text:
sadly, it is time to say farewell to our concept intern, stacey, who is leaving us to go to college. please enjoy one last post from her! I feel as if everywhere I turn I see dreamcatchers. Suspended from rearview mirrors, splashed across blogs, discreetly tucked into editorial images, they are difficult to ignore…not that (…) Read more
Tagged: interns
dream catchingAug 26, 2010
lend me your ears…Aug 20, 2010
…and i'll play you some songs :) a playlist made by our interns featuring their favorite tunes of the summer :) (…) Read more
homeAug 17, 2010
i feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, a still and quiet conscience. – william shakespeare collage by our concept intern stacey. (…) Read more
some morning inspirationAug 12, 2010
"let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes." – walt whitman collage by our concept intern stacey. (…) Read more
flower childAug 11, 2010
a post from our business assistant intern. Many of my school friends get a kick out of the fact that I've been a gardener for the past 3 summers. Since many of them have never ventured into my neck of the woods, they think it is so typical that a Maine girl like myself returns (…) Read more
good luck mallie!Aug 04, 2010
our sweet and talented creative team intern is leaving us to go off to college. she will be missed – here are some photos from her goodbye party. ice cream sandwiches and root beer floats YUM! and in case you missed them, check out the posts mallie did for the blog, here, here and here (…) Read more
i saw a dancerAug 02, 2010
more inspiration for your monday, courtesy of our amazing creative intern mallie. I saw a dancer… Flickering across a field, pillow clouds floated above her head as blossomed buds flirted with her tiny, bare feet. Her body became illuminated by the fluorescent light of the shimmering moon. She danced between the bark of the whispering (…) Read more
inspiration from senegalJul 13, 2010
the following post is by our creative team's intern, mallie! A group of French students from my school just got back from Senegal, Africa, and while looking through their pictures I was reminded so much of Free People. The neon fabrics in contrast with the neutral tones of the environment create an awesome mixture of (…) Read more
intern-al affairsJul 09, 2010
i wanted to share some photos of a really fun project two of our interns were working on today! walker, or visual display intern, and mallie, our creative team intern, were asked to transform a part of our office to make it look like a free people store! here is the space earlier this morning: (…) Read more
intern-al affairsJul 07, 2010
this new series of posts on the blog will explore the world of our interns, brought to you by our concept intern anastasiya! Here in the office we have a fresh group of interns who, like me, are coming down from the initial flutter of beginning work in Free People. They are settled into their (…) Read more
talking with our interns!Jul 01, 2010
left: carolina, right: nicole say hello to two of our sweet and adorable interns, carolina and nicole! they are going into their senior year of high school and have spent the last two weeks interning here at free people. these best friends had a unique and exciting internship that allowed them to experience several departments (…) Read more


text: One problem I found on most shoulder holsters used to carry large frame (heavy) guns is the elastic harness. Over time that elastic harness looses strength and just doesn't do the job. Many times even new it isn't the best way to carry a heavy gun. I replaced the elastic strap on an old Bianchi X-15 with a home made leather harness. I modeled it after the harness used on the Dirty Harry holster and the military shoulder holster used by pilots near the end of the Viet Nam war. I made some changes such as using a heavier leather that is 1 inch wide so the weight is spread out more. I also eliminated the leather ties using Chicago screws which allows the leather to pivot better. This also does away with the leather ties printing and makes the harness more comfortable. The end result was a very comfortable shoulder holster. The wider straps and pivot points greatly improved the carry characteristics. I've converted a couple of X-15s, a Safariland, and a few other shoulder holsters I had laying around unused for years breathing new life into them.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Derrick C. Goode is a photojournalist who travels the world documenting Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in action. In the past few years he has covered military stories in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Honduras, Qatar, Japan, Kuwait, Hawaii, Vietnam, Laos and various military operations and exercises throughout the United States. The stories he has documented have reach over 30,000 media outlets worldwide including: CNN, ABC News, Fox News, Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Knight-Ridder, Miami Herald, Boston Herald, British Broadcast Company (BBC) and N.Y. Times Sunday Magazine. Outlets with an estimated readership of over 52 million.
Comentario publicado.
Inicia sesión o crea una cuenta para publicar un comentario.
A Photographer's Journey Publicado 19 de mayo de 2009


text:
SoundCloud is one of the most reputed platforms that every musician would hake to be associated with. This music promotional social media has made it quite easy for the musicians to share their piece of art with the world. It is a place not just for the musicians and singers, even music producers, DJs etc can be on SoundCloud.
A music producer makes albums, searches for talented musicians etc. If you buy Soundcloud followers, you can shorten the whole promotion process.An artist is someone who is talented, while it takes a music producer to invest in their money to create an album and produce a quality product. However, good music and good product ion does not make your music reach the masses and audience at large. There is one more important criterion in today's competitive world that plays a huge role in the success of a music album. Attracting people to listen to your music is very important as well. (more…)


text:
Income Strategies in Retirement
Income Strategies in Retirement
Millions of Americans in retirement may be scrambling to find ways to make ends meet without the income from a full-time job, and trying to recover from recent market volatility.
Fortunately, there are several possible solutions available for those looking to increase their income during their non-working years. At Alabama Teachers Credit Union our CFS* Financial Advisor, J.D. Holt, can help you overcome several retirement income challenges and create a predictable income stream by:
- Designing a retirement plan
- Uncovering your basic expenses and discretionary expenses
- Evaluating current sources of retirement income
- Identifying potential gaps between income and expenses
- Anticipating fixed and discretionary expenses in retirement
- Positioning assets to generate income
- Uncovering new sources of income
To learn more about generating income in retirement, contact J.D. today to schedule a free, no-obligation appointment:
- Contact J.D. Holt at firstname.lastname@example.com or at 256.439.3632
*Non-deposit investment products and services are offered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. ("CFS"), a registered broker-dealer (Member FINRA/SIPC) and SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Products offered through CFS: are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the Credit Union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Investment Representatives are registered through CFS. The Credit Union has contracted with CFS to make non-deposit investment products and services available to credit union members.


text:
(NBC) -- Increasingly under fire over veteran's health care, President Obama declared he will not stand for misconduct at the nation's VA hospitals. But critics quickly called that too little too late.
On Capitol Hill, in a bipartisan vote, the house showed its concern.
Republicans say this fits an Obama pattern: he promised to end long waits at VA hospitals but did not and then, they say, when the problem became big news, he laid low until today.
With millions of US veterans and their families focused on the VA scandal
President Obama insisted he's on top of it.
But 40 vets dying while waiting for care in Phoenix and a reported cover up of the backlog has been a national story for weeks.
Veterans and many lawmakers wonder where the Commander in Chief has been.
The investigation in Phoenix is half done, but the probe is expanding to 26 hospitals.
In bi-partisan move, the house voted to make it easier to fire top VA managers, and there's growing pressure to fire the secretary of veterans affairs, Eric Shinseki.
The president resisted but left the exit door open.
Shinseki was in limbo as he left the White House.
What happens to Shinseki depends on what's found in Phoenix.
The president hopes for a report next week.
In related news we spoke to Laredo congressman about whats happening in Washington and how that will affect us in Laredo.
Congressman Henry Cuellar has spoken on the house floor before about the VA backlog and how veterans are waiting too long to get benefits.
In reference to Eric Shinseki, Cuellar says as an administrator he should be given a chance to get to the bottom of the situation.
He says the VA has had its share of problems but the administration needs to find out what the problems are and how to improve them.


text:
my Nutrition
my Fitness
Other Goals
my SparkPoints
Web Search
Articles & Videos Home
Health & Wellness
Health A-Z
Cold & Flu
GERD (Heartburn)
Healthy Heart
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Pain Management
Seasonal Allergies
Weight Loss
Healthy Family
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Instant Inspiration
Lifestyle Centers
Beauty & Style
Brides To-Be
Family Wellness
Healthy Home
Pet Health
Senior Health
The SparkPeople Blog
Community Home
Message Boards
Challenge Central
Secrets of Success
Member Blogs
Friend Feed
Advertisement --
Learn more
about ads on this site.
Crawling back for more.....help and support that is.
Friday, September 16, 2011
About one year ago I started changing my lifestyle towards a clean and healthy diet combined with regular exercise. I learned a lot about nutrition and training and created new healthy habits for myself. I got a lot happier and stronger and although I was facing 6 months without my husband by my side for support, I managed to not fall of the wagon too often. I lost weight and kept it off. Well....I gained a little bit back but not all of it as I have not gone back to my old ways. Sometimes I just happen to enjoy a few treats to many here and there....
I also managed to start my own business at the time which was challenging without my husband around for encouragement.
I joined Sparkpeople in the new year and found the extra support I needed to stick to my diet, exercise and positive attitude to create my best self I can for the return of my husband and make him proud. He loved the results I greeted him with when he got back from Afganistan. We went on an amazing holiday of a lifetime and while on vacation and after the trip, we stuck to our (I got him inspired too) healthy ways. Throughout the summer I got better and better at running, finished a half marathon and then wanted more and more and more.......... which in the end was too much too soon and I got burned out.
I lost the spark for running, comforted myself with chocolate and as you know, the downward spiral began. I managed to catch myself before falling too deep and had to realise that I am a work in progress and that means I have to keep working on myself. ALWAYS! I am so much an ALL-OR-NOTHING person which explains why I tend to give up when I hit a wall.
There is no reason I can not take it easy for a while. I don't need to improve ALL THE TIME, especially not the way I was going. It's just not possible. The important thing is to stick with it, try again, accept a bad day, a bad run and a desert too many. And then move on and be proud of what I achieved so far, not what I haven't achieved yet. I can still beat my personal best next month, run a marathon next year or the year after.... it doesn't have to happen right now. Setting goals is great but I need to learn to not overdue it.
This is why I am back, ready to go again. Moving on.......... tracking food again, tracking exercise again and asking for support. Progress not perfection! I am ready to progress again. Please catch me when I stumble before I fall again.
Share This Post With Others
Report Inappropriate Blog
Member Comments About This Blog Post
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
I'm still running, but yet comforting myself with chocolate and all sorts of things... I'm still active and I am spiraling downward.... =( But I am ready to make some changes too!! Let's do this, Beatrice!! We can make some progress once again!
1748 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
You have achieved some amazing things x
1749 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
I am also an all or nothing person and I always expect too much too soon!
You have already proved that you can do it though so there is no reason you can't do it all, and more, again! Best of luck
1749 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Git Er Done!!!
1749 days ago
Add Your Comment to the Blog Post
Log in to post a comment
Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.
Advertisement --
Learn more
about ads on this site.
Get An Email Alert Each Time
HORRORMAEDCHEN Posts
See Today's Featured Member Blog Posts
More Blogs by HORRORMAEDCHEN
1st time running a half marathon and celebrating it by commiting to writing a blog...
- 7/16/2011
Week 1 recap
- 6/12/2011
Back on track after a little time off from SP
- 6/8/2011
I'm back and changed the plan yet again
- 3/27/2011
View All ›
close ×


text:
It's the #81 K-LOVE Car with driver Michael McDowell! We are proud to join forces with Michael and the 81 team to help raise awareness of both Michael and the team who are clearly serving God and desire to make Him known in the NASCAR community. It will also be an opportunity for thousands to find out about K-LOVE, too.
Look for Michael and the car in Indianapolis Saturday at O'Reilly Raceway Park. And please pray for Michael and the team--for safety, wisdom, and Godspeed.
Now Playing: He Reigns
Artist: Newsboys
On-Air: Larry & Lauren
Join us each morning from 5-10am CT (3-8 PT) and be part of the show! Follow along and let us know what's on your mind by connecting with us on Facebook or Twitter!!


text:
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Local governments and other public entities in 41 Oklahoma counties hit by the December blizzard and/or January ice storm face a deadline this week to file their official requests for federal assistance, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced.
Filing a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) with the state is the first step in the process of applying for federal reimbursements under FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program. Without it, applicants, including state agencies, local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations, cannot receive reimbursements for their storm-related expenses.
On March 22, President Barack Obama issued amendments to the original major disaster declarations. The amendments added counties to those already designated for the blizzard, and additional counties to those designated for the ice storm. Applicants must file RPAs within 30 days of the designation of their counties, so applicants in those counties have until April 21 to file their RPAs.
The combined counties are Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Custer, Dewey, Garvin, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Haskell, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Nowata, Okfuskee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pittsburg, Roger Mills, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Texas, Wagoner, Washington and Washita.
"Don't wait to file. All eligible applicants should submit their requests for assistance as quickly as possible," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gregory W. Eaton. "We don't want anyone to miss this opportunity to be reimbursed for eligible expenses related to either storm."
The grants are obligated to the state to reimburse applicants for expenses they incurred in taking emergency measures to protect lives and property; in cleaning up downed trees and power poles, and other debris; and in making repairs to public infrastructure, including roads and public utilities.
For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/oklahoma or www.oem.ok.gov.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.


text:
How Can We Empower Your Career/JobSearch?
Quintessential Job Search:
Featured Career Content:
Your Career News
The Quintessential Careers Blog is published four days a week with news, tools, and resources to empower you to advance your career: Quintessential Careers Blog.
Your Job-Seeking/Career Tool
Check out these very useful career, college, and job-seeker apps: Job-Seeker Career and Job-Hunting Apps.
Your Job-Hunting/Career Article
Job-hunting? Check out these multiple methods for uncovering job leads: 10 Ways for Job-Seekers to Develop Job Leads.
Your Career Book
Struggling with your resume? Read this book, designed to help you diagnose — and solve — resume problems: Quick and Quintessential Guide to 50 Resume Blunders to Avoid. Read our latest media release.


text:
They say politics makes for strange bedfellows. So can plastic surgery. In 1979, the flamboyant Las Vegas entertainer Liberace hired a Hollywood doctor to perform his-and-his face-lifts for himself and his much younger boyfriend, Scott Thorson. Liberace, then 59, wanted Thorson to look just like him—perfection repeated, if you will. You can see this and much more drama from the pair's tumultuous relationship in HBO's upcoming biopic Behind the Candelabra: My Life With Liberace, starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, which airs May 26.
In the film and the book of the same title on which it's based, you will also meet the pair's notorious plastic surgeon, Jack Startz, played by Rob Lowe (wearing tons of makeup and topped off with a high-camp wig). In real life, the handsome surgeon didn't need outside help to make an impression, although he did have a chin implant inserted by a colleague. Startz's work tended toward the excellent, and his services were sought by some of Los Angeles's most prominent citizens. Until one of them, that is, an ex-wife of Oscar-winning actor Gig Young (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?), ended up with a face that looked like it had melted.
Hollywood Babylon. Elaine Young was once the real-estate agent to Hollywood royalty, from Elvis Presley to Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and the Sultan of Brunei. In 1977, she admired a friend's plumper cheeks and was referred to Startz. She ended up visiting his office every month for a year and a half for injections of liquid silicone to build more dramatic cheekbones—and she loved the results, according to an account in the New York Times Sunday magazine. At the time, the FDA was just beginning to look closely at silicone injected into the face, though many doctors had already seen bad results and refused to use it. "Everyone knew you could get silicone from Startz," says Kurt Wagner, a retired plastic surgeon who trained with him at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. "Jack used to go to Standard Brands Paint and buy industrial silicone and sterilize it," he says.
Within three years, Elaine Young regretted ever trying to change her appearance in the first place. The silicone in her cheeks had migrated, resulting in vision problems and disfiguring lumps. In 2006, when she died from cancer that first appeared in her cheeks, an Associated Press obituary stated that she had endured 46 surgeries to remove the substance. "Startz used to say, 'Silicone is like concrete. You pour it in and mold it,'" recalls another Hollywood surgeon of that era. "The only problem is, it didn't stay put." (Liquid silicone is now approved to treat detached retinas, but may be used off-label in the face.)
One of Startz's longtime employees, aesthetician Helene Ballas, says the permanently botched face of Elaine Young was hardly typical of Startz's work. "Silicone done right is a beautiful thing, and he was great at it," she says. Ballas herself became a patient: "I still have some in my face. I loved it." But she describes Startz, a former lover, as an erratic boss whom she walked out on after he sent her to buy a bottle of Scotch for him to drink while performing an operation.
No Happy Endings. With his reputation sullied and amid rumors of tax problems, Jack Startz's mood apparently darkened. On May 9, 1985, at 54, he ended his own life with a bullet in the mouth. His son, Jon Startz, 23 at the time, discovered his father's body in the bedroom of his house on Mulholland Drive. "It was gruesome, worse than any horror picture or fictional scene on TV," he says. Jon, who was estranged from his father at the time, says he has always wondered if Jack was actually murdered ("He had quite a few enemies") but he insists reports that his father was the target of numerous lawsuits are false. "There were some claims after his death, but no lawsuits," he says.
There have been no happy endings for any of the other lead characters in Behind the Candelabra either. Liberace died in 1987. In a vain attempt to hide his homosexuality, cardiac arrest was listed on his death certificate, although the cause was subsequently changed to AIDS, apparently contracted from a later lover. A few months earlier, the palimony suit Thorson had filed years before was settled out of court for less than $100,000, most of which went to pay Thorson's legal bills and debts.
"Everyone could be improved." Two weeks ago, I spoke to Thorson by phone at the Washoe County Jail in Reno, where he's being held on burglary charges (to which he has since pleaded guilty)—he found someone's lost wallet and helped himself to the credit cards. It's not his first run-in with the law. He served three sentences for drug-related convictions and spent time in the witness protection program after testifying in a mob murder trial, he writes in his book. Thorson, who now goes by the name Jess Marlow, declined to speak about Liberace and Startz before his exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight airs in advance of the HBO film (for which he was paid for screen rights). "I'm not invited to the opening," he told me, explaining that he feels used by the film's producers. "I'm devastated." Now 54, he has anal cancer—"the same disease that killed Farrah Fawcett," he pointed out.
A bit player in this saga, Guy Richard, the hairdresser who first recommended Startz to Liberace, is not doing well either. He is in a nursing home; a Google search of his name leads to a website for people with addictions. The financially strapped Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, meanwhile, is currently closed but may reopen in 2014 as the Liberace Experience in a new location near the Mob Museum.
Jon Startz and one of his two brothers survive their father. He admits Liberace's surgeon was "no angel," but he feels protective of his image. "Think about this—my dad changed people's profiles to make them happier," he says. "Scott Thorson is in jail, but hey, my dad would have said, 'You should have seen him before I got to him.' This was my dad's thinking, that everyone could be improved."
• The Real Story of Liberace's Plastic Surgery: Part 1
• The 11 Most Overrated Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
• Celebrity Plastic Surgery: A Brief History


text:
Click here to print the obituary below
Marilyn A. Aarrestad
PASSADUMKEAG - Marilyn A. Aarrestad, 60, wife of Calvin Innes, passed away Jan. 29, 2013, at a Bangor hospital. She was born April 19, 1952, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Tonnes and Ina (Berntsen) Aarrestad.
She grew up in East Hampton, Conn., but lived in Stafford Springs, Conn., for most of her working career. In 2008 she retired to Passadumkeag and made her home there. Marilyn worked for 30 years for the state of Connecticut as manager of state parks and forests. She had a reverence for the out-of-doors, enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and especially skiing. She took an active interest in all of her family.
In addition to her husband, Calvin, she is survived by a son, Erik Innes; a sister, Ingrid Aarrestad and her husband, Narain Scott; a brother, Peter Aarrestad and his wife, Lisa; nieces, Kelsey and Siri; and a nephew, Ansel.
Friends may call 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Gould's Ridge Cemetery. Those who wish may donate in her memory to Casting for Recovery, P.O. Box 1123, Manchester, VT 05254. To sign an online guest register and to leave written condolences, please visit
Funeral Home
Clay Funeral Home - Lincoln
7 Lee Road
Lincoln, ME 04457
(207) 794-2941
Published in BDN Maine on Jan. 31, 2013


text:
That hurts. That really hurts. Watching a national championship slip through the fingers of your college football team as the blood slips away from your body is just about as painful an experience as you can have in sports. There is a multitude of talking points and controversy and angles to analyze, scenarios to address, and for some of us, hair to pull out from Stanford's gritty, gutty 17-14 overtime win over the Oregon Ducks. But one stands out over all the others: Chip Kelly runs a machine, a humming machine that has one pebble that every-so-often trips up the works - an incompetent kicking game.
This football game was similar to the USC football game last year. A night home game, against the premier challenger to Oregon's Pac-12 crown, with the rain coming down, and things slowly but surely going horribly wrong. Last year, the Ducks and SC engaged in a high-stakes shootout, with the Trojans driving the Ducks to the brink of obliteration for three quarters, before Oregon counter-charged in the fourth and came up a missed game-tying field-goal short. This year, Stanford and Oregon wouldn't let go in a tug-of-war in the trenches that left the Ducks befuddled and bewildered offensively with dominating line play. But they still should have won. Two missed field goals, most importantly in overtime, did the Ducks in.
Oregon, once or twice a year, comes up against a team on a night that they are evenly matched with. When two teams are evenly matched, the game is usually very close. And close games come down to field goals. Alejandro Maldonado is a high-school kicker. Personally, I'm sure he's a nice guy, but he's flummoxed as to how to make any field goal over 30 yards. You knew Oregon would get in a situation where they had to make a field goal at some point this year. You also knew they didn't have a kicker. Oregon, and really all college football powers, are stacked at every position - except kicker. The Ducks have five-star players across the board. And a one-star kicker. It killed them again this year.
I don't get it. Why can't the certifiably brilliant Chip Kelly find someone who can consistently make a field-goal under 40 yards? Why? They've got to be out there. You cannot ignore the position of kicker; that man usually makes the two or three biggest plays of the season. It just so happens that the Ducks kicker, whoever it is, only kicks about seven field goals a year, but three of them change the season. The price is too steep to ignore the position. It's most likely cost Oregon two national title appearances in a row. I'm incredulous as to how a team as good as Oregon can have a kicker whose season long is 26 yards, and how the number one priority each year isn't upgrading that kicker.
Before we even got to overtime, Maldonado missed a dead-on 42-yard field goal in the third quarter that would have put Oregon up 17-7 and pulling away. Once Oregon got to overtime, sending out Maldonado was like separating from your wife. The actual kick was merely a formality, finalizing the divorce. Let Maldonado take that kick 40 times. Would you feel in your gut that you could object if I said he'd miss all 40?
Of course we can't pin all the blame on Maldonado and deny Stanford the credit and glory they so richly deserve. I read this game completely wrong: Stanford showed a will and focus that we hadn't seen in the last two games against Oregon, both played by Stanford teams considered more talented, but nowhere near as tough or clutch. The Cardinal didn't fall away when they were supposed to, and it was Oregon who lost concentration. They play UCLA next Saturday for a shot to play UCLA again in the Pac-12 title game. They executed their game-plan to perfection, and I'm sold on David Shaw as a major head college football coach. Stanford still appears to be on the rise.
I was saddened and surprised to see how baffled and toothless Marcus Mariota was. I'm once again left wondering why the Ducks haven't instituted a real two-minute offense, which would have helped in on the last drive of regulation. Oregon's defense was great, and the fan in me wants to lash out at the typically inept Pac-12 refereeing crew … the supposedly talented team working the biggest conference game of the season that didn't understand how to count downs. I thought that Zach Ertz was out-of-bounds, and that he didn't have control of the ball when his shoulder came down inbounds on Stanford's game-tying score. I can't imagine how there was conclusive video evidence to overturn the incomplete call on the field.
Of course, there were bounces that didn't go the Ducks' way as well, most notably the overtime fumble which fell to Michael Clay – the same man who swooped in to nab the game-changing fumble at last year's Rose Bowl, but the man who this year fell right over the ball, and into the grateful arms of a white shirt. You couldn't call the Ducks unlucky though … Stanford did what they had to do and got the bounces they needed to knock off #1.
We'd seen this game before: Oregon's offense is stopped cold, and the Ducks are locked in a real, old-fashioned battle - USC last year, Auburn the year before that - and Oregon needs to make the plays to win the game. They need to be clutch when it isn't easy. Oregon doesn't have to make a lot of pressure plays, and once again proves that this is a team, and very possibly a coaching staff, that can't win outside their comfort zone. Oregon was unprepared and not ready to play a game like this. Atrocious, rotting, un-attended to field goal kicking, no two minute attack, and an offense that doesn't know what to do if they can't run the same six plays they always run and coast by teams. That's extremely frustrating and until the Ducks figure out how to win games like these - in a miserable, frozen Autzen Stadium like Saturday night - they won't finish and win a national title.
The madness isn't over, not by any means. Oregon could still, conceivably, get to the national championship if teams like Notre Dame and Stanford lose next week. At worst, Oregon is playing for a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. No, the BCS carousel is far from exhausting itself, and the Ducks could find themselves in the lucky position when it's shut off for 2012.
Chip Kelly and his team will try to gloss over this game, quickly regroup, and Win some more Days. They should - the Ducks still have very important games to play. But they can't pick up, scurry away, and leave this game in the dust. Kelly and his staff need to learn from it. Address the kicking game, with which Oregon would have escaped. When Chip Kelly murmured field goal like he was saying "Voldemort" before he sent Maldonado to the wolves in overtime, you knew it was just about over. It doesn't have to be that way. I'm not saying the Ducks could have flipped a switch and won this game – Stanford were more than worthy victors. But I am positive that Oregon isn't helplessly resigned to the kind of result they got Saturday night.
This game hurts. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth because we'd seen this game before. Oregon had a chance against Stanford to rewrite its history in this kind of contest, and they went back and painted the exact same strokes, with the exact same results. So move on, but remember what this feels like, and remember why it happened. Oregon will be in another close game, another season-deciding game very soon. Don't show us this sickening movie again.
Abe Asher is on Twitter. Follow him at @AbesWorldSports
Be sure to check out other great articles at Oregon Sports News.


text:
In the headlines: Estonia is on track to meet EU renewable targets & EV development center opened in Spain
- Date
- 29 April 2013
Clean Revolution news stories you may have missed:
- China announces climate change law will be ready in next two years, April 26
- Low carbon LED lights make up a quarter of Philips' sales, April 24
- Clean energy investment expected to triple by 2030: analysis, April 23
- IKEA, Nike invest in innovative technology that will transform textile industry, April 22
- If you're on twitter join over 33,000 other people from around the world and follow @climategroup for the latest daily news and quick facts.
Industrialized nations' greenhouse gas emissions dipped 0.7 percent in 2011, helped by a U.S. shift from high-polluting coal in power plants and by Europe's economic slowdown, data compiled by Reuters showed on Friday. Reuters, April 26.
Companies are sitting on Australian coal resources likely to generate an extra 150 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, setting a potential collision course with international efforts to curb global warming that would strand investments. A new report claims investments in new Australian coal, oil, and gas projects are being made with no regard for the risk that they will later be devalued as the world moves to cut emissions. The report by the British-based Carbon Tracker Initiative and the Australian Climate Institute says companies listed on the ASX 200 spend $5.7 billion a year developing and replacing coal reserves. Sydney Morning Herald, April 29.
Mining shale oil under the Great Barrier Reef is likely to be banned by Australia's federal Labor government as tensions rise over the environmental impact of the booming oil and gas industry on the coastline beside the reef. In February, the conservative Queensland state government lifted a moratorium on the shale oil industry in most places along the coast to allow companies to assess whether the US shale oil boom could be replicated in Australia. The Guardian, April 25.
A new report by the Australian Climate Commission has found that China is emerging as the global leader on climate action. The study praises work to establish carbon trading, renewable energy expansion in the country and the government's efforts to put the brakes on growing electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions. With increasing momentum to act on climate change in the US as well, the report claims action from the world's two largest economies could stimulate efforts around the globe. RTCC.org, April 29.
Estonia is on track to become the first nation to meet the EU's target of providing 20% of its final energy use from renewable sources, according to new Eurostat figures released on 26 April. Across the continent, energies such as wind, solar and biomass contributed 13% of Europe's total energy consumption in 2011, up 0.9% on the previous year. The highest shares of renewables were found in Sweden, Latvia, Finland and Austria but the EU has set countries different individual goals according to their circumstances, and only Estonia exceeded theirs. EurActiv, April 29.
Poland is prioritizing low-cost electricity as it revamps its energy policy and shifts away from its reliance on coal-fired generation, the nation's environment minister said. Marcin Korolec said he'd like to phase out subsidies for both clean power and fossil fuels, though the country must also replace aging power stations including some that are more than 40 years old. Bloomberg, April 25.
The western Indian state of Rajasthan recently became the second state to have an operational solar power capacity of over 500 MW. Last year, another western state, Gujarat, achieved this milestone with its aggressive solar power policy. The state had unveiled its solar power policy, among the first in the country, a few years ago. The state had allocated a number of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power projects under this policy. Clean Technica, April 23.
North America
Negotiators heading to the latest round of UN climate talks in Bonn next week appear quietly confident the US could be ready to re-engage with the multilateral process. Washington has been a reluctant participant in efforts to develop a global consensus on climate change over the past decade, preferring to pursue non-binding schemes outside the UN framework. And while it's unlikely Congress would currently accept any form of international emissions deal, UK government sources have told RTCC the administration's attitude to international talks has become far more positive the past few months. "It's early days but there looks like there's something behind the PR," they said. RTCC.org, April 26.
The campaign to make climate policy a central plank of President Obama's second term cranked up a notch with the launch of a new push to embarrass Republicans over their climate scepticism and an important victory for the high profile 350.org campaign group. The Organizing for Action (OFA) campaign group, which was formed to support the President's re-election campaign, yesterday made one of its most significant interventions since the election, with the launch of a new campaign urging its supporters to 'call out' climate deniers in Congress. BusinessGreen, April 26.
The UK is one of the most active countries in the world when it comes to using taxes to drive more sustainable corporate behaviour and achieve green goals, according to new analysis by consulting firm KPMG. The country ranks number three in a new assessment of 21 major economies investigating key environmental policy areas such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, carbon emissions, clean tech innovation, and green buildings. BusinessGreen, April 26.
Detroit Electric has teamed up with Geely to develop a fully electric version of the Chinese manufacturer's best-selling Emgrand EC7 saloon. The two companies expect the new co-branded EC7-EV to be on the market in the first quarter of next year and will initially target business users and public-sector organisations. They are predicting sales of around 3,000 units in the first 12 months, growing to 30,000 in three years' time. BusinessGreen, April 29.
The southern Spanish city of Malaga on Thursday opened a centre to develop electric cars in a project backed by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi and Spanish utility Endesa. The research centre, installed in a former tobacco factory, is part of a pilot project with a budget of 60 million euros ($78 million) "aimed at achieving mass access to e-mobility," Endesa said in a statement. Bangkok Post, April 26.
A line of Mini Coopers, each attached to the regional power grid by a thick cable plugged in where a gasoline filler pipe used to be, no longer just draws energy. The power now flows two ways between the cars and the electric grid, as the cars inject and suck power in tiny jolts, and get paid for it. This nascent form of electric car commerce will be announced by the University of Delaware, the regional grid operator and an electric company. They have developed a system to collect payments for work (balancing supply and demand moment to moment) that is normally the domain of power plants. The New York Times, April 25.
LED Lighting
Researchers believe they have come up with a new type of LED-powered streetlamp that could radically reduce light pollution. Current designs "leak" large amounts of light in unwanted directions, obscuring views of the stars, wasting energy and making it harder for drivers to see. The team, based in Mexico and Japan, said they believed their solution was the "best ever reported". However, they have yet to turn their theory into a working prototype. The study - carried out by scientists in Mexico and Taiwan - appears in the open-access journal Optics Express. BBC News, April 25.
Want more? For daily news follow us on Twitter. To receive our news round-up, sign up for our free 360 Newsletter.


text:
Contender Nicholson Poulard advanced toward a potential world title fight with a victory over Anton Sjomkin on Friday night in Quebec. The light heavyweight's stoppage victory, which came at 1:24 of the third, took place on a card presented on BoxingChannel.TV. Poulard rose to 19-3, with 9 stops, while the loser, from Estonia, went to 13-8-1.
Corey Erdman called the action for TBC, and offered us an assessment of Poulard. "He looked Friday, because he had the kind of opponent he'll look good against, someone who isn't going to push the tempo at all. I liked that he fought on the inside a little. That's not something I've seen him do a lot of in the past. He was banned as an amateur for pushing a referee, so he's had to learn on the job essentially, as a pro.
"Nicholson doesn't have a good chin, so even though he might be better suited as an all-out 80 punch a round pressure fighter, he's typically judicious with his punch selection so he doesn't get caught with something in return.
"The other problem he has is that he's not a huge puncher for 175 either.
"That said, he's a good athlete, and he's been in the shadow of his brother Jean Pascal forever, fighting on smaller shows, taking sparring partner work (primarily with Bute), and not getting any attention.
Now he has offers to face either Carl Froch or Beibut Shumenov, and make some good money. Shumenov is a bad matchup for him because he throws a lot of punches, but he has a much better chance of beating him than Froch."
I asked Poulard's promoter, Eye of the Tiger, about Poulard-Froch. "We will refuse the Carl Froch offer because it is impossible for Nicholson to make 168 pounds," a spokesman said. "We will continue the negotiations with Shumenov for a WBA title shot at 175 pounds."
Poulard is on a solid streak now; the fighter debuted in 2004, lost his second and third bouts and has been almost spotless since, save for a UD12 decision loss to Sebastien Demers in 2009.
hmmm, this doesnt seem legit. poulard is 19-3-1 fighting a bunch of frenchie cab drivers in canada. poulard just beat this guy last night who lost his last 5 fights in poland, and now poulard is ready for a championship? maybe the publisist or matchmaker deserves a championship belt for this hype job. as the great flava flav said" dont believe the hype boyyyyyyyy
Who will win the Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward fight?


text:
I'm looking for some troubleshooting ideas on my mac mini failing to boot. The machine had been working fine until 3 days ago. I purchased the mini second hand from a friend ~ 4 months ago.
The machine: Mac mini 1.83/2x512/80/SD/AP/BT OSX - Snow Leopard The attached peripherals to the mini are: USB mouse, USB non-Apple keyboard, ethernet, and display.
Here are the symptoms:
- Power on
- Boot Chime continuously repeats ~ every second or so
- The indicator LED is continuously lit
- The keyboard indicator LED is NOT lit
- Monitor is a blank gray screen
I am not finding info on this set of symptoms in searches. What should I be considering with this set of symptoms?
Thank you.


text: Doll up any outfit with these fabulous heels! They will look super hot paired with your favorite skinnies or dress. Make sure you add these to your closet, it definitely is a must have! It features patent faux leather, color block pattern, closed toe, scoop vamp, stitched detailing, smooth lining, and cushioned footbed. Approximately 5 inch heel and 1 1/4 inch platform. Brand: Story. Style: shoes-heels-wf-cody-02blue


text:
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Amanda Nisbet
11 comments:
- Mary Beth said...
And the amount of light coming in is fantastic! Everything is so light and airy.
- June 3, 2009 at 10:23 AM
- Linda at Lime in the Coconut! said...
Great art...and lovin' that shock of orange kitchenaide!
- June 3, 2009 at 10:31 AM
- Kathi said...
I'm lovin' all of the round tables!
Like the pops of yellow too. Those floors are simply stunning!
- June 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
- Abbie said...
I know it's not turquoise... but I LOVE that owl!!
- June 3, 2009 at 2:44 PM
- Alicia said...
The turquoise slices on the dining room table were it for me!!!
Suuny yummy rooms!!!
- June 3, 2009 at 4:09 PM
- Amy said...
So coordinated! Even an orange mixer!
- June 3, 2009 at 5:55 PM
- Danika Herrick said...
Just wanted to let you know I love your blog and I'm nominating it for a Splash Award.
I also love this post. Amanda Nisbet is a color genius, this is one of my favorite interiors!
- June 3, 2009 at 7:19 PM
- Clayton Gray Home said...
Loving those lucite stools!
- June 3, 2009 at 10:26 PM
- Alluring Interiors said...
I absoluetly LOvE this space....The colour selections are totally fabulous!!
- June 4, 2009 at 11:47 AM
- isla said...
Hey, i love your blog and just the other day i put up the same post as you because of DTI!!! Check it out if you want, www.somacedesign.com/blog. We love turquoise out here in Hawaii, and i think i've linked you a couple times already. Keep up the awesome work!
- June 4, 2009 at 10:15 PM
- Camilla @ Designalogue Blog said...
I could happily hang out here! Though I would be inclined to pop all the artworks in my bag - especially the one over the fire place...im sure no one would notice!!
- June 7, 2009 at 6:12 PM


text:
Strong Canadian Dollar Fails to Slow Inflation
News@lert: Due to high inflation and weakness of the U.S. dollar, in April the Canadian dollar hit its highest level against the U.S. dollar in the last three years. This happened at a moment of inflationary concerns – Canada's Consumer Price Index reached its largest monthly increase in two decades, placing the country among the major recovering economies affected by inflation in the last year. Not only did the strong Canadian dollar fail to protect the economy from rising prices, but surprisingly it didn't prevent imported inflation from the United States, considering that the country is a major importer of U.S. goods. The import price index reported 4% growth in March and more than 6% in April, compared to the same months of 2010.
Price Index and Exchange Rate against USD
Chart provided by: CEIC Data
Of course there are positive effects of the high levels of the currency. Due to the strong Canadian dollar in the past year, domestic demand reported significant restoration. In the first quarter of 2011, final domestic consumption soared by 5.8% compared to the same period of 2010 and 10.6% compared to 2009. Imports also reported significant increases due to the strong currency – in April imports soared by 12.4% on an annual basis. Thus, it appears that the strong currency has not had a negative impact on the competitiveness of Canada's export goods. In addition, in April the country's exports rose by 10.7% compared to the same month of 2010.
Discuss this post and many other topics in our LinkedIn Group (you must be a LinkedIn member to participate). Request a Free Trial Subscription.
By Alexander Ivanov in Bulgaria – CEIC Analyst
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.


text:
Browse Collection
408 of 436
Click to hide image
Click to hide image
Late 16th/ early 17th century
Silver signet ring, the oblong bezel engraved with a shield of arms and a crest between the letters N D / D, the shoulders of the hoop are fluted and decorated with a wavy line
19.96 mm internal ring diameter; 22.68 g weight
Bought in Bolzano
Presented by Dr C.D.E. Fortnum in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, 1897; WA1897.CDEF.F536
Taylor and Scarisbrick, Finger Rings from Ancient Egypt to the present day, 1978, no. 628


text:
Dandelions? Yup, that scourge of many a lawn doctors is entirely edible and a worthy bittering agent for ales.
Lion Dandy, the latest brew in our year-long Province Ale Company project, is brewed with a French biere de garde yeast, floor-malted pale malts, brown sugar, French Strisselspalt hops and a load of dandelion greens. The recipe, passed down to Nicolo from his brewing mentor, Henri Hillion (of French origin, as the story goes), is for a traditional French country ale with the addition of fresh dandelion greens to assist the hops in adding bitterness to balance the malt sweetness.
Dandelion greens have a long culinary history in France and have long been used to make tonic beers and wines to help clean the liver. Dandelion greens contain a high amount of potassium and are highly nutritious.
To pair with this off-centered antique ale, Chef Joseph Arsenault is taking advantage of the local harvest. Apples are plentiful, and September is the first month in a few that ends in R, so that means oysters are back. To celebrate, we're serving Rambo apple-stuffed oysters with pig belly and fennel. Yum!
Lion Dandy will be tapped this Saturday at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach. And don't worry if you missed last month's beer. We held back a keg so members and newcomers can catch up and join the run of antique ales.
If you're new to Province Ale Co., here's the story.
We've asked about 100 adventurous beer lovers to join us on this journey. Participants are experiencing the re-creation of 19th-century beer recipes discovered in the dusty shelves of a local library. Nicolo Mastroianni (aka Sam Calagione) and his plucky head brewer, Ragged Jordan, are releasing one beer a month in 2013, and Chef Joseph Arsenault is re-creating a period-appropriate food pairing to go with each beer. It's an analog project for the digital age!


text: Share It MainStoriesEarn It! Zach Butler Trains to be a Champ Earn It! Zach Butler Trains to be a Champ Zach Butler pulls a 250 lb sled while working out with strength coach Bill Burniston at Performance Academy in Apex, NC. Butler is getting in shape to compete at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in the Republic of Korea. Megan O'Donnell | Dec 05, 2012 | North America: North Carolina His cheeks are red, his breathing rapid, Zach Butler grimaces as he uses all his strength to pull a 225 lb sled 50 yards. "Come on Zach, let's own it! We've got to earn everything we get," belted out Bill Burniston, Butler's strength coach at Performance Academy in Apex. "We don't want anyone to give us a gold medal. We want to earn it!" Butler, a Special Olympics North Carolina athlete, has been working hard to improve his speed, strength and endurance. The 27-year-old was selected to compete in snowboarding at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in the Republic of Korea Jan 29 – Feb. 5, 2013. Butler has shown he is committed. "One part of myself says just get through it," Butler said. "The second part says you can't do this. It isn't for you, just quit. I keep going with my first mind and pushing through. It's gotten better each week. I'm no longer ready to pass out at the end-just tired." After a month at Performance Academy, Butler began to notice his hard work paying off. He'd lost 10 pounds and his shirts were no longer snug. His mother caught him admiring his improved physique. "He asked me, have I got a six-pack yet," laughed Lynn Butler, Zach's mother. "I told him not quite yet but keep working. This experience has been so good for him. He looks at himself and says I'm thinner and stronger. He's so proud." About Me:Vice President of Communications for Special Olympics NC for 8 years and long time friend of Zach's and very proud to see him make the most of his upcoming opportunity. Related:Read more about Zach Read More Stories My Coaches Were There For MeCarla SimonBond Between Student and Coach Transforms Life of Special Olympics Swimmer at YMCACarolyn GessnerIn Malta, a Proud Mother Shares Her StoryNatasha MicallefAn "Awesome" Secret: The Universal Power of Unified SportsDavid EvangelistaA Unified Gathering Like No OtherNoha Gaballa"We all need to work together and respect each other to be successful"Maureen RabbittMore Schools in the UK want to Play UnifiedMaureen RabbittThat feeling you get. Teri Turner Ukrainian Mother Snizhana Kisishvili Shares her Story Snizhana Kisishvili We've been watching Special Olympics Ukraine from the sidelines for more than 5 years while my daughter Veronika was too young to compete in Special Olympics sports.Mother and son serve as valuable role models for athletes and their families in RomaniaBy Martha Jo BraycichSpecial Olympics is a safe haven for Romanian mother and daughterBy Martha Jo BraycichDo You Have A Story to Share?Share Your Story More Stories


text:
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In
Teaching & Learning
Curriculum & Student Services
Curriculum Services
Curriculum Areas
Instructional Resources
Lesson Plans
Translate this page
Powered by
Microsoft® Translator
Page Image
Page Content
Middle School Lesson Plans
Health Education is required instruction for all students as detailed in the OCPS Local School Wellness Policy. The state of Florida K-12 Health Education Standards are now called the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. These standards will be fully implemented beginning with the 2010 school year. Until that time, the current benchmarks/standards may be used.
One component of the Health Education curriculum includes human sexuality education. The OCPS School Board approved specific human sexuality education guidelines and curriculum in 1991. These guidelines require the use of district-approved resources and guest speakers for the implementation of this curriculum. In addition, teachers responsible for implementing this curriculum should receive training. This training is provided by district Coordinated School Health resource teachers. In accordance with state law, there is an opt-out provision available by contacting the school.
The Arnold Palmer Foundation has provided funding to support the use of HealthTeacher.com lessons by all K-12 Orange County teachers. The use of these lessons will make it possible for every student to receive health education instruction as part of a planned, sequential and comprehensive school health education program.
HealthTeacher.com is a health curriculum for K-12 teachers and health educators. Teachers will find the lessons useful regardless of whether they have professional preparation as a health educator. Health educators involved in homeschooling, community-based health and mental health centers will also find it helpful. The curriculum delineates knowledge and skill expectations that are consistent with the Assessment Framework and National Health Education Standards for each grade level.
Each lesson plan addresses both content and skills, providing activities for students and assessments to measure student learning. Lesson plans may also include masters for visual aids and student worksheets. Teacher keys are provided for student pages when appropriate.
HealthTeacher.com topics/lessons include:
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)
Community and Environment
Family Health and Sexuality
Injury Prevention
Personal and Consumer Health
Tobacco Prevention
Physical Activity
Mental Health
Please contact Brenda Christopher-Muench at 407-317-3200 x2786 or via email at
for additional assistance
OCPS Local School Wellness Policy, Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) & Curriculum Guidelines
OCPS Local School Wellness Policy
6th Grade NGSSS
7th Grade NGSSS
8th Grade NGSSS
OCPS Health/Human Sexuality Education Curriculum Guidelines
Lesson Plan Resources
HotChalk Health/PE Lessons
HealthTeacher.com Lesson Plans
OCPS Human Sexuality Education Sample Lesson Plans
6th Grade
Abstinence Lesson
7th Grade
Healthy Relationships Lesson
8th Grade
STDs Lesson
Order of Instruction
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Additional Information
OCPS District Textbook Recommendations
2011 Florida Statutes
1003.42/K-12 Education Required Instruction
Orange County Public Schools – 445 W Amelia St, Orlando FL 32801 – (407)317-3200
Copyright © 1997 - 2015 School Board of Orange County, Florida. All rights reserved.
As required by Section 668.6076, Florida Statutes, you are hereby notified that:
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request,
do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. History.--s. 1, ch. 2006-232.


text:
Please join us for our Service of Departure on Sunday, July 10, 2011 starting at the current Saint Matthew's location as we journey in community to Grace Church with God and begin a new chapter in our history.
Service of Departure
2010 Guilford Drive, Abbotsford • 12:30 pm
Lunch will be provided following the service.
As of July 10, 2011 our NEW LOCATION will be
Grace Church: 2087 McMillan Road, Abbotsford
Same Church, Different Location
phone: 604.226.4984


text:
Instructors sometimes ask, "How can I create an assignment in Blackboard Learn that isn't graded?"
It is possible to create a check mark in your Grade Center indicating a task is completed without assigning a grade value. The trick is setting that part up after you have created the assignment. To have an entry that looks like the image below in your Grade Center, you need to set up the assignment as normal, which requires you to enter some value in the Points Possible field.
After you have the assignment created, go to that column in your Grade Center. Select Edit Column Information from the column header drop down menu. As you scroll through your options, under Primary Display, you will notice an option for Complete/Incomplete. You may select that option now and change your Points Possible to zero or another desired value.
Remember to click the Submit button to save your changes. You will now be able to click in the grade cell and add a check mark for students who have completed the assigned task.


text:
Like with any piece of equipment, the organ will operate better and more trouble free if it is clean. Even your home is nicer to be in when it is clean. The organ is no exception. Since the organ is not cleaned on a regular basis, like you would your house, it is subject to the accumulation of dirt and debris. After a sufficient amount of dirt and debris has collected, it can affect not only the operational capabilities of the instrument, but begin to affect the tonal capabilities of the instrument.
With this section, we will not only hope to answer your questions about cleaning an organ, but describe and show you through text and pictures, the process of cleaning an organ.
How often should an organ be cleaned?
In general, an organ should be cleaned about every 25 years. We have see instruments sufficiently dirty to warrant cleaning after 10 years, and yet some organs were still acceptably clean after nearly 50 years of use.
What factors determine when an organ should be cleaned?
The building's environmental factors are going to make the greatest determination on how often the organ is cleaned. These factors will include such things as the amount and type of dirt and pollution in the air (whereas an urban environment's air is going to be much dirtier than a rural environment's air), any obstruction to air flow into the organ itself, amount of air circulated in the building that houses the organ, and the quality of the general air filtration system of the building.
When cleaning an organ, what items exactly should be cleaned?
We are of the firm belief that when an organ is cleaned, that all parts should be cleaned. This would include the console, casework, windchests, reservoirs, windlines, expression shades, expression motors, tremulants, switching equipment, pipework, blowers, and blower rooms and organ chambers.
If the organ contains a grille cloth type of material, what is best, attempting to clean it or replace it?
Though grille cloth can be cleaned by using an air compressor or a vacuum cleaner, hydrocarbons contained in the air do react with grille cloth materials, producing a very slight sticky or gummy coating. Most of the dirt can be blown or pulled off with a compressor or vacuum, but the sticky coating will remain, attracting and holding dirt and dust all that much faster. It would be generally our recommendation that the grille cloth material be changed, if at all possible, during the cleaning process.
Does the whole organ need to be cleaned all at the same time?
Even though that we certainly recommend that the entire organ be cleaned at the same time, with larger instruments, they can be cleaned in sections. This allows at least some portions of the instrument to be usable while the others are being cleaned.


text:
Written by AZoM
This represents the third new strategic tier-1 customer signed by TechPrecision during fiscal 2011.
In addition, the customer has provided TechPrecision with forecasts to produce more than 100 production units in calendar 2012, ramping to more than 200 production units in calendar 2013. The forecast anticipates a significant portion of this work to be produced by the Company's Wuxi Critical Mechanical Components Co., Ltd. (WCMC) subsidiary. As this customer ramps, the projected volume in two to three years has the potential to exceed the revenue of TechPrecision's largest current customer.
TechPrecision's Ranor and WCMC subsidiaries will be producing mono-crystalline chambers for this customer. Mono-crystalline solar wafers are used to produce the highest efficiency solar cells, thereby increasing the overall power of the solar panel. These high efficiency solar panels enable customers to meet energy requirements and optimize the amount of solar panels required.
"This order has the potential to be one of the most important achievements for the Company since I became CEO, and moves us closer to our goal of four new strategic tier-1 customers this fiscal year," commented James Molinaro, CEO of TechPrecision Corporation. "In addition to diversifying our customer base and increasing our penetration in the rapidly growing solar energy market, it provides the long-term opportunity, based on initial projections, to exceed the revenue from our largest current customer. More importantly, it helps us to increase the production out of our new WCMC subsidiary. First articles will be produced and shipped during calendar 2011, and we expect additional purchase orders covering production manufacturing in calendar 2012, with volumes ramping significantly over the ensuing two years."
Source: http://www.techprecision.com/
Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this news story?
Cancel reply to comment
AZoM.com provides this information service in accordance
with these terms and conditions.


text:
User's Guide to Style: Wide-leg Pants
Wide-leg pants are blowing up. Six women show us how to style a pair by Lauren Ralph Lauren.
27, owner, Flower Girl Los Angeles
Since becoming a mother eight months ago, Harper has started to rethink her look. "I'm cycling out my closet," she says. "At this stage in my life, I want to wear more mature things." The high-waisted pants suited her new style perfectly, as did a Levi's denim jacket and ruffled Ralph Lauren RRL shirt. But Harper decided to hold on to her towering Louboutin heels. "They're the sexiest shoes around."
"Instead of getting the typical new-mom bob, I just had my hair colored by Frank Martinez at Jeffrey-Kara Salon. The ombré shade lightened up my hair in a really natural way."
"The Levi's denim jacket makes the blouse more casual."
"This Ralph Lauren RRL top looks vintage and matches the linen pants perfectly."
"My vintage clutch has a full wallet on the inside. It's nice to carry something compact."
"I wear a lot of turquoise. This handmade vintage bracelet dresses up any look."
"I needed a lot of height to wear these pants, so I chose my tallest Louboutin heels."
Shoes: "Swedish Hasbeens clogs."
Jewelry: "Mociun."
Bag: "Goyard totes."
Jeans: "Wildfox."
Lingerie: "Agent Provocateur."
Style Role Model: "Kate Moss."
Massage: "Wi Spa."
Facialist: "Le Pink & Co."
Lip Color: "Any of the Bobbi Brown lip pencils."
Fragrance: "Bobbi Brown Beach."
Nail Polish: "OPI Sweet Heart."
Mascara: "Blinc."
Vacation Spot: "Isla Mujeres, Mexico."


text:
The Ottawa Senators' home arena will enter the 2013-14 season with a new name following Tuesday's announcement of a partnership with Canadian Tire Corporation.
Currently known as Scotiabank Place, the building will take on the name Canadian Tire Centre beginning July 1.
"The Ottawa Senators and Canadian Tire have been partners since 1990 when our fans first welcomed the team's announced re-entry into the National Hockey League. It is a long and storied partnership we are extremely proud of, and pleased to be able to build upon," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. "Canadian Tire is an iconic brand and is one of the largest hockey retailers in the world. That represents a unique opportunity for both of our organizations to work side-by-side on a wide range of new marketing and community initiatives that will be good for our business, our hockey team and most of all, our fans."
In addition to the naming rights, the partnership with Canadian Tire will also strengthen support for community-based programs such as the Future Sens Program, I Love to Skate Program, Canadian Forces Appreciation Night, Jumpstart Game Nights and the Bell Capital Cup.
An enhanced partnership between Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Sens Foundation will provide families in financial need with support in getting their children enrolled in organized sport and recreation.
Canadian Tire also becomes the title sponsor of Senators Sportsnet broadcasts.
Canadian Tire has been serving the Ottawa-Gatineau region for nearly 80 years. Its local Ottawa Dealers were founding sponsors in re-establishing the Ottawa Senators in 1990 and have been financial supporters of the team ever since.
|Back to top


text:
Trial Court Rules Global Warming Analysis Not Required Under CEQA
The court decision did not provide a detailed explanation for its ruling that - "no law required the Banning City Council to consider global warming at the time it approved this project" except for referencing arguments in the opposition brief. The opposition brief argued that there was no regulations under CEQA or the local air quality management district that address global warming or GHGs. Furthermore, AB32 became effective after the EIR was certified and, in any event, does not address CEQA. Although the court rejected the global warming challenge, it set aside the EIR on other grounds, most importantly, due to inadequate analysis of water supply.
Although this is only a trial court ruling with limited analysis, it is important for several reasons. It is the first court ruling in a series of lawsuits filed by the Center for Biological Diversity arguing that global warming must be analyzed under CEQA. It also is the first ruling to address CEQA requirements in a project EIR. Prior decisions only addressed subsequent or supplemental EIRs and ruled that climate change impacts and AB 32 were not new information requiring the preparation of a new EIR (Natural Resources Defense Council v. The Reclamation Board of the Resources Agency, Case No. 06CS-01228 (
Sacramento County Sup. Ct, April 27, 2007) and American Canyon Community United for Responsible Growth v. City of American Canyon, Case No. 26-27462 (Napa County Sup. Ct., May 27, 2007).
Despite this ruling, the issue of whether and how to analyze global warming under CEQA remains uncertain. There is no specific statute or regulation that addresses the issue. The Attorney General continues to submit comment letters arguing that GHGs and global warming must be analyzed in CEQA documents. The Attorney General's position is that EIRs must quantify GHGs and require mitigation measures to reduce emissions based on AB32's GHG reduction goals. The Office of Planning and Research is formulating CEQA regulations to address GHG emissions pursuant to SB 97. However, these regulations are not required to be adopted until January 1, 2010.
In light of this legal uncertainty, Meyers Nave continues to advise our clients on the various options for addressing GHGs under CEQA and the legal risks associated with the different approaches. Our advice is guided by meeting the client's objectives and minimizing legal risk. We have provided guidance on this issue for numerous CEQA documents throughout the state. Meyers Nave's land use attorneys are also involved in defending lawsuits challenging the analysis of GHGs under CEQA.
For more information on this issue, please contact Armit Kulkarni or Tim Cremin, attorneys at 510-808-2000.


text:
Great thanks to you, dear Zee, for your Testimonial about my Person!Its a cool surprise and the best online present for ever time!I'm so fun!
You know?? I'm glad we're friends
Dear Zee,
Thank You For The Testimonial :- )
Dear Zee, thank you so much for your testimonial, I appreciate it very much and I'm also appreciate our friendship. Blessings and hugs, Kerstin
Sending Some Fun To Thank YouFor My StarAnd BlessingsFor All You Do :-)
U R 2 ME 2 !!! XXXspecial graphics
THANX 4 the Amusing ecard, My Dear Friend ! XXX123Tagged.com - More Christian Comments
Problem on this page? Briefly let us know what isn't working for you and we'll try to make it right!


text:
If you feel you would like to be a part of this exciting and stimulating program,
please apply via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Applications are only accepted through the ERAS program and the selection
process at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center begins only when the application
is complete. We accept applications for our residency program beginning September
1 through October 31. The Department Review Committee will review applications, send
out interview invitations through ERAS during the first two weeks of November, and
offer two interview dates in December. Please note that applicants are responsible
for ensuring their application file is complete.
We accept foreign medical graduates from accredited medical schools. The graduate
must have passed their ECFMG and we sponsor J-1 visas. Students and graduated of foreign
medical schools should contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
Application Requirements
The items listed below must be in your application file or your file will not be reviewed.
US Graduates
International Medical Graduates
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine has adoped a policy
of accepting only International Medical Graduates with J-1 visas into the residency
training programs.
Forms to complete prior to scheduled interview:
Acknowledgement for GME Program Agreement
Addendum to ERAS
Background Check Form
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center participates in the National Residency
Matching Program (NRMP). Those applying should obtain information on the Match from
their deans or from:
National Residency Matching Program
Rotary Center
Suite 807
Evanston, IL 60201
Telephone: (312)328-3441
Web Page: http://www.nrmp.org
For more information, contact Joni Davis at (806) 743-1704 or email at joni email@example.com
School of Medicine, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430 Admissions T: 806.743.2297 | F: 806.743.2725 email@example.com | Admissions Intranet (For internal use only)Office of the Dean T: 806.743.3000 | F: 806.743.3021
Online Institutional Resumes
Campus Webmasters | General Policy Information
State of Texas Web Site | SAO Fraud Reporting | DMCA Compliance | Compliance Hotline | Texas Homeland Security | TTUHSC Energy Conservation Report
TTUHSC Home | Texas Tech University System | Texas Tech University | Angelo State University
©2016 Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | All Rights Reserved


text:
this is a bit more complicated than the post title suggests because I was running out of words. I suppose the full title would be: "Finding the distance between the centre of an arbitrarily rotated cylinder and a point on that cylinder which is the intersection of a ray projected from the centre of the cylinder at angles a and b, which are relative to the absolute axes."
To break it down a little:
I have a circular cylinder, which is rotated to an arbitrary orientation in 3D. I have the radius of the cylinder and I have a vector which is the vector along the cylinder's length (essentially the cylinder's orientation). The cylinder's height is infinite.
I also know the coordinates of the centre of the cylinder, let's call that point p. From p I draw a line in 3D in a direction specified by two angles, alpha and beta, which are angles of rotation in the cardinal axes of x and y (i.e. the absolute axes, and not relative to the cylinder). I would like to work out the point at which this line intersects the cylinder and also the distance between the two points.
So to break it down further:
1) I need to rotate the cylinder back to the origin, and then rotate the line by the exact same same angles to get them relative to the cylinder while the cylinder is at the origin.
2) Using this new point of reference, I need to calculate the point of intersection between the now transformed cylinder and the line made from the two transformed angles I have.
I can get x and y of this point by using rCosAlpha,rSinAlpha and I can get z by using rtanBeta (I have the adjacent - r (the radius) - and need the opposite)
And then I simply use Pythagoras' theorem to get the distance.
The problem is working this all out using these two frames of reference: absolute orientations and relative orientations. Or solving problem (1) so I don't have
Does anybody have any ideas?


text:
Empowering you to protect your aging brain.
Curious about B vitamins and brain health? Or a diet that may prevent dementia? Vote now, and we'll report on the topic of your choice.
The Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and the MIND diet
" Cognitive aging begins at age 20.Howard Fillit, MD
We now recognize that Alzheimer's disease begins in mid-life. The choices
we make today will impact our
minds for the rest of our lives. "
Executive Director and Chief Science Officer
of the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
To stay connected with us, please provide your contact details below. We will share the latest Alzheimer's and related research news, along with information on our signature events.


text:
Pretty girl blues; was this label she put on herself or allowed others to give her? Why did she allow herself to hide deep in her pain? She hides behind her pretty looks, clothes, and the truth within. She has outer beauty, but was suffering on the inside with low self-esteem, pity, and unhappiness. Could her beauty cover up her hurt? She desperately wanted to be accepted. Yes, she has a darling personality and nobody could take that away, but was it enough to mend the hurt and internal pain? Her parent's had sacrificed and cared for all her brothers and sisters, but would they anticipate one of their children developing cancer at the age of two.
We are familiar with several types of cancer, but a baby developing this type (Rhabdomyosarcoma) was unheard of. This was such a rare form of cancer the doctors' thought she would not live to celebrate her 3rd birthday. How could this be and why? Most importantly how would doctor's care for this child? Her care began at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, but the family was later advised to seek a second opinion at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in New York City. The majority of her childhood and adolescent years are spent in New York City. At Sloan Kettering she would have many surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Because of the cancer, reconstructive surgery was not optional. This procedure would cause her to have a colostomy and ileostomy bag to aid her bladder and bowel function for the rest of her life. Even after that surgeries seem to never stop. Imagine growing up wearing two bags, being teased and set aside because you can not tell if it is time to change your bags. "Hey what is that smell", they would say. She had incidents in school and when she did not know how to handle these situations it really caused her low self-esteem. She had it bad. Her hearts desire was to be like other children. To be teased by her peers was heart breaking.
Becoming a teenager and maturing into a young adult were difficult years. She later involved herself in boyfriends, but when they got close she would break it off, fearing they would not understand. She had a method of trying to hide "the secret". Someone will understand, she thought. It seem like no one did, what a fool she felt like. Continuing to hide behind her family, friends, and pretty looks, she developed the craft of covering and dressing up the outside. This disease causes her to hide deep in her pain. Questions would arise. How would she cope? How would she handle what life have dealt her? Can she continue to hide "the secret"? So I asked myself, "Why do I feel so blue, and how can I change the way I am feeling"
Surely, there was an answer. I could not imagine, but God would change my life. He healed me from cancer. I am His miracle child. He protected and assured me everything was going to be all right. God not only healed my physical body, but my spirit and mind. That is what needed to be healed desperately. I am thankful for that spiritual process which took place within me. My insecurities did not change overnight, but I learned how to be a survivor. The question was not "Why Me", but "Why Not Me". This "secret" would no longer be a secret, but a triumphant story. My trials and tribulations tested my faith, but it made me stronger. God instilled in me an inner strength I thought I did not have. This journey has taught me so much and I will use this experience for my aspirations in life.


text:
The Freebirds vs. Ted Dibiasi - Blinding the Dog Again (1981)
The infamous Ted DiBiase/Freebirds incident, where he gets piledriven several times. You can even hear the people crying. This playlist also includes events and interviews following the incident. The Freebirds make their mark on Georgia Championship Wrestling.
To Download or Embed this video, go to this link.
Back to the Georgia Championship Wrestling Program Segments Library
back to Uncle Earl's Classic TV Channel


text:
Feb. 27, 2012
BESSEMER, Ala. - Tulane's bowling team closed out a tough weekend at the Holiday Collegiate Classic with as match play victory over Alabama State in the final day at Holiday Bowl Fun Center hosted by Alabama A&M.
The Green Wave (15-51) earned a 4-1 victory over Alabama State in the match play tournament on Sunday after going 0-4 in Friday's Baker Format and 0-4 in Saturday's team play.
"An up and down three days ended on a positive note with a match play win against Alabama State," Tulane head coach Hayley Beavis said. "The ladies are performing well in baker and were certainly competitive on Friday. Saturday's team games performance was where we lost a huge number of pins."
Individually, Tulane was led by Caryn Wong who rolled an 881in Saturday's team format. She rolled a team-best 202 during the opening match against host Alabama A&M. Jessica Cwik bowled a combined 849 with a high of 197 in the fifth match.
"Caryn (Wong) performed well all weekend and was the MVP on the team," Beavis added. "Overall it was exciting to see the whole team bond well in the baker matches and with some dedicated practice over the next two weeks we will hopefully end the season with our best performance yet."
Tulane will take a few weeks off on competition before closing out the season in Nashville, Tenn., at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic hosted by Vanderbilt on March 16-18.


text:
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like any information please don't hesitate to call us. We're always happy to help!
Peter and Yvonne Cloke
Riesling Trail and Clare Valley Cottages
- Mobile: 0427 842 232 (anytime)
- Email:
- Office: 9 Warenda Road, Clare SA 5453
Riesling Trail Bike Hire
- Mobile: 0418 777 318 (anytime)
- Email:
- Office: 10 Warenda Road, Clare SA 5453
Click to view our cottages brochure and the bike hire brochure.


text:
Been looking through all the options for a new camera as an upgrade to my aging Powershot S80 which has given great service and I'm still happy with... Still it would be nice to have improved quality overall. Going up to an S100 doesn't seem like a big enough jump, I'm happy with the S80 as a pocket camera, and the Mrs has a newish Lumix.
I've toyed with getting into DSLRs, looked into bridge, superzoom, compact system/mirrorless/micro 4/3rds etc etc. But I think what I'd love the most is just an uber-compact that doesn't break the bank like a Leica or perhaps an X100 (though the price is coming down on those). Manual controls and image quality are order of the day. All the reviews seem to really rate the G1X, apart from no macro to speak of and slow AF and slow continuous shooting. Those are small downsides for an uber-compact covered in manual controls and with approaching-dslr-quality.
Prices for G1X's and X100s will slowly go south so I might sit it out and bag a bargain one day... so anyone here had any practical experience of either machine, or any others I should consider?


text:
LA school district seeks millions from Apple over iPad software woes
The Los Angeles Unified School District is seeking a multimillion dollar refund from Apple over a failed project to provide 650,000 students with iPads they could use at home.
The Los Angeles Unified School District is seeking a multimillion dollar refund from Apple over a failed project to provide 650,000 students with iPads they could use at home.
Apple has delayed the production of its larger-screen iPads, as it works out the final design and features for the product targeted at businesses.
Some Apple products may be banned from sale in the U.S. if Ericsson gets its way after filing a barrage of patent lawsuits.
Fast-rising smartphone maker Xiaomi has quickly become one of China's biggest tablet makers as well, but Apple is still holding steady as the country's top vendor, according to new data.
Google's newly completed Apps suite can't beat Apple's improved iWork or Microsoft Office
Despite a continued shipment decline for its iPad product line, Apple maintained its lead in the worldwide tablet market...
Vodafone has made the surprise announcement it will start selling the iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 today. The carrier is offering a $100 credit to customers who add 2 year tablet plan to their existing account before November 4.
The first products from Apple's mobile enterprise partnership with IBM will roll out next month, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook, who said the partnership "could change the way people work."
A race is underway between Google and Apple. The two rivals released tablets last week and now the pressure is on to get the Nexus 9 and iPad Air 2 onto shop shelves and into the hands of customers.
Australians interested in buying the Touch ID enabled iPad Mini will have to pay $130 more than the Mini 2. That's a 26 per cent premium on an identical tablet, save for the finger scanner. This is a feature most people have lived fine without.
Apple launched a new iPad this morning, but 24 hours after Google beat them to the punch. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the specs found in each tablet.
Following revisions to Apple's iPad range and 27in iMac is the Mac Mini, which was the beneficiary of processing updates and a new operating system.
Apple's range of iPads have received a refresh with the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3. The iPad Air 2 now claims the "world's thinnest tablet" title from Sony.
Gartner claims tablets will represent only 9.5 per cent of total worldwide sales of devices in 2014, with growth slowing from 55 per cent year-over-year (YoY) in 2013 to 11 per cent this year.
Apple has conveniently slipped up by revealing the new versions of its iPad online, one day ahead of the company's scheduled launch event.
The latest business news, reviews, features and whitepapers
Visit our shop for the best deals on hot products
Watch our video news and reviews from around the world
Comprehensive buying guides, features, and step-by-step articles
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.
For work use, Microsoft Word and Excel programs pre-installed on the device are adequate for preparing short documents.
The Fujitsu LifeBook UH574 allowed for great mobility without being obnoxiously heavy or clunky. Its twelve hours of battery life did not disappoint.
The screen was particularly good. It is bright and visible from most angles, however heat is an issue, particularly around the Windows button on the front, and on the back where the battery housing is located.
My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.


text:
Apple Floating Island
Stew in a sauce-pan, with very little water, eight or nine fine apples; when they are soft, pass them through a sieve, and season them with nutmeg and pulverized sugar to the taste.
Whisk to a froth the whites of four or five eggs, mix them gradually with the apples.
Sweeten some cream or rich milk, and place the above mixture upon it in heaps.
This is a very nice dish.


text:
Just wanted to say hello. I'm new to the forum and must say I enjoy this site more and more everytime I visit. I just bought my first hand gun (Kahr CM9) and absolutley love it.
I look forward to reading and taking in as much info as possible. Talk with you all soon. :biggrin2:


text:
Advanced Search |
Search Tips
2400 NW 80th St,PMB #294Seattle, WA 98117-4449
We'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the form below and we'll be in touch.
The characters you copied from the image are incorrect. Please try again.
Please copy the characters from the image into the text field below. Doing this helps us prevent automated submissions.
Copyright 2016 Zentek Clothing Company Store : Sitemap : Ecommerce Solution by Bigcommerce


text:
A few days ago, Tom, aka "Fishing Guy" did a "what is it post", showing three cropped images and asking his readers to guess the subject of each image. One of his images was a close up view of Lichens.
Lichens are really fascinating creatures, a symbiotic combination as two organisms, a fungi and an algae or blue green bacteria, living as one. These composite organisms are described and given species names, even though they technically are two different organisms. I have not studied lichens, but I do find them fascinating. They seem to really "pop" on gray, wet days, like yesterday, so I decided to photograph some of these interesting organisms in our back yard, Mostly on fallen limbs of our Bur Oak, but also some on the fence post, and even on our concrete front porch. My question, what do you see in these lichens? Consider this a Rorschach inkblot test for naturalists.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Looking at Lichens
Posted by Tom Arbour at 2:37 PM 7 comments
Labels: lichens
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Our First Hike
Life is a collection of firsts, a string of events which we will never forget. Although it was short and sweet, this past Friday, Weston and his mom and dad went on their first nature hike along the Olentangy Bike trail. What a great day, and what a great job Weston did, sleeping most of the time strapped to his mom in a Weego baby carrier.
First, a stop at the playground. Now I have a reason to hang out at these places again. In a former life, I was a professional playground attendant in Shamu's Happy Harbor at Sea World Ohio.
A beautiful, early spring, blue sky day. I love how American sycamore bark contrasts with the blue sky. There are several majestic sycamores that line the Olentangy just north of I-270.
Three trees or one? Just off the asphalt path, this triple sycamore can't be missed. The trunks to come together about 5 feet off the ground, making it one tree.
The triple sycamore is situated near a bridge which crosses over this small tributary. As it heads towards the river, its path is quite natural and sinuous. The shale bedrock of the area is exposed- This is the same shale that is found all the way up in Cleveland. It is also the source of Central Ohio's high radon readings in homes and schools.
We took a small side trail near the creek, and I spotted a hermit thrush, a relative of the American robin.
Robins were also plenty active in the area, and were certainly less wary than the hermit thrush. There is something nice about seeing Robins in natural habitats instead of green lawns.
Going back towards the asphalt path, I noticed that small minnows were active in the stream, some of them tipping their noses and rubbing up against the stream bottom. How many fish do you see? If I had to guess, I would say these were probably black nosed dace, but that is just a guess. I used to catch these all the time as a kid in the creek behind our house, which eventually led to the Cuyahoga.
Yet another thing that reminded me of exploring creeks when I was younger was some of the bubbling brown algae that had started to bloom. This stuff is extremely slippery.
We left the creek, continuing to walk north, until we met up with a flock of white-throated sparrows.
At about this time, Weston was starting to stir a little bit, so we decided to turn back and head south to Worthington. On our walk back, I took note of what plants were starting to bolt, including:
Perhaps poison hemlock? You don't want to touch this one, ever. It will grow to 6 feet tall or more by the end of the summer.
Garlic mustard, a nasty non-native invasive species which you may remember from this post.
And, several clumps wild leeks, or ramps, which are famous in West Virginia.
Finally, I noticed a two species of plants in full flower. The flowering of these trees just happens to coincide with my spring hay-fever.
American elm,
And silver maple.
Thanks for joining us on our first adventure.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 11:02 AM 9 comments
Labels: birds, nature walks, olentangy parklands, Olentangy River, plants, weston
Monday, March 23, 2009
13 Lines + Squirrel =
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel!
Central Ohio is home to the easternmost populations of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. How about that for a scientific name?
My buddy and co-worker Rick G., who many of you know and love as Ohio's Natural Heritage Botanist, and his lovely wife, were out gallivanting this weekend near Circleville, Ohio, and spotted this quite photogenic creature. Fascinating, isn't it? Ohioans, have you ever had an encounter with these? How about our friends on the plains? Apparently, the Minnesota Golden Gopher is actually a thirteen-lined ground squirrel. I guess the nickname "The Minnesota Spermophilus tridecemlineatuses" was too long, so they went with the golden gophers. Thanks Rick for these awesome images.
Also, if you are out and about, and happen to capture some great images of Ohio's Natural History, but don't have enough time to do a blog yourself, send them to me, and I'll feature them here. My e-mail is in the sidebar on the right, just above my facebook badge.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 7:42 PM 9 comments
Friday, March 20, 2009
Good Work Little Man
So I just happened to catch Weston the other day laying on a blanket on our family room floor. He was studying his field guide, and looked especially interested in the box turtle, oak, and maple leaves. Good work little man, we're proud.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 2:28 PM 21 comments
Friday, March 13, 2009
Grackle Wars
Have you started seeing common Grackles where you live? The past three days, our backyard has been inudated with them. At first, I thought it was pretty neat, but after dozens started eating the our seed, and tearing up the yard, and surely freaking out our densely populated suburban neighborhood, I'm starting to think I might have created a nightmare. I don't mind a few grackles, but hundreds is a different thing. I'm speculating that the flocks that have come to our yard are migrating north? Today, for instance, they seemed to have moved on.
When I first saw all these grackles feeding, I got a few blurry shots through our downstairs window. To get some better shots, I bolted up the steps and into our small master bathroom, newly painted green, to open up the window to get some clear shots. Unfortunately, as I slid the creaking window open, I scared the birds away.
Except for two, that literally dropped out of the old bur oak and onto the ground, seemingly locked together by the feet. Battling with each other, pecking at each other, I wasn't quite sure what they were doing, how they were attached, or how long this scrum would last.
The birds quickly wiggled across the ground, fighting all the way, until they went just out of view behind the big oak. Has anyone seen anything like this?
This is my contribution to this week's Camera Critters Meme, hosted by Misty Dawn.
Also- around mid-day, I added another camera critters post at Tom Arbour Photography, an Image of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos from Australia.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 10:17 PM 38 comments
Labels: backyard wildlife, birds, grackle
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Last Night's Sunset- Sky Watch Friday
Welcome SkyWatchers! I invite you to follow my blog or subscribe to my feed. This is the giant bur oak my wife and our 10 day old son (pics here) have in our backyard. I took this picture last evening of this incredible sunset right here in Worthington, Ohio, hanging out the window of our upstairs bathroom.
For more Sky Watch images, and to participate, go here.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 2:23 PM 36 comments
Labels: sky watch friday
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Finally, Cardinals
I came to take northern Cardinals for granted when we lived at our last house. Our neighbor had been feeding birds for years, and dozens came to the feeders that I set out only feet from his yard. That hasn't been the case at our new house. I would see cardinals alight on our fence and wires, but they were just staging to land at the neighbor's feeder. Finally, in the last two days, the Northern Cardinals have come to our yard to feed as well. It is certainly a nice feeling- I'm doing what I need to do to lure the birds to our yard.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 4:00 PM 5 comments
Labels: backyard wildlife, birds
Monday, March 09, 2009
My World Cooper's Hawk
I've been working diligently to lure birds to our backyard with seed and suet. The persistence seems to finally be paying off. Apparently, enough prey is present to attract the neighborhood Cooper's hawk. The bird alighted on our neighbor's Siberian Elm, above some already flowering silver maples, as Megan, Weston, and I were enjoying Saturday's 70 degree weather.
Since I shot this picture right in my backyard while sitting on my deck with my new family, I thought it would make a great contribution to the "My Word" Meme. Go here to participate and view other images.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 2:39 PM 31 comments
Labels: backyard wildlife, birds, cooper's hawk
Friday, March 06, 2009
Finding Signs of Spring
Part of what makes blogging interesting is reading other blogs and looking to see what are people are finding. I try to come up with unique, interesting things that jump out or make you stop here for a second to view my images. There are a ton of good nature blogs out there, almost so many, it sometimes gets overwhelming.
So here is my attempt to catch your interest-my foray to my backyard this afternoon, routing through about 2 square feet of leaf litter, and discovering a bounty of life beneath the old bur oak.
In this next shot, I found two millepedes in a tight clutch. I'm not quite sure what they are up to. I also noticed some other interesting things. Look closely at the photo, then check out the next two photos, which are tight crops of the image below.
There seemed to be plenty of these little creatures- very small, approximately 1 millimeter long.
The last creature of the afternoon, an ever so tiny, probably not more than 2mm long, leafhopper.
The soil is warming, these creatures are stirring, Spring, here we come.
This is my contribution to Misty Dawn's Camera Critters Meme.
Posted by Tom Arbour at 5:56 PM 35 comments
Labels: backyard wildlife, insects, macro, millipede, photography, slug, spring
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Ohio Cave Exploration
My co-worker Erin is featured this morning in an awesome article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She has led a two year project to document cave biota in Ohio. This discovery hasn't been vetted through scientific channels (published in a scientific journal), but it is still a great find. There are so many things to be discovered right here in the buckeye state. Here's a video featuring Mike Johnson, natural resources director of Metroparks Serving Summit County, showing off this interesting creature in its natural habitat.
|Shrimp-like creature found in Summit County cave
Ohio Cave Exploration
Posted by Tom Arbour at 9:28 AM 1 comments
Labels: caves, summit county
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Baby Weston
Here's Weston and MOM! I was absolutely exhausted last night, so I came home and got about 9 hours of great sleep. I'll be down to the hospital again to check on Mom and Babe this morning.
Again, thanks everyone!