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A system and method for generating service quality statistics for a communications network is disclosed. Network monitors capture messages in a communications network, such as an SS7 network, and correlate related messages into records. The records are filtered using a call detail record profile to create call detail records which are provided to an statistics server. The statistics server generates certain statistics for the message records and stores the statistics to a database. A report application recalls the statistics from the database and presents statistics in a reporting format configured by the user. The reports indicate the statistical performance of network providers for selected called or calling telephone numbers or for selected services.
1. A monitoring system for a communications network comprising:
means for capturing messages from links in said communications network;
means for sending, to a transaction tracking processor in a monitor, said captured messages;
means for correlating said captured messages into message records;
means for sending, to a CDR application in said monitor, said correlated captured messages;
if said captured messages are received out of sequence by said transaction tracking processor, means for sending said out of sequence messages to said CDR application;
means for generating, by said CDR application, call detail records from said message records;
means for attaching, by said CDR application, said out of sequence messages to said call detail records;
means for providing, by a CDR configuration application, a call detail record profile to said CDR application, wherein said CDR application sends said call detail records to a quality assurance statistics application based on said call detail record profile;
interface means for allowing users to configure said call detail record profiles;
means for gathering, by said quality assurance statistics application, statistics from said call detail records;
means for storing, by said quality assurance statistics application, said statistics to a database;
means for recalling, by a quality assurance report application, said statistics from said database;
means for formatting, by said quality assurance report application, said statistics;
interface means for configuring a report profile, wherein said report profile comprises said formatted statistics to be recalled from said database; and
means for displaying said statistics to said user.
2. The system of
profile storage means for storing said call detail record profiles.
3. The monitoring system of
Call State that Triggers the CDR Generation;
Address Complete;
Call Termination;
Application Type;
Point Codes;
Calling Party Numbers;
Called Party Numbers;
Translated Numbers;
Mobile Identification Number (MIN);
Routing Numbers;
Account Numbers;
Electronic Serial Number; and
Location Routing Number.
4. The monitoring system of
Length of Entire CDR;
Length of Fixed Fields;
CDR Sequence Number;
CDR Condition Indicator;
Time of Transaction Start;
Time of Transaction End;
Carrier Identification Codes;
Origination Point Code;
Destination Point Code;
Abort Reason;
Number of Calling Party Digits;
Calling Party Number;
Number of Called Party Digits; and
Called Party Number.
5. The system of
Number of Call Attempts;
Number of Call Attempts Answered;
Number of User Busy Calls;
Number of Ring No Answer (RNA) Calls;
Number of Normal Release Calls;
Number of Abnormal Release Calls;
Number of Unallocated Number Calls;
Number of Address Incomplete Calls;
Number of Transaction Aborts;
Number of Congested Transactions;
Number of Congested Calls;
Number of Circuit Unavailable Calls;
Number of Failed Transactions;
Number of Failed Calls;
Number of Undefined Release Cause Failed Calls;
Number of Destination Out of Order Failed Calls;
Average Call Set-Up Time;
Average Call Hold Time; and
Average Answer Seizure Ratio.
6. A monitoring method for a communications network comprising the steps of:
capturing messages from links in said communications network;
sending said captured messages to a transaction tracking processor in a monitor;
correlating said captured messages into message records;
sending said correlated captured messages to a CDR application in said monitor;
if said captured messages are received out of sequence by said transaction tracking processor, sending said out of sequence messages to said CDR application;
generating, by said CDR application, call detail records from said message records;
attaching, by said CDR application, said out of sequence messages to said call detail records;
providing, by a CDR configuration application, a call detail record profile to said CDR application, wherein said CDR application sends said call detail records to a quality assurance statistics application based on said call detail record profile;
receiving user input to configure said call detail record profiles from a user interface;
gathering, by said quality assurance statistics application, statistics from said call detail records;
storing, by said quality assurance statistics application, said statistics to a database;
recalling, by a quality assurance report application, said statistics from said database;
formatting, by said quality assurance report application, said statistics;
receiving user input for configuring a report profile from a user interface, wherein said report profile comprises said formatted statistics to be recalled from said database; and
displaying said statistics to said user.
7. The method of
storing said call detail record profiles in a profile storage element.
8. The method of
Call State that Triggers the CDR Generation;
Address Complete;
Call Termination;
Application Type;
Point Codes;
Calling Party Numbers;
Called Party Numbers;
Translated Numbers;
Mobile Identification Number (MIN);
Routing Numbers;
Account Numbers;
Electronic Serial Number; and
Location Routing Number.
9. The method of
Length of Entire CDR;
Length of Fixed Fields;
CDR Sequence Number;
CDR Condition Indicator;
Time of Transaction Start;
Time of Transaction End;
Carrier Identification Codes;
Origination Point Code;
Destination Point Code;
Abort Reason;
Number of Calling Party Digits;
Calling Party Number;
Number of Called Party Digits; and
Called Party Number.
10. The method of
Number of Call Attempts;
Number of Call Attempts Answered;
Number of User Busy Calls;
Number of Ring No Answer (RNA) Calls;
Number of Normal Release Calls;
Number of Abnormal Release Calls;
Number of Unallocated Number Calls;
Number of Address Incomplete Calls;
Number of Transaction Aborts;
Number of Congested Transactions;
Number of Congested Calls;
Number of Circuit Unavailable Calls;
Number of Failed Transactions;
Number of Failed Calls;
Number of Undefined Release Cause Failed Calls;
Number of Destination Out of Order Failed Calls;
Average Call Set-Up Time;
Average Call Hold Time; and
Average Answer Seizure Ratio.
The present invention is related to pending applications assigned Ser. No. 09/057,940, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE STATISTICS IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, filed Apr. 9, 1998; Ser. No. 09/092,428, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING HIGH MESSAGE TRAFFIC LEVELS IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; Ser. No. 09/092,699, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL UNIT DATA STORAGE AND POST CAPTURE CALL TRACE IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; Ser. No. 09/092,256, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING QUALITY OF SERVICE STATISTICS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; and Ser. No 09/092,771, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRELATING TRANSACTION MESSAGES IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, all filed Jun. 5, 1998; and Ser. No. 09/093,824, entitled TRANSACTION CONTROL APPLICATION PART (TCAP) CALL DETAIL RECORD GENERATION IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, filed concurrently herewith. These applications are commonly assigned and are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention is related to monitoring signals in a communications network and, more particularly, to measuring service provider service quality on a communications network.
Common channel signaling networks, such as the Signaling System Seven (SS7) based signal system, use dedicated channels to pass digital messages between systems for call setup, call control, call routing, and other functions. These dedicated signaling channels are part of a network that is separate from the network that carries the actual voice and data signals. An SS7 network is a separate switching system which is used prior to, during, and at the end of an actual voice or data call. The SS7 network is used to route control information. Whenever two switches or elements have to pass call control information during or prior to a phone call, they pass this data via the SS7 signaling network.
There are three basic types of network node elements in an SS7 network. One of them is the Service Switching Point (SSP), which may be a central office switch, a tandem switch or an end office switch. A second principal node element is the Service Control Point (SCP). An SCP acts as a database query server for the rest of the network. An SCP is used in such applications as translating ported telephone numbers, routing 800 calls, tracking roamers in a cellular network, and Alternate Billing Service/Line Identification Database services (or ABS/LIDB) which provide operator-type services. The third principal node element is the Signal Transfer point (STP). An STP is essentially a packet switch that routes the messages from SSPs and SCPs to SSPs and SCPs.
It is possible to combine these three different types of nodes into a single node. However, in North America, they are typically not combined. An SSP performs only switch functions, an SCP only control functions, and an STP only signal transfer functions. In European telecommunications systems, all of these different functions may be combined into one node.
The SS7 network carries a great deal of information and is extremely critical to the operation of the phone system. If an SS7 network is not functioning, or if portions of it are not operating, the phone system simply cannot deliver phone calls, even though all of the voice circuits are operating properly. The capacity and complexity of the SS7 network is small in terms of circuitry and bandwidth utilized by an end user compared to previous voice and data networks. The circuitry of the SS7 network is therefore much more critical. The actual elements in the SS7 network do not provide all the information required in network operations to manage and to determine the health and state of an SS7 network. It is therefore necessary for the telephone industry to deploy surveillance equipment to monitor the links connecting the nodes of the SS7 network.
The topology of the network is such that STPs are typically deployed in a mated pair configuration at geographically separate locations. Connected to a mated pair of STPs will be a set of SSPs and SCPs. This conglomeration of SSPs, SCPs and mated Pair STPs is called a cluster. Clusters are then connected by D-Quad links between STP mated pairs. The mated pair configuration system is not required and it is not used in all communications systems capable of employing the present invention.
When any call, transaction or message is sent between two different devices on the network, it is often the case that the messages going from switch A to switch B travel one route on the network while the messages going from switch B to switch A travel a different route. The network surveillance equipment that monitors the link is designed to capture and correlate as much signaling information as possible regardless of network activity. Because of the different data paths that messages may take, it is difficult to do this correlation above what is called the transport layer when monitoring links at the STP sites. An example of an application level problem would be where a subscriber has a problem getting his/her calls delivered. The telephone company may attempt to fix the problem by doing a trace of all data pertaining to that subscriber's phone number, but the data may not all be located at one point. The data may be all in one STP, or split in some fashion, partially in one STP and partially in the other STP of a mated pair, which may be in a different city many miles away.
These and other objects, features and technical advantages are achieved by a system and method in which a monitoring network, having network monitors that capture messages, such as message signal units (MSUs), from links in a communications network, correlates the messages into call or transaction records for further processing. The monitors have a plurality of processors for processing the captured messages. The processors may run any of a number of message or record processing applications. In the present invention, a quality assurance application provides an integrated platform for message tracking on a per customer and/or a per service provider basis. The tracked messages may be part of one of a number of message protocols, such as Integrated Services Digital Network—User Part (ISUP), Telephone User Part (TUP), Network User Part (TUP), Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP), Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) or Integrated Network Application Part (INAP) calls or transactions. The quality assurance application is ideal for larger networks or for evaluating service quality of application-layer services, such as INAP, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), AIN, IS-41 and 800LIDB/CLASS.
In a preferred embodiment, the quality assurance application runs on a server that is external to the network monitoring system. The monitoring system provides data to the external server in the form of Call Detail Records (CDRs). The quality assurance application tracks the quality of service that is provided to customers on a particular communications network. The present invention allows customers, service providers and others to monitor how a service is performing not only within the network infrastructure, but also how well that service is working on a call-by-call, customer-by-customer basis. Additionally, the present invention allows service providers to efficiently manage network services without requiring an increased support staff.
The quality assurance application runs on an independent server and processes CDRs that are received from the monitoring system. In a preferred embodiment, individual monitoring units exchange and correlate messages into call or transaction records. The monitoring unit then filters the records using a CDR profile to determine which records, and which messages, should be combined to form the CDR. The monitoring units then transmit the CDRs directly to the external server. In an alternative embodiment, some other entity in the monitoring system, such as a central server, may generate and forward CDRs to the independent quality assurance application.
The quality assurance application provides service quality analysis tools and reports. The application generates historical statistic reporting for circuit-based services or for application-layer services. The statistics are maintained in a database which can be accessed to generate quality of service reports. When used to monitor service on an SS7 network, the present invention maintains statistics for all ISUP/TUP circuit-based calls. Statistics are maintained by called number, calling number and translated number. Users may generate reports for the statistical information by accessing the database through a workstation. The reports may be customized using various indices, such as by called, calling, or translated number.
Additional statistics may be monitored and other reports may be created for other communications networks or protocols. For example, TCAP statistics may be monitored and reports may be generated by service as well as by called, calling and translated number. Statistics for other application layer services could also be monitored. Such as for INAP, GSM, AIN, IS-41 and 800/LIDB/CLASS services.
Communications network monitoring equipment which may be used in conjunction with the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,530, entitled TELEPHONE SWITCH DUAL MONITORS; and in pending patent applications assigned Ser. No. 09/057,940, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PERFORMANCE STATISTICS IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; Ser. No. 09/092,428 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING HIGH MESSAGE TRAFFIC LEVELS IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; Ser. No. 09/092,699 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL UNIT DATA STORAGE AND POST CAPTURE CALL TRACE IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; Ser. No. 09/092,256 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING QUALITY OF SERVICE STATISTICS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; and Ser. No. 09/092,771 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRELATING TRANSACTION MESSAGES IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, filed Jun. 5, 1998 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. These references and the present application are commonly assigned.
It is a feature of the present invention to track performance statistics in a communications network. The invention provides statistical reports which show how many calls were successfully connected to the called number and how many calls were dropped. The reports allow users to determine the reason for call failures and to identify portions of the network which are not operating properly.
It is another feature of the present invention to allow customers, service providers and third parties with the ability to monitor a the quality of service on a particular communications network. Customers can use the statistical reports to determine their service provider's quality of service. The present system can also be used by customers to determine if the customers' systems are providing adequate service. For example, call centers can use the statistical data to determine whether additional agents are needed to answer calls that have been dropped due to busy lines. Service providers may use the information to monitor the service provided by their network and to identify failure points on the network. Service providers can also monitor the quality of service provided by other service providers on other networks.
It is an additional feature of the invention to generate statistical reports for called, calling or translated numbers or for services. Additionally, users can designate particular link sets to be used for the statistical report generation. As a result, only those monitors capturing messages from the designated link sets will send CDRs to the quality of service application.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide statistical reports in real-time on a network-wide basis for both calls and transactions. Historical data is also stored to a database for later recall by the user.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communications network and monitoring system incorporating the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the applications used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of communications network 10 in which telephones 101 and 102 communicate via a signaling network, such as an SS7 network. It will be understood that telephones 101, 102 are used for illustration purposes only and that any voice or data communications device may be connected to the network. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, telephones 101 and 102 are connected to end offices 103 and 104, which may be Signaling Points (SP), as shown, or SSPs. End offices 103 and 104 are linked to each other through a signaling network comprised of STPs 105-108, which are connected via links 109-112. SPs 103 and 104 are connected to STPs 105-108 via links 113-116. Calls, transactions and other signals or messages between end office 103 and end office 104 may take any of a number of paths across links 109-116 and through STPs 105-108.
Typically, a series of signals that are related to one call or transaction will traverse across the same path through network 10 from one end office to another. For example, for a particular transaction, all signaling units sent from SP 103 may cross links 113, 111, and 114 through STPs 105 and 106. However, network problems or system failures may cause different signals for the same transaction to take different paths. It is also typical that signals traversing the system in the reverse direction may use a different path through the network. For example, for the same transaction illustrated above, signals from SP 104 may traverse links 116, 112, and 115 through STPs 108 and 107. Therefore, a single link or network element may not see all the messages or signals for one complete transaction or call.
In certain circumstances, such as for an 800 number call or for a call to an exchange or number that has been ported to a different switch, message may be sent to SCP 117 to perform various database look-up functions. Signals or messages are exchanged with SCP 117 via links 118. In other embodiments, there may be additional components in network 10, such as Service Nodes (SN) or Intelligent Peripherals (IP), which would require additional signal paths.
In network 10, monitors 119-122 are individually paired with STPs 105-108. Each monitor 119-122 is coupled to every link for a particular STP by connections 123, which may be embodied as a branch or tee off of links 109-116. This allows monitors 119-122 to capture or detect every signaling unit that is sent to, or from, each STP 105-108. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,530 and application Ser. No. 09/057,940, monitors 119-122 are coupled via an inter-monitor communications link (not shown) which allows monitors 119-122 to transfer captured signaling units and messages among themselves. Typically, the first monitor to detect a signaling unit for a call or transaction is designated as a controlling or anchor monitor. The other monitors then send any later detected signaling units for the same transaction or call to the anchor monitor. The anchor monitors correlates all of the messages from a particular transaction or call into a single record. Usually, each signaling unit is identified as belonging to a particular transaction by the Transaction Identifier (TID).
Monitors 119-122 are connected to server 124 via connection 125, which may be a Wide Area Network (WAN) or any other data network connection. Once a call or transaction record is complete, the record is then sent to server 124 for further processing. Monitors may determine that a record is complete when an end message is detected for that particular call or transaction. Workstation 126 is connected to server 124 and may be directly connected to monitor 105-108. Workstation 126 provides network service providers or other users with access to retrieve data or to configure server 124 or monitors 119-122.
Server 124 is coupled to data storage device 127 and monitors 119-120 are coupled to data storage device 128. Memory units 127 and 128 may be used to store configuration and profile data for use by the monitoring system. Monitors 119-122 may use a local memory, such as 128, to store call or transaction records, or other message data. Alternatively, records and messages may be routed to server 124 for storage on a central database, such as data storage device 127.
In the present invention, monitors 119-122 filter the correlated messages and the call and transaction records to generate a CDR data stream that is sent to independent server 129 via link 130. Although it is not shown in FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, each monitor 119-122 is linked to server 129 by a connection, such as 130, which allows CDR data to be sent directly to server 129. Alternatively, server 124 may collect all of the CDR data, or server 124 may perform the record screening function itself, and forward the CDR information to server 129 via link 131. Users can access server 129 from workstation 132 to select and configure statistical reports.
Server 129 runs the quality assurance application, which integrates ISUP, TUP, NUP, TCAP, AIN, GSM, IS-41 and INAP transaction and call tracking on a per customer or per service provider basis. The quality assurance application performs statistics accumulation at the user part level and at the application level. Collected statistics are stored in a database, and reports from the statistics are available to users via workstation 132. The statistics are collected from the CDR data streams that are provided by monitors 119-122. The creation of CDR data streams is described in detail in application Ser. No. 09/093,824, entitled TRANSACTION CONTROL APPLICATION PART (TCAP) CALL DETAIL RECORD GENERATION IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
TABLE 1 is a list of the parameters that can be used to create CDR profiles.
TABLE 2 lists the fields of a preferred CDR format and the definitions of the field contents.
TABLE 3 lists the user defined fields of a preferred CDR format and the definitions of the field contents.
Table 4 lists the fields for a CDR format with Integrated Services Digital Network-User Part (ISUP) parameters.
FIG. 2 illustrates system 20 having CDR applications running on the components of a monitoring network and having quality assurance applications running on QA server 129 and workstation 132. Components of FIG. 2 are numbered to correspond with like components of FIG. 1. Monitor 120 is capable of monitoring several hundred SS7 links at one time. Monitor links 123 capture messages from network links, such as 111, 110 and 114, in the SS7 network. The messages are provided to a call/transaction processing application, such as Call/Transaction Tracking Processor (CTTP) 201. Monitor 120 comprises a number of versatile processors which may be assigned to process and correlate calls, transactions, or other messages. One or more of these processors run CTTP application 201 depending upon the volume of message traffic received from the SS7 network. As discussed above, monitor 120 communicates with other monitors, such as 119, 121 and 122, and exchanges messages pertaining to the calls and transactions that are being monitored.
Monitor 120 also comprises CDR application 202, which runs on another processor. CDR application 202 receives correlated message records from CTTP application 201 and filters the records using a CDR profile. Ideally, CDR application 202 receives complete records for each call and transaction from CTTP application 201. However, depending upon the state of a particular call or transaction, partial records may be provided. CDR application 202 collects messages for call legs and generates a Call Detail Record. The CDR contains summary information of the statistics for each call. Application 202 generates a binary CDR that is sent to QA server 129 via Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for further processing. There may be one or more QA servers coupled to the monitoring network or to individual monitors. Monitor 120 sends the CDR data to the QA server listed in a QA CDR profile.
Typically, the CDRs are not stored on monitor 120. The binary CDR data is streamed to QA server 129 as soon as it is created. A unique identifier is created for each CDR so that QA server can distinguish among the CDRs that are received from various monitors. Messages that are received out of sequence by CTTP application 201 are sent to CDR application 202, which attaches the out of sequence message to the CDR data stream.
Monitoring system server 124 is responsible for tracking all CDR configurations that have been set up by users. QA CDR configuration application 203 cooperates with CDR application 204 on workstation 126 to provide a user interface to configure the QA CDR profiles. Server 124 stores the QA CDR profiles as files in memory 209. The profiles are downloaded to monitors 119-122 as necessary so that the monitors will have the proper configuration to process the correlated message records.
Users configure the QA CDR profiles, and other monitoring system parameters, using workstation 126. CDR configuration application 204, which may be a Graphical User Interface (GUI), allows users to configure CDR profiles for storage on server 124. Information provided by users on workstation 126 is stored as a configuration file in database 209. Sever 124 downloads the configuration file data to specific monitors 119-122 over Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Users may modify the CDR profile configurations. Changes to old configurations are relayed to the appropriate monitors 119-122.
QA server 129 is preferably a dedicated server for the quality assurance application because of the high volume of data associated with the call and transaction records. CDR data streams from monitors, such as data on link 130 from monitor 120, is processed by QA statistics application 205. Database 206 holds the CDR data for QA server 129. QA statistics application 205 collects CDRs from monitors 119-122 and stores the data to database 205. This data is then later recalled by QA report application 206, which reports statistics on the data when requested by users. QA workstation 132 provides the user interface to QA report application 207 through QA report GUI 208. Users configure the desired parameters for the statistical reports via QA report GUI 208. QA report application 207 then recalls and formats the stored data from database 206.
Depending upon the user's system, databases 206 and 209 may be an integral part of servers 124 and 129, or the databases 206, 209, may be embodied as separate storage devices.
The amount of data stored and the message traffic volume are the key determinants of the size and processing power of QA server 129. Processing capabilities can be adjusted on a per user basis. The minimum configuration of the preferred embodiment is a server having 150 GB storage and 1 GB memory. A redundant server having equivalent capacity may also be used. Workstation 132 provides users with a GUI interface to configure statistic reports.
QA server 129 collects CDRs from monitors 119-122 and extracts statistical information to be stored in database 206. CDRs for calls in an SS7 network are available upon call completion. QA statistics application 205 accumulates the messages statistics completion of the call or transaction and adds the statistics to database 206 at intervals based upon the origination time of the call or transaction. The statistics are continually collected and stored to database 206, but they are reported only upon user request.
The format used to store the statistics data in database 206 is highly configurable and may be adapted for any storage configuration that the user may desire. For example, in one embodiment, separate data entries are made for each hour in a daily table in database 20. Thus, if server 129 and database 206 are configured to hold a week's worth of statistical data, then seven daily tables, each having 24 intervals, are stored on database 206. Each daily table is stored for seven days. Daily tables are summarized into weekly tables at the end of seven days. Weekly tables have seven intervals, each interval representing a summarized daily table. Weekly tables are stored for 90 days, at which point they are summarized into monthly tables having 28-31 intervals. Monthly tables are stored locally on database 206 as long as space permits. The aging and summarizing process can be customized by users to comply with individual requirements.
Table 5 is a list of statistics that are stored to database 206 for each CDR profile.
The user can define specific statistics, such as release causes, that are to be stored for a particular CDR profile.
Table 6 is a list of aggregations that can be used to group the above statistics for reports to be generated by QA report application 207.
In Table 6 it will be understood that called, calling or translated numbers may be either a complete telephone number or a partial telephone number. For example, under the North American Numbering Plan, reports may be created for fall telephone numbers (i.e. 1-NPA-NXX-XXXX). Alternatively, wildcards can be used at the end of the grouping telephone number so that statistics are reported for all calls or transactions directed to a particular area code (i.e. 1-NPA) or a particular exchange code (i.e. 1-NPA-NXX.
Users can also configure QA report application 207, via QA report GUI 208, to create their own query parameters. Queries can be stored in database 206 and stored queries can be modified. Reports from QA report application 207 may be displayed to the user on QA workstation 132. Alternatively, reports may be printed, directed to an electronic mail address, stored to a database file, or exported to an ASCII file. Users can configure weekly, monthly, or other periodic reports which are sent at intervals to specific users. Such periodic reports may be assigned to QA report application 207 to be run automatically.
Dynamic behavioral statistics may also be generated by QA report application 207. Users can select to have the statistics of Table 1 reported as to the highest and/or lowest values. For example, a report may comprise the 16 highest called numbers, or the 16 services that are used the least. Behavioral statistics are retrieved using a Structured Query Language (SQL) query. Triggers can be configure to update a user's display according to changes in database 206. Once a group or aggregation of statistics is displayed, users can refine the report to obtain more specific data, such as a specific area code and exchange.
Users may track statistical events by designating a statistics to be displayed based upon a first occurrence, a occurrence that is more than some delta away from a certain value, or rising/falling thresholds. When triggered, events may be displayed to the user, or stored to a log file.
Users may also designate specific link sets or network nodes to be used for the statistical reports. Only those monitors that are coupled to the relevant links and nodes will receive the CDR profile data and only those monitors will send CDRs to QA server 129 for that profile.
Real-time statistics are also available from QA report application 207. Statistics are then updated after call or transaction completion and CDR generation. Displayed reports may be in the form of peg counts, bar graphs, or trend curves. Users may also configure reports based upon a sample of the calls or transactions or based upon a sample of the CDRs. The sampling rate may be selected using CDR generation GUI 204 on the user workstation.
It will be understood that workstation 126 and 132 may be separate components as described herein, or one workstation may be used to run both CDR configuration GUI 204 and QA report GUI 208.
It will also be understood that the QA server can accept CDR data from any source, not only from the monitoring system. For example, a switch or end office may generate CDRs and provide the data directly to the QA server for further processing. The QA server has a modularized front end which allows it to receive data from any source.
Although the invention has been described with respect to an SS7 system, it will be understood that the present invention may be adapted to monitor the quality of service provided on any communications network.
The present invention and its advantages have been described in detail herein, however, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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in mid-2012 on the government's Hospital
Compare Web site, showed that readmissions for heart attack and heart failure patients declined only 0.1 percent in 2011, and
the rate actually went up slightly, by 0.1 percent, for pneumonia readmissions.
Debbie Larkin Carney, vice presidentof quality at Saint Barnabas, sums up thesentiments of clinical and I. T. leaders whoare in the trenches of reducing readmis-sions: "Readmissions are just so hard toanalyze and address because the factorsbehind them are so diverse—you can sliceby socioeconomic factors and clinical fac-tors and other data, but while you see somecommonalities there's also a lot of di;er-ences."Saint Barnabas, part of massive, 10-hos-pital Barnabas Health in New Jersey, hasreduced readmissions by 8 percent overthe past year, but compared with nationalaverages, it's a mixed bag: for some condi-tions it's better than the national average,and for some it's slightly worse, LarkinCarney says. And another perplexing issue,she says, is that at Saint Barnabas, 60 per-cent of the patients readmitted came backfor health problems unrelated to their ini-tial diagnosis."Sometimes lost in all the talk of unac-ceptably high readmission rates and clini-cal failures is the fact that hospitals aredealing with chronically ill patient popula-tions that spent most of their times on therazor's edge healthwise.
"Many of the e;orts around readmis-sions are targeted at the chronically ill, andthe reason they're called that is becausethese conditions are chronic—the patientsdon't really get well," says Wayne Bazzle, theCEO of Dallas-based CareCycle Solutions, ahome health telemonitoring company thatprovides post-acute care for patients referredby hospitals and physicians. "Someone withcongestive heart failure, for example, is notgoing to get well—what you're trying to do isstabilize their conditions so they can get onwith their lives and stay out of the hospital.But to do so takes intensive e;ort.";e 30-day readmission rate is the mag-ic number CareCycle's client hospitals arefocused on, Bazzle says, and the companyhas been able to signi;cantly reduce thereadmission rates for its patients underits care: while the national average for 30-day readmission rates for chronically illpatients is around 20 percent, about 7. 5percent of CareCycle patients are beingreadmitted in that timeframe.
I. T. underpinningsOne of the I.T. underpinnings of thecompany's e;orts is monitoring via theHomeMED device, from Honeywell Inc.Patients are given monitoring devicessuch as blood pressure cu;s and weightscales that are either hardwired to the de-vice or communicate wirelessly with it viaBluetooth connections. CareCycle pro-grams the devices with question bundlesfor their speci;c conditions, as well asvoice prompts reminding them to takedaily readings from the monitoring de-vices. ;e information is automaticallytransmitted to a database maintained byCareCycle, which uses proprietary algo-rithms—developed in conjunction withthe North Texas Science Center—thatanalyzes the daily input. It then assesseswhich patients need extra attention andurgent interventions before their condi-tions warrant readmission.
In the study "Diagnosesand Timing of 30-DayReadmissions AfterHospitalization for HeartFailure, Acute MyocardialInfarction, or Pneumonia,"published in Januaryin the The Journal ofthe American MedicalAssociation, researchersanalyzed Medicare fee-for-service claims data for30-day readmissions afterhospitalization for heartfailure, acute myocardialinfarction and pneumonia.Here are a few ;ndings,based on analyzed datafrom 2007 to 2009:infarction and 80 yearsfor patients originally hos-pitalized for pneumonia.
• The majority of all readmissions occurred within
15 days of hospitalization:
61 percent of heart failure
readmissions, 67. 6 percent of acute myocardial
infarction readmissions
and 62. 6 percent of
pneumonia readmissions.
• For readmissions after
a heart failure hospitalization, 87. 5 percent were
readmitted once, 9. 7
percent were readmitted
twice and 2. 8 percent
were readmitted three or
more times.
• Among all readmissions,
approximately one-third
occurred from day 16
through day 30 post-hos-pitalization.
• For readmissions
after an acute myocardial
infarction hospitalization,
97.4 percent were readmitted once, 2. 4 percent
were readmitted twice
and 0.2 percent were
readmitted three or more
• The average age ofreadmissions was 80.3years for patients originallyhospitalized for heartfailure, 79. 8 years forpatients originally hospital-ized for acute myocardial• The median time periodbetween hospitalizationand readmission was 12days for heart failure, 10days for acute myocardialinfarction and 12 days forpneumonia.
• For readmissions after
a pneumonia hospitalization, 95. 1 percent were
readmitted once, 4. 3
percent were readmitted
twice and 0.6 percent
were readmitted three
or more times.
Click to subscribe to this magazine

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Every Friday the Library will bring you short lists of buzz-worthy books in a rotating series of popular genres.
For these and other fresh reads, stop by the second floor Fiction/AV/Teen desk. While there, talk to a Readers' Advisor about new and old titles tailored to your taste.
New: Historical Fiction
• Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough
• No Country by Kalyan Ray
• Painted Horses by Malcolm Brooks
• Wars of the Roses: Stormbird by Conn Iggulden
• When the World Was Young by Elizabeth Gaffney
• Lucky Us by Amy Bloom
New: Romance
• Vixen in Velvet by Loretta Chase
• The Longest Night by Kara Braden
• Never Surrender by Lindsay McKenna
• Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins
• Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh
• The Escape by Mary Balogh
By Cathleen, Readers' Advisor on August 15, 2014 Categories: Books, Historical Fiction, New Arrivals, Romance


text:
Apr 21 2014
How Happy Are People Who Sponsor a Child?
How happy are people who sponsor a child? Well, they're happier than…
Aug 6 2010
Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated with joy, happiness, intellect and energy. It's an optimistic color, one that communicates a brighter future for children in poverty.
Nov 14 2009
The Happiest Day of a Sponsored Child's Life
If you can't visit your children, and we understand that it's not always possible, you need to know this. It's an absolute truth. Your sponsored children want to hear from you!


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British Invasion: Brits Who Won Big American Roles
The Best Highlights From the 2013 Golden Globes!
Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lawrence, Marion Cotillard, and More Toast the Globes With W Magazine
The Star-Studded AFI Awards Bring Out Ben, George, Jennifer, and More
Anne Hathaway Shares a Laugh With Steven and Sally in NYC
Daniel Craig and Daniel Day-Lewis Win Big at The Britannia Awards
See Daniel Day-Lewis on the Official Poster For Lincoln
How Well Do You Know Your Daniels?
Madonna Takes Lourdes To Celeb Packed Nine NY Premiere
Photos from Nine New York Premiere
International Stars of Nine Do Lunch Ahead of Screening
Photos of Nine Screening


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Roast Chicken with Smashed New Potatoes and Gar
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Category: Main Course
Roast Chicken with Smashed New Potatoes and Garlicky Jus - TastyPlanner.com
Chef: Lmbogacz
13 Points Plus Value
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 4 ounces chicken, about 1/4 cup gravy, and 1 cup potatoes)
12.7g (sat 3.9g,mono 5.2g,poly 2.1g)
Recipe Source: http://find.myrecipes.com/r...
cooking spray
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 (4-pound) whole chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 whole garlic head
1 cup dry white wine
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
16 new potatoes, unpeeled (about 2 pounds)
1/3 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
1. To prepare chicken, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add lemon to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally. Remove from pan; cool.
2. Preheat oven to 400°.
3. Remove and discard giblets from chicken; trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; rub salt mixture under loosened skin. Insert lemon slices in a single layer under loosened skin. Place rosemary inside body cavity. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under chicken. Place chicken on a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate cloves). Place garlic head in pan.
4. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove chicken from oven); bake an additional 1 hour or until a thermometer inserted in the meaty part of thigh registers 165°. Remove chicken from pan; let stand 10 minutes. Remove skin; discard. Loosely cover chicken; keep warm.
5. Remove garlic from pan; set aside. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings back into pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.
6. Separate garlic cloves; squeeze to extract pulp. Place pan over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic pulp, wine, and broth; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thick. Remove from heat; stir in butter.
7. To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until very tender; drain. Return potatoes to pan. Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir until combined. Serve chicken with gravy and potatoes.
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Windows » Internet » Newsreaders
Newsgroup Explorer
Newsgroup Explorer is the fastest way to find any information you're looking for in news group archives.
Version: N/A
Publisher: InternetSoft Corporation
Language: English
Publisher email: N/A
Price: 49.95 $
Date product: 2001-07-30
License: Shareware
Date update: 2008-03-27
Size: N/A
Number downloads: 0
Download free
Newsgroup Explorer is a news reader program which simplifies complex searches in Usenet archives.
Visitor: (Here give rating or review)
Visitor reviews:
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Product requirements:
Windows 95/98/ME,Windows NT/2000
Product tags:
Promo text:
Newsgroup Explorer is a news reader program which simplifies complex searches in Usenet archives.
See also
1. Click the textarea input below it should select
2. Copy the code to the clipboard with (CTRL-C) and paste (CTRL-V) the value into application
Visitor rating or review
Publisher rating or review
Publisher software: InternetSoft Corporation
Domain Quester - Questor is a program designed to generate the greatest possible number of word combinations and then selec
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Newsgroup Commander Pro - Newsgroup Commander Pro is the fastest way to find any information you're looking for in news
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text:
by Daryl Myers on August 13, 2012
I chose the Quilted Gifts project from the book Quilt Lover's Gifts, because I love all kinds of purses and bags, and of course the Batiks attracted my attention!
Category Archives: Guest Blogger
by Kathy on July 30, 2012
Bright, Cheery, Simple, Fast, Fat Quarter Friendly, Quilt-as-you-go, all describe my Gifty Galore project, Fresh Blooms Placemats, from Gudrun Erla's Book, Fast & Furious Family.
by Anita on July 27, 2012
Hello everyone, my name is Kimberly Purdy, and my company Lilac Cottage Designs is a new independent designer with Connecting Threads. The picture is of one of my designs, the Sleep Mat II. It's a blanket, mat, and pillow all in one. It rolls up so that you can quickly take it with you for daycare or sleepovers.
by Judy on July 23, 2012
I love the Needles and Notions book but couldn't decide what I wanted to make. I love paper piecing but in small amounts and I really didn't want to make a quilt or a wall hanging. I collect pincushions so I decided to make the pincushion block and frame it.
by Connecting Threads on June 29, 2012
Hello everyone! I'm thrilled to introduce my PDF patterns to all of you . . . it has been great fun working with the Anita at Connecting Threads to get these patterns loaded up and out to you. Just a little background information about Sipiweske Quilt Designs: I started designing patterns back in 2003 and attended a couple of quilt markets in the beginning, but lately it seems that the good old career and family commitments have needed to come before my quilting career. So I am super excited to be able to bring patterns to you through this wonderful world of technology.
by Connecting Threads on May 25, 2012
Hi again! It's Kiki from It's Sew Kiki. I want to share with you just how wonderful I think Connecting Threads' new fabric line, Bookish is. One of my very favorite things to do, besides sew, is to read. I usually read around 2 books a week! There are books stashed everywhere in our house. So when I saw this fabric, I had the perfect little design in mind. I made this little Table Topper for my end table in my living room. I called it Library Card and the pattern is available as a free download from Connecting Threads!
by Connecting Threads on May 3, 2012
Hi again! It's me Kiki and I blog over at It's Sew Kiki. I recently made the quilt below using Connecting Threads' fabric collection, Mastermind. I've called this quilt "Whiz Kid" and I designed and made it for my husband. I've made quilts for so many people, but my poor husband didn't have one of ...
by Connecting Threads on April 13, 2012
Years ago, I clipped a page from a favorite magazine that featured a vintage 1920s crib quilt made of little blue-and-white striped sailboats. It was the inspiration for my updated version of that quilt--Sail Away! The first quilt I made from my pattern was done in crayon brights—perfect for a child's room—but when I saw the designs for the Smooth Sailing prints from Connecting Threads, I knew my pattern was their perfect "sailing" mate! I chose my favorites from the nice variety of nautical prints in the line and filled in with solid basics to stitch up a patriotic salute to seafaring adventurers. The rectangular blocks are set with sashing strips and cornerstones, then set off with half-square triangles that are reminiscent of boaters' signal flags.
by Connecting Threads on April 4, 2012
Hi! I'm Kiera and I blog at It's Sew Kiki. I want to tell you about my sewing experience with Connecting Threads new fabric line Matsuri. First off, it's just so beautiful. It's soft and feminine and has a Japanese feel and look to it. It's 100% Cotton Lawn, which I had never heard of before, but I really like it. It's much lighter weight than quilting cotton, but I had no problem sewing with it and I like the versatility it gave me to make different projects with it. The first thing I made was this 36" Table Topper that I'm calling Spring Breeze. You can get the pattern for this as a FREE download here! I was a little concerned that I would have a problem with stretching on the bias of the triangles, but I didn't. It was a breeze to sew with.
by Connecting Threads on March 26, 2012
Hi! I'm Kiera from It's Sew Kiki. I'm part of Connecting Threads Independent Designer Program and I want to share with you all that you can do with one Fat Quarter Sampler of Urban Odyssey. I love this fabric and had so much fun using it in these projects. First up is this Wall Hanging Quilt that I designed. I'm calling it Banners and Blooms. It just says "springtime" to me.


text:
Sometimes, tried and true is the way to go. Like when it comes to Fruit Of The Loomâ® Boys 5-pack Boxer Briefs. Why try another brand of boys' underwear when you know Fruit of the Loom works so well? These 100%-cotton boys' boxer briefs are comfortable, breathable and durable. The 5-pack includes pairs in white, navy, gray, sage green and hunter green. Machine washable.
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other Info.
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- Imported


text:
My Son, The Waiter; A Jewish Tragedy – Live at the Kate in Old Saybrook, CTPosted by Mary Corigliano in The Connecticut Arts Scene, The Kate, Things to Do in Connecticut, tags: Brad Zimmerman, comedy show, Comedy show in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, live entertainment in Old Saybrook, Live performance at the Kate, Live performance in Old Saybrook, live theatre, Old Saybrook, Old Saybrook CT, one man show, The Kate, theatre, Theatre in Old Saybrook
It's been six years since Brad Zimmerman has picked up a ratty dishcloth or taken an order from a customer — well, except for his one-man-show where he re-enacts it all.
Born in Bergen County, N.J., Brad Zimmerman started out in a rather large Jewish population. He is proud of his roots and says that it was "a great place to grow up," according to an interview with Jweekly.com. In the same interview, Brad says that he and his family followed the Jewish traditions, and that after going through it all, "I [Brad] loves being a Jew."
Aside from being a proud Jewish young man, Brad was also a very talented athlete throughout his middle school and high school careers. In college, however, he took a turn in the opposite direction when he discovered his love of acting. After graduating, he moved to New York City to chase after this new dream, to which he could only hope would one day become reality.
Little did he know, he had many hard times waiting for him before he would make it big.
Through the repetition of every order taken, every rude customer, and every flick of the wrist as the international sign for "Check, please," Brad Zimmerman has found some comic relief to it all. He is able to do something that many of us are unable to do — make fun of the long and difficult times that he has been through to get to where he is now.
Brad started his acting career as a waiter, as so many had done before him. On top of memorizing lines for auditions, he was memorizing the daily specials for each night that he was waiting tables.
When Brad realized the intimidatingly long times ahead of him in order to break into Broadway, he stepped back and decided to take a new route — stand up. In the early 1990′s Brad began to work hard at perfecting the craft of stand up comedy, and eventually started landing great jobs, including his role as the opening act for Joan Rivers and the late George Carlin. In addition to this, Brad Zimmerman was finally becoming a regular at New York comedy clubs, and people would file in to see his well-known and hilarious acts.
Everything came full circle when Brad landed an acting role in one of the best shows of all time, "The Sopranos." In addition to this, he also received roles in soap operas such as "Loving" and "All My Children." His ultimate dream was finally becoming reality, and to top it off he had achieved a second dream along the way that he had never initially intended.
Just like any true actor, however, Brad Zimmerman could not diverge from his theatrical roots any longer. In his one man show, "My Son, The Waiter; A Jewish Tragedy," Brad is able to show off how he can combine his comedic and acting skills beautifully into one show that will not only entertain, but will also touch the heart of anyone who knows what it is like to have a dream.
Through every awful experience at the restaurant, to the endless conversations with his disappointed mother, the audience watches Brad with his extraordinarily clever and lighthearted sense of humor as he re-lives some of the worst times he has seen in his life thus far.
According to Jweekly.com, Brad Zimmerman's favorite quote that got him through these tough times, was, "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken," said by Oscar Wilde. Brad went on to say, "That's what I do. I'm just being me."


text:
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All content created by & © Jamie Beck & Kevin Burg
There is nothing like a drive on a crisp fall day through beautiful autumn foliage up to an apple orchard. Sometimes life is best at its simplest, and walking through rows of trees looking for that perfect apple to pick and sink your teeth into is one of the best parts of the season. Autumn is absolutely my favorite time of year.
Part II. In the cold
Burlington, VT


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I took a test drive in the Tavera and I simply fell in love with it. I booked the car that same day!!! I bought the L2 model, with triple AC, Power steering and power windows.
Tavera has undoubtedly the best engine in its class. The turbo charged Isuzu engine is quiet and very powerful. My Chevy easily touches the 150 KM per hour mark on the Pune-Mumbai expressway. The car gives amazing pickup at the slightest touch on the accelerator.
Tavera has very good interiors. The cushions are good. The legroom...
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I sold by Zen' 2002 model & purchased Tavera somewhere Jan 2008. I purchased middle row as bucket (Captain) seats.
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I Have TAVERA SSD1 (Top End) Model Worth Rs.10,30,000/- PLS Know that Tavera is not worth Rs.10,30,000/- { Pls buy Tavera Only you get it for Rs. 5,00,000/- Becaus Tavera is = to the standerds of 1. Tata Sumo, 2. M&M Bolero, 3.M&M Jeep Model 4. A Share Auto With 4 Wheels,*** Pls think What is yous in Spending Rs. 10 lak & Loan INTREST & Hidn Cost for tavera? When we...
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Hi all!It has been 2 months since I own this Tavera ssd1-7 seater.The layout is good and looks better than the 8 seater. The 7-seater has 4 pushback seats and these...
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The authorised service centr in Gurgaon (Apex Motors) is a horrendous place to be stuck with! I love my TAVERA and am perfectly...
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I own a 2007 LS model Tavera.Till now it is not given any major problems and my driver also happy ,before he was driving a Qualis.we can drive this vehicle at any terrain even hills also.
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My car is very comfortable but on...
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Exterior Superb looking and just as simple as a car should be no:1 car tavera.
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Exterior It's got Sturdy, humble looks.
Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) It has ample leg space, very...
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Exterior Style is good but the body joint gaps are horrible. The rear bumber is bad in design because it becomes narrow at the middle.
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The finish is poor and dosent worth for money. No built in sterio system. The speeo meter...
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Blair's Latest Thriller
'ROMANTIC ROAD' is the riveting story of a desperate woman's chase across Europe.
Blair's gripping mystery about a concert cellist who comes home only to discover a family bombshell and a puzzling crime.
is a thrilling tale of a love strong enough to challenge the boundaries of time.
Blair McDowell's beautiful novel spans the love stories of two generations of the McQuaid family.
The Memory of Roses
Blair McDowell wrote her first short story when she was eleven and hasn't stopped writing since. After many years producing non-fiction professional books in her field, Blair decided to exercise her rich imagination and write fiction; novels of mystery and romance set in places she knows and loves, peopled with characters drawn from her experiences in those locales.
In 'Romantic Road', her latest romantic suspense novel, Blair takes us on a race along Europe's Romantic Road. As always, Blair chose the location for her novel after visiting there, and her plot was born. The characters come alive for her when traveling to the various locales, which is wonderful for her readers because they are transported to places they may never get to visit otherwise. Her heroine in Romantic Road' is Lacey Telchev whose husband passes away, and leaves her with some cryptic clues that she must follow in order to solve a mystery. She is soon being chased by some very dangerous people, while being accompanied by the handsome Max, but is he her friend, or just another predator?
One of her favourite places in the world is Greece, the setting for Blair McDowell's beautiful romance novel, 'The Memory of Roses'. While in Greece Blair was inspired by the ancient culture, friendly people and the picturesque settings, and the plot for the 'Memory of Roses' was born. The 'Memory of Roses' is rife with mystery and romance, taking readers to the Greek Island of Corfu where a young woman finds her own future while searching for her father's past.
Blair McDowell has a home on a remote island in the Caribbean where the local lore of the jumbie ('the dead who walk') formed the basis for her paranormal romantic suspense novel "Delighting in Your Company". Always fascinated by the unique legends of the West Indians, it was natural for Blair to incorporate some of these into her writing. In 'Delighting in Your Company', the reader is transported to the small island of St. Clement's in the Caribbean, with a romantic heroine who finds herself in the unenviable position of falling in love with a ghost.
The setting for Blair McDowell's book, 'Sonata', is the spectacular city of Vancouver with its vibrant multicultural population and its rich musical life. Vancouver is close to her own home on Canada's West Coast, and an area with which Blair is intimately familiar. In her romantic suspense novel, 'Sonata', Blair McDowell's love of music comes into play, and is intricately woven into this story of mystery and romance about a beautiful cellist who returns home after many years, only to discover that her high school sweetheart and her own father now find themselves at odds. She must unravel a mystery and walk a tight line between her love for her father and for her lover.
Are you in a Book Club and would like to have Blair as a guest at one of your meetings, either in person or via Skype? Great! Just contact us, and we will get right back to you to set up a date. Blair loves talking directly to her readers!
She is also on Book Club Reading List, so you can contact her through that site as well.
A Personal Note from Blair about herself and the things she loves:
I travel a lot. I usually spend the month of October in Europe, Greece or Italy, and the winter in a little house I built many years ago on a small non-touristy Caribbean Island. I have worked and studied in many places -- Hungary, Australia the US and Canada, and have lectured in most of the States and Provinces as well as Taiwan and various cities in Europe. I enjoy being surrounded by cultures other than my own. I enjoy my own as well -- but variety is indeed the spice of my life.
I keep busy -- and I love my life. I love meeting the people who come here to the west coast of Canada and stay in my B&B. I love traveling after the tourist season is over. And I love writing. My interests? Music, especially opera, reading everything in print, and Writing. And walking on the beach and swimming. At one point I had hoped to swim in every major sea and ocean. I've realized that may not be possible in one lifetime -- but trying has been fun!
I have no memory of a time after the age of six when I wasn't writing. As a child I wrote stories and long, long letters to friends, to my grandmother, to my cousin in distant South Carolina. I wrote my first story when I was eight, and it was called "Twins in Double Trouble". My teacher was not impressed. Once I started working I always seem to be the one asked to write the report or send an article to the paper/journal. If there was a job requiring writing, I ended up with it.
But when did I consciously decide to write a book? I was a student in Hungary. The Russian occupation army was still there. It required a special visa for me to get in and out of the country. I was studying at the Liszt Academy of Music and observing some of the best teaching I had ever seen in my life. I simply had to write about it. The result was the first of six professional books I wrote, all still in print.
Blair is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of America (Greater Vancouver Chapter), and the Romance Writers of America (Women's Fiction) and the Pacific Northwest Writer's Association.
If you are traveling to the West Coast of Canada, be sure to visit the fabulous town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast of BC where you will find my lovely Caprice B&B. We can talk about my books!


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My journey has
- lead me through the shadows of hidden roads
- shown me the wisdom held in the bones of our ancestors
- filled my Soul with the Light of new possibilities
We are all born with soul purpose. Often we must work beyond our inherited dysfunctional, other lifetime patterns to rediscover what that is. Then, we work beyond our fear to accomplish it!
My initial soul purpose was really a demand! I will have a large family this lifetime. Ah.... what an honor!
Next, I was called, under great protest, into spiritual energy work to unravel the cause of humanity's pain!
Now, as I wind my way into eldership, I am called again.
To share the hidden knowledge that I was given along my journey.
Although I am a mother, grandmother, teacher, author, radical mystic, and listener, most importantly, I am a lover of life and people!
I am off again on the adventure.... Join me!


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I think it's an interesting oversight by the author that he did not address the format of the data that was on the lost drive. Just because the drive could have been physically accessed doesn't necessarily mean that any files on the drive were usable or readable to just anyone.
I think it's an interesting oversight by the author that he did not address the format of the data that was on the lost drive. Just because the drive could have been physically accessed doesn't necessarily mean that any files on the drive were usable or readable to anyone.
Friend in Austin sent me this link: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2011/01/03/alabamas_davis.html
This position wouldn't be a promotion (Davis is currently defensive line coach, position at UT is defensive tackles), though. What could be the other motiviation for Davis being interested in leaving?
Man, I'm glad I live in Austin now and don't have to deal with this circus. Makes me sad for family and friends still in Birmingham to see that this stuff is only getting worse, though...
Other reports saying he will sign today...
As a follow-up, I will say that the ticket allotment process should DEFINITELY favor the teams with bigger alumni/fan bases. As a UA alumnus and due-hard fan, I was VERY disappointed to be surrounded by so many empty seats in the Superdome on Friday night...especially after having paid the money I did to get tickets from another source besides my own University (since we didn't get enough and Utah sat ok theirs too long before sending them back) and driving all the way from Austin just to attend. Pitiful showing. Absent the lawsuit, the small schools are going to have a lot to overcome based on Utah's poor ticket sales and attendance. Anything they gained on terms of winning BCS favor for future inclusion by a supposed "miracle" win over Alabama is offset by the tickets/attendance problem.
This is actually the second time in a week that State's elected officials have come to the team's rescue! The first was when the team bus was prevented from leaving the state on the Interstate because it was overloaded/overweight. Utah must be more like Alabama on that state and BYU the Auburn...
Seriously, though, way to go. I hope a complaint is filed and a suit ensues. The BCS is BS, and we need to tweak it to include an 8-16 team playoff. Keep the bowls, let them be quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship venues. I don't see where the $$$ disappears if they do that, which is apparently the strongest argument by the presidents (can't say it's academics; look at the other divisions).
No matter what changes happen, a successful law suit is the only thing that will bring the Bowl Conspiracy Series to an end in the next decade, if ever.
Correction: A strong COALITION vote gave him the win! Young and old, rich and poor, black AND white voted for Obama. Please don't cheapen your coverage by pandering to the stereotypes and not reporting the facts. This is not a black/white election.
Nothign exciting about the description of the Independence Bowl. What interested me was the following:
"27. Papajohns.com Bowl, Dec. 22, Cincinnati vs. Southern Miss.
Cincy had a really nice season. The reward? A trip to Birmingham, Ala., to play in a stadium that should be destroyed. "
Sounds like everyone is excited about coming to Birmingham! :-/


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North Texas Region
Armstrong Browning Library Tour and Lecture
November 10, 2012
Robert Browning
The North Texas Region will travel to Waco to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Robert Browning's birth. We will carpool to the Armstrong Browning Library on the beautiful Waco campus of Baylor University.
The library is a 19th-century research center dedicated to the study of the lives and works of Victorian poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning and houses the world's largest collection of Browning material and other fine collections of rare 19th-century books, manuscripts, and works of art. A private docent guided tour will begin at 10:00 AM.
The tour will be followed by a lecture from the Browning Scholar in Residence, Dr. Kristin Blair at 11:00 AM. Lunch at the library will conclude the day.
The event is open to members and guests and those with an interest in Jane Austen. Cost of the program and refreshments is $20.00 and reservations are required by 11/1/12.
For more information contact Susan Jelen at firstname.lastname@example.com or 214-448-5554. Send reservations to Susan Jelen, 4213 Prospect Lane, Plano, Texas 75093.
—Dr. Cheryl Kinney


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Research Guides are starting points for research in a specific subject area. Each guide contains subject related electronic resources and journals, as well as how to find related books, videos, DVDs and CDs.
Choose a research guide from the left menu of this page.
Contact the library: 978.867.4339 | librarygordon.edu


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COLUMBIA Four months ago, on back-to-back days during South Carolinas preseason practices, the 2012 season took a sour turn for redshirt freshman running back Shon Carson and fifth-year senior cornerback Akeem Auguste.
But next Tuesday, when the Gamecocks play Michigan in the Outback Bowl, both players can experience satisfying endings to their seasons, as Auguste tries to finish his career on his own terms, back at home, and Carson contends for the role of Marcus Lattimores replacement.
Carson in the preseason broke his left wrist during a practice. It required surgery and the insertion of pins. Maybe no one has been snake-bitten by injuries during the past two seasons than Carson.
He came to Columbia last summer as the No. 28-ranked running back in the recruiting class of 2011, according to Rivals, and demonstrated prodigious speed. But after carrying twice in the opener, he carried once in the second game and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
He was also going to miss all of 2012 with the wrist injury, which would have preserved the possibility of him successfully appealing to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. But Carson didnt want to do that. He returned to practice a month ago, leading up to the Clemson game, and will definitely play in the bowl along with senior Kenny Miles and true freshman Mike Davis, said running backs coach Everette Sands.
Shons looked good, Sands said. One of the big things for him right now is his legs are probably getting a little tired because he hasnt run a lot like this since August. We talked about (Carson playing in 2012) right after his surgery. He was like, coach, if I can get a chance to come back and play late in the season, Im going to play.
Hes doing well out here in practice. The big deal for me is ball security and hes done a great job of securing the ball so far. He didnt (just) sit on the couch (while rehabilitating), but (the trainers) made him not run or work out for a long time, so hes still in the process now of just getting his feet back under him.
But Sands said Carson is clearly in better physical condition than he would have been if he suffered a leg injury. Carson will compete next spring with Davis and Brandon Wilds to replace the NFL-bound Lattimore. Wilds redshirted this season and will be a sophomore in 2013.
The day after Carson got hurt in August, Auguste played in a scrimmage and tweaked his right thigh, near his groin, which had nagged him for most of August. He was supposed to be a senior last season, after starting nine games in 2009 and 10 in 2010, but he missed all of 2011 with a foot injury. He missed the first four games this season, and the ninth game, against Tennessee.
In the 10th game, he finally got his first career interception, against Arkansas. A week later, against Wofford, he scored his first touchdown, after returning a fumble 31 yards.
The Wofford game was his first start of the season junior Jimmy Legree had the job before that and Auguste also started the regular season finale win at Clemson. He is listed ahead of Legree on the pre-bowl depth chart.
Its not how you start, said defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward. Its how you finish. If (Auguste) continues to finish strong, then hell say that even though he didnt play early in the season, he had a good senior year. Hes been doing a good job of being a leader for us since hes been back. I think hes played fairly well.
Said Auguste: I just was questioning myself, like, Man, I keep getting hurt. What is going on? I cant dwell on the past, but as far as what I wanted to do, I wanted to be top in every category and I felt like I had ability to do so. But (God) had another plan for me and I havent been on the field like I was supposed to this year, so we all go from here.
Auguste said he feels healthier than he has since USC hosted Georgia on Oct. 6, his second game back. In less than a week, he gets to experience the joy of playing in front of family and friends who will make the 265-mile trip from his hometown of Hollywood, Fla.
Im talking about three, four rows (of stadium seats filled) probably, he said. So I cant wait.
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Today started just like every other Saturday I've had in the last month or two.
Get up a little before I naturally would. Coffee. Oatmeal. DVR.
Scratch that.
Work up some nerves.
THEN run.
No wait… let me download another song (Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes).
THEN run.
Obviously I'm a little weary. Meh.
But all went well. To be on the safe side, I took two breaks to drink some water and assess the situation. But everything seemed well. And I ended up running 6.2 miles in total.
We're approximately 2 miles behind according to my training plan. But whatever. Does anything really ever go to plan?
Moving on…
After that whole thing, my morning isn't over. Oh no.
There's champagne brunch to think about. Well. It's champagne "whatever". The game is at 3:00. People start to arrive at 2:00. Clearly this is past the brunch window.
But it's a big rivalry game (Screw KU!). And things are still going down.
Plus it's too late to start changing the name now, don't you think?
And also, we're still drinking the 'pagne.
We can't completely mess with tradition. ;)
Along with our tradition is food. Lots and lots of food. My roomie B and I took care of the chicken artichoke dip, a massive amount of mac and cheese, some drinks, and these:
Cookies and Cups is a new blog obsession of mine and she writes in the post that these are Her Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies cookies of all time. Or at least up until that point. I haven't contacted her to get an update, though. So they may be named incorrectly.
But she was right. They were pretty freakin' good. And may even be the best chocolate chip cookies I've personally made up until this point.
Like WOAH.
The lemon juice made me scratch my head. The cinnamon made me a bit weary. The refrigerating overnight made me nutty.
But this was no lie. They were over the top. I had been sneaking cookie dough like there was no tomorrow, but my roommate was the first to try out the finished product. A little crispy on the outside. But soft and chewy on the inside.
Everything to look for in a cookie.
Mine aren't nearly as pretty as hers. It's possibly because I didn't have shortening, which makes the cookie a bit lighter in texture, and had to substitute butter.
There hasn't been a complaint yet. So let's just keep that secret between me and you…
I found a way to combine baking and mizzou pride. Dangerous.
Seriously. Somebody needs to stop me.
But until then, excuse me, I need to go cheer my team on to victory.
Filed under: Random Baking | Tagged: baking, champagne brunch, fitness, long run, mizzou cookies, running, sports weekend, weekend workout | 26 Comments »


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How can I be a guest blogger here?
by sam18, Window Shopper
- Created: January 4, 2013, 2:39 am
- Updated: January 12, 2013, 11:23 am
Hi, This is Sam Stokdale, a financial blogger. I read the post's in your blog and found them very unique. Being a financial blogger, I write articles primarily on "insurance" subject and currently I am associated with a insurance community. Hope you allow guest posting on this wonderful blog. I've got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. I can also provide info graphics if you require. Let me assure you that my article will be unique and exclusive for your blog. I will put best of my efforts to make it as engaging as possible for your readers. Hope you'd love to see my article and place it on your lovely blog. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time. Look forward to your positive reply. Please get back to me at my email id samstokdale[at]gmail[dot]com. Thanking you very much, Regards Sam
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David Krems is the newest addition to the Xavier men's soccer staff and will start his first season as director of soccer operations for the 2012-13 year.
Krems was a four-year starter for Hiram College where he was standout player at three different positions. Hiram went 43-17-13 during Krems career that saw him tally the fourth most goals in program history. He was named to four All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams, including first team selections in 2006 and 2007.
After his playing career Krems served as a volunteer assistant coach at Hiram for two seasons. In addition to being an assistant for the varsity team, Krems was the head coach of the reserve team. For two years Krems was the Everest Soccer Club head coach for the boys U13-U14, which included four teams. The Lakewood, Ohio native also coached for the Hiram College Youth Soccer Camp, Lakewood Soccer Association, and the G-Plex Sports Complex.
Krems graduated from Hiram in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in management.


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LOS ANGELES - In an awards season that seems to have a ceremony for every facet of filmmaking, the Make-up and Hair Stylists Guild awards returned after a 10-year hiatus with an award for Johnny Depp.
The actor received the first ever distinguished artisan award for his work in films like "Edward Scissorhands," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Alice in Wonderland."
Depp's honor was presented by his long-time collaborator and makeup artist Joel Harlow, who is nominated for an Academy Award this year for makeup in "The Lone Ranger." Depp also starred in the film.
"This is a great honor, but glancing up at the screen I realize what a ridiculous thing I've done," joked Depp while accepting his trophy after clips of his work were shown at Paramount Studios theatre on Saturday evening.
"I mean seriously, why do they still give me jobs?" he added. "I've done a lot of things ... I should probably apologize for a few, but I won't."
Praising the work of the makeup artists who've helped him "find the root of each character," the soft-spoken actor said he liked when his face was molded in "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
"I found, oddly, that I liked being encased in all of that stuff," he said. "I try something different each time as an actor with the amazing help of makeup artists who have made my whole career."
Resembling the boozy party that is the Golden Globes rather than the formal Oscars, the makeup and hair stylists awards, which honors the best in the business from film to television, was a reunion for the behind-the-scenes artists. Squeals echoed throughout the auditorium as artists with multi-colored hair and thick cat-eye style makeup hugged and kissed.
"It's our circle or little family's time to celebrate," said Harlow prior to the ceremony.
As an ode to visual effects, a woman painted white and dressed in white stood in the lobby balancing a large headpiece made of flowers as she was lit by green lights. Host Tom Arnold later joked she looked "edible, like a big white cake."
There to present the award for best contemporary hair styling to the stylists for "Lee Daniels' the Butler," best supporting actress Oscar nominee June Squibb called the green lighting "wild." Turns out she loves the color. She's even asked Tadashi Shoji to make her a green dress for Oscar night. "I've seen a sketch and it's wonderful!" she added.
Some of the evening's other awards went to Oscar nominees "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa" for best special makeup effects and "Dallas Buyers Club" for best period and/or character makeup, while best contemporary hair styling in a television series went to "The Voice."
Makeup artist Dick Smith and hairstylist Gail Ryan received lifetime achievement awards.
Jane Lynch, Ed Asner, Johnny Knoxville, Nicollette Sheridan and Melissa Leo were among the presenters at the charming awards show that even included the engagement of a gay couple.
"Just have fun, that's all this is about," said Sue Cabral-Ebert, president of the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild. "It's not brain surgery."
Could a gaffers and grips gala be next?
"You should see the electrical staff's awards," joked Arnold. "It's madness!"
The Oscar ceremony will take place March 2.
Actor Johnny Depp speaks after accepting the Distinguished Artisan Award at the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards on Saturday at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Calif.×
Actor Johnny Depp (center) speaks after accepting the Distinguished Artisan Award at the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards on Saturday at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, Calif. Make-up artist Joel Harlow (right) presented the award.×
Notice about comments:
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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. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. 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.


text:
Remove peel and pith from each grapefruit. Holding over a bowl, carve out flesh between the membranes, letting segments drop into the bowl (you should have about 2 cups segments). Squeeze membranes over bowl. Strain juice into a measuring cup. Transfer 1/2 cup juice to a saucepan; discard remaining juice.
Make the dressing: Add honey, lemon juice, and ginger to pan with juice. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Discard ginger. Gradually whisk in 1 tablespoon oil until emulsified.
Lay scallops, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet; season tops with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallops, seasoned side down; cook until edges are browned, about 4 minutes. Flip, and cook 30 seconds more. Set aside.
Toss arugula sprouts with 1 tablespoon dressing in a small bowl; set aside.
To serve, divide grapefruit segments among 4 serving plates. Top each with sprouts and seared scallops, dividing evenly. Drizzle each plate with 1 tablespoon dressing, and season with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and the pepper.


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The Good Show
Saturday, 9 am to 12 pm
Keep in touch with KTCU's award-winning magical mystery tour known as The Good Show and your modest-yet-devastatingly-handsome hosts, Tom Urquhart and Chris Bellomy, with friends Tony Diaz and Neil Schnell, and cameos from a cast of thousands of established and up-and-coming Texas artists.
The show features the latest in modern rock including the occasional deep cut, classic cut or something completely off the programming map. There's an added dose of original music, rock and otherwise, from Texas and surrounding areas. Regional artists are also highlighted with regular in-studio visits and performances, often debuting formerly unreleased material. The Good Show's playlist is updated in real-time during the broadcasts on the show's official site.
Comments and song requests are encouraged on the playlist blog in addition to using KTCU's request phone line.
Web: www.goodshow.net
Radio Sputnik
Saturday, 12 to 3 pm
Like the 1957 Soviet satellite of the same name, KTCU's award-winning radio show and Saturday staple "Sputnik" is spherical, pointy in parts, and takes about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on it's elliptical path. This Sputnik sends far more than just beeps back to earth, though—it's playlists boast the latest and best indie rock, unreleased tracks, and tunes from DFW's burgeoning independent music scene, along with requests and hourly updates of local happenings. Tune in to Sputnik each Saturday afternoon and enjoy as your host DJ Janice navigates the musical cosmos to bring you songs and information that you won't hear anywhere else but The Choice.
Web: radiosputniknet.blogspot.com
Curtain Up!
Sunday, 9 to 10 am
Curtain Up! is KTCU's weekly journey into the world of Musical Theatre. Join us each week for an hour of the greatest songs from one of the most popular art forms ever created - we'll explore the famous, the rare, the classics and the cutting edge, all from the Musical Theatre. Your host is Dr. Harry Parker, Chair of TCU's Department of Theatre. Be sure to join us for Curtain Up! each Sunday morning on KTCU.
Email: email@example.com
Fanboy Radio
Sunday, 6 to 7 pm
Fanboy Radio (FbR) is a radio talk show about the comic book industry, its art, creators, and fans. Each week, one hour of comics commentary are highlighted by insider interviews with top creators, news, and live calls from listeners like you. Some of the top names in comics have stopped by the show to talk about their crafts, give their opinions, and offer exclusive news items to FbR listeners. Artists, writers, colorists, letterers, Company Execs, etc, have all found their way onto FbR and it's friendly environment. The world of Indie comics and creators, as well as animation, TV, and film, are also well represented in the FbR show archives.
Consistently breaking, celebrating, and poking fun at the geeky FANBOY stereotype is a staple of the show. From the most die hard fan to the newest of the new...all are welcome. Casual... loose... smart... fun... this is not your father's comic talk show!
Web: www.fanboyradio.com
Dale Gleitz: Rock Menagerie
Sunday, 7 to 9 pm
The Rock Menagerie (Sunday 7pm-9pm) has evolved from its beginnings as an outlet for album tracks to theme-based programming, i.e. each week's music shares a common bond. Past highlights include the annual Halloween Special and the nights where the songs were about dogs, Hollywood or Mother's Day.
The music featured on the Rock Menagerie is generally up tempo rock-and-roll songs from 1964 to present, all selected by host Dale Gleitz. The play list includes all genres of rock and roll. On a given Sunday night, you might hear several of these musical classifications: heavy metal, jazz fusion, bubble gum, new wave, stadium rock, novelty songs, comedy bits, country rock, psychedelic, etc.
As the only locally produced weekly rock and roll archive show in Fort Worth, the Rock Menagerie airs a much wider variety of rock-and-roll than offered anywhere else. Rock Menagerie is easily the best value in rock and roll variety in the Metroplex.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: www.rockmenagerie.com
Papa E and Daddy D
Wednesdays, 7 to 10 pm
The Papa E and Daddy D Show, proudly pumping wattage into your cottage every Tuesday night from 7 to 10pm. This show brings you the best of classic rock, blues, and anything else our fan's hearts desire. Special features include Papa E's dedication of the eve and Daddy D's Delights,. So sit back, relax, and enjoy what every FM dial needs more of... the best of sports, women, and music to rock your socks!
The Kent & Richard Show
Thursday, 9 to 10 pm
If you like your radio talk show sprinkled w/ funnt banter & great music, this is the show for you. Kent & Richard will keep you guessing what the heck will they say next!
Movies and Music
Join gentlemen & scholars...Richard & Mike...as they discuss movies, the people that make them and the music associated/the soundtracks. Also, film trivia that you can use around the water cooler next week and impress you friends with. Perfect for the movie lover in all of us!
Natalie Maines-Mother
John Denver Tribute-The Music is You
Foxtrot Uniform-Huj! Huj! Hajrah!