is a "Physiological" need, the GM would apply a -5 modifier to the Reaction Emotion table. In such a case the NPC would have a 2/3 chance of reacting with joy, a 1/4 chance of reacting in a pensive manner, and a low 1/12 chance of reacting in surprised fear. That seems reasonable.
The opposite would hold true as well. If the Player Characters threaten to attack an NPC, physical harm is a "Physiological" need, and so the GM would apply a +5 modifier to the Reaction Emotion table. The probabilities above would hold true for the other end of the scale, e.g., 2/3 for anger, 1/4 for surprised, and 1/12 for a sad reaction.
If the Player Characters were affecting a less important need, the modifier would be less. For example, if the Player Characters threatened a close friend, the modifier would be +3. If the Player Characters belittle a NPC, the modifier may just be a +2. And so on. I think you get the point.
My goodness. Where has the time gone? I can't believe you've hung with me this far. We've made it past the murky swamps of Time Magazine articles, into the shadowed tomb of psychology, and past the parching plains of my embarrassing prose. Thanks for being a companionable fellow-adventurer, Constant Reader. See you at the Inn.


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Fifth Third, JPMorgan Lead Big Bank Revenue Winners: KBW
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Third-quarter earnings season has been a very rough one for many of the nation's large-cap banks, but there are several that have managed to grow revenue-per-share, depending on how you look at the data.
"It is no secret that revenue growth in the large cap bank industry is tough to come by given net interest margin compression, modest loan growth, declining mortgage banking income, etc.," according to KBW analyst Christopher Mutascio. But most of the big banks have been using "cash to aggressively repurchase shares," and if one-time items are excluded, the analyst has identified two large-cap banks that showed year-over-year growth in revenue-per-share:
First is Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) of Cincinnati. The company's core third-quarter revenue was $1.521 billion, declining from $1.571 billion in the third quarter of 2012, according to Mutascio. But Fifth Third's share buybacks over the past year reduced its average share count to 888 million in the third quarter from 945 million a year earlier. Therefore, the company's third-quarter revenue came to $1.71 a share, increasing 3% from $1.66 a share, a year earlier.
Fifth Third reported third-quarter net income available to common shareholders of $421 million, or 47 cents a share, increasing from $354 million, or 39 cents a share, during the third quarter of 2012. Both sets of results included one-time items related to the company's investment in Vantiv (VNTV). Please see TheStreet's earnings coverage for more on Fifth Third's third-quarter results.The other large-cap bank showing year-over-year growth in revenue-per-share was Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) of Columbus, Ohio. The company's third-quarter revenue declined to $682 million from $692 million a year earlier. But Huntington's third-quarter average share count declined to 841 million from 864 million in the third quarter of 2012. So the company's revenue-per-share grew 1.1% to 81 cents in the third quarter from 80 cents a year earlier. Huntington reported third-quarter earnings of $178.5 million, or 20 cents a share, increasing $167.8 million, or 19 cents a share, during the third quarter of 2012. Please see TheStreet's earnings coverage for details on the company's results and strategy.
Stripping Out the Mortgage DeclineIn a note to clients on Tuesday, Mutascio wrote that the large-cap banks were "giving up interest income on earning assets to buy back shares." It may have been worth it. Most of the big banks are continuing to see pressure on net interest margins from the Federal Reserve's policy of keeping the short-term federal funds rate in a range of zero to 0.25%, since late 2008.
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About Us
Strategic Plan Accomplishments 2005-2009
A public services retreat was held in January of 2007 to review the Library's opportunities to respond to community needs. The goal of the retreat was to focus efforts as we completed the remaining three years of the Strategic Plan 2005-2009. Participants identified three priority areas for the Library to focus its efforts.
Three Priority Areas
Children, Teens and Families
Goal: The community will recognize PCPL as a leader in early literacy and youth development.
The Library offers a wide range of programming in support of children, teens and families and will focus efforts to encourage pre-literacy development for preschoolers, support academic success among school age youth and support parents of children in becoming positive role models as they help their children become life-long learners.
Summary of accomplisments in this area:
- Offered Fit for Life programming for teens system-wide over the three years. 88 programs in 19 libraries were attended by 1,200 teens.
- Implemented a first grade library card campaign with participation increasing each of the three years. 10,592 first graders were signed up for library cards during the 3 year period.
- In 2008, hosted a Community of Readers Literacy Summit, which actively engaged over 285 participants in discussions to promote early childhood literacy.
- In 2009, held 4 family literacy nights as a follow up to the Community of Readers Literacy Summit.
- In 2009, implemented the Read Baby Read program at 16 libraries to encourage parents to read to their children and teach pre-literacy skills.
- Added Brain Boxes to the tools used by librarians in preparing Storytimes and in educating caregivers and parents about early childhood brain development.
- Won the prestigious Coming Up Taller Award from the President's Council on Arts and Humanities for Word Journeys, one of the Library's after-school programs led by local author Marge Pellegrino.
- Implemented the Reading Partners program which pairs adult volunteers with children to encourage a love of reading.
- Implemented the Read to a Dog program in which children read aloud to a dog to improve reading skills in a relaxed, comfortable, and safe environment.
- Hold annual programs for children and families celebrating Día de los Ninos/Dí de los Libros and Dia de los Muertos programming to promote literacy and culture.
- Provided Library informational packets to new moms at the hospitals.
- Expanded the Summer Reading Program to include adults and encourgage family participation.
- Participated in NASA's Outer Space Base program, bringing science programming to children.
Community Partnerships
Goal: In collaboration with an expanded network of community partners the Library will be actively involved addressing community needs.
By identifying partners in the community whose missions share common values, the Library will work collaboratively to leverage library resources and develop sustainable programs to meet community needs. Topics to be addressed include literacy, health literacy, arts & culture, workforce development, environment and civics engagement.
Summary of accomplisments in this area:
- Initiated a partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Tucson (LVT). The pilot program at the Martha Cooper Branch Library has expanded to offer language classes and meeting spaces for students and tutors.
- Worked with Pima College Adult Education (PCAE) to develop drop in GED classes that are offered at seven branches.
- Partnered with the newly formed Literacy for Life Coalition (LLC) to coordinate literacy programming.
- Initiated partnerships with Health Department to provide health information to the community. All libraries have hosted health programs for teens and adults. Joel D. Valdez Main Library hosted a Get Fit Festival in 2008 for families and downtown workers.
- Established a Community Health Task Force bringing together partners with an interest in health literacy to create a network of health information providers.
- Developed partnership with Refugee Immigrant Service Provider Network (RISPNET) to work with refugees and with Health Taskforce to explore health information needs of refugees.
- Established partnerships with the YMCA and other youth oriented groups promoting healthy lifestyles for youth.
- Participated in the Financial Educators Collaboratove for Southern Arizona (FECSA) financial literacy network to identify programming partners to promote informed financial decision making.
- Partnered with AARP and United Way to provide tax assistance.
- Pima College Adult Education (PCAE) offered citizenship classes at several libraries.
- Partnered with Oasis to offer computer classes.
- League of Women Voters held an issues forum and provided mock elections and information for voters at 5 libraries leading up to the 2008 General Election.
- Partnered with Kids Vote AZ to hold mock elections for youth in 2008.
- Partnered with Youth Employment to provide workforce development for teens, hiring teens as pages and computer monitors.
- Partnered with One Stop to develop job clubs with dedicated computer instructors to provide instruction on how to apply for jobs.
- Partnered with the Drawing Studio to provide drawing classes that promote brain development in mature adults.
- Partnered with Inner Connections to promote Poetry programming in 2007 and sustainability programs in 2009. Current focus is on the creation of a Green Map of Tucson.
- Promoted sustainability by offering programs in partnership with Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford's office promoting solar energy and other green living practices such as water harvesting and recycling.
- In 2009, partnered with the Tucson Festival of Books to promote literacy and raise awareness to the many library programs that promote reading and books.
- Partnered with Arizona Theater Company to feature readers' theater from the play Raisin in the Sun.
- Partnered with Make Way for Books to give books away to children and families at Story Town and Family Read Aloud Nights.
- Collaborated with the Parent Connection to offer Stay and Play program in which parents and caregivers the opportunity to learn how to promote positive cognitive and emotional development by interacting with their children.
- Partnered with the American Institute of Architects, Southern Arizona Chapter on a planning charrette for the Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library resulting in a Common Ground Award for Public Projects from the Metropolitan Pima Alliance.
Community Awareness & Visibility
Goal: Residents of Pima County will be aware of and value the Library's programs and services.
Due to the recent changes of a significant nature in governance, name and levels of service the Library will be proactive in reaching out to the community to promote services. A communications and marketing plan will address ways to promote the new identity, new branches and new services.
Summary of accomplisments in this area:
- Hired Community Relations Manager.
- Introduced new logo and name of library.
- Branded publicity materials by developing consistent message and look for library materials.
- Developed online calendar of library and related community events.
- By 2009, placed new library signs at all locations.
- Provided communications training to all Public Service Managers.
- Developed talking points for communications training for all staff.
- Introduced "It's Your Library" to support roll out of logo and collateral materials.
- In 2008 provided Advocacy training for Library Advisory Board and Friends groups.
- Introduced online newsletter of library events.
- In 2008 published an Annual Report with Library highlights.
- Revamped print calendar of events to provide more in depth information about library services and programs.
- Promoted library on Facebook, My Space and other social networking media.
- Continued annual Nuestras Raíces festival celebrating Mexican-American Literary Arts and Culture which
- Continued annual author events which raise the Library's visibility in the community - Lawrence Clark Powell Memorial Lecture and GLBT Author Visit.
- Produced the annual Southwest Books of the Year brochure, which highlights Southwest reading.
- Created a physical and online art exhibit of historical photographs of downtown Tucson and the Joel D. Valdez Main Library - A Walk to the Library.
- Produced an As Told in Tucson book list online and in booklet form which lists books celebrating Tucson's literary past.
Infrastructure Accomplishments
In addition to focusing services on the strategic areas Library Administration addressed infrastructure issues in support of achieving service goals. These include:
- Quincie Douglas Branch Library opened in July 2006.
- Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch Library completed a major renovation in 2006.
- Mission Branch Library and Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library ADA issues addressed.
- Expanded hours to provide more consistent evening and weekend hours.
- Added databases and downloadable books to website.
- Implemented revised internet filtering system in accordance with newly adopted policy on computer use.
- Changed to newer, easier to use self-check system in 2007.
- Migrated Innovative to a new server, replaced telephone renewal and notification system.
- Martha Cooper Branch Library opened in 2006.
- Opened Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Branch Library in 2008.
- Opened Flowing Wells Branch Library in 2008.
- Opened Sahuarita Express Branch Library in 2009.
- Telephone system was upgraded in 2008.
- Conversion to Pima County network including establishing separate Internet Service Provider (ISP) for library in 2009.
- Renovated Himmel Branch Library to one service desk in 2007.
- Renovated meeting rooms at Geasa-Marana Branch Library in 2007.
- Renovated Woods Memorial Library to one service desk and renovated workroom in 2007/08.
- Renovated Southwest Branch Library in 2008.
- Renovated Dusebnerry-River Branch Library to one service desk in 2008.
- Renovated Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library teen area in 2008.
- Renovated Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library workroom in 2008.
- Renovated Nanini Branch Library to one service desk in 2009.
- Renovated Joel D. Main Library to one service desk in 2009.
- Expanded Flowing Wells Branch Library parking in 2009.
- Prepared for moving Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library to temporary location during bond funded renovation. Worked closely with community to keep them informed of progress on renovation from 2007 to 2009.
- Hired Community Youth Workers as pages and computer monitors.
- Hired SIRLS students as graduate assistants.
- Partnered with Americorp PeaceCorp Graduate assistant program.
- Implemented staff intranet to improve internal communication.
- Purchased new bookmobile which visits 23 locations throughout Pima County and logs over 9,000 miles a year traveling to sites.
- Adapted Books by Mail to serve more homebound customers. In 2008-2009, 145 customers have checked out 3,000 items.
- Initiated partnerships with 48 senior centers, nursing homes and other sites serving seniors to receive deposit collections serving 3,000 customers.
- Offered a system-wide training program for all staff introducing Web 2.0 social media concepts in Baker's Dozen training.
- Offered Customer Service Training for staff. A total of 350 staff members completed this training in 2007/2008.


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Father: Reuben Watts Lott b: 1822 in Mississippi
Mother: Rutha Berth Rayburn b: 1823 in Covington County, Mississippi
Marriage 1 Lenora unknown maiden Lott b: ABT 1853 in Mississippi
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