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3 dozen indicted in Atlanta cheating scandal
ATLANTA Juwanna Guffie was sitting in her fifth-grade classroom taking a standardized test when, authorities say, the teacher came around offering information and asking the students to rewrite their answers. Juwanna rejected the help.
"I don't want your answers, I want to take my own test," Juwanna told her teacher, according to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.
On Friday, Juwanna - now 14 - watched as Fulton County prosecutors announced that a grand jury had indicted the Atlanta Public Schools' ex-superintendent and nearly three dozen other former administrators, teachers, principals and other educators of charges arising from a standardized test cheating scandal that rocked the system.
Former Superintendent Beverly Hall faces charges including conspiracy, making false statements and theft because prosecutors said some of the bonuses she received were tied to falsified scores. Hall retired just days before the findings of a state probe were released in mid-2011. A nationally known educator who was named Superintendent of the Year in 2009, Hall has long denied knowing about the cheating or ordering it.
During a news conference Friday, Howard highlighted the case of Juwanna and another student, saying they demonstrated "the plight of many children" in the Atlanta school system.
Their stories were among many that investigators heard in hundreds of interviews with school administrators, staff, parents and students during a 21-month-long investigation.
According to Howard, Juwanna said that when she declined her teacher's offer, the teacher responded that she was just trying to help her students. Her class ended up getting some of the highest scores in the school and won a trophy for their work. Juwanna felt guilty but didn't tell anyone about her class' cheating because she was afraid of retaliation and feared her teacher would lose her job.
She eventually told her sister and later told the district attorney's investigators. Still confident in her ability to take a test on her own, Juwanna got the highest reading score on a standardized test this year.
The other student cited by Howard was a third-grader who failed a benchmark exam and received the worst score in her reading class in 2006. The girl was held back, yet when she took a separate assessment test not long afterward, she passed with flying colors.
Howard said the girl's mother, Justina Collins, knew something was wrong, but was told by school officials that the child simply was a good test-taker. The girl is now in ninth grade, reading at a fifth-grade level.
"I have a 15-year-old now who is behind in achieving her goal of becoming what she wants to be when she graduates. It's been hard trying to help her catch up," Collins said at the news conference.
The allegations date back to 2005. In addition to Hall, 34 other former school system employees were indicted. Four were high-level administrators, six were principals, two were assistant principals, six were testing coordinators and 14 were teachers. A school improvement specialist and a school secretary were also indicted.
Howard didn't directly answer a question about whether prosecutors believe Hall led the conspiracy.
"What we're saying is, is that without her, this conspiracy could not have taken place, particularly in the degree that it took place. Because as we know, this took place in 58 of the Atlanta Public Schools. And it would not have taken place if her actions had not made that possible," the prosecutor said.
Richard Deane, an attorney for Hall, told The New York Times that Hall continues to deny the charges and expects to be vindicated. Deane said the defense was making arrangements for bond.
"We note that as far as has been disclosed, despite the thousands of interviews that were reportedly done by the governor's investigators and others, not a single person reported that Dr. Hall participated in or directed them to cheat on the C.R.C.T.," he said later in a statement provided to the Times.


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Sky Atlas-project sketches 2009
Posted 30 August 2009 - 12:20 PM
I started a new observing project in full force this month - trying to observe all of the (roughly 2700) deep sky objects listed in Sky Atlas 2000.0 Deluxe edition with my 4.7" refractor (or 4.1" reflector). So obviously this is a long term project but I have time. Here are some preliminary observations from March and April 2009.
Telescope: 4.7" Sky-Watcher
Obs. place: Hindsby, Sipoo, Finland
Date: 26./27.3.2009
Bortle class: 4 (Rural / suburban transition)
NE Lim.mag: ~6.5 (UMi - SAO 8211)
Background sky: 3
Seeing: 2
Transparency: 2-3
Sky conditions: Light domes evident in SW-NW
Aurora activity: None (~10 nT/sec)
Weather: -7.7°C, humidity ~58%, no wind
I've sketched the double cluster at least a dozen times with at least 5 different telescopes but the results have always been poor at best. I've sketched it on twilight and with the full moon (removing fainter background stars). I've tried my best with high magnification, low magnification, medium magnification and whatever comes in between but none of these just seems to do the trick.
The pair was setting behind the tree line and sitting in some light pollution so here was my final chance to get it right. I started with NGC 884. Here is my description "More scattered than NGC 869 with about 80* within 20'. Three stars have obvious red color rest blue/white. Two clumps of stars slightly W from the center. A lot of empty space in the E side of the cluster".
NGC 884 with 4.7" Sky-Watcher @ 61x
Next was NGC 869 that I didn't find quite as impressive: "Not as rich or as colorful as 884 but more concentrated toward the middle. Needs more magnification than 884. . ."
NGC 869 with 4.7" Sky-Watcher @ 76x
The combination of the two sketches:
I moved north to Stock 2 in Cassiopeia. I've always liked the "8 Persei Cascade" that leads from the Double Cluster to Stock 2. It contains roughly 10 stars of magnitudes 5.8 - 9.6 and is actually visible with the naked eye as a "stick" pointing to NW. A little like the "Golf Club" asterism next to NGC 752. I sketched the cluster with 25mm Sirius Plössl eye piece which obviously wasn't the best of choices. I should have tried the 40mm Plössl instead providing the tasty field of view of 2° 32'. The description was as follows: "Rich and very large open cluster. Low in the sky. Impressive with small apertures and small magnifications. The "Muscleman" shape was obvious but not so in the sketch".
Stock 2 with 4.7" Sky-Watcher @ 30x
Last in line was NGC 7789. Under darker skies (or a larger telescope) the several dark lanes run across the face of the cluster making the view truly breathtaking and find it safe to say it is Cassiopeia's finest. My description of the object says: "Rich cluster with a strong background glow. Roughly 40* resolved within 15' area. Only a few field stars sketched to save time".
NGC 7789 with 4.7" Sky-Watcher @ 61x
Posted 30 August 2009 - 12:23 PM
Obs. place: Tottijärvi, Nokia, Finland
Date: 10./11.4.2009
Bortle class: Class 3
NE Lim.mag: - (not measured but close to 7)
Background sky: 2
Seeing: 1-2
Transparency: 2
Weather: +0°C, no wind, 98.1% moon rising from the east.
I started with something simple and easy that I could locate without maps - Messier 37 in good old Auriga. I am not at all pleased with any of the previous sketches I have of it so here was my chance. The sky was still quite bright and twilight was obvious but I didn't have much time to waste. The shape came out pretty peculiar but I was still pleased enough to scan and upload it. The best view came with 107x. I counted roughly 90* of different colors (mostly light blue and few reds and oranges) within a 10' radius."
Messier 37 with 4.5" Tal-1 @ 107x
After sketching M37 I moved the telescope gently down to Cancer and M67. The cluster is one of my favorites. Maybe it has something to do with the first time I viewed the cluster and clearly saw an octopus or maybe not but there just is something about this ancient cluster I just find hypnotizing. It is quite not as rich looking as M37 with small apertures but still is quite the eye catcher. To keep the cluster as compact as possible I decided to go with the 64x for the field of view."
Messier 67 with 4.5" Tal-1 @ 64x
Viewing NGC 3172 has nothing to do with the Sky Atlas-project but I've always wondered if it could be spotted in an instrument smaller than 6". In the 1996 book "Syvä Taivas" ("Deep Sky" in English) the author and legendary deep sky observer Risto Heikkilä states that "The galaxy can be seen even with small instruments. Stephen Knight from Maine, US has reported seeing the galaxy even in a 6" telescope". So could I do it? The moon was rising from the east and it was going to be big and ugly. Wolfgang Steinicke's NGC-data has the galaxy listed at 14.4 (v) magnitude with a surface brightness of 13.9. This does seem a tad bit too faint. Uranometria field guide has it at 13.8 (v) magnitude and surface brightness at 13.5. This seems to be closer to the truth.
I popped quickly back in the house to get my laptop and a printed map of Uranometria's page 1 (which proved totally useless). I thought that even if the galaxy itself was invisible I could do some limiting magnitude tests with the telescope. Luckily that wasn't necessary. Using the telescope @ 162x I was able to spot a faint but still an obvious round, even brightness glow in the correct position - SE from the star GSC 4644-0086. I sketched all the stars in the field and the faintest one visible was roughly 14.8 (v) magnitude.
I have to say I was quite pleased. All this was done with a low quality 3x barlow lens and even worse quality 15mm Kellner eye piece. I'm sure I could have gone a lot deeper with my own Baader Hyperion oculars.
NGC 3172 with 4.5" Tal-1 @ 162x
I had time for one more object before the girlfriend would be out and demanding to see something more... "rewarding" with her telescope. I wanted to try for a planetary I haven't seen in a few years - IC 3568. I maxed out the magnification and long story short, here is the result: "Bright disk with a fairly bright central star".
IC 3568 with 4.5" Tal-1 @ 382x
Posted 30 August 2009 - 01:44 PM
Posted 30 August 2009 - 03:02 PM
Are you going to sketch all the 2.700 DSO?
Posted 30 August 2009 - 03:47 PM
Are you going to sketch all the 2.700 DSO?
Yes! Observe and sketch. Left that out of the intro apparently...
Posted 30 August 2009 - 04:52 PM
Posted 30 August 2009 - 05:39 PM
Awesome sketches, accurate open cluster too. The trouble with sketching oc's - especially the rich ones - is that they can drive one up the wall if you try to plot every single star in them.
Posted 30 August 2009 - 06:49 PM
You are off to a great start. These sketches are very good
sketches of your first targets. Best wishes to you on reaching your goal.
Posted 30 August 2009 - 09:40 PM
Posted 31 August 2009 - 05:38 AM
You're off to a good start on your project--the combined Double Cluster is especially striking.
I've noticed that you present your sketches in the positive (i.e., not inverted). That always seems to give sketches better contrast to my eye.
There is a school of thought that holds that the best projects are ones that take years to complete. Good luck!
Posted 31 August 2009 - 09:24 AM
Posted 31 August 2009 - 09:30 AM
Posted 31 August 2009 - 10:40 AM
Wow, I wonder how long that's going to take you Jake?
Two decades probably! The biggest problem with the 4.7" is that really seeings things with it requires very dark skies.
And with the typical 30-50 clear nights a year... it is gonna take a long time! Few trips to Australia or somewhere else will surely ease up the load
Posted 31 August 2009 - 12:13 PM
Wow, I wonder how long that's going to take you Jake?
Two decades probably! The biggest problem with the 4.7" is that really seeings things with it requires very dark skies.
And with the typical 30-50 clear nights a year... it is gonna take a long time! Few trips to Australia or somewhere else will surely ease up the load
Perfect excuse...I mean reason...for long observing trips!
I see from Iiro Sarainen's website that he has an expedition to Western Australia lined up. You going to be on that trip too Jake?
Posted 01 September 2009 - 12:05 PM
I see from Iiro Sarainen's website that he has an expedition to Western Australia lined up. You going to be on that trip too Jake?
Astronomy is a really good excuse to travel around the world Unfortunately I will make my journey to Geraldton Western Australia without Jaakko, but thankfully I have two other deepsky-fellows with me. It's gonna be interesting six weeks.
Posted 01 September 2009 - 12:30 PM
Posted 01 September 2009 - 02:03 PM
An outstanding set of deep sky observations and an ambitious project. You have captured all of these objects very nicely in your two instruments. The view of such objects through moderate aperture instruments as you own is very pleasing.
I took the liberty in inverting your excellent Double Cluster (NGC 869/884) observation and placing it into an "eyepiece" type view. I inverted your image in Photoshop and applied a gentle Gaussian Blur (0.5 pixel). I think it came out nice. I hope that you like it.
I look forward to more observations in the future.
Attached Files
Posted 01 September 2009 - 04:41 PM
A pompous project compared to my own H400-project!
I see from Iiro Sarainen's website that he has an expedition to Western Australia lined up. You going to be on that trip too Jake?
Astronomy is a really good excuse to travel around the world Unfortunately I will make my journey to Geraldton Western Australia without Jaakko, but thankfully I have two other deepsky-fellows with me. It's gonna be interesting six weeks.
That trip to Australia is certainly going to be an unforgettable experience!
The observing project of Jaakko is without a doubt very ambitious, and it is interesting to see more skethces in future!
Also I'm planning a deep sky trip to southern latitudes in near future. The exact date and place of the trip aren't yet clear. But I will post some reports as soon as the trip is done!
Posted 02 September 2009 - 09:05 AM
I see from Iiro Sarainen's website that he has an expedition to Western Australia lined up. You going to be on that trip too Jake?
This time the master is going without me. I just started my studies at a new school and cannot take the 6 weeks off - unfortunately. Maybe when I graduate... in 20... something I'll take that trip I've been wanting to take for over a decade
Posted 02 September 2009 - 09:07 AM
I think it came out nice. I hope that you like it.
Looking sharp Carlos ! Thanks for that. I'll save it to my hard drive.
Posted 02 September 2009 - 10:08 PM
What are you studying?
Posted 03 September 2009 - 10:36 AM
What are you studying?
Health care. So don't drink and observe.
Posted 03 September 2009 - 12:09 PM
Posted 08 September 2009 - 06:51 AM
-- Jeff.

subset: commoncrawl


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A look back on some of Hollywood's most memorable moments.
1957: Elvis Presley made his last appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show." He was on screen for more than 20 minutes, singing "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel," among other songs.
1964: The Rolling Stones began their first British tour as a headliner. The Ronettes were the opening act.
1993: Jazz great Dizzy Gillespie died of pancreatic cancer in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 75. The entertainment world also lost dancer Rudolph Nureyez, who was 54.
1993: Bassist Bill Wyman confirmed he was quitting the Rolling Stones.
2005: Singer Lou Rawls died in Los Angeles after fighting lung and brain cancer. He was 72.
2005: Singer Pink married motorcross racer Carey Hart in Costa Rica.
Today's Birthdays: Accordionist Joey, the CowPolka King, of Riders in the Sky is 65. Singer Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds is 63. Country singer Jett Williams is 61. Guitarist Malcolm Young of AC/DC is 61. Actor-comedian Rowan Atkinson ("Mr. Bean") is 59. Singer Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge is 55. " Chef Nigella Lawson is 54. Singer Eric Williams of BLACKstreet is 54. Director John Singleton is 46. Actor Norman Reedus ("The Walking Dead") is 45. "The Talk" co-host Julie Chen is 44. Actor Danny Pintauro ("Who's The Boss") is 38. Comedian Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live") is 30.


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*** September 2011 Challenge - The Street of Your Dreams ***
This month we urge you to dream. If you could choose amongst everything and anything - what would be the perfect street for you to live on? There are only the limits of your imagination and you can map the street anyhow you like of course. Also where the street is is also your choice as long as you'd want to live there So you can use a real world street or make up your own as you like - go mapping, and remember to look twice before crossing (unless of course one don't have to on your street )
Don't forget to follow the Mapping Challenge rules.
This challenge will end on the 25th of September. The winner will get a shiny golden compass added to their profile.


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Where there's a bee there's a blossom, and vice versa. Photographer Mayur Kotlikar celebrates both in these close-ups of bees and the colorful flowers they connect with in this free theme for Windows.
A theme is a combination of desktop background pictures, window colours and sounds. All the images will be downloaded when you click Download theme.
This theme can only be used in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows RT 8.1, Windows RT, and in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate editions.


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Francesco De Angelis
The purist
Neapolitan Francesco de Angelis is a figurehead of italian sailing and a true gentleman, with a word of praise for his former opponents - the new zealand team sponsored by Nespresso - and the time to share his passion for boats, competition and the sea.
Francesco de Angelis has competed in the America's Cup three times. The first of these, in 1999-2000, was a competition as dazzling as the silvery hull of Luna Rossa, the monohull he helmed.
At the time, thousands of fans burned the midnight oil, glued to their televisions to watch the Neapolitan sailor's victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup at the end of a hard-fought battle in the waters of Auckland, New Zealand. "It was a real street fight," he recalls. To this day, Francesco de Angelis is the only Italian sailor to have competed in an America's Cup final. He does not brag about it, nor is he any prouder of that particular feat than of the first trophies won in his youth sailing the Mediterranean. His fighting spirit on the water and discreet charm and manners on land have made him the epitome of the modern yachtsman. He has natural class. Anyone who has worked alongside him describes him as a gentleman. I "don't really know what that means," comes his modest reply. "I imagine that everyone wants to improve in life. If gentleman means being well-mannered, fair, honest, then yes, that's what I aim for."
At the age of 52, de Angelis is still a member of his childhood yacht club (CRV Italia in Naples). He still takes to the water, but is no longer competing for the Cup. A new Italian squad is training in Auckland for the 34th Cup without him, alongside Emirates Team New Zealand, their former opponents and now training partners. As a true Italian supporter, Francesco de Angelis will be following the team's progress. But he still has a place in his heart for his former arch-adversaries. Firstly because the Kiwis are "the most prepared." But also because he developed strong bonds with them over the course of the six years he spent in the land of the long white cloud. Between 1997 and 2003, his two sons went to school in Auckland and learned to play rugby, a sport they still play in Milan. In 2000 he was made an Officer of the Order of Merit by the New Zealand Government. And the de Angelis family developed a real taste for the New Zealand lifestyle – a sort of antipodean dolce vita – while living there. "New Zealanders spend much of their time outside, in magnificent surroundings. They put a lot of their energy and effort into work, but they also value family and friends. They have a good balance." So as not to waste a single drop, they love a strong Espresso, preferably a Ristretto. "But not just for the pleasure of drinking top-quality coffee. What matters most to them is enjoying a coffee with good friends." As sailing ambassador for Nespresso, Francesco de Angelis shares his passion, at least when he has time out from his busy sporting schedule. What he loves most about the sport is the purity of its fundamental elements: interacting with water and air, predicting the weather, developing technological tools, exercising discipline, thinking, making strategic decisions and, above all, connecting with nature. Later in life, he would love to return to very basic sailing, with no complicated equipment, competing on small, simple boats with his friends and children. Back to basics.
Francesco De Angelis
Born 11 September 1960 in Naples, has two children, lives in Milan.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS:6-time World Champion. Winner of the Admiral's Cup in 1995.
2000:Wins the Louis Vuitton Cup. Finalist in the America's Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand. Made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
2003:Semi-finalist in the Louis Vuitton Cup.
2007:Finalist in the Louis Vuitton Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand.
Nespresso and the America's Cup
Nespresso has been an America's Cup sponsor for nearly ten years. For the 34th edition, which will take place this summer in San Francisco, Nespresso is the Official Coffee. As part of this prestigious competition, Nespresso is also very proud to sponsor Emirates Team New Zealand.
For more information visit www.nespresso.com/americascup
Text Camille El Beze Photography Francesco Ferri/Seaway/Nespresso and Chris Cameron/ETNZ
See more


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May 25, 2016
Associated Press Release
SPRING HILL, Fla. (AP) -- Sheriff's officials say a north Florida woman faces child abuse charges when a 9-year-old child in her care got sick after eating a piece of crack cocaine.
Hernando County Fire Rescue officials responded to Kimberly Losurdo's home Thursday after the child began having convulsions.
The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/VGsh8X ) reports the child was taken to a hospital where blood tests revealed crack cocaine in the bloodstream.
A report says the child ate an "irregular shaped, rock-like" substance on Christmas Day. The child's condition started deteriorating shortly after.
The Tribune reports Losurdo told deputies the child had been at the residence for five to seven days. She said the child probably found the crack and thought it was candy.
The Department of Children and Families took custody of the child.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Darmae stood and wiped the sweat that had formed on his brow. It seemed to get hotter each year. He was sure it was the anger of the old gods. He knew deep in his heart that they were unhappy with the stewardship of the Old Queen and her murderous consort. Elloria had once been a beautiful land. In the ancient tongue Elloria meant "Golden Beauty". Darmae looked around him, there was little of that beauty left. The Old Queen and her family had deforested and stripped the land of it's beauty in their constant quest for more of everything the land could give. Darmae felt the old anger surface again. Because he was born with the wrong name in the wrong town and of the wrong parents he was doomed to a hard life and a slow painful death from either overwork or disease. He snorted and once again bent to his task of trying to make the nearly dead soil give up one more harvest. He looked at the burning sun and mumbled "Golden Beauty no longer...."
Today I added the rivers and a shallow water effect. The above blurb describes the bleak condition of the lands of this area. Labeling will be next. As always feedback is requested and appreciated.


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Getting more people to visit - and spend money in - Rifle will be the responsibility of the Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce again this year.
City Council voted 5-0, with Councilmembers Randy Winkler and Jennifer Sanborn absent on Jan. 2, to accept a $57,300 advertising proposal from the chamber over another proposal from Colorado Mountain News Media, the owners of The Citizen Telegram.
City Manager John Hier noted this was the first time the city had sought proposals for the use of the city lodging tax funds. A 2.5 percent lodging tax was passed by voters in 2007 and went into effect in January 2008 to help promote the city to visitors. The chamber had been given those promotional responsibilities in recent years.
"It turned out to be a long and complicated process," Hier said.
The Visitor Improvement Fund advisory board solicited proposals in October, he noted. The board reviewed the proposals and interviewed both groups, and then requested changes in each group's proposal. After reviewing the resubmittals, the board recommended the city accept the proposal from the chamber, Hier said.
"They decided the chamber proposal was more representative of what they wanted," he added.
The board asked the chamber to add two items to their marketing plan, Hier said: A "come, play and stay in Rifle" promotional package and promotion of the Rifle Creek Golf Course.
City Attorney Jim Neu said Rifle's relatively low budget to advertise and promote the city limited the response.
"We tried to get the most bang for the buck, but I think we also need to consider the level of expertise needed to do a real campaign," Neu added. "Right now, we don't have the funds for that."
Councilman Keith Lambert noted the city cut the promotional budget from $75,000 last year.
"It really isn't a very big advertising budget," Hier agreed.
In related action, City Council approved an ordinance amending the municipal code to allow Rifle business owners and their representatives who do not live in the city limits to be members of the Visitor Improvements Fund Advisory Board.
Previously, all but one of the seven-member board had to be city residents and business owners or representatives, which left several positions vacant, Hier said.
The board had four vacant positions, three for a regular member and one alternate member. After advertising the vacancies, the city received two applicants: Sara Brainard and Sean Strode. City Council approved their appointments, leaving two more vacancies to fill.


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Project Nim
|Release Date: July 08, 2011
|Running Time: 93 mins.
|MPAA Rating: PG 13
|Box Office: $410,077.00
|Genre: Documentary, Foreign
Herbert Terrace
Stephanie La-Farge
Jenny Lee
Laura-Ann Petitto
All Cast & Crew >>
Summary:The story of Nim, the chimpanzee who in the 1970s became the focus of a landmark experiment which aimed to show that an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised and nurtured like a human child. Following Nim's extraordinary journey through human society, and the enduring impact he makes on the people he meets along the way, the film is an unflinching and unsentimental biography of an animal we tried to make human. What we learn about his true nature - and indeed our own - is comic, revealing and profoundly unsettling.


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Saturday's Royals game to be televised live on American Forces Network
FOX Sports Kansas City and the Kansas City Royals will give local troops serving overseas a taste of home on Saturday, Aug. 8.
In conjunction with the annual Salute To Uniformed Heroes at Kauffman Stadium, FOX Sports Kansas City will present This One's For You, a special telecast of Royals baseball recognizing American troops.
On Television
U.S. troops throughout the world will be able to watch the Royals-Oakland A's game live on the American Forces Network. At the same time, FOX Sports Kansas City plans to show a live satellite link of the Missouri National Guard Agri-Business Development Team (ADT), currently deployed in Jalalabad in the Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan. The 58-person ADT includes many members from western Missouri. They'll watch the game live at 3 a.m. in Jalalabad.
Interviews with the deployed troops, greetings from the troops' families, and other graphics and elements will enhance the telecast. The telecast will also include taped greetings from Royals players and local dignitaries.
At Kauffman Stadium
At Kauffman Stadium, the Royals will recognize American troops during a pregame on-field ceremony and throughout the game on the Crown Vision scoreboard.
Approximately 150 family members and friends of troops in the Missouri National Guard ADT will watch the game from the stands at Kauffman Stadium. And fans at the ballpark are encouraged to participate by bringing banners and signs which may be shown on television.


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|Carmel, Ind.
|High School:
|Bishop Chatard
Career | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013
* Horizon League Academic Honor Roll
* Atlantic 10 Academic Honor Roll
* Butler Athletic Director's Honor Roll
2013 - Senior Season: Saw action in the outfield in 34 games, starting 11 times...batted .220 with eight runs and five RBIs...recorded .407 on-base percentage...went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a walk at Georgia State (Feb. 17)...walked and scored at Purdue (April 2)...had two hits and a walk vs. Wabash (April 23)...walked and scored at Bellarmine (April 30)...singled and scored vs. Xavier (May 18).
2012 - Junior Season: Played in 43 games, becoming a part-time starter at third base and outfield...made 28 starting assignments and totaled seven multi-hit games...batted .252 with 17 RBIs and 15 runs...went 3-for-4 in Butler's win at Fresno State (Feb. 18)...had two hits, two RBIs and a walk vs. Bellarmine (March 27)...went 2-for-4 with a double and stolen base at Youngstown State (March 30)...had 2-for-4 day with three RBIs in series finale at YSU (April 1)...hit a solo home run off the bench vs. Xavier (April 18)...hit a two-run double and scored a run at Indianapolis (April 25)...had 2-for-4 outing at Wright State (April 27)....drove in two runs and walked at Notre Dame (May 1)...went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk vs. Youngstown State (May 6).
2011 - Sophomore Season: Became part-time starter at second base, appearing in 25 games with 15 starts...batted .327 in 52 at-bats and scored nine runs...posted an on-base percentage of .426...had two hits and a walk at USC-Upstate (Feb. 27)...smacked an RBI single, walked and stole a base vs. Taylor (March 8)...hit a double vs. Minn.-Duluth (March 13)...went 2-for-3 with a walk against Akron (March 14)...walked twice and drove in a run vs. Long Island (March 17)...singled, walked and scored a run vs. Wabash (March 30)...went 2-for-4 vs. Lawrence (April 16)...scored two runs, walked and stole a base vs. Lawrence (April 17)...went 2-for-4 vs. UIC (April 23)...
2010 - Freshman Season: Appeared in 16 games, making three starts...used primarily as a pinch hitter and third baseman...hit .296 with eight RBIs, five runs and two doubles...picked up first collegiate hit at USC-Upstate (Feb. 28)...cracked a pinch-hit double vs. Youngstown State (March 27)...went 2-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs vs. IPFW (March 31)...went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs vs. UIndy (May 4).
High School: Four-year varsity at Bishop Chatard...named second team all-city during junior season...named all-city honorable mention twice...hit .326 with 17 RBI and 12 extra-base hits as a junior in 2008...helped Chatard to 25-4 record and No. 2 ranking in Class 3A as a junior...batted .310 and team won sectional title during 2007 sophomore season...also played wide receiver and defensive back in football, leading team to state championships in 2006 and 2007... earned IFCA All-State honors in football.
Personal: Born Oct. 24, 1990...son of Tim and Ginny Akin...accounting major.


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I'm looking at the MRS for Wyoming elk, and am a little confused.. Most of the units start around the first of October, for example, unit 7 starts 10.15. I was under the impression that most of the units open in early September for archery only.. Am I missing something? Is the opening date listed for the units for all methods, and the entire state opens archery early, or do only a few units allow early Spetember archery hunting (type 9).
Thanks in advance for the clarification.


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From the kitchen of Deb Cronmiller,
Executive Director of the Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley
1 package pita rounds, try whole wheat!
Olive oil cooking spray
1½ tsps. coarsely ground kosher salt
Sesame seeds, garlic salt, your favorite herbs are all optional.
Cut each pita into 8 wedges and separate the two layers. 16 pieces each.
Arrange in a single layer on ungreased baking sheets.
Spritz with olive oil cooking spray, and sprinkle evenly with salt and seasonings.
Bake at 375° for 7 to 12 minutes or until golden and crisp.
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Artists: Tom Gilliland (Design) Martin Canale and the Gore Group (Sculpt) Scott Klauder (Development) Don Ruthaford (Paint) Anthony Mestas (Paint) Greg Mowry (Costume Fabrication) Kevin Ellis (Costume Fabrication) The Sideshow Collectibles Design and Development Team
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I had reservations after I ordered this figure but have none now. I was blown away by the care/creativity/detail that went into this figure from the 2 decorative boxes it came in, the presentation of the instructions and finally the great sculpt with amazing details and alternate poses. Outstanding
— Tom Stone


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Banque Pasche has taken great care with the presentation and update of the information available on this website. Nevertheless, Banque Pasche does not explicitly or implicitly guarantee that this information is accurate, reliable, current, and exhaustive or that it meets individual needs. Banque Pasche expressly declines any liability towards anyone for any reason whatsoever concerning the consequences of any act or omission resulting from the use of this information.


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Before we move forward I just have to take a few minutes to say THANKS to all of you who joined in the effort to raise $$$ for the Community Transitional School this year. To those of you who bought tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra shows and participated in our silent auction...We couldn't have done it without you. And thanks to the generosity of TSO, we were able to hand over nearly $14,000 to the school that helps homeless kids in our area. Good job everyone!
Birthdays to celebrate this week:
Tues 11/26 - JOHN McVIE & TINA TURNER
Wed 11/27 - JIMI HENDRIX
Fri 11/29 - RONNIE MONTROSE & JOHN MAYALL
Sat 11/30 - BILLY IDOL & ROGER GLOVER
Sun 12/1 - JOHN DENSMORE
Stuff you can win this week on KGON: (Monday thru Wednesday ONLY this week)
Morning Music Marathon w/ JEFF MITCHELL - 7:15am - Pr of tix to BABY's Reunion World Tour @ Tonic Lounge Dec13th
My 3 Songs w/ MARK (in for IRIS) - noon hour - Pr of tix to BLACK CROWES Dec 6th @ the Schnitz plus a pr of tix to IRIS' PreConcert Birthday party that day @ the Lotus Card Room, plus BEATLES On-Air Live @ BBC Vol2 on CD
Classic Rock Trivia w/ SHANNON 3:45pm - Pr of tix to JOURNEY, STEVE MILLER & TOWER OF POWER next summer @ Sleep Country Amphitheater plus 2 Fresh Baked Bun Thickburgers from Carls Jr.
Hope your thanksgiving is all you want it to be!


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Free Shipping on orders above$100.*
Fit 4 U knows how important it is to feel comfortable and confident in your swimwear, which is why they design the best fit and figure-flattering swimwear solutions. Designer Pattie Byrnes is well-known in the industry and has established herself as a "fit expert," innovative designer and the inventor of swimwear designed by body type for women of every age, size and shape. Pattie's swimwear has always been designed to relieve the frustration that most women experience when trying to find a one-piece to control tummies, hips, thighs or fit large bust sizes.


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food&family Magazine
16 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each
Read MoreRead Less
Tap or click steps to mark as complete
Enjoy the fruit and cheese flavors of this spread, but watch your portion size.
For a spicier spread, add 2 Tbsp. mango chutney to the cream cheese mixture before spreading into pie plate.
* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
This was excellent. My friends scarfed it right down. I prepared the cheese mixture the night before (added a little Dijon mustard) and refrigerated it. Party day I let it come to room temp, sprinkled with almonds and baked. Perfecto.
Rave reviews from my family! Read other reviews and also added a few personal touches--I did add craisins and used peach/mango preserves instead of apricots-also added dijon mustard! Since Thanksgiving turkey used oven space, I baked it the night before (minus almonds;)and refrigerated; reheated in microwave and added toasted almonds last. Can't wait to make it again!!
I love this hot and cold :-) my mom had a Mexican style mix of cheeses, which tasted great in the mix. I also used my food chopper to cut the the apricots, that worked wonderfully. I would make this for any party.
K:45059v0 :69021


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Add a unique touch to your home with trim products from CertainTeed. Explore your options with our interactive Trim-It visualizer tool.
The 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) classifies vapor retarders into three categories I (0.1 perm or less), II (0.1 to 1.0 perm) and III (1.0 to 10 perm). Vapor retarders are classified using the ASTM E 96 desiccant method or Procedure A. Class I and II vapor retarders are required in climate zones 4C, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Exceptions are provided for basement walls, below-grade wall sections and construction where moisture or freezing conditions will not damage the building materials. Guidance is provided for the allowance of Class III vapor retarders when design conditions exist that promote drying through the use of ventilated claddings or reduce closed cavity condensation potential through the use of exterior insulating sheathings.
The chart below presents water vapor permeance results for several common interior building materials over a wide range of mean relative humidity. If building materials are placed into four categories with respect to water vapor permeance; vapor barrier (0.1 perm or less), vapor retarder (1 perm or less), semi-permeable (1 to 10 perms) and permeable (greater than 10 perms), then products can be described as fitting into one or several categories. Historically, building codes required that vapor retarders have a value of 1 perm or less.
The United States can be categorized into several hygrothermal regions, which account for exterior air temperature, relative humidity and precipitation. Generally speaking, building envelope design in cold and extreme cold climate zones focus on heating systems, while building envelope design in hot-dry and hot-humid climates focus on air conditioning systems. These climate zones also dictate how construction must focus on moisture loads as well as keeping moisture out of buildings. Areas labeled "mixed" experience both hot and cold climates and often can be heating- or cooling-dominated.
The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the 2007 ASHRAE Standard 90.1 "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings" climate zone maps divide the continental United States into seven climate zones for energy efficiency and moisture control. Regions of Alaska are considered climate zone 8.
Mold requires four things to grow – moderate temperatures, a food source, oxygen and moisture. ASHRAE Standard 160-2009, "Criteria for Moisture-Control Design Analysis in Buildings" provides guidance on how to recognize favorable surface conditions for mold growth and corrosion. The standard recommends that the 30 day running average building material surface relative humidity be maintained below 80 percent when the 30 day running average surface temperature is between 5ºC (41ºF) and 40 ºC (104ºF) to minimize problems associated with mold growth.
Liquid water and water vapor can move into buildings from various sources through four moisture drive mechanisms – gravity flow and capillary suction of liquid water, and diffusion and airborne transport of water vapor. Roofing surfaces and underlayments, wall claddings and water resistive barriers, as well as foundations with water separation planes and drainage systems all protect a building from the outdoor environment. Internal moisture sources include kitchens, bathrooms and mechanical rooms, as well as moisture generated by the occupant's daily activities to live and maintain the building.
Traditional attic ventilation techniques have been shown to be beneficial in managing moisture at the underside of roof decks. An adequately balanced ventilation system that moves air from the soffit to the ridge effectively transports water vapor out of the roof – attic assembly. As the size of homes have increased over the years, traditional attic ventilation has become more and more difficult to achieve due to architectural details that include open attics, vaulted ceilings and cathedral ceilings.
Joint research conducted between Pennsylvania State University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Waterloo examined the benefits of ventilation spaces between wall claddings and water resistive barriers in wood framed wall assemblies (ASHRAE 1091-TRP). The research suggests that a 10 mm (~3/8 inch) clear air space may be sufficient to promote ventilation drying with wall claddings. Traditional residential cladding systems combined with water resistive barriers promote drainage and drying through a ventilation space.
Hygrothermal analysis predicts the impact of transient heat and moisture transfer on building envelopes over time. It may be used on construction projects in planning and on existing buildings with moisture problems. Specialized software helps the user visualize such factors as: surface condensation and mold growth potential; the wetting and drying potential of the building envelope; and moisture content of building components. This analysis helps building designers evaluate potential pre-construction moisture risks and also helps analyze and solve moisture problems post-construction. The resulting reports should conform to ASHRAE Standard 160-2009 "Criteria for Moisture-Control Design Analysis in Buildings." Hygrothermal analysis takes into consideration both the geographic location and the building orientation.


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Calendar of Events
- 24 Sat Nov 2012
Just For Laughs
The Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour is back - and this year's Relationship Edition has issues! Last Comic Standing winner John Heffron hosts a line-up featuring Canada's sweetheart Debra DiGiovanni and returning tour favourite Godfrey, along with special guest SNL alum Jim Breuer.
Catch these hilarious comedians with their hysterical insights on relationships (or lack thereof), talking about everything from family to marriage to dating - and everything in between. Ah, people... can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!


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Welcome to the Archived, Readonly Zimbra Collaboration forums. Heres the place where we talked about all things related to Zimbra email products. Registrations and postings are disabled here.
Be sure to visit https://www.zimbra.com/forums to start new discussions and to find the latest answers to questions being asked.
Ask your questions and get help with Zimbra's Outlook Connector.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
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Order threads in...
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Kreayshawn and Terry Richardson might be two of the most obnoxious personalities currently polluting the internet, albeit in very different ways. It comes as no surprise, then, that they'd team up to shoot some photos for that bastion of journalistic rigor, V Magazine. Here are some photos from the shoot, along with some dumb quotes from the accompanying profile. (This time, many of them do come from the musician in question.)
(Via V Magazine and Terry's Diary)


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Congress Should Rein In the EPA
April 24, 2013
A federal appeals court has reversed a lower court ruling against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in a case with wide-ranging ramifications....
while turning a blind eye to the gas business.
0 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
mikeyd: We presume from your brief comment that you mean that the EPA turns a blind eye towards the gas business, that they're giving the gas biz a pass. They, by law, the Bush-Cheney Energy Policy Act of 2005, are compelled to do so. That act specifically rescinds and modifies certain items in other laws already passed which governed, and regulated, the environmental impacts of gas well drilling and fracking. The EPA was effectively stripped of any ability to regulate the gas and oil extraction biz. Guess they still want to exercise their muscles where they can.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Since none of you seem to know the first thing about business, one small point. No business in this field works on a daily basis. It takes years to fully develop a mining property, and piles of money. So if the Feds can issue a permit, let you spend big bucks to set up, then waltz in and say "sorry, shut down, we changed our minds", fewer companies will take the risk.
"Good" I hear you say, keep the environment cleaner. True, but I hope you don't mind eating squirrel or other varmints because there are no local jobs, as in NO MONEY.
I have noticed all of you complaining about the lack of work locally. Ever manage to make the connection? Probably not.
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
From NPR, "It is true that some federal environmental statutes do not apply to gas drilling. Some of those exemptions date back long before Dick Cheney became Vice President in 2000. But the loophole refers to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which exempts the hydraulic fracturing process, also known as fracking, from federal oversight under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974."
And "In fact, some call the "Halliburton Loophole" a misnomer because states have their own rules in place. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer recently testified in Congress that federal oversight is unnecessary because the states are better equipped to implement and enforce their own rules." "Krancer pointed out in his testimony that the Energy Policy Act of 2005 had bipartisan support. And he's right. Even the Chairman of Philadelphia's Democratic Party, Congressman Bob Brady, voted for it, along with then-Senator Barack Obama."
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 has no impact whatsoever on the state and federal laws that prohibit oil and gas extraction operations from causing surface water or ground water pollution. The whole of oil and gas operations are subject to the federal Water Pollution Control Act and is prohibited from causing pollution to the waters of the United States. In Pennsylvania, all aspects of oil and gas exploration and extraction, including drilling and fracing operations, are regulated by the state's Oil and Gas Act, the Clean Streams Law and our water protection regulations. The fact is that the so-called and misnamed "Halliburton Loophole" in no way diminishes the statutory and regulatory coverage of our laws as applied to gas extraction."
Not quite the free ride some present it to be!
0 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
WVU, When using "we" are you employing it the editorial, author's, royal or patonizing sense? I exist in the business world so I'm not overly familiar w/ an individual referring to one's self in that manner.
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May 31, 2016
Multi-County Community Service Agency is one step closer to getting a new home.
Lauderdale County supervisors accepted bids Thursday for construction of a new building in meridian.
Because of poor conditions at the old Mt. Barton School, the former office location for MCCSA, the agency moved most its operations to a temporary site last spring.
The estimated cost for the new building is $1.3 million.
Supervisors are expected to approve a contractor for the project at its regular meeting Monday evening.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text: Some of you have seen my Arnan WIP thread and have a little idea of what I'm doing, but I just can't for the life of me decide a style to do it all in. What I'm going to be doing is a series of maps from world view to country view to maybe region view to city view and possibly a few building layouts for a fantasy world that I'm currently building. There are so many styles here that I like, but I can't think of any that would work from large to small scale. What I am looking for is a cross between typical fantasy, atlas, and sat view. I want to show terrain, but I don't want it to look too real (ie like Google Maps) and stuff like that. I have looked around for medival type atlases, wherein the whole thing is drawn to the same style, but was unable to come up with much. A link to a site or a tutorial that could cover the scope of my project would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance.


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- Detail Images
The Fulcrum Racing 7 Wheelset may represent the ground floor of Fulcrum's line of wheels, but let's not confuse any notion of "entry-level" with what the Racing 7 is actually capable of. It's a robust training or touring platform that leverages all of the trickle-down technology from Fulcrum's top-shelf offerings while still remaining an economic choice for season after season of reliable use.
Like the more race-oriented members of the Fulcrum family, the front wheel of the Racing 7 has 20 radial spokes and the 24-spoke rear wheel uses Fulcrum's patented Two-to-One lacing pattern, which is eight radially laced spokes on the left side and 16 tangentially laced spokes connected to the oversize right hand hub flange. This system maximizes torque transfer when you stomp on the pedals and balances spoke tension for a more durable wheel. The Racing 7 also borrows its hub design from Fulcrum's top-tier wheels, but instead uses aluminum shells with sealed high precision steel bearings cartridges for maximum longevity and rotational smoothness.
The Fulcrum Racing 7 Wheelset is compatible with Campy and Shimano/SRAM cassettes. It comes with Fulcrum quick-release skewers.
- 2-to-1 lacing on the rear wheel puts 16 spokes on the drive side and 8 on the non-drive side to transfer torque and power more effectively
- Radial lacing on the front wheel improves aerodynamics
- 24mm rim depth with aerodynamic profile cuts your drag to make you faster
- Machined braking surface provides smooth, dependable braking
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
Full-Crumb 7
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
On the 2nd ride, rear wheel flew apart like a cardboard shack in a cat. 5 hurricane. If you actually ride your bike on real roads and weigh more than a TdF climber, forget these low-spoke count abominations and get a set of hand-builts that is assembled by a human being with Knowledge and Experience.
I have two sets of Fulcrum 7's
Both of my 2 wheelsets arrived perfectly true and tight, and have never given me any trouble. I have a pair from 2010, and a pair from 2012. One set is on my Tarmac Pro, the other on my GF's Allez.
Certainly not the lightest, but we are not racing...
Good for the price
Like another reviewer, these came stock on my bike. Very durable and seem to stay true but these are coming off for my fast group rides, etc. They are very heavy wheels and obviously that is a factor to consider. I do training on them and then switch out to my Easton EA SLX's. Huge difference.
Good value, but don't let the fast looking decals fool you.
The Fulcrum 7s came stock on my bike. They look real nice on the bike and the hubs are solid and smooth.The wheels were not very true out of the box. The front had a little wobble and rear was about 2-3mm out of true. This was concerning for me but others I talked to with the same wheels haven't had the same issue. After I had the wheel true, the wheelset proved to have great durability that makes it an ideal commuter or training wheel. After curb drops, gravel, and off-road riding all is still working great.The weight more that matches the durability though. Mine were almost 2000 grams without skewers. When I pop my 1500 gram wheelset the difference is very noticeable. The decals looks fast and this is a bummer because they are poser wheels. Just rips the decals off and these are great for your randonee, cross, and commuter bikes.Considering the weight, performance, and cost this makes for a fairly good value wheel at $350. If you are considering buying these for retail price I would suggest you look at the Easton EA50 or Williams System 19 or 30 wheels or even a custom build at you LBS.
Solid wheels.
I ride a pair of these on my Cross bike. I take my X on just about everything my MTB buddies do. I've never had to true them.
Solid wheels.
I ride a pair of these on my Cross bike. I take my X on just about everything my MTB buddies do. I've never had to true them.
What's the freewheel compatibility? Shimano...
What's the freewheel compatibility? Shimano 9/10?
I would use the online chat to get your answer. I have a set of these wheels and they are Shimano 9 and 10 speed and SRAM 10 speed compatible but not compatible with dura-ace cassettes. But when I looked closely to the picture the freehub body shown is the model that fits 10 speed Dura-Ace cassettes with the deep spline only.


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Wednesday Afternoon News, Nov. 7
Discovered Human Remains Could Be Former Home Owner
SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) - Sac City police say human remains discovered in the basement of a recently purchased house could be those of the previous homeowner who disappeared in 2009.
The Sioux City Journal (http://bit.ly/RIKFPt ) says Police Chief John Thomsen says "all signs point" to Mark Koster. He was last seen with a friend on July 4, 2009. He was 58.
The remains were found on Monday by the new homeowner, who was remodeling the basement.
Police searched the house in 2009. Thomsen says there was no indication of foul play, and it appeared Koster left. He was declared legally dead in October 2011.
No one lived in the house after Koster disappeared. Family members sold the house in May.
Des Moines Levee Is Completed
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A levee designed to protect an area north of downtown Des Moines from flooding has been completed.
A study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Des Moines River was finished after reconstruction designs were completed on the Birdland and Central Place levees. Engineers then decided to raise the height of the levees after a study suggested that major floods like those that hit the city in 1993 and in 2008 are more likely in the future than previously thought.
The Birdland levee was finished last year.
Officials dedicated the Central Place levee on Wednesday. The $5.5 million project included
removing the old levee and rebuilding the earthen embankment. In all, about 2.5 miles of new levees are now in place.
Le Mars Native Joseph Manning Speaks At Gehlen's Veterans Salute
(Le Mars) -- Sunday is Veteran's Day. A day we honor those men and women who have served in
our military branch of service. At Gehlen Catholic school, Le Mars native and a 1988 Gehlen Catholic graduate Joseph Manning spoke during the Gehlen Catholic Veteran's salute. Manning is in the Navy Reserves and holds the rank of Master Chief. He says money was a part of an incentive for him to join the Navy.
Listen to
Manning's message was to inform the students and the community that it is important to honor those men and women who have served in the military.
Listen to
Manning says since the nation has been at war for the past decade, it has brought more attention to the military service personnel, and people are expressing their gratitude.
Listen to
The Naval Reserve officer says its important that people take the time to say "thank you" to the military personnel.
Listen to
Manning says there was one moment during this morning's program at Gehlen that really touched him emotionally.
Listen to
The Le Mars native started his navy career while still in high school. He says he has had an unique career filled with many experiences as a member of the Navy.
Listen to


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If you're in need of some indoor fun, check out these three printables for inspiration! Simply click on the printable, print, and let your child's imagination run wild! You can also check out our Winter Wonderland Pinterest board for arts & crafts ideas for kids, food fun, creative activities, and more.
Let it Snow!
A fun wintery scene lets your child make a snowman and play in the snow, all without getting a chill! Color this free printable using crayons and markers, or ask your child to add cotton ball "snow", glittering glue and other enhancements to create the picture-perfect winter wonderland.
Mess-Free Baking
Color, cut, trace, and decorate these festive cookie shapes for some baking fun – without the mess! Ask your child to design the perfect winter treat while you make your own baked specialties, or create your own designs together. Cut out your decorated printable cookies and glue them on colorful paper, to display them with plenty of style! For more ideas, check out our "Oven-Free Holiday Cookie Projects" blog post.
Take a page from our Animals Jumbo Coloring Pad (literally) with this printable coloring page. Now kids can decorate their very own pet. Look at that irresistible face!
We hope you enjoy these printables! We would love to see what your child creates, so share your photos and completed projects with us on Facebook.
Shop the Story
Triangular Non-Roll Crayons
Triangular Non-Roll Markers
Pin it:


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I made both maps in Adobe Illustrator CS2, using custom-designed symbols and brushes, and layers for each different element on the map.
I recreated the symbols from the original art, using mostly the pencil and shape tools. Having them as vector art means it's easy to resize, which is rather useful. Each symbol is made up of a coloured hexagon with various lines and shapes placed on top of it.
The actual map is made up of a grid of hexagon shapes (dark grey at 80% transparency) overlaid on top of a corresponding grid of blank symbols (made up of the same hex shape but with no fill or stroke).
Originally when I started mapping in Illustrator 8, I found that placing the hexes together was very time-consuming, and at that time there were no symbols - every hex was just a copy of the original art. So now I have the grid pre-made, and draw the map by choosing some hexes and changing their symbol in the symbol palette.
I can provide more details if anyone is interested.


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- 2724Promote
Throw Pillow
Fawnby Amy Hamilton
Throw Pillow made from 100% spun polyester poplin fabric, a stylish statement that will liven up any room. Individually cut and sewn by hand, each pillow features a double-sided print and is finished with a concealed zipper for ease of care. Sold with or without faux down pillow insert.
how beautiful!
Adorable. I love this
Thanks CUCU, Anne and Kelsey!
Love your work!
Adorable. So well made, the colors are just... mesmerizing
so cuteee
beautifull one! ;)
Thank you Cordula, Paper Tigress, MollyMae and irshi! :)
Very sweet
SO so cute!
Amazing style please comment on my work on how to improve would really value your opinion/critique
Awesome style. I think this one's my favourite
excellent as always!
I love this print and have been waiting to purchase it until I had the room it is meant for ready. But now, it is no longer showing on your Society 6 page. How can I purchase it? Thanks
Hi Beth, it's available for sale now. You can use this link to receive free shipping through March 17, 2013:
what a cutie!
So sweet! Well done!
Hi Amy---I am SOO impressed with lot of your artwork. I would love to have a cover for my phone...but I have an s3. is there any way you can help a non applehead out?! keep up the great work either way...honestly...im rarely moved to comment on things.
Hi Lauren, thank you for the comments about my work! I really appreciate it! Society6 currently only offers cases for Apple products. Sorry I can't be of more help!
Unfortunate a chinese etsy shop is selling merch with your prints :-( thought I'd let you know!
so beautiful!
I love this so much! What medium do you use on your work?
I love your work. Every last print.
AW I LOVE THIS LITTLE GUY! beautiful work :)
Really beautiful, I love your art style! Hope to see much more from you!
Thank you everyone! Cordellia - I mostly paint in Photoshop using a tablet.
soooo cute!
Very nicely done!
Such a cutie
Fantastic!! one of my favorites!
beautiful print! unfortunately, I came here to show you that your artwork has been stolen by a Chinese shop over on Etsy - really disgusting, hope you can get it sorted!! https://www.etsy.com/listing/12809869...
ohmygod what a cute little bambi! :)
Beautiful work, love it.
. . ★ . . love this . . ★ . .
so lovely !
So beautiful!
Amazing work!
adorable! love this!
Stunning! The lighting, contrast and amount of details are fantastic! Well done :)
Absolutely beautiful!!
So rad!!!
So cute.
Wonderful illustration!
It's so cute!
So beautiful and poetic!! I love all your work!
So unique!
Adorable! ♥
I love how innocent this little fawn is! Beautiful!
Lovely deer. I love the messy edges.
wonderful artwork and really adorable!
So sweet!) Lovely deer)
What a delightful and lovable design!
This is lovely!
Promoted and followed with pleasure!
super! the realism is mind-blowing!
Love it!
Amazing stuff! love the colors! following you, could you follow me back please?
i make colorful handmade collages!
i make colorful handmade collages!
Lovely image!
So beautiful! I love all your work!
adorable! Love it!
Amazing! What's your technique?
so cute!
i also found a great message with a simple drawing is the best art ever! check out mine! see if we can sync!! http://society6.com/product/break-is-...
Absolutely gorgeous! ❤ ❤ ❤
Beautiful work!
Nice work, I promoting it. :)
Could you please check and promote my 'Dream Believe Achieve' design? http://society6.com/product/dream-bel...
Could you please check and promote my 'Dream Believe Achieve' design? http://society6.com/product/dream-bel...
Promoted. that's really great!
so sweet!
So sweet, the best
i like it
this is adorable!!
Love the composition, particularly how the deer has been positioned at the bottom right rather than the center
Have you put this on etsy.com ?
So sweet. Love it!
so cute! love it!
So Beautiful!
sweet :)
Hi! I've featured your artwork on buzzfeed :) feel free to share: http://www.buzzfeed.com/annagrunduls/...
so so cute! love it!
So delicate!
Please help me to promote this VERY CUTE LITTLE PANDA!!!https://bit.ly/23796KP
Thank you!
Please help me to promote this VERY CUTE LITTLE PANDA!!!https://bit.ly/23796KP
Thank you!
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Just looked up Delphi and I'm not sure if I got it right - are you guys talking about the Embarcadero Delphi IDE, which main programming language is Object Pascal?
Just looked up Delphi and I'm not sure if I got it right - are you guys talking about the Embarcadero Delphi IDE, which main programming language is Object Pascal?
Two tips that have helped me (well, I'm not really a pure programmer, but I do a fair amount of scripting and even some web apps at work):
1.) Start with a language that seems nice to you (unless you're more or less forced into one language). For me, my two favorites are Python and Ruby.
When you become fairly proficient in one language, it's no big deal to move to a different one, so you can't really choose a "wrong direction" so to speak. The skills you gain in one language will almost always apply to other languages as well, because programming and software engineering are skills which are fairly independent of particular languages.
It also helps to broaden your horizon by knowing several different languages. Languages are like tools: if you pick the right one for the task at hand, you'll have it easier.
2.) Write an own program/script/whatever that you think is a good idea to have for yourself. Maybe a tool that helps you do a task you often do. Programming is often about automating things or making things easier. It's a great feeling when you find an opportunity and do this for yourself. Also, if you have one tool that you frequently use but you wish that it did things slightly differently or with an added feature. Of course you should be reasonable in your goals - don't try to write a better browser for example. But there's a lot to gain from writing small tools, and reading code from small tools. Or small games, if you're more into that. But games often carry the additional difficulty of requiring art/design/sound work as well.
Having the same problem as the op, in a Comp Sci class at high school (senior year) which is orientated around Java. We just moved on to gridworld, which after reading it's from the college board, is making me wonder why we are doing it. Adding to the fact that the Comp Sci teacher from last year quit and moved to a job at Shell, the new teacher has no knowledge of Java or Gridworld whatsoever (He knows other languages though, I think). Has just been a very demotivating experience so far, are there any tips to working with gridworld, or learning Java? Since it's basically self teach in class at this point because of the teacher.
If you're wanting ANY sort of GUI application, then Free Pascal/FPC is a good choice for it doesn't cost anything. It creates the standard "grey interface" applications you probably use every day (i'm not sure if it has skinning support). If you want to compile beyond Windows x86 and x64, you'll also want to look at FPC. If you're willing to sink some cash into it, Firemonkey provides Windows and OS X support but it's only available with Delphi (and not with FPC). Firemonkey is absolutely fantastic as a framework, can compile to Windows and OS X with the same code and is much more about presenting information and making responsive interfaces. If you prefer to be creative with your design, then i can't do anything but recommend it. Almost all of my applications created since January have been made in it for the simple fact i can make my interface much more user friendly and do things i couldn't otherwise.
I'd recommend that if you do choose to go with Delphi/VCL ("Grey Interfaces") or FPC, that you stick with it until you're confident. Although Firemonkey is very similar in it's syntax and such, there are a few key differences related to properties. For example, with VCL and FPC, labels and such have a "Caption" property that is used to specify what text the label should display. With Firemonkey, it's the "Text" property you have to work with. This change makes "Typecasting" easier (typecasting is a medium-intermediate subject, but one that will change the way you code and it's not overly difficult either).
However, if cost is an issue (i totally understand that it might be), WPF with C# would be a suitable choice. You can get the free express edition of Visual Studio which i believe allows you to create WPF applications. The interfaces are much similarly described to those of Firemonkey, but it's a different language (Delphi Pascal vs C#). This is a suitable "compromise" and while i've never personally developed in it, i've not read many major bad points about it. One benefit Firemonkey has is that you can create "hybrid components" via styling. That's one reason i use it, but i'll admit that i've come to rely on it and it's become somewhat annoying that i'm unwilling to invest the time to move over to C# because of this dependency.
If you've already got a background in Python, keep on with it. There's very few languages that are "old and worthless" these days. The major contenders are Java, C#, C++, Delphi/Object Pascal, and Python. Each of them can do the same basic things, but what separates them is ease of understanding (this is almost entirely down to the person, not the language) and efficiency. Efficiency is only a major concern if you're doing the advanced stuff, and for the majority of applications, you don't need to worry.
Best advice I can give is read the textbook if your teacher sucks.
Also, we don't have a textbook, just a AP Comp Sci review book we can ask for.
So, internet manuals during class and at home, time to hit them up heh.
I started off with vb and currently learning c#
I'm taking a course in Java right now, the second of the two prerequisites for almost all the rest of the CSC courses. The first class was 100% console based, and this second one is about 50/50 console/GUI. Maybe it's different in C++ (I didn't have any programming experience prior to the first course) but from what our professor tells us, Java is mainly geared toward enterprise-level systems, and aren't really meant to have fancy GUIs.
Anyway, the point of the classes isn't to teach Java whether it be console or GUI, it's to teach object-oriented and software engineering concepts like inheritence, polymorphism, basic data structures, some design patterns, etc. I find it to be a lot of fun. It's more about solving the puzzle than doing a lot of typing.
If your teacher hasn't articulated that clear enough, then yeah there definitely is something wrong. If all else fails, take the same courses at a Community College through a program with your school (and obviously have it count towards college credits, I'm sure your school has some sort of system for that) to learn it better. If you've got a bad teacher who isn't teaching this stuff well early on, you're going to have a rough time with the more advanced stuff.
Being a nerdy kind of type a bit, I have tried to get into programming a bit. God knows how many times I've tried to learn HTML, Visual basic (.NET), small in-game "programming" or macroing, I've read books, learned some and now, I can't remember much of it at all. Some of it is useful still, I can manage my way easier around a source code than if I had not spend some time on it and done some small, very basic programming. I have tried to make a map in WC3 and tried making a simple game in Game Maker, but it all quickly stalls and get closed down because I think "this isn't fun" or "I don't like it" or "I don't care". I would certainly like to be able to program more, but I'm not because I just don't care at the end of the day. I just don't like it. In fact, I probably more verge on the side of hate than love on that scale towards programming. It's just boring.
I would much rather game along happily and merrily and not know much (or than very basic stuff I have managed to pick up with also having a programmer as dad) about programming or its derivates. Yes, it takes some of my geek pride away. I have tried to be in Maya and 3D Studio Max, but I can't do it. It's not me.
EDIT: If you know you like programming then I obviously cannot be of any help further because well, I don't know anything about it. Life is also about trying different things and finding out what you like and don't like, and if when you ask yourself, "what do you love?" programming doesn't come up then it probably won't be for you. We all got our own likes and interests to wrestle with and the grass may look greener on the other side and we want to be appreciated for the the talents that we don't got instead of the ones we got, but if you don't like something, or maybe even love something, then working your life in it will be a downright torture and you will, hopefully, find something else. Everyone has an interest one way or the other, but maybe one just hasn't recognized it yet or has found something that has awoken that interest. In life, we also just as much engage ourselves in realms that approach our interests and that match with our personalities and skills, kind of harboring around a core match.
F.ex. some of the people I went with to a techinical high school had been making games since they were kids and/or would program in their spare time. You can see they like it because they enjoy the activity and not whether the game looks and plays like a bad dos game or whether their application in Excel is pretty much useless for anyone else. I just want to game.
Last edited by Tenver; 2012-11-13 at 01:39 AM.
But yeah, I will most definitely be taking this class again when I get to college, I need to know the basics or else it'll screw everything else up from then on.
Thanks again for the detailed information! Appreciate it.
I think that's a problem with how programming is taught these days. We no longer have a "hypercard" or some equivelent that lets you quickly get into applications that that you might actually use.I know I need to learn the basics, but these console applications demotivate me something so extreme.
It could be that you don't. I've been programming for a long ass time - I started with console programming but I'm not really convinced it's the best way to go. On the other hand I think the two things that made me a better programmer were learning Ruby ~10 years ago and then the time I spent working on telecom hardware - both were what you'd consider console programming.So now I'm wondering, is programming what I really want to do? I read all about the programmers getting into it as fast as they started with the consoles
I think that's important. Finding - projects where you actually want to use the end result.I went on to bigger and better things, but it all started with a single project...solve my algebra homework.
I suspect mine was about the same: maybe 80/20 math/programming. I actually liked the math.As a developer myself i hated the first 2 year of my uni, i had around 70-30 or even worse ratio between math / theory and actual programing.
What kind of math are we talking about? Right now I'm studying trigonometry and integrals.
- Differential equations
- Calculus
- Discreet math
- Linear algebra
- dynamical systems
- functional, numeric, etc. analysis
- complexity/game/graph/information theory
- topology
- statistics
- logic
My first year had two sets of calculus which pretty much everyone did okay in (first year calc isn't hard if you took it in highschool).
It had two linear algebra courses. The first one wasn't particularly hard but it's a new way of thinking about math where you do everythig algorithmically. A lot of people struggle with it and it was a filter-class for my program (<50% of people passed) If you made it thorugh the first you'd probably do fine in the second.
The other filter class was discrete math (proofs, graphs, trees, and all that sort of thing) which was another course people struggled with.
After the first year the math stopped being a problem. I wouldn't say it was easy but they'd managed to get rid of anybody that couldn't work through it.
If you consider science and engineering part of math then I also studied fluid mechanics, circuts, classical and relativistic mechanics. If you could handle the pure-math courses then these weren't particularly hard.
For what it's worth: linear algebra is something that just keeps popping up. It's impossibly useful. It's pretty rare I'd use calculus or stats very often. Some of the higher level theoretical stuff (like graph theory or complexity theory) shows up quite a bit but you'll probably study that twice: once in math and then again in comp-sci as part of an algorithms course.By the way, when speaking of what kind of math I'm not speaking of game-related math, as said I want to make normal software (like, I dunno, Spotify), not game software.
Most high school programming courses are open to students who probably don't have the mathematical background to appreciate "computer science". The programming courses serve more as an introduction to doing neat things with a computer. They focus on syntax, maybe some basic code style, and that's about the end of it. Most highschool teachers probably didn't study programming in college and fewwer still have actual industry experience. Expecting a proper computer science education probably isn't reaosnable at that level (just like you can't really study psychology or engineering either).Ah ok, I thought it was for learning Java, since we haven't really gotten into some of the fundamentals of computer science, mainly been doing Java. So perhaps, there is something pretty damn wrong with the way the school is running it's Comp Sci program.
Hell even first year programming courses aren't really 'computer science' in any meaningful way (I've TA'd half a dozen of them). Mostly it's about undoing the damage done in highschool, dispelling misconceptions, and convincing you that programming is a distinct discipline with it's own rules and lexicon. They need to give you a certain shared background and a language to express your ideas with. It's just laying the groundwork for the second year. It's a lot like first year chemistry making you do a dozen titrations and lab reports for trivial nonsense to get you comfortable with what it means to do a lab and prepare a report. The science bit doesn't really start until you've made it through frosh chem. It's like earning a black belt or getting your race license: now you're ready to start the real training.
Last edited by evn; 2012-11-13 at 02:04 AM.
As said, math has it's place, but utility applications and such very rarely make use of it. I absolutely won't discount that as your knowledge and experience increases, you do indeed find more uses for it. It's just that i've found so very little reason to use any complex math. Maybe it's my approach to designing the UI first and "asking questions later" that has allowed me to work around the issues that might have otherwise prevented me from proceeding, but i've found so little use for math beyond the basics in my projects.
If i was designing something like Spotify (note: I've never used it, so i'm going on screenshots and descriptions alone), it'd be more focused on networking and ensuring that what your application displays is true to the results it returns. The majority of it would no doubt be JSON, so parsing it to the correct element would simply be a case of referencing it to an index (which isn't math at all).
Of course, when dealing with Algorithms, that's when you need to be careful and when it's all about math. Encryption and hashing are perfect examples. For those though, you can often get prewritten libraries that simplify it, meaning you can avoid nearly all, if not all, math equations.
I've not been to university, or even into further education for development, so it's all opinion. It's not conjecture per se, but i would warrant that the software i've released in the past will no doubt be credit that i've got some experience with development of utility applications. Perhaps one of my upcoming projects will change my perspective (and one of them in particular will make heavy use of maths, without a doubt) but right now, i can't really say that math plays a big part in development for me.
When I asked a computer science graduate who is now a code writer what to start with when learning to program, he recommended Python. He showed me how he could do exactly the same thing in Python as in C++, but with about a quarter of the code (and easier code too).
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I suspect we'll just go back-and-forth here. I'll disagree and point to my background and you'll do the same.Of course, math is incredibly useful, but i wouldn't say it's really pitched in for utility except in a few circumstances. For example, the most complex math i've had to do with any of my projects to date (including cancelled ones and ones not announced or never released) was with calculating the angle of the dial in VTemp according to temperature (270 degrees max, 127 celsius max, 0 minimum temp, and the 0 angle was actually to the right side). That's an incredible simple calculation and entirely basic math. There was a multiplier and an offset, but that was to account for the GUI mode (D2D or GDI).
I grant you that there's a whole class of programmers that do just fine gluing together bits of code written by other people. That's an important job, there are a huge number of problems that can be solved that way, and recycling code is one mark of a good programmer. On the other hand there are a whole pile of problems that are much less approachable without a strong understanding of math. Think of all the topics where math is the lingua franca: physics, sociology, economics, engineering, biology, robotics, signal processing: if you understand math you can solve problems in those spaces with software without needing intimate knowledge of the field itself. One of maths best qualities is that it's a standardized cross-cultural interdisciplinary language that applies to nearly all of human endeavor.
I agree with your assertion that 'the more you know, the more you'll see it's useful". Maths are a powerful tool for expressing and investigating relationships between data. A tool well suited to that sort of work is going to be valuable to programmers because that's what so much of programming is all about. In the same way you can get buy without regular expressions, list comprehensions, recursion, or closures - you can get by without linear algebra, calculus, or discrete analysis. It might not be pretty, but you can do it.
On the other hand there are a bunch of problems where 'higher order' maths aren't useful, just as there are problems where recursion and regexp aren't very useful. I think you'll agree that having more tools is generally a good thing and that having too few is generally a bad thing. Ultimately our disagreement will come down to a question of opportunity cost: is the time spent mastering matrix multiplication better spent studying recursion?
I think if we continue this line of discussion it'll end up in a talk about the nature of university education or some other off topic diversion. I also think we'd end up at a bit of an impasse: we'd be arguing opinion without any real way to resolve the dispute.
For the OP. If you're finding 'console' applications boring consider finding a better way to learn. You might have more fun learning with arduino. You can get started for < $50 and it gives you a whole bunch of neat projects you can work through. I find there's a lot to be said for the motivation you can get hacking on hardware.
I'm not going to go very deep here. Just one simple thing.
You won't regret it. Get Visual Studio 2012 and open any tutorial that talks about C#. It'll be a little confusing at start (like all programming languages), but you will learn to appreciate LINQ, XAML and the massive amount of libraries eventually.
I was wondering why not more people have pointed towards C#?
If you want to make the most basic GUI application you can simply use the plain old winforms to start creating small application that can help you with some simple things you want to automate (like moving files over your network on a regular base or something).
You can download Visual Studio Express for free, open up a winform project, drag some buttons and fields on the ui and create an app withing 30 mins. Keep expanding and you should soon be able to get into more complex things, but this way you had a friendly introduction in basic programming.


text:
After Boeing's successful campaign to pressure Machinists into surrendering their pensions, some state lawmakers are renewing calls to phase out public-employee pensions, too.
Taking a page from Boeing's playbook, state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, plans to introduce legislation Monday that would offer a $10,000 incentive to state workers who agree to move from the state pension system into a 401(k)-style retirement package.
"If it's good enough for Boeing, it should be good enough for the employees of Washington state," Ericksen said. His plan would end pensions for new state hires in addition to offering the incentive to current workers.
Legislation to curtail public pensions is unlikely to pass in the 60-day legislative session that begins Monday. Top Democrats say the state pension system is in good shape and that they'll oppose any move to end pensions.
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But Ericksen and others argue that the Boeing deal — which prominent Democrats including Gov. Jay Inslee pushed Machinists to vote on — should stir a long-term debate on the state's own benefit offerings.
Boeing is paying a $10,000 signing bonus to 31,000 Machinists in Washington this month as part of the controversial contract extension that guarantees assembly of the 777X in Washington but replaces the Machinists' cherished pensions with a 401(k)-style defined-contribution plan.
Ericksen's proposal for state employees is more a pilot project.
It would cap the state's costs for the $10,000 incentive payments at $20 million — meaning only 2,000 employees could receive payments for moving off pensions in the next year.
The proposal also would apply only to workers in the state's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
Other public employees, including teachers and State Patrol officers, have separate pension plans that would not be affected.
But state lawmakers would be affected. The proposal would move legislators off the state pension system and into 401(k) plans after each member's next election, Ericksen said.
House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, and Senate Democratic Leader Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island, said the state has a healthy pension system, with unfunded liabilities in only a couple of long-closed pension plans.
They added that lawmakers have made several changes in recent years to reduce costs, such as eliminating automatic pension cost-of-living raises.
"I don't think anybody can say with a straight face that we haven't done a responsible job in funding our pension system, but also making changes to make sure it's healthy," Sullivan said.
Inslee also said he'd oppose efforts to go after public pensions.
Tim Welch, a spokesman for the Washington Federation of State Employees, said there is no financial need to end public pensions, calling efforts to do so "a mean and nasty effort to harm public employees."
If anything, Welch said, pensions enjoyed by public employees should be restored to the private sector, because 401(k) plans weren't meant to provide a secure retirement for average workers.
But state Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom predicted it would be difficult for the state to sell tax increases for schools or roads if public employees continue to hold on to pensions unavailable to most workers.
"I think that's where we're at — that's where the private sector is at," said Tom, D-Medina, who joined Republicans and one other Democrat last year to form a majority coalition in the Senate.
Tom proposed legislation last year that would have moved newly hired state workers, as well as current employees under age 45, to a 401(k) plan. The legislation didn't go anywhere.
An alternative bill to make a 401(k) optional for all new state workers passed the state Senate but died without a hearing in the Democrat-controlled state House.
While public pension systems in some states are in bad shape, Washington's is considered comparatively healthy.
A 2012 study by the Pew Center on the States ranked Washington's pension system among the top four states nationally — with 95 percent of its pension liability funded.
While the state's current pension-plan funds are considered secure by the state actuary's office, two long-closed state pension plans have an unfunded liability of about $5.7 billion.
But some lawmakers and critics argue that the state's actual debt could prove much higher if the pension systems' investments don't achieve their assumed 8 percent rate of return.
There are 144,000 retired state workers who receive annual pensions averaging about $21,000 a year, according to the actuary's office.
Seattle Times staff reporter Andrew Garber contributed to this report.
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text:
South Shore slowly comes back to life after Sandy
(Page 2 of 3)
But Palmese said he has never seen anything like Sandy. "We were kind of prepared," he said. "We lifted everything off the ground, but we got about 30 inches of water."
Palmese had planned to ride out the storm, but ended up staying with his brother in another part of Bellmore. Unlike Giammarino, he plans to remain in his house and has been working to make it livable by deodorizing and eliminating mold.
The ground floor of Palmese's lifelong home will need to be redone, including repairs to flooring, carpeting and bathroom. He said he planned to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and was waiting for his insurance company to return his calls.
"It's all going to come down to money," he said. "We want to get things fixed so we can live here."
Although Palmese said that much of what he lost is replaceable, other Bellmore-Merrick residents said they lost possessions of sentimental significance. Marjorie Toback, of south Merrick, said there was two feet of flooding in her basement during the storm. While she lost thousands of dollars worth of food in two full refrigerators and much of what was in the basement was soaked, she noted that some ruined things stand out -keepsakes from her daughter's bat mitzvah, for instance.
"Those are memories, and all of that is now gone," she said. "It's so sad."
Toback and her three children left their home, which "smells like a sewer," to see friends and family and take hot showers during the widespread power outage. But she said she worried about getting back into the neighborhood because of the gasoline shortage across the area.
She spent hours on lines at service stations throughout the county with her teenaged children in the car because, she said, it was a warmer place to be than their electricity- and heat-free home.
"People keep telling me to leave, but I had nowhere else to go," she said. "It's like this everywhere. It's like a party at local restaurants, because we see our neighbors, and everyone has the same sad story."
Like Palmese, Toback also contacted her insurance company as the rebuilding process began. She also plans to review her homeowner's policy, which she advises her neighbors to examine in addition to their flood insurance coverage.
KeywordsHurricane Sandy, recovery, survival, Julie Mansmann
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text:
Tomlinson agrees to restructured deal with Chargers
Dean Spanos was not going to let LaDainian Tomlinson leave.
"What he's done since his career started here, what he's meant to the community and the fans and the organization, it was unthinkable he wouldn't be here," the Chargers' president and CEO said Tuesday night.
Spanos spoke shortly after an accord was reached, with Tomlinson agreeing to take the pay cut the team said he must in order for the franchise and arguably its most popular player ever to avoid a divorce.
Tomlinson credited Spanos with smoothing the way to the restructured three-year contract that will keep the iconic running back in San Diego.
"I really appreciate the role Dean played throughout this process," Tomlinson said in a statement released by the team. "He made it work for everyone, and I appreciate his friendship more than he knows."
While Spanos, in turn, credited Tomlinson for wanting to stay, sources said Tuesday night that Spanos was prepared to do "everything he could" to make sure the Chargers did not lose their future Hall of Fame running back.
Spanos has final say in all negotiations, and sources said while he was in full agreement with General Manager A.J. Smith that Tomlinson's future salary needed to be reduced, Spanos was willing to "give a little extra" above what was ultimately agreed upon "to get this done."
Exact terms of the new deal are not known, but sources said Tomlinson's 2009 salary of $6.725 million will stay the same and he will make less over the final two seasons than he was scheduled to make under terms of the contract he signed in 2004.
It was the $17.275 million he was due in 2010 and '11 that the Chargers felt they needed to reduce. Tomlinson likely received some sort of extra money as part of the restructure that would be paid even if he were cut prior to the 2010 season.
The Chargers wanted to redo the deal now so they knew what they had to work with as they turn their attention to getting new deals done with quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates.
"LT has always helped us on the field, and now he's helped us off the field," Smith said. "Now we have some (extra) cap room over the next few years."
Tomlinson, who will be 30 in June, has made the unprecedented routine in his eight seasons in the NFL, probably already earning his Hall of Fame bust.
Since the Chargers made him the fifth overall pick in the 2001 draft, Tomlinson has rushed for 11,760 yards and 126 touchdowns, ranking 14th and second (behind Emmitt Smith) on the all-time lists. He is tied for fourth all-time with 141 total TDs.
Tomlinson maintained throughout much of his career he would not play beyond 2011. But last week he said he could foresee chasing Smith's rushing record of 18,355 yards.
While there remain concerns in the organization over a player who has finished the last two seasons sidelined by injury, this contract ostensibly puts Tomlinson closer to breaking the record as a Charger.
"I love San Diego and being a part of this team with my teammates," Tomlinson said in the statement. "My No. 1 priority was to stay here in San Diego. I truly believe this is the place that gives me the best chance to be successful and win a championship. I want to finish the job we started when I got here eight years ago. My heart has always been in San Diego. I couldn't imagine putting on another uniform."


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Patience is a virtue. Use strategy to fill the board with as many high-point poker hands as possible in this brainy puzzle game! Hands can be made horizontally, vertically, and diagonally; the better the hands the higher the score. Put on your poker face, and your thinking cap, and ante up for fun with Poker Patience!
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Normal, IL (Sports Network) - All five starters scored in double figures for
Wyoming as the Cowboys earned an 81-67 win on the road over the Illinois State
Redbirds at Redbird Arena.
Larry Nance Jr. had 19 points, Luke Martinez scored 17, Josh Adams and Leonard
Washington each added 15 and Derrious Gilmore tacked on 13 for Wyoming (9-0).
Tyler Brown paced Illinois State (5-3) with 22 points while Jon Ekey added 13
and John Wilkins chipped in 12 off the bench. The Redbirds have lost three
It was Illinois State that led at halftime by a sizable 43-29 edge after
connecting on 53.1 percent of its shots in the opening frame. That included an
8-of-15 showing from 3-point range. Wyoming shot 44.0 percent and hit just 2-
of-9 shots from beyond the arc.
The Cowboys used a 19-4 run midway through the second half to take a 64-63
lead and followed that with a 12-1 burst late in the period to pull away for
the win. Wyoming shot a scorching 64.0 percent in the second half compared to
an 8-of-18 effort from the Redbirds.
Wyoming outscored Illinois State 40-24 on points in the paint and turned 20
Redbird turnovers into 29 points.
The Sports Network