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High School Racing Team - Not Your Typical Race ShopWritten by on May 31, 2007 Contributors: Urban Force Racing An Urban High School In The Middle Of Wisconsin May Not Be The First Place You'd Think Of To Find A Race Team, But That's Exactly What's There
The familiar sound of an air gun pierces the air in the bustling shop as an aspiring master technician picks up a wrench from the tool cart. In the middle of the shop sits an ASA legal '07 Ford Fusion body mounted on a used Lefthander chassis. The 17-year-old heads toward the car to start his next project, but he won't have time. Just as he leans over the engine, the bell sounds. It's time for the next class. Somewhat disappointed, the aspiring mechanic stares down at the 400-plus horsepower motor for a minute before turning to grab his backpack.
Instructor Pete Raskovic prods the youth to go to class, promising that there is plenty of time to work on the car after the other classes of the day are over. Raskovic is one of the driving forces behind Urban Force Racing, an ASA Midwest Tour race team that is anything but your typical racing organization. The team is part of a newly formed high school technical program that gives at-risk students a viable alternative to succeed in class and subsequently graduate. The model program was started this year at Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, Wisconsin, a town of about 105,000 people that sits on the Rock River, just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border.
During the summer of 2006, an entrepreneur by the name of Ken Hendricks contacted Raskovic, Beloit High's Auto Technology instructor. Hendricks had seen how Raskovic had turned around Beloit's struggling Auto Tech program, and now he wanted to talk racing. He picked the right guy. In addition to being an ASE Certified Master Technician, Raskovic grew up in the heart of Eastern Pennsylvania racing country and has more than two decades of racing experience.
Hendricks' idea? Build an asphalt Late Model team, run exclusively by at-risk high school students, and then take the team to the track for actual competition.
"Let's build a car of our own, build a strict curriculum for the kids, give them responsibility and ownership, and make them a part of the team," says Hendricks, the owner of ABC Supply Company and winner of Inc. magazine's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2006.
A self-made billionaire, Hendricks is deeply committed to working with children and exceedingly passionate about giving back to the community where he grew up. He and his wife are involved in Head Start, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Ability Center, Boy Scouts of America, and more. But starting UFR is more than just trying to help eight kids in the middle of Wisconsin. Hendricks has a vision.
"I dropped out of school in the 11th grade," said Hendricks. "I wondered how many kids out there could be as successful as I've been if they were given the right opportunity."
Urban Force Racing is all about giving them that right opportunity.
Hendricks' concept is brilliant in its simplicity. Students will be motivated to go to school if they find learning interesting and fun. "Kids need something to connect to," he says. "Not everybody has the physical attributes to compete in football or basketball, or the capacity to go to college. They'll want to learn math if they can see it applied to something interesting, like a race car."
The concept works, and the Urban Force Racing team is the proof.
"We've got some kids in our program who had no hope and were probably going to drop out of school. They went from showing up for school a couple of days each week and getting F's or D's to coming to school every day, and now their grades are A's and B's."
Hendricks and the UFR program are tackling problems at the most critical time in a child's development. "This is the most important part of the kids' lives, growing up, learning to be responsible, and most of all, giving them an opportunity to work with a team, which is something they would not otherwise have had an opportunity to do," says Hendricks.
But before a teenager can excel in a team environment, they have to learn and become responsible. For 16-year-old Zach Hill, that responsibility is exactly what the program has taught him.
"Let me put it this way," the teen says. "Before this class, if I woke up late in the morning, I'd just keep sleeping. This [program] keeps me wanting to go to school, it keeps me looking forward to going to school."
Hill is a bonafide car guy, but it was the direction provided by the Urban Force Racing team that has motivated him to stay in school and work toward his dream of one day owning his own business. "This program has taught me hard work, deadlines, and respect."
Respect not only for others, but for himself, too, and he is not alone.
"This is like a dream come true," says Hill's fellow teammate Tequad Tillman. Tillman was born in Chicago and later moved to Beloit. "This program really helped me," the 19-year-old says. "Before, I used to have bad attendance, and it [UFR] really helped me stay in school. You want to be here to learn about it [the race car]. If you miss out, you miss out on learning something that you didn't know before."
Tillman will graduate this year, and he admits that the program has helped him focus on pursuing a career in automotive technology. "I want to use this opportunity to achieve a career goal and make my life successful."
Like Hill and Tillman, 17-year-old Craig "Squirrel" Burns wasn't setting any attendance records at Beloit Memorial before entering the UFR program. And just like Hill and Tillman, that has changed. "This is keeping me in school," says Burns. "Before the program I did not like school, but now I've learned about suspension, tires, and steering. Shocks is the main thing I do."
This future shock specialist is planning on heading to Blackhawk Technical College to become a master technician after graduating from Beloit.
Spearheading Urban Force Racing is team manager Pete Raskovic. To say that he is the glue that holds the program together would be an understatement. His energy for the program and for implementing Hendricks' vision is infectious, and it has spread to the kids.
"They [Hendricks and Raskovic] are definitely the ones looking out for the students. Without them, the program never would have gotten off the ground," says Burns.
Make no mistake: This is not a touchy-feely shop class. Raskovic demands a lot from his students, likely a lot more than most high school educators. "I push them. Last week, I pushed them real hard," says the teacher. "A lot of them came in blurry eyed because they were tired, but it's good for them."
He also uses some creative techniques to keep everyone focused on the task at hand, like the time he had to address a communication gap within the team: "I told them, 'I want you checking e-mail every day.' So for a test, I sent the team an e-mail that said, 'If you don't respond to this e-mail within 24 hours, you will be cut from the team, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.'" Not surprisingly, it worked; the communication gap closed, and everybody remained on the team.
"Pete expects us to work at our best," says student Cesar Roman. "He pushes us to learn as we go. There are going to be mistakes, but you learn from them."
Life lessons in a race shop-what better place to learn?
Words like respect, hard work, and teamwork are continually heard when you ask the students what they are learning in the program. "Working with others . . . teamwork, it's been really big. Without it, it's bad," continues Roman. "You know once Pickens [Michael Pickens, the team's driver] gets on the track, if something goes wrong, we're the ones who did all the work on that car. We're responsible."
Responsibility and teamwork can be foreign concepts to at-risk youth. In the world of Urban Force Racing, these concepts are at the very center of the program. So far, it seems to be working. "There are kids with us who had 30 discipline referrals last year," explains Raskovic. "This year, zero-not a single discipline referral."
Every student in the program has made great strides since joining UFR. But there are also opportunities to move up the ladder within the program. Raskovic runs the team just like a typical race team, with leadership roles open to students who deserve them. Keenan Davidson is the youngest member of UFR, having just turned 16. He also occupies one of those leadership roles, the student crew chief. It is a job he respects and is proud of.
"I got to be the leader because of my work ethic. The hard work paid off," says Davidson proudly. "The program provides us experience while teaching us teamwork."
During his interview, Davidson hinted at some exciting plans that the team is working on for the students in the future, but he was hesitant to explain. Then Raskovic let the cat out of the bag.
"We hope to be able to get students up to the next level," he said. "We want to establish an internship program with a national touring series such as ARCA or maybe the Craftsman Truck Series."
The idea is to provide a constant source of dedicated talent to those upper series. It's an idea that benefits the students, providing them a solid future, and race teams, providing them an educated source of new blood.
The New Zealand dirt racing scene probably isn't the first place you'd think of to get a driver to wheel your ASA Late Model, but that's exactly where Raskovic ended up. Pete met 23-year-old Michael "Slim" Pickens through UFR's Public Relations Manager Steve Pados, a longtime motorsports professional from Eastern Pennsylvania. Pickens, a native Aucklander and dirt Midget specialist, was in the States pursuing an asphalt career. He had won just about everything there was to win in his native New Zealand, as well as neighboring Australia, and has set his eyes on a NASCAR career.
Although his racing stateside has been somewhat limited, he has won features at Wilmot and Angell Park in 2006, and in 2005 he won Rookie honors and finished an impressive Sixth in the Chili Bowl. He was also the lone dirt racer to make it to the finals of the much publicized Roush Racing "Gong Show."
While Pickens does not have a lot of asphalt experience, nobody sees that as a detriment, least of all Raskovic. "I think that a dirt driver brings an added skill set to racing," says Raskovic. "During the Roush test, Carl Edwards said that Pickens had the best lines of any of the drivers, and that was his first time ever on asphalt."
Pickens is excited about the opportunity to race the ABC Supply/ Urban Force Racing Fusion, but not just for the chance to race on pavement in the U.S. "Having the opportunity to work with children and to teach them about this sport is so important for everyone's success. We cannot race successfully without that added interest from today's youth as racing fans," says the Kiwi.
Pickens will run the entire 2007 ASA Midwest Series schedule behind the wheel of the ABC Supply Fusion of Urban Force Racing.
Raskovic is not the Lone Ranger in this racing program. He has a number of veteran racers and first-class mechanics on his side, starting with Danny Brown, the Urban Force Racing crew chief. Brown has built an impressive rsum working with Indy Car teams and Barber Racing Series teams. Urban Force also has its own chassis specialist, Steve Bruno, who comes to the team with more than 30 years of expertise in suspension and alignment setup. Rounding out the adult side of UFR is mechanic/crewman Greg Bowles, an ASE Certified Master Auto-Diesel technician with over 28 years of industry experience. Greg will be in charge of the team's transmission and gearing program. An interesting side note is that Bowles holds a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has worked with youth for over 23 years as a martial arts instructor.
Beyond the nucleus of the team itself, the biggest fan of the whole program could very well be Beloit Memorial's principal, Carlton D. Jenkins. Jenkins started teaching at Beloit back in the late '80s but subsequently left and was gone for eight years. When he returned to Wisconsin, he came from Ohio, a state with numerous cutting-edge technical education programs. So when he first met with Hendricks and Raskovic about Urban Force Racing, he was instantly sold.
"Right off the bat, I knew this was a major opportunity that you don't normally have in this part of Wisconsin," said Jenkins. "To have the potential to race, I was really excited about it. The students get to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real-world situation. Our students need something non-traditional that can catch their attention and make learning relevant. This program gives them just that."
Urban Force's success in the classroom has actually extended beyond the eight students in the current class. "It has generated a lot of pride in students who aren't even involved in it," explained Jenkins. "I've seen a lot more pride and a lot more discipline throughout the whole school. It has had a totally positive influence."
That's impressive. And Jenkins, Raskovic, and the rest of the administration got a first-hand look at the depth of Urban Force Racing's reach when they pulled the car onto the front lawn of the school. "You should have seen the number of students who came out," Jenkins exclaims proudly.
The success of the program has led the school to commit to a pair of prep classes for next year. The classes will essentially be introductory classes to the UFR program, accomplishing a couple of objectives. First, it will keep the interest level high for the 21 students currently on the UFR waiting list. Second, it prepares the kids to enter the program so they can hit the ground running, which should elevate their performance level both in the shop and on the track.
"We're not just doing it, we are trying to be competitive as well," says Jenkins, who is personally chartering three buses to take students to the team's first race.
The Urban Force Racing program is really designed to keep the kids in school and focused on studying while using racing as the magnet. Although this is only the first year of the program, and they have yet to race the car, there are plans to expand the program both at Beloit and in other area schools. The ultimate hope is to have programs such as UFR at schools throughout the country.
"They [Raskovic and his assistants] are going to present a quality program that hopefully other districts can learn from," says Jenkins.
All of this started because of a billionaire dedicated to giving back. "Urban Force Racing is one of the most innovative ideas ever created in this sport, and this is what Ken dreams about day in and day out, helping the kids," Raskovic says.
If you called Hendricks a visionary, you wouldn't be far off. When asked where he sees the UFR program going in the future, he was quick to answer. "Schools [today] need to be teaching our children valuable skills for a career working in factories, trades, etc." Hendricks sees racing as the perfect vehicle to teach many of those skills, and UFR is the model to build upon. "Think of the thousands of dollars they spend on football and basketball. In the future, I can see high schools having a race team and racing against each other at their local Saturday night track."
And what better way to get kids back into racing?
Perhaps the only bad thing about the Urban Force Racing program is that Raskovic had to turn away 75 students because of lack of room. He could only accommodate eight. Enter Steve Einhaus and the ASA Midwest Tour, the newly formed asphalt Late Model tour based in Burlington, Wisconsin. Einhaus and Raskovic put their heads together to come up with a solution to the problem, and when they presented their idea to Hendricks, he told them to get it done.
It's called The American Speed Association Educational Series. Designed as a race within a race at ASA Midwest Tour events, the series allows students enrolled in accredited automotive technology programs nationwide to work as crew members on an ASA Midwest Tour Team. Participating high schools and technical colleges will be linked through the Educational Series to a Midwest Tour team in their area that has agreed to work with the automotive technology instructor, students, and the sponsoring school. The participating ASA Midwest Tour team carries the school's banner on the car, and the student crew members work with the race team weekly during the season, maintaining the car in the shop and at the track. At each Midwest Tour Series race, teams in the Educational Series score additional points based upon their on-track performance. At the end of the season, the team with the most points will be crowned ASA ES Series Champion. It will be possible for one team to win the ASA Midwest Tour and ASA Educational Series championships.
The innovative program even provides an ASA Educational Series representative to help schools execute the program and make the connection to the race team. Students taking part in the program will earn scholarships based on their participation and their team's success in the series. For example, Ohio Technical College offers full-ride scholarships to all of the student participants on the championship-winning team. In addition to OTC's contribution, other schools are getting involved. Ultimately, there will be partial scholarships available, and every student in the program will receive a scholarship of at least $1,500.
At press time, there were 16 ASA Midwest Tour teams fully committed to the Educational Series, with students already working with them. Einhaus anticipates more will come on board before the season starts.
Team Dan Lensing is one of those committed teams and has Beloit Memorial High School students Kyle Hopper, Andy Kolden, and Tim Jensen all working with him.
"I think the Educational Series is really important. It will be getting the youth back into the sport of auto racing," Lensing said.
The ASA Educational Series kicks off with the inaugural ASA Midwest Series race on April 28 at Elko Speedway, in Minnesota.


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Rita Moreno
Birth Name: Rita Moreno
Born: 12/11/1931
Birth Place: Puerto Rico
Born: 12/11/1931
Birth Place: Puerto Rico
Rosita Dolores Alverio was born on Dec. 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico to a farmer and a seamstress. In 1937, she moved to Spanish Harlem in New York City with her mother, Rosa Maria, and shared a tiny apartment with their relatives. Moreno began her professional career before she reached her teen years. At 11, the future star earned money by dubbing Spanish-language versions of American films. Just a few days shy of her 14th birthday, Moreno (who had adopted her stepfather's surname) made her Broadway debut in the 1945 Belasco Theatre production of "Skydrift," opposite Arthur Keegan and Eli Wallach. Using the stage name Rosita Moreno, the young actress landed her first feature film role i... Continue Bio >>
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- 320Promote
Stationery Cards
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1 big reason to vote for "establishment" Republicans for Senate in November
Judges. Yep, judges. Many posters on here – and people who I run into in person – have expressed disappointment that more rah-rah conservatives have not been able to carry the day in the GOP Senate primaries in places like Kentucky, Georgia, Oregon, and my home state of North Carolina. I agree. I would love more senators of the Cruz-Lee-Paul brand. However, a number of | Read More »


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(USA Today) -- A large explosion late Sunday rocked an upscale Kenyan mall a day after Islamic extremists killed scores of people and took others hostage in an attack with grenades and assault rifles, authorities said.
The Kenya Red Cross said nine more bodies were recovered in a rescue mission late Sunday at Nairobi's Westgate Shopping Mall, raising the death toll to 68.
An unknown number of extremists and hostages remained in the mall. Kenya's Daily Nation reported that a combination of Kenyan defense and internal security security forces were attempting to make an assault on the attackers, reportedly holed in a room with bulletproof glass.
Earlier, Kenya's interior cabinet secretary Joseph Lenku said 175 were injured and that about 1,000 people have been rescued so far.
The Israeli publication Haaretz was among media reporting that Israeli advisers were aiding Kenyan authorities. All Israelis in the mall had escaped, Haaretz said.
The Somali militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility on Twitter for Saturday's attack, which was allegedly carried out by 10 to 15 gunmen with AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons. Al-Shabaab, which said the attack was retribution for Kenyan forces' 2011 push into Somalia, threatened more violence.
"The Mujahideen entered #Westgate Mall today at around noon and are still inside the mall, fighting the #Kenyan Kuffar inside their own turf," the group said on Twitter.
"What Kenyans are witnessing at #Westgate is retributive justice for crimes committed by their military," the group said.
On Friday, the day before the attack on the mall began, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hosted the Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior members of his cabinet, and the chief of the Somali National Army, Gen. Dahir Elmi.
The Pentagon said Hagel "reaffirmed the United States' support to the year-old Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people" and that Hagel and the Somali leaders discussed how the U.S. military might assist in the training of Somali troops.
Americans were among those injured at the Westgate mall shooting, according to a statement from Marie Harf, deputy spokeswoman for the State Department. No Americans were reported killed.
President Obama called President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya on Sunday to express condolences. Obama "reiterated U.S. support for Kenya's efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," the White House said in a statement.
Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement describing the attack as "a heartbreaking reminder that there exists unspeakable evil in our world which can destroy life in a senseless instant."
The attack killed the wife of a foreign service national working for the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to the statement.
"While we mourn with her family today, we also pledge our commitment to do whatever we can to assist in bringing the perpetrators of this abhorrent violence to justice, and to continue our efforts to improve the lives of people across the globe," Kerry said.
Kenyans and foreigners were among those confirmed dead, including French and Canadians. Kenyatta said he lost some family members in the attack.
Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the attacks, adding "because the situation is ongoing we should prepare ourselves for further bad news."
Kenya's presidential office said that one of the attackers was arrested on Saturday and died from bullet wounds. Lenku said there were 10 to 15 attackers involved. He said that Kenyan forces have control of the mall's security cameras.
Kenyan media reported that several people in hiding in the mall escaped to safety, suggesting that not everyone who is still inside is being held by al-Shabab.
Cecile Ndwiga said she had been hiding under a car in the basement parking garage.
"I called my husband to ask the soldiers to come and rescue me. Because I couldn't just walk out anyhow. The shootout was all over here - left, right- just gun shots," she said.
Nairobi resident Paolo Abenavoli said he is holed up in his apartment only 100 meters from the mall with a direct view of the entrance. He said he could see a dozen or more security forces inside a first floor restaurant.
"The battle is on now," Abenavoli said by telephone as the fresh gunfire broke out Sunday.
The attack began on Saturday afternoon when gunmen tossed grenades and opened fire as panicking shoppers fled the building, some jumping down one story from the second floor of the mall to escape, witnesses told the Nation.
Witnesses told local and national news media that the gunman asked Muslims to leave before opening fire. Kenya is 83% Christian with a sizable Muslim community - about 11% of its 44 million people.
The gunmen carried AK-47s and wore vests with hand grenades on them, Manish Turohit, 18, who hid in a parking garage for two hours, told the Associated Press.
"They just came in and threw a grenade. We were running and they opened fire. They were shouting and firing," he said after marching out of the mall in a line of 15 people who all held their hands in the air.
Off-duty Sgt. Major Frank Mugungu told AP that he saw four male attackers and one female, and that he could clearly identify one of the gunmen as a Somali, though he could not identify the rest.
Military cordoned off the building in the heart of the upscale Westlands district, which is home to upper-class Kenyans and expatriate Westerners - many of whom work for the United Nations - and a locale frequented by tourists.
A local organization was hosting a party for children at the Israeli-owned Westgate mall on Saturday. The mall is also a popular nightspot for hip, young Kenyans who gather there to watch movies or eat at restaurants there.
It is on Kenya's watch list as a site for attacks, along with its towering conference center and Western hotels such as the Hilton.


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Presentations are invited for workshop on the Use of Additives in Biomedical Polymers to be held May 6, 2014. Workshop aims to elicit discussion on benefits, potential hazards, testing, regulatory considerations, and opportunities for standard activities related to intentionally incorporated additives in biomedical polymers. Some topics for abstract submissions include: colorants; radiopacifiers; elutables, extractables, and leachables; radiolabels; nanomaterials; and failure mechanisms. Read More
Oil Training Course examines sampling, testing, evaluation.March 29, 2011
As technical and professional training course, Crude Oil: Sampling, Testing and Evaluation focuses on obtaining representative samples using automatic and manual methods. It addresses tests used to obtain data for determining quantity for custody transfer purposes and conformance to expected quality. Course also explores making rapid evaluation of commodity to assess handling and processing characteristics. Course takes place Apr 18-20 in New Orleans, LA and Nov 14-16 in Houston, TX. Read More
Radiant Barrier Systems Standards approved by ASTM committee.February 11, 2011
ASTM C1743, Practice for Installation and Use of Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) in Residential Building Construction, and ASTM C1744, Practice for Installation and Use of RBS in Commercial/Industrial Building Construction, provide information needed to install, use, and gain max performance from RBS. As member of development committee, Roy Akers claimed these standards "are written in very plain terms" to facilitate comprehension by diverse targeted users. Read More
Training Course addresses hazards in oxygen systems.December 22, 2004
Fire Hazards in Oxygen Systems is a 2-day Technical and Professional Training Course that helps identify and evaluate hazards in oxygen systems. It focuses on fundamentals of safe practice in design, materials selection, and operation of oxygen systems and explains physical principles on which safe practices are based. Course will use ASTM standards and other documents to improve judgement and support decisions about oxygen systems. Read More
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NEW YORK (AP) - "Sesame Street" is headed for Justin Bieber territory, nearing 1 billion views on YouTube.
The children's program is closing in on the digital milestone usually reserved for the likes of pop stars and cat videos. "Sesame Street" will soon pass 1 billion views on YouTube, and it's celebrating the mark with a campaign to put itself over the hump.
"Sesame Street" on Thursday will post a video featuring the character Telly Monster, urging viewers to click the show past the final 20 million views and unlock a "top secret video."
Naturally, for the nonprofit children's series, it's a teaching moment, too. Don't be surprised if Count von Count shows up to ponder such a big number.


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Infant, Child & Adult CPR and AED Operation Course
Infant, Child & Adult CPR and AED Operation Course
Children's Hospital Oakland - Walnut Creek Campus
Learn the simple skills that could save a life. American Heart Association's Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED is a classroom, video-based, instructor-led course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives.
Upon completion of this course, students receive an American Heart Association's Heartsaver® CPR and AED course completion card that is valid for 2 years.


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River Canyon When was the last time it took you an hour
to hike a mile? Untouched by glaciers that leveled off other parts
of the state, Apple River Canyon in the hilly northwest gives experienced
hikers a run for their money. Pine Ridge Trail is the easiest, but
even it is classified as moderately difficult. Four others, including
the self-guiding Primrose Lane - not to be confused with the primrose
path - are strenuous. Stay on the marked trails because grades are
extremely steep. Your diligence will result in your viewing pine
groves and other timbered areas teeming with wildflowers, ferns
and birds of all kinds, plus deer, rabbits and raccoons.
Lake Smokey Bear is a bear of a trail at Argyle Lake State
Park, but then so are 10 of the park's other 12 hiking trails. Don't
let their serene names, like Little Fawn or Lonesome Oak, fool you
into thinking they're simple. Only Blackberry and Pitch Pine trails
can be classed as moderate. Steep grades account for difficult to
very difficult rankings for most of Argyle's 5 miles of trails.
Beaver dams highlight Shore Trail that winds along the lake, and
wood duck houses are always a kick to check out. Admittedly, the
poison ivy is bad here, but its berries help attract the more than
200 bird species that call Argyle Lake home.
River State Forest and Delabar
State Park Lincoln's Trail at Big River State Forest is
a 1.5-mile trail with a bit of history - Abraham Lincoln traversed
here in 1832 when he led 2,000 militiamen to fight in the Black
Hawk War. Two other moderate trails, Wilderness at a half-mile and
Big Pine at 1.4, bring trail totals to right at 3.5 miles. Patterson
bindweed, first found here in 1873, and wild turkeys are just as
much a part of the natural scene as Big River's timber stands. Nearby,
Delabar State Park's forested areas serve as a natural habitat for
still more wild turkeys plus other birds. The Mills Slough Trail,
with its old black oak trees and assorted wildflowers, is an easy
hike the whole family can enjoy.
Rock Hikers with intermediate skills find Castle Rock a
dream come true. Six trails, ranging in length from a quarter-mile
to 2 miles, take hikers through mature forest, native prairies and
prairie restoration areas. The rock outcropping you'll see along
some of the trails is St. Peter sandstone, which lies under most
of the state but comes to the surface in only a few places. Pick
up a brochure at the park office for Castle Rock's self-guiding
nature trail, then load your camera to photograph not only scenic
views, but also the birds and woodland animals you'll see along
the way. As you should after any hike, check yourself for ticks.
In the winter, return to the same trails with your cross-country
Creek The 0.3-mile concrete-surfaced Mill Springs Trail
for the disabled is only one reason people come back to Franklin
Creek Natural Area again and again. Others include Pioneer Pass
at 1.85 miles and Norwegian Hill, Black Bass and Quarry trails,
each about a mile long and all moderate in difficulty. In the springtime
you'll be treated to an abundance of wildflowers and songbirds.
Check out Franklin Creek's many natural springs, including Mill
Springs, among the largest in northern Illinois. Geology buffs will
recognize New Richmond sandstone, the oldest exposed bedrock found
in Illinois, dating back 500 million years.
Canal Parkway If you've eaten a little too much at Sunday
dinner, just stand up and stretch, pat your tummy, and head for
the Hennepin Canal Parkway. With its 155 miles, you'll have those
extra calories walked off in no time. Shorter lengths, of course,
may be attempted, and the going is level and easy. That's because
the trail is an old towpath originally intended for but never used
by animals for towing boats along the canal's mainline and feeder
routes. During the first half of the century, the Hennepin Canal
linked the Illinois and Mississippi rivers for commercial shipping,
and today you can still see lock and dam sites, aqueducts and some
of the original houses used by the canal's maintenance workers.
A wildlife observation blind is featured along a 4-mile trail at
Sheffield. From the natural to the manmade, Hennepin Canal Parkway
State Park offers a little of everything.
Autumn colors of red and gold are all the more spectacular when
contrasted with the green of pines, and Illini State Park is the
perfect place to enjoy the season's kaleidoscope. The park's 3 miles
of moderate hiking trails also have the advantage of being a haven
for doves, cardinals and goldfinches. Try the 2-mile White Tail
Run, which doubles as a cross-country ski trail in the winter. For
shorter jaunts, there are the Chassogoac and the Marsottawa trails,
each a half-mile. After your hike, pay a visit to the nearby LaSalle
Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and work on your own definition
of R&R.
Trail Fields of sunflowers swaying with the wind, venerable
pines rimming the lake and a variety of hardwood trees waiting till
the second or third week of October to show their true colors are
among the natural beauties hikers encounter at Johson-Sauk Trail
State Park. The park's 3.75 miles of hiking trails, all easy to
moderate in difficulty, carry the Native American names of Sauk,
Ottawa, Potawatomi, Kaskaskia, Fox, Ojibwa, Winnebago and Piankashaw.
Hawks, owls, pheasant and quail, as well as migratory birds and
waterfowl, roost here. If you want to stay out of the way of sportsmen
during hunting season, stop by the park office for information on
which trails are not located in hunting areas. But know that whenever
you visit, Johnson-Sauk Trail gives you an opportunity for some
great nature watching.
Le-Aqua-Na Lake Le-Aqua-Na has 7 miles of easy to moderate
hiking trails. Go for it, and you won't be disappointed. Within
the park are streams, springs, limestone bluffs and very mature
pine plantations, plus a wide variety of birds and even an occasional
badger. Gorgeous spring wildflowers and seasonal berries keep your
eyes occupied for hours. The trails also are marked for equestrian
and cross-country ski use, but don't worry there's enough pure nature
to go around.
State Fish & Wildlife Area A 200-foot oak-and-hickory bluff
overlooking the scenic backwater lakes of the Illinois River is
the setting for your day of hiking at Marshall State Fish & Wildlife
Area. More than 3 miles of trails give you an excellent chance for
observing migrating songbirds in season and bald eagles in winter,
while the area is always home to white-tailed deer, foxes, opossum
and raccoons. Hiking trails are closed during firearm deer season,
and hikers are asked to wear blaze orange clothing during squirrel
hunting season in September, October and November. If there's more
than 2 inches of snowcover in the winter, you might want to bring
along your cross-country skis to use along Marshall�s three interconnecting,
multi-use trails. Mushroom hunting in spring and a superb wildflower
array in April and early May are just two more traits that help
turn each visit into a quintessential hiking experience.
It's difficult to say who, exactly, enjoys hiking at Matthiessen
State Park the most. Is it birders? More than 200 species of birds
have been observed there. How about botanical revelers? In excess
of 100 types of woodland flowers pop up every spring and summer.
Or do those with an interest in geology outnumber them all? That
illusive sedimentary rock, St. Peter sandstone, makes an appearance
in the form of bluffs at Matthiesssen, which also boasts canyons,
steep cliffs, mineral springs and the beautiful Cascade Falls. The
park's 5 miles of well-marked, well-surfaced trails keep intermediate
and experienced hikers awestruck. Three pieces of advice, however:
unmarked areas are dangerous; rock climbing and rappelling are forbidden;
and keep out of the way of poison ivy.
Palisades Ten marked hiking trails, moderate to strenuous
in difficulty and totaling nearly 13 miles, make Mississippi Palisades
a hiker's paradise. Generally easier to hike than its southern counter-part,
the North Trail System includes trails ranging from 0.8 mile to
4 miles. But to really work up a sweat, head to the short but not
so sweet trails on the park's south side. One of these�the mile-long
Sunset Trail�takes you to an observation platform. Maybe you'll
catch a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker for your efforts, but even
if you don't, you'll enjoy the paper birch trees and ferns dotting
the deep ravines. Be careful of poison ivy, nettles and, of course,
the bluffs themselves.
Cut Approximately 15 miles of trails winding through 3,000
acres prevent hikers at Rock Cut State Park from getting bored.
The main trail circling Pierce Lake is 4.25 miles long, but all
trails interconnect, so you could hike for days and never see quite
the same terrain. Waterfowl are plentiful, as are wild turkeys and
deer. Be advised the park's trails run the gamut from easy to moderate
to difficult. Cross-country skiing is allowed on the park's multi-use
trails when snow is deep enough. There are 7 miles accessible to
mountain biking.
Island Trail There aren't many trials that offer multiple
parking lots, toilets and drinking fountains along the way, but
then there aren't many like the Rock Island Trail. Stretching from
Alta, near Peoria, to Toulon in Stark County, the path is the state's
first rail-to-trail conversion, following a 27-mile portion of an
old railroad right-of-way. You can access the trail at either Alta
or Toulon as well as in Wyoming, in Princeville and in Dunlap. The
trail's crushed limestone surface is 8-feet wide and also is used
by cyclists and cross-country skiers. Where Peoria and Stark counties
meet, the trail divides a spectacular remnant of Illinois tallgrass
prairie at our nature preserve. A historic trestle spans over the
scenic Spoon River just west of Wyoming. A renovated railroad depot
in Wyoming serves as the Park Office/Interpretive Center for the
trail. You're reminded to stay on the trail and off private property
throughout your excursion.
Shabbona Lake State Park invites blind and visually impaired visitors
to hike an interpretive nature trail guided by its Touch the Earth�
cassette tape. Cassettes and tape players, available at the park
office, aim to make the one-eighth-mile trek both informative and
enjoyable. Visitors in wheelchairs appreciate the trail's hard surface.
Arrowhead Trail at 2.4 miles is equipped with benches for resting
every mile or so. Tomahawk, Papara and the 7-mile long snowmobile
trail offer the opportunity to experience the remarkable scenic
beauty of Shabbona Lake. Wildlife is abundant with the opportunity
to observe deer, turkey and occasionally even the elusive coyote
as you hike through the park's woodland and prairie areas. Stop
and view the waterfowl as you round the lake and listen for songbirds
along the way. Be sure to bring along your wildflower and bird guides.
Please contact the park office if hiking after October 1st for updates
on hiking restrictions due to hunting in the park.
Spring Lake State Fish & Wildlife Spring Lake is simply a good
place to enjoy the trees, the scenery and the wildlife and isn't
it convenient because that's exactly what most hikers are after?
Whispering Pines Trail on the north side of the lake features short
(0.5), medium (1.5), and long (2.5) loops through fragrant pine
timber. On the south, the short Deer Run and Stagecoach trails summon
the whole family to join in a leisurely stroll. Myriad prairie wildflowers
bloom every summer and, in keeping with their pastime, birdwatchers
flock to the area. Spring Lake's trails prove time and time again
that simple pleasures are the best.
Rock When your psyche demands to be refreshed by spectacular
vistas and the urge to stretch your legs becomes an obsession, pack
it up and head for the 15 miles of moderate to difficult trails
at Starved Rock State Park. Eighteen soaring canyons laced with
trickling to cascading waterfalls set the stage for your hiking
retreat. Guided hikes, lasting from one-and-a half to three hours,
weekends and holidays from April through October and on Saturdays
from November through March. An annual wildflower pilgrimage is
held the first weekend in May, while fall color guided tours are
scheduled the third weekend in October. Set aside the third weekend
in January for viewing the park's scenic frozen waterfalls and watching
eagles feed in the open water below the dam. Contact the Visitor
Center at 815-667-4906 for guided tour hours. Don't be afraid of
venturing out on your own, however, Starved Rock's elaborate yet
easy-to-understand trail marking system should prevent even folks
with a horrible sense of direction from getting lost. To prevent
serious accidents, stay on the marked trails and don't climb the
rock formations, which are primarily St. Peter sandstone. Kindly
refrain from complaining about the poison ivy many of the park's
200 species of birds rely on its white berries as a primary food
Pines Forest and Lowden Immerse yourself in the solitude
of White Pines Forest State Park. Whether you choose an easy walking
trail or a more difficult path, you'll no doubt come away revitalized.
Vine-covered limestone bluffs, blossoming spring flowers and whispering
pines combine to lend this area its special charm. White Pines offers
seven marked trails aimed at treating you to all its natural beauty.
Trails vary in length from .5 mile to 1.4 miles long with the complete
trail system totaling over 5 miles. The trail system has .4 miles
of limestone screenings to allow accessibility for disabled visitors.
While you're in the area, you might also want to take in the trails
at Lowden State Park, 12 miles to the east. Its 3.8 miles of moderate
hiking trails could give you an opportunity to see the grand pileated
woodpecker. Odds are extremely good, however, that you'll see a
Scout or two�Lowden is one end of the 20-mile Black Hawk Trail that
Scouts attempt in order to earn a hiking patch.
More Northwest
Trails Early October is when you're most apt to enjoy the fall
color at Jubilee College State
Park, which offers a 10-mile trail with several loops, but return
in the spring for a flourish of flowers. Near Donnelley and DePue State Fish & Wildlife Areas, Miller-Anderson Woods,
with its 1.5 miles of moderate to difficult trails along Illinois
River bluffs, also affords the hiker some spectacular autumn scenery.
Morrison-Rockwood State Park's
hiking trail through mostly wooded areas is moderately difficult
and 3.5 miles long, but can be shortened by taking one of the three
loops. Prophetstown State Park
has an easy, one-third-mile trail named after Wa-bo-kie-shiek, the
adviser and prophet to the great Sauk war chief, Black Hawk.
Return to Hiking
Guide | Return
to KEY
| Return to MAP


text:
New Solution Creates a Seamless Integration of Paper Documents into Existing Networks, Workflows and Applications.
LAKE SUCCESS, NY – Providing a versatile and powerful document automation solution Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today launched the ScanFront 300e and ScanFront 300eP networked document scanners featuring Nuance eCopy® ShareScan®, a leading paper-to-digital scanning and workflow software. Building upon the successful ScanFront 220e and ScanFront 220eP models, the easy-to-use ScanFront 300e/300eP scanners are powered by eCopy ShareScan to leverage an imaging and capture platform, which increases options for information sharing and improves collaboration.
The ScanFront 300e/300eP scanners can be used as dedicated document scanners, or as complements to Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices running eCopy ShareScan in heterogeneous environments. The scanners are ideal for a variety of organizations, including legal, financial, education, government, healthcare, and other sectors that can benefit from capturing and sending documents through their seamless integration with existing business processes and workflows. Through the adoption of a paper-to-digital workflow, businesses can save time with instant and secure access to scanned documents as part of an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, and through simple document distribution via network, e-mail, fax server, and more.
eCopy ShareScan is a leading document scanning and workflow solution for networked printers and scanners. eCopy ShareScan provides organizations with everything they need to automate their paper-to-digital workflows, letting office workers scan paper documents easily and securely using existing investments in network scanning devices. The solution also offers versions that scale to meet the price/performance requirements for workgroups, departments and global enterprises.
"The combination of Canon's ScanFront 300e/300eP and Nuance eCopy ShareScan offers businesses a great way to enhance their productivity," said Sam Yoshida vice president, Marketing, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A. "Quicker access to important data will help our customers deliver high-quality results while benefiting from more efficient, lower-cost workflows."
"Nuance is focused on technologies that deliver a combination of productivity and value to help propel businesses to success," said Chris Strammiello, vice president of worldwide marketing for the Nuance Document Imaging Division. "eCopy ShareScan and the Canon ScanFront 300e/300eP offer customers precision and efficiency in managing their document lifecycles."
Key features of the imageFORMULA ScanFront 300e/300eP scanner include:
The ScanFront 300e/300eP scanners have features that qualify them to be part of Canon's Generation Green program,2 including the fact that they meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency and comply with the EU RoHS. Furthermore, Canon complies with WEEE directives for reduction of hazardous substances and waste products in connection with the scanners.
The new ScanFront 300e/300eP scanners are available immediately only through authorized Canon dealers for a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2,095 for ScanFront 300e, and $2,395 for ScanFront 300eP. 3
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $45.6 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2011† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2012. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.
About Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with devices and systems. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance's proven applications. For more information, please visit www.nuance.com.
†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.
1Examples based on typical settings, rated in pages/images per minute with letter-sized documents, portrait feeding direction, up to 200dpi in black and white. Actual processing speeds may vary based on PC performance and application software.
2 For additional information please visit www.usa.canon.com/app/html/GenerationGreen/index.html
3Prices specifications and availability subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual resellers and may vary.
SOURCE: Nuance Communications


text:
I find all other forms of gaming "too limited," myself. I am currently running a regular Traveller game with four players (plus me as ref); we meet roughly every two weeks, depending on how long it takes me to prep.
I attended a weekly gaming night before I left my hometown that had two tabletop RPGs and some console gaming going on simultaneously. There were probably about 30 regular attendees in that group.
I don't use a lot of maps for Traveller, but I make deckplans for the PCs' ships, and occasional maps for important locations. Most of the time I just sketch tactical situations on scratch paper, though.
I played D&D 4e briefly, and for that I used battlemats displayed with Maptool on my HDTV screen.


text:
Less talk, more conservation, says IUCN
Bonn, Germany – The time to take action to stem the destruction of the natural world is now, according to the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). But the strong words coming out of the Bonn meeting fall short on the action the world is demanding, says IUCN. …
30 May 2008 | News story
The third pillar of the CBD: Access and Benefit Sharing
Access and Benefit Sharing is intrinsically linked to the other two pillars - conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Delegates in Bonn agreed to continue work on an international regime for this issue. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Historic agreement for biodiversity in South-Eastern Europe
Committing to regional cooperation in nature conservation and sustainable development, six governments of South-Eastern Europe signed an agreement to dramatically expand transboundary conservation efforts. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Plundering the Pacific
Globalization is not good news for Pacific Island fisheries and the people who depend on them, says Martin Tsamenyi. …
29 May 2008 | News story
The best things in life are not free
Costa Rica paid 200 million USD to its farmers to protect ecosystems. In doing so, it saved 460,000 hectares of forests and contributed to the well-being of 8.000 people. Such payments for ecosystem services are one way to reward unrecognised benefits of good ecosystem management. …
29 May 2008 | News story
IUCN Presents Red List Exhibit at US Botanic Gardens
May 23, 2008—As part of the US Botanic Garden's "One Planet—Ours! Sustainability for the 22nd Century" summer exhibition, IUCN's Species Program and USA Multilateral Office unveiled an exhibit at a media briefing and preview tour. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ exhibit showcases display panels explaining the IUCN Red List and the nutritional and medicinal uses of plants. The exhibit also features live specimens of threatened or endangered plants in the Botanic Garden collection which are tagged with the IUCN Red List. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Japan adopts legislation to combat biodiversity loss
Two days after the G8 Environment Ministers Meeting in Kobe, the National Diet of Japan adopted the Basic Act on Biodiversity. The Act formally recognises biodiversity as a challenge all countries must face and one that needs immediate nonpartisan action. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Sri Lanka 2048
Let's talk about creating the future: A series of TV Debates on creating a more livable island for our present and future generations. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Gender takes its place within CBD, says IUCN
Bonn, Germany, May 29, 2008 (IUCN) – For the first time in the history of CBD, delegates in Bonn have approved a road map ensuring that gender equality is a mainstream element in the work related to the CBD. …
29 May 2008 | News story
Se crea en Ecuador la Secretaría Nacional del Agua
29 May 2008 | News story


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WHEELING - Many Ohio Valley residents will be delighted to see an old favorite holiday tradition return to downtown Wheeling when the Imperial Christmas Shoppe reopens this weekend.
And the timing couldn't be better, since the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Fantasy in Lights Parade hits the streets of Wheeling at 6:30 p.m. today.
The former Imperial Display was damaged Easter morning 1996 in a devastating fire that burned down several stores on Main Street.
Article Photos
Photo by Sarah Harmon
Cathy Jackson, from left, owner and manager of the Imperial Christmas Shoppe, Alisha Thomas and Suzanne Haslam, both designers, stand in front of a Christmas decoration display at the reopened Christmas store at 2347 Main St.
With those stores went the Christmas tradition of shopping at Imperial for unique Christmas trees and decorations. After 16 years, the Christmas Imperial Shoppe has been brought back to life in a renovated storage house resembling a "Christmas wonderland" located next to the Imperial Teacher's Store at 2347 Main Street.
"There's nothing like it in the valley," said Cathy Jackson, owner and manager of the store. "We used to be the Christmas spot to go to. People come in and tell me they remember going to the old Imperial after the parade when it was uptown. They would go to the old Imperial and look at all the decorated trees. We're trying to bring back those memories that people had from 30 years ago."
The Christmas store, once known for its spectacular, pre-decorated trees, has brought that tradition back with uniquely decorated trees in traditional forest green or even bright red for more adventurous buyers. Those who enjoy decorating a tree themselves can choose from a "tree forest" of undecorated lighted and unlighted trees available for sale.
"We've always sold trees and lights. We were best known for the quality of our trees, and now we've expanded the Christmas to a full-service Christmas store," Jackson said.
In addition to Christmas trees, the shop sells a large selection of nativity scenes, outdoor decorations and lights, including energy-saving LED lights, tree skirts, Santa suits, stockings and "blow molds" of snowmen, Santa Claus and other favorite Christmas characters to put on the front lawn.
The store will have an open house 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Also, the store will host Santa Claus every Saturday throughout the season.
"We have the Christmas store in the teacher's store, but all the customers would come in and reminisce about the old Imperial," Jackson said. "We just hope to fill a niche in the valley and bring back the old Christmas feel."


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By David Jackson, USA TODAY
President Obama urged a divided Senate Monday to quickly confirm two new members of his national security team, though Republicans might not cooperate when it comes to Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel.
"Chuck Hagel is the leader our troops deserve," Obama said in an East Room ceremony, praising him for his service in Vietnam, his business career, and his two terms as senator -- a Republican senator -- from Nebraska.
Current Senate Republicans, however, have questioned their former colleague's commitment to Israel's security and his attitude towards Iran and its nuclear program.
Obama also announced the nomination of White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan to be the new director of the CIA.
Noting that "the work of protecting our nation is never done," Obama said his second term security team faces challenges that range from wrapping up the war in Afghanistan to cyber security.
In pointedly urging the Senate for quick confirmations, Obama said: "When it comes to national security, we don't like to leave a lot of gaps."
Hagel is slated replace retiring Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, who also led the CIA earlier in Obama's term. Brennan, meanwhile, would replace David Petraeus, who resigned from the CIA in November after admitting an extramarital affair.
Hagel did not address the Republican criticism during brief remarks at the White House, telling Obama he would always provide "honest and informed" counsel as defense secretary.
Some Senate Republicans said that, during his political career, Hagel has been too critical of Israel and too soft on Iran and its nuclear ambitions. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Tex., said, "the worst possible message we could send to our friend Israel and the rest of our allies in the Middle East is Chuck Hagel."
Obama and other Democrats praised Hagel's record, including two Purple Hearts for service in Vietnam and a successful business career before his 1996 Senate election.
"Chuck Hagel's candor, judgment, and expertise will serve him well as our next secretary of defense," said Sen. Jack Reed, D-Ill., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that will hold confirmation hearings.
As for Brennan, Obama praised his adviser's "keen understanding of a dynamic world," and noted that he created the National Counter-terrorism Center. He also praised Brennan's work ethic, saying "I'm not sure he's slept in four years."
Obama considered him for the CIA after the 2008 election. Brennan withdrew after critics noted that he worked for the CIA at a time that it used enhanced interrogation techniques against terrorist suspects; Brennan said he opposed those techniques, including water boarding.
As a top adviser to Obama, Brennan has also been involved in the administration's increased used of unmanned drones for surveillance and for attacks on suspected terrorists.
Thanking Obama for his nomination, Brennan said he would push to get the CIA "the tools it needs to keep our nation safe." He also pledged to be bipartisan, saying he was neither a Republican nor a Democrat.
Brennan's CIA nomination is not without its critics.
Laura W. Murphy, director of the Washington Legislative Office for the American Civil Liberties Union, said: "The Senate should not move forward with his nomination until all senators can assess the role of the CIA -- and any role by Brennan himself -- in torture, abuse, secret prisons, and extraordinary rendition during his past tenure at the CIA."
The Hagel and Brennan nominations are Obama'a latest moves as he re-tools his administration ahead of a second term that starts Jan. 20.
Late last month, Obama nominated Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to be Secretary of State.
The president is also looking to replace Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Environmental Protection Agency administration Lisa Jackson, both of whom are planning to leave this month.
The Hagel nomination, for now at least, is drawing more attention, particularly from supporters of Israel.
Abraham H. Foxman, national director the Anti-Defamation League, said he respects "the president's prerogative" to nominate who he wants, but he hopes the confirmation hearings will give Hagel a chance to "address concerns about his positions."
Said Foxman: "I particularly hope Senator Hagel will clarify and explain his comments about the "Jewish Lobby" that were hurtful to many in the Jewish Community."
Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of an organization called J Street, said Hagel understands "the appropriate uses and limitations" of U.S. power, and been a staunch supporter of Israel's security.
Praising Obama for following through on the nomination in face of Republican criticism, Ben-Ami said "this sets an important precedent. Hopefully, qualified candidates will no longer be prevented from serving the nation by 'Swift Boat'-style attacks that distort their records and caricature their beliefs."


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2185 Citracado ParkwayEscondido, CA 92029442.281.5000
555 East Valley ParkwayEscondido, CA 92025760.739.3000
Outpatient Pavilion15611 Pomerado Rd. Poway, CA 92064858.613.4000
(adjacent to Pomerado Hospital)Poway, CA 92064858.613.4545
120 Craven RoadSan Marcos, CA 92078760.510.7330
EscondidoRancho PenasquitosTemeculaSan Elijo Hills (San Marcos)
Home > Health Resources > Health Encyclopedia
You have to be healthy for surgery to be a good choice. Before surgery, you'll meet with your surgeon, who is a urologist (a doctor who specializes in problems with the urinary tract, including the bladder). In this meeting, you will talk about the procedure. You'll also be able to ask questions and address concerns you may have. You may want to ask about the possible side effects of the surgery and talk about its risks. You may also want to ask your doctor when you can expect to return to your normal activities. You may want to ask where the scars will be and what they will look like.
The surgeon will ask if you are taking medications. This is to make sure you're not taking medications that could affect the surgery. After you have discussed all the details with the surgeon, you will sign a consent form that says the doctor can perform the surgery.
Your doctor will use the stage of your cancer to help decide the type of surgery you should have. There are several types of surgery for bladder cancer:
If your cancer is superficial and a grade I or II, the surgeon will probably remove it all in a process called transurethral resection (TUR). This may be followed by some type of intravesical therapy (treatment, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, is inserted inside the bladder). In follow-up visits, your doctor will look at your bladder. This procedure is called a cystoscopy. For it, the doctor sees inside your bladder using a tool called a cystoscope, which is a thin, lighted tube inserted through your urethra into your bladder. You will also give urine samples to have tests done, such as a urine cytology.
If your cancer has a grade higher than II or has spread to tissue beneath lining of the bladder, you'll probably need surgery to remove part or all of the bladder. If part of the bladder is removed, the operation is called a partial cystectomy. When all the bladder is removed, the type of surgery is called a radical cystectomy. You may also need chemotherapy or radiation, or both. Your doctor may not know for sure until the surgery how much of the bladder needs to be removed.
If your whole bladder is removed during surgery, you will need reconstructive surgery to create a new path for urine to leave your body.
Your medical team will review the surgical options appropriate to your condition. To help deal with the medical information and remember all of your questions, it is helpful to bring a family member or close friend with you to doctors' appointments. In addition, bringing a written list of concerns will make it easier for you to remember your questions.
You may also want to consider getting a second opinion before starting any treatment. Certain health insurance companies require a second opinion for such diagnoses. According to the American Cancer Society, it is very rare that the time it will take to get a second opinion will have a negative impact on your treatment. The peace of mind a second opinion provides may be well worth the effort.
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text:
To the editor:
While serving at Thule Air Base, Greenland, 1959-1960, the GIs there often quoted a pithy little homily to each other: �When I woke up this morning, I looked outside at the darkness and thought about another day of 35 below zero. Just then, a little bird flew into my room and said, �Cheer up; it could get worse.� So, I cheered up, and � sure enough � things got worse.�
This can easily be applied to Obama-care. Not only was the rollout the political Titanic of our time, Obama-care�s ultimate champion has tried to fix it himself, plunging his signature legislation more deeply into the dark depths of an ocean of confusion and disillusionment. If the president were a football coach, he would have been fired long ago. He reminds me of a coach who once delivered a rousing locker room pep talk to his team, then flung open the locker room door, whereupon his highly energized team thundered out � into the swimming pool.
The president�s incompetence has never been more evident. Even his apologies lack credibility. He should heed this bit of Texas advice: When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!
A line from Shakespeare comes to mind: �Sleep, that knits the raveled sleeve of care.� Perhaps that is what the president and his liberal followers should do. Just go to sleep and trust that by the time they wake up, the libertarians and the TEA Party will have knit that raveled, unaffordable sleeve ironically and erroneously called the Affordable Care Act.
The latest is that the president met Friday with a number of insurance company CEOs to try to �fix� Obama-care. My question is, why didn�t he enlist their help to design it in the first place?
And, yes, it can get worse. And probably will. After all, consider who is in charge.
Jere Geurin
Morehead City
Location, ST | website.com


text:
All's ending well for game-ender Hoffman
Hoffy headed into Breitbard Hall of Fame
Here's the strange-but-true twist about this, the most local of the countless honors for Trevor Hoffman, his induction into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.
Even before he'd been given a proper introduction to San Diego -- a few months shy of 20 years ago -- Trevor Hoffman knew that the city's baseball fans didn't like him and didn't want to like him. Didn't know him. Didn't care to know him.
Oh, they already did know one thing about him. They knew he wasn't Gary Sheffield. Nothing personal.
"Trevor did not have a soft landing in San Diego," said Randy Smith, the general manager who traded away Sheffield under pressure in the 1993 deal that brought Hoffman from Florida to San Diego as a rookie reliever. "Initially, unfortunately, a lot of the venom was aimed at him as well. The fans had a lot of disappointment and a lot of it came down on him."
Quietly, simply pitching his way through the hostilities in the immediate aftermath of what will forever be known as the "The Fire Sale" of veteran, well-paid talent, Hoffman not only won San Diego over quickly and helped the Padres to a World Series, but became the blonde-goateed face of the franchise and used his trademark changeup to set major league baseball's all-time saves record over 16 years.
Officially retired for only two years, Hoffman will have to wait for his 601-save career to be eligible for Cooperstown consideration, but his local legacy was so strong that Hoffman's already being enshrined by the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Joining him in the Breitbard Class of 2013 are former NCAA wrestling champion and NFL lineman Stephen Neal and San Diego Sockers mainstay Brian Quinn.
"I got to know Bob (Breitbard) and saw his passion for the sport, had an opportunity to meet Ted (Williams) up in Bob's office and saw how proud Bob was of that relationship," said Hoffman, referring to the Hall of Champions founder who passed away in 2010. "Bob treated the San Diego Padre organization so well, but it was also the amateurs and the college and high school athletes in San Diego, how important this was to him and how important it was to the local athletes.
"I'm telling you, it can't be understated how revered the Hall of Champions is around the country. Of all the cities' Hall of Fames, the San Diego Hall of Champions one is the most tastefully done. It has a place for you whether you're a pro athlete or a student athlete. Over time, to get a Star of the Month or Star of the Year from Bob was a great honor. This is a culmination of my appreciation for the Hall itself."
To see and know him, you'd almost swear Hoffman was as much a San Diego native as Ted Williams. He grew up in Orange County, not far from what's now known as Angel Stadium, the son of a Marine war veteran and former entertainer (Ed) who was known as the Singing Usher at Halos games. But it was Hoffman's mother, Mikki, who first got Trevor to San Diego.
"Summer vacations," said Hoffman, a special assistant with the Padres since his retirement. "My mom would go down to Sears and wait in line for Ticketron to book a campsite at Cardiff, then south Carlsbad. We'd go to the rental place and get a hitch put on the Cadillac or whatever car we had at the time, hook up a small trailer and go for our week of camping at the beach.
"I was a boogie-boarder. My older brother's a surfer, so he knew all about the reefs, knew all about swami's. It was always late July or August, no June gloom. Mom always good weather for us."


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WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- Reason number 852 why I love my gig with WUSA-9: I get to write whatever I want. They trust me enough to gain web traction. And if you've read me even a little bit during my first 11 months here, you know I'm infatuated with predicting occurrences in sports.
I've got some bad news if you value you my opinion highly, and actually support the Washington Wizards: it's going to be a rough year.
Record: 34-48, 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Problems I envision: Half-court offense; defending the perimeter; an absolute logjam at the small forward and power forward positions; John Wall and his control of the game; John Wall and his supposed improved jumper; improved three-point shooting but still in the bottom 10 of the NBA; Jordan Crawford's attitude; Nene's health.
Bright spots: Trevor Booker; improved post defense; some actual depth on the roster; Bradley Beal's demeanor; interviews with Kevin Seraphin; cutaway shots of Randy Wittman and his teeth; no Andray Blatche shenanigans; the franchise will no longer be the laughing stock of the league.
Team MVP: Bradley Beal -- I'll guess he'll post 15 points, 45 percent field goal percentage and close to five rebounds per game. His decison making for a teenager will wow fans.
Team LVP: Trevor Ariza -- ill-advised shots, problems matching up with quicker players on defense.
Scapegoat: John Wall -- by the end of the season, most Wizards pundits will agree that Wall has indeed passed the face of the franchise torch to Beal. Still, this mess is not entirely his fault.
Fan Favorite: Trevor Booker
Fan Favorite part II: Kevin Seraphin
Most Improved player: Jan Vesely
Player fans will complain about the most: Jordan Crawford
Date in which Ted Leonsis starts blogging about the bright future instead of this season: February 6th
Eastern Conference
1) Miami Heat
2) Indiana Pacers
3) Philadelphia 76ers
4) Boston Celtics
5) Chicago Bulls
6) Detroit Pistons
7) New York Knicks
8) Brooklyn Nets
Worst team: Orlando Magic
Western Conference
1) Denver Nuggets
2) San Antonio Spurs
3) Los Angeles Clippers
4) Los Angeles Lakers
5) Oklahoma City Thunder
6) Dallas Mavericks
7) Minnesota Timberwolves
8) Golden State Warriors
Worst team: Phoenix Suns
Eastern Finals: Heat over 76ers
Western Finals: Nuggets over Spurs
NBA Finals: Heat over Nuggets
MVP: LeBron James, Heat
Most Improved: JaVale McGee, Nuggets
Sixth Man: Jason Terry, Celtics
Coach of the Year: George Karl, Nuggets
Rookie of the Year: Andre Drummond, Pistons


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Perspective Is Everything
17/09/2010 13:00 by Amsterdamize
Certainly for a bike blogger. You gotta mix it up as much as possible and have fun while doing it. Or is it the other way round? ;)
When you're moving house by bakfiets...
(video post follows soon)
When SAIL comes to town...
When you're up earlier than the birds on a rainy day, but you're not alone...
When you have an off day, and need an escape/some soothing...
When you can't get enough of Dam Square...
When there's
a big theme party
across the bay
and every Amsterdammer seems to be going there...
Blog hiatus, forced or not, life meanwhile goes on and you wouldn't want to miss a beat.
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