text:
For the better part of the last decade, I've served as president of the Chicago Public Schools Board and on the management side, both of which have afforded me a unique perspective on the challenges facing the district. It's allowed me to provide counsel to both our mayor and CEO based on what I know has worked well in the past and what has not. Over these past two years, this administration has learned from those experiences by making difficult choices that could have been deferred, but for the sake of our students they were not.
Just looking at the challenges from the last year give me every indication, that a fresh start is possible. One year ago, the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Board of Education reached an agreement that ended Chicago's first teachers strike in over 25 years. The strike was characterized by heated rhetoric, rallies, and marches. It inconvenienced parents, but most important it disrupted the education of our children.
In the end, the two sides came to an agreement on the amount of time our children should spend in the classroom, a variety of compensation and benefits issues, and a groundbreaking, new teacher evaluation system, which represented the first change to the way teachers were evaluated in over 40 years.
After the strike, the new CEO, Dr. Barbara Byrd-Bennett with the support of the board, took on the complex issue of under-utilization, which not only exacerbated the district's already weak financial condition, but negatively affected the delivery of education at those schools. Through the winter and spring, an extensive community engagement process was initiated that resulted in the closing of 50 schools.
In the spring and summer, we took on our next challenge, a $1 billion financial deficit and decided to use one-time resources to minimize the impact on the classroom. This was and always will be the lens we use — to do what's in the best interests of our children, and try to the best of our ability to protect what's closest to them — the classroom.
Tackling these challenging issues led to the most significant community engagement for the future of our schools in recent memory. In an impressive collective effort, Chicagoans showed their true interest and investment in their children.
Not everyone agreed with the decisions made, but voices were heard, and a better foundation was laid. However, the turmoil raised concerns and anxieties about the future of the district and the system's ability to educate our children. Fortunately, in spite of this turmoil, our school leaders, our teachers, stayed focused on their passion — educating children, and moved forward an agenda full of potential.
They implemented the full school day, added recess for all elementary school students, and provided extra time and attention for our high school students in their extracurricular activities. They expanded enrichment opportunities including the implementation of the district's first ever city-wide Arts Education Plan, and nearly 500 schools now have arts liaisons. They began the implementation of new curriculum that met the Common Core standards two years in advance of the 2015 state requirement. They launched new STEM schools, International Baccalaureate programs, and expanded selective enrollment seats as part of the district's commitment to expand high quality options for parents and students.
Our teachers, school leaders and students continued to make demonstrable progress not only by increasing the graduation rate to an all-time high, but improving reading and math test scores achieving record ISAT results, and raising an unprecedented $400 million in scholarships for graduating seniors to support their college tuition.
They opened a new school year with a new school calendar and welcomed about 400,000 students without incident. With enthusiasm and exuberance our children are off to a great start, thanks to the educators that bring their passion to work every day.
The new contract called for a joint committee between CPS and CTU leadership to oversee the implementation of the new teacher evaluation system, REACH Students, created with the feedback of thousands of CPS teaches across the city. And the committee proved to be a model for what cooperation can do to improve the Chicago Public Schools. As about 5,000 teachers were evaluated this year, the design was intended to help teachers improve their practice. The feedback and results from teachers and school leaders have been overwhelmingly positive, reporting that the observation process encourages professional growth. An evaluation system that supports our teachers ultimately ensures our students' success.
The difficult decisions provided a foundation for our district's future including: More time in the classroom, which translated to over two years of additional time through the course of our children's CPS career; investment in our neighborhood schools with over $150 million of accelerated investments in our welcoming schools; and focus on the early years by increasing preschool slots and expanding full-day kindergarten.
As we begin the execution of CEO Byrd-Bennett's five-year plan, The Next Generation: Chicago's Children there is still much work to be done, but with Mayor Emanuel's continued leadership, the commitment of our school leaders and teachers, and the engagement of our parents and students, we will turn the page from uncertainty and anxiety to hope and promise.
David Vitale is president of the board of the Chicago Public Schools.


text:
Samsung Galaxy Core Insert Sim , Memory Card And Battery Demo
People Who Liked This Video Also Liked
Did this video help you?
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Κλεμεντινα σου ειπα: do we have to use micro sim? (small sim card) pls. answer... cause i can't insert a normal sim card in the samsung galaxy core.. (answer as soon as you see this thank you)
elen karatziki: i bought this model samsung galaxy core GT-18260.it has only one place for SIM and i can't insert it.. what is wrong? :S do i have to buy a micro SIM?
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Samsung Galaxy Core Insert Sim , Memory Card And Battery Demo 4.6 out of 5

subset: commoncrawl


text:
personSyllabification: per·son
Definition of person in English:
noun (plural people /ˈpēpəl/ or persons)
- For many societies, the human being is the person who has learned and obeys the community's rules.
- It is trying to be all things to all sorts of rich people but is this a recipe for confusion?
- Ian can eat enough food for four of five people, but he uses all that energy up on stage.
- Remember, your version of the bill also permitted legal representation for the persons so caught up.
- It is confined entirely to communications which take place for the purpose of obtaining legal advice from professional persons.
- These are persons whose legal status may be uncertain, as one may not be sure whether they are to be regarded as combatants or civilians.
- He wasn't a huge horse person and the animals knew it and didn't treat him that well.
- Call me an old rat bag and I will brush it off with relative good humour, but call me a cat person and I might have to punch your lights out.
- Leaving, the son says that his dad doesn't know anything about dogs, he's a cat person.
- Have a pen available on your person, and if paper is not available, write it on your hand.
- Within a day or so you forget that you ever had anything so horrific occurring on your person.
- He does not want to publicise the fact that he carries large quantities of cash on his person in case he becomes a target for thieves.
- When civilians addressed a soldier, they did so in the second person singular, as to a child or pet.
- For a start there was a large number of interjections in the second person, which I presume related to me.
- There were some interjections in the second person that were not very savoury.
- The same idea must be carried further and applied not only to the Logos himself, but to the other persons of the holy Trinity.
- As we shall see, each inflection of the triune name identifies all three persons of the Trinity.
- Even within the Trinity, the persons exist separately only in relation to one another.
Middle English: from Old French persone, from Latin persona 'actor's mask, character in a play', later 'human being'.
The words people and persons can both be used as the plural of person, but they are not used in exactly the same way. People is by far the more common of the two words and is used in most ordinary contexts: a group of people; there were only about ten people; several thousand people have been rehoused. Persons, on the other hand, tends now to be restricted to official or formal contexts, as in this vehicle is authorized to carry twenty persons; no persons admitted without a pass. In some contexts, persons, by pointing to the individual, may sound less friendly than people: the number should not be disclosed to any unauthorized persons.
- 1
be one's own person
- Do or be what one wishes or in accordance with one's own character rather than as influenced by others.Example sentences
- Certainly, he is his own person, possessing a rather unique personality.
- I hadn't taken anyone's money to write anything, so I was my own person.
- He was no angel, but he was his own person and wasn't involved with gangs.
- 2
in person
- With the personal presence or action of the individual specified: he had to pick up his welfare check in personMore example sentences
oneselfinformal as large as life
- Otherwise people can go there in person and pay a visit to the kids since the center is not that far.
- His thesis is undoubtedly better presented in person rather than in the context of a dry academic paper.
- The cyclists who objected to the scheme presented their views in person to the inquiry.
- 3
in the person of
- In the physical form of: trouble arrived in the person of a short, mustached BerlinerMore example sentences
- I decided, or God in the person of the Virgin Mary decided, that the risk was worth taking, and I enlisted my mother to help me.
- The government came off the boat, in the person of the governor and his officials, carrying all the authority of the government in Britain.
- And of course that is exactly what we have now in the person of King George II.
Definition of person in:
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text:
RSS 1451 deals tagged "halloween"
4 years ago
Chipotle Boorito for Halloween! (burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos) for $2
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2 years ago
Over 100 Pumpking Carving Patterns for $0 + free shipping
@ pumpkinglow.com | 12 comments | home, decor, halloween
3 years ago
4 Port Skull USB Hub With Stationary Holder for $12.95
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2 years ago
Party City - 20% off Halloween Purchase (in-store or online)
@ partycity.com | 4 comments | coupon, halloween, costumes, party, supplies
2 years ago
4 years ago
World Market: 50% off all Halloween Candy and Snacks In-Store Only
@ worldmarket.com | 6 comments | kids, candy, world-market, halloween
2 years ago
Zombie Survival Poster and 20 Ft Zombie Outbreak Tape $2.99 for $2.99
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4 years ago
The 99 Darkest Pieces of Classical Music: Various Artists: MP3 Downloads for $1.99
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4 years ago
Geeky Pumpkin Templates from Thinkgeek for $0 + free shipping
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3 years ago
3 years ago
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Remastered Deluxe Edition) for $5.49
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3 years ago
2 years ago
Triceratops Dog Costume - Animal Planet Dog Costumes for $7.69
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3 years ago
Star Wars Yoda Dog Costume, Multiple Sizes Available on Walmart.com for $10
@ walmart.com | 4 comments | pets, yoda, dog, halloween
2 years ago
17-Piece Deluxe Pumpkin Carving Kit - With Rebate for $0
@ truevalue.com | 3 comments | tools, halloween, pumpkin
3 years ago
2 years ago
100 Must-Have Horror Classics: Various artists: MP3 Downloads for $1.09
@ amazon.com | 8 comments | music, mp3, classical, halloween
a year ago
Squirrel Mask - Squirrel Mask - The Biggest Squirrel Gets the Most Nuts for $18.99
@ meatball.thatdailydeal.com | 7 comments | clothing, squirrel, mask, halloween, costume
2 years ago
3 years ago
Man with Knife Shower Curtain with "psycho" Sound for $19.99
@ amazon.com | 4 comments | home, halloween, bathroom-accessories
2 years ago
Fog Machine with 1 Pint Fog Juice for $17.50
@ target.com | 13 comments | electronics, fog-machine, halloween
3 years ago
Little Stinker Skunk Dog Costume - (different sizes available) for $25
@ shop.thefoundary.com | 6 comments | pets, dog, costume, halloween
2 years ago
Wear a costume to Krispy Kreme and get a free donut for $0
@ krispykreme.com | 2 comments | food, krispy-kreme, halloween, donut, free
2 years ago
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride Widescreen DVD for $3.65 + 2.98 shipping
@ buy.com | 3 comments | movies, halloween, animation, horror
3 years ago
Indian maiden costume in sizes Small to 3/4X for $39.99 + free shipping
@ ohcheri.com | 6 comments | clothing, costume, halloween, womens
3 years ago
Beer Pong - Cup and Ball Costume for $27.70
@ wholesalehalloweencostumes.com | 7 comments | clothing, costume, halloween
3 years ago
Spooky Halloween Ambience: Captain Audio: MP3 Downloads for $0.99 + free shipping
@ amazon.com | 4 comments | audio, halloween, sounds, ambience, downloads
a year ago
Limbo Time - Adventure Time / Limbo inspired tee for $12
@ nowherebad.com | 0 comments | clothing, limbo, adventure-time, t-shirt, halloween
2 years ago
Sponsored Deals
They're like ads, but good.
OK, yes, companies pay a little something to be Sponsored Deals. But we don't allow just any old crap in this section. Sponsored Deals are proposed to us by other retailers, manufacturers, and even other daily deal sites. If we find the deal compelling enough that our members will appreciate us bringing it to their attention, we'll feature it here. Believe it or not, we have a reputation to uphold. If your store would like to be considered for this space, please contact us for details. But if your deal is lame, or sketchy, no amount of money will let you buy your way in.
Community Deals
It's whatever you want it to be.
Pretty much, anyway. This is where you find the deals that wooters like you have ferreted out and brought to light. We're thinking it'll turn into a massive database of discounted products from around the Web, constantly expanding to absorb the newest deals from the very moment their prices are slashed, with each deal immediately rated by hordes of savvy voters to spotlight the very greatest deals in the world today. Hey, we can dream, right?
We use a fancy algorithm to determine which deals are catching the most buzz – they're under the Popular tab, which is the default view of this section. You can look for the most popular deals today, this week, or this month. The Fresh tab features the most recently submitted deals, so that's where to look for deals that everybody else doesn't know about yet. And the Search bar does what a Search bar does, only, uh, much wootier! Yeah! Right on!
Ask The Community
They probably won't bite.
Organic bullets? Vegetarian haggis? Cheap tickets to Antarctica? The best high-performance sweatsocks for under $100? If you're looking for a deal that doesn't appear to show up in our Community Deals section, throw the question to your fellow cheapskates. Or answer a question for one of your fellow cheapskates. Or vote for your favorite questions, or your favorite answers, or… maybe we should call this section "Ask, Answer, Comment On, And Vote In The Community", but that won't fit on the page.


text:
If you are looking for exceptional customer service and the best deals on carpet or flooring in the "Denver Metro" area we are the company for you. Our unique selling approach allows us to bring product to the end-user at the lowest possible price.
Our convenient mobile showroom allows our sales consultants to come directly to your home or business with samples and give you a free estimate at "YOUR CONVENIENCE!" Because of our low over head and "WAREHOUSE" pricing we are able to pass the savings on to you.
As another option we have a beautiful showroom, that is available by appointment only. At Coventry Carpets, we understand that being honest and fair with with our clients is the only way to grow our business. Referrals are the nicest compliment anyone can give our company, that is why our company is 90% referral based. Please share our company with your friends and family, they will be glad you did!
Ceramic Tile/
Read More...
Coventry Carpets is a family-owned and operated referral-based company built on developing relationships with our customers by revolutionizing the way they experience flooring.
Scot Johnson and Tom Burns created the company in response to over 40 years of combined knowledge and service in the flooring industry.
Their direct sales approach and low overhead allows for a very competitive pricing which enables us to deliver more product to the end user per dollar spent.They began with carpet and transformed it into not just a material but to a product that includes not only the carpet itself but also the installation of that carpet. Read more ...
Doug and Mary Elmore
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Propper, Greenwood Village, Colorado
We want to give Scot Johnson and his employees at Coventry Carpets the highest compliments for their work and professionalism.
We had our entire house re-carpeted by Coventry Carpets two years ago and the whole process went perfectly. The men who laid the carpet were professional, courteous, and very efficient. Considerable thought was given to moving and protecting all of our furnishings and careful planning was given to the placement of seams, prior to the installation. The carpet looks beautiful.
Since the installation, we've had two occurrences at the house that resulted in enormous stains. One stain ruined the carpet on an entire staircase. Scot had the carpet replaced the very next day. The men who did the work were superb. Recently, another stain affected a large portion of a guest room and Scot had his men out that same day to resolve the issue. The gentlemen who came that day could not have been nicer or more
efficient. Repair work and carpet cleaning have been excellent.
We consider ourselves very fortunate to know Scot for his professionalism, quality of work, and superb employees. His willingness to respond to a customer in times of need for urgent service could not be better.
It is a pleasure to write this unsolicited letter of recommendation for Scot, as he and his staff are truly deserving of the highest praise.
Read More Testimonials....
Coventry Carpets has been selected by stainmaster as one of the top carpet dealers in the U.S. The "SHOWCASE" dealer award was given to Coventry Carpets because of their commitment in selling nice quality stainmaster products as well as outstanding customer service. See why Coventry Carpets has earned this award and consider us when you are in the market for new carpet.


text:
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house; even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.
I started thinking about my word for 2011 a couple of months ago. I had a couple of ideas I was chewing on (seek and be) but one day, as I was reading scripture I came across the verse (above) in the Doctrine & Covenants and the words, "organize yourselves" resonated in a big way. I've read this verse many times–it was even marked, but this time, it struck me and I immediately knew this needed to be my focus for 2011.
I'm no graphic designer, but I made me a little "logo" to represent this focus.
As you know I'm emerging from a year-long experience in learning how to S-L-O-W down (slow was my word last year.) As I've attempted to remove things from my schedule, my plate and my life I've noticed that I can replace that "productivity" high with a deeper sense of satisfaction that comes from applying my creativity to the problems and processes that surround me at home. I've always tried to be organized and I've always enjoyed organization projects, but I'm now learning that organizing for me is a really healthy thing — it results in a useful vitality that I need to feel, especially when I don't have energy for lots of other projects.
We've been in our home 5 years this July. My family dynamic is very different today than it was five years ago. My children have grown, my work has changed and my health and capacity require evolving routines. I'm anxious to look at how we're currently using the spaces in our home to discover if things need to be tweaked or refined or in some cases changed altogether. I also want to examine the way we approach (or in some cases ignore) less tangible things–like finances, personal records and paperwork, family time and planning of events like parties and vacations. And let's be honest, I want to finish unpacking–yes, there are two or three boxes that I haven't opened in five years! There are also things that I unpacked and "temporarily" stashed that are taking on a feeling of permanence (ha!)
I definitely want to be prepared with those things that are needful.
I want a house that is a refuge from the craziness of the world.
I want a house that my family wants to come home to.
I want a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order and a house of God.
My word this year is organize.
I don't have a really specific plan, but I have started a list of projects. I've also finished my first project, which I will share later this week. I have had to resist the urge to commit myself to a particular expectation (ie. 52 projects) or schedule for these projects–this is super hard for me, but nonetheless important for my slower pace. I am registered for Ali's One Little Word class and community and will be working on my January assignment today!
I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, successes and personal challenges with getting and staying organized. If you have books that you've read that you found to be helpful, share them with me–please!


text:
Cagers 8th Grade Wins Chelsea Tournament 3-0 Record
Michigan Cagers 8th Grade WINS 1st Place - Session II League
Cagers 4th grade boys team, makes a great come back, (Video Clip)
The Michigan Cagers was established in 2004 by a group of coaches who recognized and realized how valuable and beneficial travel ball programs are to the growth and development of our young female student-athletes. It is our mission to provide these young ladies with opportunities to reach maximum fulfillment, academically, athletically, and socially. It is our belief that Michigan Cagers will not only offer a competitive athletic environment, but also a nurturing environment that promotes confidence, teamwork, leadership, high self-esteem, and discipline. It is our belief that Michigan Cagers will provide opportunities for our young ladies to enjoy, learn, and understand the game of basketball through fundamental instruction from our coaching staff. Michigan Cagers believes that it is imperative for those looking to maximize their basketball potential to participate in fall, spring, and summer programs outside of their school seasons. We believe the extended player development through drills and instruction, the exposure to high levels of competition, and the exposure to college coaches are important in the growth of our student-athletes. Our first obligation to our parents and players is that of the classroom. Players must fulfill commitment to the classroom prior to fulfilling their athletic commitment to our program. Academics are first priority because it allows for better opportunities beyond the court. Without academics, there is no basketball. It is our overall goal to offer a competitive and safe atmosphere wherein student-athletes can continue the development of their life skills through basketball in hope to have opportunities to succeed on and off the court.
Congratulations to these Young Ladies on their College commitments and Signings. Good luck with your College decisions from the Michigan Cagers Organization. We are proud that you had an opportunity wear a Michigan Cagers Uniform. These players played on Michigan Cagers Elite 17U - Coach Billy Selvia.2007 Leslie O'Dell - Indiana Tech2007 Constance McKenney - Clinton Community College2008 Laura Brunet - Niagara University2008 Troya Berry - Syracuse University2008 Brandie Baker - Central Michigan University2008 Megan Bement - Spring Arbor University2008 Chloe Metcalf - Concordia University2008 Kayla Gross - Davenport University2008 Kimberly McKenney - Gardner-Webb University2008 Morgan Hughes - Saginaw Valley State University2009 Morgan Pattillo - Rochester College2009 Paige Sickmiller - Wayne State University2009 Katie Pett - Middlebury College 2009 Elyse Lefebvre - Indiana South Bend2009 Ellen Malin - Olivet College2009 Grace Herzog - Saginaw Valley State University2009 Stephanie Kelly - Tiffin University2010 Kayla Womack - Saginaw Valley State University2010 Emily England - Grand Valley State University2010 Morgan Overstreet - Kalamazoo College2010 Amber Sammons - Schoolcraft College2010 Allie Theut - Macomb College2010 Monica Confer - Northwood University2010 Megan Hatter - University of Detroit Mercy2011 Lauren Kooy - Hope College2011 Kathy Thomas - Highland Community College2011 Shaiyan Ferris - Saginaw Valley State University2011 Emily Lindsay - Kalamazoo College2011 Sam Zirzow - Saginaw Valley State University2011 Kelly Holda - Olivet Nazarene University2012 Bailee Maggert - University of Findlay2012 Kristen Long - Wayne State University2012 Emily Wendling - Saginaw Valley State University2012 Morgan Fly - Olivet Nazarene University2012 Aimee Konkel - Spring Arbor University2012 Morgan Wendling - Albion College2012 Madisen Nosek - University of Northwestern Ohio2012 Faith Weier - Alma College2012 Kassidi Adams - Alma College2012 Morgan Cnudde - University of Northwestern Ohio2013 Laken Hammon - Calvin College2013 Piper Tucker - Grand Valley State University2014 Heather Randall - Hope College2014 Tessa Weatherly - Northern Michigan University2014 Rachel Losey - Olivet Nazarene University2014 Chelsea Malburg - Siena Heights University2014 Emily Severn - Davenport University2015 Elise Gustafson - Tiffin University2015 Elizabeth Kebler - Siena Height University
Michigan Cagers
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text:
Gov. Rick Perry Speaks to Citizens of El Paso
Thank you, Mayor Wardy. It is an honor to be here with so many leaders from the great city of El Paso, the front door of Texas, and a place that represents our future. You are wise to band together to advocate for the needs of the people of El Paso, and you are fortunate to be joined in your efforts by a great legislative team. They are doing a tremendous job representing the views and values of El Paso in the state capitol.
I always appreciate the opportunity to listen to your concerns and advice about the unique challenge facing your region of the state. In fact, some of the best advice I get comes from men and women from El Paso that I have appointed to important state commissions and boards, including the Texas Transportation Commission, the Military Preparedness Commission, and the Small Business Incubator Board. Along with your elected representatives in the legislature, these individuals have given El Paso perhaps the more powerful voice it has ever had in Austin. Like all of you here today, I want El Paso to experience greater opportunity for this generation and every generation to come, and in this session of the legislature, we can take an important step towards that goal by making wise investments in good jobs and great schools.
Creating opportunity means we must redouble our efforts to create jobs in every part of the state. Good jobs can lift working families out of poverty, renew their hope in the American Dream, and expand the horizons of opportunity for their children. I am proud to be governor of a state that is setting an example to the rest of the nation when it comes to job creation. Since September of 2003, Texas employers have added 162,000 new jobs. In 2003, we landed 9 of the 24 largest capital investments in the nation. Sales tax collections are up and most economic indicators point to sustained growth in the future. There are a number of key components to attracting quality jobs: a good education system, a friendly tax and regulatory climate, and a workforce that has the skills employers need. That's why I want to double funding for the Skills Development Fund, because economic development and workforce development go hand in hand. Without a skilled workforce, we will never be able to attract the jobs of tomorrow.
I am committed to workforce training because it is an important part of economic revival, especially in parts of our state that have higher rates of unemployment. With an additional $25 million for job training across Texas, we can give more workers the skills they need to access the opportunities of the future. An increased investment in a skilled workforce will help Texas keep the economic momentum we have built in recent years and expand opportunity for all our people. We've also established a new economic development field office in El Paso to help local business leaders identify job creation opportunities. And I am particularly proud of the work we have done to support some of the most valuable employees in El Paso, the troops stationed at Fort Bliss.
Last year, Texas committed $16.2 million to improve transportation infrastructure around the base so that our soldiers have quicker and easier access to their airfield, and civilians don't have to wait in traffic while military vehicles cross a major road. Not only will this project support the 3,600 new soldiers and civilians who will call El Paso home in 2006, it will place Fort Bliss in a stronger position in the Base Realignment and Closure process. When it comes to BRAC, I want to do everything we can to keep our bases providing security for America, as well as economic security for the families whose livelihoods depend on them. That's why I support giving defense communities the authority to invest local sales tax revenue in projects to improve to their local military installations. Empowering local leaders to use so-called 4A-4B funds to invest in base improvement projects is important to retaining our bases and the jobs associated on them.
Just as important as our efforts to promote long-term health of our economy are our efforts to promote the health of our people. In El Paso and the entire border region, I know access to quality and affordable health care is a top concern. That's why we passed the most sweeping lawsuit abuse reforms in the nation in 2003. These reforms, endorsed by a majority of voters across the state, and nearly 60 percent of voters in El Paso County, are healing the practice of medicine in Texas and giving patients greater access to needed care, especially in medically underserved regions like the border.
We have also focused efforts on increasing immunization rates along the border. In 2001, we provided $6.6 million to immunize more children in the border region, and in 2003 I signed an executive order giving the Texas Department of Health the authority to speed implementation of a comprehensive plan to increase child immunizations. Those initiatives helped bring immunization rates for young Texas children to an all-time high in 2004, up 9.5 percent from the previous year.
But perhaps the most important investment we can make in a healthier border region is to fully fund Texas Tech Medical School in El Paso. In 2003, I was proud to use my veto pen on other budget items to secure $2 million in start up funds for the medical school, and to help provide $45 million in tuition revenue bonds to keep the school moving forward. This year, it is time for the legislature to provide the funding source needed to make the school a long-term success. Its mission is worthy, the community is deserving, and fully funding the Texas Tech Medical School in this legislative session is simply the right thing to do.
Throughout my twenty years in public service, I have never been more optimistic about our future. Today, I see a bright future ahead for El Paso and all of Texas, a future full of opportunity if we make wise investments in this session of the legislature. As we roll up our sleeves, I want you to know that my door is open to the leaders here today and all who come in good faith to build a better Texas.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Access to Health Care »


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Gorgeous Gray Living Rooms
From a modern New York City loft to subtly cool Southern lake house, designers know that decorating with gray is anything but drab.
Blue-Gray Living Room
Gray serves as the accent for a blue color palette in this Los Angeles home decorated by designer Kristen Panitch. In the living room she chose a tweedy gray sofa and a silvery-gray wallpaper as background for a huge Los Carpinteros painting. "The painting would have overpowered the room if I hadn't used colors from the other end of the blue spectrum," designer Kristen Panitch says. Sofas are covered in Mali Stripe and Kinsale, both by Jasper. The bold pattern and neutral colors of Cole & Son's Mimosa wallpaper add "a sense of daring and quiet at the same time." Christopher Spitzmiller ceramic lamp. Mirror from Blackman Cruz.


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Power 2008: The Elements of Influence
Case Study: The Beacon Hill Civic Association
NOT TOO LONG AGO, City Hall was in the habit of steamrolling neighborhood opposition to development, and indeed, whole neighborhoods. It's since decided there are more votes in appeasing constituent discontent than in hurling a wrecking ball at it. And so it is that anyone looking to put up a building, serve booze, or so much as engage the services of a valet company in Boston's politically active quarters first has to meet the locals and kiss their rings. "Some residents are more interested in preserving the character and quality of their neighborhood," says someone close to the development industry. "Then there are professional community activists. For them, it's a sport."
While similar groups in the Back Bay and Brighton have exerted plenty of influence in the past, at the moment it's the Beacon Hill Civic Association that's flexing its muscles better than anyone in town, led by chairman
John Achatz, president Lori Bate, instit
utional planning committee co-chair Ania Camargo, and executive director Suzanne Besser. "It's amazing the way they're organized, their depth," says the development source. "It's fantastic. I don't envy Suffolk, having to deal with that."
Suffolk, of course, would be Suffolk University, which two years ago, with the mayor's support, tried to plop a 500-bed dorm by the Adams Courthouse—not a charming residential block by any stretch. Neighborhood residents, spurred on by the association, rose up against the plan, waging a campaign the Globe neatly summarized as "bruising." Menino withdrew his support; the university shifted the dorm project to Downtown Crossing, where, not for nothing, there are few neighbors to mount uprisings. Suffolk is now drafting long-range development plans that will include the target of housing most of its students on campus; Achatz's group, meanwhile, continues to push the school to "channel expansion" away from Beacon Hill. As one City Hall source says: "It's clear where they won't be able to build." —Paul McMorrow
View the Power Wiki list of the 50 most powerful people in Boston — as ranked by the most powerful people in Boston.
See the full extended version, including all 232 names that were nominated.


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This item was written by Fran Golden, a cruise expert and Trip Coach for Budget Travel magazine. Golden is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.
Azamara Club Cruises canceled the April 12 cruise of the 694-passenger Azamara Quest, the ship that was stranded off the coast of the Philippines last week after a fire temporarily knocked out its engines.
The ship was later able to cruise slowly to the Malaysian island of Borneo, where it remains. Teams of investigators have been on board assessing damage.
"Unfortunately, due to the time needed to repair the damage caused by the fire, it is necessary to cancel Azamara Quest's next voyage, which was scheduled to depart Singapore on April 12," the cruise line said in a statement. "We do not take any decision that impacts our guests' vacations lightly, and are deeply sorry that this unexpected development has affected those guests' upcoming vacation."
RELATED: Fire-stricken cruise ship safe at Malaysian port
RELATED: Passengers praise response to Azamara Quest fire
Cynthia Martinez, spokeswoman for parent company Royal Caribbean, tells USA TODAY the ship will be repaired in Singapore. "There is still work that needs to be done to the engine that was involved in the fire, as well as cables and controls in the area," she said.
Azamara said it would provide guests booked on the canceled cruise a full refund and a future cruise certificate for 30% of the cruise fare they paid.
The ship is next scheduled to cruise from Mumbai, India, on a 14-day Middle East sailing embarking April 24.
USA TODAY is now using Facebook Comments on our stories and blog posts to provide an enhanced user experience. To post a comment, log into Facebook and then "Add" your comment. To report spam or abuse, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find out more, read the FAQ and Conversation Guidelines.


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Reviewed Sugar 'n' Spice Pecans
Feb 6, 2012 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I reduced syrup and used 1 tsp allspice and 1 tsp cinnamon instead of all cinnamon. Gives it more flavor. I used half almonds, too. Better."""


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For many people returning to college, life is a balancing act. Our degree completion programs help you meet the demands of work, family, and school through our accessible and flexible programs. Whether you come to our beautiful campus on the days, evenings, summers, or weekends, or find one of our off-campus locations more convenient, a degree from Elms College is within reach.
We also offer non-credit classes for those looking to acquire a new skill or satisfy their intellectual curiosity.
Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education
Jane McCarry, M.Ed.
Administrative Assistant
We are a Catholic liberal arts college founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts.


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- Study at Deakin
- Life at Deakin
- Research
- Alumni
- Industry and community
- About Deakin
Note: The 2012, 2013, 2014 publications have not been audited.
Jump to: Publications | Grants and Consultancies | HDR completions
2014 Institute for Frontier Materials
Liu, Boyin*, Fu, Jing*, Somers, Anthony, Muradoglu, Murat* and Ng, Tuck Wah* (2014) Scale-like cantilever cell traps, RSC advances, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 2652-2660, RSC Publications, Cambridge, England [C1]
ERA journal ID: Not matching ERA journal list
DRO entry for this publication
2013 Institute for Frontier Materials
Khoo, Timothy*, Somers, Anthony, Torriero, Angel A. J., MacFarlane, Douglas R.*, Howlett, Patrick C. and Forsyth, Maria (2013) Discharge behaviour and interfacial properties of a magnesium battery incorporating trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium based ionic liquid electrolytes, Electrochimica acta, vol. 87, pp. 701-708, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1629 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84870349512
Citation counts: Scopus - 9, Thomson - 11
DRO entry for this publication
Li, Xin Ye*, Cheong, Brandon Huey-Ping*, Somers, Anthony, Liew, Oi Wah* and Ng, Tuck Wah* (2013) Surface-scribed transparency-based microplates, Langmuir, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 849-855, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1479 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84872546404
Citation counts: Scopus - 12, Thomson - 10
DRO entry for this publication
Somers, Anthony E., Khemchandani, Bhawna, Howlett, Patrick C., Sun, Jiazeng*, MacFarlane, Douglas R.* and Forsyth, Maria (2013) Ionic liquids as antiwear additives in base oils : influence of structure on miscibility and antiwear performance for steel on aluminum, ACS Applied materials and interfaces, vol. 5, no. 22, pp. 11544-11553, American Chemical Society, Washington, D. C. [C1]
ERA journal ID: 40638 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84889254609
Citation counts: Scopus - 8, Thomson - 6
DRO entry for this publication
Somers, Anthony, Howlett, Patrick, MacFarlane, Douglas* and Forsyth, Maria (2013) A review of ionic liquid lubricants, Lubricants, vol. 1, pp. 3-21, M D P I AG, Basel, Switzerland [C1]
ERA journal ID: Not matching ERA journal list
DRO entry for this publication
2012 Institute for Frontier Materials
Latham, Julie-Anne*, Howlett, Patrick C., MacFarlane, Douglas R.*, Somers, Anthony and Forsyth, Maria (2012) Anodising AZ31 in a phosphonium ionic liquid : corrosion protection through composite film deposition, Journal of the Electrochemical Society, vol. 159, no. 11, pp. C539-C545, Electrochemical Society, Pennington, N. J. [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1476 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84875576925
Citation counts: Scopus - 4, Thomson - 3
DRO entry for this publication
Shao, Fenfen*, Ng, Tuck Wah*, Efthimiadis, Jim, Somers, Anthony and Schwalb, Willem* (2012) Evaporative micro-particle self assembly influenced by capillary evacuation, Journal of colloid and interface science, vol. 377, no. 1, pp. 421-429, Academic Press, Maryland Heights, Mo. [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1454 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84860743812
Citation counts: Scopus - 4
DRO entry for this publication
Somers, Anthony E., Biddulph, Shannon M., Howlett, Patrick C., Sun, Jiazeng*, MacFarlane, Douglas R.* and Forsyth, Maria (2012) A comparison of phosphorus and fluorine containing IL lubricants for steel on aluminium, Physical chemistry chemical physics, vol. 14, no. 22, pp. 8224-8231, R S C Publications, Cambridge, England [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1219 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-84861403643
Citation counts: Scopus - 14, Thomson - 14
DRO entry for this publication
2011 External
Shah, Faiz Ullah*, Glavatskih, Sergei*, MacFarlane, Douglas R.*, Somers, Anthony*, Forsyth, Maria and Antzutkin, Oleg N.* (2011) Novel halogen-free chelated orthoborate-phosphonium ionic liquids : synthesis and tribophysical properties, Physical chemistry chemical physics, vol. 13, no. 28, pp. 12865-12873, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, U. K. [C1]
ERA journal ID: 1219 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-79960147311
Citation counts: Scopus - 26, Thomson - 23
DRO entry for this publication
2010 External
Somers, Anthony E.*, Howlett, Patrick C.*, Sun, J.*, MacFarlane, Douglas R.* and Forsyth, Maria* (2010) Transition in wear performance for ionic liquid lubricants under increasing load, Tribology letters, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 279-284, Springer, New York, N.Y. [C1.1]
ERA journal ID: 3722 – Scopus EID: 2-s2.0-78149280303
Citation counts: Scopus - 17, Thomson - 16
DRO entry for this publication
Somers, A. E.*, Howlett, P. C.*, Sun, J.*, MacFarlane, D. R.* and Forsyth, M.* (2010) Phosphonium ionic liquids as lubricants for aluminium-steel, in Hadfield, M.; Seabra, J. and Brebbia, C. A. (eds), Tribology & design : Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Tribology in Environmental Design 2010, pp. 273-284, WIT, Southampton, England [E1.1]
Citation counts: Scopus - 2, Thomson - 7
DRO entry for this publication
2000 External
Somers, A.E.*, Bastow, T.J.*, Burgar, M.I.*, Forsyth, M.* and Hill, A.J.* (2000) Quantifying rubber degradation using NMR, Polymer degradation and stability, vol. 70, no. 1, pp. 31-37, Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, England [C1.1]
ERA journal ID: 1691 – Scopus EID: Not tagged
Citation counts: Thomson - 24
DRO entry for this publication
1999 External
Somers, A. E.*, Bastow, T. J.*, Burgar, M. I.*, Forsyth, M.* and Hill, A. J.* (1999) The use of nuclear magnetic resonance to characterize and evaluate rubber degradation, in Green, Robert E. (eds), Nondestructive characterization of materials IX, pp. 235-241, AIP, Melville, N.Y. [E1.1]
DRO entry for this publication
1997 External
Mardel, J. I.*, Somers, A. E.*, Forsyth, M.* and Hill, A. J.* (1997) Elastomer durability and wear performance in mining environments, Materials Australasia, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 18-20, Institute of Metals and Materials Australasia, Parkville, Vic. [C3.1]
ERA journal ID: Not matching ERA journal list
DRO entry for this publication
No grants and/or consultancies found or audited – the 2014 HERDC financial return has not been completed or loaded as yet.
No completions found or audited.
DRO to publications collection last synchronised: Saturday 20th December 2014 10:04pm


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There was a ton of rumors circulating about what exactly would be releasing and when, but now we finally have the new Daemon offerings.
Once again Games Workshop seems to up the bar with every new multi-part plastic kit they put out. In terms of assembly, and design these models almost defy conventional logic.
Huge plague drones that fly? Khorne dragsters? Only a truly chaotic mind could even come up with some of this stuff. And if you think that's chaotic- wait till you see the rules themselves.
I especially like the new plastic Plague Drone models, which besides having a ton of cross over conversion potential, just look cool IMHO. The new Tzeentch Chariot seems a little busy looking, but the fact you get so much extra in terms of Heralds and alternate builds, it kinda makes up for it. Plus of course you're free to build it in a way that suits your tastes as well.
Rounding out the release is the Throne of Khorne (aka the Khorne Dragster) that is definitely just as ground breaking as it's Slaaneshi counterpart the Seeker Chariot (aka the Farming Combine) from last summer, and it remains to be seen how "accepted" these models will be.
Overall I think a pretty solid release model-wise, and the dual system value for these models doesn't hurt either. It's a pretty neat feature that you can theoretically use the same figures for two different games!
Please enjoy my video unboxings of the new models below, and be sure to checkout my review of the Daemon Codex, and Army Book as well!


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Brunswick County Sheriff's deputies investigated the following incidents and made the following arrests last week. All information is taken directly from sheriff's office incident reports and arrest reports.
•Assault on Pigott Road; suspect pushed one victim and cut a second victim's leg.
•Vehicle fire on Ocean Highway West in Shallotte; a Pontiac minivan caught fire in a parking lot.
Brunswick County Sheriff's deputies issued the following citations and made the following arrests last weekend through its community policing program.
The sheriff's office community policing program targets areas in the county with high crime and drug activity through increased patrols.
Areas targeted last week include Goodman Road near Leland and Hickman Road near Calabash.
•Glen Allen Brown, 44, of 165 Goodman Road NE, Leland; cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Communities in Schools of Brunswick County (CIS), local chapter of the nationwide dropout prevention program, is preparing to begin the school year with a new board chairman and five new board of director members.
Jim MacCallum was nominated to be the new chairman. MacCallum and his wife moved to Brunswick County about seven years ago in hopes of retiring. Instead, he opened a new law firm and they both became involved in various community organizations.
MacCallum joined CIS board of directors about two years ago and previously served as the vice-chair.
SHALLOTTE—The far-reaching goals of the proposed 10-year vision plan will be the subject of the Aug. 5 board of aldermen meeting.
The consulting planner who drafted the plan is set to present a report outlining how to achieve the goals of creating a walking waterfront and a more attractive downtown at the meeting.
Allison Platt of Allison Platt and Associates said recently the report would include options for accomplishing everything in the plan and implementation strategies for each option.
Shallotte Mayor Gerald Long returned home July 3 from several weeks in the hospital recovering from bleeding ulcers and two mini-strokes, he said this week.
Long said he will find out if he can attend the next town board meeting this week during his doctor's appointment.
"I'm basically homebound now," he said. "It's certainly a privilege to be back home and to be out of the hospital. Hopefully, I'll be getting back to doing some of the things I used to do."
SUNSET BEACH—A new site is being readied for the town's ABC store.
"We're in the last stages," Bob Bobinski, a Sunset Beach town councilman who serves on the town's three-member ABC board, said last week. "I would hope to be in there in about two to three weeks."
The store is moving from its current location at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Shoreline Drive West on the mainland to a new, 5,000-square-foot site on High Market Street in The Village at Sunset Beach.
SUNSET BEACH—Carol Scott hates the thought of wasted food—so much so, it spurred her to take action.
A few weeks ago, the Sunset Beach resident initiated a first for her island—a summer food collection and fundraiser for the dwindling pantry at Brunswick Family Assistance.
"Like many other people on the island, many of us started out as renters," said Scott, a Virginia resident who lives part-time on the island with her husband, Pete, and hopes to retire there permanently in the near future.
My dinner guest was looking over our family photos posted around the living room.
He came across the one shown here of my brother, Jim, 4 years old, and me, at 5, taken by our grandmother in 1943. She was so proud of her Kodak Brownie Six-20 camera, and Jim and me, too.
At first, the conversation centered on our trim little physiques. My guest noted we were borderline skinny by today's standards.
Then, he poked fun at the high-top leather shoes we were wearing. They were bigger than our feet—almost like clown shoes.
All of Hollywood and tabloid readers alike can breathe easy—Brad and Angelina's twins have arrived.
Now I'm a self-proclaimed tabloid junkie, but this is too much even for me.
Reports are circulating on the Internet the first published baby photos are being shopped for about $20 million.
Break it down, that's $10 million per baby.
An editor from People appeared on The Early Show and denied the magazine had made an offer as reported.
What do native-born Americans really know about "my country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty"?
Think they're smarter than the many immigrants seeking precious citizenship? Even a fifth-grade one?
This past Fourth of July Eve, a record 98 people representing 48 countries became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Southport.
Copyright © 2014
The Brunswick Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Brunswick County, North Carolina and surrounding areas.


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Fiji Time: 1:57 AM on Saturday 20 December
/ Front page / News
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Fiji's finance chief executive officer Paula Uluinaceva was no where to be seen yesterday as officers of his ministry operated at skeleton level following an armed military search of the premises over the last two days.
And while attempts to reach him for comment yesterday were futile, it was established that he vacated his residence last week.
State Minister for National Planning Jone Navakamocea said he had no idea where his CEO was.
"We've advised him to keep moving around and not stay in one place," Mr Navakamocea said.
He refused to explain reasons behind Mr Uluinaceva's absence but it is believed this stemmed from his directive to the civil service to suspend certain powers to CEOs.
Mr Navakamocea said he was still in office because he had done nothing wrong.
"They (the military) can't touch me. The Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo have not sacked me and as far as we know the Constitution has not been abrogated," he said.
He said staff members of the ministry were told to take outstanding leave in light of the military's hunt for Mr Uluinaceva.
Public Service Commission CEO Anare Jale had said he would not turn up to work following media reports that the military had sacked him.
However, he said yesterday afternoon he was at work. He would not comment further.
Most ministries recorded a full turn out at work and thanked their staff for making an effort to come to work in light of the circumstances.
One CEO who did not wish to be named aired his concerns over the military's activities and said that a time would come where imports would be suspended and negotiations between governments would be necessary.
The CEO questioned what measures the military would take in such a situation given the sanctions that had been slapped on the country by its foreign partners.
"I will be useful then for negotiations when there's no food and fuel to move around but I'd hate for that to be interpreted as me being a supporter of the military government," the CEO said.
In another development, a personal assistant for the ousted Prime Minister was ordered to stay away from her office yesterday as the interim Prime Minister took over the reigns yesterday.
Staff at the Prime Minister's office confirmed that the secretary was told by the military not to enter her office, but there were no reasons given.
CEO for Public Enterprises Parmesh Chand said it was for the "powers beyond" to comment on the absence of ministers of the Qarase Government.
Meanwhile, Parliament staff members were given an option, to be deployed to other government ministries and departments.
This came as Secretary to the House of Representatives Edward Blakelock waited for documents "in black and white" which announced the dissolution of Parliament.
Use the free Acrobat Reader to view.
Copyright © 2014, Fiji Times Limited. All Rights Reserved.


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To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-228-9290 in the USA and Canada (or any of our worldwide reservation telephone numbers).
Discover the Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria Hotel near Marietta, Ga. Our Atlanta Hotel is just minutes from some of the areas largest corporations including Allstate, Assurant, Manhattan Associates, Cbeyond, IBM, and GE and only 20 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Close to the Cobb Galleria Convention Center, the Atlanta Marriott Northwest Hotel has 16,000 square feet of flexible event facilities and a professional staff dedicated to creating the perfect meeting experience. Our proximity to the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Zoo, and Six Flags Over Georgia make us the ideal destination for your next family adventure. Our Atlanta hotel features 400 Newly Renovated luxurious guestrooms, high-speed internet access, and indoor/outdoor pool. Whether traveling to Atlanta on business or pleasure you'll find the Atlanta Marriott Northwest uniquely suited to exceed your every expectation.
Category: Points Needed Per Night


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Miami Gardens and West Kendall will be VITA FSA (Free Self Assist) sites. These two sites will have computers available to the public for them to self file their taxes. The hours of operation at Miami Gardens and West Kendall for FSA are: Monday –Thursday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
As volunteers, we are trained and tested in current tax law
using IRS material to provide the following services:
What to Bring:


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Die Sets
January 2005
Print this page
A 16-page catalog from Danly IEM features the company's line of all-steel and cast-iron (semi-steel) catalog die sets in various sizes and styles. The catalog contains dimensional data and includes photographs, product features, and ordering information. Detailed illustrations on clamping methods and punch shank diam are also included.
Danly IEM
Canon Communications LLC . © 2008


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"Aha" moment
Find a Conversation
|Fri, 08-17-2012 - 5:32pm
Hi, everyone. Just wanted to share something.
Last night I went out with an old friend (OK, OK, another ex boyfriend) I hadn't seen in a very long time. He lives out of town and was in for a few days. It was nothing romantic. The thing is, he was so nice and friendly, and also such a gentleman! He did things like hold the door open for me, and was so friendly and attentive, so interested in my life and telling me about his and about his son... and suddenly I thought: wait! Here I am, thinking my xAP is so wonderful, and he never did anything like that! He'd walk too fast and I'd have to almost run behind him, he'd seldom invite me when we went out, he certainly didn't ask about my daughter nor tell me she was pretty when I showed him pictures... was he really that wonderful?? Was he really a generous person? I suddenly realized there are other people out there who are probably nice and friendly and generous!
So, anyway, it made my day.
|Fri, 08-17-2012 - 7:53pm
I'm on it!.
|Fri, 08-17-2012 - 7:30pm
I know you won't mind
Excellent post.
|Fri, 08-17-2012 - 6:41pm
Okay, first the flying scissor kick: please tell me this ex-boyfriend isn't married. We have to protect ourselves from falling into other holes while we get out of the current one.
Secondly, indeed, by and large we don't fall for the person we're involved with in the A. We fall for a mirage. Some of it's their best foot forward (certainly in the early going). Some of it's our projection of what we need them to be, want them to be. Some of it's the tyranny of intimacy and biological chemistry. But the fog keeps us from seeing things clearly.
So, as we progress out of the A, we start to notice things. We notice what generosity and kindness really look like. Aha! We notice how people who truly love us and want to be with us behave toward us. Aha! Sometimes (often) we also notice that our own behaviour wasn't kind or loving or generous. (That was my personal aha.) We notice the difference between receiving multiple daily texts and having a friend call up to run errands together. It can be one very long chain of ahas when we come out of the fog.
Sometimes we get shoved out of the fog. AP reveals himself/herself to be something we don't want or need. We have a D day. There are many ways to find ourselves in the fog one moment and in the clear the next and then there are only two things to do. 1. Put your pants back on and run for your life. 2. Fight to get back into the middle of the fog where it's comfy. Sometimes doing nothing has the same result and we let the fog settle back around us.
I've done both of the above. When xap would repeatedly make plans with me to come "visit" and then take an assignment on the day we were to get together, I'm afraid I didn't read this as I should have the first two or three times. (Grand stupidity on my part. I had to travel to get to him so I was out of pocket and wasting my time.) The last time that happened, I said I was done and I hoped we could be friends but I wasn't going to waste my time, effort and money on another trip. In February, I got shoved clear of the fog and I ran.
Y, you've been shoved clear and this aha moment is surely the sign that you've got your get-me-the-heck-outta-here boots on. Go look in a mirror, look yourself straight in the eyes and tell yourself you're a very smart cookie. This should make your day. Ride it like a surfboard and see if it can make your week, your month, your quarter, all the way to Tweenerville.


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Are you working too hard, either temporarily or as a life-style? Does life feel like a grind? Have you lost your ability to feel joy, to play, to be creative? Perhaps you feel numb, or your mate complains that you never express your feelings. Maybe you've been feeling low-energy or unhappy with your erotic life.
If any of this sounds like you, it might help to learn some ways to clear and balance your sacral chakra.
Clearing, balancing, and opening your sacral chakra can help you regain your joie de vivre. It'll get your life juices and creative juices flowing, and that makes your life--juicier!
You don't have to be a trained energy healer to heal your own chakras. There are many down-to-earth, even fun, things that you can do to give them a "tune-up."
Read on to learn 10 ways to clear and balance your sacral chakra. But first:
Here you can find a test to give you an idea how open or closed each of your chakras is, and how they balance relative to each other.
10 Ways to Clear, Open, and Balance Your Sacral Chakra
If you feel you would benefit from sacral chakra healing, there are many practical, every-day things that you can do. Here are ten ideas:
Just make your purpose clear, perform the activity mindfully, and as you're doing it, occasionally take a moment to silently affirm that your actions are creating your intention. Using any of the activities above in conjunction with an affirmation is especially effective.
Seek Professional Help If
Remember, these suggestions are not meant to replace qualified professional health care. If you have any concerns about your physical or mental health, seek the help of a qualified medical or mental health professional.
I wish you joy, grace, creativity, pleasure, emotional healing--and fun!
For more specific information about individual chakras, go to the Chakra Chart page.
Learn how to clear and balance your root chakra (1st) and gain an unshakeable sense of security.
Discover specific ways to clear and balance your solar plexus chakra (3rd) and unlock your personal power.
Learn specific ways to clear and balance your heart chakra (4th) and open to the love that is all around you.
Learn specific ways to clear and balance your 5th chakra (throat), helping you to live and speak your truth.
Learn to cultivate your Third Eye chakra (sixth), helping you develop your capacities for clarity, intuition, and spiritual insight.
Learn to cultivate your crown chakra (seventh), helping you develop your capacities for spiritual growth.
Learn more about energy healing, including practical tips to keep yourself and your family healthier and happier. You'll receive my "Seven Chakras at at Glance" chart as a gift.
Do-It-Yourself Energy Healing for a More Joyful, Loving, Fruitful Life
Learn to clear, nurture and support your chakras with 500 fun, down-to-earth activities. A user-friendly, practical guide, available as a paperback, ebook or Kindle. Learn more or buy it here.
Learn more about energy healing, including practical tips to keep yourself and your family healthier and happier. You'll receive two gifts: my "Seven Chakras at at Glance" chart and "First Chakra: Get Beyond Anxiety To A Sense Of Peace And Security."


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We are also excited about our beautiful new restroom and changing room facilities!
We hope to see you on the river soon!
Have The Most Fun Rafting On The River with Outdoor Adventures Whitewater Rafting! Outdoor Adventures, Inc. provides quality fun in the outdoors on rafting trips on the Pigeon River in Eastern Tennessee.
That sounds like so much fun! I'd love to have the chance to do something like that.
River Rafting


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Ekaterinburg Travel Guide
Ekaterinburg Attractions
Ekaterinburg Tours
Looking for organised tours in Ekaterinburg?
Featured Hotels in Ekaterinburg
- Best Eastern Transhotel Hotel 15 Gogolya Str Ekaterinburg
- Atrium Palace Hotel Kuibisheva 44 Ekaterinburg
- More Ekaterinburg Hotels
Know a thing or two about Ekaterinburg ?
Please share your experiences and tips with your fellow travellers.
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CITE, the Conference for Illinois Teachers of English, convenes at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University each April, usually on the second Friday. Teachers of English and language arts in Illinois attend the conference, which provides workshops on current issue in the teaching of English/language arts. Classroom teachers, administrators, university faculty, and state testing officials make up the group of presenters. Planning for the conference takes place in September when a group of volunteers from around the state meet to suggest topics and possible presenters. Those attending the conference are also asked to volunteer to present.
Presentations at the conference focus on current issues of importance to teachers and student teachers. Nearly every year, sessions include reading and writing connections, assessment, literature issues, writing issues, and administrative concerns for teacher leaders.
The conference dates to the late 1960's when Professor John Heissler began inviting high school departments chairs to campus to discuss important issues in teaching. Originally named HISET (Heads of Illinois Secondary English Teachers), the name was changed to CITE in 1996.
Each year at the conference, an award for excellence in English is given to an outstanding teacher in Dr. Heissler's name. Past winners have included Norman Stewart, John Eckman, Rachel Faries, Gail Mitchell, Malcolm Stern, Glenn Rittmueller, David Briggs, Kenneth Holmes, Lee Mulcrone, Kay Jacob, Wendell Schwartz, Kay Parker, George Shea, Susan Benjamin, Nell Wieman, Patrick Monahan, Donna Blackall, Thomas McCann, Harriet Johnson Naden, Anna Jackson, Jean Wallace, Barbara Fuson, Alison Nelson, and Claire Lamonica.
Those who have co-chaired the conference over the years include the late Glenn Grever, John Heissler, Janice Neuleib, Claire Lamonica, Robert Broad, Paula Ressler, and Linda Lienhart. The Department and the University have supported the conference through the contribution of faculty time and energy for over forty years. The University Conferencing Center began work with the conference in the eighties and has continued to be a major support in the logistics of the meeting.
For more information, contact Cite Co-Chair, Dr. Janice Neuleib.


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+ - Cause And Effect: How a Revolutionary New Statistical Test Can Tease Them Apart
Submitted by KentuckyFC
KentuckyFC (1144503) writes "Statisticians have long thought it impossible to tell cause and effect apart using observational data. The problem is to take two sets of measurements that are correlated, say X and Y, and to find out if X caused Y or Y caused X. That's straightforward with a controlled experiment in which one variable can be held constant to see how this influences the other. Take for example, a correlation between wind speed and the rotation speed of a wind turbine. Observational data gives no clue about cause and effect but an experiment that holds the wind speed constant while measuring the speed of the turbine, and vice versa, would soon give an answer. But in the last couple of years, statisticians have developed a technique that can tease apart cause and effect from the observational data alone. It is based on the idea that any set of measurements always contain noise. However, the noise in the cause variable can influence the effect but not the other way round. So the noise in the effect dataset is always more complex than the noise in the cause dataset. The new statistical test, known as the additive noise model, is designed to find this asymmetry. Now statisticians have tested the model on 88 sets of cause-and-effect data, ranging from altitude and temperature measurements at German weather stations to the correlation between rent and apartment size in student accommodation.The results suggest that the additive noise model can tease apart cause and effect correctly in up to 80 per cent of the cases (provided there are no confounding factors or selection effects). That's a useful new trick in a statistician's armoury, particularly in areas of science where controlled experiments are expensive, unethical or practically impossible."


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Disc GolfFlying Fun in the Forest
Did you know that you can play Disc Golf right here in Kitsap County? Visit NAD Park in Bremerton, WA for a flying good time!
The Course at NAD Park
The course at NAD Park winds through more than 20 acres of old growth forest, offering the public not only a great disc golf experience but also a beautiful Northwest nature experience. The course has been designed to offer a little something for everyone. It will challenge the most advanced golfer and at the same time give the beginner golfer a fabulous course at which to learn the great sport of disc golf.
What is Disc Golf?
Disc Golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee. The sport was formalized in the 1970s, and shares with "ball golf" the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the "hole". The hole can be one of a number disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the "putt" lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are a few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won't need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad "tee time." It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.
Lost Disc Box
Look for your new Lost Disc Box near the kiosk at NAD Park. If you find someone's disc out on the course, just drop it into the box on your way out. The box will be regularly emptied and a list of discs will be posted on the kiosk. If you see your disc on the list, stop by Pacific NW Team Sports, 1550 NE Riddell Road, Suite #110, Bremerton (phone 360-479-2131) to pick up your disc. We ask that you make a dollar ($1) donation to the NAD course fund when you get your disc.
"With the beautiful scenery and diverse terrain, this is easily one of the best courses in the Puget Sound area."
-The Lung 9.7.04
"NAD Park is a shinning star course for the state of Washington."
-A. Grey 8.17.04
"I have played most of the courses in the Pacific NW and I have to say that NAD is the most challenging and fun course that I have ever played."
-Cookin4u97 1.7.05
For more information about disc golf at NAD Park please contact Parks & Recreation Department at (360) 473-5305.
Learn more about disc golf at:
Disc golf equipment is available at Pacific Northwest Team Sports, 5951 State Highway 303 NE, (360) 479-2131.
NAD Park is located at 6002 Kitsap Way (corner of Kitsap Way & Austin Drive) in Bremerton, WA.
From North: Go Southbound on SR-3 South towards Bremerton, and take the Kitsap Lake/Austin Drive exit. At the end of the exit turn right onto Austin Drive, and proceed about 500 feet to NAD Park.
From South: Go Northbound on SR-16 towards Bremerton. After passing the Port Orchard exit signs, the highway will wind through Gorst, and as you get closer to Bremerton the route number will change from SR-16 to SR-3. Stay in the left hand lane and merge onto SR-3 Northbound to Bremerton, Silverdale and Hood Canal Bridge. After passing all three Bremerton exits, take the Austin Drive/Kitsap exit. At the end of the exit go left onto Austin Drive. Proceed about 1000 feet to NAD Park.
The kiosk, with course map, is off Austin Drive behind the jet. From there, the course is a very short walk into the park. Additional parking is available on Kitsap Way.


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December 22, 2014
The fire started shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The victim, a 77-year-old man, was in the basement. The fire broke through the first floor, trapping him below.
Duke Richmond was the first to see the fire, he cut the gas and electricity to the home, then ran inside and attempted a rescue, before fire fighter's arrived.
The elderly man died from smoke inhalation, at the bottom of his basement stairway.
Fire investigators say the blaze may have started near the floor in a hallway. Although the investigation is still underway, the cause appears to be electrical.
Winnebago County Crime Scene Investigators remained on the scene throughout the day, taking pictures, and collecting evidence.
It could take the Loves Park Fire Department several days to determine exactly what caused the fire.
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You're leaving Wedding Paper Divas to see the Deal of the Day at our parent site, Tiny Prints.
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As part of the federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), Congress mandated that the railroad companies develop a bridge maintenance plan. In complying with the mandate, the ASLRRA has created a Bridge Subcommittee tasked with informing short line and regional railroads with various deadlines, services and training opportunities. For more information on the various activities, use the navigation in the left column.
Important Dates - This page contains all dates and deadlines that have been outlined in the RSIA. Check back often, as dates will be added here as they become available.
Important Documents - Federal legislation and association documentation relating to the creation and maintenance of a bridge program are located on this page.
Important Topics - A library of cutting edge articles and topics that will provide thoughtful points to ponder on issues related to bridges.


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Archive for the 'toy cars' tag
No more Ferraris from Hot Wheels: Maisto and Bburago bbag exclusive licensing agreement
Photo courtesy lamleydlm.blogspot.com.
For more than 15 years, fans of Ferrari die-cast had only one die-cast company to turn to for models of their favorites: Hot Wheels. But this is to change, and in fairly short order: May Cheong group, makers of the Bburago and Maisto die-cast lines, have inked an exclusive worldwide agreement to make Ferrari models, in a variety of scales, starting in January 2015. Mattel had previously issued a statement that its licensing agreement was ending, but its wording didn't make clear whether it was only on selected lines, or for the entirety of the Hot Wheels brand. Maisto/Bburago's statement clarifies things considerably.
There is some irony here, or at the very least a comeuppance. Bburago, then an Italian company, was the innovator of 1/18 scale collector models in the early 1980s, with subject matter relying heavily on home-market sports cars, like Ferraris. The makers of both the real and the replica Ferraris felt a kinship and, dare we say it, a shared national pride. But when Mattel scored an exclusive license with Ferrari in the late 1990s, Bburago's Ferrari tooling could no longer be used. That, along with the explosion of cost-efficient Chinese manufacturing, helped ensure that Bburago went under in the mid-2000s.
Bburago was purchased by the May Cheong Group of Hong Kong in 2005, and the name is slowly regaining its prominence. May Cheong Group sells cars under the Maisto name worldwide. Maisto models often remain toys, in the traditional sense, while Bburago-marketed models tend to be more collector-oriented.
The 1/18 scale game has moved on in the nearly-two-decades since Bburago had to stop making Ferrari models. It will be interesting to see whether the vintage tools will be revived, whether there will be a variety of new tools on offer, or, as we suspect, that some combination of both will be in play.
Short-term, there may be a paucity of Ferrari die-cast on shelves around the world as one contract plays out and another company gears up to make models; this could render some models a big deal on the secondary market, creating a shortage (however artificial it may seem).
Big doings in a small scale
Coming later in 2014 is a 1992 Mustang LX in CHP livery. Photos courtesy The Lamley Group.
Matchbox has gotten a lot of flack from collectors in recent years; following a wave of realism half a decade back, the company switched direction and went with a heroic/action/adventure theme aimed at slightly younger kids, with chunkier styling, huge tires, a bright color palette, increased molded-plastic-part content and an emphasis on emergency, off-road and construction vehicles. At the annual Gathering die-cast-car convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last month, Matchbox revealed its plans for the 2015 lineup–and we think that collectors are going to be interested.
For 2015, Matchbox is continuing the heroic/action/adventure theme, but with the pendulum swinging back once again toward greater realism: Matchbox will offer 125 vehicles in its lineup, including a total of 25 new tools. Twelve of the 25 are licensed (up from just seven for 2014), and the unlicensed vehicles are done in a way that suggest they could well be real vehicles–they're not as over-the-top as they have been in years past.
New vehicles slated to join the 2015 lineup include: a BMW M5 police car; a Porsche Cayman; a Tesla Model S; the new Jeep Cherokee; a vintage Jeep Willys 4×4 pickup; a 2015 Ford F150 pickup "contractor's truck"; a Lamborghini LM002 off-roader; a '70s-era Mack CF fire pumper (following on the success of the Pierce, Seagrave and vintage Mack models); the Ghe-O Rescue, a Romanian-built off-roader; a 2013 Ford Cargo, a South American-built Ford big rig cab; and Cadillac One, better known as the presidential limousine. There's also one tool that is yet to be determined–we are told only that it is sporting and European. Apparently licensing negotiations for this model are ongoing and will be announced later. Collectors also got a peek at what is coming later in 2014, including a CHP '92 Mustang LX SSP and a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
Also for 2015, and for the first time in a couple of years, there will be a premium Matchbox line: Supreme Heroes, comprised of 18 emergency vehicles (mostly police and fire vehicles) from real towns across America (San Luis Obispo, California, is among them). Packaging will not include a box trapped behind a blister, as previous premium Matchbox series have, but vehicles will include one of two brand-new two-piece wheel styles that feature soft vinyl Real Rider-style tires.
A production line of glitter and promise – creating the early Matchbox cars
Matchbox cars roll off the assembly line in 1965. Still image from video.
Computer-aided design and manufacturing has decreased time to market with the modern automobile, and the same can be said of today's Matchbox cars. In 1965, however, the process was far more time consuming, as this film from the British Pathé archives illustrates.
Matchbox cars exploded in popularity during the 1960s, and by 1965 Lesney, parent to the Matchbox brand, was producing 80 million scale cars per year, leading to £1 million in annual foreign investment. Like their full-size counterparts, each early Matchbox car began life on a drawing board, where a designer would strive to capture as much detail as possible in the original artwork. From these renderings, large scale models were built from hand-carved wooden components, again with an emphasis on accurately preserving the features of the original automobile.
Next, molds were cast from these wooden bucks, but the end result was still five times larger than the finished product. To scale the molds down, technicians would operate a pantograph milling machine "with the skill of a surgeon," gently carving a metal mold in the appropriate shape and size to accept the molten metal used for casting. Once the test casts were approved, the new design was given a green light for production.
Like real automobiles, each Matchbox car received multiple coats of paint and repeated trips through an oven to dry and harden the finish. Details such as wheels and interiors were pressed in place by line workers, and the final product was placed on a conveyor belt for final inspection and packaging in individual cardboard boxes. Today, such a labor-intensive design and manufacturing process is unimaginable, but in the mid-1960s, it was simply business as usual.
Despite consistent demand for Matchbox products, Lesney declared bankruptcy in 1982, a victim of the poor economic climate in Britain. American toymaker Universal acquired the rights to the brand, which it sold to Tyco in 1992; Tyco was later bought out by Mattel (manufacturer of the rival Hot Wheels line), which has continued to enjoy success with the Matchbox name.
Bonus footage: producing Matchbox cars in 1962.
Toys full of hot air
Eddie Stakes is still playing with old toys. While the last toy AMX he showed us had photovoltaic cells atop the roof that apparently were used to guide the battery-powered car around, the latest two use pneumatic steering controls. Eddie explains:
Eldon AMC AMX 69-70 steerable air car. Battery powered, had 'pneumatic' steering, that is, a small hand-held bellows that would turn wheels right or left. If you got good at it, you could steer it straight ahead, but it took some practice. The license plate read 1970, BUT it was a '69 AMX. Eldon toys rocked, and this was no different. A battery in this could last a whole day! It was like walking the dog, except it was an AMX. The photos here are of a NOS unit I have, and have a used one in collection, both from 1969. I am guessing that Eldon used a 1970 license plate on them thinking AMC would not change design on the two seater for 1970.
COX AMC Matador Stocker (NASCAR) Gasoline powered! Yes, runs on real gas. These big COX AMC Matador Stockers not only ran on real gasoline (back when it was 29 cents a gallon, but also had pneumatic steering, real rubber tires. Patterned off the successes of American Motors efforts in NASCAR (Team Penske) these wore red, white and blue paint. The two here, one is NOS, the other used, both from my collection. They made a pppfffffffttttt sound and the LONG steering wheel tube used to get in the way, but as you walked along with the car, you were driving a REAL GAS-powered car. As a kid. These could really scoot along at a good clip, I may add. Dad never realized the gas came from our '62 Rambler wagon anyways, hee hee.
Thanks, Eddie!
Four-Links – Mister Softee's civil defense role, why collector cars are getting more expensive, 66th anniversary of Ettore Bugatti's death, 60 years of the Karmann Ghia
* All this time we thought Mister Softees, the ubiquitous-during-summer neighborhood ice cream trucks, were placed on this earth to combat just the summer swelter, but as Daryl at Throwin' Wrenches pointed out recently, the trucks were also tapped to play a role in our nation's Civil Defense network during the 1950s.
* A couple of our readers – thanks Rex and Andrew – pointed out a recent Economist article which puts the big-dollar collector car transactions as of late into perspective: Not only are collector cars reportedly outperforming art, coins, and other collectibles as investment pieces, they're doing so by measures of multiples rather than percentage points.
Photo by Jan Faborsky.
* As of this past Wednesday, it's been 66 years since Ettore Bugatti died.
* Here's something to put that last item into perspective. As Autoblog pointed out, Volkswagen this year is celebrating 60 years since it launched the Karmann Ghia.
* Finally, these mid-century-inspired wooden toy cars are pretty neat.
Tomy Buys RC2 – what will this mean for Tomica and Johnny Lightning collectors?
Tomy, makers of Tomica-brand diecast cars and playsets, announced last week that they will buy RC2 Corp., maker of Johnny Lightning-brand die-cast cars, outright, in a deal valued at $640 million. Tomy is increasing its foreign penetration, in part because toys are no longer a growth area in its home market of Japan, and in part because of favorable exchange rates.
And so, what does this mean for us, as collectors? In the short-term, our guess is that it doesn't mean much. RC2 is a maker of a wide variety of children's products, everything from baby bathtubs to huge quantities of Thomas the Tank Engine to Ertl-branded John Deere farm toys and playsets. (In fact, between Tomica's city playsets and Ertl's country flavor, there's opportunity for a greatly expanded play world there.)
Die-cast is a very, very small part of RC2′s overall portfolio. It seems unlikely that the two die-cast tooling banks would merge, and, contrary to what some have speculated when the deal was announced, we're not expecting an Isuzu Elf Hi-Roof hot-dog van painted black with flames anytime soon. (Though it would be cool.) Whether this would do anything to solve JL's seemingly perpetual distribution issues, or bring Tomy's Tomica line into the die-cast aisle, we can only hope.
Reaction to the big news also says something about the die-cast market. In 2004, when it was announced that Johnny Lightning was going to be sold to Racing Champions, there was a lot of collector chatter on message boards, pro and con – everything from "hurrah" to "the end is nigh." Reaction on the handful of message boards we scan for information revealed little passionate reaction. Is this the state of the hobby, where if it's not a Hot Wheels it doesn't matter, or are we just looking at the wrong message boards?
Fun with Nitromethane – AMC Matador Edition
The distances traveled, unpacking of tools, and careful unloading of exotic fuel. The remote battery drawn from the toolkit, fully charged and ready to start the engine. The moments that seem like hours staging the car for the run. The tense drama starting an engine powered by an explosive fuel more powerful than dynamite. Carefully adjusting the fuel mixture from low to high to extract maximum power from the engine. The acrid assault of nitromethane fumes mixed with the sweet aroma of Castor bean oil and methanol. The green light. The run on the very edge of control. No – we're not talking about top fuel drag racing. This is the world of the COX nitromethane-powered model cars. While the Baja Bug and Dune Buggy may be more famous, this COX AMC Matador has the nitro and slot mags. Anyone who ever messed around with these things might remember how much fun they were, despite the lack of remote control or often, any control whatsoever.
An expected 3-inch Green Hornet Imperial model arrives in an unexpected venue
Most of us are, by now, aware that Seth Rogen's remake of The Green Hornet will be out in theaters on Friday, January 14, 2011. And you'd think that a die-cast of the masked hero's Kato-driven Imperial would be a shoo-in for the toy aisles. Right?
Well, sort of.
There is a Green Hornet car miniature out there, but it's not at your favorite toy aisle, and it's not made of metal. (And no, we don't mean the Johnny Lightning one that showed up about a decade ago.) The regional Hardee's and Carl's Jr. burger-store chains are offering a variety of Green Hornet-themed kid's-meal toy prizes this month, including a mask – but for our money, the winning toy is this 3-1/2-inch pullback Imperial.
There's no interior or chassis detail. The all-plastic construction makes it impossibly light. Those cheap-looking wheels are molded-in – they don't roll. (A set of dummy wheels, mounted behind the ones you see, allows it to roll.) Those two silver things on the hood are guns, not some sort of revolutionary air-induction device. And there's that pullback feature that allows it to scurry across the kitchen floor, enthralling the kids and annoying the cat.
So what? It's the Green Hornet's Imperial. And, as a bonus, you don't have to buy a kid's meal to buy the it – most Carl's Jr. locations we visited would let the toys go alone for a buck each.
There is also an HO-scale all-metal keychain sold through Hardee's and Carl's.


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Recently, I have received a few comments from artists who feel that social media is just a lot of hype. Last week I wrote a guest article for my friends at Meylah filled with compelling reasons why artists should use Twitter. I hope this post helps my readers understand how to use social media as part of their free art marketing plan. ~Lori :) 12 Persuasive Reasons Why Artists Should Use Twitter written by Lori McNee, originally posted on … [Read more...]
#PowerArtists Interview with Children's Book Illustrator Melody Lea Lamb
Genuine individuals like Melody Lea Lamb help to make the competive art world a kinder place. Melody is an avid social media user who's positivity is infectious. She is an award winning children's book illustrator who also specializes in miniatures art of animals as wells as fantasy. She works primarily in colored pencil, watercolor and India ink. Recently, Melody won the 1st Place, Gold Medal in the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for … [Read more...]


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Gathers along the yoke add a full and flowy fit to this cute, cropped tank top! Two layers in front create a flounce effect for the perfect swing top in soft jersey knit fabric.
Size small measures 19" from shoulder to hem.
95% rayon / 5% spandex / machine wash


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|Franklin Thompson
Councilmember Thompson has been a three-term elected representative to District #6 on the Omaha City Council – his first term beginning on May 9, 2001. Franklin and his wife, Beverly, have four children Jasmine, Franque, Ivy and Kelly along with six grandchildren.Â
Franklin Thompson has overcome a tremendous amount of obstacles that usually knock a typical person out of the game of life and has since dedicated himself to the Education of our youth. He has had a long-standing career within Education; Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha for the past 13 years, former Counselor at Creighton Prep High School for 5 years and over 16 years with Omaha Public Schools. Of particular note, Franklin's career in Education has expanded the minds of thousands of young students who have blossomed into today's leaders.
Franklin Thompson's true passion is music – he has been involved in songwriting and recording of himself and others. He is proud of his religious and spiritual upbringing in which he states, "This is the main reason I am where I am at today". His bi-partisan views and beliefs and his ability to see the big picture have given the City Council a fresh perspective.
In his spare time, perhaps you can catch Franklin on the football field, basketball and tennis court or the boxing ring.
Motto: Working with Omaha's Youth; Race and Human Relations