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16. The Beginning
But at last they reached the soft earth again, and Haldir led them to a small pavilion that had been erected some distance from the path and was, by some miracle, set firmly on the ground.
The Hobbits sighed in relief and immediately set about unpacking their cloaks and bedrolls. Sam actually dragged Frodo by main force from where he had been standing alone at the edge of the trees and made him sit down with the others.
Elves brought them soft couches to lie on, and food and drink, and cushions and silks and wood for a fire and still more cushions. Far more Elves came to help than seemed really necessary, until there was a veritable crowd of them around whispering together and staring at Gimli and the Hobbits. Haldir finally shooed them off and bowed his leave to the Company.
There was a brief murmur of voices in the trees as the Lothlórien Elves pressed Haldir with questions, but that soon faded as they moved away. The forest was still with the deep quiet of the winter night, silent save for the soft melody of Elven song overhead.
For the first time since they had entered Lothlórien, the Fellowship was alone. Sam kindled a small fire and they sat around it, the warm light flickering over them and casting the surrounding wood into blackness. They talked quietly for a time about the interview with the Lord and Lady, and the day's journey, and their first night in the treetops. None seemed willing to look back farther than that.
A strange melancholy filled Gimli. He felt unsettled, as though he were upon a hill of friable shale that might crumble away at any moment. All the comfortable truths he had known, fundamental to the way he saw the world, had been swept away by the Lady's gaze like summer grass before a fire. And he had nothing with which to replace them.
Elves are foolish. But she was wise.
Elves are flighty. But she was serene.
Elves are capricious. But she was constant.
Elves hate Dwarves. But she had welcomed him, and there had been no hate in her eyes, no scorn or condemnation. There had been only love, and acceptance, and peace.
Never trust an Elf. But he loved her.
He loved her. He wanted nothing more than to look upon her, to worship her in the quiet depths of his heart. With all the passionate intensity of the Dwarves, the full extreme of his emotions, he loved her. He would have given anything, done anything, to please her. But at the first test, he had failed.
She had looked into him with her deep eyes, and though no words had passed between them, he had felt her intention. And his mind had turned toward the Ring.
Strange, he had not truly given it much thought during their journey. He was focused on the daily necessities of life in the Wild: protecting the Hobbits, hunting food, avoiding the Enemy's spies, countering Legolas' slurs. After that night in the Great Hall of the Dwarrowdelf he had become wary, and watched for the Ring's effects upon the Company, especially Boromir. But he had not considered its effect upon himself.
Yet now he saw Khazad-dûm restored, and its many pillared halls filled with light and laughter and the ring of hammer on stone. And it was great, greater even than it had been in ancient days, for its realm stretched through all the deep caverns of Middle-earth. For an instant it filled his mind and heart: the exile was ended! The agents of the Enemy were destroyed, and his fallen kin honored with tombs wrought in marble that would endure through all the ages. The great doors stood open in friendship, and the peoples of Middle-earth came freely to trade, and all were awed by the beauty and might of his people's glory.
And then Gimli had shrugged, and pushed the vision aside. It was not real. It could never be real, and most certainly not by work of the Ring. He was a Dwarf, with a Dwarf's bedrock grounding in fact, and though he would fight for his people, he would not be swayed by any such flight of fancy.
But he could not help but think that, were it possible, the Ring might make a gift worthy of Galadriel. The Lady had the strength to keep it safe, he was certain, more than any other in Middle-earth. Were he to have it, he would give it to her, if it seemed fair upon her hand. She had not known his exact thought, for there were no words, but he had felt her intention sharpen at this, and reach deeper within him.
And she had seen the love in his heart, and the feeling came to him of mingled warmth and curiosity – could a Dwarf claim to care for an Elf, even for the Lady of the Golden Wood? Then his mind had turned without his will to the long years of tales told under the mountain of Elven arrogance and lies, and of his own scorn of Legolas on their Quest.
And what then of Legolas? Gimli thought of the Elf's words at Balin's tomb, when he had dragged him, Gimli, to safety. It was no failure of yours. But it was. Even then Legolas had reached out to him, but he had refused to see. The Elf had changed, he had changed, but he had not known it until now.
And he blushed in shame, to see his prejudice in the light of the Lady's gentle acceptance. He lowered his eyes, and turned away.
The fire burned low while they talked, until only the glowing coals remained. Legolas watched the others, listening as the Hobbits speculated upon what dreams had come to them under the Lady's gaze. But none were willing to describe those visions in detail, though Boromir pressed Frodo long with questions. Finally Aragorn broke in, declaring himself very weary, and suggesting sleep in a voice that brooked no argument.
Legolas lay back upon his couch and folded his hands over his chest. He had pulled his bed out from under the silk overhanging of the pavilion, preferring instead to rest where he could see the stars. He would indeed have rather slept upon one of the flets overhead, where the breeze stirred the living branches and the song of the stars was deep and strong. But this night at least he would remain on the ground with the others.
For a time he lay quiet, listening to the slow breathing of his companions, and considering their words that evening. He had not spoken of his own experience, for he thought that the Ring's ploy was nothing more than any might have guessed, and it did not interest him. But he watched closely as Boromir proudly recounted his refusal of temptation. If that were so, why then had the Man trembled under the Lady's regard? And what of his preoccupation in Moria?
Legolas had looked at Aragorn, seeking his reaction to Boromir's tale. But the Ranger did not meet his eyes, and sat with his elbows resting on his knees as he stared into the fire. Legolas did not know what he had faced in Galadriel's questioning. From the others' words it seemed that their experience had been different from his own – they had felt the turning of their thoughts toward the Ring, as he had, but there had not been the direct communication that he had shared. He did not know if this were merely because the Lady did not wish it for reasons of her own, or if it had something to do with the different way that mortals perceived Ilúvatar's Song. Could they find resonance with another, and share thought along the connecting harmony as Elves did? He did not know. And his ignorance galled him.
He was supposed to be a guardian of this Fellowship, an aid to Frodo on his Quest. But he did not even know this most basic element of his companions' perceptions. Aragorn was the only Man he had any real experience with, and all indications were that Aragorn was not an average representative of his race. His ignorance of Hobbits might be forgiven, for they had surprised even Mithrandir on occasion. But what of Gimli? Legolas had lived centuries on the very border of the Grey Mountains, and even negotiated trades with the Dwarves for swords and armour when Thranduil's captains had convinced the king that the need was dire. Elbereth, Thorin's company had spent weeks in his home! And yet at every turn Gimli confounded his assumptions and bewildered his understanding.
Look to your friends, the Lady had said, and he himself had said the same to Aragorn, and more, he had claimed friendship with all the Fellowship. But what friendship could there be if he did not understand them? Aragorn had passed the Lady's test. Whether by Arwen's love or only the strength of his own will, he had resisted the Ring. But he was weary, in heart and body, and his eyes had been so dark as he had stared into the fire.
And what of the others? What of Legolas himself? The Fellowship was splintering, and if friendship was their only hope then truly they were in desperate straights. Then let us repair it, Legolas thought. He was a warrior and a prince, born to serve his people and now sworn to save Middle-earth. And now his duty was clear.
There is no hope without friendship, and no friendship without understanding. So I will understand. I will understand them all, starting with the Dwarf.
It was not until the following evening, however, that Legolas was able to put his resolution into action. He had risen before the others, drawn from Elven dreams by the stir of the freshening breeze and gentle rise of the forest's song before the dawn.
He climbed into the uppermost branches of the mellyrn to watch the sunrise. And as the light had come over the forest, reaching pure and clear over the Golden Wood as it never did in Mirkwood, he felt the trees respond. Slowly he was coming to understand these woods, he thought. It was still strange to him, still removed from his experience, but he could feel it now as he had not done before.
He thought about this as the light grew and the birds sang clear and free, untroubled by Orcs or Wargs or spiders or Shadow. And then he went to find Celeborn.
He knew of his own family's uneasy relationship with the Elf lord, of course, and after spending the day in discussion with him Legolas thought he understood why Oropher had distanced himself from his kinsman. There was core of steel in Celeborn to match even Thranduil's stubborn pride, and if ever those two came into conflict he would have preferred to watch from a safe distance, such as Valinor.
But the Elf lord was courteous, and received Legolas graciously as a prince of Lasgalen. Legolas took care to act his part, drawing upon the long years of training in his father's court. Though he preferred the battlefield to the council chamber, he knew his duty, and he could serve his people with diplomacy as well as with a bow, though with less enjoyment.
He even went so far as to dig his circlet from the forgotten recesses of his pack, though he was careful not to let Aragorn see him do this. The Ranger had successfully evaded his own royal obligations for nearly three quarters of a century, and he had picked up a bad habit of teasing Legolas from the twins.
Celeborn too was a warrior constrained to lordship, and his probing questions revealed an intimate understanding of the Enemy's tactics. The Lady had spoken of a War fought not only with blades alone, but her Lord had seen long years upon fields soaked with blood of kin and enemy alike, and had faced firsthand the bitterness of victory in Gorgoroth. His eyes darkened as Legolas described the growing Shadow in Mirkwood, and he had gone silent and still with dangerous calm.
He had not yet committed warriors to aid Lasgalen, but he had not dismissed the idea either. It was a beginning, Legolas thought wearily as he climbed down from the Lord's office at the gathering of dusk. Before the Fellowship left Lothlórien he would write a letter granting Celeborn's forces leave to enter Mirkwood and seek audience with the king. He could only hope that the missive would be needed.
And will you not go to them? He heard the words again in his mind and closed his eyes, leaning for a moment upon one of the trees about the Fellowship's empty bower.
Certainly he could more surely gain aid for his people, and ensure that Thranduil would accept it were it offered, if he stayed and treated personally between Lothlórien and Mirkwood. War was coming, and Sauron's northern army would strike hardest at his home. He had sworn to guard the Ring-bearer, at least for a little while, and in his heart he had promised to stand by Aragorn as well, but where now did his duty truly lie?
The sky had darkened to velvet blue, and the first stars were opening overhead. Legolas listened for a long moment, standing with head bowed against the cool bark as the night birds sang and the Elven lamps lit in the tree branches overhead. He could feel the peace here, tantalizing close, and with sudden decision he straightened and pulled the circlet from his brow. He stuffed it into his pack and then paused.
He hesitated for a long moment before unbuckling the ceremonial knife from his hip and laying it carefully in its sheath beside his bow, quiver, vambraces and other knives. He wanted no further thought of war this night.
Then, completely unarmed for the first time in his adult life, Legolas climbed up into the canopy of the Golden Wood. He moved swiftly through the trees, climbing for the sheer joy of it higher and higher until he reached the uppermost branches that bent and curved easily beneath his feet. Then he stopped, and settling with his back against the cool brace of a mallorn's trunk he turned his face up toward the stars.
It was so still. The ancient tree cradled him here, some five hundred feet above the ground, and the night breeze brushed cool against his face. A cloud of hunting bats flitted over the treetops' golden haze, their sharp cries piercing the gentle rustle of the leaves. An owl glided low over the wood and Legolas turned his head toward the feather whisper of its wings.
There too was the soft melody of Elven voices, lifted in a lament for Mithrandir that wove between the night shadows of the trees. But they came distantly to his ears, and were lost in the clear deep song of the stars. He should join them, he knew, for it was his duty as companion of the Grey Pilgrim to add his voice to those of Lórien, and to represent his people in the grieving of all Elves for Mithrandir's passing.
But the pain was too sharp: his voice stuck in his throat, and neither song nor duty could ease the weight of unshed tears.
Only here, where the ancient stars met the timeless wood, the grief was muted. The cares and fears of Middle-earth seemed distant as the ground below, unimportant before the vastness of the heavens. He could lose himself here, give himself to Ilúvatar's Song as it wove together all harmonies of creation, and there would be no pain any longer.
And as his breath slowed and his mind opened, it seemed to him that he heard the forest's song clearly for the first time. It was deeper and wiser and stronger than any he had felt before: it throbbed with the rich texture of heart's blood and it swept through him and challenged him to follow it, to fly with the eternal wing-beat of time and to dance with the soul-deep pulse of memory. This was the heart of Elvendom in Middle-earth, and there was no Shadow here. There was only memory, endless and unchanging as the sweep of the stars that welcomed the Firstborn ere mortal waked and mutable sun and moon took form.
It was what Greenwood might have been.
What it could yet be, a small voice whispered deep within him, but he closed his mind to that and shut his eyes, digging his fingers into the tree's bark and breathing deeply, willing himself away from the call of the stars and the Song, the temptation of life free of the Shadow.
As he gathered his thoughts a new sound came to him, drifting up from far below. It was a steady, rhythmic thudding, completely at odds with the peaceful night song of the forest. Legolas tilted his head, listening intently. And then he opened his eyes and sighed. And he began the long climb down again to the ground.
Thud. Gimli was bored. He had spent the day walking about the woods with the others, and had first eaten, then nibbled, then finally just watched while the Hobbits partook of no less than eight separate meals as one group of Elves after another had approached them.
Thud. The Elves of Lothlórien had discovered the way to a Hobbit's heart very quickly, and their hospitality was met with whole-hearted approval on the part of Gimli's smaller companions.
Thud. The small axe's blade struck deep into the soft earth at his side, and he slid his hand down the short handle and pulled it free, swinging it over his hand in a practiced motion and bringing it down again in a swift, smooth arc. Thud.
The Elves had treated him courteously, if somewhat distantly. But when evening had fallen and they invited the Fellowship to view the lamp lighting from the vantage of the trees, Gimli had excused himself. The Hobbits were also uncertain about venturing yet again into the heights; but Merry was determined to go and this, coupled with the promise of more food on the flets, meant that they all went, although Sam took much convincing.
Aragorn had spent much of the day off by himself somewhere, but he rejoined them at dusk and encouraged Boromir to join the expedition as well. So, satisfied that the Men would keep the Hobbits safe, Gimli felt no need to break his vow to avoid Elven ladders just yet.
He still felt uncomfortable around so many Elves, even when he wasn't suspended three hundred feet in the air. The Lady Galadriel had changed him, or made him aware of changes already taken place, and in his love for her he could not hate her people. But that didn't mean that he necessarily had to spend all his time with them, either. So now he sat alone at the base of a mallorn far from the Elven city, and tried to find some peace in thought.
Thud. He wanted his pipe. He had searched through his pack and checked all his pockets twice, and it simply was not there. Either Legolas had finally made good on his threat early in the journey to hide all of the Fellowship's pipeweed supplies, or Gimli had lost it somewhere in Moria.
Thud. He needed his pipe. He needed something familiar, something that he could cling to in the bewildering morass that surrounded him. He had spoken far too freely before all those Elves, he thought. What madness had come over him? Love, yes, but love should be kept secret and deep, as a river that flows cold and pure through hidden chasms far beneath the earth. It was not to be exposed for any to see.
This was the message of the exile: what was not hidden would be lost. What was not guarded would be taken. Adrift in foreign lands, the Khazad had learned these lessons through slow years of painful experience, and they kept them well. Anything that truly mattered, history and love and even language, was secreted away from the outside world, guarded from those who could not understand.
But somehow he had forgotten that. In his journey with the Fellowship he had slowly opened to his companions, Hobbits and Men and finally even the Elf. And as he had come to understand them, and even to admire them, the bulwarked defenses of his heart had gradually eroded. So that the first rush of love in face of the Lady's kindness had overwhelmed him completely, and he had given himself up to her utterly, and laid his heart open, vulnerable to any who cared to read it.
And he was supposed to be the Fellowship's representative of all Dwarves in Middle-earth! He, who had not joined the quest to end the exile, who had fled before the evil that defiled his people's tomb.
Balin, Oin: all the names and faces of his friends, his kin, who had gone to claim a world, while he had stayed at home. They had fought, and conquered, for however brief a time, and died there, and their bones were dust in the great chambers of Khazad-dûm.
He carried their legacy in the great book of Mazarbul, but even that seemed futile now. The book was cracked and torn, and soon its pages too would be dust. He could recite the names, but his memory faltered, and to forget even one would be to dishonor them all.
Thud. Someone was watching him. Gimli felt the warning prickle along the back of his neck, and with a warrior's keen instincts he pushed aside his inner musings and focused on the threat. He pulled his small axe free and held it ready as he slowly scanned the surrounding wood.
A flicker of movement caught his eye, and the next moment Legolas stepped into the small clearing directly in front of him. The Elf did not say anything, but merely stood and regarded Gimli in silence. Gimli returned the scrutiny with frank curiosity.
For the first time that he could remember, Legolas was not dressed in hunting brown and green. A loose silver tunic fell to mid-thigh over his flowing grey leggings. The tunic was open at the throat and wrists, with no sign of quiver strap, knives, or vambraces. The Elf's feet were bare upon the soft grass, and his unbraided hair fell loose over his neck and shoulders. The soft radiance about him blended with the starlight, and Legolas seemed a part of the timeless woods, the graceful lines of his slender form scarcely to be distinguished from the silvered trees.
Gimli felt suddenly acutely conscious of the bulk of his chain mail and axes, his heavy boots and weighted helmet, and he felt more out of place and uncomfortable than ever. He bristled defensively, gripping his axe uncertainly. "What are you doing here, Elf?"
Legolas raised one dark eyebrow. "At the moment, I am looking at you, Master Dwarf." Gimli hesitated, unsure how to respond to that, and the Elf continued with a strange sort of formality. "You seem… disquieted. Are you in need of aid?"
Gimli frowned. Had he given himself away so completely, that any passerby could read him so easily? "What makes you say that, Master Elf?" he asked cautiously.
The Elf seemed to hesitate. "I do not know," he said finally. "It seems that I know very little about the Khazad. But I did not think that thumping like a woodpecker in the forest was a sign of contentment for a Dwarf."
Gimli blinked. He hardly knew whether to take offense at the comparison, or simply fall over in astonishment at the Elf's use of his people's proper name. Finally he set his axe down and folded his arms in a gesture of wary neutrality. "I did not hurt the trees, if that's what you're worried about."
"No." Legolas smiled faintly. "I doubt that you could do that, Master Dwarf, even were you to lay your axe directly to the mellyrn themselves. Though that would certainly attract the attention of the Elves, if you wish company."
Gimli repressed a shiver at the thought. "No thank you," he said. "I've had enough Elves to last me a while."
"I see." Legolas bowed coldly and turned away. "Then I will not trouble you with my presence."
"No!" the word was past Gimli's lips before he could think. Legolas stopped and looked back at him quizzically.
"I mean," Gimli said, backpedaling furiously as he tried think, "that is, you don't have to –" He flushed. "Durin's beard, Elf, I didn't mean you!"
"Ah." Legolas faced him and folded his arms casually over his chest. "Then in fact you meant to say that you had had enough of Lórien Elves to last you, and your insult was directed toward your hosts."
Gimli groaned. "No."
Legolas tilted his head quizzically, but when Gimli did not elaborate he shrugged and said, "Then I am forced to conclude that you did in fact intend to insult all Elves, but for some reason I am not included in your tally."
"Yes. No. I mean –" Gimli wished he could pick up his axe again. But given that Legolas was unarmed it seemed somehow unsporting.
"I assure you that I am indeed an Elf."
"Yes, I know, I only meant –"
"I was chosen to represent all Elves in the Fellowship."
"I know that, I just –"
"I can prove it to you, if necessary."
"No, that isn't –"
"I can sing."
"Aargh!" Gimli threw up his hands in exasperation, while Legolas watched him with a faint smile on his lips.
"That is not necessary." Gimli said finally, speaking slowly and choosing his words with care. "I know that you are an Elf. Only an Elf could be so blasted infuriating. I only meant that the past few months have increased my resistance to your particular breed of madness, so that your company is marginally less unpleasant than it once was."
Legolas' smile grew, his eyes dancing. "Such fair words from a son of Aulë! Stay your sweet tongue, Master Dwarf, else I shall fancy that I might rival the Lady Galadriel in your affections."
Gimli tensed, his hand straying instinctively back to the shaft of his axe. Here they came to it, and surely the Elf would now remind him of his folly, and exploit the weakness he had shown.
But Legolas seemed to sense his unease immediately, and his teasing manner fell away like a discarded cloak. "Master Dwarf?" he said gently. "I would not speak ill of the Lady, in your presence or any other's. On that I give my word."
Gimli hesitated, looking into Legolas' now-serious eyes. Would it be asking too much, he wondered, to expect the Elf to stay in one mood for longer than five minutes at a stretch? Perhaps only a week earlier he would have followed this thought with a comment on the value of an Elf's word, but now he only nodded slowly. "I know," he said. "It isn't that. It's just…" He trailed off.
Legolas dropped gracefully to the ground, folding his overly-long legs beneath him so that he was nearly at eye level with the seated Dwarf. Gimli wished he hadn't – this was awkward enough without the Elf staring at him from a few feet away. He looked down and picked at the leather bindings of his axe handle.
"Master Dwarf?" The musical voice was tinged with concern. "Gimli?"
Gimli's head jerked up in shock. This was the second time the Elf had called him by name. He looked into the clear eyes, and saw something he had never seen before.
Legolas' defenses were down. Not only knives and quiver were cast aside, now, but the steel-edged self-possession, the deadly precision with which he held himself, were relaxed. Legolas had opened himself, had become vulnerable as Gimli had never seen him. And Gimli could not help but respond in kind.
"Legolas," he said, the first time he had spoken the Elf's name in direct address. "I think that I must be going mad, but it doesn't matter."
Legolas frowned, clearly puzzled, and Gimli fought down a sudden urge to laugh. Perhaps he should have confided in the Elf earlier. Legolas was rarely at such a complete loss, and Gimli felt that the experience was good for him.
"I have already given up more of my people's secrets than any Dwarf of this Age, for I held nothing back when she looked at me. And now I would willingly confide yet further in an Elf."
"Would you?" Legolas smiled. "Then I must join you in your madness, for I would seek to understand a Dwarf, as no Elf has done in this Age."
Gimli hesitated, looking at him closely, but Legolas met his eyes calmly, not piercing him, only waiting for what he chose to reveal. "I told you that it does not matter," he said finally. "Whether you understand or not, it makes no difference. Khazad-dûm is gone."
Legolas looked at him steadily, his dark eyes gentle. "And the Elves are fading," he said softly. "Lothlórien cannot hold for long, even as mortals measure time. But we will be remembered, in the Undying Lands if nowhere else."
Gimli shook his head, forcing back the hot stinging behind his eyes. "But there is none to remember us. The book of Mazarbul is already unreadable in places. Even the stones of Khazad-dûm will wear away and be forgotten, with none to care for them."
"I will remember them," Legolas said. Gimli blinked and stared at him in surprise, but the Elf looked utterly serious. "I have seen the great halls of Khazad-dûm, and the tomb of the warriors who took back their city. My people fight with their own strength, and we will not fade, however comes this Quest. I will live, in Middle-earth or over the Sea, and I will remember."
Gimli hesitated, unsure how to respond, but Legolas smiled and rose to his feet in one smooth motion. "Come, Master Dwarf," he said. "Let us join our madness together. You will tell me of your people's glory, and I will understand. I will remember for us both."
Perhaps it was madness. But Gimli did not care. He stood, brushing the dirt from his axe head. He slipped it in his belt and set out across the grass. Glancing up at his taller companion as he approached he said, "It is a worthy plan, Master Elf. But I wonder if your wit is great enough to comprehend the true majesty of Dwarven history, much less to remember it all."
Legolas shrugged easily. "You will simply have to take your chances, Master Dwarf. But I am sure that whatever I do not remember I can invent easily enough."
"Invent?" Gimli had to hurry to keep up as the Elf slipped silently into the forest.
"Of course. For example, I can say that Dwarves were so frightened of knives of any kind that they refused to cut their hair, and their beards grew so long that they frequently tripped over them when they walked."
"That is when the weight of the ungainly things didn't tip them over headfirst into the ground."
"You wouldn't dare. Would you? You better not – Legolas? Elf!"
But they were well into the woods by then, and only the tramp of Dwarven boots and the clear notes of Elven laughter drifted back through the trees.
Next up: Endgame.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.


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M. Gregory McCollum Attorney At Law of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina provides representation for clients in cases like the following Assault & Battery, Bank Fraud, Check Fraud, Bond Hearings, Burglary, Criminal Domestic Violence – CDV, Driving Under the Influence – DUI, Drug Offenses, Embezzelment, Expungement, Felony DUI, Felony leaving the scene, Hit and Run, Indecent exposure, Kidnapping, Murder, Homicide, Pre-arrest – Police Investigations, Preliminary Hearings, parole Violations, Robbery, Sex Offenses, Rape, Criminal Sexual Conduct, Traffic cases, Minor in possession of Alcohol, Petit Larceny, Resisting Arrest, Shoplifting and Traffic Tickets.
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Ninja Saga
Ninja Saga is a 2D social online action RPG featuring real-time PvP battles. Players become young ninjas in training working their way up to the prestigious status of Kage master. Learn the mysterious art of ninjutsu tapping into natural forces such as wind, water, fire, earth, and lightening to destroy enemies. Battle other ninjas, monsters, and challenge your friends in fierce combat. Earn the title of best Kage and save the local villages from darkness in Ninja Saga.
Publisher: NinjaSaga
Playerbase: High
Graphics: High
Type: Social Game
EXP Rate: High
PvP: Arena Battles
Platform: Facebook
Pros: +Great graphics. +Real-time PvP battles. +Over 100 animated skills. +Virtual pet system.
Cons: -Customization limited. -Missions can be repetitive at times. -Paying members have a significant advantage over non-paying users.
Ninja Saga Overview
Ninja Saga is a social action role-playing game where players train as young ninjas. Customize your character. Learn over 100 animated skills using physical, magical, and illusionary combat. Master moves like the Earth Strangle, Lightening Strike, Dance of Fujin, Pillar of Flame, Water Sphere, Rapid Uppercut, and Falling Leaf Illusion. Kill vicious monsters, pirates, thieves, and evil ninjas causing chaos in the streets. Complete various missions solo or with your friends to help bring peace. Enter the Battle Arena for intense combat against other top players. Adopt multiple virtual pets to assist in fights and shop for armor or weapons. Ninja Saga varies from other traditional Facebook games like Farmville or Mafia Wars by incorporating a Naruto anime based style.
Ninja Saga Screenshots
Ninja Saga Featured Video
Ninja Saga Full Review
By Ange Perdu
Ninja Saga is a 2D social action side-scrolling RPG where players become young ninjas in training. Set in a mysterious virtual world of ninjas and ancient legends their decade span of peace has been broken by a dark force. The magical scroll storing all the forgotten powers of the five surrounding villages have been stolen. Players must master the way of the ninja in order to save the land. Learn ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Complete challenging missions. Battle rival samurais, villains, thieves, and magical beasts. Test mastered skills against other players through real-time PvP battles in the arena. Adopt a virtual pet for assistance and companionship or form a team with friends in this anime-inspired adventure. Ninja Saga is similar to many turn based browser MMORPGs like AdventureQuest, DragonFable, and MechQuest.
Ninjas in Training, the Gameplay
In Ninja Saga players are young ninjas in training. Most of the gameplay involves completing various missions, special hunting expeditions, and practicing combat skills. The Kage Room is where players find available missions and special event quests. These tasks usually consist of retrieving villagers' stolen items, battling samurais, secret rescue missions, or delivering documents defeating assassins along the way. Every quest requires fighting which can make missions seem repetitive at times. All the battles in Ninja Saga use turn based combat. Stop mountain bandits, pirates, spies, hooligans, and even the undead from taking over the village. Once a quest is completed players earn gold coins and XP. Throughout the game users are permitted to recruit friends to assist in difficult missions. Friends are restricted to two per quest and they have to be at the same or lower level. Experienced NPCs can be recruited as well. The only requirement for them is a token fee. On hunting expeditions players have to defeat various mythical monsters like the Ginkotsu or Ape King. Gold coins earned through completing missions can be used to purchase skills in the Academy.
Art of Ninjutsu Igniting the Fire Fist Explosion
In order to reach Kage or be considered as one the most powerful ninjas players have to master skills in the art of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Combined there are over 100 of these animated skills that players can use during combat. Ninjutsu uses magical combat skills that tap into natural forces like fire, wind, water, earth, and lightening. Once learned players can perform the Fire Fist Explosion, mighty Twin Tornado, Infinity Wind Chop, Lightening Spear, Earth Arm Combo, Rock Land Blast, and Water Shark Missile to destroy enemies. Taijutsu involves more hand to hand combat with moves like the Cannonball Strike and Assault Kick. Genjutsu teaches ninjas how to get the upper hand on foes by creating illusions. These moves usually stun enemies allowing a second turn to attack. The wide variety of skills in Ninja Saga is one of the best features in the game. The serious Wind Vortex maneuver to the somewhat comical genjutsu Fat Woman Transformation to shock opponents is fun to play around with. Various skills are unlocked as a player levels up. Only one new skill can be learned at a time. Players also have the option of visiting their friends' ninjas and learning a free skill from them.
Entering the PvP Battle Arena
Players at any level can enter the PvP Battle Arena to fight other ninjas. Opponents are randomly chosen from the system. Although the game attempts to match ninjas close in rank depending on the amount of available slots in the server users are occasionally paired with more advanced players. A cool chat interface opens during battles in the arena. Ninjas can talk trash with one another while contemplating their next strategic move. Once a player reaches level 20 they're allowed to enter the Pet Shop to purchase a companion to assist in missions and combat in the arena. The procedure for buying a pet is not easy. Ninjas must pass a five part Chunin Exam in the form of various missions and have enough currency for the purchase. Teach your pet skills to use during battle. Each user can own up to three pets but only one can be active at a time.
Ninja Necessities Smoke Bombs to Sacrificial Blades
Ninja Saga has a decent selection of special items, body gear, and weapons for customization but it can be limiting at times. Players can buy smoke bombs, healing and chakra scrolls for restoration. Body gear varies in casual, sporty, and oriental styles. Dress your ninja in a raider outfit or camouflage combat armor. Purchase weapons like the Stone Kunai, Tusk Sword, Carbon Dagger, Sacrificial Blade, Tenqu Spear, Katana, Ginkotsu Saw, or Windmill Shuriken. Availability is based on level status and some items can only be purchased using large sums of tokens which require users to spend real money to attain. There's also a more extensive list of shop items and missions set aside for paying Emblem members giving them a significant advantage over non-paying users. In the Blacksmith shop players can upgrade items through forging. Turn ordinary weapons like the Pointed Edge Kunai to a powerful Seden instrument. Switch an Ocean Sword for a Sea Bonze and transform a Sacrificial Blade to the mighty Disciple of Blood. Forged weapons cause higher amounts of damage and possess the ability to restore HP when used to attack foes. Unfortunately it requires expensive tokens to utilize this feature in the game restricting the free players in their selection of available arms.
Final Verdict: Good
Ninja Saga gives online social gamers a different type of experience. Players take on the role of a young ninja determined to move up the ranks to Kage status and save a land in distress. The RPG elements combine with colorful graphics to visually impress and create an anime Naruto-like feel. Although the missions can get redundant after awhile there's still plenty to do. Players can go on a special hunting expedition or fight with random players in the PvP Battle Arena. The game features an open chat interface during live combat and a virtual pet system. Unlike other popular games such as Mafia Wars or Farmville real-time combat and strategy is involved. Players searching for an action-packed adventure will enjoy Ninja Saga.


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During a game all the relief pitchers are in the bullpen, warming up. Pitch after pitch they get closer to coming out onto the diamond. Share their excitement and support your favorite Phillies pitchers with this Long Sleeve Bullpen tee from Majestic! This top features a distressed screen print of the team name and logo between team-colored stripes. A good pitcher is just as important as a good batter and Philadelphia has them both in spades!
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PlantFiles: Hosta
Hosta 'English Sunrise'
|Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Hosta (HOSS-tuh) (Info)
Cultivar: English Sunrise
Hybridized by Zilis/Toman; Year of Registration or Introduction: 2003
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wednESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013
stormy weather
severe thunderstorms ROLLED THROUGH blair, CENTRE, CAMBRIA, SOMERSET AND OTHER COUNTIES LAST NIGHT CAUSING SOME power outages AS WELL AS DOWNED TREES. MORE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
senior citizens escape fire
MORE THAN 20 FIRE COMPANIES WERE CALLED OUT SHORTLY AFTER 7 LAST NIGHT WHEN FIRE DESTROYED COLONIAL COURTYARD SENIOR LIVING CENTER IN Clearfield. A CAUSE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED, BUT THE BLAZE MAY HAVE BEEN SPARKED BY LIGHTNING. SOME STUDENTS FROM the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Were taking a class next door and they helped ABOUT 40 RESIDENTS GET TO SAFETY.NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
victims identified
CLEARFIELD COUNTY AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED THE NAMES OF THE 2 people WHO dIed IN A COLLISION Monday afternoon ALONG ROUTE 322 NEAR ROCKTON.35-year old Jeffrey Hoffman and 62-year old Joyce Morse WERE both KILLED AND 2 CHILDREN IN MORSE'S CAR WERE TAKEN TO A PITTSBURGH HOSPITAL. one has since been released.WITNESSES TOLD POLICE HOFFMAN WAS TRYING TO PASS A LINE OF VEHICLES.
2 charged with murder
The body of 46-year-old James Alexander OF ERNEST, INDIANA COUNTY, was found near a walking trail in Clymer Monday NIGHT AND State police have charged 22 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER SALSGIVER AND 33 YEAR OLD GREGORY PATTERSON, BOTH OF GLEN CAMPBELL, WITH murder. The coroner's office saYS Alexander was atTENDING a friend's party AND DECIDED TO GO for a walk. A Short WHILE LATER, friends hearD GUNshots AND FOUND HIS body. POLICE DO NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS A RANDOM CRIME.
staton's attack called cowardly
handcuffed death-row inmate Andre Staton CLOBBERED HIS COURT-APPOINTED attorney Tim Burns DURING A HEARING AT THE BLAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN May…LEAVING BURNS WITH A CONCUSSION AND OTHER INJURIES. AT another HEARING YESTERDAY, A DISTRICT JUDGE ORDERED STATON HELD FOR TRIAL. Blair County District Attorney Rich Consiglio witnessed the incident AND SAID BURNS WAS SUCKER PUNCHED IN A COWARDLY ATTACK. Staton WAS SENTENCED TO DIE FOR THE 2004 STABBING DEATH OF HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, Beverly Yohn, IN Altoona.
fire chief makes restitution
former ROARING SPRING FIRE CHIEF GARY DENNIS yesterday pleaded guilty TO EMBEZZLING MORE THAN 17-THOUSAND DOLLARS OVER A 3 YEAR PERIOD. he handed over a cashier's check to make restitution and the JUDGE sentenced him to 10 years probation. DENNIS ALLEGEDLY USED SOME OF THE MONEY TO PAY HIS COUNTY TAXES…AND USED A FIRE COMPANY CREDIT CARD DURING A TRIP TO A NASCAR RACE IN LEXINGTON KENTUCKY.
gas prices
AFTER BEING FAIRLY STABLE OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS, Western Pa gas prices are up 2 cents this week to AVERAGE $3.53. On the National Front, REFINERY ISSUES THAT HAD BEEN AFFECTING THE MID-WEST HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND prices ARE AVERAGING $3.55.The national average has now declined for 13 straight days.
state college is one smart town
State College is NUMBER 2 ON A LIST OF THE COUNTRY'S SMARTEST CITIES. THE study WAS CONDUCTED BY SAN FRANCISCO-BASED LUMOSITY, a company that creates brain-training exercises. RESEARCHERS used data from more than 3-POINT-3 million people aged 15 to 85 who took one of the 5 exercises the company created. The top spot is Ithaca NEW YORK, which is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. ALSO IN THE top 10 were Big Ten cities such as Lafayette and West Lafayette IndIANA…Iowa City…Ann Arbor, MICHIGAN…Bloomington, IndIANA…and Madison, WisCONSIN. Altoona was NUMBER 75 on the list.


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One night, one week, or a month, the Santa Cruz Mountains and the surrounding cities, invite you to stay, eat, drink and explore this world famous destination.
The Santa Cruz Mountains is known as a premier wine and food destination for the Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz. The region is home to more than 425 exciting restaurants and home to some award winning Michelin star restaurants. Here is where the farm-to-table culinary scene meets the creativity of some of the Bay Area's best chefs, resulting in a wide range of culinary adventures.
Whether you're seeking an in-town hotel close to night life and dining, a luxurious spa getaway, or the peaceful calm of a remote vineyard setting or the sound of the ocean, you'll find a warm, gracious welcome from any one of our quaint villages or cities, including Los Gatos, Saratoga, San Jose, Half Moon Bay, Palo Alto, Campbell, Aptos, Capitola, or Santa Cruz.
Originally from the Italian coastal town of Sestri Levante, the Olivieri family came to California in the 1950's and opened their first "stand" next to the Santa Cruz Wharf. Aldo fished while his wife Inez ran their business selling pizza, candied apples and other fresh fare. Their young sons Mauro and Walter helped out, with Mauro just old enough to park cars on the Beach Street Hill.
The operation grew, a pancake house on Portola Avenue followed. Aldo still fished, but found time to make fresh pasta and gnocchi each weekend — with recipes used by the family to this day. The family recognized the opportunity at the Santa Cruz Harbor and negotiated the Harbor's first lease in 1962, opening a bait and tackle shop. The following year the family opened the Aldo's Harbor House Restaurant where the Crow's Nest stands today. Moving to what is now the West Harbor, the operation became a restaurant in 1977.
Mauro, in the meantime, grew up, married Nori, and worked in San Francisco until moving back to Santa Cruz in 1980. Walter ran Aldo's from its inception until he retired in 2003. The locals still call the adjacent beach Buffalo Beach, named after Walter's German Shepherd dog.
Today, Mauro and Nori's son John along with general manager Alfredo Servin have taken over active operation of Aldo's Harbor Restaurant, with Mauro in the position of family patriarch once occupied by his dad. Recently renovated, the restaurant retains its original look and feel, but now patrons enjoy Aldo's all year long. Known for its Eggs Benedict, calamari, fresh salmon, and exquisite ocean view, the restaurant accommodates its loyal patrons seven days a week.
Aquarius is a Santa Cruz restaurant offering the best in oceanfront dining and is locally renowned as one of Santa Cruz's top dining destinations. Located just off the beach in Santa Cruz, the restaurant is truly a "window box on the sea" allowing guests to experience views of the Santa Cruz oceanfront. The cool and breezy interior is especially romantic at night when the moon casts its glow onto the sea. Our creative American cuisine is inspired by fresh and local products and produce, including local sustainable seafood, complemented by a regional wine list. Aquarius is a proud supporter of FishWatch program, promoting sustainable seafood and clean oceans.
Au Midi Restaurant & BistrotAu Midi Restaurant & Bistrot
Bella MiaBella Mia
Italian food in downtown San Jose. Menus, takeout, gift certificates available. Need a banquet facility or catering? Bella Mia meets all of your banquet needs.
Bella Notte InnBella Notte Inn
"The Inn at East Cliff"
Relax in Mediterranean splendor just two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Bella Notte Inn offers ten luxurious rooms, each custom designed to make you feel at home the moment you step in the door. Tucked away in the Live Oaks neighborhood of Santa Cruz, Bella Notte Inn is the perfect choice for a romantic weekend away, a relaxing day at the beach, or visiting some of the Monterey Bay Area's award-winning wineries.
Bella Notte translates to a beautiful evening. To ensure we live up to our name, we've lavished every room with the finest Italian bedding, imported Italian marble countertops, custom cabinetry and heated tile floors in all bathrooms.
Best Western Seacliff InnBest Western Seacliff Inn
Welcome to the Best Western Seacliff Inn: Family Fun From Beach to Boardwalk!
Set on six beautifully landscaped acres with scenic garden paths, this friendly Aptos, California hotel is perfect for a fun, family vacation, business travelers or romantic weekends exploring Santa Cruz, local beaches and wineries. Just off scenic Highway 1 five miles south of Santa Cruz, Seacliff Inn is only 35 minutes from San Jose Airport and 90 minutes from San Francisco Airport.
Bill the OystermanBill the Oysterman
My company brings the party to your party! We arrive and set up an oyster bar complete with a bed of iced oysters, various sauces that we make fresh to dress the oysters, and different hot sauces. We provide everything we need to set up, open and serve the oysters and then break it down and haul away the empty shells. We can offer different varieties of oysters in season from the west coast (Miyagis, Kumamotos, Kusshis, Shugokus, Olympias) or the east coast (Beausoleils, Wellfleets, Malpeques, and assorted Chesapeake Bay oysters). We also can provide eastern hard shell clams (little necks and small cherry stones). We regularly work with specific producers on a weekly basis, selecting the best production for the week. My expertise from 20 years as a grower and 37 years in the business enables me to determine what is the best possible product to serve for that week. I can also serve you raw clams, barbequed oysters, steamed mussels and clams and other prepared shellfish and proteins.
Birk's RestaurantBirk's Restaurant
A dedicated team of professionals committed to providing an exceptional dining experience for every guest, every time.
Birk's remains honored and solidly positioned to serve Silicon Valley's business professionals, travelers, deal makers, mavericks and culinary aficionados well into the future. Birk's is privileged to provide a stellar dining experience for all who patronize and continue to support the restaurant.
Renowned for outstanding hardwood grilled steaks, chops and seafood, Birk's has evolved into a South Bay icon since its inception in 1989. Driven by exceeding the expectations of guests and striving for excellence, Birk's excels at consistently executed, straight forward cuisine in a lively ambiance of understated elegance and casual sophistication.
Boulder Creek Country ClubBoulder Creek Country Club
Join us for a memorable, relaxing Santa Cruz golf experience among the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. You owe it to yourself to share in the tranquility and relaxation offered when you stay at the Boulder Creek Golf Club.
Whether for a day or for a week at a time, the serenity of our California golf course and delightful lodging facilities is sure to put your mind at ease. Breathe deeply of the pure Santa Cruz Mountain air and take in a calming experience you won't soon forget.
Boulder Creek offers a challenging 18-hole Executive Golf course with a full-service restaurant and bar open daily for breakfast and lunch. Our conference & meeting facility, overnight condominium lodging and vacation rental packages are ideal for your next retreat. Boulder Creek Golf Club is truly the perfect setting for your next conference, vacation or golf tournament.
Bruno's BBQBruno's BBQContact: Rosanna Herrera
Come Home to Bruno's, "The Original California BBQ!"
We are one mile west of 280 on Woodside Road on the right at 3062 Woodside Road. We are directly across the street from Robert Market. There is a 20 foot carved wooden fish in front of the restaurant.


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by Bill Blass
WFor Women
Item #
- Design House: Bill Blass
- Fragrance Notes: a brisk floral scent with hints of mosses, very refreshing yet sexy.
- Year Introduced: 1990
- Recommended Use: daytime
No reviews written for this product
This is my first bottle of NUDE. I love, love, love it. I have known several people who have worn NUDE and would always compliment them on it. I would recommend NUDE to anyone that has not used it so they could see how beautiful you feel when you have it on. You feel so classy.
Written by Pat B on October 14, 2014Read Review details ►
Wow...what a beautiful fragrance! Bill Blass Nude makes me feel feminine and beautiful every time I wear it!! I can't recommend this scent enough!!!
Written by Bev Henson on September 25, 2014Read Review details ►
I have been wearing Nude since 1995 and absolutely love the fragrance. I spray in all the pulse points and then after I put my clothes on I spray it out in the air and walk through it. It lasts all day and I get so many compliments about it. It's the only cologne I wear where I get compliments. So obviously it goes with my body chemistry. I absolutely love it.
Written by Geri on September 22, 2014Read Review details ►
Nude by Bill Blass is still airy and exotic all at once.
Written by G'ma on September 11, 2014Read Review details ►
Nude is an old favorite i had forgotten about. found it on line and purchased for great price for the 3.4 oz bottle. you cant miss at this price. very lady like fragrance.
Written by Lovie on September 02, 2014Read Review details ►


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Morning Brief: December 6
New Yorkers are mourning the death of former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela today. NBC New York has written on some of Madiba's connections to the Big Apple. He visited the city not long after he was released from prison and greeted by a ticker tape parade. He also visited Ground Zero just two months after 9/11.


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Welcome to the Pandora Store
PANDORA Mall of America, PANDORA Ridgedale Center and PANDORA Rosedale Center are dedicated exclusively to PANDORA Jewelry. Nowhere will you find a more complete selection of PANDORA jewelry. In addition to all of the wonderful charms in sterling silver and 14k gold, PANDORA MOA also is a great source for new introductions, the new ESSENCE Collection, Ring Upon Ring stackable rings, and of course beautiful necklaces and earrings that coordinate with your PANDORA style.
Our PANDORA Specialists in our stores and by phone are specially trained to help you design your jewelry to express your own style and unforgettable moments. Whether your PANDORA look is built on special memories, beautiful style, or both, one thing is for sure – your PANDORA designs will be uniquely yours.
All Women Have Their Individual Stories To Tella personal collection of special moments that makes them who they are.
That is why we celebrate these moments. That is why we say these moments are unforgettable.
We look forward to bringing you an excellent shopping experience in store or online
while you create your PANDORA style.


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Hi: 10° Lo:5°
By Dan Santy Thursday 20 December 2012 Updated: 27/12 09:59
MORE jobs and services could be at risk as Warwickshire County Council prepares for a new round of savage cost-cutting.
Finance chiefs have told councillors the authority needs to find another £92 million of savings between 2014 and 2018 - on top of the £60 million it will already have cut by then.
The county council has already been forced to close libraries, youth clubs and care homes to save cash, and now streetlights are being switched-off in the latest controversial money saving move.
The authority is currently hammering out the details of next year's budget, and the implications this will have in future years are, The Observer understands, being carefully considered.
Come February, when the next budget is set, the county council will already have made £15 million of savings for 2013/14 - but will be left to find another £92 million in the following four years.
Warwickshire County Council has already shed around 1,800 jobs - a tenth of its workforce - since austerity measures kicked in.
County council leader Alan Farnell said: "It has been suggested this will mean many more job losses for the authority.
"All we can say at the moment is the savings plan for 2014 onwards will be considered over the next 12 months, but at the moment any job losses have not been identified.
"The authority is working to deliver plans put in place to meet the savings required over the last two years. This has resulted in job losses of around 1,800 staff.
"It is likely further reductions will be required as the period of austerity continues. At this stage there are no definite plans for further staffing reductions and we are seeking to manage any downsizing through natural wastage, including retirement and also redeployment.
"We are keeping our staff informed and we are supporting them through these difficult times."
Most of the authority's budget comes from council tax, and while finance officers have suggested the rate paid by people in the county be increased by two per cent, councillors are almost certain to keep it frozen and instead take a Government grant as compensation.
Cuts in Government grants in certain areas are likely, including funding for services for vulnerable people, community safety and early intervention work in families where children could be at risk.
Chancellor George Osborne's recent Autumn Statement confirmed austerity measures were being extended by a year to 2018 in a bid to tackle the country's national debt.
The full extent of the situation will be clear in February when the county council meets to set its budget for the year ahead.
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3 Witnesses sought to Warwick pub fight
4 Stephen Fry, Boy George, Gok Wan and more love Warwick Rowers
A SOLDIER who broke into a Leamington couple's
POLICE are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare
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Suspect's wife, sister charged in Warf slaying
Friday, April 19, 2013
BRENTWOOD — The wife and the sister of an Exeter man currently incarcerated at Rockingham County Jail for allegedly killing his ex-wife have also been arrested in connection with the slaying.
According to court documents, Corson brought a handgun to Desjardins. Sarah Desjardins had allegedly sent a text message to Corson asking her for the weapon.
Desjardins had repeatedly denied to officials and media any involvement in Warf's death, saying he had nothing to hide.


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Don't be left out in the health care cold
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A cogent case for getting involved with ObamaCare
Arlinghaus makes the case that simply agreeing to a compact with neighboring states and partnering with the federal government does not predetermine financial liability, one of the prime objections of critics to ObamaCare.
He goes on to explain that a compact does not require New Hampshire to "administer all currently federal programs. We can choose ones that make the most sense for us. For example, we might decide that since we currently administer Medicaid, we could craft our state specific rules in exchange for a block granted federal funding. This is essentially a version of how Rhode Island and Florida operate under a Medicaid waiver. Rather than the one set of rules and regulations designed to fit fifty states, they forego the regulation in exchange for a block grant."
State Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny told the AP his agency can prepare the necessary blueprint required for a partnership before Feb. 15 if Gov.-elect Maggie Hassan and legislative leaders give the OK. This would also allow the state to transition to a state-based exchange in 2015, he said.


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President Dudley-Eshbachs Biography
Executive & Office Staff
The Presidents Favorite Lists (Top 8s)
Office of Institutional Equity
University Analysis, Reporting, &
Strategic Plan 2014-2018
2010 Update Summary (PDF)
Facilities Master Plan
Chronicle of Higher
Education Letter to Editor March13, 2011
Hispanic Outlook Profile (PDF)
Hispanic Serving Draft
Board of Regents' Retreat
Sustainability Initiatives
Speeches and Communications
Annual Report
Consolidated Policies of USM and SU
Current Legislative Testimony
Past Legislative Testimony
Current Capital
Past Capital
Mission and Planning
Presidents Advisory Team
Partners For Progress
Distinguished Community Leadership Award
Holiday Social
SU at Maryland Student
Lobby Day 2013
Hargreaves Award Ceremony/SU Day at the Legislature 2013
Decade of Distinction
All Galleries
Salisbury University
Holloway Hall
1101 Camden Ave.
Salisbury, MD 21801
On Thursday, February 21, a delegation from Salisbury University traveled to Annapolis to salute Maryland Delegate John Bohanan Jr. SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach presented the St. Mary's County representative with the University's 12th annual John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award. She called Bohanan one of the State's
"hardest-working legislators" and applauded him as "a true visionary."
Surrounded by colleagues and friends from the House and Senate and SU students including his son Mark, who is a junior majoring in finance and also plays football, Bohanan received a standing ovation from the filled room.
"The driver for me is our students," he said. "They are our next leaders, not just of the state, but of the nation." In the years ahead he hopes to see many of them in the legislature in Annapolis and serving in Washington, D.C.
Created by SU's Institute for Public Affairs and Civic
Engagement (PACE), the Hargreaves Award and Fellowship allows students to meet with state legislators to learn firsthand about the responsibilities and rewards of their work. Bohanan will visit campus later this spring.
* * *


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Be a Hero
You can help save animals here in Texas and all over the world! Here are just a few ways to take action and protect wildlife. And remember, every time you visit the Houston Zoo a portion of your ticket proceeds go towards saving animals in the wild! So, a simple zoo visit is a great action to take to protect wildlife!
Wipe for Wildlife
Did you know that the average household uses 120 rolls of toilet paper each year? 27,000 trees are cut down every single day to provide toilet paper for the world. These trees are important habitat for animals like chimpanzees, wombats, and black bears.
The Houston Zoo only uses toilet paper made from recycled paper, and you can help animals by doing the same!
Be a Hero-Recycle Your Cell Phone & Save Apes!
Challenges of Cell Phones/Electronic Waste:
There are more than 250 million cell phone users in the United States alone, and average lifespan of a cell phone is 18 months. That means there are A LOT of cell phones being produced to meet our demand. Each cell phone requires specific metals to be manufactured. One metal used in cell phones (tantalum) is found in Central Africa-a rainforest home to animals like chimpanzees, gorillas, okapis and mandrills. If we recycle cell phones and other electronics like cameras and laptops, the materials taken from wildlife habitats can be reused, allowing those habitats to be protected.
How the Houston Zoo Helps:
- We send recycled cell phones to a company called Eco-Cell that sells the individual parts of the phone so that they can be reused. Any proceeds then go to conservation efforts to save animals in the wild.
- The Houston Zoo has recycled approximately 7,862 cell phones to date!
- We work with and help support projects in Central Africa which are dedicated to saving animals like gorillas, chimpanzees and okapis.
How You Can Help:
- Be a Hero & recycle your old cell phone with us! If you do, the materials in the phone can be reused instead of getting new minerals from the ground in Central Africa. Just stop by the recycling bin by Guest Relations and drop your phone in!
- Wait as long as possible to get a new phone, or buy a refurbished phone!
- Are you a school, business or organization and want to recycle old phones on a big scale? Join us for our yearly Action for Apes Challenge beginning in January, 2015!
- Mail your cell phone to us if you can't make it to the Zoo! Houston Zoo, Inc. Attn: Cell Phone Recycle 1513 Cambridge Houston, TX 77030
Before donating your phone(s):
Make sure you terminate your service or switch your contract to a new phone.
Clear any personal data from the phone by removing the SIM card or manually the information. On most cell phones, you can find "Reset Phone" under "Phone Settings."
Turn your phone off, if your phone's battery is still charged.
Be a Hero-Reduce Your Use of Plastic & Save Sea Turtles!
Challenges of Plastic Pollution:
- There is roughly 315,000,000,000 pounds of plastic in our oceans right now.
- The average American will throw away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year.
- Plastic bags are petroleum-based and do not biodegrade.
- 100,000 marine animals die each year from eating plastic pollution in our oceans.
- Sea turtles and other marine creatures mistake plastics and other garbage as food (such as jellyfish) and ingest it. This causes blockages within their digestive system.
How the Houston Zoo Helps:
- We participate in beach clean ups to remove plastic trash and we recycle fishing line
- We help with weekly beach surveys on Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula (~80 miles of beach)
- We provide medical attention for stranded and injured sea turtle found on the Texas coast.
- We hold some injured sea turtles at our Kipp Aquarium until they are healthy enough to be released.
How You Can Help:
- Be a hero-use biodegradable garbage bags and pet waste bags! They break down naturally, and don't leave harmful chemicals behind.
- Visit the Houston Zoo-a portion of every ticket purchased goes towards saving animals in the wild!
- Be a hero-avoid using plastic! Buy a reusable water bottle and reusable canvas grocery bags instead of the plastic alternatives. By Using a canvas bag you can eliminate the use of 1,000 plastic bags!
- Visit the Houston Zoo's Gift Shop and purchase the sea turtle canvas bag pictured below. Proceeds go towards sea turtle saving efforts in the wild!
Be a Hero-Choose Your Products Wisely & Save Orangutans!
Challenges of Palm Oil:
The Palm Oil 411: Palm oil is a product that is used in everyday items like soap, shampoo, snacks, etc. Many palm oil plantations take over homes for animals like orangutans. Some companies work to protect wildlife while farming palm oil, others do not. The ones who set aside space and resources for wildlife we refer to as "sustainable".
How the Houston Zoo Helps:
- We support projects in Borneo that are directly working with local communities (including palm oil plantation employees) to reduce the impacts of this product on animals like orangutans, elephants and clouded leopards.
- To save orangutans and other wildlife we will tell you all about the awesome organizations that use no palm oil, or use the sustainable stuff. And, we'll challenge you to eat healthier and live healthier by doing some of the how you can help actions below.
How You Can Help:
- Be an Orangutan Hero and buy products with less than 10 ingredients!
- Buy/use/eat products that contain ingredients you can actually pronounce!
- If you buy products that contain palm oil, check to see if those companies are part of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). If they are not, write a letter to the company encouraging them to join.
- Support companies that are doing things right! Need to buy some makeup or beauty products? Avon is part of the sustainable palm oil companies. Maybe you're in the mood for some junk food? McDonalds and PepsiCo are on the sustainable palm oil train.
- Visit the Zoo in November for our Orangutan Caring Week events! Every time you visit the zoo, the purchase of your admission ticket saves animals in the wild.


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PA—Majors in languages and literature were the top-paid among Class of 2014 liberal arts graduates at the bachelor's degree level, according to results of a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
NACE's April 2014 Salary Survey found that foreign languages and literatures majors earned the highest average starting salary at $46,900, followed by English language and literature letters majors at $42,200. (See Figure 1.)
Employers hiring foreign languages and literatures majors did so primarily to fill elementary and middle school teaching positions. Meanwhile, employers hired English language and literature letters majors for positions as teachers, editors, writers, managers, paralegals, and legal assistants.
In all, Class of 2014 graduates in five liberal arts majors earned average starting salaries that exceed $40,000.
An executive summary of the April 2014 Salary Survey report is available at www.naceweb.org/salary-resources/salary-survey.aspx.
Source: April 2014 Salary Survey, National Association
of Colleges and Employers. All data are for bachelor's degree
About Salary Survey: Salary Survey reports starting salaries for new college graduates in more than 90 disciplines at the bachelor's-degree level. Data contained in the report are reported by employers, represent accepted starting salaries (not salary offers), and are produced through a compilation of data derived from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and a master set of data developed by Job Search Intelligence. Data for the April 2014 Salary Survey report were retrieved in February 2014. Salary Survey is published in January, April, and September.
NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and
Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the
employment of college graduates. For more information, visit http://www.naceweb.org.
NACE maintains a virtual press room for the media at
JobplaceNACE Blog: http://blog.naceweb.org/
NACE's Tweets: @NACE.org
Contact NACE StaffNACE's Newsletter: Spotlight
©2015 National Association of Colleges and Employers. All rights reserved.


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I Lost My Volvo in New Haven: Tennis Event Sponsorship
Stephen A. Greyser, Brian Harris, Mitchell Truwit
Revision Date:Aug 10, 2004
Publication Date:Feb 18, 1999
Source:Harvard Business School
Product number:
English Hardcopy Black & White
Also Available in:
|English Hardcopy Black & White
$ 6.93
Focuses on event management and sponsorship from the perspective of the event owner (rather than that of the sponsorship company). Describes in depth the search by one of the tennis tournaments on the professional circuit for a principal sponsor. Detailed economics of tournament management are included, as well as information on the linkage between tournament sponsorship and television. Students must decide among several specific interested companies as the best sponsor for the tournament. The event owner must also consider how, if at all, his tournament can be differentiated from the many others on the calendar.
learning objective:
To expose students to the decisions involved in selecting event sponsors and in sports event management.
subjects covered:
Consumer marketing
- Geographic: United States
- Industry: Professional sports teams & organizations
- Event Year Begin: 1995
- Event Year End: 1996


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You can select a maximum of four items to compare:
What started out as a company that provided other golf companies with product, Adams Golf has become a leader in the hybrid golf club revolution. Adams Golf assembles, designs, and distributes their own golf clubs in drivers, irons, wedges, and putters. Adams is recognized as being the #1 Golf Hybrid Company after first developing the Tight Lies Fairway Wood, which helped create the phenomenon which is hybrid golf clubs. The Tight Lies has given way to the Adams Idea, which is a favorite among professionals and weekend warriors alike. Also check out the Adams Speedline Drivers, Adams RPM irons, Adams Square Two women's golf clubs, Adams Yes! Putters, and Adams Puglielli wedges, all found at KingParSuperstore.com!


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End 68 Hours of Hunger program comes to Barrington
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The End 68 Hours of Hunger program has come to Barrington. Hunger is a national problem and Barrington is no exception.The 68 hours is the time from the free lunch that children receive on Friday at school to Monday morning breakfast. The program is for the lowest income children who receive free/reduced lunch and have the highest need for food help.
In a backpack, the following foods may be included: cereal, mac n cheese, ramen noodles, can of tuna fish, can or 2 of soup, jar of peanut butter, 3 fruit cups, a box of crackers and 2 nutrition bars. This costs appoximately$10 per child or $500 per year.This is entirely volunteer and relies on donations.The people who brought it to Barrington, Lindy Horton and Paulette Sirois, do not actually live in Barrington currently. To continue this program, Barrington will need ongoing volunteers. To have the program, storage space, backpacks and all other associated costs must be secured by donors because 100% of contributions will go toward food.
Currently, Barringtonis in the process of finding 5 team leaders that will be responsible for fulfillment once every 5 weeks. There is also a great need for help in fundraising, as well. Barrington presents a unique fundraising challenge, as we do not have the numbers of businesses, churches and other civic organizations that other towns can draw on. This winter there is aplan on holding a community event to help raise awareness and funds.


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Well what the hell shall we call 1st person then? Iron mask view? Horse blinds view?
Well what the hell shall we call 1st person then? Iron mask view? Horse blinds view?
"There are no limits to what science can explore."
-Ernest Solvay, Belgian Chemist
Funny thing is though, according to the people I have asked the vast majority want 3rd person and not 1st person so if I was to say, "we want third person over first person," then that would be a fair comment to make.
As for Wonder Woman view I still don't get it... Yes she flew around, but surely that would mean this term you have coined would be better suited to Birds-Eye View... (Oh wait, they already gave that one a suitible name. )
All that being said the big question is; Why do you keep going on about it? You know they are using first person in some instances, (you have been told as much on these forums before,) and there may even be a first person view you can use all the time, (granted we don't know this for sure just yet but we will in time.) So what's the problem?
Isn't "wonder woman view" because she could see through the walls of the cockpit because her plane was invisible rather than that she was flying? you kinda tend to fly in most flight sims anyway
In a recent post here you see a few of us were discussing how we hated when some members of the community assumed they spoke for everybody. For this is what "we" essentially means when one uses it on a forum. Since the forum is the only "group" here this is the logical representation of we where another group is not otherwise stated.
Its not obvious on a 30 page thread who somebody means when they say "we". One can only assume they mean everybody. Having the assumed support of the entire community is a patently unfare advantage
Robin you are correct about the "original" meaning of wonder woman view. However in the flight simulator communities I have been a member of (I have been a member of several clans and am a member of a more universal clan presently that plays FPS games among other things) the term is increasingly being used as more representing my other "wonder woman" points above.
No matter though as I consider it an appropriate term because essentially "third person" means that you not only have an invisible aircraft allowing you to be a super hero, but you can float like some kind of spectre behind your body, allowing all round views. Now if you put the view right behind the players head, then you may aswell be in FPS mode.
Last edited by Destraex; 28-03-2012 at 03:55.
Just to clear it up as well, yes I used the word "we" and it was appropriate to do so as I am not the only one here who shares my view. At no point did I say the full community supported anything I said, I simply made it clear that I am not the only one who is bored of coming to these forums to read another one of your posts about Wonder Woman. (Much easier to say "we" rather than compile a list of names...)
much better But I think we need one step further for full realism servers. An option to turn off third person all together.
Just remember that when I am coming for you, I will be screaming "You Wonder Woman!!!", just before I die. :P
Also the +1 is a much more appropriate way to count peoples agreement than "we".
so say we all.
I'd do first person with a Track IR. If not, I'm going third-person.
If you stand and try to watch where the character possibly couldnt. Like a wall corner, make it blurry or something, like fog of war in strategy games..
An idea, but I like the game now as it is.. Choosing 1st person and 3rd person, is somewhat bothering.
The whole wonderwoman argument is totally moot anyway. In flight simulators, you're not facing against anyone... you have to create your own "hard mode".
In multiplayer games, you have the same information available to you as your enemy so it doesn't matter what you can see as long as there's reasonable scope for players to develop their abilities and improve beyond each other. There is no "hard" or "easy" mode.
In multiplayer games of war of the roses I assume that unless close in radars are developed for the interface not everybody will have the same view information.
From what you are saying I think you are assuming that people will always be facing each other face to face, nose to nose, direct front. If that was the case their would be no need for third person view at all. I am assuming that the devs are using third person view simply because you can use your peripheral vision. and you can see that stab coming from the left or right.
I am simply saying this takes away from realism and immersion when their must be a better way to impliment a peripheral vision system. In addition I am saying that third person partially blocks your view of what your own weapon is doing and and allows a much better peripheral vision than any human would ever have.
A better peripheral vision system may involve a series of "glimpses" which momentarily showed you what you might feel when somebody runs into you or hits you from behind. Or the sound of an axe coming down to the left. That sort of thing. Even just showing the peripheral from first person, so you can see to your shoulders on the first person screen. like one of those cameras that takes a photo of a semi cirlce of people and the result is a flat line of people.
That would just be annoyon as fark, the way I'm picturing it at least.
"There are no limits to what science can explore."
-Ernest Solvay, Belgian Chemist
Not gonna argue with the whole realism/immersion thing since I really don't see that as very important in a multiplayer game.
lol at the supermanlyhonour rules. If every player has access to it, and it's a well-recognised and intentional part of the game, it's most certainly not akin to cheating. If more experienced players are choosing to handicap themselves by not taking advantage of one particular aspect of the game, that's their choice, but they have no room to complain if they get beaten by someone making the smart choice.(i) the issues is that it is not only unmanly and unchivalrous, it is also akin to cheating because it is such a huge unrealistic advantage. This on top of the fact that the game is supposed to represent its subject matter and
cannot do this by giving somebody a view that does not even exist for modern pilots yet. Apart from that it ruins immersion. You may as well just not have the combat flight simulator and call it "fantasy flight" or "flight of fancy". Do what
ever you like however you like becomes the aim of the game. Pointless really. But good for people without skill. You could call it a learning mode for newbs I guess.
I'm not really sure what you mean by 'games that even the playing field'. In what way do you want the playing field to be uneven? The fact that you have the capacity to have access to the same visual information as your enemies/friends does not by necessity turn the game into one in which only individual skill is required, so I'm not really sure how you're coming to that conclusion.(ii) Games that even the playing field thus turn people into one man armies with no need for their companions. Everybody should see what they would see standing and holding a weapon in armour. Nothing more and nothing less. Get your buddies to protect your back just like the real deal. Much more interesting than "hero mode".
Who is supposing how much I should be able to see in third-person mode?(iii) This does not address the whole "I have a third eye" view point. It does not change the fact that you will see much more than you are supposed to with third person view. If you do not then their you may as well be first person.
I agree it is a smaller less important point that you cannot see through your own body.
I guess being a medieval soldier was awfully similar to pressing a load of buttons in order to kill people then. With that attitude, I hope you never play GTA.(iv) Well I cannot convince you if you think a multiplayer game should not need to immerse the player or suspend his or her disbelief.....
me, I like to think that a game like this can be fun but also teach and show you as near as possible what it would be like to be a medieval soldier.
What was possible and what was not. How different tactics and teamwork were used and the art of war. Not just a standard simple hack and slash fantasy dungeon romp
I will not explain further at this time except to say... a lot more people than me enjoy simulators and all the games in between that create an ambiance of realism and fun.
In fact this game aims to be relatively real when it comes to medieval combat. Its just mashing keys but they want it to seem as real as you can get. That much is obvious just
by looking at the system they are putting in place to allow better combat than M&B.
With that last reference to GTA, what say you to the medieval re-enactors we have here? They go a few steps further than mashing keys and study the art of medieval combat
fairly seriously? What are you saying to them? Are you saying they are blood thirsty maniacs that want to kill people for fun?
Last edited by Destraex; 01-04-2012 at 14:21.


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Hi: 9° Lo:5°
By Dan Santy Monday 29 October 2012 Updated: 19/12 15:37
POLICE in Wales are searching for a Rugby man who is believed to have gone missing from the summit of Mount Snowdon.
Gerry Coyle was last seen near the cafe at the top of the UK's second highest mountain at around 1pm last Thursday (October 25).
Since then he has failed to make contact with or respond to calls from family and friends, and North Wales Police are urging anyone who has seen him in the last few days to contact them.
The 65-year-old from Rugby had been staying at the Padarn Lake Hotel in Llanberis and left there at around 11am on the day he went missing intending to walk to the top of Mount Snowdon.
But, after a text sent to his wife, it is believed he caught the train to the top of the mountain and was last seen in the summit cafe at 1pm.
He has not been seen or heard from since.
Emergency services were alerted on Saturday (October 27), and police and mountain rescue teams have been searching the area since.
Sgt Rob Rands of North Wales Police said: "Mr Coyle left the hotel stating his intentions to walk to the summit and indeed upon speaking with staff there it appears he made it.
"However he has not been seen since and with the passing of time, and the deteriorating weather conditions, we are increasingly concerned about his safety.
"I am appealing to anyone who has been walking the mountains of the last few days that if you have seen Mr Coyle to make immediate contact with the police."
Mr Coyle is 5ft 3in tall, of medium build and was wearing a green fleece top, green trousers and a wide brimmed hat with camouflage pattern.
It is also thought he would have been carrying photography equipment including a tripod, although this would probably have been in a black bag or a backpack.
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