text:
Contest winners: Jabra DRIVE, BookBook, iWork for iOS
Here are the winners from our last few contests, including our Jabra DRIVE giveaway to keep you connected in the car, BookBook to keep your wallet and iPhone in one place, iWork to help you get back to school (or work), and MoneyWiz to help you keep track of all the cash you saved due to awesome TiPb giveaways! for iPad giveaway to keep you entertained and happy. If you didn't win, don't worry! We also have a bunch of awesome new contests under way, so check them out and enter now!
Jabra DRIVE Bluetooth Speakerphone
BookBook for iPhone 4
Numbers, Pages, and Keynote
- Numbers
- Topypunk
- Bacco
- Cfroisland
- Russell Nutt
- Hardy Mayer
- Pages
- Knedberg
- Chicks2180
- captainmorgan
- David Peters
- Njchenard
- Keynote
- Humbleteacher
- TeeHeck
- Franzenjg
- kenston
- Craftytony
- Bobby1210
- Jimmy
- Jeremy
- Matt8823
- Prheckman
More chances to win!
These contests are still open, so hurry up and enter!
- Win a FREE Naztech N15 3.5mm Mini Boom Speaker!
- App Giveaway: MadPad by Smule
- App Giveaway: wake N shake – The Merciless Alarm Clock Pro Shaker Edition for iPhone
- App Giveaway: Fluke HD for iPad
- App Giveaway: Alert Notes for iPhone
If you won you will be receiving an email either from us or directly from the retailer/developer in the next few days. (If for some reason you don't receive an email within 7-14 days -- be sure to check your spam/junk folder just in case -- you can email us at firstname.lastname@example.com and we'll be sure to get you taken care of! Please be patient as some prizes may take longer than others to arrive. Congrats to all the winners, and if you didn't win this time, we have lots of contests you can enter now, and more on their way!
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
Contest winners: Jabra DRIVE, BookBook, iWork for iOS
Justin Long. One in the same?! :)
haha I wish lol
Or Justin Case?
Yay me! And yay tipb!
SERIOUSLY PUMPED! Thanks so much TiPb staff!!!!
Oh my God, I can't believe I won! Thanks so much you guys! I cannot stop smiling!
Dude, Mr. Randy's comment was way better than Rodger3GS. I quit!


text:
HAZARD — The Perry County School Board met Thursday morning for its monthly board meeting to finalize an agreement for collaboration with the Hazard Independent School District and to discuss construction updates and academic improvement.
The board voted unanimously to adopt a memorandum of agreement that was drafted and signed by the Hazard Independent School Board last month. Hazard Superintendent Sandra Johnson and Chairman of the Hazard Independent School Board Grady Varney attended Thursday's meeting.
"As a single district, we could never combine all of the courses necessary for some of the career ready certification, but if we work together and plan those then our students would have an advantage," Johnson said.
Jonathan Jett, interim superintendent for the Perry County schools, presented the board with the memorandum and explained that the purpose of it was to allow for a comprehensive effort to improve college and career readiness, provide high quality extra- and co-curricular activities for students K-12, and meet the unique needs of all students enrolled in each district.
"We're well on our way to repairing any issues that we've had with the district in the past," Jett said.
The board was also presented with construction updates for the new East Perry Elementary School, with "substantial completion" scheduled for June 30, at which time furniture will be able to be moved in and the building can be occupied, said Melinda Joseph-Dezarn, with the architecture firm Ross-Tarrant.
"It's moving along, I can't complain," Joseph-Dezarn said. "We are probably about 62 percent [complete]."
Joseph-Dezarn said due to the inclement weather for the last few days, the construction company has requested a five-day weather extension for the athletic complex, which the board approved.
The board approved pay applications and purchase orders for the athletic complex that totaled $275,536.87.
A pay application of $555,836.63 for East Perry was also approved by the board, and two change orders, adding up to just under $55,000, one for a metal fascia piece for the perimeter of the building and another to install the wiring to use SMART Boards and projectors in class rooms instead of TV monitors.
Jett also presented the board with an academic update for the district.
In 2011, Perry County Central was included in a list of persistently low-achieving (PLA) schools in the state. To be considered a PLA school in Kentucky, the school must fail to meet benchmarks for three years straight.
Since the high school was named a PLA, steps have been taken to ensure recovery; one of the biggest of those steps thus far has been to ensure accountability among administration, teachers, and students alike. This move for more accountability seems to have also spilled over into the district itself.
"I've had conversations with the principals, and we've talked about teachers that weren't providing students with the education they needed. And I talked to the principals at the principals' meeting, you know, that's their responsibility, being in those classrooms and making sure those people are being effective," Jett said.
The board was also presented with a presentation from ALUMALIGHT, a lighting company that quoted the district as being able to save over $200,000 annually on electricity bills if Perry Central High School updated its lighting system. Chairman of the Board John Combs said the board would consider the quote.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
SUBSCRIBEWe will NOT sell your email address to anybody!
One year manufacturer's warranty on most items. Click for details
Orders received by 12 EST usually ship next business day. Click for details
Return any item in new condition for a refund or exchange. Click for details
Airgun or airsoft gun need fixing? Looking for peace of mind with our 10-for-$10 test or to save time with 20-for-$20 service? Our full service tech and repair shop can help! Click for details
Free ground shipping for orders over $150! Click for details
Shipping restrictions by location Click for details
|Sort by:
|Most Popular
Benjamin CO2 & Air FIll Adapter, Fits Benjamin Air Tank or Standard Paintball CO2 Tank
Add to Compare
Add to Wishlist
|About this product
Benjamin-FAH002 [PY-A-2153]
Starting at $69.99
4.5 (14 reviews)
Made specifically for the Dual-Fuel capability of the Benjamin Discovery and the Crosman Challenger...
Benjamin CO2 Fill Adapter, Fits Discovery & Challenger
Add to Cart
Add to Compare
Add to Wishlist
|About this product
Benjamin-FAH001 [PY-A-2154]
Starting at $35.99
3.0 (10 reviews)
* CO2 fill adapter * Fits Benjamin Discovery and Crosman Challenger * C GA-320...
Benjamin ASA Adapter, Connects Bulk CO2 Tanks to Benjamin Dual-Fuel Guns
Add to Cart
Add to Compare
Add to Wishlist
|About this product
Benj-FAH005 [PY-A-3639]
Starting at $19.99
5.0 (1 review)
* ASA adapter * Connects bulk-fill CO2 tanks to Benjamin & Crosman Dual-Fuel guns ...
CheckoutSubtotal (USD):
does not include shipping and tax


text:
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
The defending champs were simply too strong.
Lexington High School won twice, 10-4 and 7-3, on Wednesday to capture the District V championship and ousted Goose Creek from the Class AAAA playoffs.
We didnt play as well as we could but the kids never quit, Gators coach Chris Pond said. Both games, we left way too many men on base. We didnt get the big hits when we needed.
Lexington (20-8) travels to District VI winner Sumter on Saturday to begin the Lower State final four. The Gators end the season with a 15-11 record.
The second game was the final one for eight Gators seniors.
They worked hard all year, Pond said.
Lexington forced a decisive game when Wildcats ace Cordes Baker (8-1) outgunned Goose Creek ace Cody Smith (4-3) in the opener.
The Wildcats struck for two runs in the first inning and added two more in the third to give Baker all the support he needed. Baker struck out eight batters and gave up two hits in five innings.
Goose Creek trailed 8-0 before scoring in the fifth inning.
In the second game, the Wildcats scored three runs in the fifth to lead 5-1 and built a 7-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.
But the Gators fought to the end.
Chris Singleton drew a bases loaded walk to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs but Lexington reliever Jordan Buster coaxed a pop out to end it.
Rhett Bane (5-1) earned the win for Lexington, tossing four innings. Tyler Rio (5-4) took the loss for Goose Creek, lasting until the fifth inning.
Smith had a solo homer for the Gators and Singleton drove in a run with a ground rule double earlier in the game.
The Gazette is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Gazette.
If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.
© 2015 The Gazette an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


text:
Main Content
Order as many items as you like with our $4.99 flat rate shipping.
This item ships within one business day.
Order as many items as you like with our $4.99 flat rate shipping.
Need it faster?
There's nothing quite like Opening Day. You've planned vacations around it, called in sick to work and left your friends stranded because they didn't get in the car fast enough to head to the game. The anticipation in the stands and camaraderie among your fellow Mariners fans is unparalleled. It's better than any other holiday — and yes, you do consider it a holiday. Pay homage to the Mariners' very first opening day in 1977 when you wear the Opening Series tee from Majestic. It features a team logo planted over a bar graphic with the establishment date flanking it, a team name arched above it and "Major League Baseball" printed below. From the very beginning to present day, Seattle has been synonymous with great baseball, and you know this year will be no different!
- 90% Cotton/10% Polyester
- Imported
- Officially licensed Mariners tee
- Screen print graphics
- Tagless collar
Mariners Customers also liked:
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
HAZARD — School districts across the state are facing, in some cases, crippling payments to a group insurance trust that has recently declared its planned dissolution in June due to massive deficits.
Jody Maggard, financial officer for the Perry County School District, announced Thursday during a board meeting the projected payment the district will have to make to KSBIT, around $450,000.
"I wish I had better news for that, but I don't," Maggard said.
KSBIT, the Kentucky School Board Insurance Trust, announced in January that it had accumulated a significant increase in the deficits — expected to be from $50 million to $60 million — for the worker's compensation self-insurance pool and the liability self-insurance pool. These deficits have led the trust to no longer accept new or renewal business since the beginning of the year.
In order to eliminate the deficit, KSBIT was assessed by the Kentucky Department of Insurance which set up a plan to have all previous and currently insured members make a payment based on the premiums paid, the number of years of participation by each member during the years generating a deficit, and the projected cost of claims in each pool by each member, as of June 30, 2012.
According to a press release from the trust, KSBIT was created in 1978 "to provide coverage through nonprofit self-insured pools authorized under Kentucky law. These pools allow school districts, colleges and universities to combine their resources while sharing the risks."
"I still can't get over how we have to do that. They [KSBIT] don't even cover us; I mean, we're paying somebody else," board member Jerry Stacy said.
Maggard said the district has not been involved with KSBIT since 2007, when it signed with Curneal and Hignite Insurance. However, because it incurred costs during the period KSBIT is said to have started losing money, the district is legally accountable for the amount being asked of it.
"I'm not advocating for them [KSBIT], nobody in this room wants to give them $450,000, not one of the other 173 different school districts in the state of Kentucky wants to pay them any money," Maggard said.
The Hazard Independent School District is also facing a large payment to KSBIT. At its school board meeting this week, Superintendent Sandra Johnson told the board the estimated payment for the district, released by the Kentucky Department of Insurance after its assessment of KSBIT, was $136,918.
The city school district has not been a member of KSBIT for the last five years, but could be expected to pay this amount in either one lump sum or in payments ranging for either 10 or 20 years, the options given to all districts facing this payment.
Johnson said some districts are facing payments of over $1 million.
According to the KSBIT calculation, the Knott County School District is expected to pay $1,096,677, Letcher County schools are expected to pay $599,653, and the Breathitt County School District may have to pay $744,735. These estimates are based upon the $60 million estimated deficit.
"There might be lawsuits go over, but I'm not saying that there's not going to be. There might be changes in numbers, I'm not saying that there's not going to be," Maggard said. "But this is a reality, and it is going to happen."


text: Yash is a neutral peach–doesn't read warm or cool. It has a matte finish. The color coverage is opaque, and the texture was smooth and creamy but not slick. This shade wore for five hours. MAC Delectable is darker, more orange. MAC Peachstock is lighter, more beige. MAC Deletcable is similar, slightly darker. Cle de Peau Calliope is a smidgen darker, glossier.


text:
Quick Links
Shop All Jewelry
KEY10010 In Stock
Build your own Personalized Bead keychain! Whether you're looking for a new way to wear your old beads, or looking for new beads too, this is the latest accessory you need. This Oriana custom bead keychain can hold a number of Oriana beads, and is compatible with any Pandora beads, Troll beads, Biagi beads, Chamilia beads, and Pugster beads you may already have. Our Oriana beads come in rhodium plated brass, gold plated, enamel, hand blown glass, and some with hand set stones as well! So, whether you're looking to start a collection, or add to one, this keychain is a must have.
• Personalized Bead Keychain
• Compatible with Pandora and Oriana Beads
• 3.5 Inches Long
Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable.


text:
The forming of a fossil is a very rare situation (that needs rare circumstances). We should be lucky we found as many fossils as we did and do. And all fossils found, back the evolution theory up. Thousands and thousands of fossils.
There are many scientific articles about the evolution of the human eye (since creationist always use that as the evidence evolution cannot be true). It is all backed up with excellent evidence and a clear logic.
Gradual evolutionism does not need it's magic unicorn. It needs research and evidence. And there is plenty. Like I said before...evolution is a fact. There are still processes that we don't understand (yet), but so far all found evidence does back this 'theory' up. I am not talking about a book of evidence. I am talking about library's full of books all over the world with only evidence.


text:
These spectrograms are a visual representation of the very brief flight calls made by North American warblers during their nocturnal migrations. Some of these call notes sound almost identical to our ears, but spectrograms show minute differences between them. Scientists can compare spectrograms of night recordings to spectrograms of known species to identify nocturnal migrants in total darkness. Andrew Farnsworth, a scientist in the Cornell Lab's Conservation Science program, developed this "Rosetta Stone" in 2006 in collaboration with Michael Lanzone, Cellular Tracking Technologies, William R. Evans, and Michael O'Brien. It covers all 48 warbler species of the U.S. and Canada (including Grace's and Red-faced warblers, not shown), and is a major tool in our Acoustic Monitoring Project.
It's been an exciting year for sound-analysis teams at the Cornell Lab. A recent gift from the Kenneth L. Harder Trust will help our Acoustic Monitoring Project make automated acoustic analysis a reality. As sound recordings continue to pour in from studies conducted around the world, computers become essential to the problem of analyzing all the data they contain.
Our staff will use results from the Rosetta Stone and funding from the Harder gift to "train" computers to identify the sounds of warblers and other nocturnally migrating birds as well as other species including whales and forest elephants.
"Acoustic monitoring generates terabytes of data to manage and analyze," says Paul Allen, AMP project leader. "The infrastructure and tools developed and integrated by AMP will expand our capacity for monitoring, which is increasingly in demand, and extend our ability to automatically classify what species created the sound."
The $1.25 million gift comes from trustee Scott Harder, Karen (Tillman) Harder '81, Liv Harder '11, and Donald Harder. Kenneth Harder, Scott's uncle, was a lifelong birder, and the Harders are longtime supporters of the Cornell Lab.
A new grant from the National Science Foundation, for $2.2 million, will fund BirdCast, a project that will combine bird observations (both sightings and sound recordings) with weather models and terrain data to forecast migrations. The results of the predictions will help scientists understand migratory behavior and may aid decisions about wind turbine placement and other questions about environmental hazards to birds.
We thank the Kenneth L. Harder Trust, National Science Foundation, and members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for supporting our ongoing efforts to develop powerful acoustic techniques to advance the understanding of migration, one of nature's most complex phenomena.
Learn more about BirdCast and the Acoustic Monitoring Project in this Cornell Chronicle article.
Download this poster and put it on your wall—free:
Don't miss out! Each issue of BirdScope contains a new pull-out poster. Subscribe to BirdScope by becoming a member of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and you'll get quarterly copies delivered to your door, among other benefits of membership.
To get a sense of just how challenging it can be to tell call notes apart, listen to these three examples. Even though the calls last just a fraction of a second, there are people who can tell many of them apart by ear. And when the sounds are analyzed acoustically, they are clearly identifiable to the species level.
Click the play buttons below to hear each of the call notes. Be warned! You'll need to turn up your volume and listen very closely. Compare what you hear to the spectrogram above each bird's photo. Does it help you picture what the call sounds like?
Recordings are by Andrew Farnsworth and Michael Lanzone.
Contact the Lab | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Credits Copyright © 2015 Cornell University


text:
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Sullivan's Island Town Council welcomed two new council members, re-elected a familiar face and elevated another familiar member to mayor in the past municipal election. Those results came into effect Tuesday at the monthly council meeting.
Mike Perkis, former mayor pro tem and current mayor, called the transition "very good (and) very classy." Carl Smith, the outgoing mayor who had served on town council for 34 years, narrowly lost a write-in re-election campaign that showed a divide among Sullivan's Island residents on who should lead the island.
At the heart of the dispute was the rebuilding of Sullivan's Island Elementary School and the issue of whether residents should be able to vote on the size of the school. Smith supported a referendum to allow a vote but was consistently the only opposing vote to six other council members.
The two new council members – Chauncey Clark and Susan Middaugh – both support current school plans, as does re-elected Pat O'Neil. Perkis said that although council may be more united now, he doesn't want different – and perhaps dissenting – opinions held back during council discussions.
"I hope we don't (always agree)," Perkis said. "But, once the council agrees, I firmly believe we're going to move forward as one."
Council recognized Smith and outgoing councilwoman Madeleine McGee, who chose not to seek re-election.
Among Sullivan's Island Town Council's priorities is to develop a better communication plan. In questionnaires with the four elected officials published in recent editions of the Moultrie News, all four mentioned external communication with residents as an area to improve.
One resident suggested in a Letter to the Editor of the Moultrie News that council should video-record all meetings subject to Freedom of Information Act guidelines. Perkis said that option will be explored, as will others.
Town administrator Andy Benke suggested having an AM radio station that could broadcast traffic information, information about upcoming events and council updates. All options, including their financial costs, will be considered soon in committee meetings, Perkis said. All meetings are currently recorded for audio. The recordings are available to be listened to if a person comes to town hall. The minutes of all meetings are posted online, he added.
Tuesday's council meeting included the passing of an ordinance for the fiscal year 2014 budget and for the water and sewer budget. It lasted an hour and a half, which is an improvement from the norm. Perkis said the meetings shouldn't last for hours because he wants more thorough committee meetings.
This requires council members to be better prepared and ready to act immediately during council meetings. "I can't remember the last time we had an hour and a half (long) meeting," Perkis said, adding that about 50-60 people were in attendance. "I hope they keep showing up."
Jerry Kaynard was voted by his council peers to be mayor pro tem.
The following committee assignments were also made official:
Ways and Means: Mike Perkis, chair; Jerry Kaynard, co-chair; all members of council
Personnel: Jerry Kaynard, chair; Susan Middaugh; Mary Jane Watson
Water and Sewer: Susan Middaugh, chair; Jerry Kaynard; Mike Perkis
Building and Construction: Hartley Cooper, chair; Pat O'Neil; Mike Perkis
Fire: Chauncey Clark, chair; Pat O'Neil; Mary Jane Watson
Recreation: Mary Jane Watson, chair; Jerry Kaynard; Hartley Cooper
Real Estate: Pat O'Neil, chair; Mike Perkis; Jerry Kaynard
Police: Chauncey Clark, chair; Pat O'Neil; Susan Middaugh
Streets and Maintenance: Hartley Cooper, chair; Susan Middaugh; Mike Perkis
Moultrie News is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not Moultrie News.
If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.
© 2015 Moultrie News an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


text:
Having watched Maryland schools for years from across the Delaware border, state Superintendent Lillian M. Lowery is well-positioned to step into the shoes of Nancy S. Grasmick, who led the Maryland Department of Education for two decades.
"We [in Delaware] shamelessly followed what Maryland was doing, in [Advanced Placement participation], in early childhood education," Lowery said. "So when I had the opportunity to come here, it was one that I was really privileged to have."
But Maryland Board of Education members say they're not looking for her to be another Grasmick, who was widely praised as the state accumulated education honors.
"Instead of looking behind, she's looking forward, and is going to be wearing her own shoes, not filling someone else's," said board vice president Mary Kay Finan.
Since Lowery started the job in July, taking over from interim superintendent Bernard J. Sandusky, she has spent a lot of time on the road, said Willian Reinhard, spokesman for the department.
She has visited each of the state's 24 school districts, met in Annapolis with lawmakers who ultimately will decide the department's funding, and participated in forums and conferences around the state and in Washington, D.C.
"Her job isn't in any one office," said Reinhard, adding with a laugh that "it makes her hard to get a hold of."
"I'm making sure I'm getting to know the system," Lowery said of her first months on the job. "We have amazing state leadership."
The focus for Lowery is keeping Maryland's No. 1-ranked state education on course, she told members of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families in Annapolis on Sept. 19, her first time before the committee.
"I'm not here to make a name and shake things up, because Maryland is on the right track," Lowery said.
Whether or not she invites the comparison, it's inevitable that at some point she will be measured against Grasmick, said Michael Hickey, director of the Center for Leadership in Education at Towson University.
"She will be compared by other people, but she's going into the job with the right mindset," Hickey said. "She's not trying to be a clone of Dr. Grasmick."
The comparison is most likely to come as she hits her one-year mark in office, when test scores for the Maryland School Assessments — the statewide standardized tests known as MSAs — come out for the 2013 school year.
Lowery had barely moved into her office when the 2012 scores were released in July. The scores showed a continued upward trend among elementary school students — 88.2 percent were proficient in reading and 87.7 in math. And middle school math scores jumped more than two points, with 76.2 percent of students proficient. Only middle school reading scores declined, falling by 1.4 percentage points, to 82.1 percent of middle schoolers scoring proficient or better.
"The MSA scores are on everyone's radar," Hickey said. "But that's a very shallow criteria on which to judge."
Another shallow number is the much-ballyhooed No. 1 ranking the state has received from Education Week the past four years, Hickey said.
"It's a beauty contest, and it was a great way for Dr. Grasmick to go out of office, but at some point it's going to go away," Hickey said of the ranking, noting any number of factors could vault another state to the top of the heap.
"If it happens on Dr. Lowery's watch, she'll get the blame for it, but it won't be any kind of real assessment on her," he said.
A bigger challenge is likely doing something about the wide achievement gaps between white and minority students.
In every grade in every tested subject, black students trail white students in proficiency by more than 10 points. In a majority of those categories, the gap is closer to or exceeds 20 points. The divide between white and Hispanic students is slightly smaller, but just as persistent.
Lowery has her eye on the gap and is looking to narrow it, along with the performance disparity between general education students and students with disabilities.
Longtime administrator
After 20 years as a teacher and administrator in Virginia schools — 16 of those in Fairfax County — Lowery became superintendent of Delaware's Department of Education in 2009, overseeing the state's 130,000 students and 212 schools.
More than 854,000 students are enrolled in Maryland schools.
"[Lowery] is the rare combination of a practiced educator, who has been in nearly every role in the education system and knows it inside out, and a forward thinker who sees the whole picture," said Rebecca Taber, who worked as chief performance officer under Lowery and is now education policy adviser for Delaware Gov. Jack A. Markell. "She's probably one of the most desired administrators in the country because of that."
That experience makes Lowery particularly suited to enact the education reforms taking shape in systems across the country, including new curricula and teacher evaluations, Taber said. Those reforms are setting Lowery's priorities for Maryland schools.
The state is moving to implement the Common Core curriculum standards, which Lowery said add a lot more rigor much earlier in a student's academic life.
"I've seen third-graders multiplying and dividing fractions," Lowery said of places where Common Core curriculums are being tested.
Another priority is enacting new teacher evaluations. Last year, seven school districts piloted portions of the evaluations, and this year all 24 districts are testing parts of the new system. Although each district will have some flexibility on how it implements the new metrics, a portion of all teacher evaluations will be based on student test scores.
The changes are putting in effect a plan that secured the state $250 million in federal funding from Race to the Top — the Obama administration's answer to No Child Left Behind — under Grasmick's leadership.
Lowery has a leg up on most of the nation's public school leaders when it comes to school reform; Delaware was one of the first states to receive Race to the Top grants, and so was a year ahead of Maryland in enacting the required changes.
That experience is one of the reasons she was offered the job, Finan said.
"She has a depth of knowledge about Race to the Top, and she's up to date on what we need," Finan said.
Lowery also has to continue distributing money to districts for "turnaround schools," those that persistently underachieve. Since 2010, the U.S. Department of Education has granted Maryland more than $60 million for such schools.
Lowery has set metrics to measure the success of reforms. She wants to see the statewide graduation rate climb from its current 82 percent of high school seniors to 88 percent by 2016, when her first four-year contract expires. In the same time frame, she wants to cut the dropout rate by more than half — from 5 percent to 2.4 percent.
When Lowery started her new position in the summer she had company — five local school system superintendents also were just beginning their tenures, adding to five who came on board in 2011. More than half of the state's superintendents have been on the job four years or less, a fact that Lowery says is exciting, not troubling.
"I love it, because then we don't talk about what we've always done," she said.


text:
|159 posts found
Hard Core Member
Joined: 2/06/08
Originally posted by Nightfyre
What would the backers that invested loads of money into the game think of others getting a house for free?
Login or Register to never see this panel
Novice Member
Joined: 5/10/13
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
Originally posted by Aragon100
That's why selling a limited in game resource for real money is a design mistake.
And why do you say housing would be "for free"? It would still require in game gold.
Having to invest $500 or more to get a house in a video game is just plain retarded. I guess Richard left his brain in space, floating among the stars.
My computer is better than yours.
Novice Member
Joined: 3/17/07
"Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong." - Mordin Solus
How much are these houses going to cost ?
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/18/13
This game is a cash shop before there is even a game. I expected more from Garrott. Selling items before launch with no comparable alternative when they go live is sleazy.
Chris Roberts is selling things before the game launches but they are just custom ships and items that you will undoubtedly get in some form when the game launches. He's not saying "Buy your ship now before the game launches or you'll just be floating in space when you log in!!!
What Garrott is doing is wrong, saying you will never have a home in this game unless you buy one with cash before the game even launches.
I will no longer support his efforts.
Originally posted by Bigmamajama
I too was pretty surprised on the route Portalarium have taken from the get go on this. It is 2013, let us be honest, every game created now and in the future will be microtransaction based after they go live. What I didn't expect is for some of the bigger things to slide in like these houses.
Then again, it is their game and if we want to play it we'll have to pay it. What I would watch closely though is the fact that they have not closed their direct backing tiers/rewards on the main site, and at the same time they are sliding these new houses in for 100 smacks each...
Bitter Vet™
Joined: 9/13/06
Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
I am not following this title much, never was a fan and I think RG is old news however I do share the OP's concern about exclusive kickstarter rewards such as housing.
I tossed in some cash for CU, however it did sort of "grind my gears" over their sales to the whales of entire islands for huge sums of cash.
If there was some way for me to get my own island in game, (even if it cost a gagillion in game gold) I'd probably be more accepting, but these rewards were also "one time one, exclusive" etc for cash donators only and truth is, annoying to me.
I guess without the whales these games might never be created, (well truthfully, we still haven't seen many games created out of crowd funding yet) but I would prefer it to not be necessary.
But then again, I'd like to buy a new BMW for like 10K, and that's not happening either.
In my day MMORPG's were so hard we fought our way through dungeons in the snow, uphill both ways.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 7/18/10
Veni, Vidi, Converti
So my question is: If you come AFTER the housing bubble, then how do "you" make your mark in the game, seemingly at a disadvantage? Obviously the housing is not "pixie dust" if demand fuels the housing bubble/land deeds. But then is it not a form of early pay-to-win -- even if you are a generous soul backing ahead of time?
I just want to see how the disadvantages are countered?
Novice Member
Joined: 8/26/13
Bort bort bort!
Originally posted by GungaDin
No, it wasn't. That is an outright lie. Housing was always presented as a part of the core features of the game, not a 'rare thing' only people with disposable income could afford. I find it amusing that your argument is so weak that you have to fabricate garbage like this to support it.
As for not pledging, well it's a little late for that now (for me anyway). I've got an email in to Portalarium, we'll see what they say about it. Hopefully they'll do the right thing & grant me the refund I've (politely) requested. If not, I'm prepared to take things as far as they need to go to get my money back.
A refund isn't going to fix the sense of betrayal I feel though. I really wanted a spiritual successor to Ultima, but now I realize that the man who made the original series so great really doesn't exist anymore.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 7/09/12
Sounds like a very expensive game indeed. Too bad I guess...
Want a nice understanding of life? Try Spirit Science: "The Human History"
Originally posted by MumboJumbo
The Shroud of the Avatar world will have four additional expansions to it after the initial game has been released, so a total of five "games" if you will.
I suspect that in each of the games, new content and new land plots will be introduced giving those who didn't have a chance to kickstart/back the game to get their hands on some housing. However, I wouldn't expect it to be any different than it is now, before the new "games" or "patches" come out, expect to see the housing/plots up on the web store.
Better than nothing? Mabye.
The role of housing is not clear. It has been stated that getting a house will not exactly be a win button either, it will simply make things easier and quicker for the player. You will still be able to store stuff, sell stuff, and play the entire game without a house of course.
If your goal is to get your hands on housing with only in-game money and then turn a profit IRL, then yes you are at a disadvantage. But other than that, housing really could be pixie dust, it seems totally irrelevant at this point.
Novice Member
Joined: 2/16/12
Originally posted by Aragon100
What is the purpose of "Backing" a game if not to support the creation of a excellent game? This is my beef with crowdfunding. It's more like crowdscamming. Think in terms of investing in stock or being a initial investor in a company. If the game does OK you get your initial investment back plus some profit. WIth crowdfunding, people have told me you don't get your initial investment back, just some in game stuff. Is the value of the in game stuff worth their initial investment? Questionable, how much is that house worth in 4 years compared to the $200 bucks? Also in the US, to be an "Accredited investor" you must make 200k a year or have 1 mil in assets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accredited_investor) that pretty much is the check to make sure you can undertake such a risk in the first place. Crowdfunding kind of circumvents this sort of safety net and it seems like in the end, most people end up fleeced.
Crowdfunding this game is pretty unethical. Richard Garriott is a multi-milionare and paid $30 mil supposedly to go into space. He should have funded this game himself. On the opposite side, crowdfunding is a good way to make a nice profit. You never have to pay back the funders, except with virtual goods.
Giving in game housing to the highest bidder is not only distasteful, but pulls away from the immersion the game is supposed to be about. Same thing with cash shop carp. I loath the free to play revolution.
Novice Member
Joined: 8/26/13
Bort bort bort!
Originally posted by Aragon100
Nobody's saying that houses should be free. Nobody's saying that backers shouldn't get more stuff for the money they're spending. I'm all for backers with $1000 getting an awesome home on their own personal island somewhere, good for them.
What I'm against is the fact that not only are plots available for RL cash, but that they're limited quantity AND players can buy as many plots as they want. This means that people with more money IRL can buy up all the land and essentially prevent anyone else from buying it with ingame currency, thereby forcing players to either buy it with real money or miss out on one of the core features of the game. This is unacceptable. My gameplay experience shouldn't be limited because I lack disposable income. I already donated what I could; being told I have to donate more if I don't want to risk getting locked out of a nice chunk of the content is borderline extortion.
Or in other words, RG is a big fat greedy bastard milking people for all they're worth. If I get a refund, I'm either putting it toward increasing my Wasteland 2 pledge (game looks great so far) or possibly dropping it on Star Citizen.
At least Fargo & Roberts seem to have some sort of integrity left.
Originally posted by Swedish_Chef
I am usually a big proponent for equality in any area. However I don't quite understand your argument, I am a backer, citizen level with a house/plot due to it and I really could care less if other people are buying up land what so ever. You don't need a house in-game to play, I doubt it will give you that much of a leg up on anyone even if you do have one. Keep in mind there are going to be many more people without a house than with one, they will be the majority and they will also get what they want.
Have you not put in enough money during KS or SotA pledge to gain a house, and you are upset that you may not have the chance to earn a house in-game before everyone either pledges or pays IRL $ to get one first?
Richard Garriott is a damn legend, without him you'd probably be playing a My Little Pony game right now. Church.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/17/13
PROUD P2P Elitist...
Originally posted by GungaDin
In your opinion, maybe. There is a large segment of the gaming community that feel that housing options should be as mandatory a feature of the game as character creation is. I was very close to backing until this announcement. I now think that I will give it a pass.
Originally posted by Hanthos
That is one of the most... interesting comments I have ever read. I've never come across anyone in recent MMO gaming which has told me they think that they are outright entitled to getting a house.
This is a new concept for me and doesn't make much sense. I would like to know why you believe that you are entitled to something like that?
I mean what if I don't want a house, you're also going to force me to play house?? I wear no skirt, as it is I'll probably give my citizen home away to some retard crafter or money grubbing douche bag in game.
Novice Member
Joined: 5/02/04
For those that are looking for UO2 will be disappointed.
SotA is more like a singleplayer game with added persistent multiplayer/co-op components. Additionally it is heavily instanced and the number of people that share your game at the same time is very limited.
For me this was a deal breaker and I don't even know why people would want a house in such a game.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 7/18/10
Veni, Vidi, Converti
There's been a huge popularity with selling houses so evidently Richard Garriott knows what he's doing to make money/kickstart.
But I find it very difficult to calculate the VALUE of houses.
When I back a kickstarter I calculate the value of the pledge then chip in a small side amount that is pure "help funding" goodwill.
This serves me well. I made only one mistake and lost perhaps $2 only on kickstarter backing on one failed project I still got to test the alpha. Perhaps one other ks are backed too much on and lost $30 but I was super emotionally invested in seeing that fly... If there was a detailed explanation of the value of houses village to large and the tax rate and how that converts to the real world cash paid by the person, then I'd be able to make a judgement. I just don't get how others have come to their decision.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 12/06/05
Originally posted by InsaneMembrane
I feel the same way actually. I pledged high enough for a house/plot of land, but to be honest, i'm pushing for in game Inns to be the hub of roleplay and community.
You think back to UO, the best places for me to interact with others was either at the bank or brit forge doing repairs. Close 2nd was perhaps guild halls where you would meet on a weekly basis. Don't get me wrong, having a house is nice, but its not critical to gameplay.
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/11/08
I think with my heart and move with my head.-Kongos
Nobody deserves a plot of land or a house in any game. Unless the verbiage for donating money said, "If you give this amount, you most certainly will get a plot of land and a house." In that case, people who donated enough money should get a house, if the game actually releases. But other than that, no, nobody deserves a house or land. They might certainly want those things, but they don't deserve them.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Novice Member
Joined: 5/10/13
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
Originally posted by lizardbones
And if those who work hard to get a house (aka DESERVE it) can't get one because there's no more plots available, they will most certainly just quit the game.
Those saying housing is not a major part of the game make me laugh. Look the gameplay videos released so far... yeah, ALL are centered around the house.
Owning a house, even a small village one, gives major advantages to crafters. And that's not only house decoration crafters - also weaponsmiths, armorsmiths, etc...
Having your storage just beside your own forge is just a tremendous advantage... and having your own vendor too.
My computer is better than yours.


text:
Hi, everyone:
I just feel like we have been pretty silent under the "Grief and Loss" section recently, so I thought I would just start a general topic: "How is everyone - REALLY?"
Personally, I totally identify with Sam's comment of feeling she's going one step forward and three steps back (uggh, it also reminds me of the NICU days). Last Wednesday was exactly one month since Isaiah died.[:(] I didn't cry but over the weekend those gut-wrenching tears came back along with the feelings of guilt and feeling like my husband doesn't/shouldn't love me, the whys and the what is . . . all those things just came flooding back.[V]
One thing that did help last week was finding the Heavenly Angels chatroom at www.groww.com/Branches/heavenly.htm - they have other chatrooms for various types of bereaved people, but Heavenly Angels is just for people like us who have lost children. Being able to share/listen and get/give instant responses helped a lot.
Yesterday at church, all the leaders called me and my husband up to the front. They prayed for us and anointed us with oil. Many gave encouraging and prophetic words. With all we can say (and all I personally have said) about people not understanding, it was a real blessing that they did that and that people are moved with such compassion toward us. It's amazing how people really see us as role models of faith for how we endured this whole process. It does help.
But again, at the end of the day, I miss my son.[V] I am trying with all my might to hang on to the image of his beautiful little face look at me - yes, I have pictures but my memories of him alive are what I cling to. I am trying to hold on to the feeling of his little fingers around my index finger.
Would love to hear how others are feeling as well - good, bad and/or in between and no that I am here to listen and give support.
Anika (32, severe pre-e)
Mommy's Angel Boy: Isaiah (1/20/04 - 2/17/04)
Born at 28 weeks 1 day gestation weighing 610 grams


text:
|The most helpful favorable review
|The most helpful critical review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
By Mario Morrell from USA on 2012-01-11 08:49:11Things I liked:The trigger, the sights, the balance
Things I would have changed:Nothing
What others should know:Did I mention the trigger. It is crisp, no creep and light. This is a heck of a bargain for $65. Would I buy it again? Without a doubt.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
By Arthur J from USA on 2013-09-28 17:26:30Things I liked:Well made air pistol at first sight. Solid feel and a nice balance for its size. Shoots a very small group at 33'. However the quality control is non-existence. The first gun I received looked like it was used, marks all over the frame, bare metal showing on the trigger and the elevation and windage knobs were frozen. Called customer service asking for a replacement and could someone please check the replacement b/4 shipping. The second gun had an off center front sight to the right and the elevation and windage knobs were frozen. Called customer service again requesting a replacement and if someone could please check it b/4 shipping. The third gun had the front sight off center but the elevation and windage knobs worked. However with the windage knob adjusted to the extreme right and the elevation knob adjusted to the highest elevation the gun shot to the left and below the bull at 33'. There was no adjustment left to get a group in the 10 ring.
Things I would have changed:Test fire these air guns before shipping and advise the importer of the lack of quality control. Change the rear sight to a better quality even if it increases the cost. This air gun could be a very accurate shooter if a little quality control was used.
What others should know:If you decide to purchase this air gun anyway order it with the 10 for $10.00. Maybe you will get a better one than I did.
|By Dave08 from USA on 2013-12-19
|By Eric from USA on 2013-07-27
|By Donald from USA on 2012-12-17
|By Donald from USA on 2012-11-19
|By Donald from USA on 2012-11-19
|By Barry from USA on 2012-05-20
CheckoutSubtotal (USD):
does not include shipping and tax


text:
SPECIAL OFFERDOORBUSTER!! See details
Over 70 Doorbusters Up To 70% Off While Supplies Last!
- Overview
- Specs
- Reviews
Performance Century Gel II ShortsIf you're looking for aggressive support, adjustable comfort and premium cushioning for race day or a long training ride, then our best-selling Performance Century Gel II Shorts are just what you need to keep you in the saddle.
- 7.4oz nylon/spandex fabric with a matte finish wicks away sweat to keep you dry and comfortable on lengthy rides
- 8-panel bike short design compresses your muscles for maximum endurance
- UPF 50+ application blocks 98% of UV rays
- MicroCell Silicon chamois with strategically placed gel offers cushy support
- Flatlock seams deliver a chafe-free experience
- Drawstring waist lets you adjust the fit
- Gripper elastic leg openings keep these shorts in place
Performance Century Gel II Shorts
- inseam:
- 9.25" (medium)
- video:
- UNw0KRUxwWQ
- chamois:
- MicroCell Silicon
- drawstring:
- Yes
- fabric:
- Nylon/Spandex
- panels:
- 8
- rating:
- 4


text:
Get the hottest deals delivered to your inbox!
It looks like your nearest city is . If not, select your nearest airport:
Sign up today for the best deals on vacations, flights & more!
By clicking Subscribe button you agree to receive emails from SearsTravel. You may unsubscribe at any time. See Privacy Policy


text:
The perfect shorts for puttering around in
Fiddling with stuff. Taking it apart. Fixing it - or breaking it even more. That's how you like to spend your weekend, so off you go to the garage, basement or backyard to putter to your heart's content. These are the shorts to do it in, cut nice and roomy, with an easy-moving elastic waistband and built-in nylon web belt so you can put tools and parts in the pockets without your shorts sagging. Ultra comfortable broken-in, midweight 100% cotton twill is treated to repel water and stains. Call it puttering, tinkering, frittering or putzing - all that really matters is that you're comfortable while you're doing it.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
Best Uses
Reviewed by 4 customers
Sort by
Best Uses
Wear around house for comfort,summer activities,etc.
Best Uses
I like the shorts, durable and should last a long time. I would prefer a button waist opening vs the pull on. It is a bit of a chore to pull the shorts over my fat butt but once on they fit great. The rear pockets won't stay closed with the small velcro patch so a button or flap might be a better approach.
Best Uses
These are comfortable shorts made of good materials, great for every day wearing. The only problem I have is that without a button or clasp, taking them off or pulling them up is difficult.
Best Uses
perfect for volunteering in a car museum
Men's Putterer's Elastic Waist Shorts
Item: 59300


text:
Completes the cozy feeling
BABYBJÖRN Canopy for Cradle complements the cradle and makes it snug and cosy for your baby. The canopy is made of an airy mesh fabric that screens without feeling confined.
Calm and secure for your baby in the cradle
The canopy screens and softens ambient light to create a cosier feeling in the cradle.
Sheer mesh fabric for good air circulation
The sheer mesh fabric allows air to circulate freely so the baby does not feel confined, even if you wrap the canopy all the way around the cradle.
Practical as an insect net
You can wrap the canopy all around the cradle to act as a mosquito net.
Easy to attach
The canopy is easy to attach and easy to remove for washing.
Handy storage bag
A handy bag protects the canopy when not in use.
- Material: The mesh fabric is made from 100% polyester. The material is soft and approved according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, class 1 for baby products.
- Care instructions: The canopy fabric is easy to remove and is machine washable at 40˚C.
- Measurements: 26"(66cm)
- Weight: 0.4 kg/0.8 lbs


text:
Cricket Web's 2013/14 Premier League Tipping Champion
- As featured in The Independent.
"The PFA does not represent players when they have broken the law and been convicted on non-football matters."
- Gordon Taylor in 2009 following Marlon King's release after a prison sentence for sexual assault & ABH
Ronni Irani and Darren Gough aka Dumb & Dumber are the commentary team on Talk****e.
Feel for their 'colleagues', Neil Manthorp and Graeme Thorpe.
Who's Alan Wilkins, btw? The old Glamorgan trundler of the same name? Been in SA too long if so.
Originally Posted by CricinfoOriginally Posted by Cricinfo
He (Wilkins) is a decent listen. He covers a lot of U19 cricket, always does their WC and is good value.
England match not on Radio 4 LW or Five Live Sports Extra now. Really poor for a must-win game.
That's good, but don't they share coverage with about four other sports?
There must be some football news coming on soon.
On the original theme of Associate-related ignorance, cricinfo reckon Ireland are going to leave out Niall O'Brien for tomorrow's game against Bangladesh. I seriously hope that's just a boob.
Another rant on the commentary on Associate nations- it was repeated ad finitum yesterday, when Ireland were set 138 to win against Bangladesh, that they'd never scored more than 118 in a T20 international. Figures mean nothing without context, so have a look at the qualifiers for yourself, where Ireland won every single game they played and conditions were so bowler-friendly that only in one match did any side manage to make more than a run a ball.
It would be just as misleading for me to have pointed out that Ireland have never lost a T20 international.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
Plants and animals > Native plants, animals and biodiversity > Urban biodiversity
Since European settlement the loss of native plants and animals in the Adelaide metropolitan area has been significant. Most of the original vegetation left in the urban area can be found in the Hills Face Zone and coastal areas. The habitat of native animals has been destroyed or fragmented, and many species are under threat.
Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges coordinates urban biodiversity conservation planning and action on public and private land across metropolitan Adelaide, including:
We can provide financial and technical advice to community groups, industry, individuals, councils and schools for biodiversity projects. For more information, please contact us.
Native plants are attractive, with various shapes, colours and densities, and with the right species you can have a flowering garden all year round. They are easy to grow and are better for the environment, providing habitat for native birds, butterflies and lizards. They are also naturally adapted to suit our conditions, being low maintenance, drought tolerant, requiring minimal water and no fertilisers or pesticides.
Two booklets can help you create a healthy, attractive garden using native plants that thrive in our local conditions:
Each guide offers great garden designs to inspire with step-by-step advice on sourcing, planting and caring for native local plants.
To complement these booklets is the Creating a wildlife friendly garden booklet which describe how to create habitat to attract native animals into your backyard.
Find out what plants are best suited to your area and where you can source them.
You can also search a plant catalogue for your suburb.
**If you see Flying Foxes (aka fruit bats) in your neighbourhood (around greater Adelaide), please call (08) 8336 0926 or email firstname.lastname@example.com to report their location.
Sign up for Urban Biodiversity News older copies available upon request to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges
© Copyright, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2013 | Disclaimer | Privacy | Accessibility | Updated 12 May 2015


text:
Property is in very high demand and likely to sell quickly, even if it is overpriced or not in the best condition. Sellers receive multiple offers and the price is usually bid up above the seller's initial asking price.
Rent prices are relatively stable, and availability is good. If your yearly income is around $80,000, you can afford to rent in this market. Rent prices have increased by 1% over the past 3 months. This is 9% lower than the state average of $1,940 and 41% lower than the country average of $2,502.
The average home price in 98105 is $1,288,742, which is 46.8% higher than the average sold price in 98105 ($877,614) . The average home price per square foot in 98105 is $448 and about 2% of all homes in 98105 sold in the last 6 months. For 98105 home values, real estate prices, and city market trends, research the 7,467 property records or search our 180 recently sold or 14 homes for sale listings. The listings and properties in 98105 are only a part of the 2,234,788 properties and 26,751 homes for sale in Washington. Because of this, the average home price and average home value of 98105 also influence the average home price $220,494 and average sale price $366,997 of Washington. Listing counts, 98105 home prices and home values in 98105 are sourced daily from listing and property data on realtor.com®, which is the most up-to-date and accurate aggregation of real estate listings in the industry and includes approximately 800 regional MLSs and is the official website of the National Association of Realtors®.


text:
Is Nick obligated to attend promotional events outside of press conferences, weigh ins and post fight events?
I think (not saying it is in Nicks contract) a fighter should be able to be a top level fighter and not be obligated to jump through all the monkey hoops the UFC asks... Really, is it required to be spilling your guts on camera to hype a fight and pulls fans heart strings by talking about your dad committing suicide?
Nick should be able to fight in the UFC, fight for main events or title fights and not have to put himself out there on all the promotional stuff the UFC does if he is willing to be paid less.
I have no clue if Nick is obligated to do so or not but think for less pay, fighters should have the option to not participate in media obligations. What other sport requires players to participate in major media obligations if they want to compete for the championship.
Would the NFL boot a team from not playing for the championship because one of the teams QB would not do a promo show?
It seems very clear Nick has anxiety issues and struggles in very public and social environments, true mma is not about the press.
"Dana should fire his ass" LMAO.
Yeah, fire one of the most entertaining, tough, and scrappy fighters in the world because he didn't want to be filmed doing the same shit he did for the last countdown he was involved in. Great call.
There are a lot of casual fans who mainly rely on commercials and countdown shows to A)become aware of the PPV, and B)get excited enough to order the PPV. Not to mention the ads being seen by potential new fans...
When Nick Diaz decides to be a spoiled brat and skip out on the promotional work, he is costing the company money/PPV buys. And before you claim "so what, if he wants to make less money let him...", I'm going to remind you that he isn't the only person on that fight card. There are other fighters who want to increase their earning potential by performing well in front of as many fans as possible.
The whole reason Nick Diaz was given the title shot was because the UFC apparently cares more about PPV buyrates than having the legitimate top contender fight the champion. And Nick is always crying about not making enough money. So pulling this crap doesn't make any sense...
LOL no surpise there. If I was Dana I would cut his ass. Noshows, failed drug test, and never ending drama...he would be gone.Dana said Nick Diaz has already no-showed three planned "Countdown" tapings.
"...for he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." William Shakespeare
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it." Helen Keller
wow, suprise suprise, diaz is acting like a spoiled little kid, and screwing up his obligations. Who ever would have thought this would happen?
No wonder all the mouthy little kids around here are his biggest fans. He's like eminem with a unibrow.
No pity at all for the UFC though. You rewarded his bad behaviour with a title shot, why would he ever stop acting like a waste?
meh if its in his contract he should be held accountable if not, GTFOver it. Firing would be too much even if he is required and so far no one has shown a contract proving he is obligated at all.
Thats right bitches, gonna have to bling out the other hand soon...
It's his bad guy image not spoiled he's to dumb/bullheaded to realize he's spoiled.
Gotta laugh though DW got what he deserved, but have they played it out were it might get more viewers? Haven't watched any promo's to rightfully say for myself.
Only thing most likely saving Nicks butt is he usually puts on a fight, but more importantly he sells for the UFC.
In other news, the sun came up today.
Big Hairy American Winning Machine
i just hope they let diaz fight. GSP asked for this fight and he should be given it... and after GSP takes diaz down and hate fucks him for 5 rounds, dana can fire nick diaz in the cage on ppv. an example needs to be made
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


text:
Northern Zone Initiative: Providing Opportunities to People
The Northern Zone Initiative (IZN) is a program that has worked on strengthening local governance in four departments in the northern region of Paraguay. The activities performed within the program have provided technical and financial assistance to local governments to be better prepared to respond to the priorities of citizens and improve their services.
Video Transcript
More Videos
December 13, 2014
December 11, 2014
December 9, 2014
Last updated: March 11, 2015


text:
The Perfumes and Fragrances That Turn Men On—and Off
The Perfumes and Fragrances That Turn Men On—and OffSEE MORE
Good Clean FunYou're not the only one who likes that just-out-of-the-shower feeling. Our man testers said oui oui to Christian Dior's orchid-infused J'adore, claiming it smelled natural, like the girl next door. Of the Estée Lauder fragrance Pure White Linen, one guy said, "It smells fresh—in a sexy way that makes me want to jump into bed and mess up the sheets." He can thank the combination of gardenia petals, white freesia and dewy greens for that. Another clean scent to try: Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue.
Save the Desserts for the KitchenOne guy in our panel explained, "I don't think women should smell like food—nor should men, for that matter," and we can't say we disagree. According to Dr. Hirsch, chocolate is among the scents that turn men on the least. Vanilla, however, is the one exception. The sweet smell was a hit with our panel—plus, it proved to be a big turn-on for the fellas in the study. For the most appealing mixture, try a fragrance that combines vanilla with amber and musk, such as Clean Skin, which even sounds sexy.
Florals and Woods Are Surprisingly TemptingDon't be put off if a perfume says musky, spicy or woody on the label. Although you might think the notes are masculine, these multilayered scents smell great on you—and will win him over in a big, big way. "It smells like pure sex. It really does. I'm giving it to my girlfriend the first chance I get," one guy said about Victoria's Secret's Very Sexy perfume, which boasts pepper, vanilla orchid and soft wood scents, among others. "If I smelled this on a girl," another guy said, "I'd think she was pretty outgoing—which is a good thing—since it hits you a little bit more than the floral or powdery stuff." If you're into flirting through your fragrance, you could also try Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession or Tom Ford's Black Orchid.
Go Easy on the Strong FloralsIt may come as a surprise, but not too many guys are into stopping and smelling the roses—the men in Dr. Hirsch's study were hardly turned on at all by the soft scent. Guys aren't into other kinds of strong florals, either. "If it's too flowery, it makes me think of an old lady," noted one dude after getting a whiff of a bouquetlike perfume (maybe that explains why so many guys are hesitant to give flowers?). Instead try a fragrance with lily of the valley (a scent that proved a big turn-on in Dr. Hirsch's study), such as Dior Addict 2.
Spicy Florals Are Feisty and FlatteringYou might think guys are more into younger women, but it turns out they don't want their gal pal to smell like one. Our sniffers loved sophisticated scents like Lolita Lempicka's Si Lolita and Daisy Marc Jacobs. Look for floral notes infused with sweeter ones (like vanilla) and spicier ones (like white woods). As one guy put it, "It doesn't smell like something a high school girl would wear. It smells expensive." Bonus: Dr. Hirsch found that the combo of spicy and floral makes men estimate a woman's weight at 12 pounds less than her actual weight! A signature scent that makes us feel (and smell) like a million bucks? Sign us up!
Mandarin and Orange Are Subtly SeductiveDr. Hirsch found that one of the biggest turn-ons is the smell of sweet, fresh orange. Luckily, tons of perfumes incorporate mandarin notes in sophisticated ways (read: you won't smell like a Creamsicle). Pick up a scent that combines the citrus with soft florals such as Coach Poppy and Hermès' Eau d'Orange Verte and you'll be irresistible.
Put Away the PowderLeave the Love's Baby Soft to middle school memories, ladies. According to our panel, the smell of baby powder reminds them of not only little ones but their grandmas, too! Not necessarily the worst thing in the world—but just about the least sexy. Dr. Hirsch's study echoed the baby powder scentiment—it was one of the weaker turn-ons in his study. If you like powdery scents, try Love, Chloé, which has a note of powdery musk blended with super-sexy orange blossom and pink pepper.
Unexpectedly Sexy: Pumpkin Pie + LavenderIn Dr. Hirsch's study, the combination of scents that turned guys on the most was the totally unusual combo of pumpkin pie and lavender! Crazy, huh? Since such a fragrance has yet to exist (get on that, perfumers!), you can test out the study yourself by layering the two together. Try Demeter Pumpkin Pie combined with LaVanila Vanilla Lavender for maximum sultriness.
Pink Grapefruit Is More Fresh Than FlirtyThe freshness of pink grapefruit doesn't exactly scream sexy. In fact, the smell ranked pretty low in Dr. Hirsch's study. On the other hand, men did estimate women's ages at about six years younger than they actually were. If you're looking to seem a bit more youthful but don't want to sacrifice sex appeal, try Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll, which also contains romantic vanilla and sandalwood.
The One Scent All Guys Don't Want You to WearThis one is tricky because it varies from guy to guy, but every dude we talked to could recall the fragrances his ex-girlfriends had worn. So if you happen to know her signature scent, don't bother wearing it. Of one well-known perfume, a tester said: "That's crazy. It reminds me of the way my girlfriend smelled junior year of high school. It would freak me out if a new girlfriend wore it." But would it be a dating deal-breaker for him? "Well, I might ask her not to wear it," he said.


text:
Against Fresno State the Hunter Seat team tied Fresno State 4-4 but won on raw score, while the Western team fell 5-3.
Lauren DeVoe was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament in Horsemanship, while Brynn Larson was named the Most Outstanding Player in Reining.
On the Western side, the Aggies' DeVoe defeated Kirsten McKilop, 145-136 in Horsemanship, while Jessica Woolsey beat Shauna Woodward, 144-136. In reining, Stefanie Story picked up the lone win on the day with a 143.5-142 win over Ciara Kozlowski.
In Hunter Seat, Hannah Swarthout and Emily McConnell each took victories in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences. Swarthout beat Dayle Fischer in Flat, 152-144, while defeating Kimberly Hewsoln Budnik, 144-139. McConnell had victories over Lanie Madrazo, 148-141 in Flat and a 162-138 win over Fischer in Fences.
NM State will now await selection for the National Collegiate Equestrian Championships.


text:
I would like to know how the conditional CSS that allows the iPhone to have a dedicated style sheet interacts with the iPad Safari.
example: "only screen and (max-device-width: 480px)". Mobile Safari can ONLY use "screen" css and has a max width of 480 pixels. Obviously the iPad will also only be able to do screen (unless they figure out how to natively handle printing), but the max width will be different.
iPad Simulator Settings Reveal HTML5 YouTube, File Sharing, Lock Screen Media Controls
9to5mac continues to dive into the iPhone 3.2 Beta 2 SDK and its iPad simulator, this time showing off HTML5 YouTube, file sharing, lock screen media controls, and more.
HTML5 H.264 YouTube video is shown playing right in the iPad Safari browser, just as it does on Mac or Windows. It looks good enough for 9to5mac to wonder if the YouTube app is still needed!
File sharing has an on/off toggle, and TiPb's really excited about this one. The text reads "File sharing allows you to transfer application files to and from your iPad and computer", and there's a (currently empty) header that reads "Applications".
We've already asked for a file repository, sort of like the Camera Roll does now for images, and some apps have gotten in trouble for using the DCIM folder to do just that. And official place to load, share, and save documents and other files would fill a huge functionality gap for iPad and iPhone both.
Lock Screen media controls are interesting, as we saw Apple demonstrate the iPad lock screen woking as a digital photo frame, but it does make sense for watching movies as well.
There are a few more finds, including some new things like built-in Google suggestions in iPad Safari, and some things we've already seen in the iPhone like percentage battery readout and Chinese character handwriting input.
If anyone else is digging around in the simulator and comes across anything more, let us know!
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
iPad Simulator Settings Reveal HTML5 YouTube, File Sharing, Lock Screen Media Controls
I would like to know how the conditional CSS that allows the iPhone to have a dedicated style sheet interacts with the iPad Safari.
A shared folder for files sounds good, but doesn't this open up security exploits, or at least allow any app to wipe or modify any other file in that folder? Would apps have R+W access to their own files, but only read-only for those generated by other apps? How are folders handled?
@Mike Cane:
actually, jobs was demonstrating the YouTube app itself, not the web page.
Nothing really notable here, but its good that people are discovering more and more about the new OS. I think the major huge "A+" changes are coming with Iphone 4.0. With Windows Phone 7 and other updates by other people, this 4.0 update has to be REALLY major if Apple expects to keep its fan-base where it is now.
...but no flash. Whomp-whomp.
@neil: Break.com doesn't seem to have any problems getting their video content onto the iPhone without Flash, nor does YouTube.
...but no FORTRAN. Whomp-whomp
@Fastlane: I run a small motel in my town (12 rooms, nothing huge) and have been working on, in my free time, a web app that allows me to handle the rental of rooms. With the iPad I could leverage HTML5's Cache Manifest and Local Database support as well as the larger touch screen AND the credit card processing service that Square is offering (which includes a credit card reader that connects to the iPhone/iPod Touch headphone jack). If the card reader and app work fine on the iPad, it could be a fun little business addition.
it will also help with showing maps to different locations in my town. Currently I show people Google Maps on the Lobby iMac, but I hate having to turn the thing around so they can get a good look. With the iPad, I can just lay it down flat.
how can you be bored of a product you have yet to ever hold physically in your hand. Also, wait to see what the final specs will be. I was in Barns and Nible this evening and played with their Nook device. I can't believe someone would drop cash on a device that such crappy performance and function. When you hit the side button to turn the page it does flicker and the e-ink then changes to the next page. Abrasive and annoying is all I have to say. The ipad will be increadibly successful because people will appreciate the attention to detail apple gives their user experience.
As for a file transfer feature, and some sort of central sandbox storage , that would be great.
Websites RSS feed don't work in my browser (google chrome) how can I fix it?
Hi. There. Apple. Ipad. May. Come. With. HTML. 5. Video. Player. What. About. The. Compution. Useing. Flash. They. May. Need. The. HTML. 5. Video. Player. Over. The. Ipad
Wonderful points for upload files for getting myself get going. I am going to keep this particular website link and return to this.
Thank you for the thoughtful review. The main advantage of youtube html5 playerseems to be for embedding rich media such as audio and video in modern browsers. Although, the structure elements seem to be useful. CSS3 seems to be headed in the right direction, leaving many possibilities for implementation and creativity,


text:
One of my walkers suggested that we do a bake sale. Maybe find one or two women that love baking and see if they can put a couple kinds of cookies together to sell for maybe like $3-$5 for a plate or fresh, home baked cookies. What do you think? I am positive that I can get at least 5 women plus myself to bake some kind of cookies or breads or something. Sounds like a good idea for some treats to be available to hungry walkers.
Alissa mommy to:
Dominic 9/10/97-9/11/97 @ 28 weeks
Victoria 1/8/02 @ 30 weeks


text:
Style #:
For further details regarding our pricavy policies including the use of cookies please click here. For instructions on how to enable cookies please click here. If you need assistance one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-850-7463 would be glad to help.
Price: $129.95
Sale Price: $0.00 Save 100%
Select Your Size
Then, Select Your Width
Additional Views
This women's casual Un Maple shoe features a bungee loop button and accented contrast stitching detail for an outstanding look. The high quality upper and an OrthoLite cushioned footbed envelope the foot in softness, comfort and durability. Walk off in this casual shoe, this season.
No Customers Have Reviewed This Product Yet
Share your thoughts with other customers
Enter email address to join our mailing list


text:
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Dear Editor,
The Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging and Disability is not a resource we all can benefit from. I am a single mother with a 7-year-old son named Michael who is severely disabled and spastic quadriplegic. After studying the brochure and exploring their website (www.scaccesshelp.org) it clearly states that this department intends to address in a cursory manner some of the many complicated issues that confront South Carolina's senior citizens.
The Office on Aging and Disability is federally funded through the Older Americans Act and The State of South Carolina. The Older Americans Act requires that each state submit a State Plan on Aging in order to be eligible for federal funding. This plan provides a blueprint for how The Office on Aging will manage The Older American Act programs, services and other activities. The Lieutenant Governor's office then distributes these funds to ten regional Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC's)/Area Agencies on Aging (AAA's) who then contract with local providers for services, social adult care services, respite and disease prevention/health promotion.
So, if you are disabled and your only caregiver is a Senior Citizen then and only then can you benefit from some of these resources such as vouchers for in-home respite care, ramps for your home, emergency evacuation information and assistance, transportation, Assistive Technology, etc.
These services are subjected and selective per qualification.
The young and not so young, disabled individuals of South Carolina require comprehensive education and rehabilitation to improve health and quality of life. This will result in fewer medical procedures, decreased family stress with greater function, and greater participation in the community. We need to enhance community infrastructure by forming collaborative partnerships in order to improve the education of healthcare professional's, educators, families and community members.
That being said:
Due to The Older Americans Act Funds the federal government is quite clear on how these monies are to be spent. If your disabled individual is NOT over 55 years old, or is NOT in the care of a senior, The Office on Aging will divert you to The Department of Disability and Special Needs and The Family Connection of South Carolina Inc. After speaking with Jennifer Van-Clive, Program Coordinator for the Office on Aging and Disability, "children and adults with disabilities still have to report to the Department of Disability and Special Needs for services and outreach resources. Her department focuses on seniors and seniors with aging disabilities."
We applaud all the efforts and supports this office provides and have faith this department will continue to enhance the quality of life for seniors in South Carolina, BUT PLEASE: KNOW YOUR FACTS
Shawnetta Lewis
527 Orangeburg Rd D-3
The Journal Scene is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Journal Scene.
If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.
© 2015 The Journal Scene an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


text:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team (26-23, 10-8 SoCon) travels to Burlington, N.C., Friday for its weekend series against the Elon Phoenix. The Season finale begins Saturday at 1 p.m. with a double header and wraps up Sunday at 1 p.m. with a single game.
"This is a big weekend for us," Head Coach Frank Reed said. "This is our chance to build some momentum going into the Southern Conference Tournament following the weekend at Elon."
Chattanooga goes into the weekend coming off a 3-0 loss to UAB in Birmingham, Ala. Freshman Sam Taylor (Chickamauga, Ga.) leads the attack for the Lady Mocs with a .319 batting average and 14-game hitting streak. The freshman batted .417 during the month of April and collected a team-best 15 hits over 11 games played.
Sophomore Taylor Deason (Clarksville, Tenn.) looks to continue her dominance in the circle as the righty goes into the series with 16 win son the season and a 3.36 ERA. Freshman Rachel Albritton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) continues to support the team's best ERA at 2.62 and freshman Kaisey Carson (Indianapolis, Ind.) was a team-best 2-2 in the month of April in five appearances and three starts.
The Phoenix (18-30, 5-14 SoCon) is led by outfielder Tomeka Watson who bats a team-best .420 with 41 hits and 31 RBI. Carleigh Nester follows up with a .371 average and is tied for the team lead in RBI with 31, while she trails Watson by just four home runs off the team pace of 14.
The Elon pitching staff is headed up by Kayla Caruso, leading the team with nine wins and a 3.65 ERA. Caruso also has the lone Phoenix save of the season. The righty has pitch a team-high 126.2 innings while sophomore starter Chelsea White has tossed 101.0 innings on the season. White is 5-14 on the season with a 3.74 ERA in the circle.
After wrapping up the season at Elon, Chattanooga travels to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the Southern Conference Tournament. All three games are available via live stats and free audio is provided for each game.


text:
PEORIA, IL---The Chicago Wolves concluded the first half of the 2012-13 American Hockey League season with a 2-0 loss to Peoria Wednesday morning at Carver Arena.
Goaltender Joe Cannata (2-2-0) blocked 30 of 32 shots in net for the Wolves (19-14-3-2) while making his first road appearance of the season.
Peoria (19-19-2-2) opened the scoring with a well-maneuvered strike by left wing Andrew Murray at 16:47 of the second frame.
The Rivermen added to their goal total shortly after the third period dawned. A bullet from center Brett Sonne got past Cannata at the 3:30 mark as Andrew Nigro picked up the assist.
Chicago jumped all over the Rivermen down the stretch, but failed to find an opening against netminder Jake Allen (11-15-2). When Wolves forward Guillaume Desbiens broke away late in the period on a short-handed breakaway, his shot was gloved by Allen to rob Chicago of its best scoring opportunity.
Peoria became the first team to shut out the Wolves on the road since March 11, 2012, at Charlotte.
Chicago travels to Rockford at 7 p.m. Friday for an Illinois Lottery Cup contest that serves as the team's final game before the AHL's All-Star Classic weekend in Providence, R.I. The Wolves return to Allstate Arena for a 7 p.m. game against Peoria on Saturday, Feb. 2. For tickets, call 1-800-THE-WOLVES or visit ChicagoWolves.com.
Chicago 0 0 0 -- 0
Peoria 0 1 1 -- 2
First Period---None. Penalties---Rodin, Chicago (tripping), 7:40; Fairchild, Peoria (interference), 19:36.
Second Period---1, Peoria, Murray 8 (unassisted), 16:47. Penalties---Desbiens, Chicago (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:58; Porter, Peoria (unsportsmanlike conduct), 14:58.
Third Period---2, Peoria, Sonne (Nigro), 3:30. Penalties---Gordon, Chicago (fighting), 1:46; Shields, Peoria (fighting), 1:46; Nigro, Peoria (high-sticking), 10:42; Hunt, Chicago (hooking), 16:52; Ford, Peoria (delay of game), 19:05.
Shots on goal---Chicago: 6-9-12--27; Peoria 8-12-12--32. Power plays---Chicago 0-3; Peoria 0-2. Goalies—Chicago, Cannata (30-32), Peoria, Allen (27-27). A---7,832. Referees---Geno Binda and Joe Sullivan. Linesmen---Kiel Murchison and Michael Spohn.
PEORIA, IL---The Chicago Wolves concluded the first half of the 2012-13 American Hockey League season with a 2-0 loss to Peoria Wednesday morning at Carver Arena.


text:
Orhan Pamuk
Photo: © Elena Seibert
About the Author
Orhan Pamuk won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006. His novel My Name Is Red won the 2003 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. His work has been translated into more than sixty languages.
Orhan Pamuk is represented by Random House Speakers Bureau (www.rhspeakers.com)


text:
Just a few easy steps and ingredients to make this savory potato bake. A favorite side for supper at home or that quick take-a-long for special occasions.
Buy this ingredient
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Place shredded hash browns in lightly oiled 9" x 9" baking dish and top with American processed cheese slices.
3. Pour half & half evenly into over potatoes and cheese.4. Mix bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.5. Season with salt, pepper and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
Next Service Date is determined at checkout.
Earn 5% back from every online purchase. On this order you could earn
0 points / $0.00
FREE Sign Up
About Us
Customer Service
Connect with Us!
© 2015 Schwan's Home Service, Inc. | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Security Practices
Script section containing code for Liveperson Chat Solution


text:
Monday, June 16, 2014
Tommy Newell secured more than 59 percent of the vote during the June 10 Republican primary to presumably earn a spot on Berkeley County Council.
Newell will likely go on to represent District 4. In his first bid for public office, he defeated videographer Aldo Napoli and former Berkeley County School District boardmember Jim Royce. The incumbent, Cathy Davis, did not seek reelection.
I believe getting 59 percent of the vote should send a message that people in District 4 want representation to the fullest extent, Newell said. Im grateful. I had a lot of supporters and a lot of help. It wasnt just me. This was a community effort. Im just a vessel.
But Newell has about a six-month wait before his likely swearing into office.
As the only candidate registered for the November election, Newell is the presumptive winner of that contest, barring a successful write-in campaign.
On the Friday after the Republican primary, Newell said he was hitting the ground running.
He said he plans to meet with Davis and work with her on some urgent priorities in the district.
Im not going to wait until Jan. 1 to start working for the people of District 4, but Im not going to step on Miss Cathys toes either. Id like to work with her on situations that people have already brought to my attention that need to be dealt with now, not six months from now, Newell said.
Those projects include drainage issues, roads in need of repair, and dilapidated homes in the district.
He said his No. 1 priority now and once assuming office will be to maintain a more active law enforcement presence in his district.
And while he waits, Newell said he will also brush up on the way the county operates. He said 2012-elected Councilman Ken Gunn has already reached out to him to let him know what to expect.
Hes been quite helpful, Newell said. I just have to listen to a bunch of people and ask a bunch of questions.
But he also said he wont be a yes man or a puppet to anyone on council.
Im not going there to be on (Supervisor) Dan Davis side, or to be on (Councilman) Tim Callanans side. Im there to be on Distirct 4s side, Newell said. If they want to stone-wall me, I will expose them for who they are ...
Thats why I got elected yall know I stand up on my own. But I want to work with all of them. Im not going up there to be defiant.
The Berkeley Independent is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Berkeley Independent.
If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.
© 2015 The Berkeley Independent an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


text:
Picture this: You walk into your local supermarket, grab a gallon of milk, and then tell the cashier that you'd like to pay less for it—and sure enough, the store obliges. And you repeat the process time and time again, resulting in savings of hundreds of dollars over the years.
It sounds pretty ridiculous, right? And yet, that's how I've approached paying for another of life's necessities in the last couple of decades. Namely, cable television.
OK, maybe cable isn't as much a "necessity" as food and water—unless you really, really have to catch "Downton Abbey." But it's a basic household expense that can be easily bargained down with a relatively quick call to a customer service rep. I make such calls about every six months and almost always talk my way into a better deal. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I knocked about $15 off my basic monthly Time Warner Cable TWC, -0.02% package, which includes cable, phone and Internet.
Now, there's arguably more reason than ever to seek out such savings: With Comcast's CMCSA, -0.45% recently announced buyout of Time Warner, consumer advocates and cable industry observers fear that cable prices may go up. Then again, even if prices stay the same, it seems silly not to make the effort. We're talking 10 minutes on the phone, folks. (Or you can do your bargaining online, if you prefer.)
But before you make that call, it's important to understand why cable providers are willing to bargain in the first place. It all has to with how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the marketplace by allowing phone companies to compete with cable companies (and vice versa) and by allowing each to offer a "bundle" of services. The result? Not only are more companies vying for your cable (and phone and Internet) business, but your business is also that much larger—a $50 basic cable service bill is now probably a $100 bundled bill. So, if you move your business to the competition, there's some serious money involved. "Today, when a customer leaves, they take everything," says technology industry analyst Jeff Kagan.
Still, it's not a guarantee that Time Warner—or for that matter, any cable provider—will cut you a deal. But over the years, I've learned how to be a better bargainer, and I've also talked to industry pros about what you can do to up the odds of lowering your bill.
Here are my eight takeaways:
1. Call at set intervals
Just because you get a bargain one month doesn't mean you can ask for another one the next. You need to pace yourself accordingly. Most cable providers will offer you a deal—typically, a lower bundled price or free extras (like a movie channel)—that's good for half a year. The bet they're making is that you won't remember when the six months are up. My advice: Don't let them win that bet. (But if the deal they offer is good for, say, three months, you can adjust your call schedule accordingly.) Still, Time Warner says it welcomes a call at any time, especially given the many options and offers it almost always has on the table. "We want to hear from a customer any time their interests or budget changes," says spokesman Rich Ruggiero.
2. Do your homework
Sure, you can call and play Willie the Whiner and say you deserve a better deal—just because you're such a nice person. But you're more likely to make an effective case if you can quote a promotion you've been offered by a competing company. Just save those mailers you get—or even if you toss them, just look on the competition's website and see what they're offering. Then, ask your provider to match the deal, or—better yet—beat it. "I think of it like buying a new car. You know the prices at different dealers so you can negotiate," says Dan Rayburn, a telecommunications industry analyst.
3. Learn to separate the good deals from the bad
When I recently called Time Warner, the first "deal" I was offered had me paying about $15 extra each month. Granted, it was for a package that included faster Internet service and additional cable channels, but my goal was to save money, not spend more of it. Eventually, I got the savings I wanted, but it's important to understand that deals can be deceptive: In fact, sometimes a lower-priced offer may be no bargain at all if it means a reduction in services. The bottom line: Make sure you know what you're getting. And be aware of the fact that any time you call a cable provider about a potential deal, you run the risk of being "upsold"—it's the telecommunications industry equivalent of being asked, "Do you want fries with that?" (Time Warner spokesman Rich Ruggiero says the company simply wants to give customers the opportunity "to try products and services they may not have.")
4. Know what's important to you
As long as we're talking about separating the good deals from the bad, it's also important to separate the relevant from the irrelevant. A case in point: Almost every time I call my cable provider, I get an offer that involves free or low-cost HBO. There's just one problem: I don't watch much HBO anymore—I prefer getting DVDs of the couple of HBO series that interest me and avoiding the time-wasting trap of watching too many middle-of-the-road movies. As I've learned, a bargain is only a bargain if it's something you actually want.


text:
Rex Stromness has been studying and practicing yoga and meditation since taking classes in both at Sonoma State University in the late 70s. He had the good fortune to study Zen with Bill Kwong at that time at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center in a class in the Psychology Department. He later studied yoga in the Sivananda tradition at their ashram in the Bahamas and then Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga while living in Boulder Colorado in the 80s. He was introduced to Tri-Yoga with Kali Ray in Santa Cruz, Calif. in the 90s. He considers Ashtanga to be his main influence and calls his classes "Ashtanga based Vinyasa Yoga with emphasis on proper alignment, body mechanics and mindfulness".
He currently teaches yoga through the Kinesiology Dept. at Cal State University Chico and at studios in Chico, Calif. For the past four years Rex and his wife Michele have led international yoga/culture retreats of 15 to 20 people to Bali, Indonesia, Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, Caribbean Costa Rica, and the Sacred Valley of Peru. He feels blessed to be doing the work he does and looks forward to teaching at Tassajara.