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VIEWS: 369 PAGES: 9 CATEGORY: Emerging Technologies POSTED ON: 12/4/2010
(IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 Extraction of Information from Images using Dewrapping Techniques Khalid Nazim S. A., Dr. M.B. Sanjay Pande, Research Scholar, Professor and Head, Singhania University, Department of Computer Rajasthan, India. Science & Engineering, VVIET, Mysore, India. Abstract-An image containing textual Notepad or MS word document. The information is called a document image. The experimental results were corroborated on textual information in document images is various objects of database. useful in areas like vehicle number plate Keywords: Dewrapping, Template Database, reading, passport reading and cargo container Text Extraction. reading and so on. Thus extracting useful I. INTRODUCTION textual information in the document image An image may be defined as a two plays an important role in many applications. dimensional function f(x, y), where x and y are One of the major challenges in camera spatial co-ordinates and the amplitude of f at document analysis is to deal with the wrap and any pair of co-ordinates(x, y) is the intensity or perspective distortions. In spite of the gray level of the image at that point. When x, y prevalence of dewrapping techniques, there is and the intensity values of f are all finite, the no standard efficient algorithm for the digital image is composed of finite number of performance evaluation that concentrates on elements where each has a particular location visualization. and value. These elements are called picture Wrapping is a common appearance document elements, image elements, pels and pixels image before recognition. In order to capture [7][14].Image processing can be broadly the document images a mobile camera of categorized into two classes. The first category 2megapixel resolution is used. A database is takes images as input and gives the images as developed with variations in background, size output. The other category takes images as and colour along with wrapped images, blurred input and gives the attributes of images as and clean images. This database will be output. The entire processing can be listed as: explored and text extraction from those (i). Image enhancement- It involves document images is performed. In case of manipulating an image so that the result is wrapped images no efficient dewrapping more suitable than original for processing. techniques have been implemented till date. (ii). Image restoration- It involves improving Thus extracting the text from the wrapped the appearance of an image based on images is done by maintaining a suitable mathematical or probabilistic model of image template database. Further, the extracted text degradation. from the wrapped or other document images (iii). Colour image processing- Colour can be will be converted into an editable form such as used as factor or basis for extracting features 101 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 Although they cannot replace scanners, they are of interest in an image. small, light, easily integrated with various networks (iv). Compression- This reduces the storage and more suitable for many document capturing tasks in less constrained environments. These required to save an image or bandwidth to advantages are leading to a natural extension of the transmit an image. document processing community where cameras are (v). Morphological image processing- It deals used to image hardcopy documents or natural scenes with the tools for extracting image components containing textual content [12]. that are useful in the representation and Cameras in an uncontrolled environment description of shape. have triggered a lot of interest in the research (vi). Segmentation- It deals with the community over the last few years and many partitioning of an image into constituent parts approaches have been proposed. However, there has namely autonomous and rugged segmentation been no satisfactory work presented for dewrapping techniques so far. Wrapping is a common [7] [4]. appearance in camera captured document images A document is a bounded physical or [13]. It is the primary factor that makes such kind of digital representation of a body of information document images hard to be recognized. Therefore with capacity (and usually intent) to it is necessary to restore wrapped document image communicate. Document image processing and before recognition. The documents captured from understanding has been extensively studied cameras often suffer from various distortions, like over the past 40 years that has carved a niche out non-planar (wrapped) shape, uneven light shading, of the more general problem of computer vision motion blur, perspective distortion, under-exposure because of its pseudo binary nature and the and over-exposure. But current Optical Character regularity of the patterns used as a "visual" Recognition (OCR) systems do not deal with these representation of language. In the early 1960s, distortions when applied directly to wrapped optical character recognition was taken as one of the camera-captured document images. first clear applications of pattern recognition and Images when captured will suffer from today, for some simple tasks with clean and well- distortions such as noise, blur and so on. In order to formed data document analysis is viewed as a perform operations on document the distortions solved problem. Unfortunately, these simple tasks have to be removed. Noise removal and blur do not represent the most common needs of the removal is done using filters. There are several users of document image analysis. The challenges types of filters available among them the Gaussian of complex content and layout, noisy data and filter is the most efficient filter. Gaussian filters are variations in font and style presentation keep the a class of linear smoothing filters with the weights field active. chosen according to the shape of the Gaussian Traditionally, document images are scanned function. The Gaussian smoothing filter is a very from pseudo binary hardcopy paper manuscripts good filter for removing the noise drawn from a with a flatbed, sheet-fed, or mounted imaging normal distribution. Gaussian functions are device. Recently, the community has seen an rotationally symmetric in two dimensions i.e. the increased interest in adapting digital cameras to amount of smoothing performed by the filter is the tasks related to document image analysis. Digital same in all directions. In image sharpening the goal camcorders, digital cameras, PCcams, PDA's is to highlight fine details in an image. That is, to (personal digital assistant) and even cell phone enhance details that have been blurred. Fine details cameras are becoming increasingly popular and they in the frequency domain correspond to high have shown potential as alternative imaging devices. 102 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 frequencies, thus the use of high-pass filters for or semantic content but the text within an image sharpening [3] [10]. image is of more interest as it describes the Text detection refers to the contents of the image. It can be easily determination of the presence of text in a given extracted compared to the semantic contents. A frame (normally text detection is used for a variety of approaches to Text Information sequence of images). Text localization is the Extraction(TIE) from images and videos have process of determining the location of text in been proposed for specific applications the image and generating bounding boxes including page segmentation, address block around the text [2][7]. Text tracking is location, number plate location and content performed to reduce the processing time for based image or video indexing. Text extraction text localization and to maintain the integrity system has various applications such as of position across adjacent frames. Although portable computers, content based the precise location of text in an image can be video/document coding, license plate indicated by bounding boxes, the text still recognition and video content analysis. To needs to be segmented from the background to enhance performance of text information facilitate its recognition. This means that the system it is advantageous to merge various extracted text image has to be converted to a sources as proposed by Keechul et.al. binary image and enhanced image is then used Portable digital cameras are now used for text extraction. Text extraction is the stage for digitalizing documents and as a fast way to where the text components are segmented from acquire document images taking advantage of the background, enhancement of the extracted their low weight, portability, low cost, small text components is required because the text dimensions etc. Several specific problems arise region usually has a low-resolution and is in this digitization process. Rafael et.al, prone to noise. addressed the inherent problems of document II. LITERATURE SURVEY image digitization using portable camera. Jian Liang, et.al. proposed a method that is Their work was based on an issue that focused on analyzing text and documents documents make use of translucent paper in captured by a camera which is known as such a way that back-to-front interference was camera-based analysis of text and documents. not observed. Also when a document image is Camera based document analysis is more taken from the camera the strobe flash causes flexible to provide capability to capture an uneven illumination of the document. information for visual communication, Marginal noise, not only drops the quality of indexing, reading graphical text in web pages. the resulting image for CRT screen In camera based analysis of text and visualization, but also consumes space for documents, sources of images used are paper storage and large amounts of toner for printing, based, printed handwritten documents, journal which alters the segmentation algorithm of the etc. Scanner based process provides good optical character recognition and thus affects reference and starting point, but they cannot be the response obtained in the number of used directly on camera-captured images. characters and words correctly transcribed. It Content in an image can be perceptual assumes that the background may be of any colour or texture, provided that there is a 103 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 colour difference of at least 32 levels between direction of curl and variable line spacing. The the image background and at least one of the optical character recognition error rate from RGB components of the most frequent colour wrapped to dewrapped documents was reduced of the document background (paper). Two from 5.15% to 1.92% for the dataset collected. different experiments were set to evaluate lens The approaches for document image distortion. The first one is visual inspection by dewrapping can be divided into two main humans, while the second one is based on categories based on the document capturing analyzing the effect of the compensation of methodology: one in which specialized lens distortion in optical character recognition. hardware arrangement like stereo camera is In monochromatic images no required for 3D shape reconstruction of iconographic or artistic value saves storage wrapped document and the other approach in space and bandwidth in network transmission. which dewrapping method is designed for The binarized preprocessed documents image that is captured using single hand-held lowered the number of character substitution camera in an uncontrolled environment. and it has also raised the incidence of insertion Faisal Shafait presents an overview of errors due to spurious noise inserted in the the approaches based on evaluation measure image. This paper presents ways to and the dataset used. The methods used are significantly improve the visualization of continuous skeletal image representation for images whenever displayed on screen of CRT document image dewrapping, Segmentation or LCD or printed. based document image dewrapping, Celine and Bernard presented the Coordinate Transform Model (CTM) and solution which is independent of scenes, document rectification for book dewrapping. colours, lighting and all various conditions. Dewrapping of documents captured from Their algorithm was based on multi-hypothesis hand-held cameras has triggered a lot of text extraction. interest and thus many approaches have been Yu Zhanga et.al. proposed an proposed to achieve that. However, there has algorithm based on binary document images been no comparative evaluation of different which considers the horizontal text that is dewrapping techniques so far. A dataset of 102 mostly present in both Arabic and Chinese documents captured with a hand-held camera characters. Wrapped document images should were created and made freely available online. have text lines with a main direction of A text-line, text-zone, and ASCII text ground- horizon. Thus several pairs of key points when truth for the documents in this dataset were mapped using Thin Plate splines(TPS) will made. The results showed that the CTM restore the original image based on an presented by Wenxin Li et al. performed better interpolation algorithm[5][8]. than the other two methods, but the difference Syed Saqib Bukhari et.al. used a was not statistically significant. Overall, all novel dewrapping approach based on curled participating methods worked well and the text-lines information, which was extracted mean edit distance was less than 1% for each using ridges based modified active contour of them. model (coupled snakes). This dewrapping Based on the literature survey our technique is less sensitive with different main aim is to recover document images. 104 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 Hence the proposed technique was applied on this information involves detection, localization, gray scale document images and is based on tracking, extraction, enhancement and recognition several distinct steps like an adaptive of the text from a given image. The data samples document image binarization, a text line and for text extraction were captured as image from a word detection, a draft binary image 2Megapixel mobile camera with a resolution of dewrapping based on word rotation and (960 X 1280). The size of each image captured shifting and finally a complete restoration of varies between (60 – 80KB). The variations of text the original gray scale wrapped image guided present in the images captured will be due to by the binary dewrapping. The problems variations in size, style, orientation and alignment encountered are background removal, skew followed with a low image contrast and complex often found in the image in relation to the background. photograph axes, as documents have no fixed The images that were captured are mechanical support in the document image. manually classified/ categorized into blur, A. DATA SAMPLE DESCRIPTION clean and wrapped images as shown in Fig 1. Text data present in images and video contain useful information for automatic annotation, indexing and structuring of images. Extraction of Blur Images Clean Images Wrapped images Figure 1: Blur Images, Clean Images and Wrapped images III. IMPLEMENTATION text extraction phase, the text in the document image is detected, localized and finally extracted The process is divided into three main phases into editable form. namely preprocessing phase, dewrapping phase 1. Pre-processing Phase: The experimental and the text extraction phase. In preprocessing setup for capturing an image containing text phase, the quality of an image is enhanced. In requires a 2Megapixel mobile camera which is dewrapping phase, the wrapped document images placed at a standard distance. The measuring (the images which are captured from the scale is used to measure the distance of an cylindrical objects surface) are dewrapped. In the 105 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 image from the mobile camera. Further, the text boundaries. Towards the second step, a fine intensity of light is also varied. The images are dewrapping is achieved based on words detected. captured in a controlled environment at the All words pose as normalized guide lines by the distances of 10cm, 13cm and 15cm lower and upper word baselines. respectively. 3. Text extraction Phase: Text data present in 1.1 Preprocessing with Different Image images and video contains useful information for Documents: Preprocessing involves several automatic annotation, indexing and structuring of steps which are presented in the following images. Extraction of this information involves section. In preprocessing we tend to remove detection, localization, tracking, extraction, noise, blur operation and sharpening as shown enhancement and recognition of the text from a in Figure 2. given image. 2. Dewrapping Phase: Dewrapping is a two-step However variations of text due to differences in approach at the first step, a coarse dewrapping is size, style, orientation and alignment as well as low accomplished with the help of a transformation image contrast and complex background make the model that maps the projection of a curved surface problem of automatic text extraction extremely to a 2D rectangular area. The projection of the challenging. curved surface is delimited by the two curved lines which fits the top and bottom text lines along with the two straight lines that fit to the left and right Pre-processing Phases Converting the input RGB Converting gray image to Blur removal: Sharpening: image into grayscale image: binary image: h = fspecial(type) h = fspecial('unsharp', I = rgb2gray(RGB) BW = im2bw(I, level) alpha) B = filter(A,H) Figure 2: Block diagram of preprocessing V. ALGORITHM Stage 1: Convert the input RGB image into Stage 2: Convert grayscale image into binary grayscale image: image: (The RGB values are normalized to a single Stage 2.1: BW = im2bw (I, level) gray scale value. Grayscale images are distinct The output image BW replaces all pixels from one-bit black-and-white images, which in the in the input image with luminance greater than context of computer imaging are images with only level with the value 1 (white) and replaces all other two colours black, and white [bi-level images]). pixels with the value 0 (black). 106 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 Stage 3: Blur removal: to the style in which characters are represented Stage 3.1: h = fspecial (type) in the given document image as illustrated in (Creates a two-dimensional filter h of the figure 3. specified type. fspecial returns has a correlation INPUT DOCUMENT OUTPUT EDITABLE FORM kernel, which is the appropriate form to use with IMAGE imfilter.type is a string having one of the following values: average, disk, gaussian) Stage 3.2: B = imfilter (A, H) (Filters the multidimensional array A with the multidimensional filter H.) Stage 4: Sharpening: Stage 4.1: h = fspecial ('unsharp', alpha) (Returns a 3/3 unsharp contrast enhancement filter. fspecial creates the unsharp filter from the negative The letter 'I' could not be of the Laplacian filter with parameter alpha. where matched with the template 'I'. alpha controls the shape of the Laplacian and must be in the range (0.0 to 1.0). The default value for alpha is 0.2.) Stage 5: Dewrapping: Based on the background of the image, different approaches have been proposed for document image dewrapping. These approaches can be divided into two main categories based on the document capturing methodology: (i) approaches in which specialized hardware arrangement like Since the degree of wrapping is stereo camera, is required for 3D shape high, the letter 'T' could not be reconstruction of wrapped document and (ii) matched. approaches in which dewrapping method is designed for image that is captured by using single hand-held camera/Mobile in an uncontrolled environment. In our present work, we deal with the second approach using Mobile phones where documents are captured using mobile on curved surfaces [8]. VII. SPECIAL CASES The digit '8' has high degree of We have also worked with certain typical wrapping. Thus 8 is recognized as special cases where recognition of character '5'. was not highly relevant to the one present in the given document image which is mainly due Figure 3: Typical Special Cases 107 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 VIII. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Typical results on the various operations of the proposed approach are as shown in Fig.4. C. Text localization: Fig 4.5 Bounding box for the text in the document image A. Input Image: Fig 4.1 The input document image D. Text Extraction: Fig 4.6 Characters extracted individually B Preprocessing: Fig 4.2 Input image, Motion blurred image, Gray image, Sharpened image E. Editable document: Fig 4.7 Text converted into editable format B.1.Noise Removal using bwareaopen Fig 4 .3 Input image without noise Figure 4: Various Operations performed IX. CONCLUSION Image processing is a method that has wide applications in disciplines related to a researcher's preview. In the present work, we B.2. Binary image: have taken up an interesting concept of Fig 4.4 Gray image converted into Binary image document image analysis in a broader sense but we have restricted ourselves to text wrapping. In specific, document analysis plays a very important role in image processing since any information present that has to be 108 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500 (IJCSIS) International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, Vol. 8, No.8, 2010 authenticated will be in a form of document Conference, Vietri sul Mare, Italy, 2009, proceedings. Volume 5716 of Lecture Notes in only. Thus in the present problem, we have Computer Science, pages 471-480, Springer, 2009. used a concept of template matching to [3] B. Gatos, I. Pratikakis, K. Kepene, S.J. evaluate the text present in an input image with Perantonis, "Text detection in indoor/outdoor scene images," in: Proc. 16th IEEE international database of characters that have been taken as conference on image processing, pp: 127-132, 2009. a knowledge during the process of training. [4] S Jayaraman, S Esakkirajan, T VeeraKumar, Image wrapping or dewrapping may "Digital Image Processing," ISBN: 0070144796, McGraw-Hill Education, India, 2009. be implemented using texture mapping by defining a correspondence between a uniform [5] Celine Mancas-Thillou, Bernard Gosselin "Natural Scene Text Understanding. Computer polygonal mesh and a wrapped mesh. The Vision and Image Understanding," Volume 107, Issue 1-2, pp: 97-107, 2007. points of the wrapped mesh are assigned the [6] Stephen J.Chapman,"Mat lab Programming for corresponding texture coordinates of the Engineers", 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill Education, uniform mesh and the mesh is texture mapped 2007. [7] Rafael C. Gonzalez, Richard E. Woods, "Digital with the original image. Using this technique, Image processing, Publishing House of Electronics- simple transformations such as zoom, rotation An Approach-Effect of an Exponential Distribution on different Processing", Second edition, 2005. or shearing can be efficiently implemented. This paper provides various tools to [8] Aleksander Recnik, Gunter Mobus, Saso Sturm,"IMAGE-WRAPP: A real-space restoration play with images and also opens up new method for high-resolution STEM images using quantitative HRTEM analysis," Elsevier, 2005. avenues in the areas such as text extraction and detection. Typically the approach is focused to [9] Wenxin Li, Jane You, David Zhang: "Texture- based palm print retrieval using a layered search convert the input document image, that is text scheme for personal identification," IEEE (which might be a text present in an image) Transactions on Multimedia, Volume 7, Number 5, pp: 891-898, 2005 into its gray image constituents. Before performing any operations the present paper [10] Yu Zhang, Shie Qian and Thayananthan Thayaparan," Two new approaches for detecting a takes into consideration the various pre- maneuvering air target in strong sea-clutter," Radar Conference, 2005 IEEE International, pp: 83-88, processing stages such as blur, cleaning and 2005. sharpening to cognize a knowledge base. The algorithm designed for the present work is able [11] Keechul Jung, Kwang in Kim, Anil K. Jain,"Text Information Extraction in Images and to identify the alphanumeric text into its Video: A Survey," Pattern recognition, volume37, issue 5, pp: 977-997, 2004. relevant values i.e. its alphabets (capital A-Z & [12] Jian Liang, David Doermann and Huiping Li." small a-z) and numerals (0-9) that can have the Camera-Based Analysis of Text and Documents: A properties of skew also. Survey," International Journal on Document Analysis and Recognition, Volume 7(2+3), pp: 83 -- REFERENCES 104, Springer-Verlag 2005. [1] Syed Saqib Bukhari, Faisal Shafait, Thomas M. [13] Faisal Shafait, Thomas M. Breuel, "Document Breuel, "Ridges Based Curled Text line Region Image Dewrapping Contest," In proceedings of 17th detection from Gray scale Camera-Captured ICPR, Volume 1, pp 482-485, 2004 . document Images," 13th Int. Conf. on Computer analysis of Images and Patterns, CAIP'09, Munster, [14] Rafael C. Gonzalez, Richard E. Woods, Steven Germany, 2009. L.Eddins,"Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB," Prentice Hall, Pearson education, 2004. [2] Fabio Caccia, Roberto Marmo, Luca Lombardi., "License Plate Detection and Character Recognition," In Pasquale Foggia, Carlo Sansone, Mario Vento, editors, Image Analysis and Processing - ICIAP 2009, 15th International 109 http://sites.google.com/site/ijcsis/ ISSN 1947-5500


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Re: Re: Where do I edit my sig?by damian1301 (Curate) |
on Sep 02, 2001 at 23:28 UTC ( #109772=note: print w/ replies, xml ) | Need Help?? |
That doesn't work either. If you would have checked, the just edits my scratchpad and my homenode...not my signature.
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Dr. Roch Chan-Yu-King has been a member of the USAO faculty since 1988. He teaches Foundations of Physical Science, Organic Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II.
King's publications include Improving the Floatability and Cleanability of Ultrafine Coal by the Use of Anionic Surfactants and Solid-Liquid Phase Transfer Catalysis for the Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Curriculum.
King holds several patents that include A Process for the Preparation of Dideuteriomethylene Chloride and Reagents to Optimize Removal of Pyritic Sulfur and Ash from Fine and Ultrafine Coal by Filtration Processes with Optimal Weight and BTU Recovery.
In addition to his classroom responsibilities, King is a chemical consultant for Diatron Corporation in San Diego for pharmaceuticals and is a science judge for The Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science.
He is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Oklahoma Academy of Science. He received the Carbondale's Dissertation Research Award from Southern Illinois University and the Centre National de Recherche Scientific (CNRS) Fellowship.
He is fluent in French (mother tongue), English, Malagasi and Chinese (Cantonese).
Before coming to USAO, he was a postdoctoral research fellow, teaching assistant and participated in numerous research projects from Illinois to France.
Dr. Sean Kelley has been a member of the faculty at USAO since 1999. He is an associate professor of physical education and teaches Kinesiology, Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries, Fundamentals of Individual Sports and Golf. He serves as an advisor to the physical education majors.
Since becoming a member of the USAO faculty, Kelley has served as president, treasurer and vice-president of the USAO Faculty Association and has been a member of several committees that include Superior Teaching Award, Library, Curriculum, Academic Meet and Student Disciplinary.
Kelley is a member of the National Association of Physical Education in Higher Education; American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and is a tribal member of the Bad River Band of Chippewa Indians.
Kelley also studied at the Scandinavian Institute for Physical Culture in Denmark. He enjoys competitive golf, ice hockey and running and even trained with an elite-level hockey team and lived in Sweden.
Robert Newbrough has been a member of the USAO faculty since 2002. He teaches all accounting courses as well as Principles of Finance, and occasionally dabs in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Newbrough is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a retired Captain of the Chickasha Fire Department. He is a governmental accounting expert witness, and the treasurer for the USAO Alumni Association. He prepares income tax forms for business and individuals and does compensation plans design, costing, and consulting for various labor organizations within Oklahoma.
Dr. Chris Walker has been a member of the faculty at USAO since 2004. He commonly teaches Elementary Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Learning and Motivation, Advanced Research Methods, History of Psychology and Social Psychology.
Dr. Walker's research has traditionally examined social/cognitive factors that influence academic motivation and achievement including perceptions of belonging, the adoption of achievement goals, and hope. His publications have been featured in the Middle Grades Research Journal, Learning and Individual Differences, Social Psychology of Education, Educational Psychology, and the Journal of Educational Research.
Dr. Walker is a member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), American Psychological Association (APA), and the Oklahoma Psychological Society (OPS). He was awarded the USAO Regent's Award for Superior Teaching in 2006 & 2011 and the Regent's Award for Scholarly Research in 2010. He is also a faculty co-sponsor of the Psychology Club and Psi Chi and serves as the chair of the USAO Symposia and University Assessment Committees.
Before coming to USAO, he was a graduate research and teaching assistant at the University of Oklahoma.
Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity. -- Aristotle
Ph.D., Mathematics Education, University of Oklahoma, 1993
MA, Mathematics, University of Texas, Austin, 1973
BA, Mathematics, Agnes Scott College, 1971
Dr. Vicki Ferguson serves several roles as professor, director of teacher education and chair of the Division of Education and Speech-Language Pathology at USAO. She has been a full-time member of the USAO faculty since 1988. She also was an instructor in the mathematics department at USAO from 1975-1980 and an adjunct faculty member in the Division of Mathematics and Division of Education from 1987-1988.
Ferguson was an instructor in the Applied Problem Solving Institute and Summer Math Academy at Oklahoma City Community College. Before coming to USAO, Ferguson taught math at Chickasha High School and Anderson High School in Austin, Texas.
She is on the advisory board of A+ Oklahoma Schools and is the president-elect of the Oklahoma Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. Ferguson was the conference chair of the OACTE/OCTP/OATE Fall Conference in 2009. She served as an OACTE representative during the Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. in 2009 and 2010 and during the Oklahoma Legislative Day on the Hill the last two years.
She is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association.
Ferguson has attended AACTE National Meetings in Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and San Diego. She was a team member of the Oklahoma State Accreditation Team of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 2008.
She has presented to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference seven times, the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of Mathematics twice and the Oklahoma Education Association District Meeting twice.
Outside the classroom, Ferguson enjoys organizing and leading one of the interactive learning stations at various Earth Day/Resource Day events sponsored by the Grady County Conservation District. She also served as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years.
Danny Bice is the educational interpreter at USAO. He has been a member of the staff since 1998.
Bice interprets for classes at USAO, as well as special events. He works in the Division of Education and Speech Language Pathology at the college. The division includes the early childhood, education of the deaf, elementary education and speech-language pathology fields of study.
Dr. Hector has been a full-time faculty member at USAO since 1998. Before joining the USAO faculty full-time, she worked as an adjunct faculty member for the college. She also has served as a teacher, director of school and director of preschool at Epworth Christian School in Chickasha and as a teacher at Alex Public Schools and Rush Springs Public Schools.
She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Oklahoma Association for the Early Childhood Teacher Educators, American Association of University Women, Reading Teacher International, Grady County Reading Council and the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma.
In 2009, Hector released a children's book title Juniper, a story about an inauspicious elf, eager to find his niche in life. The 103-page book is published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises and is available at their website -- www.tatepublishing.com and at the USAO Bookstore.
She is a member of the Superior Teaching Award Committee, Teacher Education Committee, Curriculum Committee, Faculty Association Tenure Committee and Library Committee at USAO.
Hector has two children and lots of nieces and nephews who have given her inspiration for her stories. She lives in Chickasha with her husband, dog, and two cats.
B.A., Economics, University of Tulsa, 1992
Ph.D, Economics, University of Tennessee, 1997
A member of the USAO faculty since 1999, Dr. Long is an economic historian whose primary areas of interest include colonial American economics, the 19th century American Industrial Revolution, women's labor history, and Institutional Economics. Before coming to USAO, she taught at the University of Tennessee as a graduate instructor, and at Keene State College in New Hampshire. She has published or presented on a wide variety of topics, including the history of New Deal job creation in Tennessee, feminist participatory research methods, NAFTA-related job loss in the South, and the dangers of right-to-work laws.
In conjunction with her role as Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Core Curriculum (IDS), Dr. Long teaches several IDS courses, including Rhetoric adn Critical Thinking, The Individual in Contemporary Society, American Civ I, American Civ II, World Thought II, and World Thought III.
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Long serves as the faculty advisor for the USAO Feminist Collective and as a member of the coordinating committee for the Emerson-Wier Liberal Arts Symposium and the Giles Symposium on Citizenship and Public Service.
She is a member of the Association for Evolutionary Economics and the International Association for Feminist Economics and also serves on the board of the Women's Service and Family Resource Center in Chickasha.
"They don't call economics The Dismal Science because it's fair.... They call it that after Sir Eustace Dismal, the 18th century English economist who proposed making smokestacks out of children. It was a very interesting proposal but ultimately flawed. I mean, if you make the smokestacks out of children who will you force to clean them? It's referred to as 'Dismal's Paradox.'" John Hodgeman
Wendi Ferrell joined the USAO faculty in 2008. Before USAO, she was the leadership and recruitment coordinator/program supervisor for Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb. She coordinated the Washita Valley Leadership Program, was the trainer for the Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute and served as the self employment training coordinator. She also served as a program supervisor for the culinary arts, school nurse, hotel and restaurant management and criminal justice programs.
Her previous work experience includes working as an adjunct instructor at Western Oklahoma State College and full-time faculty member in the business department at Southwest Technology Center in Altus and Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.
Ferrell was named the 2007 Outstanding Educator of the Year -- Oklahoma Association for Career and Technology Education, Customized Business and Industry Training Services. She also was named the Mt. Plains Region Teacher of the Year for 1998-99 and the Oklahoma Business Education Association Teacher of the Year 1998-98.
She has been a member of the Association of Career and Technology Education (ACTE); Oklahoma ACTE; Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, CBITS Division; ACTE/CBITS, and the Administration Division of the Oklahoma ACTE.
"We all have possibilities we don't know about. We can do things we don't even dream we can do." - Dale Carnegie
Dr. Lee Hester has been a member of the USAO faculty since 2000. He teaches Tribal Government and Law, History of Federal Indian Law, Justice and Federal Indian Law, Theories of Sovereignty, Contemporary American Indian Issues, American Indian Identity, Native American Philosophy, Pan-Indianism, American Indian Art, American Indians in Film, American Indian Economics, Casino Management, Plains Indian Warfare, Removal, Native American Contemporary and Traditional Literature, Wichita Clemente, Chickasaw Clemente, Kiowa Tribal Government and American Indian Education.
Hester is the director of American Indian Studies and director of the Meredith Indigenous Humanities Center. He is the advisor to all American Indian Studies majors and is a faculty advisor to American Indian student organization on campus.
Hester has been published in numerous American Indian journals, newspapers and newsletters that include American Indian Wars on the Solver Screen, On Philosophical Discourse andCeremonial Worlds and Environmental Sanity. He also has published a book entitled Political Principles and Indian Sovereignty.
He was awarded the Presidential Award of Excellence for Environmental Protection Services in 1973 by President Richard Nixon.
In addition to his classroom activities, Hester is the Cultural Committee chair for the Oklahoma Choctaw Tribal Alliance Inc., is a founding board member for the Oklahoma Association for Healthcare Ethics and is a member of Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, the American Philosophical Association and the American Indian Philosophical Association.
Before coming to USAO, Hester taught at Oklahoma City University, Lakehead University and the University of Oklahoma.
"It is high time that the ideal of success should be replaced by the ideal of service." - Albert Einstein


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November 3rd, 2014
Initial coverage of our GOTV work!
The Sun: BUILD Plans Aggressive City Get out the Vote Drive,
and the Afro: 250 BUILD Leaders in Large "Get Out the Vote" Northeast Baltimore Effort
Posted in News | No Comments »
October 31st, 2014
BUILD Hits the Streets to Get Out The Vote: Eyes on 2016
Baltimore, MD, October 30, 2014. Hundreds of leaders of BUILD (Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development) from over 30 congregations and schools will rally Monday night and help get out the vote Monday and Tuesday. The organization is hitting the streets to demand attention for Baltimore from the future governor and to prepare for extensive electoral work around the 2016 elections.
Want to join in? Call the BUILD office at 401-528-0305
Want to cover this event? Great! Scroll down for a press summary and contacts.
BUILD leaders are concerned that the gubernatorial candidates have paid the city little attention throughout their campaigns. The future governor will have a prominent role in issues important to Baltimore and BUILD, such as education funding, 21st century school construction, and statewide strategies to increase employment. BUILD's response? "BUILD is going door to door, house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood to show that Baltimore votes. Baltimore counts," says St. Matthew's member and BUILD leader Carol Augustine.
"Politicians listen to people that vote – especially groups of people that vote," says the Rev. Andrew Foster Conners, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair, and Pastor of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. "BUILD has seen this consistently." The 37-year old organization has won its largest victories by engaging thousands of voters and gaining commitments from candidates. These victories include 1,200 affordable homes, the first living wage in the country, College Bound Foundation, the Child First Authority, and $1 billion for the construction of 21st century city schools.
Next week's actions are a warm-up for a bigger effort. "Our campaign for the 2016 elections starts now," says the Rev. Glenna Huber, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair. "We are sending a message to every candidate running for mayor, city council, and state-wide office. BUILD will be a leading force in voter engagement citywide, promoting a strong, resident-driven agenda."
Monday November 3rd at 6pm, over 200 volunteers will gather for interfaith inspiration and training, and then disperse to surrounding Northeast Baltimore precincts. They will remind people to vote and arrange for rides the following day if necessary. Tuesday November 4th, 150 volunteers will door knock, phone bank, and drive voters to the polls.
What: Election Eve Rally, followed by Get Out The Vote door to door canvassing Mon. Nov. 3 and Tues. Nov. 4
Who: Hundreds of BUILD leaders from 30+ congregations and school communities throughout Baltimore
When: Nov. 3: Rally 6-6:45pm, followed by GOTV.
Nov. 4: rolling GOTV efforts from 6:30am to 8pm
Where: St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21239
Why: BUILD members will encourage registered voters to exercise their rights at the polls on Nov. 4, 2014 to show Baltimore counts
Contacts: Ojeda Hall, Lead Organizer, BUILD, 443-253-9338, email@example.com
Rev. Glenna Huber, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair, 443-529-7302, firstname.lastname@example.com
Fr. Joe Muth, Pastor, St. Matthew's R.C. Church, 443-850-6938, email@example.com
Posted in News | No Comments »
October 31st, 2014
BUILD Sept Newsletter
*Leaders Step Up to Act on Our Agenda!*
*An Invitation to BUILD U – Citizen & Leader training*
*Team inspiration: JOHNSTON SQUARE*
*Upcoming Events*
Click here to Read All About It!
Posted in News | No Comments »
October 31st, 2014
BUILD asks: Why won't the city take care of Ambrose Kennedy Park?
Story by Danielle Sweeney of the Baltimore Brew, July 30, 2014 at 11:15 am
subtitle: Residents say they've rolled up their sleeves to fix the long-neglected east Baltimore park – city says it's helping, denies foot-dragging
How long does it take to get a park maintenance schedule from Baltimore's Department of Recreation and Parks?
This is not a trick question.
If you are Terrell Williams, an organizer with Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), and the park is Ambrose Kennedy in east Baltimore, apparently, the answer is one year and counting.
get the rest here
Posted in News | No Comments »
May 16th, 2014
Over 1000 leaders of MD IAF tell Md. gov. candidates: We want a public relationship, not a 'booty call'.
Check out the Washington Post coverage of our recent action as leaders from BUILD (Baltimore City & County) and sister Industrial Areas Foundation organizations PATH (Howard Co.) and AIM (Montgomery Co.) demand a response from gubernatorial candidates to their 5000 person listening campaign. Click here for the post.
Posted in News | No Comments »
April 17th, 2014
MD IAF Gubernatorial Accountability Forum: Wednesday, May 14th, 7-9 PM, St. Matthew's Catholic Church
Our Listening Campaign Requires a Response from our Gubernatorial Candidates!
BUILD has listened to over 5,000 residents throughout Baltimore City and the surrounding counties. Please join us as the Gubernatorial Candidates respond to the top issues we heard.
Leaders from BUILD (Baltimore City and County) and sister Industrial Areas Foundation organizations PATH (Howard County) and AIM (Montgomery County) will come together:
Wednesday, May 14th, 2014
at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Baltimore, 21239
Posted in News | No Comments »
April 17th, 2014
BUILD in the News: "The Mayor, the Money and the Meeting"
Check out WYPR's recent coverage of BUILD's work on jobs: "The Mayor, the Money and the Meeting"
Posted in News | No Comments »
April 17th, 2014
BUILD in the News: "Angry BUILD leaders blast Mayor for not supporting jobs program"
Check out the Baltimore Brew's recent coverage of BUILD's work on jobs: "Angry BUILD leaders blast Mayor for not supporting jobs program"
Tags: Media
Posted in News | No Comments »
April 16th, 2014
BUILD in the news: "Mayor says she won't fund job-training program, sparking debate"
Read more about the Baltimore Sun's coverage of BUILD's recent efforts to get Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to come to the table on a jobs strategy for Oliver and Baltimore: "Mayor says she won't fund…"
Tags: Media
Posted in News | No Comments »
April 8th, 2014
Press Statement: Don't Arrest Me, Hire Me
BUILD Gets "NO" From Mayor on Jobs Proposal for Oliver, BUILD leaders gather to strategize response
Baltimore's residents are crying out for living wage work. Over the last three months, BUILD leaders from over 40 congregations and schools across Baltimore City conducted a massive listening campaign to ask more than 5,240 Baltimoreans about the top challenges facing their families. The number one response was jobs.
BUILD has a proposal that would put Baltimoreans to work immediately. Since July of 2013, BUILD leaders had been working with the Mayor's office to develop a proposal to put 50 residents of the Oliver community to work in a pilot transitional jobs program that could be replicated across the city. BUILD has committed $1.2 million dollars to fund the majority of the program, and asked the Mayor to invest $594,000 over three years to get the program fully funded. BUILD has been waiting for over five weeks for the Mayor to respond with a date to meet about this proposal. "She can't find $200,000 to invest in unemployed Baltimoreans that would come back to the City in income taxes? That's sad," says Mr. Melvin Wilson, leader on BUILD Citywide Jobs Team. "It's a public-private partnership designed by the neighborhood that pays for itself. What more does she want than people taking responsibility for their own neighborhood?"
On April 8th, BUILD leaders will gather with our unemployed brothers and sisters seeking work to demand a meeting from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on the number one issue for Baltimore's citizens. "We are angry with this Mayor. We are tired of what this Mayor is not doing," says Rev. Marshall Prentice, Pastor of Oliver-based Zion Baptist Church. "So we will do what we have to do until we get a response. If she doesn't like our plan, then what's her plan? We've got to get Baltimore working and we want a meeting about it."
No Way Forward Without Jobs
Local pastors and residents see the consequences of unemployment in Oliver – and other communities in Baltimore – everyday: crime, drug dealing, and violence. "I was recently incarcerated, and I saw people come back into prison because they couldn't support themselves when they got out," says Dominic Rabey, a member of Oliver-based Zion Baptist Church who is working with BUILD to make this jobs program work. "I need a job, bad. I have to work."
Rev. Calvin Keene, pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Oliver who has fought with BUILD to redevelop the community for years, agrees: "If you try to separate public safety from jobs, you're going to fail. All these programs they're looking at now are the same things we've done before, just with a different name. It's time to do the hard work of looking at the big issue: jobs."
Baltimore incarcerates the largest percentage of residents of any major American city. It costs $36,500 to imprison someone at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Through BUILD's proposal, the City could help adults enter sustainable career paths for $11,887 per trainee. Wages paid to trainees would reinforce the local economy.
A Proposal Rooted in A Record of Success
The proposed program is based on years of successful "development unusual" by BUILD in East Baltimore. For more than a decade, BUILD has worked with The Reinvestment Fund to redevelop the Oliver neighborhood, attracting over $40 million dollars of public housing funds, decreasing the abandonment rate by 67% and raising the median income by 54%. 82% of workers employed in Oliver by TRF are Baltimore residents, and 55% are African Americans.
BUILD's jobs proposal is different from other employment programs because it is tied to an actual job. The pilot program would serve 50 adults from Oliver and local neighborhoods over 3 years. After a brief orientation, participants would get trained on job sites, receiving tools, uniforms, a living wage paycheck at $10.69 an hour and a variety of social supports to help workers succeed. The one-year training program leads directly to apprenticeships with the International Painter's Union. BUILD has already lined up $1.2 million to fund the almost $1.8 million program.
"BUILD's program is real and it works," says Tyesha Tucker of Zion Baptist Church, a leader on the BUILD Jobs Team. "It starts with a job at the beginning of the day, and at the end of the day are the supports and services to maintain that job." By offering a living wage, this program will provide a strong alternative to the underground economy. BUILD developed this program as a strategy to reduce crime in the area while continuing to rebuild the neighborhood.
In 1995, BUILD led the passage of the first "Living Wage" in the country, a model that has now been replicated around the world. BUILD is committed to a long-term focus on jobs to create again the kind of transformational change on the number one issue facing Baltimore.
This campaign for local employment is one step in an ongoing campaign to increase real- opportunity employment for Baltimore residents. Baltimore residents do not need development as usual, construction projects flush with public subsidies and tax dollars with weak minority and local hire rates. We need public officials aggressively pursuing large scale training programs connected to the real construction jobs coming to Baltimore.
Posted in News | No Comments »
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States confront meth-lab threat to environment
Do-it-yourself labs can turn homes into hazmat zones. Some US states have enacted laws to address the risks.
Hotel rooms, apartment complexes, and homes aren't your typical toxic waste sites. But then, methamphetamine isn't your typical drug.
The drug – which makers often cook up in their kitchens using household chemicals and tools – is potent enough to transform homes into hazmat zones. When law officers bust a meth lab, the drugmaking materials are carted away. But what happens next to such former sites – numbering more than 100,000 across the country – varies dramatically.
Some states, led by Colorado, have enacted tough regulations that require former lab sites to undergo a formal safety assessment – and more cleanup, if needed – before they can be reinhabited. The laws are prompted by the extreme toxicity of the chemicals used to cook meth, and suspicions about the long-term effects of chemical remnants in the air and on surfaces. Other states mandate home sellers to disclose the presence of former meth labs.
The patchwork of state approaches reflects the uneven spread of the drug, the potential costs of cleanup, and concerns about setting safety standards in the absence of definitive scientific research, experts say.
"Until we fully understand what the potential health effects can be, we feel that it's better that states are more proactive as opposed to reactive," says Shawn Arbuckle with the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Better safe than sorry, he adds.
Cooking meth just once contaminates a building with traces of acids and iodine in the air, as well as large amounts of meth on surfaces ranging from sofas to ventilation ducts, according to research done at National Jewish. Hydrochloric acid is an irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, and iodine can trigger asthmatic reactions, says Mr. Arbuckle.


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But the alternative text links would be nice for your users, because not everybody has images on.
The search engines follow the <a href= - as said by Duckula.
So SE's will find your pages even if the only links are from graphics.
The second consideration is that SE's determine what your page is about by a number of factors including page content, titles and link text. So linking with text gives your page extra weight for that phrase.
If you have a graphical menu use the alt text on the image - I have no proof but think that SE's will count this text (less than with plain text but every little helps).
Additionally a footer with plain text links will help - it maintains a good internal linking structure, gives the SE's plain text to use. It also becomes useful to many web surfers who instinctively visit the bottom of pages for certain info - like contact details, sitemap etc.
So in summary - it's not necessary but helps.
Rollover script causes bloat - more difficult.
HTML basic graphic links are less cumbersome.
Text based links based on relevant keywords are most se friendly.
And have that link to a page called dvd_store.htm


text:
ViewsWatchers |
Shelsley Walsh is a small village in Worcestershire, England at the top of a the western valley side of the River Teme. Its population at the time of the 2001 Census was just 31, but the village's name is widely known among motorsport enthusiasts because of its association with the Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb, which has been run since 1905. [edit] Research Tips


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ConstantIn fly fishing it can seem there are very few constants. Especially when it comes to the weather. The only constant I can think of, is that the truly nice days are far too few. We filmed two very different days in mid-February, and put this movie together for those on the fence about whether or not to fish based on some possible unpleasantness. One sunny, warm, and pleasant. The other dark, cold, and windy. In those two days we found a fly fishing constant. Definitely not the weather, but the river, and more importantly, the fish.
PA Undercurrent Outfitters
Web site:
Martin Joergensen


text:
A maniac turns over a nightclub by brutally murdering its topless dancers, all the while videotaping the monstrous deeds. Two clumsy cops are called in to investigate, and what follows is a tedious string of Q & A's that only leads to more T & A. None of it is to be taken seriously though as one woman has cunnilingus performed upon her by a Pomeranian named Pee Wee, a clairvoyant seeks psychic vibrations by sniffing a girl's panties, and the alleged killer is supposedly possessed by an Egyptian god who has it in for felines.
Director Michael Paul Girard has made quite a career out of this kind of direct-to-video drivel, and even though he has a tongue-in-cheek approach it by no means saves his stuff. Girard is also responsible for: "Sweet Evil," "Bikini Med School," "Shadow Dancer" and "Witchcraft 7 & 9."
Posted on August 29, 2005 in Reviews by Christopher Curry
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text:
We stayed one night in this hotel and were very pleasantly surprised. It's located in a very nice place, near the forrest, a lot of nature in the vicinity. The room we had was very spacious, with a balcony facing a lot of trees. The breakfast was simple, but we were really bought by the fact that upon departure the... More
Germany >
Hesse >
Bad Soden-Salmunster
Price Range (Based on Average Rates):
Hotel Class:3 star — Gartenhotel Triest 3*
Number of rooms: 17
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline and Odigeo so you can book your Gartenhotel Triest reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Gartenhotel Triest Germany/Bad Soden-Salmunster


text:
Quentain Family Photos
Find Quentain records
Find birth, death, marriage, military, and other Quentain records at Ancestry.com.
Search for Quentain recordsLatest Photos
We couldn't find any Quentain family photos, if you have any to share with the community, click here. Return to this page to find Quentain pictures as they are uploaded by the community. Here are the latest photos upload to AncientFaces:


text:
Dog bites are fairly common, and no matter how sweet-tempered you think a dog may be, it is always possible that a canine may bite. If you have a dog or are around dogs it is important to know what is the best dog bite treatment in the case that you or someone near you is bitten. Follow these tips in the case of a dog bite:
Secure the situation.
Move the bite victim to a safe location and ask someone to control and remove the dog. If your are the dog's owner, instruct someone else to remove the victim as you control the dog and log it up. After the dog is secure go to the bite victim.
Control Bleeding.
Put pressure on the wound and have the victim lie down. As you hold pressure to the bite area, elevate the body part where the bite is. Elevating an injury above the heart decreases blood flow to the area and reduces bleeding.
Visit the emergency room.
Assess the wound to see if it may need stitches. If the edges of the wound do not naturally touch, if there is skin loss or the bite looks ragged, then stitches will be needed. If the bite is on the hands or face you should see a doctor for stitches to eliminate scarring.
Clean the wound.
Once the bleeding has stopped you should clean the wound. Pour hydroperoxide over the wound and then wash it with antibacterial soap and warm water. Do not be afraid to clean inside the wound, though it may hurt the victim it is important to remove all dog saliva from the bite.
Dress the bite.
Put antibiotic ointment over the bite and wrap clean dressings around the wound. The dressings should be tight, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Change the dressings regularly and reapply antibiotic ointment to the bite.
Watch for infection.
As you change the dressings, carefully look for signs of an infection. If you see any redness, swelling, pus or feel heat near the wound you should take the victim to the doctor immediately.
Get a rabies shot.
Always ask the owner of the dog if the dog has had its rabies shots. If it the dog has not been vaccinated for rabies or you do not know who the owner of the dog is, get a rabies shot. Rabies is fatal to humans and it is not worth risking infection.
Prevent Dog Bites in the future.
To prevent dog bites you should never have a dog breed that is not compatible with your family situation. Aggressive dog breeds should be avoided, and always socialize and train your dog from puppyhood. Stay away from unfamiliar dogs, and when approaching dogs never use quick motions or come down from above. Always ask the owner of a dog if you cat pet the animal before you do so, and if a confrontation occurs with a dog do not make eye contact, don't run and don't scream – these actions only encourage a dog to attack. Don't approach a strange dog as it is eating, sleeping or caring for puppies and never leave children with a dog unsupervised.


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Horse Tack - Western Saddle Pads
The all-new Wrangler® SMx H.D. (Heavy-Duty) Air Ride and Twenty X™ SMx H.D. (Heavy-Duty) Air Ride Saddle Pads contain the lightweight and breathable SMx Air Ride core introduced by Professional's Choice in 2004. This innovative saddle pad core is compression resistant and has been proven to allow a free flow of air and evenly distribute pressure across the horse's back.
While both the Wrangler® and the Twenty X™ H.D. Saddle Pads have the compression resistant, breathable core of the well known SMx Air Ride Saddle Pads, they are also distinctive in their own way. The Wrangler® SMx H.D. Air Ride Saddle Pad has a durable 100% wool Navajo blanket that helps to prevent saddle slippage and an Orthopedic felt lining for the horse's comfort. The Twenty X™ SMx H.D. Air Ride Saddle Pad has an attractive, densely weaved 100% wool Navajo Blanket top and a 100% Merino Wool lining which wicks moisture away from the horse's back, keeping the horse at a cooler more comfortable body temperature.
These two saddle pads were definitely created with the working cowboy in mind. Both are available in two sizes and four unique color combinations.
Call Professional's Choice at 800-331-9421, or visit them on the web at www.profchoice.com to locate your nearest dealer.


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Cheap bed and breakfast in Ambleside. For cheap breaks, stay in cheapest bed breakfast, bed and breakfasts or bed and breakfast in Ambleside Crook UK.
Find cheap Skelwith Bridge bed & breakfast accommodation, cheap bed and breakfast hotels and cheap self catering accommodation. Elterwater cheap bed & breakfasts for good food / drinks


text:
CW12 Directory ResourceListing Details
Title: | android contacts manager pc |
URL: | http://www.wondershare.com/mobile-phone/android-import-contacts.html |
Category: | Blogs: Home and Garden |
Description: | Many up to date mobile phone coming with Android platform. from many web site.| Thousands and thousands of no cost applications been downloaded every day by Android person.| Have you imagined if you obtained the possibility to create Android application of your choice and your interest would seem amazing, I am suggesting 5 simple websites that will help you to produce your very own Android applications for free in few minutes. |
Meta Keywords: | machine, Krankheit, leather |
Meta Description: | To make Android market much more common Android Application are free of charge for every person, he/she can obtain from numerous internet site.| Millions of totally free apps been downloaded daily by Android person. |
Link Owner: | Beatrice Traylor |
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text:
A second Deltora quest begins in this fantasy trilogy that's sure to engage Deltora fans and bring in all new readers!
The Shadow Lord¹s evil tyranny over Deltora has ended. He and the creatures of his sorcery have been driven back across the mountains. But thousands of Deltorans are still enslaved in the Shadowlands, the Enemy¹s own terrifying and mysterious domain.To rescue them, Lief, Barda and Jasmine, heroes of the quest for the Belt of Deltora, must find a weapon powerful enough to combat the Shadow Lord's magic on his own ground. According to legend, the only thing the Shadow Lord fears is the fabled Pirran Pipe. But does the mysterious Pipe still exist?
- Ages
- 8, 9, 10
- Interest Level
- Grades 3 - 7
- Grade Level Equivalent
- 4.2
- Lexile Measure
- 50
- Guided Reading
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Book Type
- Chapter Book
- Number of Pages
- 144
- Genre
- Adventure, Series, Fantasy, Science Fiction and Fantasy
About the Author and Illustrator
Emily Rodda
Emily Rodda has won the Australia's Children's Book of the Year Award five times, and is a US bestseller with her Deltora Quest, Deltora Shadowlands, and Dragons of Deltora series.
Marc McBride
The Reading Toolkit
Sponsor Spotlight
It's a reading SEUSS-ebration!
Visit Seussville.com for games and activities!
Visit Seussville.com for games and activities!


text:
It's all about social media these days. If you're not up with Twitter and Facebook, you're just not in touch. You're not relevant. And it's not just about keeping up, there's huge value in these latest forms of the Digital Age: bringing down dictators in the Arab world,... read on
Elizabeth Taylor - Always True to Herself
March 27, 2011 | 11:45 pm
This past week, we were all captivated by the life and spirit of Elizabeth Taylor. What struck me the most, in listening to, reading, and watching all the stories about the great actress,... read on


text:
HetaOni - 3
- Obtained "Piece of Paper".
- Move the lever?
--To the top
--Down to the middle
--Down to the bottom
- Obtained "Piece of Paper".
- Up is Heaven.
The Middle is Earth.
Down is Hell.
- Move the lever?
--To the top
--Down to the middle
--Down to the bottom
- Unlocked.
Japan: Italy!!
Italy: Japan! You're okay!
Japan: Yes, thank God. Somehow.
Italy: Right after you left, a monster suddenly appeared from the hallway and came after us.
Italy: Germany was the first to scream. You... heard him, didn't you?
Japan: No, not at all...
Italy: I see. Germany's scream surprised me, too, and I was too confused at the time and tried to run away and leave you behind. I'm sorry, Japan...
Italy: But the front door wouldn't open no matter what and we split up while running way.
Japan: No need to apologize. Anyone would have done the same in a situation like that. Even me.
Japan: Still... what on Earth is going on in this house? The exit door and the windows can't be opened. Our cell phones don't work, either.
Italy: Yep. It looks like we're locked up.
Italy: But! I'm so glad I found you, Japan!! Aren't you hurt or anything? Aren't you hungry?
Japan: I'm fine. But... you're surprisingly calm about this, Italy. You were even wandering around the house...
Italy: Well... When that monster appeared, I wanted to cry and cling to Germany, but... well, both Germany and Prussia were falling apart, too.
Italy: So I figured /someone/ needed to keep a level head, and even I was amazed by how calm I felt! And then I began to look around for everyone so we could get out of here as soon as possible!
Japan: That makes sense... I was surprised at first, too, but after seeing everyone else so flustered, I felt oddly calm.
Italy: So, what about Germany and Prussia? Haven't you found them yet?
Japan: No, I've found them. They're on the fourth floor, but I'll explain the details on the way. They were both very worried about you. You'd better go and see them as soon as possible.
Italy: Ah, okay! Let's go together, then! I found some stuff when I was exploring, so I'll leave them with you.
Italy: I also made pasta~ You can have that, too.
- Italy joined the party.
- Received from Italy
5 x Rice Ball
3 x Beer
150 Heta
- Fully restored HP and SP with Italy's refreshments.
Items: Piece of Paper B
Paper torn in half. Just because it's B doesn't mean there is also an A.
Italy's skill (1): Carbonara - Restores a little the HP of a single party member
Italy's skill (2): Peperoncino - Reduces the speed of a single enemy.
Italy's skill (3): Vongole - Increases the strength of a single party member.
Italy's equipments (left):
Lv 4
Strength 55
Defense 167
Magic defense 153
Italy's equipments (right):
Weapon Bible
Head Silk Hat
Body Stylish Clothes
Accessory Stylish Boots
Weapon: He has it memorized and often reads it out loud.
Head: He uses it to flirt. It doesn't help.
Body: Fashionable in several places. There is candy in the pockets.
Accessory: Japan bought them. Wearing them for the first time!
Japan: !!
Italy: Aaargh! Japan! The Thing!! It's the Thing!!
Prussia: Tsk... You came too soon! Japan!! Take Italy with you and run!!
Germany: Italy! You're all right!
Italy: G-Germany~ Ve... Your face looks weird...
Prussia: Me and West will take care of this!! Just go, quickly!
Japan: .........
Prussia: Japan!!!
Japan: My, my... I must be losing my hearing in my old age. I can't hear you at all.
Prussia: Huh?! Hey, Italy!!
Italy: Oh, um... I suddenly got deaf, too!
Germany: Italy!! You!!
Japan: Isn't this nostalgic? Once again, I draw my sword in the name of the Axis.
Italy: Now that you mention it~ We've been in peace for a while now, so I'd completely forgotten about it~
Germany: Italy... Japan...
Japan: It is my honourable duty to fight along with you. Let's go, Italy.
Italy: Y-yeah!
7:34 - Peperoncino
7:38 - Dismissal
7:45 - Bear the Cross
7:48 - Torture Lv. 1
8:01 - Vongole
8:04 - Dismissal
8:09 - Bear the Cross
8:28 - Carbonara
8:31 - Dismissal
8:56 - Carbonara
8:59 - Rice Ball
9:02 - Rice Ball
9:04 - Rice Ball
9:16 - Carbonara
9:21 - Dismissal
Japan: It disappeared...
Italy: Ve~ It really is a ghost...
Germany: Italy!
Japan: Are you hurt?
Prussia: The hell?! You totally ignored what I said!
Germany: I thought the two of us alone could do something about it... Sorry. You really helped. Are you okay?
Italy: Yep. But I'm so relieved now! You two ran away really fast, so I'd been wondering what had happened to you.
Japan: I am really glad that everyone is all right. Now, what are we going to do from here?
Prussia: Yeah. That Thing could show up here again, so we should move to a room that is as safe as possible. Besides, if the four of us stick together, it won't be so scary.
Germany: Good idea, Prussia!! Now, let's search for a room that looks as safe as possible. And let's not split up, of course.
Italy: Roger, Sergeant!!
- All joined the party.
- Obtained "Wooden Box"
Item: Wooden Box
Light-weighted box made of wood.
- Move the lever?
--To the top
--Down to the middle
--Down to the bottom
- Obtained "Second Floor Key".
Items: Second Floor Key
Solid key. It opens the living rooms on the second floor.
- Used "Second Floor Key".
- Lock the door?
--Lock it firmly.
--Go out for a moment.
Japan: I feel as if I'm forgetting something.
Let's walk around a little more.
- Lock the door?
--Lock it firmly.
--Go out for a moment.
- There is something under the table.
- Obtained "Matchbox"
- Opened the drawer.
- Found "First-Aid Kit"; party fully recovered.
- There is nothing.
Item: Piece of Paper B
Item: Matchbox
Contains 12 matches.
- Lock the door?
--Lock it firmly.
--Go out for a moment.
Prussia: We can't get too careless, but I think we're safe here, for now. We have the key, and the door is firmly locked from inside.
Japan: It is only temporary, but it should do for one night, I suppose...
Italy: One night is good enough for me. I'm really tired from running around~
Germany: You're right. We ran a lot for one day. It makes me feel like having some beer...
Italy: I'm a little cold, too... I wonder if it's because of this house?
Japan: If I'm not mistaken, we found some matches. There is also enough firewood for one night, so we can warm up.
Germany: Hm. I'll do it, then.
Prussia: Ooh! That's nice, huh?
Japan: Yes. I feel much better now that we have some light. And now I'm not alone, either.
Italy: Yeah~ But it was really scary at first! Even though Germany was the first to run away, it was me that monster chased after!
Prussia: Yeah, you're right. I remember thinking, "No, not my precious little Italy!!" and then both the monster and Italy disappeared! And West had vanished, too.
Germany: I hate supernatural things! B-besides... it's not like I just ran and hidWell, never mind now. As long as we're all okay, it doesn't matter.
Japan: Yes, exactly. Besides, rather than think about how we acted in the past, we should discuss what to do from now on.
Italy: Yeah. I searched the house for a way out, but there really isn't any. Everything is locked... it's horrible!
Germany: I see. We can only conclude that that monster has really made us prisoners here. Though, having no way out is what really bothers me...
Japan: Indeed... I really wish I could go home. I've been waiting for several games that will be released soon...
Italy: Me, too. I can't eat pasta or pizza like this!
Prussia: Um, hey, you keep talking about a way out... If all the exits are locked, why don't we just /make/ one ourselves?
Prussia: Didn't you do that when you were prisoners of war, too? It's time to put that into practice now!
Japan: Huhu. That brings me memories, too. I miss those times when I kept trying to commit seppuku.
Italy: Germany worked hard to make us a way out. But this time, I'll do all I can, too!
Germany: All right, all right. So, the plan for tomorrow is to make a way out. We can't forget about that.
Japan: Right. Well, now, I don't know what time it is, but let's sleep here tonight.
Italy: My watch broke when I wasn't looking, too!
Germany: !
Wait. Won't it be dangerous if we all fall asleep? I think one of us should stay up to keep watch.
Japan: You definitely have a point. So, shall we play janken to decide fairly who will keep watch tonight?
Italy: Janke? What are the rules?
Japan: Well, er... It's a very simple game. You play by showing three types of hand-signs...
Prussia: Whatever, let's do it already! I'm really tired! I wanna sleep!!
Germany: Prussia, wait just a little.
Japan: and "guu" beats "choki". You can throw "guu", "choki", or "paa".
Italy: Ah, it's a little like "la morra". Okay, I got it, Japan! Let's do it!
Japan: Let's go, then. Jan-ken
Some clarifications:
Janken is better-known in the western world as rock-paper-scissors. "Guu" is rock, "choki" is scissors, and "paa" is paper.
"La morra", or "la morra cinese", is the Italian version of the game.))
Prussia: Ah... Seriously, it's so fun being alone~
Prussia: But those three, they're really sound asleep...
Prussia: *sigh* If only I had a computer, then I could update my blog... All I can do now is take pictures of their sleeping faces.
Prussia: It's just... their serious faces when we were playing janken... they looked awesome. I couldn't resist them.
Prussia: .......
Prussia: Sunsun.
Prussia: ... I'm kinda cold. The fire is... strong enough. What the hell? I just felt a chill run down my spine...
Prussia: !!
Prussia: L-look, this isn't funny... I'mjust hearing things, right?
Prussia: Th-there's no one here!! No one!! Why aren't those three waking up, anyway? Can't they hear anything?
Prussia: Hah! Th-that's it! I've got it! I'll use Japan's strategy and pretend I'm not here! If I turn off my aura, I won't be found!
Prussia: ... I guess I can't do it. Right. I have no choice, then.
Prussia: Forgive me... It's tough being alone.
Prussia: ......... Shit, no! I won't die yet!!
- You cannot easily set foot
into that "mysterious mansion"
in your town.
Because if you anger its former occupant, you will not get away lightly...
- Especially when there is no one there...
China: It's really here!
England: I thought it was just a rumour... but it's really here.
France: This desolate feel gives it a rather nice touch, don't you think?
Canada: I don't think it's very interesting, though.
America: ?
Did you hear a voice just now?
Russia: Oh, America, you tease~! We didn't hear anything, did we?
Canada: .........
America: Still... it doesn't really look like a very fun place.
England: .........
Russia: Well, why don't we take a little look and then go back? I think we can leave before nightfall.
China: Yeah, I don't want to stay here for long, either!
France: Well, then, shall we go in?
Russia: The rumours say that there are ghosts here, right? That's why nobody comes near the place...
America: No wonder. It's such an eerie place.
Canada: Huh? How unusual of you, America. Are you scared?
America: No! But it's a littleHuh? Where's everyone else?
Russia: Um... They said they would leave the first floor to us and then they went right up to the second floor.
America: Hmm. Then we'll
France: It's cleaner than I thought, isn't it?
England: Y-yeah, but... um, can we go now?
France: What's the matter, England? Are you scared?
England: O-of course not, you idiot!! That's not it; it's just that this place is sort of
China: *sigh* This is totally silly. There are no ghosts here. You can go back.
France: Hey, are you going to look around on your own?
China: I'll just peek into this room here. It smells a little bad.
England: What? Isn't that a little risky? W-wait!


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Trans Globe MDN-1150 7 Light Large Pendant/Semi Flush Ceiling Light
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Product Description
Available while supplies last.
This 7 Light Semi Flush/Pendant by Trans Globe has a polished chrome finish. For use with seven 60-watt halogen bulbs.
Semi Flush/Pendant
- Features a laser cut, braided, chrome cross-over frame
- Bicone cut crystal bead strands
- Mirrored ceiling plate inside blends brilliant reflections to enhance color cast from crystals
- Angled or vaulted ceilings okay
- Height adjustable pendant
Light Bulb: | (7)60w T4 G9 120v Halogen | |
Finish: | Polished Chrome | |
Materials: | Metal, crystal | |
Voltage: | 120 volt | |
Installation: | Dry Locations [Explain] | |
Warranty | 1 Year Limited Warranty | |
Shade Material | Crystal Shades |
Bulb is included free
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New Jersey judge orders state to allow gay marriage. Christie vows appeal. (+video)
The underlying issue arose last June when the US Supreme Court invalidated a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act. In a 5-to-4 decision, the high court struck down DOMA because it sought to impose a federal definition of marriage on states that had decided to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples under state law.
The 1996 federal law had restricted receipt of some 1,200 federal benefits to married couples comprised of a man and a woman. Same-sex couples legally married under state law were denied the same benefits available to opposite-sex couples married in those same states.
In their ruling in June, the majority justices said DOMA violated equal protection principles by failing to defer to the decisions of the states in deciding for themselves who should be recognized as "married."
Although it was clear from the decision that same-sex married couples must be afforded equal benefits by the federal government, the decision left unresolved whether those same benefits should also be afforded to same-sex couples who had entered into civil unions.
The federal government and federal agencies have been seeking to answer that question since June. At least so far, the answer has been no, civil unions are not recognized by the federal government as marriages for purposes of federal marriage benefits.
Judge Jacobson noted that gay rights activists might have filed suit against the federal government to force it to adopt a broader definition of marriage.
But she said they were also entitled to sue in New Jersey to overturn a state legislative roadblock that was now preventing same-sex civil union couples from being treated equally with married couples in New Jersey.
A coalition of same-sex rights groups called Garden State Equality and six same-sex couples and their children filed their motion within days of the Supreme Court's DOMA decision.
They argued that the New Jersey Constitution guarantees that they be treated equally with married couples in the state. Their plight could be resolved by exchanging two words for one word – civil union for marriage.
The judge agreed.


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Phone Cases
Protect your iPhone with a one-piece, impact resistant, flexible plastic hard case featuring an extremely slim profile. Simply snap the case onto your iPhone for solid protection and direct access to all device features.
Beautiful and impressive- what a great capture. I really love the colors and you've made art with the title as well.
Did that butterfly actually turn it's head and look at your camera for you?! Am I seeing the right. Joy....you're TOO good. lol! The Butterfly Whisperer....
OMG. I love this it is so gorgeous how muted greenish- gray the little guy is against that pink. Lovely~
Very nice! I love all the details and colors. I would be curious as to what lens you used. I am looking into getting my first macro lens.
what an obedient little butterfly, if i tried this it would have been like ta-ta! beautifully captured joy
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Overview | Blog Posts | Discussions | People |
One of the best ways to create a lasting bond with your baby is to practice infant massage, particularly for dads. Babies listened to mom's voice for nine months in the womb and they instinctively bond with mom during the breastfeeding process. Dads have to work extra hard to create that bond and infant massage, especially with aromatherapy, is the best way to do this. Infant massage helps establish a lifetime of effective communication and closeness. The benefits of massage are many for your baby. They are better able to absorb nutrients through their diet. Neurological development in your baby advances almost exponentially with the closeness of massage. By massaging your child, you can more effectively identify their cues regarding their overall general health and mood. Infant massage with aromatherapy can help your baby develop longer sleep patterns. In addition, gas and colic are less likely to occur. Your gentle caring touch through massage can calm your baby, reducing the stress hormones produced during tense times. Guidelines for Aromatherapy with Infant MassageYour baby's skin is quite sensitive and delicate so you have to take care to dilute the essential oils you use. The basic rule for infants is to use slightly less than half the regular adult dose of essential oil and mix it with carrier oil. Babies and even children respond almost instantly to aromatherapy. Therefore, it is important to choose the right scents for your infant massage. The safest essential oils for infants include rosemary, lavender, lemon, chamomile, and spearmint. You should avoid spicy oils such as cinnamon, ginger and cloves as these can irritate the skin. Choices like yarrow, pennyroyal and hyssops can be harmful to infants. When choosing a carrier oil to mix with your essential oil for your baby's aromatherapy massage, bypass any chemical or petroleum based oils including baby oil. These "manufactured" oils can block the healthy nutrients found in many essential oils. Select a carrier oil that you could consume internally such as grapeseed, almond or olive oil. Conducting the MassageSmile, speak softly to your baby, sing and make eye contact during the massage. Doing so will help you recognize how your baby reacts to your touch. Use a firm, yet gentle hand during your massage. Touching them confidently helps your baby develop an unconditional trust in you as well as reinforce your love for them. They feel safe. Talking quietly to them as you touch each body part is essential. This helps your baby develop word associations as well as promote early verbalization. Infant massage is a strong foundation for future communication. If you want to promote healthy sleep patterns mix grapeseed oil with chamomile and lavender. For colic and gas symptoms, aromatherapy infant massage using grapeseed and fennel is effective when rubbed onto the tummy area. You can open congested passageways by massaging eucalyptus on your baby's chest and back. Your baby's wellbeing and yours both are addressed with aromatherapy infant massage. With its health and intrinsic benefits, aromatherapy massage is perhaps the best way, after breastfeeding, to build a lasting bond. |
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Is apology from Leafs too little, too late for Toronto fans?
Sports commentators and team supporters react to full-page ads in newspapers apologizing to the entire city for an 'unacceptable' end to the season.
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The Issue: The Toronto Maple Leafs left fans nonplussed this week when they marked the end of another disappointing season — the seventh in a row without making it into the playoffs — by taking out full-page ads in newspapers apologizing to the entire city. Sports commentators and the Leafs faithful reacted in the media and online.
From theopen letter to fanssigned by Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum: "The Toronto Maple Leafs are a public trust with the greatest fans in the world. We have fallen short of everyone's expectations, and for that we are sorry. We take full responsibility for how this team performs on the ice, and we make no excuses. The way this year ended was unacceptable."
Maple Leafs president and GM Brian Burke on not making it to the playoffs: "This has been agonizing. I am sure you can see it in my face. I haven't slept in a month, two months."
Leafs fan David Walderman, in letter responding to the apology: "As a season-ticket holder since 1966, the disappointment of this season truly tops them all. . . . Try putting your money where your mouth is — like we subscribers do. Don't make apologies and pay lip service to your lifeblood on how your plans went awry — again. My best estimate of the investment that I have made in the Leafs over the past 46 years is in excess of $500,000. The return on that long-term investment has been very poor."
Reader KMan writing in the Star's live blog of the team's end-of-season news conference: "Please tell Brian Burke fans are not buying (the) apology. . . . (A) real apology would be price discount or Fan Appreciation Day somewhere for those who can't pay to get into (the Air Canada Centre) but support (the) team 100 per cent year in, year out."
Twitter user @Hockey_Humor: "Q: What do college students and the Maple Leafs have in common? A: They've both finished their year by April."
Ricky Doyle, New England Sports Network: "The sentiment is nice, no doubt. The franchise clearly recognizes that it once again failed to live up to the expectations of its passionate fan base, and it understands that patience is running thin for the fans who've watched their beloved Leafs miss out on the playoffs for seven straight years. But issuing a letter of apology, while nice in theory, should do nothing but evoke more frustration in the Toronto faithful. The seven straight years that the Leafs have missed the post-season come in a sport in which more than half the league makes the big dance, showing just how poorly the team has performed since the lockout. And the blame can be placed on everyone, from the top down."
Damien Cox, Toronto Star: "(S)orry for what? Not winning enough NHL games this season? Well, presumably another 28 teams will soon be issuing similar apologies, for only one will actually have won enough games when it's all over."
Bruce Dowbiggin, Globe and Mail: "While they're in full contrition mode they ought to extend a big 'I'm sorry' to CBC for missing the playoffs for the past seven years. . . . CBC purchased the national NHL rights in full expectation that the hapless Leafs would throw in the occasional post-season appearance from time to time. Just as an article of good faith. A long run or two by Toronto — something not seen since the Leafs made the Eastern Conference final in 2002 — could provide a financial windfall for a rights holder, one now dealing with a 10 per cent drop in funding from the federal government."
Burke on Tuesday, talking about Sidney Crosby: "What's the Pittsburgh model? They won a goddamn lottery. . . . Pittsburgh model, my ass."
Joe Warmington, Toronto Sun, referring to Burke's Pittsburgh quote: "Perhaps Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Chair Larry Tanenbaum will have to take out another full-page, open-letter apology — this time not for his president's failing hockey program but for his pathetic lack of basic respect and manners toward God-fearing people and entry-level etiquette?"
Sarah Barmak
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1308 S Choctaw
El Reno, OK 73036
For delicious fried chicken and a trip down memory lane, head over to Tooters in El Reno. This unique restaurant ... read more...
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300 S Choctaw Ave
El Reno, OK 73036
Sid's Diner in El Reno is a nostalgic-style diner serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Famous for El Reno-style fried ... read more...
Diners & Drive-Ins, Local Flavor
Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store
2201 S Country Club Rd
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Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store in El Reno is really three stores in one: an old fashioned soda fountain, grill and ... read more...
American, Sweet Treats
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Head into Pizza Hut in Davis for pizza the way you want it. Open for lunch or dinner seven days a week, Pizza Hut ... read more...
1633 E Hwy 66
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Taco Mayo is an Oklahoma original spanning back to 1978. Head into the Taco Mayo in El Reno to taste what has made this ... read more...
4145 Hwy 77 S
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Nancy Fulton has built her own pastry empire, with the flavors that regulars fell in love with at this original location ... read more...
Sweet Treats
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Diners at Bullets Burgers & BBQ can expect to find mouthwatering meats and hearty hamburgers served with delicious ... read more...
1301 N Airport Rd
Weatherford, OK 73096
This Route 66 themed restaurant sports a 1950s diner look with polished chrome, glass brick and colored lighting. ... read more...
American, Diners & Drive-Ins, Local Flavor
Las Cascadas Mexican Restaurant
215 E Main
Davis, OK 73030
A favorite of both locals and regular visitors to nearby Lake Arbuckle, the lively Las Cascadas serves traditional ... read more...
1901 SW 27th St
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El Charro in El Reno offers a variety of traditional Mexican food favorites for lunch and dinner. Try a ... read more...


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Police finds boy, 3, wandering in QuikTrip parking lot
A Wichita police officer spotted a wandering toddler early Tuesday morning in a convenience store parking lot on south Broadway.
The officer saw the child at about 2 a.m. Tuesday at Broadway and East Mount Vernon, Lt. Doug Nolte said.
The 3-year-old boy wasn't with an adult at the QuikTrip at 2010 S. Broadway, so officers began checking surrounding businesses. They learned he was staying at a hotel next door with his father, Nolte said, but the parent wasn't in the room.
The father was eventually discovered nearby.
"He was passed out behind the bar in a parking lot," Nolte said.
The bar was abandoned. The 21-year-old man was arrested and his son placed in protective custody, Nolte said.
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Recycled materials tell tales of past glory in a San Antonio home.
A deft remodel opens up a venerable northern California cottage.
The restoration of van der Rohe's 1930 Villa Tugendhat in the Czech Republic brings the house back to its former glory. But the price for this, says Aaron Betsky, is hollow authenticity.
A more comprehensive Custom Home awards' program is being introduced in 2013. Gain inspiration to enter this new, improved design awards by reviewing our collection of past Custom Home of the Year winners.
Located in the hills above California's Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Mountain House occupies a high, sloping site shaded by towering trees.
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Every custom home reflects site constraints, both physical and regulatory, but few occupy a tighter buildable envelope than Russian Hill. Its tiny infill lot, in the upscale San Francisco neighborhood of the same name, was subject not only to the city's planning code and residential design...
At first glance, the five most-popular custom house case studies from the past year seem to have nothing in common. Take a second or third look, however, and the similarities become more noticeable.
Using a house to form a bridge over a waterway or landform can help architects attain a sense of weightlessness in their work.