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Cyclones Head To Black and Gold Invitational
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State men's and women's cross country team head to Iowa City, Iowa, Friday to compete in the Iowa Black and Gold Invitational. The open-format meet permits teams to field more runners than the typical seven and will allow coaches to get a better picture of where student-athletes are in their progressions.
The invitational will feature talent from Alabama, Baylor (women) and Iowa. The Alabama men rank 13th in the South Region, receiving seven votes in the national poll. The Crimson Tide women are ranked sixth in the South. The Baylor women will enter the race sixth in the South-Central Region. Host school Iowa holds rankings in both the men's and women's regional polls. The Hawkeye men rank 11th regionally, and the women come in at No. 10 in the Midwest.
The Iowa Black and Gold Invitational will be held at the Ashton Cross Country Course. The women's race will be held at 6:00 p.m. CT and the gun will fire at 6:45 p.m. for the men.
Last Time Out
Two weeks ago, the Cyclones swept all team and individual titles at the Bulldog 4K Classic in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowa State competed against Drake and Northern Iowa in the triangular-dual meet. Erin Valenti captured the women's individual title and Steve Dado took home the hardware in the men's race.


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Cops Impound DUI Driver's Car with Kids Inside
Last week, a man was arrested for a DUI after leaving his car idling in the fast lane of a Rhode Island freeway. This incident, while a bit bizarre, would probably have remained quiet were it not for the subsequent towing of the man's vehicle while his two children remained inside.
According to a report from My Fox Boston, Fredly Misere was arrested for drunk driving in Pawtucket, Rhode Island after police discovered his Mercedes-Benz SUV completely stopped in the fast lane of a local highway.
When they approached his car, the 50-year-old driver was slumped over the steering wheel, apparently asleep, with an opened bottle of beer resting between his legs.
It took several loud pounds on the window by the police before the driver was able to awake from his deep slumber. Oddly, the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.
After police pulled the visibly intoxicated Misere out of his car, the driver told the officers that he was concerned about the welfare of his children. When the police asked him where the children were, however, Misere allegedly said that the kids were in Boston.
Because of Misere's assurances, the police apparently did not think it necessary to check the car for other occupants.
In addition, since Misere's car was dangerously blocking a lane of the heavily traveled highway, the police report indicates that a tow truck driver already had the SUV on a flatbed truck soon after police arrived.
So, after they arrested Misere, they took him to the police station, while the tow truck driver guided the SUV to its temporary resting place in an impoundment lot in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Of course, the plot soon thickened, as the truck driver heard muffled noises coming from the back seat of the Mercedes Benz soon after reaching the impoundment lot.
When he opened the car, the truck driver discovered Misere's 4-year-old daughter and her 3-month-old sister waiting patiently in the back of the car.
Apparently, the windows of the SUV were heavily tinted, so the police and tow truck driver did not immediately see the passengers. In addition, the noise of the highway may have blocked any noises made by the two young girls.
Nevertheless, police are baffled as to how so many authorities could miss the presence of two children in the back of the car. There will likely be an investigation into the matter.
To be fair, the real culprit in this fiasco is the allegedly drunk father, who, if the allegations are proved correct, is facing a significant punishment for his irresponsible actions, particularly because this is not his first drunk driving offense.
Sources indicate that Misere is being charged with numerous criminal counts, including driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, driving to endanger, child endangerment, and the always-tricky charge of "failing to use care when stopping."

subset: commoncrawl


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Florida: We're Coming!
This guy didn't make it, but if you can hold on just a bit longer, we'll be there for you, Floridians! (Thanks to Twitter follower @FLfreak for sending this cartoon our way, adapted from the original work by Funday Morning.) After multiple delays, due to the expansion of our production facility taking longer than we…Read More »


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|Push for soccer fields continues
|Written by Kyle Arnoldy
Soccer fields in Holyoke continue to be a hot topic as Holyoke City Council members were once again, at their Tuesday, Sept. 3 meeting, faced with visitor questions regarding the possibility of constructing local fields in the future.
While the city's application for the Great Outdoors Colorado grant was submitted without the inclusion of soccer fields, local soccer enthusiasts are hoping that by getting an early start at building support for the fields, the city will be able to bring fields to Holyoke through similar grant options in the future.
Yesenia Bencomo, Cecilia Marquez and Gloria Jimenez were in attendance to not only voice their support for the fields but to volunteer to pass out surveys or help with translating in future endeavors to ensure that the whole community is represented.
They said they want to take a proactive approach because they see the interest and need for soccer fields in town.
Mayor Orville Tonsing agreed that if they were able to show local support for the cause, the city council would be willing to reopen discussion on the topic.
While the movement for the soccer fields appears to be taking steps in the right direction, there is no timeline for when the city will go after another GOCO grant. The City of Holyoke will stay out of the next GOCO cycle as to not directly compete with the county for grant money. The county backed off the most recent GOCO grant so that the city could apply without local competition.
Phillips County Economic Development identifies 4 focus areas
Phillips County Economic Development executive director Julie Worley also attended last week's council meeting to inform members of the work being done by PCED.
She stated that the board of directors had a strategic meeting in April to highlight four areas of focus for the year. The four identified areas are housing needs, youth migration out of Phillips County, identification of all commercial and retail sites to upload to a database at the state level and continuation of building the board and economic development position.
A housing survey will be distributed to key individuals and organizations in the county regarding the need for housing.
A survey will also be distributed to students in grades 7-12 in both Holyoke and Haxtun. The purpose of the survey will be to determine if students would want to return to work or open a business in Phillips County once they graduate from college or get some experience in the working world.
"We think what we'll find is there is a pretty good percentage of kids that would like to return and maybe we could work with them before they graduate to get them to come back," Worley said.
By identifying all commercial and retail sites in the county and uploading them to a database, everyone will know what is available in Phillips County.
Council accepts recommendation from planning commission
Zoning changes will be on the agenda for adoption during the Tuesday, Sept. 17 council meeting.
Prior to last week's city council meeting, the planning commission held a public hearing to discuss the rezoning of the lot north of Holyoke Marketplace. The area is proposed to be changed from residential to commercial for the purpose of employee parking for Holyoke Marketplace.
The city council, at the recommendation of the planning commission, approved the changes, which will return to the table for adoption at the next meeting.
Officials report
City Superintendent Mark Brown reported last week that there had been one power outage since the previous council meeting. A squirrel was responsible for the outage in the 100-700 blocks of South Bowman and South Sherman streets.
Brown also noted that crews were going to start the process of installing the tornado siren at the fairgrounds during the week. The streets department has also begun painting parking spots and crosswalks around town.
Police Chief Doug Bergstrom reported that from Aug. 15-28, the Holyoke Police Department generated 76 calls for service, made one arrest, gave out three citations, wrote three reports and issued 11 warnings.
Bergstrom also made a request for a stop sign to be positioned at the intersection of Emerson Street and Campbell Avenue for the westbound lane on Emerson Street.
City Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson noted that the city is expecting to receive $16,676 more in property taxes than they did last year.
Other business
In other business Sept. 3, the council:
—approved Ordinance No. 2-2013, authorizing a medium-term contract with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska for firm power interchange services.
Holyoke Enterprise September 12, 2013


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2011 Grand National Roadster Show: The Suede Palace - Expanded for WebWritten by on June 1, 2011 Our roots are showing
When I was a kid, if my ol' man saw me shaking too much salt on my dinner, he'd say, Are you trying to flavor it or preserve it? A little bit of salt is all it takes to flavor a whole lot of food.
The Suede Palace, the smallest portion of the Grand National Roadster Show, has been part of the event for only five years, but in that time the flavor of the nostalgic, traditionally styled hot rods and customs that fill this building has seeped into every corner of the GNRS, including the AMBR competition.
As always, the Suede Palace was organized by Alex Axle Idzardi and his wife, Celeste, who receive tons of help from numerous car clubs from all over the country. The vendors, clubs, 'stripers, bands, Trophy Girl contestants, spectators, and cars in Building 10 have turned Axle's efforts into the coolest corner of the GNRS, flavoring the whole show and preserving traditional hot rodding.
More Photos From This Article View Slideshow
The Suede Palace Best of Show winner was this incredible '50 Chevy. Fabian Valdez of Vintage Hammer Garage has been wrenching on his Stude-powered "Coupe de Jour" for years and had it almost finished in time for the GNRS—the paint was shot the day before heading to Pomona.When Brad Barrie found this '55 Chevy Gasser on the Internet, it already had a racing resume going back to the '70s. Barrie kept the orange paint, adding replicated decals and the Americans with MT/ET meats. A 454 big-block in front and 4.56 gears in back get the '55 moving.Live music filled Building 10 throughout the weekend. You should've heard Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat performing on Friday evening. Lucky you if you did.Don Hamilton's blue '31 Model A coupe on a pinched Deuce frame has the perfect hot rod look, from the 3-inch chop to the 331 Caddy mill with four 97s, plus a Ron Mangus leather interior. The Jim Johnson–built five-window was awarded Best Hot Rod.Don Hamilton's blue '31 Model A coupe on a pinched Deuce frame has the perfect hot rod look, from the 3-inch chop to the 331 Caddy mill with four 97s, plus a Ron Mangus leather interior. The Jim Johnson–built five-window was awarded Best Hot Rod.The Suede Palace judging is done by car clubs (and a few vendors) who create their own one-of-a-kind trophies (we counted 27). Winning one of these works of art, along with the acknowledgment of your peers, is a big honor here. The Best Custom trophy was presented to Joe Arreguin from J&V Customs in Chula Vista, CA, for his low-slung, deep green '35 Ford custom coupe. The engine is a three carburetor small-block. The work on Arreguin's coupe is amazing.Richard Medina's '51 Chevy coupe is another beautiful J&V Automotive car, finished with semigloss below and metalflake brown on the chopped top, and some elaborate pinstriping on the nose and deck.Having seen photos of Don Simms' channeled '29 A roadster in bare metal, we were impressed by how great it looks in cream-color paint, especially with the black interior, firewall, chassis, spoke wheels, and undropped I-beam axle.This year's most notable trophy was a scaled-down belly tanker, delivered from Boston by the Alter Boys Car Club. It took three weeks to make and features engine-turned wheels, plaster of Paris "salt," and miniature seats built from genuine World War II–era canvas. Its recipient was Rob Bennett, whose chopped '30 roadster runs a '47 Flathead and rolls on 16-inch Kelsey Hayes wire rims.
We read the history of this '26 T in the May '10 issue of Hot Rod Deluxe. It was built by Ross Heale and Jack Foye when they attended high school together in the '50s. In the '60s it appeared in movies, at the L.A. Roadster Show, at the drags (national A/SR record holder), and on the street. It was recently pulled out of 30 years in storage by Heale and Doug Peterson.The Beatniks of Koolsville Club can always be counted on to support roots-oriented rod and custom events. Look at the lines on Dewayne Norton's slammed '36 Ford five-window; only the bottoms of the tires ride lower than the running boards.The apple green paint on Jim Ramirez' '36 Ford pickup is a big change from the previous blue with white graphics, but the 401 Nailhead with straight pipes was one of numerous clues that this was the same hot rod truck.Robert Larson from Apple Valley, CA, did a lot of work on his two-tone '34 pickup, including shortening the bed 6 inches and chopping the top 3 inches. The Flathead engine is backed up by a '38 three-speed.Chris Kidd's '34 cabrio is a true survivor that has lived a hot rod's life. After following Route 66 to California in the '40s, it was rodded in the '50s, blew a head gasket in the '60s, and disappeared into a garage until its revival in 2008. The Flathead was built with a Winfield cam and a pair of Strombergs on a Thickstun high-rise manifold.What a surprise to see Steve Garrision's amazing '29 Model A in Pomona. When we saw it in Ocean City, MD, we gave it a STREET RODDER Top 100 prize and photographed it for the Dec. '10 issue. Steve converted the roadster from a sport coupe and modified the cowl for easy access to the ignition and brake components."Miss Loved" is another conversion from the East. The '50 Ford convertible custom, inspired by a '54 Car Craft cover car, started life as a sedan. The 2,700-mile one-way drive from Hialeah, FL, to Pomona was all it took for Yaril Quintana to win the Furthest Driven award.The Deuce coupe his dad gave his brother and him in 1961 was the inspiration for Tom McIntyre's small-block–powered three-window. The first one was daily transportation; the McIntyre brothers swapped rearend gears between races in the desert and rides to school.
With a '67 GTO engine, the air-bagged custom keeps "Pontiac in a Pontiac." The top is painted gold and most of the trim has been kept.One more Gasser before we leave. The "Devils' Grocery Getter" '40 Chevy is owned by Dale Van Zant. The 12:1 compression Pontiac 462 engine has pulled the coupe down the drag strip in 11.26 seconds."Strip Tripper," this '41 Willys Gasser pickup, was originally built in the '60s (the paint might have been a tip off). Jack Goodrich, Tom Ferra and owner Paul Soliz have restored it. Hilborn injectors feed the Chevy small-block.Bill Fowler's Chevy is another Gasser from the glory days. The Solo Speed Shop '55 was once a Blair Speed Shop car, purchased by Bill in 2001. One particularly cool component is the seat, modified by Tony Nancy.The paint fades were one of our favorite period custom elements on Tim Wallace's '55 Mercury Monterey sled.From Marietta, Georgia, to the Suede Palace, Joshua Mills' '35 Ford coupe is a long way from home. We loved the '40 Ford skits and chopped top.White tuck 'n' roll upholstery and custom Cadillac taillights, and numerous other modifications caught our attention. Terry Wallace from San Diego is the owner of this so-low '39 Ford coupe.
This Model A rpu is a '28, owned by Dave Welles, who finished the bench seat in great looking plaid fabric, and filled the engine compartment with a Nailhead running an Offy manifold and three deuces.Here's a good one for all you Oldsmobile guys. Russ Lynes came down from Upland with this tasty '50 Olds 88.The Long Beach Swap Meet Special is a trip back to the early days, with a wishbone suspension, and a well-worn leather interior. Marshall Topping from Costa Mesa is the owner.A two-tone black-and-white interior and the right pinstriping looked good on the slammed '47 Ford coupe owned by Mark Peru from Ontario, California.Here's an old roadster that seems to have avoided getting hot rodded for all these years. Jorge Guttierrez showed off his undropped and unmolested '29 Model A roadster.The monochrome blue flames are nice, but our favorite finishing touch on Todd George's '60s style '53 Plymouth Belvedere is the shaggy headliner.
Gary Vahling's shoebox looks great from this angle, but the chromed Flathead with a Navarro intake and Eddie Meyer heads makes this '50 Ford even better. And we liked the green plaid interior too (there's something about plaid).Kevin Simpson also treated his hot rod to a traditional looking engine under that shiny black hood, packing the Deuce roadster with an Edmunds flattie with cloth wire covers. The inside is bright red rolls 'n' pleats.In addition to the charity fundraiser pinstriping exhibition going on in the main building, the brushes were busy in the Suede Palace too. Doc Von Weber is working on a trophy.The Suede Palace isn't big enough for all the traditional iron at the GNRS, and the outdoor Greaser Alley was packed with more cars and trucks.The blown small-block was a surprise inside John Gibson's bright orange '42 Ford coupe, on display in Greaser Alley.After spotting this '28 Ford rpu at the Mooneyes Xmas Party one year, Karissa Elmo bought the cars and redid a few things to make it her own. Karissa caught the hot rod bug from her dad Tony. The inline-6 mill wears a Frontenac head with triple carbs.The guy wearing glasses was intrigued by the Blue Flame 4-cylinder engine in Frank Ochoa's two-tone '53 Chevy Bel Air.A broken cam on Wednesday night didn't keep Mike "Dingo" Dingillo from making it to Greaser Alley on Saturday. The chopped and channeled '31 sedan is loaded with craftsmanship and an amazing amount of detail.
Lil' Mo and the Dynaflos took the stage on Saturday, serving up a mix of doo wop, R&B, and early-style rock 'n' roll.The Suede Palace is a reminder of the importance of car club participation in this hobby. Numerous Southern California clubs were represented here, plus a few out-of-state clubs, like the aforementioned Alter Boys from Massachusetts and the recently-formed Moonshiners from Wyoming.Traditional car guys like traditional haircuts and Layrite barbers were in the S.P. to oblige. These guys are great at retro cuts like the flat top and the high and tight-and my trademark cut, the chrome dome.Seems like everybody forgot about the cars when it was time for the Trophy Girl pin-up model contest. Every contestant was lovely and charming, but only one can wear the bejeweled tiara.Another beauty from the Vintage Hammer Garage was Rene Lugo's chopped '58 Chevy pickup. Did you notice the pipes frenched into the bed sides? Taillights from a '54 Pontiac station wagon dress up the rear.Ian Berky's grape-flavored, slammed '51 Chevy custom, from Burbank, was a trophy magnet. Not surprising.We already showed you the decklid lettering. Now here's the full view of "El Patron," Greg Cueva's '53 Pontiac hardtop.


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December 20, 2012 | 859 views
Cornering the Market
New technology for body sculpting
B&B Aesthetics
Bella Contour works by stimulating the fat cells, causing the release of lipids and triglycerides, which are then eliminated as part of the body's natural metabolic process. Three proven fat reduction methods are included. First, ultrasound causes a vibration effect that promotes the release of fat from the cells. Second, interferential therapy creates electric currents that increase the permeability of the cells, allowing the lipids and triglycerides to escape thru the cell wall. Finally, vacuum therapy increases blood flow in the treated area, encouraging the transport of the fats into the blood stream and then to the liver, where they become available for conversion to energy by the body's metabolism. The lipids and triglycerides that are released during a session of Bella Contour are available to be used as energy for 48 hours after the treatment.
Results can be seen after the first treatment. In one clinical study, more than 90 percent for the people reduced their waist circumference by at least 1.57 inches after just a few treatments. Usually, about 10 treatments are recommended. Bella Contour is FDA approved and is backed by multiple research studies and clinical trials.
Bella Contour has been used in the United States for more than five years. The device has been used throughout the world by plastic surgeons and dermatologists. B & B Aesthetics focuses solely on body contouring. The Lynbrook facility houses two treatment rooms and two aestheticians. A treatment is painless, relaxing and non-invasive, and usually lasts about 50 minutes. Everything about it is natural. The results will last as long as the person maintains a stable weight.
B & B Aesthetics is open Monday trough Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information is available on their website: www.havethebody.com.
KeywordsCornering the Market, Teri Ann Loeser, B&B Aesthetics, Lynbrook
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If you are fundraising - it can seem a little daunting at first. The key is to start early - as soon as you book on your course.
Funding is like doing an Outward Bound course, the more effort you put in, the more returns you are likely to receive. Planning is the key to successful fundraising.
Email us with your name, address and contact phone number to request a funding pack to be posted to you or call Sue Childs - Funding Advisor now on 0800 688 927. Sue helps people with fundraising on a regular basis and is only to happy to help guide you on your way.
Our three-step fundraising guide
If you are not sure where to start with your fundraising effort, don't worry, we've got you covered. Our three step guide will help you put together a plan.
Work out how much you can pay from the savings you already have and then create a plan on how you can save/fundraise the difference. Check out our student fundraising stories and fundraising ideas to help you get inspired!
Set yourself the challenge to raise $1,000 in a week
- Day 1: Ask 3 family members to sponsor you for $70
- Day 2: Ask 10 friends or neighbours to contribute $20
- Day 3: Sell $50 of unwanted items on Trade Me
- Day 4: Ask 5 co-workers to contribute $20 or set up a contribution box where people can freely donate
- Day 5: Ask 5 people from your sporting, hobby group or church, to contribute $10
- Day 6: Ask your boss for a company donation of $350 or better yet, ask if they will match what you raise
- Day 7: Ask 2 businesses that you frequently visit to personally contribute $20 (try your barber/hairdresser, dry cleaner, restaurant or cafe where you eat lunch each day!)
Did you know there are over 500 community and service groups in New Zealand – many of whom have supported thousands of Outward Bound participants over the last 50 years? We encourage you to write to your local service clubs, businesses and community groups for fundraising assistance. See below for letter writing tips.
Write to local service Clubs
Rotary, Lions and the RSA are three of our biggest supporters, but many communities have other service groups who can also help. Find your local service clubs at:
Send the service club proof of your enrolment (copy of your enrolment letter) and a fundraising letter asking for their support. Call the service club a week later to check they got your letter and find out when you will hear back from them.
Contact your local Businesses
Many participants have approached locally owned businesses and experienced fantastic success. Visit the business yourself and ask to speak with the manager. Take proof of enrolment and a fundraising letter with you to support what you say - if the manager is unavailable you can leave this information for them to read (remember to call them a week later to check they have received your letter). Offering to work for a donation is a good way of gaining their support - wash windows, clean their fridge, or deliver flyers. See tips below for what to say.
Community Groups
If you belong to a community group like a sports club, church or choir, ask if they have any fundraising ideas such as holding an event for you. Community groups are experts in fundraising!
There may be Trusts in your community that support Outward Bound. Contact Sue to find out more 0800 688 927.
From the Marlborough region? Click here to learn about funding from The Marlborough First Light Foundation.
You must have completed Steps 1 and 2 and can show us that you have put in your best effort (whether you have been successful or not). Send us the following 4 things no later than 8 weeks before your course starts (the same time your medical form is due).
- Fundraising Support Application - download the form here or contact us to send you a form 0800 688 927. This tells us about your fundraising progress.
- Your contribution towards your course fees - if not already paid.
- Pick up two different Gaming Trust Application Forms from your local gaming site (usually a local pub) but do not fill them out - we will.
- Copies of all fundraising letters, applications and emails you have sent - including any replies you have received.
Important Notes: Funding does not include travel, gear, medical or insurance costs. You may be asked to complete a 'Financial Assistance Form' - this tells us about your financial situation.
Asking for money
When asking for money it is important to be clear about why you want to go on a course, and what you would like to get out of it. Be prepared with the following information - it will make it easier when you come to ask for fundraising support:
- What the course is, what you hope to achieve and why you want to go.
- When the course starts, the length of the course and how much it costs.
- Information about yourself such as your interests, cultural or community activities you are involved in, school or sporting achievements.
- How much you can afford to put towards the course and the fundraising you have done or are planning to do before the course.
- Any relevant personal references.
If you are a Work and Income NZ client you may be eligible for funding through them. Contact your Case Manager for more information.Your course cannot be paid for using a student loan.
Introduction/Paragraph one:
Mention a bit about yourself including, name, age, the region you live in, who you live with and what you do e.g. student/work. Explain that you have enrolled on an Outward Bound course and are seeking funding support (enclose a copy of your registration letter to show that you are enrolled).
Paragraph Two:
Give more details about the specific course enrolled in e.g. name of course, date of the course, length of the course and the cost of the course. Explain why you want to go and what you feel you will gain from the experience of attending Outward Bound.
Paragraph Three:
Outline what you are doing to fundraise for your course and include the progress you have made so far. Be sure to include any planned fundraising activities that you have coming up and a little bit of detail about these activities. E.g. Every 2nd Saturday I am doing a car wash at the local farmers market.
Example from a student who attended in January:
For a start I asked everybody that knew me from family, friends and workmates if they could give me an item out of their pantry, with all these goods, I made up two huge grocery hampers and sold raffles for them as a fundraiser. I think I raised about $400.00!!
Paragraph Four:
Thank them for their time and consideration. Mention that you would be happy to come and speak with the club and learn more about the club and how you may be able to help in the future. Be sure to include your contact details and the best way to get a hold of you.
Fundraising ideas
- Ask your family and friends to donate.
- Ask for a donation instead of birthday or Christmas gifts.
- Ask your employer to sponsor you (our courses are tax deductible as a training expense).
- Contact your local newspaper to profile your goal and ask for support.
- Sell unwanted items or hand-made crafts on Trade Me.
- Mow the lawns or wash the cars of all your neighbours in your street - it's a great way to get to know them too!
- Trivia night - invite 20 people for $10 each.
- Movie night - invite 20 people for double the ticket price and sweeten the deal with some lollies or home-made popcorn.
- Sponsored fun run/walk - ask for $2 for each km and boost your fitness!
- Sausage sizzle - ask your local butcher for a deal on sausages.
- Mufti or themed dress-up day at school or work - ask for a gold coin donation
A Guide To Supporting Outward Bound For Life
How is Outward Bound funded and what do we need support for? This brochure outlines some of the ways you can help us, continue to be a turning point in people's lives. For example:
- Setting up a scholarship
- Donating
- Becoming a member
- Buying a brick in our foundation pathway
- Leaving a bequest
- Making a major gift.
Download the Support us brochure here.
Fundraising Stories
Need some more inspiration for you fundraising efforts? Check out the real life stories below! For more stories click here.
Hannah Clow - MBS October 2011
28 November 2013
Hannah discusses the many ways she received money to aid her getting on a OB course, find out more here. Read more
Lily Heathmore - Fundraising tips
01 December 2014
Lily fundraised towards her Classic course. Find out how she reached her goal. Read more
Surinder Edwards - A fundraising story
01 April 2015
Surinder used all of her resources and called upon her networks to make her Masters course a reality. Read more
Ruari Moran - A fundraising story
01 March 2015
Ruari combined some of his personal savings with fundraising to get himself on a OB course. Read more


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The USC College of Nursing offers an array of undergraduate, graduate and general scholarships.
To be considered for a College of Nursing scholarship, you must be a full-time student enrolled in the BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD degree programs and meet specific criteria and deadlines.
For more information, please contact 803-777-7412.


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April 10–11, 2014 | Chicago, IL, United States
University of Chicago
Co-hosted by Microsoft Research and the Computation Institute
This training is offered to select research community audiences, predominantly consisting of practicing research scientists with at least basic software development skills. The default course consists of two days. Day one helps attendees acquire a general understanding of cloud computing with Microsoft Azure. Day two focuses on using Microsoft Azure at scale. Specific instances of the course may revise this basic structure.
Information for attendees
Date: April 10–11, 2014
Time: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (registration begins at 8:30 A.M.)
Location: University of Chicago
Searle Chemistry Laboratory
5735 S. Ellis Avenue, 2nd Floor
Room 240a
Chicago, IL 60637
Campus map: https://maps.uchicago.edu/
Public transit: http://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/visiting/directions/publictransit.shtml
Parking: As in any large city, parking can be a challenge. If you choose to drive to campus, the preferred visitors' garage is located at 55th Street and Ellis Avenue. The rate is $4 per hour with a $20 maximum fee.
Ellis Avenue Parking Structure
5505 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Questions? Send email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Registration for this class is closed


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Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Corey Brewer came off the bench and buried six
3-pointers en route to 27 points on Wednesday, as the Denver Nuggets downed
the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-114, at Pepsi Center.
Kenneth Faried finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds and Ty Lawson added 17
points and 14 assists for the Nuggets, who have won two of their last three.
Andre Iguodala stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 11 boards, seven assists
and three steals, while Danilo Gallinari donated 19 points and Kosta Koufos
added 10 in the victory.
Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 40 points and Pau Gasol followed with 19
points for the Lakers, who had their five-game win streak snapped.
Dwight Howard finished with 12 points and seven rebounds before being ejected
in the third quarter when he was whistled for a Flagrant 2 foul for a blow to
the head of a driving Faried.
The Sports Network


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May 30, 2016
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Authorities say a magnitude-5.1 earthquake has shaken the Los Angeles area.
The U.S. Geological Survey originally estimated the quake to be a magnitude-5.3. It said the Friday quake struck at about 9:11 p.m. and was centered near Brea in Orange County -- about 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
About an hour earlier, a 3.6 quake hit nearby in the city of La Habra.
There were no immediate reports of damage.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
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|Harlan Stern fills vacant seat on hospital board
|Written by Chris Lee
Harlan Stern became the newest member of the East Phillips County Hospital District board at the March 23 meeting.
Stern was appointed to fill the vacant seat left by Ray Malleck who announced his resignation in January. Stern will fill the seat until the May election, even though there won't be an election.
Incumbents Steve Deaver, Sheryl Farnsworth and Steve Young all turned in nomination intents for re-election for four-year terms. Since Stern filed for the two-year seat, Melissa Memorial Hospital (MMH) Administrator John Ayoub was given the authority to cancel the election since all seats would be filled with the four candidates. He canceled the election March 4 and submitted the necessary paperwork to the Secretary of State.
A resolution was passed by the board last year, naming Ayoub the election official and giving him the authority to cancel the election if there weren't more candidates than seats available.
Ayoub mentioned there was interest from two other potential candidates but of those, one didn't get a nomination form turned in and the other didn't meet one of the criteria to serve on the board.
Since Malleck served as vice president of the board, members elected Deaver to the position.
Health care reform overview presented
One of the larger topics of the week was the House passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (H.R. 3590). The reform package passed Sunday, March 21. Ayoub gave board members a quick overview of the package and the effects it may have on MMH.
The House also voted on a side-car package Sunday night called the Reconciliation Act of 2010. Together the bills would extend coverage to 32 million people, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation will cost $940 billion over 10 years.
Ayoub told board members many of the things included in the package won't take effect until 2014, so "changes" won't be recognized right away. The things that will begin immediately will be things such as the option of having dependent children stay on their parents' insurance until they are age 26.
Ayoub said there is still a possibility the package won't be set in stone as there are different reconciliations. It was also reported there are a number of states coming together to sue the federal government as a result of the House passing the bill.
One aspect of the bill Ayoub wanted to notify board members of are the rural hospital provisions. This aspect sustains and improves access to care in rural areas through various improvements such as:
—extends the outpatient hold-harmless payments for certain hospitals in rural areas.
—improves payments of low-volume hospitals.
—ensures that Critical Access Hospitals are paid 101 percent of costs for all outpatient services regardless of the billing methods elected.
—extends and expands the Rural Community Hospital Demonstratin Program.
—extends the Medicare Dependent Hospital program for one year.
—extends the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program through 2010.
—extends reasonable cost reimbursement for laboratory services in small rural hospitals.
"For the most part, this legislation will not have a negative impact on Melissa Memorial Hospital and East Phillips County Hospital District," Ayoub said.
Down the road, the administrator said staffing may become an issue. With those people who haven't had health care and will now, they are going to start going to the doctor. Traffic will increase and staffing will be something they might have to look at.
Deaver asked if the reform bill will affect the Colorado Indigent Care Program CICP or vice versa. Ayoub said the payments will drop, but eligibility requirements for Medicaid will be expanded. Less people will be in CICP and more will be in Medicaid.
Young reported for the MMH Foundation saying the golf tournament is set for Saturday, Aug. 21. The foundation has also been discussing the idea of holding a big fund raising event each year, according to Young.
They also are looking into getting the clock up by the July 22 50-year anniversary celebration.
The Community Linkages committee was contacted about advertising the Hispanic Health Fair schedule with the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration, according to Farnsworth. There was also a question raised about holding the health fair with the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Event Center but committee members thought it would be best to keep the health fair at HHS.
CFO Greg Was said MMH saw a month where demand for services was lower, which resulted in a lower month financially. Activity was below normal for the month of February. Things are way ahead of where they were last year, according to Ayoub.
Administrator reports activity
Ayoub reported the 2009 audit went smoothly and gave praise to CFO Was for his efforts in the process. Ayoub said when the company left, there were no major issues. A tentative April date has been scheduled to hold a special audit meeting.
MMH has taken some different steps when it comes to marketing. A quarterly newsletter will become a regular thing and the inaugural edition was sent out Thursday, March 25.
Other strategies include one in the form of chocolate candy, first aid kits for the 50-year celebration and dietary pamphlets.
Ayoub said the ambulance service will be changing soon as it is Haxtun's turn to purchase a new ambulance. The change will mean Holyoke will now use 2002 and 2006 ambulances while Haxtun will use a 1999 and 2010. He also mentioned the color scheme will now be the same for both Holyoke and Haxtun to cut down on costs when it is time to change.
Recent questions have been asked about patient transfers, according to the administrator. Ayoub said their priority is to the community. When someone calls 911 they expect an ambulance to show up to assist them.
Ayoub said they try to accommodate for transfers when possible, but with two ambulances it's tough.
He said the day before Tuesday's meeting, there were three patients who needed to be transferred to seek care. He said one of the ambulances took one patient while the other two were taken by ambulances from Wray and Yuma.
As reported during last month's meeting, an accountant had been hired at MMH. Ayoub said that person has decided to go in a different direction so a search for someone else is being conducted. He mentioned there are two candidates and he hoped to have them interviewed and possibly have made a hire by the end of last week.
Deb Tatum has been hired as a full-time employee as the director of the laboratory.
Dr. Kelby Bethards' contract has been adjusted as he has taken on another assignment, according to Ayoub. He will continue to hold his position in the clinic but will not be here on weekends. Ayoub said Dr. Ernest Castro and Dr. Mark Hoenig will help cover weekends.
The annual Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program was held with HHS students and Ayoub said he was pleased with the work Christie Winckler provided to make the process a success. He also mentioned there was a very positive response through the evaluations.
A diagnostic mobile imaging unit is now being utilized at MMH, according to Ayoub. He said the staff is appreciative and likes the images it produces.
Ultrasound is another service the hospital is looking into. Ayoub said Tim Johnson is acting as the leader in narrowing down possibilities of machines to purchase. He said they think they have the one they want and will conduct an on-site test Thursday, April 1.
A capital budget item is a colonoscope. It was budgeted for about $65,000. Grant money was received a while ago to purchase a scope washer/sterilizer. The company it was purchased from is having some issues with the FDA.
Ayoub said they don't need to purchase a new scope this year but he may come back to the board with a request to buy a new washer/sterilizer.
MMH continues to keep on top of emergency preparedness. Ayoub said they have conducted fire drills with staff members and hope to conduct tornado drills soon.
He also mentioned he and Johnson attended Incident Command Structure (ICS) training in Yuma. The training is to help everyone who responds to an emergency to understand and use the same terminology and structure.
The administrator said a contract has been signed with Inquery Credentialing Services to provide the medical staff credentialing packets. In the past, Human Resources Director Sharon Greenman has put them together.
The Medicaid provider fee paperwork has been filed, according to Ayoub. An early April date is expected for Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve or deny the fee.
Ayoub said the percentage for the redistribution fee may not be what was presented at the last meeting.
A consultant was brought in to perform a charge description master review. Ayoub said they are looking at appropriately pricing different services throughout the hospital.
One example is Aspirin. Ayoub said the hospital charges more for Aspirin than a drug store. This is because there is time and people who are included in the process. Ayoub said they have decreased the cost. This is just one adjustment and Julie Vernon will give a presentation at the next board meeting, according to Ayoub.
Other business
In other business March 23, the hospital board:
—noted the next board meeting will be Tuesday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m.
—noted the medical staff bylaws are ready for review by a lawyer.
—approved credentialing for two-year re-appointments for Michelle Soriano, MD (OB/GYN); Joseph Bonelli, MD (pathology); and Paul "Val" Meredith, CRNA (allied staff).


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I seem to remember this being a topic at one point, but my search-foo isn't working right yet this morning because I can't find it.
I have a particular client who would like to add a particular RSS feed to all user accounts in their domain. Can someone help me out with the syntax?


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Hacienda, Fresno, CA 93705
- $111,503
- 329 Days on site
- Est: $413/month
Estimate Your Monthly Payment
- Mortgage Center
- Beds: 3
- Baths: 2.00
- Single Family Home
- 1,344 sq ft
This property is in initial default, also known as Pre-Foreclosure. The homeowner of this property has missed at least one payment and is now considered delinquent. In order to avoid a full foreclosure, the homeowner may be willing to sell this home at an attractive price. No asking price is posted on Pre-Foreclosures because these properties are not formally listed on the market for sale yet. Instead, the original loan balance is presented. Use this amount, along with local sale price comparables to establish a reasonable offer on this home. Register with RealtyStore for more Property Details.
- Year Built: 1959
- 329 Days on site
- Single Family Home
- Beds: 3
- Baths: 2.00
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Listing Details
- Lot Size
- Approximately 6600
Local Info
| Median Household Income
| Median Years In Residence
| Median Homeowner Age
| Households with Children
| Percent of Homes Rented
Nearby Elementary Schools
- Our Lady Of Victory Elementary School
- 1626 W Princeton Ave
- Homan Elementary
- 1602 W Harvard Ave
- Fremont Elementary
- 1005 W Weldon Ave
Nearby Middle Schools
- Our Lady Of Victory Elementary School
- 1626 W Princeton Ave
- Phoenix Secondary
- 2445 W Dakota Ave
- Hamilton Elementary
- 102 E Clinton Ave
Nearby High Schools
- Phoenix Secondary
- 2445 W Dakota Ave
- Valley Preparatory Academy Charter
- 4221 N Hughes Ave
- Fresno High
- 1839 N Echo Ave
These are the closest schools to your requested location. Proximity does not guarantee enrollment eligibility. Please consult your real estate agent or school district to confirm the schools you are zoned to attend.
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New Haven, MO (KSDK) - A two car, head-on collision along Highway 100 west of New Haven Tuesday afternoon has killed both drivers involved.
Missouri Highway Patrol troopers tell NewsChannel-5 just after 4:30 p.m. yesterday, an eastbound car driven by 21 year old Austin Vanbooven of Rhineland crossed the centerline just west of Grant School Road in Franklin County and slammed into an oncoming westbound car, driven by Amanda Witthaus, 27 of Hermann.
Both Witthaus and Vanbooven were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Authorities say Witthaus was wearing her seat belt, Vanbooven was not.


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WASHINGTON – Your alarm is set for 6 a.m. but for some reason you wake up a minute or two before the alarm sounds.
How do you do that?
Psychology Today reports that people are all equipped with their own internal alarm clocks.
German researchers have discovered what could be the first biological evidence for humans' ability to wake up at will. All you need is stress, not batteries, to set off these alarm clocks.
The anticipation of waking up appears to trigger the release of hormones that the body secretes in times of stress. An hour or more before you intend to wake up the secretions increase in preparation for waking up.
But just how accurate is your internal clock? Well, you might still want to set the digital alarm on your night stand. You don't want to miss that meeting with your boss at 9 a.m.
WTOP Reporter David Burd contributed to this report. Follow @DavidBurdWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
Sure, you could grill another hot dog. Or, you could try one of these 30 recipes for foods you never knew you could cook on the grill.


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Bedford Rectangular Desk Set
Please Select Size: 2 Two Drawer File Cabinets Rectangular Desk
- 2 Two Drawer File Cabinets Rectangular Desk
- 2 Three Drawer Rectangular Desk
- 1 Two Drawer File Cabinet & 1 Three Drawer File Cabinet Rectangular Desk
Please Select Color:
- Overview
Customize a spacious, organized workspace for all your creative endeavors with the hardwood-framed pieces in our Bedford Collection. The Rectangular Desk Set can be used singly or combined with other modular components to give you the ultimate flexibility in creating a workspace that's ideal for you.
- 70" wide x 23" deep x 30" high
- Set includes 1 desktop, one 2-drawer file cabinet and one 3-drawer file cabinet.
- Available in Black or Antique White finish with brushed-nickel bail pulls, or Espresso stain with matte-brown bail pulls.
- Hutch (sold separately) is fully equipped with 2 outlets, a phone jack, an ethernet connection and 2 USB ports. Set the hutch atop the desk to expand your storage options.
- Wood swatches are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days. Please see available swatches below. See all furniture with wood swatches available.
- View our Furniture Brochure.
- Dimensions & Care
- Constructed of kiln-dried wood, MDF and veneers. MDF is an engineered wood that lends exceptional strength and ensures the desk set's structural integrity over time.
- The use of veneers results in high-quality furniture that has flawless surfaces and consistent color tones, and that will not be subject to cracking.
- Frame, sides and interiors are finished by hand using a multistep process that includes either smooth high-gloss paint or a high-gloss stain, then sealed with lacquer for moisture resistance. The aniline-dyed black finish is a rich stain that allows visibility of the wood grain. It is sanded by hand along the edges, and then hand rubbed.
- The 2-drawer cabinet holds legal- and letter-sized files; the 3-drawer version has 2 sections for supplies and one for files.
- Drawers are fitted with smooth-rolling glides.
- Some assembly required.
- Overall: 70" wide x 23" deep x 1.5" thick
- Overhang: 0.5"
- Weight: 50 pounds
2-Drawer File Cabinet
- Overall: 21" wide x 17" deep x 28.5" high
- Drawer Interior (2): 15.5" wide x 12.5" deep
- Distance Between Top Edge Of Upper Drawer And Top Of Cabinet: 2.25"
- Distance Between Top Edge Of Upper Drawer And Bottom Edge Of Desktop: 1"
3-Drawer File Cabinet
- Overall: 21" wide x 17" deep x 28.5" high
- Small Drawer Interior (2): 16.5" wide x 14" deep x 4.5" high
- File Drawer Interior (1): 16.5" wide x 14" deep x 10.5" high
- Overhang: 1"
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
- Wipe spills immediately. Avoid harsh cleaning products and abrasives.
- Use furniture wax as needed.
- View complete Care & Cleaning Instructions
- Shipping & Return Info
Our expanded delivery means that furniture arrives in most major cities within 7 to 10 business days. For other metropolitan areas, your furniture will be delivered to you within 2 to 3 weeks. Please allow approximately 4 weeks for delivery to all other areas.
Please allow approximately 5 business days for delivery.
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At Pottery Barn, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. Mattresses are final sale and may not be returned or exchanged.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, made to order items, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items which are identified by a price which ends in .99.
For returns of items purchased from your Pottery Barn registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later.
You may return merchandise through the mail for a refund or replacement. For detailed procedures for returning items through the mail, please contact Customer Service at 1.888.779.5176, 7 days a week, 5:00am - 9:00pm (PT).
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Bedford Smart Technology™ Desk Hutch
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Draft press conference summary
The 2011 First-Year Rule 4 Player Draft wrapped up today, with the Royals selecting 50 players over three days. Assistant General Manager for Scouting/Player Development J.J. Picollo and Scouting Director Lonnie Goldberg met with media members after the draft. Here are a few notes from the press conference:
Picollo said that the Royals selected 10 players who participated in a recent pre-draft workout at Kauffman Stadium. He said that the Royals selected several young projectable pitchers and high ceiling players. It will be five to seven years before an overall evaluation of this draft is known.
If it were up to Picollo, the signing deadline would be tomorrow. He wants to get players into the KC system right away, noting that a draftee could get 200 at-bats or 60.0 innings.
Goldberg mentioned that pitching was the strength of the draft. The Royals also looked at up the middle talent. The club selected six right-handed power hitters and nine speed players. Of the five speedsters that Goldberg mentioned, he listed Terrance Gore, KC's 20th round selection, as the fastest.
When asked about catcher Cameron Gallagher, KC's second round pick, Goldberg said that Gallagher was someone that the Royals had targeted. He was pleased that the high school player was available. Gallagher is a power hitter with great intangibles.
1 Comment
I like the Chris Serritella pick. I got a chance to watch him in the Alaska Baseball League, and he has a really solid, pure swing. Defensively sound, too, after a rough start in the season.
As of last check, I noticed Bret Schwartz (SS) hasn't been picked up yet. Hit .420 in ABL last year and sound defensively. Plus, he's worked with Wessinger here in Alaska.
Glad Royals passed on Tyler Grimes. He can let fans get under his skin and allows it to affect his game. Although has speed, tends to pop up.


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Recently Opened Restaurants
by Julie Besonen, 01/08/2014
Photo: Annie Schlechter
- more in dining/
- recently/
5 W. 8th St., 212-321-0100, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
The opening of Margaux has been so hush-hush that hardly anyone outside of Marlton Hotel guests seem to know it's open. Apparently the cool, canny hotelier and restaurateur Sean MacPherson (The Maritime Hotel, The Bowery Hotel, The Jane Hotel) wants it that way. He is also a partner at The Waverly Inn, which Margaux somewhat resembles with its low lighting, clubby seating and back garden-like dining room. If you find yourself in any part of the Village—central, West or East—the bar is a suave place to chat over cocktails and snacks like Jerusalem artichoke chips with lemony labneh and little toasts spread with truffle-touched robiola cheese and honey. At dinner, look for buttery day boat scallops with mushrooms and Colorado rack of lamb with winter greens. The restaurant's chefs arrive with pedigrees: Jeremy Blutstein came over from MacPherson's Montauk hotel, the Crow's Nest Inn, and Michael Reardon is known for his work at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.


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If you want to make your own clothespin mermaid, check out my
Love these! We have this little art store in Portland and they made some recently with tiny little toadstools and moss. I know you have a fairy loving home as well...thought you'd like that! ;)
Yes, you know me well. I would love them and so would my fairy loving little girls!
And I just found a 6 pack of those balls in the craft closet. YEAH!!! We'll be doing this for our winter projects in daycare after Christmas. Thank you for the cool idea.
Sounds perfect Julie!! I know your kids will love making them!
These are perfect! We love playing with sensory bins, too. I never thought to make a few to remember our favorites from throughout the year. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, what an beautiful idea! Perfect for the season and the little ones. I gotta go check out Michael's now :)
Disclosure of Material Connection: My family and I received one or more of the products or services mentioned in some of my posts for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe my readers will enjoy in connection with my blog theme. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." All opinions expressed on this blog are my own and all content is mine. I do not post pre-written posts from outside parties. My lesson plans and craft ideas are not to be sold for profit by others. Please play nicely. This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on April 21, 2013. Pink and Green Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


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I have uploaded the rest of the photos from the Crush, Pressing, and Racking.Cheers! MTHE REST!
Ok, I forgot to keep posting during the fermentation - so quick catch-up.Brix was 24.9 on day 1. It took about 9 days to get just below 0 brix. I was able to punch down the cap on my grapes a couple of times in that period. I spent a good deal of time at the winery between crush and press, learning the ropes and lending a hand where I could. I was really fun watching the other folks crush their
Hey ya'll check out these pics from the Crush! Video coming soon.MCRUSH2009
So it was 24 hours ago that some of my closet friends and family arrived at Vintners Own in Houston to sort grapes. I was worried about the grapes because of the rain that decided to show up 1 week prior to harvest, but all in all it wasn't too bad (the vineyard should have done a better job dropping fruit). We had 8 people on the sorting table, the more eyes and hands the better, and everyone
Well It's been awhile since I last posted - had to go back to my day job and earn a living. Well as my last post said 14 days it has obviously been longer than that. The current news is that it will be the end of October. The grapes are hanging a bit longer this year and a heavy rain this week will slow things down. It shouldn't hurt the thicker skinned Cab, but I'm a bit nervous about fungus and berry rot. If you click on the link, NapaVintners ,you can read the overview of this years harvest notes - 2009 looks to be a stellar year. Well that's all for now - I will start posting daily when crush starts.
Salud, M
Well it looks like about 14 days to go before the grapes arrive in Houston. I'm gettin' excited and nervous - this is a damn big and expensive undertaking! The paperwork alone is more than I thought. I've got my event shirt designs into the printer and will have them for the Crush party - white on black - looks good. I'm going to make company shirts a little further down the road - long-sleeve, pink for the ladies, and Kristin wants a hoodie!
Cheers, M
So I have been told the grapes are 2-3 weeks from harvest! Brix (sugar measure) is running between 22.5 and 24 right now. Once harvested they will be overnighted by truck at 40^F to Vintners Own in Houston. Then crush time. I'm also working on having some shirts made for the crush party - I'll have some left over - let me know if you want one.
Salud, M
Well I thought I would start blogging about the wines I that drink with friends, on the road, and at home. So here we go... Last night at Reef, one the best seafood joints in town, we started the night off with Willakenzie Pinot Gris 2007. This was a very nice semi-dry wine with a great bite (Zing) at the finish. This wine was smooth in the mouth and juicy, great fruit flavors. We paired this with a tempura shrimp roll and a steamed sushi dish that I didn't eat - I hear it was wonderful. Our second bottle was a 2004 Penfolds "St.Henri" Shiraz. This bottle could have been decanted but with a little time opened up nicely. It was full bodied and spicy - great cotton-mouth feel with the first sip then was immediately flooded with luscious blackberry, plum, and pepper. Fish was the order of the night, we had grilled Grouper, skin on Snapper, grilled Amberjack, and Hot Pot Seafood soup (highly recommended). I usually have a Pinot with fish, but the group felt we needed something a little more racy! The Penfolds hit the spot and paired very well, not overpowering the fish.
Just FYI I'm not a big-time foodie or wine critic - I just like to share experiences. I would love to hear suggestions on wines, restaurants, and your comments on the wines I have blogged about.
To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine...
And those who don't.
As Ben Franklin said:
In wine there is wisdom,
In beer there is freedom,
In water there is bacteria.
In a number of carefully controlled trials,
Scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli,
(E. Coli) - bacteria found in feces.
In other words, we are consuming
1 kilo of poop.
However, we do NOT run that risk when
Drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whisky or other liquor), because alcohol has to go through a purification
Process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.
Water = Poop, Wine = Health .
Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,
Than to drink water and be full of shit.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information:
I'm doing it as a public service.
So why 13th Floor Vineyards? To be completely honest the name doesn't have deep personal meaning, but the pieces fit together well and they make folks wonder and ask why?
For anyone familiar with the movie "23" you'll get this... 13 is reoccurring in my life. Born on the 13th, moved to Houston when I was 13, my full name has 26 letters (13x2), M is the 13th letter in the alphabet, getting married on the 13th, launched my business on the 13th (not planned btw), and my old license plate numbers totaled 13... that's about it. 13th floor, as most know, is rooted in superstition as being a non-existent floor or a floor with dubious or evil happenings. Hollywood does well portraying the evil piece. I chose it for the "eye-catching" part of my marketing plan - there is no evil in the bottle!
And lastly, one day in the not so distant future I will have actual vineyards from which I harvest my own grapes. Until then, my name represents all that is my brand, my juice, and my future endeavors.
Cheers, M
ps. 5/13/1980 when multiplied is equally divided by 13 - go figure :)
ok - so this blog will be under constant contruction for the next few months as I figure this stuff out. leave me comments on what you want to see, change/add, link etc. I can use all the feedback.
cheers, matt
So I thought I would give ya'll some background on why I'm doing this wine thing. Well I started drinking wine about 10 years ago with my dad. He was working for a guy that had a very large cellar and spent a good amount of time in Napa every year. Needless to say I was introduced to some of the most prized, overpriced, and delicious wines available. At about 23 I started my own adventures into the wine world. Over the next few years I kinda went nuts, just ask my friends. I was attending tastings every saturday, buying case after case, digging deep into mostly Cali wines. I came to be kind of a wine snob - I was rasied on the "best-highest priced" juice and thus sought only the best, a costly path I assure you. Well now I have mellowed a bit and I enjoy many varietals from many regions - price is less important and doesn't always reflect great juice.
So why now?
Many of us never pursue our true passions in life, we always have reasons or excuses why we can't follow this dream or that dream. Money, family, time are all valid reasons that run interference in our lives. My wine adventures have helped me develop the underlying passion that is wine-making. My family is behind me, time is what I make it, and money - well I'll find it somewhere. My pursuits are not simply self-centered, but aim to create a lasting brand, a legacy that I can pass down, a company that gives back, and that absolutely delivers the best juice that I can create for my consumers.
Last note - I've always heard that a recession is the best time to launch a business - well I've jumped with both feet - let's see how quickly I can grow wings!
Salud, matt
Well here I am finally doing the blogger thing. I'm launching this blog to introduce the friends I have and the friends I have yet to meet to my wine brand, 13th Floor Vineyards. I launched the brand, with my finance's blessing, on July 13, 2009. I'm making the wine in Houston at a custom crush facility in the Heights area. It is a full service winery and I am involved in every process from grape crush to barrel aging to bottling. I'll leave it that for now and fill in more info on future posts.
Please continue to tune in for company updates and wine progress!
Cheers - Matt
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Parenting Teens in Prime Time.
by Meredith O'Brien
I used to watch the Gilmore Girls (still do in repeats) and coveted the relationship between Lorelai Gilmore and her teenage daughter Rory. My 11-year-old daughter and I have spent many an hour bonding while watching episodes of the show, talking about how we'd handle the various situations that cropped up between the Stars Hollow ladies.
Sure there were times when Lorelai and Rory fought -- like the time when Rory and her boyfriend got busted for taking someone's boat on a joy ride or when Rory temporarily dropped out of Yale and went to live with her grandparents over Lorelai's vigorous objections -- but they always found their way to back to one another.
There really hasn't been another chummy mother-daughter duo like the Gilmores since the show stopped airing new episodes in 2007. Surveying today's TV landscape looking for shows which portray the challenges, joys and frustrations of parenting teens, I discovered that none depict a parent-child relationship like I'd seen on the Gilmore Girls. In fact, many of the currently airing shows have robbed me of the gauzy comfort I once derived from watching Lorelai and Rory cozy up on the couch together while cracking wise about bad TV shows and eating piles of junk food without getting fat.
Take, for example, the freshman NBC drama Parenthood. This show makes being the parent of a teen seem like a stomach-curdling, non-stop migraine of an impossible, Herculean task. It, frankly, scares me.
The "good girl," Haddie Braverman, is 15. In the dozen episodes that have aired, Haddie had pot and lied about it after she and her cousin were detained by police. She had a secret Facebook account, a secret boyfriend and a sexy bra for said boyfriend's benefit which she secretly ordered online (her mom Kristina thought it had been ordered by her husband as a gift for her). Haddie also racked up a huge cell phone bill, snuck to her boyfriend's house after her father had told her she was grounded, and got into a shoving match with her cousin at school which landed them in the principal's office. To cope with all of this, her parents, Kristina and Adam, have inconsistently vacillated between taking a hard line – grounding, taking away cell phone privileges, banning stuff – and a softer approach involving quiet, rational talking at night while perched on the foot of Haddie's bed as they attempted to be empathetic. None of it seemed to be all that effective.
I think that parenting teenagers is exhausting. Physically exhausting because you have to wait up for them and be alert when they are out and come home. Emotionally exhausting because I think many kids are just like the kids in these shows, into things way sooner than we as parents wish they would be. Kids today are exposed to so much more through the media than I was as a child--I grew up watching The Brady Bunch, my daughter grew up watching Beverly Hills 90210. The people writing for the shows we are watching now are certainly younger than I am, and probably not very far away from the kids they are writing for. The situations, though mined for comedy, are what many teens are doing today and those writers know it, they've probably lived it. What I think is nice, at least on Modern Family, is how Claire is depicted as a parent--she's not trying to be Haley's friend or be cool (unlike her dad!); she's toeing the line and keeping it there. And I do believe that's what all teens, both of yesteryear and today, really want--a grownup who will set limits, stick by the limits, and keep them from spinning off out of control. I have way too many friends who spend their childrens' teen years trying to befriend their child and their friends. They dress like them, try and hang out with them, and try to be as permissive as possible. I think most kids want the mom to BE the mom, to dress like a mom (and not a 16 year old), and to act like a, well, grownup. To say No loud and often, and mean it every time. To listen respectively and still disagree. There will be lots of "I hate yous" and many more "you don't understand!!!s" and that's all good in my book, it means I'm being the mom.
My daughter is 19 now, and I can see ahead to the time when we really can be friends, but not yet. There are still some permissions not to be granted, times to close my eyes and let her fall down and help her up, but only if she asks. My other two boys are deep into the teen years, and I have those sleepless nights and battles ahead of me too. My younger son asked me if it was easier when they were little or easier now, and I definitely think it was easier when they were small--i put them to bed and they stayed there, i knew their friends and whereabouts, and they mostly listened to me. It's harder now because I know they'll do things like Haley (I'm sure they already have) and it's their job to try and my job to try and catch them and help them learn to make better choices. I love that Claire lied to Haley about what drinking does and how awful you feel every time. I think you do whatever it takes as parent to be the most effective you can be.
I still think the most realistic portrayal ever, of both teen angst and parenting teens angst, was My So Called Life. The fashions date the show, but the way it is portrayed--man, it cuts to the bone. I remember watching that show and thinking "that's the kind of mom I'll be"--the one who makes mistakes, misses opportunities, really does understand her daughter but is rejected every time she indicates empathy, but yet she's there to comfort Angela when it all goes sour. Parenthood on that show was a mix of mishaps, tears, funny moments, drag out screaming fights and tender embraces. And in my experience, that's what parenting teens is really like.


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May 25, 2016
Not everyone can afford the back to school outfit every student wants to wear. That's why the Salvation Army is helping kids in Bay County get ready for school.
In front of the yellow school bus inside the Panama City mall are hangars with information about some local students. The hangars list the children's size and what they need to fit in for the first day back.
Special Sergeant Raisean Lasenberry is one of the volunteers encouraging others to help out a student this year.
"Everyone's not as fortunate as others and everyone's starting school and it's just important for them to have a good start to the school year," he says.
To help out, pick up a hangar at the mall and bring back the outfit for the Salvation Army to distribute in the beginning of august.
The Clothes for Kids drive ends July 31.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Oscar Blandi is much more than a celebrity hairstylist. He also completely understands hair, how it functions, what it needs, how to bring out its very best behavior. He has developed a line of hair care products, using classic and modern ingredients based on the hair care traditions of his native Italy. Now he makes those products available to discerning buyers all over the world.
See our Q&A with Oscar Blandi, President & Founder, Celebrity Stylist.
His name might be synonymous with Hollywood hair, but Oscar Blandi—and his products—are available for everyone at SkinStore. Adhering to the simple philosophy "In passion, lies beauty," the Oscar Blandi line of products is infused with the founder's passion for creating beautiful hair. After moving from Italy to the United States more than 20 years ago, Oscar Blandi has transformed at-home hair treatments for customers across the globe. Relying on rich botanical ingredients, these products come in a variety of formulations, from smoothing shampoos and conditioners, color-correcting and root touch-up pens, nourishing serums, and more. Celebrity clients such as Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, and Kelly Ripa have discovered the benefit of Oscar Blandi. Now, you can too thanks to the line available at SkinStore.
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Staff Report
Published Nov. 15, 2012
Sales of residential homes and condominiums rose 24% in October, South Carolina Realtors reported, describing 2012 as a "comeback year."
The association said 4,608 homes sold last month compared with 3,717 in October 2011.
In the large markets, Greenville had the strongest percentage gain, up 35% to 660 homes sold in October, compared with 489 a year earlier. Charleston sales rose 30.7%, to 894 from 684 a year earlier. Columbia posted 663 homes sold, up 29.7% from 511 in October 2011.
"Most markets have shed listings, resulting from strong sales and sluggish seller activity. There has been a general easing of foreclosures and short sales, meaning distressed listings are dragging prices down less than in recent years. So it's both about market fundamentals and market composition," the Realtors association said in releasing the data.
Compared with October 2011, new listings in South Carolina increased 10.1% to 7,888, while pending sales were up 26.7% to 4,676. Inventory levels shrank 13.4% to 46,776 units.
Prices were fairly stable, the association said, as the median sales price increased 0.1% to $149,900. Days on the market was down 10.8% to 131 days. Absorption rates improved as months' supply of inventory was down 24.7% to 10.2 months.
"The economy is slowly growing and economic growth in 2013 is expected to outpace 2012. Mortgage rates are expected to remain near historic lows through 2015; rents are expected to rise due to low vacancy; and financial situations in Europe, China and elsewhere, believe it or not, have an effect on local markets," the association said.
The price range for homes with the strongest sales statewide was $200,001 to $300,000, with a 19.5% sales gain in that category. The property type with the strongest sales gains was condos, up 18%.
Previous coverage
S.C. home sales up in September
S.C. home sales rise in August
S.C. homes sales up 13.4% in July
S.C. home sales rise 7.3% in first half


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Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Ryan Anderson made five 3-pointers en
route to a 31-point effort as the New Orleans Hornets dumped the Detroit
Pistons, 105-86, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
With one of their best scoring threats, Eric Gordon, sitting out the second
game of a back-to-back, the Hornets shot an impressive 49 percent from the
field in winning for the third time in four games.
Robin Lopez added 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Al-Farouq Aminu chipped in
12 points and 14 boards for New Orleans, which made 10-of-21 from long
distance and 13-of-13 from the foul line.
The Pistons had a successful weekend with wins over the Spurs and Bucks, but
regressed Monday by shooting 36 percent from the field. Rodney Stuckey had a
team-high 19 points and Greg Monroe recorded a double-double with 17 points
and 11 rebounds.
The Sports Network


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Eugene G. Franck
Eugene G. Franck, 75, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at the Le Mars Bible Church. Rev. Fred Gums and Rev. Tom LoVan will officiate. Burial will follow at Marcus Amherst Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the Earnest-Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus, Iowa. The family will be present from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral on Saturday. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com
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Floridita, Soho to play host to the World Burlesque Games
16:55 30 April 2012
Britain's Got Talent may have caused controversy after Beatrix Von Bourbon performed a burlesque routine but a Soho venue will be hosting an event dedicated to the raunchy dancing.
Floridita will be welcoming some of the world's most eclectic and diverse acts in burlesque on May 8 for The World Burlesque Games as part of the sixth London Burlesque Festival.
The venue will be introducing guests to the Triple Crown, which will have variety-based burlesquers exploring new twists to their signature routines.
Some of the world's top performers will be on stage in the evening, including Miss Behave, Anna The Hulagan, Bunny, Pistol and Kiki Lovechild.
The London Burlesque Festival is from May 7 to May 13 and there will be host of events during the week.
For more information, visit http://londonburlesquefest.com/.


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Fox Valley Technical College
Fox Valley's Printing Services department employed Xerox training to help them use their equipment and workflow solutions to their full potential - to help them plan ahead, eliminate manual setup, and increase output resulting in professionalism in their printed materials and faster turnaround times.
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I just installed a brand new appliance 8.0.2 and it is working properly for a small mail domain.
However I have an issue regarding monitoring.
When I go to Message count I have "no data available".
If I enter Server Statistics, the only graph I can get is DisK and if I enquiry for Message Count or Volume I have the following error:
Message: system failure: java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 10 Error code: service.FAILURE Method: [unknown] Details:soap:Receiver
I tried everything suggested in the forum but the error is still there.
Any help, please?


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Here is the response I got via email:
Lakers New Regional Sports Network
Discussion Thread
Response Via Email(redacted) - 09/27/2012 07:48 PM
Thank you for writing. I understand how important it is for you to enjoy the Lakers games on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
I am happy to inform you that DIRECTV is in discussions with the programmer and is confident we will come to an agreement to carry the channel and continue providing customers with their games. We hope to have an update closer to the start of the NBA season in October. While we are unable to comment on upcoming programming decisions, we are always reviewing our programming options to make sure we bring you the best TV experience possible.
We value your opinions about our programming, so I also have forwarded your request to DIRECTV management. While we cannot follow up with each customer individually, rest assured your voice is being heard and many of the changes we make are a direct result of the comments and suggestions we receive from our customers.
Meanwhile, you can find many games on your local channels, NBA TV (channel 216), TNT (channel 245), and ESPN (channel 206). Due to game availability restrictions some games may not be available in your area, so check our program guide at directv.com/guide for more information. For more information on watching the Lakers games online, go to http://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule.
In addition to live games, NBA TV will also be re-broadcasting many games, so check their schedule to find out when you can see your favorite teams. For more information on watching the Lakers games online, go to http://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule.
I hope you find this information helpful,
DIRECTV Customer Service
Edited by Stuart Sweet, 28 September 2012 - 07:37 AM.


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Terror-fighting tangle
Terrorism | The effort to protect Americans is tied up in a morass of competing agencies, bureaucratic complexity, and special interests
When hundreds of armor-clad police officers, firefighters, medics, and SWAT teams descended near downtown Boston last fall, Mayor Thomas Menino urged residents to stay calm: It was only a drill.
The 24-hour training exercise featured Hollywood-style special effects, and it simulated hostage situations, HazMat incidents, and mass shootings. Boston officials used grant money from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to pay for the Urban Shield drill.
Five months later, the drill turned real: Many of the same officers in November's exercise responded to the twin bombings on April 15 that killed three victims and injured more than 240 near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three days later, some of the same teams swarmed nearby Watertown in a massive gunfight and manhunt that ended with the death of one terrorist and the capture of another.
Authorities say the pair killed Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer Sean Collier before their spree ended. The two Chechen brothers had lived in the United States for at least 10 years.
Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, died during a gun battle with police. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, surrendered less than 24 hours later. The wounded suspect reportedly told authorities he and his brother were Islamic jihadists striking back at the United States for killing Muslims overseas.
Last year's training drill in Boston likely proved useful to officers responding to the attacks, but it's not the only kind of project funded by DHS. In a report last December, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., blasted one of the agency's primary grant programs as unaccountable and wasteful. In Fort Worth, Texas, authorities used a DHS grant to buy a $24,000 latrine-on-wheels. Officials in Michigan used DHS money to buy 13 sno-cone machines. (The justification: They could serve sno-cones at community outreach events, and fill ice packs during emergencies.)
And last October, DHS helped pay for a different training exercise in California: The HALO Counter-Terrorism Summit at Paradise Point Resort & Spa on an island near San Diego. DHS allowed first responders to use grant money to pay the $1,000 entrance fee to a five-day summit on a luxury island that event organizers described as "a perfect backdrop" for a counter-terrorism summit.
While first responders did participate in training exercises on the island, organizers described other advantages: "This luxury resort features over 460 guestrooms, five pools, three fantastic restaurants overlooking the bay, a world-class spa and state-of-the art fitness center. Paradise awaits … ."
First responders know best that fighting terrorism isn't paradise. But the wide range of projects DHS funds by the billions is one part of a tangled reality: The massive effort to protect the country from terrorism sits squarely in a bureaucratic jungle.
Federal and local authorities have foiled dozens of terrorist plots on U.S. soil since 9/11, and Boston residents praised local police who rushed toward danger as bombs exploded on April 15. When authorities nabbed Tsarnaev from his hiding place in a boat called Slip Away II, residents in Watertown erupted with joy and snapped photos with Boston police.
But revelations that the FBI and CIA had put the older Tsarnaev brother on a pair of watch lists before the attacks raised legitimate questions: Are agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DHS communicating adequately about potential threats?
Meanwhile, some of the counter-terrorism efforts that work best face obstacles: For example, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) continues to foil terrorist plots before they strike the city. But the police force faces backlash and lawsuits from local organizations, including Muslim groups that object to police monitoring Muslim communities.
Indeed, the jungle is thick and the issues are complicated, but in the wake of the first successful terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, at least one question is crucial: Are we willing to pursue some of the most obvious steps to protecting the homeland?
The United States has pursued colossal protection mode since the 9/11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania more than 11 years ago.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence coordinates intelligence data across a broad network of agencies, including the FBI, DHS, the CIA, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Department of State.
Within those networks, thousands of employees and organizations operate under a range of authority structures. In a 2010 series, The Washington Post reported staggering numbers: Some 1,271 government organizations and 1,931 private companies work on counter-terrorism and homeland security in 10,000 locations across the United States. An estimated 854,000 people hold top-secret security clearances. Analysts publish some 50,000 intelligence reports each year.
The impulse to mount a massive response to a massive attack may be understandable, but even some government officials confess astonishment.
After reviewing the method for tracking Defense Department programs, retired Army Lt. Gen. John Vines told the Post: "I'm not aware of any agency with the authority, responsibility or a process to coordinate all these interagency and commercial activities." Vines—who helped command 145,000 troops in Iraq—added: "The complexity of this system defies description."
If understanding the structure of counter-terrorism is daunting, so is grasping how the top agencies communicate. The 9/11 Commission Report faulted the FBI and CIA for failing to share key intelligence ahead of the 9/11 attacks. The FBI announced reforms to improve intelligence sharing, but some experts say some agents still resist sharing classified information they fear could hamper investigations. Tensions still flair between agencies.
Even when agencies share information, the levels of classification are complex. For example, a 2010 government report said when it comes to information considered "Sensitive But Unclassified," federal agencies maintained 130 different procedures for processing and handling such intelligence.
Two years ago, the Government Accountability Office urged DHS to develop a more centralized platform for agencies to share information. An updated report last year said DHS had made progress, but still needed to improve the process.
More than a week after the Boston bombings, lawmakers were asking questions about whether the FBI, CIA, and DHS adequately shared information about Tamerlan Tsarnaev—the older brother killed during a gunfight with police.
Russian authorities contacted the FBI and CIA in 2011, citing concerns Tsarnaev could have ties to extremists. The FBI interviewed Tsarnaev, but closed the file three months later.
When Tsarnaev left the United States to travel to Dagestan—a militant-filled region in southern Russia—last year, DHS noted his departure, but the FBI apparently wasn't aware of his travels. By the time he returned to the United States, his file was closed.
It may be impossible to know whether authorities could have prevented Tsarnaev from carrying out the Boston attacks. The government's terror watch list includes as many as 500,000 names. And Marc Sageman—a terror expert and former CIA officer—says individuals without ties to larger networks are far more difficult to track.
Whatever the case, Sageman does think federal agencies should improve intelligence sharing, including sharing more information with local authorities. Agencies often want to hoard their data, he says: "But unfortunately, that's detrimental to the greater good."
That's a plea Michael Downing made to Congress six years ago. A deputy chief at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Downing leads the force's counter-terrorism bureau.
In a congressional hearing in 2007, Downing testified that federal agencies should share more information with local police departments. He said "over-classifying" intelligence could hinder local police officers from helping to thwart terror plots and other crimes.
In a phone interview after the Boston bombings, Downing said information sharing has become better since 2007. But he also said the LAPD has grown its own capacity for intelligence gathering and holds weekly briefings on threats across the United States and overseas.
It's a pattern first set by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). After the 9/11 attacks, the NYPD developed a massive counter-terrorism task force that now includes nearly 1,000 officers. Some operate overseas. The department spent $330 million of its $4.6 billion annual budget on fighting terrorism.
So far, it's been effective: Since 2001, the NYPD and local FBI agents have foiled at least 16 plots against New York City. Plots have included plans to blow up a subway station and a plot to detonate a 1,000-pound car bomb outside the Federal Reserve Bank in New York last year.
Tensions still flair between the NYPD and FBI over how to handle investigations, but the police force has also faced difficulties from another source: local groups opposed to their strategies. For example, groups like the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have blasted the NYPD for its program of monitoring Muslim communities.
Police say they use the program to follow leads that often lead to gathering information on local Muslim businesses and mosques. Critics call it spying and say it unfairly targets innocent Muslims. The Associated Press won a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for a series of stories critical of the program. Officials at the Department of Justice said they would review it.
The legal group Muslim Advocates is representing eight local Muslims in a lawsuit against the police force. Hundreds gathered for rallies to protest the practice.
But not all Muslims agree: Zuhdi Jasser—head of the American Islamic Leadership Coalition—held a smaller rally outside NYPD headquarters last year to support the police program.
Jasser says police shouldn't spy on Muslims, but they should be free to monitor public spaces and follow leads in local communities. (NYPD officials say they follow legal standards for gathering information, and the New Jersey attorney general found the program didn't violate his own state's laws.)
After the Boston bombings, Jasser said the fresh attacks show the country still faces threats from radicalized Muslims. The elder Tsarnaev sometimes attended a local Boston mosque, and leaders said he had at least two outbursts during sermons since last year.
The surviving bomber said the brothers learned how to make a bomb from al-Qaeda's online magazine Inspire. The web-based publication carries graphic instructions for carrying out a personal jihad, and a recent edition featured a sidebar:
"Whom do I work with? In these small operations, work alone. Let it be a secret between Allah and you. Make it impossible for any one to point a finger at you. This is for your safety. It is also interesting, sitting in your living room watching the news you made and how the kuffar [non-Muslims] are suffering, a tit-for-tat."
Jasser—a physician and author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam—says moderate Muslims should support police efforts to root out threats in their communities. "We should be saying we recognize we have a problem, and we need help with it," said Jasser. "And if the leads bring them into the mosques, then so be it."
In Los Angeles, deputy chief Downing says his department conducts outreach to religious communities, including Muslims. He says some community members have offered leads to police that have led to arrests. Downing says it's one part of asking all citizens to be vigilant to what's happening around them: "I think the days of staying in your own isolated world are over."
Back in Massachusetts, pastor Chris Bass of Redeemer Fellowship Church is encouraging his congregants to build relationships with neighbors still shaken by the manhunt that shut them in their homes for more than 15 hours.
The pastor of one of the only evangelical churches in Watertown says finding normalcy isn't easy for some: "As I talk to neighbors, there are still tears in their eyes when you get past the surface."
Bass understands the emotion: He spent nearly 15 hours hunkered in his Watertown home with his wife and five small children while police searched for Tsarnaev. In the early morning hours, Bass kept the television volume low so he could listen for doorknobs rattling or windows breaking. He later watched SWAT teams search his backyard with guns drawn.
The pastor's congregation of 125 meets in a church building on a street once known as "historic church row." Today, many of the churches have closed. The former First Baptist Church across the street is now home to luxury condos. An old Methodist Church on another corner held its last service last summer. Locals have converted other empty churches to historical societies.
That leaves plenty of neighbors for Bass' church to serve. On the Sunday after the bombing, he preached a message of God's sovereignty in affliction and His offer of salvation to all who turn to Christ.
Bass doesn't plan to hold out hollow hope. "At the end of the day, I don't have a promise from God that we're not going to get bombed again tomorrow," he says. "So we go to where we do have promises, and where we do have hope, and it's all tied up in the gospel."
That doesn't mean the church will automatically fill up. The first Sunday after the manhunt brought a handful of visitors. But Bass looks forward to his church members serving neighbors slowly, over time. "We know it's not a sprint," he says. "It's a marathon."


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Date/Times: 6/15/2013 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Details:Emerald ED is a FREE, six-session handicapping course led by Emerald Downs Director of Media Relations, Vince Bruun, and a variety of local handicappers. It is SERIOUSLY FUN!
Additional Info:Class attendance includes any associated materials and free admission to the races on the day of the event. Sessions are held in the 4th Floor Emerald Room from noon-1pm.