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Full Circle - December 2
Upcoming Events
Pack The Chap Night
Wednesday, December 4
Conference Opener Basketball games
Women's game - 5:45 p.m.
Men's game - 7:45 p.m.
More about this event (Adobe .pdf file)
Holiday Evening at MC
Thursday, December 5
Midland College, in partnership with the Midland Chamber of Commerce invites you to enjoy a Holiday Evening filled with music and art, baked goodies and hot chocolate . . . and Santa!
More about this event (Adobe .pdf file)
The Power of DNA: What DNA can tell us about ourselves and the world around us
Free lecture presented as the December installment of the First Friday Seminar Series
Speaker: MC Biology Professor Dr. Paul Mangum
Friday, December 6
12:00 noon
Scharbauer Student Center Carrasco Room
Jingle All the Way to the LRC
MC Employee Christmas party hosted by Vicki and Steve Thomas
Friday, December 6
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Fasken Learning Resource Center
Bring a silver ornament to decorate the tree
Spouses/significant others/dates are welcome
Chaps Christmas Basketball Camp
Saturday, December 14
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
PE Building
Here's an opportunity to get some holiday shopping done without the kids. The men's basketball team, coaches and trainers will take care of your kids.
Cost is $60/child (MC employees receive a $10 discount per child)
For more information, contact MC Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Bryan Hodgson (716) 499-2834
Welcome Back Lunch
Monday, January 6, 2014
12:00 noon
Jack E. Brown Dining Hall
MC Basketball vs. Frank Phillips College
Monday, January 6
Al G. Langford Chaparral Center
Women's game - 5:45 p.m.
Men's game - 7:45 p.m.
Teaching Excellence Awards Reception
Thursday, January 9, 2014
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Scharbauer Student Center Carrasco Room
Invitation (Adobe .pdf file)
Kudos & Accomplishments
Happy Birthday today to Claudia Hinds, Stacy Schroeder and Pat Nandakumar
MC Employee and Retiree Birthdays, December 2-January 5
Welcome, Kristy Messmer
Kristy Messmer has graciously accepted and been approved by the MC Board of Trustees to serve as the first ever Legacy Advisor. Kristy has higher educaiton experience and is not only new to MC, but also new to Midland. Her background in customer service and promotion will be a great asset to the College. Kristy's office is in Room 242 of the Scharbauer Student Center.
Cindy Madewell's class awarded "Quality Matters Recognized" certification
Cindy Madewell's online course VNSG 1420: Anatomy/Physiology for Allied Health has been reviewed by a Quality Matters Peer Review Team and awarded the certification of "Quality Matters Recognized." To receive this certification, the course must meet all 21 essential QM standards and earn a total of 92/95 points. The review team complimented Ms. Madewell on her course organization and course introduction stating, "Overall, a great job has been done in presenting the overall design of the course and setting the tone for students." The review team also commented on Ms. Madewell's use of the initial course announcement and instructor introduction in the discussion board to "establish a sense of connection right from the start with the students."
Wanted--Kids' College Instructors & Runners
The following dates have been set for Kids' College 2014:
Session I: June 2-12
Session II: June 16 – 26
Instructor information: Deadline for submission of instructor applications is Monday, January 13, 2014.
Class times are as follows:
12:40 – 2:00 pm
2:10 – 3:30 pm
3:40 – 5:00 pm
Pay rates are as follows:
10 students = $20.60 7 students = $14.42
9 students = $18.54 6 students = $12.36
8 students = $16.48 5 students = $10.30
Runner Information: Deadline for Runners is Monday, March 3 @ 5:00 pm.
General Information (Adobe .pdf file)
Instructor Application (Adobe .pdf file)
Runner application (Adobe .pdf file)
For more information, contact MC Associate Director of Community Programs Continuing Education Brenda Cordero at 685-4724, firstname.lastname@example.com
Texas Community College Teachers Association (TCCTA) Annual Convention
San Antonio, Texas, February 6-8, 2014
There will be seminars on retirement planning, Social Security, technology, and legislative and coordinating board updates, as well as the ever popular Great Ideas for Teaching Students (GIFTS) and over 150 speakers as the diverse as the TCCTA members themselves. This is a great way to learn from and network with your peers.
This year′s conference is again at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas; at $75, you can′t afford to miss it. Make your reservation today!
2014 programs include:
- with Professor of English, Oregon State University″Collaboration in Theory and Practice″ Lisa Ede
- ″Teaching Students in the Age of Technology: How to Compete with Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and Win!″ with Wendy J. Schiller, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Brown University
- ″Cuba: The Long-Run Consequences of Socialism″ with Brad Schiller, Emeritus Professor of Economics, American University
- ″Do′s and Don′ts Regarding Recruiting and Retaining Women in STEM″ with George R. Stanley, Associate Professor of Astronomy, San Antonio College
- ″Helping Students Connect Reading and Writing″ with Kathy Green, Associate Professor of English, Pasadena City College
- ″The Founding and Federalism in Texas″ with Edward J. Harpham, Associate Provost and Professor of Government and Political Economy, and Tony Champagne, Associate Provost and Professor of Government and Political Economy, University of Texas at Dallas
- ″Not Quite College Ready Options″ with Jan Case, Professor of Mathematics, Jacksonville State University
- ″Promoting Increased Student Persistent and Success: Updates to TSI, DE, and ABE″ with Suzanne Morales-Vale, Director of Developmental Education and Adult Basic Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- ″The Growing Human Trafficking Problem″ with Carla Clark, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation - San Antonio Field Office
- ″Gateway to Freedom: Rethinking the Underground Railroad″ with Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History, Columbia University
- ″Dealing with Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom″ with Rita Hernandez, Counselor, Del Mar College
- ″Blended Learning Strategies to Motivate Students and Improve Student Success″ with Cathy Scott, Associate Professor of Accounting and Accounting Program Coordinator, Navarro College
- A guided tour of The San Antonio Zoo
- And that is just the beginning!
Interesting sessions happen all over Convention and new programs are being added daily! Make your plans now for the 67th Annual Convention.
From Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement & MC Foundation
In order to maintain current effective lines of communications between our Donor Community and MC Foundation Office, please complete the MC Foundation Contact Report Form (Adobe .pdf file) and return to me after you have had any type of significant communication or meeting with a Donor or prospective Donor. My office maintains a current database of Donor information, and your contact information is key to our operations, as it benefits both Dr. Thomas and me to have the most updated communications when we meet with community members.
As we enter into the exciting expansion plans for our college, each and every ask will be strategically planned. Please remember: Before making any ask, the request must be cleared through my office.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I am here to assist you with all donor relations, as we build and steward these valuable friendships.
Kathy Fletcher, 685-4526, firstname.lastname@example.com
Talk Like the Pros
Professional Development Opportunity from the Midland Chamber of Commerce
MC retired speech instructor and now adjunct speech instructor Joe Willis will present a public speaking workshop on February 11. Midland College is a platinum member of the Chamber, so fee for MC employees is just $25.
More . . . (Adobe .pdf file)
Canned Food Drive - Now Underway
For Your Benefit
News from MC Human Resources
Diabetes Awareness
Participating HealthSelect network retail pharmacies include HEB and Target, among others.
USAFIT Midland
When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever.
Do you want to get in great shape, feel energized, get movitage and be part of a dynamic and fun social running club?
Whether you are a couch potato, walker or causal jogger, this training program is an enjoyable way to get in the best shape of your life. You'll be fit, happy and mentally strong.
USAFIT Midland offers training for ALL ability levels, Saturdy group runs organized by pace, supportive and inspirational coaching and a non-intimidating environment.
Meet the coaches and learn more on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. or on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. at the United Way of Midland Office, 1209 W. Wall, Midland, TX 79701.
Register online now or find out more.
Professional Development Opportunity from Starlink
Midland College is a member of the Starlink consortium, and all MC employees may take advantage of Starlink's online professional development opportunities at no cost.
December Newsletter
For more information or Starlink access assistance, please contact Lesley Isaacs, email@example.com, 685-4553.
Professional Development from North American Society for Faculty Development
Midland College is a charter member of the North American Society for Faculty Development. The following webinar and future webinars are offered at no charge to MC employees, courtesy of the Midland College Professional Development/Teaching Learning Center.
Incentives for Faculty Development Participation
with Kassia Dellabough
Thursday, December 5, 2013 (50 minutes)
1:00 p.m.
Entice your faculty to participate in training programs that will enrich and enhance their capacity to reach students. Get successful and failing models for faculty development. Take away the essential ingredients to help make your faculty development program work. To register, email firstname.lastname@example.com
Kassia Dellabough, Ph.D., is Director, Office of Professional Outreach & Development for Students, School of Architecture & Allied Arts, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. She presented this topic at last year's North American Conference on Faculty Development.
Oops! My email has been deleted
- To archive items in your Mailbox, right-click the item, then select Move to Archive.
- Calendar Entries, go to your calendar view, on the second icon from the right (under the tabs) in the "View by" drop down menu, select Details. This changes the calendar entries into a list that you can select and archive.
- Emails organized in folders, go to the email in the folder, right-click the item, then select Move to Archive. The folder structure will automatically be re-created when you archive an email in a folder.
- To see your archived items, in the Main Window, click File > Open Archive
- To return, click on File > Open Archive (again) to unselect the archive view.
- OR click on the "Online" icon (little man with red shirt) drop down menu (just above the folder list on the right side) and select Archive. This will switch to your Archive view stored on your hard drive.
- When you archive your GroupWise items, you are moving them from the GroupWise server to the hard drive on your computer.
- More than one email can be selected and archived at a time, but the more you select, the longer it will take. It is best to archive no more than 20 or so items at a time.
- Only archive on your work computer. If you archive on your home computer, the emails will be saved to your home computer and will not be accessible from campus.
- Monitor your storage space on your hard drive to ensure you have room for all items you want to keep.
- If you need to retrieve an archived email to forward or reply that is over 90 days old, be sure to move it back to the archive the SAME day or it will be deleted that evening.
- When getting a new computer, be sure to save/backup your GroupWise archive folder and restore on your new computer.
Link to instructions with screen shots (Adobe .pdf file)


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Latest News
The Bear Whisperer: Man Is Surrogate Mother To 27 Cubs
For those moms struggling to get their babies to sleep, spare a thought for Ben Kilham.
The 60-year-old New Hampshire man is trying to get 27 orphan bear cubs … READ MORE
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The irony isn't lost on Michael Patrick Thornton.
Doctors saved his life – not once, but twice -and now, he's playing one on the hit ABC d… READ MORE

subset: commoncrawl


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My Profile
Boston, Massachusetts
Member since Jul 2007
Flag This ProfileFlag as Inappropriate
Reviewed Polenta Lasagne
Jul 23, 2013 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"This was delish! I made this for friends last night and it got rave reviews! I used hard, pre-cooked polenta and cut it in slices (I used the Trader Joes polenta that comes in a tube) so the dish did not come out watery at all, like some of the negative reviews suggest. I also took the sausage out of its casing and cooked it then mixed it in with ""


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Justice courts and superior courts have concurrent jurisdiction of cases involving $300 and less. In cities of over 20,000 population where the justice of the peace is also the police judge, he may, under RCW 3.16.004 receive a total salary in excess of $5400.00 per year.
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November 2, 1953
Honorable Tom A. DurhamProsecuting AttorneyWhatcom CountyCourt HouseBellingham, Washington Cite as: AGO 53-55 No. 161
Dear Sir:
In your letter of October 14, 1953, you requested an opinion on the following questions:
1. "Do the words 'original jurisdiction,' as contained in Constitutional Amendment 28 (Art. 4, Sec. 6 and Art. 4, Sec. 10) mean 'exclusive jurisdiction?'"
2. "In cities of over 20,000 population where the Justice of the Peace is also the Police Judge, may he, under the terms of RCW 3.16.004 receive a total salary forboth positions in excess of $5400.00 per year?"
In our opinion the answers to your questions are as follows:
1. No, original does not mean exclusive; therefore, justice and superior courts have concurrent jurisdiction in civil cases involving $300.00 or less.
[[Orig. Op. Page 2]]
2. Yes.
"Original" jurisdiction is jurisdiction in the first instance; to take cognizance of a cause at its inception. Distinguished from "appellate" jurisdiction. Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Ed. (1933). "Exclusive" jurisdiction is that which gives sole power to try the cause. Words and Phrases, perm. ed. (1950).
The case ofState ex rel. Shannon v. Hunter, 3 Wash. 92 (1891) is directly in point with question No. 1. In that case the language of the Washington Constitution, Art. IV, section 6 was the same as it is today in the new amendment except for the monetary amount of jurisdiction being changed. Pertinent language is as follows:
"* * * The superior court shall also have original jurisdiction in all cases and of all proceedings in which jurisdiction shall not have been by law vestedexclusively in some other court; * * *" (Emphasis supplied)
As regards justice's jurisdiction, the original Washington Constitution, Art. IV, section 10, authorized the legislature to fix the jurisdiction. The statute enacted pursuant to this section of the constitution provided in part:
"* * * 'Every justice of the peace shall have jurisdiction and cognizance of the following civil actions and proceedings;' * * *"
The court, in the above case, interpreted this language in the following manner:
"* * * it seems clear that by such language simply jurisdiction is conferred, and not exclusive jurisdiction. * * * It must therefore be held that the legislature has not as yet conferred exclusive jurisdiction upon justices of the peace in actions like the one at bar, and for that reason the superior court must be held to have jurisdiction. * * *"
[[Orig. Op. Page 3]]
The 1951 legislature increased the jurisdiction of justice courts in amendment 28, Art. IV, section 10, by the following language:
"* * * Justices of the peace shall have original jurisdiction in cases * * * less than three hundred dollars or such greater sum, not to exceed one thousand dollars, as shall be prescribed by the legislature. * * *"
We conclude that this amendment did not confer exclusive jurisdiction, but merely increased the amount of the justice's jurisdiction.
The language of the Constitution, Art. IV, section 6, is set up so that when and if the legislature confers original jurisdiction on justices of the peace, the superior courts will be so restricted. However, this has not as yet been done.
Aside from the actual language of the constitution, other statutes in effect in Washington would be meaningless if a construction of exclusive jurisdiction is reached.
For example, the Washington cost statute, RCW 4.84.030 provides as follows:
"* * * but the plaintiff shall in no case be entitled to costs taxed as attorneys' fees in actions within the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, when commenced in the superior court."
Therefore, construing the constitution along with the Washington cost statute, we conclude that the case of State ex rel. Shannon v. Hunter, supra, is still good law in Washington and it remains for the legislature to grant exclusive jurisdiction to justices of the peace.
Your second question concerns the maximum salary available to a justice of the peace who is also the police judge of a city over twenty thousand in population. RCW 3.16.004 indicates that the minimum annual salary must be $5,400. The last sentence of this section provides:
"* * * That where justices of the peace in cities over the population of twenty thousand are also acting as [[Orig. Op. Page 4]] police judges their salaries shall be fixed by the legislative body of the city, three thousand dollars of which shall be charged against the counties and the remainder shall be paid by the municipality."
The same section also prescribes a maximum salary of $6,500 for justices of the peace in cities of twenty thousand. There appears to be no statutory maximum for salaries of those justices of the peace who also serve as police judges.
However, the legislative body of the city must fix the salary before the justice of the peace (police judge) takes office as the salary cannot be increased or decreased during the term of office. Washington Constitution Art. II, § 25;Everett v. Johnson, 37 Wn. (2d) 505, 224 P. (2d) 617 (1950).
Very truly yours,
DON EASTVOLDAttorney General
CAROLYN J. REABERAssistant Attorney General


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Schedule an Appointment ~ 905.721.9775
What a great honor to be asked to take part in a wedding, and what little girl doesn't dream of being a princess!
With many options available you can find a beautiful dress that will compliment the brides dress or match the colours of the bridal party.
Site photography by The Photo Studio.


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found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
Find a pet to adopt |
My name is Sandy!
Facts about Sandy
- Breed: Fox Terrier (Smooth) Mix
- Color: White - With Red, Golden, Orange Or Chestnut
- Age: Adult
- Size: Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
- Sex: Female
Sandy's Info...
I am already spayed, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats.
Sandy was rescued from the Lancaster City Shelter. She is a healthy and happy dog. She like to run off leash in the woods and is very affectionate. She likes other dogs. She walks on leash well also. She is house trained also.
Other Pets at South Coast Rescue Animal advocates
Why Adoption is a Great Option
Sandy, a Corona del mar Fox Terrier (Smooth) dog was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Fox Terrier (Smooth) for sale in Corona del mar, or seeking a Fox Terrier (Smooth) dog from a breeder in Corona del mar.
- Rescues and shelter volunteers in Corona del mar already know the personality and tendencies of their pets. This means they can match you with the right pet. That will makes it much easier transition to owning a pet for yourself and your new pet.
- On average adoption fees are much less than you'd pay a Corona del mar breeder, or pet store. Plus most often rescue pets have already been to the veterinarian for a check-up, had a round of vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered. That is a lot of savings!
- You will become a hero, and give a needy dog or cat a loving home. In fact, there are even Fox Terrier (Smooth) breeders who help with Fox Terrier (Smooth) rescue. One puppy or kitten adopted in Corona del mar paves the way for another one to be saved.


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I have a massive library of wrestling on my computer. It's not anything to be ashamed of to my way of thinking. Rather, I'm proud of it. And in the course of one day reviewing what I have I came to a sort of conclusion about the sort of wrestling i like. It's not the mindless WWF Main Event Style, and it's not the head-droppy OMG MOVEZ~! stuff that passes for main event work in Ring of Honor currently. What do I enjoy at its core? Technical wrestling. and the high-end stuff. Curious as to what I like and how you could find some of it for yourself? Follow me.
First off, technical wrestling takes a variety of forms depending on who personifies that specific aesthetic for you. If, like me, you grew up in the United States with the WWF, WCW, and (to a far lesser extent) ECW on your televisions, then guys like this were the guys you were into.
Nick Bockwinkel: The real interesting thing about Bockwinkel is that, in a lot of ways, his best work was happening when the fewest amount of people were seeing it. By the time that the AWA got its TV deal with ESPN, Bockwinkel was in his late-40's. Did that matter? Not even a little bit. He was still as sharp as he had ever been.
Ric Flair: Now I know what you're thinking, and yes it's true. Ric Flair was known for his flossiness, the fact that he seemed to be incapable of rolling anywhere without 10 to 20 ladies, a suit that cost more than your paycheck, and his boys the Four Horsemen. But make no mistake, when the "Nature Boy" got in the ring, he could go. He wrestled that 70's style where every hold was treated as though it was death, and the biggest strike that you were going to see was some blistering chops. And when i say blistering, i mean BLISTERING. Add to his technical skill his almost-superhuman cardio and the fact that most of his best work happened in the NWA during the 1980's and you had one of the cooler wrestlers ever.
Bret Hart: And the last man on our list. If you were a kid in the WWF enclave of the Northeast during the 80's and 90's and didn't have fond memories of Gorilla Monsoon telling you how Bret Hart was the excellence of execution, and that every single manuever he did was applied to absolute perfection, you must have been watching different wrestling than I was as a kid. Bret Hart was always presented to younger fan of the WWF (sorry WWE, but you were the WWF at this specific point in my childhood) as a master, the guy every other wrestler knew could not just beat them but hurt them badly. And the chief tool in his toolbox? The Sharpshooter.
Again this was portrayed as the be all and end all. And if, as a kid, you didn't try and put the sharpshooter on your friends or your family, you were either not a big wrestling fan or liked different wrestlers than I did.
In closing, this is only the beginning. As time goes on, i'll introduce you to guys you may have not seen yet, and masters from far-off lands. Thank you for reading.
Technical Wrestling Master Class: The USA
1 comment:
- fishermenas said...
So awesome, cute and amazing one! The WWF is really awesome wrestling show. Thanks for the wonderful post!
Wrestling Shoes - September 5, 2011 at 10:04 AM
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The Electra nameplate died with the birth of the Buick Park Avenue in 1990, but it looks like General Motors has re-trademarked the name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
What we know for sure is this: General Motors filed an application for a trademark on the Electra name earlier this month, which would be the first time GM has filed such an application since 1989. The trademark application indicates that the Electra name would be used specifically on an automobile, although it doesn't specify which type.
With that in mind, there's one big question left: what'll GM do with the Electra name if it does get the trademark? Signs point to Buick, as the Electra was part of that brand's portfolio from the 1960s through the late 1980s. A 2011 report by Bloomberg would suggest that one option is a new model built using the GM Voltec platform. It's possible the irony of calling a rebadged Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric vehicle the Electra isn't lost on the executives in Detroit.
Then again, the original Electra was a full-size sedan, so the Electra badge could be slapped on the back of a full-sized Buick sedan, perhaps cut from the Chevrolet Impala/Cadillac XTS mold. With the death of the Lucerne in 2011, the Buick nameplate in America is now without a large, cushy sedan--something that's long been Buick's bread and butter.
At this point, whether or not either of these cars exist is anyone's guess. But the Electra trademark got us to thinking--why stop there? Buick's history is rife with fun-sounding names for future vehicles. We're partial to the idea of a rebadged CTS Sport Wagon called the Buick Roadmaster, or something — anything--called the Invicta.
What do you think--is it time to start making Park Avenues and Skylarks again? Let us know.
Sources: Bloomberg, USPTO
[polldaddy poll=6326904]


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Marsh Fork Elementary School: Sundial, WV
Marsh Fork Elementary School
Thursday, August 10th, 2006
Reprinted from the Appalachian Voices website.
The Marsh Fork Elementary School in Sundial, West Virginia is located 400 yards downslope from a mountaintop removal mine. Sundial is a community in the coal river valley about 10 miles south of Whitesville. The mining site above the school, operated by Massey Energy, houses the Shumate sludge impoundment. With 2.8 billion gallons of coal sludge held back by a 385-foot-high earthen dam, it is one of West Virginia's largest impoundments. These two photos are of Marsh Fork Elementary School (left), and the 2.8 billion gallon coal sludge impoundment directly uphill from the school.
Coal sludge is created when coal is washed – a process required to remove soil and rock from the coal prior to being shipped. According to the Sludge Safety Project,
"sludge contains carcinogenic chemicals used to process coal. It also contains toxic heavy metals that are present in coal, such as arsenic, mercury, chromium, cadmium, boron, selenium, and nickel."
Earthen dams used to hold back sludge impoundments are notoriously unstable. A Massey Energy dam failed in 2000 in Martin County, KY dumping 300 million gallons of sludge in streams. A more tragic example is the 1972 Buffalo Creek disaster in which, according to the West Virginia Division of Culture & History:
"in a matter of minutes, 118 were dead and over 4,000 people were left homeless. Seven were never found."
Should the earthen dam of the Shumate impoundment ever be breached, there would be less than three minutes to evacuate the Marsh Fork Elementary School before the water reached 6 feet. The maps below show the evacuation area below the impoundment and the approximate depth the to which the floodwaters would rise – 15 feet at the school.
Herb Elkins is one resident of the Coal River Valley that lives with his 8-year-old son attending Marsh Fork Elementary, directly below the impoundment. He finds little reassurance in the emergency response plan, which, in the event of a dam failure, calls for notification of people at risk by "bullhorn."
On June 29th, Mr. Elkins refused to leave Massey Energy headquarters in Richmond, Virginia until Massey responded to his concerns for his son's safety and was arrested for trespassing. Mr. Elkins stated,
"I promised my son that I would not send him back to that school. His health and peace of mind are too important. No child should have to attend class in a climate of fear."
Read the story from the Appalachian Voice here (pdf).Perhaps most unfortunate for the communities around Sundial is that Massey energy intends to vastly expand the mountaintop removal operation up-slope from the town and school. Appalachian Voices has created a virtual flyover of the area around Sundial that employs a 3-D simulation of what the area will look like should the mining operation proceed. Click on the arrow below to view the virtual flyover.
The before and after images below also show how a simulation of what the area will look like after the proposed mountaintop removal operation.Of course, the are around Sundial is far from the only part of Appalachian suffering from the effects and threats of mountaintop removal – there are hundreds of active mines across Appalachia.The images below show the mountaintop removal and valley fill areas above Sundial mapped onto a satellite photograph (left), and that same view zoomed out to show the other permitted mine sites in the vicinity.


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Skimming the forum, I've noticed that over time there have been quite a few discussions which ultimately relate to combat balance: GMs are either unable to create appropriate challenges for their combat-focussed characters, or they are able to create them, but the threats are found to be excessively lethal to weaker Explorers. I thought I would share my thoughts on the matter, as I hope they might prove useful to a GM or two.
Why Not Simply Introduce Stronger Enemies?
To begin, I'll repeat the point made in that old article on Tucker's Kobolds: Simply scaling up the power level of your enemies to give your players a challenge when they become better-equipped and more experienced quickly becomes dull. When your players realise they are using the same tactics to defeat greater daemons they used to defeat lesser ones the game will turn out to be repetitive and uninteresting. Sure, the higher damage output and resistance may be nice, and may make your players feel all Manly (or Womanly) and Heroic, but they are still repeating the same actions time and time again.
I would add that power scaling can become utterly unrealistic. Grave threats, such as Chaos Space Marines and greater daemons, are rare in the Warhammer 40000 universe. Even experienced Explorers, who will probably delve into more dangerous corners of the universe, would not constantly encounter them. Original Space Marine legions were similar in number to the old Roman legions; greater daemons and daemon princes are the focus of entire story arcs - or campaigns. You should not encounter, say, a Bloodthirster on a random encounter roll except in extremely unusual circumstances.
Of course, there is a place for powerful enemies in campaigns, and can make for a thrilling story. However, what is rare should not become commonplace and power creep should be avoided. Chaos Space Marines do not lurk behind every corner and Yu'Vath Sandslimes do not wait in every vault - not even in every Yu'Vath vault. That way, when they are used to give your players a challenge their presence is all the more poignant. In such a setting, facing the terrors of Burnscour or a Rak'Gol assault will be memorable precisely because enemies of such power are not something the Explorers see constantly.
Weaker Enemies as Threats
Fortunately, you don't need to constantly introduce stronger and stronger enemies to give your players a challenge. Even a simple Imperial Guard or PDF force can be a threat if played properly.
The simplest way create such a threat is to use the horde rules from Black Crusade. That's quite a realistic approach, as it represent the dangers of death by scratch damage and lucky shots. It is also useful, as it forces Explorers to consider the weapons they'll bring along, as not all weapons are equally useful against hordes. However, using hordes is still essentially an approach of power scaling, and hence runs the risk of becoming dull (and has the same heroic factor as introducing stronger enemies).
A better way, but one that requires much more preparation, is to have enemies use tactics. Let's demonstrate the point using the Explorers' enemies as defenders. Imagine an Arch-Militant Explorer, tough as nails, strengthened with bionics, and clad in heavy power armour, armed with a thunder hammer, and bashing a bloody path through PDF rebels. Poor little lasgun-armed soldiers will not be able to stand against him.
However, any PDF regiment worth its salt will have anti-armour weapons at its disposal - and even the best-equipped Explorer will not be able to laugh them off. If the poor little soldiers are backed up with a missile launcher or a lascannon emplacement, the Explorer will be faced with the delectable prospect of 3d10 + 10 Pen 10 hits (krak missiles), or even 5d10 + 10 Pen 10 hits (lascannon fire) - something that can threaten even an Explorer wearing Ironclad Power Armour (9 AP, Into the Storm p. 129-30).
Of course, it is possible to quickly eliminate such an emplacement. But what if there are two (or three) of them, situated far enough apart that the distance between them cannot be covered in a single turn, even without ordinary soldiers bogging you down? In that case, the prospect of the Explorer dying becomes a very real possibility - and that's ignoring the possibility of ordinary soldiers being issued krak grenades (which is, um, common sense) and close-range meltagun support.
And let's not even get into the subject of traps: That Arch-Militant isn't so threatening if he falls down a 20m deep concealed hole. In that case, the enemy can send little Timmy the ammo hauler to dump a basket of melta grenades on him at their leisure. Or they can simply let his armour's power supply fail, leaving him helpless and trapped to die of hunger and thirst.
Clearly, rushing into combat in such a scenario is a really bad idea. There might be a way to win - in fact, there probably should be at least one way to win - but it should probably be more complicated than charging with abandon. Think of it as a puzzle, with skill rolls providing more or less detailed hints to players.
What About The Squishier Explorers?
Of course, heavy weapons will reduce anyone who is not well-armoured to a smear on the ground. But that isn't as much of a problem as one might think. Anti-armour weapons, for example, tend to have small clips and long reload times, so they'll probably focus their fire on the most deserving (heavily-armoured) target unless a compelling reason dictates otherwise, such as a psyker blasting half their squad to pieces.
Furthermore, if lightly-armoured characters are fools enough to wade right into the middle of combat they deserve to be turned into a bloody mist or to have to burn fate points to survive. The Charge of the Light Brigade was a terrible idea, and Explorers who want to replicate that achievement should achieve similar results. Using cover, hiding, and lurking at the edges are good options for such characters.
Fragile Characters in Combat; Wider Influences on Encounters
This approach may appear to unduly penalise characters who are not particularly tough. However, this need not be true. In fact, a well-conceived campaign will require the contributions of every Explorer, combat- and non-combat oriented for things to turn out well for them (or, at least, not too badly; after all, sometimes you just can't win).
For example, a fragile character can still be useful in combat. A psyker's powers may turn the tide of battle by harming enemies or supporting allies. A sniper may eliminate the aforementioned heavy weapon emplacements from a safe distance, improving the Explorers' chances of victory considerably. An infiltrator may sabotage the enemy's automated defences, and in general not particularly tough characters with a high damage output can turn the tide of the battle if used at the right place at the right time.
Fundamentally, this is a question of tactics: A wise group of players will learn how to exploit any weaknesses the enemy has, to use their resources and their environment to their advantage. Often, doing so should contribute to success in a substantial or crucial way, if the game is to represent a challenge.
"Weak" Characters and Combat
However, the question of how combat will turn out does not hinge solely on tactics and dice rolls in combat. Often, the course of the battle - or the war - is decided before battle is even joined. In other cases, non-combat actions may at least substantially influence the difficulty of combat. And this is an area in which Explorers who are not focussed on combat may shine.
First, think of the factors which influence a combat encounter. The first question is who the Explorers are facing. That determines the nature, morale, and equipment the foe has access to. Afterward, assuming the enemy is defending, their alertness level is important: Are they expecting trouble? If so, then patrols and checkpoints will be much more dangerous. Do they expect a specific enemy? Do they expect the Explorers specifically? Are they aware of the Explorers' strengths and weaknesses, and have they adjusted their strategy, tactics, and equipment accordingly?
Of course, not every encounter will involve well-prepared enemies. Encounters with unprepared and poorly-equipped enemies should be pushovers. That is only realistic - but enemies may change tactics when they learn the nature of the threat, a fact which the GM can use against Explorers lulled into a sense of complacency by an easy victory or two. The enemy thinks and adapts: That should be made clear when appropriate.
Non-combat oriented Explorers can undertake a variety of activities to weaken an enemy, apart from contributing what they can in combat. In fact, sometimes a battle should not be winnable without their contribution. An infiltrator might have to bluff/seduce/sneak his or her way into an enemy stronghold to sabotage the automated defence systems, causing them to attack friend and foe alike. A Rogue Trader might have to bribe mercenaries into switching sides to have any hope of victory.
The possibilities are almost endless. To illustrate, let us further develop the preceding example. Suppose the aforementioned assault would take place against a base held by hereteks who are in possession of a valuable STC fragment. Nuking the site from orbit is out of the question, as destroying that fragment would cause the Tech-Priests to blow a fuse, and angering the Machine Cult tends not to be wise (plus, it would mean no profit). Let us assume that a frontal assault would be suicidal, so other options are called for.
In this case, skills possessed by the non-combat characters will be crucial.
A halfway credible assault might be used as a distraction for a team to infiltrate the base and steal the fragment. The Rogue Trader would negotiate with the enemy mercenaries to convince them to switch sides (trading off an increasing share of profit factor from the mission for a bonus on the skill rolls). The Seneschal would enter the base disguised as, perhaps, a merchant, and note its layout.
Afterward, the Arch-Militant could realise (on a successful Scholastic Lore: Tactica Imperialis roll) that the enemy base's layout corresponds to a standard Cerinex-pattern underground modular bastion, and would remember that the pattern is notorious for being susceptible to infiltration. One degree of success might reveal that early versions of the pattern gave the enemy easy access via the sewage pipes, but that this flaw is often addressed by installing automated defence systems and sending gun-servitors to patrol them. Two degrees of success might reveal that reactor coolant tubes tend to offer a better, less-defended means of entry, while three might yield valuable information regarding the conditions within the tubes.
Finally, the Explorator might use Scholastic Lore: Chymistry to synthesise enough nephitic acid to breach the vault, and use a Trade skill to disguise the vials as, say, packets of instant noodles which can be sent to an inside contact recruited by the Seneschal.
Even a successful infiltration will still mean combat, giving the combat-oriented characters a chance to shine - for example, when the vault is breached. After all, the enemy will probably figure out what is happening eventually, and despite the diversion, the interior will not be left unguarded. Plus, the characters might not be as clever as they think they are, and might be walking into a trap… this is a particularly handy option if characters botch their rolls, which could mean, for example, that the Arch-Militant recalls a security flaw but forgets that that specific flaw is often addressed in practice. Oops.
Generally, though, a successful skill roll should not give the players complete solutions. Helpful facts, yes, with more and more detail the more degrees of success they achieve, but the players should have to use their brains, plan, and think, too, shouldn't they?
Even if a frontal assault necessarily has to take place, non-combat skills can play a crucial role in making it winnable. Characters can distract and confuse the enemy, poison them, demoralise them, take over base defences, repair and use artillery and vehicles, and so on.
To summarise, the encounters faced by the Explorers and their chances of victory should be influenced by the Explorers' actions. Certain avenues that explorers take might be far more convenient than others (some might mean almost certain failure, permanent or not). Furthermore, a mandatory encounter can be influenced by preparation and by Explorers' non-combat skills to a greater or lesser extent, as the Game Master wishes.
Path Dependence
Particularly canny Game Masters can weave the consequences of tactical and strategic decisions into the wider campaign. To use the previous example, the mercenaries might only agree to switch sides if the Rogue Trader ferries them to another star system. Taking a large number of heavily-armed and utterly unscrupulous mercenaries on board may cause problems, with the mercenaries trying to influence the Rogue Trader's decisions or even attempting to take over the ship. Of course, they might keep their end of the bargain if the outcome of the coup is uncertain and their destination relatively close. Now assume the ship is becalmed by a warp storm for a couple of months…
Types of Skill Rolls; Multiple Solutions
In general, influences on combat can be divided into two types: Crucial and useful. The skill rolls mentioned in the infiltration scenario are crucial: Unless the Explorers create and execute a plan beyond "Charge!" they're not getting the fragment. However, other rolls and actions can make their task easier, but failing to perform them does not render their task impossible. Repairing vehicles and repurposing defence systems, as mentioned before, might be examples of such activities.
The GM should also remember that players are creative: They may come up with a course of action the GM did not foresee. In that case, wing it! Adapt the materials prepared to the new situation, asking for a break if necessary. Nothing becomes dull as quickly as a game in which the GM shoehorns players into one single solution, if they come up with other, equally valid ones. After all, this adaptability is one of the great advantages pen-and-paper RPGs have over computer games…
Impact of Levelling and Equipment
We can also derive the benefits of levelling and equipment from this discussion: As Explorers grow in power, options which were previously unavailable become feasible. Well-trained house troops could make a properly conceived assault a feasible option. Deadlier characters can survive their mistakes more easily, and can choose to fight when weaker Explorers would have to look for other solutions (or flee). Nevertheless, in my view one thing should always remain apparent: The Explorers are not gods. Underestimating the enemy is a good way to ensure failure or swift demise.
A Game Master should not aim to destroy the players. He or she is not their enemy. But the game should remain challenging and interesting. To ensure that, in my view, players have to be challenged, both in terms of combat and otherwise. The victories are much sweeter then, and the campaigns much more memorable. But there is no challenge without the threat of failure, and the players should be aware that recklessness is risky.
Anyway, that's what I have to contribute on the matter. Your thoughts?


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Hi All! I am looking for some specific items for my kids this holiday season. Please take a look at my Wants section on my trade page. I have several elephant ear varieties that I am willing to trade.
C. Violet Stemmed
I also have tons of other plants as well that can be traded. Canna Pink Beauty
Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas!
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Good day gardeners, Last summer we cut down a backyard apple tree that was suffering badly from fireblight. I want to plant a sour cherry tree (north star) this year. Near the apple tree stump would be my preferred spot. Should I worry about fireblight from the stump infecting the cherry tree? If so, does it make a difference if I plant the cherry tree ten feet away instead of right next to the stump? (It's a back yard, not an acreage) Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
Mulberry: Cherries don't get fire blight so no concern there. It might be better planted 10ft away or at least a few feet. But for us backyard growers other considerations usually prevail. So I'd say plant it wherever is best for sun etc. Do remove all of the apple stump that you can if it's rotted. But again I won't spend $$$ removing a solid stump. |
- Posted by MulberryMary 5 (My Page) on Fri, Apr 5, 13 at 11:18
Thanks! Good to know that cherry trees aren't susceptible. I thought since they are somewhat related to apples they might suffer too. |
With cherry, you need to look out for bacterial canker. It is rather common and troublesome. |
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Blog | Comments |
WoW | 6 Comments |
Recent Comments:
Win a pony from WoW.com {WoW}
Apr 15th 2010 11:05PM I want a pony
Enter to win a Creative WoW headset from WoW.com and Creative {WoW}
Oct 14th 2009 11:10PM Yes plz
Enter to win a Creative World of Warcraft wireless headset {WoW}
Sep 17th 2009 4:50AM Pick me
Upcoming mount changes {WoW}
Jun 11th 2009 12:05AM Do you realize something can't be even better than perfect?
If things are perfect as they stand now with mounts at 30, by definition the state of play was worse when mounts were obtainable at 40.
If you're going to make a comment, please try to make it be one that makes some sort of rational sense.
WoW, Casually: What is casual? {WoW}
Jun 10th 2009 3:53AM I have to disagree with the idea that you cannot rate one casual as any better or worse than another. While this works for ultra casuals that play the game in a primarily solo situation and seldom if ever instance, it breaks down when it comes to raids/heroics. There are plenty of self described casual players (myself included) that instance and while we are all having fun (hopefully) the skill varies greatly.
In any random 10 man pug you're likely to have a smattering of over geared/hardcore players who will standout both on the charts and by their demeanor, however the majority of a pug will likely consist of people who would call themselves casual. These groups live and die by whether or not this casual base is mostly folks who:
A) Know the fights already or are good enough listeners to pick things up quickly.
B) Know their specific role well. While someone might not have ideal rotations they do bring enough to fit the needs of whatever content they are attempting.
Just by being casual doesn't mean that the ability to meet these two critieria isn't discernable. Having pugged quite a bit, you start to recognize some of the same faces and tell who is better or worse at the things that make groups work.
Please don't take me to mean that I think any less of people who don't do these things or that they can't enjoy the game in whatever manner they chose. I will say that when someone's personal choices impact how other players enjoy the game, then they really should take the time develope what is really a rather meager skill set to accomplish the goal effectively.
The Queue: The roof, the roof {WoW}
Jun 10th 2009 2:18AM I've seen alot of posts about people starting DK alts on their friends' servers to get a leg up on cash. What I don't get is if you're trying to hang with your friends, you can't find one of them that will spot you the 30-50g to make up for the time you spend?
Seems to me if you're server jumping to hang, then its the time that's important. In addition, it's not as though we're talking about a life altering amount of cash. Personally anyone I know well enough to server hop to hang out with me I know well enough to hook up with 3-4 frostweave bags and 50-100g.


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Blog | Comments |
WoW | 2 Comments |
Recent Comments:
Dev Watercooler: Mists of Pandaria looting explained {WoW}
Mar 27th 2012 7:27PM No, you're not. I have had far more positive experiences trading loot in LFR than negative ones. I think the big difference is simply attitude. That guy won, I lost. If I cuss him out, I never get the loot he's already wearing. So I ask nicely. That thing my mother always told me to do. Well, turns out she was right and people are much friendlier if you ask nicely!
And maybe I was skimming, but did it say that other people int he new loot system would know who got loot? If so, why the hell would they need that information? And if not, why can't I trade the legs I just got for the 5th time, since there is absolutely zero pressure on me to even reveal that I got them?
New Sunwell details from Swedish mag Level {WoW}
Dec 24th 2007 3:44AM Casuals are getting new 5-man content and dailies. Casuals are the majority of the player base and have been getting progressively more attention as Blizzard realizes where the majority of the money comes from. Currently there are badge rewards that are on par or better than T4. Soon there will be badge rewards that are better than T5 and I'm certain when WotLK launches there will be badge rewards on par with T6. Yes, they require a lot of runs to get that many badges. It takes a lot of raid runs to get your tier pieces and you don't get to pick the items that drop. Casuals who complain that they can't get purpz are either not good enough to do heroics, or don't care. Those new badge rewards are easily good enough to fill the difficulty gap between KZ and ZA. Fortunately, KZ gives an incredible amount of badges! So casual raid guilds can do the 10-mans and heroics and still get excellent gear, really nothing to complain about.
The thing that raid instances does do is keep people who would 'finish' the game interested in continuing their subscriptions. Blizzard has found a way to reward both hardcore and casual players. Still there will be people who complain that they aren't being given anything. If you want to see end-game raiding, join a raiding guild. If you don't, or are happy with your friends, get over it. Getting steamed at Blizzard for providing content to everyone and not focusing on casuals is dumb. Relax! Your blood pressure will thank you! Blizzard has had to reconsider their focus because of the casuals, which I consider a good thing. I don't raid every night and I like that there's something other than raiding to do on those off nights that's worth doing. Heroics weren't worth doing because the badge rewards were not nearly as good as KZ loot. Now many are better than KZ and T4 and heroics are worth doing all the time.
Casuals have gotten more and more. I expect Blizzard will continue to cater to casuals because that's who the majority of their subscribers are. So either chill and ride it out, or cancel your subscription and come back in 6 months when there's more casual content.


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August Heat Salmon Derby
Take on the peak of the summer salmon runs at Painter's Lodge this year. Our August Heat Derby takes place through the entire month of August and awards some pretty awesome prizes, so don't miss out!
Every Chinook (Spring) salmon caught at Painter's Lodge and April Point during the derby is automatically entered into the derby. The angler with the biggest Chinook each day will win a prize (per resort).
The person who catches the biggest salmon for the entire month will win the grand prize:
A 3 day/2 night fishing package at Painter's Lodge!
Want to get in on the action?


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Wellness Treatments:
Most Popular in:
Nutrition Treatments
The Mind-body Wellness Connection
By: Simone Baroke
Posted: January 29, 2010, from the February 2010 issue of Skin Inc. magazine.
page 4 of 4
Saint-John's-wort, which rose to global fame as an herbal depression buster, racked up global sales of $216 million in 2008, and a lot of scientific attention is being paid at the moment to the emerging link between diet and depression. A study carried out by University College London and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in November 2009 concluded that people with a diet high in processed foods were much more prone to developing depressive illness compared to those who consumed mostly whole foods—yet another confirmation that eating well is not only good for the body and the skin, but also for the mind.
Peace of mind
The mind-body wellness trend manifests itself in many different ways. For example, many believe organic foods are a healthier option, as they are less contaminated with agrochemicals, have higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants than conventional foods, and are better for the environment. In other words, not only do consumers value organic foods as better for their bodies, but they also afford peace of mind and a clean conscience.
Global value sales of packaged organic foods leapt from $10 billion in 2002 to $23 billion in 2007, and although the recession has stifled the category's growth performance of late, organics are far too important a component of the health and wellness trend to be killed off. In fact, they are the perfect fit for consumers' ever-more holistic definition of wellness, and for spas, as well. With many skin care professionals turning to more holistic ingredients and products, incorporating more organic and natural elements into every aspect of a spa is a smart business move.
Cosmetics and personal care manufacturers are also beginning to run with this trend. Everybody knows of the old maxim that looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand, but some manufacturers have gone further by creating "edible" cosmetics. The use of organic, food-grade ingredients placates consumer worries about being harmed by chemicals. In fact, one niche beauty provider pioneering the organic cosmetics craze has created a line of organic skin care products using food-grade ingredients.
This is just yet another example that mind-body wellness is no mere passing fad, but a blossoming trend that is taking many different avenues to express itself.


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Financial planning
Yes, You Can Save and Invest When You Have Student Loans
The path to prosperity has never been easy, but these days you could argue it's a lot less simple than it used to be. A big factor? Student loans — and lots of them. Today more people are taking on a larger amount of education debt than ever... ➡
How Reality Stars Like Kim Kardashian Make Millions
Starring in a reality television show won't guarantee the big bucks necessarily; but by building their brands, expanding their empires and hustling any and every sales opportunity possible (Kim Kardashian actually opened a bathroom for money... ➡
The Simplest Way to Manage Your Money
There are so many formulas you learned growing up that seem so irrelevant to everyday living. But one that most people didn't learn — and still don't know — is how much money you should be spending on things like rent, car payments, and food, and... ➡
7 Top Money Management Apps
Keeping a balanced budget can help you stay on track and sleep better at night. But if your money-management system requires sifting through piles of receipts and retrieving cash from various pockets and purses, it's time to reconsider your... ➡
5 Times to Talk to a Financial Advisor
People meet with me on a daily basis about money. It is the primary reason I have employment: People need to know what to do with their money. They want to know how to make it work for them, how to save it, how to invest it, even how to spend it.... ➡
Should You Consolidate or Refinance your Student Loans?
When it comes to student loans, there's a lot of confusing — and conflicting — information out there. You want to make smart decisions about your loans, but sometimes the right answers aren't obvious. For a lot of people, it's much easier just to... ➡
Is a College Education Worth It? Depends on Who You Ask
Is it worth investing in a college education? A story last month by David Leonhardt in The New York Times said, unequivocally, yes. "The pay gap between college graduates and everyone else reached a record high last year, according to new data... ➡
Will Power: 4 Essentials for Planning Your Estate
Before having kids, my idea of a will was based on what I had seen in the movies. There was the dramatic "reading of the will" scene where someone is surprised by a huge inheritance or devastated by being left out. Then there were the movies where... ➡
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The promoter and trader of an unregistered commodities pool in Nebraska has been ordered by a federal judge to hand over $387,000 in funds. Michael Welke of Omaha must comply with the injunction after the CFTC implicated him in an alleged Ponzi scheme that defrauded 130 investors out of $4.7 million. Along with Welke, his associates Michael Kratville and Jonathan Arrington are also subject to the agency's suit.
The CFTC alleges that from 2005 to 2008 Welke, Kratville and Arrington operated a fraudulent commodities scheme centered on futures and foreign currency trading. The trio formed the companies Elite Management Holdings and MJM Enterprises to solicit investors in the Omaha area. Purporting to be veritable wizards in metals and forex, they boasted upwards of 72 to 90% annual returns. Although the venture was formed in 2005, the men claimed they had consistently achieved monthly yields of over 3% since 2002, an unparalleled feat of time travel. All this was due to their supposed development of a special proprietary program that guaranteed stunning profits with no more than 10% risk to investor principal.
Yet according to the CFTC, Welke and friends proved a total flop at trading in a bull commodities market, ultimately losing $3 million of the $4.7 million they had raised from investors. The regulatory authority says they went on to pay out $850,000 in false returns while misappropriating another $700,000 for country club memberships and golf junkets. To sustain the alleged fraud, the team is said to have provided clients with false account statements detailing imaginary gains.
One must at least grant that the MJM trio had a fruitful imagination. Welke's partner Kratville would regale potential investors with stories of his friendship with Warren Buffett, telling them that the oracle of Omaha's very own children had entrusted their money to the group. Their company was staffed with nine out of ten of the world's top traders, crack specialists who worked around the clock. And best of all, Welke & co. had received several multimillion-dollar offers on their business. None were accepted, however, because MJM sought most of all to "help the small guy get his kids through school and remain entirely proprietary."
Welke must disgorge $257,000 in fraudulent transfers in addition to paying a $130,000 civil penalty. The CFTC case against Kratville and Arrington is ongoing.
- Company: Elite Management Holdings, MJM Enterprises
- Job: Commodities Trader
- Alleged Scam: Off-Exchange Forex, Metals
- Profits: 36-90% per year
- Ponzi Time: 2005-2008
- Amount of Fraud: $4.7 million
- Evidence: Material Misrepresentations
- Number of victims: 130
- Location: Omaha, NE
- CFTC Complaint: Multiple Violations of Commodity Exchange Act
- Court: U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska


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Tue, Aug 17, 10 at 17:02
Not sure if this is the right place to be posting this but I just thought I would let everyone know..that there is a round robin that was just started today on the Violet Reflections board. It is for 36 named varieties of leaves. Check it out, if your interested in joining. |
Follow-Up Postings:
The address for the board is: http://www.violetreflectionsforum.com for anyone who wants to join. Let me know what username you sign up with and I can validate your account (I'm a mod there) |
- Posted by raven_ladybug (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 10:31
I just made an account with the username of Raven. This is very timely, as I was just talking to a gentelman from your forum who said I should come there. Have a wonderful day! Raven |
Raven--Just validated your account :-) |
Raven, I will add you to the Robin list as soon as you send me your info. Glad to see you joined us. |
- Posted by loveviolets (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 19:23
I just signed up and look forward to the group.My username is luvviolets wilma |
- Posted by raven_ladybug (My Page) on Fri, Aug 20, 10 at 9:30
Thank you, I am looking forward to meeting everyone there! I am not ready to join the Round Robin though. I don't even know what that is exactly yet... |
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Evanston Ordinances
All Northwestern students are members of the larger Evanston community. We are proud of the campus-city partnership that exists within our community. Students should have a good understanding of the City of Evanston ordinances and codes which can be found on the City of Evanston's website.
Northwestern University has jurisdiction over conduct that occurs "in the off-campus residence of any University student or on any street or area contiguous thereto or on premises subject to the jurisdiction of University Police, whether on or off University property".
- Disturbing the Peace Ordinance
- Housing Ordinances (Occupancy of Dwellings Unites, Residential Landlord and Tenants Ordinance, and Evanston Property Maintenance Routine Inspection Process)
- Nuisance Premise Ordinanc
- Parties and Social Hosting (Noise Prohibited, Consumption of Alcohol, Age Restrictions, Sales to Minors, Public Nudity, and Social Host Law Ordinances)


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(I am posting this question at several forums to get a wider disimenation of my question and hopefully a wider response) I'm gathering information for a paver installation around a pool and was wondering how high above the coping I should set my pavers to that after using a plate compactor the coping and pavers will be at the same height. The only thing I've found so far is to install a few pavers letting them stick up 1/4", run the compactor over them and see how they settle. If the pavers end up too low or too high, adjust the sand bed up or down. I guess with different sands in different parts of the country and with different pavers, the compaction will vary so 1/4" is a starting point. I just hate the thought of renting a compactor for an hour just to check and see how much extra I should leave above the coping so everything ends up even. I'll need a compactor for the aggregate base so if I guess I could get a small area ready and use the compactor before returning it. When all pavers are installed, get the compactor again for a day and run it over everything all at once at the end. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is 1/4" too high for a starting point? I have no idea how much 1" of sand will compact with pavers on it. |
Follow-Up Postings:
No one can answer your question honestly. 1. They do not know the type of soil you have. 5 people will say 1/4" 1 will say no one can tell you honestly how high above the adjoining surface they will need to be. |
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QUOTE: "Men experience many passions in a lifetime. One passion drives away the one before it." -- Paul Newman
What a day in sports Monday — from the Donovan McNabb trade to the Tiger Woods press conference to the Final Four. The game last night was amazing, and Duke deserves to be national champion, although Butler proved to all of America that five working together is always better than one. In a team sport, Butler played beautifully as a team.
On a more somber note, please take a moment today to think of the 25 coal miners who lost their lives in an underground explosion in West Virginia.
The Rams are still on the clock
The Rams announced to anyone and everyone that they're willing to listen to offers for the first overall pick in the draft. Their behavior reminds me of the first season of "The Sopranos," when Uncle Junior told Tony at the Sit Tight Diner in Jersey City, "Next time you come here, you better come heavy or don't come at all." The Rams want a boatload for the pick, so unless a team "comes heavy," they won't trade the pick.
I get their words but not their actions. Why would the Rams trade the pick? They desperately need a quarterback, and they know that any team that "comes heavy" would only come to acquire a quarterback. With the release of Marc Bulger yesterday, it's clear they must find their quarterback of the present and future (yes, I know they signed A.J. Feeley). From my perspective, there seems to be a disconnect inside the Rams — which, if you know anything about their history, disconnect is often how they've done business in recent years.
But most of you are thinking, why not trade down a little, get a "heavy load" and perhaps pick Texas quarterback Colt McCoy in the second round, modeling the move after what the Chargers did years ago. Instead of selecting Virginia Tech quarterback and universal No. 1 pick Michael Vick, the Chargers ended up with players and draft choices that became LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees. The results of their efforts were sensational, but remember, they went through some lean years with LT and Brees. And starting quarterback Philip Rivers would not be in San Diego if the Chargers had been happy with the play of Brees. It was not until Rivers was selected that Brees became the Drew Brees we have come to know. So this notion of trading down might look good on paper, but unless the organization is prepared to go through some lean years, it might not be the best course of action.
I've been a part of many draft rooms, some that have gone "all in" (1985 for Jerry Rice) and traded for one player and some that have traded down and collected players (1986 in San Francisco, where we ended up with eight starters), and the recurring theme of both centers solely on the talent of the player a team is either moving away from or moving toward. In the case of Sam Bradford, I believe he is the most talented quarterback in the draft — by far. He's so uniquely talented that if the Redskins, under the leadership of Mike Shanahan, had the first pick in this draft (which I'm sure they're trying to acquire), Bradford might already be signed. Shanahan realized that the better deal was to trade for McNabb instead of dealing with the Rams' request for a heavy load.
Bradford is someone a team can build a franchise around. He has worked under center more than many might think, and his ability to throw the ball accurately and on time is very impressive. And assuming the Rams run the offense that highlights his skill set, like the Jets did with Mark Sanchez (had the Rams realized Bugler was not the man last year, Sanchez would be on their team now), then he will develop quickly into a fine pro player. Will Bradford make the Rams successful next year? Hardly, but he gives them hope for a fresh start. He gives them an extremely talented player at the most important position on the field, something that is more important that having an average player at the most important position. The Rams do not need more average, they need real quality.
What makes the selection of Bradford appealing to the Rams is that he's telling his agents to embrace playing for them, not to play the "wait-and-see game" that most agents want to play this time of the year. Bradford "the player and the leader" is in control, not his agent in terms of where he plays. The money stuff he'll let them handle, but he's controlling his own future, which is important for any young leader.
Is Brandon Marshall next for the 'Skins?
With the fourth pick in the draft, if I were the Redskins, I would select Russell Okung. But there seems to be some talk the 'Skins might make a play for Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall. This is not to suggest they would trade the fourth pick overall to the Broncos for Marshall, but they could trade down in the draft, collect some other picks, and use that for Marshall. Denver wants a first rounder for Marshall, not necessarily a specific first. If the 'Skins want to make a deal, there are many ways to get it done and still end up with a pick in the top 60 to get an offensive lineman.
One thing is for sure -- the Brandon Marshall sweepstakes will either heat up in the next week or so or he'll be back in Denver.
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Mike, a little review of drafting history shows that almost every single team has shopped the first overall pick. It's a poor value in the salary cap era. Not entertaining offers would be the stupid thing for any franchise. But it'll be surprising if the Rams don't end up with Bradford and that would/will be a good step for the franchise.
I will never understand why every single article about this draft seems to just take for granted that Suh and McCoy go 2 & 3. Both Tampa and Detroit just invested heavily in their QBs of the future and both could easily stand to upgrade the LT, especially the Lions since Stafford got so dinged up last season. I understand that both coaches are more focused on the other side of the ball as the way to improve both franchises, but both picks are hardly the slam dunks that seem to be expected. And if either team DOES pick Okung, that will definitely hurt the Skins unless they can find a partner with whom to trade down into a better value O-line pick.
Speaking as a Tampa fan, i don't think the Bucs will draft an OT high. They tendered LT Penn at the highest level, & will likely make do with him & RT Trueblood for anther year.They will likely address OT later in the draft.
Penn has begun the past two seasons actually playing pretty well, but as the year wore on each season, he porked up & got out of shape & his play deteriorated.Trueblood is just OK as a player, & makes a lot of costly mistakes in the penalty department.His spot is likely targeted for an upgrade.The
team has a crying need for a DT. UT is the key position in the cover//tampa2 scheme.
Just IMHO, of course.
The Lions need a DT more than a LT. It seem to me that Stafford will feel more pressure playing on a team that gives up a touchdown or fieldgoal on every possession than he will getting rushed on third down. After a team gets up by two scores against the Lions, they can rush the passer on more downs - and no LT in the world will keep his shirt clean when that happens.
The Lions need to solve their historically bad defense.
Mike J,
I agree that Tampa has a HUGE need at DT and is less likely than Detroit to take Okung, but I just think that it is worth mentioning that either team could very easily buck the conventional "wisdom" with its pick. All three players are certainly worthy, but Washington better have a plan B if Okung isn't there since neither of the DTs make sense for them AND there doesn't appear another player truly worth the 4th pick.
I'd like to see the Redskins trade down, swapping picks with the Bills at #9 and Buffalo providing the Redskins with their 2nd round pick in 2011. According to the draft trade chart, the 4th pick is worth 1800 points, while the 9th is worth 1350. A 2nd rounder in the top half is in the 400 point range to get a deal done.
Obviously I am writing from the perspective of a Bills fan and I'd like to see Buddy Nix make a bold move for the consensus top LT in this deep draft. I don't believe Okung has visited Orchard Park, so that would follow a long history of teams that do not meet with the player they end up selecting.
If certain assumptions are made, the Rams trading down makes perfect sense, and they shouldn't even demand that much in return.
Assumption #1 - The Rams would not trade with anyone seeking a QB
Assumption #2 - No other team trades up into the range of picks between #1 and wherever the Rams end up.
Some team may easily be very high on Ndamukong Suh, considering he is widely considered the #1 prospect in the draft. The Rams control with whom they trade picks, thus they could trade with a team with an established QB that is high on and wants Suh. They just would not be able to trade down too far, likely down to #8 or higher. Each team drafting ahead of Buffalo already has an established QB or has made free agency moves to get one (although Seattle is still risky to move past).
Let's say Tampa Bay REALLY wants Suh. They could trade up to the #1 pick to get him, probably not giving up much in the process (a 5th rounder?) and not even have to pay him much more than they would pay McCoy at #3. Meanwhile, unless a team traded with Detroit to get Bradford, he would still be there at #3, and at a slightly cheaper price.
Or, lets say that Kansas City decides they want Suh or Okung to fill their needs, so they trade down to get him. Again, unless a team trades with Detroit, Tampa or Washington, Bradford would still be there at #5 for the Rams to take. It would be VERY risky if they do truly want Bradford, but if they're not sold on him, then they could take the risk, and possibly reap major rewards through additional picks or by getting him much cheaper at a lower spot.
I'm just sayin'.
Darren, regarding the bills, wouldnt it make a lot more sense to trade up to select Clausen? 2 main reasons: the first is that there is a lot more tackle depth than quarterback depth in this draft, and also, buffalo sorely needs a quarterback. Tackles are nice, but their value is not nearly comparable to a quarterback...why buy an expensive alarm service if there's no house?
Rob, it's a valid point, but I believe we should get the trenches straightened out first. I think there's a risk that at #9, we might miss out on one of the top 4 tackles. As for pick #41, Cam Thomas at NT would be ideal. Yes, Clausen might be the best available pick, but what do you do with him? Start him Week 1 with Demetrius Bell at LT? Okung is rock solid, can be our LT for 10 years (One Bills Drive must be prepared to pay him a boatload though). And I believe waiting on a QB is prudent. Start Fitzpatrick in 2010 and if he takes hits, so be it. He's tough, does what's asked of him (get the ball downfield, blocks for RBs),
We've heard about Gailey coaching up Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, and Tyler Thigpen. Why can't he coach up Fitz? And with Okung or Bulaga at LT, a strong interior of Levitre, Hangartner, Wood, Cornell Green at RT I think he will be protected much better than last year. Trent Edwards had adequate time in the pocket in Weeks 1 and 2, before Butler went down. And speaking of Trent, I'd just as soon cut him and let him move on elsewhere. He's maintained his terrible attitude from last year (insulting columnist Jerry Sullivan during OTAs last week) and he lost the job to Fitzpatrick anyway. The two concussions (at least the one against the Cards in 08) have led to skittishness in the pocket that an NFL QB cannot afford.
Taking a look at some of the top young QBs as well as established veterans, it's clear that discretion when choosing a QB is the better part of valor. In the season immediately prior to selecting Matt Ryan, the Falcons Week 1 starter was Joey Harrington. Year before McNabb, Philly had the illustrious duo of Bobby Hoying and Koy Detmer. Dan Orlovsky and Jon Kitna preceded Matt Stafford. Tommy Maddox was the Steelers QB before Ben. Kyle Boller and an injured Steve McNair (RIP) led to Joe Flacco.
The 2011 NFL year may well have a rookie salary cap that makes taking a top QB more amenable to the front office. And better QB prospects to boot.
I'm one of those that feel Tebow belongs with the Bills. If they could somehow manage Okung and Tebow-I know that it's easier said than done-I think it would bring some real dynamic to the Bills.
I'm a Pats fan and I miss the Bills being good. Those big games in impossible weather with the crazy fans in the driving sleet and snow. Temp 1 degree with wind all over everywhere.
They need a break in Buffalo. They're due to get lucky and I hope this the year for them.
Good for the league for a team with such spirit to rise again.
As a "Bradford" myself, it's nice to see a quarterback doing my name well. YES! The Rams absolutely need to take him. I told a friend of mine who's a Rams fan the other night that the football gods have been punishing them since they let Kurt Warner go so this is a way to make "penance" if you will. As for Brandon Marshall, if my Broncos want him back, I'll take him. We can still do well with him. Thanks again, Lombardi. ALMOST BUTLER!!!
To me, the biggest reason that the Rams should try and trade down is that this is probably the last year in which the top picks will get require a stupid amount of money to sign. No matter how good scouts think Bradford is, it is far from a certainty that he will end up being a franchise QB. I would much rather trade for a likely high number one next season and maybe a 2nd or 3rd this season to lay the foundation for the future instead of making the last huge gamble before a rookie salary scale takes effect. Mistakes on high first rounders are what have kept some of the lesser franchises (like the Rams) down in recent years.
Thanks for response Darren.
I would not start Clausen the first year. Let him learn the game and keep healthy. The thing is, even if you were to take Okung, you are unlikely to go anywhere with a great tackle and no qb this year anyhow (assuming Fitzpatrick is not the answer--I'm not sure about his upside but i haven't heard anyone suggest he's the long-term answer for them, despite Chan's coach-em-up potential. Also, I would hope my long-term answer at QB is better than Fiedler, Stewart, or Thigpen).
So I think if you can take Clausen, take him, sit him for a year and get your stud LT next year. Or, take an LT in the second round but stay conservative with Clausen either way.
Your list of all those qb's just supports this point. In each case you suggested a team that vastly improved after drafting a potential franchise QB. For what it's worth, I also don't think Tebow will be around at Buffalo's slot in the second round.
QBs are so important and in such high demand, that I think you have to go for them when you have the chance and wait on the other stuff. The chance may not come around again so soon.
Yep, the Rams are keeping their options open. Obviously they'd be happy with a boatload in trade for the #1 pick, but if that doesn't work out they still get the top QB in the draft, whatever the dollar cost.
I've got a few things.
First and foremost, Mike, I was really surprised when you said the 49ers got 8 starters out of the '86 draft so I had to look it up. A few of the players turned out to be average guys, but the fact that you were able to get 8 starters out the draft is amazing. Not to mention the fact that you were able to get Tom Rathman, John Taylor, Charles Haley, Steve Wallace and Kevin Fagan. That has to be one the most productive draft classes of all time for any team in the league.
Second thing, I'm not convinced the Rams are looking for a "boat load" in exchange for the top pick. I think BIll Bates 40 has a good point about this being the last year that rookies will get ridiculous amounts of money. I don't think it's such a horrible idea to scrape by for a year with a below average QB (possibly Feely) and avoid a 6 year multi-million dollar deal on an uproven rookie. Every year there seems to be a potential franchise QB. They can always go for another QB next year for probably half the money. Why push it this year and pay top dollar on a guy that not everyone thinks is hands down the best player in the draft.
That being said, I don't think the Rams can afford to let the top pick go for less than a boat load now that they released Bulger. There's no way they can justify cutting him loose if they don't get a decent replacement for him. Before Bugler was cut I would say a trade makes sense. But now that Bulger is gone, I don't think there's anyway they're moving down unless they only drop a few slots to get an additional second rounder and then go for Clausen.
I went on a bit of a rant and perhaps did not see the forest through the trees. My point is that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the short-term solution for 2010 and only 2010. In 2011, target a QB. It would be clear to the entire NFL what the Bills would be doing. The risk of going back to Trent Edwards is...what if they go 9-7 and he's above average? Then you have a real conundrum on your hands.
I don't think the Bills have to solve every problem in this draft. Gailey and Nix have so many holes to fill that time is on their side, so long as the team is moving in the right direction. Trading up for the best LT in the draft is a bold move that can be "sold" to the fans.
My point with the list of QBs is that those teams were willing to sacrifice the short run for long-run success. They didn't panic and say, "oh we can't go into the season with Joey Harrington or Tommy Maddox. We've got to find somebody in this draft."
Bill Bates,
We may disagree about Vick but you are on target here. St. L has a huge incentive to trade down, namely money. That's one reason they cut Bulger. Of course, that's the same reason other teams will be leery of the first pick. It's not like Suh or anyone else is a consensus All Pro either. Nice players who can come in and start, but at what price?
You're also right that the Redskins will be totally screwed if Detroit takes Okung, which is not beyond the realm of possibility. Their only out may be that some team will want to move up and grab Suh/McCoy.
I think Mike is delusional if he thinks the Redksins will ship a number one to Denver for Marshall. If they manage to trade down, that number one will go for a LT and whatever else they get may go for OL also. I keep saying there is an opening for a trade with Denver involving some combination of Campbell, Cooley and Moss. Fans would not like losing Cooley but Fred Davis emerged as a very good receiving TE last year.
I have one question: how in the world did 'gets the ball downfield' and 'Ryan Fitzpatrick ever end up in the same paragraph?
Penn actually playing pretty well I like him very much
Hype the pick & trade down . Lombardi you have said before the Rams are the least talented team in the NFL. I think this falls under putting the cart before the horse . They need to try & get as much talent as possible in my opinion . The top pick for a player who was injured most of last season is a silly high risk financially & in building the franchise . They probably won't be able to trade down anyway but if they could they should pounce . I don't even think the other team should have to come that " heavy " . I think of when the Texans had the number one overall pick a few years back. Reggie Bush was the sexy pick but they took Mario Williams for less coin . I think that might be the way they should go . Maybe they trade for their qb like Houston did in landing Schaub . I really feel Suh is the pick here if they can't trade down . Its less risk & less money as well .
Why not have the Rams trade for Jason Campbell, pick one if the tackles and take Colt McCoy in the 2nd?
Lots of insights...well thought out by everyone!
Doesn't the draft make men crazy...NOT KNOWING??
I love it!
If Denver is able to get #1 draft status from say Seattle or swap picks with someone and give back a QB (QUINN or ORTON), that would be a good Day- McDaniels was high on Brandstater...then went and got Quinn, so...
Wait and see is the name of the game!
NFL Professor