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Gamecocks begin answering 2013 questions with the start of spring football practice
South Carolina's quest for a fourth consecutive successful season officially begins today with the start of spring practice.
The Gamecocks have won 31 games the past three years and, with enough returning talent and a more manageable schedule, they will garner high expectations once again.
But the foundation for 2013 will be laid in the coming weeks, culminating in the annual Garnet and Black spring game April 13. While spring practice is more about younger players getting a lot of work done, USC has issues to address throughout the roster.
Gone is the winningest senior class is school history. D.J. Swearinger is no longer manning the defensive backfield. Ace Sanders won't be around to change a game with punt returns. The anchor of the offensive line and starter of more games than anybody else at USC, center T.J. Johnson, graduated.
So, spring practice will be important for Steve Spurrier's budding program that is looking to finally win an SEC title. Here are five burning questions to answer during these spring workouts:
What will Jadeveon Clowney say?
OK, so this isn't really a pressing issue, but since the debate and controversial talk of the All-American defensive end sitting out his junior season began, we have yet to actually hear Clowney's perspective. He finally will be made available to the media this week. However, there is little reason to believe the likely No. 1 pick of the 2014 NFL Draft will stir the pot of controversy any more. The good news is, hopefully, once he says his piece, this ridiculous hoopla will end.
How will Dylan Thompson handle the No. 1 QB role?
During the spring, there will be no question who the No. 1 quarterback is for South Carolina. That won't be so clear during the fall. Rising senior Connor Shaw still is on the mend after having offseason foot surgery, and he is not expected to be back to football activities until June.
That means this is Thompson's team for a while. The rising junior's has tremendous leadership skills, and his teammates have responded to him when he filled in for Shaw. Just watch the Clemson game and the Outback Bowl for examples.
That's not saying Shaw isn't a leader in his own right. He most certainly is. But it will be interesting to see how Thompson handles being the best available option on the depth chart.
Who is going to be the next Marcus Lattimore in the backfield?
That's really not a fair question. To ask anybody on this roster to mean what Lattimore did for three seasons, despite the injuries, is too much. However, someone needs to emerge as the primary ball carrier. Plenty of bodies will get chances. With Kenny Miles also gone, Mike Davis might get most of the reps early. Brandon Wilds has plenty of experience, although he sat out all of last year with a hamstring issue. Shon Carson is another injury-riddled back who currently is on the baseball team, so his football involvement could be very limited. Freshman David Williams will compete in the fall, but that doesn't help USC right now.
It likely will take until the fall to figure this one out. Still, it is the most crucial position battle on the team.
Can a spring breakout be a fall contributor?
It seemingly happens every year. An unknown player has a strong spring, garners praise from his coaches and attention from the media. Then, come fall, he hardly sees any real playing time. DeAngelo Smith experienced this two years ago, and he will be asked to take a more prominent role in the receiving corps this year. With several holes to fill, USC needs the next breakout star in April to finally come through in August. But there are no guarantees.
Who is going to grow up?
South Carolina continues to bring in solid recruiting class, but some of those prospects don't always pan out. There always are a few players who have reached a crossroad going into the spring and need to step up. Shamir Jeffery fits this bill. The brother of former star Alshon Jeffery had some issues maturing and giving his best effort, but the Gamecocks believe he is coming around. And they need him as the receiver position is looking for a contributor alongside Bruce Ellington, who still is playing hoops. Shaq Roland is another guy who plays receiver with a big opportunity in front of him this spring. The Gamecocks have linebacker and "Spur" spots open right now. Guys like Kaiwan Lewis and Kelvin Rainey need to make progress so the defense isn't so reliant on a talented crop of incoming freshmen.
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Look at this handsome little devil!
Derek Hough posted the cutest flashback picture of his much younger self via Instagram on Thursday.
Sporting his signature blonde hair and adorable, smile the "Dancing with the Stars" pro looks nearly the same!
"#tbt Last time I had a buzz cut," he captioned the awesome throwback shot.
Derek's sister, Julianne Hough, also took a trip down memory lane and posted her own throwback photo of their family.
"#tbt this makes me happy! #hough #family #love," she wrote with the awesome family portrait.
Like her brother, Julianne was definitely a cutie! Just look at her platinum blonde curls and her sweet little smile -- they definitely have one good-looking family.
What do you think of the Houghs' flashback photos? Sound off below and click "Launch Gallery" above to see even more stars before the fame!
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When Ross Riskin '12 noticed that the business clubs at the buy generic levitra. did a great job of unifying majors, he also noticed that were not as many options for different disciplines to intermingle. Because of that observation, he took steps to create the Young Business Leaders of Fairfield (Phi Beta Lambda), an organization that gives students from all academic disciplines a comprehensive view of the business environment and post-college life as a professional, with the help of friend and colleague, Paige Manacek '13.
Riskin, an online pill viagra. , said, "This organization is open to everyone. Even though it says 'young business leaders' we're trying to break down the barrier between the business school and other schools within the university."
The new group has received the honor of being the first Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda university chapter in Connecticut. "Being designated by this nationally recognized organization gives us some weight and makes us stand out," said Riskin, who reached out to the organization to become an affiliate.
Currently the group has 30 members, most of whom are underclassmen, which Riskin said gave YBLOF the opportunity to grow together over the next few years. And the members are from a wide variety of disciplines. "I don't want people to think that because they don't want to go into business that this club is not for them," he explained. "We have members that are studying business, mathematics, communication, and English."
Riskin has been proud of the grass-roots organization of YBLOF. "Students," he said, "have been the driving force for developing this group." Last fall the group focused on bringing in a variety of speakers to talk about current topics in business, including ethics in the workplace, networking, communication, and the global mindset.
Speakers have included Greg Lainas, President of CTCPA and Division Director at Robert Half Management Resources; Andrew McMahon '89, President of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company and Chairman of AXA Advisors, LLC; Nancy Altobello '80, Americas Vice Chair of People at Ernst & Young LLP; Ed McCormick, Financial Advisor and First Vice President of Investments at UBS Wealth Management; Michael Carrington, Attorney at Pullman & Comley LLC; Anne Hines, Marketing Coordinator at HB Communications Inc., and Roland Wauthier, Senior Vice President of Wealth Management and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch. The mix of young professionals and experienced leaders was essential for Riskin. "It was great because the younger speakers could still relate to student experiences while the more seasoned professionals could share their wisdom," Riskin explained.
During the spring semester, Riskin and his group are hosting events that encourage active participation such as discussing interview skills, resume building, and networking events. "This semester we're putting everything that we learned last semester from the professionals into action," he said.
The passion of the group is strong and Riskin is excited to see where it will go next year. While he'll graduate this year and spend the summer as a tax intern at Ernst & Young followed by pursuing a Master of Science in Taxation at Bentley University, he expects to stay in touch with the newly elected leaders. "It's been a lot of work," he said on organizing the club, "but it has been fulfilling. I've always liked talking to students and being there to help. Our continuing goal is to build competitive students for the future here at Fairfield University."
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Livingston County Circuit Judge Michael P. Hatty on Thursday sentenced Nathaniel Wallace to 5 1/2 years to 15 years in prison for larceny from a building. The Grand Rapids man promised that the judge wouldn't see him again if he could avoid prison.
Hatty said he exceeded guidelines of up to 34 months in prison in part due to the "sheer amount" of prior convictions, which included attempted retail fraud and resisting police.
Wallace was convicted in a bench trial of larceny for tricking a Pinckney gas station clerk out of $98 in September 2012.


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Viewing convention Program information from 2009
Session Details
Monday, 28 December
148. Migration and the Crisis of Loyalty
10:15–11:30 a.m., Tubman, Loews
Program arranged by the Discussion Group on West Asian Languages and Literatures
Presiding: Julie C. Sears, Collin County Community Coll., TX
1. "The Contemporary Novel and/of Tibet: Alai's Red Poppies and Jamyang Norbu's The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes," Alexandra W. Schultheis, Univ. of North Carolina, Greensboro
2. "Migration to Mecca: A Hybrid Integration," Salwa S. Nugali, King Saud Univ.
3. "Dislocation and Disorientation in O. Z. Livaneli's Mutluluk ('Bliss')," Julie C. Sears
No comments have been posted for this session.
|© 2015 Modern Language Association.


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Strong Bad is one of the major characters of the Homestar Runner series of animated Flash web cartoons. He is portrayed by Matt Chapman, the principal voice actor and co-founder of the series. Strong Bad enjoys pranking the other characters of the series, along with his ever-diligent lackey pet named "The Cheat" and his older brother Strong Mad. The main segment that Strong Bad is a part of is "Strong Bad Email", in which he answers emails sent to him by fans. The Strong Bad Email series grew to be so popular that seven DVDs featuring the emails have been released, as well as a podcast where emails could be downloaded to digital media players, since its first episode in 2001.
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Student Profile
Alison James
Coordinator of the Making Movies Roadshow regional filmmaking workshops program at the Film and Television Institute
Bachelor of Arts (Film and Television)
The 2007 ABC Young Filmmaker of the Year Award Award was presented to Alison James at the 20th WA Screen Awards by ABC Executive Producer of Television, Daniel Brown. Alison wins a $5,000 cash prize
Alison James was educated at Curtin University, where she started off wanting to direct drama, but said after her first unit in documentary, she has never wanted to do anything else.
Since graduating, she has worked as a professional attachment for Electric Pictures on projects such as "The Winners Guide to the Nobel Prize" and "Bom Bali".
She is currently the coordinator of the Making Movies Roadshow regional filmmaking workshops program at the Film and Television Institute. She has recently produced and directed two documentaries "Long Road Back" and "Beyond the Fence".
Alison completed a film about the world of tow truck drivers called "Towing the Line" and also attended the Method Fest Film Festival in Los Angeles in 2007.
I'd highly recommend the degree to others though I would warn them too that it's a huge amount of work. I now completely have the studying bug and am looking forward to taking my art research further!


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We're only just now starting to get scans of the publications Mischa shot over the last few months, but it looks like Miss Barton is already onto the next thing! Check out these previews of an upcoming shoot by photographer Brian Daly.
What I really love about most of these shoots is that they aren't standard celebrity shoots. Most of them have a cool real-model edge to them.


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Guaranteed ModificationPosted on June 26th, 2009 1 comment
A lot of people tell me about companies that offer a guarantee for modification services and my reply is: "who do you know that has called them on it?" There is usually dead silence because how good is a guarantee? It is only as good as a company is prepared to honor it so examine all the small print. There are not many companies that can afford to expend resources on a modification win or lose and not get compensated.
From the law office standpoint I liken it to the same set of circumstances as if I was to represent a person in court, I cannot guarantee the outcome and to do so is unethical because you, the client might not give me all the facts or can withhold information about trying to do it on your own previously and then we try and encounter huge obstacles. I've had clients that did their own submissions and failed (because they gave too much or wrong information) and they don't tell us and then we meet with resistance. Now we've been able to get them through but because this happens there is no way to guarantee the outcome and we expend thousands of dollars of time and effort in each case so we just cannot offer a refund. Our guarantee is best efforts and if your situation is modifiable you'll get modified and we don't even need to go there about rejection and if that happens, maybe it is exactly what needs to happen because not only does the person not qualify for the home now, they won't be able to afford it with any program so they should think short sale and move on. Many properties will not make sense and most banks do not offer a principal reduction because they cannot get permission from their investors to eat that much of their expected profits. The old adage of when does a negative -30 + 43 = 0 and that is any time the market goes down 30% it has to get back to 43% just to put you back where you were before it dropped. I see many instances where the properties are down 50% and the borrower might now recover the home value in their life time and getting out with a short sale really makes financial sense.
On the fees, if you're using a law firm and they are going to give it to you for a fixed fee, grab that and run if it is around $3,000 to $4,000. When I was at a law firm we had software that started to calculate our hourly from the time the phone was picked up until we hung it up and we were taught to keep the client on the phone and run it up. Every fax that went out was $1.00 per page and every photo-copy was .30 cents per page. The hourly of an experienced real estate or finance attorney is going to be $375.00 per hour or more and they may have processors or paralegals that are going to be $100 to $150 per hour. When you average 40 to 100 hours per file you are going to get your money's worth because it takes hour upon hour and constant follow-up with the banks…more than most people who work will every have. I can't see a modification starting out less than $5,500 under typical law firm billing and the client could expect to get a back-end invoice for about the same because of the time and expenses for faxing, photo-copying and FedEx that takes place. Therefore, a completed modification would normally be upwards of $10,000 by the time it is done. Grab a modification for a fixed $3,000 to $4,000 because it is a super deal.
You can always go to a non-lawyer but you are really putting yourself in a position to have your documents used against you since a broker or any other helper cannot afford you the attorney/client privilege. You need to make sure your submission is not used as a smoking gun against you especially if you were a stated income loan and you and your broker or loan officer expanded your income for the purpose of qualifying on the loan.
If you want solid assistance at a fixed legal fee price, please contact my office.
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One response to "Guaranteed Modification"
hmmm. Interesting advice. lol
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London Pass BlogBack to Blog
London attractions: Benjamin Franklin House gives visitors a taste of history
Published: Wednesday 27th of February 2013
If you want to learn more about one of the most notable figures throughout history, then the Benjamin Franklin House should certainly be on the top of your list of things to do in London.
You don't have to go all the way to America to learn about one of their most famous founding fathers, you can do that right here in the city.
The house, located on Craven Street, was built in the 1730s and was recently featured in the BBC's One Show which explored the Craven Street bones that were discovered at the house.
This attraction has no shortage of historical knowledge about both Benjamin Franklin and the life he lived.
It also features regular educational events and activities. Here, you can not only explore the historic backdrop of the building but you may also have the chance to visit the Student Science Centre and Scholarship Centre contained within the house.
Experience the best tourist attractions in London for free with a London Pass.
Posted by Samantha Reed
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Follow The London Pass blog to learn about the latest news with attractions, sights and sightseeing events in the city. As well as useful tips, hints and advice for visitors to the city and how to make the most of your sightseeing time in London. We hope you enjoy…
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Treat the tastebuds at London attractions
Thursday 20th of December 2012 Things to do in London don't get much tastier than visiting some of the capital's greatest...
London attractions: The London Transport Museum gives people a glimpse behind the scenes
Wednesday 19th of December 2012 People who have always had an interest in transport services are well catered to in London
Things to do in London: The Jewel Tower is one of the capital's hidden gems
Tuesday 18th of December 2012 The Jewel Tower is a delight for people who are into history or architecture.
Visit Apsley House, the home of the Iron Duke, for things to do in London
Monday 17th of December 2012 People looking for things to do in London could opt for a trip to Apsley House, at one of the premier addresses in London.
London attractions: Take a Twickenham Rugby Museum & Stadium Tour
Sunday 16th of December 2012 A Twickenham Rugby Museum & Stadium Tour allows sports fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the sport.
London attractions: Relax with some delicious food at the Orangery
Saturday 15th of December 2012 The Orangery offers visitors an elegant lunch.
London attractions: Celebrate the Queen at Windsor Castle
Friday 14th of December 2012 People looking for London attractions that will give them a glimpse into the life of Her Majesty should consider a trip to Windsor Castle.
London attractions: Celebrate Olde England at the Fan Museum
Thursday 13th of December 2012 The Fan Museum is hosting an exhibition to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year.
London attractions: See the evolution of aviation at the Royal Air Force Museum
Wednesday 12th of December 2012 The Royal Air Force Museum has plenty of highlights for aviation fans.
Get lost in the art of the Courtauld Gallery for things to do in London
Tuesday 11th of December 2012 The Courtauld Gallery is one of the best London attractions for art lovers.
London attractions: See how the children of the past played at Pollock's Toy Museum
Monday 10th of December 2012 Pollock's Toy Museum gives people a glimpse into the lives of the children of yesteryear.
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Professional Services
Company Overview of Allen & Overy LLP
Executive Profile
Michael S. Feldberg
US Litigation Head and Partner, Allen & Overy LLP
|Total Calculated Compensation
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Michael S. Feldberg serves as a Partner and US Litigation Head of Allen & Overy LLP. Mr. Feldberg has broad experience litigating and trying cases in a wide variety of areas, with a special emphasis on the defense of federal criminal and regulatory cases, and federal civil litigation. He has represented numerous companies and individuals in matters involving the financial services, retail, health care and general corporate industries. Mr. Feldberg serves as a Director ...
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One Bishops SquarePhone: 44 20 3088 0000
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In Midwest, Republicans Capitalize on Economic Woes
In Midwest states battered by years of economic weakness, Republicans made significant gains Tuesday, taking over four governor's seats and recapturing three U.S. Senate seats by portraying Democrats as unable to lure jobs back to the region.
The Republican victories represented a notable shift in the balance of power in a part of the U.S. that voted solidly for President Barack Obama and other Democrats in 2008.
In the Illinois race for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Mr. Obama, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Republican, won a close race over Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic state treasurer, in one of the most bitterly fought contests in the nation.
Path to the Midterm Elections
See some of the key political events over the past two years.
Of the 13 incumbent governors across the U.S. hoping to keep their seats, two Midwest Democrats—Ted Strickland in Ohio and Chet Culver in Iowa—lost their races Tuesday, while a third, Pat Quinn in Illinois, was locked in a tight race early Wednesday morning.
Like many incumbents, Mssrs. Strickland and Quinn saw their reputations hurt by their states' economic problems, while Mr. Culver lost to a popular former governor who held the job during the booming late 1990s.
In Ohio, a swing state that frequently plays a crucial role in choosing the next U.S. president, Mr. Strickland was defeated by Republican John Kasich, a former Congressman and former managing director of Lehman Bros. Mr. Kasich also has been a commentator on Fox News, which is owned by News Corp., owner of The Wall Street Journal.
Mr. Kasich played up his experience as chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee, saying he was better prepared than Mr. Strickland to eliminate Ohio's estimated $8 billion budget deficit.
Mr. Strickland's approval ratings declined amid heavy job losses in manufacturing and other industries. Ohio's unemployment rate declined slightly to 10% in September, above the U.S. average of 9.6%.
Budget problems also weighed on the governor's race in Illinois, the state with the lowest Moody's credit rating and one of the worst fiscal outlooks in the U.S. The next governor faces a budget shortfall that could reach $15 billion, and the state has $6.4 billion in overdue bills owed to school districts, social-service providers and others.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, was the state's lieutenant governor until January 2009, when he took over for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office. Mr. Quinn has called for raising the state income-tax rate to 4% from 3%, an increase he calls a "surcharge for education."
His opponent, Republican state Sen. Bill Brady, has said he will slash state spending instead of raising taxes. But neither candidate has laid out a complete plan for solving Illinois's desperate budget problems. The governor's race remained too close to call at 12:30 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday.
Nostalgia for better economic times played a role in the governor's race in Iowa, where former Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, beat Democratic incumbent Gov. Chet Culver. Mr. Branstad was Iowa's longest-serving governor, holding the seat from 1983 to 1999. While Iowa held up better than most other U.S. states during the recent recession, thanks to its farm economy, Mr. Branstad presided over much stronger periods of prosperity.
In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican, won the governor's race by a wide margin, defeating Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat. Current Gov. Jim Doyle, also a Democrat, chose not to run for re-election.
Mr. Doyle's administration quietly signed a deal with the federal government over the weekend committing the state to spending the full $810 million in federal stimulus money granted for a high-speed passenger-rail line between Milwaukee and Madison. Mr. Walker had made opposing the train, which he called a boondoggle, a central issue in his campaign. Putting more money under contract makes it more expensive for Wisconsin to renege on the project.
A top official at the Wisconsin transportation department said the weekend agreement had nothing to do with the governor's race, though Mr. Walker held a steady lead over Mr. Barrett in recent polls.
As the new governor, Mr. Walker won't be able to automatically redirect the federal funds earmarked for the train. Instead, he would have to persuade Congress to let him use the money for something else, or the state would have to return the grants. Mr. Walker has said he hoped Republicans would win the U.S. House, potentially making it easier to stop the train.
In Michigan, Republican Rick Snyder, chief executive of a venture-capital firm and former CEO of Gateway Inc., won the governor's race easily over Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, a Democrat. Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, did not run for re-election.
Republican Senate candidates sought to tie opponents to Mr. Obama's economic policies. In Wisconsin, Republican Ron Johnson, a Tea Party favorite who runs a plastics-manufacturing company, defeated three-term Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, one of the few politicians to campaign on Mr. Obama's overhaul of health insurance.
In a television ad released last week, Mr. Johnson said Sen. Feingold "believes Washington can borrow, tax and spend our way to prosperity. I believe that's wrong and hurts our economy." Mr. Feingold, who frequently bucked his party, unsuccessfully argued to voters that Republican policies such as cutting taxes on wealthy citizens contributed to the U.S. economic crisis.
A U.S. Senate seat in Indiana returned to Republican control, as former Sen. Dan Coats beat Rep. Brad Ellsworth, a Democrat, for the seat held by retiring Democrat Evan Bayh.
Ohio Republican Rob Portman, a former Congressman and former trade advisor to President George W. Bush, also cruised to an easy victory in the U.S. Senate race over Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher. Mr. Portman will succeed retiring Republican Sen. George Voinovich.
Indiana, led by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, does not elect its governor this year.
Minnesota could prove to be a rare bright spot for Democrats in the Midwest. With 60% of precincts reporting, former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton led over Minnesota State Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican. Independence Party candidate Tom Horner trailed his two opponents. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty decided not to run for re-election.
In a year when conservative Republicans have capitalized on voter anger over taxes, Mr. Dayton has had surprising success with a promise to raise income taxes on the wealthiest Minnesota residents, a move he says would spare deep cuts in education and social services. The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has not held the governor's seat since 1986.
A shift toward Republicans on Tuesday would benefit the party for the next decade, as governors and state lawmakers will be redrawing congressional and state legislative districts next year. Based on this year's census results—which showed a continuing shift in population from the Rust Belt to the South and West—a number of Midwestern states are slated to lose seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Write to Amy Merrick at firstname.lastname@example.com


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With the Winter Olympics getting underway this week, what better time to have a look at five sitcoms that have used skating or hockey as part of their plots:
"Leave It to Beaver" ("Beaver's Ice Skates," 1961) Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is too embarrassed to tell his parents that a salesman pressured him into buying ice skates three sizes too big.
"Bewitched" ("On Thin Ice," 1972) When little Tabitha (Erin Murphy) takes skating lessons, her grandmother Endora (Agnes Moorhead) casts a spell on her, turning her into a championship skater.
"The Cosby Show" ("It's All in the Game," 1990) Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam) successfully begs her parents (Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad) for permission to sign up for ice skating lessons, at a cost of $200.
"Roseanne" ("Of Ice and Men," 1992) After Dan (John Goodman) pressures him to find a sport, D.J. (Michael Fishman) takes up hockey and becomes a rink bully.
"The Simpsons" ("Lisa on Ice," 1994) When Lisa discovers she may fail gym, she tries to salvage her grade by taking up ice hockey, a sport she has a surprising affinity for. -- Andy Edelstein, Newsday


text: http://www.thevarguy.com – CloudBolt Software, a startup specializing in cloud-based IT management software, has integrated the latest version of its flagship CloudBolt Command and Control (C2) solution with VMware's (NYSE: VMW) Nicira Network Virtualization Platform (NVP). According to CloudBolt, version 3.5 of the C2 software makes it possible for users to bypass the limitations of physical network configurations for software-defined networks on demand. The C2 platform essentially is a portal (or single pane of glass management, as the company refers to it) that supplies a single point of monitoring and management o (IT news)


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"Snow is both friend and foe to trees and shrubs," says Tchukki Andersen, staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. "Snow causes its share of damage, as we all know, but in many cases it also protects plants and their roots against extreme fluctuations in temperature that could damage or even kill them."
Snow does cause four kinds of damage: bending, breaking, splitting, and falling or uprooting. Whether woody plants will be damaged in one of these ways depends upon several factors. Coniferous evergreens, for instance, can bear more snow weight than broadleaf evergreens. A tree's form can also be a factor in how well it will withstand heavy snow. Pine (low altitude), spruce and fir with spread branches are more likely to be damaged by heavy snowfall than trees with steeper angled branches.
Arborvitae is a good example of a plant that doesn't handle heavy snow well. They tend to get tall, with multi-stemmed branches that are low to the ground.
"Snow will cause the branches to separate," says Andersen, who doesn't recommend planting arborvitae species in areas that get lots of heavy wet snow. She also recommends against planting them near buildings where snow can fall off the roof all at once in large piles. "Small, rounded woody-stemmed plants would be a better choice, but make certain to give them enough root space away from the structure."
A tree's structure is also a factor in whether it will be damaged by ice storms. A tree with good, right-angle branches will have less trouble than one with narrow crotches.
The type of snow is an important factor in potential damage to trees. Obviously, wetter snow is more damaging because it is heavier. And when the snow falls can be a factor. With a wet snow in March, when there are no leaves on the branches, the tree may be able to withstand damage pretty well. But that same snow in late spring or early fall, when the tree is filled with leaves, could add unbearable weight.
On the plus side, snow moderates root temperatures and provides moisture for spring. Snow helps insulate the ground, which is beneficial for two reasons. First, snow is a poor heat conductor, so the temperature changes very slowly from the top layer of the snow to the bottom. This keeps the ground from heating and cooling as air temperatures fluctuate. Heating and cooling often cause the ground to heave, which can be damaging to roots. Keeping the ground temperature more constant is a better environment for healthy roots. A covering of snow can help keep the ground warmer. Pile eight inches of snow on the ground and soil temperature seldom falls below 23 degrees.
Finally, a little breakage isn't always bad," insists Andersen. "Nature prunes trees, too. A wet snow may break off small twigs and dead branches. It can do a good job of pruning that way."


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DENVER - A vigil was held Tuesday evening for the 11-year-old boy who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Denver on Sunday.
More than 100 people gathered to show their support for Michael Espinoza and his family.
Michael had just finished eating at a local Denny's when he and his cousin decided to leave and cross Federal Boulevard.
At that exact moment, police say Oswaldo Lopez, 21, was racing down Federal Boulevard and hit and killed Espinoza. Police say Lopez then took off.
Family members didn't spend too much time talking about Lopez at Tuesday's vigil. Instead, they focused on Michael.
"We all know he's gone straight to heaven. He's a little angel. God bless his soul," the boy's aunt Gloria Espinoza said.
Michael's mother also spoke and thanked the crowd for their continued to support.
The vigil last a little more than an hour.
No future vigils have been scheduled.


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Physicians Regional Rockin' Grand Opening featuring Sky Dive Performance by the "Flying Elvis'"
Physicians Regional's Rockin' Grand Opening Saturday, February 23 2:00pm - 5:00pm 1839 San Marco Road Marco Island, FL Free Parking: Veterans Community Park with Shuttle Service to the Event Featuring: Skydive performace by the 'Flying Elvi' and live music from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville band, Blue Stone Circle. Admission is Free The Flying Elvi to descend on Marco Island at the Rockin' Grand Opening of the Physicians Regional-Marco Island Walk-In Clinic Marco Island is on the verge of exciting new health care options and Physicians Regional Healthcare System has a positively great Grand Opening planned to commemorate its arrival. The "Rockin' Grand Opening," will take place on Saturday, February 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot of The Shops of Marco, 1839 San Marco Road—corner of Barfield and San Marco Road on Marco Island. The excitement and activities of Physicians Regional-Marco Island's "Rockin' Grand Opening" are not limited to the ground. The abundant festivities include an aerial show performed by The Flying Elvi, the 10-member sky diving team of Elvis impersonators featured in the movie Honeymoon in Vegas. Scheduled from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and open to the public, "Rockin' Grand Opening" will also include giveaways, stilt walkers, and live music from the Blue Stone Circle Band—the official band of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Information about Physicians Regional Heatlhcare System and tours of the new clinic will also be available. St. Mathews House catering will be a primary food concessionaire, and all proceeds will benefit St. Matthew's House. Parking and complimentary shuttle service is available from Veterans Community Park, 403 East Elkcam Circle, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Physicians Regional Marco Island
1839 San Marco Road, Marco Island, FL


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The idea of carrying a 20 pound pack instead of a 50 pounder has caused me to meticulously look at my gear list. Any other help on cutting down weight would be appreciated.SUMMARY LIST Oz. Lbs. 2.8 Pack (empty) 1.7 GoLite Shangri-La 2 Flysheet 3.5 Sleeping 1.4 Clothing (packed) 0.5 Cooking 2.2 Essentials and Misc. Stuff 12.1 Base Pack Weight 8.6 Consumables (Food, Fuel, Water, & Alcohol) 20.7 Total Pack Weight 5.2 Equipment Worn or Carried 25.9 Total Skin Out Weight PACK Oz. Lbs. 40 | 2.5 Osprey Exos 58 Medium (58 liter)3 |0.2 Pack Liner (Garbage Bag)0.8 | 0.1 Therm-A-Rest Stuff Sack (1)1 | 0.1 Canton Cup Food Bag 2.8 Pounds Subtotal SHELTER Oz. Lbs. 21 | 1.3 GoLite Shangri-La 2 Flysheet3 | 0.2 Stakes (8)3 | 0.2 Ground Sheet (Silver Emergency Blanket) 1.7 Pounds Subtotal SLEEPING Oz. Lbs. 40 | 2.5 Sleeping Bag (+20)6 | 0.4 Pillow2 | 0.1 Pillow Case7.5 | 0.5 Blue Foam Sleeping Pad 3.5 Pounds Subtotal CLOTHING (PACKED) Oz. Lbs. 4 | 0.3 Blue Running Shorts4.3 | 0.3 Sleep Shirt2 | 0.1 Warm Hat1 | 0.1 Thin Gloves1 | 0.1 Extra Pair Running Socks10.5 | 0.7 Rain Jacket 1.4 Pounds Subtotal COOKING Oz. Lbs. 2.8 | 0.2 Stove0.3 | 0.0 Plastic Folding Spork (Wont scratch pot when stirring)0.4 | 0.0 Red Bandana (1/4 size)0.3 | 0.0 Bic Lighter2.8 | 0.2 Snowpeak 600 Mug0.2 | 0.0 Sea-to-Summit AL Spork0.5 | 0.0 Spices and Matches Container 0.5 Pounds Subtotal MISC. Oz. Lbs. 9 | 0.6 Camera (In Case)0.5 | 0.0 Medium Orange Biner1 | 0.1 Montbell Trowel0.5 | 0.0 Bug Spray (Spray Bottle filled with DEET)1 | 0.1 Smart Water Bottle 1L4 | 0.3 Deuter Water Bladder 2L1 | 0.1 Extra Rope3 | 0.2 Bear Bag3 | 0.2 Headlamp1 | 0.1 Sun Glasses 1.5 Pounds Subtotal DINKY STUFF Oz. Lbs. 1.1 | 0.1 Aquamira (repackaged)1.3 | 0.1 Black Tripod2.2 | 0.1 Lanyard with Fire Starter, Whistle, Light, knife0.4 | 0.0 Pack towel0.3 | 0.0 Compass 0.3 Pounds Subtotal TOILETRIES Oz. Lbs. 5 | 0.3 Toiletries 0.3 Pounds Subtotal FIRST AID KIT Oz. Lbs. 0.5 | 0.0 First Aid Kit 0.0 Pounds Subtotal REPAIR KIT Oz. Lbs. 1.1 | 0.1 Repair Kit 0.1 Pounds Subtotal CONSUMABLES Oz. Lbs. 6.5 | 0.4 3.5 oz Fuel Canister70.4 | 4.4 2 Liters Water6 | 0.4 Recycle-A-Flask (full)54.4 | 3.4 3 days food at 1.7 lb/day (1 noon/night, 1 full day, 1 morning/noon) 8.6 Pounds Subtotal EQUIPMENT WORN OR CARRIED Oz. Lbs. 24 | 1.5 Running Shoes2 | 0.1 Wool Socks6.5 | 0.4 Long Sleeve Wool Shirt11 | 0.7 Zip-Off Pants7 | 0.4 Nylon Soccer Shirt32 | 2.0 Trekking Poles4 | 0.3 Wool RedRam Boxers1 | 0.1 Multi function Watch 5.5 Pounds SubtotalEDIT.Looking at a DriDucks Rain Jacket for 8 oz to replace the one I currently own.Also plan to use sleeping bag under jacket for some insulation around the campfire at night.
Edited by Bluemoose26900 on 01/15/2012 17:28:30 MST.
It may be helpful to state where you operate. Gear for the Arctic Circle might be a little different from gear for the Sahara Desert.--B.G.--
Good point.I'm going for a three season list for Michigan. Although I'll be taking a trip to the Gila National Forest in New Mexico in early march and was hoping to use the same gear.
The SL2 is a great shelter, but I seem to hear a lot about bugs in the midwest. Do you have the inner?On a side note, I moved from an Exos to a ULA Circuit and the difference is incredible. If the exos works for you, great, but if you feel it can't comfortably carry more than a couple days food (i did) maybe consider it.
8 oz for pillow and case? Can't you use stuff you already have with you like the Thermarest stuff sack with extra clothes, shoes, bottle, etc.Why not eat with your stirring spork?What the diff in "food bag" under Pack and "bear bag" under Misc?Do you need both towel and bandana?What's in the toiletries at 5 oz?Flask = adult bev?Do you really need 1.7 PPD of food? Most use 1.4-1.5. I use 1.2. If it's all dry and repackaged and you don't return with extra then keep the 1.7.What poles do you have that weigh 32 oz? Even the cheapos from Walmart I use are 20 oz.Do you need a watch? Your camera should have date/time.Overall pretty good for first attempt - well under 20 lb base.
New Mexico - Have spent some time there. Be sure to shake out your shoes in the morning ! Before I went the first time when I was 19YO I said yeah right, then the first day I shook a Scorpion out of my boots.Not Bad - Good start just trim a bit.Ounces here and there add up to pounds PDQ.Ideas below >>>>PACK - Lighter pack - Easy way to lose 1-2 pound. I say 24oz max like a GG Miraposa but make sure everything fits, IE keep the volume down when you buy. If you use a lot of stuff sacks you could build some out of cuben scraps. FYI a stripped Golite Jam II weighs 18 oz and is cheap but you need a small volume for it to work. Good 3 day pack if you have small gear.A Zpack would save you 2 pounds.SHELTER - IMO Add a bug tent - 8oz. Dont leave home without it. Also you can chop off about 1 pound with a Cuben Tarp - expensive though. 8x10 cuben tarp is about 6 oz for just the tarp.SLEEPING - Not bad but you have a 20dF bag and no insulating layers that I see unless I missed something.In mid summer a 20dF bag will be too hot anyway unless at altitude. IMO You might be better off to swap to or add a lighter bag for a more versatile Summer setup, like a lighter bag for summer in the 16 oz range and some layers etc if you need them and swap out to your 20dF bag when its colder.For instance you could use a 32dF bag like a summerlite down bag - 19oz with a montbell UL down parka with hood - 10 oz = 29oz total. A driducks suit as a layer assuming its not wet and would be versatile. A montbell UL #5 40dF bag weighs 16 oz reg, 18 oz long. Nice bag but no zipper baffle which I might correct.Another option is to build or buy a 2.5 climashield XP M90 quilt for summer. Cost about $80-90 in materials. Good to about 45dF. I use mine as a topper on the above MB #5 down bag to extend the warmth. Weighs about 13 oz. Also have a 5 oz climasheild quilt weighs about 23 oz and good to +- 25-30dF on its ownGo for a lighter pillow in the 2 oz range.BTW, if your bag is a synthetic bag it probably wont fit in a small pack like a JAM 2 etc. Too bulky.CLOTHING - Add an insulating layer of some sort. For mid summer when I dont need much, I use a nice Joe boxer very thin fleece shirt I found at the Salvation Army for $3. Weighs 9 oz for XL and its very warm combined with a smartwool Tee. It is one of my layers I use a lot. Wish it had a hood though. For colder weather I have a Thermawrap parka, Montbell UL down vest and a few other odds and ends.COOKING - You can get this down to 5 ozThat said 20# is not bad. About half of what I used to carry.
Edited by tammons on 01/18/2012 22:17:19 MST.
@PorcupinePhobia. I do not have the liner for the tent. I figured the door zipped up would be adequate, although not great, bug protection. My other thought was a tarp which would have had no sort of door, so I thought a floorless tent would be a step up in bug and weather protection. Have yet to camp with it though so I guess we'll see.@topshot. Yeah its kind of a heavy pillow. I was surprised after I weighed it. I've tried the rolled up clothes method though and it just isnt comfortable. Does anyone have any recommendations for a relatively cheap dual chamber blow up pillow? that would cut out a bit. Also, the bear bag is the rope used for hanging, and a bag to hold a rock for throwing. The 32oz poles was a rough estimation. Seems to be a bit high. I am a little worried about not having enough food when I go out, as I've never really thought about food weight before BackpackingLight. I thought 1.7ppd would be a conservative estimate that I could slowly reduce as I become more comfortable with my food selection.@tammons. A lighter pack and shelter would be ideal, but I'm on a college budget and am trying to make one pack work for all my trips. Hopefully pushing the 58 as long as a 5 day trip. Ill definitely look into some insulating layers though. Ive seen some guys who just throw their sleeping bag inside their rain jacket which is what I was going to try. Ill be sticking with my 20df bag though, unless you know of a good bag for under $150.Any ideas of how to bring that cooking weight down? I was thinking cat can stove, but have been with my canister stove for a while and I'm reluctant to give it up. Thanks for the input guys.
$150 is tough for a good bag, but there is a WM summerlite 35dF bag on the for sale forum for $210. Its a long though. A regular weighs 16 oz. Long weighs 17 oz. There was a guy selling one here that was cut down to a quilt. Think it was going for $150 or so ??I personally just snagged a GG miraposa Pack on the for sale forum for $110, Normally $170. Weighs 24 oz.5 oz alcohol cook set. There are a few people on whiteblaze and maybe here with a similar setup as this.You need to practice with one of these a bit before you take off.This setup weighs 4.5 oz without a fuel container. Cut down Fosters can (18oz or so) with a bail handle. Short country time lemonade container. They make koolaid containers like this too. Folding titanium Spork, bubble wrap, wind screen, pot support, cup stove, 1/2 a microfiber wash cloth from Publix. The pot support is made from the top of a heineken can but they cant take too much heat although they seem to do pretty good with alcohol.One guy here used one with an esbit cube and it melted. I also have a very light wire pot stand that is more heavy duty. The alcohol container is the bottom of a red bull can about 1" high.This gives you 3 containers to work with and is crush proof. With a freezer bag inside the plastic container in warm weather you dont even need the wrap for normal instant food.Instant fire starters from Ace hardware will boil a cup, but will smoke your pot.Same thing as Wetfire from what I can tell and cheap.
Found it.WM modded bag into a quilt.13.8 oz.http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=58479
> A lighter pack and shelter would be ideal, but I'm on a college budget and am trying to make one pack work for all my trips. Hopefully pushing the 58 as long as a 5 day trip. A lighter pack is not always the way to go. It works for some people, but a frame often more than makes up for its extra weight by offering better load carrying capability. The Exos is a great lightweight pack, as long as it fits you comfortably. As you refine your gear, you should have no problem fitting a weeks supply of gear and food in that pack.I took mine to Arizona a few years ago because I needed the volume and load carrying capability. I was prepared to carry gear, food for 4 nights, and up to 8 liters of water. It turned out that I was able to find enough water to only need to carry 2-3 liters at a time, but it all fit. I've since moved down in size to a Talon 44 which I took on a 6 day pack rafting trip this summer and it carried all the gear and food (packraft was strapped to the outside of the pack). My point is, keep your pack and refine your gear. You'll naturally find out if you need something different for a pack.
That minimalist quilt made from a sleeping bag, says its 36" wide. IMO thats too narrow so you might want to ask him to be sure.I used to have a golite ultra 20. Nice quilt and seemed more like a 25dF quilt.Still it was 21 oz for a long and packs down to nothing. I slept in it one night down to 14dF in a hammock with heavy johns on.They are not made any more but they come up for sale every now and thenfor a reasonable amount.
Andy,Sorry, I took it that you were already experienced at BPing and just a newbie to going lightweight.There have been several threads on Pillows in the past so do a search for those. I find it odd that someone who can be comfortable on a single generic CCF pad would be concerned with pillow comfort. :) If you have never tried using only that pad before, make sure you do before your trip!Put 21 oz for the poles. If they are heavier than that then get the Walmart ones (flick-lock version).Better to err on the side of caution your first few times out regarding food. Once you have it dialed in more, you can reduce and there's no harm if you run out of food your last day.If you really want a 20F bag, I don't know one under $150 that doesn't weigh near what you already have. I personally think an accurately rated 40F bag would be fine if you have proper clothing layers.You can definitely save weight with an alchy stove system. Alcohol is lighter overall until you start staying out for a couple weeks or more.Have might have a look at my paper, but it seems you're well on your way to a decent kit.
Eventually Shoot for a summer sub 4# big 4.As you come into more $ some things to check out.Any Montbell UL SS bags - Superb - a lifetime investment. Very roomy and very comfortable.I think the perfect pair are the #5 40dF for summer at 16 oz andthe #1 15dF bag at 36oz - expensive. I dont care for the #3 because at 30dF you really need a zipper baffle which it is missing. A mistake in marketing if you ask me.Neoair small - 9ozMore comfort - Synmat UL 7 full size - 16 ozAnything Cuben - all expensive.
It's really light just a little too small for me. Let me know if you are interested. I'm in Wisconsin & if it fit better would be perfect.Also try making a penny stove....fun & practical if you can get your fuel/cooking measurements acurate. I can send you one too if interested. Have you hit Sylvania wilderness ares or Isle Royale yet...if not add them to your list :)http://hunts-upguide.com/watersmeet_sylvania_wilderness_area.htmlPM me or send to david dot styers dot msn @ gmail dot com
Edited by dstyers on 02/07/2012 08:45:03 MST.
Thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it. Looks like I'm heading to Zion National Park in early March with a group, so what I posted above along with the few changes will be what I am taking. Yeah sub-15 base weight!Does anyone have any input on the amount of clothes they normally bring? Right now I'll be wearing trail running shoes, short smartwoll socks, zip-off pants, synthetic t-shirt, and a long sleeve thin wool shirt. As far as extra clothes go I'll be bringing a pair of sleep socks, thin shorts (for sleeping, if its warmer than expected, or the pants get wet), as well as a driDucks rain suit. I figured I could wrap my bag around me at night under the driDucks and wouldn't need any heavy insulating layer. Does this seem like an adequate amount of clothing or am I missing something? @tammonsChecked out the montbell #3 and it looks awesome. I've already dropped quite a bit on gear, but when I can save up a bit more I'll definitely be considering it. Do you ever see these on sale or gearTrade?@dstyersJust got a pair of DriDucks. Hopefully thatll be all I'll need for a while as far as rain gear is concerned. Thanks anyway though. Also, those trails in the UP look pretty legit. I've never heard of the Sylvania wilderness but if I'm ever up north I'll check it out. Also, I've been back and forth with an alcohol stove. Its gonna be hard for my to drop my canister stove. I guess I'm just used to it.
Edited by Bluemoose26900 on 02/10/2012 10:51:06 MST.
The MB #3 is a good bag, but its huge flaw is it is missing a zipper baffle, so at 30dF you will have a long cold streak down your side. If you are a side aleeper, it will be down your back. See them every now and then on gear swap.If I ever buy one, first thing, I would sew on a zipper baffle.A much better bag is the MB #2 UL down hugger which is not made any more.Very hard to find.A quilt is an option too, like one by Tim Marshall or a golite ultra 20.
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Come help us to plant seeds for the Elm Street Community Garden. The program is open to everyone. We will be joined by students from the Elm Street Youth Center.
The seeds will be grown indoors at BAS until early spring, when we will transplant them into the Elm Street Community Garden.
Pizza dinner 6-6:30pm
Click here for more information.
Join us for Havdallah, followed by a dairy pot luck dinner. Welcome in the week with your BAS friends and some great food.
Please email Jennifer Chu-Carroll or Dan Rosenbaum and let them know what you would like to bring for dinner.
Packages delivered to homebound Seniors in the Bronx.
3rd-6th graders are invited to make a tzedakah box with BAS member and artist Iris Levine. Lunch will be served. Hebrew School students will earn a peulot point. Please RSVP to this free event by 3/11 to Alisa Fritzhand.
Dear 8th-12th Graders,
Join us for an amazing weekend in Boston and encourage your BAS friends to join you!
March 22-24th teens from Reconstructionist congregations across North America will attend the exciting No'ar Hadash Teen Kallah in Boston.


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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lithuania
Posts: 21
Off season sales
This was my 4th snowboarding season.. First two seasons I were in Alps and I rented some old-school HEAD board with step-in bindings.. Last season I bought my first "economy" class set with flow merc board, flow flite 1 bindings and flow ansr quick-fit boots.. I love this board, it's really forgiving and I think it's one of the best variants for first board! Well, I rode for 2years with it and as a all-mountain board it was great even in a park, cause in my country (Lithuania) theres no big mountains to freeride, or just go where your eyes see, so parks is best option to ride in. I believe that in 2 seasons I improved quite enough to buy better (lets say more expensive set)..
I want to spend about 650-700$ for everything, since there's a lot of last year equipment sales I think for that much I can get a decent board,bindings and shoes. I'm looking for a freestyle set which would be more for kickers, but comfortable to ride rails or boxes from time to time. The only thing I want to stick with is Flow shoes, they are really comfortable for me, just this time I'd buy laces not quickfit.
Weight 71kg
Boot 11
I'm looking forward for your suggestions! Sorry for my english, just learning it at school.
Last edited by mznqLT; 04-04-2013 at 02:40 PM.
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Must Get TicketsTickets Still on Sale for BREW SeattleSnap up your $40 pass to Seattle magazine's inaugural BREW Seattle, a beer tasting festival on November 14 with oodles of brews on tap. Your ticket earns you six tasting tokens, each one good for a five-ounce pour (in your own special BREW Seattle mini mug).
Must CelebrateRock on with Barsuk Records Read more »
One of the most interesting aspects of the local distillery revolution here in Washington state is how it has changed my feelings around vodka. As someone who dreams up a ton of cocktails and cocktail recipes, I've grown increasingly bored of using vodka due to its mass-market tastelessness and the lack of flavor it added to drinks. But after sipping a lot of local vodkas, that view has changed. Read more »
Last night, Ed Murray celebrated his big win for Seattle mayor over incumbent Mike McGinn. Watch his victory speech, along with McGinn's almost-admittance of defeat, courtesy of Robert Mak at Seattletopstory.com via Crosscut.
Andaluca took best of show honors at this year's Lamb Jam, a meat-centric event celebrating the versatility of the other red meat.
Chef Sarah Lorenzen impressed judges--including me--with her Provencale-inspired sausage served on a socca, the tortilla-like pancake made from chickpea flour. Read more »
[View the story "Mossback Monday" on Storify]
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At Say Media's Dogster.com, we are more than a litte dog crazy. Proof positive is Dogster's Managing Editor, Janine Kahn, whose world (read: home décor, fashion sense, etc.) revolves around her Italian Greyhound, Mr. Moxie.
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Swing Application Framework update
As you probably know, a few weeks ago I became the new specification lead for the Swing Application Framework project (JSR-296). This project has been fairly silent for the last little while, so it is high time to continue with working on this framework and complete it timely.The main goal of this project is quite ambitious: create a Swing framework which allows to quickly create a simple Swing application
and which is also flexible and extensible for the big commercial applications. The key to success it to recognize the common patterns and the best practices that help to create a good Swing application and implement them in the Swing Application Framework. In this blog entry I want to describe the recent changes and give the reasons why it was done this way and bring up some issues to think over. Don't hesitate to share your opinion, we make it for you and your feedback is very important for us. The project is now in transition state and the API may be changed. The latest source files you can find in the Subversion reporsitory, zipped files are also available,
the previous stable version can be found here.
One frame application
The framework is to be friendly to beginners and creating an application with a single frame should be very easy.
Remember the time when you were writing your first Swing application - JFrame with a main component, toolBar, statusBar and menu what questions did you have?
- How to create a JFrame?
- How to place components properly to the frame?>
- How to show the frame?
Let me show you how it can done with the latest SAF:
By running this small example you'll see the frame with the menu, toolbar and the label as the main component. This frame will have the size sufficient to all its subcomponent and be shown at the center of the screen.
public class SingleFrameExample2 extends SingleFrameApplication {
protected Component createMainComponent() {
JLabel label = new JLabel("JLabel");
label.setFont(new Font("LucidaSans", Font.PLAIN, 32));
return label;
protected JMenuBar createJMenuBar() {
JMenuBar bar = new JMenuBar();
JMenu menu = new JMenu("JMenu");
menu.add(new JMenuItem("JMenuItem"));
menu.add(new JMenuItem("JMenuItem"));
return bar;
protected JToolBar createJToolBar() {
JToolBar toolBar = new JToolBar();
toolBar.add(new JButton("JButton"));
return toolBar;
public static void main(String[] args) {
launch(SingleFrameExample2.class, args);
Open issues
With the provided test case you can easily create one frame, but what about more realistic multi frame applications? The SingleFrameApplication creates the main frame and exits when the frame is closed. It may be not the case if there are more frames in your application, for example you may want your application to stay open until it has at least one frame visible. It is also important for the modern application to save the state of a frame (like its size and position) when it is closed and restore it when the application is started again.All that mean that we can't just create a frame or dialog and show it. We need a way to let the application set it up and add closing listeners or set the frame's bounds. The current SingleFrameApplication has the
public void configureWindow(Window root, Object key)
which should be called after you create any secondary window in your application. The first parameter is the window itself and the second one is the identifier of this window, which is used to save the window's state.This design is not very flexible, for example it is difficult to set which window should close the application
Proposed API
Introduce a new method in the Application class
public void registerWindow(Window w, WindowContext c)
and add a new WindowContext class which will keep the identifier, know how to configure this window and whether window's listener should close the application when this window is closed
saveState() and restoreState() methods are also candidates to the WindowContext class
That's all for today, the next blogs will be about the View class and the Application singleton.
abstract public class WindowContext {
abstract public Object getIdentifier();
public void configure(Window w){
//Is it a good name for this method?
public boolean isClosingApplication() {
return false;
I am looking forward to your comments.
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by percolator - 2009-09-04 17:27This code does not look like the code when you start a new desktop project. I have downloaded netbeans 6.7.1 and the desktop app runs but of coarse it does almost nothing. How about showing your code in context to the code generated by netbeans? Isn't that how most people will run swing application framework? How can I add some control to the application? I only know the simple apps in the swing tutorial and I am trying to understand this framework. thanks.
by josuatree - 2009-02-27 08:28Hello, after a new bug detected, here's a new setSessionState (i hope tht's the last !) : public void setSessionState( Component c, Object state ) { checkComponent(c); if ((state != null) && !(state instanceof WindowState)) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid state"); } Window w = (Window) c; if (!w.isLocationByPlatform() && (state != null)) { WindowState windowState = (WindowState) state; Rectangle frameBounds = windowState.getBounds(); Rectangle gcBounds0 = windowState.getGraphicsConfigurationBounds(); if (gcBounds0 != null) { // problem !!! if (!gcBounds0.contains(frameBounds.getLocation())) { Point loc = gcBounds0.getLocation(); loc.x = (gcBounds0.width - frameBounds.width) / 2 + gcBounds0.x; loc.y = (gcBounds0.height - frameBounds.height) / 2; frameBounds.setLocation(loc); } if (getVirtualGraphicsBounds().contains(gcBounds0.getLocation())) { boolean resizable = true; if (w instanceof Frame) { resizable = ((Frame) w).isResizable(); } else if (w instanceof Dialog) { resizable = ((Dialog) w).isResizable(); } if (resizable) { w.setBounds(frameBounds); // -------------------------- added JCS 27.2.2009 ---------------------- String clientPropertyKey = "WindowState.normalBounds"; ((JFrame) c).getRootPane().putClientProperty(clientPropertyKey, frameBounds); // -------------------------- added JCS 27.2.2009 ---------------------- } } } if (w instanceof Frame) { ((Frame) w).setExtendedState(windowState.getFrameState()); } } } }
by josuatree - 2009-02-26 10:25A better setSessionState (revisited this day after a bug) in SessionStorage : public void setSessionState( Component c, Object state ) { checkComponent(c); if ((state != null) && !(state instanceof WindowState)) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid state"); } Window w = (Window) c; if (!w.isLocationByPlatform() && (state != null)) { WindowState windowState = (WindowState) state; Rectangle frameBounds = windowState.getBounds(); Rectangle gcBounds0 = windowState.getGraphicsConfigurationBounds(); if (gcBounds0 != null) { // problem !!! if (!gcBounds0.contains(frameBounds.getLocation())) { Point loc = gcBounds0.getLocation(); loc.x = (gcBounds0.width - frameBounds.width) / 2 + gcBounds0.x; loc.y = (gcBounds0.height - frameBounds.height) / 2; frameBounds.setLocation(loc); } if (getVirtualGraphicsBounds().contains(gcBounds0.getLocation())) { boolean resizable = true; if (w instanceof Frame) { resizable = ((Frame) w).isResizable(); } else if (w instanceof Dialog) { resizable = ((Dialog) w).isResizable(); } if (resizable) { w.setBounds(frameBounds); } } } if (w instanceof Frame) { ((Frame) w).setExtendedState(windowState.getFrameState()); } } } }
by josuatree - 2009-02-25 18:44Hi I have modified methods "getSessionState" and "setSessionState" for a better support for two or more monitors and fullscreen modes. I give you the code here or i can send you "SessionStorage.java" : public Object getSessionState( Component c ) { checkComponent(c); int frameState = Frame.NORMAL; if (c instanceof Frame) { frameState = ((Frame) c).getExtendedState(); } GraphicsConfiguration gc = c.getGraphicsConfiguration(); Rectangle gcBounds = (gc == null) ? null : gc.getBounds(); Rectangle frameBounds = c.getBounds(); /* If this is a JFrame created by FrameView and it's been maximized, * retrieve the frame's normal (not maximized) bounds. More info: * see FrameStateListener#windowStateChanged in FrameView. */ if ((c instanceof JFrame) && (0 != (frameState & Frame.MAXIMIZED_BOTH))) { String clientPropertyKey = "WindowState.normalBounds"; Object r = ((JFrame) c).getRootPane().getClientProperty(clientPropertyKey); if (r instanceof Rectangle) { frameBounds = (Rectangle) r; } // -------------------------- modified JCS 25.2.2009 ---------------------- if (!gcBounds.contains(frameBounds.getLocation())) { Point loc = gcBounds.getLocation(); loc.x = (gcBounds.width - frameBounds.width) / 2 + gcBounds.x; loc.y = (gcBounds.height - frameBounds.height) / 2; frameBounds.setLocation(loc); } // -------------------------- modified JCS 25.2.2009 ---------------------- } return new WindowState(frameBounds, gcBounds, getScreenCount(), frameState); } ----------------------------------------------------------------- ADDED: private Rectangle computeVirtualGraphicsBounds() { Rectangle virtualBounds = new Rectangle(0, 0, 0, 0); GraphicsEnvironment ge = GraphicsEnvironment.getLocalGraphicsEnvironment(); GraphicsDevice[] gd = ge.getScreenDevices(); for (int i = 0; i < gd.length; i++) { GraphicsConfiguration gc = gd[i].getDefaultConfiguration(); debug("Screen " + (i + 1), gc.getBounds()); virtualBounds = virtualBounds.union(gc.getBounds()); } debug("Virt. screen", virtualBounds); return virtualBounds; } MODIFIED: public void setSessionState( Component c, Object state ) { checkComponent(c); if ((state != null) && !(state instanceof WindowState)) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("invalid state"); } Window w = (Window) c; if (!w.isLocationByPlatform() && (state != null)) { WindowState windowState = (WindowState) state; Rectangle gcBounds0 = windowState.getGraphicsConfigurationBounds(); if (gcBounds0 != null && computeVirtualGraphicsBounds().contains( gcBounds0.getLocation())) { boolean resizable = true; if (w instanceof Frame) { resizable = ((Frame) w).isResizable(); } else if (w instanceof Dialog) { resizable = ((Dialog) w).isResizable(); } if (resizable) { Rectangle r = windowState.getBounds(); if (r.x < 0) { r.x = 0; } if (r.y < 0) { r.y = 0; } if (r.width < 1) { r.width = 640; } if (r.height < 1) { r.height = 480; } w.setBounds(r); } } if (w instanceof Frame) { ((Frame) w).setExtendedState(windowState.getFrameState()); } } } } --------------------------------- Bye
by josuatree - 2009-02-25 16:05I'm very interesting for this development. It's a good framework to start with my students. I wait for a long time to a new version (some bugs with 2 monitors). Thank's to continue this developpement. Is there a new version available and where. I use the 1.0.3. Bye.
by donohoe - 2009-01-09 16:00I hope this project continues. Having done a lot of swing and built my own framework for my DD Poker game, I know the value of this. I've started using it at a new job. I've posted some lessons learned here: http://wiki.donohoedigital.com/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=Swing%20Notes -Doug
by yveszoundi - 2008-09-01 02:25My suggestions : * For the SingleFrameApplication class, it probably isn't necessary to a WindowContext object. "As the application has a single frame" so the name SingleFrameApplication, all the developer needs is to access the frame object to configure it without bothering with other abstractions to access properties and methods. * For application with multiple frames which would be some kind of MultiFrameApplication class, a WindowContext would be nice but only for registration to retrieve the window later. staticWindowContext.getContext(windowID).putProperty(key, value); staticWindowContext.getContext(windowID).doSomethingICouldDoWithoutTheFrameWork(); A windowContext wouldn't be useful at least to me really as : I would want to change many kind of properties => Can I access all properties through wrappers? I would want to call different methods => addWindowListener, addComponentListener, repaint, etc? To sum up, in a SingleFrameApplication, the frame window should be accessible and in a multi-frame application it would be better to let the user create the frames and deal with them manually. Some helpers static methods could easily create the menubar and toolbar through properties file or XML descriptors, using reflection. But if you offer that, people will ask why there isn't a XUL or WPF style framework included in appframework. Yves Zoundi, VFSJFileChooser : http://vfsjfilechooser.sf.net XPontus XML Editor : http://xpontus.sf.net
by paulmfarrar - 2008-08-27 03:25Hi Alex, Glad to hear SAF is back up and running. I think it's a big and important project. Seems to me that many Swing developers have had to write their own frameworks to deal with exactly the sort of issues you're addressing in SAF, I know I have. I work with an application that has multiple frames and have had to devise my own structure for closing them. I have a hierarchical structure to the frames in my application. I think it's important to be able to register parent/child frame relationships so when a parent frame is closed, so are all it's children. This probably won't fit all applications so maybe it's an extension to the norm. Also, when persisting application state (windows, size) it's important to be able to associate other data with that state. In my application I reuse generic frames with different data models so I associate a the important data model information with the frame information when it's persisted. Finally on the persisting I think you should allow extensions so I can save my application context to a database, maybe using JPA. Good luck with SAF. Cheers, Paul.
by tbee - 2008-08-25 14:55You could also reverse the logic: instead of having a true false on instantiation, ask each window if it is ok the close the application when the framework intends to. This will also allow for a "save document" alike popup on each window.
by rgoodwin - 2008-08-25 00:50Hi Alex, registerWindow(...) sounds better. Not sure about WindowContext.isClosingApplication() though. Wouldn't want to be implementing boiler plate code unecessarily, e.g. for 30 or more window types. How many windows in a given application trigger a shutdown when they close? In our case there are at least 30 window types for various things including chooser dialogs etc, but only 1 is the main application window. We don't use S.A.F -- yet :) Have you also considered an 'opt in' approach, where only those few windows whose closure represents a shutdown hook need register this interest with the application? E.g. Application.registerShutdownHookContext(WindowContext wc); Not such a good method name, but you see what I mean :) Many thanks.
by rockhopper - 2008-08-21 09:11What's the name of the maven archetype for this? Or at least the artifactid and repo?
by dannyc - 2008-08-08 18:35Very excited to see this progressing. This and also with Beans Binding as well, there's going to be a lot to like in JDK 7 for Swing developers.
by bjenkins01 - 2008-08-07 10:08Thought I would pile on: great news that SAF hasn't been abandoned. Good luck in your endeavor.
by mrmorris - 2008-08-07 08:31Yeah nice to see the project is no longer derailed by JavaFX. Not sure I understand the need for isClosingApplication, the JSR-296 based applications I have working uses implements the ExitListener to the same vetoing effect: addExitListener( new ExitListener(){ public boolean canExit(EventObject arg0) { // Check if we have dirty data and prompt save dialog... } public void willExit(EventObject arg0) { // NOP } }); Also. What is the chance we'll get some sort of restart capability along the side of launch and end. This would be very handy to circumvent the singleton resource caching going on. For instance, it is not possible to change Locale in a JSR-296 app (Swing has no LocaleChangeEvent). I am thinking along the lines of starting in a new isolated ClassLoader instance: public void restart() { try { URLClassLoader parentClassLoader = (URLClassLoader)this.getClass().getClassLoader(); URLClassLoader classLoader = URLClassLoader.newInstance( parentClassLoader.getURLs(), parentClassLoader ); Class loadedClass = classLoader.loadClass( this.getClass().getName() ); Class[] argTypes = { String[].class}; Object[] args = { new String[]{""}}; Method method = loadedClass.getMethod("main", argTypes); method.invoke(null, args); } catch (Exception ex) { Logger.getLogger(this.getClass().getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex); } } Note: I have actually tried making this case with Hans before, to no effect though. Regards, Casper
by carcour - 2008-08-07 05:54Thank you Alexander. It's good to know that the project is still alive. The proposed API seems good to me. What about adding docking to the framework? This will make it a killer framework as no framework is complete without providing docking facilities.
by janschenkel - 2008-08-07 04:42Good to see the framework is being put back on the rails. As my first experience with OO programming was Think Pascal and the Think Class Library, I certainly appreciate a solid framework for creating applications - both document-based and single-frame style. Keep up the good work!
by luggypm - 2008-08-07 00:06Good work - it's great to know that usefull stuff like this isn't getting abandoned. @roboss - the Preferences registry problem isn't really an issue with this framework - it's an issue with the Preferences system itself. All somebody needs to do is write another implementation for use with windows ( file based perhaps ) ? I may tackle this job myself one day, as I'm getting a little tired of registry cruft myself. I may go completely oldschool and write a preferences implementation that uses .INI files. ;-)
by robross - 2008-08-06 18:42It was a nice example. Is the SAF using the Preferences API to save settings? I really do like the Preferences API, but I really do not like that it saves values to the registry on the Windows implementation. Unless you're planning on including some kind of uninstaller tool with the SAF that will clean up the registry when the application that saved values is no longer being used. Otherwise you'll just end up adding more cruft to the already crufty registry. I would really like a way to specify that the backing store should be an XML document stored in an appropriate, well-known location. (Even better, make this the default behavior in SAF, and let the user explicitly ask to save in the registry if that is what they really want. ) Often these locations are relative to the user's home directory. I know where to save these kinds of preferences on Windows (XP at least) and Mac OS X. I am also quite confident a standard location could be determined for other *nix-based platforms.
by fabriziogiudici - 2008-08-06 15:02Yep, good to know that the project is in good hands!
by kievgama - 2008-08-06 12:59Good to know this JSR is advancing! This feature for notifying (asking for permission as well) application closing is really interesting. It fits in cases where you have unsaved work in multiple windows, etc. Will this follow the same principle as in a PropertyVetoException ? You've mentioned a statusbar as an example in your post. Does this JSR concern widgets (like a JStatusBar) or it is only about application infrastructure? Good luck on the JSR
by phidias - 2008-08-06 11:30Hi Alex, I was wondering if you have any plans on implementing the createJMenuBar, createJToolBar methods to use the action names. Currently I do something like this in my version of createJMenuBar: String[] fileMenuActionKeys = { Keywords.NEW_SETTINGS, Keywords.OPEN_SETTINGS, Keywords.SAVE_SETTINGS, "---", Keywords.SAVE_IMAGE, "---", Keywords.PLOT, "---", Keywords.QUIT }; String[] viewMenuActionKeys = { Keywords.EDIT_SETTINGS, "---", "viewTabularData", "---", "edit-header-footer" }; String[] helpMenuActionKeys = { "about" }; menuBar.add(this.createMenu("File", fileMenuActionKeys)); menuBar.add(this.createMenu("View", viewMenuActionKeys)); menuBar.add(this.createMenu("Help", helpMenuActionKeys)); It would be nice to simply have properties that allow you to create menus, and toolbars like this: Application.menubar.File.name.en = File Application.menubar.File.Open = Open Application.menubar.File.Save = Save Application.toolbar. ... Open.Name.en = Open Open.ShortDescription.en = Open a File ... Regards, Mark
by davespamblock - 2008-09-19 11:31Hi Alex, Please add OSGi support to the framework - thank you!
by dingfelder - 2008-08-11 21:12Great to see you in charge of this development effort. I have been watching this JSR for a while, and have avoided getting involved up until now because it seems to be associated with netbeans (not sure if it is intentionally or not). It is my hope that at some point all references to a particular IDE could be removed... then I think it might get wider acceptance from folks like me who do not want to be tied to one IDE or the other. -- sorry for ranting, I will get back on track with my post now :) I am using a homegrown application class that does similar things with a few other features Like the Swing Application Framework, I have a toolbar, menu bar and status bar. I have also added 1. Integrated logging (log4j) 2. A properties file loading manager, 3. An integrated splash screen loader 4. I have also added a content area which contains a navigation tree on the left, and a panel area on the right where custom panels are drawn in a card panel, overlaid with a JXlayer. Selecting navigation links on the left tree then causes the corresponding panel on the right to be displayed. 5. I have added a thread manager that simplifies the processing of data threads which can change progress bars to indicate thread progress (completion % and status note updating etc) 6. My application class has a lot more stuff like serial communication classes and a database manager but that does not belong in a GUI framework. While mine is all working, I am eager to see if I can do better using the new Swing Application Framework as it becomes more stable. No sense re-inventing the wheel if this project can do it as well. Not sure if any of these ideas would be good for others but it is food for thought. In any case, congratulations Alex on this new role!


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Paribas Open - Day 6
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a return to Kirsten Flipkens of... News PhotoBNP Paribas Open,Belarus,Belgium,California,Day 6,Full Length,Horizontal,Indian Wells - California,Kirsten Flipkens,One Person,People,Returning,Sport,Taking a Shot - Sport,Tennis,USA,Victoria AzarenkaPhotographer Stephen DunnCollection: Getty Images Sport 2013 Getty ImagesINDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 11: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a return to Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium during day 6 of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 11, 2013 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images). (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)


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NFL notes: Nov. 21
Cowboys will put Felix Jones on IR
The mystery surrounding injured Dallas Cowboys rookie Felix Jones has been solved, and the running back will not play again this season.
Jones has a torn ligament beneath his left big toe, sustained two weeks ago while doing rehabilitation on the left hamstring he hurt Oct. 12. The hamstring is healed, but he will need surgery on the toe and up to six months to fully recover.
"Obviously disappointed, certainly for him and us," coach Wade Phillips said. "But long term, he's going to be all right."
Browns' Quinn has broken finger: Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn broke his right index finger in Monday night's win over Buffalo but will try to play Sunday against the Houston Texans.
The team initially thought Quinn only bruised his hand after banging it on the helmet of a Bills player, but X-rays taken after practice Wednesday revealed a fracture on the tip of his finger. A specialist at the Cleveland Clinic cleared Quinn to play.
Burress sidelined by hamstring injury: New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress missed practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury.
Coach Tom Coughlin was short in discussing Burress' injury, saying time would tell whether Burress plays Sunday against the Cardinals in Arizona.
Burress has 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns, but his receptions have declined steadily since catching 15 passes in the first two games. He has caught no more than three passes in the last five games.
Titans' Bulluck practices for first time since hurting rib: The Tennessee Titans appear to be healing up.
Linebacker Keith Bulluck practiced Thursday for the first time since hurting a rib on Nov. 2, and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch also practiced as he tries to return after missing three of the past four games.
Bulluck cracked some cartilage holding a rib near his chest in the Titans' 19-16 overtime win Nov. 2 over Green Bay. He sat out practices but still played in wins at Chicago and at Jacksonville.
Coach Jeff Fisher said they have not decided what to do with backup cornerback Eric King. He had surgery Tuesday on a broken left forearm that will keep him out the rest of the regular season.
NFLPA narrows search for next executive director: The search committee seeking a replacement for the late Gene Upshaw to run the NFL Players Association has narrowed the field to a little more than a dozen candidates, some with no previous ties to the union or the NFL, a person with knowledge of the search told The Associated Press.
The committee met this week with representatives of Reilly Partners, the search firm seeking candidates to replace Upshaw, who died in August. The union hopes to have a list of finalists set by early next year and select its new executive director at its annual meeting in Hawaii in March.
"The initial book had 25 candidates, and we pared it down to 13 or 14," union president Kevin Mawae of the Tennessee Titans said. "The next step is to do a little more research on the guys we have. We'll meet again with the 13 and then pare that down again."
Zorn thinks Holmgren will return to football: Add Jim Zorn to the list of people who think Mike Holmgren won't be able to stay away from football.
The Washington Redskins coach, who worked for Holmgren for seven years as Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach, said his old boss has contributed too much to the game to just walk away.
"He's one of those guys, much like Bill Walsh, when he is done, there's a history there of influence that actually gets taken out of this game," Zorn said Thursday. "He's had and still does have a tremendous amount of influence in this league. When he leaves, there is a major gap that has to be filled by somebody."
Holmgren has announced this will be his final season coaching the Seahawks, ending a 17-year run as an NFL head coach. He will take a self-described sabbatical from football in 2009 and has been coy about his future beyond that. He has also said he envies the comfortable, powerful job that friend and former coach Bill Parcells has as a top executive with the Miami Dolphins.
"I hope that he gets back in," Zorn said. "I don't know about coaching. He's pretty intelligent when it comes to fashioning a group, putting a group together, so it may be that."
Zorn paused, then added with a twinkle in his eye: "He may not be able to stay away from calling plays, you know what I mean? So I don't know what he'll do."
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Animals and humans share a deep connection that is strengthened in times of great emotional and physical distress.
Nowhere is this phenomenon more apparent than when one witnesses the touching interactions that occur between animals and aging adults. Animal therapy programs have gradually taken root in many elder care arenas, including, adult day care centers, nursing homes and hospice care facilities.
Here are 4 examples of such programs, each one highlighting the uniquely beautiful bond that the elderly share with the animal kingdom:
The Beacon Hospice pet therapy program (see video above) helps people who are terminally ill find comfort and connect with fond memories of the past by allowing them to interact with specially-trained therapy dogs.
For these dying seniors, the animals represent a source of safety and care that cannot be replicated by human nurses and caregivers. Shannon Fultz, a pet therapy volunteer at Beacon describes the uncanny, sixth-sense of her dog, Tori, "She'll pick a person out of the room and go over to them. It's as if she decides, 'That's the person who needs me today.'"
Learn more about how hospice and palliative care can help people die with dignity and peace: Hospice and Palliative Care: Help During the End Stages of Life
Continue reading to discover how dogs may be able to help keep people with dementia out of nursing homes…
5 Tips for Getting a Grumpy Elder to Smile
13 Theme Songs for Family Caregivers
3 People Turning Parkinson's into Inspiring Works of Art


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CRUSER Sponsored 2nd Annual Robots in the Roses
A crowd of several hundred spent a sunny afternoon in the NPS Rose Garden at the 2nd Annual Robots in the Roses Research Fair. Young and old alike were introduced to the latest in robotics research and unmanned systems concept generation as CRUSER community of interest members from across the DoD, industry, and academia showcased their work. Highlights of the event included a welcome address by Under Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Robert O. Work; and a USV Design Challenge involving robot rubber duckies racing across the newly renovated Roman Plunge reflecting pool - an activity designed to inspire future roboticists to embrace the study of science, technology, engineering and math with zeal!


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Integrating with Google Apps using Gmail contextual gadgets
Friday, March 12, 2010 | 1:03 PM
Labels: Gadgets, Gmail APIs
At this week's Campfire One event, we launched the new Google Apps Marketplace, making it easier for you to create applications that integrate deeply with Google Apps and sell them to the more than 2 million businesses and 25 million people who use Google Apps.
In addition to the many integration points currently available for Google Apps, like the Google Data APIs, we announced that we will soon open Gmail contextual gadgets as a new extension point for developers. These gadgets can smartly draw information from the web and let users perform relevant actions based on the content of an email message, all without leaving the Gmail inbox. For instance, contextual gadgets currently available in Gmail can detect links in emails to show previews of documents, videos, photos, and more, right inside the messages.
For businesses, Gmail contextual gadgets can boost employee productivity by complementing email in a context-specific and actionable way. Appirio, a cloud solution provider, provided a demonstration of the potential of Gmail contextual gadgets and other experimental features with their new product PS Connect:
Appirio PS Connect shows how Gmail contextual gadgets can draw data from different web applications into relevant email messages, enabling users to make faster and more informed business decisions as they go through their inbox.
Soon we'll be opening Gmail contextual gadgets as an extension for trusted testing by developers. If you have a good idea for this type of gadget today, please fill out this form. And for those of you who will be attending Google I/O in May, be sure to check out our session on building Gmail contextual gadgets.


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Love those polish colors!!! Do you have a picture with the polish on. So peeerrty!
Giveaway Thursday: Win a $250 Phosphor Reveal Watch and a Beauty Swag Bag
I'm so super excited about this giveaway! I've been wearing this watch in a lot of my videos lately, I love it :D
Phosphor has sent me one to give to one of you guys! But, because xSparkage is mainly beauty related, I had to include a little swagbag of beauty products :)
The Prize:
- Phosphor Reveal Watch with black leather wristband
- Sigma Beauty Purple Pocket Mirror
- Crown Brush Kabuki Brush
- Benefit Gift Bag with 4 mini products
- Skindinavia 2oz No More Shine Makeup Spray
- MAC Reflects Blackened Red Glitter
- Domestic Goddess Nail Polish by Sephora by OPI
- Ivanika Nail Polish by Zoya
- MAC Jealousy Wakes limited edition eyeshadow
Entering is simple, just head over to the Phosphor Website, click "Celebrity Fans" and let me know on the Youtube Video Comments who your favorite of those shown is. Please do not leave a comment on this page telling me who your favorite celebrity is, comments on this page will NOT be entered in the giveaway.
This giveaway will run for 2 weeks, and I will announce the winner on Giveaway Thursday on July 21st. Goodluck!!
24 Comments
Can I say that this giveaway is flippin' awesome? It's FLIPPIN' Awesome. =)
May I just say how sad it is that you can't send nail polish overseas?! D= jealousy wakes is superrrr cool tho =]
Amazing giveaway! I've been wanting a Phospher watch for so long!
is international????
It is international, but if your outside the US you wont get the nail polishes
I would really like to know what is the purple eyeshadow on you lids. it's soooooo pretty!
What a wonderful giveaway. It was really thoughtful of you to not just give away the watch but to add more products. Whoever wins will be very lucky!
I would DIE.
Best give away i've seen in awhile, thank you so much for doing this!
i loveeeee Joanna & Marta Krupa & this amazing give away…
If I don't win, I think I'll need to buy one of these watches, so cute!
i love your bow! its soooo fricken cute xD
I tried to add a message on you tube but I do not know why I could not do that, so I leave my application here
My favorite celebrities are Joanna Krupa and her sister. Joanna is great I followed her in the Polish edition of the top models. She has a good heart and I have to admit that she have coped well with this program even though it was her first time in this type of program. It would be great if I could wear the same watch as Joanna.
Thank you Leesha! I just entered the competiton, now i have my fingers crossed in hope that i will win!!!
Hey! I entered already and was just wondering if the polishes can be shipped to Canada. Thanks!
I just love me some make-up.
Love makeup!!
I really love the watch!
do i have to login in order to enter the contest?
whoever wins this giveaway is a lucky son of a gun!!!!!
Where do you publish the contest winner? Thaaanks
Hi…i entered this giveaway whichI have to say is a rally impressive and thoughtful one! I wanted to know whe the winners were being announced for this contest as well a the fortune cookie soap and 10 other prizes!
This is such an amazing give away!
I really love that watch. In fact, I can see myself wearing that watch on my wrist. ;-)


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Looking for a real slave servant
I am a sadistic, strict yet sensual Mistress. I do not march around shouting, I don't need to raise My voice to have you under My control. I have a calm, powerful & strong presence which will make you crave to please Me. I am 5ft 6in tall and have a curvaceous toned body. Do not be fooled by My beauty. I am extremely intuitive and intelligent and do not suffer fools! Prior to becoming a Dominatrix.
I strongly believe a Domme/sub relationship is about mutual trust, I will always respect your interests, and only operate along safe, sane and consensual lines, although trust Me I will read you and push your limits.
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One look into My hypnotic eyes and you will be under My spell, trust Me you will not want it to be broken.