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It's official . . . you live in the kindest region in the UK
Posted: June 19, 2012|
It was Somerset rocker and Reef frontman Gary Stringer who famously sang "I don't think that kindness is a weakness" – and now an official survey has found that his native West Country agrees with him.
For an NOP poll studying attitudes on kindness has revealed the West Country is the kindest region of all. We West Country folk are far more likely to be kinder to strangers or friends – or appreciate it when people are kind to us – than anywhere else in the country.
The gentle, homely West Country has long had a reputation for being a friendly, welcoming kind of place, but now that impression has been reinforced by the national poll which showed some surprisingly marked differences between attitudes in different regions.
The survey revealed that people in the West appreciate kindness more than in any other part of the UK. For example, one finding revealed that a staggering 91 per cent of people in the South West would rather experience an act of kindness than win £10 on the lottery.
Given the same choice, people on the other side of the Bristol Channel in Wales voted almost exactly the opposite way, with just 15 per cent – little more than one Welshman or Welshwoman in seven – choosing someone being kind to them over winning a tenner.
And the kind folk of the West are also more confident with their kindness than any other region. Pollsters asked the people of the West, and the other regions of the land, if they were surprised by a major international study that found the United Kingdom as a whole was one of the top five kindest countries in the world last year.
That news didn't surprise the kind folk of the West at all – almost three-quarters of West Country dwellers said they weren't surprised by that, compared to less than half of the people up north.
The survey, which was undertakenby NOP and commissioned by bakery brand Mrs Crimble, which is based in the south east, near Reading, also found the West came top in another measure of kindness – staying in touch with friends.
Less than a third of those polled in the West said they weren't that good at keeping in touch with people they cared about so much so that they felt guilty about it – compared with more than half of those up in Yorkshire.
According to Mrs Crimble's managing director Jeremy Woods, they were not surprised to find that the South West was the kindest region. "People in the South West appear to be better at staying in touch with the people they care about," he said. "And no one was less started than those living in the South West at the finding that the UK was one of the top five kindest countries.
"People in the South West appreciate kindness more than in other parts of the UK, and people in the South West are also more confident about kindness," he added.


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For a limited time Save 20% on ePuffer Electronic Cigarettes, E-Pipe, E-Cigars, E-Liquid, Spares and Accessories. Discount Coupon Code is valid for one-time use. Expires on March 24-2014
March 17, 2014
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ePuffer – St. Patrick's Day Online Store Promotion
September 19, 2013
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New SNAPS are set to Take Over the E-Cigarette Market
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, USA – 16 September, 2013 ePuffer have unveiled their latest patent-pending technology SNAPS™, Industry's first Electronic Cigarette using magnetic activation system. The new MAGNUM REV-3 electronic cigarette model enables easy and reliable operation and provides the ultimate smoking experience. Despite extraordinary success in the electronic cigarette market ePuffer have […]
April 8, 2013
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ePuffer, Sex and Alcohol Prove to Be a Clear Winner for Clubbers
New York, NY – 04/04/2013 ePuffer made astonishing discoveries when attending the nightclub and bar trade show, situated next to Sapphire, their eyes were truly opened. Last month, ePuffer took their revolutionary new way to smoke to the nightclub and bar trade show in Las Vegas. Already heralded as a wicked invention at the Oscars […]
January 30, 2013
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Debut of ePuffer NANO in Hollywood!
Think about the ePuffer Nano the next time you plan to buy an electronic cigarette. It is slim, stylish, cost effective, and boasts of many features. Get all the satisfaction of smoking without facing any of the troubles associated with it by taking advantage of the Nano electronic cigarettes introduced by ePuffer. Priced at only […]
January 17, 2012
Phantom T Electronic Cigarette Launched By ePuffer
For Immediate Release New York (January 10th, 2012) , The Phantom T has been launched by ePuffer, one of the global leaders in the burgeoning electronic cigarette market. Unlike other e-cigs, the Phantom T's 1.2ml cartridge can be refilled up to 30 times and can retain its fresh flavor throughout its lifespan. The Phantom T […]
December 31, 2011
Exciting Times For Electronic Cigarette Smokers
At ePuffer we are always innovating because we don't believe in resting on our laurels. There is a growing demand for our expertise and products, and we're gearing up for a hectic last quarter of 2011. We are now firmly established as a world leader in the fast-growing electronic cigarette market. We have won awards […]
December 24, 2011
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ePuffer unveils "E-PIPE 605″ The New Electronic Pipe.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ePuffer unveils the "E-PIPE 605" The New Electronic Pipe based on its award-winning EAZE MAGNUM™ technology. NEW YORK, USA – June 29th, 2011 ePuffer International Inc, the makers of electronic vaporizing devices, today launched their new ePipe 605, the world's first Electronic Pipe based on cartomizer technology. The team at ePuffer has […]
May 31, 2011
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Change Your Life On 'World No Tobacco Day!
Today is World No Tobacco Day – Why don't you make it the first day of the rest of your life? Organized by the World Health Organization, the day is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco and advocating healthier alternatives to traditional smoking. When it comes to tobacco smoking, the facts are frightening. […]
December 21, 2010
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The Electronic Cigarette Industry Is Under The Microscope
Leading the Way in Electronic Cigarettes As a growing number of people ditch traditional tobacco cigarettes and go electronic for many reasons, more questions are being asked about the companies that manufacture these products. And it is clear that some E-cigarette businesses are giving others a bad name. California has already called for a ban […]
December 9, 2010
Electronic Cigarettes – Commitment To Minors
SMOKING is a deadly habit. The packets of cigarettes sold in stores carry harsh health warnings that tobacco causes cancer. As the message says, smoking most certainly kills. Experimenting with cigarettes is something of a rite of passage for young people. At some point most teenage schoolchildren will find themselves in a position where they […]

subset: commoncrawl


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Musical instruments played by striking with the hand or with a hand-held or pedal-operated stick or beater, by shaking, or by rubbing.
227 views
Middle Eastern percussion MIDI files
I'd like to understand and experiment with various grooves of different Middle Eastern styles (khaliji, saidi, iraqi etc. - it is possible that I mix up the name of dances with the musical genres :)). ...


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A magistrate's court in New Delhi upheld a police complaint Wednesday blocking the showing of an hour-long documentary film in India about a fatal gang rape in 2012.
House Speaker John Boehner's job is safer than it looks.
Actor Daniel von Bargen, who played Mr. Kruger (or K Uger, as he liked) on "Seinfeld," died at age 84. The cause of death wasn't announced, but von Bargen had been battling a long illness, a friend told media outlets, and in 2012...
I�m a list-maker by nature. The problem is that those lists are sometimes on napkins, tiny pieces of paper or Post-its, which means I occasionally find important notes � like the ones that list my prayer requests � crumpled up in my purse.
"It seems that whatever my baby girl wonders about�she can find a solution for on Pinterest. I believe, at some point, Grace came to a point of need, curiosity, and desperation for a solution to her teenage dilemmas."
From an oven smoker to a slow cooker, here's how to harness top-notch BBQ flavor in the winter.
- Events Calendar


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Monday, April 30, 2007
Southern Reading Challenge--Final List!
Also, my overall to-read list is now much longer because I put all the runners-up on my general list as a consolation prize!
But I think, after much debate in my own little brain, that these three will be the best choices to expand my literary horizons and carry me through a hot, sticky, Southern summer.
Deliverance by James Dickey
Light in August by William Faulkner
Mockingbird by Charles Shields
OK, even as I type it, I can't help but think about The Orange Blossom Special, The Prince of Tides and Look Homeward, Angel. Aww...so many great books...such a short summer!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Friday Reading
Top 10 Assumptions about Future of Libraries from ACRL Research Committee
Cool NPR story about Wikipedia founder and "Alabama boy" Jimmy Wales
And, can I just say how much I'm loving LibraryThing? If you haven't checked it out yet, clink on my link to the right. It's too much fun!
Happy Friday!
MySpace-Part 2
Things I like about MySpace so far...
-Lots more of my friends (past and current) on there than on blogger
-Makes me feel like I'm yOUnG and cOoL, even though I promise to never randomly capitalize letters like that again. What is that?
-I didn't like the music on pages at first, but now I'm kind of getting used to it and trying to decide what "my song" will be...at least for this week.
Things I don't like about MySpace...
-A lot of pages seem a little cluttered/busy...especially b/c some people use hard-to-read text sizes/colors, loud music and slow slide shows with lots of pictures
-Etiquette questions--I guess this comes up in blogger, too. Is it OK to send a message to someone you haven't seen in 10 years or haven't even met when you randomly found them by clicking from one link to another? Or is this considered too invasive?
-It's new...and I'm one of the late adopters. It took me long enough to get used to blogger...now something new. Aach! I'm just not big on change, but sometimes...you have to.
Planning to make my MySpace page a little more like me later tonight. Maybe new flickr photos, too. Now back to work.
"Better multitasking skills through massive caffeine consumption." (credit--a magnet)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Anyway, I'm trying out this MySpace thingy (and I'm so so not cool anymore), and I'm fascinated/confused!
So, if you're on, give me tips! I've already seen friends from college, high school...and now I'm breaking out the elementary school yearbooks. haha
Nah...but it is kind of interesting.
OK, help me out, fellow MySpacers!
I'm so excited about Maggie's Summer Southern Reading Challenge (still picking my books for that one). And, again thanks to Maggie, I found Nattie's Newbery challenge!
I'm a big fan of the Newbery winners and, partly as a result of my children's lit class, have read a good many of them. So, for this challenge, I went for the older ones (new to me). And, to help my budget, I also picked books that the ACA library has.
Here are my picks, and I can't wait to get started next month!
Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
The Dark Frigate by C. B. Hawes
The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Thanks again, Maggie and Nattie!
Peeps-Mania Continues
How do I know this?
Because I bought yet another box of Peeps blue bunnies (my personal favorite--of course I don't like the bird ones) just yesterday. Today...they are gone...and Fred only ate one. Jason didn't help at all. The rest were for me!
And I know there are more Peeps at Rite Aid, Target and probably 37 other stores across Tuscaloosa. They're now 75% off and still relatively fresh/delicious, so I just can't pass them up.
Someone else start eating these things, so I can get back on my diet...at least until Halloween!
Oh, and just for funsies...
Peeps go to the library
Monday, April 23, 2007
A Spot of Bother
Just finished Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother this weekend and loved it just as much as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. They're both so well-written, with the characters believable and sympathetic. Both books are also simultaneously funny and sad. I literally had tears rolling down my face from both emotions (if that makes sense).
Friday, April 20, 2007
My Phobia
Besides my obvious fear of misspelling a word or making a grammar error, I'm also deathly afraid of birds. I think about this virtually every morning when I'm walking Fred and dodging the nesters, but I thought about it in a different light this week when my friend and uber-librarian Maggie did a post about a pigeon book.
Now, just to clarify, I have no "normal" phobias to balance this out. I'm not a huge fan of bugs, snakes, heights, germs...all the things you might think of when you hear the word "phobia"...but they don't really scare me either.
But let me see a blue jay, or worse, the dreaded mockingbird, and I just spaz! I've been known to hit the ground, run screaming, you name it.
I really had some issues at San Marco Square in Venice and at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans because the pigeons were EVERYWHERE. And chicken is the only meat I don't feel guilty eating--the fewer of those around, the better!
But, freakishly enough, this phobia apparently extends to books/pictures as well as real live birds. Cartoony ones are OK, but I don't even like to reshelve our "bird" section.
Crazy, right??!!
OK, so that's my embarrassing admission for the day. Just thought I'd share.
Just as an aside, I'm not afraid of owls. In fact, I love them. Have some owl-related stuff that I absolutely love. Go figure.
And just for funsies, here is Monk's phobias mug. A must-have for any phobia-freakazoid like me.
Hey, it's Friday! Yay!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Alabama-Pulitzer Connection--Coincidence? No Way!
Kudos to the Birmingham News for winning the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. Click here to read more about reporter Brett Blackledge's ongoing series about corruption in Alabama's two-year collegesystem.
Meanwhile...another Alabama-Pulitzer connection...The Race Beat by Hank Klibanoff and Gene Roberts won the Pulitzer Prize for History. Klibanoff apparently conducted research at UA's archives, the Hoole Library. He was also on campus earlier in the semester to talk about his book -- you can see that talk on the Libraries Lecture and Book Talk Video Series.
Moving on beyond Alabama...
Are Reference Desks dying out? I hope not! Interesting article, though, especially for higher ed library administrators. I'm all for adapting to the new trends--virtual chats are a must--but it's good to have actual people on hand, too. Whether students just like asking questions face-to-face or they aren't "technologically prepared" when they come to college, it's good to have someone available. Even if someone just asks where the restroom is, a friendly and accurate answer could interest a student enough to bring them back!
A trend to watch. Happy almost-Friday!
Monday, April 16, 2007
National Library Workers Day. Ideas for celebrating. (How about taking the day off? Just kidding.)
Also, to recognize National Poetry Month, the Tuscaloosa Public Library is hosting Lyric Lounge, Lyric Cafe and Lyric Words. Go here for more information.
ACA kids will be recognizing Shel Silverstein this week. We won't be reading The Giving Tree, though, because it makes me cry.
Meanwhile, I just thought this article was fun and highlighted the recent discussion on ssh-ing.
Do You See What I See?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Poetry in Hymns
That list, like the one of my favorite books and authors, is a long one. And, since it is National Poetry Month, I wanted to post something about it.
Lately, though, I've been reading a "hymn-a-day" book with a little devotional about the hymn and writer. And I've really started to see some of these beautiful old hymns as poetry. It's so easy sometimes for me to ignore the words, especially of those "old, slow" church songs that have been around for years (and that we sang A LOT at my church growing up).
But I've been trying to appreciate those more lately, and one has really stuck in my head.
"How Firm a Foundation" was an early American melody. It's apparently attributed to several writers. If you're around Tuscaloosa and interested, my church choir is singing it Sunday. Hope you enjoy the words (updated just a bit by me--my apologies if I've offended any traditionalists)as much as I have this month!
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word
What more can he say than to you he has said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with you, oh be not dismayed
For I am your God and will still give you aid.
I'll strengthen you, help you and cause you to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flame will not hurt you; I only design
Your dross [impurity] to consume and your gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake.
Kurt, Katie...and Koogle...I mean Google :)
For me, the jury's still out on whether he's a good author. I read Galapagos a few years ago and hated it, so I haven't given him another chance yet. However, he's well-respected in many circles that I respect...so I might check out his other works.
Any Vonnegut fans? Thoughts? Recommendations?
Moving on...
As if we needed another reason to NOT like http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=25358
Some funny Google stuff...
And, for even more fun, see what happens when you "map it" across continents (i.e. Boston to Paris). Don't you just love Google?
Finally, I'll be posting later today on my "personal" blog some thoughts on National Poetry Month if you want to check it out.
Happy reading!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Read Before Eating
The deception of these big corporations is disturbing at the least. And there's a more extreme part of me that now wants to grow all my own food, never eat out and toss the television!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Tuscumbia Vacation
Anyway, we had a wonderful time. My brother, his wife and my niece and nephew were in town as well, so we spent a lot of time eating, jumping on the trampoline, watching movies and the Braves and, of course, playing, playing, playing. Their personal favorites were ping-pong, pool and "bloodhound hide and seek." This was priceless...one of them would hide, and the other would take Fred and go look...using Fred's nose to find the other. Hilarious.
The only drawback...it was cold! Bitterly cold! We only made it about half an hour at the park, even bundled up with mittens and "hot hands." Bless their hearts...they couldn't escape the Connecticut weather, even in Alabama.
Also, my dad's poor flowers took a beating...they were already blooming from the beautiful weather we had the week before.
A few pictures of the flowers (and Fred, of course)...I'm iffy about posting pictures of other people's kids, so I'm not putting up any of Christopher and Elizabeth, even though I personally feel they are the cutest and smartest kids that have ever walked the planet. ;)
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Tuesday Links
This provided a much-needed laugh. Sadly, I feel like I can relate to the before/after pictures.
Meanwhile...more edible book fun!
Also...this came across SLIS-L as an alternative to wikipedia. Really? Because I love wikipedia, and it's going to have to be good to get me to switch. Any users? Comments?
And finally...Librivox- Acoustical Liberation of Books in the Public Domain. My husband's going to love this one!
OK, time to watch It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!
Monday, April 02, 2007
Killing Time on a Monday Morning...
None of these are in any particular order...
1. Have children
2. Adopt as many puppies as possible
3. Go back to Europe
4. Attend a football game at every SEC stadium
5. Visit every state in the United States
6. Read War and Peace
7. Write a book (and get it published)
1. Sew
2. Tell a joke
3. Draw
4. Understand why people have a certain philosophy or belief but vote a different way (does that make sense?)
5. Stop being afraid of birds
6. Stop carrying a book everywhere I go
7. Decorate (see picture at the bottom)
1. Honesty
2. Patience (even though this is a virtue I cannot yet claim)
3. Dimples (because I don't have them)
4. Naturally curly hair
5. Nice eyes
6. Spiritual strength
7. Logical mind
1. Here's the thing.
2. Shh...(to rowdy library kids)
3. Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer...
4. Where's my book?
5. I'm hungry.
6. Does that make sense?
7. Do you like my shoes?
1. The Book of Luke (in the Bible)
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
3. The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings trilogy
4. Junie B. Jones series
5. Series of Unfortunate Events
6. Going Public With Your Faith
7. Imitation of Christ
1. Amelie
2. The Godfather
3. Gone With the Wind
4. If a Man Answers
5. Little Women
6. Please Don't Eat the Daisies
7. You've Got Mail
Meanwhile...Happy Easter from the Norrises! (This is about as close as I get to decorating.)
Book Swapping, Writing and more
Just proves you're never too old to do something inspiring.
Haven't personally had experience with swapping or the freecycle network, so let me know what you think if you're part of it!
And I just thought they have cool stuff.
Happy Monday and Happy April!
Read from the beginning...
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April 2007
- Southern Reading Challenge--Final List!
- Friday Reading
- MySpace-Part 2
- MySpace
- Challenges...Challenges
- Peeps-Mania Continues
- A Spot of Bother
- My Phobia
- Alabama-Pulitzer Connection--Coincidence? No Way!
- Celebrate!
- Do You See What I See?
- Poetry in Hymns
- Kurt, Katie...and Koogle...I mean Google :)
- Read Before Eating
- Tuscumbia Vacation
- Tuesday Links
- Killing Time on a Monday Morning...
- Book Swapping, Writing and more
- ► March 2007 (14)
- ► February 2007 (13)
- ► January 2007 (9)
- ► December 2006 (3)
- ► November 2006 (4)
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- ► September 2005 (3)
- ► August 2005 (9)


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Uses for Vodka in the Freezer
Of course you can store it at room temp. All forms of alcohol including vodka are normally stored at room temp. People only keep vodka in the freezer so they can drink it really, really cold. Take it out and store it in a cupboard some where.


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109 S. Banker
Effingham, IL 62401
Mon-Tues 10am - 8pm
Wed-Sat 10am - 9pm or later
Village Wine & Gifts in Effingham, IL
New at Village Wine & Gifts ...... Corner Gems!
Looking for that perfect gift or maybe a little pick me up for yourself? Our new jewelry collection offers brilliant rings, sparkling gemstone pendants, earrings and bracelets, along with a dazzling selection of gold and silver. Stop in today, enjoy a glass of wine and get your BLING on!
ELLE Time & Jewelry Kelim Jewelry Design
Upcoming Events
The Register Room
The Register Room is available for special events and meetings. We can accomodate events including birthdays, anniveries, bridal & baby showers, small class reunions, office parties, or other social event you may have. The room is also equipped to accomodate corporate meetings & presentations. Call us at 217.347.0477 for availability and pricing.
Visit Us Today!
Voted "Favorite Wine Selection" by the Effingham Daily News
People's Choice Award
Village Wine and Gifts offers Effingham the finest selection of premium wine, spirits and luxury beers at very competitive prices.
We have an extensive selection of gourmet cheeses, pates, sausages, crackers, chocolates and more including speciality items from D'Artagnan, Vosgnes, Bahlsen, President Butter, Cucina Viva, Busseto, Rosenborg Castello, and many more!
Use our WIFI to check your email while enjoying wine by the glass or share a bottle with your friends.


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By Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen T. Rhem, USAAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2002 DoD has sent a report to Congress with several recommended amendments to the controversial Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act.
Veterans and former-spouse advocacy groups have battled for years over the 1982 law. As part of the fiscal 1998 defense authorization act, Congress directed DoD to study the issue and make recommendations.
In the week before Sept. 11, 2001, DoD reported its findings and recommendations to Congress. "To date, Congress has not included any of these recommendations in pending legislation," said Army Lt. Col. Tom Emswiler, a military attorney in the Pentagon and one of the report authors. Congress also hasn't scheduled hearings on any of the issues addressed in the report, he added.
One major change that veterans groups have sought is for divorce courts to compute payments to the former spouse based on the date of separation or divorce rather than retirement. DoD felt the proposal had merit and recommended Congress amend the law appropriately, Emswiler said.
Currently, he explained, if an officer divorces as a captain with 10 years of service and then goes on to make colonel and retires with 25 years of service, the ex-spouse would be awarded a percentage of the officer's retired pay at career's end. The ex-spouse benefits from the officer's successful post-divorce career.
"That is inconsistent with the way state courts divide other assets," Emswiler said. "They typically draw a line at the time the parties separate or divorce depending on the state laws. In this case, we thought it not appropriate that the ex-spouse would benefit from promotions received after divorce."
Another DoD change would end the so-called 10/10/10 rule that governs when the Defense Finance and Accounting Service pays former spouses their portion of retired pay directly. Direct payments are allowed if the member served at least 10 years, the marriage lasted at least 10 years, and 10 years of the marriage coincided with the member's service on active duty.
The DoD report recommends former spouses receive direct payments from DFAS whenever they're awarded any portion of retired pay. Among other things, Emswiler said, ending the rule would help ensure that income tax reporting is done correctly.
Common misconceptions among military folks are that the 10/10/10 rule determines whether a former spouse is entitled to a share of retired pay and the formula courts use to compute that share. Not so, he said, adding the rule only determines who makes the divvy -- DFAS or the retiree.
The report proposed changes to the Survivor Benefit Plan as well. Military members at retirement can elect to pay for SBP coverage every month and, upon their death, their beneficiary would continue receiving a percentage of the deceased member's retired pay.
Under current law, members can elect the SBP for only one spouse, current or former. A clause in many divorces requires military members to elect the SBP on their former spouse's behalf upon retirement. The first former spouse who obtains such a clause in a settlement freezes out any subsequent spouse and family the member might have.
Emswiler said the DoD report team researched SBP and decided current practice is unfair to the member and subsequent spouses.
"You might have a former spouse who was awarded 10 percent of the member's retired pay, yet when the member dies that former spouse will receive 100 percent of the member's SBP," he said. "Members remarry also, so we thought it was appropriate that SBP benefits should be divisible among multiple spouses."
He said the report recommends that SBP benefits be assigned based on the share of retired pay former spouses receive. "There ought to be a presumption that the former spouses' share of SBP payments is consistent with the share of retired pay they receive," Emswiler said.
Another proposed change would make it easier for former spouses to ensure the retired members are paying SBP premiums as ordered. Under current law, a judge can order the member to pay SBP premiums for a former spouse upon retirement, but the former spouse is out in the cold if the member doesn't.
A little-known rule in the current law gives former spouses one year from the date of divorce to file the court order with DFAS. After that year, former spouses' only recourse is to go back to court if they didn't file and the retiree defaults on SBP premiums.
The DoD report to Congress recommends doing away with the one-year filing requirement. The team felt the former spouse should be able to inform DFAS at any time if the retired member is required to be paying SBP premiums.
The DoD report recommended no changes on two issues -- retired pay sharing when a former spouse remarries and the division of disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Currently, the law says nothing about ending the sharing of retired pay with former spouses who remarry. Emswiler said the report recommends no change because the law allows courts to award the share of retired pay as property, not as alimony or support payments. Typically, no one returns property they've been awarded just because they remarry, he noted.
"We did not think it appropriate to put some sort of restriction in the act that says payments stop if the former spouse remarries," he said.
The DoD report did not make a recommendation on the division of VA disability payments, Emswiler said. Former spouses want the law changed to give them a portion of such payments.
Under current law, he explained, military members awarded VA disability payments forfeit an equal amount from their retired pay. The member benefits because disability payments are tax-free.
However, members awarded 100 percent disability forfeit all their retired pay. Former spouses awarded a share of retired pay would receive a share of zero. Military members argue that disability payments are for medical issues they shoulder alone, and so ex-spouses aren't entitled to share.
"We decided that's a matter that should be settled between VA and Congress," Emswiler said. "We said it isn't appropriate for DoD to get involved in how VA disability compensation should be handled."
He said legislation is pending in both houses of Congress that would allow for at least partial concurrent receipt of VA disability and military retired pay. If the legislation were to pass, he said, members would still be entitled to retired pay to divide with former spouses regardless of VA disability. This point of contention in the Former Spouses' Protection Act would go away, he added.
Emswiler stressed DoD committee members consulted state bar associations, military attorneys, and veterans and former spouse associations before they submitted their report and recommendations to Congress.
"We really did the best job that we could to solicit the input from people who were affected by this to make sure we identified all the issues and were aware of their points of view," he said. "What we really hope we came up with is a report that's fair and balanced. We went into this with an open mind."
The entire report is online at dticaw.dtic.mil/prhome/spouserev.html.


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Recipe by Amy
"This is a simple and quick dish and tastes great the next day. Might be good for picky eaters because it does not have a strong taste, but a subtle one. To reheat, add a large tablespoon of milk and microwave."
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10 ounces
seashell pasta
1 (10.75 ounce) can
condensed tomato soup
5 slices
American cheese
salt to taste
I make this differently...in my family we call this "Sopa Seca" which means "Dry Soup". I use the medium sized shell noodles, margarine, tomato sauce, water and cheddar cheese. You melt some margarine or butter in a skillet, when it's hot you add the dry uncooked shell noodles and brown them a bit. Then you add one can of tomato sauce to it. Add water until the noodles are covered. Cover the skillet and simmer, stirring occassionally and adding water when/if necessary. Once the noodles are cooked, turn the stove off, cover the noodles with cheddar cheese, put the lid back on to melt the cheese then serve. It is not soupy, it is not dry. It does have a good semi strong tomato taste because the pasta absorbs the tomato sauce/water mixture, but we like it a lot.
A little bit different taste. Made it with cheddar instead of American. The picky husband devoured it, which was a plus!
33 Ratings
this is a simple comfort dish. used to have to make back in the day when grocery money ran low. not a gourmet dish, nor is it something to eat often, but still straight up good comfort food. thanks for the post amy!
I used a little over half of a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese instead of the american cheese as I do not buy that cheese. I used Healthy Request tomato soup and I added a little fresh ground pepper. Even so, huge hit with the kiddos and I loved it because it was an easy lunch for the boys both to prepare and to clean up! Thank goodness for tomato soup and whole wheat pasta!
Great for a busy day. The first time I had to make a few small changes - I was out of shells or macaroni so I used the pasta out of 3 boxes of mac'n'cheese. I also used the powdered cheese mix and combined it with the tomato soup. The second time I made it I followed the directions exactly. It was even better! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I ended up with my grandbabies on a week day night and was wondering what I was going to fix for lunch since I hadn't been to the store and didn't have much in the house that they liked. I made this and they loved it. It was fast and easy and better than taking them out for fast food. I did add a few other spices but I usually do that with most recipes that I find here on AR to our preference. As far as most kids I know they prefer simpler recipes to the more refined taste of adults. Thanks for the post!
Made this recipe tonight...not impressed. Husband didn't like it, I didn't like it. Not planning to make this one again.
Did not enjoy. If your kids like SpaghettiOs, they might enjoy the flavor of this recipe, I didn't care for it.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Grandma's Easy Shells
Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 436
Calories from Fat: 125
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On Friday 7th October 2011 Right in the Gary Kellys (Matthew McKeith and Jeff Griffiths) travelled to Elland Road to visit the office of Yorkshire Radio. The reason for this journey had been to interview the Leeds United commentator Thom Kirwin, arranged through the social medium Twitter. Our theory was, as fans we all like to discuss and debate Leeds United but who is better placed to comment than a man paid to watch Leeds United home and away…
Some Leeds United fans see Yorkshire Radio as an extension of the long arm of the law, otherwise known round Leeds as Ken Bates' propaganda machine, and refuse to listen. Whilst this has never particularly been our view (we have always enjoyed listening to the games we cannot attend) there was, undoubtedly, an element of trepidation sitting parked outside Elland Road. Prior to entering the office which housed Yorkshire Radio, discussion had been centred around the CCTV which had no doubt alerted security of our arrival, the heavies on the door and the stern warnings we would no doubt receive regarding which topics were available for discussion. We were seeing shadows in every corner, hearing whispers in every silence, a smell that can be only described as menacing filled the air around Yorkshire Radio…
Or that's how this pretty little picture would have been painted had this interview been conducted by the BBC or any of the footballing authorities always eager to paint Leeds United in the darkest shade of despair. Fortunately within approximately 3 seconds (or however long it took us to walk up the dim staircase leading to the main entrance) of entering the Yorkshire Radio office we realised our concerns were misplaced. We were greeted by a friendly atmosphere and a smiling workforce of about 3 members. Following a short tour of the Yorkshire Radio office (smaller than we imagined) and offers of drinks, we sat in an office with the promise of twenty minutes of Thom's time. Meeting Thom was initially a strange experience, having heard the man commentate on Leeds for a good few years now but never having seen his face it was interesting to meet a man who, in his own words, looked very similar to Tubes from Soccer AM. With only twenty minutes to play with we were eager to begin…
An hour and a half later we walked away having spent the whole time discussing Leeds United with a man as passionate as ourselves about the club. Here is the first part of RITGKs meeting with Thom Kirwin:
RITGK team Matthew Mckeith and Jeff Griffiths with Thom Kirwin
Basically, it's every Leeds fan's dream job you've got. How did you come about it?
Well I'd always wanted to do it, since I was probably 9 or 10. I'd been going to Leeds about 3 or 4 years then and got the buzz. I was rubbish at football so… the only other way I could think about getting into it was through the radio side of it. I loved radio commentaries and listening to Leeds away games and stuff… I always loved the radio, everything about it, more than tv, more than any other medium It was a matter of trying to get from A to B… A Levels, University, trying to get toward this. I did a journalism degree in Preston, came out of university looking for a job but the industry is pretty intense, pretty competitive, especially radio. I worked for an internet sports company, writing match reports and things like that. Eventually this (Yorkshire Radio) got set up, I applied.. I'd seen a board at one of the games saying Yorkshire Radio coming soon, something like that. I'd heard a rumour about it, saw the job advertised. I think they were after someone to do what I do now, reporting on Leeds during the week and then commentating but they couldn't find anyone. I didn't have any commentary experience so they got a commentator in on the Saturday and me during the week. It was very different back then.
What season was this?
Just before Cardiff… I got the job or I knew I was going to get the job before Cardiff so I thought bloody hell!!! I could be involved with a Premier League team here. I thought this is going to be unbelievable… and then we lost that (laughing…) and then we got relegated the season after. It was a combination of luck and timing really
Can you remember your first game as commentator?
It was a few years into being here that I got the call up. It was Gary Mac's first season… 2008/09. Scunthorpe away… we won 2-1. I was going through the archives actually and I came across that game, I sound completely different it was awful. In fact I did a few games the season before, Forest at home 1 all, did a few pre-season games but they don't count.
I listened to a few this year… sounds like hard work…
Yeah I'm not the biggest fan of pre-season as they're hard to commentate on. . I enjoy going on the tours, and it's a good chance for me to… sort of build relationships with the players, especially the new signings but there weren't many this year. The games are crap, just warm up games. The problem is you shouldn't call them friendlies, if you called them practice matches no one would get carried away but because they're called friendlies everyone gets excited. We build them up here, if you've been to any you know what they're like,
Yeah, Michael Brown looked good then…
The Newcastle game was alright…
Yeah yeah the games against Premiership opposition, Blackburn, Wolves, Newcastle etc.
Right then, voice for radio or do you consider yourself good looking enough for TV?
No no, (laughs…) that's part of the reason I'm on the radio. I've had a few chances… some people say I've got a voice for print actually as well.
You've been on LUTV though haven't you?
Yeah yes I have, reluctantly though. If they're filming me doing something then whatever but I'm not a fan of being on TV at all. The problem is… in this game now journalists are expected to be able to do video, to write, do radio… be able to do everything. You can't really say oh I'm just radio or I'm just print because nowadays people from the YEP are coming to press conferences with cameras. It's all for websites, all multimedia now.
Like being a utility player…
Yes I'm the Andrew Hughes of things.
What's the best part of the job then?
Best part of the job is watching the games, no doubt about it. I mean some people think you must be mates with the players but… I mean I thought that when I got the job, don't get me wrong I'm good friends with a few of them but… when I got the job I thought oh this is gonna be great I'm gonna be hanging out with the players and stuff like that.
The reality is very different. When I first started it was Gregan, Butler, Kelly, Sullivan, Derry… that was an older dressing room and I was coming into it all fresh faced but its changed now as I've been here longer than all of the players so I'm much more confident about things. I can talk to them a bit more on their level… but footballers and me are obviously quite different. I mean some of the players are great, I'm not naming names but… others are like your more stereotypical footballers.
Certain players I've got a bit more in common with… (pause) Snodgrass, Howson, Bromby, Parker.
Yorkshire lads then…
Yeah I get on really well with them. Snoddy's absolutely great, I mean all the lads are great but certain things you've got to keep separate.
You wouldn't last right long if you were out on the lash with the players every weekend?
Yeah I mean I'm the one who's got to interview them after a defeat or whatever so I prefer not to mix it all up.
Any negative aspects of the job?
When they lose, if the team have been on a bad run it effects…don't get me wrong I know the jobs great but I think if I was working anywhere else and the team were losing or on a bad run I could kind of escape it during the week. Here, I'm faced with it on the Monday, I mean the last few years have been a bit false because Leeds have won a lot more games than they've lost obviously but the first season I was here when they got relegated it was pretty tough. It's just because I take defeats pretty bad, it's like the old saying from fever pitch… you can't remember if life's crap 'cos your team's crap, or your team's crap 'cos life's crap and it all kind of merges into one a little bit. It always puts me in a bad mood, luckily though on the whole it's been good apart from relegation, administration etc.
Possibly this might be a bit of a stupid question… but do you ever get recognised in the street?
No. The only time I get recognised, well that's the beauty of being on radio and I kind of like that but the only time I get recognised is if I'm at Leeds things… so if I'm at things where there's Leeds fans there or something it can be pretty obvious.
Player of the year dinners, things like that?
Yeah, pre-season tours, they do them 'On the Road' events. I definitely get recognised on a match day, if I'm walking round it's pretty obvious. I've got a pass with my name on, I'm carrying a load of gear around the ground two and a half hours before kick-off so that's probably about it. I think I got recognised at a Kaiser Chiefs gig at Kirkstall Abbey… but it's only when there's a load of Leeds fans there.
Well it's nice to put a face to the voice, I mean I'd probably walk past you in the street but if I heard your voice then I'd recognise it. I mean, you don't want a load of peckers coming up to you in the street asking for your autograph…
Yeah that's the beauty of radio (laughs…)
I mean you could never compare what people like me and people in the media do to, like what Eddie did. He gets a lot of attention, I mean when we're walking into a ground it takes a long time…
even at away grounds, like at Southampton there were fans coming up to him asking like 'oh Eddie I remember you in 1970'etc, l mean the man's a legend. They're the people who deserve people coming up to them, although sometimes…
Suppose it probably gets a bit annoying…
I don't think you can ever get annoyed at people, I mean it's never negative stuff put it that way.
What's Eddie like?
Oh he's great, great to work with… He's got such a good view on the game, a good handle on the game. I think mainly because he's worked in the modern era as a coach, he's worked with modern day players whereas perhaps other guys who played in the 70s aren't quite… they offer a different kind of view. I love working with Peter Lorimer because he's so enthusiastic, so passionate but with the finer points of the game he maybe doesn't have the eye that Eddie has… simply because Eddie coached.
Does he not do any of that anymore?
No nothing now, no. He had a bit of a bad experience towards the end but with Eddie… sometimes it's difficult to find people who want to go home and away. I mean we spoke to a few people years ago about doing the commentary but finding people to commit to do it… especially when we were in League One… a lot of the ex-players, Nigel Martyn stuff like that didn't want to do it. I mean they didn't need the money, it's not the money with Eddie he just loves this club and that's the thing, he's exactly like us lot he just loves it.
It's good to hear stuff like that…
All he wants to do is watch the game, that's all he wants to do. I mean he's not gonna be part of the coaching team anymore so it's the only way he can…
I mean it still hits me now, when I'm walking into games and stuff.
So how long have you been a Leeds fan?
Well first game I was about 4, I was dragged along, didn't enjoy it and didn't enjoy subsequent games after that, people swearing, it was cold and miserable but then about the time we got promoted from League Two, about 1989 was when I properly got into it.
How about your favourite player, of all time?
All time…Viduka is up there for me, I thought he was fantastic. So many players from that time, Lee Bowyer was outstanding during that time. I mean I can only go for the players I've seen, if I was going for a player from the past I won't have seen them. Erm… I'd have to go for Lucas. I think he was, well throughout the time I was right into it, going home and away, he was the constant… I think I watched this player going from being a bit ropey when he first came in, they had him playing on the wing in some games. To see him turn, starting with Graham (George), into this unbelievable centre half and of course what he's like off the pitch…
Have you met him as well?
Yeah I met him last year when his book came out, it was an absolute pleasure. His whole story is unbelievable and the personal tragedies he's gone through over the last few years… so it would probably be him. To be fair there's a lot of players you could pick from, Strachan as well. I mean he was my generation's midfield general, my mum's was Billy Bremner so…
What about present players?
Present… Snodgrass. I like Snodgrass… he's got a great attitude and I think he's the most talented player in the squad. I think for what he's done over the last few years Jonny Howson is close but Snodgrass, he's that old fashion winger type.
I think Eddie Gray is a big fan of Snodgrass…
Yeah I think he sees a bit of himself in Snodgrass. I think when he first came, after a game Eddie would take him to the side and have a word with him. During his first year I think him and Peter Lorimer to be fair sort of mentored him a little bit.
He was a bit of lad wont he…
Yeah, by his own admission he needed the move to progress his career. Like lots of players in the past, they need to move away from bad habits to progress there career. Here it's a different world, maybe you can get away with it the Scottish leagues but that's a bit like playing in our third division almost… take Rangers and Celtic out of it. Some of them have real bad habits. He was linked with loads of clubs… He was offered a trial with Barcelona but couldn't go for some reason. I mean he'd been talked about… I remember speaking to Gary McAllister just after we'd signed him and he said there'd been talk about this kid for a few years before Leeds made the move. He said nobody had just taken that punt on him and then we did.
You can read both parts of the interview here: Part Two Part Three
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© 2011, Right in the Gary Kelly's . All rights reserved.


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Career briefs
Durham Marriott City Center hotel recognized
STATE COLLEGE, Penn. – The Durham Marriott City Center Hotel in Durham has received travel website TripAdvisor's 2013 Certificate of Excellence.
The hotel received the award for maintaining an average rating of four or higher out of a possible five based on TripAdvisor traveler reviews, according to a news release.
The Durham Marriott City Center Hotel has earned the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence three years in a row.
TripAdvisor is a website where travelers can share reviews of hotels and other travel services.
Durham Regional receives heart attack care award
DURHAM– Durham Regional Hospital has received the American Heart Association's "Mission:Lifeline" Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award.
The award recognizes the hospital for implementing a high standard of care for heart attack patients.
In 2012, Durham Regional received the "Mission:Lifeline" Silver Quality Achievement Award.
Silver indicates at least 85 percent of eligible patients with the most severe form of heart attack are treated within specific time frames upon entering the hospital and discharged following the association's recommended treatment guidelines for 12 consecutive months.
This year, by receiving gold, the hospital achieved the same goals for two years or 24 consecutive months.
The "Mission: Lifeline" program focuses on improving the system of care for those patients and improving care for all heart attack patients.
Durham in-home health franchise recognized
DURHAM – The owners of the Home Instead Senior Care office for Durham announced recently they received a Pursuing Excellence by Advancing Quality Award for excellence in quality service.
The award was based on customer survey results. Home Instead commissions J.D. Power and Associates to regularly survey clients and CAREGiversSM of local offices.
The Durham office, owned by Dave and Bonnie Thommarson, is part of a network of non-medical, in-home care service providers for seniors. Nearly 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises are in the network.
The Durham office has served more than 820 residents in Durham since 1997, according to a news release. Services include assistance with activities of daily living, personal care and medication reminders.
Latino Community Credit Union honored
PINEHURST –The Durham-based Latino Community Credit Union was recognized for two programs at the N.C. Credit Union League's 78th Annual Meeting banquet June 11 in Pinehurst.
According to a news release, the credit union won first place in the Louise Herring Award Philosophy in Action category for its Dreamer Loan program. The credit union won first in the $50 million to $250 million asset category. It will go on to compete for the national award.
The credit union offered the Dreamer Loan to help young people brought to the country as children to apply for the U.S. Citizens and Immigrations Services' Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process. Since August, it's made 1,100 loans.
The credit union also received an honorable mention for the Alphonse Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award for its adult financial education for state refugees.
It worked with the U.S. Committee for Refugee and Immigrants of North Carolina to provide financial education for refugee entrepreneurs seeking to start in-home daycare centers. It won an honorable mention in the $50 million to $150 million asset category.
Allen Tate names branch leader
CHAPEL HILL -- Allen Tate Co. named Sandra Paul as branch leader of the company's Chapel Hill and Durham office.
In the role, Paul will oversee branch operations, management and training of more than 25 Allen Tate agents and staff.
Paul is a career professional with more than 25 years of real estate and new homes experience, including positions as sales manager, director of sales and marketing and vice-president of sales.
Prior to her real estate career, she worked as a high school English and French teacher.
The office is at 101 Cosgrove Ave., Suite 170, in Chapel Hill.
Allstate agency owner earns service designation
DURHAM -- Allstate agency owner Gary C. Weaver of The Gary Weaver Insurance Agency has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2013.
The designation is given to agency owners who have demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience as well as to those who have achieved outstanding business results, according to a news release.
The agency is at 3813 University Drive in Durham.


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For those who plan to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a few more cars on the road compared to last year may be noticed.
The holiday travel volume in South Carolina is expected to increase by 1 percent this year, thanks to the dramatic drop in gasoline prices, AAA Carolinas announced on Tuesday.
More than 617,000 South Carolinians are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home; about 90 percent of those will drive, an increase of about 5,400 travelers over last year, AAA said in a statement.
Thanksgiving is typically one of the most dangerous annual holidays for travel, and the congestion is caused by the high number of highway vacationers. The official holiday travel period begins at 6 p.m. today and ends at midnight on Sunday.
Gas prices in South Carolina have dropped dramatically in the past two months, with the average price sitting at $3.13 on Tuesday, down 50 cents since peaking in mid-September at $3.63. South Carolinians are paying two cents less for a gallon of gas compared to last Thanksgiving, when they paid $3.14.
In Aiken on Tuesday, the lowest price for gas was $2.91 at Kroger on Whiskey Road, Greg's Gas Plus on Richland Avenue and Sprint on East Pine Log Road. In North Augusta, it was $2.97 at Greg's Gas Plus on Edgefield Road, followed by $2.98 at RaceWay on Jefferson Davis Highway.
South Carolina currently has the second-lowest average gas price in the country, behind Missouri which sits at $3.08 per gallon.
Although Hurricane Sandy hasn't affected gas prices in South Carolina, motorists traveling to the Northeast can expect to pay more, particularly in New York, which currently has the most expensive gas in the United States at $3.93 per gallon, according to the statement. South Carolina motorists can also expect to pay more for gas in the bordering states of North Carolina and Georgia, where the average price for gas sits at $3.31 and $3.26, respectively.
No significant construction delays along South Carolina interstates are expected, as the state Department of Transportation requires contractors to keep all lanes open during heavy travel holidays.
According to the S.C. Highway Patrol, 11 people died during the Thanksgiving weekend last year.
If you plan to take to the roads, the Highway Patrol suggests taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Also, keep a safe driving distance (at least three seconds behind the car in front of you).
Be aware of work zones, of law enforcement assisting motorists and pay attention to Move Over Laws. Also, report aggressive drivers or drivers exhibiting signs of impairment by calling *HP.
The Highway Patrol also recommends refraining from travel right after a large meal, when you might be more prone to fatigue behind the wheel.
The Aiken Department of Public Safety encourages drivers to plan ahead, and know your route. Also, make sure family and friends know where you are and how to reach you.
Lastly, conduct a pre-trip vehicle inspection, paying close attention to the tires, belts, hoses, fluid levels, head and tail lights and windshield wipers.
To estimate fuel costs, travelers can visit www.fuelcostcalculator.com to input a starting city, destination and the make and model of their vehicle.
Notice about comments:
Aiken Standard is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
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.


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Sign of distress for National Senior Games? Deadline extended
This happens every time: The National Senior Games looks at its numbers and sends out an appeal for entrants, extending the deadline. If the Houston event (actually the meet has been shifted to Humble) is worried about turnout, the reasons are mainly two: Sacramento and heat. If you're not affluent with lots of vacation time, attending both worlds and national Senior Games is a no-go. Not to mention Cleveland nationals.
Here's what the NSGA sent out in an email:
The registration deadline for the 2011 Summer National Senior Games has been extended to Mar. 15. Athletes and teams signing up after this period will be subject to late fees. The late period for registration now extends from Mar. 16-Mar.31. The late fees are $50 for individual sports and $200 for team sports. We do not anticipate extending registration past Mar. 31. Currently, we have more than 7,500 individuals including 330 teams who have registered for this summer's Games.
If 7,500 are entered overall (in all sports), how many are doing track and field? Could be modest.
So a poll, unscientific as it may be:
15 Responses
Jerry Bookin-Weiner - February 26, 2011
Masters are notoriously late in entering meets. For the East Regional Indoor both last year and this about 80% of entries came in during the last two weeks and the vast majority of those during the last week. I wouldn't put too much stock in number this far out from their deadline. Also, there are LOTS of folks who go to the NSG who never come to the USATF Nationals or the Worlds. State senior games and the NSG are essentially all they do other than very local meets. I've seen this in all three parts of the country where I've lived in the past decade.
Kathy Bergen - February 26, 2011
Why does no one mention that the Senior Games entry fees are exorbitant ? Certainly this is a factor in number of entrees .
Bert Bergen
Tom Fahey - February 26, 2011
I would like to compete in the National Senior Games but can't because I didn't enter the state games.
About ten years a ago, I entered the the California State Games. I flew to LA, booked a room for two nights, and rented a car. They cancelled the discus (my main event) because they couldn't find the key to the cage. I won't enter the meet again.
I received a waiver two years ago at Stanford because I was a local. I won the discus in my age group (m60). I think they should accept entrants who achieve a standard in the event, even if they don't compete in the state games.
Dave - February 26, 2011
Agree with Tom. It's great thing that there is a national meet other than the Indoor and Outdoor Masters champs. What is really gained by restricting the NSG entries to State Games competitors? Put the state of origin next to the athletes. Solved.
Mary Harada - February 26, 2011
The NSG fee is exorbitant – one of many reasons why I am not going – along with – no track event longer than the 1500m, have to "qualify" in a state meet in each event one wishes to enter, Houston is too hot and humid, and better choices for me – WMA in SAC (yes hot – but I can run longer events there such as the 8k x-c, 5k, and if I am having an "out of my mind day" even the 10k. (not doing that – but it is an option). Plus the Nat masters in Ohio as well as an option.
And while I agree with Jerry that masters like to register late – in addition to the exorbitant fee there is also a $50 late fee for those who register late. One has to like to take a match to $10 bills to be willing to pay that. When I want to waste money I buy a $1 lottery ticket.
tbell - February 26, 2011
I won't actually qualify until March 27th. If I were to sign up for my one event, it would be $190. I'll have to pass.
Dave Hockersmith - February 26, 2011
Two years ago in Stanford they also extended the entry date and they ended up with more people than any USATF championship I've ever attended. The meet was also incredibly well run. If they said your race was at 3:13 it started at 3:13!
It will be interesting to see if attendance is down this year because of the world games.
Louis Coppens - February 26, 2011
I qualified easily for 3 events inT&F in the last two senior games and would have again,however I couldn't attend the state games(my daughter had a baby with severe medical rpoblems).If I could be admitted to the mile and 5k road race I would go.
Mark Zeug - February 28, 2011
The mission of the National Senior Games Association is, simply put, to get seniors off their butts; we provide opportunities for seniors to be physically active, at all levels. We use a qualifying system because we want to provide seniors with more opportunities to be involved in physical activity, and to support our state and local games. If the elite athletes don't want to come to the National Senior Games because they have to qualify at a state games, so be it — the world does not revolve around them. There are thousands of other physically active seniors who are interested in doing both state and local games and the national games. Even with a network of over 200 state and local games, the NSGA reaches less than one-half of one percent of seniors in this country. But as usual, Ken Stone is only thinking of the elite athlete and doesn't care one iota about the rest of us. In track and field, elite athletes comprise less than 1/1000th of one percent of seniors — there is another world out there, Ken. Reach out to them — they need and want to compete as much as the elite athlete. And someday they may be interested in going to the USA Masters or even the Worlds. And don't say no one else uses a qualifying system — look at the junior olympics system within track and field itself. As for extention deadlines, look at your own posted archives, Ken — many events extend the deadline; it's part of their marketing plan. It gives them one more opportunity to provide a bit of news to their market, which for NSGA includes the other 99.5 percent of seniors around the country. Also, FYI, masters and seniors are NOT the only ones who are notoriously late in registering for events; it applies to all age groups, as anyone who runs state and local events for children, juniors, open or any other age group can tell you. I've been organizing events for local folks for over 30 years, and extending the deadline for the very first Aloha State Games was the smartest thing we did — it got more press and more response than all the previous media messages we sent out. But of course, Ken only looks at events from the perspective of the elite athlete, never from the perspective of the organizers, most of whom bust their butts with little or no compensation just so the rest of you can have the opportunity to compete.
decamp2000 - March 1, 2011
I have no problem with the extension of the deadline. I agree that we should be encouraging as many seniors as possible to get out there and enjoy the opportunity to be active. What I don't agree with is the fact that you have to compete at a state meet to be able to compete at the National meet. For any seniors competition, anyone that wants to compete should be encouraged to join the show. If that means adding additional sections for races, that is great. We don't need restrictions or qualifying standards that discourage people from participating.
My hope and desire is for both organizations to grow stronger and benefit more mature adults in their quest to be more active.
Don Bailey - March 1, 2011
Mark, your post is a bit condescending. The fact remains there are several options for masters athletes this coming summer, all of which will require a great deal of travel for many at a considerable cost. Add to USATF Nationals and WMA Worlds the National State Games (San Diego) and the World Police and Fire Games (NYC).
Choices have to be made, unless you're independently wealthy as Ken stated. The entry fee for the senior games is extremely high.
I competed in my local Senior games this past summer and the experience was less than adequate, it was worse than a poorly run middle school event. It was a poor reflection on what is supposed to be a state championship. And this was the comment from a great number of competitors.
I'll compete locally again to see if they can get it right, but for the big events (nationals) I'm going with a known product. The National Senior Games may get it right, but because of the way the state was run, I'm not willing to risk a poor experience for the amount of money it will take.
Having a state qualifier to the national meet is not an impediment, I think it's a good thing. I'm not sure where you see anyone knocking the requirement.
Finally, most of the athletes at the USATF Nationals are not of an elite class, and I don't see where anyone claims that they (we) are. We do, however, want a well run meet
washer toss dude - March 1, 2011
Little too much time on my hands today so I looked up the results for the last three California State Senior Games Championships (only three available on line)
2010, 239 participants
2009, 165
2008, 269
Even numbered years are qualifying for Nationals, odds are for bragging rights. Small sample size but it looks like more folks turn out for the qualifying years so if the intent is to get us off our butts, it seems to be working. At least more folks are willing to head down I5 from Northern Cal.
Hope I'm not outting him, but some guy named Ken Stone competed in 2009 and 2010…
Doghouse Riley - April 9, 2011
Did you notice that the rain date for the 800 is a week after the scheduled 800? That's right, if it rains, you need to come back a week later or live in rainy Houston for a week. I hear it rains sometimes in Houston. Also, what do you get for an entry fee four or five times bigger than a USATF national meet, free parking?
Deb Landry - May 26, 2011
I contemplated entering the meet, but the whole adventure was just too cost-prohibitive. First, there are some serious entry fees (I'd be looking at 4 T&F events). Next, I looked at the cost of a flight from the east coast to Houston & back – close to $500, and that was 3 months in advance! Next, I'd have to pay for food, lodging, transportation, etc. The cost would be nearing 1k, and thats just the start of my season. I'm nowhere near "in-form/peak" in mid-June versus August, so I'd presume I wouldn't be competing at my best. Though I "qualified" via either good marks and/or placement at state meets, I'd sure hate to spend a bundle of money on events that I'd wind up faring only so-so in. On the flip side, to go for only 1-2 events is an awfully expensive "adventure". Some of us "seniors" out here can't afford much, and for me, I'm still working fulltime and have limited training time, funding, etc. Make it a little more financially reasonable, and you'd attract more folks like me. Not everyone is retired, w/time to kill, number one, and number two, many of us aren't rich!
Keith Nelson - August 19, 2014
I cannot find anywhere what past or future entry fees are for the National Senior Games. Comments are made that they are very high. What have they been in past years?


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