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The IUCN World Parks Congress is a landmark global forum on protected areas held every ten years. As the world's most influential gathering of people involved in protected area management, it sets the global agenda for the following decade.
The next IUCN World Parks Congress will take place 12 - 19 November 2014 in Sydney, Australia.
Parks, People, Planet – Inspiring Solutions at the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress
As challenges in sustainable development and sustainable use of the earth's natural resources accelerate, the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress will play a key role in ensuring that protected areas can contribute towards addressing them. The ultimate aim of the Congress is to position parks and protected areas firmly within broader goals of economic and community wellbeing. The theme of the Congress has therefore been selected as Parks, People Planet: Inspiring Solutions.
In Sydney, meeting the challenges of sustainable development and contributing to community wellbeing will be achieved by increasing understanding of the vital role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity and delivering ecosystem services. This progress will contribute substantially to realizing IUCN's overall vision of a "just world that values and conserves nature."
More than a meeting place, the Congress will set the protected areas agenda through its design to achieve outcomes that have global and local impact, and influence the direction and trends involved in contemporary protected area management. To achieve real impact, the Congress aims to bring together not only leaders in the parks and protected areas field, but also business, government and influential individuals that depend on or impact protected areas. It will also strive to engage a diversity of young people around the world as the main proponents of a new vision and perspective on the role and value of protected areas. This holistic view will ensure WPC 2014 results in outcomes that last, and that will influence policy, practice and perspectives for conservation and development in the decade that follows.
Priority Objectives of the Congress
Three priority objectives for the Congress have been identified, based on the three foundations of the current IUCN Programme.
The three priority objectives include:
- PARKS – Valuing and conserving nature
The WPC 2014 will strengthen policy and action commitments for the expansion, connectivity and better management of parks and protected areas to cover all areas important for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- PEOPLE – Effective and equitable governance of nature's use
The WPC 2014 will foster the equitable governance of parks and protected areas to empower communities (including indigenous peoples) to become involved and to benefit.
- PLANET – Deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges
The WPC 2014 will explore and promote parks and protected areas as natural solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food and water security, health and a green economy.
The 2014 World Parks Congress will take on special significance as it falls right before the mid-point of the ten year timeframe of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, agreed upon at the CBD meeting in Nagoya, Japan in 2010. Target 11 calls for at least 17% of the world's terrestrial areas and 10% of the world's marine areas to be equitably managed and conserved by 2020. The Congress will effectively serve as a mid-term Target 11 summit, providing conservation leaders the opportunity to take stock of progress and suggest new, bold approaches for moving forward on protected areas and biodiversity conservation.
As the only independent body that can objectively produce the standards and information to track the Target, IUCN will have the opportunity at WPC 2014 to demonstrate leadership and convening power, and to be recognized as the world's premier source of knowledge, standards and measurement for biodiversity conservation initiative.
Since its first staging in 1962 in Seattle, USA, the World Parks Congress has substantially influenced the way in which the world has viewed systems of protected areas. The series of Congresses has influenced and tracked perspectives on the role of PAs in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Each Congress has been vital to conservation policy worldwide, addressing global challenges and opportunities, establishing standards to ensure that protected areas are effective, and being a source of inspiration and innovation for the decade that follows.
Previous Congresses
The IUCN World Parks Congress has been convened five times at ten year intervals since 1962.
- 1962: definitions and standards for representative systems leading to the UN list of PAs;
- 1972: conservation of ecosystems, genesis of World Heritage and Wetlands Conventions;
- 1982: PAs in sustainable development, development assistance in PAs
- 1992: Global change and PAs; PA categories and management effectiveness;
- 2003: Governance, sustainable finance, capacity development, linkages in the landscape and seascape, equity and benefit sharing.
At this most recent Congress, held in Durban, South Africa, entitled "Benefits Beyond Boundaries" the Congress prepared the Durban Action Plan, adopted by the CBD COP (Conference of Parties) 7 as the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA). As the IUCN World Parks Congress enters its sixth decade in Sydney in 2014, it will inspire solutions for people, parks and the planet. It will generate Hope for a Protected Planet by addressing some of the fundamental issues facing protected areas, but moreover highlight the opportunities and solutions that they offer to the world.


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KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Emergencies, by their nature, are unpredictable. When they happen, they can derail your financial stability. A new survey shows that a large number of Americans are unprepared, should an emergency arise.
Suzanne from Lenoir City asks: "In case of an emergency, how many months worth of expenses should put away?"
While emergencies can't always be avoided, having an emergency savings can take some of the financial sting out of dealing with unexpected events like a sudden illness, accident, or unexpected job loss.
The general rule of thumb is have six months worth of expenses put away in a separate savings or bank account used to cover or offset the expense of an unforeseen situation.
However, a survey just released this week shows 26 percent of Americans, just over one in four, have no emergency savings.
The Bankrate.com report shows 67 percent have saved less than the recommended six month's worth of expenses and 50 percent of Americans have saved less than three months' expenses.
Even among the highest income households, those with an annual income of $75,000 and above, fewer than half, 46 percent, currently have a six month savings cushion.
Among different age groups, people between the ages of 30 and 49 are more likely to than any other age group to have no emergency savings.
The reason, according to financial experts, is ages 30 to 49 are considered the high spending years when expenses often rise faster than emergency savings can keep up.
Those between the ages of 18 and 30 are more likely to have up to five months' worth of expenses saved up, mainly because many of those under the age of 30 have the benefit of lower expenses due to roommates, living with parents, or being a student.
Having three to six months' worth of expense put away can seem daunting at first, but the idea is to put a small amount away each week or two to build up to that goal.

subset: commoncrawl


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SAN DIEGO - It looks like it will be a major year for Tiger Woods.
Woods polished off another tour de force around these parts on a sun-splashed Monday - despite some errant tee shots and a few mishaps down the stretch - going about his business over 11 holes on the South Course to win the Farmers Insurance Open for the seventh time at seaside Torrey Pines.
Woods began the day with a six-shot lead, but he made two bogeys and a double bogey in the last five holes to finish out a final-round 72. He was 14 under overall, 3 over during Monday's play.
It is Woods' 75th career victory.
"It got a little ugly toward the end," Woods said on CBS after the round. "I got a little impatient with the slow play."
The win bodes well for Woods - and not so much for his colleagues.
In the six previous seasons that Woods won the Farmers, he never won less than four tournaments that year. That included eight wins twice and years of seven, six and five victories. The year he won four - in 2008 - he played just six events as he had season-ending surgery to his left knee following his win in the U.S. Open - at Torrey Pines.
In five of those six previous years when he won the Farmers, Woods triumphed in a major championship. The lone year he didn't pull a Farmers-major double was 2003.
Woods started the delayed fourth round with a six-shot lead.


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More Than Two Million SUVs Delivered to Customers
Jan 02, 2012
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Dr. Joachim Schmidt
"Our entire SUV family is extremely popular among our customers, particularly in the USA and in its second largest market China. With the launch of our first sport utility vehicle – the G‑Class – more than 30 years ago, we entered a segment in which we are now very successful with a total of five models. The SUVs today are an important pillar of Mercedes-Benz's growth and have regularly posted a new sales record in every month since July 2010."
Successful launch of new M-Class in November
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Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz's SUV models are celebrating another milestone. Since the launch of Mercedes-Benz's first sports utility vehicle – the G-Class – over 30 years ago, more than two million G-Class, M-Class, R-Class, GL-Class and GLK-Class models have been delivered to customers. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: "Our entire SUV family is extremely popular among our customers, particularly in the USA and in its second-largest market China. With the launch of our first sports utility vehicle – the G‑Class – more than 30 years ago, we entered a segment in which we are now very successful with a total of five models. The SUVs today are an important pillar of Mercedes-Benz's growth and have achieved a new sales record in every month since July 2010. The new Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which has enjoyed fantastic customer response to date, will give sales a further boost."
In November 2011, Mercedes-Benz SUVs achieved another monthly sales record with deliveries of 25,552 models (+23.4%). From January through November, a total of 221,518 sports utility vehicles have been delivered worldwide (+24.3%), more than ever before in this period. The successful run-out of the M-Class was particularly noteworthy, as was the excellent start of its new models in the U.S. A new peak was set by the GLK, whose deliveries are at a record high since the beginning of the year (+25.6%). To meet the strong demand on the Chinese market, the small SUV is being produced locally in China since early December. The other model series have also developed positively in the year to date with significant increases in sales. R-Class sales jumped by 50.3 per cent, the G-Class recorded growth of 30.9 per cent, GL sales climbed by 28.9 per cent, and deliveries of the M-Class were up 15.8% despite the model change. In the coming year, the new GL and the new generations of the GLK and the G-Class will generate additional demand in the SUV segment.
The SUV models account for around one-fifth of global Mercedes-Benz sales. By far the largest market for the SUV family as well as the M-, GLK-, and GL-Class are the United States. The second largest market for the SUVs is China, followed by Germany. The classic sports utility vehicle, the G-Class, is most popular in its domestic market Germany, while the R-Class is most in demand in China.
The latest star of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family is the third generation of the M-Class, which was launched last November. One of its strongest features is its outstanding energy efficiency. As the most fuel-efficient SUV in its segment, the M-Class became the first vehicle in its class to receive the prestigious TÜV (Technical Control Board) environmental certificate – just in time for its launch. The strengths of the permanent 4-wheel-drive premium SUV also include excellent safety features and well-balanced driving comfort with strong driving dynamics both on- and off-road. Thanks to its outstanding safety systems, the M-Class was recognized as the best vehicle in its segment and awarded the top five star rating under the European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) for excellent occupant protection.
The new M-Class is the top model in its segment when it comes to value retention. Just recently it was recognized by "Focus Online" and "Bähr & Fess Forecast" as one of the best performers in terms of residual values in 2015. The ML 250 BlueTEC can still yield 55 per cent of its new value as a four-year-old used car. The Mercedes-Benz
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WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- If you have had problems will your cell phone after Hurricane Sandy, you are far from being alone.
The cell phone companies are still working to get the power back to a quarter of their cell towers and resume broadband Internet and television services.
The head of the FCC says cell service will get worse before it gets better.
Many towers have been running on backup battery power, fueled by generators. But crews are having trouble getting to some of the generators because of flooding. Once they go down and batteries die, additional towers are expected to go dark.


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In light of this, Broncos owner and CEO Pat Bowlen, released a personal letter to all of the season-ticket holders on Tuesday. The letter said the following:
Dear Season Ticket Holder:
I write this letter to summarize my thoughts on the 2012 season and to thank you for your tremendous support this year.
Saturday's playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens was a gut-wrenching disappointment for everyone who loves the Denver Broncos. It marked a bitter end to an otherwise successful season.
I feel terrible for our players, coaches and staff who put forth maximum effort throughout the year. They accomplished many great things while falling short of our ultimate goal.
But most importantly, my heart aches for you.
The energy and enthusiasm you provided us this past year were infectious and carried us to great accomplishments. Your passionate backing allowed us to ascend as the season progressed. To have it end so suddenly is certainly most painful for you.
As the owner of a football team that belongs to this region, city and the greatest fans in professional sports, I share and understand the deep disappointment that you still must feel today.
In the early stages of reflection, one thing stands clear-Your support is unwavering.
Since the day I bought this team through the moment you finished cheering your hearts out in the freezing cold of Saturday's game, that has always been the case. Please know that I am humbled by this support and I am forever grateful for it.
I said publicly last year that I wanted 2012 to be a great season, not just a good season. We certainly had a very good season and perhaps exceeded a few expectations.
But Broncos fans, you and I know what a great season looks like.
That is why I'll soon stop reflecting and start working on one thing for 2013-bringing another Super Bowl victory back to Denver. As we move forward, I am extremely optimistic with the future of our team.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the passion, enthusiasm and overwhelming support you gave us this past season.
Pat Bowlen
The Broncos had two timeouts and 31 seconds on the clock after Baltimore tied the game at 35 at the end of the fourth quarter, but Fox instructed quarterback Peyton Manning to take a knee and play for overtime. Denver lost 38-35 when Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker made a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime.
"It was like a prize fighter who gets a right cross on the chin at the end of a round. You're looking to get out the round. That might not be the ideal time to go for a knockout punch," Fox said Monday in his season-ending press conference. "One of the things that when you coach players and you are around them, and we had 20 games prior including preseason, you get a better feel for where they're at. A look in their eye, a feeling. It was pretty devastating."
Broncos executive vice president John Elway defended the coach's decision, even when asked specifically if he, as a former quarterback, would have been OK taking a knee in that situation.
"To me, that was a good move to be able to regroup, get ourselves back together and start the overtime period," Elway said. "I thought we did the right thing."
Fox and Elway said Manning was also in agreement with the coaching staff's decision.
Fox and Elway faced many questions in a 35-minute session largely focused on Denver's conservative play calling over the final three minutes of regulation. The Broncos called five straight running plays, including one on a third-and-7, and punted with 1:15 left.
Repeatedly, both went back to the math and cited percentages in Denver's favor given the Broncos' seven-point lead and the Ravens needing to go 77 yards in 1:09 to tie the game.
Fox said the chances of the Broncos winning at that point were 97%, and that went up to 99% when Denver forced Baltimore into a third down at their own 30-yard line with 41 seconds remaining.
That was the scenario when Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco heaved basically a floater of a Hail Mary to receiver Jacoby Jones. Two Broncos defensive backs erred on the play - cornerback Tony Carter, who didn't jam Jones at the line of scrimmage and allowed him a free release on a go pattern, and safety Rahim Moore, who let Jones get behind him and mistimed his jump while trying to break up the pass.
The analytic-based reasoning for the conservative running plays and kneeldown won't make a devastated fan base feel any better, especially not after watching Atlanta quickly move into field goal range and win their divisional game in the final seconds Sunday.
"That's understandable. That's a choice we made, and honestly, I'll do it again," Fox said. "That's what we do, we try to play the percentages, and I mean this in all sincerity, if I felt like we were going to give up a 70-yard touchdown pass with 41 seconds to go, I might have re-evaluated that."
While the majority of the final press conference focused on Denver's loss, Elway tried to reflect on a 13-3 regular season in which Denver earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC thanks to an 11-game winning streak.
Though the season ended in the divisional round just as it did a year ago, the Broncos' bosses have little doubt this was a more successful year.
"There's no question it was a very good season for us," Elway sad. "We won a lot of football games, the excitement was back. Now it's important for us to make the next step."
Elway was the quarterback on a Denver team that lost at home in the second round of the playoffs in 1996 to the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars. That loss was widely considered the most painful in team history before Saturday. Elway sees similarities, though he said that at the time, he felt his window to win a title was shorter than the current window is for Manning.
The Broncos ended up as a wild-card team in 1997 and went on to win the first of two consecutive Super Bowls.
"How do we learn from this situation? If we get defensive, and we don't look at everything we did in this game and try to learn from it, then we could experience it again," Elway said. "If we really dissect it and look at what happened, not only what happened in the game, but we'll learn from what happened in practice, with the bye. We'll look at everything, learn from it."
(KUSA-TV © 2013 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with USA TODAY)


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Undated (KSDK) - It didn't take long for another Powerball jackpot to be won.
After weeks of ticket buying, and dozens of drawings, two winning tickets were sold last week, with winners buying their lucky tickets in Missouri and Arizona.
Those ticket holders shared a record Powerball jackpot in excess of a half billion dollars.
The most recent drawing, held last night and worth a top prize of a mere fifty million dollars was won by a ticket buyer in Pennsylvania.
Last night's winning Powerball numbers were 13, 17, 19, 27, 38, and the Powerball number was 12.
The jackpot now returns to $40 million for this Saturday's drawing.


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A task force of 50 members has been going door to door since Tuesday looking for any information that could help them find the boy.
On Thursday, authorities searched the home of the boy's father because it's the last place Dylan Redwine was seen before he disappeared.
Authorities say it was just a precaution because Mark Redwine has previously allowed investigators to search his property.
Dylan Redwine was visiting his dad for Thanksgiving as part of a court order. He lives with his divorced mother in Colorado Springs.
Citizens who have information that may aid in the search for Dylan are asked to leave a voicemail message on the Dylan Redwine Tip Line at 970-382-7511. If a citizen wants a return call from law enforcement, they must leave their contact information, but anonymous tips are also acceptable. This tip line is not a manned telephone number and it is not a way to get information about the search.
The Durango La Plata Crime Stoppers also has a cash reward for information leading to Dylan's whereabouts. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 970-247-1112.
Citizens may also call the hotline for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE LOST (1-800-843-5678).
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)


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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons got their revenge, and made quite a statement as well in doing so.
PHOTOS | Falcons 34, Giants 0
Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes, including a pair to Julio Jones, and the Falcons dealt the New York Giants their first regular-season shutout in 16 years with an authoritative 34-0 victory at the Georgia Dome.
Atlanta (12-2) got its payback for a 24-2 throttling by the Giants during last season's NFC Wild Card Playoffs behind a near-flawless performance from Ryan, with the standout quarterback completing a sharp 23-of-28 passes for 270 yards without a turnover.
The Falcons' defense did its part as well, intercepting New York's Eli Manning twice in the first half and stopping the Giants on downs three times over the course of the game.
Manning managed just 161 yards on an off-target 14-of-26 efficiency as New York (8-6) was held scoreless in a non-playoff setting for the first time since a 24-0 setback at Philadelphia on Dec. 1, 1996.
Jones ended with 74 yards on six catches and Tony Gonzalez added a touchdown grab for the NFC South champion Falcons, who can clinch a first-round playoff bye if San Francisco loses to New England on Sunday night.
The result could be considerably more costly for the Giants, now 2-4 over their last six outings. New York would relinquish its one-game lead over Dallas and Washington in the NFC East if either the Cowboys or Redskins win their Week 15 matchups.
The Sports Network


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KLEM News AM Update Juy 9, 2010
(SALIX)--A Siouxland man was seriously injured in a one-car accident near Salix Thursday morning.
According to an Iowa State Patrol report, 24-year-old Richard
Lee Sheridan Junior of Walthill, Nebraska lost control of his car on Old Highway 75. Sheridan was driving south on the road, also known as K-45, when the car crossed the roadway into the opposite lane and went into the ditch. The car was engulfed into flames after it struck a utility pole.
Sheridan was taken by air ambulance to a burn center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Remsen is "Relay for Life" host
(REMSEN)--The annual fund raiser to fund the fight against cancer in Plymouth County, Relay for Life, is in Remsen starting this evening.
Relay for Life begins at six tonight with opening Ceremonies at the City of Remsen track. There are walks for survivors and caregivers. Luminarias honoring or remembering family members and friends will rim the Remsen track for a ceremony at ten tonight. The fund raising walks around the track ends with the final hours of walking at 7 tomorrow morning.
Chuck Reed of the American Cancer Society in Iowa says an estimated 145 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Plymouth County last year. There were 55 cancer deaths.
In Iowa, the American Cancer Society continues to serve a record number of cancer patients with information, day-to-day help, and emotional support. So far this year, there's been more than eight percent increase in the number of people served with patient-related information or programs.
Information is available from www.cancer.org
Free Truck Driver Training in Sheldon
(SHELDON)--Federal stimulus money will help provide free truck driver training in Sheldon.
Northwest Iowa Community College is partnering with Upper Des Moines Opportunity to offer the free training.
To be eligible, those who take the training need to live in the 12-county Upper Des Moines Oppportunity area, including Buena Vista, O'Brien and Pocahontas counties. They also must meet income guidelines.
Details are available from Northwest Iowa Community College.
Interstate 29 maintenance work moves to Onawa area
(Sioux City)--Another part of summer maintenance work on Interstate 29 in Siouxland is slated to begin July 19th.
Dean Herbst of the Sioux City District office for the Iowa Department of Transportation says the pavement improvement is on I-29 between exit 105 and Exit 112 in the Onawa area.
The project work includes patching within the entrance and exit ramps and replacement sidewalk. Completion is set for mid-August.
Deer damages mini-van near Le Mars
(LE MARS)---A Wisconsin man had possible injuries after he reported a deer ran into the path of his mini-van Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Plymouth County sheriff's office, sixty-year-old Dick Norbert of Wisconsin Rapids was driving north on Highway 60 at the time of the accident
Campbell issues debate challenge to Congressman King
(UNDATED)--The Democratic candidate for Fifth District congressmen is asking the Republican incumbent for three debates.
Democrat Matt Campbell Thursday issued a debate proposal to Congressman Steve King.
Campbell says he's proposing televised debates in Sioux City and Council Bluffs and a third to be elsewhere in the 32-county Fifth District.
Some Iowa officeholders refuse pay cuts
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Three Iowa officeholders haven't joined other statewide officials in taking pay cuts in the face of the state's falling revenues.
Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, Secretary of State Michael Mauro and Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald have refused to follow Gov. Chet Culver, who took a 10 percent cut in his pay.
Mauro pointed out he hasn't received a pay raise in four years.
In October, Culver made the pitch to his department directors to cut their pay as he made a $565 million budget cut that forced layoffs.
Fitzgerald said Wednesday he felt no pressure to take a cut, noting his overall office budget did shrink 10 percent.
A spokesman for Judge noted her salary of $103,212 remains lower than those of most of the state directors even after they made the 10 percent cut.
Officials: Housing renovation in DSM helps economy
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Housing officials are singling out a $30 million renovation program in Des Moines as an example of the economic recovery that's taking place across the nation.
Ron Sims, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was joined by state and local officials Thursday at the renovation project of a low-income apartment complex. The project is funded by federal stimulus money, and Sims says the project and ones like it will leave a legacy of better housing and an improved economy.
The event was one in a series this summer to draw attention to projects funded by the federal stimulus package President Barack Obama pushed through Congress.
Republicans have been critical of the funding, saying more spending is not the way to improve the economy.
Two Iowa universities getting federal grants
WASHINGTON (AP) Senator Chuck Grassley says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded competitive grants totaling more than $1 million to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
The Iowa Republican said Thursday the grants are for biological and medical studies.
Iowa State is receiving more than $326,000 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies for a study of prions, the structures responsible for ``mad cow disease'' and other serious disorders.
The University of Iowa is getting two grants of more than $187,000 apiece from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for two separate studies. The University of Iowa is also receiving more than $319,000 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for a study of congenital heart defects in African clawed frogs, which are frequently used experimental animals.
Bank robber draws 91 years in prison
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A federal judge in Des Moines has handed down a 91-year prison sentence to a 34-year-old man convicted of armed bank robberies in Oxford and three other Iowa communities.
Former Oxford resident Jason Lee Bowers received only nine years for the four robberies in Slater, St. Charles, Rippey and Oxford. But Bowers received an additional mandatory 82 years because guns were used in the heists.
During his sentencing Thursday, Bowers was also ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution and pay $800 to a crime victims' fund.
The robberies occurred over a 12-day period in October 2009. In each incident, Bowers was accused of displaying a gun and stealing a vehicle to flee the scene. He was convicted in March.
Dad pleads not guilty in boy's drowning
MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) An adoptive parent of a 4-year-old boy who drowned in a bathtub at the family home in Andrew has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment charges.
Andrew W. Holdgrafer entered the written plea Tuesday in Jackson County District Court. Holdgrafer demanded his right to a speedy trial, which has been set for Sept. 13.
Holdgrafer's wife, 29-year-old Danielle Holdgrafer, has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing their son, 4-year-old Collin, on June 12 by dunking his head under water while bathing him.
Prosecutors allege 32-year-old Andrew Holdgrafer knowing allowed his wife to abuse the boy. They claim the man told investigators he knew Collin was being abused and neglected and that he failed to take action.
Danielle Holdgrafer is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on the charges filed against her.
Georgia man dies after fight
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A Cedar Rapids man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Georgia man.
Henry Thomas Lee Rogers has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 35-year-old Dustin Davis.
According to police spokeswoman Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, officers responding to a call of a disturbance late Wednesday found Davis lying unconscious on the ground. According to police records, witnesses told investigators Rogers punched Davis, causing Davis to fall and hit his head.
A second man, 23-year-old Thomas Perez of Cedar Rapids, was arrested for disorderly conduct for pushing others during the altercation.
Authorities say Rogers, who is being held in lieu of $10,000 bond, has been convicted of assault at least seven other times since 2002.
It was not immediately known if Rogers has obtained legal representation.
Driver who allegedly hit girl charged again
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Des Moines authorities say three new charges have been filed against a motorist who allegedly struck a 14-year-old girl.
Joel Robert Simpson was charged with two counts of driving while barred after he allegedly struck Melissa Ann Robinson of Des Moines on June 6. At the time, prosecutors said additional charges might be filed against him.
On Sunday, the 55-year-old Simpson was charged with serious injury by vehicle, operating while intoxicated and operating a vehicle without consent.
Police say a speeding car ran a stop sign, then drove onto the grass at Union Park. It hit and dragged Robinson 75 feet.
The Iowa Department of Transportation reports Simpson has not had a valid driver's license for about 16 years. He remains in the Polk County Jail.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Welcome to the world of Archipelago Botanicals – where natural soy candles, scented diffusers, natural fragrances and bath and body products, make your house a home. As a company, Archipelago Botanicals create products that help people enjoy, relax and take a break from their busy lives. Their gentle and natural based bath and skin care formulations are loaded with powerful antioxidants to help keep skin looking young, healthy and vibrant. Light one of Archipelago's scented soy candles, draw a hot bath and prepare to be pampered.
Open up your home to the warmth and luxury of Archipelago Botanicals. From sumptuous body lotions and skin care products with ingredients like pomegranate to soy candles with exotic scents that lift your spirits and take you to far-away lands, Archipelago Botanicals indulges you with botanicals that soothe your body and soul. Their products capture the essence of fruits, herbs, flowers and woodsy and exotic spices to delight your body and fill your home with uplifting and unforgettable fragrances.
Archipelago Botanicals Morning Mint Body Wash gently cleanses your skin and awakens your senses with the fragrance of natural mint extracts. Who can feel sluggish when bathing in this invigorating botanical wash? Make it your "go to" morning cleanser to feel revived and ready to take on the day.
Archipelago Botanicals Pomegranate Dry Oil Body Spray combines the antioxidant power of pomegranate extract with antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E and C to infuse skin with moisture as the antioxidants provide an extra layer of protection against the environment. The fresh, fruity scent will awaken your senses as moisturizers smooth and soften your body.
Archipelago Botanicals Soy Milk Soap combines milk proteins with soy to gently cleanse away the day's impurities while lifting away dead skin cells that block your skin's natural radiance. Its gentle combination of ingredients make it ideal for any skin type.
Whether you choose a product from their body care line or one for your home, Archipelago Botanicals are good to come home to and to take with you when you travel.


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|13 is lucky record for Dragons after two back-to-back wins
|Written by April Peregoy
Remaining unstoppable this season, Holyoke's Dragon varsity team blew away the back-to-back weekend competition to win their 12th and 13th victories of the season.
Traveling to Akron on Friday, Jan. 30, Holyoke took a big win of 55-26, then hosted Chase County on Saturday, Jan. 31, beating the Longhorns 56-39.
Coach John Baumgartner could not complain about the way his team played over the weekend, saying, "the kids were outstanding."
"Right now, they're doing everything right," he said. "They're playing with a lot of confidence and shooting extremely well. Hopefully, we can keep it up."
Holyoke 55, Akron 26
For the second time this season, Holyoke defeated the Akron Rams in league acton on Friday. The Rams never stood a chance against their opponents who leaped ahead 17 points in the first quarter. Austin Tharp and Evan Swanson each landed two shots from three-point range.
Dragon's defense held Akron to only four points in the first. "We shut down Akron's two top players," said Baumgartner. "They only had four and two points each the whole game."
Again in the second quarter, HHS players continued to put distance between them and the Rams. At halftime, they held a comfortable lead of 27 points. Tharp led the scoreboard in the first half, earning 10 points each in the first and second quarters.
In the second half it was Kyle Carper who dominated the game, making eight of HHS's nine points in the third quarter and six of nine in the fourth. Akron earned nearly the same amount of points in the second half as Holyoke, putting up eight points each in the third and fourth quarters. Howevever, the Dragons had such a large advantage from the first half, they easily won by 29 points.
Tharp and Carper were top scorers Friday night, adding 21 and 19 points respectively. Overall, the Dragons had a 63 percent shooting average.
Carper grabbed the most rebounds with 10, and Ryan Baumgartner and Austin Tharp snatched four steals each.
Holyoke 55, Akron 26
Tharp 4 3 4-6 0 21
Baumgartner 1 0 1-2 1 3
Carper 9 0 1-3 1 19
Wailes 1 0 0-0 0 2
Swanson 0 2 0-0 2 6
Krueger 2 0 0-0 1 4
Brown 0 0 0-0 1 0
King 0 0 0-0 1 0
Scoring By Quarters
Holyoke 21 16 9 9 --55
Akron 4 6 8 8 --26
Holyoke 56, Chase County 39
Again on Saturday, the Dragons quickly gained a strong lead in the first half against Chase County. "I don't think I've ever had a team score that much in the first halves, in back-to-back games like that," said Baumgartner. However, he added, he would have liked to see them keep it up more through the second half of the game.
According to the coach, the Longhorns had some big players who played with a different style from what the Dragons were used to, but Holyoke handled it well. "They were all over the place," said Baumgartner, "on the floor, grabbing rebounds and making shots from the outside."
Five Dragons contributed to the 23 points Holyoke put up in the first quarter alone. Carper attained the most baskets with three two-pointers and two free throws.
HHS continued to increase the lead in the second, holding Imperial to 10 points while adding 17 points to their own total to bring the halftime score to 40-19.
Chase County did their best to catch up in the second half of play, but Holyoke's advantage was too great to overcome. The Longhorns were allowed 20 more points, compared to HHS's 16, but the Dragons still won by 17.
Swanson had a great game Saturday, leading the team in points with 15, including three baskets from behind the arc. Not far behind him were Carper with 14 and Tharp, 13.
Though they had only a 48 percent field goal shooting average, the Dragons had their highest free throw average so far this season with 91 percent. "I was pleased with how many free throws they made," said Baumgartner. "We've really been working on those lately."
Nearly every Dragon who made an appearance on the court Saturday brought down several rebounds, giving Holyoke 24 total compared to Chase County's 18. HHS also had 22 assists, led by Baumgartner with six.
In steals, Holyoke had a total of 17 while the Longhorns had only four. Tharp grabbed the most with five.
Holyoke 56, Chase County 39
Tharp 2 1 6-6 0 13
Baumgartner 0 2 0-0 2 6
Carper 5 0 4-5 3 14
Wailes 0 0 0-0 2 0
Swanson 3 3 0-0 3 15
Krueger 1 0 0-0 2 2
Brown 3 0 0-0 2 6
Chase County
Scoring By Quarters
Holyoke 23 17 10 6 --56
Chase County 9 10 11 9 --39
Upcoming action
Dragons also competed at Benkelman, Neb. on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Results of that game will appear in next week's Enterprise.
On Friday, Feb. 6, HHS will host Wray, with action beginning at 4 p.m. The team then travels to Burlington on Saturday, Feb. 7 to take on the Cougars at 3 p.m.


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|Library displays Christmas spirit with book tree
Librarian Robin Quinn created this Christmas tree made of donated and withdrawn library books at Hastings Memorial Library in Grant. Library guests are invited to enter a contest between now and the end of the year, guessing the number of books involved in the construction. (Photo by Samantha Goff)


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Alicia Lozano, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Now that the election dust has settled, it's time to focus on what really matters: weekend fun. Celebrate photography, buy some handmade goods or honor America's veterans.
A laser light show and fireworks usher in a new season of ice skating at Rockville Town Square Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Live music from the Dan Haas Trio will help get the party started. The event is free, but skating is $8 for adults, $7 for kids under 12 and $3 for skate rentals.
Saturday marks the opening night of FotoWeek DC. Now in its fifth year, it will feature photography from local, national and international artists. Events are spread throughout the week at different venues in the city, including embassies, galleries and museums. Entry to the launch party is $55, but most of the exhibits are free. Click here for full details.
It's that time of year again. The eighth annual Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. The outdoor event will feature local and regional vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to one-of-a-kind screen prints. Admission is $5 at the door, but Friday you can buy two-for-one tickets online. Kids get in free. Crafty Bastards is located at Union Market in Northeast D.C.
It's never too early to get into the holiday spirit. Montgomery County is welcoming the season with a new 30-foot-tall installation in downtown Silver Spring. "Holiday Destination" is an eco-friendly structure made from bottles donated by residents and visitors. Each bottle was spray-painted by local artist Julia Vogl to reflect the diversity of the area. The grand unveiling is Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
Celebrate Veterans Day with Chicago and Kansas at the American Freedom Festival Saturday evening at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. Proceeds from the benefit concert go to aid veterans and current servicemembers. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50 and can be purchased online.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
The Enchanted Forest theme park closed for good in the 1990s. But the owner of a nearby farm has moved and preserved many of its parts.


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By Sarah McBride
SAN RAFAEL Calif. (Reuters) – Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams was found by a personal assistant hanged to death at his house in Northern California, and the preliminary finding is that he died of asphyxia due to hanging, a local sheriff's official said on Tuesday.
Williams, 63, who was found dead at his home near Tiburon, California, had recently sought treatment for depression, said Marin County Lieutenant and Deputy Coroner Keith Boyd.
His body was discovered on Monday by his assistant. He was found in a partly seated position slightly off the ground, suspended from a belt wedged between a door and a door frame, Boyd said.
"Mr. Williams' personal assistant became concerned at approximately 11:45 a.m. (on Monday) when he failed to respond to knocks on his bedroom door," Boyd said. "At that time, the personal assistant was able to gain access to Mr. Williams' bedroom, and entered the bedroom to find Mr. Williams clothed, in a seated position, unresponsive, with a belt secured around his neck with the other end of the belt wedged between the clothes closet door and the door frame…"
Police investigating his death noted "several acute, superficial, transverse cuts" on his left wrist, while a pocket knife "with a closed blade" was also found nearby, Boyd said.
Toxicology results are pending and are expected to be revealed within two to six weeks. Boyd declined to discuss whether a suicide note was found at the scene.
The comedian's appeal stretched across generations and genres, from family fare as the voice of Disney's blue Genie in "Aladdin" to his portrayal of a fatherly therapist in the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting," for which he earned his sole Oscar.
But many remembered the master of impressions on Monday for his tender portrayal in "Mrs. Doubtfire", when he played the part of a British nanny whose identity he assumed as a divorced father to be with his children.
PHOTOS: Remembering Robin Williams | Robin Williams through the years | 2014 Notable Deaths | TWITTER REACTS: #RIPRobinWilliams | EXTRA: Robin Williams leaves behind 4 films in wake of death
Williams had been recently suffering from severe depression, his publicist Mara Buxbaum said in a statement, and the actor had repeatedly talked about his past struggles with alcohol.
"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken," Williams' wife Susan Schneider said in a statement.
Outside the family home in a neighborhood of low-slung houses with water views, people left flowers and talked about the man who rode his bike around and had a smile and a wave for children on the street.
"It wasn't like having a celebrity," said Sonja Conti who said the actor would often ask about her dog and nicknamed him "Dude." "He was just a normal, nice guy. People left him alone."
Social media was alight with appreciation for Williams, who introduced his boyish exuberance and outlandish vaudeville-esque style to audiences as a quirky extraterrestrial in the late 1970s TV comedy "Mork & Mindy."
U.S. President Barack Obama called Williams a "one of a kind" actor who could make people laugh and cry in his array of characters.
"He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit," Obama said in a statement.
Williams, who was most recently in the CBS television comedy "The Crazy Ones" until it was canceled after one season in May, had entered a rehabilitation center this summer to help him maintain sobriety.
His representatives at the time said Williams was not using drugs or alcohol but was there to "fine-tune" his sobriety after a demanding work schedule.
The death of Williams shook Hollywood, and colleagues mourned the loss of what many called a big-hearted man and one of the most inventive comedians of his time.
"Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him," said Steven Spielberg, who directed Williams as Peter Pan in the 1991 film, "Hook."
Williams, who was born in Chicago in 1951 and grew up in suburban Detroit earned four Academy Award nominations, the first for his portrayal of U.S. Army radio host Adrian Cronauer during the Vietnam War in "Good Morning, Vietnam."
He earned nominations for the 1990 coming-of-age prep school drama "Dead Poets Society" and 1991's "The Fisher King."
Williams married three times, most recently in 2011 to Schneider. He has three children.
In a 2009, the actor told Reuters that his children often referenced his own struggles with alcohol when he would confront them about their own misbehavior.
"They went, 'And you had a three-year drunken relapse.' Ah, thank you for bringing that back, my little happy creatures," Williams quipped.
His death also deeply affected his local artists' community, far from the hype of Hollywood.
"He embodied what it meant to be humble," said Lucy Mercer, executive artistic director at Throckmorton Theatre, a small venue near Williams' home, where the actor was known to try out new material.
"He doused us in his love and positive glow and never asked for anything in return."
Williams will appear in upcoming film "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," playing the statue of Teddy Roosevelt who comes to life at night, and holiday comedy "Merry Friggin' Christmas." He was also attached to a sequel to 1993 hit "Mrs. Doubtfire."
In his final posting on Twitter on July 31, Williams had wished his daughter Zelda a happy 25th birthday.
#tbt and Happy Birthday to Ms. Zelda Rae Williams! Quarter of a century old today but always my… http://t.co/qlsWIu429e
— Robin Williams (@robinwilliams) July 31, 2014
Late on Monday, Zelda wrote on Twitter: "I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up."
(Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis, Edith Honan and Piya Sinha-Roy; Writing by Eric Kelsey; Editing by Mary Milliken and Jeremy Laurence)


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I want to be a Junior Ranger. *pout* That is just too cool!
I LOVE the family photo! Well, I love your entire travel blog actually.
Petrified Forest and Painted Deser
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Perhaps Camping World....


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Hi iron.head and welcome aboard.
cool photos, what caused the abnormal wear ? do both engines have approx the same history ?
Has anyone got a UCE head gasket laying around, and might be able to measure the thickness with a dial-caliper, so I can know the distance of the head from the barrel?I just have the head only here right now.
Thank you Ice!Apologies gremlin-I am not sure of the reason of this wear. AFAIK it is due to poor running in.Classic 500's sold in India do not have O2 sensor. Initial bikes suffered from missing/jerking/cold starts issue. RE issued a temporary solution in the form of higher heat range plugs and later Bosch Platinum Plus WR8DP plugs. Ultimately they have remapped all bikes with new maps which have fixed these issues and Platinum Plus is now provided in all C5's from the factory.
Head gasket is 1.0mm. Scott
Phil? From the Phillipines? Really? That is so cool!Scott
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Girl, 3, hit with bike thrown during parents' argument | Crime
SACRAMENTO - A Natomas man was arrested Sunday after police say he accidentally injured his daughter in the midst of a heated argument with his wife.
Sacramento police officers were called to the 1300 block of Helmsman Way in Natomas at 6:42 p.m. in response to a report of a child who was injured by her father, according to police reports.
According to the Sacramento Police Dept., officers arrived at the scene ,and after speaking with Earven Hunter, 53, and his wife, determined the couple's 3-year-old daughter was inadvertently hit with a bicycle thrown by Hunter during an argument with his wife.
Hunter was arrested for felony child endangerment, said police.
The girl sustained minor injuries.
Police did not indicate what type of bike was thrown.


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Overhaulin' your stadium
If your looking for today's lineup, its in the entry directly below this one.
On Monday the Royals Media Relations department along with Vice President of Ballpark Operations & Development Bob Rice and Owner's Representative John Loyd took some of K.C.'s media on a hard-hat tour of the K. The renovations have kicked into almost full swing with the competition of the last home stand and the removal of seats.
Rice said the key to a 90-95 percent completion by Opening Day 2009 (tentatively April 10) is to turn over as much of the stadium as early as possible. So your Kauffman Stadium won't ever look quite like this again. Changes are afoot and construction is happening fast (Around the Horn sat through an entire game without noticing another level of steel had been added to the top of the new Hall of Fame building in left field).
As we go through the tour keep in mind you can click on any photo to see a larger version. And you can click here for a computer animated tour which premiered a few weeks ago.
The tour started on the first base side of the stadium near the George Brett statue. This building which is going up directly in front of where the front doors to Kauffman used to is will house the Royals' offices.
When it's all finished, it should look like this computer generated mock-up. The sweeping lines of the roof are mimicked by the sweeping atrium of the building. The atrium by the way, will serve as a food court for the upper deck level.
Underneath the building, a new grand entrance will be created. And the Legacy Bricks which are for sale here, will be placed for all to see. These Bricks are tentatively planned for the grand entrance and the entrances on either side of the ballpark.
Here you can see the old ticket office and entrance to the K. The bottom floor of the Royals administration building will house the new ticket office and ticket windows as well as a new retail store.
Around the Horn has heard some of the concerns about the constricted concourses, which have been made worse this season by the construction. If the figures are still true from what we heard earlier this season, that space will be expanded by 40 percent.
In this picture, you can see the plywood wall which marks the current end to the concourse. You can see the expansion of that space being built.
As you can see, the new concourses jut out from the stadium, but follow the contours of the original building. That has been a big push during this project. The developers wanted to preserve the original lines and look of the stadium but update the 1973 model to fit in the 21st century.
Again, in this picture, you can see the original pillars which mark the end of the current concourse and then you see the significant expansion.
On the ground level, this area is being prepped for new concession stands, which are being built directly behind the current concessions. When the season is over, the old concessions will be demolished and the space they occupy now will serve as the new expansion. You can see some of that toward the bottom.
There will also be new restrooms constructed behind the old ones.
The biggest news revealed on Monday to the media was the removal of seats. The Kauffman Stadium capacity will drop to around 27,000 for the next home stand.
The biggest portions of seats removed are these which seat above the crosswalk behind home plate. Six sections are being removed this season to allow construction workers to begin the Diamond Club.
The undertaking for building a new restaurant behind home plate is huge. The construction also means the Hall of Fame and all areas behind sections 105 to 106 will be offline for the remainder of the season.
These areas will be walled off so the Diamond Club can be completed in time for '09. It will be a step above the Stadium Club and will be not quite as high as the Crown Club.
Here's a picture of Bob Rice talking to some of the media who came out. In the left corner of the picture, you can see the steel framework of the new Royals Hall of Fame which is directly behind the visitor's bullpen.
The two-story structure will house meeting rooms and offices in the bottom floor. The top floor will have a complete history of baseball in Kansas City with special tributes to the Kauffmans, George Brett and the 1985 team.
The Hall of Fame is just the first portion of the left field side of the outfield experience. On the left field side will also be a full-sized Little K, a carousel, video pitching and batting tunnels and much more.
The outfield experience will wrap completely around the stadium. Because of this, some seats in the last few sections left field have been removed to allow for the extension of the crosswalk into the outfield and Gate C has been closed until 2009.
In right field, the construction has been just as vigorous, but not as visible. The original field access tunnel wrapped around behind the scoreboard. That wouldn't flow with the plans, so a new one needed to be excavated and the built.
With it complete now, skeletons of buildings are bound to start popping up in right field.
The biggest signature for right field will be the restaurant and the Taste of K.C. A walk of Fame will join the two portions of the outfield experience; complete with statues of the Royals greats.
And for those chowing down in right field, a hi-def video board will keep them in tune with the action on the field.
The outfield experience is a major part of what's changing, but Bob Rice insists each Royals fan will notice the differences. And Around the Horn is sure you will… if you haven't already.


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I've had a working Zimbra Open Source config for a year. A couple days ago my ssl certs expired (self signed, generated at install) and ever since then I have had no mail going in or out. I set up new ssl certs in the admin console and they show up in thunderbird and in the web interface. I can still log in and see all my old mail.
Mail sent to my server from an external account times out, sending mail with my own SMTP server times out, and trying to send mail with telnet gets no response after MAIL FROM:firstname.lastname@example.com (HELO mail.mydomain.com does respond). Nothing shows up in the queue in the admin console.
I use IMAPS for my mailbox and AUTH SMTP.
My MX records have worked for the last year and nothing about them has changed. I'm behind a NAT and have my port forwarding set up as well as split DNS. The only thing that's changed to my knowledge is the ssl certs expiring.
Anyone have any ideas?


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After 6 hospital births I have finally found the perfect setting to have my 7th at home. I've been so excited, even finding out that my insurance covers midwives.
But in finally taking the plunge- we found out that even with insurance who considers most of the places that do homebirth I can find 'out of network', it's going to be around $3000+ for a homebirth.
We just CANNOT afford this and Im feeling so depressed. I dont want to be a hostage at the hospital. Does anyone have any resources on affordable homebirth midwives in the Portland, OR area???
Views: 123
Check your state laws. Sometimes, state laws mandate that if an ins co offers coverage for certain types of providers/facilities but does not have any in your network and/or close to you they must let you chose a local one and cover them as if they were. It is referred to as "out of network authorization" and/or "gap coverage." It is worth checking into. Call your insurance tell them that since they provide coverage for MW but have none in your area in your network you want an exception. Often the MW or their billing company are very helpful & knowledgeable about what ins companies do this. Is this coverage provided by an employer? If so call the HR person in charge of ins benefits & discuss the fact that ins co isn't giving you the coverage you should have due to lack of access to in network providers.
I got my ins co to do this. I had HMO that covered MW but only 1 in my network & she was 45 min away working out of a hospital 45 min away. There was a BC in my network but it was 75miles away. I argued that since they provided coverage for MW & out of hospital births but offered no in network providers in my area they had to provide me with a network exception. Through many, many, many calls & emails I finally got the ins company to cover my out of network BC/HB MW as an in network provider. It wasn't easy & I fought hard. But I got my homebirth. It was worth every minute.
Good Luck!
We HAVE midwives available.. Im currently seeing one, however the facilities they cover only do hospital birth. The midwife I see at the hospital also does home births but only through her practice which, of course, is not in network. Go figure.
Lots of hospital birth midwives are covered, just not the ones who attend to homebirths.
Hello Jyn,
Congrats on your pregnancy! I would encourage you to speak to several different midwives. Many midwives will work with you and make payment arrangements, barter, etc.
Wishing you a lovely birth!
Lynn and the MBB team
Thank you for responding! I absolutely <3 you guys. :)
I think some of the tips I would offer to go by when finding a homebirthing midwife is:
1.) Get in early if you can. I have found the prices pretty much stay the same whether you come in the middle or from the very beginning. The sooner you can start payment plans the easier it is on your pocketbook. Some midwives will offset it a tad, but most of the costs involved are related to the birth itself.
2.) Not all mdwives are the same & cheaper doesn't mean better. There is a very highly advertised midwifery clinic here that looks desireable, works with our budget and is even surprisingly affordable... however.... after digging in, I have had multiple friends advise me not to go there who had bad experiences. I also found bad reviews online as well as my midwives, without being unprofessional, confirmed that the rate of women who have come to them after a negative experience with this firm was high as well as was the transfer to hospital rate. They were able to refer me to someone who could work with my need for a payment plan who was much better, though- so I know it wasnt competition biased. Some midwives are certified and or licensed in different ways giving them huge ranges of experience- you should always meet and thouroughly interview anyone you are considering putting your life and the life of your baby into.
I think I have talked to almost every midwife in my area as well as midwives out of my area who might known of some here. I am determined to have a homebirth and it looks like my options come down to one last person. Pray this is the one!
But the way I see it, if I for some reason cannot have a homebirth... I am going to make a point of letting it go and not holding it as a burden to bear. I had a beautiful hospital waterbirth 17 mos ago, and I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, even if it may not be what we desired. I have been put places in my life where I was very uncomfortable simply to help guide another through their own experience- so if that is where I am to be, so be it.
Either way I will have a fantastic birth with a beautiful baby, no matter what happens. -Jyn
awe! It's true everything does happen for a reason! Congrats on your baby #7! How exciting, I love large families! My husband and I live in CA and I too am in a similar situation. We're on medi-cal insurance. Very limited but found a group of midwifes that except medi-cal. They only do hopsital births and you rotate seeing the 3 of them. However there has been cons with them being so busy and I really dont have that special feel because I feel a tad shuffled around. The one midwife I've seen is a doll and I haven't met the others yet in person but talked with them over the phone, very sweet. I'm one week shy of starting my 3rd trimester and now all the questions etc are piling and I really want a comfortable birth experience. Meaning I'm frightened of having to worry someone is going to do something I'm not requesting etc. I sooooo wish we can be at home but we just can't afford a bill or even payments at this point either. The way my midwifes do it is you labor at home and then head to the hospital when ready to give birth. Really? I don't want to leave my house the time I'm ready to start pushing, you know. why do I have to leave my cozy home and go to a completely different environment. ugh just venting. Or who knows my birth could be really speedy and baby could come out fast as lightening.
Many blessings to you and your family!
Thanks so much Camila! I recently had an appointment with the group of midwifes I see. I was feeling anxious after watching the documentary and was really wishing we could have a home birth. My post response was out of my frustration and fears yet real. My midwifes take Medi-Cal thankfully! :) So after my appointment I was immediately put at ease and now feel comfortable to focus accordingly and prepare for the birth of our daughter! :) I hadn't talked with them yet about my wishes etc or really knew how they routinely did things. So they will be my protective bubble and I'll be able to have a birth center type birth in the hospital. Phew!!! Feel so much better after speaking with her! :) That's good to know for my So Cal friends! I live in Mountain View in No Cal. I found a midwife that does private home births and takes Medi-Cal I couldn't believe it but she's on sabatical caring for her grandchildren. Maybe if God gives us another baby by then she could deliver for us? :)
What is funny is my husband ready to just deliver me himself!
Unfortunately, my husband is a professional in his job and is already working over 55+ hours a week. He is a creative in advertising for a small agency that just started, and all but a one-man-band right now getting up early to develop and fine tune proposals, concepting business plans, corporate ID's, presentations, developing interactive promotional games online- even digital exihibits for a specific high tech company we ALL know of. He usually gets home around 7:30 and even has to work weekends and all nighters. If the person they rely on doesnt come through- he gets stuck doing it to complete the job at the standards they need.
We already see VERY little of him, and mind you, my eldest is only 11. He's pretty much at his breaking point if not over the edge... his creative juices spout wings for him to prevent him from utterly falling over! I think a second job would be impossible for him.
The felixability of a financial agreement with a midwife is really one of the important things for us right now. We CAN pay- just not in 4 months.
hi! i was in the same boat im seventeen and was sixteen when i had my daughter with only my partner working i planned a homebirth with my midwife and we talked about our financial and talked out a payment plan that was good for us and her. I ended up having my baby early and havin a natural hospital birth but she was there as my doula the whole time and lowered her asking price to $1000 even though normally she woulda asked full price cause she knew i was in financial hurt (doesnt help that my partners job fired him cause i had the baby early and was in the hospital for five days) but id say talk to her and work somthing out our hire a doula its not exactly what you want but itll help you get the same outcome of a gentle natural birth.
I am lucky in the fact that I have a LOT of midwife options for in hospital births here. :)
I am already seeing a set of Midwives that I saw through my last pregnancy in '09 (if you look at my profile, my waterbith is on there).
I am an uncertified doula and have attended to a few births other than my own- but my husband is the best doula I can think of! If someone just simply cannot have a homebirth and end up NEEDING an OB, I definitely reccomend using the midwife as a doula if they will accept.
Congratulations on your new baby too!
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|Parameters considered for school budget
|Written by Brenda Johnson Brandt
Preparing for the 2010-11 school budget, Holyoke School Board members considered six parameter directives at a March 2 work session following the board's regular meeting.
Parameters focused on the areas of ending fund balance target, estimated pupil count, health insurance, staffing decisions, transfers/allocation and other board priorities.
Input also included budget priorities which were presented by Dennis Herman of the district's budget and facilities committee.
Herman reported the committee met six times and sincerely appreciated the effort of Supt. Bret Miles to help them understand school finance.
Understanding the committee's role is in an advisory capacity, Herman said they came to a consensus on two overarching concerns and several specific priorities.
Overall, Herman said the committee feels the district should take the time to carefully consider the impact of upcoming budget decisions on the employees and their overall morale.
It was also a committee consensus for the district to use some of the ending fund balance as revenue in the upcoming year to offset no more than half of the reduction in per pupil revenue.
They did recommend the ending fund balance not be reduced below three months of operating expenses at any time. The rest of the reduction in per pupil revenue should come from spending cuts, said Herman.
For increasing revenue, Herman said the committee feels the board should begin planning for an election to generate additional revenue, to consider fees to support individual programs and to intensify efforts to recruit and retain students in the district.
Looking at spending reductions, Herman reported the committee emphasized the district must make core academics a priority, K-3 should receive priority, class size is valued, technology replacement and expansion should be promoted and all departments should be analyzed to make adjustments proportionately.
Herman stressed the committee likes the openness and transparence of this process and the way it's going. He pointed out the communication piece is critical, and the district needs to articulate cuts which have already happened such as the sixth grade move and loss of an elementary art teacher/program.
Herman said the budget committee is an excellent step in that communication process. Committee member Michelle Van Overbeke added the committee has built confidence in the process and the information shared by the superintendent and school district.
Parameter consensus reached
Following work session discussion surrounding the budget parameters, a consensus was reached on several items. The parameters will be put in writing for a vote at the March 16 board meeting.
Board president Dan Kafka noted there will still be the opportunity for the board to change these parameters, but having them written down will give them a focus.
Investigation of a mill levy override and bond election was targeted by the board as a good suggestion from the budget committee. Additionally, a review of volunteer programs in the district to pick up what's being lost was suggested.
In specific budget parameter areas, the board considered the following:
—use fund balance money to offset no more than half of the budget deficit caused by the reduction in state funding. An attempt will be made to not allow the ending fund balance to drop below three months of operating revenue.
—estimate the funded pupil count at 585 full-time equivalent students.
—consider health insurance costs as a top priority in terms of decisions around salaries and benefits.
—utilize natural attrition of staff as the first priority for reduction in staff, protect K-3 and core academic subject areas in terms of staffing decisions and do not consider salary reduction.
—budget $180,000 for capital projects, and make no transfers to subsidize food services.
—research a mill levy override election and investigate expansion of the volunteer program.
Other business
In other business March 2, the Re-1J Board:
—approved two supplemental contracts for JH science teacher Martin Roth for the 2010-11 school year, allowing him to operate as a retired teacher next school year.
—accepted the resignation of HS wrestling coach Duane Stroh.
—received homeschool notification from Brad and Chris Gerk for their daughter Katelyn for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.
—acknowledged two gifts to the district. Heginbotham Trust committed $6,280 towards upgrading equipment (pads and helmets) for the football team. Curt and Chandra Parker donated a Kawasaki Scout AWD vehicle (a $10,000 value) to be used for grounds and maintenance.
—admitted foreign exchange student Emanuel Leonhard Rapp from Germany for the 2010-11 school year.
—noted the next board meeting, on Tuesday, March 16, will begin at 8 p.m. That meeting time will continue through Daylight Savings Time.


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Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The Vancouver Canucks announced Thursday that
center Manny Malhotra has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the
remainder of the season.
"The long term health of Manny Malhotra is of utmost importance to our
organization," said president and general manager Mike Gillis in a
statement. "Throughout his career Manny has showcased his indispensability
through skilled play, being a consummate professional and leader in the room
while also continuously giving back to the community. Manny will continue to
be a valued member of our organization."
More to follow...
The Sports Network


text: News What an honest Facebook 'look back' would look like 2 years ago in Viral Videos LOOK BACK IN REAL LIFE: What your Facebook profile really looks like. Photo: YouTube This week Facebook marked its 10th anniversary by allowing users a quick "look back" at the history of their personal profiles. Here's one person's take on what a realistic "look back" would be.


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Royals' Francoeur: ESPN Sports Science Play-of-the-Week
Here's something cool from ESPN:
The ESPN Sports Science Play-of-the-Week is the Kansas City Royals Jeff Francoeur tossing out Detroit's Jhonny Peralta at third base with a stunning throw from right field. This piece will run within various ESPN Major League Baseball and SportsCenter programming.
"From his 20-foot lead off first, Peralta motors roughly 170 feet to third in 6.3 seconds, averaging more than 18 miles per hour," says ESPN Sports Science host John Brenkus. "In most circumstances this would ensure him safe at third. But Francoeur doesn't hit the cut-off man or bounce the ball in, instead throwing a perfect strike to Mike Moustakas."
Brenkus notes, "The ball leaves Francoeur's hand at almost 95 miles per hour, more than four miles an hour faster than the average Major League fastball. And while most pitches travel roughly 55 feet from the pitcher's release point to the batter, Francoeur's strike flies 242 feet – about four-and-a-half times farther."
The ESPN Sport Science lab puts the throw's accuracy into this perspective: "If a pitcher's release angle is off by a single degree, his pitch will be less than a foot off target, and possibly still be in the strike zone. If Francoeur's throw had been off by just one degree, the ball would have been more than four feet off target."
To view the video, click:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpEeoYOB3Os


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Math and Science Partnership (MSP) Active Awards
This page shows the geographical distribution of active awards for AGS. You can also
view lists of awards made by AGS.
Click on a name in the table below to view active
awards in that state, territory or country.
All Awards
Back to Program Page


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Rebuilding L.I. in a post-Sandy world
(Page 2 of 3)
On Monday, the task force released a 150-page-plus strategy report, detailing a host of recommendations to rebuild the metropolitan region with greater "resilience" so structures can withstand the beating they are expected to take during future storms, and so there is greater interagency coordination to expedite aid to storm victims.
We offer high praise to the task force for acknowledging the ever-growing threat that climate change poses to our region. Global warming is dangerous on so many levels. For us, the most immediate threat is sea-level rise, which only exacerbates the damage caused by a superstorm like Sandy.
The task force's report, which recommends 69 policy initiatives, is among the first such federal documents to treat climate change as a given, for which we must prepare so future generations don't suffer as we did in the weeks and months after Sandy. We must rebuild our broken infrastructure knowing that future storms will likely bring greater flooding because we live in a warmer world.
Until now, the federal government has too often equivocated on global warming. The time for equivocation has clearly ended. Climate change is here and it is real, according to the United Nations' International Panel on Climate Change, which is expected to issue its fifth Assessment Report on the state of global warming in 2014. The last one came out in 2007.
We are pleased that the Obama administration is taking climate change seriously, and that it is developing long-range plans to cope with the threats that it poses to us all.
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is a member of the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force's advisory group, which includes the governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maryland. The task force's strategy report, Mangano said, "responds to some of the biggest concerns and recovery needs residents have here in Nassau County. I applaud the task force's commitment to regional coordination and infrastructure hardening."
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Create / Change Library PIN
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A Library PIN (Personal Identification Number) is comprised of 4 different, nonconsecutive digits and will allow community users and affiliates to:
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How do I get a Library PIN?
Once you have obtained a UCR Library Card:
- Go to the My Library Account log in page.
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Last modified: 9/9/2015 2:41 PM by A. Dolan-Mescal


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Jonesboro, AR (Sports Network) - Brandon Peterson posted a double-double with
20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Arkansas State Red Wolves to an 86-62
victory over the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans in a Sun Belt Conference tilt
at the Convocation Center.
Ed Townsel added 15 points for the Red Wolves (16-9, 10-6 Sun Belt), who
claimed sole possession of first place in the conference's West Division with
the win. Kendrick Washington and Cameron Golden each chipped in with 11 points
for the home team.
Josh Hagins and John Gillon finished with 11 points apiece to lead the Trojans
(15-11, 9-6).
ASU shot 48.1 percent from the field and knocked down 4-of-8 from 3-point
range in the first half, as it took a 45-29 lead into intermission. UALR made
just 35.7 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half.
The Red Wolves continued their hot shooting in the second half, connecting on
54.2 percent from the field, as they pushed their advantage to as many as 27.
The Red Wolves forced 18 Trojan turnovers and converted them into 21 points.
ASU also outscored UALR at the free-throw line, 26-14.
The Sports Network


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T. Anthony Denton is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Enterprise.
Hailing from Chicago and Northwestern University, Tony arrived in Ann Arbor in 1979 to pursue his Master's in Health Services Administration from the School of Public Health.
Tony started his career at the Health System approximately 31 years ago, starting out as an Administrative Fellow in Academic Health Center Administration in 1981. His career took off from there, including Human Resources with an emphasis on labor relations, compensation and workforce planning strategies. Tony participated on the start-up team for MCare HMO during the mid-80s, serving as Manager of Corporate Affairs and Member Services. During this time between Human Resources and MCare, he obtained a law degree from the University Of Detroit School Of Law. Tony transitioned to Hospital Administration in the early 90's.
Tony's time in administration includes a progressive set of experiences in leadership, operations and financial management, strategic planning, program development, facility planning and construction, governance, process improvement, environmental stewardship, service excellence and community service to benefit all missions in service, education and research. He has served as an Associate Administrator, Assistant Director of Operations, Associate Director of Operations, and Associate Director for Clinical Services & Administrator of University Hospital. Tony served as Chair of the Michigan Visiting Nurse Corporation Board from 1997-2003.
Tony currently serves as a member of Senior Operations Officer Council, University Health System Consortium and Griffith Leadership Center Advisory Board, UM School of Public Health, as well as Board Commissioner for The Joint Commission.
Tony mentors health administration students and is a lead Preceptor for the Health System's Administrative Fellowship in Academic Health Center Administration. He has also mentored students enrolled in the Summer Enrichment Program, UM School of Public Health; acted as preceptor, Summer Intern Program, UM School of Public Health and is a frequent speaker to University and Health System on a variety of leadership topics.
Tony views community service as a passion and important component of leadership. He serves on several boards and councils, including the Red Cross Advisory Council and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Over the past several years, Tony has served on the Red Cross Board of Directors. Also, he has helped to raise awareness and funds to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke, serving as prior Corporate Chair for the area American Heart Association heart walks in addition to being a County area Chairman for walks involving education, awareness and research funding for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Tony also has been an Ann Arbor youth basketball coach on three separate occasions over three decades.
Tony has co-authored two articles: The Successful Development of a Subacute Care Service Associated with a Large Academic Health System and Shelf-price agreements: The next frontier in competitive bidding for coronary intervention supplies.
Values: Patients and Families First.....Relate, Inspire, Delight, Engage to achieve Ideal Experiences


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Results 1 to 10 of 61
Photographic Craftsman ... too easy to get?
Hi Everyone, I wanted to throw this out there since it's something that comes up from time to time when I talk with old school Craftsmen.
Seems that (mostly em who got theirs in the 80's and 90's) some think that nowadays the degree doesn't really carry as much weight anymore since people are getting the speaker merits faster and easier than ever.
Easy they say? I don't really think so but let's take Super Monday for instance. The program allows speakers (or tandem) a maximum of 4 merits a year. Another is the new rule allowing one to receive a speaking merit from their own local. How about the continuing education program where merits are awarded to people who do their own workshops? Some speculate that speaking merits will soon be given for the webinars as well when those start to pick up. Heck I personally think that qualified forum mentors also deserve speaking merits. BTW, I got mines in 18 months though I did the locals tour.
Anyways, it's not hard for somebody get to be a craftsman without ever leaving their city/metropolitan and get it within 2 years. Many have now become craftsmen w/o ever sharing at other local affiliates, speaking in front of a crowd at a convention or teaching a class at an affiliate school.
Since it's not as difficult anymore, I wonder if the appeal of the speaking merit is fading. If so, it's unfortunate since it will get harder for locals now to invite out of towner's since they (speakers) can really get the same merits without leaving home. Also, there might be a trend of having all local speakers since well qualified people don't have much incentive to come anymore. Gosh that's a scary scenario.
So I don't know, I'm starting to see what em oldies have been saying. How about you ... what's your take? How does your local group membership feel about this? Do people even care about the merits? Have they ever? Also when you answer, tell us a little about your background so readers could get an idea of your experience with the program.
Last edited by Marc_Benjamin; 02-09-2008 at 11:23 AM.-Marc Benjamin, M. Photog. Cr. F-PPC
My experience ....
Hi Marc;
I took a while getting the "other" merits over the years. I got my first teaching merit from, of all things, doing a class on using MS Publisher for doing studio forms, price lists, handouts and such. I did it for an early bird program for our state association. I then did up my program on Adobe Photoshop. I taught it as an early bird plus another time at our state convention. I also drove 6½ hours to give it to the SNAPP group(Southwest New York). I taught it to the Northeast Pa. group and also the Central New Jersey group. And, I gave it to the Maryland Association. My last two teaching merits were for serving as a print judge twice for the Northeast Pa. group. I got Craftsman in January of 2006 after setting a goal to get it in 3 years. So, I did do a bit of driving to get mine. The (much) bigger challenge is now attacking Master. I have 10 "other" merits built up and need to start getting the print merits.
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2006
- Location
- Rutland SD
- Posts
- 685
I think it's tougher to get speakers period. I rarely go to our local guild meetings any more. Membership and participation are down.
Why don't I go?
To give up a late afternoon senior session costs me money. I've gone to many programs where the speaker is supposed to be an Adobe Photoshop guru yet I know far more than they do. When I get the email containing the info about any speaker, I go to their website and check them out. If they are good, I will consider going. If their work is subpar or just average snapshot variety then I stay home.
I wouldn't speak at our local guild because there needs to be some physical distance from my audience.
I've done a Super Monday and have gone to various guilds to speak. I have 10 speaking merits so far. I may never get my Craftsman Degree.
Each year we do host a class for our lab. We invite the long time pros that need help with computers and workflow. And we do it all for free. It a way for me to give back to the ones who have helped me.
Only 3 to go ...
Hi Michael;
With only 3 more teaching merits to go to have 13 ... why wouldn't you go for it ? It's a great news blurb to announce in a news release and the certificate looks terrific matted and framed on the studio wall. How far from having the requisite 12 "other" merits are you ?
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2005
- Posts
- 4,206
Don't let it get to you Marc. The truth is it was always pretty easy if you really wanted it. There was always a "circut" of small affiliates that had trouble paying for speakers in every part of the country. Super Monday is/was a terrific idea IMO. I went to one the first time they were introduced and we didn't get merits in those days. It was just a great way to get a look inside someones studio. PPA needed something besides it's annual convention. Super Monday has filled that need very well. It's affordable and targeted. I really like Super Mondays better than any other events. I have instructed two of them. One in 1997 and one in 2007. I might do another one in 2017. (HA) I have given affiliate programs in Dayton, Indianapolis and the Chicago region of Northern Indiana. I had a lab that sponsored me and Kodak even pitched in for my Indy program so the affiliates didn't have to pay for the programs. It's harder for avearge Joe's like me to find these sponsors these days and some of the small affiliates have folded. So it's harder for new speakers to get experience. I think if they cracked down on the requirements they'd wind up where they were when the Masters program was tied to the Cert program. Just less, not better. Change is inevitable, the fact is the programs are still producing great photographers and teachers. Like you for example.
I'm a newbie to the PPA and I think its great that the trade is encouraging others to teach and give merits as incentive. I for one like the fact that I probably won't have to drive across country to work on a degree and spend time away from my family. However my position on this will change when there comes a time when I look forward to trips to new areas as the children get older.
I don't think that one has to have a room full of 600 people to be deserving of teaching merits.
From a few friends that I know of that are currently pursuing degrees, they are actively traveling the country and merits are certainly one of the bennies of their efforts.
I'm set to join our local guild just because of the facts you listed, as they have a speaker every month.
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2006
- Location
- Rutland SD
- Posts
- 685
I think the Craftsman degree is important to the industry. It rewards people for sharing their knowledge with others. Some choose to get it in a hurry and some take their time - as with anything else!
I began speaking with no specific time frame in mind to get the degree, I just love to teach. One time I was driving to VT to speak at their monthly. An hour into the commute I thought.. "I am going to drive 8 hours today for 1 speaking merit!".. Then I though... "If all the others that I've listened to and learned from thought the same way I wouldn't be where I am today".. and I never gave the 8 hours of driving another thought.
As it turned out, I got the degree in 06 along with the Masters degree. Didn't know D. Craig then, but we were in the same awards ceremony!
Marc, you can only get 2 merits per year from your local Association.Don
M.Photog., Cr., CPP, D.C.Ph.
Does a degree mean you really know what you are doing? I have been a photographer for 13 years. I have been competing in competition for 2 years and a member of FPP for 10 years. I never really thought about a degree. My first impression at the first convention I went to was why are these people wearing these things around their neck. I had no idea what they were or the weight that went with those bars. I know some people that have worked very hard to receive a degree but their business is not a success. Does it make you a better photographer or are you concentrating on having a degree to have those letters after your name, so all the other photographers will know that you are qualified? My husband (a non-photographer) saw a photographer's name with tons of degree abbreviations attached and asked what they all meant. I really couldn't tell him. He said we were the only profession he new that had that many credentials. My clients could care less. They don't understand that an 80 score is great. They wonder why you haven't scored higher, say 95, that they understand. They don't understand what goes into a degree, nor do they care.
I feel that being a photographer is an honor. We fill dreams with our work. The first thing people take in a disaster is their memories. We have made those memories. We record history for all those not born to know what the world was like. A photograph validates that we were here. Have merits and degrees become a driving force in the photography business?
Marc, I am sure this is not what you were asking, but it was what I was feeling. Take it for what it is worth. This all came from someone that usually writes a couple of lines. Love your new avatar. It makes me smile - that is what an image should do - bring out your emotions.
SandraSandra Pearce
You know you want it so just go get it. Then, you can run this survey with both Gold and Blue around your neck. It's much more credible to argue about these things, even the down side, when you have them.____________________
Dave Cisco M.Photog, Cr., CPP, F-TPPA


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We went to get my ride a much needed tune up at a local shop that always has the hottest receptionist. No has been able to snatch one until now. It was easier than what i thought. Maybe it was perfect timing or she just wanted some cock, whatever the reason we snagged her and took her to our place, poked every hole on her body with my hard stiffy then made her swallow man juice before sending her back to work.
One pass gets you all our Site Porn Sites. Download Movies and Pictures!


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I think it is. I've been learning it partially through a friend, partially through trial and error, and partially through the tutorials here. Once you start to get the hang of things, it gets easier. You may find that before long you're not even thinking about them when you use them. For me, this is because while learning a particular feature takes effort, it commits to second nature easily enough because I end up using it so much. There's a lot of repetition in Photoshop to drill things in, and a lot of tools communicate their settings in similar enough ways.
I've never used Pixelmator, but honestly I'm not stepping away from PS/Gimp at this point simply because of the wealth of information on the both of them here.


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Validated and Adapted for Food Detection
The RAPID'Listeria spp. method is certified by AFNOR certification according to the ISO 16140 for the detection of Listeria spp. (No. BRD 07/12-12/06) and AOAC-RI validated (No. 080701)
Intended UseRAPID'Listeria spp. agar is an affordable selective chromogenic medium for detection of Listeria spp. in food and environmental samples. Simple Protocol The RAPID'Listeria spp. method provides laboratories with a rapid economical solution for Listeria spp. detection, with full results in just 48 hr.
Easy confirmations are also validated by spot on RAPID'L.mono agar (+Gram and catalase tests) or single spot on Palcam.
RAPID'Listeria spp. agar can be used to confirm positive results on iQ-Check™ Listeria spp.
Specific and Selective The chromogenic reaction is based on the specific ß-glucosidase activity of Listeria. The selectivity of the medium inhibits interfering flora, and the nutrient-rich medium enables rapid growth and identification of Listeria spp. in 24 hr, after 24 hr of enrichment.
Reading and differentiation are easy due to the contrast between blue-green Listeria colonies and the whitish agar.
Listeria spp. Monitoring: Preventing Listeria monocytogenes Contamination Finding where Listeria spp. live in the processing plant is the first step toward preventing Listeria monocytogenes contamination of food. When Listeria gets into food, it often comes from environmental contamination. A proactive, aggressive environmental monitoring program is needed as a first step in preventing contamination: if we know where the trouble spots are, we can focus on eliminating them. The RAPID'Listeria spp. method of environmental monitoring can improve the chances of finding where Listeria spp. exists in the environment and reducing the risk of food contamination.
What is the education discount policy?
For more than 15 years, Bio-Rad has made science education a major priority. To support this effort, the company has implemented a discount policy that allows high school and college teaching laboratories to purchase kits, instruments, reagents, and other equipment at preferred prices.
How do I apply for the education discount?
If you are an educator at the high school or college level, visit our Education Discount Policy page to establish an education account number.
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Pkg of 10, vials of supplement 1 for 'RAPID´L.mono Agar, enough for 10 x 500 ml of medium
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Let the stalker-atting begin!
After snatching the prestigious Wimbledon title last weekend, Rafael Nadal has become THE sports celebrity of the moment with Rafa sightings filling the blogosphere like no other.
So on his much deserved vacation, the Mallorcan Matador was spotted frolicking with girlfriend Xisca on the beaches of his beloved hometown.
Then, Rafa and Uncle Toni were seen hitting the greens at a course in Mallorca with the 5-time Grand Slammer driving the golf cart and looking pretty in Nike pink.
And although some have begun questioning whether Rafa has what it takes to become a marketing machine a la Roger Federer or Maria "Shriek"apova, I honestly don't think he'd want to give up his lifestyle for a few more measly sponsorship obligations.
(Correction: Thanks to an anonymous reader tip about Rafa's golfing partner in the picture. It's his other uncle Miguel Angel.)
(images via just jared, gossip girls)